"...I see, the Spring War was a drag."

　When Ray looked over the letter, Dusker, who was sitting on the sofa, muttered with a sigh.
　His face shows fatigue.
　The bloodstained blade issue is not the only cause. ... well, it's not so common there, but it's not so unusual for a band of thieves to come to the frontier.
　What is bothering Dusker now is, if anything, the question of the Vestian Empire that Ray had brought.
　If you look at what Dusker is doing, you'll understand it halfway. Needless to say, Ray carries the tea served to his maid to his mouth.
　an office full of silence
　The first to break it was Dusker.
　In a light tone, Dusker speaks to Ray in an attempt to change his mind.

"So, what's wrong with the reward? Did you get anything good?"
"Yes, there was something remarkable," a jewel and a spear of arms And..."

　Tell them so and put the watch from the mistling on the table.

"A watch?" said he, "and this is made of misrils." I've found a good deal of value again."

　muttering dumbfoundedly, Dusker gently picked up his watch on the table.
　He traced the finely carved surface with his fingers and gasped admirably.
　In fact, watches with so much misrils are very rare, and the ones carved on them are something that the craftsmen around them can't afford.
　It's very rare to spend such a luxurious amount of misery in the first place.
　But... that makes Dusker feel a little uneasy.

(It is true that this watch is a great one, but that is why it might not taste good if the merchant had someone to sell it to.)

　Dusker was so nervous inside, but I have to wonder if he knew that Ray was in front of him and still wanted to touch him.

(At least a man who knows Ray's ability wouldn't be so reckless... if he were some stupid nobleman, it would be a different story.)

　In Dusker's mind comes the image of an old nobleman who ran at Ray in the Spring War.
　As a result, the aristocrat had an inexhaustible experience with regret by Ray, but many people still want to think that aristocrats are the only ones who are special.

(...well, Ray is notorious today, let alone before.) If you try to force yourself to do so, you'll only get hurt.)

　Thinking like that, Dusker's mouth has a small smile.
　That's right. As for the Westian Empire, where Dusker is struggling now, Ray's cooperation is the only reason why he's positively implementing it as a prospect of success.
　Thinking that far, Dusker opens his mouth, looking at Ray.

"Yes, I'll be there in a few days about the Westian Empire. I'll have you follow me as a bodyguard, and you'll have to be that way."

　Ray's eyes are wide open to the sound of the casual voice.

"Well... does that mean that Mr. Dusker is going to the Vestian Empire?"
"Yes, I was originally invited to a competition every year from the Vestian Empire. -- it would have been half ironic to the other side by side."

　a dasker with a cynical smile and a small shoulder shrug.
　Although Dusker is also a central figure in the neutrality faction, the neutrality faction itself is only a small force.
　the royal wing of the largest faction and the aristocratic wing of the opposition They were the kind of forces that somehow existed in the meantime.
　Still, it is true that they are the third largest force in the kingdom of Milliana, and even for the Vestian Empire it is almost ironic... in a more precise sense of mental aggression and harassment, they sent invitations to Dasker every year.
　Of course, as a Dusker, I wouldn't be going to such a place myself. They either didn't attend every year, or they just had to send in a surrogate.
　But that will change greatly this spring's war.
　Although the power itself was not greater than it was before spring, it still had a great reputation, and its potential military power and military power were respected.
　Therefore, the Vestian Empire recognizes Dusker as one of the most important figures in the kingdom of Mileana and invites him to attend a competition, rather than in a semi-harassistic sense every year.
　...however, not many people would normally go to another country in such a situation.
　Even Dusker would have refused or sent a surrogate to Ray as usual.
　But Ray's story has greatly changed the meaning of the competition in Dusker.
　If the suggestions from Elena are successful, they will succeed in creating a pro-Millennium presence within the Empire.
　Moreover, if Dusker himself cooperates to form the faction, it will be a great loan, and neutral forces can be extended within the Kingdom of Milliana.
　However, of course we cannot rely solely on Ray's strength to carry out this plan.
　The time required for this was a few days, including today.

"Needless to say, this incident is a big one for the kingdom of Milliana... or for us neutrals in many ways. That's why we need to bring other troops to the Westian Empire."
"Well, as long as I have to take part in the competition, do you need someone to guard Mr. Dusker?" Mr. Dusker, in particular, will have a great deal of resentment against the Westians for the Spring."

　As Ray mutters as if it were someone else's business, Dusker turns a stunned stare.

"I'm sure I have a grudge against you, too, but who is the one who has a grudge against me the most?"
"But in my case, I can defend myself, and above all, as long as I take part in the competition under Mr. Dusker, the Count of Larkes, I wonder if I can manage to do something strange about him."

　Small shoulder shrugs while storing the watch in a mistling. 　
　Dusker looks at Ray, who says he's safe.

"Well, that's all right. In any case, my bodyguard is necessary. And as I said before, Elk will be back in Gilm in a few days."
"Well, the axe of God Thunder?" I can assure you that the Elks are in charge of the bodyguard."

　Ray muddles his words.
　In fact, Elk's Axe of Thunder is also a leading adventurer in Gilm as a Rank A party.
　The party's name, Raijin's axe, was also a nickname for Elk.
　It's so famous that it's hard to compare to Ray's nickname, crimson, for his success in the Spring War, that his name value is also very high.
　It is a party organized by the typical warrior Elk, the powerful wizard Min, and the warrior Rodos, the son of Min, and is perfect for his ability.
　No, in terms of bodyguards, it would be much better than Ray, who has not had much experience with such requests.
　But... the reason why Ray was still muddled was because of the relationship between the Elk and the Empire of Bestia.
　Last winter, Elk had his son Rodos taken hostage and threatened to kill Ray, because the bosses of those who carried it out were Theorame linked to the plot, along with Vihela.
　Since Ray's aim is to attract the attention of the upper-levels of the Vestian Empire, Vihela, Theorem and Ray will act separately during the competition.
　Still acting with the same purpose, the time will surely come when Elk and Theorem meet.
　Can the impulsive Elk remain calm against Theorem, who ordered his son to be taken hostage? It was highly questionable for Ray.

(No, we could have killed each other.)

　I can imagine the two fighting bloodshot in my mind, and I'm the one who stops it.
　Vichela may not be unstoppable in terms of ability, but in Vichela's case it is more likely that she will try to get involved in the battle.
　Being a combat freak, you won't want to miss the chance to seriously fight the Elk, a Rank A adventurer.

"It's true that the axes of Elk and Thunder God are not a problem in terms of military power. But have you reported to Mr. Dusker about last winter?"

　In response to Ray's question, Dusker nods without a moment's hesitation.

"I know. You mean that they took Elk's son hostage and threatened to kill you?"
"Yes, considering Elk's character, I'm sure he'll have some trouble over there."
"That's a possibility, isn't it? That's a possibility. ...no, it's safe to say that there's going to be a disturbance, not to mention a possibility. But it is also true that there is no other effective military force. There are naturally high-ranking adventurers in the Empire of Bestia. It is true that Elk is the only one I can get in touch with in the next few days, when the adventurer comes for my life."Gilm is on the frontier and one of the most high-ranking adventurers in the kingdom of Milliana.
　Naturally, there are some other adventurers besides Elk and Ray.
　But the only high-ranking adventurer who was free was Elk.
　No, there are some rank B adventurers who are free. However, the answer was negative when it came to competition with Vihela and Teorem class opponents.

"... I understand the circumstances, but what are you going to do with Theoreum?"
"I'm sorry about that, but you and Elk's wife Min will have to leave it to you. And it's within the kingdom of Milliana that you join them, and you'll have to make sure that there isn't any trouble then."
"I'll tell you briefly, but I'm the one who actually does it."

　Ray breathed out and said so, but it is true that, as long as there are no other military forces available, there is no choice but to take Elk with him.

(...Okay, let's leave it to Min.)

　He decided to throw a ball at Min, Elk's wife and a talented wizard, because he felt heavy.
　In fact, for Elk, who is also a lover of his wife, Min is no match for him. Ray has a better chance of getting things done peacefully than doing something about it.

"Anyway, I understand the story of Elk. Do you think I'll leave Gilm in a few days?"
"Oh, that's what you mean," I have arranged the conditions for the aristocrats to do something about the rooting and reporting to the royal faction."
"...when?"

　As for the pair of ovens, Ray carries them in the mistling, so they can't used.
　It was Elena who could speak in pairs, not the Duke of Clevel.
　At Ray's question, Dusker opens his mouth with a grin on his face.

"Well, there are a lot of tricks here, too. Fortunately, thanks to the spring war, we have maintained a reasonably friendly relationship with the aristocrats. -- only in the upper echelon."

　Although many questions remain over Dusker's words, he is convinced that he is still interacting with them through summoning magic and a timer.

"For the time being, I understand. Is it all right to understand that when Elk comes back, he will leave the guillem?"

　Ray thought the remark would make Dusker nod without any problems, but for some reason he didn't reply and thought hard.
　Then, after a minute of silence, he opens his mouth.

"Ray, confirm," The Elk is Theoreum... or, in this case, a flash. and there is no doubt that there will be a disturbance when you see it?"

　Ray nods to Dasker, who asks him confirmingly, thinking it's too late.

"I think it's easy to imagine that Mr. Dusker has known Elk longer than I have."
"... well, that's for sure." And with Elk, is safety on the road as promised? And Ray is needed after he entered the Empire of Bestia. Then..."

　Ray looks out of the window, leaving Dusker muttering in his head as he gathers his thoughts.
　The sun has already risen, and I can't say it's the morning of the morning, but it's still a summer morning, so the sunlight that comes down is kind of soft.
　There will also be an impact that the season itself is heading into autumn.
　As Ray looks at the sky at the end of summer, a thoughtful Dasker opens his mouth.

"I beg your pardon, but will you leave Gillum one step earlier and head to Goto, where you are going to join him? If you go over there, you will suddenly encounter an Elk and attack him, and you won't be killed?"

　When Ray heard the remark, he had to agree that it was true.