Yo, hero of Iskia.

Nero is clearly angry for some reason. No, its not like I dont have any idea why he might be angry at me.

Not at all; if you hadnt come to save me, I would have died. Thank you very much, Prince Nero.

Stop. Stop it with that tone and that insincere flattery.

Damn it, I tried my best to take a humble position, but I guess it didnt work.

This reminds me of the time when I met Nino in Irz Village; he also told me to stop it with the formal language because it annoyed him. I wonder if me using formal language is really that unpleasant.

But my feelings of Prince Nero, thanks a bunch for saving me arent a lie.

My words might have come off as a sarcastic comment after receiving the decoration, even if I didnt mean it that way. I realize this only after Ive said them, so its too late, however.

Were both students anyway. I dont mind if you call me by my first name. You do the same with Will, dont you?

Yeah.

And Nell as well.

Yeah.

As Nero spoke Nells name, I felt a faint release of bloodthirst. Its clear that he didnt suggest that we use each others first names so that we can be friendly with each other.

I surreptitiously send a hand signal to Lily and Fiona who have moved behind me, telling them tohold back.Im sure the two of them have noticed Neros unstable state. Actually, Lily might be performing a full-power telepathic scan of the princes brain right now.

You seem to have come to be on pretty good terms with Nell.

Nell is my friend.

Theres no point in trying to evade this topic. Ive never been able manipulate conversations strategically. Ill be honest and just say whats on my mind.

If thats no good, well, Ill just release some black smoke, grab Lily and Fiona and make a swift escape. I dont care anymore.

I see. I dont know how you approached her, but Well, thats not important now. Say, Kurono, there are some things I want to ask you.

The gaze of Neros crimson eyes pierces straight through my own. It feels like hes about to challenge me to a duel rather than question me. Ah, damn it. As I suspected, that pretty white sword is hanging at the princes waist.

Nero drawing his sword or me summoning my hatchet, I wonder which will be faster

The strength you used to defeat the Greed-Gore, what kind of divine protection was that?

Uwah, hes asking something thats complicated and hard to answer!

I wouldnt mind giving an honest answer of,Its Mia-chans, but the Demon Kings divine protection is something special that has never been bestowed on anyone before. Im hesitant to simply declare its existence here. It hasnt been formally approved by the Pandora temple, either.

I cant answer that. Its an adventurers right to refrain from divulging his skills, isnt it?

I preemptively add this excuse that I heard is apparently true.

Well, I suppose youre right.

Nero nods as if he was expecting my reply. As an active adventurer himself, he seems to understand.

I suppose he wont ask me anything more about my divine protection. Nero begins his next question.

What was the meaning behind setting Fiona after me?

Huh?

I cant help reacting like this. Anyone would respond in the same way after being asked a question that doesnt make any sense, after all.

Who set Fiona after who? I set her after Nero?

More importantly, Fiona, just when did you come to know the First Prince of Avalon? You went on and on about the dangers of getting close to members of the royal family, so whats the meaning of this?

Shes right beside me, so itll be faster just to ask her.

Fiona, are you acquainted with Nero?

No, I have no recollection of him whatsoever. I suppose he has mistaken me for someone else.

Fiona seems completely unperturbed; she replies with her usual sleepy-looking face.

Hey, hey, are you serious, havent you just forgotten is what I think, but as long as thats what she insists on, theres nothing I can do about it.

Apparently youve mistaken her for someone else.

I face forward once more and deliver Fionas reply to Nero.

As if he hasnt heard my reply, the gaze of Neros red eyes that he inherited from Mia-chan is directed straight at Fiona, but then he quickly averts his gaze as if giving up. Of course, Fiona shows no reaction at all. Is she actually asleep?

Tch, well, whatever Questioning you now is pointless.

I ended up giving him quite a joke-like answer, but for now, Im glad that hes satisfied.

However, he prefaces his next question by telling me that he wont forgive me if I refuse to answer it.

This seems to be the final, most important question.

Why did you bring Nell to the fortress?

The question that comes from Neros mouth is one that Ive been expecting him to ask. Actually, I could only assume that he would definitely ask that question at some point.

And in response to that question, I have only one answer.

Sorry.

The moment I apologize, Neros right hand moves.

Hes drawing his sword no, that tightly-clenched fist is thrown straight towards my face.

The only response Im capable of is to close my eyes reflexively.

!

I feel the sensation of a solid fist striking my left cheek hard. Considering how thin Nero is, its an incredibly heavy punch. Hes even usingForce Boost?

If I were a normal human, I would have been sent flying several meters. But because my body has been reinforced to be more sturdy, I was able to withstand it just by stepping back with my right foot and planting it firmly in the ground.

Even so, pain is pain. My cheekbone hasnt cracked, but the inside of my mouth might have been cut a bit.

Kurono!

Kurono-san!

I stop Lily and Fiona with a hand motion that might not be enough, so I talk to Lily under the assumption that shes listening through telepathy. Its fine, Lily. Dont move, stay right where you are.

I hear Lilys immediate reply of,But!echoing in my head.

Its really fine. Ive just taken a punch from Nero.

Thats right, that one punch is the only one that Im going to take quietly.

?!

In the next instant, Nero pursues me with his left fist, but I stop it with one hand.

The dry sound of his hand striking mine echoes loudly. His second punch is just as mercilessly powerful as his first.

I asked Nell to lend me her strength. So as her older brother, you have the right to punch me for exposing her to danger.

As if surprised that I stopped his second attack, Nero has a look of bewilderment on his face. I dont know if hell be satisfied with my response or not, but I never intended to make him understand in the first place.

Im just making something clear.

But that was something that Nell herself wanted as well. She risked her life to save her older brother and her friends, her party members who were there. I couldnt go as far as to ignore her determination to do that. So I cant allow myself to be punched a second time.

I release Neros fist from my palm.

A third punch doesnt come. Instead, he glares at me with an even sharper glint in his eye.

Dont talk like you understand everything! Nell is different from me; no matter what reason there might be, she shouldnt be exposed to danger!

Arent you the one who doesnt understand?

What did you say...?

Its not like I dont understand how Nero feels. If I were Nells older brother, I would feel the same way without a doubt.

But Im not her older brother; Im her friend. Thats why Im the one who sympathized with her feelings the most.

Nell is one of your party members as well, isnt she? Do you think being the only one to receive special treatment would make her happy?

Shut up

Nell said it herself, that there was someone that she had to save. Even though she was that determined, would you seriously have been able to tell her not to come and help because it would be too dangerous?

I told you to shut up!

Neros right arm moves once more. This time, he grabs a hold of my collar and pulls me closer towards him. My shirt lets out a scream-like noise, as if its about to be torn to pieces.

I wont forgive anyone who exposes Nell to danger. Thats why Ill never forgive you, Kurono, you bastard.

Nero has finally stopped suppressing his bloodthirst; hes letting it out indiscriminately now.

As expected of a Rank 5 adventurer. Though only for a short while, Ive seen his abilities during the battle with the Greed-Gore. I feel a powerful sensation that causes my skin to crawl. My sixth sense is warning me that things are getting dangerous.

It seems that Nero isnt the only one getting serious; theres Lily and Fiona behind me who have been holding themselves back up until now. Theyre barely managing to contain themselves for the moment, but I can vaguely sense that theres enough bloodthirst swirling around in here that it might explode at any second.

The two party members that Nero brought with him are exceptionally sharp as well. Likely in response to the unstable presence of Lily and Fiona, theyre showing some indirect hostility, ready to immediately deal with any attack.

This is bad; it would be fine if this ended up as just a fight between me and Nero, but a brawl including the members of both our parties, a brawl between Rank 5 adventurers, would instantly turn the hall where this party is taking place into a scene straight from hell.

But my words are unlikely to reach Neros ears now.

Its unfortunate that things have devolved into this explosive, dangerous situation, but I dont regret anything that I said to Nero.

I know how it feels to be unable to save those that are truly important. I know the depth of the regret that it causes.

Thats why I absolutely support Nells feelings of wanting to save her friends. There are times when you have to fight, even if you have to expose yourself to danger in the process. Thats especially true for someone who possess the ability of a Rank 5 adventurer.

Thats why I wont apologize to Nero or take back my words.

Even so, as an older brother, hes correct to prioritize his sisters safety above all else. Nero, your anger isnt unjustified.

However, that doesnt mean that we can express our inability to reach an agreement through our fists in a place like this.

Listen, because of you, right now, Nell is

Neros hostility has already hit some kind of limit.

Right, I have no choice but to free myself from Neros grip, releaseBlack Smokeand make an escape. The moment I come to this decision

The sound of something being destroyed in a spectacular fashion echoes throughout the banquet hall.

Whats happening?! Both Nero and I reflexively turn towards the source of the noise. Actually, in this situation, theres nobody here who cant see it.

In the spot where the attention of the entire banquet hall is gathered, theres male student wearing the same the same red cape as Nero. Hes not standing, but collapsed on the ground.

A red liquid is spreading across the hard marble floor. I can immediately tell by the liquids hue and the rich fragrance reaching my nose that its the local Spadan-made wine, not blood.

The remains of a half-broken bottle are mixed among the spilled wine. It seems that this is the source of the noise.

FAAHAHAHA! My apologies, it seems that I have become a little too festive and drunk a little more than I perhaps should haaave.

The student who fell onto the ground together with his bottle of wine is speaking in a strangely inarticulate tone. Now that he has gotten to his feet from his original face-down position, its clear who he is. No, his previous words were more than enough to give away his identity.

O-oi, Will are you alright?

Im still in the middle of having my collar grabbed, but I cant help saying these words to my drunken friend.

Whaaat are you saying! I am the immortal Second Prince who made a miraculous return from the hell that was Iskia! Falling over just a liiittle will not do me any haaarm! FAAHAHAHA!

Will, who seems to have completely recovered, places both his hands on his hips and lets out a somewhat proud-sounding laugh. Maybe hes gone crazy from hitting his head somewhere when he fell down. No, hes like this even when sober, so I suppose hes fine.

Oops, broken shards of glass have scattered around, how dangerous! Good lord, who is the fool that put my bottle of special Spadan wine to waste?! Oooi, Seria, hurry up and clean this mess up for me.

Certainly, Will-sama.

Before I know it, the escort-maid Seria appears behind Will, equipped with a cleaning set consisting of a bucket, a broom and a dustpan. Even though shes wearing such a conspicuous maid uniform, I had no idea she was there until just now. Shes completely invisible, like Su-san during battle.

Anyway, behind the maid who has begun cleaning the bottle up on her masters orders, Will takes some extremely unstable steps towards us.

Fuoh, if it isnt my childhood friend who acts as Sharls caretaker, the Lightning Lord Knight, Nero Julius Elroad!

Who are you calling a caretaker? Stop calling me by that title, and while youre at it, stop using my full name for no reason.

Kukukukuh, and the sworn friend of my soul, the dark hero that was born on this night, the Nightmare Berserker Kurono! You are the star of tonights party; how are you finding things? Have you been drinking?

No, well, I was thinking of drinking something now.

I see, I see! Drink, drink plenty! The alcohol expenses shall be paid for by Spadas national treasury, so you should drink to your hearts content!

Thats Thanks

Will is letting out his breath that stinks of alcohol in front of me and getting excited about something on his own. Its as if he hasnt noticed the explosive situation that were in.

How about it, Nero? Let us drink together, shall we? I must thank you for saving my foolish sister who threw herself onto the frontlines, after aaaall!

Tch, Im not in that kind of mood right now.

As if his anger has completely subsided, Nero releases my collar, turns around and begins to walk off.

His two party members seem to want to say something as he turns his back on us with a flutter of his red cape, but they follow him silently.

Of course, the students in front of them part to make way for them and they continue straight ahead, exiting through the banquet halls front door.

No matter, Neros sullenness and poor sociability is a frequent occurrence! Now then, my fellow students who survived the incident in Iskia, let us pay him no heed and drink the night awaaaaaay! FAAHAHAHAHAAAA!

With Neros exit, the embers of conflict have been completely extinguished, and a lively atmosphere slowly returns to the banquet hall.

Realizing that we managed to get through that dangerous situation without anything too serious happening, I let out a sigh of relief.

And then I put a hand on my drunken friends shoulder and whisper in his ear.

You saved me, Will. Thanks.

Fuh, you saw through it, huh. As to be expected from the sworn friend of my soul; you have read my intentions.

Yeah, Im really blessed to have friends like these. This is just one of the events that really make me appreciate that.

Note from the author:

Nell:No, I will definitely be going with you. Just as you are going to save your friends, there is someone I must save as well.

This line was spoken in chapter 320,Bad Person.She was right; the person she needed to save was right in front of her as she said it.