So the damage to the giant beasts is getting smaller then?
'Yes, sir. They are not seen as often as before. Little by little, we're expanding our home range beyond the walls.

　In a room in the temple in the center of Parellius Island, I was facing the representative of the island, the Central Imam. I heard she was also busy with various things.

''The Paloof and Elfrau kingdoms have bought the materials for the giant beasts, so we've started importing various things with the money. There is also a plan to build a port city near the southern capital.
I see. We don't have a proper place for ships to dock on this island, you know.

　It was a closed island. There was almost no need for boats. Even now, ships like Paloof and others anchor offshore, and they seem to land in small boats from there. A proper port town is necessary.
　Fruits and crops that can only be found on this island are rare on the continent, so there is enough trade to go around. In addition, the craftsmen of this island are very dexterous, and they specialize in making wonderfully crafted items.
　Dwarves are the most common type of workmanship, but they live mostly in the south, towards the Lyle Kingdom. The island of Parelius is much closer to Palluf than it is to buying from there.

''I was wondering what would happen now that we've broken the wards, but it seems to be unfounded. Once the life of living in fear of giant beasts is over, and the living areas are expanded beyond the boundaries of the capital, this island will become more prosperous. We are very grateful to His Majesty the Duke for his help. Thank you.
''No, not at all. We also train our frame gear against giant beasts and use it to our advantage. It's mutual.

　We laughed at each other, and we decided to talk about future diplomatic relations and joining the World Alliance.




　When we returned from Parelius Island, I called the guild master of the Adventurer's Guild, Lelisha-san, to inform him that I had received permission from Imam Central to open an Adventurer's Guild on Parelius Island.
　I called Relisha-san, the guild master of the Adventurer's Guild, to inform him that I had received permission from the Central Imam to open an Adventurer's Guild on Parelius Island. Now we'll be able to deal with the Frays even if they appear on Parelius Island.
　Parelius Island has a lot of powerful demonic beasts due to the influence of the demonic pools. Even if they don't turn into giant beasts, there are quite a few species that are larger than normal.
　For veteran adventurers, it can be said to be an easy place to earn money, so I'm sure it's going to attract people like our dungeon.
　I hung up the phone and wandered around the streets of Brunhild, since I didn't have any plans for the rest of the day.
　The main street was busy and bustling with activity. There were several capsule toy machines lined up in front of Mr. Orba's Strand Trading Company store, and children were clinking and spinning with their pocket money in their hands.
　It's like a candy store, you can't help but laugh. Hmm, maybe this is a good place to sell candy.
　You can find several of Orba's Strand shops in Brunhild, which are basically toy hobby shops that don't deal in expensive items like bagomas and hula-hoops.
　The model of the magic train will be sold here too.
　No, how about selling small models of magic cars and letting them race here? You can customize various parts by yourself, and set them up to match the course....

''Fuyao-sama?''

　A familiar voice interrupted my thoughts and I looked up to see Hilda standing there. She was wearing the light armor of the Order and the crystal sword I had given her was lowered to her waist. The gauntlet was removed and lowered to her waist as well as the sword.

''Huh?　What's going on here?
'Yae and Else and I are on our way back from going to the dungeon. The two of you parted ways to buy some fish at the island's harbor or something.

　They were in the dungeon again. Well, they've been diving for about half a day, so they can't go to the lowest level of the dungeon.
　It's a relatively safe layer of the floor, and it's like they're looking around to see if there's any trouble in the dungeon, but you never know what's going to happen in a dungeon. I don't want you to be caught off guard. To be honest, I don't want you to be too careful.

Well, shall we go home together?
Yes!

　With a smile on her face, Hilda walked up to my left side.
　Hilda fidgeted with her hands, fidgeting with her own, and said something to me and then stopped talking. What's that?
　... oh.

"Holding hands?
'Oh, yeah!　I'm dirty from fighting, and I'm sweaty........!

　Her face turns bright red and she says so, but I don't care and I hold her right hand. My face became even redder, "Haha," she said.

'I don't mind that, you know. Hilda tends to be more reserved than everyone else. I don't mind being more selfish.
'Ugh, ha, yes. You see, discipline and self-discipline are the teachings of a knight...
'You can forget about it when you're with me. Because what I need is not a knightly Hilda, but one girl named Hilda as she is.
Yes.

　That's it, she turns red and looks down. According to what her brother, King Restia the Knight, told me, Hilda was born a princess, but as an imitation of the Knight Kingdom, she held a sword from a young age, and the belief in what a knight is was drilled into her.
　Protecting the people and becoming a shield and sword for the weak, that noble heart as well.
　So I don't think she was treated as a normal girl much. I feel a little unhappy for her, but that's disrespectful to Hilda.
　As Hanakoi sister said, I'm calling it my first love, so I think it's a big deal.
　While chatting idle talk, we walk up the hill towards the castle. I could have used the 【Gate】 to return home, but this kind of time is not bad.

''........well, I have something I want to ask Fuyao-sama, but.......''
Hmm?　What?
Do you like me, dear...?

　I freeze up. As I stopped walking, Hilda waved her hand hurriedly at me with a slightly sad fake smile on her face.

'Oh, wow, forget it!　I'm sorry to hear that's so weird!
"...why are you asking me that?
'Well I'm not very girly and all I can do is fight... and I'm not sure if the reason you got engaged to me was because of what happened to Restia or not...' ...I was just thinking about that...

　I didn't know you were thinking that.
　I thought it was too late, but if you don't put it into words properly, it won't come across. I hate myself for being so stupid.
　I face Hilda properly and hold her hands firmly. It's my negligence that has made me so anxious. I have to tell her firmly.

'As I said before, I don't need the Princess of Restia, I need you yourself. I want to take care of you, and I want to protect you. I want to make you as happy as everyone else.
'Oh....'
"I love you. I'm not going to lie about that. So don't feel that way.
Yes.......... I'm sorry, sir.........

　I hug Hilda tightly as her face contorts and she begins to spill ragged tears.
　It's pathetic. What kind of a fiancé are you, making the girl you love cry? I'm going to continue to give you trouble like this.

'This is your chance. 'This is your chance to kiss her gently!
Oh, my God!
''Kyah!''

　I couldn't help but turn around with Hilda in my arms at the voice of sister Hanakoi, who had crept up behind me before I knew it. As usual, her appearance is too abrupt!

'Surprise!　I told you to stop doing that!　Why are you here!
"Your sister's love radar told me that 'Fuyao-kun is flirting with a girl'. I can't miss this important event.

　It's on your radar!　Normally this would be the time to warm up and watch them!　He's the god of love, but he's completely inconsiderate...!

"Ah, um........Fuyu-sama, it's painful.......
'What?　Oh, I'm sorry!

　I realize for the first time that I've been holding Hilda in my arms for a long time and poof, I let go of her hand.

'Yea I don't mind,'

　Her face turned bright red and Hilda gave a small nod. For some reason I felt my face heat up too when I saw that. What's this?

It's hot, hot, hot. Well, you can only experience that kind of excitement now, so enjoy it for what it is.
What do you mean, now?

　I felt like I was being made fun of somehow, so I couldn't help but say it back strongly. I felt like he was saying that our feelings will cool down sooner or later.

Love and love are two different things. Love and love are two different things, you don't have to do anything to make it happen, love doesn't grow if you don't work at it. They're both wonderful and inseparable, but they're two different things.

　Mmmmm..... I don't understand what he's trying to say, but I don't understand what he's trying to say.

"It's okay if you don't understand now. You will understand when you are an adult.
Shit.

　I'm a child anyway.

'Huh?　It's not Winter Nights. What are you doing?

　Else and Yae come towards the hill we are on. Both of them have a bucket of fish in their hands. Are they returning from the harbor?

Hilda-dono too. ........Hilda-dono, did you cry, that you did?
Hey, Winter's Night!　What did you do to Hilda?

　The two people who noticed Hilda's tears in her eyes came to me. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most out of your time with us.

'I didn't do anything!　Hey, Hilda!
Oh, yes. There's nothing for you to worry about...!

　Hilda and I put words together to excuse ourselves. But their eyes are getting more and more jittery as they listen to it.
　It's not that I was doing anything shady, and I'm not in such a hurry, but I feel strangely embarrassed. And in a way, it's true that I made her cry. I'm embarrassed about that, though.

''Something fishy........''
So, yes....
'Just now, Fuyao-kun was making out with Hilda. She's hot.
Wow!　What are you saying, sister!

　My stupid sister told me that it was unnecessary. That's your objective point of view, isn't it?

Clear!
Yes, sir!

　Gosh!　and both arms are decided by Else and Yae, and they are taken towards the castle. Ta-tah!　My arm!　I won't bend over to you!

Oh, uh, Hanakoi-sama?　Fuyu-sama is....
''Winter Night, you have to cultivate love equally with everyone else, don't you?　If you've accepted it too, I'll believe it and watch. That's love, too.
Ha, yes. Yes, I know!

　Hilda, don't be fooled!　Oh, man, I'm just having fun!　Look what he's smiling now!

I'm going to ask you every detail about what happened in front of everyone, that I do.
'Well. I'm sure if you ask Hilda, she'll tell you. We don't hide things like this from each other.

　Seriously?　I've never heard of this before, but... Does that mean that everyone will know what you did and who you did it with?
　I don't have anything to feel guilty about, but I don't know what it is, but I feel so helpless....
　A man is a helpless thing in front of a maiden in love.

　A man is a creature that has to endure.

　That night, to the point that I blushed and wanted to roll around on the floor, all nine of us had to confess to each other how much we loved each other.
　In fact, I rolled over after I returned to my room 《here》!　Oh, yeah, the amber's looking at me funny!　Ughhhhhh, I was definitely leaning and recording with my phone, that!　I never thought I'd have to say a line like that, even to Sue... ooohhhh!
　I meant what I said without lying, but it's not the same as embarrassment.
　The thought of it makes me want to roll over again, so I'm going to bed!

　
　Rumbling!　Rumbling!