Slowly opening the heavy door, there was a very small and orderly room. A round table in the center, two chairs with shelves and lighting. It's like a very simple space with no sense of life.

At the back of such a room, Tenko-sama was sitting on a chair with a good product, and behind it was Rodis-san.

"--Allen, thank you for taking the time to visit the palace today."

"I didn't have any plans, so please don't worry about it."

Respond politely to Tenko-sama's gratitude.

She is a man of great personalities, but she reigns at the pinnacle of the Lean Guard Empire. You need to be very careful about what you say and what you do to avoid being rude.

"Fufu, it doesn't have to be that hard." Since you and I are friends, please be more fragile and friendly. "

"No, I can't do that."

Really? Well, it's hard to stand still, so please come over.

"Excuse me."

After I bow, I pull down the chair in front of me and sit down slowly.

"I'm sorry it's a cramped room. I wish I could have told you more about it in an open place, but I don't know where my eyes and ears are these days....."

Tenko-sama let out a small breath and glanced around the room.

So, this is the place after all?

"Yes, the exterior walls are specially processed spirit crystals, and the four corners of the pillars are embedded with rare blood diamonds." As a result, not only the electronic signals, but also the fine flow of spiritual power completely cut off the connection with the outside world. We will never have a conversation in this room. ”

I see, that's reassuring.

The information leak countermeasures seemed to be complete.

By the way, lord Allen, may I ask you one question?

What is it?

"I heard that you were severely injured in the previous fierce battle... are you all right now?"

“Yes, thank you very much for that verse.”

Shortly after returning home from Cherry, Tenko and Lodis quickly arranged for a hospital, allowing Leah and the others to rest their wounded bodies.

I am very grateful for the matter.

I see, that's good.

Tenko-sama smiled softly and then coughed up.

This is where the world ends, and it's time to get down to business.

"Well... the rest of this talk is all about state secrets, the so-called 'top secret'." Please don't say anything about the information you see or hear here. ”

Got it.

After receiving Tenko-sama's sharp gaze, I tightened my feelings again.

"Today's agenda is broadly divided into three parts. First of all, this is a good story.”

Is that a good story?

“Yes. Isn't it Lise-Dorahein, the former president of Kinsei Kinyu, who leaked the location of the confidential talks from the heads of state? 'Do you remember the suspicion that Allen did?"

"... ehh..."

When I was in Cherry Blossom Country, the chairman told me about it. It was not very pleasant, so I remember it very well.

"It is about that - the Holy Knight Association informed the heads of state that" Lise-Dorahein is not suspected of rebellion "."

"... eh?"

There is no suspicion of rebellion. In other words, 'I'm not a traitor'.

"I'm very glad that your suspicions about Lise-san have cleared up..." What kind of wind is this, a pure white declaration from the original black paint?

Tenko-sama starts to talk about the rest of the story, looking at the shrewd expression on my face.

Actually, yesterday, Lise brought a [souvenir] to visit the general headquarters of the Order of the Holy Knights.

“You think the souvenir proved Lise's innocence?”

"Yes, it was the body of Von Mustang, embalmed, that confirmed her innocence."

What's the matter!?

Unexpectedly, a stunned voice leaked out.

"That (...) phone... is dead!?"

He boasts an elaborate swordsmanship, a well-kneaded strategy, and superhuman physical abilities, and at any rate, he wields a powerful and incomparable Shinshoji (Shirokura), the white whale of Purgatory.

Of all the battles I've fought so far, there's no doubt that I'm the most powerful swordsman in my class.

Such a smartphone... is dead.

I couldn't quite accept the fact.

"Sure enough, the black organization had a soul impersonator who created imitations." With that power, I should be able to make two fakes, the real one and the real one...! "Was it really (...) the body of Von?!"

"You mean the female swordsman Thor = Samons, right? The Order of the Holy Knight also knows that she retains the ability to copy. However, it seems that the DNA sequence and spiritual power information collected from the body were perfectly matched with those registered with the association... I'm sure that the body Lise brought belonged to Von Mustang."

"Does that mean... that Lise-san knocked down her phone?"

“We're still investigating, so we don't know the details. However, it seems natural to think that Lise-sama or [Fox Finance] 's hand was destroyed."

I've often heard rumors about Lise-san and Fox Finance possessing tremendous power, but... I didn't think they'd be as powerful before.

"Then there's one bad story." ― ― The all-out war against the Holy Ronellian Empire is no longer inevitable. Probably in the next few years, as early as this year, there will be a major war on a global scale. ”

"I-It's the middle of the year!?"

Everyone knows that the international situation is extremely chaotic now... It is too soon to say that there may be a war this year.

“The other day, the Vesterian Kingdom and the Republic of Ronzo were pushing harder than ever, and the Polyester Federation became a warring faction. Now, of the four major powers, the non-warring factions will only leave our Lean Guard Empire. I intend to persevere in my discussions and seek a peaceful diplomatic solution... The rebellion of international public opinion is also to be expected, so we will eventually have to cut the rudder of the war.”

With a painful expression, Tenko speaks of the current painful situation.

“In recent years, the Holy Ronellian Empire has been expanding rapidly. An armed group called the Black Organization was launched beneath the surface of the water and secretly joined hands with a powerful demon clan to defeat the Teresian Duchy. Even now, we are trying to increase our strength by calling out to powerful swordsmen from all over the world. --" If you are silently watching the enemy nation grow stronger, you should immediately start an all-out war. "I don't really understand the claims of such a warlord...."

She said that and sighed loudly.

(...... war...... It's not very realistic, but it could really happen from now on......)

While the dark and heavy air flows,

"And one last thing." This is the most important thing I wanted to tell you today. ”

Tenko-sama began to speak slowly after doing so.

"This time, Allen was on the verge of defeating the former Emperor's Four Knights Deal = Reinstadt and defeating the Seven Sacred Swords von Mustang." The Aristocrats who received this report have seen unprecedented confusion and have had urgent meetings since a few days ago. ”

"...? Why are the nobles so in such a hurry?"

My battle and the nobility's upset. I don't think these two are relevant...

"It's nothing strange, is it?" Until now, the nobility surrounded one of the "Seven Holy Swords", and with their absolute force behind them, they were able to corrode my Lean Guard Empire. But--- In the previous battle, Allen cornered Von, the Seven Sacred Swords, to the next step. Inevitably, among the nobles, the seven holy swords in their hands will be able to beat Allen-Rodd? A suspicion erupted. There seems to be an intense discussion day and night about how to bring you in. ”

"Oh, is that so..."

What I don't know is what I'm talking about. Somehow, it felt very strange.

"Speaking of which... did you have any contact from the nobility after that?"

"Contact from the nobility? No, it's nothing."

The last time I received advice from Tenko-sama was around the beginning of January, when I was summoned by Leia-sensei at Senba Academy.

It's been about three months, but there's been no action from the Aristocrats.

"That's strange." A secret detective lurking among the nobles has already reported that an assassin has been sent to them..... "

Tenko-sama gave a troubled expression, and at the same time, Rodis-san quietly stepped in.

Maybe… you fell on the enemy?

"No, it's too early to say no to betrayal." First, I want you to scrutinize the information. "

With a serious expression, the two consult about something.

"Um, I'm so sorry. Please don't mind me telling you this.”

She smiled softly as usual and clapped her hands lightly.

"However, what the royal family fears most is that Allen will be absorbed by the nobility." We will do everything we can to avoid this worst-case scenario. So, if you don't mind, could you take a quick test here right now? "

Test, is that it?

“Yes, a psychological test devised by a renowned psychologist, or, to put it more shattered, a very simple 'psychological test'. This will reveal Allen's underlying desires.”

"Does that mean anything when it becomes clear...?"

In response to my question, Tenko immediately nodded.

"Yes, of course, the nobility is skilled at spotting and putting people's weaknesses. I'm sure I'll try to entangle you by all means in the future. Our Imperial family will do everything in their power to thwart it, but we will not be able to take appropriate defensive measures if we do not understand what Allen is genuinely looking for. Since it will only take 4 or 5 minutes, can you please help us?"

”Hah, hah... I understand”

I don't know what it is, but it seems that I should take a psychological test anyway.

"Thank you. - Rodis."

Haha

Mr. Rodis lowered his head and took out a thick bunch of paperwork from his pocket.

"From now on, we will carry out a simple test. --Allen, are you ready?"

Yes.

"Hmm. Now, just one question, what do you want most now?" Whoa, don't even think about it. I'm going to say the solution as I see it. "

”When I say what I want most... it's actually training time, isn't it?”

In the recent death battle, for the first time in my life, I was connected to something like "The Way". At that moment, the infinite darkness filled his entire body and overwhelmed his superior guards, Von and Diehl.

If I can use that power freely, I will be much stronger than I am now.

(To tell you the truth, I want to go to the world of souls and talk to Zeon right now...)

Now that there is no deterrent called Leia-sensei (stopper), if he takes away his body, there will be a catastrophe without a trace. Therefore, it has been decided that the school will resume in earnest after entering the new semester.

"Hmm, I see... Well, let's change the question." Q2, what do you want? "

“Of course, it's about getting stronger.”

"If only I were stronger then..." Leah won't be critically injured, Rose and her chairmen won't be poisoned, and Bacchus won't be killed.

You have to be strong to protect your loved ones.

"Nuu... I see." Now, let's change the question further. Q3. In your daily life, state your strongest impulse - that is, your 'desire'. "

"Speaking of greed... is it still greedy?"

I swung it in the morning for about three hours, so I was going to solve it... Somehow, the back of my body is already hurting.

As soon as this meeting is over, I will take the sword.

"Gu... idiot! How long has a man like you been dead?!" Sound boy, gold, color, fame! There's usually more of that kind of stuff... right? "

"Um, uh......"

I didn't mean to respond so strangely, but for some reason, Rodis got mad at me.