Above the royal capital.

　Dispatched from the Republic was an airship built by Ideal.

　The airships that survived that battle are now being divided and controlled by the six great nobles.

　The one who came leading that war effort--''

''Lelia!　You're here!

　-- it was Lelia.

　As Noel approached, Lelia held her head in her hands.

'I didn't really want to come, either!　But--but!　Because if you go against that guy here, it will be absolutely terrible!

　Clement cringed at Lelia's side as she shed tears.

　The saplings of the Holy Tree are present on the Republic's flagship.

　Lelia and the others were thinking the same thing as Noel and the others.

　I'm going to get energy from the Holy Tree Seedling to fight.

　It will be stronger than a normal airship, and Noel expects it to be stronger than a normal airship.

'Thank you. I really appreciate it.''

I'm a calculator.

It's all right. --I want to help Leon.

　And by Lelia's side is Serge.

　He looks a little older than before.

Noel calls out to Serge.

''You're here too, Serge.

　Serge didn't try to talk much.

'--I just want to pay my debt.

　Clement told Noel what was going on.

'Master Noel, there was actually some dissatisfaction in the Republic about sending a fleet. That was silenced by Lord Erik.

Erik?

　Noel has mixed feelings when he hears that the man who once put a collar on him and dragged him around has sent an army to help the kingdom.

''The same is true for Serge-dono. Lord Serge-dono has had a lot of trouble since then.

　Lelia's shoulders slumped.

'-- A country that has a grudge against us is going to imitate the air bandits. And then Serge fights it alone.

　In the Republic, Serge seems to be used as a good workhorse.

　However, Serge has been actively participating in the extermination of air bandits.

　It's a good thing that you're able to get a good idea of what you're looking for.

"Serge, you--

I don't think I can be forgiven for this.

　It was Serge, who seemed to be looking for a place to die somewhere.

◇

Sis.

　And Eryk, who was practically the commander of the Republic's fleet, had come to Marie's place.

　Marie patted Eryk's head.

'You're here, Eryk.

'Yes!　I couldn't stand still when you told me that your sister was in danger. I punched Hugues who disagreed with me.

Well, don't you think that's a bit much?

　Eryk wipes a tear away.

'I'll do my best for your sister!　By the way, how about that woman over there?

　Eryk saw Hertrude, who seemed to be talking to Marie.

　Who to Eryk?　He is not happy about it.

''You're not even in the eye of the six noblemen of the Republic. Well, that's okay. It's been a long time, no good saint.

　Marie is embarrassed.

'You're here too,'

　Eryk called Marie a saint and said, "Sister awesome! I am very pleased.

　Hertrude lets out a sigh.

'You've been favored by all the wrong men, too, haven't you? By the way, I wonder who the new king is going to be?

　Marie nods her head.

'The new king?'

Oh, you didn't hear?　We've received notice that King Roland is stepping down from the throne here. I thought it would be troublesome at this time of year, but now that I think about it, I think you're right.

　If we wanted to rebuild our rickety kingdom, if we wanted to proceed in the most conciliatory manner, we should have had a new king.

　Unlike in the past, a new bloodline was all that was needed.

　However, there had to be a bloodline that everyone recognized - power.

　Normally, a great noble would be a prime candidate for that, but there was an entity in the kingdom that would meet all the requirements.

　Hertrude crossed his arms.

''If I sell my debt to your new Majesty, then the Dukes of Fan Oth will be safe. It's more profitable to help the kingdom rather than the Empire here.''

　When I say that, I get a tweak from Eryk.

''I'm not that familiar with the situation within the kingdom, but if you look at the movements of other countries, most of them are moving towards the empire?　You're not here to make a profit, are you?

　Hertrude blushed as she was told.

It's not a good idea. There are a lot of things going on here.

　Marie was a little relieved to have them in front of her.

'Thank God. Now my brother won't be alone.'

　Looking at Marie, Hertrude looks worried.

'You don't have the same kind of energy as before, do you?

Oh, yeah?　Well, maybe they're nervous about the upcoming battle with the Empire.

　Eryk is surprised.

''What?　You're sending your sister off to war too?

　Marie nodded and pointed to a single airship floating above the royal capital.

'I'll take that one. Ricornu - isn't she a beautiful ship?'

　Seeing Ricornu, Eryk seemed to notice immediately.

''That airship, could it possibly be loaded with the Holy Tree?''

Oh, you noticed. Yes. I'm loading the sacred tree.

　And Hertrude also notices when she sees Ricorne.

''-- You have a similar vibe to the royal trump card. Is that why you're riding in?

　The former royal ship - Weiss, the former royal ship - showed its original performance when the saint was on board.

　That's why Hertrude seemed to think so too.

''I really wanted to leave it sunk, though.

　Marie considers Leon's desire to use Weiss again.

'I'm sure my brother didn't want to use her.

　Using Ricornu means that it's not just Marier - Olivia and Noel's power will be needed as well.

　Marie clasps her hands together.

(I have to protect everyone. At least that much--)

◇

　The waiting room.

　Olivia had finished changing and was facing Leon.

　Rion had a subtle expression on his face.

''Are you really going to be in the battlefield?''

　Seeing the worried look on Leon's face makes Livia a little happier.

　It's because she's worried about her own safety.

　But at the same time, it also makes her angry.

''If you only let Rion-san fight, it's unlikely she'll come back.

　Leon didn't say anything back to Livia's words.

(This guy is going to be out of reach if he's left alone.)

　Livia takes Rion's hand in hers.

'Rion-san, this situation was created by Angel.

'I really appreciate it. I would never have made it.

'So I'll help you from here on out. Myself, Noel and--and Mr. Marie will ride in the Ricorne.

　Now Ricorne has a device that was loaded by the royal ships.

　And the young trees of the Holy Tree were also loaded.

　Livia and Marie get on board to operate the device.

　In order to use the young tree of the Holy Tree, Noel gets on board.

　In doing so, Ricorne could become a decisive weapon of war.

　Livia hugged Rion and put her hands behind her back.

''Rion-san, I'll do my best this time.

　Leon strokes Libya's head gently.

'You can run if you're in danger. If you don't, I won't feel safe fighting you.

　Livia looked up and saw Rion's face.

　She seemed genuinely worried, but right now Rion was taking her life lightly.

''If Rion-san dies, I won't have a reason to live.

No, I don't think so--

'Yes!　I - I've been given a lot of things by Mr. Leon. I haven't given back yet. Besides - I want to be with Mr. Leon forever.

　Burying her face in Rion's chest, Livia bursts into tears.

'I can't work for you, Rion, like Angier did. That's why I have to work hard here - I don't deserve to be with everyone else. Let me help you. Because I can only do so much right now.

　I tried to do my best for Leon.

　But what I was able to do - not much.

　He couldn't hold the kingdom together like Angel, nor could he rely on Den like Noel and Marie.

　That made Libya cringe.

'Rion-san, will you promise me?　Don't ever die.

It's--it's impossible. You promised to get out of here alive.

　This battle is that tough.

　Even though Rion was prepared for it, it seemed to Libya that he was somewhat throwing his life away.

''--Rion-san, are you taking your own life lightly?

'What?　I don't think so. I understand that my life is heavy. Because, you know, dying is scary.

　Livia is convinced that she's lying again when she sees Leon, who shows her a spinning smile.

'You spouted a lie. 'You've got a habit of spouting lies, Rion,'

''Lie!''

　Having discovered a habit he didn't even know he had, Rion hurriedly touched his face with his hand to confirm it.

　Livia is watching Rion closely.

　That's why I've become aware of the lies.

'Lots of people are praying for Rion-san to come back. There are a lot of people who will be sad when Leon-san dies. Of course, Angel and Noel - and the rest of the family - will be sad, too. Lots of people will grieve.

　Hearing this, Rion's expression turns dark.

''--But I'm the one who's saddest.

What?

"Leon, I love you. So please don't die. Please don't take away the person I love.

　Livia hugs Leon tightly.

　Rion reveals her true feelings.

'I want to come back too. I don't want to die. But--

　Livia yells at Leon.

'That's enough!'

What?

　Rion is taken aback by Libya's words.

　Emotions run high, and Libya doesn't care if the local words come out.

'How long are you going to whine about it!　If you're a man, you've got to be better than that!

Yes!

　Rion was surprised by Libya's swordsmanship and responded posture-wise.

　Livia held her mouth and then blushed as she felt a little embarrassed.

'I'm sorry. I'm sorry, I just said the local language. And, but it's true that I'm worried about you, Rion-san.'

Uh-huh.

　Livia hides her face in her hands as Leon gives her a subtle look.

'I'm sorry. I've been hiding it, but it came out in my voice.'

　Rion smiled as he looked at an embarrassed Livia.

'No, I was surprised, but that's okay. I mean - it was cute.

　That being said, Livia blushes more.

　Looking at Livia like that, Rion says.

'You're right. You have to try to live, don't you? Besides, it's too good to die without such a lovely fiancée.

　Livia puffed out her cheeks and fingered Leon's clothes.

'I can't agree. I can't believe it was no good earlier, and I can't believe you're convinced when you hear my dialect.'

'No, yeah. I just smiled and felt better.

　Leon hugs Livia and then thanks her for her help.

'Thank you, Livia. Now I'm going to be able to do my best.

　Then Livia realizes.

(--Mr. Leon, he lied again.)

　I could see that Leon was lying to reassure Libya.

　That makes me sad and happy at the same time.

(Then I'll have to work on that.)

　Livia is determined not to let Leon die.

◇

　I looked at Ricorne floating outside the window.

　It's just me and Luxion in the room.

'That Creare guy can do whatever he wants. I don't want him to be secretly loading Weiss's equipment or anything like that.

　As I mutter a complaint to Claire, Luxion speaks to me.

''Master, talking to Olivia, are you seriously going to stop the mission of risking your life?''

　I answer that question with my eyes down.

"There is no change of plan. I'm not going to risk my life and let them die. --I'm not going to let them die.

　I promised to come back alive in that place, but if you ask me - it's bad for our enemies and our friends not to risk their lives.

　If this was a war, I didn't care if it was a war.

　It's just a battle for survival - a fight to live or die.

　And just as I have people I care about, my enemies have people they care about.

I don't like war. Why do we have to fight?

"Humans aren't the only species to fight each other, though.

Only humans can fight to the end.

　The old humans and the new humans were fighting each other until the very end of the war.

　And now I'm going to fight the Empire.

'If I survive, that means the Empire's people--'

'It's more efficient to make sure more of our allies survive than to show mercy to our enemies. Master, the Empire has rejected the Master's proposal.''

　So that both of us can live, I made a proposal to the Empire.

　We'll prepare a device that disperses magnesium into the atmosphere, so we can avoid war - let's be friends who live on the same planet.

　But from the point of view of the people of the Empire, they could not live in a place without the device.

　There was no way they would accept such a burden.

　On the other hand, if we were told to live there because we're going to prepare a place where the magic element can't reach us - we'd probably refuse.

　I can understand if I'm alone, but if I involve many people in the process, it's impossible.

"Did you lie to Olivia?

You know, it's okay to lie.　It's not like I'm going to die for sure. If you're lucky, you'll survive.

　It's a world where you can't survive without knocking someone off - and it's a terribly cruel world for that loose, damsel-in-distress world.