I heard that the alliance ceremony needs time. I heard that they need to prepare the golden knights first and then summon the knight master. That's why it's a good thing that we came back to the castle, but we've been waiting in a separate room. Even though it's a simple room, it's luxurious. As expected of a royal castle. This is probably a living room-like place, but it was furnished with expensive-looking furniture.

''I didn't expect Nito-sama to become king I thought it would be a little while longer.

It was as if the Sufiria was expecting my founding story. I was never planning to become a king, but I am a 'candidate for the king'.

It's a good thing it's over without us ever having a chance to get in, isn't it?

Fatigue could be seen in Toa's expression.

'To be honest, founding a country is nothing but a hassle, but this time I only have to pay for it, and since I heard that William-san will mainly do everything, then I thought it would be better to decide on the same day. Did you have something to say to me?

''No matter, if Nito wants to do it, he can do it.　I'm not particularly familiar with it.

"If you want to do it, you can do it, or.......but Toa had a subtle look on his face, as if he wanted to say something else.
Then Nem asked hesitantly.

''Goh........What kind of country is your master going to create?''

What is it?　Nemu seems to be interested in the country. Or rather, he seemed to be a little concerned about me being king.

Well I want to create a country where no one is oppressed. That's all I want right now. The rest is just a matter of mass-producing old gelt and creating an endless supply of wine. Then no one will have to live with it, will they?　Old Gelt seems to sell for a lot of money to the nobility.

Is that so........that Nem and the cat people can live together?

'It's mainly a country for beastmen. Because this world is very discriminatory against beastmen, right?　Let's build a country where the beastmen can live in peace without being oppressed.

To Nem, those words must have meant something to him. A big meaning.
I could tell that by looking at Nem's face as he smiled happily. I don't know the details either, but Nem Nem left his parents at an early age and ended up in Rashausen. Probably a lot of things have happened in the past. There's no way he could have gotten to the sisters right away. Then surely there must have been some painful time I didn't know about.

Just then, a large man and another, Leonardo, entered the room.

'Hmm?　What, are you ready to go?

I'm sorry, this will take a while. For a moment, Albrecht would like to say hello.

And then the big guy next to Leonardo was there.

'Hello, Mister Nito, it's a pleasure to meet you. I am Albrecht Human. Together with Leonardo, I am the Golden Knight Commander.

Hi....

I shook his hand in a terse reply.

'Hmm?　The Golden Knight Commander?

That's when I remembered Albrecht's words were strange to me.

"Did you just say 'with Leonardo'?"

''Yes, of course. There are two knight-commanders, myself and Leonardo, who hold the Golden Order together.

Leonardo is a Knight Commander?

You were a Knight Commander?　Didn't you say you were just a knight when it happened before?

Then a bitter-looking Leonardo opens his mouth.

"I didn't say 'just', did I?　I said you were a knight.

Isn't that the same thing?

I'm sorry, I'm sorry...

Well, that's okay, isn't it?　So.... you're the knight in chief...

Where does this guy have the wherewithal to do that?

Well, that's understandable, isn't it?

Then Albrecht looks on with amusement.

'Is that too much to ask?'

Yes, Leonardo usually keeps his magic in check. But although he may be a little overzealous, he's better than me in terms of ability alone.

Better than this big guy?　Leonardo?　This unreliable looking skinny, no I can't even tell you, but does this guy have that kind of power?
I glanced over at Leonardo, who was blushing with embarrassment. He's a weird guy.
More than that, he's a brooding fellow, despite his refreshing, soft drink-like appearance.
Apparently, he has a tendency to keep his power hidden.

'Well, I don't really care either way, do I?　I was just mistaken.

'I'm sorry, I should have told you before the dungeon, shouldn't I?'

I see. That's why he was so arrogant when we first met.

Then, Nito-dono, I'll call you when you're ready to go--

Then Albrecht leaves the room. Leonardo follows behind him with a bitter smile.
Maybe Xiaon was right after all. Power is something to hide, and maybe that's the basis. It's not necessary to dare to hide it, and even if it is, it probably shouldn't have been revealed too easily.

It's a good idea to be able to have a good time with them. Ah.........come to think of it, Schneizel has prepared a room for me, right?

In fact, we were told that food, clothing and shelter will be provided by Durmsteadan during our stay in the country. That's why we should pay for everything in restaurants and so on by the government.
But we're all tired today, and we'll have to wait until tomorrow to see the sights. But.....

Hey, guys? .....

I was thinking, for a minute.

"What?

--I looked at the three of them.

"...no, it's nothing.

I'm lost. It was something I had been thinking about since I left the academy. And now that we're building a country, I thought it would be better to deal with it now, but... what should we do?
But it's the best time to do it. As soon as the tournament is over. As soon as the dust settles. We won't have to make them feel uncomfortable.

Hey, Nito?　What's going on?　Is something bothering you?

Hmm?

Is that what it says on your face?

....

It's not that big of a deal, but....

No, I'm not really worried about it, but...

The three of us will wonder. I don't want to do anything to hide it, but.......it can't be helped.

''Will the Demon Kingdom accept me and Sufilia as a human?

What? What does it matter?　Father will be fine, I'm sure....

Let's not do that now. As with Toa, there's a bit of instability in us right now. It's not enough to talk about everything.

Maybe it's because I'm the one who "told" them, but the three of them were smiling as if they were relieved. This is fine for now.
But if you're going to go, you'll have to explain it properly.
Just then, the door to the room opened again. It looks like they are ready to go.





o





　King Feng's Castle "Throne Room".
The 'Golden Knights' of Durm's Aldan, lined up by the walls at both ends. The flags on the tips of their spears were raised in number of knights. And the two knight commanders standing at the front of them, the two knight commanders who organize the 'Golden Knights'.
The one on the left is the "Albrecht Human". He wears golden armor with a red cloak, a golden beard and hair pulled back all the way. He has a rugged physiognomy and a thick, well-trained body.
In contrast, the one on the right is a targeted, slender knight, "Leonardo Fales".
And in the center of the two of them, in front of the throne, was the figure of Feng King Schneizel Dames Aldan.

''Great mage Nito-dono!　Now, let's go!　In the name of Schneizel Dames Aldan, King of the Fowler, here!　I declare the formation of the 'Alliance of Houma Demons'!

It was Nito who said there was no need for an exaggerated ceremony, but this was customary and necessary.

''Grand Mage Nito-dono is a hero who defended the people from the forces of the Demon Kingdom of Chastain in the recent attack by the Demon Clan, and this is an honor for our country!

Schneizel then thanked them for this day and told them to thank Nito.
Then the customary ceremony ended and everyone bowed their heads as if they were formally welcoming Nito to the country.
An alliance means that the wills of both parties are united and there is no superiority in that.
But this was the way of Dames Aldan. Once a nation lost, Schneizel had been preaching gratitude to everyone, and to himself, since the rebuilding.

And the ceremony was over. The Golden Horsemen left the hall, and there were the two knight captains, the king's entourage and Schneizel. And only Nito and the others remained.

'Nito, now the alliance has been made. "Nito, the alliance is now sealed, and what needs to be done is done.

Yeah okay.

"Okay," was the vague reply. But Nito has been thinking about something ever since he left William and Francesca, and he's been wondering what to do. And he's not sure what to do. Nito has been thinking about his former classmates at Ficianatica. Nito left the school without telling them anything. And as a result, they don't know about the survival of 'Hidaka Masamune'. That's why they were torn between going back and telling him that he was alive again, or leaving it at that.
But I don't know why he suddenly thought of such a thing.

'Lord Nito, we are now friends, aren't we?'

Then Leonardo smiled at Nito.

'Well I'm happy for you too.

At such an unfriendly reply, Leonardo smiles bitterly.
And the other knight-in-chief, Albrecht Human, who is different from the previous, is not directing his disgust, but is standing quietly next to the king in the correct posture. There is a certain way to behave as a Knight Commander. In front of his subordinates, he had a different expression than earlier.

'By the way, Nito?　What will you do now?　Are you leaving this country already?

Schneizel's question has the intention of understanding the future of Nito. Although they have made an alliance, Schneizel has the responsibility of being in charge of Nito.

'Well if nothing else, we'll head to the next country, or we'll travel again. We don't know where we're going.

Well....

Schneizel also had a difficult expression at the vague answer. But I can't force myself to ask him. Schneizel does not reveal to Nito his position of surveillance. It's a stance that must be followed, even if Nito is secretly aware of it.
Then Nito opens his mouth. And it was too abrupt a word. I don't know what Nito's heart was in deciding without consulting the Toa and the others. Also, we don't know why Nito made such a decision, nor do we know where that decision came from.

''-- Schneizel, can you keep the three of us for a bit?

The words puzzled Toa, Sufilia and Nem.

'Hey Nito?　What does that mean?

Nito turns around and sees the confused Toa's face first. Then he checked the expressions on Sufilia and Nem's faces and replied when he did.

'I'm going to Fischanatika. And ... I'm going to talk to those guys.

With that answer, the three of them understood. They knew who and what Nito was coming to talk to, and they knew it.
Then the reddish-black robe Nito was wearing turned into particles of light for a moment, and then it turned into a mediocre brown robe. Mundane, but clean. There was Nito's figure from when he was in Razhuisen. The figure was already talking about what Nito was going to meet with them and what they were going to talk about.

'Well you've decided, haven't you?'

Then the Toa who understood replied with a smile. I'm not sure why Schneizel, who is on the throne, has no explanation yet, but there is only a question mark.

I'll be back soon. "I'll be back in a minute. I'll be back as soon as I'm done.

Nem looks relieved at those words.

'Then.........Nem is waiting.

You don't want to be a stumbling block for Nito. Nem is also growing every day. You can see that in his powerful expression and eyes.

'I understand. I would like to follow you, but I will wait for you too.

Sufilia also showed her understanding with her words. Nito then smiled lightly back at the three of them and turned back to Schneizel.

''I don't mind, but is there a reason for this?''

Schneizel turns around and asks.

'I can't go into detail as to why. But I don't want anything to happen to me. If I had to guess, I'd say I'm going to visit a 'friend'.

Friend?　Yeah? .....

'Can I borrow Leonardo?　I just want to reassure the three of you as much as possible. I'm still acquainted with this guy, and I need you to escort the three of us.

Escorting is an exaggeration. Schneizel thought so. But although Nito is asking Schneizel to do this, deep down he doesn't trust him at all. This was subconsciously evident in his words and actions.

'As I said before, that's all right. 'Leonardo, you will serve as your friend's guard until Lord Nito returns.'

I understand.

The king's command is absolute.

"Fischanatica, you say?

Yeah, I'm going to school.

That's all I need to know. I'm not going to tell you anything else.

Thanks for the help.

Then Nito turned back to the three of them once more--

You three need to keep the rings on, okay?　I'll be back in a minute, though.

Nito's words were still an exaggeration. Nito would be back in less than an hour.
But that was Nito's plan, and the three of them knew it.

Then a black vortex appears beside Nito. Schneizel had a grim look on her face and a question mark on her face at the sight of it. This was the first time he'd seen this, except for Toa and the others.
Then Nito smiled a small smile at the three of them and disappeared into the vortex.
Eventually, when the vortex disappeared with Nito, there was silence, and each of them had their own confusion and question marks.

''What... that was...?''

The three don't respond to Schneizel's mutterings.
Schneizel doesn't ask in depth about the situation. He was a man of will, and that was what he thought he should ask Nito himself.

''Then I will be your escort for the time being.

Then he walked over and told them so, and each of the three replied appropriately.
--that's when.

''King Feng!''

With a tense voice, a large door opened and a lone robed messenger appeared. At a glance, Schneizel could tell that this was no ordinary occurrence.

''An urgent request has come in!

Request?　What do you mean?

Then, Den Denryoku breathes and replies that he does.

'Pasquantine! ........Pascantine is under attack!

What did you say?

At that moment, the hall buzzed and Schneizel's expression turned grim as the hall buzzed.

''It is believed that the 'Band of Great Wall' has already been destroyed and the situation is urgent!

Then Schneizel took the throne once, holding his head and falling over.
At this, the knight chief and his entourage waited for the king's decision. But this Schneizel's reaction was not unreasonable. If King Artemias is killed and the number of kings of the eight kings is further reduced, this will result in a situation where even war is more likely to occur.
A country is not just a walled-in area. There is a territory. A country, be it Pascantine or Utopian, has a territory, and if, as a matter of fact, a country marches into it, if it finds another country's territory in the direction it is going, it will limit the scope of its army's action and make it impossible for it to even proceed easily. In other words, it's a deterrent to war. It is an act of treason for a 'nation' to enter another nation's territory without permission, and that is why no nation would violate another nation's territory. But now, Pasquantine, which had served as a deterrent, is being attacked.

''Attack........Heart of the Dragon? .....

Schneizel mentioned the possible possibilities. Schneizel is well aware of the reality of Pasquantine. If that's the case, the only thing that could attack that country is the Dragon's Heart. Pasquantine is a part of the eight kings, not a weak nation, but a great nation. It is not the nerve of an ordinary person to launch an attack there. And everyone agreed with Schneizel's mutterings.

It's a good idea," he said, "but it's not impossible to think that, considering the incident with the great nation of Toyland, it's not impossible to be a Pasquantine.

Schneizel was thinking about what to do. Should they head out on the ground or move by transfer? But moving in transition is limited and only a small number of people can be sent, and the further away you are, the more limited the number of people you can send.

''I'll send a few scouts first and have them wait outside the defensive wall. They are probably the Dragon's Heart. If we face them, we won't get away with it either.

So the king remains in his castle, but no.

Then Schneizel interrupts his aides.

I can't betray Tom Paar," said Schneizel, interrupting his aides. I cannot let them die. We cannot let them die. Albrecht, I want you to take a few scouts, and head to the transfer station first. Is that clear?　This is reconnaissance only. Avoid contact and put your men and yourself first.

'Sicily, sir,' said Albrecht.

Then Schneizel left the table.

'Leonardo, I asked for your friends, Herr Nito.　Lord Nito will be back soon.

'Yes!　--I swear by King Feng!

Leonardo then puts his arm to his chest and replies that he is. Behind him, Toa and the others are just confused, unable to swallow the situation.
Then Schneizel takes the knights who were present and leaves the hall.

　After that, the hall became quiet, and after a while, at Leonardo's urging, Toa and the three of them took their chairs by the wall.
Nito is not there, but the three of them are not worried. That's how much I believe in them.
-- "Nito will come back directly." There was no doubt there.

'Hey Sufilia?　What did Nito say about this?

No, no, I haven't been asked about that, but...

So is Nem.

But there was no small amount of dissatisfaction. Nito had a secretive side to him, and the three of them had an uncomfortable feeling that he was making his own decisions without consulting them on important matters. It was the same this time, but it was the same since the time they were in Heil Kuwait. And that was how even Nem felt.
--I wish he'd consulted me more. I had that feeling.
The 'uncomfortable feeling' that the three of them have. The "uncomfortable feeling" that Nito has for the three of them.
This "sense of discomfort" is creating an invisible rift between the four of us.
But for now, there is nothing to do but wait, the three of them let out a sigh and waited with Leonardo for Nito's return afterwards.