Chivalry of a Failed Knight Volume 10

That was widely transmitted as a children’s story and as history, and raised the strong
and hard as iron loyalty.
『We are one nation, we are one family』
When did that happen?
During a casual conversation in the dorm, and when Vermillion became a topic, Stella
had confessed that that was the relationship between the royal family and the people.
All the people loved the royal family and the royal family also loved such people by
spreading out a good government.
The strong wishes regarding Stella’s national defense were probably also the
foundation of those feelings.
Ikki also was capable of even knowing that as general knowledge.
He understood that the royal family and the citizens were closer than any ordinary
nation.
However――
Notwithstanding, he was overwhelmed by the sight that jumped in the moment he got
off the airplane.

『『『〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜！！！！』』』

The very instant he took a step and walked under the sunlight of summer and his eyes
were dazzled by it from inside the airplane.
Ikki was kind of surprised for a moment, then looked towards the point where the
shock had soared.
And there,
『Stella-sama! Welcome home〜〜〜〜〜〜〜!』

『Your combat training is much appreciated――――!』
『Kyaa! Stella-chan! Your matches were very cooool!』
There were people.
Hundreds of people were just filling altogether the site of the government-dedicated
airport.
The shock just now was their cheers.
- Everyone――――! I’m ba――――!
Stella shook her hand and returned those words while showing a lot of surprise to the
beyond-the-norm cheers.
The excitement of the people gathered here skyrocketed.
The cheers that pretty much shook the earth raised.
And then, the interest of the crowd reached Ikki who stood next to Stella.
『Ah! That’s the boy I saw on TV!』
『That’s the guy who defeated Stella-hime!』
『That means he’s Stella-chan’s fiancée, right!?』
『No way, he’s quite attractive, isn’t he?』
『He looks amiable, completely different from the time of the match』
『He came to greet the King as he promised!』
『Welcome to the Empire of Vermillion!』
『『『Welcome――――!』』』
Hundreds of thousands of cheers and gazes leapt at him.
He experienced a big stage like the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival, but this wasn’t the
case.

Ikki didn’t know what to do, so he waved his hand, imitating Stella for now.
And then,

『『『 〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜！！！！』 』』

The crowd returned cheers and applauses in response to what Ikki returned.
(U-uwaa… this is really embarrassing…)
Although he was born in a distinguished family, Ikki, who was treated rudely, was
hopelessly bad at this kind of situations.
He showed his gratitude to others.
I’m probably not such praiseworthy person, he eventually ended up thinking so.
- Stella-sama. Kurogane-sama. A welcoming car has come below here. Please be
careful of your feet when descending.
- Thank you. It was a very enjoyable trip.
They thanked the crew members that saw them off and descended the stairs covered
with the same deep red carpet when the two had departed.
Below the stairs a pure-white luxury car stood there.
The car was appreciated as Ikki wanted to escape from the gazes’ concentrated fire
quickly.
Then, at that moment.
Without waiting for the two to arrive, the passenger seat’s door of the courtesy car was
opened.
Thereupon, a petite, long waved, peach blonde woman got out of the car and looked
upward,

- Welcome back. Stella-chan.
She welcomed Stella’s return home with a gentle smile on her childish shaped face.
- Eh…! You came to pick me up!?
Stella, next to him, raised a surprised voice and ran down the stairs in one go, stood in
front of her and held her hands.
Reacting to this, the woman grasped back the hands of Stella,

- Of course. Now that I can see Stella-chan after several months〜.

- Thank you! I also wanted to see you!!
They were delightedly meeting again, and smiled together.
The pigment of that little girl’s hair was slightly light, but the smile that made her
cheeks became softer with『bonya』was exactly like Stella’s smile when she was off
guard.
She looked very young, but… was she the first princess or something?
When Ikki stood idly while thinking about the figures of the two intimate girls, Stella
guessed the left-behind state of Ikki and said to him.
- Ah, I’m sorry, Ikki! I’ll introduce her to you! She’s my mother!



- Eh!? Your mother!?
Is she the same type of monster as Saikyou-sensei?

When he thought such rude thing in his mind,

- You are Kurogane Ikki-san, yes? Nice to meet you〜. I’m Astraea Vermillion, mother
of Stella Vermillion〜. I hope we can get along〜.

When Astraea finished her self-introduction with a calm tone of voice, she bowed
facing Ikki.

Before she finished her bowing, and while he felt it was an oversight of his, Ikki also
bowed, panicking a lot.

- Ah, I appreciate your politeness…! I am Kurogane Ikki! Thank you for inviting me
today…! I will be indebted to you during summer vacation…!

- Fufufu, you’re a very polite boy, so different from the powerful image I saw on TV〜.
Your aunt like those kind of boys〜.

- Okaa-sama also watched the broadcast?

- But of course. I also ended up watching the finals of the Seven Stars Sword Art
Festival on TV〜. To be honest, I was surprised because I didn’t think that Stella-chan
would lose. You’re veeery strong〜.

- No, that’s… it was very, very close. That match.

- Whether it’s a complete victory or a narrow victory, it was your win, no?

Astraea said so and firmly grabbed the hand of Ikki.

And then, she put nothing but her thanks in her voice,

- Ikki-san. Thank you very much. For competing to that level with Stella-chan. It was
the first time that Stella-chan fought with so much fun. … There was no one in
Vermillion or in the neighboring country Kledelland who could keep up with Stella-
chan’s strength. … I was a little worried about sending my daughter alone to a foreign

country, but she was able to find such a wonderful boyfriend so it was right to make
her go to Japan.
The hand that grasped him, her expression, her voice. From all of them, it was
transmitted to Ikki that Astraea’s thanks weren’t on the surface but they were indeed
from the bottom from her heart.
As Stella said, it seemed that her mother supported her actions and decisions.
Ikki was relieved in regard to this, and he also returned his thanks with a tense-free
smile.
- Thank you very much. Since I also got the chance to meet Stella, fell in love with her
and could fight to that extent.
- Fufu. You pass, and more than twice*.

*TN: An expression it’s used here (倍率ドンさらに倍), I think it comes from a TV show called “Quiz Derby” now
I don’t have the slightest idea if that’s correct or what truly means.

(It came here, the strong distinctive body odor of a middle-aged person…!)
- Hey, Okaa-sama. Did Okaa-sama watch the match together with Otou-sama?

- Of course. Luna-chan too, the whole family was rooting for you〜

- I’m glad! Then Otou-sama also knows that Ikki is strong! That’s a good thing, Ikki.
With this, your rank shouldn’t be an obstacle.
But to these few words of Stella,

- Ah〜… I woo〜nder about thaat…

Astraea displayed a skeptical opinion, looking troubled.
- I wonder? What do you mean?

- Because papa didn’t see that match till the end〜.

- W-why!? His job got in the way or something?

- That’s not it〜, he saw till the middle of it, I think? Right when Ikki-san slashed the
abdomen of Stella-chan〜. He was foaming when he saw that and remained fainted for
three days or so〜. Since he was going to move the army to declare war on Japan as
soon as he woke up, both mama and Dandalion-san calmed him down〜.

-…

Ikki lost his words and complexion due to the excessively convincing reasons.

- What’s with that? How can he be so exaggerated, when I was barely cut?

Stella was incensed while saying so next to him, but that response wasn’t to the degree
that she was barely cut.

It was a fatal wound, a “break up match” would have been set if wasn’t due to Stella
being capable of having a high level self-regeneration.

If he were looking at his own daughter in such state, then fainting would be a natural
reaction.

- Ah, come to think of it, I just remembered with papa’s story just now, but papa said
he wants to have a family meeting with everyone for a moment before meeting Ikki-
san.

- Huuh? And why?

- Because he wants to hear all about Ikki-san from Stella-chan〜. If he were to look at
his face without knowing anything about him now, then a proper decision can’t be
made. … I wonder though. I think it’s not a bad conversation for Ikki-san. Though he
will have to wait in the guest room for a while〜.

- Sure. I am fine with it.

Ikki returned an immediate reply.

He decided there was no reason to refuse.

He didn’t want to die young in the lands of a foreign country.

- Sorry, Ikki. Otou-sama came up with a selfish thing.

- Don’t worry. I mean, he would feel at ease when some things about me are conveyed
by Stella rather than me facing him all of a sudden.

- Got it! I’ll embellish, or perhaps I should say that I’ll rapidly convince him like a jet
engine about the wonderful things of Ikki!

- D-don’t rise his expectations too much, alright…?

Thus, when the conversation was settled, Astraea recommended the two to seat in the
back seats.

A middle-aged woman with a good physique appeared from the crowd that kept silent
to not disturb their conversation until now and proposed to the three of them.

- Hey, hey. I’ve been hearing your conversation from a while ago. If groom-san is
going to be free, then would you like us to show the imperial capital to groom-san in
the meanwhile? What do you say? In fact, we’ve been preparing for their homecoming
and we wanted to teach a lot of things about the city and the country to Stella-chan’s
darling. Of course, if you don’t feel like it, then we won’t insist…

At the suggestion of the middle-aged woman, the crowd behind her showed interesting
reactions such as『It sounds good, isn’t it!?』and『Say yes!』.

That was the same for Stella.

- Yana-san, that’s a very good idea! Please accept it, Ikki!

Yana seemed to be the name of the middle-aged woman.

Once her name came out, they began to talk, he was able to see that they had a close
relationship.

In that case, there was no problem in trusting in her.

Ikki concluded so,

- Yeah. Then I accept your offer, I will be under your care.

He accepted Yana’s proposal.
For Ikki, it felt more significant to look around the city where his lover was born rather
than just waiting in the castle.
- Well then〜 You’ll be contacted by Stella-chan once the family meeting is over〜, so
until then, please enjoy sightseeing in Vermillion, Ikki-san〜.

- Everyone! I entrust Ikki to you!
『『『Yesーーーー！』』』

Thus, the Princess and the Empress of Vermillion entrusted Ikki to the crowd and
headed to the castle first.
Ikki gave his thanks to Yana and the crowd again once they saw off the car.
- Err, Yana-san, was it? Thank you for your kind suggestion. It really helped me
because I wouldn’t able to calm myself down while waiting alone in an unknown
castle.
Towards that, Yana and the crowd showed a grin on their whole face,
- No, no, don’t give your thanks. We don’t want to hear it.

- Eh?
The warmth in Yana’s voice vanished abruptly.
And then, in front of Ikki who was bewildered by her change of tone, the crowd
jostling in the runway of the government airport suddenly out of nowhere and at the
same time took out things with nails nailed on top of rectangular lumber, spades, hoes
and takaedakiris*

*TN: 高枝切ばさみ is the complete name of the object, I don’t think it has a translation outside of Japan, but I
could be wrong.

(… huh?)

The understanding of Ikki couldn’t naturally keep up with their actions.
He stood still, dumbfounded, without knowing at all what they intended to do with
those things,

- Well then, we’ll be rapidly guiding groom-san. ――To the deep sea of the German
Sea!

- Uwaaaaaaa!?!?
When a metal bat was swooped down above his head, Ikki finally took an evasive
action and got aware of the malicious intent that was directed at him as well as his
own critical situation.
*Clank*! The metal bat that made a sound broke the runway.
(W-w-whaaaaaaat!?!?)
――They were serious.
He didn’t know the reason why, but they seriously attacked him, there was no doubt.
But, why on earth!?
- Wai, eh, wait a moment! Why are you doing this!?
When Ikki threw that question,
『Don’t make fun of us! You playboy bastard!』
『A guy acting as if he was her boyfriend appears shamelessly! Were you thinking that
such information wasn’t going to be transmitted to this rural country!?』
『You’re well known in the news for being an infamous rascal in Japan!』
『You’re just pretending, you enticed the innocent Stella-chan to love you with just a
fight!』

『Don’t you dare to disgrace our precious and important Ohime-sama!』

『You fucker, don’t you dare to think you can escape alive from Vermillionnnnnn!!!!!
』

The crowd made their eyes became bloodshot and attacked Ikki from all directions to
crush him to death.

Ikki realized their words and their actions.

(D-don’t tell me that that misunderstanding hasn’t been solved yet――――!?)

That was, of course, the false rumor about Ikki that Akaza circulated at that time, his
previous scandal with Stella.

That Ikki played with Stella or something like that, that he was a long infamous rascal
since a while ago.

Ikki also remembered that he had become a man that led a very rose-colored school life
and that he had multiple relationships with female students other than Stella.

This misunderstanding had been solved at least in Japan thanks to the cooperation of
the ones surrounding him and his own personality.

However, in Vermillion, which was half an orbit around the earth, it seemed that it
wasn’t the case based on everyone’s reactions.

Well, that was an understandable argument.

Basically, the mass media made humorous fusses and stirred them up, but they hardly
followed them when it was a mistake. Because that would make them admit they were
wrong.

Shocking information was transmitted to every corner, but the truth almost never
reached the same level.

If so, he had no choice but to solve the misunderstanding. If not――

(Everyone’s eyes are dangerous! They aren’t in a state where they’ll talk a lot!)

Then a way of escaping from here was the right answer.
Ikki decided so and brought down his body while looking for an escape route.
Yana noticed the expression of Ikki who recovered his composure for an instant and
peeked at his surroundings to try to escape from this place then raised her voice.
- Don’t let him get away, you guys!
『『『OOOoOoOoOooooooOoooーーーーーッッッ!!!!』』』

The crowd put much more motivation in their war cry and brandished the specialized
weapons in each of their hands.
But――
- Fuh.
『『『Huh!?』』』
Immediately after, the crowd that attacked the overbearing Ikki lost sight of his figure.
The brandished specialized weapons grazed the emptiness and hit hard the ground.
――He disappeared.
From before their eyes, all of a sudden. The human.
In that situation, everyone showed confusion and bewilderment, they weren’t able to
conceal those,
『Kyaaa!?』

『Uwaa, w-why was he here!?』

Screams were heard from behind, they turned their heads to the people that attacked
Ikki.
And they saw him.
Ikki, who had brought down his body and almost touched the ground, ran through the
narrow gaps in the jostling crowd with an agility like he was a cat.

That’s right, Ikki hadn’t disappeared.

The process called acceleration was skipped, he left behind the dynamic vision of all
the crowd that were attacking him thanks to his body that went at maximum speed
from the start.

The crowd that was comprised of amateurs of this art couldn’t keep up with his speed.

The special movement of Ikki was one of the reasons, but because they were too
cramped, there were many restrictions to their visual field and their movements.

They were just a few good-for-nothing.
No matter how crowded it was, they didn’t become an obstacle for Ikki.

Ikki went through the gaps of them that became flustered like gliding without losing
speed at all.

And when he escaped from that enclosure, he got in a car that someone of the crowd
drove,

――He stole it and ran away from the airport.

『I-I can’t believe it. The hell’s that guy?』

『How could he run so fast in this crowd of people…!?』

Yana clicked her tongue while in the stunned group of people,

- So he’s not the man that defeated Stella-chan just for show, huh…!? However,
something of this degree was calculated and handled it!

She took out an old foldable cell phone and got in touch with a certain person.

- Signard! Groom-san stole a car and escaped to the city! I’ll tell you the license plate!

――Meanwhile, Ikki, who had gone through the enclosure of the people of Vermillion
without difficulty, drove along the empty road due to the majority of the citizens living
in the imperial capital gathering at the airport.

He was going towards the huge castle seen far beyond the townscape of the imperial
capital Hraesvelgr.
Even if he explained something from his own point of view, it wasn’t going to enter
their ears.
He thought that he had no choice but to rely on Stella from here on.
However, in such Ikki’s path――
- Hmm?
Something moved towards him from the opposite direction of the heat haze that
waved in the summer sunlight.
It ignored all the road lanes and spread across the width of the highway.
Just like a flood.
A fleet of vehicles that he had only seen in worlds of movies and animations――
It was a large army of tanks and their cannons turned towards him.
- You must be kidding…
Immediately after, thunderous roars and impacts reverberated loudly in the sky of
Vermillion.

◆◇◆◇◆

- Ara〜, what was that sound〜?
Astraea inclined her head to the side in doubt due to the sound of something that burst
open in the distance.
It was the sound of countless tank cannons that blasted away the car Ikki was in, but,
- Yana-san told they had lots of things prepared, but to think they are launching
welcoming fireworks for Ikki!
- Ufufu. I’ll have to give my thanks to everyone later〜.
The two people who didn’t know anything were completely in harmony.

◆◇◆◇◆

On the other hand, Kurogane Ikki made full use of his natural physical ability.
Right before the tank cannons fired, he manifested《Intetsu》.
He immediately escaped once he cut off the roof of the car.
At the moment of the impact, he took in his hands the roof he had cut off and let it
take the direct hit of the blast like a shield then jumped using the momentum of the
blast that struck the shield.
He jumped over the buildings lined along the highway and escaped danger.
But――

- Y-y-you want to kill me!?

- Killing you would be fantastic. We don’t intend to leave Stella-sama to a man who
dies to something of this level. That’s the consensus of the people of Vermillion.

The people who wore red military uniforms and were waiting on the roofs of the
buildings returned cold words to the relatively serious protest of Ikki.

They deployed on the roofs of the nearby buildings to surround Ikki who escaped,
going to the roofs.

They aimed their guns at Ikki.

And then, a person among them.

A young woman with a shoulder strap threw a sharp gaze from behind her glasses and
pronounced to Ikki.

- My name is Signard Iruon. I’m the person that was entrusted to be the General of the
Imperial Army of Vermillion. Ikki Kurogane. You are already surrounded by the
Imperial Army of Vermillion.

- They even moved the army…?

He had heard of the level of loyalty of the people of the Empire of Vermillion, but to
think it was this much.

But this too was completely like the sown seed of their family.

- Please listen to what I have to say for a moment, I’m not going to run away or go
wild. Everything is a misunderstanding.

- A misunderstanding?

Luckily, the woman that introduced herself as Signard was an experienced soldier, and
she looked to be much more relaxed when comparing her to the people at the airport.

So that was why Ikki tried to persuade her by talking to her somehow.

- I think that a lot of information about me that circulated widely during that scandal
are false rumors. That “I’m on bad terms with my family”, it’s irresponsible that
people who don’t think well about me spread such things!

- Hou. Then you’re saying that the things about you exhibiting violence poorly and
that you got in a family that was carrying its days calmly and without any sort of
crimes were all lies?

- … of cour, se… huh?

He tried to answer quickly but he was at a loss for words.

――In this case, what kind of treatment did he have when he visited another middle
school kendo?

- Is it also a lie that you abruptly stepped in the room when Stella-sama was changing
clothes and that you even reached the pervert act of taking off your clothes too?

- … Th-that’s, well.
- That you presented an unreasonable condition to Stella-sama in which the loser must
be obedient to the winner forever and that you enslaved Stella-sama who lost the duel
and you make her listen to what you say!?
-…

(W-what do I do…!? I can’t answer back because everything is completely true!)

And finally, the speechless Ikki.

He realized Akaza’s cleverness.

They were 100% not a lie, he wasn’t able to deny them.

She really used in a skillful manner the serious personality of Ikki.

He was finally able to squeeze out some words with a cramped smile,

- Well, the nuances are scary, aren’t they?

- You piece of shit.

She spat out like she was looking at waste.

He could see that the soldiers around him put their strength into the finger to pull the
trigger.

However――Signard controlled with a finger the frenzied soldiers and said something
unexpected.

- … well, the information surely reflects the arbitrariness of the third party. It is also a
fact that it was distorted when it reached the other side of the world. … Stella-sama
seems to like and trust you, and based on what we saw at the finals, we know that you
aren’t just a waste of human being. It doesn’t matter how accurate the information
about you is, that’s already indifferent for us. You don’t have the guts for that.

- What do you mean?

- If you are Stella-sama’s boyfriend, then you should know, right? The kind of
hardships that Stella-sama had to overcome to be able to control her power.

- … well, yes.

That was a story he heard from Stella herself.

At first, when her ability revealed, Stella was unable to control the power of the
dragon’s flame, he was told that she burned herself with her own power.

However, Stella understood at a young age how valuable her ability was for the small
country of Vermillion. A strong Blazer was an irreplaceable asset for a country.

She shook free from the opposition of her surroundings and acquired control of her
own ability, being prepared for death.

For all the people of this country.

... When Stella was still 5 years old.

- I was overwhelmed by the pride of Stella’s imperial family.

- You’re a kind person…

Signard muttered like digesting that,
- However, in the same way as Stella-sama thinks so, we also want to protect Stella-
sama!
- …!
- Everyone in this place loves Stella-sama like a daughter, like an older sister, like a
younger sister, like a family member. Because we think of her with great care. …
That’s why this relationship won’t be allowed or consolidated without consulting it
with us! In no way it will be allowed!
When she scowled at Ikki for a second time, she raised a loud voice.

- Ikki Kurogane! The people of the Empire of Vermillion challenge you to a duel! If
you want to marry Stella-sama, then show us with your sword that you are worthy of a
knight! That you are the appropriate man to be the spouse of our beloved girl who is
beautiful, noble and kinder than anyone else!

『『『That’s right ―――――!!!!』』』
『『『If not, we’ll never recognize you!!!!』』』
Aligned with Signard, the soldiers on the roof and the soldiers and citizens that
crammed below the buildings before he knew raised their voices all at once.
When he saw that scene, Ikki realized at last the situation he was placed in.
They were beyond help.
To sum up, this country was――
(All the people of this country are her doting parents…!?)
He thought that the obstacle was one of Stella’s parents, but he was overoptimistic.
But that couldn’t be helped.

One wouldn’t usually consider that.
Even if Stella told him that her family was one with the country, her existence wasn’t
just the royal family for the Japanese Ikki. The royal family married him and so forth,
they virtually watched it become news and after a while, everything was decided.
It was unthinkable for them to determine him as a marriage partner of the royal family.
――But,
- I see. That sure has logic.

◆◇◆◇◆

- …!
In an instant, Ikki saw Signard facing him on behalf of the people.
A thin smile was shown on the mouth of Ikki.
And then,
- Stella also said it before. “We’re one family with the country”. In that case, your
indignation is completely natural. I won’t be allowed to marry Stella without making
you consent to it. ――There’s no reason to refuse you to a duel.
The man who came to take their Princess from a foreign country elevated the tip of the
black sword he had in his hands and accepted their challenge without hesitating.
- …! How vigorous! In that case――

- However!
But, Ikki said the moment when Signard tried to wave her hand that was controlling
the soldiers.
- However, I have just one condition.
- A condition?
- I’m not going to defeat all of you, it will be my victory if I can reach to where Stella is
by breaking off from all of you.
- Isn’t the victory condition too weak?
Ikki just replied「No」 .

- Your beloved girl and I don’t want you to get hurt.
- ――!
Signard was at a loss for words against that.
Because Ikki showed a deep understanding towards the girl named Stella.
I get it. Certainly, the people that rejected the proposal weren’t qualified to show their
love to Stella.
If so,
- … ――I accept. If you can get away, then show you can get away!
Signard accepted Ikki’s proposal and swung her right hand controlling the soldiers.
A sound like a waterfall sprayed, hundreds of lead-rain sudden showers were aimed at
Ikki in an instant.
But at that time, Ikki had already finished his action.
The moment he had raised《Intetsu》 and accepted the challenge of Signard and
company.
In the instant that couldn’t be followed by the eyes of ordinary people,

――He cut the roof under his feet.

When Ikki hit lightly the roof with his heels, the roof that was cut off collapsed easily.
It ended up swallowing Ikki into the perfect circular hole.
As a matter of course, he wasn’t hit by the shooting.
『That guy! He cut the roof and ran away by going down!』
- Kuh! Look at the doors and windows of the building! Don’t let him get away when
he comes out!
Signard immediately ordered the vigilance of the entrances of the building.
This was a big mistake.
Because Ikki didn’t go into the building from the hole just like that――he was just
grabbing the edge of it with his fingers.
- Heave-ho!
Ikki made sure that the watching on the roof was removed under the instruction of
Signard then threw up his body with his fingers and jumped out from the hole.
Then,
『General Signard! There!』
He rushed out of the castle before the soldiers noticed him.
Signard had a disgusted look on her face, looking at his retreating figure.
- D-dammit…! He feigned it! Don’t let him escape!

『『『Yes ma’aaaaaaaaaaaam!!!!』』』
The soldiers fired the rifle they had in their hands while chasing the distant Ikki.

However, he was able to let all the bullets fired go past him by stepping to the left and
right.
He checked with his sense of hearing the location of the shooting sounds.
He predicted the arrival time of the bullet speed, he didn’t look back not even a single
time.
His movement was extremely quick despite the unstable footing.
Even when compared when he was running on the level-ground airport.
That was because Kurogane Ikki’s mind and body conditions had recently reached
their climax.
Everything was thanks to them, the people of Vermillion.
Ikki was able to notice them because they were facing him seriously.
『To get them recognize him as Stella’s companion』
『To get them to hand over Stella』
If they truly loved her, if they thought about her wellness more than anything else,

――Was she something that they should and could hand over?

As if he couldn’t hand over Stella.
Ikki was aware of the serious attitude so far of the people of Vermillion.
They were just like him.
In that case, there was no way they could coexist.
Trying to coexist was the great mistake itself.
Fellows that loved the same girl from the bottom of their hearts.

If he wanted to get the girl, there was only one thing to do.
That was to pull Stella’s hand, hold it tightly and take her away.
With stronger feelings――and physical strength than the others!
(If it’s the strength of my feelings, then I won’t lose to anyone――!)
Never, to them――or to Stella’s father.
Other than that, there was no way to make them agree.
The moment he arrived at that mental state, Ikki was finally able to determine his
feelings.
――He may not get them to recognize him.
Such weak idea, that was filling the head of Ikki until just now, dissipated, and he
stared straight at the castle with burning eyes.
He didn’t think that he’ll get them to accept him and hand her over again.
He would take her away and made them recognize him…!
Because――that’s was Kurogane Ikki’s way of life and the Ikki that Stella loved.
『T-that man…! Does he have eyes on his back or something!?』

『And with this unstable footing, how can he run so damn fast…!?』

『General! It’s useless! We can’t catch up with him! 』
- Tsk.
The heavy burden of his heart vanished, the soldiers couldn’t catch up with Ikki that
became more agile.
Ikki jumped between the roofs and separated from his pursuers in the blink of an eye.
The soldiers fired bullets at Ikki with the rifles they had in their hands, but none of
them hit him.

The soldiers weren’t unskilled.
Ikki stepped to the left and right to evade the bullets with precision.
――He never looked back, not even once.
He had already assessed the speed of the bullets. And remembered them.
If so, the timing at which the bullets came flying from the angle and position of the
firing sound could be roughly calculated.
It was possible to avoid them, including the calculation error if he had to evade it with
a bit more room.
Signard clicked her tongue.
Although she knew about the level of his physical ability, what Signard saw was just
Ikki on top of a flat ring.
It was nothing but the skillfulness of his main sword technique that caught her
attention.

The impression of his Noble Arts《Ittou Shura》was also combined with it, she thought
“he was a strong knight specialized in matches”.
But that wasn’t it.
Signard realized it.
The fundamentals, the foundation that sustained that sword technique.
The sharpened physical ability and concentration ability of Ikki weren’t common. And
his ability to grasp space.
Ikki wasn’t bothered at all by the terrain or the surprise attacks.
He constantly turned his head and selected the best movement at the very instant, he
understood the art to break the battle.
This tenacity, this determination to use everything he noticed――

(――this guy’s the type that exists for war rather than for regular matches…!)
The non-Blazer forces weren’t opponents for him.
It should be possible for Ikki to return and take the head of the enemy general by
himself.
He wasn’t flashy so as to blow up the large army in one hit like Stella, but he had the
penetrating ability to deeply pierce through the enemy like a sharp needle.
He was making light of them.
They couldn’t stop that by themselves.
However――
(Still, I can’t break off from those girls…!)

◆◇◆◇◆

(It’s weird)
Ikki felt an uncomfortable feeling as he rode fast the roofs of the buildings of
Vermillion alone, he completely got separated from Signard and company.
Even though he broke off from his pursuers and didn’t see their figures anymore,
(There are two gazes that were able to stick to me this whole time)
Moreover, one of them was so close he could hear their breathing.

Where were they?
They weren’t to the right.
They weren’t to the left.
They weren’t in front or above him――in that case,
- ――from below!
A water sound and a splash rose in an instant, a three-pronged lance popped out of the
roof right below Ikki.
Ikki barely blocked it with《Intetsu》.

But his movement was stopped,
- Heh, now, Milly!
The barley-skinned girl that appeared from inside the roof with lance in hand shouted,
- Or rather, I know what to do even if you don’t tell me〜.

Immediately after, the ears of Ikki made a dry, bursting sound.
Together with that, he felt like a lightning running in his femur.
(She’s sniping…!)
- Fuh!
- Whoah!?
The intuition that was sharpened to be out of danger many times moved the body of
Ikki like drifting.
He launched a kick loaded with his weight on the long handle of the lance and pulled
away one of the assailants,
- Haaaa!
A black, circular bullet that flew and broke through the wind was cut in two, it was
chopped.

The divided, severed bullet slid on the blade of《Intetsu》and passed to the left and
right of Ikki――

- Ahhaaah ☆.

- …!?

At that moment, the hemispherical bullet took a sharp turn and thrust into both feet of
Ikki from the left and right.

Ikki dodged them by jumping to the back right away.

It was an evasion that owed everything to Ikki’s power of concentration who had
always won through disadvantageous fights, and to not being careless because he let
the attacks of the enemies go past.

The semi-circular bullets lost their target, sunk into the roof and stopped their
movement.

- Not gooood, this guy’s super faaast. They were dodged with such a timing, this’ll be a
serious booooothersooome.

- Hehe. It’s not that much though, he’s kind of worth being our opponent, don’t you
see?

The girl kicked by Ikki rotated in the air and landed on the red tiled roof.

Next to her there was a girl having a small musket at the ready.
She suddenly appeared as if jumping out from the water’s surface without destroying
the roof.

The bullets that followed him here had an almost impossible trajectory.

Ikki realized.

Without a doubt, these two girls were――
- … Blazers, huh.

- Nice to meet you, Stella’s boyfriend! I’m Tilmitt Gracie, I’m in first year of the
National Black Magic Institute of Vermillion! Your reaction just now was very good,
you know!?

- Huh〜? Are we self-introducing us now? Then I also have to do so? Hello, I’m
Milliaria Lazy, I’m in first year of the National Black Magic Institute of Vermillion. It
seems you’re a close friend of Stella-chan since not too long ago, yes?

- I’m Kurogane Ikki. … Are you also going to test me for the sake of Stella?

When he asked, the girl named Tilmitt laughed.

- Ah, no, no. We don’t care who marries Stella. That girl is free to decide who she
likes.



- Our goal is thi〜s.
Milliaria said so and showed a rough paper to Ikki.
There was a photo of Ikki in it and――

The characters DEAD OR ALIVE.

- I’ve become a wanted!?
- Yup. We’ll get a bonus from the army if we defeat you. That’s 1,000,000《EL》Yulis!
- Milly-chan found a super cute bag last week, but she’s totally troubled, she’s running
out of money〜. Can this be then a lifesaver without a doubt?
It appeared that the wanted poster was scattered throughout the whole town by the
Imperial Army.
By the way, 1M Yulis were 100M Japanese yen.
It was an extraordinary amount.
Ikki understood that amount of money.
The degree of seriousness of his opponents. And the presence of those behind the army
and Tilmitt.
(I thought it wasn’t an arbitrary decision of the people because they’re even moving the
army, but――)
Only one person could withdraw this amount from the national treasure from the
absolute monarchy that was Vermillion.
The king of Vermillion was also involved in this mess.
He didn’t know if he was leading it or if he was cooperating, but either way, he
approved it.

(Their murderous intent is high!)
That perhaps was natural when looking at the match.
And, when Ikki wryly smiled at the level of hate directed at him,
『This is it! 1M Yulis!』
『Damn! Another problem child combination is already coming into contact with the
enemy!』
『Those girls, they barely work with honesty at times like this!』
『Don’t let the two have a favorable moment! Let’s go!』
Besides Tilmitt, those who were dazzled by the prize money rushed along the roof.
Tilmitt and Milliaria who were seeing this,
- Oops, the hyenas have gathered.
- Let’s take care of this very quickly.
They took a combat stance again.
Tilmitt activated the ability of her Device《Triaina》.
Then again, the material called roof changed to sea for her, she jumped without
hesitation and got inside.
At the same time, Milliaria, her partner, fell to her knees there,
-《Calamity Barrett》Triple rapid-fire!
Three bullets were fired from the musket-type Device.
Its shape was of a musket, but there was no concept of reloading in her Device.
And so, these bullets weren’t ordinary bullets that flew straight into the sky.
Ikki, who understood that with the hit earlier, started running immediately without
trying to avoid it at the very limit.

Then, and not surprisingly, the bullets curved sharply and started chasing the escaping
Ikki.

This was the ability of Milliaria‘s Device《Casper》that had the concept of absolute
hit.
No matter how many times a bullet was repelled or bisected, the magic bullet would
continue chasing the enemy to pierce them.
It was a very annoying ability. But,
The capture method was already identified.
Ikki aimed at a certain place on the roof while struggling to barely dodge the bullets
that attacked him while turning around him.
There was a chimney.
(Just like before, she sunk into the attracting wall)
But――
- Here I come!
Because she was waiting for the moment he approached the chimney, Triaina came
outside from the side of the chimney.
Ikki poorly twisted his body and evaded it by millimeters.
He rapidly separated from the chimney.
(If I get near the wall then I’ll be attacked by Tilmitt-san…!)
- Here we go again!
- Kuh.
Moreover, Triaina appeared in succession at his escaping steps first.
From this, Ikki couldn’t stay in a place and he couldn’t use a guided standard attack
principle to attract and get into it.

It covered the weakness of《Calamity Barrett》very well.

- That’s a nice combination…!
- Of course! After all, Milly and I are C-Rank knights, 2 of the 3 C-Rank knights of this
country!
- I mean, you praise us, but we’re not going to miss.
Milliaria said so and abandoned control of the speed-decreasing《Calamity Barrett》.

She fired three more《Calamity Barrett》again to replace the bullets and went after
Ikki mercilessly.
In addition to that, Triaina stuck out irregularly from below his feet like if it was
pestering him.
Even the genius Ikki was just defending against the gapless attacks from every
direction.
At this rate, then he would be caught sooner or later.
That was why Ikki greatly jumped to the edge of the roof with all his strength.
When he moved to another building, he peeked at Tilmitt that was《Travelling in
disguise》.

The two that chased Ikki understood such way of doing things.
Most of those who had been attacked in waves by Tilmitt and Milliaria ended up with
that general idea.
Therefore―― Milliaria grinned and laughed.

- Ahhaaa ☆ We were waiting for that〜!

At that second, Milliaria abandoned the speed-decreasing《Calamity Barrett》.

Then fired three new《Calamity Barrett》aiming at Ikki who made a jump in the air.
Yes. The creation of this situation was the aim of their wave attacks.

People couldn’t move in the air except for the Blazers that had a special ability.
He was completely defenseless.
It wasn’t possible to evade the maximum speed of《Calamity Barrett》that were just
shot with that momentum.
The three bullets attacked him.
Ikki flipped his body in the air.
Then took an interception stance with sword in hand――
(That’s really meaningless〜)

It was insignificant for《Calamity Barrett》whether they were cut or repelled.
If they were cut, the number of balls would increase just like before.
If they were repelled, then they’ll attack him many times due to the propulsion of
ricochet’s momentum.
――That was what she supposed.
That was why both Milliaria and Tilmitt were convinced of their victory, but――
- Haaa!
At the same time as the three bullets pierced Ikki.
Three slashing lights surrounded Ikki and《Calamity Barrett》lost its ardent driving
force, it was attracted by gravity and fell to the ground without force, Ikki was safe, he
landed on a building shorter than the one Milliaria and Tilmitt were standing on.
- Huh?
Milliaria got confused by the unexpected consequences.
The ability of Kurogane Ikki should be physical strengthening.
That was why she was able to invalidate his Noble Arts.

But Tilmitt who had a taijutsu sense greater than Milliaria, comprehended together
with shivers the superhuman feat of Ikki just now in the sea of stones.
(They completely cancelled each other out…!)
It was evidently that.
Ikki, in the defense and offense so far, and the bullets that Milliaria replaced twice up
to now, he read that her ability is to guarantee nothing else but『Trajectory』, she
doesn’t have the power to『re-accelerate』the fired bullets. By striking the bullets with
the same energy as the energy contained in them, they weren’t repelled to the back like
before and weren’t sliced off either, all their movements were cancelled.
(Milly’s ability is just『bullets』, they aren’t『missiles』. What we’re doing is
meaningless)
《Calamity Barrett》was powerless against enemies that had a technique of such level.
(But still――!)
She had no choice but to do that.
Tilmitt decided so, she strongly kicked the bottom of the water and jumped to the
surface.

- 《Dolphin Crash》!
She jumped out from the wall of the building.
The distance between the two buildings was indeed 10 meters.
Tilmitt flew that distance without difficulty and drew near Ikki.
She pushed out Triaina and aimed at his head from above and diagonal of Ikki who
landed on a short building.
The movements of the opposing Ikki were also fast.

He immediately raised《Intetsu》and took a defensive stance with his blade against
the thrusting lance of Tilmitt.
It was easy for him to defend against that attack, like a charge from 10 meters away.
However, ――that was a trap.
(That momentary preparation did it…!)
That was her first strike, Tilmitt was performing a preparation for the moment when《
Calamity Barrett》couldn’t shoot him down.
That was the first strike that made Ikki defend.
At that moment, Tilmitt had instilled an understanding by purposely making Ikki
defend against her thrust.
He was able to block the thrust of《Triaina》.
But,
(It’s not like I can just hide in buildings!)
The Device of the opponent was no exception.
Now it was the time to move the trump card prepared in case the collaboration with
Miriallia didn’t go well.
Triaina slipped through Ikki’s《Intetsu》 that tried to stop the point of the lance with a
water sound and hurried to the face of Ikki in a straight line.
(Got you!)
The moment Tilmitt was convinced about it,

- That’s too open.

Certainly, 《Triaina》supposedly stabbed Ikki’s forehead, but it turned away to the
side like sliding on the skin of Ikki.

It was the secret technique that warded off the blade with only a slight defensive body
movement ――《Flawless》.

Ikki dodged the lance attack of Tilmitt with that,

- Fuh.

He slashed Tilmitt who became defenseless in mid-air due to the unexpected protection
with the blade of《Illusory Form》.

- Kuh, ah.

- It was as if you were saying “please receive the charge from that distance”. Given the
special characteristics of your ability, it’s easy to anticipate and slip through your
Device, and so turning the tables. That was quite dangerous now, so it’s better to not
do it again.

In the real battlefield, if his real enemy was an opponent, then her current careless
attack could have cost the life of Tilmitt. So, Ikki scolded her imprudence with severe
words.

But soon after she reflected upon those words, a strong sleepiness that resembled a
blackout of consciousness attacked Tilmitt and she fell on the roof.

And just like that, she rolled down due to the inclination of the roof.

Ikki took a glance and,

- Alright then, I leave the rest to you!

With a refreshing smile, he threw violently everything to Milliaria and resumed the
escape.

- Kyaah! Til-chan!

She may be a Blazer, but she was just a human being that needed to protect herself with
magic.
It was unpardonable if she fell from the roof of around 10 meters in height in a fainted
state.
Milliaria jumped out from the roof by dashing with all her strength and caught Tilmitt
in the air and landed on the ground.
Then she looked up on the roof from there but there were no signs of Ikki anymore.

◆◇◆◇◆

When Ikki defeated Tilmitt and Milliaria.
Stella and Astraea arrived at the castle of the Imperial Capital central part.
- Hmm〜 Like I thought, my home is quiet〜.
Stella breathed in a big way while walking through the spacious marble corridor.
Everyday cleaning should be done carefully, but her home had a smell of marvelous
and harmonic air.
However, leisure was for later.
Even though the citizens were keeping company with Ikki, it was painful to keep him
waiting too much.
- So, where’s Otou-sama waiting?

- He told me to bring you along to the dining hall, so I guess he’s still there?
Then Stella tried to hurry up, she left the luggage to the maid and headed towards the
dining hall.
And then, she pushed the large double doors open that lead to the dining hall and――

- SssstellaaaaaaAAAA―――――! I so wanted to see youu――――!
A middle-aged man with a thick beard flew like a rocket, aiming at the lips of Stella.
- Nooooooooooooo!!!!
Naturally, she punched him.
A counter with all her might.
Raising a snap and a no sounds, the fist of Stella sunk into the face of the middle-aged
man and knocked him off his feet.
The middle-aged man of large build that was knocked off his feet protested against
Stella with a shaking voice while holding his nose that was bent in a weird direction.
- W-why did you… I just… wanted to give you a welcome kiss…
- That’s the reason why I did that!
The exasperated expression of Stella to this middle-aged man――
She shouted at Sirius Vermillion, her father and the current King.
- You think that such an assault is allowed for your adolescent daughter that turned 15
already!? This is exactly that case!
- … fu, and so you hide your embarrassment by turning your face deep red? You’re not
being honest.
- I’m angry! You truly are inconsiderate!
Stella said and sighed in a great way.

What a way to reunite with her father after several months.
Even if she was extremely reluctant.
Then, from the side of Stella,

- Papaa〜?

A voice like a curse resounded.
(Ah…)
This is bad, she was already moving when Stella turned her face to the side.
She, Astraea, put both hands on the face of Sirius who fell to one of his knees as he
was hit by Stella and made him look towards her,
- What do you mean by approaching our daughter to kiss her when you have me?
She opened her eyes wide to the limit of her big pupils with eyes filled with darkness
like mud and asked Sirius.
- Ma-mama…!?
- Are you cheating on me? You’re cheating on me now? Was mama perhaps cuckolded
by papa with our daughter? Did you notice the importance of the two only after you
were separated〜?

- Hii…! T-there’s no way such a thing is happening. I’ve been devoted to mama since
always!

- Hmm〜〜〜〜〜〜? Is that trueee〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜?

Astraea approached him enough to not touch his eyeball and stared at the pupil of
Sirius who explained as sweat was suspending on his forehead.
Sirius blinked not even once.
At that moment, if he were to divert his eyes from the eyes of Astraea even for a
moment, he knew very well the kind of terrible things that would occur.

Once a minute in that state had passed, Astraea finally released both hands from the
cheeks of Sirius,
- That’s good〜. Mama also loves papa since forever〜.
She showed a sweet and calm smile.
- But if you try to do something strange to Stella-chan next time, then I’ll have to
punish you〜.
- Ah, yes ma’am!
- Enough! Even Okaa-sama became strange because Otou-sama did a ridiculous thing,
so take that in mind!
- Y-yes. I also like better a tender mama rather than a strange mama…
When Sirius got up and cleared his throat once,
- You came back well. Stella.
He showed a gentle smile with a tough look as if it was a strict one and hugged Stella.
- … yeah, I’m back. Otou-sama.
Stella put her hand on the thick body of Sirius and returned the hug.
(… Even though I wouldn’t have hit him if he were like this from the beginning)
He really was a helpless father.
Well, maybe it meant that he loved her so much.
After their bodies separated,
- By the way, Otou-sama. I was wondering but Luna-ane hasn’t come yet?
She asked Sirius about something that was weighing on her mind from a while ago.
She though that they were going to have a family meeting in the dining hall, but the
figure of her older sister wasn’t there.
Sirius put a look a bit bitter,

- Since Luna arbitrarily had decided long ago her own conclusions, she went and
locked in her own room. … Even though this is a serious affair that involves all
members of the family.

- It can’t be helped. Since the『war』preparations this time apart from the preparations
of the coronation are entrusted to Luna-chan, she has been quite busy〜. She said that
she would go on a business trip to Kledelland tomorrow.
Stella showed agreement to the words of Astraea.

『War』was an important diplomacy done once every five years.

With those things before her very eyes, it was like she was being chased by
reconciliation businesses.
In that case, it would be unwise to disturb her.
Above all, her older sister, Lunaize Vermillion, was on her side about her actions and
decisions, so there was no need for her to be present.
Stella concluded so,
- Well then, let’s immediately start the family council without Luna-ane.
She sat down in a dining hall chair.
- There’s no need to start so fast. This is our first reunion in several months.
- Nope. Because Ikki is waiting for me while we’re doing this.
- Don’t worry, because will that guy be able to get here after all――oops.
- Otou-sama?
- It’s nothing, it’s nothing! T-that’s right! It’s a shame to keep your boyfriend waiting
forever, so I would like to hear what you have to say asap!
- …?
Stella inclined her head to the side because her father became obedient all of a sudden.

However, since it was habitual for her father to be weird like this, she immediately
stopped paying attention to it.
But his wife Astraea noticed something,

- Papaa〜? Were you perhaps thinking about something incorrigibly evil?

She glance a suspicious eyes towards Sirius.
- W-what nonsense are you saying!? I’m the just and upright King of Vermillion! I
don’t have a guilty conscience or anything of the sort! Wahahahaha!
Even though Sirius denied it while laughing looking excited――there was cold sweat
floating on his forehead.
That’s right. There was no way he wasn’t scheming something.
Sirius Vermillion was working since long ago for this day.
Ikki told that he would come to greet him when the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival
ended.
Without being seen by Astraea and Lunaize, he cooperated with the people through
the former maid Yana and the military through Signard, he created a Kurogane Ikki
encirclement and even made use of a large prize money to make doubly sure of it.
Now, the Empire of Vermillion was united as one to shoo away Kurogane Ikki.
Sirius was convinced that the named ones knew it.
――That Kurogane Ikki couldn’t reach this castle ever.

(Anyway, at this moment,『those guys』are also moving…!)

Maybe it was not possible for the non-combatant citizens and the non-Blazer armed
forces and the ones after the prize reward.
Because he was a man that even for an instant defeated twice his daughter who was an
A-Rank knight.

However, he wasn’t going to be able to break through『those guys』.

The loyal beasts that pledged absolute allegiance to the royal family of Vermillion and
didn’t hesitate to lose their lives for Stella.



There was no way for『those guys』to make a mistake and let that poisonous insect
get near Stella.
(I rely on you. The Imperial Elite Guards of the Empire of Vermillion…!)

◆◇◆◇◆

The very moment when Sirius strongly transmitted that thought.
Ikki went through the outer circumference of the castle town and arrived at the bridge
that led to the rich residential area and confronted the Imperial Elite Guards that were
waiting on the bridge.
- How admirably of you to get this far, Ikki Kurogane! As one would expect of the man
that defeat her Highness Stella in combat! Hoowever! Your steady advance ends here!
The bridges leading from the castle town to the noble district were made to collapse
completely, this is the only one remaining! But look at us, we are the elite! We are the
shield of the Empire of Vermillion and we the soldiers pledged absolute allegiance to
her Highness Stella. Because we are the Imperial Elite Guards of Vermillion!
- L-O-V-E!! Stella!!
- L-O-V-E!! Stella!!
- Lovely! Lovely! Stella!!!!

「「「Wooooooooooo〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜!!!!」」」

(W-what’s with these people…!?)

Ikki ended up stopping his steps because of too much bewilderment due to the group of
around 50 people that wore red happi coats* and continued turning the upper half of
their bodies with incredible momentum while having glow sticks in their hands.

*TN: happi coat is a traditional Japanese straight-sleeved coat.

This was well understood by Ikki who lived for the martial arts and carried defensive
body movements to extremes.
Their defensive body movements were carried to the limits of an extensive training.
Although,
(What a refined useless movement…)
Besides, he had no idea of the meaning, if it had one.
On the other hand, the man and leader of the group, the captain of the Imperial
Guards, looked at Ikki who stopped his walking in front of them and smiled.
- Kuku. This guy looks like he said that he’s lost for words before our perfectly
coordinated leadership and loyalty. However, it’s too late for you to get cold feet now!
We will judge your serious crime of tricking her Highness Stella with our swords! For
that reason, we will confirm your crimes after this!
When the captain of the Imperial Guards told him so, the Imperial Guards that were
making mysterious movements and circling around him from behind stopped their
movement all of a sudden.
Everyone had the same serious expression or either were at their wit’s end.
But that was also natural.

Questions and answers were coming from here on. In any case, this was also related to
their meaning of their existences.
Everyone was holding their breaths and watched attentively.
In such silence, and after several deep breaths, the captain of the Imperial Guards
represented all present and asked Ikki.
- The information saying that you’re living in the s-saaaame room as Stella-chan, is
that true!?
- Eh…. Yes. It’s true. The board chairman told me to do so.

「「「HHmmrgh！！！！」」」

Immediately after. Half of the Imperial Guards that blockaded the bridge bled and fell
on the spot.
- Captain! Second-class soldiers have fainteeeeed!
- Huh? Those weak guys…! Although I said that they had to prepare themselves by
playing NTR erotic games, they weren’t prepared enough…!
- B-but the captain also has blood coming out from his fists! He’s grasping it so tightly
that they’re bleeding!
- Calm down! It’s fine, it’s only a confirmation of the fact they live in the same
room…! However, they’re just living together! Damn straight! According to reports,
this man wasn’t in good terms with his family and the scandal with Stella-chan and the
theory that this guy’s home was a disseminated hoax is still alive…! That thing is
what!? T-this photo is fake, riiiiiiiiiight!?
The commander of the Imperial Guards said so, he turned toward Ikki the picture of a
weekly magazine that exposed the relationship between Ikki and Stella.
The photo looked very well when he saw it again.