efore the meal, Almark told Ward about a mercenaries they had met in Galuentor.

When he told him that they had overheard him talking through Morgen's magic and that they were going to kill Wendy,

"My God!"

Ward exclaimed with a groan.

"they had such a concrete plan."

Yes, I'm sure the raid will come tomorrow."

　Almark nodded, confirming.

'How many people are guarding the mansion now?

" There are 20 men guarding the mansion alone."

　(Twenty )...... Almark frowned.

(The enemy should not be that numerous as long as they are hiding in a peaceful city, not in a place of conflict ).

(The most likely number of people is 10 at the most.)

(So if we had 20 men, there would be no problem.)

(However, none of the 20 guards in the house right now would be in the prime position to fight.)

　(And ......)

The size of this mansion, that number of men is not enough.

'Indeed. Especially if there is a specific plan of raid".

　Ward nodded.

"We need to increase the number of guards immediately. But even if we summoned guards from all over the territory, they would not be able to come so quickly. What should we do?"

　Ward wrinkled his brow.

"Should we ask the young lady to take shelter somewhere else?"

"No, I don't think that's a good idea."

'Why not?"

"The mansion is already being watched. Today, on the way up the hill where the mansion is located, I saw two suspicious men, neither locals nor travelers. They are probably the watchmen "

"Oh my God!"

　Ward exclaims again.

"If Wendy leaves the house, that's exactly what they want. They will have their eyes on the area around the house, where it will be easy to get to her and easy to surround. . That's where they're going to kill her."

　(That's what I would do.)

"Mister Almark, you are ......."

"Mr. Ward, let me suggest what we can do right now. First, this house has too few lights in the yard. we can use lamps or whatever you like. Shine a bright light out there and make it harder for them to get to us."

"...... I see."

　Ward nodded, feeling pressured.

"The other thing is, the exterior walls of this house are too low."

"It's higher than an adult's height."

"It's not enough. The mercenaries will easily climb over it. So, assuming they can get over it, we'll put up a bush on the inside of the wall."

What is a bush?

"Oh, let's see, we put a tree together with a pointed end. You put it right there, outside the outer wall."

"I see. That way, even if they climb over the wall, they won't be able to get in easily."

"Can you do that?"

"We have a lot of wood for firewood. I will make something out of itl"

"Thank you."

"No, I am the one who should be thanking you, Mister Almark. I'm afraid I'm not an expert in that area."

　After checking with Almirk on a few other points, Ward called for the servants and gave them their orders.

　After completing these tasks, he turned to Almark and said

"Please do not tell her about this, Mister Almark. There will come a time when we will have to tell her about it, but for now, since you two are here and she is so happy to see you,"

　I'm sorry," Ward said apologetically.

"I understand,"

　Almark nodded. He had discussed this with Morgen on the way here.

　This is not something they should be talking with Wendy about. he would leave it to . Ward.

"The dinner will be ready in a few minutes. Please, come this way."

　Almark was suggested by Ward to go to the hall.

　After dinner was served, Almark and the others sat down on the soft sofa in the parlor and resumed chatting, guided by Wendy.

　Morgen's eyes light up at the tea cakes brought by the servants.

　While picking the sweets, they tried their best to tell Wendy about the things they had done on the trip that they had not been able to talk about at dinner.

　When Wendy smiled at their stories, they were glad that they had come, and at the same time relieved.

　Before they knew it, the topic of conversation had shifted from travel to academy , and the three of them never spoke to each other again.

Wendy really laughed a lot, and Morgen was excited all the time.

　 She laughed so much that he wondered if he had ever laughed so much.

　Almark wished that such a happy and joyful time would last forever.

　(I wish this moment would never end.)

　Perhaps it was his instinct as the son of a mercenary that made him think so.

　Maybe it was because the end was approaching that he wished it would never end.

　The happy time for the three of them came to an end with a rumbling noise coming from the yard.