I'm sorry....

　The great battle of the plains is over.
　Defeated by us, Arios and his group dropped to their knees on the ground and bowed deeply.

''More sincerity!
'You think that's an apology?　It's funny.

　Correction.
　I was forced to apologize.

I'm sorry........

　Arios and the others bow their heads again.
　Kanade and Tania look at the four of them boringly...........then they look at us.

''It's like, but.......what should we do?　Do you forgive me?
I'm not ready to do this yet, but...
Huh?

　Leanne and Mina jerked and shuddered.
　Their faces contorted in fear.

　........What on earth did Tania do?
　I'm curious, but I'm too scared to ask.

'I felt better once I'd defeated Arios, and my goal was to make you both apologize. How about you two?
I'm done with it if Rain isn't mad at me.
''It's a bit lacking in some areas, but... well, if my master says so, I'll end it now.
''So that's why. We accept Arios and the others' apology. Let's let it all go by the wayside.
Huh.

　Arios' face contorts in humiliation.
　But there's no point in lashing out here now because we'll just beat them up again.
　Arios seemed to understand that, and he was holding it together.

　Arios and his friends brush away the dirt on their knees and stand up.
　They take a deep breath as if to endure all sorts of bewilderment.......and open their mouths again.

''So........about the lost forest........''
'Oh, come to think of it, we've been talking about that.

　I've been through so much, I'd forgotten all about it.

'Sure, you'll help me out?　It's no exaggeration to say that the fate of the world is at stake. I don't think not cooperating is an option...
Nyanka, you're a big deal...
Do you want to try again?
Right there. Easy.

　Kanade and Tania went into an adversarial position and stopped them in a hurry.

''I didn't plan to get involved with Arios and the others anymore, but that's not the case. The story of the fate of the world is not necessarily a lie. If Arios and his team's journey was delayed, the threat of the Demon King would increase and many people would be harmed. As expected, that's not where we want to be.
What, you know what you're talking about?
I'll help you.
It's a wise decision. Seriously, if you had said that from the beginning, we wouldn't have gotten so far into this conversation...
You're a brave man and you're worried about losing.
'I don't mind if you think of it as a loser's howl...it's not that I don't care. It's still annoying. Crushing?
So don't go with that idea too soon.
Gulp.

　Kanade and Tania looked unhappy...
　Arios was oozing with anger again.

　Maybe it's always like this when the three of them are together.
　I hope you're not going to do that...

I have no objection to cooperating with you, but I do have one suggestion.
What is it?
Why don't you leave it to us to retrieve the truth shield?
What do you mean...?
"We'll take the lost forest.
"Law.

　Arios looked as if he had found something interesting.

'Judging from what Arios has told me, it seems that the Lost Forest is easier to conquer with a small group of people. If we go in large numbers, there will be some who will get lost or get lost.
So, you think Rain and her friends are better suited for it?
That's what I mean. And.....

　I glance at Kanade and Tania.
　Arios follows my gaze, too.

'You two don't like Arios, you know. I wonder how they would react if I told them we'd be working together.
Geez ... you're just being straightforward.
Isn't it true?
''Well that's fine. I don't give a shit about the beast hating me.
'Arios. Don't put the two of them together with the beast.
Tsk.

　Arios clicked his tongue, but said nothing more.

'So ... what's your answer?'
....

　After a moment's hesitation, Arios gave a small nod.

''All right. I'll leave the capture of the Lost Forest to you guys.
It's settled.
'But don't try to run away with the shield of truth, okay?　There's no point in doing that. That is something that only I, the brave one, can handle.
I'm not thinking about that. You, Arios, are the one who needs to make sure you get paid properly.
'Hmm, I know. I'm a brave man and I'm not going to step down on my reward. Oh, yes. We haven't talked about the reward properly. Payment is only on success. The reward is 20 gold coins, okay?
Yeah, no problem.
And you're going to capture it as soon as you can, okay?
I know. I'll get it ready today and we'll start attacking tomorrow.
Okay.

　As if to say the conversation was over, Arios turned his back to me.

"Aggus, Lean, Mina. Let's go!

　Calling out to his friends, Arios and his friends walked towards the city.

'Hey, Rain,'

　When I turned around, I saw that Kanade and Tania looked like they wanted to say something.
　Somehow, I could understand its content without having to ask.

''Are you really going to help that brave man?''
I don't think I'm up to the task...
Thanks.

　I patted them both on the head.

Meow, meow?
Hey ... why are you stroking my head all of a sudden?
'You two are angry for me, aren't you?　You're worried for me, right?　I'm happy about that so thank you.
Neeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.
No, it's not and I don't care about Rain.
'I'm glad you both feel that way but I'm sorry. Let me help you with Arios this time.
Why?
''It's like I said before. Arios is a brave man, so if that guy's journey stalls, more people will be harmed by it somewhere else. That's not where I want to be. I don't want to help him, but if I can manage it by moving, if there are people who can be saved, I'd be willing to help Arios...
Oh, really, Rain is a softie!
But that's just the way it is, Rain.
I'm sorry to put you through all this trouble.
'No, don't worry about it. I'm in a position to be used by Rain, so you can keep ordering me around.
It's my job to take care of the good-natured master, isn't it?

　Kanade and Tania are laughing...
　It makes me smile too.

　I'm really glad I met these two.
　I think that from the bottom of my heart.



----------



"Shit, shit, shit, shit!　d*mn it, d*mn it!!!!!

　Night.
　Outside the city, Arios was hunting a goblin alone.

　Arios' single sword has already killed the goblin.
　However, Arios does not stop his sword.
　He thrusts his sword at the corpse, again and again and again.

　Still, it doesn't make him feel better.
　His frustration only grows, and dark emotions build up in his mind.

'This me, I am a brave man, I can't lose to that scum... it's impossible, I can't allow this to happen!

　Thud.
　Thud.
　Thud.

　Arios made a dark face and repeatedly thrust his sword into the goblin's corpse.



　Arios laughs.
　His eyes were oozing with madness.

''Rain Shroud you'll remember that.