Dusker's room is filled with silence.
　The obvious reason was that he would cooperate with Ray's third prince faction.
　Dusker throws the documents he was reading on his desk and turns to Ray, while Elk and Min look at him as well.
　All three of them looked sharp and even semi-aggressive.

"... Ray, if it wasn't my mistake, I heard you'd be part of the civil war?"

　Dusker's voice, asking for confirmation, is heavy and full of force.
　When Ray came into this room there was a serious atmosphere, but now there was even some kind of pressure on it.
　Dasker asks, showing the face of a ruler of one of the three major factions in the kingdom of Milliana.
　But... Ray opens his mouth, defying such pressure.

"Yes, I said so. If possible, I will leave the imperial capital as soon as possible."
"What are you going to do about the awards ceremony for the competition? You participated in the competition as a representative of the Kingdom of Milliana and won second place."
"...I think it's right that you lost the final."
"Don't stray from the subject. In the first place, what you were asked of Vichela in this civil war was to attract the attention of the people of the Westian Empire to rescue Prince Mercurio, right? That was accomplished admirably. But why bother to participate in the civil war?"
"To return to second place, I lost in the final of the competition. I can't forgive myself, and at the same time I want to be able to use the armor of the hegemony who stole it from noise in the final."
"…Rank S, you're an immovable noise? There are only three fierce people in the world. Are you so frustrated that you lost to such a fierce man? You are certainly strong. If you think about the time you beat Elk, you'll have more strength than Rank A, if not Rank S. However, it's still a force equivalent to Rank A, though it's bad to say it. It's not the strongest or anything."

　With the words of defeating Elk, Dusker's gaze is directed to the Elk sitting on the sofa.
　Ray, who followed the gaze, also turned to Elk, whose eyes met in the air.
　Elk certainly lost to Ray before. But then I've been re-training myself, and I realize that I'm stronger than before.
　That's probably why he thought he wouldn't lose so easily the next time he fought Ray.
　Boggle!
　There was a sudden sound like that, and when Ray looked at it, he saw Min waving his cane down to Elk's head.

"Now it has nothing to do with Elk's ability. It's a discussion about Ray's choice."
`...wow,'

　I'd like to say something back, but I guess he understands that if he does that, he'll swing the cane down to his head again. Elk keeps silent, with a somewhat dissatisfied look on his face.
　Dusker opens his mouth again, ignoring such a conversation.

"Do you really want to cooperate with the third prince?"
"Yes,"

　Staring silently at each other for about a minute. Eventually, Dusker opens his mouth, breathing out.

"All right. Do as you please."
"...are you all right?

　What came out of Dusker's mouth was an unexpected remark.
　Therefore, Ray asks back unconsciously.

"I had expected it to happen somehow. Considering your character, it's not that strange. But... if that happens, we'll have to do a lot of course. For example, you are now my bodyguard. As I participated in the competition, I was in a mess, but when you intervened in the civil war, you had already clearly stopped guarding me and left. Then, I need to report to the people around me that I have no more relationship with them."

　Ray looks slightly disgusted when he hears the word.
　What is most troubling is, after all, the hope of being an officer.
　Now, in part, Ray is employed by Dusker, who first leaves and refuses.
　But if Dusker and Ray lose their employment relationship, it allows them to invite Ray to serve without asking him.
　I'm going to have to say no to everything myself. It was true that, given the troublesome nature of it, he was certainly reluctant.
　But still... if you ask me what I can do about my feelings about this fight, it's true that there's only one option.

"Well, indeed, many troublesome things happen, but... it is true that if we disappear from the imperial capital before it is known, that kind of problem will disappear."
"It's gone, man," Are you not going to attend the awards ceremony at the castle?"

　When Dusker himself seemed to say he would leave the scene and join the Third Prince's faction, he involuntarily asks back.
　Rey nods immediately to that remark.
　In fact, I will attend the awards ceremony...In other words, it is easy to imagine that many assassins, such as the bell of repose of souls as well as the invitation of officers, would come to Japan if they became more conspicuous than ever before.
　Then Ray's aim was to get out of here quickly.

(It's a pity that magic items... if there was an armed conflict like the one that had spread in the cafeteria, it would be far from the awards ceremony.)

　Given Vihela's personality, it's fair to say that she wants to be the first to win the battle and take on the course of the battle.
　Ray and Vihela haven't known each other for long, but instead they have a pretty strong relationship. With that in mind, I can somehow predict what Vihela is thinking.

(However, I don't know if the third prince will allow it.)

　He is the sort of person who comes back to the Westian Empire to help his brother, hearing that Teoreum is intoxicated and that Vichela is in danger of his life. Of course, I could have expected him to have the appropriate abilities, but I can't say anything about someone I haven't met in person.
　Dusker, who doesn't know Ray is thinking that way in front of him, eventually lets out a small sigh.

"...can't help it?" In the first place, we just happened to get carried away with this matter."

　In this case, we are supposed to be neutral and aristocratic.
　In fact, this story was brought from Vihela to neutrals and aristocrats via Ray and Elena.
　There are a lot of groundwork going on, but the main ones that actually make a big move were Theoreum and Vihelas, and Ray, who played the role of attracting attention by participating in imperial competitions.
　...however, in the case of Dusker, it took time and effort to come to the capital of the Vestian Empire, and Elena's father, the Duke of Kelebel, is making various moves behind the scenes to secure in the event that the Third Prince's faction was defeated in the civil war.
　If you think about it, you're not just trying to make it easy. But still... it's very different whether they planned it themselves or whether they brought in what was planned.
　Knowing that, Dusker probably accepted Ray's words.
　It is also influenced by the fact that the noise, the only source of anxiety, is heading for a mountain of evil.
　Looking at the final of the competition, noise seemed to be the only one in the Westian Empire who could be assured of a clear victory over Ray. Even if there were any Rank A adventurers, Ray would be able to do something about it, and most importantly, Seto would be able to participate in the battle this time because it's not a competition.

"And?"
"Oh, do as you like. but do you know where the third prince's faction is based?"
"No, I'm afraid not,"

　Ray says so and shakes his head, but his expression doesn't show any regret.
　You must have wondered about it. Dusker turns his gaze on the road.

"I don't know where the third prince's base is now, but if there is a civil war, the base of the third prince's faction will be known even if I don't want to.""...are you hiding somewhere until then? I don't think you can do that."

　Interrupting Ray and Dusker's conversation was Elk, who had been silently watching their conversation.
　That's because, like myself, Ray knows he's not good at waiting silently.
　But Ray opens his mouth, shrugging his shoulders at the words of Elk.

"Well, I may be alone, but there's Seto. I'll have a relaxing time with Seto somewhere where the monsters are around."
"...it's very unlikely that you'll have a relaxing time in a place with monsters."

　Next to the elk, Min mumbled, holding his forehead.
　But the idea itself is not so dangerous for Ray. When it comes to the neighborhood of the imperial capital, of course there will be no high-ranking monsters. However, Ray, who first came to the imperial capital, has the great advantage of being able to absorb the magical stones of unknown monsters with Seto.
　At the same time, being able to eat the meat of monsters you've never eaten before would be a big deal.

"""The meat of a monster I've never eaten for collecting unknown magical stones." To be honest, the environment couldn't have been better for me or Seto. The only and biggest problem is... that I'm so absorbed in that that the civil war is over before I know it."
"No, Ray. There's a problem before that."




　Ray slanting his head to Dasker, who is exhaling and telling him.

"In the first place. Who are you going to find out the base of the Third Prince's faction from? If you and Seto are the only ones there, there's no way to get the information."
"...the adventurer should be acting normally even during the civil war, so I was thinking of getting information from him."

　Can't you? Not only Dusker, but Min... and even Elk breathe out.
　Then Elk opens his mouth as if representing the three.

"Well, how can you use such an uncertain means to gather information?"
"Are you uncertain?"
"That's true, isn't it? For the most part, I don't know if an adventurer will come where you are, and I don't know if he really has any information. In the first place, you can't even tell if that information is correct by hearing it from one person."
"...."

　Elk's words were probably right. Ray lets out a moaning voice.

"Why, when you have great fighting power and judgment at the moment?"Go to Count Obrissin's territory, not far from the imperial capital. His Highness Vichela should be there."

　Dusker says so to Ray, with a somewhat stunned look on his face.

"Why, then, did Mr. Dusker tell us where Vihela was, though there was not yet a rumour in the dining-room as to the stronghold of the Third Prince?"

　Those who have the financial resources and ability to stay at this inn are naturally quick to hear about information.
　The aristocracy is trying to get accurate information as soon as possible, on the grounds that they are not involved in civil war and that merchants have the opportunity to do business there.
　How do you know the home of the Third Prince's faction, which had not yet been rumored to be in such a restaurant? It was Elk who spoke a little proudly to Ray's question.

"I'm getting information about that thanks to my idiot son."
"...what?"

　I knew Rodos was infiltrating the First Prince's faction, but I never expected him to contact me in this situation.
　As Ray looks like he wants to say that, Min, who is sitting next to Elk, breathes out and continues.

"To be exact, late last night a third prince came in contact with me. He gave me the information from Rodos, and at the same time told me where the third prince's faction was based."

　Laughing in a troubled way, I guess the reason why he still looks happy is because of Rodos's access to the information.
　In fact, the third prince group should not want to spread their base as much as possible.
　It will definitely prevail in the future, but the later the better.
　Still, if Rodos asked Dusker to let him know about the first prince's side in return for his information, he could not refuse it... or, instead of telling him the actual location of the base, he was able to find out the location of the base in the end.

"...but why did Rodos give us the stronghold of the Third Prince?"
"Well, why not?" Perhaps because we are involved in this matter, I want you to use this information effectively. I suppose you think so."

　Ray also nods with a slight doubt as Dusker shrugs his shoulders.
　That was the most convincing reason.

"Well, that's where you're going. This afternoon I'll let the guilds and nobles know that Ray has run away from under me. I'll take care of the hotel procedures. So you go to Vichela. ...but there are a lot of people waiting for you in Gilm. Be sure to come back."

　Ray nodded to Dusker's words, Min nodded a little, glanced at Elk, communicated silently, and left the room.