It was dusk.
　I parked my carriage behind a large rock at the side of the road and said, "I guess we'll just have to camp here today.

I guess we'll just have to camp here today.

　I really wanted to get into Lacana today, but it didn't work out as planned because we were a little late getting out in the previous town.
　It's still going to take us a few more hours to get to Lacana from here, and we don't want to proceed after dark, since the mountains and forests are so close up ahead.

'That would be better.

　Amu says, jumping down from the carriage.

'But it looks like we'll be in Lacana by tomorrow.
''Well........ It really wasn't supposed to be like this, but since we can enter the castle tomorrow while it's still light, it might be good to take our time looking for a place to stay. If we rush to find one before nightfall, we'll get ripped off.

　To be honest, the money I have on hand is also unreliable.
　The money Fiona had provided me with was enough for road silver, but of course not enough to live on for the rest of my life. I wanted to save as much as possible.
　If this was the case, I should have taken some of the money I had left in the dormitory before I went to the Imperial City.......

　Amu, who understands the situation, nods and says.

''Right. But since Lacana is an adventurer's city, I'm sure there are plenty of cheap lodgings.
Cheap hotels.......... There are many places where a poorly run hotel is better than an outhouse....
You're such a know-it-all. You're not that much of a traveler, are you?　That's what I hear.

　Amu smiles a little and tells me.

"You can go to bed. I'll keep an eye on you.
Yeah, but...
I mean, you're the one who's gonna be in charge tomorrow, right?　You can't afford to fall asleep at the wheel. Besides, you always go to bed later and get up earlier than I do, do you get any sleep at all?
....
You will be spoiled today. Do you understand?

　I pondered for a while, then smiled and replied, "Well, I guess I'll take that as a yes.

"Well, then, I guess I'll have to do it.
It's all set. All right, let's go eat. I think there's a river across the street. You get water. I'll build a fire.
'Yes, yes....'

　As I walk out, I look up at the red sky and think to myself, "This journey started unexpectedly, but it's not so bad.
　This journey, which started unexpectedly, is not so bad.


****


　And early the next morning.

I'm asleep and...

　I looked down at Amu, who had fallen asleep on his knees by the fire, and whispered to him in disgust.

　Oh, well. I knew this was going to happen.
　I was swinging my sword in the middle of the night, saying it was calming me down, but of course that would make me sleepy.
　It would be exhausting to be so tense all night long.

''........''

　Being able to sleep on guard is actually a pretty bad idea for camping in the field.
　Even if you parked in a place that looked safe, the danger of wild thieves, beasts, and monsters is commonplace.
　If it were the military, they would be the first to be punished.

　But I couldn't blame this kid.
　After what happened, he must have been uncomfortable for a long time now, not just last night. It's the same with her that she can't sleep properly.
　He was awake until just a few minutes ago, and he's doing very well.
　Well, to begin with, I had a shikigami to know if anything was wrong.

　I pulled a blanket from the carriage and draped it over the girl's back and looked up at the dawn sky.
　The horses seem to be awake now, but it's still early enough to leave.
　Let's take a walk around the area.

　I leave the shikigami near Amu and start walking.
　When I'm near the stream I drew water from yesterday, I suddenly open my mouth.

"Yuki.

　I can feel the ghosts moving in my head.
　I hadn't spoken a word to Yuki since she left the school that day on a rain rain dragon.
　I'm going to call out to him again.

Yuki.
...What's the matter, Mr. Seika?

　Yuki peeked out of my hair and replied in a flat tone.
　I say quietly, "I'm sorry.

"I'm sorry,
What are you apologizing for?

　I was at a loss to understand what I was apologizing for.
　I don't know what I'm apologizing for.

I should have listened to you more often.
So, the next time you get a chance, can you leave the girl behind?
....
'Or will you give up hiding your strength and live forever from now on, relying on the strength you gained in your previous life?
....
The Seika, there are some things you just can't give up, even if you don't agree with them.

　When I was silent, Yuki continued, apologetically saying, "I'm the one who should not have made such a nonsensical proposal.

It's you, Yuki, who should not have made such a nonsensical proposal. I knew that Seika-sama would never be able to listen to it.
No, that's not true. You're right, I was going to sacrifice her in the beginning. That's what I said in the first place.
No. No....Seika-sama didn't listen to me. Yuki understands.

　Then Yuki dove into her hair.
　I mutter to myself.

The world's going to shit. What am I going to do? What am I going to do with the rest of my life?
I'm afraid you'll have to think that over yourself.

　Yuki responds resignedly.
　I reached over my head and stroked the thin body in my hair, and Yuki continued to tell me he was resentful.

"You don't think you can just stroke me?
So, what do you want?
You think you can just do things?

　When I silently took my hand off my head, Yuki put it down for a moment and said, "Yuki wants to eat some dried figs now.

Yuki now wants to eat some dried figs. And I want you to pet me a lot more.

　I chuckle and reply, "Then we'll have to wait until we get to Lacana.

Then we'll have to wait until we get to Lacana.

　Yuki remained silent, but by the looks of it, it's probably for the best.

　Suddenly, I stopped in my tracks.
　My eyes are drawn to the presence that emerges from the forest beyond the creek.

　It was a large, deer-shaped monster.

　Its fur looked like a mixture of ash and brown, and its head was covered with geometric horns made up of rectangular crystals. The dull iridescent mineral, which could be seen on its back and legs, was apparently a magical stone.

　I wondered if it had come for a drink of water. The monster, which was twice the size of a normal deer, stopped in front of the river, keeping its eyes on me.

　I don't know its name, but it has a rather divine air about it.
　I silently point the formula at it.
　The deer-shaped monster reacts instantly and tries to flee into the forest, but it's too late. It is trapped in a pentagram formation made by Hitogata, and its movements are blocked by its leaping form.
　Alright, alright.

'Seika-sama?'

　The Yuki on top of my head asks me quizzically.

'Why are you trying to seal it up?　It's not like they were attacking us. The monsters of this world can't withstand the phases, so they can't be a pawn in your hands either, Seika-sama.
So it's okay. I'll sell this one.

　I answer with a smile on my face.

Lacana is an adventurer's city. There are plenty of places to exchange monster corpses for cash. I'm just guessing, but I'm sure you can get a good deal on this one.

　That's why.
　I make a sign and chant the mantra.

"------Lo_913म् एकम् सप्त विंशतिः अष्टादश एकम्ट नव द्वे सकल स्वाह

　At that time, the deer's eyes stared at me, and the magic stone's horns emitted light.
　However, before anything happened, its body was sucked into the distortion of space.
　And all that was left was the human rattle of the door.

　I'm sure it was strong in its own right, but I'm sorry.
　Be a clean corpse in the phase.


I'm being punished for something I didn't even know existed. I don't know how many gods I had to contain in my previous life.

　I turn on my heel and head back down the road to the carriage where Amu is waiting.
　I'm still with you in this life. The money problem is going to be solved as soon as possible.

　But somehow....I think I understand what Yuki said.