Kenya watched Road as the speech came to an end.

“…So that’s it… Odin teaming up with the World Union, of all things.”

“Yeah, we’ve got to deal with both Odin and the World Union. I told you earlier, right? If two of the three powers clash, the last one standing profits.

So all they have to do is team up and crush the remaining one. And I figured my brother would pull exactly that. Because he’s the only one in a position to do it.”

Odin was acting exactly as Road had predicted.

If they clashed on the day of the Empire Sword Martial Festival, the World Union would reap all the benefits.

But fighting after joining hands changed everything.

“What now, Road? I’m ready to fight.”

“Yeah, but first things first—get your condition back to a hundred percent. You’ve still got symptoms lingering, don’t you?”

“True enough…”

Kenya had come down with pneumonia during the Empire Sword Martial Festival.

Even after receiving cutting-edge medical treatment, he’d pushed himself too hard afterward, and his symptoms had worsened.

“Besides, this is my battlefield from here on out. You’ve fought plenty already. Leave the rest to me and get some rest.”

Road stood up and turned his back to Kenya.

“I’m still—!”

Kenya shot to his feet in protest, but Road silenced him with a raised hand.

“Kenya… It’s true, I lost to you. So yeah, I get why you’re worried. But…”

Road turned back around.

“Who do you think I am? There’s no such thing as defeat on a battlefield I set foot on.”

A faintly nihilistic smile crossed his face as he looked at Kenya.

“As long as you’re not there.”

The pinnacle of Road Earthguard—the undefeated commander who made the world tremble.

On the field of battle, no one could stand shoulder to shoulder with him.

The Devil’s Brain who had seized half the European Union without a single loss.

That boy was an enemy the world couldn’t beat.

Only one person could defeat him.

The world’s strongest white knight, and no other.

Sent packing by Road, Kenya hightailed it back to the hospital.

Several days passed, and his condition had improved dramatically.

“Kenya-kun, I’m starting maintenance on Takemikazuchi. It’s gonna take a while, so rest up properly in the meantime. Who knows when the World Union might come charging in.”

Tanaka returned to Kenya’s side as he lounged in his hospital bed.

It had been since Zeke’s funeral, but the man seemed to be regaining his spark bit by bit.

“I’m feeling a lot better now. …What are your plans from here, Tanaka-san?”

“…Beats me. Zeke-san’s dying words were to look after you. Should I head to the World Union now? Or wait for Road to take down Odin…? I’ve spent my life tinkering with machines, so I’m hopeless with this kind of thing. Politics isn’t my strong suit.”

Japan had indeed been recaptured by the World Union.

But should he betray Zeke’s final wish, abandon Kenya, and return home?

Or stick by Kenya’s side to the bitter end?

Tanaka was at a complete loss.

“Sure, I joined the resistance for Japan’s sake. Or more precisely… Eh, never mind. Point is, it was because something precious got taken from me. But now…”

Tanaka reached out and gently ruffled Kenya’s hair.

“You’re precious to me too. I couldn’t just ditch you, Kenya-kun.”

His hand felt so warm and gentle—it reminded Kenya of Zeke-san somehow.

“Tanaka-san…”

“Heh, if the enemy shows up, I’ll bolt like a bat out of hell, so you’re on your own. My combat skills are downright abysmal.”

“Hehe, roger that. Holding them off is my job.”

The two shared a laugh, then Tanaka suddenly noticed something and chuckled again.

“Well then, I’ll be off. Hit me up whenever. I’ll keep her primed and ready—Road hooked me up with a hangar in the imperial capital, right near Valhalla Castle.”

“That’s awesome! Got it!”

“Alright, you young folks handle the rest.”

“Huh?”

Tanaka left the room, and right on his heels came a silver-haired girl.

Silver locks cascading long and lustrous, skin like porcelain, eyes a piercing blue.

Generous curves, every inch the picture of feminine allure.

And for some reason…

“Why the nurse outfit, Reina?”

“I figured you’d like it… so I borrowed one. Wanna do something naughty?”

“Guh!”

Kenya choked hard, sputtering dramatically.

Reina strode into the room, decked out in that nurse uniform.

Beautiful women could pull off anything, but there wasn’t a man alive who hated a nurse outfit.

No guy could resist fantasizing about a sexy nurse doing naughty things to him.

“Just kidding, Kenya-kun. But if you want to, I’m game. Shall I pop it? Promise♥”

“Where do you even pick up stuff like that…”

Ever since that day, Reina had started smiling with real emotion.

She’d recalled her mother’s death but pushed through it for Kenya’s sake.

Only for her father to die right on the heels of that.

Yet Reina overcame it.

On the day she cried it out with Kaguya, it was like she’d emptied her heart completely.

Of course, the grief lingered, but she seemed brighter overall.

“Kenya-kun, mealtime. You want me to feed you, right?”

“Nah, I can handle it myself—”

“Patients have to obey. Meh! Desu.”

“What was that? Do it again.”

She thrust one finger forward, planted a hand on her hip, striking an adorable pose that brooked no defiance.

“Meh! Desu. Hmm? What’s up, Kenya-kun?”

Kenya squeezed his eyes shut, picturing Zeke-san.

Calm down, calm down—you made a promise.

Reina sidled up beside him and perched on the bed.

A sweet, intoxicating scent invaded his nostrils.

(Kaguya, sorry if I break our deal. Men don’t think with their brains—they think with their dicks.)

“Reina!”

“Kyaa♥”

Bwooo~!

Kenya teetered on the brink of breaking his promise to Kaguya—no flirting with Reina.

But the device buzzed furiously, like it was scolding him.

He pulled it up and read the message.

“What the—!?”

Kenya’s balls shriveled up in an instant, his face draining of color.

The blissful vibe from seconds ago turned ice-cold.

The next message dove into the real issue.

“So… it’s really starting.”

Kenya fully grasped from Kaguya’s message that the war was underway.

At least she wouldn’t be on the battlefield—that was a relief for now.

“If we take down Odin… will the world finally know peace…?”

“It has to. Everyone wants peace, after all.”

“…Yeah.”

Reina rose from her seat.

Looks like the feeding offer had been pure teasing.

“Well, gotta go. Can’t stick around long, but I’ll swing by tomorrow.”

“Sure. You seem swamped—are you okay?”

“Yep! I’m gonna get stronger!”

“…Gotcha.”

Kenya cocked his head slightly.

Reina was up to something—self-training, maybe? He bought that explanation.

The nurse-clad Reina left the room.

Alone now, Kenya looked a touch forlorn before drifting off to sleep.

Bracing for the battle to come.

“Back again…?”

“As many times as it takes. I have to get stronger. So teach me how to fight.”

Reina addressed a man in another room of the same hospital.

Her gaze dead serious, straight and unwavering.

“For his sake?”

“Yes. So I can stand beside him.”

“…Half-assed effort won’t even get you a glimpse of his back. That guy’s on another level.”

“Bring it on.”

The man and the girl locked eyes.

He peered into the fire burning deep in her eyes.

“…You’ve got fire. Reminds me of your old man. …But first, one question, Reina-kun… Why the nurse getup?”

“To make Kenya-kun happy. Guys love this stuff, right?”

“Heh. Haha! I get it, I get it—everyone does. Bet he was thrilled. Looked head over heels for you.”

The man let out a booming laugh.

Reina flushed red and wriggled in delight at his words.

“And you’re dropping the fake name with me now, huh? You hollered it loud and clear back then. Others overheard, but they probably just chalked it up to a nickname.”

The man rose to his feet.

He’d been lying in bed, his body swathed in bandages.

His right arm was gone—a one-armed warrior.

“Fine by me. Truth is, I was cleared for discharge already, but I’d gone a bit listless. But yeah… training the next gen’s my duty too. Gotta keep the chain going.”

He stood fully and faced Reina.

“I ain’t gonna be as soft as your boyfriend.”

“That’s exactly why. Kenya-kun would just spoil me. And outside of him, you’re the strongest person I know.”

Reina had resolved to train—to stand tall beside Kenya, not drag him down.

The first name that came to mind was this one-armed man.

The guy who’d clashed in a brutal deathmatch with Kenya that day, vying for the world’s pinnacle. Undoubtedly the strongest alive besides Kenya.

No one else would do, she’d decided.

“Deal. I’ll whip you into shape. But whine once, and we’re done.”

“Yes, sir! Thank you!”

Reina bowed deeply, her posture impeccable.

“Mr. Osiris!”