A room at the inn was filled with an indescribable air.
　It's not that it's awkward, but each of them is so busy thinking that they're afraid to speak or move unskillfully.

　But in a way, the cause of that, Curtis, is not there.
　Because he left the inn after revealing all the information he knew.
　He didn't give up asking for help, but rather for us to sort through the information and discuss it, and we'll meet again when we're done.

　Well, we've almost decided what we're going to do, but we certainly need some time to think about it.
　Especially Leeds and the others will need to think hard.

　To be honest, for Allen, the fact that Henriette was captured was surprising, but not surprising.
　It's more that I was convinced that this was the case.
　You're going to be able to find out the best way to get the most out of your new collection.

　The possibility that the assassinated emperor was the work of the devil is strong, and that Henriette was harboring the devil's child.
　Once that fact is known, it's not hard to see why she would be caught as a key witness at least.

　The question is how she got caught harboring a demon child: ...... It's not that difficult to find out.
　There's no need for you to be found out.

　If the elves were out of the woods from time to time, it is not surprising that the presence of non-elven children was leaked.
　Snippets of chatter and conversations among the elves.
　It is impossible to hide them completely when they are mixed in with those who are foreign to them.

　And all that's left is to stick them in there.
　It must be the devil's children that are hiding, and that doesn't have to be true.

　That doesn't have to be true.
　If you brought the child in, there would be no way to find out when he was not old enough to give the gift.

　But then you are going to determine that the child is the devil.
　The child is the devil.

　Under normal circumstances, this is not excusable.
　Especially Henriette, who is a marquess.
　It's a good thing that the Kuro Wolf Knights have a lot of power, but there's a limit to what they can do.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find out what's going on in the world.
　If not, the uncles would not be allowed to do what they want, and Henriette would be the heir to the marquis' house.
　The fact that the uncles are allowed to do what they want almost guarantees that the empire is in a bad situation for Henriette.

　It's a good thing that you've been falsely accused and then chosen as a sacrifice to settle the ruckus.

...... But then again, the assassination of the emperor was not ...... an uncharacteristic move for the empire, right?

　I looked at the voice and saw that Leeds was looking somewhere in the distance, turning his head to the window.

　Well, from Leeds' point of view, it's no surprise that this is what he's most interested in.
　He had come all this way to get that information in the first place.
　It may be a mixed feeling from Leeds that it came to him so easily and unexpectedly.

　Although, knowing this, Allen remained silent--

"Its ...... Rees, sorry
"Huh?　What is ...... ah, I see. Apologize, Allen, you knew that, didn't you?
"A little from Henriette.

　It is true that I heard it personally, and that it was not right to speak without permission, but there is no doubt that I kept my mouth shut as well.

　However, it is not that I thought I could be blamed for that, but the attitude that Rees showed immediately afterwards was a bit unexpected.
　When she stared at you with her eyes, her cheeks puffed up slightly.

It's not that I don't care about that, I just know it's inevitable, so it's fine. ...... I'm more concerned about how come you are able to get such a story from Henriette?
...... Surely, from the Empire's point of view, that would be bad information to divulge. It is definitely not good information for the Empire to divulge. I wonder what kind of relationship would lead to such a story?
"...... deep relationship?

　Before you know it, Noel and even Milene have joined in and are looking at you curiously.

　It is true that they are curious about it, but they are not really trying to find out the truth about it.
　It's clear that she has an amused look in her eyes.

"Well, I've got a lot of things to do.

　Then he shrugged his shoulders and looked at each face, this time with narrowed eyes.
　Then I let out a breath because I knew what they were going to do without having to ask.

I guess I don't need to ask what they're going to do about .......
As far as what you're going to do, you've made up your mind from the beginning, haven't you?
Well. I'm not going to be so heartless as to abandon you when I hear that someone I know has been captured. Besides, I don't know what's going to happen to the ...... elven forest if I don't.

　Indeed, as for the Elven Forest, it was a difficult place.

　It is, after all, where the devil's child is sheltered.
　There's a good chance that some responsibility will be taken.

Well, I haven't decided what I'm going to do yet, but ...... that's the reason why I don't want to do anything now.

　The words are somewhat excusable, and you can't help but let out a wry smile.
　I think it's okay to just be honestly curious, but I guess that's a complicated thing in Noel's mind.

　Finally, you turn your attention to Milene, who has not yet answered.

"Can Milene too?
"...... No, it's fine. I've decided to go to .......

　The words are still few, but there is a strong light in their eyes.
　It's a good thing that you're able to get the best out of it.

　You'll be able to see the three faces again, and then let out a breath.

It's really ...... full of curious people. It's not only that, if you're not careful, you'll almost certainly end up in a fight with the empire.
My task is to find out what is going on in the Empire. Now that we know that something like the assassination of the Emperor has happened, we need to find out more about the state of the Empire now. If you end up fighting with the empire in the process, I think that's inevitable. Besides, it's too late to have one or two more reasons to fight.

　It seems that in Leeds, this was the case.
　It certainly makes sense, but it's unreasonable.


　It is not something that can be used against the empire and outside of this situation ......, but on the contrary, it can be used against the current empire.

　Even if you know that this is only an illusion, there is no reason to stop it.

To be exact, I'm not really from the kingdom to begin with. I'm not strictly speaking from the kingdom...we're not from the kingdom...we're holed up in the elven forest or run away to some other country. And with my blacksmithing skills, any country would welcome me with open arms.

　That's a lot of confidence, but it's also true.

　He may not be fully satisfied yet, but he is definitely better than the best.
　If you can put your own soldiers, for example, in possession of the swords Noel struck, what country wouldn't welcome them?

　In turn, the empire will stare at you, and it's no longer a matter of the empire's quarrels with its neighbors.
　In fact, you won't even have to leave the kingdom.

...... as well?　I feel like it wouldn't matter if we were in the middle of nowhere to begin with.
"Well, that's what it's all about, isn't it?

　The three of them looked at you like, "What about you in the first place?", but you shrugged your shoulders and replied.

　In fact, it was similar to what Allen had in mind.
　You will be able to find a lot of things to do with the empire, such as escaping to a remote area or fleeing to another country.

　But we don't know what's going to happen to Henriette: ...... or rather, this is something that can only be determined when we know more details about the situation: ...... It's also something that can be done or not But I'll do it.
　At least it was a hundred times better than abandoning you and having to regret it when you didn't know what would happen.

　Or maybe Henriette would say it was none of her business, and that was actually more likely.
　According to Curtis, Henriette was captured right after she left Allen and the others.
　That means it is highly likely that Henriette knew she was going to be captured and didn't dare to talk about it.

　But that's not our concern.
　In a previous life, I caused you a lot of trouble, and each time you helped me.

　So that's why--

I'm going to help you this time, whether you want it to or not. Whether you want it to or not.

　The words rolled around in his mouth and he turned his gaze to the three of them.
　With a sort of wry smile and a nod to each other, Allen and the others left the inn again to discuss the future.