57 At Eight Keys Mansion, Teito

…………

Eight Keys Mansion in Teito Filas Filia. On the bed seated in its living room, Mitsumi Hachiki was alone, looking with her vain eyes at her left hand, which was bandaged.

- It's been a few days since the night I went out to convince Liliana, but now Shuiming was forced to take care of herself at home.

That night, in the battle against the dark magic rampage, the sinful figure, Astral Body's wear and tear, Shuiming could not move her body as she wished, nor could she chase Liliana, who panicked and fled as soon as she stood in the way of the tall shadow.

The anticipated clash between Elliott and the tall shadows was avoided in a tall shadow retreat that seemed to many to see passivity as unfavourable, and then Shuiming managed to return to her home with Elliott's questions, but the questions from Lefir, who witnessed the container, worried and nursed, caused a lot of trouble.

No, I'm currently putting it on in a progressive form, but it would be right. Because she and I are still busy working with Fermenia, who came from Astel to work with Shuiming.

Shuiming, who is half-waked in his living room bed, hangs words containing both thanks and apologies to Fermenia, who appears to replace the contents of the water drain.

"I'm sorry, I didn't expect to bother you so much."

"I'm surprised, too. Well, Your Majesty has told me of Lord Swimey's help, and I am also responsible for calling Lord Swimey. Besides, Lord Swimey taught me magic."

Fermenia is clear. After saying it like that with her face, she says the bump and "I'm more annoying than that..." Was it because it was still embarrassing to look away from your face?

After replacing the contents of the water drain, she uses the magic she learned from Shuiming.

"- The warmth will be lost. As I wish."

Fermenia casts a spell. But nothing seems to have changed in appearance. However, Shuiming was able to learn about the invisible changes that Fermenia had made to the contents of the water drain.

"You're used to mon."

"... you just chilled the water inside. It's nothing to be praised for."

Fermenia, who heard it as a compliment or as a cliche. But otherwise, Shuiming shook her head.

"I felt little starch in the process of exercising magic right now. I think that delicate and polite magic exercises are more appreciated than results."

"Oh, really?"

The words of praise were still to be followed, but praised by Mizuki, Fermenia seemed a little happy. When Shuiming realizes it, she tells her illuminated figure to delude herself.

"And anyway, rest until you feel better"

But Shuiming returns it in a relaxed tone.

"No, that's not going to happen either."

"I didn't know that was going to happen... oh"

Has she noticed, too, in his apparently irresistible tone? Yes, not to mention the identity of Shuiming's worries. It's about keeping Liliana that way since that night.

At that time, Liliana was seen in the face by Elliott and disappeared according to the words of a tall shadow. It's unclear if he joined the tall shadow, but he's definitely in a situation that's not good for her. I don't have any evidence, but it's a good enough circumstance to be suspected.

I don't hear about being held captive, but what is happening now? How many times has Mizumi rubbed her mind on such an imagination?

So I realized. That Fermenia has tied her mouth to one letter and is looking at it half-eyed.

And Shuiming, in the way he perceived it,

"I know. I'll wait till it gets better."

"Please do so. Lord Suimei is worried about Liliana Zandaik, but some people are not worried about Lord Suimei."

"Excuse me. You mean Refill."

Fermenia snorts heavily, to the words of the Water Ming. But soon, I spilled a sigh of fright,

"... I thought you were prudent in the royal castle, but you do quite a few guns"

"Oh, that's often said"

"Is it every laugh...... If that's the case, you'll be preached to Lephire again, won't you?

to the mixed embarrassment of Fermenian bitterness, but Shuiming remains bitterly laughing.

Yes, after I came home and my body stabilized, what I was waiting for was a sermon from my little sister, Refill's angry mind.

It's new to my memory that you've been told not to worry or be impotent. [M]

But she was right. Shuiming also remains indiscreet when caught in trouble. The same goes for this one, but that should have been noticeable when Refile, for example. I'm trying to fix it, but due to my gender, it's difficult.

Talking to Fermenia like that, Lefir just walked into the living room with a pile of loads.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah."

What's emitting is a hard voice somewhere. It doesn't seem heavy, but I'm guessing it's out of the way before and voicing like that. But thank you very much.

Besides, Fermenia has a gentle tone,

"Refill. It's dangerous to hold too many things. Shouldn't we put it down a little?

"It's all right, Lord Fermenia. There's nothing like a little more than a load over my back. Anyway, when I was my original figure, I was dealing with a sword bigger than my back length... yeah, yeah, yeah."

"Be careful, Refill."

"Oh, thank you"

Fermenia gives a strange look when Shuiming gives Refile a voice of care. Apparently she noticed that his condition was stranger than usual.

"... Lord Swimey, I've been talking to you for a while now"

"Uh, this. I'm tilting most of my features that way to cure my body right now, so I can't even get around my head much."

If you take a closer look at the current state of water, you will notice that it is vain as a sleeping beau. Because we use magic to focus on restoring the Astral Body, we have no choice but to take this state.

Fermenia comes with a rugged look.

"I'm not sure by the looks of it, is it in pretty bad shape?

"Normal injuries can be cured quickly by magic, but this time it's the mental shell (Astral Body) that's wearing out, so it can't be cured easily by magic like flesh."

"... your body can be easily cured"

"Mana."

And, in the misplaced tone between them, under a retreating watermark, the refir returns after carrying his luggage. And then he looked stunned and sat down on his pillow.

"Isn't it a physical injury or something? That's a lot of amazing things to say about you.... Hmm, was it Astral Body? I remember hearing that before, but you weren't turning defenses or resistance to it?

"Dark magic is too special. The magicians of our world and the devil worshippers will never use such a dangerous curse again. It's normal to have the head that there's no one to attack like that. Well, I mean, should I say that I was unprepared, or should I say alarmed, uh"

With a loud voice, Shuiming struggles with the next word she speaks. Words don't come out well because the ability to think is also blunt.

"... it's not a good idea to ask too many questions"

"Right. It's still hard to ask."

"Bad. Do that."

In view of the situation, Mizumi expresses her gratitude to the two people who are concerned. Then Fermenia rose out of her chair.

"Lord Swimey. I made you a meal, so I'll bring it."

When Fermenia said so, she went to the kitchen and eventually brought a vessel and a spoon with a meal in it. Inside the wooden bowl, a bright white soup stands hot and contains plump white beans.

"Can Lord Fermenia cook?

"Yes."

Seeing the dish that Fermenia made, Refile unexpectedly rounds his eyes. Aristocratic children equate ordinary meals with no one else who can cook them because they are made exclusively by human beings. For that reason, Refile was surprised...

Then Fermenia became a little good at it, as she said she was proud of this.

"I've been sent to a magician since I was a child, so that's when I was told I had to be able to do anything about myself, and that I could do things around me and so on all by myself. Cooking is one of them."

"That's great. I want to be an apprentice too."

"Wouldn't Refile, who says so, be able to do a lot of things at that age, too? It's amazing."

…………

I guess Fermenia meant to compliment me, but naturally I don't feel that way about Refile. He is darkened to be a little kid, and he says, "So I..." and one person is about to regret it.

Meanwhile, Fermenia, who concentrates on the dishes she brings, gives Shuiming a vessel containing the dishes and a spoon to cover them.

"So, Lord Swimey. It's a pearl potage. Go ahead. It's a nutritious product."

"Oh, thank you"

"Pearl bean potage."

Look at the dish, Refill that sparkles your eyes. Pearl beans are widely known as nutrient-packed legumes, while their delicious taste is also exacerbated, the sooner the sick are told that they will feel better. Stiff and inedible as it is, but boiling makes it softer, turning it into a toothpick that can be bounced between teeth if chewed.

Shuiming, who received a vessel with bright white potage soup, but is he looking properly or not? Keeping his eyes narrowed, spoon the contents and slowly carry them into his mouth.

However, since I am restoring to the function of thinking, I am depressed and cannot feel the movement of my arms.

"Suimei. It's obnoxious."

"Sorry."

Seeing Shuiming apologize as she blurted, Lephile suddenly pounds her hand.

"... yes"

"What's up, Refile?

"Now I've come up with a plan."

"A name?"

When Fermenia asked, Lefir turned to Shuiming,

"Suimei. Lend me the vessel and the spoon."

"Ooh."

The requested Shuiming, without any particular doubt, gives Lefir the vessel and the spoon.

Then she spooned the potage, smiled,

"There you go, Swimei. Ahem."

"Whatever it takes, Lephire, Lord Swimey. It's... become ⁉"

"Ahem."

Mizumi has no doubt whatsoever about that word or action that makes her mouth open, rather than holding it. Say ahem as Fermenia tells you, open your mouth, include the tip of the spoon in your mouth, and swallow. Very much. Once again, when Refill let the spoon be included in Mizumino's mouth, he could hear the pearl in it this time or the creaking sound from his mouth.

"Good."

Fermenia, on the other hand, can't block her open mouth when she sees the behavior of Mizumi, which is unthinkable in ordinary times.

"... I didn't know that Lord Swimey would be so defenseless..."

If it were the usual watery, I would never be shy about that. But still accepting this way means we can't afford to turn our thoughts around to that.

"Ngu...... I'm sorry, Refile"

"No, that's okay, Suimei. I'm so glad you're always honest with me like that."

With a gentle look, a talking refir. Looking at Shuiming with a loving eye is like a sister.

Like Fermenia is interested in Refile, who says it doesn't matter.

"Refile. Why don't you let me do it, too?

"Oh, I don't mind."

That said, Refile gives Fermenia the keys.

"Then Lord Swimey. Uh."

"Ahem."

Again, Shuiming opens his mouth honestly to Fermenian ahn as well. There's no way to resist, no reluctant bareback at all. Reluctantly, he keeps his mouth shut. The two of them, looking seriously at how Mizumi was doing, were somewhere excited.

"... something funny. I didn't know Lord Suimei, who beat me up, was being treated like he was good to me now...... hehe"

"Yeah. Swimei is cute. This is rarely the case."

Fermenia, who runs the black thing, and Lefir, who says it with emotion.

Fermenia passes the vessel and the spoon to Lefir.

After all, Shuiming was fed potage by her until the contents of the vessel were gone.

Groschler, a giant castle sitting on the south side of the imperial capital Philus Filia.

It is the tallest building in the Imperial capital, and it is also at the heart of the politics of the Empire, where the Emperor carries out his affairs on the advice of the nobles, combining the role of a political authority. Originally robust because it was the main castle of Teito, the fortified city of the castle, it has a history that has surpassed the crisis of falling many times before, enough to make a name for itself outside the country from its majestic setting.

During the reign there is a luxurious interior with a crimson carpet on the floor and a crest flag.

The existence of this room is, so to speak, a symbol of the Emperor's authority. And it is also a place to impose a harsh attitude on all the human beings who live together. But the room was now filled with shallow, humble emotions gushing out of the place, besides such a tense air.

Called to the castle, Rogue Xandyk knelt before the prince who would take the throne, with a hard look as usual, even as he felt the disturbance drifting during his reign on his skin.

"Intelligence Colonel Rogue Zandaik, we have responded to your summons."

As Rogue lays down his face, following the imitation of the summoned, and uttering his mouth, one of the elders says, "Face up".

Rogue followed the words and raised his face. The young man dressed in an elegant outfit that sits in front of him and overlooks him is Renate Filas Riseld, First Prince of the Nerferia Empire. The harsh judgment rolled out of its chilled appearance allows even Gloschler, whose desire is to travel, to carry out his affairs in the absence of the Emperor without hesitation, a talented man.

Lennart in front, Rogue takes thanks again.

"I am in a good mood, His Royal Highness Prince Renate. I'm sorry to interrogate you, but today's administration is not supposed to be a day spent by His Majesty the Emperor.

At present, the imperial administration takes the form of the elderly Emperor Nerferia and the succession of the Emperor and the First Prince, Renate, to consolidate the administrative foundations of the heir prince. On this day, Lennart smiles slightly at Rogue's question, remembering that the emperor should be in charge here during his reign, and gives a glimpse of where the emperor would be.

"Uhm. His Majesty is the Red Jade Palace. He doesn't feel like going into government today. So I'm leaving. Not at all. Your Majesty's mood is in trouble."

Kuku, and even to Lennart, who laughs ridiculously, Rogue lowers his face and deepens his thanks. In the Red Jade Palace, one of the separate mansions, the prince would also like to sigh in his heart to the emperor who is delayed in playing with women. With that in mind, Rogue waited for time, and Renate stopped sneaking perfectly.

The aftermath of a dwindling laugh gives a hunch about changes in the air. Detecting to get to the point, Rogue threaded more tension into a state of awe and stood up for Renate's remarks.

Renate poking a cheek wand on the elbow of a luxurious chair.

"So Rogue. Do you already know why I was called here today?

"I know about Liliana..."

"That's right. This is a continuation of the story about whether the bad guy in the coma was his daughter. I was at the crime scene the other day, and I can't find him while he's on the run, but then can you get a hold of him?

"No, I'm exhausted in my search, but I haven't been able to locate it yet."

"You're not going back to the mansion?

When Rogue answered briefly, "I am as you say," one of the elders who had refrained raised his voice.

"Daimyo, isn't your lord hiding it? She's my own daughter."

"No, never such a thing..."

"Hmm? In the gendarmerie's story, I hear that it is only the nobles who are being targeted in this case. Isn't it unlikely that your lord, who is a rising man, could plot a plot using his daughter?

Dark, and not even euphemistic words such as the old man's. He says Rogue is kicking people out of the way to make it easier for them to raise their position.

But Rogue will never admit it,

"We hear that those who are being harmed are not the only ones of high standing."

"White! I would have let those of lower rank than your lord also aim to avoid any suspicious eye for himself!

When the voice of a mixed barrage of acts of the elder echoes during his reign, a voice grows spoken in tune with it. In this situation, where Liliana's suspicion is getting thicker, neither can the aristocracy, an ally of the Rogue, speak out loud.

Renate sighed in a deafening sigh as the elders' strangulation overheated.

"... don't you? We haven't decided that the bad guy is Liliana yet."

"Ha."

In Renate's words, the loud noise that was echoing indoors subsided like a lie. The first elders to start blaming Rogue also pull back clearly, and the nobles, who were speaking in tune, quickly shut up.

All I'm saying is that the purpose was to make a bad impression on Renate and neutral nobles. No, actually, I guess so. Rogue was feeling signs of sneaky laughter pouring indoors.

Lennart opens his mouth in anticipation of the calming atmosphere around him.

"Such an argument on this occasion does not begin. First, we should give our full attention to the search for suspected Liliana, the investigation of the case"

"Yes, it is."

Earlier the elder agrees lightly with Renate's remarks. But as if he had soul balls, he immediately put his opinion to the mouth.

"But I think there are some things I need to decide first."

"What do you have to decide...?

"Hmm. Responsibility. Sure, you are."

Rogue frowned at the old man's words, but Renate apparently perceived the sincerity of the words. Turn that cooled gaze against the Rogue.

"If we continue with the investigation, we will eventually find her. If Liliana was a bad person at that time, what would she do?"

"Please wait. It's not like Liliana's the killer yet."

"- We need to decide how to take responsibility if that's the case."

That's what he asked Rogue to do, as one of the elders summed up Renate's words.

Obviously too acute to present punishment. When Rogue could sneak his gaze all the time, he saw the old man who raised his voice laughing at Niyaniya.

It was no longer obvious that they had spoken to Renate.

Still, does Renate attach importance to the existence of the Rogue, I would add to an earlier summary.

"Rogue, my daughter is a great force for the Empire. I want to believe I'm innocent, too. But as we know, there is strict discipline in our country. Therefore, we have to make up our minds about that."

The elder opens his mouth so as to carry on the words of Renate.

"Articles 12 and 3 of the Imperial Military Outline. There is no way that your lord, in his position as colonel, understates the weight. Do you think your lord would want to punish himself?

…………

"So, Rogue, what kind of answer would you give me?

To Renate's inquiry, Rogue opens his mouth after pinching a certain silence.

"... my daughter's untimely, my untimely. Return the status of the Army, and the seat of the Twelve Youjie will also resign."

"Okay."

When the voice of Renate's acknowledgment sounds, the elder sounds a manipulative voice, as he tried again.

"Right. I was wondering if it would be okay for the colonel to put some bullshit on his own.

"But isn't that harsh?

"It was under this circumstance that we had this discontinuity. It would be reasonable.... is that right? Colonel."

"… I understand"

Rogue bowed his head deeply to the question of the elder with pressure.

Open your mouth so that Renate, who has been watching for some time, can say that it is appropriate.

"... His Majesty also takes a heavy look at the delay in resolving the case. It is not a good thing that the insecurities of the country will not be resolved forever in this situation where the invasion of the Demons is active"

To that word, the senator gives his approval.

"Right. We must also put our backs to the investigation. But somehow, the Brave Hall of the Holy See is involved in this investigation."

"I know it's hard to get my hands on. However, it is also true that there is no such thing as a spell. So, there's been a change in the future investigation into this case."

"Change, is it?

"That's right. Until now, both the gendarmerie and the intelligence department have been allowed to investigate inside, but consolidate the main management of the investigation. We decided to let this man take command."

The door opens to coincide with the words "let in" issued by Renate. And the man who walked out next to Renate...