Of course, Your Majesty.

　At the request of His Majesty the Empress Ameldas, General Roberto bowed deeply.

　Then he spoke.

　He said that they had traveled a long distance in search of the Spirit Stone.

　He asked for permission to search for the 'spirit stone' in the land of Toluga.

　Also, if you have any information about the Spirit Stone, please tell me.

　If possible, I'd like your help in finding the sacred spirit stone.

　Her Majesty Ameldas listened to the representative of the Kingdom of Shumuria's requests without saying a single word.

　And after hearing everything.

Okay.

　I spilled a short word.

　The shimmering red eyes behind the blue eyeshadow stared straight at us.

　And.

Why are you people so keen on this 'spirit stone' stuff?

　He asked.

　General Roberto replied immediately.

'It's to avert a global crisis.
"Huh?

　She narrows her eyes with interest.

'A global crisis, you say?'

　There was a somewhat amused sound in his voice as he asked that.

(............)

　Maybe she doesn't think that that 'world' doesn't include the 'Toluga Empire'.

　I look hard at the Empress.

　Noticing her gaze, she looks back at me.

　So.

It could be the return of The Black Giant.

　I said.

'....ho.

　Her Majesty's smiling face did not change.

　However, the light behind her eyes felt like it had definitely changed.

''I see. I'm sure you're aware of the fact that you're not the only one. That is indeed a global crisis.
Yes, sir.

　I nodded heavily.

''And the 'Divine Spirit Stone' has the power to call the 'White Giant'.

　The Empress didn't say anything.

　Instead, she kept her gaze fixed on my blue eyes.

Child. What is your name?

　Huh?

"Merle.
Yeah. You have a good eye.

　That's what I said.

(Uh....)

　The story has changed and I'm confused.

　At the expression on my face, His Majesty the Empress Ameldus gave a small, amused smile.

　As it was, she rested her weight on her elbow rest.

But it's pretty self-explanatory.

　I told him so in a low voice.

(!)

　His voice was filled with the flames of anger that were hidden by the ooze.

Four hundred years ago, the fools of Thanatos brought about the collapse of their own country with the Black Giant. "Four hundred years ago, the fools of Thanatos brought about the collapse of their own country with the Black Giant.
..........
And now, another plague left behind by Thanatos is about to destroy the world.

　A ruthless light was born in those beautiful eyes.

　Its white finger is slowly pointed at us like a snake leaning on its sickle-neck.

　Thump!

　A chill ran down my spine.

　And then the Empress Ameldus announced solemnly.

"Ghosts of Thanatos. You are the descendants of the fools who nearly destroyed the world. You are the descendants of the fools who nearly destroyed the world, and you want us to cooperate with the Tolga Empire?

　sploosh

　At the same time, the warriors of the 'Toluga Divine People', who were waiting by the wall in the audience room, all held their weapons at the same time.

　A clear killing intent hit them.

(Ha!)

　If we're attacked, we're dead for sure.

　I understand that.

　Torkia is pale, and Solstice's expression is strained, too.

　My skin is bubbling up, too.

　Iltimina-san, Amyukel-san, and Poe look at the warriors around them.

　But the four representatives remained the same.

　Kilt-san, General Roberto, Reidl-san, and Aase-san all stared straight back at her, holding the gaze of the Empress Ameldus, and staring straight back at her face.

''That's right,''

　In a calm voice, General Roberto replied.

　The air is tense.

''...........''

　Eventually, the Empress raised one hand lightly.

　Gashan.

The warriors of the Toluga God People put away their weapons and returned to their upright and immobile positions.

　The killing intent disappeared.

　His Majesty the Empress Ameldas was smiling happily.

''Oh.........

　I realized by the look on her face that she had been testing us.

　Her Majesty let out a long breath.

''I don't think I'm going to ask you guys for a grudge from four hundred years ago, now that the country has changed. But I see.......a world crisis.

　A sorrowful look in her eyes and voice.

　As it is, she ponders for a while.

　...........

　We waited for the decision of the woman who rules the great nation of Toluga.

　Eventually.

Yeah.

　She muttered.

　The red eyes in her blue eyeshadow shot through us.

I have an idea about this 'divine spirit stone' you guys call it.
!

　We were surprised.

　The Empress continued to say more to us, "But I have a condition to tell you.

But there are conditions that must be met before I can tell you this. It's the sacred ground of Toluga. What you seek will be given only to those who prove their strength.

　Conditions...?

　We questioned with our gaze.

　The Empress Ameldus rises from her chair and spreads her arms wide as she glares at us with her beautiful eyes.

'Three trials,'

　She laughed.

''You will be put through three trials. When you have proven your 'strength' there, I will tell you about the divine Spirit Stone's mind.