"The footing can be neglected. That's what I said. I hope you're getting more than that. Otherwise, they'll come after your people, not just the ...... nobility."



　--Klingbloom residence.

　When Richter came back to the mansion after finishing his work, the incident had already happened.
　When Richter heard about the attack on his house in the carriage on his way home, he bit his teeth and shouted to his commander to speed up.

　At the same time, the words of the princess crossed his mind.

I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that. That's the least ...... I can do for you, I suppose.
"Thank you, .......

　--I knew it.
　I knew they would come after my house.

　I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure you'll be able to do it.

　They were fully aware that they would be targeted.

　That's why we've put in a lot of security, and the guards who protect the city are now mobilizing to stop the terrorist activities.

　Because of their unrestrained actions, rumors are gradually spreading among the commoners that something dangerous is going on at the top.

　That's probably why the princess decided to reopen the show at this time.

　The common people are still unaware of the root of the commotion, and they have a normal bias of "it looks dangerous, but is it safe yet?

　And this is the time to provoke a terrorist organization to call off the attack.


　Oh, crap, perfect timing, Richter thought to himself.
　The woman knew the target would be Richter's house anyway.

　If it is not gunpowder that is used to detonate the bomb, but a magic stone, then all you have to do is scatter it in a suitable location and activate it.
　So, it was a speedy crime. The perpetrators should not be too hard to trace.

　But they must have been well guarded.
　And yet, they were able to breach the perimeter and set the place ablaze.

　Was there something that Lilac had imagined that she hadn't? --No, it's only speculation that Lilac is aware of it.

　At any rate, Richter rolled out of the carriage as soon as he arrived in front of the burning house.

　His own attendants, who had gathered around the gate of the house to take refuge, shouted at him to return.

　Richter shouted.

The damage was limited to the house?
"Well, that and a lot of security!
That's right. ...... Looks like you got the job done. ......

　I thought I had enough people and a good intelligence network.
　It was because of this that Richter was able to return to his home before it became a burning wreck.

　However, the fact that he hadn't been able to get home in time even after all that was said and done was extremely frustrating.

　Looking around, he noticed the bodies of several mercenaries who looked like guards lying around.
　And one more. I noticed that many of the stewards were covered in soot.

"Were you guys inside when the bomb went off?　Is there anyone inside who missed the blast?

　The burning mansion is getting more and more dangerous.
　One of the stewards, who was pestering Richter, told him to look at what used to be the front door, in case even one of them was inside.

"That's Mr. Richter. ......
"Oh, my God, no one's here.

　The butlers hurriedly hold Richter back as he removes his jacket.

No!　They were all saved by Prim.
"......, I see.

　I'm relieved to hear that.
　Some of them were covered in soot and some had burns on their legs and arms. In the event that you're looking for the best way to get the most out of your business, you'll be able to get the most out of your business.

　Then, yes. The only damage is to the house.
　Only the ...... house.

　Some of them were live-in workers.
　Some of them brought in their personal belongings, put up their valuables.

　I don't know all the attendants.
　I've never been close to them.
　However, I know them vaguely as masters, and I know what they put into this house.
　I wonder if the chef's recipe has been burned.
　And Mion's diary, which he said was full of nonsense.
　And the maid of honor who said she hadn't opened the bottle of wine I gave her for her birthday.

　As for Prim, no matter how depressed he was, he knew that burning his spear would be the last thing on his mind.

"...... Hey.

　He was saved by Prim, the attendant said.

　He looked around, but his shadow was nowhere to be seen.

"Where's Prim?
"What?

　Everyone looked around as if startled.
　"Where's Prim?" "What?" They all looked around in surprise, but there was no one to their right, no one to their left, no one down.

"No, no, no!　Where the hell did he go?
He must have been there until we pulled all the rescuers out!

　Prim!　Where is he?　Climbing a tree!　And so on.
　Everyone scattered around with impatient expressions on their faces, as if they couldn't help but make a joke or two.



"No way.

　The one who murmured was a lady attendant who was unable to move because of a burn on her leg.
　Richter overheard her and bent down in front of her.

What's the matter? Do you have any idea?
"I... I... I--!

　Shaking hands. A pale face. It was almost as if she had realized something terrible.

　Richter takes her hand and says, piercing her eyes from the front.

"Say it.
"My mother.

　She tells him with a tearful expression, almost crushed by regret and grief.

"I told her I'd lost her memento.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.

　Looking at the burning house, Richter stands up.
　The corners of his mouth lift up in a cold sweat.

　That idiot could do that.

"Mr. Richter, have you found anything?

　When he couldn't find them anywhere, the attendants who had been searching the area gathered around him.

　He let out a breath and pointed in the opposite direction.

"Ah!　There's a herd of flying elephants!
"What?　-- "Ahhhh, Mr. Richter ！！！！

　Escaping.
　With his jacket under his arm, Richter plunges into the burning house.

　--I'm not kidding.

　He muttered a few words.













"Keho, keho, ......!

　A few minites before that.

Smoke inhalation is bad for you, Uncle Hurrah said. ......

　In the midst of the roaring fire, a girl was moving with a bent posture.
　Even in her low posture, her chest burned with every breath she took.
　I had never imagined that I would be plunged into a fire twice in such a short period of time, but the fact that it was the second time made me more resolute.

　--Prim had her own feelings about this house.

　That's true. The place where she had lived for almost a year.
　Everyone was kind to Prim, including Richter, the master, and Mion, the head attendant.

　The head chef laughed and forgave me for snacking.
　All the attendants cleaned up Prim's messy room without any hesitation.

　The only reason she was able to wrangle Richter around so cheerfully was because of the people who helped her around the house.
　That didn't change when she became depressed.

　Everyone cared about her.
　It was Richter's voice that gave her the final impetus, but how could she not be grateful that he had left her useless bodyguards behind without saying a word?

There it is: ...... this.

　He picked up the pendant, which was slowly beginning to heat up.
　One of the attendants said that it was a memento of his mother.

　In Prim's bosom, there is now a jumble of things.

　A chef's recipe on a piece of old paper. --Richter's favorite concoctions, he said, bearded and proud.

　A diary that Mion said he treasured. --He didn't show me the contents, but every time I saw it, I'd read something like, "Today, Mr. Richter.

　The pendant that the lady attendant kept. --She laughed that it was her mother who hadn't allowed her to live in the house of a nobleman until the end.

　And... Richter's papers at the back of his desk. --Everything important was in here, so don't touch it, he'd been told, to the point where it hurt his ears.

"Sorry, I touched it.

　I staggered and leaned.
　I think I've been smoking too much, but my head hurts like a cancer.
　Everything around me is hot, hot, hot, and my throat is raspy and burning.

　But," you say, taking a step forward.

　Yes. But...

　--I'll never forget the look on their faces when they saw the burning house.

　That's when I thought.
　Hurrah said in front of the burning house as well.
　Nothing is spared for the sake of the cause.

　I can't forgive people for doing this.
　But more than that.
　I don't want to see their faces.

　She said she didn't want to see Prim's face in pain, just like everyone else in the house.

　So...

"Keho, I managed.

　I made it back to the door.
　After what happened last time, I had to be very careful that the ceiling didn't fall in.

　As he was going out, he paused for a moment.

"......

　You can't move. Or your body won't listen to you.


　It's not such a tragic thing. Just.

　I turned around and I saw my room. The door.

　Is there time to go back there and escape from that?
　No, my gut tells me.

　There's a lot of things in there. Among them all.

　My own spear must be there.

"But...

　But," he said, looking at his own hand.
　My pack is full.
　Then that's what it must be.

　I'll spare nothing for my goal.
　I don't care if there's no spear in the future.

　I don't know what kind of emotion I was feeling, but my mouth arched involuntarily.

　Come on, let's go.

　He took a step forward.



"You forgot something, you idiot.



　I was hit in the back with a thud.
　As soon as the jacket was put on me, I was picked up and carried out.

　I saw the familiar tip of a spear, reflected in the flames.




"Herr Richter!
Prim!　Thank God!
Oh, my God, it's a mess. This really happened until we all died.

　In front of the front door. As Prim sits in the garden, wiping her blackened face, a group of men complain to her.

　The man who was pointing it at her, who was also black, also complained.

"Gosh, ......, tell that idiot there to complain. Nothing is more important than your life.

　--I look up and see men arguing around her.

　Someone hugged her tightly.

I'm sorry,......, I'm sorry Prim,.......
What are you ...... apologizing for? ......

　It was hard to breathe, so I couldn't speak well.
　The lady attendant hugged her tearfully and did not move.

"But somehow, we're all safe. If it were only you, Herr Richter, you would be dead.
"You rude man. I would have been fine on my own.

　Richter sniffs.
　Apparently, four men had gone into the fire, looking for Prim.
　It was Richter himself, who had gone to search her room, who had found the spear and brought it to her.

"...... Oh, here.

　With the maidservant crying in her arms, Prim held out the document she had been carrying.

I'm sure it was very important to you.
"......

　I did it!　I did it!" was the reply to her smile.

"There you are!
Don't ever do that again.

　The fist was swung out.
　In the midst of the naturally dismayed attendants, Richter let out a sigh, glanced down at his papers, and said, "Thank you, .

Thank you, .......

　That's all he said, and he left with the documents in his hand.
　The other end of the line is a group of healers, firefighters and military police who have apparently arrived.

"......hehe. Thank goodness .......

　After that, Prim's consciousness was suddenly cut off.

　It's another story that the people around her were extremely relieved to see her sleeping peacefully and contentedly.





　--A small sound made Richter look up.

"What can I do for you, Herr Richter?
No, ......, take the MPs and come with me for a moment.
What?

　There's a noise behind the house. It's definitely the sound of steel on steel, like a sword fight.

　If someone is still fighting nearby, it's a good chance to catch them red-handed.

　I just had a bad feeling about this.















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

　Two more days until Pasta-chan's Yuyake Concert.

　I didn't know that Klingbloom mansion was now in a terrible state.
　Futa still couldn't leave his bedside.

"...... Corona.

　I wonder how many times I've heard that worried murmur.

　One drop, two drops.

　One drop, two drops. Two drops of the potion in the vial had already been used.

　Indeed, the effect of the potion was remarkable, and even just one drop stabilized her condition.
　Her breathing was ragged, her throat made a nasty noise, and she coughed.


　He dropped the potion, trying not to let his heart ache every time he saw her in pain from the fever.

　"I've sent word to the healer, Suiren, to come quickly.
　But there is still no sign of her coming.

　Her condition was definitely worse than it had been at one point.
　It's as if she's gone back to the time before Motisuke saw her.

　--Next.

　Yes, what should I do the next time Corona started to suffer like a seizure again?
　Should I run to find the water lily? Or should I go get Mochisuke now? Or should I call Lilac, even though I know she's busy?

　I wonder if there's anything I can do to find the water lily.
　She said last time that she didn't know what was wrong with Corona, but she might know something new.
　But that's just a "maybe".

　What about Motisuke?
　The only thing she's strong in is magic.
　If the cause of Korona's suffering was a life-threatening spell, she might be able to get regular checkups from Motisuke.
　But what if it was just a temporary magic residue that was removed, and Korona's current suffering had nothing to do with magic?
　It's the same as with Suiren. If you just call for her and you can't do anything and she has a seizure, there's nothing you can do.

　Lilac might be able to help. I'm too busy to come and check on Corona. I don't want to rely on her as much as possible. But I can't let that happen. Her life is at stake.
　It's just...
　It's not like she doesn't know that, and it's not like she can heal Corona herself.
　It's her. I have faith that if she had a definitive answer to Corona's condition, she'd come here herself.

"......

　He gently stroked Corona's cheek.
　Her breathing was ragged.

I've always regretted that I couldn't take care of her.

　I'm digging up old memories.
　Once. I was poor, living with my family.
　A story from a time I can barely remember.
　But a fragment of a story I remember vividly.

"...... said he couldn't even be there for her.

　I fell ill and couldn't get up, couldn't get a healer to take a look at me. She couldn't get up in time to see the healer.

　Looking back, I feel like throwing up with regret.

　That's why there was a healer. I was grateful for the environment that allowed me to take care of her like this.

"But...

　He grasped her hand and muttered to himself.

It's because I can take care of her.

　It's because I can be there for you.
　That's not going to change in the end. It doesn't change the fact that you're in a coma, waiting to die.

　There's nothing you can do.
　That feeling of helplessness is nothing, it's the same as it was ten years ago.

　Yeah, nothing's changed.

　"Because there was a healer. Because of the medicine.
　After all, she's not getting better.

　I regret that I couldn't take care of her.
　But he shakes his head.


"Corona!

　Her condition went from bad to worse.
　I almost sat up, but I held her hand tightly with my right hand.

　I calmed myself down and said, "I'm fine.

　I wondered if anyone was home.
　He shouted to the attendant, who came in as if in a panic, to get the healer right away.
　Then, with a tearful face, he called out.

"It's okay, right now--right now.

　Soon, the healer will come.
　The healer will be here soon. ...... used to say that to encourage her sister.
　You will find a lot of things that you can do to make your life easier.

　He felt helpless and empty.

　Are you satisfied if you can take care of her?
　Would he be satisfied if he could show it to the healer?
　Would he be satisfied if he got the medicine?

　If that didn't work, did you just give up?　


　I've been calling for the healer all along.
　We've been waiting for over half an hour now.

　If he's not coming, then I'll do what I can.

I just...

　There's nothing I can do. It's the same as it ever was.

I don't want you to die. That's all I want.



　I look at her in agony and mutter.
　If this fails... There were many fears that crossed my mind. But...

"What?　He said, "Let her drink it like a snack.
"...... That's just plain ignorance. "As a healer, I'd advise you to limit yourself to two more drops.

　"If only I had a healer, I'd regret it someday.

　But you're wrong.

"What saved Ruri? ...... Because I did what he said. Yeah, that's right. It's only natural, come to think of it.

　Let her drink it like a snack.
　You don't use that kind of language with a drug that can be dangerous if you make a mistake.

If you'd have listened to me, I'd have been so worried I'd have given it to Corona at least once a minute.

　It's not like he can't imagine himself doing it.

　"I hoped the healer would be there to help.

　But no.

　In the end, all I needed was...
　Just someone to give me the right knowledge and a way to save her life.

　In any case, her life would have to be reversed. There's no need for a healer.

I believe you, Pasta.

　So I picked up the vial.