After having the bizarre experience of conversing over my back with a beautiful naked girl, I greeted Rose again, then mobilized all my trained sense of presence and left the room with my eyes closed.

　I know where I'm headed.
　It goes without saying.
　The witch's room.
　Briskly, I open the door.

'Hey!　What the hell?　I'm in the middle of changing my clothes!　What?　You're finally going to offer your offspring to the eagle?　Ho-ho-ho-ho, that's pretty forceful!

　Now I don't flinch at the extent of the Lucky Snake event.
　I close my eyes and say, "You planned it, didn't you?

'You planned it, didn't you?'
Phi-phi.

　A deceptive whistle.
　The quality was also low.

'You led me to Miss Rose's room, knowing it was time for her to wipe herself off, didn't you?
"Hilopi. Pippi.
..........
What?　Kurohiko is the face of murder!　I'm afraid!
What was your intention?
'What?　Oh, that's as good as it gets!　I'm just trying to be mischievous!　Mm-hmm!　But from the looks of things, it looks like they were successful!　Oh, hot?　Rose's physique was quite impressive for someone of her size, wasn't it?

　Shana, in her underwear in the middle of changing - probably because her eyes are closed - slips up to me.
　Yup.
　Even with your eyes closed, you can still grab them to a distance.
　But to think that presence detection, which excludes sight, would come close to completion in such a trivial situation.
　What a shame.
　I let out a sigh, releasing the intimidation I felt for Beschgum Angren.

''Well, it seems that Shana-san made a lot of moves during the end-of-the-week Tenth Legion battle the other day--''

　Also, in deference to Rose's respect for Shana.

Let's leave it a non-issue this time.
And as it turns out, you're lucky enough to see a pretty girl naked, aren't you?
..........
I'm just kidding!　It's a joke!




　Before I left the mansion where Shana-san was staying, Prince Geas thanked me again for the escort I got the other day.
　Come to think of it, that was why I had been called to that mansion.
　After silently shaking hands with Rose-san, who came down in armor, I took the carriage Shana-san had arranged for me and returned to the Great Sacred Ground.
　A member of the Holy Tree Order who was waiting at the Great Sacred Ground took me to the Sickbay.

　When I returned to the Sickbay, Mia-san was leaning back on the bed and sleeping soundly.
　She must have been tired after all.
　I decided to wait for her to wake up.
　Then I woke up and Mia and...

''I didn't think you'd fall asleep without realizing that Kurohiko-sama had returned, I'm sorry!　I couldn't help but doze off.
''Don't mind me,'' she said. I was able to watch Mia-san sleep peacefully while she slept and it helped me to heal myself.
"Heeeee--Uh, I'm so embarrassed........

　The exchange was like that.

　Then, while following Mia-san, who was devastated with her ears flattened, I then headed to the academy with Mia-san and the Renowthread family's carriage.
　I had a feeling that if I held Mia-san in my arms and used the fifth forbidden spell, it would be a step in the right direction, but it wouldn't be a good idea to put a load on my body right now.
　After getting off at the main gate, Mia-san had to push her wheelchair home.

'Is it okay for you to work as a maid of honor?'
'Yes!　As a reward for handling some of Makina-sama's business on her behalf for a while, I've taken the day off.
I'm sorry to have you take care of me on your day off.
'What are you talking about, Mr. Kurohiko?　Mia is more than happy to use this holiday to take care of Kurohiko-sama!
Oh, you're happy taking care of me?
Yes!
''It's so embarrassing.......I feel like Mia-san is the only person who can say that to me. I hope I can thank you in some way--

　That's when the wheelchair stopped.

'No, Mr. Kurohiko.'

　In a very calm voice, Mia said.

'It's exactly this kind of time we get to spend together that is like a reward for Mia.




　On the way back to the house, I asked Mia to stop by the girls' quarters.
　Now was the time when I was still allowed to visit.
　After completing the formalities in the janitor's office, Mia-san pushed my wheelchair and I came to the ground floor hall.
　This is the only space where boys are allowed to enter as guests in these quarters.

'Oh, look!　It's Sagara Kurohiko!
It's great. Did you hear that?　Rumor has it that they got rid of a mysterious monster as strong as the Four Deadly Plagues yesterday?
Wow, that left arm.........it's bleeding on the bandage.......ouch....
'But it's pretty promising though, isn't it?　He has a surprisingly good face.
Don't do that. There's no way we can compete with Cecily Arkwright or Currier Verstein.
''........well.... Oh, if you're going to be such an amazing person, I should have gotten to know you earlier...

　Mia chuckles.

'You are a popular man, Kurohiko-sama.

　A popular person, huh?

''Even before she became 'popular', Mia-san was kind to me... that's why Mia-san is a special person to me.
And special!　
'Ha, Mia, you're exaggerating. I'm just telling you the truth.
That 《fact》 pleases me to no end, Mr. Kurohiko....

　Swoosh.
　At that moment, I hear a sound like I can smell something from Mia's nose.
　Mia-san steps in front of me and bows nicely.

'Kurohiko-sama.......Mia is waiting outside.
Miss Mia?
Please do not hesitate to call me when you're ready to leave. Now, if you'll excuse me.

　After slurring that, Mia left the hall at a trot.
　Huh?
　What's going on?

Blackbird!

　Ah, I see.
　So you refrained from doing so because Ira-san came?
　But you didn't have to be reserved........
　If it's typical of Mia-san, it's typical of her, but....

'Excuse me. You were absent, weren't you?

　Ira ran up to me and shook his head.

'Nope!　I'm so glad Kurohiko came to visit!
I thought I'd give you a pep talk to see how we're going to fight tomorrow.

　While Ira's expression was shining, I explained to him again about the points of tomorrow's game against Dristos.

　At the third round level, it's unknown whether or not the strategy we have in place will work.
　I think this is the same in a real fight.
　The higher your opponent's strength, the greater the uncertainties.
　How flexible you can be in responding to those uncertainties in the moment.
　How quick and easy it is to come up with a path to victory.
　I believe this is the difference between victory and defeat.
　It's possible for me to think of and communicate macro tactics in advance.
　However, the micro battle would depend on Ira's presence on stage.

　When we finished checking everything, Ira-san let out an "uh-huh" and his mouth fell open.
　There was a thin layer of tears under her eyes.

"W-what's wrong?
No....I feel safer with Kurohiko around. If I was alone, I think I would have been messed up in my head.......that's a different kind of peace of mind. That's why I'm grateful that you came to see me today.

　Even without me, Ira-san won the second round.
　I think she's gained enough strength of will to fight without me.
　But I was honestly happy to hear her say that.

''Tomorrow is finally the last day. Let's do our best to finish so that there are no regrets.''
'Yeah I'm going to give it everything I've got, and I'm going to do my best.
Oh, but--
'If you're thinking about the final, you don't want to be too reckless in the semifinals - right?

　I chuckled, I guess I'm still prone to letting my thoughts show on my face.

''Haha it looks like there won't be anything more for me to tell Ira-san before the third round.


　Tomorrow, the winner of the Holy War Festival will finally be decided.