Editing Shinmai Maou no Keiyakusha:Volume 2 Chapter 3

==Beyond the Trust between Master and Servant==

===Part 1===


One week until the battle. However, they would never be able to win against Takashi and the others in their current conditions.

Thus Basara and the girls worked out a plan. They would undoubtedly need fierce training to raise their battle potential, but since the time was limited, they needed to act with utmost efficacy.

---For that, they first had to know more about their opponent.

Yuki was the technique type, had perfect control over her spirit sword "Sakuya" and her ability to fight at mid-to-close range made her a Multi-Saber.

Mio and Maria surely knew that, but unlike Yuki, Takashi and Kurumi were unknown factors to them. First they needed to know about them to fight against them.

Mio had cast a spell to keep humans away from the riverbed, which they used for their training.

"---First about Takashi, he's a speed type just like me."

Basara started to talk about his former comrade to Mio and Maria.

"His battle style is a Quick Lancer. Basically, he attacks directly while hampering you with his speed. However, that's only information from when I was still at the <village>--- Meaning, five years ago."

"You mean, it's possible his style changed now?"

Mio started learning about supernatural powers only for half a year yet, so she must have needed an explanation.

She asked frowning, whereas Basara shook his head with "No".

"That's not gonna happen. I think Maria knows already, but one's type is greatly influenced by one's inborn nature. Of course you can train yourself in other styles, but it's very unlikely you'll ever exceed the level of your original style."

And,

"In the past I might have been better, but judging from our little exchange the other day, I think they're better now… At least, Takashi's definitely on top in terms of power."

"No way…"

"Rest assured, Mio-sama. He is still a speed type. Even if he has the brute force, he cannot match me, a pure power type."

Mio became worried, whereas Maria said while puffing up her chest proudly.

"Right. And Mio's far superior in terms of magical power. It's just a matter of one's forte. You don't need to worry about it too much. You just have to come up with a strategy from your own style. You're a magic type, Mio--- and a High Wizard no less. Just focus on attacking from a distance."

"But… he defeated the devil we three had troubles against so easily."

So that was the reason Mio became so timid on a rare occasion.

Certainly, Takashi defeated the giant devil, who had the three of them cornered. However,

"That was yet another battle style. A perfect surprise attack--- The exact moment, right before he released a big move, he was neglecting his defense, thus giving an opening. In a face-to-face battle, not even Takashi would have won so easily."

Of course you couldn't call Takashi weak just because of that.

"Anyway, the problem is---" "---that spear, is it not?"

Maria continued his sentence, whereas Basara nodded a "Yeah".

"That long spear he was using… that's 'Byakko', a unique spirit lance."

"By 'Byakko', you mean the white tiger that's also shown on the Takamatsuka Tomb in our history books?"

"Yeah. Originally it's one of the 'Four Symbols' from China, the mythological guardian beast of the west. That long spear has the power of 'Byakko' residing in it."

"I knew of the Hero Tribe using mythological beasts. However, when it comes down to one of the Four Symbols, I would believe it's power is bound to China, where the legend is from…"

"Of course. To begin with, it's not the original 'Byakko' that resides in the spear. But in the past, a 'Byakko' existed in Japan too, different from the one on the Takamatsuka Tomb."

On Basara's words, Mio suddenly realized.

"---The Four God Suitability of Heian-kyou*?" <ref> Name of the Capital during the Heian Period, now known as Kyoto</ref>
Basara nodded.

"Right. At that time, the esoteric cosmology of Onmyoudou was prospering and a part of the Onmyouji, who were left in charge with the protection of the city, deified the Four Gods, so intermediary sacred treasures were created on that occasion. That spear is one of them."

It was a sacred treasure created by pouring in the power of various renowned Onmyouji and moreover strengthened by the faith of numerous people. It was needless to say how tremendous it's power was.

"That said, an overly powerful weapon is hard to handle. There are conditions and limits on how 'Byakko's' power can be manifested in the spirit lance. As long as we're careful about that, we should be able to fight against it somehow."

"The mythological guardian beast of the west… I guess, it would be fatal to let him attack in the western direction?
Basara shook his head to Maria's uttered question.

"Nah, it's the opposite. Since 'Byakko' is the guardian beast for it, it cannot attack in the western direction. But on the other side, with it's back to the west and launching an attack into the eastern direction, it utilizes an enormous power."

That said, the West originating in China was different from the West of the cardinal directions. <ref> The Chinese have the "Five Cardinal Points" with an extra direction called the center</ref>

However, the "Byakko" in question was the spirit lance that was created as a sacred treasure from the belief in Japan's Heian period. Therefore it should be safe to assume that the normal cardinal directions applied to it. And,

"According to Five Elements of China, the 'Byakko' is associated with metal, but in terms of the four classical elements, it's assigned the air element--- For a speed type like Takashi, it's the most befitting attribute."

"Air…? Then what froze that devil?"

"That's because Orion and Taurus, which are part of the seven mansion of the original 'Byakko', are winter constellations here in Japan. It must have a limited ice attribute from that. But it's a sub-attribute at best. Otherwise he wouldn't have shown it to us so easily."

"Basara-san, have you seen the main power of that spirit lance before?"

"Definitely not myself, but I heard that it releases a 'powerful gust that mows down everything'."

"Even so," said Basara.

"The long spear has a wide reach, but Mio's magic is even wider and Maria's at an advantage in a close range fight. Just keep your back to the West while fighting Takashi. But he should be anticipating that and he moves even faster than us. Even if he manages to get his back to the West, avoid standing in a directional line to the East by all cost then."

One breath,

"Distance and directions--- If we keep these two points in mind, we'll definitely beat him."

===Part 2===


"Mhm, I won't find a suitable place so easily in the city after all. How's it on your end, Takashi?"

"…Same for me. It might be better to give up the idea of using a common barrier."

Takashi indifferently responded to Shiba's voice, which he could hear from the wireless earphone.

---Already two days had passed since the night of the reunion with Basara.

It was now early afternoon.

Takashi and the others had split up to looked around the city.

They were searching for a suitable place for the battle with Basara and the girls. If they simply took human causalities into consideration, the public park with the wide ground and forest would be optimal.

But the nature of forests or mountains often happened to be spiritual points, which protected and cleanse the land. There was a proper reason to why the main river of the north intersected with the forest and hill of the park.

He had heard from Yuki that during the fight in that forest the other day, Naruse Mio let her own power go out of control and wrecked the place beyond recognition. And as expected, the flow in the earth there was still in disorder, making the place unsuitable for the upcoming battle.

If they carelessly harmed the place, the flow would completely break down and might cause the destruction of the whole area by natural disasters in the future.

Besides, he had "Byakko" with him now.

The places, where he could utilize it's enormous strength, were inevitable limited from the beginning. In the worst case, he would have to consider holding back with the power, but

''…No, it has to be a place, where "Byakko's" full power can be released.''

The enemy wasn't just Naruse Mio and her retainer Succubus. They would be facing Basara as well.

---Hayase Takashi hadn't forgotten what an overwhelming existence Basara had been in the village.

A genius.

The talent he was born with was cruelly out of league with Takashi's and even while they were both speed types, Takashi never managed to catch up to Basara, no matter how fast he ran.

But that was five years ago.

Takashi was different from his past-self now. And not just him. Yuki and Kurumi too.

Likewise--- Basara was different from his previous self too. Quite crucially at that.

"Basara and the girls must be desperately coming up with a plan right now…"

"……Let them try. It won't change anything anyway."

From that gruesome incident until today, Takashi and the other had undergone fierce training.

Not forgetting the tragedy of that day and embracing the despair in their hearts.

Precisely because of that they could endure the harsh training and become stronger.

---However, each of them had a different reason for becoming stronger.

Yuki changed her feelings for Basara, who was chased out of the village, into her strength.

Kurumi gained her current strength because she wished to help her older sister.

And Takashi--- He didn't want such a tragedy to occur ever again.

Just wishing for that, he became strong.

Compared to Basara, he spent his time far more significantly.

It wasn't like they were on bad terms.

Just like Yuki and Kurumi, Takashi was a childhood friend of Basara.

He was with Basara just as long as Yuki and Kurumi were.

But,

''…What was he doing after leaving the village?''

Of all things, Basara was together with the previous Devil Lord's daughter, who would only bring disaster to the world.

How could he do such a thing when he witnessed such a tragedy.

Forgetting his mission as a Hero, he might temporarily be driven by an emotional sense of justice, but it seemed that the tragedy of that day had completely become a thing of the past for Basara.

"If so, I'll remind him…"

About his sin.

About the irredeemable souls of their comrades, who he erased.

Because everyone who survived that incident was a victim, but also an offender.

Yuki would stand up for Basara due to her feelings for him, but Kurumi, who looked up to Yuki as her little sister, couldn't forgive Basara, which Takashi could relate to.

His own feelings were the same.

Hayase Takashi spit out.

"Don't forget, Toujou Basara--- Your past won't be undone."

Regardless of how much time passed.

Because the memory of that day engraved in their hearts would never fade.

===Part 3===


"------"

Naruse Mio gulped on the chilly sensation on her throat.

In front of her, Basara pointed the tip of his magical sword Brynhildr at her.

He had stopped the sword at a paper-length away because they were practicing. But if this had been a real fight--- If her opponent had been Hayase Takashi, Shiba Kyouichi or Nonaka Kurumi, then Mio would have been dead for sure.

"---Good, let's take a small break."

Basara relaxed his expression and withdrew his sword.

"Ah…"

Mio slumped down with her bottom on the ground after being released from the pressure that had sealed her movements.

At the same time, all the tension left her body and in exchange a sudden exhaustion befell her. However,

"I… I can still go on…"

Mio tried to stand up despite that, whereupon a soft, white towel was put around her shoulders.

"I know. But we'll continue when you've rested a bit and regained some stamina. If you overdo it, you lose focus, which is dangerous."

"……"

With his hand gently on her head, Mio nodded.

---Basara had told them about Hayase Takashi, who was holding the spirit lance "Byakko, Nonaka Yuki, Nonaka Kurumi and even about Shiba Kyouichi's battle style just in case, even though he had said that he wouldn't participate in the fight this time. 

Afterwards they were training real battles every day.

This city wasn't short on places, where they could practice after setting up a barrier or casting a spell to keep humans away, like the famous park, rivers or various golf courses.

After school, they were immediately training in the forest on the golf grounds next to the park. Taking Basara up on his words, Mio took a deep breath to control her breathing, whereupon

"Here, Mio-sama. A sports drink with minerals. Please re-hydrate yourself with it."

"Mm… Thanks."

Taking the pet bottle of the drink with the catchphrase of having the same composition as sweat from Maria, Mio opened the cap and wet her throat. The pleasant coldness streamed into her whole body through her throat.

"---Ah, Basara-san. Can I ask you to spar with me next?"

"Mh? Yeah, sure."

It had already been two hours since they started the training today. Basara wasn't just taking on Mio, but also Maria all by himself, yet he didn't show the slightest shred of exhaustion.

"Then I will begin" "Yeah--- Come."

After a short exchange, the two of them erased their smiles--- and attacked upfront in the next moment.

A close range fight with Basara swinging his Brynhildr and Maria fighting barehanded with her superhuman strength, spread in front of Mio's eyes. 

Basara's beloved sword Brynhildr was single-edged with a thick and huge build. Thus he could launch heavy blows even with the back of the sword, but Maria, being a succubus and power type on top, had high physical strength and easily absorbed the blows.

This was training of course. Basara wasn't attacking with his full might, but if Mio were to carelessly take one of these hits, she wouldn't just break some bones, she would be smashed. They exchanged blows, Basara with slashes and Maria with kicks and punches, one after another while each changing back and forth between offence and defense.

"…….."

While watching their fight, Mio felt frustration inside her heart.

''…I understand it in my head, but.''

In the past few days, Mio had fully realized how lacking her own strength was.

It had been half a year since she came to know about the existences and powers that went beyond the laws of this world. As she luckily had a talent for magic, she could cast powerful spells now.

According to Maria, that was an astonishing learning speed. However, compared to Basara and Maria, Mio overwhelmingly lacked actual battle experiences, even though she had trained with Maria so far.

Therefore she was now conducting training in the form of real battles against Basara or Maria, which brought about good results in the beginning, but since she wasn't used to the tension and pressure of a long battle, her stamina and concentration would run out before the other two, getting her cornered gradually.

She was already like that during training. A real fight was even more exhausting. Moreover, Hayase Takashi, the hero she would be facing soon, had a strength on par or even greater than Basara.

''…At this rate''

She would only drag down the others. That was what she felt.

The decisive battle was in four days--- Only unrest and impatience swelled up inside Mio.

===Part 4===


Going to school in the morning, doing nothing but training after school until the sun sets and then back to bed.

Repeating these three activities, the last few days went by in a flash.

And in the night two days away from the decisive battle--- Basara got a call from Takashi. The stage for the battle was set. 

Not wasting a single second on chit-chat, Takashi only reported the place and time, then hung up.

"….."

Basara had taken the call in the living room and wordlessly stared down on his cell phone.

Upon that, the door behind him opened.

"…Has it been decided?"

Maria came in with a calm voice.

She must have just finished washing off the sweat from today's training in the bath.

Basara headed to the sofa with his back still to her.
"Yeah. It'll be at night to avoid people."

"I see… Well, that certainly is better."

Maria's voice moved into the kitchen, then the sound of the refrigerator opening resounded. She was surely taking out something to drink.

While Basara sat down on the sofa, he said to her.

"Both side will cooperate in setting up the barrier to avoid gaining an advantage in it. I think Mio can also use a spatial barrier spell besides the one to keep humans away, right?"

"Yes. She never set one up in cooperation with someone, but I believe it will be all right."

The battlefield was taken care of then.

Now they only needed to make the last preparations for the fight.

"Basara-san, would you like to have some milk too?"

"Mh? Yeah, why not."

Okay~, Maria replied like that, but didn't come over to him. He could hear the low electric noise from the kitchen. It seemed like she was using the microwave. And then,

"I made you a hot milk, Basara-san. If you like, please put in some maple syrup. It will relieve your tension and let you sleep more soundly."

"Thanks… wait, why're you dressed like that!?"

Holding a plastic tablet with a mug filled with hot milk and a big bottle of maple syrup on it, Maria was practically naked, except for a single bath towel.

"Why do you ask?… This is a rather normal attire for coming out of the bath. It would be far more surprising if I were to wear a fancy dress instead."

"Who told you to wear a dress! There's only one thing you wear after getting out of the bath."

"Erotic underwear, you mean."

"I mean pajamas!"

Maria said "Oh dear" to his retort and sat down next to him on the sofa.

Her small body steamed a bit from the remaining heat of the bath and gave off the faint fragrance of shampoo and body soap.

"You see, Basara-san, I just wanted to ask you for your opinion."

"M- My opinion…?"

Basara became excited from the unbelievable sex-appeal considering her young appearance.

"Yes--- On a very important matter."

Naruse Maria said so and brought her body closer to him.


---A few minutes after Maria, Mio, who had been in the bath with her, finally came out of the bath.

She stayed in a bit long, but she did so that her fatigue was washed away for tomorrow's training.

Besides, it was still relatively short today. Usually she would stay in another ten minutes.

The bathing powder she used today probably took it's effect on her.

Either way, they had Basara take a bath first, so she could take it easy and warm up her body completely.

Mio wiped the water drops on her faintly flushed body with a towel.

The microfiber towel properly even sucked up the water from Mio's wet hair.

Putting her legs, one after another, through the new shorts, she pulled it up to her bottom.

"Mm…"

After pulling out the finger, which she used to fix the wedged part, from the side, the highly elastic fabric made a small flicking sound on her bottom.

Next she put on a shirt in place of a pajama and buttoned it up.

She started from below instead from the top, since she left the chest open to prevent constriction in her sleep.

That exposed pretty much her breasts, let alone her cleavage, but Mio wasn't afraid of showing it to those in inside the house.

For one thing, Maria was a girl like herself.

''…And besides,''

Basara had already seen her in more embarrassing appearances or situations.

---It wasn't like she was trying to provoke. She certainly was embarrassed.

However, if she were to put on extra clothes like a barrier, even though she was seen so messed up during the Master and Servant Contract or the shared bath-time, it would appear like she was strangely conscious of Basara.

==Translator Notes and References==
<references/>

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