"...... What the hell is going on?

　When I woke up, I realized it was already too late.

　I struggled desperately.
　I tried my best to reach out for everyone.
　I remember the last thing I remember before I passed out.

　Laughing with the others in the house.
　They welcomed me, calling me an idiot for being so strong in the grief of the burning mansion, for bringing back something so precious from the flames.

　The pain of the fist in my head was not a bad thing.

　And yet...

"I don't know.

　Some place in King's Landing. A place in King's Landing, also known as the Nobility Hospital, the best medical institution in King's Landing with multiple healers on staff.
　Prim woke up there and was told of the situation.

　She was reasonably lightly injured and could move freely, but...

　--But she was told that her family member, who was now sleeping in front of her, was in a life-or-death situation.

　Whether it's Richter or Mion.

　Always laughing, always tired.
　But they were still important to me.

Even after all this time, I still didn't understand .......

　What were their feelings before they became like this? I don't know what they said to each other.

　I don't know what they were thinking before it happened, or what they said to each other, but Prim bit her lip as she stared at the two badly wounded men.
　She folded her knees and buried her face in the bed.
　She wrinkled the coverlet with a frustrated hand.

How could it be so ...... how could it be so ......

　They want the spectacle.
　Tomorrow is the first show in a long time, a gentle celebration for the children.

There's nothing to talk about, nothing to solve. ......












　--At the same time, at the pasta house.

"...... Well, there you have it.

　Pasta exhales and looks around.
　I'm not sure what to make of that. And then there was Leafy, her mouth turned up in a happy smile.

　This is the parlor of a mansion.
　The room was lightly remodeled to make it more spacious and less lacking in furnishings.

　A virtual stage.
　A virtual stage, as Pasta called it, had been created.

"It's kind of nice, isn't it?

　said Leafy, who was enjoying the music itself, as if he was tired of even laughing at the lyrics.
　That's true. Even if at first you are distracted by the embarrassing lyrics, you will get used to it if you practice it over and over again.
　In that sense, it is safe to say that both Leafy and Mirabelle were already able to immerse themselves in the music.

　In addition, Izuna, who came to observe the performance, was convinced that the lyrics were good. Pasta, who had noticed that the lyrics were accompanied by a sub-syllable or article saying that her sister loved her brother, experienced the ultimate humiliation, but that was about it.

And yet...

　As she finished playing her lute, Mirabelle took a look around the room.

　It's a very large room from Mirabelle's point of view.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

It's not easy to have a single show in the royal capital.
...... Well, yes.
And it takes a lot of energy to sing and dance.
I have more energy than I thought.

　Pasta, sniffing.

Kids have a lot of energy.
You're wrong.

　I'm not going to be able to do that.

　It's not possible that Pasta was always physically strong.

　The fact that she is able to sing a song and still look good is thanks to the physical training she has been doing since Leafy came to stay at the house as a guest.

　He's not a straightforward guy, Leafy laughs to himself.
　The same goes for the way he mistreated Prim. Or the fact that he's lying here. And most importantly, that's not why I started my physical training.

　She says she doesn't want to be protected, which is really not honest.

　She's a forward-thinking person, so maybe she knew that she would need to be strong as she and "him" went through many things together.
　In fact, that's exactly what she did, and it paid off in an unexpected way.

　It seems that he is no longer satisfied with just manipulating the Orba Chamber of Commerce behind the scenes.

Well, there's always tomorrow, so I'll leave it at that.
That's right. Don't overdo it the night before the battle. I'm not stupid, you know.
The battle: ......

　He could have dismissed Izuna's words as exaggerated.
　However, Pasta recited his words while wiping sweat off with a towel.

　It's true, it's not wrong to call it a fight. That's what I thought. 　

　But Pasta recited his words as she wiped the sweat off her face.

I said I'd do it, so...

　Everyone in this place knows that terrorists are stirring.
　But still, even though she was in a position where her life might be threatened.
　Pasta was remarkably calm.

"Hedging risk is a fundamental part of management. But... In that sense, I trust you, princess.



　Besides, I looked out the window.
　The petals of the flowers in the garden are invisible this late at night.

I know a man who would never lie to me before I trusted him .......


　The enemy's goal is spectacle.
　Tomorrow is the first show in a long time, a gentle celebration for the children.


　Still, the girls are going straight ahead.














　--Same time, Gringott's.

"-You're as good as ever, sir.

　The piano, which had been playing a beautiful melody, put down its notes as if to end the show.

　A young man with blue hair exhaled, and an older man standing beside him clapped his hands.

"...... tomorrow.

　The young man muttered and gently stroked the keys as if he was thinking about it.

　His name is Graciel G. Gringott.
　He is a great aristocrat who is currently supporting and condoning terrorist acts in the capital.

Now that Richter's fallen, it's time to attack. I didn't think he'd be so stubborn about protecting his own people. I didn't think he'd be so stubborn in defending his people, but ............ he's an idiot.
Oh, you're being very negative.
Of course not. What's the point of protecting your allies if the top guy falls?

　That's definitely a fair statement.
　If you were to list Richter's obvious weaknesses, they would certainly be listed. It can be seen as a virtue, but on the battlefield, it is a complete flaw.

　That's why Gracial exhaled as if itching for air.
　Shaking his head, he says, "It's a moot point.

"Where is the healer?"
"He's back, sir. He's more use than I thought.
I need it. He's good at what he does. Did he say anything about ......?
No, sir. "He said everything's fine.
What?

　He looked at the man with a toothy, disturbed stare.
　Then, after a moment of silence, he continued.

"What do you see?
"Kuro. I've heard reports of people having their magic ripped out of them.
That's why I let you go. I was hoping to get some information on the enemy mages, but ...... they got away.
What should we do?
Drag him to the front. He's one of our pawns.
What?

　But, thinks Gracial, crossing his arms.

"Then there's the possibility that Huta will move.
"Yeah.
I've been very wary of that guy, but ...... that much?
I wouldn't underestimate him. What do you think, Your Highness?
We've simply got the right armaments.

　He scratched his head and pondered his plan.

　--But the preparations are well underway.

　No matter what kind of warriors show up, it's too late.

Richter may have manipulated the information, but if we blow up the spectacle, it'll reach the people. The volunteers were reluctant to increase casualties, but ......
The arithmetic of Richter's group has been bought off. All we need is Hura's magic.
I know, I know.

　I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one who's a bit of a jerk. I'm sure you'll be glad to know that I'm not the only one who has a problem with this.

　The only thing left to do is to outsmart Hura, said the man, a court mage from the Hura faction.

　Gracials sighs inwardly at the trouble, but there is also the matter of the supply of magic stones. We shouldn't make too many cracks now.

　Besides, there were other things that came to mind.

There's also the matter of someone impersonating Mirabelle. It's a risk, but I'm going. Pasta Pomodoro is the original target. It'll be quicker if someone who can use magic goes there.

　That's what Richter said.
　Someone who thinks they're Mirabelle. What's the point now? I thought about the possibility of a trap, but Gracial had never seen Mirabelle's body.

　There was a ray of hope there.

　If it was true, it was...

So let's not leave it to the heroes, we'll make our own move.
"Oh.

　Our goal is spectacle.
　Tomorrow is our first show in a long time, a gentle celebration for the children.

We've got to do this. One way or another.












　--same time, abandoned section of King's Landing. An abandoned church.

　A girl was absentmindedly looking at a lotus flower blooming in a corner of the garden.

The woman who taught you how to behave is at least!　I'm not sure if it's a good thing or not.

I'm not sure there's anything in the world I want to protect anymore!

　I don't know why I'm feeling so sentimental, but I'm not.
　--I know.

　I felt like I was seeing a side of her that I didn't know existed.

"...... Eina.

　No answer came back.

　Instead, all I heard was the sound of one person's footsteps.

"What do you want?
I'm here to confirm the mission.
"Operation?　...... Oh.

　I remember.
　It's happening tomorrow. I remembered that I had originally made a deal with her for that final phase.

　The man frowns a little at her absent-minded reply.

You don't seem to be into it.
I don't think so. It's a good opportunity for you to reach ...... higher.

　It's a good opportunity to reach higher.

　I'm not sure if you've seen this before, but I'm sure you've.
　No killing. It's not like she's going to kill him by accident.
　Letting out a sigh, the man said.

I don't know what to say. We haven't known each other long enough. So I may be off base.
"......
But if there's one thing I can tell you. Purpose can come out of nowhere. If you're depressed at the time, your former self and your future self will never forgive you for what you've become.
"......

　Aylan's words sounded like he had a lot of insight, and he had experienced it firsthand.

　It's not that Aylan has lost sight of his purpose.
　But he certainly didn't know if he could react to a target appearing in front of him right now.

　But if he missed out on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity because of it, then surely he would have to take on the regrets of his past and future selves.

　Aylin looked up at him and he continued.

The Volunteers are after Pasta Pomodoro. That is why Izuna Sienzan is in the way.
That's why you want to bring me in.
"Yes.

　I nodded.

　The man in front of you is the leader of the volunteer corps.
　I'm not sure if you'll be able to find a way to get rid of it, but I'm sure you can.
　If you have the help of the nobles and the mages, you will have to follow their wishes.

　Just so.
　I'm just allowing a certain amount so as not to misunderstand the purpose.

"I've received reports that His Highness Lilac is on the back foot, but I don't believe it. He will show himself at the Spectacle.
You think very highly of him, don't you?
It's more that Lord Gringott and the other noblemen think too little of him. It's not Lord Klingbloom we should be wary of. It's His Highness.
"I see. ......?

　Thinking about it, from the beginning, this man was only thinking about the wicked princess.
　Well, you're right.
　And that's why he turned to Aylin.

"To capture the princess and make it look like a terrorist attack. And you want me to do it?　...... That's not a bad idea.
"...... terrorists. You're absolutely right. I've been doing what I've been doing at the behest of my superiors. But that ends tomorrow.
It's always hard to resist a patron. ...... Nonsense.
"...... Say what you want.

　What they want is a spectacle.
　Tomorrow is the first show in a long time, a gentle celebration for children.

How hard can it be, Viciedo?
It's hard work, isn't it, Bicied? "It's hard work to control you, Lord Aylan.












　--Same time, inside the castle. Huta's private quarters.

　A twinkling sound echoed fantastically in the room.
　The pale light is Futa's bed.
　The palm of a sickly white child's hand held over the abdomen of a girl lying on the bed.

"Oh, you're beautiful. It's amazing.


The Master's ...... sister, Mochisuke, can do this.
I'm so jealous you have a brother. I envy you.

　I'm not sure if you've heard of it, but I have.
　As usual, she had come to play in her spare time and seemed to have found an older sister, if not the same age, and seemed to be pining for her.

　Tomorrow is Pasta-chan's Yuyake Ongaku Kai.
　It seems that Hura will take her to see the show.

　It's great that she's smiling, but it makes me want the show to be even more successful.

　A voice called out to Futa, who was staring at the backs of the two girls.

It's more powerful than before, but it won't take long. It's a motisuke.
"Oh, I see. Thank you.

　I wonder when it started. I don't know how long it's been since she's been so competitive with me.

　Futa scratched his cheek as he thought about this, but he didn't want to interfere with her concentration.

　He kept his distance and watched the treatment from a distance.
　It's not just about Futa, either.

Now, ......, let's talk about tomorrow, shall we?
Yes.

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

We're ready to go. We just need to put the right pieces in the right places.
"The right pieces?
Yes. That's all.

　She smiled, her expression as dependable as ever.

I've been ...... beaten pretty badly up to this point. You have to make sure you pay for it.
That's right.

　Lilac nodded and gently brushed her lips.

　I've been a little bad to Corona.
　But I got more than enough for that.

　There was no need to tell Futa about it, and more importantly, there was the matter of motivation.
　It would be better now to let him think he had been beaten.

"The reason I went after Corona was to keep you contained. Isn't that what I said?
Yes.
And what do you think that was for?
What? What do you think it's for, to keep me glued to this spot?

　Lilac's jaw dropped in affirmation.
　He thought about it for a moment, and then his gaze met hers.

"Lilac-sama?
You're unusually perceptive. You're unusually perceptive, even for you.
Thank you. But lately I've been feeling like I know Lilac-sama a little better.
Oh, really?
Really?

　I'm sure you're not the only one.

I'm not sure who's going to benefit from containing me in this mess, but... I'm not sure who would benefit from sealing me off in this mess, but it would be Lilac-sama who would lose her hand.
"Yes. Or, more accurately, you'll lose your hand.
It's .......
I've been fighting with zero cards my whole life. It's not as hard as it sounds, but it's also true that if I had ......1 cards, I could have crushed this mess a long time ago.

　That said, there were ways to do it," he added.

The Spectacular will be attacked tomorrow. I can take care of that. There's only one thing I need you to do.
"Is ......?

　The answer was a scroll, carefully wrapped in a blue ribbon.
　A blue ribbon was carefully wrapped around it, and Futa slowly unwrapped it.

"Would you prefer a red ribbon?
You can use any color you want. ....... I like silver, if I have to say so myself.
"......, huh?

　I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea.
　There's silver. There's silver here. There's silver here." Leaving the princess with a slight tilt of her head, Futa's eyes widened at the contents of the scroll.

"This is...
I'm sure you'll be able to find it. It's not an exact stronghold, but I can predict the angle.

　If you know the location perfectly, you can just raid it and be done with it.
　This map was made because we had some idea of what we were looking for.

　There's a spectacle in the center.
　There'll be a lot of heroes around it. Military police, mages.



The mage ......?
They're definitely here. I'm sure the MPs will support the Volunteers.
So we're the bad guys?
Except for the Volunteers, yes. So we can't leave this to Izuna and the others. Futa. You're going after the enemies of the military police and mages.
Are you sure?
It's okay. No matter how righteous the Kempeitai and the mages claim to be...

　Gently placing her hand on her chest, she tells him.

"Behind you will always be a princess who cares about the Spectacle.
"What?
"You have but one command. I'll always be behind you. So--


　The corners of his mouth lifted.
　That smile that chills even Futa's spine.



"Do as you please. Let all the frustration you've been feeling be your guide.






　The prey's aim is spectacle.
　Tomorrow is the first show in a long time, a gentle celebration for the children.

Oh, ...... tomorrow will be a very happy and festive day.