“I understand that Lord Ruon is trying not to overexert himself, but…”

Sofia began with a somewhat hesitant tone.

“Since the opponent is an Army, there’s a strong possibility of a dangerous situation. Lord Ruon’s presence is indispensable for future battles… Please, absolutely do not overdo it.”

“I know… But I guess even if I say it’s fine, your worries won’t disappear.”

I scratched my head and said to Sofia.

“I plan to devise various Strategies before the battle. As Garuku said, Spirit Creation is one of them.”

“I understand that, but…”

“What’s wrong?”

When I asked, tilting my head, Sofia looked troubled.

“Um, is there anything I can do myself?”

…I met Sofia’s gaze for a moment. Something she can do, huh?

“…Anyway, prepare for the Southern Invasion battle.”

“Does that include my role as a Princess to boost morale?”

“Well, yes… Is it inconvenient?”

“No, I also believe it’s important to boost the morale of the Knights. I wasn’t asking about that, but rather if there’s anything I can do for Lord Ruon as his Attendant.”

“Attendant…”

“I want to be useful to Lord Ruon.”

…I’m happy she says that, but.

I continued to meet her gaze. I pondered how to phrase my words to her, who refused to look away.

“…Useful, huh?”

“Yes. I also owe Lord Ruon for training me.”

However, I also had the idea of having her fight the Demon King. After all, there’s also the aspect that I trained Sofia to win the War with the Demon Lord. You could interpret it as a calculation.

Even so, the fact that you made me stronger hasn’t changed.

…Why are you so insistent on being an Attendant?

At my question, Sofia looked away for the first time.

…Well,

I have no intention of treating you poorly, Sofia. But you must understand that with the situation changed, our relationship must also change.

…Yes.

The reason you’re so insistent is—

Mid-sentence, Sofia looked down. I, too, stopped speaking.

…Sorry, was that difficult to talk about?

No, I understand why Lord Ruon would say that.

I’m simply happy that you want to be useful.

Yes… I’m also happy to hear you say that.

She looked back at me. Here, Sofia opened her mouth with a determined gaze.

…Lord Ruon.

Yes.

After this major battle, there will be the final battle with the Demon King… what will Lord Ruon do then?

I will create a sword and challenge the Demon King with its wielder. That’s all. There’s a possibility that Sofia will take on that role… if that happens, I will protect Sofia with my life.

At my declaration, Sofia looked down slightly and said,

…Thank you.

I haven’t done anything to be thanked for.

Perhaps not… Lord Ruon, good fortune in battle.

Yes.

With my reply, Sofia left the room. She seemed to have something left to say, but—

Lord Ruon.

Garuku? What’s wrong?

Haven’t you more or less guessed what Princess Sofia was trying to say?

When asked, I fell silent.

Was she talking about her position as an Attendant because she doesn’t want to be separated from Lord Ruon? Speaking like that surely indicates affection.

…Well, yes.

It’s not that I haven’t noticed… but—

Her insistence on the position of Attendant probably stems from her own complex circumstances. She likely believes that if she returns to the Castle as a Princess, her connection with Lord Ruon will disappear. In fact, Lord Ruon is currently moving all over the place, while Princess Sofia, on the other hand, is fulfilling her role as a Princess in this Fortress, separated from Lord Ruon. It’s a sufficient situation for her to harbor the thought that their relationship will be lost.

…Sofia is the Princess of Barukusu Kingdom. As long as she lives, she is destined to become Queen eventually.

Indeed.

If that happens, maintaining our current relationship will be impossible, won’t it?

It’s premature to jump to conclusions.

I wonder.

I sighed. Just as Sylvie is dissatisfied with the army-led situation, Sofia is undoubtedly struggling with various inner conflicts.

…Also, there was one more thing she was probably wondering about. Perhaps she wanted to ask about that instead.

What?

I frowned at Garuku’s further words.

“What is the question?”

“……After the War with the Demon Lord is over, what does Lord Ruon intend to do? Didn’t Princess Sofia also wonder about that?”

After it’s over, huh?

“I’ll think about it then…… is what I’d like to say, but I do have something in mind.”

“Oh?”

“However, that’s just my speculation at the moment. I have something in mind, but I have no idea if that idea is correct.”

“It’s too abstract for me to understand.”

“You don’t need to understand it now. Anyway, I plan to do that once the War with the Demon Lord is over.”

“……Will there be a new enemy for that?”

“Enemy, huh…… there might be.”

“Stronger than the Demon King?”

“Currently, I’m struggling to defeat the Demon King myself. Considering the level of trouble, the Demon King is far more troublesome.”

“I see……”

Garuku didn’t ask any further questions. However, there’s no doubt he’s inwardly curious about my actions.

“But well, I can understand why my companions, starting with Sofia, are thinking so much. The situation is more complex than when we were traveling to become stronger.”

“It seems Lord Ruon also has some dissatisfaction.”

“Well, yeah…… but it’ll stay this way until the Southern Invasion is over. I don’t want to cause trouble for no reason and affect the Army.”

After the war is over, I’ll talk to my companions again…… I concluded that in my head and ended the conversation.

“So, Garuku. As I said before, I’ll be on standby until the Artifact arrives.”

“Understood. I’ll have it delivered to you before Lord Ruon goes into battle.”

“……By the way, who’s bringing it? If you move too many Spirits, won’t the Demon Race notice?”

“Don’t worry, that won’t happen.”

“Understood.”

I replied, but…… Garuku’s face as he spoke to me seemed to be smiling.

Until the Artifact arrived, I decided to refrain from conspicuous actions and wait inside the Fortress.

Within that, I thought about various things…… I knew it even without Garuku telling me. The War with the Demon Lord…… what should I do with my companions after it’s over?

I needed to hear my companions’ opinions on this, but…… while I was worrying about various things, the Artifact finally came to me――and it was brought by an unexpected person.

“Here, I delivered it properly.”

“Hey, wait. It’s Garuku himself!”

Garuku, in his boyish form, casually held out the Artifact, and I received it while retorting.

“Or rather, why did you go to all this trouble?”

“Isn’t this the most reasonable way? They let me through easily when I said I was an acquaintance of Ruon Madin.”

“Security, be a little more vigilant……”

“Now, now.”

I wondered if he used some kind of Magic…… as I was thinking that, Garuku continued.

“Well then, let’s begin Spirit Creation.”

I wanted to say, “Don’t just move forward with the conversation without me”…… but I stopped myself. It felt like it would be impossible to win an argument against Garuku in this form.

“So, will Garuku be the one to guide me?”

“Of course.”

“That’s reassuring… I’m counting on you.”

“Yeah.”

Garuku, who responded with a boyish smile, began to explain to me.