Chapter 20- At the dinner table

It was white light.

It was Sarah being healed of a minor bruise after school on the roof of the academy.

The light that healed her was Licia’s Sacred Magic.

“Licia, your sacred magic has gotten stronger again.”

“Maybe so. I’m training with Ren and working hard too, so I think I’m growing a little bit by little.”

“I think you’re getting stronger by the minute.”

“Really? But it’s good for growth.”

“My confidence is going down the drain, though.”

Sarah’s words are not resentful, but rather enthusiastic, as if she is determined to do better.

Licia, who hadn’t heard her very well, looked at Sarah’s face.

“Confidence?”

“Nothing. I’m talking to myself.”

Licia muttered to herself, “Weird Sarah,” and turned off the light of the sacred magic.

And then she remembered the preliminary selection for the martial arts tournament that had been held just a few minutes ago.

Today’s event, which was attended by many students from the academy, was the most exciting of all compared to the preliminary rounds that had taken place to date.

“Shhh! 』

First, Kaito was chosen as the representative,

“Alright! You’re now a representative. 』

Then Vane was chosen,

“…… That’s about right.”

The fourth and final representative was Sarah, who, true to her reputation, had secured a seat.

In addition to these three, there was one more representative, a daughter of a heroic noble family in the second year, but she left the academy for family business soon after she was chosen as a representative.

Licia prayed for Sarah’s good luck in the main competition, and quietly left her side.

After seeing Vane and the others come to the rooftop.

“I’m ready to go now. Just because you’re happy to be chosen as the representative, don’t let your guard down and don’t get hurt.”

“I know, I know!”

Licia turned her back to Sarah, her hair a mixture of silver and purple crystal.

Then when her back was turned.

“—- what do you think would have happened if you had made it to the preliminary rounds, Licia?”

Licia stopped when she heard the voice and looked up at the sky.

After taking in the view of the sunset as the night began to encroach on its edges, she turned around with a somewhat mischievous smile on her face,

“You idiot. You wouldn’t understand if I told you something hypothetical here.”

Licia walked away with those words, and this time Sarah didn’t utter a word.

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

On the way back to the committee members’ room, Radius spoke to Ren, who was walking next to him.

“As I thought, the screening for the martial arts competition was the center of attention.”

“Yes. The representatives have finally been chosen and I am sure that those four will win the main competition as well.”

“I agree. Kaito Leonard, in particular, is tremendous both offensively and defensively. In terms of technical brilliance, Sarah Riohard and her team are probably the best, but I don’t think the Leonard family’s skills are yet to be broken.”

Unlike other schools of swordsmanship, the Leonard family has a fighting style that uses a huge shield that has been handed down from generation to generation.

“It’s almost time to finish up the work here, so let’s do our best.”

“Oh, about that…”

As soon as they began to walk, Radius reminded Ren of the situation.

“The current remaining paperwork is for me and Mirei to take back to the castle. So, you and the others should please get your strength up for tomorrow and the rest of the day’s work.”

“Huh? Then wouldn’t it be better if we all did it together?”

“I have a favor to ask of you instead. I apologize for the urgency.”

Whenever Radius asked for a favor on short notice, it was usually when he had something important to say or an errand to run.

He put his hand on Len’s shoulder and leaned in close.

“Why don’t you invite Ulysses to join us for dinner at Arnea?”

“Dinner at the Arne Verde Trading Company’s prized inn?”

“How’s that sound?”

It was clear that this was something that needed to be said in a formal way.

The fact that he had heard him in this way was proof of that.

“I’m honored to be invited.”

Understanding Radius’s intention, Ren nodded without hesitation.

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

Ren, Radius, and Ulysses were all present at the meeting, which was held in a restaurant on the top floor of Arnea.

After exchanging light greetings, Radius asked them to enjoy the meal first.

The meal that was brought to them was a gourmet meal prepared by the chef here at Arnea. Even Ulysses, who had enjoyed many gourmet meals before, was impressed by the food, and the three of them filled their bellies.

Soon, Ren and Ulysses both changed their minds that it was about time—-.

Radius said, “I want to show you something,” and passed a few bound documents in front of them.

“Let me apologize first.”

Estelle, the pride of the lion’s sanctuary, was entrusted with a secret mission and what did he have her do on the Martell continent? Radius apologized for taking so long to tell the two of them everything, including what information she had brought back.

“Originally, I should have shared it with you sooner. But because of the nature of the matter and the secret order to Estelle, I had to be prepared.”

“You had given some secret orders, didn’t you?”

“As expected of Ulysses, you knew.”

“Of course I did! I, Ulysses, understand His Highness Radius very well!”

Ulysses said ostentatiously and pleasantly.

He immediately turned to Ren and said, “You knew it too, didn’t you?” He laughed.

“I thought there might be something there, but that’s about it.”

“Fufu… then I guess that’s enough.”

With that out of the way, the two looked over the documents.

The information on the documents are about the head of the demon king’s cult that Estelle reported to Radius earlier, and the information that there are two high ranking officials under the head of that man.

First, let’s talk about the head of the cult.

“He is the true ancestor of the vampires who were entrusted by the Demon King with the Serakia region, the most magical region on the Demon Continent.”

His name is Medario. There is no family name.

There are several pieces of information that remain in the legend, but his appearance is not certain.

Although there is no record of any battles of him against the Seven Heroes, the fact that they raged around the world is so well documented in the histories of every country.

“There is certainly a record of such a man in the demon king’s entourage. What do you think, Your Highness Radius? Are you certain that the man was alive?”

“Yes, I am sure. From now on, we need to take such information into consideration.”

“Even if we catch him in the act with the Demon cult, will he end up like former Bishop Lenidas?”

“Yes, he will probably wilt and die like that man. But we can’t afford to do nothing.”

Former Bishop Lenidas, who attacked the Grand Clock Tower, didn’t make it past that summer.

Even after his capture, he had been thoroughly nourished so that he wouldn’t die, and he had been kept in an environment that could not be called poor, but he died as if he were a balloon with a hole in it that had deflated.

It was as if the mark of the demon cult had taken away Lenidas’s power.

“Let me return to the story. The name of the church leader is thought to be Medario. If I’m not actually mistaken, —-“

“You mean that the head of the church calls himself Medario?”

“It would seem so. But I don’t think the chief of those who are plotting the Demon King’s resurrection would deceive the Demon King’s entourage.”

“Well….. even just an entourage with no record of death. It would be the height of folly to deceive. Otherwise, we would not know if their purpose of resurrecting the Demon King is true or not.”

“It means that we must be on our guard. It would not be a loss for us if we were to assume that the mastermind of the enemy is the true ancestor of the vampires, Medario.”

Ren then raised a question.

He had never heard of Medario before.

“Is there any information on Medario left in books?”

“There should be, but there aren’t that many.”

Then Ulysses looked at Ren,

“Why do you think there is so little information? There’s a reason for that.”

“Besides the fact that he hasn’t fought any of the Seven Heroes?”

“Yes, that’s right. There is a definite reason.”

Ren chuckles and says he would hate for this to be the reason.

“Because anyone who saw him basically lost their lives?”

“Yes, Medario was incredibly powerful. The Demon King’s army led by him destroyed so many countries that there are no records left behind.”

“I’m sharing the information with the two of you before telling the other nobles. From now on, don’t forget about the Demon cult leader Medario and his two subordinates, who are the two most senior officers of the Demon King’s cult.”

It’s easy to say, but it’s also easy to talk about what more we can do.

Ren was told he could take the materials home with him, so he tucked them away in his pocket.

It was decided that Ren would tell Lessard, who could not be present.

“I really wanted to call him today, but lately he’s been a lot busier than I am. I was sorry to call on him.”

“It seems he’s been calling out to me a lot since he became Viscount.”

“In that case! The merchants of Eupheim, my domain, also want to have a connection with Viscount Clausel, who is the talk of the town right now.”

It’s a story that makes Ren proud.

The development of Clausel will lead to the development of his own village, which will bring him closer to realizing the goals he had when he was in Clausel. As much as he would like to see that happen in the future, today’s topic of discussion, the existence of the demon cult, is more alien to him than anything else.

“Radius, is that all you have to say today?”

“That’s all from me, Ulysses, is there anything else?”

“Well then, I’ll take this opportunity.”

The main topic that brought the three of them together today is over, so the rest of them can relax.

The atmosphere between the three of them had softened somewhat, and they had regained their normal mood.

“Edgar apologized for not being able to see you two practice your swordsmanship due to his recent busy schedule.”

“I really don’t mind. But that’s not all you have to tell me, is it?”

Ulysses had gone out of his way to start the conversation, so there was no doubt about it.

Ren thought back to the early spring contact he had received from Ulysses.

“Of course. The main topic of conversation is about the Festival of the Lion King.”

“You said you wanted my time.”

“Yes, that’s right. Did you know that during the Festival of the Lion King, there will be guests from abroad?”

“I haven’t heard the details, but I think I have a rough idea.”

As I recall, nobles and royalty from other countries sometimes visit.

“This year we have a lot of guests coming from the sky continent and many other countries. The descendants of the Seven Heroes will also be participating in the festival, and this year’s event is expected to be more crowded than the other events ever before. That’s the reason.”

It had something to do with the fact that Ulysses the strong arm wanted Ren’s time.

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