We left Krios for Kagne, the easternmost city on the Eastern Continent.

　Unfortunately, there is no gate to the village of the spirit race near Kagne, so we can't move all at once.
　So we have no choice but to walk steadily.

　There is also the means of a carriage, but Sora and Luna all appealed to me with tears in their eyes, and I gave up.
　Chiffon and the others have gladly accepted the idea of going on foot.

　Are they really brave?
　It's so different from Arios and the others that I can't help but think about that.

''Hey, hey, Rain-kun,''

　As we walked down the street, Chiffon lined up next to me.

'Lane, you're a beast tamer, aren't you?
'Yeah, but. As you can see.

　I glanced behind me.
　Two bears with bags on their backs are walking behind us.
　They are the bears I tamed to carry my bags.

'Do they do everything you tell them to do, Rain?
Well, yeah.
Dancing and doing tricks?
Well that's a bit of a stretch.

　If you're ordered to do something you can't do in the first place, you can't follow it.
　Well, if you take the time to prepare for it, there's nothing you can't do...
　It's no longer a beast tamer, it's a circus performer.

It's amazing.
'What?　What?
I was amazed at the beast tamer's ability to follow a bear like that. No, I don't think so. Rather than a beast tamer, I guess it's Rain-kun who's amazing.
How did you come to that conclusion again?

　I've never been told before that the Beast Tamer is amazing.
　No wonder.
　In the public eye, the Beast Tamer is said to be the weakest job that can only assist.

　It's quite surprising that Chiffon would say such a thing.
　I can't help but be surprised.

''Is that so?　I think the Beast Tamer is awesome.

　When I told him my frank opinion, Chiffon made a strange face.
　It's not like he's paying attention to us, he seems to really think so.

''Because you can subdue animals, right?　If you're an amazing person, you can even obey demons. That's not something most people would be able to do... and if you can do that, I'm sure you can do a lot of things.
Really?
Yes. I'm going to ask you to carry your stuff for me, like you're doing now, Lane. This is very important. When traveling, food and water are necessary and someone must carry them. But that person can't participate in the battle because they will get tired. Then, it's essential to be down in strength. See, who else can cover this problem but the Beast Tamer, right?
'That being said, well, I suppose you could say that, but... hmmm...'

　Maybe it's because I've been called useless a lot, but I don't really get it when people say I'm amazing.
　It's true that my abilities as a beast tamer are said to be substandard, but....
　But that's just what blood does.
　If I were a civilian, I wouldn't have been able to do this much.

''Well that's fine with me. But more importantly, can you tell me about Chiffon?
Me?
I'm interested in Chiffon as a brave man.
Me?　Huh, I see. Thanks.

　Why do you thank me?

''However, there's not much I can tell you. I've only recently become a brave man, and I haven't achieved greatness like you, Rain.

　You are very humble.
　I want Arios to hear what you just said.

'Chiffon looks like he has plenty of accomplishments ahead of him.
'Really?　Hmm. I'm glad to hear you say that, Rayne. It makes me feel like I can do my best.
Well, I guess I'll just have to try to beat you to it. This is the best way to get to know each other. I hope we can be friendly to each other and improve our relationship.
"What's that word you write 'nemesis' for 'nemesis'?
Sounds about right.
That's nice.

　Laughing and chatting leisurely with each other, we continue on our way.



----------



Meow...!
Nugu....!

　There was a figure watching Rain and Chiffon's conversation with resentment from a short distance away.
　It was Kanade and Tania.
　Both of them looked very frustrated, with a handkerchief they had prepared from somewhere in their mouths.

'Look, look, Tania!　Now, that man just dyed his cheeks!
To come out of nowhere and try to take our position... oh my god, that's what people do!

　I'm curious about Rain and Chiffon.
　However, since they have no particular business to attend to, they are unable to speak to each other.
　A strange atmosphere was forming, so they couldn't even interrupt the two of them.

　The two of them were experiencing quite a frustrating feeling with these thoughts.

　Furthermore, Sora and Luna, who were walking behind them, were rather calm.
　They walked at a leisurely pace while talking with Chocolat.

I see. It's not easy being a tank, is it?
No, not really.
'Sola and her team are in the rear, so they rarely get to be in the vanguard. I think it's amazing that Chocolat is doing a great job of being a tank.
Yeah, not so much.

　They have a unique vibe, and they seem to be on the same page.
　They each had a smile on their faces and were talking.

''By the way, are you two good?''
Hm?　What?
It's Chiffon and Rain. If you leave them alone, they might develop a rapport. Is that all right with Sola and Luna?

　Sora and Luna were a little surprised to see Chocolat, who seemed to be dazed and watching closely.
　What can I say, he's a member of a brave party.
　It's quite hard to be underestimated.

''Mm. We're not in too much of a hurry, you know.''
'It's just vain to be blatantly attentive, like Kanade and Tania. We just need to take a wait-and-see approach and proceed with caution.
Oh, that's surprisingly calculating.
I'll give you more credit than that!
That's the spirit race. That's amazing.
'Fuhahahahaha!

　Chocolat complimented her and Luna gave a high smile with her chest.
　They were strangely on the same page.



----------



Rain.
Yeah?

　As I walked to the front of the line with Chiffon, I was yanked out of my clothes with a scoop.
　I turned around and before I knew it, Rifa was right beside me.

''What's going on?''
"Enemies.
What?

　For a moment, I'm a bit of a goofball, but....
　I quickly realize the meaning of the word, stop and look around.

　You don't see any people or demons.
　I close my eyes and concentrate.

''........I don't even feel a sign of them.
"Hey, Rifa. Do you really have enemies?

　Chiffon doesn't seem to understand either, so he asked Rifa that.

　However, I believe Rifa.
　I'm not a girl who would tell a lie like this and.......
　Best of all, that's what my people say.
　If I don't believe it, who else will?

"Chiffon, you've got to have enemies.
...Yeah, I get it. I believe it too.

　Siphon also drew his sword and readied himself for the enemy to come at any moment.
　Thank goodness you believe me.

　Just stay alert for a bit...
　A stinging hostility fell from the sky, as if to crush us.