a group of Daskers heading down the streets of the Vestian Empire to the imperial capital
　The summer sun is getting much lighter, and Ray mutters as the autumn shifts into full swing.

"Don't let anyone come."

　The surrounding knights twitch to Ray's voice as he notices several cavalrymen coming towards them from the city ahead of him.
　We can see the city, but perhaps because it's still a long way off, only Ray and Seto noticed someone approaching, but no one here doubts the sharpness of their senses.
　The bodyguard knight near Ray asks briefly.

"Is it your enemy.

　But at that remark Ray bends his head... and then shakes his head.

"No, I don't think so. If you're trying to harm me, I'm sure you won't come that far. It's probably a sort of bodyguard from over there."
"That's... rare again,"

　The knight, who asked if he was his enemy, exclaims at Ray's words.
　Already more than ten days after entering the territory of the Vestian Empire, the lords of the territory who had been to allow Dusker and his party to pass through the territory, but did not provide any escort.
　Of course, some lords and magistrates asked if they would send guards when they went to greet them, but Dusker himself refused.
　The main reason for this is that they did not intend to welcome insects from the lion's family.
　It was because they understood what they thought of the aristocracy and inhabitants of the Vestian Empire.

"I suppose you have already given the lord a warning about this, haven't you said.
"Oh, if you knew it and sent out a bodyguard... you might be a tough opponent."
"Or is there a chance that the magistrate of that town will decide on his own?"

　Ray nods to the words of another knight nearby.
　The smallest of the three powers is no substitute for Dusker being one of the most prominent aristocrats in the kingdom of Milliana.
　If so, they act at their own discretion in order to make some profit by ignoring the restraints from above. It wouldn't be strange if there was such a person.

"Well, whatever their intentions are, you'll find out as soon as you hear them firsthand."

　By the time Ray muttered, the knights had been able to distinguish themselves from the five knights on horseback heading down the road.





"I see you in the party of Count Larx of the Kingdom of Miliana, but... surely?"

　One of the guards nods and opens his mouth to the words of a knight in his 40s, who was the leader of the five.

"Yes. How about you?"

　The small, startled, middle-aged knight breathes a sigh of relief, perhaps unexpectedly acknowledged that he was part of the Larkes frontier.

"My name is Dwarube, and I am a knight of the town of Tanaro ahead. I have come to meet L'Arcus the Elderly."
"That will help. But basically no bodyguards are needed. I should have told the lord of this place that?"

　The knight's words, rather than reproach, were asked with confirmation.
　In response, Dwarube nods as if he knew it.

"I understand that," But we are in some trouble in Tanaro at the moment."

　Dwarube's expression on his face did not seem to be hiding anything in particular, indicating deep distress.
　But the Knight of the Guard says, with a bad feeling, that Dwarube has such a difficult face.

"And what's the trouble?"
"Yes, it is hard to say, but there seems to be some suspicious people coming from somewhere."
"...doubtful?"

　If there is such a person, why don't we catch him? As the knight asks, Dwarube shakes his head apologetically.

"Of course he may be up to something strange, so we are looking into it. But I could not find anyone who seemed to be the mastermind of the affair... I could feel my own weakness."
"…I see. What do you think?"

　the other knights who were listening to him, and the knights who were straddling Sett's back.

"If you think about it normally, there are some disturbing elements who can't stand our entry into the territory of the Vestian Empire who are up to something. Or..."

　The eyes of the knights on the spot are on Ray.
　The main gaze included Dwarube and the four knights behind him.
　Although Dwarube has not participated in the Spring War, it is still not difficult to get information about who determined the outcome of the war.
　and on board the Gryphon, working with the Count of Larkes.
　Given all the signs, it's unnatural not to assume that the person at the end of the line of sight is a person nicknamed crimson.

"Am I the end?"

　Dwarve nods apologetically to Ray's small shoulder shrugging at the attention of others.

"Yes. I think it's either of them."
"Then is it dangerous to keep going to the city?" What shall we do?"

　It's too stupid to spend the night in a city where the enemy will be waiting. The knight laughs bitterly at Ray's words.
　I understand what you mean, but I just want you to muddle your words a little.

"Wait a minute. I'll ask Mr. Dusker."

　The knight, with such brief words, was heading to the carriage in which Dusker and the Elks were riding.
　When Ray looked back, he saw Dwarube staring at Seto with an interesting expression on his face... more precisely.
　Dwarube's men are grinning bitterly as if they had begun again at their captain.

"Glu?"

　From Dwarube's eyes as he looked at him, he probably judged that there was no animosity, albeit with curiosity. Cett's head slanted and his throat whistled as if to ask what's wrong with him.

「……」

　But without notice of Sett's appearance, Dwarube just stared at him.
　Ray was looking at Dwarube as if he were looking at him suspiciously, but he realized that Seto looked uncomfortable and opened his mouth.

"Don't look too hard at me, will you?" for Seto looks uncomfortable."
"...!? Excuse me. It was my first time seeing a Gryphon in my life, and I couldn't help but..."

　It was hard for Ray to describe how a man in his 40s was blushing with embarrassment.

"You're not afraid of Seto,"
"Yes, as long as he is a slave, he will not deliberately attack you, will he?
"Well, indeed,"

　Precisely speaking, it's witchcraft, not witchcraft, but the bond between Ray and Sett is much harder than the witchcraft.
　Knowing this, Ray nods back to Dwarube's words with a slightly proud look on his face.

"Actually, I wanted to get a job studying monsters when I was little."
"...huh,"

　In Ray's eyes, Dwarube had a well-trained body, and his knightly ability seemed to be adequate.
　No, being in a position to lead the knights behind him, he must have had more than enough talent.

(Wasn't there a combination of what you wanted to do and what you could do? It may be said that it is unfortunate for him.)

　As Ray mutters inwardly, Dwarube looks at Seto with a small smile.
　for a few minutes Eventually the knight came back from the carriage in which the dusker was riding.But it's a bitter smile on the knight's face.
　Just by looking at the look on his face, Ray could understand what choices he had made this time. ...it's done.

"Dear Dwarube, and Ray," Mr. Dusker has been informed about the town, but he has not changed his schedule in particular."
"...are you sure you'll get into trouble?"

　Dwarube gives a sharp look at the knight, unlike when he was watching Seto.
　But the knight also takes Dwarve's gaze head-on.

"With all my knowledge," I hope you'll do your best to deal with it. If anything happens, we will do something with our military strength."
"... I see. I will tell you so to the magistrate."

　When I told him that, he smiled as if to say what the grim expression he had been expressing in front of him was.

"It's hard being a nobleman, isn't it?"
"Yes. And Mr. Dusker has a lot of special backgrounds."
"I will do my best to help you. Well, I don't have much time, so let's move on."

　After a brief remark, he bowed and left with his knights.
　Watching such a conversation, Ray unintentionally nods his head and asks the knight.

"Why do you bother staying in a dangerous city? My magic tent keeps monsters at bay, and there's Seto. If you think about it, you don't have to go to a dangerous place..."
"I'm sure you'd think otherwise. But don't forget. Mr. Dusker is here representing the neutrality of the kingdom of Milliana. In other words, there is something to be ashamed of course.
"... I see,"

　Ray nods back that he can understand, though he may not be completely convinced.
　I'm confident that I'll be able to do anything, no matter what the other person is trying to get to sleep with me and Seto alone. But this time it's not about protecting yourself, it's about protecting Dusker.
　However, if you can show your face and pride as a noble, you have no choice but to accept it.
　No matter how stupid it may seem, it is.
　It would be meaningless if aristocrats abandoned their pretensions and pride.
　However, it was because the face of the axe of the god of thunder, including Elk, was attached to the bodyguard.
　Ray has received various requests, but he has not been asked to escort. Naturally inexperienced, I'm worried if I have to protect myself.

"Well, you and Mr. Elk are here, and as long as there's not much left, I think it'll be all right."
"Am I the only one who feels like that's going to happen?"

　As long as Dusker's decision has already been decided, nothing can be reversed here.
　Determined that he has no choice but to do his best to protect himself, Ray gently caresses Seto's neck, which he straddles.

"Since there is a high possibility of an uproar in the city, Seto may need to solve it by himself. I'm sorry."
"Gruly!"

　At Rey's apology, she screams "It's OK!"
　In fact, given Seto's ability, there is no doubt that he will be able to do something about it even if he encounters some danger.
　Still, Ray felt somewhat guilty about leaving his partner, Seto alone.
　At any rate, the policy is decided and the Daskers resume their course.
　Head for Tanaro, just beyond sight.





"Well, please go through,"

　The security guard, who is done with the procedure, says so and bows his head slightly.
　Ray is wary of the surroundings, caressing Seto with the necklace of a demon.
　You might be attacked as soon as you enter the city. I was thinking about it, but fortunately I didn't have to worry about it.
　However, it is also true that some of the people in the city look at me with hatred and resentment.

(Perhaps the man with this gaze was the disturbing element that Dwarube called.)

　While muttering privately, Ray casually looks around.
　Several of the people who came into view were looking at me with hatred.
　Ray frowns slightly at what we call murderous mood with hatred.
　They felt uncomfortable with the fact that they didn't hide it.
　If you're so proud, there's no doubt that there'll be a disturbance.
　It would have been the same for the knights of the bodyguard. On his face he is a knight of the Earl of Larkes, but on his mind he is ready to move quickly so that anything can happen at any time... to deal with the attack here.
　Lays would head to the inn, smiling on the outside, but preparing to respond quickly to any movement.