Two days after we left Sevalia.
　We encountered a few demons along the way, but we rode our horses to our destination without incident.
　And today, we stopped moving around the area where the sun was beginning to set and started to encamp.

''Haha, we're a B-ranked party, so most demons won't be able to take on us, but it's awkward while we're camped out,''

　I called out to Sisha, who was sitting next to me, sipping her soup all the while.
　Out of the corner of my eye is Mars, who is sitting alone at a little distance from me, taking a meal.
　Since yesterday, when it comes to the encampment, he's been emitting an aura like that, not hiding the aura of staying away.
　I thought we could have a chance to have some conversation when it comes to mealtime, but I guess I underestimated it.

''Totally, I shouldn't have mentioned that I admitted it and then said that. Shall I go and have a fist to fist talk with you here for one thing?

Stop!　It's going to make things even more complicated!

I'm just kidding, just kidding, you can't take it so seriously.

　I don't find it very convincing when he says it while bobbing and banging his fists.
　Every time I think about it, Sisha's jokes don't sound like a joke at all, so it's troubling.

''But even so, you're properly mature this time. I thought you were going to kick the demons out of the house by taking it out on them.''

''With this many people, we're going to have to worry about covering them up. We need to focus on recovery, because we can't get around to it.

For a Sis-Ha, you had a very priestly idea.

'Don't I always do that? I'm always acting out of consideration for others.

Ha, ha, ha, which one of you idiots says that?

"Uh-huh, my mouth.

　This guy is still slapping his mouth without reducing it.
　When I encountered the Wolf, I thought he was going to jump down from his horse and head towards it, but Sisha was just playing a normal recovery role.
　Even without Sisha, there are eight of them, so it seems that they refrain from charging even against weak demons when there are that many of them.

''You guys are really close, aren't you? I envy you.''

　I guess she was watching me and Sisha, and Grette-san smiled and talked to me.

''Yes, me and Okura-san are mabudachi, you know. We're close enough to have an ugly fight.''

'Mabudachi...?　And what an ugly fight...

This guy says all the right things, so don't listen to him. You'll get a headache.

'Oh, I see. I've met priests before, but never one with this much personality.

Thank you very much for the compliment.

　No one is praising you......Gret's face is drawn up.
　He even used a word like "mabudachi" and I knew he was the one who was blowing weird knowledge into Freesia!

I'm surprised that a priest can reduce the fatigue of a horse. I'm surprised that you can alleviate the horses' fatigue. Weil also said that the pain in his back is relieved. This should help us get there a lot sooner than we expected.

'I'd be honoured if I could be of any help. Recovery is my number one priority, so if you need anything, please let me know right away.

　This time, since it's another long-distance travel, Esther and Cis-Ha are doing support magic for the horses.
　As a result, the horse seems to be able to move very fast without fading.
　It seems that the mage Weil-san's back was slightly injured because of that, but even that is being treated by Sisha.
　Perhaps it was thanks to Sisha's recovery magic that he was able to hunt until night long ago gathering magic stones.

''To have a mage in addition to a priest, your party seems to have a promising future.

'I think we are very fortunate to have friends. But it's rare that you and Gret and the others are mages, too.

''I made a connection with Mr. Weil through a port request. Since then, I've been asked to accompany him on several explorations, and he came straight to our party, saying he was interested.

　Ah, speaking of which, you mentioned seeing a mage at the port in Sevalia.
　Dius also told me that he received a request from the mage to explore the Stogar mine, and if it works out, this is how he'll be able to join the party.
　When we joined up, Weil-san said that he was playing adventurer because it was interesting, so maybe he was doing some activities that attracted his interest.

'What are your main activities, Grette-san?

'Yes, I'm more likely to be exploring than receiving requests to defeat them. While doing so, I receive requests to explore, make maps and provide information. Sevalia is a great place to explore, since the town has only been around for so long, and there are often relics left behind in the depths of caves and other places.

'I see, it's good to be active like that. It's exciting to discover something new.

　There's also Azery-san who seems to be good at exploring because she's mainly an adventurer and that activity is the main one.
　That's why she has a B-rank, so she seems to be providing information that would be greatly appreciated.
　Maybe that's why he was selected to look for traces of Diabolus.

'But then, who is that armoured person?　It seems to me you're pretty good at it.

''Eh, uh, you're a knightly man. ........Does he look that capable?

''Yeah, even if we fought, I don't think I'd be a good opponent. Even when you're eating, you have an appearance that doesn't leave a minute's notice. So much so that even Mars recognized your abilities as soon as he saw you.

　I followed Gret's gaze and looked at Nole, who was eating while talking to Azalie and Esther.
　He was enjoying his meal, shaking his buzzing, tied hair from side to side happily as usual. No matter where you look at it, it looks like there's a lot of gaps in it.
　But Noll is the strongest among us, so I'm sure he's correct in his assessment.

'Even though you've approved of Mr. Noll, this Marth person is very belligerent towards us. I can still feel the hostility binging even now, even though we're far apart.

'I'm really sorry about that. People often misunderstand him because of his appearance, but he's very cautious and wary. It's also very stubborn and once you suspect him, he doesn't show his true feelings. But when the time comes to fight, he will listen to you, so don't worry about it.

That's not a problem, but you have a rather difficult personality.

That has helped me a lot in the past, but it's troubling.

　That was cautious........I didn't get that vibe from your words and actions.
　Just like the Noles said, they were acting like that on purpose to see how we would react?
　Besides, if Goulet-san comes in to follow up like this, we can listen to information in a friendly conversation while confirming our abilities.

　
　Either way, I don't want to be in a nasty mood with Mars-san at this point.
　Maybe I should make up my mind to talk to him here.

''All right, I'll go out for a bit.

Well, I'll tell you what.

　I stood up and Sisha tried to stand up too, so I stopped her with my hand.

'No, just me,'

But...

'Because I'd like to talk to the guys for once, you know? Besides, I don't want you to think I can't talk to you on my own.

Hmmm, that's pretty bold of you to say, Mr. Okura. I can always rely on you if you keep it up like that.

Shut up!

　I walked up to Mars-san, taking Sisha's still-reducing mouth on my back.
　It's unlikely to be accepted as is, so I pour the high potion into a cup and take it with me.
　When he realized I was close, Mars-san gave me a sharp look.

''.......what?''

No, I just need to have a word with you.

I ain't got nothing to say to you. Get lost.

Why don't you just let me have a drink with you while you talk to me?

Tsk, come on.

　He accepted the cup while scratching his head with a crumple.
　Gee, I'm surprised they accepted me so readily.
　I sat down on a nearby rock, and before I could speak, Mars-san sipped his hypo-potion and let out a squeal of surprise.

'Yum!　..........What, it's not a drink?

'Haha, sorry. I'm just wondering if you'd like to go out and have a drink.

　I often stock up on booze for drinking with Sisuha, so I have some in my backpack.
　But I don't feel comfortable drinking while camping, you know.

　Well, I've got a start to the conversation, but I don't know where to start.
　I don't have much to talk about, and I don't think it's right to do so here.
　While I was wondering that, Mars-san talked to me first.

''You really defeated that demon against several at the same time?''

　That demon is Diabolus, right?
　I got Freesia and Luna to help me, but it's ostensibly because I'm supposed to have fought it off by myself.
　From Marth-san's point of view, who actually battled Diabolus, is it natural for me to doubt that?
　Since I can't tell the truth, I have no choice but to lie, even though I feel a little guilty about it.

''Let's see.......I used a magic tool, but I defeated it.

'Is it the kind of thing old Gulet would make? You have a mage in your party, but can you make something that powerful?

'Not everything, but I had them tweak the existing ones. 'So, Gret, you're going to be making magic tools too?'

''Yeah, I've been using some of my grandfather's magic tools on Kruse's arrows. I can see why the country is putting so much effort into mages.

　Hoho, that combination certainly looks like it could be used.
　It would be powerful to have Estelle make a magic tool and attach it to Freesia's arrow.
　I have to say, this man speaks pretty normally. He doesn't seem like a bad person after all.
　Right after I thought what I was thinking, I went back to the conversation.

But I don't understand. I can understand if that armored woman defeated him. I can still understand the little mage girl. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work. It's not as if you're a master.

'Haha I've heard that a lot from the girls.

　Maas-san's point is absolutely correct.
　Even though I've gotten used to fighting to some extent, I'm still just an ordinary person compared to Nol and the others.
　Is this the kind of observation that Sisha was talking about?

''By the way, what about the priestess?''

That's... that's just weird. I know that he's a dangerous guy that I shouldn't have anything to do with.

　He's not fooled by the look scam and understands sis-hah properly!
　This guy is really something.
　I'm pretty sure he was hitting us hard on purpose to see how we were doing.

It's a good thing that he took me up on my offer and that he just called out to me. You have a lot of guts for what you look like.

'There was an adventurer who got involved in the same way before. We've reconciled now, though. I'd be happy to keep in touch with Marth and the others after this investigation is over.

Heh, you're a smart ass. Well, I've finished my drink. That's enough talk for today. I'll tuck myself in.

　When he handed the empty cup back to me, Mr. Mars got up and went away.
　Hmmm...can I assume that he's acknowledged me a bit?