"This snack is delicious."

　Elk exclaims at cookies prepared for tea.
　As might be expected, the castle where the emperor of the Vestian Empire lived, and all the tea and cookies that were prepared were different from what they ate in the city.

"Thank you very much. So how about this one?"

　It was the maid who was ordered to take care of the Dusker party waiting in the room.
　I didn't make it myself, but it's a pleasure for the maid to be pleased with the hospitality, and I'm relieved that the people in front of me are completely different from what they heard.
　At first, the fight between the maid and the Dusker party was fierce.
　Of course, it's not that we want to go, but that we want to impose it on others.
　After all, the battle on the Seremuth plain became too famous.
　Moreover, as rumors spread, the content gradually became exaggerated, and eventually a giant man manipulated a huge sickle taller than he was, slashed nearly ten soldiers with one stroke, picked up his limbs and ate them up, and even created a tornado of flames to kill almost all of the Imperial army. ...for there was even such a rumor circulated.
　In the meantime, it was the maid in the room who forced each other to play the role and ended up drawing lots for the Dasker party.
　However, the maid now breathes a sigh of relief inside.

(What's the matter with you? and even if they say it's crimson, they look only small and cute to the outside.)

　The maid mutters to herself, watching Ray calmly carrying cookies to her mouth with Elk.
　The fear I had at first disappeared, and now I even had a sense of affinity for the guests in front of me.

"But this room is quite gorgeous,"

　Elk mutters over cookies.
　Min and Rodos nodded to such elks, taking them for granted.

"There's father and Ray, and above all, Mr. Dusker, so you can't pass him into a poor room."

　It's fair to say that the answer to that misrepresentation is half-hit and half-missing.
　It is true that we have prepared a luxurious room to avoid inconvenience because of the arrival of an important figure from a neighboring country...or an enemy country.
　But it also includes the intention of keeping people out of touch with whom they have a grudge in the spring war.
　be isolated in a sense It was the state of the Dusker party that could be described as such.
　Of course Dusker himself was aware of it, and Minn, Rodos, and the knights of the bodyguard were aware of it.
　Only Elk and Ray have noticed that they are drinking cookies.
　In these two cases, personal abilities are so high that they are therefore indifferent to them because they are confident that they will survive no matter what.
　In such a calm atmosphere, Elk, who was eating cookies, suddenly speaks to the maid.

"My dear sister," When exactly is the competition going to take place?"
"A competition? About 10 days left."
"I see. Rodos, how are you getting ready?"
"Of course it's all right. I'm going to stay in the final tournament and beat Ray."
"...me?"

　Ray is surprised to find his name out of the blue as he savors walnut-like nut cookies.
　But Rodos, who nodded to take it for granted, chewed down the cookie he had as if it were Ray.

"Yes, I certainly don't think I can beat you at this rate. But there's nothing absolutely wrong with it, and I'm sure I'll grow up as the tournament progresses."
"...I'll tell you, I'll grow as you grow throughout the game."
"Well, I'm sure I'll have more to grow!"

　Rodos cries out to himself, but Ray nods instead of saying anything back.
　In fact, Rodos is still developing today, whether or not he has more room to grow than Ray. This is because if you participate in a competition and win, it is true that you will improve your ability considerably.

"Then he who bet on Mr. Rodos will win,"

　It was the maid who had been listening to the story.
　It was a casual remark, but my heart beats fast for a moment to see if Ray's gaze was unexpected.

"Bets?"

　a maid nodding as if to mislead her heart

"Yes, bets are made at the annual competition. In the qualifying battle royal, you bet who will win, and in the final tournament you choose who will win, and so on. This is one of the major reasons why the competition is so exciting."
"...huh,"

　Ray smiles as soon as he hears something good.
　It wasn't that I was having trouble with money, but it was still so festive that I could see my desire to enjoy myself to the full.
　There is more resentment against the Empire of Bestia. With that in mind, it's not bad to bet your money on yourself.

"Well, I won't tell you not to bet, but let it go,"

　Looking at Ray's face, Dusker, who understands what he's thinking, says so.

"Oh? I guess you've come to watch the game a while ago."

　The maid, listening to the likes of Rodos, Ray, and Dusker, unexpectedly asked, but she smiled bitterly when she came back.

"Well, that's what I meant at first. After hearing about the competition, Ray said he would love to come out. That's why I'm going to get a recommendation when I meet the prime minister later. ...and your daughter, if you're going to bet, you'd better bet on Ray, because she's sure to get to at least a good spot in the final tournament."

　Dusker's jestful remarks make the maid smile.

(But actually, if she... were to play crimson, wouldn't the rate be quite low?)

　That's how the maid thinks, but because of her position she can't say it, she smiles and misleads it.

"I don't mean to lose so easily, Mr. Dusker,"

　Perhaps he felt left behind, Rodos also tells Ray, not Dusker... but Dusker.
　Originally, the cause of Rodos' participation in the competition is the cause. Even if it's impossible now, he speaks out with determination to overtake Ray during the competition.

"...well, hang in there."

　Elk mutters with distant eyes, half instinctively aware of why his son was so excited.
　The real problem is that Rodos can't possibly win against Ray, who lost.
　But since it was Rodos' first love, Elk's honest feeling was that he should do his best.
　I guess it's the same with Min.
　the first love of one's beloved son
　There are many things I think about, but I still wish you would do your best.
　"I don't know if I can describe it as being so peaceful...." but as I was drinking tea and eating sweets, a sudden knock on the door echoed in the room.

"Let's go in.

　In Dusker's words, it was Ombrell, the man everyone in the room had expected.

"Excuse me. Mr. Dusker, the Prime Minister is ready, and I will take you to the meeting place."
"All right,"

　Is it at last?
　Standing up with that in mind, Dusker takes Ray and Elk out of the room... and stops in front of him and turns to his maid.

"The tea and sweets were delicious, lady,"
"No, I'm glad you liked it."

　Others leave the room with a few words of thanks to the maid who bowed deeply.

"Well, I'll show you," It's not an audience with the Emperor, though.""Oh, I don't mean to be rude. ... Ray, I know."
"Yes,"

　Dusker's inner circle was well expressed in the way he only paid attention to Ray among the current members.
　As an individual Dusker, Ray's frank manner is desirable.
　The same goes for not being used to conversing with a superior person, but in this case, as long as he is close to the representative of the Kingdom of Mileana, he cannot be careless.
　If another war breaks out because of Ray's words and actions, it will undoubtedly be a nuisance in many ways.

(I don't think the Empire would make that choice, though, as it would be dedicated to recovering its lost strength in the Spring War. In particular, we should worry about it after the recovery of our military strength. ... next spring is still a relief, but I'm not sure when it comes to summer. Even if we take military action in autumn during the harvest season, it will have to be small as long as we can't pull people out of the countryside, and winter is out of the question. Then, is the most likely spring after next? Well, if this case goes well, you don't have to worry about it.)

　Quickly gather your thoughts in your mind and follow the guidance of Ombrell along the aisles of the castle.
　When it comes to meeting with the prime minister, the place has no choice but to be a place where security is tight. And when it becomes a heavily guarded area in a castle, naturally it is concentrated in the center of the castle.
　I mean...

"Hey, is that... of the kingdom of Milliana?"
"Oh, there's an axe of the god of thunder."
"Come to think of it, I heard that a neutral representative from the Kingdom of Milliana will come to this year's competition..."
"Representative? Wasn't he the main character? Well, I understand the similar meaning."
"Hey, wait! Neutralists need crimson, don't they?"
"There is no doubt about it. ...but as far as I can see, there's no such thing. The leading man is, in turn, the Larkus frontier, and I hear that the axe of the Thunder God and his party are united in the family, so is it the woman with the cane and the warrior, or the little one with the robe on?"
"The one behind it must be a knight in terms of equipment." Where is the crimson?"
"Well, he's a pretty big man, you know. Aren't they among them?"
"What? I've heard that I'm a small man."
"Hold on, hold on, hold on. You slashed a lot of soldiers to death in the first place, didn't you? I heard you couldn't do that with a small body. Or what is it? When you say small... do you mean that the child in that robe is crimson?"

　It was only natural that the Daskers walking down the aisle should have contact with those in the castle.
　I was walking through the spotlight like that, but as some of them said, few of them could spot Ray as crimson.
　...however, there are quite a few cases.

"Well... oh, well...You're lying... right?"
"Oh..."

　Two women who passed each other at such a timing as I could only say unfortunately.
　The two of them, wearing robes and holding sticks, look like wizards.
　He didn't suit his appearance and was actually a skillful wizard.
　He is not, however, a soldier of the Empire. He came to report his request to the nobles in the castle.
　What happens when two wizards... and two people who have the ability to see the magic of others see Ray?
　The older wizard, with his blue hair cut short on his shoulders, steps back unknowingly.
　The younger wizard, with his green hair braided in braids, sits back down.
　The people around him were looking at the wizard with a curious air of sudden behavior, but... they could not afford to care what the people around them looked at them.
　If you look closely, you'll have noticed the two wizards shaking little by little by little.
　But those around him were more eager to see the rumoured Dusker party than the suspicious wizard.
　and hide themselves so that they may not be found, as if they were carnivores, by the side of them.
　Fortunately, they both breathe a sigh of relief when they find themselves passing without the attention of the Dusker party.
　I don't look to the backs of the Daskers. I had no choice but to conclude that such behavior might attract their attention.

"Mr. Le Rickett..."

　The braid wizard manages to mutter only that.
　When the wizard of the shortcut hears this, he nods with a pale face, apparently understood what he meant.
　The complexion of both of them would make me think that if they were not good at it, they would fall down like this.
　But if you can't fall down here, you'll have to work on your shaky feet.

"That monster... why is he here?"
"Yes. Oh, I can't believe you've got all that magical power and you've got no problem moving. . I can't believe it."

　While they care for each other, the two wizards quickly leave the castle.
　If you hurry back to the inn, you will be ready to leave the imperial capital.
　Originally he was going to attend a competition, but he chose to leave the imperial capital as soon as possible... just leave the Empire and head for another country nearby.
　They were overreacting to Ray's magic, but this was probably the right choice given what would happen in the Westian Empire.