The headquarters of the Altmaier family is an impressive castle with pure white walls and a red triangular roof.
　It is divided into three sections: the barracks for over 500 private soldiers, a separate wing for the servants, and the main wing for the family members.
　As soon as they sat down on the luxurious brown sofas in the ample 30-square-meter guest room, a young maid appeared and served them three cups of tea.
　Then, almost by mistake, Otto arrived.

'Thank you, uncle. And Master Bartolomeus, it's been a long time.'

　He held out his hands with a friendly smile, expressing his welcome to his guest.

'It's been a few years since the change of headship ceremony, Otto.

　Val's responded with open arms and they embraced lightly.
　Their closeness was evident to Meena from the fact that both of them skipped the worship service.
　It was probably for that reason that Val hadn't brought his mask with him.
　After pulling away, Otto's gaze turned to her.

'It's nice to meet you, Lady Wilhemina, isn't it? I'm Otto Westphalen Altmaier. 'Goodness me.'

　I suppose the reason why she performed the worship is because she is Yagami Akira.

'I'm Wilhemina,'

　She returns the salute curtly.
　It was a courtesy not to the head of House Altmaier, but to Val's acquaintance.

'I am honoured to hear that you will be joining our family's banquet today. I would ask you to take the liberty of changing your clothing.

I know. Meena, too, okay?

Yes, sir.

　Meena replied when asked by Val.

'I'd like to renew old acquaintanceships with Master Bartolomeus, but for some reason I'm too busy with my work.

　Otto really does seem to have a hard time making his case.
　Val knew very well how unusual it was for the head of the noble family himself to be greeted in this way.

'I understand. After all, I came to visit you many times when I was a child. We don't want you to be bothered.

I'm sure Master Bartolomeus would say so, but that's not the case.

　You'll be able to see that you are not the only one.
　The two of you left without hospitality, no one in their right mind could do that.

Then I'll keep you company. That will be fine.

　When Otto heard Juergen's offer, his face changed to a complex one.
　Juergen is the star of this event, and under normal circumstances he should not be the one to entertain.
　However, in this case, it would be unavoidable.

"Please, uncle," he said. My wife and child will be here soon.

　Otto thanked him repeatedly and left with a regretful look on his face.

'It's going to be tough, that guy,'

　Val commented on his friend's current situation as a child.

'When you're the head of a noble family, you have many roles and more ties to them. If you're going to feel sorry for him, you should show your face once in a while.'

Let's do it.

　He nods honestly at Jurgen's words.
　Jurgen asks such an apprentice what he was curious about by deploying his soundproofing magic.

'By the way, I heard you encountered and defeated the Demon Marshal. How strong was he?''

Two of his limiters are broken. In terms of strength, he's a good match for Manuel and Sidonier.

　Val confided honestly.

''I'm pretty sure those guys are only competing for fourth place among the eight divine lights. If the Marshal is that strong, then I'm wondering how far the Demon King and the Four Dukes, who are said to be positioned above him, are.''

　Is it Jurgen's calmness when he doesn't rejoice that the Marshal is only a middle class strength even with the Eight God Terriers?

''Well, even within the same Marshal, there will be a difference in strength, so I don't think you should be relieved.

That's right. I'm glad to see that no one in the upper echelons seems to be floating around.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this.

The first thing that comes to mind is the fact that it's a difficult opponent for Ingway and the other three lower-ranked players if Val-sama has two limiters. Naturally, other than Yagami Akira, the chances of winning are almost zero.

''Assuming that the seven Marshals are all of the Manuel and Sidonier class, I'm guessing that the strength of the Demon World is comparable to the Empire, even if you look at it low.

　Val told his master about his prediction.

''I feel that the strength of the demon world is not as strong as I thought it would be, does that mean that we have developed and become stronger ......?

　Jurgen murmurs, not looking the least bit optimistic.
　More than a thousand years have passed since the end of Invazion.
　While that time has made the terrestrial world grow by leaps and bounds, has it not advanced the demon world?

''It's just that if we have a force as strong as the Empire, it's dangerous for any country other than the Empire to be able to resist properly.

　Meena agrees with Jurgen's words.

''Yes. And if we have a necromancy user who uses corpses, the enemy's strength will increase dramatically. If they can smash non-Empire countries first, and then enrich their forces against the Empire, it will be quite nasty.''

　Bal and Jurgen's expressions twitched at her somewhat stranger comment.

''I'd like to say that there's no such thing as a Necromancy wielder, but I guess the common sense of the earthly world doesn't apply to the demon world.

It would be dangerous to assume.

　Val replied to his master's lament with a sigh.