Ray had heard from a messenger to come to the magic tent as soon as possible, and was heading to the magic tent on his set.
　Again, those in the position are awe-inspiring, or those who are not directly involved in the battle, such as merchants and prostitutes, feed Seto and offer him food.
　Still, now he's called by Mercurio, so instead of moving slowly as usual, he rushes to the magic tent with a few words.
　And as he approaches the front of the magic tent, he finds the knight guarding the doorway as usual in subtle tension.

"I came here because I was called... do you understand?"
"Yes, I'm told to let you in as soon as Mr. Ray comes."

　Even as a knight of the bodyguard, he has no choice but to have respect for Ray.
　Without Ray, this position would have been under control by the punitive force.
　Being hostile to Ray even in this situation... or, if you're hiding it, you don't know how everyone in the Mercurio army sees you.
　That's why, even if some still had feelings for Ray, he never made them appear.
　The knights here, however, are deeply loyal to Mercurio.
　There is no shortage of repugnance to Ray, who has saved the Mercurio army so many times.
　That's why we let them into the magic tent without useless questions and answers.
　Seto sees off such a partner and, as usual, lays down a little further away.
　The sun that floated in the recent clear autumn was not the aggressive summer sunlight, but the enveloping soft sunlight against it.
　Autumn had deepened and the wind had cooled down, but the sunlight had greatly dampened the coldness of Mercurio's army.





　Ray entered the magic tent, but found the air in it strange.
　an incredible atmosphere
　Doubtful of it, Ray turns to Widale, who was nearby.
　Widale was chosen here because other acquaintances were the key figures here and, at the same time, the close associates of the key figures.
　By comparison, Widale is certainly a member of the White Rose Knights under Fritzione's direct control, but he is not, like Angela, a knight, a captain of the Third Corps.
　Compared to the others, he was still an easy talker here.

"What happened to this air?"
"Oh, my dear Ray," It's too late. ... Have you heard of a messenger from His Highness Kabazid to negotiate?"
"I asked the messenger. He looks like he is, isn't he? ... He's dressed strangely, including his attendants."
"Well, that's the content of the negotiations..."

　When Widale tells him so much, Mercurio, who had been watching Frederick in silence, opens his mouth.

"Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha It's a negotiation, so I thought it was a negotiation for Kabazid to surrender... I didn't think he would recommend surrender to me."

　The words finally give Ray the reason for the air floating in the magic tent.

(I see. Was he a messenger to advise surrender?) but... the Mercurio army, which is now riding on the waves, must have joined, or absorbed, the Fritzione's forces, and perhaps gathered all their might.)

　Mercurio's army today is highly demoralized and well trained.
　More than anything, Ray and Sett had great confidence.
　It's only natural that Ray has shown that much fighting power, but there's also concern that he'll be a kind of dependence.

"Is it that strange? Prince Mercurio must have known how much the difference between the two is, indeed, that the punitive force was repelled in the battle that took place a few days ago. But the number of men who have been reduced in that battle is now higher than before, thanks to the joining of His Excellency Kabazid and His Excellency Shurus."
"What? How much is it in particularly.
"Well, I'm afraid I haven't learned much about it, so I don't know what to say about it."
"I don't know your military strength, but honestly, I don't think it's a good idea to recommend surrender?"
"I don't know the exact number, but I'm sure it's many times larger than the Mercurian army. "And now you know that there is no chance of winning?"

　With exaggerated gestures, Mercurio turns his eyes to Ray.

"I think you're forgetting that you lost the last battle, even if you didn't have a main force here. Ray's... by the power of crimson. This was the case even in a situation where our military strength was not perfect. When it's all right... now, what will happen?"

　Normally, Mercurio's army was one of those who were not Mercurio's subjects, and it must have been unsavory that he was merely engaged in the pursuit of an adventurer Ray.
　However, it was true that Ray had shown his ability to reverse his bad taste, and he could not have been more obvious in terms of simplicity.
　In fact, it is true that the punitive force was severely damaged by Ray.
　That's why Mercurio's military leaders here expected Ray to back down as long as he was named.
　But...

"Certainly, the crimson palace is an adventurer of great power. I'll admit it. Now you're a Rank B adventurer, but if you're pure, you'll definitely get Rank A. In some cases, it may even reach Rank S. But do you really think that when I brought this up, I didn't think about it?"

　When I heard Ray's name, he replied without looking particularly surprised.
　Furthermore, many of those present turn their heads inwardly to Frederick, who shows enough leeway to praise Ray.
　There must be so many ways to deal with Ray. ...or even some seriously thought no one could beat Ray.

"... Ray, can you give me a second? Do you think he has any reason to say this?"

　Mercurio turns away from Frederick and asks Ray, who was watching the talks.

"I don't care if you tell me out of the blue..."
"Oh, crimson. Besides the words of His Highness Mercurio, I knew at once that you were a crimson-den."

　Mercurio mutters his head in front of Ray as he speaks with his hands outstretched.

"What's wrong with Ray?"
(Is it his figure?)

　But when it comes to Ray, he has no choice but to bend his head to Frederick's words.
　That's only natural.
　I'm wearing a dragon robe and a hood down.
　And as long as dragon robes have a cover-up effect, they should look like plain robes to others.
　In other words, Ray's current appearance is simply that a short woman-faced man is wearing a plain robe, but it cannot be judged to be crimson.

"Yes. You can understand that the wonderful robe is a pretty expensive magic item just by looking at it."
"...what?"

　Ray muttered in spite of what Frederick said.
　He told me that he had discovered the effect of the cover-up.
　You must have noticed how Ray looked. Frederick opens his mouth with a happy smile.

"Actually, I have the ability to see through that kind of effect. -- well, that's why I'm in this business."
"I see,"

　I don't know whether the statement is true or not.
　In fact, Ray muttered, though he might have just had that kind of magic item.

"It's Ray. Nice to meet you.""Yes, thank you," That's really surprising, isn't it? "I can't believe I can see such magic items with my own eyes..."
"Is it such an amazing magic item?"

　Frederick's words must have bothered him. Mercurio asks.
　Others wait impatiently for Frederick's words.
　Few people here know Ray has such magic items...rather than Vihela.
　As long as that's the case, you must be curious about how much magic they are.

"Yes, it's definitely a very sophisticated magic item. It's impossible to make it with the technology of the Bestian Empire..."
"I wish you wouldn't say too much,"

　As a matter of course Ray knows how valuable his magic items are.
　To the extent that you think that if you know the value of your magic item, someone will act strangely.

"Oh, excuse me. Anyway, it's an honor to meet Mr. Fukubeni. I wish I could have met him on the same side, not on the other side, but on the other side. What do you think? Why don't you serve His Highness Kabazeed? If he were a crimson lord, I'm sure he would accept it?"
"No, I won't,"

　Ray refuses without a moment's hesitation.
　A little hesitation could have created discord within the Mercurio army, and above all, I don't really think about it.

"There must be a lot of people out there who have a grudge against me." Besides, I don't want to fight under a fellow who has made Rodos my acquaintance like that."

　Rodos?, and Vichela and Theorem, who were listening to him near Mercurio, lean their heads, and immediately recall what Ray had told them, sharpening their eyes.
　But Frederick doesn't seem to notice them and shakes his head regretfully.

"Well, that's too bad. But if the crimson lord says so, it can't be helped."

　That alone ends the solicitation for Ray and Frederick turns his eyes to Mercurio.

"Then I'll go on with the story... No, don't you have to go on?" I won't surrender. Can we think of this as a decision?"
"Well, at least I don't think we'll surrender. I have no intention of losing, whatever means they may use."
"I'd like to hear the grounds for my confidence... but you won't answer me, will you?"
"Of course,"

　Mercurio even smiled and said, but Frederick turned to his entourage without any sign of disappointment.
　That alone would have made us understand what we were asking for. One of them reaches out to the waist pouch.
　For a moment, those in the magic tent try to seize the attendant, but they stop when they see what's taken out of the pouch.
　It was a jewellery box with gorgeous decorations.
　Those present could immediately understand why such a big thing was in the pouch.
　a pouch that can be called a simplified item box
　It was a very expensive thing, but if he became the first prince of the Vestian Empire, he would be able to obtain it easily.
　Frederick, who received the jewelry box from his entourage, gently lifts it up.

"Here you are, Your Highness Mercurio said. His Highness Kabazid has told me to hand it over if I can't reach an agreement on surrender."
"…Hmmm. That sounds interesting." Theoreum."
"Yes,"

　Theoreum signals one of the knights on the spot to open the jewel box.
　I thought it was unlikely to reach this stage, but perhaps it was a magic item to assassinate Mercurio.
　Therefore, as soon as something happens, he will protect Mercurio, and Angela will also appear before Fritzione.
　But... there was no particular reason for the knight's opening of the jewel box.

(I thought assassination was the most effective way for us with Ray.)

　Teoreme hands over to Mercurio the jewel box he received, relieved but questionable.
　There is a letter in the jewel box.
　It was evident by the sealing wax that it came from.

"Is it a letter from my brother Kabazid?" What does it say?"

　Whispering, I open the envelope and read through the letter inside.
　Read through the letter once, and then read it again.

"Yes, yes, yes. I never expected to come by this means. But it's not bad. We can avoid unnecessary waste of military power, and there are suspicious movements in neighboring countries. ...I think it's a drastic way, but I can't give you an immediate answer. I want some time."
"Yes, I see," I have been told to get an answer."
"Nevertheless... I think that the battle between the two armies by designating a time and a place... ...is crazy for Kabazid, too. No, is this possibly related to his brother Schulz?"

　Mercurio's voice echoed through the magic tent, and others looked astonished when they heard.