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“This is just my second time visiting this castle, but the garden has changed so much already.”
“Woah…there’s so many flowers.”

Two voices not usually heard in Castle Seyfert rang in the garden.

One of them was the Dragonblood Hero Suzaku, who had visited once before, with Da’at Criferd at his side. She looked at the limestone castle, and tilted her head in wonder, muttering, “Wait, was I here before..?”

“Mwahahah! At long last, thou hast found thy way hither, O hero and the maiden who doth accompany thee!”
“…What the hell are you doing?”
“…Sorry, I thought that was the appropriate way for a Demon Lord to receive a hero.”

After her joke completely flew over Suzaku’s head, Crim, the lord of that castle, looked miffed as she grumbled, “At least play along a little,” and escorted her guests along.

A few days had passed after the stream to thank everyone for helping rescue Rouge. Suzaku had been a key part in accomplishing that, so she wanted to personally reward him, and she really wanted the girl accompanying her to meet someone, so she invited both of them to the castle.

“…Weird, usually you’d be running around like an excited puppy when visiting a castle.”
“What? I never do anything like that!”
“Sure sure, whatever you say.”

The young girl became irate at Suzaku’s comment, but he just ignored everything she said and patted her head, before turning to look behind.

“By the way…what’s up with that?” He seemed a bit confused as he pointed to a flowerpot a distance away.

Behind it was a young girl looking at them, wary like a shy kitten. She probably thought she was completely hidden, failing to realize that her white glossy hair was dangling down, revealing her position.

“Hold it not against her too harshly. The memory of thy sword piercing the both of us remaineth fresh in her mind, and thus she may be more cautious than is her wont.”
“I see… I still feel bad for doing that to you, and her too.”
“It’s all well. It was my own plan after all.”

Saying that with a shrug, Crim grinned for a bit.

“Either way, let her be for now. In time, she shall grow more at ease with thy presence. Earlier, she was practicing most diligently how to offer thee her thanks.”
“I see… Alright then.”

Suzaku did not seem fully convinced yet, but he decided to go along with things. Soon, they were through the main castle gates, and found themselves in the interior garden, where a table had been prepared for the guests.

Adonis and Elohim had readied the table with teacups, snacks, and anything else to make the perfect place to receive guests.

“Would you like more tea, young lady?”
“Wha…ah, yes, thank you…”
“Here you go.”

Adonis quickly approached Da’at Criferd as soon as her cup was empty, filling it with black tea. Being personally served like that was not something Da’at Criferd was used to, so she replied awkwardly and nervously.

Meanwhile, Suzaku thought that girl would go crazy over all the snacks and sweets on the table, shouting something like, “Cake! There’s cake!” so seeing her sit still and almost uncomfortable was a new experience for him.

“…I see, so you’re still not used to formal meetings?”
“…Hwhat?”

Then, a certain woman showed up, speaking to the nervous girl.

“…So you’re Da’at Criferd, who’s been staying with the hero.”
“Umm…who are you, miss?”

When Da’at Criferd asked that, Da’at Seyfert pulled back her hood.

“…The same face…as me?”
“I’m Da’at Seyfert. I guess I’m something like an older sister to you now…do you remember me?”
“…I’m sorry, I don’t remember.”
“I…see…”

Hearing that response, Da’at Seyfert averted her eyes, trying to mask her sadness. The emotions swirling within her, having her other half that had led the same life as her forget who she was, was something no one else could truly understand.

“But…somehow, you seem familiar…like I’m at ease near you.”
“…Thank you. That’s all I needed to hear.”

In the end, Da’at Criferd added those words, which made Da’at Seyfert beam a truly joyous smile. On the other hand, Suzaku continued sipping his tea while watching that with an uncomfortable stare, unsure of what to do.

“Um…err…would you like…some more tea?!”

The moment Suzaku finished drinking his tea, Rouge approached him with very uncertain steps, like she was about to faint, her hands holding a teapot trembling as she tried her best to imitate Adonis.

“…Yes please. Thank you very much.”

Suzaku was slightly taken aback by that, but his countenance quickly softened and he smiled kindly as he replied. Then, she clumsily raised the teapot and did her best to serve the tea.

“…I see, so this is why you were so desperate.”
“She’s adorable, yes? But my little sister is mine and mine alone.”
“I’m not even trying to take her… Also, I think you’re breaking character.”

Suzaku shook his head seeing how Crim watched Rouge with an adoring look. But then, he recalled something and straightened his back to sit properly.

“Right, I have a favor to ask from you, and you said something about repaying me.”
“Hm? Out with it then, what is it?”

He quickly switched topics. Crim had invited him there with the intention of finding a way to thank him for his help, so having him take the initiative was something she appreciated.

“I want to have…a duel, against you.”

Hearing that, Crim narrowed her eyes.

“…Oh?”

She wanted him to elaborate. Suzaku felt a slight jolt feeling Crim stare at him like that, but he continued talking.

“I felt like I was able to hold the front line together with you in the fight the other day.”
“Hm… ’Tis true, I was taken aback by thy growth. Ne’er did I expect thee to be able to follow after me in such a manner.”
“Yeah…but all I could do was stand behind you.”

Saying that, he let out a sigh. From an unbiased perspective, he had a point. If anything, Hinagiku was still the better swordsman between her and Suzaku. But that difference in skill was only brought forth because of an advantage in playtime.

“Just to be certain, I trust thou art aware that I began mine play as soon as the game was released. There lieth a great chasm betwixt our playtime and skill progression.”
“Yeah, of course. That’s exactly why…”

He took a short break to reorganize his thoughts. And then he continued.

“You’re standing at the top of all players in this game. I want to know, experience myself, exactly how far I stand from that.”

Crim was stunned hearing all of that being told to her straight to her face. But then, something else began to stir within her, eventually showing up externally as glee.

“Heheh… Ahahahah!” Before she realized, Crim was laughing loudly.”Very well, O Hero, I shall grant thee defeat! Mine duty as Demon Lord is to thwart thine every attempt, and so I accept thy bold invitation!”

“Thank you..!”

Crim leaned hard into her Demon Lord persona as she replied, and Suzaku bowed deeply in gratitude.

That way, they decided they would fight a few days later, in a streamed event.

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