The so-called “strategy” wasn’t anything grand.

All I really needed to know was that I would be fighting last.

The goal was to win the final battle without me ever having to step onto the field.

Apparently, since my reputation wasn’t the best, it would be better if I stayed out of the public eye as much as possible.

In other words, I was to be the final trump card, the hidden blade.

“I see.”

I nodded.

It was a reasonable approach.

But life rarely goes the way you plan.

I never imagined I’d fall off the Mist Cliff.

I never imagined the Heavenly Demon would be resurrected inside my head.

This was no different.

Contrary to the Black Prince’s expectations, our side could lose pathetically one after another.

If that happened, I would inevitably be called to fight.

What I had to do was simple.

Enter the field as the last participant—and wipe out every opponent that remained.

Walpole laid out the matchups, explaining dozens of possible outcomes and counter-strategies for each, but I only memorized the parts that mattered to me.

Complicated plans could always be boiled down to something simple, depending on how you looked at it.

“So basically, if things get messy, I just have to crush all the remaining bastards myself.”

Walpole hesitated, then gave a stiff nod.

“Uh… yes. To put it bluntly, that’s correct.”

I watched his helpless face, murmuring about how he could’ve saved himself the trouble of explaining everything in detail, and then I glanced at the clock.

The sun was still up.

The final battle would be tomorrow morning.

That meant there was still plenty of time.

And me? I’d always had a wanderer’s spirit.

My sister used to tell me I was born under a restless star.

Even back in Maia, I would finish a request, then roam about here and there before returning late.

The Captain once called me a stray dog.

My body was itching now—I couldn’t just sit still.

I felt like walking.

Preferably through unfamiliar streets, perhaps exploring the capital of another country.

“Hm.”

I rose casually from my seat, wandered over to the window, and looked out.

The streets below bustled with people.

A lively parade danced along to clamorous music, while food stalls lined the way, their goods looking especially delicious.

A festival, the Heavenly Demon murmured.

“Whoa…”

Walpole had sidled up beside me without my noticing.

“It’s the Holy Birth Festival,” he said.

“…The Holy Birth Festival?”

“Yes. A celebration of the birth of a new king. Since the current king has reigned for such a long time, it’s been ages since the last one. That’s probably why this festival is so extravagant. I’ve only ever heard of it—this is my first time seeing one myself.”

I tilted my head.

The struggle for the throne was merciless.

When one side won, the other inevitably lost.

The victor gained everything, while the loser lost it all.

And yet… a festival?

Did the winner gain even the right to celebrate, while the loser could only taste ashes?

When I asked, Walpole scratched his head.

“I’m not entirely sure, but right after the final battle ends, the current king formally hands the crown to the next generation. The succession ceremony happens immediately after the contest for the throne concludes.”

“Immediately? They just hand over the throne like that? Isn’t that a bit rushed?”

“It’s more of a symbolic act, I believe. The official coronation follows later.”

“Hm…”

Sweet as honey for the victor, cruel as hell for the defeated.

Everyone’s attention focused solely on the winner.

There was no place for the loser. The entire festival existed for the victor.

It seemed the whole city was meant to witness the decisive duel, cheer together, and then naturally acknowledge the new king’s reign by shouting his name in unison.

The crowd would simply be swept up in the atmosphere, chanting for the victor.

It was a coronation that cleverly leveraged mass psychology—turning heated excitement from the battle straight into acceptance of the throne.

A cunning way to consolidate royal authority.

Not that common folk cared who the king really was. They didn’t have the right to choose anyway.

…Useless thoughts.

I shut my eyes tightly, cutting them off.

Not my concern.

All I had to do was thrash the First Prince’s knights and use the teleportation circle afterward.

The master of the Demon Sword had been found, and Hans’ family was safe.

I had no more business here.

“Wow…”

I glanced beside me and saw Shushruta and Linda pressed up to the window too, their eyes sparkling.

The only one who hadn’t moved was Sir Fluffy, still immersed in his cultivation.

“Hm.”

No need to overthink it.

I’d always done things my own way.

I was a man as fickle as the wind.

I threw the window wide open and planted one foot on the sill.

“Hey! What are you doing?”

Walpole instantly grabbed my arm.

“The Black Prince told you to stay put!”

I looked down at Walpole’s hand on my side.

“Sir Walpole, you’re far too naïve. Do you really think I’d obediently do as he says?”

“If you go out now, your identity could be exposed! The First Prince’s men might send assassins!”

“Good. I’ll consider it a warm-up.”

Realizing words wouldn’t work, Walpole called for help.

“Don’t just stand there! Grab him!”

Shushruta and Linda, who had been watching blankly, were startled by his urging and grabbed me—but their grip was weak, as if they weren’t really trying.

“I’ve never seen a festival before…” Shushruta muttered.

“Devil, can I go with you too?” Linda asked.

Walpole groaned.

“You people can’t be serious…”

Just then, voices and footsteps approached from outside the door.

It burst open, and I turned my head.

I was still half-leaning out the window when my eyes met those of the Black Prince himself.

“….”

“….”

We stared silently for a moment.

He was the first to speak.

“Where are you going?”

“Just out for a little look around.”

“I told you to stay quiet. You agreed.”

“But this is a festival. That changes things.”

“….”

His gaze sharpened.

“You think now is the time for sightseeing?”

“Why not? I’ve got nothing else to do.”

“Speak sense.”

With a weary look, he swept his hair back and scolded me.

“Don’t be deluded. This is the site of the decisive battle. This place seethes with schemes and plots. Does that look like a festival to you? To me it looks like beasts waiting to tear into the corpse of the loser.”

I clicked my tongue.

“Paranoid much.”

He ignored me and pressed on.

“To me it looks like the jaws of a monster. Step into that crowd, and a hidden blade will stab you from the mob.”

“I’ll just step out for a bit.”

“You never know what you’ll get dragged into. An ambush could come from anywhere. Stay put.”

The way he kept talking down to me like a superior was starting to piss me off.

“You seem confused. I’m not your retainer. I’m not your knight. Do you really think I’ll stay put just because you say so?”

“…I told you to stay quiet.”

“And I told you I won’t.”

We glared at each other, two predators ready to pounce.

At that moment, the Count stepped in.

“Then why not have him go with Captain Ashley?”

Ashley, who had been silent at the side, jumped in surprise.

“Huh? Me?”

Ignoring him, the Count addressed the Black Prince.

“What do you say? No matter what we tell him, Lord Ashuban will do as he pleases anyway.”

“…Haa.”

The Black Prince let out a long sigh, as heavy as the shadows under his eyes.

Again, not my concern.

“…Fine. Then Lady Ashley will accompany the Devil. Don’t wander too far, and if he tries anything reckless, restrain him.”

“W-wait, what?!” Ashley stammered.

“And if you go out like that, people will recognize you. You’ll need a disguise, or it’ll turn into chaos. Surely even you wouldn’t want that.”

I nodded.

“No problem. Just give me a black strip of cloth. Cover my eyes and I’ll be fine.”

“That could work, but… sightseeing with your eyes covered?”

“What’s it to you? My eyes, my choice. I’ll see with my heart.”

“….”

The Black Prince shook his head in disbelief.

I looked around at the people who had crowded into the room and asked—

“By the way, what’s with the crowd? Did you all rush over because you expected me to bolt in search of freedom?”

“As if.”

The Black Prince flicked a glance at Linda beside me.

“We need a poison expert.”

“Ah.”

I could guess why.

They needed someone to check whether the food was poisoned—or, conversely, to poison the other side’s.

I looked at Linda.

“Linda.”

“Mm?”

“Go help them. Do as you’re told.”

She whined like a child.

“I wanted to go with the Devil…”

I shot Shushruta a sidelong look, then asked Linda,

“First time seeing a festival too?”

“Mhm.”

Come to think of it, everyone here was new to festivals.

Myself included. Walpole had said he’d never seen one in person; Shushruta and Linda hadn’t either.

Birds of a feather. A bunch of people who had lived boring lives, all lumped together.

I stared at the bright green crown of Linda’s bowed head.

What kind of life has she lived?

When I looked at her, I always felt as if I were facing the purest form of malice—like watching a laughing child press down and kill ants.

Kidnapping strangers and torturing them to death with poison was unforgivable, of course. But I still wondered what had driven her to such things.

How had she gone mad? Why did she wander in search of a friend who could withstand poison?

I suspected her past was as tumultuous as mine and Shushruta’s.

Was there ever a villain without a story?

I had my own story too.

Who was I to judge anyone?

If we were simply tallying sins, I had likely killed far more.

It was just a stray thought.

“Next time.”

“Huh?”

Linda looked up at me, eyes bright and blinking.

“Not today. We’ll go next time.”

“Really?”

I turned to the Black Prince.

“Does the festival end with the final battle?”

He answered with a cutting sneer.

“No. The crowd will want time to gnaw the loser’s corpse.”

I faced Linda again.

“You heard him. The festival continues after it’s over. If you behave, we’ll go together then.”

“Yay!”

Linda bounced in place, thrilled.

“But.”

“But?”

“If you mess with our side’s food—or don’t listen—there won’t be a next time. Understood?”

“U-uh…”

At my warning, she wilted at once and tugged timidly at my sleeve.

“Okay, Devil. Don’t be mad.”

Shushruta snickered at her.

“Ahaha! Good luck with that. I, meanwhile, will enjoy the festival with Ashuban to my heart’s content.”

“You too.”

“Hm?”

“You’re staying with Linda. Keep her from doing anything stupid.”

“W-what?”

Shushruta’s eyes went wide, like a man betrayed by his closest ally.

“And since assassins might try to break in, your ears will be useful. You’re staying.”

With Sir Curtis absent, Linda naturally fell under Shushruta’s watch.

She was the only one who could keep her in line right now.

The alley cat protested.

“Why me! I want to see the festival with you!”

“Shh.”

“I want to—”

“Shh.”

“…”

After sending off the obedient little mutt and the unruly alley cat to the Black Prince’s side, Walpole spoke up.

“Then I’ll escort the two of you.”

The Count promptly claimed him.

“Sir, a word. There’s something only you can do.”

“M-me? Only me?”

“Yes. Only you.”

“Wait, how would I…”

As the Count led Sir Walpole away, he shot me a quick wink.

Before I knew it, only the flustered Captain was left at my side, snapping his head left and right like a startled bird.

…That meddling matchmaker of a Count.

Even here, he couldn’t help himself.

The Heavenly Demon chuckled low.

That expression is priceless.

The Black Prince ripped the outer layer of his black cloak and tossed it to me, settling the matter.

“Very well. You two, follow along.”

“Ashuban…”

“Shh.”

“…”

Everyone trooped out after the Black Prince, leaving only Sir Ashley—still stammering “Huh? Huh?”—and me.

Ah, and Sir Fluffy, still submerged in his cultivation. He didn’t care who came or went, completely absorbed in his own world.

I looked at him a moment, then tied the black strip of cloth over my eyes.

“Well then. Shall we?”

“Huh?”

With my eyes covered, I set one foot on the wide-open window sill.

“Let’s go see the festival.”

“Wait—why the window when there’s a perfectly good door—”

“Because I feel like it.”

“Huh?”

“That’s romance.”

“...Even so, with your eyes covered you can’t see—this is dan—”

“You talk too much.”

Before she could finish, I took Sir Ashley by the arm and leaned us both out the window.

“W-wait—!”

The instant we cleared the sill, we lost our balance and tipped forward into the open air.

“Ahahaha!”

A fresh wind tore through my hair.

As I pulled her close, we fell back-first into the rush of air beyond the window, and her face—framed by a wild spray of golden hair—filled my obscured sight.

“A-aahhh!”

Just as the Heavenly Demon said, her expression was quite a sight.

(End of Chapter)

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