Famous adventurers visiting the Duke of Kelebel and their Anesis adventurers and aristocrats fight mock battles.
　The story spread from adventurers to residents who had been asked to do so, and many were interested in the mock war.
　Then, of course, some would like to make the affair a big event...the demands of such people, mainly merchants, would be transmitted to the Duke of Kelebel's Liberte.

"That's why we've received requests to play mock games on a large scale."

　Liberte's gaze turned to Ray.
　This kind of talk usually happens at dinner time, but today Ray is called to Liberte's office to hear it.

"Well, as long as I'm paid to fight a mock battle, I have no objection to the Duke of Quevel's doing it... but is there a place like that?"

　With the kind of stadium, there would be no problem playing mock battles.
　However, there is no such thing as a stadium in Anesis.
　So where Ray has been training lately with the Duke of Cellebel Knights?
　Ray thought so, but the place is large enough to train, but he thinks it's too small for the people of Annecis, the second largest city in the kingdom of Milliana.
　Ray is wondering what to do in that way, but Liberte says he has no problem with it.

"If Ray doesn't mind being a show, I'll set up a mock battle stage outside of Anesis. But as long as I don't have that much time, I'll just level the ground and create a simple audience."
"Are you okay? You do that outside of Anesis".
"Of course, in case of a mock war, we have security soldiers. And this is not a remote guillem. Monsters sometimes appear, but not so often, and thieves don't bother to come up to us."

　That's what Ray says, and he agrees.
　If this is Gilm, it's no surprise that many monsters, let alone thieves, will attack.
　What's more, it's winter and it's already snowing.
　At this time of year, monsters that move around in spring and autumn slow down, but monsters that only appear in winter move around much more actively.
　Most of these monsters are powerful, and ordinary soldiers in Anesis are not used to them, so Ray thought it would be difficult to deal with the attack, but it seems that it was a groundless fear.

(But I don't think he'll be attacked by monsters if he's taken to the mock battle.)

　Many monsters, though not all, decide they can't beat Set, and try to avoid contacting themselves if they understand Set is there.

"All right, that's fine with me. ... And the fact that it's going to be a merry-go-lucky thing, as a matter of course, there will be a lot of stalls."

　Ray's honest mind was that if there was a stall selling some delicious food, he would like to buy many things there and put them in the mistling.

"Well, it's decided,"
"Yes, then I'll excuse myself."
"Oh..."

　Ray tries to leave the room, but Liberte tries to say something to him.
　He must have noticed Liberte's appearance. Ray opens his mouth in wonder.

"What's the matter?"
"...no. Well, you know. Do you get along well with Elena?"

　Rey suffers a little from Liberte, who asks about her inner mixed feelings.
　When asked if they are getting along well, they can answer that they are.
　Recently, however, Elena was busy clearing away all the documents she had accumulated while she was in Gilm, and she didn't have much time for the two of us.
　Even so, if you are told whether you and Elena are on good terms with each other or not, you will definitely agree and nod back.

"Well, Elena has been busy for a few days, and she hasn't had the time she wants... but I don't think we're on bad terms."
"I see,"

　While nodding to Ray's words, he replies with a slight regret that Liberte had received a different response.
　Rey would have been at a loss for a reaction if he said that we were actually quite close here and that we were in bed again today...
　Unable to understand Liberte's subtle affection, Ray leaves the office and returns to his room after much conversation.
　In front of his office was Miranda, the maid in charge of Ray, so there was no need to worry about getting lost in this large Duke of Kelevel estate.
　Miranda, who guides Ray, is a little concerned about what Ray was talking about with Liberte, but she shows him regretfully that she can't imitate him as a maid.

"Now that you mention it,"
"Yes, what is it?"

　As she walks down the corridor, Miranda replies to Ray's abrupt opening.

"I think I've said before that I'm going to have a mock fight this time..."
"I've heard a lot about it, but have you come to a conclusion?"

　Nevertheless, Miranda knew for some time that a mock battle would take place.
　I've heard that Liberte asked me to do a mock battle in the first place.
　That being the case, he had determined that the mock war would not be canceled without much extra action -- a group of monsters attacking him, a blizzard, etc.

"Oh, apparently, the story is more widespread than I thought, and many of them want to take this opportunity to make a fuss. As a result, we're going to set up a simple stage outside Anesis and have a mock fight. Honestly, I don't know why we want to make such a fuss at this time of year."

　In the new year, it's a festive event.
　If that's the case, you don't have to go out of your way to make a fuss here and wait a little longer.
　On the other hand, Ray understood that the more you experience festivities, the happier you are.

(However, if you say that there are so many people gathering to watch a mock battle in the snow... No, do they gather?)

　People like to watch battles.
　It was obvious that there were stadiums in this world, and even when Ray was in Japan, there were quite a few fighting events.
　But where Ray lived, there were very few programs of that kind on TV.
　Nevertheless, at the end of the year, such programs were sometimes included in Ray's area, and it was not uncommon for professional wrestling organizations to come and do business.
　That being the case, there's no doubt that people like to see battles.
　If the battle is directly related to human life or death, those who don't like it won't see it, but this time it's a mock battle.
　Many will come to see the battle of a notorious adventurer because it is easy and safe to see.

"When it comes to this sort of festive activity, I suppose there are usually bets... where do you go about with your torso?"
"Bets?"
"Yes. No matter how strong Ray is, he's got a lot of people, because there's a good chance that there's a well-known opponent, and above all, number is power. I think it's possible that it's a good bet. And even though I've heard of Ray, I don't think many of you have actually seen his ability."
"Oh,"

　Ray smiles, saying he heard something interesting.
　It's not that Ray was struggling with money, but it's not very interesting if someone still makes a profit by betting on his own mock game.
　Then I'll bet on myself, and I'll make a profit, even though I'll make a little less money.
　That's how I came up with the idea... that my gaze was directed at Miranda.
　Miranda takes a few steps away from Ray half-reflectively, wondering if there was anything in Ray's gaze as he walks next to her.

"What is it? I had a slight bad feeling about it said.
"No, I have a favor to ask of Miranda. If it's such a festive occasion, naturally Miranda will join, right? Then I'll put my money in my hands, and I'll give you 30 percent of the money as a commission. Then Miranda can bet on me separately."
"... you don't think you're going to lose at all."

　The reason why I looked at him with a slight sense of amazement is because I understand that Ray is so strong.
　Ray nods unconsciously to Miranda's gaze.

"I don't know if there will be any adventurers of different names, but I won't lose against them. ... Well, if Elena and Filma break in, that's not the case, is it?"Elena and Filma are among the greatest forces in the power of the Duke of Kelebel.
　Ray predicted that such a person would not be so easily mocked.

(If no one is watching, or is watching, a mock battle only among their relatives, then there is no problem... if it is a mock battle among so many people as to be a festival, and if they lose, the Duke of Quevel's name will be damaged, let alone this mock battle, at the request of the nobles.)

　If the captain of the Knights of Kerebel, or Elena, who is called a symbol of the nobility, were to lose, the nobles would undoubtedly make a fuss.
　Reverte never thought he'd bring out Filma or Elena, given that he knew it.
　Miranda ponders Ray's explanation for a moment and nods convincingly.

"Well, I don't think your husband would do that in a crowded place, let alone when it's just his family. Then it might be as he said."
"Well, then, you ought to be profitable enough to bet on me, though, if the Duke of Quevel were to make the bet."

　Ray is to get wind ores as a reward for participating in this mock battle.
　That being the case, if the Duke of Quelevel was to do the body, Ray would not bet any more.
　But Miranda nods to reassure Ray that he's OK.

"There's no problem with that. It's usually the people in that line who make up the torso in these cases."
"...that's the story,"

　The plot in this case definitely means people in the underworld.
　That being said, Ray should not be surprised at all.
　It's because I knew from the news that even when I was in Japan, I was behind the scenes when that kind of bet was made.

"Then, you needn't worry about it in particular, though, if they are involved, some of the proceeds will naturally be collected as taxes on the Duke of Quevel."
"I think so, but if you think that far, you'll be able to do nothing?"
"I don't deny it. ... So I'm going to deposit with Miranda the amount I want you to bet on. How much do you want? A little bit of a gold coin?"
"What!"

　Miranda's mouth is astonished at the thought of the word "golden gold coin" coming out of Ray's mouth.

"Well, I think it's a little too large a sum -- you may not be able to accept my bet."
"Is that so?"
"Yes,"

　Miranda nods immediately to Ray's words without thinking.
　Looking at Miranda's appearance, he takes out a white gold coin instead of a gold coin.
　Miranda was still a little frightened, but five or so white coins would not be that much for Ray.
　As a result, Miranda receives five white gold coins Ray has offered.

"This white gold coin may lower the odds, but ... don't you mind?"
"I don't mind that. It's our judgment that if we make some money, that's all right."
"...All right. Just keep this money for Mr. Ray, so that I don't have it and lose it badly."

　Ray, who was not afraid of anxiety, was so impressed by Miranda's words that he kept the white gold in his mistling.