The one who has been together with her for as long as I can remember,
The one who has served her so faithfully all these years,
The one who would gladly serve as her shield,
Even now, the first one that I've always though of is Ariel-sama.
She thought I was someone who would betray her at the last minute.
However, with her following words, that idea disappeared.
"Just one thing, Luke."
"...?"
"I am your princess."
Tears almost came out.
For me, that word was enough.
Even now, Ariel is still sees me as her knight.
She didn’t think I want to betray her.
She thinks that I absolutely won’t betray her.
This, even in a situation with a sword pressed to her neck,
And she did not think that I wanted to betray her.
"..."
Discarding the sword, I released Ariel.
The tense atmosphere immediately relaxed with the dry clang.
I knelt and looked up at Ariel.
Eyes frosty as ever, she looked down at me.
"Luke, what are you?"
"I’m your knight."
Ariel smiled softly.
Looking at that smile, I bowed my head, it was a pose to show the neck by dividing the hair.
"So, please cut the neck of this traitor."
I still don’t want to die.
I still have many things I want to do.
But, it is good.
I’m satisfied.
"......"
Ariel picked up the sword, and lifted it heavily with one hand.
She strikes my head with the blunt side of the sword.
Dull pain courses through my brain.
"Luke. You, the playboy, unable to endure your sudden urge, hugged me and groped my body."
".....?"
"Originally it is an act that is not allowed, but given that I was also horny, I'll forgive you."
I looked up at Ariel.
Smiling mischievously, she gave me a wink.
That smile is one I haven’t seen for a long time.
Nowadays, she only carries a fake smile. This is the smile from her younger days.
"Haah..."
I was forgiven.
Even though my speech and action were a betrayal, I was forgiven.
I was not blamed.
"Well, then."
When I take a breath, Ariel turned around to my pale father.
My father humbled himself upon seeing her gaze.
"What shall I do?”
My father’s judgement.
By forgiving my betrayal, the air in the place has changed a little.
Generosity seems to be in the air.
However, my father’s crime is heavy.
He tried to take Ariel's life.
If you try to make excuses you will not be forgiven as I was.
You did not act without reason.
While I was in thought, Rudeus approached us and spoke.
"Earlier, Darius had claimed that Sauros-sama’s execution was his own plot. Philemon-sama didn’t participate in it "
"...What happened to Darius?"
"Dead... I killed him."
"...Is that so, then let’s put all the blame on Darius."
As she said that, Ariel turned to face behind me.
Unaware, Eris and Ghyslaine were already behind me.
If I had kept holding Ariel, I might have been cut down from behind.
"Ghyslaine, is that alright with you?"
"I..."
Ghyslaine has a dissatisfied face.
Does she want to cut off my father’s head so much?
And then there's Eris pulling Ghyslaine’s tail tightly.
Ghyslaine looked surprised and trembled at that sensation. She focused on Eris.
When she released her hand, Eris raised her chin and folded her hands.
"Ghyslaine. My grandfather’s enemy, please endure him a while longer!"
"...If Eris-ojousama says so."
At those words, Ariel turned towards my father with a satisfied look.
"So that’s how it is, Philemon-sama. You’ll receive judgement at a later time."
"Ha ...!"
That's certainly generous towards my father, he was prostrating on the floor.
You will not go without blame, but at least your life has been spared.
"Luke... I'm sorry..."
His voice was weak, but I felt his warmth.
I looked around.
While saying something, Sylphy is clinging to Rudeus who was patting her head.
With her face down embarrassed, altogether Sylphy’s appearance doesn’t look too bad.
Eris is talking about something with Ghyslaine.
I heard her voice because it’s loud, but she is talking proudly, [Rudeus was saying it before, this is what I call reading the atmosphere.]
Perugius is unchanged.
From what I can see, he still has an amused expression.
I wonder if there is something amusing for Armored Dragon King-sama in the exchange just now.
My father left with plain clothes.
His figure is still small, but seems to be somewhat more composed.
And crying over the dead body of the Water God is apprentice knight Isolte or something.
There is no sign of her coming after us.
Darius seems to be dead.
With his strongest backer gone, Grabell sits on a chair exhausted.
Nobles are flocking to his surrounding, but they will not be able to much longer...
Nobles from Ariel’s faction are looking over with puzzled faces.
Among them, Tris is standing with her parents.
There are no more enemies.