It took us two hours to swing in the magic car.
　After all, it would have been faster to use the Transition Gate 《Circle Port》, and if anything, it would have reduced the time even if we had run towards it in preparation.

　Even so, the magic car driven by Lynne maintained a speed that was not commensurate with its performance, and passed through the wealthy area faster than expected.

　It was a good thing that the magic car was not very popular in general due to its high price, so she pushed forward at full speed on the rickety national road.
　It's true that if you make full use of her eyes, you can avoid accidents, but that's probably not a good reason to increase your speed. Linne was stamping on the pedal in a tone that seemed to be humming.

　Ars and Loki are sitting back down near the doors on both sides to make sure that even if an accident were to occur, it would be safe. If something happened, they were going to just jump out of the car.

　Despite such worries, the magic car stopped in front of the transition gate to cross the lake from the wealthy, pulling the braking distance long enough to stop.
　Neither Ars nor Loki would ever ride in a magic car driven by Rinne again. That's how exhausted they were.

''I'm sorry. I drove a little too roughly.''

　With a light bow of her head with a peck, Lynne's face is filled with a sense of clarity and accomplishment, as if she's just relieved herself of stress. The right amount of tension gets her adrenaline pumping, and she smiles wickedly with her upturned, reddish cheeks.

　Immediately, they passed through the transition gate and crossed the lake in an instant, where the carriage was waiting, just as it had been at the previous meeting. In their current state, neither Ars nor Loki could ever bring themselves to run to the old castle where the meeting would take place.

　After dropping them off at first to the land where the Tower of Babel stands, Lynne quickly returned to Cicernias for a pick-up and drop-off.
　The hoofs of the horse you are running shook the cabin with a clatter.



　Being alone with them, Loki opened his mouth to gather information. It's not often that you can see the Tower of Babel at such a close distance, but Loki has visited Babel before with Ars. To be honest, if you get this close, all you can see is the curved white exterior wall, and no matter how much you look up at the top, you can't even measure the exact height of the top, etc. from here. The only thing I can say is that it's a huge tower.

It's a chalk castle. It is said that it was built by the royal family in this place that is said to be Alpha in the past. Nowadays, it has no owner and is used for meetings as it is the closest thing to Babel. I've heard that the governors and the servants who serve the old castle were also servants who originally served the old castle, although the generations changed. The name of the castle was 【Baral】, I think. Even so, it was rebuilt once. That's where the seven nations first signed the [Seven Nations Co-War Pact].
It's kind of a stuffy name nonetheless.
'It was originally a Babel that was more akin to a research facility. Maybe it was intended as camouflage for that... no.

　Suddenly, Ars squinted his eyes with a thoughtful face in his usual bad habit. If one thinks of the construction of Babel in terms of time, if one considers that the construction of Babel was almost simultaneous with the outbreak of the demons, then at that time [Barral Castle] should have been built a long time ago. From the word "royalty", Ars mistakenly thought that it was at most a century, and even if there was an error, that was about it.

　Seeing such an expression on Ars's face, Loki's mouth softens with a huff.
　In a matter of seconds, Ars turned to Loki with a face that seemed to have reached a solution.

''I see. Although it's a speculation, it seems likely that [Barral Castle] was originally built as Babel.
--!
This tower of Babel next to us now may have been built as camouflage in the first place. I'm sure the people gathered around the Tower of Babel as a flag for the outbreak of demons. The counterfeit has been replaced by the real thing now?

　It's now reinforced with multiple layers of solid exterior walls, which has made it so huge.
　Maybe this isn't the most important story of all. Yes, maybe it's not the most recent crisis or something that will change history. Babel now gives people respite by standing there as it is now.
　I suppose there is no point in revealing it, even if it is a lie.

　Not all truth is justified. If this is the case, then sometimes a lie can be justified.

　It's not just a matter of time before you get to the point where you'll be able to get your hands on it. It is also a conclusion that can only be reached by a very few, like Ars, who has freed Babel.

　He is a researcher and a seeker after all, Loki thought again. This may have been the first time he had ever seen Ars look so happy. His face that he was able to know a number of things.

　Loki was even happy that he didn't know everything yet.......yet. His expression of happiness like a student who scored a hundred on a test was appropriate for his age, and he couldn't think for a minute that he was about to head to a place where the world's top leaders would gather.
　I noticed that Loki's heart lightened, and instead of being convinced or deepening the discussion, he countered with a really calm expression.

　Then, at the right moment, the carriage came to a halt and the sound of the horse's neighbours could be heard flickering. After the Gosha's knock, the door slowly opened and a ramp was attached underfoot.
　The chalk tower in front of us, the area was strangely white and bright due to the Babel.

　For a moment, Ars furrowed his brow at the odd sight of all the servants welcoming him to the old castle. There are other attendees in this place, but none of them can get close to the magnificent rows of servants developing on both sides.

　Faintly throbbing human voices sprang up like swimming in a cold wind.

　-- as expected of an academy.........

　Even though there was an earlier incident, my feelings towards Ars are still mixed. It may be that praise without any of the things that are included and without mixed feelings is not possible here.
　It's not that there are any plans or schemes, but those gathered here today are undeniably strong. It's a fact that they are fierce men who have gone through all sorts of shenanigans, not just in terms of their magical skills.

　Even if the association functions, each country has its own agenda and plans. In the end, regardless of the country or individual, there will always be interests intervening. Those who have been weighing up their own lives are not looking for hostility, but are trying to find out what's inside of them as individuals.

　Even if you are able to notice such a gaze, even Ars doesn't know how to deal with it. In terms of territory, the aristocracy is exactly the perfect playing field.

　I'm not sure I'm going to be able to say that I'm not going to be able to do anything about it.


''As expected, there are a lot of people here.''

　Loki, who walked next to Ars at a distance that he couldn't hear, said this with only his consciousness tilted.

''Ah, it's as good as a ceremony. The attendance of one country isn't that much, but the military and national executive class must be coming. That's seven countries, seven times as many, and it's probably still going to increase.''

　Huh~ I hope it doesn't become troublesome, but Ars lets out a sigh as if even such a sigh is troublesome.

　The guest of honor this time is a new magician who is also a single.

　Then they are sent to their respective rooms, and a few servants, consisting solely of women, help them change their clothes.
　There was nothing that they couldn't wear alone, and in Ars's case, she declined, but ended up letting them help her in places. If it was as an alpha single, it would have been fine to wear military uniforms, but this time, since he was coming as a representative of the association, there were no rules for formal attire.

　After changing in about five minutes, Ars remained in the room as it was, as Loki's would take a little longer. He pours a cup of water from the jug down his throat.

　Gradually, people are gathering, and the outside seems to be getting noisier than before.
　As a sense of probing, Ars sharpened his nerves, closing his eyes and expanding his vision (...). He grasps the three-dimensional silhouettes that are constructed in his brain, the magical wavelengths they possess.

　-- There are quite a few guards outside. And they are all skilled?

　A moment later, a wavelength that is in tune with Ars's senses, as if it were tracing back to them.

"Oh, you notice.

　The detection method used by Ars is a type of unsystematic magic that only he can handle. Hence, it is also a different power than magic power. It's also a good idea to make sure that you have the right information for the job. However, this is also good and bad, and the opponent cannot detect it. It's not the same as Loki's magic sonar, because it's not a detection method for measuring magic power.
　And it's not even like Linne's magic eye, which is actually visible to the eye.

　Ars opens his eyes thinly in frank surprise.
　There's no hostility, there's an atmosphere as if the other party felt that they were being probed and therefore probed back for their source.

　Such a brilliant reverse detection is not possible for an ordinary magician. This is the reaction of a person who makes a living out of detection on a daily basis.

　--I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this. It's a hassle, but it doesn't seem to be boring.

　The hint of detection dissipates nicely as soon as Ars unravels it. He must really have no other intentions. It seemed to be good to think that it was just a degree of probing back from the signs of being probed.

　The corner of his mouth lifted slightly as Ars's thoughts switched just as a knock sounded in the room.

It's a good thing that you're able to have a good time with your companion," said a woman's voice, who is probably a servant, through the door, "Come in," and gave her permission to enter.
　The door opens with a small sound of creaking hinges.