SIDE: Kite.

　It's been almost a year since the battle. I've just turned 17, and there are only three years left until the war.
　It sounds strange to say it myself, but Hélène and I are lovey-dovey.
　It seems that nobles and royalty in this country get married in their teens, so it's time to propose to them: .......
　The important thing is that your abilities are getting stronger and stronger.
　My electric magic has risen to level 5, and at this rate, I think it's safe to call myself the world's fastest.
　Well, I won't call myself that until after I beat Aaron-san. .......


''Well then, let's call it the last matchup.
　We're done with our training today and it's time for one last test.
　In these two years, I've never won a fight.
　Today is the day I fight, every day.

Please. Yes!
　As soon as it started, he attacked Aaron with all his electric magic.
　Of course, you can dodge the first move.
　But that's okay. It'll maintain its speed and change direction at a right angle.
　But even Aaron can't get around at this range.
　This took you a long time to get this right.

I'm not ready!
　I thought it was a done deal, but he kicked me right in the side.

d*mn ...... not yet!
　Roll a few times and get up quickly.
　Don't let up until you hit him this time.
　That's what I told myself, and I attacked Mr. Aaron.
　I kept changing directions every time I got evaded.

　d*mn it, ......, it's not hitting.
　They're all being read.
　If they don't, they'll go to ...... as usual.
　What do we do now?　Blowing static electricity?
　Where?　If you hit it, will Aaron show us an opening ......?
　...... That's right!


Fuki: "......
　For the first time, my sword was touching Mr. Aaron.

　The plan I came up with was to shoot static electricity into Aaron's eyes.
　Even static electricity is scary in the eyes, right?
　So, Aaron-san dodged it well.
　As expected of Aaron-san, if he made an evasive motion, he wouldn't be able to evade my sword in time and I would win.

Well, well. This day has come at last. I'm both happy and a little sad.

No, I wouldn't have gotten this far without you, Aaron. Thank you for everything you've done.
　I just want to say thank you so much for the past two years.
　I never thought I'd see the day I'd win: .......

Oops. I need you to be stronger. From now on, I'll have to continue to fight with myself.

'Yeah, I think I'll take on the ...... dungeon or something.
　It's time to . I need to level up: .......
　Even if the technology is improved, it's still no match for you if you're pushed around by your status .

I think that's a good idea. If you are able to clear even one dungeon, you will get a skill and that will be a very big help.
　Skills or ....... Is it so awesome that just one thing is enough to change the battlefield?

Then you might want to aim for one or more of them.

I think so. After all, that place has more than one skill set.

What?
　I was surprised to hear an unfamiliar low voice and turned around to see an old man I had never seen before standing there .

It's nice to meet you. It's always nice to meet you," he said.

Grandchildren ......?
　Whose grandfather is that?

Former King Filth.
　When I was at a loss to respond, Aaron overheard me.
　Former King Filth: ...... Eh!

'Oh, oh!　I'm sorry!
　I hurriedly put my head down.

"It's no big deal. We're not usually at the palace. It's understandable. Still, you beat Aaron. You look like a man who's grown up.

Thank you.
　Oh, that's a compliment.


　You can't imagine the dignity of that king: .......
　Why did he abdicate?　I think I'm still physically fit, though, right?

"Don't get me wrong. I didn't mean it as a compliment. At that level, you'll be dead before you reach the enemy general in the war. After all, Leons has 30 men under his command that are as strong as Aaron.

What?
　Thirty Mr. Aaron, the most powerful man in the kingdom, thirty of them?
　And leons are marquises, right?　If you think about the entire empire: .......
　I shuddered at the fact that it was too much.

It's a good thing I arranged it,...... but the kingdom is still full of nonsense. Do you really think the kingdom can beat the empire?　Did I say Mr. Kite?　How do you understand the forces of the Empire?

The former hero's family is growing in power: ......
　Come to think of it, I know very little about the Empire: .......
　I guess I can't make an excuse that all I cared about was getting stronger .
　You're right, I was a bit of a noob.

"That's a lot of information to take in. You must follow in my foolish son's footsteps. You can't just hold the sword. Unlike the idiot son, you're supposed to rule the land.

S-Sorry. ......
　That's right: ...... I'm going to marry Elaine and become the king.
　I didn't realize that.
　I didn't have time to poke fun at the king.

That's okay. I like to look out on the wasteland. And if you want to wreak more havoc, fine.

......
　This would be ironic: ...... d*mn, I can't say anything back .
　I should have studied harder.

"Don't worry. I'm here. It's my job to use my brain. Isn't that right?　I'll be fine. Please, grandfather, enjoy the rest of your life without worrying about your country.

...... Elaine. You're ...... indescribably different. You seem to have the wits about you ....... Oh well. The wedding is on your next birthday.
　When Elaine appeared, Filth-sama's face clouded up a bit .
　Well, it quickly returned to its original mean face.

''Huh?''

And I will not die until I see what happens to this country. Bye.
　While Hélène was scowling, Master Fils walked out of the room .

'I just said what I wanted to say and went away ......
　I didn't say anything back to you.
　Really, it made me realize how stupid I am.

Happens all the time. I'm no good at knowing what you're thinking.

''Master Filth is a very intelligent man, and the defeat of the ...... demon king was such a success because of the way Master Filth worked and held the world together.
　He was such a great guy: .......
　He was the opposite of that son.

He just has a personality that is looking for turmoil: ......

"Looking for trouble?
　You don't seem like the kind of person who helped defeat the demon king.

"Yes, sir. Yes. He is a man who sees peace as ordinary, who delights in a world in turmoil and strife. The current disagreements between the Empire and the Kingdom have become so bitter, all because of you, Master Filth.

I see. ......
　That's a terrible old man.
　He's so intelligent, he's worse than the current king.

Hey, besides, do you two remember what your grandfather said last?

I'm not going to die until I see where this is going?
　That old man's gonna live another ten or twenty years. He's gonna be over 100 years old.

Just the one before that. Didn't you say you were having the wedding on my birthday?
　Oh, I heard you say that.

Sure about that: ....... I'm the one to do that, right?
　I haven't proposed to him.

Who else could it be? Idiot.
　Right? That's a relief.



I'm sorry.
　Yes ...... this is a proposal that needs to be made ASAP.
　But I don't know how in this world I'm supposed to do it.
　You'll have to talk to Aaron in secret later.

I see. ...... The young lady is eighteen now. She should be old enough to get married and have an heir.

Oh, no, there's no such thing as an heir: ......
　No!　Don't blush like that!
　I'm blushing too. .......

No. That's one of the most important things you can do, Your Highness.

'Wow, I know, I know. ......

When it comes to the princess's birthday, it would be ...... about ten months later?

Yes.

Hmmm: ......
　Mr. Aaron made a thoughtful gesture.
　What's the catch, ten months from now?

What's going on?

'No, I'm just stuck on the fact that Mr. Fils said he went out of his way to decide: ......
　Not ten months later, but the decision itself by Master Filth .
　Indeed, you retired and you bothered to interfere: .......

'What?　Grandfather, are you up to something at my wedding?

...... Basically, Master Filth leaves things uninteresting.

You mean you're interested in my wedding?
　So you want me and Elaine to be happy?

No, I thought you might be interested in some sort of disturbance involving the wedding: ......
　Right?

What's that? Grandfather, you're just being selfish.
　Well, yeah .
　The man only does what he's interested in, and ...... his interests are often quite turbulent.

If that's the case, then ...... you must have some idea why you came to me. It's either a ploy or ...... you should study up on it. ......
　Maybe the old man is trying to test me?
　That's why I let my ignorance get the better of me.

'What are you talking about. Your job is to be strong. Don't let your grandfather's words fool you. The kingdom is depending on you for strength.　If you're weak, then the war is lost.

So that's what happened: ......
　It's the other way around. The old man was trying to confuse me.
　Come to think of it, a disturbance-seeking old man wouldn't have bothered to give you advice.
　I just wanted to be strong.

Let me do the smart stuff. I'll see to it that your grandfather stays out of it.

...... Okay. If you ever need my help with anything, let me know right away.

Of course. Not the usual.
　Yeah. We just have to keep helping each other out, you know?
　We'll be okay, just the two of us.


　SIDE: Aaron.

It's been a while.
　I left Lord Kite and went back to my room to find Master Filth sitting in a chair.

"Long time no see, sir. What is it?　The one you just mentioned,
　It's hard to be happy to see them again after two years.
　Indeed. .......

"You're as hard as ever. It doesn't matter.

That's why I'm here at ......, okay. So, what brings you here today?
　If we respond to every word Master Filth says, we won't get anywhere.
　It would be wise to move on without anger.

My grandson stole you from me and I wanted to get even.

......

"Just kidding. Just kidding. Well, my grandson crushed half of it.
　Perhaps the silent stare worked, but Master Filth finally answered seriously.
　As I thought...was she planning something?
　so the rest is the princess and Lord Kite's wedding.
　What in the world is he up to? .......

Hélène, I thought he'd be as stupid as his idiot son. I didn't know that would be able to interfere with my ambitions.


　You say the king is a foolish king but ...... is the result of your deliberate negligence in educating him and making him king early on.
　It's really good that even the princess didn't follow this man's wishes.

I'm glad to see that the princess has changed.
　I couldn't help but laugh.
　What this man hates is peace, and that is peace.

That's good to hear.
　Master Filth was miffed at my smile.
　I was kind of surprised to see that.
　This may be the first time in my life I've ever made Master Filth feel sorry for himself.
　You can't win with your mouth.

Haha, three more years and there's nothing more I can do. The rest of the world is going to be ...... and watching my grandchildren do their best, well, it's just another fun thing to do.
　Lord Filth is really unusual today.
　I knew Master Filth would admit defeat, but it looks like not only Lord Kite but the princess has grown up a lot.

That's right. Let's join me in watching our grandson do his best.
　Now that we're off the stage, there's nothing for us to do.
　It's fun to watch the young ones do their best.
　At least I've had a lot of fun these past two years.