For a while, as I was talking to Count Robinson with a disgruntled Scarlett at my back, the royal court attendant came to call us.

　This time, not only me but also Garnett had been called out, so we both tried to leave the hall together.

　Just before that, Scarlett speaks to me in a casual manner.

'It is the prosperity of the Argentean family that is our primary concern. Strengthening our ties with other families through marriage is part of that. Regardless of your intentions, we want to see those values in your relationship with Alma as well.
Yes, Lord Rembrandt told me about it, too.

　The previous head of the Argentean family, namely Lord Rembrandt, Garnett's father, and his brother Valentine, who was a different mother.

　They are people with the same values that Scarlett described, and I know that I've come to this point.

We have no intention of changing this way of being, no matter how much other people call them 'old values.'
'I know. That's why I was appointed as a Knight Commander.

　There is no hesitation in my reply.

　It's because it's just a reaffirmation of my resolve that I've been consolidating for a long time now.

''The reason I accepted the invitation to become the head of the newly established Order is to be the right man to be Alma's partner. If Sir Rembrandt doesn't change his principles and can't override the promises Alma made to him, it would be best for ...... us to step in.

　The best way for Garnett to get his revenge is to maintain his connection with the Silverwing Knights and keep up to date with the latest information about the criminal organization, Agart Ram.

　But Sir Rembrandt, who still has strong influence over the Silverwing Knights and the House of Argentea, has no intention of changing his mind, and if the conflict worsens and he is no longer a member of the Order, it will be difficult to obtain information.

　But if things go according to Sir Rembrandt's plan, Garnett will be forced to take revenge or marry his father's desirable partner when he reaches the time limit of eighteen years old.

　The conclusion I came to under such circumstances - and the result of implementing it - is the current situation where I'm both the owner of an arms store and the lord of a knightly order and a lord in name only.

''My father seems to have had reasonable expectations, but I thought that I was a bit of an outcast.

　Scarlett only gives me a glance and continues to speak without making eye contact after that.

''But if His Majesty has congratulated you on your memory, and you've repeatedly made historically important discoveries in some rare dungeon, then I guess I'll have to give you some upward recognition. Though I am reluctant to do so.

　As Scarlett said this, I saw Garnett smiling proudly out of the corner of my eye.

　It makes me feel itchy to look at her as if she were pleased as if she were my own person.

''Thank you. It's about time that Lord Rembrandt gave me his approval.
Well, I'm not sure. I can't say. But if you can destroy Agat Ram or unravel the dungeon, you might just get my father's approval.

　It was a goal that seemed so far away, and one that I even had a feeling was almost within reach.

　If Agart Ram was lurking on the third level of the Ark of the Elements, and yet that level was the heart of the dungeon that also served as the residence of the ancient magical civilization, then reaching it was itself practically a royal move (checkmate).

　After that, the biggest problem is finding the means to travel to the third level, but since the dungeon's size isn't infinite, there's a hope that we can grab a clue with manpower tactics before too long.

　This situation must be one of the reasons why Chairman Dorothea had read that there should be progress by now.

''Then we'll leave it at that. ''We can't keep you here for too long when His Majesty has called us,''

　Scarlett gives a deliberately stranger's greeting and tries to move away from us, along with her husband, Earl Robinson.

　But before she could do so, she suddenly stopped and turned around to ask me one last question.

'...... By the way. I'm sure you're aware that my brother Valentine is staying in Green Hollow to recuperate, but ...... he sent you a favorable letter about something, what happened there?

　It was a question that was truly laced with sincere confusion.

　In Scarlett's perception, she must have been under the impression that it was unlikely that Valentine would support us.

　Although I have an idea of what caused Valentine to change his opinion, if I were to explain it in detail, I would have to mention medallions, human body modification, and other information that cannot be spread lightly.

　So I decided to give a safe summary along with a smile.

'We were just having a heart-to-heart talk, that's all. With Sir Garnett, of course.










　This time I say goodbye to Mr. and Mrs. Robinson and decide to leave the party hall with Garnett and walk to the designated room.

　Earlier it was the reception room next to the venue, but now it seems that another dignitary is using that room, so we continue walking down the corridor of the royal palace for a while.

　On the way there, Garnett's expression fell in the same tone as usual, taking advantage of the fact that no one else was watching.

''Did you see Scarlett's face from earlier!　That's what happens when you underestimate Luke, man!
'So it's true you're sisters who don't get along. And they have the opposite tastes in men.
Well, I never imagined until recently that we'd be that different. Until I met you, I never cared about what a man liked or anything--

　After speaking up to that point in a good mood, Garnett seemed to realize that he was about to say something embarrassing with his momentum, and closed his mouth with a blush on his cheeks while his face was in good shape.

　At all, we need to cool our faces ...... each other down before we meet His Majesty.

It's a good thing that you're able to get your hands on some of these things. Have you gotten any further details from that yet?

　Suddenly, Garnett changes the subject.

　It's not that he was trying to hide his embarrassment and talk about something different, but this topic is also important to Garnett, and it's a matter that he wants to know more about as soon as possible.

'Nothing from the meeting earlier. Perhaps you can tell me more about that matter in the future.''
That explains why they called me here. Of course, Your Majesty is aware of my situation.
Surely this is the right time to go to ......?

　Some information jumped out at us that I didn't think I'd ever heard before, but I didn't have time to ask him if he'd mentioned it before, and we made it to the front of the room we'd been assigned.

　Then the waiting attendant quickly opened the door of the room and sent us into the presence of His Majesty.