Bijo to Kenja to Majin no Ken

"How well does Kay know about Redmond?

That was a terminal question.

Besides, you can easily imagine the answer Kay should give back when you make such an inquiry.

Because no matter how much Kay knows about Redmond, he must understand less than Celestia.

So Celestia asks this question assuming the words Kay will answer.

With that in mind, Kay decided to honestly follow the guidance and return the answer exactly as she wished.

"I can say that I know almost nothing (...).

While Ceres was being discreetly disposed of at the Royal Palace, it was somewhat of a conversation.

Just... "

Celestia looks at him as if to encourage him to talk, when Kay cuts the words out of his mind.

After crossing her gaze silently, Kay spun (tweezed) the words out.

"Though it turned out to be the end of the day, he seemed serious about Ceres, who was cautious.

At least I think you really had the feeling of trying to rescue Ceres from an irrational ruling, not a lie "

But unfortunately, the words didn't seem to give Celestia any special emotion.

Those words Kay conveyed might have originally been included in the answers she imagined.

Celestia gave him a smiling look just a little bit and he breathed out a small breath before starting to speak to Kay.

"Redmond is...

Redmond was a knight who should normally have been elected head of the Western Knights in my place.

It's not simply a sword arm or a strength of power.

At the same time he was a knight of excellence - a man of spirituality. "

Celestia talked that far, trying to hold her knees in and leaning (scratching) her neck.

The appearance also seems to hold back the overflowing emotions.

"Although my age is not ten years different from mine, he already held the position of Knight Commander by the time I was welcomed into the Western Knights as a Knight.

Discipline and commandments are observed while having strict thought, and of course, faith in Clancy God is thick.

Competent existence as a knight who not only had trust from his subordinates but also from his superiors.

Intelligence, strength, loyalty - whichever way you take it, I think Redmond was more capable than me. "

Kay quietly took Celestia's word for it.

Her words contain perhaps humility -.

Kay thought so with certainty, but he won't be forced to return the word.

At least with Kay's discernment (status), Celestia's abilities were no worse than Redmond's.

On the other hand, it is merely a numerical (parameter) comparison.

And that didn't mean Redmond was incapable.

As far as Kay traces his memory, Redmond's ability is high enough compared to a common knight.

So it would be the right expression for the comparable Celestia to be too good (...) (...).

"But...

That Redmond also had one element (...) that unfortunately was not decisively enough "

"Missing elements?

As far as Kay remembers, there was no element in his condition (status) that reminded him of it.

Celestia moves her lips with a harsh look to the words Kay asked reflexively.

"-It's an identity (...)"

The words she uttered seemed to contain a voice color that would throw up somewhere.

Celestia's emotions surrounded by that tone somehow convey her own thoughts.

"I'm - I'm from a noble family, not to mention a region.

Redmond wasn't born into a common craftsman's house, though. "

"I see, your identity..."

Kay squeezed out his words as he roared so, he put his arms together and then sighed one.

He has never been strongly aware of the status system in this country (Harland) to this point.

Being unconscious must be happy in a way.

On the other hand, although the weight of the word cannot be felt, Kay can imagine it to some extent.

Something you can't help yourself with. A wall that cannot be exceeded...

Various descriptive words disappear in Kay's mind.

How does it feel to actually hit that wall -?

Though he has thought through it all, there may still be limits to imagination alone.

"Redmond had a good understanding of how hard he worked and how he could not hope for more status now because of his identity.

And with an understanding - and a strong sense of despair.

For example, in the Knights, civilians cannot become Knights Chiefs even if they can be Knights Chiefs.

That's why his position when I joined the army, the Knight Chief, would be the highest for practically any civilian.

- In other words, he was good, but therefore, he rose to a high position young. And as a result, there was a situation where, for a long time, (...) the land above (...) could not be (...).

Besides, he was a devout believer in Clancy. But he is also held back by the wall of identity in his doctrinal world.

The Church also has a rank that culminates in the Pope, and even the doctrinal world cannot be unrelated to this nation's identity system. In his mind when he found out about it - quite, there would have been something I thought. "

So Celestia cut the words and took one slow, deep breath.

As I miss the past a little, my expression looks soothing.

"Nevertheless, I trusted and even respected him for taking my days seriously.

Therefore, I think that he and I trusted each other, beyond the gender of man and woman - as one and the same companion.

Just... "

When she wrinkled between her eyebrows, she made it into words to spit out the scene she remembered.

"Since his trust as the same Knights grew, he gradually began to convey to me the discontent and dissatisfaction he had not spoken of until then.

Once he rarely drank alcohol, but the hoop (but) came off a little or exploded his emotions there.

At that time, he came desperately to complain. Such an identity system is wrong (...) and (...).

he said.

I thought people should be judged more essentially - "

Celestia stopped uttering words for a while when she talked that far.

After a little silence, she tends to lean over and continue her words.

"Me too...

I couldn't say it clearly on the spot, but honestly I felt the same way about him.

I had my doubts. I wonder if a country that cannot justify its abilities because of its identity can truly build a glorious future.

- But on the other hand, I am a knight to protect this country.

I pledge allegiance to my country and eat the country's locusts.

That's what I did to his appeal.

As a result, nothing could be done. "

Kay turns a labouring glance at the leaning Celestia.

She noticed it but smiled a little self-derisive.

"Since the day Redmond revealed his emotions, he has conveyed to me his opinions on what this country should do with every incident.

And Redmond - I think he despaired of me not trying to do anything, not being able to sue him.

Of course he treated me with courtesy.

But I couldn't do anything about his desperate appeal.

And he was completely turning away from the reality of his congested dissatisfaction.

He was unable to accept reality until he eventually bowed himself.

I couldn't even protect my most trusted men while I vowed to protect people in this country.

What is a knight when you can't even protect what you can reach with this hand -! "

Celestia leans down, trembling her clenched fist.

Kay just remained silent and stared at the side of her that seeped (into) her mouth.

"I was just drowning in my own abilities and caring for knights.

While dreaming of protecting the country and the people, the fruit of it, I could not even protect every one close to me.

If it's just an advertising tower - a decoration accompanied by a country, you can't help it.

After all, I was just a clown. "

She closed her eyes and exhaled a rough breath after telling her to throw it away.

Kay quietly opens her mouth as she foresees Celestia's breath settling.

"Ceres, don't carry all sorts of things too much.

People have their own thoughts, something they value.

From Redmond's point of view, Harland's system may have only been the subject of criticism.

But that might have meant something else to others.

Whatever excellence I am, I am thinking that if I look for it, it will have its faults.

The question is, after recognizing its shortcomings, what do you do (...)?

Will you make it up to me, or will you give up...

That's just a big decision, and sometimes if you talk to someone, they won't agree. "

Kay smiled, softly placing her hand on Celestia's shoulder.

Celestia slowly looks up to the feeling of healing her rough heart.

"So any good country has its drawbacks.

There must be a lot of flaws in Harland and Roar.

In the world I was in, for example, the identity system was basically abolished.

Everyone was supposed to be equal, no matter who they were.

- But in the end, various disparities exist.

Conversely, if we don't do that completely, we could lose the temper for people to work this time.

So there's a long and short for everything.

Moreover, "

Saying so much, Kay showed her white teeth and smiled flashly at her face.

Celestia's cheeks also loosen slightly in response to a suddenly brightened look.

"I think Ceres is protecting what's within reach.

At least I feel... protected by you, and I'm still protected by you. "

"Kay -"

I thought it was an obvious consolation.

But still comfortable for her now.

"Thank you, Kay.

In any case, I had a feeling it would turn out this way at the end of the day.

Plus - ugly enough, I had some relief knowing Redmond wasn't alive.

I would not have chosen the words to hang on him, even if I had met him alive.

I was wondering if I could hit him with a grudge - I even felt terrified.

If, on the other hand, I was exposed to emotions like that, I think I was relentlessly blamed for myself.

So I think I could definitely apologize to him for what I've done.

- But it won't happen again.

Redmond was gone, and I never heard a hard word.

I couldn't even apologize to him. My heart remains somewhere.

What I was trying to protect fell out of this hand.

And I'm back at my ugliness "

"Ceres, don't assume you can protect everything.

I'm sorry, but that's just a thought.

Neither I nor Ceres are gods. Interpretation, there are limits to what you can do.

That's why... "

Kay said so, putting his hands on Celestia's shoulders.

Turn her back towards herself and hang her words as she looks into those eyes.

The golden hair illuminated by the moonlight floated fantastically.

"Knowing its limits, Ceres - be confident.

You are strong. You're always protecting me.

You're not ugly.

You're always beautiful in my eyes. "

Kay thought this might be a cunning way to do it.

But I can't leave her like this.

I just thought I'd have to set her mind somewhere.

When Kay forcefully turns her arms around Celestia's back, she holds a body that feels more luxurious than she thought.

The armor of the Virgin (armor of the line) and the coat of judgment (the Judgment robe) came into contact, sounding a dry metal noise in the night sky.

Celestia, suddenly held tight, hurriedly tries to shake Kay's arm off.

But Kay tried his best to contain the resistance.

"Kay - No, please don't"

――――

Celestia slowly loosens her resistance as she vomits words of rejection.

Kay, too, loosened the force of his arm to match it, once again took the form of facing her.

Celestia can't look Kay straight in the face and squeals her words a little lean.

"I'm not sure - I'm not sure.

The fight is still good. I am able to find my own role.

But... "

That being said, Celestia turned away even more.

When Kay glances at that face, the more attractive it is, the cheeks are upbeat.

"Well, my attraction as a woman is - I don't think I'd be far away from Grace or Sylvia.

- When I decided to go for the knight, I thought that thinking I was a woman would lead to sweetness.

In fact, I didn't treat me as a woman, not just myself, but the people around me.

I didn't like it when people thought I was a woman. That's why I was comfortable being treated in the same line as a man.

- But I'm a little different now.

The real me here... "

That being said, Celestia looked up at Kay.

I still feel a beating so hard that my heart is going to come out of my mouth.

Celestia managed to fix her gaze, but she was again leaning down and whining her words so as to hide her reddish face.

"I'm a little happy that you treated me like a woman.

But the real me in front of you...

I feel inferior (...) to Grace and Sylvia even though there's no way I can win.

I don't - I don't like myself that ugly - "

"Ceres -!!"

Kay didn't wait for Celestia to reveal her words with courage.

Pulled her back into her chest.