It's been a while since the night of the fireworks.

　In spite of all the fuss, there was no sign of any change in Futa's surroundings.

　After a night, another night.
　Even after a period of a few days, there is little that has changed before and after the fireworks.

Meido......, so what happened?
I'm not sure, but that's about all I know.

　I'm not sure if you've seen this before, but I'm sure you've.

　How it happened.
　There is not a lot of information that Futa knows.
　There was Gracial, who had rushed to the scene, and Viciedo, who was about to attack from the west.
　--As for Viciedo and Lilac, it was probably not something he wanted to talk about.

　I heard later that Izuna was on a rampage on the other side to the east, but that's about it.

　His activities, which I have only heard about, are too vague to be told to the girl in front of me.

"But what I'm trying to say is...
"Huh?

　I jumped up from the couch I was leaning against.
　He turned his head to look at the two tassels of gold swaying in the air.

I'm glad you're feeling better, .......
"............ Mana!

　He put his hands on his hips and smiled confidently for some reason.

　I think it's safe to say that Corona's condition is no longer a cause for concern.
　She didn't even sneeze anymore.

　Although she complains of aches and pains all over her body, perhaps dulled by her long sleep.

　Still, there was the Corona that Futa knew so well.

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

　I didn't know her.

　I mean...

"Corona.
"Hmm?

　When I looked into her eyes, I could see no trace of malice in her gentle jade eyes.
　If such an innocent and gentle girl has any malicious intentions in the future...
　I vow to protect her from all of it with my own body.

　And...

"The price of recording.
I will find a way to...
We'll find a way to make it work.
"...... Oh.

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

　You can find a lot of people who have been in the business for a long time.
　Her natural upward glance is like that of a child who has misbehaved.

"What if you can't find it?

　This question is probably the very reason why she didn't reveal her situation to Futa.

"What, you know there's no way to fix it?
"Hmmm. No, not really.

　I didn't even look into it in the first place.
　You pay for what you do. It was so obvious that I didn't even think about it. So maybe there's something in this world that can help me get out of my situation. Or maybe not. I don't know.

　But let's just say that I don't know and there's nothing I can do about it.
　Think of what the young man in front of you will think. I think it would have been better not to know in the first place.

"In moderation.
"You're a stranger.

　He smiled bitterly.
　Futa never blames Korona for what happened.
　He's probably thinking, "I don't want to tie people up because of me," or something like that.

　If saying "I don't want to die" will only make her suffer.

You told me you didn't want to die.
"......
So I'm going to try.
".......

　I'm going to do my best." Futa laughs at Korona, who moans with her eyes battened.
　He said he would only do his best if he was forced to.

You can't just leave this maid to Futa-sama, then. ......
Yeah. Please do.

　I'm not sure what to make of it, but I think it's a good idea.

And then... I'm not sure what to do.
The first mage?　But today...
Yeah.

　Nodded.

　Today is the day of the trial.
















　--King's Landing Council. Court.



　Surrounded by the country's heavyweights, a young man was confined to a small birdcage.

　Forced into a place unsuitable for a "nobleman" because of the danger of being able to handle magic, he stood there with his eyes downcast as if he had given up.

"The accused, Gracile G. Gringott.

　Gracial nodded at the voice of the elderly man who was presiding over the trial.

　I've screwed up.
　If I screwed up, I was prepared for this to happen.

　The fate that was set in stone when I was captured by the princess.

　--He was on trial for treason, a crime far greater than that of Conrad, who had kidnapped and humiliated the people.

　A number of familiar faces were sitting in the audience.

　The king with a sad, downcast look on his face, and the princess next to him with a downcast look on her face.
　In addition to the many "nobles," Graciel raised the corner of his mouth involuntarily.

　What a face, he thought.

　Disappointment and frustration, perhaps. Graciel sighs at the man with such a look on his face. I'm the one who should be making that face, not you.

"You incited the terrorist organization known as the Volunteer Corps, and helped cover up their crimes. It's no different.
.......
He's blown up a lot of noble houses. The bombing of numerous nobleman's mansions... and extensive damage to the Chamber of Commerce and other important parts of the country.

　I nodded as the charges were read out loud.
　Many of them were surprised to hear it for the first time.
　In the end, this country will end up being played by a wicked man.

　I let out a sigh, wondering if I was one of those who were played.

"The Klingbloom villa. The Wolcott villa.


　The names of several places that had been blown up were listed.
　Gracial, who had been listening in silence, looked up as if he had been hit.

"-Corcesca Chamber of Commerce headquarters. Westbrook Annexe. Audrot Chamber of Commerce Headquarters.
"What the...?


　I don't know.

　I didn't tell them where to go.

　Kolsethka Trading Company. Westbrook family. Audrot Chamber of Commerce.

　They're more like bystanders. We're almost at the point where we can bring them in-- yes.

　If anything, they're the king's political enemies!

　She looked at the princess in the audience.



　The corners of the princess's mouth lifted.


　Gracilar didn't miss that moment.




"Since when?
"Accused Gracile. What is it?
"Since when!

　He slammed the cage down and barked.

When did the rat get in here?　Since ...... when!

　By the time you realize your plan is falling apart, it's already over, she said.

　Oh yeah, that's true. By the time you realize it's over, it's over.
　--But who'd have thought that she'd been used to get rid of someone who got in her way?

　No wonder.

It's no wonder the ...... commoners don't know anything about it!

　Who was controlling the information?

　Who was controlling the information, desperately trying to control the situation, keeping the commoners in the dark for the sake of the spectacle?

　That's what it looked like behind the scenes.

　Not only did they already have their tails between their legs, they were using the commotion to their advantage.

Quiet!
"Shut up!　Hahaha, f*ck ......!　How dare you, wicked man!　I've been ...... with you since the beginning!　We're in the palm of your hand!
"Silence!

　"Silence!" The chamber buzzed.
　"This is the work of a wicked man. I don't think the accused is lying when he says that.

　But...

　But...

Father.
"It's all right, Lilac.

　The king nodded to his daughter, who looked up with a sad expression on her face.

"As always. Whenever a criminal gets in over his head, why does he always try to blame it on his daughter?
Haha. ...... f*ck you. It's not my daughter's fault. Haha.

　He smiled dryly.


　That's true. I've seen it many times in court.

　Conrad Eastwood is a good example, but there were many others at the trial who cursed the schemers.

　Some shouted that they were being framed.
　Some shouted that they were being set up. Some shouted that it was the wicked man's fault.

　Gracile thought to himself, "Well, that certainly makes me want to yell at him.

　If you've been taken advantage of so brilliantly, you can't help but be desperate.

　In any case, he is guilty of death.

　Then, Gracile resolves.

"My daughter's fault, huh?
"Don't waste your breath, accused...
Certainly. Sure, sure. I took this action because I think it's your daughter's fault.
What?

　This is the first time I've ever said "you" to the king, of course.
　He left the snickering Gilbert to face the dumbfounded chamber, where he continued.

　It was ironic, Gracial thought.

　Even though Gilbert was mortified, Gracial was allowed to speak.
　After all, the princess next to him was quietly waiting for him to speak.

But you're right. I've never done anything for the princess. "But you're right, I've never been good to her. I'm a scoundrel who's ruining the country, that's true.

　No matter how much you've served the royal family.
　I didn't serve the princess.

　Then when that princess says she's going to destroy the country, there's nothing the nobles can do to stop her.

　After all...

"Three great families" is about as good as it gets, man. For the sake of the country, for the sake of your territory, for the sake of your ...... family. I've tried my best, but I'm in this mess. Why do you think that is?　It's not that I wasn't good enough.
What are you talking about?　Mr. President, this man...
Father.

　The king tried to stop him, but Lilac stopped him.
　Oh, it's really funny to watch.

　After all, this country already belongs to the Wicked One.

　The country our ancestors served is nowhere to be found.

"That's because, King Gilbert. Because we were powerless.
What ......?
......

　Isn't that right?　I glanced at the princess.
　She's got a cool, self-measuring look in her eyes.

　Gracial is a finished person.
　You can say what you like.
　All that's left is to hope that the successor to rule his domain is a better kind of noble.

　That's why I'm so desperate.

It's over, man. --Chancellor. Call it what you will.

　What's over?
　I don't know how many people here understand what he's saying.

　But it doesn't matter anymore.

　With a sigh of resignation, Gracial waited for the vote.



　The Gringotts would be ordered to pay massive reparations and give up their lands.
　And Gracile himself, of course, was condemned to death.














　--A dungeon.

　Gracial, now awaiting his own death, lies in the middle of the dungeon staring at the ceiling.

　The life of a nobleman was not uncomfortable.
　In fact, he felt that he deserved to be a nobleman.

　That's why I felt so awful being locked up in this prison, and I sighed and wished that I would be executed or something.

　So.
　When I heard the sound of someone coming down the stone stairs, I knew it was time to get up, and when I saw the torch-lit face of the guide, I raised my eyebrows, wondering what the joke was.

...... Have you come to laugh?
"Well, I don't know.

　I'm not sure." Graciel sniffs irritably at the girl who tilts her head.

　But the next moment.

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

"Ow! ......!　Hey!　That's the worst hygiene I've ever seen!　Kill it already!
"Worst hygiene," he said. That's a funny thing to say.
Oh!
You're the one who reminded me to clean.
...... Shit. b*tc*.


You don't even respect me anymore.
It's a little late for that.

　I looked around busily, hoping to catch a rat or two on my clothes.

So, what do you want? Have you been sentenced to death?
You seem quite calm for a man of your age.
Of course I am. I gave up when you caught me. I'll keep trying until it's decided, but once it's decided, it's the nobleman's custom to come clean.
"Yes, sir.

　I'm not sure where to begin.

　It's not the kind of thing you can talk about over a cup of tea.

Did you find out who set you up?
"...... Well, yeah. It's the same with Viciedo. It was a trap from the moment he was recruited. I mean, what the hell. You act like you don't know what you're talking about.
I'm telling you, sir. "It's not me."
"...... What the hell? Are you on your own?
Come on. I'm going to listen very carefully to what you have to say. ...... Well, I'm not on your side.
........................
What I'm suggesting isn't that difficult.
What?

　I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do that.

　At the same time - the sound of footsteps coming down the stairs.

I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not. You can be sure that no one will find out about it.
"......, no way.
Yeah, well. I don't have any loving siblings, so I don't know how you feel.
But...
I don't know how you feel about that, because I don't have any loving siblings.

　Why don't you go see them one last time?

　Yes, before Lilac stepped back.

"............ Brother?

　A girl appeared in front of him.