Editing Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume10 Chapter6 (section)

===Part 2===

"&mdash;Oh my, is the princess' taming already complete?"

This was the top level of the Lost Cathedral.

Appearing out from the True Sanctuary before Rubia's eyes was the witch whose eyes were like a snake's.

"She has already been tainted by darkness. Sooner or later, she shall fall, completely devoured."

"For the Darkness Queen to be your real sister, oh what a tear-inducing tragic story."

"Do you wish to be roasted into charcoal?"

Beneath the scarlet mask, Rubia's gaze turned towards the witch, completely filled with murderous intent.

"Fufu, there's no need to make such a scary face. While you and the princess were stuck indoors, interesting things are happening. I came to report them."

Sjora smiled with a chuckle and licked her red lips.

Remaining in complete composure, the witch's attitude suddenly gave Rubia a sense of dissonance.

(This woman, she really does give off a different atmosphere compared to before&mdash;)

According to Lily's report, Sjora apparently used primitive magic to revive Valaraukar after it was defeated by Kazehaya Kamito. During that time, Lily had also sensed inexplicable dissonance from the witch.

"&mdash;Interesting things being?"

Casting her suspicions aside for now, Rubia asked in return.

...Now was the time for listening to the report first.

"Someone is invading this Lost Cathedral openly."

"If you're talking about the Dragon Princess of Dracunia, Lily has been sent to intercept her."

Considering their difference in power, chances of Lily prevailing over Leonora were microscopic. However, using the complicated terrain of the massive structure, the Lost Cathedral, she should be able to buy some time.

"Not the Dragon Princess, but Kazehaya Kamito."

"...What?"

The expression behind the mask was slightly frozen.

Kazehaya Kamito had fought Muir Alenstarl's militarized spirit late last night in the center of the abandoned city.

By the time he noticed Claire was captured and rushed over this Lost Cathedral, ten-odd hours should have passed.

(...Too fast.)

It would be understandable if he had knowledge of the abandoned city's structure, but there was no way he could have toured all the tree-covered historical sites in such short time.

In theory, it was possible to use the underground maze, but those were ruins even more ancient than the abandoned city above ground&mdash;Even Rubia herself did not have complete knowledge of what lay down there. Supposing he had noticed the underground maze, getting here through them should still not be possible.

"To think even you could be surprised at times."

As if ridiculing Rubia's loss of composure, the witch smiled.

"Could this be fake information? Your mouth is untrustworthy."

"Witches do not lie."

"But they never tell the truth either&mdash;"

"What a truly untrusting princess. Please have a look, over there."

Saying that, Sjora raised a far sight crystal before Rubia's eyes.

Inside the crystal, Kazehaya Kamito could be seen traversing the forest.

Beside him, the Fahrengart and Laurenfrost girls as well as Fianna Ray Ordesia could be seen.

This was the vast forest on the slopes of the mountain where the spiral tower was located. They were most probably going to arrive very soon.

"..."

"To think there existed things that could take you aback."

The witch whispered as she giggled.

Ignoring these offensive words, Rubia contemplated behind her mask.

Time was still needed for Claire to fall completely and become the Darkness Queen.

In the instant Kazehaya Kamito awakened as the Demon King, unless the Darkness Queen to serve him was present, he would only lead the world towards destruction without achieving the original goal of exterminating the Five Great Elemental Lords&mdash;That was not what Rubia wished to see.

(The ritual cannot be interrupted now&mdash;)

Rubia glared at Sjora as if about to commit murder.

"Sjora Kahn. Now is the time for you to fulfill your duties as my ally."

"&mdash;Yes, you need not mention it."

Touching her moistened lips with a finger, the witch jeered.

"After all, I also wish to try out ''that'' which my country delivered. Why don't you concentrate on taming the princess of darkness."

Turning around lightly, she descended the tower's spiral staircase.

Watching the witch's back receding into the distance&mdash;

(Although the witch cannot be trusted, she is currently a useful tool.)

Rubia coldly remarked to herself.

(Once everything is complete, even the Theocracy's Snake must be destroyed along with everything else.)