The puddle of water splashed.

　The girl's feet, which had been walking lightly, gradually increased in speed, and she began to run faster and faster, her breath coming in gasps.

　The girl gritted her teeth as she ran through the narrow alleyway with her small body.

　Looking back, she sees the shadows of several men.
　Now, Pasta Pomodoro was being chased.

　I knew something was wrong when I left.

　He was on his way to the villa of the former Orba Chamber of Commerce, where he lived, when he realized that he was obviously being followed.

　There were multiple shadows stretching into the setting sun.
　I shook my head and asked myself if enough people had seen my face to give chase. In the first place, I had come out of the exit for the people concerned, wearing a hood like this.
　The only people who could have come after me in such an organized manner, knowing that I was Pasta Pomodoro, who was actually there, were those who were in the privileged seats at most.

　If it wasn't Pasta Pomodoro that they were after, it could have been someone who had been after Beatrix M. Orba.

　It's not that I don't have a plan in place for when my true identity is revealed.
　As long as she was taking the risk of standing out, she was prepared for the fact that someone would eventually find out that she was Beatrix, and that she would be pursued.

　However, it was too soon. I'm not ready yet.

　Besides, it is unreasonable to assume that the Hokage and his associates know that Pasta is Beatrix and are acting accordingly.
　Due to the nature of the organization, they would be reluctant to do so. Also, it would be more profitable for them to pack the kingdom as soon as they are exposed.

　It is highly unlikely that they would hide in the shadows and go after you.

　But for a girl named Pasta Pomodoro.
　The fact that she was being chased by someone was enough to put her life in danger.

　There are many possibilities that come to mind, and no matter which one you take, the future that awaits you is not a good one.


　Think, think, think.

　Think, think, think.

　The number of pursuers keeps growing.
　When you first felt them behind you on the main road, there were four or five at most.
　But after I sensed their presence and entered the alley, they came at me from the front and the left and the right as if they were closing in on me in a board game.

　It didn't take long for me to realize that they were well-trained.

　The more you run, the more they wait for you and come after you head on.

　As the pasta got faster and faster, so did they.

　It was as if they were beasts hunting in groups, pressuring and cornering him.

　We ran through the narrow alleys. At the crossroads, several men came out from the right and front.
　Behind you, the sound of footsteps chasing you.
　You have no choice but to turn left and run for a while, and men appear again at one of the branches.
　The number of people chasing behind her continues to increase, and the speed at which they are chasing her continues to increase.

　She's being led somewhere. I knew it.
　I couldn't tell if it was a cul-de-sac, or a place to be invited, or a pond or something, but...

"Huh, huh ......!

　If this happens again...
　Oh, if only this could happen again.
　It might be a good idea to get him to work out a bit to build up his strength.

　And so on, the corners of my mouth twisted in thought.

　After all, I'm only a manager, and I can only use my head. That's why it's inefficient to exercise to gain strength. I still believe that, but I don't know how I came up with that idea... I shake my head in disbelief.

　I'm not sure I'm feeling the slightest bit of emotion.
　Similar circumstances, nonsensical stories of the past, and a shared part of each other's background.

　I told you from the beginning that I didn't need that in a mere business partner. Now I find myself in this situation, and it's pathetic.

　Why are we so positive about the feelings we have?
　Is it that I am thinking on the premise that my feelings have been transferred?

　Why can't I shout that I don't care about them in the slightest?

　I bite my teeth and shake my head.

　--If you really, really don't care about them.

　If my calm thoughts had been working as usual, consuming them as pawns.


　I'd have won by now if I'd gone home with them following me instead of this back alley.

　I wasn't the only one in that house.
　There's a maid waiting for you and an extra guard.

　If I got them involved, I still had a chance to survive.

　I'll do anything to survive.
　I'll do anything to live.

　That's a lie.

　If only I could live like that for real, for real.



　--I wouldn't be working so hard for the Orba Trading Company right now.



"d*mn, ......!

　I'm gasping.
　I can't hold my breath. My lungs are burning and I can't feel my legs moving.
　I just had to paradoxically understand that I was running because my vision was moving forward.

　--There's nothing I can do to get them involved.
　--It's not good for them to know about the Orba Trading Company villa.
　--That many people could spread it around.

　All of this is just an excuse not to go back to that house. I know.

　Huta won't make it because Lilac called.
　I'm not gonna ask you for help in the first place.

　I didn't ask for help when I rushed to Richter's house.
　That was just because I thought that Ruri herself should ask for help when her father was in danger.



　I don't expect you to help me.
　I don't deserve to be helped.

　I wonder if they know where my house is.
　If I let myself go here, will I go straight to the house?

Don't. --Don't come near me unless you have something to gain.

　Oh. Really. To get close.

There's nothing good about bad guys. --Including me.

　I can't keep my legs straight.
　I can't keep my feet on the ground anymore. They're very energetic, but at the same time I realize they're too well trained.
　If they're in control, well...
　That narrows down the choices. It's not the same as hiring an assassin or organizing a gang of thugs.


I've been looking into the serial killer case. Beatrix is right, Eastwood is withholding information.
"Oh, yeah?　So that means the second son who just arrived in King's Landing is pretty stinky, right?
Yes. It's more likely that the underling is related to Eastwood. --Here's the report to the guards.

　Most of the girls listed at the time were around 10 years old.

　Oh, I see. The way I look now, I'm a girl of that age. Besides, I'm quite conspicuous today.

　And then you come out of the VIP section all by yourself.

　Even after Conrad announced the murder of the killer, the Lilac Guards were still patrolling the area. I guess most of us have run out of patience.


"...... that woman.


　I'm not sure what to make of this.
　I was a little wary of her, but I never thought she would use herself for something like this.

　The point is, this is just a fishing expedition. I'm the bait.

　You know what they say about taking care of things before the runoff.

　I shake my head at the thought of my life.

　I wonder if my life is guaranteed.

　I've shown you how beneficial Pasta Pomodoro is to Spectacular.
　I've also told you that my skills in the real world are unparalleled. I'm sure Lilac can't ignore her own words as "manager" at any cost.

　But I'm not sure.

　In the past, under the right circumstances, I'd still be able to stand tall.
　As bait in his trap, all I had to do was escape to the designated spot.
　She'll take care of the rest. That's what I thought.

　But I don't know anymore.

　Because...

"Hey Futa... what are you doing with the Orba Trading Company's sign on your back?

That's my head. What's the cheapest way out?

　I never thought that woman... I didn't think she'd be that invested in someone else.
　I never thought she'd be that into someone else. She's too possessive to be moved by emotion.

　She couldn't read it either.

"Don't ...... break, ......!

　I don't know.
　I don't know what scenario he's playing out.
　Is he more interested in getting rid of himself than the spectacle?
　I can't find the balance.

　Unlike Lilac, who has always been able to manipulate people with her emotions.
　She's had to crawl on the ground, and all she's ever dealt with are numbers.

　She was willing to act outrageously, to incite others to slow down their thinking, and to live off of numbers.
　People who have feelings die first. Or so I thought.

Follow him. We're almost there.
Don't let him get away.

　"Don't let him get away." I guess he didn't want to make a big deal out of it.
　After a few whispered exchanges, they just kept chasing her down.

　I can only imagine what awaits them. Probably no life. 　

　Anyone who has feelings for her will die.
　I should have known-- but now this.

　If you sacrifice yourself for someone else, you'll die in a horrible way.
　I've seen it happen before my eyes.

　If you hold on to someone and forget your power. You'll be swept off your feet and erased in no time.
　I've seen it happen before my eyes.

　That's why I just want efficiency. That's what I thought, but now I can't read emotions and here I am.

　I heard the sound of wind whistling through the air.



"Aahz--!

　She slumped forward in a heap.
　In my vision, I see a dirty alleyway that smells of rotten food and a dull, glowing arrowhead.

　She knew that this arrow had hit her feverish foot. His thoughts were very calm.

...... Are you going to start crying?
"Unfortunately, I'm used to this kind of pain.

　He stood up slowly.
　But it was all over.
　I see a blond man with a group of men in front of me.

　He stepped back, his mouth twisted as if he were hunting or something.

He's got more guts than I thought. I don't like cocky women. I'll take my time to ...... be honest with you.
I'll take my time to ...... be honest with you." "...... going out on your own is like showing an opening. ...... Conrad Eastwood.
Oh. You know him?

　The servant, as expected.
　It's not often that I've seen a face so disgustingly well put together.
　He bit his back teeth, wishing he could just turn to Lilac and spit out his filthy lust.

"Well, there's a reason I came all the way out here. Well, I came all this way for a reason, and I enjoyed it. We'll talk about you at the house. I have other things to do.
"....... So I'm going to be killed just like the other kidnapped girls.
"Oh, you knew about ......? You'll need to tell us where you heard it from.

　Stalling for time may not change the situation.
　It's just that the sun has just set and it's dark. Maybe there's a loophole where we can put on our hoods and escape.

　I'll stay alive. So you decide to face it. 　

What happened to the kid's body?
"What?　After you get tired of them and send them to your men. I'm trying to keep it off your feet. ...... Did you have a friend?　Or are you afraid?
Not really. It's just...
I feel sorry for you. I do feel sorry for people like you who have had the misfortune of being "friends."
"Friends"?

　The man in front of you will never understand the meaning of those words.
　Just give me a little time to find a way out.

　She wished she could, but reality was cruel.

I'm not sure if you're really 9 years old. I'm not sure if he's really nine years old, but that's okay because he's rare. Maybe I can save your life?
"So your hobby is to make people beg for their lives by giving them a glimmer of hope?　I've known people like that.
...... Oh well. We probably don't have time for a long conversation.

　Conrad's order to take him away.
　I clucked my tongue and tried to run, but the men were faster.

　I never said "help" to them.
　Even in this situation, I couldn't bring myself to say it.

　For example, if this was the situation Lilac had put me in.

　The only person who might be able to help me doesn't deserve my help.
　The only person who might be able to help me won't take my hand.

　I'll lick the boots of my enemy if it saves me. Even if she's determined to do so.

　It's obvious who the only person who might be able to help her is under.

　It wouldn't be surprising if she knew and overlooked the situation.



　By the way.

　Why is Conrad...

　Why did Conrad take the risk to come here?









"Good day to you all. It's a beautiful night.
















　--back in time, just after the third and final game of the preliminary round.

The third and final game of the preliminary round--this is ...... am I dreaming....... I'm not sure what to make of it. The only difference is the number of players. I'm not sure what to make of that.　Aylin B. Smiles, with parasol in hand, is a winner again today!
There's more to Arawn than that. I'm sure you've seen it.
"I guess he hasn't shown his true colors yet!　I'm so excited!

　To the cheers of the crowd, she said.


　Aylan B. Smiles strolled beneath the light as if it were a matter of course.
　He acted as if he had forgotten that he was wanted as a murderer, not knowing that there was one man who was fist-bumping with rage.

　You'll be able to find a lot more than just a few of them.

"d*mn it, ......, we haven't even gotten any new tools in a while, ......."

　What "tools" he called them.
　His people knew exactly what he meant.

　A "tool" to be captured, played with, and discarded.

　It was his pastime and his outlet.
　It could be his daily frustration, or it could be...

　Anyway.
　Even though the killer was gone, the number of guards on patrol hadn't decreased for some reason, and the hunting hadn't been going well lately.

　That's when I saw the "live seat," which could be seen from the privileged seats.
　She was "tailor-made" to be right in front of Conrad and could be seen from the other side of the field.

　She had the ears of the crowd, and at first glance I knew I wanted her.

　If she was sitting in the spectator stand, she must be related to Lilac.
　I'd also like to have a detailed discussion with her about the story she's going to have before the finals to celebrate her achievements.

　It's like throwing a stone and getting two birds.

　Nodding his head in agreement, Conrad walked off to visit Lilac immediately after the game.


"What's the matter, Your Highness? What's the matter, Your Highness? You look so gloomy.
Conrad: ....... No, I mean. I have a problem.

　I'm not sure what to say, but I'm sure you'll understand.
　He wanted to talk about himself right now, but that would be unbecoming of a nobleman.

　When he asked her about it, Lilac shook her head with a troubled expression that made him feel vulnerable and protective.

Is this something I can't help you with?
'No. ...... because ...... that. Conrad caught the murderer, didn't he?
Yes, ...... he did.

　I'm not sure what you mean by that," Conrad thought.
　He wondered if Aylan had noticed the striking resemblance to the "Aria" on the wanted list.
　Before he could open his mouth, he was momentarily torn between a reprimand and a cover-up.
　Lilac let out a blatantly relieved sigh and continued.

"Thank God ...... Aylan is just like you. I'll have to apologize later. ......

　Aylin looks like Aria. That's good.
　It's just what you said after that bothered me. Like, yeah.

"Have you met him?　Aylan, .......
"What?　Oh, yes. I'm not sure if you're a qualifier or not. I was wondering where you live.
Oh.

　Spectacula wasn't going to end with a fighting tournament. Conrad knew that much.
　That's why they keep spitting on the best people.

　But that didn't matter to Conrad.
　"If, by some stroke of luck, she knows where Aria is..."
　If she knows where Aria is, then she can turn her makeshift lie into the truth.

Can I ask you something?
What?　Why?
Don't worry. It's just that I wanted to provide a suitable environment for those who made it through the qualifying round. Or did you intend to invite them to the castle?
"No, no. I hadn't thought of that, sir.

　For a spur-of-the-moment thing, it worked.
　As proof, I saw the princess in front of me, looking very impressed.

I'm sure you're not from the kingdom, given your name.
"No, sir. Aylin is temporarily staying at the Church of Itail in District 12 until today.
Until today?
Yeah, it was only for the ...... qualifiers.
I see. I see.

　If they let him go to the finals and then another murder happens, it's a problem.
　And if Eastwood doesn't make sure that Aria is killed, he'll be in trouble later.

　He seems to have been quiet for a while now, but his rampage in Eastwood's territory was out of the ordinary. I can't let the same tragedy happen again in King's Landing.

　Let's make sure he's not famous right away. With that in mind, he suddenly asked.

"By the way... By the way, what's going on?　"By the way, is the girl who was playing the game your highness' prize possession?
"What?　Oh, the Pomodoro siblings?　My brother is my guest, and he's been telling me a lot of things about exotic swordsmanship.


How's your sister at ......?
She's a bright girl. I'm going to talk to her a little later today at the Spectacle. Unlike her brother, she's just on her way to visit ......, and I'd like her to stay.
Oh, I see, I see. Well, each person's life is different, you know.

　How convenient.

I'm sure she'll benefit from a private conversation with you in the future.
Is that so?
Yes, it will.

　That's what I call throwing one stone and getting two birds.
　Again, Conrad nodded.
　Aylin and the girl who was going home.
　If you can get them both at the same time, then why not?

"Well, I look forward to seeing you at the finals tomorrow, Your Highness.
"Oh, yes. I'll do my best.

　I'll do my best." Conrad nodded humbly and left the room.


　--Conrad nodded humbly and left the room, knowing that if he flashed the honor of the finals, he would be visited at this time today.


　He also knew that he wouldn't be making any plans today because he was too busy thinking about tomorrow.


　If it's just a girl, he can't fish her out.


　If it's just Arawn, there's no hurry.


　But if you give him the illusion that now is the right time...



"Okay, bye. Okay, next.



　He didn't hear what was said behind Conrad's back, of course.