181 A call from the other side

After finishing the encounter with King Almadyaus.

Riji and the others were escorted to a certain room in the royal castle of Camelia. That said, it was the same room that Riji and the others used to use when they were staying in Camelia. It has a spacious guest room with bedding. There are two beds. There is a large desk in the closet that looks like a desk. There are two sofas and a low table. It's like combining a hotel room with a guest room.

Whether they were alive before entering or the sweet, late-blooming scent of gardenia is gently spread throughout the room.

The party entered the room and each took their place.

Titania sits on the sofa and leans over a cup of tea, while Graziella sits on the sofa opposite her, spreading her arms across her head, on her back, and putting her feet together. Mizuki sits on a chair in reverse, with her arms on her back.

I looked out the window and saw the soldiers training.

The sound of the wooden sword and the enraged voice could be heard without distraction.

After a brief look at the situation, he sat down on the bed.

Your Majesty, it looks like you haven't changed.

That's right. That kind-looking atmosphere is reassuring after all.

However, the Armadiyaus review.

It's not that there's no rigour at all, but a soulful attitude will reassure us.

While Riji and Mizuki talk like that, Graziella regroups her legs and looks at Titania.

"No, you don't look like a strongman at all." Does that mean you're giving up your father? "

"Never mind, I'm just doing what my father and I normally do."

While Graziella turns her gaze in a mood, Titania is clear. Including tea in the mouth with a quiet appearance.

Huh? Tia, is your Majesty strong too?

"Yes, the sword's skill is considerable." From your standpoint, I can't go out on the Seven Swords. "

So it was Duke Hadrias instead.

Certainly, as Graziella put it, it doesn't look like that at all.

Meanwhile, did Mizuki think the same thing?

Riji-kun. Do you look strong?

"Then I have no idea." If it was Shiming... no, Shiming didn't see it like that either, so I wonder what that means. "

"As a swordsman, I've been retired for a long time, so I think it's going to fall considerably compared to when I'm active... I don't think so."

When Titania said that, Mizuki suddenly said it.

”... it seems like you're saying something about Miakko and Father Raccoon”

"Mi, Mizuki, that's very rude of you... I would say it if it was Shizumi, for sure."

Isn't that right? If you're Minaki-kun, you're definitely saying it behind the scenes. You're right.

But if you're good enough, you can understand the majesty of Armadiahus.

It's not about intimidating and keeping the opponent, it's about solid force in the background.

That's why the relationship between the top and bottom is well maintained.

"More than that, I'm talking about swimming!" I wonder if that's what you're talking about when you rely on Lord Bai Yan for your daily chores! "

Graziella was the one who raised her voice in awe at the frenzy of Teatania.

“That's a story from the past. And now I'm taught his tricks. I would be happy to meet with the swordsman, His Highness the Teetanya, to teach you the art of doing housework.”

"Then the royal authority will be diminished."

It would be better if you didn't have that level of authority.

"Oh? So, if Lord Graziella can teach you magic, will you do the chores instead?"

"If you say that there is no resistance to becoming his disciple, it will be a lie..."

"... that's unexpected."

"Of course, I can't say selfishly. Especially if it is directly linked to the national interest. That man's power is worth it."

Riji was surprised by Graziella's unexpectedly high praise.

I never thought I'd praise Titania so much, even though she always hates me enough to beat her.

Graziella-san is evaluating Shiming, isn't she?

"With you, I don't know how strong he is." Probably quite an arm compared to the rest of the world. I can see that the people who followed me are surprised by the high ratings around me. "

"Isn't that too much of an evaluation, Highness Graziella? I don't think that Sweetheart is a big shot. Well, a little... a little bit, but there's a glimpse of the statues of heroes."

"You should see if it's a lie or a truth after you come back. Everyone should be angry in that regard. Liliana will tell you right away. I have the same feeling of losing and losing as Lord Titania."

"Wow, I don't hate losing!"

The sound of a knock suddenly echoes in the room while we are talking like that.

Then a voice came from outside the door saying, “I'm here to report.”

What is it?

"Ha! I have received your words." It is said that a feast is held at night in a modest manner. We would love to have you here. ”

The words of the chamberlain of the castle shone on Mizuki's face.

"Wow, the party..."

Sometimes it's nice to have this kind of thing.

"That's right!" I've been bumpy lately. It was a series of hard things... "

"That's right. Mizuki is finally aware of it..."

Reiji said that to Mizuki, who was exhaling, as if tears were bursting from her eyes.

It was really hard... "With such emotions, Mizuki put a few faces on her face.

Reeeeeeeeeeeeeee?

Ah, no, I'm sorry! My mouth is a little slippery right now

"It's too slippery!" Even though it's not raining, it's causing a hydroplaning phenomenon and causing an accident! "

Mizuki shakes the leaning chair wide forward and backward, and makes a puffy, angry face.

"Hahaha... but can I really do this under these circumstances?"

The joy that has come down will not last long.

What was possessed of Riji was anxiety about the current situation. I have to move to defeat the demon tribe. Can I do this to myself? Isn't there more to do? Such a sense of responsibility oppresses the mind trying to relax.

"Raige, it's the duty of a brave man to cultivate his spirit." Anyway, the people who went over there must be breathing. "

"Raige-sama, Raige-sama is more energetic than you think. It's almost a battle to rescue the demon general Rajas, the demon tribe that appeared in the autonomous prefecture, the demon army that invaded Nelferia, and Elliot.”

That's right! We really need to have some fun!

"I see... yeah. That's right."

In particular, the anxiety that struck herself was alleviated by the words of the three people.

While thanking the three of them for their words of relief, I tried to talk to them about this story.

Suddenly, it was dark in front of me.

- Huh?

The world is in darkness. It was suddenly dark as if the fluorescent lights had been turned off at night. No, there's not even an afterimage in the dark. This will not happen if you force the monitor to shut down. I can't even see my own body. You've assimilated yourself with the darkness. I get that illusion.

I suddenly remembered the urban legend of the white string hanging from my ears.

"Guys!? Tia, Mizuki, Graziella!"

In a hurry, I call out to those I've been with. But the voice doesn't come back. No matter how many times I repeat the call, my voice just vanishes into the darkness.

I've been completely shut off from the outside world.

"Ah, what is this all about...?"

Is your body abnormal? Or is it some kind of assault? Various possibilities pass through my head.

While scratching the algae in the dark, I was struck by a mild headache.

"Ahhhh!!"

It feels like it's staining from the outside and from the inside. That fold spread to one ear.

From nowhere, you can hear a familiar voice.

― ― Is it worth being welcomed by yourself?

Huh?

--Did you ever come to this world and make something out of it?

"That's..."

― ― It's not that I'm giving visible results, but how can I accept such an offer?

…………

A voice that bombards itself, heard from the void. There were a number of spicy words pointing out my own impatience, but I couldn't say anything back. Yes, there was no way I could say it back. Because that's the truth.

The reason I defeated Rajas was because I had weakened Ming beforehand.

The cannibal god Ilzar was no match for me.

At the time of the demon invasion, Vermenia would have been in trouble if she hadn't come.

Even in the battle against the Duke of Hadrias, he would have lost if it hadn't been for Ming.

... no, not exactly for the other three.

Whether you're fighting Ilzar, Gralajiras, or Hadrias, we've got you covered.

Unlike your own, you can use the power of coincidence.

You can hear it from nowhere, put the call on the edge.

... suddenly, I feel something hard on my right hand.

Speaking of which, the same thing happened in the morning before I left the Imperial City.

When you open your right hand, it releases a pale glow that pierces into the darkness.

There was such a strong glow there, as if the jewel itself was glowing.

It's like, look at this.

This is here, as if to claim so.

If there is anything, I can use it.

- Yes, if you want. Call for more power. Greedy. Greedy. To win an unwavering future. To open up new possibilities.

You want me to ask for it? For myself. To be worthy of the heroes I imagine in my head, I want to be more powerful than the shattered azure (Lapis Udaix).

"I, I..."

The mouth moves on its own. It feels as if the puppet threads are directly connected to the corner of your mouth and are being forced to move by someone other than you.

You can't say that.

Don't step over it.

If we go beyond that, we won't be able to go back.

Even if you think so, your mouth won't listen to me.

"I don't have the strength..."

That's when Riji spoke up for what he wanted.

"Riji-kun? Riji-kun?" What's the matter with you? "

Mizuki's voice could be heard.

Immediately after that, the darkness surrounding me disappeared, and the scene of where I was was spread before my eyes.

What the hell is going on? Was that a phantom?

I shouted to the three people who looked at me worriedly.

"Huh? No, I'm sorry. It's nothing. It's okay."

Really? I sat down on the bed and fell asleep. Are you still lacking sleep?

"No, not at all! I was just thinking." Besides, I slept well today and yesterday. "

"... it might be better for Master Rage to rest for a while after all."

It's really okay!

“No, we are the ones who are struggling. I don't want you to force me to do this."

Apparently, I am worried about it now. Not only Mizuki and Teatania, but even that Graziella looked serious.

"Um... yes. You were definitely talking about a party at night, right?"

When Riji tried to return to the subject, Mizuki tilted her head strangely.

"Huh? Party? What's that? Riji-kun, what the hell are you talking about?"

What? I thought you said that the castle people were coming to the castle just now and they were going to have a small feast.

"Master Rage, what is that about?" I haven't heard anything like that either.... "

"No? I mean, after we came into this room and talked about His Majesty and Meiming, I knocked..."

"Raige, we've just come to this room, right?" I tried to tell you about Lord Armadillaus..... "

"What is this...?"

The three of them are even more worried.

Then, Mizuki clapped her hands as if she had come up with something, her eyes shining as she approached.

"Maybe it's Riji-kun!" I think you've acquired the ability to predict!? "

"Huh? No... no matter how much it is, there's no such thing as that, right?"

That being said, I'll think about it again. Yeah. I don't think so.

Once again, she remembered what happened after she arrived in the room and described it to the three of them.

"Yes. After I came to the room, the emperor was strong, but I told him that I couldn't get out of the seven swords, that I was talking about the emperor as a raccoon father, or that I was a teacher."

"... it's true that your father can't stand up to the ritual of the Seven Swords"

"So, instead, the Duke of Hadrias--"

"Yes, Raj-sama is right..."

Rather than being surprised, Titania has a look of worry somewhere.

”Hmm... in my delusions, you've stepped into the details quite a bit”

It's true that if you're Shuming, you'll say 'Father Raccoon' behind the scenes!

"So, when I was talking like that, the door of the room was knocked on..."

It was right after Riji said that.

A knock echoes in the room.

As a matter of course, tension ran through everyone.

"I'm here to report."

Everyone looks at each other when they hear a voice hanging from outside the door.

And Titania stood up and responded with joy.

It's about the banquet, isn't it?

"...! Yes, did you already know about it?!" I'm sorry! "

"No, I don't mind." Are you sure about the details? ”

“Yes. No. The chamberlain will explain that later.”

"I understand." Thank you for contacting us. Stand down. ”

Titania said so, and the reporting chamberlain walked out of the door saying, “Excuse me.”

In the room, a surprising silence spread.

Again, Mizuki's eyes sparkled.

"Riji-kun, you're amazing!" Not only amazing weapons, but even Esper! "

"No..."

"Master Rage, I don't know what kind of power has worked, but I think it's very important to know what happened before."

“That's right. If we can use it well, we might be able to get around.”

"That's..."

The people around you seem to have high expectations, but I can't help thinking that it's ominous to me.

I opened my right hand, and there was a Sacrament embedded with a shattered azure (Lapis eudaixus).

It's just an illusion. Or did you really see the future?

On the basis of that fact, Riji could not help but feel an indescribable anxiety.