'Leon, are you seriously going to duel with Elijah of House Fraser?'

　The next day.

　When Angier asked me about it when I got into the men's dormitory, I replied as I hand combed my sleeping habits.

'They just threw a white glove at me,'

I've heard that. But the Fraser family is in charge of its borders. If we fight its successor, Elijah, and leave a grudge behind, we'll be in trouble. Even now, they could betray the kingdom at any time.

　The Fraser family has broken off their engagement to the royal family.

　That alone is outrageous, and now if they are falsely accused in a duel, there is no telling what they will do.

'There is a lot of unrest in the country at the moment. It's a downer, but it's tricky to make enemies of the Fraser family.

I know, but is it too late to make up for it?

Yeah, that's true.

　Angier seems to be quite impatient.

　That's how much is at stake in the kingdom.

　Nevertheless, Luxion and Clairvoyant have been busy lately as well.

　Are those guys planning something again?

　Angel was looking down sadly.

'Rion, I can understand Elijah's feelings a little better.

I know.

So make him look good. Do me a favor.

　If Angier asked me to do it, I couldn't beat him as thoroughly as those five did.

'All right,'

◇

　I went to school at the academy and when it was time for recess, Marie called me out.

'What?'

Brother, it's about Elijah.

There you go again.

　Everyone started talking about Elijah in the morning.

　Throughout the school, rumors were spreading that Elijah had challenged me to a duel.

　Some idiots were already trying to start a bet, but it seems that the bet has to be a match between me and Elijah.

　Elijah isn't a particularly good student, you know.

'I'm going to make it a face-saving duel. I'm going to end it in a corner.

'You can't trust your brother to tell you that. Oh, no, I don't!

　Marie talks to me about Erica and Elijah's relationship.

'It's Erica, but she doesn't actually hate Elijah,'

'What?　Why did you call him that?　I'm sure there are plenty of better men out there.

'I heard that Erica went to Elijah's territory a few times after the engagement was finalized. Elijah, he was spoiled growing up, and apparently it was terrible at first.

　In that damsel-in-distress game, I heard that Erika was a woman of bad character and Elijah was her henchman-like fiancé.

　So Erika didn't even like Eriya or think she liked her.

　Eh?　You want him?　What's good about it?

'But I heard that Elijah had a crush on Erica. So Erica--

　He was giving Elijah a lot of advice on how to make him a good lord.

　Elijah's guy was trying his best to show Erica that he was a good one.

　Hearing that, what in the world am I supposed to do?

What do you mean?

'Maybe Erica wanted to marry Elijah?　She talks about Elijah with great glee. She's not very good at talking about her feelings. That's why I would never say that I want to marry Elijah. But I know you do, and I know you feel that way.

　I thought there was something too patient about it.

　But I was surprised that his mother in his previous life, Marie, had noticed it too.

　I thought this guy wouldn't notice.

'You've been watching him closely.

Because she has become more patient with me because I wasn't. She feels responsible for this, too.

　It's your fault.

And then what?　What do you want me to do?

　Marie gets down on her knees to me.

'Please let me marry Erica and Elijah!

...yeah.

　--again, I'm going to make a troublesome wish.

　Is that the same as asking me to smear mud on Mr. Milene's face?

　No, I knew it was going to happen eventually.

　Don't I find myself fighting in all directions?

　I could pick a fight with Roland, but I don't feel comfortable picking a fight with Mr. Vince or Ms. Milene, to whom I owe a debt of gratitude.

◇

　After school.

　When I'm alone on the rooftop, Clairvoyant approaches my side.

'Oh, you're unusually distressed.

Idiot. I'm always in trouble.

'I know. But it's rare to see you in so much distress.'

　I reveal my true feelings to Claire.

'I know Erica likes Elijah. But do you think it will make her happy?

"What?　Because from me and Luxion's point of view, I want you to have a baby with your master. Erica, the genes of the old human race are very much present. It would be great for us to have a child with our master. Well, I guess that's why you've been sick for a while.''

Is that so?

　Part of the reason why Erica hadn't come out was because she was worried about whether she should be involved in this world.

　But the most important thing was her physical condition.

''I'm not in a state where I need to be at rest all the time. But I guess I couldn't push myself too hard.'

No, what does this have to do with the old humans?

"Atmospheric magic. It's thinner than ever before. See, the holy tree of the Republic is on the loose?　It was like I sucked in quite a bit of magic element back then. It was a delicate balance until now, and it made my magic element thin.''

　The Republic's Holy Tree went wild, and the magic element was slightly less than in the atmosphere.

　Thanks to that, Erica seemed to feel better.

　Hearing that, I felt a little lighter.

''It's good that you're feeling better.''

'So, Erica and Master, let's make a baby.

No. That's not what my niece is for. You're an artificial intelligence who can't understand the parental need to watch over them.

"I'm not a stranger now!　Give me your hand, a**h*le!

'You're the reason Aaron became Arle's little girl, and I haven't forgotten about it!　You're the reason Jake went after Aaron in the first place!

　It was after the tea party.

　It seems that Jake has started to talk to Ahle a lot.

　--Jake is no longer the target of the attack.

　There are no good royal men.

'--and what do you want to do, Master?　I don't want to marry Erica. But Elijah doesn't approve of it either. Maybe you're not going to let her marry you?　Isn't that a bit harsh?　Are you thinking of keeping him by your side all the time and being cute or something horrible?'

“--not really. That's why you're bothering me. Do you want to find a better man than Elijah?

'I wonder if Erica will agree?　Oh, I remember another matter. Actually, it's the lower class boys who are the target of our attack, but they were engaged before they entered the school.''

What?

'Because nowadays there is a surplus of women. Master's brother is arranging blind dates every day. It doesn't seem to be unusual for him to have a fiancée before he starts school.

　Things seem to be different now than they were when I started.

'I envy you your current year,'

　How do I explain this fact to the Finn guy?

　That's the problem.

'But now, on the contrary, there are more and more boys who are arrogant towards girls.

Is that so?

'Isn't it because you've changed your position and you're now resentful?　'Some boys take the engagement as bait and just play with it and throw it away.

　I'm not jealous.

　First the woman, now the man, and now the man.

　It's like a seesaw game.

　Somebody's got to balance it out.

If they get anywhere near Erica and her friends, you'll find a way to deal with them.

'No!　Yes!　Master, I love you.

　I'm not happy to hear this guy tell me he loves me.

　But really, what do we do?

　Cleare, who had been delighted, suddenly blended into the surrounding landscape and disappeared.

　It seemed someone had come.

　It was Noel who came to the rooftop.

'Rion, you have a visitor.

　It looks like the person who brought me here is not a member of the school, but a military man.

　He bows to me.

''Eh, who?''

　Noel laughed and told me who it was that I was in trouble with.

''The knight of the Fraser family. He says he's Elijah-kun's educator.''

　A serious looking soldier with a thirty-something beard stands in front of me with his back straight.

''I've come to speak to the Marquis.

　--Noel, what a guy you've brought in.

Are you talking about a duel?

Yes, sir.

'Then you won't have to make a false move like Julius and the others. Don't worry.

No, sir, it's not.

What?

'Marquis, I hope you will accept the sentiments of Lady Elijah.

　--What is this guy talking about?

Feelings?

'Yes. Elijah-sama had never been a flattering person, but then he met Erica and changed. But after meeting Erica-sama, she changed. I'm not going to be able to tell you what to do," she said. --This is a very important time.

　It seems that in order to have him become a respectable lord, these guys, as vassals, don't want to have their hearts broken by Elijah.

''How do you guys feel about breaking off the engagement with Erica?''

''--I'm honestly annoyed, but that doesn't mean I can't betray the kingdom.

　At my side, Clairvoyant, invisible to those around me, whispers into my ear.

'I'm not lying,'

　I look at Elijah's educator to see what it means to take my feelings on board.

'Does that mean you want me to take you seriously?　Or do you want me to go easy on you?　Is Elijah strong in the first place?

Lady Elijah is no better than an ordinary knight, my lord.

　You're a clear-cut vassal.

''However, I've been training with a lot of fervor lately, and my armor handling skills have improved. Therefore, I would like you to take them seriously enough to avoid getting injured.

Isn't that hard?

　I'm in trouble, and Noel is talking to me.

'What are we going to do?　You don't really want to kill him, do you?

Of course.

　What's so sad about having to risk your life in a school duel?

　That kind of thing is no longer in vogue.

　The way Noel was looking at me was serious.

　His eyes look as if he's worried about something.

''--I'm not going to kill you or fight you in a way that will injure you and leave you with aftereffects. This is the way to go, right?

　The knight in charge of education thanks me and leaves the roof.

　Then, Clairvoyant shows up.

''You're in trouble again.''

Claire, you're here. I've been worried sick to death.

　When Noel said this, Clairele also made light of it.

''I'm still busy with this. I don't have time to worry about teasing and bothering like a master.''

　How did this guy refer to me?

　Noel laughs and comes over next to me.

'Isn't Rion going to marry Erica-sama?'

I won't.

'You can do it if you like. I don't think Angelica or Olivia will be mad at you.

'I like Erica, but is it more of a kinship or a relationship?　So it's different when it comes to marriage.

Really?

'Yeah. So I want Erica to be happy, but I don't know what to do about it.

Okay. So....

　I listened to Noel's suggestion and decided to try Erica.

◇

　The school's arena.

　Nix hadn't shown up in a long time and had decided to watch the duel with a cup of popcorn in hand.

　The matchmaking has been going on day after day, and today he had run away because of Leon.

　He had forced his way out of the matchmaking process, saying he was going to watch his brother duel and that he was going to watch.

(Forty-something on top and single digits on the bottom--this is wrong.)

　Jenna was sitting next to a tired-looking Nix.

'Oh, that reminds me of something I don't like,'

You put a bomb in Leon's armor. As a family, we don't like it.

You're fussy!　Do you think I had any other choice?

　Jenna is frustrated, but she's enjoying her time in King's Landing.

　Shopping and reuniting with her friends.

　But her marriage was not going well.

'd*mn it!　If I could use the Rion's Den, I could marry a nobleman in King's Landing in a heartbeat!

　Nix was dismayed.

'That's why your fathers are so opposed to your marriage, because you're acting like that. 'Because you won't change your attitude when you change your mind and they'll think about it.'

It's not right to treat women like slaves!

'Is that why you make men your slaves?　You're not growing up at all.

　If the current Jenna married a nobleman who wanted to be close to Leon, she would only cause problems.

　That's why I didn't let Rion's transmission be used for Jenna's marriage.

''If you've already enjoyed your sightseeing in King's Landing, then go home and marry one of the Yosako.

No. I'm not going to give up on you.

　She takes Nix's popcorn and Jenna is burned out.

　Finley came next to them.

'Oh, you two came to watch?'

　Behind Finley was Oskar, who was carrying a large amount of sweets and other items.

''Are you acquainted with Mr. Baldfalt?''

Yeah. That's my brother and sister.

　Though a bit stern looking, Oskar is a beauty.

　He's tall and muscular.

　Watching Jenna drop her popcorn, Nix put a hand to her face.

(Oh, this is the type of guy Jenna likes.)

'Finley has always been a great help to me. This is my sister, Jenna.

'This is Oscar. Mr. Baldfalt has always been a great help to me.

　Both Nix and Finley look at Jenna, who suddenly makes a catty noise, in disgust.

'Jenna, don't be discouraged,'

You're disgusting.

　Finley apparently doesn't like Oskar that much.

　But he can't allow his sister to go after him.

''Don't go after the younger boys.

'Finley, don't be so angry. No matter how much more attractive I am as a woman, I'm not going to demean myself.

What?　When did I say that?

　The hallucination of sparks between the two men was definitely visible to Nix.

　Oskar was troubled.

'You're both beautiful,'

Oh, Oskar, you're so honest.

　Jenna was hugging Oskar's arms without a care in the world.

　Seeing this, Finley stared at her with wide eyes.

(I hope it doesn't get you into trouble. --Hmm?)

　I felt that someone was watching me, and when I turned around, I saw the school staff there working on the cleanup.

　The young man is wearing his hat deeply.

(Huh?)　(It looks like someone else.)

　When Nix turns his head, the man leaves as if to escape.