'I don't know why I'm here...'

　Suddenly, the words you whispered disappear as if they were melting into the void and never reach anyone's ears.
　The messy conversation becomes an annoying noise, punching your eardrums.


　Loki switches to the secondary... no, he's still alone the entire time in the primary. He doesn't know what to do. But more than that, the absence of the person who is supposed to be here is more disturbing than anything else.
　I feel cut off from the world.
　I'm relieved that I've successfully completed my role, but the problem comes after that - the problem.
　It's a good thing that you're able to have a good time with them. That's what it sounds like.
　Although I've already gone out of my way to make my blatant grumpiness appear on my face to keep them away from me, the surroundings were never quiet.
　If Ars is here, there should be no such thing as a ragtag group of people in sight, so even if it's noisy, they will be satisfied.


　Will a little bit of small talk be allowed? A few words of rebuke might be interrupted. Even though I knew that, I would surely jump in without hesitation to start a conversation.
　That's how the time ticks by.

　I'm now turning my gaze crisply to the lady who has taken a step closer to rub up against the gap in the conversation. The thick make-up, the strong odor that sticks to your nose, and the stones in your fingers that don't contain any magical elements.
　It's going to be hard for Loki to smile at any of them.
　Eyes with the intention of not getting any closer - especially the smell - to him.
　Even if it is as obvious as this, there are those who come close to you without regard for it.
　Daredevil, daredevil, or quite a handful... or at least the edge of a magician would know, seeing his footsteps at the edge of his vision, he'd determined that he was just an idiot with less than that.

　Loki couldn't be more grumpy right now.
　He walks up to me with enthusiasm. The well-dressed man is wearing a loose-fitting swallow-tailed suit, and this one is also wearing ornaments in places. It's not as if he has a body that allows him to go out into the outside world as a wizard. Of course, that's not the only thing that can earn him a position in the military.
　A man in his forties or so is accompanied by a mature man who is either an escort or a butler. This one looks like he can still fight.

'You must be Loki Rabehel. I'm Buhong Moretruo, and I've come all the way out here with a story that's not too bad for you.

　The composition looks up a bit, but the man is not so tall in the department. So the proffered hand was lifted to a position that wasn't too high.
　If you look down at the sound of jangling metal rubbing against each other and the hand that seems to want to shake your hand, there are five fingers that are tightened.
　Loki looks back at the man like he's a domestic animal.
　Because the other man's gaze had a slightly lower color to it.
　The man, who received the silence as unresponsive, cowered his shoulders hawkily and looked at the butler behind him.

　The man's appearance further increased the buzz around him. It's a name I don't remember. However, there would be a few nobles who knew it. It didn't matter to Loki. All nobles look the same.
　I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one. I'm not going to be able to say that I'm not going to be able to get it right. There are many people who do not think well of that. Particularly for those who are in high office for their power alone.
　Even though the decision-making authority rests with the Governor, he cannot ignore all of the selfish proposals of the noblemen. If there's an internal split, they won't be much more than demons.
　It's also true that there are good reasons for this. We can't let our talented mages play around, and we must always prioritize the regaining of territory. However, because of the adverse effects of having to be secretive due to Ars's magic, he was forced to do the mission alone - although he also said that he wanted to do it.
　So even though there are exceptions, Loki doesn't have good feelings towards the nobles.

　He doesn't even think it's worth listening to even the not-so-bad stories.

''I had to do some research on you. You are well qualified to marry into our family, having gained so much fighting power on your own. Your son is twenty-three, but, well, age doesn't matter. I would accept you as a legal wife. When he comes of age, you will give him an heir, and his future is secure. Loki will be the fastest man in the army, not bad, right?

　His gaze ran from bottom to top as he licked, stopping at the neat Loki's face as he rubbed his chin.

'My son would love it.........'

　You look at him as if he were a doll, as if he were rummaging through goods in a store.
　You can't help but sigh as you lament that this vile man is not a demon. At the same time, even a man like this could be useful in drawing the attention of others.

''I don't know who you are, but don't you know that I am your partner?
'Humph!　I don't care who your partner is. Rest assured, I'll let you get rid of this right away, and it's not something the Moretoroo's make up.

　Loki's face, which had been expressionless, changed dramatically. It's not an expression of an affectionate smile or any other expression that makes the other person feel good about him or her, but rather the opposite, an expression of indignation and contempt due to intense anger.
　

''--Hi!

　Buhong, who received that murderous gaze head-on, involuntarily took a step back. The butler who was waiting behind him was also just blinking in amazement and couldn't move.
　There wouldn't be many people who would notice this bizarre change. This is a killing intent that cannot possibly be found in the splendid seats.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find out what's going on in the world. It's not a matter of time before you'll be able to get your hands on it.

　Loki looked at the man in a cold sweat as if he were a vermin and opened his mouth.

'You can't do it, Loki. Are you prepared to risk your life for it?　I'm a pig that coasts?　Don't be silly but we have the right livestock for the pigs.
You, you!　You have no idea what you're talking about, lassie!　I'm not going to let you get away with this rant against me!
You seem to understand human language, so I'll repeat it for you are you willing to risk your life?

　It was a natural argument for Loki. Dissolving a partner was synonymous with losing a life.

'It's not worth talking about!　A student's life is not the same as mine. Who do you think you are?　I'd say I'm going to pick you up but I've changed my mind. I'll have to tell you which is the livestock.

　Buhong, who has mastered the art of being an adult or just a child's nonsense, bends his fingers backwards with a quick snap.
　The butler moves his face closer--.

"I don't care what the charge is I'll get the girl punished for it. You know the rest, and it's unlikely that anyone will move to help you in your lonesome, if they have.
Yes, sir. I'll see what I can do.

　Just after the butler bent his back to the Lord and turned on his heel--'

''Oh, it's quite a mess, isn't it?
..........!
You're not very mature for a student, Mister Moretoro. I believe this is the place to celebrate the competition. I wonder what you are planning to do here in the student's seat. You are going to do something big for a tournament hosted by a head of state. It's a horrible thing to be left behind.

　The woman who smiled lustily advanced unabashedly at the killing spirit that Loki released.
　After confirming her appearance, Buhong's expression becomes bitter as he clicks his tongue.



　She looked vaguely familiar, but Loki gained from hearing the name. She was the mother of one of the two people Ars teaches, Tesfia Fevel. However, she seemed too young in appearance to be a mother.

''You remembered it, didn't you, Lord Moretoruo (...)?　Wasn't the fact that you were here meant that you hadn't yet fallen?
I'm a blabbermouth!
As far as I can tell, he's an "geezer". As far as I'm concerned, he's a senile geezer, and he's putting his incompetence to shame.

　Conversations flashed back and forth in a child's playful, unassuming manner, but the only thing in the mood for a touchy-feely atmosphere were the words on the board. It was an exchange like a thought routine.
　The venerable Moretruo is a family with an especially deep history among the old families. They have left behind customs that are tied to the original aristocracy of the bloodline. It's a bit of an anachronism, though.
　His family was originally an aristocracy within Alpha, but after the ejection of mages ceased for more than a decade, the fire was lit in his ass. Buhong, who originally ranked low as a mage, led his troops as the general commander of several troops. At the time, he often competed with Froese for the position of commander, but due to his lack of success, Buhong was no longer entrusted with an executive role as a matter of course.
　In other words, he accelerated the steps to his downfall.
　He moved his residence to Halkapudia and continues to this day. So they've understood the importance of a good mage, and they're now eager to do so.

I'm not interested in you right now. This little girl...
'Oh my, I can't say that. Loki-san is a friend of my daughter's much less an alpha wizard.
What do you mean...

　Froese lightly flushed the glaring gaze that seemed to be directed at his nemesis.

''Your head must have slowed down.　Can't you see that it's past time for the Moretoroo family to be in prestige... I mean, it's okay to go out and crush them.
..........

　The prone Buhong pulls and trembles and makes a hard fist as if he is holding back his anger. But the reality was that nothing had changed. In fact, it's not difficult to crush the current Moretruo family in the Feyver family, which is one of the three most important families in Alpha.
　But--''

''A mere lass would never let Fevers go that far. What good is it.......if we hand her over to them, that's what it's all about.......
Why don't you try it?
What?
So why don't you give it a try? If you don't mind never seeing the light of day again.
..........

　He didn't even last a few seconds as he bared his gums and endured.

'Let's go home!

　He left the hall with a sniffle and deliberate footsteps.
　The eyes of the aristocrats who had been watching the course of events in a daze remain focused on Froese. The hall has become quiet.

You can find a lot of people who have a lot of questions to ask.

''I know you all would like to send your congratulations to Loki-san, but since she seems to be still recovering from her injuries in the main battle, would you please refrain from doing so?

　If Froese told him a word, he would have to be reluctant to agree.
　No one will ever guess that she intends to monopolize it. Because everyone understands that she has no son. It's emotionally unconvincing, but no one is outright opinionated because they know it's not brave, it's barbaric.
　Besides, Loki himself had just now publicly stated that he had no island to cling to at all.


　From then on, it was fast, and in no time at all, the nobles disappeared and began to move one by one. After confirming that they were sparse, Froese reformed and turned to Loki.

''Nice to meet you........''
'Thank you, sir. Lord Favell.

　I remembered the ranks I'd heard before, and I never forgot the honorific title.

　It was Froese that surprised me. He was still called that by his student mages when he was an instructor, but now he only had the title of head of the family.

'It was a long time ago that I was called Lord. You can feel free to read me by the third name or whatever you want to call it.
Okay, Mr. Froese.

　Froese felt differently than Alice.

''And even so, you should weigh yourself a little more. There are a lot of people of bad character, and being an aristocrat.....................and you might even get in trouble with Ars-san.''
"....!　I was unintentional, I guess I wasn't cool with it. Thank you for your assistance.

　As I recall, Ars paid a visit to the Fevers once, which quickly cleared up any doubts that he had gotten the fact that they were partners, and he thanked them again. He was initially defensive because she was Tesfia's mother, but he didn't feel too bad about it.
　I take the glass from Froese, who smiles and says, "No problem.
　I realize the seriousness of the situation after all this time after being told the right thing to do. There should have been a smarter way to deal with the situation, but you tilt your glass as if you regret the stupidity of not realizing it and letting the blood rise in your head. If Froese hadn't shown up, he would have certainly caused Ars trouble.
　Loki understands the reason for the failure.
　Even now, even as he is doing this, Ars, who should be serving, is on a mission, and he is languishing in a place like this.

　He clears his throat and hurriedly covers it up with his hands, panicking at the sighs that spontaneously spill out.
　I loosened my cheeks and re-partitioned in front of Froese, who was about to burst out laughing, to come back to myself.

'It's a pleasure to meet you for the first time. My name is Loki Rabehel.

　We shake hands lightly. I thought they were ladylike cilia, but they are definitely hands of war.
　The touch of it brings me back to myself. It's doubtful that he has a good feeling for you just because he didn't have a bad impression of you. This is because this is only a civility because they helped me.
　And it is a lesson that Loki learned from Ars's career that you must suspect that those who approach you just because you are a nobleman must have some kind of intention.
　And since they are the first time meeting, it is natural to be cautious.

　Perhaps there isn't much to be wary of, though, since Ars didn't have anything to rub together after he returned home from the Favel mansion.
　He quickly shook off the easy thoughts with a thought. It was because he had learned well over the past few months that Ars was too lenient.
　He has given a reason, but from Loki's point of view, it's extremely regrettable. So at the very least, when it comes to matters that Loki can be involved in due to external factors, he should shake it off.