It was a great cause. Lacelle Gillel Stark.

　The king's words fell from the top of my knees as I broke them.
　How many times have I heard these words?
　I thought about it for a moment, but I stopped counting halfway through because it was so ridiculous.

How many times have I said those words to you?

　Apparently King Amst was thinking the same thing.
　I couldn't help but laugh.

'Besides, students of the school. You've done well, too.'

　Next to me, I called out to my four friends who were standing behind me.
　They were lined up in order from left to right, Sheila, Cecil, Rowan and Sarasa.
　Like me, they were bending their knees towards the king.

The first thing you need to do is to get your hands dirty. Oh, I'm meeting the king in the audience room.''

I'm sweating like a freak.

"Awwww....

　Cecil, Rowan and Sarasa were shaking and tense.

'Come on, boys, keep your heads straight. You're in the presence of His Majesty.

I mean, that's...

　Cecil makes a pathetic sound.

　There's no need to be nervous about it.
　It's not like I'm about to be beheaded.
　Even though he is a king, he is a representative of the high country.
　Even when it comes to competence, Cecil is far stronger.

　On the other hand, Sheila, on the other hand, is calm and collected.
　Her head was down and her eyes were downcast.
　Although she is my sister, her calmness is on the contrary frightening.

　The king laughed out loud, ''Fuhahahahaha.

'Good, good. It would be difficult to make you feel at ease. I agree. Let's have you introduce yourself first.

　A hand is pointed at Cecil.
　He shakes his red hair and looks up.

'Se-Cecil Ribom. Yes, thank you for the honor of an audience, Your Majesty.

Hmm. I hear you're a party mood maker.

'What?　Who is that from...?

　You don't have to ask.
　It couldn't have been anyone but me.

"I heard it was you who ended the demon.

'Oh, yes. Oh but Mattelus is alive and...

　Cecil explained sluggishly.
　The king laughed.

'Hmm..... I've heard about it. You've done well, despite being a girl. I hope you will continue to support Lacelle.

Yes, sir.

　He bowed deeply.
　The next thing the king indicated was Rowan.

'My name is Rowan Ashart, Your Majesty.

I heard that you withdrew from school once, but.... Was it a question of school fees?

No. It's because of my own immaturity. However, thanks to the support of Lacelle and my friends here, I was given the honor of being presented with an audience with Your Majesty, while I was halfway through my career as a [Warrior].

I see. So you are here because of the support of so many people? I'll have to repay that debt...

Yes, sir. I will continue to do my best.

　Rowan lowered his head.
　As expected of the oldest person in the party.
　He was freaked out at first, but in the end, he was imposing.

''Next........''

Ha, ha!　My name is Salasa Vogarde.

　Salasa bows her head deeply.
　This one is ticklish.

'Hahahaha.... ''Hahaha..... I have heard that you have 【Future Vision】. You are a better wielder of [future vision] than that [strategist] Fanbro Guillermo Marcal.......

Yeah, yeah, yeah, it's not...

Don't be modest, but first, why don't you look into my future?

''Eh.......... Yeah.........

Your Majesty. You're playing a game, sir. What if the future is not auspicious?

　It was the Minister of the Interior who interrupted him.

'That too, I suppose. Salasa. I want you to pave the way for the future of Lacelle with your eyes.

'Yes, sir!　Of course!

　Sarasa said once and for all.

　The last person King Amst approached was Sheila.

'Sheila Gilell Stark, give me your face.

I can't do that, Your Majesty.

　----ck!

　The vassals assembled in the audience room were surprised at the student's refusal to accept the king's words.
　The rest of my friends couldn't hide their upset either.
　I was the only one who knew what my sister was going through.

　Sheila had once tried to murder the king.
　It was a conspiracy of Ravench and she was more of a victim.
　But it lingered in Sheila's mind as guilt.

　I've persuaded her to come here, and I've persuaded her to come here a lot.
　If you're going to be tortured by sin, you'll be punished.
　And with that, I brought Sheila here.
　I left it to the judgment of the rightful king.

　If I'm to believe, then King Amsto must be....

"I have longed to see my Lord.

I have no excuse. I beg you to dispose of this matter at your discretion.

I'm sorry.

What?

　Sheila looked up at me.
　I was surprised, too.
　King Amst bowed his head.

''You have ruined the life of a brilliant young man like you,'' he said. The military academy is an organization under the direct control of the state. What happened in that environment is my responsibility. I humbly apologize.''

No. That's not... Raise your head, Your Majesty.

　Sheila panics.
　So do the other vassals.

''Your Majesty........ If you are too humble, strange rumors will spread to the king and my sister. Please lift your head.''

　After taking my advice, King Amst finally raised his head.
　The king's eyes narrowed as he looked closely at Sheila's face.

''The resemblance is great...''

What?

It's for your mother.

Do you know my mother?

I know very well. She was a beautiful woman, just like you.

　Our mother apparently died soon after Sheila was born.
　When we returned to Stark territory during the Winter Ancestral Festival break, both Sheila and I visited her grave when we returned to Stark territory.

''Take care of Lacelle,''

Yes, Your Majesty. Thank you, Your Majesty.

　Finally, a smile lights up.
　The guilt hasn't completely disappeared.
　But it should still be small enough to be easy to hold.
　I was a little worried, but I was right to bring him along.

"I will reward you. At your service.

Hooray!

　It was Cecil who raised his bare voice.
　He was still a noisy guy.
　The way he was upset and the sound of his voice brought a burst of laughter.
　The place that had been a little tense about Sheila eased a little.

''Well..... I hadn't thought about what to do, I hadn't thought about it at all. 'What about Rowan?'

I'll take the money. I need new equipment.

Then..... I'm fine with the money too.

　Rowan and Sarasa want money.
　Sheila refused.
　It's because the three of them, including Cecil, were the ones who played an active role in this case.

'I'll make money too........ Ah, yes.''

"Mm. Cecil Ribom. Whatever you say.

The furnace at the School for Adventurers is broken. Wouldn't it be a good idea to buy a new one? Preferably one that's up to date...

The school furnace. You sure? I don't care what you want.

Actually...... I'm the one who broke it. Ehehehe.

　Cecil smiled shyly.
　The king laughed. With gusto.

Nuh-ha-ha-ha. Oh, I see. Oh, I see. Okay, I'll make some arrangements.

Thank you.

　Cecil bowed deeply.

　I didn't expect you to beg the king for the furnace of the school you crushed yourself.
　Can you call it boldness? It's just like Cecil.
　I let out a sigh.

“Then......... For the last time, Lacelle, I wondered if there was any hope for you. Is there any hope for you?

Yes, there are two things.

Very well. Your sister refuses to take the prize. Two will count as two.

'Thank you, for one thing, I want you to leave the treatment of Mattelus and Mucha in my care...'

I know about it. Can you trust these two?

No problem. If there is a problem, I won't let it be a problem.

You seem pretty sure of yourself. It's like you but good. I'll leave it to you to decide. But when something happens, even I won't be able to protect you. Demons are wanted worldwide. If we let them get away with it, the confusion will not be confined to the domestic market.

I understand, sir.

Hmm..... Well, nothing is more difficult to get out of than the cage that is you. And the second one?

Yes.....

　I gleamed and my eyes lit up.
　And then he continued: "I'd like to do a school trip.


　I would like to conduct a school trip.