--King's castle courtyard square.

　The carefully arranged trees let the sun shine through the trees into the square.

　This square, prepared by one of the noble families related to the royal family, usually functions as a public place that can be used by anyone visiting the royal castle.

　However, that was just a front.
　Most of the time, it was a place of relaxation for the noble family who had prepared it and the people associated with them, and it was occasionally used to invite people from the royal family.


　Futa and Korona were brought to such a place.
　Corona came along of her own accord, but Richter did not say anything.

"Mr. Richter!　Where have you been?
"I've been waiting for you.
You're the knight candidate ...... that His Highness brought with him.

　I've been waiting for you.

　The "attendants" who had been making preparations bowed reverently at Richter's appearance.

　Futa was alone in his understanding of the difference between the professional attendants and the maids who were attached to him.

　He thought to himself, "Surely Corona is not a maidservant.

"Well, gentlemen. We have a special guest for today's meeting.

　At Richter's announcement, more than a dozen noblemen's gazes turned to Futa at once.

　The gazes that reflected malice, mockery, and a variety of negative emotions were something that Futa was used to.

　It's not something you'll be happy to get used to.

So. I'm the knight candidate of the first princess, the one who is rumored in the castle.

　The people around him were buzzing.

"I don't mean that.
I don't mean to be." "You can say what you want.

　Richter dismissed Huta's words and walked to the lawn, a short distance from the banquet.

The princess's knight should be stronger than the princess. That's what Her Highness herself has always said.
"...... So?
You're not stupid. Can't you at least understand who will be the princess's knight and how that will affect the situation?
So you're saying you want a knight from your faction and I'm in the way?
"Hmm.

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

It's not as simple as that.

　And.

　And then he looked at Futa again.

"You're either in the way or you're not. That's for you to decide.
"All right, all right. If I'm weaker than you, I'll never be a knight anyway, so I'll just be a rock on the road.
You're talking fast. I don't care what you say. What I want is proof.

　With that, Richter threw three swords in their sheaths at Futa's feet.

　The long stabbing sword, Konzesh, the short stabbing sword, Parash, and the short, thick-bladed sword, Gladius.

"Take your pick.

　Narrowing his eyes, Huta looked not at the three swords, but at Richter's waist.

　His sword was a gladius.

　Without hesitation, he picked up the same one.


"Oh, I thought he was using a konzesh.
"How foolish of him to dare to use the same one as Master Richter.

　A chuckle escaped from behind me.

　Huta picked up the gladius and closed her eyes.

　It would be easier to lose to Richter here.
　They wouldn't bother him, and life would go on as usual for him.

　But then it occurred to him.
　If this is what Lilac had in mind...


"Is it urgent to prove that you are a strong fighter?
What if I don't need to prove it?
No, I don't. It's just that it would be bad for publicity if you left me as a mere guest. ...... Also, it would be a hassle if I had to train with you in secret.
'Oh, I see.'


　Lilac had said so.
　If you lose to Richter here, you will not be able to prove that you are a strong fighter.

"...... are you ready to go?

　I'm not sure if you've seen this before, but I've seen it before.

You were going to be a knight, after all.
No. No. No princess is going to make me a knight.
You may not know it, but Your Highness will stop at nothing to achieve a goal. I've done my research.
Checked?
You and your highness have been crossing swords night after night.

　Futa's eyebrows twitched.

You've been doing it in secret for some time now. I've heard that your danger level was higher than you and your highness thought.　
It is typical of you that you do not move in the direction of the princess being in danger of crossing blades with strangers. You will find out more and more about how you feel about the princess.
"...... Now, I don't want you to use any strange recording techniques. I'm not going to say anything.



　Richter never took his eyes off Corona, who was constantly being put in front of him by the nobles.
　He was wary that she might use her magic at any moment.

"So, since we're crossing swords at night, what?

　Huta asked, grasping the gladius.

　Richter said without hesitation.

You're either picking up horse bones and training them to be stronger than you, or you're trying to beat the princess in a hundred games.


　The air was tense.

"...... Master Futa?

　I'm not sure if it's a good idea or not.

　I'm not sure if you've heard of it or not.

"....... I'm not sure what to say.

　A memory comes back to Futa.

　That day, he lost to the swordsman in front of him on purpose.
　I pretended that my sword was accidentally flicked and I fell down.

　I was so trapped in my mind that I didn't even have time to think about whether this was okay, and I realized that I had done the biggest disgrace of my life.

　--Lilac's sword always looks happy.
　The lilac sword always looks happy.

　The mere thought of tainting it with an eight-fold match made him want to kill himself.

　What if Lilac was stronger than him?
　If she were to beat me on purpose... --It would be so sad.

　Now that I know the joys of sword fighting, I think.

I would never do such a thing.
"You can say what you want.

　Richter's answer was simple.

"Don't mock the princess.
I've never mocked her. No one is more afraid of her than I am. So I say. Your Highness could do it.

　Both of them were actually right.

　If she had a purpose and needed to do it, Lilac wouldn't hesitate to do it.

　But in the case of the match with Futa, no matter what, there was no way she would do it.

　That was all he said.


You can say whatever you want, can't you?
Yes, I do.
Then I'll beat you to prove to you that the princess would never play a hundred games with me.
...... Well said. Come on, then. All I need is proof.


　Huta and Richter are ready.

　The tension in the air is palpable.

　But then, unpredictable comments can fly. 　　


"No matter how hard you try, you'll never be a knight!　Why don't you give up while you still can!
"Stop it before you embarrass yourself!　You don't want to embarrass yourself, do you?
You don't want to embarrass yourself, do you? - No, Master Richter has prepared a fine snack for you. No, Mr. Richter has prepared a snack for us and we shall enjoy it.

　Richter frowned quietly, but Futa seemed unconcerned.

　I'm used to fighting people who only shout at me.

　So...

"Shut up. There's no need for small talk in a fight. You watch in silence as witnesses. Have you forgotten the foolishness you exposed to the recording technique?

　Futa was a little surprised by Richter's threat.
　But he paid no heed to his behavior.

"Hey, maid. Keep a record of this fight. It's perfect evidence.

　Corona, as Richter had said, lit up her hand and glanced at Futa.

I'm a little worried about you, maid!　"Maid, I'm a little worried!
"A word of encouragement? I wonder what it is.

　Huta thought for a moment and then looked at Richter.

If I win, I won't be charged with a crime, will I?
"....... In my name, I swear.

　Corona records the exchange with her recording device and raises the corners of her mouth.

"That's all I have to say. --Master Futa.


　In an arena much smaller than the Colosseum.
　He had always fought in the Colosseum while being abused, but now he had a voice on his back.


"Hang in there!

　It was a distracted voice, but...

　It was a distracted voice, but for Futa, it was the most powerful thing he had ever heard.