Editing Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume13 Chapter5 (section)

===Part 6===

(...Although human... yet different from humans... The Queen of Ice Blossoms...)

Left all alone with nothing to do, Restia was thinking over these things in her tent.

The girl who had appeared in the forest, possessing unbelievable powers.

The princess maiden Rana had said that Restia resembled that queen very much. However, Restia did not have the power to control ice dragons. Neither did she need to sleep for many days to store up power.

(...Or perhaps, it's just a visual resemblance?)

Sitting on the bed, Restia cocked her head to listen.

Noisy sounds of people running around were coming from outside the tent.

...Something had happened, apparently.

Walking outside in bare feet, she discovered it was the noise from children gathering in the plaza.

"...Hey, did something happen?"

Blocking one of the boys, Restia asked.

"...This is bad, the forest's fog is dispersing!"

"...Fog?"

Restia tilted her head in puzzlement.

"Umm, is it that serious?"

"The barrier is broken! Soon, armed elementalists are going to storm this place!"

"...No way...!"

Restia went pale, all color of blood leaving her face.

"Umm, the barrier can't be repaired?"

"No way. Those people have destroyed the stone monuments serving as the barrier's foundation. Even if we repair them, there's not enough time now&mdash;"

The children's commotion became greater and greater.

(...It must be the work of those people hunting for me.)

Restia bit her lip hard.

Those pursuers were definitely not going to let these children go.

(...I must hurry and leave this place.)

Secretly, she made her decision. She must not bring calamity upon the Forest Dwellers on account of herself.

That said, she did not know where to go to leave this place.

"&mdash;Everyone, please calm down."

A solemn voice resounded in the plaza.

Emerging from the depths of the forest, it was the princess maiden Rana.

Looking as calm and composed as someone advanced in age, Rana walked over to the plaza.

"Don't worry, the Queen of Ice Blossoms has already summoned the ice dragons from the Kyria Mountain Range."

"Her Highness the Queen?"

"Yes. Also, Once the queen fully awakens, Zirnitra's seal will be released. Then there is no need to rely on the Barrier anymore."

"Y-Yeah! You're right..."

Hearing Rana's confident speech, the children finally breathed a sigh of relief and nodded.

Seeing that, Restia instantly felt suspicions towards the Queen of Ice Blossoms.

(...Even at a time like this, she still has not appeared.)

Hence, she walked over to Rana who was standing in the center of the plaza&mdash;

"Where is that Queen of Ice Blossoms currently?"

A sharp voice.

"Didn't I mention before? Her Highness the Queen is currently sleeping in the shrine to accumulate power."

"Does the queen you speak of really exist?"

"She'll awaken very soon. The princess maidens are already preparing to welcome her arrival&mdash;"

"Yes, that's right.." "Onee-chan, don't worry. It'll be fine."

Restia shook her head lightly.

"I am truly grateful to you all for hiding me here. But the one the pursuers want is me. As long as I leave this place, you'll be fine."

Just as Restia turned around, intending to walk towards the forest&mdash;

"&mdash;You can't."

Restia's feet felt as though they had been nailed to the ground.

Suddenly, she was unable to move, as though paralyzed.

"...What... is going on...?"

"&mdash;I'm very sorry."

Rana's crimson eyes stared at Restia.

"Hiding you here is the will of the Queen of Ice Blossoms. If you try to leave, I cannot turn a blind eye&mdash;"

"...The will of the Queen of Ice Blossoms?"

Restia felt confused. What on earth was the reason&mdash;

"&mdash;Rana-sama!"

Running over from the depths of the forest, princess maidens showed panic on their faces.

"What's the matter?"

"Th-The shrine's situation&mdash;"

Rana was shocked.

"...Let's hurry over. You come along too."

"...What?"

Restia suddenly regained her body's freedom.

"&mdash;The Queen of Ice Blossoms has awakened."