The palace had been almost completely restored with the help of the wizards.
　The palace was almost completely restored with the help of the magicians, and the detailed decoration was done by specialized craftsmen.

In the Kingdom of Euresia, it would take several times as long to complete this much work.

　Celestia looks up at the royal palace and makes an admiring noise.

I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea. In a few years, they'll be able to pull off something like this.

Do all elves excel in magic?

"Well, I doubt it. At the very least, the magic of Garde, the High Elf who fought Pheuel's older brothers Rigel and Neya, would be no match for any mage out there. Well, that's just the knowledge I've acquired through study.

　I felt as if Celestia was probing me, so I spoke persuasively.

I'm sure you're not the only one.

　I'm not sure what to say, but I'm going to try.
　In the event that you've got a lot more than one of these, you'll be able to find a lot more.
　This is probably one of the reasons why there are so few mages in the world.
　There are also people who have vested interests and do not want their children to grow up to be wizards.

Someone's coming out!

　We were easily let through the castle gates and made to wait in a carriage, but a woman came in front of us.
　She was a middle-aged woman with a straight back, and I recognized her.
　It was Miria, the woman who used to take care of Fiel.
　She seemed to have become the head maid now, and was nowhere near as languid as before.

"I apologize for the delay. My name is Milia Hermit, and I've been asked to be your guide.

Nice to meet you.

　There are soldiers watching our movements from all over the place, so I exaggeratedly held out my right hand.
　Miria looked a little hesitant, but shook her hand.
　I checked to be sure, but it was definitely human.

"Well, come on in.

　As Seretia and I walked away, Benetnash remained motionless in his carriage.
　I'm sure you're not the only one.

"His Majesty has requested that we bring everyone with us.

　The surprised Benetnash did not reply, but swept his gaze over us as if seeking an answer.

"So it is. For my part, it would be better if you were closer to me.

There's no reason to say no, so why not?

...... Okay.

　Benetnash, who reluctantly agreed, followed me to the end of the line.
　I don't know what his intentions are, but it's a good thing for me, because I can't help him if something happens to him while he's away.
　I checked the entire palace with my magic sense, but I couldn't sense any magical power that seemed to be false Ars.
　I knew it was useless, but I wanted to somehow make time to explore and check.
　For now, he focused his attention on what kind of king his brother Ilus had become after seventeen years.
　I'm a little excited to be able to see him with my own eyes, but I'm also a little anxious.


　Miria, who was walking in front of us, confirmed that Benetnash was following her and brought us not to the audience hall, but to a room.
　A strong guard stood in front of the door, and it was obvious that this was not just a waiting room.

His Majesty is waiting for you inside. He would like to enjoy a leisurely conversation over lunch.

You're awfully well prepared.

"Mr. Harvey has told me all about you.

　I've heard about you from Mr. Harvey.
　I'm not sure what to make of that.
　The wrinkles on his face had grown considerably, but he was definitely my brother, Ils Dittrand.

"Thank you for coming. I was afraid you would refuse.

　I thought you would refuse, but..." On his back, two mages and two swordsmen were standing by, constantly monitoring our movements.

It was a good opportunity for us to have an audience with King Ils.

　Seretia replied, and began to introduce me and Benetnash.
　In the meantime, I observe Ils carefully, but I don't see anything suspicious.
　There was some suspicion that he was on the side of the false Ars, given the good relationship that Fiel had mentioned with them, but I felt no hostility, and there was nothing poisonous in the food on the table.

　I thought I would feel more nostalgic, but I didn't, and now I am far more cautious.

I apologize for the trouble my daughter and nephew have caused you. I am sorry that my daughter and nephew caused you so much trouble. It's a shame that they had to point their swords at you and deport you.

　Ils exaggeratedly clutched his head and paused to look up at the heavens.
　I'm sure a lot has happened since I died, but I've noticed that his mood is different from the old Ils I knew.
　A rather quiet man, he is displaying a very dignified attitude.

　I had thought that he had made the apology out of his previous humility, but it seems that this is not the case.
　There is no doubt that he had a different intention in inviting us.

So much for the formalities, now eat and enjoy.

　As if manners didn't matter, Ils raised his glass and downed the crimson liquor in it in one gulp.
　The most out-of-place of the group, Benetnash, has been frozen in place for some time now, showing no signs of even touching his food.

"Benetnash, I hear you don't need to worry about manners. You can eat as you please.

"...... Yes.

　I know that Benetnash is from a pirate background and has never eaten in such a place.
　I know that Benetnash is from a pirate background and has never eaten in a place like this, even though manners are not a factor, but it is not a place like a bar.
　I took the initiative to show it in front of him, and Benetnash duplicated it perfectly.
　Ils, who had been staring at the scene with narrowed eyes, placed his glass on the table.

The young man who had defeated the Knight Commander, Dallas, was that you?

It is true that I crossed swords with him, but to say that I defeated him would be a misnomer. I don't know what will happen if Dallas is in his element.

"You're not the same man Dallas told me you were. I was told you were a more confident young man.



Everyone has their own impressions. I'm not a very confident person.

　Ils seemed to be watching my every reaction, as if he were trying to determine who I was.
　Likewise, Benetnash stopped to stare at me, his demeanor suddenly changing.

The restoration of the royal palace is remarkable, by the way. It's just as well that the mage corps that defeated Hell Artyo. There wasn't a time when I didn't hear the name of His Highness Ars while walking around the city.

　I tried to extract information from his praise of Ils, who said he was close to the fake Ars, but I got a reaction I didn't expect.
　Instead of being pleased or convinced, he just said, "Oh, I see.

"Walth, is it? Are you interested in my brother Ars?　Or are you interested in magic?

　Ils and I weren't bad friends.
　But I'm proud to say that we were never this blatantly disinterested in each other.
　Besides, this question seems like he's trying to probe me.
　I didn't miss the brief but sharp glint in Ils' eyes.

I'm also a bit of a magician, so I'd be lying if I said I wasn't interested.

　I thought about covering it up, but I decided it was better than hiding it here and having it come out.

I've never heard of Dallas using magic, but ...... it's interesting to see how strong he is and that he can handle magic.

　There was a slight flicker in Illus' magic power.
　He was not a skilled magician, but he knew how to control his magic to a certain extent.
　If he wavered, it meant that he was either upset by my answer or interested in a bad way.
　Either way, it's not a good sign.

　The air in the room changed as Illus stared at me, as if he was watching my face.