Umarekawatta “Kensei” Wa Raku o Shitai

Three days have passed since the end of the battle against the Shadow Apostle.

Scheduled inspections from the Empire would have already been completed if they had been, but Aena and Merche are still staying in the Kingdom.

We ended up cutting our inspection in two days, but we continued to carry out inspections in other areas and finished without any problems.

I'm in front of the hospital room, talking to Remill.

"As far as I'm currently checking on the demons in the basement, it doesn't seem to be a problem. Again, we're sealing it off so there's nowhere to put it from the outside."

"But the king's capital is huge, too. It will be difficult to manage."

"That's the only thing I can do. Besides, about this demonic outbreak, it's bigger as a factor to be let loose than to break in.... I didn't think there was a connection between my busy schedule and this incident."

The paperwork that I had a lot of applications for Remill was about the demons underground in Wang Du - which I also cleaned up and said I finally got time. So, he came to see me under the inpatient Illis.

"You've come this far and you're not going in there?

"This time, I didn't do anything special. Besides, Miss Iris and Aria are with you now, right?

"Right. By the way, about Aria."

"Oh, she cooperated with The Shadow Apostle to explicitly aim for the life of Lady Ayna Bodle - clearly, that is not to be held guilty. However, in addition to the fact that the targeted Lady Ayna says she will not mention her responsibilities, I can say that she was mentally unstable with half her family taken as shields. It may be an observational sanction for a while, but it won't be a major sin"

As for what I was concerned about, it didn't seem to be a big problem. Of course, even if for a reason, targeting the lives of others would be a crime - Aria joined it, so there would be no total forgiveness.

Still, being treated lightly as a sin would be a big part of what Aena did not ask me about it. I have to thank her.

"That's good. I'm relieved."

"Tell Aria about it from you. And as for the observational disposition, you'll probably be the supervisor, so remember that."

"You've got one more role to play… I've also learned about that"

I also promised to protect Aria - I originally taught her the sword, too, with Illis. That won't even be a burden.... Though I don't feel more and more burdened with that idea.

"I'll leave them to you."

Waving flirtatiously, Remill leaves the spot behind.

She came to say she had time, but I guess she's still busy right now.

From the Imperial side, the Imperial Marshal's daughter was targeted during the inspection - it's just that everything there is incorporated into Aena's operation.

There will be no strong mention of it, and there will be no major breakdown in the relationship between kingdom and empire. Still, we still have a lot to deal with on this one.

First of all, is there anything I can do to help them? [M]

"Iris, is there anything else you want me to do?

"You don't have to worry so much anymore. Because I'm fine."

When I walked into the hospital room, I heard such conversations between Iris and Aria.

It's been like this since Illis woke up - Aria worried about Illis' injury, and she's been betting on it all four or six. I guess Aria feels responsible for all of that injury.

"Sure, I'm relieved you look fine."

"! Doctor - Oh, I'm sorry. Like this..."

Hide yourself by making sure that Illis holds a sassy futon. Was it her bedtime outfit or was she wearing clothes embroidered with cute animals? There's nothing to worry about.

I tried so hard to get out of bed that I stopped it.

"You'll be fine as it is. Don't worry, I'm just here to see you."

"Oh, thank you"

"Doctor..."

Aria looks at me with an unexpected look on her face.

That day - since I revealed that it was Kensei, I haven't had a chance to speak well with Aria.

It was as long ago as I felt seeing him face to face like this today. She should also be tired of being interrogated by the Knights, but she won't show up like that.

"Is Aria feeling all right, too?

"Mmm, I'm fine. Thanks to the teacher...... thanks for the help"

Aria was letting her gaze swim, but eventually she would look at me and honestly say that.

The first time I saw you purely say those words to me, I smiled unexpectedly.

Besides, Aria reacted so well.

"What? Weird things, happened?

"No, I'm just glad you're being honest with Aria."

"Because my teacher told me to believe it. So he protected Illis and me. So be honest for a little while. But keep a good eye on Iris in the future."

"Hey, Aria......!

"Of course, I'm going to. But that includes you. From now on, you can talk to me if you need anything, okay?

"... yeah, thanks"

Aria was worried about Iris all the time in this conversation, but when she saw Aria snorting at my words, Iris smiled, too. Finally, it felt like everything was back to normal.

But one more thing - I'm making a promise to someone.

"And then, Mr. Aria. Someone is waiting on the roof to see you. I'll take care of Mr. Iris, will you go and come?

"Do you want to see me...?

Aria shakes her neck. I don't suppose such a person has any idea for her.

But I heard from him - and I understood the matter.

Aria looked surprised, but I prompted her to leave the hospital room behind. [M]

- Sheets and towels used in hospitals are dried on the rooftops that are dying in the sunset.

Aria walked looking around in a white cloth swaying in the wind.

There are signs of people. Standing looking down on the town is one girl.

"Are you...?

"Nice to meet you - no, it's been a while, should I say"

Aria gives a slightly surprised look when she sees him.

The girl's name is Merche Altina. This is the girl whose father, Cufilio Notoria, was fighting when he was hostile to Illis.

She seems to have lost the battle with Cuffilio, but I guess she's also quite capable when she sees it done with minor injuries.

Why does such a Merche want to see Aria?

"Long time no see, you mean in the arena?

"That was only a few days ago. Well, but... I don't even notice Kufilio, so it's no wonder you don't notice."

"... what do you mean?

Aria's vigilance intensifies. If you ask the name of Kufilio, it will naturally happen.

Symmetrically with such aria, Merche smiles all the time and moves one step closer to aria. Contingency - not even - but I was going to respond as soon as I could, if anything.

Against such aria, Merche goes on pale words.

"It must have been Lord Iris who was most upset to see you in The Shadow Apostle. But I was so upset that I couldn't beat you either. I don't know why you're there."

…… Why are you telling me that? "

"You have a different face and voice, so you can't help but not understand. But... I told you, didn't I? He said he'd be there later."

――

Aria opens her eyes with surprise.

Though I don't think so, Merche's words were those in Aria's memory.

It gave Aria, who knows nothing, the opportunity to know many things, my sister's words. He never showed up afterwards, and was also a fake created who would name his' brother 'and' sister ', who hadn't shown up in a long time.

I was informed that the real thing was killed by Kufilio. That's supposed to happen, but the Merche in front of me tells Aria with the same look on her face as then.

"If it's true, I wish I could have come with my 'brother', because I was the only one who survived"

"... sister,?

"It's been a long time since they called me that."

"'Cause my sister, she's already..."

"That's what Kufilio said, isn't it? Sure, I was almost dead - desperate to run, desperate to fight. The wound is still there. Still, Master Ayna is here to help me now. If that's what you mean, I'm just like you. I was given a name -!"

Trying to block Merche's words, Aria hugged her.

That's half-reflective, and I'm surprised I was doing that when I realized it. But as I tried to bury her face in Merche's chest, she stroked her head softly.

"I didn't think I could do this to you. But I always wanted to do it for you."

"Sister......! I'm alive, I'm glad... Huh!

Try to squeeze it out, Aria says.

Her face and voice are different - but now I know that she's real. Yes, it's coming through.

"I'm relieved you're safe, too. Because until it was all over, I couldn't even make it look like you and I were involved.... Sorry."

"I wanted to apologize to my sister, too. The truth is... I shouldn't have run away there. If I stay, so will your brother..."

"It's okay. My brother and I both know 'family' because of you. While we were together...... I could see you growing gradually and understand that budding emotions weren't made. So what I did with my brother wasn't a mistake. I did it because I thought it really mattered to you, not to be made."

Merche holds Aria hard. Aria responded to that as well. As if to reclaim the time that has long been a separation.

After a lot of silence, grab Aria's shoulder gently and let go slowly.

"When it was all over, I was gonna welcome you into the empire."

"! That's..."

"Yeah, but... I'm relieved. You already have someone who cares about you, don't you?

Hitachi Merche sends his gaze backwards. When Aria looked back, she saw the shadows of the two men who tried to hide themselves sassy.... Illis and Alta must have come to see me worried.

Aria smiles unexpectedly.

"Sister, I'm fine. Because I have a very strong teacher and an important 'family'. Of course, my sister is an important family."

"I know. I'm sure from now on, I'll see you when I want to. So I'll see you later."

"Yeah, I'll see you later -"

After finishing her conversation with Merche, Aria looks back.

Right under the two waiting there, Aria ran out.

"You don't have to worry about it."

"... right"

It was me and Iris who hid him sassy, but he's probably seen by Aria.

Though I think so, the two of us gaze at each other, with a creak and a grin.

Aena came to visit the kingdom to attract the Shadow Apostle - but it all started before that.

The rebellion of one of the beings created by Cufilio, called Merche. One of them, I can tell you, has connected so far.

"Now, is it time to go back to the hospital room? Mr. Iris hasn't been healed yet."

"Let's worry about that until the teacher. I'm fine now."

"No, you can't. I'll accompany you to training when you're well healed."

"! Well, if that's the case, I'll heal you well..."

Listening to my words, Illis nods honestly. Everywhere this seems like her - thinking that way, Ki and I open the door to the roof.

Aria's back here.

"Ah, Mr. Aria. Just near here with Mr. Iris."

Unexpectedly, it conveys a soft feeling on my forehead. When Illis saw the act, he gave a surprised look. - Aria kissed my forehead.

I am surprised by the sudden events. Aria tells me to whisper with a naughty grin.

"I like my teacher - next to Illis, though. So I'll keep it all to myself."

"Here, here! What the hell is that about...!?

I wonder what it is.

"I'm not in love! Wait!

Iris tries to chase Aria, who escapes, even though she is injured. In the end Aria, who came back worried about it, was caught and interrogation about the current act began.

I touch my forehead, watching. [M]

"Haha, you still treat me like a child"

I laughed unexpectedly and whined about it.