Back in Ivalice, the late heads of the Seventh and Fifth Legions had gathered.
　They were the witch Sephiro and the cyclops Uruk.

　The witch Cephiro, who knows everything about my town and my mansion, had come into my mansion and was getting drunk with my maidservants preparing drinks for him.

　On the other hand, Uruk, on the other hand, has a sense of propriety.

　His huge frame doesn't fit into my compound either, so we set up camp on the outskirts of Ivalice, where we camped out.

　The Jiron guy is unusually thoughtful, offering Uruk some drinks and food.

　On the other hand, he doesn't need to do anything to Cephiro, and seems to allow him to do whatever he wants.

　It's a wise decision.
　Cephiro is not a tyrant, but when he is drunk, he has a bad handle.

　He still can't seem to remember Giron's face either, and if he were to rough it up in front of him, he would be a roast pork.

　I spoke to Cephiro with that thought in mind.

　She asked as she drank the wine straight from the bottle, rather than pouring it into her hand.

'Here, Commander of the Eighth Legion, ruler of Ivalice. Where have you been all this time?

　He didn't seem angry because of his playful tone, but he was suspicious. That I wasn't in Ivalice at this crucial time.

　I wasn't sure if I should tell her the details, but in the end I decided to tell her the details.

　I have Sati prepare some nibbles to keep her sober. Because putting alcohol on an empty stomach makes you feel bad.

'Shikashi,'

　After saying just a few words, she brought an assortment of salami and sausages from the kitchen. It is a popular snack in this other world.

　I told her that I was about to be assassinated and that I had met the assassin's brother.

　Cephiro was taken aback when he heard these words.

It's really hard to understand why you are so naive.

I don't usually have much of a sweet tooth.

And don't joke about it.

I'm aware of that.

I want you to be better than this, if you're going to be aware. Letting an assassin go free?　What if he attacks again?

'She didn't attack me, and she's been the messenger.

'I'm not so sure about meeting with e-Redre. If he had tried to capture or assassinate you, you wouldn't even be able to eat the salami that Sati has just prepared for you.
Then I'll have the cheese.

　Cephiro raised his eyebrows, a rare occurrence when he made a light comment. Apparently, there is no time for teasing. Then I too had no choice but to answer seriously.

''The man called E. Rudre is not a man who would do such a cowardly trick. That's why I felt relieved. And I advised him to defect to the Demon King's army...''

It didn't work. So that's it.

Unfortunately,

Well, that's just as well. As far as I can tell, you and the man are very similar. You won't betray the Demon King's army to the end, and he won't betray the Kingdom of Phallus to the end. No matter how much they neglect you.

It was like that.

"Then I shall have no choice but to part company with him and let him be the first to cross the line.

　Sephiro asserts.
　As expected of a demon race. There is not even the slightest hesitation.

''..........''

You know that, that's why you're looking so unhappy. You really are a spoiled brat.

　Sephiro let out a sigh and continued.

'It is the fault of my friend, the guardian of the abyss, Ronberg, that I raised you that way, but it is also the mistress' fault for not advising you of this. So, for once, I can bear that burden for you.

What do you mean?

This means that the battle to be held in two months' time can be led by a mistress instead of you. That would lessen your remorse.

Well I see, that's one way to do it.

　I blurt it out, but respectfully decline.

'Why, you don't want to kill this man, E. Rudre. That's why you're bothered.

"Indeed, when I met E. Redondole, I sensed a real rapport between us. It's a strange feeling, meeting him for the first time, but I felt as if we had fought together for many years.

"Then my mistress...

　I won't let the witch utter a word until the end.

'That's why I want to fight the battle myself. Only this time, I might be able to leave the command to others and make it easier. But even if that gives me a temporary reprieve from my guilt, I will regret it for the rest of my life.

　'Besides,' I continue.

'This is the sad part of being a soldier, a tactician, but it's a strange exaltation to fight an errand boy as brilliant as E. Rudre. If that role were to be taken away from you by someone else, that would be a disappointment.

Not just for you, but for them as well.

　Sephiro assured me, but I nodded my head in my mind.

　I was used to being shouted at as a demon and a murderer by the enemy army, but I couldn't bear to be thought of as a coward by a respected enemy general.

'So you will command it yourself, won't you?

　Cephiro asked for confirmation. I nod silently.

　For a few moments, Cephiro looks into my eyes through his mask, but after a moment, he lets out a sigh, "Huh....

I'm sure you'll find it hard to believe that this is why men are so hard to deal with. You can find a single flower in such a barren act as war.

And the Commander likes research, drinking, and interesting things more than war.

'Yes. So hurry up and end this war and return my mistress to the mad alchemist (mad scientist) she was.

　Sephiro assured him and then cast a spell.
　'It looks like I'm going to contact Uruk on the outskirts of Ivalice.
　She asked in an easygoing tone of voice.

'There's been a change of plans. It's a good idea to have a good time with the people who are in charge," she said. We will come under his command.

　When Cephiro said that, Uruk seemed to agree with him.

　Is it because of Cephiro's humanity? Or is it because of my achievements?

　I've been given the word by the king of the world that I am to be intercepted by three people, so it was only natural for me to take on the task, but I didn't expect Uruk to give me the command easily.

　Maybe Cephiro had convinced him in advance and was laying the groundwork for the project.

　That's what I thought, but I didn't say it.
　Even if I asked, she would have put one finger to her bright red lips and said something like this.


'It's a secret,'


　And--.

　She has a theory that the more secrets a damsel has, the more attractive she becomes.

　Regardless of whether she is a maiden or not, she has a habit of being talkative, but she doesn't talk about the important things.

　That was the woman called Sephiro, the Witch of the Black Peril.