--Guards' Quarters in King's Landing.

　Guard posts are located at busy points in the capital and at the intersections of alleys, and are basically a convenient security organization for the capital.

　Originally the Kingsguard guarding the Royal Castle, their numbers were greatly reduced during the war.
　However, the replacement did not go well. Only trusted nobles of the royal family were allowed to serve.

　The change came during the reign of the previous king.
　Instead of increasing the number of people, they changed their role from guarding the royal castle to guarding the capital.

　Thus, although they were under the direct control of the royal family, they became common soldiers protecting the capital.

　There are not so many camps. The branch offices that existed in each section were large, equipped with a barracks, but what they usually waited for in case of emergency were small, ordinary buildings.
　It can barely hold a dozen people. In such a place, they work extensively, responding to the voices of citizens, stopping rough stuff, and giving directions.

　The best of them, the ones who have risen through the ranks, are assigned to this office near the city gate.

"Hey, you hear that? Bill, Ben.
What?
What?

　Bob came stumbling back to Bill, who was lying on the table in the office, and Ben, who was looking through his work papers behind him.

　He wondered if the tedious task of helping an old man find something in the street was over.
　Ben looked up and looked at Bob.
　His expression was much darker.

What's the matter, Bob? You don't have to look so glum.
That's right, Bob. All you have to do is say something funny every day.
Shut up.

　Bob was born in the tropics, far away from here, and his joviality was his specialty.
　Who said anything about funny, tropical Bob?

　At the sight of Bob's dark face, the twins, Bill and Ben, looked at each other.

"Seriously, what's going on?
If there's something you can tell us, you can tell us.
I'm not talking to you. I just heard about it from the captain of the guard.

　"I just heard from the captain of the guard," he said, sounding sad and unhappy.

Eastwood's knights defeated the killer Aria.
......
"......

　Once again, Bill and Ben looked at each other.

...... Yeah, that's good, right?
"All hail the knight. You want some credit for that?
No, I didn't!

　Bob shouted with a face like he was about to cry.

"Then I guess we won't be seeing Aria-sama anymore!
Bob, you bastard!
You've really got to stop this!

　What's with you, Aria!　and Bill slapping the table.
　I almost died!　and Ben tearing up papers.

"Oh, calm down, brother. I'm just trying to get the Foot.
Paws?
You had blood on your boots!
That was the most miserable feeling I've ever had!
Bob!
You don't know what we do, do you?

　Bob's shoulders slump.

You're right. ...... We're the guards. We are guard dogs of the state. I'm sure you're not the only one.
What's with this guy? He's disgusting.
"...... and all that. Easy, Bob, Bill.

　Ben said as he furiously reworked the documents he had torn apart.

"They just announced that Eastwood's death squad took out Aria the killer. That means we don't have to keep an eye on him anymore.
How the hell did you know, Ben?
Well, yeah. It's just .......

　As he twirled his quill, Ben crossed his arms behind his head.
　I'm thinking about that scene.

I'm not sure what to make of it. If what he said wasn't a lie, he was barking about how he was one of the best in the Order.
"...... and he was killed so easily, and now you're asking if the Order can handle it?

　I'm sure you'll agree with me.
　For a moment, a silence fell over the room.

　Ben was right, there was definitely a sense of discomfort in the air.
　The man from the Order could have been lying. The dead man may have been a nobody. Another knight could have taken down Aria.



　But it's hard to say whether they could have killed her with 20 people, when they were unable to inflict a single wound on her when 10 people attacked her and were beaten back.

　"It's only because I've faced Aria that I can understand her fighting spirit, her killing intent.

　Can a human beat that?
　The question that arises in my mind is one that I can't shake, along with my fear.

"......, though.

　Ben chuckled as they considered the multiple cases.

It's also true that there's nothing we can do about it, no matter what we low-level guys think.
"Well, that's true.

　"Well, that's true," said Bill, easily abandoning his thoughts. And.

I mean, ......, there's a chance your feet are still alive.
Bob, what?
If he's alive, there's nothing more to it than the city being in trouble!　You don't have a snowball's chance in hell!

　I'm not sure what to make of that.
　And then, a new guest comes through the door from the traffic.

"Excuse me!　How can I get to Branch 12 of the Orba Chamber of Commerce?

　How do I get to Branch 12 of the Orba Chamber of Commerce?" The three of them smiled and greeted the civilian who had relied on the guards.

"Oh, it's a bit far from there for now, so be prepared.
"Just keep going straight, and when you see the inn with this symbol...

　"Just keep going straight here, and when you see this inn, you'll see this symbol..." Ben watched Bill and Bob giving him directions, and thought to himself as he did his paperwork.

　We're good.
　It's not like we can do anything with our brains.
　We'll just support the daily life of King's Landing like lowlifes.

　So, well...

In that sense, Bob's decision to get down on his knees was a good one.


　--Conrad A. Eastwood, the second son of the Count, is the one who defeats the killer Aria.

　Looking at the scroll in a bored manner, Ben threw the Aria's handbill into the trash.
















　--Pasta's home.



　Corona runs down the hallway mopping the floor.

Slap, slap, slap, slap, slap, slap, slap, slap, slap.

　Corona comes back mopping the hallway with a slap.

"Whomp, whomp, whomp, whomp.

　Corona runs down the hallway, mopping with a slap.

　While strolling around the house looking for her, Futa spotted Korona passing by at a T-junction in the inner hallway.
　He was about to call out to her, but somehow stopped himself.

　The smile on her face as she happily cleaned the room made him think, "Maybe I can do it later.

　So, when she noticed Futa and stopped suddenly, that was the beginning of our conversation.

"Mr. Futa. What's the matter?
I was wondering if I could do it later, if it would interfere with the cleaning.
"You can do it while you clean. ...... This house is perfect!
You have a great smile.

　She responds with a big smile on her face, as if the cleaning is worth it.

I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not.　If so, maid, go and hand in your resignation to your sister.
"You're going to quit being a maid because of one serious thing? ......
If the maids leave any work undone, the sister-sama will punish them terribly.
Where did you get that idea?
The Mystery of Pomodoro House: ......
What is this, a revue?

　The Mystery of Pomodoro Manor. I don't know, maybe it's a murder suspense revue like The Maid Saw.
　It's more like.

You're not hired, are you?
"Pell-mell!

　The maid smiles happily, as usual.

"Heck.
It's not tight.
"Maid ...... is a pain in the ass every year around this time!
I wonder what it is.
I don't know!
I don't know!

　I don't know! - You don't know?

Maybe you should see a healer, huh?
"Yeah, I guess so. I'm sure he'll be fine since he hasn't died every year. ...... I'll ask him then.
Yeah, do that.

　As long as she stays healthy, that's all that matters.
　I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do it.

"So, what do you want?
"Well, I guess. I'd like to talk to you about something.
"Consulting?

　Corona holds up the mop and crosses her arms.

It's been a while, hasn't it?
Has it?
Yes, it has. I'm not sure what to do.　I'm not sure what to do.


"Now that you mention it, I don't think I've had anything to worry about lately.

　When I first came to the castle.
　Her words had saved my life many times.
　I've managed to do that, and my relationship with Lilac has improved.

　And then...

"Ho?

　I didn't have to be separated from the girl who was blinking her eyes in front of me like this.
　Lilac and I are getting along much better.
　It's true that Futa doesn't have any serious problems.

　But that's because...

If that's the case, it's because of Corona.
"Well... Did I do something wrong? I feel like I'm saying a lot of random things, maid.
I'm sure it's helped me a lot. --That's probably why you're the first person I come to now.
"Huh.

　I chuckled at her unfailingly flippant reply.
　I can see now that she was always a little embarrassed in her uninterested reply.

So, what do you want?
I don't know where to start. I don't know where to start. ...... You told me to leave you alone, but what do you think I should do if I don't want to be left alone?
......

　Snap, snap, snap.

Hmmm.

　A distracted, troubled voice.

"Well, I think I've figured it out.
"Oh, really?
Taste the sharp eyes of the maid.
"Oh, yeah?

　A jab to Futa's abdomen.
　It didn't hurt at all, but I suddenly realized.
　It's been a while since I've been touched by her.
　I looked down and saw her eyes, hidden by her bangs, and two tufts of gold swaying in the air.

"Corona?
I don't know, it's just... Yeah, I don't like it.
What?
"Well, you know...

　She looks up and says with her usual smiling face.

The maid, I told you to leave me alone, but you forced me to do it.
That's...

　I don't have to think back.
　I don't need to think back. Those days are etched in my memory as vividly as if it were yesterday.
　The performance hall where I ran around looking for her in front of me and finally reached her.

It's not like this. I just don't want Corona to leave.
I'm embarrassed.
I'm embarrassed.

　I'm just trying to make sure that Corona doesn't leave.
　I'm not sure what to say, but I'm going to say it.

It's not that different. The reason why I want you to leave me alone is because I don't have any 'reason' to pull you. It's because there's nothing to look forward to when you're pulled.
Corona: ......

　What Corona was referring to was not Futa's point of view, but Corona's state of mind.
　I'm not sure if you've heard of it, but I have.

　If she had been left alone and unattended, there would have been no change.
　I really thought it was okay to stay like this.
　Because I couldn't see any hope for change.
　Because you can't imagine a happy future if you're pulled along.

　Because you can't imagine what you don't know. Isn't that what we all do?

So you're saying I should just force myself to ask?
"Hmmm.

　Corona shook her head loosely at the question.

I quit my job because of you, you know?
"......
I decided to live because you were you to me. I'm sure that's the difference you feel with me and with him.

　She laughed and continued.

"And that's what the maid thinks.
"Because I was me to you.
"Yeah, yeah. I'll give you one more hint.

　"Then I'll give you another clue," she said, holding up a finger.

I wonder why the maids didn't want to tell Futa-sama about their profession at first.
"...... I wonder what that is.
The correct answer is...........................　It's because I didn't know Futa-sama well.
"...... I see.
"Mm-hmm.



　He nodded his head with his arms crossed in satisfaction, as if he were an old master or something.

"Thank you, Corona.
"Hmm. If you owe me a favor, you owe me a favor. Hey, kid. ......
Who's ......?
Flipping.

　Futa turns away in his customary pose.

Sorry to interrupt your work. Thanks!

　Corona waved him off as he walked away down the hall.
　Looking back one last time, he saw...
　He looked back one last time and saw the girl's full-blown smile, lit up by the sunset coming through the window.

　She smiled fleetingly for a moment in the direction that Huta was headed, when he couldn't see her anymore.

The maid is not sure about the content.

　She let out a breath and immediately gave her usual maid smile.

I'm not sure what the maids do, but I don't know.



　I'm not sure what to say.