'I actually have a message for you from Her Majesty.

　When Val finally confides his original role, Sydonier rolls his orange eyes and gulps.

''Your Majesty is very cautious about you being an emissary, isn't he?

　The messenger is certainly an important role.
　However, it is common to assign a guard to a trusted person of high rank in their own right.
　It's possible that Akira Yagami (Levatain) could be chosen as a guard for an important messenger, but to be selected as a messenger itself?

''You said that if it were me, you wouldn't have to worry about anything that might happen.

　Val himself chuckles, for he can agree with Sydonier.

'We can agree on that, but I don't know of any situation where the word "lack of role" is more appropriate. ...... Or is this information really that important?　Like it's better to have as few people in the know as possible?

　Instead of laughing, she turned her gaze inquiringly.
　He had a hunch that if the strongest Bal himself was sent, it was such a sensitive information that no one but the Emperor and Yagamiaki should know about it.

''No, it's not. It's just that I was told to meet with you conspicuously and make the enemy think about things. If there's a spy from the enemy's side, that is.

　Val explained and then confirmed it.

'You were aware of that point, so you mimicked it like that, didn't you?

　If he didn't want to be conspicuous, he could have used the transference magic.
　The reason Sydonier didn't dare to use it, but instead went down the road to attract attention was because he knew why he had come.

'You, who love secrecy, have made such a visit. I just thought it would be better if you didn't avoid being so obvious.

　She replies with a smirk.
　It's easy to focus on the fact that she's young and beautiful and that she's Yagami Teru, but she showed that she's not the only one.

'Brilliant decision. Let's get to the point. One thing I would like you to do is to raise the alert line for your entire area of responsibility.

...... What have you learned about our enemies?

　Sydonier's doubts would be justified.
　But Val shook his head.

''Unfortunately. But I'm sure the countries of the same continent have some idea of our national strength. And if they don't know, then there's been speculation that it's a country from another continent.

'I see. I suppose we have been free of conspiracies in our country until now. It would make sense if we thought it was the work of someone from another continent. Besides, if it's outside the continent, it's almost as if our country doesn't have an intelligence gathering base.

　Sydonier bit his lip in frustration, wondering why he hadn't thought of it.

'It couldn't be helped. I was taken by surprise and confused, and I was fraying my nerves to see if a second blow would come.'

　Val held out his hands in an easygoing manner.
　Sydonier couldn't accept and change his mind as optimistically as he did, but he knew it would be useless to tell him.
　Therefore, he let out a long breath and turned his mind to the immediate future.

'I mean, if they're from outside the continent, they're likely to come by sea. So that's why I'm in the east, and that means I have to be vigilant.

　He nodded at her words.

'Yes. Our country, with the exception of the west, faces the sea and has a large territory. I know we can't have a guard that doesn't leak water, but that doesn't mean we can't leave it unattended.

That's where Teru Yagami comes in. If it's us, I can handle ten square kilometers by myself.

　Sydonier plainly says something terrible.
　How many ordinary soldiers' work is that?
　Of course, neither she nor Val would be here to examine it.

''I suppose that's what it is. I'm going to spread out a few of the eight divine lights and leave the rest to the private armies of knights and nobles. Forcefulness would be a good place to start.''

　Val laughed without raising his voice.
　Yagamiuki's strategy of relying on his abilities was amusing to him.

''A strategy that relies on Eight God Teru, shouldn't you be worried about being taken advantage of in reverse?

I agree, but you can't just tell me to do it now out of the blue.

　Sydonier's concerns are justified, and so is Val's.
　But to ask them to make structural reforms while dealing with the fire emergency situation is beyond impossible.
　At least if all the nobles are loyal to the emperor, it's still possible.

''If we're going to be cautious anyway, I think we should prepare for a situation where the Yagamiaki can't function.

You're not wrong,

　Her words and actions reveal her critical attitude towards the current emperor.
　If you ask her, it's only foolish for her to neglect to prepare for the most dreadful situation of not being able to rely on the Eight Divine Light, despite her habit of being a coward.
　It's not easy, of course, but that's why she thinks that we shouldn't neglect it.
　The emperor knows that Sidonier is critical of him.
　That's why he didn't mention Sidonier's name as the eight divine lights who might support him during the Crown Prince issue, and it's the same reason why he chose Val as his emissary today.

(Apparently His Majesty is cautious.)

　He thought but didn't say it.
　It's something else to say.

'But what exactly do we do?　Wouldn't that put a strain on the Director of Magic, the General, or the Adventurer's Guild?

　Val asked her if she had any ideas.
　'Sydonier isn't one to criticize for the sake of criticism,' he thought, and that's why he asked.

'Yes. 'You have schooling, don't you?　Why don't we do an elite version of that one?

　Sure enough, she quickly verbalizes her ideas.

'An elite version of schooling?　Are you trying to take advantage of the fact that group education tends to homogenize the people being raised to a certain level of elites?

Bartholomeus talks fast.

　Sidonier clapped his hands in delight at Val's words.

'It will certainly put a strain on the various departments. But isn't that what we can expect in return?

It would be a great advantage to have an institution that can produce elites. But it's going to be a lot of work to prepare the leaders. We can't just pull them out of the service.

　He recognized the brilliance of her idea, but felt it wasn't realistic.
　However, he suddenly had an inspiration.

'Come to think of it, a few of the former Yagami Teru are still alive. Are you going to ask them to do it?

'...... Well done, Bartolomeus. You've read my thoughts.

　Sydonier gave a compliment that was full of respect.
　Val, in contrast, shrugged silently.

'That's not going to be enough to solve your manpower shortage.

　He asked as he stared into her orange eyes.

'Or do you have any other ideas?'

No, sir. If I had thought of it that well, I would have given it to you myself.

　Sydonier replies in frustration.

'I see. I'll see what I can come up with in my own way, if you don't mind?

'By all means. I'm sure Bartholomeus would be able to borrow wisdom from many people and make it better.

　She doesn't even insist on the fact that she's the originator, apparently.

''All right. I'll take your opinion home for now.

Nice to meet you.

　Thus ended the conversation between the eight divine lights.