The streets of the Imperial City were in a terrible state.
　While I was being treated by Lean, I was looking at the surrounding scenery from the top of a very tall building.
　I couldn't look too far down because it was scary, but as far as I could see horizontally, black smoke was rising everywhere, near and far.

　It seems that something happened while I was crashing into the building.

　What the hell is going on?

Is this... is this because of the light that fell?

　That strong light that I flashed back... did it destroy the city this badly?

"Yes, you're right.
　The strong magical light that you were hit with broke apart and rained down on various places in the Imperial City.
　All the facilities that are smoking were burned by that light.

"Well... I'm sorry about that. I didn't mean for that to happen.

　At the time, I was so busy bouncing back the light, I didn't think about the consequences.
　I didn't realize it would cause so much damage. .......

"No, I don't think you need to worry about it, .......
　I don't think you need to worry about it. It was the Imperial side that unleashed it, and you were merely protecting us from that threat.
　I don't think you should feel guilty.

"Even so...
　Isn't someone dead at ......?

　That thought makes me feel heavy.

In the event that you're not sure what to do, you'll be able to find out how to do it.
　In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site. I'm sure there will be little human damage.
　Of course, the lives of the residents will be affected, but not as much as in our country. ......

"Well... I hope you're right.

　I felt a little better after hearing Lean's explanation, but it's such a huge damage. It's inevitable that someone will get hurt.
　We had come here in pursuit of the emperor, but most of the people living in this city would never have expected such a sudden destruction of their city.
　I'm sorry, even if it was to avoid danger. .......

　As I was thinking about this, Lean's brother and three of his instructors appeared.

"Lord Noor. Lean. There you are.

"Brother ......, have you finished your discussion?

"Yes... the emperor listened to us very openly (・・・・・・).
　The war is over.
　Now the post-war arrangements for mutual reconstruction will begin.

"Yes.
　He was truly sorry and changed his mind.
　He was willing to accept all my suggestions.
　After all, it is important to discuss things while you are still alive.


　It's too late to die.

"......, if you can call that a discussion.

　What a disappointing story.

　The war that seemed to have started just a few minutes ago has already ended with a promise not to violate each other's territory.

　If that is the case, why didn't they just settle it through talks from the beginning?
　It may not be that simple, but .......
　It may not be that simple, but I wonder if the situation was such that even that was not possible until now.

As a result of the discussion, the emperor has decided to abdicate at his own request.
　From now on, a successor will be chosen from the emperor's bloodline to take over.

"I see. That sounds like a good idea to me.

　I don't know much about politics, but I think that sounds better.
　He seemed a bit weak-minded, and he's quite old.

His successor will probably be the emperor's grandson, for the sake of the future administration of the state.

"Grandson?　That makes him quite young, doesn't it?

Yes, he'll be ten this year.
　Naturally, he will not be able to make difficult political decisions on his own, so he will have a guardian.
　The new emperor will be assisted by the prime minister, who has long been in charge of political affairs, and the ten men who were with the emperor earlier, the Ten Guardians, who will take care of him in the meantime.

"What?　The ten?

　In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can contact us at the following address: .......

　To be honest, I'm a little ......, or rather, a lot worried about that.
　Is this country really safe ......?

　As I was thinking this, the ten men came out of the room.
　For a moment, I braced myself for another attack, but then...

　The tallest and most conspicuous man came up to me, took off his helmet and bowed deeply to me.

"I'm sorry about earlier.
　You are not a guard hired by the emperor, but a member of the kingdom.
　I would like to apologize for my misunderstanding and for turning on you.
　I'm not in a position to ask for your forgiveness, but ...... let me do whatever I can to make amends.

　I was a little surprised when the man suddenly became more polite.
　Apparently, he wanted to apologize for attacking me earlier.
　It wasn't much of a threat, so I didn't really care.

I don't care about that and I don't want to make amends.

"Well, thank you for accepting my apology.

But ...... I don't think you should go around hurting one old man.
　I don't know what kind of situation you're in but I don't think you should resort to violence just because you can't communicate.

"Yeah... that's really true.
　Now that I've cooled down, I feel ashamed of myself.
　From now on, I will try to handle everything peacefully.


　...... We don't like to settle things by warfare, originally.
　It's almost as if we've been left in the dark because of it.

I don't know if that's true.　I didn't think you looked like that. ......?

I don't blame you for not believing me - but let me tell you this.
　If you hadn't stepped in to stop it, our country would be in the middle of a war of attrition, a war of attrition among the people.
　If you hadn't stepped in to stop it, our country would have been thrown into a quagmire of fighting among its own people.
　It was only through your intervention that we were able to prevent that from happening and bring it to an end... and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

"I don't think I've done anything to warrant such an accusation.
　I just happened to be there when it happened in the first place.

"Accidentally"?
　I don't think I've ever seen anything like it.
　It's a good idea to take a look at the actual information on the web and also to make sure that you are getting the most out of it.

I thought I was going to die when I jumped off the dragon's back and slammed into the wall with great force.
　It is a good thing that I happened to have a sturdy sword that could penetrate that hard wall, but without ...... it would have been dangerous.

It's a good thing I have a sturdy sword that can pierce through those hard walls.
　So you don't need to feel grateful to me for risking your life to stop us.
　Is that what you're saying?

That's what I'm saying.
　That's what I'm saying. I'm the one who got saved.
　I was lucky there was a floor there, and I'm really grateful.
　It saved me from falling to the ground.

"Haha, lucky floor, huh?

　The tall man laughed out loud.

You're a real funny guy.
　I get it. All right. I'll leave it at that.
　But remember this.
　From now on, we'll spare no effort to help you.
　If there's anything I can do to help, just let me know.
　I'll risk my life to help you.

"I don't think you have to go that far. ...... Okay. I'll just take your word for it.

　He's a better talker than I thought.
　I think I've caused another misunderstanding. ...... Well, at least it's a big step forward that I'm not getting slashed and bombs thrown at me out of nowhere.

　This is not the end of the matter.

　Wait a minute, I forgot something important.
　Isn't it really me who should be apologizing?

No. ...... Speaking of which, I have something to apologize for as well.
　I'm sorry for what we've done to the city.

"We've made the city this ......?


　Are you talking about Keraunos?
　No, that was of course our fault.
　I see. You were riding that dragon too, weren't you?
　I'm sorry I put you in danger with that too.
　The destruction of the imperial capital was caused by a 'runaway' caused by forcing the use of an unfinished product... you are not to blame.

But aren't there dead people?

Maybe. But so far there have been no such reports.
　If you say that, then our country is more guilty for violating the treaty and invading your country.
　In any case, I won't let you take the blame.

"Well... but if there's anything I can do to help, just let me know.
　If there's anything I can do to help, let me know. I'll help you clear the rubble.

Are you serious?
　You're such a softie, aren't you?

　The man turned his large body upside down and laughed.
　The sound of laughter echoed through the city.
　He's kind of a gutsy guy.

　After a brief chat, the lean man approached the man and called out to him.

"Well, Sir Landorus.
　It's time for us to leave.
　We have much to report back home.

"All right, we'll see you out... but Lord Raine.
　I'm not sure what to make of this, but I think it's a good idea.
　I don't know if I should say this, but don't you need someone to watch over you?

Politics is a matter for your country.
　Our country will not interfere too much.
　It's fine as long as you come to a satisfactory conclusion.
　The emperor has promised to provide us with secret technology and interaction between our people.
　As long as you keep your word, you'll be a good neighbor to us.
　And I'm a good judge of character.
　I believe you are telling the truth.
　Do your best not to betray them.

"Thank you for your consideration.
　I will not be disrespected in any way.

It's going to take us both a while to recover.
　An important research center with a long history has been reduced to ashes, hasn't it?

It was our own fault.
　It's true that valuable research materials were burned, but fortunately, there are still people left.
　We'll have to start from scratch.
　We'll guarantee your safety on the way back.
　We've already notified all the troops that the war is over.


　You can go in peace.

"Oh, well, excuse me. Any further correspondence will be handled through the messenger.

Oh, and have a safe trip home.
　You never told me your name, did you? If you don't mind, I'd like to know.

　The big man, who had been having a difficult conversation with the lean man, turned to me.

...... Is that me?　It's Noor.

So you're Noll, huh?
　I'm the head of the Tenth Machine of the Magic Empire, my name is Landaeus.
　Please mention my name when you ask for help.

Right. See you later.
　Don't you dare pick on the old man again.

Oh...
　I look forward to seeing you again soon.

　We rode on the dragon's back, said our goodbyes...
　The ten men who had attacked the old man saw us off and we left the Imperial City.