Sora's water gun, two seconds to fire!

One second.

Yes, sir!


　Children in the baths shouted cheerfully and put their hands together as if they were squeezing. Then the hot water gushed out from between their hands and drew a parabolic line in the steamy air.

　It's a funny sight in itself, but it's also a thought for me as the target of a water pistol. While washing her hair, Ilaria, who had been hit in the face by three water cannons, silently dug her hands into the bath tub. Then, with the exact same motions as the children, she carried out her retaliatory action.


''Bubba!

Pubu!

Pupi?


　Three screams came from the children's mouths as they were hit in the forehead by the water discharge, which was far different in accuracy and power from their own. Ilia spoke gravely to those three.


'Ain, Zwei and Dora. The only people allowed to fire water guns are those who are prepared to be hit by water guns.''

"Hahaha, we will not run down, we will not bow down, we will not turn back!　Men, come back!

Oh!

Oh no!

There's been a noticeable shift in someone's influence on you.


　Ilaria blurts out in a small way as she gets hot water in her face again.

　Then, often caustic (?) An exchange of gunfire ensued, but Ilaria pulled all three of them out of the bath before the exchange lasted too long. He had been warned not to stay in the bath for too long as it could cause blood to rise to his head.

　In the village of Merte, there was no bath, and the children were not used to taking a bath. The children had to be careful not to get sick in the water, which they were not accustomed to.

　They were unaware of Ilaria's concern, but they were excited to get out of the tub and were chattering away. Ilaria grabbed them and washed their bodies and hair. It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.


I'm sure you'll find it easier to remove the dirt with hot water, and that's easier than washing with water.

It's warm and inviting.


　Ilaria said while washing her sister's (Dora) hair, and Ein, who was washing her brother's (Zwei) hair next to her, nodded widely.

　Ilaria looked at the happy and joyful Ayn and spoke to her in a languid manner.


We can't stay here forever, Ein," she said. It's hard to get used to this life and then return to the village.


　A large bathroom in a luxurious mansion that would be mistaken for that of a nobleman. The water used is so pure that Lunamaria summoned a water spirit (Undine) to prepare it, and it can be used as-is for drinking water.

　Using this much water for bathing purposes is the height of luxury, even in normal times. Especially now that the water in the Kale River was contaminated with hydra poison, it was beyond extravagance; it was luxury at the highest level of luxury.

　Back in the village of Melte, the villagers were faced with a lack of water to drink, let alone bathe in the hot water. He knew it would be a distraction to the children's enjoyment, but he couldn't help but say a few words to them.

　However, Ilaria's fears do not go unnoticed by the children.


'What?　But Sora said to stay as long as you wanted?

It did.

You did.

Well, why not? You don't think I'm going to stay here forever, do you?


　The three of them all nodded their heads at Ilaria's words. They couldn't seem to understand what Ilaria was trying to say.

　As Ilaria was thinking about how to get the children to realize their current situation, the bathroom door opened without a sound and a fifth person entered.

　At first she thought it was her mother, Sailor, but as soon as she saw the red color in her vision, she unconsciously shielded her body.


It's my sister Milo!

Uh....

That's my sister.


　Miroslav smiled with a smile on his face as the three of them gave their respective reactions, how unapologetic he was.


''I'd like to join you, gentlemen.


　With that, Miroslav walked over to the tub, picked up the tub, and poured the bath water over himself.

　He walked over to the tub, picked up the tub, and poured the water over himself.

　For the past few days and nights, Miroslav has been holed up in his room working on his antidote to the disease, and his face is covered in a shadow of fatigue that he can't hide. That shadow fades as soon as the hot water is poured on it, as if it were melting. Apparently, this bathroom is more effective than the recovery magic of Ilia and Sailor.

　And that's when it happened.


''Oh, um, I, I'm going to leave now!


　Zwei, who was having his hair washed by Ein, suddenly stood up and hurriedly walked out of the bathroom. Zwei's cheeks were as red as an apple as he left.


I'm not going to be able to get out of it. I'll come up too!

You're up.


　Ain and Dora followed Zwei out of the bathroom as well.

　Ilia hurriedly called out to the three of them on their backs.


''You three should wipe yourselves properly!

"Yes!


　Three voices responded to Ilia's call. As Ilaria sighed, thinking that they were still only good at answering, a giggle could be heard from the side.


''Huh, they're so energetic.

'....Yeah. Sometimes it's hard to be too energetic, though.

Isn't that better than the other way around?


　With that, Miroslav slowly stood up. The glistening white sorcerer's limb was reflected in Ilia's vision.

　No one would be able to look at the current Miroslav and recognize him as someone who had been severely burned just a few days ago. Even his burnt and damaged hair looks the same as before. It's a good thing that you're not going to have to worry about the fact that you're not going to have to worry about the fact that you're not going to have to worry about the fact that you're not going to have to worry about the fact that you're not going to have to worry about the fact that you're not going to have to worry about the fact that you're not going to have to worry about the fact that you're not going to have to worry about it.

　-- Looking at Miroslav now, the story of the "dragon's blood" that Sora told him in Merte's village suddenly becomes more believable.

　While Ilaria was thinking about this, Miroslav stepped into the tub and cowered in the water with a small sobbing sound.

　Seeing this, Ilaria silently followed Miroslav's lead and moved into the hot tub.

　The two remained at a distance, neither of them near, nor far, but did not open their mouths to each other. The bathroom was covered in a curtain of silence.

　The faint sound of water and steam. The sound of the three men laughing could be heard from afar.

　--I'm not going to be able to get to know you.


You have something to ask me, don't you, Ilaria?

Will you tell me if I ask you?

Yes, of course. As much as I can answer, that is, if I can help it.


　At Miroslav's answer, Ilaria faintly raises her eyebrows.

　As he had stated to his opponent Sora in the village of Merte the other day, Iria was already aware of the connection between Sora and Miroslav. Miroslav had received Sola's intentions and cut down the "Falcon Blade" from within.

　Is there something you want to ask me?　Of course there is.

　Why did you sell out your friends? Why did you betray Lars? Why did you follow Sola? Why, why, why, why--

　But Ilaria didn't want to talk about those questions.

　Of course, it was not because she had forgiven Miroslav. Rather, it's the opposite. The collapse of the Falcon Blade, which began with the duel between Lars and Sora, was entirely the work of Sora and Miroslav, and Iria was not confident that she could contain herself when she was told that this was all the fault of Sora and Miroslav.

　If he hurts Miroslav here, there will be retribution from Sora. It would not only affect Ilaria, but also her mother and younger siblings.

　Besides, the improved antidote that Miroslav is working on is essential for Iria, who is being poisoned by Hydra. Ilaria can't touch Miroslav in a double or triple sense.

　So she dares to keep the truth away. He keeps the doubts in his own chest as doubts. That was the decision Ilaria had made.

　If you want to call it postponing the problem, that's the end of it, but I couldn't think of any other plan to maintain the status quo other than doing this.


'Not really for now.

I see.


　At Ilia's response, Miroslav nodded after a short pause. Perhaps he had accurately read Ilia's sentiments in that instant.

　After a short pause, Miroslav opened his mouth again.


''Then, I will speak to you from my side. To be precise, it's not a story, but a request.''

Please?　You, me?

'Yes. Ilaria, what you're thinking right now, I'd like Lars to keep it quiet.


　The moment Ilia understood the meaning of those words, an unconcealed rage appeared on her face.


''........What do you mean?　Don't tell me you're still trying to trick Lars?　Or are you saying that you don't want Lars to hate you after all this time?

No, I have no intention of going back to Lars now, and I don't think I ever will. It's not for my sake that I ask you to keep quiet about it, it's for Lars' sake.

That's what it means.


　Ilaria's mouth clenched as she didn't understand the meaning of her opponent's words.

　Miroslav continued to speak as he gently scooped the water from the bathtub with his hands.


''It's the Alliance (Master),''

...What's wrong with Sora?

'The allies (masters) don't have much animosity towards Lars. Perhaps it was the situation when he was attacked by the Lord of the Flies. Lars was just unconscious at the time.


　He didn't harm Sola with magic like Miroslav did. Nor did he intentionally abandon Sora like Ilaria and Lunamaria. Lars is not in any way at fault in the case of using Sora as a bait.

　Of course, that does not mean that Lars is favorably disposed to her. Lars has never hidden his disappointment in her, and once he regained consciousness, he covered for his friends and dismissed all of Sola's claims.

　In that sense, Sora would hate all of the 'Falcon Swords'.

　However, the hostility she showed towards Lars was far less than the hostility she showed towards Miroslav and the others. At least that's how Miroslav felt about it.


I have been kidnapped, Luna has been captured and you are bound. Now it's in the hands of the master to decide if we should live or die. I don't know if you are listening, but the master is determined to make a public apology to the Lord of the Flies for his actions.

Apology?

''Yes. Perhaps, by doing so, the guild's ruling was wrong, and they also intend to create an ostensible reason for us to join the Sword of Blood and Smoke. And that's the important point - Master's revenge against the Falcon Blade ends here. He probably thinks that he has humiliated Lars in the duel, and that his dismantling of the Falcon Blade is a sufficient reminder to him.

But that's only if Lars keeps quiet--is that what you're saying?


　Miroslav nodded clearly at Ilia's question.

　I see, Ilaria pondered with a difficult face. If the truth of the matter were to come out of Ilaria's mouth, Lars would undoubtedly be furious. He would be furious and want to get back at Sola.

　If that happens, Sola will no doubt pull out the contraption she had once held back. There is no way that Lars could compete with the current Sora, who can slaughter even a species of illusion, let alone against the Sora of the past.

　Miroslav warned Ilaria for fear of that.


''Now Lars is grateful to our ally (master). "Now Lars is grateful to his master for rescuing me from Mount Skim. And if he is willing to take on Hydra this time, he won't be impressed, but he won't want to antagonize us.

The Gryphon slaying. When Lars told me about it, I thought it wasn't like you to do it but yes, I did think it through.

There's no denying it.


　With a simple nod, Miroslav stood up and left the bathtub. Then he went straight to the bathroom door.

　It's a good idea to be able to have a good time with them.

　You will be able to find the best way to get the most out of your own life.


　-- In the bathroom where Miroslav had left off, Ilaria looked up at the ceiling alone.

　She didn't want to think about anything right now, she just wanted to be in a daze.