Carfili, the capital of the Kingdom of Milliana. In the center of the royal palace, Dusker opens his collar with an unfamiliar outfit and a cramped expression.
　What you can see around is a spacious room that is completely decorated. No, it's a room that's too big for the word room. There are now countless people in the room, which is large enough to fit in a lowly aristocratic house, such as a baron or viscount. Most of them were noblemen, and other waiters and maids walked around and gave them glasses of wine.
　the ensuing party venue after the triumphal ceremony It's a place like that, but all the aristocrats are huddling and laughing. However, behind the scenes of the conversation and laughter, there is a war that can be called a quiet war by the art of narration as a noble.

(At a triumphal party after the war, another war is nothing to talk about. But was it right that he didn't bring Ray with him?)

　As we think about it, talking to our fellow neutrals and bringing wine to our mouths, we suddenly notice some figures approaching us and clapping our tongues so that we can't hear them.
　However, as a central figure in the neutral faction, I cannot escape from the other party here. Therefore, they wait to be spoken to, pretending to enjoy wine and cooking.

"This is Larkus, and congratulations on your victory this time."

　It was apparently a plump man who called out to me that way. I had just walked this far, but my forehead was already dripping with sweat.
　Judging only by appearance, he looked like a man in his fifties, but if Dusker's memory was correct, he should have been in his thirties. Two others of similar build follow.

"It's been a long time, Viscount Ottervo," And I'm sure there's..."
"Yes, he is my son of want. I'm thinking of finding my sons' brides at this party."
"...I see. So you don't have time to talk to me, do you?

　I have a lot of thoughts, but as a Dasker who knows what marriage is like for the nobility, he has no intention of saying anything in particular. But it didn't feel good just to be spoken to by Viscount Ottervo.
　Having said that, Dusker is a remote count. Even if the viscount in front of him knows that he is squeezing taxes to the point where the inhabitants are starving to death, he never expresses his disgust.

"Why, before I do that, I should like you to tell me a story about the heroes of this war." And where is the rumoured adventurer?"

　Dusker immediately shook his head to Viscount Ottervo, who asked, shaking his plump chin.

"I'm afraid he's not at the palace... or at Calfilly." I went straight back to the city of Gilm."

　The moment Dusker says so, the eyes of Viscount Ottervo, half-buried with flesh on his eyelids, shine sharply.

"Huh? Huh! Huh. If war heroes aren't present at the ceremony, why on earth is that? It looks as if Larkus doesn't want to be seen, and he wants to hide it."

　The words twitched his cheeks, but before that other neutral aristocrats spoke.

"Isn't it impolite, Viscount Ottervo, to Mr. Dusker, the Count of Frontiers?" As a royal nobleman, you ought to speak a little more."
"Huh? Oh, I'm sure it might be." I'm sorry.

　Viscount Ottervo bowed respectfully...or rather politely. At that time, the flesh on my face is shaking, which makes me feel creepier than funny than funny.

"But the other nobles at this party want to see the adventurer with their own eyes." if it were not on the orders of his employer, the Earl of Frontier L'Arcus, you know?"

　Viscount Ottervo speaking to his two sons standing behind him.

"Well, indeed, there is no doubt that there will be some one who will spread bad rumors as his father said. For example, the Count of Larkes is up to something with an adventurer in his pocket who is powerful enough to repel the first army."
"Hahaha, that's not the case, is it?" Sure Ray may have that much power, but there are some Rank S adventurers in this country. I don't think Ray can do anything about it. And if such rumors were circulated, that would be the crime of unrest that caused the capital of the Kingdom of Milliana."

　What are you trying to do around an adventurer named Ray? If you do something bad, you'll immediately spread it as a rumor and ask for punishment.
　Don't complain because you surround a Rank S adventurer who is said to be stronger than Ray. If you spread a strange rumor, I'll investigate it thoroughly, blaming you for it.
　They would have had a peculiar roundabout conversation with each other -- not with the son of the speaking Viscount Ottervo, but with him -- that the situation was unfavorable. Baron Ottervo bows his head with a smile as he wipes the sweat from his forehead with a silk handkerchief.

"Well, I'm sorry I couldn't see the rumored adventurer, but shall I take it the next time?" By the way, I ask you out of curiosity, but why didn't you bring in the adventurer of the rumored crimson?"

　Once you step back, you want to get even a little bit of information. Dusker laughs bitterly at the question.

"As you know, Ray is an adventurer, not an aristocrat. Moreover, since he lived in the countryside deep in the mountains until he came to the town of Gilm, he had no manners for the nobles. I thought of it, and it looked like I was going to have an audience with your Majesty, so I did not come to the royal capital this time, and I asked him to return to the city of Gillum."
"…I see. Your rudeness to Her Majesty is certainly unacceptable. When I think about that, I think Larx's way of doing things was right."

　It is impossible to say that Viscount Ottervo, a royal, brings in an adventurer who may be rude to the king, and he bows his head, twitching his cheeks in frustration.

"I have said a lot of rude things, but I hope you will forgive me, as I have said them all in order not to be misunderstood by Larkus."
"Oh, of course," I'm glad you've been so concerned about me."
"No, we are the nobles of the same kingdom of Milliana, and we are the pillars of your Majesty's support. In particular, L'Arcus, as the name suggests, ruled the only frontier in the kingdom of Milliana, and provided rare materials and magical stones throughout the country. The country will not be happy to be punished for misunderstanding that does not require such a person. Now, let's talk about it's time. I have to find a partner for my sons."

　Viscount Ottervo bows again, shaking his cheeks, and walking away from Dusker with his two sons.
　Neutral aristocrats, who were looking at him behind him, clapped their tongues slightly.

"Well, the viscount said something like that to Mr. Dusker,"
"Don't get too angry. I don't care. Look, it's a special party. a delicious meal and a delicious drink If you don't enjoy it, you'll lose."
"...I'm sorry, Mr. Dusker," If only we had more power...

　Another nobleman muttered regretfully, bowing to Dusker.
　Dasker looks at such a noble and breathes.

"So don't worry. Why do you guys care when you don't care about me? You've always known that we're not influential because of a small number of people, right? Well, thanks to Ray, we stood out strangely this time."
"That's... yes." That's true, though. Isn't that why we should take this opportunity to increase our influence?""I don't think so," Certainly, if you take this opportunity to expand your influence, you will be able to extend it to a certain extent. But what was the purpose of the King's faction in the first place? The Earl of Arius wanted to make a war effort for his own advancement, but it was basically to drain and weaken our neutrals and aristocrats, and it was impossible to do so, and on the contrary, our own forces were decreasing, so there was no doubt that they would be nervous."

　mutter, and continue that this may have been the cause of the earlier Viscount Ottervo.

"But the nobles who took part in this war, including the Earl of Arius, should not be the mainstream of the King's faction." If so, would you care if the king's forces were reduced so much?"

　One of the nobles says so, but Dusker shakes his head slightly.

"No, it's not. Even if it's not the mainstream, it's still the royal faction. The royalists, aristocrats, and neutrals are different factions, and it is a shame for the royalists that our military strength remains intact. ...and the name of a great country will cry if we do this in a national crisis."
"Or maybe it's because it's a great country."

　Dusker, smiling bitterly when he was told so, reaches for a dish rich in high-quality ingredients that can only be found in the royal capital on the table.
　"As it was a victory party, the chefs seemed to do their best, and every dish was so delicious that they smacked their lips to the full."
　After that, the king appeared and made a light speech, and had conversations with other factions of nobility and neutrals, but for Dusker, who did not like such conversations, it was only time to relax when he tasted food and wine.
　until the person shows up

"It's been a long time, Count Larx," Are you having fun?"

　Appearing before Dusker was a man of fine appearance, and of noble birth... and of the highest rank, the duke. Naturally, even Dusker knew who was in front of him. No, in the kingdom of Mileana... and even in neighbouring countries, if there was a nobleman who didn't know the man's face and name, he wouldn't know if he was in a box. Libertese kelevel As the leader of the aristocracy, she is the biological father of the princess general Elena.

"The Duke of Kelebel... we had a hard time together this time."

　Just to deal with such a person, Dusker's tone has changed to something more polite than usual. Liberte nods graciously to Dusker's words, though he is only more polite than usual.

"Oh, indeed," I never thought the royalists would even trust information about the demons. With that in mind, we have won this war very well."
"Yes, it was because of our cooperation with the nobles against the army of the Westians."
"Is that so? I've heard from Filma that the adventurer you hired was very successful. You seem to be on good terms with my daughter, and I would have liked to see her face if possible. I'm afraid he hasn't come."
"I'm an adventurer, and I don't have the courtesy to the nobles."

　They talk to each other with smiles, but their eyes don't.
　Dusker knows that Elena and Ray are indeed close friends, but that is why they cannot be pulled out by an adventurer of Ray's strength, and as a Liberte of the Duke of Quelebel, who is also a leading figure in the aristocracy, I would love to draw in that strength.
　Liberte, of course, put top priority on strengthening her faction, but at the same time thought of her beloved daughter Elena.
　It's not unusual in this world to see a single substandard being equal to dozens, hundreds, thousands, or tens of thousands of troops. In fact, the work Ray showed in this war was so good that it could be said that few adventurers would be able to do it.

"More importantly, Count Larx," It seems that our faction has caused trouble this time. Let's be careful not to let such fools come out afterwards."

　Dusker, who hears Liberte's words and is jealous of Ray, and tries to assassinate him by calling him at night, has the face of Renojis in his mind.

"Well, I never thought I'd assassinate Ray, who is a war hero of war. If possible, I would appreciate it if you could prevent that from happening again. Even the Duke of Quevel, who is leading the aristocracy, will not be able to make such an event public."

　Dusker asked anxiously, but the implication was clear, and Liberte understood it well.
　Therefore, I nod with a smile around my mouth.

"Certainly, Larkes is right. I'll help you if something happens. In that case, please take care of me."

　He said so and held out his hand for a handshake.