Felinella exchanged greetings with Kalia, a greeting that was not particularly friendly and took over from civility.
　Unfortunately, it's not quite a self-introduction for everyone, but Illumina, who is the deputy captain, lowers her eyes and replaces it with a greeting.

　Since the face-to-face meetings had been done once at the Association's headquarters, those who had never met before were not on the Second Magic Academy's side.

''By the way, Felinella-san, what do you think of this mission?''

　Unlike the sociable face she'd had earlier, Kalia showed a divine look only to Felinella and Illumina.
　The question made no sense to Felinella or Illumina.
　I'm not sure if this mission can even be called a mission, because the event is so arranged.
　Considering the location of the outside world, of course we shouldn't relax, and we shouldn't let our guard down.

　When it included the defeat of a demon, it could be called a mission, but the girls' perception was that it was an extracurricular lesson held last year, even an extension of it.

　To be frank, Ferrinella, who hadn't been able to grasp Kalia's true intentions, decided to answer honestly for the time being.

''It seems that the association also has a strong aspect of building a track record of cooperation with other countries. Naturally, the scarcity value of mithril is also high, so when the mission is completed, it will probably be reported to the countries with sensational headlines?

　This is a conversation I've had with Illumina and the troopers. The general idea would not be out of line.

　However, Kalia countered with just a "yes".
　Wasn't that the answer he had expected?

'What do you think, Kalia-san?　Would you mind telling us before we begin a full-scale investigation?
Yes, of course.

　Kalia casually makes sure that the troops of the First Academy of Magic - her own troops - don't listen, and then she opens her mouth.

''This mission is causing some opposition even within Rusalka. I'm sure they've given the association a more thorough request for investigation, rather than extreme opposition such as cancellation.
"--!　But I'm afraid that even at this stage you have an unusually large number of mages on your security detail.
Yes. But the findings about the interior of the deposit have divided the geologists.

　Of course, such arguments are hardly unanimous. Unless there are certain grounds and an extremely small number of supporters, it will be difficult to push the opposition through.
　If a decision is to be made somewhere, it has to be made on definitive grounds. If the association goes ahead and the countries approve it, then the opinions of the minority will be ignored. That said, the staffing would also take into account the concerns of the opposition.

　Right behind Kalia, Illumina blurted out a question.

'Kalia-san, did the opposition see the appointment of students as a problem? Are we talking about experience, such as the short duration of training?''
No, many of the opponents are academics who don't have a political following. That's expert knowledge. It's a little different in that the experts have focused on the types of monsters inside the deposit. They found one new species in the low rate.

　Felinella also came here to casually check if the extra man was listening in.

'This is the first time I've heard of a new species. But I'm sure they also explained to me beforehand that the other demons are common demons found in many countries as well.

　It is insufficient as a basis.
　Felinella felt that the claims that were considered oppositional should be rejected. These days, there were nearly dozens of reports of new species of demons a year. Considering the fact that it was inside the deposit, it's not surprising that a special demon was discovered.

''Of course, it's a new species, but unlike the high-rate and mutants, I heard they were defeated early.
Then again, it's not something that would be considered a problem...

　Illumina didn't have a good impression of Kalia's anxiety-inducing mannerisms as a solution to her pure doubts. Of course, she wouldn't have to let the rest of her peers hear about it.
　If it wasn't a demon that was objectively unmanageable for a student to handle, it was still weak compared to the significance of a student carrying out a mission.

'Of course, there are a few other things as well. 'Of course, there are a few other things as well, such as the geological survey, where the data is either inexplicable or partially inadequate. They also said that they couldn't hunt down all the demons, even if it was a preliminary survey, because they had to use students. However, when the survey was conducted a few days later, the number of monsters inside the deposit hadn't decreased at all, and in fact, the number had increased. Despite these mysterious phenomena, the opposition claimed that this new species in particular was the focus of their opposition.

　After confirming that the prospects are still bright and clear at the end of the single road, Felinella thinks about it. As Kalia says, the opposition's view of the mission itself as dangerous in the first place sounds, at worst, like a negative campaign.

　It's as if it's hard to see in what direction Kalia wants to take the conversation. She may be giving us only the facts, but this project was decided by the state. It is difficult to overturn unless there is a definite flaw.

　The association has not explained that to the students. It's not so much of a problem as it is a matter of judgement. In fact, I thought it was likely to cause unnecessary speculation, even for Ferrinella.

　Despite the skeptical looks on the faces of both Ferrinella and Illumina, Kalia continued.

It's not so much the association's side, it was a team of researchers from different countries who were assigned to investigate, but the increase in demons was dismissed with the assumption that there is another entrance to the interior of the deposit that we haven't been able to find.

　Illumina, who had become furious, interrupted to interrupt, as if rushing to a conclusion more than anything else.

I understand what you want to say, Kalia-san, but there will always be conflicting opinions. I understand what you are trying to say, Mr. Kalia, but there will always be conflicting opinions, and it is the association and the heads of state who will make decisions in such circumstances. As far as I'm concerned, I think it's only natural that they should dismiss it.

　It is nearly impossible to overturn the decision of the heads of the seven countries - the heads of state and government. If the opposition intensifies, they could be detained.

'Yes. Usually, yes...

　Kalia's way of saying it was also a troubling wind of how far she should tell him.
　Of course, if she told him this much, there was no way that Ferrinella, who was hypersensitive to what was going on behind the scenes, would not be able to notice it.

''Could it possibly have something to do with the addition of Kalia-san to this mission?
'It's not irrelevant. Of course, I'm sure I asked for it, partly because I'm aware of my own inability to do so. I didn't think they would actually give me permission, though. It's also a good opportunity, and I wanted to gain some experience before I went out into the world in earnest.

　It was correct that Kalia had strongly requested this, but it wasn't enough. If that was all there was to it, it was even less likely to be something to do in the middle of a mission.
　Heartlessly, Kalia closed the distance between her and Felinella.

''I'd appreciate it if you don't mention it because it's a matter of inter-state credibility... but the reason the opposition to Rusalka has become so vocal is also triggered by the alarm bells sounded by Jean-sama.
"--!

　A tense atmosphere enveloped the three of them in an instant.
　Felinella and Illumina suppressed their astonishment without saying it aloud. The story up to this point was at once more believable. If the current single wizard, Jean Rumbles, was named in the opposition, even Illumina could not kick it off.

　And it was now clear why Kalia, an alumnus, had decided to participate in this mission.
　Felinella would put the story so far in perspective. The Association's consideration was probably because Jean's name had come up. Of course, given that it still wasn't overturned, even Jean couldn't provide a clear rationale.

''In other words, does that mean that Kalia-san was given a secret mission by Jean-sama?

　Felinella's question suggested the possibility of raising the difficulty of this mission itself.
　However, Kalia twisted her head vaguely.

''It's not that big of a deal. Master Jean isn't an expert either, so it seems he's just expressing his opinion. I'm sure you're not the only one who has a goal to retake, and Master Jean has been busy with that. He didn't think that he would be the first one to oppose it. That's why the First Academy of Magic sent me to you.


　Felinella responded to Illumina's expectations with a nod.
　Two girls had joined the Fifth Wizarding Academy as members, she knew they were not just anyone, and she didn't feel as if they were timid, even though they were from the outside world.

''You're Balmes's treasured children, the Lea-Mare sisters, aren't you?
Do you know Mr. Kalia?
He was at the last meeting. They were ranked 120th. The twins are considered one of Balmes' few assets. It's safe to assume that these girls are part of the insurance package. In the unlikely event that a student dies, the association is going to lose credibility and people are going to start asking for changes to the operation. That's why each country is trying to reinforce their war potential to prevent more deaths than the success of their missions.

　If that's the case, it's a bit unnatural. If a wizard as good as Jean rang the alarm bell, no matter how much it was within the country of Rusalka, the association would have a hard time finding a way to stop it. You can't ignore it, even for a head of state.

''Then, to begin with, this mission may be difficult for students...''
That's the point of contention. Master Jean's evidence is based on hunches of experience. It is only wizards who care about it. In fact, each country's reexamination has presented arguments that can only be dismissed. However, Master Jean even said that if he had encountered one, he would pay the utmost attention to it. And.....

　Heartless Felinella's stride narrowed as if she was hesitant to move on.

　Jean himself had also said that the hunch might be unfounded. So the opposition's suggestion was considered a sufficient reexamination.

　Kalia would deliver the lines he had heard directly from Jean. Then the words that follow are important to Felinella and Illumina that they need to hear. Missions in the outside world are sometimes life-saving because of the advice cultivated by those with experience. A mission that has already begun cannot be turned back by the winds of cowardice.

　And? And Felinella ruminates as if urging her to go on.

'I'm sure Master Jean would make the same kind of decision, even if it was Lady Ars.
Mr. Ars....

　The name of a person whose thoughts naturally come to mind. Now, as the pinnacle of magicians, that name turns into something that weighs more heavily than anything else.
　This mission might require more vigilance than she had imagined. Once again, Felinella braced herself.

　If only it was just a hunch. But a mage who has been achieving results and surviving in the outside world for many years can smell such minor discomfort.

'So be careful enough, Felinella. It's best to pull out of this mission when you've done some research. And if possible, join up with the other units.
Thank you for coming all the way. But why did you tell us only about it?
'Of course, because you're thinking of us as a team of seven troops, one team. We have to help each other if anything happens. Above all, you're used to fighting and you don't need me to tell you how good you are.
Yes, that means you can move.

　He expected Ferinella to be resourceful in the event of an emergency as well as his own troops. He was judged to be a mage who could do that. In fact, Felinella was also worried about the other troops, and the overall movement of the troops.
　The alarm bells that Jean had sounded would no doubt be made known to Leah Mair. The other troops would not have been told to avoid unnecessary confusion. The only troops that had the power to move for the other troops and could afford it at this stage were the First Magical Academy, the Second Magical Academy, and the Fifth Magical Academy.


　The first fork in the road in front of the three of them, the trigeminal fork in the road, comes into view.
　This was also known beforehand. If we are going to use the word "real", then this is where we are going to start.

　A damp wind blew in like a push to my back, and the fear of the unknown sticks to my body from deep in the passage.
　Then a strange voice, like an earth-shaking noise, came out of nowhere from deep in the deposit. It was accompanied by a sound that sounded like a creature of some sort, not a spontaneous echo.

　It sounded like a mixture of multiple sounds, both threatening and communicative, as if they were being communicated between their own kind.
　Voices that made me feel uncomfortable.
　There is only one thing that exists in the deposit.

''You're a [demon].''

　Felinella, who assures me, receives a nod of agreement.
　Without the need to unfold a map, each unit heads for the route they had decided on in advance.

Ferinella, I didn't mean to scare you. Let's complete the mission safely.
No, I'm glad to hear it. Good luck to you, Mr. Kalia.

　There was no sign of enthusiasm on Felinella's face; on the contrary, it was a neat and grateful bow.