The End

Calca's fingers lightly rubbed against the tablecloth beneath the table.

When she heard that answer, a strange feeling welled up within her.

It was neither gratitude nor suspicion, but envy.

As the Holy Queen, she had sworn to bring happiness to the weak and build a nation where no one would weep.

But that goal was too vast, too distant. Every day, she fought against all kinds of resistance, struggling between compromise and perseverance.

Yet when the man before her said that humans should have better lives, his tone was as casual as if he were commenting on the nice weather.

Was it because he was strong enough that he did not need to consider all that filthy politics and compromise?

Or was it because...

He simply did not care?

"Mr. Higashino."

Kelart spoke again, and this time, her smile became a little more pronounced.

"I heard that you once told Pabel Baraja that the essence of a paladin is protection, not a weapon."

"That's right. But the paladins I mean are somewhat different from what you understand."

Higashino Makoto nodded, making no attempt to deny it.

"To you, a paladin is a profession. But to me, a paladin represents a sacred and noble knight. In fact, it is closer to what you call a hero."

"That perspective... is quite interesting."

Kelart raised her wineglass and took a small sip.

"But you should also know that in the Holy Kingdom, or in the eyes of most countries, they would likely be unable to accept what you said."

"Their refusal to accept it does not necessarily make them right," Higashino Makoto said.

Kelart's brows rose slightly.

"Then what does Mr. Higashino believe is right?"

"Being able to protect what you want to protect is right."

Higashino Makoto's calm gaze met Kelart's directly.

"A sword, a bow, magic, fists—it makes no difference. The tools are unimportant. What matters is the result."

Kelart fell silent.

She looked into those black eyes, trying to find some trace of hypocrisy, affectation, or deliberateness within them.

But she found nothing.

Those eyes were too calm, calm like a pool of stagnant water.

That calmness made her feel a hint of unease.

How could someone with that kind of power have no desire for authority, status, or wealth?

Unless what he possessed had already far surpassed such worldly things.

"Mr. Higashino."

Calca's voice interrupted Kelart's thoughts.

"I would like to ask a somewhat personal question."

"Please."

"Why did you choose to be alone? With your strength, it should be easy for you to establish your own faction if you wished."

Higashino Makoto was silent for a moment.

"I have my own faction," he finally said.

"It just isn't in the Holy Kingdom, nor is it in this northwestern corner of the continent."

Not in the Holy Kingdom?

Calca frowned slightly.

"Then you..."

"I did not bring all the people under that faction with me because I did not want to make things too complicated."

Higashino Makoto's tone remained calm.

"Rita and I are enough."

Remedios frowned once more.

"Enough."

What was enough?

She increasingly felt that there was something wrong with the way this man spoke.

It was not that he was dishonest, but that he was too honest.

So honest that it made people afraid to believe him.

"One last question."

Remedios set down her spoon, folded her hands on the table, and fixed Higashino Makoto with her sharp eyes.

"Mr. Higashino, what is your attitude toward demi-humans?"

The atmosphere at the dining table suddenly grew tense.

This was the most crucial question of them all.

The Holy Kingdom had been at war with demi-human races for years. The paladins' hands were stained with demi-human blood, and the demi-humans likewise hated the humans of the Holy Kingdom to the bone.

There was no room for compromise on this matter.

Higashino Makoto looked at Remedios and slowly spoke.

"If demi-humans threaten human lives, I will eliminate them without hesitation."

Remedios's gaze softened slightly.

"But if they pose no threat to humans,"

Higashino Makoto continued.

"I would generally choose not to interfere."

"Even if they are demi-humans?" Remedios pressed.

"Even if they are demi-humans."

Higashino Makoto nodded.

"Race is not an original sin; actions are. Of course, when their actions are roughly the same, I have no reason not to favor humans."

Remedios fell silent.

Her beliefs did not align with Higashino Makoto's.

She could kill any demi-human child without hesitation, even an unarmed infant.

She had never regretted it, nor had she ever doubted that her actions were just.

But...

"Mr. Higashino, your answer is very candid," Remedios finally said, her voice somewhat gentler than before.

"Although I do not entirely agree, I respect your view."

"That is enough."

Higashino Makoto smiled faintly.

As Calca watched their exchange, an indescribably complicated emotion welled up within her.

Remedios was the commander of knights she trusted most. Stubborn and inflexible by nature, she rarely said anything like respecting another person's views.

Yet this Higashino Makoto had managed it with only a few words.

"Hehehe..."

Kelart's laughter rang out again, sounding more natural than before.

"Your Majesty the Holy Queen, it seems Mr. Higashino is someone worthy of our trust."

"I think so too."

Calca nodded.

She raised her wineglass.

"Mr. Higashino, welcome to the Holy Kingdom. May your goodwill bring true peace to this land."

Higashino Makoto raised his glass and lightly clinked it against hers.

"May the people of the Holy Kingdom never have to live in fear."

The clear chime of clinking glasses echoed through the reception hall.

Rita still stood quietly behind Higashino Makoto, her crimson eyes observing everything.

A faint smile rested on her lips.

The dinner continued.

Dish after dish was brought out, while the conversation shifted from probing questions to more relaxed small talk.

Calca asked Higashino Makoto what sort of food he liked, and he replied that he was not particularly picky about what he ate.

Remedios asked Higashino Makoto what kind of weapon he used, and he said he was skilled with a lance.

Kelart asked Higashino Makoto whether he had a god he believed in, and he said he had no faith.

That final answer left all three women stunned for a moment.

A holy knight with no faith?

In the Holy Kingdom, that was almost unimaginable.

But Higashino Makoto's expression was too calm—so calm that no one could question him.

By the time the banquet ended, it was nearly midnight.

Higashino Makoto rose to his feet and once again gave Calca a knight's salute.

"Thank you for your hospitality, Your Highness the Holy Queen. I enjoyed our conversation tonight."

"We should be the ones thanking you."

Calca stood as well, sincerity glimmering in her blue eyes.

"Mr. Higashino, I hope that during your time in the Holy Kingdom, you will be able to feel the warmth of this land."

"I will."

Higashino Makoto turned, and Rita opened the door to the reception room for him.

The two figures disappeared through the doorway.

Only the three women remained in the reception room.