She shouted at Sirius Vermillion, her father and the current King.
"You think that such an assault is allowed for your adolescent daughter that turned 15 already!? This is exactly that case!"
"…fu, and so you hide your embarrassment by turning your face deep red? You're not being honest."
"I'm angry! You truly are inconsiderate!"
Stella said and sighed in a great way.
What a way to reunite with her father after several months.
Even if she was extremely reluctant.
Then, from the side of Stella.
"Papaa〜?"
A voice like a curse resounded.
'Ah…'
This is bad, she was already moving when Stella turned her face to the side.
She, Astraea, put both hands on the face of Sirius who fell to one of his knees as he was hit by Stella and made him look towards her.
"What do you mean by approaching our daughter to kiss her when you have me?"
She opened her eyes wide to the limit of her big pupils with eyes filled with darkness like mud and asked Sirius.
"Mmama…!?"
"Are you cheating on me? You're cheating on me now? Was mama perhaps cuckolded by papa with our daughter? Did you notice the importance of the two only after you were separated〜?"
"Hii…! T-there's no way such a thing is happening. I've been devoted to mama since always!"
"Hmm…? Is that trueee…?"
Astraea approached him enough to not touch his eyeball and stared at the pupil of Sirius who explained as sweat was suspending on his forehead.
Sirius blinked not even once.
At that moment, if he were to divert his eyes from the eyes of Astraea even for a moment, he knew very well the kind of terrible things that would occur.
Once a minute in that state had passed, Astraea finally released both hands from the cheeks of Sirius,
"That's good〜. Mama also loves papa since forever〜."
She showed a sweet and calm smile.
"But if you try to do something strange to Stella-chan next time, then I'll have to punish you〜."
"Ah, yes ma'am!"
"Enough! Even Oka-sama became strange because Otou-sama did a ridiculous thing, so take that in mind!"
"Y-yes. I also like better a tender mama rather than a strange mama…"
When Sirius got up and cleared his throat once
"You came back well. Stella."
He showed a gentle smile with a tough look as if it was a strict one and hugged Stella.
"…yeah, I'm back. Otou-sama."
Stella put her hand on the thick body of Sirius and returned the hug.
'…Even though I wouldn't have hit him if he were like this from the beginning'
He really was a helpless father.
Well, maybe it meant that he loved her so much.
After their bodies separated.
"By the way, Otou-sama. I was wondering but Luna-nee hasn't come yet?"
She asked Sirius about something that was weighing on her mind from a while ago.
She though that they were going to have a family meeting in the dining hall, but the figure of her older sister wasn't there.
Sirius put a look a bit bitter.
"Since Luna arbitrarily had decided long ago her own conclusions, she went and locked in her own room. …Even though this is a serious affair that involves all members of the family."
"It can't be helped. Since the『war』preparations this time apart from the preparations of the coronation are entrusted to Lunchan, she has been quite busy〜. She said that she would go on a business trip to Kledelland tomorrow."
Stella showed agreement to the words of Astraea.
『War』was an important diplomacy done once every five years.
With those things before her very eyes, it was like she was being chased by reconciliation businesses.
In that case, it would be unwise to disturb her.
Above all, her older sister, Lunaeyes Vermillion, was on her side about her actions and decisions, so there was no need for her to be present.
Stella concluded so.
"Well then, let's immediately start the family council without Lunane."
She sat down in a dining hall chair.
"There's no need to start so fast. This is our first reunion in several months."
"Nope. Because Ikki is waiting for me while we're doing this."
"Don't worry, because will that guy be able to get here after all―oops."
"Otou-sama?"
"It's nothing, it's nothing! T-that's right! It's a shame to keep your boyfriend waiting forever, so I would like to hear what you have to say asap!"
"…?"
Stella inclined her head to the side because her father became obedient all of a sudden.
However, since it was habitual for her father to be weird like this, she immediately stopped paying attention to it.
But his wife Astraea noticed something.
"Papaa〜? Were you perhaps thinking about something incorrigibly evil?"
She glance a suspicious eyes towards Sirius.
"W-what nonsense are you saying!? I'm the just and upright King of Vermillion! I don't have a guilty conscience or anything of the sort! Wahahahaha!"
Even though Sirius denied it while laughing looking excited―there was cold sweat floating on his forehead.
That's right. There was no way he wasn't scheming something.
Sirius Vermillion was working since long ago for this day.
Ikki told that he would come to greet him when the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival ended.
Without being seen by Astraea and Lunaeyes, he cooperated with the people through the former maid Yana and the military through Signard, he created a Ikki Kurogane encirclement and even made use of a large prize money to make doubly sure of it.
Now, the Empire of Vermillion was united as one to shoo away Ikki Kurogane.
Sirius was convinced that the named ones knew it.
...That Kurogane Ikki couldn't reach this castle ever.
'Anyway, at this moment,『those guys』are also moving…!'
Maybe it was not possible for the non-combatant citizens and the non-Blazerarmed forces and the ones after the prize reward.
Because he was a man that even for an instant defeated twice his daughter who was an Rank knight.
However, he wasn't going to be able to break through『those guys』.
The loyal beasts that pledged absolute allegiance to the royal family of Vermillion and didn't hesitate to lose their lives for Stella.
There was no way for『those guys』to make a mistake and let that poisonous insect get near Stella.
'I rely on you. The Imperial Elite Guards of the Empire of Vermillion…!'
◆◇◆◇◆
The very moment when Sirius strongly transmitted that thought.
Ikki went through the outer circumference of the castle town and arrived at the bridge that led to the rich residential area and confronted the Imperial Elite Guards that were waiting on the bridge.
"How admirably of you to get this far, Ikki Kurogane! As one would expect of the man that defeat her Highness Stella in combat! Hoowever! Your steady advance ends here! The bridges leading from the castle town to the noble district were made to collapse completely, this is the only one remaining! But look at us, we are the elite! We are the shield of the Empire of Vermillion and we the soldiers pledged absolute allegiance to her Highness Stella. Because we are the Imperial Elite Guards of Vermillion!"
"L-O-V-E!! Stella!!"
"L-O-V-E!! Stella!!"
"Lovely! Lovely! Stella!!!!"
「「「Wooooooooooo…!!!!」」」
'W-what's with these people…!?'
Ikki ended up stopping his steps because of too much bewilderment due to the group of around 50 people that wore red happi coats and continued turning the upper half of their bodies with incredible momentum while having glow sticks in their hands.
This was well understood by Ikki who lived for the martial arts and carried defensive body movements to extremes.
Their defensive body movements were carried to the limits of an extensive training.
Although...
'What a refined useless movement…'
Besides, he had no idea of the meaning, if it had one.
On the other hand, the man and leader of the group, the captain of the Imperial Guards, looked at Ikki who stopped his walking in front of them and smiled.
"Kuku. This guy looks like he said that he's lost for words before our perfectly coordinated leadership and loyalty. However, it's too late for you to get cold feet now! We will judge your serious crime of tricking her Highness Stella with our swords! For that reason, we will confirm your crimes after this!"
When the captain of the Imperial Guards told him so, the Imperial Guards that were making mysterious movements and circling around him from behind stopped their movement all of a sudden.
Everyone had the same serious expression or either were at their wit's end.
But that was also natural.
Questions and answers were coming from here on. In any case, this was also related to their meaning of their existences.
Everyone was holding their breaths and watched attentively.
In such silence, and after several deep breaths, the captain of the Imperial Guards represented all present and asked Ikki.
"The information saying that you're living in the s-saaaame room as Stella-chan, is that true!?"
"Eh… Yes. It's true. The board chairman told me to do so."
「「「HHmmrgh!!!!」」」
Immediately after. Half of the Imperial Guards that blockaded the bridge bled and fell on the spot.
"Captain! Second-class soldiers have fainteeeeed!"
"Huh? Those weak guys…! Although I said that they had to prepare themselves by playing NTR erotic games, they weren't prepared enough…!"
"B-but the captain also has blood coming out from his fists! He's grasping it so tightly that they're bleeding!"
"Calm down! It's fine, it's only a confirmation of the fact they live in the same room…! However, they're just living together! Damn straight! According to reports, this man wasn't in good terms with his family and the scandal with Stellchan and the theory that this guy's home was a disseminated hoax is still alive…! That thing is what!? T-this photo is fake, riiiiiiiiiight!?"
The commander of the Imperial Guards said so, he turned toward Ikki the picture of a weekly magazine that exposed the relationship between Ikki and Stella.
The photo looked very well when he saw it again.
It was a professional job.
To that vividness and while averting his eyes, looking embarrassed, Ikki,
"No… it's real. Stella and I are lovers, we have kissed already."
「「「Guaaaaaaaaaaa…ッッッ!!!!」」」
At that moment, the voice of something like a strangled cattle echoed in the skies of Vermillion, almost all the Imperial Guards that survived fainted. Those who fell down in the first question also began to convulse incessantly. Did their brains understand Ikki's answer?
"Don't loooOoOoooOoooze your miiind! D-dis iz a trap of dis guy to make uz fall in chaos!"
"Please calm down, commander! Aren't you so perturbed that you have problems to speak properly!?"
"W-wait a moment!"
And, at that moment.
An unhealthy thin man crawled out of the back row of the heaps of corpses all around,
"If you're really the lover of Stella-chan, then… that means that you already had s-s-s-s-s-sex with Stella-chan…"
"Stop you morooOooooooooooOOOOOn!!!!!"
"Ack!?"
But before the thin man finished asking the question, the commander of the Imperial Guard crushed his face and words underfoot.
"Youuuuuu, youuuuuu! Why are you asking such thoughtless thiiiings!? Yes, youuu! N-nevertheless! What would you have done if the reply was a『Yes, that's right』or a doubtful silence!? Do you plan to destroy the Imperial Guaaaaaaaard!!!!?"
"Hii, I-I'm sorryyyyyyy!"
Then, the commander of the Imperial Guard wiped out the bitter tears, breathed greatly just once and appealed to the fallen members.
"You, the Imperial Elite Guards, get a hold of yourself! We haven't confirmed anything yet! There's a possibility that this man has made a false declaration, we're not done yet! Don't give up hope! There's still one thing that is clear in this round of questions and answers! Just one! And that is no matter if the words of this guy are true or lies, there's no way we're going to trust in this guyyyyyyyyyyyy! Everyone, draw your swords! Let's cut him into pieceeeeeeee…!!!!"
「「「Yes siiiiiiiiiiiiiiIIiIiII…r!!!!」」」
The order of the commander of the Imperial Guard also raised those who were even convulsing on the bridge.
As for the Imperial Guards, all of them made their Devices manifest and attacked Ikki with all their strength.
The number of enemies was 50.
They were all Blazers.
And combat in a wide area was a disadvantage.
If so...
'I'll rapidly deal with these guys near me and I'll temporarily retreat to the alley…!'
In the narrow alley they couldn't make the best use of their advantage in numbers.
If he ran around skillfully, then he would be able to get around opponents with minimum battle.
Ikki judged the situation in an instant. He made a strategy and.
"Haaa!"
"Guhaa!"
He made the three Imperial Guards that were sticking out to faint with a hit in their necks with"Illusory Form"and tried to escape.
But...
"…hoooooooooooo!!!!"
"…!"
The cut off Imperial Guards attacked with a furious facial expression while scattering magical light like it was red blood from their necks.
Ikki protected against the drawn swords of their counterattack with difficulty and also showed agitation.
'They didn't collapse with"Illusory Form"…!?'
The damage of"Illusory Form"chipped off their stamina directly, it didn't deal physical damage.
If an arm was cut, then that arm wouldn't move, there was actually no damage.
These were all temporary actions by means of strong『wrong impression』.
Essentially, this wrong impression by the Device acted strongly in the human body, it couldn't escape from that.
If they received a fatal wound, they would faint.
That was the usual.
But very rarely, there were those who could avert this wrong impression with the strength of their will.
Individuals that faced battles with a willpower that transcended both the body and mind as long as their willing to die was weak.
Towards such type of guys, the blade of"Illusory Form"was almost powerless.
But such individuals rarely existed.
Ikki was amazed because they didn't exist.
But the Imperial Guards that were in front of him now.
The appearance that this odd bunch had,
'The strength of their hearts is real…!'
If he didn't have a strong mind, he would be swallowed up by their strong determination.
Ikki believed so, and pushed aside the three people with his own indomitably strong force.
At that moment.
"Hmm?"
He saw a piece of paper lightly fell from the Imperial Guards' sliced off happi coat's hem.
Then the pieces of paper fell like sliding under the feet of Ikki.
"Is this…?"
Ikki touched them with his hand almost by reflex.
"Ah, d-don't touch thaaat!"
The collapsed Imperial Guards stopped Ikki's action with a shouting, close voice.
But Ikki―caught sight of that a bit late.
It was a Stella's swimsuit photo that captured the precise moment she was fixing the part surrounding her buttocks.
"…"
"That's a medal that can only be given to the Imperial Guards who pledged allegiance to the Imperial Family! Give it baaaack!"
They wouldn't hesitate to give their lives for the royal family.
In exchange for such loyalty, a dear treasured picture was given by the commander of the Imperial Guard.
The man whose treasure was arbitrarily touched raged and swung downward the western sword against Ikki.
That, yes, that was―such a foolish act, wasn't it?
In that case.
"The fact that this was only given to the Imperial Guards means that all these guys have something similar to this, isn't it?"
He made a smile with just his mouth because he would waste the last chance to escape from the man that was the most broken in this place.
...Later on, the Imperial Guards spoke while shaking.
Of the day when their Princess came back, accompanied by a『demon』from the country of Japan.
◆◇◆◇◆
'Strange…'
Sirius felt a strange uneasiness.
Even though enough time had passed already since Ikki arrived in Vermillion.
...why there was not even a single report arriving from the citizens, the army or the Imperial Guard saying that they defeated Ikki?
His ability with the sword was certain, however, he had an F-Rank fighting power after all.
Mobilizing even the army, the possibility of not being a hard fight should be there, but then...
"Otou-sama!"
"…ah, i-it's nothing, Stella!"
"Don't "it's nothing" to me! Why is Otou-sama staring at the emptiness, even though you wanted to hear about what kind of person Ikki is!?"
"N-no! I wasn't absent-minded!"
"Really? You listened to me perfectly?"
He didn't listen to her at all.
He didn't want to listen about her boyfriend from the mouth of her daughter.
But if he were to say such honest thing, he would end up roasted.
In that case, Sirius.
"O-of course. Every time I hear more things about this admirable young man. He should be called a Samurai. As one would expect of my daughter. To find such man, you have reliable eyes."
At any rate, Stella was singing praises of that man.
Then if he also praised him or something like that, then that should convince her, so he said an insincere compliment.
Towards this, Stella showed an almost bright smile on her face.
"I-I know right!? Ikki is really cool! Otou-sama finally got it!"
Sirius noticed his own blunder due to Stella's delight.
'N-no good. Now that I made the conversation come together right away, as things are, the family meeting will end up finishing.'
There were no reports in which they defeated Ikki, and that was problematic.
In the worst case, Stella could go and assist the escaping Ikki.
'I have to earn some time somehow…!'
"Okay then, let's contact Yana-san immediately so that Ikki…"
"W-wait, Stella!"
"Eh, why?"
Sirius said to stop Stella who took out her smartphone.
"I certainly think he's a splendid man, but when it comes to marriage the story is different!"
"W-what do you mean?"
"Because, well, you're the second Princess of the Empire of Vermillion. And naturally, the political this and that are, well, affected by that marriage, you see? The opinion of Luna who will be the ruler of Vermillion for the next period must also be heard before the greetings, that's what I think."
Stella raised her eyebrows towards the words of Sirius.
"Don't say such things at this point of time!"
She protested.
It was justified. That was something that should be said before the family council began.
"Isn't it okay to summon Ikki? Besides, Luna-nee wasn't against him from the start."
"But it's not like she declared her approval, am I right?"
But Sirius didn't withdraw.
He persisted while getting self-aware that what he was saying was an absurd thing, that he wanted Lunaize's opinion at this late hour.
"This is an important conversation for the Empire of Vermillion. I'd like to properly unify the opinion of the imperial family. I'm sorry, Stella. Please summon Luna to come here! I also want to be certain of his attitude as the current King of Vermillion based on Luna's opinion."
"F-fine…"
Sirius' insistence was completely late.
Now that they called Lunaeyes, it would take just double effort from the point of view of Stella to have a meeting once again.
She felt very bad for Ikki as she kept him waiting outside.
However… while it was completely annoying, it didn't mean that what he said was a complete baseless emphasis.
That he wanted to compare the opinions regarding the engagement of the second Princess with the next ruler as the current King and that was certainly a reasonable discussion.
That was why Stella gave in there.
"Understood. Then I'll go and call Lunane now. And then, you will greet Ikki so you better be prepared. Good grief…!"
Stella said so and jumped out of the dining hall and hurried to shorten the time she has kept Ikki waiting.
Astraea let a sigh escape while looking at her back and reproached Sirius with a glance.
"…papa really doesn't know when to give up."
"I-I don't really know what mama is saying…!"
Sirius stood up, turned away his eyes and tried to escape.
"Where are you going?"
"T-to the toilet. I'll be back soon."
When he left the dining hall and rushed to the toilet, he got in touch with the Imperial Guard.
No, he tried to take on the matter directly.
But―none of the Imperial Guards answered the call of Sirius.
The only thing he could hear from the cell phone was the eternal inorganic call sound.
With that sound, Sirius felt something ominous like it was inexplicable, he was sweating cold.
'What the… hell is happening outside…?'
◆◇◆◇◆
Almost at the same time.
'Finally.'
Ikki Kurogane finally broke through numerous obstacles and came just outside of the castle walls that surrounded the castle.
However, he hid in the shadows of the buildings, he hid himself and stopped walking.
While Ikki sent all the Imperial Guards to the hospital and took extra time to dispose of the photos, the allied forces of the citizens and the military led by Signard and Yana gathered in front of the wall.
They spread out to protect the iron wall by taking advantage of their numbers.
It was difficult to break through the front with this.
No, the breakthrough itself couldn't be done because it could cause a lot of damage to the other party.
They would get hurt even if he cut them with"Illusory Form".
Unlike the group of a while ago, almost all the citizens and the military were non-Blazers.
The real intention of Ikki was to avoid a battle as much as possible.
So he took a look at his surroundings―and had his eyes on a certain place.
On a church with blue roof that was next to the wall.
'If it's from that roof, then I can cling to the wall.'
When he decided so, he moved.
Fortunately, the vigilance of the citizens wasn't suited for it.
They probably didn't think that he was going to jump over the castle walls of more than 20 meters.
Ikki jumped on the triangle roof of the tall church without being discovered by anyone,
"…Hohoho. In the end, you chose this route?"
That person stood in front of him.
"…!"
"The rumor was true, you are a gentle young man."
A bald old man that Ikki didn't perceive until he stood on the same roof asked with a jesting tone of voice and turned a shrewd glance towards Ikki from the back of his eyelids that hung due to his aging.
"How was it? What is your impression of the sightseeing tour of the Empire of Vermillion?"
"You are…"
"Hoho, my apologies. I am Daniel Dandalion, I was entrusted as the Branch Director of Vermillion of The International Mage-Knights League and as the Sword Art Instructor of the Empire of Vermillion. I was waiting for you to come. "Seven Stars Sword King"Ikki Kurogane-dono."
When the old man answered, he revealed his Device.
It was a thin long sword with a silver sword blade and the face of a lion was traced on the golden grip.
The old man held the specialized weapon in his hand and turned its tip towards Ikki.
At that moment, Ikki, who sensed that a sword was produced by him, felt a sensation like the soft hair of his whole body was burning.
'…this person. He's strong.'
Ikki felt the form of the enemy's firm true strength, and realized his own disadvantage.
The enemy's specialized weapon was a rapier.
He was armed with a long blade that was thinner than a Japanese sword.
In addition, the enemy's stance was a fencing stance that was mainly based on thrusting techniques.
It wasn't wise to oppose that opponent in a terrain that was the top of an inclined triangular roof with limited horizontal movement.
Above all, the level of the enemy was different from the ones that were defeated and had come to him till now.
He wasn't an enemy of an ability that one would say he was going to deal with as he took an advantageous position.
In that case, Ikki jumped to the back to change the location.
Immediately after―he was attacked in the middle of that and fell to his knees due to the impact, he was shocked.
"!? This…"
There was an invisible wall behind him.
To Ikki, who got aware of this fact, the old man put a smile at the back of his beard that was like a white cloud.
"Hoho. You are already in my cage."
"Is this your Noble Arts?"
"Correct. It's the Noble Arts"Blood Circle" of my Device"Lionheart". It's a barrier-type ability that captures an enemy with whom I've exchanged a glance into the battlefield that won't have interference from the outside, creating a one-on-one situation even during a fight. So I was able to eradicate your escape route. If you want to get out of this cage, then you will have to win a duel."
It wasn't a very easy-to-use skill, but it was a handy power in case there was an opponent you wanted to fight no matter what.
That old man, Dandalion, talked about his ability.
"Now then, will you be able to get out? I was made to take care of Stellsama since she was still a baby. I am not going to leave Stellsama to someone who cannot advance and push aside this old man, there is no way, don't you agree?"
He came close to Ikki who had lost the means to escape.
If he wanted to go beyond from here, then he would have to defeat him.
Then Ikki...
"Understood. ―Come forth. "Intetsu"."
He manifested his Device and took a fighting stance.
…The battlefield was on top of a very inclined roof.
No matter how stable the trunk of Ikki was, it was an angle where he couldn't escape to the sideways as expected.
The battle was, on top of the roof.
It was to be done on nothing but straight footings.
An absolute favorable battlefield for the opponent that used an armament called rapier, the core of the thrusts and also that outrivaled him with the reach of his Device.
However―he concluded that in this setting, he had no choice but to force his way through.
And then...
"Now…"
The fight started.
◆◇◆◇◆
The one who started first was Ikki Kurogane.
Before he turned his dominant hand towards Dandalion, he instantly raised straight the point of the sword with one hand and took a stance called "Allongez le bras" (Thrusting attack) that mainly consisted of the same technique as Dandalion.
In order to reduce the superiority of his reach even a little.
Seigan, Hassou, in any case, he went with it because his vitals were too close to the point of the sword of the enemy, so he was going to thrust with an original posture of a Japanese sword.
And then, he kept that stance and shortened the distance with steps instead of dashes.
'First is to determine the capability of the enemy on the same ring…!'
In response to Ikki's proximity, Dandalion was in a defensive stance, he didn't move from the spot.
The instant the pointed end of"Intetsu" got in the distance between them, the pointed end of the sword was put against the facing Ikki!
"…Hmm!"
"…!"
He suffered a series of thrusts like flashes of light.
Ikki also responded to this with a series of thrusts; the pace strife while repelling the point of the sword started.
On top of the triangular roof. Flashes of black and silver lights intersected while giving off sparks.
If the other party tried to lag behind even a little, then he would immediately go and pierce their heart.
In that fight, they couldn't relax their concentration not even for an instant―however, Ikki Kurogane analyzed the enemy with composure.
'I see, he's certainly fast. And nimble.'
It was a sword handling that didn't seem to be of an old man who had gone beyond his golden age.
There was no way he would give him a chance to step into his territory.
...However.
'I know very well that my sword is sharper than his sword and that I'm faster than him!'
"Sword Eater"'s"Yamata no Orochi",
"Star of Naniwa"'s "Sanrensei",
And"Twin Wings Style"'supreme slash―the whole career of Ikki somehow or other slipped through, he wasn't worried about the speed of Dandalion.
"…!"
Dandalion goggled at him beyond his thick eyelids.
Because Ikki increased the rate he projected the point of his sword.
He smashed the reach of Dandalion by parrying him before the point of the sword that was all extended then Ikki approached Dandalion with certainty step by step.
The flash of black lights were approaching at an overwhelming speed and number.
Dandalion was forced to retreat before the fierce attack that relied on his physical ability,
...He was able to corner him up to the edge of the triangular roof in the blink of an eye.
'One more step.'
After that one step, "Intetsu"'s pointed end would reach the vitals of Dandalion.
If Dandalion didn't want that, then he would have to undo the barrier and jump down the roof, but then at that moment there won't be chains to prevent his movement.
In that case, it would be fine to jump from one castle wall to another before he made contact with his eyes again.
Judging so, Ikki went after a thrust while advancing towards Dandalion.
Immediately after, a deep crimson splash scattered on the blue roof.
...that gushed out from the pierced shoulder of Kurogane Ikki.
"Guh!?"
Ikki opened his eyes wide and distorted his expression.
Was he in anguish due to the pain he felt in his shoulder, like it was burning?
No.
He wasn't bewildered by the pain, but by the process.
'W-what was that just now…?!'
And, towards Ikki who wavered to the back with his pierced shoulder.
"Fuh…!"
This time, Dandalion launched an attack.
He stepped greatly on his forefoot from "Allongez le bras" (Thrusting attack) and launched a fast series of thrusts as if returning the favor of moments ago.
Of course, Ikki had"Intetsu"at the ready, and tried to brush away the incoming point of the sword. But...
Right after that, the same process of not long ago developed.
The long blade of Dandalion's Device"Lionheart" that was brushed away by"Intetsu"returned and made its body undulate like a snake and attacked Ikki.
'Again…'
Ikki, who barely dodged by paper-thin difference the thrust that was extended to his face, understood.
The thrusts of Dandalion came back even if he repelled them.
As if they were alive.
Then, it was impossible to defend against it by parrying.
Nothing good would come out if his offensive continued.
This should be restarted once.
Then Ikki, who judged so, stepped back to try take distance for a moment,
"!?"
…Immediately after, Dandalion, who was waiting for that decision, just stepped greatly and deeply into Ikki's territory, the most effective distance was taken by him!
'My running feet were predicted…!'
And then…,
""Croix Du Sud"."
Dandalion launched thrusts from the most effective distance.
His speed was just like lightning speed.
From the offenses so far, this speed was of a different dimension.
Instantaneous.
The instinct of Ikki that was sharpened by slipping through the verge of death gave birth to phantom pains that pierced his skin.
The locations were: the lungs, throat, heart and the point below the navel.
What was released by Dandalion was five instant thrusts crowned with the name of Southern Cross, he was on the verge of piercing those five human body's weak points.
'…This, is bad…!'
Even Ikki wasn't able to block them.
However, Dandalion's thrusts returned even when parrying them.
It was difficult to protect against them.
But Ikki, against Dandalion's attack…
Dandalion also took an unthinkable response.
"Huuh…!?"
The next moment, Dandalion revealed surprise.
Ikki firmly pressed the ground with his feet that were drew back to come down and charged with all his body towards him who tried to release the thrusts.
And when he sustained the first thrust of "Croix Du Sud"that went into his right lung with the sword handle as a shield―he put pressure on the body of Dandalion with all his might.
From that, the stabbed Ikki and the pressured Dandalion stepped back at the same time, the distance between the two of them widened again.
Yes, Ikki began to shut down the five thrusts of Dandalion and got out of the predicament by pushing him away.
"Fuh…"
Dandalion had a deep respect to Ikki who caught his breath.
"Certainly, you have defeated Stellsama while being just an F-Rank."
His intuition came from the motion of the enemy, the detailed gaze movements and the vast combat experience.
And also he read through of the enemy's sword, he saw through it even if it was his first time seeing a technique.
Seeing that it was too much to be struck by his own ability, he smashed it from the onset without hesitation.
Dandalion transmitted his honest praise to his powers of observation, imagination and his decisiveness to devote himself to it.
"In addition, you made of the handle a shield, which is indeed a really interesting way of using the sword, you are not different from the rumors."
"…we are of equal status when it comes to interesting swords, aren't we?"
Contrasting with him, Ikki returned a wry smile to Dandalion's praise.
"That Device… it looks like a rapier, but the sword blade is strangely flexible. If I had to say then it's a sword similar to a Foil. So it's expected to do odd movements."
Foil's sword blade had unnatural flexibility for a sword, it bent nicely.
That is to say that it bent on how much one tried to repel it, as if the point of the sword came back with the reaction.
As for this sword, if it were to be carried to extremes with a different flexibility treatment, then even the special move called furikomi (jutaju)* can be done to thrust the opposing rival from behind.
"…I was taken aback because it was the first time I saw it being used in actual fighting."
"Hohoho. Evidently. My"Lionheart"has this flexibility as its selling point. Not even the"Blade Steal"of Ikki-kun can imitate it in the slightest, isn't that right?'
"You know me a lot…"
"If you know your enemy, then the battle should not be eternal. Especially because of such ability, so I decided to perform an elaborate investigation beforehand of my fighting opponent. So… I know the next move of Ikki-kun. There isn't enough distance to start"Shinkirou"in this place. And hard to go through the swaying sword blade of Foil with"Dokuga no Tachi". …In that case, only one possibility remains.'
That said, Dandalion took a stance of "Allongez le bras" (Thrusting attack) with the point of sword to the front again,
"Now. Use it, to see it. …The First Secret Sword"Saigeki"."
"…!"
Ikki had his breath taken away due to the words of Dandalion.
His prediction hit the mark.
Ikki planned to use"Saigeki"as his next blow without a doubt.
The reason was the armament of the enemy.
The Foil was a sword endowed with a unique characteristic named flexibility.
However, that characteristic wasn't its only advantage.
The disadvantage of Foil was that its sword blade was too soft, the strength was hard to convey due to that.
If that was the case, the most effective was to overwhelm him with power.
He decided so.
But, Dandalion had read through the options of Ikki.
'He truly investigated me well, huh…'
Even though Ikki was impressed by Dandalion's meticulousness, he slowly made his stance flourish, lowered his posture and pulled tight the point of the sword as if drawing a bow and took a stance of"Saigeki".
It was uncanny that he read his thoughts, but it was a fact that "Saigeki"was an effective technique against a weapon called Foil. If so.
'Don't hesitate…!'
"…You don't have to tell me!"
Ikki released"Saigeki"with the power enough to smash the roof.
In the past, it was a sword technique that couldn't be used unless using it together with"Ittou Shura", but ever since he used"Blade Steal"on Edelweiss's sword and thanks to his mastered taigi he reached the point where he was able to exhibit enough power without"Ittōu Shura".
There was no way he could catch it with a soft sword blade like Foil…!
...Or so he thought.
"Huh…!?"
However, Dandalion caught it completely.
Just like"Twin-Wings"Edelweiss, the world's strongest swordswoman did.
He met the pointed end of his sword with the pointed end of"Saigeki".
He stopped the charge of Ikki.
Ikki shuddered because of this fact.
Because even that Edelweiss, the weapon that she was using was a sturdy single-edged blade, and yet...
'The soft sword blade that is like wire of Foil isn't even scratched…!'
Against the pointed end of"Saigeki", Foil received all the strength as a straight needle in a single point.
:This kind of technology existed already…!?'
"Even though it looks like this, I was the fencing instructor and the opponent of the rigid sword of Stella-sama with this narrow one. The way of power killing is understanding it more than others…!"
Dandalion said.
Ikki's"Saigeki"degree was equal to mere child's play compared to her wielding, strong sword.
If the timing of the magic released didn't err and if he didn't make a mistake in the angle, then he could easily catch it,
...On top of that, if he could force him back.
"Hmmm!"
The body of Ikki was further driven to the back. He was repelled by his strengthened physical strength because of Dandalion's magic release.
When he became aware of it, the place where the two faced each other first.
The distance that was shortened in the previous assault had returned to the beginning.
No, he merely shook out the relation of their positions, but the war situation was different.
Ikki was much more cornered because he blocked his charge technique"Saigeki" that had the strongest offensive ability among his cards.
But, in such situation,
"…fufuh."
"…!"
"I see, there's no way that this much of my strength and abilities will keep in touch with my opponent who had received Stella's sword."
Ikki showed a small smile at a corner of his mouth.
"I'm envious of Stella. I would also like to receive instructions of the sword from a person like you. May I ask for a bout if we have the chance some other time?"
"Today I will deliberately show you more than enough, there won't be a next time."
That said, Dandalion felt disquieted―as he raised the point of the sword.
Even though he lost his strongest card, "Ikki's surplus was there".
In that case, when something came to his mind...
'"Ittōu Shura"… huh? Or perhaps like me, action reinforcement by magic release?'
In the process of investigating Ikki, Dandalion, who had also looked over the leaked data of the battle against Ayatsuji Ayase, didn't throw away that possibility, he strengthened his alertness against either of them.
To such Dandalion, Ikki...
"No. I'll hold back for now. …I have to go and greet her father after this. I don't want to leave and get to that situation looking shabbier."
He said so with a tone of voice adorned with a joke that made his light shoulders to freeze,
He lowered his stance, laid horizontally against the ground and had the point of the sword ready like drawing a bow,
"I'll break through you with this blow. Daniel Dandalion…!"
He trampled hard on the roof and released a second"Saigeki".
And in addition to that, without emitting magic powers or making use of"Ittōu Shura".
Nothing was the same as the one of some time ago.
'Can this I overcome this honorable suicide attack!?'
If that is the case, then that is a foolish thinking, Dandalion concluded.
…Dandalion remembered the speed, distance, timing and everything else of"Saigeki"minutes ago.
If so, then he couldn't catch this already.
There was no need to catch it.
He dodged it with paper-thin difference and pierced Ikki's glabella with a bitter counter!
"!?!?"
Immediately after, the consciousness of Dandalion froze.
Because the pointed end of"Intetsu"appeared in front of him all of a sudden.
The time of Dandalion stopped with the predicament of his life.
He was astonished in the midst of that halt.
Why was the tip of the sword in front of his eyes?
Even though the tip of his sword hadn't reach the enemy.
Why, when the armament of the opponent had less reach than his own?
It was too fast for"Saigeki". And too close.
...If that was the case, then the answer was one.
'He threw it…!'
Yes. Ikki threw"Intetsu", aiming at Dandalion from the stance of"Saigeki".
As a result, He covered a counter against Dandalion who tried to meet"Saigeki"with a counter.
Dandalion had already stepped on his forefoot, and at the same time he stepped into Ikki's territory with a stance to thrust his glabella.
He couldn't stop.
He was no longer in a state where he could stop.
Therefore...
"NUUuaAh!"
Still, the movement ability of Dandalion that moved his body and brushed away Ikki's"Intetsu"that stopped the movement of his body against his will came to an end with a few words as expected.
'It was a very good surprise attack, but without giving a step…!?'
However, Dandalion saw despair in the next moment.
Ikki, who sent his armament flying, became defenseless.
Black thread extended from his hands to"Intetsu".
'That is the pattern thread of a Japanese sword!'
Oh no! The moment Dandalion understood so, everything was decided.
Ikki pulled the unraveled thread and brought "Intetsu"that was flipped back to his hands like a yoyo and...
"HaAAAAAAA!!!!"
He cut down the defenseless Dandalion who ended up swinging Foil to repel"Intetsu"with the grip of his blade.
Dandalion coughed, spat out blood and fell on his knees on the spot.
Together with that, "Lionheart"disappeared from his hands, becoming haze, he lost the power to tie Ikki.
"…that was truly an underhanded idea…"
Dandalion raised his neck somehow and cursed at the boy who looked down on him.
Towards Ikki.
"That is what art of war means, isn't it?"
He returned a smile like being proud of it, there was no signs of feeling guilty about it.
In addition to that, Dandalion laughed at the back of the blood-stained beard.
It was completely like that.
The art of war was a means where the weak was born to win by all possible means against the strong.
If so, the unfairness in the real art of war was a virtue.
'…I intended to make use of"Ittōu Shura" , but…'
As for the weapons and the numbers available, the difference was too great.
The difference of reach which was absolutely advantageous for him from the start.
It was an observation tactic to use his attack against him and match that.
But the thing he saw in the field of battle was different.
How long had it been since he went through the verge of death? How was he be able to learn such cunningness being this young?
There is no way for me to stop him anymore.
Dandalion deemed that,
"It is my defeat. …Please take care of Stella-sama."
He entrusted the future of the girl he loved like she was his daughter.
Ikki, before this.
"Yes."
A strong answer returned, he went through the side of Dandalion and jumped to the castle walls.
And then he run up to the wall with the slight unevenness as footholds and disappeared into the castle.
Dandalion saw him off with a hazy field of vision due to loss of blood and apologized to his king.
"I am sorry, Sirius."
'I am very unlikely to be an enemy of that boy anymore.'
◆◇◆◇◆
After he crushed Dandalion, Ikki finally succeeded in crossing the castle walls and infiltrate inside.
The palace guards were also inside the castle walls, of course, and kept an eye towards intruders, but if it was about crossing the walls, then it wasn't difficult to enter the castle using Ikki's movement abilities.
As he climbed the castle walls, he grabbed onto the small unevenness and ascended the surface wall of the castle.
He could easily break into the castle from an opened window,
"Fuu. I finally made it into the cas…"
"…"
The moment he tried to intrude, their eyes met.
In the room.
The sudden intruder opened his eyes wide, he was lost for words―with the woman in underwear.
'Oh-oh nooooooo!?'
His mind faded, Ikki realized about his own regretful mistake, that he failed to check the interior, but it was too late.
The woman dyed her face red, hid her small breasts that fit in the stylish-made lace fabric with her arms and scowled at Ikki.
"I-I'm sorry! I didn't think there were people inside, or rather, I forgot to confirm, anyway, I just didn't do it on purpose! Even though it gives the impression about what the hell I'm saying and that I'm creeping in from the window, but it was truly inevitable…!"
Ikki kept excusing himself with things that didn't look like excuses, but.
"…"
The woman was approaching Ikki with large steps, her lips were still in silence.
Ikki, who stepped on the window frame, didn't run away, he just looked firmly at those scarlet eyes.
And then, when she got very close to Ikki, she waved her hand.
'I'll be punched…!'
But, it can't be helped.
This wasn't a situation where he could make an excuse no matter how one looked at it.
He had no choice but to accept at least 10 fists here.
Ikki prepared himself for the worst, closed his eyes and prepared for the impact that would strike hard his cheek.
But...
"What are you doing? Get in before you're found by those guys, idiot."
"Uwaa."
The impact didn't come.
What attacked Ikki instead was an ability that caught the nape of his neck and pulled him inside the room.
Ikki, who was prepared for the impact that would strike him, couldn't go against it and fell from the window into the room.
Hmm? Ikki fell on the carpet and raised his face.
What was reflected in his field of vision was the figure of a woman who closed the window and the curtain after she confirmed as if being on guard, looking restlessly outside the window.
"E, err…"
Ikki was perplexed, he wasn't able to understand her behavior.
She looked at such Ikki and...
"Puh, ahahahaha!"
The woman tore down her beautiful face that didn't hide her intelligence and laughed out loud.
"Well well, I'm amazed. I wanted to know how was the man that Stella brought with her, so I was pretending to not notice the conspiracy of my father, but I certainly wasn't expecting you to reach the castle by challenging the people and the army all by yourself. You sure are amazing, aren't you, boy? Though I'm not saying that you turned that hot-blooded idiot woman into an elegant one. Because of this, the preparations of the government management broadcast that were prepared for your support ended up coming to nothing. …Hmm hmm, m-moreover, due to that, you intruded in the room I was changing my clothes. If I remember correctly, didn't something similar happen to Stella when she had just arrived in Japan?"
'Eh…'
Ikki noticed the way of speaking of this woman.
The color of her hair had the same pale pink as Astraea, the mother of Stella that he met at the airport some time ago.
Then, this woman was...
"Excuse me, are you perhaps… her Highness Lunaeyes!?"
To that question of Ikki, the woman laughed and wiped the tears that floated in the outer corner of her eyes with her fingers and,
...she nodded greatly, she showed affirmation.
"Yup. Certainly, I'm the older sister of your girlfriend and the next Queen of the Empire of Vermillion. I'm the first Princess Lunaeyes Vermillion. Nice to meet you. Ikki Kurogane."
Lunaeyes formally introduced herself and presented her right hand to request a handshake.
Towards this, Ikki, while confused, stood up and.
"Ah, y-yes. Nice to meet you. T-thank you v-very much for inviting me today."
He returned the greeting and a handshake. But―his eyes were swimming.
The reason was that, of course, the appearance of Lunaeyes.
She was only wearing lace fabric.
Though he was in the wrong for coming through the window, he wasn't going to say that he was troubled about where to look.
To this restless gaze of Ikki.
"Why are you acting suspiciously? …Hmm?"
Lunaeyes inclined her head in doubt―immediately after that, she examined both arms of Ikki and opened her eyes wide in surprise.
"Hey, aren't you injured!?"
Lunaeyes, who said that, stared at the left shoulder that was pierced by Dandalion not long ago.
Although it was thin, there was a piercing mark.
The hemorrhage was abundant in itself, blood spread in the white uniform, it was dripping even on his fingertips.
Due to this, Ikki turned an "oops" expression.
"I'm sorry! The carpet is…!"
"Don't mind about it, now take off your clothes! I'll treat you!"
However, Lunaeyes raised her eyebrows as if she got angry at Ikki's irrelevant worry and started stripping him.
"Eh, eeeeeeeh!? Hey wait, it's fine! This is nothing!"
"This isn't an injury where you can say "this is nothing" you know!? Those guys did it, they were completely serious about keeping you company… That doting parent that don't care about moderation―ah, hey! Don't move! You're not a child, so be obedient!"
"Understood! I'll be obedient, but please wear clothes at least!"
"Leave that for later! It's not that you're going to die by seeing some skin!"
"T-that's true, but still…!"
Ikki resisted, but Lunaeyes's will was unexpectedly strong, he couldn't tear it off.
No, Ikki could have been able to tear it off if he seriously shook her off, but as he was injured, he wasn't able to put strength into it.
Then, in the end, Ikki was left at Lunaize's mercy who stripped him of his coat and undergarment.
"Luna-nee! I know you are in the midst of work but can you come to the dining room… w-w-w-w-what are you two doiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing!?!?!?"
The scream of Stella when she saw the scene of her boyfriend and her sister that were entangled and half naked resounded even in the cellar of the castle.
◆◇◆◇◆
Although it was in an outrageous form, Ikki succeeded in joining with Stella safely.
It was Stella who showed a great confusion at first with the gut-wrenching sight that jumped into her eyes, but the misunderstanding was immediately solved with a sheet of paper presented by Lunaeyes.
Yes. It was a wanted poster of Ikki scattered throughout the city.
After that, Lunaize exposed this physical evidence and the behavior of her father Sirius in the dining hall where everyone gathered.
From here, the strife that started because of the visit of Kurogane Ikki would reach its conclusion at once.
...In the dining hall, a denunciation meeting that surrounded Sirius who was made to kneel with the tops of his feet flat on the marble floor was being held.
"I see〜. In other words, papa conspired with Yana-chan and Signard-chan then took out a prize money from the national treasury and tried to drive Ikki-san out by forming a crowd with everyone?"
"Yes. The family council had also divided work for that reason. It means that he was only stalling us."
"Is that right, papa?"
Sirius objected with a pathetic expression that one wouldn't think he was the King of a country to his wife that looked down on him with an exasperated look.
"Th-th… I couldn't help it, you know? Why do I have to give my daughter to whom I brought up under my personal care to a guy who's a no one!?"
"Father. You threw a tantrum like that and exhausted it to the limits of cowardice and despicableness, but in the end, it the entirety of it, everything was just overcome by Ikki. There isn't a single good thing at all in what you did."
"Mama is already disappointed."
"Mmmmmmm…. Guh!"
Sirius was despised by the cold eyes of Astraea and Lunaeyes and after they caused his words to be clogged, he shot Ikki with eyes packed with wrath.
Even if he didn't have one, it seemed that a "voice" with such look could be heard now.
Ikki had nothing other than a wry smile as Sirius vented his intense anger on him.
Then, at that moment.
"Otou-sama. …The conversation just now, is everything really true?"
After she came to the dining hall, Stella, who hadn't emitted a single word, opened her mouth for the first time.
It was a strangely composed tone of voice. The expression of the eyes weren't hidden behind the forelocks.
Ikki felt something cold came down around his stomach.
And then, he noticed it.
It was like an explosive in which Stella had pierced innumerable fuses.
If he were to add a careless stimulus, even if it was something minimal, it would cause a huge explosion.
And there,
"S-Stella. Listen to me. I was just trying to protect you…"
"Unbelievable…"
With the careless excuse of Sirius...
"UNBELIEVABLE!!!!"
She evidently exploded.
Stella yelled with a loud voice just like a shock wave, the room practically swayed, she scattered brightened phosphorescence from the core of her scarlet hair and turned eyes burning with fury towards Sirius.
"Despite me being happy!? When Otou-sama wanted to hear about Ikki, I thought that Otou-sama was seriously thinking about us… and yet, I was happy! But even then, why!? Why are you doing this!? Why!? How can you do such a terrible thing!?"
Stella raised an angry voice because of her emotions and approached Sirius.
The light surrounding Stella was distorted by the emitted heat, the scenery got crooked.
This is bad, Ikki felt.
This way of anger of Stella wasn't usual.
The reason was that she was thoroughly burning in anger.
At this rate, she might be capable of committing an act of violence.
It seemed that Astraea felt the same thing as well.
It wasn't good to leave her alone as one would expect, she tried to stand up for Sirius.
"Stella-chan. It's reasonable to get mad, but let's settle for a moment, yes?"
She called out to Stella from her side. But...
"I'M NOT CALMING DOWN!!!!"
Stella glared at Astraea with eyes just burning in flames―then gradually, large tears appeared in the outer corner of her eyes.
"S-Stella-chan."
"Because…! Because, that's horrible…! Everyone ganged up on Ikki and were cruel to him when he finally came here…! Since such horrible things were done, if Ikki ends up hating everyone… How is he not going to end up disliking this country!? E-even though I love Otou-sama, and the people of my country… I wanted you and everyone to come to like Ikki, and yet, this, uh, u, uwa, …! Uwaaaaa… aaaaa!!!!"
The worked up emotions of Stella exceeded the critical point.
Stella crumbled down on the spot, covered her face with both hands and cried like a kid.
The indignation of what her father and the people of the country had done and the sadness already surpassed the limits that could be handled by her immature heart, it was what she spat out while sobbing.
Sirius showed dismay.
He was prepared to be knocked off his feet.
However, he didn't take into consideration that she would cry her eyes out like this.
"S-Stella…! Mama, what are the things that one should do at moments like this…!?"
… I wonder if that's a bit hopeless this time around.
– T-that's…!
It was hopeless indeed.
She wanted her family and the citizens to come to like her special person.
For Stella, who thought so, it was an extremely cruel incident.
What Sirius said now seemed to add fuel to the fire.
However,
...That sadness of Stella, was a misunderstanding.
So, Ikki Kurogane moved to make Stella know about it.
"Stella."
He sat down on the floor and gently hugged the round back of Stella,
"Wha, you bastard, the hell are…"
"Sit down."
After he sent his thanks with his eyes to Lunaeyes who immobilized Sirius that tried to stand up with an axe kick, he tenderly whispered close to the ear of Stella who sobbed convulsively.
"Don't worry. I'm not going to hate the country nor the people of this country. Rather… now that I finally came here and fought with the people of this country, I really came to like this country."
"I…kki…?"
Stella turned curious eyes that were dyed red with hyperemia to Ikki because of those words.
Stella knew.
Ikki wasn't a man who would make a temporary lie to comfort her.
In other words, his words were his true feelings.
That's why she couldn't understand.
"W…hy…"
How can he say that, even when he was persecuted in a country where he came for the first time?
Ikki replied while wiping the tears of Stella with a gentle gesture.
"Because, this people who acted so desperately like this did it for the sake of my dear girl."
His true feelings from the bottom of his heart.
That was it. It was impossible to hate them.
Certainly they went too far, and there was no doubt that they had an irrational behavior.
But… even when pressed by him, they couldn't help but feel to test him.
The man that wanted to be Stella's husband.
Then why?
Everyone just loved the girl called Stella from the bottom of their hearts.
Precisely because they loved her, they worried about her, they wished for her.
They wondered if that man was of a suitable caliber to hold their treasure in his hands.
It's not that Ikki unsympathetically felt those feelings, hearts and love.
The man Stella chose wasn't such a narrow-minded man.
"This is a warm and kind country. I understood well the feelings that Stella wants to protect. And… I thought. The biggest strength as of now. That I… also want to be a person of that family and of that country…!"
Ikki, when he said so, he separated from Stella, then stood up and faced her family.
And then, he calmly did one deep breath and,
"Onee-san. Oka-san. …Otou-san."
"Who are you calling "Otou-san""
"Shut up."
He opened his mouth and focused his field of vision on the three of them, centered on Sirius whose earlobe was twisted by Astraea.
His own reply to all those who loved Stella.
And today, to accomplish the purpose of coming to this place.
"Please allow me to greet you again. My name is Ikki Kurogane and the person who have been accompanying Stellsan. And as the rumor in the street says, I am not a person who has a lot of things. I cannot say that my talent as a Blazer is superior either, and although I am more or less the second son of the Kurogane Family, I am in a "breaking off relation" situation and hardly getting along with my family, so I don't have social status. As the person who is in a relationship with Stella, I realized that I am a person in a very unfavorable state. I understand the feelings of everyone who is worried about entrusting Stellsan to such man. However... there is one thing. I have confidence in myself that I will never lose to any person of this country, nor to Onee-san, nor to Okasan nor to Otou-san, because I love Stellsan! And I am prepared to carry out those feelings too…! So please, test my resolution until your hearts are settled. Until everyone can agree and make sure of this man, of me. I will respond to all of them with my whole soul!"
If he needed strength, what kind of enemy would he have to completely overcome?
If he needed status, then he could get one using any kind of means.
Not all the tender persons that loved Stella and thought of wanting to protect her would make a compromise like that.
Ikki pledged so.
"And… if that were to come true, then at that moment, please let me marry Stella!"
Ikki kneeled with the top of his feet flat on the floor strongly than Sirius, he lowered his body and bowed his head.
Stella, who was next to this behavior of Ikki, wiped the tears of her cheeks and her dripping nose,
"Please…"
She bowed deeply to her own family next to him and indicated so.
Who was the person that Stella Vermillion stood next to?
Seeing the determination of the two, Astraea narrowed her lovely-looking eyes due to the growth of her daughter and asked Sirius.
"What do we do? Papa."
"W-why do you throw it to me…!? I recognize you! But a guy like you will never get to marry Stella!"
"It seems that it went that way, what do we do, Stella?"
"Do we have a father?"
"In the end, it was like we thought. Mother."
"Maybe if he weren't here…"
"Fiiinee! I'm also a man, if Ikki-kun said he will show a resolution of that level, then I have no choice but to confront it head-on!"
"T-thank you very much!"
Ikki smiled wryly and felt ashamed of the father where women were majority in the family because of the appearance of Sirius that was cornered by the cooperation of the women group that had a good coordination while he thanked them.
If he was adopted into the family of his bride, then it would surely be the same for him.
However, the intention was transmitted with this.
'What's left is… an issue of my own determination'
He would show everything.
Even if he said so himself, he didn't think it was something terribly to brag about, but he didn't have regrets.
Ikki decided it strongly, that he would certainly do it to completion.
And then, Lunaeyes told Ikki without delay.
"Now, why don't we try out Ikki the way one likes? In that case, a challenge is presented by me first."
"L-Luna-nee!? Didn't you say that you weren't against us, Luna-nee!?"
"I don't remember saying that I approved him but I'm not against him either."
"Ugh."
No way, the bluff of Sirius came even this far and resulted to be correct? Stella put a bitter expression on her face.
On the other hand, Lunaize soothed Stella with「hey, be calm」and said.
"It's not a troublesome conversation. If it's the physical strength of Ikki."
"My physical strength is connected to the challenge?"
Lunaeyes nodded to the question of Ikki.
"Yes. Ikki. I'm inviting you to participate in the『War』that will be carried out with Kledelland soon."
"W『War』…!?"
Ikki couldn't hide his surprise at the disturbing meaning of those words.
But Lunaeyes immediately denied his imagination.
"Huh? Although it's called war, it's not that is a bloody thing or something. Kledelland and Vermillion are both"member nations of the International Mage-Knights League"."
In regards to the"International Mage-Knights League", there were agreements regarding war between fellow member nations of the league, in addition, small countries helped each other to protect from large countries, and in the event of an emergency, to provide military strength and war expenses. That agreement said: there won't be use of military or conventional weapons in the disputes between fellow member nations of the league but instead the outcome will be decided by duels, choosing the "Mage-Knights"that will be the representatives of both countries… that's how it is.
This system was a symbol of League's great principle where『Blazers should protect the powerless』and at the same time, it was essential to maintain the harmony between the member nations.
Since the hierarchical relationship was built by national power among the member nations, it would be difficult for a small country without power to be in League.
However, using this rule, it was possible for a small country to defeat a large country.
They could keep a position of equality.
『Two countries, even if they belong to the same League. Political arguments happen after all. That is inevitable. If they don't let it go and try to avoid the unreasonable, the organization loses its flexibility, develops cracks and collapses. That's why, war between the member nations must be conducted under fair conditions』
This rule, which was established and advocated by"Sir Whitebeard", the head of League, had the most rivalry within the League, but the fact that this organization called"International Mage-Knights League"was able to become so huge as to divide the world in half a century, was probably thanks to the existence of this rule.
"Of course, the war between Vermillion and Kledelland will be conducted under this rule. Ikki. Do you know that Vermillion is an independent nation from Kledelland?"
"Yes. I know the details of it."
"In that case, I'll omit the explanation of those circumstances, but since the country was originated like that, we naturally have territorial disputes. Even now, the gas fields near the border are being disputed with Kledelland. This war is held once every five years with the ownership of this gas fields at stake. The form of the match changes every time, but this year is a team competition of 5"Mage-Knights". To hurry things a bit, it will be the victory of the country that had reached more victories in a total of five matches. …About what I said so far, do you get my condition?"
"That is to participate in the war as one of the representatives of Vermillion and win… yes?"
"Not quite so. There's no point in your victory alone. To conquer your enemies and to bring victory to Vermillion. That is my challenge. That's the condition of Lunaeyes Vermillion, the first Princess and next Queen to recognize your relationship with the second Princess Stella Vermillion."
Having said that, Lunaeyes showed a smile to test Ikki.
"Thinking about it, it's not a bad talk. After all, it's a chance to contribute directly to the national interest. Moreover, in the last 30 years, Vermillion has never won this war. If a man were to break that situation, no one would object your engagement with Stella. …Not even my obstinate father."
Sirius, startled, opened his eyes wide because of the words of Lunaize.
"Eh!? Hold on a second, Luna! Such words are…"
But...
"Hey, Luna-nee. It's been weighing on my mind since a while ago, but who's that old man?"
"So fast!? If a Samurai brings victory to this country, then there's no reason for me, the King of Vermillion, to have a reason to go against him! Then I'll be relieved, entrusting Stella to you! Nahahaha!"
Sirius easily fell down to the brief words of Stella.
He was also aware.
The eyes of Stella that were looking at him from a while ago became completely cold.
Now, within Stella, the existence of her father was in a very dangerous place.
Because it seemed as if he was scattered outside of her head with the smallest of the impacts, and so, she never being able to remember about him again.
Well, he suffered the consequences of his own actions, nothing less, nothing more.
Then, after they deceived Sirius with those words, Lunaize asked Ikki again.
"Okay then. Do you accept my challenge?"
Ikki then...
"Of course. If with this I can hope to be the husband of Stella, then I'll win without fail."
He immediately replied.
At first, he was told that it was a war and so he was surprised, but rather this was what he desired, to cut and open a path with the sword.
There was no reason to refuse.
She listened to that reply and,
"Alright."
Lunaeyes turned her back on Ikki and the others all of a sudden.
Then, she approached the big glass door of the dining hall and opened with both hands...
"That's right! Did everyone hear it too!?"
She shouted out of the castle from the terrace.
At that moment,
『『『YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSS!!!!』』』
An ovation like a rumble in the ground burst in the dining hall from the window that was left open.
When anyone went out to the terrace, there were countless groups of people crowding outside the castle, raising shouts of joy.
"W-what's the meaning of this!?"
"It means this."
Lunaeyes took out something from the hem of her dress with a mischievous look to Stella who opened her eyes wide in surprise.
It was a highly directional microphone that was linked to all the broadcasting facilities of the imperial capital in advance to help Ikki while she pretended not to see the reckless action of her father.
"All the conversations so far were broadcasted outside by the government-managed broadcast. I thought that if we did this, we could save us time and effort to explain to the citizens."
"Wai…"
Ikki tried to protest Lunaeyes who had said something unexpected as if nothing happened.
Naturally, the greetings to her parents were broadcasted throughout the town.
However, Lunaeyes completely ignored Ikki and continued talking to the people outside.
"You heard it just now! A promise has been made here! Sirius Vermillion, the King of Vermillion, will recognize Ikku Kurogane as the husband of the second Princess Stella Vermillion with the victory of war! Is there anyone who disagrees with this promise!?"
Towards this, the crowd replied.
『No, nobody!』
『We all fought and we all lost!』
『Furthermore, groom-san even said that he liked us…』
『I've never seen such a strong and kind man!』
『You're the only one to whom we can entrust Stellchan!』
『If the King throws a tantrum and tries to annul his promise, and even if a coup d'état arises, we'll be on your side!』
They didn't have negative feelings towards Ikki.
The promise of the duel that he exchanged before coming here.
Since he shook free from all the citizens and finally arrived to where Stella was, it was Ikki's victory.
The people of Vermillion kept the promise of the duel.
If so―there was only one thing Ikki should do.
"All the people are looking forward to your great efforts. Ikki."
The words of Lunaize told.
"Yes…! Allow me to do my best effort!"
What it meant to win was to carry them on his back.
To inherit the wish of the losers.
That's why, he swore as a victor.
That he shall never betray the trust that he had won.