"You're quitting, too?
"You're too uptight, Reza-chan.

　I'm not sure what to say, but I'm going to say it.
　This is a waiting room.
　In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site.

　Reza-chan, a young man named Rezard, asks Ocean a question with a somewhat resigned expression.

　He is the most popular swordsman, the "eternal second place" and "de facto champion".

　However, he was not the confident man he had always been, and was looking at the Barrier Reef as if he was gnashing his teeth.

　The rumor that even he might quit the Colosseum had started.

I'm sorry, .......
You and ...... you are going after Futa?

　The other six have already disappeared from the city to pursue the strongest swordsman.

　Back then. In the event you're not sure what to do, there are a few things you can do.

　And now. Finally, even the man in front of him was about to leave the scene.
　The look in Rezard's eyes was one of envy, jealousy, rage, or disappointment. No, none of the above.

　If you're going after Futa, so be it.
　But no.

　It was they who decided to stay when Futa was exiled.

　Besides... Looking straight into Ocean's eyes, there was no glimmer of hope that he was going to meet someone stronger.

　That's why I asked.
　Are we going after him? Because it seemed as if he had a choice not to.


"No.

　But my prediction was correct.
　Shaking his head as if he had no choice, Ocean denied pursuing Futa.

　And quit the Colosseum.

　Then there was only one answer.

"I'm retiring.
"Why not? ！！！！

　He grabbed Reznor by the chest, but Ocean didn't even try to restrain him as he continued.

I knew this would happen sooner or later. --I just did it a little too fast.
"What?
My dad's dead. --If I don't come back, a lot of people are going to be in trouble. That's what I'm talking about.

　You look annoyed. Yes, as if I'd just had an appointment on the day I was supposed to play.

"It's gonna make a few times as many people cry as there are people in the Colosseum. That's not good for Ocean Big Wave.
"......, you.

　A genius swordsman who appeared like a comet.
　I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea. There were rumors that he was actually the prince of a certain country. He neither confirmed nor denied these rumors.

　That's why Rezard couldn't say anything.
　There was a part of him that wanted to scream that it was only because his father died.
　But he knew that was just Rezard's value system, and more importantly, Rezard had never seen Ocean Big Wave with such an unhappy look on his face.

"Someday. Let's do it again sometime.
"Well, it's time to turn the odds upside down.

　Rezard's words were determined and emotionless.
　Ocean thrusts his fist at him.

　Lezard's face relaxed and he responded with a slight poke.

"All right. I'll keep waiting for him, even in this place where you're gone. One way or another.

　Turning his back on Ocean, Rezard muttered.

"If anyone can take the throne from me, it's him.

　That's what Ocean Big Wave's retirement from sword fighting means.

　And that's why Ocean Big Wave...
　That's why Ocean Big Wave left the Colosseum with a promise on his lonely back that he would come back one day.

　Because living up to expectations is the way of life for Ocean Big Wave - Barrier Reef F. Christ.

"Aoi. Ocean.
Hmm?

　As they parted, Reznor stopped Ocean.

"Let's say you ever see him again.

　He slams his fist into Ocean's chest and tells him.

　He says, dreaming of the rematch he would want more than anyone.

"Because you, no one else. Only Oceanic Big Wave would say this.
"You're so generous.
"Yeah. But you're the only one I can trust.

　Straight ahead is the will to fight. That's all.



"You'll have to hit me for mine.
"Oh.

　The heat of the sword is still with me.

　I'll be seeing you again, Rezard. And Futa.


　I thought so at the time.









"What the hell is this?

　When Barrier Reef returned to the Imperial Kingdom, he was not greeted by the sight of his family in grief over his father's funeral.

　Despite the grand state funeral, a power struggle had begun.
　Factions that were already divided.
　Brothers and sisters who had been sold off to various countries and territories.
　The seeds of war were smoldering everywhere, and there were even territories where war had broken out.

　The only proof that my father was still alive was the will he left behind that said, "Get along with your family.

"Sorry ...... Sorry Barrier Reef
"Don't cry, Mom. What does this mean?

　His own mother sobbing as she begged for forgiveness.
　My father's last will and testament was probably in anticipation of this situation.

　It was because he had noticed the signs of a struggle for the next emperor that he left his last words.

"But if he was sick, I wish he had called me before he died. Well, it's not like I was left out in the cold.
No, no. No, Barrier Reef.
"Mom?

　Mother's tearful voice, lacking a subject.
　A room in the Imperial Castle. Barrier Reef didn't know that this would be the last time they would be alone.

　He gently took her hand and calmed her down as she shook her head.

"What's the difference?
...... His Majesty was thinking of you.
You say that, but...

　Scratching his head, Barrier Reef replied in an annoyed tone.
　I don't mean to speak ill of the deceased, much less my own father.
　But I don't remember him doing anything for me that would make me say I loved him.

　Maybe my mother did.
　She certainly loved my father, and I knew it was the other way around.
　I never doubted that relationship.
　In that sense, I am grateful to my father for taking care of my mother.
　But when it comes to myself...

　--You can live your life doing whatever you want.

　Desertion, Barrier Reef said. In fact, that's why I don't go out socially anymore.
　I guess that's why I don't socialize anymore.
　That doesn't mean he was loved.

　My father was always discussing the future of the country with the First and Second Princes and the First Princess with a difficult look on his face, rather than the Barrier Reef.
　I was not allowed to be a part of that circle.

　I thought I had been left out of the country's future plans.

　But.

"I was at the ...... game.

　I choked up.

"What? That's ridiculous.
"We lost, though. He was very disappointed.　
"Did you come all the way here?　To the Principality?
Yes. That was my first vacation in eight years.

　I looked up at the ceiling.
　I didn't know that.
　Of course, we would never have met at the Colosseum. We were both hiding our positions.
　But... If you'd left me a message or something...

"I want a country where you can live freely and as you wish. That's what he thought.
"That's...
"If you make it a country where you have to work hard, you're not a good emperor. Because of ......, I was looking out for children who might fight for the heir. But.

　The word "failed" never came out of his mouth.
　In the end, my father failed, I suppose.
　The children were fighting for power, and the family was starting to kill each other instead of breaking up.

　There were people who tried to contact the barrier reef, too.

　--You can do what you want with your life.

　Knowing that was my father's wish, not an order.

　There was nothing I could give him back.
　And so the war began.

　So at least...

"...... Okay, Mom.
"Barrier Reef ......?


"But I'm my father's child. I'll follow his will.

　At least this much. At least for me.


　The First Prince forced Barrier Reef to sign the contract.
　He may be obedient now but he'll get in the way.

　Barrier Reef's sword is a threat. Barrier Reef's charisma is a threat. Barrier Reef is a threat.

　That's why I won't allow him to draw his weapon.
　Just three more times. He said he wouldn't kill me if I promised.


　--Barrier Reef swallowed it.



Sorry, Rezard.

　I wanted to end this with you.

I may not be able to fulfill my promise.

Twice.
I used it to protect my friends in Imperial City.














　--The next morning, one day after the assassins attacked Orba Trading Company.

　After that, the guards came and detained the assassins as well as Izuna and Motisuke.
　Prim, who is a good friend of the two, asked Lilac what to do with them, but all she got back was, "We won't do anything bad to them.

　In fact, although they were the men behind the attack on the Orba Trading Company, there was nothing in particular that could be taken from them.
　So let's just take as much as we can from the mastermind.
　That's what I thought, and that's what I said.

　Elfrid, the mastermind behind it, retreated to the castle with Barrier Reef.
　The price of silk, which was claimed to be worth 50 million Galds, collapsed. In reality, the value of the silk had been gradually being reduced over the years, but Beatrix's decision not to let it affect the purchase price was a victory.

　In that case, Elfriede would not be able to pay the 50 million gold.
　Later, he will be accused of committing reward fraud against the assassins, and will be required to pay compensation to the government.
　The Lord Treasurer smiles at this.
　But it's another story that the unbudgeted funds were used for "state projects" and almost all of them were taken away by the princess.

　Beatrix and the Orba Trading Company, who had bought up the silk, were compensated by the government, and their losses were kept to a minimum. Although Beatrix's skill was at work, not many people knew about it.

　Wind still hadn't recovered, but she was finally able to sleep peacefully.

　Ruri hadn't been able to see her father yet, but she was relieved to know that he was safe.


　And then.


"I just had a dream ...... that I was, uh, homesick?

　Barrier Reef got up, stretched lightly, and looked at the sword hanging above the bed.

　I never thought I'd get the chance to pull this out. And...

"Have a match. --So that I can become a prince again.

　I remember last night.

　Once I saw Futa, my mind was made up.
　It's not just a matter of being carried away by the momentum of the moment, as my still aching fighting spirit tells me.

"Yeah, let's do it.

　I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea.

　He was not reluctant, nor did he shrink.
　There was no reluctance, no wince at being pointed at a sword that can only be pulled out once.

　Just as a matter of course. There was the pinnacle, accepting the challenge.

"Prithee, you're really pissed.

　Prim Lancaster was alone in his resentment at the match between Futa and Barrier Reef.
　It was more of anger at the fact that he could only fight once.

　I was honestly glad that he wished to fight me, whom he hadn't seen in a long time.
　I laughed to myself that he was in good health even though he was so battered.

　The fact that she was not surprised at the fact that he was actually a prince was very typical of her.

　It was a strange feeling, like being back at the Colosseum.

　The fact that Izuna was lying there, too.

　It's just like the Colosseum days.

"Win, Ocean. ...... No, I want you to lose. I don't know. I don't know. Should I go with the winner?　No, but I want to beat the crap out of both of them. ......
I'm not sure if I'll be able to do that.

　He laughs.

　"The best of all time.

　Ocean Big Wave was the only one who interacted with any of them.

　They all said this when they parted.

　They all said that if they ever had to fight Futa, they would do it with their own hearts.

　The reason why he could only trust Ocean was probably because of his sociable nature. But most of all.

　But most of all, he was one of the strongest people in the world.

　If there was ever a chance to reach Futa before him, it was with Ocean Big Wave.



　I was entrusted with a dream, and even though I was forced to give up on that dream, I still held on to it with regret.



　My sword is the dream of eight flashes under heaven.






"I am the Eight Flashes of Heaven.







　I'm all set.

　The situation is perfect.

　It's a beautiful sunny day.



　Swordsman is closed today.




　Now let's go to the best stage of all.




　The place.


　The Colosseum in King's Landing.


　It's the perfect matchup to teach the newborn arena to fight swords.