I was walking with Currier, talking about the evaluation of my first semester class, when I came to a large hallway.

'Huh?'

　A familiar figure and a familiar figure were the first things that jumped out at me.

'Shana and Makina?'

　Oh, I see.
　Today was a day for guests from other countries to visit........
　They must have come to visit the Great Sacred Place or something.
　There was no need to get distracted, but when talking with Currier-san, it was easy to get distracted from her concentration on other things.
　When it was just the two of us, my attention would almost always be drawn to her.
　So I didn't detect their presence until I saw them.
　The air seems to be a little tense....

'Black, Hiko?'

　Makina-san has an unexpected look on her face.
　Shana, of all people, has a strange look on her face, like now?
　While watching the visitors, she asks, "Is Ms. Makina-san a guide for these people?

'Do you feel like you are the guide for these people, Makina-san?
'What?　Eh, eh.....
Then I'd better get back.
Wait.

　The one who stopped her was a woman dressed in a white fur coat that resembled a white fur coat.
　That outfit in this heat.........isn't it hot?

That patch in your left eye the Impaler lost his left eye during his battle with the Four Deadly Plagues. You're not - you're the conjurer?

　I took a glance at Makina-san and then replied.

''It was the Holy Tree Order that defeated the Four Deadly Plagues, right?
There is a lot of intentional misinformation out there, though.

　The woman in white said in a fitting tone as she raised the brim of her hat.
　Then she sent a look of agreement to Makina-san.
　There was a hint of saying that I already know.
　What are they?
　From the feeling of the place, it seems to be someone with a position on the Imperial side........
　Wait.
　If we cross-reference it with the information we have obtained beforehand--

'Haha, he seems to be concerned about me, doesn't he?　I want him to get to know me, too. Would you mind if I was introduced to you, Mistress Machina?

　Makina-san nodded slowly.

''Well that's cool.''

　With a modest attitude, Makina-san introduced her.

''This is the First Princess of the Guntarios Empire, Heru Guntarios-sama. And next to her is her companion--''

　There was a slight pause before he mentioned his companion's name.

'Lord Varaga Wormood,'

　Varaga Wormood.
　I knew in advance that he was coming.
　Still, a special sensation ran through me.
　I still don't know what this feeling is, though, until I know what it is.

　So far, there's no stinging air that keeps people away, like Currier-san's when we met.
　Nor is there an outpouring of awesomeness, like the hibigami of the Arkwright family's attack on the carriage.
　Nor is there the clownish strangeness of Locia.
　No crazy, bewitching, noise-like atmosphere.

　As a gentleman, Varaga Wormald bows.
　If you look at it, Currier-san's expression hasn't broken down at all, he remains cool.
　But ever since she met with them, her gaze had been catching Varaga.
　Thinking back, I think Varaga has also been watching Currier-san for a long time.
　Even without exchanging words, there already seemed to be some sort of communication between the two of them.

''And this is the First Prince of Ruvelargan, Ghias Ruvelargan-sama.

　It's nice to meet you," said Prince Gears, smiling briskly.
　I have the impression that he's a good-looking young man who seems to have good people.

''Shanatrice--I don't need to be introduced, so let's skip it.......................This is the captain of the Ruvel Argan's God's Punishment Squad, Lord Rose Claywor.

　In terms of visual intimidation in the field, this Rose Claywall was overwhelming.
　Huge black armor.
　The devilishly horned helmet is a full-face design, so we can't tell what it looks like.
　But from the air that oozes out, you can tell that he is not just any man.
　It's not the beastly, destructive air of Hibigami and the Four Deadly Disasters.
　It's a static yet sharp air that reminds me of a sharpened blade.
　Rose Claywol stood silently without saying a word.
　And then, with a crack, Shana pokes at her black armor.

I'm sorry, Kurohiko. I'm sorry, Kurohiko," he said, "but this fellow is excessively quiet. He hasn't even said a word to Princess Hel.
No, you don't have to apologize... by the way, Makina.
What is it?
Should I........should I introduce myself too?

　The tone of his words now put the question of whether or not he would reveal that he was a forbidden user.
　Makina-san's eyes, which seemed to have guessed right away, said, "I'll leave you to it," she said.
　I turned to my guests and got down on my knees.

'My name is Sagara Kurohiko. I'm a candidate for the Holy Treasurer, who attends the St. Renowthred School in this royal capital. And - I'm also a forbidden spell user, as Princess Hel said earlier.
Phew!

　The smile that leaked out was that of Princess Hel.
　With a single smile, she spoke.
　I'm glad you answered my question straight away, she said.




　I heard that Makina-san is going to guide our guests to the castle of Renowthred to meet the Holy King.

I'll introduce Rose to Kurohiko when I have more time. I'll introduce you to Rose at some other time.

　Shana pushed her almost-absent breasts languidly against her waist.

'Then we'll see you when things settle down, Kurohiko.

　Chasing Prince Gears ahead, Shana-san disappeared into the back of the corridor with the Armored Warrior Demon in tow.
　Princess Hel had already disappeared from this place along with Makina-san.
　However, there was one guest who remained here.

''Shouldn't you follow me?''

　The person Currier-san asked was Varaga Wormood, who was looking in the direction where the Helle Princesses had disappeared.

''You don't have to worry,''
Can the princess fight?
''No, she has no fighting ability whatsoever. When it comes to arm strength, she's only slightly weaker than most people.
So why shouldn't you be the one to go along with it?
I'm not the only bodyguard who came along. As long as they don't attack us from the Four Deadly Disasters or the Sixth House, we should be fine.
So one more question-- why are you still here?

　Finally, Varaga turns to Mr. Currier.

''It's called warming up old friendships. I have nothing but praise for Currier Versteen... unlike Noyes, Rokia, and that dreaded Hibigami, I feel safe talking to him.
But I'm not going to. I always hated you.
You're the same, aren't you?
You ... seem to have changed a bit. By the way, what happened to the Weakest?　Aren't they together?
Oh, yeah?　Did you know that?
I heard from the noise.
Oh dear, I have always been amazed at the information gathering abilities of the Formless Game...?　So did Currier meet with Noyes after he left the apocalypse?

　He doesn't seem to know about the case of the noise rampage in this royal city.
　Currier put his hand on the hilt of the Revelgate.

'It's done - it's done.
You didn't mean to make that noise, did you?　You didn't kill him... did you?　If Noise was killed by you, then Noise won.
Noyes himself admitted defeat. Only, after admitting defeat, Noyes died. Almost like a suicide, though.

　Varaga's eyebrows responded to the words he just said.

''Dead...?　Um, the noise...?

　Varaga covers her mouth with her hand.

''This is another.......complicated feeling.......I didn't think that that formless play that didn't seem to die even if I killed it, died......''

　I don't know what his mouth looks like now.

It was the hibigami that kept him there, though.
'The cracks?　That's surprising too. I knew that if that woman were to make an enemy of Hibigami she would survive, even if she didn't win.

　Right.
　Varaga wasn't there, so he didn't know how Noyes had come to his death.
　In fact, Noyes had blocked Hibigami's movements in that fight.
　In other words, Hibigami was only an interventionist at that time.
　So, as Currier-san said, Noyes was tantamount to committing suicide.
　Noyes had lost the meaning of life at that point.
　If a reason for her to live existed at that place, Noyes might be alive today--but

I thought you'd be jumping for joy when you heard the news of Noyes' death.
'That's why it's complicated. The surprise that comes from the unexpected mixed with the joy of good news is a very, very strange feeling. I had no idea where he got it from, because I had no idea where he got it from, and I recognized the vast amount of knowledge, the sharpness of his mind, his ability as a magician and spell user. Her mind was necrotic to the point where it was too late, but she was a woman of infuriatingly high ability itself.
I'm surprised. You must have bought a lot of noise, as well as Hibigami.

　Valaga looks reluctant.

''If even a billion people could get on my side, I wouldn't have had such a reassuring ally. Well, I can't imagine that play-mad, second-rate scriptwriter serving others for free.......but I still can't believe it. That scumbag invader lost on his own--
You're starting to sound like your old self again.
''Hahaha, excuse me for this. I can't get rid of the habit of becoming overly defensive when I feel the shadow of a "pest", even now. I'm having trouble with myself too.
'Humph, you'll be in trouble for the rest of your life then. Admitting defeat doesn't seem to have changed the fundamentals of the noise either.

　Valaga shoved his hands in his pockets and smiled kindly.

'At first I felt like you hadn't changed, but I think you've changed a bit too.
'Yeah, I've changed. I've been influenced by a lot of people but maybe more than anything else, this guy has had a big influence on me.

　Currier-san stands next to me.

'The forbidden spell user--Sagara Kurohiko, is it? The matter of him defeating the Four Deadly Plagues, after all?
It's true.

　Feeling the need for a correction, I broke in.

''But two of the four were defeated by Currier-san and Hibigami, right?　As for Currier-san, it looks like Rokia was very supportive.
Oh, yeah?　Do you know Hibigami and Rokia?
Yes, sort of.

　Was it bad that I talked to you?" he asks Currier with a look.
　It's not a problem, Curie-san silently shook her head.

I'm sure you're aware that Hibigami and Rokia also visited the capital... well, mostly Noyes and others gathered them together to make the stage more attractive.

　That's what I'm talking about, a six-school graduate.
　He understands the nature of noise.

"And why are you the one who's sitting on top of the Empire?　From the looks of it, though, he seemed to have quite a friendly look to the Imperial Lady.
'I don't care where I am, as long as I have a stable chair to sit in. There was an affordable chair in the Empire after I left the apocalypse. That's all. Well, compared to Doomsday Land, any place looks stable.
I heard about the the theft of the Empire by Khabigami. Then you said...
'Hahaha, of course I ran away in a flash, but what is it?　Anyone in the Sixth House would be running and hiding.
That's what I'm saying, but I'm pretty sure Hibigami wanted to fight you.
'It's troubling. He's not in character to bully the weak, either.

　Currier-san moved.
　As soon as he sheathed the Revelgate and pulled it out...

　He thrust the tip of his blade at Valaga's throat.

　Valaga raised his hands in the air as if to show his non-resistance.
　There is no agitation, none.

''Aw, you're not calm, are you?
How can you call someone who can sense that I'm going to stop an attack right before it happens, a "weakling"?
'No, no, I have been very fortunate indeed. If it weren't for Currier Versteen's compassion, I would be dead. After all, you are a kind woman.
Foolishness.
Well, if you must know, it's kind of a joke.

　Lifting her chin slightly, Varaga touched the vine of her glasses.
　The one whose dull copper-colored eyes captured Sagara Kurohiko.

''He........the forbidden spell user is no ordinary person either. He sensed that you didn't seriously intend to hurt me. If you're a low-degree, fastidious person, you're usually prone to making trivial moves in situations like this.
Hmph, after all, this is a man that Hibigami has recognized as his sworn enemy. If you're not careful, you'll get hurt.
What did you just say?　That critter?　

　Stepping back, Varaga steps back.
　It seemed a bit of a tinny move to keep my distance instead of saying I was interested.
　Suddenly, through the square space created by my fingers, Varaga began to observe me.
　A dozen seconds passed, and he slowly opened his eyes.

''Well I'm surprised. Normally, humans have at least one thing to admire, but this--'

　A streak of cold sweat ran down Valaga's cheek as her mouth twisted.


''There's nothing to praise, not a single thing to admire.


　There is nothing to praise about it.
　............
　Why is it that I don't feel much different about his mannerisms?

''Well, well, I'm not a person to be praised, you know?　I'm aware of it...
Hey, honey can I get mad at you right now?

　Currier-san sighs.

'As usual, you're either too indifferent or too tolerant of the abusive language directed at you... but--'

　Currier-san flies a hard gaze at Varaga, who sits back and bends down on the spot.

''I'd say it's still true, but at the same time, I'm surprised. 'Hey, Varaga.'
What is it?
How many people do you know who don't have anything to admire in their lives?
'The seventh. Noyes Dees, Hibigami, Lokia, Ekiluot Schweizer, Tassogale, Skavishas Kiriht... oh?　Is Sagara Kurohiko the first person outside of the six houses of parliament to be involved? I see, it's only the people Hibigami has designated as potential nemesis.
'Never mind what he said earlier, Kurohiko. I don't really understand it, but--

　While sheathing the blade, Currier-san said.

'According to Rokia and Noyes, this guy's assessment of 《a person with nothing to praise》 is a compliment. I've heard that it's an expression used for people who may be a threat to Varaga. In fact, it also means that a person who has many things to praise is not a threat. In short--

　With a click, Currier-san, whose blade is fully sheathed, looks at Varaga with cold eyes.

''So, to that guy, I'm not enough of an opponent to feel threatened.
You're a threat to me on the strength of your fighting prowess alone. But you're a relatively easy man to talk to, and you're easy to understand when it makes sense to do so. That's why I have a lot to praise you for. No.........Currier Versteen is also a rare race with only points to praise.

　Varaga put a finger to his wrinkled brow and gave him a world-weary look.

'But the people who could destroy my little world are extraordinarily powerful and hopelessly unreasonable - no, they can't be reasoned with. They are self-centered beings to the point of disaster.

　Valaga traced the floor across with her fingertips.
　An imaginary horizontal line was drawn.
　It was like a boundary line.

'As long as you don't invade my little world, basically, I won't do anything to you. But the vermin that ravage my world need to be exterminated with every fiber of my being. All I want to do is to roll up a mole and sleep comfortably at the base of the big tree. But that big tree has to be the most comfortable place in the world for me.

　Valaga looks down to the floor with a shadow of pessimism.

'This world is infested with more insensitive and unaware trash than I expected. So we need to desperately endure the hardship and get rid of the pests one by one with a sigh. And then--

　A vein floated up on the back of Valaga's hand and jerked.

So even though it's a defense mechanism, you'll still need the power to get rid of it.

　Varaga gently touches the glasses with the hand that doesn't have the blood vessels raised.
　The color I saw in the eyes that stagnated darkly behind the lens is the color of madness - similar to that noise and the four evil plagues.
　Nii," said Varaga, raising the corners of his mouth in mischief.
　But--he is not smiling.

I've been working hard to grow my own tree, and if vermin come close to my tree, I'll use my fangs to bite off its body without question.

　Mischief.
　An eerie sound came from his hand, like a hard tree branch squeezing to its limit.

'I always have, and I always will,'

　Valaga sat up and smiled self-deprecatingly as he huffed.

'The six people I just named are a bit of an exception, though. They're troublesome opponents if they're legitimate. Sagara Kurohiko--I have a feeling that you're also an opponent that can't be dealt with in a straightforward manner. So........I sincerely hope that you won't become a pest to me.

　In short, what you've said so far is to be taken as a warning.
　It was as if I understood, but I didn't....
　Well, in short, it seems to be understood that it's best to not get involved with Varaga Wormood as much as possible.
　At the very least, I don't want to get close to someone who smells similar to that noise or the Four Deadly Disasters.
　From what I've heard, Currier-san doesn't seem to be considered dangerous by Varaga.
　Then it should be hard to get into trouble.
　..................
　At the moment, Varaga Wormood doesn't seem to be either an enemy or an ally?

　Varaga, who finished issuing the warning, turns away.
　With a disgusted face, Currier-san let out a sigh.

'Hibigami is a potential nemesis. Lokia has the potential to be the best evil. Noise is a buckethead. And you're a candidate for vermin.

　Valaga, who had flipped his body around to leave, turned around.
　'Kukku,' he chuckled lowly.

'It sounds like we're all neatly in agreement on our views, doesn't it?
I'm not.
'The point is, it's a matter of how the mind is distorted. You were the only one of the six hospitals that wasn't distorted by far. That's why you are a safe partner for my world. On the contrary, Noyes and others were irredeemably twisted in spirit. That's a d*mn verminous woman who cannot be saved in the future.

　Currier-san has an unconcerned face.
　Varaga's compliment doesn't seem to make sense at the moment.

It's a good thing that you're not the only one. I agree that Noyes has a crooked personality, but speaking of mental distortions, the princess that you now serve is also very dangerous. I'm not sure if she's a candidate for a vermin.

　My impression was that Princess Hel was no less acute than someone from the Sixth House.

''Ah........Princess Hel, huh?''

　Varaga looked in the direction of the day after tomorrow and touched the frames of his glasses with his hand.

'They're fake,'

　The edges of his mouth twisted into a sneer.

'A petulant coward whose only claim to fame is bravado ... a big mouth woman who just wants to look like a big shot. But she is also one of the most important components of my current world. That's why I cherish her as much as I can. It's just that........she's always been like that despite being a fake, so she has a lot of enemies both inside and out. Thanks to that Princess Falsehood's behavior, it's hard for me to protect her life.
'Humph, what you just said is nothing short of disrespectful, is it?　Would you like me to tell Her Highness that I'm the one to tell her?
Be my guest.
There's a lot of room.
''Hahahaha, compared to that hibigami, the Imperials are just cute. Well........but if by mistake, the Imperials tried to trample on my world--

　Suddenly, Varaga's face was transformed.

　The edges of her extremely narrowed eyes hung up and a long tongue peeked out of her mouth.

　He is smiling, but not laughing.

''As a compensation--''

　Is that devilishly bizarre expression on his face the essence of his personality?


''At the very least, I'll have at least one of the branch cities poisoned to death unceremoniously...?


　It was like a snake-like expression.