Kuro no Hiera Glaphicos Vol 3 Chapter 3.6

Chapter 3.6

Suggestion in the Rain

Haiderota, which was 1 of the 12 countries when the “Holy Alliance (Furigana: Riga Santourear)” came into existence and presently boasted the second-place national power among its allies, was a militaristic superpower that was steadily pressing forward its military expansion in order to unseat Amaddo from the position of the leading power, though it didn’t make the declaration as one would expect.

Geographically facing the sea in the north, Haiderota could be said to be the continent’s best in naval strength already, but on the other hand, it was limited in ore resources such as iron ore and coal. It was simply too much to cover the ore resources that were necessary to not only manufacture swords, armours and helmets, but to also construct wars.h.i.+ps with just its domestic production output.

From the fact that Haiderota appropriated an enormous military budget like every year and forced that burden onto its people in the form of tax, its worldly matters were constantly unstable.

However, the antagonistic att.i.tude towards Amaddo wasn’t entirely the only reason for Haiderota being zealous in the augment of its armaments to that degree.

Truthfully, she had been worrying about whether she could properly greet n.o.bles from another country, but it seemed that she was able to successfully pull through it somehow. Putting her hand against the chest of her tabard, Valeria leaked a sigh of relief with a “hoo”.

「…Setting aside that His Excellency, Diaghilev-geika looks quite formidable」

Karin who was beside her whispered in a low voice. Although Clotilde was certainly punctilious and polite in her demeanour and speech, it made them feel an invisible thorn. Especially in the looks that she occasionally gave Valeria and Karin, an emotion which was hard to say was amicable was obviously mixed in.

「Nevertheless…why is she the only one who isn’t wearing a pair of trousers?」

Staring at Clotilde’s figure from behind, Valeria tilted her head to the side.

Every member of the Gale Chivalric Order (Furigana: Rorudor Rafuale) below its leader, Sigibert, was wearing a military cap and uniform with identical design lines. They most likely signified the difference in position within the group; basically, one could say that everyone wore the same uniform.

And Clotilde was fundamentally wearing that uniform too.

However, she was wearing a military cap and jacket only. Her bottom, which was covered by clothing that seemed to be white undergarment, could be seen every now and then since a little while ago through the s.h.i.+rttail, which split into two like a shallow’s tail, at the back of the uniform. Although she had properly put on boots, her thighs were almost completely visible.

「…Put your imagination to work a little」

Perhaps he heard the conversation of Valeria and Karin, Dimitar interrupted.

「If you take off the tabard as well, you’ll be in a shameless appearance that isn’t much different to that though」

「It’s not shameless! That’s the proud uniform of Amaddo’s Dominas! To begin with, we’re lightly dressed so that we can use our magic immediately at the critical moment—ah, I see」

The skin exposure of a Dominas was a lot was because large quant.i.ty of magic crests (Furigana: Hierateika) to that extent were carved onto her skin. In that case, it might be because magic crests were carved there and so that she could use them immediately at the critical moment that Clotilde was exposing her thighs that way too.

「……」

Maybe Karin had guessed it from the beginning, she didn’t have the look of being surprised or impressed in partic

ular. Valeria felt embarra.s.sed somehow and tried to relax her limbs which had grown stiff due to the long trip in a carriage while taking deep breaths greatly.

「…Hey」

Realising that Dimitar was fixedly staring at Clotilde’s bottom, Valeria narrowed her eyes.

「Aren’t you looking at it too much?」

「Looking at what?」

「”What”, you say…like I said, hora」

「Surely you’re not thinking that I’m looking at that woman’s bottom or something, are you?」

「Y, you aren’t?」

「Not her bottom; it’s her thighs」

「I don’t want you to put on airs! There’s not much difference, right!?」

Dimitar threw a cold look to Valeria who had lowered her voice and screamed.

「…You’re fundamentally misunderstanding something」

「W, what’s it!?」

「On the whole, there shouldn’t be magic crests carved onto your bottom, no?」

「Baa…」

Of all things, what did he start to say in front of Lucius? Valeria wanted to give an unsparing round of applause to her reason that somehow endured slapping Dimitar.

However, Dimitar continued indifferently, unconcerned about Valeria’s anger.

「That’s why I’m saying you’re misunderstanding it. …I’m looking at her thighs fixedly is because I’m antic.i.p.ating “Won’t her magic crests emerge by some chance?”. Even if I gaze at her bottom, magic crests aren’t carved on it anyway」

Magic crests were carved onto the whole body of a Dominas—that was true to a certain extent, but it didn’t mean that her entire body really had them. As Dimitar had said, Valeria also didn’t put magic crests on delicate areas like her b.r.e.a.s.t.s and bottom. Such circ.u.mstances were probably the same even in Haiderota.

Valeria arranged her breathing and then enquired after clearing her throat slightly.

「…In, in other words, Richternach-kyou wants to say that you’re observing her because of your sense of duty as a Hiera Glaphicos? That you’re interested in the magic crests of another country’s Dominas?」

「Ma, it’s not only that, I guess. Individually speaking, bottoms that are a bit bigger are」

「Dii」

Lucius interrupted the words of a grinning Dimitar midway. It seemed that Lucius, as one would expect, understood well the topics that were fine to talk about and topics that weren’t in a situation like this.

「…From what I heard, she’s a Dominas whose forte is extremely offensive magic; going to missions such as international border disputes and subjugation of thieves, she’s said to have rendered military exploits many times. She’s practically a female soldier rather than a Dominas」

Perhaps he wanted to change the topic, Lucius talked to Valeria and party about Clotilde. If she was a possessor of a personal history which was so spectacular, they could certainly agree with the fact of her being called by an impressive second name such as “White Rose of Steel” too.

On the map, this prairie where the Gale Chivalric Order had set up camp seemed to be Haiderota’s territory already. Valeria who was sitting in the carriage completely didn’t know when they had crossed the national border.

At the circ.u.mference of the camp where innumerable large tents were put up, members of the Gale Chivalric Order were getting ready for the evening and running about in preparation for encamping at night. Meanwhile, all of the Seal Chivalric Order (Furigana: Tanpries Aegis) which had just arrived a short time ago were also starting the work of putting up tents. When watching them like this, it looked like the Seal Chivalric Order and the Gale Chivalric Order didn’t have much difference, but perhaps, between His Highness and His Excellency who were unfolding an exchange of sarcasm, there were great conflicting opinions in that perception.

「It’ll take a bit longer until our meals. Please have these beverages first」

An a.s.sembly-type table was placed in front of a conspicuously large tent, and wine and fruits were already lay out on it.

At that table, a girl was pouring wine into a tin tankard and wandering around, humming a tune. All in all, even though it should be the same style as Clotilde’s, it might be because she was a little plump that it didn’t look like she was wearing a similar uniform. Perhaps she’d be called a charming beautiful girl; the back figure that was moving around with small, quick steps gave one an impression of a stuffed toy bear in some respects.

Valeria stared in amazement and secretly whispered into Karin’s ear.

「…Nee, is she perhaps—」

「That seems to be the case」

From the look of it, there were no other women in this Chivalric Order. Hence, it meant that the girl, who had a same appearance as Clotilde, was probably the other Dominas who belonged to this Chivalric Order.

Maybe she didn’t notice the party that had turned up yet, the girl picked up a bright red apple which was served in a bowl and began biting it with a “shaku shaku”. Moreover, munching roasted amandes (almonds) and licking marmelos (quinces) which were dipped in honey, she occasionally snitched the dining table’s delicacies.

Clotilde gave an unnatural cough after breathing out a big sigh.

「—Ahh!?」

And then, perhaps she had finally perceived the arrival of the guests, the girl hurriedly held her military cap under her arm and gave a military-style salute with a snap.

「T, thank you for your hard work! I, I’m Malena Puyol! I serve as the a.s.sistant of Haiderota Gale Chivalric Order’s vice-leader!」

Although her words were exaggerated, it was comical that 「Mugugu」or something like that was sometimes mixed into them. In any case, just the fact that she wasn’t used to such situations was well understood. She was probably still a newcomer, though this wasn’t something that could be said in Valeria’s standpoint. One would feel relieved somehow when seeing her still chewing her food.

「I feel like I can get along well with this child…」

「Is it because it feels like you’re seeing the same kind?」

「I wouldn’t act suspiciously to that extent as expected」

Counterattacking Dimitar’s sarcasm in a low voice, Valeria sat down on a chair that was offered by Sigibert. Sigibert and Isaac sat at both ends of the long table facing each other, and two Dominas were at both their sides. The Amaddo’s Hiera Glaphicos were given seats next to them and then took their seats. Only Lucius—as if it was his duty—was standing nearby Isaac.

「—Well then」

As soon as he sat on his seat, Sigibert opened his mouth.

「We’ll spend the night here as it is today; tomorrow morning, we’ll depart towards our capital, Aurillac, but I’d like Isaac-denka and the gentlemen of the Seal Chivalric Order to return to Roma as it is. Please leave the escorting of both Her Eminences from here on to the Gale Chivalric Order」

「I’ve no doubt in the abilities of both Her Eminences, Diaghilev and Puyol, but regrettably, you’re the one who consolidate the Chivalric Order」

Chewing the amandes with a “pori pori”, Isaac smiled thinly.

「—At least, I’d like you to present a security system that we can agree to. To begin with, how do you plan to take them to Aurillac? It’s an international problem if something happen to our Ojou-samas, you know?」

「Be at ease」

Sigibert waved his riding crop with a “pii” and smiled confidently at Isaac’s head-on sarcasm.

「—Our Haiderota army is the king’s army. Therefore, I’m thinking about making it into an appropriate journey. This is also an excellent opportunity to make known the dignity and authority of our Dominas and the Gale Chivalric Order to the people along the way」

「Setting aside the matter of what’s a king in your country, in other words, it means that you’re parading to Aurillac?」

「To say it so that it’s easy for you to understand, it’s like that」

Sigibert lifted up his tankard of wine and looked at Clotilde who was beside him.

「—Even just recently, our Dominas, Diaghilev-geika, personally just led the army and exterminated a group of robbers. There are many people who wish to catch a glimpse of her. Besides, the public sentiments will settle down by doing so as well. This is also called “politics”, but…Isaac, do you not understand, I wonder? You don’t understand, right; you surely won’t understand」

「Call me “Your Highness”, Sigibert-kun」

Sighing as if he was astounded by him, Isaac put down his tankard.

「…In the first place, there’s no need to get three of Her Eminences to take the trouble to appear to capture thieves in our country, and there’s also no need to have a parade to dispel the dissatisfaction of the people who suffer from heavy taxation. Even if we’re told to understand the circ.u.mstances of your country in spite of the big difference in the public order levels, that’s impossible」

「Muguu…!」

Sigibert’s face began to turn red again. Even though the person himself intended to make Clotilde’s bravery and reliability appealing, he was probably frustrated that he had conversely ended up pointing out the poorness of the internal public order.

As Orvieto had said not long ago, Haiderota was a country that put its military expansion first and its people second; it seemed that those people who held dissatisfaction immediately carried out armed uprising and became groups of robbers. Therefore, the fact that Isaac interfered in this and that regarding the journey’s escort—even if the side of pestering Sigibert existed considerably—was very reasonable.

「Your concern is unnecessary」

Taking over Sigibert who was biting his lips with a “Ginuu…”, Clotilde spoke.

「Our country’s public order hasn’t been so poor in the recent years either. …However, we’re only severely conducting crackdowns especially of late due to the thought of His Majesty who wants to make the country difficult for criminals to live in. Besides, if in the unlikely event that thieves obstruct our journey, I’ll show you this me cutting them down personally」

「Iya—, you’re really courageous. Diaghilev-geika is a Dominas of the type that we don’t have」

Brazenly clapping his hands with a “pachi pachi”, Isaac s.h.i.+fted his gaze to-and-fro between Sigibert and Clotilde several times.

「—If Your Eminence is saying to that extent, I’ve nothing to say. In fact, the one whom we should depend on when something happens isn’t Sigibert-kun, but Diaghilev-geika. His words couldn’t put me at ease, but since Your Eminence said so, there’s no doubt about it」

「W, why are you saying such—」

Just when Sigibert was about to half-rise to his feet, plates of cuisine which smelled good were carried here. Green peas potage, partridge roast and frumenty containing venison—all of them were very exquisite cuisine as dinner on the ground of a night camp.

Plates were lined up one by one before Isaac and then he spoke to Lucius.

「—Is it about time that our tents are also finished being put up? Lucius-kun, you’ll instruct everyone and get them to finish their meals」

「Hai」

Bowing politely, Lucius left. Although it was a disappointment for Valeria, so long as Isaac ate here, Lucius must look after the Chivalric Order.

「Your Highness」

Dimitar suddenly stood up.

「I’d like to give the instructions for hereafter to Bettina-jou, but may I?」

「Ah—…that’s right. Since that child will definitely feel helpless by herself, go and see her situation just a little」

「Understood. —In that case, I’ll be leaving」

Dimitar also bowed politely and left the dinner’s dining table.

However, Valeria didn’t think that he’d straightforwardly disappear because of Bettina. Although she didn’t have a definite reason, she somehow understood from the short a.s.sociation with Dimitar thus far that when he purposely spoke like that, his real aim lay in another place.

♦♦♦

Running at a trot in the camp that was ruled by a restless atmosphere due to the preparation for dinner, Dimitar caught up with Lucius.

「—What do you think, Lucius?」

「About what?」

「Those people intend to head for Aurillac with the mood of a parade, you know」

「In a country where the populace’s dissatisfaction towards the government is becoming chronic, the royalty will make a round of visits to every place in the form of “imperial tour” and make the will of the people settle down. It’s a common move」

「Speaking of typical of this country where political situation is unstable, this is so like them」

Dimitar looked around his surroundings while walking side-by-side with Lucius. Although the people from the Seal Chivalric Order weren’t non-existent, the ones who were moving around in the vicinity were mostly the Gale Chivalric Order, namely Haiderota’s people only. It wasn’t possible to say remarks which might be interpreted as criticism towards Haiderota openly very much.

Perhaps he was aware of that, Lucius’s voice was also extremely low.

「…To be honest, the effect is doubtful with just Sigibert-kakka, but if it’s that Diaghilev-geika, the populace’s support can be obtained. For a country of warriors like Haiderota, a Dominas who stands at the army’s vanguard and fights is considered more of a hero than an unskilful soldier」

「I understand that. —However, they plan to involve even Our Eminences in that monkey show, you know?」

The Gale Chivalric Order probably intended to push its vice-leader, Clotilde, rather than its leader, Sigibert, to the front, a.s.semble a brave file of troops and go towards Aurillac. Valeria and Karin would then be shaken in the carriage, with the appearance of being protected by them.

But in that case, Valeria and party might become appendages to Clotilde. The leader of the alliance was, to the end, Amaddo; Dimitar believed that the situation where the leader country’s Dominas were eclipsed by another country’s Dominas should be avoided.

「…That Dominas has the height and her appearance is eye-catching too. With those, she’ll inevitably stand out if she straddles an ostentatiously decorated horse. Unless they (Valeria and Karin) also dress up very strikingly and show their faces, the leading part of the parade will be taken by that woman as things are, you know」

「Is that situation so bad?」

「…What?」

Noticing Lucius who was staring at him and smiling bitterly, Dimitar who had asked so in return narrowed his eyes.

「What do you mean? That’s definitely bad, right?」

「It’s better if it’s in Amaddo; this place is Haiderota, you know? As expected, it’s impossible that both Her Eminences of our country disregard Diaghilev-geika and play the leading part in the home town of the other party」

「Even so」

Dimitar knitted his brows and then folded his arms.

「—I can’t tolerate our country’s Dominas being treated like those people’s extras」

「This is unexpected, Dii. You’ve that much patriotism」

「It isn’t patriotism in particular. I’m merely not pleased with those people’s way of doing things only」

「Is that so? Maa, it’s a good inclination either way. Whatever your reason may be, the fact that you’re thinking about Valeria-jou’s position like that means」

「Of course. This is related to my success in life」

Dimitar felt as if there was an implication somewhere in Lucius’s manner of speaking and was in no way comfortable. Even though Dimitar had been worrying about this and that purely because of political reasons, Lucius was reading too much into such a matter of his own accord. For Dimitar, things had turned out contrary to his actual wish.

「Look here, Lucius—」

「You don’t need to worry so」

Lucius interrupted Dimitar’s words and hit the area around his upper arm with a “pon”.

「His Highness had foreseen that it might become a situation like this from the beginning. Upon discussing with Haha-ue, a plan has been prepared properly」

「A plan? Is that true?」

「Yes. It has been factored in that the other side will start something. After all, it’s said that the person called Sigibert-kakka has a rivalry spirit towards His Highness one way or another since he was a child. No matter what kind of trivial thing it is, he’ll compete with His Highness and try to win. …But regrettably, he seems slightly simple and ignorant of the ways of the world to compete with His Highness」

「I knew that he’s simple and childish once I saw him…」

「Anyway, things won’t turn out as those people want」

「Is that so…」

Although Dimitar didn’t know what kind of plan His Highness had worked out exactly, he probably didn’t have to worry since Lucius stamped his seal of approval.

「—What? Did you go out of your way to leave the dinner party just for that reason, Dii?」

「Iya, I remembered that I left Gacha Pink alone」

「If it’s Bettina-jou, she should be helping to put up both Her Eminences’ tents, most likely at the instruction of Lindegoa-kyou’s side, but…」

「I see. Then, I’ll go and help a little. …I want to give her a warning」

「A warning?」

「Even if we’re in an ally’s territory, her armour is a ma.s.s of military secret. I should have said that to her on the occasion of a mission, but she’s simply lacking the awareness. Even though she has nothing to do, she’ll wander aimlessly at once and act in a behaviour that will attract people’s attention」

「Now that you mentioned it…I recalled something」

Lucius, who was walking side-by-side with Dimitar, stopped suddenly and scratched his head.

「I’ve also forgotten to convey a few words to His Highness」

「What’s it? Is it about Jorkera by any chance?」

「Yes…it’s about His Highness; he might see a suitable time and boast of the new sword to Sigibert-kakka. Sigibert-kakka is a gentleman who can’t use magic too, so this is a perfect opportunity to make him feel bitter, right?」

It seemed to be something that mischievous His Highness would really do. If it was to make Sigibert who would try to compete with him on everything stamped his feet, he’d probably flaunt one or two military secrets nonchalantly.

「Dii, return immediately and convey this matter to His Highness. I’ll talk to Bettina-jou myself」

「Understood」

「And one more thing」

「You probably have thoughts regarding Diaghilev-geika, but don’t show it in your att.i.tude, all right?」

「Those are words which you should say to Our Eminence」

Setting Karin aside, Valeria who was ignorant of the world’s severity and malice most likely hadn’t notice the scheme of Haiderota’s side yet. The image of her who had realised that making her face bright red and screaming vehemently seemed to come into his mind.

♦♦♦

On the very same day, Quique who had visited the royal palace finished a meeting of nearly an hour and left the office of Roland Kaparos-kyou. The attendees of the meeting were three people, Quique, Kaparos-kyou, and also the head director of Royal Magic Academy (Furigana: Prasa Marefikos), Orvieto Richternach.

Quique spoke to Orvieto as they walked side-by-side on the well-polished marble pa.s.sage.

「…However, what’s this, Head Director-dono. Even though we’ve been discussing like this for the sake of the request from the Seal Chivalric Order, it’s simply irresponsible that the all-important His Highness isn’t here」

「Ara, aren’t you thinking that the discussion concluded easier when His Highness isn’t here, Albiol-san?」

Orvieto, who was carrying a bundle of doc.u.ments in her hand, lowered her voice and smiled as if it was amusing.

「Iya iya, that’d be so rude of me」

Quique took out his favourite kiseru from the pocket of his wrinkled white robe, shook it gently and lit a fire. Breathing in the smoke quietly, he then turned his face away from Orvieto and exhaled.

Orvieto called Quique “Albiol-san”. Although she’d also add the t.i.tle of “Chief Engineer (Furigana: Maestro)” at places where there were other people, she’d often call Quique who was much lower than her in terms of status by adding “san” to his name.

On the other hand, in regard to Orvieto, Quique made sure to properly call her “Head Director”, but perhaps even if he addressed her as “Orvieto” without an honorific, she gave the feeling that she wouldn’t get angry. After all, Quique and Orvieto had a friends.h.i.+p which exceeded almost 20 years.

「—Nevertheless, that’s truly great, Albiol-san」

「What is?」

「Your research of many years was recognised」

「I didn’t continue my research because I wanted it to be recognised in particular though」

Swallowing the bitter smoke, Quique smiled wryly.

In the first place, today’s meeting was related to the ma.s.s production plan of the magic motion sword (Furigana: Espada Marefika) that the Crown Prince had proposed. It could be said that precisely because the Crown Prince recognised Quique’s research that even the Finance Minister was involved and the specific discussions began to move.

「—But maa, it became easy to secure a budget, and I can also proudly get the cooperation of the magic academy, so in that meaning, I guess it’s certainly possible to say that it’s great that it was recognised」

「Really…」

「Ah, but speaking of to recognise or to not recognise, the ones whom I really wanted it to be recognised by are Head Director and Babel-geika instead though」

「Me and—Shakira?」

「My research is, Head Director, the result of more than 20 years which the grudge of one ordinary person towards the pair of geniuses of established reputation had compelled him to do」

「Ara, saying “grudge”, how dangerous」

「Of course; for a youngster who originally wanted to become a magic warrior and was ignorant of the ways of the world, if he personally saw Head Director and Her Eminence’s magic abilities before his eyes, whether he’ll genuinely admire you or become perverse and jealous, it’ll only be either of those」

Quique was originally born in this capital. Although the Albiol House was a mercantile house and wasn’t to the degree of being called wealthy, it was much more economically blessed than a commoner’s. Quique himself was also the youngest child of the three siblings and didn’t need to think about succeeding his parent too; he was in an environment where he could devote himself to the things which he liked from childhood.

The boy, Quique, was fascinated by magic then, but the fact that he didn’t have an ounce of that talent was confirmed before long, and the path of a magic warrior closed early.

Nonetheless, Quique who had continued to hold an interest in the thing called “magic” strove to study by himself in the magic academy’s library and the like. It was just then that Quique subsequently met the geniuses who were called “Amaddo’s Pair of Bright Jewels”.

「…At that time, from the moment I met Head Director-dono and Her Eminence and witnessed those magic talents, I thought of creating a world where even common ordinary people can use magic someday and had been continuing my research the whole time. Anyway, the talents of you two were to that extent」

「To be able to get the genius with an unusual talent say so, Shakira and I are honoured」

「A genius with an unusual talent? Me?」

Bending his eyebrows, Quique looked at Orvieto.

「—Since Dominas Bradmante whose name first appeared in Amaddo’s history books, the Dominas who remained in the record add up to several hundreds, but no one among them used magic without depending on the magic crests which were carved onto their own bodies. …You accomplished something which successive generations of Dominas couldn’t do in a generation. If I don’t call that a genius, what should I call it?」

「That’s…ma, it’s just that there wasn’t a person who thought of doing such a thing until now, I guess」

「Then, that idea is already something of a genius」

「…Please don’t flatter me. I’ll feel uncomfortable」

Knocking his kiseru lightly against the corridor’s stone pillar and throwing the tobacco ashes away, Quique scratched his head with a “bori bori”.

More than 20 years had pa.s.sed since the day they first met; Albiol had become a completely exhausted middle-aged man, and Orvieto had become a married woman, and then a widow from a Dominas candidate, but she was still beautiful even now. When that Orvieto smiled sweetly at him, even Quique who was nicknamed as an eccentric looked like he’d be in a strange mood.

「In any case, I’m grateful to Albiol-san」

「If it’s about Dii, there’s no need to express your grat.i.tude. After all, it’s a situation where I’m being helped by him」

「However, it isn’t an exaggeration even if I say that that current child exists because of Albiol-san’s invention, so—」

「Any more than this is unnecessary」

Quique interrupted Orvieto’s words, went outside the corridor and came out under the setting sun.

Although one might say that a patron had sided with him, Quique’s research environment didn’t improve dramatically. The Crown Prince had promised to newly build a workshop for his exclusive use, but he’d have to continue his research in that army’s workshop which didn’t get much suns.h.i.+ne for a short while.

「Well then, Head Director—」

Quique, who had thought of returning to the workshop and looked back at Orvieto, noticed that she was looking in a different direction and chased after that gaze for no particular reason.

「…Is there something wrong with that young man?」

「No—」

A young man could be seen walking in the corridor which was visible on the opposite side across the lotus pond. Although he was considerably and delicately slender, he was wearing a uniform which was frequently seen in this royal palace.

「That child, somewhere—」

「That uniform, if I remember correctly, is the Seal Chivalric Order’s」

Seeing off the young man who had disappeared into the royal palace, Quique turned his neck slightly.

A member of the Seal Chivalric Order; that was to say, for Orvieto’s son—Lucius, the young man was his subordinate. Perhaps Lucius had invited the boy from just now to their mansion, and thus Orvieto felt that she recognised him.

「…Is that so, I wonder?」

「Are you bothered by something?」

「It’s not like that, but—」

「Iya, this is a new surprise」

「Ehh?」

Even when the young man’s figure couldn’t be seen, Orvieto who was absentmindedly staring that way turned her head suddenly at Quique’s laughter.

「What’s it, Albiol-san? Saying “a new surprise”…」

「It’s that even Head Director-dono will forget things. I thought that you’re a person who would never forget the things which you’ve seen and heard once」

「If I’ve a perfect memory to that extent, I shouldn’t have that much hards.h.i.+ps during my training period」

Orvieto held the doc.u.ments in her arms again and smiled a little.

「—Well then, Albiol-san, do your best at work」

「Head Director as well, please don’t overwork yourself」

Waving his hand lightly, Albiol started to walk.

A few days had already elapsed since Bettina left the capital as Valeria’s attendant. The workshop without Bettina and Dimitar was very quiet; it was pleasant to thoroughly read the mult.i.tudinous data which Nereida had left behind in Biran.o.ba and to be engrossed in speculations, but on the other hand, he also felt that something was insufficient.

As he held the kiseru which didn’t contain tobacco leaves already at the edge of his lips, Quique squinted in the sunset glow.

♦♦♦

「—Hey!? Is it really like that!?」

Seeing Valeria showing an angry expression like he had imagined merely two hours ago, Dimitar inadvertently laughed.

Valeria who had observantly spotted that,

「You! There’s nothing funny! Or rather, this is an issue of our motherland’s honour!」

「You hadn’t thought of this until you’re explained to in detail; what are you getting angry at now? Rudbeck-geika had realised this on that occasion, you know?」

When Dimitar muttered coldly, Karin who had set herself onto a cus.h.i.+on looked at Valeria fleetingly as she concealed the lower half of her face with a plume folding fan.

「I thought for sure that you were suppressing your anger after knowing about it, …but I’m sorry, it looks like I’ve overestimated you too much again」

「Hey! Is that something which you’ve to purposely say to me now!? In the first place, what does “again” means; “again”!」

Karin’s “I’m sorry” wasn’t filled with apologetic feelings as usual. For Valeria who knew her well, it could only be heard as a provocation phrase that angered the other party instead.

Bettina, who had been opening her visor and throwing food into her armour with a “gashan mogumogu, gashan mogumogu”, spoke to Valeria who was pacing around a little inside the s.p.a.cious tent.

「Valeria-samaa, please calm down at any rate. It’s already late at night, and there are people on the lookout in the surroundings, so if you scream in an overly loud voice, everything could be heard」

「But—!」

「Maa, it’s not that I don’t understand Valeria’s anger as well though~」

The tent, which the Seal Chivalric Order had carried for the sake of stopping one night here, had the same size as the one that the Crown Prince used during expeditions; it was fully furnished with a low table at its centre, cus.h.i.+ons which subst.i.tuted a sofa for the Dominas to relax, and even a.s.sembly-type beds. Petra, who was sitting on one of those beds and polis.h.i.+ng her gla.s.ses’ lens, looked at Valeria with upturned eyes.

「It’s natural to get angry if you’re being treated like an extra of that stern Her Eminence. It’s just as if Amaddo had submitted to Haiderota~」

「Right!? If it’s a condition like this from now, we don’t know what kind of hara.s.sment we’ll encounter after arriving at Aurillac!」

「…That’s enough, so don’t make a loud voice at each and every thing」

Storing the sword which he had done maintenance on into its scabbard, Dimitar stood up. Turning over the rug which was suspended at the entrance for insulation with a “perari”, he peeked at the situation outside. Although it had lasted somehow while he was eating his dinner, the rain had been sprinkling since just now. When considering that the journey would still continue by carriage for a while, it was unpleasant that too much heavy rain was falling.

While listening to the “sara sara” sound of rainfall, Dimitar spoke.

「His Highness knows that easy-going His Excellency well. Therefore, thinking that such an incident might be possible, it seems that he had prepared a plan from the beginning」

「A plan?」

「…It appears that the plan has arrived」

Dimitar greatly turned over the rug again and invited the visitors who had come in the middle of the rain inside.

「Excuse us for coming here at night」

The ones who had said so and carried in a black long chest were the Seal Chivalric Order’s substantial top and its right-hand man, the Lucius Richternach and Derek Lindegoa pair.

「Lu, Lucius-sama!?」

Valeria, who had been pacing around inside the tent with an irritated look until then, hurriedly sat on a cus.h.i.+on and fixed the untidiness of her hair.

Lucius and Lindegoa placed the long chest onto the ground, sighed with a “hoo” and smiled.

「These are presents from His Highness to both Her Eminences」

「Presents?」

「”I hope that you’ll pulverise Sigibert-kakka’s ulterior motive for me with these tomorrow”; His Highness did say it like that」

Lucius spoke proudly in some respects and opened the cover of the long chest.

「Eh—?」

「These are…」

The girls looked into the long chest and raised voices of wonder respectively.

「Fuwaaaa…! T, this is amazing~!」

「Ah~…when seeing things like these, as expected, it’s frustrating that I didn’t become a Dominas~」

Valeria looked up at Lucius,

「T, thank you very much for going out of your way to do this! We’ve specially troubled Lucius-sama’s hands—」

「Iya, it’s all right. …If I’ve to tell you the truth, then it’s because the members are slightly disputing among themselves on who will carry this here」

「Eh?」

「Other than this Dimitar」

Lucius thereupon poked Dimitar lightly on his elbow.

「—Generally, men are living things who are thinking about wanting to become acquaintances with beautiful and clever women. Especially if the other parties are active service Dominas; after all, they’re flowers on a high peak whom they wouldn’t have the opportunity to exchange words with easily」

「No way…」

Valeria was blus.h.i.+ng in the cheeks and shaking her body with a “furi furi”. Although Valeria was being shy like this in front of Lucius, if one a.s.sumed that Lucius didn’t know what her usual form was, then one couldn’t help saying that this was fairly joyous.

「……」

Dimitar leaned against the tent’s prop and sighed quietly.

Valeria was the sole daughter of the Costacurta House, and Lucius was also the son and heir of the Richternach House. When considering the circ.u.mstance where both of them must continue their family names, no matter how Valeria lavished her charm on him, it was impossible to take Lucius as her husband. The figure of the girl who continued her pointless endeavour was humorous, and even though he also felt just a bit of pity, Dimitar didn’t say anything particularly.

「Dii」

Lucius spoke to Dimitar in a whisper.

「…Haiderota will most likely carry out small hara.s.sment like this from now on as well. As expected, they won’t act in a behaviour that will become a diplomatic issue, but it’s better to think that it’s natural that they’ll do things which they’ll politically use」

「I guess so」

「Though we’ll return to the capital tomorrow, we’re relying on you only hereafter. Valeria-jou is an innocent lady, and Karin-jou is intelligent, —but how should I put it, they’re different from you」

「They don’t have the craftiness?」

「I didn’t say it to that extent. …I just wanted to say that unlike you, they lack the maliciousness, so they may not notice the plans of those people who have evil intentions」

「Ma, I won’t deny that though」

Dimitar was thinking that it was fine that his role was a part like that. Rather, for these girls who—could be called “pure” in a sense—were ignorant of the ways of this world, if there wasn’t someone who was conversely well aware of the world’s dirtiness beside them, they’d be easily deceived and get caught in a plan; anyway, they’d probably stumble somewhere. It might unexpectedly be because of such a thought that Orvieto pushed him to be Valeria’s Hiera Glaphicos too.

「—Well then, we shall leave soon」

「Ah! Lucius-sama, at least leave after you’ve drank a cup of tea or something…」

Valeria looked back to the table while saying such thing.

However, there was no way that she could prepare tea of course. Since Dimitar knew that Lucius would bring over the Crown Prince’s secret plan, he had driven the maids out from the tent for the Dominas beforehand.

Dimitar softly informed Valeria who was looking around her surroundings with an “awa awa”.

「…If you wish for it, shall I go and get hot water and tea leaves? The maids’ tent is right next to us, and if it’s for covering up the face of Her Eminence who likes Lucius-sama very much, I can at least endure going in the middle of the rain and coming back」

「Hey!? W, why are you purposely using such a way of speaking—」

「To be worked hard by Her Eminence is my job after all. I don’t mind that you thrust an unreasonable demand at me without reservation like you always do. I’ll accomplish it even if I’ve to clench my teeth」

「I-I-I-I-I! I, I didn’t! I, I, I! Be it that sort of unreasonable demand or working him hard, I, I didn’t do such things! I, I didn’t do it!」

Shaking her head with a “buru buru”, Valeria’s face turned bright red and she appealed to Lucius.

「I know」

Lucius nodded with a bitter smile mixed in and struck Dimitar’s back with a “bas.h.i.+n”. Keeping the smile which faced the girls as it was, he lowered his voice again and spoke to Dimitar.

「…You, be moderate in teasing her too」

「That’s because she’s strangely in high spirits even though she’s in the middle of an important mission. Her self-consciousness is insufficient」

「Even if that’s the case, causing her to be embarra.s.sed and making her have unpleasant feelings is wrong, you know? I won’t tell you to get along with her, but cease the behaviour which will purposely create the cause of discord」

「…Understood」

Shrugging his shoulders, Dimitar nodded. If he did any more than this, the serious Lucius might really start to get angry.

「Well then, we’ll be leaving」

Lucius and Lindegoa courteously bowed and left the girls’ tent.

「—Oi, Gacha Pink」

Dimitar carried Jagieruka’s scabbard on his shoulder and called out to Bettina, who was looking inside the long chest with a pose which whether or not she had a greedy countenance—was unclear, but gave that sort of feeling somehow, once.

「You’ll stay up all night here. Don’t forget that you’re acting as a guard officer too, all right?」

「I know」

「Ufufu, I’m so happy~」

Hitting Bachururus’s sparkling helmet with a “pechi pechi”, Petra laughed with a “nihe~e”.

「We’ll hold a big chatting meeting for fellow girls with everyone tonight, won’t we?」

「That’s right! So don’t sleep! I’ll keep night watch tonight!」

「…There’d be no point in you keeping night watch if everyone is staying up all night though」

Putting his hand on his forehead, Dimitar went out underneath the sky that was drizzling rain.

Although he was an exclusive Hiera Glaphicos, Dimitar couldn’t sleep in the same tent as Valeria and party. Dimitar had gotten a small tent prepared for him in the nearby vicinity and would intentionally pa.s.s the night there without sleeping until morning.

「—」

Dimitar, who had entered the small tent where even one person couldn’t lie down satisfactorily, held Jagieruka including its scabbard in his arms, sat down and put on a blanket from his shoulders. While wearing his boots, he didn’t change his clothes or lie down so that he was ready for the worst case and could rush out any time. Spending one night in this posture was, contrary to expectations, tiring, but coming to a clean decision that it was also within his job, Dimitar quietly closed his eyes.

♦♦♦

The river’s water level was rising more than usual was probably because the rain had concentrated in a short time and fallen on the upstream mountain area. The water becoming murky due to the mud, and furthermore, green trees’ leaves and broken twigs mixing into the stream were supporting that.

The rain around here approximates to a drizzle at the most, and it seemed that the damage to the crops was almost none, but as expected, when it became midnight, the figures of people going out in the vicinity was zero.

However, that was if one excluded a group in black mantles which was a.s.sembled in the vicinity of the bridge—.

It was a st.u.r.dy bridge which the inhabitants of the neighbourhood had put forward an appeal to the country to safely cross over this river where the water level often rose due to the influence of torrential rain and was only completed just around 10 years ago. If one got close to the guardrail and looked down at the river surface, it was akin to looking down at the ground from above a belfry; there were probably people who experienced dizziness at the height.

The men under the bridge were submerged to the top of their knees in the river’s current, holding onto the middle bridge pier and doing something. Whenever the front of a mantle split, a black uniform flickered from beneath that.

「…Is a construction like this really necessary?」

The man beside a youth in a coat, who was watching over the work of those mantles from above the bridge, asked him in a low voice.

「To carry out such a construction at a place like this—」

「What kind of meaning is there—is it?」

With a sigh mixed in, the youth finished the man’s sentence.

「Whether it has a meaning or not, I don’t know. It certainly seems like she’s reading too much into things, but Her Eminence’s thoughts have parts that are difficult for us petty officers to comprehend. …However, Her Eminence had wished for this in any case. It’s fine if we work as per the instructions」

「But…! Is Cyril-sama fine with that!? To be told to serve a young girl of an unknown origin like that all of a sudden—」

「Pay attention to your words. You’re being disrespectful」

The youth—Cyril Duebur rebuked the man, who was the equivalent of his adjutant, and looked down at the mantles working on the river surface.

「This isn’t only the Royal Prince-denka’s (the king’s younger brother), but also the King-heika’s idea. Our country made the decision to put that girl up as a Dominas」

「Ha…I’m sorry」

「It’s fine. —The lantern」

「Hai」

Making his adjutant carry the lantern, Cyril spread the map that was drawn on a parchment. Tracing this river and the highway that intersected it with his finger, he looked out far off in the northwest direction. However, in this night where the moon and stars were being limited a great deal due to the rain clouds, only the deep black silhouette of the forest could be seen at the most; it was practically the same as seeing nothing.

At that moment, the soldiers who had been working under the bridge looked up at Cyril and shouted.

「Cyril-sama! The work has been completed!」

「All right…everyone come up! We’ll return before the day breaks」

The soldiers, who had been working in the river at Cyril’s instruction, followed a rope which was suspended from the riverbank and went up in succession. Although they should have been quite fatigued to have continued their work while going against the river’s current, it didn’t feel that those movements had slackened.

「In the first place, what’s necessary for a Dominas isn’t lineage, but pure ability and resourcefulness」

Straddling a horse that was tied at the entrance of the forest, Cyril said so.

「Where you were born in and whose child are you, such things are inconsequential. …And now, what’s requested of us is to prove that our Dominas is even more superior than Aurillac’s Dominas. For the sake of that, no matter what thing it is, I’ll definitely do it」

The soldiers, who had soaked in the river and worked, and the soldiers, who had been keeping watch of the surroundings on top of the bridge, imitated Cyril and mounted their horses. The night rain which had increased its force just a little might have concealed the sounds of their horses’ hooves well.

「At any rate before long, I’ll make them understand…who’s the older brother and who’s the inferior younger brother」

Wiping his face that had gotten wet in the rain, Cyril caused the bridle to resound and began to gallop.

♦♦♦

Perhaps because of last night’s rain, today’s morning air was moist and felt gentle on the skin somehow. Although the sun had only stepped into a low position in the sky, it also seemed as if that radiance was making a firm promise of today’s clear weather.

While both sides’ Chivalric Orders’ members were beginning the preparations for breakfast, Dimitar held a wooden sword that was used for practice in his left hand and stood face to face with Lucius who held a similar wooden sword.

Ever since Dimitar lived alone, the opportunity to do sword practices by the two of them had decreased remarkably. Even if he went and visited Lucius’s mansion, due to the wilfulness of Orvieto who would say 「If you’ve the free time to swing wooden sticks, then the both of you please be my opponents」, that opportunity would be s.n.a.t.c.hed away at once.

「……」

Dimitar originally wasn’t left-handed. Lucius who was facing him also held the wooden sword in his left hand and turned his right hand to the back of his waist. In order to be able to cut the way through predicaments even if they injured their dominant arms, they used the swords with just their left hands like this and practised.

Omitting useless movements, seeing each other’s distance and unleas.h.i.+ng thrusts, or quickly moving their bodies back; at a glance, there was no flas.h.i.+ness, but a slow and steady war of nerves, as if whittling away the mind, was going on.

「…Isn’t the dawn a little noisy?」

Evading the blow of Lucius who had utilised his wrist and cut upwards, Dimitar who had jumped greatly opened his mouth at the same time when he quietly spat out a breath.

「Maybe something appeared, I guess」

Brus.h.i.+ng away the long hair that clung onto his cheek, Lucius answered.

「—There are things that will appear variously along the national border」

「I know that, but there’s no report here at all?」

「They’ll report it. …However, His Highness and His Excellency are still resting. They’re just waiting for them to wake up, probably—」

Lucius’s words broke off, and a tremendous spirit flew here instead. As if pursuing that, the tip of the wooden sword flashed.

「—!」

Dimitar bent the upper half of his body, avoided the wooden sword and caught his breath slightly.

If it was an unrefined crossing of swords like colliding bodies and all, one wouldn’t think that Dimitar was inferior to Lucius. One wouldn’t know about the past, but Dimitar’s body was bigger than Lucius’s now, and his pure physical strength was probably higher too. However, when it came to practices like competing with each other’s number of moves, speed and accuracy in this way, he could by no means win against Lucius. If one were to speak of predicting the opponent’s movement with keen observing eyes and elaborate calculations and then moving, Lucius was one step higher than Dimitar.

Dimitar narrowed his eyes and then said to Lucius.

「…Shouldn’t we bring this to an end soon?」

Before they knew it, those unoccupied people had surrounded at a distance and began to watch Dimitar and Lucius’s practice. This was more or less a familiar scene for the Seal Chivalric Order’s people—when he was still an apprentice member, Dimitar had often practised with Lucius—, but considering the Gale Chivalric Order’s people, the practice of the pair who wielded wooden swords with one hand while sealing off their dominant hands might seem very unusual.

Lucius bent his head slightly to one side and smiled.

「Do you hate losing in public?」

「If I had to say, I hate exposing my skills more. Especially to Haiderota’s people」

「I see」

Nodding exaggeratedly, Lucius lowered his sword.

There, Sigibert turned up, bringing a sporadic applause along with him.

「Yaa yaa, what zealousness since the morning. …Were you able to sleep well last night, honourable guests?」

「This is…good morning, Your Excellency」

Dimitar matched Lucius and bowed to Sigibert.

He had noticed that Sigibert was watching them from a little while ago. Rather, he had noticed Clotilde who was beside Sigibert. The plump Dominas who was called Malena or something was also together with them, but from what Dimitar had observed, that person was weak in moving her body by herself, and her combat-related skills were probably all equally low. The matter of Dimitar saying that he didn’t want to expose his skills substantially meant that he didn’t want to show them to Clotilde.

「Nevertheless…do you always carry out that kind of strange practice in the Seal Chivalric Order? It’s a practice method that isn’t seen very much in our country though」

「No, it’s not carried out in the group. It’s not something that can be recommended to everybody after all」

「Hohou…」

Sigibert stopped his hand that was waving the riding crop with a “shupi shupi”,

「—Well then, how about this? For the sake of a future reference, can I not request for a contest with someone from my Chivalric Order? Iya, I’d like to request that by all means」

「—」

Dimitar fleetingly peeked at Lucius’s expression with a sidelong glance.

Although Sigibert had said so in a light tone, if this turned into Lucius having a contest with a person of the Gale Chivalric Order, the honours of both sides would hinge on it whether he wanted it or not. Of course, Dimitar didn’t think that Lucius would lose so easily, but this wasn’t a match that he could thoughtlessly accept without Isaac’s permission.

However, having said that, to decline on the spot would be similar to the Seal Chivalric Order running away from a match against the Gale Chivalric Order, and its image would become worse. In any case, he probably had to ask for Isaac’s decision.

「…It’s fine, isn’t it?」

When Dimitar was thinking if he should go to Isaac’s tent to inform him of this matter, Isaac came along while yawning consecutively, as though he had chosen a suitable timing for his appearance. Valeria and Karin, and moreover, Petra and Bettina were following in the rear as well.

「I think it’s fine to do so」

Dispensing with all the greetings, Isaac rubbed his eye and nodded.

「—As for the ability of Sigibert-kun’s prideful Gale Chivalric Order, even I’d like you to show it to me. How about a match as a light exercise before breakfast? However, magic is excluded」

「Isaac-denka’s approval has also been given out…Arushanbor!」

When Sigibert raised his riding crop, a tall man stepped forward from among the onlookers who had been watching Dimitar and Lucius’s martial arts practice until a little while ago. On top of his eyes being small and not knowing where he was looking at, it was also hard to read what he was thinking of from his taciturn expression.

Sigibert clapped on that man’s shoulder and said proudly.

「—This man is Nicola Arushanbor. He has mastered sword and magic at the same time, and is a brave man who contends for first, second even in our Chivalric Order」

「Fu—n」

Isaac who had been staring at Arushanbor absentmindedly held back Lucius who tried to take a step forward.

「…Your Highness?」

「That’s right…let’s go with Dii-kun here」

「……」

Although Dimitar’s eyebrows quivered with a “bikuu” instantly, he wasn’t particularly surprised. After all, he had immediately understood what Isaac was thinking about. Rather, it was Valeria, who was behind the Crown Prince, who was opening her eyes wide in astonishment with an expression that seemed to want to say 「Ee!? Why isn’t it Lucius-sama!?」.

「Dii…」

「No problem」

Telling Lucius a few words, Dimitar stroked his nape and stepped forward to the front.

「Malena Puyol-geika」

「Haa, haii!」

Malena, who was suddenly called by her name by Clotilde, saluted with a “bis.h.i.+” in a hurry.

Clotilde supported Malena’s back with her hand,

「…Unlike me who is a military person, Puyol-geika is an expert in healing magic. She can heal a small injury in a flash」

「That’s how it is, so compete to your heart’s content」

In other words, the other party probably had the intention of coming to seriously knock him down without going easy on him whatsoever. In fact, if it was Arushanbor who had been practice-swinging a wooden sword silently since just now, he’d no doubt make two or three armed soldiers beyond recovery in the blink of an eye despite the difficulties.

The circle of onlookers had become bigger than a little while ago. In the centre, Arushanbor and Dimitar, who was opposite him, held wooden swords in the right hands of their dominant arms and took deep breaths greatly.

「……」

Although the sound of a bell signalling the start of the contest didn’t ring in particular, the fight had already begun. Dimitar perceived so.

In proportion to Arushanbor being taller by a head, his reach was also longer. The other side might be higher in physical strength as well. When it came to having a match with purely sword techniques only without using magic, fighting methods like the usual couldn’t be done.

「—」

Arushanbor came moving straight from the front.

Dimitar drew back his body and dodged the blow from a directly front and overhead position. If he had thought to stop that blow carelessly, he’d be overpowered as it was and receive the wooden sword on the crown of his head.

Arushanbor promptly switched the wooden sword, which was evaded by Dimitar and sank into the ground, over to a violent thrust.

「Fuu—」

While letting the three blows of thrusts which had extended towards him in succession slide on the back of his wooden sword to ward them off, Dimitar slipped into Arushanbor’s chest together with a short shout and drove a compactly folded up left elbow strike into the large man’s solar plexus.

「Guu…」

The voice of Arushanbor which Dimitar heard for the first time was such a muttered groan. Even so, the taciturn large man only retreated slightly, and there was no indication of him admitting defeat. Of course, if just now was a real battle, Dimitar would probably have stabbed the knife, which was always inserted in his boots, into him instead of doing a naive action like an elbow strike.

When Dimitar showed sign of shortening the distance even more and attacking further, Arushanbor hurriedly tried to jump back.

At that timing, Dimitar trampled on the toe of Arushanbor’s boots.

「Muo!? —」

Being tall meant that his centre of gravity was high, that was to say, it was connected to the fact that it was easy to destroy his balance. Arushanbor instantly unleashed his wooden sword as he fell backwards, but Dimitar agilely evaded it and in return, softly pressed Arushanbor’s shoulder down.

「…Guu!」

Thrusting his wooden sword at the throat of Arushanbor who had easily fallen down face up, Dimitar looked back at Isaac.

「—Are, it ended very easily, didn’t it?」

Even though Isaac had called out to him so while grinning, Sigibert couldn’t say anything as he left his mouth open with a “pokan”. The reaction of the spectators from Haiderota’s side was more or less something similar. They probably never thought that Arushanbor would be defeated so easily. Just one person, only Clotilde was staring at Dimitar with a stern expression.

「Ma, maa, things like this also happen. Un, they happen」

As if he had finally woken up from a dream, Sigibert shook his head lightly.

「—After all is said and done, this isn’t a real battle. If this is a real battle, it wouldn’t turn out this way. If it’s a real battle!」

「Perhaps that might be so. If this is a real battle, I think our Richternach-kyou would have won even faster. After all, he’s good at magic too」

「W-w, what did you say!? P-p, please try to say it once more, Isaac-kun!」

「Call me “Isaac-denka”, Sigibert-kun」

「Kuoh…! T, that’s irrelevant now, right!」

「Ah, that’s right. We were talking about your subordinate being easily defeated by my subordinate」

「Mugi—i!」

Sigibert tore his hair off with a “bari bari” and bit on the edge of his splendid mantle.

「—B, b-b, but it’s that, that! T-t, the strongest person in my Chivalric Order, isn’t A-A, A, Arushanbor, you know!? In reality, Diaghilev-geika is the strongest! She’s first, and Arushanbor is second! That’s why, hora, i-i, it, i, it’s regrettable if you thought that you’ve w-w, won because of a thing like this! Y, you, like I said, s, s-s, stop being conceited too!?」

「What? Are you perhaps cold? s.h.i.+vering “gachi gachi” like that? Or are you trembling in anger?」

「I-I, I’m not trembling in particular!」

「Is that so? But maa, if we go by your line of argument, then Dimitar-kun isn’t particularly first in our Chivalric Order as well. The most talented one is Lucius-kun, and far from being the second in position, Dimitar-kun is a child who was dismissed from the Chivalric Order for bad behaviour. …Even so, it looks like he’s an opponent who is too heavy of a burden for the second in position from your place」

「Mugigigigigigi…! S, so you didn’t throw the vice-leader, but that young man here with that intention from the beginning, Isaac…!」

「Did I not say to call me “Your Highness”, Sigibert-kun」

「Mugyah—h!」

While watching the form of Sigibert unsightly losing his composure with a sidelong glance, Dimitar grasped Arushanbor’s hand and helped him up.

「My apologies」

「……」