On the eve of the joint ceremony of the heraldry and Gazalia. The nightfall enveloped Galuamaria, and a gentle silence covered the world. However, that did not mean that everyone could immerse themselves in the comfort of that silence.

　Glancing down at the ground from the top of the Great Wall of Galuamaria, I saw soldiers and carpenters rushing here and there, as if they didn't even have time to breathe. They were probably being forced to do rush work in preparation for tomorrow's ceremony. At the moment, the site of the ceremony was not in sight, but it was still a job for Largd-Anne to arrange. Tomorrow morning, it will be ready.

　With a chewed tobacco in my lips, I stared down from the top of the great wall, watching the people running around busily. There was nothing to do, nothing to think about. I was just devouring the passing time with an empty mind.

　Perhaps it was because the moon was not up today, but my vision was strangely dark.

What's wrong with you? What's the matter, you're a bird? What's wrong with you?

　Silver swims in the darkness of the night.

　Kalia's footsteps clattered as she stood and looked down at me as I sat on the wall. Her expression is one of a smile, her cheeks lightly relaxed.

　As I sarcastically replied, "A good man, though not as good as you," Kalia's fist lightly struck my forehead.

If you have no business here, I suggest you go to sleep. Tomorrow's ceremony, you will not be at ease.

　Kalia sat down beside him and said in a whispered voice. You're no longer in a position to be left alone," her soft lips said.

　He's the kind of guy who touches on things people would rather forget.

　I had heard from Mattia about the ceremony tomorrow, and what would be done there. I remember Mattia looking me straight in the eye and telling me that it was now inevitable.

　As Kalia had said, I would not be able to take my time tomorrow. I may not even have time to breathe. With that in mind, it would certainly be better to go to bed as soon as possible.

　But the truth is, there is still something smoldering in the back of my mind. An unaccountable irritation, like a dry feeling in the pit of my stomach, still lingered in my body. Every time it hits the floor, it gives me a strange pain. That's why I had to sit here and let the night breeze distract me.

　I murmured to Kalia, who was looking at me as if she were peering at me, with a slight wag of her lips, "Well, we all have our anxieties.

　I'm not sure if you've heard of it, but I'm sure you've heard of it.

I am, Lugis. To be honest, I don't really understand your anxiety. I can understand if your heart is beating with anticipation.

　I'm not sure what you're talking about," he said, leaning lightly on my shoulder, his lips rippling. She leaned lightly on my shoulder, her lips pursed. The weight on me felt strangely weightless.

　The weight on my shoulders felt strangely weightless.

"I was taught growing up that glory is happiness. Glory is the mark of the powerful. There can be no anxiety or anguish in grasping it. That's what I thought.

　That's why I don't understand your hesitation, Kalia said, repeating herself.

　Well, you are a strong woman. She is a very, very strong woman.

　It is impossible for her to be burned by the glow of glory, and she has never felt guilty about the applause she has received. Kalia is a good woman who can carry the expectations of others on her small back and move forward without breaking her knees.

　So I can understand why it's so hard for her to understand my petty feelings. It's pathetic. It's beyond pathetic. I'm being pushed around by emotions that are trivial to Kalia.

　Kalia's lips pursed and her silver eyes flickered as she looked at me.

　I was sure that the next time she would tell me to get off my ass and go to bed, if I didn't have time to worry about something stupid. That's what Kalia is, and that's what suits her well.

　But today, the wind was blowing in a slightly different direction.

I'm a little - a lot - disappointed that I don't understand your anxiety.

　A pity. What is it?

　Thoughts ran through my head, but I couldn't seem to understand them. I ran from one end of the room to the other trying to find the meaning, but the result was the same.

　The words that came out of Kalia's mouth were so unexpected that I contorted my lips several times to find the right words.

...... What, it takes a little courage to dip your tongue into a drink for the first time. It's the same thing. You're about to touch something you've never had before. It's only natural that your heart should tremble. That's all.

　He forced himself to say a few words, and called out to Kalia beside him. Kalia listened to my words with her silver hair lightly shaking.

　Yes, one of the things that I once hoped for from the depths of my heart, but could not get, is right in front of me now. And it's being served on a plate, just like that, which makes a person like me feel uneasy.

　Isn't this all going too well, or is this really happening in reality? Is this really what is happening in reality? I'm beginning to have this ridiculous delusion that maybe this was not won by legitimate means. Truly, it is a ridiculous nature that cannot be laughed at.

　I let out a light exhale, letting the smell of chewing tobacco fill my nostrils. I'm not sure if this is a good idea, but it's a good idea. And while cowering lightly, her silver eyes catch my whole body.

You're still the same, you're still the same fool you were then.

　And then Kalia clears her throat.

　She says it. I'm sure she's referring to the time I forced her to leave Bartnik's house.



　You're the one who'll never change. You're still the same selfish, selfish, selfish woman you were back then, but you don't know how to be broken. Well, I can't say the same for you.

"It's hard enough to have a foolish master. Don't be afraid to give me a few compliments and words of encouragement.

　He shrugged his shoulders sarcastically at her, his cheeks flushed with amusement. Then, while pulling the tobacco from his lips, he twisted his eyebrows.

　No, wait. What was that? What is a master?

　I could see that his question had become strangely firm. It's as if I shouldn't hear what Kalia has to say. I had a twisted intuition in my mind that I shouldn't listen to what Kalia had to say, but I had to.

"It's obvious, isn't it - have you forgotten our duel at Belle Fain? You stole my life from me. My body, my mind, everything. There's nothing left of me in the world. Except in your hands.

　As she said this, Kalia's cheeks relaxed into a smile. It was a beautiful smile, as if she had drawn a clean line across her face. It was a smile that was almost magical in its beauty.

　When I couldn't respond to her words, and my cheeks were still drawn together, Kalia said. It's as if she and I were one body.

　--Don't worry, Lugis. If you stop, I'll be there to help you. If you don't know the way, I'll pave the way to glory. Everything you need, I'll provide. That's a lot of loyalty, don't you think?

　A voice that could not conceal its amused tone disappeared into the darkness, riding the wind.

　On the eve of the ceremony, the darkness of the night grew darker and darker.