This is one of Lilac's private chambers, where she was ordered to wait when Huta first entered the castle.
　The lights of the ore lamps hanging from the high ceiling gently illuminated the blue of the sunset. Futa sat deep in the sofa, waiting for the words of the girl leaning on a teacup in front of him.

　She gently put the steamy cup back in the saucer and slowly turned her blue eyes to Futa.

　It's not that I'm not a fan of her.
　I'm not sure what to say. But Futa knew.

　But Futa knew.
　But Futa knew that when she made that face, she had a purpose, and she wanted to use Futa.

Is it a party ...... hosted by the royal family?
Yes, and I'm sure it's not too bad for you either.
"Master Lilac.

　I shifted my weight from the backrest to the front.
　She straightened her back so that she was looking straight at Lilac, a slight flutter.
　However, leaving her surprise behind, Futa tells her.

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. You don't have to go through all the trouble, I'll go with you.
"......

　He even smiled, as if to reassure her.
　But Lilac, who usually acknowledges his words and opens her mouth, still has a thoughtful look on her face and gently brushes her lips.

　Lilac, still looking thoughtful, softly stroked her lips as she tilted her head slightly, wondering if she had said something she didn't like.

No, I'm glad you feel that way. You're right. I'm sure you'll agree, as long as I want you to move.
...... Is there anything else you want to tell me?

　I don't understand your intentions.
　I'm not sure what your intentions are.

　It's just a small difference. It's just a small difference.

　It's not that I wanted you to want to go with me.
　I just wanted her to want to go with me.

　As long as you think that's the same thing, you'll never fix this misunderstanding.

　It used to mean the same thing. So, if only one of them has changed, it is inevitable that there is a "gap.

It's nothing, sir. Then, please keep your schedule.
"Okay. ...... But why the party at the royal castle again?
"Why, that's a difficult one.

　She tipped her teacup and muttered.

　There's nothing unusual about a party in a royal castle.
　There were plenty of parties that Lilac didn't attend, but there were plenty of parties that were held.

　Besides, there's nothing wrong with parties.
　For those who spread their web of commerce and interests throughout the capital, the kingdom, and the world, they are each other's business partners.

　For them, connections are their lifeline to survive in the social world and also their money tree.

　This is why Beatrix, when she was still active, never failed to play a role as a member of the royal city council, and the Orba Chamber of Commerce has risen thanks in part to her.

　A social party is, as the name implies, a meeting where different societies meet.

It's not that I'm trying to throw a party out of the blue. The party itself has been held many times since His Majesty's return. So you can just think of it as an invitation.
Are you sure you don't want me to go? Do you think it's beneath Lilac's dignity for me to go?
You went through this once before, the day you won the game. There's no need to shy away now.
Looking back on it, it was quite a challenge, ......

　I'm not used to it, and it brings back memories of being jostled by people.
　All of them were for a chance to meet the princess, but that didn't mean I could ignore them.
　He remembered how he had managed to survive by wearing out his spirit.

And when I say dignity, ...... I mean that even commoners are invited to parties if they have achieved something.
"Oh, really?

　In the event that you've got a lot more than one of these, you'll be able to get a lot more.

　Lilac, nodding, is unconcerned.
　I'm not sure what to say," he said.

The nobility of the kingdom can be bought with money. If you think of them as future nobles, it's quite conceivable that you could invite them to join your faction.
"I see. It's for your own good.
I see.

　Besides," she continued.

And," she continued, "you're the winner of the fighting tournament and, more importantly, you're my guest. You will not be disrespected, and there is no need to be so timid. All you have to do is be proud of yourself. ...... just like you did in the arena.
Hey, .......
"Hmm. Surprisingly, it's not a joke, is it?

　Lilac smiles, teasingly.

　The arena. I'm not sure what to say, but I'm going to say it.

　Her words tease Futa, who may or may not have been as irreverent and confident as Pasta produced him to be, the greatest wall of the fighting fencer.

　In fact, if you ask Pasta, it was below par.


　I'm a little embarrassed that Lilac is laughing at me.

　I'll do better next time.
　I'll just have to practice for that.

"Okay. I'll be fine. ...... So, what do I do?
At the party, you mean?　Yes. ...... It's easy to say that you should learn the faces of the socialites to some extent, but...

　Lilac cut her words off there and let her thoughts wander a bit.

　It's not easy to ask Futa, who has little experience with parties, to identify the people with whom he should make a connection.

　However, it is difficult to say whether Lilac can stay with him. There will be many people who will come to say hello to her, even if they intend to stay with her basically.
　This is even more so since she has never been one to show up often.
　The reason for this is more than just a simple dislike of parties, but also a desire to increase my own rarity, which in this case has backfired a bit.

　So," I thought for a moment.

"Well, we'll learn a little more about who we need to know later. What kind of people are out there, and who are the ones to watch out for? And...

　Narrowing her eyes, she muttered.

"Who are the enemies?
"......

　Clearly, she says, there are enemies in the castle.

　She knew that there were no allies. She also knew that she had managed to survive this long on her own.

　For 17 years.
　I've tried so hard not to get killed, to survive.
　But life itself was not the goal. Her longing is to bring about change in this world.

　There are only two kinds of enemies she can call "enemies.

　The first--those who do not agree with her aspirations. Beatrix M. Orba is one.

　The other is the one who wants to get rid of her, the wicked one. Richter L. Klingbloom is one of them.

　However, even though there are two different lineages, their intentions are different.

　Beatrix believes that her "profession" is her hope.

　Richter is entirely in the service of the state.

　But there are others who use their professions to do evil. Others use their professions to do evil.

　I'm sure there are many enemies out there.

　Futa pulled his chin back and waited for Lilac's words.

The arena is our great power base, and one of our dreams. But we must not forget that there are those who would prevent us from achieving our dreams and our aspirations. And we have to keep an eye on them.

　Was it Pasta who said he was just waving a stick?
　It's not enough for Futa to spend all his time fighting swords anymore.

　He must continue to fight to protect the spectacle, the capital, and the princess.

　In order to protect Spectacular, the capital, and the princess, there is an enemy to fight.

　And the beginning of that chapter was about to begin.


"And one more thing. Futa, there's another reason I'm inviting you to the party.
"What is it?


　Lilac drank the rest of her tea and then said slowly. 　







The King wants to see you.