I, the Wizard Magnus, was on the island of Montserrat.
　I was there to attend a meeting of the League of Nations leaders, accompanied by the provisional leader of the Azzurri Chamber of Commerce, Mrs. Hanna.
　I've heard that it's customary for other party leaders to have a few advisors and confidants in attendance as well.
　So there's nothing wrong with me, Aria and also Chocolat attending the meeting.
　In addition, as an infant, the wife's son, Linc, the original leader of the party, cannot be allowed to participate in the meeting. We left him on Nerf Island and left him with his nanny.

　As soon as the four of us disembarked from the Maria, a man from St. Anthony's Trading Company arrived.
　They're part of the League of Nations that claims Montserrat as its territory, famous for its volcanic islands.
　I heard that they take turns holding the event, but of course they are in charge of everything this time.

I am sorry to say, but we have arranged for your accommodations. Please make yourselves at home until the conference in three days.

　The middle-aged man, who seemed to be an executive level in the St. Tony's Chamber of Commerce, said so and politely showed us around.
　He offered the entire small but well-kept mansion to us.

''If it's all right with you, Magnus-sama, Georg would like to greet you later,''

　It's in my head that Georg is the current head of the St. Anthony's Chamber of Commerce.

'Not to Mrs. Hanna, but to me?
Yes, sir. Georg would like to meet the famous "Avenger of the Demon King", Mr. Magnus, and hear his story. It is not a business meeting or conference, but rather a light chat over a meal, which I would be happy to have with you.
Oh, I see. Please give my regards to Lord Georg.

　I immediately agree.
I didn't believe the "light banter" story from the top of my head, but I wanted to see what their intentions were for wanting to see me.


　However, someone visited the mansion where I was temporarily residing before the head of the St. Tony's Chamber of Commerce party.
　The head of the Marine Police (Cagliostro), Lawrence, the "Watchdog".
　They have a rule that only neutral and impartial security will be provided for the party leaders' meeting.

"I'm indebted to you for that.

　And the brilliant-looking young man bowed his head lightly.
　I'm referring to my capture of Captain Mangan and his gang and handing them over to the Marine Police (Cagliostro).

I questioned Mangan tightly, but he didn't give up much useful information. That he was under the patronage of someone who called himself Cuzio. But that he had never actually met him and knew nothing about him. That the talking Falcon, who always called himself Nevis, had been the liaison. No matter how many times I blame him, that's all I know.

　I guess it's an in-law to a collaborator, Lawrence told me.

　In fact, I was choking before I handed him over, and Mangan, who was in awe of me as "storm incarnate," rambled on about everything, but what I found out was the same as Lawrence. Mangan knew next to nothing, and Cuzio was a terribly cautious man.
　Well, I was just glad to see that there was what seemed to be a large organization behind it, as Captain Barbas had read.

　I make an attempt to ask Lawrence.

"Does the name Cuzio mean anything to you, Mr. Chief of Police?
'None. As Mangan said, it doesn't make any sense as a clue if you can't even be sure if it's your real name.
Even with the Maritime Police (Cagliostro), I guess...

　I thanked him for his loyalty and suggested that we have a cup of tea, but Lawrence was adamant that he had business to attend to and left.
　He didn't even try to see Mrs. Hanna, his brother and sister-in-law, for one thing.

　　　　◇◆◆◆◆.

　At dinner time, the head of the St. Anthony's Chamber of Commerce came to visit me.
　He was a good-natured old man, and the sight of him holding a black cat in his lap was quite fitting.
　However, aside from the lightness of his footwork in visiting alone, Old Georg's tone of voice was youthful, and the clarity of his intellect was evident in every word he said.
　I was particularly impressed by his eloquence, as he would not use any obvious flattery to flatter me as a man, but he would compliment Aria and the other chocolates who were present with flowers.
　Aria and Chocolat were biting off more than they could chew when he recounted the secrets of how to keep a man's (that is, me) heart in check... but...

　How long did the "light banter" over food last, as announced in advance?
　Old Georg cut in casually.

'I've only heard rumors in the wind that Lord Magnus is continuing his journey to avenge the Demon King, even turning down King Rakstad's invitation to claim him as a nobleman and the proposal of the new Empress of Alavana?
'The proposal was a joke of His Majesty's, but it's generally true.
That's exactly the ambition. But then, is it just the shallowness of the old man that he is doing business with a kajikun?
I know how you feel. But it is precisely to defeat the Demon King, or more accurately, the Eight Demon Generals lurking in Kaziu that I have set up my business.

　I answered the question honestly.
　I answered honestly, because it would be no fun to be probed in the gut, which would not be painful to conceal, and because I thought that if Old Georg was truly intelligent, it would be a cooperation.
　In fact, I was even planning to use the summit as an opportunity to express my intentions.

"I'm not asking for the Diary of a Pirate King," he said. And I'm not a direct descendant, so I have no use for the Pirate King's Diary. But in order to defeat the Eight Devils of Kajuu, I need the Sword of the Rumblings. You can give it back to the League after you defeat him.
Oh, I see, so that's what it is!

　Old Georg tapped his knee, as if he hadn't expected it.
　His cat, who was there, was surprised.
　But whether he really believed me or not, it was impossible to know.
　This Old Georg seems like a nice guy, but he has a cunningness that doesn't make it easy for him to realize what's going on inside.
　And then he says out loud, "Then I will have to do the same.

And then he says, "Then I am going to help you.
''Does that mean you'll go with me to the God Spirit (Siren) of the Sea Field and inherit the treasure as an heir that I can't be?''
No, a man of short age cannot be the pirate king's successor. I'll leave that to the boy from the Azzurri Chamber of Commerce. But you must earn more and more money, and I hear that you have a unique business in Nerf, Bagodad and Guava. If that's the case, wouldn't you be able to make more money in Montserrat with my trade association?
I've been waiting to hear you say that.

　As I replied, Old Georg extended his right hand from across the table, and I immediately agreed to shake his hand.

　And it ended up being a "press conference" for a "business meeting".
　Of course, I was welcome, and I'm told that Georg hadn't really come to "chat" with me.
　I presented him with a plan.

　The volcanic island of Montserrat has hot springs all over the island. According to the information in the attack book, there are many hot springs that are effective in curing various illnesses. This would be the main attraction of the tourism industry.
　People who are looking for entertainment will probably visit Guava Island, but Montserrat is expected to attract another group of customers, those suffering from illnesses.

　At the same time, they offer to buy the island's natural cement, a substance that no one knows how to use effectively.

Interesting!　You are unique, Lord Magnus!　By all means, let's fill in the details after the party leadership meeting is over!

　Old Georg cried out in total excitement and left with great joy.
　I'm not sure if he's really excited or happy inside, but I couldn't tell with my own eyesight.
　Did he come to see me privately because he wanted to do business with us? Or not.

　After Old Georg left, Aria and Chocolat said innocently.

''But you were a bad-eyed pussy!
"Yes, I've had my eye on you, sir. I've had a special interest in Lord Magnus.

　Actually, that's what I've been wondering about, too.
　But I don't see any action that can be taken at this point.
　There are only three days left until the party leadership meeting.
　Is it really just my imagination that this is going to be a stinky meeting?