Annesis, home to the Duke of Kelebel's estate. Eagles were flying toward the second largest city in the kingdom of Milliana.
　What is different from an ordinary eagle is probably its size. The average eagle is about two meters long no matter how big it is or how wide its wings are, but the eagle currently flying toward Anesis is one size larger than the average eagle...or two sizes larger.
　Of course, it's not a monster, it's a result of magically improving the variety.
　It has been modified to fly faster and longer than a normal eagle, and is capable of fighting with just a few goblins, though not monsters.
　Such an eagle, flapping its wings, descends towards the anaesis, which it sees below, with a metal tube containing letters on its feet.
　The gatekeeper, surprised at the size of the eagle, warns travelers, merchants, and adventurers who are trying to get into the city without rushing.
　The eagle, fluttering through the door, headed straight to his destination, the Duke of Kelebel's mansion.





　a room in the Duke of Kelebel's mansion Elena was now looking through the papers on her desk in the room.
　In front of Elena, a man in his twenties is so stiff that he can't even move.
　I'm nervous... no, of course I'm in front of the Duchess Elena, so it's true that I'm nervous. But it's not tension on the man's face. I'm overwhelmed by Elena Kerebel, a woman who looks as if she's a work of art.

(... well, it's no wonder. This way, Mr. Elena, has changed greatly since spring. Its beauty used to attract the attention of others, but now it's got something glamorous added to it.)

　At her office desk a short distance from Elena, Arra muttered in private, checking the papers and signing them.
　After the war with the Vestian Empire ended... more precisely, Elena's beauty grew day by day after day after she broke up with Ray on the battlefield.
　Of course, he is not neglecting his work as a noble because he is dumbfounded by his love interest, or his role as a leader of the Knights, or as a princess shogun, who can be said to be a symbol of the aristocratic faction. I'm doing my job faster and more reliably than ever before.

(Is this also the power of a girl in love?)

　At the same time, the presence of Elena, who is also his master, and Ray, who is loved by him, passes through his mind and smiles a little.
　But Elena isn't the only one changing. Even for Arra, it had changed a lot compared to before.
　After all, I've never had such a serious paperwork job.
　...however, there was a clear difference between Elena, who knew the feeling of love, and Arla, who had been educated by Mechen and Elena, the vice-chieftains of the Guard Knights, and began to work in paperwork.
　Meanwhile, Elena, who was looking over the papers, nods a little and looks at the man.

"…no problem. Keep going."
"Yes, yes!"

　With a serious face... No, it's because he looks serious that Elena's dignity increases and the man's cheeks turn red.
　But Elena turns to the next document without realizing it.
　I guess the man in front of me is gone from my mind.
　While he was visibly depressed by the circumstances, he reached out to the door to get out of Elena's office. . . .

"I'm sorry,"

　Just before opening the door, the corridor opened and the other side called out.
　The man then takes a step back and clears the way the moment he is approached.
　for the man behind the door was a man in his thirties with a gentle expression, Mechen, the deputy captain of Elena's Guards Knights.

"No, don't worry,"

　He said so and left the office just outside of Mechen.
　and when I closed the door and walked a few steps...

'What, really!'

　I heard Elena's loud voice from inside the office, and I stopped without thinking of stopping.
　For a man, Elena is the sort of person he calls a princess general. For that reason, I didn't expect him to shout as if he were upset.
　For a moment I thought that the Vestian Empire had attacked him, but the sound of Elena's voice in the office was filled with astonishment and great joy, and at that point the man understood that it was not detrimental to the kingdom of Milliana or the Duke of Quelebel, so he left the office.
　Rare... thank you for the good fortune of hearing Elena's cries outside the very rare battlefield.





"Calm down, Elena,"

　After one of Elena's bodyguards walked down the hallway feeling a little happy at the unexpected, Elena was preparing to leave with a smile in her office.
　Mechen gives words to Elena soothing manner.
　Originally, it should be Arla's job to stop Elena, who is also Mechen's boss, but she herself is preparing to go out as soon as possible after seeing Elena's actions.
　Although this area has changed compared to before, Elena's supremacy has probably remained unchanged.
　In a way, it may well be said that it forms the basis of Arla.

"...I'm sorry, it's a report I've been waiting for. Come on, Ray! I told you that it would be about three months later, but wouldn't I have to wait too long?"

　He must have realized how much he was in a hurry. mutter some embarrassment, and sit on the chair at the office desk.

"And, Mr. Elena," I will ask you again, but what are you going to do now? Fortunately, there is no urgent business, and I and I can manage the paperwork as I have been saying. If we really were to leave Annesis now, there would be no problem at all."

　words that come out of Mechen's mouth As soon as she hears the words, she asks back impatiently.

"Wait a minute," Didn't I just say something that I'd like to remain?"

　In answer to the question, Mechen nods without hesitation.

"Of course. Why, there will be no more Mr. Elena, who is in charge of this bodyguard, and of course Mr. Arra, the second best man in charge of this bodyguard."
"...what? Then, by any chance, can't I go to the labyrinthine city with Mr. Elena?"

　a muttering aura in amazement
　However, Mechen nods mercilessly after being selected as vice-president of the Knights for his practical abilities.

"That's the case. -- were you going to go out with Mr. Elena?"

　Arra, who looks down silently at Mechen's words.
　Eventually, the eyes of her upper eyes turned timidly to Macheen.
　Unfortunately, the expression on his face, which was probably surprising to those who knew Arra, was not understood by Mechen.

"It's no use looking like that. If Knight Commander Arra goes out with Mr. Elena, think that the Guards Knights will be completely out of circulation. Simply put, it's closed."
"...that's..."

　an uncontrollable aura
　As a man intoxicated with Elena, he could not make the Guardian Knights look like that.
　It's not just a matter of Arra's pride. If that were the case, Elena, who was intoxicated, would be looked down upon with contempt by the nobility, who was proud of her.
　As Elena's best friend, subordinate and confidant, he could never do so.
　Seeing Arla in silence, Mechen asks her to be careful.

"Did you understand?"
"...but! You can't let Mr. Elena go all the way to the labyrinthine city alone, can you? That has to do with his significance as a bodyguard knight!"

　I manage to tell you that, but Mechen shakes his head heartlessly.

"Don't worry. The bodyguard -- or rather the coachman -- has prepared a two-fal."

　After a moment's pause when the name of the coachman serving the Duke of Kelebel is given, Arla immediately retorts.

"Guard! We are Mr. Elena's bodyguard knights!""I understand that you would normally need a bodyguard, but ... Mr. Elena, who inherited the magical stone of the Ensent Dragon? Who could hurt you? And, moreover, Mr. Ray, who won the nickname of crimson in the Spring War, was the same." If Mr. Ray were with us, of course there would be a demon, Gryphon. Now, I'll ask you again -- do you need a bodyguard?"
「……」

　Arra is once again at a loss for words.
　Elena was treated as a spooky, but she just smiled bitterly and said nothing in particular.

"All right? What we have to do is keep the Knights in full swing, ready for anything to happen at any time. And also, try to improve your skill as much as you can."

　Although it was Mehchen who said so, the Guards Knights to protect Elena are, contrary to their name, highly aggressive forces.
　Being a combat-style knight under the direct control of Elena, he was naturally trained to take the lead and to command his allies while raising their morale.
　Those who can't keep up with it will choose to move on to the other knighthood.
　He must have judged that the game was over. Elena, who had been watching in silence, opens her mouth.

"Ara, I had hoped that you would stay in this Annesis,"
"Oh, my God!"

　You never expected Elena to tell you that. Arla looks incredibly at Elena.
　But before Arla goes on to say something, Elena says something.

"That's not to say that I don't trust you." On the contrary, because I trust you, I want you to stay in my hometown of Annesis."
"Well, Elena,"
"Will you grant my request?"

　As Elena looks her eyes fixedly, she nods indescribably small.

"All right... I see. and I will keep this place alive until Elena comes back."

　Aara tells me with determination, but when she sees it, Mechen breathes out a small sigh without speaking out.

(Mr. Elena's aim is undoubtedly to be Danjo in a labyrinthine city. However, there is no doubt that the main purpose is to meet Ray. I suppose that's probably the case.)

　But when she learns of it, she says nothing in particular.
　knowing how much Elena was looking forward to traveling with Ray to the labyrinthine city, and how much work she had done to make the time.
　Moreover, Mechen knew that the Duke of Kelebel would be happy to know the power of Ray and draw him into their faction.
　Of course, Elena wouldn't have made such a choice if she didn't have any feelings for Ray. The Duke of Kerebel, in part because he had a strong affection for Elena, did not have the option of forcing her to use her daughter to attract him.
　But it was a different story if Elena's feelings were suitable for Ray. In a way, it could be said that the interests of the parents and children were completely consistent because their daughter was fond of Ray.

(In a way, you could say that you were lucky…) If Mr. Elena did not have this feeling towards Mr. Ray, and furthermore, the Duke of Kelebel had tried to get him in... no, in such a case, he would have used other means."

　While thinking like that, Mechen talks to Elena, who has a faint smile on her face, without changing her usual dignified expression.

"And, Mr. Elena, I should like to get the maids ready for the trip at once, but will they be leaving tomorrow?"
"Well, I don't think it's going to be the same today. -- shall I have him go first?"

　Elena thought that way for a moment, but her senses are not connected with the errand boy, Yero. By contacting him, he can see what he has seen in the past, but only if he is on his side. It would be of little time to look into Yero's memory after arriving in the village over there.

"...let's not do it." You'd better try to get there as soon as possible. Fortunately, I have finished my work, and without me, there is no problem with the presence of the captain of the Knights."

　muttered, glancing over the remaining papers as he was reunited with Ray.