Liberte's greeting begins the party and everyone starts to move around.
　For aristocrats, this party is a party, not a party.
　It's not only a party, it's also a political scene.
　Talk to people you rarely meet and stock up on information.
　In some cases, it is not uncommon for some kind of business to take place.
　That's why not so many people were purely enjoying the party, and everyone was working to maximize their interests.
　But most of them are only aristocrats, and in that sense Ray, who is not an aristocrat, does not have to worry about it...

"Well, Ray. The food here is still delicious."

　When I was eating with Elena, I was suddenly told that.
　Whose voice it is obvious to Ray.
　I was with him until a few hours ago.

"Well, but given his physique, shouldn't he eat too much?"

　Watching Blue It's huge, Ray replies.
　Many aristocrats look as if they were ahead of them a little further away.
　Naturally, there were many Duchess of Kelebel who tried to speak to Elena, also known as General Princess, and Ray, also known as crimson.
　There were so many that they couldn't keep each other in check and talk to each other... and as a result, Ray and Elena enjoyed the taste of Georgima's cooking... it was Blue It that broke it so easily.
　Originally, Bluit had to keep the nobles in check.
　in titles, interests, loans, etc.
　But Blueit told Ray normally that it didn't matter.
　Around here, there seems to be a sign of the substandardity of the blue-it aristocracy.
　However, if you ignore the convention in this way, you will be in trouble later.
　Still, Blueit probably told Ray that it didn't matter.
　Several nobles cast abominable glances at Blueit, but he did not seem to care about it and continued to talk about cooking with Ray.

"And yet, as far as you can see, you seem to be a good match, or a bad match, and it's a delicate touch."
"Who is that?"

　Slightly dissatisfied with Blueit's words, Ray says so.
　But Elena opens her mouth with a smile on her face.

"Huh, Ray. You don't have to worry that much about whether we look good on you. It's just from the perspective of others. What matters is what we think ourselves."
"...when I hear you say that, I have a vague feeling that I can't understand."

　As he says, Ray brings some kind of roast meat to his mouth.
　In terms of meat, Ray usually eats meat from high-ranking monsters, but the meat he brought to his mouth tasted exceptional.
　I don't know exactly how Ray cooked this dish if he wasn't good at cooking. I don't know... but it was obvious to Ray, who was enjoying the taste of meat, that he wasn't just baking it normally.
　It was obvious that the meat itself was of very high quality, but perhaps they were more careful about how to cook it.

"This meat is delicious."
"Oh,"

　As Blueit nodded in agreement to Ray's murmur, Elena watched them with interest.
　While the three of them were having fun, suddenly one of the nobles who was watching the situation approaches.
　It's the aristocracy who has survived the silent checks and balances.

"Thank you, Elena, for the year to come again. But when I see Elena dressed up, I can't help but admire her."

　Elena smiles a little at the aristocracy for saying so.
　Ray, who was watching next to him, judged that the nobleman was not a bad match for Elena.
　In fact, the nobleman also talks to Ray, who was on Elena's side, with a smile on his face.

"It's Mr. Ray of crimson. My domain is so far away that I unfortunately arrived after the mock war, and I've heard from my men that I've been watching the mock war that I'm quite strong, and I've been following the Gryphon."
"If you say so, it's worth your efforts."
"Oh, I don't mind speaking down. I'm used to dealing with adventurers because they're active in my territory."

　Ray says so with a smile on his face.
　Ray doesn't usually use such polite language with anyone else, let alone with whom he's clearly high-ranking -- and therefore not hostile.
　This time, however, it's a different story.
　Since it was a party held by Elena's father, Liberte, Duke of Kerebel, any disturbance here would destroy the face of Elena's father, Liberte.
　Ray wanted to avoid such a thing if he could.
　I know Liberte is no better than Dusker, and above all Elena's father.
　It was only natural that he should not want to make a face of such a person.
　Moreover, Liberte is indebted in recognition of Ray's relationship with Elena in the form of acquiescence.
　Of course, Rey understands that Liberte had no idea... that's not just because Elena wanted to.
　Elena, nicknamed the Princess General, was at the same time the daughter of the Duke of Kelebel, and it was no surprise that marriages were made to make the Duke of Kelebel more prosperous, regardless of her own will.
　Despite the circumstances, Liberte acknowledged Elena's relationship with Ray.
　Naturally, there will be a good relationship between the aristocracy and the neutrals, and a profit and loss account in which Ray can ask for help through Elena in the event of something happens.
　Especially the latter... it's very reassuring for Liberte to be able to ask Ray for his help.
　Seto and Ray. If one of them really wants to do so, they are convinced that they have enough power to destroy a small country.
　With that in mind, it is in the interest of the Duke of Kelebel and the Lords to recognize Ray's relationship with Elena.
　However, it is only a matter of logic, and many people are not convinced by their feelings.
　It is especially common among young aristocrats who have been after Elena, and such people have a strong sense of jealousy toward Ray.
　Sure enough, Elena is a daughter of the Duchess, nicknamed General Princess, and has the beauty of being seen once in a lifetime.
　Many aristocrats are accustomed to women, but it is difficult for such a person to behave as usual in the presence of Elena.
　But if she was wearing a party dress as glamorous as she is now, her feelings could have become even stronger.

"Well, let me break down the language. But, as I say, isn't it unusual for me to be a nobleman and often associate with adventurers?"
"I don't deny that, though my territory is not as large as the frontier like Gilm, but there is a deep and vast forest inhabited by monsters, and that is why I have more opportunities to meet adventurers."
"Yes,"

　a deep and vast forest inhabited by monsters
　Ray, who is seeking the magic stone of an unknown monster through witchcraft, is very interested in the words.
　The aristocrats also open their mouths, wondering if they understood Ray was interested in his words.

"Are you interested? If so, come to my territory. It should be a comfortable city for adventurers."
"Well, if I have a chance, I'd like to go there once... I'm busy with many things now, so I don't know when I'll go."

　Ray's words seem a little disappointing.
　However, Ray is actually very busy now.
　He is now treated as a guest of the Duke and Duchess of Quevel, but only now.
　I'm going back to Gilm shortly after this party.
　When we get back to Gilm, we are waiting for the dismantling of the Giant Turtle.
　When it comes to dismantling the gigant turtleneck, Ray doesn't have to accompany him, but he has a mountainous build, so the person in charge should stay there in case of any trouble.
　If you can't make an immediate decision when something happens, that's how much time you waste.
　Also, in spring, the work of building the guillem will be revived, and the wings of the red lotus will be busy, including Ray, who has the mistling.
　Even so, I sometimes get a vacation like I did when I went to the beach in summer, even though I thought it would be hard for the laymen in busy days.
　I didn't explain anything, but I think Ray's expression gave him a general idea of what was going on. The aristocratic man doesn't try to force himself to go any further, though he was a little disappointed."I see. I'm afraid I can't help it. But I hope you'll come one day when you're free."
"Oh, I'll let you."

　Ray doesn't mean that he doesn't go to this aristocrat's territory because he likes everything.
　The magical stone of an unknown monster is a very interesting thing for Ray as well.
　In the meantime, it was not only Ray who expressed interest in the aristocrat's story, but also Blueit, who was listening with him.

"Well, it's interesting. May I go to Count Van Lyle's territory, too.
"What? Are you serious, Mr. Blueit?"

　The Lords... Count Van Lyle cast a startled glance at Blueit.
　Blueit is the next head of the Earl of Exoris family, though not quite by his personality alone.
　Knowing that, Count Van Lyle would not be happy to hear that Blueit was coming to his city.
　But Blueit nods to Count van Lyle with a fierce smile.

"Yes. I'm going to take over as Earl of Exoris eventually, and I'd like to be as strong as I can be, because then it's best to experience actual warfare."
"I'm sure that's the case, but I don't really recommend it very much."
"Well, it's better to think about your situation a little bit."

　It was not Ray or Elena, but another person who said so.
　He was a stranger to Ray, but Elena, Blueit and the Earl of Van Lyle would have been different.

"Baron Mutta, is that you?"

　The words of Count Van Lyle are very familiar.
　There is a considerable difference in peerage between the count and the baron, but in the case of these two, it seems that they are in a relationship regardless of their peerage.

"Well..."
"Oh, excuse me. I just heard Blueit say something crazy, so I interrupted you. It's been a long time, Mr. Elena. It's an honor to meet you, Mr. Ray. I'm a childhood friend of Baron Azuel Muta. I'm still on friendly terms with Count van Lyle."
"It's Ray. He's the adventurer of Gillum. Well, there are a lot of things here."
"Oh, a lot of things. That sounds like a lot of trouble."

　Azuel looks as old as Van Lyle... in his mid-30s.
　However, it's just Ray's impression that it's that much, and the age of appearance is not very reliable in this Elgin, where there are people who live long, such as Elf.

"And Baron Muta, why can't I go to Count Van Lyle's? That's no problem, is it? I don't mean to tell you to take responsibility if I get hurt."

　Azuel breathed a sigh of amazement at the discontented Blue It.