Editing Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume15 Chapter8 (section)

===Part 4===

"Is this as far as your flames can go&mdash;?"

"...!?"

Every time Rubia Elstein swung Laevateinn, a blazing torrent of fire rushed over the wilderness.

The flames turned into scorching walls, slowly cornering the fleeing Claire.

(Such powerful heat, my flames can't compare at all...!)

Faced with Rubia's sword swings, Claire unleashed Flametongue but all her attacks were easily deflected.

Sweat appeared on Claire's forehead. Burning anxiety and fear was spreading. Although she knew in her heart that this was a hallucination displayed to her by the ancient historical site...

(&mdash;If that fire were to burn me, my mind will be destroyed even if my body remains unharmed.)

Claire sensed this instinctively. Most likely, this place was similar to Astral Zero in structure. A single misstep and she might not be able to return to the original world.

"Claire Rouge, why do you pursue power?"

Rubia spoke from behind the mask.

"Th-That's to... meet Nee-sama&mdash;"

Mid-sentence, Claire stopped.

Indeed, she was still very weak. Having been protected by her older sister or Rinslet all the time, she definitely hoped to become strong for this purpose. It was for this that she had set the Blade Dance as her goal.

However, now that she had achieved that goal, why was it still necessary for her to pursue power?

Rubia chanted an incantation to release a two-headed flaming hound.

Flame magic did not work on that hound.

(...Humm, in that case, try this!)

"&mdash;O true flame carved upon the ancient bloodline, dwell in my hand to ''devour flames''!"

Claire composed spell words with her lips.

What appeared in her hand was fire redder and more intense than burning flames.

Capable of incinerating flames&mdash;End of Vermilion.

Faced with the pouncing hound of flame, Claire turned it into ash using the True Flame.

"I am fighting so that I can stay by Kamito's side!"

Claire shouted.

Yes, she hoped to obtain power sufficient to become Kamito's partner, to fight alongside him.

That was the reason why Claire currently sought power.

"Oh?"

Wielding Laevateinn, Rubia suddenly approached before her eyes.

(...When did she!?)

Claire trembled, The flaming hound was a diversion.

"&mdash;F-Fireball!"

While jumping back, Claire released her prided spirit magic at pointblank range.

However&mdash;

"Experience my icy wrath&mdash;Frost Blaze!"

The blue flame appearing in Rubia's hand froze the fireball spirit magic together with space itself.

(Impossible...!)

Claire was shocked.

"Then answer me. Why do you wish to stay by Kazehaya Kamito's side?"

"&mdash;Huh?"

Claire was confused. Why did she want to stay by Kamito's side&mdash;?

"Uh, th-that's because, Kamito has always protected me. I am his master after all, so it's unfair if I can't protect him, uh&mdash;"

...No, that was wrong&mdash;Claire shook her head.

The true reason was&mdash;

"Until the day you admit to your true feelings, the flames of Elstein will never acknowledge you."

"True feelings?"

"Discard your mindset of self-deception, Claire Rouge. Otherwise, you shall die here&mdash;"

Rubia swung down the blazing Laevateinn.
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