--A few days later. The basement of the royal castle.

　In the place where the Shenlong Knights' staying cargo was stored, there was a large cart.
　The cart, which is large enough to run a horse, is wrapped in a gaping iron grate, as if it were to hold a beast of prey.

　There is no cloth over it.

　This is not a prison to be escaped from, but a prison to be dragged around the city and made an example of.

　A girl was sitting on a cart in the mobile cell.


　Did she hate me more than I thought?


　In the cold prison, she suddenly wondered.

　A member of the Order of the Divine Dragon briefly told her about the change of plans.

　Instead of taking her back to the Kingdom of Law and executing her, they were going to execute the "witch" together for the sake of friendship between the Kingdom and the Kingdom of Law.

　She trusted the princess of this country.

　Not in her conscience or her beliefs, but in her skill.

　She wouldn't allow something she didn't like to happen in the kingdom, much less the capital.
　Then surely this change of plans is what she wants.

　It was a good guess, but it came to me in a twisted way.

　And the conclusion I came to was, "I guess she hates me more than I thought.

"Huh.

　We didn't talk properly when we parted.
　The last one-on-one conversation we had was about not renewing our "contract."

　From then on, we only had a relationship with each other, at best, with one other person in between.

　She didn't tell me what she was doing behind the scenes, even during the "contract" period. "I wouldn't be surprised if she was thinking about what to do with herself after she found out the contract was up.

　It's not that I have a reason to live.

　If that's what the princess who took care of me wants, well, maybe I can repay her by dying in a way that will make her feel better.

　I thought a little behind my smile.

　If that's the case, then maybe that little box was superfluous.
　I don't know how to describe the feelings that now come and go in my heart.

　One day, when the box is in her hands... If she looks like this...

"Poy. I see. ......

　She smiles, but realizes what she's saying.

"Loomp, loomp, loomp. ......

　Somehow, I felt like I should say it, so I did.

　Suddenly, I am flooded with pleasant memories.

　Most of them are from the past three years, which is probably because I was so attached to them.
　This March was especially fun. The playful guest was also an important person for the princess, and for that reason, there was a bubble and an indelible trust.

　Is she not good at hiding her emotions, or does she not hide them in the first place?


I don't know what you think you're doing. --"I don't know what you think you're doing, but I'm not going to let you touch him.

"I'm not saintly enough to allow someone to harm the people I care about.

"You're the one who saved my life.


　And so on.
　I didn't live my life to be told such things.
　So I was happy.

　I was never taught to think of joy as that.
　I guess that's what happiness means to me.


　So.


"I want you to be alive.


　I think about those words and worry.

　I wonder if the princess would show her execution to a man who liked her so much.

　I'm not sure about that.

　Which is better for Futa's mental health. He's going to die anyway.

　Would it be better to show it outright, or would it be better to let him know later that he is dead?
　As for me, I thought it would be better if I didn't even know I was dead, but I don't know what Princess ...... is thinking.

　But.

　I didn't want to die in front of Futa.

　I hated it more than being tortured.

　I'm not even sure I deserve to live.

　I wished I could do what I wished for and be satisfied.

　Is it my nature as a witch to honestly think so?


　What should I do? She wonders.


　Shall I just kill myself here?
　Then I won't have to go to the execution table. No need to panic and look for him from a vantage point.

　But...

"The princess will be angry.

　It was a dilemma.
　She was troubled.

　If I die here and now, there's a better chance of hiding it from him than on the execution table.
　If she went to the execution platform, she could at least repay the princess for the three years.

　If I die now, the princess will be angry.
　If I go to the execution platform, he'll find me.

"Hmm. You're not telling me you're going to come here and choose between the two of us?

　Oh no, no, no.

　The only thing she could do was to stare at the bare walls of the basement through the iron bars.






　--and. I don't think it's very likely, but he'll take Huta over me in the end. In other words, in case you get yourself killed here.


　--I'm asking you to go see Corona once. I'll give Futa a hard time, but ...... she has to make it to the execution table.


　--It's okay. I'll do whatever it takes to save Corona.




　Two footsteps echo in the cold basement.





Excuse me, Mr. Wind. I'm sorry you had to come with me.
No, sir. If the Chairman won't go, it's best if I go with him.
I don't want Beatrix to come with me.
Ha-ha-ha. She's got a lot of charm, you know. But she's not as pretty as my daughter.
Oh, I see. That's .......

　Suddenly, I looked up.
　She looked up. The baritone, who could not be mistaken, was someone she knew well.
　And honestly, the last person she wanted to see right now.

"Stop. You guys--
Hello. We're here on behalf of the president of the Orba Chamber of Commerce.
I'm an escort for the Orba Trading Company.

　The two of you start talking to the guards. I'm sure they've already done the groundwork, seeing as how they were let through so easily.
　But the other one is supposed to be Beatrix's bodyguard.
　How could they be here together, and under the name of the Orba Trading Company?

　Leaving her to wonder, the two come to the front of the prison in an orderly fashion.

　What should I do? I'm running out of time to die.
　Because they've found me.

　A man from the Order of the Divine Dragon and Wind, who seemed to be on guard, stood next to each other and watched as he walked up to the prison.

"Corona, the Witch of Time."

　That's what he said at the beginning.
　She, Corona, could tell. He's here now as an escort for the Orba Trading Company.
　He can't do anything he doesn't want to. That's why he had Corona guess by his first name.

　Now that you know that, one more thing. When Corona realized that her true identity was apparently known to him, she laughed with her eyes like a dagger.

"Oh no. You found me!
"......

　He closes his eyes.
　Corona did not know what he was thinking or worrying about.
　But she could tell that he was in some kind of pain, and she realized that it was because he was on the edge.

"I'm sorry?
"Don't apologize!

　I'm sorry! I've been scolded. I got popped.

　I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.
　I don't know what the Shinryu Knights behind him are saying to him to make him tolerate this conversation, but... At the very least, it's not a good idea to have a conversation that seems to have a high level of intimacy.

　Even though I can't see his face.
　At least I should keep smiling as usual.
　I thought, and smiled as usual.

"Hey... What brings you here?
"......

　The look on his face, as if he resented his hesitation.
　He clenched his fists, but he still looked straight at Corona and said.

"I have a message from my Lord.

　He said this because he was here in the name of the Orba Trading Company.
　However, since Futa said "my Lord", he was probably not referring to Beatrix.
　It was simply a bluff against the guards.

　His eyes staring straight into mine.

　Above and below the cart. Corona seated, him standing in front of her. Just about the same height.
　It's the first time they've ever been at eye level.

　It's hard to tell in the dim light, but I can tell he's in pain.

　Well. I wonder what the princess' message is.
　My heart clenches a little. Still slumped over, clutching the hem of the rag she wore, Corona waited for Futa's words.



I'm sure you've heard of it.



　She lowered her eyebrows in annoyance. She .



I see.

　One word. I smiled and nodded.

　As long as he knew, I had no choice.
　He was so thorough that he even took the trouble to send a message.

　Corona was still trying to smile. She thought she was smiling as she always did.
　But apparently, the person in front of her couldn't take it anymore.
　She opened her mouth as if to say, "I don't think so," and raised her voice over it.

"Coro--
"Orba Chamber of Commerce, escort.
"......

　I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea. You can easily reach her through the bars with your arm, but she lets it down without effort.

You know, I want you to tell her if you want. I wasn't going to tell you, but... But to my surprise, it seems that the maid's whereabouts have been discovered.
"...... message?
You got my message, right?　Then why don't you deliver the maid's message?
"...... Okay.

　He nodded.
　I'm sure this person in front of you identified the other person from the way you just said it.
　He must have thought that since he had received the message, he would receive a message to return to that person.

　But no. You're just a guard for the Orba Trading Company.
　The person you want to send the message to is...

"Maid." You're not a maid anymore. You're not a maid anymore.

　He smiled and straightened up. I'd like to tell him that I'm not a maid anymore.


The maid - no, me. It was a lot of fun to be with you, Futa-sama.

"Huh?

　--That's right. That's who you want to tell. It's obvious.

　I still have a lot of learning to do. I guess I'll have to wait for my dan test.
　Oh my god. I can't tell you because the person in front of me isn't that person.

　I won't be able to say it and it'll end...

Please tell her. That's all for the letter from the Witch of Time.
"...... Corona!

　He tried to speak up as if he was overcome with emotion.

　Corona's eyes widen slightly. The two words "failure" flashed through her mind.
　If she doesn't, the others will find out about the strange connection...





By the way, I've always loved strong men!





　He turns around with a start.
　I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea.

You can see his muscles even through his armor!　It's amazing!
"What's with the suddenness?
I couldn't take it any longer!　How does he look? - Oh, he's all bony and battle-hardened!
No, no, no, no, no!　Don't take off your helmet!

　Don't take off your helmet!" A member of the group hurriedly tried to put his helmet back on.
　I'm not sure what to do.




　Without hesitation, he - or rather, Futa - hugged Corona through the bars with all his might.



"Whoa, whoa, whoa, Master Futa?
I'm not sure what to say.
"...... What?　What lies?
"Master Lilac is waiting for you too. --I'll get you out.


　A flash of warmth.
　I was about to hug her back, but my hands swam in the air.

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


I'm not sure what to do.　What are you doing?
I'm sure you've heard of it.
I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, my deputy was being so rude!
"............ No, it's fine. I'm used to it.
What?
What?






　The two Orba merchants with their stupid faces.
　The knight-errant with a slight blush.



　Corona, who had the whole thing in her sights, inadvertently blurted out.




I'm in trouble, .......



She knew that the future would not be bright for Futa if he saved her. The future would not be a bright one for Futa.



　The first thing you need to do is to look at your eyes.



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


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