Ray came to the imperial capital, and in the castle... about three days after being sheltered in Fritzione's hut.

　Ray had nothing to do today, but there were a lot of books in the hut, and he was looking through them.

　Some of them are beyond Ray's expertise, such as monster books, books on magical attributes, books on spirits, and magic items.

　Of course, there are more than practical books around the sofa where Ray is sitting.From folklore to fairy tales, to books with recipes for cooking used by children of aristocrats.

　Indeed, a wide variety of books are piled up casually around the sofa.

　This book is not, of course, Ray's from Mystery.

　Ray himself has a few books, including a monster dictionary.

　In the first place, books are very expensive in this world, not something that a single adventurer can have.

　Even adventurers do not have books, with exceptions like wizards.

　The reason why there are so many books in this hut is that Fritzione, Angela, Widere, and the Knights of the Order of the White Rose, who are friendly to Ray, brought them to kill time.

　Among the Knights of the White Rose, Ray's assessment is currently divided into two.

　One of them yearns for Ray's strength, is attracted to Seto's loveliness, and is a guest of his lord Fritzione, who favors them as their ally.

　On the other hand, the death of their acquaintances in the spring war, the insolence of their attitude towards the likes of Fritzione and Angela, and the complete lack of response to their aspirations of Vihera, are not malicious, but they still cannot be treated very favorably.

　Among the Knights of the White Rose, the books that the former brought to us were placed around the sofa.

　Of course, this pile of books, which was brought into the hut after hearing that Ray was free, was only rented out to Ray, and not given to him.

　Of course, Fritzione would return it when he left the castle.

　But for Ray, the act of reading makes him very happy.

　Ray used to like reading books, but books in this world are basically very expensive.

　Of course, considering Ray's current assets that people will not be able to use for the rest of their lives, they will be able to buy and collect them without any problems, and as long as there is a mystery ring, there will be no need to place books.

　Still, Ray did not collect books because he could hardly afford to do so.

　It's been about a year and a half since I came to Elgin, and two years in a few months.

　In the meantime, I was caught up in so many uproar that I didn't have time to buy or read books other than practical ones like the Monster Dictionary.

　If you need any information, there is a library in Gilmoo, and it is often solved by talking to a close receptionist like Lenora or Kenny in the guild.

"Well, this series of disturbances can't last forever anyway... it's okay to collect books only after you're free....the disturbance won't last, will it?"

　Ray is worried when he remembers the many troubles he has experienced so far.

　In fact, they are usually involved in a number of disturbances, such as whether or not ordinary people will experience them once in their lives, where they go on a rampage and somehow solve the problem.

　There's a track record, and because of that track record, Ray's probability of getting involved in other disturbances is increasing... but he doesn't seem to have noticed it.

"And... I haven't been able to hunt monsters since I came to the Bestian Empire."

　Regardless of the material used by monsters, I want monsters' magical stones that are unknown to me as users of magic.

　If possible, I would like to go to the frontier of the Kingdom of Mileana in the Vestian Empire to defeat unknown monsters and search for magical stones.Thinking like that, trying to put dried fruit in my mouth... my hand cuts through the air.

"Huh?"

　Doubtful of the feeling of being unable to grasp anything, he glanced at the table... all the dried fruits that were already there were gone.

"... I'm done with it's gone.Fritzione scolds me."

　Fritzione had appeared in the hut several times since Ray began to spend his time there, but every time he saw the dried fruit missing, he turned to Ray with a sulky or reproachful glance.

　In addition, everything about dried meat with dried fruit is already in Ray's belly.

　When Fritzione learned of this, she looked at Ray with an expression on her face that seemed to be a princess.

"Is dried meat followed by dried fruit?"Oh, well, I can't help it."

　Breathe out a sigh and reach out to the lyot taken from the Mystery.

　The fruit has pear-like texture, taste, and moisture, so it is not suitable for reading books.

　Expensive...and I can't stain the books I've borrowed, so I'll leave them on the side by side.

　It is preserved in a cold state, so when you chew it with a thin skin, it has a crisp texture and cold juice that fills your mouth.

"It's a pear, no matter how you look at it.It's good because it's delicious."

　We ate away with a crunch, crunch, crunch, crunch, and washed our hands dirty with fruit juice with water made with running water dagger to prepare our stomach is ready.

　As he reached out to the book again, he suddenly stopped moving.

　I noticed that someone was approaching the hut.

"... well, who's here? There's no sort of murder in it, and I don't think it's an enemy."

　muttered, heading out of the hut.

　The person who came was, as I expected, a familiar figure to Ray.

"Widale".

Hello, Mr. Ray.I came here to talk to you because I thought you were having a lot of free time...Don't you mind?"

"Oh, all I have to do is train, eat something, read a book, or sleep."

　With so much work to do, wouldn't it be boring? Widere thought so for a moment, but since he came here to let us know the current movement of the First Princess faction, he had no time to digress.

"Even if you go inside?"

Oh, don't hesitate.This is originally your master's cabin."

　I shrugged my shoulders and invited him into the hut.

"Rae, isn't this too messy?"

　I muttered in spite of myself at the sight that came into my sight.

　Many books were piled up around sofas and tables in the middle of the hut.

　Towers... I think it's strange to read, but I look at Ray with the will that I should clean up a little.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I'll clean it up right away."

　In a short reply, he moved the books he had piled up to the corner of the hut.

　It's not so much a temporary move as a tidying up, but the sight of a large number of books being tidied up at once still feels good from Widdale's perspective.

　However, even Ray is not cleaning up carelessly.

　I have distinguished the books by the people who brought them.

　When he returned it to someone, he could hand over the books he had piled up.

　After a short break, I recommend him to sit in Widere on an empty sofa.

"Oh, sit down."

"... in just a few days, I felt as if this had become the home of Mr. Ray."

　As Widere muttered in amazement, Ray spoke as if he were the owner of the hut.

"Fritzione doesn't come to this hut for a day, but for a few hours. I've been in the cabin all day, so it's only natural that there's a difference."

"...that I can understand, that I can't..."

"Well, think that's what it is, and you said you came here to talk. Oh, for now, drink this."

　Water made from a running water dagger is put into a cup and served.

　give water to visitors.It may sound rude, but it's a different story if it's the best water created by Ray's magic.It tastes better than poor tea or sake.

　In fact, Widere knew the deliciousness of the water after traveling with Ray to the imperial capital, so instead of complaining, he happily reached out to the cup.

"... Phew. The water made by Ray is as delicious as ever..."

　Enjoy the taste of the water thoroughly, and open your mouth as if it had settled down."So what do you mean? I'm happy that you came to chat with me."

　Rey, who has some freedom but is still confined to the area around this hut, is, so to speak, under house arrest.

　However, I know that it will cause a commotion if I spread that I am here, so I have no complaints about it because Ray himself wants it.

　Still, the inability to go out unknowingly puts stress on Ray, who doesn't like to stay still so much.

　That's why it was welcome for Ray to have someone come to talk to him.

"Well, Prince Fritzione is preparing to escape from the castle.Please give me progress information on that."

"Oh, that sounds interesting, and what do you think?"

　Prompted to start talking, Widere opens his mouth with some doubts about Ray's bite.

"At first, we were going to send soldiers joining the rebels to the imperial capital little by little and proceed with the intention of joining outside the imperial capital.However, that would spread confusion, so everyone decided to leave the castle at the same time."

"...it's definitely going to be an uproar, isn't it?"

"There is no doubt about that'That's Ray.That scythe... Did you say death size? If you have it, you know...Everyone realizes that there is a crimson who annihilated the Second Suppression Army."

"Oh, that's why I'm a deterrent."

　Ray nods, "I can understand that."

　There is no doubt that it is the Vestian Empire that knows the power of the fire whirlwind the best in the world.　

　It would be a nightmare to have such an attack near the castle, and the damage to the capital of the Vestian Empire if it were used in the imperial capital would be immeasurable.

　Many lives and buildings are lost, tax revenues are likely to decrease, and residents are likely to turn into bandits.

　Indeed, it would be nothing but a nightmare for the nobility of the Vestian Empire.

　Of course, as long as Ray can't use the fire whirlwind by himself, it's impossible for this to happen.

　But for those who don't know it, they avoid meddling in Ray's presence.

"Well, you thought it well.But... it's a double-edged sword. It's true that when I'm around, I won't be attacking near the castle or the imperial capital.On the other hand, however, they are free to attack once they leave the imperial capital to some extent.What are you going to do about that?"

"A force led by the nobles who come with you in the faction of Prince Fritzione, and we, the Knights of the White Rose, and the Volunteers. And..."

　Widere glances at Ray and opens his mouth.

　Understanding what that means, Ray shrugs his shoulders slightly and opens his mouth.

"Is it me?

"Well, to be honest, it's a fact that Mr. Ray is the greatest military force. ... To be honest, it's frustrating in many ways for us to serve Prince Fritzione..."

　What is frustrating is probably the feeling Widere really feels.strain one's hand.

　However, Ray taps the table with his fingertips, telling him not to worry.

"I was originally sent by Mercurio as a bodyguard.If you're expecting that role, just do it."

"...I'm sorry, because of our lack of ability."

　Widere, who has risen to the rank of commander of the 3rd Corps by his own power, grit his teeth at his own power, which cannot completely secure the safety of his master Fritzione.

　At the same time, he feels frustrated and pitiful towards those who have feelings for Ray in the White Rose Knights.

　If you hate Ray so much, think that you can do something about it without relying on Ray, and convince Fritzione and the nobles of the faction to do it.

　I cannot help but be disappointed with my friends because I am a superior warrior to Ray and long for his overwhelming strength.

"Don't worry.I've done a lot of work as a bodyguard, and I can manage it to some extent."

　Without realizing what Widere was worried about, Ray told him so.