The meeting with the Imperial Academy of Magic was to be held at the mayor's mansion.
　It was said that there was a large conference room that was suitable for the meeting.

　That night.
　We were gathered in the room of the inn where we were staying, discussing about tomorrow.

"It's finally tomorrow.

　The headmaster tells us.
　Erika looks nervous.

Don't worry so much. You can leave the adult discussions to me, the principal of Rosangrila Academy of Magic .......

　The principal continued to speak with a serious expression.

However,......, if the empire tries to get away with it. But if the ...... empire gets away with it, then Kurt ...... is going to need your help.
Yes. That's why I'm here.

　I politely reply.
　By the way, ...... while we are having this discussion, I have put up a soundproof warding spell in the room.
　You never know who might be listening.

"Eri. Are the Imperials also here in ...... Neutral City?

　Lara asks.

"Yeah, they're here. They arrived today. They're staying in a much higher-ranked inn than the one we're staying in.

　I felt a kind of annoyance from Erika's words.

　I arrived at ...... today, which is quite generous.
　If something had happened on the way, I might not have been able to make it to tomorrow's meeting.

Can I ask you one question?　Who is going to be the judge of the discussion ......?　Both of us think we're right, but is it going to be that easy to settle?

　Marise raised her hand and asked the question.

"I'm a mediator from a neutral city. There are five mediators, and they are supposed to be the ones to judge if the discussion gets complicated. You know the role of the Neutral City, don't you Marise?
Oh, yes. ...... I have a rough recollection, but I've heard that it serves as a mediator between the kingdom and the empire.
That's right. That is why there is a neutral city in the center of the kingdom ...... and the imperial capital. If there is any trouble between the two countries, they often meet here in the Neutral City, and the mediator makes a decision.
Do you think that's a fair judgement?
There is a treaty between the two countries. There's a treaty between the two countries that says you can't interfere with the mediator ....... Do you know what that means in this case?
Do you mean that I can't ...... bribe or threaten the mediator?
Yes. Marlies is still smart. It was better for the kingdom and the empire to have a neutral position like that. So at least the mediator is fair.

　Hmmm.
　So there is a mediator, and he or she is a fair judge.
　If we can get these people to admit the evil of the empire, ...... we win.

　They're very troublesome when they're backed into a corner like this.
　If we had a mediator, the discussion would go more smoothly.

Now, ...... let's go to bed early for tomorrow.

　The principal claps his hands to announce the dissolution of the place.

"Yes.
Can ...... Lara and I come with you tomorrow?
Of course. It will be a good experience just to sit there.

　Lara and Marise asked the principal as they were leaving the room.

　By the way, ...... is, as a matter of course, a different room from Lara and Marise.
　Me, the principal, one room.
　Lara, Marise, and Ms. Erica are in the same room.

"Oh, Lara, Marise ...... wait a minute.

　When Marise was about to close the door for the last time.
　I called out to her.

"What?　Kurt.
I need you to do something for me.

　I called them back and talked to them.
　They looked surprised.

"Is it true?

　Lara asked, nodding silently.

"That's why the ...... mediator is .......

　The room is soundproofed, but there is no way it can leak out.
　I whispered a favor to Lara and Marise.

"Okay, okay.
But is Kurt going to be okay?
Me?　I'll be fine.
That was a stupid question.

　Well, the meeting's over.
　It looks like we're not going to get this meeting for free.


　I think I'll just lie down on the bed and wait.

　...

　Until late at night, I could hear people's voices outside the inn, but after midnight, it became completely quiet.

　I was meditating on my bed.
　Of course, I'm awake.
　I'm feeling sleepy, but ...... I'll just have to live with it. It's nothing compared to the five nights I spent in a dungeon a thousand years ago.


　Crackle--.


　It came.
　It was a small noise.
　A noise so small that a normal person wouldn't hear it, even if they were awake.

　If I'm not careful, I might miss it too.
　But I have never been distracted since I arrived at the neutral city.

　Someone was standing by my bedside.
　Well, there was that time in the dorm room when Lara snuck into my room.
　Using detection magic, I know it's not Lara or Marise.

　When he was about to put the dagger to my neck.


"I'm tired of waiting for you," I said.


　I said, and without waiting for his reply, I unleashed a ray of light magic.

　Without a sound, the ray pierced his chest and he fell forward.

"Phew.

　I let out a breath and raise myself up from the bed.
　You'll be able to find a lot more information on the web.

"Well, ...... Nagayo is getting bored. Would you like to play with me?

　I picked up the sword that was propped up on the table and said that.