The guards behind him became frantic at Illus' words, but Illus stopped them with a slight raise of his right hand.

If you're going to harm me, there's no point in using nullification magic. There's no need to be so cautious, Walth. I wonder what your intentions are in doing this.

　I can't tell if he knows what he's asking or not.
　Ils did not show any hostility at all, but looked down at me from the top of the mountain, and asked me a question with quiet pressure.

I'm sorry, I guess I got into a habit. I apologize.

"Habit? ......

...... Rumor has it that something non-human has infiltrated the heart of the nation in the surrounding countries. I'm not sure what to make of it, but I think it's a good idea.

So I was fine, right?

...... Yes.

　Iles does not show anger or laughter, he gives you an emotionless expression.
　He is like a puppet whose emotions are completely unreadable.
　He is not hostile, but he does not seem to be an ally either, and this makes me feel a sense of urgency to not let him go unchallenged.

　At the same time, the events of my childhood with Ils come back to my mind like a running lantern.
　For the first time since I can remember, Ils has stared at me with shining eyes, amazed at my magic.
　He knew that his magic was not even close to mine, so he devoted himself to supporting me in the shadows.
　Perhaps because of this, an invisible wall had been erected between us, but I felt that we were still bound together by the strong bond of brotherhood.

　However, my instincts would not stop warning me that even though we were blood brothers, Ils was now in danger.
　The magic seems to have reached a level that I don't know about, but at this distance, my physical attacks are definitely unstoppable.

　---- It's better to kill it right here and now for your own sake and, more importantly, for the kingdom of Euresia. If left unchecked, it will surely become a threat. As I came to this conclusion, the blood curse took over my body.

''Walth, you're being disrespectful to King Illus.

I'm sorry, .............

　Celestia gave me a strong will, forcing my body to stiffen.
　I don't think she knows what I was going to do, but she seems to want the situation to end in peace.
　It's true that killing Ils here will take care of the uncertainty in front of me, but I can't predict the path that will follow.

"No, no, not many people can see this magic. In fact, none of the people behind me noticed it. Those who can do this much for their masters are precious.

　With that, Ils taps me lightly on the shoulder.

"Be careful next time. You'll have to be careful next time. It was me and I could have gotten away with this, but it could have been the whole country.

"I'll be careful.

Ha-ha, don't worry about it. I'm sure you'll be able to handle any country that comes your way.

　Ils smiled with a wide open mouth.
　I think you can take on any of those countries.

I'm sure you'll be happy to know that we're leaving now.

"Oh, I look forward to seeing you again.



　　　　　　　"I look forward to seeing you again.



　I walked out of the room without incident, but my legs felt heavy, like they weren't my legs at all.
　I'm completely defeated this time.
　I'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact that I've been shown something I didn't expect: .......

Walls, are you okay?　You gave me the chills back there.

I'm sorry. ...... I didn't think that the King of Ills, who is not a famous wizard, would be able to see through this magic, let alone Ars. ...... It was my fault.

But it's good to know that it's not an alchemy doll.

Oh well. ......

　I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's a good thing.
　I don't know how Illus could have seen through him, but that intimidating feeling of being held down from above, something that wasn't there before, doesn't add up.

　Maybe this world is a parallel world, and the current Illus is the original Illus in this world, and the Illus in my memory is an illusion that never existed before.
　If that's the case, then the "Ils" in my memory is a different person.
　But no one I've ever been close to has been so different in every way.
　I don't want to think it's a different person, but .......

What are your plans for the rest of the day, Master Celestia?　If you don't have any specific plans, I suggest you return to the Kingdom of Eurecia. Your Majesty was concerned about that.

　As they walked, Benetnash asked Celestia about her future plans, to which Celestia nodded.
　There was no Miria in the corridor, and as he wondered if this meant he should go home, Miria appeared at the end of the corridor. But she's not alone, and I see two shadows behind her.

That's Dallas and ...... Festerlise, isn't it ......?

Really, what will they say now?

　Benetnash, who had never met them before, stood back to watch the proceedings in silence.
　The approaching Dallas has a normal demeanor, but Festeriese is staring at us with a look of obvious disapproval.
　I could almost say that I don't want to see her either.

I don't know what kind of nerve you have to be here to really be here," Festalise spat as soon as they came face to face.

I thought you said you were going to move the troops next, but I don't see them," I said in a defiant tone.

I don't see them," I said in a defiant tone, "Master Festerlise, please stop. I'm not here to talk like this," Dallas admonished Festerese, "Walth, you don't take cheap shots either," I was warned by Seretia.

"What do you want with us at ----?

I heard that Her Highness is here, and I and Master Festerlise would like to apologize...

Dallas!　Why do I have to apologize? I still don't trust this guy. If you want to apologize, you can do it yourself. I'm just here to witness it.



　Festeriese, in a pouty manner, hides behind Dallas to get out of my line of sight.
　At the sight of Festeriese's attitude, Dallas's brow wrinkles even more and he lets out a big sigh.

I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Mr. Festeriese is not very good at being honest," Dallas said in a voice that Festeriese could not hear. "I heard that Master Harvey helped you escape the kingdom of Carlitz from the beginning. I'm sure he knew it had nothing to do with paganism. I've done a terrible thing in comparison. I don't think an apology is going to cut it.

　I don't know what Harvey said, but I am sure that he is twisting the facts to suit himself.
　I wanted to tell him that he had been banished, but I swallowed it and turned my mind to taking advantage of the situation.