Time goes back a little.
　the morning of Ray's fifth‐round fight against Uittle
　Even that day, Rodos was training with Bratta. 　
　That's a lot more intense training than what Ray was doing.
　Some wounds are healed with a lotion, and now both Rodos and Bratta use blades in mock warfare.
　Of course, since it's a mock battle, we never try to cut each other's arms off, but even so, deep cuts and bruises are inevitable. I healed it with a lotion, which was quite expensive.
　How expensive it is to say that Rodos is as good as or better than the part he prepared as a trump card against Ray.

(Isn't he the first prince around here?)

　He muttered in admiration, putting a portion on his arms which had been cut wide.
　Though small and breathless, Rodos still has plenty of energy to spare.
　...which, to put it another way, would have been badly damaged by Blatta's attack before we could afford it.

(Not yet...)

　Wailing at his own lack of courage, he sees that the wound has been blocked and looks at the container of the portion.
　Initially Rodos offered to take a potion and train, but it was dismissed immediately by Bratta.
　It's true that taking potions always gives you a healing effect. And it was based on the judgment that this potion, which is used like hot water, would have a good effect on its recovery at all times as long as it was of fairly high quality.
　However, the taste of the portion is so bad that it is not affected by its quality that it paralyzes the taste buds.
　This is because it will interfere with your diet, and as a result, you will have trouble eating to maintain your body.

"Hey, don't drink potions."

　Bratta tells me that he has sensed Rodos' idea.
　Then Rodos nods and puts the lid on the container of the portion and puts it back where it was.
　Bratta was watching Rodos, but suddenly changed the subject.

"Now that you mention it, do you know that the bell of repose is going to start? I hope your target Ray won't be knocked down easily."

　When Rodos heard the words, he paused for a moment in surprise.





「……」

　With a b*tc*y look on his face, Rodos heads to the building prepared for his wake-up.
　The reason goes without saying. It was because Bratta told me that the bell of repose of souls would move in earnest.
　The bell has shown some detailed movements, but when it comes to full-scale movement, there are various anxieties.
　Above all, if Ray is to be overthrown before he fights again, there is no point in him infiltrating the First Prince's faction like this way.

(If you think about it in a normal way, it doesn't matter if it's Ray. But Blatta told me that he was going to take a blank break after the fifth round. There is a possibility that something could be done about it...)

　While murmuring inwardly, he looks up at the sky and explores the surroundings.
　But for Rodos, who is not very capable of sensing signs, he cannot find out if there is anyone watching him.

(In the first place, he was on the first prince's side, so there must be some clever thieves and spies.) Is it impossible for me to perceive it? But... you can't trust me as I am. I'm sure there will be a few guards on me. Then you can't be careless about it is it?

　Blatta's story itself could be a test against him.
　As he wanders to disguise his inner impatience, he falls on the spot to see if the maid who suddenly walks in front of Rodos has something to do with her.

"Oh!"

　a short scream
　Rodos, too, can't leave the woman alone who may have been injured, scratching her head and approaching her.
　Then, looking at the maid who fell down, I reached for her... her face made me stiffen my expression.
　Because the maid looked familiar.
　A person who belonged to the Third Prince's faction, who temporarily joined him when he stayed in a village on the way to the imperial capital.

"Squeak..."
"Hush!"

　QUEKEN. I have a sharp hold on Rodos for trying to say his name.

"You are under surveillance. Now pretend to help me as a maid."

　He nods to the muttered words, and gently reaches out to his feet.

"But you've done a great job." I never thought he was infiltrating the First Prince's faction. I had a hard time finding it."
"I'm sorry, I wasn't in a position to let anyone know I was going into. But what were you going to do if I had really turned over here?"
"I wasn't too worried about that. I have received the endorsement of my parents. and above all, he would not betray Mr. Vihela?"
"Slip..."

　Rodos panickedly changes his story, never expecting even Cuken to know about his first love.

"What about your father and mother?"
"My mom was worried. My dad wasn't that worried."

　Rodos stands up and walks out, pretending to lend his shoulder to Cuken, who has sprained his leg.

"Is this conversation okay? I'm talking in a low voice, but if you're watching me..."
"It's all right," Fortunately, the people watching are far away, so this is the level of voice. ...and have you been able to draw anything out of them?"
"No, I've only just entered," But it seems that the bell will move toward Ray after today's game."

　The words that Rodos uttered surprised Cuken small. 　
　Still, it's only a surprise inside, and he's used to this kind of work where he doesn't know who's watching Rodos.

"Why all of a sudden... No, the first prince's group got information about the bell of repose of souls from where..."
"That's only the First Prince's faction, and the intelligence network is wide, I suppose." Anyway, I can't move because I'm probably being watched. So you let Ray know about this."
"You're very kind," I'm sure..."

　Knowing what he wanted to say beyond that, Rodos opens his mouth with a little wry smile.

"I want to beat Ray, but it's my hand. There is no point in me coming all the way to this side if I were to die in someone else's hands."
"Well, I see. I have a lot of things to say, but I'll leave that up to your parents, not me. Anyway, if I tell Ray about the bell, he won't be able to do it right away."
"Why? After the game, you'll be more or less alert. If you think about it, even if it's a little troublesome."

　Rodos' words make Cuken's eyebrows look uncomfortable.
　To those watching the scene, Rodos might have appeared to have made a strange interference with the maid.

"It's not because it's too much trouble or something. Think about it in a normal way. Do you think they'll leave me alone soon after I've been in contact with Rodos, who is being watched for a reasonably long time?"
"... I see,"Then Rodos thought, "Can't you make it in time?" But Cuken whispered reassuringly.

"Don't worry. I'm sure I'll be under surveillance for a while, but I'm not the only one inside the castle. It may take some time, but I'll let you know before Mr. Ray is attacked by the bell."

　Rodos looks satisfied with the remark.
　It is true that there must not be only one infiltrating the castle. In that case, if there is something wrong with the person, he will lose touch completely.

"Well, I see. I see. Then, please. Also, contact Mr. Dusker for additional information. Bratta is of the First Prince's school, and he is quite a good hand."
"Blatta...?"
"Do you know?"
"Well,"

　It was clear that the bitter look on his face was not a person with at least good memories.
　For the time being, he says what he's got, judging that any further conversation will only displease Cuken.

"If you know Bratta, you may know him, but there seem to be a few others in the First Prince's faction who are as good as Bratta, or better than him."
"Well, of course, the most likely candidate to succeed to the throne today is Prince Kabazid's first prince. Anyway, I understand your situation and information. I'm sure I'll tell you, so please make sure Mr. Rodos doesn't get suspicious. You must think of making the most of it, though it is the course of events, because you are lucky to have been able to sneak into the enemy."

　Rodos nods to Cuken, who tells him not to act rashly.
　I nod, but... when he saw it, he couldn't believe it completely.
　Although it was unavoidable, he acted as if he had infiltrated the First Prince's faction on his own initiative. Knowing the behavior, it would be unavoidable to look at it suspiciously.
　However, it is true that now we have no choice but to believe Rodos. Even if you're lucky enough to help, you've succeeded in infiltrating the enemy.

"I'll try to make contact with them by pretending to be coincidences. Even if I fail, the one who has it is my hand, so please don't worry about giving me the information."

　Tell him so, and take the dagger out of his pocket, so that only Rodos can see it.
　The dagger, with its distinctive carvings on the sheath, must have been accidentally possessed by a completely unrelated person.

"All right. ... Tell my mom and dad that I'm sorry for making you worry."
"All right. "Well, I'm sure I'll be scolded when the matter is over, and I think you'd better be prepared for it."

　He told them so, and bowed to Rodos so that the people around him could see him, and Cuken left.





　A female soldier suddenly appears from the front as Ray heads to the waiting room after the match with Uittle.

(Soldier? What happened?)

　Ray wondered if there was any kind of trouble, but the woman approaches him without any particular change of expression.
　As we approached each other... and a few steps forward, the female soldier suddenly dropped the cloth into the corridor and squatted down.
　Feeling something deliberate, Ray walks on.
　I approached her with caution, considering the actions of the female soldiers, or judging that there was a possibility of an assassin."
　The female soldier looks surprised to see the dagger picking up from the floor. 　
　This is because the dagger, which I remember, was the same as the one used by the third prince, Cuken, as their identification on their way to the imperial capital.
　He opens his mouth to hear only Ray with a look of surprise like that.

"This is a report from Lord Rodos, who is infiltrating the First Prince's faction, that there is an assassin at the bell of repose in the waiting room, and that he is aiming for the life of Lord Ray. Please be careful."
"...what?"

　Rey unexpectedly asked back at what she heard, but the female soldier probably took a message to him and judged him to have done his job. He stands up and walks past Ray towards the stadium.
　Ray tries to talk to her in spite of her back, but she tries to find out why the female soldier is giving her information in such a confusing manner as she is now, and she explores the surroundings.
　I could sense the presence of some people, but there was no sign of murder, and even Ray could not tell if they were being watched.
　I could have guessed that they were probably on the lookout.

(But if I had not expected Rodos to come back to the inn... I don't think he'd have joined the First Prince's faction.) I'm surprised in many ways.)

　Despite this, the first prince's faction is probably the one who will be the most troubling in the rescue of the third prince, who is scheduled to help them this time.
　With that in mind, we can't help but think that it was a valid choice to take action without saying anything to ourselves.

(There may be some fools on the ground looking at trees and not looking at the forest.) ... Well, since most of the cases are done at Dusker's discretion, is there no one like that? or is it all right to be there?)

　They think like that for a moment, but now they change their minds thinking that dealing with the bell of repose of souls is the first priority.

(If possible, it would have been easier to attack in a large place than in such a small place. Is that the aim of the decision?)

　Even though there is enough space to hold a certain death size, the waiting room is still a waiting room. It's only natural that they find it difficult to do so, given that they can't move around freely as if they were fighting on stage.
　Still, instead of worrying about when they will be attacked, they decide that it is better to kill the bell at once and head to the waiting room where the enemy will be waiting.