The next day, after the fourth and fifth games, things went according to plan, with the second wizarding academy taking three slots.
　There were also concerns about the Iberis players, but this one was largely within expectations, and their numbers had been greatly reduced after the third round. Currently, the Second Academy of Magic was in second place in terms of overall points. The difference between them and the first magic academy was huge, and this was due to the fact that the third year division had suffered a devastating defeat, not to mention the main competition, and in the second year, two of Ferrinella and the others advanced to the main competition.
　The third year was wiped out. This was a decision that was made without waiting for the third day. Still, there was no more gloom and doom than on the first day, thanks to the shrewdness of Ferinella.
　It's no surprise that the players should go to bed early after a brief meeting, as they have the main game tomorrow.
　However, as a matter of course, the three girls had shown up in Ars's room. Ars wasn't surprised because he had expected them, too - although it was annoying.
　The point is that tomorrow's main match, Tesfia or Alice, should be the one to compete. According to Loki, they came to us without a decision after a lot of concessions by themselves.

"So, I want you to decide who should participate in the main game, me or Alice.

　Tesfia's question is as weak as it is hard to ask, and it's not the usual karmic one.
　Alice's face tells me that she doesn't want to ask too much either, as she has a similarly fearful expression on her face.
　That's probably true too. Because to evaluate which one is better is to make a superior or inferior assessment. But that's a groundless fear.

It doesn't make much difference either way. For personal reasons, I thought you would want to compete as a nobleman or whatever.
''Well it's not without its moments, but we're fighting at the Academy now. You should pick the right people to win!

'Well, that too,' said Ars, more than a little surprised inwardly. Was it a good growth for him to think that he had a tendency to think selfishly? It was possible that he was bound by stereotypes.
　But whichever way it goes, it's still the same. Because in Ars's estimation, it would end up being a companion strike in the end.

'So, I'm saying I don't care either way. It doesn't have to be a winning pick, just the right one for the fight.

　What? Tesfia makes a blurry face. Alice barely manages to get away with a small tilt of her head.
　And then, as if it were natural, Loki sits down on Ars's bed, stroking his pillow with a satisfied blush of cheek behind him.

'Haven't you noticed?' I looked at each other and returned my gaze in silence to Ars's question, "What do you mean by that?
　Was it a confirmation that neither of them possessed an answer? As for Ars, that's enough for me to let out a sigh.

'My guess is that if you guys are going to fight, it's going to be me or Loki.

　Ars turned back to Loki, who was probably silent, and quickly put it back as if he hadn't seen it.

''The players coming out of the First Magic Academy are stronger than you guys. So if I don't beat them in the first game, our championship will almost certainly be closed on points. In other words, if we let them advance to the final, we lose, and if we finish with a win, then we can proceed as planned in the second year's game and be confirmed.
So, we're talking about Loki in the first round and you in the finals if we win?

　Tesfia, who made a bitter face at Ars, who nodded his head in agreement.

''You certainly don't have the opportunity to fight Loki with all your might, so it's going to be a good learning experience.......Fia.

　Alice, who immediately followed up, doesn't seem to be expecting much either.

You don't have to think too hard," she said. It's a good idea to have a good match," said Ars simply, but if it's more appropriate than a match between two people, it's inevitable that he or she will lose confidence.

It's a very good idea to have a rock-paper-scissors to decide on if you're bothered by that..........................maybe we'll both get out.

　That's why Ars didn't let the two of them fight. In other words, it's about conserving energy.

'What does that mean?'
Are you gonna do it or not?

　Reluctantly Tesfia and Alice turned to each other and stuck out their hands, not so much bravely, but somehow just holding out their hands and holding them ready.
　You are able to make a weak call and form a hand.
　The result was Tesfia's victory. However, he or she looked closely at the hand that made the fist and hid his or her eyebrows, as if he or she could not explain. ''Is this okay?'' I can hear him asking himself.

　He claps his hands and says, "Yes!　Done. It's nice to have a clean slate with no hard feelings........then go home!
　It was Loki who was most surprised by the quickness of this switch.
　Loki, who had crawled into bed, decided to go to sleep with the raccoon.

'You've got an early day tomorrow too, so get the hell home and go to bed!

　He poked his forehead through a gap in his bangs.
　Pushing the girl who was leaving with regret, Ars, who had sent the three of them away, slumped his shoulders tiredly and got into bed, warmed by human skin.
　Even though it was just before crossing the date at the hour, it was not a good time for a player to be awake for a match. If you can't even manage your physical condition, it's like exposing your shame. As expected of Ars, his motto is to sleep when he can, based on his experience. You need to take care of yourself and your body.


　♢♢


　It's time to see the faint orange outline of the mountain ridge. The hotel is naturally quiet, just before the staff starts to prepare for the early morning. It must be around 4am. The landscape was still coiled in bluish shadows.
　Ars woke up from the sensation of an unnatural footman approaching.
　So he had stepped up to the door before the intercom rang.

(That was fast.)

　The person who opened the door and looked back at Ars with wide eyes in astonishment was Lynne Kimmel herself, dressed in a wrinkle-free maid's uniform.
　He immediately regains his normalcy and lowers his eyes respectfully.

''Lady Cicerunia wants to see you.
Can you give me a moment?

　Ars finishes getting ready quickly. However, it's the academy's uniform, just like when he came.
　Not willing to blindly follow Linne, who is leading the way, Ars opened his mouth with a bit of sarcasm.

''How was your errand?''
Well I'm sure Master Cicerunia will have more to say about that one as well.

　Linne's cheeks twitched as she tried not to notice how far this first place could see through.

　Even if he struck out, there was no change in Ars. It's a complaint that was originally an eight-bit complaint. It is useless to hit Cicernian's squire, Lynne. The nails I had stuck in him seemed to be quite fragile. I'm sure that a rusty nail would only chip the tip, and that's not even close to a wedge. Considering that, who can we blame for giving them a complaint or two?
　No, it's too soon to tell, since it's not yet decided.

　You go downstairs and enter the corridor by the lobby. There is a line of doors to sit on, and that's where Lynne passes through. The two of them get into the several floating machines ahead. Politely, she passes this one as well, and she presses the button that unlocks it with her index finger.
　Ars crosses her arms as she reclines against the wall on the board, which rises without even a vibrating sound.

'Is the Governor in attendance?'
Yes, Master Letty has already arrived.

　The answer gave Ars a headache that couldn't have been worse. He wondered how much better it would be if it translated into psychological damage, and so on.




'I wonder how much longer I'll have to wait.

　At the long, rectangular desk, the heads of state, governors and other close personalities are already seated in a solemn manner. Even if the heads of state are calling out to them, the time is far too inappropriate. It is very likely that the situation is so urgent, but if that is the case, there is still no explanation on the faces of the people.

'Please wait a moment. One person has not yet arrived. And it would be twice as bad to proceed without him.

　The Alpha Head of State, Cicernias Il Arzeit, who was the one who called the meeting this time, ducked gracefully and flutterily without fear of the piercing eyes.
　Most of the people present here had probably guessed that it was a matter related to recruitment. The whole thing at the meeting would be known not only to the heads of state. No wonder the Alpha, the only one who held a single, was desperate, but the decisions made at the meeting could not be reversed, not to mention the mouthpiece.
　And a few dry knocking sounds - there was a line of faces to the extent of "I knew it" when I saw the strongest mage who showed up.

　Ars fixed his expression tightly on the situation being more serious than he'd expected, leaving Lynne behind to stand behind Cicernia.

'The b*tc*,'

　The whispered blurbs are overheard.

'So now that we have everything, let's get started, shall we?

　I thought I heard a muttered "finally".
　Ars rechecked his surroundings. If he looked, all of the heads of states were present, and the mages who may have been brought here to guard the place were allowed to be present. And the only single mages among them were Ars and Leti standing next to him, and Jean behind Lusarka's Lithia Toof Infratta.
　The usual innocence of Letty next to her was ringing in the background, and she stood upright with a divine look on her face. It doesn't seem to be a situation where you can talk to him very much.
　Cisernia in front of Ars, and Beric, the Governor, in front of Letty, placed the materials at hand and looked more difficult than ever before. It was also pale, if you will.
　Cisernia gave a sharp, cynical smile - without even trying to hide it with her fan.

'Well, things are urgent, so I'll spare you the preamble. But the information I've received is only corroborative, and I don't have any details on the specifics so, Head of Balmes, Holtal, would you like to explain?
...

　His voice sounds like a soft embrace. But the words released are reminiscent of a cold blade of ice. They all focus on Cicernian's oblique face, as if they are not what they were expecting to hear.
　The old female general next to Balmes' head of state, Hortal, blinked blindingly and moved her eyes only to her own country's head of state. It seems to include a question that is familiar but cannot be affirmed.

'What do you mean, Lord Holtal? We have no idea why we have even been called here.
..........

　A quizzical look, a word, made Holtal's mouth tighten. It's a good idea, but it's not a good idea. It's not too late to do that. It's a good idea to know the hand of the opponent and measure the extent. To what extent do you know, or are you able to keep a smile on your face?

'Huh, I see. Well, let me tell you what I have learned. Perhaps Lord Holtal might recall it on the way. If I'm wrong, please refute it. Governor Bellick may be mistaken about my mistake.
I understand.

　Beric's eyes are downcast.
　At the same time, the sound of a fan being closed vigorously with a snap is the first sign of an opening.

''You've been embarking on an operation to retake it in Balmes for about two months now. And that too, with a large scale formation of troops.''

　Cisernia didn't wait for Holtal's reaction before continuing.

'From what I've heard, there's even a ninth-ranked single mage built in... or not.
What about it?

　Hortal returned the peek. His hands were tightly clasped together on the desk.
　However, the next Cicernian bomb unleashed on him shattered such a look with a single blow. So do the heads of state around them.

'Have the bodies been recovered?'
""- ""---------!!!"

　A clattering, hectic sound grumbled in places.

'What do you mean, Holta, Lord Holtal!
'What do you mean, Cicerunia? My troops are still in operation, and it is not unusual for them to fail to complete the task in two months. Balmes is short of wizards.

　At Holtal's reply, Cisernia pulled back a cynical smile and told him with a blank expression.

'I told you. That this is information that has been corroborated. 'I told you that this was corroborated information,' he said, 'and if you ask me, you've sent some troops to follow. So let me ask you, when was the last time you were in contact with them?　Of course we'll send an interrogator from my country.
"No head of state is allowed to interfere in the affairs of another country.
'Then let's be clear. You're not forbidden to conceal the threat of demons?　It's not just about Barmes. I see it as a rebellion against humanity.


　Cisernia interrupts Holtal's words.

'Six A-rates, plus the entire Balmes army is wiped out... no, one survivor, I'm sorry. I suppose it would be more accurate to say this one is a returnee.
Why do you think...?
We sent out a follow-up team to investigate, but we've lost contact with them, and now we're down to 400 victims. The problem is that it's a shocking fact that none of the bodies have been recovered.
"---!　What do you mean?

　One ... probably the Governor. A voice rose to the core, echoing in the core, as if to keep the depression from spewing out across from Balmes' head of state, Hortal.
　Iberis was positioned next to Balmes. If he had asked for cooperation, the expected situation could have been avoided for sure. No, it would have been possible to request cooperation even if it wasn't Iberis. That's why I'm outraged.

'Do you understand, if one country is dropped, humans are easily overrun,' Balmes spat at the Alliance. If you have an excuse....

　I questioned him to chastise him.
　But--'

'There is no time for such things now. I've already spent enough time on it.

　He puts away a bit of anger at Cicernia's point. Governor Iberis sits back down from his floating hips. His eyes remain set tightly on Holtal.

''First, we need to find out what's going on. We don't know exactly what's going on. We don't want to hear your apologies, Lord Halter. We need to take immediate action now. For the sake of protecting Barmes.

　Still numbed by Holtal's refusal to open his mouth, the old Barmeswoman placed her forehead on the desk as if to break her hip.

'A lifetime of immorality. I never thought that the situation would have developed to this point, the information was blocked off by Lord Holtal, Governor Gagarid, but if.....No, Lord Holtal, as Cicerunia says, it's already too much for our country.

　She resolutely looked back at the hateful face directed at her from Hortal.
　Cisernia shot a pitying glance at the child, as if she was dumbfounded by such an ex-head.

''Lord Holtal doesn't seem to understand the seriousness of the situation, does he?

　It is probably the same for the rest of the world. The situation is nowhere near as bad as it could be. The fact that we haven't recovered the bodies of the A-rated wizards is, by definition, a crisis for humanity. That's because demons eat humans and absorb their magic power as their own and become powerful.

　It's not a bad idea to eat a mage with a lot of magic, but it can lead to an increase in the rate.

　In the past, there has only been one case of a single wizard being eaten, and that was a major disaster about fifty years ago. But compared to that, even if it is a single wizard, it's not that much, because it's a provisional wizard whose ability is questionable, and whose achievements have been defeated in the past. I'm not sure I'm going to be able to say that I'm not going to be able to do that. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.



　This time there was no comparison to the previous one. The name sounds familiar, especially to those who have heard of the great disaster. Some paled, others were stunned and refused to understand, and some shook their fists at the desk in anger.
　All of them shot a murderous glance at Holtal, the originator of the reminder of the abominable past.

　Ars felt like running away from this place for the worst that he had inwardly assumed. It's a good idea to make an invisibility spell or something like that as it passes through my brain.

''You!　Don't tell me you don't know that!

　We can't afford to give them honorific titles already.

No, it is still possible that Lady Cicernian's fears are unfounded. 'What do you think, Lord Holtal, will you let me hear it from your own mouth?　Either way, it's inevitable that we'll have to send in an inquiry to find out what's really going on. By that time it may be too late.

　The former head of Iberis opens his mouth. It was a gentle word of admonition. If you ask me, Balmes and Iberis are neighbors, so they have more opportunities to see each other than other countries. It sounds leisurely here, but that's what the head of Iberis, Haorg Maison Jecopheres, is all about. The sturdy Primarch shook his graying hair and beard slightly.

'Su ... I disclose everything. I know that has created an irreversible situation, but........
How dare you single-handedly threaten another country for your own!

　It wasn't one or two people who opened their mouths as if they had cut off their guanxi by admitting it.
　It was Cicerunia who had been the one to take the brunt of it.

''Why don't we hold them accountable after we have defeated the threatening demons?

　A silence fell and Cicernia turned back to the back.

'Ars, could you give us a brief description of the bad food?' And they all agree. As the current number one wizard, Ars is well versed in the knowledge of not only demons, but also many other things. He will explain it to you in detail.

　All eyes are drawn to Ars, but there are no insults in them. Because they know that the name Ars is hidden in the background of various technological innovations.
　But the key ingredient, Ars's gaze turned to Cicernias, and the constituent ingredient was, "Can I leave when you're done? The majority of them are.