The children ran out into the square, not caring to get wet in the rain.
　The white-haired man called Libra gave them a pat on the head, bowed slightly to Futa and Korona, and left.

　A few shadows were watching the whole thing from the roof of the building.

"Was ...... good, brother?
Did you imagine that you'd be able to go in there and save Corona's life?
Yeah. You like to be cool.
Huh. Don't compliment me.
It's not a compliment. ......

　He put on his silk hat and looked down at me.
　This is a great way to get the most out of your business.

I'm not sure what to make of it.

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

You said you were good at sword fighting. I didn't want to hold you up. I wanted to see how well you could do.
"Hmm. The ...... brother was in love with someone else.
Yeah. I didn't think you'd take him, that bastard. Was he so sure of himself or was he just stupid?

　He looks back at the girl behind him, cowers his shoulders and makes a joke of himself.
　But his eyes were sharp, like those of a bird of prey. I'm sure he was ready to intervene if this Futa guy messed up.

Isn't he just a fool?
"Well, that's a strong theory. But ...... Henri would understand.
Yeah. ...... may be an idiot, but that Futa guy is pretty strong.
Yeah. The libra robinson was being pushed. I'm not sure what to make of that. ...... Seriously, what is he?
I don't know.
I can't stand him. I'll kill him.

　I thought you weren't leaving.
　You'll be able to find a lot more than just a few of them.

　Although she's a bit naughty, she seems to like the man she calls her brother. I'm not sure what to do, but I'm going to do it.

But I don't think it's Libra.
"...... Yeah, right.

　--I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea.
　In addition to that, they had witnessed them killing each other earlier.

　There was no reason to interfere with his business. So I just left them alone. He was a killer, just like they were bandits. That's all I'm saying.

　So, conversely, if Futa sensed something and wanted to get involved, he was free to do so. There was no reason to stop him.
　As long as he didn't care about Corona, he didn't care if Futa and Libra had a fight.

　But as it turned out...

I'm sure you'll be glad to know that I'm not the only one who has a problem with that.
Isn't he a daredevil?
...... Well, I guess that's a little true. But, yeah.

　But yeah," he says, putting his hat back on.

I'm in love with you. That lovely sunflower can melt a man's heart with its heat.
"Yuck.
"Oi!　What are you saying?
Why don't you just say it?
f*ck you. If I went in there now, I'd be a f*cking airhead.
Hmm. Well, if that's what you want, then fine.
We have an agreement.

When I beat this guy, you'll listen to me. Hey, Pomodoro, shut up and watch me when I do.
"...... is fine.

　We exchanged words.
　So, for now, I'll just sit back.

　After watching the two happily make their way home, Droza turned his back on them. 　

And well, whether it's Futa or Libra. I'm not saying you can't beat them. Sword fighting is my specialty.
"Yes, yes. I'll do my best not to drag my brother down.
...... By the way, where's Merton?
I saw him go into a restaurant a while ago.


Stop it!

　The Drowza bandits were quite noisy.












　Huta and Korona decided not to head straight back to the castle. There was one place they had to visit.

　Fortunately, he was home, albeit busy in this rainy weather.
　I rang the bell and was greeted by the owner himself a few moments later.
　For security reasons, he opened the door just a little bit and looked up at me, aside from the fact that he looked like a child who was home alone.

　I changed my rain-soaked clothes and wiped myself off.
　After rolling the maid in front of the fireplace, Futa faced the landlord.

"You're a fool, aren't you?

　The moment he turned to face him, a shout of abuse came from him.

No, well, yeah, ...... I think so too, but ......

　When I glanced towards the fireplace, I saw a maid wearing Leafy's pajamas, tossing pine cones and playing with fire.

"Ho?
No, not really. And if you throw too many pine cones, the fire sparks will stick to your clothes and make holes.

　She turns around and tilts her head. Apparently, she doesn't want to move from the fireplace.
　That was fine, but Futa lowered his eyebrows and muttered in annoyance.

I'm not sure I trust Libra Robinson yet. I'm not sure if she's okay. I'm not sure I trust Libra Robinson yet.
"Hmm.

　It was Pasta, the landlord, who let out a sigh at the distracted squeal.

It's not like you're going to get any answers here. I don't really care if your goal is to kill the princess and you're in the middle of it in the arena.
I'm fine with that.
I'm fine with that. - But, you know, you can't blame her for doing that when she's not there. If anything, the problem is that you're working with him, isn't it?

　Yeah.
　Corona's "proposal" to Libra.
　It was an invitation to join forces with Futa in a martial arts tournament.

If you don't have anyone to team up with, I said I'd give it some thought. ......!

　With a big sigh, Pasta gives Futa a reproachful look.

　The reason for Futa's visit to her residence was quite simple.
　Regardless of who he was paired with, Futa would need help to win this tournament.
　It's not about fighting skills, but something more external.

　--Teaming up with an assassin is a bad image.
　This was something that Futa was aware of.

"But you know what?
But...
I think it's true what he said about wanting to be a fighter.

　I think it's true.
　I'm not sure what to say.
　She was aware that she had made a selfish suggestion. But she didn't regret it. That was the look on her face.

"...... Well, okay. I can't make a decision until I've seen him once anyway, and ...... I don't have much time left. Bring him back next time.
Oh, he's here?
If you're worried about him, we can go to the lute.

　She quickly brushed off her short hair and said.
　The taverna, Lute, is Izuna's stronghold, and Pasta and Futa's favorite hangout. It is true that even if someone has harmful intentions, they will not be able to do anything bad there.

"...... Lute?
That's not a place to take Corona.
"Mmm.
No, it's really not that safe. ......
Was it safe there today?
That was just an accident.

　Pasta, who had been idly watching the exchange, sniffed.

I don't think it's a problem.　As long as you're with me.
No, even if it's .......

　There are a lot of people in those compartments who can cloud her smile.
　There are a lot of people in those areas who would make her smile. Unless Futa is willing to smash them all, drunken people bumping into her and shouting at her without warning are commonplace.

　Futa is not comfortable taking a girl like her, who is "too considerate" of others, to such a place.

"That's fine, if it pisses you off, just beat them all up.
"What?
It's okay.

　You can beat them all up if they piss you off," Pasta says with a smile that I haven't seen in a while.

Unless there's something wrong with you, whoever you kill will be buried in the dark. Somebody is.
You're in trouble.
Wouldn't he rather be praising you for keeping Corona out of harm's way?
No, I don't think so. I don't ...... think so. ......?

　I don't know. It was slightly weird.

　But sure. If things get too uncomfortable to watch, I can do something about it. If you think of it that way, your resistance will be a little less.



　I turn my head to meet Korona's gaze and ask, "What do you think?

"...... So, are we going?
I'm going. I'm going.
I see. ...... Okay.

　The next time he sees Libra, he'll take Pasta and Corona with him, he thought.

"Well, then... Huta.
Hmm?
I think you might have come at the right time.

　As she picked up a cupcake from the table, she randomly scattered the scrolls in her hand in Futa's lap.

"What's this?
"Look at it if you don't mind me asking. I wouldn't put it in your lap except for that purpose.
You complain a lot, .......
Hey, Paster, what's that?
If you want to see it, get away from the fireplace and come over here.
Hmm.

　Apparently, he doesn't like it.
　The maid somehow managed to stretch her neck out in front of the fireplace to look at the scroll, and Pasta opened her mouth as if she had given up.

"Here's a list of some of the more notable ones that are registered right now.
"Oh.
"First, Lilac M. Fangini and Aylan B. Smiles. Aside from their ridiculous name, Princess Garden, they're the most interesting.
"You've teamed up with Aylan, Lilac-sama .......

　You're working with Aylan, Lilac-sama ." "Oh my god," Futa said, unable to comment.

I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's a good idea. ...... Next. Leafy Lean Glide and the Arrows. The Wild Hunt. He was on fire, getting revenge on Izuna. I think he's still out there training.
Oh, so that's why you're here.

　Leafy and Arrows. They'll make a good team, Hooter thought.

Next. That Izuna Sienzan and Wind Earth Note. "Wilderness Storm Blade". Honestly, it's just a combination of the best and the worst. I can't believe Wind's going to be in the sword fight. ......
You were already working with Izuna when I asked you out. ......
Can you stop interjecting your rejection melancholy every now and then?
Shut up.

　I'm not sure what to make of this.

　I'm not sure what to make of that.

Next. I heard you two teamed up over Richter. Mion and Prim Lancaster. "Stardust". The Klingblooms were known as "cleaners" before they became heroes, and now they call themselves dust. This is Mion's hobby.
I'm not sure what to make of that. I'm sure you'll be able to figure it out.

　I've heard of Mion's fighting style.
　I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but I think it's a good idea. This is the first time that I've ever seen such a thing.

That's about it for now.
"I see.

　If you check the number of people you know, you'll find that Bill and Ben aren't on the list of people to watch - they're missing one.

Oh, Mr. Richter's not in?
"I don't see any entries yet. Yeah, but...

　As if remembering, Pasta held up a finger.

"Rumor has it he's got a girl. It's finally happening. That's great.
"Oh, really? You said you wanted to get married. ...... But I guess you're not going to participate in the tournament because of that priority.

　If you have a partner you get along with well, that's good too.
　I'm sure you'll be able to figure out what you need to do.
　It's a shame he's not going to the tournament.

"Mopi, you're going to the tournament with him!
Haha. I don't think Richter would like such a martial arts wife.
But, maid, I have a hunch.
...... Well, it's not impossible. I'm sure she wants fight money. ...... She also said she wants to fight you.
Really?

　But anyway...

I'll have to congratulate him next time I see him.

　I'm sure you'll be happy to know that your friend is finally happy, and that Futa has loosened the corners of his mouth a little.