--The upper levels of the castle.

　Located on the seventh floor, higher than Huta's private quarters, the corridor is attached to the tower.
　It curves gently into a circle. The shape of the corridor made it possible to go around in a circle, which was ideal for taking in the scenery outside.

　Futa had come to the seventh floor on business that day.
　It wasn't that he was summoned by anyone.
　It was simply that he had heard that the person he was looking for was in this place, so he went there.

　The person he was looking for was Richter L. Klingbloom, the Lord Treasurer, and it seemed that they had misunderstood each other.

　It would have been a simple matter to ask the chamberlain, but he was a pimp.
　The man, who had an infinite amount of time on his hands, was in the mood to go up to the seventh floor like this today.

　In this royal city, there is no structure taller than the royal castle.
　This was partly to maintain the dignity of the royal family, partly to sit in the center of the landscape, but above all, to protect themselves from outside enemies.

　As the city was originally a potential battlefield, it was appropriately built as a fortified city.

　In particular, the royal castle was built as the last line of defense, with a thorough budget allocated for its construction, and was prepared to take the royal road of being difficult to attack and easy to defend.

　Because of this, the view from the seventh floor was spectacular.
　Just by looking down to some extent, you could clearly see the activities of the people on the main street.

　Even though the seventh floor of the royal castle is much higher than a mere residential building, it is still possible to see where the stores are.
　With Futa's eyes, he could even see if he knew anyone.

　After taking in the spectacular view, Futa decided to go back to the hotel.
　Just as he was taking his time, he saw a man looking at him.

　The view on his left was opposite to the one he was mainly looking at.
　That is, the indoor side of the tower's axis.
　A massive double door opened, and a man emerged from it.

"...... Mister Futa?
"Ah, Mr. Viciedo.

　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.
　He also smiled loosely at Viciedo, but his smile seemed to be troubled.

"What's wrong?
What's the matter with you? The only people who have business here are those who originally have business with you. The fact that you're so free to go for a stroll tells me that you're having second thoughts.
I didn't know that. I didn't know.
No, ......, you don't have to apologize. There's no law against it.

　Shaking his head lazily, Viciedo looked back at the door he had just come out of.
　There were two guards standing there with serious expressions on their faces.

　That place they were guarding was the entrance to the King's office.
　If he were to step into that place, the soldiers would certainly stop Futa, but ...... Futa is now too well known as Lilac's guest.

　The fact that he is in a position where he can easily enter with a face pass, unless he is in a very difficult place, had the opposite effect on him.

　In the first place, if an ordinary person tried to enter the castle without permission, they would not even be able to reach Futa's private room.

But now that I know, I can't stay too long.
You're very polite. ...... So, what do you want?
Oh, no, I'm looking for Mr. Richter.
...... yourself?
It's not like I don't have time.

　The exchange of words, which can be considered to be brusque, is due to the fact that both parties are not good at speaking. It's not like they're in a bad mood, and this is good enough for both of them.
　The fact that they seem to have no discomfort and continue to exchange light words is evidence of this.

　Having had the opportunity to see each other several times since their first meeting, they had become close enough to exchange a few words.

　It was not that Futa had such a strong feeling for Viciedo, but Viciedo cared for him in some way.

　When I asked him about it, he said that he was as happy for Lilac to have Futa as Viciedo was for the King.

　Futa was not Lilac's knight, but Viciedo, who had seen Lilac since childhood, understood that he trusted him more than a knight.

"Don't you have anything to do?
"Well, don't you?　Well, I guess there's nothing for me to do once all of this is over. ......

　That's not true.
　I'm at a bit of a standstill with my plan to boost Spectacular, which is what Futa should be focusing on.

　In order to break the current shortage of sword fighters for the main purpose of sword fighting, Pasta-chan (9) is planning to fill the void with a concert.

　And then there's Lilac's homework assignment to find the bearers of music.

　I'm sure I could find someone to fill both of these needs. .......


　--Remember how Mirabelle G. Gringott collapsed when she first came to the taverna?
　Apparently, he had been so excited that he hadn't gotten back into shape at all, and he came back and collapsed and still hasn't recovered.

　It's good to have found someone, but if that person can't move, it won't work.
　With such indescribable progress, Futa, who can do nothing about it, can only look up to the heavens.
　It's a beautiful day to look up at the sky.

　With distant eyes, he looked outside from the hallway.

"There is a limit to what any one person can do alone, huh?
It's not that big of a deal. ......

　Hmm," said Viciedo, stroking his chin with his armor-covered hand.
　It's not a big deal, but it's a good idea.

You said you were looking for Herr Richter.
Yeah, I just had a few questions.
Yeah, I had a question. ...... What is your relationship with him?
What's your relationship with Mr. Richter ......?

　You'll be able to find a lot more information on the web.
　I'm not sure what the relationship is between Richter L. Klingbloom and Futa.

"Whoosh!

　The first encounter was not a good one.


　No, it was better than the other side.

"It's not that I don't care if you're in trouble, it's that I'm lucky!
Please. I want to die if Lilac-sama is bothered by something like my lack of social skills!
There's nothing like it!　Come on!　Now!　I'm not sure what to do.　That's it!

　But as I got to know him better...

"No, I don't know. I don't think this is the standard in the maid world.
"This is what the standard has become around me. It's a nightmare.

Thank you. I would have appreciated it if you would have stopped that blonde curly-head before I got you a handkerchief.
"Sorry. I just want her to live as freely as possible.
"Die.

......

　...... Yeah, well, I think he's a good guy.
　So Futa concluded.

　Just...
　Yes, just.

　I know that he is a man who really cares about his country, who cares about someone else, who saves people with the rights of a nobleman.


"...... At least I consider him a friend.
Well... Friend, huh?

　I see," Viciedo nodded, as if to confirm the sound.

I don't have a lot of friends, and I don't know what they think of me.
I don't know how he feels about it, but he's free to do as he pleases.

　"You're free to think what you want," Viciedo said, smiling.
　As if to fill the pause that had somehow occurred, he continued.

Can I ask what business you have with your friend?
"No, not really...
Yes?

　I was about to say it was fine.
　Huta made eye contact with Viciedo and stammered for a moment.
　It wasn't that he was about to say something rash, or that he realized afterwards that it wasn't the right thing to say to him, or that he was speechless at the sight of Viciedo.

　He simply looked at Viciedo from top to bottom and thought.
　What Huta wanted to ask Richter now, he could ask this person.

"No. I wanted to ask Richter, but it's just right, can I ask Viciedo too?
"Me?　I don't mind.

　He crossed his arms, wrapped in armor.
　He is not muscular, but his physique, which is probably reasonably well trained, is clearly visible because of the armor he wears.
　While armor that doesn't fit his physique would severely hinder his movements, his large armor moves as naturally as if it were his own body.

　He must have some experience cultivated on the battlefield.

I'm not sure how to put it, but ...... you're right. I'm not sure how to put it, but well... there was a guy who broke his will to continue his beloved sword fighting. But I don't even know if it's the right thing to do to get it back...
...... Hmm, I see.

　I can see that she is trying to move forward in her own way.
　However, there was one thing that bothered Futa.
　But there was one thing that bothered Futa, and that was the fact that she had put down her spear.

　Isn't the fact that he is voluntarily keeping the spear away from him the answer? A part of me thought so.

　We exchanged words, and I was troubled.
　I wondered if I should leave the rest to her.
　But it was also true that I was curious.

　After thinking for a while, Viciedo nodded his head.

　He nodded his head and said, "As a premise.

"I'm not a big fan of 'sword fighting'."
I don't like sword fighting.　Sword fighting is not a game.
"I don't mean to be so strong. "I know that there is a culture of sword fighting. I know there is a culture of sword fighting, and if there is a culture, then there are people who seek it. I don't mean to deny them. ...... But for me, in the end, the sword is just a tool for killing.

　I'm not going to deny them either.

So you should know that you can't talk only about sword fighting.
"Yeah. I understand.

　Nodding to Huta, Viciedo continued.

"But I've seen your fights. That's why I heard about your origins.

　So it's the semifinals of the finals, Huta thought to himself.
　Before the fight with Lilac, Futa had revealed his past to the public.
　It was worth it, and he has no regrets about it.


　The first thing you should do is to look at your eyes.

The first thing you need to do is to look at your eyes.
I'm not sure what to do.

　In the event that you're not sure what to do, you'll be able to find out what to do.

I don't like 'sword fighting'. You may not be able to face him head on for some reason. You may have turned to someone else because you thought your voice would not reach that person. It's just.

　It's hard to put into words," he laughs.

"For example, if you were facing someone who felt the same way. If you were to face someone who had the same feelings as you, someone who was broken and quit sword fighting, wouldn't they have the same feelings that you once had?
I don't know what to do.

　I didn't know what to do.
　There were no answers in the world I'd seen.

　The world was clear because Lilac was there and Corona was there.
　It's not that I have to provide that "someone", but...

　I asked myself if I could understand at least part of what she was feeling.

"Thank you, Mr. Viciedo.
"No, don't worry about it. It's an old man's sermon.
You're only forty or so.
Yeah.

　He thanked Viciedo, who raised the corners of his mouth.
　Huta felt as if his vision had cleared up a little.

　I'm glad I talked to Viciedo.
　If you're wondering whether or not Viciedo is a big deal to Futa, the answer is no. But he does support the king.
　But he is also a knight who has supported the king, and he is a senior to Futa who wants to support Lilac.

　He could have had a predecessor to respect.
　I put my hand on my chest and felt a sense of gratitude well up in me.

"Yes, Futa. By the way, Pasta, what is the date of your concert?
What did you just say?







　--Pasta's home.

The king's knight is expecting you.
What do you mean?

　What do you mean?" muttered Pasta with a grim expression.

　The blue sky has been replaced by a pretty, pale pink room, but the boss of the Chamber of Commerce is in his milieu.

　I'm not sure what to make of it.

So, where's Leafy?
There's nothing I can do, so I let her water the flowers.
Well, you can water the flowers at .......
Everyone has advantages over a 36-garde woman.
That's a little harsh.

　When Richter was not caught, Huta came to Pasta's house on her feet.
　The house of a man who knew his way around.
　He had been in close contact with her, the key player in the upcoming spectacle.

　Now, the reason why the pasta was looking so grim was...

　Futa looked carefully at the scroll that was presented to him.
　There was no way he could tell from looking through it, but it was a large amount of sheet music.

　And there was probably only one person who could prepare the score at this time.
　Pasta muttered in disgust.

"He was happy to write the score on his sickbed.
"That's why you can't get well, isn't it?
He's got a fever.
You're an idiot, aren't you?

　I appreciate it, but it only makes me feel more guilty if it destroys my body. It's rather annoying.
　We both looked at each other and sighed heavily.
　With a curse-like murmur, Futa returns the scroll to her.

　Then she got up from the couch and went to her desk.
　Since he had no time to stare at her, he greeted the teddy bear left on the couch.

How are you today?

　There was no reply, but he and the teddy bear were already on good terms. He and the teddy bear are now on good terms with each other.

"......, just in case.
"Hmm?

　And.
　When she came back, she was presented with another scroll.
　This time, Futa could read it.

"...... What the hell is this? "Pasta-chan's Yuyake Ongaku Kai?"
"It's for kids!　Yes, it's for kids, so it's not too late at night, but my parents have work to do, so it's in the evening!　A concert would be too formal, so a concert!　That's it!
No, I didn't say anything about that.

　When I looked up, I saw her with her cheeks dyed bright red.
　I look up and see her with red cheeks. I'm half-impressed that she's still putting her body on the line for her work, and look at the promotional poster.

　Although the date had not been set, it stated that the event would be held before the Souki season.
　This was a trick I had used during the martial arts tournament as well, and to some extent it was common practice for promotions to start with soft information.
　Of course, there was also the fact that the timing of the event was such that the exact date could not be determined yet.

"Is this already out there?


I'm trying to figure out where I can put it and where I can give it away within my budget. And I'm trying to get a reaction from .......
"But?

　But?" Futa tilted his head, wondering if it didn't go well, seeing that he was holding his head in his hands.

"...... was a huge success. " is a big success. We're getting a lot of pre-sale inquiries.
That's good.
Why is there so much attention on a real-life event?
Yeah, .......
I mean, do I look like I'm nine? ！！！！　Do I look like I'm nine? ！！！！！
You said it yourself: ......

　In fact, the song is well underway.
　General Mion (some idiot) is working hard on the costumes.
　Lilac is also very excited about this project, and if we can expect an audience, the outer moat has been completely filled.

　I'm sorry to say that she's going crazy," Futa said inwardly.

"I'm glad you're here.

　I'm glad you're here. Her face turns red for a moment, but then she hits Futa with the bear in her hand and shouts.

"That's for Spectacula!


　Futa nearly caught the stuffed animal and said.

"Hey, don't be rough with Randy!
"Don't you dare name him that!