Edward and the others arrived at the outskirts of the city.

　On the way there, you suddenly heard something exploding, but you'll have to leave it to your men.
　I was more interested in what was in front of me now.

This is the ...... training ground, right?

　Moreover, it's not a place that a group of knights would use.
　It's the kind of place an adventurer would use, and if I may say so, a less-than-princely place.
　To be honest, it didn't seem like a proper place for the Archbishop to lead us in many ways.

"Who the hell would be in a place like this ......
"Ho-ho, you'll have to see it for yourself. And this is my task at hand.
"Archbishop ......?
As you know, I'm a very busy man. The rest of this is very important, and I'm afraid I can't take you to the end.

　I don't think there were any particular rituals that the archbishop had to do afterwards, but I'm sure it was church-related.
　It's a very secretive place, and there is a lot that is not known.

　And when it comes to the archbishop, you can't get the details or interfere with him.

I see. ...... Okay. Thank you for taking me this far.
You're still a disciplined man. Normally, you should be able to be angry ...... but that's okay. That's not a dislike of mine. I don't know what's going to happen to you, but ...... I just hope you can walk away from it.
"Dear Archbishop ......
What? I'm just kidding. See you soon.

　So saying, the archbishop walks away, passing by Edward's scowling brow.
　Edward, who was somehow watching his back, suddenly tilted his head.

　There were many questions about his words and actions, but for some reason the smell that had just come from the archbishop as he walked by his side bothered him.
　It was very strong and unlike anything she had ever smelled before...

"...... No, now is not the time to worry about that.

　I'm busy, and so is Edward.
　I can't afford to waste any time, so I walk towards the training grounds.
　He walked onward, just to be sure, and soon there was an open space in sight.

　But when he got there, Edward's eyebrows furrowed because there was no one there.
　There was literally no one there, just a really empty space.

　I thought for a moment that I had been tricked - and soon after, there was a high-pitched sound.

"...... wasn't bad, but there was a killing spree right before it happened?
"But I'm sure an ordinary opponent would have ended up being the same ...... as before.
"I don't know if that's a compliment or not, but if ...... is the same as ever, then you're probably the only one who can cut me down without saying hello. You're the only one who will cut me down without saying hello--Craig.

　With a wave of his arm, the man who came slashing at him with such force - Craig moved away.
　You can see that his movements do not falter and that he does not lack in training.

　As expected of the man in charge of the border of the demon country.

It's been a long time since I've seen you. I haven't seen you since ......
"............ Yeah.

　The nodding motion was somewhat slow, and Edward let out a small sigh at that.
　That's because that's all I needed to know to know that he wasn't out of it yet.

　It's been more than ten years since then.
　It should have been over a long time ago, but that's how much that girl was important to Craig.

　That's something to be happy about in a way, but it can't stay that way forever.
　The living must not be trapped by the dead.

　It's not like Craig doesn't understand that ......, but Edward never mentioned it after all.
　I didn't think it was something I could say to a man who wasn't even married.

　And there's more to it than that.

Well, ...... so what the hell is going on?　There must be a good reason why the Archbishop would call me to a place like this to do something like that, right?
"Hmm ...... a good reason, huh. Do you really think I need that to bring you here?
"...... what?

　It's true that Edward is originally from a commoner, even though he is a Knight Commander of the First Order.
　You will be able to find out the best way to get the most out of your newborn baby.

　But this is not a public occasion, this is not a public call.
　And if it's not public, then Edward is in a better position.

　Noble privileges can be ignored in his capacity as Knight Commander, and Edward is older.
　More importantly, Edward had once taught Craig how to fight.
　It was only for a year or so, but it's why he can talk to the lord of the duke as an equal.

　I'm not going to bring that up now, but it's a fact that it happened.
　So as long as there was, Edward had no reason to listen to Craig unconditionally.

...... Humph, just kidding. You're still very much in the dark.
...... I'd hate to be the one to tell you that. You don't get the joke, I used to hear it from that girl...

　It was Edward who had introduced the girl who had become Craig's wife.
　She was a forgotten memento of Edward's friend, and he had seen her from time to time, and they had become friends in their own way.

　It's not so much that I introduced her to him, but that I had the opportunity to do so while I was training him. ...... It's true that the encounter led to their marriage.
　It's a good idea to be able to have a good time with them.

...... I didn't come all the way to this place today to reminisce about the old days.
...... sure. I don't have the luxury of time right now, either. Well, if you haven't heard that you're here, then you've just arrived in King's Landing, and maybe you don't know the situation very well--


"No?　I'm more aware of the situation. --That's a lot more than you do.
"...... what?

　The moment Craig's voice changed in tone, Edward almost unconsciously tensed his grip on the sword.

　Or rather, it was the first time he realized that he had kept his grip on the sword.
　And Craig also kept his grip on his sword.

That was definitely a joke. I certainly brought you here for a reason. Only, what's the one thing you said before that's wrong?
"Mistake, you say?
"Yeah. Did you say something like that to the Archbishop?　Phew! ...... The Archbishop is already our "thing"?　If a use like that is valid, why not do it?
"What ......?　What the hell are you doing at ......
"Hmph. ...... Most of you thought the earlier one was just a flirtation, didn't you?　I'm sure you'll be able to prevent it and, perhaps unconsciously, remain vigilant: ...... Well, that's why I went out of my way to do it, too.
"Craig ...... you, no way. ......
"After all this time, no way?　There's no way there's any other reason for this: ......!

　As soon as the words were spoken, Craig, who had closed the distance in an instant, swung his sword down.

"I brought you here to get you out of the way of my plans: ......!

　Edward reacted reflexively to it, and in the next moment a high-pitched sound reverberated in place with a heavy thump to the arm.