Kaori ran back towards Viz, the Soldiers, and Randzi who had come, too. Explaining the circumstance, she took Tio to a place where they could talk in peace.
* * *
"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.