Vermillion

"I knew the house wouldn't calm down………………"

Lowering her luggage in her home living room, Kay took a sigh of relief.

"Different. My dear home!

Next to it, Eileen is like a cat, stretching her back "hmm".

(... well, I'm starting to 'calm down' too, in this house)

Kay has such emotions. Familiar furniture. Old woody scent. Memorable windowsill. He was also totally attached to this house while he lived there for a while. The servants I hired at the Chamber of Commerce even while I was away seem to have taken good care of me and cleaned up beautifully without any dust.

Yes, Kay and the others were returning to Satina.

It was a stormy day. Crusade for the "Forest Lizard". A feast that combines surveillance of materials. The arrival of Cornwell Chamber of Commerce personnel, negotiations with merchants, dismantling, distribution of rewards, etc, etc... rested about immediately after the crusade, and since then it has been a busy day around the corner.

It was four days ago that we managed to do what we had to do and left the village of Vaak spared by the villagers. Except for Mandel, that's when he broke up with the members of the crusade.

'Really... it was like a dream. Thank you.'

'Now I can apply for marriage with my chest up! Farewell!'

Gordan and Rodolfo went back to their respective homelands. Gordan goes to the village on the eastern border and Rodolfo to the western coast. Kay once played a bonus, carrying a leather bag that seemed to rip off with silver coins and a brightly colored slice of "Forest Lizard" skin from "Souvenir".

'This time... you might not believe me if I told my family'

Saying so and laughing. Gordan seems to be a little extravagant second son, and now he's going to come visit Satina if he deposits his money with his family. By the way, he said the fifth spear he threw at the male dragon chasing Kay was borrowed from the Chamber of Commerce guard 'Orlando'.

"No, it's already a family heirloom! Yes, sir."

Recovering a short spear with "Forest Lizard" blood on it, Orlando was shining his face like he had returned to the heart of a child. The Orlandos, who did not participate in the crusade but dedicated themselves to the "escort" of the carriage, worked well in monitoring the material after that and guiding the personnel of the Chamber of Commerce.

"This bright blue green! Must look great on Sandra's brunette hair!

Rodolfo said he was going to ask his lover to marry him - he said he was going to give him the skin of the "Forest Lizard" as a hair decoration. As a matter of fact, Kay didn't know anything about the marriage until he broke up, but he thought that if he had listened in advance, he might not have chosen to be a member of the crusade.

Killian, by the way, but after receiving his reward, he had disappeared unknowingly. On the border of Crusade Day, Killian seemed to have gotten very old - without his help, he didn't know what the forest was like, neither did Gordan and Rodolfo, nor could Eileen tailor the female dragon with poison. The success of this hunt also depends heavily on him.

Many thanks, but I still wanted to say goodbye. I don't know why he left without saying anything - to be honest, I'm a little sad. However, according to Joaquin, who remained in the village of Vaak, Killian was wounded in the battle with the "Great Forest Lizard".

Maybe he wanted to forget.

Maybe he wanted to be forgotten.

†††

Kays, who placed their luggage, visited the oblique commercial district across the boulevard. A luxury inn under the umbrella of the Cornwell Chamber of Commerce - an inn that is always kept with Sasquatch and Suzuka, but Mandel is staying here for the night today. From the village of Vaak to Satina, we will heal the fatigue of our four-day journey and then triumph over to the village of Taaf.

"Mandel, are you there?

Upstairs room taught at reception. When I knocked on the door, I heard an extended voice saying, "There he is."

Once inside, it's a spacious and elegant room.

Not just the bed, but a chest of sturdy looking storage with a small round table and a few chairs. There is also a carpet under the table with a small spill pattern. The window that stuck out in the bow shape - the one commonly referred to as the 'bow window' - had what a glass on it and soft sunshine plugged in while blocking the cold outside air. The windows are even decorated with flowers.

And Mandel at heart seemed to fall asleep in a relaxed double bed and fully relaxed.

"Hey, that's comfortable. … is it okay to stay in such a superior room"

At the same time, Mandel doesn't show any reluctance. Kay raised her voice and laughed at her bewildering attitude for the words.

"Of course. Cornwell Chamber of Commerce is fat."

I have the Cornwell Chamber of Commerce for this inn. Holland, who met me face-to-face at HQ earlier, arranged for me for Mandel. Even as Kay, I want you to have full fun and get your ex.

"I appreciate that. Because of this, and I think I'll take a bath. You could have ordered a drink if you wanted."

"You can do whatever you want, Mandel's husband. One of them said," That ground dragon killer Yingjie is the room where Mandel stayed! 'Cause it's gonna be a specialty. "

"Wow," Mandel said to Eileen, teasing her that her name should be engraved on the wall. It's hard to understand the expression because of the mustache, but it's apparently illuminated.

After this, Mandel said he would take a bath and relax, so Kay and the others mounted dinner promises before visiting the woodworker Montan's house this time.

"Mr. Kay! Good job, you're safe!!

"Hey!!

Five satisfied Kay, a montan stroking his chest down. Lily jumped out of the side of it momentously and hugged Irene.

"Both of you...... it worked, didn't it?

Further out of the back of the house, Montan's wife Kiska also shows her face.

"Oh, thanks to you. Montanese arrows worked great, too."

It was about a week ago that Kay and the others destroyed the Great Forest Lizard. They haven't given details to Satina yet. Standing talked about is nothing, so I'll get you some tea inside.

"Honestly, I thought the village of Vaak might not work anymore, but surprisingly, when we arrived, we were still safe"

"On the other hand, it's busy with the Explorers and the Merchants."

"According to the story of a skilled forest walk called Killian, actually -"

"So gather people, dig pits, prepare for interception -"

Kay and Irene talk about alternating revelations. The montans were listening with their eyes shining. Anyway, we can talk straight away from the Legendary parties. In a world less entertaining than modern Earth, there was no more entertainment.

"So these are the arrows that worked for me."

Kay took the arrow out of the arrow barrel. It was recovered from the remains of the "Forest Lizard". Montan's special bleeding arrows, the extinct magic arrows of gems, and the long arrows that shot through his forehead at the end. The traces of dark blood were creeping, dirty depending on the way you looked at them, but I thought they would be the best souvenirs for Montane.

"Oh......! This is............!!

Montane receives with trembling hands, loves and views. An arrow I handled myself defeated the legendary monster - as an artisan, how about that emotion?

"And this is the skin of the Great Forest Lizard."

Now Eileen offers a 10 cm square slice. Lily and Kiska gazed at the brightly colored blue and green.

"……… Can I touch it?

"Of course."

Lily received the skin in a fascinating manner, fearful, surfacing with her fingertips.

"…… I've never seen a color like this before"

Sure, it may be a rare shade in this world. Although the leather armor brought in by Kay is also made of "Forest Lizard", there is no brighter color left due to the hardening process.

"……… thank you."

Along with Kiska for a while, Lily, who had observed the shiatsu, eventually returned the skin if she was satisfied.

"Hmm? That's Lily's because it's a souvenir."

"" What!?

Irene tells me that Lily and Kiska are saying, "Seriously!?" I just look at the skin twice. Eyes and mouth cancer The rounded look looked so much like it, and Irene laughed even as she was convinced that she was "oh, I knew she was a parent and child".

"Are you okay?! Such a precious thing………………"

"Well, when it comes to precious..."

I don't have much use for it. When I skinned away from the scar, this kind of cleavage really came out too. Of course, the market value is very high compared to normal animal skins, but even if used, is it about the size to make small items at best? As a souvenir, Kay and the others had given away some of these end materials from the Chamber of Commerce.

Of course, Kay is going to make new leather armor and Irene a little protective equipment separately, though.

"Are you sure, sister?

"Yeah. I knocked two heads out."

There's plenty of room to distribute it around - so much so that the Chamber of Commerce staff who arrived in the village of Vaak were about to collapse after seeing two giant carcasses. For once, he had sent a messenger to tell him beforehand, but he was only half-hearted about the information that he had "defeated the number". After settling down, however, I was literally very excited about how much money I could generate for my skin calculations.

"Thank you, hey!

"That's okay. I don't know, why don't you make it with Lily and hair decorations?

"Eh heh... do you think so?

Lily trying to put a blue-green skin on her head. Kay smiled and watched as such a young girl appeared.

"Either way, Montanese arrows really helped. Thanks."

Once again, thank Montan.

"So are the magic arrows and the bleeding arrows, especially the long arrows. How many times have we been saved?"

"No, this is the one I want to thank. As an artisan, you have no more honor than this."

"Good. So, I'm going to do a launch around this evening... Oh, speaking of which, Mandell knew each other, right?

"Yeah, you've bought arrows before."

"He's asking me out, too. I'm going to rent out the Cornwell Chamber of Commerce restaurant, so I think it's going to be a party where you don't have to elbow down. What about the montans?

"Don't worry! Then call me..."

If it is also the launch of the legendary hunt, we can expect quite a bit. Montane has a big face too.

Install the promise to rendezvous again in the evening and resign from the Montanese house.

"Kay, what about the Koos?

"Oh, yeah………"

Even today, Satina's main street is busy. Think often as you walk as you sew between people.

"I'd like to invite you if I can………"

"It's a mystery whether you can come right in position. Whatever Koo's husband is, Illis..."

Um, and Eileen's a little difficult face, too. Iris had difficulty with the princess setting pulling her legs and not being able to move her footwork lightly.

"Well, but what can you do about it? Worst of all, Koo's husband can come."

"I'll just get back to you."

That's how I visited Cornwell Chamber of Commerce headquarters, sending messengers to Koh's mansion, discussing specifications for leather armor, and the sun quickly set as I made various arrangements.

"Long time no see, Kiska. … How are you doing?"

"Mochi. I hear you've been very active."

Mandel, and take the Montans to a restaurant arranged by the Chamber of Commerce. Mandel and Kiska are familiar faces from the village of Taaf - Kiska should be one turn down at his age, but quite familiar. Kay, who always only knew Montan's wife, Lily's face as her mother, was a little surprised that Kiska looked like a young village daughter on the way. If you think about it, you're not that old with Kay in your twenties...

"Lily, too, grew up after a while. … in a moment."

"Yes. Hiccup, sir."

Mandel looked kindly at Lily, who greeted her well behaved. Maybe it overlaps with my own daughters' childhood.

"Try this, you really look just like Kiska in the eye.... Bennett wanted to see you."

"Uh... Dad. Hey. Sometimes I want to go home, but I can't really leave my house..."

"These days, the decorative arrows and other orders are so packed. I appreciate that."

In addition to that, Montane is busy because he also makes the 'gawa' of the Kays' magic props.

"Really? … well, let's at least deliver the letter or so"

"Thanks -"

I got to my destination while I was talking about that. Upstairs, upstairs, upscale restaurant - the upper floor is rented out this evening.

"Ooh! Guys, we're here for the lead!

Climbing the stairs, it seemed that the Chamber of Commerce officials had already gathered. Holland notices the Kays visit as soon as possible and informs everyone. There was also Edda, who praised her beautifully, and Dougmar, who had previously accompanied her in a caravan escort.

"Kay, I heard that, that's a hell of a lot of work! I wish I was in Satina, too, I wanted to come with you to the village of Vaak!

Dagmal comes banging Bashibashi and Kay on the back. At the time of the rescue request from the village of Vaak, Dagmar was absent because he was escorting another caravan. Had it been for Dagmal, the carriage escort would have been not Orlando, but Dagmal and his companions.

(But what would have happened to the last Gordan's cover if I did?

Dagmal uses a sword and a short bow. By contrast, Orlando is a short-spearer, so Gordan could borrow a spear. If there was no Orlando, what would have happened to Gordan? A slight difference could have dramatically changed the course of the battle -

"I'm sorry to hear that. If my husband had come with me, he would have seen a bi-perfect crusade between the Great Bear and the Great Lizard of the Forest and the Deep Abyss."

When Eileen said to tease him, she said, "Yes, yes, yes, yes!" Dagmar stepped on the estate in remorse.

"To the book, I did what I had to do! You'll definitely let me talk to you later about what it was like! Nah!"

"Brother! Welcome home!

Such a dagmal, now Edda runs over with Totetote and hugs Kay.

"I'm home. Even so, I guess it wasn't long"

"I'm waiting. I didn't feel like this one, but hey!

Edda, who was cheeky on the rind and belly, but, uh, behind it, I notice Lily's presence brought to me by the montans.

"Ah… thank you"

"Good evening......"

Girls the same age, so they seem to be interested in each other.

(That's your first face-to-face?

If you think about it, it's been awhile since the Hollanders started settling in Satina, but I don't think they ever had a family relationship, even if they'd face to face with Montan at work.

"I, Edda. And you?"

"Lily, it is."

Lily also stopped attending school and tended to pull off. Although Irene and I have started training (or studying) in witchcraft and it has become a little brighter, there is no shadow of pleasure to see when we first met.

(If I make new friends, maybe there will be some good change)

With that in mind, I greet the Chamber of Commerce officials. From those who are well cared for, like Holland, to those who are familiar with their faces but do not know their names. They're all equally the ones who ran away on this one - except for Dagmal.

(Dagmal, you didn't do anything this time)

Nevertheless, Kay, who realized late on the virtues of the procedures that were sneaking into the launch, was biting off his laughter so that he wouldn't blow up during the greeting round.

"Oops, have I kept you waiting? I'm sorry."

And there was a new shadow climbing the stairs. A pair with a hood in their eyes.

"Koo! Did you get Illis too?"

"Hi. Looks like we're both safe. Most importantly."

"Eh heh. I'm here too!

Kou took the hood off, but Illis remains wearing it. It would be inconvenient when this is the case, as it would be worse if the head leopard ears were seen than the face.

"We just got here, too. No problem."

"That was good"

"Looks like you got it all. Let's get started then!

Holland takes the pronunciation, and booze behaves to everyone. Hot dishes - whole roasted lamb, stew pie, roast beef, etc. - were brought on a large plate.

"Then - a word from the heroes!

Now I thought I'd go for a meal, and the arrow tip, the water, was pointed from Holland, and Kay and Irene looked at each other.

"Ahhh..."

"Cohon. Let's start with the Cornwell Chamber of Commerce."

For Kay, who doesn't like this kind of aggressive English speech, Eileen cuts her tongue and buys me a little time.

"- And, well, it's bad even if it gets too long, so in this area. What about Kay?"

"Mm, to my comrades who fought with me. To all those involved who supported me from the shadows. And to the great spirits who watched over us and guided us..."

The gap wind rocks the lamp's lights, the shadow flickers, and Koo's exhale turns white with cold air.

"- Thank you to the fullest. Cheers!"

"" Cheers!!

That's how the lively feast began.

†††

Then I drank it late at night. Kay enjoyed the Japanese conversation with Koo out of his shoulder, and Eileen was entertaining everyone by talking about martial arts as she swallowed high distillery liquor to take a bath. The person I enjoyed most would be Eileen herself.

The following day, Mandel, who rarely took off his wings and swallowed too much, went down, thus postponing his return to the village of Taaf and waiting for his physical recovery before leaving Satina even the next day.

Kay and Irene decided to accompany Mandel. Mandel insisted that he didn't need it, but because he had a lot of cash and valuables, he decided to follow him as an escort. Some brother-in-law promised Mandel's daughters that she would return her father safely. It would be a big hunt until I got home.

Naturally, a welcome and celebratory feast was held in the village of Taaf, and the Kays were invited as well. It was impressive that Mandel's two daughters were crying less of a relief.

"No...... there was so much going on this time"

Eileen muttered emotionally on the way back from Taaf village to Satina.

"Absolutely. That was a lot............"

smudged and Kay nodded too.

On a slightly chilly late autumn meadow, the sound of sasquatch and suzuka hooves.

"What can I say now... it was a dangerous bridge."

"Must be."

If only a little unlucky, Kay and Eileen could have died. There were no dead people, no major injuries, and just a few destroyed the turn of the "Great Forest Lizard" - a feat like none of the [DEMONDAL] had even heard of.

"So, what if the village of Vaak calls for help again? Kay."

On a rocking horse, Eileen looks back and asks with a naughty grin.

"Uh-huh..."

Kay roared with a difficult face. To help people, I want to act as a hunter specializing in "big hunting" - that was my dream, but to be honest, this one was pretty tight.

"... for the time being, I don't want to"

"Ha ha. Me too!

Irene laughs without giving in. Well, let's just relax for a while, I say in an easy-going manner. Kay totally agreed. The big hunt is a dustpan.

I go home and my usual days come back.

The season swept and Satina also had its first snowfall.

This is the first winter in the world. Everyone is starting to get ready for the winter.

The Kays were relaxing, mainly in their research and development of demonic props.

"Hey, Kay - hey, I need to talk to you."

One day, Eileen spoke with a strange face. Kay, who was messing with a hair dryer prototype that applied the type of iron she warmed up and used in the stove, corrects her posture to Eileen in her altered attitude.

"What's wrong?

"Mmm. Well, yeah.... I'm not coming."

Pomp, and Eileen slapped her belly lightly.

――――

Kay's thinking stopped.

"... is that, uh... is that you? of the Moon."

"Yeah."

"…………………………… in other words"

Eileen's face and Kay, who alternately compares her abdomen, get up rattled.

"My child............!?

"... I don't know yet, but it's possible... yeah..."

Irene, blushing a little, put her hand on her own forehead.

"Something feels a little... slight fever these days, and it's sloppy. I thought you had a cold, 'cause you're not coming either. I've talked to Kiska and everything, but I thought that might be..."

…………

There are no test drugs, so it is not definitive.

"Is that so......!

Similarly, there were no contraceptives like modern Earth. So love was growing, naturally...

"……… Glad to hear it."

Kay grabbed Irene. I don't get the feeling, but still, I was honestly happy.

"…… Good."

Eileen also releases her shoulders and keeps herself. We did that for a while, but we looked at each other and we kind of embarrassed each other.

"Am I... am I going to be a father..."

Again, no matter how I think about it, I don't get a feeling about it.

"Mm-hmm. Me too, my mother... mmm...!

Irene blushes again and covers her face with both hands.

"It's normal in this world... if it's Earth standards, I don't feel a little too early for my age...!

"I know. I know how that feels so much"

"I'm anxious - ooh!

"Ugh, I need to get ready for a lot of things"

In the meantime, it would be helpful to have a Kiska with a child and be able to talk to her about everything.

"…… Baby, or……………"

Kay turned away and tried to put her ear against Eileen's stomach.

"Baka, he said it's not that time of year yet!

"Yes."

Kotsun and Eileen smack me in the head and Kay laughs.

- On Earth, I had to become a mass of bones and nerves to die.

I was wondering if I could be a father.

"But then Eileen's gonna have to stop drinking, too."

"Ugh! I knew it would happen………………………………."

"... well, I'll be sober with you..."

"- Kay doesn't like liquor that much, too!

Noooo groaning, Irene joking and pounding Kay's chest.

"Yes, yes, yes."

"Don't laugh at me."

Kay was biting his happiness as he took a blow that didn't hurt much.

but.

Then a few more days later.

It was a cold morning.

Not long after nightfall, when the sky finally started to whiten.

The sound of hooves. That's multiple, too.

I woke up. Kay roughly wakes up Eileen sleeping beside me.

The front of the house is noisy.

Dan, Dan! and didn't hesitate to knock on the door.

"………… What?

Eileen wakes up too.

I don't know, Kay answered and went outside dressed.

- And you welcomed Kay like that.

"That's Kaich-Nogawa!

Several fully equipped knights. In addition, a magnificent man dressed in a luxurious outfit and crossing a horse with a flag painted with a dragon crest.

"…… Yes, but…"

Kay manages to answer while confused by the sudden situation.

"Okay. Kaich-Nogawa! From this, I will convey the words of His Majesty the King!!

I take out the script over my nostalgia, and a magnificent man flirts around on horseback.

Along with that, the knights pulled out their swords and took an upright immobility posture, like a funeral soldier.

"What?"

Your Majesty? - Kay gets distracted and stands up.

…………

But the magnificent man, there was some accusation. He just looked at this one with his eyes and there was no sign that he would ever speak.

"…… Kneel, kneel."

The knight he saw whispered under his helmet and with an upright immobility.

Kay returns to me in a hurry and kneels. And I remembered. Courtesy taught just a little before the award ceremony for the martial arts tournament.

The king's words must be heard with the greatest gratitude.

"-Ohon." The protection of the Yu, Alial-Krause, and the Great Spirit made him Lord Wolvern of the Principality of the Union of Akrands, and the Grand Duke of Akrand- "

A coughed messenger finally begins to read the letter to Kay, who has taken the right stance.

"'- On the occasion of the adulthood of Dietrich-Aurelius, the position of Grand Duke shall be ceded to it'"

Dietrich - just one grandson of the Duke, who honored Kay in a militant tournament.

"And to celebrate this assignment, I hereby perform the ritual of ancient inheritance."

The king's word - it is absolute. It is a matter of decision and a supreme order.

"'It's Kaich-Nogawa'"

It doesn't interfere with the will of the grass.

"'As the best hunter in the Principality -'"

"Let's go hunting."