“It’s a journal.”

What Sylvie held in her hand was a journal that had come out of a desk drawer.

“Could it be something written by that mercenary from earlier?”

She began to read it without hesitation. Kuuza started reading by peeking over her shoulder—

A little later, Sylvie’s eyes were glued to the journal.

“…This is…”

“Did a familiar name appear?”

Kuuza asked. Sylvie didn’t answer at first… but eventually agreed with an “Ah,” and then turned her head to me.

“Ruon, can I ask you something?”

“Yeah, go ahead.”

“First, just to confirm, you knew how this battle would unfold due to your Pre-Reincarnation Knowledge. Is that right?”

“Yes. Although, in reality, things turned out completely differently.”

“Was reading this journal also part of the Flow of the Story?”

…I considered how to answer for a moment, and then I—

Yes, it was in there.

In the Story, what was the significance of this battle?

It was a job that only had value when Sylvie was a companion.

Was she also one of the characters in the Story?

Kuuza asked in surprise. I shrugged my shoulders in response,

To add to that, Kuuza, you’re one of them too.

Huh, really?

Just so you know, I did approach you because you were someone I knew, but that wasn’t the sole reason I brought you into the party.

In the Story, how were we treated?

Sylvie asked. I looked down once, choosing my words,

Well… the Story itself had different companions depending on who the Protagonist traveled with. But, we weren’t treated badly.

So, we won’t end up like Ruon?

Right. There was no ending prepared where I would die.

After speaking with a wry smile… I asked her a question.

Aren’t you angry?

Angry? Why?

I knew about Sylvie and Kuuza… If I say that much, you understand what I’m trying to say, right?

You mean to say that you knew about my goal but didn’t tell me?

Yes.

There wasn’t a good time to talk, so it couldn’t be helped. Besides, it wasn’t something you’d actively bring up, was it?

After Sylvie replied, she looked down at the Journal and asked another question.

Ruon, will I… be able to achieve my goal?

By obtaining this Journal here, I think you’ve taken the first step towards achieving your goal. However, I don’t know if things will proceed as I know them. Even this incident was full of unexpected events. I can’t say for sure how things will unfold.

I see.

Closing the Journal, she turned back to me.

I’ll take this Journal.

I was watching from the side, and it seems the Mercenary from earlier was allied with the person who was in this Hunter’s Cabin.

Kuuza said, looking around inside the cabin.

So Sylvie knows that person… well, whatever. You can tell me the details eventually.

It depends on the situation, but I’ll do my best.

After Sylvie responded, she met my gaze.

Shall we go back?

Yes, everything we needed to do here is finished.

After stating that, I told my companions,

Let’s go back… We need to tell the people in the Town that we defeated the bandits, or rather, the Demonized Mercenaries.

After reporting to the Mayor that all the Monsters had been defeated, the next day, we left the Town.

Are you still fatigued from the battle?

Quite a bit of magic power was drained. My body feels a bit heavy, but it should recover in about half a day.

Sylvie answered my question and then looked up at the sky.

But Ruon, if my and Kuuza’s stories are written, does that mean we were also involved in the War with the Demon Lord?

It was more like there were such cases.

Is there a reason for the characters that appear in the Story?

I don’t know about that… The only thing I can say is that it was a story centered around Humans, as there was almost no mention of beings like the Spirit God.

I do wonder why the game world has become reality, but… well, I guess I can figure that out after the War with the Demon Lord is over.

So, the plan from now on is to go for the Salamander’s contract, right?

Kuuza asked. I nodded immediately and said,

Yes, for now, the Descendants of the Sages haven’t made any notable moves… Let’s get what we can done while we have the chance.

Alright. Leave the guiding to me.

Kuuza led the way. We followed.

Along the way, the conversation was mostly about the Salamander and Feus.

Ruon, are there any potential problems when we make the contract? For example, are the Demon Race targeting the Salamander’s Lair?

Sylvie’s question came out of nowhere. But I shook my head.

It’s fine. It seems there was some trouble, but it’s been resolved.

According to prior information from my Familiar, the event concerning the Salamander has been resolved, so there won’t be much of a problem visiting its abode… Well, even if there was an event, it would be an easy win for Sofia and the others with their current abilities.

The location is a Cave at the foot of Liteo Volcano, one of several Volcanoes on the Continent. Due to the Volcano’s influence, it’s quite hot inside, and in some places, lava can be seen.

As for the Salamander… judging by its name, it should be a lizard-like creature with fire powers, but in this game, it takes on a Human form. It looks like a male, and its personality is… well, how should I put it?

It varies by individual, but the literature described them as fundamentally very serious.

Kuuza said. He hasn’t contracted with Spirits, but he seems to understand their ecology.

I think that image is generally correct. Well, I’m sure Sofia can easily make a contract… By the way, will the Salamander also contract with a being that oversees Spirits, like Lady Lefin or Lady Amaria?

Do they even have a being that oversees them like other Spirits?

Sofia’s question. Now that she mentions it, I often see members of the same species in other Spirits’ abodes in the game, but I don’t remember seeing many Salamanders.

You don’t need to worry about that.

Lefin’s voice. She appeared and explained.

Salamanders are usually asleep when they are in their abodes. If Humans come, the appropriate Spirits will appear.

Are there beings like Kings?

No, they fundamentally act individually… However, I do know Spirits who have the power to follow Lady Sofia. It is likely that those Spirits will join you.

Lefin, you’ll explain the situation, right?

When I asked for confirmation, Lefin immediately nodded.

Yes. With this, we will be able to contract with the Four Great Spirits… By the way, what effects did it have in the Story?

It was just a slight improvement in physical abilities and an increase in Magic power. There wasn’t any particularly big event regarding the contract itself. In other words, it depends on how the contractor themselves uses it.

Let’s do that thoroughly at the Academia.

Kuuza said. I nodded slightly and moved forward.

The path ahead is a bit of a climb, but there don’t seem to be any major obstacles, so we should be able to reach it without any problems… As I thought about this, I considered Feus.

Feus, the being who controls fire and Wind, was a Spirit God with the easily understandable image of a Phoenix in his previous life. If he is true to his previous life’s image, he should revive even if defeated… Well, personally, I prefer that. If we have to fight, I can go all out.

However, not being able to defeat him can also be seen as making it difficult to settle the matter… This might be a matter of playing it by ear.

Thinking various things, we continued… The journey was smooth. I felt like it might be the calm before the storm.