A light tap on the door echoed in the room.
　This was followed by a beautiful voice that sounded like the sound of a bell and reached Ryoma's ears.
'We have a guest for you, sir.'
　Perhaps he understands the significance of the meeting that is about to take place.　
　I'm sure you'll find a faint but unusual kind of hardness in his voice.
　I'm not sure if it's because of the pain and suffering we've experienced since we were summoned to this earth world that Ryoma was able to perceive it.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.
　It's the same eyes that have the same gem-like shimmer as usual.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this as well.
(Is Saara a little nervous too.......well, that's only natural.......)
　Depending on the outcome of the upcoming meeting, the path that Ryojin will take will change greatly.
　Of course, I've made all the necessary arrangements so that whatever happens to be the case, it's fine.
　But even so, it's still a big gamble.
　It's not that I'm not worried about this, but Ryoma himself is not without a bit of anxiety.
　But it's also true that we can't leave our guests standing in front of the door forever.
　After confirming that Ryoma gave a small nod, he quickly opened the door while maintaining a speed that didn't make Saara ungrateful.
　He then invited the elderly man standing in front of him into the room.
'We have been expecting you, sir. Please come this way.
　Guided by those words, Viscount Julio Gerhardt slowly steps forward into the room.
　However, there must be some caution left in him.
　Ryoma immediately saw that Viscount Gerhardt's eyes were quickly checking the room.
(Doesn't it completely relieve you of your vigilance.......or is it safer for us to be that cautious as well?
　To such Viscount Gerhardt, Ryoma smiled smugly.
　Then, he slowly held out his right hand in front of him.
''I am finally able to meet you in person. It is my heartfelt pleasure to come out to welcome your Excellency to this mansion.''
　It's really a friendly attitude.
　If an uninformed person witnessed this situation, he or she would have mistaken them for close friends.
　To be sure, considering the difference in status between a baron and a viscount and the relationship between the two parties, the manners of the aristocrats of the Roserian Kingdom may be a little too casual in their dealings with each other.
　However, it definitely doesn't look like a relationship that was fought over by enemies and allies in the recent civil war.
　Even if it is only a visible, superficial part of the relationship.
　And the two people involved would be the ones who understood that best.
　Viscount Gerhardt lightly squeezes the hand that Ryoma offered him.
　Of course, he doesn't do the childish thing of threatening his hand with such force as is often seen in movies and novels by squeezing it.
　There is no point in doing so and there is no need to do so.
(That much Baron Gerhardt understands. I had heard that he was arrogant and snooty, but that's not all.......is it? Well, I guess he hasn't united the aristocracy, so it's only natural that he can do this much bellyaching, no matter what his true intentions are).
　The human heart is invisible to the eye.
　That's why good intentions can only be shown through actions, and malice is meant to be hidden until the time is right.
　At the very least, as long as there wasn't an obvious difference in status between the two parties, like when Ryojin first met with Lupis, who was a princess at the time, it was better to keep a friendly attitude and etiquette.
　Even if it's only a sham....
(Remaining vigilant, but maintaining a friendly demeanor. Whatever the Viscount's true intentions are, it seems he is willing to negotiate with me. However, the problem is beyond that........)
　Ryouma glanced at him inquiringly.
(Count Salzberg had thrown the rule of the realm to Madame Julia and continued to indulge in his own pleasures.)
　What comes to Ryojin's mind is the image of a warrior whose heart was twisted by the insidious innuendo and absurdity of the aristocratic society.
　He loved this country with all his heart, and as a result of his love being betrayed, his heart was greatly alienated from hatred and anger.
　He gave up on such an absurd world and spent his days indulging in pleasures, and somewhere in his heart he wished to die.
　To such a man, the people of his domain are truly cattle or slaves.
　It may be that he was only aware of the fact that they were merely tools to continue to generate wealth if it was done poorly.
　Of course, examples like Count Salzberg's are extremely rare even in the land world.
　The Countess Salzberg was able to maintain her dignity and military strength as the leader of the northern ten families despite the fact that the head of her family was insane at heart.
　This is because of the existence of both Ipyros, a key location in the heart of the northern part of the Roserian Kingdom, and the existence of Countess Julia Salzberg, a person who is skilled in political strategy.
　Normally, the house would have been crushed by a revolt of the people or the intervention of the king.
　But even if there is no nobleman as shrewd as Count Salzberg, it is also true that for most noblemen, their lordships are nothing more than tools to satisfy their own greed and pleasure.
　And Julio Gerhardt, a man who is the epitome of the ambitious and arrogant foolish aristocracy that resides in many of the Roserian kingdoms.
　I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the kind of person you'd want to associate with, even if you don't think about the fact that we automatically became adversaries because of the fact that Ryoma sided with the then Princess Lupis during the last civil war, to be honest, he's not the kind of person you'd want to associate with.
　No, not that I don't want to go out with them, but rather, I'm the type of person that actively wishes for death as a Ryoma.
　But the reports gathered by the Igazakis changed that judgment.
　Of course, there is no solid proof.
　There is only information gathered by the Igazakis and the assumptions they made based on them.
　That's why they set up a secret meeting like this.
　Ryoma slowly let go of his grip and invited Viscount Gerhardt to the sofa set up in the center of the room.
　Then he bowed deeply to Viscount Gerhardt, who sat down on the sofa facing him.
''I apologize for calling you out at this time,''
　Indeed, if the difference in title is the issue, then Ryouma's apology is correct.
　Unless the relationship is very close, it's impolite for a subordinate to call a higher-ranking person to the mansion, and even if they did call the other party to the mansion, they would rarely call them to their rooms.
　Not to mention, it's not midnight, but it's well into the night.
　It's about a few minutes past twenty-two.
　In modern society, one wouldn't say it was that late, but in the general sense of the earthly world, where people get out of bed just as the sky begins to whiten and return home at nightfall, it's already midnight.
　Even from the point of view of entertaining guests, it's not a desirable time.
　However, in response to Ryoma's words of apology, Viscount Gerhardt slowly shook his head and showed it.
''Please raise your face. ''Baron Mikoshiba-dono. Considering the unfortunate misunderstandings that occurred between us, I can only say that it is an unexpected pleasure to have this opportunity. Please don't worry about trivial matters. Instead of talking about our unhappy past, let's talk about our happy future.
　When he said that, Viscount Gerhardt gave a small nod with a smile.
　In accordance with his words, Ryoma raised his face that was down.
　Both of their gazes crossed on the table made of ebony.

　From Viscount Gerhardt's gaze and expression, Ryoma realizes that his words are not false.
(That he hasn't bundled up with the aristocracy.......?)
　If you're a foolish nobleman who doesn't understand the situation, you'll take Ryoma's apology as a matter of course, that apology as a matter of course, and you'll fill your trivial self-esteem.
　And if it's Julio Gerhardt, the man who heard about it from Queen Lupis and Mertina, he would have done so for sure.
(I've been looking at this a little too much through colored glasses myself.)
　Queen Lupis and Mertina have been at odds with the aristocratic faction in order for the king to regain his power as king.
　Naturally, the assessment of the head of the rival faction, Viscount Gerhardt, would be harsh.
　To honestly acknowledge the virtues and advantages of the enemy requires a great deal of human gentleness.
　Unfortunately, this is something that young, idealistic women cannot possess.
　It is a rare mistake for Ryoma to have been dragged into the evaluation of these women, which is a rare mistake for Ryoma, who emphasizes the underhandedness of information.
(Well, it's not every day you get to talk face to face like this with your enemy's ringleader.
　Before the civil war, needless to say, even after the civil war, there was no direct acquaintance between Ryoma and Viscount Gerhardt.
　I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one who's been in the same boat as you.
　Before and after his expedition to the Kingdom of Zaruda, he had dropped in at the Court, but at that time Viscount Gerhardt had retreated to his new estate.
　It wasn't that they didn't know each other's faces, but at best, they only passed each other once or twice in the royal palace.
　And that was only from a distance, seeing Viscount Gerhardt, who was surrounded by people of overconfidence and factions, from a distance.
　That was the extent of their connection.
　Naturally, the basis of the character evaluation for Viscount Gerhardt would be built on the basis of information from Lupis and Mertina.
　However, when they actually meet and exchange words, the impression of him changes dramatically.
　It may be true that he has an arrogant personality, but he has the wisdom to hide it.
　That means you have enough self-control to control your emotions.
(No, it sounds bad if you call it arrogance, but if you rephrase the word, you could call it nobility or isolation.)
　After all, I suppose it means that people see what they can see as far as they can see, the way they want to see it.
''Then I'll take your word for it and cut to the chase.......''
Very well.
　At Ryouma's words, Viscount Gerhardt nodded deeply and showed him.
　Then, Ryouma slowly opened his mouth again.
''Let me ask you in a straightforward manner. What do you think of the current situation and the future of this country, Your Excellency?
　That's a dangerous question indeed.
　Even if it's not direct, it could be interpreted as disrespect or treason, depending on how you ask.
　If Mertina finds out that Ryoma said these words, she will make a point of denouncing them without mercy.
　It's a word of choice for the time and place and the person you are speaking to.
　At the very least, these are not words to ask an unknowing person.
　And answering such a dangerous question carries an equal amount of risk.
　But Viscount Gerhardt replied matter-of-factly as if he did not care about such dangers.
''I'm sure that this country will fall soon...''
　It's like a fate that has already been decided.
　To that extent, Viscount Gerhardt's words were full of conviction.
　Then, with a leisurely motion, Viscount Gerhardt reached for the glass on the table.