When I walked into the Dean's office, Makina-san walked over to the desk and rested her back on it.
　I sat down on the couch that was recommended.

'As for you, would you like to meet Currier and Cecily first?
...How have you two been doing this past week?
'It looks like you've been taking it easy and resting, huh?　The St. King's family and the Knights of the Holy Tree were in a state of flux, but the school was closed, so... the candidates were on standby at home or in their quarters. Both of them were in need of rest, and even Currier seemed to be taking it pretty hard with that one.
'Well by the way, is Makina-san okay?

　If you look closely, you can see the dark circles under Makina's eyes.
　Her eyes are also bloodshot.
　Makina-san rubs the roots of her eyebrows.

It's a good thing that the school is closed, but the administration has no time to rest. Deciding on the future policy, discussing when classes will resume and so on........the headmaster is the head of the school, and he has other work to do.

　There is a pile of papers on the desk.

'Don't you think you should get some rest?'
In a couple of days you'll have more time to spare... until then, you know.
If there's anything I can do to help, please don't hesitate to let me know.
Yes, thank you. So, I'll tell you about the future, but first--

　Makina bowed her head.

''First of all, thank you once again for the Four Wrongs Disaster. With this, I was able to fulfill my wish. I was also able to protect King's Landing from the worst consequences. Much of that is thanks to you.

　I silently accepted his words.

''Well, now there's no more reason for me to detain you in the academy in the meantime... but what do you want to do now?''
Well I think I might want to go to Ruvel Argan.

　Makina's gaze falls on the carpet.

'You mean, to Shana's place?'
'I heard that Currier-san has someone she's looking for. I thought it might be a good idea to get an artificial eye made while doing so.
Oh, yeah, that's the thing. Well, you know what?　What I want to ask you is whether or not you want to stay in King's Landing.
Oh, is that what you mean? Yes, if you'll forgive me.
You're going to stay at the school?
I'm going to. I'm just going to keep going after the Holy Man.

　Yes, said Makina, letting out a breath.
　She lowered her eyelashes and gave an amused smile.

''I'm ... glad.''

　I scratch my cheek with my index finger.
　I'm a little embarrassed to be told straight away.
　There's a knock on my room's door.

'Yes,'
Headmaster, I'm here about Mia Posta.
What's up?
'As I told you, I went to tell Mia Posta that Sagara Kurohiko was awake, but it seems that she's not in her room. I did a quick search of the campus, but I couldn't find her...
Have you tried to find Sagara Krohiko's house?　Near the girls' quarters.
No, not there.

　Makina asks me with a look if I can go up and find her without permission.
　I nodded.

'The door should be unlocked, so you can look there too.
I understand.
I'm sorry to bother you.
No. Excuse me.

　The footsteps are moving away.

'I've heard a little bit about you, Mia, from Shana...'
Weird, but it's enough to make me cry.
That much?
'Huh, you'll be in trouble when you see him later, won't you?　You'll take it right then, won't you?
'What?　Yes, sir.
Yes. Good.

　Then Makina talked about some of her plans for the future.

　Classes at the academy are scheduled to resume in a week's time.
　However, the Holy Ruins attack will be suspended for the entire first semester.
　The noise that was the cause of the anomaly in the Holy Ruins is no longer there.
　The golem she built was probably also put out in the battle against me and the Holy Tree Knights.
　Even so, it seems that an investigation will be necessary to see if any effects of the mutation remain.
　But the number of Holy Tree Knights that can be devoted to that investigation is currently overwhelmingly insufficient.
　The time when the Holy Tree Knights would be able to resume the investigation with plenty of time to spare is around the long break between the first semester classes and the second semester classes.

　Therefore, it has been decided that the calculation of the evaluation points for the first semester's attack on the Holy Ruins will be done through an intramural martial arts competition, which had been proposed before.
　The martial arts tournament will be held at the end of the first semester.
　Depending on the performance and content of this competition, the alternative evaluation points for the capture of the Holy Ruins will be determined.

''A martial arts competition? I'm looking forward to it!''
I forgot to mention that you and Currier are not attending.
What?
'Why not?　You two are powerful enough to defeat the Four Deadly Plagues.　There's just too much of a power differential. It's a bit of a tournament.
'So what's the grading score for our tournament?'
'I give you unconditional full marks. We decided that at our recent meeting.
'What?　I don't mind, is that okay?
'No problem. The Holy Royal Family people who attended the meeting also expressed their approval, and Sogut Sigismos and Diares Arkwright, who were specially present at this meeting, also found no problem. Well, it's also meant to be a measure for the meritorious people who saved the royal capital. Besides--

　Makina looked like she had things in her teeth.

'This was a bit surprising to me as well, but both the Student Council and the President of the Public Morals Association agreed to give you both a perfect score. If it wasn't for the girls' approval, we might have gotten into a bit more trouble.

　The Student Council and the Council of Public Morals.

''The political influence of the Dukes of Kirsinya and Ferraris is stronger than the Dukes of Troia and Sigmsos. No, if you're in conflict with those two houses at the same time, I don't know if even the House of Renowthia can compete with them...''

　Among the five major dukes, is there a difference in the influence of each house?
　Moreover, it was the president of the wind society who first invented the idea that me and Currier-san should be given an unconditional evaluation of full points, he said.
　Huh?
　Come to think of it, when I went to the Cirrus Baths, I think senior Lei told me that the president of the Windstorm Association wanted to meet me.......

''For me, though, it was most surprising that those two agreed on that.

　I wonder if they are dog and monkey?

Yes, yes. That's what's on the table there is a light meal. You can listen to me while you eat.

　I was hungry, so I didn't hesitate to reach for the food on the table.

　Next, it was about the Holy Tree Knights and the school.
　Currently, the Sacred Tree Order is short on personnel.
　But that doesn't mean they can't still admit inexperienced candidates to the Order.
　If the crisis of war is imminent, posting the candidates to the knightly order as an emergency measure ahead of time could be considered.
　But how about welcoming the candidates to the knightly order as holy warriors now that the crisis has passed?
　The country's higher-ups seem to think so.
　Therefore, the Holy Tree Order has decided to increase the quota of new recruits for next year.
　But that doesn't mean they can't lower the bar for the exam itself.
　As a solution, the Knights have decided to send the Holy Jews to the school periodically to train the candidates directly.
　They would set up a special class slot.
　It seems that if the quality of the candidates improves through this training by the Holy Tree Order members, it should result in an increase in the number of people joining the Order.
　Although it would be a bit of a hassle for the Order of the Holy Tree, it is now an urgent need to secure the number of excellent holy warriors.
　It seems that the current holy warriors have decided to take a step back.
　And perhaps because of the fact that the person who came up with the idea was Sogut Sigismos, the approval of this proposal went very smoothly.

　Hmmm.
　So, there is a possibility of having Commander Sogut train me, if I'm lucky?
　Sogut Sigismos.
　I was hoping that he would train me sometime in the future to prepare for the battle with Hibigami.
　If you have the opportunity to practice in person, I would be grateful, but....

''However, this will only happen after the Holy Tree Order has some leeway, though.

　Makina added.

'Oh, and?　I've already told Currier about this, but that........the one who defeated the Four Deadly Plagues is ostensibly the Knights of the Holy Tree.
Yeah, I think I'd like that, too.
...Are you okay with that?
''Because wouldn't it be more effective externally if the Holy Tree Knights defeated them?　If the Knights of Renowthred are impressed that they are a stronger group than those four evil plagues that are strong enough to compete with the imperial army, it will be an effective deterrent. Even if it was said that the two candidates, who are still holy warrior eggs, defeated them, people would probably be strangely suspicious. It would be more persuasive to say that the Holy Tree Order defeated them.

　The surviving elite troops of the Holy Tree Knights of the Royal Capital are the Four Deadly Disasters class.
　The act of picking a fight with Renowthred, who had the Holy Tree Knights, was, in other words, tantamount to turning the Four Deadly Plagues against them.
　In terms of deterrence, it would be expected to be effective enough.

　I think that Makina-san must have had her own consideration for me and Currier-san.
　If the name of me and Currier-san spread to the outside world, that could put us in danger.
　There would also be people who would try to find out about us.
　I don't want any trouble to fall on Currier-san, but I don't want any trouble to fall on me.

　Then it occurred to me.
　I wondered if the decision to give Currier-san and I an unconditional perfect score at the tournament was meant to make up for this.

'I've kept my mouth shut to the extent possible, but of course, there are many people themselves who know that you and Currier have defeated the Four Deadly Disasters.

　Other than the people of Renowthread, do you know about Shana-san, Rokia, the members of the Kingdom of Fools, and Hibigami.......

But I thought that by spreading the two theories, we could obscure the truth to some extent, especially to other countries. Especially to other countries.
It's not exactly the most top-secret thing in the world, is it?
'Right. So ... maybe the truth will spread around campus.

　The school's instructor was also there.
　The soldiers of the castle also witnessed Currier-san's side.

Well, I'll take it easy and dodge that part.
I'm sure you and Currier will be fine, though.

　Smiling at me, Makina-san moved to the other side of the desk.
　Makina-san stood in front of the window with her back to me.
　She was silent for a while, looking at the scenery outside.

''Having eliminated the Four Deadly Plagues from this continent I believe I was right.

　Suddenly, Makina-san opened her mouth.

''Only, if the death of the Four Deadly Plagues someday makes its way to the Empire the Empire might start a war again. The uncertain deterrent of the Four Deadly Disasters against the Empire is gone.

　In fact, there is probably still one survivor of the Four Deadly Disasters.
　However, according to Hibigami, the Four Deadly Plagues were originally a group of four people, or two or more people fighting in the same place to exert maximum power.....and there was a high probability of that happening.
　The only one who possessed an inter-dimensional power as an individual was Beschgam Angren.
　If that's the case -- although of course caution will continue to be necessary in the future -- it seems safe to assume that the threat of the Four Deadly Disasters that have escaped is certainly less than it was when all four of them were together.
　In other words, the Four Deadly Disasters, as a group, are as good as dead.

　I kept silent and waited for him to continue.

Still, I don't regret getting rid of the Four Deadly Disasters. Rather, I believe that I was able to prevent the atrocious slaughter that could have happened in the future. Besides, the friendship between the three Midzberian nations has been moving forward while the Four Deadly Plagues were rampant. So, I'm sure--

　It sounded as if he was saying to himself.
　If the empire that had lost the barrier of the Four Deadly Disasters attacked again, it might be my own fault for eliminating the Four Deadly Disasters.
　In getting rid of the Four Deadly Disasters, did I, in fact, just put my country in danger?
　Such anguish was palpable.
　Of course, this time, the matter had come to the royal capital from the four evil plagues.
　However, Makina-san had planned to eliminate the Four Deadly Disasters sooner or later one day.
　That's probably why she feels that breaking the fetters of warfare of the Four Deadly Disasters in Midzberia was done by her own will.

''It's all right, Makina-san,''
..........
''If the Empire attacks, I'll fight the Empire. If someone tries to hold you accountable for anything for defeating the Four Deadly Disasters, I'll silence him, too.

　He squeezes his combined hands together, hard.

'If anyone hurts you, I won't forgive them. Besides, didn't the Imperials have trouble with the Four Deadly Plagues?　If that's the case, then I, who defeated two of the Four Deadly Disasters, might be able to fight a good fight against the Imperial Army. Besides, if I'm just going to destroy a country or an organization, I shouldn't have to defeat all of my opponents. .....

　Yeah, until all the pus is gone.

Black, Hiko?

　When I looked up with a gasp, I saw Makina-san with the front of her body facing me.

'Are you okay?　You looked kind of very scared, but...
Huh?　Oh, really?　Well, you see, I was just thinking about the people who would be tormenting Makina-san, and I guess my emotions got the better of me and.......I'm sorry.

　Makina chuckles.

'Well, you don't have to ponder that much. The first priority is to make diplomatic efforts to prevent a war from happening. War is not a good thing.
Yeah.

　'Well,' said Makina, trotting over.

'Anyway, it's nice to see your intentions confirmed.

　Machina-san stretches out her body.

"Well then, I'll do one more thing. As for you--

　Ms. Machina walked to the door and pushed the handle.

'I think you have a pickup coming, don't you?'

　Standing on the other side of the door was

Oh.

Looks like you're finally waking up.
Good morning, Blackbird.

　It was Miss Currier and Cecily.

Well, enjoy your stay.

　After nodding one nod to Makina-san, who was closing the door, Currier-san said.

'Well, we weren't too worried about you. It's you, and we knew you'd wake up eventually.'

　A mean-eyed Cecily-san bumped her shoulder against Currier-san's arm with a pompous bang.

''As expected, after a week, Currier seemed to be starting to worry about it too, right?
Hey, Cecily.
Well, I thought Kurohiko would wake up properly, too. And if we worry too much about him, he will get tired of worrying about it after he wakes up, right?
Uh ... maybe that's one aspect of it.

　It was easy to imagine myself calling out 'I'm sorry for worrying you' in an apologetic manner.
　Maybe it would be easier to be trusted enough to not have to worry.

　I told them that Ira and the others were in the cafeteria, and the three of us were about to head out of the headmaster's office to the cafeteria, that's when it happened.
　Zeke with a braces and bandage on his left arm and Hyrgis-san with a bandage on his right hand emerged from the stairs.

　They both expressed their thanks and exertions.
　Zeke and others chuckled, "I'm probably tired of hearing words like this by now," but it was still nice to hear words of thanks and exertion.

"Well, then, we'll all go to the cafeteria like this--

　Here we go, here we go, here we go

　I could hear footsteps coming up the stairs at a fast pace.
　As soon as the person who heard the footsteps climbed up the stairs and recognized me, a look of admiration appeared on his face, and his tightly drawn mouth quivered.
　And then.

"Aaaaahhhhhh..." "Aaaaahhhh... --Hey!
Mia ..............Mia?

　The one rushing forward slightly bent forward with his hands out........was Mia-san.
　Had the person who went looking for her earlier found Mia-san?

Yes, yes, yes, yes...　Mia is, Mia is~~~!　I'm so worried about you, Krohi, I'm so worried about you!　 .........wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!　It's Kurohi... it's Kurohi... it's Kurohi... ----!

　Mia's face, crumpled with tears and snot, popped into my chest.
　She buried her face in my chest and said, "Zubi-bazan, zubi-bazan........! And Mia sobbed as she repeated her apology.
　Makina says, "Hey, what's going on? And Mia ranted and cried out loudly enough to get out of the room.
　Did it take long enough for her to calm down?

''I'm sorry, sir... when I saw Kurohiko-sama awake, I couldn't help but...''

　Mia, her face flushed with remorse plastered all over her face, bowed her head deeply.

''I'm sorry, sir.''

　Mia dented her ears with a swoon.
　However, there is no one here to blame her.
　Rather, everyone watched the sobbing Mia with a smile.
　Only, Cecily-san.

I'm not sure what it is........our welcoming, which was completed with plenty of time to spare, is starting to feel very light.......what is this sense of defeat.... ...

　And he was pale.
　Currier, on the other hand, was

........giggles.

　Oh my God, I was getting tears.

'Well, then, for now, shall we all go to the dining room?　Right?

　We decided to leave this place for now, in order to go to the dining room where Ira and the others were waiting.

　Zeke and Hyrgis-san line up in front of us.
　Mia, who had caught up to the two in front of us at a brisk trot, was bowing to them over and over again.
　Zeke puts his hands in front of him and looks like, well, well.

　Cecily-san, who is dizzy with a mysterious sense of defeat on her shoulders, says with a curious look, ".......are you okay? Currier-san asks.
　 I was muttering something.
　Wobbling with an unsteady gait and walking in a different direction from the stairs, Cecily-san.
　Curie-san said, "Oh, hey!　Where are you going?! He was in a hurry to bring Miss Cecily back.

''...........''


　Watching the scene, I was kind of relieved.


　I felt like I was back, once again.



　I'm back to this place where the people I love are.