Aldis expresses her surprise at the face of the person in front of her.
　Falling down her back is long, shiny hair, and slit eyes that contain a gentle glow.
　His impeccable physique does not differ in the slightest from that of Nere, whom I am used to seeing on a regular basis.

''Eh?''

Nere ......?

　Behind Aldis, a voice breaks from Filia and Liana's mouths.
　They must have been surprised to see the same face as Nere's, as if they were twins.

　But the only thing that matched was the shape.
　Her hair is a dark brown with a reddish hue. Her hair is a dark brown with a hint of red, and her eyes are a fiery red. A long, jet-black robe that completely envelops the entire body.
　While the position, size, and even shape of the eyes and nose seem to match as if they were replicated, the color is very different from Nere's, which gives a cooler impression.

　But Aldis was surprised by nothing but her resemblance to Nere.
　It's because the appearance was familiar.

'You ......, Leitin's--'

　A figure slithered past Aldis, who had recovered from his astonishment and was trying to squeeze out the words, and stepped forward.
　It was Nayle.

　Not paying attention to Aldis's condition, Nere approached the woman in black and knelt down and hung her head.

'It's been a while,'

　She has a polite way of speaking that is hard to imagine from her day-to-day.
　It has been many years since Nele called Ardis his master and followed him.
　But never before had she been treated with such reverence.

　Aldis is taken aback by this startling sight.

'Don't be like that. I'm not your Sailor.'

But you can't change the fact that you are a Sailor.

　Nere answered immediately with her head bowed to the black-clad woman who tossed her.
　Red eyes are hidden behind eyelids and the woman sighs.

''Can't you guys do something about that kind of inflexibility?

You'll have problems in your role if you are too flexible.

That's what my daughters used to say to me, isn't it?

　As she said this, the woman in black smiled bitterly and asked Nayle while turning her gaze to Ardis.

'Is he the master of the black hair now?'

Yes, sir.

　After receiving Nere's reply, the woman glanced at the sword at her hip after looking at Ardis' face.

　It's not the sky-blue sword-barrel 'Sotensaika' that's there.
　It is a red magic sword whose name is unknown, obtained in the forest of Kosas.

　It's not a good idea to carry around an unknown magic sword, and Ardis usually leaves it at home in the forest, but since he's leaving the house, he can't just leave the sword behind.
　At first, I had planned to throw it into the other world via the Gate, just like the other swords, but for some reason I couldn't let this sword pass through the Gate.
　It was Ardis who had been traveling up to this point, wearing the red demon sword instead of the 'Ao Tian Saika', which was unavoidable.

''Well, just stand up for now. It's hard to talk with you then.''

　The woman in black quickly returned her gaze to Nere and gave him a troubled look.
　It's a good idea to be able to have a good idea of the timing of the event, but the old man sitting across from the woman in black interrupted.

"Um, ......, Mitsukashi-sama?

"Oh, I'm sorry, chief.

　The woman who was called the messenger turned around with an apologetic look on her face.
　From the fact that she was called the village chief, it seems that this old man is the person who is the head of this village.

'Who is that woman over there?　You seem to be acquainted with the errand boy?

　The head of the village does not seem to mind being placed outside the mosquito net, but the chief asks.

I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work. It's just a coincidence that I met her here.

Oh, it's your niece, isn't it? You certainly look like her.

　Without questioning the woman's answer, the village chief's expression suddenly softened.

　On the contrary, it was Aldis and the others who piled on the surprise.
　Aside from Charu, who was not originally related to Nere, even Filia, Liana and Rona rolled their eyes.

It's a good thing that you're a good friend of the messenger. It was a good decision to bring her here, right?

'Yes, yes, Ding was right.

　Beside Aldis and the others, Din was poking Carina with his elbow and showing her his face.





　The village chief welcomed Aldis and the others, saying, "If you are a relative of the messenger and his companion, you are welcome here.

'Please take your time, not for one night, but for as many days as you wish, until the fatigue of your journey has worn off.

　The attitude of the village chief, who was friendlier than expected, made Aldis feel somewhat confused, but he decided to let her rest in an empty house.
　No matter how well-traveled Aldis is, if she can get a warm place to sleep, it's better than that.
　And even more so if it is the twins' first time traveling in earnest.

　After receiving instructions from the village chief, the villagers took us to a wooden house where we could not feel any sense of human life.
　However, it didn't seem to be completely abandoned, and the house seemed to have been cleaned well.
　Perhaps it is usually maintained for the benefit of visitors to the village - I don't know how many of them there are - but it's probably well kept.

　After the villagers who showed me around had left, Ardis immediately questioned Nere after confirming that there was no sign of people around.

''That woman from earlier, Nere is an acquaintance, right?''

　Nere nodded as if that were the case.

'As I said earlier, she's like an aunt to me.

　That is not clear to Aldis.
　Surely there would be an aunt (aunt) and niece who are like sisters in age. It's also possible that they are the same age.
　But if you are an aunt and niece, they can't be the same age, and they would normally be as old as a parent and child.

　But the woman who is called the "Messenger" and Nere look so much alike that it's not strange to call them twins.
　The village chief, Din and the others seemed to accept it easily, but as Ardis, I felt a strong sense of discomfort.

　What bothered me more than that was that figure.

　The only difference in the color of her hair and eyes was her appearance, which was a perfect match for Nere.
　The figure wearing a jet-black long robe is unmistakably the phantom woman Ardis saw in the defense battle of the city-state Leitin.
　The unidentified woman who appeared with the mutation of the demon sword, sank the reluctant demon with a single blow after she cut off its head and continued to move, and then disappeared into the city of Leytin. Aldis could only assume it was the same woman he had seen earlier.

'Nere.

What is it, my Lord?

Can I ask this aunt of yours a question and ask her if it's possible to meet with her in a way that doesn't involve anyone from the village?

'No need for that. That man has become interested in my Lord. He will be here soon.

　Nayle replies with a cool face that seems to understand everything.

　Aldis, on the other hand, had been feeling an indescribable tugging at this village ever since he had arrived.
　Like the villagers' strangely friendly attitude towards Nere, they didn't seem to be afraid of Rona's appearance at all.

　To Ardis and the others, Rona is an intelligent and communicative companion, but to those who don't know that, they would see her as a ferocious carnivore over a meter long.
　Normally, one would not be surprised if they would run away upon seeing it.
　However, the people of this village did not seem to be bothered by the sight of Rona walking alongside Ardis.

　That's not a bad thing.
　It doesn't mean that they are directing hostility or harm at you.
　It's a good idea to say that Ardis and others are fortunate to be welcomed warmly and to be able to stay with Rona.

　But this village is not normal. It is natural for Ardis to think that.
　But the fact that there is a village in this place in the first place is strange.






　It's not long before the visitors arrived.
　I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one.

'I'm sorry to see you so tired, but may I have a word with you?'

　When Nere invited the three of them into the room, the other one cut him off.
　It's a good thing that you're not going to have to worry about it. There is no reason to refuse.

''Thank you both for showing me around. You can go back now.''

　The woman told her brother and sister who were accompanying her and asked them to leave, but it seems that they planned to remain here.

'Well, we want to hear what's going on outside too,'

Shouldn't we stay here?

Hmm. There's plenty of time to talk later.

　Dinh is not happy and Carina is afraid to ask, but the woman says no with a soft smile.

'You were in the middle of work, weren't you?　Have you already secured your catch of the day?

Ugh.

　The next words of chase thrown at them made the faces of the siblings distort to see.

''You showed our guests around today, so I don't blame you for the loss of yield, but as expected, if that's the result of abandoning your job, then I can't defend you either, can I?

　You can find a lot of people who have been in the same boat as you.
　I'm sure they'll be able to continue with the work they've been interrupted by running into Aldis and the others.

''Well,''

　The woman turns to Aldis and the others and smiles at them as they start over.

'I should start by saying it's nice to meet you. My name is Sailor. Can you guys tell me your names too?

　It's still hard to get to know, but at least the woman who called herself Sailor is showing a friendly attitude.
　Aldis has been called 'many enemies' by Ted and Norris, but he doesn't like to make enemies.
　He doesn't have such a troublesome personality that he would fight for no reason if the other party is friendly.

'It's Aldis,'

　The twins from either side of Ardis then reveal their names.

'It's Filia!

This is Liana!

So this is Rona and that one's Char.

　In case you're still pretending to be a beast, Rona and Charu, who probably has no intention of calling herself a beast, Aldis will introduce them instead.
　It seems that they know each other well to begin with, so I left out Nere, as I didn't need to introduce him now.

''Oh my goodness, you're fine.''

　Sailor smiled at Filia and Liana.
　At least there was no hint of any special feelings for the twins in their eyes.

'I have a question for you.

What is it?

　Aldis quickly put the question from earlier to Sailor.

'Do you know this sword?'

　As he said it, he put his hand to the hilt of the red magic sword held at his waist.

　It's a good thing that you're not going to be able to get a good deal more than just a few minutes.
　In addition, Sailor's appearance is exactly like the vision of the woman he saw in Leitin.
　It was hard to believe that she had nothing to do with this sword.

''Isn't this the sword left by the redeemer?　You're amazing. Not only have you been recognized as a Lord by Renno's daughter, you've also gained the power of salvation.

Salvation?　Noh?　What's that?

　Aldis asks back with a question, a word he's never heard before.

'Huh?'

　In contrast, Sailor's also rolled her eyes at Aldis' question.

'What do you mean?'

That's my line. What the hell is this sword all about?

　When the question is answered with a question, and both parties are unable to understand the situation, Sailor looks as if she realizes what's going on.

'Could it be that you haven't heard anything?'

So what?

　When I raised my eyebrows as I finally understood the situation, Sailor changed his question to Nere.

'Hey ......, don't tell me you haven't explained anything to him?'

I can't ask you, sir.

　Nayle replied flatly to the question.
　The next moment, with a deep sigh, Sailor covers her forehead with her right hand.

　It's a good idea to be able to have a good time with them.
　You will be able to find a lot more than just a few of them.

''Really you guys are so ......

　Sailor blurted out in a voice that sounded like she was lamenting her poorly made daughter.

'Can you tell me something I can understand, for God's sake?

'Oh, I'm sorry. That was what that sword was, wasn't it?

　When Ardis, who doesn't understand the meaning of the word, interrupts to move the conversation forward, Sailor reveals the identity of the red demon sword along with an apology.

''It is, you know, a sword that can give an end to demons, if you want to call it that.

　The explanation continues with a small murmur, "She probably doesn't have an inscription on it anyway, because it's her, and she's not wearing an inscription.

'Instead of being immensely powerful against demons, it's completely useless against humans. I don't know where you got it, but it's very valuable, so treat it with care.

I saw a vision of this sword earlier that looked just like you. Wasn't that you?

　Aldis is most curious about the vision he saw in Leytin.
　It was natural to expect that Sailor, who looked the same, would know something about it.

'That's definitely not me. Perhaps it was a residual thought of her who made the sword, that you saw it.

So you're saying there's another girl that looks just like you?

Yes. I don't know all of them, though. ─ I don't know all of them, but I'm sure there's one in Albarn, near here.

　The woman who appeared as a vision of the sword and Sailor are different people, he said.
　On the contrary, Sailor even went so far as to say that there was a woman of the same shape and form as her, that is, a different color of Nere, and that there was even more.

''So you have nothing to do with this sword then?

'Basically, I wasn't involved. But I'm not even sure it's irrelevant.

It's a riddle. It's a riddle.

　The more I ask, the more I don't understand.
　I'm not sure if it's a good idea for him to get any deeper into the matter, although he doesn't seem to have any intention of hiding it, but Ardis wonders if it's a good idea for him to get any deeper.

　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.
　It is also because Ardis, on the contrary, did not want her own identity to be inquired into.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find a great deal more information on this in the article.
　It may be that Nere was simply not interested in Aldis's background from the start.

'There are many other questions you want to ask, right?　Of course I have a secret or two, so I can't answer everything, but I'll answer to the extent possible on behalf of my troubled niece there.

　If you don't intend for the other person to pry into your past, then you no longer need to continue to let the questions smolder inside you.
　With that in mind, Aldis says the thing he's wondering most about right now.

You have been called an 'angel' by the villagers, what is an 'angel'?

Oh, that?　That's it: ......

　Sailor makes a pained face at Aldis' question.

'If it's something you don't want to answer, you don't have to answer it.

'No, it's not like that. I'm kind of embarrassed to explain myself to you: ....... Well, its ....... It's kind of self-conscious to say that to yourself, or maybe it's .......

　Slurring her words awkwardly, Sailor turns her gaze to the day after.

'...... You might want to ask Elmer to explain it to you rather than me.

　After nodding yes to herself, Sailor told Ardis her conclusion.

─ Yes, I'll do that. Tomorrow, I want you to talk to Elmer and ask him about that as well. If you have any questions after that, I will be happy to answer them.

　Sela said and left the room quickly and quietly before I could ask her who Elmer was.