Black Rose

Here, a special steak set!

Morgana, hurry and eat before it gets cold.

..! W-What is this?!

I've never seen such a huge piece of meat before!

Hehe. It's my gift to you.

Thanks to you and Ethan... I was able to reunite with Bedi.

Ahem... Well, I did lend some of my power.

Now you finally understand how great the Fairy Queen Morgana truly is.

Heheh. Thank you, Morgana.

From now on, I'll protect you!

But Princess... Have you decided what gift to give Ethan?

If you're planning a surprise...

Now's your chance while he's away.

I'm still... not sure.

We've journeyed together for so long, but... I still don't know what kind of gift he would truly want.

There's only one thing that perverted pig would like.

...?! Morgana, you don't mean...

Why so shocked? If you think about it, there's only one answer.

.......That's true.

But... I'm not ready for something like that...

..? What are you even talking about?

That greedy pig's favorite thing is money, obviously.

.......What?

More than half the words out of Ethan's mouth are about money.

Every time I try to buy cake, Ethan always tries to stop me!

He's a gold-obsessed pervert... deserving of divine punishment!

Morgana... that's...

That's because of... your food expenses...

Ugh! Quiet!

H-Hwaaah... I'm sorry..!

Anyway, no need to overthink Ethan's gift.

His eyes sparkle at the sight of gold coins, just give him that, right?

Still... Giving money as a gift feels a little...

Besides, that money would just end up being used for our travel funds anyway.

Like the Princess says, it doesn't seem like a proper gift.

Hm? A guest?

I'm sorry, but today's our day off...

Hehe. Forgive my late introduction.

I am the knight Lohengrin. I've come here at my lord's summons.

Y-Your lord...?

Princess, did we have such a beautiful knight in the order?

No... this is my first time seeing her too.

Um, excuse me? Perhaps you've come to the wrong place?

Is that so? Strange...

I heard this was the inn where my lord often stays.

Could we ask your lord's name, then?

Hehe. I'm but a lowly retainer. I would never dare speak my lord's name aloud.

Then perhaps their appearance, or their clothing? We may have crossed paths on the road.

His eyes are as clear as the blue sky.

When he swings his sword, blue robe fluttering...

Monsters collapse before him without a fight.

A swordsman in a blue robe... could it be...!

I-It's Ethan!

That perverted pig's gone and caused more trouble again.

As if the princesses weren't enough... now he's seducing knights?

But he clearly said he was going to scout the forest...

Ethan, why would you...

P-Please calm down, Princess!!!

Hehe. So the three of you are my lord's companions.

Then the gift you were discussing... must be for my lord.

Y-You were listening from the start...?

...It was just good timing, that's all.

Anyway... I have an idea. Would you care to hear it?

What could it be? I doubt anything beats gold coins.

There's a special dessert that can only be found in the Duchy of Aurelia...

And I happen to have the recipe.

..!

If you were to make that dessert, filled with cool, sweet cream, and gift it... wouldn't my lord be delighted?

Hmm... You may have a point. Let's start right away.

Morgana... You just want to eat the dessert yourself, don't you...

Quiet! Enough talk, hurry up and start already!

Hwaaaah... I'm sorry..!

Is it still not finished?

S-Sorry, Morgana... The recipe is more complicated than I thought...

Bedi! That's salt, not sugar...!

Whaaat?! I'm so sorry, Princess..!

(...)

(Full of mistakes.)

(There seems like there's no need to worry...)

(Yes. From now on, I should be the one handling all the cooking.)

(The real threat lies... elsewhere.)

Eek?! M-Morgana..! That kind of prank... you have to stop...!

What are you talking about? I've been sitting right here the whole time.

What? But... that feeling just now was definitely...

(That size... dangerous. In more ways than one.)

(...)

Nice to meet you, Percival.

I am... the knight Lohengrin.

Hm? I don't believe we've met before... You know me?

Of course. I, too, am a knight who fights for our lord, just like you.

..! I see.

I'm glad to gain a companion!

But... where is our lord?

I came alone today. There's something I'd like to ask of you.

And what would that be?

I'd like you to spar with me.

The sword that strikes down our lord's enemies... and the shield that guards our lord...

Aren't you curious which is stronger?

..! That is indeed... an interesting question!

Very well! I'll prepare at once!

You're truly strong!

It felt as if I were facing two opponents at once!

......

As a shield that protects our lord, it is disappointing to lose...

But in another way, it eases my heart.

To know that such a strong knight serves as our lord's retainer...

Surely our lord will be glad as well!

Hehe. I, too, have learned much from you, Percival.

May I ask for another spar in the future?

Yes! Anytime!

Next time, I will not lose!

(...Congratulations, Zion.)

(You're now officially the strongest knight under that man.)

Thanks, sis. But... it's still too soon to be certain.

Her shield... will only grow stronger from here.

(You mean you're still not satisfied?)

Yes... I want to make it absolutely clear.

That the only knights needed to protect our lord...

Are us. Hehe.

You... a knight sworn to protect Ethan?

Yes, Merlin. I am my lord's knight... Lohengrin.

I did say he should gather companions...

But I didn't expect he'd already taken in a knight.

Still... what brings you here to me instead of staying at Ethan's side?

I've heard you are my lord's teacher, Merlin.

As his knight, I wished to receive your guidance as well.

Hm... is that so?

Enduring my training with a human body won't be easy... Are you prepared?

Yes, it doesn't matter.

If it's to protect my lord... I'll do anything.

......

Very well. Then let's begin.

Don't complain later... I won't go easy on you.

(As expected... she was a formidable foe.)

Yes... as my lord's teacher, there wasn't a shred of hope for victory.

(But at least... you've received the answer. That's what you came for, isn't it?)

I have. Lady Merlin still sees my lord as nothing more than her beloved pupil.

Now I can return to the Empire without worry.

Thank you for helping me, sis.

(Of course.)

(We will always be together, won't we?)

Yes! Because we are... family.

My lord... please wait a little longer.

Once I've cleared away these troublesome matters... I will return to you.