After returning from the battlefield, Ardis delivered the Cyrils, and once returned to the forest house to inform him of his safety, he immediately went deep into the forest. Lupus lives in the forest away from the public. The other side reluctantly picks up Rona on the escort.
Apparently, the war wasn't as far as Rona and they were able to get some interesting information. Rona, who had been wandering around with time, found a group of imperial soldiers hiding in the forest, and had heard the conversation.
Seven days later. Aldis and Rona were in the capital city of the Nagras kingdom, Gran. As you step into a tavern lined with red-light districts in the royal capital, Aldis finally catches the seeker.
"I would like to say that, despite the terrible result that 60% of all troops have not returned, they will return home without any damage as a matter of course."
With glossy, light brown hair, but with his hand on the counter, he sent words to Aldis that could be both complimented and sarcastic.
"So what are you doing for me? I'm still pretty busy now. I'd like to briefly ask you to meet people after this."
Yuu's occupation is an information store. Of course, at this time of whether the country will be destroyed, it cannot be relaxed.
It is not yet known why the withdrawal of the empire was within the kingdom, and the evacuees of those who were afraid of the invasion continue, and the royal capital has a muffled atmosphere of embarrassment and misery. .
Perhaps the king's intelligence officials are gathering information for sleeplessness. However, it remains unclear whether the kingdom's intelligence gathering power or the empire's intelligence capabilities are excellent.
"Well, don't say that. Cesare. I've got some information that you're likely to jump at."
The eyes of an information shop called Cesare are slightly narrowed.
Eyebrows saliva `` I'd say, if it's a story about a black-haired mercenary who repelled the enemy's right wing unit, or a `` Swordsman of a Thousand Swordsman '' who won alone by a unit riding a strange beast alone I'm already in time. "
They just buy and sell employment information. As expected, my ears were early.
"That's not it."
"Well, what is it? I'm in a hurry too. Don't waste anything."
I want to leave this place quickly. Cesare reminds me of such an atmosphere.
"Why the Imperial Army Withdrew?"
As soon as Aldis said in short words, Cesare's facial muscles moved and his eyes changed color.
"How much do you buy?"
Cesare turns his eyes to the eyes of Aldis, who continues to ask questions, and sits down silently at the counter seat. Let's talk. When Aldis sits next to him, Cesare orders the barkeeper for two fruit waters.
"Is there a promise to meet people?"
Is it OK? To the Aldis who just said, the informant's gently breathe answered.
"If it's going to take time, we'll send out a human being. I'll tell you that the amount of fruit water depends on the information."
The bar owner leaves two fruit waters at the counter. Aldis confirmed his sideways and opened his mouth.
"Imperial soldiers were lurking in the forest to hunt for remnants of the kingdom. As they retreat, don't overhear what the officers who seemed to be the officers leading the unit were talking."
"You didn't hear it directly?"
Source "Oh, but it's reliable"
After confirming, Aldis glances at his feet. A golden beast crouched down there with an expression that seemed "natural".
"So in the last few days, I've been to the Imperial City and gathered information."
Jigakuda: If the spy of the king hears, will you laugh or even step on it?
Cesare shows a complicated expression that can not be said. Aldis, to put it simply, would have been able to keep the upper kingdoms busy and gathering information if they could.
"The conclusion is that the empire is not attacking for the time being.
"A unit?"
"I'm sorry but I'm paying here.
With a frown, Cesare looked at Aldis with a grudge.
"Three gold coins."
At the beginning, "Hey, please joke me. You went to the Imperial City in danger. Did you get at least ten?"
"You are not in trouble with money?"
"That's a different story. I'm sure you're not bothered by money, but that's why it's an unreasonable bargain?"
Without hiding her disgusting face, Cesare offers the money again.
"If you sell me only, I'll add some color. What about five gold coins?"
"That's the amount of money, I have to meet other information agencies, eight gold coins."
"Do you think other sources believe this information? To a person who doesn't know your ability, it sounds like a lie. Six gold coins."
Yuki: "Maybe it's just a mercenary, but if it's information from" The Swordsman of the Thousand Swords "?
"The kingdom's intelligence officers aren't incompetent either. The border turmoil has subsided, and it's no wonder that information comes in soon. I have six gold coins and five silver coins, no more. "
"Okay, then you can buy this information from another information agency. In a few days, it may be worth a piece of gold."
Cesare is stuck in words with his face distorted.
Then, to Aldis who tried to stand up, Yuji, the information storeman, hurriedly said a word.
"Cho, wait a minute!"
"What? I'm going to earn pocket money for about seven gold coins now."
"... I see. I'll buy it, I'll buy it with seven gold coins!"
Cesare takes seven gold coins from his bosom and places them violently on the counter.
"It's a deal closed."
When he smiles satisfactorily, Aldis sits down again and collects the gold coins on the counter.
"It's really hard to do, you"
"It's a praise for me."
"Oh yeah. Could you please share that information quickly? I'd like to collect the costs tonight .... Oh, wait a minute."
Cesare stopped talking and said, approaching the barkeeper and whispering, holding several copper coins. Probably, I've probably asked someone who I was going to meet later.
"Now, I'll let you know the information."
"Oh, I'll talk a lot for seven gold coins."
When he returned to Cesare, he declared carefully what he had gathered in the Imperial City, one by one, along with what he had seen and heard.
Catastrophic damage occurred to the units of the Imperial Army where aristocratic officers were concentrated. Legal child Among them was the Duke of Tangram, also head of the largest faction of the Imperial nobility. The emperor bought distrust from the aristocracy, and his feet were shaking because of the death toll of many people, including the child of Duke Tangram. In addition, reinforcements from the monarchy have lost about 30% of their strength, and commanders have become reluctant to support the Empire as they die.
"I see. It's certainly not the case of invading other nations. If you do poorly, it will be a situation where civil war may occur. I have to turn back ripe fruits with such an overwhelming victory I feel some sympathy for the imperial army that did not get it-''
Lifestyle "That means the kingdom is barely doing it."
Aldis expresses the current situation as if to overlook Cesare's comments.
"That means it's only a matter of time before the empire will attack. Even if the emperor successfully holds down the aristocracy, it's early and half a year. .However……"
"what?"
Asuka: "I guess the cause was the child of the Duke of Tangram, and a unit of beasts like that? The reinforcement commander from the southern continent died in battle, right?"
"What happened?"
"No, in short, after all-"
Cesare tells Aldis, showing his stunned face.
"Isn't it all about you?"
"The culprit is terrible. Say at least a credit."
"Achievement? If this story spreads, it will certainly be recognized as an achievement. Your information, which has been rising in the past few days, will definitely increase its value."
"what's that?"
"Hey you ... Do you understand how much you've done?"
Cesare sighs without showing any signs of hiding.
"A sword magician who has defeated the three great devils who have plagued the kingdom for many years. It's like having a lot of interest in it, but it's almost as if you've almost driven off the Imperial Army?"
"That's too much. It's impossible for me to go around the battlefield alone."
"I know that a hundred times. I'm afraid that the two names" Swordsman of the Thousand Swords "are walking on their own, because the information I've heard is so far from reality I wondered if the rumor had a tail fin, but it was a good idea to say it was a true story like a lie. ''
Ardis leaves the bar with Cesare showing a weird look.
Buy souvenirs for twins in the city and walk along the path of sunshine with Rona to the forest.
"A thousand sword magician is cool, al."
"Is it true that it might be good to work?"
"But no matter where you go, it's a 'magician', Al."
"... I can't help but slash each one with a sword because it's just plain. Whether a swordsman or a sorcerer, it's enough if there are fewer idiots that sell their names and give them away."
Aldis has no complaints about selling the name. If Aldis's strength is widely known, the number of opponents who want to unconsciously decrease will decrease accordingly.
Now that Aldis has become so famous, the prince of Thria will not be able to get on with it. Of course, in the case of a powerful person like Hou Tria, it is conceivable to turn your hand from behind and aim. I can never be careless.
There is one additional problem.
Certainly, the number of small items will be reduced. But on the other hand, there was also a feeling that he might have bought too much grudge this time.
It can be said that instead of reducing the number of small enemies, a new large enemy called the Imperial Army has been created. The aristocracy's allies in the battle will surely be resentful of Aldis.
Ted, laughing happily, Norris, and an abandoned face, Orphea, seemed to come to his eyes.
"Well, I can't help saying that now."
"What? What?"
"No, nothing."
"Return, Aldis! Rona!"
Waiting for Aldis and Rona to reach the house in the forest, a twin girl with a full smile was waiting. Even though the timing was not the same, when the names of the Aldis and others were called in overlapping voices, they hugged them as they jumped.
"I'm here. Philia and Liana."
Aldis strokes platinum blonde short hair in turn. A little rough treatment, the twins' hair was quickly disturbed, but the two laughed as if they were not nervous.
"I'm glad to return safely, my lord."
"Oh, I'm back now. I'm having a hard time answering. Did something change?"
Nere who came after the twins also served as an escort for the twins. If you are silent, you will loosen the haircut just in time with the noble lady of your choice, and nod lightly.
"Um. There's no problem. It's too much and they're out of hand."
"I'm making Aldis and Philia's pillow!"
"Liana also made it!"
"Pillow?"
Aldis's head tilts at a surprisingly sudden word.
"Yeah, a pillow for a nap!"
"I made Aldis's too!"
"Get it!"
"Aldis's too!"
Without waiting for Aldis's reply, they ran into the house.
After a nap, I started to make some sewing imitations if I didn't have a hand. Don't you think it's a choice? "
Probably amused. A modest smile floats on Nere's face, who usually does not show much expression. The twins came back with three pillows.
"Aldis! I got it!"
"Let's take a nap!"
Philia has two small pillows in her hands. Liana has a larger pillow in her hand. Perhaps the smaller pillow is for twins and the larger pillow is for Aldis.
"This is Aldis!"
Liana presents the large pillow she was holding in her hands to Aldis.
It is made by sewing a pale grass-colored cloth, and it can be seen everywhere.
The spacing between the distorted seams varies, and the overall shape is a little. There are places where sewing has been missed in some places, and there are places where the stuffing inside looks into the face, or where the ends of unprocessed thread are popping out. The pillows in the three nights of cheap copper cottages may still be better made.
But what is it? Ein If anyone sees this pillow and laughs at the outcome, Aldis will kick with all his might, even if he is the king of a country.
"Thank you, Rihanna. Thank you Philia."
"Ehe"
When she hands her pillow to Aldis, Liana twists herself shyly.
"Then the weather is fine, so why not take a break?"
The sun has just passed the zenith. There is time before the sun sets. Journey Aldis took her twins into the shade of the garden and laid her pillow on her face.
"Philias right side!"
"Then Lianna is on the left!"
The twins begin to sleep, snuggling to the left and right of Aldis.
At his feet, Rona was crouching and yawning.
A gentle breeze blows softly on your cheeks. The strong sunlight was interrupted by the branches and leaves and fell to Aldis as a slight day of tree leakage, and the swaying leaves sounded like a lullaby to sleep.
"Oh my lord. I don't mind taking a nap, but why don't I just remove my sword at least? I'll hit my twins when I turn over."
"Oh, oh ... that's right."
Aldis, who was about to fall asleep, woke up slowly.
Sleeves Remove the sheath of the sword that was fixed to the belt at the waist and lean against the tree at the bedside, as if you were pulling your clothes.
"Mummy ... Aldis ..."
Looking up, Philia's hand was firmly holding Aldis's sleeve. On the other side, Liana is similarly grabbing Aldis's clothes.
"Hmm? Sleeping?"
Both of them are sleeping comfortably and peacefully. She seems to be traveling to the dream world ahead of her.
With the clothes equally grabbed from the left and right, Aldis softly stroked their heads.
"Nfufu ..."
Then a happy smile appears on the gentle sleeping face. Looking at it, Aldis smiles naturally.
The battle between the kingdom and the empire had a definite end, with no way of knowing which one won. The kingdom has been ragged, but has escaped by preventing the invasion of the empire and barely fleeing. The empire has taken advantage of its unprecedented victory, although it has retired. But on both sides, there is much more to lose than to gain.
Those who took part in the battle also lost much. Those who have lost their limbs. Those who have lost fame. Those who have lost their pride. Those who have lost friends. And those who have lost their lives. In exchange for the rewards they couldn't possibly lose, and for fame.
How valuable is the title of "Swordsman of the Thousand Swords", etc., which Aldis himself has acquired and obtained many lives despite his enemies?
Aldis thinks it's better than that.
As a result, Aldis's work protected the country. Ted, Norris and Orphelia are all safe. He also achieved his original goal of protecting Cyril.
But it was this sleeping face that Aldis wanted to protect even more. It is reminded again.
Since when have you ever wanted to protect something so much? What I wanted to protect. What had to be protected. And what could not be protected. Pushing in his crying feelings, Aldis gently strokes what he needs to protect now.
This time it won't fail.
To protect these children.
"I'll be one or two of the nations."
Aldis declared to no one.