The dinner with the Duke and Duchess of Kelebel ended well.
　Ray lay on the bed, relieved by the fact.

"First of all, did you manage to break through the first barrier?"

　I think Elena's first meeting with her parents has worked out reasonably well.
　But that's just what Ray thinks, and we don't know how it really went.
　Nevertheless, in view of his appearance with the Duke of Kelebel and his wife, Arcadia, he could not have failed at least.

(I'm grateful to Georgima for that.)

　for he had been made to eat a variety of food that would have made him want to dive into, and that was why he did not have to have an in-depth conversation with the Duke of Kelebel.
　. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
　Ray understood that, but the truth is that he wanted to be excused when we met for the first time.

(For the time being, I have nothing particular to do from tomorrow, so I'll go and see how Sett is doing...)

　Although I have heard from Elena that this is the first time I've ever been to Anesis, I still want to see her face.
　That's how... Ray could not resist the warmth of the bed and fell asleep from the sense of freedom that he had finished his dinner with Elena's parents.





"What did you think?"

　By the time Ray fell asleep, the Duke of Kelebel was enjoying the couple's time, drinking wine with his wife in his bedroom.
　For her husband, who asks while eating dried meat -- but a special made by Georgima -- Arcadia puts her glass in her hand on the table, enjoying the aroma of wine, too.

"What do you mean? Do you mean Ray?"
"Yes, in my eyes, he seemed like a man of his own. In fact, he has done so many good things."
"...but as an adventurer, you know? I've collected a lot of information about him, but I don't think he's fit for the nobility."

　Arcadia also naturally collected information about Ray as long as his daughter was involved.
　She didn't reveal it in her conversation, but she knew much about Ray's background.
　That's what made Ray famous in the last few years.
　Before that, she was supposed to have trained under a wizard living deep in the mountains, but for her mother, Arcadia, she couldn't honestly believe it.
　However, from what I've talked about today, I didn't think I could do that kind of ventriloquy.
　Still, there's no doubt that you can't believe it completely because there's something suspicious about it.

"Well... I've been collecting a lot of information about Ray. From that information, I've concluded that it's almost impossible for me to live as a nobleman, though I'm extremely competent in battle."

　As far as the war against the Vestian Empire goes, there is no doubt that he will be the first to fight as a nobleman... well, he will have more ability than that.
　Having an item box is definitely beneficial as a nobleman.
　They are subservient to the Gryphon, and they can move very quickly.
　But... it never seemed to me that I could do the work of a noble family.
　Ray is best at moving in the form of being used by people.
　That was the conviction that the Duke of Kelevel had gained from talking to Ray.
　Above all, it is Ray's harsh character that he cannot live as a noble. It is almost impossible to live as a noble if you don't like him and use force relentlessly even if you are a noble.
　If you're an adventurer -- of course, it's not always acceptable for an adventurer to use force against a nobleman -- it's a fatal act for a nobleman to do so.
　There are some aristocrats who think that the common people are just trash, and even if they leave them alone, they will soon increase, but it is impossible for them to lead the aristocracy.

"They often go to battle, but it is more important for them to manage and prosper their lands."

　In a calm tone, Arcadia says so with strong conviction.
　Indeed, Arcadia's usual absence in Annesis is largely due to the further development of the territory of the Duke of Quelebel.
　As Duke of Kelebel, I really want my wife to be by her side if possible... but it is also true that Arcadia has improved the security of the Duke of Kelebel compared to before, and that there are many villages and towns that are developing with the increasing numbers of merchants.
　With all this results, the Duke of Quelevel could not and would not stop his wife's conduct.
　Although she is his beloved wife, the Duke of Kelebel... No, Liberte Kelebel is in the position of Duke of Kelebel.
　As long as Liberte decides the fate of thousands, tens of thousands, or more, he has to put his position as a public figure before a private one.
　If you are an aristocrat, you may ask yourself, "What's wrong with that?" and act as you please.
　But unfortunately... and fortunately Liberte had a rare sense of ethics for an aristocrat, as did his wife Arcadia.
　Liberte's personality may have led the aristocracy to one of the three major factions of the kingdom of Milliana, led by the Duke of Quelebel.
　If Liberte had such a personality as to take pride in himself as an aristocrat, there was no doubt that the Duke and Duchess of Quevel would not have been able to have the power they have now, even if they remained dukes.

"Well, in that sense, Elena may also pass for a noble."
"Well, yes,"

　Elena, who was not interested in the social world and sought her own strength, was a heretical figure in terms of nobility.
　If this had been the presence of an older sister or brother, Elena's manner would have been complimented and not frowned upon.
　But now Elena is the only legitimate descendant of the Duke of Quelevel.
　Originally, he should have been helping Liberte with his work as the next Duke of Quevel, or working with Arcadia to look around the Duke of Quevel and improve where he could.
　No, if you don't, it's strange.
　Or will you adopt a son-in-law?
　Since Elena is already in her twenties, she is old enough to be married as a nobleman.
　But... I don't think Elena would be interested in that sort of thing.
　Both parents understand her competence, but considering her happiness, I doubt she will be able to live as a nobleman.
　No, should we describe the size of Elena's vessel as being more than that of a noble.
　That's why Liberte ordered Elena to inherit the magical stone of the Ensent Dragon.
　To be honest, it was true that there was a feeling that the succession ceremony would probably fail...but as a result, the succession ceremony was mostly successful, although there were some problems.

(Successor or distant relative may be adopted)

　Liberte conjures up in his head the capable men of the house next to the Duke of Kelebel.
　But suddenly Arcadia's hand was added to Liberte's thinking.

"What's the matter?"
"No, Ray said, "If you're going to let Elena go, you can have another child." ... I think it's better for me to do that than to take a poor adopted child. Don't you think so?"

　Liberte quickly figured out what his wife was asking for.
　I got up from the chair where I was sitting and took my wife...





"Grull!"
"Squeak? Squeak!"

　The stables at night echo the cries of Seto and Yellow.
　Seth and Yero, who had eaten until they were satisfied with the food, were playing in the stable, unable to bring themselves to sleep.
　Fortunately, there are currently only two horses in this stable, Seto and Yero, so playing this way at night will not cause any trouble to other animals.
　. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
　But if you're a rigorously trained horse, you can't help but be nervous when an average horse is with Seto.
　If we had been together for a certain period of time, the horses would be more accustomed to it, but... it was certainly better to keep the stables separate from the beginning.
　A trained horse isn't intimidated by being with Seto, but it doesn't mean he doesn't feel stressed.
　In that sense, it would be fair to say that those in charge of the horses in the Duke of Quevel made the best judgment.

"Glu?"
"Squeak! Siss!"

　And because there are no other horses, only Seto and Yero can use the stable freely.
　Those in charge of handling the horses removed the partitions in the stable so that Sett could move freely, and now the stable itself felt like Sett's room.
　Seth... it was the first time he had ever handled a Gryphon, but he was still highly intelligent and did not act rashly, and the move was completed without any particular disturbance.
　It is true, however, that many people are still afraid of the existence of Seto.

"Gururururling!"Kiss! Kiss! Kiss Kiss Kiss Kiss Kiss Kiss Kiss Kiss!"

　Seto and Yero run around in the enlarged stables.
　There is no such thing as light in the stable.
　But Seto and Yero were able to look around the stable in the faint moonlight, and there was no problem.
　The building is reasonably large, with the Duke of Kelevel's stable.
　It was big enough for Seto and Yero to run around.
　...however, if it were to be true that Seto would run about, the stables would never be large enough to run about with him.
　Perhaps pleased with the act of running around in the dark, Seto and Yero happily chase each other in the stable.
　Sometimes Yero took Seto, sometimes Seto took him.
　They were playing around like that, but all of a sudden, Seto stopped chasing him and looked out of the stable.
　A few seconds late, Yero also turned his gaze to Seto.
　However, there is no sign of hostility or vigilance in their eyes.
　for the signs outside the stables were those of those whom Seto and Yero knew.

"Glu?"
"Squeak!"

　Do you want to go? Of course!
　The two, with such brief cries, went straight to the stable door.
　The reason why I hurried this far is probably because of the scent that drifts away, though it may be because I knew it.
　I had dinner properly, but it was a few hours ago.
　Both Seto and Yero were a little hungry, if not unbearable.
　It can't be helped, especially since he's been running around in the stables.
　Then the door opened...

"Oops,"
"Hey, Elena!"

　Elena exclaims in surprise at Seto and Yero, who burst into her direction.
　Arra, who was on Elena's side, tried to protect her, but before that... Seto and Yero stopped.

"Huh, were Seto and Yero so hungry, Arra?"

　At Elena's words, Arra places a plate of food in her hand with a slightly unhappy expression on the ground.
　The food was left over from today's dinner.
　Originally, Georgima's cooking was too much, but other cooks were supposed to compete to learn the art.
　The reason why there are some parts of Seto and Yero is because Elena had told Georgima beforehand.
　Say that Seto is Ray's partner and therefore has the right to eat the same food as Ray.
　The main dish was too laborious to prepare, but the rest of the dishes were well left.
"It may not be enough, but forgive me."

　To Elena, who told her so, Seto and Yero would shout at each other, not caring.