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Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume5 Chapter5

2013-02-20T08:01:11Z

Blood: /* Chapter 5: The Princess Maiden of the Grand Shrine */

=Chapter 5: The Princess Maiden of the Grand Shrine=

"I never imagined that... under the Sanctuary, there are actually such enormous caves!"

"Yes, I don't think even the princess maidens at the <Divine Ritual Institute> know that these caves exist."

Holding in one hand the spirit ore to light their path, Kamito made his way through the gigantic underground caves.

These caves, made by unknown men, were practically big enough to contain the entire Grand Shrine.

In between the stalactites were massive spiderwebs, bats danced in flight over their heads, and swarms of little bugs on the ground made Fianna shriek involuntarily.

"Your highness, are you all right?"

"I... I am but the esteemed second princess of the Empire... H-How can these mere bugs scare me... Aaaaah!"

"Why be so stubborn... Hey, watch your step."

As the princess let out a shrill scream of fear, Kamito grasped her hand tightly.

"K-Kamito? Wh...?"

"It's a man's duty to protect a woman... Or do you mean to say you dislike holding boys' hands?"

"N-No, it's not that... It's just..."

"Your shriek just now was actually quite cute, you know."

"... I-I hate you! You're so mean, Kamito..."

At Fianna's pouting expression, Kamito could not help but laugh.

Although she liked to tease Kamito mercilessly, once this princess was given a taste of her own medicine, she would immediately reveal her pure shy original side.

"Oh, that's right... Why would you know such a place?"

"When I was still studying at the Institute, I came to this floating island as part of a ritual for the Wind Elemental Lord. A senior told me of this place."

"A senior... Who's that?"

"The Calamity Queen – Rubia Elstein-san."

"... What?!"

At that, Kamito let out an uncontrollable yelp.

"You are old friends with Claire's older sister?"

"Yes. I don't have many close friends, and she... used to be one of them."

Fianna's expression suddenly darkened and grew lonely, and she muttered in the past tense.

"Here, even the highest ranked princess maidens are ordered to stop, so I too don't know why she would know of these caves – "
Right at that moment...

"Shhh... Don't say a word!"

Kamito stopped in his tracks and whispered to Fianna.

"What is it?"

"... There's someone nearby."

"How is that possible!? Only I know about th – "

Midway through her sentence, Fianna hastily fell silent.

Because she, too, had noticed the sounds of people talking.

– And if... body cannot bear it, what... do then...

– If so, it will mean... does not have the right to... that's all."

The words reverberated through the caves.

Because of the way the cave walls reflected sound, there was no way of telling how far they were from the speakers.

However, Kamito was certain that he had heard the voice somewhere before.

"That's Muir Alenstarl... So the one speaking to her must be – "

Kamito held onto Fianna’s shoulders protectively, and took a deep breath to control his emotions.

"Why would that bastard be here..!"

No mistake about it – the one talking to Muir was indeed Ren Ashbell.

– The very person who carved the <Brand of Darkness> on Kamito, and the very person responsible for the disappearance of Est.

"Damn it..."

If he had been in any condition to, Kamito would have rushed up to confront her.

However, Kamito currently lacked even the ability to summon spirits for battle.

Furthermore, he could not put Fianna in danger.

Kamito could hence only suppress his feelings of anger and aggression, and remain silently in hiding.

The pair's conversation finally ceased.

"... I think they've left."

"Yeah."

Kamito let down his guard, took a breath and said:

"– What... on earth were they just doing?"

"I imagine... maybe performing some kind of ritual magic."

"Ritual magic?"

"Indeed. I heard what sounded like chanting in spirit language, but it sounded a little different to ordinary spirit language... It felt a little sinister, and it made my hair stand."

Fianna's shoulders quivered in fear.

"Why choose such a place to perform ritual magic – "

Kamito furrowed his brow in confusion.

"Hmmm... Say, Kamito?"

"Yes?"

"H-How long are you planning to hug me for?"

"S-Sorry!"

As Fianna blushed furiously, Kamito hastily let go of her.

◇

"Oooh... What's wrong with coming along, Kamito you dummy!"

Back in her room, Claire muttered to herself unhappily while collapsing on her bed.

As Ellis and Rinslet were both with their families, who had come to cheer them on, Claire was alone with Scarlet in the house.

"Stupid..."

Casting her face downwards, Claire clutched her pillow tightly.

They definitely had valid reasons, and even, in a manner of speaking, no choice but to leave her by herself.

... However, she couldn't help but feel lonely, as if she had been abandoned by her teammates.

"Who knows... what the two of them are doing..."

As they had left the room, Fianna had even pressed her bosom against Kamito's arm.

Kamito had looked a little surprised, but... how should she say this... seemingly not too repelled either.

"E-Either way, whatever that rascal does with that lascivious princess, it's none of my business..."

... Nevertheless, the bothersome feeling was still gnawing away at her chest.

"... Boys, do they all like big-chested girls?"

Perhaps it was what she had seen in the forbidden books in the Biblion, which detailed a wide variety of rituals involving the bodies of princess maidens, but Claire found herself even more self-conscious about her unimpressive chest.

"S-So unbelievable... That one would actually wedge t-that sort of thing in between...!"

Just the mere passing thought of it left Claire so embarrassed she blushed hotly.

"Put in between..."

Rub rub. Squeeze squeeze.

As a test, she gently rubbed her own tiny breasts.

... It was no good. With such a small chest, it was impossible for her to hold such a thing as illustrated in the book.

The most she would be able to do was rub it on the surface –

"Aaah... W-What nonsense am I thinking!"

Her face red, Claire clutched at her pillow wildly.

"Meow – ?"

"S-Scarlet! G-G-G-Go away!"

Claire threw her pillow aside; startled, Scarlet fled from the room.

"..."

She was now truly completely alone in the room.

"... Why don't I... t-t-try out what was written in that book?"

Claire swallowed.

The forbidden book mentioned earlier also contained a method to enlarge one's chest.

Making use of the intelligence that had allowed her to achieve such stellar grades in the Academy, Claire took advantage of a moment when Ellis and Rinslet were distracted to memorize the contents of the script.

"... I-I have to try it to know whether or not it'll really work."

She cleared her throat and removed a small stone from her bag.

A low-level <Thunder Spirit> was sealed within that spirit ore. Although this type of spirit ore was expensive, it was also not especially rare; its original purpose was to scare away wild forest creatures.

Claire put it on her white underclothes, and through the cloth gently massaged her chest.

"Mmm..."

The sharp tip of the stone rubbed against her chest painfully, but Claire told herself to be brave and bear it.

She focused on her fingers, concentrating her Divine Power in the spirit ore.

The normal way of using it would be to summon a burst of Divine Power into it, releasing the spirit sealed within. The trick to this method seemed to be to input Divine Power in a slow, more controlled manner, which would need much more skill – however, this was child's play for a spirit contractor as talented as Claire.

"Th-This will really enlarge my chest..? Aieeee!"

The sealed spirit suddenly began responding, releasing weak sparks of energy into Claire's body.

The intoxicating comforting feeling made her tremble right down to her fingertips.

"W-What is going on... Uhhh... Aaaah!"

Claire twisted about making noises, pressing the still-sparking spirit ore against her chest.

"Aaaa-aaah, mmm, aah-ha, aah... oooh..."

Unable to bear the intoxicating pain, she grasped her bedsheets in her fist and gasped deep breaths.

"I must b-be strong, so that my c-chest will get bigger... Aaaah!"

Suddenly, an even stronger jolt of energy surged through her, causing Claire to tremble uncontrollably and lean her body backwards.

''W-What now, I c-can't stop..!''

As the sweet pain coursed through her, Claire felt herself begin to lose consciousness.

"– What, you rascal, so you'd like me to do these things to you?"

For some unknown reason, at that moment, an image of Kamito floated into Claire's mind. The imaginary Kamito was even looking at her with an expression like in her favorite romance novels... a cool, cruel, haughty expression.

"O-Of course! Stupid... Stop now, don't go on any more!"

"Oh... You really wish for me to stop?"

"Huh? .... Aaaa!"

"Look at you, what are those sounds you're making? You really are a dirty young miss."

"Oooh, mmm... W-Who says... Aaaah..."

"Why don't you admit your true feelings, young lady?"

"What t-true feelings... aaaah... ohhh!"

"Uh... That..."

"... Whew... oooh... Kamito, you stu..."

"That... Claire-sama?"

"... Huh!?"

A voice beside her ear jolted Claire back into reality.

Outside the door stood a youthful princess maiden holding a box.

"Waaaah... W-What are you doing!?"

"I-I'm sorry for disturbing you! The door wasn't locked, so – "

The girl nodded in profuse apology.

"C-Can I help you with anything?"

Claire sat up primly, cleared her throat and asked.

"Yes, indeed, someone requested I give you this – "

The girl placed the box in her hands on a rack beside the door.

The box was marked with a seal that Claire was very familiar with.

"This is from the Academy Director Greyworth... What could it be?"

Claire opened the box. Inside were huge quantities of books and documents.

◇

"– You mean to say, you had a dream about Sacred Queen Areishia?"

"Mmm... I just can't seem to forget about it, that's all."

In the pitch-black cave –

Kamito walked along while telling Fianna of his dream earlier that day.

That dream – in which Sacred Queen Areishia used the <Demon Slaying Sacred Sword> to vanquish the Demon King.

Kamito somehow felt that the contents of the dream might have had something to do with Est.

"That would indeed be a memorable dream..."

Fianna put a hand on her chin and thought for a moment, then said:

"Perhaps... What happened was Kamito's thoughts and feelings mixing with Est's."

"What does that mean?"

Kamito only knew a little about these academic matters, but Fianna was once an outstanding princess maiden, so she was very knowledgeable in these areas.

"It's not unusual for spirit contractors and their contract spirits to have a mental connection in their dreams. Especially when the <gate> between them cannot be opened, such a phenomenon will become even more common."

As Fianna talked, she gestured with her index finger.

"When I lost my connection to my contract spirit, I would frequently dream of a knight charging forth on the battlefield."

The rider in her dream was probably the spirit <Georgios> she commanded. By the looks of it, even if the spirit contractor lost their power, the connection between the two did not break completely.

"That dream – you don't say it's part of Est's memory?"

If that were true, Est was really the true Demon Slayer Sacred Sword?

"Mmm... To be sure, the picture should have been formed by the mixing of Est's and Kamito's memories – "

Saying this, Fianna suddenly stopped in her tracks.

"I can understand what you're feeling... Because the same tragedy happened to me before."

"Fianna..."

Kamito also stopped and turned to face her.

The second princess of the Empire, the impending successor to Rubia, the anticipated heir princess maiden. Unfortunately, when she lost the ability to command spirits and became a fallen princess maiden, those around her reversed their attitudes and regarded her only with disappointment.

For the young, innocent girl, that would certainly have been an unimaginable horror.

"But Fianna, you did not just give up because of that."

"That was only because of Kamito's efforts."

Looking at him directly, she replied.

"My efforts?"

"Three years ago, the blade dance you presented gave me, a lost spirit contractor, renewed hope and inspiration. If not for you, Kamito, I suppose I would still be hiding away in the castle right now."

"You exaggerate too much."

Embarrassed, Kamito shook his head.

"Of course not, moreover... Since then, I have felt towards Kamito – "

At that moment, a group of bats suddenly flew past their heads.

"Aaaah!"

Fianna shrieked involuntarily.

Kamito waved the lantern about, only then did the bats fly away, frightened.

"... All right, it's fine now. That's right... What were you about to say just now?"

"N-Nothing! It was nothing!"

Fianna mumbled to herself as if to shrug the matter off, then continued onwards.

... For a lengthy while after, all was quiet between the two apart from the sound of footfalls.

"Oh, Kamito, you don't plan on telling Claire your true identity?"

Fianna's sudden question came out of nowhere.

"Mmm, forget it... If I caused someone's dream to be ruined, I would never be able to live with myself."

For a longed-for dream that always remained a dream was the most perfect of all.

The strongest blade dancer three years ago was long gone now.

It would be better for "her"to remain merely in the imaginations of Claire and her friends.

"Furthermore... If they were to find out about my habit of dressing as a girl, they would surely laugh at me to no end."

Looking down at his outfit, Kamito muttered to himself.

"Hee hee... Does that mean I'm the only one to share in Kamito's little secret?"

Fianna suddenly let slip a gleeful smile, and clutched tightly at Kamito's arm.

"Hey, watch your step."

"It doesn't matter anyway, even if I were to trip, Kamito will catch me before I fall."

"You rascal... Some princess you are, please be a bit more wary of men!"

"Huh, don't you know? In front of a boy she likes, a princess is but an ordinary girl!"

The princess stuck her tongue out at Kamito mischievously.

Her adorable response made Kamito's heart quicken.

"My dear princess, stop joking around with me."

"... I hate you, I wasn't joking."

◇

After quite a while, the two of them finally arrived at the secret tunnels of the Grand Temple.

The path overhead was blocked by a giant stone slab, on which were cramped carvings of words in spirit language.

The exit was right here; the courtyard of the Grand Temple was just outside.

"Kamito, may I climb on your shoulders?"

"Sure, no problem."

Nodding, Kamito bent to allow Fianna to get up.

The feel of her tender thighs on the back of his neck made Kamito's heart involuntarily leap into his throat – how he hoped she would not get mad at him because of that.

"S-Speaking of which... I really don't have to hide my face?"

"Something so suspicious would in fact make us more easily discovered. Besides, I'm a girl and even I think Kamito looks very pretty, so you don't need to worry at all."

"Such praise really doesn't make me feel any better..."

Then, Fianna chanted what sounded like a magical curse. The spirit words on the stone shone brightly blue, and the entire slab split cleanly down the middle and opened outwards.

Bright moonlight beamed directly into the dark cave.

Night had already fallen upon the outside world, and a bonfire was burning to light the enormous courtyard.

"– It looks like no one's around, let's go now."

Fianna reached out and placed a hand on the ground, then slowly climbed out.

Kamito leaped up in one bound, and followed closely behind her.

Fortunately, the ritual clothing had a long skirt, so even if Kamito were to look up, Fianna's panties would still be hidden.

"What a pity... I'd even specially worn Kamito's favorite knickers today."

"I-I don't even l-like... suspenders!"

"Oooh, it looks like I've hit upon the truth!"

"Uhhh..."

Looking at Kamito's vexed expression, Fianna broke out into peals of laughter.

After climbing to ground level, the two of them hurried to the stone corridor in front of the courtyard.

"I say... If we're found out, will we have to escape from every single Guardian spirit here?"

"Don't look guilty, and we won't be found out."

The two of them exchanged nervous whispers while walking along the stone corridor stretched out before them.

At that moment, a princess maiden appeared in front of them and began walking towards them.

"Ooh!?l

Kamito's heart jolted, and his facial expression hardened.

The girl drew ever closer, step by step –

Just as they were about to pass each other, she suddenly stopped before them and said:

"Please, where are you headed to?"

"To Reicha-sama's chambers. Reicha-sama says she's feeling unwell, so..."

"Oh, is that so? Sorry for your trouble."

Fianna answered the questioning princess maiden with a calm, composed expression on her face, and the latter then turned and left.

"Look, didn't we just successfully pass this trial?"

"Wow... The bravery of the princess maiden really is something else. I was so scared my heart almost stopped "

For a male to enter the <Divine Ritual Institute> was absolutely unheard of. A rule of such importance had never been broken before.

If they were to be caught, in the best case they would be executed, while in the worst case... Never mind, it was best not to think about it.

"This way."

Fianna, who was walking in front, gestured surreptitiously with her hand.

Following her lead –

"..."

– The pair reached the end of the lengthy corridor, where there were a set of grand doors decorated with intricate carvings.

The decor of this door was noticeably different to the other doors: inlaid on the frame of the door were several very pure and valuable spirit ores.

"... Uh... Fianna, may I ask a question?"

Kamito inquired, a twitching expression on his face.

"What is it?"

"This door wouldn't happen to be... Never mind, I guess it goes without saying..."

"Indeed, it's just what Kamito thinks."

Fianna shrugged her shoulders at Kamito naughtily.

"I've no choice... Which other princess maidens of higher status than I are there, other than these ladies?"

"Are you serious?"

"Don't worry, I'm absolutely certain."

Finishing her sentence, Fianna knocked smartly on the door thrice, according to the proper regulations.

The duo waited for a while –

Finally, the grand doors gradually opened.

The sight that greeted them was –

A red carpet that stretched out straight before them, and brightly glittering spirit ores.

This was a holy space, filled with the aura of somber tranquility.

A thin curtain hung at the far end of the room; behind that was the silhouette of a small slight figure.

"What does the visitor want? I believe I have already instructed not to have my meal – "

The high stately voice rang out into the hall.

However, undeterred, Fianna walked forward and said:

"Long time no see, Reicha. How have you been lately?"

"... Huh?"

The maiden hastily pulled aside the curtain, then – her jaw dropped in shock.

"... It can't be, Fianna-sempai!?"

◇

Reicha Alminas.

She was one of the <Queens> to have gained the honor of serving the five Elemental Lords.

There were only five Queens in the entire continent, and they were the most eminent of all princess maidens.

Although Fianna had said she wanted to bring Kamito to meet a high-ranked princess maiden –

He had never for a moment dreamed that she was referring to a current Queen.

"Why didn't you tell me this before?"

"Because... If I had, you wouldn't have come, would you Kamito?"

Kamito could not hide his conflicting feelings. Likewise, the girl seated beside him was also nervously averting her gaze, and looked rather uneasy.

The girl had glossy black hair neatly done up in braids, and cute eyes like that of a small animal.

Dressed in bright red ritual clothing, she looked like a butterfly about to take flight.

At fifteen, she was a year younger than Kamito. Like Rubia Elstein, she was one of Fianna's few close friends and confidantes while she was at the <Divine Ritual Institute>.

She served the Fire Elemental Lord – in other words, she succeeded the Calamity Queen spirit contractor's position.

Kamito had already introduced himself, removed his disguise, and revealed that he was in truth male.

Upon discovering that Kamito was in fact male, Reicha very nearly fainted on the spot, and only managed to stay conscious thanks to Fianna's eloquent explanations.

"I-I-If I am ungracious, it is because it is my f-first time talking to a male..."

"N-Never mind. I should be the one apologizing, to barge in on you suddenly like this."

Looking at the Queen bobbing her head apologetically in his direction, Kamio also bowed his head in response.

Despite obviously being the highest ranked princess maiden in the continent, she was nonetheless humble and polite.

Due to her rank, Kamito should have used genteel, formal language when addressing her. However, regardless of that fact, she nonetheless looked like an ordinary young girl, so Kamito could not help but speak to her as an equal.

"Hee hee, little Reicha is still as cute as ever."

Fianna smiled mischievously and reached out to feel her small chest.

"Ah – ! S-Sempai, what are you doing!"

"Your chest seems to have gotten a little bigger?"

"Oooh... I-I really haven't...!"

Reicha blushed and twisted her body defensively.

... Even if she was indeed an old friend, to do something like that to a Queen was pushing it a little, wasn't it?

Kamito broke out into a cold sweat and averted his eyes awkwardly.

The two girls reminisced fondly for a while, then –

"Reicha, actually... I have a favor to ask of you."

Fianna made her request with a serious expression.

"A favor – yes?"

Reicha blinked, not understanding.

"Mmhmm, I need to borrow your power, to break the curse on him – Kamito."

"You mean to say this male has been cursed?"

The Fire Queen asked, turning to look at Kamito.

"My blade spirit might have been trapped by this curse. Please save her, I beg you."
Kamito placed both his hands on the ground and pleaded with Reicha with all his heart.

"That is a curse so strong that even I cannot break it. However, you have received the blessing of the Fire Elemental Lord; with that power, you can surely destroy even the harshest of curses."

"You are right. If I use the <Sacred Flames of Judgment>, any curse will turn into smoke, that's true. But..."

Reicha lowered her head and mumbled.

It was only natural that she would hesitate.

Even on the behest of one of her best friends, Fianna, she was nevertheless a <Queen> who had to follow rules and do things by the book.

Using the Fire Elemental Lord's power for personal gains was an act that would never be condoned.

A long period of silence ensued, and then –

"I know."

"Huh?"

At that, Kamito raised his head and regarded Reicha quizzically.

"Because it is sempai's request, so... But only this once; I will not make this exception again."

The Fire Queen let out a sigh, and nodded her head as if making a decision.

◇

After a while more –

"– Now then, let's begin the ritual."

Reicha, who had changed into a set of pure white ritual clothes, knelt demurely in front of Kamito.

Her serene, assured appearance contrasted sharply with that of the nervous, embarrassed young girl just a while ago; they seemed like virtually two different people.

So as not to disrupt the ritual, Fianna had retreated to a corner of the room to guard them from afar.

"I'll leave everything in your hands, R-Reicha-sama."

"Please, just call me Reicha, Kamito-sama."

The Fire Queen smiled quietly, then caressed Kamito's hand gently.

"Will you be scared – I mean, scared to touch a male's body?"

"... To be honest, yes, a little scared. But... you are a friend of my sempai."

"It seems like you trust Fianna a lot."

"... Yes, indeed. Fianna-sempai was one of the only people to stand by my side."

Reicha mumbled to herself, as if recalling a faraway memory of some past event.
The rapport between the two seemed to go deeper than mere friendship.

"Also, I can feel it, you're not a dangerous evil person."

"Is that so?"

"Don't judge me based on my looks and age. I am after all a Queen, and I am quite confident in my ability to assess people."

Reicha said with a genuine smile.

Her smile was full of charm, and could easily mesmerize someone looking at it.

"Now, then, Kamito-sama, please remove your shirt."

"Oh... Mmm-hmm..."

Kamito nodded, and took off the thin tunic he was wearing under the princess maiden dress.

The <Brand of Darkness> on his chest, positioned just above his heart, had turned into a pitch-black wound.

"Ahhh... T-That's really something...!"

Reicha clapped both hands to her cheeks, blushing furiously red.

"T-This is my first time seeing a m-male's body..."

"Oh, is that so..."

Kamito looked away, feeling a little uneasy.

To have his naked body scrutinized so closely by a girl made him mysteriously embarrassed.

"Kamito, your face is very red."

Standing at a side of the room, Fianna said, then immediately coughed a few times.

Reicha stretched out a hand nervously to touch Kamito's chest.

"... Very... very firm and solid!"

"It's alright, it's a result of all the training at the Instructional School..."

The Queen's slim fingers wandered along Kamito's naked upper body, making him itch slightly.

However, where her fingers touched, he suddenly felt waves of aching pain.

Then, Reicha shut her eyes, and solemnly began chanting a curse in spirit language.

"O supreme master of all earthly flames, our harsh judge and great warrior –

These were the words of the prayer for a ritual dedicated to the <Fire Elemental Lord>.

Reicha's hair started blowing wildly as if by a hot gust of wind, and a bright white light shone at her fingertips.

"Sacred Flames of Judgment – redeem our sins and cleanse our filth –

The words coming from her thin pale lips were the highest level of spirit language, the High Ancient.

The little girl before his eyes seemed to be possessed.

"... Oooo, uhhhhh...!"

Kamito let out uncontrollable moans of pain.

The bright blue flames from Reicha's fingertips were burning his skin, scorching his flesh.

"Oww... aaaaaaaa... aaah – !"

The unimaginable pain seemed to morph into the roar of a monstrous beast, which rushed out of Kamito's throat.

He felt a sharp tinnitus, as if fireworks were exploding in his head. Sweat oozed from his every pore, and his muscles tensed so hard as to nearly break his bones.

"Into ash and dust! Your flames can purify all darkness, burn away all curses!"

The <Brand of Darkness> imprinted on Kamito's chest suddenly started burning intensely.

"... – !"

Kamito burst into wordless howls.

In his quickly fading awareness – Kamito felt a dull pain coming from his right hand.

''– Could it be... Est's spirit mark...!?''

Just as he saw, from the corner of his eye, his spirit mark radiating a bright light –

Kamito lost consciousness, and plunged into darkness.

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Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume5 Chapter5

2013-02-20T07:59:19Z

Blood: /* Chapter 5: The Princess Maiden of the Grand Shrine */

=Chapter 5: The Princess Maiden of the Grand Shrine=

"I never imagined that... under the Sanctuary, there are actually such enormous caves!"

"Yes, I don't think even the princess maidens at the <Divine Ritual Institute> know that these caves exist."

Holding in one hand the spirit ore to light their path, Kamito made his way through the gigantic underground caves.

These caves, made by unknown men, were practically big enough to contain the entire Grand Shrine.

In between the stalactites were massive spiderwebs, bats danced in flight over their heads, and swarms of little bugs on the ground made Fianna shriek involuntarily.

"Your highness, are you all right?"

"I... I am but the esteemed second princess of the Empire... H-How can these mere bugs scare me... Aaaaah!"

"Why be so stubborn... Hey, watch your step."

As the princess let out a shrill scream of fear, Kamito grasped her hand tightly.

"K-Kamito? Wh...?"

"It's a man's duty to protect a woman... Or do you mean to say you dislike holding boys' hands?"

"N-No, it's not that... It's just..."

"Your shriek just now was actually quite cute, you know."

"... I-I hate you! You're so mean, Kamito..."

At Fianna's pouting expression, Kamito could not help but laugh.

Although she liked to tease Kamito mercilessly, once this princess was given a taste of her own medicine, she would immediately reveal her pure shy original side.

"Oh, that's right... Why would you know such a place?"

"When I was still studying at the Institute, I came to this floating island as part of a ritual for the Wind Elemental Lord. A senior told me of this place."

"A senior... Who's that?"

"The Calamity Queen – Rubia Elstein-san."

"... What?!"

At that, Kamito let out an uncontrollable yelp.

"You are old friends with Claire's older sister?"

"Yes. I don't have many close friends, and she... used to be one of them."

Fianna's expression suddenly darkened and grew lonely, and she muttered in the past tense.

"Here, even the highest ranked princess maidens are ordered to stop, so I too don't know why she would know of these caves – "
Right at that moment...

"Shhh... Don't say a word!"

Kamito stopped in his tracks and whispered to Fianna.

"What is it?"

"... There's someone nearby."

"How is that possible!? Only I know about th – "

Midway through her sentence, Fianna hastily fell silent.

Because she, too, had noticed the sounds of people talking.

– And if... body cannot bear it, what... do then...

– If so, it will mean... does not have the right to... that's all."

The words reverberated through the caves.

Because of the way the cave walls reflected sound, there was no way of telling how far they were from the speakers.

However, Kamito was certain that he had heard the voice somewhere before.

"That's Muir Alenstarl... So the one speaking to her must be – "

Kamito held onto Fianna’s shoulders protectively, and took a deep breath to control his emotions.

"Why would that bastard be here..!"

No mistake about it – the one talking to Muir was indeed Ren Ashbell.

– The very person who carved the <Brand of Darkness> on Kamito, and the very person responsible for the disappearance of Est.

"Damn it..."

If he had been in any condition to, Kamito would have rushed up to confront her.

However, Kamito currently lacked even the ability to summon spirits for battle.

Furthermore, he could not put Fianna in danger.

Kamito could hence only suppress his feelings of anger and aggression, and remain silently in hiding.

The pair's conversation finally ceased.

"... I think they've left."

"Yeah."

Kamito let down his guard, took a breath and said:

"– What... on earth were they just doing?"

"I imagine... maybe performing some kind of ritual magic."

"Ritual magic?"

"Indeed. I heard what sounded like chanting in spirit language, but it sounded a little different to ordinary spirit language... It felt a little sinister, and it made my hair stand."

Fianna's shoulders quivered in fear.

"Why choose such a place to perform ritual magic – "

Kamito furrowed his brow in confusion.

"Hmmm... Say, Kamito?"

"Yes?"

"H-How long are you planning to hug me for?"

"S-Sorry!"

As Fianna blushed furiously, Kamito hastily let go of her.

◇

"Oooh... What's wrong with coming along, Kamito you dummy!"

Back in her room, Claire muttered to herself unhappily while collapsing on her bed.

As Ellis and Rinslet were both with their families, who had come to cheer them on, Claire was alone with Scarlet in the house.

"Stupid..."

Casting her face downwards, Claire clutched her pillow tightly.

They definitely had valid reasons, and even, in a manner of speaking, no choice but to leave her by herself.

... However, she couldn't help but feel lonely, as if she had been abandoned by her teammates.

"Who knows... what the two of them are doing..."

As they had left the room, Fianna had even pressed her bosom against Kamito's arm.

Kamito had looked a little surprised, but... how should she say this... seemingly not too repelled either.

"E-Either way, whatever that rascal does with that lascivious princess, it's none of my business..."

... Nevertheless, the bothersome feeling was still gnawing away at her chest.

"... Boys, do they all like big-chested girls?"

Perhaps it was what she had seen in the forbidden books in the Biblion, which detailed a wide variety of rituals involving the bodies of princess maidens, but Claire found herself even more self-conscious about her unimpressive chest.

"S-So unbelievable... That one would actually wedge t-that sort of thing in between...!"

Just the mere passing thought of it left Claire so embarrassed she blushed hotly.

"Put in between..."

Rub rub. Squeeze squeeze.

As a test, she gently rubbed her own tiny breasts.

... It was no good. With such a small chest, it was impossible for her to hold such a thing as illustrated in the book.

The most she would be able to do was rub it on the surface –

"Aaah... W-What nonsense am I thinking!"

Her face red, Claire clutched at her pillow wildly.

"Meow – ?"

"S-Scarlet! G-G-G-Go away!"

Claire threw her pillow aside; startled, Scarlet fled from the room.

"..."

She was now truly completely alone in the room.

"... Why don't I... t-t-try out what was written in that book?"

Claire swallowed.

The forbidden book mentioned earlier also contained a method to enlarge one's chest.

Making use of the intelligence that had allowed her to achieve such stellar grades in the Academy, Claire took advantage of a moment when Ellis and Rinslet were distracted to memorize the contents of the script.

"... I-I have to try it to know whether or not it'll really work."

She cleared her throat and removed a small stone from her bag.

A low-level <Thunder Spirit> was sealed within that spirit ore. Although this type of spirit ore was expensive, it was also not especially rare; its original purpose was to scare away wild forest creatures.

Claire put it on her white underclothes, and through the cloth gently massaged her chest.

"Mmm..."

The sharp tip of the stone rubbed against her chest painfully, but Claire told herself to be brave and bear it.

She focused on her fingers, concentrating her Divine Power in the spirit ore.

The normal way of using it would be to summon a burst of Divine Power into it, releasing the spirit sealed within. The trick to this method seemed to be to input Divine Power in a slow, more controlled manner, which would need much more skill – however, this was child's play for a spirit contractor as talented as Claire.

"Th-This will really enlarge my chest..? Aieeee!"

The sealed spirit suddenly began responding, releasing weak sparks of energy into Claire's body.

The intoxicating comforting feeling made her tremble right down to her fingertips.

"W-What is going on... Uhhh... Aaaah!"

Claire twisted about making noises, pressing the still-sparking spirit ore against her chest.

"Aaaa-aaah, mmm, aah-ha, aah... oooh..."

Unable to bear the intoxicating pain, she grasped her bedsheets in her fist and gasped deep breaths.

"I must b-be strong, so that my c-chest will get bigger... Aaaah!"

Suddenly, an even stronger jolt of energy surged through her, causing Claire to tremble uncontrollably and lean her body backwards.

''W-What now, I c-can't stop..!''

As the sweet pain coursed through her, Claire felt herself begin to lose consciousness.

"– What, you rascal, so you'd like me to do these things to you?"

For some unknown reason, at that moment, an image of Kamito floated into Claire's mind. The imaginary Kamito was even looking at her with an expression like in her favorite romance novels... a cool, cruel, haughty expression.

"O-Of course! Stupid... Stop now, don't go on any more!"

"Oh... You really wish for me to stop?"

"Huh? .... Aaaa!"

"Look at you, what are those sounds you're making? You really are a dirty young miss."

"Oooh, mmm... W-Who says... Aaaah..."

"Why don't you admit your true feelings, young lady?"

"What t-true feelings... aaaah... ohhh!"

"Uh... That..."

"... Whew... oooh... Kamito, you stu..."

"That... Claire-sama?"

"... Huh!?"

A voice beside her ear jolted Claire back into reality.

Outside the door stood a youthful princess maiden holding a box.

"Waaaah... W-What are you doing!?"

"I-I'm sorry for disturbing you! The door wasn't locked, so – "

The girl nodded in profuse apology.

"C-Can I help you with anything?"

Claire sat up primly, cleared her throat and asked.

"Yes, indeed, someone requested I give you this – "

The girl placed the box in her hands on a rack beside the door.

The box was marked with a seal that Claire was very familiar with.

"This is from the Academy Director Greyworth... What could it be?"

Claire opened the box. Inside were huge quantities of books and documents.

◇

"– You mean to say, you had a dream about Sacred Queen Areishia?"

"Mmm... I just can't seem to forget about it, that's all."

In the pitch-black cave –

Kamito walked along while telling Fianna of his dream earlier that day.

That dream – in which Sacred Queen Areishia used the <Demon Slaying Sacred Sword> to vanquish the Demon King.

Kamito somehow felt that the contents of the dream might have had something to do with Est.

"That would indeed be a memorable dream..."

Fianna put a hand on her chin and thought for a moment, then said:

"Perhaps... What happened was Kamito's thoughts and feelings mixing with Est's."

"What does that mean?"

Kamito only knew a little about these academic matters, but Fianna was once an outstanding princess maiden, so she was very knowledgeable in these areas.

"It's not unusual for spirit contractors and their contract spirits to have a mental connection in their dreams. Especially when the <gate> between them cannot be opened, such a phenomenon will become even more common."

As Fianna talked, she gestured with her index finger.

"When I lost my connection to my contract spirit, I would frequently dream of a knight charging forth on the battlefield."

The rider in her dream was probably the spirit <Georgios> she commanded. By the looks of it, even if the spirit contractor lost their power, the connection between the two did not break completely.

"That dream – you don't say it's part of Est's memory?"

If that were true, Est was really the true Demon Slayer Sacred Sword?

"Mmm... To be sure, the picture should have been formed by the mixing of Est's and Kamito's memories – "

Saying this, Fianna suddenly stopped in her tracks.

"I can understand what you're feeling... Because the same tragedy happened to me before."

"Fianna..."

Kamito also stopped and turned to face her.

The second princess of the Empire, the impending successor to Rubia, the anticipated heir princess maiden. Unfortunately, when she lost the ability to command spirits and became a fallen princess maiden, those around her reversed their attitudes and regarded her only with disappointment.

For the young, innocent girl, that would certainly have been an unimaginable horror.

"But Fianna, you did not just give up because of that."

"That was only because of Kamito's efforts."

Looking at him directly, she replied.

"My efforts?"

"Three years ago, the blade dance you presented gave me, then a lost spirit contractor, renewed hope and inspiration. If not for you, Kamito, I suppose I would still be hiding away in the castle right now."

"You exaggerate too much."

Embarrassed, Kamito shook his head.

"Of course not, moreover... Since then, I have felt towards Kamito – "

At that moment, a group of bats suddenly flew past their heads.

"Aaaah!"

Fianna shrieked involuntarily.

Kamito waved the lantern about, only then did the bats fly away, frightened.

"... All right, it's fine now. That's right... What were you about to say just now?"

"N-Nothing! It was nothing!"

Fianna mumbled to herself as if to shrug the matter off, then continued onwards.

... For a lengthy while after, all was quiet between the two apart from the sound of footfalls.

"Oh, Kamito, you don't plan on telling Claire your true identity?"

Fianna's sudden question came out of nowhere.

"Mmm, forget it... If I caused someone's dream to be ruined, I would never be able to live with myself."

For a longed-for dream that always remained a dream was the most perfect of all.

The strongest blade dancer three years ago was long gone now.

It would be better for "her"to remain merely in the imaginations of Claire and her friends.

"Furthermore... If they were to find out about my habit of dressing as a girl, they would surely laugh at me to no end."

Looking down at his outfit, Kamito muttered to himself.

"Hee hee... Does that mean I'm the only one to share in Kamito's little secret?"

Fianna suddenly let slip a gleeful smile, and clutched tightly at Kamito's arm.

"Hey, watch your step."

"It doesn't matter anyway, even if I were to trip, Kamito will catch me before I fall."

"You rascal... Some princess you are, please be a bit more wary of men!"

"Huh, don't you know? In front of a boy she likes, a princess is but an ordinary girl!"

The princess stuck her tongue out at Kamito mischievously.

Her adorable response made Kamito's heart quicken.

"My dear princess, stop joking around with me."

"... I hate you, I wasn't joking."

◇

After quite a while, the two of them finally arrived at the secret tunnels of the Grand Temple.

The path overhead was blocked by a giant stone slab, on which were cramped carvings of words in spirit language.

The exit was right here; the courtyard of the Grand Temple was just outside.

"Kamito, may I climb on your shoulders?"

"Sure, no problem."

Nodding, Kamito bent to allow Fianna to get up.

The feel of her tender thighs on the back of his neck made Kamito's heart involuntarily leap into his throat – how he hoped she would not get mad at him because of that.

"S-Speaking of which... I really don't have to hide my face?"

"Something so suspicious would in fact make us more easily discovered. Besides, I'm a girl and even I think Kamito looks very pretty, so you don't need to worry at all."

"Such praise really doesn't make me feel any better..."

Then, Fianna chanted what sounded like a magical curse. The spirit words on the stone shone brightly blue, and the entire slab split cleanly down the middle and opened outwards.

Bright moonlight beamed directly into the dark cave.

Night had already fallen upon the outside world, and a bonfire was burning to light the enormous courtyard.

"– It looks like no one's around, let's go now."

Fianna reached out and placed a hand on the ground, then slowly climbed out.

Kamito leaped up in one bound, and followed closely behind her.

Fortunately, the ritual clothing had a long skirt, so even if Kamito were to look up, Fianna's panties would still be hidden.

"What a pity... I'd even specially worn Kamito's favorite knickers today."

"I-I don't even l-like... suspenders!"

"Oooh, it looks like I've hit upon the truth!"

"Uhhh..."

Looking at Kamito's vexed expression, Fianna broke out into peals of laughter.

After climbing to ground level, the two of them hurried to the stone corridor in front of the courtyard.

"I say... If we're found out, will we have to escape from every single Guardian spirit here?"

"Don't look guilty, and we won't be found out."

The two of them exchanged nervous whispers while walking along the stone corridor stretched out before them.

At that moment, a princess maiden appeared in front of them and began walking towards them.

"Ooh!?l

Kamito's heart jolted, and his facial expression hardened.

The girl drew ever closer, step by step –

Just as they were about to pass each other, she suddenly stopped before them and said:

"Please, where are you headed to?"

"To Reicha-sama's chambers. Reicha-sama says she's feeling unwell, so..."

"Oh, is that so? Sorry for your trouble."

Fianna answered the questioning princess maiden with a calm, composed expression on her face, and the latter then turned and left.

"Look, didn't we just successfully pass this trial?"

"Wow... The bravery of the princess maiden really is something else. I was so scared my heart almost stopped "

For a male to enter the <Divine Ritual Institute> was absolutely unheard of. A rule of such importance had never been broken before.

If they were to be caught, in the best case they would be executed, while in the worst case... Never mind, it was best not to think about it.

"This way."

Fianna, who was walking in front, gestured surreptitiously with her hand.

Following her lead –

"..."

– The pair reached the end of the lengthy corridor, where there were a set of grand doors decorated with intricate carvings.

The decor of this door was noticeably different to the other doors: inlaid on the frame of the door were several very pure and valuable spirit ores.

"... Uh... Fianna, may I ask a question?"

Kamito inquired, a twitching expression on his face.

"What is it?"

"This door wouldn't happen to be... Never mind, I guess it goes without saying..."

"Indeed, it's just what Kamito thinks."

Fianna shrugged her shoulders at Kamito naughtily.

"I've no choice... Which other princess maidens of higher status than I are there, other than these ladies?"

"Are you serious?"

"Don't worry, I'm absolutely certain."

Finishing her sentence, Fianna knocked smartly on the door thrice, according to the proper regulations.

The duo waited for a while –

Finally, the grand doors gradually opened.

The sight that greeted them was –

A red carpet that stretched out straight before them, and brightly glittering spirit ores.

This was a holy space, filled with the aura of somber tranquility.

A thin curtain hung at the far end of the room; behind that was the silhouette of a small slight figure.

"What does the visitor want? I believe I have already instructed not to have my meal – "

The high stately voice rang out into the hall.

However, undeterred, Fianna walked forward and said:

"Long time no see, Reicha. How have you been lately?"

"... Huh?"

The maiden hastily pulled aside the curtain, then – her jaw dropped in shock.

"... It can't be, Fianna-sempai!?"

◇

Reicha Alminas.

She was one of the <Queens> to have gained the honor of serving the five Elemental Lords.

There were only five Queens in the entire continent, and they were the most eminent of all princess maidens.

Although Fianna had said she wanted to bring Kamito to meet a high-ranked princess maiden –

He had never for a moment dreamed that she was referring to a current Queen.

"Why didn't you tell me this before?"

"Because... If I had, you wouldn't have come, would you Kamito?"

Kamito could not hide his conflicting feelings. Likewise, the girl seated beside him was also nervously averting her gaze, and looked rather uneasy.

The girl had glossy black hair neatly done up in braids, and cute eyes like that of a small animal.

Dressed in bright red ritual clothing, she looked like a butterfly about to take flight.

At fifteen, she was a year younger than Kamito. Like Rubia Elstein, she was one of Fianna's few close friends and confidantes while she was at the <Divine Ritual Institute>.

She served the Fire Elemental Lord – in other words, she succeeded the Calamity Queen spirit contractor's position.

Kamito had already introduced himself, removed his disguise, and revealed that he was in truth male.

Upon discovering that Kamito was in fact male, Reicha very nearly fainted on the spot, and only managed to stay conscious thanks to Fianna's eloquent explanations.

"I-I-If I am ungracious, it is because it is my f-first time talking to a male..."

"N-Never mind. I should be the one apologizing, to barge in on you suddenly like this."

Looking at the Queen bobbing her head apologetically in his direction, Kamio also bowed his head in response.

Despite obviously being the highest ranked princess maiden in the continent, she was nonetheless humble and polite.

Due to her rank, Kamito should have used genteel, formal language when addressing her. However, regardless of that fact, she nonetheless looked like an ordinary young girl, so Kamito could not help but speak to her as an equal.

"Hee hee, little Reicha is still as cute as ever."

Fianna smiled mischievously and reached out to feel her small chest.

"Ah – ! S-Sempai, what are you doing!"

"Your chest seems to have gotten a little bigger?"

"Oooh... I-I really haven't...!"

Reicha blushed and twisted her body defensively.

... Even if she was indeed an old friend, to do something like that to a Queen was pushing it a little, wasn't it?

Kamito broke out into a cold sweat and averted his eyes awkwardly.

The two girls reminisced fondly for a while, then –

"Reicha, actually... I have a favor to ask of you."

Fianna made her request with a serious expression.

"A favor – yes?"

Reicha blinked, not understanding.

"Mmhmm, I need to borrow your power, to break the curse on him – Kamito."

"You mean to say this male has been cursed?"

The Fire Queen asked, turning to look at Kamito.

"My blade spirit might have been trapped by this curse. Please save her, I beg you."
Kamito placed both his hands on the ground and pleaded with Reicha with all his heart.

"That is a curse so strong that even I cannot break it. However, you have received the blessing of the Fire Elemental Lord; with that power, you can surely destroy even the harshest of curses."

"You are right. If I use the <Sacred Flames of Judgment>, any curse will turn into smoke, that's true. But..."

Reicha lowered her head and mumbled.

It was only natural that she would hesitate.

Even on the behest of one of her best friends, Fianna, she was nevertheless a <Queen> who had to follow rules and do things by the book.

Using the Fire Elemental Lord's power for personal gains was an act that would never be condoned.

A long period of silence ensued, and then –

"I know."

"Huh?"

At that, Kamito raised his head and regarded Reicha quizzically.

"Because it is sempai's request, so... But only this once; I will not make this exception again."

The Fire Queen let out a sigh, and nodded her head as if making a decision.

◇

After a while more –

"– Now then, let's begin the ritual."

Reicha, who had changed into a set of pure white ritual clothes, knelt demurely in front of Kamito.

Her serene, assured appearance contrasted sharply with that of the nervous, embarrassed young girl just a while ago; they seemed like virtually two different people.

So as not to disrupt the ritual, Fianna had retreated to a corner of the room to guard them from afar.

"I'll leave everything in your hands, R-Reicha-sama."

"Please, just call me Reicha, Kamito-sama."

The Fire Queen smiled quietly, then caressed Kamito's hand gently.

"Will you be scared – I mean, scared to touch a male's body?"

"... To be honest, yes, a little scared. But... you are a friend of my sempai."

"It seems like you trust Fianna a lot."

"... Yes, indeed. Fianna-sempai was one of the only people to stand by my side."

Reicha mumbled to herself, as if recalling a faraway memory of some past event.
The rapport between the two seemed to go deeper than mere friendship.

"Also, I can feel it, you're not a dangerous evil person."

"Is that so?"

"Don't judge me based on my looks and age. I am after all a Queen, and I am quite confident in my ability to assess people."

Reicha said with a genuine smile.

Her smile was full of charm, and could easily mesmerize someone looking at it.

"Now, then, Kamito-sama, please remove your shirt."

"Oh... Mmm-hmm..."

Kamito nodded, and took off the thin tunic he was wearing under the princess maiden dress.

The <Brand of Darkness> on his chest, positioned just above his heart, had turned into a pitch-black wound.

"Ahhh... T-That's really something...!"

Reicha clapped both hands to her cheeks, blushing furiously red.

"T-This is my first time seeing a m-male's body..."

"Oh, is that so..."

Kamito looked away, feeling a little uneasy.

To have his naked body scrutinized so closely by a girl made him mysteriously embarrassed.

"Kamito, your face is very red."

Standing at a side of the room, Fianna said, then immediately coughed a few times.

Reicha stretched out a hand nervously to touch Kamito's chest.

"... Very... very firm and solid!"

"It's alright, it's a result of all the training at the Instructional School..."

The Queen's slim fingers wandered along Kamito's naked upper body, making him itch slightly.

However, where her fingers touched, he suddenly felt waves of aching pain.

Then, Reicha shut her eyes, and solemnly began chanting a curse in spirit language.

"O supreme master of all earthly flames, our harsh judge and great warrior –

These were the words of the prayer for a ritual dedicated to the <Fire Elemental Lord>.

Reicha's hair started blowing wildly as if by a hot gust of wind, and a bright white light shone at her fingertips.

"Sacred Flames of Judgment – redeem our sins and cleanse our filth –

The words coming from her thin pale lips were the highest level of spirit language, the High Ancient.

The little girl before his eyes seemed to be possessed.

"... Oooo, uhhhhh...!"

Kamito let out uncontrollable moans of pain.

The bright blue flames from Reicha's fingertips were burning his skin, scorching his flesh.

"Oww... aaaaaaaa... aaah – !"

The unimaginable pain seemed to morph into the roar of a monstrous beast, which rushed out of Kamito's throat.

He felt a sharp tinnitus, as if fireworks were exploding in his head. Sweat oozed from his every pore, and his muscles tensed so hard as to nearly break his bones.

"Into ash and dust! Your flames can purify all darkness, burn away all curses!"

The <Brand of Darkness> imprinted on Kamito's chest suddenly started burning intensely.

"... – !"

Kamito burst into wordless howls.

In his quickly fading awareness – Kamito felt a dull pain coming from his right hand.

''– Could it be... Est's spirit mark...!?''

Just as he saw, from the corner of his eye, his spirit mark radiating a bright light –

Kamito lost consciousness, and plunged into darkness.

<noinclude>{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume5 Chapter4|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume5 Chapter6}}</noinclude>

User talk:Zzhk

2013-02-20T07:44:19Z

Blood: /* STnBD */

==Feedback==

===General===
Hi there. I'd like to thank you for translating things here, I appreciate it. -IndexArcanum

Hey zzhk! Really wanted to thank you for the Campione! translations and the DxD summaries. Keep it up and have fun! [[User:Kira0802|Kira]] ([[User_talk:Kira0802|Talk]]) 05:24, 19 April 2012 (CDT)

Yo Zzhk thank for translating Highschool DxD and Campione!, hopefully after completing of vol6 of Campione! you would do vols 3 and 4 :)

I am a new member to this and I hope I can help in translating. My first language is Chinese and then English. I am not really used to this so I hope you can teach me and allow me to help as I believe you are used to this. I hope to translate Campione! as it is one of my favourite novel. Thank you~ Cheers~ Kanziel~

Welcome to Baka-Tsuki! It's always great to have enthusiastic new translators. Anyway, please read my response on Kadi's talk page.-[[User:Zzhk|Zzhk]] ([[User talk:Zzhk#top|talk]]) 08:14, 1 October 2012 (CDT)

Hello, Kanziel again. Sorry to bother you again but I am very new to all these so I hope you can introduce me to some old members (especially Chinese and English translators) who can teach me, and recommend me to Chinese-English projects. Thank you. Cheers~ Kanziel~

You should contact [[User:Kira0802|Kira0802]] who is a nice and friendly guy who also translates from Chinese, reads tons of novels, and has involved himself with many projects. He's also very willing to help others edit and proofread their work. -[[User:Zzhk|Zzhk]] ([[User talk:Zzhk#top|talk]]) 09:52, 1 October 2012 (CDT)

Damn your translating blade dance fast :D if only volume 4 was free for you as well thank you for the hard work.

===Campione!===

Thanks a lot for translating ''Campione!''. It's a very interesting series and I have a lot of fun reading it. --[[User:MaerisCrisis|MaerisCrisis]] 10:10, 30 April 2012 (CDT)

Good job on volume 2, hope to be able to cooperate with you on more volumes haha, anyway your english is good, as far as i can tell there is little for us editors to fix.[[User:Fallen3dge|Fallen3dge]] 19:36, 2 May 2012 (CDT)

Hi! I really enjoy Campione. Thank you for the fast translation! [[User:Xenocross|Xenocross]] 20:52, 2 May 2012 (CDT)
Hey there i '''Zzhk''' was just wondering if you could give me a summary on the series and if its anything similar to "High School DxD"? --[[User:Angels Requiem|Angels Requiem]] 15:45, 3 May 2012 (CDT)

Well, it's a harem-like story with a mixed mythological setting plus a protagonist who isn't useless. There is an overview on the main page, and I suggest just reading the first two translated volumes to see if you like the feel. --[[User:Zzhk|Zzhk]] 21:48, 3 May 2012 (CDT)

Thank you for your efforts on translating Campione.. I really enjoy it... :)

Thanks for the hard work on Campione! Any chance of vol 6? :P [[Special:Contributions/218.186.17.241|218.186.17.241]] 22:29, 12 May 2012 (CDT)

Eventually, probably... --[[User:Zzhk|Zzhk]] 21:17, 13 May 2012 (CDT)

+1 to the list of people who appreciate your work. Thanks for the efforts. --[[User:Lighthalzen|Lighthalzen]] 03:27, 28 June 2012 (CDT)

Awesome man! I hope you do Volume 6 too. Thanks for the hard work!

Thank you again for your translations on Campione. Any chance on going back and doing the missing parts for Vol 4?.. thanks

Well, Volume 4 is already summarized on jCafe by Kadi so it's not really a priority. I'd be more inclined to do 6 and 7 first. --[[User:Zzhk|Zzhk]] 09:30, 2 July 2012 (CDT)

Wow thanks for Raptor form speed in translating volume 5. And I'm happy that you register vol6. [[User:Xenocross|Xenocross]] 09:42, 2 July 2012 (CDT)

Thank you for your speed translations on Campione!. I hope you will keep translating it ^^--[[User:LSwRl|LSwRl]] 16:56, 23 July 2012 (CDT)

THANKS A LOOOOT You are my hero! You, [8th King]-sama !!! PLease finish this 4 ASAP, then please do Vol 6 like blitzkrieg wirting!! I am deeply attached for these series! [[User:Sylkud]] 12:13, 25 Jul

vol.4 is being translated by florza. And, don't rush the translator. --[[User:Rock96|Rock96]] 11:54, 25 July 2012 (CDT)

Thank you very much for translations I really enjoy them KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK

Hi zzhk! Thank you for your Campione translations. Thanks for your hard work! I made an account just to say, thanks. Also, Great job on v7 ch 5 part 4. Your translations make my days. Thanks always for quick and great translations. Mokata

Thank you. Appreciate the help. Cheers~ Kanziel~ [[User:Kanziel|Kanziel]]

Hi zzhk, I remember you sent a message to me a few weeks ago about doing the Luo Hao sections for Vol 12 (Ch.5 part 2,3 I believe) and I just wanted to send a reminder and confirm that this is still the case so we avoid any repeat translations. If you do change your mind please let me know.[[User:Thatsjustpeachy|Thatsjustpeachy]] ([[User talk:Thatsjustpeachy|talk]]) 02:39, 9 October 2012 (CDT)

Do you need the parts to continue? How do you want me to send them to you? --[[User:Zzhk|Zzhk]] ([[User talk:Zzhk#top|talk]]) 03:15, 9 October 2012 (CDT)

I don't need the translated parts to continue since I'm going to translate around it and just read through the parts you are translating in Chinese. You can translate them whenever you have the time since I'm not releasing the volume till everything is caught up so there is a lot of time. When you are done you can send your part to me through email and just send me a message through Animesuki or if you see me on irc to let me know you have done so. I assume that since I'm uploading the majority at once this will be more convenient. Let me know if this is ok with you.[[User:Thatsjustpeachy|Thatsjustpeachy]] ([[User talk:Thatsjustpeachy|talk]]) 03:55, 9 October 2012 (CDT)

Sure, no problem, I'll email you. --[[User:Zzhk|Zzhk]] ([[User talk:Zzhk#top|talk]]) 05:01, 9 October 2012 (CDT)

Thanks for the fast translations of Campione. [[User:Bilagaana|Bilagaana]] ([[User talk:Bilagaana|talk]]) 00:53, 22 October 2012 (CDT)

Thanks zzhk for your speedy translations. I just now read 1st part and here you are updating the 2nd one. :D --[[User:Chancs|Chancs]] ([[User talk:Chancs|talk]]) 22:55, 16 November 2012 (CST)

Good day sir, many thanks for your work. Did you take over vol 8 chap 2 from Kadi? ~([[User talk:Ghost|talk]]) 7:27, 03 December 2012 (GMT + 8)

Zzhk banzai!!

Hi Zzhk, curious what you are planning to do once you finish vol 13? Got a new project lined up? :) Thanks again for all the translations you have done. --[[User:Bilagaana|Bilagaana]] ([[User talk:Bilagaana|talk]]) 12:47, 2 January 2013 (CST)

Who knows? We'll see. Thank you for reading. --[[User:Zzhk|Zzhk]] ([[User talk:Zzhk#top|talk]]) 19:09, 2 January 2013 (CST)

First off i would like to say thanks so much for your translations on Campione, such consistent updates at that, you have been awesome :D, i was wondering though that since it seems thatsjustpeachy won't translate volume 12, will you pick it up instead? --[[User:Black Swordsman825|Black Swordsman825]] 23:38, 4 January 2013 (CDT)

I'm sure it's a joke, so just be patient. --[[User:Zzhk|Zzhk]] ([[User talk:Zzhk#top|talk]]) 19:24, 4 January 2013 (CST)

Thanks a lot for translating Campione, your translations are of pretty high quality, and i also got a question for you. While i was reading Campione i noticed that Godou is called Godoh by his cousin Koidzuki Sakura, is that translators own interpretation or is it Sakura's own accent? --[[User:Silver Horn|Silver Horn]] ([[User talk:Silver Horn|talk]]) 16:23, 16 January 2013 (CST)

Certain characters such as Annie Charlton, Pandora and Sakura's speech uses katakana instead of kanji for Godou's name. In other works, katakana is sometimes used when a foreigner speaks to emphasize their accent, but a foreign accent shouldn't apply here since Sakura is Japanese, Pandora is a goddess and Annie is a Campione. So all we know is that their pronunciation is different, but there is no indication as to how it is different.--[[User:Zzhk|Zzhk]] ([[User talk:Zzhk#top|talk]]) 17:41, 16 January 2013 (CST)

Hello Zzhk, thanks for the Campione! translations but when will you continue translating volume 13? I can't wait! - [[User:Blackie|Blackie]]

I think he will resume translation when volume 12 is finished

Check his contributions, he is translating various other LN while he waits for 12 to be finished. He recently finished C3 Vol 1. --[[User:Bilagaana|Bilagaana]] ([[User talk:Bilagaana|talk]]) 17:24, 26 January 2013 (CST)

===High School DxD===
r u still translating hs dxd?

Yes, as stated [[User:Zzhk|on the user page]], I am currently working on Volume 9. --[[User:Zzhk|Zzhk]] 21:15, 13 May 2012 (CDT)

I wanna know if you´ll continue with volume 9????

Life.1 is done --[[User:Zzhk|Zzhk]] 08:29, 2 July 2012 (CDT)

You absolutely rule man. Thanx for Vol 9 XD

===CubexCursedxCurious===
Just curious, but will you be translating this novel from time to time? I'm asking because you finished Volume 1 cahpter 2 before. - Cataccountant

Maybe. I'll see once I finish Campione V13. --[[User:Zzhk|Zzhk]] ([[User talk:Zzhk#top|talk]]) 02:02, 26 December 2012 (CST)

Thanks for continuing the novel's translation. I've been interested in the story ever since I saw the anime. - Cataccountant

Big thx for translating C3 [[User:Castor212|Castor212]] ([[User talk:Castor212|talk]]) 11:28, 14 January 2013 (CST)

Thanks for translating Zzhk and you might want to add yourself to the [[CubexCursedxCurious:Registration_Page|registration page]]. --[[User:Bilagaana|Bilagaana]] ([[User talk:Bilagaana|talk]]) 14:21, 15 January 2013 (CST)

I take it that you're continuing C3, in that case i'll work on the raws, at the basic level for now (typesets somewhere in the future). --[[User:Krytyk|Krytyk]] ([[User talk:Krytyk|talk]]) 09:20, 26 January 2013 (CST)

=== Silver Cross and Draculea ===

Thank you for begin translations on the The Silver Cross and Draculea LN. I appreciate it.
but why not translate from volume 1 chapter 3, I don't think ArchmageXin already translate it --[[User:D4rkfl4sh|D4rkfl4sh]] 00:31, 5 January 2013 (CDT)

As ArchmageXin once posted in a forum:
If any translator want to step in, I will be happy to "match" the length of how much they contribute with my own,
but otherwise, I will go on break for a few months so I can deal with other things.
I'm simply giving him some encouragement to realize the "win-win" situation he envisioned.-[[User:Zzhk|Zzhk]] ([[User talk:Zzhk#top|talk]]) 19:24, 4 January 2013 (CST)

i see, sorry i don't look at the forum

Oh, didn't realize it. Will change accordingly in short time. Also, should the tense be in past or present? From what I have understood till now, there's only distinction between past and present 'form' with no reference to future for the language. And I have already done some edits which I feel are sometimes wrong when trying to change everything to present tense. Thanks --[[User:Chancs|Chancs]] ([[User talk:Chancs|talk]]) 23:06, 4 January 2013 (CST)

== STnBD ==

Hi zzhk. In need of your suggestion here. Restia is called more as a "Darkness spirit girl" when referred to. However, the chapter name on the main page for vol 4 ch 7 is "girl of the dark spirit" (as given by....Florza I think). The word to word meaning is "Darkness spirit girl" but since such was mentioned as a chapter name I didn't use it. Though I am more comfortable with using the "Darkness..." Any say on this? ----[[User:Chancs|Chancs]] ([[User talk:Chancs|talk]]) 01:57, 3 February 2013 (CST)

The original 闇精霊の少女 basically means "the girl who is the darkness spirit." I use "darkness spirit girl" because anything longer would be too unwieldy to repeat constantly.

"Girl of the Dark Spirit" is a very literal but ambiguous choice because it could also mean a girl belonging to the dark spirit, or a girl who possesses the dark spirit.

I'd say modify the chapter title for sure. Though as a title, it doesn't need to be identical to what keeps repeating in the text. But definitely, "Girl of the Dark Spirit" should be changed to something clearer. Of course, you should also ask KuroiHikari for ideas too. --[[User:Zzhk|Zzhk]] ([[User talk:Zzhk#top|talk]]) 02:45, 3 February 2013 (CST)

Do you intend to continue this series ? [[User:trung-t-rung|trung-t-rung]] 7 February 2013

Maybe when the next Taiwanese official version comes out, which should be the end of February. --[[User:Zzhk|Zzhk]] ([[User talk:Zzhk#top|talk]]) 21:14, 6 February 2013 (CST)

So sorry about that.. misread that part. --[[User:Blood|Blood]] ([[User talk:Blood|talk]]) 01:44, 20 February 2013 (CST)

==Editing==

===Rollback===

Sorry, was an accident. Probably clicked on the wrong place with my iPod touch at some moment. [[User:Kira0802|Kira]] ([[User_talk:Kira0802|Talk]]) 10:58, 2 July 2012 (CDT)

No worries. It was too strange not to have been an accident. --[[User:Zzhk|Zzhk]] 11:10, 2 July 2012 (CDT)

===Campione===
Sorry, I did not know about "god is only capitalized when referring to the Abrahamic deity of Christianity". I thought that proper nouns were supposed to be capitalized. However, I saw that you reversed some of my other edits; I just noticed some small errors like realized, analyzing, and syncretized are spelled with a z not an s. Also, honorable, color, and a few more words had a u in the spelling that should not be there. I just wanted to help proofread and contribute to this wonderful site. Please let me know of anything else in the future. --[[Kohaku_sora]]

Gods and goddesses are common nouns, not proper nouns. And no, miko is not a proper noun either, it's just a common noun like priestess. Hime-Miko, on the other hand, is a title. Given that I don't have time to look at every single change, I'd rather keep minor American/British spelling inconsistencies (which are not exactly errors per se) than have something blatantly incorrect. -[[User:Zzhk|Zzhk]] ([[User talk:Zzhk#top|talk]]) 17:52, 3 February 2013 (CST)

Hi, sorry about the edit for "just deserts" :p, I would like to express my thanks for your efforts to translate Campione. I wish you all the best in your future efforts at translating and of course, other stuff XD.

Don't worry about it, it's just that if more than one person was confused enough to edit it, there must have been many more who just didn't act on it. --[[User:Zzhk|Zzhk]] 17:33, 10 May 2012 (CDT)

I changed the 'impotence' in 'Anger at the circumstances taking her away from him, and anger at his own impotence.' from volume 5, chapter 6 to 'incompetence', just an fyi in case it was a TL error. --[[User:Florza|Florza]]

It's fine, I saw it already, no objections. Impotence, incompetence, inability to do anything, powerlessness, it's all the same to me. --[[User:Zzhk|Zzhk]] 01:50, 4 August 2012 (CDT)

To most people it has a very different meaning though :P Also, '"Don't be bound by hierarchy, and devote myself to onii-sama... Yes, that's idea."' from Volume 6 Chapter 4, is it meant to be 'idea'? -- [[User:Florza|Florza]]

haha, you mean the sexual connotation? Anyway, would you prefer concept or principle instead of idea? --[[User:Zzhk|Zzhk]] 22:24, 4 August 2012 (CDT)

Yeah. I reread it once or twice thinking, 'wtf? why is Godou worried about his ED at this time? does he have ED?'. But about the 'idea' thing, I think it's a grammar thing. 'that's' doesn't go with 'idea' at least for normal speech. not sure about the original meaning though. -- [[User:Florza|Florza]]

Actually, looking more closely, I see what's missing, it's just a typo. It should be "that's ''the'' idea." --[[User:Zzhk|Zzhk]] 00:17, 5 August 2012 (CDT)

Hi there. While editing I am having some confusion regarding what to keep in caps and all. For example: "king", "lord", "god", "cult lord" and such. I believe that since all of them represents some position in this world's society they should be in caps. Just as same to ours "President/Prime Minister/Minister" and such. Please suggest further on this matter. --[[User:Chancs|Chancs]] ([[User talk:Chancs|talk]]) 16:52, 11 August 2012 (CDT)

They should be in lower case when used as a noun, capitalized when used as a term of address. Lord and God are only capitalized for God from the Bible, so there is no need to capitalize phrases like "my lord" or "abc is a god" though "Lord XYZ" would need to be capitalized since it's a term of address. Similarly, king should only be capitalized when it is a specific title, such as "King Kusanagi." Stuff like "as a king you should blah blah blah..." or "the king jumped up and down" should not be capitalized. It does get a bit subtle with statements like "George V is one of the kings of Britain" where "kings" is being used as a general noun, versus "George V is King of Britain" where "King of Britain" is a specific title. As for "cult leader," it would follow the same pattern as for "king" though I wouldn't be opposed to capitalizing all intances of it since it's not that usual a term. --[[User:Zzhk|Zzhk]] ([[User talk:Zzhk#top|talk]]) 19:28, 11 August 2012 (CDT)

Actually that was me who edited the terminology page. The furigana is indeed Ocelot for 'Jaguar'. - [[User:Florza|Florza]]

Which volume did you see it? Volume 6 Page 42 is unambiguously ジャガー -[[User:Zzhk|Zzhk]] ([[User talk:Zzhk#top|talk]]) 06:10, 1 September 2012 (CDT)

V7 Page 163. - [[User:Florza|Florza]]

Ah, so it's the author who changed his mind. Anyway, I'll bring it up in the Terminology thread. --[[User:Zzhk|Zzhk]] ([[User talk:Zzhk#top|talk]]) 06:32, 1 September 2012 (CDT)

Sorry. Was not knowing about the original texts. But how to know that those were the original thoughts? I simply took those as a remark on Erica's strength. --[[User:Chancs|Chancs]] ([[User talk:Chancs|talk]]) 02:43, 4 September 2012 (CDT)

Florza uses italics, but I find it unnecessary... After all, there is no such formatting in the original text, and certain lines can be interpreted as either thoughts or third person narration because there is no explicit subject. Unless you have doubts about a translator's ability to use English pronouns properly, I'd suggest refraining from making these sorts of changes directly, and raise the issue on Talk pages instead. --[[User:Zzhk|Zzhk]] ([[User talk:Zzhk#top|talk]]) 02:54, 4 September 2012 (CDT)

Spirit body is correct for that kanji. However, naming issues arise when connected with other kanji. - [[User:Florza|Florza]]

Well, it's not like the combination arose by coincidence. It's highly unsatisfactory for the translation to change completely when the subject is still the same thing. Could you elaborate on what you consider to be naming issues? --[[User:Zzhk|Zzhk]] ([[User talk:Zzhk#top|talk]]) 23:35, 6 September 2012 (CDT)

I'm sure that if you found 'God and Godslayer' to be awkward, 'spirit power of spirit body separation' would seem pretty awkward as well, right? Wait, has the term been translated in previous volumes yet? - [[User:Florza|Florza]]

Where does that phrase occur? In that particular case, it could be simplified to "power of spirit body separation" without much loss in meaning. "Spirit body" and its separation and detachment already appeared in Volume 6 with Princess Alice's introduction. Personally, I don't think they're actual terms per se since detachment and separation seem to be used as synonyms for the same phenomenon. --[[User:Zzhk|Zzhk]] ([[User talk:Zzhk#top|talk]]) 00:18, 7 September 2012 (CDT)

Think I'll go with the horizontal stare decisis here for now. Although, as 幽体分離 and other 4 character kanjis are usually move names (Even without brackets), I feel that 'spirit body separation' is somewhat lacking. - [[User:Florza|Florza]]

Zzhk! Amazing job! Question/comment - In V7C6 Part 3, there's two things that are confusing: 1) "Then Godou proceeded to compose spell words caused strong wind to blow. The destructive gales pinned down the giant monkeys, immobilizing them." -> Is it Godou or is it Ena that is doing that? Godou at this point already appears to be using 2 incarnations and is also using some wind spell? and 2) This and the very next section also mentions 6 giant monkeys they are also fighting.. but there has been no mention of Sun Wukong summoning any monkeys at all at this point [[User:Wilhelmson|Wilhelmson]] ([[User talk:Wilhelmson|talk]]) 16:17, 10 September 2012 (CDT)

On further inspection, there was a typo: mismatched comment tags which hid away a fair chunk of text. It should make a lot more sense now. Thanks for pointing it out! --[[User:Zzhk|Zzhk]] ([[User talk:Zzhk#top|talk]]) 09:51, 7 September 2012 (CDT)

Sorry, didn't know if those tense change would significantly alter the meaning. Since everything was in past tense, I couldn't tell from just reading the order of occurrence for some of the events.--[[User:Mane|Mane]] ([[User talk:Mane|talk]]) 10:41, 8 September 2012 (CDT)

I got permission to change the text aside from the tenses. Can I reverse your undo so I can change the tense back to past tense? I don't have a copy of my past changes to work with.--[[User:Mane|Mane]] ([[User talk:Mane|talk]]) 11:27, 8 September 2012 (CDT)

[http://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Campione!%3AVolume_5_Prologue&diff=186740&oldid=174273 Here] are all your changes, highlighted. --[[User:Zzhk|Zzhk]] ([[User talk:Zzhk#top|talk]]) 12:02, 8 September 2012 (CDT)

I make my ePUBs manually; the use of <nowiki><b></nowiki> rather than triple apostrophes makes it easier (for me, and maybe others) to convert the text into html/xhtml. The same would be true of double apostrophes and the <nowiki><i></nowiki> tag. I've made the mistake of equating double apostrophes with quotation marks (and then replacing all of them). I have a question about line 65 in volume 5 chapter 2. There is a line break between two sentences that appears to be spoken by the same character, and there is no quotation marks around the second "part." Could you check if there is a typo in that line?--[[User:Mane|Mane]] ([[User talk:Mane|talk]]) 07:07, 10 September 2012 (CDT)

I allowed myself to fix it. LNs sometimes have that weird way to throw thoughts into the middle of the narrative.--[[User:Kadi|Kadi]] ([[User talk:Kadi|talk]]) 07:27, 10 September 2012 (CDT)

I think you said something about this before but forgot the answer; do you prefer the use of double dashes —— or just the one — ? Use of complete dashes looks better than -- in any case but it might be too long :S --[[User:Drowzycow|Drowzycow]] ([[User talk:Drowzycow|talk]]) 15:09, 30 September 2012 (CDT)

Use a single em-dash (—), thanks! --[[User:Zzhk|Zzhk]] ([[User talk:Zzhk#top|talk]]) 17:59, 30 September 2012 (CDT)

What's the difference between a housekeeper and grand chamberlain? Since here, Liliana at one stage calls herself as later while at some place with the former term. Or is it just for the sake of a long term repeating again and again. ? --[[User:Chancs|Chancs]] ([[User talk:Chancs|talk]]) 05:42, 18 October 2012 (CDT)

She uses different words on different occasions. Housekeeper is actually butler(執事), but I wanted to use something more gender neutral. Grand Chamberlain is 侍従長 as noted in the Terminology page. -[[User:Zzhk|Zzhk]] ([[User talk:Zzhk#top|talk]]) 05:48, 18 October 2012 (CDT)

For BR SS 01, one of the illustrations is missing, was that the case originally, or did it get misplaced?
Thanks for doing the SS. --[[User:Bilagaana|Bilagaana]] ([[User talk:Bilagaana|talk]]) 20:54, 15 January 2013 (CST)

Ask [[User:Denormative|Denormative]]([[User talk:Denormative|talk]]), he's the one who uploaded the illustrations and created the page. --[[User:Zzhk|Zzhk]] ([[User talk:Zzhk#top|talk]]) 21:10, 15 January 2013 (CST)

===High School DxD===
I've posted a suggestion, not sure if you've seen it. [[Talk:High School DxD:Volume 9 Life 4|Talk Page]] --[[User:KuroiHikari|KuroiHikari]] ([[User_talk:KuroiHikari|Talk]] | ) 21:23, 22 August 2012 (CDT)

Thanks for the input. Yeah, I've read it but I think the entire paragraph needs to be restructured to make the meaning clearer. I'll think about it later. Of course, anyone is free to provide suggestions in the mean time. --[[User:Zzhk|Zzhk]] ([[User talk:Zzhk#top|talk]]) 05:14, 23 August 2012 (CDT)

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume5 Chapter5

2013-02-20T07:41:05Z

Blood: /* Chapter 5: The Princess Maiden of the Grand Shrine */

=Chapter 5: The Princess Maiden of the Grand Shrine=

"I never imagined that... under the Sanctuary, there are actually such enormous caves!"

"Yes, I don't think even the princess maidens at the <Divine Ritual Institute> know that these caves exist."

Holding in one hand the spirit ore to light their path, Kamito made his way through the gigantic underground caves.

These caves, made by unknown men, were practically big enough to contain the entire Grand Shrine.

In between the stalactites were massive spiderwebs, bats danced in flight over their heads, and swarms of little bugs on the ground made Fianna shriek involuntarily.

"Your highness, are you all right?"

"I... I am but the esteemed second princess of the Empire... H-How can these mere bugs scare me... Aaaaah!"

"Why be so stubborn... Hey, watch your step."

As the princess let out a shrill scream of fear, Kamito grasped her hand tightly.

"K-Kamito? Wh...?"

"It's a man's duty to protect a woman... Or do you mean to say you dislike holding boys' hands?"

"N-No, it's not that... It's just..."

"Your shriek just now was actually quite cute, you know."

"... I-I hate you! You're so mean, Kamito..."

At Fianna's pouting expression, Kamito could not help but laugh.

Although she liked to tease Kamito mercilessly, once this princess was given a taste of her own medicine, she would immediately reveal her pure shy original side.

"Oh, that's right... Why would you know such a place?"

"When I was still studying at the Institute, I came to this floating island as part of a ritual for the Wind Elemental Lord. A senior told me of this place."

"A senior... Who's that?"

"The Calamity Queen – Rubia Elstein-san."

"... What?!"

At that, Kamito let out an uncontrollable yelp.

"You are old friends with Claire's older sister?"

"Yes. I don't have many close friends, and she... used to be one of them."

Fianna's expression suddenly darkened and grew lonely, and she muttered in the past tense.

"Here, even the highest ranked princess maidens are ordered to stop, so I too don't know why she would know of these caves – "
Right at that moment...

"Shhh... Don't say a word!"

Kamito stopped in his tracks and whispered to Fianna.

"What is it?"

"... There's someone nearby."

"How is that possible!? Only I know about th – "

Midway through her sentence, Fianna hastily fell silent.

Because she, too, had noticed the sounds of people talking.

– And if... body cannot bear it, what... do then...

– If so, it will mean... does not have the right to... that's all."

The words reverberated through the caves.

Because of the way the cave walls reflected sound, there was no way of telling how far they were from the speakers.

However, Kamito was certain that he had heard the voice somewhere before.

"That's Muir Alenstarl... So the one speaking to her must be – "

Kamito held onto Fianna’s shoulders protectively, and took a deep breath to control his emotions.

"Why would that bastard be here..!"

No mistake about it – the one talking to Muir was indeed Ren Ashbell.

– The very person who carved the <Brand of Darkness> on Kamito, and the very person responsible for the disappearance of Est.

"Damn it..."

If he had been in any condition to, Kamito would have rushed up to confront her.

However, Kamito currently lacked even the ability to summon spirits for battle.

Furthermore, he could not put Fianna in danger.

Kamito could hence only suppress his feelings of anger and aggression, and remain silently in hiding.

The pair's conversation finally ceased.

"... I think they've left."

"Yeah."

Kamito let down his guard, took a breath and said:

"– What... on earth were they just doing?"

"I imagine... maybe performing some kind of ritual magic."

"Ritual magic?"

"Indeed. I heard what sounded like chanting in spirit language, but it sounded a little different to ordinary spirit language... It felt a little sinister, and it made my hair stand.

Fianna's shoulders quivered in fear.

"Why choose such a place to perform ritual magic – "

Kamito furrowed his brow in confusion.

"Hmmm... Say, Kamito?"

"Yes?"

"H-How long are you planning to hug me for?"

"S-Sorry!"

As Fianna blushed furiously, Kamito hastily let go of her.

◇

"Oooh... What's wrong with coming along, Kamito you dummy!"

Back in her room, Claire muttered to herself unhappily while collapsing on her bed.

As Ellis and Rinslet were both with their families, who had come to cheer them on, Claire was alone with Scarlet in the house.

"Stupid..."

Casting her face downwards, Claire clutched her pillow tightly.

They definitely had valid reasons, and even, in a manner of speaking, no choice but to leave her by herself.

... However, she couldn't help but feel lonely, as if she had been abandoned by her teammates.

"Who knows... what the two of them are doing..."

As they had left the room, Fianna had even pressed her bosom against Kamito's arm.

Kamito had looked a little surprised, but... how should she say this... seemingly not too repelled either.

"E-Either way, whatever that rascal does with that lascivious princess, it's none of my business..."

... Nevertheless, the bothersome feeling was still gnawing away at her chest.

"... Boys, do they all like big-chested girls?"

Perhaps it was what she had seen in the forbidden books in the Biblion, which detailed a wide variety of rituals involving the bodies of princess maidens, but Claire found herself even more self-conscious about her unimpressive chest.

"S-So unbelievable... That one would actually wedge t-that sort of thing in between...!"

Just the mere passing thought of it left Claire so embarrassed she blushed hotly.

"Put in between..."

Rub rub. Squeeze squeeze.

As a test, she gently rubbed her own tiny breasts.

... It was no good. With such a small chest, it was impossible for her to hold such a thing as illustrated in the book.

The most she would be able to do was rub it on the surface –

"Aaah... W-What nonsense am I thinking!"

Her face red, Claire clutched at her pillow wildly.

"Meow – ?"

"S-Scarlet! G-G-G-Go away!"

Claire threw her pillow aside; startled, Scarlet fled from the room.

"..."

She was now truly completely alone in the room.

"... Why don't I... t-t-try out what was written in that book?"

Claire swallowed.

The forbidden book mentioned earlier also contained a method to enlarge one's chest.

Making use of the intelligence that had allowed her to achieve such stellar grades in the Academy, Claire took advantage of a moment when Ellis and Rinslet were distracted to memorize the contents of the script.

"... I-I have to try it to know whether or not it'll really work."

She cleared her throat and removed a small stone from her bag.

A low-level <Thunder Spirit> was sealed within that spirit ore. Although this type of spirit ore was expensive, it was also not especially rare; its original purpose was to scare away wild forest creatures.

Claire put it on her white underclothes, and through the cloth gently massaged her chest.

"Mmm..."

The sharp tip of the stone rubbed against her chest painfully, but Claire told herself to be brave and bear it.

She focused on her fingers, concentrating her Divine Power in the spirit ore.

The normal way of using it would be to summon a burst of Divine Power into it, releasing the spirit sealed within. The trick to this method seemed to be to input Divine Power in a slow, more controlled manner, which would need much more skill – however, this was child's play for a spirit contractor as talented as Claire.

"Th-This will really enlarge my chest..? Aieeee!"

The sealed spirit suddenly began responding, releasing weak sparks of energy into Claire's body.

The intoxicating comforting feeling made her tremble right down to her fingertips.

"W-What is going on... Uhhh... Aaaah!"

Claire twisted about making noises, pressing the still-sparking spirit ore against her chest.

"Aaaa-aaah, mmm, aah-ha, aah... oooh..."

Unable to bear the intoxicating pain, she grasped her bedsheets in her fist and gasped deep breaths.

"I must b-be strong, so that my c-chest will get bigger... Aaaah!"

Suddenly, an even stronger jolt of energy surged through her, causing Claire to tremble uncontrollably and lean her body backwards.

''W-What now, I c-can't stop..!''

As the sweet pain coursed through her, Claire felt herself begin to lose consciousness.

"– What, you rascal, so you'd like me to do these things to you?"

For some unknown reason, at that moment, an image of Kamito floated into Claire's mind. The imaginary Kamito was even looking at her with an expression like in her favorite romance novels... a cool, cruel, haughty expression.

"O-Of course! Stupid... Stop now, don't go on any more!"

"Oh... You really wish for me to stop?"

"Huh? .... Aaaa!"

"Look at you, what are those sounds you're making? You really are a dirty young miss."

"Oooh, mmm... W-Who says... Aaaah..."

"Why don't you admit your true feelings, young lady?"

"What t-true feelings... aaaah... ohhh!"

"Uh... That..."

"... Whew... oooh... Kamito, you stu..."

"That... Claire-sama?"

"... Huh!?"

A voice beside her ear jolted Claire back into reality.

Outside the door stood a youthful princess maiden holding a box.

"Waaaah... W-What are you doing!?"

"I-I'm sorry for disturbing you! The door wasn't locked, so – "

The girl nodded in profuse apology.

"C-Can I help you with anything?"

Claire sat up primly, cleared her throat and asked.

"Yes, indeed, someone requested I give you this – "

The girl placed the box in her hands on a rack beside the door.

The box was marked with a seal that Claire was very familiar with.

"This is from the Academy Director Greyworth... What could it be?"

Claire opened the box. Inside were huge quantities of books and documents.

◇

"– You mean to say, you had a dream about Sacred Queen Areishia?"

"Mmm... I just can't seem to forget about it, that's all."

In the pitch-black cave –

Kamito walked along while telling Fianna of his dream earlier that day.

That dream – in which Sacred Queen Areishia used the <Demon Slaying Sacred Sword> to vanquish the Demon King.

Kamito somehow felt that the contents of the dream might have had something to do with Est.

"That would indeed be a memorable dream..."

Fianna put a hand on her chin and thought for a moment, then said:

"Perhaps... What happened was Kamito's thoughts and feelings mixing with Est's."

"What does that mean?"

Kamito only knew a little about these academic matters, but Fianna was once an outstanding princess maiden, so she was very knowledgeable in these areas.

"It's not unusual for spirit contractors and their contract spirits to have a mental connection in their dreams. Especially when the <gate> between them cannot be opened, such a phenomenon will become even more common."

As Fianna talked, she gestured with her index finger.

"When I lost my connection to my contract spirit, I would frequently dream of a knight charging forth on the battlefield."

The rider in her dream was probably the spirit <Georgios> she commanded. By the looks of it, even if the spirit contractor lost their power, the connection between the two did not break completely.

"That dream – you don't say it's part of Est's memory?"

If that were true, Est was really the true Demon Slayer Sacred Sword?

"Mmm... To be sure, the picture should have been formed by the mixing of Est's and Kamito's memories – "

Saying this, Fianna suddenly stopped in her tracks.

"I can understand what you're feeling... Because the same tragedy happened to me before."

"Fianna..."

Kamito also stopped and turned to face her.

The second princess of the Empire, the impending successor to Rubia, the anticipated heir princess maiden. Unfortunately, when she lost the ability to command spirits and became a fallen princess maiden, those around her reversed their attitudes and regarded her only with disappointment.

For the young, innocent girl, that would certainly have been an unimaginable horror.

"But Fianna, you did not just give up because of that."

"That was only because of Kamito's efforts."

Looking at him directly, she replied.

"My efforts?"

"Three years ago, the blade dance you presented gave me, then a lost spirit contractor, renewed hope and inspiration. If not for you, Kamito, I suppose I would still be hiding away in the castle right now."

"You exaggerate too much."

Embarrassed, Kamito shook his head.

"Of course not, moreover... Since then, I have felt towards Kamito – "

At that moment, a group of bats suddenly flew past their heads.

"Aaaah!"

Fianna shrieked involuntarily.

Kamito waved the lantern about, only then did the bats fly away, frightened.

"... All right, it's fine now. That's right... What were you about to say just now?"

"N-Nothing! It was nothing!"

Fianna mumbled to herself as if to shrug the matter off, then continued onwards.

... For a lengthy while after, all was quiet between the two apart from the sound of footfalls.

"Oh, Kamito, you don't plan on telling Claire your true identity?"

Fianna's sudden question came out of nowhere.

"Mmm, forget it... If I caused someone's dream to be ruined, I would never be able to live with myself."

For a longed-for dream that always remained a dream was the most perfect of all.

The strongest blade dancer three years ago was long gone now.

It would be better for "her"to remain merely in the imaginations of Claire and her friends.

"Furthermore... If they were to find out about my habit of dressing as a girl, they would surely laugh at me to no end."

Looking down at his outfit, Kamito muttered to himself.

"Hee hee... Does that mean I'm the only one to share in Kamito's little secret?"

Fianna suddenly let slip a gleeful smile, and clutched tightly at Kamito's arm.

"Hey, watch your step."

"It doesn't matter anyway, even if I were to trip, Kamito will catch me before I fall."

"You rascal... Some princess you are, please be a bit more wary of men!"

"Huh, don't you know? In front of a boy she likes, a princess is but an ordinary girl!"

The princess stuck her tongue out at Kamito mischievously.

Her adorable response made Kamito's heart quicken.

"My dear princess, stop joking around with me."

"... I hate you, I wasn't joking."

◇

After quite a while, the two of them finally arrived at the secret tunnels of the Grand Temple.

The path overhead was blocked by a giant stone slab, on which were cramped carvings of words in spirit language.

The exit was right here; the courtyard of the Grand Temple was just outside.

"Kamito, may I climb on your shoulders?"

"Sure, no problem."

Nodding, Kamito bent to allow Fianna to get up.

The feel of her tender thighs on the back of his neck made Kamito's heart involuntarily leap into his throat – how he hoped she would not get mad at him because of that.

"S-Speaking of which... I really don't have to hide my face?"

"Something so suspicious would in fact make us more easily discovered. Besides, I'm a girl and even I think Kamito looks very pretty, so you don't need to worry at all."

"Such praise really doesn't make me feel any better..."

Then, Fianna chanted what sounded like a magical curse. The spirit words on the stone shone brightly blue, and the entire slab split cleanly down the middle and opened outwards.

Bright moonlight beamed directly into the dark cave.

Night had already fallen upon the outside world, and a bonfire was burning to light the enormous courtyard.

"– It looks like no one's around, let's go now."

Fianna reached out and placed a hand on the ground, then slowly climbed out.

Kamito leaped up in one bound, and followed closely behind her.

Fortunately, the ritual clothing had a long skirt, so even if Kamito were to look up, Fianna's panties would still be hidden.

"What a pity... I'd even specially worn Kamito's favorite knickers today."

"I-I don't even l-like... suspenders!"

"Oooh, it looks like I've hit upon the truth!"

"Uhhh..."

Looking at Kamito's vexed expression, Fianna broke out into peals of laughter.

After climbing to ground level, the two of them hurried to the stone corridor in front of the courtyard.

"I say... If we're found out, will we have to escape from every single Guardian spirit here?"

"Don't look guilty, and we won't be found out."

The two of them exchanged nervous whispers while walking along the stone corridor stretched out before them.

At that moment, a princess maiden appeared in front of them and began walking towards them.

"Ooh!?l

Kamito's heart jolted, and his facial expression hardened.

The girl drew ever closer, step by step –

Just as they were about to pass each other, she suddenly stopped before them and said:

"Please, where are you headed to?"

"To Reicha-sama's chambers. Reicha-sama says she's feeling unwell, so..."

"Oh, is that so? Sorry for your trouble."

Fianna answered the questioning princess maiden with a calm, composed expression on her face, and the latter then turned and left.

"Look, didn't we just successfully pass this trial?"

"Wow... The bravery of the princess maiden really is something else. I was so scared my heart almost stopped "

For a male to enter the <Divine Ritual Institute> was absolutely unheard of. A rule of such importance had never been broken before.

If they were to be caught, in the best case they would be executed, while in the worst case... Never mind, it was best not to think about it.

"This way."

Fianna, who was walking in front, gestured surreptitiously with her hand.

Following her lead –

"..."

– The pair reached the end of the lengthy corridor, where there were a set of grand doors decorated with intricate carvings.

The decor of this door was noticeably different to the other doors: inlaid on the frame of the door were several very pure and valuable spirit ores.

"... Uh... Fianna, may I ask a question?"

Kamito inquired, a twitching expression on his face.

"What is it?"

"This door wouldn't happen to be... Never mind, I guess it goes without saying..."

"Indeed, it's just what Kamito thinks."

Fianna shrugged her shoulders at Kamito naughtily.

"I've no choice... Which other princess maidens of higher status than I are there, other than these ladies?"

"Are you serious?"

"Don't worry, I'm absolutely certain."

Finishing her sentence, Fianna knocked smartly on the door thrice, according to the proper regulations.

The duo waited for a while –

Finally, the grand doors gradually opened.

The sight that greeted them was –

A red carpet that stretched out straight before them, and brightly glittering spirit ores.

This was a holy space, filled with the aura of somber tranquility.

A thin curtain hung at the far end of the room; behind that was the silhouette of a small slight figure.

"What does the visitor want? I believe I have already instructed not to have my meal – "

The high stately voice rang out into the hall.

However, undeterred, Fianna walked forward and said:

"Long time no see, Reicha. How have you been lately?"

"... Huh?"

The maiden hastily pulled aside the curtain, then – her jaw dropped in shock.

"... It can't be, Fianna-sempai!?"

◇

Reicha Alminas.

She was one of the <Queens> to have gained the honor of serving the five Elemental Lords.

There were only five Queens in the entire continent, and they were the most eminent of all princess maidens.

Although Fianna had said she wanted to bring Kamito to meet a high-ranked princess maiden –

He had never for a moment dreamed that she was referring to a current Queen.

"Why didn't you tell me this before?"

"Because... If I had, you wouldn't have come, would you Kamito?"

Kamito could not hide his conflicting feelings. Likewise, the girl seated beside him was also nervously averting her gaze, and looked rather uneasy.

The girl had glossy black hair neatly done up in braids, and cute eyes like that of a small animal.

Dressed in bright red ritual clothing, she looked like a butterfly about to take flight.

At fifteen, she was a year younger than Kamito. Like Rubia Elstein, she was one of Fianna's few close friends and confidantes while she was at the <Divine Ritual Institute>.

She served the Fire Elemental Lord – in other words, she succeeded the Calamity Queen spirit contractor's position.

Kamito had already introduced himself, removed his disguise, and revealed that he was in truth male.

Upon discovering that Kamito was in fact male, Reicha very nearly fainted on the spot, and only managed to stay conscious thanks to Fianna's eloquent explanations.

"I-I-If I am ungracious, it is because it is my f-first time talking to a male..."

"N-Never mind. I should be the one apologizing, to barge in on you suddenly like this."

Looking at the Queen bobbing her head apologetically in his direction, Kamio also bowed his head in response.

Despite obviously being the highest ranked princess maiden in the continent, she was nonetheless humble and polite.

Due to her rank, Kamito should have used genteel, formal language when addressing her. However, regardless of that fact, she nonetheless looked like an ordinary young girl, so Kamito could not help but speak to her as an equal.

"Hee hee, little Reicha is still as cute as ever."

Fianna smiled mischievously and reached out to feel her small chest.

"Ah – ! S-Sempai, what are you doing!"

"Your chest seems to have gotten a little bigger?"

"Oooh... I-I really haven't...!"

Reicha blushed and twisted her body defensively.

... Even if she was indeed an old friend, to do something like that to a Queen was pushing it a little, wasn't it?

Kamito broke out into a cold sweat and averted his eyes awkwardly.

The two girls reminisced fondly for a while, then –

"Reicha, actually... I have a favor to ask of you."

Fianna made her request with a serious expression.

"A favor – yes?"

Reicha blinked, not understanding.

"Mmhmm, I need to borrow your power, to break the curse on him – Kamito."

"You mean to say this male has been cursed?"

The Fire Queen asked, turning to look at Kamito.

"My blade spirit might have been trapped by this curse. Please save her, I beg you."
Kamito placed both his hands on the ground and pleaded with Reicha with all his heart.

"That is a curse so strong that even I cannot break it. However, you have received the blessing of the Fire Elemental Lord; with that power, you can surely destroy even the harshest of curses."

"You are right. If I use the <Sacred Flames of Judgment>, any curse will turn into smoke, that's true. But..."

Reicha lowered her head and mumbled.

It was only natural that she would hesitate.

Even on the behest of one of her best friends, Fianna, she was nevertheless a <Queen> who had to follow rules and do things by the book.

Using the Fire Elemental Lord's power for personal gains was an act that would never be condoned.

A long period of silence ensued, and then –

"I know."

"Huh?"

At that, Kamito raised his head and regarded Reicha quizzically.

"Because it is sempai's request, so... But only this once; I will not make this exception again."

The Fire Queen let out a sigh, and nodded her head as if making a decision.

◇

After a while more –

"– Now then, let's begin the ritual."

Reicha, who had changed into a set of pure white ritual clothes, knelt demurely in front of Kamito.

Her serene, assured appearance contrasted sharply with that of the nervous, embarrassed young girl just a while ago; they seemed like virtually two different people.

So as not to disrupt the ritual, Fianna had retreated to a corner of the room to guard them from afar.

"I'll leave everything in your hands, R-Reicha-sama."

"Please, just call me Reicha, Kamito-sama."

The Fire Queen smiled quietly, then caressed Kamito's hand gently.

"Will you be scared – I mean, scared to touch a male's body?"

"... To be honest, yes, a little scared. But... you are a friend of my sempai."

"It seems like you trust Fianna a lot."

"... Yes, indeed. Fianna-sempai was one of the only people to stand by my side."

Reicha mumbled to herself, as if recalling a faraway memory of some past event.
The rapport between the two seemed to go deeper than mere friendship.

"Also, I can feel it, you're not a dangerous evil person."

"Is that so?"

"Don't judge me based on my looks and age. I am after all a Queen, and I am quite confident in my ability to assess people."

Reicha said with a genuine smile.

Her smile was full of charm, and could easily mesmerize someone looking at it.

"Now, then, Kamito-sama, please remove your shirt."

"Oh... Mmm-hmm..."

Kamito nodded, and took off the thin tunic he was wearing under the princess maiden dress.

The <Brand of Darkness> on his chest, positioned just above his heart, had turned into a pitch-black wound.

"Ahhh... T-That's really something...!"

Reicha clapped both hands to her cheeks, blushing furiously red.

"T-This is my first time seeing a m-male's body..."

"Oh, is that so..."

Kamito looked away, feeling a little uneasy.

To have his naked body scrutinized so closely by a girl made him mysteriously embarrassed.

"Kamito, your face is very red."

Standing at a side of the room, Fianna said, then immediately coughed a few times.

Reicha stretched out a hand nervously to touch Kamito's chest.

"... Very... very firm and solid!"

"It's alright, it's a result of all the training at the Instructional School..."

The Queen's slim fingers wandered along Kamito's naked upper body, making him itch slightly.

However, where her fingers touched, he suddenly felt waves of aching pain.

Then, Reicha shut her eyes, and solemnly began chanting a curse in spirit language.

"O supreme master of all earthly flames, our harsh judge and great warrior –

These were the words of the prayer for a ritual dedicated to the <Fire Elemental Lord>.

Reicha's hair started blowing wildly as if by a hot gust of wind, and a bright white light shone at her fingertips.

"Sacred Flames of Judgment – redeem our sins and cleanse our filth –

The words coming from her thin pale lips were the highest level of spirit language, the High Ancient.

The little girl before his eyes seemed to be possessed.

"... Oooo, uhhhhh...!"

Kamito let out uncontrollable moans of pain.

The bright blue flames from Reicha's fingertips were burning his skin, scorching his flesh.

"Oww... aaaaaaaa... aaah – !"

The unimaginable pain seemed to morph into the roar of a monstrous beast, which rushed out of Kamito's throat.

He felt a sharp tinnitus, as if fireworks were exploding in his head. Sweat oozed from his every pore, and his muscles tensed so hard as to nearly break his bones.

"Into ash and dust! Your flames can purify all darkness, burn away all curses!"

The <Brand of Darkness> imprinted on Kamito's chest suddenly started burning intensely.

"... – !"

Kamito burst into wordless howls.

In his quickly fading awareness – Kamito felt a dull pain coming from his right hand.

''– Could it be... Est's spirit mark...!?''

Just as he saw, from the corner of his eye, his spirit mark radiating a bright light –

Kamito lost consciousness, and plunged into darkness.

<noinclude>{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume5 Chapter4|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume5 Chapter6}}</noinclude>

Talk:Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume5 Chapter4

2013-02-20T07:34:03Z

Blood: Created page with ""– I have searched for you for a long time, Ren Ashbell." Out of the blue came the childish voice of a young maiden. A gray-haired girl slowly walked out of the darkness. Sh..."

"– I have searched for you for a long time, Ren Ashbell."
Out of the blue came the childish voice of a young maiden.
A gray-haired girl slowly walked out of the darkness.
She was Muir Alenstarl. <---- I don't it is a appropriate to use 'searched for you for a long time' seeing that Muir and the fake Ren Ashbell are acquaintances. I think it should be something like --> "I have search for you for quite awhile, Ren Ashbell" --[[User:Blood|Blood]] ([[User talk:Blood|talk]]) 01:34, 20 February 2013 (CST)

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume5 Chapter4

2013-02-20T07:12:38Z

Blood: /* Chapter 4: Laurenfrost Sisters */

=Chapter 4: Laurenfrost Sisters=

Kamito and the others returned to the tower just before the sun had fully sunk past the horizon.

As with yesterday, there was a ball in the great hall of the tower. This one had nothing to do with the commencement ceremony, however; it was simply an activity organized for the aristocrats, so there were virtually no spirit contractors participating. As they were to do battle in the main tournament event the very next day, they were simply not in the mood to go do something as frivolous as a ball.

Kamito returned to his own room and gathered the things he would take with him tomorrow.

The items he put into the bag included some easy-to-carry food and a lantern made of spirit ore, and other necessities for survival in the forest.

As the rules of the game limited the weight of things he could bring with him, the items had to be carefully selected

"The individual fight three years ago was much easier than this..."

At that time, Kamito only had to concern himself with beating the opponent immediately in front of him.

However, this time, he would have to make plans to ensure the survival of all his group members.

Because alone, Kamito was no match for Ren Ashbell.

No... as things were right now, without Est, he probably did not have enough power to beat even Leonora Lancaster and the other spirit contractor teams.

"... I must not become a burden to the others."

Kamito muttered to himself. Then –

From outside the room came sounds made by lovely girls.

"Wow, so beautiful! My sister's hair is really pretty!"

"Ah ah... Mireille, don't pull my hair!"

... That was Rinslet's voice.

"What is it?"

Kamito opened the door and walked to the hallway –

And saw a little girl playfully tugging at Rinslet's hair.

"...... Rinslet, what're you doing?"

"Ah... Kamito-san!?"

At the sound, Rinslet turned her head in surprise.

"Kamito?"

The little girl playing with her hair turned to face Kamito too.

Just like Rinslet, the little girl also had a head of gorgeous pale gold hair.

The white dress she was wearing contrasted very nicely with her clear emerald-green eyes.

The little girl looked to be about seven or eight. While she was still young, she looked extremely cute, and somewhat alike to Rinslet.

"Oh wow, it's Kamito onii-chan! Look, I see Kamito-chan!"

Grinning widely, the girl took big strides towards Kamito –

And, with a bump, buried her head in Kamito's tummy.

"Ahhh... what!?"

Stunned, Kamito could not respond, but Rinslet hastily ran over, saying:

"Mireille, you cannot do that! You are a lady of the Laurenfrost family, how can you display such thoroughly indecent behavior! "

"It doesn't matter, Kamito-chan will soon be Mireille's brother-in-law anyway."

"... What?"

Upon hearing the girl's words, Kamito could not help but frown in puzzlement.

"M-M-Mirelle! W-W-W-What rubbish are you saying!"

"Huh? Doesn't sister always write in her letters to me... ooo, ooo..."

Rinslet quickly put her hand over the girl's mouth.

Kamito scratched his head and said:

"... Uh, this kid... is Rinslet's younger sister?"

"That's right. My name is Mireille Laurenfrost, and I am the third daughter of the Laurenfrost family."

Breaking free of Rinslet's grasp, the girl curtsied to Kamito like a perfect aristocrat.

Her lively emerald-green eyes danced cutely.

When she grew up, she would surely be a noble beauty, just like Rinslet.

"I am Kazehaya Kamito, teammate of Rinslet –"

"I know, little pet dog of your teammate and my elder sister, right?"

Mirelle smiled sweetly and said.

"L-Little pet dog, what the hell?"

"M-Mirelle! Stop talking nonsense!"

Rinslet quickly hushed her, but Mirelle simply wore an innocent look and continued:

"Huh, that's not right? Then, is it... boyfriend?"

"O-Of course not! H-H-How can he be... b-boyfriend..."

The elder of the two sisters clapped her hands to her cheeks, her face so red she looked about to go up in smoke.

"Oooh... elder sister is embarrassed now, how cute!"

"... Hmph, I h-hate you, stop speaking nonsense to bully me!"

Rinslet gently patted Mireille on the back.

Looking at the two of them, Kamito could not hold back a smile.

(... Silly Rinslet, losing all dominance before her little sister.)

While this scene was indeed hilarious, to be mistaken for Kamito's lover or girlfriend was certainly not very nice for Rinslet.

Kamito gently placed his hand on Mirelle's head.

"Ai!"

Mirelle squealed as if she was being tickled.

"I am not Rinslet's pet dog, or her boyfriend. You shouldn't vex your sister like that."

"... Oh... uh-huh. Kamito-kun, I'm sorry."

Blushing slightly, Mirelle nodded.

It seemed that, like her sister, she was a naturally honest and good child.

"Oooh... you didn't have to deny it so thoroughly..."

For some unknown reason, Rinslet pursed her lips and bore a slightly unhappy expression.

Then –

"It can't be Kamito-san, the one who captured all three of us young ladies with your sweet talk..."

"Carol!? When did you come –"

The maid, who had appeared out of nowhere, smiled and chuckled.

At Carol's words, Rinslet stared at Kamito in astonishment and said:

"K-Kamito-san... n-no, I will not have a threesome with my sister!"

"Rinslet... Are you thinking of rude indecent things?"

Rinslet took a step forward and reached out as if to protect her sister, while Kamito rolled his eyes at her.

"I-I think, if I'm together with my big sister... I don't mind doing anything at all."

This little sister was really something, to say such odd things.

Carol cleared her throat, pinched the back of Mirelle's neck and said:

"All right, Mirelle-san... your elder sister has things to do, so let's be good and go back to our room."

"Oooh... but I still want to play more with Kamito-kun."

Seeing that Mirelle was about to defiantly shake her head in refusal, Carol whispered in her ear:

"Be good, you mustn't disrupt your sister's private time!"

"Oh... t-true. I see, Carol."

Mirelle abruptly stopped her fuss and grasped Rinslet's arm tightly.

"Sister, I'll be cheering you on tomorrow, you must save Judia and bring her back!"

Her innocent, smiling expression suddenly turned very serious.

Opposite her, Rinslet also nodded with a look of firm determination.

"I know, leave it to me."

Mirelle gently released her sister's arm, broke out into her original smile, and turned towards Kamito.

"Kamito-kun, after the Blade Dance ends, you must come visit our Laurenfrost area."

"Mmm, I know."

"If Kamito-kun could really be my brother-in-law, that would be so great..."

"Huh?"

With those words, which left Kamito shaken, Mirelle –

Exited from the other end of the hallway, accompanied by Carol.

"I h-hate her... taking care of this little sister really gives me a headache..."

"But Rinslet is an elder sister who really knows how to take care of people."

"B-But of course, I am after all the eldest sister of the house."

Rinslet rumpled her long hair, a little embarrassed.

Kamito suddenly grew curious about the name Mirelle had mentioned in passing.

"Oh yes, who was that Judia person you two talked about just now?"

"..."

A dark cloud passed over Rinslet's face.

"S-Sorry... did I just ask a question I shouldn't have?"

"N-No, not at all!"

Lowering her gaze, and shaking her head, Rinslet said:

"Judia is my other sister, the second Laurenfrost daughter."

"So you have another sister."

"Mmm. She's now in the Laurenfrost castle, in a long unwakeable sleep."

Tearfully, Rinslet told the whole story to Kamito.

The second daughter of the Laurenfrost family, Judia Laurenfrost, was originally a highly ranked, excellent princess maiden of the <Divine Ritual Institute>. However, just a few years ago, while performing a sacrificial ritual towards the Water Elemental Lord, she made a mistake. In a fury, the Elemental Lord imprisoned her in a curse of never-melting ice.

The Earl of Laurenfrost had recruited spirit contractors from all over the empire in an attempt to break the curse, but to no avail. Despite possessing the power of a variety of high-level spirits, they could not break the curse.

After that, Judia had lain unmoving, dormant in a deep sleep..

"... a curse of the Water Elemental Lord? That must be something no human spirit contractor can break."

"Yes, there remains only one way to save Judia."

Clenching her fists, Rinslet continued: "That is the reward of the Blade Dance victors – the Elemental Lord's blessing. My <wish> will be for the Water Elemental Lord to have mercy and bestow his forgiveness, to let me save Judia."

"Rinslet..."

Her words rekindled a fire in Kamito's mind.

(Yes, it's not just me...)

Claire, Ellis, Fianna... and Rinslet as well. His partners in the <Blade Dance> all had a strong unshakeable motivation.

The disappearance of Est, right before his very eyes, had dampened Kamito's spirits and made him a little more withdrawn.

However, he could not afford such excuses.

Resting both his hands on Rinslet's shoulders, Kamito told her:

"Rinslet, we absolutely must achieve the final victory."

"Y-Yes, you're right!"

Rinslet blushed and smiled happily.

Probably because she usually preferred to wear a stubborn, haughty look, Kamito felt that this candidly smiling Rinslet looked immensely adorable.

"Well, Kamito-san... I'll head back to my room and get ready."

"Sure."

Rinslet shyly turned and dashed towards the other end of the corridor.

"... Well then, I too will continue my preparations."

Kamito shrugged his shoulders and started back towards his room. Then –

"Hee hee... Kamito, you're just as popular as ever."

"Fianna!?"

Fianna was standing at Kamito's door, and appeared to have been there for quite a while.

"How was it? Had a good date with Claire and the rest?"

The second royal princess smiled and teased Kamito.

"... Date? Not at all, that was just –"

Midway through his sentence, Kamito stopped, not knowing how best to continue.

From an objective point of view, it did indeed look like a date... maybe.

Furthermore, it looked like an outing of a frivolous womanizer with three pure, untarnished beauties.

At Kamito's reaction, Fianna sighed, dumbfounded, and said:

"Ah... I see Kamito now is not just a devil at night, but a devil in the daytime as well."

"... Devil in the daytime, what's that?"

"Never mind, it was I who got you guys to go out and have fun... from now on it'll be my turn to show you my moves."

"... Your turn, your moves? What do you mean?"

Kamito tilted his head, not understanding.

Fianna suddenly looked serious.

"I found an acquaintance who can break the curse on you."

"Really!?"

While Kamito and the others were touring the streets, Fianna had been searching for people who could destroy the <Brand of Darkness>.

"... Fianna, thank you very much."

"You're welcome ... However, there still remains one problem."

"A problem?"

"As she is a high-ranked princess maiden, I cannot simply ask her to leave the Grand Shrine, so meeting with her will be a bit difficult. Thus, I will need you to come with me personally, Kamito."

"... Oh, so that's it? Of course I can go with you."

"Wonderful. So, without further ado, can I please ask you to hurry and change your clothes?"

"Change my clothes?"

"Yes, I recall that Kamito... you seem to be very good at dressing up as a girl?"

◇

– A few minutes later.

Before the mirror in the room stood a dark-haired girl.

"..."

"... This is too surprising, I never expected it to be so accurate."

"You rascal, don't tell me you're actually pleased..."

"N-No such thing, it's just our only solution."

Fianna gazed into the distance, trying to brush over the issue.

(She's definitely enjoying this...)

Kamito muttered testily.

Indeed, the reflected girl in the mirror was Kamito, wearing the ceremonial outfit of the <Divine Ritual Institute>.

There was a black wig on his head and makeup powder on his face.

With even a layer of pale cherry-colored lipstick on his lips, he looked the very picture of a young maiden.

"What a beauty... Although your outline is a little different, such beauty is unmistakeable... You truly look like the former Ren Ashbell. If you walked the streets looking like this, you will certainly be the subject of much talk."

"H-Hey... could you keep it down –"

Kamito instinctively looked around.

Although they were indoors, it was no guarantee; walls had ears.

Upon seeing Kamito's embarrassed countenance, Fianna smiled sweetly and said:

"However this outfit really is a masterpiece. It's so pretty I want to call everyone over to feast their eyes on it."

"... Please don't!"

Kamito desperately pleaded with Fianna, as if begging for his life.

"Oh... beware, with such loud cries, you'll be heard by people in the corridor."

Suddenly, just at that moment –

From the other side of the door came the sound of something dropping to the floor.

"...!?"

Kamito turned in the direction of the sound –

"Ka-Ka-Kamito!? W-what in hell are you doing!?"

It was Claire, an expression of shock and horror on her face. Scattered on the floor were things that had fallen from her hands.

"C-Claire!? Y-You're mistaken it's not what you think – ah!"

Kamito rushed forward, wanting to explain himself.

However, in his haste, he tripped over the hem of the garment and fell, and the chest pad fell out of his chest and tumbled to the floor

... Everyone was silent for several seconds.

"Uh... Well, this..."

Breaking the silence, Claire opened her mouth and said:

"N-No, it doesn't matter... I don't mind! O-Only... I was just surprised to suddenly find out that you have such a hobby. U-Uh... everyone has their own hobbies, after all!"

"That's what I'm saying, you're mistaken!"

Kamito drew himself upright and explained loudly, but Claire played the fool and pretended not to hear.

"Y-You don't have to hide, it's all right! That... you look very appropriate in that, and I think you look pretty dressed as a girl. Although this hobby is something you probably don't want to make public, I support you, Kamito; I'm rooting for you, yeah!"

"I don't need your support!"

"Ha ha... Kamito, that's fantastic."

Fianna laughed, watching the duo.

"Fianna... I beg you, help me explain this to Claire, please."

"Well, I have no choice... I would have liked to see more of this good show."

"... What do you mean?"

Claire gave her a puzzled look.

"It's a long story... Kamito and I are about to sneak into the Grand Shrine, to ask a high-ranked princess maiden to destroy the <Brand of Darkness> on his body.

"You mean... the Grand Shrine?"

At this, Claire's jaw dropped in shock.

That was a perfectly understandable reaction. The Grand Shrine was after all the most holy area of the entire floating island, not accessible to even Blade Dance participants.

"W-What do you intend to do there! Don't you know that there are very powerful guardian spirits keeping watch over the place?"

"Obviously I don't plan to storm the front gates! We will enter through a secret passageway; therefore, I need Kamito to take on the appearance of a princess maiden."

"But... t-this is too dangerous..!"

"Then, you tell me, is there any other way to rid Kamito of the curse?"

"T-That..."

Seeing Claire at a loss for Words, Kamito gently placed a hand on her head.

"Ah! ... W-What are you doing!"

"Don't worry, I won't be as clumsy as to get caught."

"..."

In response, Claire bit her lip nervously –

"Well, all right... I know..."

She nodded reluctantly.

"However, in that case, I have to come along too."

"That won't do. The fewer people sneaking in, the better. And Claire, your hair color simply stands out too much."

"Claire, are you worrying about me?"

"Stupid! O-Of course not."

"Rest assured, I will return Kamito safely to you in one piece."

"... Oooh... I w-wasn't even thinking anything of the sort!"

"Ha ha... Well then, I'll leave you to mind the house. Kamito, let's go."

Fianna waved goodbye to the furiously blushing Claire, who then –

Rushed over.

She pressed her soft chest to Kamito's arm.

"Hey hey! Fianna!?"

Butterflies in his stomach, Kamito blushed.

"Oooh... S-So what... Kamito you idiot!"

Claire rushed out of the room in tears.

◇

In this part of the floating island Ragna Ys were a chain of vast underground caves.

No one alive today knew when it had been constructed, or even for what purpose.

There was a figure standing at this place where even the highest ranked princess maidens were ordered to stop.

She was the girl in the bright red mask – Ren Ashbell.

She was in an area carved into a square space.

A stark contrast to the natural caves surrounding it, this room had obviously been built by man.

The small stone room was in fact the sacred True Sanctuary.

The Grand Shrine erected aboveground was merely there to provide a majestic appearance.

There was a rotting smell wafting about the place.

The masked girl was staring at the black sarcophagus placed in the middle of the room.

The mere presence of the sarcophagus gave its surroundings a sinister and ominous air.

"– I have searched for you for a long time, Ren Ashbell."

Out of the blue came the childish voice of a young maiden.

A gray-haired girl slowly walked out of the darkness.

She was Muir Alenstarl.

She, who had been missing since the battle last night, was the second-ranked <beast> in the Instructional School.

"It seems that the fourth person is finally here. Lily is fetching her here now."

"Is that so? That princess really brings trouble to other people."

The one they were talking about was the fourth member of Team Inferno – Sjora Kahn. She and Lily were different from Muir in that they had not been picked by Ren Ashbell's own people, but were spirit contractors appointed on recommendation by the religious Alphas Empire.

The Alphas Empire had not provided Ren Ashbell with any information on Sjora's abilities, because Sjora's other responsibility was to monitor all Ren Ashbell's actions.

"Muir Alenstarl... You looked for me only to talk to me about this?"

"Of course not. Let me ask you... you fiend, what have you done to my brother?"

Muir asked severely, as if a knife had been stabbed into her neck.

"You are dissatisfied with how I unleashed his full power?"

"It should be Muir's responsibility to awaken my own brother."

"It was not my intention to deny you that, but because of other reasons, I had no choice but to speed up the initial plan."

Ren Ashbell shrugged her shoulders, seemingly without any second thoughts.

"And if my brother's body cannot bear it, what do you intend to do then?"

"If so, it will mean that he does not have the right to be the one to succeed the Demon King – that's all."

"What are you saying...!"

At this, Muir's expression turned sharp and murderous.

"You can't accept that? Then next time... wake him using your own hands."

After saying that, Ren Ashbell tossed Muir a small, delicate ring.

"... And this is?"

"I got this <Mythical Class> ancient artifact from the old fogeys at Alphas. The three military spirits sealed within are all weapons that were scrapped by the international guidelines."

"Do you think Muir will be so easily bribed by this toy of yours?"

"This is merely a token of our good friendship; please accept it."

"... Hmph, I'll just watch and see how long you can endure this."

While putting on the ring, Muir glared angrily at her.

"Although Muir is helping you for now, I am not like Lily. If you dare lay a hand on my brother again, I will kill you without mercy."

"Whatever... Go ahead, if you can."

Ren Ashbell easily shrugged off Muir's ferocious glare, then –

Turned again towards the black sarcophagus.

"Speaking of which... What are you doing here?"

"A resurrection ritual."

"... Huh? What's that?"

"Bringing spirits of the dead back to the living world – the Institutional School regards this as the most forbidden act of all."

"Bringing spirits of the dead...?"

Ren Ashbell was placing a chain of jewels on the sarcophagus.

That was the <Blood Stone> – found only in the original spirit world, such a highly prized spirit ore contained power that ordinary spirit ores could not possibly rival.

Next, in a clear bright voice, she started singing a chant that sounded like a curse.

"O Nether World Elemental Lord, I humbly beg you to call back the souls of the seeds of darkness – "

From behind the mask came some hard-to-understand spirit language.

If there had been princess maidens from the Institute there, they would certainly be very surprised.

For only the highest ranked princess maidens were permitted to sing the High Ancient language.

Bump, bump – from the black sarcophagus came sounds like a heartbeat.

Suddenly, the bright red <Blood Stone> shattered!

Then –

Sizzle... Hiss... Sizzle

With tiny movements, the lid of the sarcophagus slowly opened, and from the resulting small crack – emerged something!

"W-What on earth... is this...?"

Muir Alenstarl could not help but flinch at the repellent, horrifying sight before her eyes.

"He is the previous Ren Ashbell – Nepenthes Lore."

Ren Ashbell's voice echoed brightly in the stone room suffused with the smell of rotting flesh.

"He is also – the fifth member of <Team Inferno>."

<noinclude>{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume5 Chapter3|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume5 Chapter5}}</noinclude>

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume4 Chapter3

2013-02-19T02:49:02Z

Blood: /* Part 1 */

==Chapter 3: Dracunia's Dragon Princess==
===Part 1===

Upon ascending to the ship's deck, they could see clouds drifting at terrifying speeds.

Actually, the ship was at speeds that a person's body would be blown away in a flash by the blowing winds but not even the sound of the wind could be heard thanks to an elemental magic barrier enclosing the ship.

Looking down from the side of the airship, an eerie forest stretched out into the distance.

Kamito was looking down at the forest and—

"Areishia Elemental Academy representative, Kazehaya Kamito, I presume?"

A voice came from behind him.

"......?"

Turning around, a beautiful noble-looking girl with shoulder-length hair was there.

A beret adorned her head. A black surcoat with not a single wrinkle.

She was probably about the same age as Kamito. She was glaring at Kamito with strong-willed-looking pupils.

"Who are you? Why do you know my name?"

"You're famous. The only male elementalist on the continent."

She told him while maintaining a rigid expression.


Contrary to her magnificent appearance, her aura was thorny.

"Also, someone who plays around with women and then throws them away."

"Wait, what am I famous for!?"

Kamito yelled that out immediately.

"It's useless to attempt to deceive me. Dracunia's prized intelligence gathering agency is the finest in the continent, after all."

"Yeah, your prized espionage agents are definitely incompetent—wait, Dracunia?"

Kamito asked with knitted brows.

The Dracunia Dragon Duchy.

Located to the west of the Empire, it was a country that employed the strongest magic beasts, dragons, in their military.

"Dracunia's representative, huh?"

"Yes, Leader of the Knights of the Dragon Emperor — Leonora Lancaster."

The bishoujo in military uniform kept her eyes on him as she named herself.

"......Leonora."

Kamito said with a sigh.

He had heard that name from Claire.

(If I remember, <Dragon Princess> was the title given to Dracunia's representing ace......)

By popular opinion, she was the one known as an equal to Velsaria.

[[Image:STnBD V04 065.jpg|thumb]]


"What business does the ace of Dracunia have with me?"

Kamito put up his guard and readied himself.

The Blade Dance was not just a festival.

The <Divine Ritual Institute> would never admit it, but it was also a representative war of knights between nations.

The country whose elementalist or elementalist team won would be granted the Elemental Lord's protection for several years and this blessing would lead to the nation prospering.

The reason many countries trained elementalists was for this reason.

And there were also many countries that had no choice but to use certain methods to grasp victory as a consequence.

"Trying to kill me off before the Blade Dance begins?"

"What a stupid idea."

But Leonora gently shook her head.

"As one not from the home country of the <Silent Fortress>, you are not the Knights of the Dragon Emperor's enemy. We will defeat you fair and square in the Blade Dance."

"Then, why?"

In front of the suspicious Kamito, she squirmed lightly with a red face.

"I, well, I, um, that is, your......I came to cut off that."

While averting her eyes from Kamito, she smoothly drew out a large sword.


"Wh-why are you taking out your sword!?"

Kamito backed away.

If her words were true, she hadn't come to assassinate him.

Then, why exactly—

"Or rather, cut what from me?"

"That's, y-your......kuu, you mean to make me say it!"

"Hah?"

"Thi-This pervert!"

Large tears formed from Leonora's eyes—

The large sword carved into the ship deck with a large sound.

Just now, the ship's floor exploded into shards.

"......Wha!?"

Kamito had dodged by a paper-thin margin.

"Aren't you full of the intent to kill me!"

"I won't kill you if you don't resist. Please hold still."

"I'm asking you what you mean—"

And then Kamito realized.


Leonora's gaze was fixed firmly upon Kamito's lower body.

As he noticed her cheeks colored red, she averted her eyes.

"Wait, don't tell me......"

Kamito broke out into a cold sweat.

"Yes, I will have you let me cut off your '''that'''. Kazehaya Kamito."

Leonora drew the sword back out from the smashed floor and took a stance.

"It would trouble me greatly if you were to use the commotion of the Blade Dance to lay a hand on my subordinates after all."

"Like I would!"

"You can't lie to me, you perverted brute of a maou!"

She glared at him with cold eyes.

"Perverted brute of a maou, you say......"

......It was too horrible.

He didn't think such shameful rumors would reach even outside of the country.

"W-With that devilish power and sweet words, you trick innocent maidens and do this kind of thing and that kind of thing to them, right!"

"What are this kind of thing and that kind of thing......"

"Th-That is......!"


At Kamito's question, her face burned red.

It seemed that the Dragon Princess was just as pure as the ojou-samas from the academy.

"You know, it's the opposite. You have a huge misunderstanding."

Kamito said this with a sigh.

"......The opposite?"

"Yeah, because I'm always being treated as a slave elemental by Claire."

"Wha? To make a teammate into a toy slave elemental!"

"Listen to what other people are saying for a bit!"

......Or rather, how come this young lady was using such terminology!?

"Do-Don't come any closer, you pervert!"

"Uoo!"

Leonora's blade sliced the air as she swung down.

Kamito drew Terminus Est and stopped that blow.

The high-pitched wail of metal colliding rang out across the deck.

(......This is just like a repetition of my first meeting with Ellis!)

While stopping the large blade, Kamito groaned internally.

"I see, you are truly strong......"


Leonora let out a voice of admiration.

"So this is the <Demon Slayer> that defeated a giant military elemental."

"It seems that your information is correct."

"It makes me want to test which is stronger, that or my <Dragon Slayer>!"

"......!?"

Leonora's sword gave off intense light with her words.

(This is......!)

It wasn't a regular Elemental Waffe. It gave off an impression equal to that of Velsaria's Dreadnought.

(—This person's insanely strong!)

As expected, the title of Dracunia's ace wasn't just for show.

"N-Now, please calmly remove your pants, i-it won't hurt a bit."

"Who's gonna do that! Of course it's gonna hurt!"

Kamito pushed back against the large sword.

Such power was being used against him that he couldn't believe it was coming from that girl's frail-looking delicate arms.

It was most likely an elemental magic for strengthening the body's traits. In a straight power competition, Kamito was at a disadvantage.

"Kamito!"


The sound of the air being cut.

Leonora's sword was gripped by the thing that had drawn a bright crimson arc in the air.

"You, what are you doing to my slave elemental!"

It was Claire who rose onto the deck with whip in hand.

With one hand on her hip, she pointed towards Leonora.

"Claire, thanks for the help—"

In the opening Leonora left by diverting her attention, Kamito jumped away.

"You are—"

Leonora who had repelled the Flame Tongue glared at Claire.

"Kazehaya Kamito's toy slave elemental."

"Wha!?"

Claire's face instantly reddened.

And with slow movements, she turned towards Kamito......

"Y-Y-You, don't tell me that's how you see me......!"

"Wait, you know that's wrong, right? I'm the slave elemental, right?"

......Wait, that's strange. It seems like she became even angrier.

The two ladies glaring at Kamito made him want to run away—


And at that moment.

Doooooooon!

With an ear-splitting noise, the ship rocked violently.

===Part 2===
"Kyaaa!"

The floor tilted and Claire lost her balance, falling over.

"—What!?"

Kamito leaned off the side of the ship.

He looked into the flowing clouds below and—

"That is!?"

A giant shadow was present in the clouds.

Like splitting waves, it split the clouds to reveal a gigantic black monster!

"......!?"

It's total length was about 10 metres. Its appearance greatly resembled a stingray swimming in the ocean.

The difference with stingrays was that it had enormous red eyes on its head.


And that it was flying in the sky instead of the ocean.

"A magic beast!?"

"No, that is......don't tell me, it's from the second aerial unit, {{Furigana|Destruction Elemental|Death Gaze|margin=12}}—"

Leonora Lancaster knit her brows and muttered that while looking with suspicion.

"What?"

"Dracunia's main military elemental. It should have been sealed with the end of the Ranbal War, so why is it here?"

"Military elemental......"

A elemental which was comparable to a cooperative force of several elementalists.

He didn't know why such a thing would attack the airship but—

The fact that the ship was currently under attack was undeniable.

The military destruction elemental — <Death Gaze> roared as it glided.

Even if the ship had a wind barrier, it was not a fighting vessel.

If it were to receive an attack from a giant like that, it would be helpless.

The ship alarm rang out across the deck.


The ship made a quick turn and tried to avoid the elemental.

As expected of a cutting-edge technology ship, it had impressive mobility.

But it was useless in the face of the elemental.

"—It's coming, brace for impact!"

A loud noise.

A fearsome impact rocked the ship and Kamito's body lifted up.

The destruction elemental had rammed into the side of the ship.

"Fuaa!" "Kyan!"

"You two, grab onto me!"

Kamito quickly covered the two girls that had fallen to the ground. His heart thumped at the softness of their bodies once, but now wasn't the time to think about that.

"Claire, are you okay?"

"Fuaaa, y-you, where are you touching!"

Claire's face was bright red.

"......? Where, you say?"

Kamito looked at the spot he had grabbed both of them.

His hands were caught on to both of their chests.


"......S, sorry!"

Kamito quickly withdrew his hand but,

"Th-th-th-this perverted slave elemental! Cinders, cinders!"

"Hey, stop, this isn't the time for—"

Hit, hit, hit, hit.

Claire hit Kamito with tears in her eyes.

On the other hand, Leonora—

"A-aa-a-a boy, touched my br-brbr-breasts......!"

Poof. Steam rose from her face and she fainted.

"......H-Hey!"

He shook the fallen girl but it didn't seem like she would wake up.

"It looks like she's in shock from you touching her breasts."

"I-It wasn't on purpose!"

"Hmmm, I wonder about that?"

She glared at Kamito like she was unsatisfied.

......In any case, he couldn't leave her here.

And just then. The ship rocked greatly a second time.


The elemental that had rammed into the ship was also attacking with its tail.

"Kamito, the ship will sink at this rate."

"Yeah......"

At the serious face of Claire, Kamito nodded.

Chaos could be heard below the deck.

Even if they were trained elementalists, they were still regular girls. It was a natural result that a sudden attack would cause panic inside the ship.

The long-range attacker, Rinslet, would also have a hard time reaching the deck quickly in this chaos.

"Looks like we'll have to do this alone."

"Looks that way."

With the last attack, it seemed like the engine had stopped. The ship stalled like it had a nail jammed into it and began falling.

"We have about two or three minutes before we hit the ground......"

Until the staff got the back-up elemental engine working, they had to protect the defenseless ship.

Kamito stood up unsteadily and planted each foot on the gunwale of the deck.

"Est, lend me your power!"


He drew Terminus Est from his waist and poured in divine power.

Responding to Kamito's summons, the sword gave off light.

"Kamito, it's reckless to fight with a sword. I'll do it."

"No, I will. Flame Tongue won't work on it."

"That is?"

Claire chewed her lip. Claire's battle style of wearing down her prey was not made for short-term battles. She knew that best herself.

"But what do I do then. I can't use magic to fly like Ellis."

"As long as I cling to it and don't fall off, isn't that fine?"

"Hah?"

At Kamito's carefree words, Claire was stunned.

"A-Aren't you just stupid!"

"Either way, at this rate the ship will sink. There is worth in trying."

"B-But......"

Claire held fast to Kamito's uniform's sleeve.

"What, are you worried about me?"


"Th-That's wrong, I'm not worried......"

Claire averted her eyes.

Although arrogant most of the time, she was truly gentle underneath that.

"It's fine. I'll clean it up quickly."

Kamito gave a light knock to Claire's head and—

The flash of a silver white blade disappeared off the side of the ship.

"......Jeez, I don't care anymore, idiot!"

With the wind barrier damaged, the groaning sound of wind could be heard.

On the back of the destruction elemental whose head was lodged in the side of the ship—

"Ohhhhhhhhh!"

Kamito impaled it mercilessly.

Piercing through the outer shell, it dug into the underlying flesh.

The destruction elemental gave off a fearsome cry and began to rotate.

On the verge of slipping off, Kamito placed his foot on the outer shell and he gripped his sword with all his might.

In order to smack the bug on its back, the destruction elemental folded its body and tried to hit it with its tail, rocking the boat in the process.


From the giant's crashing, the ship's armor fell off and fell into the forest.

(The ship won't last at this rate......)

Gritting his teeth, he withstood the force of the bone crushing attack.

(First I have to take care of that tail!)

Kamito drew out Terminus Est with all his strength. Pulled by gravity, he began to fall. However, just before he did, he jumped as hard as possible.

He ran up the elemental's body rhythmically.

This was just a giant body. If he just observed the muscles for contractions and planned his next step, before he began to fall, he could safely reach another foothold. Though it was a technique which required uncommon ability and battle prowess.

"Sorry. I bear no hatred against you."

Jumping using just the giant's body—

The demon slayer held in both his hands cleaved through the elemental's tail.

The tail convulsed as it fell into the forest below.

However, Kamito's body also became airborne at the same time.

Gravity took over and began to pull him — just before that.

Something wrapped around his ankle and pulled him back up.


He was thrown around in the air — the next moment, he slapped onto the ship's deck.

"......Ouch......"

Kamito was assaulted by pain.

"......Rather, it burns, so would you control your temperature output!?"

The ankle that had the Flame Tongue around it was a little charred.

"It's punishment for being reckless. If I had messed up, you'd be a pancake right about now."

"I trusted that you wouldn't mess up, master."

"......You're really an idiot, you know that......"

Mumbled the red-faced Claire unintelligibly.

"—And, here it comes!"

With its tail cut off, the enraged destruction elemental charged towards the ship.

A charge towards the deck with its mouth open, showing off its countless fangs?!

A dreadful shock rattled the ship. Pieces of the deck flew off and scattered.

Kamito took a stance and protected Claire from the shards.

"—As expected of a military destruction elemental, such insane power."

While still on the ship deck, the destruction elemental raged.

It appeared that its head had gotten stuck in the ship.


It was a chance. The ship couldn't take another charge.

Kamito took a stance with his Demon Slayer and charged it with divine power.

"Claire, I'm finishing it here!"

"Got it!"

The destruction elemental writhed violently.

As it flapped its fin-like wings and attempted to ascend—

"I won't let you!"

Moments before it succeeded, Claire wrapped the Flame Tongue around it.

The Flame Tongue didn't manage to pierce the outer shell.

But the flame whip had knocked the elemental off-balance and made it crash back onto the deck.

There—

"Ohhhhhhhhh!"

Kamito ran towards it with a large sword.

A shining blade line.

Kicking off the ground, the sword strike cut into the soft underbelly of the elemental.

However—


"What!?"

Even with its underbelly pierced, the destruction elemental had not been defeated.

The elemental opened its jaw to reveal many fangs in front of Kamito—

In that moment. He heard a voice from behind.

"O black-fanged dragon elemental, thou, abiding my command, eliminate my enemies—"

"......!?"

"—Destroy, {{Furigana|Dragon Elemental|Nidhogg|margin=12}}!"

With that dignified voice—

The rough, mad blaze swallowed the enraged giant destruction elemental.

This time the elemental was burned to charcoal and fell from the ship.

On the deck, there was a line of intense black flame.

"......Claire?"

A black dragon with spread wings stood there.

It was small for a dragon but still stood twice Kamito's height.

"Your finish is weak, Kazehaya Kamito."

Leonora Lancaster stood there beside the black dragon.


He wondered when she had regained consciousness.

"......That is the Knights of the Dragon Emperor's strongest dragon <Nidhogg>."

Claire whispered while looking.

(......I see, it really isn't your everyday elemental.)

Kamito was astonished.

(Looks like this time's Blade Dance will have people of this level......)

"......You're a life saver, thanks."

Kamito expressed his thanks and Leonora shook her head.

"That military elemental was from Dracunia to begin with so it's only natural that we be the ones to finish it."

"......Even though you were passed out the whole time."

"Th, that's because a man to, touched my chest......!"

The glaring Claire and panicking Leonora.

The ship shook slightly and lifted.

It seems that the back-up elemental engine had been started.

"At least now we can be relieved."

"But how did a military elemental that was supposed to be sealed attack us—"


That elemental was not mad.

It had attacked the ship intentionally.

"It was probably someone who wanted to eliminate the Blade Dance competitors. It's impossible to track who used a military elemental."

Leonora analyzed the situation calmly.

"It seems these kinds of attacks are commonplace. It seems that even if we're not there yet, we should treat it as if the Blade Dance has already begun."

While leaning over the side of the ship, Claire pointed at the shadow of the ship.

"Look over there."

"Yeah?"

Kamito took a peek and saw a battleship within the clouds retreating.

"I don't know whose ship it is, but there's no way it's not connected to that attack. To use a military elemental of that class, there must be several elementalists onboard that ship."

"Are we not going to chase them?"

"Without a flying wind elemental, it's impossible to catch up to a battleship going at full speed. And they probably have more military elementals. It's too dangerous."

"......Sealed military elementals, huh."


Something was tugging at the edge of Kamito's mind.

He remembered the battle with Jio Inzagi and his mission at the mine.

(Restia was trying to unseal {{Furigana|the stretegic-class military elemental|Jormungandr|margin=12}}.)

As expected, he might just be thinking too much into it—

"This might be connected to that darkness elemental girl from the other military elemental case......"

But it seemed that Claire had the same idea.

She peered at Kamito with a meek face.

"......"

Kamito stayed silent.

"Kamito, are you unhurt!?"

"All of a sudden, the ship shook......what happened out here!?"

"Kamito-kun, are you okay?"

Ellis, Rinslet and Fianna all came up to the deck.

"Kazehaya Kamito, I will retire for today but—"

And Leonora reverted her black dragon to its sword form and turned on her heal.

"Deceiving princess shrine maidens and forming a heavenly harem — that <wish> is something this blade will never allow."


"Wait, I'm not wishing for that kind of thing!"

"Y-You, are you participating in the Blade Dance for that kind of wish?"

Gogogogogogogogo......!

"Claire, don't believe it!"

"A heavenly harem......was it?"

"Kamito-san, what does that mean!"

"Umm, what number am I?"

"You guys......"

......After that, Kamito was questioned by the ojou-samas for about an hour.

===Part 3===
"Nii-sama, why have you become that weak?"

On the deck of the small battleship—

The girl with ash grey hair tilted her head in a strange manner.

Underfoot were the shattered remains of a ring.


It was the ring of the sealed destruction elemental.

"Muir, you should have been told not to use the <Jester's Vise>."

From the ship's hatch appeared another girl.

A girl with brown skin that looked to be around 15 years old.

Beautiful jade hair. Pure red pupils and pointed ears.

She was a sub-human Elfim with all the traits of one.

"It's not Muir's fault. It's the fault of those military guys for having a weak elemental."

"The mission this time is just to test his power. Just because you wanted to, a precious elemental was lost."

"If it couldn't stand Muir's <Jester's Vise>, it wasn't fit to be used."

"Military elementals aren't your toys. They're not something you just throw away."

"Hmph, and that's why Lily is weak."

Muir pouted her cheeks in discontent.

The Elfim race girl — Lily Flame breathed a heavy sigh.

"Well, fine, so how was his power? We lost a precious military elemental. You better at least have that or you'll have no excuse for Cardinal."

"Nii-sama has become weak."


Muir put her index finger to her lips and shook her head in disappointment.

"......Weak? Even though he defeated a mid-class military elemental?"

"The past nii-sama would have done it alone. But this time, the group with nii-sama pulled him down."

"His teammates from Areishia Academy, huh. I really can't believe it......that he's hanging out with that half-baked group."

"Like this, nii-sama will just become weaker."

"......That's true. Eventually a hindrance to Cardinal's plan may appear."

Lily muttered this—

"It's fine. Muir will just kill everyone."

Muir smiled innocently and turned towards her.

"Muir, don't do willful things. We are the Cardinal's tools?"

"Shut up, Lily."

"......!?"

An instant. A shudder ran through Lily Flame's body.

The number two of the <Instructional School> — <Monster> Muir Alenstarl.

She must never be upset.


She had accompanied her for a long time so she knew that well.

"Muir doesn't care about anything other than nii-sama. I'll kill you too if you get in my way, Lily."

"Muir......"

A few breathless seconds.

And then—

"Aha, I'm joking. Lily, what kind of face are you making?"

Muir made a pure smile and turned towards her.

"Lily is my precious friend so I won't just kill you that easily."

"......"

Muir looked towards the far end of the ship and sighed.

"Wait for me, nii-sama. I'll erase the meddlesome onee-chans for you."

<noinclude>{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume4 Chapter2|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume4 Chapter4}}</noinclude>

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume4 Chapter3

2013-02-19T02:44:04Z

Blood: /* Part 1 */

==Chapter 3: Dracunia's Dragon Princess==
===Part 1===

Upon ascending to the ship's deck, they could see clouds drifting at terrifying speeds.

Actually, the ship was at speeds that a person's body would be blown away in a flash by the blowing winds but not even the sound of the wind could be heard thanks to an elemental magic barrier enclosing the ship.

Looking down from the side of the airship, an eerie forest stretched out into the distance.

Kamito was looking down at the forest and—

"Areishia Elemental Academy representative, Kazehaya Kamito, I presume?"

A voice came from behind him.

"......?"

Turning around, a beautiful noble-looking girl with shoulder-length hair was there.

A beret adorned her head. A black surcoat with not a single wrinkle.

She was probably about the same age as Kamito. She was glaring at Kamito with strong-willed-looking pupils.

"Who are you? Why do you know my name?"

"You're famous. The only male elementalist on the continent."

She told him while maintaining a rigid expression.


Contrary to her magnificent appearance, her aura was thorny.

"Also, someone who plays around with women and then throws them away."

"Wait, what am I famous for!?"

Kamito yelled that out immediately.

"It's useless to attempt to deceive me. Dracunia's prized intelligence gathering agency is the finest in the continent, after all."

"Yeah, your prized espionage agents are definitely incompetent—wait, Dracunia?"

Kamito asked with knitted brows.

The Dracunia Dragon Duchy.

Located to the west of the Empire, it was a country that employed the strongest magic beasts, dragons, in their military.

"Dracunia's representative, huh?"

"Yes, Leader of the Knights of the Dragon Emperor — Leonora Lancaster."

The bishoujo in military uniform kept her eyes on him as she named herself.

"......Leonora."

Kamito said with a sigh.

He had heard that name from Claire.

(If I remember, <Dragon Princess> was the title given to Dracunia's representing ace......)

By popular opinion, she was the one known as an equal to Velsaria.

[[Image:STnBD V04 065.jpg|thumb]]


"What business does the ace of Dracunia have with me?"

Kamito put up his guard and readied himself.

The Blade Dance was not just a festival.

The <Divine Ritual Institute> would never admit it, but it was also a representative war of knights between nations.

The country whose elementalist or elementalist team won would be granted the Elemental Lord's protection for several years and this blessing would lead to the nation prospering.

The reason many countries trained elementalists was for this reason.

And there were also many countries that had no choice but to use certain methods to grasp victory as a consequence.

"Trying to kill me off before the Blade Dance begins?"

"What a stupid idea."

But Leonora gently shook her head.

"As one not from the home country of the <Silent Fortress>, you are not the Knights of the Dragon Emperor's enemy. We will defeat you fair and square in the Blade Dance."

"Then, why?"

In front of the suspicious Kamito, she squirmed lightly with a red face.

"I, well, I, um, that is, your......I came to cut off that."

While averting her eyes from Kamito, she smoothly drew out a large sword.


"Wh-why are you taking out your sword!?"

Kamito backed away.

If her words were true, she hadn't come to assassinate him.

Then, why exactly—

"Or rather, cut what from me?"

"That's, y-your......kuu, you mean to make me say it!"

"Hah?"

"Thi-This pervert!"

Large tears formed from Leonora's eyes—

The large sword carved into the ship deck with a large sound.

Just now, the ship's floor exploded into shards.

"......Wha!?"

Kamito had dodged by a paper-thin margin.

"Aren't you full of the intent to kill me!"

"I won't kill you if you don't resist. Please hold still."

"I'm asking you what you mean—"

And then Kamito realized.


Leonora's gaze was fixed firmly upon Kamito's lower body.

As he noticed her cheeks colored red, she averted her eyes.

"Wait, don't tell me......"

Kamito broke out into a cold sweat.

"Yes, I will have you let me cut off your '''that'''. Kazehaya Kamito."

Leonora drew the sword back out from the smashed floor and took a stance.

It would trouble me greatly if you were to use the commotion of the Blade Dance to lay a hand on my subordinates after all."

"Like I would!"

"You can't lie to me, you perverted brute of a maou!"

She glared at him with cold eyes.

"Perverted brute of a maou, you say......"

......It was too horrible.

He didn't think such shameful rumors would reach even outside of the country.

"W-With that devilish power and sweet words, you trick innocent maidens and do this kind of thing and that kind of thing to them, right!"

"What are this kind of thing and that kind of thing......"

"Th-That is......!"


At Kamito's question, her face burned red.

It seemed that the Dragon Princess was just as pure as the ojou-samas from the academy.

"You know, it's the opposite. You have a huge misunderstanding."

Kamito said this with a sigh.

"......The opposite?"

"Yeah, because I'm always being treated as a slave elemental by Claire."

"Wha? To make a teammate into a toy slave elemental!"

"Listen to what other people are saying for a bit!"

......Or rather, how come this young lady was using such terminology!?

"Do-Don't come any closer, you pervert!"

"Uoo!"

Leonora's blade sliced the air as she swung down.

Kamito drew Terminus Est and stopped that blow.

The high-pitched wail of metal colliding rang out across the deck.

(......This is just like a repetition of my first meeting with Ellis!)

While stopping the large blade, Kamito groaned internally.

"I see, you are truly strong......"


Leonora let out a voice of admiration.

"So this is the <Demon Slayer> that defeated a giant military elemental."

"It seems that your information is correct."

"It makes me want to test which is stronger, that or my <Dragon Slayer>!"

"......!?"

Leonora's sword gave off intense light with her words.

(This is......!)

It wasn't a regular Elemental Waffe. It gave off an impression equal to that of Velsaria's Dreadnought.

(—This person's insanely strong!)

As expected, the title of Dracunia's ace wasn't just for show.

"N-Now, please calmly remove your pants, i-it won't hurt a bit."

"Who's gonna do that! Of course it's gonna hurt!"

Kamito pushed back against the large sword.

Such power was being used against him that he couldn't believe it was coming from that girl's frail-looking delicate arms.

It was most likely an elemental magic for strengthening the body's traits. In a straight power competition, Kamito was at a disadvantage.

"Kamito!"


The sound of the air being cut.

Leonora's sword was gripped by the thing that had drawn a bright crimson arc in the air.

"You, what are you doing to my slave elemental!"

It was Claire who rose onto the deck with whip in hand.

With one hand on her hip, she pointed towards Leonora.

"Claire, thanks for the help—"

In the opening Leonora left by diverting her attention, Kamito jumped away.

"You are—"

Leonora who had repelled the Flame Tongue glared at Claire.

"Kazehaya Kamito's toy slave elemental."

"Wha!?"

Claire's face instantly reddened.

And with slow movements, she turned towards Kamito......

"Y-Y-You, don't tell me that's how you see me......!"

"Wait, you know that's wrong, right? I'm the slave elemental, right?"

......Wait, that's strange. It seems like she became even angrier.

The two ladies glaring at Kamito made him want to run away—


And at that moment.

Doooooooon!

With an ear-splitting noise, the ship rocked violently.

===Part 2===
"Kyaaa!"

The floor tilted and Claire lost her balance, falling over.

"—What!?"

Kamito leaned off the side of the ship.

He looked into the flowing clouds below and—

"That is!?"

A giant shadow was present in the clouds.

Like splitting waves, it split the clouds to reveal a gigantic black monster!

"......!?"

It's total length was about 10 metres. Its appearance greatly resembled a stingray swimming in the ocean.

The difference with stingrays was that it had enormous red eyes on its head.


And that it was flying in the sky instead of the ocean.

"A magic beast!?"

"No, that is......don't tell me, it's from the second aerial unit, {{Furigana|Destruction Elemental|Death Gaze|margin=12}}—"

Leonora Lancaster knit her brows and muttered that while looking with suspicion.

"What?"

"Dracunia's main military elemental. It should have been sealed with the end of the Ranbal War, so why is it here?"

"Military elemental......"

A elemental which was comparable to a cooperative force of several elementalists.

He didn't know why such a thing would attack the airship but—

The fact that the ship was currently under attack was undeniable.

The military destruction elemental — <Death Gaze> roared as it glided.

Even if the ship had a wind barrier, it was not a fighting vessel.

If it were to receive an attack from a giant like that, it would be helpless.

The ship alarm rang out across the deck.


The ship made a quick turn and tried to avoid the elemental.

As expected of a cutting-edge technology ship, it had impressive mobility.

But it was useless in the face of the elemental.

"—It's coming, brace for impact!"

A loud noise.

A fearsome impact rocked the ship and Kamito's body lifted up.

The destruction elemental had rammed into the side of the ship.

"Fuaa!" "Kyan!"

"You two, grab onto me!"

Kamito quickly covered the two girls that had fallen to the ground. His heart thumped at the softness of their bodies once, but now wasn't the time to think about that.

"Claire, are you okay?"

"Fuaaa, y-you, where are you touching!"

Claire's face was bright red.

"......? Where, you say?"

Kamito looked at the spot he had grabbed both of them.

His hands were caught on to both of their chests.


"......S, sorry!"

Kamito quickly withdrew his hand but,

"Th-th-th-this perverted slave elemental! Cinders, cinders!"

"Hey, stop, this isn't the time for—"

Hit, hit, hit, hit.

Claire hit Kamito with tears in her eyes.

On the other hand, Leonora—

"A-aa-a-a boy, touched my br-brbr-breasts......!"

Poof. Steam rose from her face and she fainted.

"......H-Hey!"

He shook the fallen girl but it didn't seem like she would wake up.

"It looks like she's in shock from you touching her breasts."

"I-It wasn't on purpose!"

"Hmmm, I wonder about that?"

She glared at Kamito like she was unsatisfied.

......In any case, he couldn't leave her here.

And just then. The ship rocked greatly a second time.


The elemental that had rammed into the ship was also attacking with its tail.

"Kamito, the ship will sink at this rate."

"Yeah......"

At the serious face of Claire, Kamito nodded.

Chaos could be heard below the deck.

Even if they were trained elementalists, they were still regular girls. It was a natural result that a sudden attack would cause panic inside the ship.

The long-range attacker, Rinslet, would also have a hard time reaching the deck quickly in this chaos.

"Looks like we'll have to do this alone."

"Looks that way."

With the last attack, it seemed like the engine had stopped. The ship stalled like it had a nail jammed into it and began falling.

"We have about two or three minutes before we hit the ground......"

Until the staff got the back-up elemental engine working, they had to protect the defenseless ship.

Kamito stood up unsteadily and planted each foot on the gunwale of the deck.

"Est, lend me your power!"


He drew Terminus Est from his waist and poured in divine power.

Responding to Kamito's summons, the sword gave off light.

"Kamito, it's reckless to fight with a sword. I'll do it."

"No, I will. Flame Tongue won't work on it."

"That is?"

Claire chewed her lip. Claire's battle style of wearing down her prey was not made for short-term battles. She knew that best herself.

"But what do I do then. I can't use magic to fly like Ellis."

"As long as I cling to it and don't fall off, isn't that fine?"

"Hah?"

At Kamito's carefree words, Claire was stunned.

"A-Aren't you just stupid!"

"Either way, at this rate the ship will sink. There is worth in trying."

"B-But......"

Claire held fast to Kamito's uniform's sleeve.

"What, are you worried about me?"


"Th-That's wrong, I'm not worried......"

Claire averted her eyes.

Although arrogant most of the time, she was truly gentle underneath that.

"It's fine. I'll clean it up quickly."

Kamito gave a light knock to Claire's head and—

The flash of a silver white blade disappeared off the side of the ship.

"......Jeez, I don't care anymore, idiot!"

With the wind barrier damaged, the groaning sound of wind could be heard.

On the back of the destruction elemental whose head was lodged in the side of the ship—

"Ohhhhhhhhh!"

Kamito impaled it mercilessly.

Piercing through the outer shell, it dug into the underlying flesh.

The destruction elemental gave off a fearsome cry and began to rotate.

On the verge of slipping off, Kamito placed his foot on the outer shell and he gripped his sword with all his might.

In order to smack the bug on its back, the destruction elemental folded its body and tried to hit it with its tail, rocking the boat in the process.


From the giant's crashing, the ship's armor fell off and fell into the forest.

(The ship won't last at this rate......)

Gritting his teeth, he withstood the force of the bone crushing attack.

(First I have to take care of that tail!)

Kamito drew out Terminus Est with all his strength. Pulled by gravity, he began to fall. However, just before he did, he jumped as hard as possible.

He ran up the elemental's body rhythmically.

This was just a giant body. If he just observed the muscles for contractions and planned his next step, before he began to fall, he could safely reach another foothold. Though it was a technique which required uncommon ability and battle prowess.

"Sorry. I bear no hatred against you."

Jumping using just the giant's body—

The demon slayer held in both his hands cleaved through the elemental's tail.

The tail convulsed as it fell into the forest below.

However, Kamito's body also became airborne at the same time.

Gravity took over and began to pull him — just before that.

Something wrapped around his ankle and pulled him back up.


He was thrown around in the air — the next moment, he slapped onto the ship's deck.

"......Ouch......"

Kamito was assaulted by pain.

"......Rather, it burns, so would you control your temperature output!?"

The ankle that had the Flame Tongue around it was a little charred.

"It's punishment for being reckless. If I had messed up, you'd be a pancake right about now."

"I trusted that you wouldn't mess up, master."

"......You're really an idiot, you know that......"

Mumbled the red-faced Claire unintelligibly.

"—And, here it comes!"

With its tail cut off, the enraged destruction elemental charged towards the ship.

A charge towards the deck with its mouth open, showing off its countless fangs?!

A dreadful shock rattled the ship. Pieces of the deck flew off and scattered.

Kamito took a stance and protected Claire from the shards.

"—As expected of a military destruction elemental, such insane power."

While still on the ship deck, the destruction elemental raged.

It appeared that its head had gotten stuck in the ship.


It was a chance. The ship couldn't take another charge.

Kamito took a stance with his Demon Slayer and charged it with divine power.

"Claire, I'm finishing it here!"

"Got it!"

The destruction elemental writhed violently.

As it flapped its fin-like wings and attempted to ascend—

"I won't let you!"

Moments before it succeeded, Claire wrapped the Flame Tongue around it.

The Flame Tongue didn't manage to pierce the outer shell.

But the flame whip had knocked the elemental off-balance and made it crash back onto the deck.

There—

"Ohhhhhhhhh!"

Kamito ran towards it with a large sword.

A shining blade line.

Kicking off the ground, the sword strike cut into the soft underbelly of the elemental.

However—


"What!?"

Even with its underbelly pierced, the destruction elemental had not been defeated.

The elemental opened its jaw to reveal many fangs in front of Kamito—

In that moment. He heard a voice from behind.

"O black-fanged dragon elemental, thou, abiding my command, eliminate my enemies—"

"......!?"

"—Destroy, {{Furigana|Dragon Elemental|Nidhogg|margin=12}}!"

With that dignified voice—

The rough, mad blaze swallowed the enraged giant destruction elemental.

This time the elemental was burned to charcoal and fell from the ship.

On the deck, there was a line of intense black flame.

"......Claire?"

A black dragon with spread wings stood there.

It was small for a dragon but still stood twice Kamito's height.

"Your finish is weak, Kazehaya Kamito."

Leonora Lancaster stood there beside the black dragon.


He wondered when she had regained consciousness.

"......That is the Knights of the Dragon Emperor's strongest dragon <Nidhogg>."

Claire whispered while looking.

(......I see, it really isn't your everyday elemental.)

Kamito was astonished.

(Looks like this time's Blade Dance will have people of this level......)

"......You're a life saver, thanks."

Kamito expressed his thanks and Leonora shook her head.

"That military elemental was from Dracunia to begin with so it's only natural that we be the ones to finish it."

"......Even though you were passed out the whole time."

"Th, that's because a man to, touched my chest......!"

The glaring Claire and panicking Leonora.

The ship shook slightly and lifted.

It seems that the back-up elemental engine had been started.

"At least now we can be relieved."

"But how did a military elemental that was supposed to be sealed attack us—"


That elemental was not mad.

It had attacked the ship intentionally.

"It was probably someone who wanted to eliminate the Blade Dance competitors. It's impossible to track who used a military elemental."

Leonora analyzed the situation calmly.

"It seems these kinds of attacks are commonplace. It seems that even if we're not there yet, we should treat it as if the Blade Dance has already begun."

While leaning over the side of the ship, Claire pointed at the shadow of the ship.

"Look over there."

"Yeah?"

Kamito took a peek and saw a battleship within the clouds retreating.

"I don't know whose ship it is, but there's no way it's not connected to that attack. To use a military elemental of that class, there must be several elementalists onboard that ship."

"Are we not going to chase them?"

"Without a flying wind elemental, it's impossible to catch up to a battleship going at full speed. And they probably have more military elementals. It's too dangerous."

"......Sealed military elementals, huh."


Something was tugging at the edge of Kamito's mind.

He remembered the battle with Jio Inzagi and his mission at the mine.

(Restia was trying to unseal {{Furigana|the stretegic-class military elemental|Jormungandr|margin=12}}.)

As expected, he might just be thinking too much into it—

"This might be connected to that darkness elemental girl from the other military elemental case......"

But it seemed that Claire had the same idea.

She peered at Kamito with a meek face.

"......"

Kamito stayed silent.

"Kamito, are you unhurt!?"

"All of a sudden, the ship shook......what happened out here!?"

"Kamito-kun, are you okay?"

Ellis, Rinslet and Fianna all came up to the deck.

"Kazehaya Kamito, I will retire for today but—"

And Leonora reverted her black dragon to its sword form and turned on her heal.

"Deceiving princess shrine maidens and forming a heavenly harem — that <wish> is something this blade will never allow."


"Wait, I'm not wishing for that kind of thing!"

"Y-You, are you participating in the Blade Dance for that kind of wish?"

Gogogogogogogogo......!

"Claire, don't believe it!"

"A heavenly harem......was it?"

"Kamito-san, what does that mean!"

"Umm, what number am I?"

"You guys......"

......After that, Kamito was questioned by the ojou-samas for about an hour.

===Part 3===
"Nii-sama, why have you become that weak?"

On the deck of the small battleship—

The girl with ash grey hair tilted her head in a strange manner.

Underfoot were the shattered remains of a ring.


It was the ring of the sealed destruction elemental.

"Muir, you should have been told not to use the <Jester's Vise>."

From the ship's hatch appeared another girl.

A girl with brown skin that looked to be around 15 years old.

Beautiful jade hair. Pure red pupils and pointed ears.

She was a sub-human Elfim with all the traits of one.

"It's not Muir's fault. It's the fault of those military guys for having a weak elemental."

"The mission this time is just to test his power. Just because you wanted to, a precious elemental was lost."

"If it couldn't stand Muir's <Jester's Vise>, it wasn't fit to be used."

"Military elementals aren't your toys. They're not something you just throw away."

"Hmph, and that's why Lily is weak."

Muir pouted her cheeks in discontent.

The Elfim race girl — Lily Flame breathed a heavy sigh.

"Well, fine, so how was his power? We lost a precious military elemental. You better at least have that or you'll have no excuse for Cardinal."

"Nii-sama has become weak."


Muir put her index finger to her lips and shook her head in disappointment.

"......Weak? Even though he defeated a mid-class military elemental?"

"The past nii-sama would have done it alone. But this time, the group with nii-sama pulled him down."

"His teammates from Areishia Academy, huh. I really can't believe it......that he's hanging out with that half-baked group."

"Like this, nii-sama will just become weaker."

"......That's true. Eventually a hindrance to Cardinal's plan may appear."

Lily muttered this—

"It's fine. Muir will just kill everyone."

Muir smiled innocently and turned towards her.

"Muir, don't do willful things. We are the Cardinal's tools?"

"Shut up, Lily."

"......!?"

An instant. A shudder ran through Lily Flame's body.

The number two of the <Instructional School> — <Monster> Muir Alenstarl.

She must never be upset.


She had accompanied her for a long time so she knew that well.

"Muir doesn't care about anything other than nii-sama. I'll kill you too if you get in my way, Lily."

"Muir......"

A few breathless seconds.

And then—

"Aha, I'm joking. Lily, what kind of face are you making?"

Muir made a pure smile and turned towards her.

"Lily is my precious friend so I won't just kill you that easily."

"......"

Muir looked towards the far end of the ship and sighed.

"Wait for me, nii-sama. I'll erase the meddlesome onee-chans for you."

<noinclude>{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume4 Chapter2|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume4 Chapter4}}</noinclude>

Talk:Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume4 Chapter2

2013-02-19T02:30:00Z

Blood: /* Tranlation help */

== Tranlation help ==

「いま紅茶を淹れますから、テイ丨夕イムにしませんこと？」- couldn't translate...can somebody help? --Chancs

"Honestly, the ball was nothing but trivial." I think 'trouble' sounds better here? Don't think the ball would have been just trivial to Kamito in the past, but a major hassle, with him still hiding his true gender and all. --[[User:Drowzycow|Drowzycow]] ([[User talk:Drowzycow|talk]]) 09:50, 15 October 2012 (CDT)

"i'll pour the black tea now, so want to make it tea time now?"--[[User:RikiNutcase|RikiNutcase]] ([[User talk:RikiNutcase|talk]]) 09:53, 15 October 2012 (CDT)

"Because I'm brewing some red tea now, would you care for some?" Or something like that. Koto after a verb should be a suggestion type sentence. [[User:Florza|Florza]] ([[User talk:Florza|talk]]) 09:55, 15 October 2012 (CDT)

then テイタイムにしません＝why dont we make it tea time??? and this is most probably rinslet talking so the ojou-sama tone is in it i think --[[User:RikiNutcase|RikiNutcase]] ([[User talk:RikiNutcase|talk]]) 09:57, 15 October 2012 (CDT)

That makes no sense in English speech. [[User:Florza|Florza]] ([[User talk:Florza|talk]]) 10:08, 15 October 2012 (CDT)

.....now im confused. "いま紅茶を淹れますから、テイ丨夕イムにしませんこと？" i thought that the second part of the sentence meant tea time?--[[User:RikiNutcase|RikiNutcase]] ([[User talk:RikiNutcase|talk]]) 10:11, 15 October 2012 (CDT)

Wait, that was my mistake, misread the tense, my bad. Revised - "I'll brew some red tea, so shall we have tea?" <- Probably closer. In English 'teatime' refers to the time itself, so 'make it teatime' doesn't really make sense, you can't change time. But it works that way in JP... [[User:Florza|Florza]] ([[User talk:Florza|talk]]) 10:19, 15 October 2012 (CDT)

i see..... well that's some load of my shoulders lol--[[User:RikiNutcase|RikiNutcase]] ([[User talk:RikiNutcase|talk]]) 10:22, 15 October 2012 (CDT)

"I'll brew some black tea, so, shall we have some?" avoiding repetitive usage of "tea". Thanks for the help. --[[User:Chancs|Chancs]] ([[User talk:Chancs|talk]]) 13:47, 15 October 2012 (CDT)

'''「さすが王女殿下、紅茶の楽しみかたをよくわかっていますわね」''' I translated this as ''"As one would expect My Lady, drinking your tea has filled me with immense pleasure."'', but am not sure. Any suggestions? --[[User:Chancs|Chancs]] ([[User talk:Chancs|talk]]) 04:30, 18 October 2012 (CDT)

"As expected of your Royal Highness, you truly understand the way to enjoy black tea." Something like that. [[User:Florza|Florza]] ([[User talk:Florza|talk]]) 04:59, 18 October 2012 (CDT)

But assuming Carol to be the one speaking, doesn't she always address Rinslet as "My Lady" ? And also none in the group calls her that way. I got confused for the first part because of this. But your second part is much more convincing. Thanks --[[User:Chancs|Chancs]] ([[User talk:Chancs|talk]]) 05:34, 18 October 2012 (CDT)

Yes, Carol does refer to Rinslet as ojou-sama/Milady. This is actually Rinslet speaking to Fianna, from the forms used. And it's gotta be convincing, cause that's what she said, after all. [[User:Florza|Florza]] ([[User talk:Florza|talk]]) 05:42, 18 October 2012 (CDT)

Oh right...I forgot about Fianna. Will keep that in mind. I will change it as suggested above. Thanks for the help :) --[[User:Chancs|Chancs]] ([[User talk:Chancs|talk]]) 05:46, 18 October 2012 (CDT)

"You! How do you know about my taste?"
"Eh, nothing; I merely remember it by chance."
Rinslet blushed and shouted angrily.<----- I don't think Rinslet 'shouted' though... considering what she said above or perhaps was it Claire who blushed and shouted? ----[[User:Blood|Blood]] ([[User talk:Blood|talk]]) 20:27, 18 February 2013 (CST)

== Random ==

You guys are right, i remember that this was 25% done aprox in around september and now its the same... this chapters is incomplete, at least the admins said in the users page that the translator has until end of febreuary to upload something or he is off the proyect since its been almost 5 months since he did anything..... 12 Feb 2013

This chapter is complete. --[[User:Chancs|Chancs]] ([[User talk:Chancs|talk]]) 22:21, 11 February 2013 (CST)

Besides the random accusation that this is incomplete, I've to address that I(who's not an admin) said that they have till then(23th Feb) to respond to me, I don't require them to upload anything(yet). The lack of respond would mean that they are under certain circumstances that would not allow them to finish up the work, so I'll free the chapters to allow others to work on it. Note that it's quite unlikely that I'll be working on the chapters in V4. Ch8 was sort of a bonus =/ --[[User:KuroiHikari|KuroiHikari]] ([[User_talk:KuroiHikari|Talk]] | ) 03:10, 12 February 2013 (CST)

== General ==

'''Before all that.''' Is this chapter complete with just this much. I seriously doubt that. Someone check please. [[User:Zero2001|Zero2001]] - [[User_talk:Zero2001|Talk]] - 20:10, 17 October 2012 (CDT)

This chapter isn't complete. I am doing page wise translation and posting them here. --[[User:Chancs|Chancs]] ([[User talk:Chancs|talk]]) 23:32, 17 October 2012 (CDT)

Can you also give a rough percentage or the fraction of pages translated? (See: [[Template:Incomplete]] for parameter details). It would be helpful and reassuring for us readers and editors. [[User:Zero2001|Zero2001]] - [[User_talk:Zero2001|Talk]] - 07:09, 18 October 2012 (CDT)

That will be too embarrassing. Everyone will know about my slow speed. :P <br />
Anyways you are right. Let me put it there. --[[User:Chancs|Chancs]] ([[User talk:Chancs|talk]]) 07:20, 18 October 2012 (CDT)

O-hazukashii desu ka? Omae jishin no sei janai desu ka? XD [[User:Zero2001|Zero2001]] - [[User_talk:Zero2001|Talk]] - 07:27, 18 October 2012 (CDT)

Talk:Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume4 Chapter2

2013-02-19T02:27:48Z

Blood:

== Tranlation help ==

「いま紅茶を淹れますから、テイ丨夕イムにしませんこと？」- couldn't translate...can somebody help? --Chancs

"Honestly, the ball was nothing but trivial." I think 'trouble' sounds better here? Don't think the ball would have been just trivial to Kamito in the past, but a major hassle, with him still hiding his true gender and all. --[[User:Drowzycow|Drowzycow]] ([[User talk:Drowzycow|talk]]) 09:50, 15 October 2012 (CDT)

"i'll pour the black tea now, so want to make it tea time now?"--[[User:RikiNutcase|RikiNutcase]] ([[User talk:RikiNutcase|talk]]) 09:53, 15 October 2012 (CDT)

"Because I'm brewing some red tea now, would you care for some?" Or something like that. Koto after a verb should be a suggestion type sentence. [[User:Florza|Florza]] ([[User talk:Florza|talk]]) 09:55, 15 October 2012 (CDT)

then テイタイムにしません＝why dont we make it tea time??? and this is most probably rinslet talking so the ojou-sama tone is in it i think --[[User:RikiNutcase|RikiNutcase]] ([[User talk:RikiNutcase|talk]]) 09:57, 15 October 2012 (CDT)

That makes no sense in English speech. [[User:Florza|Florza]] ([[User talk:Florza|talk]]) 10:08, 15 October 2012 (CDT)

.....now im confused. "いま紅茶を淹れますから、テイ丨夕イムにしませんこと？" i thought that the second part of the sentence meant tea time?--[[User:RikiNutcase|RikiNutcase]] ([[User talk:RikiNutcase|talk]]) 10:11, 15 October 2012 (CDT)

Wait, that was my mistake, misread the tense, my bad. Revised - "I'll brew some red tea, so shall we have tea?" <- Probably closer. In English 'teatime' refers to the time itself, so 'make it teatime' doesn't really make sense, you can't change time. But it works that way in JP... [[User:Florza|Florza]] ([[User talk:Florza|talk]]) 10:19, 15 October 2012 (CDT)

i see..... well that's some load of my shoulders lol--[[User:RikiNutcase|RikiNutcase]] ([[User talk:RikiNutcase|talk]]) 10:22, 15 October 2012 (CDT)

"I'll brew some black tea, so, shall we have some?" avoiding repetitive usage of "tea". Thanks for the help. --[[User:Chancs|Chancs]] ([[User talk:Chancs|talk]]) 13:47, 15 October 2012 (CDT)

'''「さすが王女殿下、紅茶の楽しみかたをよくわかっていますわね」''' I translated this as ''"As one would expect My Lady, drinking your tea has filled me with immense pleasure."'', but am not sure. Any suggestions? --[[User:Chancs|Chancs]] ([[User talk:Chancs|talk]]) 04:30, 18 October 2012 (CDT)

"As expected of your Royal Highness, you truly understand the way to enjoy black tea." Something like that. [[User:Florza|Florza]] ([[User talk:Florza|talk]]) 04:59, 18 October 2012 (CDT)

But assuming Carol to be the one speaking, doesn't she always address Rinslet as "My Lady" ? And also none in the group calls her that way. I got confused for the first part because of this. But your second part is much more convincing. Thanks --[[User:Chancs|Chancs]] ([[User talk:Chancs|talk]]) 05:34, 18 October 2012 (CDT)

Yes, Carol does refer to Rinslet as ojou-sama/Milady. This is actually Rinslet speaking to Fianna, from the forms used. And it's gotta be convincing, cause that's what she said, after all. [[User:Florza|Florza]] ([[User talk:Florza|talk]]) 05:42, 18 October 2012 (CDT)

Oh right...I forgot about Fianna. Will keep that in mind. I will change it as suggested above. Thanks for the help :) --[[User:Chancs|Chancs]] ([[User talk:Chancs|talk]]) 05:46, 18 October 2012 (CDT)

"You! How do you know about my taste?"
"Eh, nothing; I merely remember it by chance."
Rinslet blushed and shouted angrily.<----- I don't think Rinslet 'shouted' though... considering what she said above. ----[[User:Blood|Blood]] ([[User talk:Blood|talk]]) 20:27, 18 February 2013 (CST)

== Random ==

You guys are right, i remember that this was 25% done aprox in around september and now its the same... this chapters is incomplete, at least the admins said in the users page that the translator has until end of febreuary to upload something or he is off the proyect since its been almost 5 months since he did anything..... 12 Feb 2013

This chapter is complete. --[[User:Chancs|Chancs]] ([[User talk:Chancs|talk]]) 22:21, 11 February 2013 (CST)

Besides the random accusation that this is incomplete, I've to address that I(who's not an admin) said that they have till then(23th Feb) to respond to me, I don't require them to upload anything(yet). The lack of respond would mean that they are under certain circumstances that would not allow them to finish up the work, so I'll free the chapters to allow others to work on it. Note that it's quite unlikely that I'll be working on the chapters in V4. Ch8 was sort of a bonus =/ --[[User:KuroiHikari|KuroiHikari]] ([[User_talk:KuroiHikari|Talk]] | ) 03:10, 12 February 2013 (CST)

== General ==

'''Before all that.''' Is this chapter complete with just this much. I seriously doubt that. Someone check please. [[User:Zero2001|Zero2001]] - [[User_talk:Zero2001|Talk]] - 20:10, 17 October 2012 (CDT)

This chapter isn't complete. I am doing page wise translation and posting them here. --[[User:Chancs|Chancs]] ([[User talk:Chancs|talk]]) 23:32, 17 October 2012 (CDT)

Can you also give a rough percentage or the fraction of pages translated? (See: [[Template:Incomplete]] for parameter details). It would be helpful and reassuring for us readers and editors. [[User:Zero2001|Zero2001]] - [[User_talk:Zero2001|Talk]] - 07:09, 18 October 2012 (CDT)

That will be too embarrassing. Everyone will know about my slow speed. :P <br />
Anyways you are right. Let me put it there. --[[User:Chancs|Chancs]] ([[User talk:Chancs|talk]]) 07:20, 18 October 2012 (CDT)

O-hazukashii desu ka? Omae jishin no sei janai desu ka? XD [[User:Zero2001|Zero2001]] - [[User_talk:Zero2001|Talk]] - 07:27, 18 October 2012 (CDT)

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume4 Chapter2

2013-02-19T02:07:41Z

Blood: /* Part 1 */

'''Note: Pending TLC, I'm not sure how much you'll be misreading'''
== Chapter 2: Sky Voyage ==
===Part 1===

The flying boat filled with ether continued to glide over the clouds.

The destination was a sanctuary in Astral Zero – Floating Island «Ragna Ys».

It was the venue for the Blade Dance.

Originally, only the princesses maidens from the «Divine Ritual Institute» were permitted to enter the sanctuary to attend the Elemental Lord.

However, this was open to the general public specifically during the Blade Dance only.

"Oh, this flying boat is so amazing!"

Overlooking the sea of clouds that extended through the window, Kamito was feeling dizzy.

Anyway, it was his first time riding a flying boat.

But as expected from the ladies of nobility, they got accustomed to it as soon as they unloaded their luggage.

He was relaxing on the sofa in the private room that they were each allotted.

The carpet was subjected to very beautiful embroidery in red with the walls being of polished marble.

All the built-in furniture on board was of the highest standard.

"Nevertheless, there is not even the smallest tremor."

"This is indeed the latest flying ship. If all goes as planned we will be arriving about noon."


That being said, Claire lay herself down on the sofa. But no matter, her posture was....

One could easily see her pink panties. Kamito hurriedly turned his face.

"Come to think of it, I have heard that tonight will be the opening ceremony at the castle. Have you brought your dress for the Formal Ball?"

"No, I did not bring it. I hate dance parties."

Recalling the Blade Dance three years ago, Kamito groaned bitterly.

Honestly, the ball was nothing but trivial.

"Is that so...."

For some reason, Claire muttered regretfully.

"....? Don't be embarrassed if you need help over your dress, okay?"

"No no, there's nothing required!"

Claire blushed and turned the other way.

"Are you angry......?"

"I-I am not angry...stupid!"

"....Really, both of you, fighting on a ship?"

Rinslet was amazed at this and shrugged her shoulders.

"Rinslet, what are you doing here―?"


Rinslet had beforehand arranged a tea set on the table.

"I'll brew some black tea, so, shall we have some?"

"I have heard that the flavor of tea leaves from the Laurenfrost province is really good."

"Uh huh! It is essential to relax a bit before the Blade Dance."

Fianna and Ellis too, who were gazing the scene outside came forward to join the table.

It kind of seemed to be an elegant young lady's style to enjoy tea during the evening time.

As Rinslet gracefully poured tea into the cups with her hands, the steam rising immediately filled the room with a pleasant citrus aroma.

"Oh thank you! This has got a really nice flavor."

Claire sincerely gave her words of praise.

"This orange tea is a specialty of the Laurenfrost province."

"Heh-heh, the tea brewed by my lady is indeed delicious."

Her maid Carol giggled and smiled.

"Isn't this usually a maid's job to do?"

Kamito enquired―

"Well, then my adorable Carol will have burns all over."

"Ah, I am sorry..."


For some reason, Rinslet was stark angry.

Incidentally, only those people who had invitation were allowed in the sanctuary; however, Carol being the property of Laurenfrost House— was given a special permit as an accomplice to Rinslet.

Although, Rinslet seemed to be still dissatisfied with the treatment, particularly towards Carol.

"How much sugar, Kamito-san?

"Ah, I request for one."

"Claire's two?"

"You! How do you know about my taste?"

"Eh, nothing; I merely remember it by chance."

Rinslet blushed and shouted angrily.

"Well, that's because my lady and Miss Claire have been playing together since the early days—

"Ah, is that so?"

Carol smiled when asked by Kamito.

"Yes, my lady and Miss Claire have become very emotionally attached—"

"Hey, you, when did that happen!?"

"Yes, that's right. I assure that Claire and I are rivals!"


Rinslet suddenly faced the other way.

"I wonder if I can get it."

"As expected of your Royal Highness, you truly understand the way to enjoy black tea."

Rinslet nodded with satisfaction.

And, this time Ellis really coughed—

"I-I would like milk tea with plenty of sugar."

She said this in an embarrassed voice.

"Hai Hai<ref> '''Hai Hai''': Casually saying ‘yes yes’ in Japanese</ref>, Milk tea it is."

"So, if that's the case......"

"Yes?"

"If possible, with cream and honey. Moreover I also wish for dried marshmallow on it."

"Hey! What is that!"

Rinslet's cheek twitched.

"Such a drink in excess, such blasphemy towards tea!"

"I-I always have it that way! In order to endure harsh sword training, it is necessary to take a lot of sugar."

"Hah... because of that, the Military Family of Fahrengart is..."


“Miss Captain is also surprisingly childish. She doesn’t understand the subtle flavor of this tea.”

“Well, you are annoying! I have always preferred such sweetness in taste!"

To the pitying look of Claire’s, Ellis retorted teary-eyed.

While watching them —

Be it this or that, to open one’s heart, these two people……

Kamito smiled wryly in mind.

Because of the long time conflict with Sylphid Knights, Claire and Captain Ellis had been on bad terms. Ellis in team • though merely just two weeks after joining the team, previously they would just quarrel during the entire training.

In order to utilize the battle skills of the similarly neighboring Ellis, Kamito asserted for uniting the duo thereupon raising complaints from Claire for some reason—— And in such a way passed many evenings.

After all, they were two people of very different personalities.

Both of them were assuredly honor students; however, Ellis was more of a sincere type with great endeavor, while Claire was an uneven tempered genius. At the very least, both were strong willed.

And thus, the first week went by in a very dangerous mood; however—

"Unbelievable! Really, putting honey…"

“Wow, I like this.”


"Well, why it is so sweet and delicious....Eh?"

With the cup touching to her lips Ellis looked at Claire with her faintly shut eyes.

"How is it?"

"......It's not that bad. It has little bit of a mild flavor to it."

"Hasn't it?"

"But, this does impair the gentle flavor this black tea. Least it is a kid's drink."

[[Image:STnBD V04 055.jpg|200px|thumb]]

"Hmm, it just really might be so......"

Nowadays, Claire's such method of retorting with frivolous talk always nearly came to blows.

"—Nevertheless, your hellcat elemental is just so adorable."

And so Ellis reached out to Scarlet who was crouched on the sofa with her hands.

But then she suddenly started playing with the tail and paws, with her fingertips.

"Wait a minute, Scarlet is my contracted elemental. Do not touch her in such a carefree manner."

"Hey, isn't even a little okay......?"

Picking up and hugging Scarlet closely, Ellis' lips sharpened.

For a too serious Captain-sama, this was both a surprising and an adorably frail side.

"......So to say, you even have things such as stuffed toys in your room, isn't it?"

“Nyanya!”<ref> '''Nyanya:''' Cat’s ‘meow’ </ref>


As if calling for Claire’s assistance, Scarlet gave out a bothersome cry.

“I think it seems that your contracted elemental wants to separate from you.”

“Let’s say, Simorgh face is pretty lovely too<ref> This is said with a negative feeling, in annoyance</ref>……”

Ellis peevishly started muttering after listening to this.

When listening to this, it seemed like it was a chant for making a contract with an elemental.

“Ellis!”

“Stop right there, I would not let this continue even a minute longer.”

Ellis now seemed to be hugging Scarlet even more closely—

“Nya!”

Scarlet managed to extract herself from Ellis’ arms, and went out of the room.

Claire finally sighed and her mood improved.

“That’s why I have to say this; Scarlet would not become emotionally attached to any human other than me.”

“If thinking that way too, isn’t it always you who asks me for my Fenrir to be your pillow?

Rinslet glared at Claire with scornful eyes.

“…..But then what shall I do; I feel comfortable when it is chilly.”

Sitting on the sofa, Claire put her head on the back of the white wolf.


For a high ranking demon ice elemental «Fenrir», it showed an expression of great annoyance.

''……I can understand, that feeling''

Frustratingly serving as a slave elemental under Claire, Kamito gave sympathy reflexively.

“Uffu fu, Kamito-kun, do you want to call for my ‘only breast’ pillow?”

“Stop being ridiculous, Your Highness”

And Kamito poked on Fianna’s forehead.

“…..Aammo, this does not mean that you have already won.”

She added this while placing her index finger to her lips in a seemingly dissatisfied manner.

“Hum, do not go searching for Scarlet afterwards. This ship is just too vast and spacious to search in.”

And with Claire sighing flauntingly, Ellis got diverted to the affairs of the day after of tomorrow.

“So to say, the fact is that there are other countries’ representatives also onboard, right?”

“Yes, besides us, just how many other teams were picked up?”

Claire nodded at the question asked by Kamito.

Kamito placed his cup of black tea in the table.

“—Even the Strongest Blade Dancer?”

“—……Huh?”

Just then, the tension in the room rose up.


Kamito’s voice had an unusual force behind it.

“No, that girl isn’t on board this flying ship.”

And Claire quietly denied it by shaking her head.

“This time, that girl will be appearing as the representative from the Alphas Empire. If so, she will be in one of the other flying vessels.”

“Is that so……”

“Anyways, this just doesn’t make sense, right?”

“Yes, to be a representative from the Alphas Empire when using elemental magic at such level, ain’t it?”

Rinslet tilted her head in thought, and Claire nodded in assent to her.

Alphas Empire — from East to West respectively, a small country sandwiched between the two major principalities, Ordesia Empire and Dracunia — the Dragon Empire. Their main resource was the elemental ore which was excavated from mines. But, for that small country to bring such an enormous fortune, trading for the excavation equipment in the historic ruins was ongoing since ancient times.

Though it was not confirmed to be definite, to be the headquarters of the organization of the Dark Traders, {{Furigana|Corpse Federation|Murders|margin=12}}, it was condemned in revenge from everyone’s viewpoint.


But for this country to be circumvented under such a geography, to avoid being invaded till now, the main reason must have had been the extremely skilful diplomacy by the founding leaders to oppose a confrontation from two super powers.

“In the first place, the representatives from that country last participated in the Blade Dance 50 years ago. But for what reason could they be active in this tournament, even I would like to know that.”

Ren Ashbell, for now her existence as an elementalist itself was a source of aspiration for these young ladies and she was what they aimed for.

For such a girl, her being the representative of such a small country had lead to nothing but very bad rumors, and Claire and the others were all helpless to withstand it.

“Speaking of Alphas Empire, there is a rumor about them rapidly buying and collecting elementals for military services.”

Ellis started muttering over such a matter while folding her arms.

“Why now? Why is it necessary for them to assemble elementals for military services?”

That wasn’t just all to it.

The Alphas Empire, in addition to this, was also seen as a source of potential threat.

''As a certainty, it is also believed to be the birth place of the Demon King — isn’t that so? ''

It was believed that the Demon King had roots all over the continent at quite a number of places.

And Alphas Empire was known as its Headquarters.

At any rate, the capital of the Empire was the native of Demon King Solomon.

It was believed by the followers of the Demon King, that one day a 2nd advent would come again in the empire.


Demon King — Kamito felt an odd sensation in his chest as he started to recollect.

''It is certain that at that school, I was brought up as a Demon King, and even my colleagues believed it to be so......''

For this reason, they then blessed Kamito who was considered an elementalist blessed by that man, with an existence which was a high ranking elemental that had been contracted with by the Demon King himself.

“At any rate, this news is still unclear how it relates to Ren Ashbell, right.”

Claire shrugged her shoulders.

“Suddenly appearing 3 years ago, a nameless elementalist. After these years, of the same age of 16 years old as I, wielding a darkness elemental of . How she did reach that level is truly impossible to comprehend.”

For the sake of winning through the Blade Dance, not only the ability and power to use elemental magic, but gathering intelligence was also essential.

Though the academy was able to provide essential details of the elementalists and their elemental attributes from the other participating teams, regarding the one called Ren Ashbell, there was nothing but simply what collected from flying gossip.

Not just about her, but even about her team members there was no information.

''So not only the identity, but also their objective is obscure, or—''

But if it were just a case of deceiving everyone by imitating the legendary elementalist.

However, such a thing was not impossible.


''Greyworth, that person is the only one whom I was not able to defeat—''

For the sake of defeating her in Blade Dance, Kamito had been summoned at the academy.

''That’s—''

And, Kamito dropped his gaze to his leather gloved left hand.

''Restia, there is no doubt that the one participating will have an imitation of her.''

Just several weeks ago, at that time during the battle under the abandoned mine with Jio Inzagi--- from the «Instructional School» .

<nowiki>——</nowiki>Because it was her wish.

Those were really the words uttered by Restia.

And then, he would be reunited with that girl.

Damn it! How was that girl able to change the darkness elemental.

If she had changed, if that other Ren Ashbell overcame the barrier, if it were to happen—

''Impossible, I absolutely won’t allow it.''

Under the table, Kamito’s fist started to quiver slightly.

“At any rate, after some few hours, we will be standing at the same stage as her.”

And so Ellis muttered with strong emotions.

“3 years ago, despite just watching her debut match from the guest seating.”

“I had come to see Velsaria’s match. And she was so amazingly beautiful.”


“Ren Ashbell’s blade dance was truly magnificent, right.”

Seeing Ellis blushing rapidly, Claire and Rinslet started mocking her by making sounds.

Kamito was feeling extremely loathsome and averted his eyes.

“Well, there is no need to care about that so much. After all, her being the strongest was three years ago and rumours are always exaggerated. It seems I am just unlucky to be a slave."

Kamito shrugged his shoulder while saying—

“Oye, how dare you say that!”

“You, are you stupid or what?”

“Heh, so you are stupid to even that extent.”

“Aa, sorry, my bad......”

Being glared at by the three young ladies, Kamito apologized in haste.

''......Impossible, in any case, how can you say such when that person himself is in front of you. ''

There was no point in hearing this any longer. Kamito stood up quickly as if to recover.

“Oye, where are you going?”

“Ah, in search of Scarlet.”

Finding such an excuse, Kamito made a quick exit from the room.

“Aaa, for him to run away......”


“Fu fu, Kamito-kun in his pitiful state is too cute.”

Knowing Kamito’s true identity, Fianna could not help but giggle nonstop.

===Part 2===

Directly below one of the flying ships escorting the representatives for the Blade Dance, a petite figure geared in battle form appeared.

As if lurking around to ambush game among the woods, she was lying in wait silently.

Opening a metal hatch, a small sized girl appeared to make an exit.

Her hair was tied together in two pony-tails from both ends and was fluttering against the strong wind.

“—Found you, Nii-sama.”

An expression of a delicate smile appeared on that young girl’s face as she called for her elemental.

At that moment, the ring on her index finger glowed in bright red.

And thus—

“Come, rampage to your heart’s content. Annihilation elemental «Death Gaze».

A small crack suddenly appeared in the clear sky, and a black monster appeared from it.
<noinclude>
== Translator's notes and References ==

<references/>

{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume4 Chapter1|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume4 Chapter3}}</noinclude>

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume4 Chapter2

2013-02-19T02:03:28Z

Blood: /* Part 1 */

'''Note: Pending TLC, I'm not sure how much you'll be misreading'''
== Chapter 2: Sky Voyage ==
===Part 1===

The flying boat filled with ether continued to glide over the clouds.

The destination was a sanctuary in Astral Zero – Floating Island «Ragna Ys».

It was the venue for the Blade Dance.

Originally, only the princesses maidens from the «Divine Ritual Institute» were permitted to enter the sanctuary to attend the Elemental Lord.

However, this was open to the general public specifically during the Blade Dance only.

"Oh, this flying boat is so amazing!"

Overlooking the sea of clouds that extended through the window, Kamito was feeling dizzy.

Anyway, it was his first time riding a flying boat.

But as expected from the ladies of nobility, they got accustomed to it as soon as they unloaded their luggage.

He was relaxing on the sofa in the private room that they were each allotted.

The carpet was subjected to very beautiful embroidery in red with the walls being of polished marble.

All the built-in furniture on board was of the highest standard.

"Nevertheless, there is not even the smallest tremor."

"This is indeed a latest flying ship. If all goes as planned we will be arriving about noon."


That being said, Claire lay herself down on the sofa. But no matter, her posture was....

One could easily see her pink panties. Kamito hurriedly turned his face.

"Come to think of it, I have heard that tonight will be the opening ceremony at the castle. Have you brought your dress for the Formal Ball?"

"No, I did not bring it. I hate dance parties."

Recalling the Blade Dance three years ago, Kamito groaned bitterly.

Honestly, the ball was nothing but trivial.

"Is that so...."

For some reason, Claire muttered regretfully.

"....? Don't be embarrassed if you need help over your dress, okay?"

"No no, there's nothing required!"

Claire blushed and turned the other way.

"Are you angry......?"

"I-I am not angry...stupid!"

"....Really, both of you, fighting on a ship?"

Rinslet was amazed at this and shrugged her shoulders.

"Rinslet, what are you doing here―?"


Rinslet had beforehand arranged a tea set on the table.

"I'll brew some black tea, so, shall we have some?"

"I have heard that the flavor of tea leaves from the Laurenfrost province is really good."

"Uh huh! It is essential to relax a bit before the Blade Dance."

Fianna and Ellis too, who were gazing the scene outside came forward to join the table.

It kind of seemed to be an elegant young lady's style to enjoy tea during the evening time.

As Rinslet gracefully poured tea into the cups with her hands, the steam rising immediately filled the room with a pleasant citrus aroma.

"Oh thank you! This has got a really nice flavor."

Claire sincerely gave her words of praise.

"This orange tea is a specialty of the Laurenfrost province."

"Heh-heh, the tea brewed by my lady is indeed delicious."

Her maid Carol giggled and smiled.

"Isn't this usually a maid's job to do?"

Kamito enquired―

"Well, then my adorable Carol will have burns all over."

"Ah, I am sorry..."


For some reason, Rinslet was stark angry.

Incidentally, only those people who had invitation were allowed in the sanctuary; however, Carol being the property of Laurenfrost House— was given a special permit as an accomplice to Rinslet.

Although, Rinslet seemed to be still dissatisfied with the treatment, particularly towards Carol.

"How much sugar, Kamito-san?

"Ah, I request for one."

"Claire's two?"

"You! How do you know about my taste?"

"Eh, nothing; I merely remember it by chance."

Rinslet blushed and shouted angrily.

"Well, that's because my lady and Miss Claire have been playing together since the early days—

"Ah, is that so?"

Carol smiled when asked by Kamito.

"Yes, my lady and Miss Claire have become very emotionally attached—"

"Hey, you, when did that happen!?"

"Yes, that's right. I assure that Claire and I are rivals!"


Rinslet suddenly faced the other way.

"I wonder if I can get it."

"As expected of your Royal Highness, you truly understand the way to enjoy black tea."

Rinslet nodded with satisfaction.

And, this time Ellis really coughed—

"I-I would like milk tea with plenty of sugar."

She said this in an embarrassed voice.

"Hai Hai<ref> '''Hai Hai''': Casually saying ‘yes yes’ in Japanese</ref>, Milk tea it is."

"So, if that's the case......"

"Yes?"

"If possible, with cream and honey. Moreover I also wish for dried marshmallow on it."

"Hey! What is that!"

Rinslet's cheek twitched.

"Such a drink in excess, such blasphemy towards tea!"

"I-I always have it that way! In order to endure harsh sword training, it is necessary to take a lot of sugar."

"Hah... because of that, the Military Family of Fahrengart is..."


“Miss Captain is also surprisingly childish. She doesn’t understand the subtle flavor of this tea.”

“Well, you are annoying! I have always preferred such sweetness in taste!"

To the pitying look of Claire’s, Ellis retorted teary-eyed.

While watching them —

Be it this or that, to open one’s heart, these two people……

Kamito smiled wryly in mind.

Because of the long time conflict with Sylphid Knights, Claire and Captain Ellis had been on bad terms. Ellis in team • though merely just two weeks after joining the team, previously they would just quarrel during the entire training.

In order to utilize the battle skills of the similarly neighboring Ellis, Kamito asserted for uniting the duo thereupon raising complaints from Claire for some reason—— And in such a way passed many evenings.

After all, they were two people of very different personalities.

Both of them were assuredly honor students; however, Ellis was more of a sincere type with great endeavor, while Claire was an uneven tempered genius. At the very least, both were strong willed.

And thus, the first week went by in a very dangerous mood; however—

"Unbelievable! Really, putting honey…"

“Wow, I like this.”


"Well, why it is so sweet and delicious....Eh?"

With the cup touching to her lips Ellis looked at Claire with her faintly shut eyes.

"How is it?"

"......It's not that bad. It has little bit of a mild flavor to it."

"Hasn't it?"

"But, this does impair the gentle flavor this black tea. Least it is a kid's drink."

[[Image:STnBD V04 055.jpg|200px|thumb]]

"Hmm, it just really might be so......"

Nowadays, Claire's such method of retorting with frivolous talk always nearly came to blows.

"—Nevertheless, your hellcat elemental is just so adorable."

And so Ellis reached out to Scarlet who was crouched on the sofa with her hands.

But then she suddenly started playing with the tail and paws, with her fingertips.

"Wait a minute, Scarlet is my contracted elemental. Do not touch her in such a carefree manner."

"Hey, isn't even a little okay......?"

Picking up and hugging Scarlet closely, Ellis' lips sharpened.

For a too serious Captain-sama, this was both a surprising and an adorably frail side.

"......So to say, you even have things such as stuffed toys in your room, isn't it?"

“Nyanya!”<ref> '''Nyanya:''' Cat’s ‘meow’ </ref>


As if calling for Claire’s assistance, Scarlet gave out a bothersome cry.

“I think it seems that your contracted elemental wants to separate from you.”

“Let’s say, Simorgh face is pretty lovely too<ref> This is said with a negative feeling, in annoyance</ref>……”

Ellis peevishly started muttering after listening to this.

When listening to this, it seemed like it was a chant for making a contract with an elemental.

“Ellis!”

“Stop right there, I would not let this continue even a minute longer.”

Ellis now seemed to be hugging Scarlet even more closely—

“Nya!”

Scarlet managed to extract herself from Ellis’ arms, and went out of the room.

Claire finally sighed and her mood improved.

“That’s why I have to say this; Scarlet would not become emotionally attached to any human other than me.”

“If thinking that way too, isn’t it always you who asks me for my Fenrir to be your pillow?

Rinslet glared at Claire with scornful eyes.

“…..But then what shall I do; I feel comfortable when it is chilly.”

Sitting on the sofa, Claire put her head on the back of the white wolf.


For a high ranking demon ice elemental «Fenrir», it showed an expression of great annoyance.

''……I can understand, that feeling''

Frustratingly serving as a slave elemental under Claire, Kamito gave sympathy reflexively.

“Uffu fu, Kamito-kun, do you want to call for my ‘only breast’ pillow?”

“Stop being ridiculous, Your Highness”

And Kamito poked on Fianna’s forehead.

“…..Aammo, this does not mean that you have already won.”

She added this while placing her index finger to her lips in a seemingly dissatisfied manner.

“Hum, do not go searching for Scarlet afterwards. This ship is just too vast and spacious to search in.”

And with Claire sighing flauntingly, Ellis got diverted to the affairs of the day after of tomorrow.

“So to say, the fact is that there are other countries’ representatives also onboard, right?”

“Yes, besides us, just how many other teams were picked up?”

Claire nodded at the question asked by Kamito.

Kamito placed his cup of black tea in the table.

“—Even the Strongest Blade Dancer?”

“—……Huh?”

Just then, the tension in the room rose up.


Kamito’s voice had an unusual force behind it.

“No, that girl isn’t on board this flying ship.”

And Claire quietly denied it by shaking her head.

“This time, that girl will be appearing as the representative from the Alphas Empire. If so, she will be in one of the other flying vessels.”

“Is that so……”

“Anyways, this just doesn’t make sense, right?”

“Yes, to be a representative from the Alphas Empire when using elemental magic at such level, ain’t it?”

Rinslet tilted her head in thought, and Claire nodded in assent to her.

Alphas Empire — from East to West respectively, a small country sandwiched between the two major principalities, Ordesia Empire and Dracunia — the Dragon Empire. Their main resource was the elemental ore which was excavated from mines. But, for that small country to bring such an enormous fortune, trading for the excavation equipment in the historic ruins was ongoing since ancient times.

Though it was not confirmed to be definite, to be the headquarters of the organization of the Dark Traders, {{Furigana|Corpse Federation|Murders|margin=12}}, it was condemned in revenge from everyone’s viewpoint.


But for this country to be circumvented under such a geography, to avoid being invaded till now, the main reason must have had been the extremely skilful diplomacy by the founding leaders to oppose a confrontation from two super powers.

“In the first place, the representatives from that country last participated in the Blade Dance 50 years ago. But for what reason could they be active in this tournament, even I would like to know that.”

Ren Ashbell, for now her existence as an elementalist itself was a source of aspiration for these young ladies and she was what they aimed for.

For such a girl, her being the representative of such a small country had lead to nothing but very bad rumors, and Claire and the others were all helpless to withstand it.

“Speaking of Alphas Empire, there is a rumor about them rapidly buying and collecting elementals for military services.”

Ellis started muttering over such a matter while folding her arms.

“Why now? Why is it necessary for them to assemble elementals for military services?”

That wasn’t just all to it.

The Alphas Empire, in addition to this, was also seen as a source of potential threat.

''As a certainty, it is also believed to be the birth place of the Demon King — isn’t that so? ''

It was believed that the Demon King had roots all over the continent at quite a number of places.

And Alphas Empire was known as its Headquarters.

At any rate, the capital of the Empire was the native of Demon King Solomon.

It was believed by the followers of the Demon King, that one day a 2nd advent would come again in the empire.


Demon King — Kamito felt an odd sensation in his chest as he started to recollect.

''It is certain that at that school, I was brought up as a Demon King, and even my colleagues believed it to be so......''

For this reason, they then blessed Kamito who was considered an elementalist blessed by that man, with an existence which was a high ranking elemental that had been contracted with by the Demon King himself.

“At any rate, this news is still unclear how it relates to Ren Ashbell, right.”

Claire shrugged her shoulders.

“Suddenly appearing 3 years ago, a nameless elementalist. After these years, of the same age of 16 years old as I, wielding a darkness elemental of . How she did reach that level is truly impossible to comprehend.”

For the sake of winning through the Blade Dance, not only the ability and power to use elemental magic, but gathering intelligence was also essential.

Though the academy was able to provide essential details of the elementalists and their elemental attributes from the other participating teams, regarding the one called Ren Ashbell, there was nothing but simply what collected from flying gossip.

Not just about her, but even about her team members there was no information.

''So not only the identity, but also their objective is obscure, or—''

But if it were just a case of deceiving everyone by imitating the legendary elementalist.

However, such a thing was not impossible.


''Greyworth, that person is the only one whom I was not able to defeat—''

For the sake of defeating her in Blade Dance, Kamito had been summoned at the academy.

''That’s—''

And, Kamito dropped his gaze to his leather gloved left hand.

''Restia, there is no doubt that the one participating will have an imitation of her.''

Just several weeks ago, at that time during the battle under the abandoned mine with Jio Inzagi--- from the «Instructional School» .

<nowiki>——</nowiki>Because it was her wish.

Those were really the words uttered by Restia.

And then, he would be reunited with that girl.

Damn it! How was that girl able to change the darkness elemental.

If she had changed, if that other Ren Ashbell overcame the barrier, if it were to happen—

''Impossible, I absolutely won’t allow it.''

Under the table, Kamito’s fist started to quiver slightly.

“At any rate, after some few hours, we will be standing at the same stage as her.”

And so Ellis muttered with strong emotions.

“3 years ago, despite just watching her debut match from the guest seating.”

“I had come to see Velsaria’s match. And she was so amazingly beautiful.”


“Ren Ashbell’s blade dance was truly magnificent, right.”

Seeing Ellis blushing rapidly, Claire and Rinslet started mocking her by making sounds.

Kamito was feeling extremely loathsome and averted his eyes.

“Well, there is no need to care about that so much. After all, her being the strongest was three years ago and rumours are always exaggerated. It seems I am just unlucky to be a slave."

Kamito shrugged his shoulder while saying—

“Oye, how dare you say that!”

“You, are you stupid or what?”

“Heh, so you are stupid to even that extent.”

“Aa, sorry, my bad......”

Being glared at by the three young ladies, Kamito apologized in haste.

''......Impossible, in any case, how can you say such when that person himself is in front of you. ''

There was no point in hearing this any longer. Kamito stood up quickly as if to recover.

“Oye, where are you going?”

“Ah, in search of Scarlet.”

Finding such an excuse, Kamito made a quick exit from the room.

“Aaa, for him to run away......”


“Fu fu, Kamito-kun in his pitiful state is too cute.”

Knowing Kamito’s true identity, Fianna could not help but giggle nonstop.

===Part 2===

Directly below one of the flying ships escorting the representatives for the Blade Dance, a petite figure geared in battle form appeared.

As if lurking around to ambush game among the woods, she was lying in wait silently.

Opening a metal hatch, a small sized girl appeared to make an exit.

Her hair was tied together in two pony-tails from both ends and was fluttering against the strong wind.

“—Found you, Nii-sama.”

An expression of a delicate smile appeared on that young girl’s face as she called for her elemental.

At that moment, the ring on her index finger glowed in bright red.

And thus—

“Come, rampage to your heart’s content. Annihilation elemental «Death Gaze».

A small crack suddenly appeared in the clear sky, and a black monster appeared from it.
<noinclude>
== Translator's notes and References ==

<references/>

{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume4 Chapter1|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume4 Chapter3}}</noinclude>

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume3 Chapter8

2012-12-11T07:30:04Z

Blood: /* Part 2 */

{{Incomplete|comments=pending TLC, 11 pages left}}

==Chapter 8: Ellis' Determination==
===Part 1===

"Ah..."

As Kamito opened his eyes, the familiar ceiling of Claire's room came into his vision.

Warm sunlight was shining through the curtain.

''...Eh? I... Why was I sleeping?''

His memory had been in a mess.

He didn't know when his pyjamas were put on him, or when his bandages were wrapped on him.

Next to his bed, there was a cracked spirit stone that he believed was used for healing.

Kamito was going to just stand up for now—

"Hoo... Ah...!"

Burning like pain ran at the side of his abdomen.

When he took a look, the blood at the bandages wrapped around his abdomen had dried up and hardened.

''That's right, I—''

Due to that pain, Kamito finally remembered.

''I was pierced at my abdomen by that Spirit...''

It was the demonic mirror spirit that went out of control due to the power of the Curse Armament Seal.


The spirit that wounded Kamito was annihilated by Velsaria.

With overwhelming destructive force. Without even leaving any traces.

A spirit, which was thoroughly destroyed to that extent, could not even return back to Astral Zero.

It should have been completely eradicated.

"The Academy's strongest blade dancer— huh?"

Precisely because it was a sealed spirit the same as Est, that fortress was an abnormal elemental waffe.

She was becoming far stronger than the time at the Blade Dance three years ago.

''...With how I am now, could I defeat her?''

As he clenched his left hand which had been holding a jet-black demonic sword, he asked himself.

He had a blank of three years that he went embarking on the journey to find Restia.

There was also the fact that the spirit contract with Est was still incomplete.

If it was about the reasons that he couldn't win, he could come up with as many as he liked.

''That orphan of the «Instructional School» — Jio Inzagi had said that I've become weak...''

That was because Kamito was subconsciously protecting his companions.

If that was a weakness, then—

''... I have indeed become weak, heh.''

Enduring the pain like that of a terrible burn wound, he finally got up from the bed.

Kamito's uniform was hanging on a wall of the room. It was a mere shadow of its former self with all that damage.


It was probably decided that there would be no point in washing it now, so it was left there like that.

While he placed both hands on the wall, he started walking with shaky footsteps.

After he searched his uniform's chest pocket, he took out a present and a chocolate.

The chocolate had melted and been flattened, but it was something that Claire made with great trouble. So, he was going to eat it gratefully.

After making his resolve and tossing a bite-size piece into his mouth, sweetness instantly spread out inside his mouth.

"...Hn? This is surprisingly..."

Although there was still a bit of bitterness, it was properly made deliciously.

Compared to the coal she had been mass-producing, she had improved considerably.

''...She basically is a very hard working person, isn't she?''

Her erratics that went with her mood was her weakness, but as she was an honour student, she was fast at apprehending things.

If she was serious, her cooking should also certainly conspicuously improve.

"—Kamito!?"

Suddenly, the room's door opened.

The one who came in, was Claire holding crumpled bandages with both hands.

"Y-You, what are you doing!"

"Nm? The chocolate you gave me was made pretty well. You've worked hard."

"Eh?"


Kamito frankly praised—

Claire's face immediately reddened.

"I-Isn't that obvious? I-I've practised a lot after all... Eh, that's not the point. W-Why are you awake? Your body still isn't in a condition to walk, right?!"

"Ah, no, just walking isn't a problem, look... Ouch!"

Just by slightly moving his arm, pain ran through the side of his abdomen.

"...Haaa. You really are a fool, your wound opened again, didn't it? Come on, sit there. I'll put new bandages on you."

"Ahhh, sorry..."

Being softly pressed on his shoulders by Claire, Kamito was made to sit on the bed.

Under the gentle treatment from Claire that was different from usual, Kamito's heart ended up beating quickly.

"...Geez, you're a fool."

While Claire wrapped the bandages unskillfully—

She told Kamito what happened after he fainted.

The two, who reached out to the Curse Armament Seals, were found unconscious in the forest.

It seemed like they were arrested immediately after the arrival of the Knights and were moved to the capital. Laying their hands on the Curse Armament Seals did not mean that it ended with just breaking the academy rules. They would end up being charged for their crimes by the council that judged spirit contractors.


The actions by Velsaria, who got the general public involved, did not cause any deaths, and in addition, as a result of suppressing the casualties in the town to the minimum, she seemed to have ended up not being charged.

The one who issued the ruling was Greyworth, however— this judgement was probably pushed back to just before the Blade Dance and it —without a doubt— involved the speculation of the congress of the Ordesia Empire that there was no way they could punish the academy's strongest candidate.

After Ellis helped Claire move Kamito, she seemed to have stayed confined in her room.

It might be that she felt responsible as the Captain for the fact that she couldn't protect the town from destruction and that she couldn't prevent students from getting involved with the Curse Armament Seals.

"... How long did I sleep?"

"For almost a day. The Valentia Holy Festival ended a long time ago."

"Is that so..."

Kamito glanced at the clock hanging on the wall.

Since last night, more than half a day had already passed.

"Claire, I'm sorry for being late."

Kamito handed over the small box, which he took out of his uniform a while ago, to Claire.

"What?"

"Ah... Err, this is your present... For your birthday. Although it's already over."

"...!?"


Claire widely opened her ruby eyes.

"No way, why...?"

"Rinslet told me. Well, for an ojou-sama of a noble, this may not be something of high value."

"..."

Receiving the box, Claire untied the ribbon with fidgety hands.

Inside the box, a cat-shaped silver pendant was perfectly placed.

"T-This, isn't this what I wanted...?"

"Weren't you continuously looking at it that time?"

"U-Uh, but..."

Claire gently and preciously took out the pendant.

"This should be expensive. You aren't even a noble, how did—"

"I asked a big favour from Ellis, and got an advance on the remuneration from the Knights."

"...S-So... It was like that."

Claire tightly clasped the pendant, while she looked at Kamito with her eyes glancing upwards—

"...Th-Thank you, Kamito"

And said that shyly.

Kamito's heart spontaneously beat faster at her expression that she usually didn't even show.


[[Image:STnBD V03 193.jpg|thumb]]
''...T-This person, making such a face is criminally cute—''

He had been thinking that he would hear something like—"You're sensible for a slave at best".

He did not think she would express her gratitude that frankly.

"Sorry, Kamito... Err, I was at fault."

"Mn?"

With another unbelievable line emerging, Kamito doubted his ears.

"I-I'm saying that I was at fault... Err, for getting angry and chasing you out. You joined the Knights for the sake of earning money to gift me this?"

"Ah, no, that's—"

Just when he was about to say it, Kamito closed his mouth.

Although it wasn't entirely like that— it seemed better to remain silent at this point.

"Despite that I didn't even listen to your explanation and willfully got angry... Sorry."

Her red twin tails drooped down.

"No, I'm at fault, my words were insufficient at that time. Sorry."

"Kamito..."

"—Hey, are you people done?"

There was the sound of a cough.

"...!?"


The two turned away in a fluster.

"Fianna, since when were you here!?"

"From when Kamito-kun pressed on coercively, saying 'It's time for you to become more frank, even though you always say you hate it— the truth is you want to be messed up by me, right?'"

"Don't fabricate an impossible fact!"

"Y-Yeah! T-To be messed up... T-That's not allowed!"

Claire turned steamily bright-red and got angry.

"Hoho, I'm joking. Really Claire, what are you getting red for, I wonderr?"

"W-Wh-What did you come here for, Ero-Queen?!"

"As our opponent for the match tomorrow has already been declared, I came here to tell you that!"

"Our opponent for the match?"

"Yea, our opponent is the first-ranking —Velsaria Eva's— team~"

"...!"

Claire's expression became sharp.

"...The Silent Fortress', huh?"

As long as they kept on winning through, she was an opponent they would have to face one day.

Claire should have been prepared for this.

However, the power that eradicated two mighty high level spirits in an instant was—


"—No problem."

Kamito picked up the elemental waffe sword that was leaned on the side of the bed.

"I will defeat Velsaria. I have to make her open her eyes with my hands."

"W-What are you saying!"

Claire sharply glared at Kamito.

"With that kind of injury, there's no way you can participate in the match tomorrow?"

"She isn't an opponent you two can win against."

"T-Things will work out. Putting Velsaria herself aside, the others have not yet matured as a team. As they were just head-hunted from the Knights, their training in coordination have also not yet been sufficiently—"

"That Silent Fortress isn't such an easy opponent."

"That's..."

Claire had a impulsive personality, however, as a spirit contractor, she was endowed with calm eyes for battles.

Just with that, she wouldn't mistake the strength difference between Velsaria and her.

The strength of Claire, who uses Scarlet, towered above the rest of the elementary students but, even with that, she wasn't an opponent she could win against.

Former princess maiden of the «Divine Ritual Institute» Fianna was an expert at ritual dances but it did not change the fact that she's a novice at battles. Her Georgios was certainly strong but considering the fact that it could not be released as an elemental waffe, its options for battles was limited at any rate.


Besides, in order to attack the floating fortress, a spirit that could make powerful long-range attacks was necessary.

The thing that would be dealing with the anti-air battle in Team Scarlet would currently be only Claire's spirit magic. However, it would be impossible for ordinary spirit magic to break that armor.

"But, if I were to be a attacker, we could somehow hold for five minutes—"

Onto Kamito who was about to get out of bed—

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Mugyuu*

"Yeah yeah, no matter how sturdy Kamito-kun's body is, participating in tomorrow's match is absolutely a no-go."

Fianna pressed the cleavage of her soft breasts.

Claire angrily glared at Kamito, whose face turned red from the comfortable feeling of elasticity.

"That's right, an injured person like you would just become a burden."

"..."

It was vexing but he couldn't make a rebuttal.

Indeed, even if Kamito, who was seriously injured, participated, he would just end up being a hindrance.

"Then... is Team Scarlet forfeiting?"

"That's—"

Kamito, who asked, understood it. That option was not possible.

Once one forfeited a match, one's ranking would significantly drop as a penalty.


Even without that, if they don't defeat the first ranking team here, the possibility of sixth-ranking Team Scarlet to enter the top participating three within the next two weeks would almost disappear.

"..."

A heavy atmosphere filled the room, and at that moment—

"Fuu, I hear what you're saying!"

An elegant voice came from outside the room.

The one coming in with her platinum-blonde hair swaying was Rinslet.

Carol the maid was courteously standing behind her..

"Rinslet, what are you doing entering my room as you please!?"

"Everyone, it seems like my power is needed."

Ignoring Claire who complained, Rinslet boldly walked.

She stopped in front of Kamito, who was sitting on the bed, and brushed up her hair.

"As long as it is me, I'll see that that fortress lady falls to the ground."

"Milady is saying that she wishes to join Claire-sama's team."

Carol simultaneously translated what Rinslet's words.

"Is that right, Rinslet?"

"...N-No! I just..."

Rinslet asked for Carol's help in a fluster.

"Fufu, milady, you're really not honest."


Placing her hands near her mouth, Carol giggled.

"—Rinslet!"

Suddenly, Kamito stood up and grasped her shoulders.

[[Image:STnBD V03 199.jpg|thumb]]
Her slender shoulders started trembling.

"Hyan! W-what are you doing! Grabbing a lady's shoulders so violently!"

She protested with a shrilling voice. However, Kamito did not let go.

"..."

"Ah, wha..."

With Kamito staring at her, Rinslet quickly quieted down.

Her face turned bright red as she pinched the edge of her skirt..

"S-Stop...Err If you look at me in such a way, I-I'll end up feeling strange."

"K-Kamito, what are you doing!?"

"Kamito-kun, no matter the circumstances, you're overly lacking in distinction."

Ignoring Claire and Fianna, who raised their voices—

"Please, Rinslet. Join our team."

"Eh?"

Rinslet was astonished. Claire also was staring in wonder.


Rinslet's elemental waffe «Freezing Arrow» was a long range attack elemental waffe. Especially as Kamito would be unable to enter tomorrow's match, they would want to include her into the team by all means.

Although, as Claire would belligerently ask, this ojou-sama would certainly put on her pride. So, that's why Kamito made a begging appearance.

Rinslet—

"A-Alright..."

Like a bride that was proposed to, she docilely nodded.

"I-If Kamito-san says so..."

Blushing, she twirled the tips of her hair with her fingertip.

"Isn't this fine, Claire?"

Kamito gently let his hands go from Rinslet's shoulders and turned around.

Claire sighed, saying "It can't be helped".

"Certainly, if we cared about its appearance, we can't win against that «Silent Fortress». At any rate, we would need ranged support, and its strength is so-so."

"W-Wait, please don't misunderstand. I offered to join your team because Kamito-san requested it."

Carol pacified Rinslet, who flew into a rage.

In any case, this meant that they now ended up being able to make long distance attacks from the ground.


''...If I add myself in as an attacker, our balance would become good.''

Claire seemed to have thought of the same thing as Kamito.

"All we're left is one more person, we'll need someone with power of an attacker though..."

She mumbled with a serious look.

Just then, there was the sound of knocking from the door.

"...?"

Everyone looked at each other... Having visitors come to this room was unsual.

Claire walked over and opened the door.

The ones outside the door— were two unexpected people.

"Y-You two!?"

While Claire held onto the door knob, she widened her eyes.

"Claire Rouge, we have a request for you..."

"...Although we know that something like this isn't the courtesy of making a request."

They were Ellis' teammates who should be recuperating at the academy's medical institution.

They were Rakka and Reishia from the Sylphid Knights.

===Part 2===

In a dark room with all its curtains were closed—

Ellis was cowering in her bed with a face lack of aspiration.

What she was absent-mindedly staring at was a spirit ore sealed with memories.

There was the figure of Velsaria that Ellis idealized when she was young.

She also didn't go for the Knights meeting this morning. This was, of course, her first time.

What she was wearing wasn't the academy uniform, but pyjamas with polka-dots.

Without even tying her ponytail, her long hair spread out radially on her bed..

''—You are not a knight.''

Velsaria's words were revived in her head.

''It may be just as what Aneue said...''

Amidst the darkness, Ellis had firmly grasped her bed sheet.

''...While I've said that that's not it, in the end, I couldn't protect anything.''

The townsfolk who were enjoying the festival.

The students that ended up involved with the Cursed Armament Seal.

In addition— even her precious comrades from the Knights.

Even Kamito, who came to assist the Knights out of good will, had sustained serious injuries.

''It's all my responsibility. If I had gotten more of my act together, this would—''

It was also natural that the upperclassmen responded to Velsaria's invitation and left the Knights.


No one would want to be with a captain that has no power, and would only speak of dreams.

"...I do not, have the right to call myself a Knight—"

"Yeah, the current you really doesn't have the right to be called a knight, Ellis."

"...!"

Ellis immediately let go of the bed sheets.

"Claire Rouge?"

"Sorry, but I melted the lock."

After saying that, Claire entered the room.

"W-Why are you here, and what do you mean that I had no right of being a knight!?"

"Heh~ So you still have the strength to get angry. I feel at ease now."

Claire stood next to the bed, hands on her hips, and lowered her head while looking at Ellis.

The normal Ellis would have stared back immediately, but—

She looked as if she was being forced and looked away.

"...H-Has Kamito awakened yet?"

"Yeah, he even said some weird things like he would like to join tomorrow's match."

"What—? With that kind of injury?"

"Yup. And our enemy is the Academy's strongest, 'Silent Fortress'."

"That's crazy, what are all of you thinking!?"

Ellis grabbed Claire and stood up.

"Don't you understand onee-sama's power?"

"Ah, she is a very powerful spirit contractor, but she is not invincible."

"What?"

Ellis frowned.

Velsaria Eva Fahrengart was the strongest in the Academy.

This was a fact everyone knew of.

"Three years ago, Ren Ashbell defeated her."

"But that's because— She is the strongest blade dancer. Their levels are too far apart!"

"True. But, our goal is to defeat Ren Ashbell."

"Wha—?"

To Ellis, who never thought she would hear those words, she was speechless.

''...defeat Ren Ashbell!?''

"How is that possible—?"

"It is possible. More precisely, we will make it possible~"

"..."

Claire was serious.

She was seriously thinking of defeating the strongest blade dancer.

"I will continue to win in the Spirit Blade Dance Festival, then I will make my 'wish'. Whether it is the Silent Fortress or the strongest blade dancer, whoever gets in my way shall be brought down."

Looking straight at Ellis, were a pair of eyes that were burning silently.

A small flame was ignited, inside Ellis' heart.

"M-Me too..."

"Ellis, will you bring that resolve and join the Spirit Blade Dance Festival?"

Claire seized Ellis' collar.

"Your dream of being a knight, is it only to this level?"

"—No!"

Ellis pushed Claire's hands away.

"I am... I am a knight of the Fahrengart!"

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Boom!*

A strong wind was formed in the room.

The bed sheet on the bed was blown away, the items on the desk were sent flying in the air.

The curtains were ripped apart, and strong rays from the sun were fired into the dark room, brightening everything.

"..."

After the wind settled—

"Looks like the wind has started blowing again~"

Claire smiled.

Then, she pointed at Ellis.

With her other hand on her hips—

"Ellis, join our team!"

"...W-What?"

Ellis asked, still shocked.

"Me... join Team Scarlet?"

"Correct. With you, we can win against the Silent Fortress."

Claire spoke with a serious tone.

However, Ellis firmly shook her head.

"Sorry, I cannot accept that. I already have companions to fight with—"

"—Captain!"

"?"

After hearing the noise that echoed in the room, Ellis looked over—

"Y-You guys!?"

Standing there, was a girl with short hair, and another with braided hair.

Her teammates Rekka and Reishia.

"...You escaped from the Infirmary?"

===Part 5===

They should still be recovering.

They shouldn't have been allowed to come out this far.

"Why...?"

"We hoped that Captain would appear in the Spirit Blade Dance Festival."

Rekka had said while painfully coughing.

Reishia nodded.

"We decided it ourselves. We already knew that we wouldn't heal before the festival... So—"

"You're... disbanding... the party?"

Having a stunned expression, Ellis looked at her two teammates.

"..."

"N-No, I will not allow that!"

"But, Captain—"

"Didn't we already promise! We had decided to appear in the festival together!"

Ellis didn't care about her appearance to others anymore and cried like a child.

"We can't fight anymore. So—"

"We want to be there, side by side... So carry our dreams with you."

"Rekka, Reishia..."

"Please, fight for us too."

"I would like to see Captain's blade dance. A blade dance that cuts everything blocking its path like a gale."

"..."

Ellis—

Firmly bit her lips and clenched her fist.

Both sides refused to give up— A heavy atmosphere quickly filled up the room.

The first person who sighed, was Ellis.

"...I understand. You win."

"Captain!"

The two girls squealed in happiness.

"—Claire Rouge."

Ellis looked back at the quiet Claire.

Not with the past face without any energy.

But with an expression that was filled with pride.

"I, Ellis Fahrengart, request to join Team Scarlet."

"Welcome, Ellis~"

Claire smiled happily and stretched out her right hand.

And Ellis replied by stretching out her left.

"I want to show that person, my honor."

===Part 6===

The strongest blade dancer— Ren Ashbell.

Three years ago, from the day they exchanged blows with their blades, Velsaria's life had changed drastically.

On that day, her pride was struck and shattered.

Before that day, Velsaria always had the pride of the strongest Knight.

To the girl that appeared in front of her, she didn't underestimate her foe that was two years younger than her.

No matter who it was, as long as it was an enemy, she would try her best to strike it down.

That was her belief as a Knight.

With her full power she had fought— But was defeated.

At that time, in her heart, Velsaria did not feel hatred.

But it was more like a yearning to her.

Velsaria was not an exception, she, like the other girls, was fascinated by Ren Ashbell's blade dance.

But what shattered her pride, was not the defeat itself.

It was the eyes that the strongest girl cast at the loser.

In her pitch black pupils, what was seen—

Was not hostility, nor was it disdain— There was no emotion.

In her eyes, Velsaria was not even recognized.

''...Unforgivable. What she had done was unforgivable.''

''I must defeat the strongest girl, and let her 'acknowledge my existence'.''
[[Image:STnBD V03 212.jpg|thumb|x200px]]
This was probably— in a sense, an emotion that was similar to love.

''Soon, I can fight her again in the Spirit Blade Dance Festival.''

''As long as I can do that, anything is fine.''

Midnight. Deep inside the "Spirit Forest"—

Velsaria was alone in the dark, trying her best to restrain her excitement.

At this moment, the bush behind her moved slightly.

"—You, you are there right?"

"Ha, as expected of you, you were able to detect my presence~"

A vivid laughter rang in the forest.

The one who appeared was— the Corpse Federation merchant, Vivian Melosa.

"You were perfect yesterday, because of you I was able to collect a lot of data~"

"I knew it, it was you who implanted those Spell Armament Seals on them."

Velsaria emitted a strong murderous aura that made the leaves around them fall.

"Yes, but, they were destroyed immediately. Even if it is the famed Areshia Spirit Academy, it is rare to find such a fine specimen like yourself!"

"Disappear. I told you to never appear in front of me again."

"Wah, you're pretty cold. I just came here to find out how the corruption rate of the 'heart' was."

"I have no intentions to support your research. The 'heart' can already be fully controlled."

Vivian Melosa laughed out loud.

"Don't stretch it. A 'spell armament seal engraved on a heart'— the only person who could possibly control it is the Dusk Witch. If you just leave it like that, you will die in a few years~"

"Not a problem. As long as I live till the Spirit Blade Dance Festival two weeks later, it is enough."

"That is troublesome to me though. You are actually a specimen I took a liking to—"

In an instant, Velsaria released her Elemental Waffe towards Vivian Melosa.

With the strength of the compressed Divine power, it blew apart the trees in the forest, and blasted away the dirt in front of her.

After the dust had settled, there was no one there. Only the dense darkness.

"...That damned witch."

Facing the empty space, Velsaria bitterly cursed.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Thump*—, the 'heart' started painfully throbbing.

<noinclude>{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume3 Chapter7|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume3 Chapter9}}</noinclude>

Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume3 Chapter7

2012-12-11T06:57:38Z

Blood: /* Part 3 */

==Chapter 7 - Valentia Holy Festival==
=== Part 1 ===
It was evening. The plaza of Academy Town was bustling with crowds of people.

Sweet smells tickled his nostrils. At the shrine, delicious-looking baked sweets were piled up like a mountain and princess maidens dispatched from the academy were showcasing a blade dance that entertained the spirits.

"However, where did that girl go?”

As his gaze fell towards the chocolate that Claire had thrown aside—

Kamito breathed a sigh, exasperated.

Together with Ellis and the other two, they had given chase after Claire. But halfway through, the time for the change of patrols came and they had to give up. With that, they started their rounds around the «Wind» area.

"....."

Ellis, walking right beside him with a complicated expression, stared at the chocolate that Kamito was carrying.

"What is it, Ellis?"

"N-No, it's nothing.... It looks like there's no problem in this area."

Ellis coughed, and looked away.

Indeed, there did not seem to be any signs of suspicious activity in this area.

Although there might have been brawls between drunkards and pickpockets, those kinds of troubles were left for the town's vigilante corps to deal with. Rather, what Kamito and the others needed to look out for were the matters that the townspeople, who were not used to interaction with spirits, incurred the anger of the spirits unknowingly.

During the rituals of worshiping the spirits, those kinds of incidents occurred frequently.

"This is almost like.... a da-date."

"Hm, did you say something?"

"Nothing at all, concentrate more on patrolling!"

Ellis' face was flushed a deep red as she got angry.

"So-Sorry...."

Kamito apologized.

''.....Wait a second, isn't Ellis the one who isn't concentrating?''

Since awhile ago, Ellis was not able to calm down, was stealing glances at Kamito's face from the side now and then.

Somehow, her manner of walking seemed unsteady and uncertain.

Their shoulders coming so close together that he was not sure whether they were touching, and then her screaming "Fuwaa", once again moving away from him — that kind of thing was repeated over and over.

Because of that, they bumped into the people that they passed by, many times.

"Ellis, walking like that is dangerous."

Unable to watch any longer, Kamito grabbed Ellis' hand,

"......W-W-What are you doing, you insolent person!"


"No, since a while ago, you were somewhat unsteady, and it got dangerous... Your hand is also a little hot. Would you happen to have a fever or something?"

"...～Wh-Whose fault do you think it is?!"

As Ellis' hand was joined with Kamito's, she hit his shoulder.

"I'll have you bear responsibility for taking my first time!"

"Wh...!?"

At those words of Ellis, whose face was colored in bright red,—

The people, going back and forth the street, turned around with their faces lighted up.

They glared at Kamito with a scornful-like look and murmured in a soft voice together.

"Ellis, don't utter something that would invite misunderstandings!"

"I-It isn't a misunderstanding! Really, I-it's my first time joining hands with a man!"

"...!?"

''I see''— Kamito suddenly understood.

Thinking about it, Ellis was also an ojou-sama with a prestigious noble background.

Now that he thought about it, Claire and the others seemed like they were hesitating about joining hands with him when they were departing yesterday. To them who were the daughters of nobles, joining hands with a boy might be an act more embarrassing than he imagined.

"...Sorry. My bad."


Just as Kamito was about to release her hand—

"Ah, no, I don't mind, and I didn't mean to scare you."

As Ellis embarrassedly looked away, she tightly squeezed his hand back.

It was the soft feeling of a girl's hands. The reason hard calluses were formed here-and-there was surely the proof that she seriously practised her martial arts.

Just like that, Ellis walked on stiffly like a spring-action toy.

"I-It's... a guy's hand"

"Of course, it is."

Upon hearing Kamito's reply, Ellis giggled, seemingly happy, for some reason.

He was instantly startled by that facial expression of the usual dignified Ellis.

"It's more embarrassing than I thought... to hold hands."

"Ahh, that is true."

Scratching his cheek with one hand, Kamito vaguely nodded.

To be honest, he was a little absent-minded.

From a moment ago, Ellis' large busts were pressing on his arm.

Although, he didn't directly touch them because her Knights breastplate was there, the sensation of their elasticity was being transmitted whether he liked it or not. The reason his eyes unconsciously moved to her willful body beneath her armour was something that couldn't be helped for a boy in puberty.


''W-With such a stiff personality, her body sure is soft...''

With his heart beating hard and full of excitement, the two walked down the main street filled with the hustle-and-bustle of the festival for a while.

The beautiful stone-made street was lit up by the illumination of the spirit ores.

Pointing at the soft-toy bear ornamented at the display window, Ellis' eyes had sparkled, and she was gazing at a gorgeous party dress in front of a clothing shop.

When Kamito brought up yesterday's maid's outfit incident to tease her, her face turned bright red as she flared up.

"Hmph! After all, I'm not suited for those sort of beautiful clothings!"

"There's no such thing. Ellis in her usual knight clothing is also attractive but I also want to see Ellis wearing clothes like these."

"...What-What are you talking about?"

Pouting her lips, Ellis bashfully looked downwards.

Those actions were not of the usual dignified knight, they seemed to be those of an ordinary girl.

Looking at her like that——

Kamito suddenly had something he wanted to try asking.

"Hey, Ellis, why did you plan on becoming a knight?"

While she was the daughter of the top military families, the Fahrengart family, he had felt that her obsession towards the way of life of a knight wasn't just because of that reason.

"......"


Ellis slowly turned her face toward him.

"At first, it was because of the admiration towards Aneue."

"That Velsaria Eva?"

"That's right. Aneue was a splendid knight. She was a person who was disciplined with herself, hated injustice, was earnestly polishing her sword skills, and was always aiming for a way of life like attaining the objective of the people."

As if gazing at somewhere far away, she looked up at the sky that was dyed by the faint sunset.

"From when I was a child, I had always been thinking of wanting to be a knight like Aneue. As the successor of the Fahrengart family, I want to be a spirit knight that protects many people. So, when I joined the academy, I immediately made an application to the Sylphid Knights that Aneue was serving as Captain."

Suddenly, Ellis's reddish-brown pupils darkened.

However— She continued.

"When I joined the academy, Aneue had already changed. As if she was spurred on by something, she had turned into someone merely pursuing only power. Of course, I can't say that way of life is absolutely wrong. Pursuing power superiorly is also the proper way of life as a spirit contractor. However, at the very least, that person now isn't the knight I admired."

"What had changed her like that?"

Kamito asked—

Ellis tightly bit her lips,


"It's probably '''the match with Ren Ashbell three years ago'''."

"...!?"

Without thinking, Kamito had raised his voice.

"I'm also not sure what happened. However, with that match, it is a fact that Aneue had changed."

"..."

Kamito dropped his sight onto his left hand tucked into a leather glove.

The spirit seal, which tied him with his former contracted spirit, was engraved over there.

It was the left hand that defeated Velsaria and won through the Blade Dance three years ago.

It was the left hand that had cut down many «wishes» for the sake of victory.

''—The me three years ago had not been looking at anything.''

He was just merely fighting for her sake.

He had earnestly accumulated victories and brought down many opponents with a pure heart.

There were practically no opponents whose faces he remembered. At that time, he didn't have the leisure of thinking about things like what kind of thoughts the opponents defeated by Ren Ashbell had participating in the Blade Dance

He recalled Velsaria Eva's icy-like pupils.

''...Was it me who changed Ellis' respected knight?''

Ellis dropped her line of sight from the madder-red sky, and turned towards Kamito.


Her reddish-brown pupils harboured strong will.

"I want to show Aneue it, the way of the knight I believe in. Although I am still inexperience now, I am thinking of wanting to seize the thing that lies beyond power someday. For that reason, I'm participating in the Blade Dance."

For the sake of the way of the knight I believe in—

Ellis, who said that in a dignified manner, was dazzling to Kamito.

"Ellis, don't you hate Ren Ashbell?"

Kamito had inquired spontaneously.

If the occasion that changed Velsaria was assumed to be the match from three years ago—

It couldn't be helped that she was hated by Ellis— So, he thought.

However, Ellis lightly shook her head.

"Of course, I also had resented her when Aneue was defeated. However, while looking at Ren Ashbell winning and winning, I noticed that I was getting captivated by her."

"I don't get it. She should be similar to the other spirit contractors, merely dancing a blade dance for the «wish». It's not like she has a splendid goal like Ellis—"

"Wrong"

Ellis interrupted with a harsh voice.

"...?"

"Her blade dance was a blade dance more noble than anyone's. If that was not the case, it would be impossible for her to satisfy the Elemental Lords, and above all, why do you think the girls, who were watching her at that venue, are now still attracted to her."

"..."

Kamito spontaneously gulped at the threatening look of Ellis who was like scolding him harshly.

"It was precisely because the appearance of her dancing the blade dance was noble that I was charmed by and attracted to her. Surely, she wasn't swinging her sword for herself— but for someone."

"For someone..."

Kamito—

Stared motionlessly at his left hand that exchanged a contract with the darkness spirit girl.

He felt like he was saved a little with Ellis' words.

For someone— That was correct. The reason Kamito participated the Blade Dance was for her.

Losing himself, he swung his sword for the sake of granting her one and only desired «wish».

Even if, for example, that result was something disgusting.

Performing a blade dance for his precious her— at least that was certained.

The girl in front of him had said so.

"Ellis, thank you."

"...? What is this about?"

Ellis frowned suspiciously.


"No, nothing."

Kamito laughed bitterly as he looked away from Ellis.

—Then, his gaze stopped at one store.

"Ellis, could you accompany me to buy a little something?"

"W-We're on duty, you know."

"I have decided on what to buy. It shouldn't take more than a minute."

"...It can't be helped. What are you buying?"

"Um, something..."

As Kamito scratched the back of his ear, he walked towards the store.

=== Part 2 ===

Claire was walking through the spirit forest on the outskirts with a dejected expression.

The lively noise from the plaza far away could be heard.

The day was almost over, but it was somewhat vexing for her to return just like that and she also felt that she didn't want to meet Fianna and Rinslet.

"...Euph! What with the work of the Knights? D-Despite that I was planning to forgive him."


Claire rubbed her eyes briskly with her uniform sleeves.

The cold evening wind blew her red twin-tailed hair like it was making fun of her.

Claire bit her lips tightly and dropped her sight onto her leather loafers.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Potaa*<ref>sound of waterdrops</ref> A drop of tear spilled over and fell.

"...It's my birthday and yet..."

Upon voicing it out, she suddenly became unbearably lonely.

Every year, both her parents, her sister and the locals would gather in great numbers in their castle and a grand birthday party would be held. She would wear a beautiful dress, the table would be fully lined up with her favourite cakes and feasts, and she would be sleeping in a warm bed together with her sister, who would return from the «Divine Ritual Institute» only on that day— that would be the most enjoyable day of the year.

However, four years ago— on that day when her sister Rubia Elstein betrayed the Elemental Lord of Fire.

Young Claire lost everything.

''...That's right, I still have my goals.''

Shaking off her sentiments, Claire sharply raised her face from the ground.

It was not the time to be having fun with such things like her birthday or the Valentia Holy Festival.

''My goals are to win through the Blade Dance and know the truth of four years ago. For that objective, I have to become even stronger—''

Her red twin-tailed hair bristled up like flames.


''Even if someone like Kamito isn't there, I'll—''

"Fufu, you seem to be harbouring a lot of stress, hellcat ojou-sama."

"...!?"

Towards the voice from behind—

Claire quickly turned around.

A girl was giggling as she was standing at the opposite of the grove of trees.

She had jade-green hair that grew till her waist and ears with sharp tips.

She had recollections of her.

She was the waitress, who came carrying the gigantic parfait, at the restaurant yesterday.

''When did she get close?!''

Claire got cautious and readied herself. To approach Claire, a spirit contractor, without being noticed, she couldn't be a normal person.

Her intuition was telling her that this lady was dangerous.

"Who... are you? I am sorry but I am now in a terrible bad mood."

"Ah, what a cute face you're making, what a very scary cat."

Vivian Melosa swung both her hands to show her.

"Despite that I took great pains on planning to lend you power.”

"...Power?"


Claire's eyebrows twitched.

"Yes, it's the thing that you now desire the most."

"You... could you be...?"

Clare glared at the lady before her.

"The Curse Armament Seal smuggler!"

"Correct! However, to be accurate, it would be researcher, you know♪"

As Vivian Melosa was swinging her index finger, she was slowly walking towards her.

Her red glaringly shiny pupils were peering motionlessly into Claire's eyes.

It was like she saw through till the innermost depths of her heart.

"—Hmm, kitty, don't you want that splendid power?"

Her words roaringly reverberated.

Claire couldn't move like her feet were binded.

''This is domination magic?!''

It was a type of mind manipulation magic.

Her words echoed many times in her head and penetrated the innermost part of her mind.

"... You"

"If you implanted my «Curse Armament Seal», your hellcat-chan will become an even mightier spirit."

It hurt like her head was splitting. Even if she plugged her ears with both hands, the words penetrated through.


—Hey, don't you want power?

—The power to overwhelm everything— The power to achieve your «wish».

''...It's obvious that I want something like that!''

She had wanted power. She had needed power at any cost for the sake of her goals.

For that reason, she would do anything— She had prepared herself like that since that day four years ago.

Thus, she had even risked the danger to her life to reach her hand out to a powerful sealed spirit.

She had made a contract with that darkness spirit's presented frenzy spirit.

However.

"Don't look down on me!"

In an instant, Claire's blazing Flame Tongue manifested in her hand, and mowed down the space before her.

"...My domination magic was broken?"

"My apologies but I'll reject your forceful sale."

As Claire raised her breathing, she swung her Flame Tongue with a snap like to shake off the temptation.

"How disappointing. I thought you had the qualifications but it looks like I miscalculated."

Vivian Melosa shrugged her shoulders looking bored.

If it was Claire from a few weeks ago, she probably wouldn't have been able to oppose the temptation.

She might have seek easy power and laid her hands on the Curse Armament Seal.

''But I'm now different.''


If you want power— I will become your contract spirit.

''...After all, he had promised me''

"So, I don't need such phony powers!"

At the same time Claire shouted, she released a fireball of spirit magic.

She didn't go easy on the merchant opponent of the Curse Armament Seal. She attacked with the intention of turned her completely into cinders.

A terrifying shock and explosion resounded in the quiet forest.

The trees in the surroundings were blown off at one go and had fallen down in a straight line.

The trees burned up. However, Vivian Melosa wasn't there.

"Fufu, please don't be in such a hurry. There is someone else who wants to meet you without fail."

A bewitching voice sounded from within the forest.

Claire was startled and turned around—

From deep within the forest, a tall girl appeared.

"You are..."

She was the adamantine spirit contractor upperclassman, who provoked Claire yesterday.

There was completely no expression on that face of hers.

She came over, walking unsteadily like a ghost.

"Don't tell me... the Curse Armament Seal?"

"Ah, please don't be mistaken. The one who wanted power was her. Although, it looks like her mind couldn't bear my Curse Armament Seal."

The sound of chuckling scorns reverberated within the forest.

"...Wa...a...laire...Rouge...Aaaahhh!"

The adamantine spirit contractor girl released a ear-splitting wail.

In that instant, a violent wind swept over, and a huge beast appeared from nowhere.

Over there— There was large deer of the metal attribute, which easily surpassed Claire's height.

It had two horns that extended out radically and black pupils that harboured signs of atrocity.

It had a terrifying air of intimidation that was like her skin trembled.

"What? Isn't this... the adamantine spirit!?"

Claire raised her voice in shock.

Her contracted spirit shouldn't be a powerful high-ranking spirit of this level.

"No, that is without doubt her spirit. It evolved with my Curse Armament Seal, you know♪"

Vivian Melosa chuckled.

"So, would you please cooperate with my experiment, hellcat ojou-sama."

"...!?"

The frenzied large deer released a repulsive roar and came charging over.


=== Part 3 ===
What Kamito bought was the cat pendant that Claire was looking at.

After getting the box wrapped with a red ribbon, Kamito placed it into his chest pocket as he embarrassedly scratched his face.

"Today is her birthday."

"I see. The reason you asked for the remuneration in advance was for the sake of buying that."

"Hn, you could say that... but, I ended up having a quarrel with her."

The moment Kamito shrugged his shoulders, Ellis coughed.

"I think reconciling is not going to be that hard. Wasn't that chocolate from just now Claire Rouge's handmade item?"

"Ah, it looks like it. It also looks like she practised yesterday."

"For her to give that on the day of the Valentia Holy Festival means that, err, she doesn't even hate you, I think... I mean, I think that she wants to reconcile, right?"

"If it was like that, it would be great."

"A-Although, in the case where the recipient is of the opposite sex , there is also a slight chance that that's not just it but..."

Ellis coughed again—

She stared at Kamito's face.


"Hn? What's the matter?"

"E-Err, u-um... Actually, I-I also have chocolates—"

Ellis was almost going to take out something from the pocket of her uniform, and at that moment.

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Dooooon—!*

An earth-shaking-like thunderous roar reverberated from the direction of the plaza.

"...Ellis!?"

"Ah, lets go Kamito!"

Ellis instantly changed back to her knight face, and started running vigorously.

=== Part 4 ===

Pushing their way through the chaotic crowds and arriving at the plaza—

"What is that!?"

A gigantic beast had been rampaging about in the middle of the plaza.

It was beast like a wild boar, with two sharp tusks.

Its whole body was covered by a shell that was like thoroughly polished mirror.

That was not a beast. That was a spirit.

Furthermore, it was a frenzied high level spirit.


The crowd in the plaza had already fallen into panic.

In trying to escape simultaneously in the same direction, they ended up falling one after another all over the place.

There also seemed to be a great number of old people and young children amongst the crowd.

"Did someone make the spirit run wild?"

"Ah, there might be a spirit contractor somewhere but that thing has completely lost control."

As expected of being used with these sort of situations, Ellis was very calm.

She had already armed her elemental waffe «Ray Hawk» in her hand.

"The investigation of the cause will be done later. I've concluded this situation to be a level five spirit disaster. Let's exterminate it, Kamito."

"Understood!"

Giving a nod, Kamito unsheathed Terminus Est from the sword belt on his hip.

Driving divine power to the sword, he woke up the sleeping {{Furigana|Demon King Killing Sacred Sword|Demon Slayer|margin=13}}.

"Est, lend me your power!"

Responding to the presence of the elemental waffen, the frenzied spirit turned towards the two.

Releasing an atmosphere-shaking giant roar, it kicked the ground and charged forward.

There was a terrifying tremor. The buildings around collapsed one by one.

"—Ha!"

Ellis swung Ray Hawk horizontally.

Countless wind blades that could even rip steel apart were produced and were released simultaneously towards the spirit.


Even if a high level spirit took on that directly, it would not get away fine.

But—

At that moment, the shell of the mirror-like spirit glowed rainbow colors.

"What!?"

Beams of light burst forth— And at the same time, the blades of wind that should have hit it directly were all reflected at once.

The wind blades that were bounced back slashed the surrounding buildings right in half. The upper half of the buildings slowly fell down, and raised up a thunderous roar and a large dancing cloud of sand.

"My wind blades were repelled!?"

"No— It amplified and reflected them."

Kamito sharply glared at the spirit in front of him.

''...A spirit that reflects attribute attacks, eh?''

What came to Kamito's mind was the match yesterday.

''...Don't tell me, that's the mirror spirit?''

"It's coming, Kamito!"

Ellis shouted out. After blasting off the scattered rubble, the frenzied spirit started charging.

Kamito took a stance with Terminus Est and stood in the way of the spirit.

It would be easy to dodge— But, that couldn't be done.

There was a great crowd, who was late in getting way, behind him. He had to protect them at that point.


Its huge tusks were approaching. That intense blow— was stopped by Kamito using the edge of his sword.

A metallic sound resounded. He could barely stopped the large beast but Terminus Est, who could only bring forth less than a tenth of her power, couldn't even chip its skin.

''...This thing's divine power is in a different league.''

Cold sweat surfaced on Kamito's forehead.

As Kamito held back the gaint tusks with the sword, he was gradually getting pinned down.

''Damn, if we're in Astral Zero, I'll be able to manage somehow but—''

It was a frenzied high level spirit. It might be a threat to ordinary spirit contractors, but for Kamito who was titled the Strongest Blade Dancer, it was not an opponent that would give him a hard fight.

However, the problem was the fact that the crowd, which was late in getting away, was there in his surroundings.

What would happen if he released this beast into them would be plainly obvious.

Discerning that attribute attacks was ineffective, Ellis landed behind Kamito and went on guiding people to take refuge. It was a Sylphid Knights Captain-like calm and reasonable decision.

The demon mirror spirit started to howl wildly.

It smashed the ground with that shock and sent Kamito, who was holding back the tusks, flying.

And like that, he plunged into a mountain of rubble.

"Gah, what crazy strength..."

Groaning, Kamito tried to stand up as he was wavering, and—


"—Kamito!"

Hearing Ellis' shout, Kamito quickly turned his head around.

The demonic mirror spirit was stampeding its feet violent on the ground.

In its path, there was a small girl petrified.

It was probably the first she had seen a rampaging spirit, so it seemed that she got scared and her feet wouldn't move.

The spirit released a loud roar and charge.

''Damn, I can't make it!''

Upon standing up, Kamito kicked the ground and leaped.

With that timing, grabbing the girl and dodging was impossible.

Making a quick judgement, he pushed the girl to the side.

A spray of red blood danced out.

The strong attack gouge the side of Kamito's abdomen.

"Gwah!"

It was hot. His vision turned pure white at that burning-like pain.

The demonic mirror spirit swung its tusks and Kamito's body was slammed onto the ground.

"...! Kamito!!"

Ellis instantly dashed towards him.


The white school uniform was slowly dyed with the color of blood.

''... What about that girl?''

Enduring the pain, he encircled his surroundings with his line of sight—

The girl he thrust aside was unable to stand up and was sitting on the ground.

The moment he took a breath of relief, he coughed violently.

Red blood surged out onto the ground.

"Kamito! Are you alright?! Kamito—!!"

Ellis cried out loud.

"Ah... Somehow."

Like he sustained a concussion, his consciousness was slipping away.

The face of the Ellis worriedly looking at him became blurry,

Cold sweat gushed out from his whole body. He knew that he was turning pale.

Pressing the side of his abdomen with one hand, Kamito slowly stood up.

He glared at the demonic mirror spirit that was covered in his own blood.

"E-Ellis, cover me. I'll take care that guy."

"But, your injury—"

"The affinity between your elemental waffe and this guy is too uncompatible. Only I can do this."

Presented with an irrefutable truth, Ellis vexingly bit her lips


Kamito clenched Terminus Est with both hands, and put in all the divine power he had.

''...I have to finish it at the next strike...''

The {{Furigana|Demon King Killing Sacred Sword|Demon Slayer|margin=13}} was the strongest class of elemental waffe, but its output was very unstable.

Without driving enough divine power into it and controlling it, most of its power couldn't be manifested.

With the current state of Kamito, he could only bet on that one strike.

The demonic mirror spirit raised its tusk, and charged again.

"Ellis, I'm counting on you!"

"Ah!"

Kamito jumped— no, flew just above it.

Ellis had used her wind spirit magic.

Flying over the demonic mirror spirit, Kamito swung his sword downwards on the huge beast's head.

However.

''...! It didn't go through!?''

The Demon King Killing Sacred Sword only slightly pierced the demonic spirit's forehead.

Because of his serious injury, his control over Est was unstable.

The raging demonic mirror spirit shook his head violently and threw Kamito on the ground.

The behemoth slowly approached the fallen Kamito from just above his head—

At that moment, a deep crimson slash ripped the skies apart.


Flame Tongue was twined around the demonic mirror spirit, making it trip and that behemoth toppled sideways .

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Dooon!*

There was terrifying tremor. Dust instantly flew up.

"What!?"

From the shroud of dust— her voice could be heard.

"That person is my slave spirit... don't touch him without my permission!"

"Claire!?"

Kamito's eyes widened in surprise.

Holding Flame Tongue, Claire got down from the second floor of a building.

"Y-You, why—"

"We'll talk afterwards. Let's defeat them first."

"Them?"

Kamito suspiciously frowned— and followed after what was before Claire's glaring line of sight.

Then, buildings were destroyed and, from the opposite side of the plaza, another spirit appeared.

It was a large deer of metal with huge horns hung high on its head.

"...! There's another one?!"

"What on earth is happening, Claire Rouge?"

Ellis rushed over and asked with a sharp expression.


"Their masters are the demonic mirror spirit contractor and the adamantine spirit contractor students. I've already defeated the spirit contractors, but these two spirits have completely lost control and gone into a frenzy."

"Don't tell me, it's the two people from yesterday... B-But their contract spirits don't have that kind of form—"

Stopping his sentence midway— Kamito suddenly realized. Ellis also seemed to get it.

"Don't tell me..."

"Uh, they made use of the Curse Armament Seals."

"...!"

Ellis bit her lips vexingly.

She was lamenting about the fact that she couldn't stop the students from reaching out to the Curse Armament Seals.

Curse Armament Seal allowed mid level spirits to evolve into a high level spirit. There's no way they'll be all right transplanting such things. The result was the rampaging of their spirits.

"By the way, what's with those injures of yours!?"

Noticing the blood stains on the uniform, Claire widened her eyes.

"...Ah, I made a blunder. You too, aren't you also covered in injuries?"

"...S-Such a thing is not a big deal."

Claire quickly turned her face away, holding up a strong front.

But, even her uniform was torn everywhere, her limbs were full with injuries.

"Putting that aside, Ellis, where's the Sylphid Knights reinforcements?"


"They should already be on their way. However, it's just that the ones policing this area were Kamito and I... amongst this crowd, it will take time for them to come from the other areas."

Ellis bit her lips and looked down. As the battle strength of the Sylphid Knights was almost cut by half, they couldn't help but disperse their security forces.

Releasing a loud roar that shook the earth, the fallen demonic mirror spirit got up.

The adamantine spirit with the form of a large deer was also slowly walking to the center of the plaza.

"There are two high level spirits running wild, —As expected, this is really intense."

Claire nervously groaned.

There were still large groups of people, who failed to escaped outside the plaza. Waiting leisurely for the reinforcement from the Sylphid Knight and the Academy would only end up in irreparable results.

"I could probably at least stall for time?"

"Apologies, Claire Rouge, lend me your strength until reinforcements arrive."

Respectively clenching their own Elemental Waffe, Claire and Ellis confronted the two spirits.

And at that instant, a bright flash exploded.

There was a ear-splitting thunderous sound. The rubble was smashed up.

"...! What was that!?"

As Kamito protected his eyes from the flying stone fragments, he yelled out.

That was rain.


That was a rain of bombardment that mercilessly fired at the two spirits.

The ground violently shook, and countless pillars of fire shot up to the sky.

"..."

The moment the bombardment stopped—

There was only the completely destroyed plaza left behind.

The two high level spirits were completely annihilated.

''...What on earth happened!?''

While coughing violently, Kamito looked high up— at the direction of the bombardment.

Over there— a giant fortress was floating!

It was an aerial fortress that was equipped with several layers of composite armor and countless amount of cannons.

A pair of frozen ice-blue pupils were glaring onto the ground.

"The Silent Fortress—"

The Academy's strongest Spirit Contractor, who destroyed the plaza in an instant, slowly landed on the ground.

"Strength will be trampled by greater strength. Half-baked strengths are the same as nothing."

"Velsaria..."

Kamito pressed down on the side his abdomen that was oozing blood as he glared at Velsaria.

There were buildings of the plaza that was destroyed in every way possible by the bombardment.

The fragments of rubble, which was smashed up, were merciless raining onto the crowd that had not flee.


"Why did you open fire! You should know that using such an elemental waffe would end out like—"

"I only exterminated the rampaging spirits. Those that were involved were unlucky— no, for it to end with this level of damage was instead lucky of them."

"Aneue! Do you seriously think like—"

Velsaria coldly looked down at the enraged Ellis.

"Ellis, it looks like it was a mistake to entrust you as the captain. It seems like you can't even deal with a situation of this level. You're free to spit out your ideals of a knight or something— but ideals without power are just thoughtless words. You don't have the qualifications to call yourself a knight."

"...!?"

Pushing away Ellis, Velsaria was about to leave.

At that moment.

"Take it back."

"What?"

"Take it back, those words you just said! And apologize to Ellis!"

With his faint consciousness, Kamito dragged his feet forward with wobbly footsteps and approached Velsaria.

It was unacceptable that she spouted out such words without even knowing Ellis feelings.

It was the fact that the one who spouted such words was the knight that Ellis had once admired.

"Whatever belief you hold onto is your freedom. However, you know, I'll just never forgive you who doesn't know anything, for stepping on Ellis' ideals."

"I'm just saying the truth. The Fahrengart knights would never twist their words."

"Don't mess around, you do not have the qualifications to call yourself a knight."

"...!?"

There were ripples of emotions rising in Velsaria's pupils.

It was neither irritation, nor anger— but some different emotion.

"Disappear, male spirit contractor. Your existence is an eyesore."

"Wait—"

Just when he was going to try chase her further, Kamito's vision violently shook.

Blood gushed out of his throat. The vision in front of his eyes suddenly began to fade like there was a haze.

"Damn...!"

"—Kamito!"

Claire quickly held and stopped Kamito's body that was falling to the ground.

<noinclude>
== Translator's Notes and Reference ==
<references/>

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