Editing Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume10 Chapter4 (section)

===Part 5===

The great throne&mdash;Lost Cathedral.

The tallest tower in the abandoned city and the point where all the leylines converged.

It was the castle residence of the Darkness Elemental Lord who led the rebel armies during the Spirit War in the past.

For the purposes of the Darkness Queen's coming, there was probably no better location.

Having finished preparations for the ritual, Rubia Elstein walked up the spiral tower.

(...When was the last time I wore these clothes?)

Instead of the Theocracy's military uniform, she was currently wearing ritual attire from her days as Queen.

In her hand were jewels infused with darkness.

Climbing the stairs and looking out the stained glass windows that were installed with vivid colors thousands of years ago, one could survey the entire scenery of the abandoned city, all covered with trees.

&mdash;The abandoned city's sky was always so dim and gray even at noon time.

As if the resentment dating from the time of the Spirit War still lingered in the sky above to this day.

The flames of the militarized spirit Valaraukar still burned where Kamito and Muir Alenstarl's battle had taken place the previous night.

Crimson flames burned entire streets. Faced with this scene, past memories were momentarily awakened&mdash;

"&mdash;al... Cardinal."

A voice from behind brought Rubia back to the present.

Breathing heavily, a girl with jade-green hair was making her way to the top of the massive spiral staircase.

Lily Flame&mdash;the girl picked up at the Instructional School four years ago.

Rubia halted and waited for her.

Panting, Lily knelt down before Rubia.

"&mdash;Muir has disappeared from the field."

"I see."

...Not a shocking report.

After losing Valaraukar, that girl was already written off as combat potential.

She had already completed her mission perfectly. The battle against Muir Alenstarl should have greatly stimulated the awakening of the Demon King within Kamito's body.

(...Kazehaya Kamito, you must be finding it increasingly difficult to resist the impulse to be devoured.)

Once he was completely swallowed by that impulse&mdash;the Demon King within him would awaken.

"Muir will come in handy in future battles. Of course, the same goes for you."

"Y-Yes!"

After destroying the Elemental Lords, the continent was going to descend into massive chaos due to the loss of the power of spirits.

In order to conquer that type of chaotic world, overwhelming military power was necessary.

This was the most important reason behind Rubia's alliance with the Alphas Theocracy's Murders to gather mercenaries and users of militarized spirits.

(...A great many lives will be sacrificed. But still, overall sacrifices can still be lessened.)

If power brought forth destruction, then even greater power would be used to suppress it.

&mdash;Bathump. Intense pain throbbed in her heart.

(The time for the Demon King's awakening is fast approaching&mdash;)

The Sacred Maiden and the Demon King were opposing existences.

This body could feel the signs of the Demon King's awakening&mdash;

&mdash;Just at this moment.

ROOOOOOOOAAAAAAR!

A terrifying roar shook the atmosphere.

"...!?"

As the floor shook lightly beneath their feet, fragments of stone fell from the ceiling.

"To think there would be an enemy attack...!?"

Lily Flame cried out, greatly shaken as she looked outside the shattered window.

Then&mdash;

"That's a... dragon!?"

Blowing the grey clouds apart, a black demon dragon was flying towards Lost Cathedral.

The attack just now was merely the demon dragon's breath.

"Leonora Lancaster's demon dragon spirit!"

"...The Dragon Princess huh. What an affront to the eyes."

Rubia grumbled beneath her mask.

She never expected the ace of the Knights of the Dragon Emperor to launch a direct assault here singlehandedly&mdash;

The pitch black demon dragon opened up a great hole in the middle of the Lost Cathedral and flew inside.

"...We're being invaded."

If Rubia intercepted her personally, it should be an easy victory.

However, she currently had to perform the ritual for the coming of the Darkness Queen.

&mdash;The flame of her life was almost extinguished.

The Sacred Maiden's power could not be squandered here.

"I will intercept her. But facing that Dragon Princess as my opponent, I fear I can only buy limited time."

Lily withdrew her hand from the window and jumped down the spiral staircase.

"...Lily, I am relying on you."

Rubia nodded and continued on her way to the top level.


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