the office of Schles, the second prince of the Vestian Empire The words that came out of the mouth of the person who just jumped in there were not easily, if not easily, to be heard.
　In the silent office, it was only natural that he spoke first.

"What did you just say? It sounded like there was crimson in there."

　You know what would happen if it were a joke, don't you? That's what it meant, but the aristocrat who came into the office spoke without showing any sign of fright.

"My subordinate wizards have the ability to feel the magic of others. This ability is very rare for people who have it, but it has been reported that the castle now has crimson."
"…the ability to sense magic?" I hear from time to time that there are people who have that kind of ability, but do you have any proof that it is the magic of crimson?"
"Yes, I'm sure I'm feeling the magic firsthand at the competition. And..."

　He was a noble who explained confidently until now, but for some reason he suddenly hesitated.

"What's wrong with you? Tell me if you have anything."
"... and I am not entirely convinced that the magic power of crimson is undoubtedly so great that anyone with the same kind of power can almost certainly feel it."

　The aristocrat's words twitch Schles' expression.
　Breathe loudly as if to exasperate, and call out to the nobles again.

"Then why now? If the magic of crimson is so powerful that you can't mistake it, why don't you explain it beforehand?"
"Well... he's been frightened and confined to his room since he realized his crimson ability at a competition... because he's a weak-willed man."
"Even if you say you're weak-tempered... well, that's all right." It would be better than doing nothing because they reported me like this. ...Dune,"
"Yes, yes!"

　Dune replies somewhat flusteredly to Schulz, perhaps not expecting to speak to him here.

"It is very likely that the Robbian man you mentioned to have been with the White Rose Knights was crimson. It's almost certain."
"...that robe is crimson? But I've met crimson once before!"
"Oh, I know," The Unicorn Knights have complained about it."

　Shrews' cold voice frightens Dune.
　However, he hurriedly says that it doesn't taste good.

"At that time I met crimson, but I didn't notice it at all today. Is that the case?"
"Yes, the crimson you know is a figure with a Gryphon." For better or worse, the impression was too strong. That's why I couldn't recognize crimson in my robe as crimson. --the robes themselves are commonplace."
"That's..."

　Schles' words remind Dune of a crimson face he had previously met on the side of the imperial capital.
　However, the Gryphon's impression was so strong that I can only remember it.
　Even though he's such a ridiculous person, he is.
　And when I try to remember the face of the person I thought to be crimson that I met in front of the castle, the face of the person I met near the imperial capital does not match the face to face.
　If I had been to the competition, I might have remembered my crimson face.
　Unfortunately, however, Dune had been suspended for threatening tolls from merchants at the competition.
　It's on guard, too.
　That's why Dune couldn't quite remember the face of a decent crimson.

"Your Highness Schles," What's going on?"
"...I'm getting lost,"

　Shurus frowns slightly at Amale's words.
　The man who spoke to his lord was a nobleman who brought in information that Ray was in the castle.

"What are you hesitating about, Prince Schles? The rebel army's greatest strength is in the castle... I mean, it's in my hands." And as far as I heard, the White Rose Knights brought crimson. If so, I would like to take this opportunity with you, Prince Fritzione.
"No!"

　Shurus almost reflexively rejects the aristocracy's proposal.
　The aristocrats, too, may know that Schles has a lot to think about their older sister, but they cough up a little bit and then open their mouths.

"I know Prince Schles adores Prince Fritzione. However, please take a close look at the current situation in the castle. That crimson... there is one in this castle who, alone, destroyed Prince Kabazid's First Prince Kabazeed's army."
"That battle was not fought by himself. It has been confirmed that there were other soldiers."

　Schulz told me as if he were misrepresenting something, but eventually he understood it himself. breathe out a small sigh before opening one's mouth

"I understand what you mean. However, it is thought that Kabazid is already aware of the crimson issue. With that in mind, there's a good chance that if we move on our own, things will go bad. I'm sorry to you for telling me that crimson is in the castle, but I can't help myself."
"There is no doubt that I am eager to get credit. That's why I came here to report that crimson was in the castle. But I also believe that it will be of great benefit to Prince Schles to wear crimson here."

　Schles also looks back at the aristocrat staring at him.

"But it's dangerous to have a bad relationship with my brother Kabazid here. Especially as long as the other party holds the trump card of crimson."
"It's an opportunity to get the crimson!"
"...how?"

　It was Amale who questioned the nobles who were trying to persuade Schles.
　As usual, the words you ask with little change in your expression have no intention of defeating the other person. Purely, there is only a question of how to capture crimson.

"How? That's..."

　The aristocrat who tried to return the word was stuck there.
　It's only natural that the opponent approaches the first team alone... or has more power than that.
　If you want to capture or kill such an opponent, you will naturally have to make a reasonable effort.
　But when asked if they could afford such a fight against the rebels, most would say no.
　Of course, we understand that if we could capture crimson here, the rebel forces' military strength would be greatly reduced, but we still don't want to reduce our military strength significantly here.
　Especially in the current situation where the first prince's faction and the second prince's faction are formed, it is inevitable that they will be able to catch the opportunity of their opponents.
　As soon as this civil war is over, there will be another confrontation, so it's only natural that we want to preserve our military strength.

"Do you understand that if this is a battlefield, we can still compromise. If it's a big battlefield, we're going to consume each other's military power. However, in this case, there is only one crimson. Since this castle is a battlefield, we cannot attack it with our troops. about ten to twenty, depending on the place."And if you're not good at it, even the chosen elite will be wiped out.
　The aristocracy groans at the tacit remark.
　I have come to understand that it is because I understood that it was true.

"Well... I don't know when it will be, but why don't you let crimson stay in the castle?"
"That's the case, but he can't stay in the castle forever." This is still his enemy's territory. If we were to set it up, it would be time for him to get out of the imperial capital and be well prepared and ready to fight."

　The noble man nods convincingly to Schles' words.

"I see. The reason I can't kill him in the castle is because the battlefield is small. If so, I will await him in a wide space with Prince Kabazid. If that's the case, then..."

　But it was Amale who again interrupted the aristocrat's words.

"That would certainly kill crimson in time." Though he is notorious, he is still in his mid-teens. If we start a war of attrition, we may be able to win, but... that would drain our strength. What then will you do to the rebels under Prince Mercurio?"
"I understand Amale's point. But this is a golden opportunity. If we don't defeat crimson here in the first place, we'll eventually join Mercurio and launch an attack on him with all right."
"That's true, indeed, "

　As an amare, I didn't want Schles to be hostile to crimson here if possible.
　I'm not saying this in particular for the danger of Schles.
　No, because he's hostile to crimson, there's a good chance he'll endanger himself. However, Schles has only to leave the command to his subordinates and go to the scene.
　The reason why I didn't want Schulz to participate in this case. That's...

(His Highness Fritzione will certainly join him.)

　There is no evidence. It was only the result of my prediction after hearing the current situation and reports from Amare's hands around Fritzione.
　If asked if there was any clear evidence, you would only be able to answer a woman's intuition. It's only circumstantial evidence now.
　But the presence of crimson beneath Fritzione is conclusive evidence.
　But Amare knows that Schles adores Fritzione.
　It's not until recently that I've lost my attitude, but I can't help but see that Amare, who has grown up with me since she was a child, still adored me deeply.
　That's why I wanted Schles to be a little late in revealing Fritzione's betrayal.
　We'll have to let you know in the end, but later...
　That's not the vice‐minister, but the milk brothers and childhood friends. And I know it's because of the feelings of men and women.
　To think that way even if you know it, it's probably because Amare always looks calm, but she is.

"Get in touch with my brother Kabazid first. We need to know what we are going to do with this matter."

　While Amale was absorbed in his thoughts, Schles would have gathered his thoughts. The voice brings Amare back to herself.

"Yes, I'll try to get in touch with you as soon as possible. That's Prince Schles. What shall we do if we should be ready, for the time being?"

　If he had to say anything more, he would nod back to Amale's words, which he judged to be distrustful for a few seconds later.

"Well, I'm sure there's nothing I can do to keep my hands folded. ...but if you show a flamboyant movement, you may be known to sister Fritzione, let alone to brother Kabazide. Perhaps he committed such a violent act to mediate between us and Mercurio."

　As he breathes, there's nothing more surprising about Schles' expression.
　Fritzione's outlandish behavior has swayed him several times, perhaps because of some familiarity.
　However, that doesn't make sense this time.
　Already, Schles considers Mercurio an enemy to defeat. Of course, I would like to try not to kill him if possible, but I wish I could.

"At any rate, just be ready to move, whatever happens." ...I wish I could use the trump card against crimson that Kabazid said before. What do you think?"

　Amale, who is turned by Schles, shakes his head for a moment.

"It's true that it's Prince Kabazeed, so we won't call him trump if he's totally ineffective. Unfortunately, however, we didn't see firsthand how effective it would be. If you think about that, you shouldn't expect too much."
"I see,"

　Schulz nodded, but Dune, who had been in the air until now, opens his mouth.
　Now that I've come to Schles' office, I want to make a strong impression of my existence. It must have been true that I had that kind of feeling. 　
　At the same time, I thought this was an opportunity to make achievements.

"Your Highness Schles, please leave this to me. I've faced crimson at least once. In order to make use of this experience..."
"No, there's no need for it' Don't do anything unnecessary, and just do as usual."

　But for Schles, this man, who caused unnecessary trouble, simply dismissed it and said so, thinking that if he did something, he might be pretentious.

"What!"

　Dune's surprise echoes in his office, never expecting his opinion to be rejected immediately.