Makoto the Brave.
　I was taken into Princess Sophia's room and called my name.

'Yes, sir.'
　Her gaze is more cold than ever.
　Princess Sophia is the fiancée of the brave (Takatsuki Makoto) of the Water Country.
　Just a few minutes ago, Princess Sophia had gone to Great Keith Castle to gather information from the Fire Nation's heavyweights.

　In comparison, I went out with Sa-san last night and went home in the morning.
　Earlier, I was flirting in bed with Lucy, who was dressed in risqué clothes in her sleep.

　In other words - I'm a bum.

I'm here to tell you the story of what happened at Great Keith Castle.
　Now, I was terrified of what kind of reprimand I was going to receive, but the serious words came out of Princess Sophia's mouth.

''The upper echelons of the Fire Nation (Great Keith) have accepted the fact that the Sand Dragon's Nest was defeated by the brave men and fellow warriors of the Water Nation (Roses).
Hey, wait a minute. I didn't do anything, okay?
　He was just running around.
　The one who defeated the sand dragon was Sa-san alone.
　Wouldn't that be a false report?

'Of course, I trust your story. But that's not the same thing. Can a state-certified brave from the Water Country (Roses) report that a single girl in the Water Country (Roses) had one of her fellow girls fight a bunch of demons and the brave herself didn't do anything?
I'm sorry, I was wrong.
　Yeah, what kind of a wannabe hero is that?
　That's me.
　In reality, though, he was just a limp.

'And I also told him about the matter you heard in the slave market about the 'Order of the Serpent' buying slaves in bulk. When I told you about it, General Talisker was a little suspicious, saying, 'I thought the brave men of the Water Country didn't come to the slave market. Apparently, your movements are being spied on.'
You were right about the disguise.
　I'm glad I didn't go dressed as I was after all.

''Nevertheless, it is dangerous to sneak into the slave market late at night. Please refrain from doing so next time.
Yes, sir.
　It was a bit, I guess, rash.
　I'm glad the Fire Nation hasn't noticed me so far, though.
　Let's not do that next time.

'But I'm worried about the brave Mako and Aya's friend who has become a slave. I tried to call on them, but...
How did you feel?
　I waited expectantly for a reply, but Princess Sophia's tone was heavy.

''The nobleman who is trying to buy out your friend, Kawakita Keiko-san, seems to be very fond of her and has no intention of letting her go...''
I see.....
That nobleman, the third son of the Bunahabun family, has a particular hobby of assembling strong female warriors and female wizards to create an all-female army.
What a ... man!
　You can't get women stronger than you to party with you.
　I was indignant.

"....
　Princess Sophia was looking at me with a blank look on her face.
　Oh, did I say something weird?

(Not that Mako's party is any different.)
　Oh, it's Master Noah.
　I feel like it's been a little while.

(Sorry, I was helping out a little at Eil's request.)
　Come to think of it, I haven't heard Eil-sama's voice lately either.

(Huh?　So my voice isn't good enough for you?
No, I didn't say that.
　Only because there have always been two pillars (two) lately.
　I'm a Noah-sama.

(Good.)
　The goddess's trust was restored.

''Brave Mako?''
'No, it's nothing. Then it would be a pain in the ass to get Mr. Kahoku to let you go.
　I don't know, Princess Sophia was right in front of me.

''Yes ... yes. I'll continue to call on the Roses royal family.
That's very helpful.
....
...Sofia?
　The conversation stopped.

　What's going on?　But then - he pulled me by the hand.
　I was made to sit on the fluffy couch at the back of the room.
　Right next to me, right next to where I sat, our shoulders touching or not, Princess Sophia sat down.
　A fluffy, sweet scent reached my nose from Princess Sophia's hair.

''Brave Mako.''
　He called me the same way he did when he entered the room, only with his name.
'Yes,'
　The difference between then and now is that earlier, Princess Sophia's face was about a meter away, and now it's only about 15 centimeters away.
　Princess Sophia's deep blue eyes are staring at us.
　She was silent for a while, and then her lips fell open.

''By the way, last night you went home in the morning with Aya-san, right?
Yes.
Earlier, you were making friends with Miss Lucy.
..............................Hi.

　It was sweet.
　It wasn't just about work, it wasn't just about work.
　It was still a harsh punishment.....

I suppose it's better to always be around.
　Princess Sophia's voice didn't sound angry.
　Princess Sophia, who was in a position where our shoulders might or might not touch, just leaned in and put her head on my shoulder.

'Sophia?'
I heard that you were courting the sister of a brave man with a lightning bolt in the land of the trees, too.
'I'm not making a pass at you, okay?　Who is the person who gave you that gossip?
　How dare he say that to Princess Sophia of all people.

'It's the Goddess of Water (Eil).
Yes, Master Eil?
　What are you talking about, that goddess!　

The Goddess of Water (Eir) said this as well. 'Mako-kun.......Takatsuki Mako is weak in the face of a strong attack, so push her down at once.'
You're making a lot of mistakes, Sofia.
　What a message to myself and this priestess, that goddess.

　I found myself in a position where I was pushed down on the couch with my body leaning against it.
　I lie down on top of her, and Princess Sophia puts her body on top of mine.
　Right in front of me, almost breathlessly, was Princess Sophia's sculptured face.

　No, it wasn't a slightly flushed cheeks and a sculptural blank expression.
　He looked up and said with a slight glare.

''I've missed you, haven't I?''
　Princess Sophia, her eyes moistening a little and muttering to herself, was so cute that she felt dizzy.

(This.........)
　He put his arm behind Princess Sophia's shoulder for a hug.
　At that moment--

Mako!　Oh my God.
　Princess Sophia's eyes glowed gold and her tone suddenly changed.

(Huh?)


　◇


　The air that had been in the air a moment ago has dissipated.

　The Princess Sophia in front of me is the same as usual except for the color of her eyes, but the magic power (mana) she emits is different.
　The tingling magic power (mana) is overflowing to the extent that it pierces the skin.

"Eh, Eir-sama?
　Even the Demon King and the Great Sage are hazy and intimidating.
　Above all, the only person who calls me 'Mako-kun' is the Water Goddess.

''Huh?''
　That's where I lay down on the couch, and he seemed to notice that Princess Sophia was looming over it.

'Am I interrupting you, by any chance?'
Maybe.
　Eir-sama made a face of "aha!

'Oh dear, Sophia-chan was just about to get her courage up.
Master Eil, you've been spouting a lot of weird shit.
But he's not very good at it. We need to push him.

　That said, isn't pushing it down a bit of a stretch?
　Well, as a matter of fact, it was effective.
　Goddess's advice was too accurate!

Is there something more urgent you need to see me about?
　Back to the topic at hand.

'Oh yes!　Oh my God, the Fire Nation is actually in danger!
Is that the one Mr. Freyae was talking about?
(Eir~, apparently Mako and the others already know something via the Moon Priestess, right?
　Even Noah-sama came into the conversation.

''Yeah~ I have an opportunity to ingratiate myself to Mako-kun!
'We're trying to find out why, too. Do you know anything about it?
(Also, it seems that this cult doesn't leak information to the 'Holy Gods' side. Thanks to that, they even made my spirit help them.)
　'Eil-sama and Noah-sama, if you didn't hear back from me, you were doing that.

''You didn't find out why after all?''
Well, I guess so.
　It's a problem.
　I was asking for help.

　Hmmm, said Eir-sama (Princess Sophia), putting her hand to her chin in thought.
　It doesn't look good on you.　

"You can't go to the basement.
Isn't that too vague?
　Eil-sama suddenly said.

(Mako, the Order of the Snake believes in the evil god Typhon. Not only that, they must have a temple hidden somewhere where they can pray to the evil god. They probably have a temple underneath the ground where they can't be seen.
　Master Noah's supplementary explanation made it come together.

'I see. So, we just need to find the underground temple where the Order of the Serpent is located?
　Then it's easy to understand.
　But..........

''The Fire Nation's royal capital, Gamelan, is pretty big, isn't it?
　It is the capital of the second largest country after the Land of the Sun (Highland), and its size is large.
　In addition, the Fire Nation has a thriving trade and many merchants from other continents.
　Various cultures are mixed in chaos.
　This is in stark contrast to the Land of the Sun, where dwellings were neatly divided by status.
　Gathering information is a painstaking process.

(Hey, Eil.) Can't you ask the Fire Goddess (Saul)?
　Oh, indeed.
　This is the Land of Fire.
　Then it would be best to ask the goddess who governs it.

"Goddess of Fire (Saul), huh~........
　From the expression on Princess Sophia's face, Eir-sama's expression showed that she was not enthusiastic.

(The Goddess of Water (Eil) and the Goddess of Fire (Saul) don't get along very well, you know.
　I heard Master Noah's nasty voice.
'What?　Is that so?
　I was taught in the temple that the six great goddesses are all friendly with each other, mainly the Sun Goddess (Altena).

'Nah, it's not!　The goddesses are all very close to each other!　...because if such a rumor spreads, Sister Altena will kill me.
　He sounded seriously frightened by Master Eil and denied it.
　Let's not question him too deeply.

''Well, well, I'll ask the fire goddess (Saul) to do it as a last resort. Hmmm, but hey........we're not a good match.
　He says we're not a good match.
　I guess we don't get along very well, after all.
　I've learned something I don't need to know.

"You can forget about it for a moment, Mako-kun.
(Leave Eir alone.) Well, if you use your friends Fujiyan-kun and Sophia's contacts, I'm sure you'll be able to find the Underground Temple. The question is, what are the Order's people up to? They're trying to do something big, even to fool the goddess' eyes.... (Be careful.)

　I nodded at the grateful advice.
'I understand, Master Noah,'

Bye, Makoto.
　In the end, easily, Noah-sama's voice was no longer heard.

''Well then, I'll disappear too, so after that, Sophia and I will be good friends~''
　Suddenly, Princess Sophia falls in.

"Oops!
　He hurriedly catches Princess Sophia's soft body.
''........hmm.''
　Sophia woke up.

'Oh, my God, what am I?
'You must have been tired. I must have fallen asleep.
It can't be..., it can't be..., it can't be Eil-sama...
　Oh, they know.

".........
　I'm still trapped underneath Princess Sophia's soft body, unable to move.
　When I was pondering what to do.


　.....


　There's a knock on the door.
　Me and Princess Sophia get a quick distance between us.

'Who is it?'
It's me, Miss Sophia. I have a message for you.
Come in.

　Princess Sophia responded in her usual tone of voice, instantly adjusting the mess of her clothing and hair.
　Quirky.
　It was the old man, the guardian knight, who came in.

''I'm sorry to interrupt you where you two are alone.
Well that's okay, you can take care of it.
　The old man glanced at me and offered an apology.

　It's rather awkward when it's put into words.
　Princess Sophia also seems to be forcing herself to make a slightly expressionless face.
　The old guardian knight kept a serious expression on his face and got down to business.　

''General Talisker wants to talk to the nationally recognized hero of the Water Country (Roses).

　At those words, Princess Sophia's eyes became sharp.
　It seems that the upper echelon of the Fire Nation called out to her, just as she had been told before.