As the soothing scent of fresh tea wafted through the air, Fu urged her to take a seat.

(I don't know what you think you're doing, but ....... That's good for us.

　If he wants to talk, I'm happy to go along.
　While I hold him back, Leah and the others are free to move.

(In other words, what we need to do here and now is to stall the ...... conversation as long as possible to buy more time!

　I decided to do so and sat down on the chair facing Hu.

So, what's this ...... 'question of the day' about?

"Hmm, you don't remember?　Well, that's okay.

　He clears his throat and begins to speak slowly.

"It was last September, I believe, when I raided the Thousand Blade Academy with Dodriel. Allen-Rhoddle, you questioned me about the phantoms and the contents of Leah-Vesteria. But I was on duty at the time. I was on duty at the time, but we agreed to meet again over a cup of tea. ...... How about that, remember?

"...... Oh.

　I seem to remember that we had a conversation about that.

(But I didn't think I'd remembered it until just now. ......)

　Apparently, Fu is a very disciplined person.

I'm an archaeologist, so I try to answer questions from young people who are curious. This is my theory. ...... The work of a scholar is not only research. I think that spreading correct knowledge to the next generation and passing on the baton of wisdom - this is the supreme duty, don't you think?

　Fu spoke quickly and then asked a question at the end.

I don't think you're wrong. I don't think you're wrong.

"Huh, right?

　He smiled contentedly and sipped from his cup.

　He's usually quiet and expressionless, but when it comes to ...... his domain and field, he's quite chatty.

I'm not sure what to say, but I'm going to say it. First of all, the "phantom spirits" that we, the Kuro Organization, are working so hard to collect: ....... This is the generic name for the monsters that once terrorized this world. Some countries have secretly captured phantom spirits and are keeping them as a hidden force. ....... I'm sure you've heard of them.

That's news to me. ......

Well, it's not exactly public knowledge. --And inside of Leah-Vesteria is sealed the primordial Fafnir, a phantom spirit. Perhaps it's her soul suit.

　Indeed, the "Primordial Dragon King" is the name of Leah's soul suit.

I'm not sure what to make of it. I'm not sure what to make of it.

I'm not sure if that's true, but it is.

　It's a great way to get to know the people in your life.

Well, it's no wonder you don't know. The study of history is strictly forbidden by international law.

　Huw continued.

"One of the Seven Sacred Swords that guarded Vestellia at the time made a desperate attempt to defeat it, and was cruelly eaten alive. The defeat of the swordsman who had carried the hopes of the whole country on his shoulders threw Vesteria into the depths of despair. But then, a woman rose up. She was born in a distant land, and with the special power in her blood, she sealed the primordial Dragon King in her womb.

　I listened in silence to the shocking story being told.

That 'first host' became a hero of salvation, and was later united with the King of Vestellia. Since then, the original Dragon King has been passed down from generation to generation in the Vesteria family. The current host is Leah-Vesteria. The previous generation is ......, yes, Liz-Vestellia. Just like her mother.

　After a long conversation, Hu took a breath.

This is what I know about the Apparition and what's inside Leah-Vesteria. Do you have any questions?

"...... No, I'm fine.

　I was struggling to process the storm of information that was pouring in at once.

(Genie is a generic term for a monster with tremendous power. The primordial Dragon King that Leah inherited was a phantom spirit that once attacked Vesteria ........ And the Kuro Organization is working hard to collect them: ......

　I'm rather curious as to what the Kuro Organization is collecting the phantoms for: .......

I'm not sure what to make of it. And as far as I'm concerned, it's clear as daylight that the purpose of this is nothing more than a bonus. ......)

　And so, as I kept my mouth shut.

When I was talking, I said, "Allen Rhoddle. Can I ask you one question?

"Yes, of course.

"Have you ever thought about the end of the world?

　Huw asked this question with a very serious expression.