The cheers turn into screams.

　At the same time as the groans rose, the echoes were of disappointment.

　Prim muttered to herself as she looked at Futa's face, which showed a sad smile, even though she knew it was the usual.

It's not a smile of resignation to an unworthy challenger, is it?
...... I wasn't so sure of myself.
"I see.

　Picking up the spear, Prim held out her right hand.

"It was fun, Futa."
"Yeah.

　The exchange of hands was brief.

　This is not a sword dance in the Colosseum, but a duel between agents.

　When I gently let go of his hand, a voice said.

"Hey, you know what?
"Hmm?
"I'm sorry...


　Before he could finish his words, the situation moved.

　There was a thud behind Futa.
　You'll be able to see the arms around your shoulders and know that you've been hugged.

　He knew exactly who was behind him.

　Oh dear," he said without looking back.

"Hey, hey, we haven't even finished greeting each other yet. I'm glad you're happy, but we'll talk about this later.

　I've gotten used to her skinship by now.

　--Strangely, the expression on Prim's face tightened and tensed.

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

I just finished a game and I smell like sweat. No, I know you don't mind, but... You may not care, but I'm more than a little happy, so I'll even hold you by your arms and spin you around later.

　No kidding, I'm that happy on the inside.
　But it's a bad place to be, so let's think about it," he realized when he touched the hand that was being passed around.


　It had the softness of a woman's hand, but it was clearly the hand of someone who holds a sword.



　One person.




　The blood quickly drained away.

"Oh, that-- Corona, is ......
"Yes, yes, yes!　I'm a cleaning maid!　You did it, Futa-sama!　You won!　You did it!　Congratulations!

　A blonde haired maid appeared in front of me and started throwing confetti all over the place.

　I was happy to celebrate, but the fact that she was able to appear in front of me was killing me.

　Because you can still feel the body heat behind you.

"...... Oh, my... Oh, princess, ......?
Yes. Are you going to twirl me later?
No, that's the thing, ......!

　She whispered teasingly in my ear.

"Hmm. I'm just kidding.

　I'm just kidding." He pulled his hand away as if to untie me.
　He turned around and saw Lilac in a visibly happy mood.

I'm just saying, you did a great job. Huta. It wasn't a joking sentiment that made me hug you.
"No, no.

　I'm not joking about the fact that I hugged you.

　I hugged him back. The fact that he was so pleased made me happy, and more importantly, it made my efforts worthwhile.

...... I'm glad I could live up to your expectations.
Yes. ...... But I shouldn't. I'm going to need to vent tonight or I'm going to go crazy.

　I'm not sure what to do, but I'm going to do it.
　The serious Futa nodded his head in agreement with the correct intentions because he was serious.

　It's a secret that I swallowed a little bit because it sounded like something else.

"Huh?

　That's why the strange voice came from behind Futa.

"What?　You're the princess of this country and you're like that?
Well, I can see how it might be misunderstood. You have a meeting.
You're not supposed to misunderstand me.

　Prim fanned her face with her hand, trying to hide her surprise.

　She turned on her heel, carrying the spear on her back.

The loser will leave. The losers will leave. ...... You can bask in the afterglow. There's someone out there who'd love to see you win.
"Yeah.

　With a small pout, she begins to walk away.


　But after a moment, he stopped.

"Yes. There's something I need to tell you.
What is it?
"Your location is known. And I'm telling you. I'm not the only one who'd rather beat you than be champion.
......
Ahead.

　Prim looks up at the sunny sky, her face seemingly refreshed.

　With another black star on her chest, she continued.

You're going to have all sorts of fierce fighters coming after you when they find out where you are.

　I can feel the fight in me. It's not from Prim.
　It's not from Prim, but rather from the fighting swordsmen of the Colosseum.

　He felt as if he was recalling the figures of the many swordsmen he knew, one by one.

　What if they, too, were scattered around the world searching for the strongest champion?

"They will come to put their feelings into the strongest champion. So please. Don't turn your back on their challenge. --Including me, of course.

　She smiled.

　Prim melted into the crowd.

　Normally, when an attractive fighter like her leaves the ring, there would be a group of people applauding and begging her for autographs and handshakes, but not this time.

　The heat of the moment had cooled.

　All they could see was the First Princess Lilac hugging Futa in public.

"Even though I was happy for Futa-sama's victory and meant it. "I'm sure you're lying when you say that you hugged her without thinking.

　In a whispered voice that no one could hear, one maid muttered with a smile on her face.


　In the midst of the buzzing hall, there was a person who walked out to replace Prim.

"Please wait, Your Highness!

　The tense voice was not directed at the princess alone.
　Even Huta could clearly feel the will of the people to pay full attention to this conversation.

　Richter L. Klingbloom.

　He stopped a few steps away from Lilac and took a glance at Futa.

　Was it my imagination, or did his eyes seem to be a little downcast?

　The grateful look in his eyes was fleeting.

　He immediately turned to Lilac and raised his voice like a stage actor.


I think it's premature to make him a knight, no matter how much he wins this match!


　The atmosphere changed.
　From a battlefield of swords to a battlefield of debate.

　The gaze that pierced my skin came from all around.

　The eyes of suspicion and caution that stare at Futa are probably due in part to the fact that he has "beaten" Prim.

　The unpopular champion is always in the midst of hostility.

　--Knight.

　Although no words were exchanged, few people were unaware of the meaning behind this match.

　It's outrageous to give the knighthood of the First Princess of Lilac to a man who's just a ruffian.

　Such is the will that fills the garden.


　A power struggle in a peaceful land.
　Futa's presence was a serious hindrance to those who wanted the closest seat to the First Lilac Princess.

　It would be better if Prim gave him up.
　If not, now it's up to me to deny it in front of this public.

　So it was a small apology, I suppose.
　What he saw in Richter's eyes was what he had said yesterday.

"Whoever he is, I'm only returning the favor I received.
"...... I see. Well then, don't hold it against me.

　Richter tells Lilac point-blank.


The man is indeed a former champion of the Colosseum, but he is an exile who was deported for cheating!


　There was a buzz of tension around them.

　Futa clenched his fists.
　Richter certainly knew about it. He knew that Richter knew, and he knew that he could not blame him. He didn't care how badly he was treated.

　But she hadn't told Lilac, who was standing next to her, about her past.


　He glanced at Futa, who was quietly lowering his eyes, for a moment, but Richter continued.

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

　The garden was silent for a moment, and then the crowd burst into song.

"Yes.
That's right, Your Highness!
"Yes, to knight such a man!

　No longer did anyone but Richter's own people agree with him.
　I don't want Richter and his men to take the knighthood of Lilac, but I don't want Huta to take it.

　The enemy of my enemy is my friend, I guess you could say.
　The way they verbally denied Futa reminded me of the Colosseum.
　The number of people was different, but unlike the Colosseum audience, which was filled with resignation, I felt a strong will to get rid of him.

　For example, if you change your job from a champion to a pimp of a princess.

　That treatment would be the same.


　--That's what I thought.


　The sound of stomping on the grass.
　Her hair swept like the silver world, standing in the way of Futa's protection.



"Shut up.

　That chilling word made everyone shut their mouths.

"...... Princess.

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

"I think you're mistaken, Richter.
"Misunderstanding? If it's a case of a hundredaire, I'm sure of it. I have witnesses. Do you still think I'm mistaken?
"Oh...

　Lilac twisted the corners of her mouth at Richter's insistence.
　That scornful smile is invisible to Huta behind him.

"You're talking about a hundredaire? I knew that, didn't I?
"What ......?

　Futa couldn't help but let out a squeak.
　You knew about it?　Since when?

　You'll be able to find a lot more information on this subject in the following article.
　The girl holding his hand with both hands looked up at him and smiled.

I've been doing this since the beginning. I hope the princess will take care of the rest, and you can stay here and relax. --After all, it's all been calculated. You are a scary person.

　I'm not sure what to do.

"Your Highness, you know that.
Yes, I knew and made him my guest. I couldn't bear to see what happened to Futa. In a place where people compete to see who is the strongest swordsman, he is the lone champion who has been humiliated for the beauty of his sword. Even so, he continued to work diligently and fell for the sweet words of the management. ......

　The princess puts her hand on her chest and shakes her head.
　It's a great way to get to know the people.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

I'm not sure if I'm wrong to have him as my guest.
"As a guest, no.

　For a moment, Richter was also pressured.
　The lilac's moist eyes showed no hint of calculation.
　You can't assume that even if it's an act, it's an act.
　Above all, if he were to blatantly deny it here, Richter would be the bad guy.

　That's why his words were weak. Above all, she's dealing with Her Highness.

　If you expose her to such an opportunity, the rest is just a game of chance. At least that's what Lilac thought.

"Richter. I'll say it again. I think you're mistaken.
What?
I ...... have no intention of knighting him, do I?
---- What?

　This time, the air in the garden froze.

　The premise was turned upside down.
　I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do that.

"Well, well.
When I found out that he was the champion of the Colosseum, I lost confidence in my sword skills and decided to ask him for a match. No thanks. Because there is no exchange of money. I just asked him to stay. Is there a problem with that?
"......

　Richter shuts up.
　Confused audience.

　But yes. If you don't intend to make her a knight, then what are you doing here?
　What are we, the ones who desperately put down the princess's guest?

"But it's outrageous.

　It echoes. It echoes, it echoes.
　The princess's sorrowful face, her hand on her chest, her other hand gently caressing the side of her eyes.

　Who broke the princess's heart?

　Everyone present.

"Looking forward to the fight between our guest and the swordsman. --The mood I was in earlier, when Hooter won, seems to be sinking into a swamp.
"So, Your Highness...
No, I don't mind. I don't mind. But...

　I look around, lower my eyebrows, and say.

"You have no idea how much your harsh words have stung my guest.

　There are many ways to look at Futa.
　Some still try to act arrogant. Some look away in embarrassment.


　One looks down apologetically. Others are annoyed at the trouble they've caused.

　But none of them can say a word to Futa.

　The nobles are helpless against a mere rootless weed.

"I'm not asking you to apologize. I don't know what you're talking about, but you must have been desperate. Just.

　Oh, Richter guessed.

　This is what you want.
　To establish Huta's position in the palace from the start.


"Would you please treat my guest with respect from now on?


　A little selfishness from a lovely princess.
　The little selfishness of a lovely princess.

　She makes it look like a request.

　She gives orders disguised as requests.

　You can't call her a tyrant. She didn't force her way.
　Because before you know it, they're the ones who tried to force you to ignore reason.

　Instead of forgiveness, make a small concession. Now we're even.
　That's what Lilac is trying to say.

"......", haha. So much for that.

　Richter couldn't help but blurt out the words.
　Did you find that much value in Futa?

　It's just that in order to allow Futa to operate freely in the palace, he had to create such a travesty.

　Richter is desperately trying to find a way to turn the situation around.
　If they don't, they're completely in the wrong. More importantly, Richter's own position is at stake.
　But there's no time to think. Because time is not on Richter's side.

　He's trapped in the crowd. It's not made up of the strong-minded.

Of course they are!　Of course I'm sure of it!

　I can't say no to that.

"Yes, of course. It is our regret that this situation has arisen.
Yes. I didn't know the meaning of the game.
Not at all. If it was to be a showcase of His Highness Lilac's talent, you should have said so from the start. You're a bad person.

　He laughed and laughed.
　This was already a sign that Richter had been cut.
　It's not our fault. The only ones to blame were the aristocrats who misunderstood the meaning of the game.

　Lilac chuckled as well.

"Yeah. I'm sorry.

　Then she continued.

"What do you think? "Huta is strong, isn't he?"

　At her words, Futa realized.


"I'll give you a chance to prove your strength soon. Until then, you will be our guest of honor.


　So she had been thinking and acting this way since then?

　I thought it was just a game when I heard "opportunity to prove".
　But it wasn't.
　I realized that Futa had already gained a clear position in the royal court.

　He was an "important" guest of Her Royal Highness.
　This is even more so since they themselves have been reminded of the importance of this, along with the loans they owe to the nobles.

　This is not the same as just bringing a guest and telling them to be polite. They can't touch Futa anymore.


　Lilac was chatting with a group of nobles as she stared at them.
　She smiled happily when she heard them praising Futa's swordsmanship.

　As long as you praise Futa, nothing will happen to you.

　That's what he's trying to say.

"Oh, really--

　I'm not sure if I can prove it.

I'm glad I could 'prove' it."


　"I'm glad I was able to prove it," Richter said with a resigned smile, looking up at the sky.


"Yes. Huta is a great swordsman.
"Yes, he is. I'm glad you understand that.

　I can't afford to make my position any worse.

　But now that the knight was out of the picture, Richter didn't feel so bad either.

　At the very least, he could apologize to Futa later and ask for another meeting.

　I'm sure that earnest man will forgive me for letting out my frustration today.