--Interior rooms of the castle. Futa's room.


"So, what's the story? Your Royal Highness.
Yes, I suppose we should talk.

　Lilac brings a warm, steamy teacup to her mouth with an elegant gesture.

　Lilac, freshly showered and dressed in her lustrous nightdress, was once again keenly aware that the person in front of her was a princess.

　Corona's not here.
　She may be sitting outside the room, tangling with a passerby, or she may have left the doll behind and gone somewhere else.

　It was unpredictable, but I was told not to return to the room until the conversation was over.

Ever since I met you, I've been doing a lot of research in my spare time.
...... Oh, by the way, did you look into me as well?
I've been doing a lot of research on you personally as well, but mainly on the unemployed.

　Lilac put down her teacup and looked at Futa with her usual sage expression.

You know that each profession has its own strengths and conditions for activation, right?　You know that each profession has its own strengths and conditions for activation?
Yes.
Most professions encourage a singular focus on talent.


　If you're a fighter, it's not about being strong, it's about fighting heroically.
　If you're a fighter, it's not about being strong, it's about fighting.

　For a chamberlain, it's "service" to someone.
　It is triggered by the existence of an object to be served.

　For a manager, a "broad understanding" of the business.
　The triggering condition is the business to be managed.


　They have a clear advantage over other "professionals" when competing in the same thing.

　With this in mind, Lilac looked at Futa.

My theory is that the "unemployed" also have this advantage. That was my reasoning.
"I see. ...... I see.

　Futa lowered his eyebrows.
　"I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.

I don't have any idea what you're talking about. I'm sorry.
"I'm sorry. ...... I expected that. If you knew what your strengths were, you wouldn't be on the street.
"Yes.

　Futa nodded. I'm unemployed, so I've been working hard and honestly.
　If I had something to start with, I wouldn't have been so desperate to live.

　Lilac puts her hand to her cheek as if thinking for a moment and mutters.

"Imitation was the culmination of your personal skills, wasn't it?
"That was just me, ....... I've been around a lot of unemployed people, but I've never seen an unemployed person who could mimic someone else.

　That said. As Lilac said, the idea that "unemployed" had something to specialize in was something Futa had never thought of.

　He had always thought that the unemployed were, as the word implied, those who were out of work.

　But if we assume that there is something equal to other professions.

I can't think of much. Princess, have you noticed anything in your research?
...... There is one story that will make you laugh all the way round, isn't there?
What is it?
There's no one who's been as unemployed as Huta and yet has been able to polish something, so there's very little reference material.
"...... again.

　It was hard for Futa to respond to the story.

That's why I asked you this question directly, in the hope that it would give you a complex.
"......, sir?
"You're so nonchalant, you know. If you knew that I was investigating the 'unemployed' and not you personally, wouldn't you feel a little bad?
Is that how it is?
I don't know if you're asking me this, but ...... well, it's a good miscalculation.

　Lilac exhaled.

"Well?

　I'm not sure if this is a good idea, but it's a good idea.

And here's the thing.
"What does the princess think the power of 'unemployment' is?"
It's a bit of a guess, but I think it's pretty solid.
"Oh, wow.

　I'm not sure what to say, but I'm going to say it.

I'm not sure what to say, but I'll say it. It's just you and me. I'm sure you'll be glad to know that I'm not the only one who has a problem with that. ...... You can't blame me for something like that.
What about you?
I can't keep her company.
Oh, ...... Corona, .......


　The two of them heard a voice say, "Perorin" in their minds.


But I'm surprised. I've been living here for over twenty years and I've never understood anything.
I've been living for more than 20 years, and I didn't know anything." "That's natural, because you and I have different environments in which we can research and acquire knowledge. I don't feel bad about the praise, though, .......
I'm sure that's because you've acquired the knowledge and environment you've created for yourself.　It's not as if it was given to you.


It's not something to be praised. It's true that I had a hard time.　And the people I've connected with have been crooks.　And I've never been praised for these steady efforts.　No offense, but?

　Futa sensed that he was quite pleased.

I'm sorry. I'm not going to talk about me, but about Futa. The biggest thing I learned about "unemployed". I'm going to ask you a question to confirm this assumption.
"Yes, what is it?

　Huta straightened his back, thinking it was an important question.
　Lilac paused and then spoke.


"Futa. Did you enjoy the effort?"


　He reflexively tried to deny it.

　Thinking back on the Colosseum, it had been hard.

　But was it really the "effort" that was hard?

　The answer is no.

　The environment. The environment was hard because no matter how hard I tried, it wouldn't change.

　I worked out. I worked out. I worked out.

　The fact that nothing changed was what was hard.


　That's why I'm still here.
　I can train next to Corona as a hobby.
　If I didn't like it, if I was traumatized by it, I wouldn't be doing this.


　Lilac reminded me of one thing after another.
　It was fun to work hard. The moment when I was rewarded for my hard work was the happiest moment of my life.
　Living alone was the only thing I looked forward to.


　And now it's time to cross swords with Lilac. And now, the time to cross swords with Lilac, the time to study each other's hands, is very happy.
　And now, I'm very happy when I'm talking with Corona and she's interrupting my muscle training or riding on my back.


I enjoyed the training and the effort very much.

"Oh, really? Well, I guess I'm right.

　Lilac nodded absent-mindedly.
　You're right, I'm not wrong.

"Let me hear it!

　"The occupation of 'unemployed'.
　I've been confronted with the idea that I'm just someone else's subordinate.

　If there was a possibility there, I wanted to hear it at all costs.

　Lilac blinked at Futa, who stood up unconsciously and seemed a little surprised.
　But then she narrowed her eyes.

I couldn't have done it without you. It is also a conviction that I could not have had without our time together. I have no objection to teaching you. --But I have a condition.
Conditions?
I'm not going to ask you to do anything difficult. --Knowledge is wealth.
As you know, I don't have any money. ......
No, not really.

　Lilac put her index finger to her lips gently.

This is a secret between you and me. There will come a time when it will be made public, but not now.

　Futa did not understand what she was thinking.

I'm not sure, but I understand .......
"Of course, I know that there are people who are still oppressed by being 'unemployed'. I know that there are still people who are oppressed by being 'unemployed', but the disadvantages of going public now are much greater.

　He said seriously, and then brushed his hair away annoyingly.

"Well, to begin with, it's not confirmed yet. It's better to keep it quiet, in case we find a discrepancy later.

　Probably, Lilac already has a roadmap in her mind to make this fact public.
　Then Futa had no idea to interfere with her.

I'm sure you'll understand. ...... In the first place, you have no right to interfere with what the princess is doing.
It's the same for me. There's nothing in the contract that binds you to what you say. So this is just a request.

　Lilac smiled softly, and Huta nodded.

Then again. The tea is getting cold. The tea is getting cold, but let's talk .......
"Yes.


"Isn't being unemployed a form of 'spreading pleasure'? That's my conclusion.
"The spreading of pleasures." ......?
When you do something fun, something interesting, it spreads the pleasure around you.


"I see. ....... The reason why the princess enjoyed fighting me was because of those skills.
I don't like the word "skill".
"What?

　Lilac made a blatantly uncomfortable face.

"It's your talent. I hate being manipulated by 'professions' more than anything. "A profession is something that people use, not something they do for a living. Most people in this world are slaves to their professions now."

　I felt a strong negative emotion rolling out of Lilac.
　Futa pondered a bit and then asked Lilac.

"...... Princess, I mean...
"What is it?
I'm not very smart, so I'm not sure what the ...... difference is.
"Don't be so hard on yourself. "Your profession is your strength. If you want to live a life that makes use of your strengths, good. "I don't like the way of life that says, 'I'm a manager, so I'll be a manager.

　Suddenly, Futa remembered Lilac's words.

"People are not slaves to their professions. You've shown me that firsthand.

　That was in praise of Futa, who had chosen the path of a swordsman despite being unemployed, and had developed his skills to such an extent.

As a human being, you are bound by your occupation. But being a "manager" does not mean you can become a manager. A good manager makes an effort to become one. I'm not a fan of this world that dismisses it as a blessing of the profession.

　She gave a cute little cough.
　Lilac smiled, lightly cupping her cheek with her hand.

I'm sorry I'm so upset.
No, ...... I think I understand what the princess is trying to say. Even for someone as unintelligent as me.
I see. I'm glad to hear it. I don't like to talk down to myself.
I'm sorry.
Good. At least know that my pleasure is the result of your honing your sword. I won't let anyone deny your efforts.

　Lilac nodded in satisfaction, and Futa asked her a question that had been bothering him.

If "unemployed" is such a profession... I'm not sure if there are any conditions for activating it.
I've been thinking about it for a while, and I'm pretty sure that's what ...... I'm thinking of.
Can I ask you something?
Yes. I thought I should give myself a pat on the back for this.
Oh.

　Lilac, proud and proud of herself.
　If she's praising herself, she must have made a fine play. To the expectant Futa, Lilac said, "Maybe I won't have to work.


I think it's probably not working.
"Go to ......?
"I'm unemployed. I guess you can't work.



Yeah, .......

　Really? Huta looked up at the ceiling.

People aren't slaves to their professions. If you want to leave, there's nothing I can do to stop you.

　After saying this, Lilac continued in a rare, teasing manner.

I will always welcome your stay.

　Huta guessed.

　I see," he thought, "I should praise you for holding Futa in your arms.