As soon as she returned to Val's home with her transfer magic, Meena opened her mouth.

'I feel that you have been especially kind to the Altmaier family. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work. Is he special after all?

'My mentor was the one who picked me up and raised me as an orphan, and Otto was my first friend. I'd say he's special in that sense. There were a number of people who knew who I was.

　He admits honestly.

'I remember the former head of the Altmaier family treating me well, too.

Oh, I see.

　Meena didn't say anything more.
　As long as she knew that the Altmaier family was special to Val, that was all that mattered.

'And then?　The truth is, what's your assessment?　The current master.

　Val switched the conversation off unexpectedly.
　He knew best that Mina wasn't the kind of personality to tell everything honestly in that place.

''I'm sure you have enough power to call yourself the current Eight Divine Brilliance, but I'm not sure you're even close to be able to beat Sidonier.

Of course. It's why you retired.

　Val was not surprised and accepted her true assessment.
　Meena nodded, then nodded her head.

''When I first met Bal-sama, you were looking for a replacement for Yagami Akira. Why did your predecessors retire?　I'm sure there was some catalyst or reason for it.

That's the story.

　He wondered if the day had finally come for him to speak.
　There should have been an opportunity to ask before, but Meena hadn't asked.
　She would have no problem confiding in him, but he couldn't bring himself to tell her.

'You can ask Claude. If he knows I told him to ask, he'll tell you.

...... I get it.

　Meena wondered, but did not disobey.

'Well then, I'll leave you for today. ...... Would you like me to bring you dinner?

No, not today. I'll see you today.

Yes, sir.

　As she uses her transference magic to disappear, Bal lets out a huff of air.
　Meena visits Claude's home in the Imperial City.
　Unlike when she goes to Bal's place, she uses her feet instead of transference magic to stand in front of the door and knock on it.
　The female servant who opens the door freezes at the sight of her beauty, and after a few seconds she comes back to herself and asks

''Vi, Vi, Lady Vilhemina?　What can I do for you?

I need to talk to Claude.

　The servant, feeling that he was being pressured by his eyes to call at once, went in a great hurry to call his master.
　Claude came in less than a minute later.
　It is also typical for him to be dressed in a neat light blue shirt and navy blue pants, a seamless outfit that looks like a gap, even though he should have been relaxing.

I'm sure you'll be able to find it. What do you want?

Master Val told me to ask you once.

　To Claude, Meena says monotonously.

'All right. Get in.

　She was ushered into the reception room, which was small but tastefully decorated and furnished in a superior manner.
　When the maids brought tea and dismounted, Claude opened his mouth as they worked together to soundproof the room.

'What do you want to know?'

''That's why the Yagami Akira retired all together, except for Master Val and you. What happened?

......

　Claude's expression twisted at Meena's question.

'You could have said it yourself, but it's typical of Bartolomeus when you don't.

　And it is very typical of Meena to come all the way out here just for that.
　Claude thought so, and decided to teach her.

'It's a simple and stupid reason. Bartholomeus drove those six men into retirement.

　Meena was unusually flabbergasted to hear Val's confession.　
　She didn't think he was lying, but she also didn't think Val was the kind of man who would do such a thing for no reason.

'It wasn't until you met Bartholomeus and started making limiters that Bartholomeus had trouble finding limiters. Even if you've never heard of him, perhaps you could have guessed it.

　She nodded dully at Claude's words.
　I can still vividly recall how happy he was that he had finally found the creator of a limiter that could keep his power in check.

On one occasion, Bartolomeus decided to experiment with a new limiter. Seven of us, including myself, were present at that time.

　It's not surprising to Meena that it takes seven people to be said to be seven against Bartolomeus.

You mean ...... that's why you decided to retire from ......?

　Then her eyes widen as if she realizes something.

'Oh. The experiment failed. The limiter was broken, and me and my predecessors were a wreck.

　Faced with a virtually complete loss to Val, seven to one, their predecessors realized that they were on the decline.

As a result, the other six have decided to retire and the search for their successors has begun.

''I had heard from the wind service that it was unusual for eight gods to be replaced by six people at once, and I had my doubts, but if that's the situation, it made sense.

　Meena accepts it easily.
　Most of us are about to start laughing at the thought that it's a made up story, such as the fact that Eight God Teru was defeated by only one person in seven.

''I'm still not surprised?''

Yes. I have the confidence to take on all six except Val-sama at the same time.

　To Claude, Meena makes a quarrelsome remark about Claude.
　This isn't a provocation, it's a serious statement, and he can't deny the possibility.

''After you joined, Yagami Akira has increased his strength by leaps and bounds. It's a happy miscalculation for the empire. ...... We can consider it a happy miscalculation for the empire, can't we?

　Claude knew that verbal confirmation would be useless, but he felt compelled to ask.

'As long as the Empire doesn't abandon Master Baru or Master Baru decides to turn against the Empire, I will remain on the side of the Empire. Believe it or not, do what you will.

　Meena replies nonchalantly.
　Claude laughed, though he'd be fine with not having her believe him.

'Neither of those things are likely.'

　What he believes in is his homeland and Baru.