"By the way—"

Ignoring his inner voice, I asked Ricardo.

"Can I see Diedrich?"

"Yes, of course. But today, he is receiving an important guest and is out. He should return before nightfall, but would you mind waiting until then?"

Ricardo's sacrifice is a week from now, so there's still time. And I don't know much about this country's culture. I can't say anything now.

"Then, I'll come back at night."

Ricardo bowed politely and said,

"Understood."

"Changing the subject, but what does the Royal Dragon mean in Agatha?"

When I asked, Ricardo answered with a serious expression.

"The Royal Dragon is one of the teachings passed down in Agatha's prophecy. By offering many dragon people as sacrifices to that dragon, their sources are unified, and it gives birth to a hero, a Child dragon, who will save the country."

"Sacrifice? That's not very peaceful."

Ricardo nodded in agreement.

"As you say. But the Royal Dragon's sacrifice is hope for those without a future. Short-lived people like me, or patients with incurable diseases, or sinners who have committed unforgivable crimes are qualified to become sacrifices for the Royal Dragon. It's not about prioritizing the Royal Dragon and needlessly taking people's lives."

"You said the Child dragon born from the Royal Dragon will become a hero who will save the country. Does that mean someone with the title of Dragon Knight?"

I turned my gaze to Sylvia sleeping in bed.

"Yes. Agatha's Dragon Knights are unbreakable swords that support the country. It is said that on the day of the calamity, they will protect the country with their unyielding strength."

"Is the Agatha's prophecy something Diedrich said?"

"No, it was the first Sword Emperor who founded Agatha who uttered that prophecy. It has been passed down through generations. It is a teaching that serves as a standard for the people of this country, for us knights."

Ricardo slowly walked towards the bed and looked down at his sleeping daughter.

"If heroes will protect the country, we knights must protect those heroes. If we can do that, Agatha will be safe."

"What about the Day of Calamity?"

"That is also a legend passed down in Agatha's prophecy. It doesn't refer to a specific day, but rather it is said to refer to any national crisis. Or perhaps King Diedrich can see that day, but we cannot."

He clenched his fist and looked at me with intense eyes.

"But, since it's not a peaceful world, we, the knights of Agatha, must always be prepared. Whatever hardship, whatever trial may befall us, and this country, we will become "One Sword, One Wish" and overcome it."

Ricardo, who stated this clearly, had a strong belief permeating his entire being.

"As knights, as the swords of this country, we will do what we must. The Royal Dragon's creation, Agatha's Dragon Knight, is one such teaching."

Ricardo gently stroked Sylvia's sleeping head.

"Perhaps I was a little strict with my daughter... She used to complain a lot when she was little. Maybe she didn't want to become a hero."

As if he had suddenly realized something, Ricardo bowed his head.

"I said something unnecessary. Please forget it."

"Do you regret it?"

Ricardo thought for a moment and shook his head.

"It was my duty to raise her into a fine knight. If I hadn't, I wouldn't even be able to be her parent. I don't regret it. Only..."

He stared at his daughter's face and let out a word.

"I don't understand my daughter's feelings."

"It won't help if she dies. The love with which you raised her strictly to be strong was not wrong. You should talk to her casually when you have the chance."

"......Yes, that's right. I would like to do that if I have the chance..."

Ricardo said weakly. It was as if he knew that opportunity would never come.

"You're still recovering. Don't push yourself."

"Yes. Thank you again."

Ricardo bowed deeply. We turned around and left the Sword Emperor's Palace.

We retraced our steps and walked towards the dragon landing.

"Are you worried?"

Misha looked at my face and said.

"A little. Right before I released , I heard Ricardo's inner voice. "Now I can become a sacrifice for the Royal Dragon", he said."

"Haa?!"

Sasha exclaimed in surprise.

"But, didn't he say that only those with no future could become sacrifices for the Royal Dragon? His Senility Disease is cured, so there's no need for him to become a sacrifice, is there?"

"Maybe there are some circumstances that outsiders don't know about. There were two Dragon Knights in Agatha, right? Maybe they need another Dragon Knight."

As I said this, Arcana said,

"Maybe there was a prophecy."

"So, that means that if Ricardo becomes a sacrifice, many other people will be saved, something like that?"

"That's right. "One Sword, One Wish", he's willing to sacrifice his life for those he wants to save. If he can see that future, it's probably worth being a sacrifice."

Misha tilted her head.

"Does the Sword Emperor know that too?"

"Naphta, the Goddess of Future, must have seen it. That's why I'm a little confused. Diedrich said that prophecies that can't be overturned are meaningless."

To sacrifice the small for the sake of the greater good.

Logically, it makes sense, but to break the rule of only sacrificing those with no future to achieve that makes it seem like the country is going to be pretty bad if you think about it.

"Ricardo wants to become a sacrifice, but it's possible that Diedrich won't let him."

"It seems that from Anos' point of view, Agatha's Sword Emperor sounds like a decent person."

Sasha said.

Well, Ahid deceived the royal family of Azession, and Golroana tried to destroy the surface. Dragon people in the underworld don't have a good impression to us.

"I only met him once, so I can't judge everything, but he's a pretty impressive king."

"Hmm, if you say so, I guess that's true. So, is there something going on with Ricardo?"

"Well, I still don't know anything important. The fastest way is to ask him directly."

Diedrich should be returning to the palace by night. There's no need to rush to conclusions.

"I thought of something."

Arcana said, as if she had realized something.

"The prophet seemed to like the Demon King's Sacred Song Troupe's child. Maybe that's the important guest he's meeting."

"It's true that if he can see the future, he can easily find out where the Fan Union is, but if that's the case, he'd definitely meet Anos first. He's a king of a country, so he wouldn't be so rude... What?"

Misha pointed her finger. Sasha turned in that direction and saw a circular stage.

We walked the same path, but it wasn't there when we came. A familiar melody faintly reached our ears.

"Hey... I have a bad feeling about this..."

The song was the Demon King's Praise Song No. 6 "Neighbor". A solemn tune accompanied the Demon King Academy students as they ascended the stage in unison.

"W, what are they doing... ?"

The dragon people who were passing by started to look at the stage curiously.

"What... what is this? A performance?"

"Why are they building something so obstructive in the middle of the road..."

"Music? Maybe those Jiordal people are here?"

"Oh dear. They don't seem to know where they are. They're spreading their teachings in Agatha's capital. There's no way they'll get away with it. The palace knights should be here soon."

It was too conspicuous, so all the Agatha's people were glaring at the stage unpleasantly.

Just then—

A dragon roar echoed, and a flock of thirty white dragons appeared in the sky. Knights in red armor were riding on their backs.

"Speaking of the devil,"

"Alright, it's the Dragon Knights led by Nate-sama! Those Jiordal people are in for a rough time!"

The white dragon flock flew low over the street, and the knights jumped off.

Thirty of them in total. Their formation was impeccable, even their walk was synchronized.

"Halt, all units!"

The man at the front raised his hand, and the Dragon Knights stopped with their feet perfectly aligned.

Nate, is it? He had his hair slicked back and had sharp eyes.

"He has strong magic power..."

Misha muttered. Even though he was suppressing it, it was obvious to anyone.

"......It's not just magic power... What is this? Even though he's this far away, it feels like he's about to cut me..."

The one who leads the Dragon Knights must be another Child dragon, a Dragon Knight.

"Has permission been granted for a performance on the street today?"

"Yes! There is no permission for a performance! There was no application either!"

A man who seemed to be his second-in-command answered Nate's question.

"Should we arrest them immediately?"

"Don't be hasty. Sacred songs are the teachings of Jiordal. If they're church members, we don't know what they're up to. Let's observe them first. Keep an eye on them and wait! Listen closely! Don't miss anything, not just their songs, but their every move!"

"Yes!"

The Dragon Knights watched the Demon King's Sacred Song Troupe. The girls, unaware of this, began to sing.

"Ah, God♪ I, didn't, know, there, was, a, world, like, this, ~~~ ♪♪"

"「「「Quick, Quick, Quick, Woo♪」」」"

Nate's eyebrows moved up and down slightly.

"Don't open it♪"

"「Uuu-u♪」"

In unison with the Sacred Song Troupe's singing, all the Demon King Academy students performed a flawless choreography.

"Don't open it♪"

"「Uuu-u♪」"

They were demonstrating the results of their practice; they were delivering affectionate punches, "「「「Sepp!」」」".

"Don't open it, that is the Forbidden Gate♪"

The Dragon Knights were glued to the Sacred Song Troupe's singing and the choreography the students were performing, their faces expressing a mixture of awe and disbelief.

"It doesn't seem like they have any magic power. It's just singing and dancing. Seems like they're just traveling performers, not Jiordal missionaries. If so, we'll just give them a stern warning."

Nate analyzed the situation. For a while, they listened to the Demon King's Sacred Song Troupe.

Their formation was perfect. They just had to stand by, but their formation never broke, not a single knight moved.

But then, something strange happened to them.

"Uuu-u.."

Nate turned to his subordinates.

"Who spoke just now?"

No one answered his sharp question.

"Are you trying to feign ignorance? I clearly heard someone say "Uuu-u♪" just now. A knight saying "Uuu-u♪"? How can you protect the country in times of trouble if you act like that!?"

Nate glared at his knights with anger.

"If you have a knight's pride, come forward."

Then, one man raised his hand. It was the second-in-command.

"You? Goldo."

"......I, I apologize, Captain Nate."

"Why did you do that?"

Second-in-command Goldo remained silent, hesitating to answer.

"I asked why you said "Uuu-u♪"? Answer."

"I, I don't know. Something felt strange in my body... I was listening to that song, the melody that felt like it was pushing my body up and down, and I naturally started humming it."

"Nonsense. What do you mean, "a melody that felt like it was pushing my body up and down"? You're bringing disgrace to the knight's honor."

"Yes! I apologize!"

Nate clenched his fist.

"Clench your teeth. I'll discipline you."

"Yes! Please!"

The second-in-command stood at attention, stiff as a board.

Just then—

"Ah, God♪ I, didn't, know, there, was, a, world, like, this, ~~~ ♪♪"

"「「「Quick, Quick, Quick, Woo♪」」」"

Nate's fist and the Demon King Academy students' fists were thrown out at the same time.

The Dragon Knight said,

"Sepp!"

Nate's fist hit the second-in-command's cheek.

The disciplined second-in-command, the disciplining Nate, and the rest of the Dragon Knights present. Everyone was wearing a look of disbelief.

"Captain, just now..."

"Did... you say "Sepp...?"

Nate's stern face twitched.

"Impossible... What in the world am I..."

Nate put his hands behind his back and stood at attention.

"Discipline me!"

"Yes!"

The second-in-command punched Nate. He immediately turned his gaze to the Demon King's Sacred Song Troupe.

"Why...?"

Nate's body trembled uncontrollably. No, it wasn't just him. The entire Dragon Knights were no longer able to maintain their upright posture and began to shake uncontrollably.

"I am a Dragon Knight, a hero who will protect Agatha on the Day of Calamity! Yet, what is this overwhelming urge?! What is this song?! The more I try to control myself, the more I can't stop the tears...!"

Before he knew it, Nate was crying uncontrollably without knowing why.

"Ee, strange singers! I thought you had no magic power, but this is a demonic song that undermines the morale of our knights. I'm going to catch those bastards! We knights cannot succumb to such a song!"

All the Dragon Knights aligned their steps and marched straight towards the stage.

"W, wait, that's, no way, that's bad! We have to stop them and apologize, this is beyond a commotion! It's going to be a big deal!"

Sasha, who was about to run off in a panic, was stopped by my hand.

"Hmm, he's unreadable."

"Unreadable? What are you talking about...? We have to stop them, quickly?!"

"Don't worry."

Sasha was confused.

"W, why?"

"Just watch—"

As the music continued, the Demon King's Sacred Song Troupe split into two. Between them, a man walked up confidently.

Scarlet knight armor. His long hair and well-groomed beard were striking.

His presence exuded a sense of gravity unique to those who have lived for an eternity. He stood with his legs apart, as if gathering strength in his dantian, and opened his mouth wide.

Then, in a deep voice, he sang loudly.

"Ah, God♪ I, didn't, know, there, was, a, world, like, this, ~~~ ♪♪"

"「「「Quick, Quick, Quick, Woo♪」」」"

The Demon King's Sacred Song Troupe and the Demon King Academy students joined in with "Quick".

"That's Agatha's Sword Emperor—"

Diedrich suddenly punched.

"Don't enter♪"

"『『『Sepp!』』』"

Right then, left then. A powerful punch that echoed across the earth was delivered along with his deep singing voice.

"Don't enter♪"

"『『『Sepp!』』』"

He overlapped both fists, as if a beast was devouring its prey, and punched.

"Don't enter, that is the Forbidden Key♪"

"『『『Sepp, Sepp, Sepp!!!』』』"

With a smirk, he had a bold, gritty smile and looked at the people and the Dragon Knights, who were directly under his command.

"——I am Diedrich Kreutzen Agatha, the Prophet."

"This is amazing."

Diedrich stamped his foot and struck a strong pose.

"......That is... really, that weird... that is...???"

Sasha stared at Diedrich, who was singing enthusiastically with his own original choreography, with a look of confusion.

"......Such a... magnificent... king...?"

The "Demon Eye of Destruction", which she should have been able to control, appeared in Sasha's eyes. It was that much suspicion, that much doubt.

"That is... King Diedrich..."

Dragon Knight Nate murmured, his eyes wide with astonishment.

"It's true... There's no mistaking it, it's Lord Dieldrich..."

"Then, is this King Diedrich's event!?"

"That person is mischievous... He should have told us."

"But what is the purpose...?"

The knights unsheathed their swords and bowed their heads, as a sign of respect.

"Listen, people of Agatha!"

Diedrich shouted in a bold voice during the interlude.

"These people have come from the surface. The Demon King of Dilhade has kept his promise with me and sent the Sacred Song Troupe. To be frank..."

He took a big step forward and pointed at the Sacred Song Troupe behind him with his thumb.

"This song is amazing."

The Demon King's Sacred Song Troupe's song began, and lyrics like "It's by the Devil's Hand♪" and "Ah♪ That's a Place of Unholiness♪" echoed through Agarofione.

Then, in sync with the song, Diedrich delivered a flawless punch. His technique was far superior to the Demon King Academy students.

He must have trained intensely for this day, having seen the future.

"I see... so that's it..."

Nate said.

"The way to live is in the enemy's heart! Don't fear the song, don't be consumed by it, but make it your own. Is that what the Sword Emperor is teaching?"

Dragon Knight Nate's eyes narrowed.

"That is the honor of a knight! As expected of the Sword Emperor Diedrich, the true knight of this Agatha!"

"......N, no, Captain Nate. I think you might be wrong..."

The second-in-command hesitantly raised a point.

"You fool! Are you questioning the Sword Emperor?! King Diedrich is a prophet, so there's no wasted movement, not even a little, in everything he does! Are you going to call our lord a mere jester because you can't see his true intentions?!"

"Yes, yes! I, I apologize... It's not like me..."

Nate shouted an order.

"All units, follow me! The Sword Emperor Dieldrich has shown us the way. He is the true knight, and everything he does leads to the way of the knight, the honor of the knight! Dance, sing!!! Our way of the knight is here!!!"

The Dragon Knights, with serious expressions, charged toward the stage.

"......King Diedrich's prank and Captain Nate's extreme earnestness are admirable, but we can't let the captain be the only one embarrassed."

"Haha, that's true. This kind of chivalry is good once in a while."

"Also, it's different from the Jiordal's songs. It's not just praying to God, but it's a song about reaching out and understanding your neighbor."

"Yeah, it touches your heart. I didn't know a world like this existed. It's the same as our teachings. It's not about believing only in prophecy, but about overcoming it someday. That's the kind of song it is."

"Hahaha, as King Diedrich said, it's amazing! There's no song or choreography more fitting for us knights!"

The Dragon Knights united, improvised choreography, and reveled in the sounds of the Demon King's Sacred Song Troupe. Their cheerful voices attracted more and more dragon people to the street.

"People of Agatha, let's have some fun today! Put down your swords and clench your fists. Punch, punch, punch as much as you want!!!"

As if it were a signal for battle, a roar befitting a knight, "WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!", echoed in the sky of Agarofione.