Romance

"――Tsk. Is this the consequence of repeatedly using aggressive maneuvers in a short period? The Ether refining process of the Ether automatic generation device can't keep up with the consumption. ――I guess I have to bring it down and let it rest for a while. The iron steed needs an overhaul now too... unavoidable. I should make adjustments while there's still time."

In the assessment of the devices, both the Vimana and the Gil Gil Machine seemed to need some rest. Well, that's not surprising. They've been pushed to their limits during take-offs and stops, racing on unpaved roads.

――Then, I must convey that message.

"It's troublesome, isn't it? Well, can't be helped. Endure it for now――Listen up, everyone!"

Raising my voice,

"The Vimana and the iron steed will undergo adjustments from here on! It's a hassle, but we'll have to rely on walking for a little while! Don't complain; it's tough for me too! But it's convenient. Somewhere in the invaded and narrowed-down small French town, there might be a saint! We'll split into teams and search the west and east sides!"

"Yes, yes! Drawing lots is a good idea for team assignment! Your Majesty Gorgeous, are you confident in your luck?"

"Hah, don't underestimate me, Queen! I'm a Collector! I have confidence in my unparalleled luck and gambling skills! But I won't rely on the desire sensor!"

Seems like they care about Saber...

"Great! Let's decide by drawing lots then! Musician, make the lots!"

"You just want to draw lots, right... Fine, fine, I'll make them."

"It's been a while since we walked like this, senpai."

"I like both bikes and walking."

"Alright...! Vimana, prepare for landing!"

Upon receiving my royal order, the Vimana slowly descended.

...

"Marie and I, huh?"

"Your Majesty Gorgeous, please address me as Amadeus. It can be easily misunderstood."

The group prepared for departure. The Vimana was stored in the warehouse, and it seemed that repairs would be automatically handled.

"Very well. Protect the Queen and the countryside girl with all your might. And please refrain from rushing ahead too much."

"I understand! If only you didn't say so much, it would be easier to deal with you..."

"Hahaha, you should take pride in being teased. Isn't that right, Olga Marie?"

"'I-I'm not easily teased!'"

"'Understood!'"

"'Romani!'"

The lottery results were: Gilgamesh, Master, Mash, Amadeus, Siegfried, and over there, Marie and Jeanne.

"I think it's too imbalanced, but lotteries are fated. It'd be worse if we changed it... Be careful, both of you."

"What's the problem? We have a capable protector on our side too. There shouldn't be any issues. Well, except for the still unreliable Dragon Slayer."

"I'm sorry... I apologize."

"Expand your repertoire. Polish your skills."

"I'm sorry..."

Siegfried kept apologizing whenever he spoke. Despite being an unparalleled Dragon Slayer, he could have more confidence, I think.

"Oh, and Marie..."

"Hmm?"

"...Don't you dare go to a patisserie just because you're hungry."

"Hahaha! Marie might actually do that!"

――From Amadeus' behavior just now, I could sense a trace of worry. He's concerned.

"Hehe, you're mean, Master. But it did startle me! I thought I was being proposed to again!"

...Wait, what?

"Oh...?"

"Pro... po... sal?"

"Wait, why are we talking about that now!?"

"It's an interesting topic. Tell us, who proposed to whom?"

Amadeus asked with a feigned nonchalance. ...I'm curious too, but...

"'Quite a famous story, you know?'"

"'Yes, there's a story that remains about when Mr. Amadeus proposed to seven-year-old Marie when he was six years old.'"

"I see, I see... Hahaha, that's quite unromantic. I should learn from that."

"Heh! Even a wretch like you had a romantic relationship!"

"Senpai, you're being harsh!"

"It's a nightmare... To think it would be passed down to future generations..."

Amadeus drooped his shoulders.

"Well, don't worry about it. Once you become a hero, confronting a dark history is not so uncommon. Right, Faker?"

"'Why do you always pick on me?'"

"I haven't seen many heroes who faced dark histories as much as you did. A pitiful man who even tried to commit suicide."

"'I won't deny that...'"

He's being awfully harsh. Maybe they're just not compatible...

"Hehehe, when Amadeus fell, I reached out my hand to help him up, and he looked up at me with sparkling eyes and said, 'Thank you, lovely lady. I'm Amadeus. If you don't have a marriage promise with anyone else, could I be your first?'"

"You remember every single word...!? Wait, did you spread this story!?"

"Yes! I spread it throughout the palace! I was so happy!"

"Is it your fault?! Was it your fault all along?! Even though you refused, what a bewitching woman!"

"Quite a long speech, but not bad. Let's add it to the '108 Words to Woo a Saber'."

Taking out a memo and jotting it down. There seems to be a word compilation as well.

"Yes, when you're happy, you tend to say things like that! I understand!"

"'I've accidentally murmured confidential things out loud before... Lev covered for me... he did...'"

"'Director, let's live on in the future.'"

"Yes, because I couldn't decide! I couldn't decide on a marriage partner for myself."

Unusually melancholic, Marie mumbles.

"I couldn't decide for myself. After all, I was infatuated with love.――It was good that I refused. So you became a beloved musician, and I became a foolish queen."

"So it's a good thing. I was infatuated with love... I was in love with France. Because I was in love with the country, I didn't love the people. So, I became like that."

Because she loved the country, she didn't love its people. Because she didn't love its people, she was sent to the executioner's block.

"Marie..."

"That's not entirely true."

But her resolve firmly denied that.

"To be a king is to act as one pleases. The people live for the king, and the king lives for his own pleasure. Whatever the outcome, if you have influenced the nations around you, the answer will be clear."

With arms crossed, This vessel sniffs.

"The king is right. ...You're both fools."

"Yes, that's true."

Marie blushes.

"You two are so mean!... Am I a fool?"

"Ah, there's quite a misunderstanding. You fell in love with France, huh?"

"That's the complete opposite.――It was France, the country, that was attracted to you."

――It wasn't that Marie fell in love with France, but that France fell in love with Marie...

"――――I see. Is that so... Oh? Then I was... killed by the country I loved?"

"Exactly. Love and hatred are closely related. Both love and infatuation are struggles for power with one's intended partner at the expense of one's own life. There's no value in creating beautiful things from beautiful things. Whether it's love or infatuation, they must be woven with hatred. Because it's born by overcoming ugly hatred, that's why love and infatuation are more precious than anything. That's why love and hatred cannot be separated."

"I understand now, Lord Gorgeous. Indeed, you've understood. So, you were loved, and that's why you were hated. That's the whole story."

The two discuss the nature of love and hatred.

"That's why your radiance is so precious. Do you know why?――It's because your love was born from falling in love with France and transcended the country's hatred."

"――Loved and hated because of love... Love and hatred are intertwined..."

They receive the words of the two.

――There's no value in creating beautiful things from beautiful things. Love and hatred are two sides of the same coin...

...So that's how it is... Love and hatred are emotions that are so closely related...

――In that case, the evil that would destroy the world...

"――Haha, both of you! Thank you! I feel like I've understood!"

Marie laughs cheerfully.

"Do you understand? Country girl. That's precious romantic advice from the king. Did you get it?"

"I don't know!"

"Don't pout, don't pout. You're quite like Olga Marie in that aspect."

"'Eh!?'"

Certainly...

"Hehe, thank you! Lord Gorgeous, Amadeus!――Hey."

"Hmm?"

"When I come back, I want to hear your piano again after so long! And you too, Lord Gorgeous! Is that okay?"

"――As long as you're safe, Marie."

――I senses it intuitively.

"Yes! Well then, shall we go, Jeanne!"

"Yes...!"

――This is a farewell.

"――"

"Lord Gorgeous, I'm off! Hehe, looking forward to it?"

"...Ah, don't make a mess."

――Marie and I will never meet again.

――Yes, my soul... felt it.

***

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