the word "Axe" from Ray's mouth Theorame's body hardens the moment she hears it.
　Theorem naturally sounds familiar to the name. On the contrary, he even took Elk's family hostage to remove the person in front of him.
　In other words, a person who has a grudge against himself.

"What should I say?" My honest wish is that I should be a different person if possible. Besides the axe of the God of Thunder, I suppose there were other rank-A adventurers and rank-B adventurers in Gilm?"

　As Theoreum says, Ray lightly shrugs his shoulders and puts his mouth on a glass of fruit water in his hand.
　It's much warmer than it was when it came out of the mistling, but you still enjoy the subtle sweetness of fruit water in your mouth.

"There are certainly other Rank A adventurers, but the only ones currently available are the Elks. And if you think of it as a military force, isn't it?"
"You know what I mean?"
"Oh, of course Elk has a great grudge against you. ...or should I say I'm angry?"

　Grudges and anger are similar, but fundamentally different. It could be described as both outward anger and inward resentment.
　Theoreum therefore shows some surprise at Ray's words.

"Do you mean?"
"To be frank with you, when Mr. Dusker arrives in this village, Elk wants to fight you."

　I understand that Elk has a feeling of anger, which is not as dark as grudges, but Theoreum's expression still distorts reluctantly.

"Is that what you want?"

　Ray's gesture of nodding, taking it for granted that he returned the question with confirmation.
　On the contrary, he continues somewhat dumbfoundedly.

"I hope you'll be thankful that it's done." With the help of Elk's wife, Min, I finally dropped her to that point. For Elk, if you fight head-on and put a drop in front of it, you'll just throw it away."

　Ray didn't seem to be doing that at all in Dusker's office, but he still says it just in case.
　In fact, given Elk's temperament, I didn't think he could sustain his strong anger for a long time.
　And considering that his wife, Min, is following him, he can predict that he will be in the same situation as he said when he comes to Goto.

(But in a way, if the Elks don't come that far, they'll have their own fault.)

　The love for his friends and family is quite deep and pure, as he is an elk who seems to have grown up.
　The man who took the family hostage and ordered them to kill more was Ray, who was also Elk's favorite.

"...you want me to die?"
"Well, what do you think?" I can only ask you to try your best to survive there. I don't really care about it any more, but Elk, too, isn't it?"

　It's only natural that Ray should take a grudge against him. But over a year has passed since Ray came to this world of Elgin. It was also true that we couldn't care less about the details of the trouble after the trouble.

"Mr. Vihela,"

　Theoreum turned to Vihela in search of help, but it was a stupefied stare that came back.

"I'm afraid I can't defend myself from what you've just told me." I'd rather take the hostages and fight them, or I'd rather have you back on the ground. I can only say it's my own fault. Is it really all right to leave her to you?"

　After seeing Vichela seriously struggling, he probably decided that it was no use saying anything more.
　Just look at it, gather your thoughts... and after a few minutes, breathe out slowly and nod.

"All right. I'll take it squarely. If you think about it, you may be able to draw in the power of the axe of the god of thunder."
"What do you think?" Elk was entrusted with the escort of Mr. Dusker. Considering that, it's a little difficult to get involved in this case..."

　Ray mutters to that extent and recalls Min in Dusker's office.
　Considering that she told her husband, Elk, not to start a war, it is impossible to talk to him directly, but it may be possible if Min persuades him.
　But he immediately shook his head and gave up the idea.
　It is certain that pulling in the axe of the god of thunder will be a powerful force. But then again the question of Dusker's bodyguard comes up.
　We can't leave Dusker's bodyguard to Rodos in order to gain the strength of Elk and Minh.

"Well, it must be difficult,"

　Vichela and Theoreum turn their eyes to Ray, muttering convincingly, but then moving on to the next topic, instead of trying to evoke the conversation when they see him say nothing more.

"The arrival of L'Arcus must make some changes to the plan in light of that?"
"I don't think so, but I don't think it's necessary to miss out on Ray's original plan to go to the competition and attract attention with the meaning of sunshine."

　Ray also agrees with Vihela, who nods at Theoreum's words.

"Well, you can simply think that the upper echelon of the Vestian Empire has increased their attention. It seems that the recommendation of Mr. Dusker will be a formality for my participation in the competition."
"Wow..."

　Vichela smiles bitterly at the remark.
　Ray and Dasker made a name for themselves in the Spring War. The two come together to the Empire of Bestia, where they compete. From the perspective of the upper echelon of the Westian Empire, it would appear that they were only selling fights.

"In the form of a recommendation by Count Larx, does it start in the final tournament?"

　a slightly frowning Theoreum
　I guess he's not happy that Ray will be delayed in making headlines in the imperial capital.
　But Ray shakes his head at such a Theorem.

"Don't worry, I'm going to get out of the preliminary round."
"...is that OK? As long as it's a battle royal, I don't know what's going to happen, and it's definitely more eye-catching than we expected when it comes to participating on the recommendation of Larkes."
"That's the end, isn't it?"

　Theorem, who breathes in spite of his simple reply.

"Yes, but there is a limit to things. Ray, who was active in the Spring War, and his employer, L'Arcus. If they were all together, it would undoubtedly be more burdensome for Ray, as he could not afford it."
"It's all right,"
"Mr. Vihela?"
"In the first place, if you think of Ray's ability, you can't do anything about him. Besides, if you take an odd hand, you'll only get hit back. I don't think we're going to try to reduce our military strength like that. and in order to instill it in the people around me, I think the first person involved in it must be beaten to the bone."

　While smiling, what Vihela was saying was absolutely appalling.
　Those who first got involved with Ray, or acted like assassins, will surely regret it.

"But it's only about some faction," It probably doesn't work very well with people who work individually, so be careful."
"... I'll bear it in mind,"

　Women are scary when it comes to the crunch.
　I move on to the next topic, thinking something like that."And he is supposed to help the third prince who is actually under house arrest..."
"I beg your pardon, but let me keep it a secret."
"Huh? ... oh, I see,"

　Ray frowns at Theoreum's words for a moment, but immediately nods convincingly.
　Basically Ray's role this time is to attract the attention of the upper echelon of the Westian Empire. It is only the members of Theorems' third prince faction who help the third prince, who is said to be under house arrest.
　That being the case, even if Ray knows about it, there is a possibility that he will inadvertently leak it to others for some reason.
　With all that in mind, it's no harm for Ray to know about it, who doesn't actually have to go to the rescue.
　Or, if the third prince's forces were not sufficient, he might have expected Ray's forces, but Teorem's judgment is that there is no need to worry about them as long as Vihela is present.

"So that's the end of the story?"
"Well, I'm sorry, but it does. The rest... if you have any other questions?"

　There's nothing particular to ask if you say so out of the blue.
　For a moment I wondered if Vihela was safe, but it would be a meaningless question.
　If there was no danger, there was no need for Theoreum to come to the kingdom of Milliana for help.
　Had the question been true, Vihela might have felt insulted.
　both in his desire to fight and in his involvement in the life and death of his brother.

"Oh, that's not enough to bother me, but what kind of prizes and prize money do you get if you win a competition?"

　That's about all the questions Ray had to say.
　No matter how well things go, the competition itself might be canceled, I was concerned about prizes and prize money because I was interested in it.
　It's a competition held by the so-called Great Empire for its prestige as a nation. The prizes and prizes must be excellent, given the invitation of key figures from neighboring countries.
　That's how Ray's question is answered with a faint wry smile of Vihela and Theoreum.

"...what's the matter?"
"No, the winner certainly has prizes, prizes, and a career path. Or you could be treated as a nobleman. There will be an audience with the Emperor. But if he was as good as Ray, and had rare magic items like item boxes and death-size items, and if he had even a Gryphon, I wondered what was appropriate for him."
"Well, I've heard from Elena that Ray is collecting magic items, but isn't it a practical magic item, for example, if you think you can't have a piece of art that you can enjoy decorating and appreciating?"

　tell someone that much and muddle his words
　In addition, Ray is demanding magic items suitable for the order of the third prince in return for his cooperation in the operation.
　Those demands were harsh in many ways.
　You don't have to worry too much about the competition because you'll lose it anyway. However, we must pay for this matter without fail to pay.

(...what should I do now? It's good that we were able to hire Ray, but it's very difficult not to be specifically asked for anything.)

　Theoreum is now getting a headache over what are you going to pay?
　Vihela is also Vihela, and it is hard to decide what to pay if it is said to be a reward worthy of saving her brother's life.

(As expected, Elena will get angry with me as a reward.)

　It was a half-joking remark in Egzil, but on reflection it seems to me that it is the best thing to me.
　But choosing that reward would certainly have been easy to predict if Elena would later turn into an angry war goddess.
　For someone who likes to fight, I think that might be OK, but it's also true that Ray will be on Elena's side.
　a natural disposition to fight with a girl in love Vichela inwardly thinks it's very difficult to reconcile the two.
　Looking at them, Ray thinks about what magic items he can get paid for.

(As for weapons, there are death sizes and thorn spears. There are also camp magic tents and running water daggers that are convenient for eating. There's a clock to know the time... well, what magic items would be convenient for you then?)

　When I think about it carefully, I realize that I am quite satisfied with the present situation.
　There's nothing more to come to mind.
　Of course it's only for now, and there's a good chance I'll come up with something at a later date.
　Each of the three of them concentrated on their own thoughts, and until afterwards Ritchard came back after the feast, there was some silence in the house.