It's been a week and...
　Sola and Luna's training was completed.
　The two of them were able to successfully learn the sealing magic.

　And, as promised, they were able to receive the item from the elders.
　'Crimson Tears'.
　It's a deep, crystal-clear red gemstone.
　It's not just a gemstone, it's supposed to be used as a catalyst for magic.
　I've been told that this would be no problem as a vessel to seal Iris.

　I've learned how to use sealing magic and obtained the vessel needed for it.
　Now I'm ready to go.

''Thank you.''

　Move to the doorway that connects the village to the outside
　I bow to Al and the elders who came to see me off.

"Because of what's going on in our village, I cannot go with you, but I'm sure you will be able to pull it off. I wish you good luck.
''I don't care what happens to the humans but, well, good luck with that at best. Since you're bringing out the treasures of the spirit village, you've got to produce some good results.
Yes, sir.

　I received encouragement from both of them and was motivated.

'I'll make sure to stop Iris,'
Yes, that's the spirit.

　As Al-san's words saw us off, we left the Spirit Village.......

You said your name is Rain.

　He was about to leave later when he was approached by an elder who stopped him.

'Yes?'
"If you have lost your bearings, visit your village again. If you've lost your bearings, visit your village again, and maybe I can help you answer the questions you may have at that time.
Well what's that supposed to mean?
'If you don't know, then now is not the time. Just remember these words.

　Losing your bearings.........
　What kind of situation is that?

　I'm not sure what's going on here, but...
　This is a quote from the elder of the Spirit Village.
　They must have some deep meaning.
　I firmly imprinted those words on my heart.



----------



　We're going to leave the Spirit Village...
　We left the cave and moved on to the ruins of the village of Pagos.

'Hmmm, it's been a while.'

　Kanade stood taller with a giggle.
　Everyone else felt the same way, feeling the air on their skin for the first time in a long time.

'What are we going to do now?'
Of course, I'll find Iris.

　And seal it.

I wonder where Iris is?

　Tania looked around lightly as she said this.
　Of course, there is no way to find Iris.
　There are only rundown houses lined up, and there's no one to be seen but us.

''Is he still hiding somewhere?
'I don't know ... it's been a week since then, so I feel like it should be moving.

　When we fought before, I inflicted a fair amount of wounds, but....
　A strongest species as powerful as Iris would be able to completely heal from his injuries in a week.

　Considering that, it wouldn't be surprising if he had already resumed his activities.
　

''For now, let's go to the Zith village. Right now, that should be the front line, so we should be able to hear all the details of the situation.
Yeah.
Are you guys okay with that?
La-la-la!

　Everyone nodded, including Kanade.
　Once we got their approval, we headed to the Zith village.



----------



　Due to the hurried travel, we were able to reach the village of Zith in about half a day.
　The village was the same as before........no.

'Fewer people...?'

　The original Zith villagers and the Pagos villagers who took refuge in the original Zith.
　Other than that, although we see a few adventurers here and there...

　I don't see any of the strike force.
　That's a lot of them.
　All of them couldn't possibly fit inside the house, and they should be camped outside...
　I couldn't see any tents in the encampment.

　I had a bad feeling about this.

'Sorry, do you have a minute?'

　He approached the adventurer who was standing guard at the entrance to the village.

'Didn't Iris's ... demon slaying party come here?　Where are they?
Hmm?　Don't you know?

　The adventurer's feared story comes out of his mouth.

'There's a ruin just east of here where a demon was discovered. The strike team left the village to defeat the demon.

　I knew it!

When did that happen?
'What?　That was about half a day ago...
'Well thank you for telling me!

　I cut the story short and went back to the guys.

Did you find Iris?
'They're in the ruins to the east. However, it seems the strike force has already left by half a day.

　I replied to Tania's question, including impatience.

'Wow, that's a lot of work!　Meow.
How far is it from here to the...?
I've heard it's only been a day or so.

　Nina's question was answered by Tina as she crunched the lid of the kettle.

'A day, then ... it's not too late ... right?
Yeah, if we hurry, we can make it work!
Everyone out of the village for now.

　They have an idea.
　At Tania's urging, we moved out of the village, out of sight.

'Nya, what do we do now?'
Here's what to do.

　Tania's body shines and is surrounded by light.
　Eventually, the light grows larger and larger...
　When the light popped, a huge dragon appeared in front of us.

''Nya... is that Tania?''
Come on my back!

　Tania said as she barked.

'I see. That should allow us to catch up with the strike force.'
But ... mmmm, that's a tough ride. It's Tania. Doesn't it have seats or something?
I'm not a carriage.

　Sola and Luna quickly climb onto Tania's back.
　Then Nina and Tina.
　Then me.
　Finally, Kanade is on Tania's back.

"Hold on tight, everybody!

　Tania flapping her giant wings...
　He jumped up into the air at once.

''Huh.''

　It's fast.
　It's like it's flying through the wind, and if I'm not careful I'll be thrown out.

　But that's how fast they are.
　It's not impossible to catch up with the strike force.
　There was a glimmer of hope.

''I'm counting on you, Tania!
Hmmm, let me handle this....　Hold on tight, guys!

　Tania warned, her voice laced with a sense of urgency.
　Reflexively, everyone clung to Tania's scales.

　Tania made a sharp turn in the air.
　Shortly after that.........
　A line of light rushed through the place where I was earlier, at high speed.

''Nya, nyani woke up!
It's...!

　If you look down...
　Axe and Cell were there.