We quickly exchanged brief greetings and then got straight to the report.

After all, we’ve known each other for quite a while now, so there’s no need for long introductions every time.

We’re comfortable with each other.

So, we decided to talk in the room Alec uses on the second floor.

It was my first time entering here… but it’s quite a nice room.

There are only two rooms on the second floor, and the layout is apparently the same for both.

The size is about the same as Seriana’s office, I think?

There isn’t a separate bedroom, but there’s also a kitchen, so you could probably live here just fine.

That said, the kind of people who stay here would probably be those who bring servants with them; they likely wouldn’t be doing anything themselves… but still, they’ve prepared this kind of room in multiple buildings.

Well, other places are other places!

So, we moved to the sofa and started talking.

“Apparently, quite a lot happened in the capital while we were away. I heard from the head of the Müller family in the royal capital. The details weren’t recorded, so I only know the outline…”

“That’s right. We were prepared in advance, but… Sera, how was it?”

“Yeah. Um…”

I nodded to the two who were urging me to continue and began to speak.

As I spoke, I was also watching their reactions… It seemed the two of them were somewhat informed about the Riana territory incident.

However, as Zighart said, the information was only what could be released outside Riana—basically, it was just that some trouble had occurred in the church district of the capital.

They had heard about undead being in the church district for some time and were involved in discussions on how to handle the situation when it happened, so they could roughly guess what went on.

Because of that, when I moved on to the real subject—the underground issue—they were pretty surprised.

I mean, who would think that such a serious passageway was built underground? And decades ago…

Anyway, I told them the trouble in the church district involving the undead, as well as the capture of rebel forces in the capital, had been resolved, and the crisis in the Riana territory was over.

For more details, it’d be better to return to the capital and have Teresa and Fiora explain everything along with the documents.

◇

“So, that’s about it?”

After finishing, I looked at the two again, but they seemed to have something on their minds and started talking to each other.

Their expressions were no longer light but serious.

“I see… What do you think, Alec?”

“Well…”

He nodded, saying something meaningful.

“Is something wrong?”

“Ah… Actually, I didn’t see any members of the Divine Kingdom on the battlefield, nor did they intervene after returning to the royal capital. They’re pretending they’re not involved in this fight, but that’s how it’s been in past wars too. Meanwhile, soldiers from the Empire and the Allied Nations, who also claim no involvement, didn’t join the fight but camped near the battlefield.”

“We thought maybe they stayed quiet because they knew something would happen in Riana… but from what you’ve said, it seems the Divine Kingdom wanted to keep its distance from the East from the start.”

He gave a wry smile.

“Maybe. I heard from the count earlier that fewer people have been visiting the church district in this city too, and it’s having an impact.”

The Empire and Allied Nations, major powers in the West, sent people to gather intel about the battlefield, but the Divine Kingdom didn’t.

And hearing about Zelkis and the royal capital… Whether the Riana matter goes well or not, they probably never intended to get involved with the East for the time being.

“Well… maybe the Riana matter is settled? You can hear the details after we get back. But how was the war? I heard we didn’t have any casualties…”

For Alec and the others, maybe it wasn’t that simple, but for me, the Riana issue was already over.

What concerned me more was the war.

Of course, like the Riana matter, there might be things they can’t talk about here, but maybe I can ask for a simple summary.

Saying that, I leaned forward and put my hands on the table.

“Well, that’s fine, but at least let me make some tea first.”

Zighart laughed at me, stood up, and headed to the kitchen.

“…Hmm.”

He has a variety of tea collections at his home in Riana, but I wonder if he brews tea himself even when out.

“As you said, we can’t talk about everything here, but it’s not something that can be summed up in a word… What about you? What will you do today?”

Alec smiled as he spoke to me.

Judging by how used Alec is to Zighart brewing tea, it seems Zighart has been making tea the whole time since leaving Riana?

“Hm? Ah, after finishing the talks, I’ll go to Lady Minea’s place before heading home.”

“I see. Then you’d better keep it brief.”

Alec closed his eyes, as if organizing what to say next.

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

Sera ・Blessing・【Hideout】+1【Prayer】【Mira’s Blessing】【Water’s Garment】

Blessed Item・【Floating Orb】+1【Shadow Sword】+1【Scarlet Bee Needle】【Fairy’s Eye】【Dragon’s Lung】【Amber Sword】【Danrem’s Thread】【Serpent’s Tail】【Ankle Bracelet】【Amber Shield】【Purple Wings】【Red Sword】【Monkey’s Arm】・8 cards

Seriana・【Area Detection】・【】・0 cards

Elena・【】・【Green Fang】【Amber Sword】・4 cards

Alec・【Strong Strike】・【Red Shield】【Fierce Horned Trumpet】・10 cards