On this day, Arx and Suu were walking through a market (bazaar) in the royal capital.


　This market, located along the Luro River, a huge river that flows through the capital and is the artery of logistics, is the largest of all the markets in the capital and sells a variety of goods from fresh food, daily necessities, clothes donated by nobles, and other daily necessities to tools with engravings.
　The colorful, simple stores lined up in a row, piled high with fruits and vegetables for sale, are like a European market.
　There are stalls that sell fast food, and street vendors who just spread out their products on rugs. As soon as you step into the market, you will be surrounded by a different kind of heat, as you can hear the cheerful voices of the customers encouraging them to buy.


　This is one of the places we often visit together, as well as the cafes and squares we use to study magic.
　Our purpose is to look for unusual things, but basically we want to eat the food sold at the stalls.
　The food is not elegant because it is from downtown, but it is inexpensive and tastes good.


　A typical example is the duck sandwich, a specialty of the capital.
　It is a fast food consisting of fried duck meat with classic gravy, sandwiched between large steamed flour paozi.
　The bread looks like the Chinese bread of the man's world, but it is an eclectic mix of Western ingredients.
　The baosu is freshly steamed and the filling is also freshly made and steaming. As well as the smell, the sight of the shiny brown sauce dripping onto the white baosu was very appetizing.


　Suu gobbled it up.


"Amu...... mmm.


　Suu chewed the duck sandwich and let out a satisfied sound.
　Her face was all smiles, indicating that she was very happy.


"You like that, don't you, Suu?

"Yes!　It's what the downtown area of Wangdu is all about!　Ah, I'm so happy. ......


　Then she took a duck sandwich out of the bag and chewed it again.
　I guess this kind of meal is not so easy for a nice young lady.
　Every time Suu chewed on the duck sandwich, she would swoon and swoon.
　In fact, the duck sandwich is delicious, so this reaction is not surprising.


　While she was basking in the euphoric afterglow created by the deliciousness, she looked up and saw sauce dripping from her mouth.


"Suu, sauce on your face. You have sauce on your face.

"What?　Where?

"There, right there.


　She points at her own face as if to teach me, but as is usual in this kind of exchange, the directions she's paying attention to are different.
　When I point, she just wipes the other side.
　When I wiped her mouth with the handkerchief I took out, she said, "Hee!


"Huh?


　She shouted in surprise.


Don't move.

"Uh, yeah, .......


　When I point this out, Suu shrinks more than ever. I guess she was embarrassed by her unpleasant behavior. When she finished wiping her face, Suu said, "Thank you.


"Thanks, .......

"No, you're welcome.


　You're welcome." She replied casually in return and put her handkerchief away.


　...... Looking in the other direction, you can see a store selling Eastern-style skewers and Western-style fruit juice.
　In the capital, there are many things that are a mixture of eastern and western food culture, like the duck sandwich.
　This eclecticism is probably due to the fact that the family that founded the kingdom, the Crosselroads, is from the East. When the region was still in the midst of war, the Clan Crosselrode brought together the clans of the region and established a kingdom.
　The reason for this is that the clans in this area have a lot of exchange with the East.
　Because of this, even though the kingdom is based on a Western style, there is a sense that the culture has been mixed up in many places.

　The most obvious example is food culture.
　For me, it is a great pity that hamburgers have not been developed.


　The owner of the stall, whom I know well, speaks to me in a brash voice.


"Hey, Suu!　Have you got a date with your boyfriend today?　You're always so hot!

Hey!　Hey, Uncle!　Arx isn't my boyfriend!　What are you talking about all of a sudden?

But you're always so attached to him.

No, I'm not!

Is that so?　He even got sauce on his mouth earlier.

Oh, my God!


　In order to disguise the coldness of the stall owner, Suu flapped her hands and raised her voice. The owner of the stall looked at Suu with a smirk on his face, as if he was amused by her attitude, while she saw it and started to get excited.
　It's a great way to make sure you're getting the most out of your vacation.


　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for. ......
　She used to stick to me frankly, but lately I feel that she is somehow more testy than before. I guess it's because I've lost my childish reservedness. I've become more aware of the fact that we are friends, and I've started to avoid unintentional contact.
　I do miss the fact that I am no longer receiving unreserved favors.


"Miss Suu, why don't you check out our products? We've got something interesting.

"What?　You said so before, but it turned out to be something strange, didn't it?

Suu, I got some good apples. Bring me one.

Oh, thank you, aunt!


　...... Suu is very popular.


　Basically, this is how I am wherever I am, and I get along with everyone easily.
　Maybe it's because I'm cheerful and innocent.
　Perhaps it is because I am cheerful and innocent, or perhaps it is because I am good at entering personal space.
　People feel uncomfortable with physical or mental proximity, but in Suu's case, she seems to be good at keeping her distance and is usually liked by others.
　It's strange that I'm the only friend he seems to have, but whatever.


　In the men's world, the word "charisma" is often used to describe this kind of person, and this is exactly what I think.
　It is a mysterious charm that attracts others.
　I suppose I am one of those who analyze her in this way.
　This is the kind of person who will become the founder or leader of a religion.
　If she were to give a speech here, everyone would stop in their tracks.


I'm surrounded by a lot of crazy people, aren't I?


　Compared to those people, I feel that I am an ordinary person.
　The only difference between me and others is that I have the life experience and knowledge of a man. He doesn't have the powers of the heroes who have special and extraordinary powers that are often seen in stories about men's worlds, and his magical powers are not even in the realm of ordinary people.
　In this respect, Suu is exceptional compared to the others. He has a tremendous amount of magic power, and the magic he uses makes him stronger than other people, a quality that makes no sense.
　On top of that, he has the strength of arms, so it would be foolish to compare him to others.


　The other day, he boasted of the results of his daily training.


"Thanks to your training, I've been getting stronger lately.

Do you want to arm-wrestle?


　I lost.


　In her case, her strength was so ridiculous that she was no match for me. It's a wonder where such power comes from in those thin and supple arms, but there are many people in this world who have this kind of unreasonable power as well as magic.
　Life is unequal and unfair. Just when you gain a little confidence, someone with even more power comes to shatter it. There is nothing but sadness.


　Anyway, Suu is now thirteen years old, and it seems that she has started attending a magic school.
　It's a mystery why I don't see him more often than before.


　--Studying at the Academy of Magic?　I only attend Professor Merkleya's lectures.


　I only attend Professor Merkleya's lectures," she said when I asked her about the Academy.
　She even retreated by saying that she doesn't find anything useful except the lectures of the national mage.
　She even went so far as to say that it would be more useful for me to study with her.


　Perhaps the reason for this is that she has a proper magic tutor.
　The history, grammar, and legitimate studies of magic are all learned there, so the Academy's lectures are of little value.
　This is not to say that the quality of the Academy's lectures is low.
　It's just that I prefer to study with myself, where I can gain knowledge that I can't get elsewhere.
　Anyway.


"Is that it?


　I ask.


I said, "Because sometimes the authors even pull in unnecessarily embellished texts.


　Commentaries on books of the Quran often contain the author's subjectivity. Because spells are meant to extract the meaning of words and their deepest intentions, they often contain commentaries in which the author has read too much into the text.
　The lecturer does not recognize this as "deep reading" and teaches it as a new discovery.
　For those who started their studies from the annals, this is probably a new discovery.


　............ Suu is happily gobbling up another bowl of paozi, unfazed by the sauce she just doused her mouth with. As usual, he is dressed in a white cloak, and underneath he is wearing comfortable clothes.
　Her black hair is smooth and unkempt, and her eyes are lapis lazuli with a hint of jade in them. Her eyes, which had been narrowed in a swashbuckling manner, were now wide open, giving the impression that she was vivacious.


"What's wrong?

What's wrong?" "Oh, nothing, nothing.


　When she realized that I was looking at her face, she looked away and I guessed that she thought I wanted something.


"Do you want some Arx?　Just a bite would be nice.

...... That's a bit stingy, don't you think?

Oh, I won't give it to you if you complain.

Okay. One bite.

Okay.


　When I took a bite of the duck sandwich offered to me, the taste of duck filled my mouth.
　When you bite into the duck sandwich, the taste of the duck fills your mouth, and when it is combined with the paozi, it is...


"It's good.

It's so good!


　We walked on, chatting about such trivial things.


　The reason I went out this day was not to study magic ...... as usual, but to do my own business.
　This time, when I told Suu about it, she said she would follow me and came to me.
　In spite of the fact that my business came first, I had to listen to her request and visit the market (bazaar) first. Is it because of the invisible balance of power between me and her, or is it simply because I want to be sweet to her?
　My destination was a large store that I often patronize to make materials for my magic meter and imprint.
　It is fresh in my mind that the production of magic meters has been increased at the request of the royal family, which in turn requires a large amount of magic silver, so I came to check the stock status at the large store where I always order materials.


"You don't have any magic silver in stock?


　That's what the store keeper said to me as soon as I entered the store.
　When I asked him back, he bowed his head apologetically.


That's what ...... is for. We're out of stock. We're sorry that you're such a loyal customer.

But why all of a sudden?　I thought I told you in advance that I would need it?

Yes. Yes, that's right, but we've been behind on our purchases. ......



You're stocking up?

Yes. To tell you the truth, we've been stocking less and less for a while now, and we've been making up for it with our inventory, but just the other day that inventory ran out.

But just the other day, that stock ran out.

Yes.


　I understand that the stock is gone, but the question is why.
　It's true that magic silver is an important commodity, but the amount used for imprinting is very small and the number of engineers is not that large, so it's not likely that the demand would exceed the supply.


　As I was thinking about this, the foreman said.


In the past, we never had such a small amount of stock. ...... How did we end up in this situation?

"Has the production of silver, the source of magic silver, decreased?

No, I've heard that it's the same as it's always been. However, the amount of silver coming to us has decreased because several retail merchants have started to buy it at a higher price than the merchants who directly distribute it.


　If there is no change in output or production, that's probably the reason.
　Someone else bought it first.
　Or they started hitting us with wads of cash.
　But--


But wouldn't there be complaints from others if someone suddenly did that?

It seems that the aristocracy has a hand in this, and the wholesale merchants can't go too far.

I see. ......

　It's a good idea to take a look at a few of the most common types of shoes.
　You can find a lot of things that you can do to make your life easier.
　This inevitably leads to the question of why they are collecting so much magical silver.


"By the way, do you know who this nobleman is?

"It's still uncertain, but I heard a rumor that it might be Count Nadar. It's still a rumor, though.

"Nadar ......


　Count Poluk Nadar.
　He is a senior nobleman with a domain to the west of the kingdom, and is one of the lords who share territory with the neighboring Gillis Empire.
　He is also one of the lords that border the neighboring Gillis Empire.


You think they're collecting it to maintain their military power?

Well, I don't know much about that. ......

Hmm. ......


　Magical silver is also an important military material that is used for engraving and is mainly used for processing weapons.
　It's also an important military commodity that's used for engraving and is mainly used to process weapons. All armies want to have engraved weapons, so magic silver is essential for maintaining and expanding their forces.


But that's weird. You can't just collect it from multiple merchants and then not be able to send it elsewhere.

We don't know the specifics, but if we can't manage that, it's going to be difficult to stock up.


　If that's the case, we'll have to go to the top and put pressure on them.
　The production of the magic meter is a matter that is being handled by order of the king.
　If you inform Crave or Godwald of this situation, the situation will improve.


　But of course, it will take some time before that happens, and there is no guarantee that there will be no trouble.
　You'll have to go and buy what you want right now.


Magical silver, how can I get it?

"In that case, I suggest you go directly to the Rustinelle territory in the west to purchase it. The lord there has several silver mines and a magic silver workshop.

"I'll talk to Rustinelle or ...... Noah. Okay. I'll go there. Thanks.

Yes, sir. Thank you for your patronage.


　Suu, who had been quiet until then, spoke up after hearing the guard's condescending thank you.


"You're buying up all the magic silver .......

Oh. Why in the world would you do such a thing again?

The simple answer is that you need a lot of it, right?


　I suppose. Magical silver is not cheap, so it is not something to build a stockpile of like salt or wheat.
　If the purpose is not to expand armaments, the first thing that comes to mind is market manipulation.
　But of course, this is forbidden, and they would not dabble in it lightly.
　If you stand out, the inspector general's office will naturally come looking for you. If they do, they'll be punished immediately.


"Then I guess we should reinforce our own army. ......


　Nadar's territory faces other countries, and because of the nature of such a lord, he is in a position to constantly use force to intimidate other countries.
　The reason for this is that if a country is made to feel that it is difficult to attack, that alone will serve as a deterrent.
　If the military is strengthened, the effect will increase, and if other countries build up their armed forces, it will be necessary to match them.
　So, the most likely course of action would be to strengthen the military.
　When I said that, Suu seemed to be thinking of another reason.


Another reason is to sell it to someone, you know?

"Sell it to someone?

Yeah. Not to sell it to the domestic market at a high price, but to other countries, countries that we are close to.

I see. So it's not just our own people who want domestic goods.

Yes, yes. Nadar is exporting as part of their foreign currency acquisition, ...... mainly to empires.

Is the Gillis Empire ...... a good idea?

Well, it's good for some things, isn't it?　You can get gold for it. Depending on the nature of the exports, it could also be an economic strategy. If we keep our friendship even superficially, we won't have to go to war right away.



But we're dealing with an enemy country. ......


　Perhaps it's because I've followed the life of a man, but when I hear the word "enemy," I immediately associate it with economic sanctions.
　And it doesn't sound good to be dealing with the kingdom's biggest enemy.


Yeah?　It's necessary.　Because we're at peace now.


　The Gillis Empire and the Kingdom of Rynor had only had a skirmish a few years ago, and there hadn't been any major battles recently.
　There may be a few troubles with the nobles whose territories are adjacent to each other, but as she said, peace has been maintained for the time being.
　Then.


"Then, Miss Suu has a question for the Arx students.


　It seems that an unfamiliar setting has suddenly been added.


"What is it, teacher?

"Ah!　Unmotivated is a demerit, you know?

Oh, I see. By the way, what happens if I get a red?

Arx will become my slave for a certain period of time.

That's terrible. If you're given a problem that only you understand, you'll be helpless, right?

Ah!　That's a good idea!　I'll take that!

It's not good!　I mean, don't take it!


　Naturally, I refused with all my might.
　If such a thing is allowed to go on, you never know what the girl, with her outlandish imagination at every turn, will order you to do.


...... So, what are your questions?

Why does the Kingdom of Rynor maintain, or should maintain, peace with its enemy, the Gillis Empire? Oh, just because the kingdom likes peace doesn't mean you can't give a soft answer.


　It is typical for her to dream of a strong kingdom when she calls it soft, but anyway.


Because you don't want to start a war, right?

Yes, that's right. Then why doesn't the kingdom want to go to war?

Well, fighting the Empire would cause a lot of damage, and they want to avoid that as much as possible.

But if the Empire wants to expand its territory to the southeast, it will invade the Kingdom one day.　So what do you think the kingdom should do?


　Oh, I see.


"In any case, a war with the Empire is inevitable. Then the kingdom needs to accumulate enough strength to fight them before then. So, in order to extend the state of peace as much as possible, trade and exchange are being conducted to keep things friendly on the surface. We let the nobles on the border keep as much as they can. ......

That's it. Student Arx. Well done, sir. Click, click.


　I see. Then it's not surprising that there's a deal.
　In fact, it would be an important strategy to make a deal and obtain goods and information from the enemy.


So the situation in Ai is a good national policy. But, you know, when a territory faces you, there's a lot of resentment, and that can lead to outbursts, can't it?

"That's why we're changing territories. Replace it with a nobleman who has no history with the enemy and is skilled in diplomacy, and put him in the line of fire. That way, at least the higher-ups will be committed to averting a war, and the outbursts will be contained.

"Wow. ......


　Forcibly changing the territory by superior will is radical.


But can such a thing be done peacefully?

It's inevitable that people will be dissatisfied to some extent. But if you consider the benefits and disadvantages, you can't help it.


　...... If you listen to the story, it seems to be quite absurd.
　In feudal society, where people are strongly attached to the land they own, changing territories is almost forbidden.
　If it is only a short period of time since you were given a new territory, or if you are a noble who has cultivated the land and ruled the people with pride and attachment, offering to change the territory may become a hotbed of dissatisfaction.
　Naturally, the targeted nobles would have complained, but the kingdom wanted to buy time for the war so badly that it had to do so.


There are ways to do it, you know.　"There are things you can do. Or give them a medal. You can give them a better place than they have now, or you can give them a medal, or you can just blame them and confiscate their territory.


That's the picture of arrogance. It's scary.


　But the way this story is going...


That's what the Count of Nadar was charged with.

Yes, yes.

But wouldn't that be scary if it was an untrustworthy noble family that did the transfer?　I can't say this often, but don't you think they might betray you or something?


　As soon as I mentioned these concerns, Suu's attention suddenly turned cold.
　And then.


That's why you should always have a trusted military leader behind you. Keep them under constant surveillance to make sure they don't turn, and keep them on your back so they can't easily turn against you.

"You mean threaten them from behind?" ......


　"You mean scare them from behind?" I was taken aback by her frightening analysis.
　But it certainly works.
　If he is betrayed, he will draw the enemy into his own territory, but if he has already anticipated the betrayal, the damage can be reduced, and the surrounding nobles can immediately surround him with an outside line.




　The conversation had been going on for a while, but I suddenly thought.


...... You know a lot about that stuff, don't you, Suu?

"Yeah. I'm studying it.

Do you think studying makes you more knowledgeable?

I don't think so.　What about Arx who knows a lot without studying?

No, I'm studying too.

What?　What?　Did Raytheft have such a strategic manual?　I can't miss that.

What?　That is, that is...


　Suu's questioning tone made me pause.
　The reason I have this kind of knowledge is basically because of the books that the man was reading.
　In the case of the man, most of his books were read once and done, but I can memorize them once I read them, so it's not so difficult for me to extract the knowledge if the man had read through them when I was reliving the experience.


No, I mean, what is it that you can't unhear?

"Is it, uh, noble family stuff?


　Suu nods her head.
　Why the question form?
　To begin with.


You're a nobleman, aren't you, Suu?

"Didn't Arx know that somehow?　You already knew when you first met him.

Well, yeah.

I knew it.


　When he admitted it honestly, Suu felt somewhat puffed up.
　Even though he had succeeded in evading her questions, he was still curious.


A deal with the Empire. ......

It's hard to say, because we don't know if that's really true yet.


　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're doing.


...... But buying up all that magic silver is indeed too much. You have to do something about it.


　This is still the stern side of Suu that she suddenly reveals. There's always a chill in the air when she does this, and it somehow makes her seem cruel.
　The way she puts her hand over her mouth and squints her eyes in thought is a dignified gesture that is almost adult-like.
　He may be using his nose, muttering, "It smells like rotten grease. ......
　It's quite strange how his tone changes from time to time.


"Do something about it?

"Yeah. Yes.

"Can you do something about it?


　When I casually asked this, Suu jumped up and down as if she had suddenly realized something.


What?　No, ah, hahaha!　What are you talking about, Arx?　There's no way I can do that!　Oh my god!


　It's a sudden, deceptive laugh like this.


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


　I've been wondering for a while now who this girl really is.
　It is not uncommon for the children of noble families to use formal language, but this girl not only used language and knowledge, but also showed keen insight and in this case, power.
　As I stared at Suu, who seemed unsettled, I wondered why she was staring back at me.


What are you doing with your eyes? You're making my cheeks sore.

You're going to need a new hand .......　Stop it!　You're really gouging me!　Oh, my God!

Oh, my God!　It's still soft!


　This is what always happens in the end. .......