Time returned, hours after Ray fled the imperial capital. Dusker, representing the kingdom of Milliana, had come to the castle.
　Naturally, there are Elk and Minn around Dusker as bodyguards, as well as some other knights.
　It is only natural that the nobility of the Milliana Kingdom, which defeated the Vestian Empire in the Spring War, should attract attention, but Dusker had other reasons to draw attention from the castle people.
　That's Ray, who set the record for second place in a competition.
　Since it has been a long-running competition, participants other than the Bestian Empire have naturally won or won second place.
　But it was the first time that a longtime opponent of the Empire, the Kingdom of Milliana, had been runner-up.
　Fortunately for the upper echelon of the Westian Empire, it would have been the Westian Empire that won the championship after all. In this regard, the prudence of the Prime Minister, Pesche Gutt, has been widely regarded as successful.
　For the upper echelon of the Empire, the kingdom of Mileana... because if Ray, the biggest cause of their defeat in the Spring War, had won the competition, he would certainly have lost face.
　At any rate, with such glances, Dusker comes to the castle and wants to see the prime minister.
　He is the prime minister, who is usually considered a very high ranking post in the empire. You can't have a meeting right away if you want to. That's a few days ago... if you're not good at it, you'll have to have an appointment for more than a week.
　Yet again, Dusker's position as a representative of the Kingdom of Milliana was successful, and he implicitly told us that the meeting was of great importance.
　Then, guided by a knight, they head to the prime minister's office.

"Excuse me, Prime Minister Pesche. I have brought in the Count of Frontiers Dasker Larkes."
"All right, go in,"

　a soldier who hears a reply from inside and opens the door
　Dusker leaves his bodyguard knight there and takes only Elk and Min into his office.

(Ho)

　Dusker, who entered the office, groans inward.
　Rather than being a big man, Pesche, who is rather obese, probably doesn't work seriously as a prime minister. I thought so, for it seemed to me that there were a number of papers on the office desk, and that he had written and distinguished quickly through them, as if he had been the prime minister of the art.
　However, if we thought that it was impossible for an incompetent person to hold the position of prime minister, this might have been a natural consequence.
　He glanced at the papers he had in his hand and wrote them down, and his eyes turned to those who had entered his room... to be exact, to Dusker alone.

"Well, it was a sudden visit, but I am very confused. Did something urgent happen? Anyway, sit down. Now that we have taken the time, let us speak slowly."

　Telling the maid to bring a drink and something to eat, Pesche guides Dusker to the sofa and sits across from her.
　Dusker sits on the sofa and Elk and Min stand behind him as before.
　It was the same with Pesche, who was standing behind him on the sofa with the same bodyguards as before.

Come to think of it, is there no crimson today? The final round of that competition was a great one, even though I was shown a kite. I can't believe that we can compete so evenly with the immovable noise of our hero."

　Peche praises Ray for his hard work, while leaning his head over his inability to see him.
　However, the words implied the intention that it was their own country who eventually won.

"No, no, I didn't expect Ray to compete with such a Rank S adventurer. As far as the fighting goes, it's probably not too far off to be ranked S in terms of combat power. Fortunately, there are some Rank S adventurers in our country, so it might be a good idea to have them study there."

　In the near future, two top-ranked adventurers will become adventurers of the Kingdom of Milliana. Pesche looks like a bitterness for a moment at the smell of Dusker.
　In fact, it was a fact without doubt, because it was bothering Pesche.
　Rank-wise, it doesn't reach S, but it's not far away if it's purely combat power. Furthermore, in the case of Ray, he has a partner set, who can be said to be the only one behind the scenes, although the battle was in various shackles.
　It would be very unpopular for a prime minister of the Westian Empire to have such a strong military power in his longtime enemy country.

"... here. The future of the kingdom of Milliana may be bright." So what is the matter today?"

　Pesche, who finds himself at a disadvantage, casually changes the subject.

"Actually..."

　Just as Dusker started to say something, the maid whom Pesche had just ordered comes back to her office with tea and dried fruit.
　Stop talking, wait for the maid to leave, and speak again.

"To return to the subject of Ray, who was mentioned earlier."
"Oh? Is that the problem with clothes to wear to the awards ceremony? Like in the Kingdom of Milliana, there are many people who are strict about it."

　Dusker shakes his head silently to Pesche, who shakes his story like that.
　Seeing his attitude, which clearly shows that it is not a problem, Pesche frowns slightly and opens his mouth, shaking his loose cheeks.

"It's not a matter of dress." Well, I'm not serious about that, either, but ... what's the matter?"
"In fact, Ray ran away under me."
"...what?"

　I heard an incredible story. With that expression on her face, Pesche turns to Dusker again.
　What you see there is a bitter smile.

(... a wry smile? an adventurer who had a reasonable conflict with the noise of Rank S ran away under him, but could it be a wry smile? No way. Then let's overlook our unparalleled strength...so is this runaway intentional?...wait. Is it a runaway?)

　If you gather your thoughts quickly inside, you'll find a thread in Pesche.
　At this time of year... Yes. The third prince Mercurio, who had been under house arrest, was taken away and Ray ran away by chance at this time when he was considered a rebel. Now that you say so, Peche is not so kind as to be believed.
　The gaze naturally sharpens toward Dusker, who is drinking tea gracefully in front of him.
　Still, unless there is some evidence, there is no way I can criticize Ray's run out loud.

(and yet, at this time, when he was unable to move carelessly by His Majesty's orders, he added to the trouble.)

　The castle was attacked by many guests from other countries, and the third prince's faction led by Mercurio became a rebel.
　It was successful because it was the Empire of Bestia, but the current situation was as if it were a normal country that was fatally destroying its national reputation.
　Even if we try to settle the situation, we can't carelessly intervene in this matter because the emperor has ordered us to sit on the sidelines.
　Peche understands what the emperor's aim is, but it was no use thinking at a time like this.
　The result is a large number of documents that I had approved so far.
　He glanced at the pile of papers on his desk, anticipating another round of work and understanding that he couldn't go to the restaurant he was always looking forward to tonight's meal.

"And do you have any idea where the crimson went if he ran away?"

　Judging from the timing, it will be clear where we headed. In particular, Gryphon must be with him, and it is not surprising that he may have joined the Third Prince's faction, which had already become a rebel.
　But I can't even say it here and ask it plainly.
　...but instead of joining the third prince's faction, Ray was trying to get rid of the bandits...it would be impossible to understand that.

"Well, where is it?" He said he would train to get stronger, but he didn't say anything else."
"I mean, if crimson breaks any of our laws, it's no use being tried?"

　It's a question, but it's not that I'm looking for an answer, but that I'm just saying what's definite.
　If it seemed to be difficult for him to do so, that is to say, it was a remark which even the Empire of Westia could not overlook.

"Of course. If Ray commits any crime, it should be judged by the law of the country."

　Dusker himself simply says so.
　If there's anything you're reluctant to do here, it's because you're still considered to be connected to each other.Even Dusker fully understands that the prime minister of the empire in front of him is suspicious of him.
　No, I'm far from suspicious. There was a feeling that he would have already gained conviction.
　But still, if there is no evidence, it's just a suspicion.
　That's why he had to make it clear that his relationship with Ray had already expired.
　Naturally, it's not just here. Later, he would have to go to the Guild in the imperial capital and hire someone as a temporary escort to show that he and Ray are no longer related.

(Even if I talk to the prime minister, it could mean that Ray and I are still connected.)

　mutter inwardly and open one's mouth with a smile

"I'm worried about my bodyguard now that Ray is gone. We will arrange additional bodyguards for the guild later."
"... I see,"

　He must have been thinking exactly what Dusker had in mind. Once again, Pesche takes a step up and responds with a slight pinch of flesh in his rich cheeks.
　Still, it is only natural for the prime minister to smile a little instead of course.

"Well, I'll get in touch with the guild again. That would be quicker to talk about it."
"Can you do that? We only need to hire good people."
"...but even after I have already run away, I think it will be a matter of many things to be absent from the awards ceremony held at the castle."
"I wish I could get help from the Prime Minister. I feel sorry for this incident, even as a member of the Milliana Kingdom of Milliana."

　Putting the name of the kingdom of Milliana in the conversation may still be a shield from victory in the Spring War.

(But... crimson, who played an important role in the war that spring, ran away, though ostensibly. There is a high possibility that he joined the faction of the third prince who was considered a rebel. Then... Is this a good opportunity for me too? But who? It's clear from watching the competition that even if you hit a half‐hearted opponent against him, he's not a good match. ... I see. a competition? There's a good chance.)

　After a quick calculation in her head, Pesche nods with a feigned disapproval.

"All right. I'll take care of the awards ceremony. However, I would like you to remember to stick to what was decided during this meeting."

　Dusker's gaze sharpens momentarily to see if he's noticed anything that's meant to be said to him.
　But when Ray told me about this, I expected some trouble to happen. With that in mind, Ray, to the extent that he's going to have some trouble, is, I'm afraid, close to his own fault.
　That didn't stop me from having a bitter expression on my face.
　Ray is certainly an adventurer and an employer. Nevertheless, it is only natural to feel a sense of friendship when you are working together.
　Still, I can't hesitate here, and Dusker nods with his inner expression suppressed.

"All right, then,"

　Don't die, Ray. with that kind of