The airship's hangar.

　Lined up there - including Aroganz, were refurbished armor.

''Oh, this thing is awesome.''

　As I watch with admiration, Luxion, who is floating near my right shoulder, explains.

''The armor used in the Republic has been refurbished to the limit. Also, as for the Aroganz, additional armor has been installed.

　If we were to put it that way, it's dressed like a "full armor arrogant".

　The usual Allogants were fitted with armor-like armor plates, and various weapons were mounted on them.

　And the armor of Julius and the others was lined up around it.

　This is the armor that Luxion had refurbished and made it have a performance close to the Aroganz.

　There are five fools in the hangar.

　Like me, they're wearing pilot suits, but--

'I don't feel good unless I'm wearing a loincloth and a happily-ever-afters style.

　-- and it's Gregg in a twisted bowl who agrees with a depressed Chris who says that.

　They're both wearing a festive happily-ever-after vest instead of the same vest I'm wearing.

'I've got a new loincloth for the occasion, but it won't do you any good because you won't be able to see it.

　Where have these guys gone off the beaten path?

　Brad, for example, is wearing a cape and silk hat.

'You guys just want to take it off,'

　As I was shaking my head in disgust, Chris and Greg began to protest furiously.

'You're not naked!　Wear a loincloth properly!

'Don't talk like a perv!　Besides, you're more of a pervert in your outfit than I am!

　Brad is furious.

'You're trying to tell me this magician style is weird!

　They were the three of us in May.

　Zilk and others had brought a tea set into the hangar and were enjoying a cup of tea.

　This also gave off a terribly subtle scent.

'Gentlemen, why don't you calm down a bit?　But still, Baldfalt - no, Rion, why did you prepare five armor?

　There are five pieces of armor other than the Allogants.

　But there were only four of them here, including me.

''Oh, this guy--''

　As I try to tell him why I prepared it, I hear the sound of steady footsteps in the hangar.

　The one who appears - it's Julius.

　However, wearing a mask and a cape - if a stranger saw this place, they would suspect it was a costume convention.

''That plane belongs to me.

　The masked man gives off an air of having come out at the right time.

''It's been a while, gentlemen. Let me here lend a hand too.

　Then Gregg stands on his knees and crosses his arms.

'What are you doing here, you perverted knight!

"The Masked Knight!　Don't make a mistake there!

　I watch the exchange and shrug my shoulders.

'How long am I going to be able to show you this travesty?

My heart goes out to you.

　I've got a lot of sympathy for Luxion.

　Zilk stands up.

'Who on earth are you?　What if it's an Imperial spy?

'It's a shame you're spying on the Empire. I'm on your side.

　Brad is also wary.

'We don't know where you're coming from. Besides, it's before an important mission, so the less anxious you are, the better.

　These guys don't know who the masked knights are, and they doubt their origins.

　--Seriously, they are seriously stupid.

　Chris takes the sword in his hand.

'Masked knight, let's see your true face.

　I sit down on a nearby box and order from Luxion.

'I'm hungry. Do you have anything light to eat?

That's before the battle.

It could be our last meal. What do you have?

"It doesn't sound like a joke. --I'll bring you a rice ball.

I like that one.

　As Luxion leaves, I watch the farce of the five fools.

　A masked knight with a sword pointed at him put his hand on the mask.

''-- Your concerns are understandable. So I shall show you my sincerity as well.

　Taking off his mask, Julius shook his head and shook his hair.

　I envy beautiful women because they are so picturesque no matter what they do.

　The four of them gasped.

　The first to open his mouth was Julius's milk brother, Jilk.

'So, Your Highness,'

　Julius smiles.

'The masked knight is--I'm the one.

　Chris lowers his sword.

'I didn't expect the masked knight to be His Highness.

　You really didn't see that coming?　Hey, is that okay?

　As I watched, tsking in my mind, Brad put his hand to his chin and began to reason.

'I see. If you think about it, His Highness is the only one who can move at the right time for the masked knight to come out. He knows a lot about us, and it makes sense that he'd show up in front of us at the best possible time.

　Yeah, you're right.

　I wish I'd figured it out sooner.

　Isn't it actually the kindness of these guys that they are aware of it and are doing it by pretending they don't know?　And I've even escaped reality at times.

　But these guys always betrayed my expectations at an angle.

　Greg was stunned.

''--Julius was a masked knight?

　Julius rakes a hand through his bangs and then turns serious.

'I'm going to fight with you guys.

　Greg rubs his finger under his nose.

'Heh!　Do what you want. Besides, it doesn't bother me that Julius is here now.

　For some reason, it gives off the vibe of an emotional scene, but to the rest of us, it's just a farce.

　However, I'm a little skeptical that Greg's now Julius is - I'm not sure.

　Julius could have been the crown prince again because his brother Jake ran for a man and abandoned his position.

　Well, I hear Roland has a lot of children, so I'm sure he'll choose his heir carefully if this battle goes off without a hitch.

　I really hope they choose him seriously, based on the failures of Julius and Jake.

　While I was watching the farce of the five of them, Luxion brought in a rice ball.

　He also properly prepared green tea.

''Master, I've brought you some.''

Thanks. Mmm, here you go.

　It's just salt and seaweed, but somehow it's good.

　As I was eating it deliciously, Julius and the others were looking at me.

''What is it?''

No, I was just wondering what you're eating.

Onigiri.

Onigiri?　Can I have one?

　Five of them came together in a huddle and started eating my onigiri.

　No, there are a lot of them, and I don't mind eating them separately, but - these guys, they're so brazen.

　Zilk's eyes narrowed.

''--It's a strange feeling, isn't it?

　He said he felt weird about onigiri.

　He was rude.

　Brad is the same way.

"It's sticky.

　Don't eat it if you don't want to.

　Greg ate one as he swallowed, then nodded his head.

'It's an unusual food. But wouldn't this be better if it was just a piece of bread or something?

　I answer Greg as I reach for my third rice ball.

'That's my soul food. If you make fun of me, I'm going to kick you off the boat.

　Then Chris, whose glasses were clouded by the steam from the rice balls, looked happy.

'So you mean it's also Marie's soul food. Mm, good to know.

　These guys, everything is by Marie's standards, right?

　As I'm eating in silence, Julius asks me.

'Rion, aren't you going to tell Angelica and the others that story?

　That story, the one about the reincarnation, I guess.

"Angers are sensitive, unlike you guys. I'm not telling you about it because I don't want you to worry about it at this point in time.

　Julius looks at me and looks sad.

'I'd like to know who you like, though. I was really happy when Marie told me what was going on.

　When I tell people about reincarnation, they don't usually believe me.

"You're crazy. Normally I wouldn't believe you. But then again, how could you let Marie in when you were told she was a reincarnation?

　It worked out in the end, but it was an unintentional statement.

　He should have hidden it better.

　Jilk was drinking the green tea Luxion had prepared for him.

'We're in love with Marie-san now. I was surprised to hear about the reincarnationist thing, but so what?　That's about it.

　Greg nodded as he ate his third rice ball.

'Yeah. We fell in love with what's inside Marie!

That's an old lady with a bad character inside. Are you guys sure you're okay?

　Don't all of these guys see what's in that guy?

　It's a knothole of humanity by all accounts.

　When I think about it, I start to worry.

　Only, Brad disagrees with me.

'It's not what you look like or how old you are. Besides, Marie is a good woman.

　How could he say so much about Marie?

　When I was truly stunned, Chris looked embarrassed.

''The mysterious part of her with all sorts of things to hide was good, but isn't it great that she knows about her past life? After all, Marie is an amazing woman.

　Ummm, these guys are too stupid.

　They're so stupid - I'm relieved.

I'm relieved. Well, you keep an eye on him, all right? --Stay out of trouble.

　Julius was embarrassed when he said this.

'Oh, don't worry. We'll protect Marie. Rion--brother-in-law.''

''Oh, brother-in-law!''

　Julius nodded his head in surprise.

'Because, you know,' said Julius, 'you're my brother-in-law. If you're Marie's brother, you're our brother-in-law. I'm counting on you, brother-in-law!

Stop!　It gives me goosebumps!

　Then the five of them grinned at me and said, "Brother-in-law! Brother-in-law! I'll tell you what.

　I was a fool for believing these guys.

　I knew these guys were just stupid.

◇

　I climb into the cockpit of the Aroganz.

　As Luxion's child climbed aboard with me, he explained my new power suit.

　It didn't look the same, but it had a backpack on its back.

'Master, I'm setting the enhancement pills in the backpack on my back. Please speak to me when you use it. Also, I will inject the neutralizing agent within enough time after use.''

Is that enough?

''The master's body can't take any more of it. Normally, you shouldn't have used this medicine.''

You feel like a hero for ten minutes. I like it.

　If I use the potion, it will have a fast effect and boost my own ability.

''--Don't use it haphazardly. Normally, it's a dangerous thing to use it even once.

Don't worry. I'll choose when to use it.

　After all, the Empire has Finn, and it's not surprising that there are similar knights in the Empire.

''Well, I'm a little uncomfortable with the fact that it's only three times.

　When he said this, he felt Luxion was more angry than usual.

''Don't think about it a third time. There is a risk of losing your life even if you use it once. If I deem it dangerous, I will use my judgment--''

I'm sorry. Luxion, that's an order. Don't make any sudden stops.

"Master.

　Watching Luxion mutter in a somewhat sad voice, I thought this guy was full of emotion.

''Sorry. Don't stop me for once.''

'Are you sure this is the only time?　The master is a liar and cannot be trusted.'

You have a really bad character.

　While talking foolishly, I look down and ask Luxion to take care of the future.

''--I'm sorry, but if anything happens to me, you'll take care of the rest. I'm worried about everyone else.

I refuse.

　I didn't expect to come here and be rejected.

You've always done that--

'Something about the Master already means that I don't exist. Therefore, if you want to protect everyone, the Master has to survive.

　He opens his mouth in surprise, then puts his hand directly over his face and laughs loudly.

''You were going to have a heart attack with me!

　When I laughed at him, Luxion shook one eye and showed a feeling of yare yare.

''It's wishful thinking. It's just - if anything happens to the master, Clairele will take care of it.''

I see. Well, that's a relief to hear.

　I'm really relieved.

'Then all that's left to do is sink the enemy's cheat weapons and end it all. I'm sorry, but you're going to have to help me with that.

　Only this time, Luxion will not be safe.

　And Luxion is aware of that.

''If I'm not there, Master won't be able to fight satisfactorily, will he?

'You say it too. In a situation like this, you need to get a feel for the mood and say a line that sounds like it.

'The seriousness of the atmosphere does not suit our master.

It must be!

　Compared to Julius and the others, I'm just a gag, even if I'm dressed up as a mob at best.

　Laughing, then I close my mouth and wait for my time to come.