ch41-ch60 · 044-ch43

Chapter 43: To Go Beyond

　In the quiet darkness of night, Gou, the landlord, arrived at the garage where the food truck was parked.

　But Rokuro was nowhere to be seen, with only light leaking from one corner of the floor at the back of the garage.

　Gou pulled that floor section open like a door. The light from within grew brighter, illuminating the garage ceiling. Beyond it was a basement accessible by ladder.

"Haah! Haah! Haah!"

　As Gou descended the ladder, he found Rokuro in the approximately 12-tatami-mat-wide reinforced concrete basement, practicing one martial arts form after another, working up a sweat.

"You're quite spirited."

"Gou-san."

　Seeing Gou, Rokuro stopped moving and wiped his face with the towel hanging around his neck.

"This is unusual. You normally only practice while Ai-chan is at school."

"Yes, well, I just needed a change of pace, you see."

　Rokuro answered in a cheerful voice while still covering his face with the towel, but Gou saw through his true intentions.

"The next opponent must be quite formidable."

"...Well, yes. They probably won't be like the last time."

　Rokuro's concern.

　The previous visitors from Ceylo—Melkid and the former thieves. Rather than trying to defeat the Black Knight, their role was to confirm whether the Black Knight was alive or dead, and if alive, to investigate how strong he currently was. In other words, they were close to being scouts. Regardless of their own intentions, their superiors must have sent them with that in mind.

　But next time, they will surely send someone who can fight and defeat the Black Knight.

"Probably, one of the higher-ranking knights among Underz... Or perhaps, even a knight above that."

"Above that, you say? If that's the case, don't tell me..."

　As Gou looked up to meet his gaze, Rokuro silently nodded.

"And... I haven't told Ai yet, but assassins will surely come through the mirror on the next rest day."

"They're not giving us any break, are they."

"No, the one who oversees Underz seems to be someone named Grandine... But if the mastermind behind him is the man I suspect, then yes, he should do that."

　Rokuro said with downcast eyes.

　To Gou, it seemed a little sad, and a little lonely.

"Don't do anything reckless."

"I understand. But I will push myself a little. To protect my daughter... That's what being a father is about, right?"

　Removing the towel, Rokuro deliberately put on a brave smile and returned to practicing his forms.

"...That's right. But this old man without children might not truly understand that feeling."

　The murmur was too soft for Rokuro to hear.

　After glancing at Rokuro performing the old martial arts he taught him more beautifully than himself, Gou climbed back up the ladder.

　　―　◆　―

　Ceylo Kingdom, capital Pareto.

　At the foot of the royal castle, which resembles a great tree, are the quarters for each knight order.

　In the training ground in the courtyard of one of them, the "Emerald Green Knight Order" quarters, a knight was swinging his sword despite it being the middle of the night.

　He's Berdigri, also a member of Underz.

'Damn it! Why Fuchsia and not me!?'

　Berdigri swung his sword as if lashing out at his frustration. The training wooden dummy, struck by multiple blade strikes, collapsed into pieces.

　But even that didn't seem to be enough to calm his mood.

'—Of all people, Chartreuse Lime is the one being sent to defeat the Black Knight!?'

　For Berdigri, Lord Chartreuse Lime was a thorn in his side.

　When he became a knight, "he would someday lead the Emerald Green Knight Order." Berdigri was a genius swordsman expected to have such a future, but Chartreuse, who joined the knight order a year later, easily surpassed him in both skill and achievements.

　Berdigri, for his part, had enough talent to be chosen for Underz.

　But when speaking of the ace of the Emerald Green Knight Order, everyone from knights to the people of the kingdom would answer "Lord Lime." The difference was clear, and even Berdigri had to acknowledge it.

　That's precisely why Berdigri had to defeat the Black Knight and become one of the Seven Knights. He had become convinced that otherwise, he could never surpass Chartreuse, who had become his complex.

　But—the very Chartreuse had been ordered to defeat the Black Knight. And accompanying her was Fuchsia, a member of the same Underz, from the "Purple Orchid Knight Order."

"Why a Purple Orchid member! It would be more natural for two from Emerald Green to work together!"

　Simply thinking that since they're from the same knight order, he should have been chosen as Chartreuse's partner—Berdigri, thinking so simply, is overlooking his own compatibility with Chartreuse. Leaving aside Chartreuse's feelings, the higher-ups have judged that the two wouldn't work well together as a pair because Berdigri is too conscious of her.

"It's factions again! Tch, always, always, always!!"

　He's convinced that the Purple Orchid Knight Order, where up to four members have been selected for Underz, is being favored by Grandine...

"...You're quite worked up, aren't you."

"Huh!?"

　Startled by the sudden voice, Berdigri jumped.

　Even though he was training, he shouldn't have failed to notice someone's presence... If they were an ordinary opponent, that is.

"Y-you... why are you here..."

"If you'd like, I thought I might be able to grant your wish. What will you do?"

　Though covered in the darkness of night, Berdigri could clearly see the other man smile.

　It was a dangerous smile with a seductive, alluring scent.

"...Please, tell me."

　Even so, Berdigri didn't refuse. Or rather, perhaps he couldn't refuse.

　But if this was that man's trap, he would deliberately fall into it. That's what he thought.

　To overcome the wall blocking his way, Berdigri reached out and grasped that thread.