I head into town excitedly. And when I come to the hidden square where everyone always gathers.

Oh, Phelia. Long time no see!

　And a girl notices me and comes running. Her name is Mirmi, a girl with brown hair and pigtails.

'It's been a while, Mirmi!

'You've been missing Phelia lately!

　Saying that, Mirmi hugs me. It's painful to be hugged so much. And then the one who comes to us is

I mean, you didn't have to come.

　The one who says this and turns away is Dry-kun. It looks like he's staring at me with his blond hanging eyes. He is always saying such things to me. Does he not like me?

I don't like you, Dry-kun," she says. I'm happy to see you, Phelia.

　It's Gumin who smiles and says that to me. He reminds me of Marco's brother because he's a little bit chubby. But he has a quiet personality and is very kind. We're the same age.

That's right, Dora-kun. You've been wondering when Phelia was going to come.

What!　No, I'm not trying to be a pussy!　Don't lie to me!

　Dry-kun's face turns bright red when he says that. There is no need to be so angry........ I'm a little shocked.

You're not being honest anymore. Well then, let's go!

"?　Where are you going?

　I nod my head and Mirmi tells me. It seems that a group of slightly older people were asked by the guild to take down goblins, and they asked him if he wanted to follow them. Drai's father is an adventurer and he's learned swordsmanship, and he's skilled at it, so he agreed right away.

　Mirmi and Gumin were forced to go along with him. Poor thing. I wonder if he sensed my mood and said

I didn't force him to do anything!　These guys want to go with me....

　Mr. Dry walks out while talking about it. Since we're going to take down the goblins, I guess we're going outside, but what should we do? ........Okay, let's follow you. My magic should be of some use too.

　We all walked for about 10 minutes. We came to the gate. There were about four armed boys standing there. Their ages were about 13.14.

''Senior!　Chiwass!

　Mr. Dry goes to those seniors and greets them. Then he turns to us and looks at us quizzically. What is it?

I asked if you were following me, and who are these people?

These are my ... henchmen!　He really wants to follow you, you know.

　When did I become Mr. Drye's henchman? I'd like to ask you about it, but it would be a bit of a stretch to tell you now. I'll keep my mouth shut.

''Well it's good that you're only a goblin, but you need to take care of yourself.

Of course!

　The boys say so and start to walk away. Dry-kun follows them. I'm a little nervous about following them, but I can't leave them alone. I have no choice but to follow them.

　Mirmi seems to be able to use a little fire magic, and Gumin has a big club. I'm the only one who came out after training in magic, so I'm still in my training clothes.

　The gatekeeper looked at me suspiciously as I was leaving the gate, but I didn't mind. I felt that the gatekeeper looked at me a lot, but I didn't care.

　I went to the forest of the demon land. Merlin said that the demon land is not too dangerous if you're only near the entrance. It seems that the deeper you go into the forest, the stronger the demons become, but I heard that the area around the entrance is also good for training children.

　And after about an hour of walking. After about an hour of walking, we arrived at the entrance to the Devil's Land. The dense trees blocked the sun's light. I hear Mirmi gulping beside me.

''Are you okay, Mirmi?''

'Umm, yeah, something. I didn't think anything of it from a distance, but it's kind of scary when you get close.

　Saying that, Mirmi squeezes my hand. Seeing us in such a situation, Dry-kun...

Don't leave my side if you're afraid, Phelia. I can't take care of you at all.

　Dry-kun grins at that. It's Mirmi who's scared. Oh, he followed the boys before I could correct him. We can't stop here either. I'm following.

　The boys were first. Then Dry-kun. Then me and Mirmi. Gummin is guarding the back. Sometimes he talks to Mirmi with concern.

　As we walk along like this, a green-colored dwarf comes out of the grass in front of us. It has a hairless head and long ears. He is dressed only in a cloth wrapped around his head and has a club in his hand.

'Oh, I've found you!　Hey, you guys should see how brave we are!

　With that, the four boys make their way to a goblin. The goblin tries to run away, but it is unable to do so because the boys are surrounding it.

Ooh-la-la!

　Ugh, the boys hurt the goblins in a teasing way. If you're going to kill them, why don't you do it all at once without doing that? I feel bad. Mirmi's face looks a bit pale, too.

''Gigiiii!''

　The boys who put a stop to the crying goblins. And then they brag about how great they are to us. What is there to brag about? If it was my brother, he wouldn't brag about this kind of thing, and he'd probably be concerned about us as well.

　Huh, I should have forced myself to stay in town with Mirmi and the others if this is the case. Drei-kun is alone in praising the boys for being awesome, though.

　The boys continue on into the forest, elated. I hope nothing happens.

　It's about 20 minutes of walking. After the goblins that came out earlier, nothing has come out. Why is that? From what I've heard, I thought more would come out.

'What's wrong, Phelia?　You look so funny.

'Mirmi. No, I thought there was something a little strange about the forest. Since the goblins that came out earlier, no demons have come out at all. From what I've heard, it wouldn't be surprising if a few more came out.

　Just as I was thinking this, the source of the problem came. I've only heard about it through stories from Merlin-sensei. Normally, this monster should be found deep in the forest. It looks huge, about 3 meters in size, with arms as big as a human's body, and a horn on its head.

''Goooooooo!''

　The name of that demon is an ogre. It is a demon called an ogre. Everyone freezes at the sight of the Ogre and his screams alone. Why is the ogre in this place!　And it's not just one body. There are about five of them behind me. And only one of them is bright red while the other ogres are gray. It has two horns on its head.

''Hee, hee!

　The boys in the lead were crying out and going back the way they came. We have to run away too!

Mirmi, let's get out of here!　.........Mirmi?

　When I try to pull Mirmi, she doesn't move slightly. When I look at Mirmi, she sits down. Her body seems to be trembling and she can't move. ........What should I do about this?