After a few days of travel, Fiona's group had safely reached the Imperial City.

''Ladies and gentlemen. We had a great time in our short time here.

　In front of the huge gates of the imperial capital, a smiling Fiona says to us, "You can't have a carriage from outside.

　It seems that even princesses have to abide by the rule that no outside carriages can enter the castle during the day, and we all get out of our long carriages just before the gates.
　From now on, Fiona was supposed to change into another carriage inside and head for the imperial castle that held the court. We'll spend the night at an inn in town, and then say goodbye to us as we leave for Rodnea in the morning.

　I look at the assassins, whose hands are tied and who are being taken away, and say to them.

"I'm sorry to say that there wasn't an attack.
'Uh-huh. I told you so, didn't I?

　Fiona smiled at me, and I nodded.
　There was no sign of an attack, the assassins were quiet, and the road was peaceful.
　I look toward the gates, which are somewhat crowded because of them.

I'm sure it's just a matter of time before they take the time to enter the city, since there are so many of them. It seems that the imperial capital is heavily guarded.
'Normally it doesn't go this far but the court is a bit tense at the moment.
'The Court?　Why at such an uneventful time?
'Well why is that?　I don't understand.

　After giving a meaningful smile, Fiona says somewhat ruefully.

'I really wish I could have invited all of you to the court, but those circumstances made it a little difficult... would you have liked to see?　The "Imperial City
''I wish I could have seen it. I'm sure I would have been proud of you the rest of my life for getting inside the Imperial City.
Already, Amu-chan it's all right. His Highness will be busy with various things from now on, too.
They gave me a room at the top of the market.

　The women rambled on and on.
　They had actually already gotten along quite well with each other during their stay in the Lamprog territory. Women are very sociable, aren't they?

It's a good thing that women are social creatures. I haven't had many opportunities to talk to people close to my age like this before.......it was fun. It's true. I'm sure I'll be back........

　So Fiona turned to Amu with a smile that slightly stifled her pain.

'I'm sure there will be opportunities to invite you in.

We're done here. We're done here.

　When I turned my head to the voice, I saw that Glai had just pulled his horse.
　Did he finish handing over to his second-in-command, Loren, and say goodbye to his own men?
　I'm going to say goodbye to this second brother. When will we see him again?

Hmm. See you later, Seika.

　I reply appropriately to Glai, who spits in his face and says, "Take care, brother Glai.

"Take care, Glai," he says. I hope you'll try your best to be strong.
Hey, you're a little brat, aren't you?
...What...what. Don't call me a little boy.
Don't neglect your training. Don't rely on the real sword and be aware of your kata. You've got the talent.
I'll do it without you telling me!

　It's a good idea to be able to get a good idea of what's going on.
　I'm sure these two have gotten to know each other well, despite the fact that they met like that...or haven't they?　I'm not sure.

Well I have to go now.

　Fiona looked up at the gate and said.
　I laughed and replied, "Take care.

I wish you well. It has been a pleasure to accompany you this far.
Well, to accompany you... I thought we'd be friends, sir.
Okay, then.
The Lamprog sons and daughters of the Lamprog family are all alike in their treatment of me. Even though I'm something of a bastard, I'm still the current emperor's own son and princess.
I'm sorry. My eldest brother is the only sane one.
"Uh-huh.

　Fiona smiled a little - and then quietly walked over to me.

"Seika-sama.

　And with a smile, he says in a serious tone of voice, "I am on your side.

''I am - I am on your side. It's true........it's true. Just don't forget that.
"...?　Yes, sir.
Mmm-hmmm... so long.

　Fiona, with her back turned, leaves for the gates with her handmaidens and Glai and the others.
　I think about the meaning of the words I left out, but I'm not sure.
　Isn't it more Fiona who needs allies?　Hmmm, he was strange to the end.

"Oh, Mabel-chan do you want to stop by your brother's grave?
I was thinking of going in the morning.
So I'll get you some flowers.
'If we're lucky, we'll be able to buy it in the market. I'd better hurry if I were you. Come on, Seika, let's go.
Oh, yeah.

　I answered shortly and followed them.


****


　We spent the night at one of the city's finest inns and left the imperial capital the next morning as planned.
　Two days passed as we were rocked by a carriage on the road that stretched eastward.
　We returned to the school town of Rodnea for the first time in about a month.

　I was surprised at the fact that the school dormitory felt like a place to come back to. It's only been two years since I've lived here, but so much has happened.

　There are only a few days left of my spring break.
　This year's entrance ceremony is just around the corner.

　The school is getting a bit hectic, and I was spending my time teaching Mabel how to study and going shopping in the city when the headmaster called me out of the blue.

It's no big deal. It's nothing serious.

　The old dwarf woman said this in the headmaster's office on the top floor of the main school building.

　Nevertheless.
　The headmaster is the one who knows about Amu's true identity and part of my power. I have no reason not to get ready.

　The headmaster is a bit taken aback by the fact that I didn't lose my expression, and he opens up with a bit of anger.

You want to be valedictorian?
"...?　The valedictorian, sir?
'You know that current student who greets you every year at Commencement. That's the one. The valedictorian of the primary school.
Why are you telling me this?
That's a dumb question. It's just a question of high grades, of course.
Is that all you have to do?
'I don't know what you were expecting, but that's all. I don't know what you were expecting, but that's all. The only time I ever asked a student for help is when I'm choosing a valedictorian or handing in my expulsion. Usually.
Well.....
'I don't mind if you turn it down. Then I'll ask your squire or another student to do it. It doesn't matter who it is, the valedictorian.

　As if it didn't matter, the headmaster said.
　In fact, it's not a big deal at all compared to matters like brave men, demons, and the future of the empire. I was somewhat disappointed.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find it.

I'll be happy to oblige.
"How. I didn't expect you to say no, but.... Hmm?　Kukku. I feel like I said a similar line a year ago.
If it were up to me, I'd at least do it. It would be an honor.
Huh. Yeah, yeah.

　With a chuckle, the headmaster says, "It's an honor for a normal student.

For an ordinary student, it's an honor. It's a great honor for an ordinary student. I don't think you'll be bothered by such a thing but you should just accept it. That's what normal students do.
Yeah.

　I look down and answer, "I'm sure you're right.

"I'm sure you do.


****


'Mr. Seika, is that a good time?　I've taken on the role of valedictorian.

　Yuki asked me this as we left the main building of the school.
　The sun was still high in the sky, but it was a little dark with gray clouds covering the sky.

'Oh. 'It's okay.'
Why?　It's going to stand out again.

　Yuki looks at me curiously, and I smile lightly in reply.

I don't go into these things to stand out. It's just like the martial arts tournament in the imperial capital. It's not a normal career for an uncommonly strong man to be noticed by authority figures to be the president of a school. It's more of a strange half life. Yes, for example... he was picked up from an orphan for his cursed powers, killed his brothers and masters, rose to prominence, disappeared, lived a life of vagabondism abroad, and then returned to his country to train his disciples...

　Yuki is silent and I continue.

"And lately, I'm thinking that... maybe we should have been more normal, you know?
Is it normal, sir...?
"Opportunities to wield unusual power don't come along very often in ordinary life. I'm afraid that the way I died in my previous life made me a bit of a coward. I think I didn't need to go to the trouble of finding someone who would be the strongest instead of me. He wasn't going to get involved in the circumstances of being a brave or demon king without a fight. Even if you didn't come to the academy, there might have been a way to live a peaceful life while working as a flow magician.
....
'It's not that I regret meeting those kids. The academy is a good place. I'm interested in the adventurer's life that will begin sooner or later. I don't intend to change my policy now. It's just that from now on, I'll try to be more normal. Instead of being nervous about standing out, I'm going to be more like a normal human being.
Well then, Seika.

　Yuki asks quietly, "Do you plan to run away like a normal human being instead of standing up to the enemy that is now approaching?

"Do you intend to run away from the enemy now, instead of standing up to it like a normal human being?
Yeah, what. You knew that.

　I say softly.
　He's still out of town, but he's probably close to the time of the attack.

I'll take care of that one. I'll take care of that," he says, "and I'll say hello at the entrance ceremony. We can't do that if the ceremony itself is gone.
''........Don't you realize, Seika-sama? The contradiction you are talking about.......ordinary people are not capable of such a thing.

　I reply to Yuki's harsh voice with a wry smile.

I can't help it, I'm already involved. I can't ignore it now. And besides... it's easy for me to do. What, as long as you don't know who did it, it's not a problem.
Seika-sama...
Yuki, stay close to me. Things are about to get a little hectic.

　I float a piece of paper.
　I suppose you could say this is my first act as valedictorian.

The Call............................