After we finished resupplying, we left for Kagne.

　The purpose of our journey was to repair the legendary equipment, the Sword of the Comet.
　Considering Chiffon's mission, we want to hurry as much as possible, but.......
　But that doesn't mean we have to use a carriage or other means to use the carriage and have Sora and Luna down for repairs.
　Although it would take time, we chose a slow........but a sure way to move forward.

　While keeping an eye out for demon attacks........or kicking them away at times.
　We walked along the street and headed east.



----------



　We resumed our journey and the first night.
　We decided to camp in a square some distance from the road.

　We build a fire and set up a simple tent to keep out the rain.
　Then we prepared a meal, and we all ate our food around the fire.

'Well, we'll go ahead and say goodnight then,'
Yeah. I'll take care of the guards.
Yes, please. Good night.
Good night.
Good night.

　In one of the two tents, the chiffons have disappeared into one of the tents.

　First, we were in charge of guarding it.
　The second half is Chiffon and her friends' turn.
　That's how we've been rotating ever since we left Krios.

　If we mixed up the members of the party to keep watch, without party barriers, our coordination would improve, but.....
　Since this was a temporary party, there was no point in thinking about the future now.
　It was concluded that it was better to prioritize safety than that and work with a familiar partner, so the current form was taken.

'Mm.....................You're on guard today too? You're bored.''
Luna, you shouldn't talk like that.
Meow, meow, meow, meow.
"Ggggghhh.

　Luna smirks at Sora as she pokes fun at him for biting her.

'But I agree that you're bored,'
Even Tania would do that...
Because demons don't come after you at night.
Well, that's just the way it is.

　During the day, we are not as vigilant as we should be, as we prioritize speed and are sometimes attacked by demons.
　But night is different.
　They are on high alert to see if demons are lurking in the darkness.

　Several of the strongest species are on alert.
　No demon would be foolish enough to jump into such a situation.

　As a result, the situation didn't make much sense to keep watch at night.

''But there might be an attack when we let our guard down. Let's keep a good lookout.''
I know. I won't let my guard down again.
Already?　So, does that mean you've been caught off guard before?

　Sora asked curiously, having heard the story firmly.
　Tania gets a look on her face that says, "Shucks.

“Nothing at all,†she said.
I'm curious.
I'm worried about you, too.
Well, I wouldn't let my guard down. I'm not.
You say, but what's the real story?　Canade.
I care.
Nya. Actually......
'Kanade!　You say anything weird, and I'll never agree to it!

　While everyone was happily talking, Rifa was quietly drinking the hot soup.
　Drinking the soup bit by bit, she let out a relieved breath and sipped at the cup again.

　

'Oh, yes.'

　Suddenly remembering, Rifa placed her cup on the ground.
　Then he looks at me and asks.

'I have a question for Rain.'
Yeah?　Do you want to hear it?
Lane made a deal with me. Isn't that right?
'Yeah, right. I signed a contract.

　And... oh, I see.
　I think I'm starting to get it.

"What do you get when you sign up with me?
So that's what you're saying.

　This is the second time I've talked about this story, as it was with Tina, so I kind of knew what to expect.

Whoa, this is getting old.
Do you miss it?
'I said the same thing to Rifa when I was in my house. I wonder what Rain's husband got by signing a contract with us.
I'm very concerned. I'd be disappointed if I wasn't good at what I do.
'I know!　I know that feeling. I know that feeling... I was on the edge of a nervous breakdown too, until we found out that I had the ability.

　That last bit of violence doesn't make sense.

How did you check it?
...What was it again?
It took us a while to find it, after trying this and that, and it took us a while to find it.
But that's just not how it works right now, is it?

　I don't want to make too much noise since we're in the middle of an encampment.
　It might attract demons, and it's bad for the sleeping chiffons.

''Too bad.''

　Rifa says sorry, with a face that doesn't look sorry.
　Although she is a child who has difficulty expressing her emotions........
　I've come to understand somehow, even though we've known each other for a short time, that I'm seriously disappointed in these situations.

　I would live up to your expectations if I could, but...
　So, what do we do now?

Grul...!

　At that moment, the dog that had been tamed beforehand and waited nearby stood up and let out a low growl.
　He stared at the bushes a little further away, baring his fangs.

'Looks like we have to deal with the demon first before we can reveal Rifa's abilities.

　It could not be a passerby or a normal animal.
　No one but a demon could be someone that a dog would show so much hostility towards.
　Or it could be a bandit, or some kind of fierce beast... either way, it's an enemy.

"Preemptive strike.

　Rifa bit her thumb and generated bullets with the flowing blood.
　After deploying them over a wide area, he ejects them at high speed.

　The blood bullets pierce the bushes and pierce something lurking behind them.

''Giggling?''

　I heard a demon scream.
　Was that an orc?
　Thinking about how stupid it is to try to attack when everyone else is there.
　Well, orcs are not very intelligent, so that's no wonder.

''Kanade and Tania, stay together. Sora and Luna are alerted to the surroundings as it is. Rifa, Nina and Tina, cover me if anything happens.

　After giving the instructions, I head to the back of the bushes.
　In the meantime, we need to make sure that we have defeated the demon or not.

　I make my way around the side and move to the back of the bushes.
　At that moment........

"Gee!

　One of the surviving orcs struck me with a club in hand.
　It may have been intended to take us by surprise, but this one is poised to attack us at any moment.
　As long as we handle it calmly, we'll be fine.

　As if to keep my spirits up, I glared at the orc........

Gee!

　Suddenly, the orc stopped moving.
　He fell to the ground, as if he was in a golden bind, seemingly only able to move his fingertips.

''Eh, what?''

　It was unexpected for us as well as the orcs...
　I'm startled and pause for a moment.

　I was wary that it was some kind of trap, but there was no sign of that.
　For the time being, I've put a stop to it and collected the magic stone while I still have it.

''Nya........Rain, what was that about?''
He just stopped moving, didn't he?　No, stuck, might be more accurate to say.
No, I don't really understand this either...

　I go back to the guys, tilting my head.
　Then, after making sure there are no problems around, I tell them what I just said.

''So........that's why.''
Congratulations, Lane.

　For some reason, Rifa congratulated me.

'Maybe that's what you got for signing up with me.
'What?　That one?　But I'm not sure what I did...
I think Rayne got his powers through his magic eye.
Nya.........the magic eye, that magic eye that can paralyze or charm an opponent when you stare at them?
Yeah, your evil eye.
"Seriously?

　That's an insanely powerful ability.

'I'm a vampire, a rarity among the demon race. Some vampires have magical eyes. That's why I think Rain got the magical eye. I don't have it.
I see.

　The evil eye.
　What will I do with this newfound ability in my hands?　What can we do?
　I'm going to think about it carefully.