79 79. A certain reason.txt (1/2)

As soon as she returned to Val's home with her transfer magic, Meena opened her mouth.

'I feel that you have been especially kind to the Altmaier family. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work. Is he special after all?

'My mentor was the one who picked me up and raised me as an orphan, and Otto was my first friend. I'd say he's special in that sense. There were a number of people who knew who I was.

He admits honestly.

'I remember the former head of the Altmaier family treating me well, too.

Oh, I see.

Meena didn't say anything more.

As long as she knew that the Altmaier family was special to Val, that was all that mattered.

'And then?　The truth is, what's your assessment?　The current master.

Val switched the conversation off unexpectedly.

He knew best that Mina wasn't the kind of personality to tell everything honestly in that place.

''I'm sure you have enough power to call yourself the current Eight Divine Brilliance, but I'm not sure you're even close to be able to beat Sidonier.

Of course. It's why you retired.

Val was not surprised and accepted her true assessment.

Meena nodded, then nodded her head.

''When I first met Bal-sama, you were looking for a replacement for Yagami Akira. Why did your predecessors retire?　I'm sure there was some catalyst or reason for it.

That's the story.

He wondered if the day had finally come for him to speak.

There should have been an opportunity to ask before, but Meena hadn't asked.

She would have no problem confiding in him, but he couldn't bring himself to tell her.

'You can ask Claude. If he knows I told him to ask, he'll tell you.

...... I get it.

Meena wondered, but did not disobey.

'Well then, I'll leave you for today. ...... Would you like me to bring you dinner?

No, not today. I'll see you today.

Yes, sir.

As she uses her transference magic to disappear, Bal lets out a huff of air.

Meena visits Claude's home in the Imperial City.

Unlike when she goes to Bal's place, she uses her feet instead of transference magic to stand in front of the door and knock on it.

The female servant who opens the door freezes at the sight of her beauty, and after a few seconds she comes back to herself and asks

''Vi, Vi, Lady Vilhemina?　What can I do for you?

I need to talk to Claude.

The servant, feeling that he was being pressured by his eyes to call at once, went in a great hurry to call his master.

Claude came in less than a minute later.

It is also typical for him to be dressed in a neat light blue shirt and navy blue pants, a seamless outfit that looks like a gap, even though he should have been relaxing.

I'm sure you'll be able to find it. What do you want?

Master Val told me to ask you once.

To Claude, Meena says monotonously.