"...... Hmmm, that's an interesting story."

Cesar Valois, the Dauphin of the Kingdom of Celuloa, nodded uncomfortably as he listened to Fritz, Gloria, Cynthia, and Rita's story.

After an exchange with a rude senior soldier, Fritz and the others had accompanied the Dauphin at his request.

They were taken to another house between the fourth and the fifth of the five walls, in the noble district.

The Dauphin was quietly indignant when he heard that Rita had been sold to make up the shortfall in taxes.

"In the first place, slavery itself is illegal. I have been wondering about this ever since the soldier who was making noise on the ship just now mentioned the word ."

(......) If this kind of thing continues, not only will the hearts and minds of the people leave the country, but some will flee. (Why doesn't anyone realize that this means a decline in national power? ......)

Cesar further conveyed his wish to them.

"By way of Tellurus, you have come through the kingdom of Egelea, have you not?　Can you tell us what you noticed?"

As soon as he said it, he realized that he had said it wrong.

No, I am sorry. This is not a request for information about the Kingdom of Egelea. What can I say ...... well, I want to hear what the outside world has to say about our country."

This way, Fritz and the others would be less afraid.

"Yes, ...... a technologically advanced country, isn't it?"

"Well, it is a great honor to hear you say so, Mr. Fritz of the Shawlo Empire. I hear that your country is developing various new technologies these days.

"Yes, well, ....... Yes, well, I suppose they are developing some, but most of them may be given to us.

"Hmm?　What do you mean?"

Cesar tilted his head.

"You don't know, do you, Your Highness?　<

"No, no, I know of him. He is the only magecraft master in the world.

Then you can see how all technology seems to fade away in his presence.

Cesar closed his eyes and leaned back in his chair.

"...... I guess you're right. I am not in a position to get much information from the outside, so I rarely hear about such things."

"Your Highness, is that so? ......"

Fritz was astonished by the fact that the crown prince of a major power was under information control.

"Well, that's just the way it is. The Dauphin has no power other than being the first in line of succession ...... or perhaps it is an exaggeration to say that he has none, but he is nothing compared to his father the king."

Cesar smiled to himself.

"What else?　What kind of rumors are there?"

"...... Do you know about the incident that happened the other day at the ruins of the old Leonard's Kingdom?"

This time it was Gloria who spoke up.

"...... No, I don't know. Can you tell us about it?"

"Yes, in late January, I think. I think it was late January. The place was the Sold Lake site. The location is the Soldrake Ruins. 500 golems were found there. ......"

She told us that the golem recovery team of the Egelea Kingdom had a dispute with the frontier corps of the Selroa Kingdom, that giant ants had appeared, and that the frontier corps had been wiped out.

She had heard these details during her recuperation in the Kingdom of Egelea.

"......What ...... is that ......?"

The Dauphin, hands over his face, looks downcast.

"......What do you think you're doing? ......"

He sighed and looked up.

"......Thank you for sharing your precious story with us. If you don't mind, could you stay the night?　Of course, your freedom is guaranteed.

"I don't mind. ......"

Fritz replies. The Shoro Kingdom has no history of conflict with the Kingdom of Cerroa, so it is relatively easy for them. But Gloria and Cynthia are different. The Kingdom of Klein has been in constant skirmishes with the Kingdom of Cerroa, its vassal states, and the Kingdom of Franz.

"Gloria, Cynthia's safety is also guaranteed by my pride and joy."

"...... I'll take your word for it."

In the first place, it was doubtful that he would have the option of refusing.

With some hesitation, Gloria agreed. Cesar smiled.

"Well, thank you. I welcome you, even if it is only in a small way. And if possible, I would like to hear more about what you have to say.

However, it was time to go, so we took a bath and had dinner.

At the dinner, Cesar brought a girl and introduced her to Fritz and the others.

She had unusual jet-black hair, unusual red eyes, and fair skin. She looked about 8 or 9 years old. She looks more like a little girl than a little girl.

The girl bowed in the traditional manner, took a half step back, and withdrew behind Cesar. She remained silent for the entire time.

"I found her by chance near the Nuvali mine. When I found her, she was so battered that she couldn't even remember her name. She still can't remember it now."

Behind Cesar, the girl turns her head sadly.

"I would like to ask you. Do you know anything about her that might help us?　As you can see, the color of her hair and eyes are quite unusual. If our blood relatives share the same features, have we met before?"

But Fritz, Cynthia and Rita shook their heads. Only Gloria looked at the girl with a slightly nervous look on her face.

"...... I see, I'm sorry."

"But I'll let you know if I get any clues in the future.

Fritz, on behalf of the company, offered his services.

"Well, that's very kind of you."

And the girl bowed her head in silence.

The girl bowed her head in silence.

After dinner, Fritz and the others were able to relax in the room they had been given without any questions.

"...... wind."

"I feel a bit tired, if anything."

Fritz sighed and let out a genuine sigh.

"...... I never expected to meet the Dauphin and to be invited straight to his other house."

Cynthia also looked tired. Rita was so exhausted that she had already fallen asleep on her bed.

"But didn't you think something was wrong with her?"

Cynthia nodded at Fritz's words.

"Yes. I felt ...... something strange."

"A strange feeling. Hmmm. Uncomfortable is the most appropriate word. But even without that, it's a pity that you don't remember anything.

Fritz muttered with a difficult look on his face.

"Perhaps ...... my sister can help you with that."

"Erza-sama, you mean ......?"

"Yes. She will probably be at the upcoming commemorative ceremony along with Jin-dono, so I can ask her to come.

"Yes. I think it would be best if you ask him to do so.

Cynthia agreed.

"And maybe Rita's tattoo can be removed as well."

"Yes, that would be a good idea. Shea is right. Mr. Fritz, I would like you to ask them to do the same for me.

"I don't need to be told."

Fritz wondered if Gloria's expression was duller than usual.

"What's the matter, Gloria?　Are you in a bad mood?"

Gloria raised her eyes and spoke slowly.

"...... her name is ...... maybe her name is Alshell..."

"Gloria, you know her?"

"Yes. Yes, but he is too different from the Alshell I remember. ......

Gloria then told the story of the monster tamer she had once met in the mountains of the Kingdom of Klein, between Racneau and Doppa.

"...... hmmm ...... a giant scissor beetle, Gigantor Avrum, huh?"

"I'm not sure if it's really the same person. They look so different. But they look exactly alike. Maybe they're twin sisters.

"As I recall, they called themselves <>. If I hadn't been rescued by the deus ex machina at that time, I wouldn't be here now."

"Hmm, Mister Machina."

The conversation then turns to deus ex machina.

He is the one who saved her when she was attacked by a monster in the ruins of Botsuffa.

Gloria had fainted, but Cynthia had seen him.

"I understand that you are the brother of Jin-dono..."

"Mm. ...... have you been invited to this commemoration ceremony?"

Gloria's tone was a little hopeful.

"I doubt it. Unlike Jin-dono, we don't know who he is, we don't know where he's based, so we can't invite him, and we wouldn't want to invite such a suspicious person."

"No doubt."

Then the topic turns once again to the girl - Archelle.

"In any case, Gloria. In any case, Gloria, I think it would be best to convey your concerns to the Dauphin.

"Okay. Tomorrow we will have a proper discussion."

Fritz glanced out the window. It was already dark. It was already dark, about 7:00 p.m..

"Well then, I'm going to say no to His Highness and go out for a while.

What ...... is this about Goliath?

"That's what I'm talking about. He's probably waiting in the shallows, so I'll go back and give him instructions."

We walked down the corridor and found a door guarded by four guards. It was the Dauphin's apartment.

Fritz was interrupted by one of the guards and was able to talk to the Dauphin.

"Hmmm, <>. I'm a bit curious, may I follow you?"

Cesar said something unexpected.

"If I go with you, it will be easier to pass through the walls.

"Sure. ......"

After some thought, Fritz decided to go with him. There was no need to hide them now, since they would be publicly displayed at the ceremony anyway, and there was no doubt that they had been conspicuous on the way here.

So, please do."

So, with Cesar and his two guards, Fritz set out.