「But in that case, we have another problem….」


  Said Sahoko. Yup, we have a more problematic question now.

  「Come to think of it, Chiyuki-san. Do you think it’ll work on a powerful person who possesses all magic resistances? I mean Kuroki did have it. His magic resistance is extremely powerful」


  「Yup, it’s as you say, Nao-san. Whether it’s charm magic or ruling magic, it won’t work on someone who has high magic resistance. And then, from the fact that he can survive from my strongest magic should be proof that his magic resistance is extremely high」


  That’s why he wouldn’t be easily manipulated by magic.

  「Then, what method is the Demon King using to manipulate him?」


  I pondered hardly as I heard Rino’s question.

  「It shouldn’t be a normal method. For example, magic potion of love」


  「Magic potion of love? What the hell is that」


  Reiji asked a question.

  「The one you call as love potion. I accidentally discovered the description about that potion in one book inside the library, but it seems that not even god can resist the effect of such potion」


  「Then, do you mean that Kuroki is being manipulated with that magic potion?」


  I shake my head to answer Shiron’se question.

  「I don’t know about that. It’s not like it won’t eliminate other possible manipulation with other methods outside of those I described just now. We won’t be able to pinpoint anything no matter how long we discuss about this matter」


  Eventually, we hit the wall.

  In addition, there’s still the possibility that he isn’t being manipulated by magic.

  「It seems the method to release the one who is manipulated by magic also involves extremely delicate work. We need to do more investigation on this matter」


  I conclude our meeting with this declaration. In the end, we can’t conclude anything unless we investigate about what kind of situation he’s currently in. And unless we understand his situation, we can’t find a way to deal with him.

  「I think we should also tell Rena about this matter just in case, so she can help with our investigation. She should have more information about this matter….」


  In short, Rena who knew that Diehart was going to trim the horn of holy dragon king should have long since known that he was Shirone’s childhood friend. I’m sure that she might have her own way to know some information about Nargol. Could it be that she planted her mole in Nargol?

  But, something or another might have happened back in the Rox kingdom, thus Rena didn’t make her appearance lately. We couldn’t expect much from her.

  「Rena is… It seems something happened to her in Rox kingdom. Is she alright now?」


  Reiji is worried about Rena. The expression of several people in this room turned severe upon hearing that.

  I don’t know what happened. Also, there has been no explanation after her sudden withdrawal from the front lines. Everyone except for Reiji was angry at Rena.

  「Well, it seems we need to have Rena… To confess about various things」


  There were so many things that I wanted to ask her the next time we meet: about what happened in Rox Kingdom or the identity of that masked man. And then, the number of people summoned by the Demon King. Whether there’s another person summoned by someone else except the Demon King and Rena.

  Especially the fact if Rena knew about the Demon King could do the summoning, too.

  We’re in deep trouble if the Demon King decides to keep summoning more people.

  Thus, we decided to make a report to Rena about the one summoned by the Demon King. But since we couldn’t meet Rena, we had no choice but to relay our report via Nier. Thus, Nier would know about the one summoned by the Demon King.

  And then, I heard the story that the Demon King wouldn’t perform another summon due to the power of the king of gods, Oudith.

  When I asked why she didn’t tell us about such an important matter, it seemed that Nier was also not privy about such information.

  That’s why I need to hear proper explanation from Rena by meeting her.

  「But, it seems that Rena can’t meet us right now. I think we should just wait for her」


  Reiji is covering for Rena.

  The face of few people turned even more darker due to those words.

  Reiji dotes on Rena. I’m also slightly irritated by such a fact.

  「Hey, if Rena can’t make her move, let’s just go to Nargol by ourselves!」


  Shirone puts forth a startling suggestion.

  But, that’s an impossibility.

  「Shirone-san… That’s impossible. We have to breakthrough Nargol in order to search for him. Moreover, it’ll cause a war for sure. Do you want to fight him?」


  Nao is the only one amongst us who could sneak in secretly without being noticed, but it’s too dangerous for her to travel alone.

  「That’s a bit too much… But… But then, let’s go to the place near Nargol」


  「Well, if you’re not going to enter Nargol… But then, we might not be able to gain more accurate information」


  「Just a little information is enough as long as it’s someone who understand Kuroki」 [TL: ….]

  It seems Shirone couldn’t stand still without doing anything. Maybe she wanted to go there even if it’s just a bit closer.

  「Speaking of which, the closest place to Nargol should be the kingdom of Veros. How about we go there?」


  「Well, that place is surely the biggest kingdom within that area」


  「But then, it isn’t the closest kingdom to Nargol, though?」


  「Yeah, the closest one to Nargol is a kingdom called Algore. But, it is a country who caused trouble to us last time. I heard that a coup d’etat happened after we left, but I don’t know about the current situation of that kingdom」


  I reply to Rino question. Algore kingdom was trying to mess with us when we went there before. The soldiers of the king were taken down by Reiji. We don’t know what happened to that kingdom later since we left immediately to enter Nargol. I heard that a coup d’etat happened after we left.

  「Well, since I’m also worried about that kingdom, shall we take a look for a bit then?」


  Reiji also had his share of worry. He might be the last person to be concerned with the aftermath of Algore kingdom.

  「Come to think of it, the princess of Algore is quite a beauty, isn’t she?」


  Nao is saying so with a wide grin on her face.

  「WHAT THE! NAO!!」


  Reiji’s shouting in panic.

  「Rei-kun…」


  「Reiji-san…」


  Sahoko and Nao were pouting.

  「Wait a minute, Reiji-kun… You really are….」


  I had enough of this kind of attitude from him. I was sure that her name is Regena. Yup, she’s quite a beauty. Since we only stayed for a short time in Algore, there wasn’t enough time for Reiji’s evil claws to reach her.

  I forgot about her until Nao reminded us.

  After hearing about Regena, we couldn’t let Reiji travel to Algore.

  「Come to think of it, Chiyuki-sama, What had happened when you were in Saria?」


  Kaya’s words reminded me about it. I briefly told everyone about this matter before our meeting.

  「Yeah, I met the Vice President of Magic Association in Saria’s library」


  There were three Vice Presidents and one President in the Magic Association. The Magic Association’s branches are spread throughout the central continent and had more authority than the King in each region, and Tarabos is the Vice President of that Magic Association. And that person said that he wanted to meet Reiji.

  I heard that Tarabos was responsible as the advisor of many kingdoms. It seemed that he’s facing quite a lot of trouble in one of those advisor jobs to the point that he needed the help of the hero and also borrow his power, if possible.

  That’s the content of my report.

  「But he wants to meet Reiji within a few days if possible. In my opinion, we should go meet him, how about you guys?」


  I didn’t know what should I do since I thought that the matter of Shirone’s childhood friend was also important. I really wanted more information. Thus, we had no choice but to wait for Rena’s recovery to get more information about Nargol.

  That’s why I’m considering to go to the Magic Association first.

  Though there’s no specific date and time for Tarabos’s request, it might not be a good thing to reply too late. The faster we meet him, the better his impression toward us would be.

  And our field of activity would expand even further as long as we could have a good relationship with the Magic Association.

  We were summoned by Rena in the eastern part of the continent where her influence was deeply rooted, and we gained free access to the kingdoms in eastern parts of the continent which came along with favorable treatment, too.

  But, it seemed that our influence wasn’t that widespread in the western part of the continent. it’s very much possible for us to not be allowed to enter a kingdom.

  Thus, there’s nothing better than building a good relationship with the Magic Association which has strong influence in the whole continent. There’s no need for us to go to the western part of the continent for now, but better safe than sorry.

  「Even so, going to Algore is….」


  「I’m okay with going to Algore by myself. It’s my selfish idea after all. That’s why everyone else can go to Saria」


  Shirone interrupts when Reiji is mentioning about going to Algore.

  Magic Association was basically dominated by men since there were many male magicians who had elven blood from their mother flowing inside their veins. That’s why he didn’t want to go. And then, there’s princess Regena in Algore. When comparing Regena, a young princess with Tarabos, a middle aged man, it was obvious which one Reiji would choose,

  So, it’s not like Reiji was going to Algore for Shirone’s sake. But still, good job, Shirone.

  「Well then, Reiji-kun will come with us to Saria. Sorry, Shirone-san」


  「Uhn. Don’t mind it」


  Shirone replied cheerfully. But, there’s a slight gloom within her cheerful face. She might be worrying about the safety of her childhood friend.

  It was an extremely cruel story if it turned out that the Demon King was manipulating her childhood friend with the magic potion of love.

  Even so, to think that the Demon King would use such a method to manipulate someone he just summoned and had yet to understand the situation with such drug.

  That might have been us if we were summoned by that ugly Demon King. Fortunately, we were summoned by Rena.

  There’s no way a goddess like Rena will use such cowardly methods to manipulate us with such drug. [TL: ….]

  I was burning with wrath toward that cowardly Demon King.

  … … ….

  ◆Goddess of Wisdom and Victory, Rena

  I returned to my abode in Elios.

  When I reminisce about it, I felt that someone just called my name in the human country called Lenaria.

  Someone might be talking about me.

  Well, it might be Reiji and his harem. They’re surely talking about my beautiful heart.

  Though Chiyuki seemed to want to meet me when I was asleep, I sent Nier to deal with her. I wasn’t in the right mental state for a discussion at that time.

  But, I’ve calmed down right now. I didn’t want to meet Chiyuki. But still, I’m going to meet her sooner or later anyway.

  What should I tell her at that time, I wonder.

  Though I was not going to let them attack Nargol before, now it’s different. Reiji-tachi who injured him might attack Nargol at any time now.

  I look at the little portrait in my hand.

  Drawn on that portrait was the figure of a young man.

  「Kuroki….」


  I heaved a sigh in seeing the young man in that portrait.

  I could only dream about him in these days. This was the dream of Kuna.

  Kuroki created a new goddess called Kuna but upon her creation, I no longer dreamed of Mona.

  I don’t know the reason why I became the receiving side, it might have something to do with me being the original.

  But, this was a happy miscalculation. Now, I didn’t have to see that ugly Modes inside my dreams anymore.

  Instead, I’m seeing nothing but Kuroki right now. If it’s Kuroki, I’m willing to see him no matter how many times it is inside my dream. For that reason, sleeping has become an enjoyable activity in these days.

  I don’t care about Modes anymore. That’s why I have no need for Reiji-tachi anymore, too.

  「Ufufufufu」


  I unintentionally let out a smile.

  「Uhm…. Rena-sama」


  Someone was calling my name from behind. I hide the portrait in my hand in a hurry.

  「NI! NIER!! WHEN DID YOU COME!?」


  The one standing behind me was the female angel subordinate of mine, Nier.

  「Uhm…. Since there was no reply from inside no matter how many times I knocked the door… So I….」


  Nier was saying so in an awkward manner.

  「O-Oh my, s-so that’s the c-case! Sorry Nier!! Then, I wonder what’s the matter」


  I’m panicking right now. She did not look at the person in the portrait, right?

  「I came to notify you since it’s almost the time to meet Oudith-sama, but then….」


  「Ah, it’s time, huh…. I’ll go right away」


  What’s the matter about, I wonder? Well, I guess I’d know about it once I go there.

  「Well then, I’ll excuse myself」


  Nier leaves my room after informing about the situation.

  I couldn’t leave my room even if I want to.

  I put on my underwear and then prepared to leave.