(From the author)
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* I tried making a character image for Mira.   *

* It is posted in the progress report.                *

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※ Alfred is the guard of Prince (or Princess) Glen.

 

—

 

Arata: “Well then, shall we start by removing that seemingly uncomfortable mask, Alfred-san?”

 

A figure in black discards a mask similar to a balaclava.

As expected, the person beneath is Alfred, a guard attached to the seventh prince.

 

Alfred: “Oh, when did you notice?”

Arata: “From the beginning.”

 

Would a person tasked with guarding a royal with such a delicate position as Princess Glen lag behind several assassins from a dark guild, no matter how skilled? Moreover, the presence of a collaborator is certain given the assassins are inside the royal castle. On top of that, would Princess Glen conveniently encounter a kidnapping in the place she fled to?

Though the naive princess and incompetent Rose-san didn’t seem to suspect, to me, Alfred was the only person who seemed suspicious. There are a couple more reasons as well.

 

Alfred: “I see, as expected from the captain’s teacher, should I say?”

Arata: “Can you stop that? I am her teacher after all.”

Alfred: “…”

 

One reason I suspected Alfred.

That is the disdainful gaze he gave to Rose-san.

Even though he concealed it on the surface, he couldn’t hide the emotions deep within his eyes.

 

Arata: “I’m a bit curious, do you have some reason to dislike her?”

Alfred: “Reason… reason, you say?”

 

As if my question was utterly ridiculous, Alfred burst into laughter.

 

Alfred: “Where does she have any qualities to be a captain, I wonder greatly. Not making any strategy-like strategy, being dumb, and to top it off, that tone of speaking. Everything about her irritates me.”

 

He seems to be the type who doesn’t want to serve under anyone.

Such people are bad as they look for faults in superiors and take out their stress on subordinates.

 

Alfred: “I am disappointed in the king. To begin with, I struggle to understand why such a lowly person is placed in an important position.”

 

Ah, speaking of which, Alfred had a noble background setting.

For him, having Rose-san, with her ambiguous origins, as a superior must have been humiliating.

 

Arata: “Is that the only reason?”

Alfred: “…Only? Just that?”

 

The atmosphere changed.

 

Alfred: “It’s not just that! That king, he pushed upon me, the role of a guard for the seventh prince‼ A marginal role!?”

Arata: “Isn’t it an honor?”

Alfred: “Are you kidding me? Babysitting a prince with low succession rights is way below my station‼”

 

Until now, Alfred had been wearing a faint smile, but like breaking a dam, he began to vent his dissatisfaction.

To the prideful him, guarding the seventh prince seemed to be dissatisfaction.

This is why overconfident people are troublesome.

 

Alfred: “This should be enough talking. It’s a waste to spend more time on you who is going to die.”

Arata: “Right. I also have to quickly chase after those who took a detour.”

 

I wanted to ask about his connection with 『Fenrir』, but it seems this is it.

Holding the kurikara, I confront Alfred.

Against me, Alfred is unarmed.

What is he planning?

 

Alfred: “Don’t you get it? You are already like a foolish bug trapped in my palm… in a spider’s web.”

Arata: “――‼”

 

Something moves at high speed at the edge of my vision.

 

Alfred: “No need to worry. That woman will soon join you in the same place.”

 

By the time I notice, it’s too late, and my torso is slashed.

Fresh blood dyes the dim underground passage red――

 

***

 

Rose: “～～～”

 

I desperately stifle a yawn that’s about to spill from my mouth.

It’s a quiet night.

Back in the day, I would continue talking in the live stream, sometimes getting my wall kicked by my neighbor.

That feels like a distant past.

Since coming here, the arrival of night has oddly sped up.

I can’t afford to live a night-owl life, so I unwillingly became an early bird.

I don’t think it’s a bad thing.

Rather, I think it’s a healthy life.

But it’s also true that I feel lonely at unexpected times.

Something is missing.

I’m forgetting something.

Even when stabbing a monster with a sword, even when soaking in the bath, I always had such a feeling.

 

Rose: “…I’m sorry.”

 

In the room illuminated by the weak light of the bedside lamp.

Lying next to me is Prince (or Princess?) Glen.

Oh, which should I use to call them?

Externally they are set as male, so prince should be fine.

 

Glen: “Excuse me…”

Rose: “What is it… ah, if you’re thirsty, I have some water―― or perhaps you’re slightly hungry? If so, I can get something suitable――”

Glen: “No, I’m fine!”

Rose: “I-is that so…”

 

Dangerous, dangerous.

I was about to fall asleep.

If Glen hadn’t spoken to me, I would have dangerously fallen asleep.

But what was the prince trying to talk about?

 

Glen: “Am I, a bother?”

Rose: “What do you mean?”

 

Glen: “I feel really sorry for troubling Rose-san, Arata-san, and many others by coming here.”

 

Is Prince Glen surprisingly a good person? I had an image that all nobles and aristocrats lacked humanity, but this person seems different.

…Well, speaking of which, I am also on that side!

 

Rose: “You don’t have to worry about that, right? Just be like a prince and stand firm.”

Prince Glen: “Stand firm, you say?”

Rose: “Yes. Like, 『Since they’re a knight, and my subordinate, it’s natural for them to protect me, the prince!』 … Ah, but please stay as you are now, even if you become a detestable noble in the future.”

 

I don’t want to see such a pure child using people like objects in the future.

Or rather, if that happens, I’ll quit being the second Knights Commander and go to another country.

 

Glen: “Fufu, I see. I don’t want to become an arrogant noble either, so I’ll stay as I am.”

Rose: “Please do so.”

Glen: “Sorry for asking something strange.”

Rose: “At times like this, you say “thank you”.”

Glen: “…Yes. Thank you, Knights Commander Rose.”

Rose: “You’re too kind.”

 

Laughing together with Prince Glen.

According to Arata-kun, the second prince is going to ascend to the throne as it is, right?

More than that, it would be better if the kind and humble Prince Glen became the king.

Definitely, it seems like it will become a better country.

Well, just being kind probably won’t be enough to be the top of the country.

…Still, I’m sleepy.

Even though I should have drunk a wake-up potion…

 

Rose: “Gofu――”

Glen: “Rose-san, are you――⁉”

 

Choked by a sudden cough, I instinctively cover my mouth with my hand.

At that moment, a heat like molten iron raced through my throat.

Looking at my right hand, there’s something red thickly attached to it.

Is this――blood?

 

Rose: “What…is this?”

Prince Glen: “Are you alright, Rose-san‼”

 

Was I attacked?

From where?

My mind goes blank due to the sudden coughing up of blood.

As if adding to the confusion, the light from the torchère scatters.

 

 

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Mira（Draft Illustration）

AI generation is indeed convenient. Even I, who am extremely bad at drawing, bow my head to the AI-sensei who presents the ideal illustrations. However, the insufficient legal regulations are quite something… Legal issues are complicated, and above all, they are a source of livelihood, so I have no choice but to be cautious. Even my hobby of writing novels seems likely to be taken over by AI-sama… it’s sad.

 

That’s enough for a preface. On the site called PixAi.Art-san, I requested an illustration of 【Mira】, who appeared in my humble work 『From Level 1 ~ 『Black Angel』.』 Since it seemed okay when I read about the copyright issues, I’m posting it here. Just to be sure, I lightly asked Google-sensei, and I couldn’t find similar works, so I think it’s alright. I’m happy that a satisfying piece has been created (it me took 2 hours to find a good one).