He returned to the city and reported the request complete.

　However, he did not hand over Tania.
　Even though he had handily asked for a duel, it was not malicious or vicious.
　If he was handed over to the guild, he would certainly be handed over to the state as is, and caught.
　As expected, I felt sorry for that, so I mixed in a report with a lie that the culprit had been chased away.

　The guild is not stupid, so they don't believe our story as it is.
　Is the culprit really gone?
　They're sending a team of investigators to look into it.

　If the results of the investigation show that the culprit is really gone, then the request is complete.
　Until then, the case is on hold and there is no reward.
　Well, it's a matter of course, so I'm not complaining.

I'm sorry. It's not that I'm doubting Rain-san, but after all, it's just a problem, so I can't simply admit it.......

　Natalie looked apologetic.

'No, fine. It's only right that we investigate. How long will the investigation take?
'Well the culprit was out every day so I'm guessing two or three days, I guess.　I think it will be over rather quickly. Miss Lane will still be staying in town, right?
I'm not sure I'm going anywhere.
''Then I'm sorry to trouble you, but please come back to the guild in three days. At that time, I'm sure we'll have completed our investigation and I'll be able to give you your reward.
All right. I'll see you in three days.

　I was leaving the guild.

Oh, by the way,

　Natalie says, as if remembering.

'Who is that girl over there?'

　

''Well we met in the middle of a request. This request, she helped me with it...
'I see. So you're an adventurer?
No, I'm not that kind of person. Don't be surprised to hear that I'm the ruler of the skies, Dora Muugu!
So, we're done here.
I'll see you later~
Muggs, muggs!

　Me and Kanade left the guild while blocking Tania's rampaging mouth.

'Annihilate!

　After some distance from the guild, I released Tania.
　Tania is prurient and angry.

''I feel bad for covering your mouth out of the blue, I feel bad about that. But what were you thinking, trying to reveal yourself in a place like that?''
I just couldn't resist.
Tania doesn't have a plan.
'I wouldn't want to hear that from a no-nonsense cat spirit tribe.
Cat?
What?

　The two of them sparked off with a bang.

'We're not going to fight here,'
"Because he's the one!

　You're breathing so well.
　You're closer than you think.

We'll just go get some dinner. A lot of things have made me hungry.
Dinner!　Meow~
Of course it's on me.

　Their eyes sparkle when they hear the word "food".
　After all, they are close to each other.



----------



'Huggy huggy!　Ammu, gibberish!
Snapping!　Hmph, hmmm........gokun!

　Kanade and Tania are eating their food at a tremendous pace.
　I wonder if the strongest species can't compare to others in terms of the amount of food they eat?
　I don't make enough money, so I hope you'll cut me some slack.

　Once the plates were stacked in a pile, their appetites finally subsided.

''Nyaa~♪ I'm full and satisfied!''
Not bad. You know, human cooking is not so bad.
I'd like to talk to you in a calm place, but...
Okay, you know what? You can ask me anything you want. Or I'll tell you everything. Thank you for dinner.

　Maybe it was because her stomach was satisfied, but Tania was in a good mood.

'So, about what we're going to do now... Tania's not going to do that again, is she?
Well what should I do?
Hey, hey.
Just kidding. I'm not.

　Tania giggles.
　He's more like a little devil than a dragon.

'You guys beat me to the punch and I wasn't much of a trainer to begin with so I'm not going to challenge you to a duel on that bridge.
Thank you for saying that.
What would you have done if I hadn't listened to you?
When that happens, we'll be on the hook for you again.
Are you sure you can beat me again?
'None. I think my win over Tania was the result of a combination of factors and a lot of luck. Next time, I don't know if I'll be able to win. But now that we've gotten to know each other, I can't just let it happen. If we continue to do the same thing, Tania's true identity might be exposed at some point. A full-fledged strike force might be formed. We don't want that to happen.
Hmmm... you're such a softie.
That's the beauty of Rain.
There's no denying it. I like that about you.
Thank you.
It's not that I want to be your girlfriend or anything!　Just because I like your personality, that's not what I mean.
I know. I'm not that vain, by the way.
Mmm, that's what's so annoying about being so easily convinced.

　What do you want me to do?

'Hey, hey, what's Tania going to do now?　You're going to continue your training, right?

　Kanade asks while drinking tea after dinner.
　Maybe it's because she's a cat spirit race, but she didn't seem to like hot tea, and she kept blowing on it over and over.

'That's the thing though I'll follow you guys!

　The sudden turn of events nearly blew out the tea I had been drinking.

''Nah, how can we talk about that...?''
I'm interested!　I'm sure I won't be bored with you guys it's going to be a lot of fun....
Is the training good...?
'I have a feeling that being with you guys is what I'm going to be training for. Best of all....Rain, right?　I like you so much...
Whew!

　Tania sits up and puts her hands around my neck and hugs me.
　Kanade saw this and, for some reason, turned his tail upside down.

'I've never seen anyone like Rain before. Not only did he not just beat me, he helped me and then he did a lot of other things for me and I just care about him. Hey, hey, hey, hey. Am I allowed to stay with you?
'Hey!　Get away from Rain, Rain is my master, you know.
It's a bit of a stretch.
'Not good!　Hush.
Are you jealous, by any chance?
'Huh?　I mean, that's, uh... uh...
"Hmmm. You don't like women who don't stick with you, do you?
Kirawa...!　

　Kanade's cat ears flattened and his tail drooped in a hefty fashion.
　He seemed to be having a bad imagination and had a desperate look on his face.

　At a time like this....

　I'm glad to see Kanade's reaction.
　The series of reactions are a sign of how he feels, that he doesn't want to leave me.

'You won't hate me,'
Really...?
Isn't it obvious?　Kanade is a valued colleague.
Mwah. Rayne, you're so sweet.
Hey, hey!　Don't ignore me.
Then don't be so mean to me like you were before. Like I said, Kanade is a very important friend.
Ummm... well, I'm... sorry about that.
Hmm. Tania's apology is well-deserved.
Whew.

　Reflexively, he pats Tania's head like he does with Kanade.

　Is she angry?
　I looked at Tania's face fearfully, but she didn't look angry.
　Rather, her cheeks were stained and she seemed somewhat happy.

''Mo, you can pet me more, okay?　It's not that I want to be petted, okay?　It's a...well...yes, a sign of reconciliation!
Really?　Then ... stroke, stroke, stroke.
Huh....

　Tania's eyes moisten as she looks at him.



　Does the Beast Tamer have anything to do with it?
　Also, I'm not a superstar at all...

'Well ... about Tania's future ... Kanade.
'Ummm ... well, I'm good, okay?　They were mean to me, but I don't hate Tania, so...
'I'm not sure I have any particular reason to disagree with you, either. It's just a hunch, but I think you and Tania will get along just fine.

　It's the same feeling I had when I met Kanade.
　Maybe Tania could be a true companion.
　I had such a feeling.

'It's settled!

　Tania chuckles at our story.

'Well, get on with it and sign me up!
"...wait a minute. Why would you want to talk about that?
'What?　If Kanade has the contract, why shouldn't I have the contract with Lane?　Are you trying to get me to stay away from them?
Wait, wait, wait. Don't go on with the story on your own. I don't mean to, but if you can make a good deal with Tania of the dragon race...
Lane can do it.

　They trust me unconditionally.
　And Kanade, but how can he trust me so much?

'Let's just try it. If it fails, that's fine with me. Well, I don't expect it to fail in the slightest.
Lane will be fine.

　Canade beats me to the drum.

　Contracting with the dragon race.............hmmm.
　To be honest, I'm not so sure........
　Since you've been told so much, let's just do it.

'All right. Then Tania, sit in that chair over there.
Yes, sir.

　Tania sat down in her chair and faced me.

　She bites her finger and draws a magic circle with the blood that flows.
　I hold my palm up to Tania.

'My name is Rain Shroud. I make a new covenant, and I hereby make a bond with you. With an oath in my heart, with hope in my heart, with power in my hands. Answer. What is thy name?
"...Tania...

　The magic circle turned into particles of light and was sucked into Tania's body.

'Is that it?'
Oh, yeah we're done.

　Not only did I make a deal with the cat spirit race, I was able to make a deal with the dragon race as well....
　I think I've run out of luck in my lifetime.

Hmmm... this is what it feels like to be used. It's a weird feeling, like I'm connected to Rayne at all times and in all places, but it's not so bad. But maybe it's not so bad.

　Tania looks at me and smiles.

'It's nice to meet you from now on, Master...'