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And the days pass by without incident.

You can't even touch the ”bracelet” - time passes.

There are a lot of different ideas involved, but honestly, there's not much I can do.

I think the only thing I can do now is to concentrate on the dance competition.

Rustyala hasn't contacted me since I promised him a duel.

Although the Diablo Sith had quite an obsession with me, it seems that Palinkron is the one he wants at the moment. Even after Palinkron fled the country, he never appeared in my presence.

Snow isn't interested in memories, and Mr. Rayle is so thorough in his 'dealings' that he inevitably received no new information about his memories.

If that's the case, all I can do now is to wait for Rowen to resolve her 'unresolved' issues without caution.

I've been training with Rowen.

It's not a bad idea to raise your level. It will lead to various countermeasures, and if my MP increases, it will also solve the problem of the Reaper. In short, it's a good story if my natural recovery rate is higher than the magic power the Reapers absorb.

And the more I trained, the weaker Rowen's power became.

Although he's saying with his mouth that he wants glory, maybe his real 'unrealized desire' is different. At the very least, he was definitely affecting himself by leaving me a living testimony of his life.

I was worried that the effect would disappear before the 'Dancing Tournament' if I was not good enough.

His training with Rowen was basically against an affordable 31-tier monster.

The 31st layer was the best hunting ground to test out the ”Sword Technique” in a real battle and to accumulate experience.

Like the 29th layer, the ground is sandy, but the quality is the exact opposite.

It is just as hard as a playground and easier to fight in than the normal labyrinthine corridors.

The fact that many of the monsters that appear are humanoid is also just right for the ”Dancing Tournament”.

If you are able to pull off a move against the quick and hard 31-layered golems, you should have no problem pulling off a move in the ”Battle Royale”.

We found time to train in the vicinity of the 30th layer repeatedly.

Of course, we were not skipping guild activities.

We have a lot of work to do to contribute to Lauravia, while also completing requests from the country. If I have free time, Rowen and Reaper will also help me.

Other than that, in order to make the entire guild more efficient, I also introduced a large number of 'Hourglass' and 'Arithmetic' that I had ordered from Alibers-san. However, that attempt has ended in failure. If there is no underlying culture, it doesn't seem to penetrate well. I also tried fixing the organization's communication methods and introducing a system of division of labor, for example.

I tried many things, failing and succeeding.

The ratio was about 50-50, but the management of ...... ”Epic Seeker” became more efficient little by little. Even though I'm a novice, it's only natural that I'm able to absorb a whole lot of ideas from a completely different culture.

Perhaps it was worth it, as the Epic Seeker made great strides and made its name known in Lauravia.

Inevitably, my face was sold, and many people greeted me when I walked down the street.

Children running around, market traders, guards making the rounds, and the citizens of Lauravia all smile at me.

Lately, ”Epic Seeker” has been well received by the citizens of the city, as he has been doing a lot of security work in the city. It was originally a job choice based on my magical affinity, but it seems to have gained traction as a result.

Rowen, who works with me in action, often squints at me as I watch him.

It was as if she was looking at something dazzling, a look of longing. It seems as if the casual happiness of the people living in this city is one of the things Rowen has been pursuing.

I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one.

The ”glory” Rowen refers to includes my current state.

I'm a little dismayed at the shallowness and lack of restraint of his greed.

If dozens of people surrounded Rowen and clapped for her, she would disappear.

I felt the shallowness of desire was not worthy of his arm, but I also thought that was a good thing about him.

However, he invited the Reaper to join him and said, ”I'll make a guild too. Reaper, dude, why don't you try being a submaster? I was in a hurry when he started to say, ”I'm sorry. Reaper said, ”Rowen, are you nuts? If I hadn't been able to coldly push him away, he might have created a new guild in Lauravia.

After that, Rowen didn't use the guild to acquire 'glory', but rather began to work hard to acquire it by touting himself as my master.

However, it's not a good point, and people don't know that me and Rowen are mentors and students.

But every once in a while, I see Rowen being called ”Shishou” by the neighborhood kids. I'd like to believe that it's just my imagination that Rowen's magic is diminishing. ......

Rowen seems happiest when he's dealing with children.

I wonder if he realizes that himself: .......

And the day of the ”Dancing Tournament” that will fix everything is getting closer and closer.

I'm sure you'll be able to find out what's going on in the world, and I'm sure you'll be able to find out what's going on in the world.

It's not addressed to Epic Seeker, but to an individual guildmaster.

It was an invitation to the Lauravian Ball.

It's different from the ”Dance Tournament” of the ”Ichinotsuki United Kingdom General Knight's Seed Ball”, it's a pure ”Ball” as a social gathering.

I'm sure you'll be able to find a great deal of information on the subject, but I'm not going to tell you what to do.

I'm not going to be able to turn it down because of my own personal decision, so it was a no-brainer to participate.

It was my personal decision to attend. ◆◆◆◆◆

I dress in my unfamiliar and expensive clothes and talk about the Ball with the usual members of the 'Epic Seeker' office.

I pluck the hem of my tight costume and sigh.

''Huh, a ball, huh ......?''

As for me, I'm envious. It's only when you're invited to a place like that that that you prove your 'glory'.

Rowen sat in the window of his office, frustrated that he couldn't join in.

'It's just depressing. Apparently, my participation in this event was due to my interest in the Lauravian royalty and ......

'That's what I envy about catching the eye of royalty and all that: ....... Well, I can't keep up, but there's Mr. Snow, who is used to it. If you need anything, you can count on him.

I will.

It was a little easier since Snow was going to accompany him.

She's a young lady from a good family, so it seems she's often invited to these kinds of occasions.

So, it's just me and Rowen. It's a good idea to have a good time with them.

The Reaper, floating near the heavens in the Oval Office, makes me uneasy by saying things.

In response, Rowen frowns.

'Not again, my dear. I'm doing this because you asked me to. You try anything and I'll kick you out of the party.

...... ”Let's see, were Reaper and Rowen the final qualifier for the 'dance competition'?

I check.

Within the past few days, Rowen had gone through the qualifying rounds of the 'Dancing Tournament'. Naturally, she has remained in the final qualifying round without any danger.

However, the only thing I'm worried about is the fact that a Reaper is in Rowen's party.

Apparently, the Reaper will be going out to the 'Dancing Tournament' with Rowen. She says she wants to stay close to Rowen because she doesn't want him to die in some kind of accident, but I don't know the truth of that.

''Oh, I'll take it lightly. I'll take care of the Reapers, so don't worry about Kanami, just do your job.

I think they're going to take the Reaper with them to the final round, is that okay?

'The Reaper won't have a problem with those fierce guys. I don't think he'll even get hurt. And if the Reaper is about to get hurt, I'm going to step in between them.

'No, I'm worried about the other participants: ......

'Oh, yeah. That way or ....... Don't worry about that one either. If the Reaper is about to go too far, I'll step in between then, too.

Over the past few days, I feel that Rowen's indulgence of the Reapers has accelerated.

No longer will Rowen see the Reaper as a 'reaper' or a 'curse'. His peaceful life on earth is changing his perception, for better or worse.

'...... It's time to leave. Let's go, Kanami.

Before I knew it, Snow was standing in front of the door to his office.

She was dressed similarly to the way she was dressed when she was called to the Siddharth House.

This time the bell-line dress was beige. The dainty figure with her hair tied up reaffirms that Snow is a noblewoman. The white skin peeking out from underneath the nape of her neck conveys purity, and the long gloves on her hands convey a sense of elegance.

''Ah, here you are. I'm fine over here.

...... It's not okay. Close your collar properly.

Snow puts his hand on my neck and closes the collar.

I thought I closed it tighter than I should have, but from Snow's point of view, it wasn't quite there yet.

'Thank you.'

.......

Snow nodded lightly in response to my thanks and led me outside.

In conjunction with that, Rowen and the Reapers headed to the final qualifying venue.

In front of the Epic Seeker's headquarters, a large carriage - or something like that - was waiting for them. It was slightly different in construction from the carriage in my world. First of all, the animals pulling the carriage are different from horses. The construction of the wheels is also unique, and the technology unique to this world seems to have been used.

'Miss Snow: ......, go here: ......'

An old chamberlain comes out from inside and bows reverently.

He is probably an attendant of the Walker family. It seems that they will be riding in this carriage to the castle of Lauravian, where the ball will be held.

We are instructed by the chamberlain to get into the carriage and head into the heart of Lauravia.

The interior is richly decorated, and at a glance, one can see the owner's family background.

The reason why the Walker family is called the ”Four Great Aristocrats” on this continent can be seen from the gleaming decoration of this carriage.

I passed the time on the road by analyzing the construction and materials of the carriage.

But all the while, I noticed that the entire Walker household was staring at me.

Perhaps it was unusual for a young guild master.

By the time I remembered everything about the carriage's construction, I had reached the castle of Lauravia.

There were many castles in Lauravia with names, and this was one of them.

Today, even the royalty comes out here. Because of this, the security of the castle is also very pompous.

We repeatedly check our identities and pass by multiple layers of guards. Then we reach the castle yard and are dropped off.

Then, have a good day. Lady Snow, Lady Aikawa.

The chamberlain reverently bows and sends us off.

Apparently, they won't be chaperoning us.

'Let's go ...... Kanami,'

After Snow works on his chamberlain, he walks to the castle.

I decide to do as Snow says and get by today. I nod and walk behind Snow.

We pass a huge garden that resembles a botanical garden, pass through a huge door that could hold an elephant, and head into the hall where the ball is being held.

Just before entering the great hall, Snow reassures me.

'...... I don't expect Kanami to have the civility of this world, so just be quiet. It's okay if you smile and misrepresent yourself for the most part. If I just tell you my name, back off immediately.

Yeah, okay.

I nodded divinely.

Snow saw it and nodded back, opening the door to the Great Hall.

And the glittering world that spread out.

The ceiling was made unusually high, with countless chandeliers hanging in shining white and silver. I could tell it was a concert hall of sorts by the musicians holding their instruments at the back. The sides of the room are covered with huge windowpanes, all of them elaborately designed and decorated. All of them are elaborately designed and add to the value of the space.

It is just like the ballroom in the story. It is a space for the aristocracy itself.

I am slightly relieved that it is just as I imagined.

What I'm wary of is something completely unpredictable.

It's better to be reassured by a situation that can't be predicted or dealt with than one that can't be predicted or dealt with, but one that is predictable.

As Snow and I entered the Great Hall, the eyes of the people who had been chatting and waiting inside turned slightly toward us.

And a few of them walked over to us.

Snow moves to a corner of the space and welcomes them with a fake smile.

Her fake smile is perfect. That's where you can see the depth of her experience.

While one man is talking to Snow, the rest of the people wait behind him. Maybe he was going to talk to them in turn.

'It's been a long time, Master Snow Walker. A lot of people have been worried about you lately, since you've rarely shown up in these places, haven't you?

'It's been a while. I have been working on my studies at Eltralieu College and just didn't get a chance to join you. I'm sorry if this has caused you any concern.

After a reverent bow, the man spoke to Snow in a friendly manner.

Friendly, but with a civility that must have been meticulously calculated and precise.

You could tell by the man's breath and heart rate.

'No, it is a great relief to see Lady Snow Walker in good health. I can't blame you if it's for your studies. However, if you are the son of that Walker family, you would have excelled at the Academy. May I ask what the academy is all about?

Yes, of course.

The man is under terrible strain, forcing an air of familiarity.

From this, one can detect the intentions of the Walker family to be in awe of the Walker family and yet somehow want to get involved.

Before long, such emotional subtleties could be understood by 《Dimension》. Lately, I've been practicing with Rowen too many times, so it seems that the Dimension is becoming too sensitive.

In normal times, I need to control it a bit more.

It's like I'm always using a lie detector.

I watch the man's conversation with Snow from behind.

I'm not sure if I'll ever be able to find out if he's a good friend of the Walker family. His banal conversation is casually interspersed with talk of his business dealings with the Walker family, and he tries to take advantage of any opportunity to take the words of a profitable business meeting.

He will memorize the conversation for later study.

Then, when the topic of everyday conversation has been exhausted, the man's eyes turn to me.

'--and how are you doing over there?　It's rare that someone as good as Lady Snow Walker has a bodyguard in tow.

The man seemed to have mistaken me for a knight of the guard.

I took care of my appearance accordingly, but it seems I wasn't yet good enough to be seen as the head of an organization.

Using unconfident language, I introduce myself briefly.

''I'm Aikawa Uzumi. I work for the Lauravian nation in the guild 'Epic Seeker'. Let's see, from now on, please get acquainted.

'Ooh, what a ......!　Please excuse me. I'm sorry I'm late. I am Connor Tarua, master of the House of Tarua. But an 'Epic Seeker' is just the word for the--

''Yes, he's the guildmaster of the Lauravian direct guild, Epic Seeker.

Snow interjects from the side, emphasizing that I'm a Guildmaster.

'Oh, I knew it!　Was it the rumored 'hero' lord!

What, 'Heroes' ......?

Hearing the man's words, I slightly crack a smile.

Before I knew it, my reputation on the street has become a horrible thing.

''I have heard rumors about you for some time. Aikawa Kanami-sama was recognized by the head of the Legacy family, Palinkulong Legacey-dono, for his talent and became the guild master of the Epic Seeker.

'Oh, yes ......'

I back away from the man who suddenly starts talking with great energy.

But Snow, next to me, is smiling and telling me to listen. I keep a fake smile on my face and listen to the man's long story.

He goes on and on about how the guild, Epic Seeker, is doing and praises my work at every turn. He's obviously trying to coax me into some kind of business meeting (or words).

I try to be vague in my replies, and at times I watch Snow's face and respond carefully.

Then, when we had run out of guild talk, the man took my hand in his.

I can feel the hard metal texture from my palm.

I understand that I was made to hold a gold coin in 《Dimension》.

''This is a sincere gesture from our merchant family to the 'Epic Seeker'. As fellow supporters of Lauravia, we wish you all the best in your endeavors.

No, no, no, no. Take it--

I try to say no as soon as I can, but...

Take it, Kanami. Or you'll be in the corner.

Snow's admonition interrupts it.

By the way, the voice comes from the earring in my left ear.

I've worn the one with the magic stone so that I can get Snow's advice at any time. With this, her words can be conveyed to me even in a whisper.

''U, let's receive it. Because of the sincerity from the Tarua merchant family, the guild 'Epic Seeker' will be able to continue to make great strides in Lauravia. Thank you for your kindness.

I loosened my face to the limit and showed the man my gratitude.

The man nodded in satisfaction and left.

Now I had an obligation to that man. And that too, in just one encounter, to someone I didn't even like much. The horror of it all sends a chill down my spine.

Before the next person approaches us, I hastily ask Snow.

'Snow, Snow ....... Is this going to go on forever ......?

...... of course. If you're a 'hero', this is an everyday occurrence.

I wouldn't want to make an in-law with those kinds of people if I could: ......

If you refuse to ...... it will create resentment, not just righteousness. If word gets out that you've been shunned by 'heroes', it's a terrible thing. I don't recommend it. ...... this is also your job, so be patient.

Is this your job?

”...... Sometimes just one greeting here can generate more than a thousand gold coins of profit. You can make a thousand connections just by making one acquaintance. A single contract can save a thousand lives on a particular battlefield. This is also a fine job to contribute to Lauravia.

I don't know much about economics, but I still understood what Snow was saying.

But even so, I was able to understand what Snow was saying at least vaguely.

Now that I understand, I have no choice but to remain silent.

In other words, the existence of a 'hero' would be in the national interest. That's why even a newcomer like me is being enshrined as a 'hero' - or rather, a golden tree.

I take the benefits I've obtained from a few minutes of conversation and ask Snow.

'I've never seen this gold coin before, is it expensive ......?'

”...... one grade higher than the gold coins circulating in the Confederacy. Sacred gold coins handled by the nobles of the continent. It's worth several gold coins here.

'Heh, heh: ......'

I roll the three sacred gold coins in my palm and my face twitches.

Probably, if it was at least the cost of Maria's treatment, which was my original goal, I would have achieved this alone. I know that the money wasn't intended for me personally, but even so, I break out in a cold sweat at this outrageous income.

For me, I don't need anything else as long as I have enough money to live happily with Maria. But before I know it, I'm worried that I've reached a point where I can't get it back.

And a new guest approaches Snow and me with a sticky smile.

In response, Snow and I are forced to give them a sticky smile.

I look at the line of people waiting at the back of the line, and my sticking smile gets stronger.