A carriage of terror, echoing with layers of screams and screams, arrived at the castle in the sky.

　Looking inside the carriage, it was an a-hazardous hellscape, with some crying and screaming, others fainting, and others rattling and shaking as they huddled together.

　A1, who had carried the two carriages in turn, lowered the last one to the ground and saw a shivering girl desperately clinging to the governor's seat.

'Cats are so terrifying when you drive around in a carriage or something.

　As I was convinced of that while looking at the petted down cat ears, Eira opened her mouth as if she was troubled.

''.........Apparently, some of them already have the Slave Marker.......''

Can't you turn it off?

Yes.....

　I let out a sigh and turn my attention to the girl as Eira becomes depressed.

　Then I saw a girl shaking in the coach seat, staring at me.

'Are you okay? That was a close one.

　As I approach while calling out to her, the girl turns to me with a knife at the ready.

　The girl repeats her rough breathing and threatens you with her frightened eyes. If I take my hand out, she will scratch me.

　Vaguely thinking about that, I spread my hands out and smiled.

'I'm not afraid, okay? See, I don't have any weapons or anything.

　When I told her that, the girl lowered her eyebrows and cowered her head.

　She's cute.

　I thought that out of place. A small body that looks like a junior high school student, and a childish face and big round eyes that fit her body shape well. Yes, I want to give her matrimony.

　As I was smiling while thinking about that, the girl's body wobbled and leaned back. She almost fell off the carriage as if she had lost her strength, and was supported by A1, which moved naturally as if she had anticipated it.

　Apparently, he had fainted.

'For now, I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to ask you to sleep over there. Can you break the carriage?

　As he said this, A1 checked his surroundings for a moment and lowered the girl softly to the ground, shaded by the castle walls. There, Eira sat down next to her to accompany her.

　A1 then approached the carriage and grasped the bars of the carriage with both hands, spreading them out. With a crunch, the connection between the roof and floor cracked and a scream echoed from inside.

　I frightened them terribly.

　I made a gap for each person to get out, but so far there was no sign of anyone coming out. I had no choice, so I also crunched the bars of the other carriage.

　Then, as soon as a gap was created here, a man came out. He was a man in his fifties with sallow skin and dark hair. He was deeply chiseled and had a stubbled beard. Because of his muscular body, he has the power and atmosphere of some kind of martial arts master.

　However, he has cute cat ears and a wagging tail.

''I'm Balto. May I ask your name?

　The cat-eared man who introduced himself as Balto uttered this in a nervous tone.

'I'm Tiki. Nice to meet you.

　He bowed his head lightly and said so, and Barth blinked his eyes as he returned the bail.

'Ta, you helped me, I suppose. For that, my utmost gratitude but what is this castle?

　Upset, Barth cleared his throat and looked around.

''Hmmm ... a flying castle, I guess? It's easy to live in, isn't it?

　I replied with a laugh, and Balto rolled his eyes and looked at me, finally blurting out.

'Huh, hahaha! Everybody's okay. Come on out.

　As Balto said this and came out of the carriage, others got out of the carriage as if they were caught. Some of the old men and women fainted, but others came out with them, carrying them.

　They all sat down in front of the carriage and bowed their heads repeatedly.

'Oh, thank you. Thank you.'

Somehow, we didn't all become slaves.

　They say thank yous from mouth to mouth and I chuckle in horror.

''It was this guy who saved you, you know. Don't worry about it.

　As he said this, everyone looked up at A1, buzzing around.

''I've never seen a golem like this before.''

Yeah, and you did some great moves.

You're a great magician...

　A conversation between A1 and me was taking place as he glanced at me. I looked at Balto with a strange feeling.

'For now, you can stay in the castle, what do you want to do?

　When he asked that, Barth looked at everyone with a complicated look on his face. The other people looked at each other.

I'm sure you'll be able to find out what's going on in the world," he said, "...we are a family called the guardians who guard the shrine to appease that demon forest. Normally I wouldn't be dissuaded from following that thieving scoundrel, but when he took my family hostage I was afraid I couldn't do my job. But with Lord Taiki's help, we'll be able to defend the shrine again.

So you'll be back in there?

　When he asked that back, Barth bowed deeply, apologetically.

''I'm very aware that I'm talking thickly after being rescued. I also think I know that it takes a great deal of magical power to run that advanced golem.

　With that, Barth looked up.

'Still, I want you to drop us off at that place.

　Looking into Balto's serious eyes, I looked at A1. I don't really understand what's called "magic power", but when I think about it, I wonder how A1 is moving.

　I guess it's the sunshine, after all.

　He laughed at the thought of something unimportant and turned to Balto.

'It's fine; A1 will carry it for you in a jiffy.

...thank you.

　As he chuckled at Barth, who bowed deeply, the old man sitting in the back suddenly looked up.

'It's Barth.'

　He calls out his name and the old man stands up. He's an old man with deep wrinkles etched into his face, like an old man. Gray hair is probably gray.

"This time, unfortunately, the three of you have received the mark of slavery. I'm sorry, but those three will not be able to make it as a guardian.

　When the old man mouthed that sadly, Barth gnashed his teeth in frustration.

　Come to think of it, the people who are marked as slaves will be magically restrained, right? If that's the case, I'm sure they'll be taken hostage in the future and cause the same situation.

　It's tough, I thought as I looked at it, and Balto turned a shameful face with a c-shaped eyebrow towards me.

''........I'm sorry. I'm sorry, but could you hide the three people who have received the slave mark? If there is somewhere where the beasties can live, you can drop them off there. So.....

Oh, no, that's okay. Look, we have a few more houses to live in. If you'd like, you can live in the house or the castle there.

...and thank you again and again.

　Barth bows deeply again. He seems to be having a lot of trouble.

''So, those three people are........''

　As he said this, he looked around at everyone, and a strong-looking woman in her late twenties or so stood up. Then everyone's gaze turns to the unconscious woman in her forties or so and the man in his thirties who is holding her shoulders for support.

'My wife, her sister, and her brother. All of my wife's siblings, including my wife, are feisty... for being too out of control...

　Balto says that in frustration, and I deeply agree with him.

　Balto's wife and her brother, huh? It's true, I don't want to be separated from them, right? The three of them somehow resemble the unconscious girl that Eira is examining, but maybe they are four siblings.

'Shall we come back occasionally? Then we'll see you then, won't we?

　When he said this, Barth looked up, happy.

'Really! Thank God for that...!

　I was a little happy for Balto when he replied with a really happy look. He must love his wife, Balto.