-Orba Chamber of Commerce Headquarters. Office.

　Even though it was called the same office, it was a completely different space than Lilac's room.

　A girl named Beatrix sat cross-legged on a leather sofa at the far end.

　About two merets away from her, Futa and Prim sat side by side - surrounded by a large number of black clothes.

　All along the wall. In the first place, because of the size of this room, there were no less than fifty subordinates waiting for them. They seemed to be good at their jobs and were completely responsible for watching the two of them.

　And more than that.

　Huta was curious about the man standing behind Beatrix.

　At the back of the room was a window, designed to allow visitors to enjoy the view of the garden beyond.
　It must be that the business is so profitable that they can spend all this technology and money on this one room.

　The man folded his hands behind his back as if to enjoy the view and turned his back to Futa and the others. However, his hidden fighting spirit is not ordinary.

　The fact that Prim was already licking her lips was proof of that.

　While controlling Prim, Fouta looks around.

　The paintings hanging on the walls and the oppressive feeling of money to the point of bad taste dominated the room.

I don't know what you want with us, but... Where did you get that box?
"Well, I don't know where I got it. I don't know, maybe I found it, maybe I bought it?　Or maybe you got it out of your pocket?
"......

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

　I see, this is a manager with a twisted personality.

　If this is the woman who is meeting with Lilac, she must be very uncomfortable.

"And then you saw this, and your eyes changed.

　And when you saw this, your eyes changed." With a flick of her hand, Beatrix looked at Futa.

"You're the princess's favorite, aren't you?　You're the princess' favorite, don't you know anything interesting about her?
"Something interesting?
You know, the princess's secret little stories.

　Futa's eyebrows twitched.
　You could say it was a cheap provocation, and you'd be right. But for Futa, it's one of those things he shouldn't touch.
　This time it was Prim's turn to control Futa.

"...... I'm sorry, but Master Lilac has no weaknesses.
"Oh, yeah.

　As if disinterested, Beatrix plopped her weight on the back of the couch.

So you're not going to make a deal.
Deal?
"I told you first. I'm a businessman. I admit I'm a little twisted, but I'm still the head of a business association.

　He popped a little box.

"I want to see how badly you want this, not how enthusiastic you are, but how sincere you are. You know what I mean?　I don't need your blue-eyed passionate flirting. I'm asking you what you're willing to give me for this.
"Price," huh?
Why do I have to explain all this to you?　What's the princess's favorite, a male prostitute?
You.

　As he was about to stand up, a huge burst of fighting spirit came from Futa.
　The black-clad men hurriedly drew their swords, and a fierce spirit rushed upon Beatrix.

　Her eyes widened in surprise and the black-clad men didn't notice that her hand was trembling.

　It's not that I'm not a fan of this kind of thing.

"...... Huh.

　I'm not sure what to make of it.

　I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do this, but I'm going to try.

It seems that this is not just a contractual relationship. How dare you with that princess?

　Prim glanced at Beatrix.
　She narrowed her eyes in understanding.

　I was wondering what kind of person the head of the trade union was.
　"A manager with a twisted personality," he said. If he wants to get something out of his opponent, he doesn't care if it's an old wound or a treasure.

　Lilac must have kept Futa in the dark for a long time.
　That's why Beatrix made Futa spit out information about himself.

　Although he was younger than Prim, he was still at the top of the royal city's commercial world.

　But still...

I'm not sure if I'll be able to keep my composure if I'm hit head on by a serious fighter of Futa's caliber.

　He muttered to himself.

　Prim's hands trembled slightly as she fumbled with the box, and she could see the beads of sweat that appeared on her temples.

　But still, the head of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry did not seem to have any patience whatsoever, and let out a sigh of relief.

The princess doesn't tell me anything about you. She doesn't tell me anything about you. I'm the kind of person who likes to keep uncertainties out of my work. Well, she showed me right away.
Apologize.
...... What?
You just keep insulting people, don't you?


"Oh, yes, yes. Warriors are always so proud and easy to deal with. I'm sorry.
No, I'm not.

　What?　And Beatrix looks up again.
　There was a man with anger that had nothing to do with pride.
　Beatrix immediately retracts her previous statement.

I'll tell the ............ princess later.
I'll check with her.
"...... Hmm.

　The anger itself doesn't seem to have disappeared, but it still feels like it's been contained.
　In the back of his mind, Beatrix sighed, finally able to breathe easily.

　I thought he was just a warrior, but now he's a loyal knight.

　So he thought to himself. She turned to Huta again, thinking that there were many ways she could do that.

"So what, you're looking for someone on the princess's orders?
It's...

　I'm not sure what you mean by that.

I'm not sure what you mean by that.

　I'm not sure if you've heard of it or not.
　She then raised one eyebrow and said provocatively,

I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one.
"Oh crap .......

　A blue streak appeared on Prim's smile.

I'm not sure what to do with it.　Tell me where you got the little box and I'll tell you.
"Okay, fine. I'm not that interested.
It's ......!

　I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure I'll be able to do it.

I'm not sure what to say.
What did you say?
"Keep it up, you fat pig.
"You don't want to hide it, do you?

　"You're not going to hide it, are you?
　Beatrix, the manager, was more difficult to deal with than he had imagined.

　She was used to being called names, and had no problem with it. I guess he has a high tolerance for malice and harm. Even the first time I saw Futa's seriousness, I was able to overcome it with a cool face, with only some trembling and cold sweat.

　"A manager with a twisted personality". Futa was slowly beginning to understand the meaning of that phrase.

　After hearing that Lilac had been keeping Futa in the dark, Futa didn't want to follow Beatrix's lead and find out more about her without her knowledge.

　However, this is the only clue Corona has.

"So, depending on the price, you're willing to hand Corona over to us?"
Corona?
Don't be silly. You provoked us with that little box. You couldn't do that unless you knew who the box belonged to and the connection between me, the princess and Corona. In the end, I wanted to have something to play with. That's what you're trying to say, isn't it?
"Well, I don't know. I don't know. There's a lot more to it than that, you know?
What I'm asking is, what are you looking for in return?
...... Hmm. You mean you want me to make a conditional offer.

　Beatrix's air changed a little.

　Her eyes seemed to be swimming in thought, but they were not.
　She's happy and joyful, as if she's pulling something out of her brain that she's been preparing. It's as if she's been ready to present the conditions from the beginning.

　--If she set the terms from the beginning, it would be like telling them that she knew what Corona was up to. And then they would have extracted the information from him.

　--All they need is a favor. The fact is that they made all the choices, regardless of their nature. Orba Trading Company was simply answering the call of the princess's favorite.


"I can't decide. Which one should I choose?

　In a voice that sounded like that of a young girl choosing a gift, she weighed the cost of a human life against the cost of gold.

　Then he looked at Futa.

"Then I'll let you choose.
What?

　Beatrix held up three fingers and laughed.

"The first. The first is to die here and now.　I'll leave the rest to that extra guy over there. I'll write a testimony and give you the information I have. I know there's no register in King's Landing. It's disturbing, to say the least.
"...... can't hear that. I swore I'd be there for you, Lilac.
Oh, yeah. I don't need the second half, so next time, please.



　He waved his hand away and shook his head annoyingly.
　Each of these actions irritated Futa, but this woman probably knew that and was doing it.

Secondly. Second, you're going to tell me what the princess is up to. I'll specify later what information you're to extract. If you want to save that maid, you'll have to give up the dear princess's trust. What's more important to you, a human life or information about Your Highness?
"......

　If you want to save the princess, you have to give up your trust.

"The third. I'll consider it if my bouncer doesn't kill you. Even though I look like this, I like to watch brawls from a safe distance. If you die, good riddance. I'll give you this little box if you survive.
"...... Are you sure about that?
Hmm?　I don't really care which one it is.　If you die in a brawl, it will be a funny spectacle.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find something that works for you.

"Well, you can choose any of the three. I don't care which one. I've made a lot of concessions, and I'm not going to take any more.
"There's only one option, .......
"Huh. Which one?　The first one?
The third one.

　With that, Futa stood up.

　Prim stared at him with narrowed eyes.
　--He was probably almost certain that Beatrix had made contact with Corona.
　He had no time to spare at the moment.

　But does that mean we should be worried? The answer is no.
　No matter who comes out, Huta will not be defeated. When I glanced at Beatrix, she was already giving orders to the others to go out.

　After letting Prim and Futa lead the way, she muttered to herself in the remaining room.

I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one who can't be killed by our bouncers.

　She bets on the life of her "favorite".
　Not a bad price to pay for a gamble.
　So...

"I'll consider your story. Lilacs.