After being welcomed by the people of Krios, we moved to the lord's hall.
　There, we reported what had happened to Kaiz-san and told him that the incident had been settled.

''Thank you, Rain. Thanks to you guys, this city has been saved. You are the heroes of this city.
Well, no, I mean...

　After hearing the report, Kaiz-san bowed deeply on the spot.

　Sure, we defeated the Weiss that caused the Stampede, but.......
　But he's just an adventurer.
　In contrast, Kaiz-san is a lord and is in a position to rule the city.
　It's not the kind of thing that such a person would bow down to.

　When I tell him that........

What are you talking about? If it wasn't for Mr. Lane and his friends, this city would have been destroyed. Even if we had been lucky enough to have escaped them, we would have suffered a terrible loss.
It's... well...

　I wasn't sure if I agreed with the idea that the city might be destroyed, but since it would be a lie to deny it, I nodded vaguely.

'But it was averted. Thanks to Rain and the others. Then it's only natural to show your gratitude. Of course, I will prepare rewards and other benefits separately, but......But first, I want to thank you. As the ruler of this city, and as a person living in this city. So, please allow me to do this much.
Rain, Rain.

　Gently, Kanade whispered in my ear.

''Well I know Rain is humble, but at a time like this, it's better to receive a proper thank you, right?　It's meant to make the other person look good, but more than that, you have to properly accept someone's favor.
Well that's true too.

　It's an itchy part, but sometimes it's necessary to be honest.
　Kanade is right.

'Well you're welcome.
Yes, sir.

　He exchanged smiles with Mr. Kys, followed by a handshake.
　The people around me who were looking on were cheering.

'Hey, Mr. Kais-san. Hey, yeah?

　When the cheers had settled down, Tina, in doll form, on top of Nina's head, called out to Ms. Kaisu in such a way.

'Yes, how can I help you?'
Lane's husband seems to be quite tired. So we'll talk about the details, and today, it's okay if Rain's husband goes to the inn first?
Tina?　I'm not tired of it...
Shh.

　I would be lying if I said I wasn't fatigued, but not so much that I couldn't talk about various things like future consultations.
　I try to argue with that, but Tina stops me from whispering.

　Can you keep up with the conversation?　And so Tina looked at me.
　Tina is a bit too flippant at times, but basically, she's a very smart woman.
　She must have had something in mind.

'....Could Rain's husband go check on Rifa?

　Gently, I was overheard.

　Rifa is not here.
　He is separated in front of the lord's mansion because he has some business to attend to.
　Perhaps she went to Rezona-san's place.

''Rifa, I think there are a lot of things to do, so I want you to stay with Rain's husband.
"...Okay. I'll take care of Rifa.

　That's what I'm talking about, Tina.
　You've seen a lot of things.

　After what I learned about your brother...
　I'm sure he's had a lot of conversations with Rezona and is having a lot of feelings about it.
　Tina seems to be worried about that.
　Really, she's a well-considered person.

''Well then, I'm sorry, but I'll let you take care of the situation.
Okay. We'll take care of it.

　Leaving the rest to Tina, who replied reliably, I left the lord's mansion.



----------



　We walked around all over the city of Coruscia looking for Rifa.

　Along the way, I was approached by many different people.
　All of them thanked us and, at times, asked us to shake their hands.
　It seems that our thing has already spread to the entire city.

　Is this what Rifa had said about being in a good groove?
　With a light chuckle, I looked for Rifa.

　And then........I found Rifa and Rezona-san in the cemetery, far from the center of the city.
　Both of them are holding their hands together, closing their eyes and praying.
　Who are they thinking of?
　I don't need to think about that.

　I don't want to get in the way, but I'm also wondering what condition Rifa is in.
　For now, I wait at a distance and I pray for Rifa's brother's peace, too.

'Rain, were you there?'
Hey, what's up, bro?

　After they finished their prayers, they noticed us and approached us in their usual manner.
　I don't think they had been praying earlier.
　Maybe the two of them have settled on your brother.

'Excuse me, did I interrupt you?'
That's no problem. I'd rather welcome my brother to the party.
'What?　Why?
"I beat the bastard demons. With Rifa's help, I put Kalus to sleep. It was all thanks to you.
I didn't do much. The only people who worked hard were my people and the Rifa herself.
I don't care what my brother thinks, all right? I'm grateful to my brother. That's what's important. So, take it easy.

　What a pushy person.
　Maybe I shouldn't be thinking about this, but is this person really Rifa's mother?
　Their personalities are too different....no.
　Is it because of this reverse personality that my daughter, Rifa, has grown up with her own pace?
　It's a mystery.

So what's going on?
"I just wanted to have a quick word with Rifa...
All right. All right. Well, I'm gonna go run some errands. I'll see you later. I'll see you later.

　With a fluttering wave, Rezona left the cemetery.
　He's a fast-paced person.
　Is Rifa like this?

Lane, you wanted to see me?
I'm just checking in.
How is it?
I don't know if it's going to happen.
Yeah.

　Seeming to have understood our intentions, Rifa gave a small nod.
　Then, she bowed her head in a bowing motion.

I'm grateful that you're worried about me. I'm fine.
Are you pushing yourself too hard?
'No, I'm really okay. If you cry all the time, you'll worry your brother. So I'm just going to keep looking forward.
Yeah. You're strong, Rifa.
Oh.

　It seems that doing so to Kanade and the others has become a habit, and I can't help but nudge Rifa's head.

''Mmmm...''

　Rifa didn't seem to be reluctant, in fact, she seemed to be happy about it.
　She even held her head out to me and urged me to stroke her with her attitude.

''Huh ... soothing. Rain's hands have a healing effect.
Is that a compliment?
Biggest.
'Oh yeah...'

　I knew Rifa was a bit of a confused girl.

'Thanks, Rain.'
Yeah?
Thank you for saving the city.
You're welcome.

　A lot of things are still bothering me, but....
　Let's stop thinking about those things now and take the words from Rifa in a straightforward manner.

"Bok, I want to thank you.
I don't mind.
That's not true. It's not nice. I'm grateful.

　I'm not looking for anything in return, so I really don't have to worry about it...
　However, from Rifa's side, is it difficult to do nothing?

''Then why don't you show me around Krios?
A guide?
'I'll be staying in Krios for a while, and I'd like to have a look around while I'm there. But I don't know what to expect. I need a guide.
Okay, okay. I'll take care of it.
Yes, please.

　We have a deal.

Is there anywhere else you'd like to see?
'Well there's a lot going on, but I can't miss the souvenir shops and stuff. I want to pick up some souvenirs before we head back to Horizon.
...back?

　Rifa tilted her head slightly and said curiously.

'Rain, do you want to come back?　Back to Horizon?
Hmm?　Well, well. I'm based out of Horizon, you know.
So you're saying goodbye to me and Rain?
Yeah, I guess so.
Okay.

　Rifa looked like she was about to start crying.