'The problem...?　What's that?

　The principal's question.
　I kept talking, remembering the Empire in my previous life.

''Even with all of this, I think the Empire will just make excuses.
What...!　With all this evidence?
''Yes. Looking at the headmaster and the teachers, the magic I just used isn't very common, is it?

　This time I asked, and the three of them moved their heads in silence.

''Then the Empire would have said. This stuff is fake. Isn't this magic that allows you to make images the way you want them to be made?　How dare you?

　Of course, the Empire was using surveillance mages that are considered to be over-technical and had Arnolt use lost (lost) magic.
　They must also know about the preservation and projection magic I use.
　But the Empire wouldn't be stupid enough to bother talking about it.

''d*mn........Even if you show them this kind of image, the Empire is going to get away with it!　What a shame!
That's too unfair.
But given the attitude of the Empire so far, it's very likely that Kurt is right.

　The principal, Erika-sensei and Desmond were all angry.
　I, too, think the Empire is cowardly but knowing the misdeeds of those guys in their previous lives, I felt they weren't ready.

　In a thousand years ago, the Empire had a peace treaty with a neighboring country and yet they invaded in the middle of the night.
　Even if it was a woman and a child, the Empire killed them all.
　The story of the king thrusting his blade into the neck of his daughter and saying, "If you spare her life, you will be slaves to the empire for the rest of your lives," is disgusting.
　However.

''Well still, I'm sure we can manage.

　I'm going to speak my mind.
　The empire a thousand years later was also cowardly, but it seemed to me that its level was lower than in the previous life.

　Has their degree of intelligence, let alone magical civilization, declined?
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.

' "Seriously, is that true?

　The principal leans forward from his desk.

'Yes.'

　In fact, this isn't the only evidence that the Empire was cheating.

'You're more of a teacher than those teachers out there.

　Erika-sensei muttered almost resignedly.

'Headmaster. Why don't you ask Kurt to do what was originally planned?

　Desmond's making his suggestion to the headmaster.

　So we're still on schedule?
　What the hell, I have a bad feeling about this again.

'Mm ... it's Kurt. Can you do me a favor?
It depends on what you're asking.

　When he returned, the headmaster seemed to have made up his mind.


Please...!　In two weeks, there will be a meeting with the Empire. I want Kurt to accompany me there!


...Are you serious?

　I asked that question in passing, but the principal didn't seem to be joking.

''I'm just a student, you know?　Is that what you're allowed to participate in the adult discussion?
Good. And, at the end of the day, Kurt is not a man who fits into the category of student. Erica and Mr. Desmond would agree, wouldn't they?

　The headmaster looked at the two men in turn.

'As much as it frustrates me as a teacher I can think of no one more capable of competing with the Empire than Kurt. Would you be willing to help us?
I have a feeling you'll be able to handle it. To be honest, I'm not very good at talking things over...

　Erica-sensei and Desmond seemed to share the same opinion.
　I had a little bit of a feeling of trouble........

　But my dislike of the empire seems to be pretty good too.
　It's a good thing I'm not the only one who is disgusted when I remember the faces of those Imperial guys who are trying to talk their way out of it.

　I don't mind.
　I'm not trying to help the principal or Erika-sensei, but this is more my problem.
　If you can't find a way to get to the bottom of it, you'll be able to get more hints of this world's "truth" if you see the guys from the Empire again.

I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about it. If it's okay with me, I'll come with you.
Thank God.

　The principal bowed his head so low that his forehead almost caught on the desk.
　It is not easy for a person in a high position to bow that low.

''So.........are we going to have a discussion here?
"No, it will take place in the neutral city of Chiflea.

　Well, if we had a discussion on either platform, that wouldn't be fair.

　But still.........it doesn't feel like the discussion is going to proceed peacefully.
　I think this is going to be a problem.
　For my part, I'm more interested in the fight, so I welcome it.

Kurt's going to have to come along with me, but don't worry about the outcome, you know. I can't have any of my people responsible for that much.
What are you talking about?

　To the headmaster, who was looking pathetically prepared, I declared, "You must win the game.

"You must win the game, no matter what.

　The same as in the past.

　The next day.
　I told this story to Lara and Marise in class.


'What!　The Empire, you've been cheating so much and you're still saying that!

　The one who hides her open mouth with her hand and is surprised is Lara.
　She is the first girl I met since I came to King's Landing, a girl who looks natural but has surprisingly keen instincts.

''I had some idea of what to expect, though.

　And the one with a clear face is Marise.
　She's a girl who fought her way through the magic academy's entrance exams and hates to lose.

'Marise, why?'
'These are the people who have done all that, you know?　I wouldn't be surprised if he said this much. Besides........there are a few bad rumors floating around the Empire.
"Bad news?
There's no proof of this, but there are rumors that they're doing a lot of cheating.

　Compared to Lara, Marise seemed to be able to analyze the situation relatively calmly.


It's a scary place to be because I feel like Kurt can handle it.
Me too.

　Lara and Marise don't seem to be worried about me, either.

'So two weeks later. It doesn't look like I'm going to be able to teach them both magic. So I'm going to set up a voluntary training menu...

　That's when I was about to say, "I'm sorry,

　Lara gingerly moved her face closer to mine.

I want to go with you!
What?
'I want to see how cool Kurt is!　Besides..........you'll grow up a lot more around Kurt than if you had to train by yourself.

　He said something outrageous.

'Lara!　It's not fair!　It's like an empire!
I'm not cheating. Then why don't you come in, Marise?
It would cause trouble for Kurt. And it's not like we're allowed to go along with him...

　Oh dear.
　It's going to be noisy again.

　But Lara has a point.
　And I have a feeling that the talks with the Empire won't end in peace.
　The two of them will have a lot to learn there.

　Besides........unlike a thousand years ago, I don't feel too depressed about being with other people anymore either.
　It's easier for me to feel comfortable with kids like Lara and Marise than with just adults like the principal and teachers.

'I understand. Then I'll tell the principal. I'll tell him, and he'll be fine.
Thank you, Kurt!
If Kurt says it's good for you I'll be there!
'Of course the Marys deserve it.'

　This is how Lara and Marise ended up coming along too.