Arcadia, power up!
Output stabilized at 30 percent!
I'm ready to move!

　The bridge of Arcadia was where the soldiers were moving around in a hurry.

　The bridge of the mobile fortress was very wide, and Bartolt could see the view from there.

　Outside, not only the monsters, but most of the Empire's forces were gathered outside.

''It's finally happening.''

　They tried to use not only military force but also diplomacy to corner the kingdom.

　However, due to the resistance of the kingdom, the targeted results were not achieved.

　Beside Bartolt, the master of Arcadia, Mia, sat nervously beside him.

　Even now, Mia was opposed to the war.

　But Bartolt would never avoid this war.

(Mia, you stay the same and be a gentle girl. All the blame is on me.)

　For their own survival, they would destroy the kingdom that represented the old human side.

　I couldn't let my daughter bear that sin.

''--Begin.

　At the sound of Bartolt's voice, the Arcadia and many other airships began to move.

　Mia looks down.

'I'm sorry,'

　You are probably crying for your friends in the kingdom.

(You've grown up to be a gentle boy. I'd bear any number of sins for you.

　Bartolt didn't speak to the crying Mia.

◇

　A room in Arcadia.

　It was a resting place for the knights from the first to tenth rank in the hierarchy.

　The room was lavishly decorated and servants took care of the knights for them.

　The Imperial Sword Saint--Leanhardt was looking at the juice in the glass.

''It's amazing. All these objects are moving, but they're not shaking.''

　After making sure the liquid in the glass wasn't shaking, he drank it down in one go and tossed it to the woman in the maid's uniform and handed it to her.

　When Finn saw the scene, he narrowed his eyes.

''Leanhardt, you have a bad attitude.

Oh, I'm scared. Seniors are so sweet.

　A sputtering Leanhardt begins to look at it again as he receives his new drink.

'Senior, aren't you a little nervous?　It's okay. According to our information, there aren't many countries that have sided with the kingdom. Besides, I heard that the nobles in charge of the borders can't move.

　Finn nails Leenhardt, who is caught off guard.

'The kingdom has a Leon - Duke Baldfalt. You haven't forgotten him, have you?

'I know my seniors care about you. Besides, he is the most important person. If we defeat that duke, the war will be as good as over.

　Finn turns his gaze to the floor.

(Why do we have to fight?)

　Finn's memories of his time in the kingdom are flooding his mind.

　Those happy days would never come back.

　I'm not going to be able to get it right.

　I'm sure you're not the only one who understands that, but I'm not convinced.

　However, as long as we are fighting, we are going to win.

''-- If the duke comes out, I'll take care of him.

　He didn't want to give it up to anyone, but at the same time he felt that it was too dangerous to leave it to anyone else.

　Hearing that, Leenhardt shrugged his shoulders.

''Then you should hand over the Kingdom's Sword Saint to me. And, the Sword Saint had a son, right?''

　Finn reminds me of Chris.

'Chris?　As I recall, you were called a swordsman in the kingdom.

Yes, that's the one!　The Swordsman may be past his prime in age, so you'll have to give that guy to me, too. As I recall, Chris has defeated the Black Knight of Fan Oath. We can have a little fun.

　Officially, Chris is the one who defeated the Black Knight, the hero of the Duchy of FanOth.

　Therefore, Leenhardt wanted to fight Chris.

　It was as if it was just for fun.

''-- It depends on the situation. But if the duke comes out, call me. He's dangerous.

　The other knights looked unconvinced.

　Then Brave, who was at Finn's side, spoke to him.

''Buddy, if those guys come out, we'll have to hit them with more than one.

I understand. But I don't want to put one knight in shining armor on top of another.

　Although the empire is outnumbered, it still doesn't mean that they are not worried.

　The number of knights clad in magical creatures called magical clothing is small.

　In contrast, Rion's side is filled with the weapons of the old humans.

(I don't think they can sink Arcadia, but it's better to be cautious, so...)

◇

　There was a great deal of excitement in the royal palace of the Kingdom of Horfert as they received the news that the Empire was on the move.

'How is the fleet moving!
Twenty percent have yet to reach their destination!
Hurry up!　We can't let those Imperials into this country!

　Knights and soldiers were running around in the royal palace.

　The civil servants were also running around hurriedly with their papers.

　The maids are also busy working.

　In the midst of all this - Livia was walking down the corridor to board the Ricorne.

(The war begins again.)

　It reminds me of the battles against the Duchy and in the Republic.

(Every time that happens, Leon-san gets hurt - so this time.)

　Noel and - with Kyle's mother, Humelia, following behind him - Humelia.

　Yumelia decided that she needed to manipulate the young tree of the holy tree and let Ricorne ride it.

Umelia, are you sure you're okay?

　Noel, who was worried about a stiff and nervous Yumelia, also looked nervous.

　Yumelia nodded awkwardly.

''Da, I'm fine!　Besides, Kyle will be riding with me.

　Accompanied by Marie, Kyle would also board the ship.

　When we headed to the airship's boarding area of the royal palace, I saw the figure of Angier there - along with the figure of Marier.

''Angel,''

　Livia was a little surprised to see him.

◇

　When Marier came to the front of the ramp to board the Ricornes, he was met by Angelica, who was there.

　Dressed in a saint's costume, Marier was not a fan of Angelica.

　Kyle and Cara, behind Marie, were troubled by Angelica.

　After all, Marie had a history of stealing her fiancé from Angelica.

　This is someone who has always been a sharp-eyed person to meet.

　I don't know what he is going to say even now.

　As Marie was about to get into Ricorne, she was stopped by Angier.

'Wait. I need to talk to you for a moment.

　Marie put her feet back on the ramp and turned back to Angelica.

'What?'　If you want to complain, I'll hear about it when I get back.

　What will they say?

　That's what Marie thought, but inwardly, I didn't care what he said.

(I messed up this guy's life, didn't I? Then I should at least listen to him complain.)

　I don't know what happens next.

　Then Angelica grabbed her left elbow with her right hand and lowered her gaze to ask Marie to do so.

　Marie was a little jealous that doing so would accentuate her large breasts.

'Ricorne needs your help. Please - I need you to help Rion. I can't be of any use from here on out.'

　The three most important ones were Livia, Noel - and Marie.

　Creare had finished refurbishing the equipment so that Livia alone could make it work perfectly.

　There was nothing Angelica could do to help.

　Marie was disappointed and dismayed when she was asked to do so.

'I'll do my best even if you don't tell me. But more importantly, why do you ask me to do it?　I'm not a hateful person, as far as you're concerned.

　As she was told, Angelica smiled at Marie for the first time.

　It was a smile without any kind of backstory.

'I've hated you many times. But I have you to thank for it.'

Gratitude?

'It's because of you that I met Rion and Libya. Leon is more important to me now than His Highness Julius. I would bow to anyone for that Rion.

　Marie looks down.

(--what's the matter with you, you're a badass daughter. --You're a really badass b*tc*. I'm so miserable.

　She used to think that she had beaten Angelica - that she had taken Julius away from her.

　This ugliness of himself disgusted Marie.

　Besides, Julius, who had chosen him, lost his position as the crown prince because of it.

　From Marier's point of view, he had just brought a lot of people into the world because of himself.

　A lot of people were unhappy.

(Ah, I'm a useless woman after all. It's no wonder they're all gathering around a bunch of bad men.

　Marie looked up and her chest heaved as she looked up.

　She put up her best vanity as best she could.

'I'm going to help you, and I'm sure you'll win. I'm still a saint in this.'

　Angelica giggles.

'Oh, yes. I'll count on it.'

　Then Olivia, worried about Marie and Angelica, came running up to them.

'Angel!'

　Apparently, she thought Angelica was blaming Marie.

　But seeing Angelica smiling, Olivia is surprised.

'What's wrong?'

It's nothing. Better yet, let's just get in. You guys can take it from here.

　As Marie is about to get in, another person who has ruined her life comes along this time.

　-- Clarice.

　Seeing Clarice approaching, Marie is ready for a slap on the wrist.

　Clarice is Zilk's former fiancée - and this one, too, was broken off after Marie got her hands on Zilk.

　As Clarice is alarmed by this, she walks past Marie and talks to Angelica.

'Angelica, you don't have to get in on this too.

Don't stop. --I want to stay with Leon.

Do you have any idea where you are?

I'm sorry, but it was my decision.

Huh? All right. Anyway, be prepared for that when you get back. You'll be so busy for a while that you won't have time to sleep.

　Clarice's hands were smudged with ink, as if she was helping the civilian officials with their work.

　Clarice waved her hand away.

'I'm busy, so I'll see you off. Make sure you come back properly.

　As Clarice was leaving, she passed by Marie on her way out.

　Then Clarice muttered.

'You need to come back, too. I have a lot to say to you.

　Marie looks down and clutches her wand.

(Why aren't any of these guys more - or less - disgusting?)

　It would have saved even Marie's heart if she had shown more of the female doldrums.

　She can't help but feel like she looks ugly.

　Marie looks up at the sky.

(--But that's fine. Even I can be useful, even if I'm like this, and I know that the only ones left are all good kids. (Brother - you should definitely survive this time.)

　Convinced that Rion is happy in this world, Marie turns her feet to the ramp.

　Kyle was nervous.

'We'll win this time, won't we?'

　Kara is acting stoutly.

''We can win. Marie-sama will help you, and Duke Baldfalt is serious about it. I'm sure he'll beat the Empire.''

　He would like to think so.

　Kara seemed to be telling herself.

　Marie carried her staff and then turned to them.

'Don't worry, you'll win, I promise. More importantly, Kyle is going to make sure your mother follows through.

'What?　And, but,

　Though embarrassed, Kyle is more concerned about Umelia.

'You, I don't know how long I'm going to be able to stay with my parents.

Yes, I know.

　Marier sees Kyle heading towards Humelia and gets into Ricorne.

　Kara worries about Marie.

'Lady Marie?　Isn't today different?　I mean, it's kind of--

Same as always. More importantly, you have a lot to think about with Kara. I can't marry her if she's with me all the time.

'No!　I'll be by Marie-sama's side the whole time!

You should really think about your own well-being.

'My happiness is that I'm with Marie-sama!

　Marie smiles at Kara, who smiles and says so, and smiles at her.

　Kyle points to the sky.

'Master!　It's an airship in the temple!

　When Marie looked up at the sky, she saw an airship with the saint's flag flying alongside the temple's flag.

　There weren't many of them, but it was as many as the temple side could scrape together.

(Those guys would be joining in.)

　Marie held up her staff to those airships.

◇

　I was about to board the airship to leave.

　And then... I was about to board the airship.

"You guys.

　-- it was friends from the school.

　Daniel crossed his arms.

'You're late, Leon.'

　Raymond adjusts his glasses with his index finger and calls out to me.

'I've gotten tired of waiting,'

　Everyone else looks embarrassed, too.

'You guys - why are you here?　You didn't run away?

　The group of people who were given the most cold shoulder not long ago were my group of friends.

　They bowed down to the girls to get them to marry me, and yet they were mocked and not taken seriously as country aristocrats.

　They were definitely the ones who got the most bang for their buck with the kingdom's policies.

　It was hard to believe they would be involved in a fight like this.

　Daniel patted himself on the chest.

'I've got you. If you win this time and get a medal, you'll be a foil.'

　I say those things, but you'll soon find out that I'm lying.

　I told him properly that I had a low chance of winning.

'You're an idiot. No one will blame you for running away.

　Raymond seemed to be taken aback by this.

'I'm not doing it for Leon,' he said. I'm only joining because it's better for me to join. Besides, I think I'll survive if I stay by Leon's side.

　It sounds like a shrewd thing to say, but it was also a lie.

'-- You've got a better chance of dying if you're near me. Don't you guys know that?

　They all looked at each other, and then looked resigned.

　And then they were laughing.

　Daniel squared his shoulders with me.

'Idiot!　I know that much. But, you know - I've abandoned you so many times before. If we abandoned you this time, we'd really be trash, wouldn't we?

You guys...

　Raymond takes off his glasses.

'There's the dueling frenzy and all that other stuff. Besides, I'm going to continue to owe Leon a lot and I'm afraid I'll have to ingratiate myself with him.

　I scratch my hair.

"Don't be so sure,

　Daniel and Raymond nodded and everyone around them laughed.

'Of course!'

I don't want to die.