--The Viktur Empire, the Marquess of Leubland, Laurus.

　The easternmost part of the empire, bordering on the kingdom of Ad Astera, is a magnificent walled city.
　But as a matter of fact, its history is not that old.
　This is because the city was originally built as a front line to wage war with the kingdom.

　Nevertheless, it was built by dwarves and is still solid.
　The fact that it is still in shape today is evident from the fact that it is ...... but that was a long time ago now.

　It's already decades since the truce with the kingdom.
　The city of Laurus has flourished in a way that was unimaginable at the time.

It's a good thing that you're able to get a good idea of what you're looking for.

　The scene in sight was comparable ...... to that of the King's Landing, or perhaps even better, if it was done poorly.

　The simple number and flow of people, their buzz and bustle, and the array of goods reflected in their eyes.
　Moreover, being the easternmost point of the city, it was a considerable distance from the imperial capital, which is said to be the most prosperous city in the empire.
　It is natural to wonder how much of the imperial capital is really there, considering the fact that it is so crowded.

　And yet--

"Well, even though it's the easternmost city, it's practically the most prosperous city in the Empire. If you take into account how it came to be called that, it's not surprising that this place is so busy.
Sort of.

　Yes, there is actually a good reason why this place has prospered so much.
　It's not because the empire is a great power and more prosperous than a kingdom.

　To put it simply, it is because Laurus faces a multitude of nations.
　Laurus is a prominent land in the empire, facing four other countries besides the kingdom.

　As a result of a combination of circumstances, Laurus has come to be associated with the merchants of those four nations, or more accurately .......
　In other words, Laurus has merchants from as many as five countries, including the empire, coming and going to do business with him.
　It was only natural for them to flourish.

　Furthermore, the Empire has more dwarves than any other country, not just elves and beastmen.
　There are several dwarf stores in Raurus as well, an unbelievable number compared to other cities.

　There are many people who come to Laurus for that reason ...... or rather, Allen and his friends are one of them, and in fact we just went to one of them just now.

It's totally stingy with ....... It's not going to decrease. ......

　This is also the reason why Noel has been muttering and complaining.
　It is not hard to understand the feeling, since you got rid of the door as soon as you said it, but the look that Allen and the others give Noel is one of astonishment.

　The reason for this is because I understand the feelings of the person who has paid the doorbell more than Noel.

It's not going to be less, but I don't think it's a good thing that it's not less, right?
"I mean, how would Noel respond if someone said the exact same thing to him?
"Huh?　Of course you're going to beat that out of me, no questions asked.
You know what I'm going to say, because I'm the one who wants to say it.

　By the way, the reason why I was rejected at the door is because Noel said, "Let me touch the tools in the workshop.

　You can understand that the tools used by craftsmen are sometimes heavier than life.
　If you ask to touch them without permission, you deserve to be beaten out of the room.

　And since he himself said he would do the same thing, it's absurd.

"To begin with, couldn't I just watch you shoot?　Or rather, I just thought that's what I was supposed to do: ......
Me too. So I've decided to go with you. ......

　The reason Allen followed him was simply out of curiosity.
　There was no particular reason to rush, and since I had never seen anyone other than Noel blacksmithing in this world, I wondered how he was doing it.

　It's not that I didn't expect this, or rather, I never thought that Noel would be thinking about something so reckless in anyone's mind--

Because what's the point of watching someone else type?　--I've already seen the best blacksmith in my life. I'd rather be in the way.
"...... I'm glad we didn't talk about this earlier.
"Yes, sir. . it wasn't going to be more than a simple matter of getting kicked out.
"Nope, that doesn't make anyone angry. Isn't it ridiculous to get angry at someone for pointing out a fact?
"...... By the way, what would you do if Noel told you that?
Well, ......, you haven't tried cutting the sword you reconditioned for me before.

　I understand what you mean, but that's unreasonable.
　Well, stubbornness and unreasonableness are typical of a craftsman, I suppose.

But that means you didn't need to come here in the first place.
"What are you talking about?　I said, I want to see the tools, didn't I?　I certainly have an image of the best blacksmith in my eyes, but the tools are not the ones he used. I don't think I've caught up with him yet, but I need to know better tools to get closer and catch up, don't you?
That said, I think that's a bit too much to ask: ......

　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make your life easier.
　The only thing that seems to matter is that Noel is still determined to follow his own path.
　That's typical of Noel.

　You will be able to see that the person you are talking to has no intention of going any further with you, but Noel doesn't seem to have any intention of moving on any time soon either.
　So next, it's either Allen's or Leeds' turn to run an errand, but--

Well ......, even though I knew it, I don't think I'd be able to live here.
"Because ...... is busy?

　At Milene's words, Allen shrugs with a wry smile.
　It's not so wrong.

　Just because it's a busy place doesn't mean that you can't live in peace, but that's true for this place.
　At any rate, a war with the kingdom could break out at any moment.
　It's almost unreasonable to hope for peace while living in such a place.

...... It's really a very lively place. I thought it could be a little more tense, but ......
It's ....... This is really not a war, it's just a vibrant city.



　Even though the merchants of the five nations come together and are actively doing business, that's it .
　If the empire is serious about this, it will start a war regardless.

　But it won't really be without warning.
　When the time comes, even if they don't talk about it publicly, they will somehow start to create such an atmosphere, and the atmosphere will become more tense with it.

　But for now, I haven't felt the slightest hint of that.

　...... No, strictly speaking--

"It's not a sign of war, but what's the weirdest thing about it: ......?
"What's this strange hint of ......?　...... You're not going to be involved in that again, are you?

　Allen shrugged at Noel, who asked him offhandedly if the thing was a demon.
　It's because I can't say for sure that it is or isn't. I'm sure that I remember a strange feeling in the atmosphere of the city.

　The only thing that is certain is that you remember something strange about the atmosphere of the city.

No, or rather, this is a slightly awkward feeling, isn't it?
"Pompous, is it ......?　...... doesn't feel particularly like that, but ......
"I don't know about this place on a regular basis either, but ...... seems to have a lot of people patrolling it and seem overly cautious, don't you think?
"...... sure?　But I feel like it's just too much security.
It's a place, no wonder, right?
Hmm ......, well, that's what I'd say. ......

　It's just a slight discomfort, which would be understandable if it were said to be in your imagination.
　But it's just too uncomfortable to miss because you've been paying too much attention to .......
　You're going to be able to find out what you're looking for and what you can do to help.

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

"-Shit!

　By the time he realized that he had bumped into someone, Allen's body was in motion.
　He reflexively reached out to the body that had been pushed away, and supported it.

"S-Sorry, I was just looking in the background and--
"No, no, I'm just looking out for something else too--

　The words of apology were cut off in the middle as I looked at the face while apologizing.
　And the person in front of you - the girl, too, is in the middle of saying something, but her words are cut off.

　There is a look of surprise on her face ...... and perhaps Allen must have a similar look on his face as well.
　It was because I knew him.

　And, by the way, he shouldn't be here.

...... Henriette?
"Allen, is?

　The Marquesses of the Victorian Empire Leubland was the first child - Henriette Leubland.

　That is, she was the daughter of the marquesses who ruled over this city ...... and surrounding territories, including this city.