"What, are you working with a classmate?

　The next day after school.
　The next day, after school, I was communicating with Chris via the news paper, a little apart from Elysia and the others who were working on dismantling the bomb.

"Yeah. They're all useful in their own way. Especially the Path of Wisdom is unusually useful.

"Yeah. ...... It's no wonder the king of a great nation is obsessed with it.

　That power is a threat to the enemy.
　I'm not sure what to make of it, but I think it's a good idea.

"So, have you been able to find out anything about the people who helped the agent?

"To some extent.

　Chris said in a depressed voice, as if he hadn't had much success.

I can tell you in conclusion that there is no connection between the military and the Order. I've been trying to find out how the money has been moving around for a while now, but I haven't found any evidence of it.

　I think about this as I digest the information I received from Chris.
　At the moment, the kingdom's central organization is probably on high alert in preparation for the competition and talks. It would be extremely difficult to penetrate this and connect with the Empire.

What about the academy then?

I'm sure you'll be able to find something that works for you. But my hunch is that it's white.

Why do you think it's white?

Why do you think it's white?" "Because there's nothing in it for the school.

　Chris made it clear.

What's in it for the school to cancel the competition and the meeting? With the effect of the heroes and the establishment of the regular school, the school is more active than ever. I'm not sure what the point is in trying to ruin that momentum.

...... You're right.

　Chris is right.
　If someone is guiding an Imperial agent, there is likely to be a conflict of interest between the two. But according to Chris's information, at least there are no financial interests at stake. The military and the Knights are out of the running, and the academy has no motive to join forces with another country.
　If that's the case...

It's not an organizational interest. ......

　I've been fighting multiple organizations since I became a student.
　In the case of Elysia, it was the Dukes of Tergande and the Knights of Orthodoxy.
　I'm not sure what to make of it.
　Perhaps I misjudged the scale of the enemy after fighting them.

I think I'm starting to get it.

Yeah. I had a rough idea, too, by process of elimination.

　Even if the conflict in front of you is dramatic, its genesis is often small. This is a typical example.

"Hey, Twaito!

　Gran, who was dismantling the bomb, called out to me.

I'll call you when it's done.

"Yeah. I'll leave it to you.

　With that, I ended the communication and headed for the warehouse where Gran and the others were.

"What's up, Gran?

"I'm done with the dismantling. Mize got it all together.

　"What's up, Gran?" "I finished the dismantling, Mize did it all." Mize was wiping sweat from her forehead as Gran said this.

But I did my best. ......

Thank you. So we've dismantled everything we could find?

Yes.

　We've checked every magical device used in the festival. We've probably dismantled all the bombs that are currently in place.

It's getting late. Let's call it a night.

　And with that, we were on our way home.
　On the way out of the school, I catch a glimpse of the school building. The lights were still on in the student council room that Mira had shown me to the other day. This is the student council of such a huge school. The student council of such a huge school must be very busy with the impending competition festival.

...... Sorry. I forgot something, please go home first.

　On the way to the dormitory, I stopped to tell everyone.

"What did you forget?

"My textbook. Maybe the classrooms will be open just in time.

　After convincing Gran and the others, I headed back to the school alone.
　The nightfall has already fallen, and the school is quiet.

"...... Well...

　I'm the only one standing in the schoolyard.
　I stopped walking to the classroom, let out a small breath, and tried to go around the back of the school building.

"I thought you forgot something?

　Just then, I hear a voice behind me.
　I turned around to see the girl I had just said goodbye to standing there with her arms around me.

"...... Elysia?



I'm starting to get a feel for your behavior.

　Apparently, you thought I was up to something and came after me.

It's not like I've been keeping quiet about it for any guilty reason. ...... Gran and Mize aren't here?

"I didn't invite Mize because he's too tired from dismantling the bomb. I'm having Gran send Mize to you.

　So it looks like Elysia's the only one who came after me.

So what are you going to do?

I'm following the ...... student council. You never know what you might find out.

　Elysia rolled her eyes slightly when I told her honestly.

I'm used to this kind of work so it's not a problem, but Elysia is ......

I'll help if I can. I'll back myself out before it gets too dangerous.

　So let me help you, Elysia pleaded with her eyes.
　I don't think I can convince her. I nodded in resignation. The tired Mize and Gran, who didn't seem to be very good at hiding, might be able to help me, but Elysia might not.

　Together with Elysia, I waited behind the shoebox.
　After a while, I heard footsteps coming from the stairs.

They're coming out.

　Two figures walked out through the shoebox.
　The back of their heads looked familiar.

It's the student body president and Mira. ...... There doesn't seem to be anyone else here.

　I had imagined the absence of the ill-behaved Baren, but these two were the only ones to come out of the student council room this time. I followed them outside and took a glance towards the school building. The lights of the student council room were off. Apparently, the rest of the board had already left.

"Where are we going with this, Twight?

If they're heading towards the dormitory, I'll stop them. If not, I'd like to know where they're going at least.

　I followed them, whispering to each other.
　The student council president and Mira walked through the school gates, chatting. Then they headed towards the castle town.

...... is not the way back to the dorms.

　They walked down the gentle slope of the castle town and eventually entered a small restaurant.
　They shared a table with a man dressed as a knight.

That's ...... the Knights of Phosphorus?

　He was wearing the insignia of the order on his clothes, though his armor was off.

Should we go inside the store?

No,......, it would be too obvious if we went in like this.

　Now we're in our Builders Academy uniforms. I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure I'm not the only one.

I'll eavesdrop the way Elysia used to.

　I pointed to my ear.
　I pointed to my ear and she nodded.

　--Rage.

　This spell strengthens your body's abilities and strengthens your ears.
　The magic around her whole body concentrated on her ears, and her hearing became acute. The voices coming from the tavern seem to have changed noisily. From among them, I picked up only the voices of the student council presidents.

It seems that they are communicating with ...... about security.

　Elysia murmured, and I shook my head in silence.
　You can find a lot of people who have been in the business for a long time. It seems that they are discussing with the Knights about the security system around the school this time.

Excuse me.

　A man's voice came from behind her.
　Elysia turned around in a panic. She was about to reach for her scabbard for a moment, but it was wise of her to come to her senses just in time. If he drew his sword, it would be like telling him that he was a suspicious person.

I'd like to ask you a few questions.

　The man who called out to him was wearing the armor of the Order of the Phosphorus.