Editing Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume11 Chapter9 (section)

===Part 2===

Evening. Having changed into a suit, Kamito was attending the victory celebration party held at the Grand Shrine.

Gathered in the spacious hall were nobles from the various countries, enthusiastically conversing about the Blade Dance.

After the earlier incident, Est had went back to sleep in sword form. Kamito leaned her against a wall.

After all, carrying a sword was not appropriate for a banquet. But if he placed her there, at least he could keep her in sight throughout his time there.

Restia had disappeared off who knows where again. Oh well, given how willful she always behaved, she was probably going to suddenly return again.

"Team Scarlet's male elementalist..." "Reportedly defeated Ren Ashbell-sama&mdash;" "Although he's a bit scary, should we go greet him?" "N-No way, once you approach, you'll be enslaved by his demonic qualities." "But he's a bit handsome..."

The young noblewomen were chattering nonstop as they watched Kamito from afar.

The members of the winning team were the guests of honor. Being the center of attention could not be helped&mdash;

"L-Let's go, Kamito."

"Oh okay..."

Arm in arm with Kamito, Claire passed through the crowds.

Her slightly bulging chest was touching his arm, causing his heart to race.

Claire's formal dress was plain yet extremely beautiful.

It was a simple dress with a rose decorating the bodice. The pure white of its base color offered excellent contrast that brought out Claire's crimson hair and ruby eyes.

(...Damn she's really cute when she's not talking.)

Kamito blushed, turning his gaze away from the boldly open neckline.

The Blade Dance participants had all gathered to the center of the great hall.

There were a few familiar faces but Team Inferno was nowhere to be found.

Kamito was thinking he might be able to see Muir&mdash;

"Oh, isn't this Kamito?"

At this moment, greeting without reserve was&mdash;

"Ah, hi, Shao&mdash;"

It was Shao Fu of the Four Gods. Despite being on opposing teams, their relations were enough to converse without reserve.

Shao was wearing a traditional Quina Empire outfit with a bold, high-slit design.

"You're still wearing combat clothing for a celebration?"

"This isn't combat clothing. It's formal attire."

Shao smiled wryly and shrugged.

"S-Sorry..."

"Oh well, it does resemble what I wear during blade dancing, so calling it combat clothing isn't wrong. However, the fabric is a bit different."

Saying that, Shao flipped her skirt hem to display her outstretched leg.

"...G-Girls should pay more attention in this area!"

Kamito frantically reminded her.

"Girls... To think that's the first time someone referred to me that way."

Shao muttered with her face all red in response.

Suddenly&mdash;

"Muu, Shao! Bring me some of that cake over there!"

From a distance, the voice of a slightly familiar imperial princess was heard.

"Oh, Linfa-sama is calling me. So, farewell, Kamito. Should you visit the Quina Empire in the future, come visit the residences of the Four Generals' families. You are definitely welcome."

"Yeah."

The two shook hands to say farewell.

"...~!"

For some reason, Claire was glaring unhappily from beside him.

"...My, aren't you close with that Shao Fu?"

"Well, after all, she's a good opponent, worthy of respect."

"...Hmph."

Claire pouted with displeasure.

"Is that really all? Kazehaya Kamito&mdash;"

"...Huh?"

Kamito turned his head towards the voice&mdash;

Only to find a noble lady in a lovely dress standing behind him.

"Y-You're Leonora!?"

"Hmm, how rude. Is this attire really that ludicrous?"

"N-No it's not...!"

Kamito frantically shook his head.

"It's just that I'm used to the military uniform of the Dragon Knights. Uh, it's a bit surprising..."

If he really had to give his honest opinion, Leonora in a dress was so beautiful that he could not help but gasp.

A bodice decorated with ribbons. A violet one-piece dress revealing her shoulders, completely accentuating the curves of her excellent figure without reservation.

At this moment&mdash;

Kamito suddenly realized something.

"...Say, are you not wearing ''that'' currently?"

"W-Wait a sec, what kind of question is this!?"

Claire was completely stupefied.

"...No, given this rare occasion, I wore the underwear you picked."

Leonora blushed as she replied.

"The underwear I picked... Y-You mean the swimsuit?"

Probably, she meant the swimsuit she was wearing at the Water Elemental Festival before the final round.

Kamito remembered that it was a swimsuit that could be worn as underwear as well&mdash;

...Inexplicably, as soon as he became aware that she was wearing a swimsuit under the dress, he began to imagine all sorts of strange things.

"W-Why are you staring at my body! Pervert, what a pervert!"

Leonora glared at Kamito as if he were an insect.

"Y-You, y-you, even Leonora also..."

Rumble rumble rumble rumble... Claire's hair was standing up like flames.

"Hold on, don't jump to conclusions! I just wanted to thank you."

"...Thank?"

Leonora tilted her head in puzzlement.

"At the Lost Cathedral, you helped out Ellis and Rinslet."

"That was only to return your favor. There is no need for thanks."

"Even so, it still was a great help. Thanks."

Kamito extended his hand&mdash;

Then Leonora shook it without hesitation.

Her expression relaxed.

"...How funny."

"Hmm?"

"Before encountering you, I never could have imagined I would shake a man's hand."

"I-I see..."

Her direct gaze caused his heart rate to rise.

"I look forward to a future blade dance with you again."

Saying that, Leonora turned her heel and left.

Seeing her majestic and gallant figure, Kamito could not help but stare mesmerized&mdash;

"Seriously, what are you gawking at? Let's go."

Hence, Claire resolutely dragged him away.