◆2.05



　The sound of the harp flowing down like a waterfall was familiar music to the ears. He'd been to several ceremonial parties since he'd arrived in this other world, but this one, Shiroe thought, was one of the more comfortable ones.
　The nobles are participating in the party, and they're also taking into consideration the aristocratic culture.
　In fact, Shiroe is also wearing a tuxedo.
　But on the other hand, the food is a hot buffet rather than a tailor-made meal, there is a separate dance hall, and private rooms are available for resting (perhaps for secret talks), so that even Japanese adventurers do not feel awkward.

　However, the Adventurer is by nature an internet gamer. There were some people who showed a talent for socializing, but they were in the minority, and it was true that they were rather shy. It is not uncommon for a man who is extremely cheerful among friends and acquaintances to suddenly become distant and cautious with strangers.
　It's a good thing that you're able to get the most out of your time with the help of the "Daichijinshi" woman, who sings with a low volume of voice with a lyre in the background.

　Speaking of Shiroe personally, I'm defending the nobles of the Holy Imperial Westland, who come close to me while observing their surroundings. Although full-fledged negotiations are yet to come, there is no one who would stop a move based on such logic.
　The big boys are the ones who are trying to find the right timing, but the relatively less powerful aristocrats are the ones who are trying to talk to you in order to get you to understand them. This is the same as in warfare, and if your army is weak, then the only way to do it is by surprise.
(It's not my specialty, though.)
　Shiroe had learned such subtleties through her association with the lords of the Free City Alliance Eastal.
　Beside (or perhaps behind) Shiroe, Akatsuki, dressed in a neat silk-white dress, exudes an aura of sullenness. Earlier, he said to the nobleman of Kyou, "Shiroe-dono has a lovely son, too! I'm angry at being told that I've been treated like a child. Of course, the words were just a form of flattery, with no malice intended, but that didn't take away the fact that Akatsuki had been treated like a child.
　Akatsuki is petite and slender as a swallow, only up to Shiroe's chest, but she is a true adventurer in her own right. If the Akatsuki's eyes are triangular and angry, it must be a great deal of pressure for a court nobleman who doesn't know the law of the land.
　Even the Baron Nantka, who was greeting Shiroe, turned pale and hurriedly walked away, as if he was startled.
　It's bad for Akatsuki, but Shiroe is happy that it's easy for her.
'Well, have a drink.'
"Mm.
　As a gesture of kindness, I received a non-alcoholic beverage and handed it to Akatsuki as well.

　The political objectives of this delegation of visitors were diverse.
　The first thing to mention is that the objectives of the Alliance of Free Cities Eastern and the Round Table, two organizations that are in a de facto alliance with each other, are different.
　From the perspective of the Free Cities Alliance Eastar, they wanted to ease tensions with the Holy Empire of Westarande, which had reached its limits, and increase the possibility of future coexistence, or, to put it bluntly, they wanted to find a way to do so. Siloe heard about this idea from Duke Sergiad through Karasin.
　Also, although this is not a major weight, from the point of view of the Maihama dukes, it must be in their thoughts to give Iserus, who would eventually take over the house, some diplomatic experience and score some points. Although the flow of Reinesia as head of the family has ceased for a while, Shiroe has heard from many quarters that the problem of succession in a noble family is a recipe for disaster if you underestimate it. Families that are not able to take such considerations into account are bound to have trouble. This is also understandable.
　Nature, Yserus and his advisor Marquis Kiriva, and his bodyguard Isaac and the others are fighting to "act friendly but not let them take their words" and "treat them well but don't allow them to rate you higher or lower".
　In fact, there are many people at this party who try to get close to Ycells. Isaac said in response to the occasion, "It's an adventurer's party today, and Icelus has to gain experience for the future, so the nobles will hold their own, won't they? I declared loudly to the idiot. The Marquis of Kiriva smiled bitterly, but it's also typical.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most of your time and energy. I'm sure you'll be able to see that the most important part of the current situation is clarity, and that's the type of person who stubbornly defends the most important aspect of the situation. His inexperience at his current age may be taken advantage of, but with experience, he could be a good leader, right?　That's what I thought of Shiroe, a newbie leader. I'm not sure if it's an accurate impression even for myself.
　Besides, even if there were some goals, Yserus was a legitimate son, but not the Duke of Sergiad himself. Therefore, he could still recover later on. If you take that into consideration, and if you've chosen your grandson to represent you, then that grand duke is an inedible person as you can see. I'm confident in my prediction.

　Now, as a delegation of the Akiva "Round Table", which is separate from the Free Cities Alliance Eastar delegation, the theme is to improve relations with the "Plant hwyaden", and if possible, to build a cooperative system for a return trip to Earth.
　It was very reluctant for Shiroe to do so, but it was clear that we needed to exchange information.
　Not all of the information inside Plant hwyaden is available, even through KR, but even so, a source of information like Roe 2 probably doesn't exist. That seems like an irregularity even from Shiroe's point of view.
　To put it bluntly, there is a distrust of Plant hwyaden among Akiba's adventurers. It's the distrust that Akiba feels toward the system of a giant guild that reigns supreme, a system that preserves the independence of each guild as a cohesive unit.
　However, this is nothing more than a vague sense of distrust, and an indifference to the system itself. The D.D.D. and the Maritime Organization both increased their members dramatically after the disaster. It is only natural that when an emergency arises, people will seek shelter and peace of mind in Daiki. So we cannot deny that part of ourselves.
　On the other hand, as a native of Japan, I know that unipolar concentration without rivalries tends to lead to reckless disregard for politics, and Akiba's "adventurers" are beginning to know that this is the case with Plant hwyaden.
　It's a difficult situation to negotiate under such difficult circumstances, and it's a very difficult thing to do. In the lead up to the departure, Shiroe also tried to gather information, but there was no breakthrough, and continued investigation was overshadowed by the journey to Minami. In other words, during this journey, Shiroe was handling the same amount of reports and communications as usual, and it's not surprising that she still has dark circles under her eyes.
''Lord, are you alright, you're laughing funny.
I can be weird, really.
　Shiroe shrugged her shoulders as Akatsuki pecked at the hem of her suit.
'Karashin-san,' he said, 'I'll be in charge of the commercial stuff! I'm going to say it.
'Oh...'
I'll be in charge of the commercial side!
Wow.
　Shiroe stumbled as a voice suddenly called out from behind her.
　When she turned around, it was Karashin with a big smile on his face.

''You shouldn't be so surprised.''
You'll be surprised!
　Karashin also looks stylish in a tuxedo just today. They look so fresh and suitable that Shiroe feels a little inferior. The members of the Roundtable are all good looking, no matter who they are.
''It's only natural that I should be in charge of that one in the first place, right?　It's called appropriateness.
　It was appropriate for Karashin to be in charge of commerce, but it was not at all appropriate for Shiroe to be in charge of political matters. However, the words died in the back of his throat when Akatsuki stopped him with a response of "I heard that this time this was the lord's wish in the first place".
　That is a fact.
　Yes, it is troublesome.
　I don't want to do it.
　But if he'd heard that the Tea Party's own Intix was now in control of the Plant hwyaden, he wouldn't have the option of forcing someone else to negotiate with her.
　My feelings about Intix are mixed.
　I think she was a good companion, and though I like her as a companion, I think she hates me. After the dissolution of the Tea Party of the Prodigal, Shiroe and Intix continued with the Elder Tail, but they stopped talking at all.
　They must have been avoiding each other.
　And Shiroe also avoided Intix. Shiroe did not have the tactic of approaching a woman who was highly likely to be disliked by him.
(He's just a coward, after all.)
　The loss of the Prodigal's Tea Party didn't mean that Shiroe wasn't depressed, either. She only put up with it because she didn't think it was right to pretend the loss was all around her, but it took her years to get back up because she had put up with it. That's what Shiroe believes now, that's what the solo time he spent was all about.
　And after taking that much time to stand up, he had the support of Naotsugu, Akatsuki, the squad leader and even the twins, which is a shameful thing.
　In a sense, it's only natural that Intix, who was much more serious and resourceful than Shiroe, was distraught over the dissolution of the Prodigal Tea Party, which she was much more enthusiastic about than Shiroe. I don't know much about women's psychology, but I think they might even resent me.

''Well, leave this one to me. I've done the preparation. .........I'm not in as much of a hurry as Shiroe-dono, so let's just take it easy.
　Karashin patted Shiroe on the shoulder with a friendly smile.
　Shiroe smiled bitterly at his words.
　It is true that he may be in a hurry.
　However, after knowing about the 'Summoning Tariqtan' and the 'Disappointing Tariqtan Ereinus', Shiroe wanted to hurry up.
　
　Even if no one else can understand it, only Shiroe, who handles the Contract Technique, can. This is because Shiroe's magic is the same as theirs in that her manipulation techniques require the consent of the target.
　If Shiroe is right, the Sympathetic Son is a very powerful form of energy. The Adventurer's superhuman abilities are powered by this energy, the Sympathetic Son.
　Sympathetic Son is normally circulating within a person, and can only be used by an individual, but if the adventurer meets strict conditions, it seems possible to steal it.
　However, in order to obtain it in earnest, the consent of the donor is required.
　Bagrith, the "liturgical disaster of degrees," sought this as compensation for his greed in the midst of chaos. Kamaisal, a litany of marriage, evades the warnings of the opposite s*x by going on a tipsy date. Taliktan, the canonical calamity of summoning, asked for sympathy in exchange for his return to Earth. Ereinus, the liturgical disaster of disappointment, who sought to induce despair by shattering the longing of his subject.
　Perhaps they are not really able to take the Sympathetic Son by force. No, in fact, it may be that the nature of the Sympathetic Son is something that cannot be transferred by force, something that breaks at that moment.

　When it occurred to me, the Plant hwyaden looked to Shiroe like a runaway vehicle running in the dark.
　The twisted relationship between the League of Free Cities Eastal and the Holy Empire of Westland, as well as Plant hwyaden's isolation in the Kansai region as a huge, single guild, could not be more ripe for the hunt from the point of view of the Calamity.　Isn't this situation a great opportunity for them to force their victims to give false consent through confusion and disappointment?　
　Although the members of the Round Table did not fully agree with the mission, they acknowledged the necessity of gathering information and restoring relations. This was the background to the delegation's dispatch, as the Round Table saw it.

"You're thinking too much, Shiroe-dono.
　Shiroe regained his composure at the sound of Karasin's voice, which was mischievous but a bit gentle.
''And by the way, Soujiro-dono, what's wrong?''
What?
No, no, no. Wouldn't you normally make more mountains of women?
　Oh," Shiroe muttered.
　If you ask me, I don't see a crowd of people like that.
　They must have attended the party itself. Since they visited together, that's a certainty. If that's the case, did they leave the hall?
You mean the toilet?
Speaking of which, where are Touya and Rundelhaus?
　Shiroe nods his head as well.
　I don't feel like treating her like a child as much as I would like her to always be behind me, but a quick look around the hall reveals that the ones I see in the hall are Prince Yserus, the Marquis of Kiriva, Isaac, members of the guards, and members of the West Wind Brigade. If that's the case, I'm curious about the three people I can't find.
''Well, they're probably popular somewhere.
Uh-huh.
　Shiroe nodded at Karashin's words, aware of a bit of exhaustion, but still thought about checking out at least two of the younger members of his guild.
'My lord, are you going to go find them?　Then I'll split up too.
Are you going to settle down in your dress?
No, it's not.
　Akatsuki's cheeks were stained and he disappeared from sight. Shiroe is both relieved and annoyed at such a state of affairs. When you are conscious of the fact that Akatsuki's dress is cute, you want to look at it, but at the same time you don't want to show it off. I think I'm stunned, even for myself.
　Be that as it may, it looks like Shiroe has a new job. It's a heavy heart, but that's something I've been expecting since I decided to head west. With a secret gaze at her back, Shiroe headed for the large glass-making opening.
　The night of the welcome ceremony had just begun.



◆2.06



　The lit courtyard was part of the hall leading from the hall.
　A nobleman's mansion is landscaped with such a use in mind. You can find drunks who have become festering in the air of a party cooling off on the veranda, and men and women leaning on white pillars talking about their love. The moonlit lake and the toy-like bridge offer a romantic one-night stand, and the cool arbor is a place for friends to talk.
　And an old stone couch hidden in the grove.

　Feeling a hint of presence, Shiroe went out into the garden alone to find this small space by moonlight. The treetops, rustling in the night breeze, cast gentle shadows as if they were watching over Shiroe.
　Being away from the hustle and bustle of the city in the secluded darkness is very calming for Shiroe. She is used to sitting on the couch alone, as she has done since she was a little girl (and it's not a good thing to be used to).
　Shiroe sat alone on that couch, listening to the sound of the wind.
　There were no guarantees of certainty, but he had a hunch by the secret gaze he felt at the party. The certainty of this certainty could already be confirmed by touching it with his hands.

　The music was a sweet, pensive ringing dance, though perhaps it felt that way because he was hearing it in the night away from the crowds. The sound of it suddenly grew dull. The volume didn't drop, but the background became distantly dim, and the darkness of the night became even deeper.
　A white face emerges from the darkness, thick and sweet.
　I'm not that tall or large, but rather a beautiful woman with a slender frame. The figure, with her wet black hair flowing gently, seems to have boiled down the darkness around her, or to have rejected the purity of the night.
　Over her mournful, ascetic dress, she wore a sumptuous shawl draped in gold thread and vermilion embroidery.
　Her glossy, smiling face radiated the same magical magnetism as when we met in the ruins of Akiba.

(Another cause for concern.)
　Shiroe scratched her cheek in annoyance.
　If it was known that Intix was in charge of the affairs of the Plant hwyaden, then she, the reigning Lord of Minami, Nureha, was the one in charge of the authority of the Plant hwyaden.
　Shiroe stared at Nureha.
　She was aware that Nureha was also staring at Shiroe.
　A smile as sweet as the honey of a flower, Wet Feather stopped, and the night breeze softly ruffled her hair.
''Shiroe-sama,''
Mr. Wetha.
　Out of politeness, maybe he should have bowed his head, but Shiroe didn't. It seemed like taking his gaze off the guileless woman in front of him was carelessness, and it seemed like he just wanted to observe Wet Feather with a different kind of wonder.

'It took me a long time,'
It's been a long time.
　As if sensing this, Wet Feather, who continued with a calm expression, also did not bow her head.
(Strange.)
　In the ruins of Akiba, Natsuwa looked like a doomed witch, but Shiroe stared at her appearance. The moist, melancholy beauty that radiated from her entire body was still there, dissolving everything in the air, licking and absorbing the air with a stupefying temptation.
　But Shiroe also knows that there is something solid that holds her together, something that doesn't let it get in the way.
　So Shiroe got up from the couch and locked eyes with Wet Feather again. He was a little shorter than himself. At a distance where they could touch each other if they took a step forward, the two searched for words.
''-- Were you saved?''
Yes, sir.
　Shiroe affirms with a bitter smile.
　I've been indebted to him from the first move.
　Nevertheless, it is true that Plant hwyaden kept pace with the Roundtable during the fold of that large scale battle (raid) in Sibuya. I suppose I should thank you for that.
''-- It took a long time. I've been thinking about Shiroe-sama's words for a long time. I wanted Shiroe, but he didn't give it to me. I said that day that it would be better for me to be an enemy. He said that it was better to be an enemy, and that's what he meant by those words.
　But Wet Feather apparently didn't intend to do so.
''Have I been able to make you regret it?''
　When I said that proudly, I turned my chest upside down and smiled a little.
　It's a good thing that you're able to get the most out of your time with the help of a good friend.
　It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for. It was probably fun for Wet Feather, and she made a throaty laugh.
'I did what you can't do,'
From the beginning. I wouldn't have been able to build Plant hwyaden, let alone deal with a nobleman.
Mm-hmm. Well, you'll need the power of Plant hwyaden if you're going to make progress, Master Shiroe.
I suppose so. I think the time has come for us to talk about the disasters and the Daichijinshi.
　Perhaps it was the pride of a woman at the top of the Plant hwyaden. Shiroe accepted it with open arms, as if she was proud of herself, but also a little anxious.
　Wet Feather must be a witch.
　As KR says, she may be scheming to rule this land.
　But even so, listening to the voices of more than 10,000 Adventurers and running that organization is an extraordinary thing. Shiroe is well aware of the complexity and hardships involved. She knew the complexity and the hardships involved, and she herself had done the same thing.

　Shiroe looked back at her time in Seldesia through the mirror called Wet Feather. Then he nodded with a small smile.
　Memories of that encounter in the ruins were replayed, added new meaning, interpreted, and filled Shiroe with the memories of that encounter in the ruins. The strong pity and temptation he had felt for Wet Feather that night was probably Shiroe's weakness. He felt that Shiroe wanted him to be taken away, which was why he found Wetu's proposal so appealing.
　It was not just for Wet Feather's sake that he had turned down Wet Feather as an enemy that night. He was the one who came into Shiroe's life like a gust of wind, rewriting everything and taking Shiroe to a new place. The new Kanami, Shiroe turned down.
　For Shiroe, who has never been good at finding her own goals, the proposal was a crossover. It would have been so much easier to live like that. That's still true today. But turning Wet Feather into a Kanami was leading to great misfortune for both Shiroe and Wet Feather. Now Shiroe could see that, too.
　Shiroe was not an equal to Wet Feather that night.
　Although Wet Feather's mercy allowed him to retreat, there was nothing in Shiroe's mind that he could return to Wet Feather.
　But as time passed, Shiroe changed too. Perhaps Shiroe was no longer the Shiroe of old. She was no longer the Shiroe of the Prodigal Tea Party, nor was she the Shiroe of the Solo Player. Shiroe felt a nostalgic sense of loneliness and satisfaction at this fact, but she gently tucked it away in the back of her mind.

'To dance with you, finally. ...........................I can finally change my cowardly self and stand in front of you. Like that day, I wanted you to help me, not to corrupt you. With the power to help you. That's why I became your enemy (thing).
　Wet Feathers tells her with a starry gleam in her eyes, and so Shiroe confronts her with the same strength.
　Wet Feathers is probably a witch, but Shiroe no longer has to fear witches. So they can talk like this. It was a very small step forward, but it was a step forward. Shiroe hadn't expected to be misled by Wet Feather, but she was relieved when she felt weak that she might be at the mercy of him. With Nenuha today, she might be able to get used to being a friend.

'You'll dance with me as a crunchy partner--?
"If I were to become Siloe, the recorder of the horizon
　Maybe it's a contract.
　Like that night, it's a contract, not in words, but in the spirit of each other's needs.
　Wet Feathers chose Shilohé as his witness to prove his worth.
　She accepted him as her witness to prove herself.
　Perhaps this was the right thing to do, Shiroe thought.
　There were times when they could only meet as adversaries, and other times when they hated each other. I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one. It's a good thing, Shiroe thought at this time, that this was the right relationship between him and Nuremberg.

''Finally. ........I can shake everything off and settle things with Shiroe-sama. Either you will get me or I will get you. Either I will get you or I will get you. ........right?
I don't think that's what I'm talking about, sir.
　At Wet Feather's words that seemed to mix back, Shiroe replied with her mouth tied into a hefty line.
　If the mesmerizing, suspicious smile was still intact, perhaps there was nothing insidious in Wet Feather. There was no sweet wistfulness that I felt in that ruin, trapped and urgent, like I would die out if I didn't take that hand here and now.
That's what I'm trying to do.
　The rather mischievous teasing look made Shiroe shake her head with a troubled expression on her face.

Now that we know a little more about Seldesia, and the threat of the plague threatens us, many adventurers will be looking for a more stable and reliable organization. Plant hwyaden and the Round Table are the only two possibilities left in Yamato. Regardless of their progress, the two organizations will have to merge into one at some point. If they don't, there will be conflict between the Daichijinshi, right?
　Wet Feathers, who had looked disappointed, turned around and began to explain in the tone of an intelligent and capable schoolmistress, "And if we are to join the Round Table, we must decide whether the Round Table will be mainstreamed and absorbed by Plant hwyaden or whether it will be absorbed by the Plant hwyaden.
And if they were to join together, there are only two possibilities: either the Round Table will be mainstreamed and Plant hwyaden will be absorbed, or Plant hwyaden will take the lead and the Round Table will be absorbed. ...I don't know how far this meeting will take us, but that's the only way it can go in the future. Neither Shiroe-sama nor I will accept the other possibility.
　It was--.
　It was an insight that even Shiroe could not help but agree with.
　A system of cooperation that matches the pace of the East and West was formed. Such discussions had taken place at the Round Table Conference, and it was precisely this consideration that led Shiroe to Minami this time. In the first place, ordinary adventurers who have no connection to the Round Table or Plant hwyaden would appreciate a single board of directors.
　I'm sure you'll find it hard to see that from the end, even if you're in a position like Shiroe, where trouble comes first, and that's not something that can be taken into consideration.
I'm not sure if you will get me or if I will get you. You will have me or I will have you. -- that's what it comes down to. That's the promise of that night.
　Shiroe turns a disgusted look at Nureha, who assures him in a mischievous manner.
　I'm aware of the fact that I spoke in a very roundabout way that night, but it seems that Nuremberg has taken a lot of root in me. It's no wonder that she resented him for not imposing a hand on her at a time when the Kansai region was in trouble, and instead focused solely on the Akiba-based "Roundtable" system.
　In that sense, I'm still afraid of women. They don't know how much they will be dragged down by this story. We'll just have to keep our heads down and endure the teasing.

　But given the mood of the story, is Wet Feather bridging the gap with Intix?　No, this is more of a sign that the force of the Wet Feather is gaining an advantage in the Plant hwyaden.
　If you think about it, you can understand a little bit about the atmosphere of Wet Feathers tonight. Perhaps Nenuha, like Shiroe, had also acquired a place of his own in this other world after a year of living here. Or perhaps he is steadily acquiring a place of his own in this other world.
　In that sense, the time has come for the Round Table and Plant hwyaden to evolve as a new stage in their relationship, for both of them to find their place in the world. Maybe that's all there is to it.
　That's probably the reason why the white smile of Wet Feathers, which is too graceful and doesn't reveal her inner self, is smiling like a childish woman only today.
''Please wait a while longer. The bell for the start of the war will be rung in Kyou. Let us take control of the Senate and use all of Plant hwyaden to negotiate with Master Shiroe. For the last waltz - I long for it.
　Shiroe nodded at his words.
　In any case, the real story would have to take place in the capital of Kyou.
　Intix and KR would be waiting there, too.
　It would be good if they could somehow build a good relationship, Shiroe thought.