Irene and I will be led by the butler down the hallway.

I'll use the Detect Try spell during this time.
If you're not sure what you're looking for, you can always ask your butler.

...... Incidentally, for some reason Irene does notice, but she turns around and gestures for you to go ahead.
But why is she so conscious of me at this time? Isn't he relying on me a little too much?

Anyway, after all the preparations, we were ushered into the reception room.
In front of the reception room, there stood a rough-looking man with a sword at his waist.

The butler handed the role to the man, bowed, and left.
When the man saw Irene, he was surprised by her beauty, but opened the door of the reception room and asked us to enter.

'Eileen, how are you doing?

'What do you mean, what?

The man in front of you. Can't you see that? If it comes down to it, he could come at you.

Oh, he's nothing. He's nothing compared to a knight. They're nothing compared to knights.

I'm relieved to hear Irene's answer.
I'm sure that Irene can deal with that kind of level.

I then stepped into the reception room with Irene.

In the reception room, a low table was placed horizontally in the center, with a leather chair on the other side and a three-seater sofa on the front side.

There are several paintings on the wall, a plant in the corner of the room, and other expensive looking furnishings here and there.
I felt that this was the kind of arrangement that aristocrats who are particular about their authority would like.

And in the room, three people were waiting for me.

Two of them were armed men, standing diagonally behind a leather chair on either side.

The other was a fat, middle-aged man dressed in a glittering aristocratic costume.
He walked toward us with his arms outstretched in an ostensibly welcoming gesture.

'Oh! I heard you were a knight named Irene, so I didn't expect you to be Princess Irene! Well, you're looking so splendid and beautiful... excuse me, I don't want to stand around talking. Now, please sit down.

The fat aristocrat, Count Goldart, suggested that Irene sit on the sofa.
Irene obeyed and sat in the middle of the three-seater sofa, and I stood in the front of the sofa, diagonally behind Irene.

I asked Irene by telepathy.

"Are you acquainted with Count Goldart?

I'm sorry, I honestly don't remember. I think I've greeted him at a party when I was a kid or something. ......"

I see. I'll let you decide how to start. Just attack as you see fit.

"Okay. I'll try.

Eileen replies.
She then leans forward a bit while sitting on the sofa and begins to address Count Goldart.

'I apologize for the suddenness of this visit. I'm here to ask the Count a few questions.

Irene's voice is like a dignified bell, and she speaks more firmly than usual.

It's as if she's able to speak in an outward manner.
Well, no matter what, she wouldn't be able to speak as she normally does in such a situation.

'Oh, the princess wants to ask me something. Well, I have no idea what it is, sir.

Count Goldert replies, playing with the beard on his cheek.

And at the mention of 'I have no idea', a clear alarm went off in my brain.
There was some reaction to the previous statement, but not as clear as this.

"Irene, the Count's statement that he has no idea is clearly a lie. He has a definite idea.

"Well, does that mean it's all black?

"There's another possibility, though. We should start with the outer moat. Ask about Alice.

Yes, sir.

Irene, who had gone through the meeting with me, then said.

'I see. By the way, I've heard that there's a court magician here named Alice Flamelia. I would like to ask you a few questions about her.

At Irene's words, the hand that had been playing with Count Goldart's chibi beard came to a halt.

'...... Ah, that's our court magician, isn't it? What about her? I'm out right now, so we can talk about it when I get back.

'No, it will be fine if you let the Count speak.

Irene's words came out a little fast.
It's probably because she's in a hurry, but...

As far as I can tell, the Count and the others don't seem to have noticed anything out of the ordinary.
With relief, I send a reminder to Irene.

"Calm down, Irene."

Huh... It's not good! I'm going to die of nervousness!

It's okay. If you want, imagine you're fighting with a sword.

"......!"

It seems my advice was spot on.
I'm sure my advice was right on the money. Irene's back was slightly frightened, but it disappeared and was quickly replaced by a semblance of cleverness.