Loki calms down and tones every word as if he were analyzing it.
　Perhaps sensing the subtlety of it riding on his gaze, Froese cowers his shoulders and opens his mouth, making a soft smile.

''Don't be so alarmed. I'm simply here to watch the game today, and I hope you'll allow me to say a few words of thanks to my daughter's friend for her hard work.
Well I'm filling in for Al.
Well that's right.

　At this point, I'll meditate on the word 'friend', but he's someone I don't really want to be associated with.
　In a situation where we don't know how much information Froese is getting, we'll soon find out how much information she's wasting her time hiding. I know that she should be quite facile inside the army.

'But your game should be labored over. That's how much you've shown, if you hadn't been injured, you would have been the winner.
That's part of the price of my ineptitude.
If it wasn't for that one win, the Second Academy of Wizardry would have been a dominant force to be reckoned with. It was a great game.
Thank you.

　He would have to accept the unspoken praise with a quizzical look.

'Oh, and you've always been a great help to my daughter.
No, Ars, it's Al's decision.

　Froese looked at Loki with a smile as he reiterated.

'You seem to have helped a lot. Both for Ars and for you. Honestly, if you've been in the military, you'd know that she (she) is blessed with talent, but she's only blessed. But maybe I misjudged her, since she was able to build up so much power in a few months.
A talent...
'Yes, talent. Talent is why you guys are where you are, right?
'No, I don't think that's accurate. To begin with, rankings should be just one indicator. I don't think it would be useful in the outside world. Al and I are not obsessed with rankings. The art of living is acquired through one's own experience, and it doesn't mean that one will live longer because of one's talent. That's why Al is only teaching them the art of defeating demons, not training them to be strong.

　Froese knowingly urged him to continue to try, if at all.

'Isn't that synonymous with strength?
'No, sir. 'No,' he said, 'if you're strong, you might have a better chance of survival. But it won't last in the long run. Maybe I'm preaching to the Buddha.

　It's obvious from the look on their face that it's a known fact. If you've been in the military, you've seen it firsthand, and yet you still want to hear it from Loki's mouth.

'Understanding demons and learning the most efficient and best techniques to deal with them means you can handle any situation. Knowing and correctly identifying one's own limitations can also help you not to be overconfident.

　Loki ruminates on his conversation with Ars as he recalls.

'Because truly strong mages are only given to those who survive.

　Froese's eyes widened for a moment, and he immediately raised the corners of his mouth to admire the soft expression on his face.
　He would not look down on the mage who was out in the outside world. On the contrary, it hurt so badly that it made his head hurt.
　He couldn't hide his surprise that he had gotten that far.
　The conclusions Loki spoke of were probably the truth in a pragmatist sense. But it must be said that her world is still biased. That one cannot operate on truth alone.

'Well.....

　As a single value, the words Loki uttered caused a stir in Froese.


　Loki also understands the meaning of ranking. It's a fundamental part of the wizard society and a strong evaluation standard, so I don't deny it. It's just that there are mages who think so.
　Of course, the source is Ars, but it's a conclusion that Loki himself has now come to.

　The conversation continued, even though I wondered at Froese's expression as if he had been possessed for some reason, but the conversation continued.

　The outlandish question probably meant that the current topic was over.

'So, do you know anything about that Ars-san's disappearance in the middle of the day?

　The question is still.
　Anyone who was watching the game would have noticed. No, what I noticed was why I was telling this story to my acquaintance's mother.
　Did he feel a sense of familiarity with her? It couldn't be.
　If that was the case, he may have been led into a good situation, and looking back, I don't feel so bad about it as a blunder. I'm not sure how I feel about it, but I have the feeling that I'm being manipulated.
　This is the horror of being a nobleman, Loki thought, his cheeks twitching.

　Then how to respond, Loki thought instantly in his brain. If you think he's already met with Tesfia and Alice, it's not surprising that he's leaked information. I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about it, but it's only two words about the mission. I'm not sure if I'm exaggerating to call it a leak or not. I'm not sure if it's an exaggeration or an exaggeration to call it a leak, but when it comes to Ars's problems, everything should be kept secret.

(I'll have to reconsider in the future how much we should tell the two of them.

　Or maybe we even need to make them both learn the meaning of secrecy. It's information that's already been passed around. With the bombshell that another single wizard named Letty has joined them, though.

"I'm on an urgent mission, and I'll be there...

　In the end, he decides that he has to talk about this much. It would be too unnatural for his partner, Loki, not to know. He's not someone who can be fooled by the exchanges so far.
　However, that was not Froese's point of view.

''It's a shame, after all. I wanted to say hello to Arus-san again.''
I'm sorry.
It's okay. It's okay, that's just the way it is. For better or worse, serving in the military means that you don't have any private time. More importantly, if it's a mission, why doesn't your partner, Loki-san, accompany you on the action, that's usually what partners are for, right?

　Froese's words about not having time can be inferred as he doesn't have a grasp on the current situation to Ars's ranking.
　But the words that followed were a single word that tasted of bitterness.

　Froese asks flatly with an expression of wonderment. You can see the frank coloration of only wanting to resolve your doubts there - although it's Loki's subjective view.

　It is because it is the life of Ars, but I still think it is far from the true intention. That's why I feel a sense of desolation.
　However, with the exchange of conversation, I'm even beginning to think that maybe Froese really just came to say hello. The relaxation of caution that it might be an evil guess, of course, is nothing to be wary of. We can't let our guard down yet.
　We can't let our guard down just yet, and I'm sure that has helped to ease my suspicions.

''It will be a blow to the Second Magic Academy to have two players out of the tournament. Since it was Al's order as well.
...a bit of a distortion.


　Loki's eyes sharpened at the words that suddenly spilled out, and he looked back at Froese, who still had a smile on his face.

'If that's okay with you, that's fine. It's just that your partner isn't a pawn. And moreover, you're not a doll that obediently listens to orders, are you?
I'm fine with that.
'Yes, but you're human and you can't be a doll.
''Well Mr. Froese, you can say that because you don't know anything about it.

　I don't know anything about why Loki decided to become Ars's partner, or the process leading up to it. That's all I know.......so I have no right to be told so much by someone I know nothing about, but for some reason, I found myself being prodded inexplicably. No, the one beside Ars, Loki's identity is making him open his mouth.

　But even so, Froese opened his mouth to teach and admonish without changing his expression.

''That's right. You don't know anything about it, so you look at it as a distortion. I don't mind if you're happy with that. Your partner is part of your role, and in a way you are right to follow orders. But you're not happy about it, are you?
..........!
It's written on your face.

　I feel as if I can see through it.
　Already Loki was too busy just arguing with him. It was almost hostile, not alarming, but it was hard to get the words out, like a foreign object caught in his chest.

'Even though I've retired from the army, I've been engaged for a long time too, so this is my advice to you. Mages are human beings, too, and there are emotions that can't be stifled. It's up to you to keep killing them and to satisfy them successfully, so I'd say, you can't keep killing them. Sometimes you have to be patient. But don't you keep putting up with it?
Well, that's... but...
'You could have a few more non-negotiables, couldn't you?　Your own rules ... in a way that makes sense to you. It makes you more attractive as a woman.

　Loki's heart beat one large beat in his chest at the smiling face and words. It was as if something I had been holding back was about to come out.

'But I'll... well... and next time we'll be together... by...'

　The words uttered in a lopsided manner are only fragments of fragments that don't try to make sense, and I'm looking for an excuse while letting my gaze wander.
　But Froese must have gotten the message. Placing the glass on the waiter's silver tray as he passed by.

'You are his what?　When is the next one?
..........!

　Looking up, Loki felt something blow up inside him as he looked up at her.

('His what?') ...to just partners no, no. Partner is just an excuse. A position of convenience. When's the next one?　What's next but can I wish for that much?　(e.g. "I'll be back")

　Shaking his head grandly inwardly, Loki's mouth leaked out as he traced a difficult question - for Loki - to which he had no answer.

''Next.........''
Loki, what are you doing here?
--!

　I guess it was something he knew. To Loki, it was something he knew and was aware of. If you hear it as a word, it sounds like it doesn't fit in there, and it sounds like it contains bizarre colors. It's as if the two gears are not just interlocking but ... apart. It's a feeling of pushing the sky out of the sky and spinning it around.

　........but)

　However, Loki's eyes were antagonistic, as if both the desire to pass through and the desire not to act on it were in conflict with each other.


　Unable to watch, Froese held his forehead down and held up one finger in front of him, thrusting it out in front of his eyes.

''Hah, you're a pain in the ass to take care of. You're young, you should act first and then think!

　Froese pushes back with a thump.
　Loki took a few steps forward and turned around. A moment's hesitation and hesitation is really a question of whether it's okay to act as thrust. I don't want to leave for even a second if I'm going to put my desires first. But Loki, who has been out in the outside world, knows.

　What kind of consequences would come from being a liability?

(Ah, but that's okay.)

　He has feelings, even for the mercilessness that flickers behind his back. And for Loki, too.
　Although it was a one-sided favor, it was a moment of reaffirmation of the use of this life. He would never be a foot soldier, he must be so formidable from the atmosphere of Ars. But if I risked my life, I would be able to earn a few seconds.
　It was not something to worry about from the beginning. I'm sure Ars would praise me for a job well done.

　Even if you are selfishly convinced, the Ars that you met again at the academy is different from those days. Shake off such illusions. Loki makes up his mind.

''.............Thank you!

　He waved his hand lightly in front of his chest, "I'll tell you this one. But........." by the time he was about to utter a voice, Loki had left the hall at a great speed, after which he left the hall.

''You're hurt........''

　The words "I don't want to be a part of this" disappear into the void. In the meantime, he wanted them to think about that, since he had sent his cronies away because of his injuries, but he was too honest in his desire to afford that.


　Loki sent an honest thank you to the healing mages for being able to run. Then he ran straight ahead with the determination to not look back anymore.
　They taught him to think about the rest later. They reminded me.


　So when I took my time not to overload my legs and reached Balmes, when I lied to the Governor that Ars had told me to do it, my determination came with the guilt. All I could see now was that I was headed for him, and that was enough to make my heart skip a beat. The thought of being at ease....finally...makes my feet light.
　Besides, I have a reputation for not letting Ars complain about it. My depressed mind had cleared up. It was more of an opening up.
　I wouldn't hesitate if it was to avoid lying to myself, and most importantly, to avoid regret.

　They were incorporated into the medical and support units that were just about to be sent out to the front lines.




　Inside the hall where Loki had left, the nobles were looking at the door in a daze.
　Froese passed them off with a purposeful "ho ho ho" and a hand over his mouth.

　Just then, a hoarse voice calls out from behind her.

''How dare the enemy send her salt........''
'Yes. I meant to thank you but I guess I'm getting old, Selva.
No, I'm sure he has returned to his childhood.

　He looked at the old steward with a twitching expression, only to overflow with a resigned "Well," after a beat.

　So Froese was reminded by Loki's pointing out to him about what the rankings were good for. It would mean that she too was immersed in the trend of the aristocracy looking only at the rankings as if they were condescending. It's a shameful story.
　It's true that as a magician, rankings have been established in society as one of the indicators by which one is evaluated. That is an indisputable fact and cannot be ignored. Affirming it would be a freedom that can only be given to those who have indicated their rankings.
　However, ranking can never be a personal value. She reminded me of this when she was not much older than me.
　That's why I advised her, even though I knew she clearly adored Ars, who she wanted to marry off to her daughter.

　That's what I thought, but the word 'childishness' released by Selva was referring to another reason.
　While indulging in reminiscences of the past, I tried to lift the lid on the memory.

''When I see a child with that many straightforward thoughts, I can't help it.
On your left, sir.

　The old butler smiled to include, and Froese realized by holding his mouth shut. No, it would be more accurate to say that she understands.
　I am the one who had to put up with it, and the penance of regret for the loss of my husband because of it.
　It is a common belief that you don't have any personal feelings about your military service, but since no one knows what the outcome will be, she should have acted regardless of her personal feelings.

'Maybe it's because I was in the military from an early age, but I'm clumsy ... no, I'm not very good at living.

　That was also true of Ars, but Froese was somehow aware that things were a little different in his case.
　There was probably a bit of a hassle there because of the power he had, but he looked a bit unlivable when they first met.

'I wish Fia had that much backbone.
You may need to take your time to watch. I'm sure your daughter will.

　Glancing at Selva, Froese tries to drop a bomb.

''Selva, when Fèvel is no longer a nobleman........''
'I will work beside your wife until I can't move a limb. Your daughter is like a grandchild to me, and I would not listen to this, even if it were your wife's life.

　The look on Selva's face as his foffaw and beard quivered seemed to be a dud.
　Froese thanked her in a whisper. She caught her daughter in a straight line as she walked away.

'Yes. It would be a mistake to instill regret outside of your own judgement. That's exactly what Fia will resent.'

　I had some battering ram, but I was reminded to think about it a bit more before I thought about marriage. Would he take his success as a magician or his appearance as a nobleman... or would he win both?
　That decision should be left to the daughter, not the parents. Will you at least allow me to give you a hand?
　I can't abandon my mother's role now until I hand over the governorship to her. She would have to protect the house until she gave it to her growing daughter.

　It seemed like a long way to go. The busy days would still be as hard as serving in the military. However, Froese's footsteps were light like a child running around the grasslands innocently and aimlessly.


''Selva I'm glad I came.
Yes, sir.