Let me guess...

　The knots in my body ache because I fell asleep in a strange way, like lying down on a sparrow table. [Refreshment] and [Recovery] to help the body recover.

''So, how was yesterday?''

　As I walked down the corridor in the early morning, a red ball flew over my shoulder and stopped. Red ball (or more precisely, the owl under Red ball's control) has been keeping an eye on that Princess Paphia and her party all night.

''There was no strange movement. We haven't stepped out of the room, and there's no sign of magic or anything else being used.''
I guess I cared about it too much.

　I felt somewhat shrugged off when I received the report from Red Jade, but when I thought about it, it was impossible for the princess of a country to crawl at night from the start.

I'm not sure if it's a good idea to have a meeting with everyone today. I hope it doesn't get weird.

　I sighed loudly as I walked down the morning corridor.




'It's weird...'

　I murmured to no one as I looked at the two girls standing in the knight's training grounds.
　Both of them are equipped with wooden swords and shields. One is, naturally, Princess Paphia. And the other is Hilda, one of my fiancées.
　The visitors are all my fiancé, Mr. Jantche, Nokia's ambassador, and Miss Lysia, who is said to be the princess's handmaiden. And then there's the onlookers, Sister Morobane and Sister Karina.
　Hilda and Princess Paphia face each other in the center of the training ground.

''Are you sure?''
Yes. I don't mind. Please feel free to be serious about it. I'll be serious about it too.

　Princess Paphira responds to Hilda's voice with a wry smile. She seems to be quite confident.
　The reason why this happened is because Princess Paphia offered to let Yumina and the others know of her abilities first.
　That's great confidence but it's going to break, that's it.
　I send a glance at Hilda, who is facing Princess Paphia, ''Don't overdo it. The other side also gave a small nod and replied, ''I understand''.......I think.

''Then get ready. Begin!''

　Sister Morobane, who had bought the role of referee, raised her hand above her head and swung it down.
　A moment later, Hilda's sword that jumped into the air flicked off Princess Paphia's sword as she scooped it up from underneath.

''Nah!''

　Hilda's wooden sword snaps against the neck of the surprised Princess Paphia.
　Wait, my eye contact isn't getting through at all!　'Go all out' and 'don't cut corners' get the message, this!

"Winner, Hilda.

　Shortly, Morobane Sis decides the winner. Late, Karalang, the wooden sword that was sent flying fell. How much of it was blown away?
　Gently stealing a glance next to her, Ambassador Yang Che and Lady Lycia were in raptures. Well, they would.
　It's only a second of time. I guess they didn't know what had happened. I don't think they could have followed that move with their eyes.

'No, no, no, wait!　My hand just slipped up.　Also, I'd like to ask you again!

　Princess Paphira bites down impatiently.

'Yes, but. What do we do, Hilda?
I don't mind.

　Hilda answers as she returns to the start of the match. When Sister Morobane raises her hand again, the two of them, facing each other, readjust their swords and shields. There was no spare smile on Princess Paphia's part that was there earlier, but a tense and strained expression on her face.

''Begin!''

　At the same time as Sister Morobane swung her arms down, Princess Paphira held her shield firmly in front of her. However, Hilda didn't jump in like she did earlier.
　They both carried their feet clockwise, inch by inch, as if they were wary of the other. Hilda gradually closed the distance while pointing the tip of her sword at her opponent in a natural stance.
　Since we attacked earlier, are we going to be on the defensive this time?　Hilda's expression didn't change, but Princess Paphia's expression showed a clear hint of impatience. This is going to happen sooner or later........ah.

''Hey!''

　The Princess Paphira thrust out her sword as if she had lost her temper. Without difficulty, Hilda received it away with her shield.

''Poof!''

　Princess Paphia, who delivers two or three blows and a sword. Hmmm, I think she's pretty strong, just because she says so, but she's not at a level that would allow her to compete with Hilda. I'm sure you would have lost if you were around Yae when we met.
　Hilda catches the incoming sword shots with her shield, flows with her sword, and toys with her opponent with minimal movement. The only person moving around violently is Princess Paphira, which naturally results in her running out of stamina.
　Seeing the timing, Hilda flicked her opponent's sword away again.
　Then, just like before, she thrusts the cutting edge at her throat.

''........Do you wish to continue?''
No, I'm losing.

　Princess Paphira looks frustrated at Hilda's words as she quietly tells her, but she admits her defeat. I want to tell her that she did well in a good fight, but since it might be taken as sarcasm, I'll keep quiet.

''Hilda-sama is very strong, isn't she? I've never met a wielder of a sword like you before.''
''No, compared to a double-edged sister-in-law like me, I am like a lion and a mouse. There's a superior.

　Hilda's words startled her, and her gaze shifted to her sister Morobane.

'Rats are not to be modest, Hilda. You're definitely as strong as a kitten,''
It's a kitten.

　Hilda gives a bitter smile. No, if it's a kitten compared to the God of Swords, I think it's a big deal. Apparently, when compared to your sisters, standards get weird.

'So what do we do now?　It was supposed to be magic after the sword, but...
Yeah. I'll do it. I've fallen behind with the sword, but not with magic. Let's see what I can do.
You've got good guts.

　Sister Morobane praises Princess Paphia. She switches quickly. Or is she very confident in her magic?
　Hilda retrieves Princess Paphia's sword and shield and comes back to you.

'Good night. How was it?''
It was interesting to see a sword from a school I've never seen before. It's true that he's strong, but it's only halfway there.

　Else and Yae take a large wooden doll with a dolly that serves as a magical target towards the training grounds.
　That thing is made of wood, but it's made from the sturdy, flame-resistant trees of the Kingdom of Mismid. I don't know what kind of magic they plan to use, but it won't break so easily. Yah, if it's a cutting type of magic like [Aquacutter], it might fall apart.

Then start. I don't mind breaking that one.
Yes, sir.

　The Morohana sister pulled away from Princess Paphia. Princess Paphira's magic power, which had been held out towards the doll, concentrated on her hands as if they were swirling around.
　The size and quality of the magic power is quite impressive. If it were a game character, he'd be a type of magic swordsman.
　Princess Paphia created a bee-bee light ball from her right hand and a swirling wind from her left hand. Eh!
　I release it with a trembling hand, slowly piling it up to the center and popping it.

''【Come on, flash storm, electric storm, plasma storm】!

　A tornado arose around the wooden doll, and countless electric shocks pierced the wooden doll.
　This is surprising. It's not very powerful, but it's a synthetic magic. This is an ancient magic that was commonly used during the era of the ancient magical civilization, but eventually became obsolete as a result of magic being downgraded to something that could be handled by many people.
　A battered wooden doll falls over with a lurch. The impact of the fall to the ground caused the doll to fall apart.

''How is it!''

　Princess Paphia turned around with a smug look on her face, but she frowned when she saw our reaction wasn't good. No, I'm surprised, though. I can't help but react with a "hou" or "huh".

[Plasma Storm]. It's a synthetic spell of light and wind. Although the wind is a bit too strong.
'Yes, yes. The power of the light attribute is killed by that. I think you can create twice as much destruction just by improving that, though.

　When Lean and Linse pointed out the magic now, Princess Paphia was more surprised than the other way around. She was probably wondering why she was easily spotted.
　Leanne and Linse began to play rock-paper-scissors in silence, and Linse, who had lost, gave a small sigh and headed to the training grounds.
　As Princess Paphia stepped backwards, Yae and Else brought in a second wooden doll.
　Linze did the same as Princess Paphia, creating grains of ice and light balls one hand at a time and stacking them quickly. Her flowing movements could not be compared to the awkward movements of Princess Paphia that I saw earlier.

''Here comes the ice light, the brilliant glitter of the seven colors, Prisma Rainbow!

　Something like a laser that emitted a seven-colored glow shot out from Linze.
　In an instant, the upper half of the wooden doll's body disappeared. The laser with its excess momentum hit the protective barriers hanging over the training grounds and diffused and disappeared. The scattered grains of ice reflected in the glittering light and created a rainbow.

''Nah!''
Oh, it's beautiful!

　Princess Paphia is surprised and Soo is excited to see the rainbow. I almost laughed a little when I saw the two in contrast.

''Where did you learn the synthetic magic, huh?
'What?　Oh, from the ancient magic book found in the dungeon in Nokia....
'I see.... I'm a little curious about Nokia.

　Linse gave a small nod to Princess Paphia's words. During the era of ancient magical civilization, famous wizards and other famous wizards often built their own castles in order to prevent their research records, achievements, or works from being stolen. There were castles and towers, but the easiest of them all was a dungeon. All you had to do was dig a hole and harden it with earth magic.
　In the case of Dr. Babylon, he built the island of Babylon in the sky, and if it was a dungeon like that, it wouldn't be surprising to find a spellbook or two.
　It's not surprising that the same dungeon has a spellbook or two in it.

'I understand your abilities very well. I'd like to ask you a few more questions, why don't we have a cup of tea on the terrace?

　Princess Paphira gave a small nod with a coy smile as she lost the energy to reply to Umina's invitation.
　I was about to follow everyone as they slithered off, when Leanne stopped me.

''I want to talk to the girls from here on out, so please don't be a darling. I don't mind Lady Licia, but could you please refrain from Ambassador Jantche as well?

　The ambassador looked a little dissatisfied, but Lady Licia managed to calm her down and the ladies left us.
　When we returned to the castle and parted ways with Ambassador Jantse, Tsubaki-san silently appeared from behind a pillar.

'What did you find out?'
'Yes, sir. I've heard from my people who flew to Nokia that the current King of Nokia, Ruum Lad Nokia, is on his deathbed.
Are you sick of being on your deathbed?
I wasn't sure. It's just that he's in a critical condition. The king has two children, his eldest daughter, Lefia, and his second daughter, Paphia, and it's rumored that if the king is removed from office, his eldest daughter, Lefia, will take over.

　Hmm, I guess it's only fair that there are no boys.

"Yes, well, that's partly true, but we've learned from our own research that Princess Paphia, the second princess of Nokia, died three months ago.
What?

　Dead?　You mean he's dead?　Then who is that Princess Paphia?

...or does that mean it's a fake?
''It may be that she took advantage of her seclusion and tried to pass herself off as a princess to get in with His Majesty, but....... But it seems sloppy for that to be the case. Three months ago, when Princess Paphira was out for a long ride, she fell with her horse into the river below the cliff and was found dead a few days later.

　If the body is up, then it's still a fake........ Did they cheat on the name without knowing that the princess was dead?　
　It's all very confusing and muddled.
　If I took the princess as my tenth wife. We'd obviously head to Nokia to say hello, wouldn't we?　Then, who is that guy, and his identity is easily revealed. What's the point?
　Or do you want to prolong the greeting to say no more, and in the meantime, make a ready-made fact with me...?　Scary.

'This is only the first report, so after this...'
Your Majesty!

　As if to interrupt Tsubaki-san's words, Knight Commander Rain-san comes running down the corridor, shaking her bunny ears. Since you're the leader now, you need to calm down a bit more........
　Or better yet, call me. If it's that urgent, you should call.

"Hurry up to the audience chamber. "Hurry up and get to the audience chamber.
'What?　Ambassador Jantche?　We just broke up earlier. But why the audience room?
No, sir. 'No, no, no, not Ambassador Jantche, another ambassador has come!　From Nokia!

　....What?　What do you mean?

''I want you to hand over at once the trespasser who deceives in the name of the second princess, Princess Paphia, to me!

　Oh, I knew it was a fake?　I don't know why, but we went to the audience room anyway.