The next morning.
Nerim got up before I did.
So, when I went to the living room, they were all awake.
I'm the slowest.
When I think about it, I am somewhat embarrassed.
"Haha! I'm making breakfast, so please wait for me!"
You can hear a pleasant voice from the kitchen along with a good smell. When I replied, I went to the washbasin, washed my face and brushed my teeth.
After a full routine, I sat on the sofa.
Quena is sitting first and reading the newspaper.
"Did you find any interesting articles?"
In response to my question, Quena is going to show you the side of the story.
There was a familiar face and a prominent headline.
"Ruina is dead."
"What do you mean, me?"
Ruina was the first to react.
He's sitting right across from us.
Yui was hovering over Ruina's lap.
Is this the time of year when Yui wants to spoil her?
I asked, remembering what happened last night.
"No, I'm weak in the morning."
I'm surprised.
It was an image of doing more work with Takipaki.
If you try to live together like this, you can see aspects you don't know.
Then Sheila lined up the table for dinner.
I'll help you line it up.
"No! I always get my dishes washed!"
Sheila waves to my proposal.
Quena heads to the kitchen first. Apparently, they agree with me.
"Let me help you." Come on, you guys too. "
Quenna's gaze was followed by Luina, Yui, and Nerim.
Even though Nerim had been in a reclining chair before, he was already sitting in a chair at the dining table.
This guy's a mess.....
Behave boldly with the power to read ahead. Could it be that this was the vessel that would make the Empress?
"I'm a guest, aren't I? Why do I have to help?”
"If you can't do your own thing, you won't have any rice."
“Hmm. I'm not supposed to be a waitress.”
I should have called it the Empress.
However, I don't like it because I don't feel noble about my profession. You seem to have some thoughts about what you're going to work for.
Even so, I thought it would be better to arrange the dishes than to fight with Quenna in the morning.
Epic meals have been lined up at the table since the morning.
Not because Ruina and the others were here... but because of Sheila's skill and unsparing dedication.
Where does this energy come from?
Thank you, it means that you will also get strength in your words.
"It's quite delicious, blonde."
Ehehe, the Empress praised me
Sheila was bending her back as she put her hand on the back of her head, shining a stinking smell.
"Well, in fact, your arm is a big one." I don't know what's inside of Ruina, though. "
"No, no, the common people's cooking isn't bad either." You can actually hire me as a full-time employee. "
I don't know how much praise it is.
But I know it's an honor to serve a royal family.
Not to mention the leader of the Waila Empire, who was counted as a great power.
It must be quite a thing, after all.
Hmm, it's a big deal.
I hear voices from behind.
Looking back, Riff was eating with a plate in his hand.
Looks like he took the leftovers from the kitchen.
"Ah, when did you..."
Quena says ahead of time.
Everyone was surprised by the sudden appearance.
"You're finally here." It's a good courtesy to keep me waiting. "
Ruina snapped her cheek stick.
Riff shrugged as he looked at the empress with an unassuming attitude.
"I'm in a hurry. If you're on top, hold on tight."
It's not like there's such a grace.
"Don't worry." I've been looking into the actual situation of the Waila Empire. Because this matter is of high priority. "
"I'm glad you understand."
Ruina's tone softened when she knew that she was not being taken lightly.
Riff grabbed a chair from somewhere and sat around the table with us. Looks like we're having dinner together.
"Fufu, excuse me." I didn't have breakfast yet. "
Please, go ahead ~
Sheila returned it lightly.
No one opposes a sudden visitor.
It must be the appearance of a familiar riff.
After a while, Riff finally started talking.
"It seems that brainwashing magic is cast in the heart of the Weira Empire." It's definitely the "Astaire", isn't it? "
How big is it?
Ruina asks.
"I swallowed up most of the cities of the Weira Empire, mainly the Imperial Capital." It seems that the military is also very hostile. "
"It seems like it would be troublesome to manage. Do you want to eat on your own?"
Ask open feelings and questions.
Rif tears his bread and throws it into his mouth, chewing it and swallowing it before opening his mouth.
"Even brainwashing is close to incitement." Anyway, I guess you're telling me to look down on Luina. "
You're quite familiar with it, aren't you?
"Kuku, Sheila's honesty is fine." Because other people seemed to be hard to hear. "
That's true.
It was as if Riff had cast a magic spell.
It didn't seem like it was information I could learn overnight.
Then the riffs could be enemies, and I was hesitant to ask.
There were multiple options, and I was lost.
For example, if a riff is an enemy, you can play informational warfare by pretending that you don't know it's an enemy.
That's why I couldn't take any action against Riff right now.
Alternatively, if Riff is an ally, suspicion can make him angry.
I don't think so, but the status quo is no longer a war, and adrenaline for battle will be released from each other.
A certain sense of distance is essential.
However, the inquiries that come from Sheila's pure feelings are vented.
I've already left my back to you, so let's not be so suspicious.
Nerim says.
She says she was betrayed by her people once. The weight of the word is understandable.
Ruina said suddenly.
"I've been worried about it since last night, but why are you so calm inside?" Why don't you come to the Waila Empire? "
He's already soliciting Nerim.
I guess I saw what I was capable of even though I wasn't in the middle of a fight.
I'll stop.
Nerim refused coldly as he sipped his tea.
Ruina had no choice but to give up.
It's the first time we've met, these guys.
Then Riff went on to talk.
"I invented the brainwashing magic used in the Weira Empire." It's not a magic called Imlari. "
"Ehhh!!!"
Sheila's voice came out in surprise.
If so, it wouldn't be strange to know.
"That said, I don't expect it to be used like this." Originally, it was developed as a temporary measure to restore calm in order to avoid confusion in the event of a disaster.... in the first place, manipulating people is not a good thing, and it is a product of curiosity that I did not intend to use in any disaster. "
"But the truth is, it's being used."
Ruina's harsh opinion flies.
You must be angry because you're a victim.
"Hmm. In the first place, the brainwashing magic Imlari provided to the [Astaire]." I will confess my sins. But if we don't do this, we can't win the trust. "
Riff said with a cloudy expression.
You must be aware of your sins.
Nerim opened his mouth in the air, which was a little blameless.
"On the other hand, you know how to stop it, don't you?"
Riff is the developer.
If there is a way to exercise it, it is inevitable that we are also devising a way to stop it.
As expected, Riff nodded.
“Of course, it's probably the Astaire's elite magic unit that's doing this on a massive scale. The place was definitely in the Imperial City. If you stop them, you'll solve the brainwashing problem."
So we're going to the Imperial City.
"That's right, don't jump to conclusions." The Imperial City was well-stocked. If you fight without any preparation, you will face a backfiring. "
Ruina nodded at Riff's words.
"The Weira Empire is vast. If it's the outer edge, it's out of bounds for brainwashing, isn't it?"
Riff affirms.
"Hmm. I agree with what Ruina thinks." Gather your forces at the edge of the Waila Empire. Let's have fun, or concentrate on one part of the battle, and get your forces together. "
“But are you all right? It's not like we're going to attack. Then I think it would be smoother to fight the shadows with the power of Zide and Yui."
Quena raises her hand and says:
"No, Ruina is alive." If that happens, the next move that the [Astaire] is after-- "
Everyone was convinced by the description of the riff.
The action began the day before yesterday.