'That high elf is willing to recruit his people?

　Akeno makes a dubious face.

'What kind of a windbag is that?　You didn't get to talk to me in my education just to scare me.
I told you. North wind and sunshine.

　Even though Suou sits down on the sofa and says in a carefree voice, Akeno's expression doesn't clear.

It's good to be a friend, just be a friend. It's not that he hates us, either. If there's an unfortunate misunderstanding, he'll cooperate with you.
Ummm, I don't know...
You're such an idiot, aren't you, Akeno?

　Akeno glared at him with a snap and fired a black ball of light, but Suou popped it with one hand. It was the usual exchange.
　Of course, if Akeno, the bishop, gets serious, Suou is an extinguisher. I know that he's adding or subtracting to some extent.

　For the past few days, Suou has been playing video games with Koganei the High Elf. Originally a TV, game console and a large generator that he had a replenishment pawn bring to him to pass the time, but it was surprising to see it function as a communication tool with Koganei. Koganei had gradually come to open up to Suou, and now they were completely at ease with each other.
　Koganei said that he really wanted to apologize to everyone. That wish of his would eventually come true. There was a slight delay in his plans and he could see some unnatural movement in the Queen, but it wasn't roughly a hindrance.

'So, are they still in the promised cemetery (catacombs)?'
'I don't know. According to the last pawn I was on my way to, yes, but that pawn never came back after all.
Well, let's take Koganei with us.

　If Knight went there in person, I'm sure the Queen would respond in some way.
　Not that it's a bad thing for them. They won't be able to go back to their original world, and they won't be able to return to their original form, but that's like giving up once they've been transferred to this world in that form. If you show reverence to us, they won't do so badly. There's even a video game.
　Because of the Queen's decision to be silent, this one has lost five pawns. That in itself was annoying, but her selfishness is not the first time she's been selfish. She had been so obedient to the king in her former world, and it's unlikely that she'll turn against him. Sooner or later, they will all fall under our military gates.

''Anyway, Suou, there is one piece of information that bothers me.
Hmm?
The previously reported sighting of the tallow tree has been reported in this area again.
Oh, what's that? You're the one who strayed from that class.

　Akeno nodded silently.

　It was the reincarnated Oga that the pawn had engaged once before. Since he didn't show reverence to us, the battle was unavoidable. Although he possessed a fairly well-developed fighting ability, he was not a pawn's enemy, but rather a pawn's enemy and drove him to the point where he was unable to fight. When he tried to bring them back, he was pursued by two strategic class knights of the fortress line and had to give up.

'I thought he was dead in the field, but he's still alive,'
'That's not all. We've seen progress through Phase 2.
"Hohoho...

　Suou narrowed his eyes slightly.

''Ohga's Phase 2........ What kind of pattern was there........''
Regenerative ability, physical enhancement, most often around here, but what that individual probably got was the Combat Awakening.
Oh dear..... A bite is a bite of a bite. It's called the "Characteristic Amplification" skeleton, and we've got good luck too.

　The fact that he had drawn the Fighting Awakening in Phase 2 means that once he reaches Phase 3, he should be able to demonstrate at least a Bishop or even a Luke class combat ability. Of course, this is the first time he's executed a plan using the Transference Denaturation Gate, and all of this is only in theory.
　In the first place, the developers of the Transference Denaturation Gate are the developers, so there's a lot of things that can't be trusted. But, well, it's been a scary success so far, so it shouldn't be a fatal problem even if you go by applying theoretical theories to it as a hypothesis.

''Anyway, I'd definitely like to add that reincarnated Ouga to our strength.

　Suou gets up from the sofa with a bang and puts his school run back on.

'You're going out.'
'You're in the area, right?　Let's just get him. We'll take Koganei with us.
Then I'll come with you.

　Akeno followed behind Suou as he tried to leave the hall. Suou turned around and wrinkled his brow.

It's okay, but you're just going to have to go easy on him...
''Don't worry. The new demonic beast has been enhanced and I want to conduct an experiment on it.
That line is the most unsettling...




　It has already been a few days since we left the kingdom.

　The "branch school" has left the kingdom's territory, and has begun to move through the mountainous area as originally planned. Since it was passing through rugged, unpaved land, it was very bumpy. Ei and others had become completely seasick. He was notoriously vulnerable to vehicles, something some students had completely forgotten. Apparently that wouldn't change even if he became a wisp and lost his third tube.
　In addition to Zekou, a total of thirty-eight of his classmates are moving forward in a single-minded effort to reach the ruins of the kingdom. Among them, the occasional topic of conversation is Goubayashi.

　It's good that the class is united and decides to ask for the Wise Man of the East, but they still lack the classmates to bring them all together. However, it seems that Ryuzaki has information about Goubayasi, and rumors have spread among the students that his temporary career path in the south is also in search of this Goubayasi.
　It's a rumor, or rather, a fact.
　The current class does not have the same problems as when Goubayashi left. Will Goubayash be able to solve his own problems? I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one who has seen Goubayash, and I'm not the only one who wondered what happened to Kaoruko when she left the base with him.

　The class has finally come together. At the very least, I would like to see them all together again.
　Such an atmosphere had been created in the class. No one was actively naming names, but in many cases, Koganei was among them. There are some students who say, "If he comes back and apologizes, well, bygones be bygones...
　In the end, for those not involved, bad memories fade away. Whether that's a good thing or a bad thing is another matter.

"Nunuaaaahhhhhh...!

　Now, in the midst of all this, this slime maiden, Himemizu Rin, is the one who has been struggling with her head (no).

''I don't know!　I don't know!　I've been frantically researching for the past few days and that's all I've found!

　The paper in front of Rin's eyes just says 'Favorite food: parsley'.

"Well, well, but, um, Himemizu-san is amazing........ I didn't know your favorite food, Utsurogi-kun...
I can't help you if I know about it. Right now, I'm having Hana-chan grow an herb that's very similar to parsley.

　This is a diner. Sakuma, sitting next to Rin, was wearing a girly dress today.
　It's nice to be able to dress up, Rin thought a little bit.

　Sakuma is currently helping Rin in place of Ei, who is completely groggy from sea sickness. The gathering, named by Ei as 'Kyousuke's Desire Release Group', aims to thoroughly investigate what Kyousuke Soraki likes to do and remind him of what he wants to do and what he wants to do.

'Maybe I'm interested in girls to the extent that I turn away from Saku-chan, so I think I like boobs.

　Rin wrote 'boobs' as an addition to the paper.

'What if that awakens Utsurogi-kun into an erotic demon........' I have the thought that....
'Umm, yeah..... Well..........
Sacchan, you didn't just think, 'Is that okay?'
'What?　I don't think so!

　I have a feeling that what would be the point of doing this in the first place. It's not like Kyousuke would get the initiative by feeding him a pile of parsley. I just wish he'd show some desire and say he wants to do it or eat it.
　In the first place, there was no way Rin could change the parts of him that Ei hadn't been able to change in the 17 years they'd been together, so easily.

'Really.... You could have just said you wanted to do it or eat...''
Hi, Himemizu-san, what are you talking about?
Huh?　What?
The thing is, that's...

　Sakuma's face turned red again and he looked down. Rin reeled back her words and actions, then quickly realized.

''Sacchan........''
Oh, no... well, I mean...
'Yeah, fine. You're a succubus...
Uh-uh...

　Anyway, this is a complete head-scratcher for Kyousuke's policy of exploring what he likes. It might be better to consider a different approach.
　In the first place, there's no question of whether it's really a bad idea for Kyousuke Soraki to remain empty. The idea is that it would be possible to acknowledge him as one of the many personalities. Rin thought about that for a moment, but eventually settled on the idea that she didn't want to do that.

　Being kind to others is fine.
　Being good-natured is fine.

　But it's dangerous to be completely dependent on others for your values and independence.

'Himemizu, Sakuma, what's going on with you two?
"'Oh my God!

　The two jumped up involuntarily at the voice from behind. The one who called out to them was Kyousuke himself.
　You can find a number of different types of shoes and boots in the market.

''What is your favorite food, parsley, and boobs...?
Yeah, yeah. I was going to make a profile for Utsurogi-kun...
'Parsley, but what's the other one?
Oh no, you like it, don't you?

　Rin asked, and Sakuma looked up at Kyousuke with a bang. The dress he's wearing right now is the type that doesn't open the chest, so it's not appealing. Too bad. Even Kyousuke, as expected of this offensive, flinched slightly.

''It's not that I don't like it, but........ What, did I do something to be bullied by the two of you...?
I wonder if it was Utsurogi-kun himself who was bullying him...
Again....

　Kyousuke nodded disappointedly.

''I've been getting that a lot lately. Even Benii told me that I should solve my problems properly...''
For Asuka?

　Sakuma makes a surprising sound and asks Kyousuke about it. Rin hadn't heard that before either.

''Oh, no.... I was told not to tell Benai. Sorry.''
Oh, yeah...

　Then Sakuma puts his hand on his shapely chin and makes a difficult face. He bites his shapely, pale pink lips tightly. It's not like he has to worry about that, though, Beni wouldn't mess with Kyousuke. And the only immediate rivals for Rin are Ei and Sakuma.

'Speaking of which, Sakuma, Ryuzaki called you. I heard they were discussing future policies.
Oh, yeah. Okay. What is it?
It's about the search for Goubayash and Kaoruko and the surrounding area. Let's stop the ship and look around, you know?
Hmmm.... Thank you. I'll be right there.

　Sakuma smiled and stood up, then headed for the exit of the dining room.

'Thanks, Himemizu-san, too. See you later.
Yeah. See you later, Hansan.

　With a wave of her hand, Rin looks off Sakuma. It seems to be busy, after all. Still, I'm grateful that I can find time to seriously discuss Kyousuke's affairs with him like this.

''Goubayashi-kun, I wonder if we can find him...''
Well..... But I'll have to spend some time looking for it.

　Rin looked up at Kyousuke, his words catching her a bit.
　I feel like I've become very sensitive to his words and actions lately. It's not easy to tell whether they are genuine words or just words from the heart, or whether they are just a borrowed phrase for someone else.

Utsurogi-kun, is there anything you want to do?
Yeah, I've been hearing that a lot lately, haven't I? I've been thinking about it too.

　Kyousuke says, sitting down next to Rin. Rin is a little happy that he's thought about it.

'The last thing I want to do right now is to meet up with Goubayashi and Koganei properly, right?
Just to meet?　What if we meet and talk properly, and then they say they don't want to act together anymore?

　It reminds me of Hanazono and Kannari's persuasion the other day. Caring for your friends is certainly important, but sometimes it's even more important for them to push through selfishness. Kyousuke had a tendency to quickly give way to someone else, even if there was something he wanted to do, and that was what worried him.

　Kyousuke opened his mouth and scratched his head. He might as well have been smiling bitterly.

'That's annoying,'

　Rin said.

'I think I'm pretty confused. I wonder what I should do. Should we part ways with a smile, after all?'
I don't have any say in what I want to do, but there's no 'how to' or 'what to do' for what I want to do.

　This is where Rin said, 'Let's push through Utsurogi-kun's selfishness! If he said that, Kyousuke would do so. But it's not because Kyousuke wants to do so, it's because Rin asked him to do so. That wouldn't change anything for Kyousuke in the end.

''Then maybe he'll bite back a little bit, after all.
What if the other kids object to bringing Koganei-kun back?
'Ummm...'

　Kyousuke puts his hand to his chin and starts to think about it.

　What the hell, there's a little bit of that. What's inside. Rin looks at Kyousuke, who looks troubled, and pats his chest (which hasn't been there since his human days) slightly | chest. Kyousuke isn't completely empty.

'Does Himemizu not want to bring Koganei back?
Hmm?　Me?　You're right. Well, it made me feel bad, but I don't know Koganei-kun as well as I should,

　When I was human, I've talked to him in class a few times. We've exchanged words. That's the extent of our friendship.
　So in a good way, I don't hate him, and in a bad way, I don't care that much about him. What Koganei's true nature is, in the end, can only be guessed at piecemeal from Kyousuke and Ei's words.

'As Ryuzaki often says, if we can go home with the whole class, it's better that way.
Well, that's true.

　Rin was thrilled to find some sort of residue of initiative in Kyousuke. In the end, it was the sort of thing that arose from his naivety, but if he was willing to do so by twisting Koganei's will and the opposition of others, he'd be fine first. This kind of budding self-consciousness must be taken care of.

''Well, there are students who don't like it. There are some students who don't like it, such as Itomi and Sacha. Other than that, girls don't like Koganei-kun very much.
What about Himemizu?
'I don't hate you. 'I don't hate you,' he said, 'it's just that we've all had our outbursts. But I think it would feel better if you apologized to me. Whether or not I like you as a friend is a story for later.

　Rin chooses her words carefully, but says so in a way that never differs from the truth.
　Kyousuke muttered, 'I knew it, right?

'Huh?'
I just thought I owed you an apology, that's all. You didn't apologize to anyone, Koganei. When Washio and the others apologized to me the other day, I felt the same way.
I know. But those things you and Washio were doing, they weren't really heartfelt, were they?

　For the time being, it's an apology for the time being, in order to make up for past misdeeds and to get away from the remorse of conscience.
　But well, that's about the extent of the apology that Rin asks of Koganei, and I think that's about half of what people say 'I'm sorry' to the world. Because what comes out when you regret and are ashamed of your own actions from the bottom of your heart is probably not 'I'm sorry' or anything like that.

' Ei got mad at me later too. He told me that because I forgive him for that, I'm getting carried away.
But I forgive you, Utsurogi-kun.
Not that I forgive you, but I don't really care about it...

　Even though they dismembered my body, Rin thinks. I have no idea how serious an injury that was in the body of a skeleton, so there is no way to tell.
　It's a good idea to be able to have a good time with your friends and family.

'For now, Utsurogi-kun,'

　Rin shook off her thoughts and decided to focus on one thing.

'Let's just think about bringing Goubayashi-kun, Kaoruko-chan, and then Koganei-kun back!　That's what you want to do, isn't it, Utsurogi-kun?
I guess so. Also, it might be none of my business, but I'd like to make Koganei apologize properly.

　Whether or not they'll forgive him, Kyousuke says.
　For now, Kyousuke has a proper goal in mind. The problem was that Ei, Sakuma, and the others wouldn't be too happy about this, would they? Perhaps it was out of consideration for the two of them that Koganei didn't say what he would have been thinking ever since he was taken away.
　The only person who can support this is Rin. I feel like I need to get a grip.

　Just then, the ship's announcement sounded. At the same time, the "branch school" stops and the inertia almost throws your body out of the ship.

Oh, everyone, gather on deck once.

　It was Ryuzaki's voice coming from the speakers.

''We have found what looks like a settlement that has been destroyed a long time ago. I'd like to explore the surrounding area at least once in this area.''




　When all of my classmates gathered on the deck, I could certainly see some buildings on the mountainside. "The branch school" was progressing slowly through the valley, but if we tried to climb up the mountainside from here, we would be blocked by the coniferous trees standing in the forest. It was Ryuzaki's opinion that he wanted to explore this area once, as well as investigate the surrounding area.
　According to the large number of notes that Serena left behind, the area is home to the wolf-shaped monster "Forest Wolf," the mist-like monster "Misty Fog," the fairy monster in the form of an old woman "It is said that Black Anise will appear. I say "apparently" because this area had been unexplored for hundreds of years, so we could only make an analogy based on quite old materials.

　Anyway, the heavy duty branch is fixed here, leaving a generous amount of manpower on board, including liaison officers, and organizing several search teams.
　The search teams were reorganized in order to prepare for an attack on the heavy duty branch school by monsters, including Ei being sick in bed due to seasickness. Kyosuke and the others, who had been hidden and added to the "Team Useless" during their time at the base, also join the search team in earnest.
　Meanwhile, students such as Uozumi Masuyo, a mermaid, and other students who will have difficulty moving between the mountains are on standby at the branch school.

　Also, since they will be traveling through a coniferous forest with poor visibility, each team will have at least one student with the ability to fly so that they can quickly see what is going on around them.

Therefore, I'm Nekomiya Miya, the leader of Team 4. This is the first time for all of us. You can use both attack and recovery magic, so we're basically the rear guard.

　Once again, around the ramp, Ket Shih, a member of the drama club, greeted him by tracing his proud beard.
　Kyousuke and Rin were placed in this Nekomiya squad. The other members were the flight personnel, Washio (Gryphon) and the rest were Mushikasa (Matango). There are five of them in total, but Kyousuke and Rin are treated as two and one. Since they participate in a combined state (Stream Cross), there are actually four of them. They all already had most of the grasp of each other's abilities, but they explained to each other in passing.

''I'm Washio the Gryphon. Basically, it uses its claws and beak for melee combat. Also, there is a move to attack by spitting out the wings.
"Howling Feathers". I heard you've been practicing giving it a name.
Where did you hear that?

　It's just like Ei's sense of style. There is an unexpected side to this.

"Matango, let's see. It's a mushroom monster. Kinogasa. I'm pretty close to it, too. But their attack power isn't that high. I'm mainly supporting them by spitting out spores.
'When attacking with spores, let Washio flap and send the wind. We'd be in big trouble if we inhaled.

　Kyousuke and Rin also say hello. Once again, it was embarrassing to explain with their mouths, 'We're going to combine,' but since everyone knows this already, they let it slide easily.

''The two of you will be the keystone of this party's front line, in a manner of speaking. Good.''
Hey.
Okay.

　The knapsack that was prepared for exploration was carried by Mushikasa on his back, and they were all set to go.

　We had heard that fog monsters would appear, but to begin with, the fog was thick in this mountainous area. Due to the presence of dense coniferous forests, the slope of the mountain they were walking on was somehow eerie. The weather hadn't been so good in the past few days, and the heavens were covered with heavy clouds, making their presence felt.
　On top of that, the mountain has been closed to foot traffic for a long time now, and there are almost no roads to walk on. There was no way to know where they would end up if they only had to follow the barely made animal trails. Washio periodically climbed into the sky to check his current location as he carefully made his way to the ruins of the settlement.

''Hey, if it's like this, it would have been faster to just aim for a poof with the guys who can fly from the beginning...''
They don't have anyone to recover from a flying machine.
Hmm?　Ryuzaki, Washio, Kagoi, Kannari, Harui....... Oh, it's true.

　Nekomiya brushed off Mushikasa's words with a snap, and Mushikasa clapped his hands in admiration. With a puff, the spores scattered, and Washio hurriedly blew them away.

''Thanks, Washio. You're a lifesaver.''
Hmm, oh no...

　Washio awkwardly averted his gaze as Kyousuke showed his gratitude while walking.

''You still look awkward, Washio-kun,''

　Rin tells him in a voice that can only be heard in Kyousuke's head.

''(Even though we've made up for it)'
"(I knew it. I guess he's regretting that he didn't have the heart to make a half-hearted apology.

　On the way, they expected to encounter some kind of monster, but they didn't, and easily arrived at the site of a village spreading out on the mountainside. There were many buildings made up of stone bricks, but they were all mossy, covered with ivy, and half destroyed, overwhelmed by the growth of the trees.

'What am I supposed to do with the survey?'
'I'm sure the chairman of the committee would like to find Goubayash and Kaoruko. But it's not very promising at this rate. Even though they are the remains of a human life, these are just ruins.

　When he found the ruins of a settlement scattered in some mountainous area, Ryuzaki must have considered the possibility of the gauvayas hiding there. Of course, there are other implications as well, such as looking for tools that could be used and replenishing an edible source of protein.
　But as far as the former purpose was concerned, it was going to be almost completely futile.
　Nekomiya stroked his beard as he looked around the site in a circle.

'For now, Washio, fly in the air and signal the heavy duty branch school. Mushikasa will wait for Washio and wait for him.
Dull.
Oh.
'Utsurugi and Himemizu, let's explore the site a bit more. Of course, we don't want to get too far from Washio and the others.
Okay.
Hooray.

　As she instructed, Washio spread his wings and slowly flew up towards the cloudy sky. Nekomiya signaled to Kyousuke and the others with her eyes and continued on her way lightly to the back of the site. The brick paved road crumbled and trees grew neatly out of the ground, and the strength of the plants was evident.

'It looks like it's going to rain........ I hope it's okay, Kannari,''

　Looking up at the sky with a sigh, Nekomiya muttered.

''Ah, Toriba-chan, you're no good at lightning, you know.
'If there's a thunderstorm, I feel like I can't fly while it's happening. That guy.........

　Indeed, it's too poorly done if the flight personnel, who are the signalman, can't fly.

As I recall, Kannari was assigned to the defense of the branch school. I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about it. There's no shortage of things to do.
That's what I thought. You're the chairman.

　They didn't plan to leave so far from the point where Washio and the others were. They had planned to circle around the vicinity to return home at random, but there, Kyousuke and the others found a structure that remained in near-perfect condition, not covered by ivy or poked by trees.
　It was a somewhat vertical building with embedded stained glass windows. On the roof was a statue of a man in a robe.
　It appears to be a church. Of course, it would not be Christian, so there is no cross.

　In a village that was so messed up, that church was the only one that was intact.

''Do you two think there is a God?''

　Nekomiya asks that in a theatrical tone.
　Sure, it's too good to be true that only the church hasn't suffered any damage. But since this world is a fantasy, I feel that even if God's blessing really existed, it wouldn't be a surprise to anyone else.
　Nekomiya, Kyousuke, and Rin. Without being told by anyone, I naturally turned toward the church. When I put my hand on the door, it opens easily, without looking particularly rusty.

''Oh........''

　Admiration escaped from Kyousuke's mouth.

''This, maybe there's someone out there...''
'Yes. I wonder if a recluse or something lives here.

　Nekomiya nodded, and the three of them stepped into the church. Then they stiffened.

　Standing there were two men and a woman. The woman's body lines, which could be recognized as fleshly at a glance, were covered by a plain, dark blue nun's uniform. A so-called nun. A sister. This one is still good. It was somewhat too petite to be living in a place like this, and the clothes were too similar to the nuns in Kyousuke's world, but it's normal for a church to have sisters.

　The problem was the man.

''Ah?''

　The man who looked at them was a boy about the same age as Kyousuke and his friends, with a somewhat wild smile pasted on his face.
　Kyousuke and the others stopped moving completely in front of the unexpectedly dressed boy. Seeing this, the boy said

''What, when I came to look for the reincarnated Ogre........ The guys you didn't expect to find stuck with you.

　The man was wearing a school uniform with a stuffed collar. Furthermore, he was wearing an armband with words that could be recognized as Japanese at a glance.

I'm Suou of the Night. This is Bishop Akeno. Welcome to the City Goddard High School, Class of 4.