This was back when Rion and his team were helping with the reconstruction work in the Arzel Republic.

　Many of the kingdom's airships had returned, and what remained were the members, mainly Rion.

　Both Angier and Libya had returned, and Rion and Marie - and their merry band of friends - were left behind.

　Rion and the others are working on clearing the debris.

　Because of their work armor, they were working fast - but considering the entire Republic, they were in a very short supply of hands.

　At the place where the debris was removed, Marie is running a soup kitchen with Kyle and Kara.

　The people of the Republic are the ones standing in line.

'Line up properly!

　Marie is in an apron, holding a pot, banging it with a ladle and raising her voice.

　She is in a ponytail, with her hair tied back, probably because she is preparing a meal for a large number of people.

　They flock to each other and there is no line.

　Sometimes they try to steal the whole pot, or steal the food.

Shut up!　Give it to me now!

　So--

'Oh?　What?

　The armor Rion rides in approached and slammed the armor tool to the ground.

　When the vibration silences everyone, Leon continues.

'If you behave yourself, you can eat your food. Easy, right?　Anyone who has a problem with it, step forward. Anyone who steals, I'll smash him with this one.'

Oh, no,

"Line it up!

　In front of the armor, the inhabitants who were rioting earlier turn over and go silent.

　At first, Rion thought it was too much, but sometimes people would bring out their weapons.

　I couldn't keep a sweet face.

　Brad, who was watching such a scene as he worked, took one deep breath in relief that it didn't become a big deal.

'I'm glad it didn't get into trouble,'

　It was Greg, who was working nearby, who had heard these murmurs.

'It's true. But still, isn't that Baldphalt guy being too careful?''

　In the eyes of the other members, Leon seemed to be overly cautious about the reconstruction work.

　Rather, they thought that since they were helping, there was no need for soup kitchens.

'I agree with you. 'I agree with you,' he said, 'I don't mind us in our armour, but Marie and the others are out there in the flesh. I don't want them to do anything dangerous.

　As they were about to resume their work, Julius instructed them all over the comm.

''Everyone take a break. Armor will be resupplied, everyone get down and eat. Bartophalt, what about you?'

　Rion gave the residents a glare.

'I'm going to take a break after you guys.'

　Leon didn't seem to be getting off, as if he thought it was dangerous without someone to watch over him.

　Brad shrugged, but

Okay, I'm going to go ahead and rest.

◇

　The five of them were eating out of their armor - and six of Eryk's.

　All six of them looked tired.

　As they finished eating and rested their bodies, Brad saw the children.

　Children with no place to go.

　They had a dark and somber look on their faces.

　Seeing such children, Eric had a sad face.

'--the children who have lost their parents.

Okay. So...

Your Highness, you can't do this.

"Zilk?

　At those words, Julius was about to say something, but Zirku stopped him.

'This is the Republic's problem. We are not strong enough to help.

　There was no way they could help the orphans of the entire Republic.

　When they all looked down, Brad stood up.

'Then we should at least make them smile for now.

　Chris, who was sitting down, looked up at Brad.

Smile?　Can you make those kids laugh?

'Make you laugh?　No, no. When I was making money, I was performing magic. I'm still the most popular magician.

　When they all gave him a suspicious look, Brad blushed and became angry.

'You guys don't trust me!　Then stay and watch.

　Brad took his props out of his pack and stepped in front of the kids.

I'm Brad, a genius magician, and I'm here to perform the magic trick for you. I've got a few magic tricks up my sleeve that will make you all smile. I'll make you smile!

　The kids look up at Brad, puzzled.

　Brad pulls something out of his pocket.

　It looks like a tool that should have been hidden, but it was in full view.

'See, no seeds or tricks. Let's go then - oh, that?　I don't see the fire coming on. Is it broken?

　He tried to make fire appear out of nothing, but apparently he failed.

　He tucked his tools into a pocket at the back of his trousers and, after some trouble, magically made the fire appear.

''Here you go!''

　Even the kids are paraphrasing and clapping, as if magic is rare. But for all intents and purposes, it's not really magic, is it?

　Such confusion was evident on his face.

　Greg was dumbfounded.

'Now that's genius?　He made a lot of money, didn't he?

　Chris wondered, too.

'You look less than third-rate,'

　Everyone was baffled by Brad's inability to do any magic at all, despite claiming to be a genius.

　Then a little fat man in a tattered suit came up to him - and hugged Brad.

''Brad yikes!''

　Everyone said, "Brad's so hot! The man seemed to know Brad well.

Manager!

'I found you at last, Bradkyun. You're a true comedian at heart. We need to work together again. You're the best at what you do.　Because you're a genius!

　What is this guy talking about?

　We all wondered where Brad's magic tricks would lead us to find the qualities.

'--no. I've got to go back to the country.

'No!　Brad Kiun, let's master the art of being a comedian together!

　Julius speaks to the persistent man.

'Excuse me, I mean - may I have a word with you?'

　The manager nods, and Brad performs a poor trick in front of the kids again.

　I don't feel like he has any talent by any means.

　He was too clumsy, and when he brought out the cards, he dropped the seeds in the mixing stage.

　As I watched him do this.

'Does he have any magician's talents?　Did that guy make an honest living as a magician in the first place?

　Then.

'I don't know who you are, but do you see a talent for magic when you look at Bloodsuckin'?

So why are you dragging him into your career as a comedian?

　I don't know why I'm going forward with my career in the arts when I don't have any talent.

　Then the manager looks at Brad.

'You'll know it when you see it. It's about time. Something's going to happen.

What is it?

　Julius also looked at Brad and saw smoke coming from his buttocks as he confidently performed a poor trick.

　It was a fire coming from the magician's tool that he had just failed to do.

''Hot!　Geez, my ass is on fire!

　Brad started to fuss and slapped his buttocks to put out the fire, and it took the form of a clean butt.

　Brad continued his magic trick, smiling confidently as he did so.

'Did I miss a bit?　But that's okay. A genius magician never panics. Now, for the next trick--

　I turned around and saw Brad's ass in front of the kids.

　The kids are starting to giggle.

　Julius can't help but guess what they are doing.

　The manager looked at Brad with a twinkle in his eye.

'Did you see the smiles on the children's faces?　He's a natural - he's a comedian. I'm sure he can build a new era.

　Julius agreed.

'I see that way,'

　He said he was a comedian, but he was a comedian, not a magician.

　The point is that he doesn't doubt that he's a genius magician.

　As it was, with a series of bad magic tricks and mistakes, Brad was able to make the kids smile.