After dawn.
　Me and Odette returned to 'The Town of Gazanon' in Natasha-Torius' ship.

'Thank you so much for your help,'
I will repay you for this, and I know that sailors are very loyal.

　Countess Natasha has bowed her head repeatedly to me and Odette.
　The soldiers and sailors are also shouting behind us.

I will be heading to the royal capital, but the ship will leave tomorrow morning for the county of Torrius on the opposite shore. Would you like to take a ride with me if you don't mind?
'Well...'

　I don't know when the next ferryboat will leave.
　And just because we defeated a demon doesn't necessarily mean we'll be sailing right away.

I understand. Please. Is that okay with Odette too?
Of course. We'll have more time to rest on the big boat.

　Huh, Odette yawned.
　I'm sleepy too. We're all human beings in this world, after all.

You can go ahead and rest at the inn. Odette.
I have to report to the Adventurers' Guild. And I have to submit that shield.

　Odette bit down on a yawn and chuckled.

''Besides, I'd like to see what the guilds look like when they see that shield, too.
I'll join you. We want to prove that you have defeated that ogre. We'll take your shield as well.
Please..................

　Then me, Odette, Natasha, and a couple of shield-bearing soldiers headed out of town in the morning to the 'Adventurer's Guild'.

　And then...



""Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!"



　It was a big deal.

"That 'armed ogre' is defeated by a sorcerer?
'No, sure it's definitely his shield, but... how...'
We didn't even know where he was in the first place!
''........The trainees of the 'Magic Guild'......are all this amazing people......?''

　That's the most f*cked up thing they've ever seen.
　Well, that's just how it is.
　That "armed ogre" was a dangerous demon that demanded the support of the royal capital.

"How did he get past that shield? 'You couldn't even get a sword, a spear, or sorcery through it! 'Please, tell me how you beat him!

　The Guildmaster and the adventurers look at us with excited faces.

''As for how we defeated it...''

　As I said it, the guild members leaned forward in unison.

''I aimed for a spot where there were no shields,''
""If you can do that, you won't have a hard time!"
I tried my best to get to the point where there were no shields.
".........................

Yuki used his demons to distract the enemy.

　Odette took over my words.

''The 'Magic Guild' is a group of people who study 'Ancient Magic'. There are those who use magic through messengers. My friend, Yuki, is skilled in such means.
Something like that.

　That's Odette.
　Let me take advantage of that explanation.

''That 'armed ogre' had long arms and legs and a wide range of attacks, so we thought it would be better to defeat it with magic. The reason I targeted the night is to hide the appearance of our messenger. Finding that guy's location was almost a coincidence. I was walking around avoiding the city streets and wandered into a rocky mountain, and that's how I noticed that Countess Natasha's ship over here was being attacked.
'Yes, sir. Yuki-Grossaria-sama came to our aid at once.

　Natasha-Torius, who followed me to the guild, and the soldiers nodded.

Odette-sama grasped the movements of the demons and guided the evacuation. Afterwards, Yuki also treated the wounded. The only reason no one died was because of those two.
""Oh.........."

The "Adventurers Guild" was filled with sighs.
　Everyone seemed to agree.

''So this is the great shield the 'armed ogre' had?'''

On the table in the Adventurer's Guild, a shield as tall as a man lay on the table.
　It was made of silvery, shiny metal.
　Even though I had shot so many flame bombs into it, it was barely scratched.

''........This shine and strength. Don't tell me it's an 'ancient artifact'?
I mean, we're lucky. I never thought I'd get a chance to see it.
'If this were an 'ancient artifact', it would be the story of a lifetime...'

　Yeah. Well, it's an ancient artifact.
　I hacked into it and examined it inside the ship.

　The shield has a structure similar to that of the Holy Sword Lean Kaal.
　I was able to examine it with my 'Myster Blood', but it was impossible to rewrite the internal magic.

　It's the same with that 'Spiritual King (Lord of) Horses (Phantom)'.
　Even with my 'hacking', it was all I could do to unlock the part I was getting into.
It seems that even my 'magic blood' can't completely control the 'ancient artifacts'.

''........It really is an amazing item, isn't it?

　Odette sits down in her chair and sighs.

''After all, was it used by a famous knight of ancient times........''
No, it's like a piece of the 'Lord of the Phantoms'.
What?
It's a part of the arm of Dorothea's 'Spiritual Rider' that she used to control. It's a very good idea to make sure that you have a good idea of what you're doing. That's why they took off the shield and used it for other experiments, right?
I don't feel any sleepier. It's amazing, isn't it, Yuki?
''No, no, no, you can carry it to the 'Magic Guild' and you'll find out soon enough. There's the 'Spirit King Rider' itself over there.

　Inside the guild, the guild master man explains.
　From now on, you must contact the royal capital and the 'Magic Guild'.
This large shield must be kept by the Adventurer's Guild until the "Magic Guild" comes to pick it up.
　And...

''I'm going to send out a petition to the 'Magic Guild' from myself, the Guildmaster, to make sure that this matter is evaluated by Yuki-Grossaria and Odette-Sley!
"...what?

　There was the sound of thunderous applause.
　Huh?　What do you mean?

　Me and Odette didn't get a formal request, so it shouldn't lead to an evaluation...?

"I didn't ask you as an 'Adventurer's Guild,' but you defeated that 'armed ogre' and saved the frontier count's daughter. We're going to thank you!
No one in town knew that a ship of the Frontier County of Torias had washed ashore. If it weren't for you guys, I'd have left them to die.
''If the Frontier Count-sama's group was wiped out near the 'Town of Gazanon', it would be a break in the name of the 'Adventurer's Guild'. Since you've defended our honor, let me at least do that!
If it weren't for you, we'd be waiting in the wings for King's Landing's soldiers to arrive.

　And then...
　Odette and I were thanked by the adventurers of the Adventurers' Guild one by one...
　Due to regulations, he didn't get paid, but he did receive a personal reward from the guildmaster.
　In addition, they were to be given a free night in the best room, in the most exclusive inn in town.



'I shall not forget you,'

After leaving the 'Adventurer's Guild', again, Natasha-Torius and her group bowed deeply to us.

''Yuki-Glossaria-sama, Odette-Suray-sama, if you would like to stay in the Torrius territory until I return. If you would like, please stay in the Torrius territory until I return. I would love to see you again.
'Yes. If my research takes too long,

　I said.
　From now on, we will be looking for the remains of 'Fira Village' on the other side of the river, in Torrias territory.
　If it takes some time, we may meet with Natasha-Torias again.

'On the other side of the river, my sister Ofelia should be there. I have told the soldiers to tell my sister what happened this time, so please show her the pendant I gave you. I'm sure she will accommodate you in many ways.
I'm sorry for everything.
Good to know. I'm not used to traveling as much as we are.
I hope you have a good trip.

　With that, Natasha-Torius and I dodged a handshake.
　Then Natasha got into the carriage and left for the royal capital.

We'll go to the inn," she said. I'm already sleepy...
Yeah. I hear it's a nice inn, so you can relax.
'I wonder what the room is like. It's exciting.



　It was a twin room.



"..........

　Pfft.

"...good night, Odette.
Hey, Yuki!

　It's no wonder I'm sleepy too.
　In my past life, I was able to get along fine even if it was an all-nighter, but after all, human children need sleep....


There was no one else available, so I don't blame you.
Yeah, maybe so, but!
"...it's okay ... if you're 13 ... if you round up ... you're 10 ... so ... ....just barely treated as a child...
'Maybe for you, who live for so many years!　People make decisions about things more finely divided by age!　I can't be in the same room as a boy my own age........

　Odette's voice trails away.

'.........Thanks, Odette.
...What?
I'm glad you're with me but I'm glad Odette's with me. Ta.....

　Sigh.

　And so, like a child, I fell into a deep sleep.



　─ ─ ............



I'm really embarrassed.

　After Yuki had fallen asleep, Odette sat down on the bed and sighed.
　She put the blanket over him in a state of sound sleep (jusukui) - she knew he was asleep, but she somehow turned her back to him and then took off her clothes and changed into her nightgown.

　It doesn't help that I keep looking back at him, because he's with boys my age.
　When I was at home with my parents in the first place, I never allowed boys in my room.
　I know that Yuki sees herself not as a woman, but as an equal companion.

'Let me tell you, the reason I'm thrilled is because it's the first time I'm sharing a room with a boy. I'm not crushing on you, you know!

　When I utter an excuse to anyone, for some reason, I start to laugh.
　I'm thrilled, but I'm not nervous.
　When I'm around Yuki........I feel safe (........).
　It was the first time I felt like that.

　I don't know what I would have done if I hadn't met Yuki.

　I'm sure that I would be working for the "Magic Guild" as Iris' best friend...
　........Sooner or later, I would have fallen for my father's trickery and would have been taken back to my parents' house.

　But that didn't happen.
　The reason why Odette is now able to walk around freely is because of Yuki.

''I wish.......I wish I had been born to your people.

　Then, would I have been able to honestly say, 'I like My Lord' like Iris did?
　The idea came to mind, and Odette hurriedly shook her head.
　Something is different. It's a little different.

　This is the kind of respect that the people have for their guardian gods - a respect for them.
　It's not the same 'love' as Iris. Maybe not.
　While telling herself that, Odette finishes changing into her nightgown and lies down on the bed.

　In the bed next to her, Yuki is sleeping in a large figure.
　A peck on the cheek...yada yada yada.
　Fluffy. Puffy.

'.........it really doesn't wake up.......'

　Odette smiles softly.
　As she did so, Yuki unexpectedly opened her mouth, unexpectedly.

''.........Alice.......''
........what?

　'Thump,' I felt my heart thump loudly.

''Yes, that's right. You're Iris's fiancé and...
"Well Alice, no. I told you we can't eat the gloro mushroom it will make you sick and hungry.
........more.

Let's put him to sleep.
(If I watch Yuki's sleeping face any longer, it's going to be a terrible thing...)

　Thinking about this - with a strange and tender feeling - Odette went to sleep.