Kotori and Kawachi were surrendered.
　This was a workshop, not a glamorous room.
　An all-white oddity that didn't look like it was there.

　Amadeus, as if to cut off both the feelings Kotori and Kawachi had the moment they saw the figure - the desire that the guards would come running in immediately - the first words were spoken by Amadeus.

''You........''

　The little bird choked as she tried to speak, unable to relax.

'Stop wasting your time.

　Meanwhile, Kawachi was casually sneaking a hand behind her back to retrieve the straight sword that the little bird had just forged on the table behind her.
　Amadeus noticed and was careful.

　Amadeus was watching the tense expressions on the two men's faces.
　Then, after a moment of silence, he sighed and began to speak.

'Why are you in the Empire, etc.?'

　They didn't reply, either out of fear or confusion, but just kept their eyes fixed on it.

'This is the land of the Rickman clan and their stupid beastmen. This is no place for you brave men.

　As if to realize in a caged voice, Amadeus spoke, listening to the two men's expressions in turn.

'Who are you?　Why are you here?

　It was Kawachi who opened his mouth first.

'You can talk to him, but first put that sword on your back back back on the table. I told you to stop wasting your time.

　Perhaps Kawachi didn't know that the words he had just said were to him, or perhaps he was so upset and nervous that he hadn't heard his voice, but his eyes widened with a look that was now a figurehead, and he put his sword on the table.

'If you guys hadn't made such a fuss, no one would know the fact that I had contact with you. Funny tricks are a waste of time and lead to one of your options being eliminated. I will ask again, why do you stay in a country like this, even though you are brave?　According to the demonic communication, you have decided to go to this country yourselves. It must not be a lie since several students answered that. Then why did you act like that?　Have you not considered the implications of your actions?

　Gradually Amadeus's tone became preachy.

'It's none of your business. For that matter, what are you?　What are you doing here....

　From the side where he said that, Kawachi noticed.

''You kidnapped the White Cat Tribe, didn't you?''
'Reclaimed, or saved, would be more accurate. My people, who were held in the basement, were not bathed, their bodies were dirty, and they were not fed properly. Some of the beastmen were still very young. Uranos brought them in to block the Beast King's actions, the White Cat Tribe... some of them didn't make it...

　Amadeus' voice was sad, and his appearance again gave them an eerie impression.

'I'm going to kill them on the spur of the moment, no ... the empire is going to die today.

　The little bird took a faint step back.

'Perishing, no way.'

　Kawachi gave a nervous but bitter smile.

'My people are waiting outside the defensive walls. With a single instruction from me, they will launch an assault on the Empire. If you get involved, your lives will be lost.''
'Oh no... that's ridiculous, are you kidding me?　This is the Empire, okay?　You can't destroy an empire........................Durmscales is the most powerful and largest country in this world. I don't know who or what it is, but I can't.
'I see ... and you're here knowing that. Are you one of them?
Eh....

　The little bird looked at Amadeus and looked away.

'Do not be frightened. I have no intention of harming you. It's just that in the midst of the strife, you won't be able to save what you can, so I've come to suggest that I can get you out of here.
What? ...and let him go?　Why would you do that?

　Kawachi couldn't help but take a bite out of it.

'You're a feisty woman you don't seem to understand things. I hope those red-buttoned glasses are not a decoration and I'll tell you, but simply, are you guys happy to be in this country?
Shhhh...

　Kawachi stopped speaking, showing a faintly dumbfounded expression, and then showed irritation.

'How about you, are you happy to be here?　Why are you here?　If I hadn't come to a place like this, I would be enjoying school life with my friends at Fischanatika right now. The possibilities, the future, would have opened up to a number of possibilities after graduation. But there are only two futures here.
Two futures?

　The little bird finally opened her mouth to ask.

'- Destroy or be destroyed. But as soon as you make war on a thing like the world, it will eventually come to an end. But that's the story of the empire. What about your future? I wonder what the future holds for you...

　Amadeus dared to shut up and make a pause and let them both think.

'The soldiers are warriors, all beastmen. Most of the captain's rank are former beast nation guards. The rest have been recruited from somewhere. Some of them have no rank. Do you understand?　This is just an improvised unit that I could easily prepare. I don't know how many of them are still running around looking for me in response to the ringing of these bells that continue to echo, and I'm not interested in how many of them are loyal to this country or what they are here in return, but after they are destroyed, they will, as the name implies, become nothing more than beasts. So let's turn around and talk about your future. Either you will die on the battlefield, or you will be a prisoner of the enemy and your life will be worse than death, or your country will be destroyed and you will be the plaything of those outside who have turned into outlaws and your life will still be worse than death.
'So why is it assumed that the empire will fall? How can this country be destroyed?
'Do you really think the world can be taken by such a weak nation?　You people of other worlds think so because you don't know this world. There are demons and dragons, and powerful organizations such as the Dragon's Heart. There is a powerful organization called the Dragon's Heart. In the eyes of the public, you brave men are a threat. The Eight Great Powers now have only four more, but there are still four left. If this size were to attack the empire at once, the country would be turned to dust. Will this country be turned to dust?
You're f*cked up. You don't even dress like that.
'I'm not arguing with you. I am only teaching you. You are too narrow-minded and ignorant to see. That is the scale of the war the Empire is planning in the first place.
'But then, the Empire....like they're not going to win...'

　The little birdie said fearfully.

'That's what I mean. Uranos had no intention of winning from the beginning. I don't know what his intentions were, but he never once used the word "win" to describe his intentions. He just wants to lead the world into chaos. And that's what he wants, but before he does, you will be caught in the middle of it all and you will die.

　At that time, the situation outside became even more noisy.
　The sound of bells that had only been faintly echoing began to echo more than one at a time, and the number of footsteps, the sound of armor rubbing against each other, and the voices of the orders began to increase.
　Kawachi hurriedly checked out of the window, where the plants in the flowerbed were obstructing his view, to see what was going on outside.
　The little bird was quiet, not moving from its spot just to watch its back.

''I gave instructions to all my brethren just now. By now, the castle town will be filled with beastman's blood...........I'm unwilling to do so, but it can't be helped.
'Reluctantly... what's the reluctance?　You are....

　Kawachi was skeptical enough to look for an opening to escape while listening to the story.
　But from the outside, he couldn't help but believe it.

'There are things that students should do. I couldn't do it, but not you guys. If you want, I can send you to Fischanatika. In the eyes of the public, you have been kidnapped, and the school will protect you generously.
Mr. Amadeus do you feel that you should....?

　The little bird called out his name, as if he knew the Jishi's bloodline.
　Amadeus didn't seem particularly puzzled by that.
　It wasn't that the information about the Jishi's bloodline and Ankh Amadeus had never been published in the Demonic Communication before.
　It wasn't surprising that the little bird knew the story.

''It's no use, Mr. Saijo. A person like that would never say anything like that to go back for a decent reason. There's something about that person that makes him or her have to be in some kind of situation.
What about it?　Should I go back?
'Maybe I should go back. At least we shouldn't be here.

　For some reason, the little bird continued to stare at Amadeus' mask for a while, and then opened her mouth.

''Then I'll stay here...''
What did you say?
....
Do you know what you're talking about?
"I don't believe a word that comes from a man who can't even show his face...
....

　The little birdie didn't answer any further.

''Well...''

　And Amadeus didn't try to question him either.

''Mr. Saijo, do we go too?''
But you're not to leave.
'You said that, but...'

　The two of them began to talk about something while Amadeus let out a black vortex in its place.
　Their conversation stopped at the sight of it.

'I didn't wish you luck. I only suggested it. And this is your decision....''

　With that, Amadeus disappeared into the vortex.

'I wonder if this is part of your charity work.

　Kawachi spat condescendingly.

'No, I'm not. There's something wrong with him having me here.
What does that mean?
'Come on. I ... I don't know what he's thinking.
"He's a...

　The first thing that comes to mind is the fact that it's always the same thing, so Kawachi looked at her as if she were looking at a boil and didn't pursue it any further.



o.



　It was not long before Amadeus appeared before Kotori and Kawachi.
　The door to the hall where the emperor sat suddenly opened and the figure of the warrior chief, Gazelle Crown, appeared there.
　At the sight of him, the wayward Uranos, who was in the hall, and his son, the second son, Lage, and the third son, Jade, all turned around at once.

　The figure of the lion beastman, Gazelle, was huge, and Jade Gyges snickered at the hurried way in which he seemed to breathe on his shoulder.

You're not going to be able to get away with it. What's the matter with you in such a hurry?
"Master Jade, this is no time for jokes.

　Gazelle calmed her breath.

'What do you want?'

　Uranos on the throne asked quietly.

'I have summoned my troops, and we are already searching for them, but the white cat tribe we had captured in the basement has disappeared.

　Uranos' eyes settled.

''What...?''
Not only that, but all the beastmen who should have been in the prison are nowhere to be found.

　Uranos held his head in his hands as he rested his elbows on the armrests of his throne to show his exhaustion.

'My son just got home...'
"Father, what is the White Cat People?

　Multiple decorations lit by candlelight.
　The hall, lit only by them, is dimly lit.
　The voice came from behind one of the pillars, but I could see a figure leaning against it, but I couldn't see its face.

'They are those who do not follow me, brought from the Beast Country. They were held as hostages to subdue the Beast King.
Well....
What are you thinking about?
I don't think we have people who are infiltrating the Empire. I think you have a secret agent among your people.
Maybe.
I wonder if it was that human who brought us from Ficianatica.

　It was Lage Cottes who answered.

'Was it true that you had taken the brave men of Greberg?

　Another voice came from behind a pillar.

'We needed a senior blacksmith.
I can't be of any use to you, sir.
"It's not about winning. It's to get them to take on the enemy. And it's also for staging.
It can't be them, because there is no trace of magic. For there is no trace of magic in them.

　Uranos' expression was troubled by Gazelle's words.

'Then it must mean he's still in the country. If it's not a metastasis, then it means he was taken away by physical means.

　From behind the pillar I heard such a guess.

'Gazelle, you are in command. And look for the secret agent. What has disappeared can't be helped; the question is, what country does it belong to?

　Gazelle bowed and left the hall.

'It's probably one of the Yagi anyway,'

　Jade replied with a pretense of dismay.

'What about Derms Aldan, who was sneaking around behind the scenes with the Beast Nation?

　Lage, on the other hand, seems to be enjoying himself.

I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea. I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this as well.

　Ulanos asked his sons, leaving them with a question.

'That's quite an interesting story, isn't it? The demonic communications are even calling for information, so I guess they don't know much about anything.'
I'm pretty sure it's some kind of patronage thing.

　Jade replied as she remembered.

'They have bases in various villages and towns, and they are involved in some strange activities to support human life. But lately, it has been whispered that it may be involved in, for example, the disappearance of the townspeople of Raghu, or the disappearance of Cattleya, a small country, overnight.

　Jade crossed her arms and searched her memory as she replied, "It was only a few months ago that Dahms Ardan, a land of peace, was now a genocidal power.

"Dahms Ardan, which only a few months ago was heralded as a land of peace, is now a genocidal power, and its king is known as the 'Child Killer'... too much of a mystery to even consider it as a diversion.

　Ulanos said blankly.

'I suppose that means we all think the same way.

　Ulanos turned to the pillar in response to the voice.

'Everyone is as dark and plotted as your father was, as were the three of us... and the disappearance of the prisoners is one of them.
...and you think you're going to get off your feet, is that it?

　Ulanos replied, as if anticipating the intent of the voice.

'He who seeks to deceive has no thought of being deceived, that is to say. Shall I repay you for this power?
Good, those are the ones I sent to tell you about.

　Uranos sighed one sigh and continued his story.

'I'm glad to see you're using it well. But out of the three of you, you are the only one who has failed.
There was no point in sending such irreverent people to us. And there was another problem. I admit that I failed, but so did my father. You have failed to kill.
''Then I agree with you. But before that power, neither Rickman's blood nor Victoria's magic will matter. I mean no disrespect, I pity her. No offense. It was I who gave the order. But the last twenty years have been meaningless.
We weren't even told all that much about what it meant. We were still young and just obeyed our father's orders without thinking about it... it became the norm for us at some point.
''It made sense. The canyon city of Palustria was located further east of the demon territory. I was keeping an eye on the foolish demon tribe that I (I) had destroyed my clan. I had Raju investigate Ragpalos and report back to me from time to time.
'Lagoparos has the Rickman clan! ...What do you mean by that?　I didn't hear anything about that.
Is that right?
I always thought they were destroyed by demons.
Well that's understandable. Even I do not know the details of the situation at that time. When I was still a mage apprentice in Victoria, I learned that the mastermind of the ringleader was a Ragpallosian from Ignotus, the most despised demon kingdom in the world. The demon race is a creature that is not interested in the multitude to begin with. It's probably ingrained in their genes that they have little fertility and no time for that.
''Then why did the demon tribe destroy the clan?
"The demons of Ragpallos have human blood in their veins.
''....I see. A grudge?
"I see it that way. Rhaj says that the only demon king is the king of Ursula.
Urszola is the only one, or rather, the other two countries are kind of bleak. Urszola is the only peaceful place in the Devil's Land.

　Lage replied with enthusiasm.

'What is the point of that story?'
'In layman's terms, it's threat surveillance. I've sent Raju to keep an eye on the demons. And I've got Jade at Modherne to watch the elves and dwarves.
Elves and dwarves?
'Ah. In the past, Modhern surrounded himself with elves, dwarves, and other races that had been destroyed and lost their country and had nowhere to go. The dwarves excelled in forging weapons and armor, and the elves excelled in granting magic. Their monopoly on blacksmithing and smelting skills made Modherne a great power in a remote region called the Arctic. But in the last twenty years the blood of the elves and dwarves who had been assimilated into the Modherns has apparently died out. The climate, they say, was not right for them.
'Then why was I in that country? There was nothing in that country....
It's a warning of a brave presence.
'Are you a brave man?　But that country and its brave men! .....

　Then a black vortex appears in the middle of the hall.
　It expanded to blend in and engulf the space, and then the white one emerged from it.

''What the........''

　And by the time Uranos muttered that, Amadeus had appeared there.

'Gossip, or ... well ... it's just a lot of trouble.

　Uranos spat out in a fed-up manner and gave a smile and a sigh to those who appeared.

'It is my pleasure, Emperor. I am Ankh Amadeus I am the one who has come to destroy this crappy country.

　Amadeus appeared alone in the center of the hall and told him so.