Sidonier stopped Val from leaving after the meeting.

'May I have a moment?'

That's very unusual. It's all right.

　Val looks dubious but takes the offer.

'Then let's rent a room somewhere else.

　If it was Yagami Akira, he had the freedom to rent a spare room even inside the Imperial Castle.
　It was in one of the common rooms that Sydonier and Val entered, and with a natural look on their faces, Meena was also in the mix.

'...... I don't ask you not to come, but I should have a word, Vilhemina?'

　Meena replied flatly to Sidonier's dismissive look of caution.

'You don't have to tell me.'

　It sounded like she was trying to pick a fight, but Sidonier understood that she had no intention of doing so.
　He changed his mind that it was a waste of time to deal with her.
　Val sits behind a table for four in the blue-carpeted common room, with Meena standing to his right.
　Sydonier sits in front of him and looks straight into his eyes.
　Sunlight streams in through the window to her left, illuminating her beautiful face.

'Let's get to the point. I wonder if Bartolomeus agrees with you about the Academy?'

'I see no reason to disagree. Do you disagree with Sydonier?

　Sidonier didn't nod in response to his question, but he didn't deny it either.

'Because the problem isn't solved yet, is it? If we create a new agency now, wouldn't they be after us?

　Val thinks it makes sense when he hears her concerns.
　But he interjects that he has other ideas.

'It's possible that you've learned your lesson after being beaten up and are going to be quiet for the time being.

The General was defeated by Val-sama. We won't be able to prepare a more powerful force than that of the General on short notice.

　Meena echoed his sentiments, but Sidonier ignored them.

'I suppose that's optimistic. But I hope you'll forgive my pessimism.

　She is only looking at Val.
　The idea was that as long as he could be persuaded, Meena would be able to handle it.

'Then I'd like to know what your pessimistic thoughts are. Otherwise, I can't make a decision.'

Of course.

　After Val's statement, Sidonier revealed his opinion.

''First of all, the enemy's invasion won't stop once we've defeated the Marshal.

Yeah. So?

　He was not surprised and nudged him to continue.

'If anything, it could lead to a loss of control and more spontaneous attacks.

...... do you think the general I defeated was the enemy commander?

　Sidonier rolls his orange eyes at Val's question.

'Oh, do you think Bartolomeus is different?

'I could have been a leader, but I figured the chain of command might be different. It's just an unfounded gut feeling.

　She didn't seem to understand his phrasing and moved her eyebrows curiously.

'I would love to hear your thoughts, Bartolomeus. I'm sure there are things you wouldn't understand unless you'd met me in person.

'This man, Gevardhu, seemed to look down on all terrestrial life. Considering the man's character, I think it's more likely that he didn't have a chain of command in place and was just unilaterally submitting to someone from the earthly world out of fear and strength.

　Sidonier nodded his head slightly when he heard Val's prediction.

'...... So you're saying that he's the mastermind, or backer, but not the commander?

''Ah. Perhaps, but to Gewaldi, the enemy forces felt like a worthwhile discarded pawn to be used?　That's why he came to the Empire without telling anyone. If you were the right commander, wouldn't you have acted with an escort or an entourage?

　She growls at his opinion.

'I can't think of a counter argument. What do you think about ...... meena?

　Meena replied in annoyance as the water was turned on her.

''I agree with Bal-sama. It's unlikely that a senior executive of the demon world would be able to lead a creature on the ground and move it successfully as a limb. You should see that he was using it for his own purposes. That's assuming that it wouldn't hurt or itch if they failed.

　Sydonier almost nodded, but looked at her with a glare as he caught on to her words.

'You seem to know a lot about the cadre of the demon world. What on earth do you mean by that?

It was only in the documents my ancestors left behind. Demon generals, marshals and the like.

　Meena didn't take offense and replied proudly.
　Although Sidonier was stunned, it was indeed Yagami Akira.
　In a second, she regained her composure and stared at Balu.
　That Balu was as stunned as she was, so she knew that he didn't know anything.
　Noticing her gaze, Bal got a look on his face that said, 'Let me handle it myself.

'Meena. If you don't mind, can I see that document?　I want to share as much as possible with His Majesty and Yagamiaki.

It would be nice to show it to Master Val, but I don't want anyone else to see it.

　Meena's eyebrows moved a few millimeters.
　Val could see that she was really in trouble, so she decided to concede.

'I don't mind if you transcribe it, if you want, or I can talk to you while you look at the document. Can't you do either of these things?

'If you'd like me to go over the transcript and explain it to you, that's fine. I'm sorry.

　From the way Meena apologizes to him, apparently a reason exists that is not of her own volition, too.
　Val and Sydonier realized this and gave up on asking to see the original.

''Then I'll take care of it.

I'm sorry, sir.

　His request was granted by Meena.