A boarded-up room with a dojo-like atmosphere.
　The depth is wide, and the room is large enough that even if there are dozens of people in the room, you won't feel too small.

I heard that you are staying neutral for now. I'm not asking you to take sides. We ask that you remain neutral for now and always remain neutral.

　Sitting in the center of the room are Nell, a brave man, and Lonia, a court magician.

　They have now taken off their disguises and are sitting there as 'humans'.

　And - surrounding them, sitting along the walls of the room, are those with bird-like wings sprouting from their backs, beaks and sharp eyes, heads reminiscent of birds of prey.

"Well, do you think that a small tribe of human beings will tell us what to do?

　The winged ones - the winged ones - sit in front of Nell and the others in the group of the "winged race," and a larger man stares in their direction and speaks in an intimidating voice.

　In response, however, Nell is not pressured, and opens her mouth in a resolute manner.

"I have heard that the demon race is a race that follows the strong.

"In no way . I will pay a certain amount of respect to a person who is stronger than me. Well, as long as he or she is strong enough.

Then you will follow me. --I am stronger than you.

　She just said so matter-of-factly.

Little girl! Do not fool us!

　It's a good idea to have a good time with your friends.

　It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get your hands on a new one.

　The tension of a flashpoint, or even an explosion.

　But even so, Nell just looks at the man sitting in front of her - the chieftain of the winged race - with a look of impatience on his face, not moving an inch.

"That's a lot of confidence. Do you think you can win, even if you make enemies of all of us here?

I'll take some damage, too. My legs will be blown off and I might lose an arm. --But I'll be the last one standing.

"You're not done!

　After glancing at the angry winged youth, Nell continued, " and even if it's not, you should still nod your head.

...... and even if you don't, you'll nod to my suggestion.

　The chieftain's man reacts with a twitch at Nell's words.

...... How? What does that mean?

I understand that you winged people value dueling, don't you? If that's the case, if I were to offer you a duel, they wouldn't mess with you.

"...... Humph, you're right. In that case, the others will watch the duel in silence.

If we do this, even if I lose a duel, I will at least do enough damage to make you wander the line between life and death. And you understand that I am capable of doing just that.

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

　The chieftain of the winged race turns his keen eye on the girl in front of him, as if he is assessing her.

If you, the leader, were to lose or be injured to the point of life or death, there would certainly be more or less chaos among you winged race. At this time of uncertainty, would you engage in a life-or-death struggle with me? Instead, it would definitely be better if you just nodded at my suggestion and remained as neutral as ever.

　At her words, the winged chieftain often closes his eyes and ponders in silence.

　The silence and tension drifting inside the room.

　Still, Nell keeps her eyes fixed on the man in front.

　Eventually, the winged chieftain gradually opened his eyes - and then he grinned and said, ".

He grinned and said, "...... Humph, all right. I'll buy your courage. Recognizing you as our people, we the Winged People will remain neutral from now on. We were never going to be neutral in the first place. --But don't be mistaken. The only people we consider to be our own people are you and your companions.

Yeah, that's fine. Thank you.

　At the chieftain's words, Nell let out a breath of relief and gave a small smile.

''What, chieftain! Are you out of your mind?

　The young man who attacked Nell and the others shouted at his own head with a look of disbelief, but the chieftain of the winged race stared at the young man with a stare of disbelief.

Shut up! It's my decision. What more do you have to complain about?



　Pressed by the chieftain's threat, the young winged youth bowed his head slightly and shut up.

"Everyone listen up! The handling of these people is strictly forbidden, and from now on they will be regarded as our people! What's the difference?

"Ha!

　The chieftain nodded with a satisfied smile as the people around him bowed their heads and showed their willingness to follow instructions.

"That's right, boys. Are you going to stay in this neighborhood today?

"Yes, I intend to.

Then I will give you the use of one of my travel rooms. There will be a banquet in the evening, so you'll be resting until then.

Thank you, chieftain, thank you. Thank you, chieftain.

　Then, bow your head with a smile.

"Hm, never mind. I was just showing a reasonable attitude to a strong man. --Guide! Take these men and their companions who are waiting in the next room to the travel pavilion outside.

　-- and so, accompanied by a guide waiting in the doorway, Nell and Lonia left the room.

　It's a good thing that you're able to have a good time with your friends.


　　　* * * *


Oh, ...... I'm so tired. I'm really nervous already. ......



　I'm going to lie down on the bed in the room where I was passed, and let out a deep breath.

Good job, Nell and Ronia. By the looks of it, the discussion went well, didn't it?

　I'm not going to be able to say that I'm not going to be able to do that.

　Unlike Nell and Lonia, who are from the Arysian Kingdom, Mekina is from their friendly country, the Germanic Federation of Commerce.

　You can find a lot of people who have been dispatched to the world of magic, including those from the kingdom of Arisia, but there are also people like her who are from neighboring countries and people who do not belong to any country, but are cooperating with each other to avoid warfare.

　They are all ten different people, but one thing they have in common is that they are very powerful in the human world.

　It's not limited to military force alone, but also includes experts in their respective fields of skill, such as espionage and extraordinary knowledge, so to speak.

Nell summed it up nicely.

Yes, I'm glad to hear that it worked out. Now the winged race won't be able to hurt us.

　--It is not clear if the "demon tribe," who have been judged by them as provisional enemies, came here to start a war or not, but they are eagerly recruiting friends from everywhere to expand their faction, including the recruitment of the winged race. The reason for this is because they were .

　The winged race, which has a certain amount of power in the demon world, has maintained its neutrality in the battle between the two major factions in the demon world for unknown reasons, but until now, if this balance is broken, the first thing that will happen is a war.

　Once a war occurs in the demon world, it is not difficult to imagine its aftermath reaching the human world, and the bloody battle between demons and humans will be even more intense than ever before.
　In order to prevent this from happening, it is necessary to increase the number of neutral organizations in the demon world and reduce the size of the conflict between the two major factions.

　Well, by increasing the number of neutral organizations in this way, the change may be minimal ...... reducing the allies of the enemy and, conversely, increasing our own allies, even if only a little, is a fundamental part of our strategy.

　Hopefully, the long-running quagmire between demons and humans can be calmed down.

　They acted in unison with the single intention of destroying the sparks of war in their homeland.

"Still, it's not something you should do if you're not used to it. I've been told that the demon tribe has a tendency to favor the strongest person in the world, so I went with the strongest option: ...... I'm not very good at that kind of thing.

　Lonia laughs at her friend, who rolls around on the bed with a rumble and says so.

That's true. Well, I'm not very good at stirring things up. Thank God that winged head man was rational.

"Ugh, it's true. I think I would probably win against them ...... but if I actually fought them, I think it would have been a close call. I'm glad I was able to avoid it.

Oh, I didn't know the chieftain looked so strong?

　Hearing their conversation, Mekina asks, "Yes, I'm on the edge.

Yes, I'm on the edge. I think Remiro-san would normally win: ......

Oh, ...... that old man, who is no longer with us, was the unquestioned leader of the Orihalcon class adventurers (・・・・・・). If he can't do anything about it, maybe no human can.

　Saying that, and letting out a small sigh of relief.

"I'm in a bit of a bind. I wish I could help you a little more in terms of combat: ......

I can't help it . I'm almost a liability in battle. That's how big a gap there is between demons and humans.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.

　It's a good thing that you're able to get the best out of them.

　It's true that the demons come from all walks of life, and Lonia is a great magician, but she is no match for those who are particularly adept at magic.

　Therefore, what is required of a person like her is the role of support for the combatants on the surface.
　They are not expected to have much in the way of prowess to begin with.

"Never mind, guys. They'll do the things I can't." "Don't worry, guys. So I'm still up there, too, but I'll protect you guys!

　Mmmm," says Nell, grasping her hands and showing her motivation.

"I'm counting on you, Nell.

"Instead, we'll do what Nell can't.

Yes, please, you two!

　Smiling, the brave girl said so.