The emperor is expecting you.

All right. I'll be right there.

　When an hour or so has passed since Kana and the others took off their bracelets, they couldn't immediately tell His Majesty the emperor that they wanted to see him and see him, so they asked the imperial soldiers to intercede for them.

　Finally, the soldiers came back and we were able to meet with them. It's me, Alexia, Kana and Mari who are on their way. I've told His Majesty the Emperor that we're going to meet with these members.

　We follow the soldiers who have come to the room, and we leave the room as well. Kana and Mari-chan have anxious expressions on their faces.

''Kana, Mari-chan,''

...What's the matter, cousin?

I'll keep you two safe, no matter what happens, okay?

　When I turn around and smile at them, I can feel their shoulders relax. If I get too uptight, I won't be able to move when the time comes, so it's better to do it now. And then...

'Well you won't tell me.

　I heard a sulking voice coming from next to me. If I looked at the direction the voice was coming from, it was of course Alexia, who was there, turning away and sulking. I grabbed Alexia's hand.

'I have faith that Alexia will be fine, you know. She's my trusty fiancée.

　I say with a smile, and Alexia blushes and turns away again. I'm totally embarrassed. I tweak my cheeks and Alexia gets angry at me for gawking. It's cute to see her like that.

　While flirting with Alexia, we came to the hall where we had our audience yesterday. Guided by a soldier, I walked in, and although there were fewer than yesterday, there were civilian officials and soldiers standing on both sides.

　Of course, the brave group and the princes are also standing there. And Gargante, too. When we come in and get into position, they kneel down. Then we see the Emperor coming in through the back door. And when we hear him sit down.

Heads up.

　I hear a voice say. When I finally look up, I see His Majesty sitting on the throne, just as emaciated as the day before. He was visibly haggard. I wondered if he was still suffering from an illness.

I'm sorry about yesterday. I haven't been feeling very well lately.

No, he'll be fine. I'm sure His Majesty's first priority is to help you feel better.

Well, now I'm glad to hear it. So you said you had something to tell me. What will you tell me?

　After the preliminaries, I get down to business. Alexia comes nodding at me with a sideways glance, so I step forward.

''Well then, if you don't mind my presumption, I'd like to speak with you. I have brought something for you to see first. Please take a look at this one.

　I take the bracelet out of the item ring, once I take it from Kana and the others' hands, and give it to the Emperor's Majesty's side-keeper, the civilian official. The civil servant takes it directly to His Majesty the Emperor and His Majesty the Emperor looks at it. Then

What is this?

　The Emperor rose from his throne in too much surprise. It's a natural reaction. When the vizier at his side saw this, he came to look at us with a surprised expression.

　Glancing around, the only people who seem to know the rest are Gargante and the general. I guess Gargante knows too.

'Why is this here!

''That would be the bracelet on the arms of the brave Kana-san and Mari-san.

I know that!　This is an armband that increases magic power for the brave men. Why did you take it?

Yes. The Emperor has given it to us. You're crazy to take it off!

　Huh. I almost sigh. Right now it's me and the Emperor's Majesty talking, so why is the brave boy coming in between us? It's a pain in the ass.

''Then, brave boy, do you know the effect of this bracelet?

So that's what you're trying to do, to increase your magic!

What if it's a lie?

What?

The real effect of these bracelets is...

　Karan, Karan, Karan, Karan, Karan.

　I'm about to tell you what the real effect of the bracelet is, when suddenly a bell starts ringing. What bells?　Just as I was thinking this, the door to the audience chamber was opened and a soldier came in to fall down.

'What's going on!　You're in the presence of the Emperor!

Oh, my God!　From the border of the Demon Country side, a dragon species is flying towards the Imperial City!

'It's not that kind of thing, if you send your soldiers out and put them on alert...'

'There are at least a hundred of them!　The whole thing seems to be a senior dragon!

　The audience room goes quiet at the soldier's words. Even the general who was shouting at them earlier is pale and mouths crunching at the unexpected number. And the buzzing nobles. The only voice that can be heard is one that says where to run to.

''Quiet!''

　But then the Emperor's Majesty's supreme blackmail comes in. With that single word, the nobles who had been making a lot of noise earlier fell silent.

''O General Maesar! ''General Maesar, immediately set up a ward to protect the imperial city. Then order all the soldiers in the imperial capital to sally forth.''

Ha!

　The general who has been instructed to do so runs out of the audience room. Then His Majesty the Emperor goes to give instructions one after another. Even though he's sick, he's still quirky.

''So what will you masters do?　We don't have time for a fight right now over that earlier bracelet, do we?

Yes, of course. I'll get it. I can't just stand by and watch people die.

''I see. The brave men, too, are in danger of losing their imperial capital. I'm counting on you.

Yes, Your Majesty.

　Mr. Brave takes a step forward and bows his head. Then, as he's about to leave the audience room, he stops and looks at us for some reason. What is it?　Or so I thought.

What's up, Kana, Mari? Let's go.

　Yuusha-kun calls Kana and the others. She wants me to come because we're the heroic group. I stand to protect her. When you see that, Yuusha-kun's face gets twisted.

'I don't have to make you fight just because you're a summoned hero, right?

'What's the point of being summoned as a hero then!　What do you think you're empowered for!

　This guy is in trouble again. It's like these ideas never change. It's really a pain in the ass. I turn around and look at Kana and Mari.

'You don't have to strain yourself. What we're about to start is going to be a fight to the death that will be incomparable to that war.

'What?　What do you mean?

　The fact that the dragon is flying in from the Demon Kingdom side means that the Black Dragon King, who had heard from Levin-san before, has woken up. Even Levin-san had said that this was a competitive opponent. It should be a pretty tough battle.

Alexia. Take care of the girls. Luciana!

Yes, sir!

　I call out Luciana, who's been watching us from a distance. She's ostensibly my fiancé. This is the least I can do. I hug Luciana as she comes up to my side.

'Hi!'

'I'm sorry, Luciana. It's for show. Bear with me.

Okay, I understand.

　When I whisper in her ear, Luciana understands and hugs me back. Even if it's only for a moment, she's now one of my fiancée. I don't want to put her in danger either.

Luciana, stay by Alexia and the others' side.

But, but...

Isn't it good, Your Majesty?

　I ask His Majesty the Emperor, and he nods. ''General Melia has two thousand soldiers under her command. We will be a little safer under her.

Come on. Let's go.

　At the very least, we have to let them go.