--It's been ten days since the convention.


This time I have a secret plan.
"You have a secret plan ......?

　The girl holding Kontse happily was talking with the young man in front of her with an innocent smile that was not related to her usual intelligence.

　It was past noon.
　This was the last time before the tournament that we would have a "hand-to-hand" meeting in between our duties.

　Princess Lilac M. Fangini's duties are many and varied, and in most of them she is intense and strict.
　She is feared by the few who know her, and she does not have time for such pastimes as wielding a sword.

　And yet, she is still able to keep up her hand-to-hand combat with the excuse that it is a martial arts tournament.

　The first princess, for whom the word "beautiful" fits well, occasionally shows a smile appropriate to her age, and it is one of the few cute moments when her young face, hidden by her silvery hair, is slightly emphasized.

"Yes. So I will defeat you next time.

　As a matter of fact, she had carefully planned her countermeasures against Futa in her heart. She doesn't think it's impossible for her to win this time, either.

　It's a good idea to take a look at the images on the right.

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

　"I'm not sure what to do.

　It was a strange feeling to hear those words resonate in my mind.
　It was a strange feeling to believe those words.

　The tight, yet arched mouth.
　Futa nodded to Lilac, who seemed satisfied.

I'm looking forward to it.
"It's ......, huh?

　I've been looking forward to it.
　Futa can't be defeated, but I'm grateful she's there to say so. Lilac narrowed her eyes at Futa's words, which were spoken with mixed emotions.

　One day.
　Lilac had told Futa.

　Let me hope for the best. From that day, when we met.

　It's been a year since then. Futa has certainly lived up to Lilac's expectations.
　More than enough.

　The vow under the stars.

　And the night of the fireworks.

　The memories that I can recall vividly when I close my eyes are treasures that I won't say out loud but are certain.

　But that's why I know some things.


　The current Futa is surely expecting lilac.


　I wonder how many times in my life I have fought with such expectations on my shoulders.
　Futa said it, but he didn't feel it.

　But, Lilac thought.

　I see. The "expectations" he was carrying as he stood in front of the Emperor, calling himself a benefactor for saving his life...

　I didn't realize how heavy it was.













　--The spectacle of the arena.

　The earth rumbled with cheers.

　The dancing, shape-shifting dagger that appeared effortlessly between the cross spears.

　Lilac's gaze sharpened at the annoyance, but her thoughts were very calm.

You're more determined than I thought.

　With a grip that somehow kept the flicked-up contessa in her hand, she jumped back and looked at it.
　I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do this, but I'm sure I'll be able to do it.

"Yes. I'm surprised myself, but ......

　The words seemed to be sincere.
　I'm not sure what to make of it. It's not so much his skill as a warrior as his aptitude as an assassin - the former orchestra assassin, Mion.

　Lilac has all the information she can find, plus a record of her engagement with Arawn.
　He had thought that this time he was declaring war on Arawn, but it seemed that this was not the case.

　She looks around, a strange look on her face, and her eyes clearly see the spectators.

Apparently, she doesn't just want to pay back Aylan.

　The heat of the arena spectacula.
　I've been in the arena as a referee before, but the more I'm thrown into the middle of a heated battle like this, the more excited I get.
　I could understand why Prim was so obsessed with the sword, and why he broke it that day. Mion smiled, feeling that he understood both.

He's having a little fun.
You talk about yourself as if you were someone else.
"Oh. I'm sure you've been there yourself.

　Lilac's eyes narrowed.

　I knew at once that she was making fun of my days in the cold castle.

"It's a cheap provocation. But if you mistake the right people for the wrong people, you'll have to pay the price.
"Isn't that a provocation?

　"Isn't that provocative?" The gold stood alongside the lilac in disgust.

　We exchanged glances for a moment. Arawn brushed off his hair and met Prim's spear head-on with a fist.

"Princess Lilac, you seem to have a very low boiling point today.
"...... Yes, well. I wasn't aware of it, but I'm not feeling so calm today.
Do you know why?



　Even during this time, Prim's attacks and Mion's coordination had not ceased.

　But the fact that they can exchange words like this so casually is probably due to the high level of their individual abilities.

　When their eyes met for a moment, Lilac replied in affirmation.
　If you look back, you'll see that you're a little out of gear today.

"Yes.
Well, you can adjust it yourself then.
"Right.

　Aylin kicked Prim's cross spear up in the air.
　Lilac calmly thrusts back the dagger that flies towards Aylan.

"Wow... That's a lot of room. These guys.
"You look like you're having fun, Prim.
"Heh. Yeah.

　Yeah.
　Lilac and Arawn continued their conversation, but what was really strange was this barbarian with the cross spear standing in front of them.

　In other words, Mion was the middle guard. She can be a bit of a challenge, but if she were to reverse what she had done earlier - use Arawn and Lilac on Mion, it would probably be a quick and easy fight.

　The person standing in front of them, trying to prevent them from doing so, is the Princess Teruya of the Everlasting Mountain Cross.

　I've thought of her as a threat before, but now I see why she's so troublesome.
　Aylin, who was not very excited, and Lilac, who was a bit on the slow side, were at a bit of a disadvantage.

　An unwanted thought crossed my mind that it would be faster to hit Aylan from behind and make her bleed.

　Nevertheless.

　Prim's innocent smile made me think that she was really enjoying this "sword fighting".

　I'm sure you'll be able to find something that will help you out.
　I'm sure that's what you were thinking all along.
　That was probably the strategy he had in mind from the start.

　That much is obvious. And it's nasty in its own way.
　It's hard to deal with even if you know what you're doing. Their skills are not so cheap that they can be conquered just because their seeds are broken.

　It's a good thing that you're not the only one.

I'm sure it's fun to fight with you guys.
I'm not sure what to say.

　I'm not sure what to make of that.

The only thing I remember about the last martial arts tournament was the fight with Futa.
"Ah, .......

　It's not that I've forgotten about it, but it's not a part of my sword fighting memories. After all, it was against that Bob.

　His durability may have been astonishing. However, there was no comparison of skills, which is the best part of sword fighting.
　To be honest, I envied the match between Aylin and Prim. Regardless of the outcome.

But...

　But, yes.

"I want to go further than I'm having fun here.
"......

　The corners of Prim's mouth lifted slightly.
　Aylin raised one eyebrow, and Mion tightened her expression.

　I'm going to go for it.

I'm going to be serious. I won't hold back.

　--One day, I want to be a champion.

　I don't think it's something that will end today or tomorrow.

　But that doesn't mean that I won't give it a shot today. It's not a reason not to try. Maybe I can surpass it this time.

　I instinctively know that I can finally reach those heights if I keep thinking that.

　Besides.


"Is that my song? ...... Yes, it is. I'd like a ...... song that shows that I'm a champion, wherever I am.


　I can't stand it when he keeps his eyes on someone who isn't him.




So I will do everything in my power to win.




　I'm not sure what to do.

　I'm not sure what to do, but I'll do my best.

　I'm not going to be able to do that.

I can't believe you only see me as a stepping stone. You'll get caught flat-footed.

　I'm sure you've heard of it.
　I'm sure you'll be able to tell that I'm the strongest in the kingdom.


"That's good spirit. If that's the case, I'll do it right myself.
You didn't mean to do it right?
Well, yeah. A tag-team match sounds great, but ...... if one of you is defeated, it's not a fight to the death.
It's not going to happen anyway. Give up.
...... Well, fine. I, too, have someone to repay the debt.



　Aylan B. Smiles' gaze.
　And Lilac M. Fangini's gaze.

　A girl with a cross spear is twirling her weapon.

"Heh.

　She laughs at the spirit of the two people in front of her.
　It's like a child of the nobility running around the field after school.

"Princess, Arawn. Both of them are serious. I like .......

　Yeah, it's fun enough.
　But...

"I want to win, I want to go on. --I got that. Then go for it. But that's never going to stop me.

　But that won't stop me.

　The Everlasting Mountain Cross, Princess Teruya, draws a thin arc around her mouth.

I'm not going to kill you, but I'm going to kill you, so don't die on me.

　Yeah, I had a feeling about that.
　Lilac was more than a little "convinced" by the fighting spirit of the girl in front of her.

　It was the same as a year ago, but different.
　No, not like the last martial arts tournament either.

　The main reason why I felt she was a threat was...

"I see. You did something to me, Arawn.
"Done" is more like it. But... But if Princess Lilac is serious and Prim is going to kill her...

　One lick, one lick of the tongue.




"Haha. ......





I'm not sure I'm going to enjoy this.

　Prim and Aylin, who had only flirted lightly earlier, came face to face.
　The next moment, Aylin's figure disappeared.

　I'm not sure what to make of that.
　Aylan's kick had been caught by the spear blade. The spear stopped him like a pair of scissors, and if he had shifted just a little, the part of his body that was not protected by the spear would have been cut off.

　The sensation of the deadly line was pleasant.

"Whoa, watch out. I almost cut off my foot.
I turned to look at him, wondering why he was being so warm when he said he was going to ...... kill me.

　I turned my eyes to see if he was going to say that.
　I'm not sure what to do, but I'd like to know what you think.

"So, be careful(・・・・・・).
I'm not sure what to say.　I'm sure you'll agree.

　Trust in the strength of your opponent.
　This is what makes Prim's technique so brilliant.

　The Tsuneyama Jujitsu is originally a killing technique.
　That genius has refined his skills even further in King's Landing.

　No need to restrain yourself. If you believe in your opponent's skill.

"Well, shall we go at it?

　Lilac quietly turned her gaze to Mion, who was calmly assessing the situation.
　I'm not sure what to make of this. Perhaps she already understands what Prim is thinking.

It's a good thing you're the only one in the band leading the troops.
"You do provoke people, don't you, Your Highness?
"Well. I'm just trying to show you how it's done.
Well, then.

　Mion is not a highly skilled woman.

　But she's a commander.
　When she has Prim as a pawn in front of her, she is in her element.

"Let's see who's stronger, Your Highness' plan or ours. Let's see who's stronger.
"The plan you've been working on?
You don't have to be silly. There is no way that His Highness would come here empty-handed with a jerk like Arawn. And even more so, the strong will to win that you just mentioned. --A man of your stature should already have a strategy for all of his opponents.
"...... I see?

　And it was true.
　I'm impressed that you're watching so closely.
　He knew that his secretary, Mion, was always watching him. After all, he would be Richter's worst enemy.

　So this was a challenge.

"You mean that?

　Boringly, he kicked a pebble at his feet.
　I'm sure it's a remnant of Arawn's earlier break in the ground, but I quickly put that thought out of my mind.

You think you can break my plan at the last minute?
"Let me tell you something, Your Highness.



　"The commander smiles fiercely.
　And then.

"Fanfare.


　A thread shoots out toward the clashing Arawn and Prim.
　And...

"Ah!
"There!

　Mion's dagger, which had created a momentary gap, caught Prim unawares, and she was struck by the cross spear as it spun like a wheel.

　Lilac was blindsided as she was blown away, and Mion told her.

There's a way to do things in the field. And.
"...... I see. I'm sure you've heard of it. That way, Prim can cleave us both in an instant.
Only someone like you, who speaks above the field, would say the right thing there.
"Yes?

　Then, Lilac says.

I'll tell you.

　I'll teach you." There was a dull thud, and Mion involuntarily looked away from Lilac. In the event you're not sure what you're looking for, there are a number of things you can do.

We have one strategy from the beginning.

　I'm not sure if you've seen this before, but I've seen it before.
　I'm not sure what to make of it.

　Aylin, his fists clenched, was just in front of Prim.


　Lilac said.


"It's going to take two of us to bring Prim down!


　Arawn leaps. Lilac throws a thrust straight at him.

　The sight was so much fun.


　Prim laughed.




I'm not sure what to say.




　The best technique of the Tsuneyama Cross, which boasts overwhelming defensive performance against humans.

　The two high-powered swordsmen clashed head-on in an attempt to defeat each other--!