I don't want to be asked to do anything, well, I'd say I'm rather indebted to Makina-san.......

　'Hmm,' snorted Wagnus.

'Isn't he such a mild-mannered boy that I can't believe the stories about him fighting those four deadly plagues to the death?

　Makina-san, who was standing next to her father's assessment, said.

'He's a man who does things when he has to, father.
I see.

　Wagnus-san strokes his beard and sighs.

It's a very good idea to be able to have a good time with your friends and family. I've given up on the whole thing, but--

　Mr. Wagnus looks deeply moved and nudges Makina's head.

'At some point, this girl started talking about one man frequently. This was so much more than the other guys... how do you say, he had a lot of heat when he spoke?　That was Lord Kurohiko.
Father?

　Makina stared up at her father, staring up at him as he nudged her head with a large, rude hand.

'You didn't come here to talk about that, did you?
'Huh, I'm sorry. No, Sagara Krohiko and Currier Versteen--I just wanted to say sorry to you guys.
Apologize?
I'm talking about when the Four Deadly Sins hit.

　As he removed his hand from his daughter's head, Mr. Wagnus looked divine.

''I and the Kingsguard didn't hesitate to take the King to the castle's escape route in order to let the Holy King escape. The Holy King was reluctant to show his people that he would not be able to escape, but if the king was dead, the country itself would be in danger. Especially the current king is a wise king who is too wise to let him die easily. That's why my Kingsguard and I chose to flee to the north for refuge in the dukedom. Forcing you guys to deal with the Four Deadly Plagues.

　It may have been the intention.
　On the other hand, there was a hint of other intentions as well.
　The Holy King wasn't trying to escape.
　I think that's what he wanted to tell them.
　He is trying to protect the king's honor, even if he is accused of being a coward.
　You're a fine man, Makina-san's father.

　I said.

'When the Four Deadly Plagues were attacking, and even afterwards...........no one was blaming the Holy King.

　There were people who said that the Holy King would have been evacuated.
　But I don't think anyone was accusing him of that.

''He must be a trusted king. The people of King's Landing must have thought so, even if they had to flee, they wanted the Holy King to survive.
Lord Kurohiko...
''Yes, and.......as a result, the four evil plagues were defeated. I think it was the Four Deadly Disasters that were to blame, not the Holy King or Mr. Wagnus.
I'm with you.

　Currier-san will continue.

'I dare say - at that time, there was a battle madman in King's Landing who wanted to fight the Four Deadly Plagues. If that man had come, I believe that the Four Deadly Plagues would have all been killed eventually.
That man, the one from the Sixth House, the one called Hibigami?

　Currier-san nodded.
　I wonder if Makina-san told her about it.
　Wagnus-san seems to know about Hibigami's existence.

　Wagnus-san taking a breath.

''My goodness, on the contrary, you make me worry about the benefactors who saved the royal capital....................You're too good for your young age, but you're too good for people.
Oh, you don't think that's coming from a very disciplined, stiff-necked father, do you?
'Ha, I'm just kidding. Well, I suppose it's a worthy achievement. At any rate, I would like to thank you both, once again, as the head of the duke's house in Renovia.

　Mr. Wagnus bowed reverently.

'Feel free to tell me if you need anything, even if it's just through Makina. My position limits the extent of my cooperation, but I can lend you a helping hand if you need anything.
Oh, thank you.

　When you are awed by such a great man, it makes us cringe.

'But--'

　Suddenly, Wagnus-san cut her off.

'I thought she would always be a jaded girl, but for me, it's a relief. It looks like you had your eyes on her too.

　Picking up the hem of Wagnus-san's clothes, Makina-san tugs on it with a bit of a tug.

''Father?　If we're done with our business, may I ask you to leave now?
I'd like to ask you a few questions, Mister Kurohiko.

　After going through his daughter who urged him to leave, Mr. Wagnus continued.

'For example ... even if the person you're going to tie the knot with doesn't have the physique and appearance to look your age, would you still be able to make love to them as a member of the opposite s*x?　In this case, it means that he looks much younger than he really is... well, for me, I'd be happy to see my grandson's face at a reasonable time...
Father!

　Makina jumped up.

'See!　We've done what we came here to do and apologize!　You have to get out--cum-desire!

　Makina gingerly pushed her father out of the room, trying to shoo him away.

'But it's hard to talk about your looks and body shape except with me, isn't it?　Talking about it makes you blatantly unhappy....that's why at times like this, I'm the father, and I'm responsible for--
Even if he's the father, he'll be angry when he's angry!
Ha, I'm not so old as to be kicked out by your brute force--
'Mistortin!　Mistortin!
Okay, okay, okay...

　The smiling father was forced to leave by the Punska daughter, who aggressively called out the name of the unique jutsu style.

　ドレスの裾を整えるマキナさん。

「というわけで――」

　そして左右の腰に手をあて、俺たちの方を振り向いた。

「お父さまに振り回されて伝えるのが遅くなったけど、謁見の準備が整ったわ」


　　　　　＊


　生きてきてこれほど緊張した経験は、数えるほどしかない。

　一国の王との謁見。
　女官さんに導かれて謁見の間へ近づくにつれて、廊下の調度品や装飾のランクが上がっていくのが俺にもわかった。
　ランクが上がるたび、近づいているのだという実感が湧きあがってくる。

　ちなみに最後尾を歩くマキナさんは、いつもよりやや白地が多いが、定番のゴスロリ服。
　キュリエさんは正装と言わんばかりの例のドレス姿。

　そして俺は、学園の制服。
　候補生として会うならこれが一番いいだろうとマキナさんが言ったためだ。
　まあ、いずれにせよ俺はこれ以外のフォーマルっぽい服を持っていないのだが……。

　しばらくすると、両開きの扉の前に到着した。
　前の世界でファンタジー系のＲＰＧで見たそのままと錯覚するばかりの扉。
　扉にはクリスタルがはめ込まれている。
　また、聖樹の蔦を思わせる金の装飾も施されていた。
　いかにも、という感じだ。

　扉が厳かに開く。
　女官さんが数歩行ってから脇に寄り、頭を下げる。

「このままお進みください」
「は、はい」

　この時から俺が先頭となる。
　言われた通りに前へ進む。

　両脇には家臣団と思しき人たちが控えていた。
　見知った顔もちらほらある。
　ガイデンさん。
　先ほどお会いしたワグナスさん。
　よく見ると玉座脇の柱近くには、ディアレスさんの姿もある。

　紅白の絨毯が真っ直ぐ前へ伸びていた。
　緊張しながら絨毯を踏みしめて前へ出ると、玉座に腰をおろす厳格そうな細面の老人と対面。

　聖王様。

　聖武祭を見物しに来ていたので顔は知っている。
　横に仏頂面で立っているのは、第二王子のユグド王子。
　軽く唾をのみ込んでから、マキナさんに教えられた通り跪く。
　キュリエさんたちも、同じように跪いた。

　マキナさんが言った。

「サガラ・クロヒコ、キュリエ・ヴェルステイン両名を連れてまいりました」

　聖王様が口を開く。

「ご苦労だった、マキナ嬢」