The bed in the officer's cabin - that is, the one that the soldier used - had Mermaire wait for a little while before putting him to bed.

"... I'm sorry, oniisama has done that..."

"I can't rest because I feel uncomfortable sleeping... suddenly the way I call it has changed, but you think that's the relationship between Verlaine and me at that stage..."

"Chi, isn't that right? I always thought so... there were many attractive women near Dick, and you were all close, so I thought there was some sort of arrangement about your relationship with Dick."

Mermaire presses her cheeks without saying that she was ashamed of making a mistake. The first time I was hostile, I thought it was a woman who wasn't a rope, but it seemed to have some acting in it to get into the Kintetsu Knight.

"Verlaine, your sister loved Dick and left the country... so if someone so attractive came, would you consider... that kind of thing?

"Well... no, from what happened, I kept Verlaine's stuff and came back five years later to get it. I always thought you kept that promise."

I wonder what I'm talking about.

Verlaine affirmed that she had fallen in love with me at first sight. And the reason I call you "Master" is that there is more to it than just the owner and employer of the tavern.

When I remember, my face gradually gets hot. I mean, I just pretended not to even notice what I thought I liked - Verlaine was in a hurry, and I kept it.

"... I thought it would be a great pleasure to call you Oniisama. If you think about it, Dick is younger than me at the age of man."

"That's right... what is it? Sounds like fun. If I'm feeling better, I'll never get past that."

Wearing simple bedclothes to get into bed, the dark elf princess couldn't hide her elegance and even scratched her hair gently.

"Verlaine, every day I feel like I understand why your sister adores Dick."

"I wonder... because he's good, I think he's too sweet. I'd appreciate it if you kept it a secret."

"Yes, I know. The important thing is that you two..."

Giggle and smile merrily - this country is in the midst of civil unrest, but it is not good to remain tense all the time. I honestly think it's a good thing that her feelings have eased somewhat.

But there are some things Mermaire must ask before she rests. Does she know that? The gentle air unfortunately draws in.

"If you don't want to talk much, you don't have to. He seemed to know something about" Black Blood "...."

"... yes. Ratochris has a species called the Nightcrawler (Nosferus). It's a species that sucks and feeds on the blood of others, as we talked about earlier."

"Nosferus... I didn't see it in Elsein, but there are people like that."

"When a demon tribe marries a different race, it inherits only the nature of one parent. Children with the nature of Nosferus may have lost blood in Elsein because of their low birth rate. It's a long-lived species, so I'm sure some of you are still alive."

I can't say that I know all about the characteristics of the demon race. However, I wondered what would happen if I married another race, even though I was close to humans.

"What does that Nosferus have to do with Black Blood?

"Nosferus takes away the magic of the blood-sucking. However, the stronger the sucked opponent, the more the body of Nosferus changes. Black is the color you can use when you mix all the colors… There is a story that the soul has color, but Nosferus acquires' color 'with blood and eventually the blood is dyed black."

"... the Lugard I fought sucked a lot of demon blood... that's what I'm talking about."

"Yes. The 'blackened' Nosferus will instinctively steal blood when he finds a presence that improves his power… The presence of a man named Lugard will have lost consciousness as a human being. There was Nosferus, who had made many sacrifices in the past in order to blacken, but he was conquered by four generals at a level of AA rank."

Lugard, who was originally in the SS rank, gained even more strength by sucking the blood of the Demon Clan until it was blackened - but he still didn't reach the SSS rank. The reality is that abandoning humans does not surpass us.

And Leon. Even if the power of the Armor Spirit has the ability to prevent SSS-ranked attacks, the person it handles does not become stronger.

"... I'm sorry. If I had come to Lattice sooner, I might have prevented Leon and Lugard from sacrificing themselves."

"Dear Dick... please don't look like that. Originally, this country was where our royal family had to defend our people with its own power... but I didn't have enough power. I gave up my responsibilities as a ruler's family and fled... it's only natural that the soldiers of the National Army didn't recognize me as a princess."

"That's not Mermaire's fault. Leon and Lugard, the Glasgow who teamed up with them, the soldiers who crucify the people in the midst of the rebellion… their malicious intentions have divided the country."

I knew she wouldn't be able to accept it easily, even if she said something comforting.

Mermaire poisoned Julius' dragon to bring Verlaine back to the demonic kingdom. That is something that should not be done under any circumstances.

"Do I... deserve to fight General Glasgow and the national army that follows them?"

"Definitely. I did something bad to Julius, but the Dragon Ride was safe. Now that Albain and Elsein have made peace, I would definitely avoid a situation in which Latochris would wave against Velvechia and infiltrate Albain. This is my personal situation, but Albain should make peace with Lattice. To do this, King Rathklis needs to be restored."

"... His Majesty the King..."

"It's just me now, so don't hesitate. Because it's about your father, you want to rescue him right now... and that's what we can do. I think we should really get moving while we're doing this."

Mermaire stares at me. Her eyes were wet, but she didn't cry.

How did it feel to leave Lattice alone? She would have blamed herself badly for having to leave her family behind.

Then I'll just help Melmer in the shadows, as usual, until the time comes to forgive herself.

"... your father told me to stop Leon and Lugard when they showed up at the castle. But I couldn't escape... saving my mother and sister."

"We're here now. As long as you're alive, it doesn't matter. It's not true in the world that you can't get it back. That's what I think."

The battle against the 'snake', which I was reminded of as an ideal.

The brutality of soldiers in the village of Loire, which was attacked by the National Army.

How Mermaire's captured family is being treated. Just imagining makes you sick, but just imagining the worst hurts Mermaire's heart.

"... you might think I'm restless. Once we have the information we need, we can move. Just a little more patience."

"Yes, I will do as Dick tells me. That's what I've decided ever since I was saved. Don't let that weigh on you....."

"That's not how I feel about the burden. Well... there's someone I know who's running away in debt. It feels a little heavy when the bill turns to me."

"Well... Master Dick's been through so much trouble."

Mermaire laughs while her eyes are red. I would like to ask the person who was given the analogy a favor by asking a little indifference after returning to the country.

"It's time for Mermaire to rest. I might wake you up if the situation moves, but basically slow down. I'll serve you a drink that will calm you down."

Verlaine's "Elf's Hidden Box" technique allows me to use it, and the leather tool holder I use to carry my luggage is expanding in capacity. It's four to five times what it looks like, but what's in it was a beverage ingredient, such as to strengthen your abilities before you go into battle.

Remove the sake soaked in "moist apricot", a specialty of the eastern Albain wetlands, and a bottle containing the juice of "maiden coconut", and place it in a silver shaker. Shake quietly to avoid making too much noise and pour into a silver glass as well. What is not a glass or crystal is the possibility of breakage while carrying it.

"Dear Dick... do you usually prepare this kind of alcohol?

"Verlaine taught me new technology, so I can carry more materials. Well, this is almost like a hobby....."

"It's a tavern, so... It smells good... sweet, refreshing fruit... just like this calms me down."

Mermaire puts her mouth on the glass and drinks just one sip - how well does it suit her mouth? She opens her eyes and dyes her ears slightly red.

"It's delicious... and even if I drink it, my chest will rub... and yet, my body will feel pompous."

"I would have liked it if it suited my mouth. One of the most delightful beverages for women in my blend."

"That's right... I'm going to get addicted, too. I thought alcohol was something I used to drink to inspire myself before the battle, and it wasn't very tasty."

"There is a problem that it tastes good and it is easy to get drunk. Well, with this much... Mermaire, are you okay?

There are individual differences in the way alcohol is used, but even though the alcohol in this blend is not as strong, Mermaire's eyes are getting rough.

"... Dear Dick, I... seem to be drunk..."

"I see... well, it doesn't seem to be enough to use the magic of detoxification. If you get a headache when you wake up, tell me, I can heal you magically."

"Ah...."

I urge Mermaire to rest and put on a blanket. She followed my instructions, even though she said something.

Dad, can you hear me? There's an army flying in from the east outside the castle window and they want to land in the castle. Verlaine, your mother wants to welcome you.)

(All right, all right. Tell Verlaine I'll be right there.)

There have been movements in the castle since a while ago, and Sphere is telling me a story - apparently a general named "White Eagle Shade" has arrived. It's been about half an hour since I returned the soldier with the message, but he never responded quickly.

◆ ◇ ◆

After Miralka vanished the castle's guards, the roof on the top floor was further up.

I went out on the rooftop and signaled permission to land - it was the demons who were idle over the sky and waiting for permission from us to produce wings on their backs, but otherwise close to humans.

Armed male soldiers like ten general soldiers - led by short-haired knights with white wings. It looks strong because of the scratches on the cheeks, but my eyes always look like thread and I have a faint smile.

"Thank you for your permission to land. I am the Knights of Lattice... no, should I say ex-Knights? Shade-Skayhawk. It sounds disgraceful, but it is one of those who was called the" Four Generals "of this country."

"Let's call ourselves... 'The Masked Saviors'."

Yes - Verlaine and I were wearing a mask to welcome General Shade.

Even if the rebel Glasgow was attacked, I don't think it should be widely known that Albain's Demon King Crusaders did it.

General Shade also saw Verlaine and felt something. The fact that she is not a mere person means that she should be aware if she has some knowledge of martial arts.

"First of all, we had a connection with her... former Queen Verlaine of Elsein and received a rescue request from Princess Mermaire. The princess is resting, but there is no problem with her health. I'll see you later."

"What a surprise... I didn't expect Verlaine to be able to get to Lattice soon. I'm sorry, but with the knight's hand who gave us the sword of His Majesty the King, we should fight the rebels....."

General Shade shook his knees on the spot, as he deserved to do. The soldiers followed suit and perhaps showed Verlaine the greatest thanks in the Knights.

"Don't lower your head. I also fought a national army soldier who attacked the village of Loire earlier, but an army with the help of such a special monster should not be hit from the front. I would like your troops to play their part, as instructed by this Duke, so as not to mischievously kill him."

I would like to refrain from honoring Dick in the turmoil in other countries. Of course, I don't want to stand out as much as I can, but the fact that the Demon King Crusaders have entered Ratchrist territory may mean that I want to proceed without Glasgow knowing.

More than Leon and Lugard know, there's a chance they'll tell Glasgow about me - they still don't know we're coming to Lattice.

"Together with Princess Mermaire, I will rescue His Majesty the King… and help free those who have been taken prisoner. This Shade and his men, three thousand. I will enter under your command."

"Thank you. I want General Shade to command the soldiers who surrendered from the National Army. Does this mean 5,000 troops?"

"Oh, my God... I thought the soldiers in the National Army were swearing allegiance to General Glasgow. How did you persuade them?

"I can't tell you because it's confidential, but I didn't threaten you. We want to avoid as many collisions as possible. The National Army is camping across the river to the west, but I want you to take a look across the river. They're afraid of our power, so they won't attack with a rupture."

How powerful Miralka's extermination magic can be as a strategic card. As I knew, as a deterrent to nearly 8,000 enemy soldiers, I can confirm the fact that SSS-ranked wizards can easily destroy one country.

"Alright, what we need to do is keep the neighbors safe and alert the national army across the river. I'll show you this shade in full operation."

"General Shade, are you all right? Before I met Princess Mermaire, she trusted us all....."

"Embarrassed, I am not a man of outstanding strength among the four generals. Even I know how powerful Duke is, who has the full trust of Verlaine. My men will do the same, but my heart is shaking. I haven't seen anyone more capable than General Glasgow in a long time."

General Shade is terrified by the signs of a war soldier - because Verlaine keeps away from me and doesn't hide what he sees as his master.

"It's not like the soldiers are trembling. There's something I can do about him."

"Ha... but I'm sorry. I will never hurt the pride of a knight again."

"Very well. Your loyalty to your lord has been well communicated just now. During Mermaire's absence, he didn't break his heart and didn't go down to Glass Goal... and as a friend of Mermaire, I'm as happy as I am."

"Ha, I'm so honored to have such a careless word...!

General Shade can no longer look up at all - even in this country, her style as an ex-Demonic King is extremely powerful.

However, as the Demon King, it was not equipped with black leather that made me feel magical, but was a maid's dress. Verlaine laughed bitterly as she saw General Shade lying in front of her.