--Princess's private quarters, Royal Castle.

　After the battle between Futa and Barrier Reef, I turned back to the royal castle.
　That night.
　Barrier Reef was summoned privately by Lilac and went to her private chambers.

"Yay. ...... Well, what can I say, I'll just say thank you.

　It's a good idea.
　There's a reason why I put it that way.
　It's simple.
　Lilac did not bring Futa and Barrier Reef together simply out of the kindness of her heart to grant Barrier Reef's wish.

　Barrier Reef came to the capital out of selfishness.
　If he were to admit that, he would not be able to stay in King's Landing. That's because he thought it would lead to the annulment of the engagement.

　Barrier Reef himself was aware of this, which is why he thanked him.

　Of course, Elfrid's selfish actions and Ruri's as well.
　This whole thing was bigger than he thought.

　Lilac hadn't meant to take advantage of it all.
　In this case, it was really just a hand that happened to fall into her hands.
　He didn't have to do any work, he just had to cut the cards in his hand. It was an easy job.

　For Barrier Reef, there was nothing he could do because there was nothing he could do when he found out.
　He knew what Lilac was doing, and he had no choice but to go along with it. The only one who didn't expect it was Futa.

　He knew Lilac had a special someone in her life.
　He also knew that Futa was in King's Landing.
　I didn't think we'd connect here. 　

"What do you mean?
"Yes?　Are you mad at me, Lila?
No, I'm not angry.

　This was the first thing he said when he suggested I sit on the couch.
　I could have played along with the subject-less question, but there was no reason to fool myself.
　She was talking about her "contract" with Futa, the only thing that Lilac hadn't expected in this whole thing.

"Like payback?
"I see.　If that's the case, then I'm as uncomfortable as you think I am.
You're angry.
What's the problem?
No. ...... Yeah, ......?

　I'm sure that Pasta was the only one present who realized all of Barrier Reef's intentions.

　"When he proposed the contract to Futa, Barrier Reef meant every word of it.
　But she didn't say all of them.

　If he were to talk to him like that, Futa would accept as long as it wouldn't cause any trouble for Lilac.

　So there was nothing Lilac could do to stop him.

　"Make a deal with the hero, with the sword.

　Whether he could or not was a matter of intuition. But there's no downside to failing.

　Then why was Lilac looking so uncomfortable?
　The answer was simple.

　Barrier Reef and Huta's fighting sword.
　It was frustratingly fascinating. Barrier Reef was aware of Lilac's feelings. Or in other words, he guessed.

　He knew that Lilac had a special someone in her life.
　It turned out to be Futa.
　Lilac was a warrior.

　That's all it takes for the hero to come up with a simple answer that is no more than a game of wits.

"Souvenir"?　My point is consistent, Lilac.
"......

　Lilac M. Fangini, you've made her jealous.

You never know how long your significant other will be with you.

　Stretching out slowly, Barrier Reef said.

　I'm not going to talk about myself.
　This is just meddling.

　I've seen the unconnected feelings of the Wind-Earth note.
　Hearing his words.

　And because I have many relatives I will never see again.

"Be honest, Lila.

　Barrier Reef laughs and leaves the room.

　The battle between Barrier Reef and Lilac was supposed to have ended in Lilac's victory. The engagement is off. He's going back to his country.

　Yet, the expressions on both their faces were the complete opposite of victory or defeat.










　--The day of farewell.

　Prince Barrier Reef's return was to be accompanied by the Imperial Guard.
　The Prince put his hand on Elfrid's shoulder and smiled cheerfully.

　The crowd of wagons, now much smaller than when he first arrived, gave some indication of what was going on, but Barrier Reef responded sincerely to the regretful king, and when it was time to board the wagons and leave the castle, he came to Huta and the others waiting at the castle gate to say goodbye.

　Futa, Corona, and Ruri were the only three present.

"Yo, Meido!
"Meido!


"My God!
Why is this instant greeting complete?

　Barrier Reef and Corona fist-bumped each other, laughing with amusement.
　I'm sure they've never met before, but I'm sure they've never met before.

　Is this really the right place for her to be educated? Futa was forced to think seriously.

......You're leaving already, Ocean?

　It really happened so fast.
　It seemed like less than a day had passed since they had crossed swords.
　It was probably true that things had been hectic around him since Barrier Reef had decided to return home.
　Huta was out helping to restore the Orba Trading Company, and he didn't have time to relax and talk.

　As a matter of fact, if they had had more time, they probably would not have had the time to renew their friendship. Their conversation was already over. That sword is all that matters.

　Because of this, they did not try to make plans with each other.

　Futa remembers Korona laughing at him, saying that he was a boy. Perhaps she was trying to arrange a time for him and Barrier Reef to meet. 　

"Hey, it's good to have time to say goodbye, right?

　Barrier Reef, as expected, said happily, without any particular regret.
　Corona rolled her eyes a little, realizing that his words and actions were referring to the Colosseum.

　I think I understand how heavy the past was for Futa, even if only in words.
　I don't mean to interrupt you, because we were both in the same place, and we were both at each other's throats.
　When he glanced at Futa with his beady eyes, he said.

"Yeah, really.
"Yeah, yeah. You're the one who got kicked out for skipping all that emo stuff, aren't you?
Yeah, I know, but... But this time I have a chance.

　The smile on his face was calm and unclouded. Corona's fears were unfounded.

　Huta herself had been through a lot.
　It started with his encounter with Lilac, then his clashes with Prim and Izuna. And there must have been something in his heart that Corona didn't understand, something he felt in the sword fight.

So let's celebrate, shall we?　Let's have a toast!
"I'm not celebrating, but... Besides, it's not a good time to drink.
That's right!

　I'm not going to celebrate, but it's not a good time to start drinking.
　There was no self-consciousness in his face, and he had the same bright, oceanic smile he had when he was Ocean Big Wave at the Colosseum.

　That's why Huta was curious.

　He was no longer allowed to use weapons, and he was breaking his promise to the First Prince to return home.

Are you sure you're okay to go back like this?
"No, I'm not okay.

　"It's not okay," Barrier Reef continued, snapping his neck.

I'm gonna break my promise to my dad. My brother won't forgive me even if I tell him, right?　But still...

　He picked up Ruri and placed her on his shoulder.

"Whoa?

　I'm not sure what he did to me. I'm not sure if you've seen this before, but I'm sure you've.

"Huh?
"Hahaha!

　Futa hurried to stop her.

"Hey, Ruri.
It's okay, it's okay. It shows you're not alarmed.
"Shoko!

　Barrier Reef's smile never changes. The first thing you should do is to look at your eyes.
　I'm not sure what to make of that.

　This is the first time I've ever seen this kind of thing.

I'm not sure how many times Ruri and Barrier Reef have met in the past 20 days.　I'm sure my dad will forgive me if I have to protect her.
"...... Ocean

　Still, it was the memory of her sister that made Barrier Reef decide to do what he did.

I'll stop my brother. I'm sorry to be a little rough with you, but you've made a lot of people cry. You'll have to pay for that. --And...

　I close my eyes and think.

　A contract that binds you.

If the person you made it with is gone, the contract is null and void.
You're gonna ...... your brother.
I can't help it. I'm sure you're not the only one. It's ...... the same for me.

　The determination in his open eyes was firm.
　I'm not sure what to make of it.

　I'm not sure what to do.


　There's no point in talking about this with someone who has nothing to do with the country, let alone with Lilac. I'd rather talk about something else.

"Well, you see, I have to pick a fight with Reza and overturn his odds.
Okay.
Yeah, so I'll be back.

　In the event that you've got any questions regarding where and the best way to get in touch with us, we'll be happy to assist you.

　I'm sure you'll be glad to hear that. When she looked at the maid next to her, she was silently pacing and swaying from side to side.
　As usual, her presence was annoying.

"Well, well. I'm going to go save the country now.

　He said with the same intensity as if he were making lunch.

　Behind him, his men, with their carriages ready, were walking towards Barrier Reef.

　It's time to say goodbye.

　Ruri waves to Barrier Reef as he says goodbye.

"See you!
"See you!
Bye.
Yeah?

　As they were about to part, Ruri held her tongue, as if in some kind of distress.

　Ruri didn't understand what Barrier Reef was trying to do.
　But I wonder why.
　All she could tell was that she was going to do something for her.

　So she did the best she could.


"You know what?
Hey.



Hey, Barrier Reef.




What do you want most?
"What do I want most?



Well, let's start by finding out what you like.



　I can answer that now.



I'm the guy you can count on.
"The guy who gives you hope. ...... It's hard.
Is that so?
But I get it.


　He points to the barrier reef itself.


Ruri, I'm waiting. I'll be waiting for you. Let's take down Brother Fou together.
"Haha!　I'm really excited about that!


　He stroked Ruri and this time the Barrier Reef turned away.

　I feel so good.
　Ruri is hoping that Barrier Reef will come back.
　She expects him to defeat Futa.
　And most of all, she's excited about the future.

This guy's not gonna die.

　No weapons.
　There's no way to stop so many blades.

　But I'm sure Barrier Reef F. Christ will be okay.

　No matter what he does, he'll come back here and rule his country.


Are you sure about this, Barrier Reef?

　It's going to be difficult.
　His journey is going to take him right through the middle of a storm.
　It's normal to worry.
　But he shakes his head at Futa's words.
　He stuck out his thumb and said happily.


"But it's home.


　Yes. Home.
　It's just home. There's nothing to be afraid of.











It'll be easier than conquering the Eighth Sea.






　--Thus did the fifth prince of the Empire, Barrier Reef F. Christ.

　This is how the Fifth Prince of the Kingdom of Barrier Reef F. Christ left the capital.