Perhaps because it was just lunchtime, even in this industrial city [Fallen], there are so many people coming and going that they are blocking your view.
　You'll find a scent that smells like oil from everywhere. However, from Ars, this scent is also quite familiar.

　I'm not sure I'll ever be able to find a way to make it work. It's a good thing that we're not just talking about the same thing. However, the amount of mass-produced products in circulation is small, and they receive orders individually from all over the country by high-ranking magicians.

　At this time, there is still no sound of hammering, and everyone is probably having lunch or something.

　Even so, on the main street that runs to divide 【Fallen】, artisanal men and vendors are advertising on the eaves of the street.

　When entering the 【Fallen】 from the military via the transition gate, the main street spreads out directly in front of you, and there are only transition gates at both ends of this main street.
　Ars immediately broadened his vision to try to find the person he was looking for. However, with such a dense population density, it's difficult to find a single person in Ars's field of view, which is projected as a silhouette, compared to the individual differences in the demons, how effective it is.

　If this is called a handiwork, then the story would be different again. However, in terms of magic power, Cicernia could be inferior to even the academy students.

''Let's go for starters........''

　It was just before I expanded my horizons and sharpened my nerves that I overflowed with that, and there was a strange crowd of people in front of the store.

　I managed to make my way through the crowd and found myself eye to eye with a woman who was being entertained by a low-slung clerk.
　I had a bad feeling about this. I had a bad feeling about this, because the voice that jumped into my ears in the crowd was extraordinary.

　The many voices that could be taken as excitement or praise.
　All of them touched on the woman's appearance.

'Oh, it's late, Ars!

　The crowd instantly cracked open at the woman who raised her hand so. It can't be helped if the name of the man who had been scratching the head of the public conversation not long ago comes up.
　And there are very few moguls in this city who do not know Ars.

''Doh, Ars-san!
Hey, look, Mr. Ars is back.
Hey, get out of the way, you a**h*les - your husband is back!

　In the blink of an eye, the strong men of the technicians threw laborious words at Ars, and some even made their eyes moisten.
　Who would want to see big men rubbing their eyes in broad daylight?
　However, I can't be evil. I've known them a long time.

　But there was no time to spare, and Ars told the beaten back, "I'll be back again, so give me a break today.

　And the men lifted their cheeks as if they had figured something out. It's easy to see that when you look at the immensely beautiful woman in front of you.
　However, the men opened their eyes to the woman and gradually changed their complexion to the limit, and the wild look on their faces gradually made their blood boil with wariness.

　If you live in this country, there is no way you wouldn't know about it.


　She usually lets her long black hair fall down, but today it was tied in two around her chest and hanging in front of her. It was supposed to be straight to the ends, but today the ends are curled, as if to indicate her current condition.
　Her bangs are neatly trimmed at the top of her eyebrows. Each part is beautiful, and the contours that wrap around it harmonize. It's the former head of the Alpha, Cicerunia, who is overwhelmingly popular.

　However, she was dressed in a casual outfit that was rarely seen on a daily basis. The black-based dress was off-the-shoulder, with removable detached sleeves that hid the skin from the elbows and beyond.


　Even Ars was momentarily baffled by the outfit.
　But ignoring Ars and his fawning surroundings, Cicernia tapped the floor with her high heels and ran off with Ars's hand in tow.

''I'm going before they make a scene..............Cah!

　Shortly after leaving the crowd, he stumbled due to the unfamiliar heels. This time Ars pulled his slender hand back and put his hands around his waist for support.

'It's what you're not used to,'

　For some reason, there's an ooh-boom.
　It's a good thing that I was able to prevent him from falling over, but his body is slightly sensationalized and close to me.

'What, it's good to have a good time sometimes.
'Then why don't you just give up and stop running?　You're used to being seen.
'Not that it matters, but oh well. Of course you'll be escorting me, I'm sure.
I don't suppose you can count on me?
Huh ... that's true.

　Cicernia wakes up and they start walking. It's exhilarating to see the main street split in half, but it's not exactly quiet.

'Anyway, Ars, how about this?'

　Cicernia spins dexterously as she walks and flips the hem of her dress.

'Do you ask me, but it seems that if you ask me for taste, you'll get hurt. That's right, I think it looks good on you. You can't really imagine that you are dressed like that,
You don't have any friends.
Isn't that mutual?
I've heard that young people these days like to wear this kind of stuff.
I'm not a fan of trends...
That's a lack of study...

　Ars turns a cold eye on her, but she doesn't take it in stride and flits her gaze around like a country boy.

''I wonder how many years it's been since I've seen it, but looking at it like this, [Fallen] is a nice place too.
If that's clear to you, Master Cicerunia will have a lot to talk about with the men here.

　Cisernia clicks her heels with a cutlass and folds her hands behind her back as if she were floating.
　Of course, although she doesn't talk about it, the destination is the [Tower of Babel]. I guess she knows that, and the silence that has descended between the two of us in this kind of afternoon makes me feel somewhat uncomfortable.

　However, it seemed that Ars was the only one who felt it.

'You're in trouble, Lithia-san. This city where everyone can laugh and explore as much as they want seems to be a symbol of Alpha. It's because of you that Alpha is what it is now.
..........

　Ars walks next to her, maintaining his pace and listening. He seems to be groping to find his own cut.
　For a woman who is thoughtful, her mouth feels very slippery. No, perhaps she doesn't have a thoughtful mind. It's just the clearest way of expressing one's mind. That's why my mouth hesitates for a moment to put it into words.

　It's not just Ars who has carried a lot of things on her shoulders. She has a responsibility that only she can understand. The weight of this is also something that only she can know.

"Hey, Ars. What do you think is the key to Alpha's lack of alpha?
Is that the idea that you see as the way of the country, Lady Cicernian?
I suppose you could interpret it that way.
So you don't understand.
'I know. I, you know...I know it would be an exaggeration to call this little box a utopia, but yes, I've decided to eliminate the threat.

　Once she reiterated, she paced and spat out.
　Ars reminded herself that she understood. And also that they didn't really bite.
　He had always despised the threat of demons, relatively speaking, whether in other countries or not. No, it had to be done. If we translate the restoration of human nature as peace and tranquility, the demons that prey on humans must be put down. That would lead to the maintenance of order. It is only unnecessary for the activities that we want.

　Even if they turned away.

　Ars once described the country as having lost its peace. He said that it had eliminated all threats to him as the first place and had significantly reduced his sense of urgency.

　But that was the one goal set by Bellic and the Cicernian above him. The idea of completely separating the outside world from the inside. It is said that peace is built on sacrifice, but the right or wrong of hiding even this is up to the individual.
　More to the point, this is one of the guiding principles handed down by the previous heads of state. Maybe this is the karma of the Ahrzeit family. It's something that can be called a sin.

　Of course, Ars doesn't think that's a good thing. But it seems that Cicernian saw it as a necessity in order to run a country.

　Cicernia, who read Ars's expression, overflows with some regret.

'I know, I know. That's not the same as prosperity.''
'No, not really. I thought Lady Cicernia was a bit more ruthless than that.
Well that's a hard thing to hear.

　Ars put up [Silent Veil]. It was because he decided that it was not good for others to hear from here.

''But you kept the horrible past away.
Yeah. I didn't know what to do with it and that's why I put it on hold. I've left it up to you. That's a shameful story for a head of state.

　Somewhat disappointed in herself, she flicked her gaze away from her once, bringing the huge tower into view. And then quickly cast a shade that couldn't be hidden underneath her cropped bangs.

''I'm sorry...''

　Ars lightly listened to the words that leaked out as if they were the first time they had been uttered. It was all known.
　Most of all, with a weak shoulder like hers, there is only so much you can hold.