The Durmscales Empire was located at the foot of a mountain range.
　This was an armory with the emperor's castle and barracks adjacent to it.
　It was there that I saw the figure of a little Xijo bird carrying iron weapons packed in a wooden box.
　Its black, thin leather clothing was made to imperial specifications, a light outfit for indoor use.
　An emblem of a decapitated black dragon was sewn on the chest.

'Saijo, make this one next time.

　There was a beastman clad in armor.
　The ears on its head, its hairy body, and its patterns remind me of a tiger.

　Kotori receives a rolled up sheet of paper and checks inside.

'It's a straight sword for the warrior squad to carry. It's a mediocre one, but in your hands it should be at least a rare or national treasure.
Ten units?

　Kotori wondered why the number of production was lower than she expected.
　Since arriving here, he had been forced to make a few weapons on their own, such as shields and armor, or even an oversized sword and a large axe, apart from mass production.
　With an empire, the number of troops exceeded ten thousand, and Kotori had been informed of this, although it wasn't accurate.
　Kotori was initially defensive.
　But the number of weapons and armor being mass-produced was far less than expected.

''Ah, it's Gazelle-sama's squad. Roughly, there are about ten men in one squad, and that's about a hundred in ten squads.''
But I believe there are more than 10,000 men in the army.
''I'm not going to leave everything to you. After all, you're a high-level forger, after all! There are a few smiths in this country, and I've left the rest to them. But you're the only senior smith. It's the most efficient way to finish the preparations in the shortest amount of time. And I've heard that only the warrior chief's level troops are willing to carry your weapons at the moment. Well, just be patient.

　To the relatively friendly tiger beastman, the little bird placed a certain amount of trust, though not in the sense of trust.
　It was trust in the sense that he would be fine as long as he obeyed orders.

'I forgot to tell you, a hundred of them by yourself is tough, right?　Get a friend to help you. But when it comes to forging, you're going to have to do it all by yourself. The quality of your weapons will go down. You'll need help with the chores and that sort of thing.

　After saying that, the beastman left the armory.



(△)



Craicel.

　The little bird was given its own workshop.
　It's a multi-purpose workshop in a forge complex.
　Light leaked out of the room as she chanted.
　The little bird repeated this over and over again until its magic power was exhausted.

''Let's take a short break.''

　During the chanting, it was Kawachi Saori's role to support the foundation minerals and carry them onto the table.
　At the sharp end, they sat down on the couch.

''I heard that since Artemias was attacked by the Dragon's Heart, it's been difficult to secure the forgers. When Gazelle-sama's squad was on its way, they were all killed... it's a terrible story.
So that's why you're here to recruit me.
''I heard that advanced smiths are very valuable. 'I heard that Artemias had a technique for creating a special magic tool called Trifaal. Its developers were all advanced smiths and advanced alchemists, and perhaps the Emperor originally wanted them. But they were all killed, so...

　After a good number of days here, both Kawachi and Kotori had come to see the reality of the empire in their own way.

　Watching the fireplace and sipping warm honey wine is the only bliss for the little bird right now.
　But it's better that it's there.
　That day, when she was invited to join the club, she accepted with great gusto, but her mind was tenuous.
　It's not clear whether it was right or wrong to accept the offer.

''Why did you follow me?　Kawachi-san could have stayed with everyone else, or rather, I think he should have stayed.
'Now?　I can't leave you alone. If I let you, my childhood friend, go to the empire alone, I wouldn't have the face to match Hidaka-kun if I did that.
Masamune doesn't care....because he didn't care.
I was still mistaken.
It's not a mistake. Because that's Masamune. I know........do you know what that means, Kawachi-san?
What do you mean by that?

　I noticed that the rain was beating against the window.
　The sky was also dark with rain clouds.

'I know. Because Masamune has been saying that for a long time. He's been muttering to himself for a long time. And even that day, I made sure everyone could hear me, right?
"...wait a minute, Mr. Saijo?　What are you talking about?
Masamune-kun was right, he did come to see us as he said he would.
....
Why did Kyogoku-kun get killed? I've been wondering why Koizumi, Tachibana and Tadokoro disappeared without saying anything. But I'm sure you understand, don't you, Mr. Kawachi?　Koizumi was trying to change. He said that it was important to be with everyone. You didn't really think that Koizumi-kun, like that, went on a trip without saying a word or anything, did you?
It can't be...
'You don't want to believe it. Because if it was Masamune, it would be scary. People don't believe it because they're afraid.

　The little birdie then stood up and placed the empty cup on the table.

'Masamune-kun is in the Devil's Land now,'
What, witch country?
'I'm sure he's living happier than before! They traveled, saw what they wanted to see, ate what they wanted to eat... although I wish I could have followed them.
'Wait a minute. Mr. Saijo, how do you know that?

　There is no word anywhere that the adventurer Nito has entered the demon kingdom.
　The world hasn't been able to find Nito's footing since he left Dahms Ardan.

''But... I'm sure that's not the first time that's happened, and I think Masamune-kun was like that long ago, even before he was summoned to this world.

　Kawachi has a mysterious expression on his face at Kotori's words as he goes back and forth and the conversation flies.

''I wonder who's next........''

　A little bird turns on the sink faucet and washes the cup on the table.

'What did you just say?　How many times have I told you that that's a mistake on your part, Mr. Saijo?　How is that possible?　He can't possibly be alive.

　The little bird does not answer. But as if the pause was an answer, a sense of agitation appeared in Kawachi's tone.

''You ... how could you be so ...

　The little bird turned around as he turned off the faucet and propped the cup up.
　Then she smiled.

'Because I like you, Masamune,'
It's just a dependency. You need to stop. Continuing to think about it won't do you any good.

　Kawachi thinks it's a twisted favor.
　Even in his heart, he does not use the word "love" as a metaphor.
　I'm sure you're not going to be able to find a way to make your life easier.

You don't have a purpose, do you? But that doesn't mean you have to make me your objective.
I didn't mean to follow you...
'If you didn't mean to do that, you should go back to everyone else even more so. You're going to form an organization of adventurers who won't die after graduation. But if you don't do it soon, everyone will die.　Masamune-kun isn't the type to be so patient, and there will be people who will go on another trip without saying a word.
Mr. Saijo!
Come on, let's get back to work, shall we?

　The little bird's mouth contained a faint smile. But her eyes are not smiling.
　Kawachi looks at Kotori as if she were a little angry.
　But Kotori's expression doesn't change.

　At that time, an alarm bell can be heard from outside the room.

''What!?'' And Kawachi.
...Is it an intruder?
Intruder?
'Because the war isn't supposed to have happened yet, and it's either that or some other country has set it up.

　So the door opens vigorously and the tiger beastman from earlier enters.

''Oh my God!　Someone has broken into the castle!
I knew it....
'You're on your guard. You can't let them take you away from me, especially Saijo. If that happens, my head will be on the line. Once you've got the right weapons, you'll stay here and be quiet, okay?
I understand. But what do you mean, you're going to take me away?　Don't tell me the blacksmith was kidnapped or something?
No, no. It was the white cat tribe that was kidnapped. It seems that all the white cat tribe and beastmen prisoners who were kidnapped from the Beast Kingdom to silence the Beast King have disappeared from their underground prisons.
"White cat....

　But it was the first time they had ever heard of it.

It's a crazy story. You have to use transference magic to transport that many people first. But if you use that kind of magic, there should be traces of it. But apparently there are no traces of magic.
That means he's still lurking in the castle.
Yeah, all right, sit tight. No more questions.

　With that, the tiger beastman left the room.

'It was a hit,' muttered the little bird at the opening.
'I can't believe you kidnapped me.......this country isn't normal after all.

　Kotori chuckled at Kawachi's words.

'What? .....
'No, I just thought it was a little late for that. Because it's a little late for that. That was a little interesting, that's all.

　This is what it means to bite down on a bitter worm, isn't it? Kawachi had that look on her face.

''Huh?''
Wait, what now?

　Suddenly, a black vortex appeared in front of them.
　It was small at first, gradually expanding as it swirled and stayed at a certain size.
　It was a vortex that seemed to twist space.
　Then, from the vortex, a person wearing white robes and hiding his face with a bizarre full face mask appeared.
　The mask has two twisted horns growing out of it, and the model is probably a human skull.
　But the mouth is densely covered with bare, beast-like fangs.
　And then it fully emerged.

'They can't find me because they can't sense my magic. Because they can't sense your magic power. All that's left is for you guys to not make a fuss.

　--Ankh Amadeus.
　Blood of the Merciful, Supreme Leader. The White Devil appeared before them.