--Below the castle, along the outer wall.

　Futa Pomodoro was unusually walking alone in the city.

　It was a beautiful sunny day, and she was having fun with her maid during the day. Thus, as the sun was setting, he parted from his girlfriend who had to work and went alone.

　There wasn't much reason for me to cut through the main street and come all the way to the outer wall.

　It's an impulse that sometimes makes me want to go straight to the end of the road. It's the kind of thing you do when you're bored, and then you get bored and take the carriage home.

　If you don't return home by dinner time, you'll spoil the smile of the maid in question.
　That was not my intention, of course.

　That's why I decided to leave this place at nightfall after a leisurely walk.

I've always wanted to come here.

　Ben, a guard of my acquaintance, happened to be in charge of guarding the outer wall today.

　It was easier than I thought to ask him to let me in, even if I couldn't.
　He said with a laugh. He said with a laugh that the guards were under Lilac's jurisdiction, so if Futa asked him to do something, he wouldn't complain.

　Ben just laughed when I told him that he was underestimating Lilac and that he didn't have such free reign.

　Surprisingly, he said that if I wanted to ask for a promotion, it might be better to go through Futa rather than directly to His Highness, and I was mildly offended.

　I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one who's a fan of your work.

　...... Futa doesn't know that Ben's words are actually closer to the truth, but he shouldn't talk about it now.
　Fouta still needed to learn more about the psychology of His Highness, who would rather have people who are trustworthy and easy to use than people who favor his family.

　Anyway.
　Futa asked Ben to let him walk on the high walls surrounding the capital.

　Sundown, twilight, the hour of death.

　In Huta's hometown, they simply call it dusk.

　Climbing the spiral staircase endlessly. The time and distance are no hardship for Futa.
　It seems that they are currently testing an elevator that uses electrical power - while it would certainly be useful, the thought of an accident is more frightening because it is in its infancy.

　Futa's sensibility is, to say the least, normal.
　I'm sure that if it proves to be practical, he will take the elevator without any resistance.

　And so we climbed up to the seventh or eighth floor of the royal castle.

　Finally, after a long climb, we came to a door that led to an aerial corridor at the top of the wall.

　When I pushed open the door, I felt the strong wind peculiar to high places.
　I felt it on my skin and closed my eyes, shielding my face with my arms.
　However, I noticed a strong "red" through my eyelids and looked up.

Oh!

　The corners of your mouth slacken involuntarily with emotion.

　I could clearly see the red on the horizon, just beyond the hills.

...... King's Landing is surprisingly small.

　Inside the walls and outside the walls.

　The width of the aerial corridor was about twenty merets.

　As I approached the outer edge of the city, I could see that the outskirts of the capital were covered with well-maintained roads running along the hillsides. The horse-drawn carriages that occasionally come and go look like toys.

　The buildings, large and small, nestled in the fields, are all probably the homes of people.

　The outskirts of King's Landing are a strange place.
　Unlike villages and settlements that are built to protect themselves from magical beasts, there are guards and other soldiers who go out from the capital to patrol the area, so people are not afraid of a single house.

　Therefore, a society that cannot be seen anywhere else is formed.

　And if you look inside the city walls, you will see a big city with many buildings.

　If you look hard enough, you will find a flat area, but then you will see a military drill ground.
　If you look for a place where no one lives, you will find a spacious natural park.

　There is no place that has not been touched by human hands.

　The main street is full of people, as if now is the best time to buy books before nightfall.

　I look up to see the royal castle, which seems to be as tall as the wall, or maybe even taller.
　Strangely enough, tall buildings seem to be nearby.
　It should not be, considering how long I've been walking down the main street.

......

　And.
　If you look eastward from the castle, you will notice another large structure. It's not as tall as the wall or the castle, but...

"It's so big.

　And. Before Futa could speak, a voice spoke for him.
　I turned around and saw two shadows standing there.

"Yo!
"Hey!
"...... That's an unusual combination.

　Futa mutters in surprise.
　The two shadows stand side by side on the inner stone fence that he was looking at.

It's not that I had anything to do with it. I just happened to see you up there.
You got a good eye, don't you?

　"I just saw you upstairs." "Don't you have good eyes?" laughs Izna Sienzan.

I'd just beaten Bob to a pulp. And then I saw Ben. He said you went up there with Izuna.
You've been training with the guards.

　Prim Lancaster was smiling next to me.

　Fouta was right, it was an unusual combination.

Is this the first time you've been here?
Yeah.
I see. Well, the royal castle is as big as this one. It may not be such a rare sight for you, though.


So you're a regular?
"Not really a regular.

　He put his hand on the fence with a pop.
　Izuna raises the corners of her mouth loosely and looks out into the city.

I come here sometimes. Sometimes I come here and think how big King's Landing is. I've always loved to travel. I've been to the highest point in the city at least once.
"Fools will climb to great heights!
It's like saying you're an idiot.
Ah.

　Aside from Prim, who was stabbed by a boomerang while happily showing off the knowledge she learned.

King's Landing is a ...... nice city, isn't it?
...... Yes, it is.

　It seems to be a murmur with some emotion in it.
　You can find a lot of people who have been in the business for a long time.

I like this place a lot too!
...... Yeah, I think so too.

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

　I'm not sure what to say.

　I've been hurt and had some bad times since I came to this town.
　But more than that, there are certain memories that this town has saved us.
　And that, I believe, is the most precious thing in my life.

"...... In the city where the Colosseum used to be.

　Izuna's words echoed in Futa's ears.

I never reached the highest point.
"......

　You'll be able to find a lot more information on this subject in the future.

But now, apparently, the highest point feels higher than the Colosseum. I wonder why?
I wonder why. I know what you mean.

　It feels higher than the place I couldn't reach. It seems like a hopeless situation once you hear it.
　But for some reason, they were laughing.

　And then. If you ask me, Futa also feels that the view is much better than the Colosseum. This, the highest point.

"...... Yeah. It's a nice view.
That's what they say.
Well, that's why it's worth dragging him down.

　A fighting smile.


　The three of them are looking at the same building.

I'm not sure what you mean by that.

　I'm not going to be able to do it.

I'm not going to lose this time. I'm looking forward to the second one.
I'm looking forward to it too. I'm going to crush you both!
"Yeah, yeah. You're a noisy one.

　What are they doing here? They're declaring war.

　Both Prim and Izuna smiled and said.
　The second fighting tournament is almost here.

　I'm sure they feel that the spectacle of the throne in the capital is more valuable than the Colosseum, the holy place for fighting swordsmen.

　This must be a necessary element to become a "holy place".

　Tradition is a weapon.
　A place called "holy ground," a place that everyone aspires to, a throne of honor is only possible if there are people who seek it.

　A throne of honor is only possible when there are those who seek it, and when everyone feels the value of the title of throne of this place.

　It was not Futa's power alone that created this soil, but...

"Everyone is looking forward to it.

　I was deeply moved by Prim's words as she walked away from Futa, as did Izuna.

"Thank you .......


　After watching them leave, Futa muttered to himself.
　Then, from that high place, he looked again at the city he loved the most.

　One year has passed since then.
　A year since she had decided to build an arena here.

　Spectacula is about to become something big.
　Futa can't verbalize it, but I'm sure some "manager" can.

　It's not what it used to be.

　Futa is surrounded by people.

　That's probably why he was able to do it.

　I'm on the throne now. It's a nice view and it's rewarding.



"I'm looking forward to the second one.


　So don't be surprised if you're looking forward to the sword fight.



So don't be surprised if you find yourself looking forward to sword fighting. ...... I've already noticed that no one seems to want to partner up with me.

　A wry smile, but a happy one.
　I didn't know that I was so happy that people were coming at me, challenging me.


　A flag with two swords is fluttering in the sunset.





　Futa narrowed his eyes and muttered.



I'll make sure the eighth sea is the most beautiful one in the world.



　I didn't know it was possible to be so happy with someone who gives you hope.
　I hope that the person who taught me this will come back to me someday.