The discussion with the Empire's magic academy was to be held at the mayor's mansion.
　There was a room like a large conference room for everything, and it was said to be suitable for the discussion.

　That night.
　We gathered in the room of the inn where we were staying to discuss tomorrow's matters.

'It's finally tomorrow,'

　The principal tells her.
　Erica looks nervous.

''Hey, don't worry so much. It's a good idea to have the headmaster of the Rosanlila magic school to handle the adult discussions.

　The headmaster continues to speak with a serious expression on his face.

''But ... if the Empire tries to make a point. At that time, Kurt I'm sorry, but I think I'll need your help.
Yes. That's what I'm here for.

　I reply politely.
　
　It's because you don't know who is listening.

''Eri-chan. Are the Imperials also in this........neutral city?

　Lara voices a question.

'Yeah, I heard they're already here. I heard they arrived today. I heard they're staying at an inn that's much higher in rank than the one we're in.

　I felt something like annoyance from Erika-sensei's words.

　Arriving today........is quite a comfortable thing to do.
　If something had happened on the way, we might have missed tomorrow's discussion.

Can I ask you one question?　Who is going to be the judge of the discussion ...?　Both of them think they're right, and yet it's such an easy decision to make?

　Marise raised her hand and asked a question.

'I'm a neutral city mediator. There are five mediators, and if the discussion gets out of hand, they are supposed to be the ones to pass judgement. As for the role of the neutral city, Marys would know that, wouldn't you?
'Ah, yes I have a sketchy memory, but I've heard that it has a role to play in bringing the kingdom and the empire together.
'Yes. That's why there is a neutral city in the center of the kingdom, between our royal city and the imperial city. If there is a problem between our two countries, we often meet here in the neutral city and the mediator passes the judgment.
Is that a fair judgement?
There's a treaty between the two countries. There's a treaty between the two countries not to interfere with the mediator and that sort of thing. Do you know what that means in this case?
...I can't bribe or threaten the mediator, right?
Yeah. Marise is still smart. It was better for the kingdom and the empire to have a neutral position like that. So at least the mediator is fair.

　Hmm.
　In other words, there is a person called a mediator, and those people are going to make a fair judgment.
　If we can get these people to admit that the Empire is wrong we win.

　They're pretty messy when they're in a corner like this.
　If we had a mediator on hand, the discussion would go more smoothly.

Well let's just go to bed early for tomorrow, shall we?

　The headmaster clapped his hands with a pan to announce the dismissal of the place.

''Unh.''
Can we....can we....can Lara come with us tomorrow?
'Of course. Just sitting there would be a great experience.

　As Lara and Marise were about to leave the room, they were asking the headmaster about it.

　
　Me, the principal and one room.
　Lara, Marise, and Erika-sensei, the three women, are in the same room.

"Oh, Lara, Marise I'll be there in a minute.

　When Marise was about to close the door for the last time.
　I called out to her.

'What?　Kurt.
I need to ask you for a favor.

　I called them back and told them a story.
　They all looked surprised.

'Is that true?'

　He nodded silently at Lara's question.

'So ... the mediator ...'

　I've been allowed to put up a soundproof ward inside the room, but I can't let it leak out in case it does.
　In a whisper, I asked Lara and Marise to do me a favor.

'Wow, okay,'
But is Kurt okay with this?
Me?　I'll be fine.
That's a silly question.

　Well, the meeting is over.
　I don't think we're going to be able to have this meeting for free, after all.
　For the time being, I'll just lie in bed and wait, shall I?

　I'm going to lie in bed for now.

　I could hear people outside the inn until late at night, but when midnight came, it was completely quiet.

　I was on my bed, meditating.
　Of course, I was awake.
　I am drowsy, but...hey, this is about as tolerable as I can take it; it's nothing to worry about when I think about the time I did the five-night run when I hid in a dungeon a thousand years ago.


　A thousand years ago, when I was in the dungeon, it's nothing to worry about.


　It's here.
　It was a small noise.
　Even if you were awake, it was such a small noise that ordinary people wouldn't be able to hear it.

　If I wasn't careful, I might have missed it too.
　But since I arrived in the neutral city, I've never been so careless.

　Someone stood by my bedside.
　Well, there was a time when Lara snuck into my room in my dorm room.
　I know it wasn't Lara and it wasn't Maryse, because I used some kind of detection spell.

　When that thing tried to put the dagger to my neck.


"I've waited long enough for you to come.


　I said, and without waiting for a response from my opponent, I released a ray of light attribute magic.

　Without a sound, the ray of light pierced the opponent's chest and he fell forward as it was.

''Fuu.''

　I exhale and pick my upper body up off the bed.
　I look to the side and see that the headmaster still doesn't seem to have noticed.

"Saadi........the long night is just getting boring. Shall we let him play?

　I uttered, picking up the sword that was propped up on the table.