--The courtyard of the Royal Castle.

　A place for the nobility to relax and enjoy the sun shining through the trees.

　This place is the home of the aristocrats, especially Richter, and as usual, their tea party was being held there.

　While the attendants were busily serving, there was a girl who was watching the tea party itself from afar.

　She was a pretty girl with lustrous black hair tied in two.
　Looking at her appearance alone, the nobles would have invited her to the center of the tea party as a snack.

　However, the cross spear that she was holding in her hand so languidly would not let the man make any rash move.

　She leaned on the spear as if it were a walking stick, watching over the tea party with a cautious look. She was doing more than her fair share of guarding them.

　She narrowed her eyes and muttered without looking back.

"...... Huta-kun?
I'm sure it's true what they say about you being hired by Mr. Richter.

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

I've been wondering what to do with my stay. I was wondering what to do about staying here, but Richter said he'd hire me, so that was pretty convenient.
I see.
...... You're looking well, aren't you?
Hmm?

　Prim raised one eyebrow as she looked up at Futa, who was gazing blankly at the scenery.

　Leaning on the spear, he asks.

I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure you'll do fine.
"Yeah, ......, I guess so. I wonder why.

　In the corner of the plaza, there was a watering hole for wild birds, where they were bathing happily.
　While watching them, Futa muttered to himself.

It's not because I'm used to being ripped off. Being used to it is not the same as not being hurt by it. When I was in the Colosseum, I was used to it, but it was hard.

　But...

I'm not alone. Not everyone is my enemy. Now that I know that, I don't care what anyone says to me.
"Yeah.

　The expression on Prim's face was gentler than I expected, as she replied simply.

I've decided to stay here for a while. I've decided to stay here for a while, and so have you.
"I think I'm going to stay here for a while. I think I'm just going to bury my bones.
That's pretty straightforward. ....... That's good. I don't have to chase you around with a spear in my hand anymore.
"......
Don't be so subtle. ......
What other face can you make? ......

　Wherever you go, Prim is going to come after you with a spear in her hand.
　What should I do with such a declaration?

　I'm not sure what to do.

"Can I ask you for one thing?
"If there's anything I can do...
I don't know. I don't know.
I don't know. ...... Well, I'll just ask.
Okay.

　She stopped leaning on the spear and faced Futa.

What you said back there... I didn't know how much your heart was hurting, so I said whatever I wanted. But I want you to promise me one thing. For "us."
"Prim?
Yes.


"We're coming to put our feelings on the line for the greatest champion of all. So please. Please don't turn your back on their challenge.


...... All but one of the major classes that had the right to challenge the champion, including myself, have quit the Colosseum.
Seven of them?
That's right. Right now, the Colosseum's box office is taking a fatal hit.

　Huta's eyes widen.

　There were five classes in the Colosseum.
　The Eight Flashes of Heaven is the highest league, and the most spectacular, with eight swordsmen fighting for the right to challenge the champion.

　When Futa was in the league, it was considered to be the best league of all time, making up for the deficit in the championship game.

　All but one of them quit.

"-- to beat you.
"......, is that right?

　But Prim knows that.

Last I heard about the Colosseum, the only one left was that guy.
"He" being .......
Yeah. I didn't ask him why, but he's the only one who didn't quit the Colosseum. That's what the rumor mill says.



　Prim muttered, looking at the waterhole of the birds.

　All the birds had flapped their wings except for one, and the only one left was playing at the waterhole.

　It was so beautiful that it dazzled both Futa's and Prim's eyes, as well as the eyes of the nobles at the tea party.



"I heard that he fights fiercely against even the weakest of opponents and supports the box office all by himself. "The eternal number two, the de facto champion, now reigns in the Colosseum as the greatest champion of all time.
"......, yeah?
I'm not sure.

　Huta closes her eyes.

　I think back to the man who always gave it his all, who was the only one really trying to beat Futa when everyone else in the Colosseum had given up.

"Next time, I'm going to win!


　At that time, Futa had no room in his heart.

　So he didn't even look him in the eye.

　He thought he was tired of hearing it.



　And...




"What do you mean?





　I opened my eyes, remembering his grief when I gave him his first white star.





"So... Mr. Futa. If you're being saved now, please.


　Prim looked up at Futa again.


"You have to save us.


You've been our biggest obstacle, the only thing we've been able to live with, the only thing that's kept us going. Please, don't run away from us.


"We may have been nothing to you, a rock in the road.


"We've wielded our blades only to surpass you.



　These words penetrated Futa's heart.


　That's why he nodded.


　That's why he nodded, just as he had when Prim had appeared in front of him.


"Okay."
"Yes.
"I accept."
"Yes.

　He nodded. Smile.

I'm glad you said that. ...... I'll try again when I have a better chance of beating you.
...... Are you going to try your hand at this like you used to?
No.

　Prim says, fluttering her hands away.

"Back then, I couldn't challenge you unless I had to. It's not hand-to-hand I want. I want a fight. One of these days, we're going to have to fight to the death for something.
...... Okay.
I'll poke Mr. Richter and make him fight the princess for some kind of advantage.
That's a horrible idea. ......

　I hope something interesting will happen, Prim blurted out.

　The girl is more disturbing than I thought, Futa said, the corners of his mouth twitching.

　But then he thought.

　He didn't know anything about her personality other than that she used a cross spear and that she had a history of training.

　It was the same for the other [Tenkahachi-sen].

　Truly, I lived without knowing anything about her.

　That's why...

"Prim.
What is it?
"I'm looking forward to our rematch at .......

　When I said that, Prim's eyes widened in surprise.

　She let out a hot breath.



"Stop it. You're making me want to slash you right now.



　--So much for Prim Lancaster, the swordsman.

　The fact that the "admirer" was looking straight at him made him very happy.