The woman turned to Ardis with the tip of her sword thrust to her throat and said with satisfaction

'Ongoing. 'My Lord.'

　Ardis's brow wrinkles.

'What are you talking about?'

Don't look at me quizzically. A gentleman should have a gentler look at a maiden.

　The woman jokingly utters a smile that even makes her feel elegant.

　It's a good thing that the woman has no intention of fighting, so she lets go of her arm and lowers the broadsword she was holding to her neck.
　Then he sheathed his broadsword and gave his eyebrows a grimy squeeze with his index finger and asked the woman again.

What's the matter with you?

I never imagined that my master could do so much. The wait has been worth it.

Who's in charge?

"My Lord is my Lord.

No. So who's the master of this?

What do you mean by that? What do you know about it?

How could I be your master? I don't know what you're talking about.

"What we seek is human potential. The limits of human potential. And the future that lies ahead.

　The woman turns her sky-blue eyes straight to Ardis and says something incomprehensible.

My Lord has surpassed my power. It is a vessel fit to serve as my follower. Sometimes, my Lord.

　Aldis wanted to hold her head up.

'Not the Lord, but what?'

"What is the name of my Lord?

............ It's Aldis.

　Aldis was silent for a while, not wanting to get involved as much as possible, but this request was originally to take the woman to the Marquis de Trier.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most out of the situation, but I'm sure you'll be able to persuade them to accompany you peacefully if you can.

　You can't help but feel that it's too late to do that after having already fought one battle.
　It's not a good idea to complicate the relationship any further, and as expected, we can't build a friendly relationship if he refuses to even say his name.
　So I thought better of it and reluctantly said my name.

What about you?

"I have no name. If you can show yourself to be a squire for my master, Aldis, it will be no problem.

　Aldis barely swallowed the words while pointing out in her mind that there was no way that was possible. Still, it was inevitable that her cheeks twitched.

'Um, well, let's just leave it at that.'

　For now, it's a step forward just to be able to have a normal conversation. --It's not clear whether or not you can have a proper conversation.
　It's a very good idea to be able to have a good time with them.

'May I cut to the chase?

Of course, my Lord.

I've come for you at the request of the Lord of Thoria. He would like to invite you to his mansion. It's a good idea to come as soon as possible, but would you be willing to accompany me to his house now?

If it's the right thing to do, I'll be glad.

　It was difficult for Ardis to understand the woman's manner of speaking.
　But at least if you can honestly accompany me, I will try to close my eyes to some discomfort and listen to the woman's words.

I'm sorry to be so abrupt, but I'd like to get back today if I can. You may have had some purpose in being here, but ......

'Having had an encounter with my Lord, there is nothing to be done here. But you can go to .......

"But?

Oh, my Lord. Could you give me a moment of your time?　Even though it was unintentional, this devastation was brought about by me. I cannot leave it as it is.

　The woman who said that turned her head around. Alice Blue's long hair swayed softly.
　When Ardis followed the woman's gaze, she saw the earth gouged out and caved in by the two men's battle, and the large amount of sand and broken rocks that were blown all over the place.

It's not a good idea to leave it like this along the road,....... I'm responsible for this, so let's split up and bury it.

No, it is not worth the trouble of my Lord's hand. I am sufficient.

　The self-styled squire, who refused Aldis' offer, began to slough the ground around him without chanting.
　As if pushed by something invisible, large amounts of rock and sand seal the holes in the ground with unnatural movements.

　If told to do it, Aldis could do the same thing.
　However, this is the first time Ardis has encountered a being other than himself who can do this - and without chanting - with no chanting.
　It's not only that Ardis is out of standard, but the woman is also out of standard by the standards of the general public.

　Until then, there was no one in this world who could fight Aldis decently.

　But, after all, the world is a big place.
　It's just that Ardis hadn't met him, but there are probably many more powerful people who can rival him.
　We were able to overwhelm him this time, but that doesn't mean there isn't someone more formidable than this woman.

(We have to be careful not to be too vain.)

　No matter how strong you are, when you die, you die.

　Aldis reminds himself of the battle he just fought.
　In terms of ground strength, Aldis would have the upper hand. If you fight a hundred battles, you can win 99 battles.

　But that's only if you give it your all.
　If you are worried about the eyes of the mercenaries watching and are unwilling to use sword magic and unchained magic, one day you will be blindsided.
　In order not to show off, I didn't openly use sword magic and unchanted magic manipulation as much as I could, but if I keep putting such fetters on myself forever, I might have a day when I'll be unconscious.

''It's over, my Lord.''

　As Aldis was lost in thought, the self-styled squire, who had finished her work, hung her head in front of him.

My side is ready to go.

　The woman stretched her posture and looked Aldis straight in the eye and said, "I'm sorry, but I don't know what to say.
　Despite the many things she wanted to say, Aldis decided that the execution of her request was the first priority and decided to take the woman back to the city of Trier.

　On the way, the woman follows Ardis on foot.
　But from the look on her face that says "why bother walking?", I guess she could float and move around just like Aldis.
　It's a good idea to be able to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

　It's a very good idea to be able to have a good idea of what you're looking for.
　Aldis took the woman to the lord's house and informed the guards at the entrance.

'So the woman is the one in question?

　A middle-aged guard who seemed to be in charge came out of the stuffing station and responded with a sheet of paper in hand.

''Hmm. Long bluish white hair with slit blue eyes ....... That's certainly what I was talking about.''

　Apparently, I have the woman's physiognomy at hand.
　Rubbing his goatee, the middle-aged guard said with satisfaction.

''Alright. Then wait a while and I'll show you in. As soon as I'm sure the request has been fulfilled, I'll leave the money with the mediator. This note will serve as a proof of exchange, so do not lose it.

　The woman is said to be ushered into the pavilion as it is.

　Aldis, on the other hand, is not in service.
　The young guard handed him a tag that would prove he was the one who had accomplished the request.

'What is it?　Will my Lord not go with you?

　The woman asks Aldis.

"My job is to get you here. I have no business with the lord, and they wouldn't want to see a single mercenary in the first place.

"It is the same with me. Why should I go alone where my Lord has no business?

　In the meantime, an attendant who looked like a guide appeared from inside the building.

I'm not going. I have no interest in the lord, and if my lord is not here, I have no use for this place either.

Hey, wait a minute.

　When the woman tried to return his chain, Ardis stopped her in a hurry.

If it was my Lord's knowledge, I would be unwilling to do so, but I would not be willing to stay. But if not, I have no desire to stay. Or, my Lord, is this my life?

　The woman's argument was completely incomprehensible to Ardis, but if the woman returned to her, the request, let alone the reward, could be considered a failure.

　But that doesn't mean that Aldis can't accompany her as the woman says.
　Even if the lord wants to do so, but as far as the guards' response is concerned, that would be different.
　If Ardis, who is not even welcomed, tries to follow him on her own, naturally, the guards will be forced to stop him.

　It's no use, Ardis thought with a sigh of resignation.

　I don't know what she's trying to do, but the woman seems to be calling Aldis her Lord and obeying her.
　If you take the form of giving orders, even if only on the surface, the woman will also obey quietly.
　What to do after that is a matter for the woman and her lord to decide.

　You can't help but be sleepy, and Ardis has half abandoned thinking.

Ha, ......, that's right. That's an order. Go and see your lord.

　Ardis said, and the woman bowed her head reverently with a blank expression.

'Yes, my Lord,'

　As it is, the woman disappears into the mansion with the maidservant who is guiding her.
　Aldis saw to it, returned the kibisu and disappeared into the hustle and bustle of the city.