Lilac looked quietly at the door as her guest, the "healer" Suiren, left.

　He was thinking about her.
　Or perhaps he was planning how to kill her.
　There were no personal feelings.

　She'd do what Lilac said.

　She'll do what Lilac said, telling herself it's not a betrayal for once.
　Or maybe she doesn't even think that.

　I'm not doing anything wrong.
　Such things are imprinted in the deep consciousness, and it does not accept words that deny itself.
　It is a typical example of hysteria.

　After she noticed that Corona was acting strangely, she searched the people in the castle and found her.
　Lilac wasn't the only one who found her extremely easy to control.

　She overestimates herself as nothing more than a pawn to be used by someone else, feels special for being a "healer," and complains about the society that doesn't treat her as such.

　If you look at the bottom of society, you'll see that she's just like any other woman.
　The fact that she was able to work inside the castle does not mean that she is superior.

　But she hadn't been appointed yet.
　And.

　The one in charge of the welfare and medical care of the castle was Gringott.

　Lilac softly brushed her lips, thinking that it was a good thing that she had let him go.

　I already have a rough idea of what's going on.

　If you want...


"You have a child?

　The voice made her turn around.
　She was sitting on the bed, her bare feet unusually wobbly.
　She was sitting on the bed, her bare feet wobbling uncharacteristically. Lilac made eye contact with her, not paying much attention to her feet, which still showed a few old scars.

　There was no hint of doubt or confusion in her question.
　Her eyes are always kind and piercing, as if she is simply making small talk.

　A child.
　It was a lie that the water lily had told her to get her own money.
　That's why Lilac took advantage of it and made it seem like she knew it.

　It's just...

I heard that.
"...... I see. I hope you get better. Sick.
Yeah. I hope so, too.

　I didn't bother to tell her that I didn't have a patient, let alone a cure.

　I'm sure she knows she almost killed me.
　It's not like she's in a flower garden and has no sense of danger.

　Still, Lilac could tell the girl to lower her eyebrows in sympathy for her opponent.
　You don't have to worry about your enemy. If you don't kill them, they will kill you. So you might as well hate the one who tried to harm you for his own greed.

　But it didn't seem like the right thing to say.

　A woman named Suiren had a sick daughter.
　"Even with the power of the healer, there was nothing she could do about it, so she had to rely on money and reach for expensive medicines like the secret medicine of the Orba Trading Company.
　For that reason, he had no choice but to go along with the mastermind.

　That's still a relief.

　I didn't want to think too much about who it would help.

　I didn't want the girl in front of me to be clouded by this dirty world. It seemed like selfishness to me.

"Money is important. I hope it goes to people who need it.
"Yeah.

　I nodded to Korona, who smiled at me.

　There's no point in getting sentimental.
　As if to change the subject, Lilac sat down on the bedside chair.

To do that, the government should cough up the money. Debt or no debt. The downside is that bribes are rampant. It's a necessary expense.

　We need to fix our failing economy.
　In order to do so, it is only natural that the country should be forced to bleed first.
　Spectacula is a good example.
　A tremendous amount of taxpayers' money was spent to build that arena in order to make that money. Including publicity costs, it would have eaten up a percentage of the national budget.

　I did everything I could to raise the money, including reparations from the Imperial State. It was used solely for the future of the nation.

　However, the economy does not run because of the money spent.
　If you don't use the money to make a profit, it is meaningless in the end. If we mistakenly believe that we will get results because of our efforts, the management of the nation will remain in a state of decline forever.

Effort does not come with a price. The water lily is a good example. The water lilies are a good example. They did not get money for their efforts, but they wanted money for their futile efforts. No matter how hard you dig where there is no demand, no one will find value in it.
It's hard.
"My spectacle is amazing.
"Oh.

　I have some doubts about whether this is a good summary, but it is not wrong.
　I made up the spectacle with a bang.


　We spent a lot of money and went through a lot of trouble. I hate to think of it, but I made the schedule work with the least amount of effort and got the most out of it.

　It's the right thing to do.

We don't have time for terrorism, sir.
Sir?
No, I just thought it would be a good time.
...... Wow, he's got some weird ideas.
Well, I don't know.

　I don't know.

　He thought she was just here to check up on him, but she seemed to be quite relaxed.
　She was convinced that he had come to talk to the water lilies, but it seemed that this was not the only reason.

"Princess, do you have time?
We have our own problems, you know.
Hmm. ...... Well, the maids can pass the time better when the princess is around.
Go back to sleep. ......

　In fact, there are several reasons why Lilac is still here.

　It's a risk hedge, because leaving Corona in this state now is likely to lead to the most unforeseen situation.
　The fact that being in Futa's room at this time - not working - is necessary in some way.
　Above all, it was to find out what was going on inside the castle.

　If he listened to the voices of the military police who were rushing around outside Futa's room, he could get some idea of the situation.
　This was something he could not do by staying in his office.

　In other words, Lilac is aware that something is going on.

"Lord Treasurer's house!　Hurry!
The Kolsethka Trading Company has been hit as well!
d*mn those terrorists, ......!
No need to panic. There's no casualties.
Just because we've been through this before doesn't mean--!

　I close my eyes and nod.

　That's good.


"Hey, Princess.
What is it?
Do you want some grass seed?
Not now.
Do you want some candy?
I don't like to eat food made by sick people.
Do you want to play something?
So go back to sleep. ......
Meido: ......

　Lilac sighs in exasperation at Corona, who has the word "bored" written all over her face.

　I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not.
　Is it a side effect of the medicine? Or is it just too much sleep?
　The truth is that I don't feel that sleepy anymore.

　The sluggishness still lingered.
　I know it's due to the malignant magic.

　But I also know that sleep alone will not cure it. And maybe it's because Lilac is unusually relaxed here.

　Or. Or maybe it's because I have something on my mind.

　I couldn't bring myself to go to sleep.

"...... Princess.
"What's wrong?

　She looked up at the ceiling.
　Her hair spread out on the bed like molten gold flowing out.

　I'm not sure what to do, but I'm going to do it.


I'm sure you'll be able to understand what I'm talking about.


　I'm not sure if you've heard of it or not.
　Lilac and Futa were facing each other, talking about something.
　Both of them were in a serious and somehow gloomy mood.
　When I came to my senses to see if there was anything I could do, I heard the words.

　If Corona was left bedridden like this, Futa would not be able to get away from her.
　In fact, that was what they wanted.

"Maid.
It's a definite weakness.
"...... What?

　I thought I was a complete distraction. I can't shake the feeling that I'm a burden.
　So, if that's the case for both of us, I'll just go away.
　Such a suggestion was cut off by her dismissive words.

　It was something I knew, but it was still sad to hear her say it so clearly.

　She smiled annoyingly at Corona, who met her gaze sharply.

Some people say it's better to have no weaknesses, but... But if you dare to put your weaknesses where they can be seen, they become a good decoy.

　It's a kind of . It's a kind of taunting her, a kind of telling her right up front that you're using her.

"Whether it's Futa or me. "Whether it's Futa or me, I'm in close proximity to you, helpless. So, well, it's a credit to you that you were able to find out.
"......


I've made you suffer. ...... If that's okay with you, please continue to be a target.

　I'm not sure what to say.

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

　Then she smiled softly.

"Okay!
"Yes.

　Corona's mind would be better served if she thought she was of use.
　That's all I'm saying, Lilac said, turning away from her.

　I'm not lying to you.
　If anyone was going to be targeted in the future, it was likely to be her.
　It would be better for her if she fulfilled her role as a decoy rather than making her presence a hindrance each time.

　So, this is good.
　Lilac didn't feel any particular emotion, and ended the conversation as if it was over.

　Only.
　Lilac, Corona...

　Neither Lilac nor Corona could even hope for a normal, happy life where they don't have to worry about such things.














　--Pasta's house. Diner.

...... I understand what's going on.

　I'm not sure if you've ever heard of it, but I'm sure you've heard of it.

　He sat at the head of the table, across from a large table.
　Standing in front of the entrance, Huta had just been helping to bring out the injured from the Klingbloom mansion.

　Both Richter and Mion are badly injured.
　He had no choice but to tell her that the terrorists were on the move and that it would interfere with the spectacle.

"Why?

　A young man was listening to the situation report with an irritated look on his face.
　There were several people in the room.

　There were several people present, including Izuna Sienzan, who had just asked the question.

"Are you going to carry out this show?

　A young girl was picking up a piece of focaccia with both hands and eating it, whether she had bought it from some bakery or had gotten it from the taverna.

"Eh!　I worked so hard!　If you don't do it, it's your loss!

　I'm sure you've heard of it, but I've never heard of it. No, just the head is a little cheaper.

"If it's just enemies coming, just slash them. "If they're just coming at you, you can just slash them, but if they're going to blow you up, well...

　A self-proclaimed bodyguard scratches his green habitual hair.

　Including Futa, who had come to talk to me, there were six of Pasta-chan's merry band of friends here.

Fortunately, or perhaps unfortunately, the costumes that Mion made on her own have already arrived.

　Should we call it off or go through with it?

　In the event that Richter's house was also hit, it is true that you have to consider the danger.

"Did the ...... princess say anything to you?
No, she didn't.
Yes, .......

　It's hard to imagine, no matter how much money was spent to create the spectacle and nearly 5,000 spectators were involved.
　Just because it's hard to imagine doesn't mean it's undeniable.

It could be used as a political performance to say, "We must not allow terrorists to kill so many people!

　It is a frightening fact that she may be used as a political performance.

Yeah, but I was wondering how far you've gotten.
"Where are we going? Of course everything's ready. .................. Ri.
What?
We've had a rehearsal. ......
Okay.
What's that look in your eyes? ！！！！！！！！

　Pasta stands up, knocking on the table, and Futa gives him the same relaxed look.

It's a good thing, brother. It's good to be seen by your brother. It's nice to see your sister in the sun.
"Gosh, ......!

　You can't deny that you're brother and sister in this situation.
　When I called Lilac a princess earlier, it was out of concern for her.

The setlist is perfect!　It's been a long time since I've been able to draw music on a scroll!　Yay, yay, yay!
"That's great, .......

　Mirabelle throws her hands up in the air, "Hooray!
　I made eye contact with her, and Pasta nodded.
　I'm sure you're a real musician. ...... This is still.

The set list is ...... in the order of the songs?
"No, it's more of a production flow. When we play this song, the direction is like this. I'll hand it out to the crew and make sure everything runs smoothly.
So you've done all the rehearsals?
Yeah. Yeah, it's been fine.

　If there were no flaws throughout the entire process, then there was certainly no problem.

　It would be awkward to tell you not to do something that is already finished to that extent.



　But...

I'm not an idiot. I'm not stupid, I get it.
"Well, ...... is about right.

　Except that he's not your brother.

Except that he's not my brother, and the only one they're after is the nobleman, right?
Master. And others.
...... Really? No, but, you know, blowing up Spectacula...
Master. With the right amount of gunpowder and the right understanding of the structure.
...... Really? Then no.
Oh, come on.

　I'm sure you'll be able to figure out the best way to get the most out of this.
　I'm not sure what to say.

"Well, that's it, isn't it?

　And then Leafy, who had her hands folded at the back of her head, said casually.

You can't just call it off if the princess hasn't said anything. It's ....... If it's just pasta, I'll take care of it.
"...... Leafy.

　I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea.
　I'm not sure what to make of it.
　I'm not sure if I'll be able to do that.

"Futa.
"Hmm?

　I've been thinking about it for a while, but then Pasta himself asks.

How's Corona doing?
Oh, and I came here to ask you a favor.
"What?

　"Actually," says Futa, explaining the situation.
　I'm sure you'll be able to figure out who was casting the spell, and you want to borrow Motisuke's help again.

I see. So, without Motisuke, Futa Pomodoro is in trouble. You did it, Master.
Yes, go ahead.
"...... What?

　Izuna said, crossing her arms.
　Futa was even more surprised than Motisuke, who blinked.

"You're not coming?
You're an idiot too, Futa. You're an idiot too, Futa. If I'm gone, who's going to protect them?
No, I don't think it'll take long.
I don't know.

　I don't know." Sniffing, Izuna continued.

I've heard that this place is pretty well hidden. But it's where the Spectacle's most important girl is. What if it's broken?
"......

　I couldn't say for sure.
　I'm doing my best to hide it, but even so, I don't know what kind of slim possibility there is for it to be recognized.

"I entrust you with Mochisuke. In exchange, I'll protect the pasta with my life. That's fine.
...... You don't take this lightly, really.
What? You're worried I won't protect your sister?
No, ...... if it's not me, it's you.
I know. That's what I think, too.

　If I'm not the one to protect Motisuke, you should be.

　He noticed the nuance and pulled his chin back.

I'm sure it'll be quick, but it won't be the same as last time. I'll need some help, Motisuke.
"If Master ............ commands it.
You look blatantly unhappy!

　As Futa and Mochisuke interact, Pasta claps his hands.

　You'll be able to find a lot more than just a few of these.

If you can get rid of Corona, ...... the princess will be free. I'll do it.

　That's the signal to go.

　In between the two words, she and Futa glanced at each other.

　Futa smiled and nodded.

　Oh," she said. And she told me one day, "I'm not going to be a burden.

　But.

I'm not going to give up my role of protection to Izuna if you're in trouble, for example.

　His words were small and muttered.

　Futa also thought he heard her words as she rested her head on his cheek.






"...... Oh yeah.