"Well, Mr. Mayor," I wish you the best of luck to-night."

　Ray's words make Goto's chief nod.
　The reason he smiled on his face was probably because he received a reasonable reward for accommodating so many people at each house in the village.
　It's a matter of course for people in Goto to have nearly thirty strangers to nearly 30 strangers.
　Moreover, if almost all of the nearly thirty people were from the Westian Empire, it would be natural for the inhabitants of the village of Goto, who had been at the forefront of the war, to be terrified.
　Still, in addition to the extra income that we were able to earn at this time of the year ahead of winter, Ray and Seto were also big contributors.
　Ray and Sett, who stayed in the village for a while, naturally remembered Goto.
　During their stay, Ray and Sett were firmly embraced by the inhabitants of Goto.
　I don't think there will be any problems, since they are led by one of them.
　Of course, there are still quite a few people who are terrified when they are residents of the Westian Empire.
　Therefore, in front of the mayor and the inhabitants of Goto, he declared that he would punish those who led him with his own hands if he acted in any way.
　The residents of Goto, who know Ray's ability, are relieved by the word, and at the same time the movers are bracing themselves for some punishment if they do something strange.
　The ex-combatants had a sense of awe and admiration for Ray, so they didn't have to worry about any problematic behavior, and Ray was relieved.
　However, the rest of the group was a little worried that Ray was not what he looked like on his journey up to here, and many people saw him fight at the competition.
　And above all, there was hardly anyone who saw the existence of Seto in close proximity and still thought strangely.
　As a result, everyone is quiet...somehow afraid, but the conversation is settled without any particular disturbance.

"Mr. Ray, Mr. Vihela, and Mr. Seto, too." It's been a long time no see."

　Ray and Vihela look at the familiar voice.
　He was there, though he had a stern body and face, but he had a gentle way of speaking.
　At the same time, there was a boy about five years old beside him.

"Luchard, and Aepika," It's been a long time. How have you been?"
"Grull?"
"It's been a long time,"

　Each returns his words in three ways.
　These two were closely intertwined while Ray was in Goto.
　The place where Ray stayed was Luchard's house, and the place where he was attached to Ray and Sett was Apika.
　the two closest friends of Ray in Goto

"Yes, thanks to you, there has been no particular uproar since then." Some nobles from other countries passed by, and fortunately the Count of Larkes was keeping an eye on them."
"Are you from another country.

　Viehla nods convincingly to Ray, who bows his head.

"They must have returned from the Empire of Bestia through the Kingdom of Milliana."
"...well, since it is adjacent to the Empire of Bestia, it is only natural that it should be like that."
"Not really? Normally, I hardly imitate entering the Empire of Bestia through the hostile kingdom of Milliana. In fact, you didn't see anyone here when we headed to the Empire of Bestia, did you?"
"Why, then?"

　a slanting ray
　The gesture is so full of charm that you wouldn't think someone nicknamed crimson.
　It is characteristic of the age of a boy to a young man.
　...though I already have the consciousness that I am a young man.

(I...maybe it was my younger hobby? Of course, it's a big premise that I'm strong.)

　Vichela thought about Ray's appearance for a moment in her heart, but soon returned to herself and spoke.

"There's only one reason for that, isn't there? No matter how famous and well-known you are, a single Rank B adventurer fought a close match with a Rank S adventurer. If people who come to the Bestian Empire on behalf of their country want to gather even a little bit of information about Ray, it's the fastest and most accurate thing to come to the Kingdom of Miliana."
"Well, the guards of the Earl of Larkus said so, too. But I don't think we'll get much information."
"Basically, I'm working in Gilmoo."

　Ray nods that he is finally satisfied.
　Gilm is a remote town where powerful monsters swagger around day and night.
　With Ray based there, it was difficult to obtain Ray's information, even in the kingdom of Milliana.
　One of the few exceptions was the war against the Vestian Empire on the nearby Seremuth Plain, Barr for his magical fever, where he briefly evacuated to the port city of Emosion and challenged the dungeon in the labyrinth city of Egzir.
　To the general public, he appears to have appeared in many towns and villages, but as an adventurer moving from town to town and from village to village, there is not much information available.
　What's more, it hasn't been two years since Ray signed up as an adventurer in Gilm.
　Under these circumstances, it would be impossible for nobles from other countries to gather information so easily, and it would be a waste of time for those who went out of their way to the kingdom of Mileana.
　Although Ray's information would have been available at Gilm, the reason he stopped here was to return from the Empire of Bestia, and few could afford to reach the frontier.

"Well, let me leave it to you as to where you are staying. I'll talk to the people in the village."
"Please,"

　Ray asked, looking at Aepika, who was playing with Seto.





"Please, I can't give you too much,"

　Ray and his party were scattered around the other people's house, and Ray was with Vichela at Luchard's.
　What Luchard served them was dried fruit.
　In Ray's sense, it would be close to what we call dried fruit.
　It goes without saying that such a rural village is invaluable.

"Is that all right?"
"Yes, it's a celebration of Ray and Vichela's safe return." ...and,"

　I turned my eyes to the front door.
　Now outside Lucard's house, Seto and Apika were playing.
　It's probably because I'm a child that gives me the energy to play outside this season.

(Children are children of the wind... is that the right expression in this world?)

　While thinking like that, I suddenly wonder if I'm going to join it, and shake my head in denial.
　I'm certainly about fifteen years old in appearance, but I don't think I'm that young.

"Mr. Ray?"
"No, it's nothing. But I'll feed you."

　reach for dried fruit on a wooden plate
　The dried fruit gives a firm response to whether the flesh is condensed.
　When I put it directly into my mouth, it was as chewy as it was when I touched it, and at the same time, a rich sweetness spread through my mouth.

"...it's delicious,"

　It tasted simple, but it pleased Ray.

"Yes, it's delicious,"

　Vihela, like Ray, smacks at the dried fruit with a smile.
　Vichela stays at Luchard's house because Vichela stays at it.
　Ray accepted that there was not only Ray but also Luchard.
　Well, there were few vacancies in other houses, and there was a reason why I couldn't stay in a careless house considering the appearance of Vihela.

"I was really surprised, however." I can't believe Mr. Ray would bring such a group."

　Luchard, tasting the dried fruit, said in surprise again, but his expression did not look surprised, but smiled.

"Well, there were a lot of things,"
"Well, yes," There were many things in many ways."Vihela tells Rey to tease her rather than agree.
　Luchard watches over them with a smile.
　Feeling something uncomfortable, Ray unexpectedly pulls some ingredients out of the mistling.
　Some of them were bears that Seto had caught around the imperial capital, but Ray offered them to Luchard, apparently unconcerned.

"I'd like to have dinner with the villagers tonight. What do you think? Oh, I'll serve you the ingredients. I don't drink much, but..."

　Ray's mystery ring naturally contains a large amount of supplies for this trip.
　Other than that, there were plenty of ingredients Ray bought for himself and monster meat.
　The reason why Ray doesn't drink so much is because he doesn't like it so much.
　Still, there was some alcohol because they thought it was necessary for such occasions, or because they might use it for cooking.
　Apart from that, some people said there was alcohol in the luggage left to Ray.

"Are you okay? Of course, I'm happy."
"Oh, I'm causing trouble to the village like this. That's nothing to worry about."
"All right. I'll talk to the mayor for a moment. It's true that there's nothing better than to be close to each other if you think about sleeping under one roof, even if it's only one night."
"Please,"

　Rey's words make Ritchard smile and leave.

"It's a feast. It might be a good time to think that you've crossed the Seremuth plain, and that you've entered the kingdom of Mileana."
"Oh, of course it is. And no matter how much you work with me, when you go to Gilmoo, you'll probably be treated harshly. It's also meant to encourage them not to lose."

　I don't want to fight Ray, I yearn for Ray, I want to be with Seto, and so on.
　They all had reasons to work with Ray, but it's a fact that they're still from the Westian Empire.
　Regardless of the adventurers, Ray predicted that Dusker, the lord of Gillum and the central figure of the neutrality, would not be so easily trusted.





"Oh, my!"
"Cheers!"

　Even on a deep autumn night, it seems that if a party is centered around a bonfire, it will not change that everyone will have a good time.
　The Goto people and Ray's party are banging glasses everywhere.
　In the end, it was agreed that Ray would be in charge of the food and Goto would be in charge of the alcohol at this feast.
　Of course it's not exactly fixed.
　Ray also served some alcohol, and Goto offers some ingredients.
　Under such circumstances, everyone could enjoy the party without worrying about their own feelings.
　Of course, there are people who have some feelings, but they don't pretend to show it.
　From Goto's point of view, there's no way he can antagonize Ray with his Gryphon, and on the contrary, Ray and his party can't be ashamed of themselves by storming here.
　...however, the vast majority of people are enjoying this feast to their heart's content.

"Grull".

　Next to Rei, Seto happily purr and stretches the kuchibashi to a plate of stir-fried bear meat.
　On the day he left the imperial capital, Seto wanted to eat bear meat, but it never came true.
　Of course, the other dishes were delicious enough, and it was true that I was satisfied with them, but I still wanted to eat bear meat.
　That's why Sett was so happy that Ray had provided bear meat from Mistilling at the feast.

"What? This bear meat is set!? Wow, that's amazing. As expected of course!"

　After hearing from Ray about Seto catching a bear, Aepika caresses Set happily.
　While eating bear meat, Seto's throat was ringing, apparently comfortable to be stroked.

"Look, Seto is enjoying cooking, so he doesn't bother me much."

　Aepika's mother tells her to scold her.
　He had already greeted Apika's parents and had a short talk with Ray.
　For Aepika, however, I was happy to be with Seto regardless of that.

"Glu?"

　Do you want to eat? Raise your head from a plate containing stir‐fried bear meat and look at Aepika.

"Yes!"

　Epica reaches for the stir-fried bear on the plate, with a happy cry.

"...we had a feast and it was a success."

　There was a little tension when the Rays first came to Goto.
　However, as far as we can see now, both Ray and his party and the inhabitants of Goto seem to be enjoying the feast and opening up to each other.
　That alone would have been worth the food supply.
　That's what Ray thought, and he reached for a skewer grilled over a nearby bonfire.