Well, I guess we should be heading to King's Land of the Sun, the Highlands.
　In the evening, I suggested to everyone.
　There's no reason to stay here for long.

"Because the goblins weren't here?
　Lucy peers up at me, looking up.
　With a huff, I look away.

'There aren't many spirits here, so it's not much of a training ground, is it?
　Well, the lack of demons is a big one.
　Boring.

It's fine.
　While fiddling with my hair, Sa-san agreed with me.
　Sa-san beat all the knight people, so it's a bit awkward.
　The people of the patrolling knights are quite common when walking around the city.

''Then I'd better report to the castle before we leave.
　Fujiyan advises me.
　So that's how it is.

''Then I'll go to the royal castle to say hello.
　Chris says he's going to be there.
Hey, Chris, do you want me to go with you?
Nina. I told you not to say "sama". You should have gone with me.
Hi, Chris. I'll be ready.
　Hmmm, Nina and Chris are so close to each other.
　What was the bleakness of the atmosphere until the other day?

　We waited for Chris and Nina to return while we prepared to leave.


　◇


I told them I was leaving for the Land of the Sun, and I received a message to come to Roses Castle this evening to have a dinner with them.
　Chris came back with a troubled look on his face.

'Retain........is it?'
　Fujiyan muttered.
''This means I can't not go...''
Ma-ko-toto.
　Lucy shook her head.
　Yes, I'm about to learn.
　It's a compulsory event.

'Will there be a lot of good food?
　Sa-san's direction of expectation is different from everyone else's.
''Rumor has it that the court food in the Water Country is of a high level.
　Oh, was Nina with you?
　Food-loving girls.

　And so we headed back to Roses Castle.

　◇

Wow, that's good.
This is delicious!
　I was licking my lips at the level of cooking in the Roses royal family.
　It's so, so good.
　It's just that it's the royal capital of the land of tourism.

　A fillet steak that looked like it could be cut with chopsticks, and a sashimi platter with a whole fish that looked like a giant bonito (bonito) (there was also something like soy sauce!) .
　Tempura of crab, shrimp and wild vegetables, and a variety of fresh salads.
　I'm worried about the fact that many of them are rather like Japanese food, though.
　

'Hey, Takatsuki-kun!　The sweets section over there is awesome!
'Yes!　Let's go!
　It's a standing-room-only format, so you can take all you want and Sa-san is excited about it.
　Me too.
　I'm so glad I came.

Makoto-san, would you like some?　Was the food at Roses Castle to your taste?
　Prince Leonard.
　I brace myself for any disrespect.
　I notice Sa-san behind me, gulping down a bottle of wine.
　'You mustn't be crude.

''I've never seen food this good in my life.
　I'm flattered, I think.
"I asked my sister to host this dinner for me. I wanted to talk to Makoto-san again.
　The glittering eyes are shy when they peer in.
　'Prince Leonard, it's too good to leave you as a boy.

'Could you please show me your magic again?
'Well ... yes. Now, come on over.
　I can't let the prince ask me to show him the sour magic.
　We came to the castle garden, near the fountain.

Let's see, water magic and animal dancing!

　Using the water from the fountain, I make mermaids, birds, horses, and other appropriate animals take shape and dance.
　It's like a water show.
　The people who were playing in the party hall played music to it.

　There are not many spirits, but the water from the fountain in the castle is good water that contains magic power.
　It reminds me of the Water Temple.
　Come to think of it, is this the headquarters of the water temple?

''That's awesome!　How much practice does it take to master the water magic method to this extent!
　Prince Leonard was pleased to hear that you were pleased.
　I'm relieved.

''Hey, hey, how skilled in water magic is Makoto's water magic proficiency now?
　Champagne in one hand, Lucy pecked me on the cheek.
　She looked good in her red dress, which bared her shoulders.
　Even in a place like this, it's great that you don't float.

'I think I'm just over 150.'
　I answer in a whisper.
　The modification of the Soul Book 《Soul Book》 is illegal, so it's not a big deal.
　Officially, the water magic proficiency level is: 99.

　Lucy, haha!　I moaned softly.
'Wow, I'm only 30...'
No, I didn't have ten when I first met you.
　He said it's growing.

　I think that magic proficiency actually tends to increase with the weaker magic skills, it seems.
　In order to increase proficiency, you need to increase the number of times you use magic anyway.
　However, a king-level wizard like Lucy, it's hard to use magic once.
　It's because you have to control a tremendous amount of magic power every time.
　In that respect, if you're a novice shoddy magician like me, it's easy......................I'm starting to get sad when I say it myself.

''Makoto-san!　Can you teach me some magic!
　With clear eyes, Prince Leonard asked me for help.
　Oops, I didn't expect this.


''Do you accept Prince Leonard's request?''

　Yes, sir.
　No.


　It's been a long time since I've had a choice.
　What to do....

If I choose "yes," will I have to stay in the Horn for a while?
If you choose "no"........is it okay to refuse the prince's request in the first place?
　I don't hate Prince Leonard.
　He's friendly, and I can tell he loves me.　
　But he is afraid of his sister 《Sophia》.　
　Hmmm, I was worried.

'Leo. What are you doing here?
　A cool voice sounded from behind me.

　◇

- Princess Sophia's point of view.

　At Leo's request, we have set up a dinner for this evening.
　However, I don't know if there's that much attraction to Takatsuki Makoto.

　At best, he's a wizard who can use a bit of water magic.
　There are plenty of people in this country with that level of skill.

''No, sister!　Can't you see how delicate Makoto's water magic technique is!　It moves like it's alive!
　Leo is enthusiastic, but oh dear.
　Will such a thing be useful in defeating the Great Demon King?
　It's just a child's trick, after all.

　Nevertheless, all the candidates for heroes from other worlds that I had my eye on have left this country.
　As for that, I am at fault.
　People who come from other worlds have little faith in God.
　It was a mistake to not realize that and force the rules of this country.

　In that respect, Princess Noel of the Land of the Sun is doing well.
　She's counting on money, status, and even a lover.

''Sophia, with your good looks, you will bring the brave men of light back to the Land of Water (Roses)!
　My mother is trying to attract the attention of the brave men of light by even starting crazy rumors, though.
　That would be pointless........
　In the first place, the opponent is Princess Noel, a priestess of light called the Princess of Amaterasu, the Princess of Amaterasu.
　There was no way she could win.

　Oh?　It looks like Leonard is talking to Makoto Takatsuki.
　I hope he's not blowing something crazy into him.

'Sis!　Now I'm asking Makoto-san if he can teach me magic!
Good evening, Princess Sophia.
　Leo with a big smile on his face and Makoto Takatsuki with an awkward smile.

'Leo, he's an adventurer. You shouldn't push him too hard.
　How could a prince ask an adventurer to teach him magic?
　Most importantly, the man is an apprentice wizard.
　I don't know what he's thinking....

''Prince Leonard, if you want to learn magic, there are many wizards better suited to the task than you.
　That's a good response in your own right, Makoto Takatsuki.

''Leo, let's call the senior water wizard teacher in the royal palace later.
　It's a sad part of our country that we don't even have a super-grade wizard.

''No, sister!　Makoto's water magic is an art. It's different from others.
Oh, no, that's just buying it.
Leo you can't defeat a demon or a demon race with art.
　I wonder. It's like me and Makoto Takatsuki are working together to convince Leo to do something.
　Now, I was wondering how to appease him.


''Report!　A group of demons have appeared in the city!
　A loud voice echoed through the hall, interrupting the party.