Eh, do I have to answer?
Oh, this is also a test.
Today is test day.
I won't make a mistake this time.
"Wonderful... I think, in various places, but I love Sylphy the most."
"Really? Sorry to be an eyesore."
Ariel giggles and Sylphy lets out [What are you saying...] with her face glowing red.
Luke can only shrug.
Is it because of the success in convincing Perugius? The mood is rather relaxed.
"Please sit."
She puts on a serious face and offers me a seat.
I oblige.
"It's all thanks to Rudeus-sama that we can move forward."
"No, I didn't do much."
"No need to be modest. Wasn't it just as Rudeus-sama said? The answer was within me."
It ended well.
This might also be fate, but...
According to the diary, without Derrick here, Ariel would not be able to convince Perugius.
With my help, Ariel found the answer with her own strength.
I think so.
I think it turned out well.
"However, the next step. Perugius-sama said to head immediately back to the palace and prepare the venue. I plan to follow his instructions and head back to Asura palace."
"Prepare the venue?"
"In the literal sense."
I don't understand it in the literal sense, though.
Oh, let me think about this.
If I read between the lines, this means Perugius does not plan to travel with us to Asura Kingdom.
So, Ariel heads back first and prepares a place suitable for Perugius's arrival.
For example, a party venue where many nobles will gather.
Get that ready for him, and call for Perugius.
And Perugius and the Twelve Familiars will arrive with much fanfare.
All the nobles will scream [OMG, it's Perugius] and pant while prostrating themselves before him.
Something like that?
"... Well, what's the hurry? Shouldn't we take more time to get ready?"
"That can't be done. I already received word of my father's illness."
Ariel looks surprisingly composed while announcing such a serious news.
Well, I expected the news to come later, but Ariel already received the news?
If so, that reduces the chance that Luke is apostle of Hitogami.
Because it's less likely that he heard it from Hitogami.
Well, the possibility exists that Hitogami told Luke, and Luke in turn told Ariel?
Hold on.
Then it's also possible for Ariel to hear this directly from Hitogami?
Ariel might be an apostle of Hitogami.
It's checkmate for us if Ariel is an apostle.
Maybe Orsted got the timing wrong.
Regardless, I should consult Orsted about the possibility of Ariel as an apostle.
"Looking at Rudeus-sama's reaction, you already knew."
"Ah?"
"Or maybe, now that you're an subordinate of the Dragon God, even the illness of Asura's King doesn't bother you."
"That's because... after seeing Luke-senpai abruptly requesting my aid and Ariel-sama in such a hurry, I had a premonition about the situation."
I tried saying that.
Ariel looks convinced, nodding her head.
Good enough.
"Since Rudeus-sama probably also expected it... Then, will fourteen, fifteen days to get ready suffice?"
Ariel only needs two weeks to get ready.
Pretty rushed.
Well, my diary doesn't have any exact dates recorded.
Maybe this was the right timing.
And Orsted got his timing wrong.
"Luckily, we can request Perugius-sama to prepare a magic teleportation circle for us, so our travel time might not be long, and we might have time to spare. But with my father ill, if I don't hurry back we might miss our timing. By the time I arrive, my brothers might have already solidified their position."
Sounds like the king will die from this illness.
Then, the successor will be christened.
If we drag our feet, Ariel might not get a chance to join the fight.
Even so, I also worry.
Orsted spoke of a troublesome character in Asura Kingdom.
Senior Minister Darius Silva Ganius.
According to Orsted, as long as he lives, Ariel's chances of victory remains slim.
That's why we need Darius's Achilles Heel, by getting in touch with Tris.
If Tris is here, we can take down Darius.
A mere Senior Minister of a country should be nothing when we have Perugius's backing.
That's what I think, but if that's the case, Orsted wouldn't need to point him out in particular.
With Perugius's support, we're evenly matched against the First Prince.
But if we get rid of Darius, we will have the advantage.
Victory comes to those who make the first move.
"Ariel-sama. About the magic teleport circles, how about we ask whether there's one by the borders of Asura Kingdom?"
"Eh, why?"
"As the princess of the kingdom, if you don't cross the border formally, wouldn't that raise a lot of questions? Moreover, teleportation magic is a forbidden technique. It would be obvious if we use it in the kingdom. I think, we are better off traveling by foot from the borders to the capital and showing your person to the public."
"I see, that does make sense."
Alright.
Well, then all I need is an excuse to make contact with Tris's organization.
I haven't thought about the details on how to make contact yet, but that shouldn't be hard.
When it comes to those organizations, money talks.
"I disagree."
The person that interrupted the conversation is Luke.
"His Highness is ill. We don't know what traps First and Second Prince will set for our route back. Magic teleportation circles may be forbidden. But as long as we're not seen, we can make up excuses."
"Right... that also makes sense."
"This wasn't like before. We'll have Rudeus-sama's support as well, so we're fine combat-wise. But according to rumors, the First Prince has hired North Emperor as mercenary. We should be safe once we reach the palace, but on the way we'll be in danger if attacked by North God Style assassins."
I can sense the fear in Luke's words.
"Being targeted... I'll pass..."