On the day the explorers were invited to the royal castle, the infinite circle was to meet there on their own. This is because Amy, Garum and Amira were helping with the security of the royal capital, Zeno and Leleia had gone to visit their parents' home, and Hannah and Korina were sightseeing.

　And Tsutomu and Daryl had put on the suit that had arrived the other day from the tailor, and Diniel was also wearing a dress with a disgusted look on his face. Behind them, a modestly dressed Oli is glaring at them, watching to make sure Diniel doesn't take off his dress.


'Oi!　Hey, guys!　Over here!


　Then he heard a yellow voice calling out to him from a distance, unobserved. Tsutomu turned around and saw Amy there, waving at him.


'Ja-jaa!　What do you think?　What do you think?
You look good in it.


　Amy even went out of her way to come to Tsutomu's room to tell him that she was looking forward to the day. She was wearing a yellow-based dress. And her hair seemed to have been cut a little shorter, and unlike yesterday, her cat ears looked twenty percent larger. She seemed to appeal to the fact that she had been touched the other day.


'Amy, I'll leave you in charge of guarding Tsutomu. I'm going to go sightseeing.
La-la-la!


　Diniel, who was wearing a green dress that looked like an elf, said that and ran into the royal castle as if to escape. The sight of her running with her hands plucking at her skirt is like Cinderella trying to return home before the twelve o'clock bell rings, but she just wants to escape from Oli.

　Other small problems had arisen, such as Zeno, who looked too good in his suit and had been mistaken for some nobleman at the reception desk and was being ushered in, and Amira, who was wearing a red dress but was drawing the eyes of those around her with her masculine movements. Tsutomu joined those clan members.


'Keke, it's not hot and bothered!
You've got to be patient, for once. I'm a pain in the ass too.


　Amira, who is buzzing with the surrounding gazes and the tightly wrapped corset, Tsutomu also returns with a lightly absent smile. And when I entered the hall after completing the reception inside the royal castle, the food was lined up in a format similar to a standing party.


''Corina!　Let's go!
Yes!


　Tsutomu, who looked away from Hanna and Korina, who were heading quickly to the food first, not caring about the dress they were wearing, looked up at the golden-looking chandelier hanging from the ceiling. Apparently the chandelier is a landmark of the royal castle, and many of them look up at it with deeply moved faces. Tsutomu then looked around at those in the hall.

　In the other clans, Alma, who usually only wears equipment for explorers, was putting a lot of energy into her dress, and Leon, who likes to dress roughly, was also dressed in formal attire. Then a cat's threatening voice could be heard from behind.


''Hush!''
'Eh, Amy. What is it?
'Eunice?　Let's talk over here for a minute...


　The small Eunice was taken to the back of the hall, where Amy held her by her side and took her away as if she were being taken home. On the way Tsutomu felt that he met eyes with her being held and was asked for help, but he let it go as it was troublesome.


(Huh?)


　And a woman with peach-colored hair wearing a blue dress who was watching Eunice from the side. Stephanie was looking at Eunice with uncommon eyes. They were as thin as a Noh mask, and only the black eyes were pointed and sharp as a stab.


(Too scary. How much she hates it.)


　Even though Tsutomu had experience with dark events and such, he had only seen women with such horrible eyes in horror movies.

　As she was inwardly disturbed by the way Stephanie was looking at Eunice, she noticed Tsutomu's gaze. Then the eyes she had seen earlier became a lie, and she began to turn red and bow her head incessantly.

　Stephanie looks as if she's changed from the person she was before. Why is she able to switch over so quickly after having eyes like that? Tsutomu lightly bailed on her like that.


(Something........the atmosphere is scarier than before too, right?


　When he had taken Stephanie as an apprentice, he had only had the impression that she was a good, honorable student who absorbed what he taught her with an open mind. But now it's clear that the way Stephanie looks at herself is not right. The amount of heat she feels from Stephanie's gaze is so great that she finds Amy's gruff attacker cute.

　But it's not like he had a direct relationship with Stephanie to change anything. I can still understand it because there was a lot going on with Amy, but nothing that made Stephanie adore her that much.

　So why he had come to feel an unusual amount of heat from Stephanie, Tsutomu, who didn't know the importance of the greeting, didn't know.

　And while Stephanie went to the back of the hall as if embarrassed, Tsutomu was looking at the food being prepared because he was not busy. Daryl, who had been drawn back to the unfamiliar suit and venue, seemed to be engrossed in the food. And Corrina, who is a gourmand, also seemed to be tasting the various dishes.


This is a wine. Would you like a glass of wine?
Oh, yes, please.


　A small glass of wine is being served to them and they are having a light conversation. And even the nobles who hadn't come to the front lines because of the defense of the king's city were trying to mingle with the explorers who seemed to be satisfied with the food and good drinks.


''So you're the disciple of the famous Melcho? I hear you've done an excellent job.
No, no, not really.


　Hannah seems to be in a good mood, her face slightly reddened from drinking high-degree wine. It's a good idea to have a good time with your friends.

　And Daryl, who might be successfully talked down to, has Zeno and Garum attached to him, and the upright Amira has Amy attached to her. And the three of them are inundated with noble daughters, and if it were just Daryl, they'd be boned to death.

　And since Tsutomu was the clan leader of the infinite circle, quite a few nobles had come to him as well. But Tsutomu remembered the faces of all the nobles who had stunk up the explorers' equipment, and he hadn't been approached since the head of the Babenberg family had arrived.


''It's pretty blatant, isn't it?''
"I'm sorry to make you feel bad.
'No, thank you for taking the trouble to speak to me. Oh, could you wait here for a moment?　I'll be right back.


　Tsutomu bowed to the slightly pale head of the Babenberg family and walked through the hall to look for Oli. It wasn't long before he found Oli, who was caring for a very tired Hanna. Tsutomu speaks to Oli in a low voice, "Mr. Oli," he says.


'Oli-san,'
Oh, Mr. Tsutomu. How can I help you?
I think this is the only time I'll have the opportunity to introduce Oli to the Babenberg family.
..........


　After being told that, Oli's expression hardened. However, Oli was aware that Tsutomu had some idea of the reason why he had entered the infinite circle. Oli pondered in silence for a little while while petting Hannah who was jostling him like a dog.


''Well then, can I talk to you once?''
Yes, that's fine.


　When Oli came to ask with a determined look on his face, Tsutomu, with a certain amount of determination, took her to the head of the Babenberg family. It was not safe to leave Hannah alone, who was also drunk, so Tsutomu pulled her hand away from her, who looked dazed.


'Excuse me. Sorry to keep you waiting.''
No, I don't mind. And that's Oli next to you?
''Yes. I have the clan house management of the Infinite Circle now, and it seemed like you wanted to talk to me once, if you don't mind.
I don't mind that, but I'd appreciate it if you would look up, Oli.


　The head of the Babenberg family called out to Oli, who had his head down. And as Tsutomu turned to leave from there with Hannah, Oli grabbed his hand.


''Mr. Tsutomu, please stay here and listen to what I have to say.
'What?　I'll hear about it later, okay?
Stay here.


　It is not possible to walk away after being told that, so Tsutomu remained there, taunting Hannah as she jostled him like a dog. And with a nervous look on his face, Oli called out to the head of the Babenberg family.


''It's been a long time,''
Yeah, I guess so.
I'm working in the Infinite Circle now, sir.
Looks like it.
''The reason I entered the Infinite Circle is because I wanted to work for you again. I felt it was unfair that your son had kicked me out of the mansion without telling me the reason for my dismissal. I was willing to do anything for that. That's why I decided to use Mr. Tsutomu, with whom you had a relationship.


　Oli looked down as if to confess his sins, and then turned to Tsutomu.


'And I must have honestly looked down on the explorer at the time. I thought it was a no-brainer to get into Mr. Tsutomu's arms and manipulate the infinite circle from the shadows. But Mr. Tsutomu was as well educated as a nobleman and he knew my purpose and placed me in the infinite circle. After realizing that, my view of the explorers must have changed. And the others were wonderful people too. Then I began to feel more at home in this place.


　Then Oli turned to the head of the Babenberg family with a determined look on his face.


''My place now is an infinite circle. So I no longer wish to serve House Babenberg. However, could I ask you one last question?
...and what is it?
'Was I not good enough?　The Babenberg family, whose trust has been discredited by the deaths at the Stampede and who will face difficult times ahead. Were they too inadequate to support it from within?
..........


　At Oli's appealing words, the head of the Babenberg family looked as if he had something to say. But after looking at Tsutomu, who had discerned Oli's true intentions in the infinite circle, he stroked the ring on his own finger and spoke out.


'Your predecessor served the Babenberg family well. I was happy with her work, and I was happy with Oli, who is passing it on.
Well then.
'But it was obvious that the Babenberg family was going to fail. Still, Oli would work hard enough to dust himself off. I wanted Oli to support me in the mansion as well, but my son didn't like that. My son admired your work, and he looked forward to the tea you made. That's why I told him not to let it rot here.
Well, I didn't want that. I wanted to serve the Babenberg family. Even if I was going to be a failure....
'So it's not that you're not good enough. I'm afraid I've lost your confidence in that. I'm sorry.


　The head of House Babenberg bowed his head as he said that. Oli looked down at him with a stunned face.

　After bowing for a while, the master of the Babenberg family looked up and stared at Oli with a firm face.


''I don't feel sorry for my predecessor if I let him serve the failing House Babenberg.
Oh no, I'm not...


　With that, the two stopped talking. It seems that the head of the Babenberg family was indebted to Oli's predecessor, and he didn't want to bother her, his descendant. And Oli didn't know that he was dismissed for such a reason, and he seemed to be stunned.


''Ugh!　It's a crying story!　But uncle, you're terrible!　I feel sorry for Oli!


　Tsutomu, who had been watching their faces in turn, sighed when he saw Hannah cooing at him, looking like she didn't understand anything.


''Let's shut up for a minute, shall we?''
'What is it?　You can't have Oli!　Our clan's!
Shut up, you idiot.
'Hmm!　Ooh!　Hmmm!


　When Oli saw Tsutomu looking a little flustered and Hanna, who was snarling with her mouth covered by her hand, he chuckled hilariously.


''Yes, Hannah. I'd like to be in the infinite circle, too. Mr. Tsutomu, may I stay?
That's right, Oli, you're more than welcome to join us. I'd like to keep in touch with you, if that's okay with you.


　In response to Tsutomu's words, Oli bowed his head with a reassuring look on his face. Tsutomu also called out to the head of the Babenberg family, who looked at him in the same way.


''If it's okay with you, why don't you come and have a cup of tea with your son sometime?
''Well yes. May I be allowed to visit you at some point?
Yes. I'm sure Oli will be happy that way.


　When Tsutomu said this, the head of the Babenberg family nodded with a slightly happy look on his face. When they had settled down to talk, an announcement sounded that the king would be arriving at the venue soon.