Via the Circle Port at three locations. The middle tier, opposite the wealthy, in the direction away from the Tower of Babel and closer to the outside world.

　The closer you get to the defensive line, the more you see a few people who appear to be military personnel here and there. There are towns in this area as well, but their appearance changes drastically from the mid-level town.

　【Fallen】 This is the second city that is called the keystone of Alpha Country.

　Not only are there people strutting about, but many of the shops are more of a store for magicians.
　Still, that doesn't mean that all customers are soldiers. It's just a high percentage.
　That would be obvious if you look at the AWR hanging around your waist.

　Many of the students of the academy also visit to procure magic-related items. It's not a bad thing to have a little bit of differentiation, even though most of the things are available on campus, it's the prerogative of young people to want to differentiate themselves.
　Naturally, there are many shops and workshops that sell AWRs, so it is a place that even upperclassmen are sure to visit in order to get their own AWRs.

'Hey, I told you we didn't have time for this!
Because...

　Two people who are talking like children. They stop at the showcase in the front of the store for a moment, curiously wondering if it's because they don't usually come here. How many times has this happened.............it didn't go at all.
　The eyes sparkling with curiosity, the corners of their mouths rising naturally, make me anxious about their future.

''What are you guys doing here? I'm going to leave you here.
The "Hail Mary　Just wait.
A little slower...

　They hurriedly caught up to the next one, and Alice also scurriedly shook her head impatiently.
　While making an excuse that it can't be helped, they also need to buy some items for Loki's good mood.

'We can probably get some time on the way home.
Thank you.

　Alice turned over and thanked them in a slightly upbeat voice, wondering if they thought she sounded like a country bumpkin.
　About one person didn't even seem to hear that.
Regardless of Alice, it was only after she entered the academy that she would learn magic in earnest, so it could be said that she had no connection to the place until then.

You can learn something here, you know. There's no harm in coming here.

　Whether you buy or not, it's the place to be for the latest news in Alpha. It is a city that is sensitive to stories about which country has developed new technology and so on. It's so much more than that, even when researcher Ars was in the military, he would visit it every time he was off duty.

　It was the most difficult thing to do, just to get through the main street. The shopkeepers would be easy prey for the two unfamiliar people to react to, as they were touting in a row of storefronts on both sides of the street.

　Ars manages to back away from the two people who are about to give in to such temptation. It's not a hindrance to leaving Tesfia behind, but it's not going to happen if Alice, too.

　It's common for the transfer gate itself to be able to designate multiple transfer points in one place, but in this 【Fallen】, it's set up at a distance so far away that it straddles the city. In order to access it, you have to hold out the license issued by the Alpha Country. It is a system that reads the coordinates to the military base from the license.

　The only reason why Ars went to the trouble of crossing the Fallen is because he wanted to have more time and see the city for the first time in a long time. That's the extent of Loki's souvenir shopping spree.
　However, it probably goes without saying that he regretted that decision.

　The reason why 【Fallen】 is called the second line of defense is because if the first line of defense is breached, we will retreat to 【Fallen】, the outer wall of this city is a strong one made with the assumption of the progress of the demons.
　That's why there is a separate military command center in the center of 【Fallen】.
　It's a comforting fact, everyone knows that. Babel's protective wall has been hindering progress for the past few decades, but on the contrary, it is to the point where it is said that without the protective wall, the human race would quickly become extinct.

　Because it is the second most dangerous city, escape routes are meticulously prepared, but this is a city where few people are willing to flee for their lives. There are a lot of craftsmen, or maybe it's the craftsmen's nature, but there are also many who are ready to bury their bones in this city.

　As we approach the last circle port, we hit a high wall. The top of it is equipped with a huge two-legged spear. It's a pseudo-protective wall, what's called the [Second Babel].
　Numerous researchers have all come together to create a pseudo-protective wall of Babel. Although it can repel low-rate demons, it is impractical due to its extremely narrow sphere of influence, and its cost is said to be enormous, making it impossible to mass produce.

　The pseudo-protective wall placed in the 【Fallen】 is also an experimental one.

　Tesfia looks back with regret when she finally arrives at the circle port. To a magician, this place appears to be a treasure house that never gets bored.
　Ars said earlier that it would be a great place to learn, but as students, the two of them are probably just ransacking the AWR. If they are not aiming to become technicians, then it's hard to say that they are learning.

　But Ars has a feeling that the two of them weren't looking to learn anything. From what I've heard, a weakness for shiny objects and a fondness for shopping seems to be a default in women, so I swallow the complaint that I made a bad decision while bothering to wrap my head around it.

'Let's get going,'

　The transition begins and the landscape gradually switches.

''...!''

　It's a familiar sight to Ars.
　A majestic building suddenly appears directly in front of him, so it's not hard to understand the reaction of the two of them.
　After a scare, a silence fell, probably because of the oppressive feeling that they couldn't step out right away.

　It was nearly three times larger than the academy building. The base, which should be called the headquarters of the military, curved horizontally. It looks like a series of mountainous peaks.
　There are also many other buildings, and Ars holds out his license at the checkpoint.

I'm going to leave you!

　Ars walks forward, leaving the two overwhelmed. It's a good idea to rush through it while being exposed to a quizzical gaze.
　But those who know Ars, there were even those who stopped and broke their backs.

　It's a good idea to be able to have a good idea of what you're looking for. It's not that I don't like it.
　A single as the name of a single-digit strength.
　A double-digit double.
　Three-digit triple.
　Four-digit quadruple.
　Five digits, quintuple. Six-digit, s*xtuple. The abbreviations for each are quad, quin, and s*xtuple.
　These are the official designations, but few people bother to call them miscellaneous soldiers below the five-digit "Quinn" and six-digit "s*xtuple" because some people lump them together as miscellaneous soldiers.

　I'm not sure I'm going to be able to get away with it. But that doesn't mean they can give orders or have authority.
　Therefore, there is no distinction between rank and rank. If anything, the military is a place where many people pay respect to rank.
　Also, if you are below the rank of colonel, the rank and ranking is used from time to time, as a three-digit mage may be referred to as a lieutenant, depending on his or her position in the unit. With a few exceptions.


''You're popular too, aren't you?''
'It's not about popularity. It's simply respect for those that rank higher. Unlike you.

　Tesfia felt a tingle in her chest as she remembered one day. As usual, she couldn't say enough is enough.

　It might be unwilling to bow to someone a year older than them. Still, they understand the meaning of rank.

　Thanks to Ars, their duties are also minor, and they are making peace with Alpha.
　However, not many of us have seen Ars in person. That's why most of the people in this place had a strange look on their face.

　Even though it's a military base, it's not that formal. At first glance, it's just vast.
　That's why it's overwhelming, though.

　It's a good thing that you can't get away from the fact that you can't get away from the fact that you can't get away from the fact that you can't get away from the fact that you can't get away from the fact that you can't get away from the fact that you can't get away from the fact that you can't get away from the fact that you can't get away from the fact that you can't get away from the fact that you can't get away from the fact that you can't get away from the fact that you can't get away with it.
　If you exclude the troops on duty in the outside world, nearly 70% of the country's wizards are actually here.

I'm starting to get nervous.

　As soon as they entered the building, they must have been overwhelmed by the wizards as far as the eye could see. I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to find the right one.
　The AWR she is carrying makes her look even more imposing. It's a good idea to be able to have a good idea of what you're looking for. In other words, that's all it takes to be an experienced wizard.


''The wizards here are even more skilled than you guys.
...of course!

　That would be true too. If it's less than them, the Alpha is falling fast.

'Well, so there's no point in just being nervous. I'm here, so you have some flexibility.
You're on your own.

　If you can tweak it, you'll be fine.　

Only a single wizard could do that.

　Ars smiles to include, and he doesn't hesitate to push his way through the self-aware interior.
　It's thanks to the strongest title that Alpha is proud of that he gives way at times like this.

　It's a good thing that you have a good friend in your corner to talk to; on the contrary, there are people who turn on their heels as soon as they see Ars's face, as if they were running away.

I don't know if they hate you or adore you.
They're both annoying.

　It's a little different than being hated, Ars thought. Those who witnessed Ars's combat prowess, such as in large scale operations, were either elated by the overwhelming power or, conversely, in awe.
　Either way, few of them are on friendly terms with each other. That may also have something to do with the fact that Ars is treated directly by the Governor.

　I never felt stifled or alone. That's because that was the norm. It's a world where your good friends don't always look the same tomorrow, and sometimes they're not even there.

　A vast military base, with countless grave markers standing at the far end of it. There are a tiny handful of them buried in five bodies.
　Some even contain only relics.

　When you join the army, you must visit this place for the first time.


　When you go up to the top floor, the atmosphere changes to a heavy atmosphere at once. On this floor, there are many people of high rank, in addition to the governor's room.

　The age difference is even greater, and the general class with a grim face comes and goes.

　The only thing that hasn't changed here is the attitude towards Ars. The only thing that hasn't changed is the attitude towards Ars.
　I'm not going to be the only one who can do that.
　And yet.........

Ars, I haven't seen you around lately, so what the f*ck are you doing here?

　People are not entirely alone in this world.
　A man in his early thirties walks up from across the street, a man in his early thirties, a man on the elite route to commander at a young age. A man in his early thirties coming from across the street, a man in his early thirties climbing the elite line to become a commander in chief at a young age. He lacks the ruggedness of a military man, but his slender physique is of medium build and the AWR missing from his waist is proof that he doesn't go out into the world often. That's now, though.

　He's still far enough away to speak, but his brisk voice comes through well.
　Ars waited until he was within speaking distance and opened his mouth.

'It's been a while, sir. 'Commander Lindelph, sir.'
No, no, no, no, no, no.

　The hand gestures make him snap up and down so much that he thinks he's an old lady. Ars doesn't dislike this man who is too friendly.

'It's partly because of you that I'm in the position I'm in now, I also believe that my power isn't recognized, I'm not quite there yet either.

　He is a master at commanding the defense line here. The main thing he does is to organize a squad of demons caught in detection close to the defense line under Lindelph's command and send them towards it. His rank is colonel.

　He was originally incorporated into the squad as the chief of operations in the outside world. I'm not sure I've ever seen such a thing.

　He had been with Lindelph's team for several months after his first mission when Ars was a young boy, when he completed his mage training program.

'Your humility would be the fastest promotion. There's no shortage of jealousy for the commander, even within the military.
'My ears hurt........!

　Lindelph looked at the two men in uniform, who shrank back a bit behind Ars, and smiled wickedly.

''Flowers in your hands, you can't be in the corner either. 'So Ars is old enough to be like that, yes.'
If that's how it looks, we're going to be relegated soon.

　Lindelph gave an eerie twitch that couldn't be said to keep a smile on his face.

'Keep the momentum going and I'll bite into the top, watch... and well, well, what's the use of bringing a student into a place like this, anyway?
'No, well...'

　And then a prodding finger pressure from behind broke Ars's consciousness.

　Two faces as if to tell me to introduce them.
　It's a hassle, but I respond briefly.

'But first, this is Commander Lindelph of the Runaway Express.
Hey!　Don't make any introductions that might trip you up.
So, these two are my classmates, Tesfia Favell and Alice Tirake, and they just wanted to see the Governor.
'If you thought you wouldn't see it, you were doing a student!　Captain Vizerist could have said one bad word about you too - classmate, Feivel?

　Lindelph gestures a little thoughtfully. He almost claps his hands together with a clap.

'Speaking of Favell, is she the daughter of former Major General Froese?
Yes.....
Well that's good to know, because Mr. Froese has trained me very hard.

　He held out his hand in front of Tesfia with a bitter smile that endured a bitter taste.
　This man was good at commanding, but his magic hadn't improved in any way, so it's not hard to understand this expression.

　Tesfia also dodged a brief handshake with a modicum of civility, but her face was just as bitter as Lindelf's.

''The young lady over here is also beautiful.
Thank you.

　Gently returning it with a smile, Alice also dodged the handshake and finished the face-to-face meeting.

''More importantly, did you have something to do with it?

　The bundle of materials Lindelph held under his arm was on its way somewhere.

'Right, I'll have to excuse myself then.

　When I thought we had passed a little too quickly, Lindelph turned around again from a distance and spoke up.

'Ars, let's go out to dinner sometime,'

　Ars didn't reply to his approval. He would have to raise his voice to reach them at this distance. He didn't dare to do anything embarrassing to attract such attention.
　And Lindelph, who has known him for a surprisingly long time, didn't wait for an answer and walked away as if he knew.

　It's a good thing that you're not going to be able to find out what's going on.