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　In the forest that stretched from the middle class to the wealthy, many aristocrats had been crowding in since early morning. Most of them had come at the call of a crane from Froese.
　In order to see the outcome of the nobleman's judgment (Temblum) that broke out between the three noblemen who are about to begin.
　Depending on the outcome, the power structure of the three noble families will be rewritten.

　All but the highest ranking nobles will have to think about how to behave. The majority of the people here are mainly nobles belonging to the Favell family faction.

''Ahhhh, what are you doing? We'll be late if you don't come quickly.''

　Since the order list has already been submitted, if you don't arrive in time for the game to start, you will be considered absent. A voice of urgency leaked out from frustration at the situation where participants have gathered in their own camp, but only one person is missing.

''I'm here........''

　Selva overflowed with that, but it was hard to imagine that Ars, who was normally wanted, would come. Even so, there was no way the old butler could utter a watered-down word after hearing Tesfia's words that he was supposed to come.
　Perhaps, even if he was lucky enough to come, there was even a chance that he would be caught immediately.

　Of course, as long as he was accepted on the order list, there might not be any further objections now. But even Selva didn't want to imagine it until after that.

　Incidentally, Froese had already moved to the spectator's table.

''It's a perfect day for aristocratic adjudication (tenebram) today.
...to see the enemy's situation?

　It was Ail, dressed in a vestments like vestments, who appeared with his attendant in a dashing manner. At her side was Silsila in her butler's uniform.
　Seeing that figure, Tesfia took a step in the opposite direction, putting life into her legs that had begun to tremble and holding back her flinching.

''Hmm, I wonder if there was some change of heart after all?
It doesn't matter!
'Yeah, yeah, we're going to fight now. You can't let your mind get the better of you before you start. By the way, you don't seem to have enough men to do it.

　Tesfia quickly figured out who it was referring to.
　She wanted to act stout and say something back, but even if it was a false sense of urgency that she urged to somehow keep her mind occupied with anxiety as time loomed.

'Al will come....'

　The one who interrupted the voice that almost trembled with each word was Silsila, who instantly told Ail.

''Isle-sama, it seems we're just in time.
What?

　When Tesfia saw two shadows that appeared vigorously from the bushes a little farther away, she was aware of something that was building up.

'As expected, we're too far away.
'With all due respect, Al, it's not polite to be dressed like that.
Well, it's not an early opportunity to be immersed in a public bath.

　It's not only because of the high speed at which they arrived, but also because they hadn't changed clothes in two days, and Loki suggested just before the event that they should change somewhere else.
　On top of that, Ars and Loki had been living in the outside world in the field looking for a base of operations, so they were quite a distance away from each other.

　Ars untied his body as if to say that it was a good preparation exercise.

''Oops!
It's a good thing I arrived on time.

　Tesfia raised her voice without paying attention to the other eyes. However, as she approached, anxiety took precedence over anger, and she tapped her ear.

'You didn't even get to practice at all.'

　That's right, after returning from Rusalka to practice the strategy Ars proposed, we had planned to thoroughly adjust the timing and other aspects of the plan.

'It was going to be a crash course, but we'll make it work.

　While saying this, Ars shifts his gaze to his opponent who is here.

"You have finally arrived, Arus-dono. You can't start without the victor's goods,
Is that why the little man came all the way out here?
I don't think so. Lord Arth is having a hard time of it, so I will change my terms.

　It was Tesfia who revealed her anger at the sudden offer.

'That's a foul play now,'
''Well, well, this can't be helped because of the change in the situation that Lord Arus is in. And I'm not trying to change the rules.

　Ars asks blissfully calmly with his usual impure smile.

'Say it.'
If we win, Lord Arus will be taken into custody by the army.
I don't see why not.
Yeah, something like that.

　If he had captured a single wizard who had become a criminal, the credit would be great. The name of Umm Luyna would be even more roaring.
　It was hardly a surprise, as I had expected that's about it, for the most part.

''Eh!　Wait a minute....

　Tesfia, who let out a voice full of sorrow, interrupted the words to calm her mind for a moment. But since the time is imminent, Ars accepts with two replies.

　Ignoring Tesfia's objections.

''That's fine. If there's no more, why don't you quickly return to your own camp?'
Shh....

　Silsila was blindsided by this throwaway attitude as if it had happened sometime ago. Of course, before she could open her mouth, Ail interrupted her.

'I'll let you do that. We've done our business over here, so I'll see you when everything else is done.

　Smiling, Ail turned on his heel with a brilliant motion. At that moment, Silsila snapped and glared at him.

　When he was out of sight, Ars quickly turned to Selva for confirmation.
　Selva, who immediately guessed what it was trying to say, uttered the answer himself before being asked.

''All as we intended........''
So, how's Fear?
Huh?　Me?

　Tesfia pointed to herself in a sudden swing, and said stoutly.

'Of course it's perfect,'
So, Mr. Selva, what do you think?
Hey!　You should trust me!

　The objection of "I'm sorry," only reached Loki, who was a step away.

''The young lady is doing very well. However, time was limited, so...''
I'm sure. And if that happens, we'll have to rely on Fear's true value.
Of course we'll take care of it.

　The hands are a little more reserved as they beat their chests and so on.
　In fact, if everything goes according to plan, I can manage, but the reason it doesn't is because this isn't a simple game of strategy.

''Then I don't have much to say about it, do I?

　I separated the two, but the problem was still Ars himself. He couldn't help but listen to it.
　Selva had received a message from Froese to check it out.

'By the way, Lord Ars. You seem to be involved in a bit of trouble, but as for you........
Yeah, he's got you fooled.

　Selva saw a harvest in the dismayed answer. Yes, he had been asked to confirm the extent of his involvement in this incident.
　Both Froese and Selva didn't trust the news reports because they had guessed that that letter was the cause, but they also needed to hear it directly from his mouth.
　It was only a verbal exchange, but it was enough to convince Selva. Years of experience had led to a near-certainty of the decision. The decision of whether he was lying was really not made up.

''As soon as this is over, we'll settle [Kellies], but we'll have to dive for once.
If you need any help, your wife said to call on the Favell family whenever you need it.
Please tell him thank you. We're taking a few steps here as well.
Do I need to go easy on you?
No, I'll rely on you when I'm really in trouble.

　This conversation would not be possible for the time being. Selva decided that intuitively.
　If he didn't win over Tembram first, that would be the end of the relationship. Selva was also indirectly involved in this. He beat the drum without any evidence that he would surely win.


　It may not be because they are women to each other, but behind the scenes, Loki was making Loki's mouth sour in response to Tesfia.

''Please make sure you win.
You don't have to tell me.
In case we lose...

　You know the words that follow, don't you?　Something black is exuding from this. Tesfia, sensing it in the subtlety of a woman, nodded warily.

'Let me tell you, I wouldn't have to think about it if it was a second wife.
'What!　What?

　Loki blurted out, and Tesfia only picked up the word "wife" in her ear.
　Immediately after, he was lightly chopped on the head with a clunk, and Loki turned around in a hurry.

'Don't put any extra pressure on me.
I'm sorry. But that's the thing, Al.
Hmm?　Have you stopped dressing like Loki?

　Tesfia foolishly voiced a trivial question.
　In response, Loki sticks a smile of superiority on his face.

''Hmph, that's too bad. Don't think the two of you are the only ones who can call me by my nickname.''
Don't be brave.

　When he got the chop again, Loki stuck his tongue out happily, realizing that he had gotten too carried away.
　Loki saw Tesfia as a competitor even without being aware of it. They've even already entered into an engagement, albeit on paper.

''Forget about that, Loki, take care of that one.
Yes, sir.
Then, Fia, I can't attend, so I'll be watching from the bleachers.
Well, yeah...

　Selva moved her mouth slightly as she quietly came up behind Ars.

''Lord Ars, I've done all I can. I'll leave the rest to you.
Shouldn't you tell Fia that?
'Ho ho ho, this is a sore spot I wish you well...'
That's what I'm doing.

　Selva followed Loki's lead, "Both of you are cheering for me from the bleachers, too.

　It's time for Ars to get into position, but I still look at Tesfia to see if I should say something.
　She also fixed her gaze around Ars's chest in silence, as if she was expecting something.

　But after all, what you say now won't change, Ars said.

(Well, all right) and walked off with self-containment.

''Say something!

　Tesfia grabs Ars's shoulder as if to bash him, and she has an angry look on her face.
　But I still can't get rid of my anxiety in the game that chips away at my life.

The actuality that Al is also involved in some tremendous thing from Selva, I know, but, you know........even Alice and I can help in some way....
What, you've been worrying more about other people than yourself?

　The words of Tesfia that came out suddenly are the ones that I didn't have time to think about because I meant it. It's quite an embarrassing thing to say when you think about it.
　But that's exactly what it is now, Tesfia decided to reopen it. As usual, biting back here won't change anything.

'Of course not. It's not the worst thing I can think of for my fiancé to be a criminal.'

　She crossed her arms, turned her face away, and meditated. That was the best Tesfia could do. There was no way he could say this with his eyes.

''Well.... Don't worry though things seem to have gotten bigger. Isn't that persuasive?''

　Scratching her cheek, Tesfia opened one eye thinly, feeling a little guilty at the ever-weak words.

'Totally. But really... well, I can help you too and...'

　Before she can finish, a deco pin flies into the gap between her red hair and her forehead.

　'Ts~!　It's a very good idea to be able to have a good idea of what to do. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're going to do with it, because the reason is because Tesfaye raised her gaze to see Ars, who has a faraway look in her eyes.
　It's not that much of a pain in the forehead. Still, I was ashamed of myself for instantly understanding what this meant.
　It's probably an egotism to be able to help. Even if he meant it, he couldn't get the skills to follow his mind. Maybe it was because the other party was Ars, but I couldn't help but feel my own weakness.

　

''Someday........''

　Tesfia happily accepted that mere, ministerial reply.

(Someday. Yeah, it's not that far away. Someday, surely...)

　Even if he couldn't do it now, if he worked hard enough, he could get closer to Ars if he worked hard enough. I could honestly nod now that I could hear that from his mouth.

''Then I'd rather not have to spend my training time on this kind of plaything.
You've got some muscle. You're a different person.
That's a compliment, isn't it?
'Of course, you've grown up a bit on the inside, haven't you?
'Hmph, you might not even know you're a good-looking woman if you talk like that...'

　The words that came with the flow were spun to the end before I could withdraw them.
　My cheeks flushed at once as I realized what I had said.

'Are you going to get any more beautiful than that?
..........

　A momentary pause descends, but the seconds to start the match begin to fill the void.
　They were so engrossed in the conversation that they hadn't even checked out the members. Perhaps an announcement had been made, but it hadn't reached their ears at all.

'I was inadvertent.'

　A minute ago on the display, Ars hurriedly puts on the prepared armbands and communication device 《Consensor》. This restricts the magic and witchcraft of all but the designated positions. It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.
　I'm not going to be able to get to the top.

I'll be at the designated location in no time. You too, be ready.

　Saying that, he ran off to disappear without waiting for a response.

　Forty-five seconds before the start of the game, Tesfia's ears turned bright red at the words that wood spirit in her chest. Then she crouched down and writhed in agony over her heart, which was rising so high that it was hard to breathe.
　It wasn't until five seconds ago that she calmed down.