Editing Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume13 Chapter1 (section)

===Part 1===

&mdash;Great Festival of the Spirits. On that day, militarized spirits of unknown origin had taken the opportunity to attack the Academy.

Not only the Academy but the town at the foot of the mountain was also caught up in this incident. Several days had passed since then.

Almost half of the attacked Academy was wrecked. Led by Greyworth, the teachers were actively discussing solutions. Including Ellis the captain, all members of the Sylphid Knights ceased their duties since lessons at the Academy were also suspended in the meantime. The majority of the highborn daughters had returned to their families' territories. Even the Raven Class dorm where Kamito lived was no exception.

Kamito's roommate, Claire, had returned home to meet her parents who had been released. A special pardon had been granted due to Team Scarlet's victory in the Blade Dance.

The other roommate, Fianna, had already set off even before Claire, making her return to the imperial family. Although Fianna had already given up her succession rights to the throne and left the imperial family, due to retrieving her power of the spirit contract, no matter how reluctant Fianna felt, occasions when she was summoned back as an important member of the imperial family were gradually getting more frequent.

Hence, the only two people currently remaining at the student dormitory were Kamito who had nowhere else to go and Rinslet who had yet to return to her family's territory. Her departure was delayed because recent snowfall contrary to seasonal norms had blocked the mountain route back to Laurenfrost territory.

(...That snowstorm might be related to the rampage of the Elemental Lords.)

Thinking over these matters, Kamito picked up the cup of black tea prepared on the table.

"...Mmm, smells so good."

"That goes without saying, these are top-quality tea leaves, a Laurenfrost local specialty."

Sitting on Kamito's right, Rinslet smiled proudly.

"Yeah, but I think it's because you brewed the tea personally, Rinslet."

"...! You are not getting anywhere even if you flatter me."

Blushing, Rinslet went "hmph" and turned her face away.

There were also many tasty-looking snacks on the table, the scones she had baked this morning. Sweet syrup was dripped over the crisp surfaces of the scone. Truly delicious.

Having taken off her Dark Est outfit, Est had changed into her uniform and was stuffing herself with scones beside Kamito. Meanwhile, sitting on the floor, the white wolf was using its paws to hold a teacup nimbly, enjoying the black tea.

"It is truly suffering that this body cannot enjoy the tea and snacks that you've prepared specially. I would really love to savor those pancakes of yours again some time."

"Just let me know any time and I could make offerings to you at the imperial capital's shrine."

Rinslet bowed her head respectfully and answered.

After a short while, Kamito returned his cup to the table and said:

"So&mdash;"

Cutting straight to the point.

"So what is the important thing you mentioned just now?"

"...Yes. Counting today, it is something that happened four days ago."

The elemental lord's incarnation appearing in a white wolf's form&mdash;Iseria&mdash;started speaking solemnly.

"The Divine Ritual Institute's Queens have observed the appearance of a Gate at a certain location in the human realm."

"Gate...?"

Kamito frowned.

"You mean an Astral Gate?"

At special locations such as the Spirit Forest, it was perfectly natural for Gates leading to Astral Zero to manifest. In actual fact, the Academy's Sylphid Knights were frequently troubled by the spirits and beasts that accidentally pass through the Astral Gates.

"...That Gate, is there a problem?"

"A Gate appearing in the human realm is in itself nothing particularly special. However, that forest is not a place where ordinary gates can manifest."

"...A gate outside of the Spirit Forest, you're saying?"

"Is something like that even possible?"

Seeing Rinslet not entirely convinced, Iseria nodded solemnly.

"Indeed. Due to the Elemental Lords going insane, it is uncertain whether anomalies could occur between Astral Zero and the human realm. Feeling a bit concerned, I sent subordinate spirits to investigate the place where the Gate had appeared. In the end, nothing anomalous was found, but&mdash;"

The white wolf's round eyes stared straight at Kamito.

"The spirits I sent over there found something strange in the vicinity."

"...Something strange?"

"&mdash;Yes, a girl with hair the color of darkness, wearing a dress of black."

"...!"

Kamito stared wide-eyed.

That image of ''her'', carved into his mind, instantly surged forth.

"—A final farewell, Kamito."

Tears streamed down her cheeks.

"Miss Sacred Sword, please protect... Kamito well..."

(...Yeah, she&mdash;should have disappeared already. Only remaining in my heart.)

For the sake of saving Kamito from the Darkness Elemental Lord's control&mdash;

Looking at his left hand where the spirit seal had already disappeared, Kamito then stared at the elemental lord's incarnation in front of him. An anxious voice was squeezed out of his throat:

"...This must be a coincidence. I'm sure girls dressed like that can be found everywhere."

"Indeed, it could be a coincidence. Girls in dresses can be found in any number on this continent."

Iseria nodded honestly.

"However, that girl suddenly appeared in a forest at the border. How large of a coincidence is that? And the gate also happened to be observed four days ago."

"Speaking of four days ago&mdash;"

Rinslet spoke up in surprise:

"That would be the very day when Kamito-san retrieved his memories, isn't it!?"

"..."

Four days earlier, in order to retrieve Est who was sealed in the Burial Chamber, Kamito had gone to the underground military installation. That was where he had been attacked by Lurie Lizaldia of the Numbers. Severely injured on the verge of death, Kamito had awakened Restia's consciousness, reviving his own memories.

Was this still coincidence?

"...Restia is still alive, isn't she?"

Iseria shook her head.

"I do not know. Perhaps I have merely given you a bubble of hope. Your contracted spirit, Restia Ashdoll, had disappeared completely, this is what you experienced personally, what you witness personally with your own eyes. However, suppose... Suppose a part of her remained and passed through the Gate to the human realm&mdash;"

"...!"

(But she&mdash;)

The left hand's spirit seal had vanished completely... Yes.

Currently, he could not even sense her presence the slightest.

A girl resembling Restia had appeared in that forest.

...That was all. There was no proof to confirm at all.

Kamito looked at the seal on his right hand.

...She's here, only here.

"That is all I have to tell you. I will leave the rest to you, Demon King's successor."

Iseria shook her head lightly and spoke.

Kamito bowed his head.

"I..."

He exhaled deeply.

It was impossible to assert that the girl was Restia.

Perhaps this would bring even deeper despair.

However&mdash;

Suddenly, Kamito felt something tug his sleeve.

Kamito looked back to find Est's mysterious violet eyes currently staring at him.

"That darkness spirit is my rival. She will not disappear so easily."

"Est..."

Est held Kamito's right hand tightly.

The hand where Restia's crest was branded&mdash;

"..."

"..."

"Yes, so..."

Kamito took a deep breath and nodded.

(...For me, my decision is already more obvious than anything.)

Indeed, no matter how small the possibility.

&mdash;No more hesitation.

Kamito turned to face Iseria and asked:

"So, where exactly is it? Where did the Gate appear?"

"The boundary between the Ordesia Empire and the Holy Kingdom of Lugia, the border forest."

"The Empire and the Holy Kingdom's boundary? In other words&mdash;"

"Indeed, it is Laurenfrost territory."