Maou No Utsuwa

The blurring of the arena is also regaining some calm.

Due to the situation of total defeat of the Imperial College, the winner of the D team, which is supposed to be the weakest team.

In what seemed like a miracle, the venue temporarily became a crucible of excitement. Before that, the audience clearly recognized that the victory would take some time.

The King's College A team's treatment of the students had also gone through, and the awards ceremony was finally about to begin at the venue.

Historians lined up on the fighting bench to attend the awards ceremony. Among them stood even the Knights of the Empire, who could not have been on the spot.

And on its front, the students who participated are aligned and lined up. In the far right row you can see Hildegand leading the Imperial College A team and Deefleet's face next to it.

"From now on, we will be hosting an award ceremony for the Royal College, Royal College Against Swordsmanship Competition!

The Dean of the Academy of the Royal National College professed to hold the award ceremony in high spirits.

"First, the Dean of the Imperial College asks for a general review of the competition!

The Dean of the Imperial Academy, who was in your history, came forward for a nomination from the Dean of the Academy. Get on the table provided on the battle bench, take the paper out of your pocket, and start reading.

"First of all, students who participated in the competition! Thank you! Held on the offer of King's College, this competition was also helped by many people to successfully…, 'There'. As such, the injured also…, no, the injured 'only' and we are deeply grateful for your cooperation in completing the tournament! This tournament will also deepen the interaction between the Royal College and the Royal College, and hopefully a friendlier relationship will be established. … I'm done."

He was the Dean of the Imperial College, who concludes his general review, without reading half of the texts he had prepared.

There is an audience or a voice of relief that the words of the Dean of the Imperial College, who was expected to be boring, have come to an end as soon as possible. with a slight sneak laugh.

"Now from the recognition of the semi-winning team! Semi-winner, King's College A Team! Delegates before!

"Yes!"

A representative of the King's College A team is a student who strived for the general in the final. Not because he's a general, but because there are no intact students besides him.

From the center of the students on each team in alignment, the students stepped forward.

With a slightly nervous face, he stretches his spine exactly and walks toward the award giver standing in the front.

The award giver standing in the front of the students was Princess Sophilia. It is unusual, such as the fact that the princess acts as the grantor in the events of the College, but it is realized thanks to the strong hope of the Princess Sophilia herself.

"Congratulations on the semi-finals. Well, thanks for everything."

"Yes. I really do."

From the teacher standing next to him, he receives a silver ring, a testament to the semi-finals, which the Princess Sophilia puts herself in the fingers of the students of King's College.

Though in other countries, the face of the students of the kingdom is reinforced by the royal family, which is also done by the beautiful princess.

The students who were then also given the ring for the other four would have considered it a courtesy to the royal family. After courteously offering a courtesy of the Knight of the Kingdom to the Empress of Sophilia, he slowly retreated back.

"Then we move on to the recognition of the winning team!

"" "Whoa!

From the viewing table, the twist rises.

"Winning team!! Imperial College D Team!!

Raise your voice further so that you can't lose it, and the head of the school year declares the winning team.

"" "Whoa whoa whoa whoa!!

A loud, deafening cheer rocks the arena.

"Representative! Rep, before!

The head of the school year's voice has been utterly dismissed by that cheer, but the audience can tell what he's shouting even if he can't hear it.

Eventually the audience rose together in an attempt to see clearly the winning actor who appeared.

Three students out of alignment from the center were seen from the audience spreading to the left and right. And one student dressed in a pitch-black cloak walking slowly out in the meantime.

Out in front of the three, the student, Kamui, stopped.

Kamui turns his neck to look over the entire spectator seat on the spot. Seeing how it was, the cheer slowly dwindled, and eventually the silence wrapped up the arena.

A properly quiet arena.

As if waiting for it, when Kamui paid off his cape, he pulled out the sword he had placed on his hips and slowly, pushed it straight up toward heaven.

The sound of Don, which sounded like a grunt, was a joyous voice given by the audience.

"Kamui! Kamui! Kamui!"

The audience keeps screaming Kamui's name as they step more and more down the floor of the spectator seat with their feet. It will never be my fault that the enthusiasm emitted by the audience makes it feel like the temperature of the entire arena has increased.

"What a flashy performance. Is that a college instruction?

In a somewhat sarcastic tone, looking at the different sights of the audience, the head of the Knights asked the Dean of the College, who stood next to him.

"No, I'm not giving you these instructions"

"Is it his own production? You don't seem to like such flashy things."

"Uh, hero, of, born,"

Prince Thales, who was present on the spot, replied to the words of the Knights Commander, equally unusual.

"Heroes…. Does His Royal Highness Prince Therese think so?

"This is, uh, not, uh, what is it?

"I thought heroes appeared in turmoil."

For the Knight Commander, the appearance of a hero is not desirable. He is the chief of the Knights who makes war his business, but he doesn't make you feel like he likes war.

Okay, well, that's the thing.

"But what is a turmoil"

"Let's declare war, fu, declare war, maybe."

"Declaration of war? No way against the kingdom?

"If you look, you'll see."

Slowly grate the sword Kamui. The audience's voice grew smaller along with it.

Kamui keeps his sword in his hand and moves forward. Standing in front of the Empress Sophilia, she fell on one knee on the spot and drowned her head.

"Kamui Kreutz! It worked brilliantly!

Words echo in the arena honoring Empress Sophilia's Kamui.

"Ha!"

"But that was a little too much! I think a lot of people feared that sword!

"It is to protect the prestige of the Empire!

"I learned a little fear too!

"Don't worry! My sword is directed only to my enemies!

"You will never have that sword against me, will you?!

"Of course you are!

An exchange between the two, which I don't think is a very awards ceremony. The audience is holding their breath and watching the conversation.

"Then give me proof of that!

…………

"I want proof of your loyalty!

"Ha!"

Kamui offers the pattern of the sword in her hand in the same position towards the Empress Sophilia.

"Mine Kaiserlin! I entrust my loyalty and sword to you! My loyalty will be your shield with me, and my sword will cleave the body of those who harm you! If you doubt this oath, pierce the heart of my heart with this sword now!

"" "Oh!?

There is a loud voice in the arena. Kamui's words, whoever hears them, are a knight's oath. It is clear that Kamui intends to offer allegiance as the knight of the Sophilia Empress.

"Kamui Kreutz! Your sword will be returned to you, and your loyalty will be in my heart! Be my sword and my shield with that sword!

Once the sword received from Kamui is turned upside down, Empress Sophilia offers the pattern.

"Ha!"

Kamui, having received the sword respectfully, rose up.

"Kamui Kreutz! As a Viscount, my unchanging loyalty to the Empire! As my knight, help the empire with its martial arts! I asked for it!

"Be sure to show it to Her Royal Highness's expectations!

"The Empire's martial arts are still as prominent as ever! Everybody! Honor the winner!

"" "Whoa whoa whoa whoa!!

The audience in the arena tends to stand in unison in the words of Princess Sophilia.

"" "Long live the Empire!! Imperial martial arts are indestructible forever!!

Long live the empire's great chorus dedicated itself to the entire arena.

"What a thought."

With a slightly shuddered face, the Knights of the Empire shrugged. No way, the Sophilia princesses never dreamed the Knights would act like this.

But the effect seems remarkable. Those who were anxious about the imperial martial arts in the fall of their predecessors would also have reckoned, seeing the strength of Kamui, who overwhelmed King's College, that the martial arts were manifest.

And it was revealed in front of her that Kamui's loyalty, which could become a symbol of the next empire's martial arts, lies beneath Empress Sophilia.

Who would be desirable for the next emperor if he saw Kamui's martial arts as they were and as the martial arts of Empress Sophilia?

The audience had already, unconsciously, chosen it.

The vows made in front of them are personal only to Princess Sophilia and Kamui. But now the cheer that's ringing in the arena is the voice of the Empire.

That would be no exaggeration to say that we see the Empress Sophilia as equivalent to the Empire. I don't think the Knights Commander deserves it because he is royal. That's all I'm feeling hot about.

This occasion will soon spread throughout the Imperial Capital and eventually throughout the Empire. Kamui called Princess Sophilia ”Mine Kaiserlin," along with the words "My Queen".

By doing so, Empress Sophilia must garner a lot of support as a candidate for the crown prince position. On the other hand, the disgust of those who do not want to admit it.

The Commander of the Knights of the Empire will still see this sight in the guest seat, so that his two representatives can see it in their hands. Oriental uncle must have chewed up the bitter worm face, Western uncle must have a mollusc face.

And now the Knights chief wondered what he looked like.

From this moment on today, there is no doubt that the dispute over the Crown Prince will accelerate at once. That means you will soon be asked to clarify your flag as well.

"We're in a hurry."

The dissatisfaction with being made to make a decision and the anxiety that vaguely arose in my mind made the Knights Commander say these words.

◇ ◇ ◇

While the audience's Hail the Empire voice continues. The students were informed of the end and dissolution of the ceremony. Awkwardly so, it is the students of King's College who are leaving the shithole and the spot.

He should have come to show that his country's martial arts outweigh those of the Empire and let the Empire lose confidence, but on the contrary, he has gained a new hero, and the audience in the arena is cheering for joy.

There's no way you can ever be in that.

And Kamui was also returning to the alts while the audience was still in the middle of excitement.

"Hey, I didn't hear you."

It was Alto who complained when we went back.

"That's right. I didn't think this was gonna happen."

"Hmm? Didn't we show each other?

"It's obvious, right? Who wants this embarrassment?"

"Heh. So it's Mr. Sophilia's decision?

"I guess. When I came forward, I thought I was going to do something because I was going to send a rough glance. But I didn't expect you to take such an oath."

The fact that Kamui stopped was that she couldn't catch the sight of Princess Sophilia. I shoved up my sword because I felt like I was expecting it around me somehow. Inside, I was quite surprised by the audience's reaction more than I could imagine.

"And you were in the hall, weren't you?

"Bullshit. Dare I say, I remember reading it in some book once upon a time."

"Master Sophilia is also a big deal to go with that...... I would have liked to have consulted you in advance."

"Oh, I think so, too. It's too soon to do something."

In the Crown Prince dispute, although the Kamuis intend to take the side of the Sophilia Empress, they still believe that this is the stage of underwater preparation.

Whatever it is, now the Kamuis are just students. In the actual Crown Prince dispute, you have no say whatsoever.

Assuming you succeed to the title immediately, all you're doing is borderline lords. In the present situation, where there is no involvement at all, the dispute will go on.

"Don't move. It's an oath from a known human being that he's going for the crown prince's throne entirely."

"Trouble. What are you in a hurry?"

Kamui is unaware that he provoked the impatience of Empress Sophilia. The word that the wolf spoken by Prince Therese cannot be kept. Prince Therese merely said what he thought, but to Empress Sophilia, it was an extraordinary, heavy dialogue.

Empress Sophilia thinks Kamui's trends will largely shape her future. And Empress Sophilia didn't have enough confidence to say that Kamui would continue to stay on her side.

The knight's oath I sought from Kamui is exactly the collar. For Empress Sophilia, to tie up Kamui by making others admit it, it was a somewhat forceful way.

"Well, there's no reason not to do it now. I need to think about it."

"Oh."

"Think about it later, for now, Kamui has someone to talk to"

"... I knew it"

"It's obvious, right?

"But what can I say?

"It is...... I don't get it. But I think we should talk properly."

"Will you listen to me?

"I don't know, but you can't be knowledgeable, can you?

"Right. I'm coming."

"Well, that's it. Come on."

"What?

"Anyway, good luck"

Even as an alt, I can't think of a word. I just had to say that.

"Oh, it's depressing"

Sighing, Kamui walks towards the exit of the arena. Perhaps to meet someone who would be waiting ahead.

"And Serene. Sorry, but even the short time is even less."

Where he dropped off Kamui, Alto uttered words of apology to Serene.

"Nothing, it's not that Alto is bad. But you will."

"Because each force will clear the flag at once. That's what the Western Uncle Clarifies the Flag for."

"... right. You can't get along with someone your fiancée has decided on."

"Well, Master Sophilia seems to see a lot of it."

"But to Mr. Hildegand, that's unacceptable"

"I guess. My parents would never let that happen."

"Something, it's not what I thought. I knew we were going to compete, but... something's different"

If it had been Serene before, I might not have felt this way. But Serene has feelings for Hildegand in a way. as having the same unrewarded love heart.

"In the end, we shouldn't be powerless. If only we had more power."

"We... that includes Mr. Hildegand"

"Oh, we don't have the power to decide our future freely either. With that, you don't have to feel this way..."

There is also a seepage of remorse in Alto's words. Alto was also sympathetic to Hildegand's sincere feelings. And Alto, Lutz, who keeps his mouth shut, also knows. Never, not to speak clearly, but that Kamui is also worried about his feelings for Hildegand.

◇ ◇ ◇

Away from the alts, proceed to the exit Kamui. The searcher was easy to find. A little before the exit dedicated to the students, the contestants, the person stood alone.

"... Hilda"

"Congratulations on winning"

"... thanks"

Even if they say the words of blessing with a smile, I can tell too much for Kamui that Hildegand's eyes have different emotions than that.

"It was a pleasure. I can't even take my sword, because it's over. I was glad Kamui seemed to have worked hard on my behalf."

"Sorry to hear that."

"Are you saying I was happy?

"Yeah, but Hilda wanted to test her powers, too, didn't she?

"Right. I wanted to know how strong I got."

"So I'm sorry."

"But I know enough about myself."

"What?"

"Seeing your battle, I understand. I'm not far from Kamui."

"Not now. Hilda will still be strong."

"Really?

"Yes, I am."

"But..."

That's all Hildegand was smiling about, too. The expression was dark and turned into something sad.

"What?"

"Your back was so far away."

"Back?"

"Give me the award ceremony. No, that's not an award ceremony. I take the knight's oath to Her Royal Highness Princess Sophilia that Kamui's back felt very far away from me."

…………

"I thought we were getting closer. Kamui and I thought the distance was much closer these days. But today you, who I don't know, look so far away from your back right in front of you..."

Hildegand cannot continue to speak until the end. It is Hildegand's will that his eyes are only moistened. That hurts Kamui's chest.

"... sorry"

"Don't apologize"

"But I'm sorry"

"... why? How did you become the knight of Her Royal Highness Princess Sophilia? I can't stay with you forever. I knew that. But why? How could you be Her Royal Highness Princess Sophilia?!

Without holding back the feeling of being high, Hildegand makes his voice absurd. The tears flowing out of his eyes can't stop him any longer.

"... because I thought that was the shortcut to our purpose"

"Can't I? Can't I help Kamui? I'd do anything for you! I'll put up with anything! Even a queen can be anything, and I can change this country for you!

"Hilda!"

"I am!

"Hilda, you can't say that! Hilda needs to live her life for herself, not for me."

"That's such a trick!

"It could be. But please, don't talk like you're sacrificing yourself for me."

"It's a trick..."

"I'm Hilda..."

Hildegand crying with his shoulders trembling. He hesitated on his shoulder, but reached for it, but it never arrived.

"I don't want to hear it! That's how you try to make me feel, but you won't fool me anymore!

"I don't mean to!

"Then let me prove it!

"Proof?"

"Let's go somewhere with me. Abandon everything, leave this country and live alone."

…………

Kamui's mind sways at Hildegand's exact suggestion. Kamui, surprised by the shaking, could not put anything into words.

"You can't do that, can you? Kamui has people you care about more than I do. I'm not your precious companion."

Hildegand who rejects and receives it. I know that Hildegand can't do it. Even though I knew it, I wanted to see how Kamui felt, and I put it in my mouth.

"That's not true."

"That's good enough. That's it. My path and yours will never go hand in hand. So far, only a few roads have crossed. From now on, we'll keep moving away."

"Hilda"

"Don't call me by that name anymore. I don't call you Kamui anymore, either. Kamui Kreutz, you and I, enemies. We'll never get used to each other again."

attitude that Hildegand once showed Kamui. Now Kamui sees it.

"... right"

"Once again, then, congratulations on winning. I would like to thank you as a member of the Oriental House for protecting the honor of the Empire."

…………

"Goodbye."

Kamui could only stare at Hildegand's back as he turned his back on himself and left.

I want to stop, even if I think so, I can't find the words to stop, but I can't find the words to call after I stop.

Kamui also had Hildegand's back, which seemed so far away.