Baka-Tsuki - User contributions [en]

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume10 Chapter8

2013-05-20T01:30:04Z

Pjs312: /* Part 2 */

==Chapter 8 - Laevateinn==

===Part 1===

In the spiral staircase that rose into the sky, the sound of hard footsteps could be heard.

Chasing after Scarlet as she leaped nimbly, Kamito and Fianna sprinted.

The third floor was already smashed to unrecognizable levels by Leonora and Lily's fight. Weaving nimbly through the corridors where collapsed stone columns piled over one another, Scarlet ran across.

"W-Wait up... Humans can't really pass through this kind of place!"

However, these restraining words came too late and could no longer reach Scarlet on the other side.

Left with no other recourse, Kamito tried to find a way around—

"...We should be able to climb over there... Hmm!?"

Suddenly, Kamito held his chest and bent over.

"W-Wait up, Kamito-kun!"

Fianna frantically supported Kamito's back.

"...Are you okay? Could it be that the battle just now—"

"No, it's nothing."

As sweat appeared on his forehead, Kamito shook his head.

"However..."

"Hurry. I have a bad feeling about what's coming."

Kamito stood up and continued to chase after Scarlet.

(...My endurance will reach a limit sooner or later.)

Even though a «Healing Stone» was taking effect on his body right now, the body's fatigue could not be recovered so simply.

Due to the effects of performing the Absolute Blade's secret technique, the «Last Strike», his entire body's muscles were screaming in pain.

Although during his days at the «Instructional School», Kamito had learnt combat skills for self-suggestion to alleviate the body's pain, he did not dare use these techniques.

Relieving pain was essentially dulling of the senses. In a blade dance against a comparable opponent, it would be fatal.

Passing through the corridor, they mounted the spiral staircase once more—

Finally, the door to a new floor appeared before them.

"Is this the fourth floor...?"

Opening the door, they discovered a floor roughly just as vast as the third floor.

The ceiling was held up by arched pillars. Carved on the ground, a massive magic circle glowed faintly, lighting up the entire space.

The instant they stepped on this floor—

Kamito could feel divine power coursing through his entire body.

"...What is this?"

"The power in the leylines has gathered together. Because this is the «Lost Cathedral»'s core function."

"...In other words, we're close."

"Yes. Claire should be just up ahead."

Fianna nodded. Before them, Scarlet's flames could be seen flickering ahead.

Wagging its tail, she seemed to be urging them to hurry.

"Very well, let's go."

Resolving himself, Kamito was just about to take a step forward—

—Throb.

"...Ooh... Ah, guh...!"

Intense pain like being pricked by needles caused Kamito to groan in pain.

—Throb. Throb. Throb.

No ordinary pain. This was—

(...Damn, it... Came again, did it...)

—Kamito, going any further

An unknown voice, very similar to Restia's.

—Without awakening the «Demon King»'s power, you definitely cannot defeat her.

(...Mind your... own business...!)

Against the murmurs resounding in his mind, Kamito desperately resisted.

"...Kamito-kun?"

"Fianna, stay away from me a little more...!"

Hearing Kamito's sharp voice, Fianna suddenly stared with her eyes wide open.

"You're hearing that voice again?"

Kamito crouched down silently and covered his ears with his hands.

However, as if mocking Kamito's efforts, the voice continued to whisper.

—Form a contract with me, Kamito.

—Then I can grant you the «Demon King»'s power, allowing you to rule the world.

(...Stop it! I don't need that kind of thing!)

The shapeless darkness eroded his consciousness.

This was not the comforting darkness of night.

Not the mysterious darkness under Restia's rule.

Instead, this was an astoundingly otherworldly darkness.

Resembling the «Wish» that devoured her three years ago on that day.

The cruel and merciless darkness that devoured the warm heart Restia had given him, devoured his memories of the precious comrades he met at the Academy, and even devoured everything.

(Stop, it... Ah, ahhhhhhhhhhhh...!)

"Please be calm, Kamito."

Suddenly, Kamito found himself being hugged by a pair of slender arms.

A supple sensation enveloped him. Beautiful silver-white hair brushed against his face.

"Es...t...?"

The sacred sword hanging by his waist had transformed back into a girl without him knowing.

"Kamito, don't worry. I am here."

Her slender arms wrapped around his neck as Est whispered softly.

The phosphorescence of her silver-white hair covered Kamito's entire body.

(...My headache... Is gone?)

At the same time, ''that voice'' which had been so clear earlier could no longer be heard.

«Terminus Est» was both a demon sword with an accumulated curse and also a sword that could dispel all magical effects. Similar to how she sealed away the «Brand of Darkness» Rubia had carved last time, she now sealed away the voice tempting Kamito towards the darkness.

Soon after, the phosphorescence enveloping Kamito vanished and his headache was gone.

As Est released her arms gently, Kamito slowly stood up.

"...I'm fine now. Thank you, Est."

As Kamito stroked Est's head, she half-closed her eyes in enjoyment.

"Kamito-kun... Are you seriously okay?"

"Yeah... Sorry for making you worry."

Kamito thanked Fianna for worrying about him.

"...Let's move on. Otherwise, the headaches might come again."

"Yeah, you're right..."

Fianna nodded, still showing a worried expression.

At this moment—

"Meow—!"

"...?"

Scarlet was waving her tail intensely in this dimly lit floor.

Kamito turned his gaze towards Scarlet and in that very instant—

Crimson pillars of fire erupted from the magic circle that covered the floor.

"...What!?"

As the intense, swirling flames drove away the darkness, the vast floor's entire appearance could be seen for the first time.

In the furthest depths of the floor, the door to the top level opened slowly with a low sound.

Then—

"Even now, do you still refuse to awaken as the «Demon King», Kazehaya Kamito?"

—''She'' appeared there.

With flaming red hair and crystal-clear eyes of ruby.

The scarlet mask removed, showing her true face to all—the other «Strongest Blade Dancer», Ren Ashbell.

"...Rubia Elstein."

Kamito's forehead sweated as he called out her name softly.

Indeed, her facial features resembled her younger sister greatly.

—Kamito could not help but find the word "pretty" surface in his mind.

Walking amidst the bursting crimson flames, the figure of the «Calamity Queen» exuded a tragic sense of beauty.

"I have already cast that name away four years ago."

Rubia answered without much feeling.

"Then your current name is the «Strongest Blade Dancer», Ren Ashbell?"

"Whether I am worthy of that name or not, that shall be determined here."

She was unfazed by Kamito's sarcasm.

Walking to the center of the floor, she stopped.

She was ten and a half steps away—a distance that could be crossed within the blink of an eye.

"—Give Claire back."

"She has already fallen to darkness. All that is left is your awakening."

"...!"

Kamito stared with his eyes wide open—

(Am I too late again?)

Then he clenched his fist tightly.

(...No, it hasn't ended yet.)

Even if Claire had fallen and become the «Darkness Queen», so long as Kamito did not awaken as the «Demon King», there was still a chance to save her.

"Claire is your sister, you know."

"Indeed. Having inherited the same blood of fire—which is why she is qualified to become a «Queen»."

"If only you were as cute as Claire."

Kamito suppressed his anger as he spoke.

"Don't blame me if I show no mercy."

...By this point, there was no room for negotiations.

Kamito communicated with his eyes with Fianna behind him, gesturing for her to retreat to the wall.

As much as he would like to have «Save the Queen»'s support, given Fianna's dual contract state with Scarlet, releasing her elemental waffe would be too much of a challenge.

Kamito gripped Est's hand as she stood beside him.

"Est, I'm relying on you."

"Yes, Kamito—I am your sword, your wish is my command."

Est's body dissipated into the air as particles of light—

Immediately, the «Demon Slayer» appeared in Kamito's hand.

"The strongest blade dancer, Ren Ashbell—return that title to me!"

"—Come with everything you've got, «Demon King»'s successor."

Thus began the blade dance between the two «Strongest Blade Dancers», both Ren Ashbell.

===Part 2===

The spewing pillars of fire signaled the opening.

"Let's go, Est!"

Letting divine power concentrated in his legs explode, Kamito kicked the ground intensely.

Carrying the dazzling «Demon Slayer», he rushed like a flash of light.

Kamito pulled out all stops and went with full power from the very start. After all, his opponent was not someone whom one could afford to hold back against and still hope for victory.

Rubia Elstein was not wielding an elemental waffe.

Simply waving her finger to one side, she moved her lips slightly.

A tiny fireball appeared in midair—and expanded instantly.

(...Is this a fireball!?)

The fireball was the most popular move amongst all offensive magic with the flame attribute. Even for Kamito who was unskilled with all types of spirit magic, he understood a fair amount about it because the fireball was Claire's prided technique.

Kamito instantly discerned the fireball's attack range and slightly adjusted his route of advance. His aim was simply to avoid a direct hit and to ride upon the wake of the exploding wind to make his attack.

Rubia released the giant fireball from her hand.

The fireball struck the ground before Kamito directly, producing explosive wind as intense flames swirled.

The unexpected power knocked Kamito from the side, causing him to strike the floor.

(...It's so powerful!)

As his entire body hurt, Kamito lamented.

Despite being the same fireball magic that Claire used, the level of power was as different as heaven and earth.

(I guess I should say, as expected of the former «Queen»—)

Kamito instantly reformed his stance and readied his sword.

However, Rubia had already finished her next chant.

"—Come out from the gates of fiery hell, scorching hunting hounds."

Out from a magic circle that appeared in the air, three fiery «Hellhounds» were summoned, pouncing at Kamito from three different directions.

"—Too slow."

The sweeping claws of flame simply passed through empty space.

Taking a leap with his explosive leg power, Kamito jumped straight up.

Switching the «Demon Slayer» to a reverse grip in midair—

"Absolute Blade Arts, Third Form—«Shadowmoon Waltz»!"

With a flash of the sword—the three hounds were slashed in one stroke of the sword.

"The sleeping king of the volcano, release your breath—«Flame Howl»."

Without giving him a single moment of respite, flames in the form of a massive dragon attacked Kamito. Capturing Kamito's movements with god-like speed, the fire dragon chased closely after him.

(Auto-tracking magic huh?)

Clicking his tongue, Kamito halted his footsteps.

Turning around in a semicircle, he smashed the fire dragon's skull as he spun.

The fire dragon writhed painfully on the floor before disappearing into the air.

As sparks scattered all around, new pillars of fire spewed out.

But even the flames of purgatory were nothing but ragged cloth in the face of «Terminus Est»'s excellent magical resistance.

(—This is working! As long as Est is at full power.)

Using the momentum from his spin, Kamito rushed forth instantly.

"Ohhhhhhhhhhhh!"

Closing the distance within the blink of an eye, he unleashed a powerful strike. However—

"...What!?"

The sliced figure of Rubia disappeared without a trace amidst flickering flames.

"...Tsk, a flame mirage!"

"—I see that you have apparently recovered your senses to a level comparable to the past, Strongest Blade Dancer."

Kamito felt a presence behind him.

"...!"

He immediately spun around to unleash a horizontal slash.

However, Rubia evaded his sword with minimal movement.

"Then I shall be a little more serious—"

Blue flames were generated in her hand.

"Not even time can escape a frozen fate, conflagrating flames of absolute zero -- «Frost Blaze»."

"Your flames do not work against my Est!"

Kamito advanced without hesitation and made a second slash from the front.

Absolute Blade Arts, Fourth Form—«Blaze Slash».

The ritual sword technique for absorbing the flame attribute, this was meant to be the trump card against Rubia.

"Kamito-kun, don't do it!"

Fianna's voice suddenly called out.

(...Eh?)

Instantly, Kamito began to doubt the phenomenon before his eyes.

As soon as the tip of his sword touched the blue flames, the «Demon Slayer»'s blade was ''frozen''.

"What—these flames are!?"

Demonic flames capable of penetrating the «Demon Slayer»'s magical resistance of the highest class.

For flames to freeze other objects—this phenomenon completely ran counter to «Astral Zero»'s principles.

"This is the primordial flame inherited by the Elstein bloodline—"

Receiving the frozen blade with one hand, Rubia spoke.

"True fire that transcends the power of the «Five Great Elemental Lords»."

The erupting blue flames gradually froze «Terminus Est»'s blade.

Crish—a dry sound of something breaking rocked Kamito's eardrums.

(...Est is shattering!?)

Kamito frantically withdrew his sword and leaped back.

However, Rubia did not miss her chance.

Carrying absolute-zero flames in her fist, she followed through and approached.

"I can feel it, the awakening of the «Demon King» within you."

"Why are you resurrecting the «Demon King»? What is your goal!?"

Kamito yelled as he used the «Demon Slayer» to block the freezing flames.

"A foolish question. The «Demon King» brings forth—nothing but the destruction of this world."

"—That's not right."

"Why would you think that?"

"Because your eyes are the same as Claire's."

"...What?"

Rubia displayed wavering for the first time.

Using this opening, Kamito swept away the blue flames and distanced himself.

Rubia remained rooted to the spot, glaring at Kamito with her burning eyes of ruby.

"...Back when I first met Claire, she had the same eyes."

Hoping for victory in the «Blade Dance», in order to learn the truth—

Back when Claire declared her intentions, her eyes were extremely clear.

However, it was also true that Kamito felt a certain sense of danger from the purity in those eyes.

And currently, Kamito could feel the same sense of danger from Rubia's eyes.

What compelled her actions was definitely not ambition or desire.

—But an incomparably pure sense of mission.

"..."

Rubia slowly put down her hand.

Then—

"My goal is—to use the «Demon King»'s power to exterminate the «Elemental Lords»."

Calmly, she declared.

"Exterminate the Elemental Lords... Come again?"

Kamito's eyes widened as he stammered in shock.

This was because of that certain «Wish»—

"—Indeed. Three years ago ''on that very day'', you and the darkness spirit intended to realize that «Wish»."

Rubia continued, as if reading Kamito's mind.

"—Then you ''failed''."

"..."

Hearing her cold words, Kamito held his breath.

—Indeed, they had failed.

Due to his memories being in a mess, Kamito could not recall what actually happened back then.

However, the fact that the «Elemental Lords» continued to exist was clear beyond a doubt.

"...Why?"

Kamito spoke as if groaning.

"Why do you want to kill the «Elemental Lords»?"

He might have asked this particular question already, three years ago.

In response to this question, how had the darkness spirit girl answered?

"In order to rebuild this world."

Rubia answered immediately.

"Rebuild the world?"

"Indeed. Destroying the «Elemental Lords» to ''create a a world where spirits do not exist'', that is my goal."

"...What did you say!?"

Pondering what that implied—Kamito could not help but tremble.

The continent—the world's order was founded upon the blessings provided by the spirits.

If the power of spirits disappeared from the continent, the world would surely fall into great chaos.

This was the reappearance of the Ranbal War as Greyworth feared—No, it would cause a great war that no other war in the past could compare to.

"...How many lives do you think you'll sacrifice if you do that?"

Kamito asked in a trembling voice.

"Sacrifice huh—"

Rubia's expression remained completely unchanged.

"The price that all humans of the continent are obligated to pay for the sake of everything."

Thus she asserted.

"...Stop screwing around."

Kamito gritted his teeth, his shoulders trembling.

"For the sake of your goal... Hundreds of thousands, millions of people are going to be sacrificed."

"Supposing that is the necessary sacrifice, I will not hesitate a single bit."

"Then let me repeat myself—''Stop screwing around''."

Immediately, Kamito's body vanished from sight. A flash of light appeared for but an instant. Infusing the divine power from his entire body, Kamito slashed at Rubia.

Rubia's «Frost Blaze» blocked the sword's blade—

"What!?"

"Ohhhhhhhhhhh!"

But Kamito pushed the sword harder just like that.

The shining light reflected diffusedly off the frozen ice.

Sealing Rubia's movements, Kamito yelled loudly.

"Fianna, I'll leave Claire to you!"

"...Understood!"

She must have been biding her time carefully.

Fianna ran at full speed without hesitation.

"...Damn it!"

Rubia instantly released «Fireball» magic with one hand.

But before the massive fireball could devour Fianna—

A hell cat spirit jumped out from the shadows behind a pillar, inserting herself in front of Fianna—

Striking Scarlet, the fireball was absorbed before it could explode.

Passing through the burning flames, Fianna and Scarlet disappeared in the door's direction.

"That was careless of you. You forgot you are alone but we are a team."

"—It is all futile. Claire has already fallen to the darkness."

"I don't believe that willful little lady could fall so easily—!"

Yelling Kamito infused maximum divine power into the frozen «Demon Slayer».

Crack—!

The magical ice covering the blade instantly shattered.

"...Sorry, Est. I have to be a little rough."

Panting, Kamito stabbed the sword into the floor.

Blown away by the impact, Rubia murmured as she displayed an expression of disbelief.

"How could this be possible, for you to shatter «Frost Blaze»..."

"..."

Kamito withdrew his sword from the floor and once again faced off, holding the sword with both hands.

"Rubia Elstein. You are free to hold whatever ideals you want. However, when it involves unrelated people, I cannot approve."

A straight, penetrating gaze.

Rubia accepted such a gaze from Kamito head on with her eyes of ruby.

...For an instant, Kamito wondered if he was seeing things when he thought he saw the flames in her eyes waver.

"You have no idea of the tragedies I have witnessed."

"...?"

—The mood changed.

The pillars of fire bursting all over the room extinguished.

Like an omen before a storm, an instant of silence arrived.

Then—

"Words without power to back them up are useless. I learned that the very day after I became «Queen»."

The scorching air slowly revolved and gathered around Rubia.

(...This amount of heat is astounding!)

A wave of scorching heat made Kamito stomp his foot.

The vortex of hot air caught fire all at once, turning into a howling tornado of flame that began to dance.

"Now let me show you—the strongest «God-slaying Flames»."

"God-slaying flames..."

The strongest flame spirit, the one that the «Calamity Queen» reputedly stole from the Fire Elemental Lord.

The tornado of flames reached up to the ceiling and soon began to transform into ''some shape''.

The ''thing'' that appeared before Kamito's eyes was—

Wrapped in crimson flames, an archdemon in the shape of a giant.

"..."

Kamito had seen ''It'' before.

Unforgettable. Four years ago—that very day when the «Instructional School» was destroyed.

"...! That was your doing, singlehandedly... Was it..."
[[image:STnBD V10 211.jpg|thumb]]

Kamito muttered hoarsely with shock.

The archdemon-class spirit that singlehandedly destroyed the «Instructional School».

"—Yes. Thinking back, from that moment onwards, I fear that our fates became intertwined."

The archdemon of flame knelt down before Rubia. As Rubia brought her fingers together and chanted the words of releasing in spirit language, the archdemon condensed itself into a crimson demon sword held in Rubia's hands.

With a swing of the demon sword in her hands—

"This is it, the strongest elemental waffe of the flame attribute, «Laevateinn»."

Rubia Elstein announced the name.

===Part 3===

"Huff, huff... W-What is that spirit!?"

Wielding the magic bow of ice, Rinslet panted as she spoke.

Sjora Kahn had summoned the demon spirit—«Bandersnatch».

Its appearance was a white sphere with two arms.

The middle of the sphere had a huge opening that opened and closed like a mouth.

Amongst spirits, demon spirits had particularly strange forms. This «Bandersnatch» was no exception. However, it was truly terrifying not because of its appearance—but because of its special ability.

"...Hmm, I cannot believe my wind is being devoured..."

Holding «Ray Hawk», Ellis murmured in shock.

Indeed, the demon spirit behaved as its name impled—the one who devoured everything.

"—It's coming!"

Rinslet warned.

«Bandersnatch» opened wide its huge jaws, producing a rain of freezing fangs.

These were the «Freezing Arrows» Rinslet had released earlier.

"—Evil winds, go forth and rampage!"

Ellis hastily swung «Ray Hawk», shattering the incoming fangs of ice.

However, engaging purely in defense was useless for it meant consuming divine power without achieving anything.

The shattered ice turned into sharp blades of ice that scratched Ellis' face.

"Captain! Damn it..."

Unable to bear it, Rinslet prepared to release an arrow of ice—

"No! It will get devoured again!"

"...!"

But Ellis called out to stop her.

...Right, attacking that thing was a waste of effort.

Or rather, it offered new power to it instead.

Whether Rinslet's magical ice or Ellis' wind blades, the monster had swallowed them all.

"However, if this continues, the situation will only worsen!"

"...Ooh, if only one could approach that thing—"

If the elemental waffe were used at close range for a direct attack, it should not be absorbed.

...However, it was impossible to approach. Having devoured the magical powers of both ice and wind, «Bandersnatch» was currently akin to an iron fortress.

"Fufu, then I'm coming♪"

Behind the howling winds of ice, Sjora Kahn's noisy jeering could be heard.

Then «Bandersnatch»'s spherial body suddenly shuddered.

The winds of ice stopped, bringing an instant of silence, then—

The white sphere split through the middle, like gaping jaws—jeering.

"...W-What is going on?"

Just as Rinslet whispered—

«Bandersnatch» vanished—

"...What!?"

—Or rather, it jumped, using its arms to strike the ground.

This unexpected movement caused Rinslet and Ellis to react too late.

Rumble—as the ground shook, «Bandersnatch» landed in front of Rinslet.

"...Yah!"

Rinslet screamed as she fired «Freezing Arrows» randomly.

But the arrows of ice were all absorbed by the gaping jaws, disappearing all together.

"How... could..."

Rinslet stood there in shock.

"Take this—!"

Ellis thrust «Ray Hawk» towards the monster's arm.

"...!?"

But it was virtually useless.

The monster grinned and extended a massive tongue towards Rinslet.

"—Rinslet!"

The astounding tongue was just about to swallow Rinslet.

The magic bow of ice disappeared—transforming into a beautiful white wolf that pounced at the tongue.

"Fenrir!"

ROOOOOOOAAAAAAR!

The demon ice spirit's sharp claws slashed across the massive tongue.

But even its claws of ice were unable to slice open the extremely thick tongue.

"Ara, what a brave child."

Sjora narrowed her snake-like eyes.

"—That child, I want it."

As the witch brought her hands together slightly, Fenrir's movements suddenly stopped after it jumped onto the ground. From Sjora's hands came black threads which were firmly restraining Fenrir's four limbs.

«Bandersnatch» wrapped its massive tongue around the white wolf's body—

And just like that, Fenrir was swallowed whole.

"...!?"

"The Laurenfrosts' demon ice spirit, thanks for the meal."

"...NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

Rinslet's despair laden cries filled the air.

===Part 4===

The strongest elemental waffe with the flame attribute—«Laevateinn».

Rubia casually swung the sword and the erupting flames instantly consumed the surrounding space.

(...What heat.)

Evading the flames through instinct, Kamito could not dodge the heat.

Ordinary flames could not compare to this astounding heat.

The floor became red and broken like lava.

Considering this «Lost Cathedral» was built using spirit crystals that resisted the five great attributes, it was even easier to comprehend the overwhelming power of these flames.

These flames seemed as though they embodied the «Fire Elemental Lord»'s wrath.

Wherever the flames burned, the floor was turned into lava that dripped down into the floor below.

"...Without adjusting its power, even the user could be turned into charcoal."

On the other side of the swaying smoke, Rubia spoke.

Her red hair waved in the air as if assimilated with the surrounding flames.

Kamito's entire body broke out in cold sweat.

(...Truly monsters. Whether that spirit there or Rubia commanding it.)

The archdemon of flame that singlehandedly destroyed the «Instructional School».

Even if Kamito had the legendary «Demon Slayer», it was doubtful whether it could match up at only one-tenth of its original state.

As if sensing his worries—

—Don't worry, Kamito.

"...!"

He heard Est's voice in his mind.

—So long as you believe in me, Kamito, I shall never break.

"Est..."

Kamito muttered to himself, then—

"That's right..."

He gripped the sword in his hand tightly.

"Est, you are the best partner."

—Yes, Kamito.

«Terminus Est»'s blade gave off silver-white brilliance.

Amidst the swirling flames, Rubia's figure appeared, wielding the crimson sword.

The scorching blade heated the surrounding air, causing the entire floor's temperature to rise gradually.

"Careful you don't turn the «Lost Cathedral» into a block of charcoal too, okay?"

"This is already restrained to some degree. Because I cannot fully control ''this''."

As Rubia swung the crimson demon sword, roaring flames instantly flew towards Kamito.

Kamito stepped on the wall and jumped up. The flames he dodged instantly destroyed the wall, creating a massive hole.

Even without a direct hit, the released heat was probably enough to instantly vaporize a human body.

"Aren't you planning on making me the «Demon King»?"

"If you're going to die to something of this level, you won't be able to kill the «Elemental Lords» anyway."

"...Tsk, stop deciding things on your own!"

Kamito stepped on the ceiling and turned around, charging at Rubia from above.

Rubia held «Laevateinn» with a reverse grip and blocked his full powered attack.

Using the reverse grip, Rubia swung the crimson sword. As sword struck sword, intense sparks were scattered.

Perhaps because activation of the flames at such close range would affect her as well, the flames remained silent.

The crimson and white blades clashed.

«Terminus Est» barely managed to resist «Laevateinn».

However—

(...If this continues, I'm gonna lose.)

Compared to Rubia the former «Queen», Kamito's total divine power was simply not on the same level.

Sooner or later, his divine power would be depleted first.

"How ironic, for your weapon to be that «Demon Slayer»."

During the intense clash, Rubia murmured.

"Oh well, assuming I really am the reincarnation of that «Demon King» guy—"

"Wrong. I am referring to the sacred sword that once fought alongside the sacred maiden, that now battles against me."

"—What?"

Taking advantage of Kamito's momentary lapse in focus, Rubia suddenly applied greater strength.

A sharp attack strong enough to numb the arms caused Kamito to enter a defensive situation.

"Hasn't the question ever crossed your mind? For a princess maiden like myself who was only responsible for rituals, how could I engage you, the «Strongest Blade Dancer», in blade dance as equals?"

"...!?"

A crimson slash flashed across Kamito's neck.

Feeling the heat wave scorch his skin, Kamito lamented.

(...Yeah right, it'd be strange if that question never crossed my mind.)

—After fighting her seriously, that sense of doubt deepened.

Talent, training—or the use of «Cursed Armament Seals» to strengthen the body.

None of these were sufficiently convincing.

"A thousand years ago, there was a girl who tended sheep on the edge of the continent. She obtained a sacred sword that was embedded in a rock."

"...?"

Rubia's sudden recounting of the past caused Kamito to stare at her in surprise.

(...What the heck? What is she talking about?)

"How could a mere girl who tended sheep prevail against the «Demon King» who ruled over powerful spirits?"

Continuing the clash of blades—Kamito finally realized.

"This is the story of Areishia Idriss?"

The «Sacred Queen» who destroyed the «Demon King» a thousand years ago.

The past contractor of the sword spirit «Terminus Est».

"—Right. The «Sacred Maiden» is the opposing existence that awakens in response to the «Demon King»'s awakening. A seed created by the «Five Great Elemental Lords» who feared the «Darkness Elemental Lord», Ren Ashdoll's resurrection."

"Could it be—You are...!"

With an acute sound, the crimson demon blade and the silver-white sacred sword crossed.

"Indeed, I am the existence that opposes the «Demon King»—the reincarnation of the «Sacred Maiden»."

"...!"

(To think she is the «Sacred Maiden»'s reincarnation?)

Completely ridiculous hogwash—dismissing her claim was all too easy.

However, Rubia Elstein's power was the undeniable truth.

"Speaking of irony, my existence itself is the most ironic. With the «Demon King»'s resurrection as my goal, intending to destroy the «Elemental Lords», for me to carry the power left behind by the «Elemental Lords». Or perhaps—"

—It was already decided by fate long ago perhaps.

Rubia murmured the last sentence to herself in self-mockery.

Blocking «Laevateinn»'s blade, Terminus Est's brightness rapidly flashed.

Was it because Kamito's divine power was about to run out, or—

(...Est, are you okay!?)

Infusing as much divine power into the sword as he could, Kamito yelled inside his mind.

Rubia Elstein was the one who inherited the «Sacred Maiden»'s power. The legitimate successor of Areishia Idriss, Est's past contractor. It was not surprising for Est to waver.

However—

—It does not matter, Kamito.

A voice sounded in his mind to refute the idea.

—I am a separate existence from the past «Terminus Est». Even if she is the successor of the past master, it does not matter.

—Because I am your sword.

Instantly, the «Demon Slayer» gave off dazzling brightness.

"Est...!"

(...Right. I have the best partner.)

Even if the opponent was the legendary «Sacred Maiden»—

"I cannot lose!"

Using his entire strength, Kamito pushed «Laevateinn» and blew Rubia away.

"I see. That sacred sword is one of the reasons why the «Demon King»'s awakening process has been delayed."

Icy flames lit up in Rubia's eyes.

"Well then, I shall shatter that sacred sword—to impart upon you true despair!"

God-slaying flames—«Laevateinn» spewed forth a crimson blaze.

(—Now is the moment!)

Kamito had been waiting for this opportunity.

Waiting for Rubia to release her strongest attack.

This opportunity only presented itself for this one instant. Failure was absolutely not allowed.

"Experience for yourself the flames of purgatory, «Strongest Blade Dancer», Ren Ashbell!"

As «Laevateinn»'s slash traveled, in that instant—

Kamito used his explosive leg power to leap forward.

Discerning the root of divine power, he aimed the secret technique at that very point.

"Absolute Blade Arts, Final Form—«Last Strike»!"

The super high speed slash passed through «Laevateinn»'s blade—

In the next instant, ''the «Demon Slayer» shattered''.

"Est—!"

"Very well, now awaken—«Demon King»."

Then the scorching hot demon blade pierced Kamito's chest.

===Part 5===

"Huff, huff, huff..."

At the top level of the «Lost Cathedral», before the shut door, Fianna was catching her breath.

...Indeed, this was the «True Sanctuary» of this tower.

"Meow..."

Scarlet at her feet was impatiently knocking at the door.

"...Wait a minute, it'll be ready soon."

Fianna spread her arms before the door to decipher the magic.

An average seal of magic had been applied.

Rubia probably never expected the «True Sanctuary» to be invaded. For a former «Queen», this seal was quite crude and Fianna was able to dispel it without much trouble.

As the patterns carved on the door gave off blue-white light, the door opened slowly.

A gust of wind blew through the opened door, causing all the flames on the candlesticks to flicker all at once.

Within the vast hall, the girl's figure could be found.

Claire dressed in ritual attire.

"...Claire!"

Fianna hastily rushed over.

At this moment, standing at the altar, Claire swiftly raised her hand—

In the next instant, flames erupted to block Fianna from advancing.

"...Claire?"

As Fianna halted her steps in shock, Claire faced her:

"...Who are you?"

Claire asked with empty-looking eyes.

<noinclude>{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume10 Chapter7|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume10 Chapter9}}</noinclude>

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume10 Chapter8

2013-05-20T01:14:08Z

Pjs312: /* Part 2 */

==Chapter 8 - Laevateinn==

===Part 1===

In the spiral staircase that rose into the sky, the sound of hard footsteps could be heard.

Chasing after Scarlet as she leaped nimbly, Kamito and Fianna sprinted.

The third floor was already smashed to unrecognizable levels by Leonora and Lily's fight. Weaving nimbly through the corridors where collapsed stone columns piled over one another, Scarlet ran across.

"W-Wait up... Humans can't really pass through this kind of place!"

However, these restraining words came too late and could no longer reach Scarlet on the other side.

Left with no other recourse, Kamito tried to find a way around—

"...We should be able to climb over there... Hmm!?"

Suddenly, Kamito held his chest and bent over.

"W-Wait up, Kamito-kun!"

Fianna frantically supported Kamito's back.

"...Are you okay? Could it be that the battle just now—"

"No, it's nothing."

As sweat appeared on his forehead, Kamito shook his head.

"However..."

"Hurry. I have a bad feeling about what's coming."

Kamito stood up and continued to chase after Scarlet.

(...My endurance will reach a limit sooner or later.)

Even though a «Healing Stone» was taking effect on his body right now, the body's fatigue could not be recovered so simply.

Due to the effects of performing the Absolute Blade's secret technique, the «Last Strike», his entire body's muscles were screaming in pain.

Although during his days at the «Instructional School», Kamito had learnt combat skills for self-suggestion to alleviate the body's pain, he did not dare use these techniques.

Relieving pain was essentially dulling of the senses. In a blade dance against a comparable opponent, it would be fatal.

Passing through the corridor, they mounted the spiral staircase once more—

Finally, the door to a new floor appeared before them.

"Is this the fourth floor...?"

Opening the door, they discovered a floor roughly just as vast as the third floor.

The ceiling was held up by arched pillars. Carved on the ground, a massive magic circle glowed faintly, lighting up the entire space.

The instant they stepped on this floor—

Kamito could feel divine power coursing through his entire body.

"...What is this?"

"The power in the leylines has gathered together. Because this is the «Lost Cathedral»'s core function."

"...In other words, we're close."

"Yes. Claire should be just up ahead."

Fianna nodded. Before them, Scarlet's flames could be seen flickering ahead.

Wagging its tail, she seemed to be urging them to hurry.

"Very well, let's go."

Resolving himself, Kamito was just about to take a step forward—

—Throb.

"...Ooh... Ah, guh...!"

Intense pain like being pricked by needles caused Kamito to groan in pain.

—Throb. Throb. Throb.

No ordinary pain. This was—

(...Damn, it... Came again, did it...)

—Kamito, going any further

An unknown voice, very similar to Restia's.

—Without awakening the «Demon King»'s power, you definitely cannot defeat her.

(...Mind your... own business...!)

Against the murmurs resounding in his mind, Kamito desperately resisted.

"...Kamito-kun?"

"Fianna, stay away from me a little more...!"

Hearing Kamito's sharp voice, Fianna suddenly stared with her eyes wide open.

"You're hearing that voice again?"

Kamito crouched down silently and covered his ears with his hands.

However, as if mocking Kamito's efforts, the voice continued to whisper.

—Form a contract with me, Kamito.

—Then I can grant you the «Demon King»'s power, allowing you to rule the world.

(...Stop it! I don't need that kind of thing!)

The shapeless darkness eroded his consciousness.

This was not the comforting darkness of night.

Not the mysterious darkness under Restia's rule.

Instead, this was an astoundingly otherworldly darkness.

Resembling the «Wish» that devoured her three years ago on that day.

The cruel and merciless darkness that devoured the warm heart Restia had given him, devoured his memories of the precious comrades he met at the Academy, and even devoured everything.

(Stop, it... Ah, ahhhhhhhhhhhh...!)

"Please be calm, Kamito."

Suddenly, Kamito found himself being hugged by a pair of slender arms.

A supple sensation enveloped him. Beautiful silver-white hair brushed against his face.

"Es...t...?"

The sacred sword hanging by his waist had transformed back into a girl without him knowing.

"Kamito, don't worry. I am here."

Her slender arms wrapped around his neck as Est whispered softly.

The phosphorescence of her silver-white hair covered Kamito's entire body.

(...My headache... Is gone?)

At the same time, ''that voice'' which had been so clear earlier could no longer be heard.

«Terminus Est» was both a demon sword with an accumulated curse and also a sword that could dispel all magical effects. Similar to how she sealed away the «Brand of Darkness» Rubia had carved last time, she now sealed away the voice tempting Kamito towards the darkness.

Soon after, the phosphorescence enveloping Kamito vanished and his headache was gone.

As Est released her arms gently, Kamito slowly stood up.

"...I'm fine now. Thank you, Est."

As Kamito stroked Est's head, she half-closed her eyes in enjoyment.

"Kamito-kun... Are you seriously okay?"

"Yeah... Sorry for making you worry."

Kamito thanked Fianna for worrying about him.

"...Let's move on. Otherwise, the headaches might come again."

"Yeah, you're right..."

Fianna nodded, still showing a worried expression.

At this moment—

"Meow—!"

"...?"

Scarlet was waving her tail intensely in this dimly lit floor.

Kamito turned his gaze towards Scarlet and in that very instant—

Crimson pillars of fire erupted from the magic circle that covered the floor.

"...What!?"

As the intense, swirling flames drove away the darkness, the vast floor's entire appearance could be seen for the first time.

In the furthest depths of the floor, the door to the top level opened slowly with a low sound.

Then—

"Even now, do you still refuse to awaken as the «Demon King», Kazehaya Kamito?"

—''She'' appeared there.

With flaming red hair and crystal-clear eyes of ruby.

The scarlet mask removed, showing her true face to all—the other «Strongest Blade Dancer», Ren Ashbell.

"...Rubia Elstein."

Kamito's forehead sweated as he called out her name softly.

Indeed, her facial features resembled her younger sister greatly.

—Kamito could not help but find the word "pretty" surface in his mind.

Walking amidst the bursting crimson flames, the figure of the «Calamity Queen» exuded a tragic sense of beauty.

"I have already cast that name away four years ago."

Rubia answered without much feeling.

"Then your current name is the «Strongest Blade Dancer», Ren Ashbell?"

"Whether I am worthy of that name or not, that shall be determined here."

She was unfazed by Kamito's sarcasm.

Walking to the center of the floor, she stopped.

She was ten and a half steps away—a distance that could be crossed within the blink of an eye.

"—Give Claire back."

"She has already fallen to darkness. All that is left is your awakening."

"...!"

Kamito stared with his eyes wide open—

(Am I too late again?)

Then he clenched his fist tightly.

(...No, it hasn't ended yet.)

Even if Claire had fallen and become the «Darkness Queen», so long as Kamito did not awaken as the «Demon King», there was still a chance to save her.

"Claire is your sister, you know."

"Indeed. Having inherited the same blood of fire—which is why she is qualified to become a «Queen»."

"If only you were as cute as Claire."

Kamito suppressed his anger as he spoke.

"Don't blame me if I show no mercy."

...By this point, there was no room for negotiations.

Kamito communicated with his eyes with Fianna behind him, gesturing for her to retreat to the wall.

As much as he would like to have «Save the Queen»'s support, given Fianna's dual contract state with Scarlet, releasing her elemental waffe would be too much of a challenge.

Kamito gripped Est's hand as she stood beside him.

"Est, I'm relying on you."

"Yes, Kamito—I am your sword, your wish is my command."

Est's body dissipated into the air as particles of light—

Immediately, the «Demon Slayer» appeared in Kamito's hand.

"The strongest blade dancer, Ren Ashbell—return that title to me!"

"—Come with everything you've got, «Demon King»'s successor."

Thus began the blade dance between the two «Strongest Blade Dancers», both Ren Ashbell.

===Part 2===

The spewing pillars of fire signaled the opening.

"Let's go, Est!"

Letting divine power concentrated in his legs explode, Kamito kicked the ground intensely.

Carrying the dazzling «Demon Slayer», he rushed like a flash of light.

Kamito pulled out all stops and went with full power from the very start. After all, his opponent was not someone whom one could afford to hold back against and still hope for victory.

Rubia Elstein was not wielding an elemental waffe.

Simply waving her finger to one side, she moved her lips slightly.

A tiny fireball appeared in midair—and expanded instantly.

(...Is this a fireball!?)

The fireball was the most popular move amongst all offensive magic with the flame attribute. Even for Kamito who was unskilled with all types of spirit magic, he understood a fair amount about it because the fireball was Claire's prided technique.

Kamito instantly discerned the fireball's attack range and slightly adjusted his route of advance. His aim was simply to avoid a direct hit and to ride upon the wake of the exploding wind to make his attack.

Rubia released the giant fireball from her hand.

The fireball struck the ground before Kamito directly, producing explosive wind as intense flames swirled.

The unexpected power knocked Kamito from the side, causing him to strike the floor.

(...It's so powerful!)

As his entire body hurt, Kamito lamented.

Despite being the same fireball magic that Claire used, the level of power was as different as heaven and earth.

(I guess I should say, as expected of the former «Queen»—)

Kamito instantly reformed his stance and readied his sword.

However, Rubia had already finished her next chant.

"—Come out from the gates of fiery hell, scorching hunting hounds."

Out from a magic circle that appeared in the air, three fiery «Hellhounds» were summoned, pouncing at Kamito from three different directions.

"—Too slow."

The sweeping claws of flame simply passed through empty space.

Taking a leap with his explosive leg power, Kamito jumped straight up.

Switching the «Demon Slayer» to a reverse grip in midair—

"Absolute Blade Arts, Third Form—«Shadowmoon Waltz»!"

With a flash of the sword—the three hounds were slashed in one stroke of the sword.

"The sleeping king of the volcano, release your breath—«Flame Howl»."

Without giving him a single moment of respite, flames in the form of a massive dragon attacked Kamito. Capturing Kamito's movements with god-like speed, the fire dragon chased closely after him.

(Auto-tracking magic huh?)

Clicking his tongue, Kamito halted his footsteps.

Turning around in a semicircle, he smashed the fire dragon's skull as he spun.

The fire dragon writhed painfully on the floor before disappearing into the air.

As sparks scattered all around, new pillars of fire spewed out.

But even the flames of purgatory were nothing but ragged cloth in the face of «Terminus Est»'s excellent magical resistance.

(—This is working! As long as Est is at full power.)

Using the momentum from his spin, Kamito rushed forth instantly.

"Ohhhhhhhhhhhh!"

Closing the distance within the blink of an eye, he unleashed a powerful strike. However—

"...What!?"

The sliced figure of Rubia disappeared without a trace amidst flickering flames.

"...Tsk, a flame mirage!"

"—I see that you have apparently recovered your senses to a level comparable to the past, Strongest Blade Dancer."

Kamito felt a presence behind him.

"...!"

He immediately spun around to unleash a horizontal slash.

However, Rubia evaded his sword with minimal movement.

"Then I shall be a little more serious—"

Blue flames were generated in her hand.

"Not even time can escape a frozen fate, conflagrating flames of absolute zero -- «Frost Blaze»."

"Your flames do not work against my Est!"

Kamito advanced without hesitation and made a second slash from the front.

Absolute Blade Arts, Fourth Form—«Blaze Slash».

The ritual sword technique for absorbing the flame attribute, this was meant to be the trump card against Rubia.

"Kamito-kun, don't do it!"

Fianna's voice suddenly called out.

(...Eh?)

Instantly, Kamito began to doubt the phenomenon before his eyes.

As soon as the tip of his sword touched the blue flames, the «Demon Slayer»'s blade was ''frozen''.

"What—these flames are!?"

Demonic flames capable of penetrating the «Demon Slayer»'s magical resistance of the highest class.

For flames to freeze other objects—this phenomenon completely ran counter to «Astral Zero»'s principles.

"This is the primordial flame inherited by the Elstein bloodline—"

Receiving the frozen blade with one hand, Rubia spoke.

"True fire that transcends the power of the «Five Great Elemental Lords»."

The erupting blue flames gradually froze «Terminus Est»'s blade.

Crish—a dry sound of something breaking rocked Kamito's eardrums.

(...Est is shattering!?)

Kamito frantically withdrew his sword and leaped back.

However, Rubia did not miss her chance.

Carrying absolute-zero flames in her fist, she followed through and approached.

"I can feel it, the awakening of the «Demon King» within you."

"Why are you resurrecting the «Demon King»? What is your goal!?"

Kamito yelled as he used the «Demon Slayer» to block the freezing flames.

"A foolish question. The «Demon King» brings forth—nothing but the destruction of this world."

"—That's not right."

"Why would you think that?"

"Because your eyes are the same as Claire's."

"...What?"

Rubia displayed wavering for the first time.

Using this opening, Kamito swept away the blue flames and distanced himself.

Rubia remained rooted to the spot, glaring at Kamito with her burning eyes of ruby.

"...Back when I first met Claire, she had the same eyes."

Hoping for victory in the «Blade Dance», in order to learn the truth—

Back when Claire declared her intentions, her eyes were extremely clear.

However, it was also true that Kamito felt a certain sense of danger from the purity in those eyes.

And currently, Kamito could feel the same sense of danger from Rubia's eyes.

What compelled her actions was definitely not ambition or desire.

—But an incomparably pure sense of mission.

"..."

Rubia slowly put down her hand.

Then—

"My goal is—to use the «Demon King»'s power to exterminate the «Elemental Lords»."

Calmly, she declared.

"Exterminate the Elemental Lords... Come again?"

Kamito's eyes widened as he stammered in shock.

This was because of that certain «Wish»—

"—Indeed. Three years ago ''on that very day'', you and the darkness spirit intended to realize that «Wish»."

Rubia continued, as if reading Kamito's mind.

"—Then you ''failed''."

"..."

Hearing her cold words, Kamito held his breath.

—Indeed, they had failed.

Due to his memories being in a mess, Kamito could not recall what actually happened back then.

However, the fact that the «Elemental Lords» continued to exist was clear beyond a doubt.

"...Why?"

Kamito spoke as if groaning.

"Why do you want to kill the «Elemental Lords»?"

He might have asked this particular question already, three years ago.

In response to this question, how had the darkness spirit girl answered?

"In order to rebuild this world."

Rubia answered immediately.

"Rebuild the world?"

"Indeed. Destroying the «Elemental Lords» to ''create a a world where spirits do not exist'', that is my goal."

"...What did you say!?"

Pondering what that implied—Kamito could not help but tremble.

The continent—the world's order was founded upon the blessings provided by the spirits.

If the power of spirits disappeared from the continent, the world would surely fall into great chaos.

This was the reappearance of the Ranbal War as Greyworth feared—No, it would cause a great war that no other war in the past could compare to.

"...How many lives do you think you'll sacrifice if you do that?"

Kamito asked in a trembling voice.

"Sacrifice huh—"

Rubia's expression remained completely unchanged.

"The price that all humans of the continent are obligated to pay for the sake of everything."

Thus she asserted.

"...Stop screwing around."

Kamito gritted his teeth, his shoulders trembling.

"For the sake of your goal... Hundreds of thousands, millions of people are going to be sacrificed."

"Supposing that is the necessary sacrifice, I will not hesitate a single bit."

"Then let me repeat myself—''Stop screwing around''."

Immediately, Kamito's body vanished from sight. A flash of light appeared for but an instant. Infusing the divine power from his entire body, Kamito slashed at Rubia.

Rubia's «Frost Blaze» blocked the sword's blade—

"What!?"

"Ohhhhhhhhhhh!"

But Kamito pushed the sword harder just like that.

The shining light reflected diffusedly off the frozen ice.

Sealing Rubia's movements, Kamito yelled loudly.

"Fianna, I'll leave Claire to you!"

"...Understood!"

She must have been biding her time carefully.

Fianna ran at full speed without hesitation.

"...Damn it!"

Rubia instantly released «Fireball» magic with one hand.

But before the massive fireball could devour Fianna—

A hell cat spirit jumped out from the shadows behind a pillar, inserting herself in front of Fianna—

Striking Scarlet, the fireball was absorbed before it could explode.

Passing through the burning flames, Fianna and Scarlet disappeared in the door's direction.

"That was careless of you. You forgot you are alone but we are a team."

"—It is all futile. Claire has already fallen to the darkness."

"I don't believe that willful little lady could fall so easily—!"

Yelling Kamito infused maximum divine power into the frozen «Demon Slayer».

Crack—!

The magical ice covering the blade instantly shattered.

"...Sorry, Est. I have to be a little rough."

Panting, Kamito stabbed the sword into the floor.

Blown away by the impact, Rubia murmured as she displayed an expression of disbelief.

"How could this be possible, for you to shatter «Frost Blaze»..."

"..."

Kamito withdrew his sword from the floor and once again faced off, holding the sword with both hands.

"Rubia Elstein. You are free to hold whatever ideals you want. However, when it involves unrelated people, I cannot approve."

A straight, penetrating gaze.

Rubia accepted such a gaze from Kamito head on with her eyes of ruby.

...For an instant, Kamito wondered if he was seeing things when he thought he say the flames in her eyes waver.

"You have no idea of the tragedies I have witnessed."

"...?"

—The mood changed.

The pillars of fire bursting all over the room extinguished.

Like an omen before a storm, an instant of silence arrived.

Then—

"Words without power to back them up are useless. I learned that the very day after I became «Queen»."

The scorching air slowly revolved and gathered around Rubia.

(...This amount of heat is astounding!)

A wave of scorching heat made Kamito stomp his foot.

The vortex of hot air caught fire all at once, turning into a howling tornado of flame that began to dance.

"Now let me show you—the strongest «God-slaying Flames»."

"God-slaying flames..."

The strongest flame spirit, the one that the «Calamity Queen» reputedly stole from the Fire Elemental Lord.

The tornado of flames reached up to the ceiling and soon began to transform into ''some shape''.

The ''thing'' that appeared before Kamito's eyes was—

Wrapped in crimson flames, an archdemon in the shape of a giant.

"..."

Kamito had seen ''It'' before.

Unforgettable. Four years ago—that very day when the «Instructional School» was destroyed.

"...! That was your doing, singlehandedly... Was it..."
[[image:STnBD V10 211.jpg|thumb]]

Kamito muttered hoarsely with shock.

The archdemon-class spirit that singlehandedly destroyed the «Instructional School».

"—Yes. Thinking back, from that moment onwards, I fear that our fates became intertwined."

The archdemon of flame knelt down before Rubia. As Rubia brought her fingers together and chanted the words of releasing in spirit language, the archdemon condensed itself into a crimson demon sword held in Rubia's hands.

With a swing of the demon sword in her hands—

"This is it, the strongest elemental waffe of the flame attribute, «Laevateinn»."

Rubia Elstein announced the name.

===Part 3===

"Huff, huff... W-What is that spirit!?"

Wielding the magic bow of ice, Rinslet panted as she spoke.

Sjora Kahn had summoned the demon spirit—«Bandersnatch».

Its appearance was a white sphere with two arms.

The middle of the sphere had a huge opening that opened and closed like a mouth.

Amongst spirits, demon spirits had particularly strange forms. This «Bandersnatch» was no exception. However, it was truly terrifying not because of its appearance—but because of its special ability.

"...Hmm, I cannot believe my wind is being devoured..."

Holding «Ray Hawk», Ellis murmured in shock.

Indeed, the demon spirit behaved as its name impled—the one who devoured everything.

"—It's coming!"

Rinslet warned.

«Bandersnatch» opened wide its huge jaws, producing a rain of freezing fangs.

These were the «Freezing Arrows» Rinslet had released earlier.

"—Evil winds, go forth and rampage!"

Ellis hastily swung «Ray Hawk», shattering the incoming fangs of ice.

However, engaging purely in defense was useless for it meant consuming divine power without achieving anything.

The shattered ice turned into sharp blades of ice that scratched Ellis' face.

"Captain! Damn it..."

Unable to bear it, Rinslet prepared to release an arrow of ice—

"No! It will get devoured again!"

"...!"

But Ellis called out to stop her.

...Right, attacking that thing was a waste of effort.

Or rather, it offered new power to it instead.

Whether Rinslet's magical ice or Ellis' wind blades, the monster had swallowed them all.

"However, if this continues, the situation will only worsen!"

"...Ooh, if only one could approach that thing—"

If the elemental waffe were used at close range for a direct attack, it should not be absorbed.

...However, it was impossible to approach. Having devoured the magical powers of both ice and wind, «Bandersnatch» was currently akin to an iron fortress.

"Fufu, then I'm coming♪"

Behind the howling winds of ice, Sjora Kahn's noisy jeering could be heard.

Then «Bandersnatch»'s spherial body suddenly shuddered.

The winds of ice stopped, bringing an instant of silence, then—

The white sphere split through the middle, like gaping jaws—jeering.

"...W-What is going on?"

Just as Rinslet whispered—

«Bandersnatch» vanished—

"...What!?"

—Or rather, it jumped, using its arms to strike the ground.

This unexpected movement caused Rinslet and Ellis to react too late.

Rumble—as the ground shook, «Bandersnatch» landed in front of Rinslet.

"...Yah!"

Rinslet screamed as she fired «Freezing Arrows» randomly.

But the arrows of ice were all absorbed by the gaping jaws, disappearing all together.

"How... could..."

Rinslet stood there in shock.

"Take this—!"

Ellis thrust «Ray Hawk» towards the monster's arm.

"...!?"

But it was virtually useless.

The monster grinned and extended a massive tongue towards Rinslet.

"—Rinslet!"

The astounding tongue was just about to swallow Rinslet.

The magic bow of ice disappeared—transforming into a beautiful white wolf that pounced at the tongue.

"Fenrir!"

ROOOOOOOAAAAAAR!

The demon ice spirit's sharp claws slashed across the massive tongue.

But even its claws of ice were unable to slice open the extremely thick tongue.

"Ara, what a brave child."

Sjora narrowed her snake-like eyes.

"—That child, I want it."

As the witch brought her hands together slightly, Fenrir's movements suddenly stopped after it jumped onto the ground. From Sjora's hands came black threads which were firmly restraining Fenrir's four limbs.

«Bandersnatch» wrapped its massive tongue around the white wolf's body—

And just like that, Fenrir was swallowed whole.

"...!?"

"The Laurenfrosts' demon ice spirit, thanks for the meal."

"...NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

Rinslet's despair laden cries filled the air.

===Part 4===

The strongest elemental waffe with the flame attribute—«Laevateinn».

Rubia casually swung the sword and the erupting flames instantly consumed the surrounding space.

(...What heat.)

Evading the flames through instinct, Kamito could not dodge the heat.

Ordinary flames could not compare to this astounding heat.

The floor became red and broken like lava.

Considering this «Lost Cathedral» was built using spirit crystals that resisted the five great attributes, it was even easier to comprehend the overwhelming power of these flames.

These flames seemed as though they embodied the «Fire Elemental Lord»'s wrath.

Wherever the flames burned, the floor was turned into lava that dripped down into the floor below.

"...Without adjusting its power, even the user could be turned into charcoal."

On the other side of the swaying smoke, Rubia spoke.

Her red hair waved in the air as if assimilated with the surrounding flames.

Kamito's entire body broke out in cold sweat.

(...Truly monsters. Whether that spirit there or Rubia commanding it.)

The archdemon of flame that singlehandedly destroyed the «Instructional School».

Even if Kamito had the legendary «Demon Slayer», it was doubtful whether it could match up at only one-tenth of its original state.

As if sensing his worries—

—Don't worry, Kamito.

"...!"

He heard Est's voice in his mind.

—So long as you believe in me, Kamito, I shall never break.

"Est..."

Kamito muttered to himself, then—

"That's right..."

He gripped the sword in his hand tightly.

"Est, you are the best partner."

—Yes, Kamito.

«Terminus Est»'s blade gave off silver-white brilliance.

Amidst the swirling flames, Rubia's figure appeared, wielding the crimson sword.

The scorching blade heated the surrounding air, causing the entire floor's temperature to rise gradually.

"Careful you don't turn the «Lost Cathedral» into a block of charcoal too, okay?"

"This is already restrained to some degree. Because I cannot fully control ''this''."

As Rubia swung the crimson demon sword, roaring flames instantly flew towards Kamito.

Kamito stepped on the wall and jumped up. The flames he dodged instantly destroyed the wall, creating a massive hole.

Even without a direct hit, the released heat was probably enough to instantly vaporize a human body.

"Aren't you planning on making me the «Demon King»?"

"If you're going to die to something of this level, you won't be able to kill the «Elemental Lords» anyway."

"...Tsk, stop deciding things on your own!"

Kamito stepped on the ceiling and turned around, charging at Rubia from above.

Rubia held «Laevateinn» with a reverse grip and blocked his full powered attack.

Using the reverse grip, Rubia swung the crimson sword. As sword struck sword, intense sparks were scattered.

Perhaps because activation of the flames at such close range would affect her as well, the flames remained silent.

The crimson and white blades clashed.

«Terminus Est» barely managed to resist «Laevateinn».

However—

(...If this continues, I'm gonna lose.)

Compared to Rubia the former «Queen», Kamito's total divine power was simply not on the same level.

Sooner or later, his divine power would be depleted first.

"How ironic, for your weapon to be that «Demon Slayer»."

During the intense clash, Rubia murmured.

"Oh well, assuming I really am the reincarnation of that «Demon King» guy—"

"Wrong. I am referring to the sacred sword that once fought alongside the sacred maiden, that now battles against me."

"—What?"

Taking advantage of Kamito's momentary lapse in focus, Rubia suddenly applied greater strength.

A sharp attack strong enough to numb the arms caused Kamito to enter a defensive situation.

"Hasn't the question ever crossed your mind? For a princess maiden like myself who was only responsible for rituals, how could I engage you, the «Strongest Blade Dancer», in blade dance as equals?"

"...!?"

A crimson slash flashed across Kamito's neck.

Feeling the heat wave scorch his skin, Kamito lamented.

(...Yeah right, it'd be strange if that question never crossed my mind.)

—After fighting her seriously, that sense of doubt deepened.

Talent, training—or the use of «Cursed Armament Seals» to strengthen the body.

None of these were sufficiently convincing.

"A thousand years ago, there was a girl who tended sheep on the edge of the continent. She obtained a sacred sword that was embedded in a rock."

"...?"

Rubia's sudden recounting of the past caused Kamito to stare at her in surprise.

(...What the heck? What is she talking about?)

"How could a mere girl who tended sheep prevail against the «Demon King» who ruled over powerful spirits?"

Continuing the clash of blades—Kamito finally realized.

"This is the story of Areishia Idriss?"

The «Sacred Queen» who destroyed the «Demon King» a thousand years ago.

The past contractor of the sword spirit «Terminus Est».

"—Right. The «Sacred Maiden» is the opposing existence that awakens in response to the «Demon King»'s awakening. A seed created by the «Five Great Elemental Lords» who feared the «Darkness Elemental Lord», Ren Ashdoll's resurrection."

"Could it be—You are...!"

With an acute sound, the crimson demon blade and the silver-white sacred sword crossed.

"Indeed, I am the existence that opposes the «Demon King»—the reincarnation of the «Sacred Maiden»."

"...!"

(To think she is the «Sacred Maiden»'s reincarnation?)

Completely ridiculous hogwash—dismissing her claim was all too easy.

However, Rubia Elstein's power was the undeniable truth.

"Speaking of irony, my existence itself is the most ironic. With the «Demon King»'s resurrection as my goal, intending to destroy the «Elemental Lords», for me to carry the power left behind by the «Elemental Lords». Or perhaps—"

—It was already decided by fate long ago perhaps.

Rubia murmured the last sentence to herself in self-mockery.

Blocking «Laevateinn»'s blade, Terminus Est's brightness rapidly flashed.

Was it because Kamito's divine power was about to run out, or—

(...Est, are you okay!?)

Infusing as much divine power into the sword as he could, Kamito yelled inside his mind.

Rubia Elstein was the one who inherited the «Sacred Maiden»'s power. The legitimate successor of Areishia Idriss, Est's past contractor. It was not surprising for Est to waver.

However—

—It does not matter, Kamito.

A voice sounded in his mind to refute the idea.

—I am a separate existence from the past «Terminus Est». Even if she is the successor of the past master, it does not matter.

—Because I am your sword.

Instantly, the «Demon Slayer» gave off dazzling brightness.

"Est...!"

(...Right. I have the best partner.)

Even if the opponent was the legendary «Sacred Maiden»—

"I cannot lose!"

Using his entire strength, Kamito pushed «Laevateinn» and blew Rubia away.

"I see. That sacred sword is one of the reasons why the «Demon King»'s awakening process has been delayed."

Icy flames lit up in Rubia's eyes.

"Well then, I shall shatter that sacred sword—to impart upon you true despair!"

God-slaying flames—«Laevateinn» spewed forth a crimson blaze.

(—Now is the moment!)

Kamito had been waiting for this opportunity.

Waiting for Rubia to release her strongest attack.

This opportunity only presented itself for this one instant. Failure was absolutely not allowed.

"Experience for yourself the flames of purgatory, «Strongest Blade Dancer», Ren Ashbell!"

As «Laevateinn»'s slash traveled, in that instant—

Kamito used his explosive leg power to leap forward.

Discerning the root of divine power, he aimed the secret technique at that very point.

"Absolute Blade Arts, Final Form—«Last Strike»!"

The super high speed slash passed through «Laevateinn»'s blade—

In the next instant, ''the «Demon Slayer» shattered''.

"Est—!"

"Very well, now awaken—«Demon King»."

Then the scorching hot demon blade pierced Kamito's chest.

===Part 5===

"Huff, huff, huff..."

At the top level of the «Lost Cathedral», before the shut door, Fianna was catching her breath.

...Indeed, this was the «True Sanctuary» of this tower.

"Meow..."

Scarlet at her feet was impatiently knocking at the door.

"...Wait a minute, it'll be ready soon."

Fianna spread her arms before the door to decipher the magic.

An average seal of magic had been applied.

Rubia probably never expected the «True Sanctuary» to be invaded. For a former «Queen», this seal was quite crude and Fianna was able to dispel it without much trouble.

As the patterns carved on the door gave off blue-white light, the door opened slowly.

A gust of wind blew through the opened door, causing all the flames on the candlesticks to flicker all at once.

Within the vast hall, the girl's figure could be found.

Claire dressed in ritual attire.

"...Claire!"

Fianna hastily rushed over.

At this moment, standing at the altar, Claire swiftly raised her hand—

In the next instant, flames erupted to block Fianna from advancing.

"...Claire?"

As Fianna halted her steps in shock, Claire faced her:

"...Who are you?"

Claire asked with empty-looking eyes.

<noinclude>{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume10 Chapter7|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume10 Chapter9}}</noinclude>

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume10 Chapter4

2013-05-17T02:23:37Z

Pjs312: /* Part 1 */

==Chapter 4 - Iseria Seaward==

===Part 1===

"—This direction leads to the underground entrance."

Under Rinslet's guidance, Kamito and the team returned to the central area of the «Abandoned City» where they had fought «Valaraukar» in a deadly battle.

Avoiding the still burning flames, they entered the depths of the debris-filled historic ruins to find a long and narrow staircase leading down underground.

"...To think there was a place like this. How amazing of you to notice it."

"I was initially transported by the «Leap» to the underground maze. Also, if it weren't for this girl who led the way, I would probably still be trapped underground."

"Girl who led the way?"

"We'll surely meet her again once I return underground."

Rinslet used spirit magic to lit a light in her palm as they walked down the dark staircase.

Kamito and the rest exchanged glances and followed her down.

These steps seemed to have been built during extremely ancient times and were severely worn and eroded.

"...What a creepy place."

Ellis hugged her shoulders and grumbled.

"Ara, are you afraid?"

"O-Of course not!"

Ellis denied defiantly.

Seeing the usually stern and awe-inspiring captain of the knights display such an unexpected side, Kamito smiled wryly.

"Ooh... Kamito, what are you laughing at!?"

"Sorry... Hey, don't swing your sword in a place like this!"

"Okay, we've arrived."

Rinslet turned around the hand with light.

At the bottom of the staircase was a passageway with High Ancient script carved on the flanking walls.

"...This place too, is it a historic site dating to the Spirit War?"

"Apparently. Carved on the stone walls are names of ancient spirits."

Fianna felt the carvings on the walls with her fingertips as she spoke.

"Up ahead, there's even a wall with Est-san's name on it."

"...Est's name?"

Kamito looked at the sacred sword at his waist.

Est was a legendary «Spirit Weapon» active during the Spirit War. It was not too surprising for her name to be carved on historic sites dating back to the Spirit War.

Next, Kamito looked up to examine the walls of the passageway.

The passage was so narrow it was almost impossible to swing a sword. If they met an enemy ambush, things could get troublesome.

"Are there any «Forsaken Spirits» here?"

"Now that you mention it, I was not attacked at all."

"This place is different from the ground surface. It's filled with an air of purity. Perhaps this was a mausoleum for spirits in the Spirit War."

"...I see, a mausoleum."

In that case, it was only natural that the «Forsaken Spirits» born from the spirits' resentment would not appear in this place.

When they first heard Rinslet explain about the underground maze, everyone was still slightly apprehensive. But after considering the low chances of encountering enemies here, it should be much safer than traveling above ground.

However, there was still a huge problem.

"...So, do you know the way?"

"Yeah, no problem for sure."

"...For sure? This description makes me very worried."

"—«Fenrir»!"

Ignoring Ellis' criticism, Rinslet snapped her fingers.

The massive white wolf was summoned from empty space and opened its mouth.

Together with blowing snow, out came—

"...A frying pan? As well as eggs, flour and milk?"

Kamito frowned.

"...Rinslet, what on earth are you doing?"

"Next, I'll make special pancakes."

Rinslet held the frying pan and smiled adorably.

"...Ooh, pancakes?"

"Actually, I do feel a bit hungry."

Ellis and Fianna looked at each other.

Speaking of which, Kamito and the group only had a bit of soup and bread during dawn.

Furthermore, in defense of the young ladies' honor, elementalists easily become hungry through the use of spirits.

...Absolutely, it was not because these girls were gluttons.

"I'll prepare food for everyone later."

After putting a fire spirit crystal on the ground, Rinslet placed the frying pan on top of it.

"These are offerings for summoning a spirit."

"Spirit?"

Kamito asked in amazement.

"My savior who rescued me when I was lost underground and showed me the way to the surface."

===Part 2===

...After that, several minutes passed.

As sizzling sounds came from the frying pan, the sweet fragrance of slightly charred butter wafted through the passageway.

While making her special pancakes, Rinslet explained the whole story about how she escaped the underground maze.

—Of course, she also talked about the incredible girl she met inside the maze.

"...A young girl spirit."

After hearing her story, Kamito crossed his arms and muttered.

According to Rinslet, a spirit with a young girl's appearance had told her how to reach the exit to the ground surface.

"Must be quite a high level spirit to be able to take on human form."

Like Est and Restia, spirits who manifested in complete human form were extremely rare, even in «Astral Zero». Of course, not all high level spirits existed in human form, but appearing as a young girl implied that she must be quite a powerful spirit.

"She really needs to be thanked properly for helping you, Rinslet."

"Yeah, so I promised her already, we'll help her leave this place."

The girl spirit was apparently sealed in this underground maze by a powerful barrier. Furthermore, she had lost virtually all her memories.

"Are you able to release this seal, Your Highness?"

"Eh, let's see..."

Prompted by Rinslet's question, Fianna rested her chin on her hand as she entered deep thought.

"I think in my current state, I will have difficulty releasing a barrier that is able to seal a high level spirit. But I will still try my best..."

"Thank you."

Rinslet bowed her head.

"However, will that spirit really appear?"

Ellis asked, a little doubtful.

"Rest assured. Even Fenrir offers undying praise for my pancakes."

Rinslet placed her specially made pancakes on a porcelain dish and sprinkled liberal amounts of honey.

"...But it is hard to imagine spirits of the highest level being enticed by food."

Ellis said, somewhat worried. Kamito agreed on this point.

(...Well, we do have a sword spirit here who loves bean curd.)

After that, they waited a while longer—

"...No one is coming."

"H-How strange."

Rinslet surveyed her surroundings, slightly taken aback.

...If this continued, her specially made pancakes were going to get cold.

"Then can I test the taste, a little bit?"

"Not allowed."

Rinslet slapped Kamito on the back of the hand just as he was reaching out to the food.

"Kamito-kun, I allow you to taste me carefully, okay?"

"Fianna, what on earth are you talking about!?"

Just as Kamito retorted—

(...?)

Glare—

He suddenly felt someone's intense gaze.

"What is it, Kamito?"

"Well, I felt someone watching just now—"

Kamito reached for the hilt of his sword as he stared into the depths of the darkness.

Twitch... Where the passage made a turn, he discovered a figure that quickly hid itself.

"...?"

Kamito rubbed his eyes.

(...I think I saw something resembling insect antennae?)

Twitch, twitch... He saw two bouncing antennae again.

"That thing, Rinslet, could that be...?"

"It's Miss Spirit!"

Rinslet raised her voice. Movements could be sensed in the darkness again.

"Kamito-kun, hurry and give chase!"

"Got it!"

Before he replied, Kamito had already started running.

The other party was also very swift in movement. But compared to Kamito when he was serious, it was nowhere near enough.

"W-Wait up!"

"Fuah!"

In the darkness, Kamito pushed his fleeing quarry to the ground. It was a little violent, but capturing this nimble fellow would be very difficult otherwise.

"W-What are you doing, you insolent fellow!"

The girl struggled desperately in Kamito's grasp.

She was apparently wearing an outfit with a very long hem. Kamito could hear the sound of clothing rubbing intensely.

"...I'm sorry! Please calm down and listen to me!"

"Noooooooooooooo!"

Another round of struggling.

"Kamito-san, where are you?"

"Here!"

Rinslet and the girls lit a light and ran over.

Then—

"...Kyah!" "Ahhh!" "Wha...!"

The three girls instantly froze in expression.

"...?"

Getting a bad premonition, Kamito looked at the girl he had captured.

Over there—

"Sob, sob..."

Tears glimmering in her clear eyes, the girl was half-naked with her priestess outfit pulled wide open.

"Kamito-san, what on earth were you trying to take advantage of in the confusion!?"

Rumble rumble rumble rumble rumble rumble rumble rumble...!

"N-No, this is a misunderstanding!"

On the floor, Kamito frantically screamed for dear life.

===Part 3===

Chew chew. Chew chew.

The young girl dressed as a priestess was enjoying the pancakes.

On top of her hair which resembled the color of shimmering water, two antennae of hair stood upright adorably.

This girl was the spirit who had helped Rinslet.

She was definitely a powerful spirit but one could not get that impression from her at all. In a certain sense, she was an even more carefree spirit than Est.

"Please eat as much as you'd like. I've got plenty of ingredients."

Rinslet smiled as she kept tossing the frying pan.

"Thank you. Your snacks are really tasty."

The spirit girl smiled as she handed the dish over to Rinslet.

Having two younger sisters, Rinslet was especially adept at taking care of young girls. However, since this girl was a spirit, she should be actually much older than Kamito and the rest.

Suddenly Kamito's eyes met with the girl spirit.

But she immediately averted eye contact.

She seemed to be quite wary of everyone apart from Rinslet, especially Kamito.

...Oh well, I guess it's because our first encounter happened in such a terrible manner.

"By the way, Princess Maiden of Ice."

The girl paused her hand that was holding a pancake and asked Rinslet.

"Why have you returned here?"

Rinslet placed the frying pan aside and instantly sat up properly.

"Miss Spirit, in truth, I have a request to make of you."

"A request?"

The girl spirit tilted her head slightly.

"Yes. Could you please show us the way through this underground maze?"

Rinslet explained their situation to the girl.

Hearing that—

"Of course. After all, I was able to enjoy these tasty pancakes."

With honey still smeared around her mouth, the girl nodded.

"Please accept my utmost gratitude."

Rinslet bowed her head very politely.

Although many high level spirits were quite hard to please, this girl acted like a forthright and obedient child.

"Speaking of where the leylines are the most concentrated in this «Abandoned City», it should be—the «Lost Cathedral»."

"...Lost Cathedral?"

"The oldest sacrificial altar in the «Abandoned City». It was mentioned in the research materials Milla gathered."

Fianna clapped her hands together and said.

"Right, it was the headquarters of the faction opposing the «Elemental Lords» during the Spirit War in the past—"

The girl spirit nodded with a meek expression.

"You're quite knowledgeable of this place's history... But didn't you say you lost your memory?"

Kamito asked.

"I have been imprisoned here for almost three years. It's been so boring all this time so I have spent the time reading the history carved on these walls of the maze."

The girl spirit displayed an expression of despair.

"Miss Spirit, regarding this matter..."

Rinslet began to speak slowly at this time.

"Regarding the seal placed upon you, perhaps there might be a way to lift it."

"...Really!?"

The girl spirit widened her crystal-clear eyes.

"Yes. Princess, Your Highness—"

Urged by Rinslet, Fianna stepped forward.

"My name is Fianna Ray Ordesia, the second princess of the Ordesia Empire. I wish to offer the best of my humble efforts to attempt releasing the seal that binds you."

Fianna announced her name and title to the high level spirit with proper etiquette.

"..."

The girl looked at Rinslet with a troubled expression.

This spirit was really shy.

"Don't worry. Her Highness the princess is my friend."

"Rinslet's friend...?"

"Yes."

"..."

The girl spirit stared straight at Fianna—

"...I understand. I believe you."

Finally, she nodded as if resolving herself to some decision.

"In that case, may I be privy to your true name?"

"My true name..."

The girl spirit hesitated in response to Fianna's inquiry.

Rinslet suddenly understood.

"The seal placed upon you is very likely one that has a fixed and specified target. If we don't know your true name, it is impossible to release the seal."

"..."

The girl spirit remained silent for a while—

"...She is Rinslet's friend, is that so?"

Then turned towards Rinslet again.

"Yes, that is correct."

"Then I shall inform you expressly. My name is Iseria—Iseria Seaward."

"...Iseria Seaward?"

Fianna's dusk-colored eyes widened.

Kamito and Ellis could not help but exchange glances.

Because, that name was—

—Throb.

Suddenly, Kamito felt his head hurt.

(...That pain again.)

—Throb. Throb. Throb. Throb.

(...What on earth is going on? As soon as I heard ''that name'', why—)

Gritting his teeth, Kamito tried to hide his pain.

Luckily, no one noticed his unusual behavior.

Everyone else's attention had been grabbed by the name the girl spoke.

"That is—"

Fianna swallowed.

"—''The name of the Water Elemental Lord'', right?"

"..."

Instantly, everyone fell into silence.

One of the «Five Great Elemental Lords». The Water Elemental Lord—«Iseria Seaward».

Her personification was generally regarded as a woman carrying a water pitcher.

Why would this girl spirit utter this name—

Her serious expression did not seem like she was joking.

"Indeed it is the name of the «Water Elemental Lord». I found that out on the walls in this place."

The girl finally spoke amidst the tense atmosphere.

"—However, back when I first woke up in this «Abandoned City»'s underground, this was the only name I could remember."

The girl spirit bowed her head, a little disappointed.

Fianna responded with a "Oh, I get it now" expression:

"Perhaps you are kin to the water spirits?"

"Yes, that should be right, I feel solace whenever I am near water."

"The kin of water spirits have intimate ties to the Water Elemental Lord. It's not that surprising for the name «Iseria Seaward» to be present in your memories."

"Other than that, I have nothing that can identify myself. To someone who has absolutely nothing, this name is my cherished treasure."

The girl spirit nodded.

"—Hence, that is why I answered with the name of Iseria Seaward."

"...I see."

Rinslet gently placed her hand on the girl's shoulder.

"So, what else can you remember?"

Kamito asked after his headache finally subsided.

"All I know is the history depicted on these walls."

"...Hmm, this might be a bit tricky."

Fianna rested her chin on her hand as she worried.

"After all, you must recall your true name in order to release the seal."

"...I ...see."

Iseria slumped her shoulders in disappointment.

"Wait a minute, Your Highness the imperial princess."

As Rinslet glared at her, Fianna frantically waved her hands and clarified.

"H-However, I will surely do my best to help. If I do some research in the «Divine Ritual Institute»'s «Biblion», perhaps I may find methods for memory recovery. Although it might take some time, if you don't mind waiting until the current «Blade Dance» finishes—"

"Don't worry. I am already used to waiting... Thank you."

Iseria looked up and displayed a sincere smile.

Then she turned around and tugged Rinslet's sleeve.

"Very well, let's go. I will take you all to the «Lost Cathedral»."

===Part 4===

—After that, Kamito and his group followed along the dark passage.

...Drip. Drip.

"...Wah!"

Providing lighting and walking in front, Ellis suddenly shuddered. She seemed like she was frightened by the water droplets dripping from the ceiling.

At some point along the way, the walls of the passageway switched to uneven rock.

The girl spirit—Iseria was holding hands with Rinslet with great affection between them.

"...Kamito-kun."

Fianna whispered from behind at this time.

"Hmm?"

"...Say, are you really okay?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Stop pretending. Just now, you looked a bit strange, Kamito-kun."

"..."

As expected of the former «Queen» candidate princess maiden. Her senses were truly keen.

"...Well, it's much better now."

Kamito stopped playing dumb and admitted honestly.

"—I heard a voice. ''Her voice''."

"Kamito-kun's past contracted spirit?"

Fianna looked at the «Vorpal Sword» at Kamito's waist.

"No, that voice... Was not Restia's. Although it was very similar."

—The beckoning voice, tempting him to awaken as the «Demon King».

Although Restia also hoped for Kamito's awakening, Kamito was certain it was not her voice.

"Somehow there's an ominous feeling to it. Restia's voice is supposed to be more soothing..."

"...Hmph, how envious."

The princess pouted for a moment then resumed a serious expression.

"The Kamito-kun who rescued me was not the usual Kamito-kun."

"...Yeah, I know."

Fianna was referring to back then when Kamito pointed her sword at the girl from the «Sacred Spirit Knights».

(...At the time, I was swinging my sword purely on destructive impulses.)

But without losing his consciousness. After all, he was still swinging his sword by his own volition.

(If Est hadn't stopped me, if I continued—)

A terrible chill ran down his back.

That ''something'' lying dormant within Kamito would surely awaken.

Whether or not it was the existence known as the «Demon King», who knew—

"..."

Restia did not answer.

His beloved sword, so familiar three years ago, was now nothing but a heavy piece of iron.

"Is the «Darkness Elemental Lord»'s power really lying dormant in my body?"

Kamito whispered softly to himself.

...Anyone. He wanted someone, anyone, to refute him.

However—

"Regarding that, I don't know for sure."

Fianna shook her head.

"However, I do have some ideas."

"...?"

"Kamito-kun, your body deflects virtually all of my holy magic. Perhaps the reason is—"

Fianna stopped... What she was going to say was obvious.

The darkness attribute was opposite to the holy attribute—That was what she meant.

(I am the «Demon King» who will bring ruin and destruction to the continent?)

—In the past, that was what the old men at the «Instructional School» called him.

"D-Don't worry."

Fianna spoke swiftly to cheer up Kamito from his depression.

"Umm... O-On further thought, Kamito-kun, you're already the Demon King of the Night!"

"...Uh, that doesn't really count as cheering up."

Kamito shrugged wryly.

"...Ooh. What are you two whispering about?"

Walking in front, Ellis glared back with displeasure.

"W-We're not whispering, okay... By the way, has your knight spirit recovered, Fianna?"

Kamito frantically changed the subject.

...He did not want Ellis and the rest to worry over him as well.

Fianna realized his intentions.

"Yeah, recovered to a certain extent. However, the two spirit seals of «Scarlet» and «Georgios» are mutually interfering. Let alone highly systematic ritual magic, I fear I can't even release my elemental waffe."

"That's really quite problematic, Fianna. Your elemental waffe is quite important."

Kamito commented with arms folded.

The elemental waffe «Save the Queen» was a trump card that was capable of greatly raising the team's power.

Without it, new tactics would need to be devised.

(Come to think of it, Claire has always been the one who came up with the team's tactics...)

Just at this moment—

"...Did you hear that?"

Kamito heard faint sounds of water.

Still holding Rinslet's hand, Iseria turned around at this time.

"There is an underground hot spring up ahead. One of my favorite places."

"Hot spring?"

Kamito and the girls asked at the same time.

"Well, the «Abandoned City» isn't located in a volcanic zone, right?"

"Of course it is no ordinary hot spring. The fires of war left over from the millennia-old Spirit War continue to burn underground to this day."

"Fires, several thousand years old... How amazing."

Kamito was astonished by the grand scale of things.

After walking a little while longer—

As described by Iseria, there was a massive underground lake covered with white steam.

"I never expected the «Abandoned City» to have an underground lake like this..."

Ellis exclaimed emphatically.

Intense pillars of fire gushed from the surroundings of the underground lake.

Just as Kamito and the group neared the lake surface...

"...Wah!?"

Fianna suddenly screamed.

The «Spirit Seal» carved on her right hand began to emit dazzling light, illuminating the surroundings.

"Fianna, what happened!?"

"I-I don't know either... Wah!"

Crimson flames burst out from the spirit seal and landed on the ground.

From the flames appeared—

"Meow!"

"...Scarlet!?"

It was the hell cat spirit, lit on fire.

Scarlet ran around nimbly in the cave, rushing towards the fires burning around the underground lake.

"...Scarlet has already recovered huh."

Fianna commented as she breathed a sigh of relief.

The hell cat spirit had appeared on its own will rather than being summoned by her.

"...Probably attracted by the power of flames that fills this place."

Kamito turned to everyone.

"...Well then, what are we doing next?"

Scarlet most probably wanted to store up the power of the fire here.

—In that case, it was going to take quite some time.

"As it so happens, we might as well perform purification here."

"Good idea."

"Seconded."

Ellis and Rinslet expressed support for Fianna's suggestion.

Elementalists needed to cleanse and purify their bodies in order to tap into their full power. Naturally, even as a male elementalist, Kamito was no exception. Before sneaking into the «Lost Cathedral», undergoing purification was necessary.

"However, time is of the essence. We'll have to do the brief version."

"Right."

The princess smiled mischievously.

"So, in order to save time, how about you join us together, Kamito-kun?"

"N-No way I'm doing that!"

Kamito yelled with his face all red.

===Part 5===

The great throne—«Lost Cathedral».

The tallest tower in the «Abandoned City» and the point where all the leylines converged.

It was the castle residence of the «Darkness Elemental Lord» who led the rebel armies during the «Spirit War» in the past.

For the purposes of the «Darkness Queen»'s coming, there was probably no better location.

Having finished preparations for the ritual, Rubia Elstein walked up the spiral tower.

(...When was the last time I wore these clothes?)

Instead of the Theocracy's military uniform, she was currently wearing ritual attire from her days as «Queen».

In her hand were jewels infused with darkness.

Climbing the stairs and looking out the stained glass windows that were installed with vivid colors thousands of years ago, one could survey the entire scenery of the «Abandoned City», all covered with trees.

—The «Abandoned City»'s sky was always so dim and gray even at noon time.

As if the resentment dating from the time of the «Spirit War» still lingered in the sky above to this day.

The flames of the militarized spirit «Valaraukar» still burned where Kamito and Muir Alenstarl's battle had taken place the previous night.

Crimson flames burned entire streets. Faced with this scene, past memories were momentarily awakened—

"—al... Cardinal."

A voice from behind brought Rubia back to the present.

Breathing heavily, a girl with jade-green hair was making her way to the top of the massive spiral staircase.

Lily Flame—the girl picked up at the «Instructional School» four years ago.

Rubia halted and waited for her.

Panting, Lily knelt down before Rubia.

"—Muir has disappeared from the field."

"I see."

...Not a shocking report.

After losing «Valaraukar», that girl was already written off as combat potential.

She had already completed her mission perfectly. The battle against Muir Alenstarl should have greatly stimulated the awakening of the Demon King within Kamito's body.

(...Kazehaya Kamito, you must be finding it increasingly difficult to resist the impulse to be devoured.)

Once he was completely swallowed by that impulse—the «Demon King» within him will awaken.

"Muir will come in handy in future battles. Of course, the same goes for you."

"Y-Yes!"

After destroying the «Elemental Lords», the continent was going to descend into massive chaos due to the loss of the power of spirits.

In order to conquer that type of chaotic world, overwhelming military power was necessary.

This was the most important reason behind Rubia's alliance with the Alphas Theocracy's «Murders» to gather mercenaries and users of militarized spirits.

(...A great many lives will be sacrificed. But still, overall sacrifices can still be lessened.)

If power brought forth destruction, then even greater power will be used to suppress it.

—Bathump. Intense pain throbbed in her heart.

(The time for the Demon King's awakening is fast approaching—)

The «Sacred Maiden» and the «Demon King» were opposing existences.

This body could feel the signs of the Demon King's awakening—

—Just at this moment.

ROOOOOOOOAAAAAAR!

A terrifying roar shook the atmosphere.

"...!?"

As the floor shook lightly beneath their feet, fragments of stone fell from the ceiling.

"To think there would be an enemy attack...!?"

Lily Flame cried out, greatly shaken as she looked outside the shattered window.

Then—

"That's a... dragon!?"

Blowing the grey clouds apart, a black demon dragon was flying towards «Lost Cathedral».

The attack just now was merely the demon dragon's breath.

"Leonora Lancaster's demon dragon spirit!"

"...The Dragon Princess huh. What an affront to the eyes."

Rubia grumbled beneath her mask.

She never expected the ace of the «Knights of the Dragon Emperor» to launch a direct assault here singlehandedly—

The pitch black demon dragon opened up a great hole in the middle of the «Lost Cathedral» and flew inside.

"...We're being invaded."

If Rubia intercepted her personally, it should be an easy victory.

However, she currently had to perform the ritual for the coming of the «Darkness Queen».

—The flame of her life was almost extinguished.

The «Sacred Maiden»'s power could not be squandered here.

"I will intercept her. But facing that Dragon Princess as my opponent, I fear I can only buy limited time."

Lily withdrew her hand from the window and jumped down the spiral staircase.

"...Lily, I am relying on you."

Rubia nodded and continued on her way to the top level.

<noinclude>{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume10 Chapter3|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume10 Chapter5}}</noinclude>

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume9 Chapter3

2013-05-14T05:59:10Z

Pjs312: /* Part 3 */

==Chapter 3 - Sparks Scattered Across the Battlefield==

===Part 1===

Opening his eyes, Kamito found a dim gray sky displayed before him.

"...Is this place the stage for the final round?"

Experiencing the dizziness unique to the aftereffects of «Leap», Kamito surveyed his surroundings.

Entering his view were the scattered ruins of an astoundingly vast city.

Monolithic structures resembling shrines stood tall everywhere, or rather, collapsed rubble and debris formed mountains. Strange trees were growing out of the ground, displacing stone tiles, creating a scene like a sea of trees.

"As the stage for offering kagura to the «Elemental Lords», this is really a creepy place."

The abandoned city, «Megidoa» -- a historic battlefield of the «Spirit War» thousands of years ago.

Howling winds blew sand and dirt across his cheeks.

Compared to the sanctuary «Ragna Ys», the air was completely different.

The presence of destruction -- a substance that could be described in such a way, clung stubbornly to one's skin.

Here was a place completely devoid of life's presence.

Even the presence of spirits, which should normally be widespread throughout the world, was also--

"...In any case, it looks like there aren't any enemy teams I'll run into straight away."

Kamito started walking as he paid close attention to his surroundings.

These massive structures gave off an intimidating presence simply by existing.

Although this was in «Astral Zero», a realm where time was half-stopped, the sight of these millennia-old structures still standing intact was quite astounding.

--Suddenly, Kamito noticed something as he approached the walls surrounding the abandoned city.

(...Perhaps, these building materials are not simply stone?)

One would like to call them stone, but their surfaces were as smooth as mirrors.

...It was hard to imagine that an object that had withstood erosion from wind and rain over millennia could remain in this condition.

Just as he reached out with his hand to pat dust off the surface, sparks scattered where his fingers made contact.

The divine power released from his fingertips had reacted with the stone material.

(...This, it can't be!)

Kamito widened his eyes.

If one were to ask what kind of substance could react to an elementalist's divine power, only one answer came to mind.

(These ruins were originally built from unrefined «Spirit Crystals»!?)

Truly incredible -- but based on what he witnessed, it was the only conclusion.

This abandoned city could have been a massive mine for spirit crystals.

Only because the purity of the crystals were low, they could not be used even after processing.

Standing there in amazement for a while--

(...By the way, now is not the time to be doing something like this. I must find Claire and the others as quickly as possible.)

Coming back to his senses, Kamito instantly began to search around.

"...By the way, I might as well try this."

Searching his uniform pocket, he took out a communications spirit crystal.

Infusing a little divine power through his fingers, he concentrated his awareness--

kx,kxkxkx--kxkx,kx--

Bringing it to his ear, all he could hear was the noise of static.

"...No use. Oh well, I never expected it to either. So, what about this?"

Next, Kamito took out a different type of spirit crystal and quietly chanted the words for releasing.

In it was sealed a «Guide Spirit» which was very handy during times when lost.

Kamito had caught it in the «Spirit Forest» near the Academy before the «Blade Dance» started.

The fairy of light was quickly summoned and began to fly casually in front of Kamito's nose.

"Tell me, which way is north?"

Might as well try asking--

...However, the fairy simply tilted its little head and kept spinning in circles in the same spot.

"...Oh my, I guess I have no choice but to search on my own two feet."

Was this because an isolation barrier had been erected within the field, or was it a property of the abandoned city's land itself? In any case, clearly he could not rely on convenient spirit crystals.

Of course, this was already anticipated as soon as they heard the rules for the «Cross Fire» event.

Hopefully, he could meet up with at least one other member from «Team Scarlet» before night fell--

"...Hmm?"

At this moment, «Terminus Est» gave off faint light as it hung on his waist.

"...Est?"

Kamito touched the sacred sword's hilt and infused a little divine power--

Within the blink of an eye, the sword had transformed into an adorable silver-haired girl.

"What's the matter, Est?"

"Kamito, I recognize this place."

"What's the story?"

Indeed, Est was a spirit who had lived for centuries -- no, millennia.

Recognizing a place that had been a battlefield during the «Spirit War» was not anything too mindblowing.

However, the current Est was supposed to carry only the portion of power that split off from the original «Demon Slayer» when the contract with Kamito was established. Hence, only fragments of her memory remained--

"...Could it be that your memory returned?"

"No."

Est shook her head expressionlessly.

"But this scenery is indeed stored in my memory--"

--At this moment.

A terrifying presence suddenly appeared.

"...!?"

"Kamito, a terrible presence--"

"Yeah, I know."

Earlier, there were no presences around, not even spirits.

But now, Kamito could sense hostility so strong that it pricked his skin.

(An enemy elementalist? No--)

Instantly, as if spewing out from the earth, numerous shadows appeared in the surroundings.

"...What!?"

Humanoid shadows with ambiguous outlines.

"What, these guys!? They're... spirits?"

"These are the ghosts of destroyed spirits -- «Forsaken Spirits», Kamito."

"...The ghosts of spirits?"

"Yes. When spirits die with excessively strong resentment, sometimes they lose their spiritual qualities, becoming ghosts that linger in the ground -- This abandoned city seems to harbor large numbers of these ghosts."

"...I see. After all, this is the historical site of a battlefield."

Muttering, Kamito licked his parched lips.

Although spirits had all sorts of forms, these ghosts were all generic humanoid without exception. Did all spirits all become like this when their spiritual qualities were lost--?

The ghosts gave off resentful noises as they reached out towards Kamito.

Kamito frantically held Est's hand as he dodged the arms coming from all directions.

"...Tsk, these guys are not targeting me but Est!?"

"Apparently so, Kamito. Very likely, I--"

As if trying to smother Est's words--

The «Forsaken Spirit» swarm attacked once again.

"...Tsk!"

"Ah, Kamito!?"

Kamito swiftly embraced Est with both arms and took a flying leap.

"Dealing with them one at a time would take forever. We must break through in one go, Est."

"Yes. I am your sword, your wish is my command--"

Est nodded in midair.

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

--Here in this time and place, take form as the sword of steel to become the power in my hand!

As the «Spirit Seal» gave off dazzling light, a shining silver-white sword immediately appeared in Kamito's hand.

"Sorry, I don't have time to handle your obsessions."

Wielding the strongest elemental waffe, Kamito charged into the swarm of ghosts.

===Part 2===

"...The wind blows with much hindrance, this place."

Her ponytail swaying in the wind, Ellis murmured with a surprised expression.

The spatial «Leap» had transported Ellis to the interior of a massive building in the ruins.

This was a place like a great hall, covered all over by a collapsing ceiling.

In the center of the hall, the crumbling remains of an altar stood there in a pile. Very likely, this place was used as a shrine in ancient times to make offerings to spirits.

"O Wind--"

Ellis spread her arms in the air and summoned the wind.

But the wind that usually responded to her call was silent now.

All she could hear were faint background noises.

(...I cannot sense the presence of spirits. The leylines have also been ripped completely apart, right?)

She gnashed her teeth in her mind.

--A battlefield site from the «Spirit War». One would find it difficult to imagine such a place as appropriate for performing blade dances in offering.

The «Elemental Lords», why would they select a place like this as the stage for the most important festival ceremony?

(...Anyway, I must hurry and meet up with Kamito and the rest.)

Although she had been sending out «Wind» for reconnaissance, under such conditions of chaotic leylines, they probably could not fly very far.

As expected, she had to search on her own two feet.

In order to walk out of these ruins, Ellis turned to the massive stairway in the hall. Just at this moment.

The wind shuddered slightly.

"...!?"

Ellis halted immediately and tensed her body.

(--Someone is approaching?)

She instantly summoned her demon wind spirit «Simorgh», releasing it as her elemental waffe «Ray Hawk».

With wind swirling around the spear tip, she stayed high alert of her surroundings.

(There is no sign of anyone near, however...)

Instantly, the ground beneath her shook.

(...Down below!?)

Ellis instantly made the decision to chant «Flight» magic and jumped directly upwards.

Immediately, a giant plant emerged from the position where she had been standing.

Numerous wriggling vines extended and chased after Ellis as she flew through the air.

"What--!"

Faced with the unexpected attack, Ellis reacted an instant too slow.

The vines swiftly entangled her ankle and dragged Ellis towards the ground.

"Watch this--"

Turning «Ray Hawk» around in a backhand grip in midair, she severed the vines--

However, in the next instant, she was suddenly struck with searing pain.

(...This is paralytic poison!?)

Her concentration broken, «Flight» magic dispelled, Ellis fell straight towards the ground.

Just as her body was about to crash onto the surface--

"--Evil winds, go and rampage!"

Ellis unleashed «Ray Hawk»'s full power.

The released tempest sliced open the ground, protecting Ellis from the impact of her fall.

Rolling on the ground, Ellis tried to stand up but her movements were hindered by one paralyzed leg.

"Guh, what on earth..."

A massive plant that suddenly burrowed out from the ground.

In the center where a vivid red flower blossomed--

"--Using wind to neutralize the impact. Not bad at all."

A girl stood upright.

"You... are...!"

Mysterious jade-green hair. Ominous red eyes shining with the light of disaster.

Ellis had seen that appearance of hers, dressed in the Theocracy's military uniform, at the «True Sanctuary» before the main event.

(I remember her, a member of «Team Inferno»--)

Although she had covered her face with a hood back then -- There could be no mistake.

Those sharp and pointy ears were the characteristics of the Elfim race.

"...Tsk, there was not supposed to be any presence of elementalists in the area--"

"Oh, you mean those wind spirits you released in the surroundings? How could those things possibly locate one such as I who had been specially trained in covert operations?"

The girl shrugged as if it could not be helped.

"Indeed, wind elementalists are excellent for gathering intelligence and searching for the enemy. However, whether in the use of spirits or concealment of your presence, you are rather amateur."

(...So my location was found by a reverse trace...!)

As a knight, Ellis was not an expert in intelligence in the first place. Even though she had undergone training for the sake of the «Blade Dance», it was true that she could improve her flexibility in the usage of wind.

Even so, she never expected her location to be discovered so easily--

Ellis once again examined the girl's contracted spirit.

A spirit in the form of a fearsome plant -- undoubtedly it was a minion possessing the earth attribute.

(...The earth attribute, in other words, the type to search for enemies by sensing vibrations in the ground, right?)

The Elfim race had superior hearing compared to ordinary humans. Following the sound of footsteps, pinpointing the location probably was not a very difficult task.

(My opponent appears to be alone, however...)

Using «Ray Hawk» for support, Ellis stood up unsteadily. Her left leg was hurting but at least the sensation of pain implied that the leg was not completely paralyzed.

(...What should I do?)

The girl before her was a member of the strongest team participating, «Team Inferno».

However, since this girl was an elementalist specializing in intelligence gathering, her combat ability should not be too high. If this girl, in charge of seeking out the enemy, was defeated here, then they could fight «Team Inferno» under more favorable conditions--

(However...)

Ellis halted this line of thinking at the very edge.

During the meeting, «Team Scarlet» had decided -- Never fight a battle alone.

Within their team, Ellis was the only one able to use search type magic. If she were defeated here, the team's gathering would be delayed greatly.

(Compared to a knight's honor, my companion's victory is currently more important--!)

Instantly making her decision, Ellis chanted a spirit language incantation.

"O Wind, sweep away mine enemies -- «Wind Bombs»!"

Instantly, intense shockwaves of wind were released from Ellis' hands.

However, the target was not the girl before her.

The violent mass of wind blew up the sand and dirt on the ground, obscuring visibility in a large area.

At the same time, Ellis jumped toward the great stairway at the entrance to the ruins.

Using the momentum of the strong winds she instantly left the scene--

(...Guh, my leg!?)

However, intense pain suddenly flared up once more.

The paralytic poison seemed to be truly taking effect now.

--However, she could not stop.

If she failed to make use of this sudden attack to escape, there was probably no other chance.

"I won't let you escape. Catch her, demon tree spirit «Titania»!"

Amidst the cloud of sand and dust, numerous vines chased after Ellis.

"--Tsk, evil wind, go and rampage!"

Looking back, Ellis immediately swung «Ray Hawk».

The released blades of wind instantly chopped apart the vines.

"That kind of thing--"

However, the demon tree spirit's vines instantly regenerated. Then split into several bundles, they attacked as if trying to entangle Ellis' body.

"I am the witch who gallops across the blue sky -- «Air Wings»!"

Just as she was about to be captured by a prison of vines, Ellis chanted magic for high speed flight.

Instantly releasing the wind gathered around her feet, she flew as fast as she could to a spot near the ceiling of the great hall.

(That demon tree spirit's attack range should not be unlimited--)

I will take take this opportunity to escape outside -- Just as Ellis was thinking that to herself.

Amidst the dust cloud that obscured visibility, something flashed.

(...A knife!?)

Ellis frantically attempted to evade--

However, it was impossible to rapidly adjust one's posture in midair.

The knife's blade grazed her chest armor, producing a grating metallic noise.

(It missed? No--)

Suddenly, killing intent could be sensed -- ''coming from above Ellis in flight''.

"What--!"

Looking up at the collapsing ceiling, Ellis was rendered speechless.

Wielding a knife in reverse grip, the girl kicked against the ceiling surface and descended rapidly.

(Did she use «Flight» magic as well!?)

--No, that's impossible.

The demon tree spirit was without a doubt an earth attribute minion.

The system under the earth attribute should not contain any «Flight» magic.

"Take this--!"

Ellis hastily swiveled «Ray Hawk» and used the shaft to block the knife strike--

"--How naive. Such stale and old-fashioned knightly combat techniques."

The girl used the spear shaft as support to make a leap.

Once again, she kicked the ceiling to rapidly reverse her direction and unleashed an even more penetrating slash.

(...This type of movement is!?)

Ellis suddenly noticed.

--They were very similar to Kamito's.

Different from normal combat skills, they involved unrestrained three-dimensional movement in myriad forms.

"Could this be the same as Kamito--"

"The same? That would be rather rude to him--"

In that instant, the directly thrust knife made a shallow slash across Ellis' arm.

The wound itself was not critical. But immediately--

"...Ooh, ah...!'

Intense pain traveled all over her body like an electrical current.

Seizing this momentary opening, numerous vines restrained Ellis' entire body, tying her up into a bundle and dragging her along the ground.

"...Ah, guh..."

Sharp thorns tore through Ellis' tights and buried into her flesh, completely immobilizing her.

Completely deprived of her freedom, Ellis watched as the demon tree spirit user landed quietly.

"Number Seven of the «Instructional School» -- the «Venom», Lily Flame."

"...!"

"First I shall start with disposing of you--"

The vines entangling Ellis' body all moved at once.

===Part 3===

"...N-Nooooooooooooo!"

In a little alley in the abandoned city where trees grew twisted and misshapen, a girl's screams were heard.

Fianna was desperately fleeing from the swarming «Forsaken Spirits» that kept emerging.

Terrifying shadowy arms were reaching towards her from all directions.

"D-Don't you dare touch me so easily, the only one allowed to touch me is Kamito-kun!"

As she swiftly gestured and chanted defensive magic, the ghosts withdrew their arms as if out of fear.

...However, faced with the burgeoning ranks of the swarming «Forsaken Spirits», these efforts amounted to nothing but a drop in the bucket.

Sending them reeling only momentarily, in a blink of an eye, the ghosts' numbers increased further and continued to give chase.

"--«Georgios», I command you to cut down all who disobey!"

The knight spirit silently followed the imperial princess' orders.

Wielding a sacred sword with both hands, he cleared away the swarming ghosts before him in a single sweep.

Seizing the opportunity of the pathway opened momentarily, Fianna sprinted out.

--From a while ago, this had been repeating again and again.

"...It's really not the time to be bogged down in a place like this--"

Holding a strategic role within the team, it was more important for Fianna to converge with her teammates more than anyone else.

By herself, it was impossible to bring out the true worth of the powerful elemental waffe «Save the Queen». Furthermore, she was the only person in the team who could use true healing magic.

--Suddenly at this time.

The «Forsaken Spirits» who occupied the area suddenly halted in their motions.

"...W-What?"

A strange silence descended.

It was like the calm before a storm--

ROOOOOOOAAAAAAR--!

"Yah!"

Immediately, a terrifying roar shook the atmosphere, causing the ground to shake.

The vibrations caused the sand and dust accumulated on the ground to blow around.

In response, the knight spirit swiftly readied his shield and protected Fianna from the flying debris.

(What powerful divine power--!)

It was a bone-chilling feeling of terror.

Fianna looked up towards the direction of the roar.

Then--

(That thing, what is it...?)

In the center of the abandoned city, a massive pillar of fire rose.

A pillar of fire that reached the sky, sweeping up all the debris around it.

Even though she was quite far away from it, Fianna could still feel the heat scorching her skin.

"...Flame spirit?"

It was not Claire's hell cat spirit.

These were more terrifying flames -- demonic flames that destroyed all existence.

"..."

Fianna held her breath and gazed in that direction--

Only to see the massive burning pillar of flame gradually change its form after a while.

Spewing flames continuously, it was a torso that resembled black lava.

The eyes were like high temperature furnaces, flashing red light, as smoke was emitted nonstop from the mouth.

Gripped in its hand was a massive whip of flames.

That -- was essentially a vicious demon.

"--The militarized spirit designated for sealing, «Valaraukar»!"

Fianna had seen this appearance in the «Divine Ritual Institute»'s resource materials before.

The demon flame spirit that was sent into combat towards the end of the Ranbal War. However, it was reportedly too unstable and was sealed and abandoned after being used twice--

(...Dragging that kind of thing here, what on earth are they thinking?)

--A this moment, Fianna suddenly noticed.

The swarm of ghosts that gathered in the area had vanished without a trace like an ebbing tide.

"...Why?"

Fianna frowned.

Immediately, an unbelievable sight entered her view.

Over in the distance, in the center of the abandoned city--

Swarming in hundreds, thousands, «Forsaken Spirits» were attacking the vicious demon of flame.

Faced with the onslaught of ghosts, the vicious demon of flame swept them all away with the massive whip.

However, the «Forsaken Spirits» continued to jump into the burning flames like moths drawn to a fire.

"...?"

This incredible scene caused Fianna to stand there dumbfounded--

"I-I must take this opportunity to escape out of this place... Let's go, «Georgios»!"

Brought back to her senses, Fianna and the knight spirit ran out of the alley together.

===Part 4===

In the outskirts of the abandoned city, strange trees grew on the city walls.

Located on the edge of a bell tower extending out from the city walls--

"--My, how you all have fallen."

A girl smiled tenderly, wearing a dress colored in shade of darkness.

Pristine white complexion. Beautiful black wings sprouted from her back with lustrous splendor.

Her dusk-colored eyes gazed upon the massive swarm of shadows.

These were ghosts of the spirits who had perished in the «Spirit War» of the past.

Disobeying the logic of the world, they were filthy existences that lingered, sustained purely by hatred and resentment.

"...Oh well, it's not like I'm in a much better position either."

The darkness spirit girl whispered in self-deprecation.

"After all, three years ago on that day, ''I became an existence that was no longer myself''."

Driven by hatred, the ghosts surged forth all at once, intending to devour her.

"However, I still -- cannot become the likes of you."

Restia narrowed her eyes slightly.

"Black thunder that incinerates even souls to nothingness -- «Hell Blast»!"

She mercilessly released high level wide area annihilation magic.

Out burst forth jet black lightning, instantly wiping out the the surging swarm of «Forsaken Spirits».

This was overwhelming power as befitted the highest ranking spirit.

However--

(...Looks like the corrosion has already advanced greatly.)

Pressing her hand against her chest, a painful moan escaped from Restia's lips.

Restia's original power was not merely at this level.

Starting three years ago, when the pitch black «Wish» of the «Elemental Lords» devoured her that day, her very existence had been gradually corroding from within.

Over half of what constituted her being had already been lost.

Making things worse was the fact that her remaining power had been greatly depleted by the fight with Kamito a few days ago.

"Who knows how much longer I can hold out for..."

Restia's heel flattened a ghost lying sprawled on the ground.

"But I have a mission I must complete. I cannot allow myself to be destroyed here."

Surfacing in her mind was the face of the young man who exchanged promises with her on that day.

"I must let Kamito awaken as the «Demon King»--"

Just at this moment.

"--?"

She noticed a new presence.

The footsteps of stiff military boots could be heard climbing up the spiral staircase of stone.

Not a spirit. This was an elementalist's presence, emanating intense divine power.

"I knew it, the wounds you sustained during my defeat at Kazehaya Kamito's hands still have not recovered, darkness spirit."

"..."

Appearing forth -- a young blonde female knight wielding a glorious sacred sword.

The «Paladin» -- Luminaris Saint Leisched.

"Ara, greetings to you. The young lady from three years ago."

Restia removed herself from the outer wall where trees were growing all over.

This was a precautionary reaction towards her opponent's power.

During the «Blade Dance» three years ago, Restia had never revealed her human form in public.

However, this girl had apparently discerned Restia's true identity already.

"Do you have business with me?"

"--Yes."

The young female knight swiftly readied her sword.

"I have come to exterminate the darkness spirit who stands as the world's enemy -- You."

Kicking against the stone tiled floor, she instantly closed the distance.

The vigorous and forceful thrust tore through the air like thunder.

In response, Restia spread her wings and immediately escaped to the air to evade--

"...!"

In the next instant, numerous arrows of light pierced one of her wings.

(...An ambush from a nearby tower!?)

--I see. So she dared to make her appearance in order to draw attention away from the ambuscade over there.

With a scattering of jet black feathers and her black wing pierced, Restia lost balance and fell on the stone tiles.

"Success!"

Luminaris turned and made another thrust.

"...Tsk, disappear from my sight -- «Hell Blast»!"

Losing composure, Restia once again released a ball of jet black lightning.

However--

"--Evil be purged, «Sacred Shield»!"

Luminaris immediately released defensive spirit magic. Easily deflecting spirit magic of the highest level, she sliced through Restia's remaining intact wing.
[[image:STnBD V09 105.jpg|thumb]]

The matchup between darkness and holy attributes was the worst. Furthermore, Luminaris was undoubtedly contracted to a high ranking spirit. In a one-on-one fight, Restia had little chance of victory.

"...You've grown in strength, young lady."

"Don't look down on others, darkness spirit."

The sword elemental waffe swept horizontally. Even the dress of darkness which could deflect all magic was tragically seared and torn, simply when grazed by the holy light emanating from the sword's blade.

However, trying to escape through the air would end up being a target for the ambuscade again.

These wings that are currently of no use, might as well be abandoned.

"Blow forth and howl, tempest of the demon sword -- «Blade Storm»!"

Just as Luminaris swung the sacred sword, making a shallow slash across Restia's shoulder blade--

The feathered wings scattered into countless blades which then flew towards Luminaris.

This was indefensible anti-human magic for killing and maiming. Nevertheless--

"--You have finally revealed an opening, darkness spirit."

The Paladin's face displayed a smile of pity--

Without even taking any defensive posture, she charged forward directly.

"...!?"

"Holy lance that vanquishes darkness -- «Lance of Longinus»!"

Amidst the howling tempest of blades, Luminaris raised her arm.

--Then from a magic circle appearing in the air, she summoned a lance.

(That is..!)

Restia instantly understood. --The nature of that weapon.

(Imbued with anti-darkness magic, a piece of «Divine Armament»...!)

Despite suffering innumerable wounds, the Paladin continued to charge through the swirling blades.

Performing powerful spirit magic left the caster vulnerable for a brief period afterwards.

Luminaris had been waiting for this particular instant.

"--Enemy of the world, return to eternal darkness!"

The thrown «Lance of Longinus» pierced Restia in the chest.

<noinclude>{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume9 Chapter2|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume9 Chapter4}}</noinclude>

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume8 Chapter4

2013-05-08T05:18:30Z

Pjs312:

==Date With Dragon==
===Part 1===

Dawn. In a plain away from the castle the representatives were lodging at---

A black-haired girl with her hand raised towards the darkness was there.

"Crush the universal light, O spirit of the evil black dragon---"

The radiance of divine power that shot into the surroundings indicated the magnitude of the spirit being summoned.

"Thou shalt abide my command and eliminate my enemies!"

The moment the icy cry echoed into the the dark's stillness.

Oooooooon!

Tearing through the night, a pitch black dragon manifested from thin air.

Dragon spirit «Nidhogg» --- the celebrated highest-class dragon spirit of Dracunia.

The atmosphere shook from the enormous dragon spirit's roar and---

A red blast of light was fired.

Gouged out from the ground with a deafening sound, earth and sand became lava which danced in the air.

After the flash cleared---

The field ahead had been incinerated away in a straight line.

Comparable to even a tactical-class military spirit, it was a frighteningly destructive power.

However, the girl's gaze that looked upon the destruction's vestiges remained stern.


......Somehow, she didn't seem satisfied.

"As I thought, I can't concentrate......"

The girl --- captain of the Dragon Knights, Leonora Lancaster, sighed heavily.

......She couldn't return to normal.

She had been in a slump the entire time during the «Blade Dance».

Being able to advance to the finals was thanks to the cooperation of her teammates and the height of her true strength, but as expected, winning would be difficult if she were to remain like this. This «Blade Dance» wasn't so low-grade that she could achieve victory without being in her best condition.

It wasn't that her skill had degraded. The flow of divine power surrounding her was also regular.

But ever since that day, something had been off.

Yes, that male spirit contractor --- since the day she had crossed blades with Kazehaya Kamito.

"......!"

The instant his face surfaced in her mind, her face grew hot.

It became hard to breathe and her heart was pounding fiercely.

It resembled the stimulation when the «Dragon Blood» rampaged but was slightly different.

(Just what exactly is this, I wonder......)

This bad condition that had carried on for several days was without a doubt related to that man.

In that case---

"---I knew it; there's no other way but to confirm it."


......What she thought of was a method befitting a girl from the country of dragons, a direct resolution.

===Part 2===

After having eaten breakfast in Rinslet's room, Kamito lay atop the bed in his own room.

......It was the greatest happiness for a person. Sleeping for the second time, that is.

"......Now then, how shall I pass the evening."

He looked at the clock and saw it was still morning.

If he were to get into bed just like this, there would even be a third time but---

"......But that would really be a waste."

And he corrected his thinking.

At any rate, every country in the continent had set up many extravagant entertainment facilities for the «Blade Dance». He fully intended to enjoy them.

"I should also invite Claire and the others---"

Thinking that, he stood from the bed and,

"......Hm?"

There was something squirming in the bed.

Could this be---


"Est!?"

He pulled the sheets aside and,

"......"

As he had predicted, the one concealed there was a sword spirit with silvery white hair.

"Kamito, good morning."

Est gazed expressionlessly at Kamito with her mysterious violet eyes.

"Est, don't just enter my bed whenever --- hey, what's with that get-up!?"

In the middle of his words, Kamito widened his eyes.

......Est was not in her usual naked knee socks attire.

It was an extremely rare occurrence for this sword spirit to cover her body with clothes.

A foreign design that had a red line against a white background. Her collarbone peeked out and her skin that could be seen from the slit was strangely captivating.

......No matter where he looked, it resembled the clothes that Ren Ashbell had worn during the «Blade Dance» three years ago.

"Yes, Kamito. This is the maiden costume from tofu's country."

Est answered as she pulled her fingers out from the outfit's oversized sleeves.

......That action was somehow lovely.

"......Could you mean the place where I was born when you say tofu's country?"

That meant the far eastern island country that Kamito had been before being taken to the «Instructional School».


Kamito had no memories of that time for the most part but---

"Yes. Do you like the maiden costumes from your home?"

Est tilted her head and let the sleeves fall onto the bed.

At that moment, the shoulder portion loosened and revealed the underlying collarbone.

Kamito's face reddened and he hurriedly averted his eyes.

"......Kamito?"

"Y, yeah, it's really cute......"

Gulping, he finally managed to voice that.

"Fua, Kamito......"

The ever-expressionless Est looked a little happy.

Truthfully, he should be scolding her for entering his bed as she pleased, but she had taken the trouble to wear his birthplace's clothes.

......Thinking of that, he couldn't get angry.

"Kamito, I really like you......kiss ♪ "

"......!?"

Est, whose maiden costume had gently fallen off, kissed Kamito's cheek.

Snow-like white skin. Her modest chest intermittently entered his vision.

"E, Est, don't remove your clothes!"

"......Why?"


The sword spirit tilted her head in wonder.

"Th, that is......"

Just as Kamito was troubled.

Craaaaaack!

All of a sudden, the room's window was shattered.

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

The surprised Kamito turned around.

And.

"......Uwah!"

......A large dragon was outside the window.

A red dragon flapping its enormous wings.

"Th, thth, this pervert, just what are you making an innocent spirit girl do!"

The girl riding on its back glared sharply at Kamito.

It was a girl he knew.

(If I remember, she's the vice-captain of the «Knights of the Dragon Emperor», Yuri El Cid!?)

"Phew......"

The dragon knight girl --- Yuri snorted as though displeased and jumped into the room.

"Wh, what is it, you, what do you want!?"

Kamito yelled as he shielded Est behind him.


(......Don't tell me, it's an attack?)

But he didn't think those famous «Knights of the Dragon Emperor» would use such means.

"Kuu, why is Leonora-sama, with this kind of pervert......"

Yuri muttered as she flailed her hair around.

"What about Leonora?"

Kamito asked with suspicion but,

"Hmph, I only came to deliver this to you. Confirm the rest yourself."

Saying that, Yuri took out a sheet of paper from a pocket of her military uniform and threw it onto the table.

It wasn't just a sheet of paper. The abstract image of a dragon --- it was sealed with Dracunia's crest which was essential for foreign diplomatic documents.

"H, hey, what does this mean?"

"I have properly delivered it, brutish Ordesian pervert of a demon king!"

There was completely no chance to stop her.

The dragon knight spun on her heel and jumped back onto the red dragon flying outside the window.

"......Just what was that?"

Kamito muttered, dumbfounded, as he watched the dragon flying away in the distance.

Opening the paper atop the table, he found methodically written letters.

"Wait at «Saint Areishia Plaza» at two in the evening --- huh."

Kamito pondered it for a little while and,


"......Don't tell me, a challenge for a duel?"

His previous blade dance with Leonora had ended in an inconclusive draw. And that was done under the special circumstances of Kamito having lost Est while Leonora ran wild from her «Dragon Blood».

He could understand her desire for a proper rematch.

But if her motive was a battle, it was strange that she would suggest such a crowded place for the meeting point.

(......Anyway, aren't we going to fight in tomorrow's finals already?)

He just couldn't read Leonora's thoughts.

Considering her personality, it wasn't a trap.

Kamito looked at the clock mounted on the wall.

There was still around an hour before the appointed time.

"Well, I'll understand if I go......"

He put the letter in his pocket and turned towards Est.

"Est, I'll be going out for a bit."

"Kamito, you won't play with me?"

"Sorry. I'll be back before dusk."

"......Understood. Kamito."

He put his hands together and apologized and Est nodded.

"Now then, it'd be nice if we're just meeting to talk but......"


===Part 3===

"......Hm, was that Kamito?"

In front of the gate to the castle that «Team Scarlet» was staying at.

Ellis, who had returned from reporting to the Fahrengart house, had discovered Kamito leaving.

She did not see Claire or Est nearby. It seemed he was alone.

(......Th, this is a chance!)

With her heart thumping, she took a breath to call out but,

(......No, wait.)

She closed her mouth as she changed her mind.

......He seemed a bit different than usual.

If he were going to the city to have fun, he would have undoubtedly invited Claire and the others. She didn't think he had business that required him to go out alone.

(Suspicious......)

Her intuition from normally working as a public morals officer was informing her.

Perhaps he was going to the city to partake in indecent entertainment?

(......I don't think that would happen, but there is a need to confirm it.)


Ellis erased the sound of her footsteps with wind spirit magic and stealthily began shadowing Kamito.

===Part 4===

And with that---

A little before the appointed time, Kamito arrived at «Saint Areishia Plaza».

He searched for Leonora in front of the statue of the Holy Maiden Areishia at the center, but couldn't find her.

As he stood there reluctantly, he could hear various rumors being whispered around him.

"Look, it's the Lewd King. I wonder what he's doing here?" "He's definitely looking for girls to make into his slaves." "How repulsive......" "Don't make eye contact with him. He'll impregnate you." "It would be great if he were punished by Ren Ashbell-sama."

The cold glares of the girls passing through the plaza pierced him.

(......I somehow feel like dying now.)

Kamito stood there with the incessant desire to escape and the small hand of the clock tower struck two.

And exactly at that moment---

"---I've kept you waiting. Kazehaya Kamito."

A dignified and serene voice reached him.

"......Leonora!?"


Kamito gulped without thinking when he looked at the appearance of the girl that had appeared behind him.

She was not donning the military uniform of the Knights of the Dragon Emperor.

A white dress with a small purse slung over her shoulder.

Her trademark beret had also changed into a style hat. The dragon embroidery was quite lovely.

(Um, battle gear......there's no way it is.)

Kamito looked on in fascination and,

"......Kazehaya Kamito."

Leonora opened her mouth.

"D, don't you have anything to say?"

"Y, yeah......"

Kamito returned to reality and nodded hurriedly.

"Umm, it's not your usual military uniform."

"Yes."

"......"

"Anything else?"

"......Well, it suits you really well. More like, it's way too cute."

"......!?"

Leonora's face turned beet red in an instant.


"Wh, whwh, what you saying, you pervert!"

"What!"

Even though he'd finally complimented her, she was unexpectedly calling him a pervert.

"......A, as I thought, the cause of my heart's turmoil is without a doubt you!"

With a red face, she glared bitterly at Kamito.

......He didn't understand what was going on.

At any rate---

"Why did you call me out?"

Kamito asked straight out.

"That's......"

Doing so, Leonora had a perplexed face for a moment, then,

"T, to have you take responsibility!"

She turned to Kamito and thrust her finger at him.

"......Hah?"

Kamito tilted his head.

"......What do you mean responsibility?"

"I, it's your fault I can't draw out my true power."

Leonora leered at Kamito reproachfully.

"......My fault?"


Kamito was becoming increasingly puzzled.

No, truly---

Kamito had shattered her Elemental Waffe, the «Dragon Slayer».

Though she, being a noble knight, didn't seem the type to resent him unjustly.

As though understanding Kamito's inner thoughts, Leonora shook her head.

"No. My «Dragon Slayer» has sufficiently recovered. It's just---"

She pressed her lips tightly together and,

"I, I don't know why, but whenever I think of you, my heart beats madly. Even at the height of battle, when your face crosses my mind, my skills dull."

[[File:STnBD V08 151.png|thumbnail|right]]


Leonora's voice was slightly shaky.

(I see......)

Kamito somehow understood.

......Losing to Kamito must have been greatly frustrating.

She had probably lost her composure as a result of losing to Kamito and thus her skills had dulled --- is what Kamito surmised.

(......And so as I thought, we're going to fight again?)

If she won against Kamito fair-and-square right now, she would regain her confidence --- he wondered if that was it.

However---

"Th, that's why!"

As Leonora's face reddened again, she thrust her finger out at Kamito and---

"I'll have you accompany me for the entire day!"

"......Hah?"

Those completely unexpected words were voiced.

===Part 5===

"Wh, whwh, wha......!"



Ellis, who was watching over Kamito from the shadows, was gaping.

"Why is Leonora-dono......!"

Kamito and Leonora seemed to be having fun talking at the center of the plaza.

Moreover, Leonora wasn't wearing her usual military uniform, instead donning adorable clothes that charmed even Ellis despite them being both girls.

......Looking at the situation, it was unquestionably a date.

No, Ellis had no idea what a real date was like, but a long time ago, she had read one of the books that had been confiscated from Claire under the knights' authority.

"C, curses, Kamito, you've even laid your hands on the enemy leader......!"

She bit her lips together as her shoulders rose.

She had acknowledged that Kamito was an airhead demon lord that couldn't be helped, but she didn't think his integrity was this low.

"I, it can't be forgiven......!"

Having made up her mind, Ellis burst out of the shadows.

However---

"......Hm, wh, where did they go?"

At some point in time, their figures had melded into the crowd.


===Part 6===

---Meanwhile. Another person happened to be present.

"......Haa, how tiring."

Gorgeous black hair that fell to her hips. Pale dark eyes.

The second princess of the empire, Fianna Ray Ordesia.

Last night, she had stayed at the hotel of the highest class, «Royal Palace», and informed the emperor of their advancement into the finals.

......She normally kept a calm and composed attitude before her teammates, but right now, she was in an extremely bad mood. Terribly unpleasant memories came to mind when she delivered her report.

Ordesia's emperor, as well as the high-ranking nobles, had welcomed her with superficial courtesy. However, that was only because the empire was reaping huge benefits from their representatives' victory in the «Blade Dance».

Four years ago, when Fianna became the «Lost Queen», they had taken such a cold stance with her who was still so young---

That harsh treatment back then had left scars that remained to this day.

They continued to look down on Fianna who had been expelled from the «Divine Ritual Institute».

(Well, I don't really care about that......)

The reason she had such a grim expression wasn't that.

She had checked out early this morning and visited the «Biblion» to search for books connected to a certain issue.


The words that Sjora Kahn had revealed when she held Fianna captive.

---Information pertaining to the «Darkness Spirit King».

The Darkness Spirit King --- Ren Ashdoll.

According to the books she had investigated, a portion of the Alphas Theocracy believed that to be the name of the sixth «Spirit King».

(Sjora said that Kamito was the «Darkness Spirit King»'s reincarnation.)

If that was true, then she wondered just what the «Darkness Queen» was.

Moreover---

(The other Ren Ashbell --- Rubia-sama also seemed fixated on Kamito-kun.)

......She really wondered just what was happening around Kamito.

At any rate, there was no doubt that something was squirming behind this «Blade Dance».

(Kamito-kun......)

Her worries were endless. She had considered discussing this with her teammates, but then she would need to tell Claire about Rubia.

If she knew the truth, she might not be able to handle it.

(I can't speak about this yet......)

And.

When she sighed heavily.


"......Kamito-kun?"

She discovered Kamito amidst the crowd.

(......What is he doing here, I wonder?)

Kamito seemed to be waiting for somebody in front of the statue of the Holy Maiden Areishia.

(......But just who is it?)

If it was someone from their team, there was no need to wait here.

With doubts filling her mind, while she was taking a step and about to call out to him,

"......!?"

Fianna's motions came to a halt.

An adorably dressed girl had appeared in front of Kamito.

(......Leonora Lancaster from the «Knights of the Dragon Emperor»!?)

Fianna tilted her head.

(......Why would Kamito-kun be meeting with the enemy team's ace?)

The question swirled around in her head.

While that was happening---

The two exchanged some words and disappeared towards the main road.

"......"

Fianna was glued to that spot for a few seconds.

......In order to comprehend what she had just seen.


And then---

"Fu, fufu, fu......is that how it is."

Her expression slightly stiffened.

"Even though I'm here worrying about Kamito-kun, as usual, he's off being the Demon King of the Noon."

Her pale dark eyes became devoid of emotion and a black aura enveloped her body.

That appearance was just like the «Darkness Queen».

And then.

"Y, Your Highness?"

That came from behind her.

"......Ellis?"

Turning around, the knight captain stood there.

"Your Highness, what are you doing at this kind of place?"

"You as well; why are you here?"

"Mm, th, that's......"

Fianna returned the question and Ellis' face turned red as she attempted to mislead her.

It was rare for her who was ever-composed.

(......I get it.)

The wise Fianna immediately understood the reason for her conduct.


She had probably also discovered Kamito in the crowd. And then she had no doubt followed them.

(......What to do.)

To Fianna, Ellis was also a strong rival in love.

Actually, in a certain sense, she may be the strongest contender of the group.

(......But right now, we have to unite.)

After troubling over it, Fianna came to that conclusion.

At any rate, the threat that Leonora posed in that respect was unknown.

"Say, that was Kamito just now, wasn't it?"

"......Y, yeah, it seems that way."

Maybe because she was uncomfortable about having followed him, Ellis seemed to be trying even harder to fool her.

"You were following Kamito-kun, right? I'll also come with you."

"......Your Highness?"

"Come on, come on, it's too late once Kamito-kun becomes the Demon King of the Noon."

"Mm, th, that's true. I'm worried about Leonora-dono's safety."

Ellis cleared her throat and nodded.

The two who had come to a mutual understanding ran in search of the two who had disappeared into the crowd.


===Part 7===

"......"

The people they passed turned suspicious glances upon them.

It was completely natural. He was with the ace of a team that would also be attending the finals, after all.

(This has somehow become quite odd......)

Walking alongside Leonora, Kamito scratched his head.

(......I don't really get how I'm the cause of her slump either.)

In the first place, a spirit contractor's ability was greatly affected by irregularities in their mind and body.

A slightly wounded heart could prevent one from summoning their spirit, and conversely, if one's mind were strengthened, his or her power could rise explosively. Therefore, the attitude Leonora was taking towards Kamito, who she thought was the cause, was a little inexplicable.

At any rate, he felt that he should be thankful she had not called him out for a duel.

(......This is a date, isn't it.)

Furthermore, his partner was an extraordinarily cute, beautiful girl.

Realizing that, Kamito cleared his throat.

"So, doing things together is fine, but do you have any ideas on where to go?"

"Ideas?"

Leonora put a hand to her chin and pondered.


"I didn't think about that. I don't mind where we go if I'm with you."

"Th, that way of talking will invite misunderstandings."

The blushing Kamito took out a sheet of paper from his uniform's pocket.

It was a pamphlet with the business district's shop locations, details and other information.

"They've taken the effort to have these entertainment centers, so would you like to go to one?"

"Hrm, it was a good idea to leave it to you."

Leonora nodded and moved to peek at the pamphlet.

"......!"

Kamito's heartbeat quickened at the fragrance of shampoo that tickled his nose.

Her slender fingertips traced the map and stopped at a certain point.

"I would like to try going here."

"The «Blade Dance» Memorial Hall?"

It was a pavilion financed by the «Divine Ritual Institute». Historical documents related to the «Blade Dance» were supposed to be on display there.

"It's a fairly safe choice for a date."

Kamito suddenly revealed those thoughts and,

"......Da, dada, date!?"

"Ah, no---"

"Wh, what are you misunderstanding, you perverted brute of a demon king!"


Leonora was angry with a bright red face.

......Her intensity was such that it felt like she would draw her «Dragon Slayer» at any time.

"S, sorry, it's not a date, yeah!"

"Hmph, of course, I wouldn't engage in that kind of slovenly act!"

She averted her eyes from Kamito and scurried away.

......Kamito shrugged helplessly.

===Part 8===

The «Blade Dance» Memorial Hall was at a quiet place far from the center of the business district.

The building's exterior resembled a shrine.

Perhaps because the pavilion lacked entertainment, there were few tourists.

Suspicious stares turned upon them as soon as they entered the building but, as expected, nobody called out to them. Carelessly calling out to the «Blade Dance» representatives would be a violation of manners amongst the nobles.

They walked along the indicated path and viewed the display items. On the corridor's wall was a commentary for formerly used tactics and portraits of the successive generations of winners.

"As expected, there are pretty much no documents from long ago."

"Yes, especially those from before the Ranbal War. The «Divine Ritual Institute»'s library was also burned down in that war."


Leonora who was walking beside him pushed her glasses up as she nodded.

"......Huh? When did you put those on?"

"I, is it that strange that I'm wearing glasses?"

Leonora glared at Kamito with a sullen look.

Come to think of it, she had also been wearing glasses when they met at the «Biblion».

If he remembered correctly, she only wore them when reading thin letters.

"Ah, no, glasses also suit you really well."

Kamito voiced his honest thoughts. The regular Leonora was also beautiful, but she had an adult-like charm when wearing glasses that made his heart race.

He did that and---

"......Wh, what are you saying, you pervert with a glasses fetish!"

Leonora quickly walked away with a beet-red face.

"Why......"

Kamito sighed.

---And he turned his gaze to a certain name engraved in the wall.

The winner of the «Blade Dance» twenty four years ago.

The «Dusk Witch» --- Greyworth Ciel Mais.

"......"


Kamito stood still and stared at the portrait displayed there.

When she was young --- though she was still young --- anyway, it was a portrait of her when she was fifteen.

She still had her characteristic ash blonde hair, but she was drawn quite innocent and lovely.

Kamito had seen her when she reverted to her young state, but it had only lasted momentarily, so the memories hadn't really stuck with him at all.

(......So that witch was also young before.)

Kamito did not know the «Dusk Witch»'s strength in her prime.

It felt somehow strange.

"Kamito, what are you doing?"

Being called by Leonora, Kamito hurried after her.

Further along the path they were walking on, a large room was shrouded behind a curtain.

"......Special Display Room?"

Kamito took a step in,

"Guah......"

A groan surfaced from deep within him.

(I, I was careless......!)

The first thing that leaped into his vision was---


A tapestry with the previous Blade Dance's winner's figure sewn onto it.

Glossy black hair that fell to her waist. Foreign white clothing.

And that pitch black sword in her hand was surely --- the darkness elemental waffe, «Vorpal Sword».

There wasn't just a tapestry. There was a portrait covering an entire wall, and to add to that, a life-sized bronze statue was stationed in the center of the room.

"Wh, what is this room!?"

Kamito's face stiffened and,

"Having a special display room constructed is a matter of course. Even amongst the past champions, she is overwhelmingly famous."

Leonora's eyes were lit up as she was captivated by the wall portrait.

"Her blade dance is my distant goal. ---Stronger than anything, and noble as well."

......There was no way she could even dream that the person in question was standing right beside her.

"......"

Kamito also returned to staring at the tapestry depicting his past appearance.

(My strength still hasn't recovered to what I had back then......)

He was certainly in the process of recovering his strength from his prime.

He had also become able to use Greyworth's absolute blade arts, despite the burden they placed on his body.

But he still couldn't reach her. There was an absolute wall between him and her.

"Kamito?"


"......Mm, yeah, sorry."

Kamito returned to reality after Leonora called out to him.

"We'd also like to perform a blade dance that will make history in the finals."

"Yeah, that's right."

Kamito nodded firmly in response to the smiling Leonora who had removed her glasses.

---After that, just when they were exiting the memorial hall, Leonora pointed ahead.

"Kamito, they're selling bread there."

"Yeah?"

He looked to where she was pointing and, sure enough, there was a bread stall there.

The fresh bread lined up in a glass case was giving off a delicious scent.

"Ohh, those look good. Maybe I'll buy one......wha!?"

Having neared the glass case, Kamito was rendered speechless.

What was lined up there was---

For some reason, a large amount of «Ren Ashbell» bread.

Upon the fluffy baked bread was a design done with chocolate that looked exactly like his «Spirit Seal».

"Wh, what is this; I never approved this!"

"......Approved?"

"Ah, no......"


Kamito hurriedly fooled her.

"This is good. Let's buy some as a souvenir for Yuri and the others."

"So you're buying it......"

Kamito sighed in blank amazement.

===Part 9===

"......Nom. This tastes pretty good."

"Yeah, the taste is decent."

Kamito and Leonora ate the bread they had just bought as they walked down the business district beside each other.

The bread had chocolate on it, but this chocolate was designed to look like the «Darkness Demonic Sword» and was unexpectedly detailed.

"......I don't think Restia expected to become a decoration for bread either."

"Kamito, did you say something?"

"No, nothing......hm."

Kamito shifted his eyes to Leonora's mouth.

"You have chocolate stuck to your face."

"Eh?"

With a wry smile, Kamito wiped off the chocolate with his finger and,


"Fuaa......wh, whwh, what are you doing, you pervert!"

Leonora cried out with a bright red face......just like Claire's reaction yesterday.

"Dracunia's strongest knight also has her cute points."

"......~!"

With Kamito's teasing, her face grew increasingly red and,

"A, as I thought, you're the reason my heart is in turmoil!"

And she turned her face away.

"Sorry, my bad. So where should we go next?"

"......That's right. I heard a weapons museum and spirits museum were on the outskirts of town."

"Such refined tastes as always."

Kamito voiced that kind of thought and,

"......Sorry. I was raised in a strict knight household, so I don't know where best to go in these situations."

"......I see."

Well, that was similar to Kamito. He didn't know a tactful place to have fun or things of that sort.

"Then let's just wander around and explore the business district."

"Yes."

At that time, a wind spirit like a small bird flew away above them.

A sudden strong gust of wind blew through the path and Leonora's one-piece was turned up before Kamito's eyes.


"Kyaa!"

"......!?"

Kamito reflexively averted his eyes but---

(......Hm?)

He had a slightly bad feeling about the image that was burned into his eyes for but a moment.

He had not seen a single stitch of the panties that logically should have been there.

What he saw in its place was a soft-looking butt---

(......N, no way!?)

Come to think of it --- Kamito recalled.

About what happened at the library before the battle portion. When Leonora who was being controlled by her «Dragon Blood» tempted Kamito, he was sure that she---

"......Umm, could I ask one crude question?"

"What is it?"

"Are you not......wearing u, underwear?"

"......?"

Leonora tilted her head, puzzled for a moment, then---

"Yes. Princess maidens that serve a dragon may not wear underwear."

She said it like it was extremely obvious with a nod.


"......Are you a naked knee socks sword spirit."

Kamito made a small sigh and,

"Let's go buy underwear first. We'll continue after that."

===Part 10===

On the other hand---

"......Kuu, curses, Kamito, where did you go?"

Ellis and Fianna ran around the business district as they used wind spirits to gather information.

As expected, searching for two people in this kind of crowd was difficult.

"Perhaps they have entered a building?"

Fianna said while short of breath.

"Really though, we can't just use spirits to infiltrate shops."

---And then. A spirit like a small bird alighted on Ellis' shoulder.

"......What? You saw the two?"

"Where did they go?"

The wind spirit whispered something into Ellis' ear.

"Ka, Kamito peeked under Leonora-dono's skirt in public!?"

Twitch.


In an instant, Fianna's expression had frozen over.

"Fu, fufu, fu, I w, wonder what Kamito-kun could possibly thinking, fufufu......"

"......Y, Your Highness, you're leaking some kind of black aura."

Ellis gulped.

"Let's go, Ellis. They might still be nearby!"

"Yeah, we can't permit any more shameless acts!"

The two exchanged nods and ran off.

===Part 11===

"......D, do I really have to go too?"

In front of an underwear store that catered to the nobility's daughters, Kamito awkwardly scratched his head.

If he was seen entering this kind of store, another disgraceful rumor would start.

......Rather, he was already suffering cold looks from the girls in the store.

"I have not worn underwear before. Thus, I do not know which underwear is best."

"I don't know that kind of thing either."

"Then it doesn't matter if I continue not wearing any underwear?"

"......Kuu, what kind of threat is this."


Kamito groaned deeply.

That's right, she wasn't wearing anything under that one-piece.

If the wind blew again and her skirt flew up---

Kamito bringing around a girl without underwear was quite capable of starting the worst rumor yet.

(......I absolutely must avoid that.)

Kamito finally gave in and step foot into the underwear store.

---Several minutes later. Kamito stood in the shop for the sake of picking out underwear for Leonora.

"......As I thought, it's unsettling. Underwear, that is."

Leonora groaned with a troubled face.

She had bought a high-quality silk set to try out, but it seemed to feel awkward so the Dragon Princess Maiden wasn't pleased.

"Won't you get used to it? Anyway, please wear it, at least when walking in town."

"......It's somehow very tight."

Leonora complained with dissatisfaction on her face.

"At the very least, couldn't I wear this?"

And she spread out laced black underwear with both hands.

"D, don't spread out that kind of thing......"

Kamito reddened as he averted his eyes,

"Rather, isn't something different between that and the one you're wearing?"


"Yes. It seems this is the type with a hole here."

"......!?"

Looking closely, there was a neat cut at a vital location.

"Wh, why was that kind of thing being sold!"

"Is it not okay?"

"It's not. In a certain sense, it's worse than not wearing any."

Kamito decisively shook his head.

......Rather, he wondered why he was choosing underwear for the enemy team's ace.

"Then how about this?"

"That's practically a string! ......Why are you deliberately choosing ones with high exposure!"

"I can't calm down with lots of cloth."

"Normally people can't calm down without wearing underwear."

Kamito groaned while pressing down on his forehead.

"......Th, then, how about this?"

Leonora was holding a tropical-style set with southern sea flowers drawn on it.

"......It's the type that doubles as a swimsuit. Isn't that pretty good?"

"Yes. It suits my tastes because the material is slippery and feels familiar to my skin."

"......I see, so it was just because you don't like the feeling of silk."

Amongst the underwear of the princess maidens that needed to frequently purify themselves, swimsuits and other multipurpose ones were numerous. It seemed that the smooth material of the swimsuit had also appealed to her.


"Well then, let's take this one---"

And Leonora took it in her hands---

"......"

And something turned towards Kamito like a flash.

"What's wrong?"

"No, s, since you've finally bought a swimsuit---"

With a slight tinge of red on his cheeks and upturned eyes, he opened his mouth.

---Why don't we go to the pool, he said.

===Part 12===

And like that. The two left the central part of town and arrived at a pool in the forest.

Even if it was called a pool, it wasn't something made by human hands. It was something that utilized the already present large lake, so the impression was close to that of a beach along the sea.

Kamito who had changed into a tanktop swimsuit just before sat at the edge of the lake waiting for Leonora.

Many girls in swimsuits were frolicking along the lake shore, crying out in sweet voices.

But the instant they noticed Kamito,


"Kyaa, the Lewd King, the Lewd King is here!" "He's looking here, how scary......" "What an unpleasant gaze." "Don't come near my Lady!"

They successively jumped into lake and swam off to the far edge.

"......Am I a shark or something?"

The wounded Kamito hung his head on the empty lake edge.

And at that time.

"I, I've kept you waiting, Kamito."

"......!?"

Turning towards the voice that came from behind, he saw Leonora standing there with her hands on her hips.

Her youthful skin was tinged slightly red. Her chest seemed to burst out.

Her adorable butt wrapped in the flower-patterned swimsuit.

Her slender, beautiful legs were dazzling.

Kamito gulped at her outstanding proportions.

"U, umm, is it strange?"

Leonora rubbed her thighs together bashfully.

Kamito finally returned to his senses and,

"N, no, rather, well......you're beautiful."

"......Wha, th, this pervert! Pervert!"

Leonora's admonishing voice instantly assaulted him.


"Why the heck! I just said my honest thoughts."

"Sh, shut up! Don't stare so much at a princess maiden's skin!"

Leonora quickly covered her chest and,

"I, I'll go swim a bit!"

In order to cool her body that was burning up from shyness, she jumped into the lake with vigor.

"......Oh boy."

Kamito sighed as he stared absentmindedly at Leonora who had left to swim.

Her swimming figure was also beautiful. It was almost like a dragon relaxedly flying about in the sky.

......At any rate, would doing this really clear up what the cause of her slump was?

(Though looking from an outsider's point of view, she doesn't appear to be in a slump......)

Honestly, if he were just considering victory, having her remain in a slump would be undoubtedly more advantageous.

But in that case, Kamito also couldn't be understood.

The promise he had made that one time.

---That he would fight with her when she was not being controlled by her «Dragon Blood».

"......"

He stood at the lake edge charmed by Leonora's swimming figure for a while and---

"Hmm---.....onii-sama, you perv."

"Wha!?"


Kamito hurriedly turned around upon hearing the familiar voice.

"......Mi, Mireille!?"

The one glaring at Kamito was Rinslet's lovely little sister.

Her platinum blonde hair clung to her wet skin.

She was clad in a white swimsuit and had a large swim tube around her waist.

"Wh, why are you here?"

"Since my morning lessons are over, I came to play."

"Did you come alone?"

"No, Milla came as well."

Mireille replied coldly.

And.

"Kamito, have you laid your hands on that Leonora Lancaster as well?"

Milla Bassett glared at Kamito with fruit juice in her hand.

She was wearing a swimsuit that had frills like a maid costume.

Her slightly wavy hair was tied on both ends of her head.

"Wa, wait a second, you're misunderstanding this! There's a reason for this......"

"What reason?"

"No matter how you look, it's a date. Even though onii-sama already has onee-sama."

"---I, it's nothing like a date!"


And Leonora, who had been swimming, hurriedly came to the shore.

"Mu......" "......They're big."

Her large, wet chest covered with her tropical swimsuit.

The nine year old and thirteen year old combination gasped at the proportions which were the opposite of theirs.

"Kamito is assisting me in restoring my original condition. That's why it's definitely nothing like a date or some indecent activity!"

"Mu---..."

Mireille glared at Leonora with an expression like she couldn't agree.

......Well, it was obvious since she was the enemy her esteemed older sister would be facing in the finals.

Kamito shrugged and turned towards Leonora.

"Well, did you figure it out? The cause of your slump."

"......No. But I feel like I will with a little more."

"I see. Well, take your time to think about it."

"......You can't say that. The finals begin tomorrow."

She shook her head and looked Kamito straight in the eye.

"As a knight and as an Elementalist --- I would like to blade dance with you in my best condition."

"......"

[[File:STnBD V08 178.png|thumbnail|right]]


Kamito was silenced by her seriousness.

At that time, a large commotion rose on the shore.

"......What's that?"

"The «Water Spirit Festival» dedicated to this lake's spirits has begun."

Mireille explained to Kamito who tilted his head.

"Water Spirit Festival?"

"---A «Blade Dance» that imitates ancient water combat."

And this time, Milla explained.

The «Water Spirit Festival» seemed to be a type of ritualistic dance performance that imitated combat where two princess maidens formed a team. It wasn't flashy like a «Blade Dance», but a crowd of princess maidens wildly dancing was beautiful and it seemed to be quite popular as a spectator's sport.

"There's a prize prepared for the winning team, onii-sama."

A small shrine stood where Mireille was pointing with various goods like jewelry and magical tools lined up.

"It seems interesting. Maybe we should watch."

Kamito lowered himself onto the shore and,

Tug, tug.

"Hm?"

Leonora was tugging his arm.


"What is it?"

"No, well......"

Leonora seemed embarrassed as her cheeks flushed red and,

"Ka, Kamito, would you like to participate in that ritual?"

"Eh?"

Suddenly said that.

Her eyes were glued to the prizes lined up on the shrine.

"Could it be that you want something from those?"

"......Yes."

Leonora nodded.

"That is a product of the legendary doll craftsman, Lord Švankmajer. I didn't think I would see it at this kind of place."

Somehow, it seemed like she wanted that large dragon plushie.

"The second place prize......all right!"

Kamito nodded and grabbed onto Leonora's arm.

"Wh, what are you doing!?"

"You want that plushie, right? Then let's go get it."

"I, is that okay!?"

"Yeah. If you and I pair up, nobody can compare."


"O, of course!"

Kamito gave her a thumbs up and Leonora nodded happily.

---At that time. In the forest nearby the lake, Ellis and Fianna who were out of breath were there.

"Kamito, w, we've finally caught up to you......!"

"Fu, fufu......coming to the pool with a girl, you can't make any excuses now."

The out of breath Ellis who was breathing hard and Fianna whose entire body was wrapped in a black aura.

"Mu, it seems like he's going to enter the lake with Leonora-dono."

"Do they intend to participate in the «Water Spirit Festival»? But why---"

And the line of prizes on the shrine entered the vision of Fianna who was tilting her head.

"That is......!"

[[File:STnBD V08 182.png|thumbnail|right]]


Her pale dark eyes widened.

The top-class prize adorning the top of the shrine. That was---

"Pair tickets for the «Royal Palace»?"

Even catering to those of the Ordesia royal family, it was the highest-class hotel on «Ragna Ys».

"Is Kamito aiming for that?"

"Yes, there's no doubt. To say nothing of a regular blade dance, if it's that ace combination of «Blade Dance» representatives, they're more than enough to aim for victory."

"But tomorrow are the finals. They don't have time for something like using a hotel voucher---"

"If it's used this evening, there's no problem. If so......"

Fianna took a breath.

"Since it's Kamito-kun, he might do the blade dance of the night with her."

"Wh, what did you say!"

......Imagining God knows what, Ellis' face turned bright red.

"Th, that's not allowed! We absolutely must prevent it!"

"Yes, that's right!"

The two exchanged a firm handshake.


===Part 13===

"......To put it shortly, it's like an underwater cavalry battle."

Kamito, who had Leonora piggybacking him, once again mentally went over the rules of the «Water Spirit Festival» that Milla Bassett had taught him.

First, the team of two spirit princesses consisted of a «Horse» and a «Knight». The princess maiden that became the «Horse» was responsible for movement and the knight riding them would carry a special gem at their chest --- it was a scramble for «Magic Stones». The team that gathered a large number of «Magic Stones» would be the winner.

It was obvious but wounding a princess maiden or defiling the lake were strictly forbidden.

On a side note, the princess maidens that served as the «Horse» were emitting divine power from their entire body to float. If it was a princess maiden with a certain amount of training, it was not a difficult technique at all.

So the ritual itself wasn't very dangerous but---

(It's dangerous in a different kind of way for me......)

Squish.

The feeling of soft thighs upon his neck.

......For an adolescent boy, having his heart rush was uncontrollable.

"Ka, Kamito, please don't move around so much......ahnn!"

"S, sorry......!"

Kamito's face turned red at the seductive voice that Leonora let out above him.


Soon, the other princess maiden knight-horse pairs entered the lake one after the other.

It seemed a lot of unexpected people were participating. They were undoubtedly aiming for the first-class prize of pair tickets to the «Royal Palace».

......Rather, other than Kamito's team, there were probably no other teams aiming for the second-place dragon plushie.

"Leonora, can you do it?"

"Yes. I will definitely obtain that dragon!"

Leonora nodded with a voice full of conviction.

Participants of the «Blade Dance» taking part in a regular ritual like this felt a little immature, but well, they were aiming for second place, so it shouldn't draw any malice.

"I won't let you do that, onii-sama!"

"......Eh?"

The one who came before them was Mireille who was piggybacking Milla Bassett.

As if being pressed by her swimsuit, a «Magic Stone» was forced between her small chest.

"Don't tell me, you two are also participating?"

"That's right. For the sake of my passive onee-sama, I'll get those hotel tickets!"

Puffing her minute chest, Mireille made a declaration.

In response---

"---Sorry, but those tickets are ours."


A soft-spoken yet icy voice resounded across the lake.

"......!?"

Kamito's expression froze.

It was an extremely familiar voice. But this was her voice when she was angry.

"......Ellis!?"

He turned around and there was---

A ponytailed, beautiful girl wearing a bold swimsuit and,

"......Hmm, Kamito-kun's also good at taming dragons."

Her Highness glared at Kamito coldly while making bubbles on the water surface.

"Y, you two, why are you here?"

"Hmph, you should try thinking about that yourself, you insolent person!"

Ellis' reddish brown eyes were teary.

"W, we won't let Kamito-kun dance that blade dance of the night!"

"Wh, what the heck, a blade dance of the night......!"

......Being pushed by the ojou-samas that were angry for some reason, Kamito was being overwhelmed.

This time, Ellis focused her gaze on Leonora who was atop his shoulders.

"Leonora-dono, I respect you as a fellow knight. However, this Ellis Fahrengart will not allow such an insolent deed!"

"Wh, what kind of insolent deed are you talking about! I was just, with Kamito---"


"Talking is useless; if you're a knight, settle this with your blade!"

"Kamito-kun, prepare yourself."

"Wait a second, what do you mean!?"

The two left while ignoring the perplexed Kamito.

"They'll be strong enemies, those two."

"Y, yeah......"

And so, a whistle signaled the start of the «Water Spirit Festival».

===Part 14===

"Let's go, Leonora!"

"Yes, the dragon god's blessings upon this battle!"

Leonora gave a gallant shout above him.

The ten-odd princess maiden horse and rider groups were clamoring.

Participating in this kind of rough ritual meant that these were undoubtedly trained princess maidens. From within them, he could even see those that had been eliminated in the real battle portion of the «Blade Dance» here and there.

(So Ellis and Fianna aren't going to challenge us yet......)

Gathering a large amount of «Magic Stones» from those that looked easy to defeat in the first part and leaving the confrontation with Kamito and Leonora to the end was mostly likely their plan.


If those two were aiming for the «Royal Palace» hotel tickets, then there was no reason to battle with them, but those two seemed to have a different reason for their anger.

(......There's no other way, huh.)

Kamito shrugged.

He had promised to accompany Leonora for the entire day.

Even if they were his precious comrades, he wouldn't go easy on them.

"Kamito, incoming!"

Immediately following the start, the swimsuit-clad princess maidens simultaneously faced them. In order to instantly crush Kamito and Leonora who held the largest battle strength, they had all temporarily allied.

That was what Kamito thought but---

"Everyone, kill the Lewd King!" "If you drown here, we can treat it as an accident!" "We won't leave any evidence behind." "A swift death to the enemy of women!"

......He could hear various frightening lines.

"Kuu......"

"Kamito, what are you doing; we're being surrounded!"

The downhearted Kamito was rebuked by Leonora.

The sensation of thighs wrapped around his neck brought Kamito back to his senses.

"......Like I'll let you kill me before the finals!"

The advancing girls' enclosure.


In order to weave through that net, Kamito moved freely through the water.

Putting into practice the meta-3D movement that he had learned at «Instructional School» --- rather than the super high-speed «Shadow Weaving», this was the underwater movement technique called «Water Lily». It wasn't fast enough to make the opponent lose track of him, but those movements were like a water lily floating on the water's surface and provided no opportunity to capture him.

Just after Kamito easily escaped the net---

"Faa!?" "Hyann!" "Kyaaaaaa!"

The girls' shrill cries echoed across the water.

In the moment they had passed by them, Leonora had stolen the «Magic Stones» at their bosom.

"As expected of you, Leonora."

"You as well; it almost feels like I'm riding a high-class dragon."

Leonora smiled while chuckling.

Her thighs pressed down on him and his heart rushed.

"Le, Leonora, please open your legs a bit more!"

"......Eh? Wh, what do you mean, you pervert!"

Hit, hit, hit, hit.

The red-faced, agitated Leonora began to hit Kamito's head.

"Wai, hold......waa---"

When Kamito's balance fell apart uncontrollably---

"Their movements have stopped! If we're going to execute him, now's the time!"


The group of girls once again closed in.

"Leonora, calm down or things will get bad!"

"......!"

Leonora, who had finally snapped back to herself, smacked the girls nearing them from behind into the water and turned around to defend her chest from the countless outstretched hands.

"Are you okay!?"

"N, no problem, I'll show you the dance of a princess maiden in service of dragons!"

Leonora exhaled and silently readied both her hands.

Then---

She reached out with movements akin to a dance performance and stole the «Magic Stones» of the girls approaching them one-by-one.

"......Amazing."

It was just like a raging dragon.

"A single knight defeating scores of enemies is the specialty of Dracunia's knights. If I compare it with the the training I received as a young girl where I was thrown into a pack of fierce beasts, this is nothing."

Instantly beating down the surrounding riders, she obtained seven «Magic Stones».

Truly an ace out of the «Blade Dance» representatives. It was overwhelming strength that allowed none to approach.

"Now then, come, all who would like to challenge me!"

Leonora's dignified voice rang out.


And at that time.

"......!?"

A crackling noise accompanied the instant freezing of the water surrounding Kamito.

"Ice spirit magic!?"

In the moment Kamito's movements stopped, the figure of a rider approached.

"I've got you, onii-sama!"

It was the Milla Bassett and Mireille team.

"To think a nine year old can use this kind of spirit magic! As expected of Rinslet's little sister."

Kamito gave his honest admiration in light of that talent.

But the young Mireille could not snatch the «Magic Stone» from Leonora.

Just when he was thinking that---

"Kyaunn!"

A sweet cry was raised above Kamito's head.

"......!?"

"......Afuu......ahnn......!"

Leonora's thighs closed on Kamito with a squish.

"I, it hurts......Leonora, wh, what are you doing!?"

"Fuaa......th, this was an oversight; I can't move like this!"

"......Eh?"


Kamito somehow managed to twist his head and look up and,

(......Damn it!)

---He finally realized their fatal mistake.

Leonora's chest had expanded!

That's right, since it was a battle done in swimsuits, there was no other place to store the «Magic Stones» stolen from the enemy other than at one's bosom. Consequently, if one gathered a certain amount of «Magic Stones», the rider would become unable to move.

If she did any intense movements right now, there was no doubt her swimsuit would break.

(......They were waiting for us to gather «Magic Stones», huh.)

Kamito was astonished. The one who thought of this plan was probably the one giving Mireille a piggyback, Milla. She was truly the «Rupture Division»'s captain.

"Fufuu, your chest seems to be giving you trouble, dragon onee-sama!"

Mireille's fingers brushed against Leonora's chest which shook, spilling «Magic Stones».

"Fa......nn, the «Magic Stones» are, from my breasts......"

Leonora's face was bright red as she shielded her chest with all her might.

The surrounding girls also thought of this as a chance and drew in.

"......Like I'll let you!"

Kamito cracked the ice covering the water with his fist and used all his power to escape. Several «Magic Stones» fell from Leonora's chest from the recoil, but they were unneeded in this situation.


"Haa, haa, nn......"

He could hear Leonora's troubled breathing above him.

"Are you okay?"

"Y, yes, somehow......ahnn ♪"

As her chest rose and fell, the tips of the «Magic Stones» stimulated her sensitive breasts. She somehow suppressed her voice and endured it.

That lovable action made Kamito's heart race.

---At some point in time, the net with Mireille at the center had been completed.

"......So this is the end, huh."

Kamito groaned.

This was not the «Blade Dance». It was just some entertainment. Even if they were to lose, they wouldn't suffer a loss of honor, not that Kamito cared much for honor.

However---

(......I've made a promise.)

That he would obtain that dragon plushie for Leonora.

Wanting to see the smile of a girl was the nature of a boy.

"Leonora---"

And Kamito spoke quietly.


"Hold on to me tightly and hold your breath."

"Wh, what do you intend to do?"

"It's okay. Believe in me."

"......!"

Leonora gasped overhead when Kamito ended the conversation decisively.

Then---

"---Y, yes!"

She made a large nod.

Leonora's two supple arms wrapped around Kamito's neck.

In an instant, Kamito sunk into the water completely.

He relaxed his entire body and closed his eyes. A variation of the «Water Lily» movement --- «Aqua Elusion». Syncing his mind and body with the flow of the water, he could completely conceal his presence.

"---Milla, don't think badly of this."

"......!?"

Appearing suddenly from behind Milla, he tickled her under the arms without mercy.

"......Ah, kya, nn!"

The usually cool Milla let out a lovely voice and twisted her body.

"Now!"


"Yes!"

"Faaa, Mi, Milla!?"

In the instant Milla's rider, Mireille, lost her balance---

Leonora quickly reached out and snatched her «Magic Stone».

Splaaaaash!

A flashy wall of water rose when Mireille fell down.

"H, how terrible!" "Even to a child that young!" "That brutish......!"

Harsh criticisms of Kamito came from the surrounding girls and mixed together but---

"Leonora, can you still do it?"

"Yes, m, my breasts hurt but I'll somehow endure it!"

"Alright, that's the spirit---"

As Kamito nodded, he heard the thunderous roar of winds.

"C, curse you, Kamito, you insolent person!"

From afar, Ellis and Fianna were closing in at an alarming rate.

(Fast......!)


Fianna's reflexes were average for a spirit contractor, but her divine power control was exceptional. Her movements underwater were comparable to or surpassed Kamito's.

Moreover, they were wrapped in a barrier of wind and accelerating.

(......This is quite a handicap.)

To begin with, Kamito wasn't proficient in spirit magic and Leonora's dragon attribute spirit magic specialized in destruction and physical strengthening. They had pretty much no basic spells and nothing for general-use like wind spirit magic. No, what was worse than that---

"E, Ellis, haven't you shoved too much into it!?"

Stuffed with a large amount of «Magic Stones» that she had snatched, Ellis' swimsuit looked like it was about to fall apart at any moment.

His gaze had been unwittingly drawn to her bosom swaying in the wind.

"Kamito, where are you looking!"

"I, I couldn't help it!"

Having realized where he was looking, Ellis hurriedly covered her breasts with both her hands.

"Jeez, Kamito-kun, look at me as well!"

Fianna puffed her cheeks and let her breasts float on the water out of rivalry.

"A, a princess shouldn't do those kinds of embarrassing things!"

"......I, it's not embarrassing if Kamito-kun wants to see."

The princess blushed as she blew bubbles on the water's surface.

(......Aren't you plenty embarrassed.)


"Kamito, just where are you looking?"

"Guoo......"

A displeased voice. Leonora's thighs strangled him.

"I, I get it, so don't strangle me!"

Using that opening, Ellis and Fianna lunged at them by riding the wind.

"Leonora-dono, we can't allow you to perform a blade dance of the night!"

"I won't perform such a thing!"

Ellis and Leonora were grappling overhead.

"Kamito-kun, no matter how much of a demon king of the night you are, even I won't stay quiet if your lovers increase any further than this!"

"I'm telling you, it's not like that!"

On the other hand, Fianna was pressing her breasts up against Kamito.

With the soft sensation traveling past her skimpy swimsuit, as expected, even Kamito couldn't hide his excitement.

"---O wind!"

Sharp winds flew from Ellis' finger and greatly shook Leonora's breasts.

"......I won't lose---!"

Leonora retaliated with her hand as she shielded her chest.

"Since Kamito is fighting for my sake!"

Squish.


"......Ahh, nn......!"

Ellis let out a captivating voice. Her long ponytail shuddered.

"......Ah, ya, hau......!"

"......Mm, kyann, ahnnn!"

"H, hey......!"

Kamito's focus was broken by the erotic cries coming from above and---

Click.

He suddenly heard that sound.

"......Eh?"

Kamito looked up without thinking.

What first entered his sight was---

A large number of «Magic Stones» leaking from both of their breasts.

Fluttering, scant cloth.

And Kamito saw them.

......Ended up seeing them.

Hanging down, the breasts of the two beautiful girls.

""Ky---""

An instant.

""Kyaaaaaaaaaaa!""


Both of them spontaneously discharged their divine power and a giant water pillar rose from the lake.

===Part 15===

"......nora. Leonora!"

"U, mm......cough, cough......"

With a hazy consciousness, Leonora opened her eyes.

Before her was Kamito who had a serious expression.

"......Ka......to......?"

She muttered while getting up and---

"......Leonora, I'm glad."

Kamito sighed in relief.

"......How did the «Water Spirit Festival» go?"

"Ahh, everyone was blown away and it was cancelled."

Kamito gave a small shrug.

"Ah, but look, I got him."

"......?"

To the puzzled Leonora---


Kamito showed her a large dragon plushie.

"---This is!?"

"Everyone at the lake was blown away and the «Magic Stones» were also scattered but just one......I found one that was stuck."

Kamito muttered as he blushed.

So they had won a prize because everybody else competing had been obliterated.

"Well, if that's true, then everyone was disqualified but --- it seems the lake spirits were satisfied with the ritual. Nobody was injured and there's also nobody blaming us."

"Is that so......"

Leonora nodded and---

Something caught her attention.

"......Umm, Kamito."

"Yes?"

"Was stuck?"

"......!"

Kamito averted his gaze and didn't answer.

"......Kamito?"

She asked again with a little bit of force.

"No, that's......"


Kamito shook his head as if resigned.

"I, in your cleavage......"

"......Y, you touched my breasts!?"

"No, well, sorry. Something was shining on your chest, so I just---"

Kamito confessed honestly. In an instant, Leonora's face grew hot.

"......Th, this pervert"

Hit, hit, hit.

Leonora pounded on Kamito's chest while continuing to blush. But in truth, when she had been hugging Kamito, she had not felt angry or shy.

She continued to hit Kamito while bewildered by this self-realization.

(......Wh, what does it mean?)

She didn't know that feeling. She just had knowledge of it.

(Could it be, this feeling is......no, there's no way, that kind of......)

But if she thought about it --- it explained everything.

How her sword skills had dulled ever since she had fought Kamito. And then how while she had been with Kamito, her emotions were in disorder and her heart beat furiously.

......She may have already realized deep within her heart.

She just didn't want to admit it.

That's right, since the day she had crossed blades with him---


(I, for Kazehaya Kamito---)

Once she realized that, she wouldn't be able to look at him directly anymore.

Leonora lowered her fist and turned her face to the side while still blushing.

"......Leonora?"

Kamito tilted his head, puzzled.

"I, it would be best to admit this honestly, right."

"Yes?"

Leonora seemed to have decided something as she nodded to herself.

She thought that the disorder in her feelings would become a disorder in her sword.

But now that she had realized the cause, that had become an uplifting feeling instead.

Even more so than with the «Dragon Blood», it was uncontrollable and unstable.

---That was definitely something that was meant to become a power stronger than anything.

"Kamito!" "Kamito-kun!"

The voices of his teammates came from afar.

It seemed that they were running over to them.

"---Kamito, it's fine now. Thank you for today."

And Leonora stood up, then gazed directly at Kamito.

---She wouldn't avert her eyes this time.

"Umm, saying it's fine means---"


"I can blade dance at my best, is what it means."

"......!"

Kamito was confused for a little, but---

"......I see. I don't really get it, but that's great."

He shrugged as if relieved.

"Then I can battle you at full power as well."

The two exchanged nods and each stretched out a hand.

"The next time we exchange words will be when we blade dance."

"Yeah."

They shared a firm handshake and spun on their heels and---

Both of them walked away just like that without turning back.

<noinclude>{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume8 Chapter3|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume8 Interlude2}}</noinclude>

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume8 Interlude2

2013-04-25T04:56:32Z

Pjs312:

==Interlude - Team Inferno==

Continuing however deeply into the cavern---

"The top brass of the Alphas Theocracy have agreed to provide a new military spirit. But any further cooperation is impossible---"

Facing the wordless back of her master, Lily Flame continued to give her report.

"---Ahaa, a new toy is finally coming. I can finally play with onii-sama."

The one who opened her mouth was not Lily's master, but the cute girl walking beside her.

Muir Alenstarl --- the second-place «Monster» of the Instructional School.

"I'll break anyone and everyone that gets near onii-sama ♪"

While glaring sidelong at Muir who was smiling innocently, Lily sighed.

The stronghold assault spirit «Colossus», the wide-area annihilation spirit «Garuda» --- of the three that the Theocracy had lent to them, Muir had already used up two. Of course, their results in the real battle had been adequate, but the protests of the Theocracy's top brass were stronger than expected.

"I don't care how many military spirits from a former era we break. Either way, the world will change with this time's «Blade Dance»."

"---Yes."

Lily placed a hand to her chest and respectfully agreed.

With regards to the «Plan» to change the world, Lily had not been told anything by her master.


If she had not seen the face beneath the mask, she would not even know who she was.

---She was simply a tool that acted as another's hands and feet.

(---But that's fine. This lady has given me all I have.)

That day when flames wrapped the «Instructional School»'s facility, she had extended a hand to her.

---Will you leave here and come with me?

(Since the moment I took her hand, I---)

"---And how is the «Witch» doing?"

What interrupted her recollection of that time was her master's question.

The Alphas Theocracy princess that had failed to capture the «Darkness Spirit Princess» had not been seen.

It was likely that the empire's secret organization, «Snake», was planning to move before them but---

"I didn't mean «Snake». I was asking about the real «Witch»."

"Real witch --- you mean Lady Greyworth?"

Lily tilted her head slightly.

She had received information of her arrival yesterday. She didn't think it was particularly important so she hadn't reported it but---

"Even if she is a former «Numbers», I don't think a retired spirit knight could do much---"


"......If so, that would be good."

The ruby eyes underneath the crimson mask glowed faintly.

<noinclude>{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume8 Chapter4|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume8 Chapter5}}</noinclude>

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume8 Interlude1

2013-04-25T04:54:45Z

Pjs312:

==Interlude - The Dusk Witch==

In a room of a high-class hotel built in «Ragna Ys»' business district.

Greyworth looked down out the window at the night view that stood out against the darkness.

"This might become the last «Blade Dance» that these eyes see."

She narrowed her eyes and felt slightly sentimental.

She had debuted and won twenty four years ago. She was fifteen at the time.

At that time, the «Blade Dance» system was still working properly.

Three years ago, an unseen crack had appeared.

And now, the current competition obviously had unusual circumstances arising.

It had been a short cycle of only three years from the last tournament. The participation in battle of a darkness spirit that was not the user's official contracted spirit. The grotesque existence that wasn't a spirit contractor, let alone human, «Nepenthes Lore»—

(—Just what exactly is starting here?)

Coming to «Ragna Ys» had been done under Greyworth's personal judgment. Watching over her pupils' activities was just a public camouflage for the empire's top brass.

(......Although, they'll already have realized something of that degree.)

Greyworth pushed her glasses up and silently moved away from the window.

She was continuing her personal investigation into the other Ren Ashbell that had appeared in the current tournament. When the «Murders»' merchant, Vivian Melosa, that had been caught behind the scenes was interrogated, her name had come up.

The «Murders»' merchant was connected to the executive and secret part of Alphas Theocracy's religious organization. Because of that, Vivian Melosa had known a lot of information concerning that Ren Ashbell.

According to her story, the masked girl had appeared at the empire two years ago. It seemed she entered the religious organization's secret agency called «Snake», and in a short few months, she had risen to the top of the organization.

The tactical-class military spirits that had been bought with the empire's capital amounted to twelve. It seemed that the amount of subordinate spirit contractors, including orphans from the «Instructional School», was already over twenty.

(......It's not for terrorism. It's almost like war preparations.)

That kind of girl was leading the elite and participating in the «Blade Dance».

What exactly was the «Wish» that she kept to herself—

(At any rate, it's not world peace.)

She sighed deeply—

"—While this heart still beats, I must pass '''that''' on to the boy."

The witch placed her hand softly against her chest.

<noinclude>{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume8 Chapter2|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume8 Chapter3}}</noinclude>

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume8 Prologue

2013-04-23T06:13:52Z

Pjs312:

==Prologue==

With dense fog, «Astral Zero»'s thicket.

(—It really makes you nervous. Assaulting a stronghold, that is.)

Kamito silenced his breathing as he advanced through the tree branches.

His Elemental Waffe «Terminus Est» was also in a concealed state with her presence perfectly hidden. Solo stealth conduct was Kamito's specialty.

"Kami......can......hear me?"

The small spirit crystal fragment in his hand lit up weakly and out came Claire's muffled voice.

Utilizing the spirit resonance phenomenon, it was a spirit crystal for communication. It's effective range wasn't very large, but it was much more difficult to detect when compared to using spirits.

"The reception is bad. Your voice is fragmented."

"I see......it's because the «Barrier»......been strengthened......"

Then suddenly......with a sound that pained the ears, the spirit crystal's light faded.

"So the signal won't reach from here on, huh......"

While sighing, Kamito placed the now-useless spirit crystal in his pocket.

Though saying that, using it in the enemy's «Stronghold» wouldn't be a good idea.

(At the signal, take out the enemy team's commander in one go—)


Kamito licked his lips and readied his hand on «Terminus Est»'s hilt.

The «Blade Dance»'s real battle — the last day. The ones «Team Scarlet» had chosen as their target were representatives from the same Areishia Academy, «Team Cernunnos».

Taking into consideration the number of «Magic Stones» they needed to advance and the enemy's battle strength, Claire had proposed attacking a stronghold.

Attacking the heavily reinforced «Stronghold» would be very disadvantaged for the invaders. But in order to reach the finals, they had no other option but to follow through with it.

Just then, a showy explosion occurred far away.

He wondered if Claire and the others had entered into a battle with the enemy's main force.

Taking that as the signal, Kamito came out of hiding.

(—A long battle in enemy territory will be bad for us. We need to settle this in one push.)

Blitz.

While Claire, Ellis and Fianna acted as bait, the attacker, Kamito, would crush the stronghold's center — that was Kamito and the others' chosen tactic this time.

They had fought «Team Cernunnos» before during the academy ranking battles. Back when the team consisted of only two people, Claire and him, they had been severely beaten by the druid captain's «Beast Swarm Spirit».

But such strong ritual magic required a lot of time. If they defeated them before it gets completed, it would be their victory.

(That ritual magic should be gathering the «Earth's Pulse» in the center of the stronghold.)


In other words, if he crushed the center with lightning speed—

(—That will decide the battle!)

Avoiding detection by the guardian spirits patrolling for invaders and bypassing restriction or other fatal traps, Kamito advanced in a straight line.

Countless dull thorns flew from all directions but each was shot down by ice arrows.

It was the covering fire of Rinslet who was concealing herself far away. She had been a sharpshooter to begin with, but participating in the «Blade Dance»'s real battle had truly leveled those skills up to a sniper.

She was a partner Kamito could trust his back to.

"Ohhhhhhhh!"

Avoiding the three «Driads» protecting the barrier—

Tens of seconds after the signal, Kamito reached the center of the stronghold.

"......!"

The sight just up ahead.

A watchtower-like shrine stood there surrounded by giant sacred trees.

Upon the altar, a noble girl wrapped with white rope was in the middle of a ritual.

She had shining golden hair and glassy ice blue eyes.

The girl who lived in the spirit forest and had been taught the secret techniques of the first spirit contractor.


"Jeez, I knew you'd come, you ruffians!"

The girl temporarily interrupted the ritual and glared down at Kamito.

(......Knew?)

Kamito furrowed his brows.

(Don't tell me they read my approach?)

But the «Beast Swarm Spirit» summoning ritual was not yet complete.

The protection spirit contractors were also engaged in battle with Claire and the others. It was already too late for them to return even if they realized about Kamito's invasion.

Suddenly, chains sprung from the ground and seized each of Kamito's legs.

"Wha!?"

What had caught onto Kamito's legs were shining «Shackles».

(......This is!)

It was an Elemental Waffe he remembered seeing.

(If I recall, it was used by the ones who attacked Mille Bassett — «Guilty Snatch»!)

"—Hmm, it looks like you let your guard down, male spirit contractor."

"......!?"

The ones who arrived from the forest behind him were three girls wearing uniforms that were red with a single white line.


It was the uniform of the Holy Empire of Lugia's representatives, the «Sacred Spirit Knights».

"......Hey, what's the meaning of this?"

Kamito groaned with a sour expression.

"You mean why the «Sacred Spirit Knights» are cooperating with «Team Cernunnos»?"

The ones to advance to the finals in «Tempest» would only be the four teams with the most «Magic Stones». Excluding those who didn't really know what to do in the middle stages, the chance of teams allying in the latter stages was low.

"It is to redeem our stained honor, male spirit contractor. We won't allow you, who smeared the name of the «Sacred Spirit Knights», to pass into the finals!"

"Even if we cannot receive the honor of victory."

"For the sake of the wish Luminaris-sama has held for three years!"

The girls glared at Kamito with loathing.

(......I see. In any case, they've put aside advancing to the finals and come to crush me instead, huh.)

Kamito sighed internally.

It appeared that defeating two of the spirit contractors from their team in the midst of protecting Milla Bassett had earned him their hatred.

The large and prominent Holy Kingdom of Lugia had sent three teams to this «Blade Dance». He wondered if it was a decision made with the conviction that it was fine to become a sacrifice as long as the favored «Paladin» Saint Luminaris Leisched's team made it to the finals.


While they had sent out three teams as well, this was their difference with the Areishia Empire representatives who were competing separately.

"......And isn't this completely a personal grudge."

"Say what you will. Before we face the Principality of Rossvale in front of the crowd, we will wipe clean here the disgrace of defeat that we suffered!"

The three from the «Sacred Spirit Knights» moved at the same time.

"Tch—"

Kamito tried to sever the «Shackles» with his divine power-filled sacred sword but—

It was repelled while giving off sparks.

(......Est's output isn't rising!?)

Despite putting in the maximum divine power he could, the sacred sword's brilliance was still weak.

(Kuu, this truly is the center of a «Stronghold». The strength of the sealing barrier is on a different scale......)

It wasn't just that his divine power output wasn't rising, his body also felt extremely heavy.

The powerful barrier protecting the center of the stronghold was harshly wearing down Kamito's strength.

Even if «Terminus Est» was of the most powerful class of Elemental Waffe, if the contractor couldn't supply divine power, it was just a regular weapon.

It was impossible to sever «Guilty Snatch» in this condition.


(Three skilled contractors, with a time limit added to boot. This is really rough, as expected—)

As he cursed in his heart, he readied his «Demon Slayer».

"Come, Giant Spirit — «Grendel»!"

Following the shackles contractor, another female knight summoned her contracted spirit.

What appeared from thin air was a giant-type spirit with sharp claws.

The giant bent its repulsive features and charged at him with a howl.

The waving claws that seemed to gouge even the air. Kamito's «Terminus Est» barely stopped that one attack — however,

(......He's too heavy......!)

Kamito grit his teeth.

If he stayed in the «Sealing Barrier» for too long, his strength would be exhausted.

His opponent was a power-type spirit that excelled in attacks utilizing physics. At this rate—

"Fufu, looks like this is the end, male spirit contractor!"

That instant. On the right arm of Kamito whose movements had stopped, yet another shackle was put on.

"......Two Elemental Waffen at one time!?"

"—Seems like you have let your guard down. «Guilty Snatch» is an Elemental Waffe that consists of shackles for both the wrists and ankles."

The female knight poured scorn on Kamito who clicked his tongue.

The giant spirit's claws dug mercilessly into the torso of Kamito who had lost freedom over his limbs.

"Kahaa......!"


Kamito's body was easily blown away and smacked into the wall behind him. The mental damage from the spirit's direct attack and the physical damage taken from crashing into the wall assaulted Kamito at the same time.

(—A '''wall'''?)

While grimacing from the intense pain, Kamito thought doubtfully.

This is the interior of a deep forest. Up until just now, there shouldn't have been such a thing.

And as if to answer Kamito's—

From the ground rose successive large stone walls, encompassing him.

It only took a few seconds. The completed form were giant ramparts arranged in a circle.

"Fortress spirit «Isengard»'s Elemental Waffe — «Great Wall»."

The third female knight muttered in a cold voice.

"With this, you can't escape."

"......A fortress spirit. One of the earth attributes, huh."

Looking at the walls many times his height, Kamito groaned.

A spirit the same type as that Velsaria's «Dreadnought». It had the worst compatibility with the sword spirit Est.

Because of the difference in their ranks as spirits, at full power it would be possible to destroy them, but that would be difficult right now with Est not being supplied enough divine power.

"Since it seems like there's an excellent sniper in your team hiding."

"......"


It seemed like they were also aware of Rinslet who was hiding within the forest. With this level of solid ramparts surrounding him, he could not expect Rinslet's covering fire either.

(......I am trapped. As expected of a top-class team.)

Kamito smiled wryly on the inside.

They had completely seen through «Team Scarlet»'s tactic that centered around Kamito.

It wasn't that he had been looking down on the «Blade Dance» representatives. Even so, there may have been a little carelessness in the corner of his mind.

This time's «Blade Dance» was a team battle. Teamwork would overpower individual ability.

"......Though I should have already understood that long ago."

—He had come to learn the complete opposite of what he'd been taught during his time at the «Instructional School».

You have nobody like an ally.

Trust in nothing but your own strength — that.

It seemed that warped training was much more deeply embedded in his heart than he had originally thought.

The giant spirit «Grendel» thundered out a joyful roar.

He could not move his limbs that had been bound by the «Shackles» satisfactorily.

"Kuu......!"

"......mito......Kamito!"


At that time. A girl's voice calling Kamito was faintly heard.

(......The communication «spirit crystal»!?)

Since he had step foot within the «Sealing Barrier», the communications should have ceased but—

(Don't tell me, is Claire nearby?)

With a realization, he raised his head — and,

"What the heck!?"

The «Great Wall» user had her eyes open with shock.

The circular arrangement of ramparts surrounding him.

A single portion '''was scorching red hot'''.

It was an unbelievable degree of heat. The solid stone wall rapidly melted.

And then, the next instant.

"Goddess of ice and snow, by that frosted hand, crush my enemies — «Icicle Hammer»!"

A giant helical pillar of ice burst through the stone wall in one go, crumbling it into fragments.

(......!?)

Outside the smashed ramparts—

The young girl with an ice bow prepared was smiling calmly.

Shining platinum blonde hair. Emerald pupils filled with elegance.

"Rinslet!"


"I'm here as well."

Next to her, a beautiful girl with red hair and Flame Tongue in hand, Claire was also there.

"Impossible, my «Isengard» was destroyed!?"

The fortress spirit contractor girl let out a trembling voice.

Flame attribute and ice attribute — it was crumbling that utilized the difference in temperature between these two. It had even destroyed that Velsaria's «Dreadnought», this combination attack from the Raven Class pair.

"Looks like you're having a hard battle. That's not like you."

"......Yeah, sorry."

To Claire who was shrugging her shoulders, Kamito replied with a wry smile.

He had never thought that they would come rushing this quickly.

His ojou-sama partners had also experienced the real battle of the «Blade Dance» and leveled up greatly.

Kamito readjusted and gripped his «Demon Slayer» tightly.

(......I wonder what this is. Just by having my companions nearby, I also become so—)

There was no sense of losing. It didn't matter how much of a disadvantageous situation it was.

—There was no reason, he was just sure of it.

"—Sorry. It's our turn now."

A fearless smile rose onto Kamito's face.

In response to that vigor, the «Giant Spirit» before him gave out a cautious roar.


"A b, bluff! However many reinforcements there are, this is the center of a «Stronghold». Their contracted spirits' strength also can't be used sufficiently—"

"I wonder about that?"

A dignified voice came from overhead.

The shadow falling from directly above. The one that entered Kamito's raised vision, wrapped in a gale and gliding in sharply was the pony-tailed princess knight.

Held in her arms was the black-haired queen.

"—Ellis, Fianna!"

"You are my sword, you are my shield—"

With her eyes closed, Fianna began her spirit language releasing chant in midair.

Light particles were born from thin air and a rapier decorated with elegant ornaments appeared in her hand.

It was not just an ordinary rapier. That sword was surely the Elemental Waffe of the royalty's guardian knight spirit.

"Bearer of infinite light, cleanser of darkness—!"

"Now!"

Instantly, Ellis nose dived to the ground in a heartbeat and let go of Fianna in midair.

Skirt fluttering, Fianna landed next to Kamito. Keeping that momentum, she plunged the tip of her rapier deep into the earth!

"That name is — «Save the Queen»!"

The noble and clear voice shook the atmosphere.


In that moment, a beam of light surged forth from the end of the sword and drew a magic square formation around the two.

Turning the space within it's effective range into one's «Territory», it was an unparalleled Elemental Waffe.

"Kamito-kun, with this—!"

"Yeah!"

Kamito nodded with vigor. With the cancellation of the enemy team's «Sealing Barrier», divine power surged through his entire body like a raging gale.

"I'm counting on you, Est!"

Kamito supplied «Terminus Est» with the full might of his divine power and the sacred sword's blade gave off a fierce light as if to dazzle the eyes.

The «Guilty Snatch» that touched the blade's edge was severed with extreme ease.

"No way......!"

The «Shackles User» female knight gasped with an expression of disbelief.

"As expected, they couldn't analyze an Elemental Waffe that has just awakened."

Claire, Ellis and Rinslet also swiftly gathered into the constructed «Territory».

A complete turn of the table.

"Y, you......!"

"The glorious «Sacred Spirit Knight» have, to a second-rate team like you......"

At that time, the ground shook monstrously.


"......This is bad, the «Beast Swarm Spirit»'s summoning ritual is activating!"

At Claire's words, he turned around with a realization.

On the other side of the fallen stone walls — directly beneath the shrine, a gigantic magic square formation was shining.

The «Druid» girl was standing above the tall wooden platform with arms spread open as she chanted the spirit language summoning.

"Kamito-kun, my «Territory» will only hold out for a few minutes more!"

Fianna said in an impatient-sounding voice.

Yes, this was her Elemental Waffe, «Save the Queen»'s sole weak point.

For using it in a real combat, the time limit was just too short.

"—Got it. We'll decide this in one go!"

Kamito dashed ahead with the shining «Demon Slayer» in hand.

Claire, Ellis and Rinslet also followed shortly after.

"......Kuu, protect the shrine, «Grendel»!"

Before Kamito and the others' eyes, the giant spirit had blocked their path.

It swung its arms that were like giant trees and attacked them in a half-crazed manner.

"Fuu, here I go! Freezing fangs, pierce — «Freezing Arrow»!"

Rinslet stopped and nocked an arrow, then fired her ice arrows blindly.

Drawing a gently falling arc, the intense downpour of ice fangs.

Each ice arrow that landed formed a pillar of ice which obstructed the giant spirit's incoming hand.

After that—


"—O wind, blow wildly!"

Ellis sweeped her «Ray Hawk» and shot out blades of wind.

The wind blades tore through the the ice pillars, becoming a fearsome storm that was devastating.

«Ice Storm» — using their properties when they collided with each other, a combination attack.

The giant spirit's large frame was sliced to shreds by the ice blade storm, being eliminated within an instant.

"Damn, seize my enemies, O «Guilty Snatch»!"

The cornered spirit contractor turned once again to Kamito and released her «Guilty Snatch».

"I won't let you!"

Claire's Flame Tongue easily repelled the chains, then continued on to mow down the enemy.

"—Thanks for the help."

Having received his teammates' support, Kamito made a beeline for the shrine with a sprint.

Ahead of him, this time numerous stone walls appeared.

"—O «Great Wall», ambush my enemy!"

Fortress spirit «Isengard»'s Elemental Waffe. Different from the circular ramparts just before, perhaps because of the way it seemed to only concentrate on blocking the enemies ahead of it, the walls' thickness seemed to have multiplied.

However, Kamito did not stop running. Just like that, he plunged towards the stone wall.

"With this kind of thing, there's no way you could stop my Est!"

The «Demon Slayer» held in his hands gave off even more dazzling light.

Kamito brandished his sword and the stone wall before his eyes—


Crash. Crash. Crash. Crash. Crash. Crash. Crash.

"......No way, a sword spirit is destroying a fortress spirit!?"

With each time Kamito swung the sword, successive rubble from the stone walls danced in the air.

That was a scene that exceeded commonplace spirit contractor general knowledge.

Kamito, who had become a gale and arrived directly beneath the shrine, kicked off the ground and rose into the air.

"Ellis, I'm counting on you—"

"—Heroic wind, grant thy blessings upon this warrior — «Syphid's Feather»!"

The gale that Ellis produced enveloped Kamito and pushed him to the top of the shrine in one go.

"......!?"

The «Druid» girl opened her ice blue eyes widely.

Kamito pierced the floor with his «Demon Slayer» that was giving off light.

"Sorry. We must absolutely continue onto the finals."

With that, the shrine was split cleanly into two halves.

<noinclude>{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume7 Afterword|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume8 Chapter1}}</noinclude>

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume8 Chapter5

2013-04-23T06:12:08Z

Pjs312:

==The Night Before the Finale==
===Part 1===

Evening. Dusk hung over «Ragna Ys» which was floating in Astral Zero's skies.

Having spent a turbulent day with Leonora, Kamito returned with Ellis and Fianna, who happened to be at the pool, to the castle they were staying at.

After this, the oracle concerning the finals would be delivered by the five spirit princesses at the «Divine Ritual Institute»'s «Grand Shrine». They would convene once with the entire team to discuss their plans for what was to come.

He showered then went to Claire's room and knocked.

"Claire, it's about time."

"Yes, the preparations are already complete. You may enter."

He opened the door and found Claire and the others sitting atop the bed playing Old Maid.

"I win. That makes 17 wins with 2 losses."

Claire tossed the cards.

"O-One more time!"

"It will be the same no matter how many times we do it. You're an open book."

"......~! H-How frustrating!"

Rinslet cried out with teary eyes.

It seemed the two of them had performed a simple purification in the shower as their hair was wet.

......The hair clinging to their necks was somehow sexy.


"Have you been playing cards the whole time?"

"Yes, it heated up without me noticing!"

"Even though I also thought about inviting you; where have you been all this time?"

"Ah, no, I just went to town for lunch......"

......There was no way he could say he had been out on a date with the ace of an enemy team.

"Jeez, if it's lunch, I would have made it for you."

"E-Even I can at least make lunch......!"

"......No, eating cinders for dinner is too heavy on my stomach."

Kamito muttered as he broke out into a cold sweat.

"Kamito, welcome back."

Est who had been playing with Scarlet trotted over.

"Yeah. Sorry for leaving you behind this morning. Here, cake from a night stall."

Kamito presented the cake box and the sword spirit's eyes lit up.

Just then, Ellis opened the door and entered.

"Everyone, what are you doing? We'll be late if we don't hurry."

"......There's still an hour left."

Claire sighed in disbelief.


===Part 2===
The spectating nobles had already gathered at the Grand Shrine.

A magnificent bonfire blazed in front of the massive stone gates and the solemn aria of the «Divine Ritual Institute»'s princess maidens could be heard.

Undoubtedly, the five spirit maidens were receiving the oracle at the deepest reaches of the Grand Shrine.

"......There are a lot of people as usual."

"Claire, if you're scared, do you wanna hold hands?"

"Y-Yeah......wait, I'm n-not scared!"

Kamito teased her and Claire averted her face from him.

They walked down the hall extending from the stone gate and,

"Ahh, Onee-sama and everyone!"

Rinslet's little sister waved her hand after noticing them.

"Mireille!"

Rinslet hugged her little sister who came running over.

"Since you're not here with father, you'll get lost in these crowds."

"Milla's here so I'm fine."

Milla the maid nodded from behind Mireille.

"That's true but......by the way, you're not here with Carol?"


"......Yeah, we were with her partway, but it seems that we lost her."

"My apologies. I had to accompany Lady Mireille so......"

Milla hung her head as if she had no excuse.

"No, Carol always gets lost."

Rinslet sighed.

"......I've had this question for a while, but how did Carol pass the Laurenfrost employment exam?"

"The foremost criterion of a Laurenfrost maid is that she is cute."

Rinslet said that as if it was extremely obvious.

"......Well, true, Carol and Milla do fulfill that condition."

"......!"

Milla's ears twitched in response to Kamito's words.

"Oh, your ears are red, Milla; what's wrong?"

"......It's nothing. I'm fine."

Milla replied expressionlessly to Mireille's teasing smile.

"Haa, Kamito is truly a natural demon king......"

Fianna sighed in resignation.

And.

"Excuse me, Kazehaya Kamito-dono."


"---?"

All of a sudden, his shoulder was hit from behind.

Turning around, an elderly man with frighteningly good physique was glaring sharply at Kamito.

A fearless face like a falcon. Blue hair that was trimmed short.

......He somehow had the impression that there was a great resemblance to someone he knew well.

"Umm, you are---"

Kamito knit his brows with suspicion and,

"Grandfather!"

Ellis let out a surprised voice beside him.

"Grandfather......wait, no way!"

Kamito realized.

Then this old man was---

(The empire's chief advisor on military matters, Duke Fahrengart---)

A hero of the Ranbal War that had contributed greatly. Honestly speaking, rather than by word of mouth, just seeing him, he was an important noble.

Claire, Rinslet and even Fianna who was from the royalty nodded respectfully.

Kamito, who was staring in blank amazement, was lightly elbowed by Claire and hurriedly nodded respectfully.

"You need not be so rigid. Lift your heads."

Duke Fahrengart nodded in a composed manner and smacked Kamito's shoulder.


"I have heard much about you from Ellis. Your feats in the «Blade Dance» are truly admirable."

"......Umm, it's an honor."

Kamito replied like that while still bewildered. He had imagined someone more fastidious as Ellis' grandfather, but he seemed unexpectedly candid.

"We troubled you with the matter of Velsaria. I am told that you were the one who severed those foolish misguided notions. She said she would like to meet you once again after she has finished atoning for her crime."

"Ah, Ane-ue did, to Kamito......?"

Ellis interjected, looking like she was doubtful.

"What, are you interested?"

Duke Fahrengart teasingly patted his granddaughter's head.

"N-No, that's......"

Ellis' face went bright red and she twined her fingers.

Seeing that, Duke Fahrengart nodded like he had reaffirmed something and,

"Kamito-dono."

"Eh?"

He leaned in near Kamito's ear and whispered.

"I leave Ellis to you. She has her overly serious and stubborn points but she's an earnest girl. I trust you have no problems with her heritage?"


"Umm, what do you......"

He tried to ask but his shoulders were grabbed.

"However---"

Duke Fahrengart's voice lowered.

"Affairs are not allowed, they are not. You had best remember this. If you make my granddaughter cry, the full military might of Fahrengart house which stands at the head of the warrior class will become your enemy."

Grind, grind, grind......the old man's fingertips dug into his shoulder.

(......This old man has crazy grip!)

Kamito shuddered......if he were to make Ellis cry, he may really be killed.

"With that, I shall excuse myself here. I will be hoping for your victory."

Duke Fahrengart smiled gently and left quietly.

"......"

"Ka-Kamito, well, what did my grandfather say to you?"

"Ah, no, he entrusted me with you. O-Of course he meant as a teammate."

Kamito scratched his head while averting his eyes and,

"I-I see......"

Ellis held a hand to her chest as if relieved.

"---It seems the other teams have also come."

Everyone turned to the stone gates at Claire's words.


The ones who entered were the «Knights of the Dragon Emperor» spearheaded by Leonora Lancaster.

"Leonora---"

Kamito was about to call out but---

He changed his mind when their eyes met.

---The next time we exchange words will be when we blade dance.

He remembered the words she said when they parted.

Exchanging words were unnecessary. What came later would only be serious sword strikes.

Leonora smiled fearlessly and immediately turned her eyes elsewhere and left.

"......I feel amazing divine power. It looks like they've also leveled up."

"Yeah. Leonora now is probably stronger than she was when the «Dragon Blood» was raging. Her eyes had no trace of hesitation."

"......Mu, Kamito observes Leonora-dono quite a bit."

"Truly, you at least tamed her with that date."

"I said that wasn't a date!"

Kamito shook his head in a fluster in response to the unsatisfied glares of Ellis and Fianna.

The next to appear were the «Sacred Spirit Knights» who had advanced through the «Tempest» in second place.

They were wearing a uniform that was like the opposite of the «Rupture Division»'s. Since the Principality of Rossvale had gained its independence from Lugia, it was expected.


Standing at the head was the Paladin --- Luminaris Saint Leisched.

With her brilliant blonde hair was interwoven, a nineteen year old female knight. She was a powerful person that had fought Kamito in the «Blade Dance» for the championship three years prior.

(......She's a powerful holy spirit user. I had a hard battle against her.)

Kamito remembered that time.

A holy attribute spirit had a strong resistance to darkness spirits. Consequently, his darkness Elemental Waffe, «Vorpal Sword», was completely repelled.

It seemed like she had sought revenge against Ren Ashbell for three years, but decisively suppressed the surrounding weaker teams in the «Tempest».

(......It's probably something like having a conclusion at the finals.)

To begin with, she thought the commander of «Team Inferno» was the real Ren Ashbell but---

"It's already time. Does «Team Inferno» not plan to appear?"

"Well, as long as they leave a familiar, they can hear the oracle."

Kamito answered Claire's mutter.

And. The hall suddenly became noisy and then fell into silence.

Princess maidens wrapped in white ritual clothes came from the altar's inner door.

The five spirit maidens that directly served the «Five Great Spirit Kings». Their faces were shrouded by a veil so the audience couldn't see them.


"Reicha's the furthest on the left."

Fianna whispered so that just Kamito could hear.

Even the girl of which he had an unshakeable impression that she was a normal girl when they'd met at the «Grand Shrine» was now wrapped in a solemn atmosphere.

The spirit princess at the center continued out in front of the shrine.

Everyone came to a pause and paid attention to the words that came from those lips.

Then---

"---I will now relay the spirit kings' oracle."

The spirit princess' dignified voice was carried throughout the hall by the power of wind spirits.

"---The stage for the finals is the old abandoned capital, «Megidoa»."

===Part 3===
Parting from Mireille's group, they exited the «Grand Shrine».

The refreshing night breeze bore the clamor of the large audience.

"---The abandoned capital «Megidoa», huh."

Kamito muttered as he walked along the gently sloping hill.

"......It was unexpected. To think that a place I've never heard of would come up. At least, it shouldn't have been a stage for the «Blade Dance» until now."


Fianna said with a shrug. Since she who had come from the «Divine Ritual Institute» had no knowledge of it, there was hardly a place most people would know.

Choosing a sacred ground within Astral Zero was the usual for the «Blade Dance».

Even so, having an abandoned city that wasn't anything like a sacred ground chosen was---

(......As I thought, something's strange about this time's «Blade Dance».)

It was as if errors had appeared in a perfect system.

(......If that's so, what's the cause?)

The «Blade Dance» three years ago had proceeded normally.

What broke that was---

(......!)

A flashback.

Within the encroaching black «Wish», the boy reached out a hand for the darkness spirit girl.

"Ah, ku......!"

Assaulted by a sudden dizziness, Kamito held his head.

"Kamito, what's wrong?"

Claire asked in a worried tone.

"......Ahh, I'm fine. I just felt a little dizzy."

Kamito waved his hand to tell her not to worry.


......Those memories seemed to be locked away and could not be recalled.

"---There's also the field, but we also have to consider the blade dance form."

"That's right."

Claire nodded in response to Ellis' mutterings.

The rule decided upon by the spirit kings' oracle was «Cross Fire».

The duration was three days. It was basically the same as the «Tempest», survival within the field, but the difference was that each team member would be teleported to a different location.

"To put it bluntly, there is a need to search for one's comrades. If a team gathers quickly, they gain the opportunity to crush every one of the enemy team's Elementalist."

It seemed Claire had already begun thinking about tactics suited to the rules.

Bang!

At that time, a rainbow-colored flower bloomed in the night sky.

---It was a firework. Kamito stopped in his tracks and was entranced by the blooming fireworks.

The seven-colored lights danced into various forms and entertained the onlookers.

The lights were really spirits being released.

"It's beautiful......"

Claire murmured as she gazed at the fireworks in a trance.

"They're launching spirit crystals for that, right? It's ridiculously high up."

"Jeez, your thinking is that of a plebeian."


Claire shrugged her shoulders, sounding a little surprised.

"When you speak of fireworks---"

And Ellis opened her mouth as if she had just remembered something.

"When we return to the academy, we have to prepare for the «Grand Spirit Festival»."

"Grand Spirit Festival?"

"It's an academy festival that is held at Areishia Spirit Academy every year. The Syphid Knights also become so busy we'd even accept the help of a cat, so you had best prepare yourself as well."

"So there's an academy festival. It sounds fun."

"Yeah. But the side that keeps public morals can't say that. The spirits in last year's Raven Class production went wild and became a big problem."

"T-That brings back memories......"

"T-There might have been something like that!"

......In order to avoid the issue, the problem children combo from the Raven Class turned towards the future.

"I'm part of the group that was just admitted, so I have Freya-sensei's supplementary lessons after we return."

Fianna sighed a little.

......They were only about ten days ago, but those days at the academy were nostalgic.

Two months ago, «Team Scarlet» consisted of only Claire and Kamito.

But they had gathered five teammates, won through the ranking battles and made it this far.

---There were three days left in the «Blade Dance».


He wondered if he could regain those which were important to him with his own hands.

(Or possibly lose everything......)

An even more grand firework bloomed in the night sky.

"I wonder if we can win and return to the academy safe and sound."

Maybe from being sentimental, Ellis voiced her anxiety.

"We've come this far. We only need to blade dance with all our strength."

"Yeah, that's right."

"If we combine our strength, we can even defeat that fake Ren Ashbell---"

At that moment, Fianna's face seemed to cloud over.

"Fianna, what's wrong?"

"......I-It's nothing."

Kamito inquired and Fianna averted her eyes as she shook her head.

He was a little interested in her attitude but---

(......That's right. I must win against that other «Strongest Blade Dancer».)

---In order to discover the truth behind three years ago and save Restia.

Underneath the leather glove on his left hand, the darkness spirit's seal throbbed with a dull pain.

And.

"---That's the spirit. Claire Rouge."

Until she called out, nobody had noticed her presence.


Turning around, a beautiful woman with ash blonde hair was there.

"......Greyworth?"

Drawing the spirit crystal's light closer and coming over, it was the «Dusk Witch».

"Academy director, what are you doing here!?"

Claire said in a surprised voice.

"---Sorry, but I'll be borrowing the boy for now."

"Kamito?"

"For what? Tomorrow is the finals."

Kamito said as if snarling and,

"The night is still long. Improving relations doesn't suffice as a reason?"

"Wha!?"

All the ojou-samas were stirred up at Greyworth's words.

"K-Kamito, don't tell me, even up to the academy directory......"

Gogogogogogogo......!

"Haa, the scope of Kamito-kun's defense surprises me sometimes."

"Kamito-san really doesn't have any boundaries!"

"C-Curse you, such shameless......"

"W-Wait, there's really nothing like that!"

Kamito yelled in a panic.


Seeing the ojou-samas' reactions, Greyworth smiled like she was enjoying herself.

"It was a joke. I'm not stealing the boy, so rest easy."

""""W-We weren't worried!""""

The ojou-samas with red faces gave a collective cry.

"If it's a joke, I'm heading back."

Kamito tried to turn to leave and,

"Well, don't be in such a rush. I have something I'd like to impart to you."

"What?"

"I can't give it to you here. It's necessary for your victory."

Greyworth's expression had become serious at some point.

"......"

Kamito thought for a little---

"......Okay. Let's finish this quickly."

"Whether it will be short or not depends on you."

Greyworth shrugged.

Kamito turned to his teammates and,

"Sorry. Please return to the castle ahead of me."

"......Y-Yes, we will."

Claire nodded a little sadly.


"Ahh, that's right. Bring along that sword spirit."

"Est?"

"Since the night is dangerous. A means to defend oneself is necessary."

"You need protection? What kind of joke is this......is that okay, Est?"

"Yes. I am Kamito's sword. For as long as you wish."

Est nodded and changed form into her Elemental Waffe, «Terminus Est».

===Part 4===
Greyworth descended from the hill and walked into the deep forest.

The night spirits floated between trees, giving off mysterious light.

"We'll be there soon. Improving relations has to be done somewhere others can't see."

"Wha......!"

"Don't blush every time. You're really cute."

"Kuu......"

The «Dusk Witch» smiled like she was having fun.

The sound of fireworks still echoed from far away.

"......It's been a long time. Walking through the forest with you like this."


"You tricked me by saying we were going mushroom hunting in the forest and we ended up hunting a demon god class spirit."

Kamito leered at Greyworth who was walking in front of him.

"Ahh, that did happen."

"I really thought I'd die that time."

"But that live combat was the best kind of training, right?"

Greyworth shrugged.

"That was when you grasped the «Bursting Blossom Spiral Blade Dance»."

"If I hadn't, I would have died."

"Sheesh, since when did you become so rebellious. You were more honest and cute three years ago --- and we're here."

Greyworth finally came to a halt.

A large space made by clearing the forest. It was likely for the training of the «Divine Ritual Institute»'s princess maidens.

"So what was it you wanted to give me?"

Greyworth's grey eyes seemed to be piercing Kamito as they gazed at him.

"---Kamito, I will entrust you with the final Absolute Blade Art."

"......Wh......at......?"

Kamito's eyes widened at the unexpected response.

The Absolute Blade Arts of the «Dusk Witch» who was called the strongest Elementalist on the continent.


That was something that, together with «Vorpal Sword», had created «Ren Ashbell».

"......What do you mean? You should have already entrusted me with the secrets three years ago."

Bursting Blossom Spiral Blade Dance --- an anti-spirit destruction sword technique.

The technique that defeated the monster of darkness, Nepenthes Lore.

Anything beyond that technique shouldn't exist---

"Certainly, that technique is the top sword technique. If successful, it will even massacre a demon god class spirit."

Greyworth shook her head.

"But there is a final secret that I didn't teach you."

"Final secret......"

Kamito gulped. The witch wasn't teasing him.

"Why---"

"There is a reason I didn't teach you it three years ago. If someone inexperienced with the Absolute Blade Arts uses it, his or her body will be destroyed."

"......"

Certainly, the Absolute Blade Arts which surpassed the limits of flesh would destroy the user's body.

In actuality, even now, Kamito had not mastered them to a sufficient degree.

"But that technique---"

"That's right. Honestly speaking, you shouldn't use that kind of technique in live combat."

Greyworth assented easily.


"But the you of now cannot win against the «Strongest Blade Dancer». That is reality."

......He couldn't retort.

That was something that Kamito himself understood best.

"......If I perform that secret successfully, I can beat her?"

"---Possibly. You are weaker than you were then but your matured body is better. Your body now may be able to withstand the secret's recoil."

Greyworth's mouth curled and she placed a hand to the ground.

A beam of light like blood came out and an ominous magic square was drawn.

"---Come forth from the gates of Hell, earl that ascends to greatness, demon spirit «Void»!"

"......!"

From the center of the magic square glowing with red light came a formless lump of darkness.

Kamito's skin stood on end from the dreadful air of intimidation.

Formerly under Demon King Solomon, one of the pillars of his seventy-two spirits.

Greyworth extended her hand out and the lump of darkness became a sword at once, appearing in the witch's hand.

Elemental Waffe --- «Storm Bringer».

With an appearance greatly resembling Restia's «Vorpal Sword», it was a jet black sword.

"......"

Kamito unsheathed the «Demon Slayer» wordlessly.

The shining silvery white brilliance lit up the dark forest.


"It's been three years since our last practice. Are you prepared, boy?"

"The you of three years ago wouldn't have asked that to an opponent that has drawn their sword."

He had nothing to worry about.

For the current Kamito, the power to defeat the other Ren Ashbell was required.

In an instant, Greyworth's silhouette disappeared.

Deflecting the blade flash, a harsh metallic sound resounded in the night forest.

"......!"

"Ohh, you withstood the first strike. It seems you've recovered your sense from long ago."

The elemental waffen created sparks as they ground against each other.

(As usual, such monstrous strength......!)

He instinctively shuddered.

If it had been Kamito before the «Blade Dance», he wouldn't have been able to see through it.

---Yes, this was the blade of the one previously called the strongest on the continent.

The divine power gushing forth from Storm Bringer was overwhelming Terminus Est.

"......Est is losing!?"

"That spirit isn't inferior to mine. There is an inconsistency in your output of divine power. It's been your weak point since before."

Greyworth declared that coldly and increased her sword pressure.


"Kuu --- why, you......!"

Kamito filled Est with all the divine power in his body.

The silvery white sword gave off an oppressive shine and began pushing back against Storm Bringer in an instant.

"Yes, your instantaneous power exceeds me. However---"

Greyworth disappeared from his sight.

And faster than the thirst for blood---

"Absolute Blade Arts, First Form --- «Purple Lightning»!"

A stab like lightning gouged Kamito's abdomen.

"Kahaa!"

A severe impact hit him and Kamito's body hit the ground. The bodily damage from the «Elemental Waffe» was converted to mental damage, causing a severe concussion.

"---Stand. I held back."

"......"

Kamito groaned and shakily got to his feet.

It was true she held back.

Since he had taken an Absolute Blade Art but could still stand.

"......It's been a while since I've taken that sword technique."

While wiping the blood from his lip, Kamito smiled.

"Did that wake you up, boy?"


"Yeah. Thanks."

Once again, he readied the shining «Terminus Est» with both his hands.

He stared directly at Greyworth who stood before him.

He could feel something awakening within himself.

The memories engraved in his body were coming back vividly.

"The ojou-samas are waiting---"

Kamito smiled fearlessly.

"I'll have you pass over the strongest Absolute Blade Art quickly."

"---That's it, those are the eyes. Only those eyes haven't changed from three years ago."

Greyworth's grey eyes stared at Kamito.

The point of the demon sword slowly came to aim at the middle of Kamito's forehead.

It was an oppression that sent goosebumps along his skin.

"Listen well, I won't show you the secret more than once. Grasp its nature in that one strike."

"Just once?"

"What it means is it will be impossible if you cannot grasp it after just once. Simply inheriting the title as the strongest Elementalist does not mean you have the qualities to learn the Absolute Blade's secret."

Greyworth informed him in a piercingly cold voice.

Kamito's whole body broke out in a cold sweat.

A momentary silence. Then---


"......Okay. That's enough."

Kamito gave a short nod.

A superficial sword would not pass for Greyworth.

In order to fill his elemental waffe with his thoughts, he closed his eyes and honed his senses.

What came to his mind was---

Claire, Fianna, Ellis, Rinslet --- the faces of his comrades.

And the «Demon Slayer» in his hands, Terminus Est.

(......There's no way I can lose!)

The sword in his hand was one which carried the «Wishes» of all of them.

"---Let's do this, Greyworth."

"Ahh, there's no use holding back. Come at me with the strongest technique you have."

"Has there ever been a time I've held back against you?"

He filled «Terminus Est» with all his divine power.

The silvery white sword shone dazzlingly, wiping away the forest's darkness.

Kamito charged as if to split the wind.

(---The strongest sword technique I can use now.)

He kicked the ground and accelerated. He changed to a reverse grip on the holy sword in his hands.

Then---

"Absolute Blade Arts, Destructive Form --- Bursting Blossom Spiral Blade Dance, 18 Consecutive Strikes!"

With a glint, countless scattered blades flashed.

The slashes' flashes were a destructive blade dance that boasted absolute killing power.

[[File:STnBD V08 232.png|thumbnail|right]]


---Properly speaking, it was a technique for the purpose of defeating a mighty demon god class spirit.

The storm of consecutive attacks resembling the blooming of a flower.

But the strongest witch on the continent --- stopped all of that with her blade.

Putting aside when she was in her golden age, Greyworth right now shouldn't be able to match up to Kamito physically. Then why was she able to take on Kamito's sword---

He came to know the answer soon.

(......!?)

Greyworth's ash blonde hair was giving off a faint luminescence.

It was the glow of the divine power she was expelling. And it was strong enough to be seen with the naked eye.

(While we were exchanging blows, she absorbed my divine power!?)

He wondered if that was the ability of «Void»'s elemental waffe---

(No, that's wrong --- it's not that!)

Greyworth was matching her divine power to Kamito's divine power.

If one were to completely match their opponent's movements and breathing, he or she could make the opponent's divine power which would normally be repelled his or her own --- that was already something not of battle blade dancing but of the «Divine Ritual Institute»'s princess maidens' specialty.

(This is the Absolute Blade's secret---)

The countless repelled sparks --- the concealed surges of the eighteen consecutive strikes that held absolute killing power.

The instant the final sword blow landed.


Kamito understood. The truth of the Absolute Blade's secret.

(......It's coming!)

Kamito had put all his divine power into the eighteen consecutive strikes.

---That enormous power was now infused into Greyworth's sword.

Evasion was impossible. He instinctively understood that.

Greyworth's lips moved slightly---

Then---

"Absolute Blade Arts, Final Form --- «Last Strike»!"

The glinting tip of the sword pierced Kamito's chest.

<noinclude>{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume8 Interlude2|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume8 Epilogue}}</noinclude>

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume8 Chapter3

2013-04-23T06:10:06Z

Pjs312:

==The Ice Demon and the Hell Cat==
===Part 1===


Chirp, chirp chirp.

A small bird's chirping could be heard outside the window.

The second morning following the conclusion of the «Tempest».

Kamito was abandoning himself to pleasant slumber.

"......Onii-sama. Please wake up, onii-sama."

Ruffle ruffle. Ruffle ruffle.

"Uu, nn......Est, let me sleep a little more."

Kamito groaned in the bed. His fatigue from the real battle hadn't been abated yet. At least for today, he wanted to sleep to his heart's content.

"Jeez, onii-sama, you sleepyhead!"

An amazed sigh......somehow, it seemed like she had given up.

Kamito was relieved, and at that moment.

Kiss ♪

A soft sensation upon his cheek.

"......Wha!?"

Kamito's sleepiness was completely blown away.

He shot up in the bed and,


"Ahh, you finally woke up!"

The beautiful girl with shining platinum blonde hair met him with a sunny smile.

"Mi, Mireille!?"

Kamito yelled in a fluster.

The one there was Rinslet's younger sister, Mireille Laurenfrost.

The tidy white dress and accompanying red ribbon were very lovely.

"Good morning, onii-sama."

Mireille gave a polite bow.

"Good morning, Kamito."

Beside her was one other person, a cute girl.

It was Milla Bassett, the leader of the «Rupture Division». The fundamentally black clothing complemented her somewhat wavy dark brown hair.

Rather than that---

"What on earth is it?"

Kamito asked as he rubbed his drowsy eyes.

"......Umm, I have a request for onii-sama."

"A request?"

"Yes, onee-sama and Claire-sama are fighting in the room."

"Ahh, again......"


Kamito groaned.

It had settled down since coming to «Ragna Ys», but those two had fought constantly in the classroom back at the academy.

......That had resumed, it seemed.

"It's something that happens all the time; won't it be fine if we leave it?"

"At this rate, the castle room will be destroyed."

Just after Milla said that, a fierce quake came from the hallway.

"Never mind a classroom, breaking a building of the «Divine Ritual Institute» is, as expected, not good......"

Kamito wearily sighed and got up from the bed. Ellis, who would normally plunge right in, was currently out of the castle.

"By the way, what about Carol?"

"She's probably still sleeping. That Carol, she just won't wake up unless onee-sama gets her."

"......This is the first time I've heard of a maid that's woken up by her master."

......Kamito was as amazed as ever at the ever-useless maid.

===Part 2===

Quickly moving down the tremoring hallway, Kamito arrived at Rinslet's room.


"I was not at fault!"

"......~wh, what, are you trying to say I was!"

......The argument could be heard even outside the door.

"Hey, you two---"

Kamito opened the door and entered, and just then.

"Freezing ice demon breath --- «Freezing Fang»!"

"Eat this, scorching conflaguration --- «Fireball»!"

The offensive spirit magics clashed within the room. Kamito was blown away by the impact and smashed into the corridor wall.

"......Guaa!"

"Kamito-san!" "Kamito!?"

The two exclaimed in surprise and quickly dashed to his side.

"H, hey, what were you thinking!"

Claire sounded worried as she peered at Kamito's face.

"......Y, you guys, were you trying to destroy the room?"

Kamito shakily stood as he pressed on his dizzy head.

"......Th, this has nothing to do with you!"

"Th, that's right! This is our problem!"

The two ojou-samas averted their eyes as if uncomfortable.


"---I called for Kamito-sama, onee-sama."

And from the other end of the corridor came Mireille's group.

"Mireille......"

"It's because you two wouldn't stop fighting at all."

"Th, that is, n, not my fault!"

Rinslet puffed her cheeks as if pouting and turned away.

"......So, what's the cause of this fight?"

Kamito asked with a sigh.

"It's Claire's fault!"

"It's Rinslet's fault!"

The two pointed at each other and sparks erupted between them.

"Well, calm down. I'll listen to both of your stories."

"......~!"

With that, with tears gathering in her ruby eyes, Claire showed him a book.

Guessing from the cover illustrations, it was one of Claire's favorite romance novels geared towards teens.

"What happened with this book?"

"Rinslet spoiled its conclusion!"

Claire glared at Rinslet with teary eyes.

"......Huh?"


"I, I thought you had already read it!"

"I haven't read it yet! Even though I was looking forward to reading it when we returned to the academy."

"I, in the first place, you're the one who started talking about that book!"

"W, wait, wait!"

Kamito hurriedly cut in.

"......You guys, you were fighting about this kind of thing?"

"What do you mean this kind of thing!"

"Ah, no......"

"I, it's fine already, you don't have to return this book!"

Claire screamed with teary eyes and left with her twintails standing on end.

"Hey, Claire---"

"H, hmph, just do what you want!"

Rinslet folded her arms and turned her head to the side.

"Oh, boy......"

......Well, this kind of fight happened all the time. It shouldn't get too serious.

He heard someone lightly clear their throat.

"I've shown you a distasteful side of me, Kamito-san."

Rinslet looked like she felt awkward as she twirled her hair around her finger.

"......You two, can't you get along a bit more?"


"Th, there's no way we can get along!"

Rinslet's face reddened and she bit her lip.

"I'm working together with her because we're in the same team right now, but we're originally fated rivals!"

"Rivals, huh......"

Come to think of it, these two were long-time childhood friends.

Certainly, there should be no problem if Kamito were to cut in more.

"Well, at any rate, tomorrow is the finals. Be sure to make up before then."

Kamito shrugged and was leaving, and then---

......Growl. That kind of idiotic sound came from the hallway.

"Kamito-san?" "Onii-sama?"

Rinslet and Mireille raised their eyebrows in puzzlement.

"......Could it be that you haven't eaten breakfast?"

"Y, yeah, I was just awoken by your little sister not too long ago."

Kamito nodded with a tinge of red across his cheeks.

In an instant, Rinslet's face lit up with pleasure.

"I, if that's so, I was just about to make something. I, if you'd like, you can also eat."

"......Really?"


Truthfully, it was a very tempting offer. He could get breakfast through room service if he asked the princess maidens, but Rinslet's breakfast would definitely taste better.

At any rate, she wouldn't lose even against a pro chef.

"Well then, maybe I'll take you up on that."

"I can't make anything extravagant because there's no real kitchen, but I'll make do."

Rinslet nodded cheerfully.

"Ah, onee-sama, I want to eat with you, too!"

In response to Mireille who put her hand up cheerfully,

"Mireille has already eaten breakfast."

Milla the maid pointed that out calmly.

"I, it's fine! If it's onee-sama's cooking, then I could eat endlessly---"

Milla caught hold of Mireille by the nape as she tried to enter the room.

"Fuaa, what are you doing!"

"It is Mireille's study time."

"I don't want to! Coming this far, I don't want to study!"

"That won't do. You won't become an outstanding noble like that."

"Nooooo, onee-sama's breakfast~!"

Milla dragged along the struggling Mireille.

Before long, they'd turned the corner and Mireille's shrieks couldn't be heard anymore.


"She's really the former leader of the «Rupture Division»; even at thirteen years old, she's got her act together."

......Unlike a certain useless maid, she would become an excellent maid.

Rinslet excitedly began putting on an apron.

"......Is there anything I can help with?"

"Fufuu, do not worry. Please just sit and wait."

Rinslet took out a frying pan from the shelf and started up the fire spirit crystal in the kitchen in the corner.

===Part 3===

"Hmm, hmhmhmm~♪"

Rinslet was making pancakes as she hummed. As he gazed at the Rinslet's lovely hair swaying and felt the appealing fragrance of honey---

Kamito picked up the novel that Claire had left behind just before.

(......"The Lady Blooming in the Dead of Night". Yet another generic title.)

He skimmed the contents.

It seemed to be about an unyielding beautiful noble girl that was caught by a cruel demon lord, becoming his prisoner, and the succumbing of her mind and body.

(......Hmm, Claire only likes these types of book.)


While thinking that, he closed the book and,

"It's done."

The apron-wearing Rinslet turned towards him with a beaming face.

There were three pancakes upon the plate, all laden with plenty of honey. The crispy burn marks looked really delicious.

"Now then, eat up ♪"

"Yeah. Itadakimasu."

Nom. Kamito stuffed his cheeks with the pancake on his fork and,

"......Delicious!"

Said just one thing in a voice of praise.

The interior was fluffy while the outer surface was fried just right.

The Laurenfrost specialty butter and honey were also superb.

"Just as expected. It's fried to perfection."

"Fufuu, I'm glad."

Rinslet gazed happily at Kamito who was stuffing his cheeks.

"What is it?"

"N, no, it's nothing!"

He asked with a puzzled expression and she averted her eyes shyly.

While Rinslet was spacing out, Kamito ate up the deluxe pancakes.


"......Ahh, that was delicious. Thank you for the meal."

"Fufuu, if you'd like, you can have my share as well."

Rinslet passed him another pancake.

"......Mm, is that okay?"

"Yes, I don't eat much in the morning."

"Then I'll accept."

Nom nom nom.

"......J, just like that, you can also move on to eat me?"

"Huh?"

"J, just talking to myself!"

Rinslet hurriedly shook her head.

---After Kamito finished his breakfast, Rinslet poured some after-meal black tea.

The black tea was poured into teacups and the rich fragrance of Laurenfrost tea leaves filled the room.

It seemed the black tea had been prepared beforehand. She might have actually planned to have breakfast together with Claire.

(She might have intended to talk about that book......)

Kamito reached out for the book on the table.

......He tried asking something that he'd been curious about for a while.


"So you also read this kind of book."

"Th, that is......!"

In an instant, Rinslet's face reddened.

"That is, I was introduced to it by Claire at first, a, and if you read it, the contents are deeply intriguing, so I'd like you to not think of me as an immodest girl! I am, to the end, a person of scholarly pursuit---"

She defended herself while bashfully rubbing her knees together.

"I don't think it's something you need to be embarrassed about."

Kamito smiled wryly and returned the book to the table.

"But to be sharing books, your relationship is quite good."

"I, it's just an inseparable relationship!"

Rinslet averted her gaze.

"I see, an inseparable relationship......"

Kamito took a sip of of the black tea and,

"So you've been rivals since childhood, right?"

"......Well, yes."

"If you're okay with it, would you let me hear about that? About when you were kids."

"W, why?"

"Well, you two are always fighting. I was just wondering if it's been the same since long ago."


"......"

Rinslet placed her hand upon her cheek as if thinking about it a little and---

Before long, she breathed in like she recalled a distant day.

"......It will be a little long. I'll boil some more tea."

She stood up quietly from her seat and placed the kettle on the fire spirit crystal.

"This is about when I first met her and acknowledged her as my rival."

"When you first met her?"

"Yes. That was exactly ten years ago. It was when my father brought me to give our greetings to the house of Marquis Elstein---"

As if lost in nostalgia, she began telling the story softly.

===Part 4===

Ten years ago when Rinslet accompanied her father on a visit to the Elstein territory. A time when Rinslet was still six years old.

Rinslet's father, Frontier Earl Laurenfrost, was planning to get the opinion of the Duke Elstein household's head which produced successive generations of «Fire Queen» on the ritual that would be devoted to the «Fire Elemental Lord».

The earl was bringing along his daughter so she could meet her future schoolmate of the same age, Claire Elstein.


"The Elstein house is prominent even within the empire. Get along with Lady Claire."

"Whether we get along or not depends on her."

Earl Laurenfrost sighed at his daughter's composed six-year old face.

Her domineering personality was a secret worry of the earl's.

---The one who came to greet the two that had traveled a long distance by coach was the head of the Elstein house, Wolfram Elstein himself.

"Well, well, thank you for coming from so far away."

He was a great man with the presence of a high noble. His wife was still working at the imperial court in the capital so she wasn't present.

"I am the Laurenfrost's eldest daughter, Rinslet Laurenfrost. I will be in your care this time."

Rinslet held the hem of her dress and curtsied elegantly.

Even if she was six, she already conducted herself like a model noble.

"Ohh, as expected of the Laurenfrost house's daughter. She's got her act together. I wouldn't think she was the same age as my daughter."

"No, no, your daughter is also quite lovely---"

"......"

Rinslet paid no mind to the socially controlled interactions of the adults.


Her emerald green eyes were staring to the spot directly behind Duke Elstein.

Twintails like animal tails were bobbing.

The girl in a white dress seemed to be cowering behind the duke.

(......What's with her?)

Rinslet sharpened her gaze and the girl shrunk back even more.

......She's like a small rabbit.

(......She's nothing like what one would expect of the daughter of a high noble household.)

Rinslet appraised her as such on their first meeting.

"Claire, greet Earl Laurenfrost and Lady Rinslet."

"......~F, father!?"

The girl widened her ruby eyes and panicked.

"U, umm, that, I......"

"Claire, calm down."

"Y, yes......"

Claire took a deep breath and,

"I am the second daughter of the E, Elstein house, Claire Elstein."

She gripped the edges of her skirt and lowered her head.

"Haha, what a sweet daughter."


"No, it's quite embarrassing that she has such a deathly fear of strangers."

Duke Elstein shook his head with a wry smile.

"......"

Rinslet mercilessly surveyed the girl before her.

Red Twintails tied at each end of her head. The ruby eyes peeking out.

The white dress suited her slender build quite well.

She was outstandingly good-looking......there was no denying it.

However, beyond that---

(She's not very interesting......)

That was Rinslet's honest thought.

(I was expecting a little because she was a family member of the famous «Fire Queen».)

Rinslet had already lost interest in Claire.

"Come to think of it, where is your other daughter?"

And Earl Laurenfrost voiced his question.

"My apologies. She collapsed from offering a ritual to the earth spirits. After a large ritual, she always sleeps for three days."

"Your daughter is already being entrusted with the earth spirit rituals?"

Earl Laurenfrost spoke with surprise and Rinslet also widened her emerald eyes.

There should only be three years' difference in age between her and the Elstein household's eldest daughter, Rubia Elstein. As expected, it was a shock that the earth spirit ritual was being left to someone of only nine years of age.


"It seems my elder daughter has potential as a Queen. I plan to enter her into the «Divine Ritual Institute» next year."

"Ohh, the «Divine Ritual Institute». That's quite major."

The Elstein house had a history of producing numerous «Fire Queens».

The eldest daughter might become a Queen candidate in the future.

(......Rubia-sama is amazing. Completely different from her younger sister.)

That younger sister had a slight smile on, perhaps because she was happy that her sister was praised.

"Well then, Earl Laurenfrost, let us discuss this time's ritual in the upper guest room."

"Yes. Rinslet, you play with Lady Claire."

"......Eh? F, father!?"

Rinslet showed a rare flustered condition.

(......I have to play together with her? This isn't a joke!)

"U, umm......"

Claire also seemed bewildered.

"Rinslet, you're a noble with honor, so you cannot shirk your responsibilities. Now, let's go, Duke Elstein."

"N, no way! Father---"

As if cutting off Rinslet's appeals, the door shut ruthlessly.

===Part 5===


"......Umm, wait. Wait a second."

Kamito set the teacup down on the table with a clack and---

Interrupted Rinslet's story.

"What is it?"

She knit her brows, seemingly unsatisfied from having her story cut off.

"......No, well, is that really Claire?"

Kamito asked with an expression of half belief, half disbelief.

......What he'd heard so far didn't sound like the Claire of now at all.

(......Rather, it's like an entirely different person.)

"It sounds unbelievable, but it's the truth. That girl used to be shy and docile long ago."

"I, is that so......"

Well, even now she had some areas resembling a fear of strangers and he also knew she had her gentle and girly points.

(Even so, you know......)

"May I continue?"

Rinslet cleared her throat.


"Y, yeah......"

Kamito nodded while still perplexed.

===Part 6===

---When Duke Elstein and Earl Laurenfrost came out of the guest room, it had already been several minutes.

Claire hid behind the curtains and seemed to be observing the mood of Rinslet who was twirling her hair with her finger.

(Haaa, I'm bored......)

Even though Rinslet was approaching her limit, not much time had passed.

"Hey, Claire-san?"

"......Eh?"

Claire's shoulders shook as if frightened when Rinslet called out to her.

"I am your honored guest. Could I at least get some black tea?"

"......Ahh! Y, yeah!"

Claire nodded and hurriedly brought back a tea pot. Inside the tea pot were small fire spirit crystal fragments which warmed it.

"Ohh, you're using fairly good tea leaves."

"Yes, we used the best black tea because a guest was coming."


Rinslet voiced her compliment honestly and Claire smiled happily.

"Ahh, we also have snacks. They're really delicious!"

Claire ran off and came back with a plate of cookies from somewhere.

"They seem delicious. Did you make them?"

"No, it's a souvenir that father bought at the capital. I really like the snacks there."

"Hmmm......"

Rinslet elegantly picked a cookie up with her fingertips and placed it in her mouth.

"This flavor is quite good. I like it."

"......I'm glad."

Claire felt relieved since she had been nervous.

While Rinslet sipped black tea, she looked around the guest room.

As expected of a prominent family of the empire, the interior design was extravagant. The taste in furnishings was also good.

However, unfortunately, there was nothing that would alleviate her boredom.

"Haa, I'm bored......"

While holding her head in her hands over the table, she sighed.

"U, umm......"

And Claire started to mumble as if trying to saying something.

"What is it? If you're a noble's daughter, then clearly say what you want."


"U, umm......"

Claire repeatedly opened her mouth and,

"I, I have dolls!"

"Dolls?"

"Y, yeah, I'll bring them now!"

Claire nodded happily and dashed out of the room.

"......What?"

While staring blankly, she waited and---

At last, Claire returned with both arms filled with stuffed toys.

All of them were lovely cat dolls.

"Here. Choose the cat you like."

Claire lined up the cat dolls on the carpet and,

"I'll lend you this. It's my favorite cat......"

She pushed a red cat plushy onto the perplexed Rinslet.

"Nya---nya---♪"

"......"

"Nya---?"

"......Are you making fun of me?"

Rinslet threw aside the cat plushy.


"......Eh?"

"Something as childish as playing with dolls, there's no way I'd do it!"

"......S, sorry."

Claire once again became sullen.

(......I, I might have been a bit too harsh just now.)

......Being shown such a sad expression, she'd obviously feel bad.

Rinslet cleared her throat and,

"A, aside from dolls, is there anything else that could relieve my boredom?"

"Y, yeah, umm, then......a storybook?"

"Storybook?"

Rinslet asked without thinking.

"Do you, by any chance, read books?"

"Yeah, Rubia-nee-sama taught me how!"

Claire ran off again and this time returned with a heap of books.

"What an impressive amount......"

"I really like interesting books. What about you?"

"W, well, I do read. If it's a book on politics, history or spirits."

Rinslet said while putting on airs.

"Wah, amazing! I, I like storybooks!"


The girl that had been hesitant until just now had her eyes sparkling as the conversation turned to books.

"Like this, or this, and this and this, all are really interesting!"

She piled her favorite books one by one in front of Rinslet.

"H, hmph, storybooks are for children!"

Rinslet, who had no interest in novels, turned her head to the side.

"But, they're really interesting......"

Claire cleared up the books while looking sad.

"......Is there anything more interesting?"

"Umm......"

Claire pressed her lips together as if troubled and,

"Hah......"

Pressed her cheeks in slowly.

"......W, what are you doing?"

"An interesting face......"

"......"

Rinslet sighed deeply.

"......Haa, I wonder how long our fathers' conversation will take."

"I was told it would continue until evening."

"Evening!?"


Rinslet's face stiffened.

"You're joking; I'll die of boredom!"

"Yeah, so let's read a book together!"

"A book......"

At that moment, Rinslet remembered something.

"Come to think of it, I heard that there is a collection of treasured magic books in the Elstein house's underground «Sealed Library»."

The rumor of the Elstein house's sealed library was widely known amongst the empire's nobility.

All sorts of rare books covetous to elementalists were supposed to be gathered there.

There might be a book there that would peak Rinslet's interest.

"It's just the perfect thing for getting rid of boredom!"

Claire rushed to stop Rinslet who stood up with great vigor.

"Y, you can't! Father said we had to stay in this room. Moreover, there are dangerous sealed magic books in the underground library---"

"Oh my, are you scared?"

Rinslet challenged her.

"That is......"

"You don't really have to come along. I'll just search on my own."

"Ah, w, wait---Rinslet-chan!"


Rinslet left the room and Claire chased after her.

Rinslet turned around in front of the door and turned to glare at Claire.

[[File:STnBD V08 116.png|thumbnail|right]]


"Wait, who gave you permission to call me by name?"

"......Eh?"

She thrust her finger out at Claire who was staring blankly.

"Okay? Call me the daughter of Earl Laurenfrost."

"But, onee-sama said you call friends by their name---"

"W, who is your friend!"

"Fuaa......"

Rinslet screamed out and Claire backed away with teary eyes.

"......Hmph, I won't acknowledge a crybaby coward as my friend."

Rinslet turned away and quickly walked away alone.

===Part 7===

"---It's here, isn't it."

The aforementioned «Sealed Library» was inside an annexed library.

A sturdy iron door stood before Rinslet.

"......Darn, it's locked."

It was obvious it would be. There were hundreds of dangerous spirit magic books in there, after all.

"Yeah, that's why, let's go back to the room already."


Claire tugged on the hem of her dress.

"Enough with the sleep talk. This kind of lock means nothing to me---"

Rinslet gave a fearless smile and started chanting with the spirit language quietly.

Doing so, all at once, the six locks were filled with keys of ice that fit just perfectly.

Turning them, the door opened with a heavy sound.

"Amazing......!"

"Hmph, this much is obvious if one plans to enter Areishia Spirit Academy."

Long stairs that continued downward were behind the door.

There was no light; it continued in pitch black darkness.

"A, are we really going in?"

"Oh my, are you getting cold feet?"

"......I've heard something. That there's a bad spirit inhabiting an old book."

"Hmph, you really are scared."

Rinslet said it like she was amazed.

"Truthfully, I'm disappointed. That a family member of the Elstein house which the «Fire Queen» belongs to would be this kind of coward. If the little sister is like this, the older sister must also be not much---"

"Stop talking bad about nee-sama!"

Rinslet closed her mouth in realization at Claire's icy voice.


"I am nee-sama's little sister. I am no coward."

The girl glared at Rinslet with tears in her ruby eyes.

"......Is that so."

Rinslet shrugged.

"Fine. If so, then come along."

"......O, okay."

Claire nodded as if she'd made her resolve.

(......For now, it seems like she has the will.)

The two continued down the stairs.

"It's dark, isn't it. Is there no lamp or spirit crystal light?"

Rinslet sighed and,

"---O flames, illuminate."

Claire created a small shining flame on her palm.

"Oh my, you can use spirit magic?"

Rinslet was surprised. To be able to use spirit magic at this age, she has a lot of potential.

"Nee-sama taught me the basics."

"Hmm, you really are the daughter of the Elstein house that governs flames. Although it's not up to my level."

---And at that time. She realized something.


Even if it was beginner-level, that she had managed to use a spirit magic endowed with the flame element meant that---

"Could you possibly already have a contracted spirit?"

"Yes, I have one."

Claire nodded.

"Really?"

She was becoming more and more surprised. Having a contracted spirit basically marked her as a full-fledged spirit contractor.

"Show me for a bit. Your contracted spirit."

"I can't. It's bad to summon a spirit unnecessarily if you're inexperienced."

Claire replied with sound logic. But Rinslet didn't back down.

"Oh my, if you won't show it, I suppose it's that low of a spirit?"

"Y, you're wrong, «Scarlet» is a very strong spirit!"

"If that's so, then prove it."

"......~!"

Claire was lost in indecision for a while but---

It was not okay for a spirit contractor to take a contracted spirit lightly.

Finally she nodded resolutely and,

"......Fine, I'll make a special exception to show you."

She took out a stick of chalk from within her dress' skirt.

She drew a magic square on the wall with difficulty and began chanting the spirit language summoning ritual.


---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!

In an instant, a «Spirit Seal» in the shape of «Flames» surfaced on the back of her right hand.

A small fireball appeared from the center of the magic square and suddenly became the figure of a hellcat enshrouded in flames.

It was about the size of a squirrel, a small and adorable kitten.

"This is Scarlet."

Claire hugged the hellcat veiled in flames in her arms.

"Oh my, it's quite small, isn't it."

Rinslet smiled with composure and,

"S, Scarlet may be small, but she's powerful!"

Claire puffed her cheeks.

"Well, I'll give you credit for being able to summon your contracted spirit. But it cannot compare to my «Fenrir»."

«Fenrir» was the high-level spirit Rinslet had contracted on her sixth birthday.

She drew a magic square on the wall like Claire and chanted the spirit language summoning ritual.

---Oh freezing beast with Ice-teeth, merciless hunter of the forest.

---Now is the time to abide the contract of blood, hasten to my side as commanded!

A «Spirit Seal» representing «Ice» appeared on the back of her right hand.

And a fierce icy wind stormed through the stairway and---

A large white wolf appeared from thin air.


"Amazing......!"

Claire's ruby eyes widened.

"Fufun, isn't he?"

"......Cute!"

Rinslet fell down.

"H, he isn't cute or anything like that; Fenrir is a ferocious white wolf!"

"Kuun......"

Fenrir let out a sad cry at being called not cute by his master.

"That's not true. He's really cute."

Claire touched Fenrir's fur and,

"D, don't just touch him as you please!"

Rinslet shot out her finger and returned her contracted spirit to «Astral Zero».

"Ahh......"

"Now then, let's go."

"W, wait---!"

Claire also sent Scarlet back and hurried after Rinslet.

---The two continued to descend down the endless stairs.

"This is pretty long. Rather, is there even a bottom?"


"Rinslet-chan, isn't it about time to head back......"

"Stop calling me Rinslet-chan!"

"Y, yeah......sorry, Rinslet-chan."

"Haaa, whatever already!"

Rinslet sighed, astounded.

Finally, the stairs ended and the two arrived at the «Sealed Library».

It was a large space with a high ceiling. The air was chilly.

Claire held the flame light aloft, showing the many tall bookshelves.

"So this is the famous sealed library."

"Yeah, what an amazing amount of books......!"

It seemed that it was also Claire's first time setting foot in here so she couldn't hide her excitement.

Indeed, the bookshelves were lined with books that seemed to have history to them.

"---I wonder if these are about rituals."

Rinslet slowly took one of them in hand.

The instant she blew away the dust on the cover and opened it,

"Kyaa! W, what is this!"

With a beet red face, she threw the book.

"W, what's wrong!"

"Th, there was a picture of holding hands with a gentleman!"


"......H, hands!?"

Claire timidly turned the book with a dubious expression.

"Fuaaa, t, this one has them l, linking arms!"

"Wh, whwh, what immodesty!"

The two screamed kyaa, kyaa.

For the sheltered noble ojou-samas, it was much too stimulating.

Rinslet roughly closed the book.

"Th, this is a book for adults! Let's search for a different book!"

"Y, yeah, that's right......!"

The two were flushed red as they exchanged nods.

===Part 8===

---Dozens of minutes later.

Rinslet piled the books she had taken from the shelves onto the floor.

"......Phew, there was worth in coming. This is an amazing collection."

For some reason, she slapped the books with old leather covers that had complicated characters on them.

She didn't really understand the contents, but she had just gathered every book that had extravagant binding and looked difficult.

"Rinslet-chan, can you read books written in spirit language?"


Picking up one of the books from that pile. Claire spoke out in surprise.

Rinslet pressed her lips together. She had received education for gifted children ever since she was a child, but as expected, she still couldn't decode spirit language.

"C, can you read it?"

"Yeah, just a bit. Nee-sama taught me."

Claire nodded.

Rinslet instantly puffed her cheeks as if displeased and,

"H, how impertinent!"

"Fuaa, Rinfure-hyan, it hauts!"

She was pulling on Claire's cheeks.

And then.

"......?"

Claire's shoulders slightly stiffened.

"What's wrong?"

While questioning her, Rinslet released Claire's cheeks.

"Y, yeah, just now, there was something---I felt a chill."

"A chill?"

Rinslet knitted her brows.

The underground library was cool, but not to the point of shivering.


"Come on, please don't scare me!"

"But, I really---"

Whooooooooosh---

"......Kyaa!?"

Rinslet screamed out without thinking at the blast of cold air from somewhere.

"Rinslet-chan......"

"I, it's fine, it's just a draft."

"But there was no draft until just now."

Claire whispered that, sounding worried and started looking around at the surroundings restlessly.

......Just like a frightened small animal.

(......Jeez, it can't be helped.)

Rinslet shrugged slightly and---

Held the shivering Claire's hand.

"......?"

"Relax. I'm here."

"Y, yeah......"

It seemed she'd calmed down as her hand stopped shaking.

"......Rinslet-chan's hand is warm. It's like nee-sama's."

"Wh, what are you saying! I'm a cold ice demon!"


Rinslet's face reddened and she averted her eyes.

"At any rate, this is......"

The sound of the blowing wind was gradually getting stronger.

The books on the ground were flapping and their dress' skirts were flying up.

Just what exactly was happening---

"......It seems like a good idea to return."

Rinslet muttered and just then.

"---Who is the one who has disturbed my slumber."

A ghastly voice resounded within the underground room.

"Kyaa!"

"Wh, what!?"

"---Who is the one who has disturbed my slumber!"

This time, a louder voice from far away shook the lines of bookshelves.

"......Fuaaa!?"

The two pressed against each other and cringed.

"Rinslet-chan, th, that book---"

Claire pointed at the ground and yelled. It was one of the books that Rinslet had brought over. The page that had been opened by the wind was giving off bluish white light.


"Could it be that there was a «Sealed Spirit» sealed in that book!?"

"What did you say!?"

«Sealed Spirit»---it was a general term for spirits that were sealed into magical items as a result of their ferocity.

It was an existence that an elementalist with little experience should fear the most.

"Th, that kind of dangerous thing was in that book---kyaaa!"

Lots of dust was falling from the ceiling as a result of the room's rumbling.

And then---

"---Who is the one who has disturbed my slumbeeeeeeeeer!"

A magic square of light formed around the book.

A giant ice figure appeared in the middle of the blinding light---!

"......!"

That was a dragon---no, it was a large lizard crafted of ice.

Of course, there was no way that was a natural living creature.

It was a spirit. ---And an extremely strong one.

"Ice salamander---......"

Claire muttered in a trembling voice.

"You know what it is?"

"I read about it in a book. It's a terribly ferocious ice beast spirit......"


"......"

Rinslet gulped at Claire's words.

The giant ice beast that appeared from the magic square leered at the two with its red eyes.

"So you two are my offerings......"

Waving its long tongue, it slowly moved towards them.

It seemed it happened to be able to understand human language, but it didn't seem like the kind that one could have a conversation with.

(......There's no way but to do it!)

Rinslet resolved herself and quickly chanted the summoning.

"---Answering to my command, come forth, magic ice spirit «Fenrir»!"

In a moment, the white wolf appeared from thin air. With a sharp roar, it attacked the ice beast.

"I, I did it!"

Summoning without a magic square was a dangerous bet but---

There was no prey the magic ice spirit could not hunt.

---But in the next instant. Rinslet's victory smile froze over.

The ice beast swung its tail and blew Fenrir away.

Fenrir smacked into the wall and was scattered into particles with only one attack.

"No way......!"

A hoarse cry came from Rinslet's throat.


The magic ice spirit «Fenrir» was a high-level spirit that had served generations of the Laurenfrost house. It was an existence far above sealed spirits like that one.

But its contractor, Rinslet, was no more than a six year old girl. Because of her inexperience as a spirit contractor, it could not unleash its full potential.

"---Foolish girl."

The ice beast's long tongue licked Rinslet's cheek.

"Ah, ahh......"

Her entire body cowered in fear.

(It's my fault......)

Rinslet heavily regretted her actions.

It would have been best to just do as Claire had said and obediently played with dolls back in the room.

(It's my fault that even she---)

She turned her gaze backward and Claire was on her knees shaking.

"Claire, you have to escape at least!"

"I, I can't......!"

Claire shook her head intensely.

"It's fine, so run. Protecting the weak is also a part of noblesse oblige!"

Rinslet yelled in a quavering voice and stood before the ice beast that was closing in.

"Rinslet-chan!?"


"Hurry, now!"

"No! I can't just run and leave a friend behind!"

"Claire---"

In an instant, the giant ice beast's claws flashed.

"Kyaaaaa!"

Rinslet's small body was easily blown away and smacked into the bookshelf.

A dull sound from the impact echoed and a great deal of books fell.

The shredded white dress was dyed with the pure red color of blood.

"---......!?"

A sharp scream gushed forth from Claire's throat.

"......Ah, h......kuu......"

"Rinslet-chan, get a hold of yourself! Rinslet-chan!"

She could hear Claire's voice from far away.

She could tell that blood was leaving her from her entire body.

(I was really foolish......)

In her hazy conscience---

Regrets swirled around.

......I thought I could do anything. I had nothing to fear.

She had not realized until now that that was just the conceit of youth.


(At least, that girl......)

She wanted to at least save the girl that had called her a friend.

"Quick......ly, run......away......"

"......Forgive."

"Eh?"

Even while on the verge of losing consciousness, that voice reached her ears.

"---I definitely won't forgive you!"

"......!"

She finally realized that was Claire's voice.

The red twintails were swaying like a burning fire.

(......Wh, what?)

Her body was hot. The surrounding temperature was rising.

The ruby eyes that housed flames glared at the «Ice Salamander» as if piercing it.

The ice beast that was slowly drawing closer stopped for a moment as if it felt fear.

"---Born of nothingness, the flames governing destruction!"

The spirit language chant spun from her lips.

It was not an informal chant. It was a true chant that drew forth the utmost of one's divine power.

Rinslet's conscience was awakened by that unbelievable scene.

"---Don't tell me, «Fireball»!?"


It was a middle-class fire element spell.

The ice salamander roared.

It swung its claws to stop the chant---

Just before that, the spirit magic was completed.

"Take this, incinerating conflagration --- «Fireball»!"

The swelling blaze engulfed the surrounding oxygen and attacked the ice beast.

Rinslet reflexively protected her forehead from the raging explosion she expected.

However---

"......?"

Even ignoring whether it struck the ice beast, there was no explosion.

(......What is that!?)

On the other side of the wavering air---

'''The red lotus of flames had greedily devoured the ice spirit.'''

It was like a giant carnivorous predator had massacred its prey.

Those flames moved as if they had their own will and relentlessly devoured the spirit.

---'''Was that really «Fireball» magic?'''

"......"

At last, with the final death cries of agony from the ice beast, the flames vanished.


"Haaa, haaa, haaa......"

Claire had exhausted her strength from firing those flames and fell to her knees.

"......Y, you can use that kind of amazing magic?"

Rinslet asked as she pressed down on her clotting flank.

"Y, yeah......but, father said to never use it......kuu......"

"Your hands are!?"

Rinslet gasped.

......Claire's hands were severely burnt.

"I, I'm fine, this much......"

With her face distorting from pain, Claire put on a smile to act strong.

Rinslet sighed.

"......I swear. Even though you're a crybaby, you're rash."

"......"

There was no response. Whether she'd used up her vitality or divine power, Claire had lost her consciousness as if having fallen asleep.

Rinslet gently touched her cheek and,

"Claire Elstein---"

Softly whispered that.

"I will recognize you as my destined rival."

===Part 9===


"This was my first meeting with her---"

Rinslet finished the story and quietly put down her tea cup.

"After that, we were rescued by our fathers who realized something strange was going on, but Claire and I were really frightened."

"......I see. Well, it's a relief you two were safe."

Kamito felt relieved.

"At any rate, as expected, isn't Claire's personality too different?"

"Yes, that child changed four years ago after the incident with Rubia-sama. She closed her heart to everyone and set herself on only becoming stronger."

"......"

But --- and Rinslet continued on.

"Lately, it seems that she has opened her heart again. ---That's right, ever since she met with Kamito-san."

"Come to think of it, when we met, she tried to make me her slave."

Kamito smiled wryly to hide his embarrassment and,

"---Thanks for the meal. I should get back to my room soon."

He stood from his seat.


......Listening to the story had taken quite a bit of time.

A boy staying in a girl's room any longer would be a breach of manners.

"......Th, that's true. Even though it's fine if you stay a little longer."

Rinslet muttered as if it was a pity.

---And at the time. The sound of knocking on the door.

"......Yes?"

"Rinslet, I, I---"

"Claire?"

Rinslet opened the door and the one standing there was Claire who had a small box in her hands.

"What is it?"

"......Umm, snacks, I bought too many yesterday, so do you want some?"

As she averted her eyes, Claire brought the box in her hands out front.

......It looks like a chance to fix their friendship.

Rinslet seemed to understand her intentions.

"Oh my, it matches well since I was just making tea."

"Ah, is that so......eh?"

In an instant, Claire's face that peeked into the room stiffened.

"Yo, Claire---"

"Wh, what......have you two been alone until now?"

"Yes. We ate breakfast together."

"......Hm, hmph, I see. Alone with Kamito."

Claire's expression was quickly degenerating into one of displeasure.

"K, Kamito is mine, so please don't just feed him as you like!"

"Oh my, Kamito-san isn't yours; he's mine."

Sparks were flying between the two at the entrance.

While he watched the state of those two---

(......Somehow, it seems like another fight has started.)

Kamito sighed, exasperated.

<noinclude>{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume8 Interlude1|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume8 Chapter4}}</noinclude>

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume8 Chapter2

2013-04-23T06:09:37Z

Pjs312:

==The Witch and the Assassin==
===Part 1===

......Four years ago.

All of a sudden, the «Instructional School» was destroyed in the span of a single night by an evil spirit of flames.

Within the blaze, the boy snatched the ring the darkness spirit was sealed in and escaped to the outside of the facility. He, who had been raised as a tool of destruction and slaughter, continued to wander aimlessly through barren wastelands.

And then, several weeks later.

In the remote city he wandered to, the boy contacted a border faction of «Murders», a secret organization.

Without a sense of justice and knowing no other way to live than through his battle skills, he couldn't come up with any other option.

They had ridiculed the boy who came to their hideout with hair that had grown as long as possible and a tattered appearance.

What can such a young child even do, they said.

But as soon as their guards were beaten in a flash, their appraisal of him changed.

"I shall accept any job. The price is―"

The reward he was seeking from «Murders» was a single book.

A book that was sealed upon orders of the «Divine Ritual Institute», a forbidden text ― «Key of Sulaiman».

The job he accepted in exchange was―


The assassination of the continent's strongest elementalist, the «Dusk Witch».

And now, the boy ― Kamito was blending into the night in the witch's courtyard.

The imperial capital's suburbs. The grounds were large, but as a home for the former number one of the «Numbers» that had been granted great peerage, it was plain.

Let alone a spirit protecting the gate, there didn't even appear to be a single servant......though he already knew this from the information he had received.

The time Greyworth would return from the royal palace was drawing nearer and nearer.

Cloaked in darkness, Kamito touched the ring he had hidden within his jacket.

He stroked the words written on its outer edge in spirit language.

(......If this goes well, I can free her.)

The one sealed within the ring was the darkness spirit girl.

The girl who had given human emotions to he who had become an empty tool at the training facility.

But giving emotions to Kamito, who should have been a tool, had angered the instructors, resulting in her being sealed once again.

Although he had succeeded in stealing the ring during the opportunity created by the «Instructional School»'s destruction, Kamito did not know how to undo the seal. In addtion, the instructors who would have known how to undo the seal had all been killed by that «Evil Flame Spirit».

(But if I can just get the «Key of Sulaiman», then I can definitely―)


He would assassinate the continent's strongest elementalist for the sake of getting back her smile.

He had not done an assassination mission yet, but he was confident that it was something he would succeed in.

The sound of a horse-drawn coach coming down the road. Kamito heard it with his extraordinary hearing ability.

(―This mission will be decided with the first attack. If I miss, I'm dead.)

This was the iron rule for when a non-elementalist fought with an elementalist.

It seemed that all the assassination attempts on the «Dusk Witch» so far had failed.

The «Murders» bunch hadn't told him what had happened to those who failed. ―Not that he really wanted to know.

The coach arrived before the gate.

Kamito covered the lower half of his face with a black cloth and drew the twin swords at his waist.

Special short swords forged from spirit crystals ― items he had received at the «Instructional School».

They had no inscription. They were not actually designed for battle but instead were twin swords intended for use in a princess maiden's blade dance ritual; however, supplying divine power to the blade would allow it to also cut spirits so it was convenient for missions.

Even so, there was no comparison in performance with an elementalist's «Elemental Waffe».

The door of the coach opened, and a woman with ash blonde hair came out.

Kamito sprung all his muscles into action and shot out from the darkness.

It did not leave any room for a reaction. He closed the distance in an instant and slashed out towards the woman's neck.

He felt a hard impact with his hands.

The twin swords' blades had stopped in midair.


"......!?"

"―Ohh, you're different from all the other ones."

Cloaked in a grey dress, the beautiful woman smiled bewitchingly.

In her hand was a single thick book.

That book had stopped the twin swords.

"Tch―!"

Shivers ran down his spine. That was something that he should have lost already, instinctual fear.

Those bottomless grey eyes pierced through Kamito.

(This person is―)

A monster ― that word floated into his head.

He withdrew his twin swords and slipped into the darkness. Fighting any more than this would be meaningless.

Seeing as he did not take her down in a single strike, he would have to bide time until the next chance.

"My goodness, did you think you could just escape after aiming for a witch's neck?"

The «Dusk Witch» smiled like she was enjoying herself and put out her hand.

In an instant, a revolting lump of darkness was born from thin air.

(......Is that a demonic spirit!?)

They had a different spirit structure and consequently could not be controlled by humans.

The one who could control them was ― only the heretical «Dusk Witch».

The lump of darkness coiled around her arm and formed into a vibrating sword.


Even if he were not an elementalist, he could feel it with his skin.

The one before his eyes was a top-class demonic spirit.

It was probably the same rank as Restia, no less―

(―Even though she's a retired spirit knight, she's contracted to spirits of this caliber!)

He had heard about it but ― even though it was right in front of him, it was hard to believe.

Normally, a princess maiden's ability was at its peak from ten to the early twenties, and they would only weaken after that. Those elementalists who had lost their power would retire, marry a noble of high birth, and pass their power down to their daughters.

If it was true that she had fought during the time of the Ranbal War, then her power should have weakened long ago.

A sharp flash split the air.

(......Fast!)

He barely reacted by using his instincts, but the blade grazed him.

The cloth over his lower face was cut and fell gently to the ground.

"―Ohh, quite a cute girl."

The sharp grey eyes widened slightly.

"......I'm not a girl."

Kamito spoke for the first time.

He could not escape from his opponent's blade's reach. He would only be able to kill the moment he retreated.


(―Then there's no other way but to resolve myself.)

Kamito readied his twin blades and stared back at the falcon-like eyes of the witch.

"I have ― come to kill the «Dusk Witch»."

He immediately kicked off the ground and closed the distance.

The godspeed slash was aimed at the witch's windpipe, but just before that.

The witch's figure swayed.

A moment.

"Absolute Blade Arts, First Form ― «Purple Lightning»."

"......!?"

Greyworth's sword penetrated straight through Kamito's flank.

===Part 2===

"Uu, mm......"

When he opened his eyes―

Kamito was lying atop a soft bed.

Clean sheets that smelled nice. Daylight flooded in from the large window.

(......Where exactly is this?)


And with no time to guess,

"I'm surprised. That you were really a boy."

"......!?"

Kamito leaped from the bed at the voice he heard overhead.

No, rather, he tried to leap from it but failed.

It seemed that his lower half was numb and couldn't move.

Greyworth smiled like she was having fun and,

"Sorry, I allowed myself to cast «Binding» magic on you. It would trouble me if you ran wild."

"Kuu......"

"At any rate, moving will open your wounds. Even if I held back, my sword still pierced your stomach."

"......"

Certainly, his lower torso was aching with a dull pain. The bandages thoroughly wrapped around him were stained with blood.

"I have applied healing techniques. You should be fully healed in three days."

"......Why did you save me?"

"Because I've taken an interest in you. At such a young age, having strength incomparable to the other assassins, calm judgment ability and moreover―"

And she paused, then took out '''that''' and showed it to him.

"You were carrying a pretty interesting item. The legendary-class demonic accessory, «Sulaiman's Ring»."

"......Give, it......back, give it back......!"

Kamito widened his eyes and stretched out his hand as if possessed.


But those fingers only grasped air.

"......I'm surprised, you can move while under the «Binding». It appears you treasure this very much."

Greyworth smiled bewitchingly and leaned in close to Kamito's ear.

"Sorry, but I investigated your body as you slept. You possess a princess maiden's disposition to sympathize with spirits, it seems?"

"......!"

Kamito averted his gaze wordlessly.

It was impossible to deceive her. An elementalist of the «Dusk Witch»'s caliber could easily see through an elementalist's disposition.

"An existence that shouldn't exist in this world, a male elementalist ― no, there is one in the history of the continent. That kind of abnormal existence."

As if taunting one who had taken the bait, the witch whispered in his ear.

"......"

"I wonder if this is the second coming of the demon king that once brought destruction and disaster to the continent. Truly a dangerous existence."

"......What do you intend to do with me?"

Kamito finally spoke.

If he was handed over to the empire, the chance to meet Restia again would be forever closed to him.

That was the only thing he definitely needed to avoid.

But to Kamito, who had a tense face,


"Boy, how old are you?"

A question with no relation to the topic was asked.

"......"

"Defiant, aren't you."

The witch began to fiddle with the ring in her hands.

"......Thirteen. I was taught that by the ones who raised me."

"Thirteen, huh. '''Age-wise, that's enough.''' And with this face―"

She muttered to herself about random things and then smiled.

"Boy, won't you become mine?"

"I refuse."

Kamito replied immediately.

"Don't conclude that so quickly. This is a trade. It's not bad for you either."

"......What do you mean?"

"What if I were to say I could release the spirit sealed in this ring?"

"What―?"

In an instant, Kamito's countenance changed.

===Part 3===

The release of the sealed Restia. In return for that, what Greyworth wanted―

......Unexpectedly was just housework.

"―I was certain you would be hiring me as an assassin."

Kamito voiced his doubts and,

"If you were stronger than me, then I might have."

She joked with a smile.

"......That's true, but why am I dressed like this?"

Kamito said with a stunned expression as he gripped the long skirt's hem.

For some reason, Kamito had been made to wear fluttery maid clothing.

His black hair that had been allowed to grow without cutting was personally combed by Greyworth and now had a glossy sheen.

―The image reflected in the full-length mirror was completely one of a girl.

"Truly, that suits you to a frightening degree. If you went out to the imperial capital like that, the boys wouldn't leave you alone."

Greyworth once again raised a voice of admiration.

"I'm not a girl. At least lend me normal clothes."

"Denied. I'm not just making you wear those clothes because I like to bully."

"......What do you mean?"

"If any of my guests were to find out that you are a male elementalist, what would happen? If it's a high-potential princess maiden, then whether you're an elementalist or not, it is simple to overlook."


"That's......"

Certainly, if it was discovered that he was a male elementalist like the demon lord, it would cause a problem in no time. Those rumors might even reach the empire's top brass.

"Additionally, you are an unregistered elementalist......it goes without saying that the nation will regard a stray elementalist as a great threat. If you were found out, Ordesia Empire may send out its spirit knights or even the «Numbers»."

......He couldn't refute any of it.

As expected, without Restia, he didn't feel confident in escaping the empire's elite.

"What, it's not like it'll be for forever. I'll also think of a way. But I'll have you stay in the mansion for the time being."

"......I got it."

Kamito nodded as it couldn't be helped.

"Well, there is one other reason―"

"Yeah?"

"―Mm, don't mind it for now."

Greyworth shook her head to drop the subject.

"So, you can really free Restia, right?"

"Yeah. It will take some time, but if I use the Elstein family's «Sealed Library», I should be able to find the book you were looking for. Demonic accessories are outside of my specialty, but well, it'll work out somehow. Even like this, I'm still a university graduate."


"......"

He didn't understand what the «Dusk Witch» was planning. However, as long as he had no other way to free Restia, he would have to listen to her.

"Now, follow me. I'll guide you through the mansion."

Greyworth turned on her heel and went out to the hall.

Kamito sighed and followed after her.

At any rate ― Kamito thought of a question.

......The inside of the mansion had too few human presences.

"Why do you only have one servant?"

"Ahh, it's because the ones that work at this mansion aren't actually here."

"......?"

"You'll understood soon ― since I'm saying while you're here."

Greyworth smiled wryly.

Kamito found it difficult to understand what she meant and―

The next moment. Suddenly, the hallway's window opened.

"......!?"

Kamito reacted instantly. Lifting the long skirt, he drew his twin swords that were strapped by belts to his thighs.


The ones that came from the window were two completely black boys. Held in their hands were short swords with a curved blade.

The assailants' moves froze for a moment.

That was obvious. Since an ordinary maid had just drawn weapons with practiced movements.

With that opening, Kamito closed the gap in an instant. Smashing the hilt of his sword into one's jaw, he rendered him incapable of combat, and with flowing movements, he pierced his blade into the second assailant's shoulder.

A silent scream. Immediately slamming his fist into the solar plexus, he knocked him out.

It hadn't even taken a few seconds to beat the two assailants.

Looking at their reactions amongst other things, they were reasonably well-trained, but for Kamito who came from the «Instructional School», they were not a match as an assassin.

Greyworth was calmly observing Kamito's skill in defeating the assailants.

"......What's with these guys?"

After confirming the two had truly lost consciousness, Kamito asked.

"Who knows? I'm quite hated by various groups. Outside of the empire, of course, and there are enemies within as well. Having an assassin come is a usual occurrence."

"Could it be that this kind of thing happens every day?"

"Cleaning up these kinds of guys is also the job of a maid."

Greyworth pushed up her glasses with her fingertips and smiled.

"But your sword style just now ― those are genuine assassination techniques."


"......I know nothing other than this blade style."

"The style you learned from that assassin training organization you mentioned?"

"......"

(As expected, I was seen through, huh......)

There was no use denying it. Following the destruction of the «Instructional School», the empire had sent out its knights, including the «Numbers», to investigate. What had been done at that facility; there was no way the military authorities or she who had been connected would not know.

"I don't particularly have an interest in your background."

Perhaps she had taken his silence as an affirmation as Greyworth shrugged her shoulders.

"It's just that that blade style is inconvenient in a variety of ways. '''It's not suited for blade dancing.'''"

"Blade dancing?"

Amongst the rituals elementalists offered to spirits, that was the programme with the highest social status.

To the orphans of the «Instructional School» who were completely master assassins, it was a word of no relevance.

Greyworth's grey eyes stared at Kamito as if appraising him.

"―Boy, have you ever wished that you wanted to become strong?"

"......Strong?"

Kamito was perplexed at the question that was suddenly raised.

Wanted to become strong ― thinking that way, there shouldn't have been even an occurrence up to now.

But he had been ordered to become strong. And in reality, if he hadn't become strong, he would not have been able to survive at that Hell-like facility.


He pondered on that subject for a while―

"......I don't know."

Kamito shook his head.

"At the very least, I don't think I've wished that I wanted to become strong ― I think."

"―I see."

Greyworth nodded to herself as if coming to an understanding.

And with eyes as if she pitied something about him, she turned to Kamito and―

"You are strong. Most likely, it would be fine to call you the single strongest master assassin on the entire continent. But that is, after all, an empty strength."

His chest became abuzz at Greyworth's words. He opened his mouth as if to retort.

"―It's not like I wanted to become strong."

"Hrm―"

Greyworth placed her hand on her chin as if her interest had been peaked and,

"First of all, it seems it is necessary to open the boy's eyes."

And as if having been struck with an idea, she gave a profound smile.

===Part 4===

―From then, a few days' time.

Kamito worked devotedly as a newly hired maid at Greyworth's mansion.

"Kamito, heat the bath. I don't like it hot, so I'm counting on you to keep it mild."

"Yeah."

"Next I'd like you to clean the garden. Prune the shrubs as well."

"Got it."

"Kamito, dinner. I would like subtly seasoned Laurenfrost-style meat cuisine."

"I can't make that kind of thing!"

"There's a recipe, isn't there? Everything is an experience."

"Whatever happens, I don't know anything......"

Of course, Kamito had not done anything like cooking until now. Despite that, he somehow managed to make something resembling meat cuisine and Greyworth ate without leaving any leftovers as she voiced complaints.

The most troubling thing about being in the empire was that one could not use flames satisfactorily.

The cause was the «Calamity Queen»'s revolt that had happened several weeks before the «Instructional School» was destroyed.

The enraged spirit king razed the empire's territory and erased all flames within their lands.

Due to this, every time Kamito wanted to use fire, he had to head to the «Spirit Forest» that flourished outside the capital city to catch a fire attribute spirit.

There were still other things that troubled him.


[[File:STnBD V08 071.png|thumbnail|right]]
"Kamito, wash my body."

"Wha!?"

Kamito's face reddened and,

"It's a joke. Hrm, you're still a kid in those matters."

"Kuu......!"

Kamito glared at his inhuman master, but his lovely maid clothes nullified its impact and,

"Maybe I should have you be my partner for tonight."

"......Ah, uu......"

"Fufuu, you're really cute."

It seemed like it stirred up her sadistic heart instead.

(......This is also for the sake of freeing Restia.)

While Kamito said that to himself, his household skills had improved.

But his most important job was not housework. In-between housework, he had to fend off the assassins that came seemingly every day aiming for Greyworth's life.

"......You're really hated by various groups."

Kamito muttered with sarcasm and,

"I wasn't as peaceful back when I was a knight as I am now."

"......You've become peaceful now?"


Kamito once again remembered fear.

===Part 5===

Like that, one day. Greyworth went out from the mansion.

"I'll be visiting the royal palace. Do the laundry and clean the mansion until evening."

"You don't hate politics?"

"I can't ignore a direct summons from His Majesty the emperor. And the subject this time isn't unrelated to you."

"......What do you mean?"

Greyworth shrugged her shoulders and explained in response to Kamito's query.

It appeared that a few days ago, the report from the spirit knights on the «Instructional School» was announced and the details of the inhuman experiments were coming to light one by one.

Amongst the founding members of that facility, there were a number of important nobles so the imperial court was buzzing like a disturbed bees' nest.

"......I bet."

In the organization, the «Instructional School»'s battle technicians were well-hidden, but from the contents of the missions, it was possible to guess the clients' statuses and situations.

Although to begin with, the ones who had investigated them were elementalists specialized in information gathering that were roughly equal to his ex-teammate, Lily Flame.


"Well, the founding members were nobles of this empire but they seem to have all gradually moved to the «Demon King Religious Clique» from Alphas Theocracy that was backing the organization."

Greyworth took a breath and,

"The fanatical devotees of the demon king ― the ones who scouted you after finding out about your prowess as an elementalist were also those Demon King Religious Clique guys, right?"

"......I don't know."

Kamito shook his head sideways. Certainly, the elders at the «Instructional School» seemed to believe that the male elementalist Kamito was the second coming of the demon king.

"Because I was a tool that embodied their wills."

"......"

Greyworth stared at that sort of Kamito for a while and,

"Oh boy, it seems drastic measures are necessary."

"......?"

"Ahh, that's right―"

In front of the hall preceeding the foyer, Greyworth said that as if she had remembered something.

"Also clean my study today."

"The study?"

Normally she would say it was fine even if he didn't clean the study.


......What a strange turn of events this was.

"Cleaning just the floor is fine. I've told you many times, don't touch things that don't concern you."

"......Got it."

Even while he thought of a question, Kamito nodded obediently.

===Part 6===

After Greyworth left the mansion, Kamito immediately began cleaning.

It had started off as an unfamiliar maid job, but he had finally gotten the knack of it.

As he walked down the hallway that had an expensive carpet spread out along it,

(......I really didn't know anything other than fighting.)

All this time, he had never been allowed to realize that.

The disciples of the «Instructional School» were only tools for the purpose of slaughter. They were never taught unnecessary knowledge.

Restia had bestowed him with knowledge of the outside world, but their time together had been too short. Particularly in their first meeting, Kamito had not seen her as anything other than an enemy he had to defeat. (―He wondered if the «Instructional School» was completely dissolved by the empire.)

He didn't have any particularly strong feelings about that but―

The one that crossed his mind was the girl with ash grey hair that had disappeared into the flames.

The girl that had called him her brother and adored him.


The second-place «Monster» of the «Instructional School» ― Muir Alenstarl.

Was she done in by those flames or captured by the spirit knights, he wondered.

(Either way doesn't seem likely......)

Shrugging his shoulders, he opened Greyworth's study with the key he'd been provided.

Books were ordered and lined up on the bookshelf that covered an entire wall and a bunch of documents were piled up on the office desk.

"......It looks like what she said about being a university graduate is true."

Kamito muttered and stepped into the room with broom in hand.

......It was a larger room than he had imagined. Perhaps to prevent the deterioration of research materials, there was no window. In its place, a spirit crystal's illumination lit up the entire room dimly.

A glass wardrobe was adorned with raw spirit crystals and a collection of demonic accessories. They were undoubtedly items of absurd prices.

―And amongst them, he realized there was a gaudy medal left carelessly.

"This is......"

In the center of a wooden shield, a beautiful spirit crystal was embedded, and Greyworth's name was carved on the metal plate.

"......The medal given to the victor of the «Blade Dance», huh."

The elementalists' festival that happened once every several years or possibly several decades in «Astral Zero».

It seemed this was an item from over twenty years ago when the «Dusk Witch» had won.

"Blade dance, huh......"


He remembered what Greyworth had said a few days ago.

―It's just that that blade style is inconvenient in a variety of ways. It's not suited for blade dancing.

Is what she had said.

He wondered what the difference was with the sword techniques that had been hammered into him at the «Instructional School».

(―My sword techniques could not reach the «Dusk Witch».)

He was sure that she had said «Absolute Blade Arts»―

As if stabbing through the blank in one's consciousness, it was an inexplicable sword technique. Until now, that was the only sword technique that Kamito had not been able to see through after one time.

(......Why?)

―You are strong.

―But that is, after all, an empty strength.

(......I don't get it. I know nothing other than that strength.)

Moving away from the wardrobe, this time he looked upon the desk.

And there.

"......!?"

Seeing an item that would surprise anyone, Kamito gasped.

An ancient book with leather bindings.

The title carved in spirit language was ― «Key of Sulaiman».

(......No way, she already obtained it!?)


Of course, it was not the original but a copy. Be that as it may, it should still have information on the legendary-class demonic accessory, «Sulaiman's Ring», that Restia was sealed in.

"......"

Kamito stretched his hand out without hesitation. Kamito had not really studied languages, but thanks to Restia, he could roughly decipher the meaning to some extent.

......If he at least understood the method, the process itself didn't seem too difficult. If he used the ritual equipment gathered in the room, he should be able to begin the spirit freeing ritual immediately.

The shrill sound of a bell resounded.

"......!?"

It was the notification that an intruder had entered the mansion's «Barrier».

"Kuu, at this kind of time―"

Clicking his tongue, Kamito turned his gaze to the door―

Those eyes opened in surprise.

(―Since when!?)

A shadow with a small build draped in black cloth was standing on the other side of the door.

===Part 7===

Kamito immediately changed his thoughts into battle mode.

His opponent was short with a feminine physique.

A girl ― if it was, the chance of her being an elementalist was high.

Kamito quickly reached for the twin blades beneath his skirt and gathered divine power into his hands.

This was the first time an elementalist assassin had come to the mansion. By no means, they should not be of the remnants from the «Instructional School» but―

"It's unfortunate but the «Dusk Witch» is not here."

"......"

Kamito said those words but the assassin was not perturbed at all. She stood there wordlessly while sending out killing intent.

(Greyworth isn't the target? If not, then what exactly―)

An instant. From the assassin's fingers, a sphere was formed.

Aiming at Kamito, she launched the sphere.

(Spirit magic......as I thought, an elementalist!)

As he reflexibly moved to dodge ― he realized.

On the desk behind him was the «Key of Sulaiman» that was necessary for freeing Restia.

He turned around in an instant. He stopped it with the twin swords infused with divine power ― but,

"......Guu!"

Even if it was infused with divine power, something like a sword couldn't deflect spirit magic. The black orb that hit the blades exploded right in front of him. Kamito's body was blown away violently and smacked into the wall.


"......Ku, ah......"

At the spot the ball had exploded, a hole like the air had been gouged out opened and the fragments of the twin swords that had stopped the spirit magic had been eliminated without a trace.

"......«Annihilation» magic, huh!"

This one was on a different level from all the assassins that had come to the mansion before―!

The assassin wordlessly shot several black orbs at him.

Kamito quickly grabbed the «Key of Sulaiman» and threw himself to the ground.

The black spheres exploded overhead. The shards from the wooden wardrobe that was broken by the technique grazed against his cheek.

(......Don't tell me, the target is this book!?)

And yet, his opponent was firing her magic carelessly.

He decided the objective wasn't recovery but destruction and―

Kamito tightened his grip around the book in his hands.

(......I definitely will not let go of this.)

―This book was the sole key to freeing that girl.

(Restia......)

The girl with black wings that wore a night-colored dress.

When they had parted, the last smile she had shown him was deeply etched into his mind.

With the remains of the twin sword in his left hand and the copy held in his right hand, Kamito confronted the assassin.


Essentially, with the book's safety as a priority, he would prefer to retreat at this point, but unfortunately there were no windows in this room and the sole exit had an assassin standing in it.

(It seems I have no choice but to defeat her―)

The assassin held out her fingers.

Instantly, black spheres fired out consecutively ― there was nowhere to hide in the room.

But that was with the general knowledge of an average battle technician. Kamito kicked off the floor and moved from the wall to the ceiling in but a moment, avoiding all the orbs with minimal movement.

The specialty of the «Instructional School»'s assassins, meta three-dimensional movement ― moreover, Kamito's version of that had been nicknamed «Shadow Weaving», otherworldly movement.

"......!"

The first signs of agitation were born in the black-clothed assassin.

Kamito '''kicked off the ceiling and jumped'''. Closing the distance in an instant, he released a slashing attack.

―But the blade fruitlessly cut only air.

The assassin's image disappeared into thin air like a mirage.

There was no particular reason for surprise. With an elementalist as an opponent, it was a natural thing.

He calmly checked for a presence ― and overhead, the air slightly wavered.

"......!"

Rather than confirming the enemy by sight, Kamito quickly took evasion maneuvers.

A moment later, the place Kamito had been standing at just before was peppered with «Annihilation» magic."


The floor that had become nothing was gouged out along with the air.

If that hit directly, a person would vanish without a single trace.

(I can't let it touch me even slightly.)

Kamito gripped the copy even tighter.

(―I will definitely protect this!)

That time. Kamito realized.

(―I see, this is the first time I've fought this kind of battle.)

And.

Without any orders, he wanted to protect something by his own will and was fighting while strongly desiring that.

The assassin swooped down before his eyes. In her hand was a blade made through magic.

The flash of a blade ran. Kamito promptly whipped out his one-handed sword, protecting the book against his chest.

The one-handed sword was eliminated as if it had been absorbed.

The assassin kicked off the ground again and moved into striking distance.

(Cra―)

Just before the assassin's blade touched the copy.

Restia's smile once again flashed across his mind.

(―I won't let you!)

"Ohhhhhhhh!"

Kamito instantaneously infused his left hand with divine power.


Normally, an elementalist with no contracted spirit could not use spirit magic. However, Kamito concentrated his divine power to the utmost limit and created a pseudo-blade of divine power.

It was possible in theory ― but it was the first time it had ever succeeded.

The surging divine power blade deflected the assassin's «Annihilation» sword.

On top of that, the black cloth mask was lightly cut.

The cloth gently fell from her mouth.

"―I'm surprised. To think that other than through spirit magic, you would pull out a blade of divine power."

"......!?"

The one who smiled fearlessly was―

With clear grey eyes, a beautiful '''girl'''.

"You are―"

"―This is a reward for that. '''See through it this time.'''"

And then, the sword flash burst out.

"Absolute Blade Arts, First Form ― «Purple Lightning»."

===Part 8===

"Uu, nn......"


He awoke on top of a soft bed.

(Somehow, it feels like this has happened before......)

In his hazy state of mind, he thought that.

"It appears you've finally woken up."

The bewitching voice that came from close to his ear.

Turning around, he found Greyworth sitting at the bedside smiling.

"......What was that all about?"

Kamito asked looking displeased.

......No, that wasn't a good question. He somewhat understood her objective.

"Is there something lacking in my sword?"

"That's right. Since rather than through theory, it's faster to learn with the body."

"......"

The thing lacking in Kamito's sword.

That was the existence of something to protect.

Certainly, when he had fought to protect the book ― namely, Restia, the sensation he had from that resolution to protect felt like it had sharpened his entire body into a blade.

"―With the body, huh."

Kamito said cynically and pushed on the top of his shoulder which was hurting.

What Greyworth had unleashed last: that blade technique.


If Kamito's reaction had been even a moment too slow, it would have pierced his heart.

"The ones who've seen through my Absolute Blade Arts twice consists of only you. It's praiseworthy."

"......If I hadn't seen through it, I'd be dead."

"Well, that may be true."

Kamito sighed at the witch who was without a shred of timidity.

"Anyway, your form back then, what exactly―?"

At that time, the face he had glanced beneath the black cloth was a girl of about fifteen years of age.

Her stature was also much smaller. If it was the same physique as right now, perhaps Kamito would have seen through her identity at the beginning.

"I changed my body a little. I can restore my youth with a certain cycle."

―In the past, that was the «Wish» the «Dusk Witch» had obtained.

And for some reason, Greyworth muttered that as if in self-derision.

"Eternal youth......don't tell me, ageless and immortal?"

"It's not that convenient of a thing. It's not something separate from this world, the spirit kings' blessings, that is."

She shrugged her shoulders and―

Opened the «Key of Sulaiman» she had in her hands.

"―Now then, it was a promise. Have the ring in your hands."

"......Y, yeah."


Kamito took out the ring and placed it on his palm with a nervous face.

Greyworth lined up the ritual tools on the ground with practiced movements and held her hand over the ring, then began chanting the words of releasing written in the book.

"......!?"

The ring in his hands shone bluish white.

Moreover, the spirit language characters inscribed on the front face flashed as if burning―

In the next instant, a fierce gale raged within the room.

"Uwaa―"

His vision was shrouded by black fog.

No, it wasn't fog, instead there were whirling black feathers.

Shining with darkness, the wings that were more beautiful than anything in this world.

"―This is surprising. I didn't think it would be a spirit of the highest rank that can take on a human appearance."

Greyworth raised a voice of admiration.

"Restia......"

Kamito's lips were quivering and his outstretched fingers touched the wings.

"―I was waiting, Kamito."

The freed darkness spirit girl―

Placed her hand on Kamito's cheek and smiled gently.

===Part 9===

"And, well―"

Kamito cleared his throat and,

"―The meeting between Greyworth and I was like that."

Averting his eyes slightly from Claire, he ended the story.

......As he expected, talking about things from far in the past was a little embarrassing.

"......"

While Kamito was telling his story, Claire had not once spoken and simply gazed at him as she listened.

"You, that sounds like it was troublesome......"

"Yeah, because of Greyworth, I faced death many number of times......"

The «Dusk Witch»'s Absolute Blade Arts had been beaten into his body.

To tell the truth, he didn't really want to remember those unreasonable days of training.

"Umm, that's not it......no, it's fine."

Claire corrected herself as she shook her head.

"So, what happened next?"

"Next?"


"With the freed darkness spirit. I don't really know much about her."

"......Th, that is―"

Kamito hurriedly averted his gaze. If he continued the story any further, he would need to talk about the birth of «Ren Ashbell».

Just then, the lights in the theater went out and the surroundings became pitch black.

It appeared the action drama was finally going to start.

"It looks like it's going to begin. We'll continue this next time."

"......It can't be helped."

He heard Claire's sigh in the darkness.

"But I'm a little jealous."

"Yeah?"

"Because both the academy director and that darkness spirit girl know the Kamito from the past."

"......"

"Hey, Kamito―"

"Yeah?"

"......I'm cold. Warm me up."

Claire placed her small hand on top of Kamito's palm.

"What an extravagant ojou-sama......"

Kamito smiled wryly and held that hand softly.


"......I'm not jealous, okay."

Claire's voice was drowned out by the sound of bells from the showing.

<noinclude>{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume8 Chapter1|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume8 Interlude1}}</noinclude>

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume8 Chapter4

2013-04-23T06:08:58Z

Pjs312:

==Date With Dragon==
===Part 1===

Dawn. In a plain away from the castle the representatives were lodging at---

A black-haired girl with her hand raised towards the darkness was there.

"Crush the universal light, O spirit of the evil black dragon---"

The radiance of divine power that shot into the surroundings indicated the magnitude of the spirit being summoned.

"Thou shalt abide my command and eliminate my enemies!"

The moment the icy cry echoed into the the dark's stillness.

Oooooooon!

Tearing through the night, a pitch black dragon manifested from thin air.

Dragon spirit «Nidhogg» --- the celebrated highest-class dragon spirit of Dracunia.

The atmosphere shook from the enormous dragon spirit's roar and---

A red blast of light was fired.

Gouged out from the ground with a deafening sound, earth and sand became lava which danced in the air.

After the flash cleared---

The field ahead had been incinerated away in a straight line.

Comparable to even a tactical-class military spirit, it was a frighteningly destructive power.

However, the girl's gaze that looked upon the destruction's vestiges remained stern.


......Somehow, she didn't seem satisfied.

"As I thought, I can't concentrate......"

The girl --- captain of the Dragon Knights, Leonora Lancaster, sighed heavily.

......She couldn't return to normal.

She had been in a slump the entire time during the «Blade Dance».

Being able to advance to the finals was thanks to the cooperation of her teammates and the height of her true strength, but as expected, winning would be difficult if she were to remain like this. This «Blade Dance» wasn't so low-grade that she could achieve victory without being in her best condition.

It wasn't that her skill had degraded. The flow of divine power surrounding her was also regular.

But ever since «b»that day«/b», something had been off.

Yes, that male spirit contractor --- since the day she had crossed blades with Kazehaya Kamito.

"......!"

The instant his face surfaced in her mind, her face grew hot.

It became hard to breathe and her heart was pounding fiercely.

It resembled the stimulation when the «Dragon Blood» rampaged but was slightly different.

(Just what exactly is this, I wonder......)

This bad condition that had carried on for several days was without a doubt related to that man.

In that case---

"---I knew it; there's no other way but to confirm it."


......What she thought of was a method befitting a girl from the country of dragons, a direct resolution.

===Part 2===

After having eaten breakfast in Rinslet's room, Kamito lay atop the bed in his own room.

......It was the greatest happiness for a person. Sleeping for the second time, that is.

"......Now then, how shall I pass the evening."

He looked at the clock and saw it was still morning.

If he were to get into bed just like this, there would even be a third time but---

"......But that would really be a waste."

And he corrected his thinking.

At any rate, every country in the continent had set up many extravagant entertainment facilities for the «Blade Dance». He fully intended to enjoy them.

"I should also invite Claire and the others---"

Thinking that, he stood from the bed and,

"......Hm?"

There was something squirming in the bed.

Could this be---


"Est!?"

He pulled the sheets aside and,

"......"

As he had predicted, the one concealed there was a sword spirit with silvery white hair.

"Kamito, good morning."

Est gazed expressionlessly at Kamito with her mysterious violet eyes.

"Est, don't just enter my bed whenever --- hey, what's with that get-up!?"

In the middle of his words, Kamito widened his eyes.

......Est was not in her usual naked knee socks attire.

It was an extremely rare occurrence for this sword spirit to cover her body with clothes.

A foreign design that had a red line against a white background. Her collarbone peeked out and her skin that could be seen from the slit was strangely captivating.

......No matter where he looked, it resembled the clothes that Ren Ashbell had worn during the «Blade Dance» three years ago.

"Yes, Kamito. This is the maiden costume from tofu's country."

Est answered as she pulled her fingers out from the outfit's oversized sleeves.

......That action was somehow lovely.

"......Could you mean the place where I was born when you say tofu's country?"

That meant the far eastern island country that Kamito had been before being taken to the «Instructional School».


Kamito had no memories of that time for the most part but---

"Yes. Do you like the maiden costumes from your home?"

Est tilted her head and let the sleeves fall onto the bed.

At that moment, the shoulder portion loosened and revealed the underlying collarbone.

Kamito's face reddened and he hurriedly averted his eyes.

"......Kamito?"

"Y, yeah, it's really cute......"

Gulping, he finally managed to voice that.

"Fua, Kamito......"

The ever-expressionless Est looked a little happy.

Truthfully, he should be scolding her for entering his bed as she pleased, but she had taken the trouble to wear his birthplace's clothes.

......Thinking of that, he couldn't get angry.

"Kamito, I really like you......kiss ♪ "

"......!?"

Est, whose maiden costume had gently fallen off, kissed Kamito's cheek.

Snow-like white skin. Her modest chest intermittently entered his vision.

"E, Est, don't remove your clothes!"

"......Why?"


The sword spirit tilted her head in wonder.

"Th, that is......"

Just as Kamito was troubled.

Craaaaaack!

All of a sudden, the room's window was shattered.

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

The surprised Kamito turned around.

And.

"......Uwah!"

......A large dragon was outside the window.

A red dragon flapping its enormous wings.

"Th, thth, this pervert, just what are you making an innocent spirit girl do!"

The girl riding on its back glared sharply at Kamito.

It was a girl he knew.

(If I remember, she's the vice-captain of the «Knights of the Dragon Emperor», Yuri El Cid!?)

"Phew......"

The dragon knight girl --- Yuri snorted as though displeased and jumped into the room.

"Wh, what is it, you, what do you want!?"

Kamito yelled as he shielded Est behind him.


(......Don't tell me, it's an attack?)

But he didn't think those famous «Knights of the Dragon Emperor» would use such means.

"Kuu, why is Leonora-sama, with this kind of pervert......"

Yuri muttered as she flailed her hair around.

"What about Leonora?"

Kamito asked with suspicion but,

"Hmph, I only came to deliver this to you. Confirm the rest yourself."

Saying that, Yuri took out a sheet of paper from a pocket of her military uniform and threw it onto the table.

It wasn't just a sheet of paper. The abstract image of a dragon --- it was sealed with Dracunia's crest which was essential for foreign diplomatic documents.

"H, hey, what does this mean?"

"I have properly delivered it, brutish Ordesian pervert of a demon king!"

There was completely no chance to stop her.

The dragon knight spun on her heel and jumped back onto the red dragon flying outside the window.

"......Just what was that?"

Kamito muttered, dumbfounded, as he watched the dragon flying away in the distance.

Opening the paper atop the table, he found methodically written letters.

"Wait at «Saint Areishia Plaza» at two in the evening --- huh."

Kamito pondered it for a little while and,


"......Don't tell me, a challenge for a duel?"

His previous blade dance with Leonora had ended in an inconclusive draw. And that was done under the special circumstances of Kamito having lost Est while Leonora ran wild from her «Dragon Blood».

He could understand her desire for a proper rematch.

But if her motive was a battle, it was strange that she would suggest such a crowded place for the meeting point.

(......Anyway, aren't we going to fight in tomorrow's finals already?)

He just couldn't read Leonora's thoughts.

Considering her personality, it wasn't a trap.

Kamito looked at the clock mounted on the wall.

There was still around an hour before the appointed time.

"Well, I'll understand if I go......"

He put the letter in his pocket and turned towards Est.

"Est, I'll be going out for a bit."

"Kamito, you won't play with me?"

"Sorry. I'll be back before dusk."

"......Understood. Kamito."

He put his hands together and apologized and Est nodded.

"Now then, it'd be nice if we're just meeting to talk but......"


===Part 3===

"......Hm, was that Kamito?"

In front of the gate to the castle that «Team Scarlet» was staying at.

Ellis, who had returned from reporting to the Fahrengart house, had discovered Kamito leaving.

She did not see Claire or Est nearby. It seemed he was alone.

(......Th, this is a chance!)

With her heart thumping, she took a breath to call out but,

(......No, wait.)

She closed her mouth as she changed her mind.

......He seemed a bit different than usual.

If he were going to the city to have fun, he would have undoubtedly invited Claire and the others. She didn't think he had business that required him to go out alone.

(Suspicious......)

Her intuition from normally working as a public morals officer was informing her.

Perhaps he was going to the city to partake in indecent entertainment?

(......I don't think that would happen, but there is a need to confirm it.)


Ellis erased the sound of her footsteps with wind spirit magic and stealthily began shadowing Kamito.

===Part 4===

And with that---

A little before the appointed time, Kamito arrived at «Saint Areishia Plaza».

He searched for Leonora in front of the statue of the Holy Maiden Areishia at the center, but couldn't find her.

As he stood there reluctantly, he could hear various rumors being whispered around him.

"Look, it's the Lewd King. I wonder what he's doing here?" "He's definitely looking for girls to make into his slaves." "How repulsive......" "Don't make eye contact with him. He'll impregnate you." "It would be great if he were punished by Ren Ashbell-sama."

The cold glares of the girls passing through the plaza pierced him.

(......I somehow feel like dying now.)

Kamito stood there with the incessant desire to escape and the small hand of the clock tower struck two.

And exactly at that moment---

"---I've kept you waiting. Kazehaya Kamito."

A dignified and serene voice reached him.

"......Leonora!?"


Kamito gulped without thinking when he looked at the appearance of the girl that had appeared behind him.

She was not donning the military uniform of the Knights of the Dragon Emperor.

A white dress with a small purse slung over her shoulder.

Her trademark beret had also changed into a style hat. The dragon embroidery was quite lovely.

(Um, battle gear......there's no way it is.)

Kamito looked on in fascination and,

"......Kazehaya Kamito."

Leonora opened her mouth.

"D, don't you have anything to say?"

"Y, yeah......"

Kamito returned to reality and nodded hurriedly.

"Umm, it's not your usual military uniform."

"Yes."

"......"

"Anything else?"

"......Well, it suits you really well. More like, it's way too cute."

"......!?"

Leonora's face turned beet red in an instant.


"Wh, whwh, what you saying, you pervert!"

"What!"

Even though he'd finally complimented her, she was unexpectedly calling him a pervert.

"......A, as I thought, «b»the cause of my heart's turmoil is without a doubt you«/b»!"

With a red face, she glared bitterly at Kamito.

......He didn't understand what was going on.

At any rate---

"Why did you call me out?"

Kamito asked straight out.

"That's......"

Doing so, Leonora had a perplexed face for a moment, then,

"T, to have you take responsibility!"

She turned to Kamito and thrust her finger at him.

"......Hah?"

Kamito tilted his head.

"......What do you mean responsibility?"

"I, it's your fault I can't draw out my true power."

Leonora leered at Kamito reproachfully.

"......My fault?"


Kamito was becoming increasingly puzzled.

No, truly---

Kamito had shattered her Elemental Waffe, the «Dragon Slayer».

Though she, being a noble knight, didn't seem the type to resent him unjustly.

As though understanding Kamito's inner thoughts, Leonora shook her head.

"No. My «Dragon Slayer» has sufficiently recovered. It's just---"

She pressed her lips tightly together and,

"I, I don't know why, but whenever I think of you, my heart beats madly. Even at the height of battle, when your face crosses my mind, my skills dull."

[[File:STnBD V08 151.png|thumbnail|right]]


Leonora's voice was slightly shaky.

(I see......)

Kamito somehow understood.

......Losing to Kamito must have been greatly frustrating.

She had probably lost her composure as a result of losing to Kamito and thus her skills had dulled --- is what Kamito surmised.

(......And so as I thought, we're going to fight again?)

If she won against Kamito fair-and-square right now, she would regain her confidence --- he wondered if that was it.

However---

"Th, that's why!"

As Leonora's face reddened again, she thrust her finger out at Kamito and---

"I'll have you accompany me for the entire day!"

"......Hah?"

Those completely unexpected words were voiced.

===Part 5===

"Wh, whwh, wha......!"



Ellis, who was watching over Kamito from the shadows, was gaping.

"Why is Leonora-dono......!"

Kamito and Leonora seemed to be having fun talking at the center of the plaza.

Moreover, Leonora wasn't wearing her usual military uniform, instead donning adorable clothes that charmed even Ellis despite them being both girls.

......Looking at the situation, it was unquestionably a date.

No, Ellis had no idea what a real date was like, but a long time ago, she had read one of the books that had been confiscated from Claire under the knights' authority.

"C, curses, Kamito, you've even laid your hands on the enemy leader......!"

She bit her lips together as her shoulders rose.

She had acknowledged that Kamito was an airhead demon lord that couldn't be helped, but she didn't think his integrity was this low.

"I, it can't be forgiven......!"

Having made up her mind, Ellis burst out of the shadows.

However---

"......Hm, wh, where did they go?"

At some point in time, their figures had melded into the crowd.


===Part 6===

---Meanwhile. Another person happened to be present.

"......Haa, how tiring."

Gorgeous black hair that fell to her hips. Pale dark eyes.

The second princess of the empire, Fianna Ray Ordesia.

Last night, she had stayed at the hotel of the highest class, «Royal Palace», and informed the emperor of their advancement into the finals.

......She normally kept a calm and composed attitude before her teammates, but right now, she was in an extremely bad mood. Terribly unpleasant memories came to mind when she delivered her report.

Ordesia's emperor, as well as the high-ranking nobles, had welcomed her with superficial courtesy. However, that was only because the empire was reaping huge benefits from their representatives' victory in the «Blade Dance».

Four years ago, when Fianna became the «Lost Queen», they had taken such a cold stance with her who was still so young---

That harsh treatment back then had left scars that remained to this day.

They continued to look down on Fianna who had been expelled from the «Divine Ritual Institute».

(Well, I don't really care about that......)

The reason she had such a grim expression wasn't that.

She had checked out early this morning and visited the «Biblion» to search for books connected to a certain issue.


The words that Sjora Kahn had revealed when she held Fianna captive.

---Information pertaining to the «Darkness Spirit King».

The Darkness Spirit King --- Ren Ashdoll.

According to the books she had investigated, a portion of the Alphas Theocracy believed that to be the name of the sixth «Spirit King».

(Sjora said that Kamito was the «Darkness Spirit King»'s reincarnation.)

If that was true, then she wondered just what the «Darkness Queen» was.

Moreover---

(The other Ren Ashbell --- Rubia-sama also seemed fixated on Kamito-kun.)

......She really wondered just what was happening around Kamito.

At any rate, there was no doubt that something was squirming behind this «Blade Dance».

(Kamito-kun......)

Her worries were endless. She had considered discussing this with her teammates, but then she would need to tell Claire about Rubia.

If she knew the truth, she might not be able to handle it.

(I can't speak about this yet......)

And.

When she sighed heavily.


"......Kamito-kun?"

She discovered Kamito amidst the crowd.

(......What is he doing here, I wonder?)

Kamito seemed to be waiting for somebody in front of the statue of the Holy Maiden Areishia.

(......But just who is it?)

If it was someone from their team, there was no need to wait here.

With doubts filling her mind, while she was taking a step and about to call out to him,

"......!?"

Fianna's motions came to a halt.

An adorably dressed girl had appeared in front of Kamito.

(......Leonora Lancaster from the «Knights of the Dragon Emperor»!?)

Fianna tilted her head.

(......Why would Kamito-kun be meeting with the enemy team's ace?)

The question swirled around in her head.

While that was happening---

The two exchanged some words and disappeared towards the main road.

"......"

Fianna was glued to that spot for a few seconds.

......In order to comprehend what she had just seen.


And then---

"Fu, fufu, fu......is that how it is."

Her expression slightly stiffened.

"Even though I'm here worrying about Kamito-kun, as usual, he's off being the Demon King of the Noon."

Her pale dark eyes became devoid of emotion and a black aura enveloped her body.

That appearance was just like the «Darkness Queen».

And then.

"Y, Your Highness?"

That came from behind her.

"......Ellis?"

Turning around, the knight captain stood there.

"Your Highness, what are you doing at this kind of place?"

"You as well; why are you here?"

"Mm, th, that's......"

Fianna returned the question and Ellis' face turned red as she attempted to mislead her.

It was rare for her who was ever-composed.

(......I get it.)

The wise Fianna immediately understood the reason for her conduct.


She had probably also discovered Kamito in the crowd. And then she had no doubt followed them.

(......What to do.)

To Fianna, Ellis was also a strong rival in love.

Actually, in a certain sense, she may be the strongest contender of the group.

(......But right now, we have to unite.)

After troubling over it, Fianna came to that conclusion.

At any rate, the threat that Leonora posed in that respect was unknown.

"Say, that was Kamito just now, wasn't it?"

"......Y, yeah, it seems that way."

Maybe because she was uncomfortable about having followed him, Ellis seemed to be trying even harder to fool her.

"You were following Kamito-kun, right? I'll also come with you."

"......Your Highness?"

"Come on, come on, it's too late once Kamito-kun becomes the Demon King of the Noon."

"Mm, th, that's true. I'm worried about Leonora-dono's safety."

Ellis cleared her throat and nodded.

The two who had come to a mutual understanding ran in search of the two who had disappeared into the crowd.


===Part 7===

"......"

The people they passed turned suspicious glances upon them.

It was completely natural. He was with the ace of a team that would also be attending the finals, after all.

(This has somehow become quite odd......)

Walking alongside Leonora, Kamito scratched his head.

(......I don't really get how I'm the cause of her slump either.)

In the first place, a spirit contractor's ability was greatly affected by irregularities in their mind and body.

A slightly wounded heart could prevent one from summoning their spirit, and conversely, if one's mind were strengthened, his or her power could rise explosively. Therefore, the attitude Leonora was taking towards Kamito, who she thought was the cause, was a little inexplicable.

At any rate, he felt that he should be thankful she had not called him out for a duel.

(......This is a date, isn't it.)

Furthermore, his partner was an extraordinarily cute, beautiful girl.

Realizing that, Kamito cleared his throat.

"So, doing things together is fine, but do you have any ideas on where to go?"

"Ideas?"

Leonora put a hand to her chin and pondered.


"I didn't think about that. I don't mind where we go if I'm with you."

"Th, that way of talking will invite misunderstandings."

The blushing Kamito took out a sheet of paper from his uniform's pocket.

It was a pamphlet with the business district's shop locations, details and other information.

"They've taken the effort to have these entertainment centers, so would you like to go to one?"

"Hrm, it was a good idea to leave it to you."

Leonora nodded and moved to peek at the pamphlet.

"......!"

Kamito's heartbeat quickened at the fragrance of shampoo that tickled his nose.

Her slender fingertips traced the map and stopped at a certain point.

"I would like to try going here."

"The «Blade Dance» Memorial Hall?"

It was a pavilion financed by the «Divine Ritual Institute». Historical documents related to the «Blade Dance» were supposed to be on display there.

"It's a fairly safe choice for a date."

Kamito suddenly revealed those thoughts and,

"......Da, dada, date!?"

"Ah, no---"

"Wh, what are you misunderstanding, you perverted brute of a demon king!"


Leonora was angry with a bright red face.

......Her intensity was such that it felt like she would draw her «Dragon Slayer» at any time.

"S, sorry, it's not a date, yeah!"

"Hmph, of course, I wouldn't engage in that kind of slovenly act!"

She averted her eyes from Kamito and scurried away.

......Kamito shrugged helplessly.

===Part 8===

The «Blade Dance» Memorial Hall was at a quiet place far from the center of the business district.

The building's exterior resembled a shrine.

Perhaps because the pavilion lacked entertainment, there were few tourists.

Suspicious stares turned upon them as soon as they entered the building but, as expected, nobody called out to them. Carelessly calling out to the «Blade Dance» representatives would be a violation of manners amongst the nobles.

They walked along the indicated path and viewed the display items. On the corridor's wall was a commentary for formerly used tactics and portraits of the successive generations of winners.

"As expected, there are pretty much no documents from long ago."

"Yes, especially those from before the Ranbal War. The «Divine Ritual Institute»'s library was also burned down in that war."


Leonora who was walking beside him pushed her glasses up as she nodded.

"......Huh? When did you put those on?"

"I, is it that strange that I'm wearing glasses?"

Leonora glared at Kamito with a sullen look.

Come to think of it, she had also been wearing glasses when they met at the «Biblion».

If he remembered correctly, she only wore them when reading thin letters.

"Ah, no, glasses also suit you really well."

Kamito voiced his honest thoughts. The regular Leonora was also beautiful, but she had an adult-like charm when wearing glasses that made his heart race.

He did that and---

"......Wh, what are you saying, you pervert with a glasses fetish!"

Leonora quickly walked away with a beet-red face.

"Why......"

Kamito sighed.

---And he turned his gaze to a certain name engraved in the wall.

The winner of the «Blade Dance» twenty four years ago.

The «Dusk Witch» --- Greyworth Ciel Mais.

"......"


Kamito stood still and stared at the portrait displayed there.

When she was young --- though she was still young --- anyway, it was a portrait of her when she was fifteen.

She still had her characteristic ash blonde hair, but she was drawn quite innocent and lovely.

Kamito had seen her when she reverted to her young state, but it had only lasted momentarily, so the memories hadn't really stuck with him at all.

(......So that witch was also young before.)

Kamito did not know the «Dusk Witch»'s strength in her prime.

It felt somehow strange.

"Kamito, what are you doing?"

Being called by Leonora, Kamito hurried after her.

Further along the path they were walking on, a large room was shrouded behind a curtain.

"......Special Display Room?"

Kamito took a step in,

"Guah......"

A groan surfaced from deep within him.

(I, I was careless......!)

The first thing that leaped into his vision was---


A tapestry with «b»the previous Blade Dance's winner's figure sewn onto it«/b».

Glossy black hair that fell to her waist. Foreign white clothing.

And that pitch black sword in her hand was surely --- the darkness elemental waffe, «Vorpal Sword».

There wasn't just a tapestry. There was a portrait covering an entire wall, and to add to that, a life-sized bronze statue was stationed in the center of the room.

"Wh, what is this room!?"

Kamito's face stiffened and,

"Having a special display room constructed is a matter of course. Even amongst the past champions, she is overwhelmingly famous."

Leonora's eyes were lit up as she was captivated by the wall portrait.

"Her blade dance is my distant goal. ---Stronger than anything, and noble as well."

......There was no way she could even dream that the person in question was standing right beside her.

"......"

Kamito also returned to staring at the tapestry depicting his past appearance.

(My strength still hasn't recovered to what I had back then......)

He was certainly in the process of recovering his strength from his prime.

He had also become able to use Greyworth's absolute blade arts, despite the burden they placed on his body.

But he still couldn't reach her. There was an absolute wall between him and her.

"Kamito?"


"......Mm, yeah, sorry."

Kamito returned to reality after Leonora called out to him.

"We'd also like to perform a blade dance that will make history in the finals."

"Yeah, that's right."

Kamito nodded firmly in response to the smiling Leonora who had removed her glasses.

---After that, just when they were exiting the memorial hall, Leonora pointed ahead.

"Kamito, they're selling bread there."

"Yeah?"

He looked to where she was pointing and, sure enough, there was a bread stall there.

The fresh bread lined up in a glass case was giving off a delicious scent.

"Ohh, those look good. Maybe I'll buy one......wha!?"

Having neared the glass case, Kamito was rendered speechless.

What was lined up there was---

For some reason, a large amount of «Ren Ashbell» bread.

Upon the fluffy baked bread was a design done with chocolate that looked exactly like his «Spirit Seal».

"Wh, what is this; I never approved this!"

"......Approved?"

"Ah, no......"


Kamito hurriedly fooled her.

"This is good. Let's buy some as a souvenir for Yuri and the others."

"So you're buying it......"

Kamito sighed in blank amazement.

===Part 9===

"......Nom. This tastes pretty good."

"Yeah, the taste is decent."

Kamito and Leonora ate the bread they had just bought as they walked down the business district beside each other.

The bread had chocolate on it, but this chocolate was designed to look like the «Darkness Demonic Sword» and was unexpectedly detailed.

"......I don't think Restia expected to become a decoration for bread either."

"Kamito, did you say something?"

"No, nothing......hm."

Kamito shifted his eyes to Leonora's mouth.

"You have chocolate stuck to your face."

"Eh?"

With a wry smile, Kamito wiped off the chocolate with his finger and,


"Fuaa......wh, whwh, what are you doing, you pervert!"

Leonora cried out with a bright red face......just like Claire's reaction yesterday.

"Dracunia's strongest knight also has her cute points."

"......~!"

With Kamito's teasing, her face grew increasingly red and,

"A, as I thought, you're the reason my heart is in turmoil!"

And she turned her face away.

"Sorry, my bad. So where should we go next?"

"......That's right. I heard a weapons museum and spirits museum were on the outskirts of town."

"Such refined tastes as always."

Kamito voiced that kind of thought and,

"......Sorry. I was raised in a strict knight household, so I don't know where best to go in these situations."

"......I see."

Well, that was similar to Kamito. He didn't know a tactful place to have fun or things of that sort.

"Then let's just wander around and explore the business district."

"Yes."

At that time, a wind spirit like a small bird flew away above them.

A sudden strong gust of wind blew through the path and Leonora's one-piece was turned up before Kamito's eyes.


"Kyaa!"

"......!?"

Kamito reflexively averted his eyes but---

(......Hm?)

He had a slightly bad feeling about the image that was burned into his eyes for but a moment.

He had not seen a single stitch of the panties that logically should have been there.

What he saw in its place was a soft-looking butt---

(......N, no way!?)

Come to think of it --- Kamito recalled.

About what happened at the library before the battle portion. When Leonora who was being controlled by her «Dragon Blood» tempted Kamito, he was sure that she---

"......Umm, could I ask one crude question?"

"What is it?"

"Are you not......wearing u, underwear?"

"......?"

Leonora tilted her head, puzzled for a moment, then---

"Yes. Princess maidens that serve a dragon may not wear underwear."

She said it like it was extremely obvious with a nod.


"......Are you a naked knee socks sword spirit."

Kamito made a small sigh and,

"Let's go buy underwear first. We'll continue after that."

===Part 10===

On the other hand---

"......Kuu, curses, Kamito, where did you go?"

Ellis and Fianna ran around the business district as they used wind spirits to gather information.

As expected, searching for two people in this kind of crowd was difficult.

"Perhaps they have entered a building?"

Fianna said while short of breath.

"Really though, we can't just use spirits to infiltrate shops."

---And then. A spirit like a small bird alighted on Ellis' shoulder.

"......What? You saw the two?"

"Where did they go?"

The wind spirit whispered something into Ellis' ear.

"Ka, Kamito peeked under Leonora-dono's skirt in public!?"

Twitch.


In an instant, Fianna's expression had frozen over.

"Fu, fufu, fu, I w, wonder what Kamito-kun could possibly thinking, fufufu......"

"......Y, Your Highness, you're leaking some kind of black aura."

Ellis gulped.

"Let's go, Ellis. They might still be nearby!"

"Yeah, we can't permit any more shameless acts!"

The two exchanged nods and ran off.

===Part 11===

"......D, do I really have to go too?"

In front of an underwear store that catered to the nobility's daughters, Kamito awkwardly scratched his head.

If he was seen entering this kind of store, another disgraceful rumor would start.

......Rather, he was already suffering cold looks from the girls in the store.

"I have not worn underwear before. Thus, I do not know which underwear is best."

"I don't know that kind of thing either."

"Then it doesn't matter if I continue not wearing any underwear?"

"......Kuu, what kind of threat is this."


Kamito groaned deeply.

That's right, she wasn't wearing anything under that one-piece.

If the wind blew again and her skirt flew up---

Kamito bringing around a girl without underwear was quite capable of starting the worst rumor yet.

(......I absolutely must avoid that.)

Kamito finally gave in and step foot into the underwear store.

---Several minutes later. Kamito stood in the shop for the sake of picking out underwear for Leonora.

"......As I thought, it's unsettling. Underwear, that is."

Leonora groaned with a troubled face.

She had bought a high-quality silk set to try out, but it seemed to feel awkward so the Dragon Princess Maiden wasn't pleased.

"Won't you get used to it? Anyway, please wear it, at least when walking in town."

"......It's somehow very tight."

Leonora complained with dissatisfaction on her face.

"At the very least, couldn't I wear this?"

And she spread out laced black underwear with both hands.

"D, don't spread out that kind of thing......"

Kamito reddened as he averted his eyes,

"Rather, isn't something different between that and the one you're wearing?"


"Yes. It seems this is the type with a hole here."

"......!?"

Looking closely, there was a neat cut at a vital location.

"Wh, why was that kind of thing being sold!"

"Is it not okay?"

"It's not. In a certain sense, it's worse than not wearing any."

Kamito decisively shook his head.

......Rather, he wondered why he was choosing underwear for the enemy team's ace.

"Then how about this?"

"That's practically a string! ......Why are you deliberately choosing ones with high exposure!"

"I can't calm down with lots of cloth."

"Normally people can't calm down without wearing underwear."

Kamito groaned while pressing down on his forehead.

"......Th, then, how about this?"

Leonora was holding a tropical-style set with southern sea flowers drawn on it.

"......It's the type that doubles as a swimsuit. Isn't that pretty good?"

"Yes. It suits my tastes because the material is slippery and feels familiar to my skin."

"......I see, so it was just because you don't like the feeling of silk."

Amongst the underwear of the princess maidens that needed to frequently purify themselves, swimsuits and other multipurpose ones were numerous. It seemed that the smooth material of the swimsuit had also appealed to her.


"Well then, let's take this one---"

And Leonora took it in her hands---

"......"

And something turned towards Kamito like a flash.

"What's wrong?"

"No, s, since you've finally bought a swimsuit---"

With a slight tinge of red on his cheeks and upturned eyes, he opened his mouth.

---Why don't we go to the pool, he said.

===Part 12===

And like that. The two left the central part of town and arrived at a pool in the forest.

Even if it was called a pool, it wasn't something made by human hands. It was something that utilized the already present large lake, so the impression was close to that of a beach along the sea.

Kamito who had changed into a tanktop swimsuit just before sat at the edge of the lake waiting for Leonora.

Many girls in swimsuits were frolicking along the lake shore, crying out in sweet voices.

But the instant they noticed Kamito,


"Kyaa, the Lewd King, the Lewd King is here!" "He's looking here, how scary......" "What an unpleasant gaze." "Don't come near my Lady!"

They successively jumped into lake and swam off to the far edge.

"......Am I a shark or something?"

The wounded Kamito hung his head on the empty lake edge.

And at that time.

"I, I've kept you waiting, Kamito."

"......!?"

Turning towards the voice that came from behind, he saw Leonora standing there with her hands on her hips.

Her youthful skin was tinged slightly red. Her chest seemed to burst out.

Her adorable butt wrapped in the flower-patterned swimsuit.

Her slender, beautiful legs were dazzling.

Kamito gulped at her outstanding proportions.

"U, umm, is it strange?"

Leonora rubbed her thighs together bashfully.

Kamito finally returned to his senses and,

"N, no, rather, well......you're beautiful."

"......Wha, th, this pervert! Pervert!"

Leonora's admonishing voice instantly assaulted him.


"Why the heck! I just said my honest thoughts."

"Sh, shut up! Don't stare so much at a princess maiden's skin!"

Leonora quickly covered her chest and,

"I, I'll go swim a bit!"

In order to cool her body that was burning up from shyness, she jumped into the lake with vigor.

"......Oh boy."

Kamito sighed as he stared absentmindedly at Leonora who had left to swim.

Her swimming figure was also beautiful. It was almost like a dragon relaxedly flying about in the sky.

......At any rate, would doing this really clear up what the cause of her slump was?

(Though looking from an outsider's point of view, she doesn't appear to be in a slump......)

Honestly, if he were just considering victory, having her remain in a slump would be undoubtedly more advantageous.

But in that case, Kamito also couldn't be understood.

The promise he had made that one time.

---That he would fight with her when she was not being controlled by her «Dragon Blood».

"......"

He stood at the lake edge charmed by Leonora's swimming figure for a while and---

"Hmm---.....onii-sama, you perv."

"Wha!?"


Kamito hurriedly turned around upon hearing the familiar voice.

"......Mi, Mireille!?"

The one glaring at Kamito was Rinslet's lovely little sister.

Her platinum blonde hair clung to her wet skin.

She was clad in a white swimsuit and had a large swim tube around her waist.

"Wh, why are you here?"

"Since my morning lessons are over, I came to play."

"Did you come alone?"

"No, Milla came as well."

Mireille replied coldly.

And.

"Kamito, have you laid your hands on that Leonora Lancaster as well?"

Milla Bassett glared at Kamito with fruit juice in her hand.

She was wearing a swimsuit that had frills like a maid costume.

Her slightly wavy hair was tied on both ends of her head.

"Wa, wait a second, you're misunderstanding this! There's a reason for this......"

"What reason?"

"No matter how you look, it's a date. Even though onii-sama already has onee-sama."

"---I, it's nothing like a date!"


And Leonora, who had been swimming, hurriedly came to the shore.

"Mu......" "......They're big."

Her large, wet chest covered with her tropical swimsuit.

The nine year old and thirteen year old combination gasped at the proportions which were the opposite of theirs.

"Kamito is assisting me in restoring my original condition. That's why it's definitely nothing like a date or some indecent activity!"

"Mu---..."

Mireille glared at Leonora with an expression like she couldn't agree.

......Well, it was obvious since she was the enemy her esteemed older sister would be facing in the finals.

Kamito shrugged and turned towards Leonora.

"Well, did you figure it out? The cause of your slump."

"......No. But I feel like I will with a little more."

"I see. Well, take your time to think about it."

"......You can't say that. The finals begin tomorrow."

She shook her head and looked Kamito straight in the eye.

"As a knight and as an Elementalist --- I would like to blade dance with you in my best condition."

"......"

[[File:STnBD V08 178.png|thumbnail|right]]


Kamito was silenced by her seriousness.

At that time, a large commotion rose on the shore.

"......What's that?"

"The «Water Spirit Festival» dedicated to this lake's spirits has begun."

Mireille explained to Kamito who tilted his head.

"Water Spirit Festival?"

"---A «Blade Dance» that imitates ancient water combat."

And this time, Milla explained.

The «Water Spirit Festival» seemed to be a type of ritualistic dance performance that imitated combat where two princess maidens formed a team. It wasn't flashy like a «Blade Dance», but a crowd of princess maidens wildly dancing was beautiful and it seemed to be quite popular as a spectator's sport.

"There's a prize prepared for the winning team, onii-sama."

A small shrine stood where Mireille was pointing with various goods like jewelry and magical tools lined up.

"It seems interesting. Maybe we should watch."

Kamito lowered himself onto the shore and,

Tug, tug.

"Hm?"

Leonora was tugging his arm.


"What is it?"

"No, well......"

Leonora seemed embarrassed as her cheeks flushed red and,

"Ka, Kamito, would you like to participate in that ritual?"

"Eh?"

Suddenly said that.

Her eyes were glued to the prizes lined up on the shrine.

"Could it be that you want something from those?"

"......Yes."

Leonora nodded.

"That is a product of the legendary doll craftsman, Lord Švankmajer. I didn't think I would see it at this kind of place."

Somehow, it seemed like she wanted that large dragon plushie.

"The second place prize......all right!"

Kamito nodded and grabbed onto Leonora's arm.

"Wh, what are you doing!?"

"You want that plushie, right? Then let's go get it."

"I, is that okay!?"

"Yeah. If you and I pair up, nobody can compare."


"O, of course!"

Kamito gave her a thumbs up and Leonora nodded happily.

---At that time. In the forest nearby the lake, Ellis and Fianna who were out of breath were there.

"Kamito, w, we've finally caught up to you......!"

"Fu, fufu......coming to the pool with a girl, you can't make any excuses now."

The out of breath Ellis who was breathing hard and Fianna whose entire body was wrapped in a black aura.

"Mu, it seems like he's going to enter the lake with Leonora-dono."

"Do they intend to participate in the «Water Spirit Festival»? But why---"

And the line of prizes on the shrine entered the vision of Fianna who was tilting her head.

"That is......!"

[[File:STnBD V08 182.png|thumbnail|right]]


Her pale dark eyes widened.

The top-class prize adorning the top of the shrine. That was---

"Pair tickets for the «Royal Palace»?"

Even catering to those of the Ordesia royal family, it was the highest-class hotel on «Ragna Ys».

"Is Kamito aiming for that?"

"Yes, there's no doubt. To say nothing of a regular blade dance, if it's that ace combination of «Blade Dance» representatives, they're more than enough to aim for victory."

"But tomorrow are the finals. They don't have time for something like using a hotel voucher---"

"If it's used this evening, there's no problem. If so......"

Fianna took a breath.

"Since it's Kamito-kun, he might do the blade dance of the night with her."

"Wh, what did you say!"

......Imagining God knows what, Ellis' face turned bright red.

"Th, that's not allowed! We absolutely must prevent it!"

"Yes, that's right!"

The two exchanged a firm handshake.


===Part 13===

"......To put it shortly, it's like an underwater cavalry battle."

Kamito, who had Leonora piggybacking him, once again mentally went over the rules of the «Water Spirit Festival» that Milla Bassett had taught him.

First, the team of two spirit princesses consisted of a «Horse» and a «Knight». The princess maiden that became the «Horse» was responsible for movement and the knight riding them would carry a special gem at their chest --- it was a scramble for «Magic Stones». The team that gathered a large number of «Magic Stones» would be the winner.

It was obvious but wounding a princess maiden or defiling the lake were strictly forbidden.

On a side note, the princess maidens that served as the «Horse» were emitting divine power from their entire body to float. If it was a princess maiden with a certain amount of training, it was not a difficult technique at all.

So the ritual itself wasn't very dangerous but---

(It's dangerous in a different kind of way for me......)

Squish.

The feeling of soft thighs upon his neck.

......For an adolescent boy, having his heart rush was uncontrollable.

"Ka, Kamito, please don't move around so much......ahnn!"

"S, sorry......!"

Kamito's face turned red at the seductive voice that Leonora let out above him.


Soon, the other princess maiden knight-horse pairs entered the lake one after the other.

It seemed a lot of unexpected people were participating. They were undoubtedly aiming for the first-class prize of pair tickets to the «Royal Palace».

......Rather, other than Kamito's team, there were probably no other teams aiming for the second-place dragon plushie.

"Leonora, can you do it?"

"Yes. I will definitely obtain that dragon!"

Leonora nodded with a voice full of conviction.

Participants of the «Blade Dance» taking part in a regular ritual like this felt a little immature, but well, they were aiming for second place, so it shouldn't draw any malice.

"I won't let you do that, onii-sama!"

"......Eh?"

The one who came before them was Mireille who was piggybacking Milla Bassett.

As if being pressed by her swimsuit, a «Magic Stone» was forced between her small chest.

"Don't tell me, you two are also participating?"

"That's right. For the sake of my passive onee-sama, I'll get those hotel tickets!"

Puffing her minute chest, Mireille made a declaration.

In response---

"---Sorry, but those tickets are ours."


A soft-spoken yet icy voice resounded across the lake.

"......!?"

Kamito's expression froze.

It was an extremely familiar voice. But this was her voice when she was angry.

"......Ellis!?"

He turned around and there was---

A ponytailed, beautiful girl wearing a bold swimsuit and,

"......Hmm, Kamito-kun's also good at taming dragons."

Her Highness glared at Kamito coldly while making bubbles on the water surface.

"Y, you two, why are you here?"

"Hmph, you should try thinking about that yourself, you insolent person!"

Ellis' reddish brown eyes were teary.

"W, we won't let Kamito-kun dance that blade dance of the night!"

"Wh, what the heck, a blade dance of the night......!"

......Being pushed by the ojou-samas that were angry for some reason, Kamito was being overwhelmed.

This time, Ellis focused her gaze on Leonora who was atop his shoulders.

"Leonora-dono, I respect you as a fellow knight. However, this Ellis Fahrengart will not allow such an insolent deed!"

"Wh, what kind of insolent deed are you talking about! I was just, with Kamito---"


"Talking is useless; if you're a knight, settle this with your blade!"

"Kamito-kun, prepare yourself."

"Wait a second, what do you mean!?"

The two left while ignoring the perplexed Kamito.

"They'll be strong enemies, those two."

"Y, yeah......"

And so, a whistle signaled the start of the «Water Spirit Festival».

===Part 14===

"Let's go, Leonora!"

"Yes, the dragon god's blessings upon this battle!"

Leonora gave a gallant shout above him.

The ten-odd princess maiden horse and rider groups were clamoring.

Participating in this kind of rough ritual meant that these were undoubtedly trained princess maidens. From within them, he could even see those that had been eliminated in the real battle portion of the «Blade Dance» here and there.

(So Ellis and Fianna aren't going to challenge us yet......)

Gathering a large amount of «Magic Stones» from those that looked easy to defeat in the first part and leaving the confrontation with Kamito and Leonora to the end was mostly likely their plan.


If those two were aiming for the «Royal Palace» hotel tickets, then there was no reason to battle with them, but those two seemed to have a different reason for their anger.

(......There's no other way, huh.)

Kamito shrugged.

He had promised to accompany Leonora for the entire day.

Even if they were his precious comrades, he wouldn't go easy on them.

"Kamito, incoming!"

Immediately following the start, the swimsuit-clad princess maidens simultaneously faced them. In order to instantly crush Kamito and Leonora who held the largest battle strength, they had all temporarily allied.

That was what Kamito thought but---

"Everyone, kill the Lewd King!" "If you drown here, we can treat it as an accident!" "We won't leave any evidence behind." "A swift death to the enemy of women!"

......He could hear various frightening lines.

"Kuu......"

"Kamito, what are you doing; we're being surrounded!"

The downhearted Kamito was rebuked by Leonora.

The sensation of thighs wrapped around his neck brought Kamito back to his senses.

"......Like I'll let you kill me before the finals!"

The advancing girls' enclosure.


In order to weave through that net, Kamito moved freely through the water.

Putting into practice the meta-3D movement that he had learned at «Instructional School» --- rather than the super high-speed «Shadow Weaving», this was the underwater movement technique called «Water Lily». It wasn't fast enough to make the opponent lose track of him, but those movements were like a water lily floating on the water's surface and provided no opportunity to capture him.

Just after Kamito easily escaped the net---

"Faa!?" "Hyann!" "Kyaaaaaa!"

The girls' shrill cries echoed across the water.

In the moment they had passed by them, Leonora had stolen the «Magic Stones» at their bosom.

"As expected of you, Leonora."

"You as well; it almost feels like I'm riding a high-class dragon."

Leonora smiled while chuckling.

Her thighs pressed down on him and his heart rushed.

"Le, Leonora, please open your legs a bit more!"

"......Eh? Wh, what do you mean, you pervert!"

Hit, hit, hit, hit.

The red-faced, agitated Leonora began to hit Kamito's head.

"Wai, hold......waa---"

When Kamito's balance fell apart uncontrollably---

"Their movements have stopped! If we're going to execute him, now's the time!"


The group of girls once again closed in.

"Leonora, calm down or things will get bad!"

"......!"

Leonora, who had finally snapped back to herself, smacked the girls nearing them from behind into the water and turned around to defend her chest from the countless outstretched hands.

"Are you okay!?"

"N, no problem, I'll show you the dance of a princess maiden in service of dragons!"

Leonora exhaled and silently readied both her hands.

Then---

She reached out with movements akin to a dance performance and stole the «Magic Stones» of the girls approaching them one-by-one.

"......Amazing."

It was just like a raging dragon.

"A single knight defeating scores of enemies is the specialty of Dracunia's knights. If I compare it with the the training I received as a young girl where I was thrown into a pack of fierce beasts, this is nothing."

Instantly beating down the surrounding riders, she obtained seven «Magic Stones».

Truly an ace out of the «Blade Dance» representatives. It was overwhelming strength that allowed none to approach.

"Now then, come, all who would like to challenge me!"

Leonora's dignified voice rang out.


And at that time.

"......!?"

A crackling noise accompanied the instant freezing of the water surrounding Kamito.

"Ice spirit magic!?"

In the moment Kamito's movements stopped, the figure of a rider approached.

"I've got you, onii-sama!"

It was the Milla Bassett and Mireille team.

"To think a nine year old can use this kind of spirit magic! As expected of Rinslet's little sister."

Kamito gave his honest admiration in light of that talent.

But the young Mireille could not snatch the «Magic Stone» from Leonora.

Just when he was thinking that---

"Kyaunn!"

A sweet cry was raised above Kamito's head.

"......!?"

"......Afuu......ahnn......!"

Leonora's thighs closed on Kamito with a squish.

"I, it hurts......Leonora, wh, what are you doing!?"

"Fuaa......th, this was an oversight; I can't move like this!"

"......Eh?"


Kamito somehow managed to twist his head and look up and,

(......Damn it!)

---He finally realized their fatal mistake.

Leonora's chest had expanded!

That's right, since it was a battle done in swimsuits, there was no other place to store the «Magic Stones» stolen from the enemy other than at one's bosom. Consequently, if one gathered a certain amount of «Magic Stones», the rider would become unable to move.

If she did any intense movements right now, there was no doubt her swimsuit would break.

(......They were waiting for us to gather «Magic Stones», huh.)

Kamito was astonished. The one who thought of this plan was probably the one giving Mireille a piggyback, Milla. She was truly the «Rupture Division»'s captain.

"Fufuu, your chest seems to be giving you trouble, dragon onee-sama!"

Mireille's fingers brushed against Leonora's chest which shook, spilling «Magic Stones».

"Fa......nn, the «Magic Stones» are, from my breasts......"

Leonora's face was bright red as she shielded her chest with all her might.

The surrounding girls also thought of this as a chance and drew in.

"......Like I'll let you!"

Kamito cracked the ice covering the water with his fist and used all his power to escape. Several «Magic Stones» fell from Leonora's chest from the recoil, but they were unneeded in this situation.


"Haa, haa, nn......"

He could hear Leonora's troubled breathing above him.

"Are you okay?"

"Y, yes, somehow......ahnn ♪"

As her chest rose and fell, the tips of the «Magic Stones» stimulated her sensitive breasts. She somehow suppressed her voice and endured it.

That lovable action made Kamito's heart race.

---At some point in time, the net with Mireille at the center had been completed.

"......So this is the end, huh."

Kamito groaned.

This was not the «Blade Dance». It was just some entertainment. Even if they were to lose, they wouldn't suffer a loss of honor, not that Kamito cared much for honor.

However---

(......I've made a promise.)

That he would obtain that dragon plushie for Leonora.

Wanting to see the smile of a girl was the nature of a boy.

"Leonora---"

And Kamito spoke quietly.


"Hold on to me tightly and hold your breath."

"Wh, what do you intend to do?"

"It's okay. Believe in me."

"......!"

Leonora gasped overhead when Kamito ended the conversation decisively.

Then---

"---Y, yes!"

She made a large nod.

Leonora's two supple arms wrapped around Kamito's neck.

In an instant, Kamito sunk into the water completely.

He relaxed his entire body and closed his eyes. A variation of the «Water Lily» movement --- «Aqua Elusion». Syncing his mind and body with the flow of the water, he could completely conceal his presence.

"---Milla, don't think badly of this."

"......!?"

Appearing suddenly from behind Milla, he tickled her under the arms without mercy.

"......Ah, kya, nn!"

The usually cool Milla let out a lovely voice and twisted her body.

"Now!"


"Yes!"

"Faaa, Mi, Milla!?"

In the instant Milla's rider, Mireille, lost her balance---

Leonora quickly reached out and snatched her «Magic Stone».

Splaaaaash!

A flashy wall of water rose when Mireille fell down.

"H, how terrible!" "Even to a child that young!" "That brutish......!"

Harsh criticisms of Kamito came from the surrounding girls and mixed together but---

"Leonora, can you still do it?"

"Yes, m, my breasts hurt but I'll somehow endure it!"

"Alright, that's the spirit---"

As Kamito nodded, he heard the thunderous roar of winds.

"C, curse you, Kamito, you insolent person!"

From afar, Ellis and Fianna were closing in at an alarming rate.

(Fast......!)


Fianna's reflexes were average for a spirit contractor, but her divine power control was exceptional. Her movements underwater were comparable to or surpassed Kamito's.

Moreover, they were wrapped in a barrier of wind and accelerating.

(......This is quite a handicap.)

To begin with, Kamito wasn't proficient in spirit magic and Leonora's dragon attribute spirit magic specialized in destruction and physical strengthening. They had pretty much no basic spells and nothing for general-use like wind spirit magic. No, what was worse than that---

"E, Ellis, haven't you shoved too much into it!?"

Stuffed with a large amount of «Magic Stones» that she had snatched, Ellis' swimsuit looked like it was about to fall apart at any moment.

His gaze had been unwittingly drawn to her bosom swaying in the wind.

"Kamito, where are you looking!"

"I, I couldn't help it!"

Having realized where he was looking, Ellis hurriedly covered her breasts with both her hands.

"Jeez, Kamito-kun, look at me as well!"

Fianna puffed her cheeks and let her breasts float on the water out of rivalry.

"A, a princess shouldn't do those kinds of embarrassing things!"

"......I, it's not embarrassing if Kamito-kun wants to see."

The princess blushed as she blew bubbles on the water's surface.

(......Aren't you plenty embarrassed.)


"Kamito, just where are you looking?"

"Guoo......"

A displeased voice. Leonora's thighs strangled him.

"I, I get it, so don't strangle me!"

Using that opening, Ellis and Fianna lunged at them by riding the wind.

"Leonora-dono, we can't allow you to perform a blade dance of the night!"

"I won't perform such a thing!"

Ellis and Leonora were grappling overhead.

"Kamito-kun, no matter how much of a demon king of the night you are, even I won't stay quiet if your lovers increase any further than this!"

"I'm telling you, it's not like that!"

On the other hand, Fianna was pressing her breasts up against Kamito.

With the soft sensation traveling past her skimpy swimsuit, as expected, even Kamito couldn't hide his excitement.

"---O wind!"

Sharp winds flew from Ellis' finger and greatly shook Leonora's breasts.

"......I won't lose---!"

Leonora retaliated with her hand as she shielded her chest.

"Since Kamito is fighting for my sake!"

Squish.


"......Ahh, nn......!"

Ellis let out a captivating voice. Her long ponytail shuddered.

"......Ah, ya, hau......!"

"......Mm, kyann, ahnnn!"

"H, hey......!"

Kamito's focus was broken by the erotic cries coming from above and---

Click.

He suddenly heard that sound.

"......Eh?"

Kamito looked up without thinking.

What first entered his sight was---

A large number of «Magic Stones» leaking from both of their breasts.

Fluttering, scant cloth.

And Kamito saw them.

......Ended up seeing them.

Hanging down, the breasts of the two beautiful girls.

""Ky---""

An instant.

""Kyaaaaaaaaaaa!""


Both of them spontaneously discharged their divine power and a giant water pillar rose from the lake.

===Part 15===

"......nora. Leonora!"

"U, mm......cough, cough......"

With a hazy consciousness, Leonora opened her eyes.

Before her was Kamito who had a serious expression.

"......Ka......to......?"

She muttered while getting up and---

"......Leonora, I'm glad."

Kamito sighed in relief.

"......How did the «Water Spirit Festival» go?"

"Ahh, everyone was blown away and it was cancelled."

Kamito gave a small shrug.

"Ah, but look, I got him."

"......?"

To the puzzled Leonora---


Kamito showed her a large dragon plushie.

"---This is!?"

"Everyone at the lake was blown away and the «Magic Stones» were also scattered but just one......I found one that was stuck."

Kamito muttered as he blushed.

So they had won a prize because everybody else competing had been obliterated.

"Well, if that's true, then everyone was disqualified but --- it seems the lake spirits were satisfied with the ritual. Nobody was injured and there's also nobody blaming us."

"Is that so......"

Leonora nodded and---

Something caught her attention.

"......Umm, Kamito."

"Yes?"

"«b»Was stuck«/b»?"

"......!"

Kamito averted his gaze and didn't answer.

"......Kamito?"

She asked again with a little bit of force.

"No, that's......"


Kamito shook his head as if resigned.

"I, in your cleavage......"

"......Y, you touched my breasts!?"

"No, well, sorry. Something was shining on your chest, so I just---"

Kamito confessed honestly. In an instant, Leonora's face grew hot.

"......Th, this pervert"

Hit, hit, hit.

Leonora pounded on Kamito's chest while continuing to blush. But in truth, when she had been hugging Kamito, she had not felt angry or shy.

She continued to hit Kamito while bewildered by this self-realization.

(......Wh, what does it mean?)

She didn't know that feeling. She just had knowledge of it.

(Could it be, this feeling is......no, there's no way, that kind of......)

But if she thought about it --- it explained everything.

How her sword skills had dulled ever since she had fought Kamito. And then how while she had been with Kamito, her emotions were in disorder and her heart beat furiously.

......She may have already realized deep within her heart.

She just didn't want to admit it.

That's right, since the day she had crossed blades with him---


(I, for Kazehaya Kamito---)

Once she realized that, she wouldn't be able to look at him directly anymore.

Leonora lowered her fist and turned her face to the side while still blushing.

"......Leonora?"

Kamito tilted his head, puzzled.

"I, it would be best to admit this honestly, right."

"Yes?"

Leonora seemed to have decided something as she nodded to herself.

She thought that the disorder in her feelings would become a disorder in her sword.

But now that she had realized the cause, that had become an uplifting feeling instead.

Even more so than with the «Dragon Blood», it was uncontrollable and unstable.

---That was definitely something that was meant to become a power stronger than anything.

"Kamito!" "Kamito-kun!"

The voices of his teammates came from afar.

It seemed that they were running over to them.

"---Kamito, it's fine now. Thank you for today."

And Leonora stood up, then gazed directly at Kamito.

---She wouldn't avert her eyes this time.

"Umm, saying it's fine means---"


"I can blade dance at my best, is what it means."

"......!"

Kamito was confused for a little, but---

"......I see. I don't really get it, but that's great."

He shrugged as if relieved.

"Then I can battle you at full power as well."

The two exchanged nods and each stretched out a hand.

"The next time we exchange words will be when we blade dance."

"Yeah."

They shared a firm handshake and spun on their heels and---

Both of them walked away just like that without turning back.

<noinclude>{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume8 Chapter3|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume8 Interlude2}}</noinclude>

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume8 Chapter3

2013-04-23T06:06:51Z

Pjs312:

==The Ice Demon and the Hell Cat==
===Part 1===


Chirp, chirp chirp.

A small bird's chirping could be heard outside the window.

The second morning following the conclusion of the «Tempest».

Kamito was abandoning himself to pleasant slumber.

"......Onii-sama. Please wake up, onii-sama."

Ruffle ruffle. Ruffle ruffle.

"Uu, nn......Est, let me sleep a little more."

Kamito groaned in the bed. His fatigue from the real battle hadn't been abated yet. At least for today, he wanted to sleep to his heart's content.

"Jeez, onii-sama, you sleepyhead!"

An amazed sigh......somehow, it seemed like she had given up.

Kamito was relieved, and at that moment.

Kiss ♪

A soft sensation upon his cheek.

"......Wha!?"

Kamito's sleepiness was completely blown away.

He shot up in the bed and,


"Ahh, you finally woke up!"

The beautiful girl with shining platinum blonde hair met him with a sunny smile.

"Mi, Mireille!?"

Kamito yelled in a fluster.

The one there was Rinslet's younger sister, Mireille Laurenfrost.

The tidy white dress and accompanying red ribbon were very lovely.

"Good morning, onii-sama."

Mireille gave a polite bow.

"Good morning, Kamito."

Beside her was one other person, a cute girl.

It was Milla Bassett, the leader of the «Rupture Division». The fundamentally black clothing complemented her somewhat wavy dark brown hair.

Rather than that---

"What on earth is it?"

Kamito asked as he rubbed his drowsy eyes.

"......Umm, I have a request for onii-sama."

"A request?"

"Yes, onee-sama and Claire-sama are fighting in the room."

"Ahh, again......"


Kamito groaned.

It had settled down since coming to «Ragna Ys», but those two had fought constantly in the classroom back at the academy.

......That had resumed, it seemed.

"It's something that happens all the time; won't it be fine if we leave it?"

"At this rate, the castle room will be destroyed."

Just after Milla said that, a fierce quake came from the hallway.

"Never mind a classroom, breaking a building of the «Divine Ritual Institute» is, as expected, not good......"

Kamito wearily sighed and got up from the bed. Ellis, who would normally plunge right in, was currently out of the castle.

"By the way, what about Carol?"

"She's probably still sleeping. That Carol, she just won't wake up unless onee-sama gets her."

"......This is the first time I've heard of a maid that's woken up by her master."

......Kamito was as amazed as ever at the ever-useless maid.

===Part 2===

Quickly moving down the tremoring hallway, Kamito arrived at Rinslet's room.


"I was not at fault!"

"......~wh, what, are you trying to say I was!"

......The argument could be heard even outside the door.

"Hey, you two---"

Kamito opened the door and entered, and just then.

"Freezing ice demon breath --- «Freezing Fang»!"

"Eat this, scorching conflaguration --- «Fireball»!"

The offensive spirit magics clashed within the room. Kamito was blown away by the impact and smashed into the corridor wall.

"......Guaa!"

"Kamito-san!" "Kamito!?"

The two exclaimed in surprise and quickly dashed to his side.

"H, hey, what were you thinking!"

Claire sounded worried as she peered at Kamito's face.

"......Y, you guys, were you trying to destroy the room?"

Kamito shakily stood as he pressed on his dizzy head.

"......Th, this has nothing to do with you!"

"Th, that's right! This is our problem!"

The two ojou-samas averted their eyes as if uncomfortable.


"---I called for Kamito-sama, onee-sama."

And from the other end of the corridor came Mireille's group.

"Mireille......"

"It's because you two wouldn't stop fighting at all."

"Th, that is, n, not my fault!"

Rinslet puffed her cheeks as if pouting and turned away.

"......So, what's the cause of this fight?"

Kamito asked with a sigh.

"It's Claire's fault!"

"It's Rinslet's fault!"

The two pointed at each other and sparks erupted between them.

"Well, calm down. I'll listen to both of your stories."

"......~!"

With that, with tears gathering in her ruby eyes, Claire showed him a book.

Guessing from the cover illustrations, it was one of Claire's favorite romance novels geared towards teens.

"What happened with this book?"

"Rinslet spoiled its conclusion!"

Claire glared at Rinslet with teary eyes.

"......Huh?"


"I, I thought you had already read it!"

"I haven't read it yet! Even though I was looking forward to reading it when we returned to the academy."

"I, in the first place, you're the one who started talking about that book!"

"W, wait, wait!"

Kamito hurriedly cut in.

"......You guys, you were fighting about this kind of thing?"

"What do you mean this kind of thing!"

"Ah, no......"

"I, it's fine already, you don't have to return this book!"

Claire screamed with teary eyes and left with her twintails standing on end.

"Hey, Claire---"

"H, hmph, just do what you want!"

Rinslet folded her arms and turned her head to the side.

"Oh, boy......"

......Well, this kind of fight happened all the time. It shouldn't get too serious.

He heard someone lightly clear their throat.

"I've shown you a distasteful side of me, Kamito-san."

Rinslet looked like she felt awkward as she twirled her hair around her finger.

"......You two, can't you get along a bit more?"


"Th, there's no way we can get along!"

Rinslet's face reddened and she bit her lip.

"I'm working together with her because we're in the same team right now, but we're originally fated rivals!"

"Rivals, huh......"

Come to think of it, these two were long-time childhood friends.

Certainly, there should be no problem if Kamito were to cut in more.

"Well, at any rate, tomorrow is the finals. Be sure to make up before then."

Kamito shrugged and was leaving, and then---

......Growl. That kind of idiotic sound came from the hallway.

"Kamito-san?" "Onii-sama?"

Rinslet and Mireille raised their eyebrows in puzzlement.

"......Could it be that you haven't eaten breakfast?"

"Y, yeah, I was just awoken by your little sister not too long ago."

Kamito nodded with a tinge of red across his cheeks.

In an instant, Rinslet's face lit up with pleasure.

"I, if that's so, I was just about to make something. I, if you'd like, you can also eat."

"......Really?"


Truthfully, it was a very tempting offer. He could get breakfast through room service if he asked the princess maidens, but Rinslet's breakfast would definitely taste better.

At any rate, she wouldn't lose even against a pro chef.

"Well then, maybe I'll take you up on that."

"I can't make anything extravagant because there's no real kitchen, but I'll make do."

Rinslet nodded cheerfully.

"Ah, onee-sama, I want to eat with you, too!"

In response to Mireille who put her hand up cheerfully,

"Mireille has already eaten breakfast."

Milla the maid pointed that out calmly.

"I, it's fine! If it's onee-sama's cooking, then I could eat endlessly---"

Milla caught hold of Mireille by the nape as she tried to enter the room.

"Fuaa, what are you doing!"

"It is Mireille's study time."

"I don't want to! Coming this far, I don't want to study!"

"That won't do. You won't become an outstanding noble like that."

"Nooooo, onee-sama's breakfast~!"

Milla dragged along the struggling Mireille.

Before long, they'd turned the corner and Mireille's shrieks couldn't be heard anymore.


"She's really the former leader of the «Rupture Division»; even at thirteen years old, she's got her act together."

......Unlike a certain useless maid, she would become an excellent maid.

Rinslet excitedly began putting on an apron.

"......Is there anything I can help with?"

"Fufuu, do not worry. Please just sit and wait."

Rinslet took out a frying pan from the shelf and started up the fire spirit crystal in the kitchen in the corner.

===Part 3===

"Hmm, hmhmhmm~♪"

Rinslet was making pancakes as she hummed. As he gazed at the Rinslet's lovely hair swaying and felt the appealing fragrance of honey---

Kamito picked up the novel that Claire had left behind just before.

(......"The Lady Blooming in the Dead of Night". Yet another generic title.)

He skimmed the contents.

It seemed to be about an unyielding beautiful noble girl that was caught by a cruel demon lord, becoming his prisoner, and the succumbing of her mind and body.

(......Hmm, Claire only likes these types of book.)


While thinking that, he closed the book and,

"It's done."

The apron-wearing Rinslet turned towards him with a beaming face.

There were three pancakes upon the plate, all laden with plenty of honey. The crispy burn marks looked really delicious.

"Now then, eat up ♪"

"Yeah. Itadakimasu."

Nom. Kamito stuffed his cheeks with the pancake on his fork and,

"......Delicious!"

Said just one thing in a voice of praise.

The interior was fluffy while the outer surface was fried just right.

The Laurenfrost specialty butter and honey were also superb.

"Just as expected. It's fried to perfection."

"Fufuu, I'm glad."

Rinslet gazed happily at Kamito who was stuffing his cheeks.

"What is it?"

"N, no, it's nothing!"

He asked with a puzzled expression and she averted her eyes shyly.

While Rinslet was spacing out, Kamito ate up the deluxe pancakes.


"......Ahh, that was delicious. Thank you for the meal."

"Fufuu, if you'd like, you can have my share as well."

Rinslet passed him another pancake.

"......Mm, is that okay?"

"Yes, I don't eat much in the morning."

"Then I'll accept."

Nom nom nom.

"......J, just like that, you can also move on to eat me?"

"Huh?"

"J, just talking to myself!"

Rinslet hurriedly shook her head.

---After Kamito finished his breakfast, Rinslet poured some after-meal black tea.

The black tea was poured into teacups and the rich fragrance of Laurenfrost tea leaves filled the room.

It seemed the black tea had been prepared beforehand. She might have actually planned to have breakfast together with Claire.

(She might have intended to talk about that book......)

Kamito reached out for the book on the table.

......He tried asking something that he'd been curious about for a while.


"So you also read this kind of book."

"Th, that is......!"

In an instant, Rinslet's face reddened.

"That is, I was introduced to it by Claire at first, a, and if you read it, the contents are deeply intriguing, so I'd like you to not think of me as an immodest girl! I am, to the end, a person of scholarly pursuit---"

She defended herself while bashfully rubbing her knees together.

"I don't think it's something you need to be embarrassed about."

Kamito smiled wryly and returned the book to the table.

"But to be sharing books, your relationship is quite good."

"I, it's just an inseparable relationship!"

Rinslet averted her gaze.

"I see, an inseparable relationship......"

Kamito took a sip of of the black tea and,

"So you've been rivals since childhood, right?"

"......Well, yes."

"If you're okay with it, would you let me hear about that? About when you were kids."

"W, why?"

"Well, you two are always fighting. I was just wondering if it's been the same since long ago."


"......"

Rinslet placed her hand upon her cheek as if thinking about it a little and---

Before long, she breathed in like she recalled a distant day.

"......It will be a little long. I'll boil some more tea."

She stood up quietly from her seat and placed the kettle on the fire spirit crystal.

"This is about when I first met her and acknowledged her as my rival."

"When you first met her?"

"Yes. That was exactly ten years ago. It was when my father brought me to give our greetings to the house of Marquis Elstein---"

As if lost in nostalgia, she began telling the story softly.

===Part 4===

Ten years ago when Rinslet accompanied her father on a visit to the Elstein territory. A time when Rinslet was still six years old.

Rinslet's father, Frontier Earl Laurenfrost, was planning to get the opinion of the Duke Elstein household's head which produced successive generations of «Fire Queen» on the ritual that would be devoted to the «Fire Elemental Lord».

The earl was bringing along his daughter so she could meet her future schoolmate of the same age, Claire Elstein.


"The Elstein house is prominent even within the empire. Get along with Lady Claire."

"Whether we get along or not depends on her."

Earl Laurenfrost sighed at his daughter's composed six-year old face.

Her domineering personality was a secret worry of the earl's.

---The one who came to greet the two that had traveled a long distance by coach was the head of the Elstein house, Wolfram Elstein himself.

"Well, well, thank you for coming from so far away."

He was a great man with the presence of a high noble. His wife was still working at the imperial court in the capital so she wasn't present.

"I am the Laurenfrost's eldest daughter, Rinslet Laurenfrost. I will be in your care this time."

Rinslet held the hem of her dress and curtsied elegantly.

Even if she was six, she already conducted herself like a model noble.

"Ohh, as expected of the Laurenfrost house's daughter. She's got her act together. I wouldn't think she was the same age as my daughter."

"No, no, your daughter is also quite lovely---"

"......"

Rinslet paid no mind to the socially controlled interactions of the adults.


Her emerald green eyes were staring to the spot directly behind Duke Elstein.

Twintails like animal tails were bobbing.

The girl in a white dress seemed to be cowering behind the duke.

(......What's with her?)

Rinslet sharpened her gaze and the girl shrunk back even more.

......She's like a small rabbit.

(......She's nothing like what one would expect of the daughter of a high noble household.)

Rinslet appraised her as such on their first meeting.

"Claire, greet Earl Laurenfrost and Lady Rinslet."

"......~F, father!?"

The girl widened her ruby eyes and panicked.

"U, umm, that, I......"

"Claire, calm down."

"Y, yes......"

Claire took a deep breath and,

"I am the second daughter of the E, Elstein house, Claire Elstein."

She gripped the edges of her skirt and lowered her head.

"Haha, what a sweet daughter."


"No, it's quite embarrassing that she has such a deathly fear of strangers."

Duke Elstein shook his head with a wry smile.

"......"

Rinslet mercilessly surveyed the girl before her.

Red Twintails tied at each end of her head. The ruby eyes peeking out.

The white dress suited her slender build quite well.

She was outstandingly good-looking......there was no denying it.

However, beyond that---

(She's not very interesting......)

That was Rinslet's honest thought.

(I was expecting a little because she was a family member of the famous «Fire Queen».)

Rinslet had already lost interest in Claire.

"Come to think of it, where is your other daughter?"

And Earl Laurenfrost voiced his question.

"My apologies. She collapsed from offering a ritual to the earth spirits. After a large ritual, she always sleeps for three days."

"Your daughter is already being entrusted with the earth spirit rituals?"

Earl Laurenfrost spoke with surprise and Rinslet also widened her emerald eyes.

There should only be three years' difference in age between her and the Elstein household's eldest daughter, Rubia Elstein. As expected, it was a shock that the earth spirit ritual was being left to someone of only nine years of age.


"It seems my elder daughter has potential as a Queen. I plan to enter her into the «Divine Ritual Institute» next year."

"Ohh, the «Divine Ritual Institute». That's quite major."

The Elstein house had a history of producing numerous «Fire Queens».

The eldest daughter might become a Queen candidate in the future.

(......Rubia-sama is amazing. Completely different from her younger sister.)

That younger sister had a slight smile on, perhaps because she was happy that her sister was praised.

"Well then, Earl Laurenfrost, let us discuss this time's ritual in the upper guest room."

"Yes. Rinslet, you play with Lady Claire."

"......Eh? F, father!?"

Rinslet showed a rare flustered condition.

(......I have to play together with her? This isn't a joke!)

"U, umm......"

Claire also seemed bewildered.

"Rinslet, you're a noble with honor, so you cannot shirk your responsibilities. Now, let's go, Duke Elstein."

"N, no way! Father---"

As if cutting off Rinslet's appeals, the door shut ruthlessly.

===Part 5===


"......Umm, wait. Wait a second."

Kamito set the teacup down on the table with a clack and---

Interrupted Rinslet's story.

"What is it?"

She knit her brows, seemingly unsatisfied from having her story cut off.

"......No, well, is that really Claire?"

Kamito asked with an expression of half belief, half disbelief.

......What he'd heard so far didn't sound like the Claire of now at all.

(......Rather, it's like an entirely different person.)

"It sounds unbelievable, but it's the truth. That girl used to be shy and docile long ago."

"I, is that so......"

Well, even now she had some areas resembling a fear of strangers and he also knew she had her gentle and girly points.

(Even so, you know......)

"May I continue?"

Rinslet cleared her throat.


"Y, yeah......"

Kamito nodded while still perplexed.

===Part 6===

---When Duke Elstein and Earl Laurenfrost came out of the guest room, it had already been several minutes.

Claire hid behind the curtains and seemed to be observing the mood of Rinslet who was twirling her hair with her finger.

(Haaa, I'm bored......)

Even though Rinslet was approaching her limit, not much time had passed.

"Hey, Claire-san?"

"......Eh?"

Claire's shoulders shook as if frightened when Rinslet called out to her.

"I am your honored guest. Could I at least get some black tea?"

"......Ahh! Y, yeah!"

Claire nodded and hurriedly brought back a tea pot. Inside the tea pot were small fire spirit crystal fragments which warmed it.

"Ohh, you're using fairly good tea leaves."

"Yes, we used the best black tea because a guest was coming."


Rinslet voiced her compliment honestly and Claire smiled happily.

"Ahh, we also have snacks. They're really delicious!"

Claire ran off and came back with a plate of cookies from somewhere.

"They seem delicious. Did you make them?"

"No, it's a souvenir that father bought at the capital. I really like the snacks there."

"Hmmm......"

Rinslet elegantly picked a cookie up with her fingertips and placed it in her mouth.

"This flavor is quite good. I like it."

"......I'm glad."

Claire felt relieved since she had been nervous.

While Rinslet sipped black tea, she looked around the guest room.

As expected of a prominent family of the empire, the interior design was extravagant. The taste in furnishings was also good.

However, unfortunately, there was nothing that would alleviate her boredom.

"Haa, I'm bored......"

While holding her head in her hands over the table, she sighed.

"U, umm......"

And Claire started to mumble as if trying to saying something.

"What is it? If you're a noble's daughter, then clearly say what you want."


"U, umm......"

Claire repeatedly opened her mouth and,

"I, I have dolls!"

"Dolls?"

"Y, yeah, I'll bring them now!"

Claire nodded happily and dashed out of the room.

"......What?"

While staring blankly, she waited and---

At last, Claire returned with both arms filled with stuffed toys.

All of them were lovely cat dolls.

"Here. Choose the cat you like."

Claire lined up the cat dolls on the carpet and,

"I'll lend you this. It's my favorite cat......"

She pushed a red cat plushy onto the perplexed Rinslet.

"Nya---nya---♪"

"......"

"Nya---?"

"......Are you making fun of me?"

Rinslet threw aside the cat plushy.


"......Eh?"

"Something as childish as playing with dolls, there's no way I'd do it!"

"......S, sorry."

Claire once again became sullen.

(......I, I might have been a bit too harsh just now.)

......Being shown such a sad expression, she'd obviously feel bad.

Rinslet cleared her throat and,

"A, aside from dolls, is there anything else that could relieve my boredom?"

"Y, yeah, umm, then......a storybook?"

"Storybook?"

Rinslet asked without thinking.

"Do you, by any chance, read books?"

"Yeah, Rubia-nee-sama taught me how!"

Claire ran off again and this time returned with a heap of books.

"What an impressive amount......"

"I really like interesting books. What about you?"

"W, well, I do read. If it's a book on politics, history or spirits."

Rinslet said while putting on airs.

"Wah, amazing! I, I like storybooks!"


The girl that had been hesitant until just now had her eyes sparkling as the conversation turned to books.

"Like this, or this, and this and this, all are really interesting!"

She piled her favorite books one by one in front of Rinslet.

"H, hmph, storybooks are for children!"

Rinslet, who had no interest in novels, turned her head to the side.

"But, they're really interesting......"

Claire cleared up the books while looking sad.

"......Is there anything more interesting?"

"Umm......"

Claire pressed her lips together as if troubled and,

"Hah......"

Pressed her cheeks in slowly.

"......W, what are you doing?"

"An interesting face......"

"......"

Rinslet sighed deeply.

"......Haa, I wonder how long our fathers' conversation will take."

"I was told it would continue until evening."

"Evening!?"


Rinslet's face stiffened.

"You're joking; I'll die of boredom!"

"Yeah, so let's read a book together!"

"A book......"

At that moment, Rinslet remembered something.

"Come to think of it, I heard that there is a collection of treasured magic books in the Elstein house's underground «Sealed Library»."

The rumor of the Elstein house's sealed library was widely known amongst the empire's nobility.

All sorts of rare books covetous to elementalists were supposed to be gathered there.

There might be a book there that would peak Rinslet's interest.

"It's just the perfect thing for getting rid of boredom!"

Claire rushed to stop Rinslet who stood up with great vigor.

"Y, you can't! Father said we had to stay in this room. Moreover, there are dangerous sealed magic books in the underground library---"

"Oh my, are you scared?"

Rinslet challenged her.

"That is......"

"You don't really have to come along. I'll just search on my own."

"Ah, w, wait---Rinslet-chan!"


Rinslet left the room and Claire chased after her.

Rinslet turned around in front of the door and turned to glare at Claire.

[[File:STnBD V08 116.png|thumbnail|right]]


"Wait, who gave you permission to call me by name?"

"......Eh?"

She thrust her finger out at Claire who was staring blankly.

"Okay? Call me the daughter of Earl Laurenfrost."

"But, onee-sama said you call friends by their name---"

"W, who is your friend!"

"Fuaa......"

Rinslet screamed out and Claire backed away with teary eyes.

"......Hmph, I won't acknowledge a crybaby coward as my friend."

Rinslet turned away and quickly walked away alone.

===Part 7===

"---It's here, isn't it."

The aforementioned «Sealed Library» was inside an annexed library.

A sturdy iron door stood before Rinslet.

"......Darn, it's locked."

It was obvious it would be. There were hundreds of dangerous spirit magic books in there, after all.

"Yeah, that's why, let's go back to the room already."


Claire tugged on the hem of her dress.

"Enough with the sleep talk. This kind of lock means nothing to me---"

Rinslet gave a fearless smile and started chanting with the spirit language quietly.

Doing so, all at once, the six locks were filled with keys of ice that fit just perfectly.

Turning them, the door opened with a heavy sound.

"Amazing......!"

"Hmph, this much is obvious if one plans to enter Areishia Spirit Academy."

Long stairs that continued downward were behind the door.

There was no light; it continued in pitch black darkness.

"A, are we really going in?"

"Oh my, are you getting cold feet?"

"......I've heard something. That there's a bad spirit inhabiting an old book."

"Hmph, you really are scared."

Rinslet said it like she was amazed.

"Truthfully, I'm disappointed. That a family member of the Elstein house which the «Fire Queen» belongs to would be this kind of coward. If the little sister is like this, the older sister must also be not much---"

"Stop talking bad about nee-sama!"

Rinslet closed her mouth in realization at Claire's icy voice.


"I am nee-sama's little sister. I am no coward."

The girl glared at Rinslet with tears in her ruby eyes.

"......Is that so."

Rinslet shrugged.

"Fine. If so, then come along."

"......O, okay."

Claire nodded as if she'd made her resolve.

(......For now, it seems like she has the will.)

The two continued down the stairs.

"It's dark, isn't it. Is there no lamp or spirit crystal light?"

Rinslet sighed and,

"---O flames, illuminate."

Claire created a small shining flame on her palm.

"Oh my, you can use spirit magic?"

Rinslet was surprised. To be able to use spirit magic at this age, she has a lot of potential.

"Nee-sama taught me the basics."

"Hmm, you really are the daughter of the Elstein house that governs flames. Although it's not up to my level."

---And at that time. She realized something.


Even if it was beginner-level, that she had managed to use a spirit magic endowed with the flame element meant that---

"Could you possibly already have a contracted spirit?"

"Yes, I have one."

Claire nodded.

"Really?"

She was becoming more and more surprised. Having a contracted spirit basically marked her as a full-fledged spirit contractor.

"Show me for a bit. Your contracted spirit."

"I can't. It's bad to summon a spirit unnecessarily if you're inexperienced."

Claire replied with sound logic. But Rinslet didn't back down.

"Oh my, if you won't show it, I suppose it's that low of a spirit?"

"Y, you're wrong, «Scarlet» is a very strong spirit!"

"If that's so, then prove it."

"......~!"

Claire was lost in indecision for a while but---

It was not okay for a spirit contractor to take a contracted spirit lightly.

Finally she nodded resolutely and,

"......Fine, I'll make a special exception to show you."

She took out a stick of chalk from within her dress' skirt.

She drew a magic square on the wall with difficulty and began chanting the spirit language summoning ritual.


---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!

In an instant, a «Spirit Seal» in the shape of «Flames» surfaced on the back of her right hand.

A small fireball appeared from the center of the magic square and suddenly became the figure of a hellcat enshrouded in flames.

It was about the size of a squirrel, a small and adorable kitten.

"This is Scarlet."

Claire hugged the hellcat veiled in flames in her arms.

"Oh my, it's quite small, isn't it."

Rinslet smiled with composure and,

"S, Scarlet may be small, but she's powerful!"

Claire puffed her cheeks.

"Well, I'll give you credit for being able to summon your contracted spirit. But it cannot compare to my «Fenrir»."

«Fenrir» was the high-level spirit Rinslet had contracted on her sixth birthday.

She drew a magic square on the wall like Claire and chanted the spirit language summoning ritual.

---Oh freezing beast with Ice-teeth, merciless hunter of the forest.

---Now is the time to abide the contract of blood, hasten to my side as commanded!

A «Spirit Seal» representing «Ice» appeared on the back of her right hand.

And a fierce icy wind stormed through the stairway and---

A large white wolf appeared from thin air.


"Amazing......!"

Claire's ruby eyes widened.

"Fufun, isn't he?"

"......Cute!"

Rinslet fell down.

"H, he isn't cute or anything like that; Fenrir is a ferocious white wolf!"

"Kuun......"

Fenrir let out a sad cry at being called not cute by his master.

"That's not true. He's really cute."

Claire touched Fenrir's fur and,

"D, don't just touch him as you please!"

Rinslet shot out her finger and returned her contracted spirit to «Astral Zero».

"Ahh......"

"Now then, let's go."

"W, wait---!"

Claire also sent Scarlet back and hurried after Rinslet.

---The two continued to descend down the endless stairs.

"This is pretty long. Rather, is there even a bottom?"


"Rinslet-chan, isn't it about time to head back......"

"Stop calling me Rinslet-chan!"

"Y, yeah......sorry, Rinslet-chan."

"Haaa, whatever already!"

Rinslet sighed, astounded.

Finally, the stairs ended and the two arrived at the «Sealed Library».

It was a large space with a high ceiling. The air was chilly.

Claire held the flame light aloft, showing the many tall bookshelves.

"So this is the famous sealed library."

"Yeah, what an amazing amount of books......!"

It seemed that it was also Claire's first time setting foot in here so she couldn't hide her excitement.

Indeed, the bookshelves were lined with books that seemed to have history to them.

"---I wonder if these are about rituals."

Rinslet slowly took one of them in hand.

The instant she blew away the dust on the cover and opened it,

"Kyaa! W, what is this!"

With a beet red face, she threw the book.

"W, what's wrong!"

"Th, there was a picture of holding hands with a gentleman!"


"......H, hands!?"

Claire timidly turned the book with a dubious expression.

"Fuaaa, t, this one has them l, linking arms!"

"Wh, whwh, what immodesty!"

The two screamed kyaa, kyaa.

For the sheltered noble ojou-samas, it was much too stimulating.

Rinslet roughly closed the book.

"Th, this is a book for adults! Let's search for a different book!"

"Y, yeah, that's right......!"

The two were flushed red as they exchanged nods.

===Part 8===

---Dozens of minutes later.

Rinslet piled the books she had taken from the shelves onto the floor.

"......Phew, there was worth in coming. This is an amazing collection."

For some reason, she slapped the books with old leather covers that had complicated characters on them.

She didn't really understand the contents, but she had just gathered every book that had extravagant binding and looked difficult.

"Rinslet-chan, can you read books written in spirit language?"


Picking up one of the books from that pile. Claire spoke out in surprise.

Rinslet pressed her lips together. She had received education for gifted children ever since she was a child, but as expected, she still couldn't decode spirit language.

"C, can you read it?"

"Yeah, just a bit. Nee-sama taught me."

Claire nodded.

Rinslet instantly puffed her cheeks as if displeased and,

"H, how impertinent!"

"Fuaa, Rinfure-hyan, it hauts!"

She was pulling on Claire's cheeks.

And then.

"......?"

Claire's shoulders slightly stiffened.

"What's wrong?"

While questioning her, Rinslet released Claire's cheeks.

"Y, yeah, just now, there was something---I felt a chill."

"A chill?"

Rinslet knitted her brows.

The underground library was cool, but not to the point of shivering.


"Come on, please don't scare me!"

"But, I really---"

Whooooooooosh---

"......Kyaa!?"

Rinslet screamed out without thinking at the blast of cold air from somewhere.

"Rinslet-chan......"

"I, it's fine, it's just a draft."

"But there was no draft until just now."

Claire whispered that, sounding worried and started looking around at the surroundings restlessly.

......Just like a frightened small animal.

(......Jeez, it can't be helped.)

Rinslet shrugged slightly and---

Held the shivering Claire's hand.

"......?"

"Relax. I'm here."

"Y, yeah......"

It seemed she'd calmed down as her hand stopped shaking.

"......Rinslet-chan's hand is warm. It's like nee-sama's."

"Wh, what are you saying! I'm a cold ice demon!"


Rinslet's face reddened and she averted her eyes.

"At any rate, this is......"

The sound of the blowing wind was gradually getting stronger.

The books on the ground were flapping and their dress' skirts were flying up.

Just what exactly was happening---

"......It seems like a good idea to return."

Rinslet muttered and just then.

"---Who is the one who has disturbed my slumber."

A ghastly voice resounded within the underground room.

"Kyaa!"

"Wh, what!?"

"---Who is the one who has disturbed my slumber!"

This time, a louder voice from far away shook the lines of bookshelves.

"......Fuaaa!?"

The two pressed against each other and cringed.

"Rinslet-chan, th, that book---"

Claire pointed at the ground and yelled. It was one of the books that Rinslet had brought over. The page that had been opened by the wind was giving off bluish white light.


"Could it be that there was a «Sealed Spirit» sealed in that book!?"

"What did you say!?"

«Sealed Spirit»---it was a general term for spirits that were sealed into magical items as a result of their ferocity.

It was an existence that an elementalist with little experience should fear the most.

"Th, that kind of dangerous thing was in that book---kyaaa!"

Lots of dust was falling from the ceiling as a result of the room's rumbling.

And then---

"---Who is the one who has disturbed my slumbeeeeeeeeer!"

A magic square of light formed around the book.

A giant ice figure appeared in the middle of the blinding light---!

"......!"

That was a dragon---no, it was a large lizard crafted of ice.

Of course, there was no way that was a natural living creature.

It was a spirit. ---And an extremely strong one.

"Ice salamander---......"

Claire muttered in a trembling voice.

"You know what it is?"

"I read about it in a book. It's a terribly ferocious ice beast spirit......"


"......"

Rinslet gulped at Claire's words.

The giant ice beast that appeared from the magic square leered at the two with its red eyes.

"So you two are my offerings......"

Waving its long tongue, it slowly moved towards them.

It seemed it happened to be able to understand human language, but it didn't seem like the kind that one could have a conversation with.

(......There's no way but to do it!)

Rinslet resolved herself and quickly chanted the summoning.

"---Answering to my command, come forth, magic ice spirit «Fenrir»!"

In a moment, the white wolf appeared from thin air. With a sharp roar, it attacked the ice beast.

"I, I did it!"

Summoning without a magic square was a dangerous bet but---

There was no prey the magic ice spirit could not hunt.

---But in the next instant. Rinslet's victory smile froze over.

The ice beast swung its tail and blew Fenrir away.

Fenrir smacked into the wall and was scattered into particles with only one attack.

"No way......!"

A hoarse cry came from Rinslet's throat.


The magic ice spirit «Fenrir» was a high-level spirit that had served generations of the Laurenfrost house. It was an existence far above sealed spirits like that one.

But its contractor, Rinslet, was no more than a six year old girl. Because of her inexperience as a spirit contractor, it could not unleash its full potential.

"---Foolish girl."

The ice beast's long tongue licked Rinslet's cheek.

"Ah, ahh......"

Her entire body cowered in fear.

(It's my fault......)

Rinslet heavily regretted her actions.

It would have been best to just do as Claire had said and obediently played with dolls back in the room.

(It's my fault that even she---)

She turned her gaze backward and Claire was on her knees shaking.

"Claire, you have to escape at least!"

"I, I can't......!"

Claire shook her head intensely.

"It's fine, so run. Protecting the weak is also a part of noblesse oblige!"

Rinslet yelled in a quavering voice and stood before the ice beast that was closing in.

"Rinslet-chan!?"


"Hurry, now!"

"No! I can't just run and leave a friend behind!"

"Claire---"

In an instant, the giant ice beast's claws flashed.

"Kyaaaaa!"

Rinslet's small body was easily blown away and smacked into the bookshelf.

A dull sound from the impact echoed and a great deal of books fell.

The shredded white dress was dyed with the pure red color of blood.

"---......!?"

A sharp scream gushed forth from Claire's throat.

"......Ah, h......kuu......"

"Rinslet-chan, get a hold of yourself! Rinslet-chan!"

She could hear Claire's voice from far away.

She could tell that blood was leaving her from her entire body.

(I was really foolish......)

In her hazy conscience---

Regrets swirled around.

......I thought I could do anything. I had nothing to fear.

She had not realized until now that that was just the conceit of youth.


(At least, that girl......)

She wanted to at least save the girl that had called her a friend.

"Quick......ly, run......away......"

"......Forgive."

"Eh?"

Even while on the verge of losing consciousness, that voice reached her ears.

"---I definitely won't forgive you!"

"......!"

She finally realized that was Claire's voice.

The red twintails were swaying like a burning fire.

(......Wh, what?)

Her body was hot. The surrounding temperature was rising.

The ruby eyes that housed flames glared at the «Ice Salamander» as if piercing it.

The ice beast that was slowly drawing closer stopped for a moment as if it felt fear.

"---Born of nothingness, the flames governing destruction!"

The spirit language chant spun from her lips.

It was not an informal chant. It was a true chant that drew forth the utmost of one's divine power.

Rinslet's conscience was awakened by that unbelievable scene.

"---Don't tell me, «Fireball»!?"


It was a middle-class fire element spell.

The ice salamander roared.

It swung its claws to stop the chant---

Just before that, the spirit magic was completed.

"Take this, incinerating conflagration --- «Fireball»!"

The swelling blaze engulfed the surrounding oxygen and attacked the ice beast.

Rinslet reflexively protected her forehead from the raging explosion she expected.

However---

"......?"

Even ignoring whether it struck the ice beast, there was no explosion.

(......What is that!?)

On the other side of the wavering air---

'''The red lotus of flames had greedily devoured the ice spirit.'''

It was like a giant carnivorous predator had massacred its prey.

Those flames moved as if they had their own will and relentlessly devoured the spirit.

---'''Was that really «Fireball» magic?'''

"......"

At last, with the final death cries of agony from the ice beast, the flames vanished.


"Haaa, haaa, haaa......"

Claire had exhausted her strength from firing those flames and fell to her knees.

"......Y, you can use that kind of amazing magic?"

Rinslet asked as she pressed down on her clotting flank.

"Y, yeah......but, father said to never use it......kuu......"

"Your hands are!?"

Rinslet gasped.

......Claire's hands were severely burnt.

"I, I'm fine, this much......"

With her face distorting from pain, Claire put on a smile to act strong.

Rinslet sighed.

"......I swear. Even though you're a crybaby, you're rash."

"......"

There was no response. Whether she'd used up her vitality or divine power, Claire had lost her consciousness as if having fallen asleep.

Rinslet gently touched her cheek and,

"Claire Elstein---"

Softly whispered that.

"I will recognize you as my destined rival."

===Part 9===


"This was my first meeting with her---"

Rinslet finished the story and quietly put down her tea cup.

"After that, we were rescued by our fathers who realized something strange was going on, but Claire and I were really frightened."

"......I see. Well, it's a relief you two were safe."

Kamito felt relieved.

"At any rate, as expected, isn't Claire's personality too different?"

"Yes, that child changed four years ago after the incident with Rubia-sama. She closed her heart to everyone and set herself on only becoming stronger."

"......"

But --- and Rinslet continued on.

"Lately, it seems that she has opened her heart again. ---That's right, ever since she met with Kamito-san."

"Come to think of it, when we met, she tried to make me her slave."

Kamito smiled wryly to hide his embarrassment and,

"---Thanks for the meal. I should get back to my room soon."

He stood from his seat.


......Listening to the story had taken quite a bit of time.

A boy staying in a girl's room any longer would be a breach of manners.

"......Th, that's true. Even though it's fine if you stay a little longer."

Rinslet muttered as if it was a pity.

---And at the time. The sound of knocking on the door.

"......Yes?"

"Rinslet, I, I---"

"Claire?"

Rinslet opened the door and the one standing there was Claire who had a small box in her hands.

"What is it?"

"......Umm, snacks, I bought too many yesterday, so do you want some?"

As she averted her eyes, Claire brought the box in her hands out front.

......It looks like a chance to fix their friendship.

Rinslet seemed to understand her intentions.

"Oh my, it matches well since I was just making tea."

"Ah, is that so......eh?"

In an instant, Claire's face that peeked into the room stiffened.

"Yo, Claire---"

"Wh, what......have you two been alone until now?"

"Yes. We ate breakfast together."

"......Hm, hmph, I see. Alone with Kamito."

Claire's expression was quickly degenerating into one of displeasure.

"K, Kamito is mine, so please don't just feed him as you like!"

"Oh my, Kamito-san isn't yours; he's mine."

Sparks were flying between the two at the entrance.

While he watched the state of those two---

(......Somehow, it seems like another fight has started.)

Kamito sighed, exasperated.

«noinclude»{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume8 Interlude1|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume8 Chapter4}}«/noinclude»

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume8 Chapter2

2013-04-23T06:05:16Z

Pjs312:

==The Witch and the Assassin==
===Part 1===

......Four years ago.

All of a sudden, the «Instructional School» was destroyed in the span of a single night by an evil spirit of flames.

Within the blaze, the boy snatched the ring the darkness spirit was sealed in and escaped to the outside of the facility. He, who had been raised as a tool of destruction and slaughter, continued to wander aimlessly through barren wastelands.

And then, several weeks later.

In the remote city he wandered to, the boy contacted a border faction of «Murders», a secret organization.

Without a sense of justice and knowing no other way to live than through his battle skills, he couldn't come up with any other option.

They had ridiculed the boy who came to their hideout with hair that had grown as long as possible and a tattered appearance.

What can such a young child even do, they said.

But as soon as their guards were beaten in a flash, their appraisal of him changed.

"I shall accept any job. The price is―"

The reward he was seeking from «Murders» was a single book.

A book that was sealed upon orders of the «Divine Ritual Institute», a forbidden text ― «Key of Sulaiman».

The job he accepted in exchange was―


The assassination of the continent's strongest elementalist, the «Dusk Witch».

And now, the boy ― Kamito was blending into the night in the witch's courtyard.

The imperial capital's suburbs. The grounds were large, but as a home for the former number one of the «Numbers» that had been granted great peerage, it was plain.

Let alone a spirit protecting the gate, there didn't even appear to be a single servant......though he already knew this from the information he had received.

The time Greyworth would return from the royal palace was drawing nearer and nearer.

Cloaked in darkness, Kamito touched the ring he had hidden within his jacket.

He stroked the words written on its outer edge in spirit language.

(......If this goes well, I can free her.)

The one sealed within the ring was the darkness spirit girl.

The girl who had given human emotions to he who had become an empty tool at the training facility.

But giving emotions to Kamito, who should have been a tool, had angered the instructors, resulting in her being sealed once again.

Although he had succeeded in stealing the ring during the opportunity created by the «Instructional School»'s destruction, Kamito did not know how to undo the seal. In addtion, the instructors who would have known how to undo the seal had all been killed by that «Evil Flame Spirit».

(But if I can just get the «Key of Sulaiman», then I can definitely―)


He would assassinate the continent's strongest elementalist for the sake of getting back her smile.

He had not done an assassination mission yet, but he was confident that it was something he would succeed in.

The sound of a horse-drawn coach coming down the road. Kamito heard it with his extraordinary hearing ability.

(―This mission will be decided with the first attack. If I miss, I'm dead.)

This was the iron rule for when a non-elementalist fought with an elementalist.

It seemed that all the assassination attempts on the «Dusk Witch» so far had failed.

The «Murders» bunch hadn't told him what had happened to those who failed. ―Not that he really wanted to know.

The coach arrived before the gate.

Kamito covered the lower half of his face with a black cloth and drew the twin swords at his waist.

Special short swords forged from spirit crystals ― items he had received at the «Instructional School».

They had no inscription. They were not actually designed for battle but instead were twin swords intended for use in a princess maiden's blade dance ritual; however, supplying divine power to the blade would allow it to also cut spirits so it was convenient for missions.

Even so, there was no comparison in performance with an elementalist's «Elemental Waffe».

The door of the coach opened, and a woman with ash blonde hair came out.

Kamito sprung all his muscles into action and shot out from the darkness.

It did not leave any room for a reaction. He closed the distance in an instant and slashed out towards the woman's neck.

He felt a hard impact with his hands.

The twin swords' blades had stopped in midair.


"......!?"

"―Ohh, you're different from all the other ones."

Cloaked in a grey dress, the beautiful woman smiled bewitchingly.

In her hand was a single thick book.

That book had stopped the twin swords.

"Tch―!"

Shivers ran down his spine. That was something that he should have lost already, instinctual fear.

Those bottomless grey eyes pierced through Kamito.

(This person is―)

A monster ― that word floated into his head.

He withdrew his twin swords and slipped into the darkness. Fighting any more than this would be meaningless.

Seeing as he did not take her down in a single strike, he would have to bide time until the next chance.

"My goodness, did you think you could just escape after aiming for a witch's neck?"

The «Dusk Witch» smiled like she was enjoying herself and put out her hand.

In an instant, a revolting lump of darkness was born from thin air.

(......Is that a demonic spirit!?)

They had a different spirit structure and consequently could not be controlled by humans.

The one who could control them was ― only the heretical «Dusk Witch».

The lump of darkness coiled around her arm and formed into a vibrating sword.


Even if he were not an elementalist, he could feel it with his skin.

The one before his eyes was a top-class demonic spirit.

It was probably the same rank as Restia, no less―

(―Even though she's a retired spirit knight, she's contracted to spirits of this caliber!)

He had heard about it but ― even though it was right in front of him, it was hard to believe.

Normally, a princess maiden's ability was at its peak from ten to the early twenties, and they would only weaken after that. Those elementalists who had lost their power would retire, marry a noble of high birth, and pass their power down to their daughters.

If it was true that she had fought during the time of the Ranbal War, then her power should have weakened long ago.

A sharp flash split the air.

(......Fast!)

He barely reacted by using his instincts, but the blade grazed him.

The cloth over his lower face was cut and fell gently to the ground.

"―Ohh, quite a cute girl."

The sharp grey eyes widened slightly.

"......I'm not a girl."

Kamito spoke for the first time.

He could not escape from his opponent's blade's reach. He would only be able to kill the moment he retreated.


(―Then there's no other way but to resolve myself.)

Kamito readied his twin blades and stared back at the falcon-like eyes of the witch.

"I have ― come to kill the «Dusk Witch»."

He immediately kicked off the ground and closed the distance.

The godspeed slash was aimed at the witch's windpipe, but just before that.

The witch's figure swayed.

A moment.

"Absolute Blade Arts, First Form ― «Purple Lightning»."

"......!?"

Greyworth's sword penetrated straight through Kamito's flank.

===Part 2===

"Uu, mm......"

When he opened his eyes―

Kamito was lying atop a soft bed.

Clean sheets that smelled nice. Daylight flooded in from the large window.

(......Where exactly is this?)


And with no time to guess,

"I'm surprised. That you were really a boy."

"......!?"

Kamito leaped from the bed at the voice he heard overhead.

No, rather, he tried to leap from it but failed.

It seemed that his lower half was numb and couldn't move.

Greyworth smiled like she was having fun and,

"Sorry, I allowed myself to cast «Binding» magic on you. It would trouble me if you ran wild."

"Kuu......"

"At any rate, moving will open your wounds. Even if I held back, my sword still pierced your stomach."

"......"

Certainly, his lower torso was aching with a dull pain. The bandages thoroughly wrapped around him were stained with blood.

"I have applied healing techniques. You should be fully healed in three days."

"......Why did you save me?"

"Because I've taken an interest in you. At such a young age, having strength incomparable to the other assassins, calm judgment ability and moreover―"

And she paused, then took out '''that''' and showed it to him.

"You were carrying a pretty interesting item. The legendary-class demonic accessory, «Sulaiman's Ring»."

"......Give, it......back, give it back......!"

Kamito widened his eyes and stretched out his hand as if possessed.


But those fingers only grasped air.

"......I'm surprised, you can move while under the «Binding». It appears you treasure this very much."

Greyworth smiled bewitchingly and leaned in close to Kamito's ear.

"Sorry, but I investigated your body as you slept. You possess a princess maiden's disposition to sympathize with spirits, it seems?"

"......!"

Kamito averted his gaze wordlessly.

It was impossible to deceive her. An elementalist of the «Dusk Witch»'s caliber could easily see through an elementalist's disposition.

"An existence that shouldn't exist in this world, a male elementalist ― no, there is one in the history of the continent. That kind of abnormal existence."

As if taunting one who had taken the bait, the witch whispered in his ear.

"......"

"I wonder if this is the second coming of the demon king that once brought destruction and disaster to the continent. Truly a dangerous existence."

"......What do you intend to do with me?"

Kamito finally spoke.

If he was handed over to the empire, the chance to meet Restia again would be forever closed to him.

That was the only thing he definitely needed to avoid.

But to Kamito, who had a tense face,


"Boy, how old are you?"

A question with no relation to the topic was asked.

"......"

"Defiant, aren't you."

The witch began to fiddle with the ring in her hands.

"......Thirteen. I was taught that by the ones who raised me."

"Thirteen, huh. '''Age-wise, that's enough.''' And with this face―"

She muttered to herself about random things and then smiled.

"Boy, won't you become mine?"

"I refuse."

Kamito replied immediately.

"Don't conclude that so quickly. This is a trade. It's not bad for you either."

"......What do you mean?"

"What if I were to say I could release the spirit sealed in this ring?"

"What―?"

In an instant, Kamito's countenance changed.

===Part 3===

The release of the sealed Restia. In return for that, what Greyworth wanted―

......Unexpectedly was just housework.

"―I was certain you would be hiring me as an assassin."

Kamito voiced his doubts and,

"If you were stronger than me, then I might have."

She joked with a smile.

"......That's true, but why am I dressed like this?"

Kamito said with a stunned expression as he gripped the long skirt's hem.

For some reason, Kamito had been made to wear fluttery maid clothing.

His black hair that had been allowed to grow without cutting was personally combed by Greyworth and now had a glossy sheen.

―The image reflected in the full-length mirror was completely one of a girl.

"Truly, that suits you to a frightening degree. If you went out to the imperial capital like that, the boys wouldn't leave you alone."

Greyworth once again raised a voice of admiration.

"I'm not a girl. At least lend me normal clothes."

"Denied. I'm not just making you wear those clothes because I like to bully."

"......What do you mean?"

"If any of my guests were to find out that you are a male elementalist, what would happen? If it's a high-potential princess maiden, then whether you're an elementalist or not, it is simple to overlook."


"That's......"

Certainly, if it was discovered that he was a male elementalist like the demon lord, it would cause a problem in no time. Those rumors might even reach the empire's top brass.

"Additionally, you are an unregistered elementalist......it goes without saying that the nation will regard a stray elementalist as a great threat. If you were found out, Ordesia Empire may send out its spirit knights or even the «Numbers»."

......He couldn't refute any of it.

As expected, without Restia, he didn't feel confident in escaping the empire's elite.

"What, it's not like it'll be for forever. I'll also think of a way. But I'll have you stay in the mansion for the time being."

"......I got it."

Kamito nodded as it couldn't be helped.

"Well, there is one other reason―"

"Yeah?"

"―Mm, don't mind it for now."

Greyworth shook her head to drop the subject.

"So, you can really free Restia, right?"

"Yeah. It will take some time, but if I use the Elstein family's «Sealed Library», I should be able to find the book you were looking for. Demonic accessories are outside of my specialty, but well, it'll work out somehow. Even like this, I'm still a university graduate."


"......"

He didn't understand what the «Dusk Witch» was planning. However, as long as he had no other way to free Restia, he would have to listen to her.

"Now, follow me. I'll guide you through the mansion."

Greyworth turned on her heel and went out to the hall.

Kamito sighed and followed after her.

At any rate ― Kamito thought of a question.

......The inside of the mansion had too few human presences.

"Why do you only have one servant?"

"Ahh, it's because the ones that work at this mansion aren't actually here."

"......?"

"You'll understood soon ― since I'm saying while you're here."

Greyworth smiled wryly.

Kamito found it difficult to understand what she meant and―

The next moment. Suddenly, the hallway's window opened.

"......!?"

Kamito reacted instantly. Lifting the long skirt, he drew his twin swords that were strapped by belts to his thighs.


The ones that came from the window were two completely black boys. Held in their hands were short swords with a curved blade.

The assailants' moves froze for a moment.

That was obvious. Since an ordinary maid had just drawn weapons with practiced movements.

With that opening, Kamito closed the gap in an instant. Smashing the hilt of his sword into one's jaw, he rendered him incapable of combat, and with flowing movements, he pierced his blade into the second assailant's shoulder.

A silent scream. Immediately slamming his fist into the solar plexus, he knocked him out.

It hadn't even taken a few seconds to beat the two assailants.

Looking at their reactions amongst other things, they were reasonably well-trained, but for Kamito who came from the «Instructional School», they were not a match as an assassin.

Greyworth was calmly observing Kamito's skill in defeating the assailants.

"......What's with these guys?"

After confirming the two had truly lost consciousness, Kamito asked.

"Who knows? I'm quite hated by various groups. Outside of the empire, of course, and there are enemies within as well. Having an assassin come is a usual occurrence."

"Could it be that this kind of thing happens every day?"

"Cleaning up these kinds of guys is also the job of a maid."

Greyworth pushed up her glasses with her fingertips and smiled.

"But your sword style just now ― those are genuine assassination techniques."


"......I know nothing other than this blade style."

"The style you learned from that assassin training organization you mentioned?"

"......"

(As expected, I was seen through, huh......)

There was no use denying it. Following the destruction of the «Instructional School», the empire had sent out its knights, including the «Numbers», to investigate. What had been done at that facility; there was no way the military authorities or she who had been connected would not know.

"I don't particularly have an interest in your background."

Perhaps she had taken his silence as an affirmation as Greyworth shrugged her shoulders.

"It's just that that blade style is inconvenient in a variety of ways. '''It's not suited for blade dancing.'''"

"Blade dancing?"

Amongst the rituals elementalists offered to spirits, that was the programme with the highest social status.

To the orphans of the «Instructional School» who were completely master assassins, it was a word of no relevance.

Greyworth's grey eyes stared at Kamito as if appraising him.

"―Boy, have you ever wished that you wanted to become strong?"

"......Strong?"

Kamito was perplexed at the question that was suddenly raised.

Wanted to become strong ― thinking that way, there shouldn't have been even an occurrence up to now.

But he had been ordered to become strong. And in reality, if he hadn't become strong, he would not have been able to survive at that Hell-like facility.


He pondered on that subject for a while―

"......I don't know."

Kamito shook his head.

"At the very least, I don't think I've wished that I wanted to become strong ― I think."

"―I see."

Greyworth nodded to herself as if coming to an understanding.

And with eyes as if she pitied something about him, she turned to Kamito and―

"You are strong. Most likely, it would be fine to call you the single strongest master assassin on the entire continent. But that is, after all, an empty strength."

His chest became abuzz at Greyworth's words. He opened his mouth as if to retort.

"―It's not like I wanted to become strong."

"Hrm―"

Greyworth placed her hand on her chin as if her interest had been peaked and,

"First of all, it seems it is necessary to open the boy's eyes."

And as if having been struck with an idea, she gave a profound smile.

===Part 4===

―From then, a few days' time.

Kamito worked devotedly as a newly hired maid at Greyworth's mansion.

"Kamito, heat the bath. I don't like it hot, so I'm counting on you to keep it mild."

"Yeah."

"Next I'd like you to clean the garden. Prune the shrubs as well."

"Got it."

"Kamito, dinner. I would like subtly seasoned Laurenfrost-style meat cuisine."

"I can't make that kind of thing!"

"There's a recipe, isn't there? Everything is an experience."

"Whatever happens, I don't know anything......"

Of course, Kamito had not done anything like cooking until now. Despite that, he somehow managed to make something resembling meat cuisine and Greyworth ate without leaving any leftovers as she voiced complaints.

The most troubling thing about being in the empire was that one could not use flames satisfactorily.

The cause was the «Calamity Queen»'s revolt that had happened several weeks before the «Instructional School» was destroyed.

The enraged spirit king razed the empire's territory and erased all flames within their lands.

Due to this, every time Kamito wanted to use fire, he had to head to the «Spirit Forest» that flourished outside the capital city to catch a fire attribute spirit.

There were still other things that troubled him.


[[File:STnBD V08 071.png|thumbnail|right]]
"Kamito, wash my body."

"Wha!?"

Kamito's face reddened and,

"It's a joke. Hrm, you're still a kid in those matters."

"Kuu......!"

Kamito glared at his inhuman master, but his lovely maid clothes nullified its impact and,

"Maybe I should have you be my partner for tonight."

"......Ah, uu......"

"Fufuu, you're really cute."

It seemed like it stirred up her sadistic heart instead.

(......This is also for the sake of freeing Restia.)

While Kamito said that to himself, his household skills had improved.

But his most important job was not housework. In-between housework, he had to fend off the assassins that came seemingly every day aiming for Greyworth's life.

"......You're really hated by various groups."

Kamito muttered with sarcasm and,

"I wasn't as peaceful back when I was a knight as I am now."

"......You've become peaceful now?"


Kamito once again remembered fear.

===Part 5===

Like that, one day. Greyworth went out from the mansion.

"I'll be visiting the royal palace. Do the laundry and clean the mansion until evening."

"You don't hate politics?"

"I can't ignore a direct summons from His Majesty the emperor. And the subject this time isn't unrelated to you."

"......What do you mean?"

Greyworth shrugged her shoulders and explained in response to Kamito's query.

It appeared that a few days ago, the report from the spirit knights on the «Instructional School» was announced and the details of the inhuman experiments were coming to light one by one.

Amongst the founding members of that facility, there were a number of important nobles so the imperial court was buzzing like a disturbed bees' nest.

"......I bet."

In the organization, the «Instructional School»'s battle technicians were well-hidden, but from the contents of the missions, it was possible to guess the clients' statuses and situations.

Although to begin with, the ones who had investigated them were elementalists specialized in information gathering that were roughly equal to his ex-teammate, Lily Flame.


"Well, the founding members were nobles of this empire but they seem to have all gradually moved to the «Demon King Religious Clique» from Alphas Theocracy that was backing the organization."

Greyworth took a breath and,

"The fanatical devotees of the demon king ― the ones who scouted you after finding out about your prowess as an elementalist were also those Demon King Religious Clique guys, right?"

"......I don't know."

Kamito shook his head sideways. Certainly, the elders at the «Instructional School» seemed to believe that the male elementalist Kamito was the second coming of the demon king.

"Because I was a tool that embodied their wills."

"......"

Greyworth stared at that sort of Kamito for a while and,

"Oh boy, it seems drastic measures are necessary."

"......?"

"Ahh, that's right―"

In front of the hall preceeding the foyer, Greyworth said that as if she had remembered something.

"Also clean my study today."

"The study?"

Normally she would say it was fine even if he didn't clean the study.


......What a strange turn of events this was.

"Cleaning just the floor is fine. I've told you many times, don't touch things that don't concern you."

"......Got it."

Even while he thought of a question, Kamito nodded obediently.

===Part 6===

After Greyworth left the mansion, Kamito immediately began cleaning.

It had started off as an unfamiliar maid job, but he had finally gotten the knack of it.

As he walked down the hallway that had an expensive carpet spread out along it,

(......I really didn't know anything other than fighting.)

All this time, he had never been allowed to realize that.

The disciples of the «Instructional School» were only tools for the purpose of slaughter. They were never taught unnecessary knowledge.

Restia had bestowed him with knowledge of the outside world, but their time together had been too short. Particularly in their first meeting, Kamito had not seen her as anything other than an enemy he had to defeat. (―He wondered if the «Instructional School» was completely dissolved by the empire.)

He didn't have any particularly strong feelings about that but―

The one that crossed his mind was the girl with ash grey hair that had disappeared into the flames.

The girl that had called him her brother and adored him.


The second-place «Monster» of the «Instructional School» ― Muir Alenstarl.

Was she done in by those flames or captured by the spirit knights, he wondered.

(Either way doesn't seem likely......)

Shrugging his shoulders, he opened Greyworth's study with the key he'd been provided.

Books were ordered and lined up on the bookshelf that covered an entire wall and a bunch of documents were piled up on the office desk.

"......It looks like what she said about being a university graduate is true."

Kamito muttered and stepped into the room with broom in hand.

......It was a larger room than he had imagined. Perhaps to prevent the deterioration of research materials, there was no window. In its place, a spirit crystal's illumination lit up the entire room dimly.

A glass wardrobe was adorned with raw spirit crystals and a collection of demonic accessories. They were undoubtedly items of absurd prices.

―And amongst them, he realized there was a gaudy medal left carelessly.

"This is......"

In the center of a wooden shield, a beautiful spirit crystal was embedded, and Greyworth's name was carved on the metal plate.

"......The medal given to the victor of the «Blade Dance», huh."

The elementalists' festival that happened once every several years or possibly several decades in «Astral Zero».

It seemed this was an item from over twenty years ago when the «Dusk Witch» had won.

"Blade dance, huh......"


He remembered what Greyworth had said a few days ago.

―It's just that that blade style is inconvenient in a variety of ways. It's not suited for blade dancing.

Is what she had said.

He wondered what the difference was with the sword techniques that had been hammered into him at the «Instructional School».

(―My sword techniques could not reach the «Dusk Witch».)

He was sure that she had said «Absolute Blade Arts»―

As if stabbing through the blank in one's consciousness, it was an inexplicable sword technique. Until now, that was the only sword technique that Kamito had not been able to see through after one time.

(......Why?)

―You are strong.

―But that is, after all, an empty strength.

(......I don't get it. I know nothing other than that strength.)

Moving away from the wardrobe, this time he looked upon the desk.

And there.

"......!?"

Seeing an item that would surprise anyone, Kamito gasped.

An ancient book with leather bindings.

The title carved in spirit language was ― «Key of Sulaiman».

(......No way, she already obtained it!?)


Of course, it was not the original but a copy. Be that as it may, it should still have information on the legendary-class demonic accessory, «Sulaiman's Ring», that Restia was sealed in.

"......"

Kamito stretched his hand out without hesitation. Kamito had not really studied languages, but thanks to Restia, he could roughly decipher the meaning to some extent.

......If he at least understood the method, the process itself didn't seem too difficult. If he used the ritual equipment gathered in the room, he should be able to begin the spirit freeing ritual immediately.

The shrill sound of a bell resounded.

"......!?"

It was the notification that an intruder had entered the mansion's «Barrier».

"Kuu, at this kind of time―"

Clicking his tongue, Kamito turned his gaze to the door―

Those eyes opened in surprise.

(―Since when!?)

A shadow with a small build draped in black cloth was standing on the other side of the door.

===Part 7===

Kamito immediately changed his thoughts into battle mode.

His opponent was short with a feminine physique.

A girl ― if it was, the chance of her being an elementalist was high.

Kamito quickly reached for the twin blades beneath his skirt and gathered divine power into his hands.

This was the first time an elementalist assassin had come to the mansion. By no means, they should not be of the remnants from the «Instructional School» but―

"It's unfortunate but the «Dusk Witch» is not here."

"......"

Kamito said those words but the assassin was not perturbed at all. She stood there wordlessly while sending out killing intent.

(Greyworth isn't the target? If not, then what exactly―)

An instant. From the assassin's fingers, a sphere was formed.

Aiming at Kamito, she launched the sphere.

(Spirit magic......as I thought, an elementalist!)

As he reflexibly moved to dodge ― he realized.

On the desk behind him was the «Key of Sulaiman» that was necessary for freeing Restia.

He turned around in an instant. He stopped it with the twin swords infused with divine power ― but,

"......Guu!"

Even if it was infused with divine power, something like a sword couldn't deflect spirit magic. The black orb that hit the blades exploded right in front of him. Kamito's body was blown away violently and smacked into the wall.


"......Ku, ah......"

At the spot the ball had exploded, a hole like the air had been gouged out opened and the fragments of the twin swords that had stopped the spirit magic had been eliminated without a trace.

"......«Annihilation» magic, huh!"

This one was on a different level from all the assassins that had come to the mansion before―!

The assassin wordlessly shot several black orbs at him.

Kamito quickly grabbed the «Key of Sulaiman» and threw himself to the ground.

The black spheres exploded overhead. The shards from the wooden wardrobe that was broken by the technique grazed against his cheek.

(......Don't tell me, the target is this book!?)

And yet, his opponent was firing her magic carelessly.

He decided the objective wasn't recovery but destruction and―

Kamito tightened his grip around the book in his hands.

(......I definitely will not let go of this.)

―This book was the sole key to freeing that girl.

(Restia......)

The girl with black wings that wore a night-colored dress.

When they had parted, the last smile she had shown him was deeply etched into his mind.

With the remains of the twin sword in his left hand and the copy held in his right hand, Kamito confronted the assassin.


Essentially, with the book's safety as a priority, he would prefer to retreat at this point, but unfortunately there were no windows in this room and the sole exit had an assassin standing in it.

(It seems I have no choice but to defeat her―)

The assassin held out her fingers.

Instantly, black spheres fired out consecutively ― there was nowhere to hide in the room.

But that was with the general knowledge of an average battle technician. Kamito kicked off the floor and moved from the wall to the ceiling in but a moment, avoiding all the orbs with minimal movement.

The specialty of the «Instructional School»'s assassins, meta three-dimensional movement ― moreover, Kamito's version of that had been nicknamed «Shadow Weaving», otherworldly movement.

"......!"

The first signs of agitation were born in the black-clothed assassin.

Kamito '''kicked off the ceiling and jumped'''. Closing the distance in an instant, he released a slashing attack.

―But the blade fruitlessly cut only air.

The assassin's image disappeared into thin air like a mirage.

There was no particular reason for surprise. With an elementalist as an opponent, it was a natural thing.

He calmly checked for a presence ― and overhead, the air slightly wavered.

"......!"

Rather than confirming the enemy by sight, Kamito quickly took evasion maneuvers.

A moment later, the place Kamito had been standing at just before was peppered with «Annihilation» magic."


The floor that had become nothing was gouged out along with the air.

If that hit directly, a person would vanish without a single trace.

(I can't let it touch me even slightly.)

Kamito gripped the copy even tighter.

(―I will definitely protect this!)

That time. Kamito realized.

(―I see, this is the first time I've fought this kind of battle.)

And.

Without any orders, he wanted to protect something by his own will and was fighting while strongly desiring that.

The assassin swooped down before his eyes. In her hand was a blade made through magic.

The flash of a blade ran. Kamito promptly whipped out his one-handed sword, protecting the book against his chest.

The one-handed sword was eliminated as if it had been absorbed.

The assassin kicked off the ground again and moved into striking distance.

(Cra―)

Just before the assassin's blade touched the copy.

Restia's smile once again flashed across his mind.

(―I won't let you!)

"Ohhhhhhhh!"

Kamito instantaneously infused his left hand with divine power.


Normally, an elementalist with no contracted spirit could not use spirit magic. However, Kamito concentrated his divine power to the utmost limit and created a pseudo-blade of divine power.

It was possible in theory ― but it was the first time it had ever succeeded.

The surging divine power blade deflected the assassin's «Annihilation» sword.

On top of that, the black cloth mask was lightly cut.

The cloth gently fell from her mouth.

"―I'm surprised. To think that other than through spirit magic, you would pull out a blade of divine power."

"......!?"

The one who smiled fearlessly was―

With clear grey eyes, a beautiful '''girl'''.

"You are―"

"―This is a reward for that. '''See through it this time.'''"

And then, the sword flash burst out.

"Absolute Blade Arts, First Form ― «Purple Lightning»."

===Part 8===

"Uu, nn......"


He awoke on top of a soft bed.

(Somehow, it feels like this has happened before......)

In his hazy state of mind, he thought that.

"It appears you've finally woken up."

The bewitching voice that came from close to his ear.

Turning around, he found Greyworth sitting at the bedside smiling.

"......What was that all about?"

Kamito asked looking displeased.

......No, that wasn't a good question. He somewhat understood her objective.

"Is there something lacking in my sword?"

"That's right. Since rather than through theory, it's faster to learn with the body."

"......"

The thing lacking in Kamito's sword.

That was the existence of something to protect.

Certainly, when he had fought to protect the book ― namely, Restia, the sensation he had from that resolution to protect felt like it had sharpened his entire body into a blade.

"―With the body, huh."

Kamito said cynically and pushed on the top of his shoulder which was hurting.

What Greyworth had unleashed last: that blade technique.


If Kamito's reaction had been even a moment too slow, it would have pierced his heart.

"The ones who've seen through my Absolute Blade Arts twice consists of only you. It's praiseworthy."

"......If I hadn't seen through it, I'd be dead."

"Well, that may be true."

Kamito sighed at the witch who was without a shred of timidity.

"Anyway, your form back then, what exactly―?"

At that time, the face he had glanced beneath the black cloth was a girl of about fifteen years of age.

Her stature was also much smaller. If it was the same physique as right now, perhaps Kamito would have seen through her identity at the beginning.

"I changed my body a little. I can restore my youth with a certain cycle."

―In the past, that was the «Wish» the «Dusk Witch» had obtained.

And for some reason, Greyworth muttered that as if in self-derision.

"Eternal youth......don't tell me, ageless and immortal?"

"It's not that convenient of a thing. It's not something separate from this world, the spirit kings' blessings, that is."

She shrugged her shoulders and―

Opened the «Key of Sulaiman» she had in her hands.

"―Now then, it was a promise. Have the ring in your hands."

"......Y, yeah."


Kamito took out the ring and placed it on his palm with a nervous face.

Greyworth lined up the ritual tools on the ground with practiced movements and held her hand over the ring, then began chanting the words of releasing written in the book.

"......!?"

The ring in his hands shone bluish white.

Moreover, the spirit language characters inscribed on the front face flashed as if burning―

In the next instant, a fierce gale raged within the room.

"Uwaa―"

His vision was shrouded by black fog.

No, it wasn't fog, instead there were whirling black feathers.

Shining with darkness, the wings that were more beautiful than anything in this world.

"―This is surprising. I didn't think it would be a spirit of the highest rank that can take on a human appearance."

Greyworth raised a voice of admiration.

"Restia......"

Kamito's lips were quivering and his outstretched fingers touched the wings.

"―I was waiting, Kamito."

The freed darkness spirit girl―

Placed her hand on Kamito's cheek and smiled gently.

===Part 9===

"And, well―"

Kamito cleared his throat and,

"―The meeting between Greyworth and I was like that."

Averting his eyes slightly from Claire, he ended the story.

......As he expected, talking about things from far in the past was a little embarrassing.

"......"

While Kamito was telling his story, Claire had not once spoken and simply gazed at him as she listened.

"You, that sounds like it was troublesome......"

"Yeah, because of Greyworth, I faced death many number of times......"

The «Dusk Witch»'s Absolute Blade Arts had been beaten into his body.

To tell the truth, he didn't really want to remember those unreasonable days of training.

"Umm, that's not it......no, it's fine."

Claire corrected herself as she shook her head.

"So, what happened next?"

"Next?"


"With the freed darkness spirit. I don't really know much about her."

"......Th, that is―"

Kamito hurriedly averted his gaze. If he continued the story any further, he would need to talk about the birth of «Ren Ashbell».

Just then, the lights in the theater went out and the surroundings became pitch black.

It appeared the action drama was finally going to start.

"It looks like it's going to begin. We'll continue this next time."

"......It can't be helped."

He heard Claire's sigh in the darkness.

"But I'm a little jealous."

"Yeah?"

"Because both the academy director and that darkness spirit girl know the Kamito from the past."

"......"

"Hey, Kamito―"

"Yeah?"

"......I'm cold. Warm me up."

Claire placed her small hand on top of Kamito's palm.

"What an extravagant ojou-sama......"

Kamito smiled wryly and held that hand softly.


"......I'm not jealous, okay."

Claire's voice was drowned out by the sound of bells from the showing.

«noinclude»{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume8 Chapter1|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume8 Interlude1}}«/noinclude»

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume8 Chapter1

2013-04-23T05:59:38Z

Pjs312:

==Victory Celebration==
===Part 1===

Pan! Papapapan!

Having set up a branch store in «Ragna Ys»' business district, the empire's nobles' cafe "La Parfait".

Within that shop, grand noises from crackers resounded.

"Congratulations on «Team Scarlet»'s advancement into the finals!"

The one giving her blessings with a smile was the maid, Carol.

"Fuu, it was the obvious outcome with me there!"

"As expected of you, ojou-sama!"

Rinslet swept up her hair and Carol clapped in return.

"Wait a second, you weren't the only one who did something."

"Uuu......I was always providing support from the rear, but I also wanted to show off more on the front lines!"

"What use would a sniper be at the front lines......"

The seemingly astonished Claire tsukkomi'd.

At that everyday scene before him, Kamito thought,

(......We've really returned, haven't we.)

And breathed a sigh of relief in his heart.

In an isolated field, for seven days, the constantly recurring survival battles between spirit contractors --- «Tempest».


Kamito and the others' return from that stage was already a while ago.

Being teleported to the «Divine Ritual Institute»'s grand shrine by means of transportation magic, the one who appeared before Kamito and the others was the «Fire Spirit Maiden» he had been under the care of previously, Reicha Alminas.

Standing before the nervous Kamito's group, she wore a tender smile as she read out the «Divine Ritual Institute»'s announcement.

«Team Scarlet»'s «Magic Stone» count is nineteen stones.

Congratulations, you will be advancing to the finals as the fourth team --- she had said.

At that moment, the ojou-samas who normally fought without end hugged each others' shoulders and rejoiced.

And now, «Team Scarlet» had reserved "La Parfait" and were in the middle of a victory celebration.

"Fuaaa......peach tarts, they look so delicious."

Claire's red twintails bobbed in a happy manner.

Atop the large wooden table, parfaits laden with cream like works of art, colorful ice cream, fragrant baked sweets, fruit combination platters and a wide variety of cakes were lined up.

"......Th, this squirrel-shaped cake is also cute. It's a pity that it's for eating."

"This cream puff has raspberries in it. It will serve as a good reference."

Gathered in front of the sweet confections, the girls frolicked innocently.


......Somehow, it made one want to smile just looking at it.

"It's fun, isn't it, this kind of thing. We couldn't have a tea party in the middle of the real battle."

As Fianna raised a cup of black coffee, she smiled.

Yes, thanks to the pro-level cook, Rinslet, the contents of their meals were overwhelmingly extravagant compared to the other teams, but as expected, they had not been able to have an elegant tea party.

"That's true. On top of that, it has been a while since we have had a hot bath."

"While in the blade dance field, we made do with purifying in only a small fountain."

Rinslet gave a large nod in response to Claire's words. They had purified their bodies at a hamam in the city before the party.

......Come to think of it, he could smell the the floral scent of shampoo wafting from their hair.

This was something that he had realized since the time he began living with Claire at the academy, that girls fresh out of the bath had a light and calming nice scent to them.

(......Rather, isn't that a perverted thought.)

With lightly reddened cheeks, Kamito shook his head from side to side.

Scratch, scratch.

"Hmm?"

Looking over, the girl with silvery white hair that was sitting beside him was gazing expressionlessly at Kamito.

Mysterious violet eyes. White skin like fresh milk.
[[File:STnBD V08 029.png|thumbnail|right]]

Kamito's contracted spirit, Est.

"Kamito, is there any tofu cake?"

"No, as I expected, there doesn't seem to be any tofu cake."

Kamito scratched his cheek in a troubled manner.

Tofu was a specialty product from Kamito's home town where he was born, a pudding made from soya beans.

Before, Rinslet had made him some and it seemed that Est had taken a liking to it.

"......Is that so."

Her shoulders sunken with disappointment, the legendary sword spirit.

"It's not cake, but if you want tofu ice cream, there's some here."

And Claire slid the ice cream plate to her.

===Part 2===

"......So there is some!"

Est's eyes that had lost their light suddenly regained their brilliance.

"Tofu, tofu ♪"

While humming to herself in a song-like manner, she brought the spoon to her mouth.

That ever expressionless face became slightly lax around the edges of her mouth.

"That's great, Est."

While gazing at that happy-looking expression of Est's---

Kamito remembered.

(Now that I think of it, Est wasn't with us the last time we came here......)

At that time, Est who had saved Kamito was temporarily annihilated from this world.

Having come into contact with the memories of her previous contractor, Areishia Idriss, she had closed off her heart.

(......But just like this, Est has returned.)

Having accepted her destiny as a demon sword, she had opened her heart.

Now, Est was beside Kamito, and they were sitting with their friends around the table.

---That reality, it could truly be thought of as a miracle.

Kamito placed his hand upon the head of Est who was eating ice cream and,

"Fuaa, Kamito......"

Est breathed out as she narrowed her eyes as though to indicate it felt good.


The ojou-samas glared at Kamito with dissatisfaction.

Ellis cleared her throat.

"However, we shouldn't be glad just yet. There's still the final battle."

"Yes. Moreover, each of the opposing teams' rankings were overwhelmingly above us."

"......That's true."

A heavy atmosphere hung over the table.

The other three teams that had advanced to the finals were mostly the ones that they had expected.

In third place, the «Knights of the Dragon Emperor» led by Leonora Lancaster.

In second place, the «Sacred Spirit Knights» led by Luminaris Saint Leisched.

And of course, in first place, «Team Inferno» led by Ren Ashbell. It was said that they had annihilated nine other teams and amassed a grand total of over fifty «Magic Stones».

"......Can we win, I wonder. Against that «Ren Ashbell»."

Fianna dropped her empty cup with a clatter.

"Fianna, are you okay?"

"Y, yes, my hand just slipped."

Fianna nodded as if to smooth it over.

(......What?)

Because of her attitude that was not like her usual self, Kamito had a bad feeling but---


Just then, as if to dispel the heavy atmosphere in the air, the door's chime rang.

"Congratulations on your advancement to the finals, onee-sama!"

"Oh my, Mireille!"

Rinslet got up from her seat.

The one who opened the door and entered was---

Platinum blonde hair that shone as though it was basked with sunlight. Glassy emerald eyes.

With a blue ribbon, that suited her well, a lovely girl.

Rinslet's youngest sister, Mireille Laurenfrost.

Mireille dashed towards Rinslet and buried her face in her bosom.

"Onee-sama, it was really great!"

"J, jeez, Mireille......with everyone looking, this is immodest!"

Rinslet scolded Mireille with a red face.

......It seemed even a level-headed ojou-sama went easy only on her little sisters.

"Ohh, I'd heard about it, but she's really a cute kid."

Claire murmured that and Mireille separated her face from Rinslet and turned in her direction.

"Ahh, onee-sama's friend from the academy, Claire-sama?"

"Yes, that's me."

Mireille gave a polite bow and,

"Nice to meet you! I had heard that Claire-sama was onee-sama's very close frie---mogogogo......"


In an instant, Rinslet had hurriedly covered her little sister's mouth.

"Wh, whwhwh, what is this girl saying, I wonder!"

"Mogogogogo~!"

"She's as attached to you as ever, Rinslet."

The wryly smiling Kamito.

Mireille escaped from Rinslet's hand and,

"Onii-sama!"

This time a sun-like smile turned towards Kamito.

"Onii-sama's blade dance was really cool!"

"......Yeah, thank you."

Kamito scratched his cheek in slight embarrassment.

Even if the one doing it was a nine-year old girl, being complimented so openly was embarrassing.

"......Hey, Kamito, what does she mean by onii-sama?"

Claire glared at him with an irritated face.

"Kamito, you've once again deceived a young girl......"

"Even if thirteen years old is forgivable, I expect that nine years old is a crime......"

Ellis and Fianna also turned ice-like glares towards him.

"Wai, wait a second, onii-sama doesn't necessarily have that meaning---"

"Kamito is my onii-chan."


While still expressionless, Est clung onto Kamito's waist from behind.

"That's also wrong! Rinslet, please clear up this misunderstanding!"

"Th, that's right! That Kamito-san is Mireille's onii-sama means, basically, th, thth, that I am, Kamito-san's......"

With a red face, Rinslet mumbled incoherently.

"Fufuu, onee-sama's being cute."

Mireille put her hand to her mouth and laughed innocently.

---And at that moment.

"Mireille, don't trouble your sister."

From the direction of the front door, a quiet voice came.

"......?"

Everyone turned to face that direction and a small girl wearing a white uniform with a red line was standing there.

Dark brown hair resembling a loose web. Noble, doll-like features.

And the most eye-catching of all, her azure right eye and amber left eye.

The mismatched odd eyes.

"......Milla!?"

Kamito let out a surprised voice.

The one standing silently by the door was Rossvale's representative, the «Rupture Division»'s captain, Milla Bassett.


"Kamito, congratulations on your advancement to the finals."

Milla muttered that in her usual robotic manner and,

Briskly walked to them and grabbed Mireille by the nape of her neck.

"Wh, what are you doing!"

Mireille struggled.

"......Ummm, what's going on?"

"I have become Mireille-sama's personal maid."

"Hah?"

"I suggested it. Milla-san is, from hereon, a maid of the Laurenfrost house serving Mireille."

At Rinslet's words, Milla nodded wordlessly.

"I am truly thankful to Rinslet......I already cannot return to the motherland."

With her head slightly downcast, she gently touched her left eye that had lost its light.

«Sealed Magic Eye» --- carrying a powerful «Sealed Spirit» from birth, it was an extremely rare trait.

It was an existence which could be said to have been the «Rupture Division»'s trump card, but in order to protect Kamito and the others, she had released the spirit within her «Sealed Magic Eye» and lost the power as a result.

Her actions which were an abandonment of victory were, in the eyes of the motherland, a clear betrayal. The Principality of Rossvale might be targeting her.

Considering that, accepting the protection of the Laurenfrost house which was one of the foremost nobilities in the major power Ordesia was truly something that could be called a good decision.


"Kamito---"

Milla looked straight at Kamito with her heterochromatic eyes.

"I do not regret my decision back then. Because I chose it myself."

"......I see. You're strong, Milla."

"---No. It's because Kamito taught me how to live other than as a tool."

Milla shook her head sideways and had a faint joyful smile on her.

"Milla, come eat cake with us."

Claire invited Milla over.

Despite appearances, she was unexpectedly someone who had good points like watching over others.

"But, I---"

"It's fine, it's fine. We're allies with the «Rupture Division», after all."

"Sharing a cup of tea with one's mistress is an important task for a maid!"

Whilst picking up cake, Carol said so with a smile.

(......That's just because Carol wants to eats sweets, isn't it.)

Kamito tsukkomi'd that in his heart but,

"If it's like that, then---"

Obediently trusting in her maid senpai's word, Milla sat down next to Mireille.

"Come to think of it, Milla's still wearing her uniform from the «Rupture Division»."


Comparing it with Carol's attire, Kamito voiced that question and,

"We are currently in the process of tailoring a cute maid uniform."

"Yes......"

In response to Rinslet's reply, Milla nodded while fidgeting like she couldn't calm down.

......It might unexpectedly be something to look forward to.

"......Milla in a maid outfit, huh. It feels like it would suit you well."

"Wh, what are you saying......!"

When Milla's face flushed red, that moment.

The front door's chimes rang again.

"Who is it this time?"

Kamito turned his gaze in that direction and,

"Hmm, I've come, Kazehaya Kamito!"

"Geh!"

The one at the entrance was a small statured girl with her hair bound into a dango shape.

The «Four Gods»' imperial princess, Linfa Sin Quina.

"What's with that geh! That's extremely rude when facing me!"

With her traditional Quina Empire garments waving, she rapidly approached him.

"Ah, no, sor......rather, what's the princess of the «Four Gods» doing here?"

"A delivery. I came to congratulate you on your advancement into the finals."


"Shao!"

The one who poked their face out from behind Linfa was the «Four Gods»' ace, Shao Fu of the «Byakko».

And then continuing on---

"Offering gestures of humanity to the enemy is a Quina Empire tradition."

"We've brought a lot with us!"

"You're holding a party in a fairly cramped place......"

Lao of «Seiryuu», Haqua of «Genbu» and Rion of «Suzaku» also appeared.

Each of them was carrying many bags of food.

"There's deep fried pork buns and skewered bird. They're famed products of the Quina Empire."

The many foods being heaped upon the table. All of a sudden, the interior of "La Parfait" was permeated with the fragrant smell of grilled meat.

"Y, you people, this is a noble's tea party!"

Rinslet raised an objection but,

"It's the middle of a party, so don't say such uptight stuff."

Linfa's group started sitting down without reservation.

"......~!"

"......Well, fine. Since we received their help in rescuing Fianna."

Claire shrugged her shoulders like she was astonished.

"Kamito---"


With that, Shao came over and sat next to Kamito.

The «Four Gods»' ace thrust a grilled chicken skewer into the table and smiled wryly.
[[File:STnBD V08 040.png|thumbnail|right]]
"To be honest, it's a pity that we can't fight Kamito in the finals."

"If I remember, you and Linfa fought against Leonora's team by yourselves on the last day."

"Yeah. It was a fight that wouldn't shame the «Four Gods»' name. But they really were strong, those girls."

Shao sighed.

But that expression had no regret in it; rather, something joyful could be felt.

If they had chosen a lower ranked team, they could have possibly obtained «Magic Stones», but they had selected those «Knights of the Dragon Emperor» as their final opponent.

He wondered if that was due to the disposition of the «Four Gods»' ace.

"We'll be cheering on «Team Scarlet» in the finals."

"Yeah, thanks."

In order to face their respective battles, the two exchanged a solid handshake.

===Part 3===

"......Whew, I'm stuffed."

"Even though it was food bought from a stall, it was pretty good."

Claire who was rubbing her stomach and Fianna who was elegantly wiping her lips with a hankerchief.

Due to Linfa's group's intrusion, the party had become like a banquet, but it seemed like Claire enjoyed it anyway.

Milla had taken Mireille back to the hotel and Linfa's group had eaten all they could and then left like a storm.

The ones left had been only «Team Scarlet» and Carol the maid. As a note, Est had eaten her fill and, possibly because she became sleepy, she had already reverted back to sword form.

"By the way, what will everyone be doing after this?"

While looking around at his teammates, Kamito asked.

Before the final battle began, it was customary practice for the «Divine Ritual Institute»'s princess maidens to offer rituals of gratitude to the «Spirit Kings».

During that time, the representing competitors were given a two day period of rest.

"I must go report about our advancement into the finals to my father and grandfather."

Ellis said with a meek face.

"Yeah, Ellis' family is a warrior class house, after all."

Kamito nodded.

"I must also visit my parents."


Rinslet also had her filial duties as a daughter of the Laurenfrost house.

These two had come to the party even though they should have had put more precedence on those matters first.

"......Me, too. I am reluctant to meet with those people, but it can't be helped."

It seemed like she didn't like being around the royal court, including the emperor and his wife. All of what had happened during the time she was called the «Lost Queen» seemed to have soured her opinion.

"It looks like we will be staying in the hotel arranged for by the empire today. Even though I wanted to finally kiss Kamito......"

"......H, hey, Fianna!?"

In response to Fianna who was sulking with her index finger in her mouth, Kamito's heart thumped and his face flushed red.

In that way---

The girls left and the shop interior became quite silent.

In the end, the ones left consisted of only Kamito and Claire.

Putting aside Kamito who was an orphan to start with, Claire's parents had been imprisoned following the «Calamity Queen» incident.

"......"

The two who became bored, for some reason or other, continued to sip black tea wordlessly.

"......Th, that's right!"


The first one to speak out was Claire.

"Yeah?"

"I'll be returning to the castle to brush up on my tactics."

While clearing her throat in a deliberate manner, she stood from her seat.

"Yeah."

At that time, Kamito realized it.

......Couldn't help but realize it.

(......What a face she's making.)

On Claire's face, a lonely-looking expression was displayed for a moment.

(......She's a sixteen-year old girl after all.)

Now after all this time, he remembered that.

Usually she acted firm as the team's commander but---

With the advancement to the finals settled, her high-strung tension might have loosened a little.

Ever since that day four years ago, she had fought by herself until she met Kamito.

......There's no way I can leave her alone. If I see that kind of expression.

"......Wait."

Kamito suddenly grabbed onto the the hand of Claire who was just about to leave.

"Fuaaa! Wh, whwh, what!?"


Claire's face turned red and she let out a ear-splitting scream.

"If you're free, then accompany me for a while."

===Part 4===
"......Wait, what's this about?"

"We've finally come to the city so not having fun would be such a waste."

"We didn't come to play around. As the academy's representatives---"

"I know. But I think relaxing is also necessary."

While still holding the perplexed Claire's hand, Kamito walked along the street.

"Wh, what, that......fuaa, e, everyone's looking at us!"

"Don't mind it."

"D, don't mind it, you say, uuu......"

Maybe because holding hands was immensely embarrassing, Claire's face was beet red.

But it was necessary with this crowd. If they let go, they would end up separated without a doubt.

(Now then, what to do......)

Kamito scratched his cheek as they walked down the main street.

Somehow he had ended up bringing her along with great zeal but---

He pondered as they walked and they arrived at a large plaza.


«Sacred Areishia Plaza» --- in the plaza bearing the name of the sacred maiden that slew the demon king, a large crowd of nobles clamoured.

The topic of their discussions were, of course, the «Blade Dance» finals.

Which country's representing team would win, what method would be used to decide the match, and finally, whether the «Strongest Blade Dancer» who was leading «Team Inferno» would display overwhelming strength once again in this competition.

In that kind of crowd, it seemed the faces of Kamito and the others who had advanced to the finals were already famous so stares of curiousity flooded in from around them.

There were favorable gazes amongst them, but there were also ones heavily laden with hostility here and there.

(......Well, if a minor team won, there would be those who wouldn't like it.)

While pulling Claire's hand, Kamito shrugged in his heart.

There might be those inside these onlookers who knew Claire as the younger sister of the «Calamity Queen».

As expected, due to the high-born noble status they held, there were no openly rude comments being made, but even the favorable gazes didn't give off a good feeling.

"It might be a good idea to enter some place."

"......Th, that's true. If possible, a place where we won't draw attention."

"Yeah......"

Kamito looked around the plaza for a place and---

"......Ohh, they're showing an action drama."


His eyes had stopped on a small theatre.

An action drama was a form of amusement where the scene of a play was copied onto a special spirit ore and then projected onto a screen.

"That kind of theatre should have a relay of the «Blade Dance» on a large projector. Since the only ones that can enter the «Grand Shrine» as spectators are the high-born nobles.

"......I see. So they show the action drama while there's no real combat going on."

Kamito nodded as if in admiration.

And after seeing the theatre's signboard, she let out a gasp.

"......What is it?"

"That theatre, it's showing «The Three Catketeers»."

"......Cat?"

Certainly, there was a picture of three cats wielding swords on the theatre's signboard.

"Is that a famous work?"

"Yes. I've only heard rumors about it though and haven't actually seen it myself."

Claire gazed at the signboard like she was boring through it.

(......It's because she likes cats, isn't it.)

"Okay, then let's watch that."

Kamito gave a wry smile as he pulled her hand and,

"Y, yeah!"


Claire nodded in a happy manner.

His heart throbbed uncontrollably at that innocent smile.

"Although saying that, it looks like there's still some time left until the showing."

"Ah, that's true. What should we do?"

"Shall we look around at a nearby souvenir shop?"

And at that time.

"Hrm, it appears that you've been training your teammate well."

"......!?"

Suddenly, he heard a voice from behind him.

......He couldn't believe it. Even if Kamito had let his guard down in the town, she had approached without letting him feel even a shred of her presence.

(---And, this voice, it couldn't be!)

He turned around and.

There stood a bewitchingly beautiful woman with a mature charm.

Ash blonde hair that stretched down to her waist. Dressed in a jet black dress that seamed to have darkness interwoven, beauty like a carving, and eyes reminiscent of a falcon that shone sharply.

"---Greyworth!?" "Academy Director!?"

Kamito and Claire yelled out at the same time and,

"It's been a while, boy."


She shrugged her shoulders like she was amused.

Greyworth Ciel Mais --- the former number one of the empire's celebrated «Numbers». She had been named a hero of the Ranbal War and was the winner of the «Blade Dance» twenty four years ago.

Having taken the nickname of «Dusk Witch», the strongest spirit contractor in the continent.

"You, why would you be here---"

Kamito scowled at the witch before him.

"Hmph, how cold."

Greyworth slightly lifted her glasses with her fingertips and,

"Even though I expressly came here because I was worried about a pair of young lovers."

"Wha---"

"Kamito, what is she talking about?"

Claire turned to glare at him.

"W, wait, don't believe her!"

As if happy with watching Kamito's panicked condition, Greyworth chuckled lightly and smiled.

"It was a joke. As academy director, isn't coming to see what my pupils are doing a given?"

"I'm sure the «Blade Dance» is also being shown at the academy. What's going on with the academy?"

"I have left the academy to Freya. «Sylphid» is also doing well."

Greyworth then turned in Claire's direction and,


"Claire Rouge. I have seen the great efforts of «Team Scarlet». Especially in the latter half, your growth as a commander has been magnificent."

"N, no such thing, your words are wasted on me!"

Claire stiffened up and answered.

It seemed that even the academy's problem child was nervous before Greyworth.

For a spirit contractor girl, the name of the «Dusk Witch» held that much weight behind it.

(......Although to me, she's just a super sadistic granny.)

Remembering the unreasonable training from three years ago, Kamito cursed in his heart.

(Still......)

Why would Greyworth visit «Astral Zero» with this timing?

There was no way it was for the purpose of spectating the battle.

To begin with, the one who had baited Kamito with information on Restia and made him participate in this «Blade Dance» was Greyworth.

(---And she also proposed that I defeat the other Ren Ashbell.)

There was no doubt that something was happening behind this time's «Blade Dance».

And it was likely to be a combination of several predictions. Did this witch know what the masked girl masquerading as Ren Ashbell was planning---?

"......"

He could not acquire any information from Greyworth's grey eyes.


The witch would absolutely not tell lies. However, she also would not speak the truth.

......Asking her any questions would be useless.

He wondered if he should propose a trade seeing as there was no other way to get information.

"It's the final break before the finals. You should enjoy it to the utmost."

Greyworth showed a smile on her face and patted both of their shoulders.

"Incidentally, our academy has no rules against relations between different genders. Do your best."

"H, hey!"

"Academy Director!?"

Claire's cheeks flushed red.

Greyworth disappeared into the crowd while waving at them.

"......What's with her."

Kamito muttered complaints under his breath and pulled on Claire's hand.

"So, let's go. It seems it would be a good idea to enter the theatre now."

"Y, yeah......"

Kamito turned towards and began walking to the theatre and Claire quickly followed after him.

The theatre's interior was unexpectedly wide and the two easily managed to get seats.

Perhaps because there was still time until the showing, the patrons were still sparse.

Claire was eating the peach crepe she had bought at the theatre's shop as if to show that it was delicious.

"......You sure can eat. You just ate not too long ago, is that okay?"


Kamito said while astonished and,

"It's completely fine, spirit contractors don't gain weight......mm, this is delicious ♪"

"You have cream stuck to your cheek."

"......Eh? Fuaaa!"

He wiped the cream from her face with his fingers and Claire's face tinted red.

"......j, jeez, wh, what are you doing......!"

Hit, hit, hit.

"S, sorry......"

Certainly, suddenly touching a girl's cheek might be a breach of manners.

Claire puffed her cheeks in an angry manner.

......That action was strangely cute.

"Hey, Kamito---"

And Claire suddenly put on a serious expression and whispered.

"Yeah?"

"......Umm, what kind of relationship do you have with the academy director?"

"Y, you wouldn't happen to still be suspicious about what she said about a lover's outing?"

"That's not it. Come on, you said it before. That you had learned the same sword techniques as Ren Ashbell from the academy directory."

"Ahh, that thing......"


"Exactly when did you come to know the academy director?"

"Mm......"

While Kamito lightly scratched his cheek, he slightly averted his gaze.

"......Kamito?"

(......Now then, what should I say?)

It was something that happened a year before Kamito debuted as Ren Ashbell.

(......Well, it should be fine if it's a story about before I became Ren Ashbell.)

To a certain extent, telling her the circumstances might, on the contrary, dispell some of her doubts.

(Moreover, it would probably be a good idea to tell her about my relationship with Restia as well.)

He would probably end up fighting Restia again in the finals. With what had happened so far, he couldn't say that Claire and the others weren't involved anymore.

Claire gazed at Kamito with upturned eyes.

......It looked like there was still time left before the showing of the recording.

"It will probably be a boring story about long ago?"

"It's fine. I'd like to know more about Kamito."

"Eh?"

Kamito questioned in return and Claire covered her mouth with a gasp.

"Ah, th, that's not it! It didn't have that meaning!"

"I know."

Kamito shrugged his shoulders with a wry smile and breathed out.

While remembering about those days, he muttered.

"I met with the «Dusk Witch» four years ago --- immediately after the destruction of the «Instructional School»."

<noinclude>{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume8 Prologue|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume8 Chapter2}}</noinclude>

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume8 Afterword

2013-04-23T05:51:54Z

Pjs312:

==Afterword==
===Author's===
---Princess maidens that serve a dragon may not wear underwear.

To all who have taken this book into their hands, truly thank you very much!

We have reached the eighth volume of "Seirei Tsukai no Blade," "The Night Before the Finale".

Having won through the «Tempest admirably, «Team Scarlet» returns to the floating island. In preparation for the approaching finals, Kamito takes a short rest --- or so he thinks, but he ends up on a date with the strongest ace from the «Knights of the Dragon Emperor», Leonora Lancaster!?

Last time and the time before that, flashy battles were happening so this time I delved into the heroines' pasts and the date with a heroine from another team. Of course, I have various things prepared for the finals which start next volume, so all of you who like battles, please look forward to it!

Thanks and now for the announcements. At present, Hyouji Yuitsusei-sensei's comic version of "Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance" is serialized in Comic Alive's magazine. Please somehow support the invigorating battle scenes and insanely cute heroines that Hyouji-sensei draws.

Sakura Hanpen-sensei, thank you for your wonderful drawings as well. Leonora's armpits on the front cover look very good. Others that were drawn for the first time like Milla Bassett, Kamito from the past, Lolislet (← I wanted to try saying it), etc. were drawn very cutely.

To my editor Shouji-sama, I am always really relying on you. The rumored "Light Novel King ☆ Seiya" with a main character that seems to be modeled after Shouji-san is serialized in Comic Gene and is enjoying great popularity (advertisement).

Lastly, to all the readers. By receiving all your support, "Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance" has reached its eighth volume. Sakura Hanpen-sensei, Hyouji Yuitsusei-sensei and Shouji-san, I will be going all out from here on, so I'm counting on you!

I read all the impressions from the cellphone survey carefully and I'm really happy to receive them. As usual, in the popularity rankings, Est and Restia are strong, and Kamito who appeared on the cover of the seventh volume also rose in popularity. From the team's ojou-samas, Ellis rose a little and after that, the rest feel average.

---With that, the ninth volume's finals will have more and more battles.

«Cross Fire» --- Amidst the blaze, what does Kamito see?

Shimizu Yuu, July 2012

===Illustrator's===
Nice to meet you, after another long period, it's Sakura Hanpen!

The girl that wears no underwear, Leonora-san.

I wonder if it feels cold. Rather, wearing tights directly is so erotic.

Moreover, I wonder if wearing a miniskirt is on her preference.

When will there be a unveiling scene, I wonder.

Shimizu-sensei, when will you rip her clothes?

I'll be expecting it. Yes...

If I draw without thinking, there's too little space...I can't write enough...

That's just reaping what I sow but let's meet again in the next volume~ (´ω`)ﾉｯ

Thank you for picking this up!

<noinclude>{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume8 Epilogue|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume9 Illustrations}}</noinclude>