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Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume6 Chapter5

2015-02-17T23:30:22Z

AngelicMasterMind: /* Part 4 */

==Chapter 5 - Their Respective Nights==

===Part 1===

Several days had passed since the boy encountered the darkness spirit girl.

His mind and body were completely defeated.

"Guh... Ah..."

Until this point, he had always had the confidence to overcome any of his training no matter how harsh or deadly.

In fact, there were many other children who had been brought to this place like him, but they had lost their lives instead.

No one expressed any mourning, sympathy or commendation towards their deaths. To the elders of the Instructional School, they were simply dismissed and disqualified, then tragically abandoned like broken tools.

This was the kind of hell where the boy survived.

He even obtained the power to crush a group of skilled assassins with his bare hands.

Nevertheless, this was only child's play.

In the last few days, that was what the boy discovered beyond a doubt.

"...Are you okay, Kamito?"

The darkness spirit girl watched Kamito with eyes of worry as he lay on the ground.

"...Don't... Touch me...!"

"...I'm sorry."

With a pained expression, the girl stopped herself from helping him up.

"Don't be angry. After all, my mission is to make you stronger."

"...Angry?"

The boy glared at the girl.

"Are you insulting me? --I have no feelings. I am simply a tool for murder."

The boy forced his body to get up despite it being covered with wounds.

Contrary to his claim, his inner heart was in turmoil.

It was neither anger nor hate, but some other -- emotion.

Hence, he absolutely must eliminate this emotion. Absolutely.

In order to become the perfect killing tool.

"Killing you is the order assigned to me. Hence -- I am only executing my mission."

"--Yes yes, that's right. Hurry and kill me then, Kamito."

===Part 2===

Kamito and Milla left the cave and walked through the forest in the night.

The area was completely dark. Without the spirit crystal for illumination, he would not have been able to see even his feet.

Terrifying spirits of the night were beginning to become active, and the cries of beasts could be heard from the distance.

"Kamito."

"...Hmm?"

Noticing a tug on his sleeve, Kamito turned his head.

"It is already late night. Trying to march in haste would be dangerous."

Indeed, night was the time when beasts and hated demon spirits became active.

Walking in the forest at this time was not a wise decision.

"No problem. I am already used to blade dancing at night."

Kamito tried to reassure her.

In reality, he had undergone combat training in a zero visibility space during his time at the Instructional School. To a professional assassin, this could be considered a basic combat skill.

"Blade dancing at night..."

Milla suddenly turned her gaze to Kamito with eyes of despise.

"Wait a minute, I'm not talking about some kind of nuanced euphemism for nocturnal activities!"

"I did not say anything of that sort."

Milla answered softly with mild surprise.

"Let's walk a bit further. After all, there's no way to camp in a forest like this."

"Understood."

Milla nodded.

"Are you afraid? ...If that's the case, would you like to hold hands?"

"Holding a girl's hand in a dark forest... That is completely the action of a kidnapping criminal."

"You..."

Kamito sighed with his eyes half-closed--

"Duck down quickly!"

Suddenly sensing something unusual, he hurriedly pushed her down onto the grass.

"...Kamito."

"Be quiet."

Kamito whispered by Milla's ear.

Above their heads, a blue-white fireball flew past.

The fireball constantly changed its shape as it flickered, circling around in the forest nonstop.

Probably a scouting spirit released by some team... It would be troublesome if Kamito and Milla were discovered.

The spirit circled for a while before disappearing into the depths of the forest.

"Hoo..."

Kamito wiped the sweat off his head. Although scouting spirits could be eliminated instantly, that act would be akin to exposing his position to the elementalist sharing vision with the spirit.

He was still suffering from wounds from falling off the cliff and his body had also accumulated quite a lot of fatigue.

To be honest, in his current condition it would be best to avoid enemy attacks.

"Kamito--"

"Hmm?"

"It's probably time for you to move."

"...S-Sorry!?"

His hand happened to be positioned on her chest.

Kamito frantically got up... The soft sensation still lingering on his hand.

"Since it was an emergency situation, I will let it slide."

Milla did not seem to mind. Patting the dust away from her skirt, she stood up.

Even though she was only thirteen years old, did she not feel even a bit embarrassed -- ?

Heightening their alertness, they continued their way through the forest.

"By the way--"

Kamito asked as they walked along the muddy ground.

"What kind of spirit did you contract with, Milla?"

Even though he knew it was a spirit with the holy attribute, there were still myriad forms. In terms of tendency, those that specialized in defense like Fianna's knight spirit Georgios were more common, but ultimately that was simply a tendency.

Variations in spirit type resulted in dramatic changes to the way they were used.

However, Milla quietly bowed her head.

"Even though our teams are allied, I cannot tell you. Because my spirit is a state secret."

"I see..."

Reaching a dead end, Kamito changed the subject.

"--So, is there a Wish you are trying to realize through this Blade Dance festival?"

Under normal conditions, this was a retarded question.

An elementalist who wanted to participate in the Blade Dance festival without her own wish could not possibly exist.

However, from this Milla Bassett girl--

Incredibly, Kamito could not sense that kind of motive.

Hence he was curious.

However.

"--There is none."

Milla replied.

"No? Without a Wish, then why--"

Why was she resorting to allying with another team, desperately trying to survive--

"I exist as a tool. As a tool, one must finish one's mission."

"...Tool?"

"...!?"

Kamito frowned with surprise.

If she called it a knight's loyalty it would have been fine -- but he felt that it was different from that.

Or rather, the impression he got from her, was a person who only lived to complete a certain goal -- in that case, tool was not an analogy but was meant literally.

(This girl...)

Kamito knew a boy who resembled this girl.

Having lost all hope, a boy who even forgot the feeling of despair in the end.

Abandoning everything that made him human, a boy who was cultivated as a tool.

(In that case, this girl is very similar to the orphan at the Instructional School -- 'my past self.' )

Perhaps this was one reason why he felt he could not abandon her no matter what.

"..."

"...What is it?"

The heterochromic eyes stared coldly at Kamito.

Her emotionless gaze was very similar to Kamito's before having met Restia.

"No, nothing... Let's go."

Kamito quietly shook his head and continued trudging through the mud.

===Part 3===

"A-Ahh... Ka... mito... Kamito, he..."

Claire was lying on a simple futon in a tent.

Sweating profusely from head to toe, she was calling Kamito's name with an exceptionally suffering expression.

Her consciousness was still quite fuzzy and there was no life in her eyes.

"How's Claire's condition?"

Rinslet brought warm soup and asked with worry.

"A very high fever... It seems like she was running all the way through the rain."

Fianna quietly shook her head.

Claire's smooth skin was covered all over with scratches from branches.

"The wounds on her body are nothing serious, but if we don't do something about this high fever..."

"...Kamito... If we don't save him..."

"Currently, the Captain is summoning wind spirits to conduct a search. Once morning arrives, we will join the search party."

"...After all, the forest at night is too dangerous."

Fianna bit her lip with regret.

After being carried to the tent, Claire reported what had happened under her semi-conscious state.

The encounter in the forest with Team Inferno's black knight -- Nepenthes Lore, and the resulting battle.

In the midst of battle, in order to protect Claire, Kamito had fallen down a waterfall.

After that, Claire barely managed to evade the pursuit of the darkness spirit and the black knight. Trying to search for Kamito, somehow she lost consciousness when her physical endurance reached its limits. By the time she came to again, she found herself back in their stronghold -- that was basically what happened.

Apparently, based on the situation, Scarlet had decided to bring the exhausted master back.

"If we don't, hurry up... Kamito will..."

"Wait a minute, what are you trying to do! You still can't move!"

Seeing Claire attempting to get up from bed, Fianna, uncharacteristically, scolded her loudly .

"But Kamito fell down a waterfall because he was protecting me..."

Normally quite strong-willed, Claire's eyes were now weeping with streams of tears.

Using the sleeve of her uniform, she kept rubbing her eyes.

"Seriously, you've returned to that crybaby from before."

"...N-Nothing like that, I am not a crybaby!"

Claire retorted angrily to Rinslet.

"Walking through the forest with a body in that condition, you will quickly turn into food for the beasts. Or are you trying to waste Kamito-san's wish to protect you?"

Rinslet reprimanded sternly, giving Claire no choice but to quiet down.

"But..."

"First thing in the morning, we will all set off together. But for now, you have to rest properly and recover your energy."

Fianna patted Claire on the head gently.

"This is specialized sweet medicinal soup. Ah, your favorite, peaches were also added!"

Rinslet handed over the hot soup, still steaming.

"...T-Thank you."

In a rare moment of obedience, Claire nodded and sipped a mouthful of the medicinal soup.

"Delicious..."

"Kamito-san will surely return."

"Yes, that's right..."

--Leaving the tent, Fianna and Rinslet silently exchanged glances.

Claire's sobbing could be heard coming from inside the tent.

Presumably after drinking the warm medicinal soup, her tension relaxed all of a sudden.

At this moment, Ellis arrived with a solemn expression.

"How is Claire's condition?"

"If she rests properly, she should probably recover by tomorrow. However, the fact that Kamito-kun fell down a waterfall right before her eyes seems to have given her a great shock."

"I see..."

"Any progress in the search for Kamito-san?"

"Although I have spread wind spirits all around, nothing of value has been reported as of yet."

Ellis bit her lip regretfully.

"Kamito-kun..."

"...He will be fine, right?"

The three girls fell silent.

Like Claire, they were all extremely worried about Kamito.

Blown by the chilly wind of the night, the leaves in the trees rustled and swayed.

===Part 4===

Intense sparks were scattering in the dark night.

"This thing, what a monster!"

A knight wielding a halberd elemental waffe cried out.

She was the vice-captain of Dracunia's Knights of the Dragon Emperor, Yuri El Cid.

Due to their large scale battle operations undertaken on the first day, the Knights of the Dragon Emperor had delayed their stronghold construction and were currently wandering the forest.

Teams without strongholds were regarded as perfect prey. However, despite the attack of enemies throughout their march, they still defeated all these reckless attackers without exception.

However, their third opponent was in a completely different class compared to the enemies earlier.

"Leonora-sama, this is no ordinary elementalist!"

"Beware of the black chains, those things seem to be able to absorb divine power!"

Wielding a great sword, Leonora Lancaster commanded her subordinates as she rushed forward.

As four dragon knights surrounded the black knight who melded with the darkness of the knight, Leonora valiantly charged.

The acute impacts of blades rang out.

The black knight and the dragon knight's swords clashed intensely.

"How shocking. Not only do they have the strongest blade dancer in their team, they also have this kind of troublesome--"

Leonora cried out in surprise.

The Dragon Slayer -- was without a doubt an elemental waffe of the highest class.

Nevertheless, the swings of her great sword were easily deflected by the black demon sword.

Furthermore, with each clash of the blades, the sharpness of the Dragon Slayer was steadily decreasing--

"A demon sword with darkness attributes eh? To think it could penetrate a dragon spirit's magical resistance...!"

As she took on the black demon sword's attacks--

"Well then, how about this move?"

Leonora chanted spirit magic.

"--Savor the dragon's roar, Dragon Ray!"

A burning crimson flash struck the black knight's helmet directly--

"Now is the moment, charge!"

Under the orders of the vice-captain, the dragon knights rushed forward.

Although not to the level of Leonora, each knight was a mighty and accomplished warrior.

As elemental waffen struck from all sides, the blades pierced the black knight's armor at the same time -- !

"Victory -- !"

Just as Yuri cheered loudly.

From the gaps in the armor, numerous black chains shot out like tentacles.

"...Cough... Hah...!"

Pierced in the chest by the jet black chains, the dragon knights all fell to the ground.

Nepenthes Lore delightfully emitted a fearsome roar.

Absorbing a massive amount of the girls' divine power--

"Impos... sible...!"

"Our elemental waffen should have pierced that armor...!"

Just as the girls captured by the chains were about to lose consciousness--

"Damn it, you monster -- !"

Leonora severed the black chains using the Dragon Slayer.

"Leonora-sama."

"Do not look down on the dragon of Dracunia...!"

Infusing her entire body's divine power into her elemental waffe, Leonora charged.

As she blocked the black knight's massive body alone, she yelled at the vice-captain behind her.

"Yuri, prepare to retreat -- this is no ordinary opponent."

"But our pride as the Dragon Knights of Dracunia, how could we be forced to retreat by a mere single elementalist--"

"Move it! Unless you want us all to fall right here!?"

"U-Understood -- !"

As the Dragon Princess, Leonora's instincts were truly excellent. Simply through several rounds of exchange, she had already realized the aberrant nature of the black knight before her.

Nepenthes Lore roared from beneath the armor.

The black knight's aura seemed far more powerful than before.

Yuri's fire dragon spirit Lindwyrm carried her unconscious comrade on its back. The two other dragon knights who were still conscious also mounted their own dragon spirits.

Seeing them prepared, Leonora also had the Dragon Slayer return to the form of the black dragon Nidhogg and swiftly mounted its back.

Nepenthes Lore's sweeping demon sword produced jet black lighting on its tip--

"--Retreat!"

At Leonora's command, the Knights of the Dragon Emperor flew away in a well-trained formation.

Immediately, the jet black lightning exploded, destroying trees in the forest without leaving any trace behind.

--However, Leonora and her group were already gone.

Thanks to their strict regular training, Dracunia's knights had retreated in a most splendid fashion.

"..."

In the night forest, Nepenthes Lore's red eyes flashed with dazzling splendor.

The demon sword held in the black knight's hand disappeared as if melting away into the night sky.

A beautiful black-winged angel appeared out of the air, landing lightly on the ground.

The darkness spirit Restia, who had transformed herself into an elemental waffe by her own will just now.

"True to the reputation of Leonora Lancaster, how troublesome to deal with."

Restia placed her finger on her moist lips, smiling mischievously.

"Even so, suppressing the Knights of the Dragon Emperor, renowned to be the strongest, this is quite sufficient as an accomplishment -- ''It is almost time for completion''."

The will of the Demon King awakened through forbidden magic -- Nepenthes Lore. This monster that had absorbed the divine power of numerous elementalists probably had enough power to rival ''him'' now.

"--Kamito, you just wait. I will now liberate your true self."

Restia's dusk-colored eyes looked up at the starry night sky.

"Very soon, I will be able to tell you. The true meaning of our encounter--"

Three years ago, devoured by her Wish, her past memories had become fragmented.

The way she was now, she was a completely different existence from the Restia of the past--

Even so, shining lustrously like a treasure, one important memory still remained.

A feeling sweet enough to bring stabbing pain to the heart.

Most likely, this was the feeling known commonly as love.

Only that particular day's memory was forbidden to be tainted by any person.

"--If possible, Kamito, I wish to die by your hand."

<noinclude>{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume6 Chapter4|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume6 Chapter6}}</noinclude>

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume5 Chapter9

2014-12-23T03:45:46Z

AngelicMasterMind: /* Part 8 */

==Chapter 9: Demon Slayer==
===Part 1===

"......No way, an attack!?"

At the time that a flashy explosion came from the camp site.

Claire and the others were in the middle of getting changed after finishing bathing.

"The barrier's been broken --- they're coming!"

In sync with Claire's scream.

Fianna, Ellis and Rinslet summoned their respective spirits.

Scarlet's flames lit up the surrounding darkness.

And above the steam were the silhouettes of three people with drawn weapons.

"What a surprise. The favored Knights of Dragon Emperor coming to attack in the night like this."

"We are soldiers before we are knights. To bring victory and pride back home, we will not pass up the most effective methods."


The one who answered was a girl with boy-like short hair.

She readied her halberd «Elemental Waffe».

"We'll at least name ourselves. Knight of the Dragon Emperor Vice-Captain, Yuri El Cid."

"«Team Scarlet»'s Claire Rouge."

Claire quickly transformed Scarlet into the Flame Tongue.

While keeping her attention to the front, she whispered to Ellis behind her.

"Leonora isn't here. The explosion just now was probably her."

If it was her Nidhogg, then pulling off that much destruction in one blow was possible.

They had aimed for a time when Kamito was alone and come to crush him.

"No matter how good Kamito is, he can't win against Leonora without an Elemental Waffe."

"......I got it. I will go to support Kamito."

Ellis immediately understood Claire's intentions and began chanting her «Flight» spirit magic.

She kicked off the ground and flew into the night air lit by flames.

But.

"---I won't let you go to Leonora-sama!"

"What!?"

Another knight blocked Ellis' path.


An elementalist with a flying dragon spirit.

They had anticipated their actions and hid in the forest beforehand. And the opponent was a flying type dragon spirit. Ellis' spirit magic couldn't outrun that.

"......This is bad. We've been completely separated."

"Kamito......"

Turning to the direction the flames were rising from, Claire bit her lips.

===Part 2===

The blaze skidded across the ground.

Accompanied by a loud sound, flames coated the ground.

''......What destructive power!''

Being blown away by the resulting wind force, Kamito fell to the ground.

Quickly getting up and opening his eyes---

A scene like the world's end spread out before him.

The ground was dug up like a mortar. The wall of fire ate away at the night's darkness.

On the other side of the wall of flames, the dragon spirit roared with intense ferocity.


The accompanying wind scattered the flames.

The jet black dragon flapped its massive wings.

Basked in the bluish white light from the moon, Leonora Lancaster walked towards him silently.

Holding her hand up, the dragon transformed into darkness.

The darkness then gathered and instantly formed a large demon sword.

"Dragon spirit «Nidhogg»'s Elemental Waffe --- «Dragon Slayer»."

Leonora muttered that indifferently and raised the demon sword.

Kamito felt it instinctively.

''That's bad......!''

Just when he got up and dodged.

"---Destroy!"

Leonora closed the distance in an instant.

''---Fast!''

Just before the demon sword descended, Kamito jumped to the side.

The sound of the ground being crushed.

The demon sword had lightly grazed him and his white uniform had blood on it.

Kamito grimaced at the sharp pain from being cut.


''......Don't tell me she's completely materializing her Elemental Waffe!?''

If Kamito had not dodged just now, he would have been split in half.

She was swinging her blade with the full intent of killing Kamito.

''Is this the influence of that «Dragon Blood» Claire was talking about......''

Leonora's brilliant red eyes that were shining in the darkness.

A state where she lost the majority of her reason and became a berserker.

It was forbidden to kill your opponent in the Blade Dance. That's why elementalists generally limited the materialization of their Elemental Waffe and opted to causing damage with their divine power directly.

But just now, Leonora had seriously tried to kill Kamito.

"Tch---"

Kamito quickly chanted his Weapon Works spirit magic and created a short sword in his hands.

With Est's «Gate» closed, this was the best he could do with his divine power.

It was only a substitute that could take one strike from the aftershock of the opponent's sword before it shattered.

Jumping off the mud and just before landing --- Leonora swung her demon sword.

Bone-shattering force was created.


"Gahaa......!"

The severe blade storm that continued without mercy.

Kamito rolled on the ground and just barely avoided that attack.

"......It's like she has no openings."

Cold sweat gathered on his brow.

They were movements unthinkable for a thin and delicate arm like that with such a large sword.

She was likely using dragon property spirit magic to supplement her muscle strength.

"---It's not enough......make my blood boil even more, Kazehaya Kamito!"

The demon sword was swung again. Whilst emitting a dragon-like roar, the sword released a wave of energy.

Invisible fangs that would rip through flesh. It resembled Ellis' blades of wind, but the destructive power was on a different scale.

Slicing through the cut-preventive school uniform, blood dripped from his shoulder.

"Kuu, she's strong, as I thought......!"

Kamito cursed as he wiped the blood from his lip.

The overwhelming divine power welling up in her entire body.

In a head-on battle, Kamito had no chance of winning right now.

''---There's no other way but to draw this into a battle of attrition by retreating into the forest.''

Along with the awakening of her «Dragon Blood» and that oppressive power, Leonora lost her ability to think calmly. If Kamito moved around stealthily, he could at least buy time.


''It should wear down the insane divine power of the «Dragon Blood».''

There was likely a time limit on how long she could fight in this condition. A normal elementalist's limit would be one minute. Leonora's was likely around five.

''---If I can stay clear for five minutes, I can win.''

Just as Kamito was about to retreat into the forest.

Giant flames rose up under the cliff near the river far away from him.

"Wha......!?"

He didn't have to think about where it was. That was where Claire and the rest were.

"---It looks like they're engaged in battle with my subordinates."

Leonora's eyes glinted and she closed the distance in an instant.

"If you want to protect your comrades, you'll have to use your full power and defeat me!"

Leonora's demon blade approached him---!

===Part 3===


"---Become cinders!"

Waving her Flame Tongue, she cast the spirit magic «Fireball» at the same time.

Yuri El Cid --- the halberd elementalist was engulfed in flames.

"As expected, if it's a direct attack --- ehh!?"

"It's a pity but flame attribute spirit magic won't work against this «Lindwyrm»!"

Breaking through the wall of flames, a giant dragon with red scales charged towards her.

"Rinslet!"

"I know, freezing fangs, pierce --- «Freezing Arrow»!"

Aiming at the fire dragon's body in only a moment, she released the ice arrows.

But just before the arrows hit, the fire dragon breathed fire and melted them.

The arrows that barely struck also rebounded off the scales and disappeared.

"No way, my «Freezing Arrows» were......!"

"......It's using dragon attribute spirit magic!"

Claire yelled as she erased the fire dragon's flames.

Dragon spirits' specialities were their overwhelming strength and their high resistance against magical attacks. Especially with their «Anti-magic Dragon Scales» on, their magical resistance against the five main elements multiplied.

For Claire and the others who used spirits of the five main elements, they were a truly difficult opponent.


"Claire! «Georgios» alone can't hold them back......!"

And from behind came Fianna's concerned voice.

Her knight spirit was currently handling two of the dragon spirits.

Her opponents were the types without wings or scales --- the close-range specializing raging dragon spirits.

Swinging their giant claws and tail, they were slowly cornering the knight spirit.

The raging dragon spirits were far above in power. The reason they were being held at bay was that the knight spirit had techniques specialized to face dragons.

But there were two opponents. And they were being controlled by skilled elementalists.

As expected, not even the defense specialist knight spirit could reach a decisive conclusion with just a sword and shield.

"Fianna......! Rinslet, please buy me some time!"

Claire immediately requested back-up but---

"......!?"

Ellis landed right in front of her.

"......Aguu!"

"Ellis!"

Looking to the sky, she saw the girl riding the flying dragon spirit dance in the air.


"I said so, I won't let you interrupt Leonora-sama!"

The flying dragon spirit roared, turned towards the fallen Ellis and released innumerable fireballs---

"You!"

Claire quickly swung her Flame Tongue and intercepted the fireballs in midair causing many explosions.

"Ellis, can you still move?"

"......Yeah, sorry. I'm fine."

The wound-covered Ellis held her «Ray Hawk» and unsteadily rose to her feet.

Ellis' spirit was top-class even within the academy. Even disregarding any advantages from battling in the air, to have been beaten so one-sidedly---

"These guys are strong on their own and their teamwork is much more refined than us."

"That's right......"

Claire painfully admitted the truth of Ellis' observation.

If either Claire or Rinslet had backed her up, Ellis should have been able to fight evenly.

But the opponent never let such an opportunity show.

"My Georgios is---"

"Haa, haa......the compatibility with Lindwyrm was too harsh......!"

At some point, they had been boxed in by the four members of the Knights of the Dragon Emperor.


The knight spirit was being pushed back by the two raging dragon spirits and Rinslet was completely worn out.

"---Elimination of the Ordesia representatives. A fair result for our first battle."

Yuri El Cid formed her fire dragon's halberd.

"This is the end. Claire Rouge."

===Part 4===

The demon sword that should have been swung---

Was stopped in midair.

"......Wh, what the!?"

Leonora's red eyes widened in shock.

While looking at the face of the violent but still-beautiful face of the girl, Kamito murmured.

"This was originally a technique for hiding while crawling."

Held against the wrist of Leonora's hand which held the demon sword was Kamito's arm.

He couldn't stop her demon sword's attack.

But it was different for the arm wielding the attack.

He had pressed his arm to her wrist just as she exhaled before the attack.


If he drew in when Leonora pulled back her sword and instead pushed with all his strength, it would create a lethal opening --- a simple yet effective taijutsu skill.

Logically, it was simple, but the timing required was fatal. It was not something an amateur could copy.

It was only because Kamito had undergone the harsh training of the «Instructional School» that he could carry it out in real combat.

Leonora's body froze into the position of swinging her sword.

"The technique of a knight without a sword --- alias «Sword Break». A heretical skill. To begin with though, this was the old hag Greyworth's and not the «Instructional School»'s."

"---I see. So this was the technique of the strongest spirit knight in the continent, Lady Greyworth."

The red eyes looked down at Kamito.

Eyes of a dragon that were painted with the joy of battle --- completely battle-crazy eyes.

"But clever tricks are nothing before absolute power......!"

Leonora's divine power rose explosively.

With an inhuman roar that shook the atmosphere, she pushed as if to crush him to death---

"---That's reckless, Leonora!"

At the moment the power balance broke, Kamito sent a palm strike to her solar plexus --- but,

Just before that, she jumped to the side --- it wasn't reactionary, just instinct.


Attacking Kamito's flank, a flash of light gouged out the ground.

The one that had sent out the attack was the ornament on the «Dragon Slayer»'s hilt. If he hadn't dodged, it would have pierced his heart without a doubt.

He jumped while spraying blood from his flank. Because he was dodging purely on instinct, he couldn't soften the landings.

Leonora was swinging the sword in every other direction.

The dividing horizontal slices of the blade. The shockwaves that seemed like they could crush all the bones in one's body.

Kamito's body was blown to the side and smashed into a rock.

''......My arm's bone......!''

Leonora didn't stop. She charged with increasing roars.

Kamito readied his spirit magic blade at his waist. He would match his opponent's timing and deliver a counter --- it was a dangerous gamble, but there was no alternative.

''If I don't beat her quickly, Claire and the others will---''

Leonora charged like a dragon, causing tremors as she approached.

He would have no mercy on her who was under the influence of the «Dragon Blood».

If he messed up the timing even slightly --- what awaited him was death.

The moment the clade of the sword entered his vision.


Kamito jumped off the rock behind him.

''---I've got you!''

Dodging by a hair's breadth, the perfect distance.

He didn't think a blade of this calibre would be able to pierce the magic strengthened Leonora, but there were other ways to fight. If he broke her stance and used several strikes, he should be able to affect even this tough dragon knight---

However.

"I said it, didn't I, that clever tricks won't work on me!"

Leonora Lancaster---

Aimed at Kamito standing before her and threw the «Dragon Slayer».

Wrapped in spiraling air currents, the large sword flew in a straight line.

"......!?"

Kamito had not anticipated this.

Kamito clicked his tongue and dodged but Leonora had already closed in---

"Damn......!"

Kamito instantly used a spirit magic sword to guard. But the magically strengthened Leonora's fist went right through the sword and into Kamito's jaw.


His vision shook. As soon as he realized he was flying in the air, he smacked into the ground.

''Goddamn......throwing that huge sword one-handedly? It's too unreasonable......''

The point he had been wounded at. He cursed while confirming what parts could still move.

His ribs were cut and a few internal organs had failed.

His fingers had gone numb and couldn't move. It was already a condition unfit to fight.

"---More, make my blood boil more, Kazehaya Kamito. The «Dragon» sleeping within me wants to go crazy with you."

Leonora picked up the demon sword she had thrown and slowly walked towards him.

Like a dragon enjoying the hunt.

"---If not, you'll die."

"......Don't just say whatever you want."

While groaning from the pain, Kamito pushed off the ground and stood up.

More than before, the flames from the riverside had grown more vicious and black smoke rose from it.

''Claire, Ellis, Fianna, Rinslet......''

He gripped his numbed fingers at the regret of not being able to protect them.

''I can't win against Leonora Lancaster at this rate---''


Kamito affirmed that calmly.

---That's right, if it stayed like this.

The spirit seal on his left hand ached. No, he had already noticed. Since not too long ago, the seal had been burning with feverish heat.

The «Gate» that had never opened since that day three years ago.

But now he could feel her calling out to him.

He just had to call her name. With just that, he would regain the strongest demon sword.

The power to defeat Leonora and save his female comrades.

The highest ranked darkness Elemental Waffe --- «Vorpal Sword».

He could return in an instant. To the Ren Ashbell of three years ago.

But that was under the condition that he severed the contract on his other hand.

The sword spirit girl that had closed her heart off in sadness and was alone in the darkness.

''I---''

Kamito's voice shook like a groan.

That was a momentary conflict. A loss of direction.

But he quickly raised his head and shook it.

He had already resolved it from the beginning.


''I am Est's master!''

Leonora's red eyes glared viciously as she approached---

"Kazehaya Kamito, I am disappointed in you."

The «Dragon Slayer» pierced Kamito's chest.

===Part 5===

Inside his consciousness that had sunk into darkness---

Kamito found a girl sitting down while hugging her knees.

The silvery white hair that shone brilliantly even in the darkness.

Her unblemished white skin was like a frozen blade.

"---Est."

Kamito placed his hand against the cheek of the sword spirit that had closed her heart.

The mysterious violet eyes widened in surprise.

"Kamito......!"

"Est, I ask you --- lend me your power. I need you to protect our friends!"

Turning to the squatting Est, Kamito cried out.


But Est wordlessly shook her head.

"Kamito, I am sorry. I can't be your sword anymore."

"Why---"

"I will, one day, take away Kamito's life."

At that time, something cold was felt on Kamito's fingertips.

"......Est?"

Those were tears.

She was once a sword spirit that had shown not a single emotion.

When his fingers touched her, a whirlpool of emotions flowed into him.

The Sacred Queen and the «Demon Slayer» --- the last of their memories together.

===Part 6===

In front of Est---

The sacred maiden that had defeated the maou's body crystallized into a spirit stone.

"Mas......ter......?"

"Est, don't make that kind of face."


Areishia's right hand that could still move touched Est's cheek as she struggled to talk.

"I knew about this from the beginning."

She wore such an adult expression despite being only sixteen years old.

Seeing even those fingertips crystallize---

The sword spirit finally understood.

That this was --- a curse.

The combined resentment and curses of the spirits that had been slain by the holy sword's power thus far.

That had amassed until the limit and was eroding her master's body.

The «Demon Slayer» was a sword that destroyed all curses.

But those curses didn't disappear from this world. The holy sword that had absorbed those various curses would one day pass them onto its master.

The spirit weapon --- «Terminus Est» was not a holy sword.

Taking the user's life in exchange for granting enormous power was unmistakably the properties of a demon sword.

"No......way......"

The girl's forgiving hand. Est could not watch as those fingers that had always gently pet her head hardened and became a spirit stone.

"Master! I didn't know! That I---"


"I know, Est."

Areishia smiled and gazed at Est gently.

"Master......you knew that you would......"

"Yes. That's why it's not Est's fault."

While patting Est's silvery white hair, she slowly nodded.

But her voice wavered and tears gathered in those eyes.

It was obvious. In the face of death, there was no way she wasn't afraid.

That's why she wasn't anything like a sacred maiden.

She was just a normal sixteen year old girl.

"Master......"

"Good bye, Est. My only friend."

"No, you can't......master......!"

A small voice leaked from Est's lips.

"No......Arei......shia......!"

"......That's the first time you've called my name. I'm hap.....py......"

"......!?"

With a clear sound, the girl's neck crystallized.


Est could do nothing but watch.

[[File:STnBD V05 241.jpg|thumbnail|right]]

At the moment the girl who had revealed her heart for the first time shattered after becoming a clear crystal.

"Est, I---"

The hot tears dropped onto Est's cheek.

"Honestly, didn't want to become anything like a sacred maiden."

"---Areishia!"

A wail echoed through the maou's castle.

For the sacred maiden that bore the hopes of all people and had fought to this point alone---

That was her end.

And so Est sealed herself in the maou's armory.

So that nobody would contract the demon sword hidden deep within.

So she would never lose anybody important again.

She would never open her heart to anyone --- she solemnly swore that.

===Part 7===


"---I have no right to become Kamito's sword."

"......"

Kamito became speechless at Est's past that he had caught a glance of.

The girl that had given emotion to this spirit weapon girl that had none.

Est had stolen that girl's life herself with her curse.

That's why she closed her heart.

For how many hundreds of years, she had continued to separate herself from those who wanted to contract her.

So she would never be touched by anyone else again.

Kamito could not imagine how lonely that must have been.

"Est......"

Kamito rubbed the edge of Est's eye.

Those mysterious purple eyes blinked.

"Don't say you don't have the right. I need Est."

"You can't......if you continue to use a demon sword like me, I'll steal your life!"

Kamito placed his hand on Est's head.

"I won't lose to that kind of curse."

He pet that beautiful silvery white hair.


"Fuaa......Kamito......stop, please......"

"I won't. Until you stop crying, that is."

"Kami......to......"

"Est, your curse and your destiny as a demon sword, I'll take it all."

And then---

He hugged Est's delicate body to himself.

"So come back, Est!"

"No......I will, to Kamito......"

To stop those words---

Kamito embraced Est and sealed her lips.

"......!?"

Est's eyes shot open in surprise.

That was the ritual to contract a top-level spirit.

The kiss of oath.

Kamito gently separated their lips.

"I'll say it once more, Est. I need you."

He yelled this out while holding her delicate body tightly.


"Become my sword, Est!"

In response to Kamito's powerful words---

"Kamito, I---"

Est's silvery white hair shined.

===Part 8===

"......Wha!?"

Leonora's red eyes widened.

From the right hand of Kamito who should've been knocked out, a strong light was shining.

"---Dispassionate Queen of Steel, the sacred sword that destroys evil!"

His quivering lips chanted the summoning spirit words.

"......!?"

Faced with the vigorous voice that had a mysterious edge to it, Leonora took a step back.

"......It can't be, the «Dragon» inside me is scared?"

The «Dragon Blood» was in a fully awakened state so she could understand, this was true fear.


And so---

"---Now form a sword of steel and be the power in my hand!"

As if to burn the eyes, a fierce light was emitted!

In front of Kamito, the «Gate» connecting a master and their contracted spirit opened.

The one that appeared was a girl with beautiful fluttering silvery white hair.

"......Es......t, thank you. For listening to my selfishness."

While pushing down on the hole in his chest, he smiled wryly.

"Kamito, I am your sword --- for as long as you wish."

The uniformed Est said that with the same expressionless face as always.

He wondered if the slightly red cheeks he could see were because of the flames.

"So you've called back the «Demon Slayer»......"

The radiance of Leonora's red eyes rose.

"This is the reason there is worth in defeating you!"

Roaring, she swung the «Dragon Slayer»---

"---Destroy, tyrannical demonic dragon!"

A crimson light shot out from the tip of the sword.

It blazed the ground and instantly disintegrated the trees in its path.

"---Est!"

But Est didn't avoid it and simply stood there.

[[File:STnBD V05 247.jpg|thumbnail|right]]

With an expression like ice, she turned to the inferno and put out her palm.

"---I am talking with Kamito right now, so don't disturb us."

The inferno that raged over the earth was dispersed with ease.

"......!?"

Leonora widened her eyes in shock.

Est gave off a fierce aura that didn't match with her magnificent appearance.

"......Est, let's go!"

"Yes!"

Kamito shakily got to his feet and held Est's hand.

His chest wound opened and a large amount of blood splattered across the ground.

His arm's joints were dislocated, his ribs were broken.

It was a condition that could only be described as covered in wounds.

But for some reason, he knew he wouldn't lose.


Just having Est nearby seemed to send strength welling up from deep within him.

Kamito chanted the spirit words for releasing and Est's body scattered into light particles.

In the next instant, Kamito's hands were holding a silvery white shining sword.

Demon Slayer --- Terminus Est.

"Let's do this, Leonora Lancaster!"

Kamito shouted as he readied Est in both hands.

There was no need for clever tricks --- just one attack was enough.

"---Answer to the call of my blood, demonic dragon, rampage!"

Leonora also positioned her «Dragon Slayer» again and roared.

And both sacred sword users ran at the same time.

"Ohhhhhhhhhhh!"

"Ahhhhhhhhhhh!"

The wind from the swords dug into the ground and sent dirt and sand flying.

"---Taste the boiling of my blood with your body!"

The large sword being swung before his eyes.

Wrapped in enough divine power to blow him away if it even grazed, Leonora charged.

But Kamito did not fear it and instantly accelerated towards it.


There was nothing to fear.

Because Kamito now had the strongest sword.

"Est, your sadness and despair, I will put an end to all of it!"

When the two blades met, the «Demon Slayer» gave off a radiance---

And shattered the «Dragon Slayer» in one strike.

===Part 9===

"......No way, Leonora-sama was!?"

Yuri El Cid exclaimed.

The divine power she had felt coming from not too far away had stopped.

"Looking away in the midst of battle? We're being really underestimated."

The momentary opening provided by the iron wall dragon knight. Claire would not let it slip.

Swinging her Flame Tongue, she knocked the halberd from her hands.

"......Shit!"

"---Scarlet!"

The flame whip instantly reverted to a hellcat and attacked.


"Tch!"

Yuri kicked the ground and retreated.

"We're stopping the hunt. Retreat!"

"Yuri-sama!?"

"Leonora-sama lost."

"Wha......!"

The face colors of the Knights of the Dragon Emperor's changed instantly.

But as natural-born soldiers, they quickly understood the situation and promptly followed the order, retreating into the forest.

"I won't let you! Freezing fangs, pierce --- Freezing Arrow!"

Rinslet shot her ice arrows, but they were blocked by the forest's trees.

"Kamito beat Leonora?"

"......It seems like that's the case."

Claire nodded as she looked in the direction of the burning camp site.

===Part 10===


"......Why are you not taking my «Magic Stone»?"

Leonora who was lying on the blazing ground asked.

Her mad red eyes had returned to a calm black.

......It seemed that the «Dragon Blood» had calmed down.

"I won't say it's a reward for helping me get Est back but---"

Kamito also fell down.

It was a much more delicate body than he had imagined.

Her noble face entered his eyes.

"This time I'll pardon you. And I'd like to blade dance with the real dragon knight Leonora rather than one influenced by «Dragon Blood»."

"......Naive, aren't you."

"......Well, the truth is I can't even move a finger anyway."

Kamito said so with a wry smile and Leonora turned her head with a red face.

"A, as I thought, you're dangerous......in various ways."

"What's that mean? What are these various ways?"

"Y, you're quite noisy, you licentious beast!"

Leonora sent Kamito flying and stood up.


The «Dragon Blood» rampage seemed to have eaten up her divine power so she was shaky on her feet.

"I won't lose next time, Kazehaya Kamito."

"Yeah, me neither. I have no intention of losing."

Leonora smiled and disappeared into the flames.

"......Kamito is really a master with no fidelity."

Hearing the pouting voice of Est from overhead, Kamito passed out.

---And this time he didn't see that dream.

<noinclude>{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume5 Chapter8|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume5 Epilogue}}</noinclude>

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume5 Chapter9

2014-12-23T03:02:37Z

AngelicMasterMind: /* Part 4 */

==Chapter 9: Demon Slayer==
===Part 1===

"......No way, an attack!?"

At the time that a flashy explosion came from the camp site.

Claire and the others were in the middle of getting changed after finishing bathing.

"The barrier's been broken --- they're coming!"

In sync with Claire's scream.

Fianna, Ellis and Rinslet summoned their respective spirits.

Scarlet's flames lit up the surrounding darkness.

And above the steam were the silhouettes of three people with drawn weapons.

"What a surprise. The favored Knights of Dragon Emperor coming to attack in the night like this."

"We are soldiers before we are knights. To bring victory and pride back home, we will not pass up the most effective methods."


The one who answered was a girl with boy-like short hair.

She readied her halberd «Elemental Waffe».

"We'll at least name ourselves. Knight of the Dragon Emperor Vice-Captain, Yuri El Cid."

"«Team Scarlet»'s Claire Rouge."

Claire quickly transformed Scarlet into the Flame Tongue.

While keeping her attention to the front, she whispered to Ellis behind her.

"Leonora isn't here. The explosion just now was probably her."

If it was her Nidhogg, then pulling off that much destruction in one blow was possible.

They had aimed for a time when Kamito was alone and come to crush him.

"No matter how good Kamito is, he can't win against Leonora without an Elemental Waffe."

"......I got it. I will go to support Kamito."

Ellis immediately understood Claire's intentions and began chanting her «Flight» spirit magic.

She kicked off the ground and flew into the night air lit by flames.

But.

"---I won't let you go to Leonora-sama!"

"What!?"

Another knight blocked Ellis' path.


An elementalist with a flying dragon spirit.

They had anticipated their actions and hid in the forest beforehand. And the opponent was a flying type dragon spirit. Ellis' spirit magic couldn't outrun that.

"......This is bad. We've been completely separated."

"Kamito......"

Turning to the direction the flames were rising from, Claire bit her lips.

===Part 2===

The blaze skidded across the ground.

Accompanied by a loud sound, flames coated the ground.

''......What destructive power!''

Being blown away by the resulting wind force, Kamito fell to the ground.

Quickly getting up and opening his eyes---

A scene like the world's end spread out before him.

The ground was dug up like a mortar. The wall of fire ate away at the night's darkness.

On the other side of the wall of flames, the dragon spirit roared with intense ferocity.


The accompanying wind scattered the flames.

The jet black dragon flapped its massive wings.

Basked in the bluish white light from the moon, Leonora Lancaster walked towards him silently.

Holding her hand up, the dragon transformed into darkness.

The darkness then gathered and instantly formed a large demon sword.

"Dragon spirit «Nidhogg»'s Elemental Waffe --- «Dragon Slayer»."

Leonora muttered that indifferently and raised the demon sword.

Kamito felt it instinctively.

''That's bad......!''

Just when he got up and dodged.

"---Destroy!"

Leonora closed the distance in an instant.

''---Fast!''

Just before the demon sword descended, Kamito jumped to the side.

The sound of the ground being crushed.

The demon sword had lightly grazed him and his white uniform had blood on it.

Kamito grimaced at the sharp pain from being cut.


''......Don't tell me she's completely materializing her Elemental Waffe!?''

If Kamito had not dodged just now, he would have been split in half.

She was swinging her blade with the full intent of killing Kamito.

''Is this the influence of that «Dragon Blood» Claire was talking about......''

Leonora's brilliant red eyes that were shining in the darkness.

A state where she lost the majority of her reason and became a berserker.

It was forbidden to kill your opponent in the Blade Dance. That's why elementalists generally limited the materialization of their Elemental Waffe and opted to causing damage with their divine power directly.

But just now, Leonora had seriously tried to kill Kamito.

"Tch---"

Kamito quickly chanted his Weapon Works spirit magic and created a short sword in his hands.

With Est's «Gate» closed, this was the best he could do with his divine power.

It was only a substitute that could take one strike from the aftershock of the opponent's sword before it shattered.

Jumping off the mud and just before landing --- Leonora swung her demon sword.

Bone-shattering force was created.


"Gahaa......!"

The severe blade storm that continued without mercy.

Kamito rolled on the ground and just barely avoided that attack.

"......It's like she has no openings."

Cold sweat gathered on his brow.

They were movements unthinkable for a thin and delicate arm like that with such a large sword.

She was likely using dragon property spirit magic to supplement her muscle strength.

"---It's not enough......make my blood boil even more, Kazehaya Kamito!"

The demon sword was swung again. Whilst emitting a dragon-like roar, the sword released a wave of energy.

Invisible fangs that would rip through flesh. It resembled Ellis' blades of wind, but the destructive power was on a different scale.

Slicing through the cut-preventive school uniform, blood dripped from his shoulder.

"Kuu, she's strong, as I thought......!"

Kamito cursed as he wiped the blood from his lip.

The overwhelming divine power welling up in her entire body.

In a head-on battle, Kamito had no chance of winning right now.

''---There's no other way but to draw this into a battle of attrition by retreating into the forest.''

Along with the awakening of her «Dragon Blood» and that oppressive power, Leonora lost her ability to think calmly. If Kamito moved around stealthily, he could at least buy time.


''It should wear down the insane divine power of the «Dragon Blood».''

There was likely a time limit on how long she could fight in this condition. A normal elementalist's limit would be one minute. Leonora's was likely around five.

''---If I can stay clear for five minutes, I can win.''

Just as Kamito was about to retreat into the forest.

Giant flames rose up under the cliff near the river far away from him.

"Wha......!?"

He didn't have to think about where it was. That was where Claire and the rest were.

"---It looks like they're engaged in battle with my subordinates."

Leonora's eyes glinted and she closed the distance in an instant.

"If you want to protect your comrades, you'll have to use your full power and defeat me!"

Leonora's demon blade approached him---!

===Part 3===


"---Become cinders!"

Waving her Flame Tongue, she cast the spirit magic «Fireball» at the same time.

Yuri El Cid --- the halberd elementalist was engulfed in flames.

"As expected, if it's a direct attack --- ehh!?"

"It's a pity but flame attribute spirit magic won't work against this «Lindwyrm»!"

Breaking through the wall of flames, a giant dragon with red scales charged towards her.

"Rinslet!"

"I know, freezing fangs, pierce --- «Freezing Arrow»!"

Aiming at the fire dragon's body in only a moment, she released the ice arrows.

But just before the arrows hit, the fire dragon breathed fire and melted them.

The arrows that barely struck also rebounded off the scales and disappeared.

"No way, my «Freezing Arrows» were......!"

"......It's using dragon attribute spirit magic!"

Claire yelled as she erased the fire dragon's flames.

Dragon spirits' specialities were their overwhelming strength and their high resistance against magical attacks. Especially with their «Anti-magic Dragon Scales» on, their magical resistance against the five main elements multiplied.

For Claire and the others who used spirits of the five main elements, they were a truly difficult opponent.


"Claire! «Georgios» alone can't hold them back......!"

And from behind came Fianna's concerned voice.

Her knight spirit was currently handling two of the dragon spirits.

Her opponents were the types without wings or scales --- the close-range specializing raging dragon spirits.

Swinging their giant claws and tail, they were slowly cornering the knight spirit.

The raging dragon spirits were far above in power. The reason they were being held at bay was that the knight spirit had techniques specialized to face dragons.

But there were two opponents. And they were being controlled by skilled elementalists.

As expected, not even the defense specialist knight spirit could reach a decisive conclusion with just a sword and shield.

"Fianna......! Rinslet, please buy me some time!"

Claire immediately requested back-up but---

"......!?"

Ellis landed right in front of her.

"......Aguu!"

"Ellis!"

Looking to the sky, she saw the girl riding the flying dragon spirit dance in the air.


"I said so, I won't let you interrupt Leonora-sama!"

The flying dragon spirit roared, turned towards the fallen Ellis and released innumerable fireballs---

"You!"

Claire quickly swung her Flame Tongue and intercepted the fireballs in midair causing many explosions.

"Ellis, can you still move?"

"......Yeah, sorry. I'm fine."

The wound-covered Ellis held her «Ray Hawk» and unsteadily rose to her feet.

Ellis' spirit was top-class even within the academy. Even disregarding any advantages from battling in the air, to have been beaten so one-sidedly---

"These guys are strong on their own and their teamwork is much more refined than us."

"That's right......"

Claire painfully admitted the truth of Ellis' observation.

If either Claire or Rinslet had backed her up, Ellis should have been able to fight evenly.

But the opponent never let such an opportunity show.

"My Georgios is---"

"Haa, haa......the compatibility with Lindwyrm was too harsh......!"

At some point, they had been boxed in by the four members of the Knights of the Dragon Emperor.


The knight spirit was being pushed back by the two raging dragon spirits and Rinslet was completely worn out.

"---Elimination of the Ordesia representatives. A fair result for our first battle."

Yuri El Cid formed her fire dragon's halberd.

"This is the end. Claire Rouge."

===Part 4===

The demon sword that should have been swung---

Was stopped in midair.

"......Wh, what the!?"

Leonora's red eyes widened in shock.

While looking at the face of the violent but still-beautiful face of the girl, Kamito murmured.

"This was originally a technique for hiding while crawling."

Held against the wrist of Leonora's hand which held the demon sword was Kamito's arm.

He couldn't stop her demon sword's attack.

But it was different for the arm wielding the attack.

He had pressed his arm to her wrist just as she exhaled before the attack.


If he drew in when Leonora pulled back her sword and instead pushed with all his strength, it would create a lethal opening --- a simple yet effective taijutsu skill.

Logically, it was simple, but the timing required was fatal. It was not something an amateur could copy.

It was only because Kamito had undergone the harsh training of the «Instructional School» that he could carry it out in real combat.

Leonora's body froze into the position of swinging her sword.

"The technique of a knight without a sword --- alias «Sword Break». A heretical skill. To begin with though, this was the old hag Greyworth's and not the «Instructional School»'s."

"---I see. So this was the technique of the strongest spirit knight in the continent, Lady Greyworth."

The red eyes looked down at Kamito.

Eyes of a dragon that were painted with the joy of battle --- completely battle-crazy eyes.

"But clever tricks are nothing before absolute power......!"

Leonora's divine power rose explosively.

With an inhuman roar that shook the atmosphere, she pushed as if to crush him to death---

"---That's reckless, Leonora!"

At the moment the power balance broke, Kamito sent a palm strike to her solar plexus --- but,

Just before that, she jumped to the side --- it wasn't reactionary, just instinct.


Attacking Kamito's flank, a flash of light gouged out the ground.

The one that had sent out the attack was the ornament on the «Dragon Slayer»'s hilt. If he hadn't dodged, it would have pierced his heart without a doubt.

He jumped while spraying blood from his flank. Because he was dodging purely on instinct, he couldn't soften the landings.

Leonora was swinging the sword in every other direction.

The dividing horizontal slices of the blade. The shockwaves that seemed like they could crush all the bones in one's body.

Kamito's body was blown to the side and smashed into a rock.

''......My arm's bone......!''

Leonora didn't stop. She charged with increasing roars.

Kamito readied his spirit magic blade at his waist. He would match his opponent's timing and deliver a counter --- it was a dangerous gamble, but there was no alternative.

''If I don't beat her quickly, Claire and the others will---''

Leonora charged like a dragon, causing tremors as she approached.

He would have no mercy on her who was under the influence of the «Dragon Blood».

If he messed up the timing even slightly --- what awaited him was death.

The moment the clade of the sword entered his vision.


Kamito jumped off the rock behind him.

''---I've got you!''

Dodging by a hair's breadth, the perfect distance.

He didn't think a blade of this calibre would be able to pierce the magic strengthened Leonora, but there were other ways to fight. If he broke her stance and used several strikes, he should be able to affect even this tough dragon knight---

However.

"I said it, didn't I, that clever tricks won't work on me!"

Leonora Lancaster---

Aimed at Kamito standing before her and threw the «Dragon Slayer».

Wrapped in spiraling air currents, the large sword flew in a straight line.

"......!?"

Kamito had not anticipated this.

Kamito clicked his tongue and dodged but Leonora had already closed in---

"Damn......!"

Kamito instantly used a spirit magic sword to guard. But the magically strengthened Leonora's fist went right through the sword and into Kamito's jaw.


His vision shook. As soon as he realized he was flying in the air, he smacked into the ground.

''Goddamn......throwing that huge sword one-handedly? It's too unreasonable......''

The point he had been wounded at. He cursed while confirming what parts could still move.

His ribs were cut and a few internal organs had failed.

His fingers had gone numb and couldn't move. It was already a condition unfit to fight.

"---More, make my blood boil more, Kazehaya Kamito. The «Dragon» sleeping within me wants to go crazy with you."

Leonora picked up the demon sword she had thrown and slowly walked towards him.

Like a dragon enjoying the hunt.

"---If not, you'll die."

"......Don't just say whatever you want."

While groaning from the pain, Kamito pushed off the ground and stood up.

More than before, the flames from the riverside had grown more vicious and black smoke rose from it.

''Claire, Ellis, Fianna, Rinslet......''

He gripped his numbed fingers at the regret of not being able to protect them.

''I can't win against Leonora Lancaster at this rate---''


Kamito affirmed that calmly.

---That's right, if it stayed like this.

The spirit seal on his left hand ached. No, he had already noticed. Since not too long ago, the seal had been burning with feverish heat.

The «Gate» that had never opened since that day three years ago.

But now he could feel her calling out to him.

He just had to call her name. With just that, he would regain the strongest demon sword.

The power to defeat Leonora and save his female comrades.

The highest ranked darkness Elemental Waffe --- «Vorpal Sword».

He could return in an instant. To the Ren Ashbell of three years ago.

But that was under the condition that he severed the contract on his other hand.

The sword spirit girl that had closed her heart off in sadness and was alone in the darkness.

''I---''

Kamito's voice shook like a groan.

That was a momentary conflict. A loss of direction.

But he quickly raised his head and shook it.

He had already resolved it from the beginning.


''I am Est's master!''

Leonora's red eyes glared viciously as she approached---

"Kazehaya Kamito, I am disappointed in you."

The «Dragon Slayer» pierced Kamito's chest.

===Part 5===

Inside his consciousness that had sunk into darkness---

Kamito found a girl sitting down while hugging her knees.

The silvery white hair that shone brilliantly even in the darkness.

Her unblemished white skin was like a frozen blade.

"---Est."

Kamito placed his hand against the cheek of the sword spirit that had closed her heart.

The mysterious violet eyes widened in surprise.

"Kamito......!"

"Est, I ask you --- lend me your power. I need you to protect our friends!"

Turning to the squatting Est, Kamito cried out.


But Est wordlessly shook her head.

"Kamito, I am sorry. I can't be your sword anymore."

"Why---"

"I will, one day, take away Kamito's life."

At that time, something cold was felt on Kamito's fingertips.

"......Est?"

Those were tears.

She was once a sword spirit that had shown not a single emotion.

When his fingers touched her, a whirlpool of emotions flowed into him.

The Sacred Queen and the «Demon Slayer» --- the last of their memories together.

===Part 6===

In front of Est---

The sacred maiden that had defeated the maou's body crystallized into a spirit stone.

"Mas......ter......?"

"Est, don't make that kind of face."


Areishia's right hand that could still move touched Est's cheek as she struggled to talk.

"I knew about this from the beginning."

She wore such an adult expression despite being only sixteen years old.

Seeing even those fingertips crystallize---

The sword spirit finally understood.

That this was --- a curse.

The combined resentment and curses of the spirits that had been slain by the holy sword's power thus far.

That had amassed until the limit and was eroding her master's body.

The «Demon Slayer» was a sword that destroyed all curses.

But those curses didn't disappear from this world. The holy sword that had absorbed those various curses would one day pass them onto its master.

The spirit weapon --- «Terminus Est» was not a holy sword.

Taking the user's life in exchange for granting enormous power was unmistakably the properties of a demon sword.

"No......way......"

The girl's forgiving hand. Est could not watch as those fingers that had always gently pet her head hardened and became a spirit stone.

"Master! I didn't know! That I---"


"I know, Est."

Areishia smiled and gazed at Est gently.

"Master......you knew that you would......"

"Yes. That's why it's not Est's fault."

While patting Est's silvery white hair, she slowly nodded.

But her voice wavered and tears gathered in those eyes.

It was obvious. In the face of death, there was no way she wasn't afraid.

That's why she wasn't anything like a sacred maiden.

She was just a normal sixteen year old girl.

"Master......"

"Good bye, Est. My only friend."

"No, you can't......master......!"

A small voice leaked from Est's lips.

"No......Arei......shia......!"

"......That's the first time you've called my name. I'm hap.....py......"

"......!?"

With a clear sound, the girl's neck crystallized.


Est could do nothing but watch.

[[File:STnBD V05 241.jpg|thumbnail|right]]

At the moment the girl who had revealed her heart for the first time shattered after becoming a clear crystal.

"Est, I---"

The hot tears dropped onto Est's cheek.

"Honestly, didn't want to become anything like a sacred maiden."

"---Areishia!"

A wail echoed through the maou's castle.

For the sacred maiden that bore the hopes of all people and had fought to this point alone---

That was her end.

And so Est sealed herself in the maou's armory.

So that nobody would contract the demon sword hidden deep within.

So she would never lose anybody important again.

She would never open her heart to anyone --- she solemnly swore that.

===Part 7===


"---I have no right to become Kamito's sword."

"......"

Kamito became speechless at Est's past that he had caught a glance of.

The girl that had given emotion to this spirit weapon girl that had none.

Est had stolen that girl's life herself with her curse.

That's why she closed her heart.

For how many hundreds of years, she had continued to separate herself from those who wanted to contract her.

So she would never be touched by anyone else again.

Kamito could not imagine how lonely that must have been.

"Est......"

Kamito rubbed the edge of Est's eye.

Those mysterious purple eyes blinked.

"Don't say you don't have the right. I need Est."

"You can't......if you continue to use a demon sword like me, I'll steal your life!"

Kamito placed his hand on Est's head.

"I won't lose to that kind of curse."

He pet that beautiful silvery white hair.


"Fuaa......Kamito......stop, please......"

"I won't. Until you stop crying, that is."

"Kami......to......"

"Est, your curse and your destiny as a demon sword, I'll take it all."

And then---

He hugged Est's delicate body to himself.

"So come back, Est!"

"No......I will, to Kamito......"

To stop those words---

Kamito embraced Est and sealed her lips.

"......!?"

Est's eyes shot open in surprise.

That was the ritual to contract a top-level spirit.

The kiss of oath.

Kamito gently separated their lips.

"I'll say it once more, Est. I need you."

He yelled this out while holding her delicate body tightly.


"Become my sword, Est!"

In response to Kamito's powerful words---

"Kamito, I---"

Est's silvery white hair shined.

===Part 8===

"......Wha!?"

Leonora's red eyes widened.

From the right hand of Kamito who should've been knocked out, a strong light was shining.

"---Dispassionate Queen of Steel, the sacred sword that destroys evil!"

His quivering lips chanted the summoning spirit words.

"......!?"

Faced with the vigorous voice that had a mysterious edge to it, Leonora took a step back.

"......It can't be, the «Dragon» inside me is scared?"

The «Dragon Blood» was in a fully awakened state so she could understand, this was true fear.


And so---

"---Now form a sword of steel and be the power in my hand!"

As if to burn the eyes, a fierce light was emitted!

In front of Kamito, the «Gate» connecting a master and their contracted spirit opened.

The one that appeared was a girl with beautiful fluttering silvery white hair.

"......Es......t, thank you. For listening to my selfishness."

While pushing down on the hole in his chest, he smiled wryly.

"Kamito, I am your sword --- for as long as you wish."

The uniformed Est said that with the same expressionless face as always.

He wondered if the slightly red cheeks he could see were because of the flames.

"So you've called back the «Demon Slayer»......"

The radiance of Leonora's red eyes rose.

"This is the reason there is worth in defeating you!"

Roaring, she swung the «Dragon Slayer»---

"---Destroy, tyrannical demonic dragon!"

A crimson light shot out from the tip of the sword.

It blazed the ground and instantly disintegrated the trees in its path.

"---Est!"

But Est didn't avoid it and simply stood there.

[[File:STnBD V05 247.jpg|thumbnail|right]]

With an expression like ice, she turned to the inferno and put out her palm.

"---I am talking with Kamito right now, so don't disturb us."

The inferno that raged over the earth was dispersed with ease.

"......!?"

Leonora widened her eyes in shock.

Est gave off a fierce aura that didn't match with her magnificent appearance.

"......Est, let's go!"

"Yes!"

Kamito shakily got to his feet and held Est's hand.

His chest wound opened and a large amount of blood splattered across the ground.

His arm's joints were dislocated his ribs were broken.

It was a condition that could only be described as covered in wounds.

But for some reason, he knew he wouldn't lose.


Just having Est nearby seemed to send strength welling up from deep within him.

Kamito chanted the spirit words for releasing and Est's body scattered into light particles.

In the next instant, Kamito's hands were holding a silvery white shining sword.

Demon Slayer --- Terminus Est.

"Let's do this, Leonora Lancaster!"

Kamito shouted as he readied Est in both hands.

There was no need for clever tricks --- just one attack was enough.

"---Answer to the call of my blood, demonic dragon, rampage!"

Leonora also positioned her «Dragon Slayer» again and roared.

And both sacred sword users ran at the same time.

"Ohhhhhhhhhhh!"

"Ahhhhhhhhhhh!"

The wind from the swords dug into the ground and sent dirt and sand flying.

"---Taste the boiling of my blood with your body!"

The large sword being swung before his eyes.

Wrapped in enough divine power to blow him away if it even grazed, Leonora charged.

But Kamito did not fear it and instantly accelerated towards it.


There was nothing to fear.

Because Kamito now had the strongest sword.

"Est, your sadness and despair, I will put an end to all of it!"

When the two blades met, the «Demon Slayer» gave off a radiance---

And shattered the «Dragon Slayer» in one strike.

===Part 9===

"......No way, Leonora-sama was!?"

Yuri El Cid exclaimed.

The divine power she had felt coming from not too far away had stopped.

"Looking away in the midst of battle? We're being really underestimated."

The momentary opening provided by the iron wall dragon knight. Claire would not let it slip.

Swinging her Flame Tongue, she knocked the halberd from her hands.

"......Shit!"

"---Scarlet!"

The flame whip instantly reverted to a hellcat and attacked.


"Tch!"

Yuri kicked the ground and retreated.

"We're stopping the hunt. Retreat!"

"Yuri-sama!?"

"Leonora-sama lost."

"Wha......!"

The face colors of the Knights of the Dragon Emperor's changed instantly.

But as natural-born soldiers, they quickly understood the situation and promptly followed the order, retreating into the forest.

"I won't let you! Freezing fangs, pierce --- Freezing Arrow!"

Rinslet shot her ice arrows, but they were blocked by the forest's trees.

"Kamito beat Leonora?"

"......It seems like that's the case."

Claire nodded as she looked in the direction of the burning camp site.

===Part 10===


"......Why are you not taking my «Magic Stone»?"

Leonora who was lying on the blazing ground asked.

Her mad red eyes had returned to a calm black.

......It seemed that the «Dragon Blood» had calmed down.

"I won't say it's a reward for helping me get Est back but---"

Kamito also fell down.

It was a much more delicate body than he had imagined.

Her noble face entered his eyes.

"This time I'll pardon you. And I'd like to blade dance with the real dragon knight Leonora rather than one influenced by «Dragon Blood»."

"......Naive, aren't you."

"......Well, the truth is I can't even move a finger anyway."

Kamito said so with a wry smile and Leonora turned her head with a red face.

"A, as I thought, you're dangerous......in various ways."

"What's that mean? What are these various ways?"

"Y, you're quite noisy, you licentious beast!"

Leonora sent Kamito flying and stood up.


The «Dragon Blood» rampage seemed to have eaten up her divine power so she was shaky on her feet.

"I won't lose next time, Kazehaya Kamito."

"Yeah, me neither. I have no intention of losing."

Leonora smiled and disappeared into the flames.

"......Kamito is really a master with no fidelity."

Hearing the pouting voice of Est from overhead, Kamito passed out.

---And this time he didn't see that dream.

<noinclude>{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume5 Chapter8|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume5 Epilogue}}</noinclude>

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume5 Chapter5

2014-12-21T19:26:58Z

AngelicMasterMind: /* Part 4 */

==Chapter 5: The Princess Maiden of the Grand Shrine==
===Part 1===
"I never imagined that... under the Sanctuary, there are actually such enormous caves!"

"Yes, I don't think even the princess maidens at the «Divine Ritual Institute» know that these caves exist."

Holding in one hand the spirit crystal to light their path, Kamito made his way through the gigantic underground caves.

These caves, made by unknown men, were practically big enough to contain the entire Grand Shrine.

In between the stalactites were massive spiderwebs, bats danced in flight over their heads, and swarms of little bugs on the ground made Fianna shriek involuntarily.

"Your highness, are you all right?"

"I... I am but the esteemed second princess of the Empire... H-How can these mere bugs scare me... Aaaaah!"

"Why be so stubborn... Hey, watch your step."

As the princess let out a shrill scream of fear, Kamito grasped her hand tightly.

"K-Kamito? Wh...?"

"It's a man's duty to protect a woman... Or do you mean to say you dislike holding boys' hands?"

"N-No, it's not that... It's just..."

"Your shriek just now was actually quite cute, you know."

"... I-I hate you! You're so mean, Kamito..."

At Fianna's pouting expression, Kamito could not help but laugh.

Although she liked to tease Kamito mercilessly, once this princess was given a taste of her own medicine, she would immediately reveal her pure and shy original side.

"Oh, that's right... Why would you know of such a place?"

"When I was still studying at the Institute, I came to this floating island as part of a ritual for the Wind Elemental Lord. A senior told me of this place."

"A senior... Who's that?"

"The Calamity Queen – Rubia Elstein-san."

"... What?!"

At that, Kamito let out an uncontrollable yelp.

"You are old friends with Claire's older sister?"

"Yes. I don't have many close friends, and she... used to be one of them."

Fianna's expression suddenly darkened and grew lonely, and she muttered in the past tense.

"Here, even the highest ranked princess maidens are ordered to stop, so I too don't know why she would know of these caves—"
Right at that moment...

"Shhh... Don't say a word!"

Kamito stopped in his tracks and whispered to Fianna.

"What is it?"

"... There's someone nearby."

"How is that possible!? Only I know about th—"

Midway through her sentence, Fianna hastily fell silent.

Because she, too, had noticed the sounds of people talking.

—And if... body cannot bear it, what... do then...

—If so, it will mean... does not have the right to... that's all."

The words reverberated through the caves.

Because of the way the cave walls reflected sound, there was no way of telling how far they were from the speakers.

However, Kamito was certain that he had heard the voice somewhere before.

"That's Muir Alenstarl... So the one speaking to her must be—"

Kamito held onto Fianna’s shoulders protectively, and took a deep breath to control his emotions.

"Why would that bastard be here..!"

No mistake about it – the one talking to Muir was indeed Ren Ashbell.

—The very person who carved the «Brand of Darkness» on Kamito, and the very person responsible for the disappearance of Est.

"Damn it..."

If he had been in any condition to, Kamito would have rushed up to confront her.

However, Kamito currently lacked even the ability to summon spirits for battle.

Furthermore, he could not put Fianna in danger.

Kamito could hence only suppress his feelings of anger and aggression, and remain silently in hiding.

The pair's conversation finally ceased.

"... I think they've left."

"Yeah."

Kamito let down his guard, took a breath and said:

"—What... on earth were they just doing?"

"I imagine... maybe performing some kind of ritual magic."

"Ritual magic?"

"Indeed. I heard what sounded like chanting in spirit language, but it sounded a little different to ordinary spirit language... It felt a little sinister, and it made my hair stand."

Fianna's shoulders quivered in fear.

"Why choose such a place to perform ritual magic—"

Kamito furrowed his brow in confusion.

"Hmmm... Say, Kamito?"

"Yes?"

"H-How long are you planning to hug me for?"

"S-Sorry!"

As Fianna blushed furiously, Kamito hastily let go of her.

===Part 2===

"Oooh... What's wrong with coming along, Kamito you dummy!"

Back in her room, Claire muttered to herself unhappily while collapsing on her bed.

As Ellis and Rinslet were both with their families, who had come to cheer them on, Claire was alone with Scarlet in the house.

"Stupid..."

Casting her face downwards, Claire clutched her pillow tightly.

They definitely had valid reasons, and even, in a manner of speaking, no choice but to leave her by herself.

... However, she couldn't help but feel lonely, as if she had been abandoned by her teammates.

"Who knows... what the two of them are doing..."

As they had left the room, Fianna had even pressed her bosom against Kamito's arm.

Kamito had looked a little surprised, but... how should she say this... seemingly not too repelled either.

"E-Either way, whatever that rascal does with that lascivious princess, it's none of my business..."

... Nevertheless, the bothersome feeling was still gnawing away at her chest.

"... Boys, do they all like big-chested girls?"

Perhaps it was what she had seen in the forbidden books in the Biblion, which detailed a wide variety of rituals involving the bodies of princess maidens, but Claire found herself even more self-conscious about her unimpressive chest.

"S-So unbelievable... That one would actually wedge t-that sort of thing in between...!"

Just the mere passing thought of it left Claire so embarrassed she blushed hotly.

"Put in between..."

Rub rub. Squeeze squeeze.

As a test, she gently rubbed her own tiny breasts.

... It was no good. With such a small chest, it was impossible for her to hold such a thing as illustrated in the book.

The most she would be able to do was rub it on the surface—

"Aaah... W-What nonsense am I thinking!"

Her face red, Claire clutched at her pillow wildly.

"Meow—?"

"S-Scarlet! G-G-G-Go away!"

Claire threw her pillow aside; startled, Scarlet fled from the room.

"..."

She was now truly completely alone in the room.

"... Why don't I... t-t-try out what was written in that book?"

Claire swallowed.

The forbidden book mentioned earlier also contained a method to enlarge one's chest.

Making use of the intelligence that had allowed her to achieve such stellar grades in the Academy, Claire took advantage of a moment when Ellis and Rinslet were distracted to memorize the contents of the script.

"... I-I have to try it to know whether or not it'll really work."

She cleared her throat and removed a small stone from her bag.

A low-level «Thunder Spirit» was sealed within that spirit crystal. Although this type of spirit crystal was expensive, it was also not especially rare; its original purpose was to scare away wild forest creatures.

Claire put it on her white underclothes, and through the cloth gently massaged her chest.

"Mmm..."

The sharp tip of the stone rubbed against her chest painfully, but Claire told herself to be brave and bear it.

She focused on her fingers, concentrating her Divine Power in the spirit crystal.

The normal way of using it would be to summon a burst of Divine Power into it, releasing the spirit sealed within. The trick to this method seemed to be to input Divine Power in a slow, more controlled manner, which would need much more skill – however, this was child's play for an elementalist as talented as Claire.

"Th-This will really enlarge my chest..? Aieeee!"

The sealed spirit suddenly began responding, releasing weak sparks of energy into Claire's body.

The intoxicating comforting feeling made her tremble right down to her fingertips.

"W-What is going on... Uhhh... Aaaah!"

[[File:STnBD V05 137.jpg|thumbnail|right]]

Claire twisted about making noises, pressing the still-sparking spirit crystal against her chest.

"Aaaa-aaah, mmm, aah-ha, aah... oooh..."

Unable to bear the intoxicating pain, she grasped her bedsheets in her fist and gasped deep breaths.

"I must b-be strong, so that my c-chest will get bigger... Aaaah!"

Suddenly, an even stronger jolt of energy surged through her, causing Claire to tremble uncontrollably and lean her body backwards.

''W-What now, I c-can't stop..!''

As the sweet pain coursed through her, Claire felt herself begin to lose consciousness.

"—What, you rascal, so you'd like me to do these things to you?"

For some unknown reason, at that moment, an image of Kamito floated into Claire's mind. The imaginary Kamito was even looking at her with an expression like in her favorite romance novels... a cool, cruel, haughty expression.

"O-Of course not! Stupid... Stop now, don't go on any more!"

"Oh... You really wish for me to stop?"

"Huh? .... Aaaa!"

"Look at you, what are those sounds you're making? You really are a dirty young miss."

"Oooh, mmm... W-Who says... Aaaah..."

"Why don't you admit your true feelings, young lady?"

"What t-true feelings... aaaah... ohhh!"

"Uh... That..."

"... Whew... oooh... Kamito, you stu..."

"That... Claire-sama?"

"... Huh!?"

A voice beside her ear jolted Claire back into reality.

Outside the door stood a youthful princess maiden holding a box.

"Waaaah... W-What are you doing!?"

"I-I'm sorry for disturbing you! The door wasn't locked, so—"

The girl nodded in profuse apology.

"C-Can I help you with anything?"

Claire sat up primly, cleared her throat and asked.

"Yes, indeed, someone requested I give you this—"

The girl placed the box in her hands on a rack beside the door.

The box was marked with a seal that Claire was very familiar with.

"This is from Headmistress Greyworth... What could it be?"

Claire opened the box. Inside were huge quantities of books and documents.

===Part 3===

"– You mean to say, you had a dream about Sacred Queen Areishia?"

"Mmm... I just can't seem to forget about it, that's all."

In the pitch-black cave –

Kamito walked along with Fianna while telling her of his dream earlier that day.

That dream – in which Sacred Queen Areishia used the «Demon Slaying Sacred Sword» to vanquish the Demon King.

Kamito somehow felt that the contents of the dream might have had something to do with Est.

"That would indeed be a memorable dream..."

Fianna put a hand on her chin and thought for a moment, then said:

"Perhaps... What happened was Kamito's thoughts and feelings mixing with Est's."

"What does that mean?"

Kamito only knew a little about these academic matters, but Fianna was once an outstanding princess maiden, so she was very knowledgeable in these areas.

"It's not unusual for elementalists and their contract spirits to have a mental connection in their dreams. Especially when the «gate» between them cannot be opened, such a phenomenon will become even more common."

As Fianna talked, she gestured with her index finger.

"When I lost my connection to my contract spirit, I would frequently dream of a knight charging forth on the battlefield."

The rider in her dream was probably the spirit «Georgios» she commanded. By the looks of it, even if the elementalist lost their power, the connection between the two did not break completely.

"That dream – you don't say it's part of Est's memory?"

If that were true, Est was really the true Demon Slayer Sacred Sword?

"Mmm... To be sure, the picture should have been formed by the mixing of Est's and Kamito's memories – "

Saying this, Fianna suddenly stopped in her tracks.

"I can understand what you're feeling... Because the same tragedy happened to me before."

"Fianna..."

Kamito also stopped and turned to face her.

The second princess of the Empire, the impending successor to Rubia, the anticipated heir princess maiden. Unfortunately, when she lost the ability to command spirits and became a fallen princess maiden, those around her reversed their attitudes and regarded her only with disappointment.

For the young, innocent girl, that would certainly have been an unimaginable horror.

"But Fianna, you did not just give up because of that."

"That was only because of Kamito's efforts."

Looking at him directly, she replied.

"My efforts?"

"Three years ago, the blade dance you presented gave me, a lost elementalist, renewed hope and inspiration. If not for you, Kamito, I suppose I would still be hiding away in the castle right now."

"You exaggerate too much."

Embarrassed, Kamito shook his head.

"Of course not, moreover... Since then, I have felt towards Kamito—"

At that moment, a group of bats suddenly flew past their heads.

"Aaaah!"

Fianna shrieked involuntarily.

Kamito waved the lantern about, only then did the bats fly away, frightened.

"... All right, it's fine now. That's right... What were you about to say just now?"

"N-Nothing! It was nothing!"

Fianna mumbled to herself as if to shrug the matter off, then continued onwards.

... For a lengthy while after, all was quiet between the two apart from the sound of footfalls.

"Oh, Kamito, you don't plan on telling Claire your true identity?"

Fianna's sudden question came out of nowhere.

"Mmm, forget it... If I caused someone's dream to be ruined, I would never be able to live with myself."

For a longed-for dream to always remain as a dream was the most perfect situation of all.

The strongest blade dancer three years ago was long gone now.

It would be better for "her" to remain merely in the imaginations of Claire and her friends.

"Furthermore... If they were to find out about my habit of dressing as a girl, they would surely laugh at me to no end."

Looking down at his outfit, Kamito muttered to himself.

"Hee hee... Does that mean I'm the only one to share in Kamito's little secret?"

Fianna suddenly let slip a gleeful smile, and clutched tightly at Kamito's arm.

"Hey, watch your step."

"It doesn't matter anyway, even if I were to trip, Kamito will catch me before I fall."

"You rascal... Some princess you are, please be a bit more wary of men!"

"Huh, don't you know? In front of a boy she likes, a princess is but an ordinary girl!"

The princess stuck her tongue out at Kamito mischievously.

Her adorable response made Kamito's heart quicken.

"My dear princess, please stop joking around with me."

"... I hate you, I wasn't joking."

=== Part 4===

After quite a while, the two of them finally arrived at the secret tunnels of the Grand Temple.

The path overhead was blocked by a giant stone slab, on which were cramped carvings of words in spirit language.

The exit was right here; the courtyard of the Grand Temple was just outside.

"Kamito, may I climb on your shoulders?"

"Sure, no problem."

Nodding, Kamito bent to allow Fianna to get up.

The feel of her tender thighs on the back of his neck made Kamito's heart involuntarily leap into his throat – how he hoped she would not get mad at him because of that.

"S-Speaking of which... I really don't have to hide my face?"

"Something so suspicious would in fact make us more easily discovered. Besides, I'm a girl and even I think Kamito looks very pretty, so you don't need to worry at all."

"Such praise really doesn't make me feel any better..."

Then, Fianna chanted what sounded like a magical curse. The spirit words on the stone shone brightly blue, and the entire slab split cleanly down the middle and opened outwards.

Bright moonlight beamed directly into the dark cave.

Night had already fallen upon the outside world, and a bonfire was burning to light the enormous courtyard.

"—It looks like no one's around, let's go now."

Fianna reached out and placed a hand on the ground, then slowly climbed out.

Kamito leaped up in one bound, and followed closely behind her.

Fortunately, the ritual clothing had a long skirt, so even if Kamito were to look up, Fianna's panties would still be hidden.

"What a pity... I'd even specially worn Kamito's favorite knickers today."

"I-I don't even l-like... suspenders!"

"Oooh, it looks like I've hit upon the truth!"

"Uhhh..."

Looking at Kamito's vexed expression, Fianna broke out into peals of laughter.

After climbing to ground level, the two of them hurried to the stone corridor in front of the courtyard.

"I say... If we're found out, will we have to escape from every single Guardian spirit here?"

"Don't look guilty, and we won't be found out."

The two of them exchanged nervous whispers while walking along the stone corridor stretched out before them.

At that moment, a princess maiden appeared in front of them and began walking towards them.

"Ooh!?l

Kamito's heart jolted, and his facial expression hardened.

The girl drew ever closer, step by step—

Just as they were about to pass each other, she suddenly stopped before them and said:

"Please, where are you headed to?"

"To Reicha-sama's chambers. Reicha-sama says she's feeling unwell, so..."

"Oh, is that so? Sorry for your trouble."

Fianna answered the questioning princess maiden with a calm, composed expression on her face, and the latter then turned and left.

"Look, didn't we just successfully pass this trial?"

"Wow... The bravery of the princess maiden really is something else. I was so scared my heart almost stopped "

For a male to enter the «Divine Ritual Institute» was absolutely unheard of. A rule of such importance had never been broken before.

If they were to be caught, in the best case they would be executed, while in the worst case... Never mind, it was best not to think about it.

"This way."

Fianna, who was walking in front, gestured surreptitiously with her hand.

Following her lead—

"..."

– The pair reached the end of the lengthy corridor, where there were a set of grand doors decorated with intricate carvings.

The decor of this door was noticeably different to the other doors: inlaid on the frame of the door were several very pure and valuable spirit crystals.

"... Uh... Fianna, may I ask a question?"

Kamito inquired, a twitching expression on his face.

"What is it?"

"This door wouldn't happen to be... Never mind, I guess it goes without saying..."

"Indeed, it's just what Kamito thinks."

Fianna shrugged her shoulders at Kamito naughtily.

"I've no choice... Which other princess maidens are of a higher status than I am out there, other than these ladies?"

"Are you serious?"

"Don't worry, I'm absolutely certain."

Finishing her sentence, Fianna knocked smartly on the door thrice, according to the proper regulations.

The duo waited for a while—

Finally, the grand doors gradually opened.

The sight that greeted them was—

A red carpet that stretched out straight before them, and brightly glittering spirit crystals.

This was a holy space, filled with the aura of somber tranquility.

A thin curtain hung at the far end of the room; behind that was the silhouette of a small slight figure.

"What does the visitor want? I believe I have already instructed not to have my meal—"

The high stately voice rang out into the hall.

However, undeterred, Fianna walked forward and said:

"Long time no see, Reicha. How have you been lately?"

"... Huh?"

The maiden hastily pulled aside the curtain, then – her jaw dropped in shock.

"... It can't be, Fianna-sempai!?"

===Part 5===

Reicha Alminas.

She was one of the «Queens» to have gained the honor of serving the five Elemental Lords.

There were only five Queens in the entire continent, and they were the most eminent of all princess maidens.

Although Fianna had said she wanted to bring Kamito to meet a high-ranked princess maiden—

He had never for a moment dreamed that she was referring to a current Queen.

"Why didn't you tell me this before?"

"Because... If I had, you wouldn't have come, would you Kamito?"

Kamito could not hide his conflicting feelings. Likewise, the girl seated beside him was also nervously averting her gaze, and looked rather uneasy.

The girl had glossy black hair neatly done up in braids, and cute eyes like that of a small animal.

Dressed in bright red ritual clothing, she looked like a butterfly about to take flight.

At fifteen, she was a year younger than Kamito. Like Rubia Elstein, she was one of Fianna's few close friends and confidantes while she was at the «Divine Ritual Institute».

She served the Fire Elemental Lord – in other words, she succeeded the Calamity Queen elementalist's position.

Kamito had already introduced himself, removed his disguise, and revealed that he was in truth male.

Upon discovering that Kamito was in fact male, Reicha very nearly fainted on the spot, and only managed to stay conscious thanks to Fianna's eloquent explanations.

"I-I-If I am ungracious, it is because it is my f-first time talking to a male..."

"N-Never mind. I should be the one apologizing, to barge in on you suddenly like this."

Looking at the Queen bobbing her head apologetically in his direction, Kamito also bowed his head in response.

Despite obviously being the highest ranked princess maiden in the continent, she was nonetheless humble and polite.

Due to her rank, Kamito should have used genteel, formal language when addressing her. However, regardless of that fact, she nonetheless looked like an ordinary young girl, so Kamito could not help but speak to her as an equal.

"Hee hee, little Reicha is still as cute as ever."

Fianna smiled mischievously and reached out to feel her small chest.

"Ah – ! S-Sempai, what are you doing!"

"Your chest seems to have gotten a little bigger?"

"Oooh... I-I really haven't...!"

Reicha blushed and twisted her body defensively.

... Even if she was indeed an old friend, to do something like that to a Queen was pushing it a little, wasn't it?

Kamito broke out into a cold sweat and averted his eyes awkwardly.

The two girls reminisced fondly for a while, then—

"Reicha, actually... I have a favor to ask of you."

Fianna made her request with a serious expression.

"A favor – yes?"

Reicha blinked, not understanding.

"Mmhmm, I need to borrow your power, to break the curse on him – Kamito."

"You mean to say this male has been cursed?"

The Fire Queen asked, turning to look at Kamito.

"My blade spirit might have been trapped by this curse. Please save her, I beg you."
Kamito placed both his hands on the ground and pleaded with Reicha with all his heart.

"That is a curse so strong that even I cannot break it. However, you have received the blessing of the Fire Elemental Lord; with that power, you can surely destroy even the harshest of curses."

"You are right. If I use the «Sacred Flames of Judgment», any curse will turn into smoke, that's true. But..."

Reicha lowered her head and mumbled.

It was only natural that she would hesitate.

Even on the behest of one of her best friends, Fianna, she was nevertheless a «Queen» who had to follow rules and do things by the book.

Using the Fire Elemental Lord's power for personal gains was an act that would never be condoned.

A long period of silence ensued, and then—

"I know."

"Huh?"

At that, Kamito raised his head and regarded Reicha quizzically.

"Because it is sempai's request, so... But only this once; I will not make this exception again."

The Fire Queen let out a sigh, and nodded her head as if making a decision.

===Part 6===

After a while more—

"– Now then, let's begin the ritual."

Reicha, who had changed into a set of pure white ritual clothes, knelt demurely in front of Kamito.

Her serene, assured appearance contrasted sharply with that of the nervous, embarrassed young girl just a while ago; they seemed like virtually two different people.

So as not to disrupt the ritual, Fianna had retreated to a corner of the room to guard them from afar.

"I'll leave everything in your hands, R-Reicha-sama."

"Please, just call me Reicha, Kamito-sama."

The Fire Queen smiled quietly, then caressed Kamito's hand gently.

"Will you be scared – I mean, scared to touch a male's body?"

"... To be honest, yes, a little scared. But... you are a friend of my sempai."

"It seems like you trust Fianna a lot."

"... Yes, indeed. Fianna-sempai was one of the only people to stand by my side."

Reicha mumbled to herself, as if recalling a faraway memory of some past event.
The rapport between the two seemed to go deeper than mere friendship.

"Also, I can feel it, you're not a dangerous evil person."

"Is that so?"

"Don't judge me based on my looks and age. I am after all a Queen, and I am quite confident in my ability to assess people."

Reicha said with a genuine smile.

Her smile was full of charm, and could easily mesmerize someone looking at it.

"Now, then, Kamito-sama, please remove your shirt."

"Oh... Mmm-hmm..."

Kamito nodded, and took off the thin tunic he was wearing under the princess maiden dress.

The «Brand of Darkness» on his chest, positioned just above his heart, had turned into a pitch-black wound.

"Ahhh... T-That's really something...!"

Reicha clapped both hands to her cheeks, blushing furiously red.

"T-This is my first time seeing a m-male's body..."

"Oh, is that so..."

Kamito looked away, feeling a little uneasy.

To have his naked body scrutinized so closely by a girl made him mysteriously embarrassed.

"Kamito, your face is very red."

Standing at a side of the room, Fianna said, then immediately coughed a few times.

Reicha stretched out a hand nervously to touch Kamito's chest.

"... Very... very firm and solid!"

"It's alright, it's a result of all the training at the Instructional School..."

The Queen's slim fingers wandered along Kamito's naked upper body, making him itch slightly.

However, where her fingers touched, he suddenly felt waves of aching pain.

Then, Reicha shut her eyes, and solemnly began chanting a curse in spirit language.

"O supreme master of all earthly flames, our harsh judge and great warrior—

These were the words of the prayer for a ritual dedicated to the «Fire Elemental Lord».

Reicha's hair started blowing wildly as if by a hot gust of wind, and a bright white light shone at her fingertips.

"Sacred Flames of Judgment – redeem our sins and cleanse our filth—

The words coming from her thin pale lips were the highest level of spirit language, the High Ancient.

The little girl before his eyes seemed to be possessed.

"... Oooo, uhhhhh...!"

Kamito let out uncontrollable moans of pain.

The bright blue flames from Reicha's fingertips were burning his skin, scorching his flesh.

"Oww... aaaaaaaa... aaah—!"

The unimaginable pain seemed to morph into the roar of a monstrous beast, which rushed out of Kamito's throat.

He felt a sharp tinnitus, as if fireworks were exploding in his head. Sweat oozed from his every pore, and his muscles tensed so hard as to nearly break his bones.

"Into ash and dust! Your flames can purify all darkness, burn away all curses!"

The «Brand of Darkness» imprinted on Kamito's chest suddenly started burning intensely.

"... – !"

Kamito burst into wordless howls.

In his quickly fading awareness – Kamito felt a dull pain coming from his right hand.

''– Could it be... Est's spirit mark...!?''

Just as he saw, from the corner of his eye, his spirit mark began radiating a bright light—

Kamito lost consciousness, and plunged into darkness.

<noinclude>{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume5 Chapter4|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume5 Chapter6}}</noinclude>

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume5 Chapter3

2014-12-20T07:19:37Z

AngelicMasterMind: /* Part 5 */

==Chapter 3: Dragonia's Allurement==
===Part 1===
After leaving the cafe, Kamito and the others took a stroll near the port.

Surrounded by the three lovely ladies, Kamito still received quite a few stares from passers-by that made him feel uncomfortable, but since they were some distance away from the centre of the shopping street, the situation was much better.

"Can we take a look in that store?"

Rinslet's outstretched hand was pointing at a stall that specialized in selling aristocratic dresses.

"No problem." "Yeah, I don't mind."

Claire and Ellis nodded in agreement.

"Rinslet, are you buying clothes now?"

Kamito asked, puzzled. As the Blade Dance would begin tomorrow, she would not have many opportunities to wear anything else other than her uniform.

"I'm not buying them for myself; I'm getting them for Carol and my little sister."

"Your sister?"

"Yes, my sister specially came to watch me show off my talents."

Rinslet fluffed her long hair happily.

At that moment, the maid Carol had arrived at the port ready to greet the girl Rinslet was talking about.

"Oh, turns out Rinslet has a little sister too... I imagine she must look just like her older sister; she must be a beautiful, pleasant child."

"K-Kamito-san, w-what nonsense are you spouting..."

At Kamito's casual thoughtless chatter, Rinslet blushed, embarrassed.

"M-My sisters are very good-looking as well!"

"My sister Velsaria is a beauty too!"

"Uh... why are you guys suddenly saying all these..."

Claire and Ellis felt an inexplicable sense of competitiveness.

"Well, I'll wait patiently outside. Call me when you're done."

As Kamito turned to leave, Claire tugged on his sleeve to stop him.

"You have to come in with me."

"... Why? This shop only sells girls' clothing, doesn't it?"

"I-It doesn't matter... we have to stay together."

"Well... Hey...!"

Kamito was forcibly pulled into the shop by his sleeve.

The shop was unexpectedly spacious. In addition to fashionable clothing, it also sold items like underwear.

"Well then, let me first pick out something for my sister."

Rinslet happily disappeared into the shop.

"Kamito, wait here for me... I'll go try something on."

"Try something on?"

"... U-Uh, I mean, so you can help me make a decision."

Claire's cheeks flushed.

''... Oh, I get it.''

Kamito was struck by a sudden understanding, and could not hold back a smile.

Having grown up in a sheltered aristocratic family, Claire was probably not used to choosing her own clothing.

''... Nonetheless, it's hardly a good idea to ask me for advice.''

"I'd be glad to help... but I take no responsibility!"

"It doesn't matter, I just want your thoughts."

Claire lifted her two ponytails proudly, smiled sweetly and said:

"I want you to admire me after my gorgeous makeover."

"I look forward to it... But, with so amazing a model, I'm sure any clothes you pick would look good."

"... S-Stupid! You're talking nonsense again!"

Claire flushed at Kamito's teasing and left with her face red.

===Part 2===

At the instant Claire left Kamito's side –

''... Good opportunity!''

At a corner of the shop, Ellis was silently shouting to herself.

Now all the hindering people were out of the way.

Of course, as a Knight, Ellis prided herself on her honesty and nobility.

Normally, she would never take such actions behind the backs of the other two.

However, some things were too important to concede.

''Now is the perfect time!''

Ellis firmly pursed her lovely lips.

Upon further reflection, ever since arriving on this floating island, she had always been half a beat slower than the other two.

The outfit she wore to purify herself in the lake was the plain competition swimwear, the evening gown she so painstakingly prepared was no match for Claire's superior beauty, and even just now, she had been slower than Claire and Rinslet to hold Kamito's hand, and had to settle for his arm.

''I-I absolutely must find some way to improve my position right now...''

Ellis secretly shot a look towards Kamito's side profile.

It was a face she was very used to seeing; nevertheless, it set butterflies aflutter in her stomach.

To think that at first she held prejudices against him just because he was a male elementalist.

She had thought he would destroy the strict discipline of the Academy, and that he was an enemy of hers.

However, things had changed.

''Kamito... I –''

A new emotion budded in the heart of this young girl, who had previously known only of a strict education.

She still could not figure out what this unknown feeling was.

Nonetheless –

''Kamito, I would love to find out more about you...''

Ellis stroked the ribbon her sister—Velsaria—had given her.

She felt doing that would help her muster her courage.

Suppressing her rapidly throbbing heart, Ellis took a step forward.

===Part 3===

A tug.

"Huh?"

Feeling a pull on his sleeve, Kamito turned his head and saw –

Ellis, who was red-faced, had her hand on the sleeve of Kamito's uniform.

"Ellis... what is it?"

"That... c-come with me!"

"...?"

Tugging at Kamito's cuffs, Ellis pulled him into a small room partitioned off by curtains.

It turned out to be a dressing room with a huge mirror.

"W-What are you doing!?"

"K-Keep it down! Do you want to be blasted into crabmeat butter croquettes?!"

Ellis unsheathed her sword with a hiss, leaving Kamito with no choice but to raise both his hands and nod in submission.

"... But, why are you bringing me into a dressing room?"

"Uh, uh, actually... i-it's because I want you to comment on the clothing I try on."

"Comment on clothing?"

"Right. It's a rare opportunity, so I'd also like to buy some clothes. It's just that... I'm ashamed to say I don't exactly know much about girls' dresses."

... Oh, so she wants me to give her some advice?

''Something isn't right. Claire and Rinslet are both here, so why pick me?''

"If it's girls' outfits you need help with, I think it's better you ask the shopkeepers."

"... Oooh, I-I just want to know what you like!"

"Oh... so that's what it is..."

At Ellis's ferocious glare, Kamito could not help but take a few steps back in fear.

"...Well, all right, what clothing would you like to try on, Ellis?"

"Ah... uh, right now I'm torn between these two pieces –"

Ellis coughed loudly –

Then took out two different articles of clothing and presented them to Kamito.

"Oh, so it's a choice between black and white..."

The cloth before him was dotted with intricate lace flowers.

The fabric was smooth and gave off a sense of quality. It should probably be silk? The upper edge was also lined with lovely lotus leaf decorations –

"... Hey, isn't this underwear!"

Kamito spat, repelled.

No mistake about it, what Ellis was holding was indeed a set of high-class underwear.

"Well, answer quickly... w-which one do you like!"

Ellis herself seemed embarrassed; as she asked her question, her face flushed bright red.

"Y-You want me to choose..."

Kamito swallowed.

Ellis's face bore an extremely serious expression. She did not look like she was joking in the slightest, but was genuinely wanting Kamito's advice.

On the one hand was pure and lovely white.

On the other was mature, sophisticated black.

''Ellis is a high-spirited, brave and heroic Knight Captain... common wisdom would say to pick white, I guess.''

... No, precisely because of this, reverse thinking might be better.

For an honest and pure girl like Ellis, if she wore mature and womanly black underwear... the contradiction would certainly be arousing.

"Kamito, h-hurry up and decide, please! This is really embarrassing."

"Oooh, I know..."

Kamito nodded hastily and made his decision:

"... I would choose the black, I think the mature black underwear suits you well."

"Y-Yes, really... On days where the difference between winning and losing is critical, I'll often wear black underwear."

Ellis nodded, apparently satisfied.

Say, that time he had accidentally peeked in on the girls changing clothes at the Sylphid Knights' general meeting , Ellis had also been wearing black underwear... which means to say there had been some important game that day?

"T-Then I'll get this, next I just need to make sure it's the right size."

"Mmm, then... I'll leave first –"

Kamito sighed in relief and started to move out of the dressing room. Then –

"Oh no... that rascal Kamito, where on earth has he gone now? I clearly told him to wait here!"

Kamito suddenly heard Claire huff.

Surprised, Kamito quickly shut the dressing room curtain he had just half-opened.

''... This is terrible!''

If Claire found him and Ellis nestled in the dressing room together, he would certainly be burned to a crisp.

Kamito quickly turned to tell Ellis about Claire being right outside –

"E-Ellis... what are you doing!?"

Kamito could not help but stare, wide-eyed and tongue-tied.

In the blink of an eye, Ellis had already taken off her uniform and put on the set of underwear.

"Aaaaaa –"

"... Wow!"

Seeing Ellis on the verge of shrieking, Kamito quickly covered her mouth with his hand.

"Mmmm..."

He used his momentum to push Ellis's whole body against the wall, then whispered in her ear:

"Don't make a sound... Claire's nearby."

"...!?"

Ellis's eyes widened in surprise.

"... Kamito? Where on earth has he run off to?"

Claire was searching everywhere; by the sound of her voice, she was very close.

Even the slightest movement would give them away.

The duo huddled against the wall, barely daring to even breathe.

"..."

"..."

A little sigh of relief escaped from between Kamito's fingers over Ellis's mouth.

Through her underwear, he could feel the softness of her huge bosom. Kamito felt as if his furiously beating heart was loud enough to be heard.

''E-Ellis's chest was really something...''

Her tender breasts wobbled and changed shape as his arm pressed against them.

For some unknown reason, moist ripples were swimming in Ellis's pair of brown eyes as well.

... Like this, they passed tens of seconds, that felt like forever.

Claire had probably gone somewhere else, since her voice could finally no longer be heard.

"...Whew."

It appears the crisis had been averted. A weight lifted from Kamito's shoulders, and he caught his breath.

"K-Kamito... you...!"

Ellis quickly moved away from Kamito, and sharply glared at him.

"W-Why did you suddenly do that!"

"... I'm sorry, it was an urgent situation, I'm so sorry."

While apologizing profusely, Kamito turned away from the underwear-clad Ellis.

"Uhm... Never mind, in any case it was I who asked you to help me pick underwear in the first place."

[[File:STnBD V05 079.jpg|thumbnail|right]]

Ellis softly cleared her throat, shyly lifted her eyes in Kamito's direction and said:

"Oh – Oh yes..."

"What is it now?"

"Do you think t-this underwear really... looks good on me?"

Ellis rubbed her attractive and alluring thighs against each other while shyly asking.

"Ah, I think it looks good. How should I say it... I feel excited when I look at it."

"R-Really...!"

At Kamito's candid answer, Ellis's lips curved upwards in a happy smile.

"Excellent... Then at the critical moment, I will be sure to wear it."

"... Critical moment? Oh, you mean the competition that starts tomorrow."

"I hate you... That's not at all what I meant!"

As if she wanted to be purposely difficult, Ellis pinched Kamito's arm.

''... That Ellis could actually say something like "I hate you" was adorable.''

===Part 4===
After departing the dressing room, Kamito, feigning as if nothing much had happened, tapped Claire's shoulder and said.

"– Claire, sorry to have kept you waiting."

"Y-You rascal, where did you go! I was looking for you everywhere!"

"Sorry, I went outside the shop for a second... Oh, the dress you're wearing is very cute."

"Huh... R-Really? You really think it's very cute?"

A puff of hot air emerged from the top of Claire's head, and her two ponytails bobbed up and down.

She was wearing a white dress of a more mature style, that was also cut very low in the front.

Truthfully speaking, the chest area of the dress looked a bit collapsed, but Kamito intentionally neglected to mention this point. Additionally, leaving aside the issue of whether or not the dress was suitable, Claire was as lovely as ever.

"Hmph... Well, never mind. From now on, I forbid you to come and go anytime you wish. You're to stay by your master's side, got it?"

"All right, I get it."

It seemed like he had successfully managed to appease the Hell Cat maiden.

Fortunate to have avoided being burnt to a crisp, Kamito let out a sigh of relief.

"Ho ho, looks like you bought something revealing by accident."

"W-What's the matter with me, why would I go so far as to buy such provocative underwear..."

As the other two waited at the front of the stall, Rinslet finished shopping for her sister and Ellis bought her underwear. The task completed, they headed towards the Biblion, a short walk away from the port.

Situated on a slightly raised plot of high land, it looked like a huge citadel from the outside.

Like the tower where Kamito and the others were settled at, this building had also been repaired through ancient relic restoration.

In terms of sheer size, the Biblion could not compare to the library of seals, the pride of the Areishia Spirit Academy, but it was home to many ancient rare collections and even legendary forbidden books.

Such a place was one where they were likely to find a way to destroy the «Brand of Darkness» eroding Kamito, or even a clue as to how to bring back the disappeared Est.

As Kamito and the others entered the building, the sight that greeted them was that of innumerable bookshelves, each as high as the ceiling.

"This library sure is huge..."

"We'll take charge of researching the «Brand of Darkness». Kamito, go look for clues on Est – there should be quite a bit of information here about legends of the Demon Slaying Sacred Sword."

"Oh, okay."

Kamito nodded to show his agreement, then walked to the bookshelf that held records of legends from all across the continent.

On his way there, low murmurs of the «Divine Ritual Institute»'s princess maidens whispering to each other floated into his ear.

"Quick, look, it's the male elementalist." "He's the pervert we've heard rumors about?" "Careful, don't look at his eyes, you'll be defiled!"

''W-Why do even the princess maidens in the Sanctuary know of those rumors about me?''

Kamito sighed heavily and began searching for documents about the Sacred Sword.

===Part 5===

Meanwhile, Claire and the others, led by the librarian, had entered the sealed archives located underground.

After all, the curse Kamito bore was one even Fianna—once the second-best princess maiden of the «Divine Ritual Institute»—could not destroy.

As such, it would be a waste of time to simply browse literature on general spirit magic. Therefore, after some thought, the girls decided to instead focus their research on the forbidden books in the sealed archives.

The forbidden books covered quite a diverse range of content; for example, some held confidential information on the curse-bearing seal—a technique many countries had now banned the research of.

"Given the nature of that curse, it might be something similar to the curse-bearing seal."

"That is a possibility... Furthermore, there are also signs that Ren Ashbell's Alphas Theocracy is secretly conducting research on the curse-bearing seal –"

"While we're at it, it might be better if we investigated the Alphas Theocracy as well."

One by one, Claire and the others began flipping through the forbidden books displayed on the shelves.

Although they were all aristocratic daughters from distinguished families, just their princess maiden status alone would not get them access to these forbidden books.

All of them could have access to these books only because of their particular situation—they were participants in the Blade Dance.

"Records of the punitive expedition of S-rank spirits in a deep sleep in the spirit forest... nope."

"Data on the curse-bearing seal collected during the time of the Blue Baltic War... Oh, this one might contain a clue."

"... Ancient Taboo Magic... This book should be useful—Ahhh!?"

While looking through the collections, Ellis let out a shriek of shock.

"Ellis, did you find a clue!?"

"What's happened to you? Why is your face so red?"

"N-Nothing! It's nothing at all –"

"...?"

Claire stole a glance at the book was Ellis holding open.

Then –

"Ah ah ah! W-What is this!"

Claire blushed hotly as well.

The picture on the book was a portrait of a princess maiden in a very indecent position.

The taboo ritual magic—this book's content was so explicitly realistic that even Claire, who had a soft spot for provocative romance novels, could not help but take three steps backwards.

"N-Nasty... this is simply too obscene!"

"Captain, you pervert!"

"N-No! I was looking for books about rituals and accidentally took this one, that's all!"

From the way Ellis was hurriedly shaking her head in denial, one could tell this
noble Knight girl had been quite shocked.

"..." "..." "..."

They were silent for a while.

Looking at the taboo book before them, the girls swallowed nervously.

"I say... w-why don't we flip through it briefly and take a look?"

Claire proposed a suggestion, a note of slight hesitation in her voice.

"... T-That could be good, there might be something useful in there, you never know."

"Y-Yes... one can't deny there is such a possibility –"

[[File:STnBD V05 086.jpg|thumbnail|right]]

Rinslet and Ellis both nodded, but averted their glances, not comfortable with looking at each other.

Claire nodded and psychologically prepared herself, then began flipping through the book with trembling fingers.

Then –

"... Wow!? W-What is this thing! I-I don't understand..."

"What's going on... b-blindfold him, and then do something like that... aaaah!"

"Is t-this... a man's... thing?"

"Put it i-in one's mouth... and... a-also lick it?"

"T-To go as far as to put that in between one's breasts... ewwww... h-how could one be willing to do such a thing!"

"..." "..." "..."

These girls were relatively innocent, and would be shy to merely hold hands with a boy of their own age.

The impact of peeping into the unknown world left them suddenly speechless.

The only sound to be heard was the flipping of pages, echoing in the silent sealed archives.

In all honesty, all three of them thoroughly enjoyed what they saw.

===Part 6===

While Claire and the others were getting excited in the underground archives –

"... Whew... when I finish reading these, I will have died of exhaustion."

Kamito moved the heap of documents onto the table and began his investigation on the legends of the Sacred Sword.

The Demon Slayer Sacred Sword—also known as the «Sacred Sword of Severian», was a highly prized sword of legend.

The source of this name came from the Sacred Queen—Areishia Idriss's legend.

She was the wielder of the «Sacred Sword», as well as the one who vanquished the demon king.

There was no one on this continent who did not know her name.

Surprisingly, however, most people knew only the name of Areishia Idriss, and not the truth of her exploits. Furthermore, future generations had embellished many of her legends, such that the truth was virtually impossible to know.

''... All right, never mind, the great Sacred Queen isn't important.''

His immediate priority right now was the «Sacred Sword» she wielded.

Only paying attention to phrases related to the «Sacred Sword», Kamito flipped through the document quickly.

A «Sacred Sword» able to vanquish the Demon King was definitely no ordinary weapon.

The most likely argument was—the Sacred Sword had in truth been created from high-level spirits.

After eliminating the Demon King, the Queen Areishia had apparently sealed the contract spirit that had fought alongside her all the way in one of the swords inside the castle of the devil king.

The sword used to seal the spirit, the sword that she had relied on to do all this, was the «Sacred Sword of Severian».

As for the reason why Areishia would want to seal her own contract spirit inside the sword—no one knew. Similarly, there was much speculation as to her whereabouts after she eliminated the Demon King, but no conclusive answer.

Kamito closed the book, speechless..

''The conclusion is... we still cannot say anything for certain; what is unknown is still unknown.''

Although they had accessed a wide range of documents, virtually all of them contained only hearsay with no basis in fact.

As for the spirit forest that Est had originally been sealed in, he could not find anything more detailed than what was already in the library of seals.

– Having said that, however, Kamito had not had high hopes in the first place.

''However many similar documents I look at, there is no way to bring Est back.''

Moreover, whether or not Est was the real Demon Slaying Sacred Sword did not matter. To Kamito, she was his important partner, a point that would not change regardless of anything.

"Est..."

Kamito gently stroked the spirit seal on his right hand.

Est, with dazzlingly beautiful silver-white hair, virgin milky white skin, and a face that usually held no expression, until Kamito stroked her head; she would then narrow her eyes in a smile to show her pleasure.

''... Est will surely come back to me.''

To believe in her wholeheartedly and await her return – that was all Kamito could do for her now.

Kamito got back to his feet, picked up the pile of documents with both his hands and prepared to return them to the shelves..

Just as he finished putting all the books back to their original display positions –

"– You are Kazehaya Kamito?"

Kamito turned in the direction of the sudden call.

"Oh my god!"

The young lady before him was one he had met before.

The reason for Kamito's inadvertent shocked scream was because he really did not want to bump into such a person.

"What the – is that a greeting you thought up yourself? Kazehaya Kamito?"

The girl frowned unhappily.

With thick bright shoulder-length black hair, she had an icy kind of beauty.

The girl was wearing a beret inlaid with the crest of a flying dragon, as well as a black military uniform that gave her a majestic aura and suited her very well.

She was also staring coldly at Kamito, through her glasses, with a strong and forceful gaze.

She was a contestant from Dracunia, Leader of the Knights of the Dragon Emperor – Leonora Lancaster.

In this Blade Dance, she was among the more promising elementalists and favorites to win the tournament.

However, she was also a dangerous girl who was seeking to physically deal with Kamito's lower half.

"Y-You fool, what are you doing here?"

"What a stupid question. Obviously, I'm gathering intelligence on other countries' teams."

Leonora pushed at her spectacles with her middle finger, gave Kamito an exasperated look and replied.

So that was it... Indeed, there were some documents in her hands. Despite possessing power few other players could rival, she still put in the effort to find out about her competitors – she truly was a formidable opponent.

Kamito then raised a question about another thing he had realized:

"You didn't wear glasses before, did you?"

"... You really are a worse pervert than the rumors say, if even such subtle changes cannot escape your notice."

"Uh... is this a subtle change?"

... If it were a change of hairstyle, he might not notice, but glasses were rather difficult to overlook.

"I only wear them to read. My eyesight is actually quite poor. I use spirit magic during the blade dance to strengthen my vision."

The Dragon Knight maiden stared at Kamito coldly, and continued:

"Say it directly if you wish... say I don't look good in glasses."

"Ah...? Not at all, I think the look suits you, I think it's very cute."

"W-What nonsense are you saying! You pervert with a glasses fetish!"

"What now..."

The sudden and inexplicable scolding left Kamito squinting and mumbling in confusion.

Leonora cleared her throat and replied with a question of her own:

"And you, why are you coming to a place like this?"

"... Ah, uh, because I wanted to investigate some things."

It would be a disaster if his competitors came to know about him losing Est.

Kamito gave a vague answer hoping to evade the topic, but –

Leonora suddenly turned her gaze towards the shelf Kamito had returned his books to.

"So, the thing you're investigating has to do with your contract spirit?"

"... Ah!?"

Surprised, Kamito instinctively struck a combat pose to fend off an enemy.

"... Even you guys know about it?"

"Are you referring to – your blade spirit's disappearance?"

"..."

Leonora's frosty gaze seemed to pierce right through Kamito.

"Sorry, I took the liberty to spectate the battle between you and the military spirits."

"... So that's how."

Apparently, she had seen the full course of the battle between the crowd and Muir Alenstarl.

At that time, in order to prevent anyone from becoming aware of the battle outside, Ren Ashbell had laid down a large-scale Isolation Barrier around the tower, but it had not deceived an elementalist as powerful as Leonora.

"So you just silently watched Claire and the others get hurt?"

"Did I have an obligation to enter combat to rescue them?"

"This..."

Kamito forcibly swallowed nasty words of accusation.

She did indeed have a point. By no means was she obliged to extend a helping hand to a rival team's elementalists.

"You are too naive. The «Blade Dance» is no friendly contest, it is a symbolic war with matters of national prestige and prosperity at stake."

Her line of reasoning was quite correct.

The victorious country of the Blade Dance would receive all manner of blessings from the Elemental Lord – the influence of this was large, and could even affect the fortunes of the entire country.

Furthermore, the Dracunia Knights were surely not the only ones who had watched the skirmish on the side.

"In any case, I'm sure you guys loved watching us beat each other bloody."

She was not to blame – although Kamito understood this in his heart, he could not keep the harsh words from escaping his mouth.

"No... in fact, regarding the disappearance of your blade spirit, I'm also very sorry."

Shaking her head, Leonora spoke up unexpectedly.

"I could feel that spirit had strength to equal my Dragon Slayer Sacred Sword – as a knight, I had very much hoped to do battle with you at your peak condition."

Looking at her sincere expression, Kamito's response was –

"Leonora, you're mistaken."

"Mistaken?"

"Est has not really disappeared. Also... her real strength is far more than you know."

"... Oh, if that's so, I'm sorry."

Leonora smiled and nodded in understanding.

It was perhaps an illusion, but in that moment, her pupils seemed to change color.

"I don't intend to go easy on you, though. As the saying goes in our country— «The dragons of Dracunia will go all out to take down even hunting lions» —I will do everything in my power to defeat you."

"That's fine... show me what you got."

Kamito replied indifferently, but sighed bitterly to himself:

''This girl really is a rival...''

Leonora Lancaster possessed solid power, and could stand up to the strongest elementalist in the Academy – Velsaria.

The «Nidhogg» she summoned was a dragon spirit that could, in a single blow, instantly vaporize the military spirit that attacked the flying ship. The extent of its power was hard to comprehend.

However, that was not where the true power of this dragon girl lay.

Although she also had overwhelming strength, it did not make her arrogant. She was not complacent or careless even against weaker opponents – this impeccable temperament was her most threatening weapon.

With things in their current state, with Est lost, they really could not fight her.

"Well, if you insist –"

All of a sudden, Leonora abruptly pushed Kamito against the bookshelf.

"... You!?"

Kamito just barely stopped himself from shouting.

A pair of upwardly curving eyes regarded Kamito from beneath glasses.

The faintly sweet smell of shampoo tickled Kamito's nose.

"... W-What do you want!?"

"Wasn't it you who just said 'show me what you've got'? Kazehaya Kamito."

Leonora held her index finger to Kamito's lips, and stepped even closer to him.

Her perfectly bouncy breasts pressed tightly against Kamito's arm.

''... This... this one's chest really is unexpectedly big!''

She probably dressed to cover her figure, like Ellis.

''... I'm so stupid, this isn't the time to have such nonsense thoughts!''

Although the two of them were hidden by bookshelves, there were several princess maidens nearby. If they were caught, they would surely be sent to the
Divine Ritual Institute's council for this delinquency.

"Your heart's beating faster, is my body getting you excited?"

"D-Doesn't that go without saying? To be held so tightly by s-such a cute girl as you –"

"... C-Cute? Me?"

The dragon girl stared with wide eyes in surprise.

"That's the first time... any man's said something like that to me..."

"A-Anyway, let me go!"

"How will that do."

"... What do you mean?"

"As I just said, «The dragons of Dracunia will go all out to take down even hunting lions». After seeing your battle against Muir Alenstarl last night, our country's military personnel made an emergency decision to change our strategy against you.

"Strategy against me?"

"Which is to chop off your thing before you sink your evil clutches into any of your princess maiden Knight teammates."

"That's your state policy!?"

Kamito could not help but roar.

Dracunia... that country was more terrible than he had even imagined.

"But our military also came to another conclusion – as you are the only male elementalist in the world, it would be a terrible pity to have such an outstanding bloodline end just like that."

"... Oh, I think I understand what you mean."

Kamito said under his breath, rolling his eyes.

In simple terms, they were currently in a situation commonly known as the Beauty Trap.

"Obediently grovel at my feet – Kazehaya Kamito."

Leonora was whispering sweet words that turned one's head numb.

''T-This girl, she really has completely changed from last time...!''

Previously, Kamito only had to accidentally brush against her chest for this Dragon Knight maiden to faint; she had originally been more innocent than even the Academy girls.

Even if it was because she had been ordered to do so, how did she manage to tempt Kamito like this?

The girl before him – seemed to be an entirely different person.

"Hey, are you even..."

At that moment, Kamito suddenly realized –

Leonora's originally black pupils now had a smoky red coat, as if burnt by a flame.

''... What's going on?''

Just when Kamito was frowning in thought –

"You really are a stubborn man who refuses to obediently submit, contrary to what the rumors say..."

Leonora picked the skirt of her uniform up by both sides, and slowly lifted it upwards.

"... What!?"

At this, Kamito's heart involuntarily started to throb.

Accompanied by the sound of cloth friction, her skirt approached even closer to the edge of modesty.

For some unknown reason, although it had already long passed the warning line – her panties were nowhere to be seen.

"Hey... y-you're going to expose your panties!"

"You needn't worry, as servants of the dragon, we Dracunia princess maidens... don't have the habit of wearing panties."

"How is that nothing to worry about!"

Indeed, he had heard of elementalist princess maidens choosing not to wear underwear to enhance their connection with their spirits.

"Abandon resistance, then proclaim your eternal loyalty to my country."

"P-Please stop...!"

In pace with the rubbing sounds of fabric, in only a second, her skirt would be completely lifted. Then –

"Y-You two! Wh-Wh-Wh-What unspeakable things are you doing!"

"...!?"

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Gogogogogo...!*

It was none other than –

Claire, her shoulders quivering and her two red ponytails bristling in anger.

"D-Disgusting... that you would think to do something so immoral and depraved in the sacred Biblion..."

"We left you alone for just a moment, and you take the opportunity to do such a thing!"

Ellis and Rinslet were also glaring at Kamito furiously.

"N-No, it's not what you think! It's..."

"Disturbed by hindering nuisances..."

With a sigh, Leonora swiftly separated herself from Kamito.

"... Leonora?"

Kamito looked at her, puzzled, and realized something –

Sometime ago, the burnt smoky red glaze on her pupils had disappeared, to be replaced by the original black.

Additionally, the look on Leonora's face suggested that the something possessing her had just disappeared.

"I'm very sorry, just now the «Dragon Blood» in my body seemed to have awaken carelessly."

"«Dragon Blood»?"

This strange word left Kamito puzzled.

However, Claire's alert ears twitched.

"– Then... We'll continue some other time. The next time we meet will probably be on the battlefield."

Leonora turned and quickly marched, military-style, from the scene.

"..."

Kamito watched her image move increasingly further away.

"... Go on, speak... You rascal, what were you doing with that woman?"

Claire questioned Kamito coldly.

"I bumped into her accidentally, and we just shared some idle chat about the main event tomorrow... I swear."

"... Ooh, is that so? Forget it."

"Have you found out anything about Est?"

"No, there was nothing useful... what about you, any findings?"

Kamito returned the question, then –

The three ladies blushed tomato-red.

"W-We found nothing!"

"Right! A-And also, we definitely didn't peek at any taboo magic books, oh!"

"T-That is...!"

"...?"

At their distraught reactions, Kamito frowned in confusion.

===Part 7===

It was sunset by the time the group left the Biblion.

On the return carriage, Kamito asked Claire:

"Hey, remember the «Dragon Blood» Leonora talked about just now? What is that?"

"... About that, I've only ever heard rumors."

Resting her cheeks on her hands, Claire mused:

"That's a specific kind of constitution... It's said that people with «Dragon Blood» will very rarely be born as princess maidens in service of the dragon. Legend has it that when the «Dragon Blood» awakens in the princess maiden's body, she will become one with the «dragon»."

"Become one with the «dragon»?"

What on earth did those words mean? It was difficult to understand.

However, what he could say for sure was that – Leonora had obviously become a completely different person just now.

''To think that such a noble Dragon Knight would actually become like that...''

Recalling the touch of her soft breasts set Kamito's stomach aflutter.

"Hey... Kamito, you aren't thinking nonsense, are you?"

"N-No, I'm not... just thinking that Leonora is quite the formidable opponent, that's all –"

"R-Really, yeah, if it were that girl's chest... she should be able to put it in between!"

"Between? Between what?"

"O-Or, you could say... unless you mean, your measurements are so large that even that girl would not be able to fit it...?"

"... What?"

Confused, Kamito looked towards Ellis and Rinslet, sitting opposite, and for some unknown reason, they were both red-faced with embarrassment.

''Oh well, never mind...''

Kamito lowered his body slowly onto the carriage seat.

Gazing out the window at the scenery, he noted the sun setting gradually into the hills.

The main competition of the Blade Dance, the war, would commence tomorrow.

It would be a long day, full of arduous Blade Dance presentation.

Today was the last day he would have so much leisure time to enjoy with his teammates.

At this thought, Kamito inadvertently reached out a hand to touch her – his partner sword, usually always hanging at his waist.

"..."

However, his hand met only emptiness.

He could feel not even the slightest pain from the spirit seal on his right hand.

===Part 8===

The sword, luster all lost, fell for what felt like eternity through an endless darkness.

She was not dormant, yet not conscious, only silent and still.

Whether to call this feeling peace or torture varied from person to person, but truth be told, these additional definitions were meaningless – stillness was stillness.

The sword sank in the pitch-blackness; it was a world with nothing bar darkness.

''Kamito...''

Her power almost all lost, all the blade spirit could do was to call his name.

''Kamito... I am your sword, so –''

The spirit whispered, and at that moment –

Out of the darkness suddenly shot a dazzling light.

The figure that appeared in the light was – a naked, pale-skinned, silvery-white-haired maiden.

She looked just like Est in human form.

''– Who are you?''

The sword asked the girl before her.

''I am the consciousness of the one... previously known as the «Demon Slayer Sacred Sword».''

The silvery-white-haired girl answered, her expression blank.

''You... are me?''

''Yes. You are me – whereas I, am you complete.''

At her answer, Est finally understood the true identity of the girl.

''You are my «body»... right?''

''Yes, I am your higher physical presence.''

The girl nodded, expressionless.

She was the highest-level blade spirit with overwhelming power – the real Demon Slayer Sacred Sword.

When Est had made an incomplete spirit contract with Kamito, she had split into two individuals.

Perhaps it was because Est had lost her power and was on the verge of disappearing that the loop joining the two of them could once again reconnect.

''I cannot stay for much longer.''

The girl who looked exactly like Est gently stretched out her right hand to her –

And commanded in a cold expressionless voice:

''I command you to immediately destroy the contract with Kazehaya Kamito, and come back to me.''

For her, this was a request there was no denying to.

After all, Est's contract with Kamito was in the first place an informal, happenstance event.

Because the Demon Slayer Sacred Sword had not originally intended to make any contracts with elementalists.

Even she herself did not know why she had let herself become the contract spirit to that boy.

These conflicting emotions split to form «Terminus Est» – this was the origin of the other Est.

However, now that the contract «gate» between Est and Kazehaya Kamito was closed, she could take advantage of this time to fuse back the missing piece «Terminus Est».

Unexpectedly –

''... I-I refuse.''

The sword—Est—turned down the outstretched hand of the Sacred Sword maiden.

The sword cut through the surrounding darkness, and pointed its tip towards the girl's throat.

''– You refuse?''

''I do not... I do not want to break my contract with Kamito...''

''You are merely a part of me, yet you want to defy my wishes?''

''I am the sword of Kamito, not something of yours.''

Est expressed her desire to refuse clearly to the maiden.

''– I understand, it seems... that elementalist has germinated in you the seed of self-awareness.''

Again expressionless, the girl said quietly.

Her silvery white hair, which exuded a faint light in the dark, whipped up violently.

''But I do have to tell you, Est... you—or I should say, I—do not have the right to become the sword of any person.''

''... I don't understand what you mean?''

''Because my existence itself is a kind of sin.''

''– Sin?''

The sword could not understand the meaning in the girl's words because, in the moment that she contracted with Kamito, she lost most of the memories she had in common with her original body.

The present Est was left with a handful of incomplete past memory fragments.

As well as the memory of the short period of time spent with Kamito and the others.

''Recall it, the sins that you – and I – must bear.''

The silvery-white-haired girl gently touched the tip of the sword.

In an instant, memories flowed like a fierce torrent into Est's mind –

''Recall it, the events with the very first person to contract with me... Areishia Idriss.''

<noinclude>{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume5 Chapter2|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume5 Chapter4}}</noinclude>

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume5 Chapter2

2014-12-19T19:41:40Z

AngelicMasterMind: /* Part 4 */

==Chapter 2: Triple Date==
===Part 1===

Chirp chirp, tweet tweet... With their calls, the birds signaled the dawn of morning.

A warm ray of sunshine shone through the bedside windows into the room, rousing Kamito.

After talking to Claire this morning, he had returned to sleeping soundly once again, but it seemed that not too much time had passed.

Kamito had a fever not too long ago, but now it has almost completely faded away.

"Mmm... ah..."

He rubbed his bleary eyelids, moved around, and prepared to get out of bed.

At that moment –

"Aaah!"

"..."

His elbow suddenly touched something soft and gentle.

''Also, wasn't there some sort of lovely sound just now...''

Kamito blinked, puzzled by what it was, he turned his gaze toward the sound.

He saw a round mass of fluffy white fur, keeping him company beside him while he slept.

"... W-What is this?"

The unbelievable sight before his eyes startled Kamito.

However, he immediately thought of something...

Sneaking into my bed... the only one who would do such a thing is -

"Is it Est!?"

He hastily tossed aside the blanket.

"A-Ah! W-What in the world are you doing to me!?"

"... Huh?"

Kamito froze, speechless.

Hidden under the blanket was not the blade spirit who liked to dress in the nude with thigh-high socks.

What he saw was pure white fur, and a pair of long big ears that hung downwards.

And dazzling pale gold hair –

The lovely... Miss Bunny.

"... Hey, Rinslet! What do you think you're doing?"

"N-No, that's not right! I-I am Miss Bunny right now!"

Rinslet flushed red, embarrassed. The rabbit ear on her head twitched up.

"I said, Rinslet –"

"It's 'Miss Bunny'."

"Well, Miss Bunny."

Following her request, Kamito repeated obediently.

"This outfit of yours, what kind of act are you putting on?"

"This... I..."

In response, Rinslet could only rub both her kneecaps awkwardly while stuttering and unable to speak.

Seeing the usually stubborn and self-conscious Rinslet wearing such an expression gave Kamito an indescribable feeling of adoration.

''... Speaking of which, this outfit is too provoking, isn't it? It's practically blinding!''

A closer look would reveal that –

The Miss Bunny outfit Rinslet was wearing was at most being borderline immodest.

It was a set of very revealing erotic clothing, made of an undergarment-like material, with soft fluffy fur sewn on everywhere.

There was puffy fur on both her hands and feet, and a tail-like a ball of fur hanging from behind.

The greatest draw of the entire outfit however, had to be the the leather collar tied around her neck.

The elegant, aristocratic, wealthy princess wearing that collar... the combination was enough to give people wrong thoughts.

"I-I was turned into Miss Bunny by witchcraft... chuu!"

The maiden said it stiffly, as if reciting lines from a script.

"What's 'chuu'?"

"It's the cry of a rabbit."

"I can't imagine the cry of a rabbit sounding like that..."

Moving his gaze away from the huge twin peaks and valley right before his eyes, Kamito shook his head and spoke.

Right at this time -

"– K-Kamito, I've made breakfast for you!"

The door to the room suddenly opened.

The one standing there was the Captain of the Knights—Ellis.

"What!?"

Kamito fell speechless once again.

Ellis, who stood before him, was dressed like Rinslet in clothing that skirted the edge of modesty.

The only difference was that she wore dog ears instead of rabbit ones, and the fur on her hands were not white, but brown.

The ears atop her head swung constantly as she moved.

"E-Ellis... how is it that you too..."

"N-No, say no more!"

Red-faced and biting her lips, the embarrassed Ellis looked as if she wanted to find a hole to hide in.

"Oooh, i-if my elder sisters were to see me dressed like this, I don't know what they would say..."

Tears glowed from the corners of her brown eyes, probably because of how ashamed she felt.

''... Now... what is the situation?''

... What on earth had happened? Why would the pure-hearted and rule-abiding Captain be dressed in such a dissolute manner?

"J-Just don't mind my outfit, alright."

"Uh... how do you expect anyone to not mind that?"

Ellis ignored Kamito's confusing reply.

She cleared her throat with a cough, and pushed a small silver dining car in from the corridor.

"Ah?"

The aroma of freshly baked toast immediately filled the room.

"... Well, come have breakfast, I made these for you."

There was a meal of freshly prepared breakfast in the dining car; the steam above it had not yet dispersed.

The dishes included – toast grilled to the perfect degree, thick French-style pumpkin soup, deliciously tender omelets, Caesar salad with added tuna, and last but not least for dessert, there was yogurt topped with strawberry jam.

At first glance, although these were not exactly high-class, one could tell that every dish had been prepared with meticulous care.

"... You're such an expert! Did you do all these yourself, Ellis?"

"Y-Yes, I prepared these in the tower's kitchen. Only because I did not want to forget my culinary skills, it wasn't specially made for you!"

Ellis looked away, a look of embarrassment suddenly creeped across her face as she bent down beside Kamito.

"Captain, how can you do this!"

Disregarding Rinslet's protests, she addressed Kamito:

"I-I'll feed you... O-open your mouth, come."

"T-There's no need! I can do it myself –"

"Absolutely not, you're the one who's hurt after all."

"My wound has already fully healed –"

– Into his mouth.

Taking advantage of the moment Kamito's mouth was open, Ellis stuffed the omelette into his mouth.

"..."

"H-How is it?"

"... S-Super delicious!"

The omelette was not only just sweet enough, but it was also so soft and fluffy that it melted in his mouth. This beyond-perfect masterpiece by Ellis that confirmed the saying that the simpler the dish, the greater a test it was of the chef's skill.

"Is that really so! ... That's wonderful."

Ellis smiled shyly, the dog ears on her head moving up and down.

Seeing the usually serious and stern Captain wear such an expression, Kamito could not help but feel butterflies in his stomach.

"Hmph—Captain, you're too cunning to do this."

Rinslet puffed up her cheeks a little angrily and said.

"...Rinslet?"

"T-Then I shall give Kamito-san a massage."

Having said this, Rinslet immediately began kneading Kamito's shoulders with gentle strength.

"... What!?"

"How does it feel?"

"You're so good at this... my fatigue is slowly disappearing, wow."

Kamito was not just saying empty kind words of praise; Rinslet's massage technique was really of professional standard.

The comfortable sensation made all the tense muscles in his body relax one by one.

"You know, I give Carol massages all the time, because that child keeps praising me, I have unknowingly become very good at massaging."

"So that's why..."

... That a maid could get her master to knead her shoulders for her was, in a certain sense, almost too much.

"Uh huh, you'd better thank me well. I am the heir to the Laurenfrost clan. By right, I could never serve men in this way."

"W-Well..."

At this moment , Kamito suddenly felt two soft bumps against his back.

"But... only for today... everyone..."

Rinslet leant over and whispered into Kamito's ear:

"Everyone can become... Kamito-san's house pet."

"Uh... w-what did you just say – !"

In a panic, Kamito turned his head, then –

"M-Me too, just for today, I won't be your Captain!"

Then it was Ellis, who cried out, perking up her dog ears:

"I want to be K-Kamito's... little pet dog."

"Ellis!?"

What was the matter with the both of them?

"Kamito..." "Kamito-san..."

Their small animal tails swinging, the two of them stared at Kamito with fire in their eyes.

... Why is it that he felt dizzy with confusion? Could it be another fever?

''Hey, something's not right...''

The temperature in the room had started rising steadily.

''Boom boom boom...''

"... Y-You guys... what mischief are you up to?"

"Claire?!"

Kamito turned and looked –

The door, which had not been closed, opened with a slam. Standing there was Claire with a burning-hot whip in her hand.

Her shoulders were trembling slightly in anger, and her two bright red ponytails pointed upright like flames.

However, what fixated Kamito's gaze was how she was dressed.

Atop her head was a pair of shaking red cat ears.

On her slim petite body was erotic clothing made of red fur.

Her bare white thighs were displayed so boldly that one could not look directly at them.

"H-How is it that you too are doing this? That outfit is...!"

Kamito muttered, dumbfounded, then –

"Waaaah! S-Stupid fool, what are you looking at!"

Claire blushed and crossed her knees shyly.

She then made a sound like a cat's low growl, and glared at Kamito with tears in her eyes.

"Hmph, what... in any case you must feel that my chest is disappointingly small, isn't that right!?"

"..."

Truthfully speaking, that set of clothing did indeed make Claire's chest seem even tinier.

Although that very same attire could bring out the valley between the breasts of Ellis and Rinslet, the undeniable fact of the matter was, the sight of Claire wearing it only gave a person the impression of looking at a washboard.

Having said that, however, it did not reduce the charm she exuded. Her despondency over her chest size in fact made her look pitiful and delicate, which only increased her loveliness.

"Not at all. How should I say it... I think you're awfully cute like this."

Kamito expressed his honest feelings.

"A-A-Ah! W-what nonsense are you spouting!"

Claire's cheeks grew redder and redder. She waved the whip in her hand, which made slapping noises.

"Oooh..." "Kamito-san!"

At this, one of Ellis's dog ears and Rinslet's rabbit ears cocked in Kamito's direction, and they puffed their cheeks slightly resentfully.

"I-I don't care any more... you really are such a terrible fool!"

Claire muttered haltingly, then walked towards Kamito –

Then she abruptly jumped onto the bed Kamito was lying in.

"... Uhhh... hey... you guys...!"

The three pretty girls dressed as erotic cute animals pushed each other around the small bed, their bare shoulders pressed against Kamito's arm.

"Well then, you tell me... is there anything I can do for you, Kamito?"

Claire bit her lip lightly and looked at Kamito with upward-glancing eyes.

"Anything I... want you to do?"

"Such as... oh yes, sleeping on my lap ... or help you clean your ears... things of that sort?"

"Sleep on your lap?"

Such an action was a common dream among all men.

Kamito inadvertently glanced at Claire's soft-looking thighs – and then swiftly moved his gaze away.

"Oh, but only for today! You usually are my slave, but only for today... I-I am willing... to be your slave!"

"S-Slave?"

Kamito questioned her and Claire nodded.

"Y-Yes! For today, I will agree to anything you ask of me! Y-You better prepare yourself!"

"Wait a moment, what do I have to prepare myself for?"

"K-Kamito... it's the same for me!"

"And me!"

Ellis and Rinslet also squeezed up to him, snuggling Kamito tightly with their bodies.

"But... n-no sexual orders though."

"Who would ever do that! What kind of person do you guys think I am!?"

"Huh, you didn't want to make any such orders? Oh, okay..."

For some reason, a disappointed look crept across her face as she muttered those words.

Letting out a sigh, Kamito said frustratedly:

"– Now can you tell me why the three of you are dressed like this?"

He bluntly asked the trio.

"This... that is because..."

The three ladies looked at each other in panic.

After a while, Claire finally surrendered and said: "B-Because after Est disappeared, you looked so down and depressed –"

"... Huh?"

"So we decided to dress like this to lift your spirits...!"

Blushing furiously, Claire awkwardly finished her explanation.

It is said that when an elementalist is in a poor mental state, they will have no way of summoning spirits. In more serious cases, they may sometimes even lose their princess maiden powers.

For example, Fianna had been dealt a severe emotional blow four years ago, and had been unable to use her power for a long period of time afterwards. When Scarlet was defeated by demon spirits, Claire had also fallen into grief, and suddenly found herself unable to summon Scarlet.

If the blow from the loss of Est caused Kamito's heart to be dominated by negative feelings of hatred, the «gate» between their hearts would truly close forever, never to open again. In truth, there were actually many princess maidens who had lost their status as elementalists because of such trauma to their souls.

''So simply put, they wanted to cheer me up – roughly this kind of intention?''

Evidently, he had made these ladies worry too much.

However, Kamito thanked them from the bottom of his heart for their thoughtfulness.

"... But why dress up as little animals and put on an act?"

Kamito asked.

"It's Fianna who told us this secret. Y-You rascal, you like this kind of thing, don't you?"

"That goddamn princess, huh..."

Kamito gritted his teeth and muttered.

... So that was it, these sexual animal costumes were all from Fianna's secret collection.

"That... can't be right, you don't like this look?"

"Hmm? Well... I didn't say I disliked it."

Despite the many objections he felt, Kamito reluctantly admitted it -

Truth be told, he really thought it was quite cute.

Moreover, that these snobby aristocratic daughters would be willing to embarrass themselves so thoroughly in order to cheer him up – whether or not their methods were right, their positive intentions were enough to make one want to frankly thank them.

"... All of you, thank you."

"I-I did not do it for you, Kamito, I just want Est back quickly, that's all."

As Claire turned her head away, the cat ears on her head moved as well.

Ellis and Rinslet, too, shyly shook their tails.

"– N-Now then, shall we take a walk outside?"

Claire, who cleared her throat, tugged at Kamito's pajamas and asked.

"Outside?"

"Today is our last rest day before the start of the main competition, of course we should go outside and have a good time! Staying locked in a room depressed all day is hardly the solution, right?"

"... That is true."

All Kamito could do now was to believe in Est and await her return.

If Kamito, her contractor, did not get out of his depression, the «gate» would become impossible to open.

Going outside to lift his spirits was perhaps a good idea.

"And on this floating island, there is even a Biblion managed by the «Divine Ritual Institute»."

Rinslet added.

"Biblion?"

"It has been said that a lot of antique-level information is archived within the sacred Biblion, information that cannot be found even in our library of seals. If Est is really the sealed spirit sealed within the ancient sacred sword, we might be able to find clues in those documents."

"... If that is so, it sounds like it would be worth a look."

Anecdotes of the Demon King Killing Sacred Sword could be found across the continent, and although truth and fiction were mixed in them, considering that Est was such a powerful spirit, it would not be surprising to find a mention of her in one of the ancient records.

"It is decided, now hurry up and get ready to go!"

"Mhmm, we can't be cheerful cooped up indoors all the time."

"And in a place so close to the port, there are many shops set up here too."

The three girls crowded together, all trying to take Kamito's arm.

"Wait, let me first change into my uniform... Also, you don't want to go out dressed like this either, right?"

"Aaah! O-Of course not!"

The girls blushed and quickly let go of Kamito.

===Part 2===

So –

Kamito and his friends, dressed in their uniforms, took a carriage ride to the port.

The sacred Biblion was apparently located not too far from here; plain and simple wooden structures were set up side-by-side in this area of the port, creating a lively atmosphere like that of a shopping street holding a celebration.

In addition, the various countries of the continent had also combined to raise funds for various food and entertainment facilities to welcome the spectators of the Blade Dance.

Because this was the original spirit world, which humans were forbidden to live in, this fantasy street would only appear for a few days.

It was a sight only visible during the Blade Dance.

"Wow – clear skies today."

"Mm, because we are on the clouds, of course."

Claire stretched like a cat as she walked, she and Kamito chatted while walking together.

Then, a cool refreshing breeze blew past, and Claire's tresses, tied into two ponytails, swayed in the wind.

Hanging distantly in the sky, the floating island — Ragna Ys — should have stood no chance against fierce winds, but because this sacred land had the additional protection of the Wind Elemental Lord, it was in no danger of being blown away.

Small flying crafts flew one by one between the gaps in the clouds and arrived at the port.

As the main event of the Blade Dance was about to begin, nobles from countries all over the continent had already begun to gather here.

"This really is spectacular."

"Only on the floating island can you see such a view."

Ellis and Rinslet expressed their amazement in muttered exclamations.

"... It would have been great if Fianna could have come with us."

While muttering, Kamito raised his head to the clear, vast blue sky.

At the moment, Fianna seemed to be searching for a way to destroy the «Brand of Darkness» imprinted on Kamito. She had been tirelessly visiting old acquaintances from her time at the «Divine Ritual Institute».

"Later, let's buy some gifts to take back for Fianna, alright?"

"Mmm, yeah."

The slate street was lined with a wide variety of shops.

As they were only temporary stalls, the materials they were made of were not particularly impressive. However, the craftsmen or chefs working inside were top talents who had been recruited from many countries. The Blade Dance was an excellent opportunity to showcase the nation's prestige so countries tend to generously spend huge sums of money on this.

The group walked to the heart of the shopping street, and passed a group of tourists who had just alighted from a flying craft.

"I didn't want to say this but this place really is terribly crowded."

"Men everywhere... I'm starting to feel dizzy."

Ellis and Rinslet looked around uneasily.

It seems that the ladies, having grown up in such a sheltered environment, were not used to such bustling places.

Furthermore, the city here was different from the college city: men accounted for a greater proportion of the people here. Although they were among the best elementalists, here they immediately turned back into pure innocent girls. Whenever a man, passing by quickly, brushed shoulders with them, they would let out small squeals and press themselves tightly against Kamito.

Claire was no exception, from the very start, she had repeatedly been sticking close to Kamito then immediately pulling away.

Whenever she leaned against Kamito, she would move away blushing; when she next bumped into a strange passer-by, she would go back to Kamito.

''This foolish girl, what is she doing?''

When Claire leaned into him again, Kamito quickly took her hand.

"Aaaah! W-What are you doing!"

The fiery cat maiden cried angrily, her face red.

"Who taught you how to walk so unsteadily? That's awfully dangerous."

"Well... o-okay, I'll let you hold my hand, but in here only."

As the two of them held hands, Claire turned her gaze aside shyly.

"You're too cunning..."

Rinslet puffed her cheeks unhappily, then grabbed Kamito's empty other hand.

"Rinslet?"

"I-I'm afraid of you getting lost, so hold on to me tight."

Then Ellis, too, joined in; seeing that both Kamito's hands were full, she had no choice but to latch onto his arm.

"E-Ellis...!"

"Hey... Captain! You're blocking the way here!"

"I-It's you, not me! Let go of Kamito's hand now!"

"Ah... all of you, I can't walk like this!"

The girls, all clinging to Kamito, began to quarrel.

They made such a scene that nearby passers-by started to whisper among themselves:

"Quick, look over there, three noble girls are serving that young man, wow." "That's because he's the rumored male elementalist, you know..."

"That's too wicked of him, to sink his fangs into those poor delicate girls." "But, take a look at those girls' expressions; they don't seem to hate him at all." "They must be under some kind of strange magic spell, of course."

''Well... this situation seems to have gotten a little worse...''

Kamito had long been used to hostility from strangers.

However, he did not wish to tarnish the reputations of the ladies he partnered with.

"I say... there are far too many people here, so why don't we find someplace cooler to rest?"

"Mm, that sounds good..."

Claire and the others nodded to show their agreement. It seems they were also thinking the same thing.

They looked around in search of a shop they could have a cup of tea at. And then –

"Kamito-san, look... there's a «La Parfait» shop over there!"

Rinslet pointed towards a chic-looking café across the road.

"Say, is that the famous «La Parfait»!? I've always wanted to try their cakes."

"If I remember correctly, this café is very popular throughout the empire... I-I'm kind of interested as well."

Even Claire and Ellis knew of it. Evidently, the business that had set up that temporary stall was very famous.

"... In that case, shall we go there?"

"Agreed!" "Yes!" "Mmhm...!"

The trio nodded in agreement and dragged Kamito towards it.

===Part 3===

The «La Parfait» stall was almost fully packed, so much so that the group had to wait a little before being served.

While sitting at the entrance waiting to be served, Kamito examined the stall's decor. The horizontal beams of the ceiling were naturally bent like tree branches, Kamito was very appreciative of the warm atmosphere this unique wood imparted.

"I'm surprised this is such a relaxing place. When I heard you say it was one of the empire's most popular shops, I expected it to be much more posh and luxurious."

"This is only a temporary stall put up for the «Blade Dance», so of course it won't be so well-decorated. Their regular shops are so good aristocratic ladies would be willing to hide their identities just to patronize the shop incognito."

"Oh, so that's it... Hey, speaking of which, I'm not that loaded with cash..."

Kamito's face suddenly turned pale.

A shop even noble daughters would patronize incognito – this must certainly be a very high-class shop.

"If it were a regular shop, no matter how loaded you were, you'd still not be able to afford it."

"The stalls are free for the participants of the Blade Dance."

"I-I see..."

At Rinslet's words, Kamito let out a reassured sigh.

After a while, the four were led to their seats.

"I want a peach pie, a peach sorbet... and a peach mousse."

Claire flipped open the menu and gestured with her finger at the dessert options.

"Why are you getting so many peach options... haven't you already had some in the morning?

"N-None of your business... so what if I like them?"

"This raspberry-flavored cream puff also looks delicious."

"Y-Yes, that seems tasty."

"Oh... This dish puts some ice cream on a fresh hot apple pie to be eaten together..."

"Let's order one and divide it, everyone can have some. Kamito, what would you like?"

"Oooh... Well then, I'll have a scone, I guess..."

Kamito answered perfunctorily, but then –

"What's this attitude, you seem so reluctant."

"I really pity the dessert you order like that to eat."

"If you're a true man, you should pick decisively... Well, I'm talking about choosing cake."

For some unknown reason, Kamito found himself being severely berated by the ladies.

"S-Sorry..."

The three of them had always bickered when in training, but in these situations, they were always in full understanding.

Rinslet summoned a waitress, and one-by-one ordered those cakes and desserts with names that would accidentally make one bite their tongue.

"– And lastly, I'd like four cups of black tea from the Laurenfrost area."

"Yes."

"Ah... e-excuse me, wait a minute!"

Ellis called aloud to halt the waitress, who was preparing to leave.

"Yes?"

"Please add a little whipped cream and honey to my tea, and if you could, add some floating marshmallows as well."

"Uh... I'm sorry, esteemed guest, but our shop does not serve such a kind of drink."

"I-Is that so? Can you not make an excepti – oooh!"

Halfway through her sentence, Ellis stopped.

It was because Rinslet was pinching the back of her neck.

"Hey, what are you doing!"

"Oh my god, have you no shame! I don't like saying such things, but the Fahrengart family must really have no class!"

Rinslet was very particular about tea brewing, and so forbade Ellis from randomly adding ingredients as she wished.

"So what if you're from the Laurenfrost family, it's just a countryside noble family with more land, that's all!"

"Y-You wouldn't dare...!"

An intense mini-blizzard blew up beside Rinslet.

"N-No matter what, I don't care, if it's not sweet I won't drink it!"

"If that's so, why didn't you simply order cocoa just now?"

"Don't you think cocoa's a little too childish?"

"Only childish people would call cocoa childish!"

"Okay, okay, stop arguing, the cakes are here."

Claire lightly poked Rinslet's shoulder and said.

"Hmph... no matter, next time I'll teach our Captain how to drink tea."

"Sweet things are just nicer..."

Ellis said in a half-challenging manner through pursed lips.

Not long after, the dazzling array of desserts were delivered to their table.

Placed in silver containers, each of the cakes and breads looked like an exquisite art piece.

At the sight of them, the anger of the two aristocratic girls vanished and was replaced by expressions of joy.

"I can't help but feel that... to eat something so beautiful would almost be a waste."

"These snacks are made by the very best chefs representing our empire."

As Claire spoke, she opened her mouth wide and took a bite out of the peach pie.

"Waaah... it really is delicious!"

"This raspberry cream puff also tastes extraordinarily refined and delicious."

"Mmmm, there's probably some sweet wine added to this sponge cake... I must try that next time."

Kamito listened to the girls' comments, then put his own cake into his mouth.

"Oh, it's delicious."

Although he was no food connoisseur, the sweet taste in his mouth did give him a rich and noble feeling.

But, compared to this –

Looking at the joyous expressions on the girls' faces made Kamito feel inexplicably happier himself.

"Kamito, what is it?"

"Huh? Oh..."

Kamito was jolted out of his daze, only to find Claire suspiciously staring at him. He quickly averted his gaze and feigned ignorance.

"To think that this stall will be dismantled immediately after the Blade Dance, what a pity!"

"That's just how it is. But... there's a shop in the empire, so we will definitely have a chance to visit again."

"Mmm, next time we go, we must be sure to take Fianna... and Est."

Kamito looked down at the spirit seal on his right hand and murmured.

"Kamito ..."

"Kamito-san..."

At this, Ellis and Rinslet raised their heads.

"—Est will return, I promise."

Claire spoke in a calm but confident tone of voice.

"So... just trust in her and wait for her to return. The only person who can help her out in this way is her elementalist – you."

"... Mmmm, you're right."

Kamito nodded – and then mused:

''... Partners will make one stronger – that probably refers to this feeling I'm having now.''

Three years ago, the strongest blade dancers were indeed very swift and strong.

Solely in terms of skill as an elementalist, he was unrivaled.

But these physical powers were fragile and would easily be crushed by a strong blow; they were strengths developed through loneliness.

The Kamito in the past had no one to rely on.

After losing Restia, he was left only with eternal despair.

''Now, however, I have friends willing to support me.''

So my heart will no longer shatter.

I will not sink into despair again.

''... Thus far, Est has saved me many times.''

Kamito clenched his fist on the table.

''– So, it's my turn now. No doubt about it: I will save you.''

===Part 4===

The most important Sanctuary in the entirety of the floating island Ragna Ys—the Grand Hall of the Wind Elemental Lord—was located atop a hilly area. It was some distance away from the building where the blade dance participants were.

This white building was made from a combination of the best-quality materials and cutting-edge technology. The huge construction covered the whole of the hill; one could appreciate its majesty even from outside of the floating island.

It was not only the place where the wind spirits listened to the spirit king's decrees to the holy land, but also where princess maidens from the «Divine Ritual Institute» chosen by the various nations would practice their devotions. Therefore, even the nobility of the country would absolutely not be allowed to enter.

However, at that very moment time, there was a lady outside the gate shouting anxiously:

"Please do me a favor! Grant me an audience with Reicha-sama–!"

She was individually seperated from the team of five in order to work separately from Kamito – Fianna.

Wearing a rare serious look, she pleaded with the guard standing at the gate.

"You really don't give up do you."

The middle-aged guard regarded Fianna with unfriendly eyes.

Her face clearly expressed her stubbornness.

"Please withdraw. Our «Divine Ritual Institute»'s gate will never open simply for any one, let alone getting an audience with Reicha-sama. Your requests will absolutely never be granted."

The guard uttered a statement she had probably repeated many times before.

''... This is so infuriating! These people are as stubborn as ever!''

Fianna cursed impatiently to herself.

Having said that, she had in fact expected such a reaction from the start, because the person she wanted to see was not someone who would meet with just anybody.

''If I could borrow her strength, it would certainly be enough to break the curse on Kamito. But...''

The guard looked down at Fianna, not bothering to conceal her expression of contempt.

Evidently, she had not the slightest inclination to open the door.

''... Well, I did know the reason ages ago.''

Refusing to give up, Fianna bit down on her lip.

The one she was thinking of was the Annihilation Spirit princess that had betrayed the Fire Elemental Lord – Rubia Elstein.

There had been high hopes placed on Fianna to be successor, but the incident with Rubia had left indelible horrors in her heart, causing her to lose the power of summoning contract spirits, and with that, her status as princess maiden.

And so Fianna Ray Ordesia became a lost princess maiden, thoroughly disappointing the people who had had great expectations of her and discrediting the «Divine Ritual Institute».

''... You narrow-minded people, who only know how to put in superficial effort, really disgust me.''

Even her own parents—The Areishia emperor and empress—and the various nobility were all no different.

When Fianna was still the princess maiden successor, these people had flattered her in every possible way. Once she had lost her contract spirit powers however, they immediately scorned and disdained her, changing their attitudes faster than one could turn the page of a book.

Of course, not all of them were like that. It was just that the «Divine Ritual Institute» organization had decayed under the weight of its long history, and so indeed had a darker side.

Seeing Fianna's stubborn refusal to leave, the guard shook her head and said:

"I do not wish to continue wasting my time on you."

Having said this, she turned and went back into the temple.

"Wait a minute—"

Fianna quickly moved to catch up with her, but—

"Aaaah!?"

Suddenly, a fierce wind rose and blew Fianna off her feet.

Fianna and Claire were different in that they had not received special combat training for elementalists. Too late to protect herself, she fell heavily to the ground.

"... What!?"

She saw something stand at the doors – a magical wind spirit that looked like a winged lion.

It was a Guardian Spirit; it made contracts with not elementalists, but buildings. This very building, was in fact—the true sanctuary.

"It appears impossible to break through the front gate..."

Fianna glared at the Guardian while nursing a scrape on her lip.

===Part 5===

A sword fell in mysterious darkness.

This shining, beautiful sword, swallowed by a sludge-like nothingness, was gradually losing its light.

''– How strange. What on earth is happening to me?''

Nonetheless, this sword apparently still retained its self-awareness.

Although the disappearance of her physical body had affected her, damaging her memory –

Her memory of that last event was crystal-clear.

She remembered his warmth as she embraced him with both hands on his back.

And, for just the briefest instant, the touch of their lips against each other.

Then – a harsh voice calling out her own name.

''...K-Kamito!''

Her radiance all lost, the sword slowly sank in the bottomless darkness –

<noinclude>{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume5 Chapter1|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume5 Chapter3}}</noinclude>

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume5 Chapter2

2014-12-18T19:54:25Z

AngelicMasterMind: /* Chapter 2: Triple Date */

==Chapter 2: Triple Date==
===Part 1===

Chirp chirp, tweet tweet... With their calls, the birds signaled the dawn of morning.

A warm ray of sunshine shone through the bedside windows into the room, rousing Kamito.

After talking to Claire this morning, he had returned to sleeping soundly once again, but it seemed that not too much time had passed.

Kamito had a fever not too long ago, but now it has almost completely faded away.

"Mmm... ah..."

He rubbed his bleary eyelids, moved around, and prepared to get out of bed.

At that moment –

"Aaah!"

"..."

His elbow suddenly touched something soft and gentle.

''Also, wasn't there some sort of lovely sound just now...''

Kamito blinked, puzzled by what it was, he turned his gaze toward the sound.

He saw a round mass of fluffy white fur, keeping him company beside him while he slept.

"... W-What is this?"

The unbelievable sight before his eyes startled Kamito.

However, he immediately thought of something...

Sneaking into my bed... the only one who would do such a thing is -

"Is it Est!?"

He hastily tossed aside the blanket.

"A-Ah! W-What in the world are you doing to me!?"

"... Huh?"

Kamito froze, speechless.

Hidden under the blanket was not the blade spirit who liked to dress in the nude with thigh-high socks.

What he saw was pure white fur, and a pair of long big ears that hung downwards.

And dazzling pale gold hair –

The lovely... Miss Bunny.

"... Hey, Rinslet! What do you think you're doing?"

"N-No, that's not right! I-I am Miss Bunny right now!"

Rinslet flushed red, embarrassed. The rabbit ear on her head twitched up.

"I said, Rinslet –"

"It's 'Miss Bunny'."

"Well, Miss Bunny."

Following her request, Kamito repeated obediently.

"This outfit of yours, what kind of act are you putting on?"

"This... I..."

In response, Rinslet could only rub both her kneecaps awkwardly while stuttering and unable to speak.

Seeing the usually stubborn and self-conscious Rinslet wearing such an expression gave Kamito an indescribable feeling of adoration.

''... Speaking of which, this outfit is too provoking, isn't it? It's practically blinding!''

A closer look would reveal that –

The Miss Bunny outfit Rinslet was wearing was at most being borderline immodest.

It was a set of very revealing erotic clothing, made of an undergarment-like material, with soft fluffy fur sewn on everywhere.

There was puffy fur on both her hands and feet, and a tail-like a ball of fur hanging from behind.

The greatest draw of the entire outfit however, had to be the the leather collar tied around her neck.

The elegant, aristocratic, wealthy princess wearing that collar... the combination was enough to give people wrong thoughts.

"I-I was turned into Miss Bunny by witchcraft... chuu!"

The maiden said it stiffly, as if reciting lines from a script.

"What's 'chuu'?"

"It's the cry of a rabbit."

"I can't imagine the cry of a rabbit sounding like that..."

Moving his gaze away from the huge twin peaks and valley right before his eyes, Kamito shook his head and spoke.

Right at this time -

"– K-Kamito, I've made breakfast for you!"

The door to the room suddenly opened.

The one standing there was the Captain of the Knights—Ellis.

"What!?"

Kamito fell speechless once again.

Ellis, who stood before him, was dressed like Rinslet in clothing that skirted the edge of modesty.

The only difference was that she wore dog ears instead of rabbit ones, and the fur on her hands were not white, but brown.

The ears atop her head swung constantly as she moved.

"E-Ellis... how is it that you too..."

"N-No, say no more!"

Red-faced and biting her lips, the embarrassed Ellis looked as if she wanted to find a hole to hide in.

"Oooh, i-if my elder sisters were to see me dressed like this, I don't know what they would say..."

Tears glowed from the corners of her brown eyes, probably because of how ashamed she felt.

''... Now... what is the situation?''

... What on earth had happened? Why would the pure-hearted and rule-abiding Captain be dressed in such a dissolute manner?

"J-Just don't mind my outfit, alright."

"Uh... how do you expect anyone to not mind that?"

Ellis ignored Kamito's confusing reply.

She cleared her throat with a cough, and pushed a small silver dining car in from the corridor.

"Ah?"

The aroma of freshly baked toast immediately filled the room.

"... Well, come have breakfast, I made these for you."

There was a meal of freshly prepared breakfast in the dining car; the steam above it had not yet dispersed.

The dishes included – toast grilled to the perfect degree, thick French-style pumpkin soup, deliciously tender omelets, Caesar salad with added tuna, and last but not least for dessert, there was yogurt topped with strawberry jam.

At first glance, although these were not exactly high-class, one could tell that every dish had been prepared with meticulous care.

"... You're such an expert! Did you do all these yourself, Ellis?"

"Y-Yes, I prepared these in the tower's kitchen. Only because I did not want to forget my culinary skills, it wasn't specially made for you!"

Ellis looked away, a look of embarrassment suddenly creeped across her face as she bent down beside Kamito.

"Captain, how can you do this!"

Disregarding Rinslet's protests, she addressed Kamito:

"I-I'll feed you... O-open your mouth, come."

"T-There's no need! I can do it myself –"

"Absolutely not, you're the one who's hurt after all."

"My wound has already fully healed –"

– Into his mouth.

Taking advantage of the moment Kamito's mouth was open, Ellis stuffed the omelette into his mouth.

"..."

"H-How is it?"

"... S-Super delicious!"

The omelette was not only just sweet enough, but it was also so soft and fluffy that it melted in his mouth. This beyond-perfect masterpiece by Ellis that confirmed the saying that the simpler the dish, the greater a test it was of the chef's skill.

"Is that really so! ... That's wonderful."

Ellis smiled shyly, the dog ears on her head moving up and down.

Seeing the usually serious and stern Captain wear such an expression, Kamito could not help but feel butterflies in his stomach.

"Hmph—Captain, you're too cunning to do this."

Rinslet puffed up her cheeks a little angrily and said.

"...Rinslet?"

"T-Then I shall give Kamito-san a massage."

Having said this, Rinslet immediately began kneading Kamito's shoulders with gentle strength.

"... What!?"

"How does it feel?"

"You're so good at this... my fatigue is slowly disappearing, wow."

Kamito was not just saying empty kind words of praise; Rinslet's massage technique was really of professional standard.

The comfortable sensation made all the tense muscles in his body relax one by one.

"You know, I give Carol massages all the time, because that child keeps praising me, I have unknowingly become very good at massaging."

"So that's why..."

... That a maid could get her master to knead her shoulders for her was, in a certain sense, almost too much.

"Uh huh, you'd better thank me well. I am the heir to the Laurenfrost clan. By right, I could never serve men in this way."

"W-Well..."

At this moment , Kamito suddenly felt two soft bumps against his back.

"But... only for today... everyone..."

Rinslet leant over and whispered into Kamito's ear:

"Everyone can become... Kamito-san's house pet."

"Uh... w-what did you just say – !"

In a panic, Kamito turned his head, then –

"M-Me too, just for today, I won't be your Captain!"

Then it was Ellis, who cried out, perking up her dog ears:

"I want to be K-Kamito's... little pet dog."

"Ellis!?"

What was the matter with the both of them?

"Kamito..." "Kamito-san..."

Their small animal tails swinging, the two of them stared at Kamito with fire in their eyes.

... Why is it that he felt dizzy with confusion? Could it be another fever?

''Hey, something's not right...''

The temperature in the room had started rising steadily.

''Boom boom boom...''

"... Y-You guys... what mischief are you up to?"

"Claire?!"

Kamito turned and looked –

The door, which had not been closed, opened with a slam. Standing there was Claire with a burning-hot whip in her hand.

Her shoulders were trembling slightly in anger, and her two bright red ponytails pointed upright like flames.

However, what fixated Kamito's gaze was how she was dressed.

Atop her head was a pair of shaking red cat ears.

On her slim petite body was erotic clothing made of red fur.

Her bare white thighs were displayed so boldly that one could not look directly at them.

"H-How is it that you too are doing this? That outfit is...!"

Kamito muttered, dumbfounded, then –

"Waaaah! S-Stupid fool, what are you looking at!"

Claire blushed and crossed her knees shyly.

She then made a sound like a cat's low growl, and glared at Kamito with tears in her eyes.

"Hmph, what... in any case you must feel that my chest is disappointingly small, isn't that right!?"

"..."

Truthfully speaking, that set of clothing did indeed make Claire's chest seem even tinier.

Although that very same attire could bring out the valley between the breasts of Ellis and Rinslet, the undeniable fact of the matter was, the sight of Claire wearing it only gave a person the impression of looking at a washboard.

Having said that, however, it did not reduce the charm she exuded. Her despondency over her chest size in fact made her look pitiful and delicate, which only increased her loveliness.

"Not at all. How should I say it... I think you're awfully cute like this."

Kamito expressed his honest feelings.

"A-A-Ah! W-what nonsense are you spouting!"

Claire's cheeks grew redder and redder. She waved the whip in her hand, which made slapping noises.

"Oooh..." "Kamito-san!"

At this, one of Ellis's dog ears and Rinslet's rabbit ears cocked in Kamito's direction, and they puffed their cheeks slightly resentfully.

"I-I don't care any more... you really are such a terrible fool!"

Claire muttered haltingly, then walked towards Kamito –

Then she abruptly jumped onto the bed Kamito was lying in.

"... Uhhh... hey... you guys...!"

The three pretty girls dressed as erotic cute animals pushed each other around the small bed, their bare shoulders pressed against Kamito's arm.

"Well then, you tell me... is there anything I can do for you, Kamito?"

Claire bit her lip lightly and looked at Kamito with upward-glancing eyes.

"Anything I... want you to do?"

"Such as... oh yes, sleeping on my lap ... or help you clean your ears... things of that sort?"

"Sleep on your lap?"

Such an action was a common dream among all men.

Kamito inadvertently glanced at Claire's soft-looking thighs – and then swiftly moved his gaze away.

"Oh, but only for today! You usually are my slave, but only for today... I-I am willing... to be your slave!"

"S-Slave?"

Kamito questioned her and Claire nodded.

"Y-Yes! For today, I will agree to anything you ask of me! Y-You better prepare yourself!"

"Wait a moment, what do I have to prepare myself for?"

"K-Kamito... it's the same for me!"

"And me!"

Ellis and Rinslet also squeezed up to him, snuggling Kamito tightly with their bodies.

"But... n-no sexual orders though."

"Who would ever do that! What kind of person do you guys think I am!?"

"Huh, you didn't want to make any such orders? Oh, okay..."

For some reason, a disappointed look crept across her face as she muttered those words.

Letting out a sigh, Kamito said frustratedly:

"– Now can you tell me why the three of you are dressed like this?"

He bluntly asked the trio.

"This... that is because..."

The three ladies looked at each other in panic.

After a while, Claire finally surrendered and said: "B-Because after Est disappeared, you looked so down and depressed –"

"... Huh?"

"So we decided to dress like this to lift your spirits...!"

Blushing furiously, Claire awkwardly finished her explanation.

It is said that when an elementalist is in a poor mental state, they will have no way of summoning spirits. In more serious cases, they may sometimes even lose their princess maiden powers.

For example, Fianna had been dealt a severe emotional blow four years ago, and had been unable to use her power for a long period of time afterwards. When Scarlet was defeated by demon spirits, Claire had also fallen into grief, and suddenly found herself unable to summon Scarlet.

If the blow from the loss of Est caused Kamito's heart to be dominated by negative feelings of hatred, the «gate» between their hearts would truly close forever, never to open again. In truth, there were actually many princess maidens who had lost their status as elementalists because of such trauma to their souls.

''So simply put, they wanted to cheer me up – roughly this kind of intention?''

Evidently, he had made these ladies worry too much.

However, Kamito thanked them from the bottom of his heart for their thoughtfulness.

"... But why dress up as little animals and put on an act?"

Kamito asked.

"It's Fianna who told us this secret. Y-You rascal, you like this kind of thing, don't you?"

"That goddamn princess, huh..."

Kamito gritted his teeth and muttered.

... So that was it, these sexual animal costumes were all from Fianna's secret collection.

"That... can't be right, you don't like this look?"

"Hmm? Well... I didn't say I disliked it."

Despite the many objections he felt, Kamito reluctantly admitted it -

Truth be told, he really thought it was quite cute.

Moreover, that these snobby aristocratic daughters would be willing to embarrass themselves so thoroughly in order to cheer him up – whether or not their methods were right, their positive intentions were enough to make one want to frankly thank them.

"... All of you, thank you."

"I-I did not do it for you, Kamito, I just want Est back quickly, that's all."

As Claire turned her head away, the cat ears on her head moved as well.

Ellis and Rinslet, too, shyly shook their tails.

"– N-Now then, shall we take a walk outside?"

Claire, who cleared her throat, tugged at Kamito's pajamas and asked.

"Outside?"

"Today is our last rest day before the start of the main competition, of course we should go outside and have a good time! Staying locked in a room depressed all day is hardly the solution, right?"

"... That is true."

All Kamito could do now was to believe in Est and await her return.

If Kamito, her contractor, did not get out of his depression, the «gate» would become impossible to open.

Going outside to lift his spirits was perhaps a good idea.

"And on this floating island, there is even a Biblion managed by the «Divine Ritual Institute»."

Rinslet added.

"Biblion?"

"It has been said that a lot of antique-level information is archived within the sacred Biblion, information that cannot be found even in our library of seals. If Est is really the sealed spirit sealed within the ancient sacred sword, we might be able to find clues in those documents."

"... If that is so, it sounds like it would be worth a look."

Anecdotes of the Demon King Killing Sacred Sword could be found across the continent, and although truth and fiction were mixed in them, considering that Est was such a powerful spirit, it would not be surprising to find a mention of her in one of the ancient records.

"It is decided, now hurry up and get ready to go!"

"Mhmm, we can't be cheerful cooped up indoors all the time."

"And in a place so close to the port, there are many shops set up here too."

The three girls crowded together, all trying to take Kamito's arm.

"Wait, let me first change into my uniform... Also, you don't want to go out dressed like this either, right?"

"Aaah! O-Of course not!"

The girls blushed and quickly let go of Kamito.

===Part 2===

So –

Kamito and his friends, dressed in their uniforms, took a carriage ride to the port.

The sacred Biblion was apparently located not too far from here; plain and simple wooden structures were set up side-by-side in this area of the port, creating a lively atmosphere like that of a shopping street holding a celebration.

In addition, the various countries of the continent had also combined to raise funds for various food and entertainment facilities to welcome the spectators of the Blade Dance.

Because this was the original spirit world, which humans were forbidden to live in, this fantasy street would only appear for a few days.

It was a sight only visible during the Blade Dance.

"Wow – clear skies today."

"Mm, because we are on the clouds, of course."

Claire stretched like a cat as she walked, she and Kamito chatted while walking together.

Then, a cool refreshing breeze blew past, and Claire's tresses, tied into two ponytails, swayed in the wind.

Hanging distantly in the sky, the floating island — Ragna Ys — should have stood no chance against fierce winds, but because this sacred land had the additional protection of the Wind Elemental Lord, it was in no danger of being blown away.

Small flying crafts flew one by one between the gaps in the clouds and arrived at the port.

As the main event of the Blade Dance was about to begin, nobles from countries all over the continent had already begun to gather here.

"This really is spectacular."

"Only on the floating island can you see such a view."

Ellis and Rinslet expressed their amazement in muttered exclamations.

"... It would have been great if Fianna could have come with us."

While muttering, Kamito raised his head to the clear, vast blue sky.

At the moment, Fianna seemed to be searching for a way to destroy the «Brand of Darkness» imprinted on Kamito. She had been tirelessly visiting old acquaintances from her time at the «Divine Ritual Institute».

"Later, let's buy some gifts to take back for Fianna, alright?"

"Mmm, yeah."

The slate street was lined with a wide variety of shops.

As they were only temporary stalls, the materials they were made of were not particularly impressive. However, the craftsmen or chefs working inside were top talents who had been recruited from many countries. The Blade Dance was an excellent opportunity to showcase the nation's prestige so countries tend to generously spend huge sums of money on this.

The group walked to the heart of the shopping street, and passed a group of tourists who had just alighted from a flying craft.

"I didn't want to say this but this place really is terribly crowded."

"Men everywhere... I'm starting to feel dizzy."

Ellis and Rinslet looked around uneasily.

It seems that the ladies, having grown up in such a sheltered environment, were not used to such bustling places.

Furthermore, the city here was different from the college city: men accounted for a greater proportion of the people here. Although they were among the best elementalists, here they immediately turned back into pure innocent girls. Whenever a man, passing by quickly, brushed shoulders with them, they would let out small squeals and press themselves tightly against Kamito.

Claire was no exception, from the very start, she had repeatedly been sticking close to Kamito then immediately pulling away.

Whenever she leaned against Kamito, she would move away blushing; when she next bumped into a strange passer-by, she would go back to Kamito.

''This foolish girl, what is she doing?''

When Claire leaned into him again, Kamito quickly took her hand.

"Aaaah! W-What are you doing!"

The fiery cat maiden cried angrily, her face red.

"Who taught you how to walk so unsteadily? That's awfully dangerous."

"Well... o-okay, I'll let you hold my hand, but in here only."

As the two of them held hands, Claire turned her gaze aside shyly.

"You're too cunning..."

Rinslet puffed her cheeks unhappily, then grabbed Kamito's empty other hand.

"Rinslet?"

"I-I'm afraid of you getting lost, so hold on to me tight."

Then Ellis, too, joined in; seeing that both Kamito's hands were full, she had no choice but to latch onto his arm.

"E-Ellis...!"

"Hey... Captain! You're blocking the way here!"

"I-It's you, not me! Let go of Kamito's hand now!"

"Ah... all of you, I can't walk like this!"

The girls, all clinging to Kamito, began to quarrel.

They made such a scene that nearby passers-by started to whisper among themselves:

"Quick, look over there, three noble girls are serving that young man, wow." "That's because he's the rumored male elementalist, you know..."

"That's too wicked of him, to sink his fangs into those poor delicate girls." "But, take a look at those girls' expressions; they don't seem to hate him at all." "They must be under some kind of strange magic spell, of course."

''Well... this situation seems to have gotten a little worse...''

Kamito had long been used to hostility from strangers.

However, he did not wish to tarnish the reputations of the ladies he partnered with.

"I say... there are far too many people here, so why don't we find someplace cooler to rest?"

"Mm, that sounds good..."

Claire and the others nodded to show their agreement. It seems they were also thinking the same thing.

They looked around in search of a shop they could have a cup of tea at. And then –

"Kamito-san, look... there's a «La Parfait» shop over there!"

Rinslet pointed towards a chic-looking café across the road.

"Say, is that the famous «La Parfait»!? I've always wanted to try their cakes."

"If I remember correctly, this café is very popular throughout the empire... I-I'm kind of interested as well."

Even Claire and Ellis knew of it. Evidently, the business that had set up that temporary stall was very famous.

"... In that case, shall we go there?"

"Agreed!" "Yes!" "Mmhm...!"

The trio nodded in agreement and dragged Kamito towards it.

===Part 3===

The «La Parfait» stall was almost fully packed, so much so that the group had to wait a little before being served.

While sitting at the entrance waiting to be served, Kamito examined the stall's decor. The horizontal beams of the ceiling were naturally bent like tree branches, Kamito was very appreciative of the warm atmosphere this unique wood imparted.

"I'm surprised this is such a relaxing place. When I heard you say it was one of the empire's most popular shops, I expected it to be much more posh and luxurious."

"This is only a temporary stall put up for the «Blade Dance», so of course it won't be so well-decorated. Their regular shops are so good aristocratic ladies would be willing to hide their identities just to patronize the shop incognito."

"Oh, so that's it... Hey, speaking of which, I'm not that loaded with cash..."

Kamito's face suddenly turned pale.

A shop even noble daughters would patronize incognito – this must certainly be a very high-class shop.

"If it were a regular shop, no matter how loaded you were, you'd still not be able to afford it."

"The stalls are free for the participants of the Blade Dance."

"I-I see..."

At Rinslet's words, Kamito let out a reassured sigh.

After a while, the four were led to their seats.

"I want a peach pie, a peach sorbet... and a peach mousse."

Claire flipped open the menu and gestured with her finger at the dessert options.

"Why are you getting so many peach options... haven't you already had some in the morning?

"N-None of your business... so what if I like them?"

"This raspberry-flavored cream puff also looks delicious."

"Y-Yes, that seems tasty."

"Oh... This dish puts some ice cream on a fresh hot apple pie to be eaten together..."

"Let's order one and divide it, everyone can have some. Kamito, what would you like?"

"Oooh... Well then, I'll have a scone, I guess..."

Kamito answered perfunctorily, but then –

"What's this attitude, you seem so reluctant."

"I really pity the dessert you order like that to eat."

"If you're a true man, you should pick decisively... Well, I'm talking about choosing cake."

For some unknown reason, Kamito found himself being severely berated by the ladies.

"S-Sorry..."

The three of them had always bickered when in training, but in these situations, they were always in full understanding.

Rinslet summoned a waitress, and one-by-one ordered those cakes and desserts with names that would accidentally make one bite their tongue.

"– And lastly, I'd like four cups of black tea from the Laurenfrost area."

"Yes."

"Ah... e-excuse me, wait a minute!"

Ellis called aloud to halt the waitress, who was preparing to leave.

"Yes?"

"Please add a little whipped cream and honey to my tea, and if you could, add some floating marshmallows as well."

"Uh... I'm sorry, esteemed guest, but our shop does not serve such a kind of drink."

"I-Is that so? Can you not make an excepti – oooh!"

Halfway through her sentence, Ellis stopped.

It was because Rinslet was pinching the back of her neck.

"Hey, what are you doing!"

"Oh my god, have you no shame! I don't like saying such things, but the Fahrengart family must really have no class!"

Rinslet was very particular about tea brewing, and so forbade Ellis from randomly adding ingredients as she wished.

"So what if you're from the Laurenfrost family, it's just a countryside noble family with more land, that's all!"

"Y-You wouldn't dare...!"

An intense mini-blizzard blew up beside Rinslet.

"N-No matter what, I don't care, if it's not sweet I won't drink it!"

"If that's so, why didn't you simply order cocoa just now?"

"Don't you think cocoa's a little too childish?"

"Only childish people would call cocoa childish!"

"Okay, okay, stop arguing, the cakes are here."

Claire lightly poked Rinslet's shoulder and said.

"Hmph... no matter, next time I'll teach our Captain how to drink tea."

"Sweet things are just nicer..."

Ellis said in a half-challenging manner through pursed lips.

Not long after, the dazzling array of desserts were delivered to their table.

Placed in silver containers, each of the cakes and breads looked like an exquisite art piece.

At the sight of them, the anger of the two aristocratic girls vanished and was replaced by expressions of joy.

"I can't help but feel that... to eat something so beautiful would almost be a waste."

"These snacks are made by the very best chefs representing our empire."

As Claire spoke, she opened her mouth wide and took a bite out of the peach pie.

"Waaah... it really is delicious!"

"This raspberry cream puff also tastes extraordinarily refined and delicious."

"Mmmm, there's probably some sweet wine added to this sponge cake... I must try that next time."

Kamito listened to the girls' comments, then put his own cake into his mouth.

"Oh, it's delicious."

Although he was no food connoisseur, the sweet taste in his mouth did give him a rich and noble feeling.

But, compared to this –

Looking at the joyous expressions on the girls' faces made Kamito feel inexplicably happier himself.

"Kamito, what is it?"

"Huh? Oh..."

Kamito was jolted out of his daze, only to find Claire suspiciously staring at him. He quickly averted his gaze and feigned ignorance.

"To think that this stall will be dismantled immediately after the Blade Dance, what a pity!"

"That's just how it is. But... there's a shop in the empire, so we will definitely have a chance to visit again."

"Mmm, next time we go, we must be sure to take Fianna... and Est."

Kamito looked down at the spirit seal on his right hand and murmured.

"Kamito ..."

"Kamito-san..."

At this, Ellis and Rinslet raised their heads.

"—Est will return, I promise."

Claire spoke in a calm but confident tone of voice.

"So... just trust in her and wait for her to return. The only person who can help her out in this way is her elementalist – you."

"... Mmmm, you're right."

Kamito nodded – and then mused:

''... Partners will make one stronger – that probably refers to this feeling I'm having now.''

Three years ago, the strongest blade dancers were indeed very swift and strong.

Solely in terms of skill as an elementalist, he was unrivaled.

But these physical powers were fragile and would easily be crushed by a strong blow; they were strengths developed through loneliness.

The Kamito in the past had no one to rely on.

After losing Restia, he was left only with eternal despair.

''Now, however, I have friends willing to support me.''

So my heart will no longer shatter.

I will not sink into despair again.

''... Thus far, Est has saved me many times.''

Kamito clenched his fist on the table.

''– So, it's my turn now. No doubt about it: I will save you.''

===Part 4===

The most important Sanctuary in the entirety of the floating island Ragna Ys—the Grand Hall of the Wind Elemental Lord—was located atop a hilly area. It was some distance away from the building where the blade dance participants were.

This white building was made from a combination of the best-quality materials and cutting-edge technology. The huge construction covered the whole of the hill; one could appreciate its majesty even from outside of the floating island.

It was not only the place where the wind spirits listened to the spirit king's decrees to the holy land, but also where princess maidens from the «Divine Ritual Institute» chosen by the various nations would practice their devotions. Therefore, even the nobility of the country would absolutely not be allowed to enter.

However, at that very moment time, there was a lady outside the gate shouting anxiously:

"Please do me a favor! Grant me an audience with Reicha-sama–!"

She was individually seperated from the team of five in order to work separately from Kamito – Fianna.

Wearing a rare serious look, she pleaded with the guard standing at the gate.

"You really don't give up do you."

The middle-aged guard regarded Fianna with unfriendly eyes.

Her face clearly expressed her stubbornness.

"Please withdraw. Our «Divine Ritual Institute»'s gate will never open simply for any one, let alone getting an audience with Reicha-sama. Your requests will absolutely never be granted."

The guard uttered a statement he had probably repeated many times before.

''... This is so infuriating! These people are as stubborn as ever!''

Fianna cursed impatiently to herself.

Having said that, she had in fact expected such a reaction from the start, because the person she wanted to see was not someone who would meet with just anybody.

''If I could borrow her strength, it would certainly be enough to break the curse on Kamito. But...''

The guard looked down at Fianna, not bothering to conceal her expression of contempt.

Evidently, she had not the slightest inclination to open the door.

''... Well, I did know the reason ages ago.''

Refusing to give up, Fianna bit down on her lip.

The one she was thinking of was the Annihilation Spirit princess that had betrayed the Fire Elemental Lord – Rubia Elstein.

There had been high hopes placed on Fianna to be successor, but the incident with Rubia had left indelible horrors in her heart, causing her to lose the power of summoning contract spirits, and with that, her status as princess maiden.

And so Fianna Ray Ordesia became a lost princess maiden, thoroughly disappointing the people who had had great expectations of her and discrediting the «Divine Ritual Institute».

''... You narrow-minded people, who only know how to put in superficial effort, really disgust me.''

Even her own parents—The Areishia emperor and empress—and the various nobility were all no different.

When Fianna was still the princess maiden successor, these people had flattered her in every possible way. Once she had lost her contract spirit powers however, they immediately scorned and disdained her, changing their attitudes faster than one could turn the page of a book.

Of course, not all of them were like that. It was just that the «Divine Ritual Institute» organization had decayed under the weight of its long history, and so indeed had a darker side.

Seeing Fianna's stubborn refusal to leave, the guard shook her head and said:

"I do not wish to continue wasting my time on you."

Having said this, she turned and went back into the temple.

"Wait a minute—"

Fianna quickly moved to catch up with her, but—

"Aaaah!?"

Suddenly, a fierce wind rose and blew Fianna off her feet.

Fianna and Claire were different in that they had not received special combat training for elementalists. Too late to protect herself, she fell heavily to the ground.

"... What!?"

She saw something stand at the doors – a magical wind spirit that looked like a winged lion.

It was a Guardian Spirit; it made contracts with not elementalists, but buildings. This very building, was in fact—the true sanctuary.

"It appears impossible to break through the front gate..."

Fianna glared at the Guardian while nursing a scrape on her lip.

===Part 5===

A sword fell in mysterious darkness.

This shining, beautiful sword, swallowed by a sludge-like nothingness, was gradually losing its light.

''– How strange. What on earth is happening to me?''

Nonetheless, this sword apparently still retained its self-awareness.

Although the disappearance of her physical body had affected her, damaging her memory –

Her memory of that last event was crystal-clear.

She remembered his warmth as she embraced him with both hands on his back.

And, for just the briefest instant, the touch of their lips against each other.

Then – a harsh voice calling out her own name.

''...K-Kamito!''

Her radiance all lost, the sword slowly sank in the bottomless darkness –

<noinclude>{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume5 Chapter1|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume5 Chapter3}}</noinclude>

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume5 Chapter1

2014-12-17T21:56:40Z

AngelicMasterMind: /* Part 2 */

==Chapter 1: The Broken Sacred Sword==

=== Part 1 ===

"—!?"

Waking up, he found himself on his soft bed.

... He sat up and looked back down at himself.

He was not wearing his school uniform, but rather a set of loose pajamas. It seemed that someone had helped him change while he was unconscious.

The dream he witnessed had caused him to break out into a cold sweat.

"I —"

What on earth —

Trying to recall the events that happened before he fainted, Kamito rubbed his dully aching head.

At that moment —

"Kamito, you're awake?"

From the corner of the room came a voice.

Kamito turned, and saw a beautiful girl in uniform sitting on a chair by the wall.

She had two red ponytails on the sides of her head.

Her translucent ruby-red pupils gazed anxiously in his direction.

"... Claire, you haven't been here all this time, have you?"

"Eh? No, not very long at all..."

Claire frantically shook her head.

However, dark circles at the corners of her eyes belied the fact that she had not had a good night's rest.

"I apologize for making you worry."

"I-It's nothing, I wasn't worrying."

Kamito returned Claire's concern with a wry smile, and took a look around the room.

This castle room had been arranged for the participants of the «Blade Dance». Looking at its spacious windows and quality household items, one could tell that this was not Kamito's usual residence, which was no different from a storage room, but a room from some unknown other place.

With dawn quickly approaching, the sun shone weakly through a slit in the curtains.

"That's good, get some sleep now. Your fever has not fully gone down."

"Ah? I have a fever?"

"Mmhm, it appears to have gotten better now, but you were burning up quite badly just a moment ago."

Claire bent over and placed her hand on Kamito's forehead.

The touch of her ice-cold skin felt incredibly comfortable. .... Oh. There was indeed still a bit of a lingering fever.

"Anyways, Claire –"

"Yes, what is it?"

"Uh, why did I faint?"

".......You don't remember?"

Claire's eyes opened wide in surprise.

"Don't tell me you have amnesia..."

"No, nothing that serious. It's just that my head's still groggy and I can't seem to remember what happened right before I blacked out."

Kamito shook his head silently.

"The events from the ball?"

"Yes, I remember that. You turned down the invitation from the crown prince of some country with the wave of a hand..."

"Uh, yeah."

"Around that time, Ren Ashbell invited me to dance –"

While massaging his aching temples, Kamito felt his memory gradually return in chronological order.

Something big must have happened.

''No mistake about that. There was something of extreme importance –''

"Ren Ashbell carved the «Brand of Darkness» on me, and then –"

Impatience burned in his chest.

Sparkling in the corner of his mind was an image of the radiant silver sword.

"And then, I –"

"Kamito, you rescued us from the hands of the «Institutional School» assassins!"

Looking at the upset Kamito, Claire spoke up.

"The «Institutional School» assassins?"

Kamito lifted his head abruptly.

''That's right. At that time, I battled Muir's military spirit–''

Claire's words prompted his memories of last night to return in a flood.

During the Blade Dance's opening ceremony last night, Muir Alenstarl, the «Instructional School» assassin calling herself Kamito's foster younger sister, had controlled a military spirit to attack Claire and company.

Marked by Ren Ashbell's «Brand of Darkness» and covered in wounds, Kamito raced towards the battlefield reluctantly, towards Muir Alenstarl's military spirit – but at that very moment, the curse of the mark took effect on Kamito's body, and he was overcome with blinding pain.

And then –

"...!"

The instant he regained his memory, Kamito's whole body stiffened, as if he'd been struck by lightning.

The image that sprung to mind was that of a girl – with mysterious violet eyes.

With beautiful silvery-white hair that reflected the moonlight.

With small hands that gently stroked his back.

And with lips that were cold as ice yet hot as fire when they touched his.

Then she turned into innumerable particles of light, which dissipated into a void—

That was the last Kamito saw of her.

"... Es... t?"

The name escaped from his lips in a trembling, spontaneous exhale.

It was the name of one who had always remained by his side, the name of an extremely important someone, the name of his contract spirit.

His slight memory disturbances earlier must have been because he had not wanted to face this fact.

"Kamito..."

Claire's low, worried words almost went unheard by Kamito.

"You must be joking... Est, why did she–"

Her meaningless words rang hollow.

His newly recovered memory insisted on replaying the last scene he saw before losing consciousness.

At that time, she had whispered in his ear:

Goodbye, Kamito –.

Blade spirit Est – with a head of silvery-white hair, just like a snow fairy.

His contract with her was originally a chance occurrence.

While maintaining a contract with a contract spirit from the past, the end result was an incomplete contract.

Originally, he could not even wield a tenth of the power with the contract. It must have been considerably painful for a powerful spirit like her.

However, Est had said that was all right.

To be able to contract with you, that alone is wonderful – she had said.

''But I –''

Three years ago, there was a day he had lost a previous contract spirit.

From that day onwards, he had vowed not to lose anyone important.

"Yet I – again!"

Est had disappeared.

She had sacrificed her very existence in order to save Kamito from being eroded by the curse of the brand.

"Damn –"

"Kamito!"

He threw up his hands in despair only for Claire to quickly catch hold of them.

She gazed steadily into his eyes, with the intent of calming him down.

"Est was not eliminated."

"Ah?"

"After all, your hands still bear signs of a spirit contract, right?"

Kamito's eyes widened.

"Y...es... indeed."

His right hand, the one in Claire's grasp, still bore a design of intersecting swords.

That was the proof of a spirit contract—the spirit seal.

If the contract spirit were to be eliminated, the spirit seal would then of course disappear.

The reason why Kamito had believed for all these three years that Restia had not vanished—the reason why he had retained a glimmer of hope—was entirely because the spirit seal inscribed on his left hand still remained.

The spirit seal connects the contractor to the contract spirit; it is a special «Gate».

Now the pain was too weak to be felt – but as long as the spirit seal on his right hand did not disappear, he would have proof that Est had not been completely eliminated.

"Est, she's still alive."

"Yes. And even if we cannot call her out now, there must be a way to do so."

If that's the case, I can't remain like this.

"... Ah ah ah ah ah!"

Biting back the pain coursing through his entire body, Kamito got up from the bed.

"Wait, wait a moment, what are you doing!? You still can't –"

"Est is waiting – I don't have the time to continue sleeping!"

Just as Claire's hands moved to stop him–

Gurgle gurgle ~

A lovely sound arose in the room.

"...Claire?"

All the strength had drained from his body.

"...... ~!Th-Th-This is a misunderstanding, t-there wasn't a strange sound just now!"

"You... don't tell me, you haven't had anything to eat since yesterday?"

"A-After all, you've been having a bad fever, well..."

Claire blushed and stammered.

"You can't afford to skip meals since tomorrow the battle begins."

"... I-I know. Speaking of which, you haven't eaten either."

"Well, I'm more or less accustomed to that..."

In his youth, Kamito had spent most of his time undergoing intense training at the «Instructional School».

The education he received there included even training to withstand starvation. Although he had no intention of attempting such a thing, he could now easily go without food for several days.

''Then again...''

Something suddenly occurred to Kamito.

''Everyone now knows that I was from the «Instructional School»...''

Precisely because they were important companions, he had not wanted them to know of his past.

Once they learnt of that, he thought that they would not want anything to do with him anymore.

It was only natural that one would think so.

On the contrary, they had treated Kamito –

"You... what you are or aren't accustomed to, that's entirely beside the point. If you don't eat well, you'll never regain your strength. Look, I even brought fruit here specially f-for you."

At this, Claire indicated the basket on the bedside table.

It was filled to the brim with delicious-looking ripe peaches.

"– Claire, thank you."

"Don't stand on courtesy, it's nothing. After all, they were brought back from the ball."

"No such thing!"

Kamito looked directly at Claire.

"Even after learning I was an orphan from the «Instructional School», you still stayed my friend, saying it didn't matter. ... About that, I'm still very glad."

"W-What, ah, well, that..."

Claire blushed and looked away.

"B-But of course, isn't that just how it is? Regardless of your past, you're my slave spirit now and that will not change!"

With a wry smile and a nod of his head, Kamito reached into the basket for a peach.

"Here, hand me a small knife, I'll cut it open."

"Leave it to me. You're the hurt one, get some rest."

"The peach is fragile, so it can be difficult to peel. I thought you weren't good at peeling fruits?"

"W-well, if you think that..."

Claire hid her face. Truth be told, it seemed that all the women at the institution, both young and adult, were all not that good at homemaking. It wasn't just Claire who was particularly bad at preparing fruits.

Kamito shrugged, picked up a knife from the table, and started peeling the peach in a repeated, circular motion.

Watching his deft handiwork, Claire asked emotionally:

"Did you learn this from that «Instructional School» too?"

"No, I picked up cooking and other skills during my travels. My travel companion was very picky when it came to the flavor!"

"...By companion, you mean that darkness spirit girl?"

"Yeah..."

While cutting the peach, Kamito's expression turned sour.

"Well – so it's like that..."

Claire looked doubtful.

"Look, it is peeled."

As if to change the subject, Kamito speared the peeled peach on a fork and presented it to Claire.

As she took a bite, some peach juice sprayed back at him.

"Yum yum~ so sweet, it's really delicious...!"

[[File:STnBD V05 025.jpg|thumbnail|right]]

Her two red ponytails danced in joy.

Claire put her hands to her cheeks, an expression of sheer bliss on her face. She looked so lovely one could accidentally lose oneself in admiration.

"Well, now, have another..."

Kamito raised the fork holding the peach. Like a cat being teased, Claire's gaze followed it in a trance-like state.

"Look, here it is!"

He moved his hand away.

"Ah!"

And again.

"R-Really now!"

Claire's mouth opened and shut as she chased the peach doggedly.

Left, right. ... And again.

Finding it very interesting, Kamito intended to continue for a little longer –

"... ~Oi, w-why are you so cruel!"

Claire snarled, tears welling in her eyes.

"... Sorry, just felt like you were as adorable as a cat, so."

"...?! W-what do you mean cute... s-stupid idiot, that's what you are!"

Into the mouth of the red-faced, frantically gesticulating Claire –

"Aah."

– went the peach.

And she bit down.

"Whew, ah, it's so delicious ..."

"Just like a cat."

Claire shot Kamito a look.

"Hey, isn't this situation backwards?"

"Hrm, backwards?"

"The injured person is you, but I'm the one eating."

"Well, it's a small matter, don't worry about it."

Kamito shrugged his shoulders, and conveniently put the peach into his own mouth.

The slightly tangy taste of the peach juice spread immediately in his mouth.

"Mmm, it really is delicious. It's thoroughly ripe!"

"I-isn't that the same fork..."

"... What's the matter?"

"N-No, it's nothing –"

Claire hastily took her eyes off him.

"Anyway –"

Kamito put the fork aside and asked.

"Yes, what?"

"What's the performance for the «Blade Dance»? The divination of the Queens have already been revealed, right?"

While Kamito was unconscious, the five Queens had held a ceremony at the great temple of the «Divine Ritual Institute», where the Five Elemental Lords bestowed their divine revelation. The performance was to be decided by this divine revelation – as for the competition format, it would be announced at a later date.

At this, Claire's expression grew serious.

"Mmhm, the blade dance performance to be presented will be – the «Tempest»."

"«Tempest», huh..."

That had been the competition format used for the Blade Dance not only in recent years, but also tens, and even hundreds of years ago.

The elementalists who will be presenting the blade dance performance will come together at the gathering place in the vast holy lands, and the teams will do battle with each other over a number of days. Each individual's combat skills will be put to the test, but beyond that, of even greater significance will be their tactical and strategic ability, as well as teamwork and cooperation.

"... It will be a tough battle."

"Indeed. On the other hand, they clearly could have chosen a knockout-style tournament. If so, I suppose this was the best possible outcome."

Claire nodded with a serious look on her face.

The blade dance performance's format would be the «Tempest». This piece of information was one he had previously thought about.

With the only constraint being "five elementalists to a team", a little investigating on the history of the Blade Dance would have made it clear that the number of possible performance formats numbered only about ten or so.

As a matter of fact, the Areishia Spirit Academy had even conducted an extensive training exercise under the assumption that this performance would be selected.

However, one could still hold out hope, for as long as possible, that this performance would not be chosen – this way of thinking was still true.

More so than individual skill, this competition format emphasized a team's combined strength. One would be hard-pressed to say this system had any benefits for Claire, who was still worried and unconfident in regards to teamwork.

Furthermore, «TEAM•SCARLET» had only formed recently. The five members had begun working together a mere few weeks ago. While each of them was a strong elementalist in his or her own right, their combined team strength still could not compare to that of the other teams.

''Furthermore...''

Kamito's gaze turned to the spirit seal inscribed on his right hand.

All along, Kamito's overwhelming strength had always been unrivaled amongst his companions.

However, Kamito was now in a state lacking his contract spirits.

Despite previously being known as the strongest Blade Dancer, without his contract spirit, Kamito could not reach his full strength as an elementalist.

Following that, he rested his hand lightly on the chest wound that was still aching dully.

''—The curse of this brand had yet to fade completely.''

The «Brand of Darkness» Ren Ashbell had engraved was even now still eating away at his body.

Although Est had suppressed the worst of the damage by sacrificing herself, she had not entirely destroyed it.

"Est..."

Murmuring her name, even injecting into it divine power, the spirit seal yielded no response.

Instead, an intense scorching pain invaded his entire body.

"... Ah, damn it..."

"You'd better not act rashly. What you can do now is to get a good rest in order to regain your strength and divine power."

"... Ah, ah, I know."

Clenching his lips tightly, Kamito nodded and laid flat on the bed again.

=== Part 2 ===

''... Kamito seemed to be pretty depressed.''

Outside Kamito's room, Claire let out a small sigh.

This was not unreasonable. After all, it was an elementalist who had lost their own contract spirit before his own eyes.

That bitterness, Claire understood all too well, as she too had lost Scarlet in the past. At that time, Claire had given up on herself, and had even allowed herself to be tempted by the dark spirit.

Of course, Est's eradication had left Claire somewhat shaken too.

For Est had not been just another contract spirit.

She was also an important companion of Claire's in the institution; for more than two months, they had fought side by side.

".......We need to quickly find a way to bring Est back."

The practical problem was that, without Est, «TEAM•SCARLET» had no chance of winning the battle royale. Kamito had incomparable strength, but an elementalist without a contract spirit at his side would not be able to do his best at a competition such as the «Blade Dance», where there were many tough opponents.

There must be a way to bring Est back – true, she had just said that, but what exactly one would need to do, she did not know. Assuming it was possible was fine and all, but they might not have enough time.

The Blade Dance battle would begin tomorrow; they could only afford to spare one day. If Kamito could not bring Est back in that time, they would have to rely on only the four remaining people to win the battle royale.

Although they did not intend on losing to the other teams, the fact of the matter was that their chances of victory against a strong opponent—such as, say, the Dracunia Dragons led by Leonora Lancaster—were slim indeed.

Moreover, in order to win the grand event, they would still have to take down Ren Ashbell, the most powerful of the Blade Dancers.

Then again, it was also possible for Kamito to look for another spirit to contract with.

''But, all things considered, that was not likely...''

Pacing around the portico, Claire shook her head. Leaving aside for the moment the issue of finding a suitable new contract spirit, Kamito would most certainly reject the idea of any other spirit but Est.

''Speaking of whom –''

Out of the blue, the image of that dark spirit girl inadvertently surfaced in Claire's mind.

Jet-black hair, billowing in the wind. A lovely girl with eyes the color of dusk.

''In the end, I still did not ask Kamito about her...''

A wave of pain rushed through her chest as she thought of it.

It was yesterday evening, in the courtyard of the castle: Kamito and the dark spirit girl, their lips locked in a kiss.

It wasn't that she lacked the opportunity to ask; it was just not a suitable time for such a matter. Shocked and upset over having lost Est, Kamito was not in a state for her to pursue the matter to completion.

''But that girl; what on earth was her relationship with Kamito...?''

The previous contract spirit was a girl of darkness who, even now, still held Kamito's heart.

The strange pain in her chest burned more and more intensely.

"W-Well, whatever, that rascal can get all kissy-kissy with whoever he wants to! It's got nothing to with me right?"

Claire reasoned this out with herself and then stopped outside the room.

She opened the door —

"...Huh !?"

There were three people in the room who rose from the couch in unison.

"Is Kamito awake!?"

Claire nodded her head in response to Ellis's query.

"Well, yeah, but it seems the fever has not receded yet. He should continue to rest."

".....Hmm, I see. All in all, it's good that he's doing alright."

"T-To actually have a girl worry so much over him. This guy still causes headaches like before!"

Rinslet crossed and uncrossed her fingers restlessly.

"... It was really all thanks to Est. My skills were simply ineffective against the curse of that brand."

In contrast with the other two, who seemed to have breathed sighs of relief, Fianna wore a somber expression.

Fianna was originally the second-best princess maiden overall in the «Divine Ritual Institute». Her power and skill at curse-breaking was comparable to that of the current princess maidens.

However, the «Brand of Darkness» inscribed by Ren Ashbell on Kamito's body contained a curse so strong that it left even Fianna helpless.

If at that time Est had not sacrificed herself, then —

Kamito's physicial body would have been utterly corroded by the curse. At worst, he might even have died.

"I have searched through a wide range of material but still couldn't find any information on this curse."

The pile of heavy books around Fianna was as high as a mountain.

She had brought these with her from the institution. They contained incantations and curses as well as documents related to spirits.

"But even now, I still cannot believe that..."

Ellis spoke while clenching her lips.

"That Ren Ashbell would go so far as to actually do such a thing —"

"... Yeah, I know."

Claire nodded.

The strongest Blade Dancer.

Her goal was to become a princess maiden elementalist, the most lauded person.

At the Blade Dance three years ago, her blade dance performance had mesmerized countless girls.

Whether it was Claire, Ellis, or anyone, they all held a powerful and honorable person like her in high respect. They had endured the Academy's numerous, strict training regimens in order to be an elementalist like her.

Which was why when Muir Alenstarl told them that it was she who had carved the «Brand of Darkness» onto Kamito's body, they completely could not bring themselves to believe it.

However, on further reflection—

''Not a single one of them knew anything about who she was...''

For example, what wish she made to the Elemental Lord as the victor of the Blade Dance three years prior.

Why, after reaching the highest possible level of renown, did she suddenly disappear without a trace from the eyes of the world.

And why, with things in their current state, would she want to make a return?

Speculation of all sorts were floating about, but it still remained a mystery.

Finally, why would the strongest active elementalist want to place a curse on Kamito.

The reason for that was unclear as well.

''For preemptive reasons, so as to reduce Kamito to a certain amount of strength before the battle royale?''

Even if that were so, there was no need to use such a circuitous strategy as a curse.

One would only need to fight with overwhelming brute strength to eliminate others, like what Muir Alenstarl did.

"Without conclusive evidence, that impostor elementalist may as well be the real Ren Ashbell."

"... But in that case, why not use her real identity?"

"Maybe there's some reason why she couldn't use her true identity," muttered Fiana.

"You think there is a hidden reason?"

"Ah... I-I didn't say anything!"

Addressing the frowning Claire, Fianna hurriedly shook her head.

"If there was someone masquerading as Ren Ashbell and using her name, I would never forgive her."

Placing her hands on the sword at her waist, Ellis spoke up.

"Come on, let's take the initiative to go ask her—"

"Impossible. We don't even know where she is in the first place."

Claire shook her head at Ellis's impulsive and dangerous proposal.

The team representing Ren Ashbell, Team Inferno of Alphas Theocracy, had apparently stayed in a tower outside the region where they waited for an opportunity to strike. No one knew where they were.

Moreover, Muir Alenstarl, who had vanished after yesterday's skirmish, had not given up on her plans to kill Claire and company. A slow, stealthy approach would be more practical than a direct dangerous one.

"Her intentions are indeed a major concern, but—the foremost problem here has to be Est."

Claire turned towards Fianna and asked,

"I'll get straight to the point. Est – can she still return?"

"That..."

Fianna stroked her chin, as though deep in thought.

"If Kamito's hand still shows signs of the spirit seal, it is evidence that Est has not been completely vanquished. Ordinarily, once she fully regains her power, she can return. It's just that –"

"Just that?"

"This is just my hypothesis – Est may have been trapped in a prison of the curse. Regarding this, I cannot be sure."

"What do you mean?"

"Est used her power to suppress the curse, but she did not completely break it. Now she might be held, shackled by the curse, unable to move."

"In order to rescue Est, we'll have to deal with the curse first, won't we?"

Ellis nodded with a serious expression.

"In regards to the «Brand of Darkness», I can get some help from the forces at the «Divine Ritual Institute». ... Next, there is the problem of Kamito himself. Although I don't think this will crush his spirits..."

"But, he seemed really upset......"

Even in front of Claire, he had put on a brave front so as not to let anyone see him weak. At the end of the day however, he could not hide how much the loss of Est had affected him.

By the looks of it, it should take him quite some time to get his act together.

"In that case......is there anything we can do for him?"

Rinslet said.

"Truthfully speaking, it's not that we don't have an option..."

"Eh, really?" "What's is it?" "D-Don't leave us guessing! Tell us directly, please!"

Hearing this, Claire and the others who were not giving up, gathered in front of Fianna.

Fianna sighed and said:

"... Help our own opponents. While it is infuriating, we really have no choice."

She uttered this sentence of cryptic meaning –

And then informed them on what they - can - do - for - Kamito.

"...!"

The trio's faces instantly turned bright red.

"W-Wait a minute! That sort of thing – how could we possibly to do that!"

"R-Really now! Such a shameful thing... as a knight, I cannot accept it!"

"Keep in mind that I am the eldest daughter of the noble Laurenfrost family!"

The wave of protest from the girls came at the same time.

"Hmm – so you mean to say that you don't want Kamito to recover?"

Fianna sharply spoke and pointed at them.

"T-That is..."

"Of course that isn't true–"

"... I-I didn't mean it like that, except–"

The three blushed and stammered.

A mischievous smile formed on Fianna's face.

"All right then, it's settled. There are all sorts of ceremonial props in the luggage I brought. Help yourselves."

As she spoke, she reached into the travel bag and took out a myriad of colorful costumes and props.

<noinclude>{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume5 Prologue|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume5 Chapter2}}</noinclude>

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume5 Chapter1

2014-12-17T19:51:44Z

AngelicMasterMind: /* Part 1 */

==Chapter 1: The Broken Sacred Sword==

=== Part 1 ===

"—!?"

Waking up, he found himself on his soft bed.

... He sat up and looked back down at himself.

He was not wearing his school uniform, but rather a set of loose pajamas. It seemed that someone had helped him change while he was unconscious.

The dream he witnessed had caused him to break out into a cold sweat.

"I —"

What on earth —

Trying to recall the events that happened before he fainted, Kamito rubbed his dully aching head.

At that moment —

"Kamito, you're awake?"

From the corner of the room came a voice.

Kamito turned, and saw a beautiful girl in uniform sitting on a chair by the wall.

She had two red ponytails on the sides of her head.

Her translucent ruby-red pupils gazed anxiously in his direction.

"... Claire, you haven't been here all this time, have you?"

"Eh? No, not very long at all..."

Claire frantically shook her head.

However, dark circles at the corners of her eyes belied the fact that she had not had a good night's rest.

"I apologize for making you worry."

"I-It's nothing, I wasn't worrying."

Kamito returned Claire's concern with a wry smile, and took a look around the room.

This castle room had been arranged for the participants of the «Blade Dance». Looking at its spacious windows and quality household items, one could tell that this was not Kamito's usual residence, which was no different from a storage room, but a room from some unknown other place.

With dawn quickly approaching, the sun shone weakly through a slit in the curtains.

"That's good, get some sleep now. Your fever has not fully gone down."

"Ah? I have a fever?"

"Mmhm, it appears to have gotten better now, but you were burning up quite badly just a moment ago."

Claire bent over and placed her hand on Kamito's forehead.

The touch of her ice-cold skin felt incredibly comfortable. .... Oh. There was indeed still a bit of a lingering fever.

"Anyways, Claire –"

"Yes, what is it?"

"Uh, why did I faint?"

".......You don't remember?"

Claire's eyes opened wide in surprise.

"Don't tell me you have amnesia..."

"No, nothing that serious. It's just that my head's still groggy and I can't seem to remember what happened right before I blacked out."

Kamito shook his head silently.

"The events from the ball?"

"Yes, I remember that. You turned down the invitation from the crown prince of some country with the wave of a hand..."

"Uh, yeah."

"Around that time, Ren Ashbell invited me to dance –"

While massaging his aching temples, Kamito felt his memory gradually return in chronological order.

Something big must have happened.

''No mistake about that. There was something of extreme importance –''

"Ren Ashbell carved the «Brand of Darkness» on me, and then –"

Impatience burned in his chest.

Sparkling in the corner of his mind was an image of the radiant silver sword.

"And then, I –"

"Kamito, you rescued us from the hands of the «Institutional School» assassins!"

Looking at the upset Kamito, Claire spoke up.

"The «Institutional School» assassins?"

Kamito lifted his head abruptly.

''That's right. At that time, I battled Muir's military spirit–''

Claire's words prompted his memories of last night to return in a flood.

During the Blade Dance's opening ceremony last night, Muir Alenstarl, the «Instructional School» assassin calling herself Kamito's foster younger sister, had controlled a military spirit to attack Claire and company.

Marked by Ren Ashbell's «Brand of Darkness» and covered in wounds, Kamito raced towards the battlefield reluctantly, towards Muir Alenstarl's military spirit – but at that very moment, the curse of the mark took effect on Kamito's body, and he was overcome with blinding pain.

And then –

"...!"

The instant he regained his memory, Kamito's whole body stiffened, as if he'd been struck by lightning.

The image that sprung to mind was that of a girl – with mysterious violet eyes.

With beautiful silvery-white hair that reflected the moonlight.

With small hands that gently stroked his back.

And with lips that were cold as ice yet hot as fire when they touched his.

Then she turned into innumerable particles of light, which dissipated into a void—

That was the last Kamito saw of her.

"... Es... t?"

The name escaped from his lips in a trembling, spontaneous exhale.

It was the name of one who had always remained by his side, the name of an extremely important someone, the name of his contract spirit.

His slight memory disturbances earlier must have been because he had not wanted to face this fact.

"Kamito..."

Claire's low, worried words almost went unheard by Kamito.

"You must be joking... Est, why did she–"

Her meaningless words rang hollow.

His newly recovered memory insisted on replaying the last scene he saw before losing consciousness.

At that time, she had whispered in his ear:

Goodbye, Kamito –.

Blade spirit Est – with a head of silvery-white hair, just like a snow fairy.

His contract with her was originally a chance occurrence.

While maintaining a contract with a contract spirit from the past, the end result was an incomplete contract.

Originally, he could not even wield a tenth of the power with the contract. It must have been considerably painful for a powerful spirit like her.

However, Est had said that was all right.

To be able to contract with you, that alone is wonderful – she had said.

''But I –''

Three years ago, there was a day he had lost a previous contract spirit.

From that day onwards, he had vowed not to lose anyone important.

"Yet I – again!"

Est had disappeared.

She had sacrificed her very existence in order to save Kamito from being eroded by the curse of the brand.

"Damn –"

"Kamito!"

He threw up his hands in despair only for Claire to quickly catch hold of them.

She gazed steadily into his eyes, with the intent of calming him down.

"Est was not eliminated."

"Ah?"

"After all, your hands still bear signs of a spirit contract, right?"

Kamito's eyes widened.

"Y...es... indeed."

His right hand, the one in Claire's grasp, still bore a design of intersecting swords.

That was the proof of a spirit contract—the spirit seal.

If the contract spirit were to be eliminated, the spirit seal would then of course disappear.

The reason why Kamito had believed for all these three years that Restia had not vanished—the reason why he had retained a glimmer of hope—was entirely because the spirit seal inscribed on his left hand still remained.

The spirit seal connects the contractor to the contract spirit; it is a special «Gate».

Now the pain was too weak to be felt – but as long as the spirit seal on his right hand did not disappear, he would have proof that Est had not been completely eliminated.

"Est, she's still alive."

"Yes. And even if we cannot call her out now, there must be a way to do so."

If that's the case, I can't remain like this.

"... Ah ah ah ah ah!"

Biting back the pain coursing through his entire body, Kamito got up from the bed.

"Wait, wait a moment, what are you doing!? You still can't –"

"Est is waiting – I don't have the time to continue sleeping!"

Just as Claire's hands moved to stop him–

Gurgle gurgle ~

A lovely sound arose in the room.

"...Claire?"

All the strength had drained from his body.

"...... ~!Th-Th-This is a misunderstanding, t-there wasn't a strange sound just now!"

"You... don't tell me, you haven't had anything to eat since yesterday?"

"A-After all, you've been having a bad fever, well..."

Claire blushed and stammered.

"You can't afford to skip meals since tomorrow the battle begins."

"... I-I know. Speaking of which, you haven't eaten either."

"Well, I'm more or less accustomed to that..."

In his youth, Kamito had spent most of his time undergoing intense training at the «Instructional School».

The education he received there included even training to withstand starvation. Although he had no intention of attempting such a thing, he could now easily go without food for several days.

''Then again...''

Something suddenly occurred to Kamito.

''Everyone now knows that I was from the «Instructional School»...''

Precisely because they were important companions, he had not wanted them to know of his past.

Once they learnt of that, he thought that they would not want anything to do with him anymore.

It was only natural that one would think so.

On the contrary, they had treated Kamito –

"You... what you are or aren't accustomed to, that's entirely beside the point. If you don't eat well, you'll never regain your strength. Look, I even brought fruit here specially f-for you."

At this, Claire indicated the basket on the bedside table.

It was filled to the brim with delicious-looking ripe peaches.

"– Claire, thank you."

"Don't stand on courtesy, it's nothing. After all, they were brought back from the ball."

"No such thing!"

Kamito looked directly at Claire.

"Even after learning I was an orphan from the «Instructional School», you still stayed my friend, saying it didn't matter. ... About that, I'm still very glad."

"W-What, ah, well, that..."

Claire blushed and looked away.

"B-But of course, isn't that just how it is? Regardless of your past, you're my slave spirit now and that will not change!"

With a wry smile and a nod of his head, Kamito reached into the basket for a peach.

"Here, hand me a small knife, I'll cut it open."

"Leave it to me. You're the hurt one, get some rest."

"The peach is fragile, so it can be difficult to peel. I thought you weren't good at peeling fruits?"

"W-well, if you think that..."

Claire hid her face. Truth be told, it seemed that all the women at the institution, both young and adult, were all not that good at homemaking. It wasn't just Claire who was particularly bad at preparing fruits.

Kamito shrugged, picked up a knife from the table, and started peeling the peach in a repeated, circular motion.

Watching his deft handiwork, Claire asked emotionally:

"Did you learn this from that «Instructional School» too?"

"No, I picked up cooking and other skills during my travels. My travel companion was very picky when it came to the flavor!"

"...By companion, you mean that darkness spirit girl?"

"Yeah..."

While cutting the peach, Kamito's expression turned sour.

"Well – so it's like that..."

Claire looked doubtful.

"Look, it is peeled."

As if to change the subject, Kamito speared the peeled peach on a fork and presented it to Claire.

As she took a bite, some peach juice sprayed back at him.

"Yum yum~ so sweet, it's really delicious...!"

[[File:STnBD V05 025.jpg|thumbnail|right]]

Her two red ponytails danced in joy.

Claire put her hands to her cheeks, an expression of sheer bliss on her face. She looked so lovely one could accidentally lose oneself in admiration.

"Well, now, have another..."

Kamito raised the fork holding the peach. Like a cat being teased, Claire's gaze followed it in a trance-like state.

"Look, here it is!"

He moved his hand away.

"Ah!"

And again.

"R-Really now!"

Claire's mouth opened and shut as she chased the peach doggedly.

Left, right. ... And again.

Finding it very interesting, Kamito intended to continue for a little longer –

"... ~Oi, w-why are you so cruel!"

Claire snarled, tears welling in her eyes.

"... Sorry, just felt like you were as adorable as a cat, so."

"...?! W-what do you mean cute... s-stupid idiot, that's what you are!"

Into the mouth of the red-faced, frantically gesticulating Claire –

"Aah."

– went the peach.

And she bit down.

"Whew, ah, it's so delicious ..."

"Just like a cat."

Claire shot Kamito a look.

"Hey, isn't this situation backwards?"

"Hrm, backwards?"

"The injured person is you, but I'm the one eating."

"Well, it's a small matter, don't worry about it."

Kamito shrugged his shoulders, and conveniently put the peach into his own mouth.

The slightly tangy taste of the peach juice spread immediately in his mouth.

"Mmm, it really is delicious. It's thoroughly ripe!"

"I-isn't that the same fork..."

"... What's the matter?"

"N-No, it's nothing –"

Claire hastily took her eyes off him.

"Anyway –"

Kamito put the fork aside and asked.

"Yes, what?"

"What's the performance for the «Blade Dance»? The divination of the Queens have already been revealed, right?"

While Kamito was unconscious, the five Queens had held a ceremony at the great temple of the «Divine Ritual Institute», where the Five Elemental Lords bestowed their divine revelation. The performance was to be decided by this divine revelation – as for the competition format, it would be announced at a later date.

At this, Claire's expression grew serious.

"Mmhm, the blade dance performance to be presented will be – the «Tempest»."

"«Tempest», huh..."

That had been the competition format used for the Blade Dance not only in recent years, but also tens, and even hundreds of years ago.

The elementalists who will be presenting the blade dance performance will come together at the gathering place in the vast holy lands, and the teams will do battle with each other over a number of days. Each individual's combat skills will be put to the test, but beyond that, of even greater significance will be their tactical and strategic ability, as well as teamwork and cooperation.

"... It will be a tough battle."

"Indeed. On the other hand, they clearly could have chosen a knockout-style tournament. If so, I suppose this was the best possible outcome."

Claire nodded with a serious look on her face.

The blade dance performance's format would be the «Tempest». This piece of information was one he had previously thought about.

With the only constraint being "five elementalists to a team", a little investigating on the history of the Blade Dance would have made it clear that the number of possible performance formats numbered only about ten or so.

As a matter of fact, the Areishia Spirit Academy had even conducted an extensive training exercise under the assumption that this performance would be selected.

However, one could still hold out hope, for as long as possible, that this performance would not be chosen – this way of thinking was still true.

More so than individual skill, this competition format emphasized a team's combined strength. One would be hard-pressed to say this system had any benefits for Claire, who was still worried and unconfident in regards to teamwork.

Furthermore, «TEAM•SCARLET» had only formed recently. The five members had begun working together a mere few weeks ago. While each of them was a strong elementalist in his or her own right, their combined team strength still could not compare to that of the other teams.

''Furthermore...''

Kamito's gaze turned to the spirit seal inscribed on his right hand.

All along, Kamito's overwhelming strength had always been unrivaled amongst his companions.

However, Kamito was now in a state lacking his contract spirits.

Despite previously being known as the strongest Blade Dancer, without his contract spirit, Kamito could not reach his full strength as an elementalist.

Following that, he rested his hand lightly on the chest wound that was still aching dully.

''—The curse of this brand had yet to fade completely.''

The «Brand of Darkness» Ren Ashbell had engraved was even now still eating away at his body.

Although Est had suppressed the worst of the damage by sacrificing herself, she had not entirely destroyed it.

"Est..."

Murmuring her name, even injecting into it divine power, the spirit seal yielded no response.

Instead, an intense scorching pain invaded his entire body.

"... Ah, damn it..."

"You'd better not act rashly. What you can do now is to get a good rest in order to regain your strength and divine power."

"... Ah, ah, I know."

Clenching his lips tightly, Kamito nodded and laid flat on the bed again.

=== Part 2 ===

''... Kamito seemed to be pretty depressed.''

Outside Kamito's room, Claire let out a small sigh.

This was not unreasonable. After all, it was an elementalist who had lost their own contract spirit before his own eyes.

That bitterness, Claire understood all too well, as she too had lost Scarlet in the past. At that time, Claire had given up on herself, and had even allowed herself to be tempted by the dark spirit.

Of course, Est's eradication had left Claire somewhat shaken too.

For Est had not been just another contract spirit.

She was also an important companion of Claire's in the institution; for more than two months, they had fought side by side.

".......We need to quickly find a way to bring Est back."

The practical problem was that, without Est, «TEAM•SCARLET» had no chance of winning the battle royale. Kamito had incomparable strength, but an elementalist without a contract spirit at his side would not be able to do his best at a competition such as the «Blade Dance», where there were many tough opponents.

There must be a way to bring Est back – true, she had just said that, but what exactly one would need to do, she did not know. Assuming it was possible was fine and all, but they might not have enough time.

The Blade Dance battle would begin tomorrow; they could only afford to spare one day. If Kamito could not bring Est back in that time, they would have to rely on only the four remaining people to win the battle royale.

Although they did not intend on losing to the other teams, the fact of the matter was that their chances of victory against a strong opponent—such as, say, the Dracunia Dragons led by Leonora Lancaster—were slim indeed.

Moreover, in order to win the grand event, they would still have to take down Ren Ashbell, the most powerful of the Blade Dancers.

Then again, it was also possible for Kamito to look for another spirit to contract with.

''But, all things considered, that was not likely...''

Pacing around the portico, Claire shook her head. Leaving aside for the moment the issue of finding a suitable new contract spirit, Kamito would most certainly reject the idea of any other spirit but Est.

''Speaking of whom –''

Out of the blue, the image of that dark spirit girl inadvertently surfaced in Claire's mind.

Jet-black hair, billowing in the wind. A lovely girl with eyes the color of dusk.

''In the end, I still did not ask Kamito about her...''

A wave of pain rushed through her chest as she thought of it.

It was yesterday evening, in the courtyard of the castle: Kamito and the dark spirit girl, their lips locked in a kiss.

It wasn't that she lacked the opportunity to ask; it was just not a suitable time for such a matter. Shocked and upset over having lost Est, Kamito was not in a state for her to pursue the matter to completion.

''But that girl; what on earth was her relationship with Kamito...?''

The previous contract spirit was a girl of darkness who, even now, still held Kamito's heart.

The strange pain in her chest burned more and more intensely.

"W-Well, whatever, that rascal can get all kissy-kissy with whoever he wants to! It's got nothing to with me right?"

Claire reasoned this out with herself and then stopped outside the room.

She opened the door —

"...Huh !?"

There were three people in the room who rose from the couch in unison.

"Is Kamito awake!?"

Claire nodded her head in response to Ellis's query.

"Well, yeah, but it seems the fever has not receded yet. He should continue to rest."

".....Hmm, I see. All in all, it's good that he's doing alright."

"T-To actually have a girl worry so much over him. This guy still causes headaches like before!"

Rinslet crossed and uncrossed her fingers restlessly.

"... It was really all thanks to Est. My skills were simply ineffective against the curse of that brand."

In contrast with the other two, who seemed to have breathed sighs of relief, Fianna wore a somber expression.

Fianna was originally the second-best princess maiden overall in the «Divine Ritual Institute». Her power and skill at curse-breaking was comparable to that of the current princess maidens.

However, the «Brand of Darkness» inscribed by Ren Ashbell on Kamito's body contained a curse so strong that it left even Fianna helpless.

If at that time Est had not sacrificed herself, then —

Kamito's physicial body would have been utterly corroded by the curse. At worst, he might even have died.

"I have searched through a wide range of material but still couldn't find any information on this curse."

The pile of heavy books around Fianna was as high as a mountain.

She had brought these with her from the institution. They contained incantations and curses as well as documents related to spirits.

"But even now, I still cannot believe that..."

Ellis spoke while clenching her lips.

"That Ren Ashbell would go so far as to actually do such a thing —"

"... Yeah, I know."

Claire nodded.

The strongest Blade Dancer.

Her goal was to become a princess maiden elementalist, the most lauded person.

At the Blade Dance three years ago, her blade dance performance had mesmerized countless girls.

Whether it was Claire, Ellis, or anyone, they all held a powerful and honorable person like her in high respect. They had endured the Academy's numerous, strict training regimens in order to be an elementalist like her.

Which was why when Muir Alenstarl told them that it was she who had carved the «Brand of Darkness» onto Kamito's body, they completely could not bring themselves to believe it.

However, on further reflection—

''Not a single one of them knew anything about who she was...''

For example, what wish she made to the Elemental Lord as the victor of the Blade Dance three years prior.

Why, after reaching the highest possible level of renown, did she suddenly disappear without a trace from the eyes of the world.

And why, with things in their current state, would she want to make a return?

Speculation of all sorts were floating about, but it still remained a mystery.

Finally, why would the strongest active elementalist want to place a curse on Kamito.

The reason for that was unclear as well.

''For preemptive reasons, so as to reduce Kamito to a certain amount of strength before the battle royale?''

Even if that were so, there was no need to use such a circuitous strategy as a curse.

One would only need to fight with overwhelming brute strength to eliminate others, like what Muir Alenstarl did.

"Without conclusive evidence, that impostor elementalist may as well be the real Ren Ashbell."

"... But in that case, why not use her real identity?"

"Maybe there's some reason why she couldn't use her true identity," muttered Fiana.

"You think there is a hidden reason?"

"Ah... I-I didn't say anything!"

Addressing the frowning Claire, Fianna hurriedly shook her head.

"If there was someone masquerading as Ren Ashbell and using her name, I would never forgive her."

Placing her hands on the sword at her waist, Ellis spoke up.

"Come on, let's take the initiative to go ask her—"

"Impossible. We don't even know where she is in the first place."

Claire shook her head at Ellis's impulsive and dangerous proposal.

The team representing Ren Ashbell, Team Inferno of Alphas Theocracy, had apparently stayed in a tower outside the region where they waited for an opportunity to strike. No one knew where they were.

Moreover, Muir Alenstarl, who had vanished after yesterday's skirmish, had not given up on her plans to kill Claire and company. A slow, stealthy approach would be more practical than a direct dangerous one.

"Her intentions are indeed a major concern, but—the foremost problem here has to be Est."

Claire turned towards Fianna and asked,

"I'll get straight to the point. Est – can she still return?"

"That..."

Fianna stroked her chin, as though deep in thought.

"If Kamito's hand still shows signs of the spirit seal, it is evidence that Est has not been completely vanquished. Ordinarily, once she fully regains her power, she can return. It's just that –"

"Just that?"

"This is just my hypothesis – Est may have been trapped in a prison of the curse. Regarding this, I cannot be sure."

"What do you mean?"

"Est used her power to suppress the curse, but she did not completely break it. Now she might be held, shackled by the curse, unable to move."

"In order to rescue Est, we'll have to deal with the curse first, won't we?"

Ellis nodded with a serious expression.

"In regards to the «Brand of Darkness», I can get some help from the forces at the «Divine Ritual Institute». ... Next, there is the problem of Kamito himself. Although I don't think this will crush his spirits..."

"But, he seemed really upset......"

Even in front of Claire, he had put on a brave front so as not to let anyone see him weak. At the end of the day however, he could not hide how much the loss of Est had affected him.

By the looks of it, it should take him quite some time to get his act together.

"In that case......is there anything we can do for him?"

Rinslet said.

"Truthfully speaking, it's not that we don't have an option..."

"Eh, really?" "What's is it?" "D-Don't leave us guessing! Tell us directly, please!"

Hearing this, Claire and the others who were not giving up, gathered in front of Fianna.

Fianna sighed and said:

"... Help our own opponents. While it is infuriating, we really have no choice."

She uttered this sentence of cryptic meaning –

And then informed them on what they - can - do - for - Kamito.

"...!"

The trio's faces instantly turned bright red.

"W-Wait a minute! That sort of thing – how could we possibly to do that!"

"R-Really now! Such a shameful thing... as a knight, I cannot accept it!"

"Keep in mind that I am the eldest daughter of the noble Laurenfrost family!"

The wave of protest from the girls came at the same time.

"Hmm – so you mean to say that you don't want Kamito to recover?"

Fianna sharply spoke and pointed at them.

"T-That is..."

"Of course that isn't true–"

"... I-I didn't mean it like that, except–"

The three blushed and stammered.

A mischievous smile formed on Fianna's face.

"All right then, it's settled. There are all sorts of ceremonial props in the luggage I brought. Help yourselves.

As she spoke, she reached into the travel bag and took out a myriad of colorful costumes and props.

<noinclude>{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume5 Prologue|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume5 Chapter2}}</noinclude>

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume4 Chapter9

2014-12-16T19:30:51Z

AngelicMasterMind: /* Part 6 */

==Chapter 9: Brand of Darkness==
===Part 1===

(That's the other Ren Ashbell—)

The girl clad in pure black gave off an overwhelming pressure.

Approaching carelessly would result in becoming ashes — this impression was felt.

Once the commotion settled, a painful silence descended.

"......"

Everyone gulped as they watched her.

Like with Claire, nobody approached her.

A chill ran down Kamito's spine.

(......I, can I win against her?)

Before he realized it, the flowing music had stopped.

The strongest blade dancer stopped in the middle of the hall—

And turned and walked towards him.

"......!?"

"Kamito-kun." "Kamito."


Fianna had unconsciously grabbed Kamito's sleeve. Even Ellis who should have Ren Ashbell as her goal was cowering.

"......"

Kamito moved before them in a protective manner.

Ren Ashbell stopped just before Kamito.

"—So you are Kazehaya Kamito, huh."

A voice akin to solid steel.

"Yeah."

Kamito nodded.

"Nice to meet you — I wonder if that's appropriate? Ren Ashbell."

Licking his lips cynically, he glared at the red mask.

However, he could not read any sort of emotion from the red eyes within.

And she held out her right hand.

"......?"

To the puzzled Kamito —

"Kazehaya Kamito, would you dance with me for one song?"

She suggested something unexpected.


(......No, this isn't a suggestion. It's an order.)

Her tone was peaceful, but a refusal — it held a power that wouldn't allow that.

Kamito turned towards Ellis and Fianna and—

"Sorry, won't you let me go for a little while?"

"B-But, Kamito—"

"......Okay. Ellis, let's go."

With that, Fianna grabbed Ellis' hand. She knew Kamito's identity as the real Ren Ashbell. The wise princess had understood the situation.

"Do you have experience in dancing?"

"If it's classical, yeah."

Kamito replied sharply and took Ren Ashbell's hand.

The paused musical performance started up again.

===Part 2===
In the dark forest surrounding the castle, Claire ran.

Various tree branches grabbed at the crimson dress, tearing it apart.


Mud stuck to her red high heels. Countless wounds appeared on her smooth skin.

Without minding any of that, she ran.

(Why......)

No matter how long passed, that scene would not leave her head.

When that darkness spirit girl kissed Kamito, that moment.

(......I-It's not like I think anything of him!)

As if to shake off that irritating feeling, Claire shook her head.

It was just that ignoring his master and doing that kind of thing with another girl was unforgivable.

(......That's right, that's all it is.)

But—

Why then, did her heart hurt this much?

Just before, holding that man's hand, she had hated it.

If it was Kamito, he wouldn't do anything that violent.

He teased Claire a lot, always treating her like a kid, occasionally saying mean things, but still.

—But still, he would never do something like that.

Before she realized it, she had arrived at the lake from the afternoon's purification.


Inside the silent forest. Numerous spirits floated upon the lake.

Claire hugged her knees and sat at the lake's edge.

The dress she had prepared was filthy and either way she couldn't return to the dance.

Her hair was disheveled and her dress was ruined beyond repair.

"What's with him, that idiot......"

With a terribly miserable mood, Claire sighed.

With a light plop, tears started falling to the ground.

"......That's wrong. The stupid one is me."

She couldn't be honest once again.

If she had, she could be dancing with Kamito right now—

At that time. From with the forest, footsteps could be heard.

"......Kamito?"

She hurriedly wiped away her tears.

But the one that appeared from within the forest wasn't Kamito.

"Jeez, just how far are you going to run!"

"Rinslet......"

Claire opened her eyes.


Catching her breath, Rinslet sunk down beside Claire.

"Whew, that's a fairly unsightly appearance."

"You too."

"Th-That's because you ran so far!"

Rinslet's dress was torn to shreds and leaves and branches clung to her hair.

"Even though I had just put on a new dress......"

She drooped her shoulders.

Claire averted her eyes.

"......What did you come for?"

"I came to laugh at your pitiful chest. Your dress is too showy."

"......Wh-What did you say!"

Her red twintails stood on end like fire.

Rinslet moved her hair up and—

"You've finally returned to normal."

Smiled brilliantly.

"......"

"Did you fight with Kamito-san again?"


"Gu......"

Claire chewed on her lip.

"......It, it's his fault. He won't tell me anything."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, that is......aren't you interested in Kamito's past?"

"Kamito-san's past?"

Rinslet tilted her head slight to the side—

"Well, it would be a lie to say I wasn't."

"I wonder if he doesn't trust me."

Claire's twintails drooped.

"Why do you say that?"

"Because he won't tell me anything......"

"He can't bring himself to tell you because you're important to him — that is also a possibility."

"That's......"

Claire pouted and pondered.

"......I, I wonder if that's true."

Truly, there was also that way of interpreting it.

[[Image:STnBD V04 211.jpg|200px|thumb]]


But—

"You are such a child, really."

"Sh-Shut up......"

Claire groaned.

"Even I understand that much......"

But she was uneasy, so it couldn't be helped.

If it was about someone she didn't care about, she wouldn't have these feelings.

Because it was Kamito — not talking about his past,

Realizing it just now, her heart beat.

(Wh-What kind of stupid things are you thinking, me!)

Her cheeks flushed red.

"Claire, what's wrong?"

"It, it's nothing!"

Claire shook her head from side to side.

And then.

"—Hmm, so you two are here."

From within the forest, a young girl's voice.


"That voice......!"

Claire and Rinslet immediately became guarded.

The sound of trees falling one by one, and then—

"Just perfect, I'll play with you to the end."

In front of the two, a giant black monster appeared.

Riding upon its back was a girl with ash grey hair — Muir Alenstarl was laughing lightly.

"With this annihilation spirit — Tiamat."

===Part 3===

The elegantly played waltz.

The two dancing in the center of the hall were drawing attention from around them.

With Ren Ashbell leading, the dance was intense like a burning flame.

Just like it was when a princess maiden was performing an offering ritual, a true ceremonial dance.

With those fluid movements, Kamito was just barely keeping pace.

"Pretty good movements. As expected of a blade dance master."

"Is that sarcasm? Strongest Blade Dancer—Ren Ashbell."


To the whisper from the scarlet mask, Kamito replied as such.

Ren Ashbell quickly shifted her feet. Kamito followed her lead and pulled her towards himself. They turned like a flickering flame. Both left their bodies to the music.

Their dancing was already one without splendor.

It was already a fierce blade dance.

"I have various questions I'd like to ask you."

"Impatient, aren't you? Despite that I'd like to enjoy this dance with you a little longer."

"Sorry. I'll have you let me lead from here."

Kamito pulled Ren Ashbell's hand and led her to a terrace devoid of others.

The cool night air cooled their burning skin.

Because of its large size, the terrace felt like a floating island with a clear view of the entire forest.

"Let's cut all the bothersome strategy. I'll get straight to the point."

Kamito stopped dancing and separated from her.

He glared at the scarlet mask — and asked.

"What did you do to Restia?"

"What did you do, meaning?"

"Don't mess around. I know that you command Restia."


"I am not commanding her. She is my comrade."

"You're saying Restia is helping you of her own will?"

"That's right, I am using her and she is using me."

"......"

Kamito bit his lips closed.

(I can't accept that, but—)

There was certainly credibility in it.

It really did seem that Restia was moving without being ordered to. Warning Kamito about Muir was probably done of her own will too.

"What is your purpose in gathering the militarized spirits and orphans from the Instructional School?"

"For war."

And she replied immediately.

"......War?"

Kamito was speechless.

But thinking about it, it wasn't an unexpected reply.

Militarized spirits and Instructional School orphans — either one were useless for anything other than war.

"That's right. Power is necessary for fighting ''them''."


"Them?"

"This world's kings."

"Wha—"

(Fighting with the world's kings......she says?)

Kamito could not understand that objective. Was it for the purpose of restarting the Ranbal War which had involved every country—

"What is the reason for that? To destroy the world?"

"No. It is a war to save this world."

"What are you say—"

"But to begin the war, a starting point is needed."

Ren Ashbell grabbed Kamito by the scruff of the neck and pulled him closer.

"......!?"

"I'll have you allow me to test it, Successor of the Demon King—Ren Ashbell. Whether you have the qualifications to kill them."

Instantly, her right hand pierced Kamito's chest.

===Part 4===

That was — covered with countless blade-like scales, a many-headed evil spirit dragon.

The black giant far eclipsed Leonora Lancaster's dragon spirit Nidhogg.

Its spread wings hid the moon and its claws gouged the earth.

Five heads spread from the center of its torso and each acted on its own.

"......Tiamat?"

In the face of the rising oppressive force, Claire took a breath.

No mistaking it. What was before them was a first-class militarized spirit.

An existence not unlike Velsaria's Dreadnought they had fought two weeks prior.

The girl riding on its back laughed lightly and smiled and—

"—Kill them, Tiamat."

With an innocent voice, that order was given.

"......!?"

One of the heads breathed fire.

Goooooooo!

The flames spread across the ground and in an instant the surrounding forest had burned down.

Claire and Rinslet had reacted instantaneously, jumping straight into the lake.


The night sky was dyed red with the color of the flames.

Muir Alenstarl was clapping her hands.

"Ohh, not bad. You're not blade dancers for nothing."

"You......!"

Claire broke the surface of the water and glared at Muir.

The scarlet dress was soaked and clung to her skin.

"......Claire, help......cough, cough......"

"You, what are you doing!?"

"I-I can't swim!"

"Hah?"

Rinslet flapped and choked. Claire quickly helped her out.

"How are you drowning in a place where you can stand?"

"Sh-Shut up!"

Rinslet averted her face.

"......Why are you attacking us?"

"Because you onee-sans have made nii-sama weak."

Muir replied in a cold voice.


One of Tiamat's heads with a crooked neck rose up and let loose blades of wind.

"......Scarlet!"

Claire called out and summoned a hell cat clad in crimson flames.

But, it was impossible to shoot down every blade.

"......Ow!"

The scarlet dress was shredded and blood flew from her shoulder like mist.

Many wounds opened across her pure white skin.

"Fufu, your prepared dress has become worthless."

Like a cat playing with its prey, Muir licked her lips.

"Hmph, it was just slowing me down."

Claire gave a fearless smile and tore the hem of her dress.

From the tear, one could see a leather whip strapped to her thigh.

"Like I thought, rather than a dance, a blade dance is much more suited to me."

From within the dancing flames, Claire's whip let out a sound.

"What a coincidence. Me, too."

Rinslet emerged from the water, ripped the hem of her dress and summoned her demon ice spirit Fenrir.


The ice wolf changed forms to the Ice Longbow and moved to Rinslet's hand.

Noisily, a wall of fire erupted into the night sky.

With their respective elemental waffen in hand, the two confronted the giant spirit dragon.

"Stupid onee-chans. You think you can defeat Muir?"

Tiamat let out a roar that seemed to slice the atmosphere.

No, it wasn't a roar. This was—

(No way, a spirit magic chant!?)

A small portion of high-intelligence spirits could perform spirit magic on their own. The dragon race of spirits in particular was known for its proficiency at spirit magic.

The ground shook greatly.

Trees were uprooted and the ground split, sending many stones flying—

"Earth spirit magic Judgement Sword!?"

"What insane destructive power!"

"You can't run, onee-chan."

"......!?"

The red dragon head spit out a fireball.


The stones released by the fireball's explosion on the ground turned the trees into smithereens.

"Kyaaa!"

They were thrown to the ground by the aftershock.

It was the same magic, but the destructive force was incomparable to Claire's.

"Ku......!"

"Aha, what happened to all that attitude from before, onee-chan?"

"Freezing fang, pierce —Freezing Arrow!"

Instantly, Rinslet released the ice arrow.

Innumerable flying fangs of ice. It wouldn't be a killing blow, but with the added effect of Ice Nein, it should at least dull its movements.

But before they struck — Tiamat roared.

A wall of earth rose and blocked the arrows of ice.

"Wh-What! To be able to use fire and earth spirit magic at the same time—"

"......That reminds me that a long time ago, I heard this from ane-sama."

Claire sighed as she wiped the sweat from her brow.

"During the Ranbal War, amongst the knights there was a spirit that could control all of the main elements at once."


"And that is Tiamat?"

"Possibly. But I heard that nobody could use it, so it was abandoned."

"......If that's true, this is bad."

"Yes."

The spirit that could control all of the five main elements—

If it were just Rinslet's demon ice spirit and Claire's flame spirit, there were weak points.

"But to use a spirit like that with just one person—"

Claire readied her Flametounge and glared at Muir.

Compared to the spirits that contracted with a person, militarized spirits did not require a contract to be used.

Its strong-point was that it was general use — the ability of the spirit had no connection to the ability of the contractor, so as long as the disposition was correct, they could use the spirit's power. This was the reason Muir Alenstarl could use several spirits.

But on the other hand, one could not pull out any more power than was present.

For example, the spirit's elemental waffe could not be used, and much of its true abilities were sealed.


But that girl was pulling out all of the militarized spirit's power.

Muir Alenstarl was an expert that specialized at using spirits.

(But just where did she learn those skills—)

"It's about time to stop playing around. Onee-chan."

And Muir's ash grey hair blew in the wind.

"......You were playing until now?"

"That's right, onee-chan."

Rolling up her black sleeve revealed a shining ominous design carved into her right hand.

"Is that a Cursed Armament Seal!?"

"That which pulls out a spirit's powers to the limit — Jester's Vise. This is Muir's power."

In an instant, Tiamat fiercely roared.

Its five heads raged and its body grew larger in an unsightly manner.

It was as if an invisible vise was closing down on it.

"Just what is that!"

One of the heads, a dull white, opened its jaw.

In its throat, a mass of light was building up—

"......Kami—"


That name that almost escaped her mouth — Claire swallowed it back.

(At this kind of time, just asking to be saved is......)

She made her resolve to die at this time.

Then before her eyes appeared a knight with helmet and shield.

White metal shining, the knight readied its shield and blocked the light!

"Claire, are you okay!?"

"Fianna!"

Fianna came out of the forest.

The one that protected Claire was Georgios.

And one other person.

"Growl, Ray Hawk! I order you — O wind, blow wildly!"

Wrapped in a frenzied wind, Ellis threw her elemental waffe spear.

The multitude of wind blades cut into the evil dragon's torso.

Tiamat raged as its blood sprayed into the air.

"Fianna, Ellis — you're a life saver."

"It's still too early for thanks."

Ellis sighed with a sharp gaze.


"Fufu, you've only bought a short time."

Letting the Cursed Armament Seal shine ominously—

Muir Alenstarl licked her lips.

"Onee-chans, I'll kill you all together."

===Part 5===
"Kaha......!"

Kamito pressed down on his chest and crouched down on the terrace.

His heart burned like it was on fire. All of his blood was boiling.

At the same time, a tremendous pain assaulted the interior of his body.

"What did you do to me......?"

"I merely released a little. The qualities of the Demon King that sleep within you, that is."

"......Qualities of the Demon King?"

Kamito glared up at the crimson mask while crouching on the ground.

Breathing was painful. His heart was beating like mad.

"Ah......guu......gaa, ahhhhhh!"


A scream built up in his throat.

"As expected, your body is rejecting it."

Ren Ashbell was calmly watching the writhing Kamito.

"Well, fine. If you can't stand that much, then you were only worth so little—"

"Y-You......"

"Stand. Kazehaya Kamito."

She kicked the groaning Kamito in the stomach without a shred of mercy.

"Ga......!"

"You can lie there if you want, but things you hold precious will be hurt."

"What, was that......?"

While breathing through his throat which felt like it was on fire, Kamito somehow managed to raise his upper body.

"Look there—"

Ren Ashbell pointed out towards the forest visible from the terrace.

The direction of the lake from that afternoon. Black flames and fierce flames were rising.

"Your companions and Muir Alenstarl are currently engaged in combat."

"What, did you say......!?"

At the same moment he yelled that, the worst pain thus far assaulted Kamito. He collapsed onto the ground.


"Your companions cannot defeat Muir Alenstarl. You, who knows her, know that fact best."

"......!"

He couldn't deny it.

Muir Alenstarl was the Monster from the Instructional School.

Between the high-class young ladies of the academy and Muir who had been trained specifically as a weapon, there was an enormous gap.

"I won't let that......I will never, lose another......!"

Kamito pressed down on his beating chest and staggered back to his feet.

The interior of the crimson mask — burning red eyes pierced through Kamito's.

And then she grabbed his arm.

"That's the spirit. Don't let me down, strongest blade dancer!"

Kamito was flung off the terrace.

===Part 6===

"—Blow the flute of the end, dragon vanguard of the king!"

Muir Alenstarl's innocent voice resounded across the night sky.

Fire, earth, water, wind, holy — under the influence of Muir's ability Jester's Vise, each head released forth their breath.

"—Thou, become the shield of my person, knight of the ancient pledge!"

The atmosphere shook and trees were felled in circular patterns.

The knight's shield was destroyed and its armor was falling apart—

It could only withstand a few more seconds.

The knight, whom should-be overwhelming in defense, was blown into bits and disappeared into nothingness.

"......Georgios!"

"Aha, that wasn't even a toy, onee-chan."

Muir sneered at the devastated and drained Fianna.

"Ellis, Rinslet — we rush at the same time!"

"Got it!" "Understood!"

Yelling, Claire drew Flametounge.


The crimson slash sealed its movements for a moment.

"Freezing fang, pierce —Freezing Arrow!"

"—O wind, blow wildly!"

Rinslet released the Freezing Arrow towards the fire head and Ellis' wind blades aimed for the earth head.

That is, they aimed for the heads which were weak against their element.

However—

"It won't work."

The earth and wind dragons chanted different spirit spells.

At the same time the ice arrows were blocked by the wall of earth, the blades of wind were struck down by opposing blades of wind.

And while the three were on defense, the dull white head fired its Holy Ray.

The ground exploded and a pillar of earth and sand flew up from it.

Claire and the others were blasted though the air and hit the ground harshly.

The crater radiated outwards. The mixed-in fragments of fire painted the air red.

"......To be able to control a militarized spirit like her hands and feet......"

Claire groaned while gripping the ground.

It was a despairing difference in battle strength. The top class' spirits at the academy were like babies in comparison.

(But......)


Suddenly, the scales cracked and Tiamat's frame grew.

Muir's Jester's Vise carried a heavy burden.

"Is that okay? At this rate, that militarized spirit will be destroyed!"

The heavily wounded Rinslet yelled as such.

Muir shrugged her shoulders—

"It's fine. A spirit is just a throwaway toy."

"What did you say......!"

Claire opened her eyes in shock. She raised her bloody head without thinking.

"And you still call yourself an elementalist?"

"Muir is a weapon. The same as this Tiamat and nii-sama, a massacre weapon."

"......!?"

At those words — Claire's expression froze.

"You......what did you just say?"

"What?"

"The same as nii-sama, what do you mean?"

"Aha, did you perhaps not know?"

Muir's lips curled in a cruel manner.


"Nii-sama is the same as Muir — an assassin raised by the Instructional School."

===Part 7===
"......Damn......it......"

Kamito who had been tossed off the terrace groaned in anguish.

One or two bones might have been broken.

This was the Kamito who had received the harshest taijutsu training at the Instructional School. Even if he fell from the third floor of a building, it wouldn't result in an injury. But right now, Kamito's body was burning up and in extreme pain such that he couldn't even lift a finger.

(......What exactly was done to me?)

Within his hazy mind, Ren Ashbell's words came to him.

Released the qualities of the Demon King — that's what she said.

(......What does that mean?)

No, rather than that, right now—

Kamito dug his shaking fingertips into the ground.

The flames burning the forest were increasing in intensity more and more.


While this was happening, Claire and the others—

It was frustrating not being able to move. It couldn't be helped that it felt like the air was burning.

Even now, elegant music could be heard coming from the interior of the castle.

Despite the battle going on at the purification grounds, nobody inside the castle seemed to have noticed.

No, even Kamito who had been on the terrace had failed to hear the battle. There might have been a barrier around the surroundings.

(But to form a barrier of this magnitude......)

The only ones capable of such a feat were Queen rank princess maidens.

"Gu, ah......"

A racing heartbeat.

At the same time a horrible pain spread.

"—Kamito!"

"......!?"

The sound of footsteps approached and the one who appeared was the white dress-clad Est.

"My apologies. Because of somebody's barrier around this area, I didn't notice it sooner."

"Est, gu......"

"Kamito......don't tell me, that power—"


Est opened her mysterious violet eyes.

Leaning down beside the fallen Kamito, she pulled him back up.

Her white-silver hair lightly touched his cheek. The sweet milk-like scent tickled his nose.

"......Est?"

"Kamito, please stay still like that."

With that, Est touched the feverish chest of Kamito.

Her beautiful hair gleamed in the night's darkness.

Strangely, the pain seemed to leave with the soft feeling of her hand.

"Is this Terminus Est's power?"

"Yes. I believe this will keep it in check for now but—"

That which destroyed Velsaria's Cursed Armament Seal, a holy blade's power.

It was not as though the pain completely disappeared, but he could somehow move about at this level.

"Kamito, are you okay?"

"Yeah, thanks to Est......"

Kamito raised his upper body and rose to his knees on the ground.

"Kamito, you still shouldn't move."

"I have to go save Claire and the others."


"No, Kamito!"

Est let out a panicked voice. It was the first time for her who was always expressionless to express so much.

"Est......"

"The curse is only temporarily suppressed so if you use divine power right now, you won't be able to control my current power."

"......Yeah, I know."

But, even then—

An instant. From the other side of the forest, a fearsome roar resounded.

As if to burn the night sky, the giant's flames grew higher.

"Est, I'm begging you. The only one who can fight Muir is me."

"Kamito, but......"

"Lend me your power."

"......"

Even if he could not get her approval, he planned to head there anyway.

"......Kamito, you're unfair."

Est—

Sighed and held Kamito's hand.

"—I am Kamito's sword, as long as you wish."

"Thanks Est."

Kamito nodded and chanted the words of summoning.

"—Dispassionate Queen of Steel, the sacred sword that destroys evil!"

"—Now form a sword of steel and be the power in my hand!"

Est's form was covered in light and disappeared into nothingness.

And in the next moment, a blade of shining silver emitting light was gripped in Kamito's hand.

"Let's go, Est!"

Fixing his grip on Terminus Est, Kamito ran into the darkness of the night.

To bring closure to his past.

<noinclude>{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume4 Chapter8|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume4 Chapter10}}</noinclude>

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume4 Chapter9

2014-12-16T19:10:27Z

AngelicMasterMind: /* Part 6 */

==Chapter 9: Brand of Darkness==
===Part 1===

(That's the other Ren Ashbell—)

The girl clad in pure black gave off an overwhelming pressure.

Approaching carelessly would result in becoming ashes — this impression was felt.

Once the commotion settled, a painful silence descended.

"......"

Everyone gulped as they watched her.

Like with Claire, nobody approached her.

A chill ran down Kamito's spine.

(......I, can I win against her?)

Before he realized it, the flowing music had stopped.

The strongest blade dancer stopped in the middle of the hall—

And turned and walked towards him.

"......!?"

"Kamito-kun." "Kamito."


Fianna had unconsciously grabbed Kamito's sleeve. Even Ellis who should have Ren Ashbell as her goal was cowering.

"......"

Kamito moved before them in a protective manner.

Ren Ashbell stopped just before Kamito.

"—So you are Kazehaya Kamito, huh."

A voice akin to solid steel.

"Yeah."

Kamito nodded.

"Nice to meet you — I wonder if that's appropriate? Ren Ashbell."

Licking his lips cynically, he glared at the red mask.

However, he could not read any sort of emotion from the red eyes within.

And she held out her right hand.

"......?"

To the puzzled Kamito —

"Kazehaya Kamito, would you dance with me for one song?"

She suggested something unexpected.


(......No, this isn't a suggestion. It's an order.)

Her tone was peaceful, but a refusal — it held a power that wouldn't allow that.

Kamito turned towards Ellis and Fianna and—

"Sorry, won't you let me go for a little while?"

"B-But, Kamito—"

"......Okay. Ellis, let's go."

With that, Fianna grabbed Ellis' hand. She knew Kamito's identity as the real Ren Ashbell. The wise princess had understood the situation.

"Do you have experience in dancing?"

"If it's classical, yeah."

Kamito replied sharply and took Ren Ashbell's hand.

The paused musical performance started up again.

===Part 2===
In the dark forest surrounding the castle, Claire ran.

Various tree branches grabbed at the crimson dress, tearing it apart.


Mud stuck to her red high heels. Countless wounds appeared on her smooth skin.

Without minding any of that, she ran.

(Why......)

No matter how long passed, that scene would not leave her head.

When that darkness spirit girl kissed Kamito, that moment.

(......I-It's not like I think anything of him!)

As if to shake off that irritating feeling, Claire shook her head.

It was just that ignoring his master and doing that kind of thing with another girl was unforgivable.

(......That's right, that's all it is.)

But—

Why then, did her heart hurt this much?

Just before, holding that man's hand, she had hated it.

If it was Kamito, he wouldn't do anything that violent.

He teased Claire a lot, always treating her like a kid, occasionally saying mean things, but still.

—But still, he would never do something like that.

Before she realized it, she had arrived at the lake from the afternoon's purification.


Inside the silent forest. Numerous spirits floated upon the lake.

Claire hugged her knees and sat at the lake's edge.

The dress she had prepared was filthy and either way she couldn't return to the dance.

Her hair was disheveled and her dress was ruined beyond repair.

"What's with him, that idiot......"

With a terribly miserable mood, Claire sighed.

With a light plop, tears started falling to the ground.

"......That's wrong. The stupid one is me."

She couldn't be honest once again.

If she had, she could be dancing with Kamito right now—

At that time. From with the forest, footsteps could be heard.

"......Kamito?"

She hurriedly wiped away her tears.

But the one that appeared from within the forest wasn't Kamito.

"Jeez, just how far are you going to run!"

"Rinslet......"

Claire opened her eyes.


Catching her breath, Rinslet sunk down beside Claire.

"Whew, that's a fairly unsightly appearance."

"You too."

"Th-That's because you ran so far!"

Rinslet's dress was torn to shreds and leaves and branches clung to her hair.

"Even though I had just put on a new dress......"

She drooped her shoulders.

Claire averted her eyes.

"......What did you come for?"

"I came to laugh at your pitiful chest. Your dress is too showy."

"......Wh-What did you say!"

Her red twintails stood on end like fire.

Rinslet moved her hair up and—

"You've finally returned to normal."

Smiled brilliantly.

"......"

"Did you fight with Kamito-san again?"


"Gu......"

Claire chewed on her lip.

"......It, it's his fault. He won't tell me anything."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, that is......aren't you interested in Kamito's past?"

"Kamito-san's past?"

Rinslet tilted her head slight to the side—

"Well, it would be a lie to say I wasn't."

"I wonder if he doesn't trust me."

Claire's twintails drooped.

"Why do you say that?"

"Because he won't tell me anything......"

"He can't bring himself to tell you because you're important to him — that is also a possibility."

"That's......"

Claire pouted and pondered.

"......I, I wonder if that's true."

Truly, there was also that way of interpreting it.

[[Image:STnBD V04 211.jpg|200px|thumb]]


But—

"You are such a child, really."

"Sh-Shut up......"

Claire groaned.

"Even I understand that much......"

But she was uneasy, so it couldn't be helped.

If it was about someone she didn't care about, she wouldn't have these feelings.

Because it was Kamito — not talking about his past,

Realizing it just now, her heart beat.

(Wh-What kind of stupid things are you thinking, me!)

Her cheeks flushed red.

"Claire, what's wrong?"

"It, it's nothing!"

Claire shook her head from side to side.

And then.

"—Hmm, so you two are here."

From within the forest, a young girl's voice.


"That voice......!"

Claire and Rinslet immediately became guarded.

The sound of trees falling one by one, and then—

"Just perfect, I'll play with you to the end."

In front of the two, a giant black monster appeared.

Riding upon its back was a girl with ash grey hair — Muir Alenstarl was laughing lightly.

"With this annihilation spirit — Tiamat."

===Part 3===

The elegantly played waltz.

The two dancing in the center of the hall were drawing attention from around them.

With Ren Ashbell leading, the dance was intense like a burning flame.

Just like it was when a princess maiden was performing an offering ritual, a true ceremonial dance.

With those fluid movements, Kamito was just barely keeping pace.

"Pretty good movements. As expected of a blade dance master."

"Is that sarcasm? Strongest Blade Dancer—Ren Ashbell."


To the whisper from the scarlet mask, Kamito replied as such.

Ren Ashbell quickly shifted her feet. Kamito followed her lead and pulled her towards himself. They turned like a flickering flame. Both left their bodies to the music.

Their dancing was already one without splendor.

It was already a fierce blade dance.

"I have various questions I'd like to ask you."

"Impatient, aren't you? Despite that I'd like to enjoy this dance with you a little longer."

"Sorry. I'll have you let me lead from here."

Kamito pulled Ren Ashbell's hand and led her to a terrace devoid of others.

The cool night air cooled their burning skin.

Because of its large size, the terrace felt like a floating island with a clear view of the entire forest.

"Let's cut all the bothersome strategy. I'll get straight to the point."

Kamito stopped dancing and separated from her.

He glared at the scarlet mask — and asked.

"What did you do to Restia?"

"What did you do, meaning?"

"Don't mess around. I know that you command Restia."


"I am not commanding her. She is my comrade."

"You're saying Restia is helping you of her own will?"

"That's right, I am using her and she is using me."

"......"

Kamito bit his lips closed.

(I can't accept that, but—)

There was certainly credibility in it.

It really did seem that Restia was moving without being ordered to. Warning Kamito about Muir was probably done of her own will too.

"What is your purpose in gathering the militarized spirits and orphans from the Instructional School?"

"For war."

And she replied immediately.

"......War?"

Kamito was speechless.

But thinking about it, it wasn't an unexpected reply.

Militarized spirits and Instructional School orphans — either one were useless for anything other than war.

"That's right. Power is necessary for fighting ''them''."


"Them?"

"This world's kings."

"Wha—"

(Fighting with the world's kings......she says?)

Kamito could not understand that objective. Was it for the purpose of restarting the Ranbal War which had involved every country—

"What is the reason for that? To destroy the world?"

"No. It is a war to save this world."

"What are you say—"

"But to begin the war, a starting point is needed."

Ren Ashbell grabbed Kamito by the scruff of the neck and pulled him closer.

"......!?"

"I'll have you allow me to test it, Successor of the Demon King—Ren Ashbell. Whether you have the qualifications to kill them."

Instantly, her right hand pierced Kamito's chest.

===Part 4===

That was — covered with countless blade-like scales, a many-headed evil spirit dragon.

The black giant far eclipsed Leonora Lancaster's dragon spirit Nidhogg.

Its spread wings hid the moon and its claws gouged the earth.

Five heads spread from the center of its torso and each acted on its own.

"......Tiamat?"

In the face of the rising oppressive force, Claire took a breath.

No mistaking it. What was before them was a first-class militarized spirit.

An existence not unlike Velsaria's Dreadnought they had fought two weeks prior.

The girl riding on its back laughed lightly and smiled and—

"—Kill them, Tiamat."

With an innocent voice, that order was given.

"......!?"

One of the heads breathed fire.

Goooooooo!

The flames spread across the ground and in an instant the surrounding forest had burned down.

Claire and Rinslet had reacted instantaneously, jumping straight into the lake.


The night sky was dyed red with the color of the flames.

Muir Alenstarl was clapping her hands.

"Ohh, not bad. You're not blade dancers for nothing."

"You......!"

Claire broke the surface of the water and glared at Muir.

The scarlet dress was soaked and clung to her skin.

"......Claire, help......cough, cough......"

"You, what are you doing!?"

"I-I can't swim!"

"Hah?"

Rinslet flapped and choked. Claire quickly helped her out.

"How are you drowning in a place where you can stand?"

"Sh-Shut up!"

Rinslet averted her face.

"......Why are you attacking us?"

"Because you onee-sans have made nii-sama weak."

Muir replied in a cold voice.


One of Tiamat's heads with a crooked neck rose up and let loose blades of wind.

"......Scarlet!"

Claire called out and summoned a hell cat clad in crimson flames.

But, it was impossible to shoot down every blade.

"......Ow!"

The scarlet dress was shredded and blood flew from her shoulder like mist.

Many wounds opened across her pure white skin.

"Fufu, your prepared dress has become worthless."

Like a cat playing with its prey, Muir licked her lips.

"Hmph, it was just slowing me down."

Claire gave a fearless smile and tore the hem of her dress.

From the tear, one could see a leather whip strapped to her thigh.

"Like I thought, rather than a dance, a blade dance is much more suited to me."

From within the dancing flames, Claire's whip let out a sound.

"What a coincidence. Me, too."

Rinslet emerged from the water, ripped the hem of her dress and summoned her demon ice spirit Fenrir.


The ice wolf changed forms to the Ice Longbow and moved to Rinslet's hand.

Noisily, a wall of fire erupted into the night sky.

With their respective elemental waffen in hand, the two confronted the giant spirit dragon.

"Stupid onee-chans. You think you can defeat Muir?"

Tiamat let out a roar that seemed to slice the atmosphere.

No, it wasn't a roar. This was—

(No way, a spirit magic chant!?)

A small portion of high-intelligence spirits could perform spirit magic on their own. The dragon race of spirits in particular was known for its proficiency at spirit magic.

The ground shook greatly.

Trees were uprooted and the ground split, sending many stones flying—

"Earth spirit magic Judgement Sword!?"

"What insane destructive power!"

"You can't run, onee-chan."

"......!?"

The red dragon head spit out a fireball.


The stones released by the fireball's explosion on the ground turned the trees into smithereens.

"Kyaaa!"

They were thrown to the ground by the aftershock.

It was the same magic, but the destructive force was incomparable to Claire's.

"Ku......!"

"Aha, what happened to all that attitude from before, onee-chan?"

"Freezing fang, pierce —Freezing Arrow!"

Instantly, Rinslet released the ice arrow.

Innumerable flying fangs of ice. It wouldn't be a killing blow, but with the added effect of Ice Nein, it should at least dull its movements.

But before they struck — Tiamat roared.

A wall of earth rose and blocked the arrows of ice.

"Wh-What! To be able to use fire and earth spirit magic at the same time—"

"......That reminds me that a long time ago, I heard this from ane-sama."

Claire sighed as she wiped the sweat from her brow.

"During the Ranbal War, amongst the knights there was a spirit that could control all of the main elements at once."


"And that is Tiamat?"

"Possibly. But I heard that nobody could use it, so it was abandoned."

"......If that's true, this is bad."

"Yes."

The spirit that could control all of the five main elements—

If it were just Rinslet's demon ice spirit and Claire's flame spirit, there were weak points.

"But to use a spirit like that with just one person—"

Claire readied her Flametounge and glared at Muir.

Compared to the spirits that contracted with a person, militarized spirits did not require a contract to be used.

Its strong-point was that it was general use — the ability of the spirit had no connection to the ability of the contractor, so as long as the disposition was correct, they could use the spirit's power. This was the reason Muir Alenstarl could use several spirits.

But on the other hand, one could not pull out any more power than was present.

For example, the spirit's elemental waffe could not be used, and much of its true abilities were sealed.


But that girl was pulling out all of the militarized spirit's power.

Muir Alenstarl was an expert that specialized at using spirits.

(But just where did she learn those skills—)

"It's about time to stop playing around. Onee-chan."

And Muir's ash grey hair blew in the wind.

"......You were playing until now?"

"That's right, onee-chan."

Rolling up her black sleeve revealed a shining ominous design carved into her right hand.

"Is that a Cursed Armament Seal!?"

"That which pulls out a spirit's powers to the limit — Jester's Vise. This is Muir's power."

In an instant, Tiamat fiercely roared.

Its five heads raged and its body grew larger in an unsightly manner.

It was as if an invisible vise was closing down on it.

"Just what is that!"

One of the heads, a dull white, opened its jaw.

In its throat, a mass of light was building up—

"......Kami—"


That name that almost escaped her mouth — Claire swallowed it back.

(At this kind of time, just asking to be saved is......)

She made her resolve to die at this time.

Then before her eyes appeared a knight with helmet and shield.

White metal shining, the knight readied its shield and blocked the light!

"Claire, are you okay!?"

"Fianna!"

Fianna came out of the forest.

The one that protected Claire was Georgios.

And one other person.

"Growl, Ray Hawk! I order you — O wind, blow wildly!"

Wrapped in a frenzied wind, Ellis threw her elemental waffe spear.

The multitude of wind blades cut into the evil dragon's torso.

Tiamat raged as its blood sprayed into the air.

"Fianna, Ellis — you're a life saver."

"It's still too early for thanks."

Ellis sighed with a sharp gaze.


"Fufu, you've only bought a short time."

Letting the Cursed Armament Seal shine ominously—

Muir Alenstarl licked her lips.

"Onee-chans, I'll kill you all together."

===Part 5===
"Kaha......!"

Kamito pressed down on his chest and crouched down on the terrace.

His heart burned like it was on fire. All of his blood was boiling.

At the same time, a tremendous pain assaulted the interior of his body.

"What did you do to me......?"

"I merely released a little. The qualities of the Demon King that sleep within you, that is."

"......Qualities of the Demon King?"

Kamito glared up at the crimson mask while crouching on the ground.

Breathing was painful. His heart was beating like mad.

"Ah......guu......gaa, ahhhhhh!"


A scream built up in his throat.

"As expected, your body is rejecting it."

Ren Ashbell was calmly watching the writhing Kamito.

"Well, fine. If you can't stand that much, then you were only worth so little—"

"Y-You......"

"Stand. Kazehaya Kamito."

She kicked the groaning Kamito in the stomach without a shred of mercy.

"Ga......!"

"You can lie there if you want, but things you hold precious will be hurt."

"What, was that......?"

While breathing through his throat which felt like it was on fire, Kamito somehow managed to raise his upper body.

"Look there—"

Ren Ashbell pointed out towards the forest visible from the terrace.

The direction of the lake from that afternoon. Black flames and fierce flames were rising.

"Your companions and Muir Alenstarl are currently engaged in combat."

"What, did you say......!?"

At the same moment he yelled that, the worst pain thus far assaulted Kamito. He collapsed onto the ground.


"Your companions cannot defeat Muir Alenstarl. You, who knows her, know that fact best."

"......!"

He couldn't deny it.

Muir Alenstarl was the Monster from the Instructional School.

Between the high-class young ladies of the academy and Muir who had been trained specifically as a weapon, there was an enormous gap.

"I won't let that......I will never, lose another......!"

Kamito pressed down on his beating chest and staggered back to his feet.

The interior of the crimson mask — burning red eyes pierced through Kamito's.

And then she grabbed his arm.

"That's the spirit. Don't let me down, strongest blade dancer!"

Kamito was flung off the terrace.

===Part 6===

"—Blow the flute of the end, dragon vanguard of the king!"

Muir Alenstarl's innocent voice resounded across the night sky.

Fire, earth, water, wind, holy — under the influence of Muir's ability Jester's Vise, each head released forth their breath.

"—Thou, become the shield of my person, knight of the ancient pledge!"

The atmosphere shook and trees were felled in circular patterns.

The knight's shield was destroyed and its armor was falling apart—

It could only withstand a few more seconds.

The knight, whom should-be overwhelming in defense, was blown into bits and disappeared into nothingness.

"......Georgios!"

"Aha, that wasn't even a toy, onee-chan."

Muir sneered at the devastated and drained Fianna.

"Ellis, Rinslet — we rush at the same time!"

"Got it!" "Understood!"

Yelling, Claire drew Flametounge.


The crimson slash sealed its movements for a moment.

"Freezing fang, pierce —Freezing Arrow!"

"—O wind, blow wildly!"

Rinslet released the Freezing Arrow towards the fire head and Ellis' wind blades aimed for the earth head.

That is, they aimed for the heads which were weak against their element.

However—

"It won't work."

The earth and wind dragons chanted different spirit spells.

At the same time the ice arrows were blocked by the wall of earth, the blades of wind were struck down by opposing blades of wind.

And while the three were on defense, the dull white head fired its Holy Ray.

The ground exploded and a pillar of earth and sand flew up from it.

Claire and the others were blasted though the air and hit the ground harshly.

The crater radiated outwards. The mixed in fragments of fire painted the air red.

"......To be able to control a militarized spirit like her hands and feet......"

Claire groaned while gripping the ground.

It was a despairing difference in battle strength. The top class' spirits at the academy were like babies in comparison.

(But......)


Suddenly, the scales cracked and Tiamat's frame grew.

Muir's Jester's Vise carried a heavy burden.

"Is that okay? At this rate, that militarized spirit will be destroyed!"

The heavily wounded Rinslet yelled as such.

Muir shrugged her shoulders—

"It's fine. A spirit is just a throwaway toy."

"What did you say......!"

Claire opened her eyes in shock. She raised her bloody head without thinking.

"And you still call yourself an elementalist?"

"Muir is a weapon. The same as this Tiamat and nii-sama, a massacre weapon."

"......!?"

At those words — Claire's expression froze.

"You......what did you just say?"

"What?"

"The same as nii-sama, what do you mean?"

"Aha, did you perhaps not know?"

Muir's lips curled in a cruel manner.


"Nii-sama is the same as Muir — an assassin raised by the Instructional School."

===Part 7===
"......Damn......it......"

Kamito who had been tossed off the terrace groaned in anguish.

One or two bones might have been broken.

This was the Kamito who had received the harshest taijutsu training at the Instructional School. Even if he fell from the third floor of a building, it wouldn't result in an injury. But right now, Kamito's body was burning up and in extreme pain such that he couldn't even lift a finger.

(......What exactly was done to me?)

Within his hazy mind, Ren Ashbell's words came to him.

Released the qualities of the Demon King — that's what she said.

(......What does that mean?)

No, rather than that, right now—

Kamito dug his shaking fingertips into the ground.

The flames burning the forest were increasing in intensity more and more.


While this was happening, Claire and the others—

It was frustrating not being able to move. It couldn't be helped that it felt like the air was burning.

Even now, elegant music could be heard coming from the interior of the castle.

Despite the battle going on at the purification grounds, nobody inside the castle seemed to have noticed.

No, even Kamito who had been on the terrace had failed to hear the battle. There might have been a barrier around the surroundings.

(But to form a barrier of this magnitude......)

The only ones capable of such a feat were Queen rank princess maidens.

"Gu, ah......"

A racing heartbeat.

At the same time a horrible pain spread.

"—Kamito!"

"......!?"

The sound of footsteps approached and the one who appeared was the white dress-clad Est.

"My apologies. Because of somebody's barrier around this area, I didn't notice it sooner."

"Est, gu......"

"Kamito......don't tell me, that power—"


Est opened her mysterious violet eyes.

Leaning down beside the fallen Kamito, she pulled him back up.

Her white-silver hair lightly touched his cheek. The sweet milk-like scent tickled his nose.

"......Est?"

"Kamito, please stay still like that."

With that, Est touched the feverish chest of Kamito.

Her beautiful hair gleamed in the night's darkness.

Strangely, the pain seemed to leave with the soft feeling of her hand.

"Is this Terminus Est's power?"

"Yes. I believe this will keep it in check for now but—"

That which destroyed Velsaria's Cursed Armament Seal, a holy blade's power.

It was not as though the pain completely disappeared, but he could somehow move about at this level.

"Kamito, are you okay?"

"Yeah, thanks to Est......"

Kamito raised his upper body and rose to his knees on the ground.

"Kamito, you still shouldn't move."

"I have to go save Claire and the others."


"No, Kamito!"

Est let out a panicked voice. It was the first time for her who was always expressionless to express so much.

"Est......"

"The curse is only temporarily suppressed so if you use divine power right now, you won't be able to control my current power."

"......Yeah, I know."

But, even then—

An instant. From the other side of the forest, a fearsome roar resounded.

As if to burn the night sky, the giant's flames grew higher.

"Est, I'm begging you. The only one who can fight Muir is me."

"Kamito, but......"

"Lend me your power."

"......"

Even if he could not get her approval, he planned to head there anyway.

"......Kamito, you're unfair."

Est—

Sighed and held Kamito's hand.

"—I am Kamito's sword, as long as you wish."

"Thanks Est."

Kamito nodded and chanted the words of summoning.

"—Dispassionate Queen of Steel, the sacred sword that destroys evil!"

"—Now form a sword of steel and be the power in my hand!"

Est's form was covered in light and disappeared into nothingness.

And in the next moment, a blade of shining silver emitting light was gripped in Kamito's hand.

"Let's go, Est!"

Fixing his grip on Terminus Est, Kamito ran into the darkness of the night.

To bring closure to his past.

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Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume4 Chapter9

2014-12-15T19:35:03Z

AngelicMasterMind: /* Part 4 */

==Chapter 9: Brand of Darkness==
===Part 1===

(That's the other Ren Ashbell—)

The girl clad in pure black gave off an overwhelming pressure.

Approaching carelessly would result in becoming ashes — this impression was felt.

Once the commotion settled, a painful silence descended.

"......"

Everyone gulped as they watched her.

Like with Claire, nobody approached her.

A chill ran down Kamito's spine.

(......I, can I win against her?)

Before he realized it, the flowing music had stopped.

The strongest blade dancer stopped in the middle of the hall—

And turned and walked towards him.

"......!?"

"Kamito-kun." "Kamito."


Fianna had unconsciously grabbed Kamito's sleeve. Even Ellis who should have Ren Ashbell as her goal was cowering.

"......"

Kamito moved before them in a protective manner.

Ren Ashbell stopped just before Kamito.

"—So you are Kazehaya Kamito, huh."

A voice akin to solid steel.

"Yeah."

Kamito nodded.

"Nice to meet you — I wonder if that's appropriate? Ren Ashbell."

Licking his lips cynically, he glared at the red mask.

However, he could not read any sort of emotion from the red eyes within.

And she held out her right hand.

"......?"

To the puzzled Kamito —

"Kazehaya Kamito, would you dance with me for one song?"

She suggested something unexpected.


(......No, this isn't a suggestion. It's an order.)

Her tone was peaceful, but a refusal — it held a power that wouldn't allow that.

Kamito turned towards Ellis and Fianna and—

"Sorry, won't you let me go for a little while?"

"B-But, Kamito—"

"......Okay. Ellis, let's go."

With that, Fianna grabbed Ellis' hand. She knew Kamito's identity as the real Ren Ashbell. The wise princess had understood the situation.

"Do you have experience in dancing?"

"If it's classical, yeah."

Kamito replied sharply and took Ren Ashbell's hand.

The paused musical performance started up again.

===Part 2===
In the dark forest surrounding the castle, Claire ran.

Various tree branches grabbed at the crimson dress, tearing it apart.


Mud stuck to her red high heels. Countless wounds appeared on her smooth skin.

Without minding any of that, she ran.

(Why......)

No matter how long passed, that scene would not leave her head.

When that darkness spirit girl kissed Kamito, that moment.

(......I-It's not like I think anything of him!)

As if to shake off that irritating feeling, Claire shook her head.

It was just that ignoring his master and doing that kind of thing with another girl was unforgivable.

(......That's right, that's all it is.)

But—

Why then, did her heart hurt this much?

Just before, holding that man's hand, she had hated it.

If it was Kamito, he wouldn't do anything that violent.

He teased Claire a lot, always treating her like a kid, occasionally saying mean things, but still.

—But still, he would never do something like that.

Before she realized it, she had arrived at the lake from the afternoon's purification.


Inside the silent forest. Numerous spirits floated upon the lake.

Claire hugged her knees and sat at the lake's edge.

The dress she had prepared was filthy and either way she couldn't return to the dance.

Her hair was disheveled and her dress was ruined beyond repair.

"What's with him, that idiot......"

With a terribly miserable mood, Claire sighed.

With a light plop, tears started falling to the ground.

"......That's wrong. The stupid one is me."

She couldn't be honest once again.

If she had, she could be dancing with Kamito right now—

At that time. From with the forest, footsteps could be heard.

"......Kamito?"

She hurriedly wiped away her tears.

But the one that appeared from within the forest wasn't Kamito.

"Jeez, just how far are you going to run!"

"Rinslet......"

Claire opened her eyes.


Catching her breath, Rinslet sunk down beside Claire.

"Whew, that's a fairly unsightly appearance."

"You too."

"Th-That's because you ran so far!"

Rinslet's dress was torn to shreds and leaves and branches clung to her hair.

"Even though I had just put on a new dress......"

She drooped her shoulders.

Claire averted her eyes.

"......What did you come for?"

"I came to laugh at your pitiful chest. Your dress is too showy."

"......Wh-What did you say!"

Her red twintails stood on end like fire.

Rinslet moved her hair up and—

"You've finally returned to normal."

Smiled brilliantly.

"......"

"Did you fight with Kamito-san again?"


"Gu......"

Claire chewed on her lip.

"......It, it's his fault. He won't tell me anything."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, that is......aren't you interested in Kamito's past?"

"Kamito-san's past?"

Rinslet tilted her head slight to the side—

"Well, it would be a lie to say I wasn't."

"I wonder if he doesn't trust me."

Claire's twintails drooped.

"Why do you say that?"

"Because he won't tell me anything......"

"He can't bring himself to tell you because you're important to him — that is also a possibility."

"That's......"

Claire pouted and pondered.

"......I, I wonder if that's true."

Truly, there was also that way of interpreting it.

[[Image:STnBD V04 211.jpg|200px|thumb]]


But—

"You are such a child, really."

"Sh-Shut up......"

Claire groaned.

"Even I understand that much......"

But she was uneasy, so it couldn't be helped.

If it was about someone she didn't care about, she wouldn't have these feelings.

Because it was Kamito — not talking about his past,

Realizing it just now, her heart beat.

(Wh-What kind of stupid things are you thinking, me!)

Her cheeks flushed red.

"Claire, what's wrong?"

"It, it's nothing!"

Claire shook her head from side to side.

And then.

"—Hmm, so you two are here."

From within the forest, a young girl's voice.


"That voice......!"

Claire and Rinslet immediately became guarded.

The sound of trees falling one by one, and then—

"Just perfect, I'll play with you to the end."

In front of the two, a giant black monster appeared.

Riding upon its back was a girl with ash grey hair — Muir Alenstarl was laughing lightly.

"With this annihilation spirit — Tiamat."

===Part 3===

The elegantly played waltz.

The two dancing in the center of the hall were drawing attention from around them.

With Ren Ashbell leading, the dance was intense like a burning flame.

Just like it was when a princess maiden was performing an offering ritual, a true ceremonial dance.

With those fluid movements, Kamito was just barely keeping pace.

"Pretty good movements. As expected of a blade dance master."

"Is that sarcasm? Strongest Blade Dancer—Ren Ashbell."


To the whisper from the scarlet mask, Kamito replied as such.

Ren Ashbell quickly shifted her feet. Kamito followed her lead and pulled her towards himself. They turned like a flickering flame. Both left their bodies to the music.

Their dancing was already one without splendor.

It was already a fierce blade dance.

"I have various questions I'd like to ask you."

"Impatient, aren't you? Despite that I'd like to enjoy this dance with you a little longer."

"Sorry. I'll have you let me lead from here."

Kamito pulled Ren Ashbell's hand and led her to a terrace devoid of others.

The cool night air cooled their burning skin.

Because of its large size, the terrace felt like a floating island with a clear view of the entire forest.

"Let's cut all the bothersome strategy. I'll get straight to the point."

Kamito stopped dancing and separated from her.

He glared at the scarlet mask — and asked.

"What did you do to Restia?"

"What did you do, meaning?"

"Don't mess around. I know that you command Restia."


"I am not commanding her. She is my comrade."

"You're saying Restia is helping you of her own will?"

"That's right, I am using her and she is using me."

"......"

Kamito bit his lips closed.

(I can't accept that, but—)

There was certainly credibility in it.

It really did seem that Restia was moving without being ordered to. Warning Kamito about Muir was probably done of her own will too.

"What is your purpose in gathering the militarized spirits and orphans from the Instructional School?"

"For war."

And she replied immediately.

"......War?"

Kamito was speechless.

But thinking about it, it wasn't an unexpected reply.

Militarized spirits and Instructional School orphans — either one were useless for anything other than war.

"That's right. Power is necessary for fighting ''them''."


"Them?"

"This world's kings."

"Wha—"

(Fighting with the world's kings......she says?)

Kamito could not understand that objective. Was it for the purpose of restarting the Ranbal War which had involved every country—

"What is the reason for that? To destroy the world?"

"No. It is a war to save this world."

"What are you say—"

"But to begin the war, a starting point is needed."

Ren Ashbell grabbed Kamito by the scruff of the neck and pulled him closer.

"......!?"

"I'll have you allow me to test it, Successor of the Demon King—Ren Ashbell. Whether you have the qualifications to kill them."

Instantly, her right hand pierced Kamito's chest.

===Part 4===

That was — covered with countless blade-like scales, a many-headed evil spirit dragon.

The black giant far eclipsed Leonora Lancaster's dragon spirit Nidhogg.

Its spread wings hid the moon and its claws gouged the earth.

Five heads spread from the center of its torso and each acted on its own.

"......Tiamat?"

In the face of the rising oppressive force, Claire took a breath.

No mistaking it. What was before them was a first-class militarized spirit.

An existence not unlike Velsaria's Dreadnought they had fought two weeks prior.

The girl riding on its back laughed lightly and smiled and—

"—Kill them, Tiamat."

With an innocent voice, that order was given.

"......!?"

One of the heads breathed fire.

Goooooooo!

The flames spread across the ground and in an instant the surrounding forest had burned down.

Claire and Rinslet had reacted instantaneously, jumping straight into the lake.


The night sky was dyed red with the color of the flames.

Muir Alenstarl was clapping her hands.

"Ohh, not bad. You're not blade dancers for nothing."

"You......!"

Claire broke the surface of the water and glared at Muir.

The scarlet dress was soaked and clung to her skin.

"......Claire, help......cough, cough......"

"You, what are you doing!?"

"I-I can't swim!"

"Hah?"

Rinslet flapped and choked. Claire quickly helped her out.

"How are you drowning in a place where you can stand?"

"Sh-Shut up!"

Rinslet averted her face.

"......Why are you attacking us?"

"Because you onee-sans have made nii-sama weak."

Muir replied in a cold voice.


One of Tiamat's heads with a crooked neck rose up and let loose blades of wind.

"......Scarlet!"

Claire called out and summoned a hell cat clad in crimson flames.

But, it was impossible to shoot down every blade.

"......Ow!"

The scarlet dress was shredded and blood flew from her shoulder like mist.

Many wounds opened across her pure white skin.

"Fufu, your prepared dress has become worthless."

Like a cat playing with its prey, Muir licked her lips.

"Hmph, it was just slowing me down."

Claire gave a fearless smile and tore the hem of her dress.

From the tear, one could see a leather whip strapped to her thigh.

"Like I thought, rather than a dance, a blade dance is much more suited to me."

From within the dancing flames, Claire's whip let out a sound.

"What a coincidence. Me, too."

Rinslet emerged from the water, ripped the hem of her dress and summoned her demon ice spirit Fenrir.


The ice wolf changed forms to the Ice Longbow and moved to Rinslet's hand.

Noisily, a wall of fire erupted into the night sky.

With their respective elemental waffen in hand, the two confronted the giant spirit dragon.

"Stupid onee-chans. You think you can defeat Muir?"

Tiamat let out a roar that seemed to slice the atmosphere.

No, it wasn't a roar. This was—

(No way, a spirit magic chant!?)

A small portion of high-intelligence spirits could perform spirit magic on their own. The dragon race of spirits in particular was known for its proficiency at spirit magic.

The ground shook greatly.

Trees were uprooted and the ground split, sending many stones flying—

"Earth spirit magic Judgement Sword!?"

"What insane destructive power!"

"You can't run, onee-chan."

"......!?"

The red dragon head spit out a fireball.


The stones released by the fireball's explosion on the ground turned the trees into smithereens.

"Kyaaa!"

They were thrown to the ground by the aftershock.

It was the same magic, but the destructive force was incomparable to Claire's.

"Ku......!"

"Aha, what happened to all that attitude from before, onee-chan?"

"Freezing fang, pierce —Freezing Arrow!"

Instantly, Rinslet released the ice arrow.

Innumerable flying fangs of ice. It wouldn't be a killing blow, but with the added effect of Ice Nein, it should at least dull its movements.

But before they struck — Tiamat roared.

A wall of earth rose and blocked the arrows of ice.

"Wh-What! To be able to use fire and earth spirit magic at the same time—"

"......That reminds me that a long time ago, I heard this from ane-sama."

Claire sighed as she wiped the sweat from her brow.

"During the Ranbal War, amongst the knights there was a spirit that could control all of the main elements at once."


"And that is Tiamat?"

"Possibly. But I heard that nobody could use it, so it was abandoned."

"......If that's true, this is bad."

"Yes."

The spirit that could control all of the five main elements—

If it were just Rinslet's demon ice spirit and Claire's flame spirit, there were weak points.

"But to use a spirit like that with just one person—"

Claire readied her Flametounge and glared at Muir.

Compared to the spirits that contracted with a person, militarized spirits did not require a contract to be used.

Its strong-point was that it was general use — the ability of the spirit had no connection to the ability of the contractor, so as long as the disposition was correct, they could use the spirit's power. This was the reason Muir Alenstarl could use several spirits.

But on the other hand, one could not pull out any more power than was present.

For example, the spirit's elemental waffe could not be used, and much of its true abilities were sealed.


But that girl was pulling out all of the militarized spirit's power.

Muir Alenstarl was an expert that specialized at using spirits.

(But just where did she learn those skills—)

"It's about time to stop playing around. Onee-chan."

And Muir's ash grey hair blew in the wind.

"......You were playing until now?"

"That's right, onee-chan."

Rolling up her black sleeve revealed a shining ominous design carved into her right hand.

"Is that a Cursed Armament Seal!?"

"That which pulls out a spirit's powers to the limit — Jester's Vise. This is Muir's power."

In an instant, Tiamat fiercely roared.

Its five heads raged and its body grew larger in an unsightly manner.

It was as if an invisible vise was closing down on it.

"Just what is that!"

One of the heads, a dull white, opened its jaw.

In its throat, a mass of light was building up—

"......Kami—"


That name that almost escaped her mouth — Claire swallowed it back.

(At this kind of time, just asking to be saved is......)

She made her resolve to die at this time.

Then before her eyes appeared a knight with helmet and shield.

White metal shining, the knight readied its shield and blocked the light!

"Claire, are you okay!?"

"Fianna!"

Fianna came out of the forest.

The one that protected Claire was Georgios.

And one other person.

"Growl, Ray Hawk! I order you — O wind, blow wildly!"

Wrapped in a frenzied wind, Ellis threw her elemental waffe spear.

The multitude of wind blades cut into the evil dragon's torso.

Tiamat raged as its blood sprayed into the air.

"Fianna, Ellis — you're a life saver."

"It's still too early for thanks."

Ellis sighed with a sharp gaze.


"Fufu, you've only bought a short time."

Letting the Cursed Armament Seal shine ominously—

Muir Alenstarl licked her lips.

"Onee-chans, I'll kill you all together."

===Part 5===
"Kaha......!"

Kamito pressed down on his chest and crouched down on the terrace.

His heart burned like it was on fire. All of his blood was boiling.

At the same time, a tremendous pain assaulted the interior of his body.

"What did you do to me......?"

"I merely released a little. The qualities of the Demon King that sleep within you, that is."

"......Qualities of the Demon King?"

Kamito glared up at the crimson mask while crouching on the ground.

Breathing was painful. His heart was beating like mad.

"Ah......guu......gaa, ahhhhhh!"


A scream built up in his throat.

"As expected, your body is rejecting it."

Ren Ashbell was calmly watching the writhing Kamito.

"Well, fine. If you can't stand that much, then you were only worth so little—"

"Y-You......"

"Stand. Kazehaya Kamito."

She kicked the groaning Kamito in the stomach without a shred of mercy.

"Ga......!"

"You can lie there if you want, but things you hold precious will be hurt."

"What, was that......?"

While breathing through his throat which felt like it was on fire, Kamito somehow managed to raise his upper body.

"Look there—"

Ren Ashbell pointed out towards the forest visible from the terrace.

The direction of the lake from that afternoon. Black flames and fierce flames were rising.

"Your companions and Muir Alenstarl are currently engaged in combat."

"What, did you say......!?"

At the same moment he yelled that, the worst pain thus far assaulted Kamito. He collapsed onto the ground.


"Your companions cannot defeat Muir Alenstarl. You, who knows her, know that fact best."

"......!"

He couldn't deny it.

Muir Alenstarl was the Monster from the Instructional School.

Between the high-class young ladies of the academy and Muir who had been trained specifically as a weapon, there was an enormous gap.

"I won't let that......I will never, lose another......!"

Kamito pressed down on his beating chest and staggered back to his feet.

The interior of the crimson mask — burning red eyes pierced through Kamito's.

And then she grabbed his arm.

"That's the spirit. Don't let me down, strongest blade dancer!"

Kamito was flung off the terrace.

===Part 6===

"—Blow the flute of the end, dragon vanguard of the king!"

Muir Alenstarl's innocent voice resounded across the night sky.

Fire, earth, water, wind, holy — under the influence of Muir's ability Jester's Vise, each head released breath.

"—Thou, become the shield of my person, knight of the ancient pledge!"

The atmosphere shook and trees were felled in circular patterns.

The knight's shield was destroyed and its armor was falling apart—

It could only withstand a few more seconds.

The knight with the should-be overwhelming defense was blown into bits and disappeared into nothingness.

"......Georgios!"

"Aha, that wasn't even a toy, onee-chan."

Muir sneered at the devastated and drained Fianna.

"Ellis, Rinslet — we rush at the same time!"

"Got it!" "Understood!"

Yelling, Claire drew Flametounge.


The crimson slash sealed its movements for a moment.

"Freezing fang, pierce —Freezing Arrow!"

"—O wind, blow wildly!"

Rinslet released the Freezing Arrow towards the fire head and Ellis' wind blades aimed for the earth head.

That is, they aimed for the heads which were weak against their element.

However—

"It won't work."

The earth and wind dragons chanted different spirit spells.

At the same time the ice arrows were blocked by the wall of earth, the blades of wind were struck down by opposing blades of wind.

And while the three were on defense, the dull white head fired its Holy Ray.

The ground exploded and a pillar of earth and sand flew up from it.

Claire and the others were blasted though the air and hit the ground harshly.

The crater radiated outwards. The mixed in fragments of fire painted the air red.

"......To be able to control a militarized spirit like her hands and feet......"

Claire groaned while gripping the ground.

It was a despairing difference in battle strength. The top class' spirits at the academy were like babies in comparison.

(But......)


Suddenly, the scales cracked and Tiamat's frame grew.

Muir's Jester's Vise carried a heavy burden.

"Is that okay? At this rate, that militarized spirit will be destroyed!"

The heavily wounded Rinslet yelled as such.

Muir shrugged her shoulders—

"It's fine. A spirit is just a throwaway toy."

"What did you say......!"

Claire opened her eyes in shock. She raised her bloody head without thinking.

"And you still call yourself an elementalist?"

"Muir is a weapon. The same as this Tiamat and nii-sama, a massacre weapon."

"......!?"

At those words — Claire's expression froze.

"You......what did you just say?"

"What?"

"The same as nii-sama, what do you mean?"

"Aha, did you perhaps not know?"

Muir's lips curled in a cruel manner.


"Nii-sama is the same as Muir — an assassin raised by the Instructional School."

===Part 7===
"......Damn......it......"

Kamito who had been tossed off the terrace groaned in anguish.

One or two bones might have been broken.

This was the Kamito who had received the harshest taijutsu training at the Instructional School. Even if he fell from the third floor of a building, it wouldn't result in an injury. But right now, Kamito's body was burning up and in extreme pain such that he couldn't even lift a finger.

(......What exactly was done to me?)

Within his hazy mind, Ren Ashbell's words came to him.

Released the qualities of the Demon King — that's what she said.

(......What does that mean?)

No, rather than that, right now—

Kamito dug his shaking fingertips into the ground.

The flames burning the forest were increasing in intensity more and more.


While this was happening, Claire and the others—

It was frustrating not being able to move. It couldn't be helped that it felt like the air was burning.

Even now, elegant music could be heard coming from the interior of the castle.

Despite the battle going on at the purification grounds, nobody inside the castle seemed to have noticed.

No, even Kamito who had been on the terrace had failed to hear the battle. There might have been a barrier around the surroundings.

(But to form a barrier of this magnitude......)

The only ones capable of such a feat were Queen rank princess maidens.

"Gu, ah......"

A racing heartbeat.

At the same time a horrible pain spread.

"—Kamito!"

"......!?"

The sound of footsteps approached and the one who appeared was the white dress-clad Est.

"My apologies. Because of somebody's barrier around this area, I didn't notice it sooner."

"Est, gu......"

"Kamito......don't tell me, that power—"


Est opened her mysterious violet eyes.

Leaning down beside the fallen Kamito, she pulled him back up.

Her white-silver hair lightly touched his cheek. The sweet milk-like scent tickled his nose.

"......Est?"

"Kamito, please stay still like that."

With that, Est touched the feverish chest of Kamito.

Her beautiful hair gleamed in the night's darkness.

Strangely, the pain seemed to leave with the soft feeling of her hand.

"Is this Terminus Est's power?"

"Yes. I believe this will keep it in check for now but—"

That which destroyed Velsaria's Cursed Armament Seal, a holy blade's power.

It was not as though the pain completely disappeared, but he could somehow move about at this level.

"Kamito, are you okay?"

"Yeah, thanks to Est......"

Kamito raised his upper body and rose to his knees on the ground.

"Kamito, you still shouldn't move."

"I have to go save Claire and the others."


"No, Kamito!"

Est let out a panicked voice. It was the first time for her who was always expressionless to express so much.

"Est......"

"The curse is only temporarily suppressed so if you use divine power right now, you won't be able to control my current power."

"......Yeah, I know."

But, even then—

An instant. From the other side of the forest, a fearsome roar resounded.

As if to burn the night sky, the giant's flames grew higher.

"Est, I'm begging you. The only one who can fight Muir is me."

"Kamito, but......"

"Lend me your power."

"......"

Even if he could not get her approval, he planned to head there anyway.

"......Kamito, you're unfair."

Est—

Sighed and held Kamito's hand.

"—I am Kamito's sword, as long as you wish."

"Thanks Est."

Kamito nodded and chanted the words of summoning.

"—Dispassionate Queen of Steel, the sacred sword that destroys evil!"

"—Now form a sword of steel and be the power in my hand!"

Est's form was covered in light and disappeared into nothingness.

And in the next moment, a blade of shining silver emitting light was gripped in Kamito's hand.

"Let's go, Est!"

Fixing his grip on Terminus Est, Kamito ran into the darkness of the night.

To bring closure to his past.

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Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume4 Chapter8

2014-12-14T19:39:43Z

AngelicMasterMind: /* Chapter 8: Ball Dance */

==Chapter 8: Ball Dance==
It was evening. The Blade Dance ceremony began at the castle serving as lodging for the representatives.

There were already many guests of honor assembled that were having friendly conversations in the grand hall of the castle.

There was elegant music flowing about, and chandeliers that were arranged lavishly with spirit crystals as decoration.

Extravagant seafood, meat, and fruit were laid out on a table lined up in the center.

Those invited to the ceremony were elementalists representing various countries and high-ranking royalty and nobles.

“This time, my country’s representative will be getting the victory.”

“What? The most superb elementalist is in my White Knights, you know?”

Even though they behaved politely on the surface, they unfolded a fierce war of words. Dressed in a formal suit, Kamito glanced at those nobles with an expression of being completely fed up.

(…Geez, it’s not like you’re the ones doing the blade dance…)

On the other side, the girls participating in the Blade Dance had nervous expressions.

They were equally competent, top-notch elementalists selected by the major nations of the continent.

These girls were about the same age as Kamito, and that was because the condition to partake in the Blade Dance was set that princess maidens had to be 20 years old and younger, following the oracle by the Elemental Lords.


This wasn’t restricted to the Blade Dance. Most of the important ceremonies dedicated to the spirits had the same condition. Spirits liked young pure maidens as offerings the best.

“…Anyway, they are still not here, huh?”

Holding a plate of a sauté of duck meat, Kamito looked around his surroundings relentlessly.

He still couldn’t see his young lady teammates.

Perhaps, they might have come across difficulties in putting on their dresses—but what was in his mind was whether Claire, who he had quarreled with, was coming.

After all, he wouldn’t be able to meet up with her in the castle later.

Looking at the entrance of the hall, he caught sight of one princess maiden being caught in a spot.

“Please don’t bring your animal inside!”

“Um, it isn’t a beast! This wolf is a friend of the forest!”

“Even if it’s a friend, no means no!”

…It seemed like the Druid girl was leading a wolf into the hall.

Although she was from a different team, it was a little embarrassing as they were representing the same academy.

Sighing in resignation, Kamito cast his sight downwards.

“Est, do you want to get something?”

He asked the sword-spirit girl holding a plate.


“I’d like fish next, Kamito.”

“Hn, you’re a good girl for not being picky. All the young ladies have unbalanced diets.”

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Suri-suri* *Nade-Nade*

While he praised her, he stroked her head, and Est squinted.

Wearing a pure-white dress, Est was lovely, almost like a snow-fairy.

“…Est is cute.”

Stroking her head, he subconsciously let out his voice.

Est’s small ears twitched.

“Kamito?”

“Ah, it’s nothing…”

Kamito scratched his head in an attempt to dodge her question.

…That was a little embarrassing.

“Kamito, please say it once more.”

“Uh?”

“Once more.”

Est was gazing intently at Kamito with her mysterious eyes.

“E-Est is cute.”


“Kamito, once more.”

“You’re cute, Est.”

“More…”

“You’re cute, Est.”

“Kamito-kun, what are you doing?”

“Owa!”

Turning around—Fianna, dressed in a white dress, was staring at Kamito with reproachful eyes.

“Erm, that was, err…”

Upon trying to explain in a fluster—

“Before that, don’t you have anything to say?”

“Eh? A-Ahh…”

Even Kamito wasn’t such a quiet unsociable person to not notice that. No, as he didn’t notice until it was pointed out, he might indeed have been a quiet unsociable person.

Kamito gulped.

It was a white dress, with a big opening at her chest area. Despite the daring design showing off her skin, the reason he could feel a sense of graceful elegance was because she was a real princess.


“…W-White also suits you.”

“Is that all?”

Seeming peevish, the princess pouted her lips.

“…Erm, you’re using pads.”

“I’m going to get angry, you know?”

“Wa-Wait!”

Fianna puffed out her cheeks. Kamito shook his head in a fluster.

And then—

“…You’re really pretty.”

He finally put his honest thoughts into his mouth.

“Hn, you pass. Kamito, your suit also suits you well.”

“…Why you. You made me say embarrassing things in public.”

“Fufu, it’s a punishment for not praising me from the beginning.”

Kamito could only sigh at Fianna, who impishly smiled.

“Hn, that reminds me, where’s Est?”

Before he knew it, he noticed that Est had disappeared.

Looking around his surroundings, he saw Est moving towards the dessert corner while holding onto her plate.


Upon meeting Kamito’s eyes, she quickly turned her face away.

“It looked like you offended Miss Fairy.”

“Why is Est offended?”

“Fufu, you’re not allowed to praise another girl in front of a girl.”

Fianna morosely poked Kamito’s chest with her finger.

“Ka-Kamito-san, so here you are.”

This time, it was Rinslet, who came in a dress.

It was a striking marine-blue dress. Her glittering, platinum-blonde hair was tied up, and that appearance of hers was akin to that of a snow queen reigning over a country of ice.

Her cheeks were faintly flushed and reddened, and her lips had a glamorous, rosy color.

Her usual uniform appearance was indeed lovely, but—

This dressed-up Rinslet was so beautiful that he almost let out a sigh.

“Rinslet, you’re pretty.”

“Eh?”

Rinslet widely opened her eyes.

Her face turned red in the blink of an eye.


“Fua, wh-what are you saying?!”

The Ice-Snow Queen’s face melted in an instant.

“Hmm, Kamito-kun, you say these things to anyone, do you? As expected of the Demon King of the Night.”

“I only did as you advised, Fianna!”

Kamito glared with reproachful eyes at Fianna, who pouted her lips unhappily.

“That reminds me, is Claire with the two of you?”

“She returned to the room just now. Kamito-san, you have not met up with her, have you?”

“…Yeah.”

It seemed like when Kamito went to look for her, they passed each other.

“Geez, that girl, she has always been really troublesome.”

Rinslet puffed out her cheeks.

(…This means she’s still angry.)

Kamito made a heavy sigh in his mind. If she came to the dance, he’d even bear with her cooking later, or something— That was what he was thinking.

“…E-Erm, Kamito-san.”

“Uh?”

Rinslet bashfully called out to Kamito.


“Erm, since we’re here, err…”

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Cough* *cough* The young lady coughed several times.

Then, like she gained her determination—

“Would you like to dance with me?”

“…Me?”

Kamito was perplexed.

“…Is that not okay?”

“No, I’m happy that you invited me, but is it alright for it to be me?”

“Y-Yes, I’m a little afraid about dancing with the other men.”

“…I see. However, I only know the basic steps.”

Kamito was taught the dance steps by Greyworth three years ago.

Honestly, he couldn’t say he was confident, and they were certainly not in fashion now.

“I-In that case, I’ll teach you!”

However, Rinslet let out her voice happily.

“Hn, is that so? Rinslet, if you’re fine with it, then I’m counting on you.”

Kamito was also a boy of age.

To be able to dance with such a cute girl like Rinslet, his heart was honestly pounding.


He gently held Rinslet's graceful hand covered by a white glove.

“…Th-This is Kamito-san’s hand….”

Rinslet blushed.

“…H-How sly, me too.”

Then, Fianna grasped his other hand.

“H-Hey, Fianna!? We can’t dance like this…”

“That’s right! Quickly release his hand!”

Fianna and Rinslet were pulling Kamito’s hands.

Both of their breasts touched his arms and he was flustered.

…Before they knew it, the three of them were basked in the attention from their surroundings.

“I wonder what they’re doing?” “A fighting scene?” “They look like the representatives of the Areishia Spirit Academy.” “Don’t they even know the manners at a ball dance?” “That’s that male elementalist.” “Ah, that—” “Forcing unwilling girls to…” “To collect the two as his targets.” “He’s surely collecting his night targets as well.” “What infamy!” “But he’s kind of cool…”

Numerous whispers were being exchanged.

(Eh, why is the reproach only concentrated on me….)

Then—


“Y-You three! Don’t disrupt the public morals in the presence of the Elemental Lords!”

A gallant and serious voice came flying over.

“E-Ellis!?”

The one running over was Ellis in a dress.

Ellis pulled Kamito’s arm, and skillfully pulled him off the two young ladies.

“Kyaa, what are you doing?”

“Captain, what are you doing?!”

“No, what are you two doing, good grief…”

Placing her hand at her waist, Ellis strictly scolded the two who complained.

“We came here to represent our academy. You should be more self-aware.”

Then, she glared at Kamito this time.

“Kamito, you too—”

She became stiff at that point.

“What's wrong, Ellis?”

Thinking that he was going to have a sermon, Kamito was let down.

Ellis slightly blushed, and entwined her fingers bashfully in front of her chest.

“E-Erm, even a suit fits you, surprisingly. I guess that's what they mean by 'the clothes make the man'.”

“Is that so? I’m not really comfortable with suits, but—”


While bashfully scratching his head, Kamito looked at Ellis’ appearance in a dress.

What she was wearing was a brilliant pure-white dress. In contrast to Ellis’ gallant image, this was a very girlish dress arranged with plenty of frills.

“Ellis, yours suits you well too. It’s like you’re a princess and you look cute.”

“Wh…”

Her ponytail hair sprung up.

“Ah, uh… N-No way, m-me being cute…!”

Ellis turned red and got into a panic.

“Um, Kamito-kun!”

“Kamito-san?’

Fianna and Rinslet were glaring at him.

“Wh-What is it…”

“—It looks like the rumors are true, Kazehaya Kamito.”

“…?”

When Kamito turned to the voice of those biting words, a familiar girl was sharply staring at him.

“Y-You’re!?”

She had an azure dress with a dragon insignia at the chest area. She had put on a hat with a feather attached to it.

Leonora Lancaster.


As the captain of the Knights of the Dragon Emperor, she was the ace of Dracunia.

“As I thought, I should have cut it off at that time.”

While Leonora glared at Kamito, she regretfully bit her lips.

A chill ran in Kamito’s spine.

“Dragon Princess Leonora Lancaster, I’ve been hearing rumors about you lately.”

Suddenly, Ellis placed her hand at her chest, faced her, and paid her respect as a knight.

“And you are?”

“Areishia Spirit Academy representative, Ellis Fahrengart.”

“The Fahrengarts—The one that turned out that Velsaria Eva?”

Ellis lifted her head and nodded.

“This time, Aneue isn’t participating due to some circumstances, but I’ve heard that you’re a pure and selfless knight. I’m pleased to be able to cross swords with a knight like you.”

She faced Leonora and reached out her dominant hand.

“It seems like splendid knights exist even in the empire.”

Leonora smiled, and grasped her hand without hesitation.

With both being fellow knights, they may have some things over which they can empathize with each other.

(…Certainly, those two are like glue.)


Kamito made a wry smile in his heart.

“However, that’s just regrettable. A splendid knight like yourself is being kept as Kazehaya Kamito’s lover—”

“Hey, wait a moment.”

Kamito shouted in a fluster.

(S-She, what did she—)

“Ah, lover!?”

Ellis turned red all the way till her ears and shouted.

“H-How shameless… I-I’m his lover—”

“That’s right, Ellis. Deny it please!”

“I’m… not his lover… but if Kamito wished for it, I’ll even…”

…Eh? Why is she mumbling?

“…What a frightening boy. You even corrupted such a splendid knight.”

“I’m saying that’s not it! Ellis, please quickly clear up this misunderstanding!”

“…S-Shut up! A-Are you not satisfied with me being your lover?!”

“What are you saying!?”

Kamito retorted, and at that time.


A small commotion was occurring at the entrance of the hall.

“That girl finally came.”

Rinslet muttered.

Kamito quickly looked towards the entrance.

The one at the center of the commotion was—

“Claire!?”

Claire Rouge, who was dressed in a crimson dress.

Her red twintail hair was tied up with ribbons. She was wearing polished enamel red high heels.

Pinching the side of her skirt with laces attached, she entered the hall.

Her breasts were small but her balanced proportion was plenty charming.

She was a beautiful girl, pretty as a rose and noble as a wildcat.

Claire’s appearance made Kamito fascinated to the point of taking his breath away.

She had such brilliantness that she overshadowed the surrounding girls that were dressed-up.

She didn’t just fascinate Kamito. Everyone in the hall leaked out a breath of admiration.

“As expected of Rubia-sama’s sister. She was born a beauty.”

It was vexing but she lost— Fianna shrugged her shoulders.

“It’s really been a while since I’ve seen Claire in a dress.”


Rinslet slightly opened her mouth.

The commotion at the hall increasingly became bigger.

“Hey, is that red haired girl also a representative of the Blade Dance.”

“Um, so this is what they mean by spirits liking pure and beautiful girls, indeed—”

“Hey, aren’t you going to invite someone to a dance?”

It seemed like a group of young nobles were setting their eyes on Claire.

All the whispers being exchanged made Kamito slightly irritated.

(…You guys aren’t fit to be that young hell cat lady's partner.)

He cursed in his heart as if to spit out the irritation of unknown origin.

At that moment, Claire looked over, and their eyes met.

“Claire—”

As he was about to call out to her—

She instantly looked away, so he swallowed his words.

…It seemed like she was still angry.

Losing the timing to call out to her, Kamito stood still.

Claire ignored the nobles ogling her, and walked towards the center.

He began to hear such voices from within the commotion over there.


“That that conflagration-like red hair… Don’t tell me, she’s the daughter of that Duke Elstein family?”

“The sister of the Calamity Queen that brought about disaster to the Ordesia Empire?”

“…What an ill omen. She’s a devilish girl.”

It seemed like there were people who knew Claire’s lineage among the participants of the ball.

Whispers of unrest were spreading like wild fire—

It was not that she couldn’t hear them, however, Claire stayed composed.

Then, a young noble stepped forward before her.

“Would you like to dance a tune with me, my fire-haired lady?”

His atmosphere seemed frivolous but he was quite a handsome man.

He seemed to be an especially high-ranking person even among the nobles, as he led a group of followers in his surroundings.

“Hey, hey, are you serious?”

“Young master, I’m also worried about you playing with fire.”

His companions made a bitter smile. The boy seemed to be a royalty of some country.

“Why he…”

Kamito groaned from within his throat.

He couldn’t see the sincerity of a person asking for a dance in the boy’s expression. It was just that he knew about Claire being that Calamity Queen’s sister, and called out to her out of interest.


Claire—

“I’m sorry, but I’ll have to decline.”

She coldly declined the boy’s invitation.

It was natural. That hell cat girl wouldn’t even be emotionally attached to anyone.

“What was that?”

One of the followers looked daunted.

“Well, well, it’s fine to have such strong-willed girls once in a while.”

The boy nodded, full of composure, and forcibly grabbed Claire’s arm.

And then—

“Now, beautiful girl, I’ll give your hand a kiss—”

“…Huh?”

Claire stiffened.

(What are you thinking, you stupid noble!?)

As an elementalist princess maiden, a kiss is the most sacred ceremony of a spirit contract.

Even if it was on the hand, it was unforgivable to thoughtlessly request for that.

With such a rude action of his, the sound of commotion occurred even from the surrounding.

“…Don’t touch me!”


Claire sharply shouted.

Normally, she’d act tough, but the truth was that she was a young lady who wasn’t used to men. Her voice slightly trembled.

Being unable to watch on, Kamito was about to leave, and at that moment—

“What do you think you’re doing putting on airs. I’m the crown prince of the Balstan Kingdom.”

“No, let go! You—”

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Pan*— A high pitched sound resound in the hall.

Claire slapped the boy.

She then turned to and ran towards the entrance of the hall.

“Damn her, my face—”

“What uncivilized…”

“It’s because she’s the sister of that Calamity Queen.”

The crown prince of the Balstan and his followers raised words of criticism.

(… You should be just grateful that you didn’t turn into cinders!)

Kamito cursed and then he ran after Claire—

“Wait, Claire!”

“Kamito-san!”

Then, Rinslet grabbed his arm.


“Rinslet, why did you stop me?!”

“I’ll go.”

“But—”

“Kamito-san, if you, who are in the middle of a quarrel, go, it’ll just make things complicated. After all, I’m her childhood friend, so I understand that girl.”

“…”

Kamito thought for a few seconds—

“…I understand. I’ll entrust Claire to you.”

He obediently nodded.

Rinslet went running after Claire.

“Kamito-kun”

At this moment, Fianna perceptively whispered into his ear.

“What?”

“She’s here—”

“She?”

Kamito was shocked.

A commotion, which was way greater than the one just now, was occurring near the entrance of the hall.


The person of the highest profile in this round’s Blade Dance had appeared.

Sounds of hard shoes sounded, and she entered.

She was in a jet-black dress like a queen ruling over the night.

She was a black haired girl with her face covered by a scarlet red mask.

She was the strongest blade dancer—Ren Ashbell.

<noinclude>{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume4 Chapter7|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume4 Chapter9}}</noinclude>

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume4 Chapter7

2014-12-12T19:37:43Z

AngelicMasterMind: /* Part 4 */

==Chapter 7: Darkness Spirit Girl==
===Part 1===

"---What was that, stupid, stupid, stupid Kamito!"

With her hair standing on end, Claire ran through the castle's hallway.

She wiped the large tears forming in her eyes with her sleeve.

---Has nothing to do with Claire.

Those words replayed in Kamito's cold tone over and over in her head.

(I'm not trusted by Kamito......)

She became very sad when she thought that.

---Onee-chan, what do you even know about nii-sama?

That assassin girl had said that to Claire.

(That's right, I don't know anything about Kamito......)

Her heart hurt. The inside of her throat was painful.

What is this feeling, she wondered.

(......Why won't you tell me anything?)

She stopped running, wiped her tears and then trudged along.


The girls in dresses turned to look at her with puzzled expressions.

(......That's right, the dance is tonight.)

The truth is that she had been anticipating it since yesterday.

Along with the new swimsuit, she had also prepared a new dress.

(It, it's not like I'm wearing it for him or anything......)

Claire quickly removed the image of Kamito's face from her mind.

(But I wonder what kind of face he'd make if he saw me in my dress......)

While zoning out and thinking about that kind of thing, her face grew red.

(Wh-what am I thinking. I already don't care about that Ka-Kamito!)

While she was biting her lip.

Suddenly a heat wave came from below her as a hell cat clad in flames appeared.

"......What's wrong, Scarlet?"

Claire asked while leaning over.

"Do you want a snack? I have canned tuna at the room."

Scarlet shook its head.

And then she noticed the silver chain shaking in Scarlet's mouth.

"That's......"


A silver cat pendant.

The present that Kamito had bought for her birthday two weeks ago.

It looked like it had been taken out of the jewelry box where she had placed it.

"Wh-what is it, jeez......"

Claire took the pendant into her hand.

The first birthday present she had ever received from a boy.

She had been truly happy at that time.

"......"

She held the pendant to her chest like a treasure.

"......That's right. That back there was also partially my fault."

She sighed as she patted Scarlet's head.

(......I can only become honest when I'm not in front of him.)

===Part 2===

"......Where did that Claire go?"

Kamito was traversing the maze-like castle in search of Claire.


......Rather, he was completely lost.

Whatever the case, the original structure was a completely strange design from the mythical age. With the repeated alterations over the course of several hundred years, the hallways stretched out in every other way to form a maze. All of the rooms looked the same, so it threw off one's sense of direction.

(......With this kind of thing, not getting lost would be strange.)

With the sun setting, the ceremony drew closer.

(I should return to my room. We might just miss each other, after all.)

And Kamito came to a halt.

In the middle of the hallway was a garden complete with a water fountain.

"Ohh, that's amazing......"

His gaze was drawn in by that beautiful sight.

Countless flowers were growing and small light spirits gathered there.

The water gushing from the fountain was filled with purity.

(This might be where princess maidens purify themselves.)

While thinking that, Kamito drew closer to the garden.

The light spirits floating in the air ran away like newborn spiders.


Near the water fountain were five stone sculptures.

The images of five Elemental Lords that controlled Astral Zero.

A warrior wielding a blazing sword --- Fire Elemental Lord, Volcanicus.

A boy with kind eyes --- Wind Elemental Lord, Belphal.

An iron mallet-wielding giant --- Earth Elemental Lord, Lode Gear.

A woman hugging a water jug to her chest --- Water Elemental Lord, Iseria Seaward.

An aged man with a scale and bishop's staff --- Holy Elemental Lord, Alexandros.

Those that bring prosperity or hardship to all of humanity, the kings of all spirits.

Of course, the spirits did not actually look like their sculptures.

The images here were simply representations of what people imagined their qualities to be when put in human form.

"These are also relics from the mythical age......"

They were magnificent sculptures. At the very least, they were not products of the last several hundred years. Kamito didn't possess much knowledge about historic ruins but he knew that much.

The stones used were not just normal stones either. Valuable spirit crystals had been used.

Getting close and looking,

"Hm?"

Kamito saw something out of place.


The five sculptures which copied the likeness of the Elemental Lords. Beside them was---

With nothing remaining above the knees, another sculpture was there.

That was something that was completely foreign to the garden.

(......Why is this thing here?)

The tragic appearance of the sculpture with only what was below its knees remaining. It hadn't been removed afterward, so it was obviously an important ancient legacy.

"......!?"

Just then. Something floated into Kamito's mind.

(The true shrine from the ancient age's true shrine......)

Along with the five Elemental Lords, there was one spot that was unnaturally missing something.

(Est whispered something back then......)

They had been in a hurry so he had missed it but......

"If I remember......"

"---The one erased in the following age, Darkness Elemental Lord, Ren Ashdoll."

Suddenly from behind came a voice---


Kamito immediately spun around.

A beautiful girl with black hair clad in a dress the color of darkness stood beside the water fountain.

She had a teasing smile. Gentle twilight pupils.

The one he'd been searching for --- the girl he always wanted to meet was right there.

"Restia......"

"For someone searching for a cat, you look like you've seen a ghost."

She smiled and walked towards him with light steps.

"......"

Kamito was frozen still. He simply stood with his eyes wide open.

The girl of darkness came before Kamito and stood on her tiptoes.

"You've really grown. Even though you were only about as tall as me back then."

"Restia, you......"

Kamito returned from the shock.

"Don't make such a scary face, Kamito."

"......!"

A gentle and sweet voice that lured one into sleep.

It hadn't changed. Not a single thing, not even that harshness from three years ago had changed.


The seal on his left hand heated up like it was burning.

(......Why are you making that kind of face!)

---Who are you?

---Why are you throwing my heart into chaos using Restia's form!

The truth is he really wanted to shout those things to the girl before him.

But---

Those accusations stuck in his throat.

......I know. She's the real Restia.

No matter what form she took, there was no way he could ever mistake her.

The girl who had been the first light for Kamito who had closed his heart.

She had stayed by his side and granted him warmth and peace.

But now---

"......"

Kamito strongly chewed his lip.

Three years ago, he thought that would never change.

He had no idea why she had changed like this.

Possibly, something had broken when she made her Wish.


(Three years ago, I---)

Just what was the wish requested of the Elemental Lords.

He had many things he wanted to ask.

And many things he needed to ask.

Kamito opened his mouth while still slightly lost.

"Restia......"

"Hm?"

The darkness spirit tilted her head in a lovely manner.

"That militarized spirit that attacked the flying ship, was it your doing?"

"Those were ''her'' orders. It wasn't me."

Restia replied with that and sat down on the broken sculpture.

With her feet together and resting her chin in her hands, she possessed the beauty of a fallen goddess.

"Is that referring to the fake Ren Ashbell?"

"She's not a replacement for you, Kamito."

Restia smiled gently.

Just like one would use when warning a young child.

"She is also a true Ren Ashbell."


"What do you mean?"

"I'm sorry, but I cannot reveal that to the current you."

Restia silently declined her head.

"......Why did you appear before me now?"

"To warn you."

"Warn me?"

"Your past is trying to destroy what you hold dear."

"My past......"

Kamito muttered---

"---The Instructional School's orphans, huh."

"Yes. Muir Alenstarl is ignoring ''her'' orders and rampaging on her own. Well, it seems like ''she'' is closing her eyes on the matter though."

"Why is Muir targeting us?"

"Isn't that obvious. Because her beloved onii-chan was taken from her."

"......"


Yes, Muir Alenstarl had not shown any signs that Kamito was her target.

If he was, there would be no way she would have overlooked him when he couldn't use his elemental waffe.

Claire was a superior elementalist. Rinslet and Ellis as well, and Fianna was contracted to a powerful knight spirit.

But even though they were elementalists, they were still normal girls.

They were high-class young ladies that were gentle, not honest, and liked black tea and sweet candies.

(But the orphans from the Instructional School are different---)

Like Kamito had been---

They were existences that had only been brought up with knowledge on how to wreak havoc and slaughter.

That was not blade dance for the sake of enjoyment --- it was only for war.

The world the noble young ladies from the academy lived in was completely different.

Even if they were Blade Dance representatives, there was not a chance they could win in a battle.

"---I won't allow that to happen."

Kamito gave a small groan.

Claire, Ellis, Fianna, Rinslet and Est---

"I will definitely protect my companions."

"I wonder if you can?"


Restia put her fingertip to her lips---

"The orphans from the Instructional School are like the past you. I don't think you can stop them when you had a hard battle against the likes of Jio Inzagi."

"It doesn't matter. I will protect them at the cost of my life."

"Hmm, I'm a little jealous."

"---That's why, I will protect you as well, Restia."

"......!?"

Restia's eyes widened.

Those twilight pupils finally showed unrest.

"---That part of you hasn't changed a bit."

She shrugged her shoulders and slowly stood.

She stepped in front of him and---

"I'm happy, Kamito."

Tiptoed and kissed Kamito.

"......!?"

Kamito froze for a few seconds.

The inside of his head had numbed and become pure white.


"......Mm."

Restia slowly parted lips with Kamito.

And she once again whispered into the ear of the dumbfounded Kamito.

"I'll be waiting, Kamito. For your awakening as the successor of the Demon King."

"Res......tia......?"

Kamito reached out but grabbed nothing but thin air.

The darkness spirit girl had turned into a black mist and disappeared from in front of Kamito.

===Part 3===

"......"

Claire stood in the shadow of the hall leading to the garden.

She had discovered Kamito talking with the darkness spirit girl while searching for Kamito.

That darkness spirit girl was dangerous --- she had immediately summoned Scarlet but desisted from attacking when she saw him talking with her.

They were like two lovers that had been parted for a long time.

Like that, Claire had missed the timing to come out.


She couldn't hear the contents of their conversation well from the hallway.

If she wanted to, she might have been able to listen in, but learning about the past Kamito didn't want to discuss in this way felt like she was doing something underhanded.

Thinking like that, she ended up just watching.

She saw the two kiss.

"Ah---"

Splash.

Tears fell to the ground.

(No way, why are tears......)

She wiped her eyes with the sleeve of her uniform.

(Why, why am I......)

Why was this --- her chest hurt.

(......Kamito didn't hate it. He didn't resist at all.)

The overflowing tears wouldn't stop.

Claire ran from that spot and dashed down the hallway.

===Part 4===


The floating island Ragna Ys' underground cave within the sacred grounds.

A place that no one but the Divine Ritual Institute's princess maidens were permitted to enter --- currently, there were two sets of footsteps resounding there.

One belonged to an orphan of the Instructional School, Lily Flame.

She read the reports to her master in front of her.

"Muir Alenstarl lost Death Gaze in the battle. The country's military executives are going to be angry."

"Let them. They're just a bunch of geezers that only think about how to protect themselves."

The listening party said so with a merciless tone.

The girl with long black hair that fell to her waist.

Donning a black overcoat with a crimson mask that looked like a fierce god covering her face.

Lily was not surprised in the least by her master's response. Their supposed allies, the Alphas Theocracy, were only another tool for her to accomplish her goal.

"But Cardinal, the supply of militarized spirits from now on---"

"Lily, I've taught you not to use that name here, haven't I?"

"I apologize. ---Ren Ashbell."


Lily shivered at her master's cold voice.

Footsteps resounded throughout the silent underground cave. The radiance of the spirit stone they were carrying reflected off the strange carvings in the wall. It was a mystery why this passage in the underground cave that even the Divine Ritual Institute's princess maidens were prohibited from was known to these two.

Possibly high-ranking princess maidens --- also those close to Queens could enter without it being strange.

"It seems that Restia has contacted him."

The crimson mask-wearing girl --- Ren Ashbell said.

"Yes. She ignored your order and---"

"That darkness spirit is not a subordinate but an equal in the organization. She has no obligation to listen to me."

"......Yes."

Lily chewed her lip, unsatisfied. It frustrated her that the pieces gathered to help her master were moving on their own.

The ones who had sworn an oath to Cardinal --- to Ren Ashbell, consisted of Lily alone. Her fellow orphan from the Instructional School thought of nothing other than Kazehaya Kamito and she had no idea what that darkness spirit girl was thinking.

"I will be meeting with him as well this evening."


"Will you be attending the dance?"

Lily asked in a slightly incredulous voice.

"Ren Ashbell was the winner of the previous Blade Dance. There is no way she could not attend."

"But the preparations for what to wear---"

"I have at least one dress. Though I left the majority to my little sister."

"You have a little sister?"

"......"

There was no response to that question.

Thinking she had upset her master, Lily quickly changed topics.

"Muir reported that he doesn't appear to have awakened yet."

"We already have no time to wait for it. If he can't withstand it, then that was his worth as a successor to the Demon King --- we'd just have to alter the plan."

"---That won't do. It's Muir's duty to awaken nii-sama."

Said a voice from within the darkness behind them.

The one who appeared was the girl with ash grey hair --- Muir Alenstarl.

"Muir, what did you do!?"


Lily raised a sharp voice.

"I just played around a little. With those onee-chans that are corrupting nii-sama."

"......Acting on your own! You used another militarized spirit without permission."

"Not anything important. Just the special-use militarized spirit Scylla. Though it was too weak and died. I wonder if I could use a better spirit next time."

"......!"

To the Muir who was puffing her cheeks, Lily responded by holding her head in her hands.

Even if it was Scylla, which wasn't a pure war class spirit, it was still a part of the theocracy's military strength. Those military executives wouldn't be happy if they heard about this.

"Listen here. That group at the theocracy won't be supplying us with militarized spirits until the Blade Dance really begins."

"Hmph, we've been acting docile well enough."

"It's because you ignored orders and lost Death Gaze."

"I just wanted to play with nii-sama."

Muir pouted her lips.

"Anyway, behave yourself until the real Blade Dance begins. Don't lay a hand on him until you receive orders---"


"Orders?"

Muir tilted her head in wonder.

And the light in her eyes disappeared.

"Hey, Lily, just who will order Muir?"

"---!?"

Shivers ran down Lily's spine.

Her entire body ran cold with fear. It was like someone was holding her heart in their hands.

"Hey, tell me---"

The spirit seal on Muir's right hand let out an ominous light---

"Muir Alenstarl."

Ren Ashbell called out to her.

"Yes?"

"You are an equal to me in the organization. Nobody will order you."

Muir laughed with a smile.

"It's fine if you understand. The only one that can order Muir is nii-sama."

With Muir's mood restored, Lily breathed a sigh of relief.

"But this is troubling. I can't play with the onee-chans without a militarized spirit."


"Then why not try using this --- Monster."

Ren Ashbell removed her ring and tossed it to Muir.

"This is?"

Muir looked at the ring curiously.

It was a plain silver ring. Thin characters from the spirit language were engraved onto its outer edge.

"The annihilation spirit Tiamat --- a spirit weapon that was created to fight the army of the ex-shadow Elemental Lord. It was customized by those of the Divine Ritual Institute. It can withstand your Jester's Vise well."

"......You're giving this to Muir?"

"Use it as you wish."

"I don't really understand why. Well, that's fine, I'll take it."

"Muir, militarized spirits aren't toys!"

"They are toys. At least to Muir."

She shrugged her shoulders at Lily---

And licked the ring that now adorned her middle finger.


"---Just a little longer, nii-sama. Muir will remove those meddlesome onee-chans."

While walking through the dark underground cave, Muir smiled to herself.

When she had been taken to the Instructional School, she was only four years old.

Born in a cold village on the borderline of the Empire, she was not of noble blood and yet possessed the ability to contract spirits.

The villagers rejoiced at having borne an elementalist and raised her dearly.

And then they brought her before the village's guardian spirit on her fourth birthday.

They wanted Muir to contract with the guardian spirit so the village would prosper.

But when she made the contract, the guardian spirit ran wild.

The flames that had protected the village now burned it down and the spirit also destroyed itself.

Muir's power --- she had the uncanny ability to drive a spirit mad.

After being cast away by her village, she was picked up by the instructional school---

There, she became a Monster.

Her heart was lost, a Cursed Armament Seal was engraved on her young body and she was taught nothing but slaughter techniques.

Because of her in-born ability, Muir could never connect with a contracted spirit.


Those days filled with only isolation and massacres slowly carved away her heart.

In the middle of those days --- she met with a boy that had been taken to the facility.

"You're always alone, huh."

"That's right. Muir is always alone. The only ones Muir talks with are those she kills."

"Then I'll become your friend."

"Hmph, how stupid. Talking about friends in this place."

"Then a brother. Muir is the younger sister."

"......What are you deciding on your own, idiot."

The first conversation she had with him. It was something he definitely didn't remember.

"---Nii-sama is Muir's only."

When she emerged from the underground cave, the sun had mostly set.

It was about the time the Blade Dance's ceremony would begin at the castle.

"That's why I won't forgive them. I will definitely get them, those attaching themselves to nii-sama."

<noinclude>{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume4 Chapter6|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume4 Chapter8}}</noinclude>

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume4 Chapter6

2014-12-11T19:53:23Z

AngelicMasterMind: /* Part 3 */

==Chapter 6: Cracks==
===Part 1===

"—Muir Alenstarl."

Kamito muttered that name as he lay on the bed in the dim room.

The number two of the Instructional School who had received the title "Monster."

(......Why is she here?)

He thought that they would never meet again after that day.

And yet they ended up meeting in such a terrible way.

Muir Alenstarl was an expert military elementalist.

What reason could that girl, an orphan from the Instructional School, have for coming here—

It was not like he couldn't guess. Just a few weeks prior, Kamito had fought with another orphan of the Instructional School, Jio Inzagi.

The one behind the incident that time—

(......Does she have a connection to Restia?)

His left hand under the leather glove ached.


At that time. A knock came from his room's door.

"......Yes?"

While pressing down on his hurting ribs, Kamito got off the bed.

"Who is it?"

He opened the door and—

"......Nyaa ♪"

A cute cat was there.

No, more accurately, it was somebody wearing cat ears on their head, the Empire's second princess.

"......"

"......"

"......Um. Fianna, what are you doing?"

Kamito asked, astonished.

"I-I have come to s-service my master-meow ♪"

"......"

The air froze.

"Jeez, wh-what are you making me say......"


"No, I don't really understand......"

Fianna cleared her throat and said,

"It is a healing ritual."

"Healing ritual?"

Kamito repeated like a parrot.

"Kamito-kun, you were hurt, right?"

"Yes, well......it's not anything serious."

"That's a lie."

Fianna poked Kamito's ribcage.

"Owwwwww!"

"Look at that. You can't fool me."

It was the injury he received when he was hit by Muir's water spirit.

He had been hiding it, but it appeared that the holy spirit user had seen through him.

"Come on, lie down on the bed."

"Owaa."

Fianna pulled on Kamito's hand.

Kamito was pushed onto the bed in that manner.

[[Image:STnBD V04 149.jpg|200px|thumb]]


The feeling that had pushed on his chest made his heart throb unconsciously.

"I'm thankful for the healing but......why cat ears?"

"Fufu, this is a tool for the ritual......ah, a tool for the ritual-meow ♪"

Fianna quickly amended the end of her sentence.

"Liar! I think something's a little strange with that!"

That morning when she had packed her luggage, he was sure those cat ears had been there.

The other things included rope, a candle and a whip......she had packed them under the pretense of them being ritual equipment, but there was a lot that was fishy about it.

"Um, Kamito, you don't like this kind of thing?"

Fianna asked with a nervous expression.

"No, I don't d-dislike it......"

Kamito quickly shook his head.

Fianna with cat ears was definitely cute. Seriously cute.

About enough to make him want to pet her.

"......I'm glad. It was pretty embarrassing."

Fianna made an expression of relief and relaxed.

The captivating sound of rustling clothes. The breath coming from near his ear.


"......Fianna!? Y-Your ch-chest is pressing against me."

"Don't move. We have to be touching or there won't be an effect."

"I understand the theory but......"

Kamito gulped.

"......Nn, chuu......ahn."

The cute princess's lips and her fingertips glided over his bruised ribs. Her moist tongue running over his wound tickled.

"Fufu, Kamito-kun, does it feel good?"

"......!"

Even if asked in this kind of situation, there was no way he could honestly reply.

(......But it's definitely working. Fianna's ritual magic, that is.)

As expected of a former elite princess maiden of the Divine Ritual Institute.

Even though it wasn't her specialty, her ability in it was top-class.

Not just the wound but even his whole body's fatigue being removed could be felt.

Kamito stopped resisting and left his body in her care.

"......But I'm always surprised by it. Your regenerative ability, I mean."

"Yeah, it's a mystery to me, too."


He hadn't paid particular notice to it, but it appeared to be that way.

It seemed like it was thanks to the development of the divine power of an elementalist flowing within him.

But it was to an abnormal degree in Kamito's case.

"Isn't it because you've contracted with Est?"

"I also thought that at first......"

A contracted spirit's attributes affecting the contractor wasn't anything rare.

For example, Claire's ability to have her hair stand on end was because of this. Because of Est's attribute being metal as a sword spirit, his body may have become robust as a result.

"But it doesn't seem to be just that."

Fianna tilted her head.

The other possibility was a Cursed Armament Seal. Amongst the orphans at the Instructional School that received a Cursed Armament Seal, some possessed regenerative ability that far surpassed human limits.

However, of course, there was no Cursed Armament Seal on Kamito.

"Fianna's technique is good."

Kamito shrugged his shoulders while saying that and received a reply,

"It's the opposite."

"Opposite?"


"My holy attribute spirit magic is barely working on Kamito's body."

"What do you mean?"

"I don't know."

Fianna shook her head.

"Of course, it's not like it's totally ineffective — it's being repelled. That's why I have to be touching you like this."

Press.

"......Fianna!?"

"Look at that, your body is so stiff. Relax more."

Fianna smiled teasingly and gave his ear a playful bite.

"W-Wait, as expected this is......"

"Like I said, I wouldn't do this stuff with just anyone, you know?"

To Fianna who pressed her lips together while looking unsatisfied,

"Y-You should only do this kind of stuff to the person you l-like......"

She placed her hand on the shoulder strings of her dress-like uniform—

Dogooooon!

Suddenly the room's door exploded into smithereens.


"......!?"

Gogogogogogogogo......!

The one standing there---

It was Claire with a blazing Flametounge in hand.

"Hey, Kamito, wh-wh-wh-what are you doing?"

Kamito seriously prepared himself for death.

===Part 2===
"Now, choose! The way you'd like to be roasted!"

"That's why I'm saying, that was a healing ritual!"

Five minutes later. Kamito was made to do seiza upon the dusty floor.

In front of him was Claire who was sounding her whip.

Her red twintails were standing on end......it seemed she was quite angry.

Claire looked down at Kamito with a cold gaze—

"Hmph, with cat ears? And pressed against a large chest in that ma-manner?"

"Guu......"


Kamito internally groaned.

......It was no good. Regardless of what he said, those cat ears took away all credibility.

"......Well, that's fine."

Said Claire, who shrugged her shoulders and sighed deeply.

"S-Since whatever you do with that erotic queen doesn't concern me."

"Then why are you angry......"

"Sh-Shut up!"

Because of Claire's glare, Kamito shut up.

......In any case, he was relieved.

Her mood was still bad — but it seemed like she would overlook the situation this time.

But the conversation didn't end there.

"Kamito."

She suddenly became really serious—

"I have something to ask you."

"......"

(......Well, I guess it's expected.)

He had made his resolve for this.


Or rather, he'd been thinking about it since a while ago.

"The girl who attacked me — you knew her, right?"

"Yeah."

"What did she mean by nii-sama? Who is she?"

"......"

Claire's suspicion was well-founded.

The assassin that had been aiming for her life was his former teammate and friend.

Being interrogated was natural.

"What's wrong? Why aren't you saying anything?"

Claire's voice had a tinge of irritation mixed in.

But Kamito averted his eyes from her and kept quiet.

(I......)

He felt that he should reveal his relationship with Muir Alenstarl. He knew that in his head.

But if he did that, he would also have to reveal that he was an escapee of the Instructional School.

His childhood when he had battle techniques necessary for an assassin hammered into him.

Something that he could never erase, that unpleasant past.

(If she knew the truth about me, Claire would—)


He might be scorned. Or possibly — he might be pitied.

At any rate, it would be different from now.

He was scared of that.

(My becoming weak might be because of this......)

He derided himself while avoiding Claire's gaze.

He wouldn't have even thought about this two months ago.

He didn't care how other people viewed him.

If he could get Restia back, then that was all he needed — that's what he thought.

"Claire, sorry......"

"......Why?"

Claire's voice was slightly wavering.

"Is it something you can't tell even me?"

"......"

"Could it be a past lover—"

"Like that's it."

Kamito retorted with half-closed eyes.

"Then why can't you say it?"


"—Can you not trust me if I don't tell you?"

A cold voice with slight irritation that even shocked himself.

He gasped and looked up at Claire who had her eyes wide open in shock.

"Th-That's not it. But—"

"But what?"

"......"

Claire's question was obvious.

He also understood that she was worried for his sake.

But — no, that was the reason, that's why he couldn't tell her.

"But......"

Claire chewed her lip.

"Because you won't talk about yourself at all."

"That's......"

"And it's not just this. Even about that darkness spirit girl—"

"The thing about Restia has nothing to do with Claire."

Kamito shook his head coldly. That showed his complete rejection of her question.

"......Is that so, I see."


Claire breathed out waveringly and—

Turning her back on Kamito, she left the room in silence.

===Part 3===
"I'm the worst......"

Kamito muttered, sitting on the creaking bed.

He was regretting getting angry with Claire for no real reason.

That said, there was no way he could discuss his past with her.

(If she knew my past, she would......)

At that moment, Ellis and the others entered his room.

"Kamito, did something happen with Claire?"

Ellis surveyed the room.

"Yeah, just a little something......"

Feeling uncomfortable, Kamito shifted his gaze.

"You fought again?"

Rinslet sighed. Kamito nodded ambiguously.


"She really can't be helped. Well, she'll be back before the dance."

"Dance?"

"The opening ceremony's dance. Of course, Kamito will also be attending, right?"

Fianna asked.

"No, I'm fine."

"What did you say!?" "What!?" "Kamito-kun!"

When Kamito shook his head, the three cried out at the same time.

"Wh-Why?"

"......I don't like dances."

Kamito had a little trauma concerning the dance.

The Blade Dance he participated in three years ago as Ren Ashbell. Remembering all the dance invitations he received during that time gave him goosebumps even now.

Of course, he wasn't going to be dressed in girls' clothing this time around so there was no direct connection, but he still couldn't erase that feeling.

"That and I have no formal wear."

"They'll lend you formal wear if you ask."

"I said I wasn't going."


"Hmm, I wonder if that's a good idea?"

Fianna laughed lightly.

"......What do you mean?"

"The Blade Dance participants will be coming out at the dance, meaning that Ren Ashbell will also be attending."

"......!"

"Fufu, so what will you do?"

To the Fianna wearing a teasing smile, Kamito—

"......Okay then."

Grudgingly agreed to go.

(......The dance, huh.)

Claire would also wear a dress — that thought popped into his head.

"......I have to apologize."

Kamito got off the creaky bed.

"Kamito-san, where are you going?"

"To find a cat. It may have become lost."

<noinclude>{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume4 Chapter5|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume4 Chapter7}}</noinclude>

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume4 Chapter6

2014-12-11T19:48:51Z

AngelicMasterMind: /* Part 2 */

==Chapter 6: Cracks==
===Part 1===

"—Muir Alenstarl."

Kamito muttered that name as he lay on the bed in the dim room.

The number two of the Instructional School who had received the title "Monster."

(......Why is she here?)

He thought that they would never meet again after that day.

And yet they ended up meeting in such a terrible way.

Muir Alenstarl was an expert military elementalist.

What reason could that girl, an orphan from the Instructional School, have for coming here—

It was not like he couldn't guess. Just a few weeks prior, Kamito had fought with another orphan of the Instructional School, Jio Inzagi.

The one behind the incident that time—

(......Does she have a connection to Restia?)

His left hand under the leather glove ached.


At that time. A knock came from his room's door.

"......Yes?"

While pressing down on his hurting ribs, Kamito got off the bed.

"Who is it?"

He opened the door and—

"......Nyaa ♪"

A cute cat was there.

No, more accurately, it was somebody wearing cat ears on their head, the Empire's second princess.

"......"

"......"

"......Um. Fianna, what are you doing?"

Kamito asked, astonished.

"I-I have come to s-service my master-meow ♪"

"......"

The air froze.

"Jeez, wh-what are you making me say......"


"No, I don't really understand......"

Fianna cleared her throat and said,

"It is a healing ritual."

"Healing ritual?"

Kamito repeated like a parrot.

"Kamito-kun, you were hurt, right?"

"Yes, well......it's not anything serious."

"That's a lie."

Fianna poked Kamito's ribcage.

"Owwwwww!"

"Look at that. You can't fool me."

It was the injury he received when he was hit by Muir's water spirit.

He had been hiding it, but it appeared that the holy spirit user had seen through him.

"Come on, lie down on the bed."

"Owaa."

Fianna pulled on Kamito's hand.

Kamito was pushed onto the bed in that manner.

[[Image:STnBD V04 149.jpg|200px|thumb]]


The feeling that had pushed on his chest made his heart throb unconsciously.

"I'm thankful for the healing but......why cat ears?"

"Fufu, this is a tool for the ritual......ah, a tool for the ritual-meow ♪"

Fianna quickly amended the end of her sentence.

"Liar! I think something's a little strange with that!"

That morning when she had packed her luggage, he was sure those cat ears had been there.

The other things included rope, a candle and a whip......she had packed them under the pretense of them being ritual equipment, but there was a lot that was fishy about it.

"Um, Kamito, you don't like this kind of thing?"

Fianna asked with a nervous expression.

"No, I don't d-dislike it......"

Kamito quickly shook his head.

Fianna with cat ears was definitely cute. Seriously cute.

About enough to make him want to pet her.

"......I'm glad. It was pretty embarrassing."

Fianna made an expression of relief and relaxed.

The captivating sound of rustling clothes. The breath coming from near his ear.


"......Fianna!? Y-Your ch-chest is pressing against me."

"Don't move. We have to be touching or there won't be an effect."

"I understand the theory but......"

Kamito gulped.

"......Nn, chuu......ahn."

The cute princess's lips and her fingertips glided over his bruised ribs. Her moist tongue running over his wound tickled.

"Fufu, Kamito-kun, does it feel good?"

"......!"

Even if asked in this kind of situation, there was no way he could honestly reply.

(......But it's definitely working. Fianna's ritual magic, that is.)

As expected of a former elite princess maiden of the Divine Ritual Institute.

Even though it wasn't her specialty, her ability in it was top-class.

Not just the wound but even his whole body's fatigue being removed could be felt.

Kamito stopped resisting and left his body in her care.

"......But I'm always surprised by it. Your regenerative ability, I mean."

"Yeah, it's a mystery to me, too."


He hadn't paid particular notice to it, but it appeared to be that way.

It seemed like it was thanks to the development of the divine power of an elementalist flowing within him.

But it was to an abnormal degree in Kamito's case.

"Isn't it because you've contracted with Est?"

"I also thought that at first......"

A contracted spirit's attributes affecting the contractor wasn't anything rare.

For example, Claire's ability to have her hair stand on end was because of this. Because of Est's attribute being metal as a sword spirit, his body may have become robust as a result.

"But it doesn't seem to be just that."

Fianna tilted her head.

The other possibility was a Cursed Armament Seal. Amongst the orphans at the Instructional School that received a Cursed Armament Seal, some possessed regenerative ability that far surpassed human limits.

However, of course, there was no Cursed Armament Seal on Kamito.

"Fianna's technique is good."

Kamito shrugged his shoulders while saying that and received a reply,

"It's the opposite."

"Opposite?"


"My holy attribute spirit magic is barely working on Kamito's body."

"What do you mean?"

"I don't know."

Fianna shook her head.

"Of course, it's not like it's totally ineffective — it's being repelled. That's why I have to be touching you like this."

Press.

"......Fianna!?"

"Look at that, your body is so stiff. Relax more."

Fianna smiled teasingly and gave his ear a playful bite.

"W-Wait, as expected this is......"

"Like I said, I wouldn't do this stuff with just anyone, you know?"

To Fianna who pressed her lips together while looking unsatisfied,

"Y-You should only do this kind of stuff to the person you l-like......"

She placed her hand on the shoulder strings of her dress-like uniform—

Dogooooon!

Suddenly the room's door exploded into smithereens.


"......!?"

Gogogogogogogogo......!

The one standing there---

It was Claire with a blazing Flametounge in hand.

"Hey, Kamito, wh-wh-wh-what are you doing?"

Kamito seriously prepared himself for death.

===Part 2===
"Now, choose! The way you'd like to be roasted!"

"That's why I'm saying, that was a healing ritual!"

Five minutes later. Kamito was made to do seiza upon the dusty floor.

In front of him was Claire who was sounding her whip.

Her red twintails were standing on end......it seemed she was quite angry.

Claire looked down at Kamito with a cold gaze—

"Hmph, with cat ears? And pressed against a large chest in that ma-manner?"

"Guu......"


Kamito internally groaned.

......It was no good. Regardless of what he said, those cat ears took away all credibility.

"......Well, that's fine."

Said Claire, who shrugged her shoulders and sighed deeply.

"S-Since whatever you do with that erotic queen doesn't concern me."

"Then why are you angry......"

"Sh-Shut up!"

Because of Claire's glare, Kamito shut up.

......In any case, he was relieved.

Her mood was still bad — but it seemed like she would overlook the situation this time.

But the conversation didn't end there.

"Kamito."

She suddenly became really serious—

"I have something to ask you."

"......"

(......Well, I guess it's expected.)

He had made his resolve for this.


Or rather, he'd been thinking about it since a while ago.

"The girl who attacked me — you knew her, right?"

"Yeah."

"What did she mean by nii-sama? Who is she?"

"......"

Claire's suspicion was well-founded.

The assassin that had been aiming for her life was his former teammate and friend.

Being interrogated was natural.

"What's wrong? Why aren't you saying anything?"

Claire's voice had a tinge of irritation mixed in.

But Kamito averted his eyes from her and kept quiet.

(I......)

He felt that he should reveal his relationship with Muir Alenstarl. He knew that in his head.

But if he did that, he would also have to reveal that he was an escapee of the Instructional School.

His childhood when he had battle techniques necessary for an assassin hammered into him.

Something that he could never erase, that unpleasant past.

(If she knew the truth about me, Claire would—)


He might be scorned. Or possibly — he might be pitied.

At any rate, it would be different from now.

He was scared of that.

(My becoming weak might be because of this......)

He derided himself while avoiding Claire's gaze.

He wouldn't have even thought about this two months ago.

He didn't care how other people viewed him.

If he could get Restia back, then that was all he needed — that's what he thought.

"Claire, sorry......"

"......Why?"

Claire's voice was slightly wavering.

"Is it something you can't tell even me?"

"......"

"Could it be a past lover—"

"Like that's it."

Kamito retorted with half-closed eyes.

"Then why can't you say it?"


"—Can you not trust me if I don't tell you?"

A cold voice with slight irritation that even shocked himself.

He gasped and looked up at Claire who had her eyes wide open in shock.

"Th-That's not it. But—"

"But what?"

"......"

Claire's question was obvious.

He also understood that she was worried for his sake.

But — no, that was the reason, that's why he couldn't tell her.

"But......"

Claire chewed her lip.

"Because you won't talk about yourself at all."

"That's......"

"And it's not just this. Even about that darkness spirit girl—"

"The thing about Restia has nothing to do with Claire."

Kamito shook his head coldly. That showed his complete rejection of her question.

"......Is that so, I see."


Claire breathed out waveringly and—

Turning her back on Kamito, she left the room in silence.

===Part 3===
"I'm the worst......"

Kamito muttered, sitting on the creaking bed.

He was regretting getting angry with Claire for no real reason.

That said, there was no way he could discuss his past with her.

(If she knew my past, she would......)

At that moment, Ellis and the others entered his room.

"Kamito, did something happen with Claire?"

Ellis surveyed the room.

"Yeah, just a little something......"

Feeling uncomfortable, Kamito shifted his gaze.

"You fought again?"

Rinslet sighed. Kamito nodded ambiguously.


"She really can't be helped. Well, she'll be back before the dance."

"Dance?"

"The opening ceremony's dance. Of course, Kamito will also be attending, right?"

Fianna asked.

"No, I'm fine."

"What did you say!?" "What!?" "Kamito-kun!"

When Kamito shook his head, the three cried out at the same time.

"Wh-Why?"

"......I don't like the dance."

Kamito had a little trauma concerning the dance.

The Blade Dance he participated in three years ago as Ren Ashbell. Remembering all the dance invitations he received during that time gave him goosebumps even now.

Of course, he wasn't going to be dressed in girls' clothing this time around so there was no direct connection, but he still couldn't erase that feeling.

"That and I have no formal wear."

"They'll lend you formal wear if you ask."

"I said I wasn't going."


"Hmm, I wonder if that's a good idea?"

Fianna laughed lightly.

"......What do you mean?"

"The Blade Dance participants will be coming out at the dance, meaning that Ren Ashbell will also be attending."

"......!"

"Fufu, so what will you do?"

To the Fianna wearing a teasing smile, Kamito—

"......Okay then."

Grudgingly agreed to go.

(......The dance, huh.)

Claire would also wear a dress — that thought popped into his head.

"......I have to apologize."

Kamito got off the creaky bed.

"Kamito-san, where are you going?"

"To find a cat. It may have become lost."

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Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume4 Chapter5

2014-12-11T03:43:36Z

AngelicMasterMind: /* Part 3 */

==Chapter 5: Water Play==
===Part 1===

The sun beamed down gently into the forest.

The rich colors flitting about in the air.

Colorful fruits adorned the branches of the densely growing trees.

It was the lake beside the castle.

Because of the spirits floating near the lake shore, this lake granted high purity. It was a place of the highest quality for a princess maiden's purification.

"Claire and the others aren't here yet......"

Kamito, who had just arrived, surveyed the area.

His top half was naked. On his bottom half, he wore trunks. Of course, he had removed the leather glove on his left hand, but he wrapped the seal underneath with a black cloth.

"Being the first one here makes it look like I'm really excited and that's embarrassing."

While scratching his head, he complained and–

"Kamito-kun, sorry to keep you waiting!"

"Owaa!?"

Squish.


Being suddenly hugged from behind, Kamito unconsciously yelped.

"Fianna!?"

Surprised, he turned around–

And there stood the cute princess wearing a bold black swimsuit.

"Does it suit me?"

"......!?"

Fianna's swimsuit was an adult-like bikini. Wrapped around her supple hips was a low-leg pantie. A black ribbon adorned her chest. The frills wrapped around her thighs coupled with the garter looked erotic. The triangular cloth covering her breasts was very suggestive and seemed about to spill over.

"A queen shouldn't be that immodest!"

"Fufu, Kamito-kun got angry ♪"

Fianna stuck out her tongue in a cute manner and released his arm.

"Y-You......"

Kamito's heart throbbed at those enchanting words.

"That's right. Kamito-kun, should I show you my spirit seal?"


"Wha–"

Fianna bent over and–

Allowed him to gaze at her breasts within the gap of her bold swimsuit.

Kamito swallowed hard.

"Look, it's right here. On the inside......"

While teasing him with her bold actions, her face was lightly tinted red.

Despite wearing a mature swimsuit, she was still a pure young lady.

The soft cleavage that, even now, urged him to bury his face in it.

Just as he glanced the spirit seal carved within–

"Fianna-san, wh-what are you doing!"

From the small path within the forest ran the swimsuit-clad Rinslet.

It was a proper-looking swimsuit suited to a well-bred young lady, but it emphasized her breasts' volume. The legs peeking out from under her pareo were so beautiful that Kamito froze in fascination.

"Ka-Kamito-san, how is my swimsuit?"


"......Y-Yeah, it really suits you."

Kamito spoke his true thoughts and Rinslet blushed.

"Y-You really......think so? I-I don't like being flattered."

"It's not flattery. You're really, um......beautiful."

"......Auu......"

Rinslet reddened right up to her ears.

And fell over just like that.

"S-Sorry for making you wait!"

And now came a rigid voice.

The one who emerged from the same path as Rinslet was the knight captain, Ellis.

She was wearing a sporty navy blue swimsuit with a stress on practicality. It was plain compared to Fianna and Rinslet's, but the gap between her armored state and the current one emphasizing her body line was dangerous.

He was rooted to the spot.

"Ka-Kamito, don't look here, look over there!"

"S-Sorry......!"


Kamito quickly averted his gaze and––

Ellis cleared her throat.

"......N-No, I mean it's fine to look?"

"Which one is it......"

"Sh-Shut up! Besides, you probably just thought it's a boring swimsuit!"

"Nobody said that."

Kamito tiredly sighed.

"......I should've worn a more erotic swimsuit."

"Hmm?"

It felt like the knight captain had just said something amazing but–

"Ellis looks very beautiful in her swimsuit."

"Eh?"

Exclaimed Ellis, her amber eyes widening.

"I thought it suited the serious Ellis."

"Kamito......"

Ellis tightened her arm to her chest and blushed.


"The only ones left are Claire and Est–"

Kamito muttered and,

"Ka-Kamito......"

"Claire?"

At the voice he'd grown accustomed to, he turned around – Claire stood there.

......No.

From behind a large tree, twintails were poking out.

"You, what are you doing?"

"......"

Claire stayed hidden behind the tree.

"Did your swimsuit's string get cut by any chance?"

"Th-That's not it!"

The twintails stood on end.

"Then why aren't you coming out?"

"B-Because it's......embarrassing."

"Embarrassing, you say......everybody's also in a swimsuit."

"That's true but......o-okay."


Claire resigned herself and timidly came out.

At that moment–

Kamito's breath stopped.

Claire was wearing a pure red bikini. Though it was a plain and simple design, it actually accentuated her beauty. The panties held with string wrapped the smooth skin and her thighs had a thin line from her leather whip.

It was painful to admit, but she was insanely cute.

Honestly, he didn't understand why she was embarrassed.

"You......"

"D-Don't say anything, since I'm just......"

When he saw her timidly hiding her chest with both hands–

Kamito realized the reason.

Claire was concerned about her small breasts.

"......Jeez."

Kamito made a wry smile and placed his hand on the embarrassed Claire's head.

"Fuaa!"

"Listen, okay? These are my true thoughts. I won't say it again."


"Wh-What is it......!"

"You're cute, Claire."

"Fuaaa, i-idiot, what are you saying!"

Hit, hit, hit.

Claire hit his shoulder with a beet-red face.

===Part 2===

"This time the knight captain is the demon!"

"I won't lose in swimming."

"Ellis, you can't use your wind armor."

The lovely voices echoing within the forest. Glistening water droplets.

Breasts that shook in tango with the rest of the body met the eyes.

The swimsuit-clad beauties frolicked in the lake.

......No matter how you look at it, there's no feeling of this being a purification ceremony.

[[Image:STnBD V04 006-007.jpg|200px|thumb]]
(Well, it's important to relax as well......)

Kamito stretched out on the lake shore.


He couldn't play with the girls because he'd be constantly distracted, so he took to sunbathing. The girls seemed dissatisfied, but perhaps because they had heavy-handedly forced him to come, they let him go.

Beside him, Est was kneeling while licking a popsicle.

Her snow fairy-like body was covered by a navy blue academy-issued swimsuit.

Her smooth milky skin and smooth silvery white hair.

On both of her legs were knee-high socks.

Est had the sort of appearance that maniacs would like, wearing both a swimsuit and knee-high socks.

There wasn't much skin showing, but for some reason, it felt like it crossed even more lines than being fully nude.

"Est, you're not going to play with everyone?"

"It would be embarrassing to be barefooted."

Est replied expressionlessly.

"Besides, I can't swim."

"Ahh, I see......"

Est was a sword spirit so she couldn't float.

No matter how strong of a spirit she was, she couldn't cast off her basic metal attribute.

(......Come to think of it, it was also near a lake that I made the contract with Est.)


While gazing at Est's side profile, Kamito thought that.

Demon Slayer – Terminus Est.

A legendary sealed holy sword spirit. It was a mystery why a sword of her caliber had chosen Kamito.

–He still had no idea.

Besides, Est had many other secrets as well.

"Hey, Est–"

"?"

Est turned towards him while licking the popsicle.

"Are you really the holy sword that defeated the Demon King?"

The legend of the Demon Slayer remained everywhere on the continent.

Est was undoubtedly an unrivaled sword, but there was no way she was the real one – that's what he thought.

(But if she really is......)

The power that had destroyed the Cursed Armament Seal on Velsaria's heart two weeks ago.

That was not the ability of a regular sword spirit.

In the legend of the Demon Slayer, the holy sword was also said to have destroyed the spirit seals for all seventy-two of the Demon King's contracts.


"I'm sorry, Kamito."

But Est silently shook her head.

"My memories are incomplete right now. If I regained my true body, my memories should return with my full power."

"No, I should be the one to apologize. Sorry."

Because Kamito clung to his contract with Restia, the contract with Est remained incomplete. Est could not display her true power.

"No, Kamito."

[[Image:STnBD V04 121.jpg|200px|thumb]]
Est brought the popsicle away from her lips and gazed at Kamito with her mysterious eyes.

And then–

"I'm glad I contracted with you."

"......Est?"

For a moment, the fleeting expression on Est's face made his heart race.

"–Kamito-san."

"Owaa!"

Platinum blonde hair sparkled in the sunlight.

At some point in time, the swimsuit-clad Rinslet had stood beside him.


"Don't surprise me like that......"

"No, that is, sorry......"

Kamito apologized to the pouting Rinslet.

"What's wrong, Rinslet, you're not going to swim with everyone else?"

At his words, Rinslet squirmed a bit and her face reddened.

"I c-can't, that is......I can't swim very well."

"Is that so?"

That was unexpected. That the perfect Rinslet would have that kind of weak point.

"Hmm? Even though you were playing tag in the water normally just now?"

"Th-That was......umm, it was a little trick."

"Trick?"

Rinslet nodded timidly and stuck out her finger.

A freezing atmosphere gathered and from thin air appeared a white wolf.

The demon ice spirit Fenrir.

"I was riding on this child's back while in the water."

"......I see."

Upon imagining the white wolf elegantly running around under the water surface with all its might, Kamito wryly smiled.


"Y-You just laughed, didn't you! That's horrible!"

"S-Sorry......"

"And so, umm......"

And Rinslet's cheeks became even redder.

"I'd like to ask a favor of you, Kamito-san."

"A favor?"

"Umm, that is, my......"

And then Rinslet became inarticulate.

(......What?)

It was at times like these that her maid would translate for him–

Kamito looked around and found the hiding figure of Carol.

......He had been thinking for a while now that he hadn't seen her, but she was hiding this entire time.

She was moving her lips and appeared to be saying something–

Kamito used the lip-reading ability he had been trained in at the institute.

(Milady, do your best – was it......what did that mean?)

Waiting for a little while like that–


"Ka-Kamito-san!"

Rinslet yelled out and seemed to have found her resolve.

Sweeping her platinum blonde hair up and pointing at Kamito–

"I-I shall allow you to teach me how to swim!"

......I see, thought Kamito with a wry smile.

(......As always, she's a lady that just can't be honest.)

But if you got used to it, those points about her also became cute.

"Est, I'm going to swim with Rinslet for a bit."

"Yes, Kamito......"

Est pouted a little sadly.

===Part 3===

"Ka-Kamito-san, please don't let go......"

"Yeah, it's fine. Spread out your body more."

Splash. The sound of water echoed near the shore.

A little bit away from where everyone was playing, in the shadow of a rock, Kamito was teaching Rinslet how to swim.


It seemed she didn't want the others to know.

"F-for sure, okay......i-if you let go, I'll make you into an ice sculpture!"

With a nervous expression, Rinslet gripped onto Kamito's arms.

With the soft sensation upon his skin, his heart throbbed.

"I-I got it, so please don't force your nails into me."

"S-Sorry about that......"

Taking her hands off his arms, she instead grabbed his hands.

She held tightly with her slender and soft fingers.

"A gentleman's......hand."

With red cheeks, her upturned eyes were wavering.

"Well, I am always holding a sword......"

Kamito said while quickly averting his eyes.

(Th-This angle is bad......!)

From the white nape to the collarbone adorned with water droplets.

The breasts that could be seen under the water surface were much too distracting.

"Kamito-san, where are you looking?"


"Ah, no......come on, loosen up and stretch out."

Kamito immediately changed the topic.

"T-To have a boy give me an order......that's the first time."

Rinslet shut her mouth tightly.

But that expression looked somewhat happy.

"Sorry, milady. I'm just an impertinent fellow."

"No, i-it's fine if you give more orders. B-But perverted orders are a little......"

"Hmm?"

"N-Nothing!"

Rinslet spoke into the water and formed bubbles.

What a strange person – Kamito thought that and then.

"......?"

Kamito felt someone watching him.

He felt a blade-like pressure on the back of his neck.

Kamito quickly surveyed the area.

He only felt the presence for an instant and it had already disappeared.

(I don't think it was my imagination but......)


It might just have been the spirits around the lake.

Well, it had disappeared quickly so there was no point worrying about it.

"What's wrong?"

"No, it's nothing......come on, relax more."

"......L-Like this?"

Rinslet nodded honestly and stretched out her entire body.

Her cute butt wrapped in the white swimsuit rose out of the water.

"I-I floated!"

Her smile was like a blooming rose, very bewitching.

"Rinslet really becomes cute when she's honest."

With a wry smile, Kamito whispered that and Rinslet became red to her ears.

"......Kamito-san, you're teasing me, aren't you?"

Bite. Like she was scolding him, she bit onto both of his arms.

Bite. Bite.

"Rinslet, it hurts......"

"Fufu, it's punishment for teasing me."


Rinslet smiled elegantly and finally stopped biting him.

But as expected of a talented lady, her learning rate was really fast.

"Then, next, try moving your feet."

"Y-Yes......"

[[Image:STnBD V04 129.jpg|200px|thumb]]
Rinslet nodded and–

"Kyan!"

Suddenly gave out a cute yelp.

"W-What happened?"

"Fua, ya, ahn......w-where are you touching!"

Rinslet flopped around in the water.

"N-No, at this kind of place......Kamito-san......you're perverted."

"......Wa-Wait, I'm not doing anything!"

Kamito denied with all his heart and–

Gogogogogogo......!

The water surface that had been calm until just now boiled.

"That seems like fun, Kamito."

"Claire!?"


What rose from the water was Claire with her twintails standing on end.

Her tone was calm but......she was angry. No mistake.

"Y-Y-You, what are you doing alone with Rinslet?"

"No, this is just swimming training–"

At his answer – Kamito hurriedly shut himself up.

Rinslet had wanted him to not reveal that she couldn't swim.

He couldn't betray her trust.

Kamito suddenly became quiet, and it seemed that that incited Claire.

"Could it be that you were doing s-something that you can't tell me......"

Gogogogogogo......!

"Th-That's wrong, Claire, this is–"

What came to Kamito at that time was–

"That is......it was a secret lesson!"

Those words.

"......Secret lesson!?"

Claire's eyebrows shot up.

......Crap, it seemed that he had messed up his word selection.


"Th-That's right, it was a lesson about things that can't be said!"

While still holding onto Kamito's arm, Rinslet said that.

"A-A lesson about things that can't be said......"

"Wait, Rinslet, that wording will invite misunderstandings–"

But Claire had already turned red from whatever she had imagined.

"......Kamito, th-this pervert, how lewd!"

Hit, hit, hit.

"Calm down, you're wrong! It wasn't a lesson like you're imagining!"

"Claire, could you please not interrupt our secret lesson?"

Rinslet said with a composed smile.

"......Y-You, get away from Kamito!"

"Oh my, why should I?"

Sparks flew between the hell cat girl and the ice princess.

......The usual fight had begun.

"Ka-Kamito is my slave spirit and I won't give him to you!"

"No, Kamito-san is mine!"

Both of them each grabbed one of his cheeks.


......A fight between two top-class elementalists started.

While sending water droplets flying, both of them grappled with each other's swimsuits.

Rinslet was always standing normally. This was the sandbar, so there was a foothold.

The breasts and butt that could be seen from the offset swimsuit made Kamito turn red.

"G-Give up already!"

Rinslet placed a hand on Claire's breast and pulled at her swimsuit.

And then.

The string of the red bikini came undone–

"......!?"

Time stopped.

Claire quickly covered her breasts with her hands, but it was too late.

The figure of those small, cute hidden mounds was burned into Kamito's vision.

"......D-Did you see?"

Kamito nodded truthfully.

"A, uu......"

Claire flushed red up to her ears–


"......Fuaaaaan!?"

"Claire!"

And bolted into the forest.

"Jeez......"

"I-I wonder if I did something bad......"

Rinslet was reflecting.

The forest that spread around the lake.

Even if it was the Elemental Lord's sacred land, there could be dangerous spirits in the forest.

He knew Claire was a top-class elementalist – but as expected, he was still worried.

Kamito sighed and chased after Claire who had disappeared into the forest.

===Part 4===

While running in the dark forest–

(Ka-Kamito saw my breasts......!)

Claire reddened.

It was embarrassing to the point that her face felt like it would burst into flames.


(Jeez, what is this, what is this, idiot!)

He had seen her naked in their first meeting.

But then and now were totally different.

She didn't know why though......

(Wh-Why is my heart......beating this fast, I wonder.)

Claire stopped running and suppressed her beating heart.

That's right, she didn't hate that he had seen her naked.

Having him see her underdeveloped breasts had been a shock.

(Th-This small of a chest is strange, isn't it......)

Rub. Rub.

While feeling her soft chest, she bit her lip.

Claire had read it in a book.

That boys liked girls with big breasts.

That definitely did not exclude Kamito–

After all, Kamito had been all happy around that big-breasted Rinslet.

(Wh-wh-wh-what's this secret lesson about things that can't be said, y-you idiot!)

Remembering it again, she felt her anger resurge.


Just what were those two doing in the shadow of that rock–

"I-I d-don't really care about who he gets along with......"

–Just as she said that with a pout.

She felt a cold sensation on the back of her neck.

"......Who is it!?"

Turning around, she inquired with a sharp voice.

And.

"Hmm, you're unexpectedly sharp, onee-chan. But separating from the group isn't good."

Appearing from the trees like a shadow–

A single hooded girl.

Slightly visible ash grey hair. Transparent blue pupils.

A young girl that was even smaller than the short Claire.

(–A child in this place?)

Claire was suspicious.

She didn't appear to be a princess maiden of the Divine Ritual Institute.

The only possibility was that she was a member of another team.

"Do you have some business with me?"


Claire asked while keeping her guard up.

What she had felt just before was close to killing intent.

Even if her opponent was a small girl, she couldn't be careless.

The girl laughed lightly.

"I'll have you disappear, onee-chan. For nii-sama's sake."

"......!?"

Instantly, Claire reacted.

Water came from the ground as many tentacles were formed and attacked her.

(......A water spirit user!?)

The writhing water tentacles splintered the surrounding trees' branches.

Claire landed on the ground and performed her summoning.

Guardian of the crimson blaze, keeper of the undying hearth!

–Now's the time to abide by the blood contract, come forth and do my bidding!

"–Scarlet!"

A crimson flame-clad hell cat appeared from thin air.

The hell cat immediately transformed into a whip in her hand.

"You, do you understand who you're picking a fight with?"


"Of course, Claire Rouge. The Calamity Queen's younger sister."

"Looks like you really did your research!"

Claire swung down the flame whip.

Drawing a pure red line in the air, it easily mowed down the forests' trees

But the water tentacles coming from the ground easily stopped the flame whip.

"Wha–"

"There's no way onee-chan's flame spirit can defeat this Scylla."

"......Scylla?"

Claire had read that name at the academy.

It was the name of a special-use militarized spirit that could be used by anyone. That flexibility to switch contractors was deemed too dangerous and it was supposed to have been sealed after the Ranbal War–

And then Claire realized.

If she was an assassin that used sealed militarized spirits–

"Don't tell me, you're the one who attacked the flying ship......kyaa!"

In that moment, a tentacle coming from the ground grasped Claire's foot.

The tentacle wrapped itself all the way around and lifted her into the air.

"......This damn thing, let me go......!"


She swung her Flametounge with all her might but it did nothing inside the water spirit.

Her opponent's spirit was the worst match-up for her fire spirit.

On top of that, this area weakened flame spirits because of its proximity to water.

Even if it was a high-class spirit like Scarlet, overcoming that was hard.

The tentacles entered into the gaps of her swimsuit.

Wrapping around her thigh, it was a terrible feeling.

"......Ah, n, wh-what are you doing, noo......!"

"Fufu, what a disgraceful appearance, onee-chan. But I'll let you enjoy it soon."

The girl approached Claire who couldn't move.

"......Why are you targeting me?"

"Because onee-chan has corrupted nii-sama."

"......Nii-sama?"

Claire had a realization. The one that came to her mind was–

"Could this be about Kamito?"

"Don't say nii-sama's name so lightly."

The water tentacle slapped Claire's cheek.

"Ku......"


"If I kill onee-chan, nii-sama will definitely wake up."

"Wh-What do you mean wake up! Kamito is Kamito!"

"Don't speak like you know what you're talking about."

A bone-chilling tone. Shivers ran down Claire's spine.

"Onee-chan, what do you even know about nii-sama?"

"Eh?"

At her words–

Claire widened her eyes.

(......That's right. I don't know anything about Kamito.)

For example, this girl who called Kamito nii-sama.

This girl probably knew.

Kamito's past that Claire didn't know.

She felt a pain in her heart. She didn't know why.

"Good bye, onee-chan."

The girl gave the command to kill what it had caught–

"......!?"


Then a blade line flashed.

"–Claire!"

===Part 5===

The short sword pierced the ground.

The girl jumped and landed after turning in the air.

At the instant Scylla's power weakened, Scarlet returned to its hell cat form and destroyed the water tentacle. Kamito caught the released Claire with both arms.

"Ka-Kamito......"

"Claire, stand back."

Kamito placed Claire on the ground and turned to face the girl.

(I didn't think an elementalist would be here–)

He regretted not bringing Est along.

With the last exchange, he understood. His opponent was a skilled assassin.

The short sword disappeared. It was the product of the only spirit magic Kamito could use as the elementalist of a sword spirit – weapon production with Weapon Works.


(So that presence I felt at the lake was this person......)

Kamito looked at the girl. He couldn't see her face because of the hood.

The girl's lips lightly shook and opened.

"......Nii-sama."

At the same time, the water spirit reformed its tentacles and attacked again.

"Kahaa!"

He took a blow to the stomach.

Kamito flew and smacked into the muddy ground.

"Ouch......"

"Kamito!"

Claire ran up beside the collapsed Kamito.

"Why didn't you dodge it! You should've been able to."

Claire closed her mouth tightly......that's right, he couldn't dodge it.

"......You covered for me?"

"I can't allow a wound to touch a young lady's face."

Kamito wiped the blood from his mouth and shakily stood up.


Once again, the tentacles swung down like whips.

Kamito raised both arms and blocked. But no matter how strong he was, a human couldn't match up to a spirit.

A blunt attack. The sound of bones being crushed rang out.

"......Aguu!"

"Nii-sama, why are you interrupting me?"

The girl muttered this to the fallen Kamito in a sad tone.

"......Nii-sama?"

He was sure she had called him that at the start as well.

The encroaching girl. From beneath the hood, he spied ash grey hair blowing.

"You, don't tell me you're–"

Kamito's eyes widened.

The girl waved her hand and gave the order to attack–

"Freezing fangs, pierce – Freezing Arrow!"

In an instant, many ice arrows impaled the water spirit.

The water spirit instantly froze. Then–

"Now!"


"–Take this, Blazing Fireball!"

Claire's fireball scored a direct hit.

A fierce blaze.

The frozen water spirit shattered.

"Hmph, that was easy."

Wielding a magic bow, Rinslet swept her hair aside.

Though she was doing such a carefree action, her breathing was ragged from chasing Kamito.

"Rinslet, you're a life saver......"

Kamito stood as he groaned in pain.

Rinslet and Claire equipped their respective elemental waffen and faced the assassin girl.

"Aww, he got killed. It turns out like this if I don't use Jester's Vise."

Sticking out her tongue in a childish manner, she flipped her hood off.

[[Image:STnBD V04 145.jpg|200px|thumb]]
"......!?"

Ash grey twintails. A lovely, youthful face.

Kamito stood shocked at the face that had hardly changed from four years ago.

"Muir......"


"Muir?"

Claire knit her brows.

"Muir, why......"

"Nii-sama, you've become very weak."

The girl sighed sadly and turned around.

"But don't worry, Muir will definitely wake you up."

Saying that, she disappeared into the forest–

"Stop–" "Right there!"

"Wait!"

Kamito stopped Rinslet and Claire who were about to pursue.

"Hey, why are you stopping us!"

"–You can't beat her."

The two gulped at Kamito's serious expression.

And so, the assassin girl completely disappeared.

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Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume4 Chapter2

2014-12-06T04:13:55Z

AngelicMasterMind: /* Chapter 2: Sky Voyage */

== Chapter 2: Sky Voyage ==

===Part 1===

Hovering over the ether-filled clouds, the flying ship advanced as though it were gliding.

The destination was one of the sanctuaries located in Astral Zero--the floating island of Ragna Ys.

It was the venue to be used for the current Blade Dance festival.

Normally, it was a sanctuary that only permitted the coming and going of the Divine Ritual Institute's princess maidens who served the Elemental Lords. But during the Blade Dance, it was specially opened to ordinary people.

"I can't help but say this. This flying ship is too awesome, right?"

Looking out the window, Kamito gazed down at the vast sea of clouds and felt a little dizzy.

This was hardly surprising, seeing as it was his first time riding a flying ship.

The young ladies of noble birth seemed to be used to it already. After putting down their luggage, the team went to their assigned lounge and took a break on the sofa.

The walls were made of polished marble tiles while the floor was even covered by a beautifully embroidered red carpet.

The cabin was furnished with abundant supplies of everyday necessities, all of them top class in quality.

"By the way, it doesn't shake at all?"

"This is the latest model of flying ship, you know? If the journey goes smoothly, we'll probably arrive around noon or so."

The one answering was Claire, lying on the sofa... It was no big deal, but her current posture was hiking up her skirt and on the verge of exposing her panties. Hence, Kamito frantically shifted his gaze away.

"Oh right, the competition's opening ceremony will be held tonight at the castle hotel. Did you bring formal clothes for a ball?"

"No I didn't. I'd rather be excused from balls."

Recalling the Blade Dance three years earlier, Kamito whispered with an embarrassed look.

To be honest, the ballroom scene had left him with traumatic memories.

"I see..."

For some reason, Claire's murmurs sounded a bit disappointed.

"...? Will I cause trouble for you by not bringing formal clothes?"

"O-Of course not!"

Blushing red, Claire turned her head away and ignored Kamito.

"What are you getting mad about..."

"I-I'm not mad, okay... Idiot."

"Please, the two of you. Must you quarrel even on the ship?"

Rinslet shrugged in exasperation.

"Rinslet, what are you doing?"

On the table, Rinslet was arranging the tea set she had brought.

"I'm going to make tea now. Would everyone like to enjoy some afternoon tea together?"

"Great idea, I've heard long ago that the tea leaves produced in the Laurenfrost region are especially sweet and soothing."

"Indeed, although it is currently the eve before the Blade Dance, a suitable level of relaxation is still required."

Originally outside, enjoying the scenery, Fianna and Ellis gathered back around the table.

Apparently, no matter what time or place, gracefully enjoying afternoon tea was customary for these high-class young ladies.

Rinslet elegantly poured tea into the dainty teacups. A citrous fragrance spread through the entire room along with the steam.

"Thanks. Wow... So fragrant."

Claire offered honest praise.

"This is orange tea special to the Laurenfrost region."

"Fufu, the tea brewed by milady is really delicious."

Carol the maid giggled and smiled.

"Isn't brewing tea normally part of the maid's job?"

No sooner had Kamito remarked...

"What are you talking about!? If my cute little Carol were to be scalded by accident, would you be able to compensate?"

"Uh, sorry..."

For some reason, Kamito was scolded soundly by Rinslet.

As a side note, only invited humans were allowed to enter the sanctuary, but because Carol belonged to the Laurenfrost family—in other words, she was Rinslet's personal possession—she was given special permission to accompany Rinslet.

But in actual fact, Rinslet was apparently quite displeased about Carol being treated as an object.

"Kamito-san, how many spoonfuls of sugar would you like?"

"Oh, just one please."

"Claire, two spoonfuls for you, is that right?"

"Hey, why did you memorize my preference?"

"I-I didn't memorize it, okay! I simply recalled by chance!"

Rinslet yelled angrily with her face all red.

"Milady and Claire-sama used to play together often in the past."

"Eh... Really?"

Kamito asked the smiling Carol.

"Yes, Claire-sama used to be very very attached to milady—"

"Hold it right there. W-What nonsense are you talking about!?"

"T-That's right, Claire and I are rivals!"

Rinslet angrily turned her face away.

"No sugar in mine, please."

"As expected of a princess, knowing the best drinking method for appreciating tea."

Rinslet nodded happily to concur.

At this moment, Ellis sudden coughed dryly once...

"I-I would like milk tea with a generous serving of sugar, please."

Her voice sounded a bit shy.

"Yeah yeah, milk tea, isn't that right?"

"I-In addition..."

"Hmm?"

"If possible, please add fresh cream and honey with floating marshmallows on top..."

"W-What is with your demands!?"

Rinslet's face twitched slightly after hearing Ellis.

"Your method of drinking tea is sacrilege to tea itself!"

"I-I have always drank tea this way! In order to survive the harsh sword training, intaking ample sugar is necessary."

"Good grief, the Fahrengart family with its military tradition is truly..."

"The Sylphid Knights' captain turns out to be unexpectedly childish. To think you'd be ignorant of how to appreciate the delicate flavor of tea."

"S-Shut up! Sweet things are tastier to begin with!"

Seeing Claire cast a pitying gaze towards her, Ellis tearfully retorted.

Watching this back and forth exchange between them...

(These two girls seem to have let go of their former grudges too...)

Kamito smiled wryly in his heart.

For quite a long while, due to being in opposition to the Sylphid Knights, Claire had always been on poor terms with Ellis who stood as the captain of the aforementioned Knights. Ellis had only joined Team Scarlet two weeks earlier. Back when they first started group training, the two girls often had arguments.

These arguments were sparked by all sorts of strange reasons, but in the vast majority of cases, it was due to Claire inexplicably objecting whenever Ellis suggested partnering with Kamito since they were both close range combatants...

This was hardly surprising. The two girls had completely different personalities.

Although they were both excellent students, Ellis was the very rigid, hardworking type while Claire was the genius type who did as she pleased. The only thing they had in common was their competitiveness.

Precisely because of that, the atmosphere was very tense between them during the first week. However...

"I can't believe this, you actually put honey into the tea..."

"T-That is the way I like it! If you have so many objections, why not have a taste for yourself first!?"

"Hmph, how could something so sickeningly sweet possibly be good... Eh?"

Claire took a small sip from Ellis' teacup and widened her eyes slightly.

"What is the matter?"

"...It's not bad, there seems to be a kind of gentle taste."

"I know, right?"

"But this does ruin the flavor of high-quality black tea. At most, it's just a bad kid's drink."

"Y-You might have a point..."

By now, the two girls' relationship had grown to the point that they were able to argue casually like this.

"...By the way, your hell cat spirit is so cute."

While saying that, Ellis reached out to stroke Scarlet who was curled up in a ball on the sofa.

Using her fingertips to play with Scarlet's soft and fuzzy tail, she also pressed on the pads on the cat's paws.

"Hey hey hey, Scarlet is my contracted spirit. Don't touch Scarlet so carelessly."

"J-Just a little should be fine..."

Ellis tightly hugged Scarlet affectionately while pouting.

It turned out that the rigid Captain of the Knights had an unexpectedly soft spot for cute things.

(...Come to think of it, she also kept things like stuffed dolls in her room.)

"Meow meoow!"

Scarlet cried out uneasily and sought Claire for help.

"I already told you to let Scarlet go. Don't you have your own contracted spirit!?"

"But Simorgh's appearance is too uncute..."

Ellis murmured in a sulking manner.

...If Ellis' contracted spirit were to overhear this, it would surely run away from home in exasperation.

"Ellis!"

"Just a little while longer, please let me play more with Scarlet."

Ellis continued to hug Scarlet stubbornly. At this moment...

"Meow meow! Meoooww!"

"Ah!"

Fast as an arrow, Scarlet escaped from Ellis' arms and bolted from the room.

Claire sighed in exasperation.

"Didn't I say already? Apart from me, Scarlet won't let other humans get intimate with her."

"How can you say that with a straight face? Could you stop using my Fenrir as your pillow?"

Rinslet glared and threw a sideways glance at Claire.

"...B-But Fenrir feels so nice and cool."

On the sofa, Claire was resting her head against the back of a white wolf with long fur.
[[image:STnBD V04 055.jpg|thumb]]

The high-level demon ice spirit Fenrir was whimpering softly, looking rather troubled.

(...I know how you feel.)

Treated as a slave spirit by Claire, Kamito could not help but sympathize with Fenrir.

"Fufu, Kamito-kun, you may use my bosom as a pillow any time you want. I don't mind at all."

"...Please don't joke around with me, Your Highness the Princess."

Kamito poked Fianna lightly in the forehead.

"...Jeez, I'm not joking at all."

Fianna bit her index finger gently and pouted unhappily.

"Sigh, I'll need to go look for Scarlet later. With a ship this big, it'll be a tiring search."

Saying that, Claire sighed deliberately in an exaggerated manner. Seeing that, Ellis turned to stare into the distance.

"Speaking of which, the other countries' representatives are also on this flying ship, right?"

"Yeah, apart from us, a number of teams should have already boarded the ship along the way."

Claire nodded to answer Kamito's question.

Kamito placed his cup of tea onto the table...

"What about Ren Ashbell, the Strongest Blade Dancer?"

"...!?"

As soon Kamito spoke, the room was filled with a tense atmosphere.

Because his words carried an indescribable sense of pressure.

"No, she's not on this ship."

Claire shook her head calmly and said:

"Because for this Blade Dance, she is participating as a representative for the Alphas Theocracy. So even if she's traveling by ship, it'll be a different one."

"I see."

"But this is still so hard to accept."

"I know. It's hard to believe that an elementalist of her strength would run over to represent a country like the Alphas Theocracy."

Rinslet spoke with puzzlement and Claire concurred.

The Alphas Theocracy was a small country sandwiched between two great nations: the Ordesia Empire and the Dragon Empire of Dracunia on the east and west respectively. Although its main exports were spirit crystals excavated from mines, the Theocracy actually made its massive fortune through the excavation and trade of artifacts from ancient ruins.

Among the ancient artifacts unearthed by the Alphas Theocracy, there were many that held extremely powerful sealed spirits inside them. It was said that during the past Ranbal War, the Theocracy made astronomical profits as the only neutral nation by supplying various countries with militarized spirits.

Furthermore, although it was impossible to substantiate, it was rumored that the black market organization Murders was also headquartered in the Theocracy, hence garnering eyes of suspicion from the other countries.

For a country like that to have survived all this time without being invaded by its large neighbors, apart from the Hierarch's shrewd diplomatic clout, its strategic location between two opposing superpowers also played a major role.

"Besides, it's already been fifty years since the last time the Theocracy sent representatives to take part in the Blade Dance. And they've never won. Why would they suddenly..."

Ren Ashbell was already the idol for all girls aspiring to be elementalists.

Why was everyone's idol representing a small country that only had negative publicity? Claire and the others could not understand at all.

"Speaking of the Alphas Theocracy, there are rumors of them buying militarized spirits on a large scale."

Ellis crossed her arms before her chest while speaking quietly.

"Why would they need to gather militarized spirits at this time...?"

Also, things were not that simple.

There were other reasons why the Alphas Theocracy was regarded as a dangerous element.

(I think I recall that it's also where Demon King worship originated?)

Demon King worshiping was secretly taking root in various places over the continent.

Allegedly, the Alphas Theocracy was the headquarters.

After all, that country's capital was where Demon King Solomon was born.

The Demon King's worshipers believed firmly that the Demon King would descend upon the Alphas Theocracy again.

Demon King... This word caused an inexplicable beating in Kamito's heart.

(Those people who raised me were also a branch of the Demon King worshipers...)

The Instructional School had tried to create their own Demon King through human methods.

Hence, they offered their blessing to Kamito, the male elementalist, and bestowed upon him the highest ranked darkness spirit who had been commanded by the former Demon King in the past.

"By the way, there's really so little information about Ren Ashbell."

Claire shrugged and said:

"All that's known is she suddenly appeared three years ago, an elementalist without any background. She is sixteen years old like us and contracted to a darkness spirit. That's all we know about her at the moment."

In order to win the Blade Dance, apart from prowess in using spirits, collecting information about opponents was an important part.

The Academy had provided information on some of the other teams, such as the attributes of contracted spirits, the form of elemental waffen, but there was almost nothing regarding the all-important Ren Ashbell.

Nothing was confirmed, not only for Ren Ashbell herself but also the entire team.

(An elementalist whose true identity and goal are both unknown huh...)

It would be fine if she was just an imposter using the legendary elementalist's name and title as a ruse.

But things could not possibly be that simple.

(Greyworth said, as long as I defeat her...)

The reason why she recruited Kamito to the Academy was for defeating her in the Blade Dance.

(Also...)

Kamito looked at his leather gloved left hand.

(No mistake about it. Restia is currently working together with that imposter.)

Several weeks earlier, a battle had taken place at an abandoned mine between Kamito and friends against one of the Instructional School's orphans: Jio Inzagi.

...Because this is ''her'' wish.

Back then, that was what Restia had said.

Furthermore, she also said: "One day, you will surely encounter each other."

The darkness spirit girl's transfiguration.

If her transfiguration was related to the other Ren Ashbell...

(I will absolutely not forgive that girl.)

Kamito's clenched fist was silently shaking under the table.

"But I never thought I would be standing on the same stage as her, in just a few hours' time."

Ellis suddenly murmured with heartfelt emotion.

"Three years ago, I was still in the audience, watching her first battle."

"I also saw her match against Velsaria. She really was so pretty."

"Ren Ashbell's blade dancing is superb, right?"

Ellis' cheeks were blushing slightly while Claire and Rinslet were nodding and concurring.

Kamito turned his face away with an embarrassed look.

"Oh dear, there's no need to make such a big fuss, okay? Even if she's known as the Strongest Blade Dancer, that was three years ago already. Her power is probably getting more and more exaggerated by rumors. That girl actually isn't that amazing, right?"

Just as he shrugged and finished...

"W-What nonsense are you babbling!?"

"Are you a fool?"

"Oh please, there should be limits to ignorance."

"Uh, no, I'm sorry..."

Facing angry glares from the three high-class ladies, Kamito had no choice but to apologize frantically.

(...It's not like I can tell them that the real one is standing right here before their eyes.)

Fearing that he would collapse from the girls ganging up on him, Kamito suddenly rose up and left his place at the table.

"Where are you going?"

"Nowhere in particular. Just gonna look for Scarlet a bit."

Kamito made an excuse and made his way towards the exit.

"Hmph, he fled..."

"Fufu, Kamito-kun is such a poor dear."

As the only one privy to Kamito's true identity here, Fianna giggled secretly to herself.

===Part 2===

Four thousand meters up in the air...

A small combat vessel had appeared directly underneath the flying ship that the Blade Dance participants were traveling on.

It had been lurking in a forest, waiting for its prey to arrive.

The metal cabin door opened and out walked a young-looking girl.

Her ash-gray hair, tied up on the opposite sides of her, was swaying in the strong wind blowing head on.

"...Gotcha, Onii-sama."

The girl smiled and began to chant the incantation for a spirit's release.

Instantly, the ring on her middle finger gave off red light.

Next...

"Okay, let's rampage! Annihilation spirit Death Gaze!"

As the air cracked open, out emerged a giant black monster.

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Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume3 Chapter9

2014-11-28T21:38:21Z

AngelicMasterMind: /* Part 9 */

Note: Pending TLC, other than that, you're not missing too much, I think...
==Chapter 9: The Strongest Elementalist==
===Part 1 ===

It was the day of the team battle.

The members of Team Scarlet gathered before the «Stone Circle».

It was a «Gate» for accessing Astral Zero that only a few places had, even in the Ordesia Empire.

Countless students had already entered the spectators' stands surrounding the grand arena.

This was a fight between the academy's strongest Blade Dancer Velsaria and Team Scarlet, that had rapidly risen to 6th place, so of course this match was deemed important.

With the newest technology by countless research groups provided to the Areishia Spirit Academy, it was now possible to view the blade dances occurring inside of Astral Zero.

Within the stands before the screen, in addition to the large number of students, there were also members of the Sylphid Knights.

And at the front of Team Scarlet, were Kamito and Ellis.

Through Fianna's healing power, Kamito was finally able to recover to the point where he could move around again.

But the injuries he sustained were deeper than he imagined, and it was still very difficult for him to hold a sword.

Glancing at her teammates, Claire began to outline their tactics.

"Ellis, I'll leave the front to you. After all, you're the strongest in melee combat."

"Leave it to me. I'll create an opening through Aneue's elemental waffe."

With a stern, valiant, and courageous expression Ellis declared her resolve.

"My task is to defeat the «Silent Fortress» right!?"

"And I am to defend and support you through my rituals."

Rinslet and Fianna respectively accepted their own task.

Claire, who was the most balanced of all, was in charge of relaying orders to the 3 people who were respectively in charge of attacking, supporting, and defending.

Claire strongly believed that even if the power of an individual could not defeat Velsaria, if they worked as a team, their combined powers should be able to overwhelm her.

Even though the squadmates Velsaria chose were the strongest seniors in the Sylphid Knights, they were just a group of random people.

Without proper team combat training, it seemed Velsaria couldn't even organize their strategy as their commander.

"With our team, it is possible—"

Claire strongly grasped her pendant.

At this time, the crowd was split between Team Scarlet and Velsaria, and the cheering could be heard from the stands.

Velsaria Eva with her snow white coat walked out.

Following her were the ex-Sylphid Knights that defected.

Arriving in front of Claire, Velsaria stood.

Her cold ice blue pupils were glaring at Ellis.

"Ellis, I thought you were smarter than this."

Ellis immediately raised her head, and stared firmly at Velsaria.

She could not lose, for the sake of her teammates who gave her a chance to join the Blade Dance festival.

For her trust in her fellow Sylphid Knights.

And finally, for her idol that was once the strongest in her heart, the knight that was standing right in front of her.

"I will prove to you my way of the Knights— and I shall start by defeating my dream which was once you."

"Stupid. So be it, I shall crush you."

—And finally, the bell rang signaling the start of the festival.

At the same time, The Stone Ring— a relic from an age of myths started to spin, and opened the door to Astral Zero.

===Part 2 ===

The place where Team Scarlet was sent to was an open forest.

Because of the surrounding trees that were blocking their vision, it would be quite difficult to find the opposing team.

After quickly confirming the 3 people that were also transported—

"—Go, Scarlet!"

Claire swung her whip down, and summoned her flame clad hell cat.

The other 3 also quickly summoned their spirits.

"Ellis and I shall be in charge of scouting. Fianna, the surroundings around our base are yours."

Claire quickly gave orders but—

"—There is no need for that, Claire Rouge."

"...!?"

After hearing that voice— Everyone in Team Scarlet froze.

Raising their heads, there was—

A giant fortress floating in the sky.

Equipping her elemental waffe— "Silent Fortress", Velsaria appeared.

"Velsaria!? You're alone!?"

Claire screamed in surprise.

"I do not need people that are in the way. Your only opponent is just me alone."

"—She's coming!"

Rinslet screeched out.

At that exact moment, the layered composite armor that covered the fortress started moving and countless cannons appeared out of it.

Like an Emperor overlooking the ground, Velsaria waved her hand.

"—Disappear before my fortress spirit!"

Countless cannons fired.

Accompanying the giant shockwave on the earth, a rain of bombardment fired upon the ground.

The continuous artillery shelling struck the ground, rolling up a lot of dust.

Overwhelming power. That is the destruction from the strongest elemental waffe.

"Boring. Trash would still be trash—"

In an instant, the lush green forest turned into a barren wasteland with craters.

After the dust had settled, there was—

"What?"

Velsaria's expression froze.

A blonde girl holding an ice bow standing with a smile.

"You managed to strike down the bombardment—"

Rinslet proudly brushed her hair.

"Ha, I will never allow anyone who can equip their elemental waffe faster than me~"

"...! Preposterous—"

Velsaria then immediately unfolded the composite armor and blocked the ice arrows—

"It's not over yet!"

Without a single pause, Rinslet immediately released more arrows.

The ice sliced through the air and flew over— all the 4 arrows hit!

However, with only that degree of power, it was unable to strike through the fortress spirit's armor.

"Foolish. Before my «Silent Fortress», arrows of your level are nothing to me—"

"You sure?"

"What—"

When the cannons were preparing to fire once again—

Velsaria finally realized. Rinslet's goal was not to deal any damage to the armor.

The elemental waffe «Freezing Arrow» of the high level spirit Fenrir had an additional effect— ice-nine.

Because it was ice that could never melt, the ultimate composite armor had now been frozen.

"It is just as you predicted, Claire~"

"Yes, even though Dreadnought's physical resistance was of the highest class, it has a very low resistance against spells— Thus your high level spirit Fenrir's elemental waffe can definitely break through it.

"...!"

Velsaria became slightly worried.

Right then her fortress spirit could not switch back to the cannon mode. Also, because of the ice on the surface, the mobility was reduced— a bad situation.

"Ellis, it's time to fight back!"

"Ahh!"

Claire and Ellis sang their summoning ritual.

And at the time when the fortress could not evade they—

"—Devour, oh crimson searing fireball!"

"—Wind, turn into a blade that cuts through everything!"

Dodging was impossible. In an instant, a shock wave shook the air.

"Success...!"

Even with layers over layers of composite armor protecting, it was still impossible to come out undamaged from direct attacks.

Although...

"—So you are only at that level, Calamity Queen's younger sister."

"Wha—?"

The ground shook again.

With the wind, the sand blew at Claire's body.

In the middle of the crater that was seemly caused by a meteor—

The «Silent Fortress» stood there ominously.

"...!?"

"Causing me to fall down, unworthy of praise."

Through the shock wave caused by the fall, the ice that was on the armor shattered.

"But, this is the end. My fortress spirit is a ground spirit— I will become indomitable on the ground."

===Part 3===

As soon as she declared that— from the «Silent Fortress»'s side, there came 2 giant robotic arms.

The blades coming from the arms swept and cut down the nearby trees—

Such an overwhelming power. But that movement had a lot of openings.

Ellis swung her elemental waffe— «Ray Hawk».

The wind from the head flew towards Velsaria.

But then, «Silent Fortress» disappeared.

"...!?"

And suddenly, Velsaria immediately appeared in front of Ellis.

As if she was sliding, her mobility was totally different from when she was flying.

"—Ellis!"

Claire released her Flame Whip and swiftly caught the fortress spirit's hand.

The strike was slowed down— but that was it.

That strength was overwhelmingly strong.

"Leave it to me!"

The one blocking the strike was a knight with a shield.

Fianna's knight spirit «Georgios»

The friction between the iron boots and the ground propelled the knight and it caught the fortress spirit with its body.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>BAMM*. But even the knight spirit which has a really strong defense could not handle the full force of the fortress spirit. The armor started to twist and the shield cracked—

"...Tolerate it, Georgios!"

Fianna cried in pain.

"The lost blade dancer— I thought you were smarter."

"True— B-But, I also kind of like my idiot self~"

Velsaria proceeded to swing her robotic arm down without mercy.

"I will not allow that!"

"...!"

Immediately, Claire jumped towards the attacking arm.

The blade arm was struggling with the fire whip. Just then, Velsaria fell into their plan— that fire whip was not supposed to stop the movement, but to get close.

(—At this distance it would not be blocked by the armor!)

Claire then revealed one of her specialties, which was high speed casting.

Towards Velsaria who was shocked, Claire released her strongest spell.

"Dance, oh crimson flame that calls upon destruction— Hell Blaze!"

Inside the whirlpool of crimson flame, Velsaria was burned all over her body.

"...Ah!"

It was the first time she released a cry of pain.

"Damn, flies—"

As the arm was returning and was going to attack Claire—

"Aneue, realize the truth!"

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Hon*— An amazing gale blew from above.

Surrounded by wind and swiftly attacking from above; a skill Ellis specialized in.

With her elemental waffe «Ray Hawk», it pierced through Velsaria's chest.

"G-Gah..."

Then—

"—O wind, blow wildly!"

And with the release of the spell—

A giant chaotic tornado blew away the «Silent Fortress» and Velsaria's body,

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Bang*— The wind stopped and it hit the ground.

"Hah, Hah—"

Through the attack that burned through all her energy, Ellis immediately sat down.

Claire also breathed a sigh of relief and licked her lips.

"You are too proud, Velsaria. You foolishly came out by yourself—"

"The one who's foolish is you, Claire Rouge"

"Huh—"

Looking at the dust that was starting to settle—

A giant shadow was moving.

"For a truly strong person, a person without any more strength is just a thing in the way."

Once the sand settled, the «Silent Fortress» appeared once again.

Just like a wall, the composite armor did not have a single trace of damage.

"Disappear—"

The armor instantly released— countless cannons all fired at once.

===Part 4 ===

Kamito strongly grasped his fist, and looked towards the monitor.

Claire's movement, it looked more like trying to fight a giant beast than a blade dance.

Even if it was unimaginable— This fight was going to be very close.

But looking at Velsaria again, it seemed like she was filled with vigor once again.

To maintain that type of spirit, you are supposed to use up a lot of Divine power—

"..."

Through the giant monitor, Ellis was bravely standing against Velsaria.

(Heh, she can still stand up...)

Seems like leaving it to Claire was a right choice. With Kamito, even if he can relieve her, he can't give her the courage to stand again.

The strength of a party, is not just shown in a fight.

To be able to let a comrade stand again after losing all hope— that also shows the power of a party.

(No matter what, she is a great leader~)

Observing the intense fight and giving calm orders was Claire's job.

Correctly analyzing each person's strength and coordinating them can bring the power of a party to a new level.

To be able to make different people specializing in different things cooperate, he believed normal people would not have been able to do that.

(Maybe, she might have stronger leadership skills than her sister)

Kamito surprisingly thought.

(But, that Velsaria is overwhelmingly strong.)

(Doesn't matter if it is because of the contracted spirit or her determination that made her stronger, compared to her 3 years ago—)

"Kamito, what's the matter?"

Est worriedly looked towards Kamito.

"Haha, there's no problem."

Kamito lightly patted Est's silver hair.

(—I believe this fight will become more intense.)

===Part 5 ===

And at the same time the cannons lit up—

"—Freezing Arrows!"

Rinslet also released her elemental waffe.

As a diamond flying in thin air, the ice was broken when it was hit.

"...! Is that fortress girl's divine power unlimited!?"

Rinslet started to sweat.

Comparing by power, the «Freezing Arrow» immediately topped it, but when they are continuously fired, Velsaria's elemental waffe had an overwhelming advantage.

—(We can't proceed this way, we will lose.)

"..., My knight spirit is also at its limit."

Fianna breathed heavily.

The shield which was always resisting the cannons, also had multiple cracks.

And through the sudden attack, Claire and Ellis also could not get closer.

In front of the undamaged fortress, Team Scarlet's actions had been sealed shut.

That way, they could only patiently wait till Velsaria's divine power is emptied— But the knight spirit that was protecting them could not hold out for even 10 more seconds.

"So, we still can't defeat Aneue—"

Ellis regrettably bit her lips.

"You sure are different, are you already showing weakness at this time?"

"B-But—"

Ellis looked at her side and stared at Claire.

"Didn't you already make a promise with those two people?"

"...Ha ha, that is true."

Ellis slowly lifted her head up.

(That's true— I cannot be defeated here.)

(I already have made a promise with Rakka and Reishia.)

(And, I also made a vow to show Velsaria my way of the Knights.)

(Escaping is not an option.)

"But, what should we do? With the barrage, we can't even get close."

"...I still have a secret weapon. I'll make the chance."

"Is it possible?"

"I don't know. But, this is the only way left."

Claire who was looking forward spoke,

"—Mm. True."

Ellis also nodded.

"Claire! I can't hold any more!"

Fianna's scream was filled with pain.

The knight spirit who was blocking the barrage also finally knelt down.

With the merciless barrage, it turned back into light orbs and disappeared.

At that moment, Claire started to run.

When all the cannons were focused on the knight spirit, there was a single opening— the chance was then.

At the same time, Ellis also started to run in the opposite direction.

Velsaria made an instant choice and decided to hit Claire first.

Aiming at the captain was a reasonable choice. But, Claire had already anticipated that.

"—Scarlet!"

With the scream, the elemental waffe turned back into its cat form.

It ran through the rain of barrage, and slowly approached Velsaria.

"Futile!"

Velsaria who roared, used the attacking arm and struck the hell cat.

Next, the cannon focused on Scarlet— Though noticing Claire's approach, Velsaria realized without her elemental waffe, she would not cause any threat.

Claire who approached then put her hand on the armor of the fortress spirit.

Then— released a spirit magic.

"Thou's ice heart, aware of my anger and lament— Blood Aria!"

That magic made whatever the palm touched vibrate in high frequency, and caused it to be overheated.

Because it could only be released through direct contact, it was a very difficult magic to use in battle.

"Idiot, you really think you can pierce through my fortress spirit's armor with magic?"

Velsaria said in an icy tone.

Because of the attacking arm, Claire's small body hit the ground with a strong impact.

The next moment—

"—Freezing Arrow!"

Rinslet released her ice arrows, and it pierced through the fortress spirit's armor.

"Didn't I tell you— What!?"

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Plick*— the armor's surface cracked.

Velsaria opened her eyes in shock.

"Looks like... It is useful~"

Claire who was on the ground wiped her blood from her lips.

"Using the difference in temperature and causing destruction— T-That was your goal!?"

"Thats just a basic group strategy when you have a fire spirit and an ice spirit~"

That was Claire's secret weapon.

Even though the success rate was low, but they managed to finally find a weakness.

"...!"

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Plick* *Plick*— The cracks on the armor increased.

At this time—

"Ahhhhh!"

The gale that was surrounding Ellis released her «Ray Hawk».

With her destruction force, she charged with intense speed.

The lance broke the armor, and pierced through Velsaria's chest.

"...! Ellis!"

Ellis' brown eyes glared at Velsaria's icy blue eyes.

The strongest knight in the Academy started to show some weariness.

"—O wind, blow wildly!"

With the same stance the «Ray Hawk» charged in—

Ellis released her strongest wind out.

The chaotic gale crushed the weakened elemental waffe.

Velsaria, whose armor had been crushed flew in the air, painfully dropped down on the ground.

"Hah, Hah, Hah—"

Ellis limply knelt on the floor.

"...Did we... succeed...?"

Velsaria was currently on the floor.

Seemingly unconscious.

"I..."

"Huh?"

Nope, she did not lose her consciousness.

Velsaria started to shake violently.

"...I, ...Absolutely... Cannot lose..."

"...What?"

Claire raised her brow.

The scene before their eyes was unbelievable.

The elemental waffe which was supposed to be crushed—

"It's starting to morph into a different thing!"

"Aneue...?"

Ellis remained, not knowing what to do.

"—Ah—AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Inside the forest of Astral Zero, echoed Velsaria's roar.

===Part 6 ===

"What is that...!?"

Kamito yelled out.

The students who were looking through the monitor to watch the battle started to run for their lives.

Velsaria's elemental waffe was starting to take a very ominous form.

The body that was covered with pitch black armor, was just like a knight risen from the dead.

If the divine power was capable of being seen with one's naked eyes, it was surely not a good sight.

"That is a Cursed Armament Seal, Kamito."

"Huh?"

Kamito looked at the expressionless Est.

"Also, she is now going out of control. If it continues like this—"

"Velsaria, implanted a Cursed Armament Seal!?"

Kamito worriedly asked for confirmation.

(Why...?)

Why did the Academy's strongest blade dancer need to rely on those items?

(Velsaria, already has been forced into this situation...)

Kamito tightly grasped his left hand.

(Even if the reason is not clear, I do know that the fight 3 years ago really changed her.)

Through the monitor, the pitch black knight roared out.

Noticing the change, Velsaria's teammates hurriedly came out.

They were those 4 people that were once part of the Sylphid Knights. They were probably forced to not come out till now.

And to her teammates that hurriedly approached her—

The pitch black knight used its hand and struck them over.

Blood spurred out. The girls from the knights were slammed on the ground.

From the right shoulder to the chest, the girls suffered severe injuries.

"...!!?"

Kamito started to have a disgusted feeling.

From the injuries that were caused directly from a spirit, it proved that the spirit was slowly getting out of control.

The emergency bell rang— the match had been stopped.

But even then, Claire and the others did not want to retreat.

(N-No...!)

The black mist that was being sent out from the pitch black knight, like tentacles, trapped Claire and the others and caught their limbs. Even though Scarlet and Fenrir tried to bite through it, those two also got caught immediately.
[[Image:STnBD V03 233.jpg|thumb|x200px]]
(...Don't tell me, is she trying to drain power from Scarlet?)

Only Ellis stood up, wobbly.

Using her elemental waffe to blow off the nearby black mist, she was trying to protect Claire and the others.

Kamito though—

"—Est. I have a request."

Closely grasping Est's cute hands.

Even though Est had an expression that wanted to say something, when she looked at Kamito—

"—I am Kamito's sword. Everything is for you."

She seemingly gave up and nodded.

"But, please be careful. With your current body, and with my form as elemental waffe, you can probably only last for 10 seconds,"

"Ahh, that's enough, Est."

Kamito kindly patted her silver hair, and started to release his elemental waffe.

"Dispassionate Queen of Steel, the sacred sword that destroys evil— now form a sword of steel and be the power in my hand!"

Est's body slowly turned into light orbs and disappeared into thin air—

And in Kamito's hand, appeared a silver blade with shining lights.

===Part 7 ===

"...D-Damn...!"

Ellis used her elemental waffe's lance, and slashed through the pitch black knight's mist.

Even with just a slight touch, your divine power could still be drained. Velsaria's teammates who had accidentally approached were already bound together and unconscious.

Fianna and Rinslet who almost used all their divine power also fainted on the floor. Even though Claire still managed to stay conscious—

"...Ellis, H-Hurry and escape to the door..."

"Don't joke around. I am a Sylphid Knight, my mission is to protect the students."

While talking to the fallen Claire, at the same time, she also released multiple gales towards Velsaria.

But, it could not even slightly damage the armor. Even if the form changed, it still seemed to be as durable as that fortress spirit.

The only thing that could manage to change the spirit into this ominous form—

There could be only one reason why.

"Why—? Why have you implanted a Cursed Armament Seal! Aneue!"

(I do not understand.)

(A person who I once thought to be perfect, why do you have to do such things?)

Towards Velsaria who could not hear anything, Ellis struck again with her swift speed.

Because of the anger that increased the power of the gale, it pierced through the armor—

"—O wind, blow wildly!"

But, the elemental waffe lance only maintained its form inside the armor without any movement.

(...I cannot generate any more wind!?)

From the crack of the armor came the black mist— the divine power of Velsaria, followed the lance up into Ellis' arm, and started to drain her power.

Velsaria used her arms, and slowly picked up her body by her neck.

"Ellis!"

Claire screamed out.

(...Is this the end? I...)

(...My consciousness is slowly fading away. Darkness is slowly enveloping me.)

(...I didn't get to protect anyone. Not even my comrades, not even Aneue.)

"Kamito, sorry... I—"

At that moment. A sword immediately flashed through the air.

"...!?"

Next moment, Ellis' body was in the air.

From behind, a hand appeared and hugged her tightly.

Slowly, she opened her eyes.

"Wha—?"

In front of her eyes, the one that appeared was Kazahaya Kamito.

Ellis right now was being princess craddled in the air.

"...Kamito?"

"—Ellis, thanks for protecting my comrades~"

Kamito smiled and dropped to the ground, and semi-regrettably let Ellis down.

...Unable to understand the current situation, Ellis blinked blankly.

Kamito then looked towards Velsaria's direction, and grasped his elemental waffe sword.

"—I will not allow you to touch my comrades!"

===Part 8 ===

From under his bandages, surged a huge intense burning sensation.

(...Tch, the injury opened again...)

Tightly clenching his teeth to contain his cry of pain, Kamito cursed in his heart.

Even though I said something cool, I still have a giant hole in my stomach.

Not just blade dancing, it's already really difficult just standing.

"I knew it, using the Demon Slayer Sacred Sword in this condition is really tiring~"

He smiled wryly.

"Y-Y-Y-Y-You Idiot!"

Claire's whip made snapping sounds.

"Ouch!"

Kamito yelled in pain.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Gogogogogogo...!*

Turning his head back, there was Clare holding her whip with her arms crossed.

(...Scary. Its like her head has 2 horns...)

"W-What are you doing! Treat people with injuries better!"

Kamito glared at her with his teary eyes.

"Then why are people with injuries running here!?"

Her red twin tails angrily stood up.

Kamito sighed, and placed his hand on Claire's head.

"Rushing towards here when my comrades are in danger, isn't that normal?"

"...Hah, y-you sure are an idiot."

Claire looked to one side trying to hide her blushing face.

"Kamito, w-with your injuries..."

Ellis spoke with high concern.

Kamito once again turned himself around, and kindly placed his hand on her shoulders.

"Ellis, you worked hard and did well. You are already an excellent knight."

"Kamito..."

Ellis' eyes showed happiness.

At that moment—

"...Oh... Ohhh ahhhhh..."

"...!?"

Those 3 immediately turned towards the source of the noise.

The black knight who had lost one of its arms yelled out in pain.

With that form, it was just like a body being possessed by a lost spirit.

"Velsaria..."

Kamito wobbly walked over and held tightly onto Terminus Est.

With his current condition, he could only maintain Est's elemental waffe form for only about 10 seconds.

"Kamito, are you seriously going to fight this thing!?"

"Ah, after all, she is the one I have to defeat by my own hand."

"Kamito, what are you say—"

Kamito grasped his sword, and stared at Velsaria.

"...Ren... Ashbel... l..."

"Velsaria, do you really want to fight against 'her'?"

Although he never expected an answer, Kamito still asked.

"...Ohhh... Oh..."

The only reply that he got, was the roar filled with chaos from its throat.

"Then, before the strongest blade dancer, I shall be your opponent!"

As he declared— Kamito started to charge forward.

At the same time, Velsaria who had lost one of her arms also started to charge.

"Kamito!"

Ellis' voice slowly faded in the noise created by the sword fight.

"Ohhhh!"

Blocking Velsaria's assault, Kamito swung his sword.

The pitch black armor cracked open. With another strike, he smashed through it.

Sparks flew everywhere. At the same time, a pain like electricity shocked Kamito's body.

At the instant Kamito screamed in pain, the armored Velsaria grabbed Kamito's arms. But—

"Don't look down on my comrades!"

As if in reply to Kamito's scream, Terminus Est released a bright light.

A light that seems to purify, it blew away the mist which was Velsaria's divine power.

Following that, Kamito slashed towards the head of the pitch black armor. With that, he released another strike— the black knight was not able to keep up with the flashes and flashes of attacks.

"Strong...!"

Ellis exclaimed.

Looking at the blade dance, you could never tell that Kamito was heavily injured with his overwhelming strength.

"That's just, like..."

Whom Ellis Fahrengart envied, the strongest blade dancer.

As if seeing the same thing from 3 years ago—

"—Ahhhhhh!"

Velsaria screeched out a terrifying sound.

The air seemed like it was vibrating, smashing Kamito's body and blowing him away.

And then smashing him onto the ground heavily.

Crimson red blood started to stain the bandage on his chest while pain spread all over his body.

Terminus Est's light started to fade away, signaling that the fighting was almost near its end.

"..."

With the support of his hands, Kamito stood up.

Velsaria's ominous divine power then started to spread all over the ground like a mist,

(So the source of this mist is her heart...)

Kamito's extraordinary observing skills told him that conclusion.

While desperately tolerating the pain, Kamito re-grasped his blade and lit up his sword.

(With Terminus Est's anti-curse ability, I might be able to—)

At this time, like an obstacle, Velsaria's elemental waffe started to change once again.

The severed arm slowly morphed like clay, and changed into a giant lance.

No, rather than a lance— it looked more like a ram.

"...Looks like its time to determine the winner. Just what I wanted..."

"Kamito!"

Ellis slowly walked over to Kamito with her blade as a support stick.

"Ellis, I'm sorry."

"Kamito, that thing is dangerous."

"What do you mean?"

"My lancing skills were taught to me by Aneue."

"...I see."

Velsaria once again roared out a sound like it came from the ground.

"...Ren... Ash... bell!"

"...? Aneue actually mistook Kamito as Ren Ashbell?"

Ellis raised her eyebrows, in question.

Of course, the current Velsaria already lost all logic.

"It's time to see who wins. Ellis, please help me a little."

"...I understand."

Ellis nodded.

"Kamito, I beg of you, please save Aneue."

Kamito then proceeded to channel all of his remaining divine power to the sword in his hand.

The silver sword once again started to glow with all its might. Ellis also started to create gales of wind.

This strike was the strongest attack he could use with his current body.

(I can only bet everything on this.)

"Lets go, Velsaria Eva Fahrengart!"

"Ahhhhhhh!"

Velsaria charged while creating a trail of dust around her.

With Kamito's body becoming lighter through Ellis' wind,

With a violent gale behind his back pushing him, Kamito accelerated again.

With the instant clash, the area around them was immediately clouded by the flashing lights.

Just barely dodging Velsaria's attack—

The Demon Slayer Sacred Sword which was shinning with a bright white light, totally pierced Velsaria's armor and the 'heart'.

From the tip of the blade, the bright light started to overflow.

(Just like what happened— 3 years ago.)

"...Velsaria, you shall be saved by me."

With his blade in her chest, Kamito slowly whispered.

The pitch black armor shattered into powder, and Velsaria's beautiful face appeared once again.

"Ren Ashbell—"

Her sakura colored lips, slowly moved.

===Part 9 ===

(So it is like this... Kazehaya Kamito, '''you are—''')

In the moment she was pierced, she realized something.

The person in front of her, was the exact same person that pierced her chest 3 years ago.

"...I have been defeated once again..."

Velsaria smiled gently.

As if a heavy worry disappeared, she had a very stable expression.

But for some reason, she could not feel any remorse from that time.

This is because, Kazehaya Kamito's black eyes, were looking straight at her.

"...!?"

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Dub dub*— the Cursed Armament Seal started to beat once again.

With her face hot, Velsaria slightly moved her teary eyes away from Kamito.

"Velsaria, you are strong. But, that strength will one day snap like a sword."

"That is true... But, I only seek this power so you can acknowledge me— But it seems like it wasn't enough~"

"—You are wrong then."

"What?"

"You lost, but it is not because of insufficient strength. You only lost because you were alone. But I have my comrades, my friends I met in the Academy."

"..."

"That, is something even the me from 3 years ago— Ren Ashbell would not have."

Upon Velsaria's blushing face, comes a cool breeze.

(These are— Ellis' winds.)

At that last instant, it was that same wind that accelerated Kamito who was heavily injured.

That same wind that carried Ellis' thought and her belief as a knight.

"Ren Ashbell, I—"

With her smile and her beautiful golden hair swaying with the wind—

Velsaria Eva Fahrengart finally was defeated.

And— the beating 'heart' also ceased all movement.

===Part 10 ===

"Arara, that 'heart' broke~ That was, after all, a rarely found piece of merchandise~"

At the forest not near the Academy—

Vivian Melosa unhappily bit her lips.

After all, she only came to watch the fight to gather more data.

"The direct implantation of Cursed Armament Seals on a 'heart' will still take a while until it can be used without any problems~"

Releasing a sigh, she turned off the final switch.

"But, that boy was pretty interesting. And since that Jio from the Kyōdouin was also taken away, I shall play with him the next time~"

"The students are not your toys, Vivian Melosa."

"...!?"

From that voice coming from nowhere, Vivian Melosa— felt a chill on her back.

"Is that you!? The Dusk Witch!?"

"Hmph, how nostalgic. My good-for-nothing student."

Greyworth Ciel Mais slowly walked out from the deep forest.

"...! Why—?"

"Executing such an action that attracted people's attention, everyone would have noticed. And yesterday after the 2 girls went out of control, we did a little research. We realized that the Cursed Armament Seals were the same as what you studied back when you were still a student. Looks like you still haven't improved from the past~"

Like a teacher lecturing a student, Greyworth kindly said.

"I still can't believe that you actually started to take action because of those negligible students—"

"Hmph, the last time I was sent here was a few years ago. For me to come back here to rule out the nasty pests, it seems like it is destiny."

Vivian Melosa immediately held her breath, and her body started to shake from fear.

"Next, for you to attack my important students, it is necessary for you to take some punishment~"

—At the same time, Greyworth's right hand started to glow and compress into a pitch black matter.

From this weird condition, the one that was appearing could not be a contracted spirit— it was a '''demon'''.

"Its been a long time since you had food, 'Earl', go ahead and enjoy yourself~"

Greyworth licked her devilish lips.

"Ah... Ahh... Ahhhhhh..."

Vivian Melosa cried out from her throat.

From being scared, it completely turned into a state of panic.

Looking at her trying to crawl away to escape—

"—Don't try to escape~ The punishment is necessary!"

"Heh, Ah, Ahhh..."

The pitch black did its final assault.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Ka* *Crack* *Chouk* *Gulp*...

The sound of chewing echoed throughout the forest.

"Ara Ara. I still needed to handle the final situation, such an idiotic disciple~"

She then playfully touched her glasses, and slowly walked away.

<noinclude>

{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume3 Chapter8|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume3 Epilogue}}</noinclude>

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume3 Chapter9

2014-11-28T19:40:25Z

AngelicMasterMind: /* Part 5 */

Note: Pending TLC, other than that, you're not missing too much, I think...
==Chapter 9: The Strongest Elementalist==
===Part 1 ===

It was the day of the team battle.

The members of Team Scarlet gathered before the «Stone Circle».

It was a «Gate» for accessing Astral Zero that only a few places had, even in the Ordesia Empire.

Countless students had already entered the spectators' stands surrounding the grand arena.

This was a fight between the academy's strongest Blade Dancer Velsaria and Team Scarlet, that had rapidly risen to 6th place, so of course this match was deemed important.

With the newest technology by countless research groups provided to the Areishia Spirit Academy, it was now possible to view the blade dances occurring inside of Astral Zero.

Within the stands before the screen, in addition to the large number of students, there were also members of the Sylphid Knights.

And at the front of Team Scarlet, were Kamito and Ellis.

Through Fianna's healing power, Kamito was finally able to recover to the point where he could move around again.

But the injuries he sustained were deeper than he imagined, and it was still very difficult for him to hold a sword.

Glancing at her teammates, Claire began to outline their tactics.

"Ellis, I'll leave the front to you. After all, you're the strongest in melee combat."

"Leave it to me. I'll create an opening through Aneue's elemental waffe."

With a stern, valiant, and courageous expression Ellis declared her resolve.

"My task is to defeat the «Silent Fortress» right!?"

"And I am to defend and support you through my rituals."

Rinslet and Fianna respectively accepted their own task.

Claire, who was the most balanced of all, was in charge of relaying orders to the 3 people who were respectively in charge of attacking, supporting, and defending.

Claire strongly believed that even if the power of an individual could not defeat Velsaria, if they worked as a team, their combined powers should be able to overwhelm her.

Even though the squadmates Velsaria chose were the strongest seniors in the Sylphid Knights, they were just a group of random people.

Without proper team combat training, it seemed Velsaria couldn't even organize their strategy as their commander.

"With our team, it is possible—"

Claire strongly grasped her pendant.

At this time, the crowd was split between Team Scarlet and Velsaria, and the cheering could be heard from the stands.

Velsaria Eva with her snow white coat walked out.

Following her were the ex-Sylphid Knights that defected.

Arriving in front of Claire, Velsaria stood.

Her cold ice blue pupils were glaring at Ellis.

"Ellis, I thought you were smarter than this."

Ellis immediately raised her head, and stared firmly at Velsaria.

She could not lose, for the sake of her teammates who gave her a chance to join the Blade Dance festival.

For her trust in her fellow Sylphid Knights.

And finally, for her idol that was once the strongest in her heart, the knight that was standing right in front of her.

"I will prove to you my way of the Knights— and I shall start by defeating my dream which was once you."

"Stupid. So be it, I shall crush you."

—And finally, the bell rang signaling the start of the festival.

At the same time, The Stone Ring— a relic from an age of myths started to spin, and opened the door to Astral Zero.

===Part 2 ===

The place where Team Scarlet was sent to was an open forest.

Because of the surrounding trees that were blocking their vision, it would be quite difficult to find the opposing team.

After quickly confirming the 3 people that were also transported—

"—Go, Scarlet!"

Claire swung her whip down, and summoned her flame clad hell cat.

The other 3 also quickly summoned their spirits.

"Ellis and I shall be in charge of scouting. Fianna, the surroundings around our base are yours."

Claire quickly gave orders but—

"—There is no need for that, Claire Rouge."

"...!?"

After hearing that voice— Everyone in Team Scarlet froze.

Raising their heads, there was—

A giant fortress floating in the sky.

Equipping her elemental waffe— "Silent Fortress", Velsaria appeared.

"Velsaria!? You're alone!?"

Claire screamed in surprise.

"I do not need people that are in the way. Your only opponent is just me alone."

"—She's coming!"

Rinslet screeched out.

At that exact moment, the layered composite armor that covered the fortress started moving and countless cannons appeared out of it.

Like an Emperor overlooking the ground, Velsaria waved her hand.

"—Disappear before my fortress spirit!"

Countless cannons fired.

Accompanying the giant shockwave on the earth, a rain of bombardment fired upon the ground.

The continuous artillery shelling struck the ground, rolling up a lot of dust.

Overwhelming power. That is the destruction from the strongest elemental waffe.

"Boring. Trash would still be trash—"

In an instant, the lush green forest turned into a barren wasteland with craters.

After the dust had settled, there was—

"What?"

Velsaria's expression froze.

A blonde girl holding an ice bow standing with a smile.

"You managed to strike down the bombardment—"

Rinslet proudly brushed her hair.

"Ha, I will never allow anyone who can equip their elemental waffe faster than me~"

"...! Preposterous—"

Velsaria then immediately unfolded the composite armor and blocked the ice arrows—

"It's not over yet!"

Without a single pause, Rinslet immediately released more arrows.

The ice sliced through the air and flew over— all the 4 arrows hit!

However, with only that degree of power, it was unable to strike through the fortress spirit's armor.

"Foolish. Before my «Silent Fortress», arrows of your level are nothing to me—"

"You sure?"

"What—"

When the cannons were preparing to fire once again—

Velsaria finally realized. Rinslet's goal was not to deal any damage to the armor.

The elemental waffe «Freezing Arrow» of the high level spirit Fenrir had an additional effect— ice-nine.

Because it was ice that could never melt, the ultimate composite armor had now been frozen.

"It is just as you predicted, Claire~"

"Yes, even though Dreadnought's physical resistance was of the highest class, it has a very low resistance against spells— Thus your high level spirit Fenrir's elemental waffe can definitely break through it.

"...!"

Velsaria became slightly worried.

Right then her fortress spirit could not switch back to the cannon mode. Also, because of the ice on the surface, the mobility was reduced— a bad situation.

"Ellis, it's time to fight back!"

"Ahh!"

Claire and Ellis sang their summoning ritual.

And at the time when the fortress could not evade they—

"—Devour, oh crimson searing fireball!"

"—Wind, turn into a blade that cuts through everything!"

Dodging was impossible. In an instant, a shock wave shook the air.

"Success...!"

Even with layers over layers of composite armor protecting, it was still impossible to come out undamaged from direct attacks.

Although...

"—So you are only at that level, Calamity Queen's younger sister."

"Wha—?"

The ground shook again.

With the wind, the sand blew at Claire's body.

In the middle of the crater that was seemly caused by a meteor—

The «Silent Fortress» stood there ominously.

"...!?"

"Causing me to fall down, unworthy of praise."

Through the shock wave caused by the fall, the ice that was on the armor shattered.

"But, this is the end. My fortress spirit is a ground spirit— I will become indomitable on the ground."

===Part 3===

As soon as she declared that— from the «Silent Fortress»'s side, there came 2 giant robotic arms.

The blades coming from the arms swept and cut down the nearby trees—

Such an overwhelming power. But that movement had a lot of openings.

Ellis swung her elemental waffe— «Ray Hawk».

The wind from the head flew towards Velsaria.

But then, «Silent Fortress» disappeared.

"...!?"

And suddenly, Velsaria immediately appeared in front of Ellis.

As if she was sliding, her mobility was totally different from when she was flying.

"—Ellis!"

Claire released her Flame Whip and swiftly caught the fortress spirit's hand.

The strike was slowed down— but that was it.

That strength was overwhelmingly strong.

"Leave it to me!"

The one blocking the strike was a knight with a shield.

Fianna's knight spirit «Georgios»

The friction between the iron boots and the ground propelled the knight and it caught the fortress spirit with its body.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>BAMM*. But even the knight spirit which has a really strong defense could not handle the full force of the fortress spirit. The armor started to twist and the shield cracked—

"...Tolerate it, Georgios!"

Fianna cried in pain.

"The lost blade dancer— I thought you were smarter."

"True— B-But, I also kind of like my idiot self~"

Velsaria proceeded to swing her robotic arm down without mercy.

"I will not allow that!"

"...!"

Immediately, Claire jumped towards the attacking arm.

The blade arm was struggling with the fire whip. Just then, Velsaria fell into their plan— that fire whip was not supposed to stop the movement, but to get close.

(—At this distance it would not be blocked by the armor!)

Claire then revealed one of her specialties, which was high speed casting.

Towards Velsaria who was shocked, Claire released her strongest spell.

"Dance, oh crimson flame that calls upon destruction— Hell Blaze!"

Inside the whirlpool of crimson flame, Velsaria was burned all over her body.

"...Ah!"

It was the first time she released a cry of pain.

"Damn, flies—"

As the arm was returning and was going to attack Claire—

"Aneue, realize the truth!"

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Hon*— An amazing gale blew from above.

Surrounded by wind and swiftly attacking from above; a skill Ellis specialized in.

With her elemental waffe «Ray Hawk», it pierced through Velsaria's chest.

"G-Gah..."

Then—

"—O wind, blow wildly!"

And with the release of the spell—

A giant chaotic tornado blew away the «Silent Fortress» and Velsaria's body,

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Bang*— The wind stopped and it hit the ground.

"Hah, Hah—"

Through the attack that burned through all her energy, Ellis immediately sat down.

Claire also breathed a sigh of relief and licked her lips.

"You are too proud, Velsaria. You foolishly came out by yourself—"

"The one who's foolish is you, Claire Rouge"

"Huh—"

Looking at the dust that was starting to settle—

A giant shadow was moving.

"For a truly strong person, a person without any more strength is just a thing in the way."

Once the sand settled, the «Silent Fortress» appeared once again.

Just like a wall, the composite armor did not have a single trace of damage.

"Disappear—"

The armor instantly released— countless cannons all fired at once.

===Part 4 ===

Kamito strongly grasped his fist, and looked towards the monitor.

Claire's movement, it looked more like trying to fight a giant beast than a blade dance.

Even if it was unimaginable— This fight was going to be very close.

But looking at Velsaria again, it seemed like she was filled with vigor once again.

To maintain that type of spirit, you are supposed to use up a lot of Divine power—

"..."

Through the giant monitor, Ellis was bravely standing against Velsaria.

(Heh, she can still stand up...)

Seems like leaving it to Claire was a right choice. With Kamito, even if he can relieve her, he can't give her the courage to stand again.

The strength of a party, is not just shown in a fight.

To be able to let a comrade stand again after losing all hope— that also shows the power of a party.

(No matter what, she is a great leader~)

Observing the intense fight and giving calm orders was Claire's job.

Correctly analyzing each person's strength and coordinating them can bring the power of a party to a new level.

To be able to make different people specializing in different things cooperate, he believed normal people would not have been able to do that.

(Maybe, she might have stronger leadership skills than her sister)

Kamito surprisingly thought.

(But, that Velsaria is overwhelmingly strong.)

(Doesn't matter if it is because of the contracted spirit or her determination that made her stronger, compared to her 3 years ago—)

"Kamito, what's the matter?"

Est worriedly looked towards Kamito.

"Haha, there's no problem."

Kamito lightly patted Est's silver hair.

(—I believe this fight will become more intense.)

===Part 5 ===

And at the same time the cannons lit up—

"—Freezing Arrows!"

Rinslet also released her elemental waffe.

As a diamond flying in thin air, the ice was broken when it was hit.

"...! Is that fortress girl's divine power unlimited!?"

Rinslet started to sweat.

Comparing by power, the «Freezing Arrow» immediately topped it, but when they are continuously fired, Velsaria's elemental waffe had an overwhelming advantage.

—(We can't proceed this way, we will lose.)

"..., My knight spirit is also at its limit."

Fianna breathed heavily.

The shield which was always resisting the cannons, also had multiple cracks.

And through the sudden attack, Claire and Ellis also could not get closer.

In front of the undamaged fortress, Team Scarlet's actions had been sealed shut.

That way, they could only patiently wait till Velsaria's divine power is emptied— But the knight spirit that was protecting them could not hold out for even 10 more seconds.

"So, we still can't defeat Aneue—"

Ellis regrettably bit her lips.

"You sure are different, are you already showing weakness at this time?"

"B-But—"

Ellis looked at her side and stared at Claire.

"Didn't you already make a promise with those two people?"

"...Ha ha, that is true."

Ellis slowly lifted her head up.

(That's true— I cannot be defeated here.)

(I already have made a promise with Rakka and Reishia.)

(And, I also made a vow to show Velsaria my way of the Knights.)

(Escaping is not an option.)

"But, what should we do? With the barrage, we can't even get close."

"...I still have a secret weapon. I'll make the chance."

"Is it possible?"

"I don't know. But, this is the only way left."

Claire who was looking forward spoke,

"—Mm. True."

Ellis also nodded.

"Claire! I can't hold any more!"

Fianna's scream was filled with pain.

The knight spirit who was blocking the barrage also finally knelt down.

With the merciless barrage, it turned back into light orbs and disappeared.

At that moment, Claire started to run.

When all the cannons were focused on the knight spirit, there was a single opening— the chance was then.

At the same time, Ellis also started to run in the opposite direction.

Velsaria made an instant choice and decided to hit Claire first.

Aiming at the captain was a reasonable choice. But, Claire had already anticipated that.

"—Scarlet!"

With the scream, the elemental waffe turned back into its cat form.

It ran through the rain of barrage, and slowly approached Velsaria.

"Futile!"

Velsaria who roared, used the attacking arm and struck the hell cat.

Next, the cannon focused on Scarlet— Though noticing Claire's approach, Velsaria realized without her elemental waffe, she would not cause any threat.

Claire who approached then put her hand on the armor of the fortress spirit.

Then— released a spirit magic.

"Thou's ice heart, aware of my anger and lament— Blood Aria!"

That magic made whatever the palm touched vibrate in high frequency, and caused it to be overheated.

Because it could only be released through direct contact, it was a very difficult magic to use in battle.

"Idiot, you really think you can pierce through my fortress spirit's armor with magic?"

Velsaria said in an icy tone.

Because of the attacking arm, Claire's small body hit the ground with a strong impact.

The next moment—

"—Freezing Arrow!"

Rinslet released her ice arrows, and it pierced through the fortress spirit's armor.

"Didn't I tell you— What!?"

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Plick*— the armor's surface cracked.

Velsaria opened her eyes in shock.

"Looks like... It is useful~"

Claire who was on the ground wiped her blood from her lips.

"Using the difference in temperature and causing destruction— T-That was your goal!?"

"Thats just a basic group strategy when you have a fire spirit and an ice spirit~"

That was Claire's secret weapon.

Even though the success rate was low, but they managed to finally find a weakness.

"...!"

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Plick* *Plick*— The cracks on the armor increased.

At this time—

"Ahhhhh!"

The gale that was surrounding Ellis released her «Ray Hawk».

With her destruction force, she charged with intense speed.

The lance broke the armor, and pierced through Velsaria's chest.

"...! Ellis!"

Ellis' brown eyes glared at Velsaria's icy blue eyes.

The strongest knight in the Academy started to show some weariness.

"—O wind, blow wildly!"

With the same stance the «Ray Hawk» charged in—

Ellis released her strongest wind out.

The chaotic gale crushed the weakened elemental waffe.

Velsaria, whose armor had been crushed flew in the air, painfully dropped down on the ground.

"Hah, Hah, Hah—"

Ellis limply knelt on the floor.

"...Did we... succeed...?"

Velsaria was currently on the floor.

Seemingly unconscious.

"I..."

"Huh?"

Nope, she did not lose her consciousness.

Velsaria started to shake violently.

"...I, ...Absolutely... Cannot lose..."

"...What?"

Claire raised her brow.

The scene before their eyes was unbelievable.

The elemental waffe which was supposed to be crushed—

"It's starting to morph into a different thing!"

"Aneue...?"

Ellis remained, not knowing what to do.

"—Ah—AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Inside the forest of Astral Zero, echoed Velsaria's roar.

===Part 6 ===

"What is that...!?"

Kamito yelled out.

The students who were looking through the monitor to watch the battle started to run for their lives.

Velsaria's elemental waffe was starting to take a very ominous form.

The body that was covered with pitch black armor, was just like a knight risen from the dead.

If the divine power was capable of being seen with one's naked eyes, it was surely not a good sight.

"That is a Cursed Armament Seal, Kamito."

"Huh?"

Kamito looked at the expressionless Est.

"Also, she is now going out of control. If it continues like this—"

"Velsaria, implanted a Cursed Armament Seal!?"

Kamito worriedly asked for confirmation.

(Why...?)

Why did the Academy's strongest blade dancer need to rely on those items?

(Velsaria, already has been forced into this situation...)

Kamito tightly grasped his left hand.

(Even if the reason is not clear, I do know that the fight 3 years ago really changed her.)

Through the monitor, the pitch black knight roared out.

Noticing the change, Velsaria's teammates hurriedly came out.

They were those 4 people that were once part of the Sylphid Knights. They were probably forced to not come out till now.

And to her teammates that hurriedly approached her—

The pitch black knight used its hand and struck them over.

Blood spurred out. The girls from the knights were slammed on the ground.

From the right shoulder to the chest, the girls suffered severe injuries.

"...!!?"

Kamito started to have a disgusted feeling.

From the injuries that were caused directly from a spirit, it proved that the spirit was slowly getting out of control.

The emergency bell rang— the match had been stopped.

But even then, Claire and the others did not want to retreat.

(N-No...!)

The black mist that was being sent out from the pitch black knight, like tentacles, trapped Claire and the others and caught their limbs. Even though Scarlet and Fenrir tried to bite through it, those two also got caught immediately.
[[Image:STnBD V03 233.jpg|thumb|x200px]]
(...Don't tell me, is she trying to drain power from Scarlet?)

Only Ellis stood up, wobbly.

Using her elemental waffe to blow off the nearby black mist, she was trying to protect Claire and the others.

Kamito though—

"—Est. I have a request."

Closely grasping Est's cute hands.

Even though Est had an expression that wanted to say something, when she looked at Kamito—

"—I am Kamito's sword. Everything is for you."

She seemingly gave up and nodded.

"But, please be careful. With your current body, and with my form as elemental waffe, you can probably only last for 10 seconds,"

"Ahh, that's enough, Est."

Kamito kindly patted her silver hair, and started to release his elemental waffe.

"Dispassionate Queen of Steel, the sacred sword that destroys evil— now form a sword of steel and be the power in my hand!"

Est's body slowly turned into light orbs and disappeared into thin air—

And in Kamito's hand, appeared a silver blade with shining lights.

===Part 7 ===

"...D-Damn...!"

Ellis used her elemental waffe's lance, and slashed through the pitch black knight's mist.

Even with just a slight touch, your divine power could still be drained. Velsaria's teammates who had accidentally approached were already bound together and unconscious.

Fianna and Rinslet who almost used all their divine power also fainted on the floor. Even though Claire still managed to stay conscious—

"...Ellis, H-Hurry and escape to the door..."

"Don't joke around. I am a Sylphid Knight, my mission is to protect the students."

While talking to the fallen Claire, at the same time, she also released multiple gales towards Velsaria.

But, it could not even slightly damage the armor. Even if the form changed, it still seemed to be as durable as that fortress spirit.

The only thing that could manage to change the spirit into this ominous form—

There could be only one reason why.

"Why—? Why have you implanted a Cursed Armament Seal! Aneue!"

(I do not understand.)

(A person who I once thought to be perfect, why do you have to do such things?)

Towards Velsaria who could not hear anything, Ellis struck again with her swift speed.

Because of the anger that increased the power of the gale, it pierced through the armor—

"—O wind, blow wildly!"

But, the elemental waffe lance only maintained its form inside the armor without any movement.

(...I cannot generate any more wind!?)

From the crack of the armor came the black mist— the divine power of Velsaria, followed the lance up into Ellis' arm, and started to drain her power.

Velsaria used her arms, and slowly picked up her body by her neck.

"Ellis!"

Claire screamed out.

(...Is this the end? I...)

(...My consciousness is slowly fading away. Darkness is slowly enveloping me.)

(...I didn't get to protect anyone. Not even my comrades, not even Aneue.)

"Kamito, sorry... I—"

At that moment. A sword immediately flashed through the air.

"...!?"

Next moment, Ellis' body was in the air.

From behind, a hand appeared and hugged her tightly.

Slowly, she opened her eyes.

"Wha—?"

In front of her eyes, the one that appeared was Kazahaya Kamito.

Ellis right now was being princess craddled in the air.

"...Kamito?"

"—Ellis, thanks for protecting my comrades~"

Kamito smiled and dropped to the ground, and semi-regrettably let Ellis down.

...Unable to understand the current situation, Ellis blinked blankly.

Kamito then looked towards Velsaria's direction, and grasped his elemental waffe sword.

"—I will not allow you to touch my comrades!"

===Part 8 ===

From under his bandages, surged a huge intense burning sensation.

(...Tch, the injury opened again...)

Tightly clenching his teeth to contain his cry of pain, Kamito cursed in his heart.

Even though I said something cool, I still have a giant hole in my stomach.

Not just blade dancing, it's already really difficult just standing.

"I knew it, using the Demon Slayer Sacred Sword in this condition is really tiring~"

He smiled wryly.

"Y-Y-Y-Y-You Idiot!"

Claire's whip made snapping sounds.

"Ouch!"

Kamito yelled in pain.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Gogogogogogo...!*

Turning his head back, there was Clare holding her whip with her arms crossed.

(...Scary. Its like her head has 2 horns...)

"W-What are you doing! Treat people with injuries better!"

Kamito glared at her with his teary eyes.

"Then why are people with injuries running here!?"

Her red twin tails angrily stood up.

Kamito sighed, and placed his hand on Claire's head.

"Rushing towards here when my comrades are in danger, isn't that normal?"

"...Hah, y-you sure are an idiot."

Claire looked to one side trying to hide her blushing face.

"Kamito, w-with your injuries..."

Ellis spoke with high concern.

Kamito once again turned himself around, and kindly placed his hand on her shoulders.

"Ellis, you worked hard and did well. You are already an excellent knight."

"Kamito..."

Ellis' eyes showed happiness.

At that moment—

"...Oh... Ohhh ahhhhh..."

"...!?"

Those 3 immediately turned towards the source of the noise.

The black knight who had lost one of its arms yelled out in pain.

With that form, it was just like a body being possessed by a lost spirit.

"Velsaria..."

Kamito wobbly walked over and held tightly onto Terminus Est.

With his current condition, he could only maintain Est's elemental waffe form for only about 10 seconds.

"Kamito, are you seriously going to fight this thing!?"

"Ah, after all, she is the one I have to defeat by my own hand."

"Kamito, what are you say—"

Kamito grasped his sword, and stared at Velsaria.

"...Ren... Ashbel... l..."

"Velsaria, do you really want to fight against 'her'?"

Although he never expected an answer, Kamito still asked.

"...Ohhh... Oh..."

The only reply that he got, was the roar filled with chaos from its throat.

"Then, before the strongest blade dancer, I shall be your opponent!"

As he declared— Kamito started to charge forward.

At the same time, Velsaria who had lost one of her arms also started to charge.

"Kamito!"

Ellis' voice slowly faded in the noise created by the sword fight.

"Ohhhh!"

Blocking Velsaria's assault, Kamito swung his sword.

The pitch black armor cracked open. With another strike, he smashed through it.

Sparks flew everywhere. At the same time, a pain like electricity shocked Kamito's body.

At the instant Kamito screamed in pain, the armored Velsaria grabbed Kamito's arms. But—

"Don't look down on my comrades!"

As if in reply to Kamito's scream, Terminus Est released a bright light.

A light that seems to purify, it blew away the mist which was Velsaria's divine power.

Following that, Kamito slashed towards the head of the pitch black armor. With that, he released another strike— the black knight was not able to keep up with the flashes and flashes of attacks.

"Strong...!"

Ellis exclaimed.

Looking at the blade dance, you could never tell that Kamito was heavily injured with his overwhelming strength.

"That's just, like..."

Whom Ellis Fahrengart envied, the strongest blade dancer.

As if seeing the same thing from 3 years ago—

"—Ahhhhhh!"

Velsaria screeched out a terrifying sound.

The air seemed like it was vibrating, smashing Kamito's body and blowing him away.

And then smashing him onto the ground heavily.

Crimson red blood started to stain the bandage on his chest while pain spread all over his body.

Terminus Est's light started to fade away, signaling that the fighting was almost near its end.

"..."

With the support of his hands, Kamito stood up.

Velsaria's ominous divine power then started to spread all over the ground like a mist,

(So the source of this mist is her heart...)

Kamito's extraordinary observing skills told him that conclusion.

While desperately tolerating the pain, Kamito re-grasped his blade and lit up his sword.

(With Terminus Est's anti-curse ability, I might be able to—)

At this time, like an obstacle, Velsaria's elemental waffe started to change once again.

The severed arm slowly morphed like clay, and changed into a giant lance.

No, rather than a lance— it looked more like a ram.

"...Looks like its time to determine the winner. Just what I wanted..."

"Kamito!"

Ellis slowly walked over to Kamito with her blade as a support stick.

"Ellis, I'm sorry."

"Kamito, that thing is dangerous."

"What do you mean?"

"My lancing skills were taught to me by Aneue."

"...I see."

Velsaria once again roared out a sound like it came from the ground.

"...Ren... Ash... bell!"

"...? Aneue actually mistook Kamito as Ren Ashbell?"

Ellis raised her eyebrows, in question.

Of course, the current Velsaria already lost all logic.

"It's time to see who wins. Ellis, please help me a little."

"...I understand."

Ellis nodded.

"Kamito, I beg of you, please save Aneue."

Kamito then proceeded to channel all of his remaining divine power to the sword in his hand.

The silver sword once again started to glow with all its might. Ellis also started to create gales of wind.

This strike was the strongest attack he could use with his current body.

(I can only bet everything on this.)

"Lets go, Velsaria Eva Fahrengart!"

"Ahhhhhhh!"

Velsaria charged while creating a trail of dust around her.

With Kamito's body becoming lighter through Ellis' wind,

With a violent gale behind his back pushing him, Kamito accelerated again.

With the instant clash, the area around them was immediately clouded by the flashing lights.

Just barely dodging Velsaria's attack—

The Demon Slayer Sacred Sword which was shinning with a bright white light, totally pierced Velsaria's armor and the 'heart'.

From the tip of the blade, the bright light started to overflow.

(Just like what happened— 3 years ago.)

"...Velsaria, you shall be saved by me."

With his blade in her chest, Kamito slowly whispered.

The pitch black armor shattered into powder, and Velsaria's beautiful face appeared once again.

"Ren Ashbell—"

Her sakura colored lips, slowly moved.

===Part 9 ===

(So it is like this... Kazehaya Kamito, '''you are—''')

In the moment she was pierced, she realized something.

The person in front of her, was the exact same person that pierced her chest 3 years ago.

"...I have been defeated once again..."

Velsaria smiled gently.

As if a heavy worry disappeared, she had a very stable expression.

But for some reason, she could not feel any remorse from that time.

This is because, Kazehaya Kamito's black eyes, were looking straight at her.

"...!?"

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Dub dub*— the Cursed Armament Seal started to beat once again.

With her face hot, Velsaria slightly moved her teary eyes away from Kamito.

"Velsaria, you are strong. But, that strength will one day snap like a sword."

"That is true... But, I only seek this power so you can acknowledge me— But it seems like it wasn't enough~"

"—You are wrong then."

"What?"

"You lost, but it is not because of insufficient strength. You only lost because you were alone. But I have my comrades, my friends I met in the Academy."

"..."

"That, is something even the me from 3 years ago— Ren Ashbell would not have."

On Velsaria blushing face, comes a cool breeze.

(These are— Ellis' winds.)

At that last instant, it was that same wind that accelerated Kamito who was heavily injured.

That same wind that carried Ellis' thought and her belief as a knight.

"Ren Ashbell, I—"

With her smile and her beautiful golden hair swaying with the wind—

Velsaria Eva Fahrengart finally was defeated.

And— the beating 'heart' also ceased all movement.

===Part 10 ===

"Arara, that 'heart' broke~ That was, after all, a rarely found piece of merchandise~"

At the forest not near the Academy—

Vivian Melosa unhappily bit her lips.

After all, she only came to watch the fight to gather more data.

"The direct implantation of Cursed Armament Seals on a 'heart' will still take a while until it can be used without any problems~"

Releasing a sigh, she turned off the final switch.

"But, that boy was pretty interesting. And since that Jio from the Kyōdouin was also taken away, I shall play with him the next time~"

"The students are not your toys, Vivian Melosa."

"...!?"

From that voice coming from nowhere, Vivian Melosa— felt a chill on her back.

"Is that you!? The Dusk Witch!?"

"Hmph, how nostalgic. My good-for-nothing student."

Greyworth Ciel Mais slowly walked out from the deep forest.

"...! Why—?"

"Executing such an action that attracted people's attention, everyone would have noticed. And yesterday after the 2 girls went out of control, we did a little research. We realized that the Cursed Armament Seals were the same as what you studied back when you were still a student. Looks like you still haven't improved from the past~"

Like a teacher lecturing a student, Greyworth kindly said.

"I still can't believe that you actually started to take action because of those negligible students—"

"Hmph, the last time I was sent here was a few years ago. For me to come back here to rule out the nasty pests, it seems like it is destiny."

Vivian Melosa immediately held her breath, and her body started to shake from fear.

"Next, for you to attack my important students, it is necessary for you to take some punishment~"

—At the same time, Greyworth's right hand started to glow and compress into a pitch black matter.

From this weird condition, the one that was appearing could not be a contracted spirit— it was a '''demon'''.

"Its been a long time since you had food, 'Earl', go ahead and enjoy yourself~"

Greyworth licked her devilish lips.

"Ah... Ahh... Ahhhhhh..."

Vivian Melosa cried out from her throat.

From being scared, it completely turned into a state of panic.

Looking at her trying to crawl away to escape—

"—Don't try to escape~ The punishment is necessary!"

"Heh, Ah, Ahhh..."

The pitch black did its final assault.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Ka* *Crack* *Chouk* *Gulp*...

The sound of chewing echoed throughout the forest.

"Ara Ara. I still needed to handle the final situation, such an idiotic disciple~"

She then playfully touched her glasses, and slowly walked away.

<noinclude>

{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume3 Chapter8|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume3 Epilogue}}</noinclude>

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume3 Chapter8

2014-11-27T21:42:51Z

AngelicMasterMind: /* Chapter 8: Ellis' Determination */

==Chapter 8: Ellis' Determination==
===Part 1===

"Ah..."

As Kamito opened his eyes, the familiar ceiling of Claire's room came into his vision.

Warm sunlight was shining through the curtain.

(...Eh? I... Why was I sleeping?)

His memory was in a mess.

He didn't know when his pajamas were put on him, or when his bandages were wrapped on him.

Next to his bed, there was a cracked spirit crystal that he believed was used for healing.

Kamito was going to just stand up for now—

"Hoo... Ah...!"

Burning like pain ran at the side of his abdomen.

When he took a look, the blood at the bandages wrapped around his abdomen had dried up and hardened.

(That's right, I—)

Due to that pain, Kamito finally remembered.

(I was pierced at my abdomen by that spirit...)

It was the demonic mirror spirit that went out of control due to the power of the Cursed Armament Seal.


The spirit that wounded Kamito was annihilated by Velsaria.

With overwhelming destructive force. Without even leaving any traces.

A spirit, which was thoroughly destroyed to that extent, could not even return back to Astral Zero.

It should have been completely eradicated.

"The Academy's strongest blade dancer— huh?"

Precisely because it was a sealed spirit the same as Est, that fortress was an abnormal elemental waffe.

She was becoming far stronger than the time at the Blade Dance three years ago.

(...With how I am now, could I defeat her?)

As he clenched his left hand which had once been holding a jet-black demonic sword, he asked himself.

He had a blank of three years where he went embarking on the journey to find Restia.

There was also the fact that the spirit contract with Est was still incomplete.

If it was about the reasons that he couldn't win, he could come up with as many as he liked.

(That orphan of the «Instructional School» — Jio Inzagi had said that I've become weak...)

That was because Kamito was subconsciously protecting his companions.

If that was a weakness, then—

(... I have indeed become weak, heh.)

Enduring the pain like that of a terrible burn wound, he finally got up from the bed.

Kamito's uniform was hanging on a wall of the room. It was a mere shadow of its former self with all that damage.


It was probably decided that there would be no point in washing it now, so it was left there like that.

While he placed both hands on the wall, he started walking with shaky footsteps.

After he searched his uniform's chest pocket, he took out a present and a chocolate.

The chocolate had melted and been flattened, but it was something that Claire made with great trouble. So, he was going to eat it gratefully.

After making his resolve and tossing a bite-size piece into his mouth, sweetness instantly spread out inside his mouth.

"...Hn? This is surprisingly..."

Although there was still a bit of bitterness, it was properly made deliciously.

Compared to the coal she had been mass-producing, she had improved considerably.

(...She basically is a very hard working person, isn't she?)

Her eccentrics that went with her mood was her weakness, but as she was an honour student, she was fast at apprehending things.

If she was serious, her cooking should also certainly conspicuously improve.

"—Kamito!?"

Suddenly, the room's door opened.

The one who came in, was Claire holding crumpled bandages with both hands.

"Y-You, what are you doing!"

"Nm? The chocolate you gave me was made pretty well. You've worked hard."

"Eh?"


Kamito frankly praised—

Claire's face immediately reddened.

"I-Isn't that obvious? I-I've practised a lot after all... Eh, that's not the point. W-Why are you awake? Your body still isn't in a condition to walk, right?!"

"Ah, no, just walking isn't a problem, look... Ouch!"

Just by slightly moving his arm, pain ran through the side of his abdomen.

"...Haaa. You really are a fool, your wound opened again, didn't it? Come on, sit there. I'll put new bandages on you."

"Ahhh, sorry..."

Being softly pressed on his shoulders by Claire, Kamito was made to sit on the bed.

Under the gentle treatment from Claire that was different from usual, Kamito's heart ended up beating quickly.

"...Geez, you're a fool."

While Claire wrapped the bandages unskillfully—

She told Kamito what happened after he fainted.

The two, who reached out to the Cursed Armament Seals, were found unconscious in the forest.

It seemed like they were arrested immediately after the arrival of the Knights and were moved to the capital. Laying their hands on the Cursed Armament Seals did not mean that it ended with just breaking the academy rules. They would end up being charged for their crimes by the council that judged elementalists.


The actions by Velsaria, who got the general public involved, did not cause any deaths, and in addition, as a result of suppressing the casualties in the town to the minimum, she seemed to have ended up not being charged.

The one who issued the ruling was Greyworth, however— this judgement was probably pushed back to just before the Blade Dance and it —without a doubt— involved the speculation of the congress of the Ordesia Empire that there was no way they could punish the academy's strongest candidate.

After Ellis helped Claire move Kamito, she seemed to have stayed confined in her room.

It might be that she felt responsible as the Captain for the fact that she couldn't protect the town from destruction and that she couldn't prevent students from getting involved with the Cursed Armament Seals.

"... How long did I sleep?"

"For almost a day. The Valentia Holy Festival ended a long time ago."

"Is that so..."

Kamito glanced at the clock hanging on the wall.

Since last night, more than half a day had already passed.

"Claire, I'm sorry for being late."

Kamito handed over the small box, which he took out of his uniform a while ago, to Claire.

"What?"

"Ah... Err, this is your present... For your birthday. Although it's already over."

"...!?"


Claire widely opened her ruby eyes.

"No way, why...?"

"Rinslet told me. Well, for an ojou-sama of a noble, this may not be something of high value."

"..."

Receiving the box, Claire untied the ribbon with fidgety hands.

Inside the box, a cat-shaped silver pendant was perfectly placed.

"T-This, isn't this what I wanted...?"

"Weren't you continuously looking at it that time?"

"U-Uh, but..."

Claire gently and preciously took out the pendant.

"This should be expensive. You aren't even a noble, how did—"

"I asked a big favour from Ellis, and got an advance on the remuneration from the Knights."

"...S-So... It was like that."

Claire tightly clasped the pendant, while she looked at Kamito with her eyes glancing upwards—

"...Th-Thank you, Kamito"

And said that shyly.

Kamito's heart spontaneously beat faster at her expression that she usually didn't even show.


[[Image:STnBD V03 193.jpg|thumb]]
(...T-This person, making such a face is criminally cute—)

He had been thinking that he would hear something like—"You're sensible for a slave at best".

He did not think she would express her gratitude that frankly.

"Sorry, Kamito... Err, I was at fault."

"Mn?"

With another unbelievable line emerging, Kamito doubted his ears.

"I-I'm saying that I was at fault... Err, for getting angry and chasing you out. You joined the Knights for the sake of earning money to gift me this?"

"Ah, no, that's—"

Just when he was about to say it, Kamito closed his mouth.

Although it wasn't entirely like that— it seemed better to remain silent at this point.

"Despite that I didn't even listen to your explanation and willfully got angry... Sorry."

Her red twin tails drooped down.

"No, I'm at fault, my words were insufficient at that time. Sorry."

"Kamito..."

"—Hey, are you people done?"

There was the sound of a cough.

"...!?"


The two turned away in a fluster.

"Fianna, since when were you here!?"

"From when Kamito-kun pressed on coercively, saying 'It's time for you to become more frank, even though you always say you hate it— the truth is you want to be messed up by me, right?'"

"Don't fabricate an impossible fact!"

"Y-Yeah! T-To be messed up... T-That's not allowed!"

Claire turned steamily bright-red and got angry.

"Hoho, I'm joking. Really Claire, what are you getting red for, I wonder?"

"W-Wh-What did you come here for, Ero-Queen?!"

"As our opponent for the match tomorrow has already been declared, I came here to tell you that!"

"Our opponent for the match?"

"Yeah, our opponent is the first-ranking —Velsaria Eva's— team~"

"...!"

Claire's expression became sharp.

"...The Silent Fortress', huh?"

As long as they kept on winning through, she was an opponent they would have to face one day.

Claire should have been prepared for this.

However, the power that eradicated two mighty high level spirits in an instant was—


"—No problem."

Kamito picked up the elemental waffe sword that was leaned on the side of the bed.

"I will defeat Velsaria. I have to make her open her eyes with my hands."

"W-What are you saying!"

Claire sharply glared at Kamito.

"With that kind of injury, there's no way you can participate in the match tomorrow?"

"She isn't an opponent you two can win against."

"T-Things will work out. Putting Velsaria herself aside, the others have not yet matured as a team. As they were just head-hunted from the Knights, their training in coordination have also not yet been sufficiently—"

"That Silent Fortress isn't such an easy opponent."

"That's..."

Claire had a impulsive personality, however, as an elementalist, she was endowed with calm eyes for battles.

Just with that, she wouldn't mistake the strength difference between Velsaria and her.

The strength of Claire, who uses Scarlet, towered above the rest of the elementary students but, even with that, she wasn't an opponent she could win against.

Former princess maiden of the «Divine Ritual Institute» Fianna was an expert at ritual dances but it did not change the fact that she's a novice at battles. Her Georgios was certainly strong but considering the fact that it could not be released as an elemental waffe, its options for battles were limited at any rate.


Besides, in order to attack the floating fortress, a spirit that could make powerful long-range attacks was necessary.

The thing that would be dealing with the anti-air battle in Team Scarlet would currently be only Claire's spirit magic. However, it would be impossible for ordinary spirit magic to break that armor.

"But, if I were to be an attacker, we could somehow hold for five minutes—"

Onto Kamito who was about to get out of bed—

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Mugyuu*

"Yeah yeah, no matter how sturdy Kamito-kun's body is, participating in tomorrow's match is absolutely a no-go."

Fianna pressed the cleavage of her soft breasts.

Claire angrily glared at Kamito, whose face turned red from the comfortable feeling of elasticity.

"That's right, an injured person like you would just become a burden."

"..."

It was vexing but he couldn't make a rebuttal.

Indeed, even if Kamito, who was seriously injured, participated, he would just end up being a hindrance.

"Then... is Team Scarlet forfeiting?"

"That's—"

Kamito, who asked, understood it. That option was not possible.

Once one forfeited a match, one's ranking would significantly drop as a penalty.


Even without that, if they don't defeat the first ranking team here, the possibility of sixth-ranking Team Scarlet to enter the top participating three within the next two weeks would almost disappear.

"..."

A heavy atmosphere filled the room, and at that moment—

"Fuu, I hear what you're saying!"

An elegant voice came from outside the room.

The one coming in with her platinum-blonde hair swaying was Rinslet.

Carol the maid was courteously standing behind her..

"Rinslet, what are you doing entering my room as you please!?"

"Everyone, it seems like my power is needed."

Ignoring Claire who complained, Rinslet boldly walked.

She stopped in front of Kamito, who was sitting on the bed, and brushed up her hair.

"As long as it is me, I'll see that the fortress lady falls to the ground."

"Milady is saying that she wishes to join Claire-sama's team."

Carol simultaneously translated what Rinslet's words meant.

"Is that right, Rinslet?"

"...N-No! I just..."

Rinslet asked for Carol's help in a fluster.

"Fufu, milady, you're really not honest."


Placing her hands near her mouth, Carol giggled.

"—Rinslet!"

Suddenly, Kamito stood up and grasped her shoulders.

[[Image:STnBD V03 199.jpg|thumb]]
Her slender shoulders started trembling.

"Hyan! W-what are you doing! Grabbing a lady's shoulders so violently!"

She protested with a shrilling voice. However, Kamito did not let go.

"..."

"Ah, wha..."

With Kamito staring at her, Rinslet quickly quieted down.

Her face turned bright red as she pinched the edge of her skirt..

"S-Stop...Err If you look at me in such a way, I-I'll end up feeling strange."

"K-Kamito, what are you doing!?"

"Kamito-kun, no matter the circumstances, you're overly lacking in distinction."

Ignoring Claire and Fianna, who raised their voices—

"Please, Rinslet. Join our team."

"Eh?"

Rinslet was astonished. Claire also was staring in wonder.


Rinslet's elemental waffe «Freezing Arrow» was a long range attack elemental waffe. Especially as Kamito would be unable to enter tomorrow's match, they would want to include her into the team by all means.

Although, as Claire would belligerently ask, this ojou-sama would certainly put on her pride. So, that's why Kamito made a begging appearance.

Rinslet—

"A-Alright..."

Like a bride that was proposed to, she docilely nodded.

"I-If Kamito-san says so..."

Blushing, she twirled the tips of her hair with her fingertip.

"Isn't this fine, Claire?"

Kamito gently let his hands go from Rinslet's shoulders and turned around.

Claire sighed, saying "It can't be helped".

"Certainly, if we cared about its appearance, we can't win against that «Silent Fortress». At any rate, we would need ranged support, and its strength is so-so."

"W-Wait, please don't misunderstand. I offered to join your team because Kamito-san requested it."

Carol pacified Rinslet, who flew into a rage.

In any case, this meant that they now ended up being able to make long distance attacks from the ground.


(...If I add myself in as an attacker, our balance would become good.)

Claire seemed to have thought of the same thing as Kamito.

"All we're left with is one more person, we'll need someone with the power of an attacker though..."

She mumbled with a serious look.

Just then, there was the sound of knocking from the door.

"...?"

Everyone looked at each other... Having visitors come to this room was unusual.

Claire walked over and opened the door.

The ones outside the door— were two unexpected people.

"Y-You two!?"

While Claire held onto the door knob, she widened her eyes.

"Claire Rouge, we have a request for you..."

"...Although we know that something like this isn't the courtesy of making a request."

They were Ellis' teammates who should be recuperating at the academy's medical institution.

They were Rakka and Reishia from the Sylphid Knights.

===Part 2===

In a dark room with all its curtains closed—

Ellis was cowering in her bed with a face that lacked aspiration.

What she was absent-mindedly staring at was a spirit crystal sealed with memories.

There was the figure of Velsaria that Ellis idealized when she was young.

She also didn't go for the Knights meeting this morning. This was, of course, her first time.

What she was wearing wasn't the academy uniform, but pajamas with polka-dots.

Without even tying her ponytail, her long hair spread out radially on her bed..

(—You are not a knight.)

Velsaria's words were revived in her head.

(It may be just as what Aneue said...)

Amidst the darkness, Ellis had firmly grasped her bed sheet.

(...While I've said that that's not it, in the end, I couldn't protect anything.)

The townsfolk who were enjoying the festival.

The students that ended up involved with the Cursed Armament Seal.

In addition— even her precious comrades from the Knights.

Even Kamito, who came to assist the Knights out of good will, had sustained serious injuries.

(It's all my responsibility. If I had gotten more of my act together, this would—)

It was also natural that the upperclassmen responded to Velsaria's invitation and left the Knights.


There would be no one who would follow a powerless captain only speaking of ideals.

"...I...am not qualified to call myself a knight—"

"That's right, in your current state, you are not qualified to be called a knight, Ellis."

"...!"

Ellis threw up her blanket in shock.

"Claire Rouge?"

"Sorry, but I melted your keyhole."

As Claire said that, she was entering the room without any discretion.

"W-Why are you here, and what do you mean that I don't have the qualifications of a knight!?"

"Heh~ You still have the spirit to get angry after an insult. I feel at ease now."

As Claire walked to the side of the bed, she placed her hands on her hips and looked down at Ellis.

Normally, Ellis would have gallantly stared back, but—

Now, she averted her eyes like she was being overwhelmed.

"...H-Has Kamito awakened yet?"

"Yeah, he even said some reckless things like participating in tomorrow's match."

"What—? Don't tell me, with that kind of injury?"

"That's right. Furthermore, our opponent is the Academy's strongest «Silent Fortress»."

"That's crazy, what are you all thinking!?"


Ellis stood up to grab Claire.

"Do you still not understand Aneue's strength?"

"Ah, she is certainly a powerful elementalist— but it doesn't mean she's invincible."

"What?"

Ellis frowned.

Velsaria Eva Fahrengart was the strongest in the Academy.

This was a fact everyone knew of.

"Three years ago, Ren Ashbell defeated her."

"That's— She is the strongest blade dancer. That comparison is just too different."

"True. But, we have the goal of defeating that Ren Ashbell."

"Wha—?"

Towards those words that Ellis had never imagined of— she was at a loss for words.

(...Defeat Ren Ashbell!?)

"How is that possible—?"

"It is possible. I mean I'll do it~"

"..."

Claire's eyes were serious.

She was seriously thinking of defeating the strongest blade dancer.


"I will win through the Blade Dance. Then, I will definitely get my «wish» granted. Whether if it is the Silent Fortress or the strongest blade dancer, anyone who gets in my way shall just be brought down."

Glaring straight ahead were her pupils harbouring calm flames.

Small anxieties were inside Ellis' heart.

"I-I..."

"Ellis, did you plan on entering the Blade Dance with such resolution?"

Claire seized Ellis' collar.

"Is your ideal of a knight that you're aiming to be something of this level?"

"—No!"

Ellis got startled and pushed Claire's hands away.

"I am... I am a prided knight of the Fahrengart!"

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Boom!*

Violent winds blew about in the room.

The bed sheet was blown away, and the small items on the desk and furnishings were dancing in mid-air.

The curtains were ripped apart, and bright light suddenly shone into the dark room.

"..."

After the storm eased down—

"It looks like your winds are still blowing."


Claire suddenly smiled.

Then, she thrust her finger towards Ellis.

With her other hand on her hips—

"Ellis, join our team!"

"...W-What?"

Ellis was dumbfound and asked back.

"Me... Team Scarlet?"

"Correct. If you join, we can win— against that Silent Fortress."

Claire nodded with a serious expression.

However, Ellis firmly shook her head.

"Sorry, that's an unreasonable talk. I already have companions to fight with—"

"—Captain!"

"?"

Ellis turned around towards the voice she had heard from outside the room.—

"Y-You two!?"

The ones over there were a lively-looking girl with short hair and a similar-looking girl with braided hair.


They were her teammates Rakka and Reishia.

"...You slipped out from the medical centre?"

They should be having complete rest.

They shouldn't be allowed to be out at such a place.

"Why...?"

"We are, erm, hoping that Captain would partake in the Blade Dance."

Rekka said while painfully coughing.

Reishia nodded.

"We decided it ourselves. We already knew that we wouldn't be able to return to the academy before the Blade Dance... So—"

"You're... disbanding... the party?"

Having a stunned expression, Ellis looked at her two teammates.

"..."

"N-No, I will not allow that!"

"Captain, we're—"

"We had promised! To participate in the Blade Dance together!"

Ellis shouted like a child throwing a tantrum .

"We aren't able to. So—"

"But we really wanted to fight together... So, we'll like to entrust our wish to you, captain."

"Rekka, Reishia..."


"Please, fight for us too."

"I want to see Captain's blade dance. A blade dance, like a gale, that blows everything."

"..."

Ellis—

Firmly bit her lips and clenched her fist.

Both sides refused to give up— Their glaring gazes ran into each other.

The one who sighed first was Ellis.

"...I understand. You two win."

"Captain!"

The two girls let out a lively scream.

"—Claire Rouge."

Ellis calmly turned towards Claire.

It wasn't the lifeless face from just now.

It was the face of a gallant knight.

"I, Ellis Fahrengart, request to join Team Scarlet."

"Welcome, Ellis~"

Claire smiled and stretched out her right hand.

Ellis grabbed that hand in return.


"I'll prove to that person my way of a knight."

===Part 3===

The strongest blade dancer— Ren Ashbell.

Three years ago, since the day she crossed her blade with hers, Velsaria's life changed.

On that day, she received a great shock.

Before that day, Velsaria had taken pride in being the strongest knight.

It wasn't like she was making light of the girl, who appeared before her eyes, for being a title-less newcomer two years younger than her.

No matter who it was, as long as they faced her, she would wield her full strength and strike them down.

That was her belief as a Knight.

She fought with all her strength— And then, she was defeated.

However, what grew in her heart at that time was not hatred.

It was more like a sense of veneration towards her.

It was something trivial; she too was, like Ellis and the other girls, fascinated by Ren Ashbell's blade dance.

So, what she received a shock from was not the defeat.

It was the eyes that the strongest girl faced at her, the loser.


What was reflected in the girl's jet-black pupils—

Was not hostility, not pity, not contempt— There wasn't even any emotions.

Velsaria was not even reflected in the girl's eyes.

...It was unforgivable. There was no way she could could accept that.

She would defeat that strongest girl and make her '''acknowledge her existence'''.

This was probably— in a sense, an emotion that was comparable to love.

(...Soon, I can fight her again in the Blade Dance.)

Any other things were irrelevant.

(Even if my mind and flesh are consumed by this «heart»—)

Late at night. Deep inside the «Spirit Forest»—

Loitering alone in the darkness, Velsaria had been suppressing her feelings of haughtiness.

At this moment, the bushes behind her moved slightly.

"—Is that you, witch!"

"Ha, as expected of you, you were able to detect my presence~"

There was the voluptuous sound of laughter heard within the forest.

The one who appeared was —the Cursed Armament maker— Vivian Melosa.

"You did well yesterday, because of you I got good data~"

"I knew it, it was you who implanted those Cursed Armament Seals on them."


Velsaria emitted a fierce murderous aura. Leaves of the tress swayed like they were astir.

"Yes, but, they broke immediately. Even for the famous Areshia Spirit Academy, I can't seem to come across a fine specimen like yourself!"

[[Image:STnBD V03 212.jpg|thumb]]
"Disappear. I told you to never appear in front of me again."

"Wah, you're pretty cold. I just came here to check out the corrosion rate of the «heart»."

"I have no intentions to assist your research. The «heart» is being fully controlled."

Vivian Melosa laughed out loud.

"Please stop acting tough. For '''a Cursed Armament Seal engraved on a heart'''— the only one who could control such a thing is possibly the Dusk Witch. If you just leave it like that, you will die in a few years~"

"Not a problem. As long as I live till the Blade Dance two weeks later, it is enough."

"That troubles me. You are actually a specimen I took a liking to—"

In an instant, Velsaria turned towards Vivian Melosa and released her elemental waffe.

A lump of compressed divine power blew apart the trees in the forest and gouged out the space before her.

After the dust had settled, there was no one there. There was only the dense darkness.

"...That damned witch."

Facing the empty space, Velsaria bitterly groaned.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Thump*—, the «heart» ached.

<noinclude>{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume3 Chapter7|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume3 Chapter9}}</noinclude>

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume3 Chapter8

2014-11-27T21:30:18Z

AngelicMasterMind: /* Part 1 */

==Chapter 8: Ellis' Determination==
===Part 1===

"Ah..."

As Kamito opened his eyes, the familiar ceiling of Claire's room came into his vision.

Warm sunlight was shining through the curtain.

(...Eh? I... Why was I sleeping?)

His memory was in a mess.

He didn't know when his pajamas were put on him, or when his bandages were wrapped on him.

Next to his bed, there was a cracked spirit crystal that he believed was used for healing.

Kamito was going to just stand up for now—

"Hoo... Ah...!"

Burning like pain ran at the side of his abdomen.

When he took a look, the blood at the bandages wrapped around his abdomen had dried up and hardened.

(That's right, I—)

Due to that pain, Kamito finally remembered.

(I was pierced at my abdomen by that spirit...)

It was the demonic mirror spirit that went out of control due to the power of the Cursed Armament Seal.


The spirit that wounded Kamito was annihilated by Velsaria.

With overwhelming destructive force. Without even leaving any traces.

A spirit, which was thoroughly destroyed to that extent, could not even return back to Astral Zero.

It should have been completely eradicated.

"The Academy's strongest blade dancer— huh?"

Precisely because it was a sealed spirit the same as Est, that fortress was an abnormal elemental waffe.

She was becoming far stronger than the time at the Blade Dance three years ago.

(...With how I am now, could I defeat her?)

As he clenched his left hand which had once been holding a jet-black demonic sword, he asked himself.

He had a blank of three years where he went embarking on the journey to find Restia.

There was also the fact that the spirit contract with Est was still incomplete.

If it was about the reasons that he couldn't win, he could come up with as many as he liked.

(That orphan of the «Instructional School» — Jio Inzagi had said that I've become weak...)

That was because Kamito was subconsciously protecting his companions.

If that was a weakness, then—

(... I have indeed become weak, heh.)

Enduring the pain like that of a terrible burn wound, he finally got up from the bed.

Kamito's uniform was hanging on a wall of the room. It was a mere shadow of its former self with all that damage.


It was probably decided that there would be no point in washing it now, so it was left there like that.

While he placed both hands on the wall, he started walking with shaky footsteps.

After he searched his uniform's chest pocket, he took out a present and a chocolate.

The chocolate had melted and been flattened, but it was something that Claire made with great trouble. So, he was going to eat it gratefully.

After making his resolve and tossing a bite-size piece into his mouth, sweetness instantly spread out inside his mouth.

"...Hn? This is surprisingly..."

Although there was still a bit of bitterness, it was properly made deliciously.

Compared to the coal she had been mass-producing, she had improved considerably.

(...She basically is a very hard working person, isn't she?)

Her eccentrics that went with her mood was her weakness, but as she was an honour student, she was fast at apprehending things.

If she was serious, her cooking should also certainly conspicuously improve.

"—Kamito!?"

Suddenly, the room's door opened.

The one who came in, was Claire holding crumpled bandages with both hands.

"Y-You, what are you doing!"

"Nm? The chocolate you gave me was made pretty well. You've worked hard."

"Eh?"


Kamito frankly praised—

Claire's face immediately reddened.

"I-Isn't that obvious? I-I've practised a lot after all... Eh, that's not the point. W-Why are you awake? Your body still isn't in a condition to walk, right?!"

"Ah, no, just walking isn't a problem, look... Ouch!"

Just by slightly moving his arm, pain ran through the side of his abdomen.

"...Haaa. You really are a fool, your wound opened again, didn't it? Come on, sit there. I'll put new bandages on you."

"Ahhh, sorry..."

Being softly pressed on his shoulders by Claire, Kamito was made to sit on the bed.

Under the gentle treatment from Claire that was different from usual, Kamito's heart ended up beating quickly.

"...Geez, you're a fool."

While Claire wrapped the bandages unskillfully—

She told Kamito what happened after he fainted.

The two, who reached out to the Cursed Armament Seals, were found unconscious in the forest.

It seemed like they were arrested immediately after the arrival of the Knights and were moved to the capital. Laying their hands on the Cursed Armament Seals did not mean that it ended with just breaking the academy rules. They would end up being charged for their crimes by the council that judged elementalists.


The actions by Velsaria, who got the general public involved, did not cause any deaths, and in addition, as a result of suppressing the casualties in the town to the minimum, she seemed to have ended up not being charged.

The one who issued the ruling was Greyworth, however— this judgement was probably pushed back to just before the Blade Dance and it —without a doubt— involved the speculation of the congress of the Ordesia Empire that there was no way they could punish the academy's strongest candidate.

After Ellis helped Claire move Kamito, she seemed to have stayed confined in her room.

It might be that she felt responsible as the Captain for the fact that she couldn't protect the town from destruction and that she couldn't prevent students from getting involved with the Cursed Armament Seals.

"... How long did I sleep?"

"For almost a day. The Valentia Holy Festival ended a long time ago."

"Is that so..."

Kamito glanced at the clock hanging on the wall.

Since last night, more than half a day had already passed.

"Claire, I'm sorry for being late."

Kamito handed over the small box, which he took out of his uniform a while ago, to Claire.

"What?"

"Ah... Err, this is your present... For your birthday. Although it's already over."

"...!?"


Claire widely opened her ruby eyes.

"No way, why...?"

"Rinslet told me. Well, for an ojou-sama of a noble, this may not be something of high value."

"..."

Receiving the box, Claire untied the ribbon with fidgety hands.

Inside the box, a cat-shaped silver pendant was perfectly placed.

"T-This, isn't this what I wanted...?"

"Weren't you continuously looking at it that time?"

"U-Uh, but..."

Claire gently and preciously took out the pendant.

"This should be expensive. You aren't even a noble, how did—"

"I asked a big favour from Ellis, and got an advance on the remuneration from the Knights."

"...S-So... It was like that."

Claire tightly clasped the pendant, while she looked at Kamito with her eyes glancing upwards—

"...Th-Thank you, Kamito"

And said that shyly.

Kamito's heart spontaneously beat faster at her expression that she usually didn't even show.


[[Image:STnBD V03 193.jpg|thumb]]
(...T-This person, making such a face is criminally cute—)

He had been thinking that he would hear something like—"You're sensible for a slave at best".

He did not think she would express her gratitude that frankly.

"Sorry, Kamito... Err, I was at fault."

"Mn?"

With another unbelievable line emerging, Kamito doubted his ears.

"I-I'm saying that I was at fault... Err, for getting angry and chasing you out. You joined the Knights for the sake of earning money to gift me this?"

"Ah, no, that's—"

Just when he was about to say it, Kamito closed his mouth.

Although it wasn't entirely like that— it seemed better to remain silent at this point.

"Despite that I didn't even listen to your explanation and willfully got angry... Sorry."

Her red twin tails drooped down.

"No, I'm at fault, my words were insufficient at that time. Sorry."

"Kamito..."

"—Hey, are you people done?"

There was the sound of a cough.

"...!?"


The two turned away in a fluster.

"Fianna, since when were you here!?"

"From when Kamito-kun pressed on coercively, saying 'It's time for you to become more frank, even though you always say you hate it— the truth is you want to be messed up by me, right?'"

"Don't fabricate an impossible fact!"

"Y-Yeah! T-To be messed up... T-That's not allowed!"

Claire turned steamily bright-red and got angry.

"Hoho, I'm joking. Really Claire, what are you getting red for, I wonder?"

"W-Wh-What did you come here for, Ero-Queen?!"

"As our opponent for the match tomorrow has already been declared, I came here to tell you that!"

"Our opponent for the match?"

"Yeah, our opponent is the first-ranking —Velsaria Eva's— team~"

"...!"

Claire's expression became sharp.

"...The Silent Fortress', huh?"

As long as they kept on winning through, she was an opponent they would have to face one day.

Claire should have been prepared for this.

However, the power that eradicated two mighty high level spirits in an instant was—


"—No problem."

Kamito picked up the elemental waffe sword that was leaned on the side of the bed.

"I will defeat Velsaria. I have to make her open her eyes with my hands."

"W-What are you saying!"

Claire sharply glared at Kamito.

"With that kind of injury, there's no way you can participate in the match tomorrow?"

"She isn't an opponent you two can win against."

"T-Things will work out. Putting Velsaria herself aside, the others have not yet matured as a team. As they were just head-hunted from the Knights, their training in coordination have also not yet been sufficiently—"

"That Silent Fortress isn't such an easy opponent."

"That's..."

Claire had a impulsive personality, however, as an elementalist, she was endowed with calm eyes for battles.

Just with that, she wouldn't mistake the strength difference between Velsaria and her.

The strength of Claire, who uses Scarlet, towered above the rest of the elementary students but, even with that, she wasn't an opponent she could win against.

Former princess maiden of the «Divine Ritual Institute» Fianna was an expert at ritual dances but it did not change the fact that she's a novice at battles. Her Georgios was certainly strong but considering the fact that it could not be released as an elemental waffe, its options for battles were limited at any rate.


Besides, in order to attack the floating fortress, a spirit that could make powerful long-range attacks was necessary.

The thing that would be dealing with the anti-air battle in Team Scarlet would currently be only Claire's spirit magic. However, it would be impossible for ordinary spirit magic to break that armor.

"But, if I were to be an attacker, we could somehow hold for five minutes—"

Onto Kamito who was about to get out of bed—

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Mugyuu*

"Yeah yeah, no matter how sturdy Kamito-kun's body is, participating in tomorrow's match is absolutely a no-go."

Fianna pressed the cleavage of her soft breasts.

Claire angrily glared at Kamito, whose face turned red from the comfortable feeling of elasticity.

"That's right, an injured person like you would just become a burden."

"..."

It was vexing but he couldn't make a rebuttal.

Indeed, even if Kamito, who was seriously injured, participated, he would just end up being a hindrance.

"Then... is Team Scarlet forfeiting?"

"That's—"

Kamito, who asked, understood it. That option was not possible.

Once one forfeited a match, one's ranking would significantly drop as a penalty.


Even without that, if they don't defeat the first ranking team here, the possibility of sixth-ranking Team Scarlet to enter the top participating three within the next two weeks would almost disappear.

"..."

A heavy atmosphere filled the room, and at that moment—

"Fuu, I hear what you're saying!"

An elegant voice came from outside the room.

The one coming in with her platinum-blonde hair swaying was Rinslet.

Carol the maid was courteously standing behind her..

"Rinslet, what are you doing entering my room as you please!?"

"Everyone, it seems like my power is needed."

Ignoring Claire who complained, Rinslet boldly walked.

She stopped in front of Kamito, who was sitting on the bed, and brushed up her hair.

"As long as it is me, I'll see that the fortress lady falls to the ground."

"Milady is saying that she wishes to join Claire-sama's team."

Carol simultaneously translated what Rinslet's words.

"Is that right, Rinslet?"

"...N-No! I just..."

Rinslet asked for Carol's help in a fluster.

"Fufu, milady, you're really not honest."


Placing her hands near her mouth, Carol giggled.

"—Rinslet!"

Suddenly, Kamito stood up and grasped her shoulders.

[[Image:STnBD V03 199.jpg|thumb]]
Her slender shoulders started trembling.

"Hyan! W-what are you doing! Grabbing a lady's shoulders so violently!"

She protested with a shrilling voice. However, Kamito did not let go.

"..."

"Ah, wha..."

With Kamito staring at her, Rinslet quickly quieted down.

Her face turned bright red as she pinched the edge of her skirt..

"S-Stop...Err If you look at me in such a way, I-I'll end up feeling strange."

"K-Kamito, what are you doing!?"

"Kamito-kun, no matter the circumstances, you're overly lacking in distinction."

Ignoring Claire and Fianna, who raised their voices—

"Please, Rinslet. Join our team."

"Eh?"

Rinslet was astonished. Claire also was staring in wonder.


Rinslet's elemental waffe «Freezing Arrow» was a long range attack elemental waffe. Especially as Kamito would be unable to enter tomorrow's match, they would want to include her into the team by all means.

Although, as Claire would belligerently ask, this ojou-sama would certainly put on her pride. So, that's why Kamito made a begging appearance.

Rinslet—

"A-Alright..."

Like a bride that was proposed to, she docilely nodded.

"I-If Kamito-san says so..."

Blushing, she twirled the tips of her hair with her fingertip.

"Isn't this fine, Claire?"

Kamito gently let his hands go from Rinslet's shoulders and turned around.

Claire sighed, saying "It can't be helped".

"Certainly, if we cared about its appearance, we can't win against that «Silent Fortress». At any rate, we would need ranged support, and its strength is so-so."

"W-Wait, please don't misunderstand. I offered to join your team because Kamito-san requested it."

Carol pacified Rinslet, who flew into a rage.

In any case, this meant that they now ended up being able to make long distance attacks from the ground.


(...If I add myself in as an attacker, our balance would become good.)

Claire seemed to have thought of the same thing as Kamito.

"All we're left with is one more person, we'll need someone with the power of an attacker though..."

She mumbled with a serious look.

Just then, there was the sound of knocking from the door.

"...?"

Everyone looked at each other... Having visitors come to this room was unusual.

Claire walked over and opened the door.

The ones outside the door— were two unexpected people.

"Y-You two!?"

While Claire held onto the door knob, she widened her eyes.

"Claire Rouge, we have a request for you..."

"...Although we know that something like this isn't the courtesy of making a request."

They were Ellis' teammates who should be recuperating at the academy's medical institution.

They were Rakka and Reishia from the Sylphid Knights.

===Part 2===

In a dark room with all its curtains closed—

Ellis was cowering in her bed with a face that lacked aspiration.

What she was absent-mindedly staring at was a spirit crystal sealed with memories.

There was the figure of Velsaria that Ellis idealized when she was young.

She also didn't go for the Knights meeting this morning. This was, of course, her first time.

What she was wearing wasn't the academy uniform, but pajamas with polka-dots.

Without even tying her ponytail, her long hair spread out radially on her bed..

(—You are not a knight.)

Velsaria's words were revived in her head.

(It may be just as what Aneue said...)

Amidst the darkness, Ellis had firmly grasped her bed sheet.

(...While I've said that that's not it, in the end, I couldn't protect anything.)

The townsfolk who were enjoying the festival.

The students that ended up involved with the Cursed Armament Seal.

In addition— even her precious comrades from the Knights.

Even Kamito, who came to assist the Knights out of good will, had sustained serious injuries.

(It's all my responsibility. If I had gotten more of my act together, this would—)

It was also natural that the upperclassmen responded to Velsaria's invitation and left the Knights.


There would be no one who would follow a powerless captain only speaking of ideals.

"...I...am not qualified to call myself a knight—"

"That's right, in your current state, you are not qualified to be called a knight, Ellis."

"...!"

Ellis threw up her blanket in shock.

"Claire Rouge?"

"Sorry, but I melted your keyhole."

As Claire said that, she was entering the room without any discretion.

"W-Why are you here, and what do you mean that I don't have the qualifications of a knight!?"

"Heh~ You still have the spirit to get angry after an insult. I feel at ease now."

As Claire walked to the side of the bed, she placed her hands on her hips and looked down at Ellis.

Normally, Ellis would have gallantly stared back, but—

Now, she averted her eyes like she was being overwhelmed.

"...H-Has Kamito awakened yet?"

"Yeah, he even said some reckless things like participating in tomorrow's match."

"What—? Don't tell me, with that kind of injury?"

"That's right. Furthermore, our opponent is the Academy's strongest «Silent Fortress»."

"That's crazy, what are you all thinking!?"


Ellis stood up to grab Claire.

"Do you still not understand Aneue's strength?"

"Ah, she is certainly a powerful elementalist— but it doesn't mean she's invincible."

"What?"

Ellis frowned.

Velsaria Eva Fahrengart was the strongest in the Academy.

This was a fact everyone knew of.

"Three years ago, Ren Ashbell defeated her."

"That's— She is the strongest blade dancer. That comparison is just too different."

"True. But, we have the goal of defeating that Ren Ashbell."

"Wha—?"

Towards those words that Ellis had never imagined of— she was at a loss for words.

(...Defeat Ren Ashbell!?)

"How is that possible—?"

"It is possible. I mean I'll do it~"

"..."

Claire's eyes were serious.

She was seriously thinking of defeating the strongest blade dancer.


"I will win through the Blade Dance. Then, I will definitely get my «wish» granted. Whether if it is the Silent Fortress or the strongest blade dancer, anyone who gets in my way shall just be brought down."

Glaring straight ahead were her pupils harbouring calm flames.

Small anxieties were inside Ellis' heart.

"I-I..."

"Ellis, did you plan on entering the Blade Dance with such resolution?"

Claire seized Ellis' collar.

"Is your ideal of a knight that you're aiming to be something of this level?"

"—No!"

Ellis got startled and pushed Claire's hands away.

"I am... I am a prided knight of the Fahrengart!"

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Boom!*

Violent winds blew about in the room.

The bed sheet was blown away, and the small items on the desk and furnishings were dancing in mid-air.

The curtains were ripped apart, and bright light suddenly shone into the dark room.

"..."

After the storm eased down—

"It looks like your winds are still blowing."


Claire suddenly smiled.

Then, she thrust her finger towards Ellis.

With her other hand on her hips—

"Ellis, join our team!"

"...W-What?"

Ellis was dumbfound and asked back.

"Me... Team Scarlet?"

"Correct. If you join, we can win— against that Silent Fortress."

Claire nodded with a serious expression.

However, Ellis firmly shook her head.

"Sorry, that's an unreasonable talk. I already have companions to fight with—"

"—Captain!"

"?"

Ellis turned around towards the voice she had heard from outside the room.—

"Y-You two!?"

The ones over there were a lively-looking girl with short hair and a similar-looking girl with braided hair.


They were her teammates Rakka and Reishia.

"...You slipped out from the medical centre?"

They should be having complete rest.

They shouldn't be allowed to be out at such a place.

"Why...?"

"We are, erm, hoping that Captain would partake in the Blade Dance."

Rekka said while painfully coughing.

Reishia nodded.

"We decided it ourselves. We already knew that we wouldn't be able to return to the academy before the Blade Dance... So—"

"You're... disbanding... the party?"

Having a stunned expression, Ellis looked at her two teammates.

"..."

"N-No, I will not allow that!"

"Captain, we're—"

"We had promised! To participate in the Blade Dance together!"

Ellis shouted like a child throwing a tantrum .

"We aren't able to. So—"

"But we really wanted to fight together... So, we'll like to entrust our wish to you, captain."

"Rekka, Reishia..."


"Please, fight for us too."

"I want to see Captain's blade dance. A blade dance, like a gale, that blows everything."

"..."

Ellis—

Firmly bit her lips and clenched her fist.

Both sides refused to give up— Their glaring gazes ran into each other.

The one who sighed first was Ellis.

"...I understand. You two win."

"Captain!"

The two girls let out a lively scream.

"—Claire Rouge."

Ellis calmly turned towards Claire.

It wasn't the lifeless face from just now.

It was the face of a gallant knight.

"I, Ellis Fahrengart, request to join Team Scarlet."

"Welcome, Ellis~"

Claire smiled and stretched out her right hand.

Ellis grabbed that hand in return.


"I'll prove to that person my way of a knight."

===Part 3===

The strongest blade dancer— Ren Ashbell.

Three years ago, since the day she crossed her blade with hers, Velsaria's life changed.

On that day, she received a great shock.

Before that day, Velsaria had taken pride in being the strongest knight.

It wasn't like she was making light of the girl, who appeared before her eyes, for being a title-less newcomer two years younger than her.

No matter who it was, as long as they faced her, she would wield her full strength and strike them down.

That was her belief as a Knight.

She fought with all her strength— And then, she was defeated.

However, what grew in her heart at that time was not hatred.

It was more like a sense of veneration towards her.

It was something trivial; she too was, like Ellis and the other girls, fascinated by Ren Ashbell's blade dance.

So, what she received a shock from was not the defeat.

It was the eyes that the strongest girl faced at her, the loser.


What was reflected in the girl's jet-black pupils—

Was not hostility, not pity, not contempt— There wasn't even any emotions.

Velsaria was not even reflected in the girl's eyes.

...It was unforgivable. There was no way she could could accept that.

She would defeat that strongest girl and make her '''acknowledge her existence'''.

This was probably— in a sense, an emotion that was comparable to love.

(...Soon, I can fight her again in the Blade Dance.)

Any other things were irrelevant.

(Even if my mind and flesh are consumed by this «heart»—)

Late at night. Deep inside the «Spirit Forest»—

Loitering alone in the darkness, Velsaria had been suppressing her feelings of haughtiness.

At this moment, the bushes behind her moved slightly.

"—Is that you, witch!"

"Ha, as expected of you, you were able to detect my presence~"

There was the voluptuous sound of laughter heard within the forest.

The one who appeared was —the Cursed Armament maker— Vivian Melosa.

"You did well yesterday, because of you I got good data~"

"I knew it, it was you who implanted those Cursed Armament Seals on them."


Velsaria emitted a fierce murderous aura. Leaves of the tress swayed like they were astir.

"Yes, but, they broke immediately. Even for the famous Areshia Spirit Academy, I can't seem to come across a fine specimen like yourself!"

[[Image:STnBD V03 212.jpg|thumb]]
"Disappear. I told you to never appear in front of me again."

"Wah, you're pretty cold. I just came here to check out the corrosion rate of the «heart»."

"I have no intentions to assist your research. The «heart» is being fully controlled."

Vivian Melosa laughed out loud.

"Please stop acting tough. For '''a Cursed Armament Seal engraved on a heart'''— the only one who could control such a thing is possibly the Dusk Witch. If you just leave it like that, you will die in a few years~"

"Not a problem. As long as I live till the Blade Dance two weeks later, it is enough."

"That troubles me. You are actually a specimen I took a liking to—"

In an instant, Velsaria turned towards Vivian Melosa and released her elemental waffe.

A lump of compressed divine power blew apart the trees in the forest and gouged out the space before her.

After the dust had settled, there was no one there. There was only the dense darkness.

"...That damned witch."

Facing the empty space, Velsaria bitterly groaned.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Thump*—, the «heart» ached.

<noinclude>{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume3 Chapter7|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume3 Chapter9}}</noinclude>

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Chapter4

2014-11-11T19:56:09Z

AngelicMasterMind: /* Part 2 */

==Chapter 4: Cat Fight==

===Part 1===

"Neeveeer, I won't accept this!"

It was evening. Claire's angry voice reverberated throughout the Raven Class dormitory.

"I've already had to concede to her joining the team temporarily due to the guarding quest, but—"

She brushed her red twin-tail hair in irritation.

"Why is this girl in the same room with us?!"

She faced Fianna, who was drinking her cup of black tea in elegant small sips, and thrust her finger toward her.
[[Image:STnBD V02 099.jpg|thumb]]

Turning away standoffishly, Fianna sighed and muttered.

"What a small room, I wouldn't have thought that this is a place where a noble would live in."

"Sh...Shut up! If you have complaints, why don't you take it up to the headmistress?"

"What I am talking about is how messy the room is. Can't you catch the sarcasm of the remark?"

"Grh... I...It's usually properly tidied up!"

Kamito sighed as he was at his wits' end. These two have already been like this for some time now.

"Hey, Kamito-kun, don't you think so too?"

"Err, well..."

Casting a glance at Claire who was on the verge of tears, Kamito answered vaguely.


"That reminds me, Ren Ashbell's true identity—"

"Ahh, it's certainly messy. Claire should at least clean it up."

Claire bit her lips with teary eyes.

(...Sorry, Claire. I'm unable to defy this princess.)

Somehow, the girl knew Kamito's true identity.

Kamito's intent was to quickly press the question, but, in this situation, Claire would also learn about it.

This princess seemed to have no intention of telling the secret to Claire, but she had been threatening him by leaking that name since a while ago.

Feeling like a cat on hot bricks, Kamito tediously sighed.

While the invisible fireworks scattered, Est was playing with Scarlet with a green foxtail.

It seemed that Claire realized that she was no match for Fianna in the battle of words and diverted the flow of the argument to Kamito.

"Besides, why should it be my room?!"

"Well, because you're the only person in the dormitory who occupies the room just by herself."

"It's not only me, even not just two of us. Including Est, it's three people."

"Aren't you treating me as your slave spirit? By the dormitory rules, spirits are not counted as roommates."

"Uh, that's so, but..."



"Well, with all of us, I guess the room will be cramped, as expected. I'll leave."

In the first place, Kamito should have been living in a hut outside.

Moreover, it would be no good if rumors about a guy sleeping in a girl's room were to spread.

"Hey, what are you going to do when you leave? Do you plan on going as far as sleeping outdoors?"

"For the time being, a tent would be sufficient. I'll manage one way or another."

Claire grabbed the back of Kamito's neck as he tried to leave the room.

"What?"

"No."

"Huh?"

"That's no good. After all, if you're gone..."

Claire looked downwards and tightly bit her lips.

"Who will do the cooking and the laundry?!"

"...Err, you do it."

"No way. After all, the meals you make are delicious..."

It seemed that Claire, who used to live on canned food, had her stomach held captive by Kamito's home cooking.

"Besides, if you were to leave, wouldn't that mean you and Est are left all alone together. That's no good. Rinslet and, like just now, Ellis may come meddling. No, it's not just Ellis and the others. After all, there are many girls targeting you out of curiosity."


"If I'm being targeted...Est and I can fend off most of them."

"T...That's not what I meant... Stupid."

Claire released her hold on the back of his neck.

"Y...You are mine after all. I'll not give you to anyone."

"...Even if you say that..."

Kamito softly sighed—

"Hey, what do you mean by yours?"

Fianna muttered in soft tone.

"Claire Rouge, what kind of relationship do you have with Kamito-kun?"

"Wh...What kind of relationship...? That's..."

Claire bashfully blushed,

"A...A sl...slave and a master relationship!"

"Wh...What did you say...!?"

Fianna looked at Kamito with an astonished look.

"D...Don't tell me, you have such an insane relationship..."

"Wait, don't utter something that'll cause misunderstandings!"

"Hm...hmm, besides, what kind of relationship do you have with Kamito? Despite being a freshly admitted student, aren't you being very intimate?"


In reverse, Claire was the one asking back this time.

When she did, Fianna coughed—

"Me? I'm... his little sister, Kamito's."

"Eh!"

"...? A sister, I..."

"Hey, listen, the truth is that Ren Ashbell's true identity—"

"Ye...Yes, she is my little sister, my little sister!"

Fianna murmured the magic words and Kamito nodded right away.

"Li...Little sister... I see, so you had a little sister."

Claire stroked her chest for some reason.

"However, I'm his stepsister."

"Stepsister!?"

"That's right, furthermore, a naughty stepsister."

"A nau...naughty stepsister!?"

Claire's face turned bright red in a split second.

(...What on earth was she imagining?)

"Here's a hint, a stepsister can be married to her brother, right, onii-sama ♪"

Suddenly, Fianna tightly pressed her large breasts unto him.


Kamito was spontaneously startled by that duly soft sensation—

"Wh...Wh...Wh...? Id...Idiot, you brute pervert!"

"Ouch, wait, it's a misunderstanding, stop—"

For some reason, tears welled up in Claire's eyes as she hit Kamito with her whip. Pishi! Pishi!

"Hey, what are you doing to Kamito-kun!"

Phishi!—Fianna grabbed Claire's arm that swung up.

"Uh, wh...what!"

"Kamito-kun isn't your slave."

"Yeah, that's right."

Kamito nodded.

"He is mine."

"No, I'm not yours either, you know?"

Kamito retorted with half-opened eyes.

(...Good grief, I wonder why such people are all around me.)

"Too bad. Kamito is my slave spirit, after all...??"

"After all?"

As Fianna asked back, Claire's cheeks slight blushed,

"After all, err... I even...did the spirit contract ritual with Kamito."


"..."

Fianna opened her mouth.

She faced Kamito, whose head was made to squeak.

"Hey, is that true? Kamito-kun."

She had a devilish smile.

"No, that's..."

Honestly, he was getting embarrassed just by recalling that time.

He turned bright red and cast down his eyes, which was roughly the same reaction Claire's shown.

(If it was that embarrassing, then don't mention it)— was what he thought, but...

After witnessing such a reaction from both of them, Fianna calmly muttered.

"I see... You kissed."

Her tone was certainly calm, but it was the tone that concealed something dreadful.

...She was angry. She was certainly angry.

(No, why is Fianna angry in the first place?)

As Kamito showed a doubtful expression, Fianna quickly stood up—

Faced Claire, who was bashfully turning red and sharply thrust her index finger at her.

"Let's have a match, Claire Rouge!"

"A match?"


"Yes, a match, where the winner is the one who can love Kamito-kun."

"No...No way, not such a thing! To begin with, Kamito is originally mine!"

"I've been saying that's not it..."

Kamito tried to cut into their conversation, but the two of them didn't seem to hear him.

"If you win, I'll leave this room. Then, you can do all the perverted things you'd like with Kamito-kun, just the two of you."

"I...I...I won't do such things!"

"Ahh, then, is doing it by yourself more to your liking?"

"Wh...Wh...Wh...What are...?"

Claire turned bright red and the steam vented from her head.

(...She was thoroughly toyed with.)

Claire was extremely weak toward the reprehension in such an area, she was a super innocent ojou-sama.

"Or perhaps, you have no confidence? You just don't want me to take away Kamito-kun?"

Fianna further provoked Claire, who had finally snapped.

"Guu... A...As you wish! Come forth, scorching hot hellcat!"

She summoned Scarlet and held in her hand an elemental waffe— Flame Tongue.

"Hey, do you plan on destroying the dormitory?! The people from the Sylphid Knights will dash here!"

"It's alright, because I'll settle it before they come."


"That's completely not alright!"

Claire-san, her eyes were serious. ...She was determined.

"Don't be in such a hurry, Claire Rouge."

However, Fianna waved her hand with a composed expression.

"What, now that it has come to this, are you pleading for your life?"

"I didn't say anything about having a match in blade dance. I wonder if trying to settle everything with violence is something proper nobles do. Did all the nutrition that's supposed to go to your head go to your breasts—"

Fianna looked at Claire's breasts and smiled.

"—I guess that's not the case."

"Burn all to nothing, red hot inferno ball!"

"Wait, Claire! Stop the spirit magic!"

Kamito flustered and held her hands to her back as Claire tried to recite fireball.

At their best, they were hovering near the bottom of the inter-school ranking. If they caused any more problems, «Team Scarlet»'s score would drop to the lowest rank.

"Guu...then, what kind of match are we having?!"

"Yeah—"

Placing her index finger at her chin, Fianna slowly looked around the room.

—Then, her gaze stopped on a mountain of canned food, piled up in the kitchen.


Kamito overlooked that her eyes were sparkling.

"Then, the first one who satisfies Kamito's body, wins— How's that?"

"Sa...Satisfies his body...!?"

Claire's face turned bright red.

"No...no way, not such a thing! After all, I don't know any skillful methods... that's not it, su...such a thing is definitely not allowed!"

"I don't know what kind of misunderstanding you're having, but what I'm talking about is a culinary showdown?"

"Culinary!?"

Claire's face froze.

It was natural. The first time he met her, she was only eating canned food.

She couldn't possibly cook something decent.

"No way, I can't accept such a duel!"

"Ah, offering a meal for a spirit to enjoy itself is the same type of «Kagura» as a blade dance, a skill of a splendid elementalist. Isn't it also among the academy's core subjects?"

"Th...That's..."

"Or, are you lacking confidence? ...Like that chest of yours."

She snapped. At that moment, the sound of something snapping was heard.

"I...I get it..."


"Uh?"

"I...I accept it, this culinary match!"

Claire faced Fianna and sharply thrust her finger at her as she accepted the match.

At that moment, the princess expressed an impish smile.

(By the way, Claire, she has seen through the fact that you're weak in cooking!)

===Part 2===

Just like that, the culinary showdown between the two of them somehow began, but—

The two beautiful girls, who put on aprons, were standing at opposite sides of the kitchen.

It was the common kitchen at the first floor of the Raven Class dormitory. It seemed that as long as one was a boarding student, it was alright to freely use the ingredients available there.

Est the judge sat well behaved at the table and was tightly grasping a spoon.

While being nervous about the other meaning of having Scarlet take care of the leftovers, Kamito paced around the back of the kitchen.

(...Frankly, Claire has no chance of winning.)

He certainly had never eaten Claire's home cooking, but, in any case, she was the ojou-sama who got through with mostly canned food in her meals since she came to the academy.


"Ehh, canned tuna, mackerel tuna... and I splurge a little and also open the canned crab."

While humming, Claire arranged the canned food ingredients. Kamito had doubts about approving her combination of canned food, but, for now, it looked edible, so Kamito took a breath of relief.

"Fruits are easy to eat after being cut."

Upon seeing Claire slowly taking out the kitchen knife, Kamito interrupted her.

"Are you alright with that? Don't cut your finger."

"I'm alright, after all, I was always watching you prepare food."

"I see... Hn, you were always watching?"

"Idi... Th...That's not it, I do not mean something like that!"

"Waah, it's dangerous, don't swing the kitchen knife!"

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Bun!* Kamito splendidly dodged the kitchen knife, which grazed his nose tip.

"Hmm, be...because you said something stupid!"

Claire's face, up till her ears, was bright red and she quickly turned away.

"Putting that aside, what on earth are you making?"

"Seafood curry, the one that you often make. Because I like that."

"Eh, you don't normally use canned tuna and canned mackerel for seafood curry, you know?"

It seemed that she tossed the ingredients into the sauce from what she learned by watching him.


"Sh...shut up... It's not like there's a reason to the fishes' name one by one. It's the same as not remembering the face of the partner whom you danced with at the ball."

"...That's terrible. Do remember that."

Besides Claire's character, just her appearance was that of a transcendent beautiful girl. He was certain without doubt that there would be as many young nobles as the number of stars, who would be hard-pressed by her lovely looks and ask her for a dance.

"...At any rate, Claire, you're in a dress?"

"What, I was once too the daughter of a Duke family before my lands were seized, so I do at least wear dresses... Or perhaps, is it that I look strange wearing a dress?"

"No, I just thought that you looked good wearing it."

"...Wh...Wh...What are you saying, idiot."

Kamito spoke his honest thoughts and Claire turned red increasingly and looked downwards.

She slightly raised her head and looked at Kamito with an upward glance—

"Hey, do you re...really... think I look good?"

"Yea, I think that your red hair looks pretty with that pure white dress.... I don't want to admit it, but honestly just your looks are prettier than any princesses."

"...!"

"Well, while wearing a dress, your breasts volume is overwhelmingly lacking though. Using paddings there to make do with it is the only—"


Then, Kamito suddenly shut his mouth.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Gogogogogogogo*... The kitchenware were clattering.

...It seemed that he stepped on another unnecessary landmine again.

"Ah...no... I'm sorry."

"...Th...Th...That's right. Unless I use paddings, I can't even wear a dress, right?"

"Hey, Claire, why are you holding such a thing? That's a handy tool you use to peel vegetables, it's not something you use on people... owaa, wai—"

===Part 3===

"Kuu, I can't believe that there's such a way to use a vegetable peeler..."

As Kamito cursed, he turned up at Fianna's corner this time.

There were numerous scars like cat-scratches on his cheeks.

"Despite being poor at using the cookware, she completely mastered using it as a weapon."

At this rate, the day that Claire's elemental waffe became a peeler from a whip might also be close.

(Turn into bonito flakes...? What a terribly unpleasant future.)

While pressing down on his cheeks, which were suffering a prickling pain, he was thinking about such a thing,

"—Hmm, you two are on pretty good terms."


Raising her face from the chopping board, Fianna said with half-opened eyes.

Somehow, she seemed a little displeased.

"Is that how it looks like? Princess, your eyes are also surprisingly bad."

"Not everything you see is the truth— That was a saying from a certain senior of mine."

"That indeed seems like words that a princess maiden of the «Divine Ritual Institute» would say."

Kamito shrugged his shoulders and stood beside Fianna.

She was slicing a carrot with a nice tapping rhythm.

Because she was a «Kagura» expert, who pleased spirits, as expected her skill was good.

"You seem full of confidence."

"Of course. During the time at the «Divine Ritual Institute», although there was a ritual to offer cooked meals to high ranking spirits only once a month, all of them were satisfied with my offered meals and returned to Astral Zero."

"Really? That's amazing."

Kamito was honestly in admiration. That seemed to be a great expectation. Naturally, because appearance was more important than taste for the meals offered to spirits, he wondered if it would differ from the cooking humans eat.

"By the way, what was that one bottle you poured into the pot just now?"

"Capsicum. I'm using it as a subtle seasoning."

"I see, a subtle seasoning."

A subtle seasoning. The soup in the pot certainly became red and was making the ingredients subtle to see.


However, did subtle seasoning generally have such a meaning?

"...Is that okay?"

"Yea, it has such a vibrant and pretty color, doesn't it?"

...That somehow invited anxiety, but he gave up on investigating it.

Fianna nodded, seemingly satisfied, and cast her sights onto the chopping board again.

While listening to the rhythmic tapping sound, Kamito gazed at Fianna's face profile.

She had black pupils of long slits and virgin-snow-like white skin.

Her black hair, which reached down to her waist, was currently tied up to not let it fall.

Her white nape was mysteriously erotic.

Without thinking, Kamito was charmed by that somewhat mature face profile.

(With just tying her hair up, her impression has greatly changed...?)

Her tied up hair. There was something stuck in Kamito's mind.

(...This girl, as I thought, have I met her somewhere?)

Despite that it should be the first time they met, the girl somehow knew Kamito's true identity.

(However, I don't have any princess acquaintances...)

It was irritating that he seemed to recall something, but yet he couldn't recall anything.

He was staring at Fianna's face profile in that manner—

"Hey, Kamito-kun? Why have you been visually raping me since just now?"


Fianna turned towards him with a slightly troubled look.

"Ah, no... visually raping!?"

"There are certainly things like turning this fallen princess senseless, or training her like a slave. Kamito-kun, it's your free-will to make these various perverted delusions, but... well, honestly, it doesn't really feel good to be used as an adolescent boy's delusions."

"What kind of person do you think I am?"

"Ah, I would like for you to not take a princess maiden, who serves the spirit lords of the «Divine Ritual Institute», lightly. I can read your mind like picking something up."

After saying that, Fianna drew her face close and gently placed her hand onto Kamito's forehead.

He was reflexively startled by the sensation of her cool soft skin.

"...Eh? No way, a nude maid, that's shameful..."
[[Image:STnBD V02 115.jpg|thumb]]

"What's shameful is your mind!"

Kamito spontaneously shouted.

Besides, what was a nude maid? Was it a variant of the naked apron? He was a little curious.

At that moment—

"Kamito, it's about the meat's grilling adjustment though, is medium good? Or, well-done?"

"Ahh, I prefer medium... Owa!"

Upon turning around, before he knew it, Claire was standing there with a smile and a fireball floating.



"Yo...Yo...You are the wo...wo...worst, something like nude maid, you're the worst!"

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Gogogogogogogo......!*

"Wait, it's a false accusation— Fianna!?"

He requested for help, but Fianna had already left the scene with an impish smile.

"Tu...turn into cinders together with your insolent delusions, you pervert!"

The fireball Claire released blew Kamito away together with the kitchen.

===Part 4===

Just like that, 30 minutes passed.

At the table where the judges were sitting, the food cooked by the two of them was lined up.

Est, Scarlet and Kamito, who was worn out, were sitting side by side in a line.

As the result of drawing lots, they would start eating Claire's cooking first, but—

"...Ah, I have to at least ask, what is this?"

A black lump of something was laid down on the plate before him.

Wasn't that probably the cinders thing Claire was always saying?

"If I remember, it was seafood curry... right? That was what you were making."

"...I...It looks a little overcooked."


The thing before him was completely carbonized... It was no longer about the taste.

"Ehh, is it bad if I don't eat this?

"I...It's not about appearances, what's important is the taste, right?!"

"It's awfully bitter."

Est, who sampled a mouthful, muttered that expressionlessly.

"...Est, you betrayed me."

"Isn't that obvious? Est, you've done well."

"Wh...What, Scarlet is deliciously eating it."

"That's because it's a fire spirit. It probably doesn't have something like the sense of taste."

That burnt-black lump was completely eaten by Scarlet, but he had the feeling that rather than eating something, it was incinerating waste. After it finished eating, it puffed out a small fireball.

"...Isn't Est also a spirit?! I don't think she understands the taste of a delicate cuisine."

"Use of abusive language towards a judge. Claire gets a point deduction."

Expressionlessly, Est raised up a point-deduction card.

"Guu..."

"With just a black thing, there's no need to eat it. It's my victory."

Fianna placed her hand near her mouth and a wide smile appeared on her face.

Well, there seemed to already be a winner decided, but they had to also at least eat and compare her cooking.

...*Gutsu*, *gutsu*, *gutsu*, *gutsu*, *gutsu*.<ref>simmering sfx.</ref>

They saw the cooking that was carried over—

"Th..That's..!"

Kamito was at a loss for words. Est widened her eyes unusually, Scarlet purred.

It seemed to be a boiling...stew.

It was red. It was more red compared to the time Kamito saw it a while ago. It was a stew whose ingredients could not be seen.

"Ehh, what is... this?"

"This is the Ordesia royal family's speciality, the white stew."

"How is it white!?"

At least on the surface, all he could see was one color, red. And then, there was a dreadful smell that even thrust up into his nose.

It was because of the subtle seasoning she used just now, he was certain of that.

"Wh...What is this?! There's no way anyone could eat such a thing!"

Claire pushed aside her own matters and complained. ...Well, she understood that feeling.

"Ahh, the daughter of the Elstein family is complaining without even trying it."

Fianna brushed her glossy black hair and looked down at Claire.

"This isn't fair. I doubt that's something nobles, who are exemplars to the masses, do."

"Uggg....!"


Unfairness aside, Fianna also did not eat Claire's burnt-black thing, but Claire, who blew her top, seemed to not have noticed such a thing.

Or perhaps he should put it that she was basically weak to provocation to things about noble ojou-samas. She was even weaker especially when it involved her family name and her pride as a noble.

"I...I get it, it's alright if I eat a mouthful of that, right? I'm good with spicy things, after all."

The moment Claire nodded, Fianna expressed a wicked smile.

"Hey, Claire, that's seriously dangerous—"

Without time for Kamito to stop Claire, she put the spoon into her mouth.

And then, at the next moment.

"Hyguu—!?"

......*Patan*.

Suddenly, she collapsed onto the table.

"Cl...Claire, are you alright?!"

Kamito helped her up in a fluster, but Claire's eyes were spinning.

"...Sh...She's completely knocked out."

"It's my victory."

Fianna placed her hand at her waist and smiled.

"Err, it was that kind of match?"


"Is that not it?"

Fianna looked surprised.

Well, he felt that it was certain that they did not decide on the precise conditions to win.

"You certainly did say that you made the spirits satisfied with a ritual of the «Divine Ritual Institute», right?"

"Yeah, just by eating a mouthful, they returned to Astral Zero seemingly satisfied."

"Uh, I think that they probably did not return satisfied."

"A cooking that even destroys a spirit's sense of taste..."

Unable to prohibit the trembling.

Est leaked out such a mutter.

===Part 5===

(Good grief... today was a troublesome day.)

Since then, one hour had passed, Kamito was using the shower installed in the bathroom.

Because Fianna said she would shower later, Kamito ended up entering the bathroom first without any reservation.

By the way, Claire was being nursed by Scarlet in the room. She should probably be groaning on the bed currently. Kamito thought she was pitiful, but he could not even do anything.

It was already time for Est to sleep. She could not return to Astral Zero, so she needed to get a lot of sleep and she would usually sleep for about half a day.


"At any rate" —Kamito muttered while having his shower.

(Fianna Ray Ordesia... huh?)

She was a girl who was the second princess of the Ordesia Empire and the second Queen candidate next to that Calamity Queen— Rubia Elstein. Why did she know Kamito's true identity? He did not clearly understand what her aim was for approaching him.

(It also doesn't seem like she's going to expose my true identity.)

Rather than seriously threatening him, Kamito thought that it was more like she was having fun with his reactions.

(...What on earth is going on?)

At the moment Kamito tried to stop the spirit device shower.

"Hey, Kamito-kun, I'm coming in."

Such a voice came from the direction of the dressing room.

"Hn, Ah—"

He replied.

"Wh...What!?"

Kamito turned around in a fluster.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Gararaa*— The door opened.

Over there was—

"...What's the matter? You look so surprised."


A princess with a bath towel wrapped around her body.

"Wh...Wh...Wh...?"

Kamito fell into a panic state for a moment.

"Fi...Fianna, what are you doing?!"

"Uh?"

The princess slightly tilted her head and made a lovely smile.

She had a slender white nape. She had an elegant narrow waist. And then, there were her large swelling breasts. He thought that her bare white legs, seen from the slit of the bath towel, were bewitching unlike those of a 16 year old girl.

Kamito was dumbfounded—

"What, even for me, doing this thing is... embarrassing, you know?"

Her knees touched each other and she bashfully muttered.

Slowly, Fianna gently dropped her towel.

"...!?"

Kamito instantly covered his eyes with both hands—but,

"A sw...swimsuit...?"

Fianna was wearing a separate black swimsuit beneath the bath towel.

It was a water festival swimsuit, where thin veils were attached at the chest area and a pareo was wrapped around her waist.

She had both nicely tightened legs and a narrow waist that depicted her elegant curves.


Her slightly flushed body was beautiful like a descending goddess.

Kamito was charmed instantly—

"Eh, what's ... the matter?"

"Wh...What?"

"Sh...Showing my bare skin to a boy... Kamito-kun, you are the first one, you know."

Fianna's voice slightly trembled as she embarrassedly muttered.

"Wh...Why...?"

Kamito gulped.

...He did not understand the point. Why was she doing such a thing?

As if his doubt was pointed out—

"Hey, sit."

Fianna gently touched his shoulders with her hands and made Kamito sit facing the reverse direction.

It was the sensation of a girl's cool soft hands. His heartbeat accelerated right away.

"Fianna, what are you trying to—"

Fuyon.

"...!"

Suddenly, a soft sense of elasticity was pushed onto his back.

Kamito's back jumped in a startle.


Fianna coughed—

"A...a princess like me is giving your back a wash. Consider this an honor."

She began washing Kamito's back with a bubble-foaming body towel.

"Er, wait a while, why are you—"

Kamito couldn't comprehend it and was completely bewildered.

However, if he turned around, he would end up looking directly at Fianna's bewitching swimsuit appearance, so he didn't move.

"Be...Behave yourself, do you plan on making me embarrassed?"

She said that in a sulky tone and strongly scrubbed his back.

"Ho...How is it? Does it feel good?"

"Well, even if you ask something like that..."

Honestly, it felt good.

Or, with a cute girl so close like this, there's no way that it doesn't feel good.

However, he felt like he'll lose something important as a person if he said his honest thoughts.

"Yo..You're surprisingly stubborn... Hurry up and get ensnared by me!"

"Ensnared!?"

Funyu. Funyun.

He felt like he heard some sort of dangerous word just now, but his senses were taken away by the sensation of her breasts pressing on him and his mind immediately became hazy.


(This is... bad...!)

Kamito, who was brought up as an assassin since he was young at the «Instructional School», did not even do training against this kind of allurement. As, he was at the age where he did not yet require a counter-measure for such a thing, and his contracted spirit was keeping all approaching females completely away from him.

However, Kamito was now of the marriageable age of a youth.

He was already on the verge of losing his reason to the sensation of her breasts, pressing through her thin swimsuit.

"H..Hey... where are you touching!?"

"Be...Behave yourself! I'll tell your true identity to that girl."

"Th...That's right! Why do you know about Ren Ashbell—"

Kamito was about to turn around and ask her— at that moment.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Bam!*— Suddenly, the bathroom door opened.

"...!?"

Over there was—

"C...Claire...?"

Claire Rouge, who was looking downwards and whose shoulder was trembling.

"Kuu, I can't believe you've already recovered..."

Fianna tightly bit her lips.

"Yo...Yo...You guys, wh...wh...wh..what are you doing?"


"You...you're mistaken, this is, err—"

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Gogogogogogogogo...!*

Claire's red hair bristled like flames flaring up.

Kamito resigned to being turned to cinders like usual.

"..."

Claire's movement, after raising her whip up, suddenly stopped.

In her ruby pupils, flames were burning up, as she was sternly glaring at Fianna.

Fianna expressed a composed expression. Pitoo— she stuck her breasts onto Kamito's back.

"Fianna!? Wh...why are you doing something like adding fuel to—"

Kamito tried to separate his body in a fluster, but his arms were tightly held.

"I'm now washing Kamito-kun's back. Could you please not bother us?"

"Kuu, yo...you guys..."

(Ah... I'm so dead.)

Kamito strangely closed his eyes with a calm mood.

However, the move Claire took next was completely unexpected.

It wasn't the usual where she blew Kamito away with her Flame Tongue—

"I...I'll... also wash your back."

"Eh?" "Huh?"


She sternly glared at the two of them who were dumbfounded— and informed them.

"I mean I'm also entering the bath!"

===Part 6===

[[Image:STnBD V02 004-005.jpg|thumb]]
"Ho...How is it, Kamito? Does it feel good?"

"Ah, I'm the one who's making you feel good, right?"

(Wa...Wait, what... kind of situation is this!?)

Three minutes later, Kamito's head was completely in a panic.

...He wondered if he was having a nasty nightmare. However, this sensation he felt on his back was real.

In a bathroom for 1 person to use, he ended up being covered in bubble-foam with two beautiful girls for some reason.

Furthermore, Claire wasn't even wearing a swimsuit. Her naked body was just wreathed around by a bath towel.

Her vivid crimson red hair looked pretty on her fine milky-white skin.

She had a petite build and slender proportions.

That lovely fairy-like body of hers was more than charming enough, even if she was lacking breasts.

There were red belt marks on her thigh seen through the slit of her towel. Claire had her animal-training leather whip wreathed around her thigh. Those marks were strangely captivating.

Kamito eagerly tried to not look at the two of them, but because the room was small after all, he would end up closely stuck to their skin with just a slight movement. That sensation ended up further boosting his imagination.

"Kyaa...hey, what are you touching, idiot!"

"Ah, if you move like that, you'll rub my front...Hyauu."

It was that situation just by twisting his body a little due to the ticklishness.

(Give me a break...)

If boys of about the same age heard this, they might think that it's the Shangri-La of dreams, but, as for Kamito, he felt like it was as if he was sitting on a bed of nails.

...Why was this happening, he did not understand the point.

It was probably because Claire had an opposing heart towards Fianna that she ended up blurting out such a thing, and it became that she couldn't back out, but— as for Kamito, who was dragged into this, this was intolerable.

He should be getting out from here as quickly as possible, but if he moved even a little, he would end up directly coming in contact with their skin, so even if he planned to get out, he couldn't get out.

"Hey, I'm the one who's making you feel good, right? Say that it feels good!"

"Ouchhh, you're peeling off the skin on my back."

"Eh, it hurts so much? ... Wow, your back is full of injuries."

"Ah, that's because I've always been hurt by a certain somebody."

"I...I'm sorry..."

Kamito groaned with a deadpan look and Claire awkwardly apologized.


"—No, I'm joking. Those are old wounds from the past."

The injuries on his back were gotten from the time when he called himself {{Furigana|Strongest Blade Dancer|Ren Ashbell|margin=13}} before.

"...Hn? Fianna, what are you looking at?"

—Claire frowned and looked at Fianna.

"I...it's nothing."

"What's the matter with my spirit seal?"

Fianna had been intermittently gazing at Claire's spirit seal on her right hand since a while ago.

"Di...didn't I say that it's nothing!"

Fianna let out a flustered voice unlike her usual self and quickly averted her eyes.

Claire stared at her in such a state, seemingly puzzled—

"...Your spirit seal is at such a place. How unusual."

She had gotten a quick look at a part of her spirit seal at Fianna's cleavage, who was wearing a swimsuit.

"If I recall, you're a holy spirit user?"

"Yea... that's right."

Fianna, who answered her, had a slightly stiff expression.

"What kind of spirit is yours, summon it and show it to us."

Kamito also had an interest in that. As teammates participating in the same quest, they should at least have a grasp of the type of spirits being used. That was also, without fail, the duty of being in the team.


However, Fianna turned away with a seemingly displeased look for some reason.

"I'll show it to you when necessary. An elementalist doesn't thoughtlessly summon her contracted spirit."

Certainly, there were also elementalists with that kind of thinking among the academy students.

As there was the possibility that their spirits would be seen through by rivals from their appearances to their attributes, weaknesses and so on.

On the other hand—

"If you don't make communications with your contracted spirit daily, mutual trust can't be created."

There were also people who thought like Claire and they were the majority in the academy.

As either opinions also have a reason, either side couldn't be unconditionally said to be correct, but—

For some reason, those words of Claire seemed to have gotten on Fianna's nerves.

"...You won't understand. Claire Rouge."

"...? Hey, what do you mean by that—"

"I'm getting out already."

Fianna muttered with an ice-like voice and quickly stood up.

—At that moment.

He heard the faint sound of weapons from afar.

It was something normal humans would fail to hear, the sound of metal clashing.

However, Kamito, who once received training at the «Instructional School», certainly heard it.


"Kamito, what's the matter?"

"There's a battle occurring within the academy—"

It might be a fellow academy student's duel. No, if that was the case, the Sylphid Knights should have immediately stopped it.

"I have a bad premonition."

That was a pure uneasiness— to be honest. His intuition as an elementalist, which was honed as he went through countless battles— that was the only one he wanted to believe that did not dull as he expected.

(There's no doubt, there's a terrible fellow—)

He dashed out of the bathroom, nimbly put on his uniform, and then Est turned up, rubbing her eyelids and looking sleepy, in her pajamas. It seemed that this sword spirit felt an unusual phenomenon.

"Kamito, there's something not good outside."

"Ahh, sorry for waking you up, Est."

"No, Kamito. I'm your sword."

Kamito grasped Est's small hand and the girl's body turned into particles of light in a moment.

At the next moment, Kamito's hand was gripping the elemental waffe— Terminus Est.

He felt that her sword body was smaller and her radiance was also duller compared to usual, but because she had just woken up, it couldn't be helped.

Kamito jumped out from the room's window.

"Wa...Wait up... ahh, come on! Come, Scarlet!"

Claire called Scarlet and jumped out chasing Kamito.

<noinclude>

==Translation Notes and References==
<references/>

{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Chapter3|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Chapter5}}</noinclude>

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Chapter1

2014-10-31T18:42:44Z

AngelicMasterMind: /* Part 3 */

==Chapter 1: Team Battle==
===Part 1===

"U...h..."

Areishia Spirit Academy, Raven Class dormitory.

In a room, illuminated by the morning sun, Kazehaya Kamito woke up.

(Hn, If I remember correctly, there will be a team battle in the morning.)

Usually, he would enjoy a bit more time dozing off, however, today he could not do so.

He had enough of being late and getting lectured by the teacher, Freya.

Planning to fold the sheets and get up, he reached out both hands, only to—

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Funyuu*.

Feel them touch something soft.

(What is this? It's small, tender... a little cold, but feels good.)

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Funyuu*. *Funyuu*.

Half awake, he played with the mysterious soft thing within the palms of his hands, when-

"You finally woke up, Kamito."

"..."

A voice made him freeze.


[[Image:STnBD V02 023.jpg|thumb]]
A beautiful, nude girl was sitting on his chest.

Her silver hair glittered in the morning sun. Her tight bare skin was white like milk.

She was small, but had all the necessary curves. The girl's figure was ideal.

She looked at Kamito with her mysterious violet eyes, her face expressionless.

"What's the matter? You're not going to play with my breasts anymore?"

"... Owaaaaa!"

Kamito straightened flustered and pointed at the beautiful girl before him,

"Wh...Wh...What are you doing!? Or rather why are you nude?!"

"I'm not nude, I'm properly wearing knee socks."

Straddling Kamito's abdomen she raised her knees to show him.

Startled by that, mysteriously erotic, action, Kamito looked away flustered.

"No, that's worse! Because compared to nude, knee socks nude is even, err, ...that!"

"Do you want me to take off my knee socks? Kamito... pervert."

While staying expressionless the beautiful silver haired girl bashfully rubbed her knees.

He did not understand why she reacted like that but, somehow, for this spirit, showing her bare feet seemed more embarrassing.

Yes. This snow fairy like beautiful girl was not human.

She was the Sword Spirit Est.



'She was an extremely powerful 'Sealed Spirit' that made a spirit contract with Kamito a few days ago.

But in her current condition, she could not exhibit even around a tenth of her original strength.

Within his sub consciousness, Kamito was rejecting the spirit contract with her and as a result, she became unable to return to Astral Zero where her real form was.

"A...Anyway, move aside Est!"

"Roger, Kamito."

Although Est seemed a little dissatisfied, she obediently moved.

She was squirming on the sheet. ...The sensation of her soft thighs was bad for his heart.

While scratching his bed hair in relief, Kamito finally got up and at that moment...

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Chuu*.

"...!?"

It was a perfect surprise attack.

Despite that noticing that he was kissed, it lasted several seconds.

The sensation of her soft lips gently separating turned his cheeks red hot.

"You... Wh...What are you doing all of a sudden?!"

"A wake up kiss, Kamito."

Est answered expressionlessly.

"Why do such—"



"Because it's unfair you only kissed Claire. Is it that you don't want to do it with me?"

Hearing Est's blaming tone, Kamito softened his voice.

"You s...saw, didn't you? ...That."

"Yes. Because, at that moment, I was also there."

"...Ah, come to think of it, that is right."

Kamito immediately recalled that moment and sighed heavily.

A week ago, that time when he fought the frenzied militarized spirit in Academy Town.

Est was certainly there— in the form of a sword of his elemental waffe.

It seemed that the moment, when Claire kissed the exhausted, due to the loss of energy, boy to wake him up, was being observed.

It was certain that it awakened him in one shot, however... now that he thought about it, it was also extremely embarrassing.

"I heard that a kiss is an official ritual of a spirit contract. In that case, Est too."

Est gently brushed her silver hair hanging by her cheeks.

She closed her eyes, pouted slightly pitifully her cherry-blossom colored lips and slowly brought her face near him.

"So, why did it turn out like this?"

"It's only natural and it’s within my rights. After all, I'm Kamito's contracted spirit."

"...!"

Although she was an extremely strong Sealed Spirit, whose power, was at the moment concealed, Est's current appearance was that of an ordinary cute girl.


After being approached like this, Kamito thought that it couldn't be helped that his heart was beating faster.

"He...Hey, Est..."

"Please close your eyes, master."

Est brought her face closer in one motion. Their noses were almost touching now and he could smell her sweat scent and feel the tickle of her breath.

Just before her rose bud like lips were about to touch his...

"Kamito, there's a team battle this morning, so be sure to make breakfast more luxurious than—"

"...!"

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Bam!* The bathroom door was slammed opened and there—

"Wh...Wh...Wh...Wh..."

A beautiful red-haired girl stood. Her ruby-colored eyes were wide open as she took in the scene before her.

The girl’s body was wrapped in a bath towel which hugged her gentle curves tightly.

There was white steam rising from her, slightly cherry blossom colored after being washed, skin.

Her breasts were definitely of a child's size, but these small mounds were also plenty charming.

From the tips of her soaking wet red hair, drops of water were falling onto the floor.

On the bed, before her was nude… no, knee sock nude Est.

That is when time froze.


"Claire... Y...You're mistaken, this is...!"

It was that moment when the flustered boy stood up and tried to explain.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Gogogogogogo...!*

"Wh...What are you doing, you perverted sex maniac——!"

"Guoo!"

A leather whip, used for training animals, came flying all of a sudden and landed a clean hit on his chin.

Kamito wrapped the bed sheets around his body as he fell to the floor.

"I...I've misjudged you, you licentious brute, beast!"

While holding onto the bath towel with one hand, the girl approached briskly the boy, squirming on the floor, and forcefully trampled on his head with the heel of her bare foot.

Claire Rouge.

She was his classmate and, by some twist of fate, Kamito was tied to her by a master-servant contract.

At least she had a ridiculously cute face and was a beautiful girl. She had however… an extremely brutal personality.

"Wh...What-What were you doing? Hey, just now, what were you doing with that Sword Spirit?"

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Pishii, pishii, pishiii!*

"Hey, wait, stop ... guoo!"

It was a tempest of whips that relentlessly swung downwards. Her bristled red hair was just like blazing flames.

And during this constant onslaught of devastating whip blows…


Kamito noticed something. He had wound up noticing something.

"Wa...Wait...Claire, isn't that bad?"

And then, as he had wound up noticing it, he had to voice it out. For her own sake.

By the way, when it was about things like this, Kamito turned into a strangely honest and blunt person.

"...? What?"

Her clear ruby colored pupils sternly looked down on Kamito.

"Erm, this angle ... is err, very revealing."

"Eh?"

Claire blinked as she had her foot on Kamito's head.

That is when she finally realized it.

Kamito lay on the floor, with her foot on his head, and through the opening of her towel he could see her exposed tight.

"...!"

Claire's whole body felt hot from embarrassment.

She fixed her bath towel in a fluster and her shoulders slightly trembled.

"Y...Y...You, you!"

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Gogogogogogogogogo...!*

"Wa...Wait, this is a misunderstanding, relax! Err…'''I didn’t see all the way inside'''!"

It seemed like Kamito's frantic excuse—


"..."

Backfired.

"...Oh, I understand."

Claire informed him with a shuddering voice.

"After this, I'll give you two choices. You better answer honestly."

Kamito swallowed nervously and nodded continuously.

Here, he should choose his answer carefully. Depending on his reply, it was not unlikely that he would become cinders.

"About your cooking preferences, would you prefer medium? Or well-done?"

...Things like choices did not exist from the beginning.

"I...If possible, rare is good but..."

Just as Kamito gave his answer.

"Scarlet!"

From an empty space, a hell cat, clad in crimson flames, appeared.

"Roast huh, it's decided then."

It was after those words, said with a smile that promised nothing but painful death and a fascinated expression on her face that—

Spontaneously, a flashy explosion resounded in Raven Class dormitory.



===Part 2===

Areishia Spirit Academy.

Princess maidens from all over the empire gathered at this training school and learned how to become proper elementalists.

Its vast territory included the «Spirit Forest» and the Academy Town. The academy also had residential teachers who possessed strength equal to that of the imperial capital's spirit knights. It was just like an independent small country.

At the same time the morning mist cleared up and the bell of lectures commencing sounded, there was a particular one-horse carriage visiting the academy.

Its coachman, an old butler in a suit, got down from the horse in front of the gate and opened the door of the carriage in a respectful manner.

"We have arrived, Fianna-sama."

"Thank you for your efforts, old man."

Coming out of the carriage was a beautiful girl about fifteen, sixteen years old.

Her glossy black hair fluttered in the gentle breeze. Her cold looking eyes emitted a strong will. Her clear white skin could be compared to the virgin snow of the area of Laurenfrost and her uniform designed as a black dress was gorgeous.

The girl, called Fianna, alighted from the carriage and looked up at the building of the Academy. The sight of the school dazzled her.

"This is Areishia Spirit Academy. The place where elementalists from all over the empire gather."

"Please be very careful, Fianna-sama. It’s impossible to fool the eyes of that Dusk Witch with poor tricks."

"I understand."


With a nod, the girl gently grasped a spirit crystal, concealed by the sleeve of her uniform.

In the empire's currency, it was a good-for-nothing article of 20 million rood.

"Rubia Elstein's sister seems to be in this academy."

"Princess, that name is a taboo. You better not say it here."

"That’s right."

The Calamity Queen, who once brought about an unprecedented great disaster to the empire.

As a taboo, that person's true name was even prohibited from being spoken.

It was said that just by muttering that name a pure girl's sacred nature would be tainted.

She considered it to be a ridiculous superstition. Nevertheless, the people, who saw her up close in the past, felt that there was a slice of accuracy in those words. They believed in the jinx.

(...That's right. The truth is, the fear of her has yet to affect me.)

The girl cleared her throat, then she lowered her voice and whispered.

"Besides, I am also concerned about the elementalist called Kazehaya Kamito."

"Hmm, is it that male elementalist? There was a talk, that a few days ago he defeated a frenzied militarized spirit in Academy Town."

"Yes, based on all the eye-witnesses' words, it seemed to be a splendid blade dance of close resemblance to that of the strongest blade dancer — Ren Ashbell."

Fianna's voice became lively as she got a little excited.

The old butler gave her a stern look for that.


"Princess, don't tell me, you fell in love with that boy"

"Fe...fell in love...!?"

Fianna's voice trembled from embarrassment. Her cheeks turned red.

"Th...that can't be it, right? After all, I have never met him before... it's just that I have an interest in what kind of person this male elementalist is."

It was a lie.

The male elementalist, who defeated the frenzied militarized spirit in Academy Town.

The moment Fianna heard that boy's name, she immediately realized.

It was him.

Three years ago, that boy, who had saved her in the forest of Astral Zero.

Despite promising to meet again, it was unknown why he disappeared after the Blade Dance.

(—However, I finally found him.)

When she heard the report on that day, Fianna decided to enter the Areishia Spirit Academy.

If that boy announced his candidacy to the Blade Dance again—

For her that was a once in lifetime opportunity.

"Kamito, I'll forgive you for breaking our promise."

Fianna glared at the school building of the academy and an impish smile surfaced.

"However, I'm not letting you escape again♪"


===Part 3===

About eight minutes have passed since the start of the match.

In a deep forest, which was enshrouded in a light purple mist, two shadows were moving fast.

"Claire, watch the thicket on the left. There's an ambush."

"How do you know?"

"Intuition, if it was me, I would ambush from over there—"

At that moment, just as Kamito suspected, bluish-white lightning bullets were fired from the left thicket.

"Tch—"

Kamito kicked the ground and accelerated. He jumped in front of Claire and deflected the lightning bullets shot at the speed of sound with his sword.

It was not a feat that could be achieved with just an ordinary blade. Endowed with spirit magic resistance ability, the elemental waffe of sword spirit Est— «Terminus Est», made all the magic attacks ineffective.

"Claire!"

Before Kamito shouted, Claire was already on her target. The wind played with her red hair and below her fluttering skirt, a leather whip holder could be seen.

While she placed her foot on a tree branch and dodged the rain of fired lightning bullets, she released her elemental waffe— «Flame Tongue».

There was a sharp swinging, cutting sound. The Flame Tongue, which could cut up everything, easily sliced through rows of standing trees.


From the middle of the grove of trees that became almost bare in a moment, a thunder elementalist girl appeared.

She had her eyes hidden under her forelocks which made her look a little gloomy.

There was a cluster of bluish-white lightning bullets floating beside her.

It was not a high ranking spirit like Est or Scarlet. It was a low ranking spirit that could only keep an indeterminate form, however, it was plenty helpful as a battery to use spirit magic.

It seemed that that girl's role was a disturbance by means of support fire.

"Humph, a sniper who shows herself is the same as a turtle coming up on land."

Claire thrust her whip in a declaration of victory. With the thunder spirit right behind her, the girl sniper ran towards the middle of the forest in a worried manner—

"You're not getting away! Scarlet, chase her!"

At the same time Claire shouted, the elemental waffe Flame Tongue transformed into the form of a hellcat, clad in flames.

Because of being possessed by the frenzy spirit, Scarlet was once the size of a kitten, however, now it had recovered fully. Its form was of a lovely cat, but its strength was certainly of a roaring fierce lion.

The surging crimson flames attacked the thunder elementalist girl.

However, that scorching heat, which by right should melt even rocks, did not even burn a single place of the girl's body.

That was because the battle field was situated in Astral Zero, which the academy used for practice matches.

It was another world and spirits lived there.


In the real world, spirits had to change into an embodiment of physical strength, but here they could be used as an embodiment of pure divine power.

In other words, it almost completely reduced the physical damage to the body.

Nonetheless, it did not mean that shocks, pain and so forth disappeared, a consequence was that an equal damage would be delivered to the mind instead; for example, if one was torn up by Scarlet's claws, he would certainly faint and become unable to battle.

While carbonizing many trees of the forest, Scarlet was chasing closely behind the girl. However, the elementalist seemed to be considerably more accustomed to the terrain and prepared for battle and while distracting it with spirit magic, she was quickly making her escape deep into the forest.

"Erghh, stay still!"

Losing her temper, Claire jumped down to the ground from the gap between the trees.

"Since it came to this, I'll blow everything together with my strongest spirit magic."

"Wait, Claire, the ground looks weird—"

Kamito shouted, and at that moment, a large quantity of earth and sand exploded from under Claire's feet.

"Wh...!?"

Appearing from underground were gigantic crustacean pincers.

"Negligence is one's greatest enemy, Claire Rouge of Raven Class!"

From inside the sand that was raising up and the large hole that opened in the ground, the carapace armor of countless protuberances flew out.

It was a type of elemental waffe that covered the whole body in armor.


Claire was blown off by that blast and has fallen to the ground. The spirit attacked using earth and sand and the impact left the body substantially damaged.

"Claire!"

Before Kamito came running to her, the carapace elementalist was already in pursuit. This was not a coincidental attack. They were scrupulously aiming for the moment when Claire went down onto the ground.

"Eat this, the elemental waffe of the carapace spirit «Kuraste»— «Breaker Arm»."

"—Guu! Flames, dance in my hand, dance!"

The fallen Claire released countless fireballs from her hand.

However, the armor type elemental waffe plunged right through the barrage of flames.

"Ha, the flame attribute isn't effective against the carapace spirit. Didn't you learn that during the lecture?"

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Gaa*— A shoulder-tackle by the carapace armor blew Claire away.

Kamito kicked the ground and quickly turned around. Holding Est in a reverse grip, he stopped Claire's body that came flying at him, embracing the girl tightly.

"U...gh..."

Claire let out in a languid voice from his arms.

It seemed that the recent attack had greatly drained her divine power; however, she still looked to be conscious.

(Just before the crash, she released the fireballs at the ground and destroyed her opponent's stance. As expected of her.)

"Hey, are you alright?"


"Y...yea... Eh... y...you, what are you doing!"

Suddenly, Claire's face turned red.

Claire's petite body was being held in such a manner that her back and knees were supported by both his hands.

It was what was called being carried like a princess.

"Fua... Id...idiot... qu...quickly put me down!"

"He..hey, don't struggle! You'll fall!"

"Shut up! Shut up! Quickly put me down——!"

Boka. Boka. Boka. Boka.

Claire started striking Kamito's chest while being carried like a princess. This somehow made her look like a small, cute animal.

"Are you worried about me? You don't have to, you know. You're pretty light."

"Is th...that... because my chest is flat?"

"No, I didn’t say such a thing. I just thought that you're cute like a small animal."

"...! Cu...cute..."

She looked downwards with a red face and Kamito let her down with a relieved sigh.

The carapace elementalist had already disappeared. It seemed that, because Claire was defeated in the recent attack, she was waiting for another chance for a surprise assault. As opposed to her outward appearance, she was the cautious type.

From deep within the forest, Scarlet, who was supposed to be chasing the thunder elementalist, returned.


They did not seem to have suffered any injuries, but it looked like they let their prey escape.

"That thunder elementalist purposely showed herself to us."

"Yea, when I got down onto the ground while chasing her, that carapace armor stopped me with a surprise attack. We have suffered thoroughly from their good teamwork."

Annoyed, Claire lashed at the ground with her whip.

"As expected of a team of the cunning Wolverine Class."

"It's not that they're particularly cunning or anything, considering their fellow spirits' compatibility, it was an obvious strategy."

Kamito said with a shrug and Claire sullenly shut her mouth.

"However, it's strange that they aren't coming to chase us. I know that they're being cautious but— still."

"That's right. From the beginning, that thunder elementalist's movement could only be seen as stalling for time."

Astral Zero's forest was quieting down.

He couldn't feel their presence at all, not from the surrounding thickets, nor from the underground.

(With this time stalling, do they have some sort of plan?)

"I want to send out a scout to search for the enemy, but..."

"If that was possible, I'd have already done it."

At any rate, there were three people remaining in the opposing team. They on the other hand had just two. Depending on the situation, it could be that one person had to fight either two or three people. In a one-on-one battle, both Kamito and Claire would not be defeated. However, if they were caught and taken on by more than two coordinated fighters, winning would be substantially more difficult.


Also, even in the case of a one-on-one battle, the fellow spirits' strength and weakness had to be considered. In an actual battle one should also remember the matter of compatibility when the attributes of a spirit were more effective than an elementalist's ability.

"—Seems like you're having a tough battle, Kazehaya Kamito."

Suddenly, from behind, a voice sounded.

Kamito turned around and saw how a black figure quickly appeared from inside of the shadow on the ground.

The black figure very quickly took on the form of an adult woman.

She had glossy long black hair and the glasses she was wearing gave her a very intellectual appearance.

She had on cuff-long white robe on top of her suit, that beautiful lady was—

"Teacher Freya?"

Raven Class's homeroom teacher and this match's inspector, Freya Grandol.

Thanks to her contracted spirit's ability, she was able to travel through shadows—

"Is that alright? To appear in the middle of the match."

"What, there's no problem with giving poor-scoring students advice."

Freya suddenly smiled and pushed up her glasses.

"Although, the team you're currently facing is of a superior ranking, so you’ll obviously have a tough battle. Based on individual strength, you two are nigh on unreachable, but your team strength is lacking. ...By the way, why were you injured before the match?"

"This morning, I was roasted."


He glared at Claire beside him with scorn; in response she quickly averted her eyes.

"In the first place, though, I think it is strange to have a five-to-two match ."

Despite the fact they only had two people; the team they were facing had five people. They had already defeated two, but the sniper thunder elementalist, the hand-to-hand-fighting type carapace elementalist and then the last person, who had yet to show herself, were remaining.

"Did you know? The fact that your team only has two people is bad. You can't qualify for entry in this round's «Blade Dance» without a five-member team. What do you plan to do?"

"We'll find people before the deadline. We don't really need to have all five members to be high level elementalists. After all, my plan is for I, alone, and— this slave spirit to win through this."

Claire muttered unintelligibly and Freya glared at her with a serious face.

"You had better not take group battles lightly, Claire Rouge. You are certainly a strong elementalist, but even so you absolutely can't beat a coordinated team."

After that, she turned towards Kamito,

"Do you know chess?"

"Greyworth forcefully made me her playing partner. However, I had never won."

"The queen is certainly a strong piece. In a one-on-one battle, there are hardly times when it will lose. However, depending on the situation, it is also possible for it to be taken down by a pawn, which is the weakest piece on the desk."

"I know about that."

"But you do not understand it. Your fighting method feels...awfully isolated."


Without responding, Kamito shut his mouth.

The boy, who was once called— the strongest blade dancer. He, who was raised as an assassin at that mad «Instructional School» had never experienced fighting alongside his comrades.

Creeping to the target's back and cutting its throat— that was his original fighting method.

On a whim of the Elemental Lords, the Blade Dance's regulation was changed every time it was held.

The Blade Dance, fifteen years ago, was a battle royale.

The one three years ago, was an individual elimination match.

This time however it was a team competition.

Honestly, he didn't think that his teamwork with Claire was turning out well.

And the three-year long blank period was for him, as an elementalist, a fatal flaw.

He also had a contracted spirit, who could not exhibit even a tenth of her strength yet.

There were many factors that had to be overcome.

"Claire Rouge, you too. You do not understand what it means to fight in a team."

"I'm always alone. T...this guy is just a slave spirit..."

"Oh dear, you two have many difficulties in store for you."

Teacher Freya sighed and disappeared into the shadow again.

"...Hmm, because of that just now, two minutes have been used up. There are about five minutes remaining."

As it was, if they did not reach a conclusion soon, both team's inter-school rank would drop.


It will affect this two, who were still of low rank, greatly.

—Then, the hell cat, snuggling at the side of Claire's feet, let out a roar.

"Hey, Scarlet is saying something."

"Yeah, the forest looks strange. The wild animals are stirring up.

Claire was frowning with a serious face for some reason—

"There—"

She suddenly faced the forest and fired a fire attribute spirit magic.

It was a fireball— a high ranking spirit magic that would reduce a target to ashes with ultra-hot flames.

The red hot flames licked the ground and the forest near it was reduced to ashes.

With the rising black smoke, a boorish figure appeared standing in a relaxed manner.

"Well, what a frightening ojou-sama."

The girl wore the carapace armor of her elemental waffe over her body.

Despite receiving a direct hit of the fireball, she did not have a single burn mark.

"This is unexpected... you came out for a fairly fight. Have you already given up on a surprise attack?"

"Our roles have ended. The leader's preparations have been completed."

"Preparations?"

Claire and Kamito frowned simultaneously.

From the direction the black smoke was rising up—


"Huh....?" "What... is that!?"

A gigantic timber-scaffolding was put together.

While its structure was simple, it was without a doubt a splendid shrine.

And top of it a small girl, wearing the academy uniform, was dancing. It looked like she was carrying some kind of a ritual.

The girl had beautiful platinum-blonde hair held by a wooden cane.

"Our brethren, now is the time, hand down the iron hammer to the forest devastators!"

From the top of the gigantic scaffolding, she faced their side and thrust the cane with a snap.

"Wh...what's going on, that girl ... when did she manage to make a shrine that big!?"

"We were preparing it from the last night to have it ready for today's match."

The carapace elementalist girl proudly held up her pincers.

...Indeed, if it was with that spirit's power, it should be possible to make the shrine in a night.

"I...it's unfair, that thing! A ritual Kagura!"

"Uh-huh, it isn't unfair! Without a large-scale ritual, I can't call out my contracted spirit!"

The girl, who was on top of the scaffolding and holding a cane, shouted.

"Shut up, children should stay silent!"

"Unh, what do you mean by children, isn't your chest small too?"

"What... did you say?"

Pakii! The sound of a twig being stepped on and broken resounded. Claire's red hair was bristling up like a blazing flame.


"The family of Druid ..."

Kamito muttered wiping the sweat from his forehead.

They were nobles from the Ordesia Empire. It was a family of ancient honorable elementalists, which had lived in the spirit forest since before the foundation of the empire and succeeded the blood relationship of the princess maidens with their original methods.

"That girl's spirit is a little special, summoning takes time."

"I see, so that was the reason you were stalling..."

The ground was violently shaking. The flames of the torches, lighting the area surrounding the shrine, were thunderously burning up.

...He felt tremendous pressure. What that girl was trying to use was an outrageously powerful spirit. It was likely that it roughly matched the giant military spirit they fought the other day.

"—I won't let you. Scarlet!"

Claire released Scarlet as its elemental waffe, Flame Tongue, and hit the ground very hard.

"Kamito, I'll hold her back. You go destroy that shrine."

"Got it!"

Kamito nodded and ran with the silver-glittering «Terminus Est» in his hand.

As an elementalist, Claire was a genius.

Although the compatibility of hers and carapace spirit worked against her, in a one-on-one battle, she would not lose.

There was a considerable distance till the shrine, but with Kamito's speed, he should make it in time.

"...!?"


Suddenly the ground in front of him burst open.

From within the thicket, spirit magic lightning bullets were fired.

It was the thunder spirit girl. Naturally, Kamito had also predicted that an ambush was hidden in the forest.

However—

"Toryaaaaaa!"

"Wha...!?"

This was unexpected. —The elementalist herself came interfering.

It was impossible to ignore. Kamito stopped and turned around.

(I'll stun her in one strike—)

He nimbly evaded her attack and aimed the handle of the sword at her stomach—

At that moment, an intense flash blinded him.

The thunder spirit, the girl was using, blew itself up in front of him.

The rain of the intense lightning attack assaulted Kamito. Sharp pain and then numbness ran throughout his whole body.

It wasn’t strong enough to incapacitate him. However, he was, for a while, stunned.

Before his eyes recovered, the girl, also caught in the explosion, fainted and had therefore been defeated.

(That girl aimed for a tie from the start...)

It was a strategy unsuited for individual battles, but when working in a team, it was a good way to achieve victory.

Her duty was to stop him for a while. And in that she had succeeded.


"We're done for..."

"Come, tyrant governor! Thou, beast king of the destruction army that grinds and smashes everything!"

On top of the shrine, the forest girl aimed the cane to the sky and recited the majestic summoning.

The ritual has been completed.

"...Its name is beast swarm spirit «Cernunnos»!"

From everywhere in the forest, a countless number of roars could be heard.

That Druid girl was calling the beasts that were living in Astral Zero.

"The beast swarm spirit... a spirit of vast possession range type!"

It was the same as the frenzy spirit that drove Claire's Scarlet, the militarized spirit and many others mad, a type that could possess targets from a longer distance.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Dodododododododododoo!*

The group of beasts, which were controlled by the swarm spirit, made the earth tremble when they came charging.

"Be...Because they aren't spirits, if they were trampled, they would die. Normally."

"I...If it's the handling of animals, I too will not lose!"

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Pishi!* *Pishi!* Claire, who defeated the carapace elementalist, swang her whip.

"Give it up, Claire, it's our loss."

"—The match is over."

Teacher Freya, who appeared quickly like a shadow, blew into the whistle announcing the end of the match.

<noinclude>{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Prologue|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Chapter2}}</noinclude>

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Prologue

2014-10-30T19:19:13Z

AngelicMasterMind: /* Prologue */

== Prologue ==

—Three years ago.

"Haa, haa, haa—"

A girl was running through a forest in Astral Zero, full of many twisted trees lined up in rows.

Her shoes had long since slipped off, and the soles of her bare feet were covered with injuries.

Since her long black hair had been done up at both sides of her long-sleeved, extravagant, yet courteous attire, she did not run smoothly.

From behind her, the violent sounds of many trees being mowed down were approaching.

Being caught up was just a matter of time.

(Why did such a thing—)

The girl was invited to view the Blade Dance as the guest of honor of the Ordesia Empire.

Although being called the guest of honor, she was invited as an extra for an excuse.

Falling out of the candidacy of «Divine Ritual Institute»— the Queens’ training organization, she was the imperial family's excess baggage.

She had nothing special other than the title of former second princess and the fact that she was just a mere thirteen year-old girl.

Her noble colleagues, who by right should have pledged allegiance to the imperial family, were sending her looks of contempt.

Even the retainer court ladies were ridiculing her behind her back.


A worthless lost queen—

It was painful for her to be at the match venue since she would be exposed to a lot of people's gazes.

That match with Ren Ashbell, which she wanted to see, was held later on in the afternoon and, even if she was gone, there was no one who would be particularly worried.

Therefore, she came to the middle of a forest like this, all alone.

Without knowing how dreadful this place; the forest of Astral Zero, could be.

Approaching her from behind, {{Furigana|a tree spirit|Dryad|margin=13}}<ref>Furigana 101: {{Furigana|Meaning|Reading|margin=13}}</ref> let out a dreadful roar.

Naturally, the Dryad had the temperament of a docile spirit. Perhaps, it might be angry because she had stepped on and broken the twigs in the forest.

(It's no good, if this keeps up—)

She could not get away— realizing that, she prepared herself.

She stopped at that place, turned around and firmly glared at the Dryad.

"Y...You, if you are my knight, then simply go and beat it—"

Shouting with a shaky voice, she began to recite the summoning spell to summon her contracted spirit.

——Thou servant of the king of the child of man, knight and master swordsman!

——By the contract of the old blood, become the sword that protects me, come forth and do my bidding!

The spirit seal, engraved on the girl's chest, emitted a faint radiance—

However, that was all it did.


Suddenly, the path with her contracted spirit was severed and the seal's radiance vanished.

(...! I thought so, it's already hopeless, I—)

Despair surfaced on the girl's face.

The Dryad let out a roar and swung its log-like arm—

At that moment, a blinding light flashed.

"Eh?"

The girl opened her eyes reflexively.

That Dryad's log-like arm had clearly vanished from her sight.

It was as if time had stopped.

From the cross-section of the severed tree, something like a black fog was emitting out.

And then *Don* there was a sound of someone landing on the ground.

Before the girl's eyes, a single boy was standing.

He had black hair and wore a black vest with a pair of navy blue trousers.

The boy was grasping a jet-black demon sword that emitted black fog.

"Stay still there, it's dangerous."

He told her bluntly and turned toward the spirit before him.

That Dryad, who had its arm cut off, roared in anger and attacked the boy.

As it swung down its other arm, the girl reflexively covered her eyes.


However...

"It isn't going to work on me though, I'm sorry."

The boy was stopping the blow that came from that Dryad with all its might, single-handedly, with one sword. 

And then— he exhaled and kicked off the ground at the same time.

With all his strength, he cut off its arm and hit its torso very hard with the center of the sword.

It was a single blow. With merely a single blow, the spirit, which prided itself on its strength, was brought down and became motionless.

"Maybe I overdid it a little. Although, it was my intention to not injure it as much as possible."

"..."

The girl was dumbfounded and the boy turned around.

If she were to describe him, she would call him slender and handsome.

His eyes were so clear that, he could be easily mistaken for a girl of about the same age.

At that very moment, he did not seem like a person who had brought a spirit in the blink of an eye.

Then, the girl suddenly realized.

(Eh? This person, it's like I have seen him somewhere—)

The girl tilted her head to the side.

"Err, are you alright? Do you have any injuries?"

The boy asked in a calm voice.

"Ye...Yeah, I'm fine. You have my gratitude for saving me."


"Is that so... that's good."

The boy took a breath in relief, put down the jet-black demon sword and came walking toward her.

At that moment—

"Ah...!"

The jet-black demon sword emitted black fog— the girl realized its significance and her face turned pale.

That was it. A sword that cuts up spirits could not be an ordinary sword.

(That's an elemental waffe!? But, why—)

Then, the girl finally realized.

She surely had a recollection of the boy's face.

"N...No way...why..."

She should have seen him before. After all, this boy—

"...?"

Seeing the girl's expression stiffen, the boy paused in his steps, puzzled.

And then, as if he realized something, his eyes widened.

"Gua... Damn it! Ahhh!"

He covered his face with both hands and shouted.

Facing a boy like that, the girl pointed out her index finger.

"'''Why is Ren Ashbell-sama a boy'''?"


"Gu..."

The girl stared at the boy, who was trying to catch his breath, with a stern look.

She understood that she was saying something unthinkable.

After all, the boy in front of her had short hair and his chest was completely flat.

No matter how anyone looked at him, he was a boy.

(But I am not mistaken—)

The boy's face was similar to the Blade Dancer's, who was currently winning throughout the tournament because of her overwhelming strength.

Without a doubt, it was the face of that person— Ren Ashbell!

(Besides, that sword—)

The jet-black demon sword that was grasped in the boy's hand. That darkness-attribute elemental waffe— «{{Furigana|the sword that pierces truth|Vorpal Sword|margin=13}}» and her companion, which, in the past, had brought down many of her opponents.

And then, above all else, there was that sword skill, which was displayed when he, with merely one blow, brought down the raging spirit.

"Ah, this is, err, how do I put it ..."

The boy was attempting to deceive her frantically and hastily.

"Wh...What to do, Restia!"

"I don't care. Even if you're not in the middle of a match, I had always been warning you to be in female clothing."

"But I didn't think that there would be people in the middle of such a forest!"

"Nevertheless, since it was a cute girl, you went to save her without thinking."


"I...It's not like that!"

The boy was, for some reason, sneakily talking with the jet-black demon sword that was held in his hand.

The girl's head was in a complete chaos. She was also surprised that the true identity of Ren Ashbell was a boy because, to begin with, it was hard for her to believe in the existence of a male elementalist.

Those who could contract a spirit were only pure maidens— that was the common sense taught to her from the «Divine Ritual Institute» from when she was young. Speaking of a male elementalist, there was nothing that came to mind, but that legendary Demon King, Solomon.

(This tournament's favorite, the famous Ren Ashbell-sama, is actually a boy—)

If that became known, the scandal would be so big, that it would affect the Blade Dance greatly.

Scratching his hair as if giving up, the boy gazed at the girl in resignation.

"Er...err, erm, there are circumstances to this. So, I am a boy but, without asking anything, could you keep this a secret from everyone?"

Receiving his troubled and pleading look, the girl felt her chest throbbing spontaneously.

(Eerr, what do I do...)

Honestly, the girl was bewildered. The blade dancer, whom she admired, was a boy— even if she suddenly said such a thing, there was no way that anyone could comprehend it immediately.

Besides, though her throne inheritance rights had been erased, she was still the second princess of the Ordesia Empire and a pure princess maiden of the «Divine Ritual Institute». Was it alright for her to overlook this fact which would desecrate the «Blade Dance»?

"..."

However, when she saw that boy's troubled face—

"...I understand."

Unintentionally, she nodded.

"I won't tell anyone, I won't ask anything. You are the one who saved my life."

Even if her true identity was a boy, Ren Ashbell was still her admired blade dancer.

Her Blade Dance gave the girl, who was always depressed since '''that day''', the courage. That understanding would not change. Besides, there was also the fact, that he had saved her life.

To give a reward to a Knight's meritorious service was the imperial family's precept.

"T...Thank you! You saved me some trouble!"

The boy took a breath of relief.

"You're quite a simple person. It's just a verbal promise."

"Yeah, but you don't look like a girl who would break a promise."

"..."

Facing such straightforward words, the girl's cheeks were dyed slightly red.

(Wh...Why is my chest beating so fast...)

"I'll escort you to the forest's exit, since Astral Zero's forests are dangerous."


"Th...Thank you..."

"Your shoes... they seemed to have slipped off. Come on, hold on to my back."

The boy noticed that the girl's feet were covered in injuries and helped her climb up his back.

"Er...Erm, my breasts are touching your back."

Embarrassed, the girl whispered at the side of his ear.

"Yeah?"

"N...Nothing..."

With her cheeks dyed red, the girl quickly turned her face away.

In the middle of a dim forest, while listening to the sounds of them stepping on the fallen leaves, the girl inquired.

"Hey, why did you go so far as to fake being a girl and participate in the «Blade Dance»?"

"..."

After a moment of silence—

"Because, I have a «Wish» I want to be granted."

The boy answered that with a serious expression.

A «Wish»— A miracle of the Elemental Lords that was bestowed upon the victor of the blade dance.

At that moment, those words that the boy spoke of brought about an insight in the girl's mind.

(I see, if it's for the Blade Dance «Wish», even my power...)

After coming to a place near the match area, the girl was gently let off from his back.


"After this, you'll have to return by yourself. Because I will be having my next match."

"Yeah, Thank you. Err..."

"Uh huh?"

"Tell me your name."

"My name?"

"Ren Ashbell is an alias, right? That's not it, your real name."

"..."

After he hesitated for a while—

"It's Kamito. Kazehaya Kamito."

"Kazehaya Kamito."

It had a strange and mysterious sound. The girl muttered that name as her tongue rolled.

"Well, err... could we meet again? Kamito."

"Eh? Ye...Yeah, once the Blade Dance finishes—"

"—Is that so. It's a promise, Kamito."

—After that, in seven days, Ren Ashbell held the title of the Strongest Blade Dancer.

However, the girl never met him again.

Because he, who should have been granted his «Wish», suddenly disappeared.
<noinclude>

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==Notes==

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<references/>

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{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Illustrations|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume2 Chapter1}}</noinclude>

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume1 Chapter6

2014-10-29T19:37:33Z

AngelicMasterMind: /* Part 1 */

==Chapter 6: The Blade Dance at Midnight==

===Part 1===

—It was 2 am. The time when the academy students slept and forest spirits began stirring.

On the stone paved path illuminated by the moonlight, Kamito was walking alongside Claire.

"The academy at night has an atmosphere that is very different, "

"Of course, night is the time for spirits."

Claire kept facing front and bluntly replied. Solid sounds of walking resounded loudly.

Since some time ago, Claire had not said much. She might be tense about the duel with the Knights.

"Where are you planning to do it?"

Private battles should be prohibited within the academy according to academy regulations. Is there a place for a duel outside?

"Over there—"

Claire abruptly stopped.

In front of what she was pointing, there was a gigantic stone circle.

Its ground was dimly shining in bluish-white.

"That's the— «Astral Gate»!"

"Yea, the gate that connects this world with the Astral Zero. The reason why the academy was built in such a remote place."


"...I see."

He was surprised that there was a 'gate' within the academy premises. That stone circle was perhaps a prehistoric ruin, which was used with an unknown art. It probably had a function to stabilize the unstable «gate».

"Isn't it dangerous? There are spirits that cannot be controlled by humans roaming about in the Astral Zero."

"You see, that «gate» connects to a safe area where there are only low-level spirits. If not, the academy wouldn't leave it alone, right?"

Claire murmured '''stupid''', and stepped into the middle of the stone circle.

She recited the words of opening the gate in the spirit language and the blue light on the ground further increased its brightness.

"Come on, you, faster! Get on too."

Led by Claire, Kamito hurriedly jumped on top of the formation of lights.

At that moment, his field of vision was filled with a white flash.

He had a feeling that his whole body was attacked with dizziness. And then—

...

—After opening his eyes, a scenery of another world spread out.

There was a deep dark forest with twisted trees standing tall.

Shining brilliantly in the night sky was a blood-like red moon.

There was a pale purple smoke-like fog shrouding nearby.

Astral Zero— another world, which spirits live in.

"If it's here, nobody can disturb us. Even if we were injured, it would not be serious, so this place is often used by the academy students for duels."

A situation in which such a thing occurred, the physical body of humans possessing divine powers would be treated the same as spirits, this meant that there's almost no physical damage received.

Naturally, this was not absolutely safe. Pain was felt normally; in exchange of the physical body not receiving damage, the mind would suffer an equal damage.

To fall into a lethargic state was still a good thing, but in the case of receiving a serious injury, one would receive severe memory impairment and the destruction of the mind, there was also the possibility of not regaining consciousness.

"—Flame, illuminate."

Claire recited the spirit magic and a small fire ball was born on her palm, dimly lighting up a narrow open path in the middle of the forest.

"Let's go, Kamito."

Claire gently brushed her twin-tails and calmly walked.

"Do we have a chance of winning?"

"That depends on your ability. ...Honestly, it might be a little hard."

"Is that so?"

Kamito was surprised. For an elementalist of Claire's level, it was unexpected of her to say such a thing.

"Putting aside the other two, Ellis is strong. She isn't the Knights leader just for show. Besides, Scarlet exhausted some strength from this morning's fight with the «sealed spirit». Rinslet's ability is— well, at least I recognize it, but her teamwork is the worst."

"...That was a surprisingly calm battle strength analysis. I thought you were the more impulsive type."

"You, what do you see me as?"

"A dangerous fellow, who instantly swings a whip— Ouch!"

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Pashii*— A whip was promptly swung down onto Kamito's back.

...After walking a while, there was a historic ruin of a gigantic theater in the forest.

It was something from when Astral Zero and the human world were one— a long gone mythical era.

The crumbling looking stone gate greeted the two. It seemed that here was the stage for the duel.

"First of all, you, the sword elementalist, are the attacker. Rinslet and I will provide cover."

"I've got the most dangerous role! Isn't it your duel?"

"What! Do you have a complaint? Alright, if that's the case, I'll let you choose a position. Attacker or cinders, which do you like?"

"I get it. I'll be the attacker."


"A wise decision."

Claire nodded seemingly satisfied.

"By the way, you can properly handle that contracted «sword spirit», right?"

"Hn, ahh...probably."

"...Probably? What do you mean?"

Claire's eyes lifted up with danger. Kamito backed off in a panic.

"Well, you see, isn't it bad if it was summoned poorly and went out of control? That's why, I have not summoned it even once since I contracted it this morning."

That was somewhat of an explanation— he thought. Actually, it was half of the explanation.

The truth was that, by contracting with another spirit, he felt guilty in regards to her.

He felt a sense of betrayal about using a new contracted spirit.

"You succeeded in contracting in just one try, therefore there should be little chance of losing control but— well, it is a sealed spirit with a history and it certainly won't be funny if anything happened."

However, Claire seemed to have agreed for once.

"For the time being, try releasing your elemental waffe. You are able to do that, right?"

"A...aahh... Yeah."

The releasing of an elemental waffe was not something anyone could do but—

(Can't seem to get into the mood, it can't be helped—)

Kamito closed his eyes and concentrated his consciousness to the «spirit seal» engraved on his right hand.

'''"Dispassionate Queen of Steel, the sacred sword that destroys evil—"'''

He recited the summoning in the spirit language and the crest of two swords crossing faintly shined.

The path with a contracted spirit would be normally connected— however,

(What?)

...It was strange. He could not feel the presence of such a powerful sealed spirit.

No— he could pick up its presence, but it was as if something wasn't right, like gears not fitting together.

'''"—Now form a sword of steel and be the power in my hand!"'''

At that moment, small particles of light gathered at Kamito's palm.

And then, what appeared was—

"..."

One short sword.

To be more precise, it was a small sword almost like a knife.

...*Shin*. An awkward silence arrived.

"...Is that the sword spirit's elemental waffe?"

Claire said with her face twitching.


For an incarnation of the powerful sealed spirit that cut down Scarlet in one blow—

...Honestly, it was too shabby.

"D...Don't judge it by its appearance, it might actually have an amazing ability."

"Y...eah, that certainly may be true!"

Claire nodded for a moment while having a stiff expression.

Kamito tried cutting a buckwheat tree as a test.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Bekii*. The short sword very easily broke and vanished.

"..."

"...Ahh, how should I say it, it's probably that."

Kamito beared the frozen Claire's gaze and calmly opened his mouth.

"To tell you the truth, this is the first time I've used a contracted spirit in three years. I have yet to regain that feeling."

"...Huh?"

Claire blankly opened her mouth to that shocking confession.

"You're lying... after all, didn't you easily tame that sealed spirit!?"

"That time was because I was frantically trying to save you. To be honest, I don't really understand myself how I succeeded in contracting it."

No matter how powerful a spirit one contracted with, there was no point if one could not fully draw out that power. When an inexperienced elementalist contracted a spirit beyond his means, it was often the case that its power would be too much to handle.

(...However, for my case, it's a little different.)

Kamito stared at his left hand, inserted in a leather glove.

(Probably, within my sub-consciousness, I thought about her.)

—Therefore, he could not connect the path with the new spirit.

"Wh..Wha..What's with that..."

He heard a dead groan. After lifting her head, Claire was tightly grasping a leather whip, used for training animals, with her shoulders trembling.

"No, I mean, um, my battle strength is lacking..." 

"What do you mean! I am counting on your battle strength!"

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Pishii!* *Pishii!* *Pishii!*

"Ouch! Wait..stop!"

A tempest of unforgiving whips descended onto the escaping Kamito.

Then, there—

"What in the world are you doing? Claire Rouge."

From the other side of the dark tree grove, that voice was heard.

Claire stopped her whipping and sullenly turned around.


The ones who appeared were Rinslet and the maid Carol.

"You're late, Rinslet."

"Aah, a lady getting dressed takes time."

Rinslet proudly brushed her extravagant platinum blonde hair.

"...? What, is Carol here too?"

"Of course, as milady's supporter."

After Kamito heard that, Carol brought out a flag, seemingly from nowhere and began swinging it.

"By the way, why were you whipping Kazehaya Kamito?"

Rinslet placed her index finger at her chin and frowned dubiously.

That was— before Claire answered, Carol interrupted.

"Milady, that's something unrefined to listen to."

"What do you mean?"

"That was a form of a slightly unusual love. In a unique way, that was a perverted play."

"Ehh! Is that right, you two!?"

"T...Th..T..That's not it! W...What are you saying, you stupid maid!"

Claire's face became bright red as she denied it.

...Indifferently, he wanted the fuse-blowing whipping to stop, as it hurt.


(...Why am I already worn out before the duel.)

Kamito began to seriously think about the absurdity of his life. At that moment.

"—Your side seems to be all present, Raven class."

A frigid voice descended from right above.

"...!?"

The four of them looked upwards together.

There, above the crumbling theater wall was—

A figure of a gallant female knight with her blue hair fluttering in the gentle breeze.

Beside her, two knights, also wearing the same silver armor, were standing.

He heard their names from Claire. The one with the short hair was Rakka. The one with the braiding was Reishia.

"—Ellis Fahrengart, for how long were you here!"

"By the way, you wouldn't by any chance be waiting for a chance to appear at a cool moment, right?"

"Wha... T...There's no such thing! I just only got here!"

After Kamito pointed it out with his half-opened eyes, Ellis was frankly disturbed and ended up almost falling.

...Somehow, that was a rather deplorable look for a Knights' leader.

Ellis sharply glared at Kamito and the rest, and drew her sword from her waist.


"Let's go, Raven class. Let's finish this duel by day break—"

At that moment. The illumination of a large flame lit the stage of the theater.

The one shined on by that illumination—

"That's—!?"

A large eagle was spreading its enormous wings and making an appearance in the red night.

"Let me introduce to you, Kazehaya Kamito. This is my contracted spirit— demon wind spirit, «Simorgh»!"

With a howl like the wind— The large eagle, clad in wind, swooped down.

===Part 2===

At a point of an attack in-place of a greeting, —

The demon wind spirit glided closer and dived with its aim at the ground, where the four were.

An ear-splitting thunderous roar. Stone paving came unstuck and large amounts of earth and sand were whirled up.

A strong wind, brought forth from the force of the explosion, hit Kamito and his body was easily blown away.

"...Gahaa!"

He was thrown into a wall. With that bone shattering impact, he stopped breathing for a moment.

Even if one received an attack of a spirit of a purified form, the physical body cannot be hurt, however, the physical damage from a crashing impact and fragments of rubble were different. Small rocks fluttering up in the squall were cutting at Kamito's whole body. While covering his forehead with both his hands, Kamito clicked his tongue.

(...What destructive power! If I took a blow directly, I'll faint.)

That demon wind spirit... Simorgh.

Comparing just destructive power, it might surpass even Claire's Scarlet.

(That's right, where's Claire?)

He stood up and surveyed his surroundings, his two allies were at their respective positions.

Claire was providing direct cover from a mid-distance. Rinslet was providing rear support with a long distance attack.

Carol was...waving a flag at the outside of the theater where she had escaped to.

The thunderous wind that was blowing violently stopped. At that interval, Kamito began to run—

"Not yet, Kamito!"

"...!?"

At the same time Claire shouted, the roar of the demon wind spirit resounded.

From an empty large hole in the ground, a large demon bird flapped its wings—

"What are you doing, quickly release your elemental waffe!"

"Hn, even if you say that—"

At that moment, a cluster of wind that held an enormous mass gouged the earth while rushing over.


The stone paving came ripping off in a straight line. Kamito quickly jumped sideways.

While tumbling on the ground, he quickly recited the summoning of the spirit language in his mouth.

The spirit seal faintly glowed, but as before, the path with the contracted spirit was not connected.

(... It's no good, huh!?)

Just as he was about to give up, a glowing short sword was constructed in his palm.

It was the same unreliable elemental waffe, but it was better than nothing.

"Are you just escaping? Kazehaya Kamito, I have misjudged you!"

Ellis, with a pony-tail hair swaying, alighted onto the ground.

"Ahh! I just have to fight, right—"

Kamito prepared the short sword and charged towards Ellis. The first to strike wins. If he defeated the elementalist first, then the summoned contracted spirit would vanish—

"Kamito, behind you!"

Claire's voice came from behind him— Kamito jumped straight to the side.

The wing of the demon wind spirit mowed down at the place Kamito was at just now.

"... What speed!"

Among the five grand spirits, the ones boasting of being the fastest were the wind-attribute spirits. And Ellis was completely controlling one of them.

The demon wind spirit, dancing in the night sky, turned in an arc— and swooped down.


Kamito jumped again. The demon wind spirit that crashed into the ground blew up a large quantity of earth and sand— and then it immediately transformed into countless blades of the wind and cut into Kamito's arms.

"...Kuu!"

Tremendous pain was running in his right arm. Actually, it did not mean that his arm was cut off— but that pain was violently jolting his consciousness.

(—Well, I never thought it'd turn into the blades of wind with that timing.)

Kamito was astonished in his mind. Ellis's competency as an elementalist was something substantial.

"Kamito, I'll cover you!"

At the same time as her voice, a blazing flame illuminated the night sky red.

Claire wielded Scarlet's elemental waffe — «Flame Tongue».

The flame slash mowed down all the attacking blades of the wind in an arc—

"I won't let you interfere with the leader!"

The braided hair knight, Reishia, attacked Claire.

The elemental waffe held in her hand was a transparent ice sword— it seemed she was also an ice elementalist like Rinslet.

Nonetheless, her spirit's rank was completely no match for Rinslet's Fenrir. It seemed she had the competency to release her contracted spirit into its elemental waffe, but she had not made it hers yet.

She was not good enough to be a worthy adversary for Claire— Kamito concluded so and adjusted his direction to Ellis, who was in front of him.


In that moment, simultaneous with a violent blasting sound, the ground in front of him was being completely gouged.

"...!?"

"Huh, try taking on my elemental waffe— Rock Breaker!"

The short-haired knight, Rakka, shouted in a spirited tone.

Her specialized weapon was a large hammer with a long handle, which was easily being swung about by the thin arm of a girl.

Kamito jumped and backed away, getting some distance between them. She seemed more hot-blooded than Reishia.

While keeping his distance, he was chasing Ellis, who was within his sight—

Ellis had linked with Rakka's attack and was already moving.

As expected of the Knights' leader, Ellis' commanding ability was high.

First, she was to use her demon wind spirit to launch a preemptive attack to cause chaos on the battlefield. Next was to strike Claire on mid-guard with Reishia and Kamito on advance-guard with Rakka. While the two were pinned down, Ellis with the most battle strength would attack Rinslet on rear-guard. That was the so-called strategy.

(... Before attacking Ellis, firstly, I have to do something about this fellow.)

Kamito nimbly stepped in and let loose a slash. The flash of the silver sword shallowly cut Rakka's arm.

As it was an attack from an elemental waffe, blood did not flow out— but pain should be felt in the same way.

"This guy...!"

Rakka's face was dyed in anger. She aimed at the top of Kamito's head and swung her Rock Breaker down.


There was a thunderous roar. The ground was gouged and rubbles were whirled up. It was probably a spirit of the earth attribute. As expected, its destructive power is great, but its movement was a large swing, making it easy to avoid.

"Chii, how restless!"

She too seemed to have yet to master her elemental waffe. Or perhaps, her contracted spirit's rank in contrast to her competency was too great— The spirit she was supposed to be using was manipulating her.

"Don't run, fight properly, male elementalist!"

"This doesn't mean that I'm just running away. In a group battle, you should pay more attention to your surroundings."

"What?"

"A capable hunter is taking aim."

At that moment, an ice arrow came flying and pierced the girl's chest.

Rakka was flashily blown away and bounced on the ground.

The elemental waffe, 'Rock Breaker', turned into particles of light and vanished.

"Fuu, nice shot!"

Kamito turned behind where the voice came from.

On the outer wall of the theater, there was the appearance of Rinslet brushing her hair.

"... Why are you, the support position, standing at such a conspicuous place?!"

"Ah, it's natural for me to be at a more conspicuous place than Claire!"


"Th...That stupid dog...! You were moving around and sniping, right!"

Claire shouted like she was gnawing.

"Fuu, as a worthy lady of the noble Laurenfrost family, I won't be satisfied if I'm not at the most conspicuous place at a dance party."

"That's milady!"

Carol was delightfully swinging a flag from above ground.

"Hmm, you're pretty composed, Raven Class!"

—At that moment, at the back a strong squall was winding up.

Spreading its wings, the demon wind spirit roared and flew with its aim at Rinslet.

"A good target! Freezing ice fang, pierce— «Freezing Arrow»!"

Rinslet quickly released the Freezing Arrow—

The demon wind spirit immediately transformed to the countless blades of wind and rushed at Rinslet.

"Kyaa!"

"Rinslet!?"

In front of Claire, who planned to rush over, the braided hair knight blocked her way.

She quickly entered into the range of the whip in the gap that Claire lost her focus and slashed with her ice sword. The moment she got into the range, a sword was overwhelmingly advantageous. Claire was gradually pressured.


"Why you! How dare you do this to Rakka!"

"Kuu— Kamito, chase Ellis!"

"Ahh!"

Claire was in a predicament, but Ellis ought to be stopped now.

Ellis was running on the stairs of the theater. Her intention was to completely take out Rinslet.

Kamito aimed at Ellis's legs and threw the short sword. He concluded that it was dangerous to ignore her— Ellis jumped to the side and got into the audience seating.

In the vicinity, a high-pitched sound reverberated. The elemental waffe short sword hit the wall and got smashed up.

"Hmm, that's a pretty fragile elemental waffe."

While Ellis said that, she called the demon wind spirit to her hand.

And then—

"—Evil winds, pierce through my sworn enemy's heart, become a demonic spear and lodge within my hand!"

The moment she recited the releasing in the spirit language— winds blew violently and in her hand a very long spear appeared.

It was a ceremonial long spear and delicate patterns were engraved on its handle.

Its tip, illuminated by the red moonlight, was clad in sharp winds and was faintly making wind sounds.

Her pony-tail hair, which reached her waist, was agitatedly swaying and flowing in the wind.

Ellis completely spun the spear in one hand and stared at Kamito with a cold expression.


"This is my elemental waffe— «Ray Hawk»."

Kamito—

"...Beautiful."

Without a thought, let out such a voice.

"Hah, you too understand— the beauty of this «Ray Hawk»."

Displaying her truly prided spear, Ellis loosened her cheeks, slightly delighted.

"Idiot, I mean you! Don't make me say that, it's embarrassing."

"Wha..? Me..!?"

Ellis turned bright red and became flustered.

"Hey, y...you're mocking me, right? Kazehaya Kamito!"

"No, I'm just normally entranced."

"E...Entranced... Ah....."

Ellis's face increasingly redden... as if purging evil thoughts, she shook her head.

"Ehh...Such a practical joke... As I thought, you are mocking me!"

"No, you really are beautiful— Owaa!"

Being enraged, Ellis thrust her spear with her face bright red.

As a result of losing her composure, it was easy to dodge.


However, when the demonic spear tip grazed the side of his abdomen, at that moment—

The blades of winds were released and cut his whole body.

(Guu...!?)

In response to the sharp pain, Kamito clicked his tongue in his mind.

(—That elemental waffe can create the blades of wind, huh!)

While bearing the pain attacking his whole body, Kamito jumped away to the back in one go.

That demonic spear could create the blades of wind, so there also was no point in evading with a paper-thin difference.

However, Ellis jumped again and released a stream of attacks like a tempest.

"Are you trying to escape... you insolent guy! I'll turn you into tiramisu<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiramisu Tiramisu] is an italian cake and desert</ref>!"

"What? Is candy-making also your forte? You cute sullen young lady."

"I...I am currently practicing making candies. For the sake of the gentleman that I'll marry in the future— Eh... What did you make me say! And who's the sullen young lady!"

Ellis pierced the theater wall with all her might in one blow and fragments of rubble flew around.

(...This person, she's seriously strong!)

As expected of someone who served as the Knights leader in this academy that gathered elementalists.

It was a beautiful Blade Dance like modeling after Kagura, which spirits enjoyed themselves in.

The wound in his left hand ached.


He understood that his senses were gradually getting sharper.

The serious Blade Dance was causing his blood to boil.

His body was recalling the sensations from three years ago.

(However, it wasn't something like this.)

It was irritating that his legs did not move as he wanted. His instinctive ability to read his opponent's movements was also falling.

(I—)

"You, don't run!"

Releasing a sharp thirst for blood and being clad in gales, Ellis came attacking.

It was not a clever thrust. It was a blow with all her might to decide the match.

However, there was a fatal chance born—

"Freezing Ice Fang, pierce— «Freezing Arrow»!"

Rinslet, who had recovered and was awaiting for a chance to snipe, released her Freezing Arrow without delay.

Simultaneously—

"Dance, crimson flame that invites ruins— «Hell Blaze»!"

After Claire settled Reishia, she released her flame attribute elemental waffe.

"...!?"

Ellis opened both her eyes in surprise.


The timing was perfect. The released ice fang and infernal flame went straight at their target—

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Pariiiin!*

They collided with each other in the air.

"...Wha!?"

Kamito's face twitched.

Ellis, in front of him, was also standing still, dumbfounded.

"Hey, Rinslet! Why did you get in my way!"

"W...What? You're the one who should not get in my way."

At that moment, the two of them began to quarrel.

"T...Those two..."

Kamito forgot that he was in the midst of the duel and deeply sighed.

(...They have the ability, yet their teamwork is really all over the place.)

"—How foolish, to fall out among yourselves!"

Ellis Fahrengart raised her elemental waffe spear once again.

Thunderously, a strong wind, unseen before, was winding up.

"T..To make a mockery of me by saying that I'm beautiful, I'll make you regret—"

There was already nowhere to run to. Kamito resigned his fate, at that time—


"Wait, Ellis! Something is strange..."

"What? Now then you're begging for your life."

Stopping mid-way— Ellis shut her mouth.

It seemed she noticed it too.

"What, this presence is ...?"

The atmosphere of the vicinity was heavy. That sensation, like one's back turning chilly, was—

"What?"

"What is this?"

Claire and the others seemed to have noticed it too. They looked up at the hazy night sky and tilted their heads in confusion.

Suddenly, a thunder-like sound roared.

And then— from a tear in the sky, that appeared.

===Part 3===

That was— a giant jaw, floating in the sky.

It had neither head nor body nor a tail. It was an eerie jaw with just rows of teeth lined up making a chattering sound.


"That's, ...don't tell me, ... a demon spirit!?"

The sudden appearance of that spirit made Kamito groan and terrified him.

A demon spirit— that was something with a spirit make-up that greatly differed from humans, and thus, that was a grotesque spirit that can never be tamed by elementalists.

"A demon spirit, why is it at such a place...?"

At that moment.

"Vo...Ruoooooooon—"

The demon spirit's rising ear-splitting roar caused the girls to cower.

There was a tremendous sense of intimidation. That divine power felt on his skin was comparable to a {{Furigana|devil-class|rank A|margin=13}} spirit.

Moreover—

(It's... going berserk?)

Kamito dropped his voice and carefully observed the demon spirit in sky.

A demon spirit was certainly a grotesque being, but it's unlikely that it would be going berserk without a reason.

(...What's going on?)

Groaning within his mind— Kamito recalled.

That reminded him, before the duel— the water spirit of the spirit device in Claire's room had went out of control.

It was a phenomenon that was normally unimaginable, but if the water spirit was in a frenzy at that time, it was natural that Claire also could not control it. ...Was that phenomenon something related?

Besides—

(Claire said that powerful spirits don't appear frequently in this area.)

For the appearance of that demon spirit to be by chance, it was too unnatural.

(What the heck—?)

The jaw floating in the sky mowed down many trees of the forest, and bit and crushed the ancient historic ruins to tiny pieces. The smashed-up rock fragments rained down from high in the sky.

"Claire Rouge, for now, we'll stop the duel. Is that alright?"

"...I understand."

Claire obediently nodded at Ellis's words.

Everyone in this place understood the danger from that demon spirit.

It did not mean that that was summoned in a purified form like contracted spirits.

If bitten by those teeth, the human body and so forth will be like mere scraps of paper.

"We're taking refuge. I'll take the rear, you all carry the fainted two."

Ellis prepared the Ray Hawk and gallantly got down to the center of the historic ruins.

"No, I'll take the rear. That is not something an ordinary elementalist can do one way or another."

The way of fighting spirits and fighting human elementalists were completely different. Of course, this didn't mean that the girls didn't learn how to fight spirits but— it was an opponent too dangerous for Ellis to fight alone.

"Stop the jokes. What can you, who can't even fully use his contracted spirit, do?"

"That's..."

Kamito firmly groaned. Certainly, it was not an opponent he could fight with that unreliable elemental waffe.

"There's no time to talk. Leave this to Ellis, let's hurry!"

Rinslet whistled and Fenrir, in a white wolf appearance, came giving both fainted Reishia and Rakka a lift. Carol also came running.

"Claire, what are you doing daydreaming!"

Rinslet pulled Claire's sleeves.

—Claire was looking downwards like she was thinking about something and she suddenly raised her head.

"Ellis, I'll take the rear."

"What?"

Ellis opened her eyes. Claire whipped her leather whip and called out her contracted spirit, the hell cat.

"..."

Claire's red pupils became nailed onto the figure of the demon spirit, raging like a storm.

...It was like she was completely entranced.


In response to Claire's appearance— Kamito realized and was taken aback.

(This fellow, don't tell me—)

Claire was obsessed with obtaining a powerful spirit.

For the sake of knowing the truth concerning her sister, Rubia Elstein, she needed power.

Therefore, she still reached out to the dangerous sealed spirit.

"You, don't tell me— You plan to make '''that''' your contracted spirit!?"

"..."

Claire did not answer. She just motionlessly gazed at the demon spirit in the sky—

"That's crazy! That's a demon spirit, furthermore it's in a frenzy!"

Kamito shouted, Claire swung her twin-tails and finally turned around.

"...It's a once in a lifetime chance."

She bit her lips and muttered with an expression like she had thought hard over it.

"Firstly, there's no such thing as encountering a spirit of that level in the «Spirit Forest». Besides, it's not like there weren't any elementalists who contracted demon spirits."

"You mean Greyworth? She's a witch."

"I too may have the qualities of a witch."

"Stop doing something stupid, you'll die."


Kamito grabbed Claire's arm, who was planning to dash anytime.

Claire sternly glared at Kamito.

"Don't get in my way. My reasons to want a strong spirit, I've told them to you, right?"

"Ahh, I understand. But that's no good. Your skills can't manage it."

"...Shut up, let go! You weakling, be silent!"

Claire shook Kamito's arm and shouted.

Within her ruby pupils, glaring at Kamito, genuine hatred surfaced.

"Despite snatching my sealed spirit! You can only use a weak elemental waffe, what qualifications do you have to say something?"

"That's—"

Kamito looked downwards. It was natural for Claire to be irritated. While he had indeed contracted with such a powerful spirit, he couldn't pull out its power completely.

"What? ... I was expecting a little something."

Claire awkwardly averted her eyes.

"I'll handle that alone. You all please escape."

"Claire Rouge, you—"

"Ellis, try to protect everyone. I don't want to think about it, but if I—"


Claire did not speak after that.

And then—

"—Scarlet!"

She called her partner, flame spirit's name and ran towards the demon spirit, devouring the forest.

"Claire!"

Kamito held out his hand in a fluster.

At that moment, the demon spirit roared.

A lump of shock struck. The trees in its vicinity were thoroughly blown off.

"Winds, grant us the hand of divine protection— «Wind Wall»!"

Right away, Ellis recited the spirit magic and protected everyone at the back.

(Damn, Claire—)

While defending against the pebbles that were blown off, Kamito followed Claire with his eyes.

Claire was— dancing in the air.

She got on the winds like sparks dancing in the air.

In her hand was her flame spirit released into its elemental waffe— «Flame Tongue», which she was grasping.

The blazing crimson killing flash cut off the evening darkness.

Claire landed onto the ground and while running through the gaps of the tree grove, she drew closer to the demon spirit.


The demon spirit opened its giant jaws and made chattering sounds with its lined-up rows of teeth.

(...It's no good, this is too reckless!)

The girl, Claire Rouge, that Kamito knew was an excellent elementalist, possessing calm judgment and an insight for tactics at least in a battle.

However, she had lost sight of herself now.

Her feelings for her sister, Rubia Elstein, caused her to lose her calm judgment.

Her anger towards her sister, who betrayed her. Yet, her overwhelming love— caused a great number of conflicts to be mixed and that changed into a craving for great power.

"How tenacious! Become mine!"
[[File:STnBD V01 183.jpg|thumb]]

The flame whip dance splendidly. Her red twin-tails danced in the dark night.

That was— elementalist, Claire Rouge's Blade Dance.

"..."

Beautiful— he thought.

Despite being at such a time, Kamito, for a moment, was fascinated by that appearance and forgot everything.

...It was the same as that time.

That time when she was fighting that rampaging sword spirit alone.

Kamito calmly clenched his fist and turned behind. And then—



"Ellis, Rinslet, I'll entrust the rest to you."

"Wha... are you an idiot!?" "Are you an idiot!?"

Both of them shouted at the same time. His ears shrilled.

"...Ah, I'm an idiot. Truly an idiot."

If Greyworth was here, she would have had relentlessly poured abusive words.

To take back the precious thing he lost, he had lived with lifeless eyes for these past three years.

Yet, he was recklessly giving his life away for such a thing.

However—

"I am her contracted spirit."

Therefore—

"That's, hm, I have to help her, that returning hell cat girl."

"Wait, Kazehaya Kamito!"

Kamito shook off Ellis's hand that planned to stop him and began running.

The crimson flame was dancing with the demon spirit in a Blade Dance.

It was no good for that noble flame to be extinguished. —He did not want her to die.

After all, she was— a normal girl.

Full of conceit, hot-tempered.


Putting on a strong front, easily lonely.... truly kind.

Liking canned foods and romance stories—

Merely a princess found anywhere.

"Oooooo...oon—"

The demon spirit roared.

It released a shock wave blowing away the forest and Claire was thrown onto the ground.

"—Claire!"

===Part 4===

"...Ah...Aah, Ah..."

Claire was thrown onto the ground and cowered.

The grotesque demon spirit made a creaky sound with its giant jaw.

It seemed— like it was laughing.

She planned to escape, but her legs were shivering and did not move.

It was frightening. While she was fighting, her senses became paralyzed. However, presently—

"Y...You are not scary, therefore, become my manservant!"


The demon spirit, floating in the air, had no reason to even respond to that jeer but— it loudly laughed.

Claire's body trembled and spontaneously, she closed her eyes. The roots of the teeth did not bite at the same time. Towards an unfamiliar thing, instinctive fear bound her body.

—At that moment. The Flame Tongue in Claire's hand suddenly vanished.

It was not that she canceled the release of her elemental waffe. Scarlet opposed Claire's will and voluntary returned to the form of a hell cat.

"Scarlet!? Why...?"

Claire muttered in a blurry voice.

Was she finally being abandoned by even her contracted spirit—

However, the hell cat, clad in flames softly growled and kicked the ground and flew up.

"...!"

At that moment, Claire finally understood. Scarlet—

"Noo— Scarlet!"

Claire's scream resounded.

Scarlet did not stop. It bared its ferocious fangs and rushed at the demon spirit.

It was a red hot flame that even melted steel. However, it was not effective against the demon spirit.

In an instant, the demon spirit's teeth mercilessly bit and crushed Scarlet's body.


It screamed with agony. The flame spirit, which was bitten and crushed, vanished in the sky like a whirlpool winding.

"...Ah...Scar...let..."

Claire, as if all her body strength left her, sank down to the floor there.

Following reason, she knew that she should be escaping.

It was a last chance Scarlet made for her.

Despite that, her legs were trembling bit by bit. She could not even stand.

The extreme deep despair paralyzed Claire's whole body.

(Because of me, Scarlet—)

In the blank eyes, where the flame vanished, tears overflowed.

(...I'm an idiot. Kamito stopped me and yet—)

(—despite being unable to win, I plunged in alone.)

She was unsightly defeated.

Her contracted spirit, which was precious to her like family, was also lost.

While the demon spirit was making the chattering sound, it slowly descended.

Those sinister teeth that just ate and tore up Scarlet—

"No..."

Tears flowed along her cheeks. A stiff voice came out from deep in her throat.


"Save me... Save me— Nee-sama<ref>Nee-sama is an honorable way of referring to an elder sister in the japanese language. The term is difficult to properly translate to Englsih and so has been left as is</ref>!"

She closed her eyes in despair and at that time.

"Claire!"

She heard his voice.

===Part 5===

"Oooooooooooo!"

While making his war cry, Kamito rushed towards the demon spirit.

The spirit seal, engraved on his right hand, emitted a bluish-white glow.

'''—Dispassionate Queen of Steel, the sacred sword that destroys evil!'''

'''—Now form a sword of steel and be the power in my hand!'''

While running with mud splashing, he recited the summoning.

At his palm, particles of light were born and transformed into the form of a sword—

However, it was not good like this. Against the demon spirit that brought down Scarlet's level of spirit in one blow, that short sword cannot be effective.

(—I beg you, lend me your power, you stubborn spirit!)


(—Come on, I know you've got more power than that!)

The wound on his left hand sharply ached.

Again, the opened path with the contracted spirit was closed—

However, without minding it, Kamito continued to pour divine power into the spirit seal on his right hand.

It was an intense overload. Pain like burning was running throughout his arm's nerves.

(—Sorry, Restia. What I need now isn't you.)

Yes— what he needed was not the past.

It was the power to protect her here and now.

From the spirit seal on his left hand, violent flashes of lightning surged.

That sensation from three years ago was resurrected.

Everytime he kicked the ground to speed up, his whole body's sensation sharpened.

Just that demon spirit's movement was seen as slow motion.

(Recall it, that feeling—)

The sensation of the Blade Dance— where he danced together with his partner, the dark spirit.

(I am—)

Kamito kicked the ground and jumped high up.

(I am the Strongest Blade Dancer — Ren Ashbell!)


At that moment, a conspicuous dazzling flash was born in his palm.

From the spirit seal on his right hand, a huge amount of divine power came surging out.

The path to that sealed sword spirit was connected!

At the next moment, in Kamito's hand; he was grasping a large broadsword.

It was too gigantic for normal people to wield— the Demon Slayer.

And then—

"—Begone, you overgrown jaw."

The swing of the lump of the steel cut the demon spirit jaw cleanly in half.

===Part 6===

The rain that began falling soaked Claire's back.

Her red twin-tails withered and closely clung onto her bare skin.

"Claire..."

Kamito called out to her back, which was cowering on the ground.

"Hmm... it's good that you're safe."

"It's...not good..."


Claire muttered in a shivering voice.

"My... My Scarlet..."

She turned around and from her red pupils, a drop of tear came out.

"You—"

"You're late... Idiot! Despite being my contracted spirit."

"Ahh. My bad..."

Kamito awkwardly looked away.

"Why?"

"Eh?"

"You have such great power and yet, at the beginning, why—?"

Claire firmly grabbed Kamito's uniform collar—

"..."

She weakly removed her hand.

"...No. It's because I'm weak."

She let out such a defeated voice.

"It's because I'm weak, that I couldn't protect Scarlet. It's because I'm weak—"

—She could not stop her sister.


"If I had more, more power, such..."

While being struck by rain, Claire repeated that with a blank expression.

"Oi, get yourself together!"

Kamito grabbed Claire's shoulder—

(...Eh?)

His body slanted.

His field of vision was growing dark. ...His consciousness suddenly went far away.

It seemed that the strike of the previous elemental waffe had thoroughly exhausted his divine power.

(Damn, what a greedy... spirit...)

While cursing in his mind, Kamito lost consciousness.

<noinclude>

==Translator's notes and references==
<references/>

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