I was in a wheelchair.
　Because I still can't balance my body well with my lower body.
　The wheelchair is being pushed by Currier-san.

　The Holy Tree Knights are holding a meeting right now in a room in the Great Sacred Ground.
　Machina-san and the others left the meeting midway after receiving the report of my awakening.
　They asked me to participate in that meeting if possible.
　I could just talk, so I agreed.

　Then, after they had settled down from their smackdown, I was the first to ask Makina-san about the north and east gates.
　I was relieved to hear that Lili and Node-san were safe and sound.
　I heard that Makina-san had rushed to the north gate and Rose Claywoll had defeated the enemy at the east gate.
　Incidentally, no mysterious enemies like Skolbanger had appeared at the other gates.

'You're fidgeting, Kurohiko.
Oh, really?

We won.

　In a tone that made me guess what was on my mind, Currier said.

'Isla and Cecily have been selected to compete in the third round.

Oh, really?　Yah, it's--yah, there it is!
Look, I know you're happy, but don't be stupid.

　Currier smiles bitterly.

''Cecily and the others wanted to see you too, but those guys are just getting started. I told them to go back to the mansion and quarters today. It was a bit of a sly thing for me to say about how it was your job to make sure that when Kurohiko wakes up she has the best game possible.
'I see...'

　We did it.
　We both won the second game.
　We were able to defend that game.
　From the bottom of my heart, I knew it was worth the desperate fight.

'By the way, the other contestants in the third round...?
Dristos and Koudelka.
So...
Four of the names you just mentioned are going to be in round three.

　The only remaining matches are the semifinals and the final.
　The pairings will be announced tomorrow.
　But if you've made it this far, you can say that you're in the same boat as the final, no matter who you're playing.
　From now on, it would be no use worrying about the luck of the opposing cards.　

　By the way, Sieg and Hyrgis won the first year division, Rei seniors won the second year division, and Beosa won the third year division.
　After all, everyone is sure of their abilities.

''The day after tomorrow's Holy Martial Arts Festival will be worth cheering for.
Yeah. It's just--
"Just?
As for you, who do you root for, Isla or Cecily?
'What?　It's just that--

　No, I should say it firmly here.

''This Seibu Festival, I'm going to support Ira-san. And in the meantime, I've served as her training partner.
Well said. If I had gotten an ambiguous response here, I might have been a little disappointed in you. Naturally, I'm rooting for Cecily.
Of course, I wish Cecily the best of luck, but...
'Yeah, I wish Ira the best of luck, too. But apart from that, there are still some things that are non-negotiable. Both of us.
Yeah.

　As we were talking about this, we saw a door with lights leaking out.
　Makina and Shana, who were walking ahead of me, opened the door and entered.
　Shanna-san stuck out her head only and beckoned me in.

　When I entered the room, the Holy Tree Knights were all there.
　All eyes are drawn to me.
　They all had a somewhat tense expression on their faces.
　Hm?
　It's like your eyes are focused on a single point...?
　Oh, this left arm.
　The bandage is also soaked in blood, and the pain must be noticeable.

　Before Makina-san sat down next to Commander Sogut, she overheard something to Diares-san.
　Diares-san gets up from her seat and calls out to Lili-san with a hand gesture.
　Then they brought a chair to sit down beside me.

''I heard you were very active this time too, Kurohiko.

　Ms. Diaz smiles gracefully.
　He's a man, but his voice is also rather neutral, and together with his good looks, I almost mistook him for a woman many times.
　Well, it makes sense that this beauty is also the brother of Cecily Arkwright, who is described as the most beautiful woman on the continent.

''Would it be alright if I went over the bandages?

　Lili asked, and Dearest replied, "According to Lord Shanatrice, you're going to be fine.
　During this meeting, the two of them are going to take turns applying a healing technique to my left arm while I take turns.

''Ah, thank you. Thank you for your help.
''What are you talking about, Kurohiko? As far as the mysterious giant beast is concerned, if it weren't for you, the damage would have been much worse. This healing technique is par for the course.

　The compliment makes me embarrassed.

I'm sorry, sir.
No matter how strong you get, you remain humble.
''I can only fight... and I'm not able to do the work of a headmaster like Machina-san, nor can I use healing techniques like Deerless-san.
'Hmm I like that haughty attitude of yours.

　The healing ceremony begins.
　A pale green light envelops my left arm.
　The pain eased.
　The throbbing sensation was replaced with a tingle.

　Makina-san, who saw that my treatment had begun, nodded to Commander Sogut.
　The meeting resumed.
　The reports on the various guards for today's Holy Martial Festival and the battle with the Endno Ten Indicators Army that occurred at each gate had already been completed.
　It seemed that the people who had their heads in the sand this time were Commander Sogut, Diares-san, and Van Stos, who were unable to participate in the battle.
　This time, the majority of the Eight Sacred Trees and Eight Swords were also under the escort of Princess Hel this time.

''Even if Prince Yggud has a strong request, if this kind of situation happens again, I'll be the one to leave, prepared to face the punishment. This time, I'm sorry for everyone.

　Commander Sogut declared that once and for all.

　It's fortunate that there weren't too many casualties in this attack, thanks to the participation of Makina-san and the 《Armor War Demon》.
　If it wasn't done well, there was a possibility that Node-san and Lili-san would have died.

　My sense is that it's inevitably based on hibigami, noise and beshgams.
　For that reason, I may have somewhat underestimated the final eight funeral blades.
　However, they were not an opponent that could be dismissed as weak.

　However, it was really good that there weren't many casualties.

　The meeting was currently discussing whether or not the Endnojutsuji Army would continue to attack in the future, and if so, how to deal with them.
　From what I've heard, it seems that the first concern is the lack of personnel.
　Also, in order to increase the number of corps members who have the combat ability to counter the End No. 10 Indicator Army, it was suggested that more attacks on the Holy Ruins at the base of the Holy Tree should be conducted as training.
　It was also suggested that if it was for training purposes, individuals should be allowed to enter the Holy Ruins with permission.

　After the Commander finished summarizing the issues for consideration, the next step was to move on to talk about the mysterious giant beast - the Skolbanger.
　The Commander and Makina-san threw questions at me, and me and Currier-san explained what had happened.

　Suddenly, he appeared, killing the Endnojutsuji Army.
　We don't know why they attacked us.
　There was a section where he had lost his mind, so maybe that's why he attacked me.
　His skin is so hard that even a high-powered third forbidden curse could only inflict a slight wound.
　I had the impression that he had regained his reasoning somewhat during the process.
　There was some sort of time limit for him to retain his appearance, and when that time was reached, he would disappear and transfer to another place - I could guess that from the way he spoke.

　His name was Skolbanger.

　Makina-san hmmm and pondered.

'Skolbanger I've never heard of that name. Does anyone have any idea what that name is?

　There is no one to answer.

'Wolf-headed giants, or ... if you look into the mythology, what do you think you'll find?　Oh my God, if only Clarice were here at a time like this...

　Dr. Clarice, who knows things, is not in Renowthread right now, as I recall.
　Shana wrinkles her brow, hmmm.

"I don't have any idea either. Maybe she can tell me why I can't see her when I go to see her, but I don't know if I'll ever see her.

　That woman is probably the person called Tasogale, who created the Sixth House.
　Currier-san gives her a complicated look.

''If Noyes, whose knowledge was so broad and rich, were still alive, he might have had some idea of what he was talking about...''

　Apparently, there's not going to be any more progress on the Skolbanger now than what just happened and what is known.

''As for that Skolbanger, it doesn't look like we can take any countermeasures beyond being on guard for now... If it appears again, it would be pathetic for us, but with the help of Sagara Krohko and Currier Versteen, who were able to bite back and fight it. We, the Order of the Sacred Tree, will have to use all our resources to deal with this.

　When Commander Sogut summarized that and Makina-san agreed, "Well......." the door of the conference room was opened.

''Excuse me.''

　The one who came in was Princess Hel, accompanied by Varaga Wormald.

''Thank you for your efforts on this matter, Holy Tree Knights. I hear that a threat has been approaching without my knowledge?　I would have been more than willing to help you if you had told me.

　Everyone in the room sat up from their chairs.
　Incidentally, I was the only one who didn't stand because I was worried that if I stood up I might fall off the wheelchair.
　Makina-san also casually sent me instructions with a lightly raised flutter and a glance that said 《you don't have to stand up》.

　The air in the room changed drastically and was filled with a sense of tension.
　If she is the princess of a country, this reaction is inevitable.
　The first one to respond to the princess was Makina-san.

''From the beginning, we on Renowthred's side had no intention of offering cooperation to our guests, including Her Highness. It was the suggestion of Lord Shanatrice Twelfth here, and as a result we were able to enlist the help of some of our guests.

　Since she was in front of the Imperial Princess, Makina-san's language was used accordingly.
　To be able to consciously change her behavior like that depending on the situation, as expected of a duchess.
　Princess Hel took a curious glance at Shana-san and said with amusement.

Unusually, this Valaga also praised you. I wish you could use your talent in the Empire.
It's a great honor to receive such words from the Imperial Highness.

　Shana-san gives a clear smile and bows reverently.

　Both Makina-san and Shana-san were so relaxed in the medical room earlier, but when it comes to a situation like this gut-wrenching, they firmly become like important people in the country.......

''I heard later that Varaga Wormald-dono who was praising that Shanatrice-dono, if you ask me, should have been on his way to the south gate...Where on earth was he?''

　It was Currier-san who made that statement with a sharp gaze.
　When the question was thrown at her, Varaga didn't move and answered calmly.

''I'm embarrassed to tell you this, but.......actually, I got lost within this large and spacious Great Sacred Field, right?　While I was hanging around some more, I felt, well I'm embarrassed to tell you again, but I felt a sudden pain in my stomach due to anxiety. I was holed up in the washroom the whole time.

　That really troubled me, Valaga shrugs his shoulders, ''I was really troubled by that.

''Well it sounds like I asked you something rude. I apologize for the question I just asked you.

　Mr. Currier politely offered his apologies.
　There would be some diplomatic issues, so she was conscious of the language she used, no matter how much they were homegrown in the Sixth House.
　But she clearly seemed to realize that Varaga's story just now was a lie.
　I can tell.
　That sudden coldness in her feeling was probably due to the realization that Varaga had uttered a lie.
　Princess Hel stepped forward, as if to show off herself.

'I am sorry that my people have been unavailable to you at a critical moment. Well, I heard that the rumored Armoured Warrior did well, and--

　The eyes of the princess as she inspects her prey catch me.

''If you ask me, didn't I hear that the forbidding spellcaster over there has defeated an enemy that rivals the Four Deadly Plagues?　It's a wonderful force. What a terrific force this country is--
"Master Hel, I thought we were here to thank you for the escort?

　Valaga interrupted.
　It seemed to be worthy of disrespect to interrupt the princess' words, but the Helle Princess smiled pleasantly, not seeming to care.

''Ha, that was it, wasn't it!　I'm very happy with the way he's escorted. I'm sure you'll be pleased with the results of this latest incident, and it proves once again that Renowthread is capable of fighting a one-world enemy even without Soght Sigismos and the other major players.　No, no, your notable strength is truly enviable.

　A one-world enemy, huh?
　Come to think of it, the Four Deadly Disasters had a history of stamping out the Empire's continental invasion of the east, right?
　If the Skolbanger's fighting ability is of the Beshgam class, then indeed, he might be powerful enough to play with a country.

　And then I notice that Princess Hel is looking at me.
　It reminds me of the look in her eyes, like a child wanting a toy that she wants.
　Then Valaga speaks up again.

''Hel-sama, it would be a nuisance to them if you stay too long. After what happened today, they are probably at the extreme end of their fatigue....................especially the Lord Forbidden Spell Maker. Isn't that right, Lord Kurohiko?

　Valaga questioned me with a smile, but I couldn't take his smile as well as his expression.




　After Princess Hel and Valaga left the room, the meeting ended after about thirty minutes.
　The future miscellaneous matters will be handled by Makina-san and the Knights' side.
　In other words, I've received an order that I can now return to normal operation, but--

'Kurohiko, why don't you stay in the Sickbay at the Great Sacred Ground today?

　It was Mr. Diaz who suggested this to me right after I left the conference room.