That was seven years ago.

　The man who was given the title "Knight of the King" was, to put it bluntly, a "replacement."

　The king's knight.
　It is, as the word implies, a tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation in the kingdom.
　It is an honor for the soldiers who gag in the kingdom and the nobles who serve in the royal castle.
　And above all, it was a dangerous job to protect the king at his peril.

　The alternative is even easier to understand.
　The "knight" position became available and he took it.

　This man, Viciedo, had been a close friend of the king's since he was a boy, but he was not a great one.

　"Would he really be able to serve as the king's knight?
　That was the topic of some discussion. But on the contrary, it was also true that the other potential candidates had died out and there were only a few left, including him.

　I'd rather have Viciedo than someone else, or someone younger.

　It was in this atmosphere in the Council or Throne Room that Viciedo became the King's knight.

　However, contrary to the initial expectations of those around him, Viciedo accomplished many tasks.

　Above all, what made him a knight was the way he treated the king.

　King Gilbert became visibly more cheerful when Viciedo took his place behind him, and he was a good friend to the king, even though he knew his place.

　That's the way it should be, Viciedo had thought for decades.


　So.


"...... Well, hello, Lilac.
"Oh. Viciedo: ...... How do you do?

　It was only natural for him at the time to contact the girl.

　You can find a lot of things that you can do to make your life easier.

　He wanted to do what he could to help the king.
　It was with this in mind that Viciedo visited this room every day.

　--The occupation of "wicked man" will bring turbulent times to this country.

　He knew that, but...

"......
What's going on?

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

'No, nothing. What have you been doing today?
"I was reading a book today.

　She smiles and is carrying a large old book. It seemed to be a collection of fairy tales, but I guessed that it was probably given to her by Gilbert.
　He loved these kinds of stories.

I'm not sure. Is ...... anything bothering you in your life?
'No, ...... not really.'

　He stroked his lips softly, as if thinking for a moment. Then he folded his soft little fingers, which made me smile.

"Nothing.

　She gave him another carefree smile and Viciedo nodded.
　That's good, he thought to himself.

　I heard that you've been forced to live like this since you were a child. This room is certainly spacious, but you'll need a chaperone just to step outside.
　It sounds nice to say she's a lady of the deep, but it's more like I'm keeping an eye on her.

　This is partly because Gilbert is heartbroken. It's only natural for him to feel an itchy feeling as he comes to see her again and again.

"Is there anything you want to do?
"What I want to do: ......

　In the event that you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

I'm not. I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure you'll do fine.
I'm sure you're right.

　A weak, yet healthy smile that tries not to worry the viewer.
　The expression on the face of the girl, who was not yet ten years old, only made Viciedo feel more guilty.


　It was Viciedo's daily routine to see Lilac every day and to report to King Gilbert on her latest developments.

　Today she was reading a book with pleasure.
　Today he was looking out the window and composing his own poetry.
　Today he taught me a hand game that he had heard from his attendants.

　This is what I tell Gilbert every day.
　He was happy to listen to her, sometimes surprised, and enjoyed watching her grow.

　If you were to ask me if I was a good parent, I wouldn't say so.
　It is the king himself who keeps her in a corner of the first floor, fearing the atmosphere of the council, the castle, and the known "wickedness" of the past.

　But I knew that he loved her.
　At least it seemed that way to Viciedo.

　Maybe that's why.
　The little wicked man he'd seen every day for the past few months. It weighed heavily on Viciedo that the little girl he had seen every day for the past few months was so unbelievably cute.

　I'm not sure what to do.

"...... You look glum, Viciedo.
"It's ....... That's .......
"Isn't that what you and I are... ...... If you have a problem, let me know.

　His face was soft, but not dignified.
　He had a friendly, unchanging smile.

　You'll be able to find a lot more information on the web.

　For several months, they saw each other every day.


　But he always has a smile on his face, as if he is stifling his own hopes.
　It was because she didn't want to bother her father.

　I took pity on her. "I'm sure she hasn't woken up to the occupation of "wicked man. I thought that this environment would rather force her to endure, which would in turn cause her to build up resentment.

　Perhaps it was a bad thing that at that time, King Gilbert was also receiving information that he wanted to cling to.

"...... Viciedo. So I'm told. "I've heard that a wicked man can be a brilliant mind who can be a great retainer in his own reign.
"That's ......!

　It was a kind of hope.
　King Gilbert nodded to Viciedo, who looked up.

I'm sure you've heard of it. I, too, feel sorry for Lilac, and I am sorry that she is afraid of ...... "wicked men.
"Your Majesty ......

　I'm sure you'll agree with me.
　I'm not sure what to say, but I'm sure you'll understand.

I know. If I'm going to be a good ruler, I'm going to have to be a good politician.
'Yes, that's right. Your Majesty.

　He clenched his fists and looked at me with a look of determination that was unusual for King Gilbert.
　He nodded to him, his fists clenched, and Viciedo laughed.

　We used to laugh like this when we were children.
　But now that they were both in a position, it didn't work out so well.
　We are both struggling with the burdens of our positions.

　But... That's why I felt better than I have in a long time.

I've been told by the attendants that the reclusive Lilac has grown quite fond of Viciedo.

　Smiling loosely, King Gilbert said.
　In fact, that's exactly what Viciedo himself was often told.
　She didn't show much expression even to her attendants, but she was cheerful only in front of him.

　--I think she had a slight sense of superiority.

I'm sure Lilac will be fine if Viciedo says so.

　I nodded my head in response to King Gilbert's smile.

　"He will be a good vassal to King Gilbert without waking him up to be a wicked man. I hoped that King Gilbert would be able to pass away in peace even if he would eventually rule this country.

　That's what I was hoping for at the time.


　That's why. The responsibility lies with me.


"...... What, your father?

　You'll be able to find a lot more information on the web.
　One evening. One evening, when he visited her in her room as usual, he told her.

　King Gilbert took pity on Lilac's current situation. He said he would do everything he could to help.

　That was the moment he heard those words.





"Yes, sir.




　There was nothing different. Maybe there was nothing unusual about him.
　But Viciedo's instincts got the better of him.

"Your father, for your own good.
'Yes, yes, ......, your highness. You always said there was nothing to ask for. ......
"Yes, he did. ...... Hey, Viciedo.






I'd like to go out.




　This was his goal all along.
　He said he was being used to get his father's permission.

　I'm not sure what to say, but I'm sure you'll understand.

　Under the word of Viciedo, the king's knight.
　From that day on, she was allowed to go out.


　--Because... So this is...

"This is my responsibility.

　Viciedo clutched his chest tightly.















　--outside the arena spectacula. To the west.

　The light that pierced the sky exploded into the night sky and colored the darkness.


　Rhythmically, joyfully. They rise and fall, dropping colors of various sizes onto the azure campus.

　Beautiful, "light".

　With each explosion, the world is illuminated with vivid colors.

　But Viciedo didn't have time to squint at the art - he held his estoc in front of a young man who stood in the backlight.

　There was no time to let down his guard. The air swirling around him was filled with a deadly fighting spirit.
　Even Lilac would not be able to create such a sense of intimidation - a torrent of "sword pressure" that far surpassed the strongest in the kingdom.

　The light blinks out, but the eyes are black.
　"I'm not sure if you've heard of it, but I have.

"...... I was happy.

　You can find a lot of people who are looking for the best way to get the most out of their life.

　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

"My father died a long time ago. I've never had an older brother, and I've never had the experience of adoring an older man. I've never had a big brother, and I've never really had the experience of looking up to an older man. ...... But I guess that's what you were to me.
............ Is that because I'm a senior knight in someone else's service?
"Yes, I am.

　It was a soft affirmation.
　It was like making small talk. Soft, spineless words, as if they had been spoken on a balcony some day, or in the corridor in front of the king's private chambers.

　It was too much, too distorted to be uttered by the swollen, combative Futa of today, but it was an understandable thought.

I'm not the one who's doing this, but I thought I'd talk to you about it. You know, right?　Thirty years. 30 years of serving the same person. Of course I'd want to learn from you. I've ...... always thought I'd like to borrow your help and experience to support Lilac-sama in the future.

　What you can clearly feel in those simple words is "disappointment".

　Unable to bear his gaze, Viciedo looked up at the sky once.
　Would he think he was taking his time in front of the enemy?
　But it was hard for him to believe that Huta would come at him now.

"I guess so.

　He muttered, grunted.

"Me too. I would have preferred it if your Highness had lived a happy life with you.
Because you're not.
Oh. I've decided to take the fall for it.
Why, ......, the daughter of your servant--

　Maybe he was impatient with the question and answer.
　Maybe she couldn't stand Futa's fighting spirit anymore.
　Or maybe it was both.

"Stop messing around!　"I'm not going to stand up for a wicked man..."

　A member of the volunteer corps who was behind Viciedo jumped out from the side and raised his sword.

"Wait. ......

　But before Viciedo could stop him.

"......?
"...... now.

　The man and Futa's eyes met. I'm not sure if you've seen this before, but I've seen it before.

　He didn't even know when he had drawn his sword.
　But the next thing I knew, he was floating in the air, stabbed in the throat.

I'm talking to you, Viciedo.

　As the man fell to the ground with a thud, the heroes were all frightened.

　It's as if he doesn't care about them.

"From what I hear at ......, that sword is...
What is it?
I've heard that you got it after you left Prince Barrier Reef.
You weren't in King's Landing at the time?
I've been on a reconnaissance mission in a neighboring country since about this time last year.
"...... I see.

　While the King was in the process of forming an alliance with the Falcons, Huta visited the area. In the event that you're not sure what to do, you'll be able to find out more about the best way to do it.

　It's not a story that Futa needs to hear right now, but it's a good one.

　It's been almost a year since Futa met Lilac.



It's a lie: ！！！！！　There is no one on my side. ！！！！



　If I close my eyes, I can remember it like it was yesterday, a vow under the stars.


You can rest assured.
"......?

　I'm not sure what to make of that.

"I will not use Sohkai Hato-ryu. "This is not a situation where I would borrow a hero's sword. What we have here is just my feelings. It's a clumsy, rugged sword.

　There's nothing reassuring about a situation where a comrade has just been killed in front of you.
　I'm not sure what to say.
　If Soukai Wavoryu is combined with Futa, it will be a match made in heaven.
　I don't feel bad about the fact that you're offering me a handicap.



　After all, it's the worst thing ever.


　Our gazes crossed once more.
　Huta's eyes still show confusion and disappointment, as if betrayed.

　Viciedo shakes his head loosely and mutters.

I'm sure justice is of no concern to you.
"......

　Justice. I'm sure justice doesn't matter to you." "Justice." Futa furrowed his brow.
　He wondered if he had set fire to the capital for such a grand gesture.

　--Actually, he was half right.
　In fact, he was half right, because the people behind Viciedo and the people Gracial had incited were all fools who were drunk on justice in their spare time.

　--It's also true that such people are the easiest to incite to any kind of activity, and that was actually Graciel's goal, but I'll leave it at that for now.

　I closed my eyes and let out a sigh, Viciedo.

　There's no need to respond to those disappointed eyes.
　But the bombing didn't happen. Now that he had, his goal was to kill Lilac, and the biggest obstacle to that goal was now standing in front of him.

　He'd have to get past Huta anyway.

He's just like me.
"It's .......

　And so, as if resigned, he spoke his mind.

　I don't care about justice. Viciedo said the same.

I don't care about justice either.

　Responsibility must be fulfilled.
　But it's never about justice.

　There's a crucial difference between Viciedo and the people behind him.

"I am.

　Eyes that look straight ahead.

　Just like me. That's what he meant.


"I owe the king for picking me up. And I'm living now just to repay it.


"......

　I'm not sure what to say.
　It's a good idea to take a look at the website and see what you can find.
　If he is only living to repay the debt he owes to Gilbert when he was a prince.

　There is only one thing more clear than a hundred words exchanged.

"Is this for you?
"Yes. His Majesty is exhausted and heartbroken. ...... And yet he continues to believe that you are not a wicked man. That's enough. If we allow His Highness to tyrannize any longer, he'll kill you. We can't let that happen.

　Futa didn't have the words to deny it.
　He had heard Lilac's words about dragging down the king.
　Whether to kill him or not depended on the moment.
　But I have no reason to ask Futa not to kill me.
　For the sake of her dream, it doesn't matter what happens to the king.

　--As long as it's for her dream.

I'll ask the same of you. Is it better for you that he should live?
I'm afraid I don't have a better choice than to die.
...... I see. That's true. A foolish question. If I were in your shoes, I wouldn't kill you if you asked me to.

　As if mocking himself, Viciedo smiles and holds up his estoc.

We're at an impasse. Of course. We have no cause to raise each other. "We're not trying to protect some big 'hero' thing. There's just a line we can't cross and we're both trying to cross it. Am I right?

　For Huta, this situation is...
　For Viciedo, Spectacula's presence.

　It's just a line that we both have to cross.

...... Yeah, right. I'm not going to be mad at you for blowing up someone's house, or for making Corona suffer. I don't even care if you did it or not.

　I don't care if you did it or not.
　That alone was unforgivable to Huta.

　The fact that he had come to visit her, and the way he had acted... I'm sure that Viciedo didn't lead the way in putting Corona in that situation.

　But who did or did not do it? But who did or didn't do it didn't matter to Futa anymore.

　Because.

　Because in a situation where you're willing to do anything for someone else. He'd do it to shut down his opponent's greatest asset, someone he cared about.

　--Because I was convinced I would do it.

　So there's no need for Viciedo to apologize.



For example, if I were to confront someone who felt the same way.





　He puts his sword away and prepares to draw it. He looks up, stares at Viciedo, and asks, "What would you do?

"What would you do?

　Then he readjusted his estoc and smiled as if he had been blown away.


"I'd smash it through.

"Well, then you're just like me.


　If that thought is going to harm someone I care about I'll just cut it off.




　--The fireworks continue to light up the night sky as if watching over Futa's back.