*

You....

　A moist voice hit my earbuds.
　It was unfamiliar, and yet somehow familiar.
　Led by the voice, Redd opened his eyes.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find it.
　It's a woman dressed in exotic clothing.
　A gleaming comb adorned her voluminous hair.
　From the ears and tail, and the atmosphere, I notice that she is of the same race - the Foxtail tribe.
　Or, perhaps I should say, a former kindred.
　Her face - the left half of which is a bare skull - is the reason for this.
　Her eye sockets, which are filled with darkness, are filled with blue flames.

''Ah, undead!''

　As Redd tried to run away, the woman opened her mouth, a sad expression on her face.

'What is wrong with you, my dear?
"-Oh!

　A moist voice shook my eardrums and shook my consciousness.
　I zoned out as if in a haze.

'You, Master, what are you afraid of?'
What...?

　Redd tilted his head.
　What on earth did he say he was afraid of?

'I'm sorry. I think I was having a scary dream.
'I see. I thought you were afraid of your mistress.
No, it's not!

　The woman gave him a sad look, and Redd exclaimed.
　What a foolish man I am.
　The idea of making such a beautiful woman sad.

'By the way, where am I?
The lowest level of the dungeon.
A dungeon?

　Redd muttered, parroting.

''I ... I ...''

　As I recall, I was part of an investigation team that was looking for the reason why the undead began to appear in the vicinity of the ruins where the star was dedicated.
　A vague memory comes back to me.

'I stepped into the ruins with the rest of the investigation team, and so...'
It doesn't matter.
I don't have to--
What does it matter?

　The woman interrupted Redd's words to include them.
　Sure, it doesn't matter.
　I don't care if my superiors are dead after being attacked by an unidentified enemy, or if my colleagues are dead.
　Remembering such things would only prolong the nightmare.
　Cover your ears, close your eyes, and keep your mouth shut.
　That's the wisdom of life, too.

But I have to go home.
'Will you not stay with the mistress?'
I'll go with you...

　I was about to say I'm here, and then I held my tongue.
　Not long ago, he could have said he was with me.
　Because she thought her sister would never be happy if she was with her.
　But not now.
　Redd must return to his sister.
　Nevertheless, his tongue is tangled and he can't say a word about going home.
　So--

'I'll stay here a little longer,'
....

　I thought I'd given in to the maximum, but the woman glared at me resentfully.

'I understand. You-sama, please stay here a little longer.
Yes, sir.

　Redd nodded and held his temples.

'Is something wrong?'
My head hurts.
Why don't you get some more rest?
I will. You know, I haven't heard your name.
'Have you forgotten your concubine's name?'
I'm sorry.

　Redd apologized honestly.
　I feel like a huge idiot for forgetting her name.
　But I can't remember it.
　We should have met a long, long time ago - and yet I can't remember.

'You must be confused. As for your mistress you'll have to take your time to remember.
Excuse me.

　Redd closed his eyes as he mouthed an apology.

*

It's a familiar ceiling.

　Makoto looked up at the ceiling of the 'Golden Sheep' pavilion, muttered, and sat up.
　The battle with Kuzuha must be reeling.
　Every part of his body ached and fatigue seemed to be stuck inside his body.
　If possible, I'd like to lie down all day long, but--

Let's get up.

　Mako got off the bed and stretched lightly.
　He let out a sigh as he looked at the basket and leg armor and chainmail on the desk.
　There was a certain amount of love for them, but if they were this broken, it would be impossible to repair them.

I'm not going to be able to get them to trade in for me. I also ruined my clothes and boots....

　He mumbles and complains, and then he realizes.
　Why do I care about this when I have the money?

'I've got the money,'

　Makoto looked up at the ceiling and blurted out, "I have money, but I can't get out of the feeling that it's a waste.
　He has money, but he can't get rid of the sense of waste.
　It seems that the feeling that has been cultivated over the years of living in poverty does not disappear even if you have money.
　Well, maybe it's better than being a figurehead and being hated.
　I walk out of the room and head downstairs.
　On the first floor, Shelly was cleaning up.
　When we got halfway down, Shelly looked up at us.

'Good morning, sir.'
Good morning.

　When Mako took her assigned seat - at the far end of the counter - Sherry interrupted her cleaning and moved to the counter.
　She poured a glass of lemon water and placed it on the counter.
　Mako drank the lemon water and exhaled.

'Sir, last night--'
Don't worry about it.

　Mako interrupted Shelly's words.
　He feels guilty that it was his own fault for firing it up.

'It was Shelly's words that started it, but I fought for it in my own way. It's not like Sherry cares about that.
...sir.
Oh, lazy.

　Just as Sherry was muttering with a blush on her cheeks, Yuka came down the stairs.
　She's not wearing her usual sailor suit, but a dress.
　She has a pouch attached to her waist.

''........Good morning.''

　Yuka sat down next to Makoto, holding her temples as if she had a headache.
　Sherry put down the glass of lemon water and Yuka puffed it up in one go.

'Puh-uh!　You're coming back to life!
You smell like an old man.
It's bloody disgusting. It's just that he can't drink water. I just had a bad day yesterday.

　Yuka said, sounding miffed.
　I think drinking water as you like and what happened yesterday are two different issues--.
　No, I won't say.
　Anyway, Yuka did his best.
　That's good enough for me, isn't it?

I think so. You worked hard yesterday.
Don't act like you've had a good, good, good day.
I didn't act like that.
'It's not true. I felt disrespected, like I was going to go through with it because I did my best.
The feeling of being disrespected doesn't even take responsibility for what's going on inside you.

　Shelly silently poured the lemon water into Yuka's glass.
　Thanks, Yuka thanked her and drank the lemon water.

''Well last night was a tough one. After all, it's not like you're going to imitate a righteous man with a mouthpiece.''
Excuse me.
You just have to understand.

　Shelly said apologetically, and Yuka flustered.
　Mako didn't blame her, but this girl--''

''A........doppelganger?''
What?
It's nothing.
'I thought you were thinking something like, "I could have counted on you last night, but today,
That's not far off.
Tsk, that's really annoying.

　Yuka clicked her tongue.

'You said Shelly, Shelly last night.
Hey!

　Mako shouted as she felt her cheeks heat up.

'It's not true,'
No, I'm telling the truth.
So be it.
Okay. If you're in the mood, we'll rehash the fact that you kicked the thief to death.
What?　You promised not to say that again!
You don't want to be told, so shut up.
All right. Tsk, little man.

　Yuka clicked her tongue in displeasure.

'That stock that blew up last night is in a tailspin.
That's impossible.

　Hmph, Yuka snickered.

'On what basis are you saying that?'
The market won't be affected by Makoto's short selling. After all, the guards worship me like a god.
I see you're taking the plunge.
It's true. Oh, it feels good to remember that now.

　Yuka was ecstatic - a slightly less colorful expression to describe it.

'This is it, this is it. This is what I've been looking for.
Which one?
You need to shut up and listen.

　Yuka said, sounding miffed.

'That compliment was exactly what I should have been given.
He sounds like a poor guy.
"Who is the poor kid?

　Yuka's voice trailed off.

'No, I said the poor guy,'
Isn't that the same thing?
There's a difference between a bad guy and a bad person.
What's the difference?
"The bad guys are like, 'Ha, you're a bad guy,' and the bad guys are like, 'You're a bad guy. But...'
Who's doing the act in the middle?
The first one must be Yuka.
'd*mn, that really pisses me off. I should have abandoned you.

　Yuka scowled uncomfortably and quickly lost his chemistry.
　He's a busy guy, angry and laughing.
　Well, it's never boring to watch, but--''

''Hmph, but I feel good right now, so I'll forgive you.
Thank you. Don't tell me you don't want to go back to your world.
No, I won't. I'll go back to my world.
Okay.

　Mako inwardly patted her chest.

'Speaking of which, why is Yuka here?'
Oh, I'm not allowed to stay?
Not really, but you went back to your own lodge right after that, didn't you?
The inn was on fire.

　Yuka grunted.

'That was a disaster,'
The grimoire was safe, but my favorite outfit was burned to the ground.

　Kuh, Yuka grunted this time.

'How could the grimoire be safe when your clothes were burned?
The innkeeper brought it out for me.
That's a great employee.
'You could have taken your clothes and accessories out too.
You're a demon.

　I have nothing but sympathy for the employee who risked his life to take out the grimoire and then told me that he should have taken out his clothes and accessories as well.

''Was the mirror safe?''
I have it on me at all times.

　With that, Yuka patted the pouch.

'Well, good for you.'
Yeah, whatever happens, I'll keep the mirror to myself.
Well yes.

　Mako gave a small smile.
　It made her feel a little kinder to see her cherish the gift from her mother.

'Jesus, that's freaky,'
The goodness just flew away.
You can't be responsible for what's going on inside Mako.

　Yuka's lips twitched in a sultry manner.

'Does that mean you're wearing those clothes?'
I borrowed it from Sherry.
Give it back.
What do you think I am? What do you think I am, huh?

　Yuka said, sounding miffed.

'But I may have to borrow it for a while. I'll pay you back, just to be sure. I'll pay you back properly, but........
With a town like this, it's a mess.

　Shelly took over Yuka's words.
　Mako twitched her nose.
　A faint burnt smell.

'Oh, I see.'
That's what I'm talking about.

　Hmph, Yuka sniffed triumphantly.
　Certainly not many shops would be open in this situation.

''What about the damage?''
Your husband's, they're not doing too much damage, are they?
I feel like I'm pretty much dead, though, right?
Rockwell gets attacked by the strong undead once every few years.

　Yuka asked with a quizzical raised eyebrow, and Shelly let out a sigh.

'I mean, compared to that, I guess.'
The Church and the Lords are providing support, so things will settle down after a while.
It's not good.

　Mako crossed her arms and muttered softly, "It's important to support the victims, but it's also important to take measures against Kuzuha.
　'Supporting the victims is important, but so is taking measures against Kuzuha.

''What's wrong?''
I was going to buy some new equipment. But I don't see a place for it.
'Oh, your husband's equipment is...'
It's because I'm broke.

　Mako said in a light tone and cowered her shoulders.

'I thought my heart would stop beating last night.
You were a splatterer.

　Shelly said with a sigh and Yuka nodded yes.

'The bathrooms look amazing, though,'
I'll clean it up.
I'm sorry.
It's okay.

　Shelly smiled weakly.
　Then--.

'Mako, there you are.

　Liv's voice rang out.

'Oh, Liv?'
Are you one of my elders?
I can't do that kind of local thing.

　Liv walked up to Mako with a rough gait.

'Speaking of which, what have you guys been up to?'
I've been crammed into Lady Christine's house all night.

　Liv said in a disgusted tone.

'We can talk about piling up later. 'Mako, Lady Christine wants to see you,'
Okay.

　Mako nodded and stood up.

*

　Led by Liv, Makoto and Yuka proceeded down the main street.
　The city was reeking with the smell of burning.
　Buildings were destroyed and many of the inhabitants were dead.
　Despite this, the inhabitants had begun the reconstruction process.
　Or should I say, many inhabitants.
　Some were standing in front of the burned out buildings, others were sitting on the spot.
　It reminds me of the saying that it is the strength of the common people that allows them to rise up out of dire circumstances.
　I've forgotten whose words it was, but I don't think it's true.
　People move because they have no choice.
　They move because they are at a loss, they are sad, and they have no choice but to move.
　We move because we have no choice but to move, because if we don't, we can't survive.
　I think it would be cruel to call it strength.

'Mako, what's going on?'

　Before I knew it, Liv, who had come next to me, spoke to me.

'Oh, no, it's nothing,'
No, I'm not looking for anything.

　Liv said dumbly and put her arm around Mako's shoulder.

'I won't make fun of you, just say it. That might make you feel better, don't you think?
But you know what?

　I don't want to be weak or complain.
　If I just don't get sympathy or sympathy, it's still damaging if I'm accused of it.

"Can't you trust me?
It's not like that.

　If you trust or don't trust me, I trust you.

'Well I thought I'd done quite a bit of damage.
Yeah.

　Liv raised her gaze and muttered with a divine expression.

'I'm just glad we only had to do this much damage.

　Perhaps out of concern for the occupants, Liv said in a whispered tone of voice.

'But,'
'Mako cares because the damage was done. He's surprisingly petulant.

　When Mako tried to argue, Yuka said mischievously.

'Don't you care about that, Yuka?
I don't care.
Awesome.

　Mako couldn't help but mutter.

'Where?'
It's human nature to feel a little guilty.
That's not very nice coming from a guy who prioritizes the lives he saves.
Yeah, that's true.
Besides, if we hadn't fought, the city would have been destroyed.
You could say that.
'Yes, yes, I'm done talking about this!

　Yuka clapped her hands and broke off the conversation one way or the other.

'Well, Mako and Yuka got rid of the enemy boss, didn't they?
'I'd say you've driven them away, or rather, they've retreated. You know your stuff, though.
There's a guy who was watching.

　Makoto remembered the receptionist and her brother.
　No, they were fighting on the main street, so there must have been other witnesses.

''The fact that the opponent retreated means we lost--''
I didn't lose.

　Yuka interrupted Liv.

'Well, we were a bit outnumbered, but since they retreated, we practically won. We'll cheat and win next time.
You've already admitted to losing.
A draw. A draw.

　When Makoto rushed in, Yuka said angrily, "You're losing when you feel like you're losing.

'Just when you think you've lost, you've lost. So I didn't lose.
Where does your fighting spirit come from?
I don't know.

　Yuka spat.
　Further down the main street, the more sophisticated and less popular the streets became.
　This area seems to be almost undamaged.
　Perhaps the high walls blocked the undead.

''Ah!''

　Suddenly, Yuka spoke up.

'What's going on?'
I'll be off in a minute!

　With that, Yuka ran off.
　A young guard - the one who was praying to Yuka - was on his way.
　The young guard, perhaps noticing Yuka, cowered with a jolt.

'What are you doing here?'
I went to get a round of applause.
Cheers?

　Liv gave him a quizzical look at Mako's words.

'I know how you feel, but keep a warm eye on him.
Isn't that an applause?
Well yes.

　The young guard has a nervous look on his face as he responds.
　You can tell by the fact that he is not responding willingly.
　When Yuka said what was going on, the young guard raised his hands in the air.
　Hurray, I guess.
　They talked about what was going on for a while, but as Makoto and Liv approached, the young guards left.
　He stopped in front of Yuka, who was still standing there.

'Did you get a round of applause?'
He bathed me and gave me a really bad look.
Yeah, you do.
Why?　I'm the hero who saved the city, aren't I?
We did. We did.

　I'm just going to go into it.
　I don't think it's inevitable for me to get hurt as I'm undertaking the vanguard, but I don't want you to take the credit all to yourself.

''Why do you look like a jerk?
Yeah, you do.
Why?
You've shown your strength.
You're strong, so why shouldn't I think of you as reliable?
Reverse, reverse. I wish that much power was directed at me.
What?　I wouldn't do that!
That's my theory.

　It seems more right to be wary than reliable.

''d*mn, you said you were a goddess or something.
The gods are gods, but they're also devil gods. Please don't do anything.
"What's a raging demon god?

　Yuka said with a red face.
　That figure is truly a raging demon god.

''This world sucks!''
More words.
'This world is um ... what do you want me to say!
Don't blame me.

　Makoto muttered in a disgusted mood.

''d*mn, you're always calling me Goddess or something when it's convenient, and you're going to flip me off... ah!　God!　Seriously, it pisses me off!

　Yuka stepped on the ground.

'You don't have to get mad at me for every single thing, do you?
Of course I'm angry!

　Yuka crowded Liv.

'I helped you out and you acted ungrateful, didn't you?
They're like that, you know?

　Liv said as she let out a sigh.
　She must have suffered the same thing as Yuka many times during her time as a mercenary and adventurer.

''There's no point in getting mad at those guys.
Yeah, that could be it.　It's what pisses me off that pisses me off!

　Yuka kicks a nearby fence.
　Zsin!　And not only the ground, but also the air, shook - and the walls collapsed.

*

Miss Makoto!

　When Makoto and the others arrived at the Count's residence, Laura came running up to them.
　She was dressed the same as yesterday, as if she hadn't been let off the alert.
　Laura stopped in front of Mako and turned her attention to Liv.
　Liv let out a sigh and put her arm down from Makoto's shoulder.

'I'm glad you're okay, Mako-sama.
I'm in here too.
You're safe, Yuka.
Well, yeah.

　Yuka's lips twitched in a sultry manner.

'Chris-sama is waiting for you. Please follow me.'

　Laura turned on her heel and Mako and the others followed.
　They led the way and proceeded through the mansion.
　I've stepped in many times, but I can't remember the directions.
　Maybe they always take a different route for safety reasons.

'Oh, speaking of which, how's Fujika doing?'
Mr. Fujica is in his bedroom, asleep.
"That d*mned b*tc*.

　Yuka said as she spat.

'Please don't blame Fujika-san too much,'
We're in a fight to the death.
He helped with the wounded until dawn.

　Laura said, a little apologetically.

'Wow, that's surprising.'
Don't be surprised.
Huh, you have no idea.

　Yuka snickered.

'It's marketed to me that a guy who talks so beautifully like that won't do anything when it comes down to it.
Does that mean you've had some time to think about it?
Why should I take a second look at Fujica?

　Yuka said with a pouting face.

'It's because what you're saying and what you're doing are in line with each other.
Mako, that's sweet.
What?
He's going to get you to trust him and stab you in the back when he has to. That's just who he is.
Tsk, he's activated his Yuka Filter.
Hey!　What's a yuca filter?
The Yuka Filter is a filter that distorts reality with malice.
I don't need that kind of explanation!

　Yuka's face turned red and she said.

''Well really, I don't know what happened in your past.''
It's nothing like what Mako expects.
You're not helping the situation, are you?
'You don't have to say that much!
No good deeds, then.
Of course. A person can be good or bad, depending on the environment in which he or she is raised. So angels and demons are inside of us.

　I think I said something different before, but I don't think there's any point in going into it.
　Maybe it's a spinal reflex spinning words.

'If it's nothing like I'm expecting and Yuka is like that, then the guy who gets ruined will get ruined and the guy who doesn't get ruined won't get ruined, right?'
'Well, well, it's nothing like what Mako expects, but I think there's a rebelliousness to the world.

　Yuka said in a supercilious voice, her expression suddenly tightening.

'I mean, it's the world's fault.
That's the bottom line?
Yes!

　Yuka puffed out her chest.
　It's pretty much a chest - I don't think about it.

'Yuka must be that kind of guy.
I don't expect you to understand.

　Hmph, Yuka sniffed.

'I understand that's the kind of guy Yuka is.

　'Well,' he continues.

'It's fine.　That's it for Yuka.
What does that mean? What does that mean?
Don't fry me.

　Makoto muttered in disgust.

'It's faster for me to change than for Yuka to change... and he's not a bad guy.
What the f*ck is that?

　Yuka put on her triangular hat with her eyes.
　He's an easy guy to figure out, he laughs.

''Speaking of which, where's Fene?
Miss Fene is in bed.
What--

　Before Mako could finish, Laura stopped at the door.

'We're here,'
I'll be waiting for you here.

　Laura opened the door and Makoto entered the office with Yuka.
　Christine had taken a seat with her back to the window as if it had been sometime ago.
　For some reason, a man - Frank of the Bison Horn tribe - was also in the office.
　Frank was standing by the wall with a pale face.
　There was the sound of the door closing and Christine opened her mouth.
　Makoto and Yuka stopped somewhat away from Christine.

'You did a great job last night. But what a way to leave without reporting!
Of course it was important!
Hee!

　Christine screamed as Euka yelled back at her.
　Yuka walked over and slammed the desk.
　'Huh,' Christine let out a small scream.

'We were fighting the seven evils and nearly dying over here, and who the hell do you think you are!
My lord, my lord, and I...

　Christine's eyes lit up as she heard the door open.

'What's going on here?'
Laura, Laura!　This thing, it's got me--
I was just talking back because you pulled a cheeky stunt.

　Yuka looked behind her over her shoulder and said in a voice that seemed to echo from the depths of the earth.

'Please be gentle with me.'
Laura!

　The door closed unceremoniously and Christine screamed and stood up.
　She ran to the door and--

'Laura!　Laura!
....

　Christine banged on the door like a child locked out of the house, but Laura didn't answer.
　On the contrary, she didn't even try to open the door.

Laura!　Are you still a knight?　Is that the extent of your loyalty to me?
I'm using my free time now, sir.
I'm bringing you back!　I'll get you back in and you can open the door!

　Christine shouted frantically, but the door didn't even seem to open.

'I won't be able to stay by Mako-sama's side when I get back,'
"You'll take color over loyalty!
'I'm sorry. I'm afraid this is my last chance.
'An arranged marriage!　I'll make you an eagle, and I'll match you up!
No thank you.
Just open the door!

　After all, the door won't open.

'If you'd covered for Laura when she messed up, this wouldn't have happened.
'I'm sorry I didn't cover for you!　I'll do anything you want, just open it!

　Yuka laughs petulantly and Christine knocks on the door.

'Chris-sama I have to face Yuka today, tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow. Besides, there's the matter of the undead last night. Having Chris-sama cry is the least harmful way to do so. Please forgive me. I'm a weak woman.
Lolaaaaaaah!

　Christine shouted loudly and bent to her knees.