What is spreading out in front of us is a mansion that can be described as huge.
　Its size itself is not much different from that of the lord's residence in Gilm. If there's any difference, it's the construction of the building.
　I could see from the side that the house in front of me was made of good building materials. But perhaps it's because of the excessive combination of good things, that's why I'm making my point to the point that I hate.

(Oh, well... this is unexpected? Or, in a way, as expected? The carriage was a good hobby... but the house was a good hobby in another way.)

　That's how Ray and Elena go into the house.
　Naturally, Seto was not allowed into the house, as had been said before, but lay in the shade of a tree growing in the garden.
　In addition, Yero also works with such a set.

"This way, I must say, Mr. Schaffner is a man of many difficulties. I would appreciate it if you could understand and deal with it."
"...I understand what you're saying, but then I think we'd better not see each other."
"I'm sorry, but I have no choice but to show you around as long as my master has told me. -- this way."

　He walks into the house and takes Ray and Elena along the corridor, not the maid.
　The only reason I didn't bother to call the maid was probably because I was too far away to show them around. Arriving in front of one door in less than a few minutes, they knock and call out.

"I've brought a visitor,"
"Let's go in.

　The door opened with the words, and Ray and Elena saw a room of about 50 tatami mats in size. Despite its size, there was a table in the middle of the room... it could have been described as a desolate room, but perhaps instead of filling the desolate room, the room was decorated with a number of so-called works of art, such as paintings and statues.

"This is..."

　Given that there is a table full of food, this is probably a dining room. However, a number of works of art, which are displayed in a noisy fashion around them, deny it.
　At least it was clear that Ray could not settle down and eat in such a place.
　Contrary to Ray's surprise, however, Elena nods softly to the old man who greeted them without any particular change of expression.
　It would have been polite to be polite, but as a daughter of the Duke of Quevel, she has to take this attitude toward someone who has only one-third the power to govern the autonomous city.

"Welcome, Mr. Elena Kelebel," and your crimson-den."

　Ray already knew who this old man, who looked like in his 70s and 80s, greeted them with a gracious old smile.
　for it was obvious who had originally called them, and that Schaffner Levisor was in front of them, having heard the rumour of the Levisor family running down the river.
　But if there's anything different from the rumor...

(I've heard it like that, because I'm impatient, easily inflamed, and arrogant.) Is this a superficial pose or something?)

　Ray thinks inside, looking at the old man with a gracious smile.
　You may not have noticed Ray's idea, but Schaffner invites Ray and Elena to a plump table in a large room.

"Well, go ahead. I'll finish my meal first. You must be hungry just coming out of the dungeon. I prepared better food than what I usually eat and drink."
"…I see. Ray, I'll take your word for it."

　Elena, who frowns slightly for a moment, urges Ray.
　Rey nods at the remark and sits silently in his chair.
　It was a brief exchange of words, but that alone gave me some information.

(If you know that we buy and eat on the way back from dungeon almost every day, of course you would have let us check the information in advance. Well, I understand that. In the first place, when we entered Egzil, Elena had named the Duke of Kelebel. but how about giving priority to your own convenience?"

　I've just returned from the dungeon... and I've just returned from the desert hierarchy in the desert. Even though the dragon robes and overcoats hardly scratch the sweat, it's a natural flow to do something about it.
　But Schaffner put his thoughts first and neglected them. In other words, that's how much they think about themselves.

(If that is the case, it will be strange because this smile will feel faint.)

　It was true that I was still hungry, so I reached out to cook as I was advised.
　Roasted meat with a sweet-and-sour sauce, white fish wrapped in pie dough, and soup, though lightly salted, tasted good with meat and vegetables.
　In other rare places, dishes similar to Terrine catch Ray's eye.
　When put in the mouth, the rich flavor of the liver spreads and pleases Ray's tongue.
　Elena also relishes her salad, which is lavishly made from dungeon vegetables and fruits.

"What do you think about our meal?"

　Elena's slightly open eyes, nodding satisfactorily, ask, with her salad in her mouth.

"Well, it's very delicious. What a labyrinthine city!"
"Oh, you see,"
"I've eaten it a few times before,"

　Certain circumstances allow some plants and animals to exist only in dungeons. For example, the desert roses that Ray and Elena had picked up by the Pleiades on the 11th basement floor.
　And the deeper the hierarchy, the more likely it is to occur under the influence of the magic of the dungeon's core.
　ingredients such as salad that Elena carries to her mouth, monster liver, vegetables and spices used in Terrine ingredients that Ray smacks his tongue. All the other dishes on the table were made from dungeon ingredients and were made by a chef reputed to be one of the best in the world.
　For Ray and Elena, the artworks in the cafeteria, which should be described as painful to the eye, are definitely bought and sold at high prices, and are pleasing to the eye.
　However, it has become completely meaningless as a result of the careless collection of valuable works of art.
　In any case, even in a labyrinthine city, there is no doubt that the material from dungeons are expensive. Since they serve so many dishes using such ingredients, I guess that means Schaffner really values Ray and Elena.
　Understanding this, Elena graciously finishes her salad with a fork and a knife, puts her mouth on the wine, and turns to Schaffner.

(Every dish is delicious, to be sure, but as for drinks, it is nothing compared to Ray's running dagger.)

　with that in one's eye

"Now, my lord Schaffner," Will you soon tell me why you called me and Ray? I think I understand that you didn't have to respond to the kind of rudeness that you would normally call me out of course.
"Well, that's... I'm sorry." However, as you can see, I cannot go out easily because of my age, so I would appreciate it if you could understand that."

　As a member of the Duke's family... and also as the daughter of the Duke of Quelebel, who is a central figure in the aristocracy, Elena nails.
　You must have figured it out. Schaffner also nods softly.
　If Elena had misinterpreted the pride of the nobility, she would still be talking here. Fortunately, however, Elena had no such mistaken pride. Therefore, he opens his mouth directly.

"And didn't you invite us to dinner because you had something to do?"

　Call someone above you...or invite them to dinner, and tell them implicitly that there's nothing wrong with this.
　Schaffner probably figured it out. Breathe lightly and calmly into the wine glass, place it on the table, and reopen.

"Well, Mr. Elena seems to have some words to say, and I will ask you to be frank with me." I've heard that Elena frequently goes to dungeons. Naturally, many magical stones are sold to guilds. ...so, then. If you would not mind my leaving it to the Levisor family to buy the magical stones and the materials, I asked them to come here in this way."Elena is, literally, the only one looking at me. They treat Ray as if he had very little presence.
　To Schaffner, Ray certainly has a reputation for excellence. However, the weight of Ray's crimson, which had just spread in the spring, was different from that of Elena's princess, who had been spreading for several years. Furthermore, the Duchess of Kelebel and a mere adventurer. It's inevitable that there should be a difference in treatment.
　Schaffner's misunderstanding was that he thought Ray was following Elena. Given each other's position, the misunderstanding was also fatal in a way.

"... Ray, what shall I do?"






　Trilli asks Ray, who is holding out a fork and a knife, for a package of whitefish pies.
　When he hears the words, he thinks for a few seconds and shakes his head slightly.

"I'm sorry, but I have a prior engagement with the guild, so it's a little too much." Why do you go so far as to collect the magical stones? I heard in the guild that there are fewer magical stones in circulation because the Levisors and the Maaschels are buying them up."

　Schaffner frowns slightly at Ray's words.
　But he immediately shakes his head with a smile.

"I'm sorry, but that's a top secret of the Levisors." Even Mr. Elena and his party members can't talk."
"I don't want to force myself to listen. However, it seems that the residents of Egjil are having a lot of inconvenience because of the collection of magical stones. Is this one of the three families that rule Egjil?"
"I am certainly concerned about the matter, and that is why I have increased the amount of magical stones I have bought from adventurers, albeit slightly. But if you don't like collecting magical stones, as you know, it's not just the Levisor family in 儂. No, the Maaschel family is collecting more than 儂 and 等. If your lord really wants to solve the shortage of magical stones in the people of Egzil, he ought to tell not only the 儂 but also the Marcher family, and above all, the Silwa family, who himself is leading the way to the dungeon, to get more magical stones."

　Ray and Elena frown at Schaffner, who tells them it's a good idea.
　Schaffner's words were as good as telling others to be careful because he wasn't the only one doing anything wrong.
　At the same time, I noticed that the person in front of me was beginning to peel off even his plating as a good old man.
　As we talk about other houses, there is a color in their eyes that can even be described as atrocious.
　Yes, Elena, also Duchess of Kelebel, is sure to do as she says to the other two families.
　He smiled as if it were the absolute truth for Schaffner himself.
　The kind of smile, if anything, is a sticky smile that makes me want to express it vividly.

(Elena's suggestion would certainly have the same effect as Schaffner said. ... yes. If you do that, but)

　Spread out to the food on the table with a side glance at Schaffner muttering in his heart and muttering only the future that suits him.
　The dungeon ingredients were used, and it was thought to be delicious enough a little while ago, but when I think about the fact that I was with Schaffner, I don't really feel the taste.
　Did you accept Ray's feelings, or did you feel the same way yourself? Elena puts her fork and knife on the table and says it once and for all.

"I'm sorry, but I'm not interested in Egidil's power struggle at the moment. At least now I am not here as Elena Kerebel of the Duke of Kerebel, but here as an adventurer to challenge the dungeon."

　Refuse flatly, leave a dumbfounded Schaffner on the spot, and leave the seat with a glance to Ray.

"Wait a minute!"
"That's too much,"

　Truncate the words he was going to say and leave the dining room.
　Only Schaffner, whose suggestion was flatly rejected and whose face was red with anger.