Vermillion

Keeping away from the caravan and even running northeast for hours.

At Kay's whereabouts, a small river appeared.

A slight stream of water, not even a few meters wide. As a result of the recent rain here, the river surface was cloudy with dirt, but from what I've seen it is water that seems to withstand drinking if boiled. Ordinary modern people had the potential to belly down, but fortunately the Kays' flesh is stubborn, so even meditate on the muddy flavor and you can handle it.

- Now I don't have to be scared to dry anymore.

At the beginning of the journey, remembering the ordeal on Egor Street, the two stroked their breasts down.

Have a late lunch with biscuits, salami, etc., while feeding water to Sasquatch and Suzuka. Immediately after the battle, I couldn't even feel my appetite or other fine dust, but every bite seemed to stain my whole body with nourishment. What a greedy thing to do with the living flesh - Kay thought as if she were someone else while stuffing food in her mouth.

Then the break is there too, going east along the river. Thanks to this river, the general current position was known. According to the map, if we continue like this, we should eventually merge into the streets.

Believe it, keep running.

No one comes after me from the caravan, and I don't see any figures around me. An irreplaceable rainy landscape, the smell of soil losing moisture. The white plains stretch out to the horizon, and from time to time, when green trees appear as if they recall, they flow away to the end of their sight. There's no conversation, just a quiet journey where the sound of the river's flow and the wind's whispering.

It was when the sun began to tilt that such Kays stopped. I happened to find a cave in a small rocky mountain along the river.

It was a tiny cave. He opens his mouth on a cliff-like rocky slope.

Without Kay's eyes like a hawk, I would have missed it first. Closer to the river, hiding behind depressed trees, and associating the word with caves that are affordable in size - 'nest holes'. The Kays initially suspected it was just a wildlife nest because the conditions were too good.

But even saying 'cave' is a few meters deep at best, enough for a human to outrun a rainstorm, but too narrow for a large beast like a bear to dwell on, for example. And there were no signs of beasts living in the vicinity - footprints, hair, beast odor, skin and bone and other prey foods - which seemed particularly dangerous.

As a result of the consultation, the two men designated there as a camp for tonight. This narrow cave will be a comfortable temporary accommodation for the Kays. Now that we have moved away from the caravan, everything must be done with our own hands, from securing the beds to checking the safety of the surroundings to supporting the evening. I'll be ready to go to bed before sundown, if I don't feel like it, I won't be able to make it.

To be driven away, the two rushed to prepare for the camp.

"All right, I'm in a cave, I'll clean up."

"I asked. I'm going to the river."

Kay goes to fetch water while Eileen gently cleans the cave. That said, it's Sasquatch who actually takes on the haulier. Kay puts water in a waterproof leather bag and asks Sasquatch to carry it. It's a job if you do it manually, but Sasquatch doesn't even look so bitter just because he carries a fully armed Kay (heavier one) from day to day.

"You always look after me."

Thank you, and when Kay stroked his neck, Sasquatch, who was good at it, said, "Right?" I just snorted. Kay laughs "Don't be invincible" on that doya face, and when she combs her hands with a touch of labor, Sasquatch narrows her eyes to comfort as she piques her ears.

Truly, Sasquatch is a reliable partner at all times, from the beginning of the transfer to today. Neither Kay nor Irene know how many times they've saved their lives. Its splendid feet do not allow other followers, and in battle, behave as a brave and courageous horseman, and if you serve him more carrots and meat, I don't hate the daily chores. Exactly what you should love, an important being.

After the laughter subsided, I remembered Mikazuki.

Kay, with his far-eyed eyes, gets his hands on his nose and gently strokes his smooth-skinned purse.

Like labor.

And to bite the bitter thoughts of one.

Back from the river, Eileen had finished cleaning the cave and had begun to unpack. Kay finally begins to create a simple kamado in the cave with the appropriate stone he was collecting. Ignition with firestone was also something I was used to - but because the charcoal was damp, it took a little time to stabilize the fire.

While boiling the water with the incineration that I managed to cause, this time I try to cover and hide the entrance to the cave and stretch out the tent cloth. After sunset, it's an idea to keep it light and discreet. Considering ventilation, it is not completely blocked, but this would make it quite difficult for the ignition light to leak.

Kay was pretty nervous about managing the lights in the camp because of Eileen's near-death experience with poison arrows the first day she moved into the 'here' world. Just because you have a magic alarm doesn't mean you can't be alarmed. A situation where you do not have to rely on an "alarm" - i.e., it is more desirable that you do not find it in the 'enemy' in the first place.

Even after the tent cloth has been stretched out, Kay continues to disguise himself further by cutting down the branches of the surrounding trees. Makes me even feel that obsession - but in view of the situation, though it's not even wrong - that for a moment Eileen looked unspeakably sorry and nasty seeping at the behavior, but quickly helped by switching her expression to something bright.

"That's not so bad."

Fully branched leaf-covered cave entrance in front of, arm wrapped and satisfied Kay. It would only be uncomfortable to see it while it was bright, but if the night book came down, it would hide the cave lights reasonably well. Neighbor Irene also imitated Kay and put her arms together, showing a bare gesture that she often thinks "Hmm."

"... right. No shower, no bed, no toilet. I don't even have a coffee maker. The hotel has the lowest level, but it has a mini kitchen. Me, I think a star is a toko."

"That was good."

Kay also poses for Irene, who deliberately praises her greatness. And I lifted up the cloth of the cave tent as it was, and I prayed like a doorboy,

"Go ahead, ma'am"

"Oh, I'm sorry, Soba."

Irene, who broke her knee like a shivering lady, crept under Kay's arm and went into the cave.

Kay, who now once ran a sharp gaze around him with a flashing smile on his mouth, confirmed once again that there was no abnormality and followed.

That way, the sun sets abundantly.

After installing an "alarm machine" and finishing another irreplaceable menu meal, such as porridge, salami and dried fruit, Kay and the others finally took a breather. The blocking of the entrance with a tent cloth and branch trees makes the cave a single independent space, comfortable in addition to thoughts in the context of a careful two-person journey.

Tits, and firewood can play in the fire.

In conjunction with the slightly blowing wind, the shadows of the two shadows sway.

"……… Yes, this. Tea."

"Thanks."

As Kay was blurring with her back on the wall, Eileen, sitting next to her, handed her the cup. A wooden cup that I bought in the castle city of Satina and was completely familiar with in my hands while living here. Immediately without a mouth, Kay dropped her gaze on a light brown herbal tea that wobbled in her hand. Slightly scented chamomile - Irene also pours the rest into her cup, adding water to an empty hand pan and returning to which tripod.

Silence.

Phew, he breathed, cooling a little before Kay rinsed his tea.

Be aware of the tranquillity outside in the sound of the hand pan. Kay realized that her nerves were still tense.

"Mmm. That's not so bad."

Irene with a slightly more pleasant tone as she rocks her chappy tea.

"Hmm?"

"No… the journey for two is better after all"

"Oh..."

Loosen your cheeks, pull out your shoulders - Kay nodded too.

"- Right."

There were no objections. Now that the threat of a horse thief is gone, it's easy for the two of us to spend more time together without feeling comfortable with others, and I'm purely happy to have more time with Eileen.

The only thing that was of greatest concern was the difficulty in providing a stable supply of water when we left the caravan, but it was only survival that we hit the river in this way. Worst of all, if you can't find a source of water, it would be better to avoid contact with others as much as possible if you consider the possibility of trouble, although you were planning to make a major detour and go back to Brachiya Street and use a known water field in a way that precedes the caravan. We've seen birds and wild beasts many times on the road, so if we can even get water, we don't care about food.

"It's time to eat something else. This menu isn't bad either."

Kay watches a plate of finished porridge and a slice of salami, which is becoming the offering of the earliest journey. "Nah!," Eileen also hammered well.

"I'm getting tired of it too. I want to eat something else... yeah..."

but I lose momentum on the way I'm saying it, and the words get butt-shuffy. She held the cup with both hands and peered at the bottom, with a distant eye.

Kay doesn't know, he seemed to find something else.

But also a bunch of dreamy blurry faces. While Kay was watching, Irene suddenly frowned and took her expression as rude. Your breathing gets faintly rough, as if you had palpitations. Small and round his back in a gymnastics seat, his face, coloured by the lights of the bonfire, is still blue and white.

"…… ha. Don't get cold."

Irene noticed Kay's gaze, laughing deceptively.

Kay's chest creeps deep into the grin. I've been feeling this for a long time now, I can't ignore discomfort like discord.

"……… Eileen"

Kay, with her lips pulled together, placed the cup aside and held Irene's shoulder against her.

Irene trembled for a moment.

But - I'm gonna keep pulling myself out, and I'm gonna give myself up.

…………

It was a luxurious body. Light, thin, and soft. Then he boasts a power that is not even the same as a fellow man, and in Kay, he launches a sword strike from this fine arm that can't be won even if he stands upside down. I know it's true, but I feel half unbelievable.

I think the impression in this arm is the right one.

There is Irene now, for better or worse, because she has almost inherited her game-age abilities. Too sophisticated a combat technique, divergent from the girl's personality. And the physical ability to make it possible.

Kay meditated, noticing the dark stain, creeping at the edge of Eileen's hair.

On this day, she fully exercised her power. To protect myself. To help Kay.

Kay couldn't have done it alone. Protecting everything, etc.

There was nothing I could do.

Ha... and Kay's slight sigh of uncontrollable stifles Eileen's blonde hair.

Eileen moved her gaze slightly and opened her mouth, but in the end she leaned over without saying anything.

I can't find the words to speak.

We stared at the fire as we felt each other's heartbeat close together.

However, as I sink into silence and look at the swinging flames, there is something in my heart, seared out as black as a shadow painting.

Like a running lantern.

Someone's face.

Reminds me. The look on the faces of people who made death current.

Strangely, those who feed on "dragon scales through" often look alike at the end of the day. He dies without knowing what happened or what he's about to wake up. Like being distracted, roughly unlike just before death, a decent face even feels humorous and stuck to Kay's memory.

And from time to time, I remember. With a very cold sensation...

Eileen said.

Crawling a vain gaze on the wall, Kay thinks.

What the hell is this girl that trembles in her arms thinking?

Eileen did? And I still even have incredible thoughts. I just saw Kay. The moment Eileen's Sabel jumps the horse thief's neck, clearly.

Indeed, Eileen has had experience in Satina's kidnapping and injuring the kidnapper. But today must be the first time you've killed a man.

Kay's chest is nagging. Imagining the anguish that would be dull in Eileen's heart, it was a thought that would tear her chest apart. There's nothing I can advise you about as (...) the others. Build a pile of corpses, and you don't know it yet. All I have is a sense of impatience that gradually fits into the bottomless marsh and a bad aftertaste -.

And that hasn't been resolved yet.

"- Kay."

Suddenly.

Irene's calling raised her face all the time.

"……… What's wrong?

Put down a beat, try and answer under the guise of calm.

But Eileen didn't quite cut it out. He stares at the toes of his feet as he leans down.

The night air is finally quiet. Kay just waits for Irene's word. The top and the feeling that time is stretching. What does she think? It was a little scary, but Kay wanted to know.

Eventually, just like when you cut it out, abruptly.

"……… I'm sorry."

Eileen tried to squirm and said.

Slowly, Kay blinks. Purely, I couldn't measure its intentions. I don't know why I apologize to myself just because I was wondering if you were worried about putting people on your hands.

"……… Why?

It was questioned directly. Because I knew that would torment Eileen if I forced her to explain. But I had to ask more than I could read that sincerity.

As scared, Eileen ate her teeth, squeezing them out,

"To Kay...... I let him fight again"

Pokan, and Kay were taken aback.

"It's not Irene's fault............!

IMMEDIATE ANSWER. It was not easy to restrain yourself so as not to absurd your voice. Suddenly, I don't even know where to turn the spear of anger that sprang up in my heart. I was just certain that the other person wasn't Irene.

Seeing Kay's mood like that, Eileen laughs as low as she is tired and gives signs of self-derision.

"I…………"

The words seemed to seep blood.

"I have to tell you that I am coming to the North (here)..."

――――

As a matter of fact, you're right. Too naturally, I'm convinced, for a moment, that I'm being poked into the void.

So silence became an eloquent affirmation. And that also means acknowledging Eileen's point.

Kay panicked to Russia like a craftsman who had removed a glass worker from the floor.

"…… I'm fine. No problem."

With a hard voice, I say it out. Like shaking off awkward signs of silence.

"I'm more worried about Eileen."

The blonde continued to do so slightly more forcefully, stroking her head. Smile like a child.

Irene circles her neck and looks at Kay obliquely.

A pale eye captures Kay's face.

Shake, gaze.

Huh - the look on the girl's face, a lonely shadow falls.

"……… I'm fine"

The answer is short, short.

It then turns back to the bonfire and sinks inside.

…………

Now comes the real silence.

- You can't be all right.

Kay managed to swallow the sound of the rumbling. Obviously, it wasn't normal, and it was obvious that Eileen was suffering.

She says it's okay, but she says it's okay.

Then why are you trembling so much?

And why - don't you say that to me.

Kay was struck by deep sorrow as she stroked Irene's head.

I won't pry any further, and I can't.

Here, "Really?" Even if she asks, "Eileen would just say," I'm really fine. "Because I knew that.

- The distance is so close to each other.

Eileen's heartbeat is coming through.

I can't get any closer.

It was sad.

I exhaled thinly and long to avoid Irene distracting me, and leaned down.

Kay is also about to be trapped in a vortex of inward thinking.

But, uh...

I closed my eyes to the cup I had left beside me.

Swinging light brown herbal tea. I see it there, my own face.

Sink, face.

The moment I saw it, Kay solidified as if struck by lightning.

I was shocked.

Nor myself now - to Eileen, 'Maybe that's what it looks like'.

Because they noticed.

Yeah, and.

There is something that falls on my mind.

Kay didn't want to hurt Eileen.

In the first place, Kay herself, what she thinks, etc. are not really judged.

More than that, I was just worried about Eileen.

That's why I said it. "It's okay," he said.

But what if it came from Eileen?

Wasn't Kay the one who applied the expression first?

I was taking a distance, rather...

Eileen thinks Kay is suffering.

Because Kay fought because of him.

With your life. Hurt me. Kill me while I'm dying.

He said he could be exposed to such harsh circumstances and couldn't possibly be hurt.

Kay thinks Eileen is suffering.

Because today, for the first time, she slashed people.

Exposed to bloody tragedies and storms of human malice.

It can't be unharmed. Because she's too kind.

Still, Irene said, "It's okay."

But I'm sure that's not because I want to lie to Kay, but because I didn't want to worry about Kay.

Or he thinks Kay is suffering, but he doesn't have the right to suffer from himself.

Eileen is serious.

Though I don't think I should suffer, I suffer.

I'm sure...

The truth is, it can't be easy.

Just like Kay is now.

We worry about each other.

I didn't want to hurt you.

Trying to stay away. Trying to get close.

But I can't do that.

- It was sad.

However, I wasn't just sad, I had something that crept up hot.

"……… Kay?

Eileen looks back at Kay, who also stopped stroking her head and remained silent.

And I opened my blue eyes.

I noticed a glimmer of tears spilling out of Kay's eyes.

"- Kay!? What's wrong!? Does it hurt anywhere!?

Irene peeks this way as she moves and touches Kay's entire body with a pepper. It was just, from the bottom of my heart, a face that was only worried about Kay.

"…… No."

Slowly shaking his head (wearing it), Kay reached out unexpectedly and hugged Eileen.

"No..."

Now for once, whine.

Apparently, she's not crying because of the pain, and Irene, who understands, doesn't break her worries even as she calms down a bit.

"……… Kay?

Irene glances at Kay with a slight upward look, holding him tight. I was worrying him again, but there was no sign that the tears would stop.

I try to say something, but I don't really get the word out. Now it was Kay's turn to keep Eileen waiting.

"... I don't know."

Pompous.

"Earlier, I said, 'I'm fine'... but the truth is, I don't even know. This isn't the first day I've killed a person. Besides... they're the ones who attacked me first. There was no other hand in the situation. I think I'm convinced. But... that doesn't mean I don't feel anything..."

Once you open your mouth, whisper.

"I know by reason. He said he had no choice. If I had the means to not have to kill anyone over there, I think I chose that. But there was no such thing. Is this... hard? I knew I didn't feel good. I might even have a bad dream tonight. But, Eileen."

I wiped my tears and looked to Eileen.

"But more than that, I'm worried about you."

About myself - compared to Eileen, it's a tiny thing.

"I'm good. Experience has shown that she's alive and well, and that her dark feelings will soon be forgotten if she goes to sleep. But Eileen... things aren't the same with me. The first time I hung a person in my hand in" Over Here, "...... I don't really remember now, but I knew I dragged them for a few days. I can't be normal after" that. "

There's no way I can stay.

"So if it's hard, if it's painful, don't hesitate to say it. You can cry if you want. … it might be weird for me to cry."

With a hugged chest, Kay says smug as she strokes Eileen's head.

"I hold it in by myself because... a lot, it's hard"

Eileen was half-witted by Kay's words.

"……… Kay."

I slowly distorted my expression and leaned down.

"…… I don't know either."

Blurry, Eileen is gazing into her own hands.

"I know exactly what Kay's talking about. But it's not very realistic."

"……… Ah."

"… the feeling is impressive for you. Surprisingly, you don't respond, or something like that. Ha, that's weird. I'm sure anyone would think of something more similar like a hand or another way..."

Irene, with a crying look on her face, stared at this one - pressing her face against Kay's chest plate as it was.

"Sorry............! I'm really sorry............!

It's like pushing to death, like being torn apart.

Quiet, but filled with regret, he was a sad voice everywhere.

Kay closes her eyes and whispers Irene's back.

"That's okay. Really. Don't worry about it, it's going to be hard..."

"But... I have to tell you..."

"That way, don't blame yourself...... if Eileen was depressed, I'd be sad too"

That being said, Kay knows as much as she can't. If you can reopen it right away, "Okay then," no one will have a hard time from the start. Eileen will be driven by self-blame, and don't do it until then, it could block the exit of her mind.

But this is Kay's honest feelings.

"I've been aware of the risks since before I got here. That's what the two of us decided. So just blame yourself... don't blame me too much"

I haven't had an answer for a while. Irene's personality will not convince her immediately.

Eventually, however, Eileen replied, "… yeah," with a voice that seemed to disappear.

"Besides, think about it. If we hadn't been here, maybe all the merchants would have been destroyed."

"…… Yes, it is."

"Piotr and Randall, well, and then... they helped all the caravans. As it turns out, it shouldn't have been a bad thing, and you can be proud of that."

It's not good to affirm everything. But there is also a positive aspect.

Irene's reaction can't be said to be fragrant, but even in a corner of her mind, Kay would like it to be retained. Above all, we need time now. Time to just sort it out in yourself - that's the best thing to do, rather than say it from the outside anyway.

However, if it helps.

Looking back at his own experience, Kay earnestly wished.

Slowly, rubbing Irene's back in her arms, she watches the burning fire. Eileen wasn't crying. I just erase my expression and suffer from self-blame and poor aftertaste.

Why must she suffer so much? One mourns Kay,

"... I wonder why the horse thieves came all the way to the North."

Naturally, I was whining about the questions that came to my mind as they were. Such a simple thought that if only they weren't there.

Irene was the one who shook her body.

Kay doesn't understand the language (Russian) of the people of the snowfields.

So I have little idea of the conversations that I've had with the people I've met on the road and with the caravans.

Eileen, on the other hand, is in general terms.

Land of the North. Disputes with the Principality. Sold out slaves. Ladies and children of the people of the meadows.

Kay said...

They said they were able to repel the horse thieves. And he said he could save all the caravans.

You should be proud of that.

When I said that, his tone was certainly light. Positive aspects. For Kay, that affirms this murder, okay, but it must have been.

So - what do you think?

If Kay finds out.

If Kay found out that dozens of horse thieves had actually come all the way from the Principality to save their fellow women and children who had been sold off as slaves...

Kay, what do you think...?

"……… ugh!!

You can't say that.

That couldn't have been said to Kay right now.

Eileen eats her teeth off, keeping her face buried in Kay's chest.

"I wonder why"

The answering voice was trembling. I was about to be crushed by my sins.

If this were the case, it shouldn't have come to the North from the beginning. If there was a will to return to Earth resolutely, there is still no way that Kay would be entitled to be involved in this, to the extent that he was just lost.

And yet... I...

"I don't know..."

Kay, on the other hand, who receives Irene's words as they are, blurts and, somehow, relaxes and takes the lead.

Hearing that, in Eileen, something could play.

"Knock, knock…………………."

The voices leak from the gaps in the eaten teeth. My chest smudged, blood climbed on my head, and I couldn't help but have hot tears accumulating in my eyes.

I don't want to cry.

When it was hard, I didn't want to be a woman who just cried and moaned.

So I thought I would cry even if I wanted to.

But I can't do it anymore. I'm so sorry about Kay, sad, pathetic.

Still, my hands are sweet to caress.

All kinds of emotions get messy, and blurry and big tears spill over. I couldn't think of anything else.

"Eileen......"

Kay just calls his name and doesn't say anything. Just hold it gently.

"Sorry......"

Naturally, it was in my mouth.

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry, Kay...!

All I could do was cry.

- That's okay.

In my ear, listen to Kay whisper.

Irene couldn't help herself and cried.

†††

That night.

With Irene, tired of crying, Kay fell asleep.

Outside the cave are Sasquatch and Suzuka, and there is an "alarm", so it was decided that it would be okay for both of us to sleep together. Still, Kay fell asleep keeping her back on the cave wall just in case she could act quickly. There is also fatigue, and in an instant consciousness is interrupted.

Seems shallow, deep asleep.

Is it because of that? I had a strange dream.

In a dream, Kay was at her earthly home. For some reason, just like now, he lived his daily life in a healthy flesh, as the avatar of the game was.

Early in the morning, I woke up in my own room - Kay, who had been in the hospital since I was a child, didn't have a home or anything - but it was probably a holiday, with my parents and brother in the living room, having breakfast.

Originally, Kay was insulated from his brother. He used to say, "If I was a body like your brother too, I could play as many games as I want," because Kay ran out of bees. But it wasn't supposed to be that past in my dreams, and as a normally friendly brother, I spent some time watching TV together and talking about things that I had no other love for. The last parents I saw in person, probably as young as ten years old, were also smiling at the Kays like that.

Kay's imaginary, "Normal Home".

It was such a dream.

In the morning, in the cave, when I heard the birds chirp and woke up - Kay was still dragging on the realities of her dreams. I was caught in such an illusion that I woke up in an unlikely chamber on Earth.

The moment I realized it was a dream, it was loneliness that filled Kay's heart.

Probably something I haven't felt in a long time.

In fact, Kay doesn't have a choice. Even if it was possible to return to Earth, if you cannot remain the flesh of the game, what awaits you is death in the not-too-distant future.

Kay doesn't want to die. I still wish to live.

Then we have to stay in the 'here' world.

When you think about it, your mind is set to be perfect, and there is not a single stray.

But - I don't know.

When I left, if there was a flesh there that could lead quite a bit of everyday life.

Assuming that, when I thought about it, I felt my resolve sway at once.

Earth's life is fascinating. At least in Japan, it's quite safe, there's plenty of stuff, and the infrastructure is in order.

Russia, too, shouldn't have changed much.

At least that kind of noise, like being raided by horse thieves and caught up in bloody killings if you make a mistake, is not generally true.

Eileen used to describe her feelings as' lost ', but that was also convincing. Even Kay's imagination has shaken his mind so much. If you're Irene, don't push and weigh. It would also be natural to get lost.

Is staying in this world, therefore, 'happy' for ordinary people?

Kay doesn't know. That, for Eileen, is what - to be honest, right now, I still don't really want to think about it.

But the answer will come soon.

Eileen also woke up following Kay, and the two of them, having breakfast, soon left the cave.

Aim, initial destination. It is the village of Shalit, supposedly closest to the Devil's Forest. We talked about that last night, but we can't come this far and turn back now. Until I got to where I could go.

Eileen's complexion is still unbearable.

Well, I guess that's true, Kay thinks. What makes me nervous in a day or two is that it also makes me feel horrible.

Kay, who had no reason to know Eileen's inner grid, recognized that her reaction was extremely decent.

However, looking at Irene, who is blocking her, Kay, undeniably, thinks of 'happiness' for her.

Troubled, thinking Kays elsewhere, still Sasquatch and Suzuka move on.

After that, there was no particular obstacle and the journey was unexpectedly smooth.

Follow the river and join the new streets, skipping the city "Beryansk", which was an intermediate destination, heading directly to "Charitoscoe". It is also essential to replenish supplies thanks to adequate water resources and dotted villages. There were fears that Kay's appearance would make it harder to interact with the locals, but horse thieves' bad reputations were not so widespread in the northeast of the northern lands, gaining nothing.

It was four days after Kay and the others broke up with the caravan that they arrived in the village of Sharito.

With prior information, he had the image of a 'small border village', but the actual condition of the village was very different from what he had imagined.

"It's like a small fortress…………"

Kay squeaks alone as impressed as he looks at the settlement situated at the border between the forest and the plain. It's a village surrounded by sturdy wooden walls, like the one that punched Marutai directly onto the ground. Thumbs up and measured the height, the wall seemed to be three meters preferably. Most beasts and burglars are likely to be easily bounced off.

"Fortress Village," the inhabitants of other villages said.

Eileen, who is largely getting back on track in the last few days, listens to Kay's soliloquy and adds.

"As far as it goes. You're right."

Although Shalito seems to be a settlement with a population of about 100 people, it can be seen that the buildings and the like are each splendidly built. Is it also a specialty of any kind - at least, although it was not specifically touched upon in the Duchy's books?

"I hope it goes smoothly."

"It doesn't seem like it's 'open' to see."

The two of us face each other.

Thus, the concern became a reality.

"Stop! Somebody!

When Kay and the others approached the village, by the entrance gate, from above a building like a watchdog, who was the villager with the bow?

Villagers - and in this case I guess there's nothing else to describe, but a muscular middle-aged man, armed with sheet metal leather armor, is exactly a warrior. Stand and behave like a fierce person at a glance, beauty. Kay laughs sarcastically behind the face cloth, saying that the people of the snowfield, which seems to be the 'Land of the North', are finally out.

"I'm not a suspicious person! What can I do for the Devil's Forest? You're the closest village, aren't you?

Irene replied, the gatekeeper said, "Huh?" and raise an astonishing voice. Often, when we told them about our situation - the misty Gentile (Etrunge) - the man at the gatekeeper said, 'Wait a minute, I'll send someone' and went down.

"Now, what happens…………"

"I mean, you're still closing the gates during the day, this village..."

To Irene rubbing her mind, Kay observes the village jealously.

Minutes to be waited.

Giggly, and lifted up a heavy temple, and the gate of the village opened.

"You or the traveler?"

And from behind it, a lone great man emerges.

"Lion".

The first thing Kay and the others had in mind was the words.

He was a magnificent man. A disappointing physique. Muscle lines float beneath the perfect leather garment, and the long, gray-haired blonde hair and splendidly stored mustache are just like tentacles. To see, the light of a strong will shines a lighter water colour than Eileen's. The hegemony seeped out of his arms, making him royal directly under the gate, and at a glance he found that he was not the only one.

"Uh... what about you?

Slightly, with a cramped smile, Eileen.

"He who plays the role of compiler of this village. Sergei. '

"Best regards… I am Eileen"

Eileen gets down from the horse and meets. Kay also goes on to get down from Sasquatch and jumps up the hood to remove the face cloth.

Even with Kay's Asian appearance in his eyes, the man - Sergei's harsh expression - does not show any fine dust or agitation either.

"Nice to meet you. My name is Kei"

However, when Kay spoke in the official language, he moved his eyebrows tingly.

"……… What, are you a people of the meadows?

Fluent official language. Kay and Irene looked at each other unexpectedly.

"What's wrong, what's wrong?

"Oh, no... in fluent Mandarin, I was a little surprised"

Even in the villages so far, the people of Snowfield, who speak English so smoothly, did not see it sooner. I never thought there would be such endless villages with inhabitants who use foreign languages.

To Kay's reaction, Sergei got a little better at it and snorted with hun.

"When I was younger, I went around in martial arts training. What a principal language. … and you are a people of the meadows?

Return to the first question. Kay shook his head slowly.

"No. I can make a lot of mistakes, but it's another ethnic group called Japan. As she (Tsuru) told me, for the record, she came from far away… For once, there is also a citizenship card for the Principality, or the fortified city of Wolvern, but not for the people of Horn Meadow."

"… these days, when the people of the meadows are doing something noisy, I hear rumors of the wind."

Slightly, Sergei stares at Kay from head to toe with a frigid eye.

"It's something we don't do poorly in our village. Everyone remembers their arms quite well. However, if you want to behave well, I will entertain you as a guest. What are you talking about, anyway?"

Turn your back on the Kays, and Sergei just walks out. But I looked right back as if I remembered something,

"Welcome to Charito"

Shh, spread your hands and say something. And walk out again as it is.

…………

Kay and the others looked at each other once now.

I'm not alarmed yet, but I think he may be a surprisingly eye-catching person.

Take Sasquatch and Suzuka, and the Kays enter the village as well.

It must be true what Sergei said as long as it took place. At the time I saw the gatekeeper earlier and Sergei himself, I had a faint guess, but the inhabitants of this village seemed pretty well trained.

The man seen all over the village, without exception, was a disappointing figure, and Irene said he would definitely be repairing some martial arts from the stability of his center of gravity. Even the women occasionally have an atmosphere that seems stronger than Kay. For example, the middle-aged woman on the street now boasted about the thickness of Kay's thighs, and had piercing locks that could be broken with a single blow if she were a half-breed tree.

Everyone has a rare gaze at Kays, the leftovers. So-called, I didn't feel an exclusive prick, but there were signs that I would try to extrapolate the power of Kay or Eileen. In terms of not being the only ones, Kay and the others are probably. But at a glance, I guess that means that the villagers are not normal.

Any undelivered person is disinclined to do evil if he enters this village. At least the security looks stable. Conversely, if we were to run into the chase of Muragumi, we would not have won unless we used magic.

Guided by Sergei is a large mansion located on the edge of the village. The village chief's house, apparently.

"Tatiana! Brew me some tea. A guest."

"Oh, rare. Isn't this another nice guy? Shall I put on some tea treats for you?"

Could it be Sergei's wife, a well-worn livered mother-inspired woman flew off on a small run to the cooking alley? The Kays, who were put through the living room, were recommended while putting their luggage down but stayed on the table.

"No, did you talk about having a citizenship card for the Principality?

"Oh, for once. An honorary citizen."

"Ho, that's unusual again. I've been alive for decades now, but I've never seen anything real like it, so show me if you like."

"Affordable service"

What a wonderful thing for words to make sense, Kay takes a citizenship card out of her nostalgia, smugly. I'm used to hearing snowflakes because of Eileen, so I don't have a problem listening at all.

Sergei drops his gaze on paper with rare shiatsu. When the conversation broke off, Kay and I began to wonder what we were going to talk about.

but.

At that time, the living room door opens with a baton and the blonde comes in refreshed.

"Dad, this is about my next hunt."

The young man, who was about to speak to Sergei with a hazy voice, then turned his gaze to the relaxing guests (Kay) in the living room and opened his water-colored eyes round.

"Ah!!

"Huh?!

"What!?

Young people, Kay, Irene and I raise our barbaric voice to the Trinity.

…………

Everybody, I can't carry on two sentences.

Sergei, looking up from Kay's citizenship card, looked at the three stiff people taken in disquiet and leaned his neck surprisingly.

"What is it, do you know him? Alexei."

To the voice of his father, the blonde blue-eyed young man, who returned to me all the time - gave a convulsive smile and waved to the Kays without hesitation.

"Hey, hey... Long time no see"

It was Alexei.