Is Ibuki back to sleep, Cecil?

Yes, my brother.


　After nodding at his brother Goz Seema's question, Cecil smiled in annoyance.


'I was just about to fall asleep, my eyes were shining as I talked about the battle the other day.

You're not quite ready for the heat of the moment, are you?


　Goz chuckled and stroked the tip of his chin with one hand.

　In the last battle, Ibuki was ambushed and hurt by the demon man. Considering her age of four years, it's not surprising that she was terrified and cowered, unable to speak.

　However, despite the worries of those around her, Ibuki was full of energy. She runs in and out of the house and has been giving her mother trouble even at night, not wanting to fall asleep.

　That's the blood of a swordsman - mixed with a little deference, Goz admires his nephew's boldness.

　There's more good news. The good news is that Ibuki has changed his view of the sky.

　He used to think of Sora as "the bad guy who bullied Uncle Goz" and was so angry that he challenged Sora to a duel upon his return to his hometown, but after the recent attack, he apparently changed his perception of Sora to "someone who will have to be overcome sooner or later".

　It seems that the way he kicked out the group of demon men who had been waiting for him, and the way he fought to defeat the illusory species that had attacked him forcefully, captured the infant's heart and did not let go. According to Cecil, the reason Sora showed up seemed to be to help Ibuki, so perhaps he felt that point as well.

　I'm sure Goz wanted to say a few words of thanks, but Sora said it was pointless to stay for too long and quickly left the island. I'm sure you'll find that Ibuki was very disappointed when she found out.

　Maybe it's time to talk about the existence of Sora, an older brother who has been unavailable until now. That's what Goz and Cecil think.

　However, if I tell you that, I'll have to tell you about many other things related to it. Why did he leave the island? Why did he bully Goz?

　Even if I tell you these things, a 4-year-old won't be able to understand. In the first place, the people who talk about it don't understand everything about Goz and his brother. Sora's appearance after the reunion, Sora's words came to the mind of the Sima siblings.

　Cecil opened his mouth while depressed.


''........Brother. Did we make a mistake?''

If there was a mistake, it was my failure to lead Lord Sora to his heart. It's not something for Cecil to worry about.


　Goz responds to his sister's whispering question with a gentle tone of voice.

　These were words to comfort his sister, but at the same time, Goz meant it.

　Cecil regrets that he shouldn't have acted differently when Sora was banished.

　But at the time, Goz thinks that he had to do that.

　The basic premise is that Goz does not see Sora's expulsion as a bad thing.

　Considering the family history of the swordsman, it was impossible for Sora to remain a legitimate son since he was unable to pass the test. And it was clearer than daylight what position Sora would be placed in the family after being deprived of his legitimate son's position - as well as the fact that Sora would not be able to endure the circumstances.

　If he had no place in the house, he would have to seek a place outside the house. The holly capital is small, and wherever he goes, people's eyes follow Sora. If that is the case, he must leave the island.

　Expulsion may sound bad, but on the other hand, it is the compassion of Shikibu, who believes that it is better to live on the peaceful continent than on the island of Onigashima, where powerful demonic beasts roam. At the very least, that's how Goz sees the exile.

　Of course, it was not an easy road. He knew that Sora was deeply hurt and afraid of being alone.

　But now that he has come of age, he has to take care of himself. With Goz and Cecil by his side, Sora would inevitably rely on the two of them. Besides, if Goz and the others disobeyed the master's instructions and followed Sora, they would be considered to have escaped from the island - a deserter from the Blue Lined Banner, and would be sent in pursuit.

　The option of following the sky is a folly that, one, endangers the sky and, two, tramples on Shikibu's deepest considerations. There was no way he could choose at all.

　Cecil's inner thoughts are almost identical to this. The one difference between him and Goz is that he couldn't afford to kick the wishes of Shikibu, who had seen him for what he was. Goz had once turned his blade on Miken Shikibu. Shikibu generously forgave Goz, and not only did he forgive him, but he also took care of the life of the Sima siblings. It's a good thing that Cecil has always been grateful to Shikibu and that's why he couldn't disobey his orders even more.

　It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what you're doing. It's not a good idea to say goodbye to the island. The Sima siblings saw Sora leave the island, hoping that when he was older and experienced enough to become a full-fledged adult, he would understand their father's wishes.

　Five years later, Sora has returned. With a fearsome power and an icy gaze.

　Cecil remembered the way Sora looked at him, and his shoulders trembled slightly.

　If he had been looking at her with a vindictive gaze, he wouldn't have been so shocked. From the moment he found out that Sora had slashed his brother, he had prepared himself for the fact that he, too, must have been resented by Sora.

　-- but that was different. That wasn't a look of resentment or hatred.

　Sora has no interest in Cecil, no interest in him. So there's no resentment or hatred. It's because he doesn't recognize the value of his feelings enough to direct them.

　Because she found out - because she found out - Cecil could hardly talk to Sora during the time he was on the island. It was unbearable to be looked at by Sora, who loved her like a sister, as if she were looking at a stone on the side of the road.

　It's a good thing that you've got a good idea of what to expect.


'Cecil, don't get too caught up in your thoughts.

But, my brother.

'Gloom is a shadow that covers your face. Ibuki will be worried. It's time for you to get some rest.


　Regretting what you can't reach will only wear you out. I'm sure you'll be able to see that my brother's concern was evident, and he gave a small nod.

　I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to find the right one. I'm sure you'll be able to find the right one. I'm sure you'll be able to find the right one for you.


'Your brother is very busy, are you sure you're ready for this?

What? It's a nice distraction.


　Goz laughed at that. It will take some time to repair the rumbling walls. The movement of the demons would have just begun. With Laguna, his legitimate son, being defeated by the demon god, and that demon god being defeated by Sora, his former legitimate son, parts of the Eight Blue Lined Banners were also in turmoil.

　The full-blown storm was only just beginning to arrive. That was a certainty that Goz hadn't expected. That's why he wanted to make a gift for his nephew, who had worked so hard, before the storm arrived.


◆ ◆ ◆


　At the same time, Gilmore Berch was in the Mikenbon residence, visiting his lord's room and making a passionate speech.

　He was preaching the punishment of the Mikenkuu.

　It is not good to leave those who profess to disobey the will of the Gokensora to fend for themselves.

　They might be captured by another country, or contacted by an Ad Astera nobleman who has a different opinion of the House of the Sword. We need to put the sky under the watchful eye of the Mikado family before that happens. He argued that.

　Although Gilmore had once complied with Shikibu's intention to leave Sora alone, he had hardened his attitude towards Sora again after the earlier attack.

　What Gilmore particularly feared was the fact that Morgan, the head of the Sky Sheep family, was present at the spot where Sora had defeated the demon god.

　Morgan Sky Sheep was the person Gilmore had once kicked off, in other words, his political opponent. As evidenced by the fact that Shikibu entrusted him with the protection of his wife's concubine, his influence remains even now that he has lost his power.

　If Morgan spreads the word about Sora's achievements, Laguna's reputation will inevitably decline after being defeated by the demon god. In the unlikely event that Sora were to return to his position as a legitimate son, Gilmore, who was close to Laguna, would not be able to escape his downfall.

　If Gilmore was in Morgan's position, he would definitely move with Sora in mind. Therefore, Gilmore was trying to block Sora's achievements by taking the initiative. Specifically, he tried to announce the circumstances of this battle as follows.

　At the Miken Mansion, Laguna had been dealt a deep hand by the Demon God, but at the same time, he had also dealt a fatal wound to the Demon God. The demon god left the Miken Mansion because he had fled from Laguna. The demon god who fought Sora was half dead, and that's why he was able to take out even an arm of the size of Sora. In effect, it was Miken Laguna who killed the demon god - Gilmore asked for Shikibu's permission to make this announcement.

　However.


''I shall not.''

However, My mansion-sama. If this situation continues, there may be an unnecessary quarrel over the position of a legitimate son. Now that the devil is on the move, I foolishly think that we should take precaution to avoid causing trouble in the family.

'Must not. Defeat is an abomination to the bannerman, but it is not a disgrace. For a bannerman, it is not to be defeated; it is to hide a defeat. The reputation of a defeated soldier can be raised by a victory. Like the person who raised his reputation after being defeated by the Dragon Fang Soldier by defeating the Demon God.


　If your lord confronts you with a denial to this extent, Gilmore has no choice but to back down. And if you listen to the current response, you can judge that Shikibu has no intention of abolishing Laguna. At least, for the time being.

　At the same time, I know that he's not indifferent to Sora. Depending on his future movements, the pecking order in the family could move.

　Just being able to confirm those things was worth it to come here. With this in mind, the head of the Berch family bows deeply and resigns from the place.

　When he was left alone, the words he had just uttered escaped from Shikibu's mouth.


''You are the one who raised the reputation of being defeated by the Dragon Fang Soldiers through your victory over the Demon God?


　The scene of the previous battle is clearly projected in the mind of the muttering Shikibu. The last thing projected on the screen is the back of a dark-haired young man leaving with his back to Konata.

　Shikibu lifts the edge of his lips. You'll be able to see that the person you're talking to is the one who's going to be the one who's going to be the one who's going to be the one who's going to be the one who's going to be the one who's going to be the one who's going to be the one who's going to be the one who's going to be the one who's going to be the one who's going to be the one who's going to be the one who's going to be the one who's going to be the one who's going to be the one who's going to be the one who's going to be the one who's going to be the one who's going to be the one who's going to be the one who's going to be the one who's going to be the one who's going to be the one who's been the most successful.


''-- Brilliant, Sora.