When Lars and the other night trainers were sleeping, Basleigh, Ash and Sephiro, who were awake during the day, were spending their time babysitting Dasha at the village chief’s house.

“So, when I sold my accessories when I’m in need of money, I got twice as many customers.”

“Ahahahaha!”

“Kuoon♪!”

“♪”

She told her own random story to Dasha and the others, who didn’t really know what she was talking about, and they applauded. She didn’t want her to get too attached to him, so Ash is sitting quietly on Basleigh’s lap.

“Goru.”

“Oh, Rock Turtle, you’re awake too. Let’s get you some water.”

“Goruru.”

The Rock Turtle they picked up on the road was quiet thanks to Lars’ taming ability. It’s not only because he’s a child like Ash, but also that he instinctively knows the difference in their abilities because he’s a monster.

“Basleigh-oneechan, talk about something else–“

“Yes, yes, yes. Then I’ll tell you a story about me being hanged when I was a teacher.”

“Come on, welcome! It’s nice to see a merchant who shows up once in a while! It’s free to look!”

Just as Basleigh began to speak, a lively voice came from outside.

“Oh, there’s a lot of noise outside. Shall we go for a walk?”

“Yes!”

“Kuoon!”

“!”

Basleigh took Dasha, Ash, Sephiro and Schneider with her and headed in the direction of the voice. As they came near the entrance to the village, they spotted a person using magic on a cart full of goods.

“Hoh, so it’s a peddler. It’s rare to see such a person in Reflexion, since the town is so well organized.”

“Yes, yes, that sister there. We’ve got some good ones here, why don’t you take a look?”

“Hmm …… Unfortunately, I have some on hand, so let’s have a look.”

“You do!?”

When Basleigh said this, the person on the back of the carriage and the two men who were probably his companions cringed. As Basleigh went to look at the goods on the back of the carriage, a hooded figure got out of the carriage and joined Basleigh to serve her.

“Mm, you’re not from here, are you? What a beautiful white woman, I envy you.”

“Some things happened, so I’ve been traveling with my friends. Hmm, isn’t it hard to wear a hood in this fucking heat? Wouldn’t it be better to take it off ……?”

“No, no, don’t mind me.”

“No, no, I’m sure you are a beautiful woman with that voice, right? I’d like to see it.”

“No, no.”

“No, no, no.”

Basleigh tried to take the hood without permission, but was stopped by the peddler, who tried to take it away with her other hand, but was also stopped.

“Basleigh-oneechan, if I buy this, can I help my mom?”

“I’m …… sure, you can!”

“You’re, such a, sweet girl!!”

Basleigh, breathing hard, wanted to take the hood, while the peddler didn’t want to be taken. The battle, which seemed to last for a long time, soon came to an end.

“Ah! A Poison Lizard is at your feet!”

“What did you say!?”

“I got you!”

“Oh, no!”

The peddler was caught in Basleigh’s trap, and his true face was exposed. Satisfied, Basleigh flattened her nose and opened her mouth.

“Fufun, as I thought, you’ve got a lovely face.”

“D-Damn it …… I didn’t want you to see this face!”

The woman with the short green bob who came out from under the hood glared at Basleigh while gritting her teeth.

“I’ve seen your face, and I’m satisfied. Now, and …… Schneider! Take Dasha and Ash and go back to Lars-kun’s place! If possible, wake up Lars-kun and come here!””

“……! Aooooooooooooon!”

“Hyaaaaaaaaa!”

“Ah!? Wait!”

“I won’t let you?”

The peddler reached for Dasha, but she threw a stone from under her sleeve to repel her. The people who had gathered there were buzzing, wondering what was going on.

“…… Since when did you notice?”

“From the beginning, I guess. There aren’t many people who like to come to the Gariada Valley, and I’ve heard that a certain person is being targeted. You don’t have enough people to make the trip, and more importantly ……”

“More importantly ……?”

“That hood of yours is standing out too much!”

“What!?”

The woman peddler was bewildered.

“As I said before, it’s insane to wear a hood in this hot weather.”

“You’re wearing that heavy-looking robe too, aren’t you!?”

“Oops, I forgot since it’s always so comfortable thanks to Lars-kun.”

(That sister is sweating like hell ……)

(You usually notice it when you leave the house ……)

“…… It’s getting hotter now that I noticed. Now, we know that you guys are not just a normal peddler. If you mean assassins, then I’m sure we’ll respond appropriately. How about it, pretty lady?”

“…… I’m not pretty ……! You won’t understand it since you’re pretty!”

“I’m not a pretty girl either, though? You’re still young, aren’t you? You’re much prettier than I am.”

“You’re prettier than I am.”

“You’re prettier.”

“No, no.”

“No, no, no.”

(What the hell are they doing …… they’re fighting, but complimenting each other ……)

(I-I don’t get it what’s going on ……)

Just when things were getting out of hand, the peddler guy pulled out a sword he had hidden in the back of his carriage and shouted.

“Oi! If we’re going to do this, we should do it now that they’re gathered! This is no time for incomprehensible exchanges!”

“Oops, you’re right …… I was almost swept away. Damn, let’s ruin that beautiful face! A quick sprinkle, and it’s up and running!”

The woman sowed some kind of seed from a bag she took out of her pocket and poured water over it with Water magic. Then–

“These guys are!?”

“Shaaaaaa!!”

What appeared was a moving evil tree …… called Qliphoth. She knows what it is, but she didn’t expect it to appear on dry land, and Basleigh was astonished.

“We’ll take her as a hostage and get out of here! Let’s go!”

“I thought the three of us could handle it, but there’s so many of them ……! Oh!”

But then one of the Qliphoth was pierced through the body and fell to the ground. And the one who slashed at the next opponent was–

“!!”

It was the Treant Sephiro.

Normally, he would only wield a branch or entangle them to block their movements, but after being reduced to a species by manipulating and misidentifying them, Sephiro was blooming with anger.

“Nice one, Sephiro-chan! …… Eh, turning a branch into a sword ……!?”

“!”

Perhaps a reaction to his usual mild-mannered personality, Sephiro revealed his anger. And as the sun shines, the skill [Solar Striker] that has been lurking in the shadows has finally activated!

I thought it was a gag episode, but ……

Thank you for reading!

[Afterword Theater]

Damn it ……! I’m so tired!

“The God (Author) is upset!?”

You’re a goddess too, aren’t you!!