269 250 I'll be away.

Deductions, not additions. I see, Cigarone, don't be funny.

"... with plausible word play"

Nato is desperately trying to cut back, swallowed by the pressure emitted by Cigarone.

But you can't. Inside, I seem to be convinced of Cigarone's words. I don't have the hegemony right now.

"You know what I mean when you lose ten straight Second First Tests, right?

"……………"

"While I'm adding up, I don't understand. That's the kind of guy."

"So... what are you saying?"

"Don't blur. You know that, too. The Second First Test always led the Empire in a bad direction. I had that power. But I never did. The man, he didn't hurt anyone, he didn't use anyone, he was made up of strength. I didn't complain about a single one of them, trying to get the assassins sent more than once. Not to mention even putting myself at a disadvantage so my arrows wouldn't hit the knight behind me. The knight was after his own life."

Nato would know that, even if he didn't say so.

But what's the point of daring to speak here, Cigarone told me to pursue.

"The Second First Test was not an enemy of the Empire, but of Spica Amrit. He was no more beneficial to the Empire. That's not just about the past, the same thing about the present and the future. Nat Shaman, why are you not looking directly at me while you know the truth!

Oh, okay. The reason Cigarone is getting so hot.

I guess you don't want to lose Nato from the Marvel Empire.

Nato's character is supposed to be on our side (...). Yet somehow I'm trying to fall off myself under the sieve.

Why? I can see that now. 'Cause Cigarone and Nato, they're gonna make out, right?

…………

I sat dokah on the edge of a tree about fifteen meters from the two of us. This is the first seat.

Nato, barometric by Cigarone, turned to Cigarone after glancing at me, and spoke in a small voice.

"If I disobey, Your Highness is alone... like the old me"

... Oh man. Nato, no matter how much Melson steps off the road, she really doesn't seem to be the only one who can betray me. The indulgence, though unusual, is still like you.

"Did my brother-in-law win"

Cigarone shrugs to be shrugged, and puts his strength into his spear-placed hand.

"- Huh!"

Shortly after, the two moved out.

It was Nato who took the lead. He prepared "Flying Arts" and began advancing at the same time as completion.

The opposing Cigarone prepares the counter for the "Golden Admiralty Art" in the middle of nowhere. Anticipating Nato then switching from skill cancellation to Range Attack for "Honeysuckle" and quickly throwing the spear to the ground from the Golden General cancellation, he began to prepare for "Golden General Body Surgery".

Nato said while activating "The Incense Car Art" "Were you reading it!? Shows such a surprised face."

Kanemitsu Mastery is a short-range attack skill that tackles while defending. If we keep bumping into each other, the Golden Admiral will bounce off every nut after defending the incense car attack.

"Come on!"

Nato is forced to change his skills.

However, there are quite a few skills that can handle the Golden Admiral's tackle, so that he can be ready now and in time.

Hmm, have you decided on this...?

"Not yet!

Nato threw the spear out of the skill cancellation and immediately escaped Cigarone's range of attack with his full backstep.

It's not a bad stick, I'd say... but that makes the situation clear.

"Sweet!"

"Grr!?

Cigarone activates the Golden Admiral, knocks down the angle of the tackle downward, and waves his hand out to determine the ground. The shock scattered dirt and stones, striking Nato's eyes.

Blindfolded. This close range would be hard to beat.

And Cigarone should just go stab Todome.

"It's over."

Again. A man who wouldn't do such a lukewarm thing to take advantage here and re-compartmentalize.

Dragon King Body Art, this is a very powerful range attack. I am trying to prepare this skill, which is difficult to avoid and cope with, for this gap where Nato's vision is not functioning.

Come on, it's hard work to take this off, Nato.

But it's not like I can't take it. Rather, it also leaves an eye for reversal.

If only I could use it.

"What's up? Have you given up?

Cigarone spoke that way to Nato during the preparation of the Dragon King.

Nato, close his eyes tightly, just standing. Yes, I'm not ready for any skills.

"... go ahead. I'm ready."

"As I'm sure you know, if there's a crit out there, you'll die. Is that okay? His Highness Merson."

In response to Nato's words, Cigarone shook to Merson.

"……………"

Merson just clutches his fist and stares at Cigarone with an angry look.

I guess she knows. Whatever you say, Cigarone says he's going to shoot the Dragon King.

Still, for the last time, it seems I wanted to tell you something.

"Regret. The man you honor will surely destroy the Empire. I was the only one who wasn't fooled. Until the end, I'm the only one......!

Point at me and say hateful.

Well, I'm not wrong. Melson, I guess you really love the Empire. I'm obviously a foreign molecule. It's very natural that I want to get rid of it from the country. And then you'll be an emperor, so there's no way you could have seen it.

"Right."

Cigarone said a word, so mouthful and smiled - releasing "Dragon King Body Art".

"Natto -!!"

Merson opened his eyes and shouted Nato's name.

There is no longer a way to beat it.

The rest is enough to at least pray that there will be no crits.

Nato's mouth, with his eyes closed, moved small.

Thank you...... and.

That, right after...

"- Transformation"

The moment the Shockwave of the Dragon King reached, Nato activated the Transformation.

That's the skill I taught you in my notes. After all, did you remember that already? You're brilliant.

Nato hit directly by the Dragon King, but that is nullified by the Invincible Time when the Transformation skill is activated. The invincible time is eight seconds, of which six cannot move, but the last two seconds allow free movement. Nato will go set up at that moment.

"Phew."

Cigarone is laughing. Maybe you expected it.

At the end of the stiff time after the Dragon King's use, he opened his mouth slowly without preparing his skills.

"Lord Merson, this skill was taught to Nat Shaman by the Second First Test. Do you see why I taught you such powerful skills that even Dragon King could be deactivated in this way and why?

Six seconds pass.

Moments later, Nato did not head to Cigarone...... he drove to Merson.

"For Nato to unlock his predicament and take His Highness away. Because the second wanted it......!

To Cigarone's words, Nato is surprised and stops that leg.

Merson looked at me with such a windy face that he didn't understand.

... Well, I wasn't thinking that much, but I was thinking something similar.

Nat Shaman. He's a Melson knight. Trying to protect Melson, no matter what, a staunch knight. Even if the whole empire turned to the enemy, I knew I would take Merson's side.

That's not what I hate. So I figured you shouldn't be the only loser.

It's not like you can't take advantage of an eight-second chance. I'm sure I'll get through the predicament. And to Melson and you, just one more chance. A chance to start over.

Come on, Nat Shaman, Merson Marvel. This is your last chance. You can't make mistakes anymore.

"I'm talking about letting someone get away with this! Give me skills that can be trump cards like that! Don't call this second kindness. What else can I say!? You're the only one who doesn't understand! Nato has known for a long time now! That the second has no intention of harming you or any other fine dust! Let me tell you this once now! What you don't understand, Your Highness, is that you are alone!

Cigarone said with his voice up as much as he could.

Surprisingly, Cigarone was trembling. So much so, he's serious.

... Then it's time for me to be serious too.

It's a floating idea. But I can also say it's my sincerity because it floated. And even though it's the end point that Winfield would have expected.

"- General to Cigarone. The Chancellor told Merson. The SS leader is in Olympia. The Kingsguard Knight Commander goes to Nato. This is what I think is going to happen."

"Ha......!?

Because it was a sudden announcement, or a startling voice came up from the Olympia behind me.

"And the emperor shall be the light"

"............ YES!?!?!?"

Now Wright gave a startling voice.

I'm sorry, but this shape seemed good to me. So be emperor, Wright. I'm sorry.

"Ugh... lie! I am the Chancellor!? Wright is the Emperor!? You gotta be kidding me, too!

Melson is raging through the shadows.

"I'm kidding, that's full of sorry, but I swear, I'm not lying"

"Then what!? You scratch the empire, you make the lights the emperor, you dazzle them!?

"Right. Nothing. I'm always at the Jipang Embassy in the Kingdom of Castar."

"Don't be ridiculous!!

Oh, scary.

"What do you think of Cigarone?

I shake it to Cigarone because I'm scared.

"I don't think I'm bad. But if I'm not mistaken in my view of His Highness Wright these days,"

"It's okay, you don't have to go to the ophthalmologist"

"Then it's a formation where you even expect it."

After all, Cigarone seems to share my opinion.

Merson is not a top standing vessel, but he says he can demonstrate its true value by working under someone.

So far, so powerful, so willful. As long as you give him proper instructions, he must also be active in national politics.

"Cigarone! You're one of a kind! Don't you feel ashamed of your father!? In the first place, your father recognized Seven, and you must not have recognized the man as the next emperor!

Hmm, sure.

But I don't think you have to worry there......

"- Back off! Come on, let's go!

"Your Majesty! It's dangerous!

"Shut up! Don't disobey the rest of the orders!

Rumor has it. Gold Marvel showed up.

Gold approaches us, resisting what appears to be an SS escort.

And then, after shooting me through with a sharp gaze, he looked over at everyone and then opened his mouth broadly.

"... Seven. No, second. The rest of you won't change your mind. The rest, I want you to be the next emperor soon. Otherwise, it is clear that the Empire will follow a path of weakening. It's the only time I can fight Castall and Orange...!

As expected.

Gold is a meritocrat. If you admit Seven and you don't admit me, it's against doctrine.

Plus, I hate losing a lot. It is the fate of those who have kept winning. Rothman, Vogue, Kensin, they all did.

Gold seems to have no choice but to dislike the fact that the Marvel Empire loses to the Kingdom of Castar and the Kingdom of Orange.

I haven't put it out on words or attitudes, but its eyes speak. He's begging me to strengthen my empire with the same momentum as he does in the dungeons.

He said that it was meritocracy and that it was the strong who put together a country to be appreciated... but it fell apart for two years. The strong no longer follow me to such a self. Gold knows that very well.

That is why I assumed that the head of the new empire must be a man of strength.

I know the logic very well. But... unfortunately, I don't have time for emperors.

"Okay. I will be the next emperor."

"Oh......!

"And let's immediately give that seat to the light"

……

Stick it to Gold again, too.

What do you say, I can't refuse.

Just like you chose me, I choose the lights too.

If I refuse to choose Wright, it will be a denial of meritocracy and a denial of emperorship.

Oh, this is painful.

If Wright becomes emperor, he will accommodate a lot of things. As long as Cigarone and Nato and the Olympias are around, Wright's body will be cheap too.

Merson works for the country under surveillance, and Gold just needs to have a leisurely, comfortable afterlife with his wife.

Great idea while I'm at it. They all gain in the long run. At the same time, the previous empire has been brilliantly destroyed and a whole new empire is about to be born.

I have a slight anxiety that this is going to work... but perhaps this is the formation that Winfield was also thinking about. If so, I'm sure it will work. You don't have to worry.

"I'll be away for a while, but Wright will be fine"

I take the cup and wine out of the inventory.

"To the new gateway to the Empire, cheers"

And I toasted one.

Well, it's time to go home...