Aerondo, the capital of the Kingdom of Vestellia.
　We were being led by a group of people in ceremonial dress through the Vestellia Castle that stands tall in the center of the city.

(Wow, that's amazing. ......)

　Inside the castle, there were magnificent historical statues, gorgeous chandeliers, and unique paintings that looked like masterpieces, a world completely different from the countryside where I had spent my life.

It's only been three months, but ...... I feel a little nostalgic.

　I've only been here for three months, but I feel a little nostalgic about ," she said as she walked down the wide hallway. 　

"Well, this is home for her, isn't it?

　I've been with her so long that sometimes I forget she's a princess.

Yes, I used to run around the castle when I was little.

Haha, I can easily imagine that.

"...... Hey, Allen. Is that a compliment?

Well, which is it?

Oh, my God!

　As we were having this conversation.

"This is the throne room, sir. Please do not be rude to His Majesty the King.

　The five men in ceremonial dress bowed deeply.
　Apparently, Leah and I would have to go alone from here on out.

"Shall we go to ......?

Yes.

　And so we began to walk forward.

I was born in the countryside.

　I was born in the countryside, and I had never talked to a person of such high rank as the King.
　I have a lot of ...... concerns about manners, behavior, and language.

　And then.

It's okay, Allen. You're here today as my friend. You're invited as my friend today, so you should just act like a guest.

　That's what I've been told. .......

　I'm sure you'll be able to find something that works for you.

And for now, ....... I'll be careful not to be rude.

　Then, after walking straight for a while, there was a large and luxurious door.

　On either side of the door stood two guards in heavy armor.
　They gave me a cold, piercing stare for a moment, and then immediately saluted Leah.

"Welcome home, Master Leah.

"His Majesty the King is waiting for you. --Please come in.

　Then the two guards opened the massive door and there was the king sitting on his throne with Mr. Claude waiting behind him.

(This is the King of Vesteria--Grease Vesteria? ......)

　Big, sharp eyes.
　Short-cut, light blond hair like Leah's.
　He has a well-developed beard that has a slight whitish tinge due to his age.
　He looks to be in his mid-forties.
　With a golden crown on his head and a red cloak on his head, he looked like a king.

"Oh!　It's good to have you back, Leah!

　His Majesty Gris rose from his throne and ran to Leah with a big smile on his face.

"I'm home, Father.

"Oh, oh!　I'm glad to see you're well!　I'm glad to see you're doing well. Dad's already worried about you. ......

Thanks. But you're fifteen years old, you don't need to worry so much.

　After that, as soon as their conversation had died down, I began to introduce myself politely.

I'm Allen Rhoddle, a first year student at the Thousand Blade Academy. I've been a good friend of Leah's...

"You're Allen-Rhoddle!

　You're Allen-Rhoddle!" His Majesty Grice interrupted and turned his hateful eyes on me.

"Claude told me!　Claude tells me that you are the worst insolent man who ever tortured my daughter and played with her body and soul!

No, no, no, no, no, no.

Show me your power.

...... What?

If you want my daughter, you must show me that you are the strongest man in all of Vestellia!

　His Majesty, in a fit of rage, shouted in a loud voice that echoed throughout the castle.

(...... this line. (...... This line came up in one of Leah's stories at the summer camp, I think. ......)

　I never thought I'd be in the position to say it.

(And anyway, this is not good. ......)

　I'm going to have to clear up this misunderstanding before it goes too far in the wrong direction. ......

I'm not sure what to say.　I'm sure you're aware of that.

　I tried to make a conversation, but...

"Shut up, shut up!　I've heard that you're a skilled crook who uses all the words in the world to win people over!

　He didn't listen to me at all.

　Then Mr. Claude, who was standing behind His Majesty, lifted his cheeks in an amusing manner.

(d*mn you, Mr. Claude. ......)

　I'm not sure what to make of this, but I think it's a good idea.



　As I was struggling, Leah came at him from the side.

"Hey, Dad!　Listen to what Allen has to say!

"No!　I'm not sure what to make of this.　He's a devil of a man, and he'll have me in his clutches if we ever have to talk!

"Allen is not such a bad person!　He's not such a bad guy! You'll understand when you talk to him!

　He's not such a bad person!

　But...

"...... d*mn it!　I can't ...... believe you let my daughter down this far. I'll ...... never forgive you, Allen-Roddle!

　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're doing.

(......It looks like it's going to be difficult to get them to listen to what we have to say.

　In this kind of situation, you should listen to the other person first to get a start of the conversation.

...... So, Your Majesty, can you tell me how I can show that I'm the strongest in Vesteria?

　And he said.

"Hmm, yes, ........ It's not fair to ask a student to fight against an adult holy knight. ....... That's too small for a king to give Vestellia. ......

　I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do that.

...... Okay, I've made up my mind!　I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.　If you show that you are the strongest among them, you will be recognized as the next strongest in Vesteria and this matter will be dropped!

Are you sure?

"Yes, I promise you that I will do everything in the name of Vesteria.

　I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.

(......) No, wait. (...... No, wait. The fact that His Majesty, who loves Leah so much, went to the trouble of proposing such a proposal means that ......)

　I'm sure you're convinced that you'll never lose.

(But ...... is not a possibility!)

　Once I had made up my mind.

But if you lose that battle, Leah's studies will be terminated immediately!　You will never be able to return to Senbi Academy in the future!

"What?

　The king smiled wickedly and continued to speak.

What do we do now?　I'm not sure what to do.　Of course, in that case, Leah will have to attend the Vestellia Academy of Swordsmanship!

　Then.

"Hey, Dad!　What is that?　I'm not going to take that kind of crazy talk!

　Leah immediately raised her voice in protest, but His Majesty refused to budge.

"No!　You should listen to your father for a change!

"No!　I'll never listen to you!

No!　I'm not going to let you do this!　As a parent, you have a non-negotiable line!

"Mgggggg ......!

No matter how hard you stare, you can't stop it!　You will hone your swordsmanship in Vestellia and become a great swordsman!　--d*mn it. If I hadn't taken Leia's offer back then, I wouldn't be in this situation right now. ......

　At the end of the day - His Majesty clenched his teeth as he muttered something in a small voice.

　And then.

"What now, Allen Rhodle?　I'm telling you, you don't stand a chance!　This is not a threat. There is no way you are going to win!　I think it would be wise for you to turn tail and run.

　He said, and left the choice to me.

"Oh, Allen, .......

　Leah pinched the sleeve of my dress, a little uneasily.

(I want to be with ...... Leah.

　And she also wants to study swordsmanship at the Thousand Blade Academy.

(For His Majesty Grylls to go so far as to say this, he must have a very good swordsman. ......)

　But--no matter how difficult it is, if there's no chance, I'll face it.

I'll show them that I'm the next best thing to Vesteria.

"....... It's a stupid choice, you're just a child. ....... Tomorrow, at ten o'clock, there will be a duel in the Great Arena!　I'm going to take three of my best men and ...... have no objections?

　The king held up three fingers and smiled as if to shake him.

The three of you?　It's not fair to make terms after the fact, father!

"Very well, I have no objection.

"Oh, Allen?



　This game is a game of the mind.

(Even if I persist here and my opponent is alone, His Majesty will not recognize my power.

　I must win against the three swordsmen he has sent out with confidence.
　If I don't show my power in this way, His Majesty will continue to try to bring Leah back by any means necessary.

"...... I'll buy you that kind of bravado. --Claude!

Ha!

I'm a guest, after all. Get Allen Rhodle a guest room.

Yes, sir.

　After telling Claude that, His Majesty slowly sat down on his throne.
　Apparently, this is the end of the talks for today.

"Hey. Come on, you dweeb, follow me!

　Then Leah and I followed Mr. Claude out of the throne room.
　When the heavy door was completely closed by two guards, I took a deep breath.

(Haha ...... that was a hell of a thing to do.)

　I thought we were just going to talk, but I never thought it would turn out like this.

(But--for Leah's sake, I can't lose tomorrow. ......)

　And so, tomorrow, I'm going to face an important battle with Leah for my life at school.