Claude comes to Val's house alone after he leaves the Emperor's service, thinking that he will only let Val know.
　Then, once again, Meena had to glare at him.

'Maybe it was on purpose?'

...... No way, though, right? It's only just occurred to me that you could be a regular visitor to Val's house.

　Claude responds to Meena's question with a gasp as she hurls hostility at him.

'Then so be it,'

　When she stepped back, Val asked him.

'What's wrong with you today?　This looks serious.

　At the same time, Meena deploys her soundproofing magic.

''Oh. Let me be frank with you. It's about the next successor to the Empire.

　Claude clarified, and Val and Meena frowned together.

'This isn't supposed to be something we can just walk in on, is it?

By the way, I had a private consultation with a man named Xavier.

　He shrugs and they both keep a straight face as he shrugs.
　They knew, of course, that Xavier was the emperor's real name.
　If the emperor had even used a last-minute hand to ask for advice, they couldn't have a bad feeling.

''Bal, who do you think is more suitable for the position of emperor, His Highness Adrienne or His Highness Rüdiger?''

　Val answers Claude's question honestly.

''Thanks to the reign of His Majesty's current reign, the residents of the second class area have a lot of smiles on their faces and are at ease. I can rest assured that His Highness Adrienne would carry on the policy, but I'm quite unsure if it would be the same with His Highness Rüdiger.''

　Claude was relieved to hear his answer.
　'I have a feeling that if this man supports Adrienne, I can handle it.

'What about Meena?'

Master Val will take care of it.

　Claude asked Meena as well, but her answer was simple and predictable.

'I'm sorry to say it, but if you two can support me, we have a chance to win.

'...... is that bad?'　I've heard that in terms of popularity, His Highness Adrienne is superior to you?

　Claude nodded at Val's question.

''It should have been, but it seems that His Highness Rüdiger has the advantage in terms of the number of nobles who support him. The fact that His Highness Adrienne's relatives aren't very ambitious is working against them in this case.''

...... I've always liked the lack of ambition in the outer relatives of the royal family, but I guess it depends on the time.

　Val clicks her tongue when she hears his answer.

'Right. His Majesty is also troubled as to what to do.'

You seem like a coward.

　Meena said once and for all, and Claude glared at her.

'Do you have a better idea?'

There are simple solutions. Though I'm not sure anyone will be spilling blood.

　When he heard her answer, his expression twisted.

''His Majesty wishes to keep things as quiet as possible.

If you ask me, that's foolish. What concern is there for greedy people who don't understand their place in life?

　Meena's thoughts were only because she was an elf with few ties to the Empire.

'So there are certain people and situations you shouldn't hold back on, right?

　Val said and she nodded dully.

'I'm sorry Claude, but I'm with Meena on this one. I don't think concessions to His Highness Rüdiger and his faction have any chance of turning things around.

　Claude can't say anything at a moment's notice.
　He was not a man who did not see the rightness of their arguments.

'I'll deal with them if you do. You can tell them if they still want to confront you.

　Meena is quick to add to Val's statement.

'If Bal-sama is leaving, of course I'll leave too.

''Fighting Bartolomeus and Vilhemina at the same time is a nightmare that even Yagami Akira would like to avoid.

　Claude replied with a sigh.
　Unlike his words, his expression was radiant, as if some bad possession had fallen away.

''In the worst case scenario, the number of Yagami Teru might be temporarily reduced.　

　Meena says, and Claude chuckles.

'Probably not. Because who wouldn't know that not only you guys would support His Highness Adrienne, but also me and Manuel.

Did you get confirmation from Manuel?　I don't think the guy would ever support His Highness Rüdiger, who wields status and power.

　He nodded when Val asked him, but he was slightly pale.

''Ah. It was hard to stop him because he said that if it was Yagami Teru, he wouldn't be charged with treason for killing His Highness Rüdiger, so it was hard to stop him.''

　It seems that Manuel, who was an adventurer, was actually the most extreme.

''That sounds like Manuel's guy.

　Baru laughs when he hears more extreme statements than Meena.
　It's something that can be done with a giggle because they're among the eight divine lights, and the royal family and nobles shouldn't know about it by mistake.