[Ditsen]

　The still confused Fiatola took us downstairs, and we went downstairs.

　We walked past a few large doors and down a corridor and then down the stairs again. It feels more spacious to walk inside than it does from the outside.

　There are no windows in sight, but thanks to the neatly laid out white carpet and the paintings and vases that appear halfway up the stone walls, there is not much of a dark atmosphere.

　Strangely enough, the ceiling itself seems to be luminous, but could it be that the same technology used in Master Taiki's castle in the sky was used?

　If so, it would explain why the Empire annexed the surrounding countries one after another.

　If they possessed golems that were on par with Taiki-sama's, it wouldn't be unreasonable.

''No........no......?''

　It is said that the emperor was so astonished when he saw Lord Taiki's celestial castle that he sent Aifa to take it for himself. I've also heard that he was soundly defeated in his battle with the kingdom of Atul.

　It's unlikely that the Empire has the same level of technology as Taiki, considering his behavior.

　If so, then Schwartz was right, this tower would be the exception. If Schwartz, as a royalty, doesn't know about it, then when in the world was it built and by whom?

　I'd love to find out.

　While I was itching to look at the ceiling and touch the wall, the people walking in front of me stopped.

　The reason is that Fearatola has opened one large door.

'This way,'

　With that said, I saw them enter and followed with Schwartz in the lead.

　We were led to a large hall. The ceiling and walls are lavishly decorated, but there are no windows in the room at all. However, it is not dark, and the ceiling here too seems to be emitting light to illuminate the room.

　And at the back of the hall, a middle-aged woman dressed in a simple white indoor dress is sitting quietly on a chair.

　She has an appearance that can still be clearly described as beautiful, but perhaps twenty years ago she would have been called an immensely beautiful woman.

　Such a woman stood up with her eyes wide open at the sight of Schwartz.

''Ah, ah...! No way, really...!

　As she said this, the woman walked up to Schwartz without taking her eyes off of him. As if she couldn't see us, she headed straight for Schwartz's bottom.

　Then Schwartz's hard expression breaks slightly and he nods deeply.

''I'm a little late in greeting you.......Mother.

　After saying this, they embrace each other in silence.

'So it's a mother and son reunion...'

　Yuri muttered quietly at the sight and gently wiped his eyes.

　Mmm. So that means that person is the Empress. I feel like I'm too young, but I don't think this air is a lie.

　For some reason, I feel like I've done a good deed, but I don't have time to be impressed right now.

''........For now, I'll take Fearatola-san with me, right?

　I said that in passing, and waved my hand vertically to Fiatola and gave her a come on.

　However, Fiatola didn't move with a troubled look on her face, and instead Schwartz, who had finished reuniting with his mother, turned to me.

　He finished his embrace and is staring at us with a disgusted face with his hand on the empress' shoulder.

''Well you're a guy who can't read the air. But it's also true that we don't have much time. Hurry, let's get ready for this one too. Mother, please help us.

　At those words, the empress opened her mouth, her eyes still blotched with tears, narrowing sharply.

''........Yes. I understand.

　They exchanged such an exchange, and then they all turned their bodies towards me.

''These two are collaborators. The reward is the elves, including Fearatola no problem, you two.

'What? Cooperation? Reward?

　When I was confused by the sudden turn of events, Yuri, standing next to me, nodded with a soft smile on his face.

''Yes. There is no problem. It seems to be the best outcome from this side as well.

　Yuri replied, and the empress and Fiatola's expressions turned stern, as if they had figured something out.

　For some reason, even though they are usually somewhat out of character, for some reason, both Januar and Yuri's heads suddenly start to spin when politics and economics are involved.

　And those who belong to the royal and noble families have a habit of blurting out that area.

''........Can someone explain what we're going to do now?''

　I muttered that, and everyone blinked at me.





[Taiki]

　He opens his mouth as he watches Maer and the others return to the Imperial City.

''Well, what are we going to do about the last one?''

After all, you have decided that you can't take him out in secret, haven't you?

'Yes. That means that we're going to have to contend with the Empire, as expected. Let's prepare a letter for Violette to take with her for a moment. It looks like Aifa-san and the others have stayed behind, and they're probably sneaking into the castle. Let's get ready in the meantime, too.

　As I said that while smiling bitterly, I stood up and Eira looked at me with concern.

''Is it safe for the three of us to sneak into the castle without Taiki-sama's golem.......''

Mr. Aifa is a court jester, right? As long as they don't do it too badly, they can get inside the castle, right? Hey, Miss Violette.

　Violette cowered her shoulders as if she was not amused when I shook the story.

''I guess it can't be helped, right? You could enter the castle by yourself and let them in afterwards, or you could pack them in a box and enter with a wagon, you know.

　Violette sniffed and then agreed with me.

'That's what I mean. But once we meet the emperor, it's going to be a lot of trouble. So we need to be prepared for that too, just in case.

　No way, they wouldn't use a forceful method. Aifa is stamped as a slave by the emperor, so the risk is too high with a forceful method.

　Aifa seemed calm, and she shouldn't be overwhelmed.

　With this in mind, I leisurely prepared a letter to the emperor.