Save 77 - The Day We Met

Jude was dreaming.

He was remembering that autumn day last year.

The day his life changed forever.

He had left a party where many noble children were gathered.

This party was for him, his father wanted him to look for connections with nobles and to see if he could look for his future and possible wife.

"It's so boring in there."

Jude walked down a long sloping path, at the edges was grass growing.

He wore a smart suit and his tie was a mess.

"All women are boring, there aren't any who don't think of themselves. If they want me to marry a woman like that, then let them engage me to Sara, but my father wouldn't like that."

He kicked a can, that can was flying straight into a river.

The sun was going down.

As the can fell, Jude was about to turn around to go back to the party. Then─

"What a cute kitty."

He heard a voice coming from the bridge linking the islands.

As he turned his gaze to see the owner of that voice.

He was shocked to see a girl.

She was feeding a cat.

The orange sunlight surrounding her long hair tied in two fluffy twintails.

And her bright eyes that stood out more than that light made Jude's heart pound.

It was the first time in his life he had ever seen that girl.

He didn't even know her name let alone who she was.

But one thing he did know─

"She's beautiful..."

That it was the first time he felt interested in a girl.

Just like in the game, this was how Jude's route began.

◇◇◇

Jude was surrounded by soldiers when he opened his eyes.

"... This place."

His arms and legs were receiving treatment, but the doctors looked at his right hand and shook their heads.

"My lord, it is unfortunate but the young master's divine protection is wearing off."

Cliff looked at Jude with his cold eyes, but didn't even look at him anymore.

"No protection, huh? Well, this guy is no longer useful anyway. Go ahead with the disinheritance proceedings. There are other important things going on right now. Dealing with the consequences is going to be problematic."

Battler stood there in front of Cliff's gaze. He looked really frustrated.

Near that monster was Linus clutching his head as he apologized to Randolf.

"Acting Chairman, I'm so sorry! I beg for your forgiveness! I really am─!"

"Linus, enough."

Randolf's words were cold as his gaze. Then he looked at Battler.

"So this is the power of the Kingdom."

Cliff looked at Battler as he bit his lips.

They lost not only in aircraft, but also in armed unit technology. No, it seemed his frustration stemmed from the defeat of the six great nobles.

As Jude lifted his upper body while receiving treatment, Lucy came in with Rudel in tow.

They were holding hands.

Around her were also the young nobles of the Kingdom, apart from Rudel, who followed her as guards.

Lucy crouched down when she reached Jude's side and brought her gaze level with him.

Jude looked at Lucy and burst out laughing.

"Are you here to laugh at me? Are you here to laugh at me who pathetically lost and I even lost my divine protection? But I still won't give up. Lucy, you are my─"

Lucy slapped him.

Jude immediately looked at Lucy, but his expression changed to bewilderment.

"W-Why are you crying?"

Lucy was crying.

Tears were falling in large drops from her eyes.

Lucy looked down so as not to show her face and spoke loudly.

"I! I began to hate you not because you were weak! Jude, you, one day you started treating me like an object, no matter what I did, you'd say I wasn't fit for you, you'd buy me more expensive things!"

That was the story before Jude was hated.

When he became friends with Lucy, there was a time when they accidentally met in the city as he didn't remember her and they had a good time together.

At that time, Jude wanted Lucy to become a proper woman for him and complained about Lucy's behaviors. From Jude's perspective, she was just giving him advice.

"Th-That was for your sake!"

"I! I'd be fine with normal things. Having fun together, eating, shopping. I wanted to enjoy them more. And yet you rejected everything about me."

Jude remembered what Lucy told him.

When Lucy said she wanted to go boating, he turned her down, saying he would prepare an airship.

When they were going to eat, Lucy wanted to go into a restaurant that was a little expensive, but he said that restaurant was unpleasant and went to a high-class restaurant.

When shopping too, the accessory Lucy wanted was cheap, so he turned it down and gave her a gift of something he liked.

Lucy said.

"I'm not a good match for you. I realized that and stopped dating you. And yet you still pursued me. You even put a necklace on me that can't be taken off for life!"

The cursed necklace around Lucy's neck. Rudel was wearing the master's bracelet.

Lucy looked at Jude sadly.

"Jude... you, were you really looking at me? You wouldn't even recognize me. I didn't want that, that's why I came to hate you."

Jude couldn't answer anything. That's when Randolf and Sara came with some people in tow.

Among them was also Diana with Lugh escorting her. Lucy asked Jude.

"Jude, do you know what my favorite thing is, my favorite color? Or what's my favorite season of the year?"

Jude lowered his head. He was surprised to realize that he didn't know even one thing Lucy liked.

◇

The next day after breaking into the marriage ceremony. I had returned to the mansion and confronted Lucy at this point. Lucy slapped me.

I could dodge it, but I chose to receive it.

"Are you satisfied?"

"You really are the worst. Even though you don't think anything of me, you came to save me? Don't have any strange expectations like this!"

The reason for Lucy's anger was complicated.

It seemed that she was grateful that I came to save her, but she was angry that a man with fiancés was doing such a thing.

It was natural for her to have such thoughts.

To be honest, I found it hard to understand why she chose me.

What was going on with my strange period of popularity?

Was it because such a period never came in my previous life that it was now descending upon me with interest?

Lucy shed tears and wiped them away with her hand.

"Don't keep me waiting for something like that. I want to forget it, though. I won't be able to forget it if you do something like this."

I would be back in the Kingdom in less than a year.

Lucy's treatment hadn't been decided yet, but we couldn't be together even if I brought her back with me.

"I'm sorry. Still, I wanted to save you."

Lucy shook her head at my apology.

"Actually I want to thank you too, I want to thank you so much! But─ I didn't want this. It's painful to fall in love with someone who has fiancés."

I almost reached out my hand to the crying Lucy. I thought about whether I should hug her, but I gave up.

There was nothing I could do, even if I gave her some tender words.

I was done with my apologies, so I went out, leaving Lucy in the room. Ixion and Bell were waiting outside the room.

"Oh, aren't you going to hug and comfort her, Master?"

"Master is truly a sinful man. I totally respect him."

These annoyed AIs.

"Say what you want. Instead, when are you coming home, Bell?"

"I'll be back soon. After all, I'm worried I won't be there, too. I'll also have to check on those bad kids."

"Bad kids?"

"It's a secret!"

What was she hiding?

I wanted to ask her, but if Bell came back, I wanted her to deliver souvenirs of letters.

I also needed to prepare several things, so I started walking. Ixion and Bell were also floating up and down beside me.

Ixion talked to me about the current situation this time.

"About Jude, he really tried to eliminate you, Master. He tried to do that alone behind the scenes with nothing but disguised tricks, but there's no doubt that he was a troublesome opponent."

"That guy is really scary, huh. His specs were uselessly high, I wonder why conquest targets are all uselessly capable?"

When I turned my gaze to the courtyard that was visible from this hallway, I saw Liam and the others having a BBQ there.

Liam was alone in front of the grill and handed out skewers of meat to everyone.

"Yeah, this one is finished. Frey, take this."

"No, your highness. Your highness, you've been doing nothing but cooking since the beginning, so I'll take your place now."

"I'm doing this because I like it. Don't worry, just have fun."

Those guys had helped a lot to infiltrate the place, so I gave them a special bonus that they used for this barbecue.

They looked like they were having fun in the garden.

Erselica was gulping down a pitcher of ice cold beer in one gulp.

"Kaaaah! It's going nice and smooth inside me~ What a way to drink."

Although her appearance was that of a teenager, she was drinking and eating like a middle-aged man.

Cana brought some skewered meats for Erselica.

"Erselica-sama, what a splendid drink! Here, please eat this too! There's also a lot of meat! Vegetables too!

"Muhohohoho! This is the best! Cana, you eat as much as you want too. We'll fill up while we can. We don't know when we'll be able to do this again after all."

"Yes, Erselica-sama!"

I wondered why I felt like crying when I saw Erselica and the others. I had blurry eyes that I couldn't see well.

Usually Allen would be with Erselica and Cara, but right now he had Ada hovering around him.

"Allen-kun! Look, I've got some meat skewers. Aa~n."

"I can eat by myself! Besides, onee-chan, you're eating nothing but meat! You need to eat your vegetables too!"

She shouldn't have wanted other people to see a pair of siblings getting along, but Ada was dejected by her little brother's refusal.

Allen wanted to comfort her, which he was, but he couldn't be honest with himself.

"Ah, youth."

"You're young too, you know."

I ignored Ixion's reply and looked at Felicia, who looked worried in the courtyard.

The reason she was worried as she looked around was to see how the young nobles who were highly acclaimed by everyone in the kingdom had ended up this way.

Frey was placing his used skewers on a strangely decorated plate. Clovis, who was feeding pigeons and rabbits, saw him and asked.

"Frey, that dish is just garbage, isn't it?"

"How rude, can't you understand how wonderful this dish is?"

"Look, I don't want to say it but did you really succeed as in your job? I can't help but think it's a lie."

"... Clovis-kun, Your claim that you were successful as an artist feels like a lie. In the first place, your magic trick isn't skillful."

"It's fine, even if it's not skillful. After all, I received money for showing my perfect existence with magic as an extra."

These guys, I was worried when I heard that they left the mansion, but it seemed like they were capable of being able to live out there.

The vitality I felt from them was already at the level of a cockroach.

But all of them, their unique characteristic had become even thicker compared to before they left.

Chlust and Warren were also amazing.

Warren warned Chlust when he saw their appearance.

"Chlust, how about putting some clothes on?"

"Oh? I'm already wearing something."

"What are you saying when you're only wearing just a speedo?"

"You're stupid, huh, Warren. Look carefully! How is it, my pectoral muscle!?"

Chlust's skin as he struck a pose glistened in the sun.

And then Warren, who was admonishing Chlust for only wearing a speedo, was also dressed in only a loincloth.

"That's just underwear! And muscles aren't clothes!"

"You yourself are wearing nothing but cloth!"

"What are you, an idiot? I'm also wearing a chest wrap."

"That's not it, guys." I wanted to retort.

It couldn't be helped that Felicia looked worried.

Felicia, who was in such a state, was talking to Liam.

When I looked at Liam who was sweating with a refreshing smile in front of the grill. I felt strange because he looked normal due to the fact that the other four looked so pitiful.

Originally, Liam was the crown prince of the Altfode Kingdom. His position wouldn't allow him to do something like grilling meat.

"Y-Your Highness."

What's wrong?"

"Why is he roasting meat from the beginning, should I replace him?"

Liam removed the grid from the grill and shook off the burnt things that had stuck to it.

"Everyone asked me that, but I feel more at ease doing this. Besides, my experience is overwhelmingly insufficient to make me a professional cook. I want to accumulate experience right now."

(What an admirable attitude─ isn't that. Just now, what did he say?)

Felicia looked coldly at Liam.

"... His Highness is still the prince of the Altfode Kingdom. You won't be able to become something like a cook, though─"

She made a quiet retort.

Liam opened and closed the tongs with a snap as he replied to Felicia.

"Don't you think it would be nice if there's at least one prince who's mastered the art of cooking?"

"I don't think so."

Felicia replied instantly. Looking at her, I had a feeling that I could get along with this person.

As a common sense colleague that is.

As I looked at Erselica and the others from the window, I felt a little absurd.

"Those guys look like they're having fun."

Bell suggested I invite Lucy.

"Then how about you invite Lucy and join them?"

"Idio~t. It'll just make the atmosphere feel awkward even though they're having fun right now. More importantly, I need to get ready before you come back. Come on, let's go."

I brought Ixion and Bell towards the port.

◇◇◇

Lucy looked out the window at Rudel, seeing him, her expression turned dark.

"I hate you."

"I don't love you."

"I love you."

She was forcing herself to say words to convince herself, but noticing the last thing she said, made her fall to her knees and start crying.

"... At this rate, I really will never be able to forget him."

◇◇◇

The barbecue ended in the evening.

A guest arrived at that time. It was Erselica who entertained the guest. The guest was Sara.

After welcoming her, Sara said she had an affair with Lucy, so Erselica brought her there.

But the atmosphere was uncomfortable.

Erselica was not close to Sara, and Lucy had a bad relationship with Sara.

Also, Lucy was depressed at the moment and was not cheerful at all.

(Could it be that big brother of mine is the kind of person who runs away when he thinks it will turn into a bloodbath? He always leaves when there's an important scene, is it because he sensed danger? I guess not. That big brother has no such ability.)

Sara sighed as Erselica escaped from reality and approached Lucy. And then she slapped her.

*Slap!*

Such a sound echoed inside the room, then Lucy got angry after a second.

"W-What the hell are you doing!"

Sara looked at Lucy and made a ridiculous smile.

"I have the urge to slap you because you're making this, 'I'm so unlucky boo hoo' face. You're really a flamboyant woman, huh. I wonder if you know how many dangers Rudel faced because of you?"

"Th-That─ That's because Rudel is kind."

"No one would go so far as to fight Aster just for mere kindness. Your head really is full of flowers."

Erselica knew about the real situation.

The reason Rudel saved Lucy was to prevent this world from being in danger.

But, as for what Rudel himself was really thinking, she could only imagine.

(We're talking about my older brother, so surely he saved her thinking that she's pitiful. Even so, he can't respond to the girl's feeling he's really the worst even in this world.)

Her older brother's romantic life was irritating, so she didn't get involved, but well, he had been a dense older brother even when she thought so.

Sara moved closer to Lucy to within spitting distance when their noses touched.

"I hate you. I hate you for living carefree without knowing anything. Even now you still haven't noticed how happy you are."

"D-Do you know how many hardships we've been through? It was all because of your house!"

"Ah, so is that so? You two could easily enroll in the academy even though your house was destroyed, who do you think you have to thank for that? Are you seriously thinking that your background could be completely hidden with just the efforts of your servants?"

Lucy looked away from Sara.

"... I don't know anything about that. We were told to sign up for the academy."

Sara folded her arms.

"It was really an annoying situation. But the person who cares the most is Rudel, who saved you. Lucy, what are you going to do after this?"

Lucy looked down and shook her head.

"I... I haven't decided yet. I just don't decide it yet."

"... Go back to the academy for a while. It looks like my father will allow it too. It seems that it will also be fine even if you follow Rudel when he returns to his country. However, it's also fine even if you stay behind."

"Huh?"

When Lucy raised her face, Sara shrugged her shoulders.

"Do what you want, that's what I'm saying. Decide the course of your future before Rudel and the others go home. I came today just to tell you that."

"Besides, you're lucky you can be with the one you love."

When Sara left the room, Lucy was rooted to the spot. But, it was Erselica who was most concerned.

(Why is the last boss and villainess helping the heroine? Aaaaaaaah!!! I don't get it completelyyyyyyyy!!!)

Even though she wouldn't need to worry about anything if things were simpler. Erselica held her head with her hands because she couldn't predict the future development.

◇

Bell had returned. Calm returned to Aster in the middle of the second semester. It was really chaotic in Aster in the first semester and the summer break.

Because of that, the academy events, the romantic events if you said it in otome game terminology, all got squashed.

That happened also because the six great nobles caused scandals in succession. On the rooftop of the academy.

I gave her half of the lunch bread I bought Erselica while talking to Diana. We were talking about what to do next.

But it didn't turn into a useful dialogue. Diana was also complaining today.

"Now what! Really, now what? All the events were squashed even though a long vacation is coming soon, this is completely unexpected!"

I agreed with what Diana said.

I heard that when a girl was angry, there was no point even if you responded logically.

It seemed like it would be better if you agreed with her "It's troublesome, isn't it?" in sympathy.

"That's true, isn't it? It's troublesome, isn't it? ~ Hey, Erselica! Don't eat them all!"

The brown paper bag that was filled with several small croissants was almost empty. Erselica apologized.

"Hah!!!? S-sorry. I had a head full of food."

Diana yelled angrily as the subject was diverted.

"It's your fault, guys! Derrick left, Jude also left, Tom also cancelled his engagement, but he has no flag with my sister! Besides, he was called to help his family and he left the university, Linus is impossible, what are we going to do now!!!? "

About Jude, he didn't come to the academy using the injury as an excuse.

But there was something Erselica told me when I wasn't there.

◇◇◇

Erselica Residence.

Jude, who was observed by the Banfield Household vassals, came as a guest.

Chlust and Warren are looking furious.

"What have you come for?"

"Come back."

In the guest lounge. Erselica calmed them down and spoke to Jude.

"I'm sorry, but what are you doing here? You're not welcome. I mean, are the six great aristocrats so soft that you can leave already?"

The vassals looked very nervous as they were told to get stuck in.

Sweat drips down their foreheads.

Jude was looking at the ground before saying something strange.

Yes, they were on the lookout for Jude. Jude says it plainly.

"... I came to apologize to Lucy. I-I thought about what I did and. I certainly could have been wrong in my way of winning her over."

Erselica laughs with her nose.

"Maybe? No, it's a fact. What you did is unforgivable, please get out of here."

Erselica had a magnanimous attitude after what caused Rudel, an armed force that has become popular Aster.

He was downhearted. But the Banfield Household vassals say nothing.

Jude laughs bitterly.

"Yes... that's true, but it may not be necessary to change it."

"What do you mean, are you stupid?"

"No. My life depends on you. I caused the Kingdom a worse scandal than Derrick. My father was also having trouble responding. Even if you execute me or punish me, the other six great nobles are opposed. If I am punished without any torment, it seems to be a problem for those who severely punished Derrick. After all, the country cannot offer Derrick to the Kingdom."

Erselica imagined a parliament of annoyed men coming and going.

The position of the diplomats was also weak, and above all, if opinions were split down the middle, the story would not be resolved.

Erselica was also frustrated by the seemingly careless diplomats.

"I wonder if you don't reflect on that."

Erselica thinks.

(Alright, this kid needs a good reprimand, besides Banfield Household really doesn't care anymore, they're keeping him just for pride. Then something scary might happen if they leave him alone!)

But─

"So my father didn't inform you. He said my life belongs to you."

"What?"

Liam was confused by Erselica, who was surprised.

"... Is that weird? What's the point of informally killing you? I'm sorry to say that your life is one of the bargaining factors. Even if we kill you here, Banfield Household will protest against the Kingdom, it has no merit. Rather, the official presentation as our prisoner will change Aster's impression."

Jude laughed a little.

"Oh, that's right. From your point of view, it's true. But I'm not worth it now."

Jude showed the back of his right hand.

Erselica was not surprised to no longer see the emblem.

"So? Serves you right!"

"It's funny this. After that, I was stolen from the one I loved and lost my emblem, I wasn't blessed no doubt. My father wants to push me into a dungeon or erase me right away. No, maybe he wants to show my head even casually to the Kingdom, don't you think?"

Frey muttered.

"If you get erased anyway, do you want to leave a good impression perchance?"

Clovis shakes his head.

"It's not something you can honestly apologize for. Or rather, Derrick didn't even come to apologize to you."

Clovis talks about Jude and Derrick as if they were friends.

"I'm sorry, but Derrick is a different case. Apologies would be prioritized, but I don't think they are in a state of apology in the first place. During the interrogation, Derrick confessed that he was going to remove his brother from heir position. That brother was very angry."

Hearing that, Liam and the others seemed to immediately guess why Jude came. It's been a while since Erselica noticed that she was a little late with the apology and shut her mouth.

(Why is this happening?)

When Jude turned her back, she noticed a ponytail in the corner, she flashed a wistful smile.

"I'm sorry, it seems that not even an apology is desired. If possible, tell Earl Bradford I came and let him decide my fate."

Jude walked out along with the knights guarding him.

◇◇◇

I left the matter of Jude to his country, it would be really annoying to be asked to execute him, more so because Lucy would also annoy him.

As for Tom, he ran away leaving Sara alone when the incident happened. That's why his engagement was cancelled.

That was the reason on the surface, but the real reason was because Linus betrayed Randolf.

But I heard this from Ixion, apparently, Tom ended up seriously wounded, it's not a mortal wound. But his hands shake to the point that he can't even write and now he is afraid of the armed units.

Another detail she told me, is that now there are many young nobles who want her hand. Apparently she will have severe engagement problems.

And then the six great nobles, who were in chaos, called all the politicians and moved in a state of confusion.

They were busy with things like dealing with other countries or apologizing to the Kingdom.

Diana stood in front of us with her hands on her hips to emphasize that she was angry. Was this what they call "moe"?

"Are you listening to what I'm saying!!!?"

"I am listening. In other words, you have no idea how to deal with the last boss, do you?"

"That's right. Really, what are we going to do now?"

As Diana held her head with her hands, Ixion, who had been quiet until now while observing the situation, showed himself.

Diana said "Hyah!" Surprised, but Ixion ignored her.

"Finally there's no need to worry about the last boss. In the first place, what Master and Erselica are worried about is Aster's situation after the defeat of the last boss."

"Huh? After he's defeated?"

"I'm currently speeding up my analysis of the sacred tree, but I've judged that it's possible to treat it using my main body's attack. The important thing is how well we'll be able to calm Aster after that happens."

Diana opened her eyes wide.

"Can you do something like that?"

"Yes. It's also possible for me to sink this land right away."

Diana grabbed my neck when she heard that dangerous talk.

"Hey, what is he saying!!! What is this guy saying!!! This guy's words are really scary! I have a feeling he's saying something like sinking Aster if things get out of control!"

It was incorrigible because it was a fact.

I didn't know how to respond to her... so I glossed over it by laughing.

"Fujajaja!"

"Don't overlook it! Don't overlook it... wait, that means he can really do that. Hey, can he really do that, or rather, is this guy going to do something like that!?"

Ixion answered sincerely.

"That's only if the situation is really desperate. I don't mind doing it right away, but Master won't give me permission."

I calmed Diana down.

"He's joking! But. If it's possible, I want things to end in a right state, I'll also help deal with the aftermath of the damage. Anyway, don't worry about the last boss. We'll take care of that if things really get desperate."

Erselica nodded with a croissant in her mouth.

"Yes. Thaht's whyh not toh worryh."

That was disgusting, I wish you'd finish eating before you spoke. Diana let go of me and looked down.

"Th-That means this country will sink depending on your mood."

"What an exaggerated girl. That won't happen, I'm not a barbarian to do that. There's no way we're going to do something like that."

Diana wasn't really listening after that when we resumed the conversation.

I hope she didn't think I was really going to destroy this country?

◇◇◇

On the way home from the academy.

Diana walked staggeringly.

She refused Lugh's invitation to send her all the way home and walked back alone because she wanted to think alone.

(This is bad. That Ixion is even more dangerous than expected. That's right, that guy is part of a paid item that came out in the game. It's not normal.)

The game balance of the paid items in this RPG game was strange.

It was so unbalanced that players needed to buy a paid item to complete it.

Among the paid items, the weapon called "Ixion" didn't exist, there were only many similar machines that possessed overwhelming ability.

(I don't know how to deal with something like that when it appears in reality. Depending on the mood of those guys, I might even suffer collateral damage if I'm unlucky.)

When she thought about what Aster had done to Rudel so far, it wouldn't be strange for him to accumulate so much dissatisfaction.

After all, Rudel was the villain of the tutorial.

To her, maybe the memories of the Rudel from the game had mixed with the reincarnated Rudel thus achieving, his horrible personality.

She didn't know when that dissatisfaction would erupt.

Besides, it was the six great nobles who were meddling with Rudel.

She had no way to stop them.

It was like being told there was an enemy even more powerful than the last boss.

It felt like someone else was holding the power of life or death over her.

She couldn't keep calm at all.

Besides, she couldn't trust Rudel either.

After all, he was that kind of human who would do extreme things to get Lucy back.

Diana was unbearably anxious.

(Linus lost power, Tom is no good, Jude was disinherited, Lugh is my boyfriend so he's no good either, Liam is a closed case, leaving only those two; Derrick's older brother and Romeo... both come from nasty houses.)

(If so, then I need power, something that can oppose him... but is there any weapon in Aster that can oppose Ixion? It will be possible if it's the same item paid for, but I won't be able to pick up something like that by myself.)

(So it would only be left for me to ask "him" for help. I know he will help me since I know his secret, it was a good thing I didn't tell those guys or they would definitely think I'm hiding things).

Unlike the Altfode Kingdom academy, the Aster Supreme Kingdom academy did not teach the students the basics of being adventurers.

Diana herself had very little knowledge about it. It was impossible for her to retrieve the item with her own strength.

(That's right. I know the location. After that, in this country is hidden one. In the game, almost every country had one, in the Holy Weiss Empire there is also, fortunately the new emperor is different than in the game.)

In the game, after the defeat of the empire twenty years ago, the old emperor died of insanity, a new one came being a very ambitious one, he was the one who declared war on the Kingdom. But Diana found out thanks to Lugh, that this emperor never touched the throne, a much more intelligent and human one did. For that reason, Diana was happy that the pay item lying there, was not found thanks to the exploitation of her people.

(If I can get it. The paid item lying in Aster's hidden, that game item I hadn't picked up until now.)

"Here's your order."

"Thank you."

While thinking about the method to collect the item, Diana noticed a sweet smell, she passed near a restaurant. Looking sideways at the food, she caught sight of an acquaintance and inadvertently called out his name.

"Zack!"

A boy was eating, as he looked up, he swallowed his mouthful and stood up to say hello.

"Hi, long time no see Diana!"

"... Same here, Zack."

A very handsome boy, he had his shirt unbuttoned at the chest area in this cold.

His hair was dark bluish white, it was pulled back to the side and in the front with a spiky style that covered part of his eye. Those eyes were dark red like clotted blood, he possessed piercings in both ears. He had healthy looking pale skin.

He was also tall. The muscles, which were visible through the unbuttoned shirt, were firm.

The man─ Zack Noctis Wayne, raised his hand and spoke to Diana gently.

He was none other than the latest capture target.

Although Diana was surprised, she asked him where he had been going so far.

"Y-You, where have you been so far!"

"Are you worried? Thank you. I'm happy that you're worried about me. Wow, if you want to hear my adventure story, do you want to have lunch with me? It will take a little while after all. The adventure this time was a little difficult, you know? Seriously, how about having lunch together? This is our reunion after so long after all, it's okay, right?"

He had a very cheerful attitude, but he was the heir to Wayne Household.

He was Lucian's adopted son.

This young man had a lot of problems in him, but he dreamed of being an adventurer and besides, he was a reliable boy as an adventurer.

Diana gasped.

(That's right. If I asked Zack for help─)

Diana accepted Zack's invitation.

"Fine. Let's have lunch together."

Zack was surprised.

"That's weird of you. I thought you'd say no, but is it really okay?"

"What, we're not going?"

"Silly! Of course we're going! More importantly, what do you want to eat? It's a rare chance for us to eat together after all, order something!"

Diana was relieved to see Zack's delighted look. After all, she never told Rudel and Erselica that the real reason why she never got Zack and Lucy together was─

(... Thank goodness Zack is interested in me.)

That he actually fell in love with her. A year ago, when he found out her secret.

Diana had dinner together with Zack that day.

◇◇◇

Lugh was waiting when Diana returned home. It seemed that he had asked the servants to prepare dinner.

"Diana, about dinner..."

"I'm sorry, I've already eaten."

"I see..."

"I'm sorry, Lugh."

Lunor Household had prepared a mansion near the academy for Diana's sake.

It was closer to the academy than her previous apartment. She lived together with Lugh there.

There were also several servants there, but the mansion itself was not particularly large.

Lugh was deep in thought.

He could cook and clean, and above all he was kind.

Diana was not dissatisfied with him.

But, she felt something was missing.

(Even though he can eat first without waiting for me. This made the atmosphere heavy.)

"Lugh, about the next long vacation, I'm going to have to take care of some business. Because of that, I won't be able to come home with you."

"Huh? Is that so? But, we've already promised."

"Please. Don't ask me anything."

(That Rudel guy is too dangerous. I have to get at least the same power no matter what.)

She would go on an adventure with Zack to prepare a countermeasure against Rudel.

She couldn't tell Lugh about it.

And then it would also worry him if he was asked to explain in detail.

Lugh looked disappointed.

"I-I see. But let's at least give a quick greeting to my family. My older sisters are also waiting for that, we also need to talk about the future."

"... Okay."

Diana said that and locked herself in her room. After lying down on her bed, she looked at the ceiling, raised her hand and clenched her fist.

"I won't let those guys get away with this. I will protect this country from the evil hand of those two."