Then, what should I do?"
"Ehm. From tomorrow on, Ghyslaine-san will become Ariel-sama’s escort. Today’s meeting is intended to make introductions, once the preparations for the journey are complete, please come to my place again."
"Got it…… and Ghyslaine is fine."
Ghyslaine said so in a short amount of time and retreated to the back with one step.
"……"
Once again, Ariel took a look at the three figures in front of her.
Mad Sword King Eris, Black Wolf Ghyslaine.
The one who summoned those two was the most powerful magician among Ariel’s acquaintances, Quagmire Rudeus.
Powerful they may be, but these three people have not sworn fealty to her.
And, the one standing behind Rudeus was Dragon God Orsted.
While Rudeus himself denied this, it seems it was on the instructions of Orsted for him to contact her.
To be honest, it is not known exactly what Orsted is plotting.
Ariel has only once seen Orsted.
With just one glance, inexplicable fear was experienced.
Based on the conversation with Nanahoshi, without knowing the reason for cooperation, a sense of anxiety exists.[4]
Even so, Ariel remembered feeling a mysterious sense of security.
Is it because a great amount of forces were assembled before her eyes?
Despite knowing that an unmanageable force could very well ruin herself?
Wrong.
"Then, everyone, I leave it up to you."
Ariel stood up and expressed her thanks to the three people.
Replying in kind, Rudeus.
Seeing Rudeus, hurriedly returning the expression of gratitude, then Eris.
Lastly lowering her head and returning with a bow, Ghyslaine.
"……"
With the expressions of gratitude ending, Ariel glanced at Sylphy.
The reason she didn’t feel uneasiness was because they had a connection with her.
It is unknown what Orsted was plotting.
However, Rudeus followed Orsted to protect his family.
Hence, Rudeus will not hurt Sylphiette.
And, Sylphiette will not hurt Ariel.
This fact gives Ariel a sense of security.
(Special thanks to you, Sylphy.)
In her heart, Ariel lowered her head to the peerless best friend standing besides her.
Part 2
On the night of that day.
In one of the countless taverns existing in the magic city Sharia.
In the bar overflowing with great noise, there is a particularly quiet corner.
In that corner, a tall woman sat near the counter’s corner, drinking from her cup quietly.
A dark brown, muscular beast-race woman.
Although she was a middle-aged woman, from a bystander’s point of view she was a beauty.
Having said so, there were none who approached her.
Rising from her was a dangerous atmosphere.
As the Mad Sword King was an existence that called forth fear, this was what kept her from being popular.
Furthermore, although she was the teacher of the Mad Sword King, she was not the person known as Mad Sword King.
In that tavern, a new customer arrived.
Arriving by tingling the door’s bell was a woman from the long ear tribe with magnificent hair.
A beautiful face, possessing a stimulating body with the exception of her chest.
However, from her slender appearance, her stomach had gotten unimaginably big.
She is a pregnant woman.
Seeing such a woman, some people in the tavern let out a delighted voice.
[Hey, hasn't it been a long time.]
[Is it already fine to not men hunt?]
[Oh yeah, heard you've gotten married.]
[C’mere and have a drink!]
As she was treated with such happy voices, she walked inside the tavern.
Towards the tavern’s corner.
To the counter’s inner part.
She sat down next to the seat everyone did not dare to approach.
The surroundings held their breath.
"He~ey Ghyslaine. I've kept you waiting."
She – Elinalise, called out to the beast-race woman sitting at the end of the counter in a cheerful voice.
"You’re late."
Ghyslaine indifferently stated the situation.
"It couldn’t be helped. I'm pregnant… ah, for me beer and snacks to go with it."
Elinalize requested so from the storekeeper.
Hearing that a pregnant woman is drinking, the surrounding men frowned.
Ghyslaine was also one who thought so.
"Is it fine to drink?"
"To celebrate our happy reunion and to talk about the sad topic. A drink is required for either of them."
Having said so, Ghyslaine could not decline.
"Don’t worry, I won’t drink so much as to affect the child inside. We finally did it, it’s my beloved husband’s child."
Elinalize stroked her stomach with a charming expression.
Seeing this, Ghyslaine made a surprised face.
"I heard that you became a couple, but to think for you to concentrate on one person.”
"It’s also a little bit surprising to me. But Cliff is quite splendid. I’d like to ask for a little more flexibility, he doesn’t listen to conversations, but he knows what he wants, he feels a strong sense of responsibility towards himself.[5] When we’re doing ecchi stuff he tries his best, he moves and tries hard to make not only himself but also me feel good. That is very sweet….Ghyslaine should also try to find someone somewhere soon!"
"I’m fine."
When faced against that fond speech, Ghyslaine replied quickly.
She has already given up living as a woman.
She thought to walk the way of life of a swordswoman.
"Well……I won’t pressure you into it."
At that moment, Elinalize’s beer came.
In this area beer was slightly more expensive, but the alcohol content was low.
For Elinalize, it was more like juice.
"Now then, to the reunion of dear friends, cheers."
"Cheers."
Ghyslaine clinked the cup in her hand with Elinalize’s cup.
A satisfying sound echoes.
Ghyslaine and Elinalize.
Thus original members of the Black Wolf’s Fang managed to reunite.
"It would have been great if only Gisu and Talhand were also at this place……"
"……As well as Paul and Zenith."
When that was said, the enjoyable alcohol became immediately sorrowful.
However, Elinalize originally came to hold such a conversation.
It would have been easier to become a little more intoxicated before starting that conversation, but it was nothing to worry about.
"About Paul……it’s unfortunate. Originally, it should have been me to fall first……"
"That guy lived life in a hurry. I did think it would lead to an early death."
"Ah, come to think of it, such a thing was said in the past."
"It was you who said it."
"Did I?"
"Ah……in fact, I did not find it too strange that he died."
"Paul was splendid to the end… want to listen?"
"Please tell me."
When asked, Elinalize started to talk about Paul’s final moments.
About how he was separated from his family, and how he was desperately searching for them.
About how despite being such a womanizer, he abstained from women and was wholeheartedly faithful to Zenith.
About his reunion with Rudeus, as well as the conversation with him.
About the happy face Paul made when talking.
And finally how he died protecting Rudeus, Paul’s final moment.
"I see, that guy has also changed. I recall the time when he and you were fooling around together."
"Oh my, the number one fool must have surely been Ghyslaine? I remember the time when you were shaking your tail when looking at Paul."
"That was a delusion. That was during the oestrous cycle. And, I’m not from Adorudia. Even when happy, the tail doesn't shake."
"It’s a metaphor, a metaphor."
"Hmpf."
"But, the Ghyslaine at that time sure was cute. Whenever something happened, you were worried about Paul."
"It’s in the past. Forget it."
As Elinalize was laughing, she tossed the seasoned snack into her mouth.
Making chewing sounds when chewing the hard meat.
Seeing this, Ghyslaine did the same thing.
"Ah, then one more, let’s split it between us two."
Elinalize pushed her own plate towards Ghyslaine.
Two people poking the same thing.
For a while, those two were controlled by the sound of chewing.
"For me, Zenith was more shocking than Paul."
When the dish was finished, Ghyslaine muttered this.