"Huh? ... I don't have time to listen to jokes. Tell me that at any time and place, even in the marina."

　As Marina sits on the sofa in her office, Dusker tells her uncomfortably.
　Already, evidence of a large crime has emerged in what could be called a luxury residential area around the aristocracy, and the response has been slow.
　Moreover, the case of the underground space and the treatment of Javis who was plotting it.
　There are many other problems, and they are linked in a semi-chain fashion, which makes Dusker meaningless to do more work.
　When Marina comes up there and is told that there is a way to do something about her tentacles -- or that she's summoned -- it's only natural that Dusker wants to tell her not to make much of course.
　Marina, however, smiles and takes a sip of the maid's tea before opening her mouth.

"I'll tell you, I'm not kidding, I'm really here."
`...can you do something with spirit magic?'

　Dusker knows Marina is an isolated spiritual wizard because of her childhood relationship.
　I thought it would be no exaggeration to say that, as a purely spiritual wizard, he was one of the best and possibly the best in the world.
　...I would never say such a thing in front of him, as he would certainly make fun of me.
　So it was only natural to think that perhaps Marina's Spiritual Magic might do something about it.
　In terms of ability, Ray is also a candidate, but it was Dusker's honest feeling that Ray's magic could destroy the entire underground space.
　That was what Dusker said, clinging to straw, but Marina shook her head... not vertically, but sideways.

"I'm sorry, but it's hard to do anything about this matter with spirit magic."
"Then how are you going to solve this problem? You're not going to say that Ray is going to make a tornado of flames and burn that underground space."
"That's too close.
"Oops!"

　Dasker thought it was half a joke, but he probably didn't expect it to come out of Marina's mouth.
　carry on one's words with considerable impatiently

"Make a tornado of fire in a city like this. It's definitely going to damage the surroundings!? No, on the contrary, it could damage the aristocracy. Your house is in the aristocracy, so you know that!"
"Calm down. I didn't mean to really use a tornado of flames. You said it's too bad, not the right answer?"

　At Marina's calming words, Dusker exhales loudly to calm himself down, and then reopens.

"I've settled down. So? How, specifically, are you going to solve the underground problem?"
"Actually, Ray's master visited my house yesterday."
"...what?"

　Marina's words were too unexpected.
　I've heard how to manage a case in the underground space, and I wonder why Ray's master comes out there.
　In the first place, it's winter and not many people visit Gilm.
　Under such circumstances, if someone, such as Ray's master, appeared, he could have contacted Dusker immediately.
　Naturally, however, no such person has been reported to have come to Gilm.
　Of course, it is possible that Dusker did not receive a report as a result of some kind of mistake yesterday, but it is still impossible to overlook.

"That's no joke, is it?"

　Marina nods as if she were right to ask Dusker for confirmation.

"Yes. I don't think you've come in on a regular basis. ... It's natural, if you think about it, that master is Ray's master? I mean, it's no surprise that he's better than Ray."
"That's... well..."

　When I think of Ray as a teacher, I can't help but be honest.
　Dusker will never be the only one to think so.
　Given Ray's absurdity, it was quite natural for many to agree.

"And I was just talking about the tentacles of the underground space, and I asked if you could help me."
"... just in case I don't want anyone to tell me about it."

　It was a half-stupid Dasker telling me, but I still don't blame Marina.
　Ray's teacher probably had a greater expectation that he could really manage.
　Of course, this is a cover story that Rey and his colleagues thought was too much about relying on Grimm.

"That's fine, isn't it? That's going to solve the problem. ... But as long as I asked for something pretty difficult, I was naturally given strict conditions."
"Strong conditions? Is he Ray's teacher?"

　I don't think we'll do such a thing.
　Marina shakes her head when she tries to say so.

"No. I guess it's because you're a master. To train Ray, Ray and we... the wings of the Red Lotus, and Elena and Arra. They won't allow us to participate in any other battle. And I'll give you the material that proves that they killed the tentacles, but Ray's master will give you all the other material."
"Isn't that a little too greedy?"
"But it's true that there's no other way but to rely on the master. ... You said you'd use sacrifices to earn time. Do you really manage while you're earning time?"

　If you say so, I can't say anything about it as a dasker.
　I ordered wizards, alchemists, scholars, and so on to think of ways to do something about it, but that doesn't mean that a solution will be forthwith.
　It was true, then, that in this case we had no choice but to rely on Ray's teacher.

"... All right. Then let's turn to Ray's master. Let me see him once."

　Ask for a case in the underground space that might be of great importance to Gillum. Of course, you should want to see firsthand what kind of person he is.
　But Marina shakes her head at Dusker's words.
　As long as it's Grimm, I can't let Dusker see me.

"I'm sorry, but it seems that Ray's teacher is not allowed to see many people because of his magical limitations."
"Then why did the marinas meet?"
"We... I think we, Elena, and Vihela are above a certain level of strength, so we're out of that limitation. And you also said that there's a connection."

　The explanation seemed convincing to Dusker, but it was impossible.

"You want me to believe that?"
"To be honest, we have no choice but to trust you. Do we have a choice with Dusker now, as I said before?"
「……」

　Marina's words left Dusker silent.
　At this point in time, I had no choice but to answer that there was no way.
　As long as they had no choice but to use sacrifices to gain time, there was something suspicious about the means that Dusker could take today... perhaps believe Marina's words, who was hiding something, or use sacrifices to gain time.

"...what are you going to do if you fail? I've heard a lot about the tentacles in the reports, and I've heard reports from people who saw them in person. So, I don't think it's easy to beat them?""Maybe so, but Ray's master can force his opponent to transition, so there's no doubt that he can use magic and attack methods that he couldn't use in the underground space. And as long as it's not in the underground space, Seto can participate in the battle. Same with me and Elena. ... Do you still think he's not good enough?"

　Dusker wanted to nod to the words.
　In fact, if it had been someone else who said it, Dusker would probably have nodded.
　But given the strength Marina has spoken of, that's a tremendous amount of skill.
　Nothing will do.
　That's probably because Dusker knows the Reyes well.

"…………………………Okay."

　After a good few minutes of silence, Dusker tells Marina so gravely and slightly bitterly.

"I'll leave the matter to you guys, and I understand that Ray's master can't meet anyone but you. But if... for real, I'll prepare Gilm's forces around the battlefield, and if you get out of control, I'll immediately put them in."

　Although it was explained that the tentacles would fight only with the Rays for Ray's training, Dusker still needed to do something for a rainy day as he was the lord of Guilm.
　Marina understands Dusker's position, so she nods without particular resistance.

"I don't mind that, but you understand that I, Ray, and Seto and Elena are fighting, and there's nothing you can do to say that they've been damaged by the aftermath of this attack."

　Himself, Ray, Set, Elena.
　Marina has spoken out of those who have a massive offensive.
　Marina is spirit magic, Ray is flame magic, Seto is brace, Elena is dragon language magic.
　Vihela's name was never mentioned, probably because it was a style of battle in which Vihela dealt with individuals rather than many.
　Put your troops around where they are fighting, and don't complain to yourself if the aftermath of the battle causes damage.
　This time Dusker nods to Marina's words.

"I know. I don't carelessly bring my forces close to where the spooks are fighting."

　Dusker had the feeling that if he had that much power to fight, he would not be able to deal with the tentacles...
　Still, it is the duty of a lord to prepare for an emergency.

"And when exactly is the battle against the tentacles? I don't want to be told that it's right now, because I'm ready."
"Well, Ray's teacher said he'd fit me to some extent, so considering that... how about tomorrow?"

　Marina's expression on her face was momentary but bitter.
　To defeat the tentacles tomorrow means that we need to continue offering sacrifices to the tentacles as we did yesterday.
　Even if you're a criminal, it's not pleasant for Marina to sacrifice.
　Marina's expression gave her a general idea of what she was thinking, but she didn't say anything about it.
　The matter had already been decided, and since that was the case, I understood that there was no point in arguing with Marina about something here.

"Tomorrow? All right. When exactly?"
"Well, I think it's better to stay bright if possible. In the dark, it's always a disadvantage in battle. No, there are a lot of people who can see at night, so it's all right, but it's still better in the daytime."
"Well, then... the demolition of the gigant turtleneck that Ray is now making. And, as it's outside the guillem, it would be unbearable if it got involved in the aftermath of the battle."
"I'll tell Ray, can you just talk to the guild from Dusker? It would be more appropriate to say it directly from the top than from Ray's not doing it."

　It has not yet been decided exactly where the tentacles will be put down.
　Still, as a minimum condition, it's certain that the Ray's fight will be far enough away to prevent damage to the surroundings.
　That's why the dismantling of the Giant Turtle, which was originally carried out right next to Gillum, is unlikely to cause any damage... but it's not certain.
　In the unlikely event of any real damage, it was certain that the demolition itself should not be carried out as long as it could damage many participants.
　Dusker nods right away, perhaps because he knows it.

"All right. We'll take care of the matter."

　Thus, talks between Marina and Dusker on the subjugation of the tentacles proceeded.