Ray and Vichela, Pamidor, Azimov and Bune came to a bar in the corner of Gilm.
　It's already evening, and each of us, including adventurers, is relieving the tiredness of the day.
　Meanwhile, the five sat at a table in the back of the bar.
　Also, the reason why Bune, who is not related to this story at all, is that Bune only knows Ray and Vichela.
　I followed the four of them, hoping to be with Ray and Vichela rather than with strangers.
　Ray and Vichela understand Bune's skills as thieves and may have to ask for something in this case.
　It would be better to explain the situation together than to explain it again.
　There is also a reason why they did not have to go to the guild because the mission to subdue Cyclops was not originally for Ray and his team, and they were not asked to do anything about auxiliaries.
　though it might have been a tragedy to Miredog and Johanna, who were looking at Sett, who was now waiting outside the bar, for the food to arrive.

"Is this girl really such a good thief? She's the same age as Kumito, right?"

　They ordered drinks and food, and while they were delivered, they each chatted lightly, saying they couldn't talk too complicatedly.
　In the midst of all this, it was only one word that came out of Pamidor's mouth when Bune was described.

"Yes,"

　But Bune mutters a few words, not particularly angry, as he is already accustomed to being taken lightly by age.
　...and Ray has often experienced being underestimated for his age and appearance, but it's an adult response compared to Ray.

"Do you know a place called Egjil?"
"Oh, I know," It's a labyrinthine city! Alchemy is high because it has good materials."

　When Azimov hears Vihela's words, he immediately answers.
　Pamidor was a skilled blacksmith and had knowledge of labyrinthine cities.

"It's one of several labyrinthine cities in this country," Is that what?"
"She used to capture the dungeon in the labyrinthine city as a solo until she met me. "In the end, though, he had a party with me and tried to capture it."""
"...this child?"

　Pamidor looked somewhat fishy, but it was no wonder, given Bune's appearance. 　
　I heard that a child of about 10 years was challenging the dungeon solo.
　However, Vihela nods without hesitation at Pamidor's words.

"Yes, of course. I guarantee you my arm."
"...I don't mind assuring you of your skill." Who are you? I guess there are many reasons why I see you with Ray."
"Wait a minute," Why do you make sense just by being with me?"

　Rey's remark almost disappointed him, but Pamidor looks at him dumbfoundedly, thinking what he takes for granted.

"I'm with you, and it's certain that there's some reason,"
"Did you say it? Did you say it completely?"

　As long as Vihela is actually a reasonable person, it's hardly convincing.
　Nevertheless, Ray was thinking of saying something back, but he stifled at the sight of the waitress carrying a number of plates of food on his wrist and arms.

"Yes, wait," Two ale, one wine, two fruit water. and stir-fried oak, stewed jalm, and so on."

　Ray's eyes turn to the food on the table.
　He was particularly interested in the dish of simmered jalm.
　Jalm is the second monster Ray has met since coming to Elgin, and looks like a flying squirrel.
　It is a dish in which the hair of the jalm is removed, the internal organs are removed and pre-treated to make it easier to eat, boiled in plenty of hot water, and then boiled with vegetables in the sauce.
　If you remove the bones of the jalm during the preparation, you can eat it as it is.

"Take your time,"

　She immediately smiles at Ray, who reaches for Jalm's boiled food, and the waitress leaves.
　Vichela opens her mouth after confirming that no one is paying attention to her story for a few minutes.
　In addition, the reason why people are not paying attention to the presence of Vihela is that almost all the people in this bar live in Guilm or know more about Guilm, and Ray is noticed from the Gryphon outside the bar.
　...and I'm sure it has something else to do with the presence of a vicious-faced Pamidor who only looks like a boss of a thief.
　Even though they were interested in Vihela, there was no one in this bar who was reckless enough to poke fun at a group of such two.
　If I had, I would have stopped it.

"... now, can we get down to business?"
"Well, before you do that, tell me why you are involved in this story. As soon as Azimov told Ray about the hammer, he had better talk where you were."

　In Pamidor's eyes, the much talked-about Azimov was reaching for skewers.

"Now that you mention it, I haven't introduced myself yet." Vyhela, former second princess of the Vestian Empire. Thank you very much."
「……」

　Pamidor glances at Ray in silence, as Vihela smiles and tells him plainly.
　Ray nods back to Pamidor's gaze.

"The world is quite..."
"Well, that's it. You understand why I should call Vihela on this, right? ...and so on. Azimov,"
"I wonder why ale and skewer go together like this." Oh, you mean the hammer was made by an alchemist of the Vestian Empire?"
"Yes, sir, how can you say that the hammer was made by an alchemist in the Westian Empire?"
"That's easy," Alchemy depends on the individual, but the effects of what one has learned up until then are not small. And the alchemy of the Bestian Empire has developed rapidly in recent years, and its characteristics have become more pronounced. If you look at the magic items created by the alchemists of Ozos and the alchemists of Bestia, you can see them all."
"...anyone? I didn't know when I showed it to the guild staff."

　Ray suddenly asks after Azimov's words, but he immediately shakes his head when asked.

"Correction, not anyone, but any alchemist of some ability."
"That's no longer anybody, is it?" How good are you based on?"

　Wailing at Azimov's words based on himself, Ray opens his mouth again.

"And that hammer was characterized by the alchemists of the Westian Empire?"
"Oh, if you don't mind, I can elaborate on its characteristics or alchemy, but you're not interested, are you?"
"It's not that I'm not interested, but I am." I don't think we have time to ask that now."

　Azimov is momentarily overwhelmed by Vichela's words, which have become a little sharper since he heard of the involvement of an alchemist in the Vestian Empire.
　Basically, alchemy is everything, and Azimov has a personality that doesn't care about the other person's status, but Vihela's gaze seems to have something to feel.

"And it's really not a mistake, is it? It's not funny to say later that the Westian Empire had nothing to do with the matter?"
"There is no doubt about it. If you ask other alchemists, they probably have the same opinion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ."Oh, yes," Don't you have to be an alchemist in the Westian Empire and still serve the Westian Empire?"

　Vichela breathes a faint sigh of relief at what Ray says.
　Leaving the Vestian Empire probably did not mean that he had lost his love for home.
　Especially since the next emperor is Mercurio who adores Vihela, that feeling is even stronger.
　But it was a cruel fact that he had leaked out of Pamidor's mouth against such violas.

"But that hammer was made recently." It hasn't been a year... No, maybe it's been a month or two."

　Having been introduced as a skilled blacksmith, Pamidor's words resonate with Vihela.

"...yes. Then it's going to be a little boring."

　To the muttering Vihela, Ray opens his mouth in agreement.

"When I heard that the hammer was made by an alchemist in the Vestian Empire, I remembered Rodos, who fought during the civil war. If you think about it, there are many similarities between giving strong regenerative abilities and depriving people of their will."
"I mean, the alchemist who served my brother is coming here? For what... not to mention."
"I don't mean to brag about it, but that civil war has set me apart."
"... civil war? Did it happen last year in the Empire of Bestia? But you're running away, aren't you? Were you involved in the civil war?"

　Pamidor's ears naturally ask if the incident of last year's civil war had reached them.

"Well, many things have happened. And the first prince, who became an enemy in the civil war, had an alchemist, and the flow of the story suggests that the alchemist was probably involved. What do you think?"

　Ray asks Azimov, but when asked, he only looks difficult.

"You'll be in trouble if I ask you about it." There is no doubt that the hammer was made by an alchemist from the Vestian Empire. But if you ask me if it was the hand of the first prince, I don't know."
"...is that so?"

　Ray is unconsciously convinced by what he says while drinking ale.
　It is obvious that he was an alchemist in the Bestian Empire, but not all of them participated in the civil war as the First Prince.
　Ray immediately shakes his head when he thinks that an alchemist who never participated in the civil war may have somehow come to the kingdom of Milliana.

"That's not the case, is it? An alchemist from the Vestian Empire happens to come near Gilm and makes magic items that only a large monster, such as Cyclops, can use, and a red Cyclops gets them by chance... how many coincidences do they have to overlap?"

　It is said that it would be inevitable if it continued three times by chance, but Ray felt that there was something in this case that he clearly only aimed at.

"It doesn't taste good,"

　It was Vihela who muttered so.
　Naturally, the word "bad taste" coming out of that mouth is not about cooking, but about the present situation.
　At least for Ray, every dish on the table is not bad, and it can be said that it'
　Of course, since it is a popular bar, it doesn't mean it's the best food, but it didn't taste bad.

"Are you an alchemist?"

　Just in case, Vihela nods as she carries the nut dressing of the steamed vegetables on the plate to her mouth.

"Yes, as Ray knows, Mercurio and the aristocrats and neutrals of the kingdom of Milliana are on good terms with each other as a result of last year's civil war. ...well, my father's idea changes a lot, but for some reason he seems to let Mercurio like him now. But if this case really involves the Alchemists of the Westian Empire..."

　Vichela paused there, but it was not difficult for those who heard it to predict the continuation.
　A long‐time adversary commits an act that seems only to be malicious toward a country he is now friendly with.
　The result will undoubtedly have a negative effect on the relationship between the Kingdom of Milliana and the Empire of Bestia.

"I think you'd better talk to Mr. Dusker for a moment," --yesterday, today."

　muttered Vihela, rising from her chair...

"Ray?"

　For some reason, Vihela looks at Ray standing next to her.

"Yes,"

　Following Ray, Bune also stands up.

"Well, Vihela has taken care of me a lot. Besides, it's better to have more military power, isn't it?"
"Yes,"

　Bune nods in agreement with Ray.
　Their appearance immediately brings a smile to Vichela's lips, albeit for a moment.

"That's stupid,"

　While she said so, Vihela showed her joy.