(Part 2 )

As if he understood my feelings, O’brien-san was giving a smile and Warren-sama was giving a sympathetic sigh. Really, this man should consider his position……..thinking that, I felt sorry for him as well.

To be royalty is to live for the sake of the people. I recall him saying that to me once. They are not allowed to be selfish and are to act and live for the betterment of the country and its people.

For the country, for the people, for the world.

To live and to die for such things is what it means to be royalty. Even in this world, it’s not like everyone is a good person. But still, I know those who tried to protect the world for everyone else. People who supported and aided us even when they themselves did not have much resources. They helped negotiate with Elfreim, with whom they were at odds with back then, solely for our sake. And there were people who fought against demons with us even when they held no special powers.

All of them are people I truly respect, and one of those is this man.

That’s why……….

“Well, after the tournament has ended, I’ll go for a drink with you…….I guess.”(renji)

“Kuku. I see, I see. I’ll look forward to it.”(king)

Saying that, I felt like I regretted it already.

My stomach hurts just thinking about going for a drink with the king himself. This isn’t even the first time I am going for a drink with him either yet I really can’t get used to this. When the time comes, I am definitely dragging either Utano-san or Kuuki along with me.

“It’ll be nice we get to celebrate your victory with drinks and fish as well!”(king)

“ugh.”

So it comes down to that. Seeing my reaction, I wonder what King Joshua thought as he laughed *kakaka*. Rather than a king, he really looked more like a playful old man you could find anywhere. Even O’brien-san gave a small laugh.

“Please be relieved. We shall do our best to put up a great show that you can truly enjoy Milord. Ain’t that right, Renji?”(ob)

“………Sure.”

“What’s with that pathetic reply, fool. You’re in front of the king.”(ob)

Guh, putting me in trouble, O’brien-san reproached me with an amused voice. Most of the people in the royal castle know of my true strength. Probably only the newer employees would be unaware of that. Of course, the King and Prime Minister are also aware.

That’s how famous my normalcy (read as- weakness) is. But even then, they keep on making such unreasonable demands out of me. In fact even people I expect to get me out of such trouble somehow end up saying things that put me in more mess.

“Nowadays, even Amalda enjoys spending time with Yuuta more than me. Help me with my loneliness, Renji.”(king)

“I don’t know how much I can help you, but I shall try my best milord.” (renji)

“umu. But, don’t be reckless okay? There are far too many people that worry whenever you get injured. Isn’t that so, Prime Minister?”(king)

“Wha?”

“And also..”

Then, his tone became a bit heavier, more serious.

Those words were spoken as a king, not just an old man. As the man who leads this country.

“The ones that need to be entertained are the people. Even though the threat of the Demon G.o.d has been removed, the world is still far from being peaceful. Even if only for the time till the tournament ends, I hope that the people can forget about demons and monsters and enjoy the fights.”

“I’ll give my all to rise up to your expectations, Milord.”

“Fuh. You didn’t have to speak so formally there though. Just a normal ‘Understood’ would suffice.”

“Understood.”

Giving the reply, I moved to the side and let him move on.

It seems our talk had gathered quite a lot of attention as when the king finally moved, the crowd surrounding split to give him way making him look like Moses. I looked at king Joshua’s back as he walked away. Among the various gazes, I saw a familiar woman with blonde hair—-Ms Francesca was also there. I was about to scratch my head in embarra.s.sment as usual but stopped. Not in front of the king, it’d be rude. That man probably wouldn’t care about it though.

[fufu. Looks like you’ve finally lost all escape routes, eh?]

“I doubt I had one in the first place.”

I replied that to Ermenhilde.

As one of the summoned, as one who killed a G.o.d, as one who people depend upon, I’ll take part in the tournament. Then, I know I cannot give an unsightly performance.

At least, in my own way, I’ve decided to try my best. No matter who my opponent, I just have to fight with my all.

………The fact that I still couldn’t say that I’ll definitely win is, uncool, or maybe, I’m still tense.

“Now then, let’s get out of here.”

Souichi and others are still with their cla.s.smates, I couldn’t see Utano-san either. Her dress must have been too uncomfortable and she must have gone back to her room. I want to ge5t out of 5this armour asap as well. Though we had them made specifically for ourselves, I guess you never can get used to such difficult to move in clothes. I couldn’t even wear light armour even back then.

I did see Ms Francesca but I shouldn’t go talk to her right now. Even if she is a daughter of a n.o.ble family it’d be troublesome for her to gather unnecessary attention as well.

“Huh, Renji-niichan, you’re going back already?”

Just when I was about to leave the cathedral, this time Souichi came up and spoke to me. His armour seemed to be much more easy to move in than mine but since Souichi was also like me who preferred dodging above blocking attacks, he was not very comfortable in it either. As he walked towards me, his movements looked a bit awkward as well.

“Yeah. I’m bad with such formal ceremonies after all.”(renji)

“Again you……..At least go talk with Aya for some time.”

“As her childhood friend, that’s your job.”

“Mouu.”

Saying that, he gave a sigh. He hasn’t changed much in this sense. I felt warm inside seeing his usual actions.

“So, where is Aya by the way?”(renji)

“There, talking to her friends.”

“……..then is there even any need for me to keep her company?”

She’s talking with her friends, her comrades, with whom she’d be fighting tomorrow in the team battles.

Hearing that, I looked towards her. In a group of girls dressed in school uniforms, a single girl was in a robe. With black hair, rare in this world, the girl was talking happily with her friends.

That’s good. As a 18yr old child, looking at her talk with friends normally feels much better. Yayoi-chan was among them as well but she was looking towards us instead. That said, she’s probably looking at Souichi. Thinking that, I turned my gaze back to Souichi.

“Wait, do you not have any friends?”(renji)

“I do!?”

Then go talk with them rather than me.

“C’mon even Aya is talking with her friends, you should go as well.”(renji)

“But look. Except me, all of them are girls.”

“Hm?”

Hearing that, I glanced towards their group once more.

Certainly, there was not a single boy in the group. The number of partic.i.p.ants in a team were 5 and there are also some reserve members but all of them were girls. Souichi was the lone boy. I guess he would feel a bit awkward in there.

Harem is nothing but an illusion when in fact, it’s just a bed of thorns.

“I guess you have it rough as well.”(renji)

“Could you stop pushing me to them anyway while saying that?”

“I’m envious of your life, being surrounded by such pretty girls.”

“Stop lying!”

True, I don’t feel a shred of envy.

But of course. A party full of men sounds disgusting but a party with all girls would be tiresome. Men and women are completely different creatures.

While I was playing with Souichi like that, this time Masaki-chan, leading a few men behind her came to us. Here, unlike Souichi’s party, their group had 3 girls and 3 boys. Or rather, I’m really surprised how the Magic Academy’s team turned up with all girls like that. I became a bit curious of their selection criteria.

“You guys seem to be having fun as usual, Souichi, Yamada-san.”(masaki)

“I’m not really enjoying this though……”(souichi)

“Stop sounding like a wuss when you’re a guy.”(masaki)

I’m pretty sure this guy doesn’t have gynophobia. I guess he’s just become tired of being surrounded by too many women all the time. Even luxury has its price. Yup. It seems Souichi’s bad luck with women isn’t going to end any time soon. As I enjoyed seeing Souichi’s plight, *kacha* a dry sound came to me. Masaki-chan had rest her hand on the katana on her waist. She was also dressed in an extravagant dress as expected of a Hero but she was wearing a skirt below. It must be difficult to move for her as well. For us who fought against the Demon G.o.d, outfits like this that focus on looks feel nothing more than a hindrance after all.

But still, I guess women still enjoy dressing up as she seemed to be in a good mood. People like me and Souichi only feel stressed dressing up though.

But well, even though due to in a good mood, seeing a girl smiling while having a hand on a katana is pretty scary.

“Don’t go easy on me okay? Of course Souichi as well.”(masaki)

“Of course. I don’t intend to lose either.”(souichi)

“I’m not even taking part in the team battles though.”(renji)

Individual battles were day after tomorrow. If I could win against O’brien-san, it’d be in the 3rd round where I fight Masaki-chan.

Getting to fight Souichi in team battles then also having a chance of fighting Souichi in the individual matches again and also against Kuuki, she must be super excited. Even though she has the looks of a Yamato Nadeshiko, she’s battle maniac at heart. Maybe for the same reason, her comrades behind her also gave the same atmosphere. All of them were battle maniacs. Is this some kind of nightmare?

“It’s fine Yamada-san, I’ll take it out on you in the individual battles.”(masaki)

“…….Eh?”

Why did she say my name while saying that she was going to take it out on me!?

I really didn’t understand what she meant. Looking at my confusion she, with a smile that could be accompanied with a halo, replied.

“Aya or Yuuko-san may not get angry with you but I will.”

“Wha, uh, whaa…….?

“Disappearing so suddenly, making us all worry. And when you finally come back after so long, you were so like ~poyaa.”

What is this? Even though Masaki-chan is smiling, I am getting really scared here. This is that, it’s similar to when utano-san gets angry. When she gets angry, rather than raging like a fire, she becomes still and calm like the surface of a lake even though deep inside she’s…….well, like that.

How strange. Masaki-chan only got angry when something concerning Souichi happened. Thinking of that I gave a sidelong glance towards Souichi who is used to facing her anger. Even her comrades took a step back sensing that Masaki-chan was angry.

By the way, Souichi was distancing himself from me. So, I grabbed his shoulder and brought him back to my side.

[I don’t get what that ~poyaa~ means but true, Renji has been lifeless lately.]

“Exactly!”(masaki)

“You shut the h.e.l.l up.”(renji)

Seeing Masaki-chan strongly agree with my dense partner, I slapped the medal from above my trousers with the hand that wasn’t holding on to SOuichi.

“And so, 3rd round, I’m looking forward to it.”(masaki)

“Ah, sure.”(reji)

Was she satisfied with just that, she turned around and walked away. Her long hair that went even below her waist swayed around like a tail.

“Hmm, what would happen in case I never made it as far as the 3rd round though?”(renji)

“She’ll probably catch in the training grounds sooner or later?”(souichi)

So I have to fight her no matter what eh? No well, I don’t mind but I am a bit scared. She won’t try to actually kill me right? I think not.

[It seems your reasons to win and advance just increased.]

“Don’t sound so happy.”(renji)

[But I am happy.]

This only makes me more terrified though.

Even if we’d be using dulled blades, it still hurts when you get hit by those. Even if she’s not used to using western swords, with physical abilities rivalling those of Souichi, facing the [Demonic Sword user] in battle was nothing short of a nightmare.

“Well, I’ll give my best anyway.”(renji)

[Yeah. Give it your all, Renji.]

She said that. Her expectations rose for me. Then, I have to work hard.

And——if it makes you happy, I’d even try winning it. Without saying that, I just thought that in my heart.