Once the three of them were done greeting each other and settled in, Mizuho looked at her watch.

''Oh, I'm sorry to be so quick, but I don't have time for this, Du Du Yuto. I'll ask you to listen to the situation so far and what you're going to do in the future, and then we'll plan our strategy now. Alright?　And both cheeks....

'Oh, yes, I'm fine!　Don't worry about it at all!　So just remember that I didn't mind this time around!

?

　They didn't quite understand what Yuto was saying, but since Yuto wasn't angry and responded cheerfully, Mizuho and Marion looked relieved for now.

''Well then, Mizuho-san, let's start talking. I'll make some tea for you too.''

　Marion stood up and Masato thanked Marion for her help.

'Oh, thank you. Can I help you with anything?'

'Oh, it's fine. Please sit down, Yuto-san. I can do it right away.

　With that, he began to prepare the tea. For some reason, unlike earlier, Marion seemed to be in a good mood.
　In fact, Marion was also wondering how she felt right now. It's because when I first met him, I was so pissed off, but for some reason, I could see that talking to this boy now makes me feel better and better.
　Moreover, Marion had admitted to herself that she was quite shy, but there was no such tension in this boy. On the contrary, there was even a mood of fun.

(What's wrong with me........I........

　Marion hums naturally as she prepares the tea.
　Mizuho is suddenly surprised to see Marion even humming while preparing the tea.

''Ma, Marion?''

Yes?

No, no, it's nothing...

　What's wrong with Marion, who seems to be lightly buoyant, and what's wrong with Mizuho?　I was about to ask him, but when I saw the too-good-to-be-true smile I decided to let it go, though I wasn't sure.
　Mizuho and Marion hadn't had time to relax since they came to Millamar with this request, and it could be said that they were rather nervous. Although they didn't feel that they were in any danger to themselves, both Mizuho and Marion were under no small amount of stress.
　Mizuho hadn't seen Marion in such a good mood when she came here.
　But why?　In fact, when Mizuho saw Yuto sitting in front of her right now, she too felt a sense of reliance or reassurance.

(What?　Was I really that happy that I was sent to help...? (Even though I only came as a rank D.)

　Mizuho couldn't help but stare at Yuto with the same strange feeling as Marion.
　It's a good thing that you're able to get a good idea of what you're looking for.

(Seeing a girl making tea..........nice. (And when Marion-san makes it, it's picturesque)

　And so on.
　Mizuho, who had been gazing at Yuto, became somewhat annoyed when she saw the change in the expression of that Yuto sitting in front of her.

''Hey!　Du Du Yujin!

'What?　What?

'It's nothing!　Let's start talking!

Oh, yeah, okay.

　The sudden call from Mizuho, who seemed to be in a bad mood, surprised Masato, but since it was about business, he looked forward with a serious face.
　Mizuho first of all began to explain what happened so far. In explaining, Mizuho seemed to be in a bit of a bad mood, but she calmly went through the facts in chronological order.
　When Mizuho and Marion were hired by the military regime to escort Brigadier General Mattoo against the competent person they had hired to assassinate him, they thought it would not be too difficult a task.
　They talked about how they had seen the way the enemy had come out, and if possible, they had tried to locate the enemy's psychic and destroy or neutralize them.

'So you didn't know where the enemy was?'

I didn't understand. If I'd known, I'd be in for a treat now. Those guys were slick and unusually battle-hardened!

Those guys?　The enemy....

　Marion, who made the tea there, placed three teacups on a tray and placed them in front of each of them, saying please, and herself took a seat beside Mizuho.

''Yes, there is probably more than one person with the other's abilities. I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this. It's pretty tasty, right?''

Thank you, Miss Marion. What?　You're not the only enemy?

　Mizuho wrinkled her brow and crossed her arms.

'Probably. There's a high probability there's more than one of them. Otherwise, me and Marion would be there and Hisae-san I wouldn't be sending out a request for support to the branch leader!

　Mizuho let out a loud voice. That wasn't the only reason, though.
　Although Mizuho had an angry personality, Yuto somehow knew that she was someone who didn't get cranky for no reason.

'I see, that's why Shitendera-san is in a bad mood....... Shitendera-san, you have so much pride........you don't want to ask for support, do you? Marion-san wouldn't be like that, but.......

　When Yuto says what he honestly thinks, Mizuho and Marion look surprised. Without noticing it, Masato crossed his arms and nodded his head yes and continued to talk.

''But that's a very calm decision on your part, Shitendera-san, to call for support. It's Shitendera-san's decision, right?　Marion-san was originally so calm that she might have considered asking for support, but it's impossible to persuade a disgusted Shitenji-san to do so...

　There, bang!　And Mizuho stands up, hitting the table with both hands.

''Nowa!''

　Yuto was so startled by the sudden sound that he almost fell out of his chair.

''Hey!　I'm not in a very good mood!　This one, as usual, was just an analysis of the current situation and a decision!　And you know what you know about me from before!　Even Marion would always tell me if she had an opinion!　Hey, Marion!

　Mizuho gets up and wanders around and points at Yuto. Yuto huffed (not good!　(I said what I thought) and dismayed. And Marion was just as dismayed when she was suddenly turned off the conversation.

'What?　Um ... yes ... yes ... yes, you're right?

'What the hell!　Marion!　Why the interrogative form?!

'I'm sorry!　I didn't mean to!

　Yuto and Marion managed to quiet Mizuho down and continue the conversation.

'But how did you know there was more than one of them?　From the first agency, you're talking about one person you're dealing with, right?

　At Yuto's question, Mizuho and Marion also turned a straight face, and Marion answered the question.

''In fact, when we were attacked several times.......each time we got into a battle with a demon or a low-grade demon that was summoned by the enemy. Of course, since they were summoned by demons, we knew immediately that they were magic summonses. But after a few battles...

　After hearing that much of the story, Yuto nodded.

''I see.... Marion-san, Shitendera-san, you sensed the presence of a psychic ability that seemed to be an enemy besides that, didn't you?

　Mizuho and Marion look a little, surprised at Yuto's immediate answer. Yuto is referring to the common sense that a person with an ability will always have either spiritual or magical power in his or her body.
　The relationship between spiritual and magical power is said to be water and oil, light and shadow and the root of that power is different. And as a characteristic, it is known that spiritual power and magic power, when they touch each other, are known to repel each other very much. Therefore, no one can handle both spiritual and magical power in one individual.
　Therefore, when a magic-based ability summoner attacked and Mizuho and the others were convinced that there was more than one enemy, Yuto imagined that they felt the presence of a spirit-based ability.

''Yes.... Though it was faint, I could feel a spiritual power. It was an uncomfortable spiritual power, like being stroked by something zany. But I've never been able to confirm the existence of that ability. Not once in battle has a psychic power user ever shown himself or herself. That's why I'm probably ... reporting more than one, but I'm almost certain that it's the same.

　Mizuho says unpleasantly that she feels bad just remembering it.

''........It's kind of strange. There are multiple abilities and Brigadier Mattoo, the target of the assassination, is there, but they haven't all attacked us.......

　Marion nodded at Yuto's question.

'Yes. And that's not the only thing that's odd. Even in the raids we've had so far, there's something...........that's what I've been seeing.

Is that...?

I don't know. It's just that those guys have always had a head start on us. It's pretty d*mn annoying. They're watching us closely, I'm sure. And they've been relentless in their attacks.

　Mizuho sips on the tea Marion has made.

''Nonetheless........when it comes to the wind of being somewhat fiddly, I easily pull back. It's as if that was a given all along....

　Yuto also frowned. It certainly feels strange. The enemy's ability shouldn't have such a long time to spare. Because its purpose should be to prevent Brigadier General Mathew's speech at the United Nations in a week's time.

'In other words, the other assassin should have a deadline to achieve his goal. Normally, it would be the enemy who is supposed to be in a hurry, but rather, they seem to be taking their time.......?

　Mizuho was once again surprised at how quickly Yuto was able to swallow, and her appreciation of Yuto was raised a notch.

''That's right. .........You're a quick talker for a rank D. Well, fighting ability and this is a different story.''

'What?　Oh, hi....

''Mizuho-san, you see, Yuuto-san has an A for good judgment...''

'Oh, the capability chart the agency sent you?　I've never seen anything like that. How do you get a biased ability like that? Sure, I was hoping for someone with better abilities in close quarters combat, but are you okay?　Besides, there's something unreliable about it.

Haha I'll do my best.

　When Mizuho said that to him in a direct manner, Yuto replied awkwardly. At the sight of him, Marion took care to change the topic.

''Speaking of which, Masato-san.......you're in the same class as us, aren't you!

'Oh, yes. Yes.

　Mizuho crosses her arms and looks at Yuto suspiciously.

''I know you were at the rookie exam, but neither Marion nor I remember you at all. Even if we meet like this now, I can't remember........ It's not surprising that you know us... well, you're the lowest rank D on that exam, and that happens, you seem to be something of a shadow.

Hey, Mizuho-san.

''Haha........yes. The two of us were rank A. Haha.......I'm rank D, and I'm a bit of a shadow (they told me that before we said it.......)

　Marion looks embarrassed by Yuto's dry laughter.

'Well, fine. Back to the topic at hand you're on the edge of ability and you know that, but this request is a real battle, of course. If you're not careful, you could end up dead. The opponent won't go easy on you just because your rank is D.

　Both Yuto and Marion's faces tightened at Mizuho's words.

''Yeah. I know.''

　When Yuto nodded, Mizuho nodded as well.

''Okay. Then I'll talk about our future strategy. Simply put, I need you to........stall for time.

Stalling?

Yes. Until I'm ready to attack you...



That's what I'm talking about.