Editing Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume6 Chapter2 (section)

===Part 2===

After breakfast, the group held a meeting to decide on their strategy henceforth.

Kamito gazed at the map on the table as he drank tea brewed by Rinslet.

Using earth spirits to scout the surroundings, the gathered information was then used to draw this map. Claire apparently had some artistic talent, for the resulting map was quite simple and easy to understand.

That said, other than the vicinity of their stronghold enclosed by the barrier, virtually everywhere else was blank.

For example, they still had no idea about the size of the entire grounds.

"So, let's organize and sum up the information we have on hand."

Setting down her teacup lightly, Claire began to describe the current situation.

The Blade Dance festival's main battle event -- the Tempest had a total of twenty-four teams participating. Based on the reports of the wind spirits sent out to scout, teams were already being eliminated on the first day.

On the other hand, the Quina Empire's Four Gods, the Holy Kingdom of Lugia's Sacred Spirit Knights, and various other strong teams had already established secure strongholds.

Due to failing their nocturnal assault on the first night, Dracunia's Knights of the Dragon Emperor, one of the major candidate teams for victory, was currently slightly behind. But given their level of power, it did not really count as any major setback.

"What I want to know most is information about Team Inferno, but sadly we don't even know where their stronghold is located."

"Looks like their team harbors an elementalist skilled in espionage techniques. All the wind spirits we sent out to scout were struck down."

Ellis reported softly with regret.

"An elementalist skilled in espionage techniques, eh..."

Suddenly, Kamito recalled the girl with jade-colored hair he saw at the opening ceremony.

Her face had been hidden by a hooded garment, but those pointy ears were definitely the telltale signs of the Elfim race. Born with exceptional skills in presence concealment, many of the Elfim who became elementalists took on espionage duties.

"However, we did obtain noteworthy information related to Team Inferno."

"...?"

Ellis' words made everyone pay attention.

"Remember that ominous looking black knight who appeared at the opening ceremony?"

"Who could possibly forget..."

Claire displayed a submissive expression. All the other girls nodded one after another.

Evidently, Kamito was not the only who sensed an ominous aura from the black knight.

"What about the black knight?"

"Yes. From the looks of it, the black knight has separated from Team Inferno and is currently acting alone. Earlier, it was mentioned that there were teams being eliminated on the first day, right--"

"Could it be possible that...!"

"Yes. It is exactly that possibility. The team representing the Walz Kingdom -- those girls were apparently wiped out by the black knight singlehandedly."

"A single person wiping out an entire Blade Dance team, huh..."

Kamito muttered gravely... Whoever really accomplished that, was truly a monster beyond doubt.

"What is the contracted spirit serving the black knight like? If we know what attribute the spirit possesses, perhaps we could come up with a counter strategy?"

"Ah yes, that is..."

Faced with Claire's inquiry, Ellis stuttered--

"A darkness spirit in the form of a human girl -- Apparently."

"...!?"

Everyone gasped. Kamito's eyes widened in surprise.

"...Restia!?"

He could not help but call out her name.

"That darkness spirit girl, is indeed--"

"Kamito-kun's former contracted spirit... Isn't that right?"

Claire and Fianna whispered softly with worry.

Ellis and Rinslet exchanged glances awkwardly. Although these two never met Restia directly, after the mission at the mining city, they had learned about Kamito's past to a certain extent and knew that Restia was an extremely important existence to him.

Kamito's gaze fell upon the leather glove covering his left hand.

(Restia... What exactly are you planning?)

After arriving at this Ragna Ys, she had contacted Kamito twice.

The first was in the garden of the castle. The second was last night, prior to Leonora's attack.

But what exactly were her intentions...?

Kamito's expression was grave--

"Well... A-Anyway!"

Slowly, Claire began to speak.

"Even though we're very concerned about the movements of the black knight and the darkness spirit, we have no way of taking precautions given our lack of information. After all, we can't simply sit here and tighten defenses at our stronghold."

"Right. If we focus too much on defense and fail to take action, that would be getting our priorities wrong."

Ellis nodded.

She was right. The magic stones needed for advancing towards the finals were limited in number. If they did not take the initiative to attack, they would definitely lose the competition.

Currently, the only magic stones acquired by Team Scarlet were the two they took from the Kingdom of Balstan's team. Even if all the members of Team Scarlet survived these seven days, lacking sufficient magic stones would prevent them from advancing to the finals.

Gathering a certain number of magic stones in the opening stage, then rely on the stronghold's defense and wait for the other teams to weaken one another before venturing out to rob them of their magic stones -- this strategy only sounded good in theory. As for attacking an elementalist defending behind a sturdy stronghold, that would be as poor a strategy as trying to besiege a castle with inadequate troops.

"Without any exceptions, none of the teams should be attacking on their own before their stronghold is established--"

Just as Claire explained quietly...

"...!? Something has entered the barrier!"

Fianna cried out. Instantly, tension appeared on everyone's face.

"Look over there--!"

Claire pointed at the sky.

A winged rabbit could be seen flying above the forest.

It was no ordinary creature. Clearly it was a spirit.

"An enemy team's scouting spirit?"

"Hmph, watch as I shoot it down!"

Rinslet chanted spirit language for releasing her elemental waffe, the magic bow--

"Wait a minute, don't attack!"

Clong!

Claire whacked Rinslet hard on the head with a soup spoon.

"Ouch! T-That really hurts... What the heck are you doing!?"

Holding her head, Rinslet tearfully yelled.

"You didn't even think for a moment before you decided to shoot it down."

Claire shrugged in amazement--

"...Look carefully. That is an emissary."

"Emissary?"

Rinslet frowned as Kamito and the rest focused their gaze on the spirit.

Circling widely above them, the spirit dropped something that it was holding in its mouth.

Fluttering down, a letter landed on the table.

Carefully examining the letter to ensure it was not a trap, Claire then opened the envelope to read its contents.

"What is it about?"

"A proposal for an alliance."

"Alliance?"

Everyone looked at one another.