''It is impossible to observe that on this day, when the elite of the eight blue-ringed hackers are all assembled in one place, something strange has happened. The enemy knew that the Hiiragi no longer had the ability to protect the Hiiragi capital temporarily. ''By someone's tip-off,''


　I responded with a shrug of my shoulders to Laguna, who shook his long blonde hair and said in a stern tone of voice.


'And that snitch is me, you say?　This is a strange thing to say. It was the swordsman who invited me, specifying today as the date. It was also the same swordsman who gathered all the high ranking banners and warriors for this occasion. My intentions had nothing to do with it.


　It wasn't so much a defense as a simple point of fact.

　But that's not all. The decision to hold the test, to change the opponent from the dragon fang soldiers to a spider, and even to allow the eight flag officers to watch me fight, were all decided by the swordsman.

　I don't want you to blame me for that. I told him this without saying a word.

　Raguna, hearing this, didn't move an inch as he continued to speak.


''The fact that the eight flags gather on the anniversary of your mother's death hasn't changed since before you were driven out. In other words, you knew that Hiiragiuto's defenses would be weakened today. You knew this and acted on this as a surprise, didn't you?　When you have a month to spare, it's easy to gather your forces.


　What Laguna uttered was a logic that could only be described as an accusation.

　But on the other hand, it was also sufficient logic as an excuse to detain an off-islander who had no backing. Well, in the latter case, it's more of a cryptic theory than a logic.

　It's not like he knew what I was thinking, but Laguna said the following.


The simple fact is that on the day you returned to the island, an enemy of the swordsman's family moved in. What hadn't happened in years or decades past, happened the day you returned. You must know the significance of this fact. As the Seirin's bannerman and heir to the swords family, you are now in my custody. If you do not comply, you will be deemed to have admitted your involvement in the attack.


　The way Laguna is staring at me with his blue eyes, he is very serious and I can tell he is serious about getting me.

　Does he really think I'm the ringleader, or is he suspicious and wants to take me into custody for the time being? I don't think he was harassing me for personal reasons.

　Perhaps it was Laguna's idea that he didn't want people outside the island to be wandering around in this critical situation. That in itself is a very legitimate idea. At any rate, I had demonstrated my separation from the swordsmen during our exchange in the Great Hall. And that's just what he's showing them. It was natural to think that he couldn't let such a guy go free.

　That's exactly how it's possible to really get through to the enemy. Even if I were in Laguna's position, I would do something to the extent of throwing him in jail until the matter is over.

　But that doesn't mean I'm going to go along with what they have to say.

　I asked my brother, who was wearing a heart suit.


I see. So you are saying that you want to do this, right?　All of the bannermen enthroned here - His Highness the Sword Sage, the Twin Peaks, Lord Goz, Lord Gilmore, and of course Lord Shiji - have fallen for my wiles, and the symbol of the 300-year reign of His sword, Hiiragi no Miyako He is an incompetent man who was unceremoniously punctured by


　When I asked her with a serious face, not daring to show any mockery, Laguna's face was twisted with a force that could make a mocking sound.


''........Sora, you.

I'm sorry, my apologies, that was a little out of line. But as someone who has been accused without proof, please understand how I felt compelled to say a few words. In addition, I would also like you to stop blaming me for being so used to the custom of the eight flags gathering on the anniversary of my mother's death that we took no good measures and blamed the blame on ourselves for unceremoniously exploiting the gap. The Illusionary Itto-ryu is the sword of the breaker and the guardian's sword. The actions of Lord Tsugushi, who pretends to wear a heart outfit and forces you to commit crimes, are not the actions of a hatter who has the desire to protect the country and save it.


　Having said that much, I changed my expression for the first time here.

　The cheeks are twisted as if in mockery, and the corners of the mouth are lifted up as if to smile, and yet the eyes are squinted gently as if talking to a young brother...


What are you so scared of, Laguna?


　The next moment after I said that, Laguna's figure disappeared from my sight.

　At the same time, I turned my head slightly.

　It would not have been a hair's breadth between us, or even a half a hair's breadth. A golden sword blade was thrust out from behind me as if to graze the space where my head had been until just before.

　There was no killing intent in the sword, and if I hadn't moved my head, it wouldn't have killed me. However, I'm pretty sure I was cut on my head quite roughly.

　Before the sword can be pulled back, I grab the blade and block my opponent's movements. The golden blade slices through the protection of Jing Jing's defenses, and my hand is covered in blood, but I don't care and continue to gashfully grab it.

　And then a low, stifling voice came from behind me.


''-- You think I'm afraid of you?

That's why you put your heart on. That's why you put your heart on.

Shut up!　The reason I put out my heart clothing is to set up moxibustion for your upward mobility from the last minute!

''So you admit that you can't do the moxibustion without bringing out your heart outfit. Come to think of it, five years ago you also brought out your heart outfit. I thought you were proud of your victory.　I thought maybe one day I would come back.

I told you to shut up!


　At the same time as Laguna shouted, I felt a searing heat from the blade I was holding.

　As expected, my body tensed up in anticipation of what would happen next.


''Reap it, ha--''

Yes, that's it.


　That's when Laguna was about to pull out his heart-suit, and that's when I heard a soft voice come in between me and Laguna.

　A soft, soft voice interrupted me and Laguna.

　The sound of the voice, cool as the wind driving across the grass, was Ayaka Azurite's.