A few days later.
　Odette and I were meeting with Iris at the western detached palace.

　Since Iris was allowed to participate in the 'Elysian Exploration', it was for the meeting.

I've heard about Flora-Zamel. I heard that she is the second daughter of the Marquis de Zamel, and that she is personally trained in magic by Old Zamel, an A-class magician.
''I can't believe that the grandson of a Class A magician would interfere with Yuki....
Not necessarily his own choice, though.

　Flora-Zamel, whom I met on the second level of Elysian, was crying.
'I didn't want to be born in Zamel's house...'
　I couldn't help but notice the look on her face.

"I don't think the harassment of me was a big deal.
Surely.........we would hold the target golem first and then take out the demon ahead of time.......right?
'If you're serious about getting in my way, there are plenty of other ways to do it. But Flora-Zamel chose to harass me in a childish way. When I think about it I can't bring myself to get angry.
It was kind of like I was trying really hard to get in the way as much as I could.

　Me and Odette can't help but think about it.
　She's too feeble to be considered an enemy. Flora-Zamel is.

　After that, Alec-Keels was fully recovered for a few days due to the poisoning of The Black Crowler.
　Flora-Zamel had confessed that he had harassed me.
　The contents were so trivial that the high ranking sorcerer of the "Magic Guild" would have laughed at them, but they were going to be punished.

''If that's the case, I'll have to find out more about Flora-Zamel and the Zamel family.

　Iris looked at me and nodded.

'It's not necessary for My Lord to be involved in faction disputes at all. Once we know what's going on, maybe we can clear up some of the misunderstandings on the other side.
Please. Iris.
'I'd like to get the mess out of the way before we explore 'Elysian'.

　We drank our tea as we talked about it.
　There were teacups and teapots on the table and snacks prepared by the maids of the detached palace.
　It has been a long time since we've had a leisurely tea time.

Then let's get back to the meeting.

　Iris said as she regained her composure.

I believe that when exploring "Elysium", you will still need someone to be in charge of the vanguard and luggage carrier (porter). How should I make those arrangements?
The vanguard has been arranged.

　I opened the window.
　There was a rustling sound, and bats came in.

　I hid behind a tree so that people wouldn't see me, and there were a total of 12 bats that came in.
　They lined up in front of the window and bowed to Iris and Odette.

''Hello! I'm Garcia, the representative of the new bat army...''
Oh, hello.
Thank you.
These kids are going to have to accompany me on my dungeon quest.

　I introduced the new bats to Iris and Odette.

I asked Dick and the others to talk to some bats that were near the royal capital. All of these kids have been strengthened as messengers as well. Together with Dick and Neil, there are 14 of them. I'll have them scout and clean up the demons as we explore the dungeon.
"'Nice to meet you...
It's nice to meet you too.
''Well I feel like I'm getting more and more out of touch with the world of common sense, but thank you for your help.

　Iris was a natural, and Odette bowed her head with a troubled look on her face.

'But, Yuki,'
What's up, Odette?
'I think it would be better to have a vanguard in human form in front of the other sorcerers.
I'll take care of that one. You'll look good in leather armor and with a dagger.
''Come to think of it, Yuki did an aerial battle against a griffon in the baronial territory...''
'That's the soldiers in King's Landing, and General Barnes is watching. If there's still a problem, I'll think about it again.

　This is my first time exploring a dungeon or participating in an event involving a guild or a royal family.
　Little by little, let's make adjustments by exploring. I'll also learn about human society.

''I think My Lord will convince everyone. I'll convince them.
No, you don't have to take it easy. Iris.
Now we just need to decide who the porter will be.
'Anybody who can keep a secret and doesn't hate bats.
That's a pretty difficult requirement.

　Iris folded her arms and nodded her head.

I'm sorry to say that My Lord is the hiding place for the 'King's Horseman of Jet Black' you asked for.... I still haven't found a good place for it on my end...
It's all taken care of. When I got a new wand at the Grail Trading Company the other day, Rhodelia arranged it for me. She's going to let me use the Chamber of Commerce's hidden storeroom.

The Jet Black King's Horseman is hidden in the ancient castle in Fira Village.
　It's safe because the village bat army is protecting that place, but if possible, I want to have it ready to use in a pinch.
　That's why I asked the Grail Trading Company's Rhodelia to arrange it.

I'll summon the Jet Black King's Horseman to that warehouse later. Roderea says she's going to let you manage it. She says she'll keep your secret and maintain it for you.
I'm sure you'll be fine, Miss Lauderia.
Yeah. He said he wanted to develop new equipment.

　Rodelia, that sounded like a lot of fun.
　I remember her saying that she was very happy to be able to tinker with something that had something to do with her ancestors.

I understand. The "King's Horse (Lord)" problem is solved. But.........my lord.
What's up?　Iris.
'Why doesn't My Lord call that 'King's Horseman' 'Lord of Nosferatu'?
Because it feels like I'm calling to my former self.
But then again, it was my father's name in a previous life.
You're not being harassed. Lyle's guy.
'I think The Lord of Nosferatu is nicer than The Jet Black King's Horseman!　It's my favorite name!
'So he's embarrassed by that name. Calling it that and wearing it.
''It's good, isn't it? The invincible 'King's Horseman' (Lord), Lord of Nosferatu.
There's a duplicate load, so no!
'Why are you so gung-ho, My Lord!
Alice, you're the one who's always making decisions based on feelings and intuition.

　Me and Iris glaring at each other.

"What do you think, Odette?!
Please don't dump me!

　Odette raised her voice.

'Are you a couple fighting over the names of your children, you two!　If you're confused between 'The Jet-Black King's Rider' and 'Lord of Nosferatu', take a pause and go for 'Black King (Lord of) Horsemen (Noir)'!
"Oh!

　Me and Iris clapped our hands together with a plop.

"That's nice.
The acronym is the same as 'Lord of Nosferatu'.
Let's do it.
'Odette is always willing to help me, isn't she?
Don't go into princess mode all of a sudden.
'I'm always like this! When My Lord is with me, I just keep getting grounded!
''Um....Yuki.... Iris.........

　Hmm?
　Why are you cracking up? Odette.

Are you sure this is a done deal?
Yeah, but...
"The legendary 'King's Horse' has a new name!
Odette has good taste, doesn't she?
..................
'Odette!　Why are you sitting down all of a sudden!
''I had forgotten that Yuki is substandard.
Sure, I've only had a short career as a human being, but...
'Yes. Yes, it was. As your friend, I have to set an example as a human being and now that I'm the godfather of the "King's Horse" I have to do what I can do to help you. .... right.

　Odette puts her hand to her chin and starts mumbling.
　Then she looks up, as if she's made up her mind about something.

Leave it to me to find a porter.

　I declared such a thing.

I have a tutor in the Magic Guild, and through his contacts, I will find someone I can trust. That's the least I can do,
Are you sure?
I'll leave the non-standard stuff to Yuki. I'll take care of the common sense stuff.

　Oh, my God. You know, Odette.
　You're right, I don't have any connections. Iris is basically stuck in the palace.
　In that case, I think I might as well let Odette hire someone from the inside.

I'll take care of it. You'll take care of that, won't you? Odette.
I think we have our assignments.

　Iris picked up the teapot.
　She poured the contents into the cup with a familiar hand, not unlike a princess.
　The tea was completely cold, but now she was paying people off. I can't call the maids.

　So Iris, Odette, and I click the cold tea cup together as if we were talking to each other.

My Lord is preparing to be the vanguard and summoning the 'Black King's Noir'. I'll be investigating Flora-Zamel and the "Zamelites". Odette is to arrange for the porters to carry the luggage.
'Right. Let's get under the 'Elysian' and find some old items and magic.
''Well when Yuki says it, I have a feeling we're going to find out really soon.

　And so we sipped our tea.
　We've decided on a plan.
We'll make all the necessary preparations before the whole "Magic Guild" begins its search for Elysian.