''Is it hard to imagine it for someone from the Empire? The Supreme Temple Chief is like the Eight Divine Lights in the Empire. Not in terms of merit, but in terms of position. It's not a position that can be replaced so easily.

If it's something like Akira Yagami, that won't be easy to change.

　The people who were listening to the story were convinced by Pelek's explanation.　

'If it's going to be disqualified, there must be a very good reason ...... there might be a stir in the Holy Land from now on.

　The old man concluded with words that seemed to fuel the imagination of those listening.

'I wonder what in the world has happened?

　The girl at the waiter's desk murmurs with a worried look on her face.

(The Holy Land will try to hide the blunder that caused the group harm, and it's a country with strict information control. (No wonder the travelers don't know.)

　Val thinks.
　However, there is no denying the possibility that Pelek is also in the position of "even if I knew, there is no way I could tell you".

'Pelek-san, can you tell me a little more about it?

　He didn't even bother to show his inner self to the old man.

You're going to have to be a little more ...... right? So are you aware of the growing number of demons in the commonwealth and kingdom as well?

Oh, really?

　Val showed him his surprise.
　Of course, he wasn't the only one, but the others as well, and in their case it was true.

'Yes. Thanks. I hope this isn't a harbinger of some sinister event, but some people seem to be saying .......'

　Val is a bit troubled by Pelek's statement.

(It's not that the intelligence services are bad, but things aren't that far along in other countries. Or is it that the situation hasn't been analyzed?)

　This was because the idea had occurred to him.
　One of the shortcomings of the Empire, he thought, was the weakness of its intelligence services.
　Maybe it was not only their fault.

(Of course, he couldn't just accept this old man's statement as it was.

　It's good for a drink, but beyond that, it needs to be backed up.

Do you know anything else?

　The old man chuckles when Val asks further.

'I think I've spoken the information fee, as expected.

'Oh, yes. I'm sorry.

　He apologized honestly.
　By daring to fail like this, he reinforces the fact that he's just an old man who doesn't even have it in him.
　If Yagami Teru other than Mina saw it, he would either be dumbfounded or impressed by what a brilliant monster he is.

''No, no. I enjoy talking to the locals.

　Bal wondered if the old man who laughed calmly was really a traveler.
　Meena, who could be counted on at times like this, was currently away in the elven country with Beate.
　He wanted to report to the emperor, so he drank some barley wine.
　After leaving Val and the others, Pelek returned to the inn.
　It was cheaper than the first class area, but more expensive than the rest of the city.
　However, it's not only clean and the door is locked, but you can also rent a keyed safe.
　Crime was fairly low in the city, but it wasn't zero.
　Pelek let out a deep breath as he returned to his room.
　He wasn't just a traveler, he was a special agent of the Federation.
　If he was a trained person, the connoisseur would instead see through him.
　That's why the Federation pays an amateur to travel and be paid to gather information.
　The fact that he had managed to get this far without being suspected at all was not only a matter of the ability of the Imperial counter-intelligence organization.
　It was more important to be able to dare the idea of using amateurs.

But it's heartbreaking, ...... Well, it seems there's no one sharp in the second class area, so it's easy.

　Pelek laughed.
　He had no idea that Yagami Teru was blending in with the common people, and he was content with his current situation.　
　If possible, he has the desire to visit the first class area as well.
　This is because the rewards are higher depending on the information he collects.
　But as expected, he calmly judges that he would not be able to work himself in the first class area.
　The only reason he hasn't been discovered to be an intelligence so far is because he hasn't been overconfident in his abilities and hasn't pushed himself too hard.
　...... At least that was the case in the past.
　As for the present, unfortunately, Val had contacted the Emperor just in case.

''So, what do you think, Your Majesty?''

I think you're overly concerned about it, but ...... is it possible that you dare to use an amateur?

　The emperor was so cowardly that he would consider the possibility of laughing at the possibility that it would never be normal.
　The vizier and the crown prince, who knew what was going on nearby, had a look on their faces that said, "Bartholomeus is probably thinking too much.

'I wonder if intelligence has been researching ...... geography to the imperial capital.

We should assume that everything west of the Imperial City has been checked.

It's a question of what country.

　Arlois, the vizier who had heard the opinions of the emperor's entourage, interrupted.

''If it's possible, it's most likely to be the Federation. The Holy Land can't afford that right now, and it's an idea that the guys in the kingdom would never come up with. Or it could be a mercantile state.''

It won't be a war anytime soon, since there's either a federation or a group of ...... city-states in between, but shouldn't we take some steps?

　The Crown Prince gives his thoughts.

'Yes. It is the custom of the world to deal with spies as soon as they are discovered. Those in doubt will be put out of their misery.

　The Emperor made an immediate decision.

'But if it's just an interloper, fine, but in the unlikely event that it's the three federal crows, don't push it. Tell that to the Order.

Ha!

　The Three Federation Ravens were like the Eight Divine Brilliance in the Empire.
　Their abilities were unknown, and the Emperor was very wary of them.