＜Infinite Dendrogram＞

□ [Princess Holy Sword] Ultimia A. Alter

I immediately realized that this was in my dreams.

I've seen it many times before, a dream that evokes past events.

But what I'm seeing now is not the dream of separation from my father that I've been seeing a lot since that day.

Past than the day my father died.

There was still no war with the Empire...... no, five years ago it wasn't even thought to be a war.

The days were peaceful long before the incident of [Tripolar Dragon Gloria], which was the front stage of the war...... not even an increase in.

I remember when I was studying at the Imperial School.

My consciousness also blends into that dream.

◇

I... Ultimia A. Alter was reading a book he borrowed from the library room in the school dorm talking room.

Weirdly concerned that you should not disturb my reading, the first princess of the kingdom, most of the dormitories have left the bickering room in fear.

Nearly a year after I studied abroad, I was also used to being distanced from fear rather than disgust.

"Ultimia. May I have a moment?

But in those days, there are people who talk to me.

"What's wrong, Claudia?"

Her name is Claudia.

He was one of my few friends while studying abroad, and that must have been someone I could say was my best friend.

Claudia is the only one who does that here.

... Though only Liliana, whose fathers were best friends with each other, and Integra, who was the youngest of [the Great Sage] 's brothers in prison, could be called best friends even when he was in the Kingdom.

"It's this afternoon, but don't you want to go shopping? And let's have some tea at the cafe. It's about time the fall sweets lined up today."

"... you really like going out into the city, Claudia"

Claudia was the son of the Empire's third prince and one of the Emperor's heirs to the throne.

In addition, he is my caregiver (tutor) at the school where I studied abroad.

We soon became friends with each other because we had something in common when we were close to our age.

"By the way, what do you see shopping for?

"It's clothes! Especially in Ultimia!

"Mine?

"Ultimia, your chest would have grown again, wouldn't it? By the time the season changes, your chest will be cramped."

"It's a growing season. Better watch than that."

"... hehe, people become sensitive to things they don't want and can't have."

That's what Claudia says. She moves her hands.

Her chest to do so is modest and shows no signs of growing up. Not at all.

He looks so jealous at my breasts, he might reach out to me if I leave him like this.

"... right. Let's go. Because I just wanted to go around the bookstore, too."

"Well! Then I'll meet you in front of the gate at 1: 00 p.m.! I'm looking forward to it!

I have a few doubts about her designating an afternoon.

Looking at the clock, it's only before ten in the morning. We have more than two hours to meet.

"Speaking of which, how come you start this afternoon? I can go out now, but what do you got?

"I'm being asked to help you in your brother's workshop! Already! I can't believe you let a lady carry parts because of her high status..."

"Parts hauling......"

Her status is high, as Claudia says.

Because her job is [Punch God (The Ram)].

Formerly a job held by her uncle, Ronald Barbaros, who had been vacant since his death in an incident.

Claudia, standing before me, was a genius who inherited [Punch God], who had become vacant at the age of thirteen.

That is [Holy Sword Princess]...... it is also the part of me that is intentionally in conflict with [Sword Saint] on the face.

Those who practice martial arts while being princesses to each other, talked to each other.

That's enough to do a mock fight every three days.

"I wonder if I can leave that brother to someone else to help me, too?

Claudia is also a woman, and yet a princess.

It seemed inappropriate for boulders to entrust themselves with the task of carrying parts.

I had yet to meet Claudia's brother, but wondered why I bothered to ask her.

"No, I can't. Your brother is extremely familiar, so he can't work without me or the Barbaros."

"Yes..."

That would happen, I was convinced.

Claudia is losing her parents early.

It was also rumored to be an assassination in which someone in the royal family pulled a thread.

Claudia doesn't show a shadow with her naiveté in front of her, even after such an event.

But I suspected that her brother no longer trusted anyone but the trustworthy.

"Then I'll be fine waiting, so help your brother"

"Thank you, Ultimia! I'll be cleaning up soon, so please wait!

That being said, Claudia popped out of the talking room and ran down the hallway with supersonic manoeuvres.

I chuckled at my friend who wasn't breaking the dormitory rules, but was doing too much of that.

That's how I decided to kill my time by reading the book until the time I promised her.

◇

Then about two hours later, I finished reading the book as well.

We don't have an hour until the promised time, but we still don't see how she came back to the dorm.

I was a little concerned and took a trip to the workshop Claudia was saying - where a facility for mechanical production jobs is co-located in the learning building, like Drife, a machine country.

That's how I walked down the hallway of some clumsy workshop and found the face I saw...... Claudia.

"Oh Claudia,...?

But it wasn't.

As I approached, I realized that the person was separate from Claudia.

His face is very similar, but his expression and eyes are like different.

Because the person in front of me was too gloomy for Claudia, who was that bright and happy princess who seemed to be a super combatant and a hegemony.

Poor faces that resemble Claudia are also ruined by their gloomy faces and, in addition, the oil stains attached to their hair and cheeks. The clothes aren't the uniforms I was wearing earlier, either, they're thin, dirty work clothes.

Above all, its chilling glance, like saying 'I don't feel heat on everything in this world', can't be Claudia's.

But from that face, I didn't really think it had anything to do with Claudia, and I remembered the content of my earlier conversation with Claudia.

"Are you... Claudia's brother?

"... Yep, Your Highness Ultimia"

The reply back from him was only low voice, but very similar to Claudia as a brother and sister.

I've been thinking about your face, and I guess you're a twin.

At the same time, I understand that the other person knew about me. Maybe I was listening to you from Claudia.

"Always Claudia...... Your Highness takes care of me"

"... you don't need that word on me. And because my sister likes it and does it. And there's no need to honor me or my sister."

The word was thrown somewhere, but I felt a little different from the atmosphere until then.

"Don't you know where Claudia is? I was looking for you because it's time for your appointment and you don't show up."

"... I guess we're on our way to the bath by now. How many minutes, I put him on the job, so he's similar to me now... I can't go out like that. It would be helpful if you waited a little longer for her."

"Really?"

It was gloomy, but from his words I can feel kindness towards my sister and care for me, my sister's friend. That eye is also warmer than it was when I first saw it.

I changed my mind about him, saying he didn't seem like a bad person.

Secondly, when I dropped my gaze, I noticed that he had a metal handheld...... tool box.

"Toolbox..."

"... This still gives me the job of [King of Machines" King of Mechanisms "]. Because it is also responsible for the repair of various machines. Maintenance of this school and the [throne]."

His job, [Machine King], should have been a super position in the mechanic lineage.

Drife Empire has more technicians than fighters dealing with flesh. Regardless of Claudia's [Punch God], there must have been many competitors if he were a super position in the mechanic lineage.

If he's twins with Claudia, he's too young to take that seat.

What it means is that he was a genius who isolated the others. Or maybe that's why I first felt my eyes were cold.

... although I was slightly uncomfortable that he, one of the heirs to the throne, was entrusted with repairing the machine like a worker...

"Now, if you'll excuse me for this.... Regards, Sister"

"Yes. Welcome."

That's what I said. I broke up with him.

I just returned the book to the library afterwards, and then I finally realized.

"... oh. I forgot to ask your name."

What was his name?

I didn't know that yet.

◇

Then a few dozen minutes later, Claudia came to the meeting lounge.

"Forgive me, Buckwheat! I'm late!!"

"Fine. It must have been tough, I don't care."

"Oh! Ultimia is so sweet! Love it!"

That's how Claudia rushed, hugging me in my arms as if a young child were going to do so.

From Claudia's hair, which approached my nasal cavity, I smelled the oil of the machine that I couldn't get rid of.

Oh. You must have been doing your best to get this smell off and washing it in the bath.

However, she noticed again that I noticed the smell of Claudia.

He kept jumping back and... he was twenty meters away with one jump like a battle system.

"Oh, sorry. Let me soba!?... already! You don't have to let me help you with that work today, not even your brother! Even the deodorant pills I usually use don't make me smell! You can't walk next to Ultimia with this!

"It wouldn't make sense if we stayed so far away from shopping together. I don't care about the smell, so it's okay to get closer."

"Ultimia...... Oh, thank you, yes!

That's how we walked side by side and headed shopping as planned.

Shoulder to shoulder, we talked about a lot of things.

In it I asked about her brother who was concerned.

"Oh, have you met your brother?

"Yeah. So, with all due respect, I was kind of distracted by your name."

"Your brother rarely introduces himself."

And then I said, "Oh, boy," and I exaggerated a little bit. Claudia shook her head,

"Then I'll introduce you instead! Your brother's name is Reinhardt!

The moment I heard the name...... the dream stopped.

◇

Wake up from the dream of memory, I wake up my body.

Exhale as you reach for your slightly sweaty forehead.

"I can't believe I'm dreaming about her now..."

I woke up from a dream, and that's all I whined about.

But I know why I had that dream.

That's because there must have been a harmonious encounter from the Empire.

Or the war ended like this...... I had a pale expectation that maybe I could go back to my original relationship, so I had memories in the Empire...... I guess I dreamed of fun memories with my friends.

The next reconciliation will end the war between the two countries if things happen.

But if harmony breaks...... the war will finally resume.

It will be a war that betrayed the survival of the nation, of the kingdom that I rule as the king's deputy and of the empire that her brother, Reinhardt, rules.

…………

Me and Claudia were... best friends.

We had a definite friendship.

But...... my father died in the war against the Empire.

The gulf between the two countries has become too deep, not only for me personally, but also as a nation.

If there is no harmony, there is no alternative to deciding the female male.

Me and her are best friends.

But at the same time, there is something more important to each other than the other… something to protect.

As I am the sword of the kingdom called [Holy Sword Princess] and as she is the spear of the empire called [Punch God].

Like I want to protect my sisters, like she wants to support my brother.

I'm sure we'll be able to cross spears for what we care about.

Or maybe one of them will take the other person's life.

"But..."

No matter what happens next.

Whatever happens next.

From now on, even if I die.

"Claudia and I would like to remain best friends."

I had a nostalgic dream. That's what I thought...... I renewed my readiness.

To be Next Episode