I tied up the unconscious Zipek and took him straight to the guild.
　With the testimony from the poacher I had caught beforehand, the guild seemed to have moved ahead and was working with the knights.
　Based on the poacher's testimony, they began to investigate.
　They obtained physical evidence and blocked Jipek's retreat.

　When Zipek woke up, he had uttered a tempestuous line about remembering.......
　According to Stella's story, they found a lot of black evidence other than backroom deals, and the conviction was confirmed.
　He is almost certain to be sentenced to decades in prison and will not be able to see the light outside while he is still alive, he said.
　In prison, merchants and others who have gone to the extent of luxury tend to be endeared to the public.
　We'll let them enjoy it to the fullest.

　Considering what Zipek has done, I have no sympathy for him....
　I'm the one who killed Tina.
　Suck it up, I say.

　...By the way, I almost forgot to mention the other pair of troublemakers, Ogg and Kreutz, by the way.

''You've got to be kidding me!

　When I stopped by the guild again, I saw that the interrogation against Aug and Kreuz was just taking place.
　Aug's screams echoed through the guild.
　It's a cheerful one, despite being bound.

　In contrast, Natalie, with a cold expression, tells him without mercy.

''I'm not kidding. Aug-san, Kreuz-san's adventurer status will be revoked. We, the guild, are responsible for the double-booking, but.......but that doesn't mean you're going to take the credit for it.......that's a problematic action that will shake the trust in the guild. On top of that, to open up and try to injure Shroud-san and the others.......that crime is not light.
'You believe that kind of bullshit?　We've been framed by this one, you know.
'Yes!　There's no way in hell we're going to do that!　All of this was made up by these kids!
Phew.

　Natalie let out a disgusted sigh and looked around.

'Who believes what you just said?'

　He asked the adventurers around him, but no one raised their hands.
　Everyone was sending dumbfounded gazes to Aug and Kreutz.

''What, what's with those eyes...?
'You've done a boring job of picking a fight with the city's heroes.
There's no place for you guys anymore.
Get the f*ck out of here.
Geez..........................

　Aug and Kreutz turned blue and red in the face as the adventurers around them said harsh words to them.

'Natalie, I'll leave the rest to you,'
Yes, I'll take care of it.

　I was about to leave the guild, leaving them to clean up after themselves.
　At my back, Aug and Kreuz call out to me.

'Well, wait!　I'm sorry, I'm sorry...!
''d*mn I'll pay you if you want, so let's put this whole thing behind us...''
I'm sorry,

　He interrupts them and tells them over his back.

'One more thing, I'm mad at you.
What...?
I haven't forgotten how you turned on everyone.

　Cornered, upset, trying to hurt Kanade and the others....
　It's unforgivable.

'You got what you deserved. The consequences of what we've done to ourselves, you're going to have to be honest about it.

　I caught a glimpse of Aug and Kreuz kneeling without words.
　Removing my gaze from those two, this time I left the guild.

　Thus, one request ends, one case ends.



----------



Meow.

　When I got home, Kanade dived on the couch.
　She makes a grinning face and flaps her tail.

　You'll be able to see that, and Tania looks puzzled.

''That's not very well behaved.
Because I'm tired of everything and I'm tired of being at home.
'I agree with that opinion, and so does Sola. 'I feel a lot safer when I have a base of operations. I can relax.
'Hmm. You can't get mad at me for shouting out loud.
'Well, it's good to go home and get settled in. If you let your feet flop around so much, you'll see them, won't you?
Can you see?　........nyah!

　Kanade gets up with a start and holds her skirt.
　She turns her red face to me.

'Rain ... did you see that?'
I didn't see him.
Really?
It's true.
Neeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

　If you're going to be ashamed of yourself like that, you need to be a little more careful.
　There's something defenseless about Kanade....

All right, let's get some dinner.

　Everyone would be tired, so I bought lunches in town today.
　Everyone's eyes lit up as I laid out the bento on the table.

''For now, I've picked out a random selection, but whatever you want...''
I have a meat bento!
Oh, I was going for that!
Hmmm, first come first served.
I'll have Sora's bento box with wild vegetables over here.
I am a bento with an egg on top.
I want... this cute little bento box...
I can't eat at home but I get a sick feeling in my stomach when I see you all.

　I pick up the leftover lunch and sit down in a chair too.
　Then we chant "Itadakimasu" and the mealtime begins.


'Wow ... Kanade ... wow, that's a lot of momentum ...'
'You have an amazing appetite. I think you're beating Luna to it.
Wait. Why did you just quote me?
'You could just eat a little more calmly. You can't eat in a hurry to find out how good it tastes, and most importantly, it's in your throat...
'Phew!　Hmmmmmmm!
I don't want to hear this.
You okay?　Here's some water.
"Hmmm, hmmm.........　Oh, that was close.......I thought my lunch was going to get me.
''How surreal is it that the cat spirit tribe gets hit by a lunchbox...?

　It was a pleasure to complete my request and...
　Not only that, but we're able to settle Tina's past...
　Is that what it's all about?
　Everyone is looking bright and happy and the fun meal continues.

'Phew.'
Lane, what's going on?　Tired?

　Kanade looks into my face.
　His tail was moving restlessly, as if he was worried about me.

'Or maybe it's the other way around.'
Reverse?
'I'd rather have dinner with you guys and talk about all sorts of other things than fight,'

　I feel fulfilled when I'm taking on a commission and having an adventure with everyone.
　But that doesn't mean it's all fulfilling...
　I felt like I was happiest when I was spending casual time with everyone like this.

　At my words, Kanade laughs gently.

'Yeah. I understand what you're saying, Rain.
Really?
'Yeah, I think so too!　After all, relaxing is the best way to go, isn't it?
Isn't it just that Kanade likes to take naps?

　Tania joined the conversation.
　She grinned and looked a little nasty.

'What? No, not really?　Well, that's because we cat spirit people like to take naps, but we don't sleep all the time, do we?
You sound like a real cat who likes to take naps.
In a way, isn't that the same thing?
Nap I like it too.
Nina's one of us.
Wap.

　Kanade hugs Nina, who is sitting next to him.
　Nina flinches, but Kanade is unconcerned.

''........''

　Really, I wish this kind of scene could go on forever....
　That's what I think.

"...Rain, Rain.
Yeah?

　Stealthily, Tina was approached by Tina.
　The fact that she's hiding her voice means that she doesn't want everyone else to hear it.
　Deciding that, I whisper back.

'What's wrong?'
Later on, I've got to talk to you about something but can you come to my room?
Okay. When's a good time?
Just eat your dinner and give me a few minutes, okay?
I'll be there in an hour or so.
Please.

　I don't know if this is a secret, but...
　What's going on?
　I, for one, tilted my head.



----------



　One hour later ...
　I move to the front of Tina's room and knock on the door with a bang.

'Tina, it's me,'
You can come in.
Sorry to disturb you.

　When I walked into the room, Tina was floating around in a fluffy state.

I'm sorry. I'm sorry, but I'm a ghost, so I can't open the door. It's not impossible to do that if you use your magic power, but it's a bit tiring.
Don't worry about it. It's nothing to worry about. It's just a matter of opening the door.
Good night. Just have a seat on the bed.

　I sit on the bed as I'm told.
　Then Tina fluffs up and moves to stand in front of me.

'I'm sorry to bother you,'
Okay. You need something important, right?
Well yeah.

　Tina, standing in front of me, makes a serious face.
　She stares at me, intently.
　And then she opens her mouth, nervously...

Can you make my home Rayne's!
"Ho-ho!

　I can't help but cough at the abrupt words.
　When Tina sees me like that, the first thing she does is get all flustered and.......
　Then he blushed and panicked as he seemed to understand the meaning of his statement.

'Oh, no, no!　Not!　That's not what I meant, it's just that our words were wrong............not!
Oh, yeah I see. Yeah, well I'm surprised.
Oh my God, I can't believe he did this kind of poke, we're in the mood for a hole in the ground.
How's it going?
"Can't you ever stop comforting me...?　It makes me even more embarrassed...
Uh... well, what's more important than that?

　Time will only pass at this point, so I went ahead with the conversation, albeit somewhat forcefully.
　Tina also seems to have decided to go along with it, and she clears her throat and opens her mouth as if nothing is wrong.
　.........although her face was still red.

It's a very good idea to have a good time.
A contract ... like everyone else?
Hey. From what you've told me, Lane's a hell of a tamer, isn't he?
I'd argue with that title, but well, I've made a deal with everyone.
Well, you're welcome to join us.　My family has helped me a lot with Rain, so I want to repay that debt, even if only a little. I want to be of help.
'That's ... but are you sure?　You don't have to go that far...
We're going to do it. I want to make Rayne the new master. Oh, that's just because I'm a former maid, so it doesn't mean anything special.

　Tina fumbled and waved her hand.
　What kind of mistake did she think she was making?
　I want to ask, but I don't want to hear the strange answers I'm likely to get if I do.

　Be that as it may.

　A contract with Tina........
　I didn't save you with that in mind, but....
　But only if Tina wants it.

''Okay. Let's make a deal.
I love you.
I should be the one thanking you. Thanks for the help.

　He bites his thumb and draws a magic circle with flowing blood.

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

　The deal is made.
　The same magic circle is drawn on Tina's hand.

Is that all it takes?
Yeah. It's not like anything in particular is going to change but again, good to see you.
You're welcome!

　I tried to shake his hand and...
　Quickly, my hand slips through the air.

　Me and Tina looked at each other with a pouty face and...
　He chuckled and laughed in a funny way.