In the center of the complex and intricate city, there was something that could be called a castle.
　An opulent castle that should be called the stronghold of Solaras. It was an alienly gleaming castle in the midst of a rundown city.
　But the family's (the family's) - that's not what Minalia calls the castle.

　Where and how to reach it, Duran, who must have visited there at least three times, is not confident that he can reach the place alone. I'm sure there is some kind of magical device to block the outside enemy in this complicated, intricate, and unintelligible path.
　I was walking on Minalia's back, and before I knew it, I found the real thing underneath the city I had arrived at.

''Welcome to my castle--''

　An elegant castle with colorful plants and gardens with large flowers stands tall in a vast underground space that could be completely filled with a castle, let alone a small town.　
　It is not a glittering place. Rather, it's a quiet, yet beautiful appearance that is in harmony with nature.

You are our last guests.

　In the extremely large room that Duran and Nero were ushered into, there was a huge round table.
　Stepping into the room, Duran involuntarily gulped.
　It's not that he was pressured by the luxurious atmosphere of the place - it was pure and clear astonishment that he saw something impossible.

　The faces of those gathered around the round table were so gorgeous that it seemed like they shouldn't be here - or even that they shouldn't be here.

''Gah hahahahahahahaha!　You were my last customer, you little shit!

　Fierce fangs peeked out with a laugh that shook the heavens and earth. Duran knew the person sitting boldly in a chair that looked small and cozy compared to his physique.

'It's been a while, shall we say--the Beast King.

　In the eastern camp of the Seven Kingdoms, the most bitterly oppressed and most bitterly resisted beast kingdom of Rivatis, the person who should be on the throne was right in front of them.

　The King of the Hundred Beasts - Rayward Alberesta.
　He had an overwhelmingly large frame that exceeded two meters in height, and his entire body was covered with countless violent scars. The long fangs and claws from the lion's blood are just there to scatter a sharp sense of intimidation. I'm sure you'll be able to find a lot more than a few of them.

''It's a bit silly to ask why it's here.　

　Duran takes a quick look around.
　Even though he receives the gaze of Duran, a warrior of successive battles, no one makes a single move. That's all you need to know is that those gathered here are not just anyone.
　In fact, they weren't just anyone.

　Lutetia Rimbel is the president of the academic nation of Archelion, which has welcomed numerous races and continues to take the scalpel of research into their culture.

　Eduardo, King of Gilgan, the mining nation of Gilgan, the land of iron and blacksmithing in the northernmost of the Seven Kingdoms.

　All of the men in this room were in charge of their country.
　Naturally, they didn't have enough time on their hands to gather in a place like this. The Beast King, for example, was someone who was more likely to be in a war zone.
　His mere absence would severely disrupt the battlefield where the skirmishes were still going on.

"Kakkake - of course, that's because I called you.

　The ringleader, the patriarch of the assassination state, Minalia, was even smiling evilly or amusedly.
　She was the source of all this, which was why she was able to gather these extraordinary participants. If she could spread the information that the Beast King was in Rivatis with one voice, then the Beast King would not be here. She looks like an aloof girl, but she holds that much power in the Seven Kingdoms.

''Well, don't be so alarmed. Boy, you better sit down, too.'

　There was only one empty seat in the seats surrounding the representatives of the state.
　Duran hesitated for a moment to sit there. It wasn't that he was aware of the difference in status, he simply felt hesitant to let the child stand and only Duran sit in the chair.
　But that didn't mean that he would let Nero, who seemed insane from the moment he saw the Beast King by freezing, grunting, and turning right and left, sit in the same seat as them.

　Unavoidably, Duran sits down in a chair - and beckons Nero, who stands anxiously, to call out to him.
　'Hey, uncle, this is a dream or an illusion,' he moans, pulling Nero slightly more forcefully to him and sitting him on his lap.

'Unfortunately, it's real, give it up.'

　Duran swallowed a gulping sigh while looking at Nero's nekomimi, which drooped in a huff.

''Gahahahaha!　Again with the kids, you little bastards!　You didn't kidnap me, did you?!

"Whoever wants to kidnap those kids, the Beast King - your people - should at least give them some protection.

That's fine with me, but that's what your little girl wants, isn't it?

　Nero shook his head in a full, pressurized manner.
　I knew that Duran would answer that way too, so I didn't pay attention to it one bit.

'Gahahahahahahahaha, you've been missed a lot for your human habit, hey!　Well, that's all well and good, then!

The boy has mastered the art of attraction to girls.

'That's very interesting, isn't it!
　At Minalia's lighthearted comment, Lutecia, who had been silent, said so with a thin smile on her mouth. However, her eyes were serious, and she didn't take it as if it was a joke.

''Don't take it seriously, it's hard to react.''

Oh, it was a joke--I'm so sorry...

No more talk about the boy's dangerous propensities.

..........

　Duran, who couldn't even bring himself to interfere at the moment, responded silently.

It's a good time to be here, gentlemen, the chiefs of those who defy the rule of men.

　It's really well gathered, Duran can't help but feel interested.
　In the first place, there was no such thing as a clear and strong alliance, even if they were in the eastern camp. Rivatis is power, Archelion is learning, Gilgun is technology, and each of them is merely resisting the dominance of the people who continue to persecute them in their own way - the Election's rule.
　But it's called the East because of the small percentage of people in the population. At least, that was how Duran perceived it.

　But they are here.
　That means that the Queen of the Underworld has made a move, disclosing information that Minaria should have only revealed to her people, ignoring even the essence of being an information state that remains neutral.

''You, seriously--''

　Seriously, do you plan to destroy the country - the seven nations?
　Before Duran can ask that question, Minalia says, "Of course I'm not serious, otherwise I wouldn't have to invite my boys and kings here.

"Of course I'm not serious - or I wouldn't have had to invite my boys and kings here to meet me in person.

Why are you doing this now?

Hang on!　What are you talking about?　I have been on the move since the beginning. Even before the boys were born, long before they were born. You helped me in the time of Sidonis.
　Minalia raised her gaze as if she were looking into the distance.

I'm sure you're aware that, without a chance, I wouldn't be as bold as I am - you know that there is no point in the collapse of the seven nations or the victory of the multi-species camp.
　Minalia's words were answered by a dull sound of bakiri.

'That's an irritating way of putting it,'
　Despite the quiet voice, a section of the desk has caved in.
　You will be able to get a better idea of what to expect.

The fate of this country is not in our hands. It's all in the hands of the Electors.

　The never-ending battle between man and non-man.
　Behind the scenes, the electorate benefits from it. It can even be said that this country is here just for that reason.
　Far thousands of years ago, there was a country of the demon race in this place. The source of the seven nations, it was a multi-racial nation centered on the demon race.
　The Electorate sent an army to wipe out all the demons during the War of Man and Demon, and the land was engulfed in bitter warfare. After the retreat, the cities and military bases were left behind, and some soldiers were given land as a reward for their service.
　There were more than twenty nations before they were clothed in seven.

　Such a structure of man vs. demon race was used for convenience.
　The battlefield is also a marketplace for some people to gain wealth.
　The sale of food and weapons, to a degree, would still be the cute one. But the reality is that they are testing new weapons and even selling inhumane slaves.
　Rayward, as king of the battlefield, is a warrior who continues to fight against that reality.

'Your resistance is meaningless in the grand scheme of things, King of Beasts.

Little girl!
　With a roar, the chair supporting the huge body flew off.

I say in the grand scheme of things, boy - some of us were saved by you, and some of us were saved by you. You have saved some of them and some of them have been saved. Your resistance is more brilliant than ours, which is why I won't say that your struggle is meaningless.

So why were we invited here, Lady Minalia, when you, who never showed your face in public life, made a move to bring us here?

　Lutecia asked in a cheerful voice.
　Minalia's expression changed from a mended smile to a suspicious smile, like a prankster's.

'I told you, I will end the rule of man--I will destroy the Seven Nations. We are close to a golden opportunity that we can never miss.

And we haven't had that opportunity yet.
　Eduardo, who had been silent for some time, said gravely, "I cannot speak of it, after all.

'I cannot speak of it, after all...'
　Minalia hoarded and then finally let out a continuation.

'---- There is going to be a great war that will involve the world from now on, you know.

Huh!

What--?

"--?

　Minalia said that, quite simply. That's why the recognition - the understanding can't keep up and the voice leaks out.

'There will be a war. So, the Elected Theocracy will be blown away, no matter how much time they can afford to intervene in the Seven Kingdoms. Whichever way it turns out, it will be a unique opportunity to destroy the country and build a new order, right?

"...　What the hell is that--!
　Rayward's muffled voice was the voice of all present.

"You already know who I am, so you know who I am, don't you?
　Minalia said, as if she was imitating a teacher.

''Then it's like a human demon war.........''

They are not wrong. At least, not at the second attempt.
　At Lutecia's words, Minalia smiles elegantly.

''So rest assured--there will be little support from the Electorate, and the Holy Knights (Sacred Knights) will not move.

"I suppose you want us three nations to seize the opportunity to go to war?

To put it bluntly, yes, but I have a favor to ask of you, little man.

　At Minalia's gaze, which was slowly and deliberately directed at him, Duran couldn't bear to look at her, and he sighed.