'Why didn't you tell me, Master Nacht!
　A scream, almost a scream, echoed through the hall.
　Nacht around the dining table was naturally aware of Krista's approach and also grasped the sound of the knocking.
　He knew and didn't raise a voice of restraint on it.

'You shouldn't be so embarrassed, Aisha - isn't Krista a familiar person to me and to you? If the other person is a stranger, I won't allow you to enter the room, but if it's her, it won't be a problem--'
　Nacht beckons a stunned Krista to sit down, but then looks at Aisha and tells her.

'-- and we were just having a meal, right?
　Aisha was staring at Nacht with teary eyes, but she nodded reluctantly, and now she was looking at Krista with a sharp look in her eyes.

'We were just eating - yes, we were just eating, and you understand, don't you?
　The highlights in those eyes were non-existent.
　Christa nodded easily, not wanting to make a mess of things, and she nodded easily.

'Yeah, they were just having a meal.
　When Aisha let out a faint chuckle, Krista repeated the gesture with a classy smile.

The best thing about this is that it's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get your hands on it. I know it's expected, but let's hear why you're here - well, you can talk about it slowly over a cup of tea -
　Nahat poured the tea into a white tay cup and held it out in front of Krista and Aisha.
　He sipped the tea first, tasting the freshly brewed tea that would burn his tongue, and gently turned his gaze to Krista.

'I'm here to talk to you about your previous reward. I know it's abrupt, but I will have to vacate the trading city temporarily in the near future. Before that, I thought I'd report to Lord Nacht--

So that's why things are so hectic these days.
　Nacht took in the current situation with just Krista's words, and next to her, Aisha was tilting her head slightly.
　Her bright eyes seemed to be asking what she meant.

''Aisha, it's a review of your studies. What are the three primary duties of a royal nobleman?
　Aisha answers Nacht's abrupt question with deep hesitation.

'Well, governing, taxing, and armaments, that is--'
　Nacht nodded at Aisha's answer.

'Yes, the nobles, especially the feudal nobles, are obliged to tax and provide military power in exchange for being given a share of the territory. Ruling is the fate of the blue bloods or something like that. Well, such a rule remains in the name of loyalty. So, have you noticed anything about the city these days?

What?
　Nacht continued to Aisha, who tilted her head slightly.

'Didn't you think the merchants were busy?

Oh, come to think of it, maybe...
　Aisha didn't seem to care too much about it, but Nacht's perception is that even if she hid it, she wasn't able to hide it. In addition, there was even a man who spoke up about the fact himself. I'm sure you'll be able to find a good deal more than you think.

The fact that the merchants are in a hurry means that they have something to stock up on. Most people in the commercial center of a trading city can tell just by their movements. At least, it's hard to control information in this city. So, Krista is an aristocrat, and she has power. Since she's leaving this city in a situation where she hasn't finished paying for her request, it's natural to assume that there was a good contingency.
　Now then, speaking of a contingency that requires her power, is it as if the answer has already been given--

Is--is it war?
　Aisha, who took her time to carefully digest the information, replied.

'Yes, the other day Estor of the South declared war on our country. --
　Krista's expression as she said this could be seen to be distorted, as if she had pushed the bitterness out of her face just because she was expressionless.
　It's not the same as dissatisfaction.
　It was more like a simple - yes, it was as if she was desperately trying to hide her disgust.
　A weight grew on the quiet silence.
　With a cold expression on her face as she gritted her back teeth and didn't express her fury, Krista was somewhat and returned to her usual resolute attitude.

''I'm sorry--so I came to tell you in a hurry this time that I have looked into the current situation.
　Krista said, then turned to Aisha.

'Well, let me be frank with you. I didn't know any details about Aisha's mother, Floria. The ear chiefs (elves) are an exclusive race, so the guild had little record of them - but I did find out some things.
　Krista said with some conviction in her tone of voice.

'Aisha, isn't your father named Roland?'

'What!　
　Krista smiled at Aisha, who said that out loud in astonishment, as if the gain had just been said.

It's a good thing that you're not a stranger to the trading city and Estor, because Roland was a famous adventurer - a little hero, a perennial C A rank dropout, or perhaps the most appropriate name to call him was Roland the 'good-natured' - I've never met him in person, though -

'Lies ... dad ... he said he wasn't a good adventurer ...'
　Krista chuckles at Aisha's words.

'Thirty-four times--'
　After a pause, Krista continues.

'- the number of times he's broken the rules - even the most free adventurer has rules to follow. Of course, breaking them will be rewarded. A few more times and he would normally be expelled from the guild. Even so, he was not expelled from the Adventurers' Guild. I suppose it's an act of virtue.
　It's something to learn from.
　Christa chided herself.

I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this. This time, after gathering information, I have a message from those who have admired him--

　-- thank you for being alive.

　Those were just words.
　But they were also words with a mysterious weight.
　The next thing you know, there's a drop of tears on Aisha's cheek.
　I'm not sure that even the person who spilled the tears didn't mean to, but they were swallowed up by the emotion.

When I looked into the women of the Ear Chiefs (elves), the name of one man came up. That was the good-natured Roland, the only adventurer with two names in the C-ranked belt, who, in the middle of a request he received when he was a little over twenty, forced his companions to be the merchant guards, and after acting on his own accord, he rescued the elven woman and then abruptly retired from adventuring without a trace. A former companion of his told me the name of the elven woman. So that's Floria.
　Krista takes a sip of her tea and gently sets her cup down.

'It seems she had only recently heard of Roland's death, too - she was terribly depressed and worried about you at the same time - and when she went to the village, she was told that you'd kicked her out, she was furious and turned the village into scorched earth. She almost ran it. She wasn't the only one who knew about Roland, many of them did. So did the head of the guild - Mr. Nigrud seemed to notice a little bit, but he seemed happy when he was sure.
　So, Aisha, you've been through a lot, and I want you to know that. This is what I want to tell you as your friend in arms--

　--You weren't born to be ostracized, you were born to be celebrated--

　Most of all, though, it was your mother's way of telling you.

　Krista says, looking a little embarrassed. But it's only the inflection of her voice and her expression doesn't move as usual.

''To be blessed........''

　Aisha ruminates and a small voice echoes in the quiet room.
　Krista quickly switched her expression and calmly announced.

''--The main point, I didn't get a hold of Floria's whereabouts, but I heard that there is a settlement of the Ear Chiefs (elves) in the forest of Geraria, which is further south than here, even further south than Estor. Even though it's nearby, it's quite far away, but it's the only elven settlement that has been recorded in this area. I've heard that Roland and Floria came across each other when Estor asked for an escort to the south.

Hmm, an Elvish settlement sounds interesting again--a real fantasy.
　Nacht's eyes brightened perkily.
　A bewitching, yet suspicious smile mixed with an eerie feeling.
　But it didn't draw one's gaze in and never let go.

'But we're in the middle of a war - we won't be able to go directly to Estor. Most likely, the war itself will be over soon. If we wait a bit--
　But Krista's words stop there.
　Because Nacht's smile deepened.
　It's the manner in which a child is handed a toy, begging for it to be handed to her, like a child who can't resist. It would stimulate your caution before you could admire it.

"War is no reason to hold me back.
　Just as if to tell the truth, Nacht says.
　Krista gave a small sigh as if she had given up.

'Huh... well, I knew you would say that - so please, this time--' --I don't mean to be rude, but you need to stay out of the war.

-Hmm, I thought you wanted me to help you.

'Ha, as a nobleman, I should say so. But I know your power. You'll find that some of the aristocrats want to borrow Nacht's power and use it for their own advantage, while others want to manipulate you to keep the kingdom as it is. But either way, if you ask me, as soon as you participate in the war, it's no longer a war.

　Overrun, Krista says.

　Nacht understands Krista's concern.
　To use an analogy, Nacht is a nuclear weapon. A single shot could not only lead to the end of the war, but the end of the war. If it's used incorrectly, we won't be safe, either. I'm not sure Nacht is appropriate for a battlefield where thousands or tens of thousands of people are fighting with weapons in their hands.

I want you to love the kingdom as much as you love me. It's a good thing that you're not the only one. It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what you're doing.

Hmm, I'll see what I can do. Well, don't worry. I don't have enough time to get involved in other people's troubles. Besides, I'm just going to wander around with Aisha. I'll be stopping by this city again when I get a chance - thanks for the information, Krista. I'm moderately lucky to have met you--
　Nacht's tone was one of farewell.
　I think we've been in one city for a long time. Nahat's purpose is only in the journey.
　So Krista's report was a good start.
　In between journeys, we should enjoy the elven settlement and find Aisha's mother.
　Once that is decided, Nacht will decide to leave the city immediately.

'I look forward to seeing you again at some point.　

Yes, I'm glad to have met you, too--
　Krista said and stood up.

'Oh, um, Krista!　Oh, thank you!　Well, thank you for all your help!
　Aisha hurriedly stood up and bowed her head in a hurry.
　Krista was smiling in response to the all-important bow.
　Thinking back, that was probably the first time I saw her real smile.

''I'm also indebted to you--Aisha, may God bless you.
　It wasn't in full bloom, but it was a smile as best it could be, as if the little buds were struggling to open.