--The princess's office in the royal castle.

　That day, Futa received a call from Lilac and was enjoying tea and sweets with her sitting on the sofa facing him.

　They talked leisurely in a calm space.

　It had been a long time since he had been able to relax like this, as he had been in a rush lately, especially until the game a few days ago.

　A cup of tea and some sweets were served with it.
　Today, there were some cupcakes instead of the usual cookies, and that was the first topic of conversation.

　He said that he often ate them when cookies were not enough for him.

　There was also the mention of the Colosseum, a state-run project. For her, this is more of a project than anything she's ever done before.


"...... Well. It's going to be a busy time for you, Futa. We're going to have a colosseum in King's Landing. Are you going to try to participate?
"What?　...... me?
Yes, you.

　It didn't sound like he was joking.

　Lilac nodded and gently brushed her lips thoughtfully.

I know what you're going through. The Colosseum will take some time to complete. Also, this is not my order.
"......

　If Lilac wants. The card was crushed, and Futa was troubled.

　All he could think about was this match with Prim.

　--It had been fun. The most fun he'd ever had.

　But Lilac had started this project for the economy.
　Futa doesn't know if his participation will really help the economy.

You want to do it or not? I want to know if you are willing to dive back into the world of sword fighting. That's what I'm asking.
Can I ask you a question back at ...... first?
Yes.
It is your intention to revitalize the culture of King's Landing at the Colosseum, is it not, Lilac?
Yes. Yes, I do.

　Lilac nodded.
　Then she continued.

I don't believe for a moment that these games are part of the traditional culture of the kingdom.
"What?

　If it is the culture of the kingdom, then I want to pass it on to the people of the kingdom.
　I'm sure it was she herself who said that.

　Futa is starting to understand now.
　I'm sure she's bluffing, but her true intentions are here.

"Culture?　Tradition?　That's a load of crap. It doesn't matter. All we need is heat. I'm not going to turn a blind eye to the fruit that's slowly rotting away.

　It's probably the same as picking up Corona.

"I will destroy this country.

　I'm sure that's what he was thinking.

"But, Futa. There's no harm in me joining you. If I don't tell you that first, ...... you're not gonna like it, are you?
"No harm will come to Master Lilac?
Yes.

　Huta's eyes widen.

　I know who I am best.
　I've spent my entire life as an "unemployed" swordsman, unable to wow an audience.

　An incompetent champion who was only a representative of the unpopular, despite being a champion.

　I don't think Lilac would ever let Futa play a hundred games with her.
　If he did, he would make sure that he would beat Futa himself.
　I'm thinking in circles, but I'm not pretending to have a brilliant mind.

　Giving up on what he didn't understand completely, Futa bowed to Lilac.

...... I'm sorry. I'm sorry, I can't answer that.

　Lilac replied without showing any particular emotion.

"What do you mean?

　She must have a reason. I'm a sword fighter.

I don't know if I want to play sword fighting. The battle with Prim was fun, and the match with Lilac-sama was fulfilling, ...... I think. I'm not sure if I'll be able to do it again.
Keep going.
I'm going to show you that even though I'm unemployed, I'm still as good as my day job. That was my goal. But I couldn't beat Prim and everyone else because of something other than my skills. Even now, I haven't found a solution. There's a part of me that would like another chance at the swordfight. But there's no concrete way to do that. I don't want to interrupt Master Lilac's big dream in such a half-hearted state.


"It's ......, huh?

　She smoothed her lips and lightly wiped her dress gloves.
　She wiped her dress gloves lightly.

"Do you remember what I expected from you?
Remember what I expected of you?" "That you would not be a slave to your profession.

　Lilac lowered her eyebrows at Futa's immediate response.
　Lilac lowered her eyebrows.

It's already been a few months. I like the fact that you can come up with words so quickly.
"I'm sorry. I want to live up to your expectations. I want to live up to your expectations, but I'm not sure I want to just go along with whatever you want to do when I'm not sure I can.
Good.

　She nodded and looked at Futa straight in the eyes.

It is enough for me to hear that you are trying to live up to expectations. You're not backing away from sword fighting, are you?
Yes. --Oh, I see. I'm sorry I didn't notice.
"Yes?

　He scratches his cheek, sincerely apologetic.
　I'm not sure if I'm making another unnecessary mistake.　Lilac sipped her tea, wondering if she was mistaken again.

You were worried about me, weren't you?
"Gobo-fu.
"Master Lilac!
You've got to learn, me!

　Lilac wiped away her tears.
　Futa jumped lightly over the table, rubbing Lilac's back and wiping her hands with a handkerchief.

You're worrying too much. I'm just trying to take advantage of you again.
"I'm sorry.
I'm sorry." "...... How does an 'unemployed' champion become a real champion? I've been thinking about it a bit. I have an idea.
Oh, really?
I tried it once, and it wasn't too bad, so I think I'll go that way. As long as Futa's okay with it.
Please let me try!

　Futa stood up and bowed his head.

　I don't know why he tried it, but it was a trivial matter to him.

I'm a pathetic human being who once lost his mind in the middle of the road. When I was expelled, I didn't know what to do. But I still want to show people that you can do it even if you don't have a job."

　In Futa's mind, his priorities had simply changed.
　Lilac and Corona, his two benefactors, had become his top priority in life, but that didn't mean that his heart and wishes had disappeared.

　It was just that she didn't say her wish because it would bother them.

　If Lilac wanted me, there was no reason for me to refuse her.

"Fine. Then there's someone I'd like to introduce you to.
He's going to help you?
He will. I'll put you in touch with a management genius who can make you an equal in every way to the swordsman.
I didn't know you had any connections to such a person. ......!　But are you sure?
What's good?
I thought you'd be too busy for such a brilliant man.
Oh, I've got more free time than I used to, so I'm fine. I've been forced to work behind the scenes.
"I see. ......

　In Futa's mind's eye, he saw an old, intelligent man.

You're right, Lilac.
But there is a condition. Futa.
"Conditions? I'll do whatever you want. Let me do it.
Hmm. Hmm. You'll have to correct your senses before you make conditions. ...... I forbid anyone but me to utter the words "I'll do anything you want. Know that what you seek is the easiest bait.
I don't have to tell you that I don't talk like this with anyone but you, Lilac.
"......, huh?
I've given you my whole life.
............ Okay.

　He turned his eyes away from his neighbor, Futa, and nodded.
　Somehow, I didn't want to look at him anymore. Suddenly.

　It's not a memory I want to remember too often, considering my emotional control.
　I'll keep it in a safe place.

And ...... has a condition. You must be friendly with the person and follow their plan.


Of course. The other party must be a management genius that even Lilac-sama has given her seal of approval. I'll comply.
"And I've set a condition for them as well. You will not be treated unfairly.
...... That's true. I'm willing to do whatever it takes, but just in case. I'm sure you can be trusted with Lilac-sama's references.

　Lilac quickly looked away from Futa who nodded.

I'm not sure I want to do that.
"What?　Please let me do it!
I don't know if it's worth the trust I've earned from you.
Wait, why are you hurrying to clean up?　I don't usually do that!
You shouldn't trust me so much.
Why are you acting so weak all of a sudden?
I don't know!

　You don't know what you don't know.
　You can't know what you don't know," he said, shaking his head.

"...... Futa. I'm wary of the risk.
"Ha, ha. Risk .......
"Yes. I'm not a goddess. I have to act on the off chance that my idea doesn't work. You understand.
That, yes. Lilac, you've always said that preparation is the key.
That's right. It's quite possible that my plan will be ruined by an unexpected action of the other party. I'm only human.
I see.

　The other party is also human. That's why there are parts that are unpredictable.
　Futa was convinced. I'm not sure what to do, but I'm going to do it.

That's why I decided to take the risk and bring you together with that person.
"I see, even Master Lilac can't read the other person's actions.
"Yes, depending on what he does.
I see. I'll do my best with him so as not to embarrass Mr. Lilac.
Yes, please do.

　Lilac nodded with a big smile as she made sure that if she failed, all the hate would go to her opponent.

So, what are the conditions?
"Oh. If you feel uncomfortable in any way, I'll take care of it. If that happens, feel free to let me know.
"Uncomfortable"? I'm not the kind of person who feels uncomfortable with others. ...... I understand. You'll have to report it to Mr. Lilac.
Yes. How you feel is important, but what's more important is that you show them that you hold the card.

　Lilac and Futa were sitting side by side on the sofa, talking until the end.

　Then there was a light knock on the door, and Lilac answered.

"Meido!　I've come to deliver the product!

　The door opened with great force to reveal Corona pulling some kind of wagon.

　Lilac nodded lightly, leaving Futa to be taken aback.

　As soon as she left the wagon there, she said

"I'm looking forward to seeing you again!
Oh, you're leaving already?
I always want to be the girl who's missed. ...... Boy, ......
Who's ......?
Pell-mell.

　He turned his back and stumbled back.

　All that was left was a wagon and two people.

I told Corona to behave without suspicion.
"Oh, I see. So, what's this?

　There was nothing on the wagon that brought the food.
　No, it wasn't. There is something in the storage space underneath, which is normally used to hold a skillet.

...... Oh my god. Why am I doing this?
What?

　It's not that he's rude to say that a skillet came out of the place where you would put a skillet. However, Futa wanted to believe that he could be forgiven for thinking that.

"Futa, let me introduce you. I'll let him manage you.



I'm ...... Bear-chan. This room is as gloomy as ever.

　The red-haired girl who took off her hood looked at Futa and snickered as if she were making fun of him.




"Lilac-sama.
Yes, I'll count that as one displeasure.
f*ck you. ！！！！！


　Beatrix M. Orba appeared.