Here's your tea.

　Martha, dressed in a maid's uniform, placed a teacup in front of Odette.
　Remy, in human form, was waiting behind her.

I said, "You should have gone to bed first," but Martha didn't listen, saying, "I can't be rude to Yuki-sama's friend.

　Remy is here because he wants to learn the job quickly. Seriously.

　This is the parlor of the quarters.
　Odette and I are sitting across the table from each other.

"Thank you, my dear. I'm sorry that it's so late in the evening... hmm?

　Odette nodded her head in her teacup.

This is a very nice tea, and it has a very calming aroma. And it has a very soothing aroma.
It's just a regular market buy.
It's better than our tea. Where did you get it from?
I'll leave that to Martha.
Can you tell us where to go?

　Odette looked at Martha.
　Martha gave her a troubled look.

This is the nearest stall to the market. I have cheap tea leaves and Yuki's recommendation, the herb 'Ludoria leaf' is added in an 8:2 ratio. Since it's nighttime, I thought it would have a calming effect.
Thank you. I'll try it at my place.

　Odette nodded in agreement.
　By the way, I developed this one for children who have trouble sleeping.

　Every time Martha notices me sneaking out of the house at night, she makes me a pot of this, as a kind of message to tell me to calm down and go to sleep when I'm done with my work.
　It's like a message to me to calm down and go to sleep when I'm done.
　Even now, Martha is looking at me with oddly kind eyes.

''Then I'll leave you. Yuki-sama and Odette-sama, take your time.
I'm sorry, sir.

　With a bow, Martha and Remy move to the other room.
　It seems that they have decided to leave their seats from here on out, since it's 'Magic Guild' related.
　.........In any case, I'll talk to both of them later if I think it's necessary.

''Did you read the letter?　Yuki.
Yeah. Earlier, while I was getting dressed.

The letter from the 'Magic Guild' had arrived at my place.
　I skimmed through it while Martha helped me change clothes.

'So, in conclusion, you're saying that Gaiel-Wolfgang had no intention of summoning the Reaper Bishop,'
''Yes. He was going to interfere with the 'escort knight selection test'. That was admitted by him and by Gilvan-Keels who was with him. However, what they were trying to do was to control the undead. And in this way, they wanted to pass Yuki and me on.

But it didn't happen.
'Yes. There was someone who tricked Gaiel-Wolfgang into using 'ancient magic' to summon the Dead Spirit Bishop. What he was taught was the magic that connected the undead to his own spirit.

You have a technique that allows you to manipulate the weaker undead at will.
That's probably why he didn't see the trap in the first place.
The chanting and movements of the 'Ancient Magic' included invoking the spirit bishop. So Gaiel-Wolfgang invoked that guy and his spirit was hijacked, right?

　There was someone who did something troublesome.

''I wonder if the guy who set the trap was planning to revive the 'Sanctuary Church' by giving Gaiel's body to the Dead Spirit Bishop.
I don't understand.

　Odette shrugged.

'We don't know where the person who taught Gaiel the 'Ancient Magic' is. The guards got into the house, but the person himself disappeared, and the only thing we knew was his name.
So what's this guy's name?
Dorothea Samuels. He was a drifter sorcerer who did not belong to the Magic Guild. I understand that there was also a letter in his house from Kachel-Miegen, the baron's tutor.
So that means he was involved in the Kachelors' case.
The royal family is working on the arrangements now. You'll never have to deal with witchcraft again. They'll catch you sooner or later.
I hope you're right.

　I've finally been reborn, but I don't want to be involved in the 'Sanctuary Church' even in this era.
　I've decided to pretend to be a human and live quietly in this life.

''Didn't Zirvan and Gaiel can no longer join the 'Magic Guild'?
That's right. The Countess Wolfgang has closed her doors and has asked for house arrest. The Marquess of Kyrus seems to intend to cover up their crime by donating more money to the Magic Guild.
That's all well and good but the problem is the other letter.

　I pulled out a second letter.

'It says I'm to compete with Iris's sister guard knights in sorcery.
Yes, you do.
I just heard Odette say. Princess Salvia said that she looked down on Iris and, to put it bluntly, looked at her like she was an enemy. Maybe she's trying to pick a fight with you?
Not that I'm trying to pick a fight... no, but it's the same thing.

　Odette let out a long sigh.
　Then she took a slow drink of tea, perhaps to calm herself down.

His Royal Highness Prince Salvia is a woman, a legitimate daughter, the same age as Prince Iris. She has red hair and a slightly more mature appearance. She is also skilled in magic, and is very popular with men. She is often seen at social gatherings.
A fine princess, isn't she?
The reason you're so hostile is because you're so good at what you do, and that's what Iris is good at.
...Maybe it's because Iris is better than you?

　Odette nodded at my words.

　Alice's parents have been geniuses since the beginning of 'Fira Village'.
　Their child, Alice, was very good at magic and studying since she was little.
　Princess Iris is that Alice's reincarnation, so....

''I can't even match her in studies. Even in terms of magic skills, Iris is superior. Moreover, Iris has even been entrusted with the work of the 'Magic Guild'. If I had a sister like that, I would be at least jealous.
'But I can't openly fight with him because of my status as royalty. So you've looked down on me and harassed me, or something?
''As the daughter of a duke, I have no comment.
As for Iris's best friend?
I don't even want to talk about it.
'Don't tell me you're not talking about letting the escort knights fight each other because they can't beat Iris with their abilities...'
There's a lot of things that go on in a royal family.
'Iris is in a place like that... maybe I should let her go somewhere else while I'm at it...'
If you do that, you'll be in a lot of trouble with the Grosserian barons.
Just kidding.
You're really kidding, aren't you?
...of course.

　You're d*mn right I'm not going to take Iris. I'm not going to kidnap Iris all of a sudden.
　When we do such things, we have to make sure we have a plan that won't cause trouble for the Baron family.



"Goshujin.

　As I was talking about this, Dick flew to the window.

'Neil the bat came from the princess's place just now.
Neil?
"You've got a message for me. Here's the message.

　Dick came into the room and began to talk about the message from Iris.





''I'm sorry. My Lord.

　Unbeknownst to me, there was talk of My Lord and Sister Salvia's knight guards conducting a magic battle.
　Father.........His Majesty the King has already heard about it, and I don't think I can stop it.

　Therefore, My Lord, please say 'I'm hungry' and be absent.
　I'll take care of the rest. I'm used to this kind of thing.''


...


That's it.

　With that, Dick finished his story.

'All right, all right. Let's do some sorcery warfare.
Early. What the hell did Mr. Bats say?

　Odette rolls her eyes.
　I take Dick's words as they are given to Odette.

''Can I make sure of one thing?''

　After hearing the story, Odette said.

'Does Iris think you're going to win?　Or do you think you're going to lose?
I don't think he's worried about winning or losing.
Then why do you tell him to be absent?
Maybe it's just so I don't get reckless.

　In a past life, I did something reckless for the village.
　Even now that she has become Iris, that trauma may still be lingering in her.

"You're too attentive, you know. Iris is...
You guys were guardian gods and villagers in a previous life, right? What kind of a guardian deity is a guardian deity that worries about the villagers...?
You want to hear it?
No, I'll wait and see. You'll have to wait until I've experienced your previous life before you can enjoy it.
It's not a very interesting story, though.
What about the sorcery warfare?　What do I have to do?
I wish all the nobles were like Odette.
What the hell are you talking about?

　Odette turns bright red.

　But this is the truth.
　If all the aristocrats in this world were like Odette, the Sanctuary Church wouldn't be in the dark, and there wouldn't be the eight-king war in the mud.
　I really think that Iris has found a good friend in this era.

I hope you will continue to look after Iris in the future. Odette.
I could say the same thing.
'Well then, I'm sorry, but I want you to tell Iris later that Odette will help you, and you don't have to worry about the sorcery battle. That'll be more convincing than I can say.
How much do you people trust me...?
''As a token of my trust, I'd like Odette to go with me to practice 'Ancient Magic'. In return, I'll teach Odette how to manage her magic effectively.
...What?
"Didn't Odette use 'Force the Earth' when she took the test?　But it wasn't a series of shots. Wasn't that because you didn't have enough magic left?
Yeah, yeah. Indeed. I used the most powerful magic I could use against the Dead Spirit Bishop. Because of that, my magic power.
''So I'll teach you how to use it a bit more efficiently. I'm used to teaching you how to use your magic. Hopefully, Odette might be able to shoot that magic three times.
Three times?　I'm glad to hear that, but...

　Odette hesitated a bit, then

'All right. It sounds like a lot of fun, so I'll join you.
Thank you. In return, I'll be there to help Odette if she needs it.
Are you sure you want to do this?
Okay.
Okay. I'll take your word for it.

　With that, Odette looked embarrassed and drank her tea.
　Then I walked her back to the next dormitory, waved goodbye, and said goodbye.





　The next few days passed without incident.

　Odette and I continued to practice The Ancient Magic in the forest near the royal capital.

　Iris informed me through Neil the bat that I was grounded for a while.
　It seems that this was done to prevent Iris from passing on unnecessary information to me until the appointment ceremony of the knight escort.
　However, I heard that only the West Palace was closed, and the East Palace where Princess Salvia is staying can go out as normal.

　In the end, I didn't know the name of the person appointed as Princess Salvia's guard knight.

I also tried contacting Rodelia from the "Grail Trading Company", but she couldn't get any information on her end either.

　The next day after I told her through the bats that I was sorry I couldn't be of help, she sent me a set of equipment for the appointment ceremony.
　I told her I had my armor and cloak that I always use, so it's fine... but she said it was a good idea to have a new one tailored for me. Mother.

　Dick the bat flies around King's Landing at night and establishes the "Bat Network".
　He strengthened the security of his quarters and the West Palace where Iris was staying.

　In the meantime, time has passed...



　In the blink of an eye, the day came when I was appointed as Iris's knight escort.





　The Central Royal Palace, the "Audience Hall".



Yuki-Grossalia, second son of the Baron. To this!

　At the same time a dignified voice sounded, a door opened in front of me.
　Beyond that, there was a red carpet that stretched all the way to the front of the throne.

　It was fluffy and expensive.

　It was a far cry from the carpeting in the old castle where I had lived in a previous life.
　Well, I couldn't afford to use the expensive ones because the kids would run around barefoot and get dirty in no time.

'....Oh.
What a fine figure for a baronet...
'Weren't the Glossarias a country aristocracy?　How did you get all that equipment...?
But then again, what an interesting knight he is...

　All the nobles are buzzing around me.

　I'm wearing black metal armor.
Rodería of the Grail Trading Company provided me with this armor.

　She was on a roll and sent me a completely custom-made armor.
　Although it's not magical armor, it's light and easy to move around in.

　The chest is carved in relief with bat wings, and the cloak on the back is patterned with gold thread.
　In addition, the red lining makes the cloak stand out like a sore thumb every time it swings.

　Roderea said, "I tried to make a design suitable for the 'My Lord' in the lore," but I don't know if that's too much.

''I'm here, Yuki-Grossaria, second son of Baron Grossaria's family, I'm here. I am deeply honored and grateful to have been commissioned to be His Highness Iris-Lestia's guardian knight,
...hmmm.

　The king sitting on the throne - Iris' father nodded his head.
　Iris is standing on the path of the throne, one level lower.
　Her hair is tied up in a silver hairdo and she's wearing a tiara. Her white dress looks good on her.

　The red-haired girl on the right side of the throne is Princess Salvia.
　She has a strong look of strength. Like Iris, her hair is tied up, but the tiara and hair ornaments are too much. You're not heavy on the head, are you?

You'll have to wait there for Yuki-Grossalia.
Ha!

　I got down on my knees (knees) on the floor in response to the voice of the attendant.
　If Princess Salvia is here, then the next person to come in is her guardian knight.

　The Princess Salvia I saw earlier had a triumphant look on her face.
　Who in the world did he choose to be his guardian knight....

''The firstborn son of the Marquess family, Alec-Keels!　To this!
Yeah.

　The audience room begins to buzz.
　Alec-Keels the Marquis of Keels.
　The family of Girvan, who took the "guard knight selection test" with me.

　I hear footsteps approaching.
　I, on my knees, cannot see them.

　Iris is pale in front of the throne.
　What kind of person? "Alec-Keels," he says.

The firstborn of the Marquess Kielce family, Alec-Kielce, I am here. I would like to thank you for accepting my commission as a knight in shining armor of His Highness Salvia Liestier.

　Stopping next to me, Alec-Keels took a breath.

''As a C-level magician of the great 'Magical Guild', I hereby promise to work to live up to my name!
...a C-level wizard?

　You mean like our tester, the sorcerer Demeter, who used to be on the same level as us?

　At the king's signal, Alec-Keels kneels (on his knees).

''Well it looks like my brother has caused you some trouble.

　I heard a faint whispering voice.

I'll show you what a true magician looks like as a sign of apology. I will show you what a true sorcerer is, as a sign of apology, so that you can erase the loss of the Marquess of Kihlus' house, which was marked by my brother.

　Alec-Keels, a C-level sorcerer, laughed quietly.