Next morning.
We left the commercial city Leñador early in the morning.
Sherry-chan cried herself to sleep, and when we met again this morning, for some reason her ears turned red and she quickly evaded my sight, so it didn't turn into a conversation between the two of us. However, I could see her talking to Irie-san and the others so it looks like it sorted itself out in the end. This is good. However, I'm a bit scared of the next time we meet. I don't know what she'll say to me at that time, it's a frightening mystery.
And speaking of Chérie, she didn't ask and just said "I'll definitely have to see house Firstest", and forced herself on to us. I made her promise to go back after seeing it, but I somehow get the feeling that she will want to stay sometime.
——
In such a way, the earning experience trip ended, and so did our little vacations.
The members of the First Royal Court Magician Division all succeeded in raising their INT, albeit a little, by allocating all the experience they gained from doing Ngultrum rounds onto their appropriate First Form spell. With this, the "Magic Curtain Squad" has finally made its first step towards taking form.
Ideally, they all should raise all their attributes' First Form spell to Grade nine. However, there's a long way until then.
"――Welcome home, Master."
Since I messaged Yukari telling her that I would be bringing Chérie home, the servants greeted me all together despite the sun already having set.
Regardless of her rank as the daughter of an Earl, Chérie was visibly quite surprised at the unusual scale of 'House Firstest'.
"Chérie, where do you want to stay? At this time of the year, I would recommend the lakeside."
"T-That is fine, I guess? "
After crossing the entrance gate, we continued from there a while more. Seemingly taken aback by the size of my house, which was many times larger than her family's, Chérie's eyes darted around as she looked at the scenery outside. Well, it's to be expected, this place is larger than the Royal Palace after all. I felt good having her make that nice reaction, so I contacted Yukari so that dinner could be as grandiose as possible. However, it seems that the Chef Sovra is sick and resting today, so only a decent meal can be prepared, at most. That cigarette bastard, he had to get sick at this important moment...
When we arrived at the lakeside mansion, the only people waiting for us were Yukari and one maid. I think she was called Es if I'm not wrong. It's the redheaded little sister. It seems like she will be accompanying Chérie during her stay.
"Master. Bestowal has been successful on one more piece of equipment."
"Really!? "
Silvia and Eko both went back to their rooms, and Chérie was being guided to the guest room, and during that time, Yukari came to report this to me.
The completed equipment was 『Anaguma Shellrock Gauntlets』―― an armor piece for the hands enchanted with Anaguma, increasing the VIT of the wearer to 150%.
"It's amazing! With this, Eko will become tougher."
"I will give it to her later."
"Yeah, please do."
"Yes. A-And, there's something...else."
Yukari then leaned over and spoke shyly while fidgeting.
Even I who was bad at reading this sort of thing was able to properly notice it. Without Yukari having to finish her words, I stroked her head, slowly going back her neck, and made a promise to meet her tonight. Yukari's bashful look was, as always, cute, beautiful and bewitching.
"I know, you are flirting, but..."
And then, wearing a pouting expression, Windfield talked to me seemingly appearing out of nowhere. Ahh, this is bad for my heart. Even though it's my house, she's like a phantom, appearing in unexpected places at unexpected times.
"The state of the conflict, is moving, just as expected."
She said such a thing looking as if this had nothing to do with her at all. Isn't this quite important...?
"It's been a while, since King Barwell ordered the disclosure, of the official documents. And at last, they've disclosed them."
"In other words, they finished tampering with them? In this short time? "
"Yeah. Not just the Second Knight Order, but also with some voices being raised from the Third Knight Order about the violation of the agreement, that person did great."
Windfield clapped her hands as if to praise a student who properly finished their summer homework. This composure of hers feels reliable.
"Let's get the, original official document. Okay? "
Nice, it's time. Looks like it's my long-awaited turn.
"And so, can you please, call Silvia-san?"
...Or maybe not just yet.
——
——
"Inquiry about the criminal records? "
"Yes."
After dinner. Windfield was giving some instructions to Silvia, who was sitting in the living room with Chérie.
"When you first met Second-san, you arrested him, right, Silvia-san?"
"Umu, that's right. It truly takes me back..."
"Stop, don't make me remember. I was just confused at that time."
It just happened as a result of being extremely excited and having danced in front of that store. Only shame remains from that moment when I was arrested due to obstructing a business. In the end, they continued to doubt me and my excuses were useless.
"I want you to check the documents of that time."
"I don't mind...But, what is the meaning of that? "
It suddenly dawned on me. I'm sure Silvia was previously instructed by Windfield to answer the Third Knight Order's call and tell that something along the lines of "That man might know something". Checking the criminal records this time must have something to do with it.
"Silvia-san, when you were requested by the Third Knight Order to show yourself, you reported various things about Second-san, right? "
"Umu. As I was told, I only reported lies that would be advantageous for us."
"And now, it's about time those lies, have been found out. The Third Knight Order, will be on guard, against you, Silvia-san."
"...I see. In other words, I am the bait."
"That's correct. The other party has become suspicious. They will think that there is something in the document of Second-san's arrest."
I see. It might certainly be unavoidable that those who tampered with the official documents will think the other party will tamper some of them. Something similar to those people who think "Since I did it, it's a matter of course others will do it too."
"It doesn't matter whether you falsify it or not Silvia-san, after you go check it, they will certainly come too to investigate. And that person who comes check on it will be the person in the position to deal with the official documents."
"Tracing it from there, we'll be able to find out the party behind the falsification of the official documents, and eventually reach the originals."
"Exactly."
So that's why she set up this timing. Right now, when the other party is feeling overly confident.
The Prime Minister hasn't noticed he's being played with yet. They haven't made a move. That's why, by having us, their opponents make a move on them, we will lure out the villain. Amazing, a method to use their confidence against them. I definitely don't want to have this girl as an enemy...
"Hey, can I say something?"
"What's wrong? Was dinner not to your taste? "
"Not at all, the food was delicious. That's not it, hey? "
"What? Ahh, the toilet is at the end of the corridor at the right."
"As I said, that's not it."
"If it's not the toilet... then what do you need? "
"It's cruel to treat someone who wet herself one time like this, don't you think!? "()
Chérie was getting more and more relaxed, so she was going back to her old 'retorting' self.
'Gohon', clearing her throat, she regained her composure and continued.
"Is it alright to talk about that in front of me? Just by listening to the contents, isn't that...a bit too dangerous? "
"Well, it's fine if it's you."
"I-Is that so? You sure are trusting."
Yeah, I do trust you. Specifically, I don't think that a person who wet herself in front of me will do something against me. I'll never let you forget the trouble you gave me that night.
"Leaving that aside, what's with this house? Isn't it beyond amazing? I think it might be bigger than the Royal Palace. And well-built too, right? Seeing you poke your head into this political strife, aren't you trying to someday become the King? "
"I don't want to be something like a King."
"I was just kidding, but...what are you planning to become?"
"The World's Number 1."
"That's something too vague for me to understand, but I guess there's no use in trying to persuade you..."
Everyone laughed at Chérie's reply, then, after having a pleasant chat with her, the day came to an end.
It was such a laid-back night that nobody would think we were in the middle of political strife.
...No, I totally forgot.
"Haaaー..."
The following morning. I sat on the sofa in the living room, feeling like a dried-out husk and gazed out to the lake's shore, my breath turning into a white cloud of vapor.
Yukari, on the other side, was all fine and good, as she prepared breakfast in the kitchen. Are all dark elves like that? If that's the case, shouldn't it be better to change the name of their race to succubus?
I won the game. I somehow managed to win, but I still feel like I lost.
And, the terrible thing is, now it's clear that Yukari is still growing, and at a terrifying speed, almost like some extraterrestrial creature. At this rate, the "third installment" will be an overwhelming raid. Since the previous two have been hits, I'm sure the next one will have its budget increased. Surely, "The third installment has a meaningless chase and shootout, in which the protagonist and the heroine will share a joyful kiss at the end of it, making it a happy ending", but in this case, let me think, "The invasion continued without resistance as humanity was driven to the most remote places, but they still survived and continued to live――". Yeah, I feel this certainly is a story like that, without salvation. And then, the fourth installment will be a shitty one, remembering the past. "And the truth is, this is what happened", even though it will have an ending like that, the hype would have died down by then. No, it's not that the hype would die down. What I wanted was that simple and clear story, that pleasant and exciting action where they try to rescue the kidnapped daughter and fight the stupidly strong father who kills people left and right. Just that, not some useless dark, serious and opportunistic war in vain using some flashy CGI. In the first place, why was a supermassive blockbuster pretentiously forgetting about its originality and moving to simply earn more money――?
"――ter, Master! "
"...Ahh. What happened? "
"No, nothing, it's just that you weren't answering when I called out to you."
"Sorry, I was lost in thought."
"Breakfast is now ready."
"Hmm. I'm coming."
And so, the day began as if nothing had happened again.
I need to prepare some secret weapon against this extraterrestrial creature. And with that firm resolution in my heart, I arrived a little late and sat down at the table.
＊ ＊ ＊
"The contents of the official documents have finally come out, Your Highness, are you sure this is okay? "
Minister Hairai visited the Second Prince, Maine, and had a meeting about their future actions.
"Yes. The tampering is now certain. All we have to do now is wait without changing our posture."
"However, as time passes without any new evidence, it will be our faction the one who'll become cornered."
An official document had been disclosed, in which "the fact that an agreement between the R6 and the Second and Third Knight Orders was not recorded" was noted, making the current situation for the Second Prince faction a bit tough. They couldn't help now being suspected of false accusations and criticized for their use of politics.
"Evidence will come. In a few days at the earliest."
"...It looks to me that you're placing too much trust on that person, Your Highness."
"It can't be helped, he's my one and only friend after all... and he's beyond common sense in a lot of ways. You're not allowed to take measures. Since common sense doesn't work, let's stop trying to find sense in his actions."
"It almost makes me feel pity for the Prime Minister, Val."
The situation may get worse before it changes for the better――was a quote from the former British Prime Minister, Churchill. But they smiled as if they knew this would hold true.
"You've changed, Your Highness. You're like a majestic warrior before the battle."
"You're wrong. I have to act that way for that person's sake. The real me is just a weak coward, but I can finally act dignified even if it's just a farce."
"Let's just say we're quietly waiting for an opportunity to make a move. The fact we got to this point and cornered the Prime Minister like this is all due to you, Your Highness. Even if you don't think of it like this, Your Highness, it's fine as long as we, your subjects see it this way."
"It'd be nice if that was the case..."
'If I were to say that, he'd totally get angry', Maine whispered, but somehow, he had a smile on his face.
With this, being the next king is...Hairai smiled lightly, then he opened his mouth as he lowered his head.
"Well then, this is all I have to report. Let's move with him as the focal point from now on."
"Yes. Thank you, I leave it to you, Hairai-san."
"By the way, Your Highness. How about you introduce him to His Majesty when you are assured of your succession to the throne? Please give this some consideration."
"..."
Those last words of Hairai broke the smile Maine had so far, turning it into a bitter one.
How can I introduce that rude and outspoken friend? ――The more he thought about it, the more his stomach hurt.