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

　Even in this section of the city where many aristocratic residences are located, the majesty of Gringott's Palace is remarkable.
　Its size, its elegance. Its scale, its elegance, it was the most outstanding architecture in the castle and worth seeing.

　At night in Gringott's Palace.
　Flowing from the room was a beautiful melody.

　A room filled with starlight. The keys, played almost entirely by themselves, continued to weave a magnificent concert of sound.
　Gentle and a little lonely.
　The melody, produced with a variety of sounds, is a masterpiece that captivates the listener.
　There was a mastery there that could not be achieved overnight.

"...... is brilliant.

　He finished his performance with a series of notes, three times.
　The old man standing beside him, who looked like a butler, clapped his hands.

　The only sound in response was a snorting sound.

"It's only natural for a nobleman to do this."

　Gently stroking the keys of the piano, the man slowly stands up.
　The man who wiped a little sweat off his brow and pulled his collar closed was named Graciel G. Gringott.

　He brushed back his blue hair and gently wiped the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief.

　The butler took the handkerchief, smiled and shook his head as if it were a waste.

He smiled and shook his head. If you had performed it yourself, I'm sure the audience would have been more enthralled.
"You couldn't get a court musician. It's pointless.
Mr. Graciel's playing is more beautiful than theirs.
Hmm.

　He smiled, not confidently, but with a hint of self-mockery.

"Yes, I suppose it is.

　Gently, I looked out the window. He looked up at the sky and muttered to himself as if he was thinking of something that was already out of reach.

That's all I'm good for.
"...... Mr. Gracial.
Let's change the subject. You didn't come here to talk about the past, did you?
What?

　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.

"......

　I'm not sure what to make of that.

"Pasta-chan's Yuyake Ongaku Kai.
"It's very cute, isn't it?
"Oh. Very funny. I'd love to rent you an opera house somewhere.

　Graciel knew very well that the young girl was very popular at the Spectacle.
　She took the lead in organizing a concert for the children.
　The fact that music was becoming popular even among the common people seemed to be desirable, and more than anything, Graciel was more than willing to support a girl who was revealing her talent at her age.

"It's ......, though.

　Yes. But," Graciel muttered.

After all, their burning down is only a trifle for the princess, isn't it?
If you're going to go through with it, I suppose.

　The butler nodded and Gracilar shook his head.

I don't mind if you do. To be honest, defeating Richter's faction is our top priority. And now we have a reason to move on ...... Spectacula.
Yes. Then it's time to go to .......
Yeah, right.

　No choice but to close my eyes.
　If Princess Lilac is going to go ahead with the Spectacular, unfazed by the many acts of terrorism.

　I can't blame the terrorists if their actions become a bit extreme.
　Yes, they can't help it.

　Gracial quietly looked down at the scroll in his hand.

　"Pasta-chan's Yuyake Music Festival", a music festival to attract children's dreams.

"...... if it comes in a different form. "If it had been a different form, I would have given this girl a lot of support in the court.

　He shook his head, "It's a shame.
　Still, it's not the girl that matters, it's stopping the tyranny of the princess. The downfall of the Richter faction. And...

"Take Hurra Walcott's magic.

　We're going to take away his magic form, the one he uses so much in Spectacula.

Please. Please, sir.
Oh.

　The old man is not a butler.
　I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not, but it's a good idea.
















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

Are you sure?


"What's--oh, you mean the performance?

　The room after sending off Ayame in a good mood.
　As Futa continued to nurse Korona, he suddenly thought of turning around.
　Pasta, who was already slumped on the sofa, crunching on a cupcake, nodded in response to the vague, subject-less question.

I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one.
"......
What's that look in your eyes?
No, not at all.

　I'm not sure what to do.
　But he was also very worried.

The terrorist organization, right? I don't know anything about it. I think you're probably right in your concerns.
Maybe you're right. I mean, you said you'd do it someday. It's not like we're going to do it tomorrow, and I'd prefer to hold it at a leisurely pace after we're done talking about the attack.

　Pasta rolled over on the couch and said so.

　Futa patted his chest, "Well, that's some relief.

There's just one problem.

　"But there is one problem," Pasta mutters, burying his mouth in the cushion.

If you can't announce the event, it's just like a nobleman's opera.
"That means we should announce the date well in advance.
You know what I mean.

　That's why she thinks that the most frightening thing is to be left in limbo and to be forgotten by the public.
　In the end, entertainment is the same as striking while the iron is hot.
　If the heat that has been generated by a martial arts competition cools down, the effect will be cut off.

　Although she doesn't want to think about it, this project is worth doing now that "Pasta-chan" has become a household name.

Just when we thought it was a terrorist act...
That's annoying. I'm sure you'll be able to figure out how to get the best out of it. You shouldn't be so optimistic that they won't do anything about what I'm about to do.
You're right, .......

　There have been a number of bombings of mansions, including Hura and the jeweler.

It's not often you get to do that. It's not often that you can blow up a place as large as Spectacula with gunpowder, and how much gunpowder do you have? You shouldn't take that chance.
You're right. Blowing things up isn't the only way they do it.
Is that so?
No, that's my guess. It's not a prediction. I'm just saying that I don't know if these guys who only play the same cards are putting their faith in it or if they're just trying not to show their cards.
You're so perceptive sometimes.

　It is easy to understand if you replace sword fighting.
　In a fight, if there is a person who is attacking you with the same techniques, can you defeat him by just responding to him or her?

　Rather, he may be using it as a trap and preparing a second arrow. It is more correct to think that way.

"Well, however...

　I hugged the cushion, flapping my legs.
　Pasta continues to lie on the couch.

"It all depends on Lilac, though. If he wants me to do it now, I'll have to do it.
"What? No, we won't get any customers.
Oh, you don't know?
What?

　You don't know?" "Don't know what?" Pasta only looked at Futa, who tilted his head.

"There's no news among the commoners. Just that there's a bit of a commotion going on. But that doesn't apply to those with an ear to the ground.
Wait, wait. You mean that?　You're saying if we put on a show now, we'll get a regular crowd?
Yes. It's not so strange, is it? Even though we live in the same city, we're from different worlds. You can't tell if it's man-made or not just because you heard an explosion. ...... You did, didn't you?
"I was?

　You raise an eyebrow, wondering what that means.
　I don't know how you can stay calm with all those explosions going off.

You didn't know anything about magic, did you?
"......
"I've been alive for almost twenty years, and even though I'm thirty or forty. There are some things you don't want to know, some things you can't know. If you heard that explosion before you met Lilac, you'd be convinced that the nobles were experimenting with magic.
...... Really?
I'm serious. I'm sure you're not the only one. I mean, that was Lilac's work, wasn't it?

　Pasta's point was indeed correct.


　There is no way for the current Huta to know this, but it is Lilac - and by extension, the people of the Commerce and Industry faction - who are trying to prevent information from reaching the commoners.

　The terrorist organization is also a so-called "ideological" type of terrorism, so they don't seem to be trying to harm the commoners.

　The commoners were unaware of their actions, as they were only threatening the social circles in order to stop the spectacle.

　This is also the reason why Lilac has been so busy lately.

　I don't know why Lilac keeps coming back to Futa.

So, I can understand the control of information in general.
Is there more to it?
Not that. What is the point of information control? If we send the whole city into a panic, that's exactly what the terrorists want. Pride is a tricky thing. If it were up to me, I'd blow up an opera house full of commoners.
You're really like that.
Terrorists are so clever. I don't know if it's pride or what, but it seems like they're just going for the target. ...... That kind of thing is really not good.
There's nothing good or bad about terrorists. ......
You're an idiot. When that kind of "thought" comes out...

　"You're an idiot," she says, eating a cupcake as if it were something else.
　She says matter-of-factly.

They'll figure out who did it in no time.
"......
That's what I'm worried about.
Isn't that what I should be happy about?
No way.

　I hugged the cushion, burying the bottom half of my face in it.
　Really, like a sister at home, she continued to slur her words.

"When they're identified like that, they'll finally stop pretending to be something they're not. That's usually where the spectacle is, worrying about the show.
"...... I see. I'm sure you're aware of that. ...... How do you know what those tendencies are?
I do too.

　I look up at the ceiling and mutter to myself.

I've been studying how the human mind works for a while now. I'm trying to learn more about how the human mind works, so that one day I can get away from that woman's readings.
"......

　Thinking about it, Pasta had been in a constant state of antagonism with Lilac, unable to escape her calculations and losing.

　But he hadn't just been defeated. I've been studying hard so that I can beat her at least once in the future. I'm not neglecting my studies. That's what I was talking about.

What are you going to do now that you've escaped?
Well, ...... I haven't decided anything yet.

　I thought for a moment. He moved his nose.
　The cushion I've been holding smells not bad.

Do you want to run away with me to ......?
"Why not?
Why not? - Really?　I think it's pretty funny. I'm going to outrun that lilac and get out of King's Landing. I'd like to see the look on his face when he does that.
Why are you trying to pick a fight with me, ......?

　It's a good idea to get permission before you do anything else.

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

　After a while, she opens her mouth as if remembering.

...... Well, I'm not going to call it off anymore. I was going to talk to her about it later.
Oh, so you came to check up on me while you were at it?
............ Yeah. On the way. In fact, I thought the time was right for a change.

　The eyes narrowed, a hint of contemplation in them.

　You'll be able to find a lot more than just a few things to do.
　Everything she's said so far has been true. Or at least, that's what I thought before I came here. That's right. Humans are not so adept as to be able to speak their minds at will.
　To say it like this is to say that you have already found the answer.

　Then, all the words she said.
　The answer is simple in light of the fact that when Lilac says "do it," you have to do it.
　If I don't call it off here, Lilac will soon have everything in order and then...

　I close my eyes.

"Hey. Huta.
What?
...... Oh, nothing. It's nothing.
Say it.


"No.


　
"I will never be a burden to you.



　I just told you that.
　When he looked up, he saw a girl sleeping peacefully in her bed.
　He had just told her that he would never be a burden to her.

　I'm not going to say it, even if I could.

"Well...

　I roll over and get up from the couch.
　He threw away the cushions with regret.

I'll be back. I've got Mirabelle waiting.
"Right. Thanks for visiting.
Yeah.

　She waved her hand.
　I'm not sure what to do, but I'm going to do it.

　I'm sure you'll be able to figure out what's going on.

　I'm not sure what to say.

"Hey!　Hey, Pasta!
What's wrong with you all of a sudden?
Mirabelle, are you there?
No, but... But she's composing at my place.　She's got some inspiration for a song. You never know with artists. They just know where I live. You're scaring me.
"Wait, wait, wait, wait!

　Huta is in a panic and tells him that Izuna and the others are trying their best to find Mirabelle.

　Pasta's forehead is covered with blue streaks.

"Okay, okay, okay.

　He clenched his fists and nodded, thinking of the idiot who had gone AWOL.

I'm not sure if you've ever heard of this, but I'm sure you've heard of it. I'm going to ...... beat the shit out of you.
Oh, and get me one of those.

　This is why being an artist is so annoying and disturbing.

　In the meantime, Futa began to ponder if he could somehow contact Izuna and Motisuke.