--a few months ago.

"The winner, Futa Pomodoro!

　A spectacle of cheers erupted.
　In the middle of the fighting tournament, Viciedo saw for the first time a young man named Futa.

　When he finally returned from the neighboring country a short while ago, he found that the royal capital had changed a lot.
　He wondered where in the country there was enough money to build such a structure.
　According to what I heard, it was built with money from the Imperial State and the budget that was supposed to be used for military purposes.

　In fact, the show was a huge success every day.
　As he watched the tournament, he was struck by the sight of a young girl who was enjoying the show and who reminded him of Lilac when he was a child.

　The atmosphere around Viciedo was gloomy.

　At first, he wondered if everyone felt the same way he did.
　There was a war. He had lost many friends to the sword.
　I'm proud to be a knight of the king. But that doesn't mean I ever wished for my predecessor or the knight before him to die. I never asked them to take their place.

　Good predecessors, people to cross.
　All those who thought so were scattered for the sake of the king, for the sake of the prince.
　Now, after such a difficult time.

　The current situation, where swords are being used as a spectacle in the capital, is still not a welcome one.

　But it seems that this is not the case.

"......, where did I go wrong in the first place?

　There was the Lord, smiling weakly.

　I don't think there's a trace of him.
　After the fall of the last king, he became more and more tired.
　It's been a long time since the day he first gave me bread.

　He unexpectedly assumed the position of king.
　"There was no one left of the royal family to support him as a healer.
　The marriage was a political ploy. I'm told it had an unwanted ending on more than one occasion.

　Many, many things went wrong for him.

　And the economy is in the tank.
　To be honest, some things were out of his control.
　More natural disasters. More people rioting.
　There were times when the nobles didn't handle things well.
　--All of which distressed and troubled the king.

　There was nothing he could do about it.
　It was not often that Viciedo thought that his final conclusions about politics were wrong.
　But in a field where speed is more important than the merits of the conclusion, King Gilbert was very weak.

　If the situation worsened slowly, the blame would spread to the king's administration.

I'll help you.

　He smiled at his fifteen-year-old daughter.
　Viciedo could say nothing, and the king gladly took his daughter's hand.

　The result. The politics of King's Landing, which she had said she would help with, was already in her hands.

　--Unbeknownst to Viciedo. The princess introduced herself as "the one in charge of the city's politics" when she invited a young man named Futa. At that point, Gilbert's outer moat may have been completely filled in.

　Because she said that King Gilbert was running a good government. Gilbert never doubted that she was a "good retainer.
　It must be his fault, Viciedo thought.


　It was probably because of this that he had been forced to nod in agreement to the warlords' proposal.

　He couldn't deny Lilac outwardly.
　But if he accepted the offer from the Legislature, he might be able to regain control of the kingdom with the power of the king.

　It was a great opportunity and...
　It was a great opportunity, and perhaps his last chance, Viciedo thought.
　If that was the case with Viciedo, then surely the warlords and the king himself would have felt a strong sense of urgency. Although they were of different types, they all felt that the situation was not good.

　And Viciedo knew the result.
　Viciedo learned this when he returned home after a reconnaissance in a neighboring country.

　The arena was filled with excitement. The tournament was hosted by Her Royal Highness.


"Where did I go wrong in the first place?


　I don't know how to describe how Viciedo felt at that moment.

　I made a mistake, he said.
　I don't know what I did wrong. I don't know what I did wrong, but I know that I did something wrong.
　And when the right person gives you the answer.
　That day will be the day of the end.

　The kind prince who once gave Viciedo bread...
　He's grown so weak.

　Power is mostly fiction. His support in the castle has dwindled from what Viciedo knew a year ago.

　His last chance is over.

　The last chance was over, and his frustration must have been perceived.
　Now, Viciedo thinks.


"Well, what can I do for you, knight of the king?
You're the leader of .............














　--Outside the arena spectacle. West.



Kill me once and for all. In battle, defeat is death. So be it.

　With the sword at his throat, Viciedo closed his eyes.

　The tip of the blade still felt in the darkness.
　The sound of fireworks in his ears never interfered with this final moment.
　Rather, it is comforting, Viciedo exhales.

　My life has been full of regrets.

　In the end, he was brought to his knees by a young man who hadn't lived half as long as he had, who told him the obvious.
　How shameful. I'll take the king's brand of knighthood for granted.

...... This is the sword that Master Lilac entrusted to me.

　I'm not sure what to do. It's a long sword, but it's not shaky at all.

I don't put any personal feelings into a hero's sword. It's the same. I won't do anything with the princess's sword that she doesn't want me to do.

　I muttered and glanced at her.
　She was just staring.
　The end of Futa and Viciedo.

"Mister Futa.
You said it. You said defeat was the same as death. I don't think so. If I did, I'd be one hell of a butcher.

　Is that a dare? The light-heartedness of his words reached Viciedo, who kept his eyes closed. Huta, clumsily trying to soften the mood, said, "I'm just trying to tell the winners and losers.

I just think there are winners and losers. I think there are only winners and losers, and I think winners are allowed to say a few things to losers. Maybe it's the difference in the way we've lived.

　"I don't like sword fighting," Viciedo said.
　He may not like war, but he still doesn't want to turn it into an entertainment.

　But for Huta, fighting is all about the sword.

"...... Do you have anything to say to Master Lilac?
"You tried to harm me, and now you're telling me. An apology would be an insult no matter what you said.
I don't think so. I don't think so. ...... You have regrets, too.

　He told me his life was full of regrets.

　So...

So do I. I've had a life full of regrets. Maybe not as much as Mr. Viciedo.

　I wish I could have been with him till the end.
　I wish I could have been with you till the end.

　--Why did you get involved in the charade?


But... I think I'll .......

　Stars in the sky. The earth is full of flowers. And...

I'm sorry. I'm not gonna do it again. I don't know if they'll forgive me. But I'm really sorry for what I did. If there's someone in front of you who can say that, ...... I'd apologize.

　The person I really want to apologize to is no longer in this world.

　But I think you do.

"Futa-dono.

　I'm sure Viciedo sensed something in those words.
　Perhaps it was his past. That there was someone he would never see again.

　When he opened his eyes, he saw Futa shaking his head loosely. And the girl standing in front of him pointing.

"............ Your Highness.

　Biting his lip, Viciedo.
　Lilac let out a small sigh and took a step forward. Then another step. Then another, and another, and another.
　He walks up to Futa, one step behind him.

"Futa. I...
"What's the point of leaving the sword in my hands? I know why you left the sword in my hands and why you let me go ahead of you. I kind of know. Lilac said you didn't want to see Viciedo too much.
"......
You're right, it's easy to kill him here. It's easier to kill him right here, so we can move on. I'm not denying that. But, Lilac. ...... I think I can do something different.



　I let the contessa down.

　In front of the kneeling Viciedo.
　Huta returns his sword to Lilac.

　As he wiped his eyes, Lilac muttered.

"Cry to yourself. You think you can talk about me like I'm your own. It's really selfish of you to pretend to speak for me.
I know. But ...... can't be wrong. I'll do whatever I can to help you, Lilac. ...... It's okay.

　Smiling, Huta took a step back.

　Viciedo was still holding onto Estoc, though he had let him down.
　She blinked, not expecting Futa to retreat in front of Lilac.

　He smiled softly and said.
　It's okay. And then.

"I'll be right behind you.
"............, you are.

　I really can't help it.

　Lilac faced Viciedo once again.

　The raggedy knight in shining armor locked eyes with the girl under the starry sky, his eyes slowly wetting.

"Your Highness! ............

　The girl's eyes were wet.
　What did Lilac think when she was confronted by that feeling?
　But first of all, the biggest thing was confusion.

There is a person right in front of you that you hate so much you want to kill them. Is that estoc just for decoration?
"......

　Yes, Viciedo thought.
　It's not something you can think about when you're thinking about harming someone.
　But now she had come to think that she deserved it, that she deserved to be killed.

　Viciedo gently pulled Estoc out of the ground.
　Lilac's right hand twitched, but she wrapped it gently behind her - her right hand feeling the wound.

　It felt like he was telling her it was okay.

　Viciedo gently raised Estoc in a single stroke with both hands, like a knight receiving a sword.

　He snapped it away.

"...... you.
I know it's pointless to say that I have no intention of harming you. This is how I deserve to be treated for my actions.
"......
"Your Highness, I was only trying to help the king that day.
I know that. That's why I took advantage of you.
"...... Huh. So it was as you thought. Of course you were.
"......

　He nodded. He seemed to be pleased that he had identified the "wicked man". But why? I'm not sure why, but the hand that clutches Estock is slowly soaking in blood.
　Why, his intense, resentful feelings?

"But I still want your only daughter. "Still, I should have faced her as a nine-year-old girl, not as a scoundrel.
"Except .......
No. At least, at least, if I was with you. If only I had been with you, you wouldn't have had to go through all that pain.
"Is that all you have to say?

　Lilac's eyes narrowed softly.

　I'm sure what Futa said is true.
　Maybe I was lonely. When I was a child, I had no one on my side.
　But what does that matter?

　Lilac gave him a cold stare, and Viciedo shook his head.

"Yes. So, in the end. Please punish this great sinner who left the deepest scars on your childhood as he deserves.
"......

　He quietly bows his head.

　I wonder what the name of the feeling Lilac has is.

　Maybe I've been hurt. Maybe it's because I'm still reeling from it, and I wish I could have died on my own, like Futa said.

　Punish him accordingly.

　The fact that I wanted to give him the most painful order when he said that is certainly a sign of hatred.

...... You're handing me the initiative so easily. Do you understand that?　Do you know who's in front of you?
Yes. ...... Her Royal Highness Lilac, daughter of King Gilbert.


"Yes, sir.

　You said that instead of saying "wicked." I admire your will.
　But... it's too late to stop the churning in my gut.

　It's too late. It really is too late.
　Lilac tells him, "So you're just going to apologize and feel better about yourself?

"Then. I'm going to punish you. "The contract."

　A strong presence fills the air around you.

　It's a painful covenant curse exercised by 'heroes', 'wicked men', and their associated 'professions'.

"I will punish you worse than death. If you want to escape or kill yourself, now is the time!
"I've done so much. I was going to die. If it's worse than death, I'd prefer it. For you and for your highness. I can't even face you without punishment.
"...... Really, it's too late. I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.

　And so the spell is cast.

If I commanded it, it would be cayenne motte maze.

　I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's worth it.
　You'll be able to find a lot more than just a few.
　It's a great way to make sure you're getting the most out of your time.

　Oh, you're driving me crazy.
　I'm annoyed with myself, wondering why I'm getting so frustrated with this man in front of me.

　It's as if he's telling me that I missed him.

"Kill the king with your own hands.

　Now show me your painful side.
　The contract and the price are exactly the same. It's a curse that will kill Gilbert anyway.
　But Viciedo will take it.

"............ Lilac, Your Highness. Are you sure about this?
I'm not sure what you mean by that.　It's the most important thing in your life!　I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one who has a problem with this.
"No.

　He shook his head loosely.

If I have to accept a contract of that magnitude to atone for my sins.
"......

　The gentle expression on his face was...


"Your Highness. What were you doing here today?


　--"

"............

　I'm not sure.
　The excessive magical element that I released for that "contract" settled on her.

　We're still unconnected.

　I don't even know what she's thinking.

"Sir, down?

　I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not.

"............ is to resign as a knight and fall into the field. The main culprit this time is not going to let you escape from the royal castle.
"...... Your Highness!

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

"Never again.

　"Never again," she mutters, looking up at the sky.

Never again," she murmured, looking up at the sky, "don't let me see that face.

　And with that, she took a step forward.

"Mr. Viciedo?

　I'll see you again soon.

I'll see you soon. I want you to live.

　--Sin is sin.

　What she once did left a big scar on the girl.
　But she won't admit it.
　What you see before you now is a mere sinner who wreaked havoc on the world despite her position as a knight.

　If you look at it this way.

　It's as if he's just been forgiven.


　Where he was left alone, realizing his fate, Viciedo fell apart.

　Under the flowers in the sky, he cried aloud.

　Even his voice was drowned out by the sound of fireworks.










　He was walking in a clearing a short distance from the cemetery.

Shall we have a nice cup of tea when we get back?
"......
I've heard that herbal tea is good.　I've heard that herbal tea is good. You say you prefer herbal tea. Well, I'm sure Corona will be able to provide you with anything you need.


"......
Oh, or... Would you like to go see Pasta's concert now?　I'm sure he'll make a big face when I tell him Lilac and I went. Great face. Wouldn't you like to see that?
"......

　Oh, and by the way.

Fireworks are so beautiful.
............ can't see them.
I know.

　I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not.

　A girl who couldn't help but stop and sneeze as she tried to leave the scene.

　He knew from the warmth of her face that his beloved girl was burying her face in his chest, crying uncommonly.

The other day I heard from Prim that there is also a green tea. Izuna said she liked green tea. Richter-san likes white tea.
"......
Yes, yes, I understand. I'll tell Corona that, too. Kuro tea is good.
Tea.
Yes, yes, I know. Mr. Lilac likes tea.
...... You idiot.
I didn't mean to be rude.