I knew it was nothing. ......

　Moore murmured as if it was obvious.

　This was in the woods, not far from the Duke's residence.
　It was the very place where Aldis and the others had returned from the other world.

　After being allowed freedom of action by the duke, Aldis had come with Rona to see if there were any clues left behind.
　Of course, if some kind of clue was left behind, Rona would have noticed it sooner or later when she returned here.
　It's just to make sure, and if you don't find anything, that's to be expected by Aldis.

'But it was the same a year ago. The area was thoroughly investigated, but at that time it should have been assumed that nothing was missed.

　The one who answered was one of the private soldiers the Duke had sent to guide him.
　The soldier, who probably doubled as an observer, was one of the few survivors who knew about the year ago when the Duke's residence was attacked.

　Aldis and Moore had been told by the Duke earlier about the incident a year ago in detail.

　If you're so good-natured as to leave an enemy who has bitten you, you won't be able to serve as master of the duke's house.

''I already know who the mastermind is. But we can't openly denounce them because they are the enemy. I've done everything possible to retaliate, but this time I have to say that I've been manipulated.

　Later, an investigation by the dukes also revealed what happened the night of the attack.

　A curse that makes people disappear.

　That's what was used in this attack.
　The existence of an abominable cursed tool that erases all living beings by offering many sacrifices has been whispered in the past.

"I didn't think it existed in reality,

　When the Duke arrived at the mansion with part of his army after receiving the news of the attack, an eerie silence enveloped the Duke's residence.

　The attacker, his private guards, and even his servants, who should have been there in large numbers, have vanished without a trace, and all that remains are the scars of battle and the blood that stains the surroundings with vermilion.
　While searching for the survivors and the rest of the enemy in bewilderment, they capture a suspicious figure in the woods near the Duke's residence.
　It seems that an unfamiliar shaped box was placed beside him.

I'm not sure if they were sacrificed or cursed to be erased, but in any case, most of the people who were inside the Duke's mansion have disappeared overnight. My daughter, and the battalion commander, you too.''

　After interrogating the captive in the woods with every conceivable tool he could think of, and hearing the information he was given, the Duke learned that the cloaking device, thought to be a fairy tale, had led to the disappearance of Minerva and her friends.

　I don't know where Minerva and her friends have disappeared to, and I don't know how to get them back.
　We don't even know if the people who disappeared before that are still alive.
　A year had passed under such circumstances.

"I never thought I would be sent to a different world, but ......

　What was brought about by the spell tool was not the event of erasing a person, but in fact the phenomenon of transferring a person to another world.
　It was probably merely perceived as 'erasing' because no one was able to return alive.

'Well, sure. Is it possible that something changes after a period of time, like us who suddenly returned a year later?''

　Moore, who accompanied Ardis to this place even though she didn't call out to him, is exchanging words with the soldier who is guiding him as if he is running the place.

''Yes. His Excellency, in consideration of the possibility of others returning in the future, he intends to set up a guard hut here and station people here. However, we are probably short on manpower, so we can't be here all the time. ......

'Well, I suppose that's just the way it is. You lost your servants and private army in that raid, didn't you?　When it comes to the duke family, it's not just a matter of having the right number of people and that's not a good thing, and I understand that you can't gather enough people in a year or so.

　The raids and curse tools of a year ago had reduced the manpower of the Duke's mansion to a deadly level.

　It was also the reason why the gate guards of the Duke's mansion had turned their weapons on Minerva.
　It was originally impossible for them not to know the daughter of their master, the Duke's daughter, but the situation is just the way it is, so it can't be helped.

　Because there were many new hires in the duke's mansion in the past year, plus Minerva hadn't been seen in public because she was ostensibly ill.

'Well, for us, it was the day before yesterday. ...... 'Hey Rona?'

　Sighing with a troubled look on his face, Moore dropped his gaze downward and spoke to the golden beast.

'Wan.'

　Rona, who is pretending to be a beast due to the presence of a private soldier to guide her, replies briefly, as if she can't help but blurt it out.

'It's not easy being a servant, is it?'

　Aldis opened his mouth to tease her about the situation.

I don't blame you at all. I don't blame you in the slightest, and then I find out that you've been AWOL for a year. I heard that the battalion commander's position has been dismissed as expected and he's probably been expelled from the army to begin with. It's just a matter of time before you find yourself in the same situation.

What are you going to do now?

That's the thing. ...... It's hard to go back to being a mercenary at my age, but I also don't want to join the army and start over from scratch. Anyway, I heard that His Excellency is going to support me for a while, so I'll take my time and figure out what to do. What are you going to do with that, Ardis?

'I will return to the forest by the end of the day. I will leave as soon as I speak to Minerva.

'What the hell, why don't we just take it slower?' --Oh, maybe ....... Is there a woman waiting for you to come home?　You don't have a corner to stand in.

　Moore smirks and makes an off-base guess with a smirk.
　Aldis' response to that is terribly blunt.

'It's none of your business,'

　Certainly there is a person in the forest house waiting for Aldis to return.
　If we're just talking about gender alone, it's also true that she's a woman, but at least it's not the kind of relationship that Moore has in mind.

'I have no more business here, and I'm going back to the mansion first.

　After saying this, Ardis returns to her heels.

"Come on, don't be so embarrassed. What is she like?　We've traveled to other worlds together, so let me hear it.

　Ignoring Moore's questions as he hurriedly pursued her, Aldis quickly walked off to leave the woods.






　After saying a word to Minerva, Aldis left the Duke's residence.
　Without stopping at the stalls on the main street, he left the royal capital directly to my house in the forest.

　As long as they entered the forest, Rona wouldn't have to worry about the presence of others.

''I wonder how Filia and Liana are both doing?''

......

　There was no response from Aldis.
　Only Rona's spoken words vainly disappeared into the forest.

It's okay. I'm sure Nele wouldn't be so cold as to leave the two kids in the middle of nowhere. ......

............ Right.

　Even if she knows it's comforting, Aldis, who understands that it's Rona's way of caring, squeezes out a reply after a not-so-short silence.

　In fact, if she returns home, she doesn't know if Nere and the twins are living the same way they did a year ago.

　Nere and I have known each other for about five years now.
　The ability of the twins is perfect for entrusting them with their abilities, and I trust them to a certain extent.

　But originally Nere is only taking care of the twins at Aldis' request.
　There is no reason for her to continue to protect the twins even if Aldis suddenly loses touch with them.

　If it is determined that Aldis will no longer return, how will Nere handle Filia and Liana?
　As expected, I'd like to think that he wouldn't abandon them, but it's quite possible that he's leaving the twins to wherever they are and leaving Nere alone.

　Besides Nere, the only people who know about the twins' existence are Kirill and the members of Byakuya no Myojo.
　It would be too much to ask much of Kirill, who is a student, and there is a good chance that Ted and the others don't know that Aldis is missing.

　Aldis regrets that he should have contacted them more often.

How could I be a mercenary with twins in the first place?

　And, to one man.

　Continuing to be a mercenary with a child is itself a difficult thing to do.
　On top of that, if the children you have with you are twins, no matter how much of a 'Byakuya no Myojo' it is, you will still be in over your head.

''Al.''

　As they were walking through the forest with heavy footsteps, Rona suddenly called out to them.
　Immediately, Aldis switched his consciousness and began to explore the magic power around him.

　The many beasts and demons that live in the forest.
　A strong magical power that was distinct from them could be seen in the direction of travel.
　This magical power is stronger than any of the demons that live around here.

''Is it Nere?''

　The name of the person who immediately comes to mind is mentioned.

'But ......'

　The problem was the two magical powers right next to it.

　It's true that the magic power is much smaller and unreliable compared to Ardis and Nere.
　But by the standards of the general public, it's a level that can be described as strong enough.

　It's about the same size as a person.
　It moved closer and further away from the Nere like magic power, and then took a breath and moved closer again.

''Is it fighting?''

Maybe, but are there any monsters that small in these woods?

'If it was Kirill, he'd have that much magic, but ....... And then it's funny how two reactions are two things.

'Well, you'll find out when you get closer. I don't think Nere will be too far behind after that.

　The three magical forces that repeatedly approach and move away from each other as if they were hobnobbing.
　Ardis and Rona walked cautiously in the direction of the house they were aiming for.

　Then, when they had closed the distance a little, the movement of the magic power changed.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this as well.

''What?''

　Despite being wary, Aldis's feet never stopped.
　It's a good thing that you're not going to be able to get a good idea of what you're looking for.
　Even if they were taken by surprise, it would be easy to repel them.

　And it's not just that they don't hide their presence, they're coming straight at you.
　It's not possible for them to be a threat to Ardis and the others.

　I'm sure you'll be able to see the owner of this magic, when a human voice echoes through the quiet forest.

''Ardis!''
"Aldis!

　As if it was a prearranged agreement, the voices that were emitted from the two magical powers at the same time were ones that Ardis knew well.

　The two figures were running as fast as they could through the trees in the forest.
　The slightly blueish green eyes catch the figure of Aldis.
　Her platinum-blond hair, glistening so brightly that it is disproportionate to the simple clothes she wears, swims busily in the wind she creates.

　There they were, two girls who had grown up a bit more than they had been a year earlier, as Aldis remembered them.
　The twin girls appeared and threw their entire bodies out like arrows being sucked into a target and jumped at them.

''Ardis!''
"Aldis!

　Undeterred by the momentum, Aldis took the two girls calling out her own name with ease.
　Seeing the twins embrace her with all their strength and strength, Aldis could finally feel that she had returned to this world.