Chapter 163 (1/2)

As I stepped off the boat and onto the beach, I looked up at the sun shining down on me.

This is an entirely other continent.

An unknown land where our common sense does not apply.

”Marianne～!”

I heard a voice in the distance. I turned in its direction and saw Luna running toward me.

I dropped my luggage and hugged her.

”I thought I'd never see you again!”

”I'm so glad you're safe and sound... I'm so happy I could cry.”

”Toru saved my life. I was lost in some unexplored ruins. I have so much to tell you, Marianne.”

”Yes. I have a lot to talk about with you too.”

Thank you, God, for letting me see my friend again.

I feel as if a weight has been removed from my shoulders.

Two more figures standing on the beach approached us. They are probably the ones in charge of this place.

”Welcome, Miss Marianne. I am Luvue Nonturk, the leader of the research team, and this is the vice captain. I hope your journey across the open sea wasn't too exhausting.”

”It's a pleasure to meet you both.”

I bowed to the two of them.

Luvue is part of a powerful duke's family in Lastoria, I have to be careful how I act in front of these people.

She's also a pawn being used by King Lastoria to get close to Toru.

”By the way, what kind of relationship do you and Toru-Dono have? Do you get along very well?”

”Yes. The truth is we are engaged to be married.”

”Ugh. Is this what people call jealousy? It's so frustrating. I didn't expect my love for Toru-Dono to grow so much during this trip. Vice Captain, make note in the log that this is my first time feeling jealous.”

”With all due respect, Luvue-Sama, don't get carried away with your imagination. Now, we have a lot of work to do. Why don't we go back to base?”

”Vice Captain! How dare you say that I'm delusional! Toru-Dono and I-- Ugh!”

The vice captain starts dragging Luvue-San around the place.

Luna laughs at the sight before us.

”Luvue-San is always like that. She seems to like Toru-Kun a lot, even though she has little to no self-control... But she's a good person deep down.”

”Is that so? And where is Toru-Sama?”

”That's the thing, I don't know where he is either. But I can assure you that he is continuing his journey and looking for the other lost girls throughout the continent.”

Thank goodness. I'm deeply relieved to hear those words.

However, it wouldn't make sense for me to come to this continent and just leave everything to Toru-Sama.

There's also this key that was left to me by Toru-Sama's uncle. I must hand it over to him.

”What are you going to do now, Luna?”

”I'll go back for the time being. My father must be very worried sick. I will do everything I can to help once I get there.”

”Please do.”

A few days later, Luna-San returned to the island.

----Separation----

The research team's job was to gather information about the mainland.

More specifically, it was to conduct research into things that would be beneficial to Lastoria.

There are some regions that have already interacted with the research team, and I have often talked to Monica-san, the representative of the research group.

”Marianne-san, are you there?”

”Yes. Please come in.”

Monica-San enters my room.

I can't help but smile at her bright eyes and adorable face.

There are some elves who don't feel comfortable around humans, but she's the only one who doesn't mind that we're of different races.

But to be honest, I shuddered at the thought of a new rival appearing. This girl has all the qualities to be another wife candidate and fight for Toru-Sama's love.

Although knowing Toru-Sama, he probably hasn't realized the feelings Monica-San has for him.