--Wolcott villa ruins.

Thank you ...... for saving my life ......!

　For a moment, Prim didn't know what to do as the girl hugged her.

　But a thank you from the man in front of me was not so bad.
　That was true.
　The girl he had carried was safe. There's no reason not to accept it from the man who's her father.

"No. I'm just glad she's okay.
"Well, ...... you're right. Ayame, are you all right, ......?
"......

　I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea.

I think we should show this to the healer, just in case.
"Yeah, I know. You should get that checked out. Smoke inhalation's not good for you.
Oh, yeah?
You jumped into ...... without knowing. See you later.

　I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one who's a bit of a jerk.

　It was at that moment that the crowd of onlookers bustling around the garden of the villa changed.

"Move, move, move!

　With that voice, the guards jumped in.
　They were accompanied by a group of men wearing the same cloak as Hura, and they swiftly passed by Prim and Hura.

"Oh, Bob.
"Prim!　You've got soot all over you, there's nothing you can do about it, you need to see a doctor right away!

　He pointed to the mages.
　The mages who began to radiate water into the fire were joined by a few people who looked like healers.

　This mixed force of mages and guards that had jumped into the fire seemed to make more sense than expected.

　But Hura, glancing at the healers, cowered and said.

They are court mages who can use the power of the healers. Don't worry, they'll take a look. Don't worry, they'll take a look. They're not as good as the real healers who work in the castle.
"I don't know, but thank you, Uncle.
"Uncle. ......

　Prim stands up, leaving Hura to stare in disbelief.
　He doesn't feel lightheaded or have trouble breathing.

　I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure I'm not the only one.

"The room she was in wasn't on fire. ...... If she was the only one in the house, how could this have happened?

　Hura nodded.
　Hura nodded.

You're right. You're right. Someone set the place on fire--that's what the earth sounds like. I'd say it was a bombing.
"Bombed: ......

　Her face contorted, Prim looked down at Ayame.
　She is a lovely girl with beautiful, lustrous brown hair that she has grown ladylike.
　I'm not sure what to make of it.

　I clench my fists and mutter.

"Why would you do that?
I don't know. I just...

　Hura's gaze sharpens as she squeezes her daughter, as if to make sure she's safe.
　Hura looked up at Prim, her gaze sharp.

It seems there have already been several similar incidents.
There's been a few similar incidents already, like this one where someone blew up ...... people's homes?
Oh. I didn't think they'd target my house.
What the f*ck do you want ......?

　I don't get it.
　That was Prim's honest feeling.

　What's the fun in blowing up people's houses? What do you want to do, put this child in danger?

"...... is full of things I don't understand.

　That's what she said.
　She had lived a straightforward life, and there was nothing she could understand.
　I don't know what I want.
　--She didn't even know what she wanted to do.

　Frustration, agitation, confusion, rage.
　I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure I'll do it.

"Yeah. There's so much I don't understand.

　Hura doesn't know what Prim is going through.
　He doesn't have the right words to cheer her up.

　But if there's one thing she knows for sure.
　Hura Walcott was the first court mage, and her job was to pursue the unknowable.

"Perhaps a statement will be issued soon.
"Statement of guilt: ......


Why are you doing this? How can I stop it? That's about it. It's a threatening letter, to put it bluntly.
They're the ones who are doing this. ......
Yeah, that's right. But it is also true that they are using their power to threaten the public.

　In the event that you've got any questions regarding where and the best way to get in touch with us, we'll be happy to assist.

. ......

　To the mute Prim, Hura continued.

So we have to stop them. I don't know what to do. But I must not lose sight of my purpose.
"......

　As a researcher and a magician, these words pierced Prim in an unexpected way.

　I'm not sure what to do.
　But...

　--I don't know what my purpose is.

"...... Why?
That's a good question.

　Hura nodded and stood up with Ayame in her arms.

Because you are the only creature with the desire to know.

　This is his pride as the first court mage.
　It is also his reason for living.

"As a human being, you should never forget your purpose. Or rather.

　He puts his hand on Prim's shoulder and smiles.

"Nothing is spared for a purpose.
Yes.
Yeah, sure.
Thank you, ....... I feel a little better now.
That's good.

　We smile at each other.

I'll leave you to it. At any rate, I must achieve my goal of giving Ayame a decent home.
Yeah, yeah. Bye.
I'll thank you later. I'll talk to Herr Richter.
"...... Yes.

　And with that, Hurrah turns away.
　Then Prim suddenly realizes.
　The girl in Hura's arms wakes up and looks over Hura's shoulder, staring at Prim.

　He waved lightly at her, and she waved happily.

...... There's still so much I don't understand.

　Muttering softly, Prim clenched her fists.

I don't know what I want to do .......

　The rain has yet to stop.
　Just. I'm not sure what I'm going to do.













　--Inside the castle. Futa's private quarters.

　Yes, Futa's private room.
　In his bed, a girl was sleeping peacefully.

"Are you sure?
I'll make sure to get the princess's permission.
I'll make sure to get the princess's permission. Hmmm ......, okay, but...

　The sleeping girl's name was Corona.
　The fever continues as usual, and her condition has not returned to normal.
　The other maid, Lila, who could not bear to see Futa's worried eyes, suggested that they move her to Futa's private quarters.

　The chamberlain's room is too small.
　It was not healthy for Futa to spend all his time in Corona's private room, where there was not even enough space for him to lie down, considering that he would be nursing her day and night.

　Therefore, Rila suggested that they move to Futa's room, but surprisingly, Futa was reluctant to do so.

　She wondered if she could do so without Lilac's permission.
　I said it's fine!　Rilla did her best to act as a follower, and finished carrying the items in, telling the princess that she would contact her later.

　But apparently, this man didn't like the idea of being notified after the fact.
　I thought about just changing my clothes and leaving with his approval, but I decided not to because his actions were too meaningless.

　In the first place, Lilac M. Fangini was "busy" right now.
　He didn't have time to worry about Corona, and he still had a lot to think about.

"Oh, and by the way. I have a message from the princess.
"Hmm?　Oh, really? What?

　Futa asks, gently changing the cloth on Corona's forehead, without looking back.
　It's not that I don't like it, but it's quite refreshing to hear Futa listening to me without facing me.

"I heard that a statement was made about the bombing.
Yeah, a jeweler's house was targeted.
There have been a few others. I heard that Hura's house was bombed a while ago.


"Mr. Hura's!　...... are you all right?
No one seems to have died, including the family. ......
What?

　I'm not sure what to make of it.
　I'm not sure what to say, but I'd like to know.

"Oh, Rilla?
"......?　What is it?
No, not what is it. You don't seem to be here. What is it?
No, not really.
"......?

　I didn't think so, but...
　But that's no reason to question him.

"Well, if there's something that's bothering you, let me know. You can talk to me or Corona.
Thank you. Don't worry. I'll figure it out.
Okay. Well, that's a little sad, but, uh, ......, what's the incriminating statement?
Yes.


　Lila nodded slowly.

First of all. "First of all, it is assumed that this series of incidents is terrorism.
That means there's some political purpose. It's all about the aristocracy, isn't it ......?
Yes. And their purpose is...

　I closed my eyes and said.


"The immediate abolition of spectacle.


　I'm not sure if this is a good idea, but it's a good idea.

　I knew it was strange.
　Just when it seemed that only the nobles in Richter's vicinity were targeted, Hura and the rest of Lilac's people were also targeted.

　The connection between them was "Spectacula".

　From Lilac's point of view, the aristocrats would have been in the wrong, but from the terrorist group's point of view, Spectacular was probably a project led by Richter L. Klingbloom and Lilac M. Fanghini.

　So it is no wonder that the aristocrats are targeted regardless of the Spectacle.
　The threats are not directed at Lilac, but Richter.
　In other words, he thinks Richter is more dangerous than Lilac, which means that Lilac doesn't need to be so careful.

　But it's a strange smell.
　And more than anything, Lilac couldn't let Spectacular be taken away from her.

"Of course we'll crush it thoroughly, but there's one problem.
What?
I don't think it's enough to just crush them at all costs. There's more to it than that. It's hard to make a move until I've gathered all that information.
"What ......?

　Futa's eyes blinked. I'm not sure what to make of that.　I'm not sure what to say.
　The question of whether there was something bothering him was immediately answered.

"Um, Lila?
...... and the princess.
Oh, I see. It's a message. ...... I was surprised at the resemblance.
I see.

　If you ask me, I'm Lila now.
　I can't help but feel more and more absent-minded in front of Korona and Futa. I need to do something about this as soon as possible, I thought, making a note in my mind.

In any case, Master Futa will be worried about Korona's condition, and the princess will be moving on. She'll take care of Corona.
I understand. Just make sure to tell Lilac if there's anything she can do to help.
...... I understand.

　Rilla nodded.
　That's all I need to tell you.
　Lilac herself can't move in public.
　In a way, this maid outfit was good camouflage.
　As long as she wore a cleaning cloth to cover her mouth, no one would notice. Aside from the fact that there is one idiot here who can't tell without it.

　If word gets out that Lilac M. Fangini is working hard on this, it will be at the mercy of the terrorist group.

　Her ability to accurately target the nobles around Richter and her knowledge to identify Hura's residence.
　At the very least, Lilac understands that the enemy is related to the royal castle.

　That's why she couldn't afford to give them an opening they didn't need.

"Oh, Lilac. There's something I need to check.
What is it?
You said you were going to target the Spectacular's compound. ......
Pasta's house is not something even a nobleman would know. I don't think people who target the residences of unrelated aristocrats to blackmail them about Spectacula's show can identify her house. ...... If you're worried, you can call them.


"Yeah, yeah, yeah. How did you know it was pasta?
I didn't want to know, but...
What?
Oh, ......, I'm not really that good at it.
Ha. ......

　Big sigh from Hooter.
　For a moment, I felt a blackness well up in my chest, as if I were defending Pasta again.

He's acting like that again. ...... I'll lecture him later.
"Oh, ...... well, I don't think we'll ever meet. I don't think I want to see him.

　Especially in this form.

　But such feelings would never reach Futa.
　He smiled a soft, loving smile.

"Rila-san. He's not a bad guy. He's really just a bad guy who cares about others. I hope you'll spare him and be friends with him.
"Hey.
"Hey?

　In the end, the blackness rose up in Lilah.

　Why do I have to see Futa so blatantly defending Beatrix? I don't understand.

　And I've been here longer than I planned.
　Rilla exhaled, gathered up her laundry, and turned on her heel.

I'll see you later.
I'll see you later." "Oh, thank you--?

　That's when she hears a knock on the door.

　Lila thought, "Oh no," but it was too late.
　Futa replied, "Here you go," without a care in the world.

　He immediately covered his mouth with a cloth and began to clean the room. It's annoying that I can only hide myself by doing this.

　And then, here comes...

"Mister Futa. I heard the chamberlain was ill, so I came to see him.
"Oh, Mr. Viciedo. Thank you.
Don't worry about it. How is he?
He's calmed down, but I'm not sure about .......

　A knight in shining armor walks in with a basket of fruit in his hand.
　You'll be able to find a lot more information on this subject in this article.

　I'm not sure what to make of it.

　When did these guys become such good friends?