A brown world.

Guryuu-en Great Desert was a place those words expressed, perfectly. The sand was brown, formed by millions of miniscule grains. The wind that was blowing constantly threw up the sand and dyed the air brown, and in a 360 degree radius, there was only one color as far as ones eye could reach.

Moreover, there were numerous sand dunes, big and small, whose surfaces were always stirred by the wind. Moment by moment, the surfaces pattern of the dune was constantly changing, as if expressing I am alive. The blazing sun and its unreserved heat made the temperature of the sand on the ground shoot up quickly. It easily exceeded 40 degrees celsius. Coupled with the fluttering sand, it was the worst environment to travel in.

However, it was only for ordinary travelers.

Currently, inside such a severe environment, a black, box-shaped vehicle, a magic-driven four-wheeler in fact, was advancing casually while raising a dust storm. Though there was neither road or pathway, it was solved by the compass installed inside the vehicle.

The outside is amazing I am really glad that this is not a normal carriage.

This one agrees. This one doth not know how it became such an environment but indeed it isnt a place this one wants to be actively moving in.

Sitting on the rear seat while watching the sand battering the window and observing the brown-colored world, Shia and Tio muttered so, wholeheartedly. No matter how much of an M Tio was, this environment only depressed her.

Its completely different from when Myuu came here before! Heres very cool, and Myuus eyes arent hurting! Papa is amazing!

Thats right~. Hajime-papa is amazing, right~. Myuu-chan, do you want to drink cold water?

Want to~. Kaori-oneechan, thank you~.

Sitting on the lap of Kaori, who was seated on the window side of the front seat, Myuu was excited because it was different from the time that she was here when she was kidnapped before. Myuu was looking at Hajime, who created such a comfortable space, with sparkling eyes.

That was natural. It would have been terribly severe for Myuu, who was a member of sea-dweller tribe, to cross the desert. For a young child around four years old like her, it would not be strange for her to have died due in her weakened state. Having endured such an environment made Myuus surprise further increase at the gap between that time and now. After all, this four-wheeler was equipped with air conditioning.

Following that, the one who agreed with Myuu, took out cold water which normally didnt exist in the desert even if one hoped with all their might, was the one who made an impactful confession to Hajime and declaration of war to Yue in Hol-ad, and, before he knew it, she had become one of his companions. She was Kaori. Incidentally, the water was taken out of the refrigerator installed in the car.

You know, Shirasa- Kaori. Please stop saying Hajime-papa. It is somehow made me felt terribly itchy over here.

? But, isnt Myuu said that as if it was the norm?

Well, I dont mind Myuu. However, for a classmate to call me papa is really

Due to her personality which liked to look after others, Kaori somehow became the one who took care of Myuu and she mostly called Hajime as Hajime-papa when she was by Myuus side. And for a classmate, and a girl at that, to call him papa, Hajime felt a different sense of resistance from when Myuu called him that, and he wore a truly subtle expression.

Incidentally, for Hajime to call her as Kaori was a result of her petition. Her reason was, Hajime-kun calls everyone by their own given name, so it is unfair for me to be called by my family name!, something like that.

Is that so? Then I wont but, someday when I also have a child at that time

Kaori said so with her cheeks dyed crimson, while sneaking a peek at Hajime. Thus a strange atmosphere wrapped everyone inside the vehicle, except for Myuu. Then Yue answered Kaori in place of Hajime who pretended not to hear anything.

Unfortunately, I have made that appointment already. Hajime promised it to me.

!? Hajime-kun, what does she mean?

I dont think it is something that strange. After all, it is something still in the far future.

fufu, Hajime already promised to introduce me to his parents.

!?

Hes thoroughly made a bright family plan.

!?

Even the dates in Hajimes hometown.

!?

Yues vigorous attacks couldnt be stopped! Those words, one by one, became stakes, driven into Kaoris chest. However, Kaori wasnt a woman that would be done so easily. She believed in Hajimes survival even in such a despairing situation and she held the courage to challenge Yue, who obviously owned a special bond with Hajime. In the moment Yues words were stopped, she began her counterattack!

I, I know a lot of things about Hajime-kun that Yue doesnt know! For example, Hajimes dream for the future, his hobbies, even his favorite genre! Does Yue know the anime and manga that Hajime-kun likes?

Hmph thats but, those arent related to the current us. There are no such things here. Hajime can just teach me once we arrive in Japan

How naive. Just look at the current Hajime-kun. Doesnt he looked like an anime character?

Geh!?

It shouldve been a fight between Kaori and Yue but somehow Hajime received the damage.

White-haired with an eyepatch, moreover his magic eyes those are certainly the things Hajime-kuns favorite characters have even his weapon, that Cross Bit is modeled from funnel ah, but the one Hajime-kun likes is 00, so is it GN Bit? Whatever it is, the current Hajime-kun is still quite the otaku.

GAH!? K-Kaori

Mu, muu for Hajimes weapon to be derived from that.

Yue, can you say it is your victory if you dont know the things the one you love likes?

Kaori thats some courage then, let me teach you myself. About the things that Hajime likes onthe bed.

!? W-, w-, w-, on bed, uu~, as I thought

Fufufu it is good that you now know the difference between us.

During their travel, Yue and Kaori had already made so many sparks against each other that the other party members already came to ignore them. In the beginning, Shia watched them anxiously, but in the end, it didnt become a serious problem, so she stopped getting herself involved with them.

In a way, it was Hajime who received most of the damage. Hajime was the source of the twos quarrel, so the content of their fights made him want to writhe. Even now, he received mental damage because the things he worried about the most were being pointed at.

Now Yue boldly told them about the night activities which made Kaori close her ears, not wanting to hear it. Hajime himself didnt want Myuu to be exposed to that, so he tried to stop Yue.

However, faster than Hajime, Myuu unexpectedly came to stop the twos quarrel.

u~, Yue-oneechan and Kaori-oneechan always quarrelling! Myuu hates it if big sisters dont get along!

Saying so, Myuu moved from Kaoris laps towards Shias lap in the back seat. Moreover, Yue and Kaori became flustered. It was because the four year-old girl said she would hate them.

Geez, you two are unbecoming in front of Myuu-chan. Rather, that was bad for her education. I also understand how much you two think of Hajime-san, but please be more prudent.

! What a failure. To be scolded by Shia

I-I am sorry, Myuu-chan, Shia.

To be admonished by Shia made the two droop their shoulders.

For Yue, Shia was akin to a friend and younger sister, and although Shia also held affection towards Hajime, Shia also thought similarly towards Yue which made Yue didnt think of her as a love rival. As for Tio, she was just a pervert. Thats why, Kaori, who made a full-frontal declaration of war towards Yue, was the first love rival she ever had.

Yue was convinced that there was an absolute bond between her and Hajime. She held an unwavering confidence that she was Hajimes special person. Thats why she was confident that she would be able to easily defeat the challenger, Kaori, when the confession and declaration of war happened.

However, although her confidence didnt change, Kaori sometimes made the flowers bloom between her and Hajime when they were reminiscencing about Japan, which was unknown to Yue and the others. Towards Kaori, who knew the past Hajime that she didnt know of, Yues sense of rivalry budded before long.

As a result, just like children boasting about their collections, their quarrel turned from a serious one into such a situation and today, Myuu and Shia finally got angry at them.

Normally, Hajime was the one who should be stopping Yue, but he was the one who received most of the damage from the two quarrels. And now, he could only look far into the distance, as if it didnt have anything to do with him, to heal his wounded heart.

Nn? What is that? Master, there seems to be a commotion in the direction at three oclock.

Yue and Kaori were desperately appealing that they were getting along to mend Myuus mood and Shia was also calming Myuu with a wry smile. Hajime muttered, I am not a chuuni with hollow eyes. While those happened, unexpectedly, Tio who watched them in interest called out to Hajime. She seemed to have discovered something outside the window.

Hajime looked towards the place Tio mentioned, a big dune at his right. There, numerous worm-like demonic beasts, sandworms to be precise, had gathered. Their numerous heads could be seen at the top of the dune.

Those sandworms were 20 meters on average, large-scale demonic beasts while the largest ones were around 100 meters in length. They lived in this Guryuu-en Great Desert and would usually submerge themselves underground and attack prey in their vicinity by opening their big, fangs filled mouths from below. They specialized in surprise attacks due to being hard to detect and were feared by people who crossed the large desert as the gods of death.

Fortunately, the sandworms themselves werent very perceptive, so as long as one wasnt so unfortunate as to come near them by accident, they would neither notice nor aim at anyone who was far away. As such, it could be said that there was someone who was not that fortunate at that dune, but

? Why are they just squirming around?

Thats right, Tio would have not made a doubtful face and asked Hajime if there were just sandworms appearing. With Hajimes perception skills, he would have noticed any of the sandworms surprise attacks, and theyd be able to get out of the sandworms range with four-wheelers speed. What was abnormal was that if the sandworms were attacking someone, rather than attacking, the sandworms were squirming around in their surroundings.

Its as if, they art confused as to eat or not, right?

Well, from what I see, isnt that so?

This one hath no knowledge of this place. But those art all-eaters, they shouldnt be hesitating to eat anything

Although Tio was a masochist pervert, she had lived far longer than Yue and unlike the imprisoned Yue, her knowledge was pretty vast. That was why she owned reliable information about demonic beasts. For her to be looking doubtful must mean that something extraordinary is happening.

However, they didnt have any reason to be involved with it. Hajime decided to get as far away as possible without confirming or getting involved in it.

And at that time,

Kh!? Everyone, brace yourselves!

Hajime shouted so and immediately accelerated the four-wheeler. Morrow, from behind the four-wheeler, starting with a small part of its body surfacing, a gigantic figure with the same color as the desert jumped out. With its mouth open, it was a sandworm. Apparently, Hajimes party were also unfortunate ones.

Hajime further steered to the left and right, advancing through the sand at high speed. Under the four-wheeler that drew an S letter, a second and third sandworm jumped out.

Kyaaaa!

Hiu!

Wawawa!

In order of screams, there was Kaori, Myuu, and Shia. Met with a strong centrifugal force, Kaori turned behind, worrying about Myuu in the back seat. But her balance crumbled and she fell into Hajimes lap with her hip on Yues lap.

Blinking her eyes, Kaoris cheeks were flushed, and as she was, she clung tightly to Hajimes waist. Her position was actually pretty bad. It made Hajimes cheek cramp. Incidentally, the other half of Kaoris body was crushing on Yue.

Oi, Shira- Kaori! What are you doing in such a situation!

Its a dangerous! A dangerous situation! So, Im just clinging to Hajime-kun!

Damn you, Kaori. To pin me under, is it a surprise attack?

While receiving an ambush from the sandworms, Kaori used this chance to hug Hajime. Yue was slapping Kaoris butt even now, but the blushing Kaori was still clinging to Hajimes waist, not moving at all.

While they were like that, the three appearing sandworms, with their upper bodies out of the ground, were glaring at the four-wheeler that evaded all of their ambushes. This time, those gigantic figures came forward to attack from overhead.

If it was a normal carriage, everything wouldve ended with that attack. However, it was an artifact created with a portion of Hajimes otaku soul. It wasnt even daunted at being made out as prey.

Besides

Ah, this is the first time I am using THIS!

Saying so, Hajime turned around the four-wheeler with a drift, advancing backwards, he poured his magic and activated the installed function.

CLANK! KA-THUNK! KA-THUNK!

At the same time the mechanical sound effect rang out, a part of the four-wheelers bonnet slided open and an arm with a set of four rockets came out. The arm moved as if looking for its prey and when it turned towards the incoming sandworms, wooosh!, such an sfx rang out accompanied by the deadly warheads scattering their sparks.

Shining in an orange color, the rockets entered right into the sandworms opened mouths and after a moment, they created great explosions as they destroyed the sandworms from the inside. The sandworms crimson blood and flesh poured down like a shower and some stuck on the windshield of the currently back running four-wheeler.

Uhee Shia, dont let Myuu see it.

I did that already~. Anh! Myuu-chan, was it painful? But please hold on for a while.

Hajime asked Shia to do so at the time the rockets were fired into the incoming sandworms because the stimulation might be too strong for Myuu. Like that, in synchronization with Hajime, Shia was already embracing Myuu closely to her chest so as she would not see it. However, maybe because she could not breath from her face being buried in Shias breasts, Myuu tried to sip out and inadvertently touched a part of Shias body. Inadvertently, Shia moaned. Hajime decided that he did not hear anything.

Currently, although Kaori was clinging onto Hajimes waist, Yue was finally able to fix her seatbelt. Indeed it was not a situation where he could be defeated by his own impulse, even though his ears were dyed in red with his face cramped.

E-Excuse me, Hajime-kun. I am sorry. That, that I impulsively theres no perverted meaning to it. That is, for a bit, I just wanted to hug

then if things go well, are you going to satisfy Hajime like that?

Un, that is so wait, no! Yue, dont put such strange things into my mouth. I am not as lewd as Yue.

You said I am lewd certainly, I cant refute that when I am alone with Hajime.

Girls, please shut it already. Also, Yue, please dont talk about night activities because its embarrassing.

With the three sandworms crushed by the rockets installed in the four-wheeler, Hajime sharpened his gaze because the sandworms on the dune before could be seen moving due to perceiving the explosive sound and impact.

However, on his side, Kaori and Yue were conversing just as usual which reduced his tension. Inadvertently, he admonished them due to him being embarrassed.

To begin with, in his mind, the night Yue was certainly a lewd one and, when he was alone with her, he thought of her as pretty erotic. Kaori who seemed to have seen through him was teary eyed. Yue, with a bewitching smile, was looking at Hajime while licking her lip. Kaori, who saw that, raised a cute groan. Unconsciously, her fighting spirit blazed further.

From the back seat, Shia said, I understand your feelings, Kaori-san. We are comrades here, while patting Kaoris shoulder with sympathetic eyes.

Hajime ignored them and the moved four-wheeler above another dune. He could see the group of sandworms on the lower side of the ground with their lower parts still underground. They didnt hide anything as they slightly raised the sand. They might have guessed that they had been noticed by Hajimes party, so they chose speed over another surprise attack.

Hajime put the rocket launcher away and activated another piece of weaponry in its stead. The center of the bonnet slid apart and a rectangular machine appeared from inside. Following that, the rectangular box extended its barrel with kashun! sound effect, and it became a rifle was similar to Schlagen.

Next, bright red sparks gushed out from the four-wheelers Schlagen. With its arm adjusting the angle, DUuuoo!!, came a roaring, firing sound as a line flashing line tore through the brown world.

The bullet, which was fired at a high-velocity, advanced as it raised the sand on the ground upon impact and grandly raised a dust storm. On the sand column that was raised just like an eruption was, of course, a lot of sand colored meat and red blood.

The Schlagen installed on four-wheeler continued to fire bright red flashes, one after another. The sandworms that were hunting their prey exploded on the ground and became small bits of nourishment for the barren ground.

Hajime-kun! Look at that!

A white person?

When four-wheelers Schlagen, which was trailing white smoke, was stored back, Kaori let out a surprised voice and pointed her finger. In the place Kaori pointed at, just as Yue muttered, was a collapsed person who was wrapped in white clothing. It was probably the one the previous sandworms were looking at. However, from their distance, it was unknown as to why it wasnt eaten.

Please, Hajime-kun. Lets go there I am a healer after all.

Kaori looked at Hajime, petitioning. Even Hajime was interested as to why that person was not attacked by the demonic beasts of the desert in such a situation, so he accepted Kaoris request. It was possible that the person carried a method or item capable of keeping demonic beasts away. And in actuality, there was a mineral called the Faeadren crystal that carried such an effect in the sea of trees. The crystal only made it difficult for demonic beasts to approach, but theres a possibility that even stronger items exist.

As such, the four-wheeler came near the collapsed person. The person wore clothing that was similar to galabeya (egyptian clothing), and it wore a hood that was large enough to hide its face. Its face couldnt be seen. Falling prone, the hood hid it.

Getting off the four-wheeler, Kaori ran with short steps towards the fallen person.

! This is

When the hood was taken off, a mans face could be seen, a young one that was still in the middle of his 20s. However, what surprised Kaori was not that but the young mans state. With a pained expression, he was drenched in sweat, his breathing was rough, and his pulse was fast. He generated an intense heat from all over his body that could be felt even through his clothing. Moreover, blood vessels could be seen as if they were being pressed from the inside of his body, and he was bleeding from his eyes and nose. It was obviously an abnormal situation. It was neither a sun stroke nor cold.

Hajime became cautious towards the virus-carrier like young man, but he decided to keep quiet and watch as the healing specialist was examining him. Kaori activated Infiltrate and Examine. Using magic power to infiltrate the others body, she could examine ones state and the result could be seen on her status plate.

With one hand placed on the young mans chest, Kaoris other hand was holding her status plate where the result of the examination was displayed. The result was

Rampaging magic power? Does it mean the magic power inside his body is out of control because of poison?

Kaori? Do you understood anything now?

Y-Yeah, but this is

Saying so, Kaori shown what was displayed on her status plate,

Condition