Editing Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume13 Chapter2 (section)

===Part 5===

"O Salamander born from primordial flames, I hereby beseech thee to make thy way here&mdash;"

Hidden behind a tree, the salamander spirit entered the spirit crystal in her hand with a whoosh.

Behind the school building, Rinslet was currently preparing indispensable fire spirits for crossing snow-covered mountains.

"...Hoo, spirits in the area have reduced greatly in number too."

"Probably affected by the attack several days earlier, it looks like the forest's trees have been contaminated."

The maid Carol answered.

Just as she pointed out, the damaged tree's edges had already turned black.

Spirits would not live in hated land that was contaminated by darkness. Although the princess maidens tried to use prayers for purification, returning things to the way they were would still require a very long time.

"At this rate, the sun will be going down. Should we go deeper into the forest?"

"Yes, milady."

As Rinslet walked into the depths of the forest, Carol followed in a patter of footsteps.

That said, students were only allowed into the outskirts of the Spirit Forest. Going deeper, not only the Sylphid Knights but even teachers were not permitted to enter.

After walking briefly in the forest&mdash;

"...Umm, Carol."

"Yes, milady."

Rinslet stopped walking and coughed once.

"I-I am about to go on a journey with Kamito-san, just the two of us..."

"Yes."

"U-Umm. Going on a journey with a boy, this will actually be the first time. To be honest, it is a bit unsettling."

Indeed, in actual fact, Rinslet was very nervous right now.

"No problem, milady. I've heard that journeys will help deepen feelings between opposite genders."

Carol smiled "fufu~"

"...! W-What deepening feelings, nothing of that sort is within my considerations at all!"

Rinslet denied with her face red. Carol whispered into her ear:

"...A small trip with only milady and Kamito-sama alone. This is a great chance to get ahead of everyone else!"

"I-I did not propose accompanying Kamito-san for such reasons!"

Rinslet turned around guiltily.

"Indeed, I simply, simply want to become Kamito-san's strength, that is all&mdash;"

(...But was that really the case?)

Kamito was always surrounded by many cute girls&mdash;

Rinslet had almost no opportunity to spend time alone with Kamito.

But this time, it was a small trip just the two of them.

...It would be lying if she said she was not looking forward to this at all.

(...Although Est-san is with us, she's almost always sleeping during the day.)

Her heart could not help but pound.

...Speaking of which, the novel she had borrowed from Claire a few days earlier was about a man of low status falling in love with a highborn young lady. While they were eloping, resting together, the couple had naturally embraced tightly in bed&mdash;

(...Ah, w-what manner of perverted delusions am I imagining!?)

Huff... Huff... Huff...!

Rinslet shook her head forcefully. Just at this time&mdash;

"&mdash;Rinslet!"

"K-Kamito-san!?"

On the forest trail, Kamito ran over frantically.

"...Sorry, can we set off immediately?"

"...Eh? But I still haven't collected enough fire spirits."

"These ones we have on hand are enough. Let's set off now."

"Why are you suddenly so impatient to leave?"

"Apart from us, there seem to be others searching for Restia."

"Huh?"

Kamito briefly explained about the Holy Kingdom's knights appearing near the border.

"...! Now is definitely not the time for slow preparations."

Rinslet nodded and turned to face Carol.

"I am leaving the rest to you, Carol."

"Yes, please rest assured, milady."

Carol nodded solemnly.

"Then let us depart, Kamito-san&mdash;"

"Yeah!"