The Governor's room, located on the top floor of the seven-story building, overlooks the defense line from the top of the building. In the event of an emergency, he would turn off the pseudo-image of the protective wall and look out over the outside world.

　However, this has never actually been the case. To be precise, there has been no attempt to cut the pattern of the protective wall of Babel since it was built.

　The Governor's room, which was carpeted in red and black, was not furnished. This is due to his own taste. The room is not drab, but instead a huge pile of documents has been built up.

　As you enter the room, Beric looks at his watch and opens his mouth as if in surprise.

'Unusual, that you'd be late, even if it's only two minutes.
"Tell that to Mr. Lindelph, Chief of Defense Staff.

　'Right,' smiled Bellick, suggesting the couch.

'Hey, get in there.'

　They froze in front of the door, but it was quickly broken by Ars's voice.

'Ah!'
Long time no see, Alice.
Did Alice know the Governor?

　If you ask him about the story, he says that Bellic was the one who took the lead during the first incident of Gudma's [Elemental Factor Separation Project].
　After that, it seems that he took care of Alice in some way. That was probably a kind of atonement for missing Gudma.

''I see you were also enrolled in the Academy of Magic, hmm, I see.

　The only person who felt uncomfortable with the theatrical tone of voice was Ars. You can't blame them for that because they are the only people who are directly acquainted with the Governor.


''This time it was a blunder on my part,''
Well, never mind. The reports are coming up from Viziest. There's nothing wrong with that.

　Ars didn't fear that he would be accused of a crime just because he expected to be told so. No real harm had been done, and since they had put the highest ranking person, Ars, in charge, the blame had practically never fallen on him before. This was partly because this was a Beric-led mission and not very publicized within the military.

'I had no idea that your student was Alice-kun.

　This inexplicable feeling of being ahead of the curve is familiar to Ars. Like wandering in the dark and having lights lit at reasonable intervals.

　Tesfia and Alice settled down on the sofa, but Ars can't do so because he's a military man, so he remains standing. It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what you're talking about.

''Tesfia, it's been a long time since you've been here, but I doubt you'll remember.
'What!　..............I'm sorry.
No, you were only about five or six years old.

　So Tesfia is the reason why Froese asked for his retirement. It can't be helped if Tesfia doesn't remember it, since they only exchanged brief greetings at a grand party - a farewell party. It's not only that, but it was a story from 10 years ago when I was a child.

''And you didn't come here to say that, did you?

　Beric also knows that Ars isn't a ball that goes out of its way to come with an apology for inadequacies, etc.
　Nodding, Ars got down to business.

'When Alice was subjected to human experimentation, a deficiency was found in her magical information body.
"Hey!　Really? !

　That's what drives the heartbreak. Beric was bitter.

'It doesn't have much of an effect on itself. I'd call it an accident.'
No, it's not just an accident.

　Ars intended it to be something accidental, but Beric seemed to take it more seriously than that.

'As a result, an unsystematic predisposition was born in Alice.
...

　Beric's eyes peeled back at this and he placed his chin on his crossed hands on the desk in confusion.

　Alice is less upset because she's already made Alice listen to him. And for the first time Tesfia hears it, the question mark is growing on his head, unlike the upset and confusion.

'Then I'm just like you...'

　Ars controlled more than that with his hand.

'No, it must be unsystematic, but it's not like me.

　With that one word, the bypassed word came out of his throat, and Beric instantly understood and almost felt remorseful.
　But it also contained a concern. The fact that it is possible to deliberately create a strainless system after human experimentation.
　Beric looks at the two girls sitting on the sofa once.

''How is that possible?''
I can't. It's a coincidence. And you're not the one with all the information. I'm sure you're part of the light system.
Well, that's why you came all the way out here.
'I believe the Governor has a duty of protection, sir.

　He exhaled with a huff and shook his trimmed beard.

'Of course. Even if you don't call it your duty, I'll have your back if anything happens.
Thank you.
I don't mind this. I'm more than happy to oblige. Rest assured, I'll keep you safe, as long as you don't pick yourself up in the fire. As long as you don't pick your own chestnuts out of the fire.

　Alice makes a slightly awkward face and bows to convey her approval.

　Ars had come to take this pawn of speech. Now, if Alice's lack of lineage spreads, there will certainly be people like Gudma who will think the wrong thing.


　This was supposed to be the end of the story. At least that's what Beric thought.
　It's a good idea to have a good time, because Tesfia and Alice were also about to leave their seats.
　However, Ars changed the subject.

''So, Viceroy, about the [Magical Friendship Tournament]...''
Speaking of which, it was about time.
It's one of the biggest things I do once a year!
Visaists.

　He continues without nodding his head.

'I'm not leaving, sir.
''I knew you would say that, but you won't even begin to tell me. You're a student of the Second Academy of Magic, so it's up to the Academy to select you.

　Als thought that was how he came to be.

'So if you have fallen, you won't be involved?
You can't slack off.
...
I know this is a tournament, but I don't want to be tactful in a sacred game.

　Say this, say this. If I tell you that you've failed to be elected on this, you're bound to interrupt me. That's the order (...) in anticipation of that.

　Bellick must have known that it was quite unreasonable. When he blew out a sigh, he began to speak with a fullness.

It's a good thing that you're not the only one. I took the trouble (...)


　[Rusalka] is a large country that is a neighboring country of Alpha. They won the championship last time and the last two times. Alpha is proud that there are many excellent magicians, but every year they are made to taste bitterness. Rather than that, they ended up with a pathetic result that was faster to count from the bottom.

　I guess that's the real story. Even though the prestige of the country was at stake, it was clear that there was a certain amount of personal interest at stake.

''I refuse to do so. That's none of my business.

　This year, Ars has qualified for the competition by becoming a student at the Academy.

'It's not all bad. 'It's not all bad, if Alpha can show that it can train good wizards, it will make things easier for you in the future.
I don't believe that's an easy word to say.
"I will collect ten books from other countries, not for free, of course. Even if you're rich, there are many things money can't buy.
Shh....

　I know I'm being cajoled, but I get lost. It's not an exaggeration to say that I've read every old book in the Alpha country. It means I've gained a comparable amount of knowledge, to be exact.
　I'm not stuck in research, but my inquisitive mind knows no bounds.
　Beric raises the corners of his mouth to fold in on Ars, who has begun to think in earnest.
　Tesfia and Alice, who are watching the course of events in a daze at the side, literally roll their eyes.

''Then I can call on Sisti to waive some of the credits for next semester if you compete and perform reasonably well.
I'm in.

　The bribed Ars took Beric's hand as it was offered to him.

'Dirty!'

　Tesfia, who witnessed the whole thing, said openly.

'You've been bought.

　Alice smiled somewhat happily.

　Then Beric spluttered at the two of them.

''It's an adult thing. It's only natural for an adult to work on someone who has achieved something.
This is your only chance.

　Ars threw a check, but Beric thought inwardly that he could use it a few times.


　♢ ♢ ♢　


　On the way back, we stopped at [Fallen] as we said on the way, and headed slowly. It's not that late in the day, and it's still light.

　There are so many that you can't possibly look around in a day if you stop at all the shops. I have to be selective to a certain extent.
　Two of them didn't arrive from the side where I thought they were.

'Fear, this is it, isn't it?'
Hmmmmm....

　He tilts his head to look inside the case on the storefront.
　There are a number of coins in there, inscribed with a magic formula in a circle.

'That's signal smoke, they're issued in the military, but they're used for relief and location, and then there's the blinders.
Wow.
I didn't even know there was such a thing.

　It's disposable, but the good quality ones can be reasonably expensive and even add orders of magnitude. However, when you buy these, military grade is good. This is because if you are stingy and get grabbed by an inferior product, it may ignite or explode.
　This can be judged by a magical tick, but it would be impossible for an ordinary magician to do so.

　These two don't have the desire to buy anything, they simply stop at things that interest them.
　So--

I'm going to my favorite restaurant and I'll meet you at the transition gate.
I'll go with you.
Me too.

　If Ars tried to say that, he'd just follow in a flutter.

'I don't mind, but it's boring,'

　It would be useless to say this. It's not a good idea to say this, because everything you see has a fresh look to it.

　Ars has entered a rundown house with a shop tucked away at the back of a narrow alleyway that he must have passed many times. Everything that touches it is a creaky wooden structure.

　It's a store, but from the outside it's just a house. The two of us are like, "What! I guess he thought it was trespassing to raise his voice.

　The doorbell rings dully when you open the sliding door of the wooden house. It is interesting to know that such a structure still remains. My husband says it has a certain charm to it.

Is my father here?
Is that your voice ... you?

　His voice was full of vitality for an old man to have come out of the back.
　If he were his age, he would be able to use a cane, but it would be a long time before he would need this old man.

　Who did Ars mistake the gloomy shop owner for?　I don't ask.
　After all, he says the same thing every time.
　I once said the same thing to a customer at first sight.

　Still, it's not a blur.
　I also remember the content of our previous conversations. Or rather, I'm a good learner of things.
　I once heard the owner of the shop called Budna and the neighbors call him old Budna.


'How are you these days?'
'It's blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.
Is it really that different?

　Even in this town, he's well-informed, which is one of the characteristics of this father. He's a blacksmith, and he's a very skilled blacksmith.
　He used to work for the military in the AWR production department, and even after he quit the military, he's been making use of his expertise to make this shop a little better.

　I guess he's a master craftsman in the know.

''That's not true. It's just that the custom-made AWRs for singles and double wizards were mass produced. The grimoire-type AWRs used by single mages are very popular now, and only a few mages can use them.

　As a business, it's right on target. If it's a single, it's the dream of all wizards. When the AWR is on the market, it adds value like a brand. Of course, the materials will be different to keep costs down.

"Don't worry, your AWR is my masterpiece. "Don't worry, yours is my masterpiece, and only you can mass produce it.

　Ars's AWR was also created in collaboration with this old man Budna.
　The micro-reduced magic formula is difficult to activate proper magic without understanding its lost spell.

''Eh, Al's AWR was made by your grandfather?''
Jointly, though, he carved the magic formula and I finished the AWR.

　Old man Budna recalled with pleasure.

　Behind Alice, Tesfia held the goods in her hand as she rummaged around behind Alice, chock-full of goods.

''Corre!　Don't touch it.
Come on, be a little stingy.

　Tesfia sticks out her tongue and swears.

'It's rare that you're not alone.
A lot of things.

　Still, Tesfia, with her shining eyes, looks around at things. Budna watches her with even more squinting of her wrinkled eyes.

'Even a layman could see that it's so awesome.
"--!　Really?　You're a good judge of character, too.

　This old man is a long story to praise, so Ars takes over the conversation.

My AWR was conceived, but when I brought the plans to the military, they refused to accept them because they were impossible to make. I just happened to hear that they were good at it, so I brought it to the shop.
Heh.
Those chains, you see, are all made of different materials, the core is the same, but they have a coating suitable for magic.
'What!　There are hundreds of them, right?
Well, I've been working on it for two years. It's hard to find a better job than that one.

　I knew it was going to be a long time before I was going to fill the teapot by my father's side with hot water.
　With not much time to spare, Ars told him what to do.


'Do you have any good AWR material in there?
Everything I have in my shop I personally selected.
No, it's not like that.

　It's not just about good quality.
　My dad understood that right away. As much as he had been attending, he knew what Ars was trying to say.

'Not that there isn't any,'

　He sat up heavily and walked to the back of the store, not to the shelves. And when he came right back, there was a golden ingot on it in his hand.

'What's that?'
I don't know.

　Tesfia, who had been rummaging for too much brilliance, interrupted her body.

'Gold?'
Hey! Aristocrats mustn't be so nasty!
It's good. You're beautiful. You're golden.
No, no. To be honest, I don't understand this mineral. But it's a good conductor of magic, so it could be used as a material for AWR, but since we can't analyze it, it can't be used as a product.
It's funny.
I was gonna show it to you when you came in.

　As he received it, Ars looked around, it didn't seem like a mere mineral in any way, but he couldn't see anything here.

'How much, Dad?'
I don't need the money anymore. I don't care what the average price is at home. And in return I'll pay....
I know. When I get this mineral analyzed, I'll ask you to build an AWR.

　Ars held his license over the debit machine next to the cash register.
　There were six zeros on the register.

'----!
High!
'All we have in this store is first class stuff, and the stuff you had is expensive too.
Really?

　At least it would exceed the annual income of an ordinary wizard.
　What Ars bought is enough money to buy a house if it's not extravagant.

　As you might expect, it's easy to attract attention if you take it home as is.
　Old man Budna will put it in a simple wooden box.
　In addition to the reflection of the brilliance in his eyes, it was a young light that made my heart jump with the expectation of doing the best work again.

　After receiving the gift of being a craftsman after all, Ars says, "Soon," and leaves the shop.

　It's probably just beginning to get dark outside.
　At this time of day, the town of 【Fallen】 shows a slightly different face again.

　Stalls line the main street. There are many bargains to be had, which brings a different buzz to the area.