30 30 Huuta did it! (1/2)

The cheers turn into screams.

At the same time as the groans rose, the echoes were of disappointment.

Prim muttered to herself as she looked at Futa's face, which showed a sad smile, even though she knew it was the usual.

It's not a smile of resignation to an unworthy challenger, is it?

...... I wasn't so sure of myself.

”I see.

Picking up the spear, Prim held out her right hand.

”It was fun, Futa.”

”Yeah.

The exchange of hands was brief.

This is not a sword dance in the Colosseum, but a duel between agents.

When I gently let go of his hand, a voice said.

”Hey, you know what?

”Hmm?

”I'm sorry...

Before he could finish his words, the situation moved.

There was a thud behind Futa.

You'll be able to see the arms around your shoulders and know that you've been hugged.

He knew exactly who was behind him.

Oh dear,” he said without looking back.

”Hey, hey, we haven't even finished greeting each other yet. I'm glad you're happy, but we'll talk about this later.

I've gotten used to her skinship by now.

--Strangely, the expression on Prim's face tightened and tensed.

I'm sure you'll be able to understand why.

I just finished a game and I smell like sweat. No, I know you don't mind, but... You may not care, but I'm more than a little happy, so I'll even hold you by your arms and spin you around later.

No kidding, I'm that happy on the inside.

But it's a bad place to be, so let's think about it,” he realized when he touched the hand that was being passed around.

It had the softness of a woman's hand, but it was clearly the hand of someone who holds a sword.

One person.

The blood quickly drained away.

”Oh, that-- Corona, is ......

”Yes, yes, yes!　I'm a cleaning maid!　You did it, Futa-sama!　You won!　You did it!　Congratulations!

A blonde haired maid appeared in front of me and started throwing confetti all over the place.

I was happy to celebrate, but the fact that she was able to appear in front of me was killing me.

Because you can still feel the body heat behind you.

”...... Oh, my... Oh, princess, ......?

Yes. Are you going to twirl me later?

No, that's the thing, ......!

She whispered teasingly in my ear.

”Hmm. I'm just kidding.

I'm just kidding.” He pulled his hand away as if to untie me.

He turned around and saw Lilac in a visibly happy mood.

I'm just saying, you did a great job. Huta. It wasn't a joking sentiment that made me hug you.

”No, no.

I'm not joking about the fact that I hugged you.

I hugged him back. The fact that he was so pleased made me happy, and more importantly, it made my efforts worthwhile.

...... I'm glad I could live up to your expectations.

Yes. ...... But I shouldn't. I'm going to need to vent tonight or I'm going to go crazy.

I'm not sure what to do, but I'm going to do it.

The serious Futa nodded his head in agreement with the correct intentions because he was serious.

It's a secret that I swallowed a little bit because it sounded like something else.

”Huh?

That's why the strange voice came from behind Futa.

”What?　You're the princess of this country and you're like that?

Well, I can see how it might be misunderstood. You have a meeting.

You're not supposed to misunderstand me.

Prim fanned her face with her hand, trying to hide her surprise.

She turned on her heel, carrying the spear on her back.

The loser will leave. The losers will leave. ...... You can bask in the afterglow. There's someone out there who'd love to see you win.

”Yeah.

With a small pout, she begins to walk away.

But after a moment, he stopped.

”Yes. There's something I need to tell you.

What is it?

”Your location is known. And I'm telling you. I'm not the only one who'd rather beat you than be champion.

......

Ahead.

Prim looks up at the sunny sky, her face seemingly refreshed.

With another black star on her chest, she continued.

You're going to have all sorts of fierce fighters coming after you when they find out where you are.

I can feel the fight in me. It's not from Prim.

It's not from Prim, but rather from the fighting swordsmen of the Colosseum.

He felt as if he was recalling the figures of the many swordsmen he knew, one by one.

What if they, too, were scattered around the world searching for the strongest champion?

”They will come to put their feelings into the strongest champion. So please. Don't turn your back on their challenge. --Including me, of course.

She smiled.

Prim melted into the crowd.

Normally, when an attractive fighter like her leaves the ring, there would be a group of people applauding and begging her for autographs and handshakes, but not this time.

The heat of the moment had cooled.

All they could see was the First Princess Lilac hugging Futa in public.

”Even though I was happy for Futa-sama's victory and meant it. ”I'm sure you're lying when you say that you hugged her without thinking.

In a whispered voice that no one could hear, one maid muttered with a smile on her face.

In the midst of the buzzing hall, there was a person who walked out to replace Prim.

”Please wait, Your Highness!

The tense voice was not directed at the princess alone.

Even Huta could clearly feel the will of the people to pay full attention to this conversation.

Richter L. Klingbloom.

He stopped a few steps away from Lilac and took a glance at Futa.

Was it my imagination, or did his eyes seem to be a little downcast?

The grateful look in his eyes was fleeting.

He immediately turned to Lilac and raised his voice like a stage actor.

I think it's premature to make him a knight, no matter how much he wins this match!

The atmosphere changed.

From a battlefield of swords to a battlefield of debate.

The gaze that pierced my skin came from all around.

The eyes of suspicion and caution that stare at Futa are probably due in part to the fact that he has ”beaten” Prim.

The unpopular champion is always in the midst of hostility.

--Knight.

Although no words were exchanged, few people were unaware of the meaning behind this match.

It's outrageous to give the knighthood of the First Princess of Lilac to a man who's just a ruffian.

Such is the will that fills the garden.

A power struggle in a peaceful land.

Futa's presence was a serious hindrance to those who wanted the closest seat to the First Lilac Princess.

It would be better if Prim gave him up.

If not, now it's up to me to deny it in front of this public.

So it was a small apology, I suppose.

What he saw in Richter's eyes was what he had said yesterday.

”Whoever he is, I'm only returning the favor I received.

”...... I see. Well then, don't hold it against me.

Richter tells Lilac point-blank.

The man is indeed a former champion of the Colosseum, but he is an exile who was deported for cheating!

There was a buzz of tension around them.

Futa clenched his fists.

Richter certainly knew about it. He knew that Richter knew, and he knew that he could not blame him. He didn't care how badly he was treated.

But she hadn't told Lilac, who was standing next to her, about her past.

He glanced at Futa, who was quietly lowering his eyes, for a moment, but Richter continued.

I'm not sure what to make of this, but I think it's a good idea.

The garden was silent for a moment, and then the crowd burst into song.

”Yes.

That's right, Your Highness!

”Yes, to knight such a man!

No longer did anyone but Richter's own people agree with him.

I don't want Richter and his men to take the knighthood of Lilac, but I don't want Huta to take it.