"...that's Teito Castle,"

　It was Ray who muttered.
　I was surprised when I came to the imperial capital, but I was surprised to see that.
　When I saw the streets of the imperial capital, I was surprised at their vastness and the number of people.
　But not now. The seemingly graceful appearance of the castle is what surprises Ray.
　By Ray's side, Dusker and Elk were also exclaiming, and that kind of voice echoed in the carriage.
　Yes, Ray usually travels on Seto, but this time Seto was away in the stable of the inn.
　Even Ray could have expected a great deal of trouble if he brought Seto, the Gryphon, to the castle, so he nodded easily to Dusker's words.
　Seto himself seems to have wanted to go with Ray, but after spending the rest of his journey with him, he accepts that he will eventually stay in the stable, albeit somewhat dissatisfied.
　For this reason, the road to the castle consisted of a carriage and two knights.

"Well, I'm about to go to the castle, but don't make a big fuss. In particular, Ray. Indeed, it is aimed at attracting the attention of the upper echelon of the Vestian Empire, but overdoing it can be counterproductive. and I hope that the kingdom of Milliana will refrain from making war again next spring."

　Looking away from the graceful castle, Dasker tells Ray.
　Even Ray had no intention of causing a disturbance in the castle, so he nodded without complaining.

"Yes, I'll be as careful as I can be," ... just."

　The reason I continue to speak there is probably because I am aware that I am hated by the people of this country.
　Understanding this, Dusker nods without letting Ray say it to the end.

"Oh, if you feel any danger, deal with it accordingly. I don't mind a limb or two. But don't kill me. If a noble of their own country was killed by an adventurer who was not a noble, the Westian Empire would not be able to withdraw quietly because of the matter of honor."
"All right, I'll be careful."

　While he nods like that, the carriage proceeds and is led into the castle.
　After that, I left my carriage with a castle keeper, and the man in his fifties came as soon as possible.
　I'm Ombrell, the guide of the Dusker party.

"I'm sorry, Larkus, but the Prime Minister is tied up at the moment, so please wait for a moment..."
"I don't care. I'm the one who rushed in."

　At Dusker's words, Ombrell bowed with a faint look of relief.

"Thank you very much. Then I'll show you right away."

　Breathing with relief, Ombrell moves through the castle with Dusker, Elk, Minn, Rodos, Ray and two knights.
　It must be due to the consideration of the Empire that few aristocrats were seen along the way.
　My real intention is that I don't want Ray to get angry and let out a tornado of flames in the castle.

(That's how cold the Spring War must have been to the people of the Westian Empire.)

　Contrary to Dusker's inner thoughts, Ray entered the castle for the first time and looked at the surroundings with interest.
　The carpet is apparently overpriced, and the walls of the hall are decorated with paintings, vases of flowers, knight's armour, and so on.
　Ray looks around him, but eventually Rodos pulls at the bottom of his dragon robe and opens his mouth.

"Don't be so disgraceful," If you do that, even the Dusker with you will be looked down upon."
"...you're quite used to it,"

　Unlike myself, he came to the castle, which is truly the center of the Vestian Empire, but he was surprised by Rodos as usual.
　But Rodos shrugs his shoulders and breathes a little sigh at Ray.

"That's true, isn't it? It was the first time I had ever been to a castle in the Vestian Empire, but I have been to a castle in the royal capital of the kingdom of Miliana several times."

　The remark briefly surprises Ray, but soon convinces him.

"What is it, Elk's bonus.
"Well, that's what it looks like. But it's true that I've been to the castle, whether it's your father's bonus or anything."

　It was Ray's word with some provocative meaning, but Rodos shrugs his shoulders off.
　When Ray tried to say something to Rodos again.

"Huh?"

　Suddenly I noticed that there was a group of people coming in from the direction they were going.
　When I looked over there, I saw a man in his 50s walking in front of me, followed by about 10 people.
　It would be a matter of course if the nobles were accompanied by their vassals. But the way they turned to Ray's was to show that they were all aristocrats.
　No, that's all it would have done to say it's unusual. But Ray's attention was drawn by the fact that most of the group had a hateful stare at him.

(What? The people who had a grudge against me came to see me as a group.)

　They think inside, but relax, so that the nobles approaching them can react quickly to anything they want to it.
　But only Elk, Min, and Dusker noticed it.
　The distance gradually dwindles... and when they reach out, they come within reach of each other, but eventually nothing happens, and the Daskers pass each other's of nobles.
　Of course, the intense hatred towards Ray never veered away, but the aristocracy left the Dusker party without any particular instruction or speech.

"Nothing,"

　Everyone but Ombrell nods to Elk's muttered words.
　The only exception, Ombrell, apologetically bowed to Dusker... more precisely to Ray.

"I'm sorry, sir,"
"No, I know," I came to the Empire of Bestia with that in mind. Don't worry too much."
"Thank you,"

　At Rey's words, Ombrell resumes the tour with a happy little smile.

「……」

　Rodos looks dumbfounded at Ray's attitude.

"What?"

　When he asks Ray suspiciously, Rodos opens his mouth with a look of surprise, as if he were really surprised.

"No, I always thought you were going to pick a fight with those nobles."
"You... what the hell do you think I am? Do you look like you're going to fight anywhere?"
「……」

　Rodos glances silently away.
　The gesture made it clear what Rodos felt for Ray.
　Ray must have figured it out, too. open one's mouth with one's eyes fixed on it

"Well, I don't have that idea. I don't mind if I make the morning training a little harder."
"Wait a minute!"

　Ray even shrugs his shoulders with a smile on his face.

"Well, I'm supposed to act without thinking." It's no use thinking about training in the same way, is it?"
"No, no, no. That's a different story, isn't it?

　a rambling RodosEven now it's quite a hard exercise. What would happen if the training were to be more rigorous in this situation?
　If you're not good at it, don't you think your body will reach its limit before the competition?
　Ignoring this feeling with all her might, Rodos deliberately gives a cheerful voice.

"Mr. Dusker, let's hurry to the waiting room." I'm a little thirsty, so I'd like to drink something."
"No, isn't that because you were nervous about what Ray said?"

　Dusker muttered amazemently, but, judging that it was a waste of time to stay here, he turned his eyes to Ombrell.
　That alone must have conveyed the intention. Ombrell, who had been amused by the series of conversations, immediately resumed the guide.
　He walked for a while, and eventually arrived in his destination room. The ombrell bow deeply in front of the door.

"Dasker, ladies and gentlemen. Please wait a little longer in this room. I'm supposed to hear from you as soon as I'm ready. There is a maid in the room, so please let me know if you need anything. and I'm very sorry about that."

　Once again, Dusker shakes his head to the other nobles, Ombrell apologizing for the attitude of the Earl of Schvindell and his party.

"We were at war with each other. It's only natural that you have something to think about. I don't really care, and I don't have the sensitive nerves Ray cares about. And you don't have to apologize, for it's not your fault in the first place."
"...thank you,"

　Ray almost interrupted Dusker's words, but when he saw Ombrell's attitude, he breathed out a small sigh and swallowed his dissatisfaction.
　The Daskers, who had left Ombrell there, would immediately enter the room.





"He's... crimson?"

　muttered Count Schvindell, as he walked down the aisle some distance from them.
　However, the presence of that tone is not only anger... but also bewildering.




　a hateful revenge for killing one's daughter's fiance
　If you think about how she looks just because she's such a person, she's quite small, and although she's well-organized, she's more like a woman.
　Not at all, but I didn't think he had the power to listen to.
　Count Schwindell thought so for a moment, but at once shook his head.
　as if to shake off a foolish idea that has passed through one's mind

(Because of him, Weir... she locked herself up in her room in grief. Yes, because of him!)

　When he remembers his beloved daughter crying, anger wells up in Count Schvindell's heart again.
　It was probably the same with the aristocrats around him.
　Although Ray's appearance did not suggest he had the kind of fighting power he had been rumored to have, he still said it was true that he had killed his family, friends and lovers.
　But unlike those who thought that way, some thought that if they were good looking, they might gain that power.

"But... to be honest, it is extremely dangerous for such a child to have strong powers." Is it beneficial to manage such a power in our empire? If possible, while I am in the best part of the Empire, I should be able to draw him in."
"Don't be silly! Do you want me to pull in a monster called crimson!? That's what the empire will eat from within!"
"Yes! He certainly looks harmless. But remember what he did!"
"But if we were to oppose each other pointlessly, wouldn't that be the cause of more damage to us.
"Were you blown like a coward?"

　In the course of the argument, Count Schwindell spoke.

"Be quiet, and know where you are. This is inside the castle. What would you do if the others asked you carelessly?"

　It's not a loud voice or shouting.
　But those who hear the voice of Count Schvindell remain silent.
　This alone demonstrated the extent to which Count Schwindell held himself among these nobles, and, above all, the difference in status between them and those who could be described as "imaginable."

"It is impossible for other nobles to know that we have feelings for crimson and Larkus," That way we might be known to be aiming at them. Be careful not to act rashly."
『……』

　Some disagreed with the words of Count Schwindell.
　But you can't say it and you have to keep silent.
　I have a lot of feelings for Ray at the moment, but it's all because there are other friends here.
　If I was told to do it on my own, I had to say it was impossible.

"... Here we go. At any rate, we can see with our own eyes the faces of vengeance. Then the next thing to do is to gather even a little bit of information about them. Considering the reputation of the bell, it is unlikely that it will fail, but we should be prepared for a rainy day."

　Yes, when it comes to the crunch, I'll use my own knighthood to attack them.
　He did not reveal his true feelings, only determined, and went down the aisle.