The residence of Ricardo Siegenterer, the lord of the Forty-First Ward, was, to be honest, a delicate construction.
　I tried to build it against the lord's residence in 40 wards, but I felt that it was failing here and there because the technology was not up to date.

"Have you been an ostentatious lord since your predecessor?"

　I whisper to Natalia standing next to me.

"This has been refurbished since we replaced it said.
"What? ... because it's kind of old-fashioned."
"Wasn't the designer's head and wood used old?"

　Wow, it's harsh.
　Natalia doesn't seem to think much of the lord here either.

　Parents and children are not very good friends.
　Considering the forty‐one wards, he must have felt that he could not afford to lose no matter what happened to forty‐two wards alone.
　If you do that, I'll hate you.

"... with bare hands."

　Natalia muttered, clenched her fist.

"Shall I disassemble it?"
"I don't think you'll be able to do it, but... just don't do it."

　Didn't you come to declare war?

"It's late. How long are you going to keep me waiting?"

　Estella says impatiently.

　We have been standing in front of the gate for twenty minutes since we arrived at the lord's house and asked the gatekeeper to act as an intermediary.
　The other lords would have already gone home, calling it "disrespectful."
　...I don't like them because they harass me like this. The lord of this time

　Estella's outfit is simple, however, as this is not a courtesy call either. It's just a little better than usual.

"This harassment in the hope that I won't be able to go home in anger..."
"It would be like advertising the smallness of the vessel loudly. In the first place, what would the people of the domain think if they saw the lord of another ward waiting in front of the residence?"

　The murder of two women is terrible.
　Let's get away from each other for a minute.

　Under the harassment of a small lord, I look around the city.

"...quiet,"

　The road is not well maintained. However, the road is wide and looks a little clean without the impression of being squalid.
　The hunting guild is based only on it, and it's probably taken into consideration to facilitate the transporting animals.

　For that reason, it is lacking in bustle.
　Maybe it's quiet, but there aren't many people walking in spite of this wide road.
　There are very few horse‐drawn carts to and fro.
　There were only two horse‐drawn carts passing here in the twenty minutes I was standing here.

"Thank you for waiting,"

　Turning my back to the gate, I didn't realize that the messenger had come so far.
　I was a little surprised to hear a voice suddenly from behind.
　That's how quiet this city is. I felt like I was holding my breath, if not silent... I had a little tinnitus in my ears.

"The lord was very busy, and he was struggling to make time again today."

　Ji-Ji, the guide who leads us to the lord, says such a thing in a polite tone.
　Then he stopped before a large door and added, bending his back.

"And I beg you not to take up much time."

　Natalia reached into her pocket, so she kept her back against her back.
　Don't stab me.
　Also, when I touched my waist, my voice was pretty cute.

"Welcome, Acting Lord of the Forty-two Wards,"

　The room I was shown to was a luxurious office with a large window behind it. The floor is covered with the fur of a large beast, creating a luxurious atmosphere.

"It's been a long time, Sir Siegenterer,"
"Huh!"

　Ricardo Siegenterer, the lord of the 41st arrondissement, snorted at Estella's greeting.

"Don't do that; your neck will itch. You and I are on good terms with each other's terms. Let's get rid of the formalities."
"Well... I didn't know there was such a deep relationship between you and me."
"Hmm. She's as cute as ever."
"I'm now in the position of acting lord."
"Well..."

　Ricardo raises the corner of his mouth sharply, frowning.
　Sitting on a big leather chair behind his office desk, Ricardo rested himself on his back and crossed his legs pompously.
　Lift up the jaw and look down at me.

"I read the letter,"
"(Recommend me a chair!")

　Ricardo begins to talk, and Estella ignites murder.
　The three of us are still standing in front of our office desk.
　Behind them are short-legged sofas. Normally, Ricardo should have moved to the sofa and let us sit on the sofa across the street... like an employee called to the president's office, we are we?

　Natalia trembled with anger, but when Estella looked at her, she straightened up.
　Estella's gaze can be turned to me too.

"(No provocation is allowed)"

　Estella's eyes seemed to say so.
　I know.
　I'm not going to fan the enemy's general at the enemy's headquarters.
　Even in the branch of the Hunting Guild, you were quiet at first, weren't you? That's quite a pacifist.

"And what do you want to do today? I have a lot of things to do here. I'll leave you with a few words.
"(If you're busy, don't spend twenty minutes on useless harassment?")
"(...Natalia, calm down)"

　I can't believe there's a guy Natalia hates so much.
　Well, rather than not being able to accept Ricardo's snobbish personality, it's more like a lot of rudeness towards Estella.

"Then I'll leave out any extra greetings or conventions."
"Oh! I don't expect such manners from a countryman like you,"
"Thank you very much, Mr. Jiro."
"(Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait!")

　What's the point of killing Ricardo with the intention of resigning?It's going to be a war, seriously!

"I'd like to ask the head of the hunting guild to see me. I'd like to ask for a bigger job, so it may have some effect on our ward. I wanted to tell them about that in advance."
"In advance... you know,"

　Ricardo stretched out on his office desk and kicked up a feather pen that had been on the pen rack.
　Kicked up with the tip of the toe on its wings, the pen flies in an arc to Ricardo's hand. What a dexterous fellow you are you? I'll practice next time, too.

"I mean, write to the Medra of the Hunting Guild?"
"I want a letter of introduction," I asked the manager to help me, but he didn't."
"Hah! What are you? Did you refuse to cooperate with someone who lives in your territory? Hah! This is a masterpiece."

　Ricardo laughs wide-mouthed, fiddling with a feather pen.

`I suppose you can't lick me because I'm a woman."
「……」
`--'

　I managed to stop Natalia, who was about to move silently -- not even breathing. ...I'm glad I got my arm. Natalia's tightly held arms were a little thinner than I had expected... but her muscles were tight and stiff.
　It's not because I'm training. He's got a real intention to kill now.
　I'll give you a little massage so that you can relax from that arm.

"...I'm sorry,"
"All right. It's only a miracle that I was able to move faster than you."

　If a miracle happened, I think God owes it to him.
　Pray down your beloved spirits after you go home.

"Maybe so..."

　Estella slowly choked up her words.
　He swallowed what he wanted to say and spat out what he had to say... a dexterous trick.

"So I want you to write me a letter of introduction." If you ask them to do so through formal channels, they will move."

　You really mean it, don't you?
"It's because you put pressure on me!"
　But there is no evidence. Diplomacy is the last thing I can say without evidence.

　It's not a good idea to provoke antipathy here.
　How dare you hold it back!

"Well... heh, what shall I do?"

　Nevertheless...

"I could write it down for you... but that's not a good thing for me, is it?"
"Benefits...?"

　Ricardo keeps his provocative attitude. No, it's getting even stronger.

"Look, what are the terms of exchange? Something like that."
"Do you want me to do something instead of writing a letter of introduction?"
"Yes, and what are you going to do for me?"

　Ricardo inclines his head as if he were peeping in from below.
　That way of peeping, as you'll find out when you get caught... makes me want to hit you.

"On the contrary, I want to hear it. What do you want me to do? I'll cooperate if I can."

　Estella, who must be quite irritated, is holding back her anger even after all this.
　I'd rather compliment you for keeping a smile on your face, though it's a slight twitch.

"Oh, come on, come on. What's wrong with you?"

　......he's a fool!

`What you can do, I can do it in my own time!'

　......Do I have to comment on this guy? I don't need to.

"Do you mean... I can't write a letter of introduction...?"
"Well, well, I can write it down. It's because it's pitiful."

Ricardo says condescendingly.
　My eyes become muddy with a smirk.a. smirk.a. smile.

"If you're going to kneel down and ask me... I can think about it."
"I'm going home, Estella,"
"Let's go home, young lady,"
"What? Both of you!"

　Natalia and I were going around almost at the same time and walking right.
　It's a waste of time.
　Above all, I'd rather give up the street gate than borrow it.
　He's the worst man on that level.

　. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

"Does the negotiations break down?"

　What part of this is negotiation?

"I don't think I have time, so I'll come back."
"Well, the lord of the 41st Ward seems busy."
"Both of you!"

　Turn around in front of the big door of his office and turn to Ricardo.
　Natalia gazes at the lord of the crap with a dignified look on her face.
　I'm putting my arm on the door and putting my weight on it.

"Thank you, sir,"

　Natalia says and breaks her back.
　I respect you for being bowed to by someone like this.

"I see," Then do as you please."

　Ricardo doesn't seem to be holding us back either.
　Even if the relationship deteriorates due to diplomatic rudeness, he doesn't seem to have any intention of following. You don't think it's necessary [You don't think you needn't you?

"He's the sort of man who will forget the kindness he's given so much." It's no use asking for politeness."Ricardo says insinuatingly.
　What do you mean by preferential treatment? Good treatment? I don't remember it at all.

　He looked at Natalia, but shook his head with a cool face.
　As for Estella, she looks... bewildered. After all, I don't seem to remember.

"Well, that's all right. If you're done with your business, you'll have nothing to talk about."

　While seated in a chair, Ricardo turns around.
　Oh, there's a swivel chair in this world, isn't there?

　Ricardo's hand reaches out from above the long back and swings from side to side.
They say, "Go home now."

　We look at each other to see if anyone has any objections. ...no, I'm not here.
　We unanimously chose to leave this unpleasant place.

"Oh, yes,"

　Step out of the room, Ricardo turns again. Naturally, you're sitting in a chair and bending over with a big head over heels.

"From the end of next month, I will impose a toll on people and things passing through the 41st district."
"What!"

　It was Estella who raised his voice.
　I re-enter the office where I came out.

"What are you talking about!"
"They say they will pass through the wards of Uchi, and impose tolls on the things and people that are brought into the wards of 42, and on the things and people that are brought out."
"I haven't heard of that, sir!"
"Why, haven't you received it yet?"
"You got it...?"

　So Ricardo smiled the most wicked smile ever.

"I sent you a letter,"
"... Letters..."

The word 'letter' sounded very unpleasant. ...what?
　Estella was frowning with her eyebrows crossed.
　When this guy looks like this, there's something in his mind that comes to mind, and he thinks, "Oh, I've done it."
　...and I guess it's some kind of harassment or insinuation.

"Anyway with the letter... isn't it a little rough to impose a toll on everything in the logistics?"
"The maid isn't talking to the lord of another ward... what kind of education do you have, oh!?"
"... Natalia,"
"I acted too much,"

　Natalia bows her head deeply.
　But it's certainly not against Ricardo. It's against Estella.

"Well, if you're reflecting, I'll forgive you. I'm broad-minded."

　What would happen if I used "Spiritual Judgment" now? If we can't turn that bastard into a frog with this, he will be incompetent.
　But to use the Spirit's Judgment on your lord would be like declaring war. Maybe the rest of the ward... no, there's a danger of bringing all the nobles and royals together and antagonizing them. ...you'll have no choice but to quit.

"Lord of the broad-minded 41 wards,"
"...what about you?"
"He's a handsome man passing by."
"...and what?"

　Wow, it's through. I can't read the whole story.

"Excuse me, sir, to answer this maid's question?"
"...are you selling fights?"

　The magnanimous lord is very quick‐tempered.
　I'm afraid I'll respect you. ...heck!

"Well, that's all I wrote in my letter. I'll teach you."

　I can see clearly what I meant to say from the beginning.
　I see. Is this the kind of person you have?
　I'm reluctant, impatient, and when the other person loses interest or feels like I'm done with it... I'm the type that I can't help but say.

　Here, I'll ask you, so tell me.

"You're going to build a street gate for your ward?"
"Well, yes... but that's before you, too...!"
"I wonder what many adventurers, hunters, and loggers will use when it's finished."
"... well, yes, maybe,"

　Suppressing Estella's objection, Ricardo says in a rich voice.
　There's a sticky, spiteful look on Estella.
　What's in that eye is... anger?

"Then there will be fewer visitors to our gates, won't there?"
"And that's because, as I've explained before, the street gate is in a different direction...!"
"Huh!? Explain?"

　Ricardo's voice of resentment comes out of his throat.
　This... this may not be just harassment... what's going on with this... what's going on?

"Well, the explanation is... enough already... ...to do so."
"Enough... oh, yes,"

　toss one's arms up and down
　It's the kind of pose you'll show when you're out of motivation.

"Well, anyway. We must make up for the decrease in tax revenues somewhere. The Forty-two wards are disadvantageous to me, and I suppose it is reasonable that I should be compensate you."
"That the Forty-second Ward was the cause..."
"The details are written in the letter,"

　It's also a letter.

"It's supposed to be a full explanation. You must read it carefully.

　At last Estella stopped responding.
　I can't see the expression on his face, but... Estella's back showed anger.

　Forty-two wards, which are surrounded by cliffs on the north and west and have outer walls on the south side, can only be accessed through forty-one wards. In other words, if the 41 wards were blocked, no one or thing would enter the 42 wards.Even if they were to come in, the tax would be added up to make it more expensive.

　Ricardo's policy is to sabotage the 42nd Street gates.
　I can't hold my tongue in my mouth.
　If it's too unreasonable a demand, I'm sure the general court will deal with it.
　In any case, if we leave this as it is, there is even a danger that goods will not enter the 42 wards.

"...are you going to make a quarrel with the Forty-two wards.
"Who is that? I heard you are building up your armament?"
"Oh!? It's a false accusation!"
`You're not bluffing!'

　Ricardo stands up, knocking down his chair and making a loud noise.
　That's too big... about 180 centimeters... there's too much height difference between Estella and me. No matter how masculine Estella behaves, this difference in physique cannot be filled.

　Estella took a half step back from Ricardo's overbearing attitude.

"You have ostentatiously decorated the square with the skulls of the beast, and the number of soldiers increased by several dozen?"
"... oh!"

　Estella reacts to Ricardo's words.
　I didn't know what it was half way through, but... he's going to tell me about the fake soldier's march to get rid of that grounder. Arms expansion... Does it look like that from the outside?

"I suppose you meant to conceal it well in your territory, but... unfortunately." I heard that the stupid honest kids cheerfully shout "Lord of Lords," waving a flag bearing the lord's emblem!"
"No, that's..."

　It's a complete misunderstanding.
　But Ricardo's assumption never stops.

"I suppose you were going to build up your armaments, open the gates, and profit from them... to attack the Forty-first Ward!"
"I don't mean to! I don't mind if you play the "Spiritual Judgment" here now!"
"Well! I see! You've got a very smart staff, haven't you?"

　Smart staff?
　I looked next door with a bad feeling that Natalia was staring at me.
　When I turned forward, Estella was looking at me.
　Don't look at me.

"Are you driving me to use the 'Judgment of the Spirit' here? That would be like declaring war." From you guys, it's a good chance. to take over this forty-first leg!"
"So I have no intention of doing so!"
"Then show me the evidence!"

　Ricardo's finger is pointed in front of Estella, who is about to crowd.

"... proof, evidence?"
"Yes, let me show you that you have no intention of invading."
"What do you want me to do?"

　Ricardo grinned wickedly, perhaps because Estella was willing to make concessions.


"Cancel the establishment of the street gate."


　Well... what!?