The three who had newly become soldiers of our Brunhild Duchy were quite good as Lean had recommended them.
　Lein-san was good with the sword, Norn-san was good with the twin swords, and Nicola-san was good with the spear-axe known as the halberd, and I had everyone fight with the eightfold, but I didn't feel that much of a difference. I guess this would be promising.

''Your Majesty, do you have any horses in this castle?''
Horses?

　When Nicola-san, who still has a rigid manner of speaking, said that to me, I realized that I didn't have a horse in this castle. It's all "gates" to get around, right? I didn't feel the need to use a bicycle in the capital, so I didn't feel the need to have one.

I wondered if I needed a horse.
"If you're going to fight as a cavalryman. There should be no fights, but there's a big difference between being trained for an emergency and not being trained for one.

　You're right. Soldiers are here to fight. Shouldn't be too shabby to invest in that.

''And if you have horses, we can have a tour of the country. We'd like to get a feel for the country's terrain.

　What Rain-san says is also true. By the way, this guy calls himself "I"....... It's no wonder he's mistaken for a man.
　But it's a horse.

Well, let's call a more convenient vehicle anyway.
What?

　Leaving Nicola-san, who doesn't understand the intent of my words, I focus my magic power and draw a magic circle on the ground.

'Come, O Darkness, I seek you, Gryphon, Champion of the Sky.

　When the black mist that appeared within the magic circle cleared, a lone gryphon stood there.

''Whoa!''
Great.....
This is....

　All three of them were surprised in different ways, but all three were transfixed by the gryphon in front of them.

'Well, you're...Paul, no, John. Look, John. You're going to be Nicola's partner here from now on. Get along with me.
Quaah.

　John purred briefly and walked over to Nicola-san. Nicola touched John a little hesitantly and patted him on the back.

'He's so docile. It's as if you can understand the language.'
I can't speak, but I understand the language. It's a summoner, after all. I think it's easier to handle than a normal horse. Well, why don't you try riding one for now?

　The gryphon John began to walk slowly as Nicola boldly straddled his back with a flutter, though he didn't have a harness (I don't know if that's what they call it in this case, since he's not a horse).
　John speeds up his walk when Nicola-san commands him to. His parallel strides became a fast stride, then a spur, and soon he was flapping his wings as he took to the sky. As if out of concern, he circled at a lesser altitude and descended to the ground again.

'How's it going?'
'No... it's amazing, Your Majesty. I still have a bit of fear from the height, but I'm sure I'll get over it.

　Then he runs off into the sky again. 'I'm glad you like it.

''Your Majesty! Me too! I want that one too!

　Mr. Norn is crowding me. I mean, even this guy said something like His Majesty. Behind him was Rain-san, who had the same excited look on her face.
　You don't have to press me so hard, I'll call you out properly.
　Hmm, but being a griffon again is a tricky thing to do. It's a girl, so let's call her something like that.

"Darkness, come, I seek the heavenly horse, Pegasus.

　Two white horses with pure white wings emerged from the magic circle where the fog had lifted.

''Whoa! Wow! Beautiful!

　Mr. Norn approached one of them and patted it on the back. Ms. Lane also touched the wings of the other one, timidly.

'Let's call them Anne and Diana or something. Anne should be Mr. Norn and Diana should be partnered with Ms. Lane.

　Bullllllllllllll, with a shake of her head as if in approval, Anne lowered her wings and neck and urged Norn-san to get on. As soon as Mr. Norn stepped aboard, the speed increased a little by little, just as it did with Nicolas, and he jumped up into the sky. After a delay, Rain-san also straddled Diana and took off into the sky.
　Soon, after circling around the sky above the castle, all three of them came down. I took out the hexenbiest's leather from the storage room and modelled the saddle, stirrups, hammers, and reins, and handed it to them.
　Then I ordered them to come around the country this afternoon to check on the country, as well as to practice getting used to riding. If you have any problems, just remind the summoned beast to remind you, so you can telepathically talk to me even when you're away, so there's no need to worry about it.
　Well, in effect, it means I'm free to have the afternoon to myself. Nicola-san seemed to take this as a mission seriously, though. He's a stickler.



　I'll leave the patrols to my guys, but I had my own thing to do.
　On the first floor of the castle, we renovated a room in the back of the castle and put up a full-length mirror to allow people to pass through. Then I set up a metal plate next to it.

''Brother Fuyao, what is that metal plate?''
Touching it opens the 'gate'. Of course, only authorized people can walk through it, and it keeps track of who has recently used it.

　I give a simple explanation to Rene, who looks in the mirror curiously. It's not a touch sensor, but if it's just a 'search', it could be based on looks alone. If someone was using a disguise, or any kind of transformation magic, there's a chance they'd let it pass by unnoticed. By touching it, it can be authenticated through fingerprints, magic vibrations, and other such things.

And I can also specify the destination. Well, it's still only two places: a mansion in Belfast and a reading cafe.

　Both of them have similar mirrors installed. They're both in Belfast, though, so it doesn't make much sense. One of these days you're going to buy a little house in Mismid or Regulus? No, we can have the kings as the embassy?
　Hmm, His Majesty the Emperor's side is fine, but His Majesty the Beast King's side isn't talking about the 'gate'.......

''Let's try it out for now. Renee, touch your hand on that metal plate.
Huh?

　Honestly, Rene raises one hand full and hits the metal plate. It was a little too high to set up. When Rene touches it, the metal plate glows and Rene's name appears on it.
　Then the mirror glows dimly and the "gate" is ready.

'Then tell me where to go.
'What? Um, the house in Belfast!

　The mirror shines even brighter in response to Rene's words. With a handful of prompts, Rene walked into that mirror and disappeared from the room. Okay, it worked.
　I touch the metal plate to follow her. For safety, only those who touch it are allowed to pass through, so each and every one of us has to touch it. There's no guarantee that the bad guys won't threaten to open the "gate".
　I walked through the mirror and found myself in a room in the Belfast mansion. Huh? Rene isn't there.
　As I open the door and step out into the hallway, I hear Rene's voice in the doorway. Hmm? You have a visitor?

What's going on?
Ah, Brother Fuyao... sir. A letter from the palace.

　Tom, the gatekeeper, came to the door and handed me a letter. Tom and his friends have the liberty to use the room that Julio and Claire have been using since they moved to the castle.
　In the letter, he asked me to come to the Belfast Royal Palace.
　What do you want?



'Oh, oh, oh, oh. Are you the Fuyu-dono Mochizuki we've heard so much about! No. Is it His Majesty the King already?
'Huh...'

　The skinheaded old man in front of me, introduced to me by His Majesty the King of Belfast. That's him, he looks like the Hollywood actor who played the world's unluckiest detective. It's hard to believe, but it's amazing that this man is Rigg Leek Liefries, the King of the Kingdom of Belfast's neighboring kingdom of Liefries. So he's the father of that rose writer, Princess Liriel.

"Heard a lot about your exploits from the King of Belfast? But stopping an imperial rebellion by yourself, that's outrageous!
No, well, I'm sorry...

　There was no need to apologize, but it came out unexpectedly.

'...I see. The King of Belfast is right. It seems you don't have any strange ambitions.
Ambition... why are we talking about this?
''A man who single-handedly defeated the soldiers of the Imperial City and an army of demons in a comfortable victory against the soldiers of the Imperial City and married the princesses of Belfast and Regulus. To the rest of the world, he would be nothing more than a threat.

　Ah..... So that's what happens when you look at it from the point of view of the Hatha. It's certainly no use being cautious, right? Even if we have no intention to do so.

The only thing I can say is that I don't think any other country is going to do anything like following the tiger's tail. It would be the end of the world if they angered you and destroyed your country.
No. No, I don't.

　I can't say for sure. For example, if some country unleashed an assassin and killed Yumina instead of me, I'm not sure I'd be able to forgive them. I'm sure I'd rather pull that mastermind out and have him die.
　I'm not going to do anything from here on out. I'm not sure I'd believe it if I declared it so, but that's human nature.

And so, Prince Lefries would like to deepen our friendship with you. Normally, we'd like you to marry our daughter as well, but...
'No thanks. No, seriously!

　I don't want the princess. I really don't want her.

Well, my wife is already married off to a different country. We can't just give her away. That's a shame.

　It's not just a shame, it's a big thank you. I can imagine the hardships of a husband-in-law, and I can't help but want to cheer him on. I'm sure he's wearing a cat, because he said he's not even telling his father that he's writing a book. Of thick skin.

So, there. And now that you've built Brunhild's castle, shall we invite you to come and join us? It's not a political gathering, but a friendship between kings.
Invited to the Kings of the Western Alliance?

　It takes a lot of care just to invite the king, but everyone else? With a dubious look on his face, His Majesty the King of Belfast replied with a grin on his face.

'Hmm. It's Belfast, Lefries, Mismid and Regulus. It's good to see kings getting along with each other, isn't it?'
What's your heart?
"Even kings like to spread their wings!

　Oui.

''Every once in a while, I want to relax and play, forgetting my position as king. Fuyu-dono can provide that kind of fun for you, right?

　No, I'm certainly from an entertainment powerhouse in comparison to this world where there is little entertainment. Still, inviting the kings must be a big deal, right? You can't cook and guard and entertain and do things by halves.

It's not so hard to understand. You just invite me over like a normal guest at a friend's house.

　His Majesty the Emperor says so, but it's still hard work. Oh, isn't I the only one who doesn't have a good taste in this? I don't think there's anything wrong with making a good impression on other countries, though...
　I could have said no, but I could see the anticipation in both of their eyes in my hand. 'Oh, God.

'Okay. We'll invite you. But please don't bring up national squabbles or political agendas.
Of course I know that. And can I bring my family with me?
No problem. However, I'd appreciate it if you could limit it to five people, including the king. We don't have enough people to do this.

　We can't afford to have all the family members come to our place. Oh dear, it's going to be busy.