Today's exchange game was a very fruitful event for me.

Through working with Mr./Ms. Hyde, he carefully taught me what I was lacking and how to deal with various weapons, and I was able to clarify future issues.

I also worked with the knights of the Kingdom of Kamherio and the sky-blue knights of Samaria, but each of them had their own unique fighting style, and there were many things to learn when they came to face each other.

It was the evening of the day after the exchange game.

After dinner and meetings, I lay down on my bed at the inn and thought about what was said in the previous meeting.

 

"Tomorrow will be the end of the meeting."

 

If nothing happens, the talks will end tomorrow.

If there were any obstacles or conflicts, it would have been a few days long, but with the sense of crisis against the Demon King army in each kingdom being higher than expected, and with Lucas-sama assisting the meeting to go smoothly, it seems that the meeting will be completed sooner than expected.

In a situation where the Demon King's army could attack at any time, it was desirable for us to be able to finish the meeting early.

While I was thinking about this, there was a sudden knock on the door of my room.

 

「…… Hmm? Is it Kazuki?"

 

Or is it a senior? No, the senior said, "Woosa-to-kun!" It's different because they call out through the door like an elementary school field trip.

Tilting his head, he put his hand on the doorknob of the room and opened it.

 

"Hey, Usato, I'm here to play."

 

A person who is too unexpected appears in front of him, and he reflexively closes the door and slaps his cheek hard.

Huh? Did I see it in my dreams? I feel like Lucas came to my room dressed roughly.

I even heard auditory hallucinations that I was here to play.

After taking a deep breath, I slowly opened the door and saw Lucas with a big smile on his .......

 

"Hey, Usato! I'm here to play!"

"What are you doing, ......?"

 

Lucas smiles like a child who has succeeded in his mischief.

 

"This is a traditional technique that is only allowed to royalty, called 'Incognito Dokkiri.'"

"There is no such traditional technique!"

"Oh, don't worry! I've got a good bodyguard."

 

I don't think that's the problem

Why is this person so free?

No, I'm really grateful that Lucas made the meeting go off without a hitch.

 

"Speaking of which, what's Eva doing?"

"Oh, I ...... that girl."

 

As I tilt my head, I can hear a conversation in the hallway through the open door.

 

"Good evening! Mr./Ms. Suzune! Let's deepen our friendship!'

"Woooooooooooo

 

"I'm going to play with Suzune right now."

"Oh, I see."

 

Why is it so easy to imagine that the senior is purified by Eva's innocence?

For the time being, while cheering on the seniors who will be swayed by Eva and the eva who is trying to get along with the seniors, I invite Lucas into the room.

 

"Here you go."

"Hahaha, you don't have to be so afraid, I'm the one who pushed you."

"No, even if you pull it out, you're a superior......

 

Pull out a table and chairs to the center of the room and invite Lucas to sit in the prepared chair.

I said no, and then sat down on a chair across from him.

 

"First of all, let me tell you what I think of today's exchange game, to put it simply, I'm relieved that you're still the same."

"Oh, it's still ......."

 

No, it wasn't the same.

Earlier, in front of Lucas-sama, he had subdued several knights with healing magic bullets and bare hands, and even though he had killed him at first sight and had Nea's assistance, he had sunk Mr./Ms., the strongest knight in the kingdom.

 

"I came to you today because I had something I wanted to talk to you about."

"If you're talking, I'd ...... you come in the daytime."

"It's a little bit complicated in this case, and you can't do it in the presence of irrelevant people."

 

You can't do it where there are irrelevant people...... Does that mean it's relevant to me?

The only thing that comes to mind is the curse of Samarian and the previous hero, Eva.

The rest...... Do you mean Mr./Ms. Fegnis?

 

"You may have a few guesses, but I want to talk about Fegnis."

「…… What is he doing now?"

"I'm in prison, I'm calmer than I was after the incident, but I still don't want to speak."

 

In prison?

No wonder considering what he has done...... However, Lucas's expression is somewhat sad when he talks about it.

 

"Yes, he sinned, and even though he knew the curse existed, he overlooked Eliza disappearing, and in the end he sacrificed Ava and tried to bind you to Samaria."

"That's right."

 

For Samariar.

That was Mr./Ms.'s purpose.

But I, too, have a grave mission, and above all, I have destroyed what he has protected in order to prevent Eva from being sacrificed, freeing the souls of those who have been bound by the curse that has been held back for hundreds of years.

 

"I certainly shouldn't forgive him for that, but at the same time, I still think of him as a friend."

「……」

"Even if I was betrayed or deceived, I can't change the memory of how he helped me rule the country."

 

I thought at the time, but Lucas and Mr./Ms. were really best friends.

For that reason, while he is shocked that he betrayed himself, he is somehow unable to hate him.

 

"Usato, I want to ask you, who were involved at that time. As for me...... Can I forgive him, Fegnis?"

 

It's not something I should answer easily, so after thinking about it for a while, I choose my words as much as I can and respond.

 

"I will tell you that he had his own beliefs, and no matter how distorted his means, what he was trying to do must have been for the sake of the people of Samaria, not for his own self-interest. That's why I forgive or don't forgive...... I think we should have a conversation."

 

It is too irresponsible to just talk to them and make up with them.

Even if Lucas forgives Mr./Ms. for what he did, the people around him may not. But even so, nothing starts without talking.

I didn't forgive him for sacrificing Eva, but if he wants to take the right path after talking to Lucas, I accept his decision without saying a word.

 

"Yes, that's exactly right, I should have known it myself, but I couldn't put it into action. …… Maybe I just wanted you to give me a boost."

"What, to me?"

"Ah, after all, only a limited number of people know the whole story of that case, and I wanted to hear your answer from someone who knows everything."

 

As if a weight had been lifted off his shoulders, a smile on his face led Lucas as he leaned back against the backrest.

 

"In fact, I told Eva the same thing as you."

"What is she?"

"'What do you think, not me?' That's what I was told. She didn't hold a grudge against Fegnis from the beginning. I think there was a little bit of a feeling about him, but there's something more to him than that."

 

Maybe.

Now, Eva has access to the outside world, which she has not been allowed to know for more than a dozen years. There will be a lot of things you don't know about everything you see, so it should be so much fun that you don't have time to hold grudges against people.

In the first place, I couldn't imagine that she would hold a grudge against people at all.

 

"It was worth the patience to come here."

"Kai...... I can't say anything that witty......

"No, talking to you as a friend gave me the courage to step forward."

 

…… Before Mr./Ms. was put in prison, I wonder if he was consulted by Lucas?

If that's the case, I'm glad I was able to help, even though I can't replace him.

 

"Well, if I stay too long, you won't be able to calm down, so I'll go home soon."

"Oh, yes."

 

Lucas sits up, and I stand up.

Perhaps, after the meeting tomorrow, all the kingdoms will be busy preparing for the battle with the Demon King's army. Lacking the knighthood of Mr./Ms. Fegnis, Samaria will be particularly busy.

 

"Master Lucas, if there's anything I can do to help, I'll be able to help you in any way I can, so don't overdo it—"

"Eh, then take over from me--"

"When you leave, please come from here!"

 

I had a feeling that the story was going to get complicated, so I stood up first, walked to the door of the room, and put my hand on the door.

It was said in a very light way, but ...... eyes were serious! I wasn't caught off guard or careless at all......

I pulled the door open in a cold sweat and met Eva's eyes with Eva, who was holding up her hand as if she was about to knock.

 

"Woo, Usato Mr./Ms......."

"Oh, yes, Eva, did you come to call Lucas?"

"Yes."

 

Eva and I, who suddenly had eyes, stepped back a little and looked away.

Then, I wondered if she had come with her, but the senior behind her pressed her mouth and panicked as if she was shocked.

 

"Well, this is an event where you unintentionally make eye contact the moment you open the door and are embarrassed by each other......!?"

 

Excuse me. It was so fast and so long that I couldn't hear about half of it.

Thanks to my seniors, I regained my composure and shifted to the side so that Lucas could pass.

 

"Eva, I'm going home first, but what are you going to do?"

"Um, can I stay at Mr./Ms.'s place?"

 

Eh, to your seniors?

When I looked at my senior, he gave me a thumbs up with a refreshing smile.

However, if you look closely, you can see that the knees are shaking and shaking.

What on earth is it that makes it so groggy?

Or rather, did you get permission from Mr./Ms. Welsey? No, it's surprisingly messy, so I guess I got permission before I came here.

 

"Oh, I don't mind, Suzune, I'll ask for this girl."

"Yes, but I think it would be better to have an escort for the time being......"

"Oh, then don't worry, they're always in a position to protect Eva."

 

Do you mean the sky-blue knights?

It is lurking in a position where it can be defended...... Right.

I casually look around and find a few figures peeking at me from around the corner.

 

"Princess, after Usato-sama, there ...... a second friend!"

"Don't cry! We are the princess's bodyguards......!"

"With eyes wet with tears, you can't protect ...... princess! Bear with me!'

 

I don't think it's lurking when I can see a few people from the corner. I thought it was a suspicious person because he wasn't wearing armor, but I could immediately tell from the faint voice that it was a knight of Eva's bodyguard.

Did you notice my situation, or is it lurking (?) Lucas shifted his gaze to the guards and nodded as if to say that he had left the rest to them.

 

"That's it, Usato, you don't have to worry about the guards."

"Oh, is that so......?"

"Eva, I'll send you tomorrow before the meeting begins. It's okay to have fun, but don't bother the rabbits."

"Yes!"

 

She replied happily, and Lucas nodded in satisfaction before leaving with another guard who was waiting nearby.

 

"Usato-kun, what are you going to do now?"

"No, what are you going to do...... I'm going back to my room."

"No, no, there's Eva too."

 

That's true, though.

As I was wondering what to do, Eva, who had been watching our exchange, called out to me.

 

"Well, if it doesn't bother you, I'd like to hear about Mr./Ms.'s trip!"

"It's about traveling, and there's no shortage of topics to talk about, which would be nice. What about seniors?"

"I don't mind at all, I'll invite Kazuki-kun too. It would be more fun if there were more people to talk to."

 

Okay, let's go get Kazuki. At this time, I don't think I've slept yet.

With that in mind, he invites Eva and Senpai into the room, and then goes to call Kazuki.

I thought it wouldn't be a bad idea to get together like this and deepen our friendship.