“That’s right,” I confirmed.

“But as the situation also requires a certain degree of haste, you won’t have much time to raise your levels,” Trash continued. Yes, that was a good—and painful—point. Ethnobalt had said that he should be able to bring us into a safe space after we crossed over, so hopefully we wouldn’t suddenly find ourselves in the middle of a scrap. But there was definitely going to be an issue with time.

“Considering the threat apparently posed by the enemy you will be facing, it can be assumed that a hero other than just you will be required. That said, I would personally recommend forming up your party based on those you took with you last time, Hero Iwatani,” he concluded.

“Okay. Which means . . .” I looked at Filo and Rishia. Filo was being shielded by Melty so that Motoyasu didn’t spot her. Neither of them looked especially happy to be here, but considering the circumstances, it wasn’t like they had a choice.

“I’ll do my best!” Filo chirped. “Are you coming too, Mel-chan?”

“Filo, I’m sorry, but I have my hands full stitching this war-torn world back together. I’d leave that to my father and come with you in a heartbeat, if I could,” Melty bemoaned. Her father just laughed, but in a cloying, doting fashion that almost made my skin crawl. Seriously, since casting aside his issues with me, Trash had taken on many aspects I’d never seen in him before. He was like a totally different person.

“Don’t you need me to protect you, Mel-chan?” Filo asked.

“I’ll be fine, Filo. This time you need to be with Naofumi,” Melty assured her.

“Okay! If you say so!” Filo responded.

“Very well. That counts Filo in—” I started.

“If Filo-tan is going, then I’ll go too, I say!” Motoyasu interrupted, suddenly springing to his feet.

“Bleh! You stay away!” Filo ran from the room. Motoyasu made to chase after her, but Melty stood in his way.

“Cool it, Motoyasu!” I ordered.

“Wherever Filo-tan goes, I must follow! No matter the place, no matter the danger!” he proclaimed. Filo would never manage the trip with him along, and I was keen to quickly exclude him completely. But Motoyasu also brought a lot to the table in terms of being able to fight. In either case, if I didn’t take action, Motoyasu was definitely going to be coming along.

I considered what it might look like if we did take Motoyasu to Kizuna’s world. I immediately saw myself repeatedly having to chew him out for chasing Filo around. We would be facing all sorts of issues over there already, so just considering throwing Motoyasu into the mix, I felt like I had a stomach ulcer already.

Then I noticed disapproving glares coming my way from the three differently colored filolials under Motoyasu’s command. If we took him, those three would be coming too, of course. Leaving them behind would put me on their bad side forever.