The beast tamer exiled from the hero’s party and the cat eared girl from the strongest race meet
After returning home, I told everyone what had happened.
At first, everyone was happy that I had been reunited with Chiffon.
But once they learned why she had come, their expressions immediately turned grim.
"I see... so we're going after the former Hero's party?"
"Hmm, hmm. That actually sounds like a pretty fun event."
"Luna. Given the circumstances, you really shouldn't call it fun."
Sora and Luna sounded like their usual selves, but compared to normal, their energy was noticeably lower.
They might be joking around, but they clearly understood just how serious the situation was.
"Rain, you're going to help Chiffon, aren't you?"
"Yeah. That's what I intend to do."
Arios and the others were connected to the demons.
I didn't know what they were planning, but after what had happened with Leane, there was no way I could just ignore them.
There was no guarantee Mina or Aggas wouldn't become demons and go on a rampage just like Leane...
Or even Arios himself.
Even if he had been stripped of his title, he was still the Hero.
If someone like him became our enemy...
Just imagining how troublesome that would be—
How much destruction he could cause—
I didn't even want to think about it.
"If we leave them alone, something terrible is bound to happen... Besides, this is my problem too."
"Nya? Doesn't this have nothing to do with you, Rain?"
"Yeah. Just because you used to be in the same party doesn't mean you've done anything wrong, Rain."
"I know... but that's not really it."
Even I couldn't quite put it into words.
Somehow, I felt that everything had started with the day Arios and the others cast me out.
I couldn't just leave that unresolved and go on living peacefully.
Without turning away from the past...
Without running from it...
I had to face it properly.
The time to do that had finally come.
"There's a deep bond of fate between Arios and me. That's why I have to go too."
"Man, you've really got a troublesome personality."
"Seriously. You could just say, 'Not my problem,' and ignore it."
"Rain's too kind."
"But... that's... one of... your best qualities."
No one tried to talk me out of it.
If anything, they supported my decision.
They promised we'd face it together.
That made me happy.
"..."
Amid all this, Iris wore a troubled expression.
"Are you against it, Iris?"
"Ah... no, not at all. If you have decided this, Lord Rain, then as your familiar, I shall naturally follow your decision. It's just..."
"Just?"
"There's something that doesn't sit right with me."
Iris began to explain.
Before reuniting with me, she had apparently been with Reece and Monica.
While she was there, she overheard them talking about turning Arios and the others into allies of the demons.
However, that wasn't their only objective.
"They also said they intended to make them into sacrifices."
"Sacrifices?"
"I don't know what they meant. It may have been a metaphor, or perhaps they meant it literally. Either way, it seems Arios and the others occupy a rather important position in their plans."
Those were unsettling words.
I didn't know what they meant or what their purpose was, but it was definitely something we should be wary of.
"So... we've decided to help Chiffon."
"Thank you, everyone... Yes. Thank you so much!"
Chiffon stood up and gave us a deep bow.
She really didn't have to go that far.
But she did it naturally.
It made me feel that this simple sincerity was just part of who she was.
"Now then, I'd like to discuss what we should do next..."
"Nyaa? Where are Chocolat and Millefeuille?"
There wasn't much point in discussing our plans without those two.
We needed everyone present before deciding on our strategy.
"Chocolat and Millefeuille are supposed to meet us at the inn a little later."
"I see... In that case, why don't you all just come stay at our place?"
"Huh? At your house, Rain?"
"We've still got spare rooms, and it'll be a lot easier if we're all staying in the same place."
"But... are you sure? Wouldn't we just be imposing?"
Chiffon's gaze briefly shifted toward Kanade and the others.
I couldn't quite tell what emotion was hidden in that look.
For some reason, though, Kanade and the girls all blushed slightly, wearing rather awkward expressions.
"I-It's fine! We're... we're not at that stage of our relationship yet!"
"R-Right. You don't need to worry about that."
"I see... That's good to hear... Although saying that somehow makes me feel a little guilty. Well then, we'll gladly accept your hospitality."
Even though the conversation had taken a turn I didn't really understand...
Chiffon and the others ended up staying at our house for the time being.
Tina and a few others went to prepare their rooms...
Several more headed out to buy extra food and daily necessities for our new guests...
Meanwhile, the rest of us—including me—set out to pick up Chocolat and Millefeuille.
"Well, if it isn't Rain! How about stopping by my place?"
"Forget that—take a look at these vegetables! Don't they look delicious?"
"Honestly, you rough men should keep quiet. Rain should come eat at my place and get a proper meal."
"Hahaha."
People all over town called out to me one after another.
Lately, it had become an everyday occurrence.
"..."
Chiffon stared in surprise, her eyes wide.
Then a gentle smile spread across her face.
"The people of this town really like you, don't they, Rain?"
"I'm grateful for that."
"I'm a little jealous. Even though I'm the Hero, I can't stay in one town for very long... So I've hardly ever had the chance to grow this close to the people in any one place."
"Woof!"
Seeing Chiffon's lonely expression, Sakura, who was walking beside her, barked as if she had something to say.
"Ha-ha-ha... Whine..."
"Um... Rain. What did she say?"
"I can't be completely sure either, but... I think she's saying, 'You've got us.'"
"I see... Hehe, thank you, Sakura."
"Woof."
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