241 That's why I hope.

Even though you've successfully defeated Solide and blocked Rahite's movements, there's still some work to be done with Trinh. In fact, in terms of the next step, what I'm doing now is the main thing I can do. I've been relying on Exoik and the others in battle, so if I don't do my job here, I'll really be out of action. I wonder how Ilias would look at me if I came to Trinh and lost my memory, only to find myself back there.

What I wanted to know has turned out just as I hypothesized. Now we just need to ask Barastos to help us out. ......?

"Hey, bro. Nice of you to stay up so late.

While I was sitting at my desk thinking about this and that, Harkdock appeared with food in both arms. Next to him was Mr. Masetta.

"So, Harkdock, are you cooking late at night?

"Yes, I'm hungry. And I thought I'd get something for my brother.

Well, it helps to have something in your stomach to help you think. And you, Mr. Masetta?

Well, I thought I'd get something for the representative. ......

We bumped into each other earlier. Her stomach was growling, so I brought her in.

"Hey!

You'll be able to find a lot of people who'll be able to do this. You can't expect him to care.

"Didn't you eat your dinner? Keep track of your time.

Yes. ......

No, he had more dinner.

Hark-dog!

Well, I did the best I could. I'll pretend I didn't hear that, so please bear with me.

Harcudok quickly made a vegetable soup and put it on the table. I stop my work and take a sip of the soup. It's not particularly good, but it's comforting.

It's very lightly seasoned.

"Jestiff's brother is getting old, you know. Would you like some salt?

Yeah, sure. I'll have some.

Mr. Masetta is eating so that we can't see his plate. For a moment I could see it, but it was full of vegetables. The soup was poured by Harcudok, who was probably being considerate, but nearly three times as much as me was too much.

"Well, brothers are more comfortable like this.

I'm sorry about that. I'm sorry about that. You must have had a lot of trouble, Masetta.

Oh, no, I mean, ...... yes. It is true that the representative who had his memory restored was a little ......

I'm sure you're a genius at making things worse. The only ones who were able to have a proper conversation were Exdoik and Barastos.

It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for. I've followed up with Ao and Mix to a certain extent, but I should be firm with these two as well.

I have to thank them for doing their job well.

Oh. We didn't have any battles, but we did have a lot of work searching for the magic seal in the city, you know? It was a lot of work with Masetta and Cale.

How was Cale?

At first, I thought he wasn't very brave for a knight, but... He's amazing. Now I understand why my brothers went to the trouble of bringing him here. "Hey, Masetta?

I'm not sure what to do. ...... You're right, the precision of physiognomy and exceptional memory. It's not just power that decides who's good and who's bad.

I'm sure it's quite rare in this world for someone to be able to work with abilities that are different from their main job. The ability of instantaneous memory is a talent, but the skill of drawing is based on one's own skill. It's a pleasure to see the fruits of one's efforts recognized, even if it's someone else's story.

"Really, how can you remember every detail? I thought you were a bastard.

I thought you were a bastard." "You are a genius in a certain field. But Cale is a regular guy.

What's the difference between a bastard and a genius?

It's simple. A genius is able to use his talent from the start, but a bastard is not. A bastard is swept away by a talent that is too much for him. I'm not sure what to make of this, but I'm sure it's a good idea.

A genius does not mean that he or she can show the maximum specs from the beginning. It is something that grows in accordance with the individual's skill level.

I see. So there was a time like that in Ritual and Arreal?

"I think they did. I'm sure there were times when Ritual and Arcterial had such talents, but observation and combat talents are not something that can be shaken around that much. ......

The Harkdock's ability to perceive danger is such that it can even render him unconscious. It's relatively better than that,.......

I'm not sure. You're slurring your words.

No, I'm just saying it's not as good as if you'd had the same or better powers of observation as me since you were a kid.

Uh... I can see why. But Ritual became a top-notch adventurer, right? I'm sure you didn't have a twisted period like your siblings, did you?

No, there had to be. Otherwise he wouldn't have been like that.

Lytial's intentions are not only noble, but also different from those that only pursue ideals. He must have experienced some kind of muddy memories in the past.

"Hmm. So, can you win?

"I don't know. Hopefully, we'll be on even terms, but whether we win or not is up to you.

It is unlikely that either of you will win the reading contest with Ritual. Even if one of them loses the reading, it won't be that easy, and I won't let it happen.

The presence of Arcturial, an extraordinary being, may be a hindrance, but considering the strength of Ilias and the others, it is not a disadvantage. They may have the best quality, but we have the better average quality.

"Oh, I see. Then let's leave it to me. Even if my brother loses the reading, I can still win as long as I can create a frenzy, right?

Where do you get such confidence, ......?

It's not confidence, it's determination. If you don't intend to do that, there's not much I can do. It's not a bad idea.

That's not a bad theory. "That's not a bad theory, but you should only say that when you know exactly what you can do.

I'm not sure what to do, but I'm going to do it.

Hercudok is not weak. In fact, he defeated Lakra and was cornered by Ecdique. But if you ask him if he's going to get much stronger in the future, he might just shut his mouth.

If you can see your limits, you can talk fast. If you can get past that, then there are no more limits for you.

"Heh, I bet.

I can assure you that this guy will still grow. Hark-dog is a guy who can face any situation head on. I'm sure you'll be able to do the same.

That's the kind of positive attitude I need to learn from.

You can learn a lot from me, you know?

I don't want to learn from your attitude. By the way, Mr. Representative, when do you plan to return to Taze?

Mr. Masetta has been sent by Mejlis to monitor us. She is a sort of collaborator in name only, but she must fulfill her duty to report to Pope Eupharo.

I'm planning to return soon. It all depends on what Ballastos can do.

We've been checking their hideouts and rendezvous points, but we haven't found anything of note, have we?

Not really. What we don't find is what we find.

What do you mean?

The two of them nod their heads at the same time. They're more alike than you think, these two.

I'll explain that when we're all together.

There it is, the abandonment of the brothers.

They always say people don't explain enough, but it's tiring to have to explain the same thing over and over again.

I'm sure you'll be able to understand what I'm talking about. It takes a long time to explain carefully based on that, and that's okay. But if I have to do it over and over again, it becomes tedious. If it goes on like that for a long time, you will become a troublesome character who doesn't want to give explanations until you are told to do so.

You can say, "Then, Mr. Representative. Why don't you ask the person who taught you first to explain it?

I'm sure you're not the only one. It makes them squirm, some of them.

"Ah.

Masetta-san looks away with a satisfied look on her face. Yes, like the Iliad and Lakra. So, unless I'm busy, I have to keep explaining it to them myself.

It's not easy being a brother. "It's tough being a brother. You have to live with someone else's moods.

I just want to live a safe life.

When people ask me why I'm going through so much trouble, I often reply like this. Because it's the quickest way to communicate.

"I like the way you say that.

"Well, yeah. It's kind of my creed.

"Is that how you want to live?

If you want to live in peace, you're not living in peace.

...... Tough luck, brother.

That's why I hope, I really do.