The Hendler Trading Kingdom is located in the northern part of the kingdom.
　One of the things that makes the country seem strange to other nations is that the Chamber of Commerce, run by the merchants, is the highest decision-making body.
　Twenty-four representatives are elected by the registered merchants by ballot, and the Chamber of Commerce is run by those twenty-four.
　A gentleman who had been present at the defeat of the Red Devourer in Baru returned to the capital city of Fawn, where the Chamber of Commerce was held.
　The gentleman goes to the top floor of the red brick building and opens the black door.

'I'm back,'

Thank you.

　Twenty-four delegates were waiting for him.
　Normally today was not a conference day, but they had gathered because he was coming back.

'So how did that work out for you?

The Kingdom's God of War failed to defeat the Red Devouring Demon, but the God of Light defeated him without a care in the world.

　When the gentleman reported briefly, the reaction of the delegates was divided in two.

'I knew you were right to ask the Empire for help.

''Hmm. ''The strength of the God of Light's warrior god, it can be considered just as they say.''

　First of all, they are the ones who are happy that the Red Devouring Demon has been defeated.
　This one is larger in proportion.

''Even so, it's still the cowardice of the kingdom.

You're not the most dependable, but you have the best attitude on the continent.

Can't we do something about it?

　The other was the people who were angry and lamenting over the kingdom's cowardice.
　The kingdom was considered the strongest in the west of the continent, but in reality it was an unknown quantity.
　No other country flaunted its own war potential.

''It would be nice if we could mesh the empire and the kingdoms together and shave off the power of the kingdoms, but there's a distance barrier.

　One of them clicked his tongue evasively.
　There was a terribly formidable obstacle to realizing his aim: distance.
　The Empire existed at the far end of the east and the Kingdom at the far end of the west, with a number of nations in between.
　One of the reasons why the two nations do not clash would be the location.
　Aside from the small nations in between, the Federation and the city-states are not an easy opponent to capture.
　The empire, which had forces that might be easily captured, had no territorial ambitions, which was a blessing for the majority of the people living on this continent.
　It would be different if the relationship had deteriorated to the point where there was no choice but to decide between the s*xes, like the now-defunct Gestan Kingdom.

''The continent will be engulfed in warfare!

　As one frowned at the inappropriateness of the situation, another one said.

'The signs of disquiet have been there long enough. Right?

　He speaks to the gentleman.

'Yes. I've asked the God of War, and it's clear that there have been some strange demons appearing in the Empire as well.'

'I knew it. ...... So that's how you got it right?　Don't tell me you didn't just come back from hearing the words of the god of war?

　The gentleman nodded at the representative senator's words.

'Yes, sir. I have sent out about ten agents to check it out. However, about five of them have disappeared, so they were probably disguised by the Empire and taken care of.

I remember hearing that the ...... empire has poor counterintelligence capabilities, was it a hoax?

　Another representative of the House throws a question.
　The gentleman replies cautiously.

'It may be, or it may have been reinforced recently.

'We can't try it, can we?

'Of course. Our country and the Empire don't have a bad relationship at the moment, but that won't happen if they find out we've sent an interrogator.

　Another representative senator said so.
　A female delegate chuckled.

'Oh?　Isn't that the case if the five men who disappeared were not known to be from our country?

　For a moment, the air in the room fell silent at this calm remark.

"Hm, even the empire sends its own secret agents to our country. That's just the way it is.

　The old representative snickered.
　He looked like a man for whom the word "old" would fit.　　　

'Oh well. "Well," he said, "the threat is over for now. Let's make some money while we can.

　There was no objection to the Chairman's words.