Seirei Gensouki's
Chapter 133: Discussion in the Underground Room pt2

And then, Christina praised Rio's manners.

「It's my honor to hear such inappropriate praise」

Rio bowed as he showed a sincere smile to her.

（He is an ordinary person. And then, benefactor Celia-sensei. …… . But, what does that have to do with sensei who is always locked in his laboratory. When he came home,？ Or another――）

Christina still doubted herself somewhere while looking at Rio as if trying to remember something.

「Hey, this has nothing to do with the situation but, how long has it been since you became an acquaintance of Celia-sensei?」

「Already close to 10 years now」

「Almost ..... 10 years"

Perhaps it was around the time he entered the Bertram royal academy, immature in many aspects, and yet receiving various praises from his surroundings, he said, she became too proud of herself and misunderstood herself— was what Christina thought.

An embarrassing past that had nothing to do with the current situation, yet he remembered about that past.

However, Christina closed the door of the memories hidden in the deepest part of her heart despite showing a complicated expression.

「Is there something on my face?」

Rio asked her because he could feel a slight change in his expression.

「........ No, not anything」

Christina slowly shook her head.

Although it would be a lie if he said that he was not worried about Haruto and Celia's relationship, now was not the time for him to stray from the main topic.

And, he decided to hold back his curiosity as he was unable to hurt Haruto's feelings by interfering in his personal affairs more than this.

「Come back to topic. Since the Galwark kingdom did not participate in this matter, I can assume that you saved Celia-sensei as an individual right？ 」

"Yes nih . As you said 」

Rio immediately agreed.

「Considering the security measures inside the castle, it may be hard to believe but ………. It seems I have no choice but to believe it since you managed to infiltrate this place. Although I feel uncomfortable about the method you use for it 」

Christina squinted her eyes as she said so.

「It will save a lot of trouble for me if I am allowed to keep my methods secret. Because it will put me in a wide variety of dangerous situations 」

Rio who nonchalantly rejected the indirect appeal of the disclosure of information from Christina looked straight into her eyes.

"……I understand . Well, I think it's okay. I won't ask any further because thanks Celia-sensei is here now 」

Christina sighed deeply after a few seconds of staring contest with Rio.

「I'm really obligated with your kindness」

Rio bowed to her to show her gratitude.

「But instead, may I have heard of the situation of Galwark kingdom recently？ I don't mind hearing it even though it's just a general situation」

「Of course. Correct . Well, have you heard the news of the invitation from Galwark kingdom to participate in the debut party of their hero, Satsuki Sumeragi who just finished a few days ago? 」

Rio decided to tell her the information about the party that night. Christina showed her interest in that information.

「No, this is the first time I heard it. Because there are information rules outside the castle. Did you attend the party？ 」

"Yes nih . The Bertram kingdom side that was opposing duke Albo also attended the party. Their current group name is 『Recovery』 」

Christina's eyebrows twitch at the name of the anti-Albo faction, 『Restoration』.

「Maybe the true leader『 Recovery 』is someone called Duke Euguno. Then, Flora is …………. 」

「She lives and kicks. I was also blessed by wealth to have a short conversation with Flora-sama. He is currently with the hero, Hiroaki Sakata-sama 」

Rio answered calmly the question posed by Christina timidly. After that, Christina let out a sigh of relief.

「Once, he's safe and sound. Glad to hear it"

Even though it was only short words, her lips slightly loosened and she sounded very happy when she said those words.

How much he loved his sister.

Christina was Rio's former classmate, but, they never had the chance to have a decent conversation like this in the past.

Although he did not know what kind of reaction he would show if he knew that he was currently talking to Rio, he was, he was quite surprised to find this unexpected soft side of him since he was at that time sharp and reserved.

「However, Flora-sama also summoned a hero below her right. Shigekura Rui, Sakata Hiroaki, Sumeragi Satsuki. With this, three heroes are confirmed. Saint Stellar Kingdom should also have a sacred stone but …………. . 」

"Yes nih . Saint Stellar Kingdom also summoned a hero. Her name is Takahisa Sendou-sama 」

Rio told Christina about the information regarding Takahisa.

"Maybe…………… . . The hero of Saint Stellar kingdom also attended the evening party？ 」

Christina's eyes opened wide as she received a shock in the news. Perhaps he found that it was unusual for a closed kingdom like Saint Stellar kingdom to appear at the evening party.

"Yes nih . Galwark kingdom, Bertram kingdom anti-government organization 『Recovery』, and Saint Stellar kingdom. Three of them who called each of their heroes decided to strengthen their relationship with the party that night 」

「It seems that the world is undergoing a great transformation while I am confined to the castle. In the current situation .... Especially the matter of the hero summoned under Flora is not good news for Duke Albo still ......... 」.

Christina showed a lethargic expression while saying those words.

「Both the opposing party of Restore』 and the current Bertram kingdom will continue to increase each of its influence from this point onwards. Galwark kingdom is also moving behind 『Recovery』. Now I can understand why duke Albo is looking for your noble one 」

When Rio said so, Celia who was secretly listening to their conversation suddenly started talking.

「But then, there's something else I'm worried about .........」

「What can?」

Christina glanced at Celia.

「With so many people looking for you and your esteemed place, you should have been captured by them right?」

Christina nodded at Celia's question.

"Maybe . The one who secretly brought us from the castle was the one suspected of rebellion, count Claire 」

「My dear father is the one who directed His Majesty to escape?」

「The person who drew up the plan was my father. All we can count among the current royal factions is to count Claire, her job is to send me to Flora's place. Although we managed to escape all the way to this place due to calculating Claire's cooperation, we were unable to move and locked in this basement in just a few days since our escape 」

「………. Now I understand the various situations that led to this situation. In short, this basement is also a completely safe place 」

Celia said that with a grim expression.

「Although some of the search squads currently living in this house vaguely noticed the existence of this secret room. It seems the count has also managed to fool them, but it is only a matter of time until they lose patience and conduct a thorough investigation of the thorough

Christina sighed deeply as she said so.

「………. . What are we going to do, Your Majesty？ Should we hide forever in this place？ 」

「I am also worried about what we should do」

Stay hidden in this place while hoping to never be found, or try to escape from this place while knowing about the risks.

Although everything would be fine for the former as long as the situation progressed as they wished, it was only if everything went according to what they wanted. They did not know how long their quest, their escape route was sealed if the search group found them, it was over for them.

On the other hand, although there was a very high possibility that they would be found during their initial escape, they would have more freedom once they could escape from it. If they can go on an undercover trip up to their destination, it might be a wiser move than waiting casually in this place.

Either way, the one who had to decide whether or not they would leave after weighing between the pros and cons was Christina.

"I saw………………"

Celia nodded while showing a slightly troubled face. Rio was watching silently on his side profile.

「If you think it was Celia-sensei, what did you do to your hair color？ I remember your hair color pure white」

Christina then asked that question as if she suddenly remembered about it.

「Ah, uhhm, this ……………. 」

Celia looked at Rio somewhat uneasily. When Rio nodded at her, she finally felt relieved.

「I changed my hair color with magic」 tool

「Can I request a supply line for this magic tool?」

Although she had already guessed from their conversation, Christina asked that question to be sure.

「It was made by me. Your honor"

Rio answered instead of Celia.

「Is the magic equation for changing hair color already widespread？ Because I have never seen a single one in Bertram kingdom for as long as I remember」

Although there were many magic similarities circulating in the Strahl region, it did not mean that everything was available to the general population.

Some of them are hidden by certain groups or certain people, some are even hidden from the public eye and never see the light of the day.

Magic that uses this magic equation is treated as a secret art and never leaks out easily.

Hence, its value rose to an unexpected level over time. During the 1000-year history of the Strahl region, wars between small kingdoms did occur over the secret arts.

「It sure is, right. At least it wasn't made with magic equations circulating in the general population. Definitely what they refer to as secret art 」

「........ Although it may sound rude to you, but can you lend 4 magic tools similar to ours？ Naturally it will not be free」

Christina stopped convoluted and went straight to the main point.

Magic tool to change their hair color―― That's probably the most desired item she wants because of their breakout status.

Since Christina's light purple hair and two Japanese black hair were quite rare even in Bertram kingdom, they must have stood out from the others as long as they left this place as they were.

The method to change hair color is not limited to magic alone.

But, dyeing their hair with regular paint can easily make the color on their hair and wigs also unsuitable to camouflage as it stands out in one way or another,

On the other hand, Celia in front of him looked so natural that she almost thought of that hair color as her natural hair color. Even their pursuers would not expect them to be able to change the color of their hair with such precision.

"Religion . It's not like I'm a stingy person if it only lends magic tools for a limited time, I'll lend you magic tools as long as you agree to some terms with magic contract 」

Rio showed his approval by presenting an unlimited condition.

He considers the matter of lending his magical tool to Christina as a negotiation card in preparation for when the worst case happens in the future.

He still has some backup as an emergency provision when he makes one for Miharu-tachi, so it won't take time.

Although he still had to explain the type of magic contract, it would be eliminated for now, he said,

"really that? "

Although she was worried about her condition, Christina smiled at the offer.

「Yes, let's leave the conditions for later. Please go back to the previous conversation as there are some things I want to hear 」

The condition to lend the magic tool is after they are done with the conversation―― So he thought while cutting the previous conversation.

「In this case, May I start first. Celia-sensei―― 」

Christina looked at Celia as she said so. Next words are—,

「Will you come with me to『 Recovery 』?」

As expected, it was a direct invitation to Celia.

Perhaps because she expected that, Celia did not seem to be bothered by it. But, he showed a very anxious face.

「………. Can I think about it before I give my answer？ 」

After a brief hestitation, Celia refrained from immediately answering. Despite not looking at her, it seemed like she was quite attentive about Rio sitting next to her.

On the other hand, Christina had a very fresh expression.

「Naturally. How about we stop today's discussion with this? Count Claire has to get down to this basement around tomorrow morning. I don't mind even if you give me an answer after speaking to count Claire 」

「Thank you very much for your consideration」

Celia bowed to Christina.