--Leonard Yale Roses.

　I've never met you before, but even I know that name.
　It was the name of the First Prince of the Water Kingdom.
　A beautiful boy who looks like his sister, Princess Sophia.
　Dressed differently, he even looks like a girl.

''Originally, the abominable dragon of the Great Labyrinth was supposed to be fought by me, a brave man, but.... Thank you for defeating me instead.
　A small, bowed head.

--A brave man of ice and snow.
　Another title for Prince Leonard.
　But it's hard to be a brave man who saves the world when you're still so young.

''It's all right, Leo. These men have been well rewarded. You needn't worry about them.
....
　Well, I do.
　You don't have to say it in front of me, do you?

You are only nine years old. You can leave the affairs of the Great Maze to the adventurers.
　I'm nine years old, huh? You're in the third grade.
　I didn't even care about Princess Sophia's rude behavior.
　I couldn't tell her to fight that d*mned dragon either.

''Sister!　You always treat me like a child like that, but I can do this, too.
　Saying that, he began to chant the spell.
　That chant.........

''Water Magic, Water Dragon!''
　Oh!　It's a water super-grade magic.
　Although somewhat rough, a giant water dragon appears.
　It seems that Prince Leonard is a water magic user.

''What do you think, sister!　I can fight, too.
''........I understand. I will consider having Leo join us the next time the next abominable demon appears. Please stop the magic already.
Yes, sir.

　Prince Leonard is controlling a water dragon but it's not looking good.
'Noooooooo!'
　The water dragon went through the former guardian's threshhold.
　I'm trying really hard to avoid it, but it probably doesn't hurt that much when it hits, does it?
　Sa-san's serious punches should hurt about 100 times more than his serious punches.

Hey, hey. You okay?
　Lucy pecked me on the back.
　No, the Water Magic and Water Dragon looks fancy, but even if it hits you, you'll be soaked.
　Well, it will blow you away somewhat.

''Ku, well controlled........''
　Prince Leonard is taking a long time.
　Ehh......... I'm thinking that I should just quickly throw the water dragon into the area around Lake Chimay, but my magic manipulation is lax.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.
　I'm not sure if this is the right thing to do.

This is...
　If it's a 'likeability enhancement' event, as Fujiyan calls it?
　I'm not a 'galley player', so I don't know what I'm talking about.
　Anyway, let's give it a go.

Excuse me for a minute.
And then I put my hand on Prince Leonard's shoulder.

(Tuning 《Synchronization》........)
　I haven't used it since I was burned in sync with Lucy, but it worked.
　I took control of Prince Leonard's water magic law.
　The water dragon, which had been dizzy just a moment ago, swiftly began to swim in the air.

''Su, great........''
　I heard the prince's voice.
　Hmmm, I guess I should first reflect on my inability to control my magic........
　Well, it's the third grade. It can't be helped.
　I was wondering what to do with the large amount of water the prince generated.

"Ten thousand waterfowl.
　Ten thousand water dragons were made to disperse into ten thousand water birds, disfigured and scattered.
　A large number of magical water birds fly away from the beautiful royal castle.
　Hmm, that's quite a nice picture. Satisfied.

''Fluffy.''
　Prince Leonard sounded like Lucy and opened his big mouth.
　Then he looked at us with his eyes watering.
'Soooooo great!　What was that magic you just did!
　No, I did it just right, so it's not so much of a magic trick........

Thank you for your help with Leo, Takatsuki Makoto. ........How long are you going to keep your hand on my shoulder?
　Princess Sophia pointed out quietly.
'Oh. Excuse me.
　Quickly, I let go of her hand.
　Princess Sophia's eyes are still cold.
　Did I get a raise in your favor?　It doesn't feel like that.

Well, I guess we'll just...
　Let's get the hell out of here and get to town.
Well, wait a minute. Um, could I talk to you some more?　Makoto-san.
　Prince Leonard grabbed my hand.
　When the prince looks at me like a puppy dog, I can't ignore him.
　I glanced at my guardian 《Sophia》.

'Leo, why don't you show them around Roses Castle?　You mustn't go outside the castle.
Yes!
　The prince guided me to explore the castle.
　Of course, a guardian would follow me.
　But does Princess Sophia have a soft spot for her brother?


　◇


　Prince Leonard showed me around the Hanging Gardens of Roses Castle, the Cathedral and the Royal Restaurant.
　It is said to be the most beautiful castle on the continent, and the decorations of the building and the rose garden were all splendid.

　And Prince Leonard talked to us during the tour.
　Prince Leonard was like an idol to the palace workers, and they greeted him with a big smile on their faces.
　Well, Prince Leonard is so cute, right? I know, I know.

　And what I didn't understand was Princess Sophia's reputation.
　Princess Sophia is - she's popular. Extremely.

　Her nickname in water country is 'The Ice Sculpture Princess'.
　Apparently it means cool as ice and beautiful as a sculpture.
　It seems to be no secret that she's not very affectionate, but Princess Sophia is just as serious.

　If there is a disaster in a village, she rushes to the scene.
　If a quarrel breaks out in a town, you intercede.
　If there's a dispute in a town, you intercede.
　If a man is hungry, he gives him a job.
　A princess who works hard in her sleep for the people of the watery lands.

　That was the reputation of the people who worked at Roses Castle.
　With the prince next to her, there was probably some flattery in there.
　But people spoke of Princess Sophia with affection and respect.
　I didn't feel a lie there.

''But my sister has a problem with her too. You can't help but make an assessment of someone just by looking at them at first sight. Also, she is too serious and her staff can't keep up with her because she is too busy. That's why I'm so busy.
　And so they often miss out on the best people.
　Yeah, I was immediately deemed useless.

"Makoto-san's friends, Okada-san and Kitayama-san, got kicked out by their sister because they messed with the royal palace maids too much...
　Hey!　What the hell are they doing?
　Okada-kun, don't you have a girlfriend?
　Kitayama.........well, he was a womanizer.

Hah, they're just so flashy," sighs Sa-san.
"Aya, did you know that?
Our former classmate... he switched girls back and forth.
It's filthy!
　Lucy-san is serious about her male relationships.

　Aside from the Okada-Kitayama duo, several other classmates must have been recruited by the Water Country, but currently there are none left at all.

''The military strength of the Water Country (Roses) is the weakest on the continent...''
　Prince Leonard smiled sadly.

　There were few soldiers in the Water Country, and they had a history of relying on adventurers, the Knights of the Sun, and mercenaries from the Fire Country when they were in trouble in defeating demons.
　However, they are all hurrying to strengthen their own military in order to revive the Great Demon King from now on.
　I've heard that Princess Sophia is eager to recruit talented people, but it seems to be backfiring on them.

I'm sure it would be a great relief to have a talented wizard like Makoto-san with us.
　Oops, that's a solicitation.
　I'm lost when you peek at me with puppy dog eyes and a beautiful girl's upward glance.

''I'm just an apprentice wizard. I can't help you.''
'The apprentice...?　Earlier, you were controlling super-grade magic.
Anyone can do it if they're skilled enough.
'Is that so...'
　Prince Leonard falters.

"Not everyone can...
　I heard Lucy's whispered tsk, but I ignored it.

'Well then, thank you for showing me around.
Yes, Makoto. Lucy and Aya. Please come back anytime.
Prince Leonard smiling at me, he looks like a seriously beautiful girl.


　We thanked Prince Leonard and left Roses Castle.