*

　When Makoto and the others went to the church, the priest greeted them with his usual gentle smile.

''Welcome to the Messenger of the Seven Evils and his household--''
It's been a long time coming.

　Christine interrupted the priest's mouthpiece and stood up in human form.
　Instead of being modest, she still stretched out her flat chest in this way.
　If it wasn't a young girl, it would have been summery.
　Well, this might be in demand.

'You must not interrupt the priestess's mouth.
You don't mind, do you?

　Laura chides her, but Christine is nowhere to be found.
　No, maybe she's a little frustrated because her lips are puckered.
　Mako softly looks at the priest's face.
　She has the same smile on her face as usual.
　She doesn't seem to be offended.

''........Chris-sama.
All right. I'll never interrupt a priest again.

　When Laura became slightly more verbal, Christine nodded with a sense of reluctance.
　Although her age may have had no small effect on her, Christine seems to have an ear for listening to her subordinates.
　I hope she continues to grow up.

''Welcome, messengers of the seven evils and their attendants. What can I do for you today?
'The transfer of the commission fee. I'll have 10,000 A transferred to Fujika's account first, then 4.99 million A to me, Yuka, Fene, Liv and Laura's account in equal parts.
Yes, sir.

　The priest held out his hands, and Fujica and Chris overlapped them with their own.
　The next moment, two windows appeared.
　It seems that the transfer was successfully completed.

'We're next.
Why is it that you have to step forward?

　Christine asked, and Yuka suddenly laughed.
　She just laughed.

'Say something,'
What do you want me to say?

　When Makoto pouted, Yuka said back, sounding miffed.

'What's up with that?'
No. And if you talk back to him, he'll cry.
That's not very mature.

　A high school girl crying over a young girl.
　Well, it's better than being called a child lover.

I'm a lord and I wouldn't cry if someone complained to me a little bit.
Yeah?
"-Oh!

　Yuka grinned and Christine tensed up.

'Can I tell you?'
No!　I don't want to hear it!
I'm sorry.

　Christine let out a scream and Yuka cowered lightly.
　As if she couldn't see it, Fujika opened her mouth.

'And it's not a good idea to torment a child,'
Tch, you're not going to tell me you like kids or anything, are you?
'I don't know why I'm holding my tongue, but I usually like my kids, and I often take care of them when my relatives get together.
You.....

　Yuka stared at Fujika as if she was looking at something she couldn't understand.

'Why are you looking at me like that?'
I hate kids at school!　It's loud, smelly, dirty, and I don't want to have kids!　Of course it's because you were insinuating that it was a good idea.
'Told you, sure, but it's part of the roll.

　Yuka said in a backhanded voice, and Fujika nagged.
　It may be an imitation of Fujica's mouth, but it doesn't sound much like her.

'Wait, did you hear me?'
'When you talk that loud, I can hear you, even if I don't like it. It really pisses me off that you love kids and take care of them so well after all that stuff you said.
No, no, I mean...

　Fujika was dumbfounded.
　Maybe he thinks that Yuka has a point.
　You still don't seem to know how to get along with them.

''You're awesome,''
What?

　Yuka asked back with a puzzled look on her face.

'No, you were in the corner of the classroom listening to Fujika and the others, weren't you?
I'm sorry!
Oh, you don't deny your corner of the classroom, do you?
I have the last seat in the house by the window. Any objections?
No.

　It must have been that way even before I started high school, because it's called reserved seating.
　I can see him sitting in the last row by the window, looking out in a boring way.

'So what's so great about me?'
I'm just trying to listen to my boss.

　There are ears on the wall, eyes on the shoji, and yukas in the classroom.

"I'm not bocce!
You're a nobody.
I chose to be alone!
All right, all right. You really wanted me to talk to you, didn't you? You're not trying to isolate yourself, you're trying to make yourself feel like you're alone.

　Mako wiped the corners of her eyes with her fingers.
　Unfortunately, there were no tears.

'I'm sorry. I didn't notice you, doctor,''
Who's the teacher?

　When Mako performed a messy act, Yuka said disgustedly.

'That's right. I'm sorry I didn't notice you,'
Don't apologize!

　Fujika said with tears in her eyes, and Yuka's voice broke out.

'I don't need your pity!　I'm alone because I like being alone!　I was alone on the field trip and the sketching session, but...

　Yuka stammered as she remembered what happened back then.

'Anyway, I'm not like you guys!
You're awesome.
Yeah. I don't think I can do it alone.
I've always had a few friends.
'You're very strong, Yuka-san, aren't you? I don't think I can stand it.

　Fene, Liv and Laura agree with Mako's words.
　Only one of them seems to have a different nuance, but it's probably just my imagination.

'It's okay!　Mississippi is not alone!
Yeah, we've got them!
'Yes, sir!　We're a team!
It's great that Yuka has a friend.

　Fene, Liv, and Laura cheered up Yuka, and Fujica gently wiped the corners of her eyes.
　But still, all four of them are made of human beings.
　It's enough to make you feel inferior.

'Ugh, ugh.'

　Yuka moaned softly.
　She looks like she's going to start crying.
　It's not hard to understand how you feel.
　It's the kindest thing you can say when you're in a whisper.

'Don't do it again. Yuka is so used to being alone that it's ruining people.'
No, you can't!

　Yuka's voice was hoarse.

'Of course it's you,'
You're about as close as you're going to get.
I feel a little better about it, though.

　Mako scratched her head.

'Where?'
I don't want to be the one to say where, but you're not feeling trapped anymore.

　If you call that a positive thing, then it must be so.

'Stagnation?'
I think what's hardest for people is when they don't feel like they're moving forward.
"Hmm, I can feel it now.
Well, you know.
Yeah, so,

　Yuka nodded as she finally got it right.

'Don't be convinced by yourself. What's the 'oh, and'?
I won't tell you.

　Yuka pouted and turned away.
　Mako opened her eyes lightly.
　He had only expected her to tell him that he had no right to tell you, but he had become much milder in this short period of time.

'Can I go home now?'
You can't do that!
Because you guys are always having a conversation.

　Christine looked disgusted as Yuka shouted sharply.

''Let's get a quick transfer done.

　Yuka lays his own on the priest's hand.

'See, you guys,'
All right.
Yes, sir.
You almost hit your target.
'I need love more than money.'

　Christine didn't move as Makoto, Fene, Liv and Laura put their hands on top of each other.
　She stared at Laura.

'Laura?'
What is it?
You are my knight, aren't you?
Yes?

　The exchange of questions - the desire to be stingy with the reward and the desire to get paid at all costs - is palpable.

'Oh, you won't hold back?'
Negative.

　He ruthlessly shoots down the offer to cling to it.

'Nah, why not?'
It's about the future, sir.

　Laura said to a bewildered Christine to include.

'You don't intend to come back to the eagle, do you?'
I'd like to come back, sir, but...

　Laura turned away painfully.
　She had been forced to quit guarding Christine because she had played her blunder twice.
　She must have been aiming to show that she had been punished, but there was no guarantee that she would be recalled.
　It's no wonder, then, that he thought it was in his best interest to get a lot of money.
　They say he was dazzled by the money.

''Oh, is that the extent of your loyalty?
You should have protected him instead of talking like that.
Ggh!

　Christine grunted as Yuka said in disgust.
　'That's exactly right.

'You fired yourself, and you're licking your lips about loyalty?
"Puffer!

　Christine grunted again at the rugged words.

There are people out there. It's a good thing that you're not the only one. It's that kind of person that speaks out so loudly that they make us look bad...

　Yuka continues to whine and complain about how she remembered those days.
　Christine's face is pale.

'Yuka, stop it already.'
What?　Why?
It's because Christine's life is zero.

　When I looked at her, Christine was paragraphing as if she was devastated.

'It's not very mature to be dealing with children,'
What?　He's a lord, isn't he?　You're in a position where you have to protect your people and tell your men to die, so it's not right to treat them like children, is it?　I mean, if you want to be treated like a child, you shouldn't be a lord.
That's ... well, maybe, but ...

　Fujica's gaze wandered to ask for help, but Fene, Liv and Laura turned away.

'So get on with it and give me the money.
Okay, I understand.

　Christine touched the priest's hand as she sipped her nose.
　Then a window appeared and the amounts switched.

'Is there anything else you need?'
No.

　Yuka left the priest as if he had done his job.

'I'm leaving now.

　Huh, Christine lets out a loud sigh and heads for the exit of the church.
　She stops in the middle of the hall and hangs her head disappointedly.
　It's a pathetic sight.

'Well, let's get going, shall we?'

　Mako and the others also walked towards the exit of the church.

'What are we going to do today?'
"I'll go back to the inn and read the grimoire. I've got some magic to learn.
I'm going to gather information. I'll pick up a dungeon.

　It seems that Yuka is thinking about strengthening herself and Fene is thinking about strengthening the whole team.
　Makoto patted Fene's head.
　'Ehehe,' he said, breaking the chemistry.

''The next objective is to strengthen the entire team. ''What's your opinion?''
No.
Me neither.
Neither do I.
I agree.

　Yuka, Fene, Liv and Laura show their approval.

'What about Fujika?'
What?

　Looking over her shoulder, Fujica's eyes widen in surprise.

'My team and I have to get everyone on the same page before we can move on.
Okay, then.
You're not going to complain, so think about it.
'What?　Huh?

　Fujika is in a mild panic at Yuka's words.

'You're a nasty senior?'
I'm not saying this for Fujica's sake!

　Yuka said, sounding miffed.

'There are people out there! The guy who says 'yes, yes I'm saying yes, but if you don't understand something, you have to ask me' when I'm not teaching you anything significant.
Well, you explain it to me, then!
Okay, okay.
Tsk, that's really annoying.

　Yuka clicked her tongue and scowled.
　Makoto stopped and looked around.
　The reception area was reasonably crowded, but no one was sitting on the couch in the waiting room.

'Let's go over there,'

　I move to the waiting room and sit down on the couch.
　Fene and Liv are next to Makoto, while Yuka, Laura and Fujika are seated face to face.

''First, about the reward--''
You want to start talking about money?
I'm not surprised.

　Yuka interrupts her words, and Makoto glares at the source of the problem, wondering what the source is talking about.

'Yeah, first of all, our team has equal share of the rewards ... the rewards for killing monsters and the rewards for requests. You understand?
Okay.

　Fujika nodded with a divine look on her face.

''So, next we'll discuss the team's policy, or rather, what we'll do next. If you disagree, just tell me why and I'll agree to the discussion. Well, that's about it.''
That's it?

　Fujica asked with a scowl on her face.

'Basically, you know.'
'Your life is on the line, so think carefully. If you agree, you're on your own.
...I see. I know your life depends on it.

　Fujika's expression tightened at Yuka's words.

'As I said before, think about it properly.
It's your life on the line.
You put your life in someone else's hands.
Ugh.

　Fujika choked on her words as Yuka plunged in.

'It's the same for you too.
'I wasn't left in the dungeon because I couldn't leave it with you. But, well, in hindsight, I wish I'd voiced my opinion earlier.

　Yuka let out a small sigh.

'I guess you could say I got swept away by the situation, or maybe I was just trying to make things easier, but it's kind of like that.
It could be.

　Fujika nodded, as if it was something that came to mind.
　This wasn't because they were both in high school - children.
　Even as adults, there are people who leave important decisions in the hands of others.
　Even when such a person realizes that they were tricked, they say it was their fault for believing it.
　Of course the person who cheated is wrong, but the person who is cheated is the one who has the right to be cheated.
　Makoto shook his head and chased away the bad memories.

''So, well, back to the topic at hand, now that we have a new member joining us, it's time to explore the dungeon and raise our levels.
I'm all for it.

　Fujica raised her hand in a reserved manner.

'Well, I guess that's the end of the story then.

　With that, Yuka stood up.

'Where are you going?'
As I said before. I'm going to read the grimoire at the inn.
I'm gathering information.

　Yuka and Fene walked out of the church.

'Uh, I'm...'
We need to buy new equipment.
Oh, please.

　Mako muttered, and Fujika said in awe.

'Oh come on, you forgot about Atae, didn't you?'
I didn't forget.

　He pushes back on the ribs as he leans in.

What are we gonna do?
It's not even noon and you look like a slut!

　Fujica covered her face with her hands and looked down.

'Don't talk to me in a misleading way.
Misunderstanding?

　Mako said in a disgusted mood, and Fujica looked up.

'You want me to match hands?'
That's what I mean.

　Liv smiles charmingly.

'Well, I could mean another one!　I'm ready to take it!
You're so handsome.
Don't compliment me.

　Haha, Liv leaned back against the couch and laughed.

'Speaking of which...'
Is there something on your mind?
'The priest said the messenger of the seven evils and his attendants, but this is--'
Oh, I'm f*cking Makoto.
"Huh!

　When Liv gave a thumbs up, Laura was on her back.
　For a second or two - she rebooted and leaned forward.

'D-Do you mean, d-Do you mean?'
It doesn't mean anything more than I've f*cked you.
''You're weird and reserved, aren't you, Makoto-sama? Before that, didn't you go home first because you were sick yesterday?
....

　Mako turned her gaze away from Laura.

'He said he was horny under the influence of his s*xual appetite.
What?
He said he was horny under the influence of his color lust.

　Laura asked back, and Liv repeated the same words.

'Did you feel eyes on you in Master Chris's hall?'
Of course Makoto was watching.

　I don't think it's a good idea to assume, but Liv is right.

'Oh, I mean, that time ... it's a lifetime blunder!
You're a slow learner.

　Laura put her head in her hands and Liv said in dismay.
　They say that women are sensitive to the looks that are directed at them, and apparently Laura was no exception.

'How did Liv know that Mako-sama was horny?
How do you usually know what that means?
I don't know.

　Laura answered in a low, snatched voice.

'Is it a feeling peculiar to beastmen?'
A woman can understand that, right?
"-Oh!

　Laura gasped.

'Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to imply that Laura wasn't a woman, you know? It's just that there's something about her that's not feminine enough, isn't there?
...a sense of femininity.

　Laura muttered with a divine look on her face.

'Normally you'd understand, wouldn't you?'
What?

　When Liv turned the conversation around, Fujica looked surprised.
　She raised her eyebrows and gave a small snort.

'That's how you look at me, at least.
What's that all about?
When people say what it's like, it's like they're looking at your breasts, or your thighs, or your attitude, or your language, or, well, whatever.
...I see.

　Laura nodded, but she didn't feel like she understood a single thing now.

'How is it that a kid ten years younger than you doesn't understand what you understand?'
I'm not that far away!

　Laura's voice trailed off at Liv's words.

''I'm sorry ...''
Maybe Laura doesn't know what relationships are like.
I know that much, sir.

　Laura said, sounding miffed.
　'I've been attacked by bandits before, so I don't think I'm unfamiliar with that kind of knowledge.

'There's a difference between knowledge and feeling, right?　Even with that knowledge, I'm feeling a little flowery.
"Huh.

　Liv's words were harsh, but Laura gave a small grunt as she thought about it.

'You missed your chance,'
If I'd been in charge of him...
You were attacked, weren't you?
"Huh.

　Laura grunted again.

'Right?'
Please don't dump me.

　Mako pushed back at Liv as she leaned in.
　If he was being tended to by Laura, he must have attacked her.

''.........''
What?

　I ask Liv, who is staring at me with a gaze.

'No, I just figured you'd have calmed down by now,'
I don't know.

　Mako looked down at her right hand.
　'When I took in greed, I gave it time, and this time it affected me immediately.

'I don't know how it's going to affect me now, do I?
Don't be so serious. Makoto was withering away, so it's just fine, right?
You're talking about me like I'm somebody.
I'm an idiot, man. We're all part of the same team. We're all family.
Family.

　He thought he was muttering casually, but his voice was surprisingly subdued, even to himself.

'Do you have any bad memories?'
Well, sort of.
I don't get along with my family too well, but we'll get along fine. They'll get along just fine with us.

　Liv grinned and leaned back on the couch.
　Her chest shook at the beat.

'That's positive,'
He said she was negative. You're going to miss out on all that happiness.
Well yes.

　Maybe it wouldn't be so bad to actively pursue happiness.
　Just then, I heard a grating sound.
　I looked up and saw Laura looking at me.

'Don't be in a hurry, just wait for your chance.
I understand.

　Liv said with a sigh and Laura nodded quietly.

'Good!'

　Liv got up from the couch with great vigor.

'We've got to get back to the inn,'
I'll get the equipment, and you can go buy Fujica's equipment.
You okay?
I'm not a kid.
'That's not what I meant. Can you get in the room without me?
They're very accommodating on that front.

　Mako tilted her head, wondering if that was okay.

'Then wait for me at the usual place.
Yeah, okay.

　Liv turned on her heel and Mako stood up.