The carriage driven by Gaelio left the city and proceeded to the forest on the outskirts.
　As it leaves the city, we begin to see soldiers here and there.
　Not only humans, but beastmen as well.
　There are some familiar faces here and there. That's the Beast King's army.
　They're probably worried and unhappy if only humans are guarding them, so they're guarding themselves.

"Where are we going?　Captain.
The meeting will take place far from the city. We don't want to upset the people of the city.

　Most people don't have a very good feeling about beastmen.
　Most people don't have very good feelings about beastmen, and the people of this city are no different, if not better than other cities.
　The way they looked at the beastmen in the city was not a good feeling.
　There are beastmen who are serious and understand how to interact with people, but they are basically short-tempered and violent.

　But a meeting with such a beastman.
　I wonder what they will talk about.
　...... You're not going to start a war, are you?

I'm sure you're not planning on going to war. "Hey Gaelio, what do you want to talk about at the meeting?
"Idiot, you don't need to talk about anything else.
Ha-ha-ha, that's fine, Daryl. It's nothing to hide. Ranga, what's going on is a peace conference. Humans and beastmen have been at odds with each other for a while now. We're talking about stopping that. The representatives will talk to each other and try to get along from now on.
"What?　Is that so?

　Gaelio's words startled me.
　A peace between humans and beastmen?　That's unthinkable.

"Hey Ranga, why are you so surprised?　The war's over, they'll make peace.
What are you talking about, Dad? This is a city that's been on the front lines of war for years, not someplace else!　How can you join forces with someone you've crossed paths with many times?
"Oh, ...... yes, that's true .......

　I'm sure you'll agree with me.
　You'll be able to find a lot more information on the web.

"You know a lot, Ranga. Did you learn that at school too?
"Yes, I did. Yes, I did. Haha. ......
Wow, they teach a lot of details in school nowadays.

　Careful, I'm talking too much.
　I'm an old timer.

"Ah!　I can see the building now!

　The building came into view just in time, so I turned my attention to it.
　It's a magnificent mansion with a blue roof, and it looks like it covers a lot of land from here.
　In the center of the building is a clock tower with a huge bell.
　From the direction of the bell, it must have been the bell that rang at noon.

"Oh, there's the client who called us. His name is Hannibal. He's a former hero of the Great War and the ruler of this city.

　-Hannibal Garland.
　A hero who led the city's many defenses during the Great War.
　He was a man who believed in being tough on others and even tougher on himself, and he fought bravely, or rather recklessly, standing at the front lines himself.
　In addition, he never neglected his command, and the heroes and heroes from all over the world followed his advice quietly because of the way he saw the big picture.

　I've never met him in person, but I've glimpsed him from afar.
　He was tall and muscular, and his figure with a huge spear was heroic even though he was an enemy.
　Moreover, he is a capable man who can develop the city like this once the battle is over.
　Let's see what kind of person he is. ......
　As I waited in anticipation, the door of the mansion was thrown open with great force.

"Oh!　I'm so glad you're here!　It's a good thing you're here, Gaelio, Daryl and his sons!

　What came out of the house was a fat old man.
　The top of his head was completely bald, and a few strands of gray hair were swaying unsteadily in the wind.
　For all intents and purposes, he was just an ordinary old man.
　I'm sure this old man is not Hannibal. ......

"Ha, presumptuous, Amor Guard, Captain Gaelio Vincent. I've just arrived. Sorry to keep you waiting, Hannibal!

　--That's right.
　I didn't know this old man was Hannibal.
　There's no sign of the old man.
　Where's the general?
　When Gaelio saw him saluting Hannibal, his father hurried to follow him.

"Ah, Amor Guard, Daryl Valiant. We're here, sir!



　We'll follow suit and bow.

"Ranga-Variante.
Amira Lirinra.

　When Hannibal saw us bowing, he looked puzzled for a moment.
　But then he immediately burst into laughter.

"Ha-ha-ha, don't be so sure. I'm the one who summoned you. I've prepared a guest room for you. Come on in, come on in.

　Hannibal turns away defenselessly to show us in.
　So unguarded that it's unnerving.
　It's somewhat disconcerting.

"That's Hannibal ......, he changes all the time, doesn't he?
Oh, you don't look anything like him.

　I talk to Amira in secret.
　The old Hannibal was like a blade that could be cut with a touch.
　Now he's this. ...... Change is change.
　My father seems to be looking at Hannibal and wondering.
　No wonder. It's hard to believe that such a fat old man is the Hannibal of the textbooks.
　As I was thinking about this, Hannibal, who was walking in front of me, suddenly turned to me.

Are you surprised to know that I'm Hannibal?
"No, no!　No, not at all. ......!

　Hannibal laughed out loud.

Hannibal laughed hysterically. "Ha-ha-ha, no problem. I'm used to it. I'm used to it.　I've been told so many times.

　Hannibal then slaps himself on the stomach.
　The belly rippled.

But I'm proud of this belly. But I'm proud of this belly, because it means I don't have to fight anymore, and I can eat a lot of good food in peace. It was really hard during the war. There were many days when we couldn't eat and had to kill each other, and when we came home there was no food. When I was asked to help organize this town, I was the first to gather food. I've been starving ever since then. That's how we got here and that's how the town grew. So I don't care what people say about me. Hahahaha!

　Hannibal laughs merrily.
　After he had finished laughing, he narrowed his eyes and continued in a rather serious tone.

If we can make peace with the beastmen, this peace will be more secure. Will you lend us your strength for that?　Gaelio-dono and Darryl-dono.
"Ha ......!

　The two of them hurriedly returned the salute as Hannibal's soft but stern eyes stared at them.
　I see, it's not just the belly that's big.
　The size of this vessel, the overflowing intellect, and the charisma.
　This person is without a doubt the fierce general Hannibal.

sir.

"Have you returned, Master Hannibal?

　When we entered the villa, we were greeted by several maids.
　They were maids with ears and tails. To our surprise, they were all beastmen.
　Do beastmen work for humans in this house?

You could have left the welcoming of guests to us.

　At the center of the group, a beastman with long ears like a rabbit's, who was probably the leader, complained with a troubled face.

What are you talking about? It is my job as the owner of the house to welcome guests. That's non-negotiable.
"Well, ......, that's fine, but the merchants are getting tired of waiting.
"Oh, I've been calling for you, haven't I? I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not. ...... Gaelio-dono, Darryl-dono, I'm sorry, but I'll be going now. Mizuha, show our guests around.
"Yes, sir.

　Hannibal left us in the hands of the beast he called Mizha, and retreated to the back room.
　Mizuha led us through the house.
　The inside was quite large, and it was difficult to reach the place we wanted.
　Gaelio called out to Mizuha to pause her.

"You seem to be as busy as ever, Hannibal-dono.
"Yes. "Yes, but he still wants to do everything himself, which is a problem. Why don't you just leave it to me to pick you up?

　Mizzou let out a sigh, as if to say, "I'm in trouble.
　But there was no disgust in her face.
　There are people who hire beastmen in the city of Amor, but most of them don't do well.
　Beastmen have a lot of pride, and many of them take humans lightly.
　But these women are different.
　They respect their masters as masters and treat us as guests.


　人間のメイドと何ら変わりない仕事ぶりだった.

「こちらがお客様のお部屋になります」

　案内されたのはやたら豪華な部屋だった.
　ベッドも三つあり、寝泊りには十分すぎる広さである.

「おおっ！　いい部屋じゃあねーか！　ベッドもふかふかだぜ！　なぁランガ！」

　早速ベッドに座り込む親父に、俺は冷ややかな視線を送る.
　やれやれ、子供かっつーの.

「お気に召してくださったようで幸いです. ガエリオ様は向かいのお部屋になります」
「ありがとうございます、ミズハさん」
「いえ、お気になさらず. それでは何かあったらお呼び下さい. 夕食時には呼びに参ります」

　ミズハはそう言って深々と頭を下げると、部屋から出て行った.
　アーミラがベッドに寝転ぶと、目を細めて俺を見上げる.

「私たちはベッド一つでもよろしかったのに……ね、ランガ様♪」
「アホか」

　俺はため息と共に、そう返すのだった.