“Arios Macba! I’ve witnessed your true strength! Now, return home with your head held high and full of confidence!”

When did he even recover from being unconscious?

The Silver Sword Saint, Leon Macba, clapped his hands as he walked toward me.

How thick-skinned can someone be? What a complete turnaround.

“Y-You’re…”

Kaya muttered in disbelief.

And she wasn’t the only one.

Ray, Yuya, Lassen… everyone looked at Leon with expressions of contempt.

And yet, Leon didn’t seem to care. He clapped his hands again and, with a strained smile, spoke:

“What’s wrong, Arios! The Macba family needs your strength! Come back quickly, return to your father!”

“……”

—Good grief, this Silver Sword Saint…

Even I was speechless at this point, but I didn’t have the energy or will to get angry.

I slowly closed my eyes and spoke in a calm, quiet voice.

“Silver Sword Saint Leon. First of all—thank you for the offer. I’m honored.”

“Yes, exactly!”

“But I won’t return. Not ever again.”

“What…!?”

Leon’s eyes widened in shock.

“What are you saying!? I’m the Silver Sword Saint! We’re the Macba family! This is everything you ever wanted! Are you really going to throw it all away!?”

“……”

I kept my eyes closed and recalled the faces of my companions.

Ray, Kaya, Yuya, Mary, Altro… and Farlus, and the goddess Dias.

I had been blessed with so many people.

“…Ever since I was exiled from my home, people have told me to become a true Silver Sword Saint—not just someone strong, but a swordsman who also embodies kindness and integrity.”

“A true… Silver Sword Saint…”

“In that sense, the training I did as heir to the Macba family wasn’t in vain. I honed my swordsmanship… and being cast out helped me refine myself on the inside as well.”

“……”

“From now on, I want to continue walking the path of a true Silver Sword Saint. Just like our ancestor—the First Sword Saint.”

I slowly opened my eyes and looked directly at Leon’s pitiful expression.

“I can’t learn that from the current Macba family. That’s why I’m cutting ties with you completely. Never appear before me again.”

“……!!”

What was Leon thinking in that moment?

His eyebrows drooped into a sad arch, and unbelievably, tears welled up in his eyes.

“No, no, no! Wait, wait, wait! At this rate, the Macba family will completely collapse! Without you—”

“…I told you. I’m never coming back.”

“I beg you! Come back! Come back to meeeee!”

He clung to me, sobbing uncontrollably—but I couldn’t give in. Leon had crossed too many lines.

“You’re disgraceful, Leon.”

Ray rebuked him as he continued clinging to me.

“Besides, don’t you already have a fine successor for a son? That one who’s lying there all dumbfounded—Dudley Claise.”

“P-Princess Raymira…”

“Fufu. Arios will now spend his days in joy with us ♪”

As she said that, Ray wrapped her arm around mine.

—Like always, she’s definitely pressing up against me.

“This is a good opportunity. Take some time to reflect on your own foolishness.”

“Uuuuuuugh…”

Against royalty, even Leon was unable to argue.

It couldn’t be helped.

Leon had been too concerned with the Macba family’s public image.

He prioritized ties with royalty so much that he discarded me and welcomed Dudley in my place… and this was the result.

Ironically, that’s what led to the downfall of the Macba family.

“…Well, well. I suppose this is checkmate.”

A new figure appeared suddenly.

Rayfar Fo Arceus.

The First Prince of the Arceus Kingdom. Just to be sure, he brought knights with him on either side.

“Silver Sword Saint Leon Macba. Let’s have a talk later. About how we’ll be dealing with each other going forward.”

“Aaaaahhhhh…! This is a dream! A nightmare!”

Leon clutched his head and continued to cry. Though he was once a renowned Silver Sword Saint, his downfall was utterly miserable.

“Brother…”

Ray murmured quietly at the sight of Rayfar.

I felt like she was gripping me a little tighter than before.

“It’s been a while, Raymira. Have you been well?”

“…Yes. It seems you haven’t changed either, brother.”

“Fufu, whatever do you mean?”

Rayfar shrugged casually and placed his right hand on his waist as he continued in a light tone.

“Raymira Rii Arceus. I’ll talk to His Majesty myself. Go and enjoy yourself as you please.”

“Yes, I shall do just that.”

Ray replied, smiling only with her lips.

“Brother… please take care of yourself too. Don’t let someone catch you off guard someday.”

“Fufu, I’ll be careful.”

…What was that?

I had no idea what their exchange was really about.

But in any case, that was how my duel with Dudley came to a close.