Balmes's former neck was plump, and he occasionally carried a handkerchief under his veil, perhaps to wipe away sweat.

　Ars quickly raised the name he had heard.

'Is this Mr. Duncal?'
'No, no no my name is Bebet Ijoice. I am a novice who was recently ranked 24th. It's an honor to see the singles in action.

　He introduced himself, finally uttered in a trembling voice.
　It was the head of Balmes who took over, unable to watch.

He's on duty now, and I've asked him to take his place.
(Come to think of it, did Jean say that? But then you should have brought Gilida, who says she's 20th, right?　(I'm an ex-single.)

　Is it possible that Gilida is also part of the operation?
　Even if you think that, it's too much of an imitation to interfere in the affairs of other countries, and I have no intention of doing so. At any rate, if you're not single, you don't have to remember it.

　But even atrocious as it is, this seems like an abomination to the country. I feel sorry for Bevett, a man who is probably in his late 30s. He's going to be the one who's going to have a rough time of it, not Cicernian.
　The former head of Balmes let out a sigh as if he was disgusting, but that was all. I wonder if he doesn't care too much about what's out there.
　You should have had Fanon's magic power canceller put you in, well, that's the abomination.
　He would have clearly understood the difference in power as he was a high-ranking mage as well.
　The enormous and dense amount of Garginis' magic power, and moreover, it's Ars that made such a magician kneel down, can't you blame me for being more awed than this?

''Is that all right, Lord Ars?''
Yes, thank you.

　This was done, but Ars turned his attention to Cicernia, who sat in front of him. The gap in the veil that he could see behind her - because her mouth lifted up enough to make a dimple of a smile.
　What was she thinking? He wondered if the story he had just told her would have contained anything that interesting, but there would have been no such statement.
　Of course, it is inevitable that Ars and Cicerunia have different points of view.

We're also busy. Let's just get this over with.

　The head of Harkapudia, who was probably the oldest, interrupted him.

'Well, it's one of the few times we're all together in a hurry.
Now that Lord Arus is here, we'll just have to wait a bit longer.

　Everyone opens their mouths, trying not to take the initiative.
　There is no Lithia's voice among them.
　Jean overhears and is silent.

'Gentlemen, I don't think that kind of talk is appropriate for this place.

　Cisernia poked the tabletop with a big smile and a knotty poke at the tabletop.
　As expected, if you put the figure of Ars behind you, there is no one to open his mouth any further.
　A rude gaze is turned to you, but that's about it. It was the Alpha Country that had the military presence here.

　Cicernia was the first to be brought down by the silence.

''The Alpha nation approves the hosting of the fortieth annual Seven Nations Magical Friendship Tournament.

　The king's seal, which is only held by the former head, is stamped on a thick piece of parchment and placed directly on the round table.
　Cisernia gently turns it. It has a sliding mechanism on the inside.
　If you have an objection, you must make a request before the seal is stamped. Each time it takes the form of an examination until the head of state presses the royal seal.
　In other words, there are no objections to Cicernias.
　This is followed by Lithia of Rusalka and one after another by the seal of approval.
　Lithia hesitantly opened her mouth to push her hand around the royal seal.

''Speaking of which, I heard that Lord Ars-dono will be competing this year.
...

　The unvoiced astonishment could be seen not only in the head of the head, but in the mage as well.
　And what's with the cicernias?　I replied with a look on my face.

'Arus also enrolled in the Academy this year, so isn't it his right to do so?
No one is suggesting that you pull out of the competition, Cicernia. But, after all, you are a wizard with a single name, and I didn't want anything to happen to the other students.

　The heads of state sent a cold feeling down my spine at the thought.
　To which Ars replied.

'Then you can't trust me with the name of a single, can you?　In the unlikely event that such a thing should happen, it won't.
"....!　No, I'm not questioning Lord Ars's ability to do this!

　Lithia hurriedly denies it.
　Ars smiles.

'I understand,'

　The other heads of state patted their chests at his words. I don't know if it was relief from fear that I had drawn their ire, or if it was because I had taken the pledge of safety for the students at the convention.

　Perhaps it was because of such an exchange, but the paper was being passed around in an orderly fashion.
　However, the hand stopped at exactly where the head of Balmes was.
　Everyone throws a quizzical glance.
　And.

''How about loosening the restrictions this year?

　The former head of Balmes asks for a peek. It's an expression of looking at your face, but it also looks like he's trying his best to look good so that his fearful proposal is not noticed.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.

When you say 'regulations', what exactly do you mean?
'No, it's not so much a regulation as a restriction, but how about lifting the ban on soliciting students?
" " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " "

　There is a tacit understanding that it is not a good idea to recruit students from other countries. Of course we respect the will of the individual, but if they are bought off, there will always be political negotiations behind the scenes.
　This proposal asks for tacit approval of that.

　The most feared of the seven countries is Balmes, a country that has double-digit wizards, but no overwhelmingly powerful singles, which is the problem. So it's understandable that they want to get the best students.
　It can be done, but it's a different story when it's their own magicians. The supply to the military will be reduced. No one will be able to look good with their promising students being pulled out.
　Even if you consider the position of protecting humanity.
　The question is whether this is something we just came up with now, or is it a suggestion we've been thinking about for some time?
　No, there is a problem with both. Especially for Alpha.

'I can't allow it,'

　It was Cicernia who raised her voice that way.
　At the same time, he turns his hateful gaze toward Lithia.
　As long as Ars is also lumped in as a student, he's also the target of recruitment.
　If this is a proposal to pull Ars out of the ground....I shudder to think about it.
　Today's exchange suggested that Ars could move to another country, so the concern Cicernias felt became more real.

'But our country, Balmes, does not have many mages. If we don't, we can't deal with anything that comes up.''

　It's a disgrace to expose the unworthiness of your country, but it's also true in the eyes of others, and if there's a mage you want to acquire, even with that, you can't afford to throw it away.

　Cisernia looks around.

(Not good.)

　The immediate answer is that they don't raise any objections. It means it's being pondered. It means that the proposal is just being thought about.
　The vote on the proposal would be decided by a majority vote, as long as it was not flawed.

　Cicernia assumes the contingency. If Ars goes to another country. If the decision is made, it is nothing but a disadvantage to tacitly approve it, that is, to give up the strongest mage. Cisernia knows that Alpha is the strongest nation and the biggest fighter of the seven nations, mostly because of Ars' achievements. He also performed that ordination ceremony himself.
　Even if they take away all the students this year, if Ars remains, it will be enough.
　Cisernia also knows that the situation in Balmes is not good, so she wouldn't mind agreeing to it if Ars wasn't there.

''Then, may I ask you to agree or disagree?
Wait a minute!　How about making up for the loss of national power with other countries, in case there's an invasion of high-rate demons, we could ask for their help?

　Cisernia could have expected a rebuttal, but she had to say so. It was too painful to keep quiet about how things were going. If it was not good enough, Alpha could end up being the weakest country.
　Even with Letty in seventh place, Alpha's fall from the top would undermine Cicernian's ambitions.

''We have to join hands together to protect humanity. A single country breaking through would mean the fall of Babel. Even if we ask for help, will the demons wait until reinforcements arrive?

　There's no guarantee of that. And even if they finished organizing their troops quickly, this is a distance to cross the country. I'm not saying it's easy, but it will take too much time to get to the stage of being attacked. There are times when a country that has shifted to a state of alert will request that its troops be seconded to another country in advance, as the country does not take kindly to temporary transfers.

　But.........after all, it's the same for every country that doesn't want strangers to know the inner workings of their military. It's a good idea to be able to have a good time with your friends who are fighting with you, but we don't usually accept people who are just observing.

''.........''

　Ars watched this exchange coldly. He said it was a farce.
　He was going to remain in Alpha until he repay his debt to Bellic. No matter what favorable terms were thrust upon him, Ars had no intention of doing so. He might think about it if he was told he didn't have to fight, but I don't think he would want such a mage.

　Of course, Cicernias, the heads of other countries, would not be able to perceive such thoughts, and even if they did say it, they would not be able to make you trust them.
　Would the problem be solved if Ars told Cicernia that it was okay, the answer is no.
　The word "just in case" means that it will be attached to anything.
　It would have to be crushed, even if it was 1% of what would happen.
　The situation develops as if to mock such impatience.

'Then let's ask the pros and cons. Hands for yes, silence for no.



　The result is 5 in favor, 2 against - but that includes Lithia of Rusalka.
　Cisernia is naturally opposed.
　I guess Lithia didn't anticipate this development up to that point in time when she publicly announced Ars' participation in the race.
　Thinking back, there should have been no objection, since it was after the King's Seal. It's not that Rusalka and Balmes were scheming.
　But the result was a decision, and for Cicernia, it was a folly.

　Cisernia bit her lip from the anger that was quietly welling up under the veil.

'Thank you for fetching our country's blunder (...)'

　The head of Balmes stamps the royal seal in a falconry. And the paper is stamped with seven royal seals.

'So, shall we dismiss it now?

　The former head of Balmes was the first to leave his seat, and they followed one after the other.
　The last ones left were Rusalka and Alpha.

'I wonder what they'll do, Lithia-san,'
'I didn't expect him to say anything like that,'

　The two men let out a great sigh.

'There's nowhere you can recruit Lord Ars anyway. If Jean hadn't been friends with him, I would have agreed to it.'
Ars doesn't come to my house, does he?
So far.

　Ars answers Jean's question lazily.

'I suppose, then, Lady Lithia.
I know. We don't want you to get passed over this time, because we have a very good wizard this time.

　Lithia heaved a sigh and told Jean, "Nail it for no good," she told him.

　Cicernia couldn't take the denial in her mind now. There's nothing more unreliable than 'for now'.
　It would be unheard of if a single were to be pulled out, but Cisernia agonizes over the fact that it's conceivable as far as this Ars is concerned.
　Something will have to be done about it. She made a plan that she would have to consult with the Governor when she returned.

　The name of the first-ranked wizard was no trick. That alone would have a huge impact. You can't measure the slightest difference in strength in the rankings because the rankings in the double and triple digits still fluctuate a little bit. Of course, there is a clear difference in power between 10th and 99th place, but it is not so different between 10th and 20th place. At the very least, there is a possibility that differences outside of strength, such as the amount of magic power possession and the magic that can be used, could also change.
　However, single digits - the pecking order of mages called single - leads directly to the difference in strength.
　Although the ninth place is currently sluggish, it can be said that the mages ranked 8th and above are still in the order of strength.
　Therefore, the 1st ranked Ars can be called the strongest among the wizards without a doubt.
　To support this, there was little fluctuation in the ranking up to the eighth place.

''Ars, don't leave Alpha!''

　The pre-meeting threats worked, not compulsion, please. Cisernia issued a plea under the veil.

　Lithia and others seemed more or less surprised. The relationship between heads of state and singles is different in each country, but in terms of rank, the head of state is higher.
　They may not be able to give orders, but they have the right of possession, so they are allowed to give orders as long as it is not a military requirement.
　It would be obeyed because at least the single is aware that he is the savior of humanity as a magician.
　So in this case, Ars, the person is quite special.

　Only a small percentage of Alphas would know why - only a small percentage of Alphas would know of Ars' unfathomable power to accomplish a pile of feats single-handedly.

I don't mean to, sir.

　I tried to cower my shoulders, but I couldn't be optimistic that it was good for her position. I can't be punished for it, even if it's false. That's the kind of thing I'd recommend letting go of.

'But Balmes, though he doesn't have a stable of singles. I thought there were a lot of mages in the double digits.

　Jean throws the question in without a second thought, tilting her head slightly.

'Yes, but it's also true that there aren't as many mages as in other countries. I think the lack of mages is alarming in the absence of overwhelmingly strong singles, though. I just knew we weren't in a dire situation. There were calls to send an expedition team in Rusalka, though.
'I can't help what's already been decided. I'll be back in Alpha soon, but what about you guys?
''As expected, this time there will be a discussion in Rusalka as well. I don't mean to say it's going to be soon, but we have to move so that they don't get suspicious.

　If a move to block it beforehand comes to light, there will be discord among nations. They could be clawed back, so they would have to move cautiously.
　Even so, Cisernia knew that she couldn't let Ars go of him by any means.


''Well then, I'll leave it at that, Lithia-san, and next time we'll have a magic competition.
Yes, but we'll make sure we win.

　Cicernia, who intercepted him with a scowling smile, said, "Let's go, Ars," and left the room. The two rugged people conversing in an uneventful and voluminous manner is like a Wu-Etsu boat.
　There was no one in the corridor and Cicernia's footsteps were naturally quicker.


　After this, a dinner will be held, but Cicerunia will tell Linnea that she will be leaving immediately.
　It was a hot afternoon outside.
　There was more than one carriage immediately prepared for them.

　Lynne immediately detects her master's displeasure and asks Ars with her gaze, but she looks back at him in dismay and replies, without saying a word, that he should ask her himself.
　With their backs to the carriage, Ars is about to close the door behind them.

'What are you doing, get in, quickly!'

　If they're going back to the same place, they should ride together. As expected, it is not possible for anyone to ride together with the head of the former head of the company, but as a single wizard, Ars does not have to worry about that.
　But Ars shook his head.

''No, I have a few things to do.''
....!

　An air of obvious discontent is leaking through the veil.
　A beat.

'Ars, I understand that I can't order you around, but what's in it for you to piss me off any more? Or is that your hobby?

　As expected, if I say I'm going to remain here, I know there will be unnecessary speculation. It's even more so when the situation is like this. Of course, it's not a big deal to Ars, though.

"I don't care how you take it.

　As for Ars, he has no right to be so inquisitive, but he can't close the door if his slender legs are thrown outside.

　After deciding that any more of this is going to lead to a waste of time, Arus briefly revealed.

'I just have some personal business to attend to with Jean. He's probably still here, so while you're at it.
No!　If you're going to talk to someone from another country, do it within my sight. Lithia said she'd be home soon, too, so it won't be a long conversation. I will wait until then. That's good, Lynne.
I don't mind, but if you want to go home early, don't interrupt me.


　Just then, Lithia appeared with Jean in tow. The other carriage provided was Rusalka's.

''Jean, do you have a moment?''
What's up, Ars?

　He responded good-naturedly, but his face changed to a divine one, even as the carriage in which Cicernia rode did not start.

'Master Lithia, may I borrow Jean for a moment?
Yeah, I don't mind, but...

　His gaze is on Cicerunia.

'Apparently he thinks he's going to be bought off.
'Hmmm, Lord Arus will have a hard time with this. If you ever get tired of it, you can always come to Rusalka.

　Ars could only respond with a bitter smile.
　And that would be obvious.
　If Sisernia was in the midst of talking to Jean, there was no way that Lithia would not be in the mix.

　After all, the four of them would enter Cicernia's carriage. I'm sorry to tell Lynne, but I have her go outside once to let me know what's approaching through detection. Although it's spacious enough, it has to be done because it's a four-seater.

'So, what the hell, Ars?'
We'll keep it short. When does the big battle against Balmes start?
I don't know all the details because I've heard it all through the grapevine, but a month goes by.
Are you sure they're not still taking down the enemy?
"....!　Yeah, I'm sure I'm a little long in the tooth too, but I guess I'm moving carefully.

　It's probably led by No. 9 Duncal, who is held by Balmes.

Do you know if Gilida is in it too?
'Come on, as expected, I'm surprised to see 24th place in the room, but if you're not accompanied, I'm sure we can assume that Mr. Gilida is in on it too.

　Ars sorted out a bit and quickly opened his mouth. Just when he thought it would be bad to keep Cicernia, who seemed to want to say something, Lithia, who was listening to it in silence, and both heads of state in further restraint - the door was tapped lightly.

''Arus-sama, four of you are coming out.
'All right. Jean, is your ninth-ranked ability, Dunkal, at the end of the day, enough to call it a single?　If it's Gilead and Dunkal, you're good enough.

　Ars has only seen Gillida in the documents. If he knew that Jean had been replaced, though, he would have surrendered it in less than six months.
　In particular, Ars has never seen a man named Duncal even in the documents.

I'm sorry, I only know his name. But Mr. Gilida seemed strikingly close. He's nowhere near a single, and that's a couple of copies down from Garginis at #8, but I'd say he's the closest to #9.
'Well, thank you. Master Lithia, I'm sorry to have taken up so much of your time.
I'll be fine. Are you sure you're okay now?
'Yes, it's not a very public conversation, so let's leave it at that. If you'd like to invite me, I'll prepare a more agreeable topic for you when I visit Rusalka.

　A delighted smile appeared under the veil and Lithia took Jean's hand from outside.

It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what to expect when you're done, so I'll be happy to acknowledge the invitation again afterwards.　

　Ars maintained a look of near-limitless disguise, "I'm looking forward to it," he said.
　They left and Lynne joined them instead, and not long after, Katakoto and the carriage began to move.

'What's your private business? I'm still glad I asked.'
It's a private matter. I wasn't supposed to report to anyone.
"....!　That's why.

　His tone was close to anger, but his face was tinged with a light that had found a glow. Of course the face veil was removed as soon as he started running.

''And are you really going to go to Rusalka?''
'It's a good opportunity. It's about time Alpha's AWR technology slowed down, and I've been interested in it for a while.

　The fact that I was invited to join them was not a surprise. The expression on his face at the time was rather abrupt.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you want to do with it.
　That's why if Ars creates something, it will be derived from that and transformed into various forms.
　Just like the resident-type magic power generator was used for streetlights - magic lights - and so on.