"I-It's an honor for you to visit us, Your Excellency. We didn't have enough time to prepare, but please make yourself comfortable."
Perspiring from top to bottom in cold sweat, Count Serdos came out to greet Marquis Grauksh along with Daniel.
As a messenger of His Majesty, they obviously had to respond, but the matter happened so suddenly that a lack of preparation was inevitable.
"Time is of the essence, so the entrance is fine. In fact, I just came from the Academy where I heard that you were here. It's been a while, Daniel. I guess the last time we saw each other was during your summer vacation. It's good to see you in good health."
Marquis kicked-started the conversation with random talk, then he cleared his throat slightly before stating the reason he visited them as His Majesty's messenger in a stately but clear tone.
"......And that was how it went. ‘The only way I can respond to the kingdom's distress call is with the support of my close friend Dan.’ He announced it quite grandly in front of His Majesty and the other top ministers.
......So, Daniel. I can't deny that I had thought that the activities of the Sail Club were nothing more than a waste of time, so everything I say may look like an adult changing their tune for their personal interest. I won’t ask for your forgiveness, but if you can find it in your heart then please, assist us in saving the Grauksh territory... and this kingdom."
Standing at the entrance, Marquis Grauksh looked straight into Dan's eyes as he talked, and lowered his head after saying his piece.
The scene was so absurd that Dan’s thought process came to an abrupt halt with his eyes widening to their limit, and the only thought he could muster up was— Ah, Allen got them good.
Meanwhile, Codie-chan, who had heard their words from afar, appeared while rubbing his hands together and chiding Dan.
"What're you doing standing there like an idiot, Daniel!? There's nothing else to think about! Hurry up and say you understand! Daniel understands what to do, Your Excellency, so please raise your head."
However, everyone present ignored him.
Dan, coming back to his senses, knelt on one knee, and pressed his right hand to his chest.
"......It’ll be my honor to accept this duty."
Only when he heard Dan's words did Marquis Grauksh raise his head with a sigh.
"I am really very much glad to hear that...... You’ve made a valuable friend, Daniel. Allen Rovenne was really furious for you. He didn't say it, but his meaning was clear— Stop it with your prejudice and take a good look at Dan, that he's the one and only Daniel Serdos. It was as if he was persuading a kid, I couldn't utter any words in front of His Majesty and the other ministers."
The Marquis quipped, and flashed a bitter smile.
"......You shouldn't take any of his words to heart, Your Excellency. He... Allen Rovenne is just that kind of person."
Dan almost had a headache at the shenanigans Allen had pulled, and was only barely able to muster a response. Marquis chuckled at his words, and then glanced at Count Serdos’ way.
"......You really hide yourself deep, eh, Thomas? No matter how you were reproached, you continued to protect him, and kept your unwavering trust in him. Not everyone has such nerves of steel. And, oh, I am genuinely saying this. Everyone had been spinning their yarn while having no idea, and kept asking for an immediate result— I was no different.
You've shown your caliber as a noble, and as a father, splendidly so. Who would've thought I would be outsmarted."
The Count, meanwhile, was confused by the Marquis’ praises as the latter tapped his shoulder, and was only barely able to reply.
"P-Please, even a hundred of me wouldn't be enough to outsmart you, Your Excellency. I never intended to keep you in the dark."
The Marquis brushed him off with a laugh.
"Wahaha! Don't look down on the Grauksh's information department. I’ve already discovered everything from Daniel's upbringing to his connection with Serene Sea Co. So don't bother explaining things now, Thomas. You had everything in the palm of your hand all along— or not. You've really made me look at him in a new light. Daniel Serdos, huh?... Truly the one and only in this kingdom. Mark my words: when this disaster is resolved, it’ll turn into a tale for everyone to hear.
I bet the other nobles must have had a good laugh about the Sail Club after listening to the details of the Marquis Meeting. It's going to turn into a good show, kukuku. Come, Daniel. Hurry up with your preparations. I’ll give you a ride to the port in my magic car."
Dan bowed and then left to get his things. Marquis Grauksh watched him leave, and once he was out of sight, the smile on his face vanished. Instead, he wore a demonic visage-like mask— reflecting the image of an Apex Noble who had survived countless cutthroat scenarios to reach his current place.
"Speaking of which, some fella seemed to have thought highly of himself and forced his way in the middle of our talk when I came here as a proxy of His Majesty, and had to bow my head to Daniel."
The Marquis said as he glared at the said guy like he was some insect.
The intense gaze had both Codie-chan and Brient, who had been there to support him, shudder in cold sweat.
"Daniel is someone who has made his name known among the council members while still being a first-year student in the Royal Academy, so... WHO THE HELL ARE YOU TO SPEAK ON HIS BEHALF!"
"I’m not an expert in business, but I can introduce you to her. It's just that, I dare say, Sis Mimo — my Aunt — will most likely turn down your offer, even if Your Excellency gives it personally. She's the kind of person who relies on herself no matter what."
This time, the Marquis's eyes widened.
"Ohh? I heard she has quite the guts from my investigation team, but color me surprised if she would reject even my offer. Well, force would only cripple what makes a merchant, and kill their peculiarity. In that case, pass my words that I would like to have an equal level of partnership, and just introduce me. After all, it wouldn't bode well for me to be your enemy if I used some backhanded means."
Dan nodded with a slightly awkward look.
"But life sure does work in mysterious ways, huh?...... Never thought I would come to understand why Meria had been so annoyed lately."
The Marquis said while pouting like some kid, his brows shaped together in an 'ハ' shape.
Dan had been feeling stiff being present in the same magic car as the Marquis, but he couldn't help breaking into a smile when he imagined that figure who had been the cause of Marquis Dragoon's headache.
◆◆◆
Arriving at the military port near the Royal Palace, Dan found Allen looking at the loading of the luggage with an expression of boredom when he got down from the magic car.
A jet black mantle — the color of the third legion — was draped on his back.
"Hey, Allen..."
Dan called out to him, and in response, Allen smiled like a mischievous kid— or not, he simply greeted him with a 'Hey, today's wind is pleasant, isn't it?' with a smile.
Dan felt a bit letdown, his shoulder dropping in dejection.
"You..... Don't you have something to say to me?"
Allen's eyes drifted for a moment when Dan threw him a straight ball, but the next moment, he gave him a thumbs up with a bright smile.
"I gave them a sound lesson in your place. No need to thank me~."
Dan flashed an amicable smile when he heard that, and— brought down a hand chop enhanced with mana on that grinning face.
"Gahh! W-W-What the hell are you doing, you potato face!?"
"I should be the one asking you that! Of all things, you just had to advertise me in front of His Majesty! Learn some tact, for god damn sake!"
"Shut up. It's up to me however I want to evaluate you! Heck, you know we just can't trudge our way through with only slick words. Besides, you're a much better sailor than me, and you can sail the ship much faster than me. Of course, I'd need you for us to make it in time. Can you say that I'm wrong?! It's about time you made up your mind!"
"I... I mean, you may be right but...... I don't think you had to be so bold in front of His Majesty..."
"Hmph, don't mind the small details, that was mostly just a slip of the tongue. I mean, just imagine me saying 'I’ll do my best' like normal. That’ll just bring even more attention to me, and it would be another mess of annoyance. So I just shared some of the glory your way."
Once again, Allen flashed a grin while giving Dan a thumbs up, seemingly saying 'sharing is caring, after all’. It elicited another hand chop from Dan.
"Gah!"
"Don't take me for an idiot, dammit! What do you mean slip of the tongue?! It was definitely a calculated move from you!"
"Enough, you moron! Or I’ll blow you away!"
Rubbing his forehead, Allen retorted and started to control the surrounding wind. Dan paused momentarily, and then hurriedly took action. He jumped over a 10 cm wide wooden board by the port side of the ship in one leap, and assumed a sharp karate-like stance.
"Try it, if you dare."
......But some people intervened and walked between them.
"...Haha, it's great to see you all in high spirits, but I think it would be best to save your strength until our departure..."
They turned around to look, and saw members of the second legion — Glover-san and another person, seemingly his elder brother — looking at them with dumbfounded expressions. They both were wearing cyan-colored mantles— the color of the second legion. And behind the two, Marquis Grauksh was giggling at them.