--Arena Spectacula External. West.


　The flowers in the sky bloom and fade as you ride through. Their colors are never the same, and we will never see the same scenery again.

　When I think about it, I feel a little sad.

　But I did not look up. The only excitement in the world that she could feel as she stared straight ahead was the sound of the fireworks, and the unfamiliar voice of a familiar woman that faintly touched her ear.

　But that's none of her business.
　It was nothing compared to what was about to happen on the way.

　The glow of the night sky twinkled in the dusk of King's Landing.
　Perhaps that's why the streets were much more crowded than on a normal night.
　Many people may have been watching from their windows or balconies.
　The fireworks shot out from the spectacles were so large, high and spectacular that anyone who lived in the capital could see them if they looked up at the sky.

　The disadvantage was that they had to watch out for people on the road, but the advantage was that everyone was watching the sky.
　No one would know it was the princess who was galloping away on her horse.

　We turned around and headed west.

　Like the hidden passage to the north, the hidden passage to the west was also located in a secluded graveyard.

　The cemetery and the surrounding vacant lot may be a place where children come to play during the day, but not at night.
　There are no fireworks, and few people come there at night.

　That's why Lilac thought it would be a perfect battlefield.
　A drunken and witty festival-goer might come up with this place as a good place to see the fireworks, but such bad luck would have to be given up.

　The odds are slim, though.
　This is the first time in King's Landing that such an event as fireworks has taken place. I'd rather recruit you to the castle on the spot if you can make such a move against an accidental event.

　--The sound of sword fights had already reached the vicinity of the clearing.
　Narrowing his eyes, he dismounts his horse.

　If I'm right, it's Huta and Viciedo, the leader of the brigade, who are having a fight.

　To be honest, I had mixed feelings.

　The same goes for Viciedo.
　The same goes for pitting Futa against Viciedo.

　I don't know how or why, but he is the man who sensed my "wicked" thoughts as a child and kept me on my guard ever since.
　I wondered if I had acted poorly at that time. I also wondered if I had loosened up when I was finally ready to go out.
　I was too young to know any better.

　But I was aware that I was walking a tightrope in a situation that could not be excused because I was too young. I still don't think he was at fault there. Somehow, I think he had a keen sense of smell.

"......

　--I wish he'd just let me take advantage of him.

　I wish he had just used me," he said, gently brushing his lips.
　If only she had been used like that--if only she had been used, what would she have been? I don't really remember, because I was so young.

"Well, it doesn't matter.

　It doesn't matter. After that incident.
　After that incident, it was true that my acting stiffened in front of Viciedo. I still don't know why.

　All I know for sure is that, frankly, I'm in the way.


　The clearing, with few trees to block the view, offers a good vantage point.
　You can see the fireworks clearly, and of course you can see the fighters clearly.

　There are only two of them standing.
　I could tell that it was going to be Viciedo and Futa.

　I don't expect Huta to lose.
　No, I don't.

　My other concern was this.
　I reminded him.
　And I'm sure he's aware of that.

　He's not worried about Izuna taking on the military police.
　He was going to put Huta up against Viciedo from the start.
　Again, you used him.

　You can use me as much as you want.
　I took you at your word and this is what I got.

　And I'm still thinking about it.

　I'm wondering if Huta can really kill Viciedo.

　To put it more bluntly, it's a touchstone.

　Just as he just played his "I like the view from the north" card in the battle to the north.
　I wanted to know the extent to which this young man, Futa, could be tolerated.

　It is impossible in this world to be friendly with someone and not be hostile.
　Therefore, how far will his deep emotion allow him to go against the person he is close to?

　I've decided that it would be more unfortunate if I didn't know this now.

　If you can't kill him, that's fine.
　You can just smile loosely and say that's the way he is. From now on, even if you have to, just don't let him do that kind of work. I'll take care of everything.

　Even this time, I'll do it later.


"You can...


　That's when...
　Suddenly, Viciedo's blood-curdling voice touched his ear.
　Lilac stopped to get a better look.
　The two faced each other. Both with their blades at the ready.




"Oh, Mr. Viciedo. That's not true.


　The voice...
　It hit me.










　It was a few minites before Lilac arrived on the scene.

"They used to say that if you can't mimic, you're weak.

　The countless wrecks lying in front of Futa as he muttered this.

　It's not the same as what Izuna did in the east, it's a merciless killing.

　He stared at the blood dripping from the blade and then at the only one left, Viciedo, and said.

...... It's horrible. I don't know.
I wonder.

　I don't know," Futa continued without breaking a sweat, as if in a daze.

I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one who's had to deal with this. I'll be honest, though, when I say 200 people. It's more exhausting and fun to play against one person in that spectacle.

　Viciedo doesn't think about how many seconds those who flooded Huta with Viciedo would have lasted. There was no need to think about it.
　After all, at least one person had died with every swing of his sword before he could even count the time.

　At least. He hasn't swung his arm more than 200 times since he got here.

That's all part of the mimicry, isn't it?
"......, yes. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're going to be doing and how you're going to do it. That's what ...... is for. First things first. I was told that if I couldn't mimic, I was weak. I've been told that if you bring out a weapon that you don't have a backup for, you're going to lose.
"......, and here we are.

　I'm sure you'll be able to understand.
　I'm not sure what to make of it. It was a rude and uninspired sword that was certainly not a Sokai Hato Ryu or Sakuraba Itto Ryu move.
　There was no specialization in killing, no perfect movement for the situation, nothing like that. Just a boring swordplay, following the example.

　But.

"It's true that imitation is borrowed for the moment. The trajectory learned through imitation is not forgotten after the fight is over. Their training, their skills. Their shape, their meaning, their reason. I'll remember as much as I can.
"I see. Terrible man. There's no point in taking away your imitation.

　Viciedo raised the corner of his mouth, "You're kidding.
　So the man in front of him was not only imitating the man he had fought.
　The man in front of him is not only imitating the person he fought, he is taking their experience and kata skills and carrying them with him for life.

　Literally, the experience is different.

　He has what is called "battlefield intuition," the ability to move on the spot based on accumulated experience. That's all there is in him.

...... Finally, I guess there is no way to win.

　It's a good idea to take a look at the actual information on the web.

　It's a good idea to take a look at the website and see if you can find anything you like.

　However, the armor was already damaged and caved in in some places.
　The fact that it was caused by a kick from Futa was obvious to anyone who was present.
　If you receive a blow of that strength, your abdomen will not be safe.


　--In other words, he was no match for him.


Do you think the King's knights are pathetic?
No.
Will you say so?

　I have no taste for abusing those who dare to challenge me.
　In the event that you're in the market for a brand-new pair of shoes or boots, then you're in the right place.

　I'm not sure, because I haven't done any imitation.

"I was lying in the street when I was picked up by ...... His Majesty. That was when I was a child.

　He muttered.
　There was no need to make fun of him for suddenly talking about the past.
　When Huta remained silent, Viciedo put his hand on his aching abdomen and stood up.

"Your Majesty was a very kind man. He was so kind that he wouldn't leave anyone else suffering in front of him.

　In fact, there are many people who have been picked up or saved by Gilbert. In Viciedo's memory, he remembers many people taking his hand and smiling happily at the end.

　Some took up the sword to repay the favor, while others swore to serve as vassals. Some were ungrateful, and some who took up the sword failed, but Gilbert forgave them all.

　Viciedo decided that he wanted to work for him.

"Do you know what you do for a living?"
No. ...... Sorry, I didn't come to the kingdom until .......
"Well, you said it's been a year. ...... His Majesty's profession is that of a healer.
I thought you were a ............ nobleman.
Yeah. Well, there's been a lot of war since the last generation, up until about ten years ago. Many heirs to the throne died. I'm sure His Majesty didn't think he was going to be king back then either.



　"Healers."

　Some, like Waterlily, are doctors who use magic to heal others.
　Others are counselors who heal people's hearts.
　The only thing they have in common is that they heal people, so it's hard to say where their aptitude lies.

　But when Futa first came to the castle, Corona asked him if he was a "healer" because she thought he might be a counselor using conversation.

"......, I see.

　Futa was also a little convinced.
　It's no wonder he was so calm and personable.
　That was surprising, Futa thought.

Didn't you feel uneasy about letting such a person be the king?
"Some people thought it would be better if a nobleman did it. "Some people thought it would be better if a 'nobleman' did it, but in the end, it was a power struggle. But in the end, it's a power struggle. Fighting over the next king right after a war is absurd. The kingdom of ...... is what it is today because everyone tried to support the king.
"......

　Gradually.

　Futa felt as if he could see the current situation of this country.

　The reason why the economy was slipping into a slump.
　Richter's sword was that of a man who had experienced war.
　The faction warfare - or rather, the flow of faction formation.
　The slums in the heart of King's Landing.
　And most of all, why they feared the Wicked One.

　This country is a sickly one, barely able to feed itself, where the low grass has just sprouted on the tired earth.

　That is why it must be boosted from now on.

　Nevertheless, our predecessors have passed away one after another, leaving us without a clear guideline.

I didn't want to give you a hard time.

　I don't want to give you a hard time," Viciedo says quietly to Huta, who looks up.

I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one who's not afraid to ask questions.
"...... Mr. Viciedo.

　These are the words of a man who has survived perhaps the most painful period of the kingdom's modern history.
　He was knighted by Gilbert seven years ago. So there must have been many knights before that.
　If Lilac is an anomaly and it is natural for a royal family member to have a knight, then there must have been many others who were better than him and were just as loyal to Gilbert as he was.

　You can see now that it was precisely because Viciedo was carrying their wishes and trying to support Gilbert with their thoughts that this current situation was so frustrating.

I'm not a war veteran, and I'm not serving Lilac-sama with someone else's will on my back. I'm not a war veteran, and I don't serve Master Lilac with anyone's will, but I certainly understand what you're saying.
"...... I couldn't do it.

　I'm not sure what to say.

　I couldn't do it.

　I'm not sure what to make of that.
　Before Futa can ask what it is, he says.

"To make Lilac-sama your vassal!
"...... Oh.

　That would have been the best thing to do for Gilbert.
　Huta agrees with you.

　If a wicked man is to be a good vassal in his reign.
　If that reign is the greatest key.
　Either he failed to achieve it or he was already a wicked man by then.

　Either way. The fact that he couldn't is something Viciedo already confronted seven years ago.

It's my fault. I know. But I dare you. I dare you to speak out against me, Mr. Futa.
"......
You. If you're so fond of him, you could have accomplished it ......, couldn't you?

　His eyes were clinging.

　I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one. I'm not sure what to do.

　Futa thinks. For example, if he had the will to do so. Would he have been able to accomplish it?

　I don't know. I don't even know what's going on in this country, I've just been living happily. I've been busy with the occasional incident, with what's in front of me.
　That's all. I'm just "unemployed."

　Maybe I was feeling a little itchy.
　Or maybe not.
　To Futa's distress, he continued.

"I've never seen your highness look like that. He looked happy. I'd be lying if I said I didn't wish that King Gilbert could forget about being a healer and a king and live freely!

　So...

"Why didn't you stop His Highness Lilac?

　If you feel the same way, you'll understand.

"If Your Highness can forget being a scoundrel. "If only you could forget that you're a princess." Don't you think so, Lord Futa?

　The question hit Futa straight in the face.















"Oh, Mr. Viciedo. That's not true.



















　Futa laughed softly.

"...... Futa, sir?
"That's not what I meant. Mr. Viciedo.

　Shaking his head loosely, Futa clenched his fists.

"Certainly. I'd be lying if I said I didn't have feelings for Lilac-sama. He crosses dangerous paths and doesn't rely on me. I don't know what she's thinking and it makes me nervous.
It's ...... something about her, too.
Oh, yeah. She's up to something.

　A troubled smile. But it's a fragile yet strong willed expression.

"I'm sure Master Lilac wanted this to happen. I knew there was something going on between you and Viciedo. That's why you hit me. There may be many other reasons, but he won't talk about them.
"Then!　Then you don't suspect!　"You know he's up to something and you're just going to pretend to be ignorant!
I don't care. If I don't like it, I'll say so. I don't really want to destroy this country and run away together. I don't really want to destroy this country and then run away with both of us. ...... Oh, in that sense, yes. I'm sorry about the pasta, and I'm sure Master Lilac will be displeased. I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'll be taking you to my favorite restaurant in King's Landing.
"...... what?

　As if to mock himself.
　That self-mockery pierces even the like-minded man.

But I mustn't forget one thing.

　Gently, he opens his right hand.

　It's a scar.



The man who saved my life was Lilac M. Fangini.



　His eyes look straight into Viciedo's.

"I'm sure you did, too. Wasn't it Gilbert the Healer who saved you?"
I don't know.
I don't know anything about that.

　It could be their past, for instance.
　Or Lilac's past.
　It could be the fear of war that's so deeply rooted in the fear of wicked men in the kingdom.

"I don't want to get into the relationship between King Gilbert and Miss Viciedo. I just don't care if she's up to something ....... That's what I swore under the stars.
"...... Hoota, sir.
It was that person who saved me, just as he was.



　You don't even know he's listening.


"That's why I...


　--The fireworks stop for a moment.


"I'm not a wicked man. I'm a princess. And most of all, the fact that she is always with me, always laughing.


　The stars twinkled in the night sky.




"I love you all Lilac M. Fangini.






　It was the first time in my life that I had ever expected such an affirmation.





"Hoota, sir. That's...
"Sorry, Mr. Viciedo. Lilac-sama may indeed be a scoundrel. But I can't stand it when people deny him just because of his wickedness. That's what ...... you're saying. It's the only thing I can be proud of, being a pimp after all.

　The fireworks go off.

　I'm not sure what to make of it.

You're one of them, aren't you? "King Gilbert the healer, King Gilbert the king. --And that man when he was a prince. I love them all, and that's why I'm doing this.

　I'm not sure what to say.
　I don't know what to say.

　But that means...

I'm sure you'll be able to understand why I didn't see Lilac that way.
"d*mn ......!

　Now I know.

　I realized my true fault.

　And most of all she knew that this man... The reason why she only has this man.

"...... is a life of regret.

　She holds up the estock.
　The heart that is on the verge of breaking almost sticks its own neck.



　But it's an abdication of responsibility for everything you've started.

　"The wicked man has a worthy knight at his side.

　Then the king should have a wholehearted ally at least until the end.



"Take it.



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

　Stabbing swords like the Konzesh and Estoc are easily broken.
　That's why their wielders usually carry two when they go out like this.

　--Just as Lilac had done the first time she had fought in King's Landing.

Why?
You're powerful enough as it is. You may not stand a chance anyway. And yet...

　If there's only one thing he's proud of.

"If I were to face someone who felt the same way. --I can't go through the Hades with my heart on my sleeve without overcoming that.
"...... Okay.


　That was the moment I was about to extend my hand.



It's not necessary.



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

"Sir, down.
I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's worth it.　...... Hmm?　What?　Since when?
Just now!　That's right, because you're going to take it!
"Oh, really?


　Her expression was obscured by the backlighting of the fireworks.

　But you can still hold that pierced contessa.

　Estok and Kontse are the same stabbing sword.
　And above all, they use the same court swordsmanship, if not their own style.

Why do you want to use your own sword?
"I want you to use ............. For you, now.
"...... I understand.

　What kind of feelings does she have for her sword?
　Futa doesn't know that now.

　But I do know one thing.

　It's the will of the man standing in front.


　As the fireworks go off, the final battle begins.



Copycat:Viciedo=......



"What?

　The golden eyes widen as the man takes an imposing court sword stance.

　It's not that he's been taken advantage of or anything. It wasn't such a cowardly thing.

　It's because I've read the trajectory of his training.



　A memorable lack of talent.






You're ...... "unemployed."


I'll be d*mned.





　You're unemployed." "Of course, you're going to find out." Of course, Futa wasn't the only one shocked by this.