The imperial capital of Oltmere. The capital of a powerful nation that is the champion of the central part of the western continent and intends to bring the entire continent under its control.
　Even though that hegemony has stagnated since the last few years, starting with the death of Guyess Walkland, it's nothing to the commoners.
It's still a nightmare. On the main street of the imperial capital, you can see drunken people and the prostitutes who are looking for them.
(Good grief ... it's getting all late.)
　The work at the royal palace had taken longer than expected, so it was well past the appointed time, and the man trudged along the cobblestones in the moonlight into the northern pleasure district.

''Hey, brother. Do you want to have fun with Atai?　I'll give you a hundred baht for that.

No, I'll give you seventy-five, Atai. I'll give you a service.

　He ignores the prostitutes who have smelled gold from the man's well-groomed clothes and call out to him to be the first to arrive, and the man hastens his steps even faster.
　He originally told them that he might be late for the meeting, so there is no need to be in a hurry. However, because of his natural earnestness, the man's legs did not slow down even a little.
　I'm not sure if it's because of that, but one of the women grabbed the man's cloak forcibly.
　The man frowned at the indescribable body odor, a mixture of cheap perfume, cigarettes, and a whiff of sweat, which caught his nose.
　I'm sure you've got a great deal more to say about this than you might think. To be honest, men are not so inconvenienced as to pretend that any woman is acceptable.
　When the woman's hand is forcefully shaken off, the man proceeds to his feet without looking back. The woman's curses were hurled behind the man.
　Perhaps he lost his balance and scraped his knee when he was swept away.
(I can't help but wonder if the horse isn't available... well, I've told them in advance that we'll be late.)
　If carriages and horses were available, most of the problems would be solved, but unfortunately, no vehicles are allowed in this northern pleasure district, so all noblemen, no matter what their status, must walk on foot.　
　It's a bit like the Yoshiwara brothel in the Edo period that forbade basket-riding except for doctors.
(Totally. As usual, it seems uncomfortable here.)
　I don't mind the vibrancy and bustle, but it's only to a degree.
　I've felt frustrated many times before. But I've never expressed my dissatisfaction to my colleagues or superiors in word or deed, as I understand that this kind of place is more suitable for meetings.　
　After all, it's a private gathering.
　It's not a bad idea to have a good time with your friends. This mansion, guarded by high walls and strong gatekeepers, is the largest and most exclusive brothel in the imperial capital, where the women are located.

I'm sorry, sir. You will be able to get your membership card, or one of your members will be able to give you theirs. Or did you have a referral from one of your members?

　A man stopped in front of the gate, and the gatekeeper came to visit him with a politeness that didn't match his vicious physiognomy.
　It is rumored that even senior noblemen and even the royal family members go there in secret, so it seems that this gatekeeper has been thoroughly trained.

''Is this good?''

　The man takes out a card from his pocket as usual and hands it to the gatekeeper of the acquaintance.
　This is an exchange that has been repeated many times before.
　And there is no reason for the gatekeeper to forget to see the face of the man who is a member of the organization. It's not that I don't think a face pass is a good idea, but considering the importance of this building, it's not a bad thing to emphasize security.
　At the very least, that cautious attitude is probably the most important quality in keeping a secret.

''Yes, that's fine. Then please go on your way.''

　After quickly checking the number and name written on the surface, the gatekeeper inserted the card into the base of the device that was placed inside the choke point.
　Then, after confirming the contents on the crystal and nodding quietly, he gave the signal to his companions to open the gate.
　The metal gate slowly opens inwards with a heavy sound.

''Everyone is already waiting. Sir Saito-sama.

　At those words, Saito gave a small nod and stepped into the gate.
　The man's name was Hideaki Saito. It was the name of a man who was a close associate of the First Princess of the Oltmere Empire, Shardina Eisenheit, and who had risen to become the vice-captain of the Dream Demon Knights.


　After entering the mansion, Saito was led by one of the maids up the stairs of the great hall filled with the dazzling gleam of the chandeliers.　

''This is........sorry to keep you waiting.

　The third floor of the pavilion. As soon as Saito was ushered into a secluded room, as soon as he saw the faces of the men sitting on the sofa, he reflexively bowed his head and apologized.
　There were two men in the room.
　One of them had no problem with it. The reason why Saito visited this mansion was to talk to him.
　However, a cold feeling ran down Saito's spine as he spotted the unexpected human face.　

''Oh, enough with the greetings. Well, now that we're all here, let's get right to it.''

　Late twenties to mid-thirties. He was probably about the same age as Saito. He had tanned skin and short, black hair that was cropped. He was definitely two times larger than Saito with his large build. The man sits down with a fresh smile on his face as he shows his carefully polished white teeth.

''Carter-san........what is this.......''

　While sitting down on the sofa, Saito spoke in a whisper to the blonde white man sitting next to him.

''Saito-kun. It's fine........

　Saito swallowed his words involuntarily as a sharp gaze was directed at him.
　Shut up and sit down. This is what the eyes of James Carter, the owner of this mansion and the organization's information network in the imperial capital, said. It's a good thing that you're not going to be able to find out what's going on.
(What on earth do you mean.......it's still about the invasion of Zaruda......but I didn't expect Director Kikukawa to come out.......)
　An unexplainable anxiety shook Saito's mind. He has been reprimanded somewhat, so Saito is not in the mood to be reprimanded. But if it was an exile, this man wouldn't have bothered to show up.
(No way........exile..... No.........)
　It's a fear I've never felt before, even in the face of the Oltmere Emperor Lionel Eisenheit.

''There's no need to harden up. Saito-kun. I'm not here to reprimand you for anything.

No, but... then why?

　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.
　It's not just a matter of time before you get to the point where you can nod your head.
　It's a good thing that you're able to get a good idea of what you're looking for. I'm sure you'll be able to find a good deal more information on that.
　If one were to compare them to a company, the difference between the two of them is as great as that between a manager and a director.　
　The fact that such a man showed up here is in itself an emergency.
　However, despite Saito's anxiety, Kikukawa opened his mouth with a calm expression.

''No, no, I've been based in the imperial capital for a while now as the contact person and head of negotiations with the Imperial side.

　Kikugawa smiles as he says that he made a lot of money.　
Then it's not natural for him to be in the imperial capital.)
　The privilege of being able to deal directly with the country. Merchants who have this and have enormous capital and influence over the management of the country.
　The tension in Saito's mind loosens just a little as he recalls that Kikukawa is one of the powerful merchants known as political merchants.
　Nevertheless, if what he just said is true, Kikukawa should have been in the imperial capital for the past few years now.
(Why all of a sudden...)
　Kikugawa cowered his shoulders as he felt Saito's doubts firsthand.

It's a good thing that you're in the imperial capital, so I was simply ordered to serve as a messenger to help you all out. It's a good idea to have a good time with the business as well, since the Zaruda invasion force has just returned.

It's...

　Feeling as if he had been pointed out in a roundabout way for his inadequate response, Saito is at a loss for words as to what to say.
　Kikukawa looked at him happily as he continued.

'First of all, I would like to express my gratitude to everyone for their work. In particular, Saito-kun, I have to thank you a great deal. It's because of your successful control of that Miss Shardina that this plan was successful.

　If the Oltmere Empire won too much or lost too little, the war would easily end.
　But that would not be good for the organization that was trying to make this invasion of Zaruda a business.
　In order to maintain this delicate balance, Saito divulged the route of the convoy's march to Zaruda, delaying the Oltomere invasion. This is no easy task, even for Saito, who sits at the heart of the Zaruda invasion force. If he was suspected at all, he would have been beheaded.

The only problem is, that difficult little prancing horse must have been hard to deal with.　And it's said that she's the one who thought up that blitzkrieg.

　Princess Shardina is no fool.
　Although she hasn't had much success in the past few years due to bad luck, she still can't underestimate the ingenuity and strategy she used to defeat General Belhareth, the so-called guardian god of the Notis Plains.
　If Saito hadn't been able to put the brakes on it, the Kingdom of Zaruda would have disappeared from the world map by now.　

''No........they don't know that the magic formula has been deactivated.

　Saito slowly shakes his head at Kikugawa's question.
　The jutsu of obedience. That is the name of the jutsu that is applied to humans summoned from the earth. No, it might be more correct to call it a curse.
　I'm not sure how many summoned human beings were killed in a war they didn't want to wage because they were forcibly implanted with this magic formula.

Certainly. It's a good thing that they don't suspect you if they don't know you've been cursed with the art of obedience. Of course, that's what we're trying to do, too.

　At Saito's words, Kikugawa lifted his lips and smiled.
　Normally, there was no way to cancel this technique on its own. In the first place, to the people of the earth world, Saito and the other earthlings are treated as beasts in the form of human beings. At the very least, they are not considered to be the same person. Of course, it's not that there aren't some open-minded humans. But to most of the ruling class, they were just convenient pawns who were willing and able to communicate with each other.
　Emancipation was not even an option from the beginning.
　So, unlike the usual techniques used on slaves, what is used on earthlings is a powerful jutsu called irreversible, using a rare catalyst. A curse that causes pain if you rebel and death if you act on it. A jutsu that is a lifeline that guarantees absolute safety for the summoner. Because of this, Saito and Sudo are given a certain amount of authority and freedom by the Oltmere Empire.
　The candy and whip that they give to the beast. However, that absolute guarantee can be turned into an opening when it is turned around.

But it's also true that if you go too far, there will be people who will question you. And I think it's a commendable restraint that you haven't made them aware of the fact that you would want to kill them right now to get revenge. With that in mind, you're doing a great job.

　A beast with its fetters off is quick to want to bare its fangs. And it's the same for people.
　Even if you know it will be your downfall....
　That's why we need a man like Saito.

''Because killing one or two of those guys after all this time won't change anything.

　The sweet temptation of revenge. There are few people who can resist that temptation.　
　His ability to keep leaking inside information about the Zaruda invasion army without letting his opponents realize this is truly outstanding.
　His eyes are filled with murderous intent and hatred.
　Saito's darkness, which he has been hiding from the public, is now revealed in a small way.

''I know about your lover and I feel sorry for him. But we have to be patient for a little while longer. We're pretty close to our target amount in this war.

　Saito bowed his head in silence at Kikukawa's words.
　It's because even if you receive words of comfort from others, what was lost will not be returned.
(Patience........how long will I........)
　For nearly ten years, Saito has been slurping up mud and bleeding. The only reason for this is to make his wish come true.
　I'm not sure if you can sense Saito's desire, but Kikukawa leaned forward and continued.

Kikugawa leaned forward and continued, "The success of this project has given us a great deal of spare cash. So the committee recently decided to come up with a new strategy.

　So Kikugawa cut off his words and gazed into Saito's eyes.
　It was a major turning point for Kikugawa. No, everyone in the organization had been waiting for this moment.

''I want to ask you for a new job.''

　A low, stifling voice, squeezed from the depths of his stomach, echoed in Saito's ears.

''Is it work?''

'Oh, the Crown Prince and Shardia. I need you to mesh these two together.

　Saito's face twisted ugly as he guessed the meaning of those words.