It's only because Sakura has taken a liking to you.
On!

　Are you sure you're seeing things right?　Sakura barked as if to say, "I don't know what to do.

　Her tail was bobbing and wagging, and she was looking at me constantly.
　Well I'm glad that he misses me, but I haven't done anything to make a good impression on him so far.
　I wonder why?

If that's the plan, I won't do anything to stop it. Also, since you're going through the trouble. I'll give you some help with that. Sakura?
"Womp!
Good, good answer. Then you can go with Lane and the others.

　So that means........you're going to visit the phoenix tribe and you're going to take Sakura with you?

'What?　Are you sure?
'I could explain it to you, but it's a bit complicated. What you need to do is to follow a guide. Also, the phoenix tribe is no stranger to the internet search engines. They have a bit of a relationship with you, so maybe they'll listen to you without being hostile to you.
Thank you.
You'll thank me after everything goes well, then you'll get your thanks right away.
"Haha.

　Mr. Sigre is very kind.
　It's not very nice to be affectionate to people, but it doesn't look like it.

　Although I'm curious as to why he treats me so well........
　That can wait.

　For now, let's make it a priority to go see the phoenix tribe.



----------



　Once again, Rifa summoned the wolf of the family, and with Sakura in tow, we headed west.
　According to Sigre-san's explanation, it would take about two days for Sakura's feet to reach the dungeon where the phoenix tribe lives.

　

　That prediction was correct.
　After three days and a bit of running through various roads we reached the entrance to a dungeon at the foot of the mountain.

'On!'

　'This is our destination,' barked Sakura just before the entrance to the dungeon, as if to say.

''This place ... sure is a dungeon.

　It would be about five meters wide and three meters high.
　It's a dungeon with a wide path.

　I could see the gate right away.
　It looks very sturdy and has something like a magic circle carved into its surface.
　It is probably a gate with a special seal on it.
　Because of this, it is well protected.
　There is no need to set up guards, right?

A big gate...

　Perhaps it's because Nina is small, but the gate looks very large.
　Even if it wasn't locked, is this something that could be moved by one person?

Mmmm... it won't open.

　Rifa tried to push the gate, but it didn't budge.
　If the power of the strongest species doesn't work, it's best to assume that there's a key, a seal, or some other kind of trick being applied.

I'm not sure what we should do about it, Rain.　I'm not going to turn back now that we've come all the way here, but... do you have a doorbell or something?
'Nya ... do you want me to knock?　Goggle-boom!　And...
That's not a knock, that's a knockout.

　Sometimes I'm not sure if Kanade is a bloke or serious.
　Maybe she's a bit of a natural.

　Spending time with her, that's how you get to know a new side of her.
　That seemed like a very nice thing to do.

　And I digress.

'Well, what do I do now?'

　Do you want to call out to them?
　Or do I try knocking?

Wahoo.

　When I was troubled, Sakura popped her paw on the door.
　Then the magic circle engraved on the door shines dimly.
　A faint grain of light is emitted, and eventually it spreads over the entire door.

　Soon after, the door opened with a gurgling sound.

''Eh........Sakura, did you manage to open the door?''
On!

　Isn't it amazing, Sakura barked while being somewhat proud of herself.

''Since you said something about the Netherworld Wolf Clan having a connection with the Phoenix Clan... so I wonder if that's why you were able to open the door?''
''Perhaps Chiffon is right. It's probably a system that uses magic or something to authenticate an individual, and then opens up when the Task Force or the phoenix tribe touches it.

　It's a hell of a technology to develop such a thing.
　The phoenix tribe may not only have strength, but also a great mind.

But, Rain.
Yeah?　What's the matter, Kanade?
The door is open, but can I go in without permission?
Maybe we shouldn't do that.

　According to Sigre-san, the phoenix tribe is completely hostile to people.
　If it's everyone else, but if me and Siphon are with them, it might be quite difficult.

''If we get into a battle in the dungeon, we won't be able to escape easily... and we don't know our way around, so we might get lost. Let's not push ourselves and wait here. Maybe the phoenix tribe inside will have noticed that the door has opened, and I'm sure someone will come in a while.
Let's do it.

　Rifa nodded at the beginning, followed by everyone else agreeing.

　Well ... what happens now?
　The first thing that would come up would definitely be the phoenix tribe.
　Will they suddenly attack us, or will they listen to us for a bit?
　I don't know what will happen at all.

''I thought, but........''

　Nina raises her hand timidly.
　She seems a little nervous because she's about to meet the phoenix tribe.......


'The phoenix people don't like humans, so Rain and Chiffon are going to sit out for a moment... hmmm, maybe it's not so bad.
I don't agree.

　While Kanade agrees, Rifa shakes her head.

''If you do that, you'll get into trouble later on. It would be better to have Rain and Chiffon there from the beginning so they won't give you some strange misunderstanding.''
What do you think, Mr. Lane?

　I met Chiffon's questioning gaze...
　After thinking for a bit, I open my mouth.

''Well Rifa's right, if you're hiding from us, it might make things even more complicated later on. They might attack us out of the blue, but that's just the way it is. Let's do something about it.
Yes, sir.

　As the future course of action was being decided, footsteps could be heard from the depths of the cave.
　Finally, the phoenix tribe?
　Nervous, but watching over the situation...

What, uh...?

　A frightened girl appeared from the doorway.