So, about Hajime-kun and the other two..."
"Hmm, they will surely return soon. After all, Master didn't think of giving up. And although this one didn't hear anything due to not having time for that, Master certainly had a plan to escape."
Having heard what happened in «Guryuu-en Great Volcano», Kaori turned pale while clenching her fists tightly. The uneasiness she felt since the time she and the people of Ancadi saw the gigantic eruption swelt up.
Towards Kaori who clenched her fists and seemed like she would collapse at any time, Tio quietly put her own hands on top of Kaori's. Afterwards, she watched Kaori with a powerful gaze.
"Kaori. This one hath a message from Master."
"From Hajime-kun?"
"Mhm. Actually it is for both Kaori and Myuu... "I will meet you later," Master said."
Kaori had thought it would be something like "I will surely return" or "Don't worry" kind of words to reassure Kaori and Myuu. However, the too nonchalant words as if he was saying "I am going to a convenience store now, so let's meet later," made Kaori openmoutedly dumbfounded.
Crossing her mind was Hajime's figure who raised a fearless smile and said, "Such a thing is nothing if I become serious, you know?" It was a reassuring figure that would break through any kind of difficulty while smiling. While she was naturally imagining his figure, Kaori was smiling wryly because it was the most reassuring message rather than some kind of unskillful, tough words.
"I see, then it will be okay, huh."
"Mhm, no matter how desperate the situation looks like, Master will surely return like nothing's happened. It is something this one believes..."
"Un... Hajime will be okay. That's why, I must do the things I can here."
"That's right. This one will, of course, help thou."
Recalling how Hajime had missing in the Great Dungeon, Kaori thought Hajime would surely be okay, and like Tio, she believed in him while clenching her fists tightly. Kaori stood up, and she had a resolute look in her eyes to heal the weakened people, who had distributed with the powder from the large amount of "Serene Stone" that was passed on to Randzi's group earlier.
Afterwards, they explained the situation to Myuu who was entrusted to the Lord's daughter, Airi (14 y.o), in the palace. And although Myuu was going to cry because her Hajime papa didn't return, Tio told her that Hajime's daughter must not cry easily, so she endured it with puffed cheeks.
Although Myuu was someone from the Sea-dweller tribe, knowing she was a companion of a "God's apostle", Kaori, and after looking after her for a while, the people of the palace were knocked out by Myuu's cuteness. Airi, who was prohibited from going out due to her still weakened state, was especially fond of Myuu.
Although there was still the situation about Tio being from the Ryuujin race, Randzie and the other didn't make a big commotion about it because although they were still in doubt, it didn't change the fact that she was the dukedom's benefactor, risking her life to bring them the "Serene Stone."
Kaori and the others healed the patients one after another, but Hajime's group still haven't returned even after two days passed, thus their expressions gradually darkened. Tio had searched for any trace of Hajime's group along the route to «Guryuu-en Great Volcano» several times, but she was at a loss from not finding anything.
Then, after three days had passed since Tio's return, Kaori made a suggestion to Myuu and Tio.
"I think there's no more patient that needs treatment from me now. They only need to rest after this, so it won't be a problem to leave it to the medical center's staff members. That's why... let's go to look for Hajime-kun's group."
"Papa? We are going to meet papa?"
"Hmm, thou art right. This one hath also thought it was about the time to make a move."
Myuu gladly leaned her body to Kaori's words while Tio was agreeing with eager expression.
"But, I think we can't take Myuu along to «Guryuu-en Great Volcano», after all."
"Thou art correct. If not, there will be no meaning for Master to entrust Myuu to this place. Besides, the eruption from before made it hard to search for them safely."
"Yeah. I think so, too. That's why I thought of going to Elisen first to return Myuu-chan to her mama."
"Fumu, it is indeed a good idea... Yup. Then, it will be better for thee to ride on this one's back. If it is only until Elisen, this one doesth not even need a day. We will arrive at the evening if we move out in the morning."
The advancing conversation made a large amount of flowers of "?" bloomed above Myuu's head. After Kaori explained to Myuu in an easily understandable manner, Myuu made a sad expression because they were not going to meet Hajime. However, she also wanted to meet her mother. After the two told her they were going to wait for Hajime papa with her, Myuu somehow consented although in reluctance. How Myuu was balancing her real mother with her papa made Kaori and Tio could not help but making wry smiles.
The next day, while watched by the Lord who seemed to want to restrain them, and Viz with his feverish gaze, Kaori and Myuu got on dragonformed Tio's back and flew to the west. From behind, the voice of gratitude and Kaori's name were grandly resounding from the people.
Thinking about her dear person who was once again missing, Kaori vowed to find him again for sure, and she looked straight ahead.
Afterwards, they never thought they would too easily be reunited with him...