Just as there was a break in the conversation, a dry knock snapped the room out of consciousness as if it were exactly what it was supposed to be.
　Selva scooted closer to the door, but a voice came up first, allowing Froese to enter the room. Perhaps it was the news of a visitor, but it was not unusual for a maid to visit.

　The hinges didn't squeak, and a maid with reddish-brown hair was standing upright behind the door that went swiftly open. The ends of her hair, which were in a habit around her neck, were neatly dressed in a headdress all over and neatly arranged.
　There was not a single stain on her apron dress that covered her ankles.

'Is something wrong, Minasha?'

　Selva, who was half a step off the door, spoke dubiously to the maid who did not immediately bow. Disbelief in not saying the requirement immediately.
　She wasn't the kind of woman who would make the mistake of neglecting etiquette in the three years she had been in the service of the Favell family for almost three years now. After letting down a generous pause of silence, Minasha stepped into the room with awkward steps.

　It wasn't just Froese and Selva who knew her well. You will need to be able to find out if there is a good deal more than you think.

'Minasha?　...What's going on?

　There was no response from her, and the eyes that remained open were muddy, projecting no emotion from her normal, unimaginable eyes.
　The dry eyes didn't blink and didn't focus on anyone.

　It was at the same time that Ars narrowed his eyes.

''Cah!!!''
'Minasha!!!!'

　Tesfia screamed at the spur-of-the-moment oddity, and Froese played a reprimand.
　Minasha pulled a cloudless fruit knife from her pocket and ran it towards her neck without any hesitation at all. It seemed to be a separate creature in thought and action.

　Only Tesfia had a vision of the horrific scene in the room.
　Call it a difference in experience, but no one would want to see it if they didn't have to experience it. However, there were many people here who had survived such an unwanted environment.

'Kora Kora, you can't do that in front of the Lord, Minasha. Do such things in a place where you won't be bothered. If you have any worries, you should first consult with the chamberlain first........

　Selva, who had been standing by the door, was instantly behind him and a hand reached out from behind to pluck the knife. He only caught the blade of the knife between two fingers as he accelerated his momentum, but he stopped it a few millimeters to the skin, as if he had stopped time.

'That's not the point, Selva,'

　The irony of Froese's overwhelming difficulty popped out, but it was probably due to no small amount of relief.

'It's a dark strain, isn't it?'
Yes, I'm afraid so.

　As if to affirm Ars's view, Selva stunned Minasha with his hand sword. It's a good thing that you're able to get a good idea of what you're looking for. It's a good thing that Selva's ability is immeasurable as far as being able to deal with this rare example is concerned.
　It's a good idea to be able to have a good idea of what you're looking for when you go to work.

'What!　What do you mean?

　Tesfia, who had spent not a small amount of time with her, turned a pensive eye on Ars, who sat next to her, seeking an explanation for the cause as well as her concern.
　She was the only one here who didn't understand, even though she lost her blood color after being forced to foresee the death of someone she knew up close and personal.

　Of course, even for Loki, he only had it as knowledge. When she actually witnessed it, she would have a bad imagination of such a horrible magic. A puppet that doesn't even reflect your own will.
　If I were in the same situation and turned my blade on Ars, I wouldn't even be able to harm myself.

　But in response to the fear of the two men, Ars gave a simple and uncomplicated explanation.

'It's rare for someone to be able to do manipulative magic to this extent, even in the dark strains, it's essentially just an intervention into consciousness. However, it's not that difficult to deal with. Apparently it depends on the level of brainwashing, but it's possible to break the magical control by stunting them. This maid was probably just a courier and a sideshow. There shouldn't be any after-effects.
Good. But who would do this...

　Of course, no one who uses the dark strain is a bastard. It's true that it's a racist idea, but the real problem is that the dark strain has a high rate of becoming a criminal.

　Loki's pale lips with an uncomfortable expression on his face, Ars advises Loki not to think too hard, but it's a fear she can't shake.

　The magic that makes the absolutely impossible possible is overturned by the absolute in Loki.
　The chop that shuts off her thoughts just as she's about to fall into negative thoughts hits her brain lightly, as usual.

'Confused, nah. Thinking about it doesn't help, and if there's nothing I can do about it, I'll take care of it.
Yes!

　Loki feels a sense of falling so stoned that Loki can't make a single ripple in his mind as Ars tells him that nothing will change with a thin expression.
　He doesn't want to be a hindrance, and he doesn't want to be the only one who hurts him. That's why Ars's words were probably the words Loki wanted the most.


'It looks like it's addressed to Mr. Ars.

　Gazing at the carefully picked up letter to check it, Froese saw the name 'Ars Regin' on the back of it.

　With a feeling of disgust that couldn't be more disgusting, Ars received the letter, which was so thin he didn't know what it contained.
　It took him little time to follow the few lines of the letter.

　Selva, who has laid Minasha on a simple sofa in the corner of the room, arrives behind Froese, who would be in place with the same soft expression on his face, "It smells nasty, doesn't it?

''Chi, it's faster than I expected.''

　Ars, who put the letter away silently in his pocket, let out a sigh.

''I'm sorry. It seems that I've caused you some trouble with our case.''
Can I see it?
Excuse me.

　Froese felt that he should insist on a duty to know for the near-death of the squire he served, and perhaps he too is aware of his responsibility. If that was not an explanation, there was no way to ask.

'It just doesn't affect Tenbram.
It's an entirely different matter. Will there be a day when you can explain it to me after the fact, or is this one undecided?
I'm not sure. Since we can't move from here I just don't think we need to explain it to you.
What can I do to help?

　Of course it was a no-no proposition. I could sell you a favor if I could take a bite out of one, and I asked you to explain the situation by getting involved.

'That won't be necessary. I will try to resolve the situation as soon as possible to avoid any further inconvenience. Thank you for your concern.
It's not a time to hold back, is it?

　Ars realized with a wry smile what that meant. In short, he would say that they were a halfway step-child.
　Even that is a grateful concern right now. Ars doesn't make it, but smiles naturally, letting his expression move.
　But--.

''Thank you.''

　The words could be taken either way, but Froese cowered his shoulders, "Too bad," as if he couldn't have made a mistake.
　Whoever this time it was by, Ars had to do his best to twist the rage that burned inside against the letters that burned in his brain.

(They're really disturbing.)

　The fact that Froese was a rising military man was a good thing that didn't turn out to be a disadvantage for Ars. This is because the matters that had to be dealt with by the military, not personal grudges, have been targeted at individuals. Simply put, we should have taken this into consideration, but when you get right down to it, we are not to blame. To put it bluntly, the responsibility for terrorism cannot be placed on anyone other than the main culprit, the perpetrator, or the perpetrators.
　And, moreover, the victims must not be held accountable for their actions.

　The expression on Flose's face told him that, even if he couldn't decide how far he had guessed it.

　Maybe Tesfia had read the air too, or maybe she was too busy recovering from the shocking scene to do so, but the last word of reference was not uttered until the end.

　Loki, who read the air in a different way than that, was tactful. At least this time the Fevers were simply collateral damage. As long as Ars remains here, bad things may happen again.

''Arus-sama, it's time to........''
Oh, yeah. Well, we'll be going on our way.
Can't we still take our time?
No, I have to keep you waiting.
'That was Rusalka. It's going to be some kind of diplomatic issue to keep him here...
I wouldn't go that far, sir.

　Ars's concern was not in vain. From Froese's point of view, it was probably nothing more than a mere formal statement. He withdrew easily.

'Don't slack off either. If you're going to call yourself my fiancée, even if it's on paper, even for a moment, I won't forgive you if you can't.'

　He encourages her with a mischievous look of encouragement. Maybe she didn't need it for her diligent work ethic. It was worrisome that she wasn't the type to use her head for things, though.

　The girl, who had turned red, shook and shook to disguise her fever, stuck out one shaky finger and shouted angrily.

'You don't have to tell me, I know!　

　Who I'm talking to, as expected of Ars, does not water it down. He seems to have succeeded in blasting away rather well.
　To this, Loki is also silent. It's not a good time to talk about engagement. The first thing that comes to mind is the loss of the first stone in the carrier's carrier.
　The corner of my eye was lost to the corner of my mouth.

''What, what........''
No, because every word speaks for itself, and every grade speaks for itself.
Ugh.

　Bringing up his grades for being better than Tesfia in all things, lowering his spirits a little bit.

''Hahaha, this is a tough one. You are right to be concerned, but you can trust this old man here. I'll make sure you reach a satisfactory standard.

　Selva is unusually motivated, and promises to make an achievement in the field of activity here.

If that's what you say, Selva, then I can count on you.
Hey, trust me. You're a do-er when you have to be.

　Despite the reliability of what she was saying, all of them looked sullenly at the words that came out of her own mouth.

　She was now the only butler on her side here, before even her trusty butler defended her.

　'Miss...' she smiled slightly, but after all, his choice of words could only be said to be that of a top-notch butler. I felt a little pity for him.

It's a good thing that you're not the only one. I'll be happy to give you some encouragement, although it may be of limited help.
Of course. Yo, nice to meet you. It's really...

　The temporary confidence of the tentative first was stripped away in a daze. It's a scene where I even feel like I can see the outcome without Selva.

''Then I've asked you to take care of the rest. I'm going to leave as soon as possible as well.''
The success rate of a mission is also a matter of timing, after all. It's good to have practice.

　Froese stood up first and extended a hand to Ars. Her ciliated hands, beautiful for an ex-military man, had a ceramic sheen and a girl's tautness.
　When she responded to it, it was probably her resolve that she felt strong even though she didn't have the strength to do so.

''The Favell family would like to resolve this matter as soon as possible. Thank you for your cooperation.
'No, that's the dialogue here. Now......