TL's note: Sorry for the delay.
I've been sick for the past few days (not COVID-related dw), so translating took longer to do.
There will probably be a lot more grammatical and spelling errors in this translation, but I will go through and fix them as necessary.
At last, it's here! Thanks for being patient
Arc 7, Chapter 59B "Flop O'Connell"
"--Take care of your own life, Flop. Self-sacrifice is a fool's errand."
　It was Miles, the benefactor who took him out of the poor environment, who advised Flop to do so.
　The orphanage where Flop and Medium were placed when they were young was apparently a much worse place than they had thought.
　Orphanages, the adults were fond of saying, gather deemed children who have no family, no place to go, no one to turn to, and provide them with a roof over their heads and walls to live on.
"You are blessed while there are so many who have nothing to eat and no work."
　In fact, he thought it was.
　Life was hard for him and his sister, Medium, as they were abandoned by their family and had to slurp mud and water. They had to eat grass, insects, and the occasional rabbit, which caused a great commotion.
　Compared to them, life in the orphanage was much better off.
　They were given blankets, even if they were thin and tattered, and meals were provided, even if they consisted of tasteless soup and a crumb of bread. They were assigned to simple jobs where numbers counted, and they were beaten up by adults for their whims, but not every day.
　The adults had a point when they told them that the outside world was much more painful. Then, he would not even budge from the idea of running away.
　Nevertheless, he could not bear to expose Medium and the other children to the beating and kicking of the adults, so Flop learned to behave as cheerfully as possible to catch the adults' attention.
　Every day, Flop made up his mind that he would be the one to get the most attention from the adults.
　If the prominent Flop is liked, the adults' attitude toward the other children will soften. Even when the adults are having a bad day, the first to take the brunt of it is the prominent flop.
　Standing out is a weapon in its own right.
　Loud voices and gestures, exaggerated facial expressions and gestures. Fortunately, it was not difficult for him to make a habit of these things. It seems that he had a natural talent for attracting people's attention.
　--He was sure of it the night Medium stroked Flop's wounds all night long, as he shifted his anger toward the younger child and half-killed him.
　This is the role he has to play in this place.
　In the midst of the unnerving pain, Flop told himself that--,
"Of course not, you fucking idiot."
"Eh......"
"I looked over at him for the first time in years and saw that we were still the same disgusting family, with the same stupid kids doing the same stupid things. I thought that Baru-bo was enough of a crazy kid."
　Flop who is self-aware of his role and ready to take on the negative aspects of the orphanage single-handedly.
　However, Flop's plans were abruptly shattered one night.
　The man who appeared astride the flying dragon was not a flattering sight.
　He does not hide his rough upbringing, and the way he irritatingly scratches his gray hair makes him the kind of person you don't want to have anything to do with, even as a child. His face, which somehow reminds one of a sneering rat, also contributes to this impression, and he is the kind of person one should normally keep one's head down to avoid being punched.
　The person - Miles - betrayed such a rude impression of Flop in a very billion-dollar way.
"I'm from this facility, just like you guys. I was in a bad place when I was there. That's why I got out of there and survived by drinking muddy water."
　At night, the door to the children's room was locked with a rude lock to prevent them from escaping while sleeping.
　When Miles roughly broke the lock and peeked inside, he saw nearly two dozen children crammed into a small room and clicked his tongue very, very irritably.
　He then led the surprised and frightened children out of the room at the appearance of the unknown adults and headed for the adults' room, leaving them with a single word: "Wait for me".
　And then--,
"I was repeating such a daily cycle of "will I die or not", but somehow I picked up my luck. And then, years later, I remembered our house of abomination, and I found...... this."
　As he rolls the tied-up adults onto the floor of the room and kicks them in the face, calling them ungrateful, Miles smiles a sneer and spits, "Suck it up."
　They must have been given a hard time by the adults. However, Flop had to tilt his head back and wonder if he should go that far.
　Turning to Flop, Miles raised his thin eyebrows and said,
"What, you want some too? Then get even with them. Payback a hundredfold."
"Uh, no, I'm......"
"--I'll do it!!"
　At Miles's devilish whisper, Flop hesitated to answer.
　But Medium jumped out from behind Flop and didn't hesitate to hit the tied adult in the head with a picked up tree branch. --No, it wasn't just Medium.
　All the children, with the exception of the stunned Flop, became angry rebels.
"It always hurt!"
"I hate you!"
"Anchan's revenge!"
　The screams of adults who are tied up and unable to resist are swallowed by the children's shouts of "stop, stop!"
　They clawed at the adults' faces, slapped their cheeks, and finally urinated on them to vent their pent-up anger.
"Bwahahahahahaha! Look at their faces! That's a masterpiece!"
　Stunned, Miles laughs loudly and vulgarly beside Flop, who is watching his sister's rebellion.
　Not very much, but Flop was in no mood to laugh at it. They just kept rolling their eyes and wondering what that would do to them after putting the adults through all this.
"Well, do what you want with the rest of them......, but I don't know what Dracroy would do to you if you threw them out."
　As he looked around at the children who had finished their emotional rebellion and walked out of the facility, Miles continued to say to his young juniors, "So".
"I'll take you to her place for the time being. You can do whatever you want from there. You don't have to follow me."
　The children looked at each other when Miles made that general invitation.
　The look on their faces was one of uncertainty and confusion. They are free to follow or not, Miles said, and even that is a 'choice' that Flop and the others have never had before.
　Children, who have always followed the instructions of adults, have never had the right to choose anything. So they are suddenly handed the right, and they wander off with it.
　At the sight of these children, Miles shrugged his shoulders and said, "Hey, hey."
"After all this time, you're pathetic. --You've already done it back to them. You guys can choose whatever you want."
　Miles told them so, and the children realized for the first time.
　Already, Miles said, they had chosen to rebel.
　--In the end, not a single child chose to leave the orphanage.
　Of course, Flop, even though he was not complicit, could not say that he would stay at the orphanage where he had done so much. In the first place, Medium was quick to accept Miles's invitation, saying, "Let's go!"
　There was no way he would not fulfill Medium's wishes or choose to leave his sister. For these somewhat more reluctant reasons than the other children, Flop left the institution.
　He'd done a hell of a lot.
　Or he was involved in something outrageous, and regret tormented his heart.
　But--,
"Good night, Anchan."
　The words hit him as he slept on the road to Miles's master or whatever it was he was going to be, in an uncovered area, wrapped up with his sister in a blanket he had taken from the facility.
　The sister who surrenders herself to him in relief, and the view outside without the prison of shelter and walls.
　He realized that he no longer had to worry about being hit or having his sister cry.
"--Fu"
　Noticing, Flop cried.
　He cried and cried, and chewed on the salty taste of freedom.
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　△▼△▼△▼△
　--Far away, wings fluttering, the flying dragon moves away from the gray cloud-covered sky.
　He remained alert until the distant shadow became as small as a pea, and then Zikr relaxed his body.
　For reasons unknown, the herd of flying dragons has retreated. Since the city hall has not completely fallen, there are two possible reasons for the retreat - either they achieved their operational goals or they found it difficult to achieve them.
　From Zikr's perspective, the former is preferable.
　Even picking up on the dramatic events that took place during the intense attack that lasted only an hour or so, it seemed objectively likely that the former was the case.
"Rapid drop in temperatures and devastation in the southern part of the city......"
　Running his hand through his own abundantly thick hair, Zikr touches on two anomalies that he can't determine.
　During the battle, he couldn't believe his eyes when the temperature in the fortress city began to drop rapidly, and finally white snow began to flicker. He heard that you can sometimes see snow on high, high mountains, but if you want to see snow in Vollachia, you have to expect some sort of natural disaster.
　In other words, the snowfall that occurred during the battle was nothing short of a natural disaster.
　But that in itself worked out fortunately for Zikr and his team.
　The sudden change in temperature, especially the cold, made the flying dragon vulnerable, and its troublesome flying capability was visibly reduced. Without it, the damage would have been much greater and deeper.
　However--,
"What the hell is that white light......"
　Untouchable and hopelessly destroyed, it obliterated the southern part of the city flat.
　It was one of those end-of-the-world spectacles that even the term "natural catastrophe" is too easy to describe. Even though there was no subsequent damage, the city suffered enough damage from that single shot.
　The chain of command was in disarray, and judgment of the war situation was stagnant. If the flying dragon had pushed in, the city might have fallen without warning.
　That is why it was fortuitous and strange that the herd of flying dragons retreated.
　Therefore, Zikr speculates that there was something on the side of the aggressor's enemies.
　Someone has struck a blow against the enemy instead of Zikr and his men, who are left to defend the city. In that case, the most likely candidates would be Mizelda, who leads the Shudrak, or Priscilla, who has a track record of defeating Arakiya, a single general.
　Whichever one of them did it--,
"I still think women are wonderful. But I don't want to take for granted the shame of being protected behind a woman's back."
　The fact that women are superior does not exonerate Zikr from being inferior.
　They should respect and love the excellence of women, but beware of their own iniquity.
　Anyway--,
"I never thought I'd be exposed to such an onslaught, but I guess my advance preparation paid off."
"......If you're going to capture a fortress city, it is standard practice to use flying dragons. Nevertheless, it should have been expected that 'flying dragon generals' would be sent instead of flying dragon squads."
　Zikr shakes his head at the words of the wounded, bleeding from the head, general staff officer.
　The outlook was not good. The offensive weapons prepared against the flying dragons were placed mostly on the western wall in anticipation of an attack from the Imperial Capital, but the flying dragon swarms attacked from all directions.
　After the withdrawal of one general, Arakiya, he assumed that it would take some time for the next general to be dispatched, but he was wrong in his reading of this as well - considering the situation, it is not surprising.
　This is not a revolt in one city, but the harbinger of a much larger political upheaval.
　From the perspective of the wiles of the Imperial Capital, who are aware of the situation, they should have put all their efforts into extinguishing the fire of rebellion while the spark is small. They should have considered the introduction of one general in succession.
"No, we'll reflect on that later. Now that the city walls have been broken down, it will be easier to capture the city without a flying dragon. Check the damage. See if the walls can be repaired......"
"--Put your weapons down right now! That's an order!"
"Mu"
　Zikr quickly extracts the reflective factors and stores them at the edge of his thinking.
　Just as he was about to check on the damage and break his head to discuss future measures, a sharp, tense voice shook the chilled air.
　Looking there, one can see a figure surrounded by defenders in the city hall, which was used as a command post after the attack of the flying dragon.
　The weapons and vigilance that had been directed at the flying dragon until then are all focused on the man who is glaring at the people around him with a bad attitude. In both hands are long swords, blood dripping from the tips.
　However, it is not human blood, but the blood of a flying dragon.
"That's......"
"He is one of the soldiers we sent out from the basement to counter the flying dragons. He is a double sword user......"
"Oh, I saw it too. That was one heck of a fight. --Hey, stop!"
　Nodding at the Chief of Staff's point, Zikr, spreading his hands, ordered his subordinates to do so. At Zikr's command, one of his men raised his voice and shouted, "Two generals!"
"That's dangerous! I let him out of jail because of the situation, but......"
"You think that once the threat of the flying dragon is over, you'll just throw him back in jail? That would not be satisfactory. The sacrifice for that is more problematic."
　Zikr responded to his tense subordinate and walked over to the man being surrounded.
　The ability of the twin-sword wielder was considerably higher than that of the average Imperial soldier. In fact, without his inspired efforts, there was no proof that he could have repelled the hordes of flying dragons that attacked the city hall.
　If that sword is pointed at us, it will cause more damage than it deserves.
"Of course, if you are subjected to such an outburst, there is no life for you. So......"
"So, what?"
"----"
　The man responds to Zikr with a piercing voice and demeanor. Instead, he points one of the two swords in his hand at Zikr, smiles fiercely, and says, "Ha!"
"You want me to surrender to you? Then you're no different from the rest of them, 'Woman-loving' general."
"You! You dare to taunt the two generals of Zikr!"
　Zikr is proud of his title, which sounds dishonorable, but the man's comment now had a clear intent to taunt the title. This caused his subordinates to become irate and hostile, but Zykle once again took them by the hand, while,
"I welcome your surrender, but not so much. Your work has been brilliant. Although you are in a different position, the fact that you contributed to the defense of the city does not diminish. Therefore, I release you."
"--. Are you serious?"
"Punishment is the law of Vollachia, and it is the Emperor's wish."
　The emperor of Vollachia, who is evaluated on the basis of his own ability and work, is the norm of imperial meritocracy, and is the basis of the loyalty that Zikr also respects.
　But as soon as he hears Zikr's answer, the man's attitude becomes blatantly stinging.
　The demonic energy overflowing from his entire body and his eyes - the man whose right eye was blocked by an eye patch stared at Zikr with all of his emotions in his left eye.
"How can a rebel 'general' who betrayed his Emperor and the Empire and joined the enemy side say that without shame......! If it were me, I'd be so ashamed of myself I'd just go belly up."
"----"
　Zikr took a slight breath and then stared at the man, whose intense hostility seemed to have its source in his loyalty to the empire.
　This soldier in the dungeon must have been one of the last to resist Vincent's order to surrender when he invaded Guaral by trickery. In other words, he is a man with an incredibly strong sense of belonging to imperialism.
　Well, then--,
"If I were to tell you that I am as loyal to the Empire and the Emperor as you are, would you be inclined to listen to me?"
"Ohh?"
　At Zikr's question, the man opened his left eye and let out a gruff voice. But he looked at Zikr, who was not intimidated by the look in his eyes, and after a brief pause, he threw his sword down on the floor.
　The sword rolls with a high-pitched sound, and the unarmed man raises both hands.
"Can I take that to mean 'listen to me'?"
"I'm not going to go on a rampage and try to crush them. If we really try, we can at least get the head of the treacherous 'general'......"
　Looking around, the man looks provocatively at Zikr's men. Their alarm is heightened by his gaze, but the man snickers, "Heh."
"I'll stop you. But if it's a boring conversation......."
"I'm trying to make this a reasonably interesting conversation. ......What is your name?"
　Zikr asks the man his name, saying that he was able to walk up to him as he lowered his weapon. For a moment, the man hesitated to answer the question, but there was no point in fooling around, so he scratched his own head.
"--Jamal Aurelie. Private First Class."
　He stated his name and rank.
　In response to this posture, Zikr also draws his chin deeply.
"Jamal. As you know, I am Zikr Osman. I have been given the rank of second general of the empire and am also known as 'the womanizer'. More than most."
"Oh?"
"Now I'm more inspired to be called a 'coward', though."
　The nickname, once considered a shame, has taken on a special luster in Zikr.
　Hearing Zikr's answer, the man - Jamal - twisted his face in incomprehension. He saw it as a nature that was good at arms, but not so good at using his head or twisting.
　If that is the case, they may listen to him if they preach righteousness.
　And then--,
"--I'm sorry, am I correct in assuming that this is the correct representative for this city?"
　Jamal surrenders, and the city hall is released from the popping tension. Then, a voice slips in, as if it had been waiting for the right moment to interrupt.
　The quiet, soft tone of his voice strikes the eardrums in a way that elicits relief in those who hear him.
　Nevertheless, the unfamiliar voice makes Zikr turn around and frown his round eyebrows.
　The owner of the voice appeared on the stairs connecting the top floor of the command center to the lower floor. Raising his hands to show no hostility, the gray-haired man looked around, raised his hands, and with a gesture of acting unhostile,
"Is that Zikr Osman, the 'general'?"
　From among those wearing the same red uniform, he had identified Zikr as the 'general' without hesitation.
　Of course, with the cloak he wears and the rank insignia on his shoulders, it is easy to spot Zikr as the highest-ranking one in the place. --The problem is having the guts to point it out.
　The audacity to show up at a command post where a battle had just taken place and appoint an unknown commander. Zikr wondered about the affiliation of this unassuming but unafraid man.
　As long as they were not found by city dwellers, they were thought to have blended in during the battle.
　In that case, the most appropriate--,
"The messenger of the Imperial City...... may have a message for us."
"Huh? Oh, no no, not at all! We're more like this, it's complicated to explain, but we're not affiliated with the Imperial City or anything like that."
　Waving his raised hands to the side, the young man hurriedly denied Zikr's suspicions. If they are to take his word for it, they are more and more unsure of the young man's position.
　Instead of Zikr, whose furrowed brow deepened, Jamal gritted his teeth and said, "You son of a bitch."
"We've got first dibs! You come in here after me and you're going to...... beat us to the punch!"
"I am sorry about that. I don't think I can talk about it calmly at this point. So, if you could just give me permission,"
"Permission? Permission for what?"
"I'll be treating the wounded and repairing the city after this...... if I may say so, helping with the postwar process. My companions and I will be of some help."
　The young man responds to Jamal, whose cheeks are contorted, and sighs, "Of course." The young man, who looks tired, dismayed, and somewhat deflated, relaxes his cheeks slightly and said,
"I've already started, so some of this is after-the-fact."
"--. I appreciate the offer itself, but it's......"
"It's not that hard, Zikr. The man is telling the truth."
　Before Zikr could ask more questions, a dignified voice that he could hear interrupted him.
　The sound of a cane on the floor echoed sharply, and a shadow came up the stairs and lined up with the young man. It was Mizelda, covered in blood all over her brave body and increasing her fierce beauty.
　From the looks of it, the blood that stained her beautiful body was all return blood, and there was no noticeable trauma other than the leg that had been damaged earlier. He was relieved to see her back in one piece.
　Mizelda then returned and patted the young man's thin shoulders in a friendly manner.
"The thing's companion has already started work. I assure you."
"Miss Mizelda, I am so glad you are safe. What about him?"
"I don't know. He's not our enemy, he's just a guy with a nice face, so we'll let him through."
"Miss Mizelda......"
　Mizelda's aesthetic sense is somewhat different from Zikr's, and she is certainly right that the young man's eyes are kind and well-rounded.
　The atmosphere is somehow neutral, but there is a strangely strong core in the eyes.
　He is not a bad person, Zikr thinks. But he also has something in his gut.
"I don't believe there is any help in this situation that doesn't ask for something in return. Who are you?"
"As I said before, it's a complicated position to explain. But I don't mean to antagonize you people. --We just have people who are looking for us."
"People who are looking for us......"
　The young man nodded "yes" to Zikr's comment.
　Then he removed the green hat he was wearing and placed it on his chest and bowed, not in an imperial manner, but in a respectful manner.
"My name is Otto Suwen. --I am looking for a friend of mine and my friend's sister."
　He spoke of his purpose with the eyes of an unwary hyena.
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　△▼△▼△▼△
　--Miles's master, High Countess Serena Dracroy, was a caustic matriarch.
　As a young man, she was a fierce competitor in the upper echelons of the imperial aristocracy, and in accordance with the Iron-Blooded Code, a manifestation of imperialism, she placed emphasis on a meritocracy that took those with the best abilities.
　On the other hand, he also had an integrity that did not allow the strong to humiliate the weak at will, which is why the children brought home by Miles were not treated badly.
"We've been getting reports. Miles, who avoids trouble, even brought you home. He must have taken pity on your situation. You can do as you please in my territory."
　Serena welcomed Flop and the other children and smiled eagle as she responded.
　The intimidation of being in front of a being that was more massive than his height made him want to grovel to his childish heart, and the flamboyant and large interior of the mansion, which was like seeing it for the first time, overwhelmed Flop.
"A man like her, who can afford to do so, has no reason to go out of his way to bully those below him. After all, the adults who beat up kids are the same adults who beat me up when he was a kid."
　Miles responded with his usual crudity to Flop and the others, who had been doused in hot water, devoured a belly-aching meal, and changed into clean, good-smelling clothes.
　Unlike Medium and the others, whose eyes are turned to a world where everything they see and touch is fresh and new, Flop was impressed by many worlds and ways of thinking that he did not know.
　The influence of the philosophy that Miles casually announces is particularly significant.
　There is a way of seeing and perceiving things in this world that Flop never thought existed, and he would never have known it if he had not taken me out into the outside world.
　Above all--,
"Oh, my dear fellow. Did you also come from Miles's collection?"
　Given his freedom and following his sister's backs as they run around the mansion, Flop stops at a beautiful garden on the expansive grounds.
　The sight of large, dignified flowers in full bloom overwhelmed me, and a soft voice called out to me.
　Surprised, he searched for the voice, but could not find the other party in the garden. When Flop tilted his head at that,
"This way, please. Excuse me, excuse me from downstairs."
"Wow!"
"Oh, a roll of the dice."
　With a flip, Flop's head was poked out from right in front of him, just beyond the fence that Flop had leaned against to look into the garden, and Flop winced.
　Flop blinks his eyes as he is laughed at for falling on his buttocks as it is.
　The person who laughed at Flop who fell was a somewhat older boy who remained young. He was a brown-haired figure with a charming face, around 12 or 13 years old.
"......That's a lot to laugh at."
"Oh, excuse me, excuse me, excuse me. I was just trying to help him up, but I can't move right now. I'd love to help you up, but I'm afraid I'm stuck here."
"He said he's stuck...... ah"
　Paying off his buttocks, Flop stood up and walked around the fence to the boy. Then the boy, sitting on the ground, had a round lump on his huzza-scratched knees.
　Flop rolls his eyes at that.
"Are you kidding me? An egg?"
"Yes, yes, isn't it a big egg? Actually, it's a flying dragon egg."
"What are you going to do with a flying dragon egg?"
"Of course, I'm going to hatch it."
　The boy broke into Flop as he held the white egg, which was as big as a hug, with his entire body.
　--That was how the O'Connell siblings of Flop and Medium met the man who would become their lifelong sworn brother-in-law, Balleroy Temeglyph.
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　△▼△▼△▼△
　--She can say that she had gained more than knowledge about the threat of flying dragons.
　The threat of its claws and fangs, the range of its winged tactics, and the ferocity with which it does not hesitate to harm its enemies were more than keenly felt by the destroyed cities and the people attacked, respectively.
　Frankly, she could not understand the idea of anyone trying to tame and exploit such a dangerous creature. It seemed to her that it was an incompatible enemy - just as dangerous as the giant snakes we encountered in the jungle.
　But--,
"----"
　Rem quietly squints at the combination that exists outside the window and in the view.
　In the garden of a mansion, a flying dragon was resting its wings, and a soldier was feeding it. The flying dragon, which was supposed to be terrifying and ferocious, was being fed by the soldier, who was giving it a soft look and a sweet voice.
　Having been told that flying dragons are ferocious and vicious, and having witnessed their danger firsthand, Rem was surprised to see them so friendly toward people.
　She had been told by a girl who seemed to know a lot about dragons that proud dragons do not miss people. She would not complain if she were led to believe that the story was different.
"You seem very melancholic."
　Suddenly, a voice was heard behind Rem as she gazed at the garden in this way.
　However, the other party was approaching with footsteps, so Rem was not surprised that someone had noticed them coming.
　However, it was the voice of a stranger and the location left her somewhat nervous.
"I don't know if I am melancholic or not, but I have my thoughts. I wasn't brought here because I wanted to."
"You are very clear. You're very pleasant."
"......You're,"
　In a room that was addressed to him, in a building where even the rooms given to prisoners of war were opulent, the back of a chair that was too luxurious to be comfortable creaked, and Rem asked the identity of the old man who appeared.
　He is an old man with white hair, a white beard, and threadbare eyes.
　His attire was far from that of a warrior, and one could only predict that he was a person of some high rank.
　His behavior and age, as well as the fact that the soldiers guarding Rem straightened their posture and bowed their heads, suggest that he is of a certain rank.
　At Rem's unreserved stare, the old man lightly waved his hand and motioned for the soldiers on guard to leave the room. The soldiers immediately obeyed, bowed, and left the room.
　And so, when the old man was alone with Rem in the room, he indicated with his hand the seat opposite the one Rem was sitting in, and asked,
"May I sit down?"
"......Go ahead."
　Before Rem, chin drawn back, the old man took his seat with a gentle movement.
　Facing Rem head-on, he stroked his chin with his finger.
"Have you heard anything about me?"
"No, nothing. Nothing, except to heal, to rest, and to kill you if you do anything selfish."
　Ruminating over Madelyn's instructions - the owner of the mansion who does not listen to her - Rem shakes her head.
　She was under house arrest with guards on her and strict orders not to run away. Rem had no intention of running away, but it was true that it was not a fun situation.
　Then the old man nodded his head and said, "I see" to Rem's answer.
"I think that was somewhat of an attitude problem for a guest. I will give a warning to General Madelyn as well."
"......You can warn her?"
　Rem can't help but gawk at the words of the unidentifiable old man.
　Rem, who spent neither a long nor a short time with Madelyn before she was brought from the castle city to this mansion, was annoyed by her inability to communicate.
　She was stubborn and headstrong, although she was saved by a somewhat more or less sayable candor.
"I thought she was one of those people who didn't like people telling her what to do. If you said anything to her, she would get angry and violent immediately......"
　And when she had told him that much about her findings, Rem put his hand on her own hand.
　When she calmly thought about it, she felt ashamed of herself, wondering what she looked like saying this. As someone who has never listened to others and once broke the other person's fingers.
　However, the old man laughed a small laugh at Rem's self reflection and said, "Huh."
"It's not a mistake. It is painful for me as well. In fact, they didn't follow my instructions correctly this time either. I am not saying that--"
"----"
"This time, however, it was not the whims of General Madelyn, but other factors."
　The old man keeps his lips relaxed, but the sound of laughter has disappeared from his voice.
　Rem's breath caught slightly as she was met with a price-gouging look from behind narrow, blind eyes. The gaze eloquently regarded Rem as 'another factor'.
　And it also had undesirable consequences for the old man in front of her.
"......Who are you?"
"I apologize for the delay. I am Berstetz Fondalfon, the Prime Minister of the Holy Vollachian Empire.
"The Prime Minister, Berstetz......"
　The old man reverently folded his hips in response to the question - Berstetz.
　As soon as she hears the name and position, Rem's cheeks become more rigid and the strength in her shoulders increases.
　She remembered hearing both the name and the position.
"Then you can......"
"Yes. --I am the enemy of His Excellency Vincent Abellux."
"----"
　He said it without any hesitation, and once again Rem was unable to continue speaking.
　It was an affirmation of what she knew, but she did not expect to be told so clearly. At the same time, it seemed terribly out of place and ironic that she was the one who had walked into the vortex of a major problem in which she was undeniably involved, and in which she was the closest to the center.
　It should be Abel, Priscilla, and Subaru who should be here, not herself.
　Thinking that much, Rem was glad that Subaru was not here.
"If I had, I would have been absolutely reckless on my own, so......"
　There is no doubt about the black-haired boy's boldness and his ability to go beyond the imagination. Even in these situations, he will cause outlandish situations that Rem cannot imagine.
　In that sense, it was a good thing he was not in the city that was attacked by the flying dragon. She doesn't think he could have done anything about it, and it would have only caused more unnecessary wounds.
　It's just--,
"----"
　However, she wonders how she would feel if she knew that he had been taken by Madelyn.
　It was so bad that Rem's imagination tormented her chest with the pain of a sharp blade.
"--. You know that Mr. Abel is the real emperor."
　Forcing herself to ignore the pain that was cutting deep into her chest, Rem asked Berstetz. Berstetz responds with a nonchalant "Yes".
"Of course. It was a mistake to allow him to escape, but after that, things proceeded as planned. I should say that we were there. In fact, the destruction of Guaral was still in progress."
"Why Mr. Abel? I can't imagine how much it must mean to you to decide to rebel...... Is it because of Mr. Abel's personality?"
"We don't expect the emperor of a country to be a man of character. Personal feelings and attachments are trivial from the perspective of running a nation. If there is anything we look for, it is competence and a track record of trust that he or she will fulfill his or her responsibilities."
　Shaking his head loosely, Berstetz replies with a voice and expression that do not reveal his emotions.
　His tone of voice never wavers, his expression never changes in the slightest. This is due to Berstetz's excellent negotiation skills, apart from Rem's limited life experience, which makes it impossible to read his inner thoughts at all.
　Is it emotionless and therefore a lie, or is it even the truth?
　However, it was her opinion that Abel's humanity was not the reason for the rebellion that was brought about, and she was inclined to believe what she was told.
　She witnessed a lot of blood and death in the fortress city. Not only the dead, but even Rem could not agree that Abel's bad character was the reason for the deaths.
　Therefore--,
"Are you saying that you banished Mr. Abel because he is not an emperor?"
"It wasn't my intention for him to be banished. It was a consequence."
"What was missing for Abel? I don't know the responsibilities of the position of emperor, nor do I know the abilities required, but I do know that he is an excellent person......"
　She wondered to herself why she had to defend Abel, but Rem chose her words to convince the wisp inside her.
　In fact, aside from his combat skills, Abel stands out for his thoughtfulness and depth of knowledge.
　The fact that Mizelda, Zikr, and even Subaru are willing to follow his lead is evidence that he also has the leadership skills to convince others of such opinions.
　She doesn't know the details, but she also thinks it is a quality of those on top.
　That it would be necessary for those in the highest positions in the country.
　That is--,
"I have not yet heard your name, Master Healer."
"......Rem, it seems."
"Hmm."
　Because of her antipathy toward Berstetz, she said it as hearsay.
　As expected, Rem has already accepted that her name is 'Rem'. From the time she strongly told Priscilla her name - or allowed Subaru to call her that.
　Anyway, she let her tongue adjust to the name of Rem, and Berstetz let out a small exhale.
"How many heirs do you think His Imperial Highness has now, Miss Rem?"
"Heirs...... uh, is that about his children?"
"Yes."
　As Berstetz nodded quietly, Rem thought of Abel in her mind.
　Rem has no memory, but she has not lost much of the knowledge she acquired before she lost it. She also remembered how humans reproduce.
　However, it is doubtful that Abel is capable of building such relationships with others in an honest manner. In the first place, Rem could not think of a woman who could stand alongside Abel.
"I can't imagine. I thought they wouldn't be with him."
"--. You understand well, don't you? That's right, they would not be with him."
"Oh, I knew it. How rude of Mr. Abel--"
　"Maybe", as Rem was about to continue, but then she interrupted herself.
　It was not that Berstetz said anything to her, nor was she instructed to be silent. It was just that the squinted eyes of the silent old man opened slightly, and the expression that revealed the eyes behind them, and Rem's throat, which was directly in front of her, was silenced by an incredible demonic energy.
　Quietly, Berstetz placed his hands on the table between them. What flooded out of his shushed body was a rage of unimaginable intensity.
"There is no one, no heir. --That's the problem."
"--ah"
"The empire must be strong. Otherwise, this country will be,"
　Before Rem spilled a grazed breath, whereupon Berstetz cut off his words, opened his fist on the table, and exhaled.
　Then, hiding his eyes behind his eyelids again, the old man looks at Rem.
"I apologize. This is the first time I have been a rebel, and I must say I am a bit nervous."
"......Why are you telling me what you just told me?"
"----"
"I didn't need to make you listen to it."
　Berstetz's words are filled not with emotion, but with something much heavier and clearer.
　He didn't feel it was a lie, but that is the only question he has for Rem. Why did he let Rem hear such a story?
　Rem doesn't think she is in such an important position, and in fact she is.
　She happened to be placed in close proximity to Abel and Priscilla, but that was only because of the way things happened, not because Rem was special.
"But why?"
"......You are a healer and part of the oni tribe. I would like to take you in if possible. You are precious."
"----"
　It was an answer that was not a lie, but not all of it was true.
　However, it seems that Berstetz has decided not to spend any more time with Rem, who is looking for answers beyond that. Slowly, the old man rises from the chair he has settled into.
"I would like to talk with you a little longer, but even a man like me has things to do. I will have to inconvenience you for the time being, but I will tell the housekeeper to make things as convenient as possible for you, so please be at ease."
"......Berstetz, what do you have to do with Madelyn?"
"A collaborator, I suppose, would be the most appropriate word. Of course, she would have the impression that I was using a clever person to do it. This house is also my house."
　Shrugging her surprisingly strong shoulders, Rem looks around the room and garden at Berstetz's answer.
　Since Madelyn was spending time there with her own face, she assumed it was her mansion, but even that was a mistake, apparently. However, she was convinced by the elegance of the building and interior.
"But I don't think I can or want to let loose."
"I like your frankness, it's really cool. Once again, good health to you, Miss Rem."
　With a small laugh, Berstetz once again bends over and leaves the room.
　She thought about calling off his back, but not being able to find the right words to say, and probably not being able to stop his feet, Rem said nothing.
　The guards, who had been sent outside, return in place of the Berstetz who left the room.
　With their stern stares, Rem looked out once more.
　Just as the flying dragon had finished feeding, it was slowly flapping its wings to take to the sky with the man who had fed it on its back.
"----"
　Though a fierce and fearsome flying dragon, it was exhilarating to be carried in flight on its back.
　Of course, they did not have time to enjoy it because of the circumstances, but they were transported from Guaral to their destination in less than a day, which only made them wonder what the journey had been like so far.
　The place where Madelyn was brought to while treating the injured Flop--,
"--The Imperial Capital, Rupgana."
　The city where Abel was driven from his throne and aspires to regain it.
　With the Crystal Palace in the center of the city in the distance, Rem is held captive. As she touches the unopenable window and feels the glass with ger fingertips, she suddenly thinks.
"......That person."
　Would there be pain in their hearts if they knew that Rem was gone?
　The pain in his chest is just as painful as Rem's, as if a blade had been thrust deep into his chest.
　Rem did not know what thoughts were coming from her own mind.
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　△▼△▼△▼△
　--Slowly, Flop opened his eyelids and found the ceiling of a strange room.
"----"
　He spends a moment to organize his thoughts and then quickly observe his surroundings to assess the situation.
　It is a habit of him as a peddler who often encamps in the field. Of course, the vigilance is handled by his sister, who is much more sensible than he is, but that is no reason to stay idle.
　It is possible that one's poor reactions can make the difference between life and death. So, keeping himself awake in bed was a skill that he naturally acquired as a way of life, but--,
"This is...... agh!"
　Just as he tries to look around cautiously, he screams as his chest pulls back in great pain.
　If this was outside in the middle of the night, it would be a very foolish act to tell the beast where you are. Nevertheless, what has been done cannot be helped.
　In an effort to make up for it, Flop was breathing hard, trying to get himself up.
"Wh-, What the......, I'm not moving at all......!"
　Not only was there no strength in his arms, but the soft bed absorbed his weight. While his whole body sank softly, he could have believed it even if he had been told that it was acting like a cage instead of a bed.
　Still, he struggled desperately, wriggling his body in an attempt to somehow escape.
"This, this......! This is pretty tough!"
"--. You're a pretty funny guy."
"Wha-? Is there someone here!?"
　Behind him, struggling with the bed, he heard a high-pitched voice and tried to turn around. But his efforts were in vain, and his crippled body did not do a good job of turning around.
　Flop struggled like a fish on land, and he could hear her sigh deeply.
"It's the dragon. Your wounds are in the process of healing, so don't get all nonsensical."
　As he said it, Flop let out an "ah", and a breath when he saw his partner walk over to the side of the bed.
　She is Madelyn, a girl with sky-blue hair, golden eyes, and two black horns on her head. She is a general of the empire, a "flying dragon general" who attacked the fortress city.
　And in her last memory of Flop--,
"As I recall, I got scratched by your fingernails and it hurt......"
"That's right. The dragon's claws gouged out your life...... that girl healed you."
"That girl...... oh."
　Madelyn looked away and muttered with a batty look on her face. A face came to mind from her words, and Flop came to terms with what had happened to him.
　At the same time, in his fading consciousness, he remembered that he had asked her - Rem - to do something quite terrible.
"I'm sorry, I think it was "Miss Madelyn", right? I have to ask you, what happened to Guaral? The city that was subjected to a very large explosion and an attack by your friends."
"----"
"I think my partner and I survived, seeing as how I barely made it out alive. But that is the second worst outcome in my mind. Of course, the worst outcome would be for both of us to die."
　Holding up a finger, Flop asks Madelyn, as if to sow the seeds.
　Madelyn's batty face is ongoing as she looks sideways at the movement of her fingers. Thinking it was a trace of an unwanted trend for her, Flop folded.
"I don't know, Miss Madelyn. Your face looks like you are complaining or sulking. My sister often looks like that, too. I think it's cute that she doesn't look modest when she squirms because she's so big."
"......The,"
"Yeah? What is it?"
"The city is safe! I couldn't destroy it! Is this what you want?"
　Showing sharp fangs, Madelyn roared back at Flop's words. Flop breathed a long sigh of relief as he enjoyed the illusion of a furious breath of air all over his body.
　Safe is not a very appropriate answer to the situation of Guaral in Flop's memory, but Madelyn said she couldn't destroy it.
　Well, in that case--,
"My partner has put her life to good use......"
　In a daze of consciousness and ringing in his ears, Flop reflects on his actions just before the interruption.
　He caught the corner of his eye as he saw Madelyn greatly upset at the sight of Flop, who was bleeding and nearly lifeless. She seemed to be questioning Flop about something and clinging to it.
　So she thought she could use it. By saving Flop's life and promising to give Madelyn the answers she wanted, she thought it was possible to get out of the predicament in which Guaral was attacked.
　You know, she didn't know if the pacifist Rem was capable of making such a ruthless decision, and she thinks it would have put a tremendous burden on him, even in the current situation where he seems to have succeeded.
"Where is my partner who healed my wounds?"
"......I brought her back with me. That was the dragon's condition, and she accepted it. Dragons keep their promises. I'll make sure she keeps her promise to the dragon, too."
"Promise......"
"This is it."
　Flop is relieved to hear that Rem is safe. What was held out in front of his eyes was a red-painted ornament with the fangs of a beast - or rather, the fangs of a dragon.
　It is an important item that Flop usually carries around his neck and never leaves his skin.
　It is thrust at the nose of Flop, who is slumped over on the bed.
"Oh, you picked it up for me? Thank you so much. It's very, very important. If I lost it, I wouldn't be able to live without it. That's why......"
"--Carillon."
"----"
　Reaching out, Flop tried to take the fang back. But Madelyn easily avoided Flop's hand, and instead of returning it, she uttered a name.
　Flop gasps at the name, and Madelyn continues.
"These are the fangs of Carillon. Why do you have them?"
　Carillon, a name that was not misheard, was mentioned twice by Madelyn.
　There is no way he could have heard it wrong. Because the name--,
"I'll answer you! Why, are you the fang of Carillon......"
"I was there when Carillon was born. I thought of her name, with my bro Miles and Balleroy."
"--tsk"
"When that girls's fangs grew back, I got it as a memento of that. He said it was a sign of my brother-in-law's...... family. That's why my sister and I have Carillon's fangs."
　Quietly, as if opening a precious treasure chest deep in his chest, Flop replied.
　The flying dragon's fangs shaking in Madelyn's hand, that's the answer to where it came from. A precious family member - a benefactor and a brother-in-law, a memento of two people who are no longer with them.
　Madelyn is absolutely mortified when she hears the answer, her lips pursed and her eyes wide.
　Based on her reaction and the fact that she knew the name Carillon, Flop also made a few assumptions, he prefaced it with "Okay?"
"Where did you come up with the name Carillon? I even recognize her fangs at a glance. I don't think it's a shallow relationship. Besides, you're......"
"--ah"
"You are the one who became 'Number Nine' to replace Balleroy. Perhaps you have known Balleroy and Carillon for some time?"
　Madelyn's reaction was painful and heartbreaking, as it seemed to drive her to look so young.
　But Flop's chest once suffered more intense pain than seeing the hurting Madelyn because of the same topic. There is nothing in the world more deleterious than the face of a sobbing sister.
　So he had no hesitation in cornering Madelyn and getting to the bottom of what she had in her heart.
　--Balleroy Temeglyph.
　He was one of the "Nine Divine Generals" of the Vollachian Empire, a brother-in-law of Flop and Medium, a rebel who lost his life in revolt against the emperor, and that kind and loving man who truly loved his beloved dragon, Carillon, and his own benefactor, Miles.
　What was the relationship between him and Madelyn?
　And then--,
"How did you become one of the 'Nine Divine Generals'?"
"--For revenge."
　There was a beat of hesitation before the answer was given, but the words that came out were clear.
　Madelyn, her lips quivering and her eyes wide open, her expression slowly changes, and her golden eyes are filled with the same fury as the change in her expression -- a radiant rage.
　The fury of the girl with the dragon burned all over Flop's body as he lay on his bunk.
　Madelyn's anger was so intense that it gave the illusion of being so.
　Madelyn revealed that she took the position of "Nine Divine Generals" in order to take revenge.
　The word revenge is something that Flop also thinks about. --It is a life goal for Flop. However, the target of Flop's revenge is not the individual, but the world.
　It is revenge against the very world, a world in which someone is forced to bend the knee.
　The anger in Madelyn's eyes, however, is quite different.
　The fiery passion that burns in her golden eyes knows who to turn to.
"Who do you want revenge on?"
"......The revenge of the man who was supposed to be Balleroy's dragon mate."
"----"
"The dragon will never forgive those who kill the good people of the dragon. For that reason--"
　Avenge the dead Balleroy, Madelyn replies with fury in her diminutive frame.
　Balleroy and Madelyn, how they met, what experiences they went through, and what form their bond took, Flop does not know.
　However, he knew that Madelyn sincerely regretted and mourned his death.
　So, so, so--,
"Who do you think avenged Balleroy? How can revenge be served?"
　If it had been Medium who was here, he is sure she would have hugged Madelyn from the front.
　Balleroy and Miles, Medium who cried like a waterfall and wailed loudly at their deaths, would surely have been able to teach Madelyn how to cry.
　Someone she cares about has been killed, and Madelyn is furious about that fact.
　She does not know how to grieve. A being of tremendous power with a flying dragon and black horns, she can only think of one way to grieve, and that is to be angry.
　And it was the same for Flop who forgot how to cry.
　So--,
"The one who let Balleroy die--"
　Madelyn, clutching her small hands, responds to Flop's question.
　Stripped of a good man and filled with a misplaced love in her tiny body, Madelyn decided that instead of shedding tears, she would burn as a flame of anger and take her revenge.
"----"
　And when Flop heard the name from Madelyn's mouth, he closed his eyes.
　He close his eyes and press them shut. For once, he forgot the pain of the wound that was gouged into Madelyn's chest and was in the process of healing, and he surrendered himself to the darkness behind his eyelids.
　If he close his eyes, he can still remember the faces of his loved ones.
" You and Medium are not thinking straight. You should have stayed at their place, but you can't take care of them, can you? "
" I'm worried about you, Miles. If he had stayed here, he would have been able to take care of him as long as he wanted. He's not being honest, is he? "
" Shut up, Baru-bo! You're the one who got ahead, you don't come back here all the time! "
" No, I'm not suited for this. I'm better suited to stay here with Miles and Flop and Middy and the others, you know? Right? "
　It brings back such fond memories of the day of his departure, when Balleroy went out of his way to stop by from afar, and his exchange with Miles, which must have been late at night.
　With a big wave of his hand, he and Medium left the land that had taken care of them for so long, and then--.
　And then Flop O'Connell reached the Imperial Capital and lit up his blue eyes.
　With those lit eyes, the lips spin the words.
　That is--,
"--You are the enemy of Balleroy, aren't you? Chief...... No, Emperor Vincent Vollachia."
I've been sick for the past few days (not COVID-related dw), so translating took longer to do.
There will probably be a lot more grammatical and spelling errors in this translation, but I will go through and fix them as necessary.
At last, it's here! Thanks for being patient
Arc 7, Chapter 59B "Flop O'Connell"
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"--Take care of your own life, Flop. Self-sacrifice is a fool's errand."
　It was Miles, the benefactor who took him out of the poor environment, who advised Flop to do so.
　The orphanage where Flop and Medium were placed when they were young was apparently a much worse place than they had thought.
　Orphanages, the adults were fond of saying, gather deemed children who have no family, no place to go, no one to turn to, and provide them with a roof over their heads and walls to live on.
"You are blessed while there are so many who have nothing to eat and no work."
　In fact, he thought it was.
　Life was hard for him and his sister, Medium, as they were abandoned by their family and had to slurp mud and water. They had to eat grass, insects, and the occasional rabbit, which caused a great commotion.
　Compared to them, life in the orphanage was much better off.
　They were given blankets, even if they were thin and tattered, and meals were provided, even if they consisted of tasteless soup and a crumb of bread. They were assigned to simple jobs where numbers counted, and they were beaten up by adults for their whims, but not every day.
　The adults had a point when they told them that the outside world was much more painful. Then, he would not even budge from the idea of running away.
　Nevertheless, he could not bear to expose Medium and the other children to the beating and kicking of the adults, so Flop learned to behave as cheerfully as possible to catch the adults' attention.
　Every day, Flop made up his mind that he would be the one to get the most attention from the adults.
　If the prominent Flop is liked, the adults' attitude toward the other children will soften. Even when the adults are having a bad day, the first to take the brunt of it is the prominent flop.
　Standing out is a weapon in its own right.
　Loud voices and gestures, exaggerated facial expressions and gestures. Fortunately, it was not difficult for him to make a habit of these things. It seems that he had a natural talent for attracting people's attention.
　--He was sure of it the night Medium stroked Flop's wounds all night long, as he shifted his anger toward the younger child and half-killed him.
　This is the role he has to play in this place.
　In the midst of the unnerving pain, Flop told himself that--,
"Of course not, you fucking idiot."
"Eh......"
"I looked over at him for the first time in years and saw that we were still the same disgusting family, with the same stupid kids doing the same stupid things. I thought that Baru-bo was enough of a crazy kid."
　Flop who is self-aware of his role and ready to take on the negative aspects of the orphanage single-handedly.
　However, Flop's plans were abruptly shattered one night.
　The man who appeared astride the flying dragon was not a flattering sight.
　He does not hide his rough upbringing, and the way he irritatingly scratches his gray hair makes him the kind of person you don't want to have anything to do with, even as a child. His face, which somehow reminds one of a sneering rat, also contributes to this impression, and he is the kind of person one should normally keep one's head down to avoid being punched.
　The person - Miles - betrayed such a rude impression of Flop in a very billion-dollar way.
"I'm from this facility, just like you guys. I was in a bad place when I was there. That's why I got out of there and survived by drinking muddy water."
　At night, the door to the children's room was locked with a rude lock to prevent them from escaping while sleeping.
　When Miles roughly broke the lock and peeked inside, he saw nearly two dozen children crammed into a small room and clicked his tongue very, very irritably.
　He then led the surprised and frightened children out of the room at the appearance of the unknown adults and headed for the adults' room, leaving them with a single word: "Wait for me".
　And then--,
"I was repeating such a daily cycle of "will I die or not", but somehow I picked up my luck. And then, years later, I remembered our house of abomination, and I found...... this."
　As he rolls the tied-up adults onto the floor of the room and kicks them in the face, calling them ungrateful, Miles smiles a sneer and spits, "Suck it up."
　They must have been given a hard time by the adults. However, Flop had to tilt his head back and wonder if he should go that far.
　Turning to Flop, Miles raised his thin eyebrows and said,
"What, you want some too? Then get even with them. Payback a hundredfold."
"Uh, no, I'm......"
"--I'll do it!!"
　At Miles's devilish whisper, Flop hesitated to answer.
　But Medium jumped out from behind Flop and didn't hesitate to hit the tied adult in the head with a picked up tree branch. --No, it wasn't just Medium.
　All the children, with the exception of the stunned Flop, became angry rebels.
"It always hurt!"
"I hate you!"
"Anchan's revenge!"
　The screams of adults who are tied up and unable to resist are swallowed by the children's shouts of "stop, stop!"
　They clawed at the adults' faces, slapped their cheeks, and finally urinated on them to vent their pent-up anger.
"Bwahahahahahaha! Look at their faces! That's a masterpiece!"
　Stunned, Miles laughs loudly and vulgarly beside Flop, who is watching his sister's rebellion.
　Not very much, but Flop was in no mood to laugh at it. They just kept rolling their eyes and wondering what that would do to them after putting the adults through all this.
"Well, do what you want with the rest of them......, but I don't know what Dracroy would do to you if you threw them out."
　As he looked around at the children who had finished their emotional rebellion and walked out of the facility, Miles continued to say to his young juniors, "So".
"I'll take you to her place for the time being. You can do whatever you want from there. You don't have to follow me."
　The children looked at each other when Miles made that general invitation.
　The look on their faces was one of uncertainty and confusion. They are free to follow or not, Miles said, and even that is a 'choice' that Flop and the others have never had before.
　Children, who have always followed the instructions of adults, have never had the right to choose anything. So they are suddenly handed the right, and they wander off with it.
　At the sight of these children, Miles shrugged his shoulders and said, "Hey, hey."
"After all this time, you're pathetic. --You've already done it back to them. You guys can choose whatever you want."
　Miles told them so, and the children realized for the first time.
　Already, Miles said, they had chosen to rebel.
　--In the end, not a single child chose to leave the orphanage.
　Of course, Flop, even though he was not complicit, could not say that he would stay at the orphanage where he had done so much. In the first place, Medium was quick to accept Miles's invitation, saying, "Let's go!"
　There was no way he would not fulfill Medium's wishes or choose to leave his sister. For these somewhat more reluctant reasons than the other children, Flop left the institution.
　He'd done a hell of a lot.
　Or he was involved in something outrageous, and regret tormented his heart.
　But--,
"Good night, Anchan."
　The words hit him as he slept on the road to Miles's master or whatever it was he was going to be, in an uncovered area, wrapped up with his sister in a blanket he had taken from the facility.
　The sister who surrenders herself to him in relief, and the view outside without the prison of shelter and walls.
　He realized that he no longer had to worry about being hit or having his sister cry.
"--Fu"
　Noticing, Flop cried.
　He cried and cried, and chewed on the salty taste of freedom.
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　△▼△▼△▼△
　--Far away, wings fluttering, the flying dragon moves away from the gray cloud-covered sky.
　He remained alert until the distant shadow became as small as a pea, and then Zikr relaxed his body.
　For reasons unknown, the herd of flying dragons has retreated. Since the city hall has not completely fallen, there are two possible reasons for the retreat - either they achieved their operational goals or they found it difficult to achieve them.
　From Zikr's perspective, the former is preferable.
　Even picking up on the dramatic events that took place during the intense attack that lasted only an hour or so, it seemed objectively likely that the former was the case.
"Rapid drop in temperatures and devastation in the southern part of the city......"
　Running his hand through his own abundantly thick hair, Zikr touches on two anomalies that he can't determine.
　During the battle, he couldn't believe his eyes when the temperature in the fortress city began to drop rapidly, and finally white snow began to flicker. He heard that you can sometimes see snow on high, high mountains, but if you want to see snow in Vollachia, you have to expect some sort of natural disaster.
　In other words, the snowfall that occurred during the battle was nothing short of a natural disaster.
　But that in itself worked out fortunately for Zikr and his team.
　The sudden change in temperature, especially the cold, made the flying dragon vulnerable, and its troublesome flying capability was visibly reduced. Without it, the damage would have been much greater and deeper.
　However--,
"What the hell is that white light......"
　Untouchable and hopelessly destroyed, it obliterated the southern part of the city flat.
　It was one of those end-of-the-world spectacles that even the term "natural catastrophe" is too easy to describe. Even though there was no subsequent damage, the city suffered enough damage from that single shot.
　The chain of command was in disarray, and judgment of the war situation was stagnant. If the flying dragon had pushed in, the city might have fallen without warning.
　That is why it was fortuitous and strange that the herd of flying dragons retreated.
　Therefore, Zikr speculates that there was something on the side of the aggressor's enemies.
　Someone has struck a blow against the enemy instead of Zikr and his men, who are left to defend the city. In that case, the most likely candidates would be Mizelda, who leads the Shudrak, or Priscilla, who has a track record of defeating Arakiya, a single general.
　Whichever one of them did it--,
"I still think women are wonderful. But I don't want to take for granted the shame of being protected behind a woman's back."
　The fact that women are superior does not exonerate Zikr from being inferior.
　They should respect and love the excellence of women, but beware of their own iniquity.
　Anyway--,
"I never thought I'd be exposed to such an onslaught, but I guess my advance preparation paid off."
"......If you're going to capture a fortress city, it is standard practice to use flying dragons. Nevertheless, it should have been expected that 'flying dragon generals' would be sent instead of flying dragon squads."
　Zikr shakes his head at the words of the wounded, bleeding from the head, general staff officer.
　The outlook was not good. The offensive weapons prepared against the flying dragons were placed mostly on the western wall in anticipation of an attack from the Imperial Capital, but the flying dragon swarms attacked from all directions.
　After the withdrawal of one general, Arakiya, he assumed that it would take some time for the next general to be dispatched, but he was wrong in his reading of this as well - considering the situation, it is not surprising.
　This is not a revolt in one city, but the harbinger of a much larger political upheaval.
　From the perspective of the wiles of the Imperial Capital, who are aware of the situation, they should have put all their efforts into extinguishing the fire of rebellion while the spark is small. They should have considered the introduction of one general in succession.
"No, we'll reflect on that later. Now that the city walls have been broken down, it will be easier to capture the city without a flying dragon. Check the damage. See if the walls can be repaired......"
"--Put your weapons down right now! That's an order!"
"Mu"
　Zikr quickly extracts the reflective factors and stores them at the edge of his thinking.
　Just as he was about to check on the damage and break his head to discuss future measures, a sharp, tense voice shook the chilled air.
　Looking there, one can see a figure surrounded by defenders in the city hall, which was used as a command post after the attack of the flying dragon.
　The weapons and vigilance that had been directed at the flying dragon until then are all focused on the man who is glaring at the people around him with a bad attitude. In both hands are long swords, blood dripping from the tips.
　However, it is not human blood, but the blood of a flying dragon.
"That's......"
"He is one of the soldiers we sent out from the basement to counter the flying dragons. He is a double sword user......"
"Oh, I saw it too. That was one heck of a fight. --Hey, stop!"
　Nodding at the Chief of Staff's point, Zikr, spreading his hands, ordered his subordinates to do so. At Zikr's command, one of his men raised his voice and shouted, "Two generals!"
"That's dangerous! I let him out of jail because of the situation, but......"
"You think that once the threat of the flying dragon is over, you'll just throw him back in jail? That would not be satisfactory. The sacrifice for that is more problematic."
　Zikr responded to his tense subordinate and walked over to the man being surrounded.
　The ability of the twin-sword wielder was considerably higher than that of the average Imperial soldier. In fact, without his inspired efforts, there was no proof that he could have repelled the hordes of flying dragons that attacked the city hall.
　If that sword is pointed at us, it will cause more damage than it deserves.
"Of course, if you are subjected to such an outburst, there is no life for you. So......"
"So, what?"
"----"
　The man responds to Zikr with a piercing voice and demeanor. Instead, he points one of the two swords in his hand at Zikr, smiles fiercely, and says, "Ha!"
"You want me to surrender to you? Then you're no different from the rest of them, 'Woman-loving' general."
"You! You dare to taunt the two generals of Zikr!"
　Zikr is proud of his title, which sounds dishonorable, but the man's comment now had a clear intent to taunt the title. This caused his subordinates to become irate and hostile, but Zykle once again took them by the hand, while,
"I welcome your surrender, but not so much. Your work has been brilliant. Although you are in a different position, the fact that you contributed to the defense of the city does not diminish. Therefore, I release you."
"--. Are you serious?"
"Punishment is the law of Vollachia, and it is the Emperor's wish."
　The emperor of Vollachia, who is evaluated on the basis of his own ability and work, is the norm of imperial meritocracy, and is the basis of the loyalty that Zikr also respects.
　But as soon as he hears Zikr's answer, the man's attitude becomes blatantly stinging.
　The demonic energy overflowing from his entire body and his eyes - the man whose right eye was blocked by an eye patch stared at Zikr with all of his emotions in his left eye.
"How can a rebel 'general' who betrayed his Emperor and the Empire and joined the enemy side say that without shame......! If it were me, I'd be so ashamed of myself I'd just go belly up."
"----"
　Zikr took a slight breath and then stared at the man, whose intense hostility seemed to have its source in his loyalty to the empire.
　This soldier in the dungeon must have been one of the last to resist Vincent's order to surrender when he invaded Guaral by trickery. In other words, he is a man with an incredibly strong sense of belonging to imperialism.
　Well, then--,
"If I were to tell you that I am as loyal to the Empire and the Emperor as you are, would you be inclined to listen to me?"
"Ohh?"
　At Zikr's question, the man opened his left eye and let out a gruff voice. But he looked at Zikr, who was not intimidated by the look in his eyes, and after a brief pause, he threw his sword down on the floor.
　The sword rolls with a high-pitched sound, and the unarmed man raises both hands.
"Can I take that to mean 'listen to me'?"
"I'm not going to go on a rampage and try to crush them. If we really try, we can at least get the head of the treacherous 'general'......"
　Looking around, the man looks provocatively at Zikr's men. Their alarm is heightened by his gaze, but the man snickers, "Heh."
"I'll stop you. But if it's a boring conversation......."
"I'm trying to make this a reasonably interesting conversation. ......What is your name?"
　Zikr asks the man his name, saying that he was able to walk up to him as he lowered his weapon. For a moment, the man hesitated to answer the question, but there was no point in fooling around, so he scratched his own head.
"--Jamal Aurelie. Private First Class."
　He stated his name and rank.
　In response to this posture, Zikr also draws his chin deeply.
"Jamal. As you know, I am Zikr Osman. I have been given the rank of second general of the empire and am also known as 'the womanizer'. More than most."
"Oh?"
"Now I'm more inspired to be called a 'coward', though."
　The nickname, once considered a shame, has taken on a special luster in Zikr.
　Hearing Zikr's answer, the man - Jamal - twisted his face in incomprehension. He saw it as a nature that was good at arms, but not so good at using his head or twisting.
　If that is the case, they may listen to him if they preach righteousness.
　And then--,
"--I'm sorry, am I correct in assuming that this is the correct representative for this city?"
　Jamal surrenders, and the city hall is released from the popping tension. Then, a voice slips in, as if it had been waiting for the right moment to interrupt.
　The quiet, soft tone of his voice strikes the eardrums in a way that elicits relief in those who hear him.
　Nevertheless, the unfamiliar voice makes Zikr turn around and frown his round eyebrows.
　The owner of the voice appeared on the stairs connecting the top floor of the command center to the lower floor. Raising his hands to show no hostility, the gray-haired man looked around, raised his hands, and with a gesture of acting unhostile,
"Is that Zikr Osman, the 'general'?"
　From among those wearing the same red uniform, he had identified Zikr as the 'general' without hesitation.
　Of course, with the cloak he wears and the rank insignia on his shoulders, it is easy to spot Zikr as the highest-ranking one in the place. --The problem is having the guts to point it out.
　The audacity to show up at a command post where a battle had just taken place and appoint an unknown commander. Zikr wondered about the affiliation of this unassuming but unafraid man.
　As long as they were not found by city dwellers, they were thought to have blended in during the battle.
　In that case, the most appropriate--,
"The messenger of the Imperial City...... may have a message for us."
"Huh? Oh, no no, not at all! We're more like this, it's complicated to explain, but we're not affiliated with the Imperial City or anything like that."
　Waving his raised hands to the side, the young man hurriedly denied Zikr's suspicions. If they are to take his word for it, they are more and more unsure of the young man's position.
　Instead of Zikr, whose furrowed brow deepened, Jamal gritted his teeth and said, "You son of a bitch."
"We've got first dibs! You come in here after me and you're going to...... beat us to the punch!"
"I am sorry about that. I don't think I can talk about it calmly at this point. So, if you could just give me permission,"
"Permission? Permission for what?"
"I'll be treating the wounded and repairing the city after this...... if I may say so, helping with the postwar process. My companions and I will be of some help."
　The young man responds to Jamal, whose cheeks are contorted, and sighs, "Of course." The young man, who looks tired, dismayed, and somewhat deflated, relaxes his cheeks slightly and said,
"I've already started, so some of this is after-the-fact."
"--. I appreciate the offer itself, but it's......"
"It's not that hard, Zikr. The man is telling the truth."
　Before Zikr could ask more questions, a dignified voice that he could hear interrupted him.
　The sound of a cane on the floor echoed sharply, and a shadow came up the stairs and lined up with the young man. It was Mizelda, covered in blood all over her brave body and increasing her fierce beauty.
　From the looks of it, the blood that stained her beautiful body was all return blood, and there was no noticeable trauma other than the leg that had been damaged earlier. He was relieved to see her back in one piece.
　Mizelda then returned and patted the young man's thin shoulders in a friendly manner.
"The thing's companion has already started work. I assure you."
"Miss Mizelda, I am so glad you are safe. What about him?"
"I don't know. He's not our enemy, he's just a guy with a nice face, so we'll let him through."
"Miss Mizelda......"
　Mizelda's aesthetic sense is somewhat different from Zikr's, and she is certainly right that the young man's eyes are kind and well-rounded.
　The atmosphere is somehow neutral, but there is a strangely strong core in the eyes.
　He is not a bad person, Zikr thinks. But he also has something in his gut.
"I don't believe there is any help in this situation that doesn't ask for something in return. Who are you?"
"As I said before, it's a complicated position to explain. But I don't mean to antagonize you people. --We just have people who are looking for us."
"People who are looking for us......"
　The young man nodded "yes" to Zikr's comment.
　Then he removed the green hat he was wearing and placed it on his chest and bowed, not in an imperial manner, but in a respectful manner.
"My name is Otto Suwen. --I am looking for a friend of mine and my friend's sister."
　He spoke of his purpose with the eyes of an unwary hyena.
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　△▼△▼△▼△
　--Miles's master, High Countess Serena Dracroy, was a caustic matriarch.
　As a young man, she was a fierce competitor in the upper echelons of the imperial aristocracy, and in accordance with the Iron-Blooded Code, a manifestation of imperialism, she placed emphasis on a meritocracy that took those with the best abilities.
　On the other hand, he also had an integrity that did not allow the strong to humiliate the weak at will, which is why the children brought home by Miles were not treated badly.
"We've been getting reports. Miles, who avoids trouble, even brought you home. He must have taken pity on your situation. You can do as you please in my territory."
　Serena welcomed Flop and the other children and smiled eagle as she responded.
　The intimidation of being in front of a being that was more massive than his height made him want to grovel to his childish heart, and the flamboyant and large interior of the mansion, which was like seeing it for the first time, overwhelmed Flop.
"A man like her, who can afford to do so, has no reason to go out of his way to bully those below him. After all, the adults who beat up kids are the same adults who beat me up when he was a kid."
　Miles responded with his usual crudity to Flop and the others, who had been doused in hot water, devoured a belly-aching meal, and changed into clean, good-smelling clothes.
　Unlike Medium and the others, whose eyes are turned to a world where everything they see and touch is fresh and new, Flop was impressed by many worlds and ways of thinking that he did not know.
　The influence of the philosophy that Miles casually announces is particularly significant.
　There is a way of seeing and perceiving things in this world that Flop never thought existed, and he would never have known it if he had not taken me out into the outside world.
　Above all--,
"Oh, my dear fellow. Did you also come from Miles's collection?"
　Given his freedom and following his sister's backs as they run around the mansion, Flop stops at a beautiful garden on the expansive grounds.
　The sight of large, dignified flowers in full bloom overwhelmed me, and a soft voice called out to me.
　Surprised, he searched for the voice, but could not find the other party in the garden. When Flop tilted his head at that,
"This way, please. Excuse me, excuse me from downstairs."
"Wow!"
"Oh, a roll of the dice."
　With a flip, Flop's head was poked out from right in front of him, just beyond the fence that Flop had leaned against to look into the garden, and Flop winced.
　Flop blinks his eyes as he is laughed at for falling on his buttocks as it is.
　The person who laughed at Flop who fell was a somewhat older boy who remained young. He was a brown-haired figure with a charming face, around 12 or 13 years old.
"......That's a lot to laugh at."
"Oh, excuse me, excuse me, excuse me. I was just trying to help him up, but I can't move right now. I'd love to help you up, but I'm afraid I'm stuck here."
"He said he's stuck...... ah"
　Paying off his buttocks, Flop stood up and walked around the fence to the boy. Then the boy, sitting on the ground, had a round lump on his huzza-scratched knees.
　Flop rolls his eyes at that.
"Are you kidding me? An egg?"
"Yes, yes, isn't it a big egg? Actually, it's a flying dragon egg."
"What are you going to do with a flying dragon egg?"
"Of course, I'm going to hatch it."
　The boy broke into Flop as he held the white egg, which was as big as a hug, with his entire body.
　--That was how the O'Connell siblings of Flop and Medium met the man who would become their lifelong sworn brother-in-law, Balleroy Temeglyph.
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　△▼△▼△▼△
　--She can say that she had gained more than knowledge about the threat of flying dragons.
　The threat of its claws and fangs, the range of its winged tactics, and the ferocity with which it does not hesitate to harm its enemies were more than keenly felt by the destroyed cities and the people attacked, respectively.
　Frankly, she could not understand the idea of anyone trying to tame and exploit such a dangerous creature. It seemed to her that it was an incompatible enemy - just as dangerous as the giant snakes we encountered in the jungle.
　But--,
"----"
　Rem quietly squints at the combination that exists outside the window and in the view.
　In the garden of a mansion, a flying dragon was resting its wings, and a soldier was feeding it. The flying dragon, which was supposed to be terrifying and ferocious, was being fed by the soldier, who was giving it a soft look and a sweet voice.
　Having been told that flying dragons are ferocious and vicious, and having witnessed their danger firsthand, Rem was surprised to see them so friendly toward people.
　She had been told by a girl who seemed to know a lot about dragons that proud dragons do not miss people. She would not complain if she were led to believe that the story was different.
"You seem very melancholic."
　Suddenly, a voice was heard behind Rem as she gazed at the garden in this way.
　However, the other party was approaching with footsteps, so Rem was not surprised that someone had noticed them coming.
　However, it was the voice of a stranger and the location left her somewhat nervous.
"I don't know if I am melancholic or not, but I have my thoughts. I wasn't brought here because I wanted to."
"You are very clear. You're very pleasant."
"......You're,"
　In a room that was addressed to him, in a building where even the rooms given to prisoners of war were opulent, the back of a chair that was too luxurious to be comfortable creaked, and Rem asked the identity of the old man who appeared.
　He is an old man with white hair, a white beard, and threadbare eyes.
　His attire was far from that of a warrior, and one could only predict that he was a person of some high rank.
　His behavior and age, as well as the fact that the soldiers guarding Rem straightened their posture and bowed their heads, suggest that he is of a certain rank.
　At Rem's unreserved stare, the old man lightly waved his hand and motioned for the soldiers on guard to leave the room. The soldiers immediately obeyed, bowed, and left the room.
　And so, when the old man was alone with Rem in the room, he indicated with his hand the seat opposite the one Rem was sitting in, and asked,
"May I sit down?"
"......Go ahead."
　Before Rem, chin drawn back, the old man took his seat with a gentle movement.
　Facing Rem head-on, he stroked his chin with his finger.
"Have you heard anything about me?"
"No, nothing. Nothing, except to heal, to rest, and to kill you if you do anything selfish."
　Ruminating over Madelyn's instructions - the owner of the mansion who does not listen to her - Rem shakes her head.
　She was under house arrest with guards on her and strict orders not to run away. Rem had no intention of running away, but it was true that it was not a fun situation.
　Then the old man nodded his head and said, "I see" to Rem's answer.
"I think that was somewhat of an attitude problem for a guest. I will give a warning to General Madelyn as well."
"......You can warn her?"
　Rem can't help but gawk at the words of the unidentifiable old man.
　Rem, who spent neither a long nor a short time with Madelyn before she was brought from the castle city to this mansion, was annoyed by her inability to communicate.
　She was stubborn and headstrong, although she was saved by a somewhat more or less sayable candor.
"I thought she was one of those people who didn't like people telling her what to do. If you said anything to her, she would get angry and violent immediately......"
　And when she had told him that much about her findings, Rem put his hand on her own hand.
　When she calmly thought about it, she felt ashamed of herself, wondering what she looked like saying this. As someone who has never listened to others and once broke the other person's fingers.
　However, the old man laughed a small laugh at Rem's self reflection and said, "Huh."
"It's not a mistake. It is painful for me as well. In fact, they didn't follow my instructions correctly this time either. I am not saying that--"
"----"
"This time, however, it was not the whims of General Madelyn, but other factors."
　The old man keeps his lips relaxed, but the sound of laughter has disappeared from his voice.
　Rem's breath caught slightly as she was met with a price-gouging look from behind narrow, blind eyes. The gaze eloquently regarded Rem as 'another factor'.
　And it also had undesirable consequences for the old man in front of her.
"......Who are you?"
"I apologize for the delay. I am Berstetz Fondalfon, the Prime Minister of the Holy Vollachian Empire.
"The Prime Minister, Berstetz......"
　The old man reverently folded his hips in response to the question - Berstetz.
　As soon as she hears the name and position, Rem's cheeks become more rigid and the strength in her shoulders increases.
　She remembered hearing both the name and the position.
"Then you can......"
"Yes. --I am the enemy of His Excellency Vincent Abellux."
"----"
　He said it without any hesitation, and once again Rem was unable to continue speaking.
　It was an affirmation of what she knew, but she did not expect to be told so clearly. At the same time, it seemed terribly out of place and ironic that she was the one who had walked into the vortex of a major problem in which she was undeniably involved, and in which she was the closest to the center.
　It should be Abel, Priscilla, and Subaru who should be here, not herself.
　Thinking that much, Rem was glad that Subaru was not here.
"If I had, I would have been absolutely reckless on my own, so......"
　There is no doubt about the black-haired boy's boldness and his ability to go beyond the imagination. Even in these situations, he will cause outlandish situations that Rem cannot imagine.
　In that sense, it was a good thing he was not in the city that was attacked by the flying dragon. She doesn't think he could have done anything about it, and it would have only caused more unnecessary wounds.
　It's just--,
"----"
　However, she wonders how she would feel if she knew that he had been taken by Madelyn.
　It was so bad that Rem's imagination tormented her chest with the pain of a sharp blade.
"--. You know that Mr. Abel is the real emperor."
　Forcing herself to ignore the pain that was cutting deep into her chest, Rem asked Berstetz. Berstetz responds with a nonchalant "Yes".
"Of course. It was a mistake to allow him to escape, but after that, things proceeded as planned. I should say that we were there. In fact, the destruction of Guaral was still in progress."
"Why Mr. Abel? I can't imagine how much it must mean to you to decide to rebel...... Is it because of Mr. Abel's personality?"
"We don't expect the emperor of a country to be a man of character. Personal feelings and attachments are trivial from the perspective of running a nation. If there is anything we look for, it is competence and a track record of trust that he or she will fulfill his or her responsibilities."
　Shaking his head loosely, Berstetz replies with a voice and expression that do not reveal his emotions.
　His tone of voice never wavers, his expression never changes in the slightest. This is due to Berstetz's excellent negotiation skills, apart from Rem's limited life experience, which makes it impossible to read his inner thoughts at all.
　Is it emotionless and therefore a lie, or is it even the truth?
　However, it was her opinion that Abel's humanity was not the reason for the rebellion that was brought about, and she was inclined to believe what she was told.
　She witnessed a lot of blood and death in the fortress city. Not only the dead, but even Rem could not agree that Abel's bad character was the reason for the deaths.
　Therefore--,
"Are you saying that you banished Mr. Abel because he is not an emperor?"
"It wasn't my intention for him to be banished. It was a consequence."
"What was missing for Abel? I don't know the responsibilities of the position of emperor, nor do I know the abilities required, but I do know that he is an excellent person......"
　She wondered to herself why she had to defend Abel, but Rem chose her words to convince the wisp inside her.
　In fact, aside from his combat skills, Abel stands out for his thoughtfulness and depth of knowledge.
　The fact that Mizelda, Zikr, and even Subaru are willing to follow his lead is evidence that he also has the leadership skills to convince others of such opinions.
　She doesn't know the details, but she also thinks it is a quality of those on top.
　That it would be necessary for those in the highest positions in the country.
　That is--,
"I have not yet heard your name, Master Healer."
"......Rem, it seems."
"Hmm."
　Because of her antipathy toward Berstetz, she said it as hearsay.
　As expected, Rem has already accepted that her name is 'Rem'. From the time she strongly told Priscilla her name - or allowed Subaru to call her that.
　Anyway, she let her tongue adjust to the name of Rem, and Berstetz let out a small exhale.
"How many heirs do you think His Imperial Highness has now, Miss Rem?"
"Heirs...... uh, is that about his children?"
"Yes."
　As Berstetz nodded quietly, Rem thought of Abel in her mind.
　Rem has no memory, but she has not lost much of the knowledge she acquired before she lost it. She also remembered how humans reproduce.
　However, it is doubtful that Abel is capable of building such relationships with others in an honest manner. In the first place, Rem could not think of a woman who could stand alongside Abel.
"I can't imagine. I thought they wouldn't be with him."
"--. You understand well, don't you? That's right, they would not be with him."
"Oh, I knew it. How rude of Mr. Abel--"
　"Maybe", as Rem was about to continue, but then she interrupted herself.
　It was not that Berstetz said anything to her, nor was she instructed to be silent. It was just that the squinted eyes of the silent old man opened slightly, and the expression that revealed the eyes behind them, and Rem's throat, which was directly in front of her, was silenced by an incredible demonic energy.
　Quietly, Berstetz placed his hands on the table between them. What flooded out of his shushed body was a rage of unimaginable intensity.
"There is no one, no heir. --That's the problem."
"--ah"
"The empire must be strong. Otherwise, this country will be,"
　Before Rem spilled a grazed breath, whereupon Berstetz cut off his words, opened his fist on the table, and exhaled.
　Then, hiding his eyes behind his eyelids again, the old man looks at Rem.
"I apologize. This is the first time I have been a rebel, and I must say I am a bit nervous."
"......Why are you telling me what you just told me?"
"----"
"I didn't need to make you listen to it."
　Berstetz's words are filled not with emotion, but with something much heavier and clearer.
　He didn't feel it was a lie, but that is the only question he has for Rem. Why did he let Rem hear such a story?
　Rem doesn't think she is in such an important position, and in fact she is.
　She happened to be placed in close proximity to Abel and Priscilla, but that was only because of the way things happened, not because Rem was special.
"But why?"
"......You are a healer and part of the oni tribe. I would like to take you in if possible. You are precious."
"----"
　It was an answer that was not a lie, but not all of it was true.
　However, it seems that Berstetz has decided not to spend any more time with Rem, who is looking for answers beyond that. Slowly, the old man rises from the chair he has settled into.
"I would like to talk with you a little longer, but even a man like me has things to do. I will have to inconvenience you for the time being, but I will tell the housekeeper to make things as convenient as possible for you, so please be at ease."
"......Berstetz, what do you have to do with Madelyn?"
"A collaborator, I suppose, would be the most appropriate word. Of course, she would have the impression that I was using a clever person to do it. This house is also my house."
　Shrugging her surprisingly strong shoulders, Rem looks around the room and garden at Berstetz's answer.
　Since Madelyn was spending time there with her own face, she assumed it was her mansion, but even that was a mistake, apparently. However, she was convinced by the elegance of the building and interior.
"But I don't think I can or want to let loose."
"I like your frankness, it's really cool. Once again, good health to you, Miss Rem."
　With a small laugh, Berstetz once again bends over and leaves the room.
　She thought about calling off his back, but not being able to find the right words to say, and probably not being able to stop his feet, Rem said nothing.
　The guards, who had been sent outside, return in place of the Berstetz who left the room.
　With their stern stares, Rem looked out once more.
　Just as the flying dragon had finished feeding, it was slowly flapping its wings to take to the sky with the man who had fed it on its back.
"----"
　Though a fierce and fearsome flying dragon, it was exhilarating to be carried in flight on its back.
　Of course, they did not have time to enjoy it because of the circumstances, but they were transported from Guaral to their destination in less than a day, which only made them wonder what the journey had been like so far.
　The place where Madelyn was brought to while treating the injured Flop--,
"--The Imperial Capital, Rupgana."
　The city where Abel was driven from his throne and aspires to regain it.
　With the Crystal Palace in the center of the city in the distance, Rem is held captive. As she touches the unopenable window and feels the glass with ger fingertips, she suddenly thinks.
"......That person."
　Would there be pain in their hearts if they knew that Rem was gone?
　The pain in his chest is just as painful as Rem's, as if a blade had been thrust deep into his chest.
　Rem did not know what thoughts were coming from her own mind.
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　△▼△▼△▼△
　--Slowly, Flop opened his eyelids and found the ceiling of a strange room.
"----"
　He spends a moment to organize his thoughts and then quickly observe his surroundings to assess the situation.
　It is a habit of him as a peddler who often encamps in the field. Of course, the vigilance is handled by his sister, who is much more sensible than he is, but that is no reason to stay idle.
　It is possible that one's poor reactions can make the difference between life and death. So, keeping himself awake in bed was a skill that he naturally acquired as a way of life, but--,
"This is...... agh!"
　Just as he tries to look around cautiously, he screams as his chest pulls back in great pain.
　If this was outside in the middle of the night, it would be a very foolish act to tell the beast where you are. Nevertheless, what has been done cannot be helped.
　In an effort to make up for it, Flop was breathing hard, trying to get himself up.
"Wh-, What the......, I'm not moving at all......!"
　Not only was there no strength in his arms, but the soft bed absorbed his weight. While his whole body sank softly, he could have believed it even if he had been told that it was acting like a cage instead of a bed.
　Still, he struggled desperately, wriggling his body in an attempt to somehow escape.
"This, this......! This is pretty tough!"
"--. You're a pretty funny guy."
"Wha-? Is there someone here!?"
　Behind him, struggling with the bed, he heard a high-pitched voice and tried to turn around. But his efforts were in vain, and his crippled body did not do a good job of turning around.
　Flop struggled like a fish on land, and he could hear her sigh deeply.
"It's the dragon. Your wounds are in the process of healing, so don't get all nonsensical."
　As he said it, Flop let out an "ah", and a breath when he saw his partner walk over to the side of the bed.
　She is Madelyn, a girl with sky-blue hair, golden eyes, and two black horns on her head. She is a general of the empire, a "flying dragon general" who attacked the fortress city.
　And in her last memory of Flop--,
"As I recall, I got scratched by your fingernails and it hurt......"
"That's right. The dragon's claws gouged out your life...... that girl healed you."
"That girl...... oh."
　Madelyn looked away and muttered with a batty look on her face. A face came to mind from her words, and Flop came to terms with what had happened to him.
　At the same time, in his fading consciousness, he remembered that he had asked her - Rem - to do something quite terrible.
"I'm sorry, I think it was "Miss Madelyn", right? I have to ask you, what happened to Guaral? The city that was subjected to a very large explosion and an attack by your friends."
"----"
"I think my partner and I survived, seeing as how I barely made it out alive. But that is the second worst outcome in my mind. Of course, the worst outcome would be for both of us to die."
　Holding up a finger, Flop asks Madelyn, as if to sow the seeds.
　Madelyn's batty face is ongoing as she looks sideways at the movement of her fingers. Thinking it was a trace of an unwanted trend for her, Flop folded.
"I don't know, Miss Madelyn. Your face looks like you are complaining or sulking. My sister often looks like that, too. I think it's cute that she doesn't look modest when she squirms because she's so big."
"......The,"
"Yeah? What is it?"
"The city is safe! I couldn't destroy it! Is this what you want?"
　Showing sharp fangs, Madelyn roared back at Flop's words. Flop breathed a long sigh of relief as he enjoyed the illusion of a furious breath of air all over his body.
　Safe is not a very appropriate answer to the situation of Guaral in Flop's memory, but Madelyn said she couldn't destroy it.
　Well, in that case--,
"My partner has put her life to good use......"
　In a daze of consciousness and ringing in his ears, Flop reflects on his actions just before the interruption.
　He caught the corner of his eye as he saw Madelyn greatly upset at the sight of Flop, who was bleeding and nearly lifeless. She seemed to be questioning Flop about something and clinging to it.
　So she thought she could use it. By saving Flop's life and promising to give Madelyn the answers she wanted, she thought it was possible to get out of the predicament in which Guaral was attacked.
　You know, she didn't know if the pacifist Rem was capable of making such a ruthless decision, and she thinks it would have put a tremendous burden on him, even in the current situation where he seems to have succeeded.
"Where is my partner who healed my wounds?"
"......I brought her back with me. That was the dragon's condition, and she accepted it. Dragons keep their promises. I'll make sure she keeps her promise to the dragon, too."
"Promise......"
"This is it."
　Flop is relieved to hear that Rem is safe. What was held out in front of his eyes was a red-painted ornament with the fangs of a beast - or rather, the fangs of a dragon.
　It is an important item that Flop usually carries around his neck and never leaves his skin.
　It is thrust at the nose of Flop, who is slumped over on the bed.
"Oh, you picked it up for me? Thank you so much. It's very, very important. If I lost it, I wouldn't be able to live without it. That's why......"
"--Carillon."
"----"
　Reaching out, Flop tried to take the fang back. But Madelyn easily avoided Flop's hand, and instead of returning it, she uttered a name.
　Flop gasps at the name, and Madelyn continues.
"These are the fangs of Carillon. Why do you have them?"
　Carillon, a name that was not misheard, was mentioned twice by Madelyn.
　There is no way he could have heard it wrong. Because the name--,
"I'll answer you! Why, are you the fang of Carillon......"
"I was there when Carillon was born. I thought of her name, with my bro Miles and Balleroy."
"--tsk"
"When that girls's fangs grew back, I got it as a memento of that. He said it was a sign of my brother-in-law's...... family. That's why my sister and I have Carillon's fangs."
　Quietly, as if opening a precious treasure chest deep in his chest, Flop replied.
　The flying dragon's fangs shaking in Madelyn's hand, that's the answer to where it came from. A precious family member - a benefactor and a brother-in-law, a memento of two people who are no longer with them.
　Madelyn is absolutely mortified when she hears the answer, her lips pursed and her eyes wide.
　Based on her reaction and the fact that she knew the name Carillon, Flop also made a few assumptions, he prefaced it with "Okay?"
"Where did you come up with the name Carillon? I even recognize her fangs at a glance. I don't think it's a shallow relationship. Besides, you're......"
"--ah"
"You are the one who became 'Number Nine' to replace Balleroy. Perhaps you have known Balleroy and Carillon for some time?"
　Madelyn's reaction was painful and heartbreaking, as it seemed to drive her to look so young.
　But Flop's chest once suffered more intense pain than seeing the hurting Madelyn because of the same topic. There is nothing in the world more deleterious than the face of a sobbing sister.
　So he had no hesitation in cornering Madelyn and getting to the bottom of what she had in her heart.
　--Balleroy Temeglyph.
　He was one of the "Nine Divine Generals" of the Vollachian Empire, a brother-in-law of Flop and Medium, a rebel who lost his life in revolt against the emperor, and that kind and loving man who truly loved his beloved dragon, Carillon, and his own benefactor, Miles.
　What was the relationship between him and Madelyn?
　And then--,
"How did you become one of the 'Nine Divine Generals'?"
"--For revenge."
　There was a beat of hesitation before the answer was given, but the words that came out were clear.
　Madelyn, her lips quivering and her eyes wide open, her expression slowly changes, and her golden eyes are filled with the same fury as the change in her expression -- a radiant rage.
　The fury of the girl with the dragon burned all over Flop's body as he lay on his bunk.
　Madelyn's anger was so intense that it gave the illusion of being so.
　Madelyn revealed that she took the position of "Nine Divine Generals" in order to take revenge.
　The word revenge is something that Flop also thinks about. --It is a life goal for Flop. However, the target of Flop's revenge is not the individual, but the world.
　It is revenge against the very world, a world in which someone is forced to bend the knee.
　The anger in Madelyn's eyes, however, is quite different.
　The fiery passion that burns in her golden eyes knows who to turn to.
"Who do you want revenge on?"
"......The revenge of the man who was supposed to be Balleroy's dragon mate."
"----"
"The dragon will never forgive those who kill the good people of the dragon. For that reason--"
　Avenge the dead Balleroy, Madelyn replies with fury in her diminutive frame.
　Balleroy and Madelyn, how they met, what experiences they went through, and what form their bond took, Flop does not know.
　However, he knew that Madelyn sincerely regretted and mourned his death.
　So, so, so--,
"Who do you think avenged Balleroy? How can revenge be served?"
　If it had been Medium who was here, he is sure she would have hugged Madelyn from the front.
　Balleroy and Miles, Medium who cried like a waterfall and wailed loudly at their deaths, would surely have been able to teach Madelyn how to cry.
　Someone she cares about has been killed, and Madelyn is furious about that fact.
　She does not know how to grieve. A being of tremendous power with a flying dragon and black horns, she can only think of one way to grieve, and that is to be angry.
　And it was the same for Flop who forgot how to cry.
　So--,
"The one who let Balleroy die--"
　Madelyn, clutching her small hands, responds to Flop's question.
　Stripped of a good man and filled with a misplaced love in her tiny body, Madelyn decided that instead of shedding tears, she would burn as a flame of anger and take her revenge.
"----"
　And when Flop heard the name from Madelyn's mouth, he closed his eyes.
　He close his eyes and press them shut. For once, he forgot the pain of the wound that was gouged into Madelyn's chest and was in the process of healing, and he surrendered himself to the darkness behind his eyelids.
　If he close his eyes, he can still remember the faces of his loved ones.
" You and Medium are not thinking straight. You should have stayed at their place, but you can't take care of them, can you? "
" I'm worried about you, Miles. If he had stayed here, he would have been able to take care of him as long as he wanted. He's not being honest, is he? "
" Shut up, Baru-bo! You're the one who got ahead, you don't come back here all the time! "
" No, I'm not suited for this. I'm better suited to stay here with Miles and Flop and Middy and the others, you know? Right? "
　It brings back such fond memories of the day of his departure, when Balleroy went out of his way to stop by from afar, and his exchange with Miles, which must have been late at night.
　With a big wave of his hand, he and Medium left the land that had taken care of them for so long, and then--.
　And then Flop O'Connell reached the Imperial Capital and lit up his blue eyes.
　With those lit eyes, the lips spin the words.
　That is--,
"--You are the enemy of Balleroy, aren't you? Chief...... No, Emperor Vincent Vollachia."