--royal city aristocratic district. Gringott's Palace.

　It is almost nightfall.
　Like Richter L. Klingbloom, Gracile G. Gringott, a powerful nobleman, was also engaged in political affairs.

　Unlike Richter, who was the Lord Treasurer, he was in charge of welfare.
　For example, he was in charge of the provision of temporary housing for the many workers hired for the construction of the Spectacle.

　Regardless of the actions of his political opponents, if he were to simply drag his feet on something that was proceeding as stipulated, it would only lead to his own strangulation.

　Because he knew that, he used the budget provided by the Lord Treasurer to build the houses for the day laborers and transformed them into simple hotels during the tournament.
　They were able to earn a good amount of money, and the houses now serve as housing for the working class.

　The kingdom's medical care is also under Gringott's jurisdiction, and he directs the dispatch of touring healers to the provinces.

　In terms of busyness, Richter is probably the best, but in terms of the breadth of his duties, Gracial is the best.

"The princess is talking about music?

　Graciel looked up because of a strange comment from the person who had come to contact him.
　It's rare for him to even make eye contact with anyone who comes to him with any kind of report.

　He brushed back his blue hair and looked at the other person as he dried the ink on the scroll spread out on the garden table.

　The place is a courtyard.
　This sunny spot is his pride and joy, with its collection of rare and beautiful plants.

　Unlike Richter, who works at his desk, Gracial makes every effort to enjoy his daily work.
　This was a difference in aristocracy.

"...... I see. I see. You've put a check on the court musicians. Well, I don't care. It is also ...... true that the opera ended in failure.

　Think about it.

Think about it for a moment. "Keep me posted as soon as you hear more. Perhaps it will be of great help in reversing our inferior position.

　It seems the princesses use spectacles for more than just sword fighting.
　It's not a big deal in and of itself, but whether it succeeds or fails, it will serve its purpose until the time is right.

"But a concert?

　I don't know what you're going to do," Glacial said, resting his cheek against his cheek.

　I don't know what you're going to do," Gracilar said, resting his head on his cheek, "but what kind of performance are you going to give without the court musicians?
　Are there any outstanding musicians in the field?

　I don't know what Richter has in mind.

　I don't know what Richter has in mind, but Gracial can't think of a single candidate in the wild who is suited for music.

















　--The taverna, the lute.

　A day of great excitement comes to an end when sleep overtakes everyone who has had enough to drink.
　"This is the case with Lute's Taverna. The customers, who had been enjoying themselves until the very end of the night with the events of the day, left the restaurant one after another to go to bed.

　Aside from Bill, Ben, and the other guards who had packed up in case of a second attack, most of the people left behind were involved in the commotion.

　That is, the owner and his daughter, Anise.
　Motisuke and Izuna, Futa and Pasta.
　And then there's Mirabelle. Or should I say "troublemakers.

　When asked if she was being targeted because she was the daughter of the Gringott family, Mirabelle tilted her head and said, "I don't think so. I don't think so.

　In any case, multiple reasons for being targeted have emerged.
　And they were more persistent than he had imagined.

　While Izuna and the others were relaxing and picking up appetizers, they were worried about leaving everything to the guards.

　Futa sat uncomfortably on the back of a chair, staring at the smiling girl in front of him.


I want to die!


　There she was, Pasta-chan with a big smile on her face.
　The words that came out of her mouth were noisy.

It's good!　I think you're very cute!
Thank you!　Thank you! The shame is making me feel like a stranger, and I think I'd feel better if I gave birth to a second persona!
"Don't be so quick to say painful things .......

　One hand on the waist, the other next to the eyes, a peace sign.
　It's a great way to make sure you're getting the most out of your time and money.

　Next to her, admiringly, is Mirabelle.
　Her lute is in her hands, and her hands are off the strings as if she has just finished playing a piece.

　In fact, her performance was nothing short of spectacular.

　It was only a short while ago that Pasta let slip the news about the upcoming show at Spectacula and asked her to play for us.

　It was just a moment ago that Pasta told me about the show he was going to give at Spectacula, and asked me to play. The moment he said, "I think it's like this!

He said, "If I make music, I can get paid!　How happy I am!　I'm the happiest person in the world!
I'm the happiest person in the world!" "Well, that's good.
You can make a lot of happy people with this money!
So, you're dragging the 36-garde setup with you, huh?

　Mirabelle the Happy, 36 gulds.
　I'm sure you can buy as many 36-garde women as you want if you get paid for your music.

I don't need more than one of you.
All you need is me. ......?
Congratulations, .......

　This is what happens when you open your mouth.
　I'm not sure what to say, but I'm sure you'll understand.
　It was an endless loop of emptiness.

　Futa's shoulders slumped.
　Izuna, who was watching the scene with her legs crossed, looked at the two on the impromptu stage and laughed gaily.

"Hahaha!　That's good!　You can't complain when your sister is this cute!


"Well, ......, is that so?
What, you think you're the only one who knows your pretty sister?　It's too late for that. He's on Spectacula. He's more popular than the champions, if you know what I mean.
You're very talkative.
Yeah, he talks a lot. His music is top-notch.
I said it.

　The cute little sister who sang and danced was certainly something for Izuna to smile about. But he was only truly in a good mood when he heard a really good performance.

　Her beautiful voice on the melody is also a masterpiece.
　I'd rather not hear Mirabelle's voice without matching the tone.

I'd rather not hear Mirabelle's voice not matched to the tone.　Can I write the music on a scroll?　Not on a beach?
It's so sterile.
I couldn't even remember where I wrote it because it kept disappearing. I had no choice but to continue writing, but now the place I had just written disappeared!　Hahahaha!
Of course it did.
As a result, everything was swept away by the waves and nothing was left. I forgot what song I was writing every day!
"You did that every day?

　Futa was horrified.

No, but you're a really good singer and lute player. ......
What's wrong with you? What's wrong? ...... Maybe you're going through the same thing, Futa.
Don't do this with me. Don't do this with you.

　I'm not sure what's so sad about writing music on a sandy beach that you know will disappear every day.
　Isn't that a kind of torture?

By the way, there's a torture in the kingdom that makes you go crazy by making you repeatedly write and erase.
Maybe he's torturing himself.
What does he make himself talk about?

　The fake siblings look at Mirabelle with creepy eyes.
　She tilted her head in confusion.

"But music is fun, isn't it?

　But at that one word.
　But then Izuna's eyes widened slightly.

Even though I knew I was going to disappear, I had nowhere else to write. Even though I knew it was going to disappear, there was nothing else to write. It's fun for that moment, so why not?

　The store was quiet for a moment.

...... I see.

　Pasta muttered quietly.
　It's nothing. It is true that she may be a little crazy.
　Just a little crazy.
　It's just that she is an innocent genius who faces music with sincerity and never forgets the joy that is its essence.

　Mirabelle, who looked around curiously at the air in which no one said anything except for the pasta, said.

"Well, I didn't mean to make a gag.
I don't think I made a joke." "It's just like you to assume a joke will slip.

　The corner of Futa's mouth loosened slightly.

　It's all right if you enjoy the moment.
　It's because she sincerely believes that that's what she's doing that her performance touches people's hearts with all her might.

"As long as the moment is enjoyable, huh?
Master?
No. ...... I wish I felt that way.

　It was probably Izuna who was the most affected by these words.
　I used to really enjoy sword fighting.
　Somewhere along the line, that had turned into something hard, something painful.
　There was no room, no pleasure.
　The emptiness of just swinging a hammer is still bitter even now.

　That's why.
　I envy you your purity.

"We should have fun. And the next game.

　I don't know when that will be.
　But the sword. Fighting should be fun.
　That's what Izuna thought.

I understand your stance, sister!　--I understand your stance and look forward to working with you!
"What?　I'm not sure what to say.　So, you're hiring me?
Yes. I don't see any reason not to adopt you. ......

　Pasta laughed, as if troubled. 　

　This entertainment that Pasta sang and danced started recently.


　She wasn't playing with shame.
　She doesn't have that kind of steel mentality.

　It was only because she wanted to estimate the ability of the girl, Mirabelle G. Gringott.
　It is typical of Pasta that she is even willing to sacrifice herself for the sake of it.

You can make them work like slaves if you make them sign a proper contract. ......

　A hand knife pierces Pasta's forehead as he mumbles to himself.

What are you saying that's so scary?
I'm sorry.

　There were many ways to do this.
　Pasta himself is a man who respects talent. He would never be reluctant to give money. However, there are many other ways to do it.
　For example, forbidding her to perform outside the Spectacle. Deductions from her performance requests. Royalties on her music.

　I can think of a million ways to make money.

　Just.

"I'm hungry, one more song!

　"I'm hungry, one more song!" She started playing her lute while people were talking, and she seemed to be enjoying it.

　Futa didn't think it was right to 'tie' her up.

"Anyway, pasta. I can draw music. I can play like this. To be honest, I don't have any complaints either.
I've got no problem with that.
Sorry, I got one too.

　Off topic.
　Mirabelle's stupid face flashed through both of their minds.
　A glimpse of her, ladylike and beautiful as she played her lute. --The thought of that tragic side coming out when the melody stops makes me want to let out a sigh.

But you're right. I'm looking forward to the spectacle!

　Not only the entrance music, but the arena will also have more sounds to enjoy in the future. That's what I'm looking forward to the most.

　Just so.

"......, your concert first.
You remembered me. ......
Of course you do. You're the one who's been dancing all this time, aren't you?

　Aside from the blackened look on her face.
　This is where Mirabelle was hired.

　Futa thinks for a moment and considers another concern: that of being hunted.

"What's Mirabelle going to do after ......?　Are you going home?
"Home?

　The music ends abruptly.
　Mirabelle tilted her head, and Futa nodded.
　What is home?　You're not going to ask me what a house is, are you?

It's Gringott's house. You're back from out of town, right?
"Oh, I see!　You're asking if I'm going home to Gringott's?
Yes, I am!

　Why do I need to bother checking .
　I'm sure you'll be able to understand why I'm here.
　It's also very high. "Hahahaha," she said.


"Haha, I've been disowned!


　That's why I have no home to go back to.
　So, I don't have a home to go back to." She said with an air of not being particularly troubled.

　Futa and Pasta look at each other.
　Motisuke tilted his head as if he didn't understand, while Izuna folded her arms with a difficult expression.

　The owner, who was listening to the conversation, said very firmly, "Then come live with us for a while," and left.



What?　I'm allowed to live here?　Wow, it's been a long time since I slept under a roof!



　Futa hated himself for feeling so close to her.