The creation of the base was complete. After instructing Izayoi and the others to defend themselves, as they were taking a break in the room, the smartphone played an electronic sound announcing an incoming call.

　The caller on the smartphone's screen was - Lina.

'Good job. What's up?
"Theon. I need to talk to you in person. Can I come over now?
No problem. Can I just wait in my room?
Thank you. See you in five minutes.

　The call ends after being told only the briefest details.

　The story you want to tell in person...?　What is it?

Who was that?

　I'm approached by Kanon, who was waiting in my room as a matter of course.

'It's Lina,'
Lina, is that you?　That's unusual.
Yeah.
Is there something wrong, sir?
'I don't know.... They have something to tell you in person.
!　How would you like to express your feelings in person?
Not how I feel. I want to talk to you.
"The fierce battle that begins tomorrow...!　Heading for the dead ... man and woman!
Hey.
"And then she realized!　The feelings she had for him in her heart...!

　Suddenly, a 100% annoying bug that starts to run out of control - the canon flies around in a theatrical exaggeration, hands to his chest, and looks up to the heavens as he runs out of control.

　Lina's not bad looking. Her personality is companionable and kind, and her sword skills are excellent....

　I see. So that's how it is........!　20 years of hard work. I've never had a girlfriend before in my life!　Hmm?　Wait, what?　I've been robbed of all memories of others when I was human. Maybe she was there, maybe she was there!　Then you have to reject the idea that age is the key to having a girlfriend.

　I'm tripping into a sea of paranoia when I'm hit by a canon outburst...

"...Theon?　Are you okay?

　My girlfriend.... and her subordinate Lina was standing at the entrance of the room.

“Don’t, it’s okay!　Ha, that was quick....
If you need anything else, we can talk about me later...
'No, no, no, no, no, no!　We have no business with Mr. Theon.　Hmmm.........I'm a fairy who can read the atmosphere, just like this!　I'll leave the rest to you two youngsters and you'll have to excuse me!

　Kanon smiles a lowly smile and tries to leave the room, spouting off some fast and unintelligible words.

'No, wait ... wait!　I want canon to be present.
Whoa!　Me too?
Please. As a colleague and friend I'd like you to join me in the canon.
Hm?　I understand. Unworthy of me!　As the chief of staff supporting Mr. Zion and as a friend of Lina's!　I'll be a witness and be present!
Thank you.

　When Lina stops Kanon from leaving the room, Kanon smiles a not-so-full smile and readily agrees to sit in with her.

''So...so...what's the story, huh?''

　I gulp down a raw spit and confront the unfamiliar situation.

'Before I tell you the main point I want to tell you my thoughts first. I am Zion's subordinate.
Oh, yeah.

　Forbidden love with my boss.... Will I be able to switch back and forth between public and private life well?

'Kanon is a dear friend. Layla, Flora, Guy, Blue, Iain, Daquel, and Red are valued friends. I can assure you that the rest of my household and my subordinates are my friends!
Thank you. I'm a good friend too, Rina-san.

　Hearing Lina's thoughts, Kanon smiled sloppily.

''I'm not faking these thoughts!　And on top of that, I have something to tell Theon--

　When Lina takes a breath, I........and for some reason Kanon also gulps down a gulp of raw saliva and waits nervously for Lina's words to follow.

''The 'Kensei'.......Sayama Toratetsu--he's my grandfather.

...What?
...What?

　The words that Lina uttered were too far off from what I expected.

　I freeze, unable to process Lina's words - her confession - well.

''Well, um........does that mean Lina wants to introduce me to her grandfather?
''Si, Sion-san!　Oh, please calm down!　The man is old!　Don't be rude, just look up what to wear on the internet first!　So, what should we bring back.......maybe Japanese sweets, huh?
As for the clothes...?　A suit would be safe?
Wait, wait!　Now, as the chief of staff, search...!

　Me and canon fall into a state of panic.

''Sion...?　Calm down.
Rina, Rina!　What's your grandfather's favorite food?
Her favorite food is ogre, but....
Canon!　Do you have any ogres!
I'll find out as soon as possible if there are any of my fellow countrymen who can do it!
Theon!　Canon!　Calm down!

　Lina shouts loudly to me and Kanon, who are flustered.

''Sion. Calm down and listen to me. Can you give me ... a chance to convince your grandfather?
Persuasion...?　Lina's on her own?　Will you forgive me?
'Forgive me...?　What is Theon saying from earlier?
Hmm?　Lina, can you explain to me what Lina meant from the beginning?

　After having a conversation with Lina and regaining my composure, I begin to sort out the situation.

''The 'Sword Saint'... the 'Sword Saint' who leads the humanity in Suzu City Hall - Sayama Toratetsu is my grandfather. Can you give me a chance to convince him before we start fighting?

　I repeat the words Lina said over and over in my head.

　--!

What?　Wait a minute!　What does that mean?!

　When I understood the meaning of the words Lina had said, I shouted out loud.


　◆


　After that, when I regained my composure, I heard the details of the situation from Lina.

''I see........ In other words, the 'Swordsman' is Lina's grandfather, and the group of people who wore the Jinbaori are students of the 'Swordsman' dojo?
'Your father and brother died, didn't they...'

　Lina told me what happened, me and Kanon nodded quietly.

''So ... will we get a chance to convince them?
'Well..... What are the chances of you being persuaded?
''I don't understand........ Your grandfather has a deep hatred for the Demon King..........................Chaos.
'Oh!　I read that article too. You said in the article that you lost your beloved family.

　Upon receiving my question, Lina and Kanon give me a dark look.

''Let's say our persuasion fails........ Lina, will you then--can you fight?
''....I can fight. As I said before, I'm under Zion's command now!

　Lina responds to my question with more words.

"Persuasion..... I mean, if that's the case, you should have told me first.

　I let out a sigh as I listened to Lina's story.

　I had prepared a force worthy of calling a war and was preparing for a large scale battle, but........

If there's even the slightest chance of persuasion, is that possible?
...Really?

　Lina's eyes light up at my words.

'However, if your persuasion fails, you'll have to retreat immediately?
Okay.
And then you're going to have to fight with your family, is that okay?
No problem.　I've been ready for this since the day I became under Zion's control!
Okay. Then we'll change the plan...

　I accepted Lina's suggestion and rethought my new plan.