﻿\setgamedatatitle("Gluette_03")

\text
Gluette arrived at the border town of Bolero and headed to
the tavern in search of information about the Nilt region.
\endtext

\text
There, she learned from the tavern's owner that the one
commanding the Demon Lord's army was a Diabolica girl named
Risbell.
\endtext

\text("Gluette")
I see. So, in effect, that girl is the one actually leading
the army.
\endtext

\text("Shopkeeper")
Yeah, hard to believe, but this place gets a lot of
merchants and mercenary guards coming in from Hados for
business.
\endtext

\text("Shopkeeper")
If they're all saying it, it must be true.

\endtext

\text
Gluette sat at the counter, sipping water since earlier.

\endtext

\text
Just as the shopkeeper said, the place was filled with
merchants and mercenaries who had finished their work.
\endtext

\text
Gluette's presence clearly stood out.

\endtext

\text
On top of that, she was an incredibly beautiful girl, and
dozens of eyes were fixed on her, unable to look away.
\endtext

\text
Even so, Gluette calmly took another sip of water.

\endtext

\text("Gluette")
(Judging from what I've heard, it really does seem likely
that it's Risbell-san.)
\endtext

\text("Gluette")
(Even back in our student days, there was always something
different about her.)
\endtext

\text("Gluette")
(Most of us who aspired to be magicians had at least some
curiosity or ambition for magic.)

\endtext

\text("Gluette")
(But her eyes... they always seemed to be looking much
farther away―or maybe at something entirely different.)

\endtext

\text
Memories from that time resurfaced in Gluette's mind.

\endtext

\text
While Gluette and the others devoted themselves to
practicing and honing their magic, Risbell would often sit
alone reading books.
\endtext

\text
And more often than not, those books weren't about magic,
but about politics and governance.

\endtext

\text
Yet even so, when it came to theoretical studies of magic,
she always had the best grades.

\endtext

\text
Gluette watched her from within the circle of her friends.

\endtext

\text
In her eyes was a mix of respect―and perhaps even a hint of
jealousy―toward Risbell.
\endtext

\text("Gluette")
(You're the only person who's ever made me feel jealous,
Risbell-san...)

\endtext

\text("Gluette")
(Why would someone as brilliant as you join the Demon Lord's
army...?)
\endtext

\text("Gluette")
(Was it really your wish to start a war and bring chaos?)

\endtext

\text
Gluette gazed at her own reflection in the water in her
glass, silently questioning her former classmate who wasn't
there.
\endtext

\text
But no answer came back.
\endtext

\text
And so, Gluette decided to head to Nilt to find that answer.

\endtext

\text("Shopkeeper")
By the way, you look like a magician or something. What are
you planning to do with that information?

\endtext

\text("Shopkeeper")
If you're thinking of joining the war and fighting the Demon
Lord's army, you really shouldn't.
\endtext

\text("Gluette")
Oh? And why is that?
\endtext

\text
Gluette looked up and asked.
\endtext

\text("Shopkeeper")
There's another rumor going around. It's true that the Demon
Lord's army is led by a woman named Risbell, but the real
leader is a man named Caym.
\endtext

\text("Shopkeeper")
They say he's a hopeless womanizer. Enemy or ally, if he
sees a beautiful woman, he'll attack her without hesitation.

\endtext

\text("Gluette")
Oh my, that does sound frightening.
\endtext

\text("Shopkeeper")
Then at least try to look a little scared. Well, I guess you
must be pretty confident in your own skills...

\endtext

\text("Gluette")
I never overestimate my own abilities.

\endtext

\text("Gluette")
(If I lose, I'll either be raped by that Demon Lord Caym, or
worse, be used as a plaything by the monsters before
that...)
\endtext

\text("Gluette")
Even so, I still have to go.
\endtext

\text
Gluette downed her glass in one go, emptying it.

\endtext

\text("Knight")
Pardon the interruption. Are you Gluette Auric?


\endtext

\text
Three knights in lavish armor, out of place in the tavern,
approached Gluette.
\endtext

\text("Gluette")
Yes, that's me. Are you ready to depart?
\endtext

\text("Knight")
Yes. The carriage to Hados will be leaving shortly.

\endtext

\text("Knight")
By our lord's order, the three of us will be escorting you
on your journey.
\endtext

\text("Gluette")
Thank you for your kindness. The Auric family always repays
its debts. Could you please let your lord know that for me?

\endtext

\text("Knight")
Yes, understood.
\endtext

\text("Gluette")
Thank you for the water and the information. Is this enough
for the bill?
\endtext

\text
Gluette placed a few silver coins on the counter.
\endtext

\text("Shopkeeper")
Gluette Auric... The noble lady of the famous Ramshi
family...?
\endtext

\text("Shopkeeper")
W-why would someone of such high status go to a place like
Hados...?
\endtext

\text
Hearing the shopkeeper's pale, trembling voice, Gluette
answered lightly, as if making small talk.

\endtext

\text("Gluette")
I'm going to see an old classmate.

\endtext

\text
Gluette smiled gently and walked toward the exit.

\endtext

\text
With the knights following behind her, she carried herself
with a dignity truly befitting her noble name.

\endtext