It was a full day in the carriage. Gradually, as the sun began to set, the group decided on an encampment and stopped moving.

'Something ...... strange.'
It's weird, it's spooky.

　In the midst of all this, Gloria muttered to herself as she turned her head toward Second's back when she got out of the carriage and went to talk with Cubero.

　The uncomfortable feeling she remembered was about Second's condition.

　At first, she thought it was just her imagination, but the more she spoke, the more uncomfortable it became.

''Oh, Emperor, did you like him so much?''
It's so sudden, so unexpected.

　At the anniversary party the day before yesterday, he hadn't spoken of the Emperor Emperor so much.

　But now, if you open your mouth, all you hear is the emperor.

　In the first place, he hadn't even heard a single rumor, let alone talk about "Second aspiring to become Emperor Marvel".

　Why did he suddenly say such a thing? Gloria couldn't help but wonder.

　No, if the word that came out of Second's mouth was 'King Castal', Gloria wouldn't have reacted in such a way. It was because the word was 'Emperor Marvel' that Gloria reacted sharply.

　Because she - she knew the current Marvel Emperor, Gordo Marvel, well (・・・・・・・).


'Hey, hey,'
I need to talk to you. I need to talk to you.

　The meeting with the Second is over, and Gloria finds Cubero, who was about to prepare the tent, and Gloria beckons him over a bit.

''What can I do for you?''

He's a little crazy.
Your majesty, your majesty.

'The itinerary ......?　Are you concerned about your travel itinerary?

No, it's not. The second one's really weird.
He says he's going to be Emperor Marvel, and he wants to be Emperor Marvel.

?

　Cubero couldn't help but put a hatena on his head.
　Gradually, however, a dubious expression began to appear on his face.

　He had never heard of his beloved master's aspirations to become Emperor Marvel.

　At least, he hadn't said anything like that until yesterday afternoon. Rather, he should have been trying to destroy the empire. That's why it was even more suspicious.

　This is where the difference in status paid off. For better or worse, Sylvia and her friends were close and close to the Second. Hence, when it was the usual bombshell again, they didn't take it seriously. However, Cubero, the servant who is both a butler and a squire, could not ignore Gloria's words due to his position, and coupled with his firm character, he took them quite seriously (・・・・・).

'Did you say that, Second-sama?'

Yes.
Often. Once every 15 minutes.

'That's an unusual frequency. I'll have a word with you in a moment.


　Cubero interrupted the assembly of the tent and went to join Second.

　The Second, in fact, was reading a book. Where on earth did he get it from, the book's cover says "The Rise of the Empire and Capability-based Society".

.............

　-- strange. Here Cubero was convinced.

　The Second he knew would never read such a small and difficult book.

　The Second only has three types of books in his possession: grimoires, skill books and erotic books. Since Cubero, as a butler, was also entrusted with the management of the library, he kept all the books that Second bought neatly, and he remembered their tastes well.

　It was probably only recently that he had acquired the books related to the Empire. The last time Cubero had checked the stacks was last night. If that was the case, he must have kept it hidden, or sneaked out to buy it in the middle of the night, or asked one of the maids to buy it for him.

　Either way, I could tell it wasn't like a second. He's a man who even leaves his erotic books in the custody of a cubero, let alone a grimoire of an ivory-type grimoire that costs hundreds of millions of CL, of course.


Se......

　Second-sama," he was about to say, and Cubero stopped with a flutter.

　He was at a loss.

　He knew for sure that something was wrong. But how in the world was he going to solve this problem?　Cubero couldn't see the answer.


　For the next few minutes, Cubero stood and pondered, and decided to explore and converse with him for now.

'Master Second. Where is your book?
Oh, this?　I figured I'd study up on the structure of the Empire while I could. My maid bought it for me.
Oh, you're studying, I see. Is that what it takes to be an emperor?
Of course. Cubero, don't tell me you don't know my dreams.
Sorry, I hadn't heard of it.
What?　The emperor. I've said it many times. I can't wait to be emperor.
Ha, ha. ......

　At first glance, it's a second as usual.

　However, the content of what he was saying was too far off.

　The dream is an emperor - the words sounded somehow like a mere mortal (...) to Cubero.

　A dream that would be too admirable for the average person, but for a man named Second First Test, it was too small. Cubero can't help but think so.

　If he was talking about becoming an emperor for now, it made sense. But the way he's talking now, it's as if he's saying that his dreams will come true once he becomes emperor.


　Cubero quietly put his head in his hands.

　What in the world had happened to him? He had never seen a second like this before.

　The contents have changed dramatically. Yes, it's as if they were brainwashed.


!


　Brainwashing.

　At that keyword that came out unexpectedly, Cubero looked up vigorously.

　I had heard of it, brainwashing magic. Although I've never actually seen it in person, looking at this second situation, the answer instantly solidified in Cubero that it was exactly that.

　I don't know who called me, but perhaps the Second has been brainwashed.

　Cubero thought calmly. What could he do to disarm the brainwashing?

　Of course, he didn't know how to deactivate it. That said, if he asked him, there was no way to know what would happen.

　So, if there is. There is only one means left.


"--Second-sama, please summon Master Angolmore.



　　* * *



You know Angolmore?
'Yes. Trust me, please, and don't ask too many questions.

　Cubero looked into my eyes and said that with a more serious expression than ever before.

　Why did he suddenly say that? The reason doesn't matter. What matters is that Cubero is serious. Just like that, I have no hesitation in calling out that guy.

　I didn't ask for much, as Cubero said, and invoked the 《Spirit Summoning》 without asking much.

''See, I summoned it.''
Thank you, sir. Um, Mr. Angolmore, I would like to have a word with you at .......

Huh?

　Cubero seemed to have something to do with Angolmore and opened his mouth to talk.

　However, Angolmore ignores such a cubero and purses his beautifully shaped eyebrows at me as he looks closer to me.

''Hm?　Hmm?　Nuh-uh ～～～～?

　And then he snarls and tilts his head back.

　What does he want?

　...... lashes are so long, this guy.


'Huh!　My Second, I see you have been bewitched.
Go to ......?
It's probably that old soldier. Oh, yes, I'm here.
'Wait, wait, wait, wait, I don't see the story. What's wrong with Winfiled?
He has cast a spell on my Second.
Witchcraft?
You know the drill. You know, witchcraft is witchcraft, brainwashing.
!

　My God, when did I get brainwashed?

　That's what you call a super development.

"How did you know?
There was a discrepancy in the sense of unity between me and my Second.
Yeah.

　No, I have no idea. They can't confirm it from my side.

What was Winfild thinking when he did this?
I want to hear this.

　Angolmore is taken aback.

'What, angry?　You.
This is a rebellion. How can you expect me not to be angry?
'I don't know why I'm mad at you, on the contrary. I feel like I should be praising you for your nice ingenuity.
Joke. That's because my Second doesn't know about the brainwashing.
'No, maybe so. If it was brainwashing that would come to light when I summoned you anyway, it wouldn't just be about brainwashing. I mean, this brainwashing is meant to be unraveled. Or maybe solving it will help you realize something, or help you. Anyway, it's brainwashing based on the premise of solving it. Isn't it?
"--!

　I see!　Angolmore's eyes snapped open as if he could hear, "I'm sorry.

　Hey, we've been together a long time, haven't we?　Give me a break. This is a woman who single-handedly led a kingdom to an epic political victory.

"...... is not appreciated, my dear.
Ah, .......

　Sorry about that.


'Brainwashing based on the premise of unraveling: ...... I see.'

　Cubero, who had been listening to the conversation between me and Angolmore from the side, put his hand to his chin and sounded convinced.

'Cubero, are you on to something?'
'Yes. Master Winfiled probably anticipated this situation.
Well, I guess so.
''Yes. To be honest, if it hadn't been for Gloria-sama's suggestion, I might have kept it to an uncomfortable level. The current situation must have arisen because Gloria-sama sensed Second-sama's unusual behavior perceptively.
Gloria was the first to notice.

　I look at her and Gloria replies by uncrossing her arms.

'Because, Mr. Emperor,'
My sister's husband, my brother-in-law.

!

　Seriously?

Hey, I'd like to see the emperor sometime.
I don't mind.
Interview, meeting.

　Alright, this is one step closer to the emperor.

　It's a great choice. The best thing to have is connections and a strategist.


This is no time to be a pompous a**h*le. "This is no time to be telling me what to do. Otherwise, I'd feel uncomfortable.

　I was grinning, and Angolmore said with a really sick look on his face.

'Yes, yes,'

　So, let's unpack it.

　I don't know what kind of brainwashing is going on, but the fact that the situation is like this means that we should unravel it in a flowing manner. It's his way of setting things up so that he can unravel it here, the day before he enters the Empire.

　Now then, what kind of message is that? Oh dear, this is very exciting!


By the way, Second-sama, how do you use brainwashing magic? How is the brainwashing spell solved?
You are diligent, Cubero. It's easy to solve, I'll show you.

　An outpouring of strong emotions resulting from a life crisis, that's all.

　In other words--.


I hope it's a spectacular death.



　When I said that, Cubero looked ...... serious after a moment.


'Second-sama, that's ......

　Then he glances at Gloria, takes three steps back with a worn-out foot, and clenches his fist in a giggle.

　Ah, yes. I know what Cubero is thinking, but .......


'No,'
...... Okay, so. I'm so glad to hear that. It's been a bit of a burden.

　It's a heavy load. That's exactly what it is.

　A two-man crew of Cubero and Gloria isn't even close (・・・・・).

Are you dying?
What do you want to do?　Do you want to fight?

　I hear Gloria is willing to do it too, but alas, that's not good enough.


"No, no. Thank you for your concern.

　I raised my hand to decline, distancing myself from them and Angolmore.


　There were two spectators. No, since the system doesn't allow spirits to attack emissaries, there are three audience members.

　It's a bit small, but well, it's probably a good choice of people to show them.


''Well, it's a bit of a detour on the way to the Emperor: ......

　I guess this is also necessary. And I believe it is.

　Besides, it was something I had to do at some point.

　I've been preparing for this for a long time. All I have to do now is to be ...... ready.





"Lord, I've come to you, Anko.
Will it be my turn, my lord?


　Anko and Miroku.
　I summoned the two of them and faced them.


"I'm sorry to bother you, but I really need you to come at me. Can you do that?

　I asked as I equipped my mithril buckler in my left arm and mithril longsword in my right hand.



　Anko's thread-like eyes opened thinly in surprise, and then smiled happily as her cheeks rose to the top of her head.

''Gyoi.''


　Miroku nodded meditatively after a surprising look.

'Yes.'



　Apparently, they're both serious about it.


　Oh, I'm so glad. I couldn't be happier.

　Why am I so happy? It's strange that it has nothing to do with the path to the emperor.



''Well, if that's the case, you can go to ......

　Suddenly, I heard such a voice in the cubello.


　...... this would be?　What's this, then?　Don't tell me that I'm going to lose (...)?


"Cubero.
Yes, sir.
Remember that.
Yes, sir.

　With an emperor, you must be ever-victorious and undefeated. A single defeat is not an option. The emperor must be an undisputed leader. This is the emperor I want to be. I'm the best in the world.


I'm not going to win a war I can't win.