I would have never thought that Zen

I would have never thought that Zenith would become like that."

"That’s true. But Rudeus seems to be searching for something like a cure, she also seems to recover little by little."

"……"

"Surely one day the Zenith we know will come back."

"Is that so?"

"Well, that will probably take many years."


Ghyslaine lightly laughed and stirred her cup.


"At that time, I hope we can once again drink together."

"That’s true. At that time, let’s call Gisu and Talhand, it will surely be a noisy time."

"What happened to them?"

"Ah, after the party with Talhand was disbanded –– "


Afterwards, the two talked about various things.

About what happened after the party was disbanded.

About what happened after the mana calamity.

About what happened after Rudeus was met.

And not only about that. What happened during their time as adventurers.

What happened when they entered the dungeon.

What happened when Gisu gambled, lost their money and every member of the party was extorting him.

What happened when Paul took advantage of Ghyslaine’s mating season.

What happened when Elinalize took advantage of that situation and for a short time the three of them were leading a sordid lifestyle.

In general it was an embarrassing enough memory to get a red face.

However, everything felt nostalgic and the memories caused their hearts deep down to tremble.

In a tipsy state, Elinalize spoke while narrowing her eyes.

Ghyslaine also became dead drunk a while ago, resting her face in her hands with vacant eyes.


"Oh my, it’s unusual for you to drink until dead drunk, are you going back to your room?"

"It’s all right. The wolf won’t attack me anymore, because it is no longer here."[6]


Ghyslaine said so while looking back over her shoulder.

The rowdy adventurers who received Ghyslaine’s gaze averted their eyes.


"This way, I should have accepted Philip-sama’s invitation."

"Philip? Ah, the one from Fedoa region."

"Ah, once I was asked whether I wanted to become his concubine or not."

"That is quite a shame. If you had accepted, you would have married into money."


In front of Elinalize’s teasing voice, Ghyslaine made a lonely smile.


"I would have been unable to face Eris Ojou-sama."

"For you to say that to face another, I’m surprised such words came out from you…… oh my!"


Saying so while looking at Ghyslaine, Elinalize tilted her head.

Ghyslaine’s eyes were still.

They were eyes full of blood thirst.


"Philip-sama is also already dead. He did not survive the mana calamity. The corpse was buried, the one who killed him was also killed."

"……Oh my, is that so. That’s quite unfortunate."

"Eris Ojou-sama married into Rudeus’s family……"


Ghyslaine stared intensely at the ceiling.


"And next is Sauros-sama’s enemy."


With Ghyslaine exhibiting blood thirst, some of the tavern’s guests felt danger.

However, Elinalize was not the slightest bit disturbed.

She knew that the woman before her had a personality that would suddenly release blood thirst and suddenly cut somebody down.

But she also knew that she would not be cut down.


"To do so, I have become the princess’s escort for this reason."

"Ahh."


Elinalize let out a sigh and stared at the same ceiling.


"Ghyslaine has also changed. In the past, you weren't such a knight-like woman with such great loyalty."


With these words Ghyslaine quickly stopped moving and looked into her cup.

Amber-colored alcohol.

Reflected in there was her own face.

She immediately came to a conclusion.


"……After all, I am also part of the Dorudia tribe."


Ghyslaine said so and stood up.

She left her seat, walking in a manner that one would not think her being dead drunk.


"Where are you going?"

"Returning."

"My oh my, as always it’s very abrupt."


Elinalize shrugged her shoulders and stood up.

She took out silver coins from her pocket and tossed them towards the counter.[7]


"Ghyslaine!"


Elinalize, who finished counting, raised her voice towards Ghyslaine, who was about to disappear into the night street.

Ghyslaine’s ears moved and she turned around.


"Please protect Rudeus and Sylphy in the Asura Kingdom for me! They are both my cute grandchildren!"

"……Leave it to me."


Ghyslaine gave a reply, her tail stood straight up.[8]

Elinalize went in the opposite direction, her feet turned to the direction towards the home where Cliff was waiting.

She believed that since it was her close friend, it goes without saying that she would naturally protect the people around her.