When our eyes first met in this place, I knew what he was going to do.

　The will in his eyes told me that he was going to help me no matter what.


　I don't know why I didn't say "stop" to him then.


　I still don't know why.














"What are you doing!　--Who the hell is that swordsman?　Kill him now!

　The knights tried their best to respond to Garland's foaming-at-the-mouth plea with their spears.
　The knights tried their best to respond to Garland's foaming-at-the-mouth plea, but all of their efforts were met by a single young man.

　On top of that, the knights who had been packed near the entrance of the performance hall, even though they were trying to send reinforcements, were injured one after another to the point of being incapacitated by an elderly man holding an iron knife in both hands.

　The blow seemed to prioritize instilling fear rather than making the knights fall into a coma, causing them to back down.

　In addition, near the center of the room, in addition to the flowing dance that she had just performed, a girl fighter from the eastern country who had somehow mastered the spear technique of the Shinryu Knights was on a rampage.

　In spite of the situation, the audience couldn't take their eyes off the girl.

　It's obvious that the royal family is trying to undo the rituals prepared by the royal family, but why don't the royal city councilors, nobles, and even the guards move?

　At this point, Garland finally senses something.

　Her Royal Highness could do nothing, she could not even stand up.

　His Majesty the King seems to be in a hurry to tell the guards something, but still there is no noticeable movement.

　Is someone already in control of this place?

　By whom?

　That's obvious.

　"We've been distracted too long by the scoundrel.

　"The one who sold out the witch, sent that swordsman, and is trying to control this place...

That little b*tc* from the Chamber of Commerce!

　--That's not me. ！！！！！！！！！！！！　The shouting of "I'm not you" did not reach here.

　In this country, the royal councilors are as powerful as the nobles. The difference between the royal councilors and the nobility is the power base. The only difference between a royal councilor and a nobleman is the power base, that is, family or power.

　The influence that the Orba Chamber of Commerce has in King's Landing is immeasurable, and Garland, who has only that information, can't help but think that it is the Orba Chamber of Commerce that is staging this situation and keeping the nobles silent.

　--When it comes to assessing things, more circumstantial evidence is better than one conclusive proof.

　Traces of a setup, the silhouette of a mastermind, would be embossed in those places.

　As a result, what Garland saw clearly in his eyes was none other than the red-haired president of the Chamber of Commerce.

　"A match pump using witches.

　The Orba Chamber of Commerce must have hated the alliance between the Kingdom and the Law.

　So they used the witch as bait to create this situation.

　Garland grits his teeth, "They did it.

　He's willing to falsely accuse the country and make enemies with it.

　He knows what a witch is to the Kingdom and he's selling it to us.

　And then, by asking the princess to fight in front of her at this time, she was able to sway her.

　After laying the groundwork, we'll send the swordsman to retrieve the witch.

　After that, she'll probably sell it to someone else or something.


Don't be ridiculous. "You're mistaking the witch for a commodity. That's a disaster in itself.


　That woman was a brilliant businesswoman.
　Well, if you look at this situation as a business, you have to admit that she's perfectly capable. As a priestess, Garland emphasized the persuasive power of her profession.

　As the leader of the Order of the Divine Dragon, Garland could not allow a woman to blaspheme against God.


　So. Now that the ritual was ruined, there was only one thing he could do.

　"Don't let them recover the witch.


"God, forgive me for mistreating the Tributes.


　He closed his eyes and muttered.

　And then.




"Cut the rope!　Drop the guillotine!　--Hunt the witch!"





　The moment the order was given, Futa looked up as if he had been shot.

　The knights who were guarding the area around the execution table came into view.

"Agh!
I'm not sure what to say.

　Futa's spearmanship was relentless. I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea.

　He kicked the corpse's back, not caring about the two who were dying, and slammed his entire vision into consciousness.

　Ahead, the execution table. The expressions on the faces of the people I care about are irrelevant right now.

　The rope, taut. The moment it slackens, she's dead.

　The rope goes to the right. She's tied to a mobile execution table, a harpoon thing strapped to the right end of it.

　It will take time to untie. But there's a ceremonial axe nearby.

　There's only one knight.

　Shall he take up the axe?　No. He has the spear in his hand. Will he wield the axe according to the ritual in this situation - or will he wield the spear as if there is no need to take such a long time?

　His mind was not made like Lilac's.

　What to do.

　The expression on the face of the person he cared about in his line of sight changed to one of annoyance.

"Don't," he seemed to move.







"Don't get lost. ！！！！！！！！！！！！！！！









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

"If I could have chosen one or the other, my brother wouldn't have been eaten right in front of me.

"I will never again choose not to move when someone's life is in danger.

"I hope that was a pep talk for you right now.


　Don't hesitate. Move.

　I don't know if this choice is the right one.
　But in that one moment, Futa made a choice.

　He threw the spear that he was holding in his right hand at the knight's elbow.

　--He was not copying anyone's throwing technique.

　He was neither a skilled hunter nor a precision marksman, just an unemployed man.

　And yet. And yet, with only his accumulated training and his will not to make a single mistake, he pierced the man's elbow joint.


"Aaahhhh!


　There is not enough time to seize the screaming knight.

　But he was only able to take one step closer to her. A moment of stalling.


"You heretic!


　A man who finds his place in religion is strong.
　Every human being lives with a stronghold in their heart.
　A person who has many strongholds and is supported by each of them in a shallow way is less prone to mental illness, but also has less explosive willpower.

　A person with only one stronghold has the strength to do anything for it in times like these.

　He lifted the axe with his left hand, not caring at all about the pierced arm or the spear he had let go of in the pain, and vigorously cut off the rope supporting the guillotine.



"Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!



　Futa gambled that he could make it in that split second.


　One step, two steps, three steps.


　Let's say I'm up against a falling execution blade.









　With a dull thud... With a dull thud.


　With a dull thud, a warm, red liquid landed on her cheek.






"What?




　Drip, drip, drip. When she forced herself to look up, blood dripped from her temple like tears.

　It's not her who doesn't know whose it is.


I'm sorry, did I make a mess? ......


　He exhaled loudly, "Huta.


　With his left hand, opposite to the one that threw the spear.


　He was holding the guillotine in his left hand, the opposite of the one that threw the spear.




I'm 40 pounds!　It weighs 40 pounds!




　Garland's astonished voice reached Futa.

　Forty weights - I see, the same weight that Corona fell with such force is now in one hand. So, Futa thinks to himself.

　The reason why his left hand didn't go off roughly is probably because he deformed the guillotine's blade and rail with a palm strike with his fingers down.

　The blade, which was sharp but still held in place because of its thinness, could not avoid falling if he was not careful, even after being hit by Futa's fist.

　No one else can see that his fingertips are caving in the thin steel plate.

Thank God I made it. I managed to ...... ah. Somehow, I made it.

　Shaking left arm. My muscles are twitching like I've gone over the edge.
　I think I've done something rash.

　But...

　Every human being lives with a stronghold in their heart.
　A person who has many strongholds and is supported by each of them in a shallow way is less prone to mental illness, but on the other hand does not have explosive willpower.

　People who have only one stronghold have the strength to do anything for it in times like these.

　This is not limited to religion.

　Even if I can never use this arm again. There is an irreplaceable source of strength right in front of you.


"Why ......?

　Her eyes lacked their usual energy.
　In the eyes of the woman who was looking at Futa's hand - her bloodied left hand - there was pity and guilt.

"It hurts, doesn't it?　You can let go of me, okay?　It's too heavy. The knights are going to remember your face, and that's not good.
I don't care about that. --I don't care, it's too heavy.

　With that, he put his right hand on the guillotine, adjusted his stance, and held it down completely.
　Once the force of the fall was gone, forty pounds was nothing to worry about.

　At least for Futa.

That's not a problem.
"...... Why, why are you doing this?

　Futa's eyebrows lowered, as if he was deeply troubled.
　Futa was also troubled. I didn't save her just to make her look like this.
　But he smiled.
　Because you've always smiled when I've looked like this.

"I told you before. I want you to live.
"Master Futa.


But I'll be d*mned. At this rate, I'll never be able to break Corona's shackles. Can't wait for Prim to get here.
Master Futa. Don't worry. Your arm's shaking so badly. It's not cool.
I see. I'm no good at this.

　Looking down, Corona, whose neck was threaded through a wooden board, stared anxiously back at Futa.

　The hair on her neck was carefully parted so that it would not get in the way when the blade fell.

　--The nape of her neck was certainly beautiful, but... The nape of her neck was certainly beautiful, but the cloth that looked like a headdress and the back that peeked out from under her neck made Futa squint a little.

　There were marks that looked like they had been struck, obvious cuts from the blade.
　It was only a little, but it was clearly visible from the neck alone.

　I'm sure that on her back - not her back, but her whole body .......

"Witches don't deserve to live. That's what everyone said.
"......
I think I do too.

　She must have noticed the look on her back.
　Corona gave Futa a huge smile.

So, forget it.　There are knights here.
"Don't worry. Even if I have to kill them all--
"Master Futa.

　I thought you were ready for this.
　Even if he didn't, he believed that Prim would be able to hold back all the knights that came at him.
　He was about to tell her that, but Corona kept interrupting him.

I don't see any reason why you would want to go to such lengths to live.
I'm sure you'll agree.

　I'm not sure what to say.
　If you make a sad, troubled, or disgusted face, it will make Futa feel bad too.
　It was the last time we could see each other like this. I thought that if I died smiling, at least Futa would feel better. That's what I was thinking.

"You won't live that long anyway. If anything, I might die tomorrow, actually.

　It was a kind of truth.
　The magic of diminishing life span. As a user of magic, she had used it without hesitation many times before.
　I don't know how much life I had in the beginning, and I don't know how much I have now.
　Even so, it would not be surprising if I were to die tomorrow with a snap.

　It's ridiculous that I'm doing this for myself.
　And yet, Futa...

　He didn't seem to take Corona's words lightly.
　The first corner of his eyes lowered as if he believed that he probably wouldn't live long.

　I'm not sure what to say. 　

But I'll risk my life to save yours today.

　I felt my face tense up.

　I've never experienced anything like this in my life, so I don't know what it is.

　Apparently, it wasn't just my face that was strange. My voice was kind of stuttering, and my vision seemed a little blurry.

　So, the words that spilled out were too scant compared to what I usually hear around my mouth.

"What's wrong with ......?

　I wonder what makes you say that much.

　What would make you do this?

I told you. I want you to live.
I don't know. I don't know. What's the point of being alive?
Meaning of life. --Is that why you want to live?

　Narrowing his eyes, Futa thought back to her earlier words.

"There's no reason for you to want to live that badly.
"Witches don't deserve to live. That's what everyone said.

"I think that's true for me, too.

　I'm sure she meant every word of it.
　That's why I couldn't ask for everything in her heart.
　It's not like she has a desire to live deep inside her.

　If a knight or a futa is a person who has few strongholds in his heart.

　She has none of that.


　Futa has yet to say a single witty word.
　He doesn't know what to say to make Corona take his hand.

　So...




"No. ！！！！



"I love him as much as you do!　I want you to be with him!



I want you with me, so I'm bringing him back. I don't know why she's gone, Corona. She doesn't want me. I'm bringing her back because I don't want her to leave.


"Isn't ...... merely selfish?
"Selfish.



I've been saved by her selfishness. I don't like the idea of her leaving without saying goodbye.


　This whole thing was Futa's selfishness.

　That's why Futa will continue to be selfish until the end.


"Can't I just say it?


　The question did not contain much meaning.
　So Corona tilted her head with a face as if she was holding something back.
　What can I say?
　Futa spun the words as he thought.

I want you to be alive. I want you to live because you're the one and only for me. There's no one in this world more valuable than you.

"I want to die when you die. No, I'll probably die. Yeah, I will. I've given my life to you, Lilac, but without you, I'd probably be a useless living corpse. I don't think Lilac needs someone like that.

"Yeah, so I'm going to die anyway.

I need you in order to live.

"So I guess I'm not the reason you want to live .......

　Corona had no idea what was being said.

　As soon as she saw herself, the smiling people changed their color as if they were frightened.
　It was a lie that there were good things in life.
　If I wasn't here, everyone would be smiling all the time.
　And it's true. I'm sure they were all waiting for their heads to fall off today.

　--No, they weren't.

"...... What are you talking about? Not at all, not at all, not at all.
"Uh, yeah. I think I got it all figured out.
"......?

　I don't know.
　Just as I turned my head away, my ears turned straight at Futa.

　I didn't know what he was going to say.
　But it felt like something that shouldn't be said.

　Corona's head was in a whirl of confusion, but Futa didn't read the air.

　He breathed in and said.


"Please. Please.


"I may not have a reason to live, and I may not have a reason to want to live.


I don't want to be without you.

I need you.




Just-- just live for me. And one day, I'll be your reason to live."





　Oh, God.

　Everything's all messed up.






　After saying all that, Futa looked up.
　He looked up and saw a young man with his eyes closed, as if he had given up, in the audience on the wall that divided the field.

　A gladius was thrown at him and stabbed into the ground at his feet.

　Futa picked it up with her right hand and broke the shackles that held her back.

I'm sorry. How can you talk so long in such a state?
Thank you. Thank you. How dare you throw a sword at me like that?
Shut up. --You've won in every way. I'd be better off with that maid's life. Prim's on a rampage, but I'm sure she'll be responsible for everything.
"...... Oh. Well, she deserved it.
You're pretty harsh on this guy.

　I'm not sure what to do.
　This man knew that she used recording techniques, but he never once called her a "witch" from beginning to end.


　As Corona loosely stepped off the execution table, Futa let go of the heavy guillotine.
　I shudder to think what would have happened if the blade had fallen on her neck.

　Corona wobbled to her feet, perhaps unsteady on her feet.

　He embraced her head-on, unconcerned about his injured hand or the public's attention.


"......?
I've made up my mind. I've decided that the next time I do this, I'll do it without a cage between us.

　Rags and blood-soaked hands. It's the worst possible situation to hold someone. Lilac would have said no, but it doesn't matter now.

　I'm just glad you're okay. She's in my heart.
　That feeling of security was enough to fill Futa's heart.

"...... Oh, no. Master Futa, your hand.
"Oh, this?



　He suddenly hugged her as soon as she left the execution table.
　Futa felt sorry for her, and gently moved away from the warmth.

　She looked at him, but her face was not as usual.

　She looks at him and says, "I don't know.

"What should I do? Master Futa. I can fix your hand, but--

　That's right.
　If you use the registration technique, you can heal this hand right away. I don't want to see him hurt if that's what Futa wants. --Normally, I'd just do it myself without asking.


"Oh, this hand?　Just leave it there.
"What?

　I'm sure Futa didn't know that the registration technique uses life expectancy.

　You'll be able to find a lot more information on the web. It looks like it hurts, but why?

　For now, Corona will never know the answer.




　Her right hand still bears the scar where she grabbed the knife one night.


　The scar on his left hand will remain indelible.


　The only scars on both hands of an undefeated man.


　Lilac on his right hand, Corona on his left.



For me, it's a badge of honor.



　Huta gave a carefree smile.


　Corona stared dumbly at that smile.









"Let's make a contract.


You have no reason to want to live or die.


You have no reason to want to live or die, so use your power for me.


One year. You may renew it at your discretion.


"Rather than waste your life here for nothing, be of use to me.







If I help you, will it make a difference?






What?　How am I supposed to know what's going on?

I've only come to pick up the fruit that will rot if left unchecked.

"If you say no, you'll die here. If you say yes, well, there's still a possibility.





"Pfft. Hahaha. Possibility, possibility!　There hasn't been anything like it in over ten years.

You want me to put my faith in something like that?





What?　How can I make a path for those who do not seek it out for themselves? It's unsightly. You've been through so much and you're just waiting to be saved?





I just don't care. Do you want to die?





I want to live.





"......





I want to live. This is a one-sided proposal for me to use you. I'm not looking for your benefit. Because...

"What's the point of proposing benefits if you don't really have what you want?



　Haha, I see.

　You knew all along, didn't you?

　I...




　--I just needed a reason to live.