There was another person sitting at Pauli's table.
　A woman in her mid-twenties, with a sickly pale complexion.
　She was Pauli's one arm, a level 21 'wizard', Nevis.
　Perhaps because of the alcohol in her system right now, her blood color was better than usual.

　She's been asked to take on the role of captain of the magic fire support unit--

How long do we have to stay here, Mr. Magnus?

　Maybe it's because you've been drinking, or maybe it's just that you're not very good at talking.

Of course, it's only until we defeat the Demon Flame Warlord. Didn't I tell you that beforehand?
'I know, I know, but I don't want to breathe the air of this town for one second, Lord Magnus!

　....hmmm?
　I don't understand the intent of Nevis' words.
　What do they want to do with it, appealing to me?
　Negotiating your way back to Qaziou?

　I was getting a difficult look on my face, and Pauli laughed and explained to me.

'I'm sorry, Lord Magnus. She gets a bit selfish when she gets a drink in her system.
Yeah. Yeah.

　I didn't think she was just being selfish, as she is usually a reasonable and intelligent woman.

''So Lord Nevis has some bad memories of this town?
'Yes, I do!　I wouldn't have wanted to come back unless you asked me to!

　Her, "Nevis" is a nickname.
　Her real name is "Keith".
　And because she is from this magical city, it was a revelation that she became "Nevis" from "Keith of Nebula.

I hate those witches, Mister Magnus!

　I wish you wouldn't say that out loud, in this town.

'But you're a witch too, aren't you, Lord Nevis?
'I'm on the edge!　I'm a failure!　Just enough to turn a small animal into an errand boy!

　As a wizard, she was at a high level, which is rare, but her level as a witch was low.
　In short, she didn't have the blood of the beginning witch in her veins.
　She had only one talent.

''I am, you know!　As a wizard, even Sharon-senpai is second to none!　It's one of the best areas in the country!　But as a witch, she doesn't get credit for being a henna-chocolate!　Even my senior idiot disciples have ended up belittling me!
I got it. I understand.

　Stop grinding your jock against my cheek.

'But thanks to that, I was able to scout for good people like Nevis all the way to Kajuu.

　Pauli chuckled as he licked his drink, just as it was his lucky day.

'It just occurred to me,'
What is it, Master Magnus?
'If you hate this town so much, don't you disapprove of the nickname 'Keith of Nebula'?
'Yeah, it is. She looks like this and she's full of complexes. 'Keith' sounds like a guy's name, doesn't it?　He didn't like that for a long time, and I named him 'Nevis' because I thought it would be cute if I was 'Nevis'... but it wasn't until later that he learned that he hated this town so much, too.
I'm very, very, very fond of the name you gave me, Mr. Pauli.

　Nevis complained, his cheeks stained with a cause other than alcoholism.
　'If you're going to be in love with me, I want you to do it when we're alone....

'I understand what's going on, Nevis-dono. But then, let's think about things, shall we?

　I try to convince her.

'If you and your unit can play an active role in the war and prove the usefulness of wizards who aren't witches, then we can give the hardened value systems of this country a run for their money. Moreover, you and your unit's work would help to resolve the war sooner rather than later. You'll be able to return to Qaziou that much faster. That's just two birds with one stone, right?
'Nah, I see!　Magnias-dono has a clever mouth, doesn't he? It's just that he keeps both a beautiful lover and a maid.
Hey, man. Hey, step outside.

　Even though I'm a mild-mannered person, I'm mad as hell about it.

'Haha, that's fun!　Alright, the next time we meet Lord Magnus, let's get Nevis drunk first!
Don't be funny, Pauli!

　Shit. What a troublesome squire.
　But I can't help it, even these guys are glad to have come far.

　　　　◇◆◆◆◆.

　The next day.
　I headed to the inn's dining room with Chocolat for breakfast.
　That's where I found the first two guests.
　Paulie and Nevis.

'Good morning, Magnus-dono. Chocolat.

　Nevis bothered to get up from his seat and gave me a folded greeting, as if yesterday's drinking spree was a dream come true.
　Both me and Chocolat respond to that.

''Since we're here, would you like to eat with us?''

　Pauli encouraged me to sit with him.
　And after a few hours of waiting for our plates to be delivered...

'Well I'm going to ask you a strange question, Master Magnus.
What do you want, Mr. Nevis?
Didn't I drunkenly go off on you?

　You don't remember.

'No, not particularly?'

　I have no taste for embarrassing women, so I'm going to freak out.
　Pauli beside me lets out a sneaky laugh as if she can't stand it, but oi there!　You don't want to embarrass your men.

Oh, I see. That's a relief. But...

　Nevis patted his chest once - and then, after a sudden turn of events, he smiled with dark amusement.

'You can count on me and my squad, Master Magnus. I will do my best. To get out of this rotten town as soon as possible. And to give those who mocked me a run for their money.
I'm counting on you...

　I respond with a drawl and a smile.

'So, Master Strategist. What is your next plan?
"It depends on whether or not Sharon agrees with me, but I want to attack the castle of the One Who Knocks on the Gates of the Other World (Keosnocker)."