The dark curtain that suddenly veiled the distant sky began to fade.
That spell was the one Floné used on Veret territory too.
Lord Ouga and Floné had been waging their final death-match there.
And likely it’s decided.
”…………Ouga.”
”……I believe in you.”
A little distance from the half-collapsed Veret manor, Lady Karen and Lady Reina prayed.
Karen tended to the manor’s survivors; Reina captured Floné’s subordinates with full ability.
After that, they pray for Ouga’s return.
Both gripped too hard; fingertips turned purple.
Understandable.
Ouga pursued Floné with Miss Liche for the final battle.
Riding dragons; we can only pray from here.
…… Because I couldn’t take Floné’s life, I burdened Lord Ouga with more.
…… Reflection later.
Lord Ouga will safely defeat Floné and return.
I’ll pray too — hm? That’s……
I squinted at a growing black dot in the blue sky.
Recognizing it, I tapped their shoulders.
“Alice-san? New injured found?”
“No. Lady Karen, Lady Reina. That.”
I pointed; the dragon visible to the naked eye now.
On its back — Lord Ouga, right arm raised, with Miss Liche stuck to him.
”…… Thank god.”
”…… One settled.”
The two exhaled, dropped to their knees.
Hours of strain, with sleep deprivation on top.
For girls fifteen-sixteen, natural.
As an elder, I should set an example.
I drew a deep breath and shouted to echo through Veret territory.
“Bringing [Holy Judgment] upon the world’s evil! The [Saint] giving us life’s guidepost! With kind heart and ceaseless courage, weaving the future — Lord [Saint]! Lord Ouga Veret returns victorious!”
“Ahaha…… the usual……”
“Tired, Ouga-kun smiles this time……”
Mn. Lord Ouga seems pleased.
I’ll keep composing songs of praise. If Lord Ouga’s history reaches the world someday, no greater joy for me as his blade.
A-and as wife……
A-ahem! Not the time, Alice.
As maid, much remains.
“H-hey…… Alice-san. True?”
“Lord Ouga returns?”
“He won? Our colleagues’ vengeance……?”
Servants approached.
Bandaged ones too, wanting to glimpse Lord Ouga.
I pointed; they erupted, hands raised.
"""Lord Ouga, banzai! Lord Ouga, banzai!! Lord Ouga, banzai!!!"""
Cheers spread across Veret territory; the chorus filled it.
Satisfied, I went to report to Head Maid Morina, recovering deeper inside.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
A swallow’s audible.
The royal chamber was in such silence and tension.
I’d just opened a letter from Veret territory; shoulders shaking.
Behind me, anxious-to-know people waited.
A letter from Veret territory — 99% about Floné, everyone understood.
I tried to share but couldn’t speak.
Impatient, Enchan grabbed the letter and read.
”…… Notification. By [Saint] Ouga Veret, Floné Milfonti is captured! Repeat! By Ouga Veret, Floné Milfonti is captured!”
“WOOOOOO!!”
Soldiers and Holy Knights at the palace roared.
The capital had endured mechanical-doll assault.
Settled with many sacrifices; combatants exhausted.
If Floné had reached the capital too, Rondism would have collapsed.
Negative mood spiraled; this report lifted morale powerfully.
Some left to inform rested soldiers and patrolling tired ones.
So…… Ouga finally beat Floné……!
My son’s feat — chest tight…… tears welled — decades since this.
I went to a corner to wipe — a pat on the shoulder.
Only one person has that liberty with a ducal head.
”…… Hohoho. Your son’s a big-shot doing extraordinary things, Gordon.”
“King Ambald……”
I bowed.
He’d endured continuously, maintained royal dignity.
We could protect everything because he agreed to all our directions silently.
For a servant — nothing more honoring.
”…… Embarrassing display.”
“At fifteen, world-saving hero. As a father with the same blood, tears aren’t strange.”
”…… Thank you.”
I can’t bear my face here.
So the King made me bow with his words, hiding the tears.
“Today, House Veret was wholly active. Hard to think what reward to give.”
“Hahaha…… give my share too to my son. He surely had a tougher fight.”
“Beyond [Saint]…… all I can think of is this.”
He tapped the crown on his head.
Cold sweat down my back.
“J-jokes please! What if it’s misread as abdication!”
“Don’t panic; everyone knows it’s idle talk in private. You’re too serious, Gordon.”
“Anyone would react this way…… please refrain for my heart’s sake.”
He just laughed to deflect.
…… Does he truly understand.
The King has long eyed Ouga; maybe not entirely joking.
Aah…… exhausted body plus new worry, dizzy.
“But besides me, more will target your son. Even empires want excellent talent.”
“No concern. Ouga already has a family…… ah.”
“What, Gordon?”
“I have a proposal for the [Saint]‘s reward……”
I whispered the idea to the King.
He instantly said “Adopted.”
Ouga will surely be happy.
“Hohoho. Today, a new [Saint] legend is etched.”
“Yes.”
Laughing with the King, my eyes met Enchan’s glare.
Clearly: cut it short and work.
Ouga did his share.
As father, I’ll push through one more stretch.
“We can’t lose to the [Saint]! Closing efforts! Many died by Floné! Move to prevent more victims! Got it!?”
“YESSSSS!”
Lifted by the [Saint]-news morale, Rondism announced full doll-suppression that very midnight.
The day later called Day of Calamity came to a close.