chapter 1

Ait Blurantë was in a bind.

In front of him was a single invitation.

In a corner of the dining area in the mercenary guild’s headquarters, The Dipterous Sword, Ait, the Guild Master, wore a seriously troubled face.

“Hmmm……”

“What’sa matter, Master? Yer makin’ a complicated face.”

“Ah, Rain-san. Well, you see……”

Calling out to Ait was Rain Nanasight, a youth who had blonde hair and sky-blue eyes.

“Ahh, an invitation from the Kingdom of Lilith, huh.”

“Yes, that’s right. They want us to attend their Second Princess’ birthday party which will be held in two weeks.”

When he saw the invitation spread in front of Ait, Rain nodded in agreement at the situation, followed by a tilt of his head.

“Haven’t ya turned down all of the invitations you’ve received so far? What’re you so conflicted ‘bout?”

“Yes, that’s been the practice so far. Because in the past, these kinds of things didn’t do us any good. But, now’s a little different.”

As he said it, Ait produced a second invitation and showed it to Rain.

“There’re 2 invitations?”

“Yes. Look at who it’s addressed to.”

“……Ahhh I see.”

The name written on the addressee of both invitations was Ait’s, but the titles attached to them were different.

“The Dipterous Sword’s Guild Master and The Representative of Sylkra…… if it’s addressed to me as The Dipterous Sword’s Guild Master, then I can turn this down anytime I want. But, since it’s addressed to me as Sylkra’s representative, then I have to go.”

He breathed a heavy sigh.

Ait, the Guild Master of the world-renowned mercenary guild, The Dipterous Sword, was also one of the two representatives of the Nation of Sylkra, where the guild headquarters was located.

If it were only addressed to the guild, then he would refuse, but since it involved the country’s name, he could not turn it down.

“But wouldn’t it be better if a representative from the Balratona house went? Why don’cha ask the people there to go instead? They specialize more in inter-country relationships, after all.”

“Well, it seems like they’re not going. In other words, the King of the Kingdom of Lilith has business with me as the Guild Master of The Dipterous Sword, and not as The Representative of Sylkra. Addressing their invitation to both of my titles means they definitely want me to attend,”Ait answered.

The other Sylkra representative, the Balratona Family, was originally a Ducal household with major influence and power. Correspondence with other countries was mainly undertaken by the Balratona Family.

However, the invitation this time was only sent to Ait. In other words, it was very clear.

“Then, it’s already been decided that Master will go, huh,” Rain said.

“Well that’s……”

“Then what’s troublin’ ya?”

“The truth is, aside from me, they also extended the invite to another person.”

“Heeh. Who issit?” he asked again.

“…… Jin-san.”

“Eh?”

“Jin-san,” Ait replied.

“……Ahhh, I get it now.”

Rain couldn’t help but look far away as the image of the person whose name was mentioned came into mind.

Jin was smart, skilled, and good-looking. Furthermore, he was also a strong contender to be the next Guild Master. It would not be an exaggeration to say that such an existence was blessed by the heavens with not only two, but more than three things. That Jin was specifically mentioned to attend the birthday party of the 2nd Princess who will be entering the marriageable age on her 16th birthday.

It was natural to be able to see which direction it was headed to.

“Fortunately, we can take along one partner each, but, do you think Syltina-san will take care of it?” asked Ait.

“Hmmm, who knows? But, hey, Syl-san loves Jin-sama anyway, so won’t she do it?”

“Is that so? Anyway, it’s always been on my mind, but till when are you going to keep addressing him as -sama?”

“Uhhh, this is kind of a habit…… It felt natural, so I just went along with it. Even Jin-sama said it was okay,” Rain answered.

“I see. Well, if it’s fine with the person himself, then I guess it’s okay.”

Smiling wryly, Ait released another sigh for the nth time that day and stood from his seat.

“I’ll try asking in the meantime. If those two come together, then there’s nothing to be afraid of.”

“Yeah. Well, instead, it’s better to prepare just in case something does happen, right?

……So, who’ll be Master’s partner?” asked Rain.

“Well, there are two candidates who are reliable enough, but they can cause just as much trouble……hmmm, maybe I’ll go with either Elaine-san or Clarina-san.”

“Well, those two are the only people who are okay to bring along to a party hosted by the Royal Family after all.”

“I know……Guess I’ll have everyone go on special training for table manners, etiquette, and dance from now on,” joked Ait.

“Ahaha! There’s no point teaching that to a group of ruffians! There’s a place for the right person at the right place.”

“You’re right. Then, I’m going to ask Syltina-san right now.”

“If it’s Syl-san, then, she’s at the lounge.”, Rain told Ait.

“Got it. Thanks.”

Rain smiled wryly as he watched Ait head to the lounge on the second floor.

“Somethin’s definitely about to happen at that birthday party……Well, if it’s them, I’m sure it’ll be fine.”

—–

A birthday party with an apparent purpose.

They wanted to take in Jin and make The Dipterous Sword, that was recognized all around the world for their skill, bend to their will. The Dipterous Sword had crushed such trivial intentions many times before.

This time was no exception. However, the difference was indirectly crushing The Royal Family before attending the party, or directly crushing them after attending the celebration.

“It’s no use to flash their power before us. If we were obsessed with such things, then we wouldn’t be here right now.”

Mumbling, Rain was sympathetic towards the foreign royal family he had never even met before.

“Well, I’ll at least pray they don’t erase the whole country.”

There was only one country that had gotten erased from existence due to their anger.

Thinking in the same way that he hoped they would have clear weather the next day, Rain thought it would be nice if that country did not become the next hopeless case.

And, at the next moment, he turned his thoughts toward something else.