The brave Arios and his group returned to the city of Horizon three days later after abandoning the attack on the Lost Forest.
　The reason it took them three days was because they had lost their way back and were lost.

　Until now, it had been Rain's job to keep the route home and other routes in place.
　Now that Rain was gone, someone had to take his place.
　But everyone assumed that it wasn't their role.

　Someone else would do it.

　Such a mindset of leaving it to others led to a failure to secure the route home, a failure that an adventurer would have laughed at.
　It's impossible for a brave man to do that.
　It was a failure that no one would hear about.

　Arios was annoyed that they had brought such a situation upon themselves.

''d*mn.''
'Calm down, Arios. If a brave man and his deaf friend look like that, the rest of us will wonder what's going on.
Shut up!　You don't order me around.
It's not an order. It's just good advice.
That's an order!　Don't let a mere warrior, Fuzzy, have an opinion about me, a brave man.
....

　Aggus gave a small cluck of his tongue, just enough for Arios not to hear.

　Leanne and Mina looked away as they watched the exchange between them.
　They had nothing to do with it, they didn't want to get involved.
　They seemed to be saying that.

　With Lean gone, Arios and his group were weakened.
　But that wasn't all....
　During the party, cracks slowly appear in the party.

　They, the girls, are completely unaware of this.

"Well, all right. Let's just find Rayne. I mean that guy. He got kicked out of our party and he's probably still hanging around the city, not knowing what to do.
Agreed.
I mean, this town is a big place.　It's pretty hard to find those trash bugs that roam around.
''Why don't we go to the Adventurer's Guild?　Someone over there might have some information about Mr. Lane.
Well I'll try.

　Mina's opinion was adopted, and Arios and his group moved to the Adventurer's Guild.
　They talked to the receptionist.

Mr. Lane?　Yes, I know.

　It was easily found, and Arios and the others were disappointed.
　Things haven't been going well at all lately, so it's probably going to take them a while to find Rain.　I thought.
　Such bad predictions were off, and I easily got a clue.

　Luck.
　No, it's not luck.
　This is what a party of the brave is all about.
　A supreme existence that ordinary people can never reach.
　They are blessed by God.
　That's why this much happens as a matter of course.

　Arios was thinking seriously about such things.

'So, where is Rain?'
You've been moved to the plains because of a new request.
Request?　Did that guy become an adventurer, by any chance?
Yes. Mr. Shroud is a new adventurer who's registered with us.

　Arios almost laughed.

　He wondered what he was doing after banishing the party and becoming an adventurer.
　There was no way that Rain's power would allow him to serve as an adventurer.
　He's probably in a state where he's in need of food after failing to make a number of requests.
　It's a good trend.
　It's easy to make them do what they say they're going to do.

　Arios predicts that.........
　The reality is quite the opposite, and Rain's reputation is growing rapidly by ensuring that his requests are successful.
　In addition, he has gained two friends.

　Arios didn't expect that to happen at all, and he felt good about his misguided imagination.

　When I speak to you, I'll be as gentle as possible.
　And after I've run out of business, I'll give you even more harsh words than last time.
　The thought of seeing the astonished look on his face like that time makes my heart skip a beat.

　Arios was already feeling like he had won Rain, and was even thinking of ways to relieve his gloom.

'What can I do for you, Shroud-san?　Are you requesting to appoint an individual, by any chance?
Oh, no. We're a bit of an acquaintance, him and I. We were just looking for some help from him.
Oh, I see.
We're going to the plains.
Yes, have a good day.



----------



Nyannya~, nyannya~, nyannya~.

　As usual, I'm on my way home after completing a request.
　Kanade, who is walking in the lead, is humming a strange song.

'What's that song?'
Hmmm, what is it?
You don't know what you're doing.
I hum naturally, like I smile when I'm happy.
Was there ever a time when I was happy?　You just did what you were asked to do.
I mean, lots of rewards!　I mean, lots of food!　Meow.
Oh, so that's what it is.

　I chuckled with Tania.

　Kanade has a really obvious personality, doesn't he?
　But I guess that's what makes Kanade so appealing.
　She's pure as a child, and wears a bright smile that cheers up everyone who sees her.
　It's something I can't do.

"Hey, isn't your pocketbook starting to fill up by now?

　Suddenly, Tania asked me something like that.

'Well I think I'm making rather good money.

　He now has eight gold coins and 34 silver coins.
　And I have 80 coppers.
　We won't have to worry about accommodation for the time being, and we can eat reasonably good food.

So you can afford it?
Yeah.
Then why don't you get your equipment ready?　Rain, you don't have any proper equipment.
...Speaking of which...

　The legendary-grade equipment was confiscated when he left the brave party.
　After that, the dagger I bought with my meager money was quickly broken against Killer Tiger.
　Because of all the things that have happened since then, I forgot to prepare my equipment.

'We can get by without equipment... or is it because we're the strongest without it?　And you don't need the equipment?　But Rain is different. Even if you've made a deal with us to get our blessings, you should still be properly equipped.
'All right. Well, then, when I'm done reporting on this request, I'll take a tour of the armor shop.
Meow........food........?
I'd better eat my dinner first.
Meow... Rain, I know what you're talking about!
Totally. You have a soft spot for Kanade.
But Tania wouldn't have any objections.
Yeah, well I'm just...and I'm just getting hungry!　It's not like I was trying to fit in with Kanade.

　After a few days of being a part of the group, I'm starting to get a sense of Tania's personality.
　She's a cynical person who can't speak her true feelings straight away.
　But it's like a child being stubborn and cute at the same time.

'Aniyo?　Those eyes.
It's nothing.

　Laughing, we walked down the road that led to the city...

Hey, Rain.

　...I froze my smile.

'....Arios?　And everyone else....

　As if they were waiting for us, the brave Arios and his group were there.

It's good to see you. How have you been?　Are those two people over there with Rain?
I'm doing fine. Bye.
Hey, man, you haven't seen me in a long time and you're not being very nice. Can we talk about this?

　Does this brave man really mean it?
　What was I supposed to do, smile and laugh?

　The dark emotions that had been gone since he met Kanade and Tania surfaced again.

'There's nothing to talk about from me, is there?
Oh, well, don't be so dull. We're all thinking about it. No matter how useless you are, you could have used a few more words.
We don't hate you, you know. I had to do that. Forgive me.
Well, I don't feel sorry for you. In that case it was obvious that it was your fault.　But I may have gone a little overboard on some things. Specially, I apologize for that.
What do you think?　With all three of you saying this, why don't we let bygones be bygones?

　What are these guys talking about?
　At this time, I couldn't understand what the four of them said as if they were saying it.

　They said they would apologize, but it didn't feel as if they were sincere.
　On the contrary, they made the excuse that that was unavoidable, and then they apologized from the top down.
　Rather than being apologized to, it's easier to recognize that I'm being provoked by a far-fetched provocation.

'Nyah ... who are you guys?'
You don't come out of nowhere, you're blocking the road, you're blocking the road?

　Kanade and Tania step forward.
　They don't hide their sullen expressions...
　It was like selling a fight, and even gave off a light killing intent.

''If you look closely.......could it be the Cat Spirit Clan!　And ... is this the dragon race?　How did you end up here...
We're with Rain.
Who are you guys?
'Nonsense!　Two of the strongest species in the world are joining Rain's ranks?　I can't believe I have to go along with this incompetence... oh no. Yeah, no. I get it, Rain is following you guys, right?
'Don't be weird. Rain is our master!
That's what I'm saying. I'm actually stronger than you, but, well, Rain isn't a bad guy and I'm with you because I have no choice.
'Huh!　Rain is the master of the most powerful species?　Don't tell me that means Rain used them both?　That's not going to happen!
I don't want to be the one to tell you it's impossible...
It's true.

　Kanade and Tania assured him, and Arios' face turned blue and red.
　They seemed to be very surprised.
　The others did the same, rolling their eyes and not moving as if they were petrified.

''So, what about you guys?''
"Nya........Tania, Tania. These people smell bad......................Enemy of the master!
''I mean... oh, are these the 'heroes' by any chance?　The traits I've heard about match up with the traits I've heard about, and it sounds like a no brainer.
Meow!　It's the enemy!　Enemies of Rain, fusha!
Can you do it?
Let's f*ck it up!
"Wait, wait, wait!　We're not the enemy. We're with Rain, aren't we?

　The two strongest species let out a real rage and Arios panicked.

''Companions?　I thought I left Arios' party?
That's not a........tsk, don't be so cold. We've traveled together, haven't we?　Despite our unfortunate misunderstandings, I still think of Rain as a valued colleague.

　How could you utter that line?

　Useless.
　Annoying.
　Disappointing.

　I still remember everything these guys said to me, even now.
　I'm angry at these Arios for saying convenient things, but...
　At the same time, I remembered the emptiness.
　These were the people I thought of as my 'friends'?
　Nonsense.
　I can't believe I've been pushed around by these people....
　On the contrary, I'm beginning to feel ashamed of my own actions.

'Kanade, Tania. I'm glad you're mad at me for me, but as expected, please refrain from brawling.
But they hurt Lane. I can't forgive them.
I don't really care about Rain but I don't like it.
Thanks, you two.
"Meow.
Whew!

　He patted their heads and calmed them down.

'That's enough to make me feel good about it so just step back for now. Please.
Nah if that's what Lane says.
Really, the guy's a softie.

　They moved back.
　Arios and the others look blatantly relieved.

'I'm sorry, Rain. Apparently, I gave the girls a strange misunderstanding. I apologize.''
No, no, no.
That's nice to hear.
d*mn it. I'm the one who's going to be responsible for this little...
Why should I apologize to you, you little trash...
I'm uncomfortable but we'll have to be patient for now.

　Although Arios managed to laugh, the others were not able to hide their displeased emotions as if they were uncomfortable.
　Instead of feeling angry, they are getting colder and colder.

　I've heard that when people feel deeply trivial, they cool down more than they get angry.

'So what's the matter with you?　What do you want from me, by any chance?
'It's nice to hear you talk so quickly, but how did you know?'
'Didn't we talk about how we were going to capture the Lost Forest before I left the party?　Once you're done with the attack, you should be able to push through the forest and move to another city. There's no reason to return to Horizon. Then you have some unfinished business ... or you have business with me. I just figured that through the process of elimination.
'I see. I've been thinking for a while now that Rain is a quick thinker. Brilliant deduction.

　White.
　Does Arios live a lie on a daily basis?
　His face was coated with false emotions, to the point where I doubted that.

'I have a favor to ask of you, of all people. Actually......
"No.