"Occupation" is like a family register.

　It changes very rarely.


　The First Princess Lilac was born with the occupation of "scheming hero."

　A hero who uses his cunning to become a standard-bearer.

　The king was very concerned about the birth of such a being.

　However, for a while after his birth, he did not need to worry too much.
　She had grown up as an innocent jumper, a girl who longed to be a knight, a hero rather than a scoundrel.

　However, at the age of 12 or 3, when she was intelligent, witty, and eloquent, the king's concern resurfaced.

　She was a lovely girl now, but the thought of her turning into an enemy when something happened in the future made him uneasy.



　There were not many people who had the occupation of a wily man, and there were hardly any materials available.

　By chance, the king heard a rumor of a wily man born in the Far East.

　The king was relieved to learn that he was also a man who would serve as a vassal during his reign.



　It's a simple story.

　"The wicked man was one step ahead of the king.

　That's all.


　The source of the rumor is still unknown.

　The king doesn't know. --Scheming, born in the Far East, was a rebel of the century who was only spared because he was expected to be a good retainer during his reign.


　A little truth in a lie. The rudimentary methods of disinformation were the best survival strategies that the young Wicked Man could come up with.
















　--The day of the match.

　The garden under the royal castle where Lilac and Futa usually used to cross swords.

　Today, a seat was set up here, and the invited dignitaries were watching the center with tea in their hands.

　A match between the rumored guest of the First Lilac Princess and the fighting swordsman brought by Richter L. Klingbloom.

　Not many people saw the match as a mere spectacle.

　Most of them were thinking like this.
　It was a battle to decide who would be Princess Lilac's knight.

　The sunny garden was a different kind of beauty from the usual night face that Futa usually visited.

　Surrounded by hedges, the green of the plants shone more beautifully in the sunlight.

　The plants and flowers that I could not see in the dark were also beautiful and a feast for the eyes.

　However, today's main attraction was not the botanical garden, but the lawn in the center of the garden.

　It was a field tailor-made for swordsmen.


Isn't it difficult to move?
No, not a problem. Thank you, sir.

　In a corner of the garden. In a corner of the garden, surrounded by guards, sits the princess.
　In front of her stood Futa. Wearing the formal attire prepared for this occasion.

"It suits you subtly, Futa-sama.
"Don't be subtle, I know what I'm doing.

　No cape, but white tights and a red jacket.
　It's not a soldier, but a soldier of war. I'm not a soldier, I'm a knight.

　It is true that the rugged atmosphere of Futa does not suit him well.

The princess is also honest, so she refrains from commenting on his attire.

　Corona shows the lilac with the palm of her hand.

　When Futa glanced at her, she only smiled, as if troubled.

It's not polite, Corona.
You don't deny it, do you?
Forgive me.

　Lilac tells Huta, her shoulders slumping.

"Futa. Don't worry, looks have nothing to do with arms.
"Wow, a final shot to follow up on the princess.
"Did I do something wrong to you two ......?

　I'm not sure what to say, but I'm sure you'll understand.

I'm just kidding. I'm just kidding. You're not nervous, and you didn't have much to say.
"Oh, no. I'm not nervous, but I'm glad you're paying attention to me like that.
I see. Well, then... please live up to my expectations.
Yes.

　I nod.

　She stepped back from Lilac and seemed to have her hands full with all the people who came to greet her.


"I'm a scoundrel."


　He didn't care about her profession or what she was thinking.
　Futa had been indifferent to such things until now.

　But it's a different story when it comes to wicked men.

　Some say that a "wicked man" will destroy the country he was born in.
　In a sense, it was a rare and infamous profession.

　So we should not be alarmed.

　Futa looks back at his own path so far.


　The opposite.


　Just as the label "unemployed" was very painful for Futa.
　If she was born to be a "wicked male," then it's no wonder so many people have treated her the way they have.

　Naturally, she would have to fight alone.

　If she had been born into royalty, she would have been considered dangerous and her family would have killed her.
　And yet, she is the one who has survived this long without being crushed.



　I may not be able to help her in any way.

　But the girl who reached out to me was really wielding a sword all by herself.


　I can see that scene vividly in my mind's eye.


　I didn't want to know that and not be able to do anything about it.

　I wanted to at least be able to support him.

"......
"Mr. Futa?
Oh, no, sorry. I'm sorry. I'm just a little distracted before the game.
No, no, no. It's better to be idle.
What do you mean, "lazy"? ...... You need to concentrate.

　As for Lilac, we can talk about her after the game.

　But if we don't win this game in the first place, there's nothing left to talk about.

"The spear, huh?

　Futa thought about the spear he was holding in his hand.

　This is the one I asked Lilac for.
　He had asked Lilac to prepare the same weapon as his opponent.
　The result was a familiar spear in his hand.

I'm pretty sure it's related to Futa.

　Lilac's words echoed in the background.

　If the person who was handling the spear was related to Futa, there was something I could think of.

　He had never come up to defend his championship, but he had crossed blades with him many times before.


I finally found him.

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

　I'm not sure what to make of that.

"Prim, huh?
"Huh. You remembered my name, didn't you?

　You can feel the hostility in the corners of her mouth.
　She's got the same or better fighting spirit than Lilac.

　I'm not sure if you've heard of this, but I'm sure you've heard of it.

What's that look? I've been looking for you for a year. You look like you're having a hard time remembering my name.

　She brushed her black hair away and continued.

　Futa closes his eyes.
　It was a person who had often been hostile to him.
　But now that he thinks about it, that was something different, though similar to hostility.

　Compared to the blatant hostility I feel from her now, what I felt before must have been still a cute feeling.

I'm not having a hard time.
What?

　He shook his head.
　He looked her in the eyes and said.

"I mean, I remember your name. I remember your name. And your cross spear.

　He was a scary, fast-growing, skilled spearman.
　There was no lie in his training, and his precise aim and godlike speed made it difficult for him to respond.
　At least, that's what Futa thought.

"Yes.

　I'm not sure how much emotion was put into that light reply.

"Two years ago. After you disappeared, I've been working on my spear spear technique ....... I will defeat you.
"Yeah, I get it.

　I could have said anything back.
　But there's no point in saying anything before you've crossed blades.
　Futa has but one mission.

"Go prove to the swordsman who will challenge you that you are the strongest.

　So let's do it. As Futa said this to himself, Prim's spear was thrust in front of his eyes.

But...

　Her eyes are hidden by her downcast bangs.

　The tip of the spear trembles. Futa stared straight at the spear, which could have pierced his nose if he had made a slight mistake.

　Prim's eyes were moist as she raised her head.

I'll curse you for the rest of your life. I'll curse you for the rest of your life.
"......

　To be honest, I didn't think it would be enough to make me cry.

　He was aware that he had done something unforgivable.


It's not the fault of the unemployed, it's your fault.
"But still, if you blame your 'profession', you're finished. It's the end of your life. There are many bad people like that.
You can't be one.


　I think back to the words of the girl who always supported me.

　The regret of ruining the game is still bitter.

　But it's from the shame and inadequacy that I turned my back on her.



　I had no idea that my actions, which no one expected of me, would be enough to make someone cry.


I regretted it to death, too.

　He grabbed the spear blade and slowly lowered it.

"So I won't do it again.

　And then he said it. I'll never do it again," he said, "I can say whatever I want with words.
　But Futa has learned the importance of words.

"Yes.

　With the spear on his back, Prim turned on his heel.

"Then. I'll let you deal with him as best you can. That's why I quit the Colosseum.

　With that, she walked toward Richter and the others.

"...... Colosseum, you quit?

　I'm not sure what to make of that.

　But.


I'm sure you'll be able to understand why.


　The answer was given to me by the princess.

　All I have to do is give it my all. So, Futa gripped the spear.