cp 64/65

64 Middle Finger, Index Finger, Thumb



Afternoon.

Leaving the house in Yukari's care, Windfield and I went to grab Seventh Teiō and then headed towards the Royal Magic Academy. The purpose was to pay a visit to Maine, the second Prince.

"Hey, why didn’t we make an appointment? "

I was quite curious about the reason for that as we were on our way, so I asked. It surprised me that we went to visit him without an appointment. I mean, we're going to visit a Prince. That's why I don’t know the reason for this.

"Zipang is superior to the Castall Kingdom. We're trying to give that impression."

"Ah......"

I heard the word Zipang after a long time! Thinking about it, I did have such setting.

To know the details that even the concerned party has forgotten, this girl is amazing. I can’t believe it's only been a day since she was summoned. I already heard from Silvia yesterday, but she surely is great at finding information. You can’t do this unless you always absorb the necessary information at the highest efficiency. She's like a walking 'RTA'.

"I'm grateful for your praise, but what is that? Are we there already? "

"Yeah. We've arrived."

I'm already used to being around this esper.

Without dismounting Seventh Teiō, we crossed the school's gate.

"Kyaaaa! ", "Second-sama! ? ", "No way! ", "Why is he here! ? "

Screams were heard from here and there...... or rather, high-pitched voices. With the schoolgirls this excited, it wouldn’t really come as a surprise if one of them would come trying to get on my horse.

"You thereーー? "

Since there was no other way, I went around the schoolyard, "Maine, you there? ", repeatedly calling out to him like that.

Almost immediately after, some students who noticed I came looking for Maine rushed towards the school building.

……A few minutes later, Maine came rushing to this place wearing a surprised expression.

"Second-san! ? What are you doing! ? "

"Well, there's no place to leave my horse."

"That's what I'm saying, please don’t ride in here! "

Even though it's been a while since we last saw each other, this back and forth feels nice. It makes me happy.

"Hey, is there some place where we can calmly speak? And also, I'd like to do something about the horse(s)."

"A calm place? The horse(s)? Wait, that's too sudden! Please behave and quietly stay here for a moment! "

"Come on, hurry."

"Seriously! And I was thinking of finally meeting you after a long time! Ahhh! "

Maine returned to the school building muttering with dismal in his voice while holding his head. A few seconds later, a maid under the second Prince came from the direction at which Maine left and guided us to the stables.

"We're currently arranging a salon. It will only take a moment."

And then she left us after politely bowing along those words. She's quite composed, unlike my maids. Is this the difference between them and a first-class one?

By the way, I didn’t understand the meaning of the salon, so I asked Windfield. It seems it's something like a common room. As expected of the encyclopedia spirit.

"Second-san! Don’t be unreasonable! Coming here without an appointment and running around the schoolyard on top of a horse! "

After a while, as soon as Maine arrived at the salon, he started scolding me.

I properly apologized with a "Sorry, sorry", while sticking out my right hand in the form of a fist.

"Ahh………… Seriously."

Some seconds later, Maine also stuck out his first, bumping it with mine. His faint "Ehehe" along that happy look on his face made him look quite girlish, as always. However, he's a prince.

"Huh? Who would be this person? And also, I can’t see Silvia-san or Eko-san......"

With a brightened moon, Maine looked at Windfield and spoke.

"This here is my tactician. Windfield."

"A pleasure meeting you."

"Y-Yes. Nice to meet you, eh? Tactician? "

The second Prince reacted to the word Tactician. I'm sure he's more familiar with that field than me, a former seriously addicted online game junky.

"Could you, clear out the room, please."

As Windfield said that, Maine looked at the maid who was waiting in the room. The maid then shook her head saying "I can't comply".

Yeah, this is troublesome. If Windfield thought we needed to clear the room, then we really need it. I can’t let this maid listen to our talk.

……Ahh, that's right.

"Should I use Brainwash? "

I just remember I've wanted to try out the Brainwashing Magic I just learned, so I asked in a quiet voice. However, Windfield immediately said "No". She then went on to tell me her reasoning.

"There might be a limited number of times Brainwashing Magic can be used. My guess is that it's only four times."

"…………For real? "

A limited number of uses? Moreover, only four? Why such a half-ass number?

"With my master and Phillip, the president of the Maurice company, that's two. To herself, in order to not tell the true if tortured, that's another one. And she should've used it somewhere else once more, that's when she was targeted by the Prime Minister and the Duchess' house was ruined. In total, that's four times."

The Icene house was crushed under charges of treason. However, that was just the cover story. The real reason was the scheming by the Prime Minister, who noticed the existence of Brainwashing Magic, and feared it. I knew that too.

In my previous life, in Mobius, the Prime Minister Val Morrow obtained 《Brainwashing Magic》 and brainwashed Castall's King, Barwell. He then tried to turn the country into a subordinate of the Marubell Empire, but as a result of the Players' successful actions, the King's brainwash was solved and the Prime Minister was overthrown. That's how the story went. The contents were quite MMORPG-like.

However, in this world the King hasn’t been brainwashed yet. Most likely, I think 《Brainwashing Magic》 hasn’t fallen into the hands of the Prime Minister. It can be said that this is attributed to the careful actions of Duchess Lucia. She was careful enough to use two of the brainwashing limited uses to emphasize finding a successor; to find extraordinary and worthy people to inherit the magic, and good enough person who could accept a rebellious slave who will solve their brainwashing.

"Is there a possibility you're being too cautious......? "

The duchess used it four times in a situation where nothing was certain. She left the information of "you can use it four times" to her successor. However, I've been wondering all this time. What if it was "At least four times" instead of "Only four times"? What if there's no limit to the number of uses?

"In that case, then, we're lucky. But, for now it better to think it's only four times, to be sure. This means, we need to be careful with it."

It sounds plausible, and isn’t far-fetched either. Unlike the game, in this world we can’t start over. It's useless to worry about how many times it can be used. When I sighed in frustration at not being able to say anything, she followed up saying "I can understand how you feel". She is a good spirit.

"Well then. It can’t be helped, I should start talking, just like this."

Is that okay? Maine and I just felt confused. The maid was also showing a somewhat puzzled face.

"Uhmm, right, first off let’s begin, with Second-san's wishes. Second-san wants, you, second Prince Maine to take over the throne."

"O-okay."

"To that end, the first prince, the first queen, and the Prime Minister, are in the way. Therefore, we will drive them to a corner."

"Huh! ? "

Maine raised his voice in surprise at the sudden bombshell announcement. The maid had her eyes rounded in shock.

"But you know, we can’t just kill that bothersome trio, right? "

"Yeah. Most likely, the people, won’t agree. And I think the first Prince, together with the operatives from the Empire, will create a disturbance."

"Hey, wait, wait, wait! Just what are you talking about! ? Eh, what do you mean! ? "

Seemingly unable to catch up, Maine asked us for an explanation. At that point, the maid was covering her ears with both hands. She understands that this is something she shouldn’t be hearing, but she still doesn’t seem to want to go out of the room.

"We're talking about you. How can we get Maine to become the new King."

"Me! ? The King! ? Not my brother? "

"Yeah. You don’t want that either, do you? If he becomes King, this country is probably done for."

"……W-Well, I certainly wouldn’t want that. However, me becoming a King is kind of......"

"You're as hesitant as ever. You want to do it or not? Speak clearly."

"That is, if I have to do it, I'll do it. But, what about my brother."

"No buts. Do you want to be King? "

"…………Y-Yes."

"Well said. There's no going back on your words, Prince."

"Yes."

"Are you serious? "

"Don’t worry, I'm being serious. It's just...... I'm not very confident."

"I see, you'll be alright. It's just a matter of becoming confident."

"Ahahaha, I see you're the same as usual."

Alright, I got his promise. Next is the crucial method.

After glancing at Windfield, she smiled and opened her mouth to speak.

"I will use, three moves. I'll explain starting with the first one."

She raised three fingers and begun to talk about the strategy. Not that it matters, but it seems Windfield is the type of person who raises her middle finger, index finger and thumb. By the way, I'm a middle finger, ring finger and pinky finger type of person. For some reason, I just can settle if I break the order of starting from the thumb.

"The repression of the righteous bandit group, R6, around the capital Vinceton, was supposed to be terminated in exchange for the head of their boss, Rimusuma. However, it was continued disregarding that promise after the boss was executed. Official documents, should exist, somewhere."

"Ahh, I've heard about that too. The First Knight Order, whom rarely go out of the capital, were saying that the extermination had to be done thoroughly. You mean it was done after the agreement of both parties? "

"Indeed. The bandits, especially the R6, were attracting increasingly support from the populace. This was, getting in the way, of leading the people's will, for the imperial policies."

"So, you're saying they were crushed because of this? Was that my brother's doing? "

"Yes. The Prime Minister, he's manipulating the first Prince. And the Prime Minister is, an imperial operative."

"EEEHHHHH! ? "

Ohh, so you didn’t know? I was thinking of it as common sense, but certainly, unless you're someone like me who knows Mobius, or a genius like Windfield, this is information that you can’t easily know.

"In the middle of the bandit repression, the R6 and the Second and Third Knight Orders, signed a ceasefire agreement. If we obtain the official documents of that time, and disclose them, the criticism of the First Knight Order will surely increase."

I see, it's a good strategy. Still, there's one thing that bothers me. I then opened my mouth in behalf of Maine, who was still frozen in shock.

"What would we do if we're able to get them, but they were tampered with? "

"That's the second move. If we get the original, and present it with the tampered facts, the criticism will increase even more."

Yeah, that's easy to say. If we can get them, that would be great, but it would be difficult to accomplish. Moreover, who would be the one to get the originals? Would that be my job......?

"Yes, correct."

See? I told you.

"Wait. What if both the official and original documents have been destroyed? "

Ohh, the resurrected Maine asked that question. Yeah, that's certainly a possibility.

"I doubt they have destroyed them. But in case they have, that would be like a confession."

"I see. But the damage would be less than if the operation is successful, right? "

"Exactly. If that were to happen, then, that's why there’s a third move."

Incidentally, I noticed it. Come to think of it, Maine is actually quite smart. But somehow, he's alienated.

"Finding a living witness, bring him out, and make a big speech in front of the people."

A living witness...... a survivor of R6, in other words, a comrade of Cubero.

"Eh...... but if you do that......"

"Yeah. Probably, that person's life, will be targeted. By imperial operatives, and people from the first Prince."

Whoa, I got it.

"A lure operation?"

"Indeed."

Windfield answered with a grinning face. In contrast, Maine's face was pale.

"If they are escorted by Second-san, then, they're probably the safest in the world. And if they attempt to catch them, then that would be good too, since the image of the first prince will deteriorate further."

Being praised never feels bad. But then again, she does make it sound so easy.

"Through these three moves, we will drive the first Prince faction, to a corner. If this is successful, then I'll announce, the strategy to follow from there."

Windfield smiled. Almost as if saying "It'll work out".

……Alright, let's do this.

"Then, what should I do first? "

"First, I want you to enter the Royal Palace."

The two of us stared at Maine. Maine then answered with a bit of a bitter face.

"I don’t think I can just get you inside because we're friends...... Okay, what should I do?"

We need some sort of reason. Thinking thus far, I just turned towards Windfield. There's no way this girl hasn’t thought of a reason.

"Fufu, it's simple. I think, it should be time now."

Windfield shook her body from side to side while saying "Any, minute, now", in a good mood. What does that mean? Is she waiting for something?

――And then, the next moment.

"Hmm, ohh. Second-dono. I didn’t think you were actually here."

"Secondー, hey, hey! "

Silvia and Eko, opened the salon door and entered.

"Ahh, Silvia-san. Eko-san. Long time no see."

"Long timeー"

"Ah, Prince Maine. Long time no see. I'm sure Second-dono has caused a lot of trouble. Allow me to apologize in his behalf."

"Stop it, it's embarrassing. This is all because of me."

"I think it's very Second-dono-like to cause problems in the first place after all, right? "

"Rightー"

It suddenly became quite lively. Maine was also laughing happily.

……No, no, no, that's not it.

"Hey, Windfield. You've already thought of an excuse for infiltrating the Royal Palace, right? "

"Yeah. Silvia-san, did you bring it? "

"Of course. This is the letter of recommendation from the headmistress Paula, and this here are the signatures of 230 students."

"…………Haa? "

Recommendation? Signatures?

"For the Royal Court Magician Division."

Maine was taken aback by Windfield's mutter.

"I see! The First Royal Court Magician Division is flexible since they are in my faction. If you were to use that......"

"A spot should be open, as a special temporary lecturer, I think."

"Winner of the 51st Magic Tournament. Fastest record holder in the Kingdom to reach adventurer rank A. Conqueror of the Proline Dungeon with his team alone. And in addition, a letter of recommendation from the headmistress of the Royal Magic Academy, and from 230 students. Even for me, it would be quite difficult to refuse."

"But that bothersome trio, would probably, be against it. If the King doesn’t agree...... I might have to reconsider, probably."

No, wait, there are too many things I don’t really understand. Uhmm, where should I start asking......?

"Why is the Headmistress recommending me? "

"Paula Memento, is close to the second Queen, Freon. And obviously, to the second Prince."

Second Queen Freon. Is that Maine's mother? So that's the reason why there are so little escorts for Maine in the Magic Academy? But even then, I think Maine's reputation on the school is quite bad. I'm sure there are quite a few of Klaus' people in here too. Whoa, how confusing.

"Then, how did you get the students' signatures? "

"There is, this, organization. A huge organization."

"The ones you were speaking this morning, huh?"

"……It’s better if you don’t know them."

Silvia shook her head along a somewhat pitying expression. What's with her? I'm actually quite curious now.

"Or rather, why a teacher? Isn’t it alright to join as a member?"

"As things stand, being in a position of power, will make it easier to move."

"Well, it makes sense, but......"

"Second-san."

"What? "

"It's fine. Just do it. Become a special temporary lecturer."

"…………"

I wonder if she just found it troublesome, Windfield simply pushed it into me. I'm weak to being spoked like that. It makes me want to simply nod.

......And thus, in this way, I was recommended as a special temporary lecturer for the First Royal Court Magician Division, for some reason. Apparently, I'll have an audience as soon as tomorrow. That's incredibly fast.

Well, I think the earliest, the better.

With the conversation with Maine over, the sun was already setting by the time we started to go back. I told the three girls to go back home first, and I secretly went to a pharmacy. I couldn’t find it after looking for it, so I asked the clerk about it, and after finally founding 'condom-san' I bought it immediately. In this world, the condoms were made of the processed air bladder of fish-type monsters. Incidentally, they also live in Vanilla Lake, in front of my mansion.

Then, I ate the evening meal while happily playing with the package of the bladder in my hand, I didn’t supper just in case. Then I went to take a nice, relaxing bath, and finally I skipped in a good mood towards Yukari's room.

Now, it's time for the decisive battle――

=====

65 Audience, Decision



"Hmm, how rare. Did Yukari oversleep? "

At breakfast, three people were gathered in the living room. And in there, the figure of Yukari was lacking.

Telling herself "I bet she's still sleeping", Silvia quickly got up.

"I guess it can’t be helped, I'll prepare it."

"Can you do it? "

"Umu. I'll prepare it."

Silvia decided to be the breakfast cook. While Eko saw her walk off with a bit of an uneasy expression. I then turned my head towards her and implied "It'll be fine" with my face.

"Aー"

I uttered some sort of sound. But I couldn’t even speak a proper word.

"Second, you tired? "

"......I'm so tired I want to die."

Yes, I was exhausted. That was a strong enemy. I was ready to go, I began by challenging her with a saturation attack, but it soon turned into a war of attrition, a game of endurance. However, I begun to gradually being pushed back by that bottomless and inexhaustible sexual desire, a losing battle. Potion doping was practically meaningless, and as a last resort, I ended up using 《Transform》. I managed to stay on top thus far. Even while I fought that deathmatch against Anko, I wasn’t this much tired. How frightening, the dark elves.

There was one thing I learned from this; status don’t have much impact on 'night wrestling'. This is bad. If I don’t work out a strategy as soon as possible, the day when I lose draws near.

Eko opened her mouth and in a small mutter she said to herself "I wonder......". What's with that "I wonder"?

"Hey, it's done. Help me bring it."

How fast. It took her less than ten minutes. As I walked up to the kitchen almost like a zombie, there I found six pieces of baked white bread and a platter of fried meat and vegetables. It has quite the combination of colors, still, it seems to be quite delicious.

Placing it in the middle of a luxurious table, I took some of it with some tongs stuffing the soft, fluffy bread.

"Ahh. Yeah, it's delicious."

It's pretty good. It gives the feeling of a man's cooking, since it can be eaten even in a hurry. But this is fine, because I like this type of cooking. Simple is the best. A simple home-made breakfast consisting of some staple food and main dishes is something you can never get tired of eating.

"Delicious, maybe! "

"Hey, what's with the maybe?"

Silvia rebutted Eko while smiling with a relieved face.

Some time later, after we finished eating, Yukari appeared in the living room.

While apologizing for oversleeping in an unusually shy manner, she opened her notebook to tell me today's schedule. I could see a bit of tiredness in her.

"Yukari, take a rest for today. You too can rest today, Eko."

"No, that is......"

"I'm sure you heard about the appointment from Windfield yesterday. Today I have an audience with the King, followed by a tour of the working place. And Silvia is going to the Third Knight Order, right? And Windfield is going to do something in the capital. See? It's not really a big deal."

"Haa, if you say so. However, Master, let me tell you this. An audience with the King is a big deal."

"I see."

"……By your 'I see', I'm not sure you really understand."

I stood up laughing and saying I was kidding. And at that moment, Cubero appeared as if waiting for the perfect opportunity, bowing as he spoke.

"The carriage is ready to depart."

Amazing, not a wasted moment. Actually, I kind of wanted to go out a little later, but let's just go with the flow and leave now. Although I doubt I can really take my time in the carriage.

"Yukari, bring her out please."

"As you wish."

Without delay, Yukari's 《Spirit Summoning》 activated and Windfield was called out.

"Ya-ho. Well, let's go."

"Yeah. Let's go now."

Taking Silvia and Windfield with me, we followed after Cubero. "Good nightー! ", Telling them that, I left the mansion on the shore of Lake Vanilla while being sent off by an Eko who I’m not sure if she was sleepy or already asleep, and a Yukari who was a bit unsteady on her feet.

Four people, Windfield included, then boarded the carriage. I got in first and sat on the back seat. Next came Silvia, who after a quick look around, decided to sit across from me. Windfield sat next to Silvia without hesitation. And as a result, Cubero ended up seating next to me.

"Ah, that's right, Cubero. I'm looking for surviving members of R6, do you know anything? "

Soon after the carriage departed, everyone became silent so I tried to start a conversation.

"Survivors...... I see. There is this man that was under me called Besaid."

"Your underling?"

"Yes. Although he is older than me. If I remember correctly, he should be 29."

"Hmm."

"……Could it be that Second-sama......?"

"Yeah, I'll search for him. I left it to Yukari yesterday. Seems there's a special unit in the all-purpose maid corps for it. She looked confident so I think they'll find him pretty soon."

I told him about the search. Cubero then bowed down while still sitting, saying "I'm very grateful". I hurriedly told him to raise his head and followed by telling him about the strategy to use the R6 members as "bait". Cubero then bowed even lowed and said:

"We couldn’t hope for anything more than to have our revenge. This Cubero can’t begin to thank you enough."

"Is that so? Well, if you're grateful, be grateful to Windfield. This is her strategy."

"Yes. I'm very grateful towards you, Windfield-sama, to grant us this amazing opportunity――"

"Wait, wait. In the first place, I don’t really care about revenge or the likes. I just thought what would be best for Second-san and did that."

"But that still means that you carefully thought about it, at least that's my opinion......"

"Well, if you want to be grateful, you're free to do it on your own."

Windfield answered in a blunt manner. Cubero on the other hand, thought he had been given permission, and unilaterally expressed his thanks. He's a good guy, but he's sometimes way too serious.

"Ah, by the way, Silvia. Are you still involved with the Third Knight Order? "

"Umu, but I don’t think there's a problem. I had completely forgotten about it myself, but Windfield told me to go report. So, today I'm also going to report to the Third Knight Order."

What's with that?

"Silvia-san's, two-year contract, remember? "

"Ahh, certainly there was that thing. Being Second-dono's guard, while in truth monitoring him. For a period of two years."

Ahh, that's right, I remember something like that. And speaking of which, Silvia was instructed by the Third Knight Order to "Seduce and bring Second into the Knight Order". Since we haven’t had any contact with the Third Knight Order thus far, I had completely forgotten about it.

"By using Silvia-san's relationship, with the Third Knight Order, she can find the official documents, and hints of where the originals might be. Probably."

I see. So that's why Windfield asked Silvia to go report today.

Indeed, a man suddenly appearing as a special temporary lecturer in the First Royal Court Magician Division, would be really suspicious. And if you'd want to get information about such man, the Third Knight Order, who has placed an escort by his side trying to swing him towards them, is a good candidate for that information. If she were to act like an ally of the Third Knight Order, this would totally be like a double spy scenario.

In other words, starting now, Silvia and I will go and deceive the people who could be called the center of this Kingdom in their face. Thinking about it like that, this really is a big deal. Tricking them here and there, brainwashing them if that fails, we're really trying to completely change the politics of a country. Isn’t this the first step of something incredibly huge?

"……Hey, Windfield. How about just brainwashing the Prime Minister directly? "

An idea came to my mind unexpectedly. I think we would have a hard time accomplishing that, but I couldn’t help to ask.

After hearing my way too simple idea, Windfield said "I'd love to do that" before pausing for a moment and then continuing.

"However, that would be incredibly hard, probably. Because there's that case, with the Duchess. Most likely, he's already taken measures, right?"

"Ah."

It was the Prime Minister the one who crushed the house of Duchess Lucia Icene, and the reason was "Fear of the Brainwashing Magic". Then, it's only natural that he would be wary of it. Yeah, and if he'd taken measures against it...... he would raise his MGR or equip accessories with the Magic Defense up effect. Would the Prime Minister choose the latter?

"Then, how about knocking him out, stripping him naked and then brainwashing him? "

"In that case, we could deal with the possibility, of equipment. And if it's only equipment, then that's just fine."

"But? "

"The problem is, I wonder if he has taken measures, in order to lift his brainwashing."

"! "

Whoa, that got me. I didn’t think of that.

"And even if we brainwash the Prime Minister, in the end, we'll have to do something similar. In that case, wouldn’t it be more efficient to just ignore the Prime Minister, and approach the people right from the beginning?"

"……You are right."

As expected of Windfield-san. Seems there are no blind spots in her strategy. If we try to take a short cut because it's troublesome, then we're sure to run into some extra risks.

"We'll be arriving soon."

Looking at the scenery outside the window, Cubero informed us. And then, silence returned to the carriage once again. Each of us will just do what we have to do.

------

------

After arriving at the Royal Palace, a maid from the second Prince was waiting for me. And suddenly, I was led to the audience. In there, I joined with Maine.

"……Second-san, are you nervous? "

"There's no way."

"Hahaha, right."

After making some small talk, we stepped inside the audience room. In the distance, I saw a man with a King-like atmosphere sitting in the throne. Next to him were the first Prince Klaus, the first Queen White, and the Prime Minister Val Morrow.

Walking up to King Barwell with Maine, we both bowed down.

"Lift your face."

If this was my previous self, I would have raised my head at this moment. But right now, I have the wisdom of a genius tactician with me. It's best not to raise your head at the first command, she said. This seems to be some sort of manner when having an audience with a King.

"Good, raise you face."

Barwell urged me again, with a tone that was more relaxed than the first time. Maine and I slowly raised our faces.

"Are you the person recommended for temporary lecturer of the First Royal Court Magician Division?"

"Yes, his name is Second."

Maine answered in my stead. Barwell then looked at me as if looking at some goods.

My eyes met the King's. Just as I knew, he was a dull, blond, middle-aged man. Most likely due to lack of sleep, there were bags under his eyes that couldn’t be covered with makeup.

Back in Mobius, King Barwell Castall fell ill and retired from the throne. However, that should be something still ahead. Perhaps, there might be some change in the condition of King Barwell since the Prime Minister was not able to obtain the Brainwashing Magic in this world.

"This individual called Second is someone suspicious of whom we know little to nothing about. I don’t think he's someone suitable to become an instructor for the Royal Court Magicians."

Suddenly, someone butted in. Sure enough, it was the Prime Minister.

"I'm also against it, Father. This person has refused an invitation to the Knight Order twice. I can’t feel any intention from him to contribute to the Kingdom."

Klaus then followed after him. Is this guy for real? Even someone like me knows that you can’t just say "I (Ore)" and "Father (Chichiue)" while in an audience with the King. But even then, nobody seemed to pay attention to that. How are they even educating him?

"Ohh! Did he decline Klaus' solicitation? What a rude individual! Take this person out! "

I see, it's because of this spoiled first Queen that the first prince has that kind of attitude.

……And, two knights who seemed to belong to the First Knight Order came to my side. Is it going to be like this? Is this really how you're going to act? Looking sideways, I could see Maine's face turning blue and shaking his head slightly. Seems like that's no good. Hmph, seems like I'll just have to escape.

"Please wait. Adventurers are people who are like that by nature. It's also true that those who are not interested in status nor honor, and are excellent individuals, are more attracted to live their lives as adventurers rather than as knights. I believe it's too arrogant to simply kick him out because he declined to join the Knight Order."

"What did you say!? Hairai! "

Ahh, so that person is Minister Hairai. He has an appearance similar to a store manager with those round glasses with a thick frame and the scarce hair that makes it looks like a barcode in his head. I heard from Windfield that this baldy four-eyes is the head of the second Prince faction, and a strong ally.

"But if he refused to join the knights because he could make more as an adventurer, then why did he want to become a temporary lecturer in the Royal Court Magician Division now? I'd like to know that, Hairai."

Now, the Prime Minister objected the minister's argument. These two, I can almost see sparks flying between them.

"I heard that Second-dono is on friendly terms with Prince Maine. They spent time together in the same school, ate in the same table, and sometimes they played games with magic in order to improve each other. And as for the matter of being a temporary lecturer, I think it's a great idea. Furthermore, even Prince Klaus should be aware that they both really are friends."

"I'd like to add something. There's no mistake in the minister's words. But this time, I selfishly asked Second-san this request. Moreover, I don’t know a person more suitable than him to be a lecturer. If he were to serve as an instructor, the Royal Court Magician Division would surely achieve a tremendous growth."

Minister Hairai fluently answered the Prime Minister's remarks. And right after, he received support from Maine. The Prime Minister then turned towards Klaus to confirm that fact. Klaus nodded lightly, with an expression as if he had chewed on a bitter insect. Then, the Prime Minister finally shut up.

"Your Majesty should already know of Second-dono's track record. I plead for your consideration."

"Would you allow him to be appointed as a special temporary lecturer? If there's no visible effect in one month, I'll personally take full responsibility. So, please, consider approving him."

As Maine bowed down, I too joined him bowing down. The bothersome trio had their mouths distorted in a way that appeared they would let their sharp tongues speak at any moment. In any case, when Maine speaks with "I (watashi)", he really looks like a woman.

"Raise your face. Second, there is one thing I want to ask you."

While I was thinking about something completely unrelated, Barwell abruptly said such thing. I wonder what does he wants to know?

"It was over half a year ago. What were you doing in the Great Library? What were you doing in the Magic Academy's library? And after that, you visited the Great Library several times along your team members, what were you doing then?"

――Suddenly, I felt a chill down my spine.

What was I doing in the Royal Great Library? He might refer to when I was looking around, searching for the skill books. And in the Academy's library, when I was reading the Second and Third Form Grimoires. And later in the Great Library, we three learned some skills. And thanks to my summarized description, they learned the skills faster than usual.

"The reports keep coming. This is what I think, the secret of your strength lies there, isn’t it? "

It's probably been found out. The fact that I can learn the skills just by looking at the book. And that Silvia, Eko and Yukari were able to acquire their skills abnormally fast thanks to my advice "from a game's perspective".

"…………"

What to do? Should I try to fool him? Or should I honestly talk about it? While I worried about what to do, Barwell said while the edges of his mouth raised.

"Fine. Second, you are hereby recognized as a special temporary lecturer assigned to the First Royal Court Magician Division. I look forward to this next month."

------

……This was actually quite easy. I even dare to say it was kind of anticlimactic.

With one word from Barwell, the audience ended in the blink of an eye. The bothersome trio left while spitting curses against me and Maine, and the minister nodded in acknowledgement and left after adjusting his glasses.

And lastly, those words of Barwell to me. What was that about? I initially thought he implied "I'm always watching you", but I feel it was sort of different. Did he just wanted me to tell him my secret? There's no way that's the case. I get the feeling I was approved because I showed a troubled expression. If that's the case, why? I don’t know what he's after.

But, there's one thing I can say for sure. This world's Castall King, Barwell, is a little different from the "Profit-seeker, self-centered King" that I knew of. Deep down he might be so, but in this world, his personality is not as dramatized as in the game's story. At least, during this audience, he was a serious and honest person.

"It went great, Second-san."

Next to me, was a happy-looking Maine. However, I wasn’t able to nod to those words honestly.

　　＊　＊　＊

"Well then. I too, have to do my best, right?"

While Second headed for the audience, and Silvia went to report to the Third Knight Order, Windfield was heading towards the center of the capital, Vinceton.

However, even though it was the center, the place was a dark and daunting one. As light burn brightly, shadows are also made. And of course, there were such shadows in the royal capital, Vinceton.

Her face was hidden with a mask, and her body, enveloped with a cloak. It seemed an unusual and suspicious gait, but it suited the atmosphere of this place. At a simple glance she looked like a man due to her height. Therefore, nobody wanted to speak to her even though she walked in back alleys where shady men gathered.

"Hey, can I talk with you, for a moment?"

"Ahh? Who are you? "

In back of an alley, Windfield ran into a shabby dressed man who looked like a vagrant. At first glance, the man blended quite well with the surrounding bums, but there was one big difference. His eyes were not dead.

"Do you enjoy, playing homeless? "

"…………Let's change places."

After a moment of silence, the man managed to squeeze those words while sweating nervously.

The man was impatient. And thus, he began to think. 'How was I discovered?' He certainly had crossed dangerous paths time and time again. He had slipped from dangerous situations countless times. It was the same now. 「Pretending to be a homeless person fishing for garbage near the dumps where the 『Staff of the Royal Archives』 lived」, was easier when compared to his past jobs.

"You are, a reporter, right? Let me guess, Vince newspaper? "

"……And what if I am?"

The man got even more impatient. The reason was, he had been completely seen through.

What would a reporter from the Vince newspaper would be doing in such a place? At a glance, it was easy to tell the other party was involved. I'll be disposed of, he thought. Even the person in question seemed like that. Therefore, the man was scared.

And after seeing such misunderstanding develop, Windfield laughed with her nose and opened her mouth.

"I have, a great story for you."