Oh, oh my goodness that's something.

　The majesty of the royal castle in front of him consumed the Wraiths, and they couldn't help but let out an involuntary exclamation of admiration. He had seen it from a distance several times, but this was the first time he'd ever had the opportunity to come up close and see it.

　There were several blue spires in a row, with a pure white exterior wall spreading out below them. They must be over a hundred meters high.

　Just looking up at them is a sight that makes my neck hurt.

''Wow, they're still needlessly huge!
That's why it's so big when the master of the land lives here. It must be hard to clean up afterwards.
It's just a common man's idea.
'Why is your non-resident master so proud of you?

　While plugging away, Wraith continues to look at the outer walls of the castle. I'm a tourist in the mood to see something unusual.

''Oh, by the way, the giant dragon was just as big as the castle, or a bit bigger!
I'm glad you won.
Well, it wasn't easy at all.

　It's abnormal when it's just fine, but it's a story that doesn't work for this master and student. Wraith, well, if it's a master, he was quickly convinced that it was a master. This is a unique sensitivity that is different from that of ordinary people.

Well, let's get to the entrance.

　As Wraith scurried around like a prowler, he spotted a huge black gate. He also saw a sword-bearded guard standing there and rushed over.

'Halt!'

　A voice with a hint of warning is uttered, and instinctively Wraith stops in his tracks. Rulimes looks languid, as if he has just remembered his hunger.

　Unlike Wraith, who is a bit defensive, he doesn't seem nervous at all.

''What are your requirements!''
Well, I'm an adventurer here on a case.

　Wraith passes the letter of nomination request he took out to the guard. Wraith and Lurimes, for two people.

　The guard man carefully checks it and eventually salutes the Wraith.

　The Wraith is amused by this brilliant change in response.

''I beg your pardon!　We've heard about you, and we'll show you around now!
Hi. Hi.

　The man, who probably had a strong work ethic, gave orders with hand gestures to someone who looked like a subordinate and had them open the gate. The large black gate slowly opened and the Wraiths were invited into the royal castle.

　The Wraiths walked with a somewhat restless mood. The inside of the castle is as luxurious as the outside, so it's a space that the average person can't get used to. If you actually live there, you can't help but feel a sense of discomfort.

　Expensive-looking vases and paintings come into view and then disappear, and after repeating this process several times, you can't help but feel a sense of discomfort when you actually live there. In front of one room, the guard stopped.

'Please wait here for a moment. We will call you in as soon as we are ready.
I understand.

　Wraith watches the back of the man guarding him as he hurriedly heads off to somewhere else, then opens the door in front of him. The door opens, leaving a slightly heavy feeling in his hand--

..........
What are you doing still, Mr. Ray?

　Lurimes, who was behind the Wraith, couldn't see into the room, and called out to his apprentice, who opened the door and remained at a standstill. However, the words slipped past the Wraith's ears.

　What he sees in his eyes now is the figure of a man with his gray hair cut short. The sharp look in his eyes was more than familiar. He had experienced a bad feeling just a few moments ago.

　Wraith unconsciously touched a hand on his shoulder.

　I wanted to sigh at the fact that my premonition was true, but I held back on the verge. This was because his eyes met those of a nobleman who turned at the sound of the door opening. The man raised his eyebrows quizzically for a moment, but quickly removed his gaze as if he had lost interest.

　The Wraith was relieved that nothing had happened, but at the same time, he realized that there was someone else besides the nobleman. The person was sitting on the sofa, a little away from the nobleman.

　He had slightly long gray hair for a man and a somewhat unreliable face. At a quick glance, would the first impression of femininity come to mind? It can be said to be a face that has retained its boyishness. And on the chest of such a boy, the same family crest as that of an aristocratic man was engraved.

　In other words, this boy is also an aristocrat. Wraith grasps the situation in an instant and silently steps into the room. Rulimes then looked inside the room, and unlike Wraith, this one's expression was distorted in an understandable way.

　There are two sofas in the room and two single-seat sofas, each set up around a table placed in the center of the room. The man was using one of the sofas and the boy was using one of the couches, and the Wraiths naturally sat next to each other on the unused couch.

　No one uttered a word, the only sound being the silent ticking of the clock hands on the wall. To put it simply, it's a heavy atmosphere.

''...What...what is this situation. Is this a new kind of tormentor or something?　Do you think he doesn't like me?　Can I go home now?
I have a question for you.

　Wraith and Lurimes whisper to each other at a volume that can only be heard next to each other. It would be a natural question if they came for a request, since they are waiting in the same room with two noblemen. On top of that, I can't seem to get along with one of them.

''Or rather, I'm hungry.
'Master's not nervous about this situation.

　I admire Lurimes as he holds his stomach and slumps his shoulders with a gulp.
　As Wraith ponders what's going on, the boy suddenly stands up from the couch.

　The boy walks up to the Wraiths with no hesitation and stops as he walks up to them.

'It's nice to meet you, I'm Seth Linfold. Who are you guys?

　The boy smiled cheerfully, perhaps to relieve the alertness of the poised wraiths. No hostility is felt.

'I'm a Wraith. I'm an adventurer.''
'Lurimes. A traveler's man.

　Perhaps to avoid wasting energy, Lurimes returned the simplified greeting incessantly. However, Seth didn't seem to be displeased, and he seemed to have a convincing look on his face after hearing Lurimes' name. He doesn't react in a particularly fussy way.

''Well, excuse me, but you're........''

　Seth slurred his words as he turned his gaze to Wraith, trying to say something. Wraith immediately understood what Seth was trying to say.

　--that's right, if there was a mere adventurer in the royal castle, you'd wonder. And that too, with a famous hero.

I'm an apprentice of Rulimes and I'm here on a commission.

Same?
Yes, as I, and my brother over there, Alda, are here on orders from the royal family.

　Seth had just said that much when suddenly there was a dry chuckle in the room. Seth quietly looked at Alda, who let out a laugh. Rugged eyes.

'So much for tomfoolery, my brother. The fact that our noblemen, who are of a venerable bloodline, have become so familiar with the commoners is a little out of character for a joke.
It's none of your business, Alda.
It's a pity that I'm saying this out of concern for your brother. People have a position. You can't defeat me because you can't understand that forever.

　Orda cleared her throat in amusement and shook her head from side to side in amusement.
　Wraith blinked a few times and twisted uncomfortably. It wasn't a mistake, but the mood was a few steps heavier.

　Caught between the glaring brothers, Wraith felt like leaving now.
　What saved the Wraith from such a situation was a resounding knock.

''We're ready to go,''

　The heavy atmosphere quickly fizzled out when the obligatory voice came from outside the door. Orda stands up before anyone else and stalks out of the room. Seth chuckled apologetically as he confirmed this.

''I'm sorry to show you how unseemly it is.
Oh, no, we don't mind, but...

　Wraith choked on his words, wondering what to say in return. Seeing the troubled expression on her face, perhaps sensing her inner feelings, Seth only bowed and turned away.

''Being a nobleman is hard work, isn't it...''

　Lurimes' stomach rumbled as he agreed with Wraith.