Roger had probably revealed himself to gain trust as a leader. However, by attracting attention, he also increased danger to his covert activities.

I can’t decide if he’s brave or just foolish.

Hades spoke while observing his friendly smile.

“Nothing in particular. I was seen being taken away by the Rave Empire army, so being accepted by the liberation army wasn’t that difficult.”

“But you’re obviously from the Rave Empire. Won’t you be isolated.”

“All we had to do was speak ill of the Dragon Emperor. They find it amusing because we have the same name.”

Roger laughed in amusement. But to begin with, Hades was already trusted to a certain extent because he was introduced by Roger. His connection with the Rave Empire allowed them to gather information, making him a valuable member of the liberation army. In fact, he was even popular among them. He was probably good at getting into people’s heart.

“Do you drink? How old are you, Tosi?”

Roger pulled out a chair at the same table and sat diagonally next to him, placing two bottles of ale down.

“Twenty years old. I’ll drink if I have to, but I prefer not to.”

“Well, I’ll take both bottles, then… In the first place, I wish we could stop the uprising at the military academy. The students are going to get involved no matter what.”

Hades looked down at the documents again.

“The uprising will happen after the preliminary match between the Blue Dragon Class and the Golden Dragon Class.”

“I see. They’re probably hoping to rile the residents with Prince Lutiya’s pubic defeated. The students will rise up and everyone will follow suit. How distasteful.”

“But we shouldn’t act in a way that exposes our investigation. Besides, if they’re just uprising and not attacking, I don’t think the home country will move in to suppress them right away.”

Roger rested his chin on his hand while shaking the bottle.

“Prime Minister Miner should’ve sent a report to the home country by now. I have no choice but to trust that he’ll coordinate everything well… But still, it’s a relief. At least you were in the home country until recently. It gives me hope to hear that.”

“But aren’t you also from the Rave Empire?”

Roger took a sip of his drink and laughed.

“So, you already figured that out. I haven’t gone back since I ran away to Leyca seven years ago. So, I don’t know anything about the Dragon Emperor or the current Rave royal family.”

“Despite that, you still believe in the Dragon Emperor and Dragon God.”

“Well, that’s because I was thoroughly taught to fear dragons as a child… If I had gone back before all of this happened, even for just a short bit of time, there might have been more I could do. However, for someone who abandoned his family…”

The issue seemed to be a difficult one for Roger. He shook the bottle of alcohol with a melancholic gaze.

“Right, from which family do you—whoa?!”

Suddenly, Roger reached out to pat his head. Hades didn’t react because there was no hostility, but after overcoming his brief shock, he glared ruthlessly at Roger.

“What were you trying to do just now?”

“Oh, sorry, don’t get angry. I had a big family, so I had a lot of older brothers, older sisters, younger brothers, and younger sisters. I even had a younger brother named Hades, so, you know…”

“I have an older brother, too, but he’s never been this rude with me… My older sister on the other hand…”

…Incidentally, his wife had stepped on and kicked him a few times. Maybe she was treating him too roughly.

“Such a resolute older sister. I see, I see, so you have older siblings. If something goes wrong and you get into trouble, will they come to your rescue?”

Roger had been laughing heartedly, but then asked a serious question. Hades found it disorienting, but calmly responded

“I don’t know. Still, I’m certain my older brother is seething right now. It’s not my fault, though.”

“Haha. Being able to say that mean it’s a yes, then. That’s good to hear.”

That’s a meaningful way of putting it.  As Hades regarded him with doubt, Roger stood.

“…Just now, was he asking you to get help or run away, should he fail?”

Rave said in a perplexed voice. Then, Hades called out to Roger’s back.

“The Golden Dragon Class will lose.”

Roger was about to leave the table, but he stopped and looked at Hades in surprise.

“Things won’t go the way Gunther planned. We should have a plan for what to do when that happens. You don’t have to believe me.”

“I trust you.”

It was a surprisingly straightforward answer. Hades wondered if he was sincere.

“Doubting me would be easy. Thank you.”

Without asking any questions or seeking any evidence, Roger left.

“… I can’t get a read on him. I don’t know if I can trust him or not.”

“He’s a spy. I don’t know what he’s really thinking, so I can’t trust him. There’s also no saying he isn’t looking for the Dragon Flute to monopolize it for himself. At least, there are people here who seem to have that in mind.”

“By the way, shouldn’t we inform Little Miss about the Dragon Flute?”

“There’s no need to tell her, it’ll only confuse her. Rho is there too, and if anything happens, the dragons will be the ones turned into steak. Besides, she already has her hands full with teaching the students. I can’t burden her any further.”

“Are you sure about this?”

“Didn’t I say it? Jill left me alone for my own good. I know this much”

This time is different. Hades, with a soft snort, expresses that he isn’t doubtful in the slightest.

“Otherwise, I’d have hurried back to the imperial capital ages ago. Instead, I think I’ll bring Jill a packed lunch and cheer her on on the day of the competition. I’m sure she’ll be thrilled. I can’t wait.”

“Actually, aren’t you getting even more twisted than before…”

Ignoring his rude foster parent, Hades rested his chin on his hand. It was more important to come up with a menu that’d make his cute bride giddy with joy.

The day of the class competition was just around the corner.

I’ll look forward to it, Hades smiled faintly.

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