--Princess's office, Royal Castle.

　"Most people think of the King's private chambers behind the throne room when they hear the words "the innermost part of the castle.

　In fact, that's what the military police and guards at the castle think, and even the court servants and nobles think.

　Or perhaps they don't think about it at all.
　For example, not many people bother to think about which part of their house is the farthest from the entrance.

　If asked, they just think about it for a while, remember the structure of the house, and think that it is around there.　It's just a matter of thinking about it, remembering the structure, and getting an idea.

　But there are those who are not so smart.

　The innermost part of the castle.
　There are those who realize that it is not the throne room, nor the king's private chambers, but her office.

　In the past, when it was first known that her profession was wickedness.
　There were those who thought that the princess who preferred such a dark and damp place was a young lady of the court.

　Gradually, "strangely", the voices stopped being heard, and before long, they were dismissed as her mere preference.
　Now, no one would think it strange that the princess's office was located in such an intricate place.

　Today, there was an unusual visitor in the princess's office.

"It's difficult, isn't it?

　A sip of tea. Lilac smiled in annoyance, and the person in front of her chuckled.

"It can't be helped. We have a lot of troublesome relationships with musicians, so I hope you don't mind.

　Hura Walcott.
　The first court mage was sitting leisurely on a sofa.
　Waving his cutlery-sized cane, he acted as freely as if he were conducting an orchestra.

　The two court mages behind him watched him warily, fearing that he would be rude to the princess.

I just thought music was a good idea. Music is a good idea. It's true that the theater had the most trouble with sound reverberation. The spectacle's sound is all about making it echo loudly throughout - hmm, you might want to think about that.
"Yes, you should. I'd love to.
"No, but Your Highness. No, but Your Highness. You're very enthusiastic.
Can we go to ......?　I'm trying to do my job well.
No, no, no. I don't feel bad. I'm honored to be involved in something I enjoy. Speaking of things that bother me, ......".

　With a wave of his cane, he threw his eyes into the air as if choosing his words.
　He looked at Lilac, who was still smiling at him, and asked.


"Are you okay with that, ......?


　Lilac tilted her head slightly.

Lilac tilted her head. "Well, there's something wrong with .......
There's something wrong with . Not at all!　Well!　We'll have to think about the music too!

　I'm not sure if you've heard of it or not, but I'm sure you've heard of it.
　The two court mages hurriedly bowed their heads repeatedly as if to apologize to her, and hurried after her.

　However, they stopped suddenly in front of the door and bumped into Hura's back.

　You'll be able to find a lot more information on this topic on the web.

I'm not sure what to say. ...... was delicious.
I'm glad to hear that.
"Well?

　In the event that you have any questions regarding where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site.

"Head!　Hey, Headmaster!
"You can't do that to His Highness!

　The door closes and Hura leads the way down the long corridor, while the two mages behind her protest in turn. He didn't pay any attention to them and continued on his way.

What's wrong with you?
There's been a lot!　There was, but ......

　Hura is always free.
　I'm not going to complain endlessly about the fact that he stopped suddenly and hit me on the back. It's just.

I'm not going to complain endlessly about being stopped suddenly and hit in the back.
"Well, that's a curious thing to say.

　Hura stopped for the first time and turned around, looking at the two of them with boring eyes and then . The first time he stopped and looked back at them, he brushed his hair lightly and raised the corners of his mouth.

We're always on the side of the royals, aren't we?　
"The head of ...... doesn't say what he's thinking like that again.
Hahaha, explaining things to idiots like you will only lead to more mistakes.
Idiots?












　--"Taverna Lute."

　In the event that you're not sure what you're looking for, you'll be able to find a lot more information on the web.

　When Futa, who seemed to be meeting up with Izuna today, brought her sister, Pasta, the place was supposed to be in a state of excitement. The reason for this was that Izuna had arrived late and brought a limp girl with him. But if this was the cause of the excitement, the restaurant was finished.

"Are you okay?
Yeah, I'm fine. I'm just thirsty from running. That's all.


I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that. ......

　Izuna is already at the dinner table, chugging down a bottle of wine as if she's comfortable.
　The owner's family's private room is located behind the kitchen.
　There is nothing a man can do.

　They were sent away as if there was nothing a man could do, and the two were drinking together like this.
　Pasta-chan is doing her Pasta-chan moves by herself to liven up the delicate atmosphere in the dining room.
　The crowd cheered her on, saying she was cute and adorable.

"......, you poor thing.
"Did you say something?
"No, nothing.

　For a moment, the pitying gaze and the embarrassed eyes of Pasta-chan, who was doing her best cute girl move, intersected.
　Futa was a pain in the ass, so I quickly abandoned him.

　The first thing to do is to take care of Izuna's problem.
　Otherwise, we won't be able to talk about music in the first place.

What's going on?
"What?　Oh, I don't know either.

　I'm not stupid, so I know.
　I don't understand.
　I'm not sure what to say, but I'm going to say it.

I found the girl on my way here with Motisuke. There's a little square in front of the alley.
"Yeah. Yeah, it's a place where you see a lot of meet-ups and drunken ...... helpers.　It's a place you see a lot.
Yeah, yeah. That's where they used to sing.
Wow. That's unusual. A minstrel?
Maybe. There was a pretty big crowd. But then some strange people came in and started complaining about the song.
"...... I see.

　Aside from Izuna's recollection that the song was so good that I couldn't help but listen to it, I have a vague idea as to why the song was being criticized.

　As far as Futa knew, the role of a bard was to "tell" stories.

　Of course, there are cases where a bard spins an original story in song, but those are rare.
　Most of the time, they tell a story that happened elsewhere.
　If this is the case, it is natural that there will be people who do not like the content.

　For example, let's say there was a war.
　The people who are fighting each other are not aware of how it looked from the side. It is common for people to argue that they had more justice and suffering when they are given an objective poem about it.

And the poor kid was apologizing so much. And even though he's apologizing, they just keep getting more heated.
"Did you stop them at ......?
No, I tried to stop them. ......

　Huta tilted her head.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're doing.
　But I don't think Izuna would abandon her in such a situation.

The others started defending her and a brawl broke out.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa ......

　I knew it wasn't safe, but...
　Well, I can imagine.

"And then one of them said, 'Run! And then one of them said, "Run! I thought there was no reason to run, but ...... something tells me the girl was panicking too. He ran away.
Oh, yeah. ......
So, well...

　Izuna crossed her arms and kept a difficult look on her face.

Some idiot started yelling at me to go after him. And then some idiot started yelling at me to chase him. The same people who yelled at me to apologize and drowned out my excuses. I was disgusted to think that they were going to do the same thing to the girl who ran away.
"Disgusted?
I beat them all up.
All of them.
All of them, including the ones who acted like it was justice and told her to run, even though they couldn't protect her.
Yeah. ......
So did they. If they hadn't gotten their hands on her, there wouldn't have been a brawl. If they hadn't gotten involved, it wouldn't have turned into a brawl.

　And then, well," he said, stuffing the focaccia in one bite.

"Whoo-hoo-hoo-hoo!
Swallow.
I asked ...... to help me find the girl. I'm completely involved in this. I thought Motisuke would be able to chase her.
"I see.

　The place was buzzing with people.
　When he asked for more sake, somehow everyone's cute pasta girl was serving and smiling at him.

　Futa ordered without hesitation.


　A blue streak appeared on her forehead.

"So, how did this happen?

　Futa pointed to the kitchen. Or more accurately, the room behind it.

I don't know," he said. I don't know if they were chasing me or what, but ...... anyway, I was lying on the street. So I brought him in. That's all I'm saying.
Did you run out of energy?
You've been chasing him, he's been in a lot of trouble. I wouldn't have found him if it wasn't for Motosuke.
What's up with Mochisuke? ......
What?　He's handy. He's a bit of an idiot.
Oh, yeah. ......

　I'm sure Mochisuke is not happy about this, he thought vaguely as he tipped back his drink.
　The cat's purring voice seems to be popular with the public.

You look happy.
Hmm, does it look that way?　Why don't you help me?
No, I'm glad you're so popular.
Thank you!　I'll see you later!

　The back of the pasta, which was being squealed at again as I ran away, eloquently said, "I'll kill you later.

He's smart, he loves his brother, he's a good kid, isn't he?
Is this about the pasta?
Yeah. He's got a sister like that. She's got a sister like that. She's got to be desperate to hold onto her fighting sword. ......
...... Haha.

　It seems that in Izuna's brain, the image of Futa working to support Pasta's childhood has been completely formed.
　I'm not sure what to do about it.

"Oh?
The rescuer is awake, Master.
"Oh, well done.
"No, of course not, Master.

　No, of course not, Master." You seem a little proud of the praise, though, because you feel you've done your part.

　Sadly, the two men in front of her couldn't see the subtleties of her heart.

"Well, let's have a little chat.

　Izuna said as she slowly stood up.

"It's okay!

　The voice.
　This is the voice of a beautiful, clear voice.
　The girl who was being held in her arms earlier smiled at Izuna and Futa, who looked back at her without thinking.

　Her cheeks are a little red, her eyes are a little moist, and she is wobbly.
　But her will is strong.

I'm sorry for worrying you!

　She bowed her head.

　He was clearly not feeling well, but I wondered if he was okay.
　Unlike Futa, who tilted his head, Izuna looked at her from top to bottom with a look of difficulty.

　Her hair, which was tied in a knot, was swept back, probably because she was on the floor.
　Her slender body is of average height, but very thin.
　I wonder if he has been eating properly.

　She's dressed reasonably well, but her shoes are pretty beat up, and if you look closely, you'll see that her clothes, while fine, are also very old.

...... Are you okay?

　I'm not sure what to make of it, but I think it's a good idea.

I'm fine!
You're wobbly.

　I'm not sure what to do.

"Motisuke, don't let this guy out. Don't trust a sick man to be okay.
I'm sorry, Master. I'm sorry, Master. ...... But when Master collapsed once, he said that people are sturdy in their own way. ......
Oh, I stand corrected. I am robust.

　This guy," Huta said, giving him a blank stare.

We'll talk to him later. In the meantime, I'll see how you feel until you feel better.
"Izuna. You're not worried about your pursuers?
"Yeah, don't worry about it.

　Laughing, Izuna said.

I've got the power to beat them up, unlike that righteous prick. Besides.

　He glanced at Mochisuke once, then looked straight at Futa and smiled broadly.

But most of all, you guys are here.

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

　Mochisuke, who was left behind, looked up at Futa anxiously.
　He scratched his head and said, "I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.



　He muttered.
　Before Mochisuke, who tilted his head, could mistake it for a heavy load, he too laughed.


You can't go home now, can you?