--The Great Hall, second floor of the Royal Castle.

　At the same time that Huta was chatting with Hura Walcott, the first court mage, in the middle of the hall, Richter L. Klingbloom, the Lord Treasurer, was also chatting in a corner of the hall, surrounded by many people.

　Despite the smiles on their faces, he still had thousands of business numbers running through his mind, but that was about it.
　Today, as he busies himself with this and that and his thoughts, a number of noblemen keep coming to him.

　He is at a standing party, glasses in hand, enjoying himself.
　One of the aristocrats asked Richter a question as he tasted the meat on the table.

By the way, there are some people who are a bit of a pain to deal with these days.
"Oh, ...... that's right.

　If you look at the faces, you'll see the usual aristocrats.
　But it's true that in the last five months or so. It's also true that their numbers are gradually decreasing.

　No, it's not that the number of people around Richter is decreasing.
　It's just that... It's just that the faces have changed.
　The newcomers were mostly those in the Commerce and Industry faction - Beatrix's cronies, to put it bluntly.

　And what this means is that the Commerce and Industry faction = the Princess faction.

　The name of the connection between the two is "Spectacula".
　With the addition of the court mage, Richter's surroundings are quite lively. That's good.

"...... Gracials.
He was the first one to distance himself from Richter. ......

　The name is Graciel, muttering over a glass.
　It's a good idea to take a look at the actual information on the web.

I'm not sure if you've seen this before, but I'm sure you've. It was easier for us when we were working hand in hand with Richter-sama. ......
I don't know.
What do you mean?
What do you mean? - Well, our financial situation and our future prospects are clearly better now. Back then, it was like we were all going to die together.
Was that so?
Unaware?

　Richter was puzzled.

　The princess may have been awakened by the wickedness.
　The person who first suspected this was Richter L. Klingbloom, and he proceeded to investigate in his own way.

　As a result, he distanced himself from the royal faction, and the noble faction naturally deepened the rift with the princess.

　Although they respected the King, the King was surrounded by military factions that originally did not get along with the noble faction, so the noble faction was somewhat left out in the cold.

　The one who somehow managed to keep them together was Richter L. Klingbloom, and Gracial G. Gringott was also a man who worked hand in hand with Richter.

　But in the end.
　The fact that the warlords were in financial trouble and wanted to go on an expedition to neighboring countries.
　The aristocrats were all failing in their businesses and were driving their people into poverty.
　The merchants and industrialists were annoying people who didn't care about the country and only insisted on their rights in the assembly.

　All of this was not going well, and the man who was trying to stop the slow destruction was also a man named Richter L. Klingbloom.

　If this spark of a princess were to explode, it would be a real disaster.
　Such a sense of danger, however, was in a way misplaced.

I'm hoping that the nobility will rise from their current situation.
"Yes, yes, of course!　I've heard that, thanks to Mr. Richter's shrewdness, the Spectacle has been able to get some publicity and some activity in the provinces.
What about your territory?
Well, I've left it in the hands of my ...... secretary. I'll check it out next time.
Well, ...... as soon as possible. ......

　Richter pressed his forehead. Maybe he's already drunk. I want to go home. I want to go home.

　I'm not sure what to do.

　If you look at the center of the hall, you will see the princess still chatting, and a young man being held by the first court mage who is shedding tears for some reason.

　The first thing you should do is to look at your eyes.

I'm grateful to you, in a way.

　The first thing you should do is to look at your eyes.

　There are several reasons why Richter is now working with the princess.
　There are several reasons why Richter is working with the princess now, including the fact that he is being forced to do so, but at the root of it all is the presence of that man.

　Futa Pomodoro. The princess's pimp, or whatever he's calling himself these days.

　His presence gave the princess a guideline for her actions, even though she didn't know how they would explode.

　Spectacular, isn't it?
　When I opened my eyes to see how she was going to fix the economy, I was surprised to see her smiling at the people.
　I'm not sure what to make of it, but I think it's a good idea.

　Her brain, her way of being... The current Richter believes that she was able to protect her country by dyeing it with the colors of the fighting sword.

　I'm sure that man was at the root of her existence.

　So be it.
　As long as there is a tangible bond of spectacle, at least the people won't be in trouble.

"Herr Richter.
What's up?

　The man next to him whispered to him as he tilted his glass a little more gently.
　The man next to him whispered to him as he tilted his glass a little more calmly. A young man came from where he indicated, pushing his way through the people in the hall.

　Richter squinted at him, wondering what was going on, and the first thing he said was.

Richter. You seem to be doing quite well lately.
Not at all.

　The young man brushed up his blue hair in loose waves and gave Richter a mocking look.


　He was in his mid to late twenties, the same age as Richter.

　Behind him, with a group of noblemen whom Richter knew well, they faced him head-on as if they were trying to pick a fight.

I don't know.
I don't think so. No, I don't. ...... No, I don't. I don't think I've ever been so well off. ......
What?　How dare you, when you've earned so much money from Spectacula?

　I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not, but it's a good idea.
　He was one of the leaders of the aristocracy along with Richter, and was born into one of the most prominent families in the country.
　He is also the leader of the country's Welfare Association and a member of the Senate of the Royal Capital.

　Richter narrowed his eyes and muttered to himself.

It's easy to be an observer .......
It's a mutual thing, I suppose. You're making it difficult for us.
What's bothering you? You're the ones who are wasting taxpayers' money.

　The air tingles.

　It was unavoidable.
　The people who follow Graciel and Richter are all family members.

　There was no one who could complain to Richter or Gracial.

So, what do you want? You haven't even been in the courtyard lately.
No?　No, I just came to have a laugh at the fact that you used to hate the princess so much and now you're wagging your tail.
What are you talking about?

　What are you talking about?" Richter says, tilting his head quizzically.

What are you talking about?" Tilting his head quizzically, Richter tells him, "It's only natural that you should serve your beloved royal family. What position do you occupy when you speak of wagging your tail?
"There's no point in trying to lump the royal families together. The only thing you can fix with your mouth is what you say and do. The same goes for the ...... spectacle. Why do you need Her Highness' permission to use something that should belong to Her Majesty?
What? You're the ones who set the precedent. I'm not sure what to make of it.
I'm not sure what to make of that.　I'm not kidding.
I'm telling you, you're the ones who gave them the excuse. Gracial, look.

　He narrowed his eyes and half glared.
　Gracials eyes narrowed and he gave him a half glare.

Don't make me see any more of your personal shame.
".......

　You'll be able to find a lot more than just a few.
　He sniffed and turned on his heel from Richter.

"Fine. If you're going to keep claiming the arena as your own, don't ever forget that it was built with government funds.
Forget what?
"That it's not only the upper class people in the royal castle who hate the dirty ways of "your" commercial and industrial faction.

　I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.

　Watching his back, Richter let out a sigh.

　Just when Lilac was relieved to have some guidance on the sword and spectacle.
　But then there were those who had taken the brunt of it, and the faction known as the Warlords.
　What goes up there, comes down here. It's the same for all factions, you never know when one will explode.
　You can't always be sure.

　It's just.


"...... Spectacular publicity.

　It is not Richter's fault that the aristocratic outdoor opera failed and the sword fighting succeeded. It was Beatrix who did all the laying the groundwork and promotion even before the construction began.

"Permission of His Highness, .......

　It wasn't Richter who knew and didn't stop the huge deficit caused by their entertainment. It was Her Royal Highness herself. It was Her Royal Highness herself who knew what she was doing, let it fail, and then turned the approval authority over to her as the one with the "experience of success.

"Construction of ...... Spectacula.

　It's called the national budget, but in reality it's mostly reparations money taken from the empire. On top of that, I did pour in some tax money, but most of it has already been wiped out. Instead, the debt to the Orba Chamber of Commerce has grown again, but that's about it.

　What I'm trying to say is.

...... I don't want to be the one to complain.

　There is only one thing to argue with in Graciel's words.
　It was as if Richter himself was leading the charge, but he was not.
　It's the demonic sisters who are doing this, not me.

I think we should stop thanking Futa.

　Richter shrugged his shoulders.

"For what?
"Whoa, Futa. ...... knock.
I'm in the hall, remember?

　Behind Richter's back.
　In the event that you're looking for the best way to get the most out of your business, you'll want to take a look at the following tips.



Where is he?
He'll be back in a bit. I saw Mr. Richter. I just came by to see him.
I see. Go home before he gets here.
I don't get this ...... respect for Mr. Lilac, do you?
"Shut up.

　Richter sniffed.
　Around him, his usual cronies are surprised by the appearance of an unexpected person.

　Looking back, it was indeed the first time that he had shown some degree of familiarity in public like this.

　I shook my head, thinking that it was His Highness who was near me when I was talking to him, or--.
　The more I thought about it, the more trouble I remembered.

"Well, well, well, Mister Futa. Congratulations on your victory.
Oh, thank you.
If you want, I can send you some of the gems from my territory.
No, ......, that's right. Then I'll send you something for Master Lilac.
That's wonderful!　I'd be delighted to send you something from my estate.

Wait, wait, wait, wait.

　Huta's communication skills were not up to par with their social skills.
　If he handed the gift from the nobility over to Futa, there was no telling what would happen later.

　It would be clear that they were using Futa.

You should at least buy it from him. You'll get in trouble.
"Really?　If you say so, Mr. Richter. Sorry.
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. No, but I see.

　The nobleman who seemed to be handling the jewel nodded his head.
　Futa tilted his head at the somewhat satisfied expression on his face.

　It was a confirmation that he was close enough to the champion and princess's favorite to accept Richter's words.

"I'm glad I followed you, Richter.
If you're going to ......, you need to make sure that the gem business is a success.
Well, we're having a bit of trouble with the transportation ...... and we need some money for the road .......
You'll have to come up with the money yourself .......

　Richter shook his head in disbelief.

　And then....

"Mr. Richter~......!

　A man comes in gasping for air.
　The smell of sweat seeping out of his fine clothes and his rotund figure.

　What's an egg wearing?　He stood in front of Richter with a flirtatious smile on his face and wiped the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief, leaving Huta to wonder rudely, "Is the egg wearing clothes?

I'm so sorry I'm late. Hi, I'm sorry. The girl I bought yesterday is very pretty, goof.
"......, don't say that in public.
What? Sorry about that. Perhaps you'd like to introduce me to Herr Richter later.
No, thank you.

　I'm not sure what you mean by that.
　The ring was so tight that he could not get it off his fat finger, and it was so unsightly.

"Ah, Futa. Let me introduce you. This is the Marquis of Boneless Hammot.
"Right. Nice to meet you.
Well, well, well, Mr. Futa!　A champion!　Unfortunately, I was only able to see the first round of the sword fight. ...... Well, that was a lot of heat. I'm not sure what to say.

　The Marquis of Boneless Hammock.

　The Marquis of Boneless Hammot. His fat body does not make a good impression.
　Not only that, he's a man who talks a lot of nonsense as soon as you meet him.

"Are you a relative of Mr. ...... Richter?
Yes.

　I asked just to be sure, but he answered immediately.
　Fouta held his forehead.

"What about you, Mr. Futa? Women don't give you any trouble.
I'm good.
"I'm good." ......

　Hammot must have noticed that he was clearly being kept at a distance.
　But he just smiles and says, "Oh, yeah, that's our stuff.

"Oh, yes, this is a dish using meat from our territory, but it's fried meat in cheese.
No thanks.
No, thanks.
Oh, well, it's ...... delicious.



　He sipped at the greasy food.
　Richter asked him in a troublesome tone.

By the way, when you said you bought a woman, ...... how many did you get?
"Four this month," he said.
You got the money, don't you?
No. ...... Ha-ha-ha.

　Sir Hammot smiles deceptively.
　The meaning of the question was not clear to Fouta.

　No, it wasn't that he didn't understand the meaning of the words.
　But if they were simply paying for "that kind of thing," would four people be so strapped for cash?

How expensive is the water business in this country?
I'm sure you're not the only one. Don't get me wrong, he's not dealing with watermen, he's buying people.
............ Oh, that's right.

　I'm not sure what to do.
　Sir Hammot, who was chubby, noticed the gaze and tilted his head. He had no neck to tilt because of his fat, so it looked as if his whole body was bent.

"If you can't find a wife, Sir Richter, you can do it that way," he said.
"Wives. Wives. ......

　What was surprising to Futa was that Richter seemed to be in tune with his conversation, or at least having a normal conversation with him.

　He had expected him to be a little more assertive.

"No, no, no, I don't think you should hold Master Futa up for talking about ham mots and the like.

　The man who intervened was the jeweler.
　His talk was certainly not pleasant to listen to.
　Futa nodded and turned on his heel to go back to Lilac.

"I heard that Lord Hura, the first mage of the court, has five wives. Master Richter has about six.
What are you competing for?

　You'll be able to find a lot of people who'll be able to help you.
　With their backs to him, Futa waved lightly to Richter and left the place.

　At least to Futa.

　--I don't have any good memories of people buying and selling.