"Long time no see, Twight.

　Chris smiled at me as I walked through the school gate.

Chris is calling me suspicious.

"What do you mean?

　What do you mean?" I didn't expect a reply.
　I didn't answer Chris's question because it was just a silly complaint.

So, what are you doing here?

"Oh, I'm not allowed to come unless I have something to do?

No, not really. ......

　I'm a little embarrassed when you say that, because I've been seeing her mostly for business purposes.
　I'm not used to having unprofessional conversations with her. When I was confused, Chris let out a small sigh.

I'm just checking up on you. I just wanted to make sure you were enjoying your time at school.

...... You're a worrier.

I feel responsible for you. I'm the one who introduced you to this school. ...... But I guess I didn't need to worry. I saw you there.　You were walking around with a very pretty girl just now. Have you got a girlfriend yet?

　Chris put his hand over his mouth and laughed teasingly.
　Chris has always tried to annoy me with this kind of talk. His bad taste hasn't changed.

"You still like to make the same old assumptions, don't you?

"Whoa, you're old!　I'm still in my twenties!

I don't know.

　I don't know Chris's correct age, but it was rumored in the agency that he was in his early twenties. But personal information is easy to fake for us people in the agency. There was no guarantee that Chris hadn't lied about his age.

School life is fine. I'm in the regular course as planned, and I'm leading a comfortable and peaceful life.

"So ...... that's good. Have you made any friends?

Yeah. Just the other day, I picked up a girl with her.

Picking up girls?　What are you doing at the academy?

Chris. I hear I'm a pretty good pick-up artist.

Wait, wait, wait!　I can't catch up!　Are you that kind of a character?

　I've never been conscious of my character in my life, so I don't know what my character used to be, but I do know that ...... I'm changing. I am aware that I am changing. The disarray of my collar that Elysia pointed out earlier is one of the changes.

I'm not sure if I'm changing, but I know I am. As for me, I'm enjoying the change.

...... It's complicated. I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that. ...... Well, if you could, please don't pick me up again. ......?　I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.

　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

I'm not sure what the problem is, but it's not so much me personally, it's the discriminatory attitudes of heroes towards normal people.

Ah, ......, that's what I thought.

　Chris had expected this discrimination even before she entered the school.
　She put her hand on her forehead and let out a sigh.

I'm not sure if this is true or not.

Is this true?" "...... It's true. I've only recently found out about it myself. I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's a good idea. ...... If you're a child with a strong sense of privilege, and you're a member of the heroes department of the prestigious Builders Academy, you're going to grow up and you're going to face discrimination. In the event that the entrance examination is only a formality, they are not interested in ...... it is possible that they are not even informed about it.

...... There's still no peace in the world, is there?

Yes, it is. I feel it more and more every day.

　Chris said tiredly.
　I wonder what she's doing now.

"Is Chris okay?

　When I asked, Chris replied with a broken face, as if she was happy that I was worried about her.

So far, so good. Sure enough, I've been assigned a similar task. I can't tell you where I'm working now, though. ......

　It was as if she was implying that she belonged to a "backroom" organization.
　But I have an idea of what that organization is.

"It's probably the Bureau anyway.

"......, yeah.　

　Chris averted his gaze and affirmed in a small voice.
　The Special Operations Agency that we used to belong to has a parent organization.

　--The Monarchy's Defense Intelligence Agency.

　To put it simply, it is an organization that protects (・・・・・・・・・) the kingdom from human conflict.

　Of course, even if there is no Demon Lord, people's world is always filled with conflicts.
　The Monarchy Defense Intelligence Agency is an intelligence agency that deals with such conflicts.


　Its main activity is espionage, but if necessary, it will assassinate even the most important figures of other countries without mercy. It also deals with the pus of its own country in private.

　Originally, the Shinpei Special Service Agency was established as a child organization.
　The reason for this goes without saying. The reason is that the Defense Intelligence Agency of the monarchy had the know-how as a "behind-the-scenes" organization that took care of the dirty work. The agency that took over that know-how eliminated, tortured, and captured anyone who got in the way of the heroes, just as the agency had done before.

　I was picked up just after the agency was established, so I became a member of the agency, but I remember that most of the agency's members were seconded from the bureau.

After the Demon Lord, we're dealing with humans. That's pretty depressing, isn't it?

Yeah, it's a really ...... disgusting job. I'm always doubting people.

　Chris quickly looked up and talked about something else, as if his mood was getting darker because of his gloomy comment.

By the way, Twight, you've done some work for the Bureau before, haven't you? You're pretty famous here, aren't you?

Famous?　Sure, I've taken jobs when they've been short on staff or something, but I haven't done ...... many.

You must have done a hell of a lot of work each time. Your sniper's cane is now under Bureau control.

I see. ...... Who inherited the staff?

No one has inherited it yet. I'm sure you'll be able to figure out how to use it. ...... was originally made as a weapon for you, you know.

　I decided to ask Chris about something that had been bothering me.

Chris ......, answer me honestly. After the decision was made to dismantle the agency, wasn't I originally supposed to belong to the Bureau?

　Chris paused for a moment, then answered with a complicated expression.

Yes, that's right. But I refused to do it. I already told you why.

"...... because I haven't lived my own life yet?

　Chris shook his head.
　I had expected that. I was supposed to be the one who was still living in the underworld.
　Maybe I was the kind of person who would be tethered to the underworld until the day I died. But it was Chris who forced me to widen that narrow path. I don't know what's waiting for me at the end of that road. But I'm sure. No matter how it ends, I'm glad I went to school.

Thank you. Thank you. ...... Thank you so much Chris.

You're welcome.

If we were closer in age, I might have proposed to you.

I'm pretty close!　How old do you think I am?

　Chris was indignant.
　At that moment, Chris suddenly came to his senses and pulled out a strip of paper from his pocket. It was a "communication paper. Chris immediately passed his magic through it and made a call to someone.
　After a while, Chris ended the call and looked at me with a serious face.

I'm sorry, I snuck out during my break. I have to get back to work now.

What are you working on now?　If you can't answer, you don't have to. ......

Hmmm, ...... well, I guess it doesn't hurt to tell you. In the near future, Roberto-Tergande, the second son of the Duke of Tergande, will be coming to King's Landing with the Knights of Phosphorus. We'll be his bodyguards. But even though we're guarding him, we're not doing any dirty work this time, and we'll be mimicking the 'front'."

Isn't that what the ...... Order is for?

"Master Robert is a worrier. I'm sure you can understand why. The ...... escort is only on the road. When Roberto-sama arrives at King's Landing, we'll be relieved of our duties.

　I'm not sure what to do.

But why is the Order of the Phosphorus in King's Landing?

I'll keep that to myself. ...... There's going to be a big event coming up soon, so you should look forward to it. I'm sure the Builders' Academy will be heavily involved.

　Chris then turned on his heel.
　What is the big event that the Builders' Academy will be deeply involved in ......?
　I headed for the cafeteria, making various predictions.