Then we hear a whole lot of information about the Sea Serpent, about this city and about the Council.

　To make a decision on anything, you need information.
　To fight without information is a fool's errand, as my father Vandal says.

　After a few hours of listening to the summary, we all have dinner and sleep in the room we were assigned for the day without making any conclusions.

Sleeping Creatures Grow Up!　It's in bed to collect your thoughts!

　These are the words of the cerebral goddess Mother Militia, but surprisingly, they strike at the truth, or perhaps even more useful than the words of Father Vandal.

　A tired body and mind cannot come up with a good strategy.
　So I accept the hospitality of the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce.

　Today, the cook was upset because he didn't know he would have guests, but he still gives you the best food. The Anaheim family seems to eat good food on a regular basis. There are delicacies from the mountains and the sea that you can't eat on the road.

　Once you've tasted them, you'll be able to talk to Karen. When it's time to go back to your room, take a bath, brush your teeth and go to bed. Sleep like mud and wake up just as the chickens start their nap.

　You have slept so far because you are tired from the long trip, but I will tell you that Lunamaria slept until a similar time.

　But she was regaining her full strength and her mind was clearer after a good night's sleep.

　The sacred shield against the wall
"Oh, your green gauge is maxed out!　Have you got a good idea?

　And call out to me.

Good morning!　Aegis. Yeah, I'm floating. It's perfect.

　As I answered my partner, there was a knock on the door. It seems that Luna Maria is also awake, and she has an offer to come with me to Viktor's office.

　Apparently, she's convinced that I have a great idea.

　Now, let's go show it off.

　I feel like I'm being overconfident, but it's not the first time, so I go straight to Victor's office, where I declare: "Mr. Victor, I have decided.

Mr. Victor, I've made up my mind. I will offer a sacrifice!

　Viktor sat back when he heard the suggestion, but Lunamaria was at ease.

　She seems to believe in me after all. She believes that I will never give up on Karen. To repay that trust, I told Viktor the details.


............

　Viktor listens to my words seriously. His first words took me by surprise, but his trust in me has not been lost. He listens to me sincerely.

　In order to respond to Viktor's trust, I explained to him carefully and respectfully.



"...... I see, so you mean sacrifice, but it's a fake?

"Yes, it's a trap to lure the Sea Serpent. . is a trap to lure the Sea Serpent.

"Surely the Sea Serpent would love the flesh of a maiden more than anything else. Perhaps he will accept your invitation.

We will lure him into our favored waters and hit him with a fleet of trading cities.

"If the entire fleet of trading cities can be mobilized and the gods raised up to help us, or maybe it's possible: ......

　Hmmm," says Viktor, stroking his fine beard, "I'll have to convince the council of the trading city to do it.

But to do this, I will have to persuade the council of the trading city to allow me to move the fleet. The fleet cannot be run by me alone.

"I understand that. So I would like you to address the council directly.

It's impossible. Sacrifice is a Council tradition. It is not easily reversed.

"What if there was a substitute for Karen?

"There is no such thing as ......, no way ......!

　Viktor looks at Lunamaria, but Lunamaria slowly shakes her head.

'At first I tried to convince him that I would take that approach, but he refused. He said he didn't want to put me in danger.

"Yes. Even mimicry is dangerous. We cannot take the place of an unrelated miko.

　Besides," Viktor continues.

Tradition dictates that priestesses cannot be sacrificed. Hundreds of years ago a kind-hearted priestess took her place, but the seerpent did not sleep well. From then on, it was said that priestesses are no good. Well, they shouldn't be allowed to take your place.

You don't want to take the place of a scapegoat, but Viktor's daughter is okay with that, right?

Of course.

Then adopt the child. An adopted daughter should have no problem taking her place.

"Well, yes, that's true, but as I said before, who would undertake such an imitation?

　Viktor racked his brain, "I don't think I have any idea of such a girl" and "should I ask her for money", but there was no need to do such a thing . 　

"You don't have to sacrifice anyone. "You don't have to sacrifice anyone, because I will take your place.

"............

　Mr. Viktor is silent at that word.

"What ...... can you say again?

　Viktor will ask you back, but you may be surprised.



　Because my gender is male, and it is a girl who must be sacrificed.

　It would be quicker to show you a truth than a hundred words.

　With that in mind, I'll have Lunamaria put on a wig, a woman's false hair that I borrowed from Karen.

　I'll put the wig on me. It snaps into place.

　The jet-black hair stretches to my shoulders and makes me feel like a girl in the blink of an eye.

　Victor is speechless again at the sight of me. You seem to be surprised in a good way.

"No, I thought you had a woman's face, but I didn't expect you to look like this.

"Ever since I was a child, my mother made me dress up as a girl. According to my mother, I was born the wrong gender.

"I understand the temptation to say that, but it pains me to use you, an unrelated person, as bait. But it pains me to use you as bait, a stranger.

Then the pain will remain . As long as there is that bitterness, there will be no end to what will help Mr. Viktor.

Thank God. I will arrange for you to be adopted right now. What's our name going to be?

"In Wilhemina then.

Nice name.

　Viktor assures me and says, "Give me your makeup, clothes, and anything else you need".

Thank you, sir. Now when you are ready, go to the council and tell them that I will be your sacrifice. In exchange for that, you will agree to send a fleet in exchange.

"I'll try, but would you be willing to take that kind of a deal just because the sacrifice was on your behalf?

That is Victor's bargaining power as a merchant. If you fail, you can dare me to make a real sacrifice.

"You cannot be sacrificed.

"It's better than giving up Karen. We may not have the support of the fleet, but we'll fight in the spirit of taking it to the other side.

"Will, you can go to ...... and see. Let's do it.

　But even after I told him my business, he kept staring at me intently. He seems to be wondering if it really is a girl.

　Lunamaria jokes, "I'm not sure.
"Mrs. Anaheim might not be a bad idea. Mr. Viktor doesn't seem to have a wife.
　I said. I joke back too.

"Mrs. Anaheim isn't bad, but Karen's mom is not going to be a good fit for me,

"It's true that playing the role of the mother of a selfish young lady is not easy.

　He let out a light laugh and concluded that.