Side: Melody.

Miss Merdi, are you okay?
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. I can't take it anymore!

　We're now running away from the looming flames as hard as we can. Our stamina isn't very high among the cat-type beastman race.

　Normally, we don't like being called catty, so we try not to put "nyah" at the end of words, but when there's an emergency, we do it out of old habits.

"I'll hold the flames at bay, please run away, Merdi-san!

　Suddenly, Rifa stopped and faced the flames.

'Rifa, I can't do it!　Run!

　I try to pull Rifa's arm to take her with me, but she won't move at all. Rifa started to build up her magic.

''Windwall!''

　We created a defensive wall of wind and held off the flames that were closing in on us. The flames are no longer coming closer, but the wind-driven flames have clearly increased their intensity.

''Ah!　What the hell are you doing?　Rifa's magic won't put out the fire!

'I know, I know!　While you're at it, Mr. Meldy, please run away.

What about the refugee?

'I'll hold the flames here. I've whistled to Dr. Tina and she'll be here soon.

There's no way we can keep this flaming hot all the time!

'It's my fault that this is happening. I have to protect Miss Merdi at all costs!

Then we'll run away together!

Mr. Merdi, you can't run anymore, can you?　So get going!

　I don't think this guy is going to break.

Aah!　Oh, I'm sorry!

What?　What are you...

　He dropped his sword on the back of Rifa's neck, knocking her out. Holding Rifa, who falls to the ground, by her side, she runs at full speed.

''Absolutely, later on, I'm going to be taken to all-you-can-eat cake!

　I'm already beyond the limits of my physical body.
　I use magic to force myself to move my body.

　I didn't want to use it because I wouldn't be able to move for a couple of days after doing this, but now I can't say four or five!

　Uchi continued to run as fast as he could from the flames that had gained momentum due to Rifa's magic.


　─ ─ ─ ∗∗ ──.

　After a short ride, I saw someone ahead of me.

"What, Mr. Merdi?

　It was Mai and May.

You two!　Run!　The flames are coming!

Well the forest is on fire.

My God, I can't control that flame!

I can't!　Maybe it's the flame knight from earlier. That fire, it doesn't listen to me at all!　Can't you do something with water magic, Mei?

It's impossible!　The forest is burning, okay?　That kind of fire, we can't put it out without bringing in the Leviathan class!

Bye.
Yes.

""Let's run!"

""Waaaaaaaah!"

　Mai and May took the lead and continued to run away with Uchi in pursuit.


　Then they kept running for a few minutes.
　I'm really running out of steam.

　We're running out of magic.
　This is as far as I can go.


　Just when I thought it was over.

"Merdi, Mai and May. And Rifa what's going on?　Is Rifa okay?

　Hurt was there with Yoko in tow.

'Ha, ha, well, we were attacked by a demon, and when Rifa returned fire with her magic, the demon exploded and the forest began to burn!

Is Rifa unconscious because of the demon?

Oh, no but when Rifa said she wouldn't run away, we hit her and knocked her out.

Yeah, I see. I mean, Merdi, you have a very catty ending.

　Then Hurt laughs with a huff.

'Ah!　Forget it, let's just get the hell out of here!

That's right. Let's get out of here!

　The flames were closing in there.

'But we're all tired after running so far, aren't we?　I'll put out the flames and you all get some rest.

　What?

　What are you talking about?
　The forest is burning, isn't it?

　How can one person's magic make it disappear?

　Hurt thrust his hand forward and began to release his magic power. That magic power formed a magic circle.

'High-level magic, huh?

　Are they trying to extinguish the flames with water-based high-level magic?

"Aqualance (Elementary Water Magic)!

　Contrary to Uchi's prediction, Hurt performed a beginner level water magic chant.

''There's no way the flames of the fire can be extinguished by beginner's magic!

　─ ─ I tried to rush into it, but something is wrong with it. It's not necessary to have a magic circle for elementary magic to begin with. That magic circle also had a strange shape.

　It's as if it was used for summoning magic──.

　Suddenly, a large amount of water flooded out of Hurt's magic circle. Out of that water, a beautiful woman with a trident spear in her hand appeared.

''Halt? It's been a while.''
Yeah, good to see you. How have you been?

So-so. I've missed you lately.
I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

　Harut and the beautiful woman are chatting.

　In the meantime, Uchi and I were surrounded by flames, but the water from the magic circle formed a dome around us, preventing the flames.

''Oh, um, hello, is it Undine, the Spirit King?''

　May spoke to the beautiful woman.

'Oh, it's Master Mai and Master May. How are you?　How's the human world. Have you found a potential contractor?

　'My, it seems that May and the beautiful woman Hurt summoned knew each other.

''No, not that yet. Um, if you have a contract with Hurt-san?''

That's right. That's right!　If you haven't decided on a contractor yet, how about Hurt?

"What?

''This guy is strong. After all, he had a good match with the sea god.

"With Mr. Poseidon?

Yeah. I was so pleased with him that I offered him a contract.
"What?

If you haven't chosen a contractor yet, you can choose Hurt. I recommend him. I'm sure your father will be pleased with him.

Well, I'll look into it.

　I don't know what it was, but I knew that Hurt was great.

　In the meantime, the water that overflowed from the magic circle spread out of the dome into the forest on its own, extinguishing the flames in the trees.

　Both Uchi's fatigue and the Rifa that Uchi had knocked out had been recovered by Hurt earlier.

''Rifa, I'm sorry about earlier,''
'No, I wasn't cool with it either. Thank you for bringing me here.

'I'm glad you're both safe. By the way, what kind of demon did the two of you encounter that caused the forest to burn?

　We were just getting settled when Hurt asked.

'Maybe it's this thing?

　Master Undine brought in the mass of fire that he had locked in the water prison.

'Ah!　Go!　That's him!

　The mass of fire that Rifa pointed to was in the shape of a knight.