A sudden pain that awakened Aldis' thoughts, which were losing color and becoming hazy.
　It was not a physical pain that clutched her body, but a formless pain that tore at her soul.

　The sensation of something being pulled out of his body.
　The same discomfort as a few days ago when I was sent from the other world to this one.
　On the one hand, the common sensation, and on the other hand, the opposite of the last time, an inexplicable uneasiness arises from the feeling of something being pulled out of you, being lost.

(What ......?)　(No, of course not: ......)

　After the loss of something from deep within her body, a strange sense of conviction enveloped Ardis, along with a sense of loss that could not be described as small.

　There's no clear basis for my thoughts that feel natural.
　Not in theory, but just as a feeling. I understood that it was meant to happen.

　Awareness that is fading away again, along with something that is being lost.
　It was Minerva's voice that awakened Ardis, who had sunk into complete darkness.

''--Please!　Master!

　Ardis' consciousness slowly surfaced as the voice drew her in.

　The scent of the forest stimulated her nostrils.
　Soft daylight seeps into her eyelids.
　A hand caringly shakes Aldis's body in a small way.
　It was the voice of a noisy student that entered her ears.

'Master!　Are you okay, Master!

　Aldis opened her eyes and Minerva's face popped into her vision.
　Her iris-colored eyes turned to look at her with a worried gaze.

''Oh, oh ....... 'It's okay.'

　Ardis lightly raises one hand in reply and unconsciously performs a magical exploration of the surroundings while raising herself up.
　He judges that there are no enemies in the surrounding area and is relieved for the moment.

　Although a little wobbly, the words mixed with a yawn were thrown at Ardis, who stood up on two legs while slightly wobbling.

'You've been taking it easy, Al. I've gotten tired of waiting.

　The partner who has been with him for a long time is not worried about Aldis, but only expresses his frank dissatisfaction.
　Rather, it was Minerva, who hadn't known him very long, who was more concerned about Aldis's safety.

''Are you physically unwell?　Wouldn't it be better if you were still resting a bit?

I'm sorry, did I worry you?　Well, it's not in its element, but not enough to be a problem. I'm fine.

Hey, hey, are you sure you're okay?　I thought he jumped in on me, and then he suddenly passed out. And the way you look: ......

　Moore followed the words of Aldis's reminder to himself, and finally said.

'Figures?'

That ......, the master is .......

　When a questioning Aldis asks Minerva, the girl slurs her words in confusion.

'Al, your body is turning into a child again,'

　But then his golden-colored partner mercilessly confronts him with reality.

Just when you think you're back to normal, you're small again.

Rona, say it a little more: ......

　Minerva gives you a chiding look, but Rona doesn't seem bothered by it.

'Oh, no matter. Don't worry about it.

　Aldis tells me nonchalantly while checking her own limbs.
　With the three swords at his waist, "Sotensaika", "Tokiharugasumi" and "Tsukishirofubuki", he immediately understands where he is.

　Ardis herself understands that there is something wrong with her body, and being noticed won't change anything in reality.
　If you have that kind of time, you have other things to prioritize.

'So, the question is, where am I? ......

'I know that already. There doesn't seem to be any danger, and I looked around the neighborhood earlier. Al didn't show up for any length of time, so I had some free time.

　Rona had a lot of words to say, and Aldis didn't point them out at this time.
　Because even though it was less than a minute before Aldis jumped into the circular mirrored surface, it must have been a long time for Rona and the others waiting over here.

'So, what's the conclusion?'

'We could see Minerva's house from up the hill over there. It's pretty close. It wouldn't take more than 30 minutes to walk there.

That's another ......, that's pretty close.

　This would be something to be frankly pleased about.
　Minerva seemed confident, but there was no possibility that the place leading from that mirrored surface was another world, and even if it was the same world, it was quite conceivable that they would be sent to a faraway land.

　However, when we actually arrived, we were connected to the world we intended, and our destination was so close to us that we could say we were just a stone's throw away.
　It's a result of too much convenience.

So now that Al is awake, let's go.

'So you're finally home,'

　Minerva's face was smiling as the realization came to her at Rona's words.
　The actual duration of the experience is probably about a day or so, but the life of not being able to guarantee safety and lack of places to eat, drink and sleep must have felt very long for the girl who lived a life of comfort as a young lady.

　Moore's expression is also soft.
　I'm sure the ex-mercenary is no stranger to outdoor activities, but it seems that traveling while keeping an eye out for an enemy that can't compete in a different world where you don't even know if you'll be able to return is indeed a heavy burden.

　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.
　However, Aldis, who walks behind them, silently thought about what's to come and murmured a little in his mouth.

'Well, how I explained it: ......

　If Aldis' prediction was correct, nearly a year would have passed here.
　In other words, from the point of view of the people of this world, Aldis and the others had been lost for a year.
　It wasn't supposed to be a happy-ever-after for their safe return.





　Sure enough, when they arrived at the Duke's mansion, Aldis and the others were pointed at them by the private soldiers guarding the gate with weapons.

　It was only natural.
　For all intents and purposes, Moore looks like a strong warrior.
　Even Minerva, who is a girl, is armed with a sword at her hip.
　In addition to that, Rona, who looks like a large carnivore over a meter in length, was with them, so it was inevitable that they would be wary.

　The fact that Aldis and the others were obviously very boisterous in their appearance, but the reason for making the situation worse in the first place was that neither of the private soldiers guarding the gate knew Minerva's face.
　However, when the air between the private soldiers and the unsettled atmosphere began to flow, an old servant, who Minerva also knows, happened to pass by, and the situation was barely saved.

　However, as soon as it becomes known that Minerva has returned, the whole house is in an uproar as if the world has been turned upside down.
　From there, it was already difficult.

　As expected by Aldis, a year had already passed in this side of the world.
　It's a good idea to have an emotional meeting with the Duke, who returned to the mansion as soon as he received word that his daughter had returned, but after all, only a day and a bit of time has passed for Minerva in terms of experience.
　In contrast to the Duke, whose eyes were moistening with emotion, Minerva was showing her confusion in a different way.



　Afterwards, Aldis and Moore spent the night at the Duke's mansion, and the next morning, the Duke called them out to him.
　It's a good idea to go back to the forest at once if possible to reassure the twins, but the situation is such that it's impossible for them to quickly beg for time.

"Hey, did you sleep well?

　A voice called out from behind him to Aldis, who followed the servant who was guiding him.
　He turned around and glanced lightly at the owner of the voice, then turned his face forward again and answered shortly.

'Fair enough.'

Are you going to the Duke's office now?

　Moore, who has come alongside me, asks Ardis, matching his walking speed.

'Yeah. 'Did they call you too?'

　They were going in the same direction and at the same time, so it was easy for Aldis to guess that much.

''Well. I'm sure it's only natural to want to hear directly from our mouths about what happened up until now, but the question is whether or not they'll believe us. In some cases, they won't let you out of the mansion for a while.

　With a complicated look on his face, Moore sighed.
　Aldis raised an eyebrow bluntly.

'I wouldn't mind being stranded for a day or two now, but I wouldn't want my freedom of action to be restricted for a long time.

'If they didn't put you in the dungeon, that means the lady gave you a good explanation, right?　I don't think we've been treated badly since yesterday, and I don't think we'll be forced to lock ourselves in.

　From the Duke's point of view, Aldis and Moore were the ones who showed up with his daughter, who had been missing for a year.
　A short-tempered person might blame Aldis and her friends for this, or might even declare that they were the masterminds behind the incident.

　It's hard to believe that the head of the duke's family would have such a short-sighted view, but people's positions and ideas are always shifting.
　It's a good thing that you have a good idea of what kind of decision the current duke will make.

I'm sure you'll be able to see the house as soon as possible. Well, if it's going to be a struggle, we can just send Rona home first. ......

　Rona, in fact, is at Minerva's side.
　A year has already passed in this world, but for Minerva herself, it was only a few days ago that she was attacked.
　We are acting together as her psychological stability and preparation for the unforeseen.

　In the first place, when Rona accompanies you here, you can't make Rona speak in front of the Duke.
　If that's the case, it would be more meaningful to have him work as a good luck charm.

　While I was thinking about this, the guide stopped and a splendidly made doorway stood in front of Aldis and the others.

''Sir. We have brought you both here.''

"Enter.

　Waiting for a reply from inside, a servant opens the door.
　Aldis, who entered the room after being prompted, saw the figure of the Duke of Nilesteria sitting on a chair across the front office desk.
　The fact that armed guards are waiting on either side of him is unavoidable, considering the current situation.

　When Aldis and Moore stepped forward in front of the office desk, the Duke spoke up after a pause for a breath.

''Have you two had a good rest?

'That's enough. I've had a good night's sleep in the Duke's mansion, and I've thoroughly enjoyed my comfortable bed.

　Moore made a tense, light-hearted remark.

'That's good to hear. Well, let's get right to it. I don't have the time to waste with preliminaries and such. It's just the way I feel.

　The duke's expression changed with an uncharacteristic aristocratic haste.

''Do I need to tell you now what I want to hear?''

It's, well, of course.

"My daughter told me a little bit about it last night, but I didn't have much time to talk about it. More than that, it was so unexpected and confusing to me, too.

　I don't know how much Minerva has told you, but it would normally be too ridiculous for you to believe what Ardis and the others experienced.

What happened in the attack a year ago? Where had you and your daughter been for the past year? Why didn't you contact me? I'm sure I can count on a convincing answer.

　The Duke's eyes, which had the same iris color as Minerva's, narrowed in a swoop.
　The unfamiliar intimidation of someone who has walked the path of Shura with authority rather than a sword was directed at Ardis and the others.

''I don't know if you will agree with me, but I will tell you what happened that day and what has happened since then. However, I don't completely understand it either--

　Moore cut him off and began to explain everything from the day he was attacked at night at the Duke's mansion to today, with only two points peeking out.
　What he did not reveal to the Duke. That is, 'the world on the other side is the world Aldis originally lived in' and that 'Rona can manipulate human language'.

　The mere fact that he was sent to another world is enough to raise eyebrows, but if you add to that the fact that Ardis is an otherworlder, it's obvious that it would be troublesome.
　Not to mention confusing the other party, it could cause unnecessary suspicion and suspicion, and it's easy to imagine that it would attract attention in a bad way.

　The same goes for Rona's manipulation of human language.
　Right now, the people around her are probably still only aware of it as 'a large beast kept by a mercenary', but if she communicates with people and is known to be more than humanly intelligent, it will result in trouble no matter what you think.
　For that reason, Ardis had made Minerva and Moore promise not to tell anyone about these two points.

''- that's why we're finally back here. It must have only been a day's work for us. ......

　Moore concludes with his own still puzzling words.

Hmmm ......, it's hard to believe that ......

　The duke murmurs with an indescribable expression.
　It can't be helped.
　It's rather crazy to believe such a fantastic story so easily.

I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this.　You weren't there when the attack took place, were you?

　Naturally, the brunt of the conversation is also directed at Aldis.
　Even though he is the one who is responsible for Minerva's instructions, he does not have the full trust of the duke.

''I have no idea about that either. I was in the city at that point, but I suddenly lost consciousness, and when I came to, I was thrown out into a strange land just like Miss Minerva and Battalion Commander Moore.

　Although Aldis has his own reasoning, he is not convinced or assured.
　In addition, he decides that there is no point in saying it now, and returns the words vaguely.

'I'm in trouble.'

　The fuzzy assertions could arouse the Duke's suspicions if it was done poorly, but fortunately it was not a problem here.

　He let out a deep breath and leaned back in his chair.

''It's hard to believe for haphazard people, but seeing my daughter, I can't say it's a dream or a falsehood.

You look like a young lady?

　Unable to grasp the meaning of the words, Moore questioned.

You may not have much contact with children because you're still single, but children at that age grow up very quickly. You don't have much contact with them because you're still single, but kids that age grow up so fast. So what?　My daughter looks exactly the same as she did a year ago. I don't know if it's possible for a fully-grown adult, but it's unlikely that a twelve-year-old girl would look the same as she did a year ago.

'Oh, I see.'

　Certainly, if he is at a full-grown age like Moore, but if he is at Minerva's age, his body is growing rapidly.
　It's natural for a duke family to have new clothes to keep up with their physical growth, and if you let them wear clothes from a year ago, they'll immediately see that their bodies haven't grown at all.

　Aldis didn't expect that Minerva herself would be the basis for supporting the facts.
　At the same time, he was heartily impressed by the Duke's calmness in coming to that conclusion.

It is ...... a little difficult to completely believe your story, but we have to admit that this is certainly a phenomenon beyond our imagination, and I don't mean to blame you for that. However, while we have learned a lot in the year since then, there are still a lot of things that remain to be uncovered. I want the two of you to cooperate with me in my future investigations, don't you agree?

　There's no way you can refuse in this situation, and there's no reason to refuse in the first place.
　As for Ardis, he wanted to get as much information as possible on this matter, in the sense that it might give him a clue to return to the other world.

''Of course it is,''

　Moore immediately responded to the Duke's request for cooperation, while Aldis on the other hand silently nodded his head in agreement.
　Seeing this reaction finally loosens the hardness that had been clinging to the Duke's face.

I'm glad to see that my daughter has returned safely. I have to thank you all for that. You have done a great job protecting my daughter.

''No, I was originally your daughter's bodyguard, and I was just doing my duty.

As for me, well, ............, I'm an important student.

　Aldis squeezed out an answer after a short silence.
　In the Duke's eyes, it must have appeared as if he was desperately searching for a reason.
　When he broke the phase, he turned his gentle gaze to Aldis and gave his father a look.

It seems my daughter has been blessed with a good mentor. I look forward to working with you in the future.