Might
That's right, I'll go out for awhile.

Might decided to leave the temple.

In front of the temple, Lorence was preparing to go somewhere.

Lorence
Oh, Might.

Might
Lorence-san, where are you going?

Lorence
Ah, there isn't much time, so I've decided to return to the royal palace once. I thought of requesting a blacksmith that goes in and out of the royal palace to repair my sword. Lorence
And I will petition for His Majesty the King to send reinforcements here. Because it's possible this will become the final battle for this earth.

Might
That's reassuring. Do your best, Lorence-san.

Might said that trying to see Lorence off, but he noticed right away that Lorence appeared tired for some reason when he said that.

Might
Umm, what's wrong...?

Lorence
Well, it's... just. If you like, won't you come with me? Maybe it will be a good chance to have our swords repaired together...?

If he thought about it, even though he inherited the power of a god, the only weapon Might had was his lone sword. If he could have his sword repaired in preparation for their future battle, it would be a welcome story.

Might
I understand. Please take me with you. I'll hurry and prepare to go immediately.

Lorence
Ri, right. Then, I'll be waiting.

By learning a loophole through the dangerous place from Kurt, they were able to travel back to the royal palace in one day and night. Lorence had an audience with the king immediately to report the situation, and he informed him of the final battle drawing near. The king arranged to call together a few elite troops to dispatch, considering the alarming state of affairs.

And then Lorence and Might proceeded to the origin of the blacksmith that came in and out of the royal palace, to request for sword repairs. In preparation for war the blacksmith was very busy, but by the wish of the leader of the knights of the royal palace he would make forging their sword the top priority.

They had half a day to spare until their swords would be returned. For Lorence' s guest, Lorence arranged for Might to stay in his former room in the royal palace.

Lorence
How about it, Might? Why don't we bout swords for awhile?

Might
Eh, me and you?

Lorence
Yes, the Silver Training School is near the palace as well, but I hear the fencing here is not superior to it. By all means I want to have at least one bout.

Might
That sort of... But, to be able to have a bout with the leader of the Knights of the Court, Lorence, is a rare chance. Please be kind to me.

Might readily consented.

The two went to the training place of the knights that was on the outskirts of the royal palace. They held imitation training swords in their hands. Even if it was called practice, it was a bout with the leader of the Knights of the Court. Tension ran through Might's body.

Lorence
Good, Might. Come at me seriously. I won't go easy on you, either.

Might
Y, yes-. ...I'm coming!

When Might positioned his sword, and he thrust it straight at Lorence. --But, Lorence only leaned the upper portion of his body a little bit to dodge.

Lorence
Calm down, Might. Think of this as practice in the training school.

Might
R, right!

He settled down because of Lorence's advice, and when Might appeared as calm with his sword as usual, Lorence also responded accurately.

Lorence
Hmm... It seems the rumor of the excellent student that competed for first and second place in the Silver Training School's obstacle it the real thing. Splendid, Might!

Might
Yes! Thank you very much!

He replied as their two swords continued.

Lorence
Haa-!!

Might
Hunn-!!

Lorence
Nn, and then this...!!

Might
-Right!

Lorence
Magnificent!

The two continued their bout with tension like the real thing. Eventually, Might noticed Lorence's sword becoming more disordered little by little. When he incidentally looked up, Lorence's expression appeared to be preoccupied with something. The his body was reacting to Might's sword, he even felt it in his heart.

Might
(? Lorence-san, what's wrong... Ah?!)

The upper part of Might's body inclined suddenly. Lorence's expression had caught his attention, and he didn't notice the swelling root of a tree that caught his foot.

Lorence sensed it and reached for Might. But because he panicked, Lorence wasn't able to maintain his balance either.

Might
Ah-!!

Lorence
Muu-!

The two fell as they were and lied on top of one another. On the sudden occurrence Might fell on his back, and on top of him he felt the pressure of Lorence who had reached out for him on his chest.

Might
Ow...

Lorence
Are, are you ok, Might?!

When Might looked up, Lorence's face was there. When Lorence was drunk and suddenly kissed him, his face was that close too.

Because it was such a sudden incident at that time, this was probably the first time he could watch closely.

Though might tried to say he was ok, the words didn't come out. Lorence was also watching Might's face silently, without blinking. A silence flowed between the two.

It was a few seconds, but it felt like several hours and it was Lorence that broke the silence.

Lorence
-Might. When this battle is over... If we can defeat the devil, will you come with the knights-?

Might
Eh... Me, in the Knights of the Court...?

Lorence
If it's you, then I can guarantee you'll be a splendid fit for this work. How about it, will you consider it?

Might
But, I...

Lorence
I... I want to be with you, for a long time after this...

Might was surprised at those unexpected words. Lorence was also surprised at his own words- Or was he surprised at the situation of him leaning on Might, and he jumped up and separated from Might.

Lorence
About that. Forget about what I said at the end-. Anyway, consider it if you like.

When he said that, Lorence left alone.

"I want to be with you, for a long time after this..." How many times had he repeated the words that Lorence had left him in his head since a little while ago.

Was that a story about his anticipation of Might's fencing arm? Or, was there a more significant meaning...

The scene of him abruptly being kissed by Lorence revived in his mind.

Might
(I, idiot... What am I thinking about, I...)

He shook his head largely, and Might stood up to return to his room.

Because as he was walking as he was thinking, Might became a lost child in the vast royal palace. He searched for a guard to ask, but he didn't find anyone at such a time.

Might
(I give up...)

When he was walking trudgingly down the corridor, from inside he heard faint voices. They came closer, as if he was going towards the voices.

-By the way, did you think about our talk from the day before?

Yes... Though it was a special talk, I still...

Might
(Huh? This voice... Is Lorence's.)

When Might turned around a pillar in the corner where the passage bends, Lorence and Sergei Claudius were there. Spontaneously Might his his body, and listened attentively.

King
I see... Lorence, over the years your body has hardened slowly. You thought that it was a good marriage proposal, but...

Might
(Eh, marriage proposal... They're talking about marriage?)

King
It's of good parentage, and I have nothing to criticize about your companion' s looks, and your partner is also exceedingly suited to you, but...

Lorence
I apologize your Majesty. Please don't tell anyone about this.

Might
(It must be a rejected marriage proposal...)

King
If you go that far when you haven't inquired if you've been positively declined. .. Is it possible, can your beloved person have already decided in their heart?

Might
(Be, beloved person...?!)

After a little hesitation, Lorence informed the king.

Lorence
Since I was young I've only followed the road of swordsmanship. For that reason, other than sword and military arts and I've been very distant of world affairs, and I don't understand love affairs very well.

Lorence
But, recently, my heart has been intensely captivated-- No, calling them my beloved person is too presumptuous, as it seems that it's entirely one-sided love... That's the reality.

Might
(Eh... Eeh?!)

Might was surprised by Lorence's words. After he had met him, he had never heard him talk about such things during the journey.

King
Hohou. Are you a person who draws a one-sided love... You must be a very lucky fellow.

Lorence
No... That person probably doesn't know I'm holding that desire. Even if I told them my desire, I think they would probably reject me. Therefore, I am prepared to hold such a desire inside myself in the future...

King
Hmm... But, Lorence. Though you are a military man, you aren't accustomed to admitting defeat without a fight, I don't think it's the right thing to do. Because you aren't accustomed to love affairs, isn't it necessary to not fear mistakes and throw you feelings at your partner with everything you have?

Might
(Is it possible to be broken by getting hit...)

King
...That's too much small talk. I already need a break.

With that said he left, and the king returned to his own room. Lorence also turned on his heel to leave and in that moment, he felt the presence of a person in the shadow of the pillar.

Lorence
Who-?!

Lorence put his hand to the sword at his hip, preparing for battle. Might's face timidly peeked out from the shadow of the pillar.

Lorence
Mi, Might... How long have you been there...?!

Lorence was flustered from Might's figure appearing from the shadow of the pillar. When Might walked in front of Lorence, he apologized for his impoliteness with his head hung.

Might
Ex, excuse me, Lorence-san! I didn't mean to eavesdrop. I lost my way, and by mistake... I'm sorry-!!

Lorence let go of his sword, and took a deep breath.

Lorence
How much did you hear us say?

Might
That... A marriage proposal was rejected...

Though Lorence grew a little angry, he still said in a warning tone at once,

Lorence
I'm going to needlessly ask you not to tell anyone about this. Especially Leica, because the day he knows about this he'll shake up rumors and exaggerations here and there...

He said that, and tried to leave.

Might
-Please wait, Lorence-san...

Suddenly, Might called Lorence to a stop.

Although it's a special marriage proposal...

Lorence-san's beloved person is...