Seirei Gensouki's
Chapter 124: Black Knight pt3
After he read every piece written in the letter, Takahisa stood in his place with a dumbfounded expression.
The inside of his head turned pure white as he felt a bitter taste in his mouth.
"What is what . This is………… . 」
Takahisa's face became frozen as he raised a comment as if squeezing his voice.
What he could not understand was what the contents of the letter meant.
He could not stop his heart from shaking.
Although they were together for a long time, he was unaware of this fact.
About another childhood friend from Miharu.
About Aki's other older brother.
Because he had never seen Miharu or Aki show such a mark at all.
Until they arrive in this world.
Not even considering what's been lost.
He didn't realize anything was given to him or he had questions about it.
Protecting someone.
Takahisa is the only one who spends his life happily――
「U-Uhm, Takahisa-sama?」
Kiara called him to see him show an unusual reaction.
But, his voice never reached Takahisa.
（She is Aki's older brother, loved by Miharu and her childhood friend?）
Takahisa is thinking about that.
Rio who was once Amakawa Haruto confessed his love to Miharu.
Perhaps the person Miharu loved was Amakawa Haruto.
That must be why Miharu could subconsciously feel the traces of Amakawa Haruto in Rio.
Takahisa suddenly imagined the figure of Rio standing where he should be
being in.
Together with Miharu, Aki and Masato――
「……！」
He was attacked by a severe feeling of rejection.
He could even try to imagine that fact as a fact.
He doesn't want to either.
"Why is someone like Rio, Haruto is right by Miharu's side and the others—"
「Not Healthy …………. Yeah, very unfair. Isn't this unfair to me? The thing he did was ..............
Takahisa suddenly muttered to himself.
"He lied . He cheated Aki and Miharu 」
"He tried to bind Miharu with a debt of gratitude-He tried to hold Miharu with sympathy―― Outside, he was trying to, she said something like『 I respect Miharu and the others have willpower 』while in fact trying to guide their will.
Yes, it was Rio who always did a trick on Miharu and the others.
He was the one who betrayed Miharu and the Other. [TL: What an overly imaginative man]
Isn't he a selfish person.
Section 2
「What do you mean by hurting someone because it's necessary？ Kill humans？ That can't be true. Such a thing! "
The feeling that gradually appeared within him finally came out in verbal form.
He really could not understand what kind of nerves one needed to kill someone.
Even if he was a former Japanese, it was usually not that easy for him to kill someone just because it was necessary.
Even if it was for self-defense, the public would talk about it behind its back in Japan.
A simple solution to kill someone if it is necessary to live is completely wrong.
He could not sympathize with such a person and felt uncomfortable for the evaluation of "Good people" to him by Miharu and the others.
Let alone to say, he couldn't help but worry if such a man stayed by Miharu's side and the others.
And then, a strong desire swirled within Takahisa.
Such uncontrollable emotions were at the peak of the heat.
The chaos and excitement made him feel dizzy.
It was as if heaven and earth were completely turned upside down.
Even so, it was a feeling he recognized as clear as day.
「I won't let the killer be with Miharu」
Takahisa muttered in a calm voice.
☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★
Takahisa stood still in his place with a sour expression and then someone appeared and called out his name.
「I want to know what you are doing by standing still in this place, Takahisa？ And for the three of you to be here …………. 」
Lilyana's taking Fril, the waiter, with her.
He came to the figure of Takahisa who was standing in the corridor when he returned to his room after he was done with the negotiations with Francois.
「AAAh, Lily ................... So you're back」.
Although she noticed Lilyana, Takahisa's reaction was dull.
It felt like his body was here but, not his soul.
「Ya, because I only need to sign the official form of the alliance ................. What's the matter, Kiara?」
While talking to Takahisa, Lilyana who saw Kiara's reaction asked for confirmation of the situation.
「M-my deepest apologies！ Lilyana-san. The truth is–"
Kiara apologized with a pale face and then started explaining the situation to Lilyana.
He then proceeded to an explanation of the facts that were happening in that place objectively.
And then, Lilyana felt anxious after she heard Kiara's entire explanation.
Section 3
「When you put your passion on the recovery of the letter …………. . You are not enough facts. But, even if it becomes an opinion based on hindsight, you will not get a 」 correspondence statement
And then, Lilyana reprimanded Kiara's mistake with a bitter expression.
「My deepest apologies！ I never considered the possibility of him tearing up the letter, aside from my mistake, if Takahisa-sama realizes that such an act deserves to be a crime that might even develop into an international problem ………… Moreover without witnesses in such a situation …………. . 」
Assuming that they saw the contents of the letter when the seal was opened is already a crime, no matter how you look at it.
In that case, instead of returning the letters in such a tangled state, Kiara thought about the feasibility of returning the letters before sending them to the rightful person.
But, when she thought about it after she calmed herself down later, issuing the letter was practically a bad move in her part.
「It hasn't been so long since you became a knight so I know very well about your lack of experience」
Royal knight Lilyana, the royal family is chosen with strict criteria according to their loyalty, ability, and gender which is much more important than the family they belong to.
First of all the number of female knights was too rare as many of them retired after marriage.
It was therefore inevitable that they were mainly composed of young girls.
But, there are advantages because they are from the same generation and their gender.
「But, it still doesn't change the fact that you are the exclusive royal guard of mine, a nobleman. They are required to conform to perfect solutions assuming that outside events such as this case occur. So, you're supposed to teach how to handle cases like this, right？ 」
No wonder he trembled in fear when his master watched him do something that would result in evil right before him.
And most importantly, since Kiara was not an official knight, handling matters like this case might be outside of her area of expertise.
But, seeing that she served under a princess, she was always required to work perfectly, she said,
Section 4
"Yes……"
Kiara's line of sight drooped with a depressed feeling.
He couldn't even object to words like 「I was calm back then」 saw that the result wasn't what he expected.
Because he can say whatever he wants to say but facts are facts.
「Your serious attitude in respecting the rules is your greatest achievement but also your greatest weakness. DID you know that you have a tendency to become inflexible after situations outside the Manual occur？ 」
Many of these kinds of people are under the assumption that everyone will move according to the rules, similar to them.
"Yes……"
「Yes, I still have to report about this matter even if this happened due to my own carelessness but ………. . Let's forget about that for now. Even more important than that is―― 」
Saying so, Lilyana looked at Takahisa.
Perhaps because he managed to calm down a little when he saw Kiara being reprimanded, Takahisa acted awkwardly while grimacing himself.
「Takahisa-sama」
Takahisa's body trembled when he heard his name being called with a beautiful and cold tone.
「Will you tell me about this matter?」
"…………… Yes . I'm sorry Even so it wasn't Kiara's fault 」
Takahisa replied in an apologetic tone.
「No, this issue is the responsibility of Kiara」
Lilyana rejected the notion of flat.
「It's my fault. Wrong scolding Kiara for my mistake 」
He could not accept the fact that Kiara was scolded because of him.
Takahisa denied with such thoughts.
「I have ordered Kiara to look after Takahisa-sama during my absence. No matter how big the hero Takahisa-sama is, your mistake is also our fault. So we are existences to compensate for that error 」
Although Lilyana would unconditionally respect Takahisa's opinion if it was a normal case, she currently firmly rejected Takahisa's opinion.
「…………. . But, it's still my fault. Kiara is innocent, you know！ 」
Section 5
Takahisa said that with a sullen expression.
「Takahisa-sama …………. . 」
Lilyana sighed as if distracted by it.
Until now, he had always respected Takahisa's will as far as possible.
Although she lacks life experience due to her young age, Takahisa's vices will appear in her speech and perform when she becomes too hot to bleed.
It seemed that the person himself was aware of that fact but, he never left behind a fatal mistake that could not be undone in his young age.
Therefore Takahisa had never even considered improving his nature of it.
Lilyana was also captured by Takahisa's nice disposition.
That's why she never thought of trying to improve that side of herself right away because she also had the duty as a princess to win it over to their side.
But, just this case he could not act as usual.
Because Takahisa doesn't seem like the type of person who would do what he likes just because he's a hero to Lilyana.
Since it would imply so much by bringing a hero to his country, in the end he had no choice but to scold him for the sake of his own country.
Lilyana does not have enough power to solve everything with her limited authority except for something necessary.
Moreover, he thought that trying to solve this case with force was a bad move.
He might be able to do something if this was Saint Stellar kingdom.
But, Rio, the victim is the noble of Galwark kingdom, even Lilyana cannot freely use her authority in Galwark kingdom.
「Despite the kind of crime that requires the victim party to file a complaint, deliberately tearing up a letter written by a noble is a crime. Do you understand that now？ 」
Lilyana asked in a calm voice.
Since there were many secret things in the letter written by the nobility, one would be the subject of rules when they deliberately violated very limited information.
It would be a death sentence if the letter was highly classified information, even if it was not highly classified information, it was also not something praiseworthy as they basically turned to the privacy of others.
In addition, there will be additional penalties waiting for them if they deliver the content of the unsealed letter to others.
「Eh ………? 」
Takahisa's eyes opened wide hearing unexpected words.
Of course, he could not simply open someone else's letter just for his own convenience.
What's more, it's something similar to crime—
Section 6
Of course, the matter of him accidentally tearing apart the seal and reading one part of the letter was simply an act of god.
It must have been his fault reading the whole letter after that but—
Somehow or other, Takahisa did not make a justification in his heart because it was his own fault.
But, he immediately realized it.
――I can't do that. The person who opened the letter except the person to whom the letter was addressed was a criminal？
When he read the letter addressed to Aki, from the trembling Kiara, he knew that he was already a criminal by the time he read the letter addressed to Miharu.
「…………. UH"
「It seems that you understand the weight of your actions」
Saying so, Lilyana let out a long sigh.
「No, even so ......... Not that I accidentally tore it」.
Takahisa's showing a gloomy expression as if he can't accept it.
He clearly understood that this matter had happened due to his own fault.
Because Takahisa did not consider his actions to be a crime.
「You will definitely be punished for accidentally unsealing the letter. You should not be punished for accidentally opening a seal. But, does Takahisa-sama know that deliberately reading the letter is something that cannot be undone in this case 」」
「I-It …………………. 」
It was seen on Takahisa's face when he heard it from Lilyana's tone which was very different from her usual tone.
「You will be the target of punishment if the fact that you intentionally broke the seal and read the letter is known to the public. At this rate, you will undergo a trial as long as Haruto-sama files a complaint. And there is no other way to prevent it except to ask permission from Haruto-sama 」
Takahisa unintentionally gulped his saliva upon hearing Lilyana's supposed statement of being his ally.
「Punishment you said, it's too much yes …………. 」
「Is it exaggerated depending on the will of the victim and the contents of the letter........... Because Takahisa-sama is a hero, even if for example Haruto-sama filed a complaint, he said, he basically can't do anything about it 」
Section 7
Maybe because the trial issue with the country is comparable to a hero.
Although this matter might be a problem, they could avoid such judgment with the political situation and in the end Takahisa would not be charged for his crimes.
Besides everything would be fine if this matter did not cause any problems, although it was possible to change the situation in that way if this place was Saint Stellar kingdom, it was possible, it would not be easy when such a thing happened in Galwark kingdom.
If for example they were facing trial, it might be easier to imagine that it would turn into them because of the kindness towards Galwark kingdom.
Even if not turning in that direction, they might have to offer a formal apology to Rio in order not to be sued by him.
「T-But, if it will turn into something as dangerous as that, no one will receive something like a noble letter of entitlement ……. . Because it would bring trouble for them if they ever made a mistake that caused the letter not to be sealed like now 」
Takahisa tried the reason.
Perhaps something cruel entrusted the letter without any explanation, what would happen if the seal of the letter was broken.
"First of all, I love Miharu, isn't she too brave to entrust a letter with such content to her rival in love. ”
Although it shouldn't matter if he handed this letter himself, why should he entrust this letter to me.
In the first place, Miharu decided to go with Rio, so she fell in love with Rio.
Even if you can't hand over the letter because you're in a hurry, you'll need to deliver the letter yourself.
However, she completely failed to understand why Rio entrusted the letters to her as if she was being chased by something.
Other than one matter today, Takahisa felt something close to unjustified hatred towards Rio while recalling the contents of the letter.
「Come, please give our apologies to Haruto-sama. I will go to apologize to him also 」
Lilyana proposed the plan in a soft voice.
His tone of voice was really like inviting a child who had just done a naughty thing to reflect on his actions.
"No………… . . 」
Takahisa's showing complete rejection of such a proposal.
Lilyana suddenly made her whole face smile.
「Well, what will you do?」
「It .....」
Takahisa's at a loss for words.
If he went to apologize to Rio, the matter of these letters would be known to Miharu and the others.
What would happen if this letter reached Miharu's hands？
When he imagined what would happen after that――
Not good .
Section 8
Takahisa showed a strong resistance.
“I won't let anything like that happen. ”
"Truly not . ”
“Rio is a murderer and a liar. ”
Rio was the benefactor of Miharu and the others, he protected them and taught them survival skills without holding anything back.
Miharu and the others embraced strong feelings of gratitude towards Rio.
That's why Takahisa also invited Rio to come along.
Because Miharu will come with him.
She was somewhat aware about the distance between Miharu and Rio getting closer but, she did not envy that and tried to hold back her own emotions.
However, Rio betrayed his feelings.
An assassin caught in a perverted revenge.
When such a dangerous person was with Miharu, she would not let such a selfish story pass by.
There was no way she could bring happiness to Miharu with her hands that were soaked by the blood of the people killed by her.
She must not let Rio get any closer to Miharu.
「Don't tell me, you will hide this fact?」
Lilyana asked with a slightly grimacing expression.
「That guy is ……. . Dangerous"
Takahisa's replying with a frown.
Although Lilyana was unable to see the true meaning behind her words, she knew that Takahisa was implicitly accusing Haruto.
「Even if I work together with Takahisa-sama to hide this fact, one day this matter will be revealed. You have to understand what will happen then even without me explaining the risks？ 」
If they were to hide this fact, they had no choice but to bring back Miharu and the others to their kingdom before they had the chance to make contact with Rio.
But, it was nothing more than delaying the time in their country.
In that case, Miharu and the others might show strong resistance if they try to bring them back by force, even if they manage to deceive Miharu and the others, they will know that they are being cheated sooner or later.
Moreover, Charlotte was there to witness when Rio entrusted his letter to Takahisa, Satsuki also knew that Rio would send those letters to Miharu and the others.
Satsuki might be aware of the truth if she meets Miharu and the others later, and that might lead to an alliance with Galwark kingdom who just became their ally.
"Even so………… . . This must be for the sake of Miharu and the others 」
Takahisa muttered those words with a bit of confidence.
「He showed his sincere attitude towards us, no, he is the one who let Takahisa-sama reunite with Miharu and the others. Regardless, will you treat him with the utmost insincereness by hiding the crimes you committed against him？ 」
Lilyana asked him that question.
Rio placed his trust in Takahisa as Aki and Masato's older brother, but Takahisa betrayed his trust to the point of committing a crime.
Was it Rio who was wrong for entrusting his letters to Takahisa, or Takahisa for betraying Rio's trust by reading the contents of the letter? .
Which is .
「L-Lily ………. You are wrong 」
Section 9
Although Lilyana's sincere complaint poked deep into her mind.
Takahisa thought of him as someone special when he knew that he was the only ally.
However, why couldn't he understand hai ,？
No, Lilyana doesn't know about that.
About Rio who cheated Miharu――
「T-No ……. . You wrong. I can't let Miharu, and the others meet her 」
Takahisa somehow frantically tried to explain the situation to him.
But, Lilyana's disciples were shaken as if she was feeling sad and,
「Takahisa-sama, we promise to Haruto-sama. That we will respect the will of Miharu and the others. Will you betray that promise too？ 」
He asked while looking at Takahisa face.
「Salah What will, it will ........ Is something guided by him！ Miharu and the others were tricked by him！ 」
Will Their Desire ………. Guided yet？ 」
Lilyana's reaction also showed a slight change in hearing Takahisa's quiet objection.
Of course he did not know the detailed situation unless he asked Takahisa for an explanation.
But, it might turn out to be prying the privacy of others if he prying further into it.
Normally Lilyana would show a smile that resembled a dignified blooming flower but, only at this moment did she show any doubt.
「..... Maybe he will make their lives miserable if they go with him」
Takahisa told her about it while making the content of his letter blur.
Amakawa Haruto was dead in the past.
But, Ayase Miharu is still alive in the present.
However, the dead man loved the living woman, there was no way he would allow it.
He won't be happy.
Death is not something to be taken lightly.
Rio was lacking in that consciousness.
In any case Miharu would be sad if she knew that Haruto was dead, for that Haru-, No, for that Rio admitted his previous life because Haruto was too selfish towards her.
Takahisa kept making excuses inside his head.
「Surely. Yes I am sure. He must be the one who ..... 」.
「Is that the only secret written in this letter？ And will it make Miharu-san and the others unhappy after they figure it out?」
「Yes ………. 」
Takahisa.
"I saw……… . 」
Perhaps because no one but the writer knew the intention behind the sentence he wrote in the letter.
Or maybe because it depends on the recipient of mail――
Section 10
In this case, it was a subjective evaluation of the contents of the letter by Takahisa.
That's why, maybe it's not as dangerous as Takahisa told her.
Lilyana felt so.
Or, it might be as dangerous as what Takahisa told her.
If they are unlucky, Miharu and the others mind, body, and life might be in danger but—
But, even Lilyana could not make such a judgment unless she read the letters.
「Alright, will we go to Haruto-sama's place to ask for his apology and to ask about his true intentions. Did Haruto-sama really have bad intentions as you said 」
They had to apologize to him and even more so to ask his true intentions.
This was not a matter where he could easily dismantle as an outsider.
Because it would turn into a bad situation if Takahisa was wrong.
That's Lilyana's conclusion.
「T-NO！ WE REALLY DON'T HAVE TO DO IT!」
Takahisa shouted with a pale face.
If we do that, Miharu will be—
「Is there something going on in this place?」
The patrol knight came and asked them that question.
Despite being heroes and nobles of a foreign country, the knights might be suspicious since they had been chatting in the corridor in such a loud voice since some time ago.
「No, nothing. Please continue your task 」
「. The situation in the castle is currently under close supervision therefore, please do not do anything suspicious 」
"Yes I understand"
Lilyana replied to him with a smile and then the knight continued his duty without interfering in too much of their trouble.
「Please do not speak in such a loud voice, Takahisa-sama. Right now all the soldiers in the castle are in a semi-combat state and they will all be easily agitated. Besides, Aki-sama will see your loud voice, you know？ 」
「M-Sorry. But, we really can't do that. We don't let him get close to Miharu 」
「In short .......... You have no intention to report about this incident to Haruto-sama or do you not want to apologize to him?」
「......
Takahisa's eyes were twisted because of his guilt.
「The person who should be apologizing is not me」
Lilyana said that to him while sighing.
「I, i ………………. . 」
Although Takahisa tried to say something, he was at a loss for words.
From what, no, talk about what he said.
「She will- ――
Section 11
Even so, when Takahisa was trying to explain,
"Wait a minute . I don't want to know about that for now. Only until I get permission from the sender or the person to whom this letter is addressed will I hear the content of this letter. Did you know that it would be a crime if you carelessly revealed the contents of those letters right now? 」
Lilyana stopped Takahisa.
Takahisa's confused.
「If you will not send a letter back to Haruto-sama before, can I take that you will not send this letter to Miharu-sama even after this？ Moreover, I think those things should be decided by the person who should have received the letters ……. . 」
For Takahisa to insist that it was because of the content of the letter, he hoped that the content was very important in his opinion.
He judged that the conclusion of Miharu and the others might not always coincide with Takahisa's conclusion.
Lilyana kept her point of view until the end.
But, uh,
「That's why We can't do that!」
Takahisa raised his tone while showing a sad expression.
「Takahisa-sama. So I assume you don't want to apologize to Haruto-sama. And you don't want to send letters from Haruto-sama as well. Do you think we can take easy action? The letter of the Letter should be entrusted to you by Haruto-sama, right? 」
「But, if I don't do this …………. 」
"Miharu will go with an assassin who is cleverly disguised from everyone. ”
Takahisa was going to say that but, he couldn't do that because Lilyana stopped him.
"Why can't you understand？".
“Why, don't you always believe in what I say?”.
Takahisa's eyes widened as if he was about to cry.
The only thing that dominates his mind is hatred towards Rio and fear of snatching Miharu and the others away.
「Takahisa-sama, you are thinking for the best for Miharu-san and the others right？ In this case you will put your trust in them？ For the sake of Miharu-san and your brothers. And then for Haruto-san as well because Miharu-san and the others also believe in him. Is what I believe 」」
Lilyana spoke in a soft tone.
「Why are you so easy to trust a stranger you just met?」
Takahisa asked with a doubtful face.
「Because Miharu-san and the others believe in her. Takahisa-sama trusts Miharu-san and the others are also right. Because I think I can trust someone I trust my most important person. I'm sure that Takahisa-sama also feels the same way as me...
She was actually trying to put her trust in Rio, or more until she read the letters.
But now–
「It .....」
Section 12
Takahisa took his eyes off Lilyana as if feeling guilty while following the words that were about to come out.
The girl in front of him always smiled gently.
But, at this moment, she could feel a completely different atmosphere from the usual Lilyana.
She was not the gentle, calm yet innocent Lilyana that she knew.
Right now he was showing the expression of someone standing above the others as their leader.
「I put my trust in Takahisa-sama. These last three months with you weren't just for show. I know this because I have met many people as a noble. You are also inexperienced in that but, you are definitely not a bad person 」[TL: Char'z Counterattack famous quota, definitely the flag of death]
"The lily………"
Takahisa can't say, “What can you understand in just three months“.
「Isn't that why Haruto-sama entrusted his letters to you, because Miharu-san and the others trust Takahisa-sama?」 [TL: I have a desire to exchange "Trust" for "Junk"] [ED: I can do it in a separate document if you want me to]
"That's………"
Takahisa showed a bitter face.
「Maybe Haruto-sama does not wholeheartedly trust me. But, I can feel that he trusts you because you are the older brother of Masato-kun and Aki-chan. And he gives you the opportunity to reunite with them is the biggest proof of all 」
Lilyana smiled gently.
Perhaps because Miharu, Satsuki, Aki and Masato were also hoping for that, Rio also placed trust in Takahisa.
If that wasn't the case, he wouldn't have put his trust in Miharu and the others including Takahisa, and only believed in himself, either, Rio will leave from Galwark kingdom taking Miharu and the others with him based on his own judgment.
「Are you going to believe it？ The person most trusted by your important people」
「…………」
Takahisa is at a loss for words while showing an unpleasant expression.
"Is what he's thinking right now really the right decision？"
Although the buds of doubt began to grow in his heart, he could not forget his suffering.
She could not completely erase her complex disbelief mixed with jealousy towards Rio.
A person's heart is not that simple.
Maybe because he guessed Takahisa's confusion.
「Come on we're sorry. For Haruto-sama. Let's put our trust in him. For the sake of everyone 」
Lilyana urged him to give her answer.
「………. No . …… . As expected, we can't do that 」
Takahisa replied with a trembling voice.
「....... Takahisa-sama」
Lilyana said that with a gloomy expression and then,
Section 13
「……. In that case, I will come visit Haruto-sama to explain the situation to him instead. Since everything that happened today is not the only responsibility of Takahisa-sama and Kiara, I have to offer my apology to him as well. later, I will not tell Miharu-san and the others about this matter 」
He said those words.
"LACKFLOWER!"
Takahisa suddenly shouted with a grieving face hearing the words he least wanted to hear.
She looked at Lilyana with a pleading expression on her face.
As if to say, "Why are you saying something like that?"
「Takahisa-sama, please don't do such a thing to me. I'd like you to tell me what you want from your mouth 」
Lilyana made a sincere plea.
Takahisa's face curved as if being cornered.
The two stared silently for a few seconds.
「A-If that's the case ..........」
Right after, Takahisa started to speak in an irritated tone.
In the next moment,
「I'll stop being a hero！ And bring Miharu and the others to my custody!」
Takahisa made that statement with a frightened expression.
「A-....」
As expected, even Lilyana looked at him with a shocked face due to her shocking statement.
Secretly, even Kiara and Alice were also surprised to hear such a conversation.
「Didn't you say that you want to be the hero of our kingdom. ……… And then make the kingdom a better place with me. That oath, is it a lie？ 」
Lilyana said those words in a sad voice.
「It's not a lie！ I don't want to lie to you, nor am I trying！ Because I can't do something like that. BUT …………！ 」
Takahisa shouted in a desperate voice.
"I HAVE TO DO THIS . THERE IS NO WAY I CAN ALLOW MIHARU AND THE OTHERS TO GO TO THE SIDE OF THE PERSON WHO CAN KILL WITHOUT GETTING EYELID！ 」
A small tremor ran across Lilyana's expression in listening to Takahisa's statement.
"What does he mean by killing someone without winking？"
Lilyana looked into Takahisa's eyes, a moment later.
「I will act as if I have never heard your words before. …… But, is there a possibility in your statement？ Are you going to stop being a hero and then bring along Miharu-san and the others to stay with them？ 」
He asked .
Section 14
"I will . No, I will definitely do it 」
Takahisa's replying with enthusiastic words.
He is unstable, and dangerous.
Lilyana judged that her current self would absolutely have no intention for reasons whether her thinking was right or wrong.
He did not know if it was possible to make her listen to him even if it was only a little in her current state because there was a possibility that she might act recklessly in her desperation.
「....... Reality is much more cruel than you expected, Takahisa-sama. If for example you choose that option, it's time you regret the decision it won't be that far 」
「……. . I don't know unless I try 」[TL: Rio's been in control of the area for a long time]
「The results are as clear as days even without you trying to do it」
Lilyana mercilessly cut her words. [TL: Destroy her little girl]
「It won't happen. You know that, too, Lily. My strength as a hero. I can protect my most important person with my strength 」
「You can't protect someone with just brute force. Although I want to say something like this, royalty and nobility are superior beings in using their wits. Many will turn into truly merciless people if it is for their own benefit 」
「..... More than this will only open a gap between us, Lily. I won't let things go as you say, I won't let Miharu and the others meet him. If you keep blocking me, I will bring Miharu, Aki and Masato to go with me 」
Takahisa's telling her that he won't talk any further than this.
Because he did not know when Miharu and Masato would return from their trip.
From this point on was the worst, he could feel the unrest even forcing them to come with him.
「Lilyana-sama .......」.
Kiara and Alice took a step forward when they guessed such a heavy atmosphere.
「Please stop this」
Lilyana held both of them.
「Do you really have no intention to retreat, Takahisa-sama?」
「. Because I can't protect everyone unless I do this. I will do that so that everyone can live peacefully 」
Takahisa replied calmly with a very depressed face.
Lilyana showed a troubled face.
"That is………… . . From Takahisa-sama 」
He stopped what he was about to say in the middle of his sentence.
Because he felt that the relationship with Takahisa that he had built up to this point would be completely broken after he said those words.
Silence dominated the place as Lilyana was breathing lightly.
「No, so true. ………. . Entiendo. Come follow Takahisa-sama wishes 」
Section 15
He mumbled those words.
There was a slight trembling in his voice.
Is this really okay?
Or more, as if he was asking himself――
"The lily………"
Takahisa said it while sighing.
「But, I have some conditions. And you have to promise me to never go against those terms. From now on, don't ever do anything like this again. In the worst case that Takahisa-sama did not comply with these conditions, I will not back down giving punishment to you. You will not regret your actions later. Will you choose this option by betting on your life？ 」
Lilyana asked him in a cold voice as if asking him to make her decision.
Although Takahisa was pushed by his pressure for a moment,
「……. I will choose that choice. If that choice will let Miharu and the others live in peace 」
So he spoke of his vow with a firm tone.
「Then I will take your words as your oath. Never make a mistake on your choice 」
Lilyana said it in a calm tone.
After that, after taking a short breath,
Then Then, since we don't have much time left I will explain the detailed conditions later, but, first please give me a letter. I'll be the one who will throw it away 」
He said those words.
「This letter?」
「Yes, otherwise how will you throw it away？ Since we would be in trouble if those letters were to be disposed of half-heartedly, I want to be the one to throw them away」
Lilyana replied kindly to Takahisa who asked timidly.
「No, even so ………. . 」
「I have the privilege to trouble disposing of the letters as a condition to follow Takahisa-sama. Please decide now, we don't have time 」
「..... understand」
Although Takahisa was somehow showing a hestitan expression, he finally agreed to give a letter to Lilyana when she urged to answer.
Lilyana gave the cooperation, after all she could not read these letters.
After receiving the letters from Takahisa, Lilyana gave the letters to Fril who was standing quietly by his side.
「You know what you have to do right, Fril?」
「Ya, my daughter!」
Fril nodded happily as he kept the letters.
After Lilyana confirmed that she kept the letters, she looked back at Takahisa.
「Takahisa-sama, I will explain the necessary settings. We need the cooperation of one of the three people, but, can you persuade one of them？ 」
「If I had asked, maybe Aki would have ……. . 」
Section 16
Takahisa replied in a slightly mature tone.
「Then, please persuade him」
「O-OK. I will try it 」
"Greet . Alright then–"
☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★
Takahisa returned to the room after hearing the necessary arrangements from Lilyana.
Since it would be bad if Miharu and Masato returned when Takahisa persuaded Aki, they would do it in Lilyana's bedroom.
「Aki, there's something I want to tell you」
Takahisa suddenly spoke to her.
Lilyana was also sitting nearby in silence while listening to their conversation with a somewhat gloomy expression.
「Uhm …………. What's problem? "
Perhaps because she could somehow feel the heavy atmosphere, Aki asked in a timid voice.
「The truth is, we decided to leave this kingdom this afternoon」
Takahisa frankly told her.
After which, Aki stared with a dumbfounded expression at him.
「EH？ A-Are you not going to meet Satsuki-san and Haruto-san in the afternoon?」
「Sorry. That's not possible"
Takahisa said it with an awkward face when he saw Aki being shaken by his words.
「Cannot be said, although the discussion has not been done …………. 」
Aki showed a troubled expression.
「Yeah, you won't go with me?」
Takahisa went straight to the point with a face as if hanging on to it.
「O-Of course I will go with oniichan but ...............」.
Perhaps because the direction of the conversation was too absurd, even Aki was confused as to how to react.
「In this case, can I ask for your help?」
Takahisa asked with an impatient face.
「........................... What will you do about Masato and Miharu-oneechan?」
Aki was completely unable to understand the flow of the conversation.
Because her brother had always been obsessive about getting along with everyone, however, was she going to leave them both in Galwark kingdom.
Or else, she will persuade them after this―― Masato sideways, Miharu clearly stated that she will go with Rio.
「I'll take them」
Aki flinched when she heard Takahisa say those words in a stern tone.
「B-How will you do it?」
「That's why I want to ask for your cooperation, Aki. Can I ask for your help in this？ 」
「EH？ I-That couldn't be」
The diligent Miharu will not easily change her mind once she makes a decision.
Moreover, he did not think that he could persuade the two of them in the afternoon.
「Please！ We don't have any more time and I have no one but Aki to rely on」
When she saw Takahisa bowing frantically in front of her, Aki showed an attitude of wanting to cooperate with her despite being a little timid about it.
「First, I want to greet the king together with Lily」
Section 17
「T-King?」
「Yes, because all you have to do is basically there」
Takahisa spoke with affirmation at the confused Aki.
「…………. . What about Miharu-oneechan and the others？ 」
「You have to pack your things by telling them" it's because we will change our room "when they come back」
「K-you're going to cheat them？ what about Haruto-san and Satsuki-san? 」
Aki asked in a confused voice.
there was no way the two of them would not do anything when they heard such an action.
because they haven't had a proper discussion.
「.......... . no problem . since Satsuki-senpai .................... and Haruto-san will definitely come visit Saint Stellar Kingdom in the near future. we can have a proper discussion during that time 」
Takahisa's line of sight moved awkwardly as he answered the question indirectly.
but with just that, Aki could guess that Satsuki and Haruto were not involved in this failure.
「We can't just leave without saying anything to Haruto-san and Satsuki-san isn't that going to worry them? 」
「That's why there is no need to worry because I want Aki to solve that problem in front of the king.and then, I want you to write a letter of agreement for Miharu and Masato 」
"things like…………"
「I mean, I already told Satsuki-senpai and Haruto-san last night that everyone will go with me. so I think they will believe as long as Aki writes the letters 」
"Do you................... . actually say that？ 」
it was a temporary lie that would be revealed when afternoon came but, it was enough to get the approval from Satsuki and Rio.
because their persuasive power will increase by not only using the letter from Aki but also calmly leaving after giving the greeting to the King.
"But, this topic is too absurd, is it really okay to do such blatant lies? . ”
Aki was very worried inside.
「Please！ since I can't go back anymore but, I hate being separated like this even though we ended up reuniting after such a long time. However, I don't even know when we can meet again! 」
Takahisa made a desperate plea while lowering his head.
"Annio Chan…………… . . 」
Aki was puzzled by the words of seeing her brother bow his head.
because Aki also did not want to be separated from Takahisa.
because he finally reunited with his important family.
moreover, it was because Miharu was the first love for Takahisa.
maybe love at first sight but, Takahisa still loves Miharu since their first meeting.
that doesn't mean that she loves Miharu just for her looks, the feeling is definitely inferior to the real one.
because Aki knew how painful it was for Takahisa.
「……………. Entiendo. Alright then . I will cooperate with oniichan.as long as it is something I can do 」
Aki accidentally sent a rescue ship to Takahisa who kept bowing to her.
although he still had a troubled expression on his face, his statement to help him was genuine.
「Aki ……………. ! Thank you very much! 」
Takahisa's face instantly turned bright.
「Although that's the case, you'll properly persuade Haruto-san and Satsuki-san as soon as you meet them again right.As it doesn't matter how much you say that you should come back soon, right, I think everyone will not give their consent just on the grounds that it is 」
Aki drew the minimum permission she had to do.
「. I think it will depend on Haruto-san who has something to do but, I think I will be able to meet Satsuki-san sooner.right, Lily 」
saying that, Takahisa turned his gaze a little awkwardly at Lilyana.
"……Yes nih .the two kingdoms have a relationship but, since it is an alliance it will be handled with care 」
so Lilyana gave her consent.
"Thank you very much"
Aki thanked him in a timid voice.
Lilyana replied with a slightly awkward smile and then,
「Then Takahisa-sama, our time is almost up. now we need to give the necessary explanation …………. 」
Section 18
he stopped the conversation.
but, Takahisa then said the following words with a slightly doubtful expression.
「Sorry. one last question . can I ask one more question, Aki? this is completely unrelated to our conversation from before ………. . 」
「Ya, what's up?」
Reply Aki while tilting her head.
and then with a slightly doubtful expression,
「Do you know about Amakawa Haruto?」
Takahisa's asking that question.
「Eh ………? 」
perhaps because he had just heard a very unexpected name in this place, Aki showed a dumbfounded face.
Lilyana who was on Takahisa's side showed a brief change to his expression.
「The person Miharu. uhm loved, could his name be Amakawa Haruto? 」
Takahisa timidly asked another question.
hence, after understanding the meaning of the question now Aki was,
「A-why do you know about that person, oniichan?」
started to ask back as if losing his composure.
his appearance was a little, no, his expression was very gloomy.
「No, well …………. . 」
Takahisa will avoid it with a astonished face because of how grim Aki's reaction to the name was.
「Maybe you heard that name from Miharu-oneechan …………. 」
Aki was trying to find a source of information.
「Not ............ I've long heard of him. from father. uhm, he's your older brother right？ 」
when Takahisa lied, it was as if cheating Aki,
"WRONG!"
it is Aki's declaration.
「That person is not my older brother！ Takahisa-oniichan is my only oniichan, a closed case of stopping such gibberish bursts! 」
Takahisa was trembling at the sight of Aki who was trembling from being so impatient and frightened.
even though he had only shown a slightly bad attitude just now, it was a completely unexpected reaction from the usual Aki.
maybe it shows how big the landmine whose existence is called Amakawa Haruto for Aki.
Takahisa can feel it in a moment.
while at the same time his confidence overflowed as he felt that not showing the letters to Aki was the right choice.[tl: if a curse could kill someone, it could kill someone, takahisa might be killed a million times now, because of that reader's curse alone]
Takahisa felt extremely relieved without noticing such a feeling.
「Aki .......... I'm sorry. . I'm just asking you a weird question, please forgive me"
Takahisa's apologizing.
"ah yes . Forgive me . because I .......... also suddenly shouted like that 」
Aki suddenly flinched out from her anger and then apologized in an awkward manner.
Lilyana looked at the two of them with a dumbfounded face.
☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★
daylight
After finishing lunch with Charlotte, Rio headed straight to Miharu's room together with Satsuki.
Fril was waiting in front of their room to let them enter the room.
「We are waiting. Please sit down! 」
Section 19
they sat on a chair located in the middle of the room along with Takahisa's words.
「Where is Miharu?」
Satsuki asked while looking at the room without anyone present.
hence, Takahisa's face stiffened slightly at that moment,
"I'm sorry . The truth is, we decided to return to the kingdom of Saint Stellar ..........
And repay.
Rio and Satsuki were looking at him with dumbfounded faces at the next moment.
「Eh？ Is that so? W-Why? 」
Satsuki asked in a confused tone.
「Although I can't say about the detail issue due to confidentiality issues, it's actually due to the newly formed defense alliance ....」.
Takahisa's replying with a stiff voice.
After which, Satsuki showed an expression as if she could not take it as it is.
「Confidentiality yes ..............」..
"Isn't it completely off topic if you come up with that explanation?".
Although he did not think that he would tell him what this secret was if it was actually a national secret.
Satsuki showed a confused face.
「……………. . What are you going to do about Miharu-chan's group？ 」
When he regained his composure, Satsuki asked the most basic question.
「They have made the decision to go with me」
Takahisa said those words in a calm tone.
Shortness–
"Then............ . where is Miharu-chan now？ 」
Satsuki asked in an impatient tone.
「They head ahead to the magic ship after packing their luggage」
"things like…………"
Satsuki's heart was completely shaken by the sudden development.
"Regarding the meeting, are they really going to leave like that without saying anything?"
"Are they really going to do that?"
Of course, she could feel that Miharu's kindness was leaning towards Takahisa in seeing their conversation last night but—
"Are they really going to leave without greeting them?"
"Are they really in a hurry?"
So, Satsuki was pondering over such a matter.
It was the same case for Rio.
「Even if you say it, it's too sudden ..............」.
Miharu ignored too many necessary procedures to the point that they could not even prepare for that sudden change.
"Why haven't they told us about this matter before?"
Although he didn't think that Takahisa was lying, there wasn't enough evidence to prove it, so he couldn't decide which one was right.
"I'm sorry . Although I will wait until the limit, we must prepare the procedure for them to leave the kingdom earlier 」
Perhaps because she realized that she was deceiving them, Takahisa apologized in an awkward tone.
Her views are mainly on Satsuki――
「Yes, my side is also a little careless in the fact that we think that we have at least a little time ……………. . 」
Section 20
Satsuki spoke in a reluctant tone.
It was decided in advance that they would discuss with all the members right in this afternoon since last night during the evening party.
That's why the talk of them returning to Saint Stellar kingdom was really a bolt on a sunny day.
But then, they could at least come to Charlotte's room to tell Rio and Satsuki about the matter, and not yet—
Satsuki felt that kind of dissatisfaction.
"I'm sorry . It was really a sudden decision a moment ago that forced us to immediately return to Saint Stellar kingdom .....
After Takahisa explained in that way,
"…………… Is that so?"
Satsuki asked Lilyana who was sitting next to Takahisa.
"Yes nih . Emergency contact has just arrived from our kingdom. Since they went to the noble district after observing the magic ship, it would be right in the afternoon. 」
Lilyana added Takahisa's explanation.
He somehow showed a troubled expression and then a slight apologetic expression.
「It was too sudden right ......」.
Satsuki said it as if sighing.
they had hardly any time since before afternoon.
「That's why we came to give our greetings to His Holiness Francois and apologize for our sudden decision」
「Aki who finished packing in front of him was the one who came with us to greet the king. While Miharu and Masato were packing their things in the room. So, maybe they didn't know that senpai came 」
Takahisa added an explanation as if riding on Lilyana's words.
「A-I see ……………. 」
Satsuki muttered in a slightly astonished tone.
Of course from the story he heard last night from Takahisa, he knew that Miharu might choose to go with him to Saint Stellar kingdom.
But, she hoped that she would have at least another day to have a warm conversation with Miharu.
Because he also had no intention of forcing Miharu if that was their answer from the start.
Since he had decided with Rio to respect Miharu's will from the beginning, which he confirmed again last night with Rio on his way back from Takahisa's room.
That's why she was prepared with the worst possibility of not being able to meet Miharu for a while after this afternoon.
He was a hero but, they might be able to meet again since they were in the same place.
Although she would lie if she said that she was not lonely, she knew that they could meet again after saying goodbye properly, she felt that it would not hurt her.
But, as expected if they were suddenly separated in this way—
「I want to greet them well but, I do not know when I can meet again with them ………. . 」
Satsuki showed a sullen expression while saying those words.
Although it was not like he was angry, he was still dissatisfied with it.
「Actually, Aki is writing a letter. But, it seems like she can't write the important part because she is in a hurry .... 」.
Saying so, Takahisa took out the letter at the right time.
Of course, the letter was addressed to Satsuki because her name was written on the envelope with Aki's handwriting, it was also sealed.
「…………. Let me see it 」
After receiving the envelope, Satsuki peels the sealing wax.
And then, after taking out the letter inside, she spread the letter to read it along with Rio.
Although the content of the letter remained simplicity due to time, he could feel that it was politely written in Aki's style.
written in the letter was about the group of Miharu who headed to Saint Stellar kingdom without saying anything and their unwillingness to part with Haruto and Satsuki, who were not there, he also cleverly mentioned part of not worrying about them as they would soon meet again.
Satsuki's eyes moved quickly and after finishing the letter in a dozen seconds, it,
「Aki-chan …………. 」
Section 21
He said his name in a somewhat bitter tone.
Satsuki's hand held the letter as if appreciating it.
But, he tilted his head a moment later as if paying attention to something.
「But, is this letter ……………. Written for me？ 」
And muttered so.
Although Satsuki's name was written on it, Rio――'s name Or rather, Haruto was not written in it at all.
"Yes nih . Even though he tried to write two letters for the two of you, he ran out of time …………. But, he left a message for Haruto-san 」
Takahisa said it with a slight stiff smile.
「Order ya」
Rio muttered silently.
"Yes nih . Uhm, since this is also a matter regarding the contents of the letter, can we talk to the two of us? 」
So Takahisa proposed that in a special way.
Rio glanced at Lilyana who seemed to know about this.
On the other hand, Satsuki's showing a confused expression because she can't understand the flow of the conversation.
「My apology for asking this, do you both know about the contents of the letter?」
「…………. Lily doesn't know anything 」
When Rio asked, Takahisa answered him while shaking his head in denial.
"I saw . Then, may I confirm about one thing in this place？ 」
So said Rio.
After which, Takahisa's shoulder trembled lightly.
Surely, Rio did not want Satsuki to hear this story.
Because it would be a little troublesome for Takahisa if Satsuki knew about this.
Since this will turn into a messy situation if Satsuki meets Miharu again later in the future.
First, she did not want him to know about Rio sending letters addressed to Miharu's group.
But, he also could not hide that fact unnaturally.
「Ya, can I know what it is?」
Takahisa swallowed his saliva as he asked that.
She wondered what kind of thing Rio wanted to confirm.
He could feel his heart rate increase.
「Ask the three of them read the letters correctly?」
Rio asked while his gaze was fixed on Takahisa's eyes.
Not only was Lilyana on their side, there was also Satsuki.
If it was a "no", he might not be able to explain afterwards.
But, he had no choice but to answer with a "yes".
He was somewhat realistic even considering their reactions when reading those letters.
While thinking about those things, Takahisa recalled Aki's reaction when he mentioned Amakawa Haruto's name.
"Yes……………… . . I'm astonished. Especially in the case of Aki …………. He ………………. Completely lost patience .......... 」.
Takahisa's replying awkwardly with a stiff voice.
"I saw………………"
Rio said as if understanding what he meant.
Although Satsuki was unable to guess the crux of the matter until now, it seemed that she knew that Rio sent a letter to Miharu's group, so she just listened in silence.
「.......................... Do you know what kind of expression Aki made after you gave her a letter?」
In seeing Rio's reaction, Takahisa unintentionally asked with a sullen face.
「Yes, I can guess it somehow」
Section 22
Rio nodded while replying with a weak smile.
That smile reflected an obvious cruelty.
Not only for Takahisa, even Lilyana was jolted by his smile.
He was hoping that maybe Rio was also somehow aware of Aki's reaction.
Because he knew that Aki showed the reaction he expected after receiving the letter.
That'sthat's all.
Even so, he assumed it was known to him.
「……」
Takahisa was exasperated at Rio's cold state in hearing him reply without trying to hide it.
Now he must have felt an unpleasant feeling coming out from the bottom of his heart.
"Maybe–"
No, no doubt about it— ”
"It's not something like a theory anymore, this guy is definitely not how he looks".
Takahisa feels so.
「Then, can you listen to the message hear？
So Rio asked him.
"Yes……………… . . Then, shall we go to that room?
Thus, Rio and Takahisa changed their location to a separate space. [TL: the bedroom is raw, but it will make the fujoshi burn up]
☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★
This place is the room where Takahisa stayed until yesterday.
「By the side of Masato, Miharu and Aki don't want to see you again」
When it was just him and Rio alone, Takahisa said those words to Rio in a stiff voice.
It was a cold-hearted tone without restraint.
But, Rio was quite certain about it.
Because Miharu and co have only one or two reasons not to want to meet him.
First, they did not want to meet him, secondly they could not meet him.
The natural situation was set on the table for the previous case after he said goodbye to the king of the kingdom where they stayed in with Aki's cooperation and then gave a farewell letter to her to Satsuki.
In addition, he also replaced it with an authentic situation from the real reaction of Aki when he heard the question from Takahisa.
"I saw……………"
Rio sighed while showing a gloomy smile.
After which, he locked his gaze on Takahisa.
"Can I ask you something?"
And then asked him.
"Yes, that"
Takahisa nodded as he replied in a heavy voice.
「Are you dating Miharu-san?」
Takahisa's staring at Rio with a surprised expression when he asks so.
Because she never expected Rio to see her and Miharu like that.
Takahisa's trembling is light but,
「………. . Correct . We go 」
When he noticed, he had already answered Rio's question.
「I saw ...................... Did you hear about it from Miharu-san during last night's party?」
「……………. I just confessed my love for him 」
Rio replied with a disappointed tone.
"My apology . My heart can't calm down when I hear that a man is trying to punish her, right？ 」
「No, yes .....................」..
Section 23
Takahisa's replying with a frown on his face.
「Although I shouldn't be the one to say this, please take care of Miharu-san and her partner」
「…………. . Of course . I will be the one to protect the three of them from now on 」
Takahisa said those words loud and clear while trying to suppress his inner feelings.
「Greetings,」
Rio lowered his head as he said those words in a polite tone.
「…………. . You………………… . . 」
Takahisa's tone raised the octave as if irritated at seeing Rio who wasn't agitated even until the last moment.
"Why did you just give up?"
"Where's your pride?"
"You love Miharu, right?"
"What do you want to do, become more confusing when you act like a saint?"
It's okay even if you say only one rebuttal, and yet—
"It's too cowardly".
But, uh,
"AH……………"
Takahisa swallowed his words when he saw Rio's fist clasping tightly.
She knew that Rio suppressed his own feelings.
After that, now he could get rid of his guilt.
Takahisa's turning his eyes awkwardly.
「Yah, that's it ……………. . 」
So he tried to end their conversation.
「Did Miharu-san not say anything?」
But, Rio still asked.
「……………. I'm sorry"
「So that's the problem ………. . All right, thank you very much. See you again 」
Rio then left the room with Takahisa standing still behind him as if feeling guilty over something.
They then finished saying goodbye which was no more than a few minutes, and then Takahisa and the comrades left the castle in a hurry.
☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★
When he saw Takahisa and his comrades running towards the castle gate in a hurry to return to their kingdom,
「Are you really not going to see it?」
Rio was standing beside Satsuki.
「Yes. Well, I can't go beyond this point because of that formality. It may be too late even if I get permission now 」
"I saw"
Rio nodded, and then silence descended on them for a while.
「………. Hey, that should be okay, right？ 」
Satsuki's asking him in a timid tone.
「Good or bad, their desire to go with Takahisa is right」
Rio shrugged his shoulders when he said so.
「Of course but, should we part like this without saying goodbye to them properly？ Honestly, there is something ........
Section 24
Satsuki's showing a dissatisfied expression.
After all, the event was growing too fast.
Exactly like they just saw the end while skipping the necessary process for it—
As if they only know the answer while eliminating the whole process of solving the problem――
it would only cause unspeakable indigestion.
Maybe if people think, how big the reality is.
But, he definitely could not accept such a goal that eliminated the procedures that had to be done.
No matter how much he was promised to meet them again.
「Tell me, what is the highly confidential information of this kingdom?」
Satsuki's making a completely confused face.
It doesn't seem right because they only give minimal explanations and then leave quickly.
Because she was supposed to have a pleasant conversation with Miharu around this time.
Satsuki sighed in anxiety.
「Are you not going to meet them again」
Rio said as if to calm Satsuki down.
After that, Satsuki was silent for a moment as if thinking to herself.
Suddenly, 、
「……. . I'VE ALREADY DECIDED！ I'LL GET MIHARU-CHAN SOON！ I'LL SEE KING 」
Satsuki stated that as she made her decision.
Surely, Miharu too would be puzzled by this unreasonable situation.
He simply could not sit down when he did not even know the other party's situation.
He could accept it if they told him their own decision.
When it comes to that, the problem is simple.
「Say Haruto-kun, how about you go with me！ Wouldn't it hurt if everything stayed blurred this way」
So, Satsuki suggested to Rio.
But, Rio gently shook his head in denial and,
"I'm sorry . I can't go with you 」
Replied in a calm tone.
Satsuki was shocked when her hope was betrayed.
「K-Why？ You must be worried about Miharu-chan right?」
Satsuki asked with a strong tone.
He looked at her with a dissatisfied look.
「…………. Because I have a personal problem that I have to solve 」
Rio replied with an indirect answer without telling the truth.
「Is that a problem you said last night？ …… That is something you have no choice but to do in the west region」
「Yes, therefore a promise with my acquaintance. I can't delay any more 」
「Then, it's okay after you're done with your business, right. It's okay even if you're not with me. So let's go"
Satsuki's getting more pressing as her head pressed against Rio's chest.
「…………. But, I think it's better that everyone doesn't see me again 」
Rio said those words with a lonely smile on his face.
His smile showed more persuasive power than his words. ⁇
「A-What is this？ Should .................」
Section 25
To Satsuki who asked in a confused voice,
「I'm rejected. By Miharu-san. I confess my love to her, you saw 」
Rio told such a fact without any hestitation.
「Eh ………? 」
Satsuki's face froze in that instant.
But, Rio continued to continue his words without noticing the change in his face.
「They go out so. Takahisa-san and Miharu-san. Do you know about this?
「EH — A ~ H— U-Uhn. I thought they were dating because there seems to be a rumor about it since Junior High but ………. 」
The confused Satsuki answered him with a shrill voice.
"As I thought"
If Satsuki says so, then there is no doubt about that.
There was no way Miharu would receive Rio's recognition since she was already courting Takahisa.
Maybe it's like that.
「The match has been decided even before I confessed my love, I tried not to think about it but, it seems like the winner has been decided since the beginning of true」
Rio's lips twirled slightly as if mocking his own foolish actions.
She was vaguely aware of this fact when she heard about Takahisa's story from Miharu last night.
He tries to confess his love, but, he is too late.
No, because he thought that they had been out since his previous life.
The matter of Amakawa Haruto not being able to confess his love to Miharu has always been the source of his regret.
That's why, even if Miharu's already courting Takahisa, Haruto who's still alive inside her decides to confess his love.
This feeling never changed even after he became Rio.
But
If his previous life had to be honest, he still believed that maybe he still had a chance even though it was only one in millions.
So he wants to confess his love as soon as possible.
He must hurry.
Because he noticed that it was too late if they had a conversation this afternoon.
So, stirred by the thought of it—
Rio became impatient.
That was why he wanted to send those letters no matter what happened before being separated from Miharu.
「Truly hard, right. To confess your love to someone 」
Section 26
His voice was filled with exhaustion.
When he thought about this process and that which exists in theory, its usefulness in reality was minimal.
Which then came to his current situation, it became difficult for him to think calmly with such tension in his mind.
The best he could do was to tidy up the surface.
「Haruto-kun ………. . 」
Satsuki's calling Rio as if comforting him.
「I'm sorry for saying such strange things」
Rio apologized as he smiled calmly at her. But, his fists clasped so hard.
「In retrospect, I didn't say it to Satsuki-san right. I'll have to explain it correctly to you 」
If she meets Miharu later, it might be better to let her know about her circumstances.
That's why Rio decided to tell Satsuki about her past.
「About me in my previous life――」
☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★
Rio met with Francois Galwark in the king's office.
Francois was sitting on a beautiful chair located at the end of the chair with his royal knight who was at the peak of his life right by his side.
Rio was sitting on the lower seat along with who knows how many young royal knights.
「Your Highness, I am very grateful for your gift during this opportunity」
Rio's address to Fracois.
「Yes. You may come often. It seems Charlotte is deeply indebted to you 」
Francois said those words while smiling kindly.
「It's my elegance but, I'm the one receiving special help from Charlotte-sama」
「Hahaha, even Satsuki-dono became quite close to you, no. It's okay as long as you visit often to have fun with them from now on 」
「Ha. Although this one does not deserve such an honor, if that is what they expect ...... 」.
And then, when she replied as a greeting,
（Maybe this king ordered Charlotte to move）
Rio guessed Francois' plan.
Since it was practically impolite to tell his true thoughts here, his answer was something that only the king sitting in front of him knew but, there was something confusing to him.
Currently, Rio officially became part of Galwark kingdom after becoming a knight of honor.
Section 27
Perhaps that was the scenario of Galwark kingdom to bind Satsuki by using the relationship between Satsuki and Rio――
That was probably the reason why Charlotte received orders from Francois to approach Satsuki and Rio――
When he thought about it now, it was probably around the time when Christhardt and Charlotte approached him kindly on the second night of the party that night.
Although Christhardt did not even think that Satsuki and Rio would dance together on the first day of the evening party.
In addition to eye monitoring, he considered the possibility of other things being prepared from behind the scenes.
The official stance was to respect their will but, it was a bit of a surprise when he easily handed over the matter regarding Miharu, there was a possibility of a backdoor deal in terms of the defense alliance during the term with Lilyana.
"As expected, this person is very hypocritical", is what Rio felt about Francois.
So, for this reason he was quite surprised because he did not want to get that close to royalty and nobility.
Even if he acted within the limits of security in order not to cause anything, when royalty and nobles noticed the value of his utility, then he moved while expecting that.
Although young nobles in their teens like Stead and Alphonse tended to put too much trust in the authority given to them, that tendency will slowly diminish as they enter their twenties and thirties.
Royalties and first-class nobles were cunning people who moved without anyone knowing about their preparations.
And then to win in terms of the cleverness of someone who has utility value by the time the person notices that there is a place of hope for him, most of the cases, it is too late.
Because most of their trick is to come quietly from the front with a smile on their face and want to do a handshake with the right hand while hiding the knife with their left hand.
「Then, I want to know what is your business to come today?」
Whether he could guess Rio's intentions or not, Francois greeted him with a haughty speech.
It's not like it would change something if Rio muttered one of his grudges here.
Instead, it would cause him more unwanted trouble for fighting with the king.
「I came to present an item to express my gratitude for my investment as a knight of honor. And using this opportunity, I will also report my surname 」
So, Rio started to tell Francois about his business while smiling sincerely.
「Hou. So you already have a name in your mind but, what is the item in your hand？ 」
「Ha. Since I heard that His Majesty is someone who likes liquor, I brought the liquor that I brought from the Yagumo area. Although I am worried whether it suits your taste, as it is currently not on the market, this one problem as a very rare item is guaranteed 」
When Rio said that, a strange light was curious inside Francois' eyes.
「Hou. You are very ready. I'll enjoy the taste 」
「I'm sorry. In fact, I've already made arrangements for Liselotte-sama who has a firm Rikka to manage the circulation of this item, if this item suits your taste, if it's to your taste, You might be able to get it in your hands with that connection 」
"I saw . I see, it makes me even more curious whether Liselotte is the one who manages the circulation of this liquor. Now I am even more excited because I can drink this one even before it is sold on the market. I'll enjoy it soon 」
「It's my pleasure if it's to your liking」
The liquor Rio served to Francois now was the liquor made by Rio himself using the sake brewing knowledge of Karasuki kingdom and the brewing knowledge of Seirei no Tami.
That was why it was definitely not a lie when he said it was liquor from the Yagumo region.
Section 28
「Yes. May I hear your surname？ 」
After nodding excessively, Francois then looked at Rio.
The surname plays an important role and should even be referred to as the face of nobility.
So far, Rio has used Haruto as his alias.
Although he held a faint antipathy on using the name of the dead person at first, everything might be fine if he used that name as an alias.
Although he could not stop the flow of events where he received the title of nobility with an alias even if he wanted to stop it, it was probably not a very desirable situation.
But, just in case his name was reportedly approved by Francois, Haruto's name, along with his surname would not be treated as an alias and become a common name.
And then, when he was about to decide what his surname was, a candidate appeared right in his mind.
But, is it right to use that name.
Even Rio was worried about her.
Because he got the feeling that it would be the same as raising the dead if he called himself by that name.
Because he had no confidence with such an identity swing because perhaps Amakawa Haruto was not his support and nothing more than a memory of losing his body.
But, maybe it wasn't something she had to ponder too hard because she was finally able to move a little after confessing her love to Miharu and writing those letters to her.
Because he thinks that what matters most isn't who you are, it's his feelings that matter.
That's why, Rio will call himself.
「Amakawa――」
Francois' eyes opened wide as Rio told his name in short words that he was not used to hearing.
「From today onwards, I will call myself Haruto Amakawa」 [TL: In Japanese it will be "Amakawa Haruto" while in English it will be "Haruto Amakawa"]
So he followed the previous short word with a firm tone in the next sentence.
Francois narrowed his eyes as he looked at Rio.
A while later, a smile formed on his lips and then,
「It's decided. O Haruto, on behalf of Francois, king of Galwark, I hereby officially approve your surname as "Amakawa" 」
Francois gave Rio permission to use Amakawa as his surname.
"Thank you very much . His Majesty 」
Rio lowered his head in silence.
Year 1000 of the Sacred Calendar, a certain day in spring.
From this day onward, Rio became the honorary knight of Galwark kingdom both in name and reality.
It was the birth moment of the black knight, Haruto Amakawa.