Koutarou, Harumi and Clan were the third team to set out. Because Theia and the others weren't as noisy as the team before them, they could set out after a few minutes delay. Clan and Harumi were at the front with Koutarou behind them.
“Bertorion, if you're a knight, then be more knight-like and stand at the front”
Clan was dissatisfied with Koutarou being behind her. As both a princess and a woman, she wanted him to be ahead of them.
“That might be proper manners, but if I'm at the front it would be boring right?”
“Why?”
“Because I can sense presences to a certain degree”
Koutarou was behind the other two for a reason. Because of spiritual circuits that Sanae had created in him, Koutarou could sense presences of those around him. Even though he tried not to, because Sanae was too excellent, he could still tell to a certain degree. If Harumi and Clan could tell by looking at his back, things would become boring. So Koutarou decided to bring up the rear in an attempt to give them a proper surprise or two.
“I guess it can't be helped...”
Hearing Koutarou's explanation, Clan earnestly gave up. Knowing that Koutarou was doing this out of consideration, only her tone of voice had resistance left.
“Clan-san, the two of us should work together”
“...You're right. This is a rare chance, we should enjoy ourselves”
“Yes”
With Harumi and Clan on the front, Koutarou and the others left the inn's backyard and began climbing up the mountain path.
Koutarou had rushed up this mountain path last year to save Sanae. However, this year was awfully carefree. His teammates, Harumi and Clan were casually chatting as they climbed. Without anyone to save or defeat, the calm and peaceful atmosphere surrounded Koutarou and the others.
“Damn, I got bitten by a mosquito”
“That's because you didn't spray on the insect repellent”
“Ah, I have some medicine for insect bites”
“Thank you very much, Sakuraba-senpai”
Since none of them were scared of ghosts, it seemed like they were simply taking a walk. A cheerful and lively walk on a summer night.
“Ah, this medicine is cool. That feels good”
“Right? It's been my favorite for years now”
“Bertorion, turn this way please”
“Hm”
Clan sprayed Koutarou.
“Now this way”
“Hm”
She then sprayed him again.
“...Alright”
“Thank you, Clan”
“Be more careful in the future please. Men are already careless enough when it comes to this kind of thing”
“Okay”
“Clan-san, you could just always do it for him”
“No thank you! I am not a servant!”
Clan blushed and strongly refused before turning away. Harumi then brought her lips close to Clan's ear and quietly whispered.
“...If you're too stubborn you'll lose out”
“...I-I'm not being... stubborn...”
“...I was always holding back and lost out. That's why I can tell”
“...Harumi...”
After listening to Harumi, Clan thought to herself for a while before lightly coughing and turning back to Koutarou. Harumi looked at her back with a smile.
“Ahem. T-That said, since you probably won't remember, let me know if you forget right away”
“What now, Clan. You're being awfully kind today”
“You didn't have to add 'today'”!
“I know. It was just embarrassing to honestly praise you”
“You two-faced sourpuss! One day I'll make you prostrate and make you say you l―”
Clan got excited and was about to say something very decisive when she got interrupted.
“Roaaaaarr!!”
“We~lco~me~!”
Two ghosts jumped out from the nearby bushes, a small plump and a tall one. The ghosts had their arms raised to make themselves look bigger and approached Koutarou and the others.
“Kyaaaaa!?”
Clan responded by letting out a loud scream. But that wasn't because they were ghosts, but because they had suddenly appeared while she was focused on Koutarou. She was simply surprised from a sudden event.