After asking Eiri to stay with us, Lucas and I joined Fegnis and the four knights who were waiting outside the barrier with Eva.

 

"Usato-sama, where do we go from here?"

"The curse is close to the throne, so let's move closer. Fegnis, is it okay if I ask for guidance? Actually...... I don't know how to get to the throne, so I'm ......."

「...... I get it."

 

I asked Mr. Fegnis, who had approached me and Master Lucas, and he gave instructions to the knights behind him, and began to walk towards the castle with him in the lead.

Enter the castle from the garden where the barrier is located, and walk along the passage illuminated by the light of the magic tool.

 

"Usato, I don't know what to ask now...... What does the curse look like? I've heard about it from Eili, but it's too abstract to understand right now."

"That's right......

 

Lucas's question made me glance sideways at Eva before remembering last night.

The appearance of those skeletons...... To put it simply, it is a skeleton with only the upper body, and a collar is attached to its neck, and a chain extends from it.

 

"A pitiful soul chained...... Is it?"

"Is it a chain, or is it a curse cast by a sorcerer?"

"Maybe, yes, they're Eva's...... They want the living bodies of Samaritan royalty. Their grudges against those who have lost their lives for selfish reasons are very strong, and at the same time, they want to be free from the curse that has bound them to the land of Samaria for hundreds of years. It can be said that these two wishes have been muddled and that Eva is now in this state......

 

When I said that, Eva gave me a sad look.

 

"Poor people, aren't they?"

「...... That's right."

 

I said the same thing as Nea, but in this case, the meaning is different because her life is in danger because of those poor people.

Still, I think it's the kindness of this child that makes me feel pity.

 

"One last thing, and this is what I found out when I was fighting them, they were looking for a hero. If we can capture the hero, our souls will be freed and we will be free."

"Does that make you free?"

"I don't know, but if that happens, I'm going to be tied up by Samaria because I'm mistaken for a hero, and there's a good chance that Eva will disappear as well."

「......」

 

Lucas, whose expression was distorted as if he didn't want to imagine it, held Eva again.

 

"Hmm? Wait, you're not a hero, even if you have extraordinary power. Why did the curse react?"

"That's ......."

 

Is it good? I said it right here where "he" was.

Nea has been told not to make things worse until she goes to destroy the curse...... No, it's the other way around. I have to say it here.

I made up my mind and showed Lucas the small knife on my belt.

 

"Here's why."

"Usato, why do you have it?"

「......」

 

Lucas has a surprising face.

Seeing his reaction, I called out to Mr. Fegnis, who was walking in front of me.

 

"Mr. Fegnis, you said it before, didn't you? This is an out-of-this-world sword."

「...... Yes, indeed."

"Hahaha, come on, Fegnis, did you give it to me? No matter how reliable Usat is, he is not from this country. What's more, it's unheard of to return a weapon in a castle, right?"

 

Lucas laughs as he talks to Fegnis, but he still doesn't turn around.

I turn to Lucas again.

 

"Lucas, I want to check, is this knife the one you have allowed me to give you?"

"No, no, no......?"

"So, is it okay to return this without permission?"

"Even though I trust you, Eva is close to me, and I can't give it to you without permission."

 

In other words, it's Fegnis's own decision.

...... You better be vigilant. The knights around him can't be trusted if they're Fegnis's subordinates.

 

"Lucas, please step down."

"Hmm, what's wrong?"

「......」

 

He stops Lucas with his hand and stops in his tracks.

I kept my gaze on Fegnis, who had stopped like us.

 

"Usato, aren't we going to destroy the curse now? What the hell is going on......

"Things have changed, and it could be rough, so please hold Eva tightly."

 

Cautiously, he slowly moved away from Fegnis and the knights.

The knights seem to be upset, but I can't tell if it's because of my actions or from something else.

 

"Please don't go near us, or we'll beat you up without question."

 

Threaten them with words alone without taking a stance.

I still don't have any animosity towards the knights. Now, the only one with clear suspicion is Ms. Fegnis, who still has her back on her.

 

"Usato-san, are you okay...... Is it?"

 

Eva, who was behind me, spoke to me anxiously.

I reply as gently as I can without looking back.

 

"yes, don't worry, no matter what happens from now on, I'll protect you and Lucas."

 

If it's really Nair's misconception, that's fine.

But if Mr. Fegnis is doing what Nea is talking about, I will never be able to leave it to him.

That's why we're going to find out if he's an ally or an enemy from now on.

 

"The suspicion I have about you right now may just be a mistake, and I hope I can...... Lucas's earlier remarks deepened my suspicions."

 

Why did you return the knife to me without permission?

When you think about it, it was insane. No matter how much I am recognized as a trustworthy person, it is not normal to hand over swords in a castle.

Especially if you're close to Eva, the princess.

 

"Why did you give me this knife back?"

「......」

"Could it be that you are a cursed evil dragon and a hero...... No, didn't you understand the curse more deeply than Lucas?"

「......」

「...... Assuming you know that and give it back to me...... Do you mean that you were okay with Eva being in danger?"

「......」

 

Silence on all questions.

Lucas and Eva, who had stepped back, seemed to have finally grasped the situation, and they were gasping for breath while muttering in disbelief.

 

"Did you give it to me on your own accord, or did you give it to me out of kindness, and if you don't make it clear here and now—I can't trust you."

 

He lowers his eyes and says so.

Then Fegnis pressed her hand to her eyes.

 

"Before we do that, may I ask you one question?"

「...... What is it?"

"Is it real?"

「......」

 

It's already confirmed. The fact that he wants to know the identity of this small knife, rather than proving his innocence, is because Mr. Fegnis has a reason and value to ask it.

I thrust the knife in my hand forward and opened my mouth.

 

"This is a sword that a true hero handled."

「......! ...... Kuku"

 

Fegnis's shoulders tremble heavily as she turns her back to him.

 

"Hahahaha Or so it seems! After all, I wasn't wrong!"

 

I was horrified to see him laughing with joy, unlike his calm and polite appearance so far.

 

"At first, it was just speculation, the sword he was carrying! I never thought that a swing that had been missing for hundreds of years would be found in this form......!"

"Usato...... As for me...... Are you dreaming?"

 

Lucas is shocked to see the sudden change in Fegnis.

Even though I was only watching from the sidelines, it seemed that there was a solid relationship of trust between Lucas and Fegnis. The sight of Mr. Fegnis, who he trusts, laughing as if he lacks his usual composure, must seem strange to Lucas.

 

"No, Master Lucas, this is not a dream."

 

The current Fegnis has a negative side that even Lucas didn't know about.

Now that the figure has been revealed...

 

"Mr. Fegnis deliberately induced the curse to be activated...... He's our enemy."

 

She clenches her fists and glares at him, who is still elated in front of her.

He was overwhelmed with joy and didn't seem to care about our agitation.

 

"It's amazing...... My family's long-cherished wish is finally coming true! I can't believe that a person who has the same hometown as the hero will be chosen! And it's in my generation! I've never been so lucky!!"

"My clan, ......."

 

The king tried to bind the hero to the country...... I don't think so.

Then there is only one answer.

 

"You're a descendant of a sorcerer who tried to cast a spell on a hero, aren't you?"

"Yes, you are right, he is the one who should be a hero. He has a great eye."

 

A sorcerer who was executed after the activation of witchcraft.

Lucas said that only the king at that time was fascinated by the hero, but there was no reason why a sorcerer who activated sacrificial magic was not normal.

There was one more person who was fascinated by the power of the hero.

 

"What...... Oh, no way...... You're ......."

"I wasn't deceiving you, I wasn't learning magic just because I was a descendant...... If I had to say it, my father kept telling me how wonderful a hero was from a young age."

 

Fegnis, who said this to a startled Lucas, turned to look back.

His eyes were wide open, his teeth were bared, and his smile was unimaginable from his usual calm state.

 

"We respect the brave, and we want him to be the hope of the Samariars. For that hope, we kept the curse. And then you showed up in my place."

 

Mr. Fegnis points at me.

 

"Usato-sama, you are the one we need in this kingdom, you have the sword of a hero, and you stand against curses. He truly deserves the name of a brave man."

「...... I'm not a hero."

"But you have the qualities, and it is your sword that the curse has reacted to. However, it was none other than your power that overwhelmed the curse and even ripped Amatsu away from the princess."

 

Did you see me and the curse fighting?

Was it fortunate that she hadn't noticed that she was talking to Nea and using witchcraft?

 

"And the curse has ......recognized you as a hero, and if you were an ordinary person who could easily be trapped, I would have waited for the next hero to appear. But you showed your fighting spirit and fought! To save the princess! How can you say this without calling it noble!? I was convinced! You are absolutely necessary for this kingdom!"

 

His voice gradually became louder, and I felt a disgusting sweat.

It's fanatical. They only seek their own goals without considering the damage to those around them.

Is this the nature of Mr. Fegnis? There's no denying that it's gullible, as Nair said. It would have been nice if it was just a bad guy who came out.

But this person doesn't think he's evil. It's really bad of nature.

 

"Why...... Why...... Fegnis"

 

Lucas, agitated, asked Mr. Fegnis, his voice trembling.

Hearing these words, Fegnis calmed her emotions and smiled softly.

 

"O king, I have done nothing wrong. He is the one we need for Samariar. For the sake of this country, I have decided that I should bind him with a curse."

"That's not for you to decide!"

 

Lucas yelled at Mr. Fegnis in a hoarse voice.

He is quite shocked that Fegnis, whom he trusted, had betrayed him.

It's understandable that you can't stay calm.

 

"Did you know about the curse?"

"Yes, it's our clan's duty to protect the curse."

「...... Whew."

 

Lucas hesitated for a moment before continuing to ask a question.

 

"Did you manage to save Eliza? You know a curse that even royalty never knew...... Didn't you know how to remove that curse?"

 

Fegnis didn't argue with the words, just a sad expression.

 

"I was deeply saddened by Eliza."

 

...... What's that?

The attitude and expression as if it was unavoidable that Eva's mother had disappeared.

Lucas must have thought the same as I did, and his hand trembling as he held Eva in his arms, his voice hoarse.

 

「...... Is that all? You're the one closest to me...... Whew! You watched her life disappear! You who knew everything and just watched! Don't kid yourself, Fegnis! Was Eliza killed by a fanatic who was blinded by the hero? You took away the mother from this child!!"

"The curse is not evil, they just want to be free. If Usato-sama is bound to this country, his imprisoned soul will surely be freed. And they forgive the royal family of Samaria, and the curse disappears. Everything falls into place."

"I don't care about that nonsense! What will happen to my daughter!?"

"Unfortunately, there's nothing we can do about it."

 

At these words, Eva's hand trembles as she grips Lucas's clothes.

...... This person is absolutely incompatible with me.

Right now, just smiling in front of me makes me feel the urge to erase it from before my eyes.

 

"Whew."

 

...... Don't let your emotions get the best of you.

You don't have to fight.

Clenching his fists tightly, he desperately suppressed his emotions.

 

"King, don't be so presumptuous as to break the curse, the princess must be a necessary sacrifice for the future of Samaria."

"Oh?"

 

But those words made me unable to suppress my emotions.

What did this person say now?

Did I say necessary sacrifices?

Are you going to abandon her with such convenient words?

 

"If you're going to make me suffer any more, I'd better stay happy--"

 

I silently punched the stone wall that was within reach.

With a bang, a loud buzz enters and the window breaks. With that, Fegnis shut his mouth and put his hand on the sword at his waist.

 

"What's the point of being happy?"

「...... Huh?"

 

His voice was surprisingly low even for him, and Fegnis and the knights around him lowered their heads in fright.

Did you know if it was the Knight Commander?

I tried to convince him to cooperate, but that's enough.

The fool who says that it is a necessary sacrifice will not be able to return to normal unless he beats it once, right?

Then I'll beat that rotten.

 

「......」

 

I'm sure I'm looking angry right now.

I was so sharp that I knew it even if no one pointed it out.

 

"Usato, wait for me."

 

Just as I was about to clench my fists and look at Mr. Fegnis without question, I was stopped in my tracks by a voice from behind me.

If you look behind you, Lucas has a surprisingly calm expression.

 

"Thank you for being angry for Eva, but this is something I have to answer."

「...... I'm sorry, I couldn't stay calm."

To be honest, I was almost angry, but thanks to you, who was even angrier than me, I was able to calm down. ...... I'm so glad you're on my side. That's what I think from the bottom of my heart right now."

 

Lucas's words cooled his head and he shifted to the side so he could get a good look at Fegnis.

Lucas, who slowly took a step forward with Eva in his arms, spoke in a strong tone.

 

"Phegnis, I didn't become king for Samaria's sake. I became king for Eliza. ...... I became king because of her, and I did my best as a king because she told me that she loved this country. That's why she's gone...... I was supposed to be no king."

 

Lucas' gaze turns to Eva in his arms.

 

"But this child was born, and I knew it was going to be a tough fate, but I'm still so glad that he was born. So I thought I'd do my best as a king for him again. Hoping you to laugh like Eliza. I hope she is happy in this country."

"Father......"

"Now this is the reason why I should be king, not for the sake of Samariar."

 

Is that why Lucas became king?

It may be a little rude to think that he is like this person, but from my point of view, the appearance of Lucas overlapped with the figure of the king of the Ringle Kingdom, which he said was the ideal king.

 

"Fegnis, you are my enemy, I am sorry for you, who have been my right-hand man for many years, but from today you are a traitor."

"You don't want to change your mind?"

"Don't make me say it twice. The servant of the king allows it. Once you've cleared the way, I'm going to destroy the curse."

 

I stepped back and was a little disappointed in Lucas, who said that.

No, I don't care because I'm not going to let Lucas fight at all.

 

「...... Even so, it is impossible to break the curse. Even if Usato-sama has mastered magic, the magic here is special."

"You'll have to try."

 

I say this with my arms crossed, and she looks at me with the eyes of a pitiful person.

 

"Sure, you can do most things by yourself, and you have the strength and the will to do it, but you can't do anything about it—after all, you're alone."

 

Fegnis raised his hand up, and the knights around him silently drew their swords.

After all, it was the people who were breathing under the breath of Mr. Fegnis, the knights who had followed.

Well, I kind of knew what Fegnis was saying when I was watching it quietly without being surprised.

 

"No matter how powerful you are, there is only so much you can do alone."

"Ha, hahaha......"

 

Oh okay then? Does this person think I'm going to deal with the curse alone?

That's why he was strangely bullish from the beginning.

Anyway, I can't destroy the curse, and I'm going to focus on Lucas and Eva and try to defeat me when I show an opening, but it's too sweet.

 

"Hahahaha......"

"Woo, Usato-san?"

"Usato, did you get too angry and go crazy?"

"No, it's not that it's crazy, it's just that it's a masterpiece ......."

 

Eva and Lucas, who are confused, wave their hands to the side and look forward, telling Lucas not to worry.

It's true that I can't do everything by myself. When you're about to lose, you need someone else's help.

The same is true of the curse this time.

On my own, I would have been trapped in the curse with Ava by now.

Not now because I have friends.

 

"What's wrong?"

"What's wrong? Now that the boring talk is over, is the next step is the use of force? It's a big clan, and it's the ones who kept the vicious curse alive. After all, you just want to fulfill your own desires, how can you not laugh at this?"

「...... Whew!"

 

What a brave man.

What is the mission of the family.

What's for Samariar?

You're willing to sacrifice the most important things for that.

 

"Mr. Fegnis, you have made three mistakes."

"What is it?"

"First, there are no necessary sacrifices."

 

I don't call sacrifices that make someone sad necessary.

I will never allow peace to be built on sacrifice.

 

"And the second thing is that I'm not a big hero."

 

Why should I be a hero when there are real heroes?

For me, the lifesaving team is the best fit.

 

「...... What is the third one?"

 

As I was about to respond to Mr. Fegnis's words, a black owl jumped on my shoulder without a sound from the darkness behind me.

I giggled at the owl that squealed as if it were going to miss out~, and I looked at Mr. Fegnis again and proudly said the words.

 

"It means I'm not alone."

 

At that moment, a red light different from the light of the moon shone from the window on the side of me and Mr. Fegnis.

Eyes widened in astonishment as Mr. Peggnis and the knights saw the huge bell in the tower of Samaria being cut in half in the bright red heat.

At the sight of Mr. Fegnis and the knights in dismay, I smiled mischievously.

 

"Now, I've destroyed your precious hopes, can you still afford it?"

 

―――That's what I said.