The next day, a regular meeting was being held at the White King's Knights' headquarters.

　The meeting started with Reinhardt's words, "Greiberg has made a public announcement," followed by, "The royal castle has disappeared," which the five of them didn't understand the meaning of at first, and the meeting room was silent.

What do you mean by 'disappeared'?

　The Raid questioned the expression 'disappearance'.

I've heard that everything within the grounds, including the castle, disappeared overnight. Only the walls and gates remain, with the king, princess and other officials missing. It seems that a large hole had been carved out of the ground in its wake. In addition, there was another strange description of the site...

　It's not just the raids.
　Each of the other White King's Knights also seemed to have difficulty understanding it.

''It's a huge black sphere that most of the people have witnessed. It appeared early in the morning, and its appearance was visible from the town near Grayberg - Mira. The presumed location is on the grounds of the royal castle, and the disappearance of the castle is thought to be related to this sphere.

　But one person, Sierra, was the only one who had a different reaction.
　Because if it was due to the dragon's heart, it was clear that Masamune was involved.

''Reinhardt. Does that mean it was done by the dragon's heart?

　But none of this was new to me, and I hadn't been told anything by Masamune.

'The release of the information is said to be the intention of the newly enthroned king--Arthur Greiberg, who has assured me in writing that the cause is almost certainly the dragon's heart.

　That would mean that Masamune was also involved.
　He was confused, and for a moment he was terrified by Masamune's actions.
　But the fact that the castle had disappeared was not so easy to comprehend, and I was half in doubt.

'I'll keep you posted on this one as soon as I have more information, but next, Sierra, I need to talk to you.
Wa-wa-wa, is it me?

　Her mind had just drifted away from the agenda because of Masamune, when she heard Reinhardt's voice.
　Sierra turned around as if she had been caught off guard.

'Nito will be leaving the country soon. With that, Sierra. I'm thinking of relieving you of your appointment as White King Knight.

　Not understanding immediately, Sierra trailed off.

'Hilda has been asking me for advice for some time now.

　Sierra looked at Hilda.

'Sierra. It is not compulsory. If you want to stay in this country, of course that's fine too. But Hilda wants you to travel.
'Sierra. I think, you know, you should see the world for once.
Sister....
Even if you stay here, you will always be the same. If you travel with Masamune and Toa, see many things and experience many values, something will change. And I'm sure that's what you want too.
"But as the White King's Knight...
''The White King's Knights can do it when they're older. But the journey with them is now or never. Opportunity comes to everyone. But once you miss it, the next one is rare.
Why does your sister want me to change?　What's wrong with me?

　Then Raid, who had been quietly listening to the conversation, interrupted.

The only thing I can think of is that you should take your family talk elsewhere, but, well, we've known each other for a certain amount of time. So I dare to say this tactlessly. Sierra, the point is, it's easier to talk about it when I see your sword.
'Swords, I see.......what is the problem with my sword?
It's not my place to say that I've lost so badly, but your sword is just like a model sword. It's a good thing that you're not the only one. You're not that good with your sword. But that's only by way of example.
'I'm sorry, Lade. I don't know what you're trying to say.
You're too common. There's nothing in your sword. Of course you've learned something from that fight. But let's be clear. Your development ends here, no further. I can assure you of that.

　Sierra's eyes were filled with anger mixed with frustration.
　But she couldn't come up with a rebuttal and was desperately trying to endure it.

'The sword is a mirror that reflects you, in my case a sickle. You will find that your color will appear somewhere. I won't say that he has no personality. But regardless of the sword, you're too ordinary yourself. Your character, your personality, and many other factors that make up a person are all normal. The righteousness and morality that you stand for has no weaknesses. You are a true role model. I wouldn't be ashamed to show it to anyone. But that is your weakness. When you compete with someone of the same level, you will lose. That means that you can only beat the lower level. That's what you are now.
''I don't know. Is Raid trying to tell me that my justice is wrong in my thinking?
It's a borrowed sword. If you want to be just a knight, that's fine. But if you want to be more than that, you need to find your own sword.
..........
'Sierra, the conclusion doesn't have to be right now. But we need to decide before Nito leaves.

　At Reinhardt's words, Sierra looked down with a single word, "I understand.

*

　Eccarlato Manor.
　A short time after the meeting, Sierra and Masamune were found by the flower beds in the garden.

　Masamune, who was called to speak with them, was waiting for Sierra's words.
　But Masamune, who had been told beforehand by Hilda and King Arnold, knew what Sierra was going to say.

'I heard about the matter of Greberg. That the castle has disappeared...''
Okay.
We have heard that Masamune and Toa will be leaving King's Landing soon.
Nem's at church now. He's going to visit with Sharon. I'll bring Nem as soon as the sisters give the go-ahead. He still wants to go with us.
Okay.

　There was another pause in the conversation there.

　Masamune had noticed Sierra's mood.
　But Sierra also noticed that he brought up the subject of Nem in an attempt to divert the conversation.
　Still, Sierra pursued it.

'Masamune do you think that Masamune was doing the right thing?'
You mean Graysberg.
Yes, sir.
''Well I don't think it's right, but I didn't make the decision based on whether it was right or not. I just don't regret it.

　But there was a regret within Masamune.
　Masamune himself didn't know what that feeling was, and he only called it 'regret' now, but there was a persistent sense of something that stuck with him.

'I've heard that the castle has disappeared, but does that mean you don't even have any regrets about it?
"There's a guy who said good and evil are abstract. He said he believed in what he was doing. I've chosen a path I don't regret. It's a different language, but I think it's essential the same. I don't have any regrets.
He says there's nothing on my sword.

　Masamune looks into Sierra's profile at the abrupt words.

'They say that my justice and ideas are given to me. If I don't have enough experience, it's a borrowed sword, that's what he told me.... In the past, I would have had less than positive thoughts about Masamune's actions. No, I still feel the same way. But I can't believe that even these feelings are borrowed, and I don't know where to trust myself now. ...Masamune, what should I do?
I don't see why you should care.

　Masamune was unsure of how to answer.

'Did Reinhardt tell you that?　Or is it the knight with the bad behavior?　I don't care either way, but I don't care if we, who have only lived for 18 or 17 years, are told that. Of course, if they found out, I wouldn't just be blamed, I'd be put to death. But if we hadn't done anything, the war would have started.
War, sir........so it's justice?
'I didn't go to stop the war myself, and I don't know that that's the logic of the dragon's heart, but those guys are a necessary evil, so to speak, aren't they?'
'I don't know. I don't know what to do now. I don't know how to...
'I guess you're asking me to travel to find it. Well, but I think it's simpler than that. If you don't want to go, you can stay in King's Landing, or if you want to go, you can leave with us tomorrow.
What, tomorrow?
Yeah, sorry about the rush. I'm sorry to rush you, but I had planned to leave earlier. Only it was delayed by the dragon's heart and the Empire and all that.
So that's what happened...

　Masamune knew the meaning of Sierra's expression as she slurred her words.
　He had an idea of what he wanted her to say, but he thought that it was Sierra who would decide.

'It's probably more fun than playing the White King's Knight. Besides, I'm sure Toa and Nem will be happy, and it shouldn't be a loss for Sierra. The rest is up to Sierra to decide.

　Then he saw Nem and Toa.
　Noticing them, Sierra naturally smiled.

''I want to go...''

　Sierra was muttering honestly.

'I ... I want to travel with you guys.
'What?　Simple, right?　It's fine, so.
''Well yes. Maybe so. It was simple, and strangely enough, it seems so now.

　The sunlight that had been lighting up the garden overlapped with Sierra's profile as she smiled in relief.
　The depressed expression on Sierra's face as she greeted Toa and Nem, the depressed expression from earlier was no longer there.

　In front of the smiling scene, but Masamune's eyes didn't clear somehow, and he seemed to be looking at something different.

''Nope. Is it me who needs to travel...?

　A tired smile. Masamune was alone, just looking up at the sky.

*

　The next day.
　We arrived at the main gate of the royal capital and were greeted by the adventurers led by Yogi, Sharon-san, and the white king's knights in civilian clothes, which were different from their usual white outfits.

　Heroes.
　In other words, I was leaving the country, and there were also the residents of the town and the travelers who were there in the area.
　At the number of people who saw me off, Maria was deeply moved by the number of people who saw me off, and she was spilling tears.

'Maria, if you cry, Sierra and Masamune-kun and the others won't be able to cry,'
Mr. Brown, that's nitpicking, please.
Huh, that's right. Take care of Sierra, Nito.

　Adventurers opening the way.
　Then I see Yogi uniting the adventurers with the word.

It's like yesterday when I warned you to stop being an adventurer. I'm sorry to say that I was the weakest at the time, after all this time. You're a hero in this country.
Huh, you're a very convenient guy. So long, Yogi. I'll see you later.
We're going to leave this country sooner or later. I'll buy you another beer when I see you in your travels. I'll remember the name of this Yogi who bought our hero Nito a beer.
Yeah. I'll remember that.

　Nem is sad to say goodbye to the sisters.
　The children from the same orphanage are watching them. Sierra says goodbye to Sharon.
　Toa chuckles at Cedric's one-sided apology.
　When I turned around, such a scene was in front of me.

You're almost healed, and you decide to go. I wanted to have a fight with you.

　In the shadows of the main gate was the figure of Lade.
　Next to him was Reinhardt.

'I'm sorry for blowing you off before, Raid. I apologize for the last time.
Hey, don't remind me. d*mn, you little f*cker.

　In a bad mood, but with a faint smile, Lade walked over to Sierra.

'Are you sure? Take Sierra with you.
'Yeah, I'll leave Sierra in charge. It's in the best interest of that man and this country.
I'm telling you, if you're going to make me look for you, there's no point.
He's a cautious guy. So that's what this alias is for.
I've got a lot of things on my plate, too, you know.
Auriga has been informed of the destination. It will take me a few days to reach Heilkwaite.
'I'm sorry you even got the carriage for me when I didn't ask. Thank you.
You're a hero. You're a hero. It's not even close.
So long, Reinhardt. You are the guardian of King's Landing.
I would if they told me.

　There was no further conversation, and I headed for the carriage first.
　When I noticed it, Toa got in as well.

'Sierra, you look lonely.'
'I'm leaving the home I've been in since I was born. That's understandable. You can say goodbye to it until you're done.

　Then he saw Nem trotting along and jumped into the carriage with a pion.

'Nem. Are you done saying goodbye to the sisters and everyone at the orphanage?
...Yes, sir. Talking about it will only make you sad.
We'll see each other again. We'll come back one day to see you all.

　He gently patted Nem's head as he felt lonely.

　A few moments later, the carriage started to move as Sierra got in.

'Goodbye!

　Nem was waving goodbye with a big wave of his hand and a loud goodbye to the people waving off in front of the main gate. Toa and Sierra also leaned out of the carriage and joined in, waving back.

'Long live the heroes!'

　When I heard a multitude of voices, I was curious and I looked halfway up my sleeve.

　Hilda, who was visible in the distance, winked at me, "Take care of Sierra.
　I gave her a small smile and did as she asked.

　The distant royal capital.
　The three of them waved until everyone was out of sight, but I was alone, leaning against the carriage with my eyes closed.
　The faces of Aries and Saeki, whom I should have already killed, float in the darkness.

　I thought about the unknowable emotions that plagued me, but as usual, I sighed, unable to find an answer.
　I turned my head out of the carriage as if to escape that feeling of emptiness and sought answers from the corner of my eye.

　But as usual, this gray sky didn't tell me anything.