--His rough breathing echoed in the alley.

　Interwoven with the sound of fast-paced shoes, a concerto of frustration cast a shadow over the dark alley.

"Shit, shit, shit!　Why don't you just go to ......!!!

　The swearing she spat out was indicative of her critical situation.

　How could this have happened?
　Wrong story. The future is different. It's not the ideal I had in mind.

　But there's still a chance.
　That's why I threw so much money into the bag I was carrying.

　I can't stay in King's Landing anymore. But there's a second chance if you just go away for a while. She thought that a man who had once been promoted to the royal castle would have many leads.

　The main street was a nest of guards. The only way to get out of the city was to weave through these alleys. Her lack of geographical knowledge had been her downfall, but she had managed to keep her sense of direction.

　He was originally being hunted. It was just the thing to give them something to chase.

　By the way.

　What kind of person would be targeted in a back alley like this?

　One. Well-dressed people. People who don't know how to get around in these places.
　One. People who look weak. It is risky to lump women and children together, but appearance and fighting spirit are directly related to the rate of encounters. Unless you dare to hide your fighting spirit and are willing to go through rough times, you should walk around showing your full potential.

　And one more thing. A person in a hurry. There's no end in sight. I'm in a hurry. Something's wrong.
　People like that are less risky. Because they have no visible backing. If a person who seems powerless has room to maneuver, he invariably has power other than brute force. It could be financial strength or power.

　A person in a hurry does not have that. Inevitably, it is hard to do wrong if you attack.

　What was tragic for her was that she did not understand how blessed her life was.
　What she thought was a hard and painful life was just boredom and self-doubt. What he thought was a hard life was just tiredness and self-doubt. He thought he could do better and was struggling with the reality that he could not.

　Because you don't know the real bottom line, you don't understand how to get around in these places.

　A well-dressed, impatient woman with little fight in her.

　They're just fodder for all the people who live in the back alleys.



　But...


　Strangely enough, no one from the slum was there to attack her.

　She took it for granted, without thinking of it as luck or bad luck, but perhaps that's why she ended up with her own ignorance.



"How do you do? It's a nice night.



　Just as I was approaching a T-junction. A woman appeared blocking the way.

　A woman with beautiful blond hair, but a shadow on her face.
　Starlight in the darkness of the night. In front of the woman, the impatient woman shouted in frustration.

"Get out of my way!　Get out of my way, you scum of society!
"...... huh?

　The blonde girl looks bored as she hugs her bag and shouts at her.
　The blonde girl looks bored as she hugs her bag and shouts at her, tossing her head lightly to the side and letting her bones rattle.

A woman without a trace of grace. A woman without a trace of grace, who has lived her life in style. It's silly. You don't know the world up from down, so you think you do.
What?　What are you messing around with-- Oh, no.

　She yells, hugging her bag.

You can't have this!　You can't just try to take it away from me!

　I could force my way through the blonde, or I could turn on my heel and follow a different path. She turned her back on the girl, wondering which would be better.
　She hadn't even suspected the eerily unpopular alleyway, and it would have been quicker to go back down the empty alleyway.

　Then she turned away and realized.

"Huh. Is there anything valuable in there?
Well, you didn't listen. You gotta do what I say.
"Well, Mr. Aylin's a bad man.

　Come on, come on. Several men and women in a narrow alley.
　All dressed well for a slum.


　She didn't know how they got those clothes, or how they kept their bodies so fit and toned.

　But there were some things she did know.

"Aylan, ......?
"That's a shame, gentlemen. That money.

　The girl, Aylin, points to the woman's bag and says.

"It's my rightful reward.
"Oh, really? I knew she was coming to kill me with a reward, but she's an idiot.

　I knew she'd come to kill me with a reward, but she's such an idiot." A vulgar laugh echoed through the alley.

But...

　Shaking her head loosely, the girl continued.
　The well-dressed slumlords reacted to her every move. They are so well organized that one can tell by looking at them.

It's not like we're hurting for money. I'll take the bare minimum and go home, then you can do as you please.
Whoo!
You're the man!
I love you!

　Even with their compliments, the girl's bored expression did not change.
　What was left behind was a woman who was surrounded by rave reviews.

You're supposed to be on my side!　You're supposed to be on my side!

　She'd heard of Arawn. She must've remembered.
　She had overheard that he was a skilled warrior who had helped them in their plans. She hadn't done any research, but it was enough for her to hear that he was an ally.
　She didn't know that her shallowness would further strangle her.

Allies?
Yes!　The same one that's trying to get rid of the wicked man.
Oh, you're not... You think you're playing a black and white board game?
What?
I don't care. ...... Unfortunately, the world isn't as simple as you think.

　One step. Another step.
　Arawn closes the distance.

"What, don't-- don't come!　What are you trying to do?
I don't like it either. I'm not in the mood for this nonsense.
"Then someone is telling you what to do!　Here, here!

　Aylin looks coldly at the woman who holds out the bag.

I'll give you this as a reward.　I'm sure you'll agree.
"...... for just this much money?
"What?　That's five million gold!　That's a lot of money for people who live in a place like this!
You're such a boring person. --Oh, those pigs.
"What?

　I grabbed him by the head. He grabbed her by the skull and lifted her up into the air, bringing her to her full height.

"These pigs are the 'nobility' I know."
I'm a ...... healer, so ...... hurt ...... let me go .......
"Healer. ......"

　What Aylin was thinking when he muttered that.
　The woman will never know.

"Well, good. Goodbye.
Wait.
It's a contract to dispose of the designated trash in exchange for the right to this place. Oh, if you can come up with a better deal than that, I'll let you off.
"Contract.

　"Contract."
　Her expression turned sad as she heard that.
　It's not hard to imagine who she made the contract with. I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure you'll be able to figure it out.

"You... Kanyu...

"Mad Eater.

"Aaahhhhhh!

　A dying cry echoed in the alley.


"--put it away. You can do whatever you want with the gold and ...... the parts that are safe.
"Hey, Mr. Aylin. ...... Got any money of your own?
No, thank you.

　Aylin wipes his hands lightly and turns his back to the alley.
　He doesn't even bother to say goodbye to the residents of the alleyway, who are delighted with the untouched gold.



　I looked up at the starry sky and muttered.

"Oh, it's really boring.















　--Arena Spectacula, upper level.

　A gust of wind blew.
　It was not the heat of sword fights or the hard scent of cobblestones that tickled my nose, but the vague warmth of a gentle summer night.

　At this time, when the show is no longer open to the public, there is a young man at the back of the auditorium with his hands on the backrest, watching the stage.

You look very depressed.
...... Haha, you know what I mean?
Yeah. And he doesn't seem to want to talk to the chairman, or even Pasta.
"Barebones.

　If you look at the stage, on the cobblestones, where all the decorations and equipment are gone, there are two little girls moving this way and that.
　I couldn't hear their voices, but I could tell that they were struggling slightly.

　There was the familiar red-haired girl, and then there was a child with lovely azalea-colored hair.

　Perhaps she had sensed Futa's condition and sent for him.

　Frankly, I was grateful.

　It was not something I wanted to talk about with her, or even with my beloved princess or my precious maid.
　I couldn't talk about it with anyone.

Me.

　He smiled softly and stood next to Futa, a great man of advanced years.
　He stroked his chin and gazed at his beloved daughter, and Futa muttered.

"I fought the king's knight. He was strong. It's not about your skill, it's about your feelings. It's not about your skill, it's about your spirit, your determination to do your best for the people you care about.　That kind of thing.
"...... I see. I think I understand the feeling, if not the respect.
Yeah, I'm sure Mr. Wind understands.

　After all, he went through hell for his daughter.
　Maybe he was the best person to talk to about Futa.

I won. And that guy, ...... well, a lot of things happened, and he quit being the king's knight.

　He tried to harm the princess.
　He was almost exiled. I don't feel like talking about it.
　I couldn't bring myself to tell her all that.
　I didn't think it was necessary, and I somehow didn't want to insult him.

　Futa continued with his eyes narrowed and his cheek resting on the back of his head.

I don't know. I think it's great that you were willing to go to such great lengths for the sake of someone you care about. I also understand that you don't care about justice. I don't deny that person.
"...... Hmm. I don't deny the guy." " Hmm. That sounds like you've got it all figured out.
Oh, ......, that's as good as it gets.

　He exhaled.
　It's a good thing that I'm not the only one who has a problem with this," he said, looking up at the starry sky through the spectacle and stretching to get the lead out of his chest.
　Of course, if it would make him feel better, he wouldn't have bothered in the first place.

　But the sighs and the sluggishness in my body, I can't keep breathing unless I do that.

"I met with the king. I promised to talk to him once. But since the king's knight had just disappeared with his crimes and his majesty was depressed, I had to be very careful because I'm not very good at talking.

　But," he said, "it's a moving mouth.
　Wind sensed it somehow.
　This is where his worries come in.

"I'm sorry about Viciedo.
"......

　Scratching his head, Huta tried hard to find the words.

I wonder what he'll say. He seemed genuinely sad. The reason for Mr. Viciedo's disappearance was not an embellishment. There's nothing wrong with you. I just felt ...... empty.
"Bottom line.

　Wind thought for a moment.
　"So that's it?

"That's all you're saying?"
"...... Oh.

　His eyes no longer reflected even the starry sky.
　I'm not sure what to say, but I'm going to say it.

I'm not looking for anything in return. If Lilac-sama suffers as a result of my devotion, I want you to cut me down. That feeling probably hasn't changed. But I wonder what ...... I'm doing. It's not that I want you to avenge Mr. Viciedo. But ......

　It's hard to put into words what's bothering me.

"It's not that I want you to believe me. It's not that I wanted you to believe me, or that I wanted you to say, 'Viciedo would never do such a thing. I wasn't frustrated or annoyed. I just ...... wondered what Viciedo's efforts ...... were all about.


Is it a difference of opinion?
"............ Yes, but...

　I'm not sure if Gilbert's feelings were as strong as Viciedo's, but I'm sure they were.

　But that's ego.

　If he replaced himself with Lilac, he would be asking for something in return.
　He shook his head, "That's not what I meant.

　--So what is it? He was having trouble answering.

I don't know much about King Gilbert. I can't say for sure.

　Stroking his chin, Wind muttered.

I'm sure that Huta-dono did not feel that Viciedo-dono's efforts were in vain.
"...... So what do you think it is?
I think it's the fact that nothing has changed.
Nothing has changed.

　-Because Viciedo fought so hard.
　Just because he was exiled, the castle, or at least the king, was unchanged.

　Oh, yes, indeed.
　If you ask me, nothing's changed.

　At least something should have changed for King Gilbert.
　The knight could see the "grim situation".
　He saw the struggle to deal with it, and felt empty because nothing had changed.

　There is no need to respond to Viciedo. You don't have to admire or believe in Viciedo's efforts. Maybe he just wanted something to change.

　It's not that Gilbert was at fault in any way.

　No, but...

I don't know what I would've done.
"I didn't see it happen. It's hard to say.
Mr. Wind?

　A light thump on the backrest.
　His fingers rippled and his fingernails made a rasping sound.

　You'll see that he has a very grim expression on his face.

If anything, it seems to me that the knight Viciedo is at fault.
"What?
I'm not sure if that's a surprise.　Then you should keep that in mind.
Mr. Wind, ......?

　It was a little annoying to hear someone speak so ill of Viciedo.
　But before I could blame him, I was overwhelmed by Wind's piercing eyes.
　Partly because it was unexpected. Partly because I wasn't prepared for it.

　But more than that. It was because he was looking at Futa, not at Viciedo.

"If you want to do something for someone, you have to do it. If you really want to do something for someone... Why be selfish?
Selfishness ...... is...
You do what you don't want to do and you fail. He's just left with one less person in his life and...

　I'm sure.

"Why didn't he tell me?
"......
I'm sure there are circumstances. For example, he's being deceived. Is there a reason why he won't listen to his own words? ...... Still, if you want to help someone, don't leave them alone.
"...... alone.
This is the ramblings of a man who nearly died and made his daughter cry. Ha-ha-ha.
Mr. Wind. ......
It's just... If you are thinking of the princess, you must remember. I'm sure you've heard of it.

　--I'm not sure if I'll be able to do it.

　There have been many times when I have acted for Lilac.
　But had there ever been a time when they had crossed paths?

　What she asked of me and what I did were not the same.
　And did it ever make her cry?

　It wasn't a big deal.
　But how do you know it won't happen again?

I am.
You're just the beginning, Futa. --You still have a precious Lord alive.
"Ah.

　Wind smiles at you.
　The Lord he loved so dearly passed away, leaving behind his daughter.

　With his last words, he took her away.
　And now.


I knew it was wrong. ！！！！！


I've always told you not to think with your feelings. ！！！！
"This is the only time I see you, Beato. ！！！！
I'm always like that in front of you. ！！！！
Not just in front of Ruri. ！！！！
You've gotten so selfish in the last few months. ！！！！
Maybe it's because your strict sister Beato is gone!
Yuck.
"Instead, the weirdest thing is, 'It's Pasta-chan! ...... Pfft!
Pfft!


　-- "I'm still giving her what she wants.

If you love the Lord, you must sometimes support him, sometimes protect him, sometimes correct him.
If you love the Lord, you must support him, protect him, and correct him.
If Futa doesn't have it, no one does. And if the Lord dies as a result, who will be responsible?
"...... So...
If you think it's your fault, that's good enough for me.

　Now," said Wind, tapping his back once, he left Huta's side and walked forward.

　The two of them are struggling with something.

The first thing you need to do is tell him how you feel.
"Yes!
Yes! I hope I've done my part as an older man.

　With a final smile, he went to pick them up.

　Futa took a breath and steeled himself.
　There were no more worries.












　--That night. The royal castle, the princess's office.

　Lilac was enjoying a cup of tea alone in this always dimly lit room.
　Corona, who made the tea, had already left the room for work, and the quiet tea time was inviolable.

　The recent commotion had already been cleaned up.
　Can't we try something interesting for the next sword fighting tournament? How can we cross the Colosseum?
　I'm considering these things with Pasta.

　I think it's time to start thinking of my own name.

　Also, I've got a card called Mirabelle, and Hura has been kind enough to lend it to me.
　Shouldn't I write my own entrance song, full of light, solemn and gorgeous, but without compromising my loveliness?

　I hurriedly took out my pen and picked up the scroll.

　The door opened with a rush.
　I thought it was an enemy attack, but all I saw was a familiar and important person.

　She tried to calmly put her teacup back in the saucer, wondering if something had happened to Corona.

"Miss Lilac!
What is it? I'm in a hurry, but I could use a knock.
"I love you!



　Dungareesha.



　Yuuga is dead.










"For example, if I were to face someone who felt the same way... End.
The end.