Slowly opening his eyes, Touya realized that he was lying on grass. His last memory was seeing four slimes imitating the figures of the four girls who were with him. Naturally he tried not too look but what healthy young man could resist? He didn't even get a good look before he felt a dull pain on the back of his neck and everything went dark.

Silhouettes of 4 girls were standing nearby admiring their work. They were the ones that set the tower on fire. The indignation, the shamelessness, the sheer audacity of the old man who dedicated his life towards such perverted research made he girls furious.

They cared very much for Touya, one of them was even making life long plans for him and others. But this was unforgivable and Touya simply had bad luck to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Yes, they attacked a man they cared about and yes it was a sneak attack that knocked him out while he did nothing wrong but they couldn't allow him to keep watching. That much they all agreed on.

Seeing the tower on fire felt good. The one remaining reminder of their embarrassment was Touya. They talked about what exactly to do. Do they talk to him and make him swear never to bring it up? Do they just pretend it never happened?

In the end they concluded that they will play dumb. They would never admit what happened and Touya better accept that and never mention it again. Even better if he considers what happened a dream, no, a nightmare.

With such determined minds they watched the evil tower burn and waited for Touya to wake up.

"What happened? Why am I here?" Touya called out to the girls.

"Are you okay? You passed out while we were climbing the tower?" Yumina put on a concerned face.

On the side, the other three girls admired her acting skills. For them it would be much harder to lie like that. But there was something they didn't know. Yumina hated herself for hurting Touya. Even though she wasn't the one that attacked him, she was among then three who charged at him. Elze and Yae got there before her and they were the ones that knocked Touya out.

Because they were in panic, because they reacted without thinking they both hit him hard. Touya's body spasmed for a little then dropped. In her heart Yumina never felt such pain. She was conflicted. Her mind telling her that knocking out Touya was the right thing to do. Naturally he would forgive her after she apologized. Besides, she didn't hit him.

"I'm fine. Did you set the tower on fire?" Touya got up.

The gentle smile Yumina had while talking to him quickly faded. It was easy to figure out why and Touya didn't want to bring up the subject of them being seen naked. Even though it wasn't really them, even though it was a poor imitation, Touya understood that they wouldn't want to talk about it.

However, being attacked from behind by the people in his own party when he did nothing wrong was something he needed to resolve immediately.

"Yes."

That was all Yumina wanted to say about the whole situation and Touya decided not to push further. There was no need to ask about details now since he already decided what he would do next.

"Let's go back to the castle. I need to talk with the king."

The girls looked at him curiously but he didn't elaborate.

...

Tristwin, the king of Belfast, was having dinner with his wife Yuel. They missed their daughter since she left on an adventure with Touya but they also trusted her to stay safe. Besides, kingdom of Belfast wasn't dangerous where Yumina and four of he companions would run into trouble they couldn't escape from.

A servant walked quickly to the king's side and bowed his head.

"Your majesty, sir Touya requests an audience. The princess is with him, along with 3 other girls."

Happy that they will see their daughter and the possible son-in-law the king and queen responded enthusiastically, "Bring them to the library and serve them tea and cakes. We'll be there in a few minutes. And, keep an eye on Touya and Yumina, see if they are making any progress in their relationship."

...

Touya and the girls arrived in the library and sat down. The girls chatted happily while munching on the cookies and cakes.

Feeling like an outsider, Touya watched them. They sneak attacked him from behind for no reason and yet they were acting like nothing happened. He wouldn't tell anybody about the stupid slimes, he didn't find them interesting anyway. That part was understandable. Not apologizing or even feeling any guilt for betraying him was unreal.

The doors opened and a couple walked in.

"Good evening honey, Touya and the girls. What brings you here?"

The king was in a good mood, the queen smiling happily wanting to talk to the girls alone so they would tell her all the details about what happened between them and Touya.

"I wanted to talk to you sir." Touya stood up, his face serious.

The solemn look on Touya's face stopped all the smiles. As the two oldest, Yumina's parents understood that what was coming next wasn't going to be good. They quickly dismissed Touya proposing marriage with Yumina since she didn't look nervous, merely curious.

All the eyes on Touya, he took a deep breath and starting speaking what was on his mind.

"I'm here to break off all ties with Belfast kingdom and to say goodbye."

"WHAT?!"

Multiple shouts all around echoed as the four girls jumped on their feet.

"What do you mean? Why?!" Usually calm Yumina wasn't holding back.

"No... you can't..." Linze's gentle voice was barely audible next to all the shouts.

Yae and Else didn't say anything, they expressions showed them holding back a lot of pain.