Becoming the Enemy of State

...You still haven't finished?

I thought you might've changed a little after going back home, but you're still hopelessly lazy.

That was impossible from the start...!

A thousand chickens in one day...?

Even a legendary master chef couldn't pull that off!

You brought this on yourself.

You should be thanking me, if anything.

...to an employee who quit without a word and ran off.

there isn't an innkeeper anywhere who'd hand down such a lenient punishment.

No, I mean... it was to save the world...

If you have time to make excuses, you'd best hurry.

You won't be leaving until it's all done.

Ngh...!

If you'd still like to take your time in a situation like this... I won't stop you.

You can go without dinner, then.

There are still mountains of chickens left to prep.

...Do you still intend to cling to your pride?

......

I said it was impossible... not that I wouldn't do it.

It's so delicious, sis!

Can I have one more bowl?

...Naturally.

Goodness...

S-So much food... are you sure we can really accept all this?

It doesn't matter.

If anything, I was actually having trouble because the ingredients were left over.

Please, eat without worry.

...Thank you.

I will... never forget this kindness.

...This is why you had me prep all those chickens?

The cruelty of war... only truly shows itself once the war is over.

The war between the kingdoms may be over, but...

the wounds left behind are surely still the same.

Then you could've just told me honestly.

Why keep it a secret from me too?

......

Ah! I get it.

You were embarrassed, weren't you?

If people found out the great Death Dragon was helping humans...

Gahhh?!

...Keep your voice down.

Children's ears are sharper than you think.

And don't get the wrong idea.

I'm merely repaying what I received...

I do not like humans.

G-Goblin!

Everyone, run!!!

......

Well, this works out. I have something to do now.

Follow me.

What...? But you just said you don't like humans...

I simply feel like getting a little exercise for the first time in a while.

If you don't want to come... I suppose having you keep me company wouldn't be so bad.

...I'm coming. No... please let me come with you!

Haha! We're finally here.

The Swordbringer... If I can beat that guy, even a half-breed like me will finally be recognized.

My lord... just wait a little longer!

I'll be sure to take the Swordbringer's head... Hm?

I'm telling you, you can't use your power here!

Do you want to blow the whole town away too?!

T-That person is...!

Death Dragon Estheria...?!

A force even the former Lord couldn't tame in the end... why is she here...?

...You're worrying over nothing.

And if I don't step in, who's supposed to deal with the monsters?

You can leave it to me.

Even without the Holy Sword's power... I can still protect a town, at least.

......

Pfft...

Who exactly is protecting whom...

Don't laugh at me!

It's true I've had help from others, but... my swordsmanship is something I learned myself!

Estheria... smiled...?

There are only two reasons a high dragon would change...

Either they've survived the brink of death...

or... they've found someone they absolutely must protect.

In that case...

Does that mean that man is... the one Estheria chose...?

I'm sorry, Swordbringer...

It's your day off too... and I ended up taking your time away...

It's okay. You're just going out to buy cooking ingredients. I couldn't let you go alone.

By the way... are you really okay walking around town looking like that?

I mean... you're bound to attract attention in all kinds of ways.

Oh, don't you worry.

To everyone else, I'll just look like an ordinary town girl.

Right now, the only one who can see my true form... is you, Swordbringer.

Really? That's a relief...

S-So, um...

If we do this... no one will suspect a thing.

The people in town will...

think we're just... a normal c-couple...

......!

B-But... if no one can see how you look anyway...

do we really need to hold hands...?

......

Am I... making you uncomfortable?

No, no! Not at all!

I was just... curious why.

Then... if you'll grant me my request, I'll tell you.

About what?

...Just for today, at least...

if you'd stay like this...

Kyah!

A horde of orcs is heading for the town! Run, everyone!!!

......!

Sorry, Lueira.

Can we put off shopping for a little while?

...Fufu.

You really haven't changed at all... have you, Swordbringer?

Huh?

It's nothing. Let's go.

To think you wouldn't run, even with the great dragon warrior before your eyes...

Ahh... how magnificent love is.

The strength that makes the world beautiful!

What other justice in this world could be more noble... more sublime than this?!

...We're in a hurry, so I'd appreciate it if this ended quickly.

...Sniff sniff.

Wait...

Th-That scent... it can't be...!

Sorry... I wasn't any help at all.

Heheh. That will be enough.

Protecting everyone... that's my role.

Just having you by my side... is enough.

Still, it feels weird just taking from you like this...

Is there anything you need?

It can be something small. I'll buy it for you when we get to town.

......

There's nothing I need... but may I ask a favor instead?

Of course. I'll do anything for you.

I'm still not... familiar with this area.

Would it be alright to ask you to guide me to town?

Uh... yeah. O-Of course.

Th-That's a simpler request than I expected.

Hehe. That's a relief.

Let's go, Swordbringer. If dinner preparations run late... Morgana will get angry.

Keeee!

Th-This sweetness... so sweet it numbs the nose...!

This is unmistakably... 'pure love'!!!

......

Here we go again...

Something I believed would never come to pass...

To witness pure love between a dragon and a human with my own two eyes...!

Ahh... this is love...

This is... justice!

Boss, that's... a Dragonian, right?

Quiet. What if it wakes up?

No... isn't this strange?

Why would something that lives on Snowcap Mountain be collapsed here?

And maybe it's just me... but it looks like it's smiling.

Leave it. Maybe it's having a good dream.

...Y-You're late.

You promised... y-you'd come by often...

I'm sorry, Karishara...

Morgana said if she missed out on the dessert that's limited to fifty a day, she'd blow up the town...

Th-Then... what were you doing yesterday?

Hm? Yesterday, Elizabeth said she was busy, so I helped prep the ingredients.

I cut a hundred onions and cried enough tears for a lifetime...

And the day before that...?

I went to help because some lunatic was causing trouble at the maid cafe.

He was seriously insane... I never thought he'd flip the table at a maid cafe because the food tasted bad...

......

And the day before that...?

Erin sent me a letter asking me to hang out, so I went to the Kingdom of Elaia for a bit...

Th-That's way too many!!!

Whoa?! You scared me.

Wh-Why are there... so many women around you?

Don't tell me... you're dreaming of... a h-harem...?

I-If you tried something like that in real life...

y-you might end up being split into five pieces...

I have no idea what exactly is getting split into five pieces, but...

don't worry. It's absolutely not what you're thinking.

The people I fought beside are companions... nothing more than that.

...R-Really?

Of course.

Everyone I've met so far... they're all companions and friends I've fought through life and death with.

How many people could just walk away when a companion is in trouble?

As for impure thoughts... ahem...

I've never had them. Not even once.

B-But... it sounded like you hesitated just now...

You're imagining things, you're imagining things!

Th-Then... you're free today, right?

Of course. I don't have anything on my schedule until tomorrow.

Th-That's... a relief...

I-I actually... had something I wanted to talk about... for a while...

B-Between a pure-type black-haired beauty... and a sharp-tongued older-sister-type character...

if they debuted as idols... which one do you think would be more popular...?

It's a Cockatrice!!!

Everyone... run if you don't want to be turned to stone!!!

......

......

If... you don't mind...

Could you wait here for a moment?

Lord Eupi's, command.

Karishara, locate.

...Sniff...

Scent, that way, found her.

...Liar.

L-Look... the sun's already going down.

S-Sorry... I had no idea there'd be a Cockatrice in a place like this.

If we leave it alone, the town will definitely take damage...

W-Why... why do you go that far...?

Y-You're not... royalty...

and you're not a k-knight... serving anyone either...

If it were for a friend... or a companion, maybe...

b-but you don't... h-have any duty to save everyone...

......

I have... a dream.

I still haven't told anyone... but my goal is...

Wha?!

This is our turf! Get lost!

Those bastards...

Anyway, to continue what I was saying...

Hm...?

This soft feeling... don't tell me...

......!!!!???!!!!??!!

Woooaaahhh!!!!

C-Calm down, Karishara... I didn't do that on purpose...!

......O-Okay. I get it.

I-I knew it... this was your real goal all along...

I-I... believed in you... to the very end...

Y-You've got it all wrong!!!

Please, just listen to me!!!

......

Chest, contact.

Response, positive.

Assessment complete.

Reproduction, preparing.

Urgent, report, required.

Morgana. Maybe it's just my imagination, but...

Doesn't Ethan seem a lot closer to the Innkeeper lately?

...That question isn't even worth answering.

Did you pick up some strange book in town again?

Last time, I distinctly saw you with a book where a man and woman were embracing...

N-no, I didn't!

Her tone is still cold, but... the number of sharp remarks has noticeably gone down.

A-and...

I didn't buy that book... I-I got it as a gift.

Hmm...?

And the Innkeeper isn't the only one he's gotten closer to!

Last time Ethan went shopping with Lueira...

He came back really late, didn't he?

Ethan especially... looked like he was hiding something.

There's not just one or two suspicious things here, Morgana!

And why does any of that matter...?

When people live together, of course they can grow attached.

At times like this, Bedivere, you really are such a child.

...!!!

Sniff... To hear that from you of all people, Morgana...

What did you say?!

Come at me right now if you want a fight! I'll take you on anytime!!!

B-both of you, calm down...

Karishara?!

...When did you sneak in this time?

Did you dig some secret burrow to get in?

At this point, I'd believe you were a rat instead of a lizard.

D-don't hate me so much...

T-today... I brought... important information...

If it's useless information... you'd better brace yourself.

The time of this Fairy Queen is worth more than all the gold and treasure in a dungeon!

Morgana... I'm certain you were just taking a nap until a moment ago...

Hmph! Be quiet!

Waaah! I'm sorry!

Y-you're wondering... why Ethan is getting so friendly with dragons... right...?

T-the reason... is simple...

...!!!

C-could there be some kind of misunderstanding...?

Ethan can be a little strange sometimes, but...

There's no way he would imagine something that perverted...

H-he already... is.

H-he touched my chest too.

Whaaaat...!!!?!!

I knew something was off.

I thought he'd been going out more often lately...!

That perverted pig...! He's finally shown his true colors...!

W-we're... only the beginning...

You... and the p-princesses... are in danger too...

B-but wouldn't the princesses be all right?

If things go wrong, it could turn into a diplomatic incident...

As I said earlier, you're far too naive.

Don't you understand yet?

That's why he's trying to win over the dragons first!

If he gets the dragons on his side, no one will be able to resist him!

......!

So it was all part of his plan...?!

Of course. That pig is the embodiment of lust.

If it's for the sake of his lust...

He's the sort of man who would even steal a throne and sit on it!

T-that... makes sense...

I-if he really... wants a harem...

He'd need... a-a tremendous amount of power...

Maybe approaching u-us first...

W-wasn't... just a coincidence...

Bedivere, where is Ethan now?

Oh...! Come to think of it, he left early this morning too.

He seemed to leave in a huge hurry... Don't tell me...!

...It seems it's already begun.

Let's hurry.

Before that perverted pig's poison... spread any farther!

......

Morgana... do you dislike the idea of Ethan making a harem too?

Hm? Of course.

If that pig gets so obsessed with women that he loses his mind... who will buy me desserts?!

......

Ah... S-so that's what you meant.

Get up already!

You too, Karishara!!!

Hweeek...?! M-me too...?!

Ugh...! How far has he gone?!

Why is he only quick to act at times like this...!

......

Karishara. If... Ethan asked you to help with his plan...

What would you do?

...! O-of course... I'd r-refuse...

S-sometimes the losing heroine ends up being more popular... b-but...

That doesn't mean... I want to be the one in that position.

Huh...?

I-if I'm not h-his first...!

I-I mean... I don't want it...

B-because love... can't be shared...

...! I-I see...

......

So you too, Karishara...

Hm...? W-what...?

N-nothing!

Let's hurry and find Ethan!

This way!

I sense that perverted pig's trail up ahead...

Kyaah?!

......

My apologies. I thought you were intruders...

Agravaine?!

F-first the princesses, and now even a beautiful girl assassin...!

I think I... k-kind of understand why he's aiming for a harem...

You perverted knight over there! Move right now if you don't want to get hurt!

We need to see Ethan!

I'm sorry, but I can't allow that.

The Swordbringer is currently... handling an important request.

An important request...?

......

A-ahem...

It truly is an important matter.

For the client's honor...

I can't tell you... until everything is over.

I-I think she's already... fallen for him too?

I've never seen Agravaine stammer before.

Just like Karishara said... Ethan's clutches are already spreading!

Fine! Refuse to move all you want!

Stop us if you think you can!

...Then I have no choice.

For his honor... I'll do everything I can.

Hah... hah...

Where... did that ridiculous strength come from...?!

...I am a knight.

Assassination may have been my main duty... but that doesn't mean I'm weak enough to underestimate.

Ugh...!

If you still refuse to give up after this... you'd better be ready.

I'll stop you even if it costs me my life.

Karishara! What are you doing?!

Hurry up and blow her away with that ridiculous fire of yours!

I-I can't...

If I... go all out...

I-I might... blow away an entire continent...

Besides... th-that character type... is rare!

O-on the outside... she looks like a cold assassin...

But from that little glimpse of her underwear... she must be a girl who likes dressing up...

A b-beautiful girl assassin who's endlessly kind in front of someone precious to her... Hehe...

I-if possible... I-I might want to be friends with her...

Grrrgh...! You useless lizard!

Why did you even come along, then?!

Y-you're the one... who told me to come...

M-Morgana... I think we should retreat for now.

Agravaine's eyes...

If this keeps up... things may go too far to turn back!

For this Fairy Queen... to flee from a human...

I have never felt such humiliation in my life!

When that perverted pig gets back... I'll demand 100 cakes as compensation!

If Elizabeth were here, we could have gone through easily... What a shame.

W-where did Elizabeth... go?

After receiving a letter from Princess Katrin, she left for Isiel.

If we go to bring her back now... we'll probably be too late.

T-then... what about asking the other princesses... for help...?

Y-you all... rule different countries...

But you're... o-on the same side, right...?

...! You're right!

Before Ethan attacks the princesses... we'll strike first!

And if we overwhelm her with numbers... even Agravaine should leave an opening.

As expected, Karishara! What incredible insight!

Heh, hehe... I-it's... not that impressive...

...You're not just saying that because you want to rest, are you?

N-no!

L-like you said... I'm... not useful...

S-so calling someone else... would be much better...

Karishara's power is... simply too strong...

Aww... If only our opponent were a dragon...

Then she could blow them all away in one shot!

I-if a powerful enemy like that... appears next time... tell me...

Then... I-I'll help too...

Morgana. Then I'll go bring the princesses here.

Please look after the inn while I'm gone!

Don't worry.

I'll make sure to take care of things so there are no leftovers.

T-that's not what I meant...

...I'm sorry, but I don't think I can cooperate.

In fact, I'm starting to feel like supporting my beloved's grand plan.

It's been a while, everyone. Have you all been well?

Heehee. Is this the first time since the alliance meeting?

It's lovely to gather together again after so long.

More than anything... I'm truly glad we're meeting for a reason other than war.

Occasionally deepening our bonds like this is useful for creative...

...No, for governing our nations.

I wonder if this is truly an ordinary tea party.

If it were... I doubt you would have called us here so urgently...

......

Just as Guinevere said, I asked you here for another reason.

It may be hard to believe, but...

Please stay calm... and hear me out to the end.

What an outrageous idea...!

To aim for a throne for such a reason...!

T-the Swordbringer is... more ambitious than I expected...

To think... he was aiming for us...

He targeted the moment Princess Elizabeth was away.

As expected of the Swordbringer.

What an incredibly meticulous plan.

......

So... you're saying you need help?

Yes. We have to stop Ethan before his clutches spread any farther...

...I'm sorry, but I don't think I can cooperate.

Whaaat?! W-what do you mean, Guinevere?!

I should be the one asking that.

Why did you think I would cooperate?

In fact, I'm starting to feel like supporting my beloved's grand plan.

Princess Guinevere! This joke has gone too far!

Oh my, I'm quite serious.

Rather than the fools who propose to me for the sake of their own honor...

Standing beside my beloved would be far more reassuring.

...So a princess of a nation would willingly make herself a concubine?

Do you have no pride?

I knew Her Majesty and the Grand Duchess wouldn't understand.

But... you're different, aren't you?

Princess Isolde. You keep receiving them too, don't you?

Letters from fools who dress up their ambitions with the word "love."

......

I know. For us, marriage is different from love of ordinary women.

Even so, if we're choosing anyway...

Wouldn't it be better to be joined with someone as wonderful as my beloved?

Princess Isolde. Don't be fooled!

You know perfectly well how absurd this is!

Heehee. Then I'll be off to protect my beloved.

...Please take your time and think it over.

G-Guinevere! Please calm down!

......

Princess Isolde...?

What are you doing?

Heehee. I'm sorry, everyone...

I simply can't resist my curiosity.

I'm truly curious to see what kind of ending Ethan's choice will bring about.

So...

Would you mind waiting here for just a little while? Heehee.

...You've already chased me this far?

I always think this, but Princess Elizabeth really is enviable.

With a capable guardian knight like you by her side, she must be free to pursue her dreams as much as she likes.

...The same goes for me.

If Britannia had a strategist as brilliant as you...

We might have noticed Vortigern's secret schemes much sooner.

......

That's why... I can't understand.

How can a princess with insight sharp enough to turn the tide of battle in an instant...

Support such a foolish plan from Ethan?!

Secure victory in battles where you have the advantage,

and avoid battles where you don't.

That is the foundation of military strategy, Bedivere.

I'm simply guiding the "battlefield" that Elizabeth has controlled until now...

onto a "battlefield" where I hold the advantage.

......!

Now then, shall we settle this quickly?

My beloved must be waiting for me.

Ngh...!

Bedivere. I can't understand why you're standing in my way.

I thought... we had something in common.

What do you mean...

I already know.

That for the sake of your loyalty...

you've been lying even to your most precious feelings.

......!

Bedivere. You and I are quite alike.

We both ran so desperately to catch up to Princess Elizabeth...

but we're always trapped in her shadow, unable to escape.

But if my beloved's plan succeeds... we can all become winners.

Even if my beloved takes 100 concubines...

he will share his love equally among us.

......

Bedivere. Ethan's plan is practically paradise for us.

So hurry, take my hand.

I-if I'm not his first...!

I-I mean... I don't want it...

B-because love... can't be shared...

......!

Guinevere. The place Ethan's plan leads to... isn't paradise.

It may feel happy at first... but in the end, it would lead everyone to ruin.

I am a knight of the Kingdom of Britannia, and Elizabeth's guardian knight.

For Elizabeth... and for myself...!

I will defeat you!

Kyaah!

......

Bedivere... you really are a strong person.

You may pass. The defeated... must submit to the victor.

......

Guinevere. Do you think there are wars where victory and defeat are decided from the start?

......

......No.

Hehe. What a coincidence.

I think so too.

...You've come back.

Ignoring my warning means...

I can fight you seriously now, correct?

Yes, that's fine.

I will also do everything I can to protect everyone!

Bedivere!

Cristina?!

Sorry we're late.

Persuading Princess Isolde... took longer than expected.

Even Isabel...

We'll handle this.

Bedivere. We leave the rest to you!

Thank you, everyone...!

I will stop Ethan for sure!

......

E-Ethan...?! What is that outfit...?!

...! B-Bedivere?! How... how did you get in here?!

I definitely asked Agravaine to keep this secret...!

Ethan... why in the world...

are you standing there without any clothes on... holding a fishing rod...?

I-I didn't want to do this either!

But... it's a request, so I had no choice!

A request...?

Merfolk monsters have snuck into this lake.

But their preferences are... Ahem...

A-apparently... they won't react unless it's a naked human body...

...! Is that why you kept it secret from us...?

Yes! I couldn't ask you to do this!

That's why I tried to handle it alone!

If I ignored the request just because it was ridiculous... the townspeople wouldn't be able to eat fish!

......

S-such a deep reason...

I'm sorry, Ethan... We misunderstood...

......Ethan?

...! E-Elizabeth?!

Heh. Heh! Well? I brought Elizabeth here with my magic.

Problem solved, wouldn't you say?

What part of this solves anything!!!

Bedivere! Hurry and take those two back to the inn!

Y-yes! Understood!

Elizabeth... I'll explain everything, so let's return to the inn...

No, it's all right, Bedi.

I heard... everything on the way here.

......!

E-Elizabeth...? Why the greatsword all of a sudden...

Heehee... Ethan...?

I heard... everything.

You went out... on a date with the Innkeeper?

Th-that wasn't a date...

Heehee... You must have had such a wonderful time.

While I... endured the harsh cold of Isiel...

and worked for Britannia's future...

Y-you did great, Elizabeth...

Once this request is over... I'll prepare a welcome-back party right away...!

So could you... put that greatsword down...?

And then... I heard you held Lueira's hand.

......!

You're so cruel... Ethan...

You've never... even held my hand once...

As if that wasn't enough...

you mercilessly groped Karishara's chest...

Ethan... just as Morgana said...

you really are a pervert who can't control his lust.

W-wait...! There were unavoidable circumstances...!

Heehee... Don't worry.

Bad habits... can be fixed from now on.

E-Elizabeth...?

Now, Ethan. Would you close your eyes for a moment?

With all my heart...

I'll make sure... to teach you a proper lesson♡

Gyaaaah!!!

Mmm... I wondered where she'd gone... Looks like she found herself a man.

How carefree. She has no idea whose fault it is that I went through all that trouble...

Eupi. That man will become a great threat to us one day.

Even now, you should send an army...

There's no need for that.

...! You intend to leave him be...?

No. I intend to go myself.

......!

Heehee... Let's see just how handsome he is, to have seduced those major players...

Shall I go and find out?