"...... I see. It's over?


　The words echoed softly in the Colosseum, where there was no audience.

　The dismounted Conqueror of the Seven Seas, hiding in the shadow of the barrier reef, looks somewhat forlorn.

　He took a deep breath and looked up at the sky.
　He slowly covered his forehead with his hand as the bright sunlight burned his eyes.

"Thank you, Ocean.

　Futa said and slowly put away his broken sword.
　He then turned his back on the standing barrier reef and slowly walked back towards the crowd.

Thank you for a wonderful time, Master Lilac.

　Huta stood in front of Lilac to give her report.
　She gave a small shake of her head and said with a soft smile.

I hope you had a good time. If it was a good time for you, then I have nothing to say.
Yes.

　These are not masked words. I just mean it.

　This battle was not a fight that had to be fought, nor was it one that Futa wanted. I was just responding to the barrier reef.

　But even if it hadn't been for Lilac's guidance, I would still have been there.
　But even if he hadn't, he would have gone to Lilac to ask for help.

　He would have asked Lilac to let him fight Barrier Reef.

　If there was a problem, well...
　The subtle desolation on Lilac's face.

　That's when Futa noticed and was about to ask her.

"Hey. Are you sure you want to leave her like that?
"Hmm?　Yeah.

　Next to Lilac, Pasta was slumped in her own garden chair.
　She points to the Barrier Reef, which has yet to move from the center of the field.

It's okay. He always stays like that for a while after a game he's lost. ...... It's the last time.
"Oh, yeah. ...... Hmm.
What?

　You'll be able to find a lot more information on the web.
　I'm not sure if you've ever heard of this, but I'm sure you've heard of it.

It looked like a money-making event.
"What?
...... What?

　The pasta had anticipated that he would be told to be careful how he said it.
　I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's a good idea.

"No, .......
In the event that you're not sure what to make of it, you may want to check with your doctor.
"Noodles?
I'm sorry, I just couldn't find pasta.
That's why there's such an abbreviation!　............ It's not a compliment. The fact that this combination is new to you is a big part of it.

　I'm sure you're right," she said, sniffing and crossing her arms.
　She had a point. If the audience was going to appreciate the sword fighting now, it was going to be because of Barrier Reef's swordplay.
　Futa's sword only looked good because it was the first time he saw it.

To an audience that's not familiar with you, your sword is pretty ordinary at the moment.
"I see. No, you're right.

　--No, you're right." - Well, maybe he enjoyed it because he had a connection.

You're not being honest.
Yeah, well...

　After saying that, Futa suddenly remembered.

What is it? Are you saying that using me to make money is more important to you than the person who was so close to you?
"So you're quitting?
"......!
Hahaha. Nice. I love it when people's faces get twisted.

　The day I canceled my meeting with her to look for Wind.
　Thinking back, Pasta was trying to go through several thick books with several bookmarks.
　I don't know what she was thinking behind that annoyed face, but at least that pile of books was not a lie.

　Futa didn't know Pasta's memory.
　Nor does he know that the bookmarks were all prepared for him to see.

　Just...


"You're a business owner, you know."


　I don't think she would have thrown someone away like that without meaning to, as she squeezed Ruri's shoulders as if clinging to her.

I'm sorry about that.
What?

　Pasta's eyes rolled up as if she had been caught off guard.

I'll do my best to get the money, okay?


"What?

　It was doubtful that we would even be able to form a proper twosome.
　But now that this twisted character of the manager was no longer just a jerk...

"Huh?　You're supposed to do your best, right?　What are you talking about now?

　I don't think he's embarrassed.
　If anything, Pasta turned her face away, as if she was at a loss for where to put her uncontrolled emotions.

"Lilac-sama, one point.

　Futa showed no mercy for the moment.

"Yes.
Not "yes"!

　Futa and Lilac ignored Pasta's protesting by slamming their chairs, and gave a small smile.

　And.

"Good for you, Noodle!

　Pasta puts a hand on his shoulder and glares at the underlings in frustration.

"Don't say noodle, I'll send you to the guillotine, you f*cking witch.
"Don't say that!　Do you want some cake?
Do you want some cake?" "I'll have some ......, but it's mine!

　The maid smiles happily as she leaves Pasta to snatch the offered cupcake and start munching on it.

That was cool.
Thank you, Corona.
"Thanks, Corona. Here you go!

　Petch. I'm not sure if you've seen this before.
　The first thing you should do is to look at your eyes. I'm not sure if you've seen this before, but I've seen it before.

It's a good idea.
I'm not sure what to do, but I'm going to do it.
...... Is that so?　I'll take that as a compliment.
Oh, you'll take it?
But... What?

　I'm having a little trouble deciding what to say.

"I'm just happy to be alive, scar or no scar.
"Hmm.

　I'm not sure what to say.

The maid doesn't care about her body, you know?
"What?
What?" "You were concerned about it the other day. It's a little embarrassing that you're thinking about your maid's body, isn't it?
......
So... I'm not going to worry about it.

　This is a great way to make sure you are getting the most out of your time with your family.

I know. I don't mind.
I like understanding kids, kid.
So who are you?

　The two of them continued to talk about such trivial things, and kept their hands on each other.
　Futa suddenly noticed and looked around the hall.

"Speaking of which, where's Ruri?
"There.

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

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






I'm not sure what to make of it.

　I've never missed a day of maintenance.
　Even that, now that I think back on it, was probably the result of a contradiction in my mind.
　No more regrets. I was able to wield my last blade here.

Even if I don't finish it, I can't handle this sword as a weapon anymore anyway. I know.

I know.

　He lowered the hand that had been covering his forehead and picked up the scabbard.
　Then, bring the sword and scabbard in front of you and hold them horizontally.
　Once you have the sword, it's over.

　And that's it.

"Phew ...... phew ......

　It's pathetic, I know.
　The only thing I can't do is laugh at myself for not being able to put the sword away.
　You'll be able to see your own pathetic face reflected in the polished blade.
　No matter how great the sword, if the master is like this, it will be useless.

　He laughed once more, as if mocking himself, and promised himself that he would put the sword away with all his might.

　Then I opened my eyes again, right in front of me.


　There was something.


"Meido!
"Oh. Meido. What do you want?



　I thought it was a strange greeting. However, Oumi adapted quickly.

"Well...

　She was troubled as she thought for a moment.
　She was probably about six years old.
　Her cherry-red hair is the same as mine. Her soft cheeks are those of a young child.
　But her beautiful lapis lazuli eyes are the same as Azalea, Barrier Reef's older sister.

　--I wonder why I didn't notice.

　No, it's the maid's uniform. That's what I thought.
　I never dreamed the royal family would enjoy wearing maid's clothes.
　That's all I'm saying.

　No doubt, she was Luli S. Christ.
　Barrier Reef's niece, and...
　His wish, which Wind-Earth Note had risked so much to protect.

　Barrier Reef's hand was lowered as he looked her in the eye.
　The scabbard and the sword were still in his hands.

Good job.
"......

　The Barrier Reef's eyes rolled back in his head.

　I did my best.
　Did I?

Did it look like it?
Did it?　Yeah, you were working really hard!
Oh, yeah. Okay.

　--Sis.

You're Luli, right?
Huh?　How did you know? Did you find out?
I didn't find out anything. You're funny. You're nothing like your sister.

　She puts the sheath back on her hip and gently touches Ruri's head.
　Her hair was so smooth, I'm sure it would be as beautiful as Azalea's if she let it grow.

　Azalea-colored hair and lapis lazuli-colored eyes.

　You don't need to look at their backs to know that they are father and son.

"...... Hey, Ruri.
"Chan-Li?
Yeah, you, Ruri-chan.
"...... Luli. ...... It was ...... Chan Luli. ......?
I know I'm freaking you out, but... You want to be with your dad, right?
What?　Yeah. Ruri, I want to be with my dad.
You're too adaptable.

　Despite the dumb tone, the eyes have a strong will.
　It's not the kind of eyes a six-year-old can have. It's as if she's already overcome something, as if she's her own sister.

I see. I see. Yeah, that's right. All right, all right.
What'd you find out?
Well, you know. Surprises, I guess.
Didn't you, Luli, do something amazing on ......?
I did.
I can't believe it. ......!
...... You really don't know where you learned that vocabulary.

　It's usually the maid's fault.
Shaking his head in disbelief, Barrier Reef made up his mind.
I wielded this sword out of selfishness. I have to get rid of it. And this time, it will be for her.

"Ruri!

　Barrier Reef stood up and picked up the sheath again in front of her.

I'll try a little harder.
What?　Hang in there?
"Yeah. I'll leave the rest to you.

　He said.

　He slowly placed the Seven Seas Conqueror in its sheath.

　There was a crisp sound.

　I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do that.

"Youkai!


"Oh, stop it, my man will cry.

　Carrying Ruri lightly on his shoulders, he walked back to Futa and the others with ease.

"Yo.
"Ocean. Are you done?
Yeah. I'm the prince of Barrier Reef, after all. Do you respect me?
I don't care if it's in public. It's not very nice.
Would you even say no?　I don't mind, do you?

　The Barrier Reef stands in front of Futa and the others, seemingly unconcerned about his earlier defeat. Ruri, who was being carried on her shoulders, was looking for Barrier Reef's whirlwind.

"Futa. Can you do me a favor?
Sure.
I'll take it. Are you sure about this, Lila? Your Futa's a bit of an easy sell, isn't he?
Can you please change that name?

　Lilac, with a blue streak on her forehead, was terrifying to Futa. But to Barrier Reef, it was nothing.

"So... What do you want me to do?　I'll take it as long as it doesn't bother Lilac-sama.
Oh, really?　Okay, then.

　The next words that came out of his mouth made Futa's eyes widen.

The next thing he said made Futa's eyes widen, "Will you sign a contract with me?
"A contract?　"A contract? With me, Ocean?
"Yeah.

　"Contract."
　It's not the first time I've heard that word.
　Lilac knew that she had made deals with many people, and more importantly, Futa had made a deal with her.

　But I've never heard of Barrier Reef being able to use contracts.

　But I had never heard of Barrier Reef being able to use contracts before, because it's a magic that can only be used by a limited number of people.

Your mimicry is not all that magical. Then it's probably good.
"Oh, really?
You didn't know that?　Seriously?

　It was not only Futa who looked surprised.
　Lilac also rolled her eyes a little and interrupted.

"Do you know anything about Futa's mimicry?
I don't know anything about it. I'm not an expert in magic, you know?　But I have a hunch. It's a good hunch.
What do you mean by intuition? ......

　Futa is weak, but when he is told that what he has been doing is due to the power of magic, his expression becomes a little sullen.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're doing.

I told you. I told you, it's not all of it. I don't know anything about a percentage. I don't know what percentage, but it's probably a mix. Well, just ask.
Oh, the ...... "contract" thing. I'm gonna ask you something first. You could do that?
Well, yeah.

　The Barrier Reef, scratching its head.
　My hair is all messed up and Ruri, who I had hoped would find her hairline, is in shock.

The first prince asked me to make a contract with him because of my power.

　I can only use my weapon three more times, that's the contract.

　That's what I signed with the First Prince.

　Then what are you planning to sign?

"To be able to mimic me without me."
What?
The contract is for you and me to meet again.
It's .......

　It's easy, he tells me.

"My own original swordplay. Only you and I can use it. It would be a shame to let it die out. ...... Best of all.

　The corner of Barrier Reef's mouth twitched up.

I'm not going to die if I know you're using my original sword technique.
What are you going to do?

　It's obvious.

I'm going home. I'm going home and I'm going to kick your ass.

　"I'm going home and I'm going to blow my brother up," Barrier Reef added to Futa's exasperation.




　Why Lilac didn't want him.

　Why the First Prince had no choice but to throw him out without killing him.

　Why his father, the Emperor, wanted him to be free to live.

　His occupation as a contract manipulator like Lilac.

　And most of all, what he's about to do now, to settle the turmoil.



I'm taking over from my dad. I'm a hero, after all."