Flying through the sky, they pushed through the thick clouds and eventually found an island in the sky.

　Suddenly the flying island, the white houses, and the beautiful yet majestic castle spread out before them, and the two of them were mesmerized, unable to speak.

''It's ... unbelievable.''

　Unconsciously, an exclamation escaped Katerina's mouth. Although she didn't even utter a voice, Gray's expression was similar.

　As the two of them landed on the celestial island with abandon, more than ten robots and Trayne, Runt and Schnee appeared around them.

''Welcome to the Land of the Sky.''

　Trainee announced this with a bow of her head, and they returned the greeting, unconsciously following the ears and tails that grew on Trainee and the others' heads with their eyes.

''Ah. Thank you for this........

　Gray replied live, and Trayne nodded with a smile.

'Come this way. The king is waiting for you.''

　With that said, Gray swallows his spit and Katerina narrows her eyes.

　Seeing that they were tense, Runt chuckled and said, "Go ahead, take it easy," and Schnee elbowed her in the back.

'We don't talk unless it's necessary. Didn't Yuri-sama tell you that?

Oh, that's right.

　And then a distracting conversation took place beside the two nervous men, and Gray and Katerina's faces relaxed slightly.

　But as soon as they entered the castle, they returned to normal. They were astonished by the robots opening the gates, gasped at the view of the castle, and by the time they got to the elevator and reached the hall, they had already lost their voices.

''Why is there a huge window with a view of the royal city...''

There's a view of the sky and the mountains over here...?

　They mistook the huge screens on the four sides of the control room for windows and looked around at the screens as they scurried about.

　Taiki, who had been watching them, called out to them with an affectionate smile.

''Nice to meet you. I'm the owner of this castle, my name is Atmosphere Shiihara. Welcome to the castle in the sky.

　They turned to Taiki, who gave a simple greeting.

　Katerina immediately knelt down on the spot, bowed her head and opened her mouth.

''My name is Katerina Hafen. Thank you for inviting me.

　When Katerina replied with a trembling voice sound, Grey belatedly knelt down and bowed his head as well.

''Gu, I'm Gray. Thank you for inviting me.''

Oh, no no no no no, you two, please stand up.

　When Taiki told them that with a troubled face at their awed attitude, they looked up in fear.

''........You are the one from the Land of the Sky......?''

Young ... but not as old as he looks, or ...

　They looked at Taiki intently while muttering that little murmur, and gasped when they noticed the robot standing behind them.

　With a sideways glance at the two who were not moving, Taiki operated the control panel and changed the screen's screen.

　The image on the front screen changed from an aerial view of the Karruk Kingdom to Taiki's slave shop.

''Huh?''

What's the...

　Before the two of them can catch up with their understanding, Taiki also changes the image on the screen to his left a little bit. The image on the screen is an old building where Gray's friends are hiding.

　What did he think of the scene, Gray wrinkled his brows and stared at Taiki with a grim face.

''.........Threats, huh?''

　A voice filled with anger rang out, but Taiki didn't answer it, this time changing the image on the screen to his right.

　Katerina's eyes widened this time at the projected scene.

''.........King Karruk......''

　On the screen was the king of the Karruk Kingdom, Inicida del Karruk, shouting at the cloaked soldiers.

　The words and the image caused Gray to look in amazement as well.

　Taiki, who turned back from the control panel, opened his mouth as he watched the two of them compare the images on the screen.

''Well, let's start with sharing information. If the two of you decide that it's a good idea, then we'll need your help here.

　When Taiki uttered that, they tilted their heads suspiciously.

'Cooperation?'

　Nodding at the words he heard back, Taiki smiled wryly.

''No, I just thought I'd change the way slaves are...''

　That's what Taiki cut out and told him the story of what had happened so far.




　Dinner that day. In the dining room were not only Taiki, Eira and Yuri, but also Grey and Katerina.

　Taiki, Eira, Yuri, and Gray and Katerina were sitting around the long table.

　Maea, Aifa and the others were at the next table.

　The food and drinks have already been prepared to some extent, and Grey and the others were looking at Taiki with an expression of finally settling down.

''I see..... If this country is serious about invading, the Karruk Kingdom will be a blown-up existence.

　Cutting out that, Gray glares at Taiki as if he's shooting him in the eye.

''On top of that, why are you cooperating with us...?

　Receiving a gaze that seemed to be made of doubt, Taiki smiled and nodded with a bitter smile.

''Honestly speaking, Gray-san and the others are resented by the royal nobles and the largest trade association in this country's core, so if you plan to continue to trade slaves in order, I don't want to get involved. In fact, they've already been marked by some of the senior nobles, and they'll probably make their move in the next few days.

What the hell?

　At Tyki's words, Gray shouted as he stood up, knocking over a chair.

　Taiki's form causes him to back away with a wry smile, and the others around him turn their bodies to face Grey.

　The air that had been loose in the blink of an eye is tense, and Taiki cowers his shoulders with a dry laugh.

''Well, if you do it with that much flair, there will be witnesses somewhere, and if the aristocrats spread the money around to search for them, they will eventually find out.

No, no, wait. There's a complex pathway back to the lair that we have to follow to ensure we can't be followed. And there's more than one safe house. The minute someone gets out of line, the safe house is abandoned. It's not something that can be so easily discovered....

　A dismayed Grey doubted Tyki's line. But Tyki shook his head from side to side in disappointment.

'I'm sorry, but it's true.'

　Once again, Grey made a face like he didn't know how to answer that, and then looked at Katerina with a regretful look on his face.

　Katerina, whose eyes were turned to me, sighed once and looked at Taiki with narrowed eyes.

''........Forgive me for the rudeness of opening my mouth without permission, Your Majesty. The movement of the nobleman that was mentioned earlier how did His Majesty learn of it?

Hmm? Information brought to you by a nobleman who wants to get to know us, and by a slaver who wants to make a profit from doing business with us.

　When she replied stagnantly, Katerina pulled her chin back shallowly.

''........I don't think one or two collaborators could have obtained that much information. Could it be that a considerable number of nobles and merchants were under His Majesty's command?''

''The number of collaborators has increased considerably. However, since we can't guarantee the status of the nobles, let alone the merchants, we're asking them to cooperate in a different way, like an alliance.

　When she was told that, Katerina turned over to think for a few seconds.

　Then, she looked up.

''........Another form, what is that?''

　For the first time, Taiki stumbles over Katerina's question. However, after a slight hesitation, she answers.

''It seems that some nobles are colluding to start a revolution. Well, a promise not to interfere in the meantime, I guess. In the unlikely event that the Celestial Kingdom joins King Karluk's side, the revolution will be difficult to carry out.

　Gray stiffened at Tyki's answer.