Editing Hagure Yuusha no Aesthetica:Volume 5 Chapter 5 (section)

===Part 6===
 
It was hard to grasp the flow in time in such an environment.
 
Isolated from the outside world, and enclosed in a quiet dungeon cell.
 
Those were the conditions Miu was enduring during her captivity.
 
...... What time is it now......?
 
After Miranda left the solitary cell she felt a considerable amount of time had passed. Her public execution was scheduled for sunrise. Considering when she left Forestnium there was already a touch of the marble white color of the night sky on the horizon. In other words Miu's time was running out.
 
However, Ousawa Miu had no regrets. The thought of dying was certainly scary, but there were things worth sacrificing her life for -- at least she definitely thought so.
 
-- When Phil Burnett attempted to take Miu as a tool to completely destroy the Demons.
 
If at that time it had gone his way it would of caused a devastating tragedy. After all, the Demon King's daughter was quite a valuable hostage. But now it was different, Galivain had chosen a new Demon King -- Akatsuki. Miu had already conveyed her real intentions to the young people of village. Even if she were to unfortunately lose her life, they were willing to work alongside him.
 
So for that reason Miu was able to run the risk of being taken hostage when she arrived at the meeting place.
 
But -- Miu thought that didn't mean she had given up. The reason why she let herself become a Disdiya hostage was because there was no other way to buy more time.
 
Ousawa Miu knows her life was very important, because she was living proof that her father, Galious continued to live on. For father, and also for herself she couldn't afford to die here.
 
...... I will never forget what you told me......
 
A certain youth holding a place in her heart came to mind. The place where she felt she belonged -- recalling how Akatsuki took the trouble to tell her so. Recalling how he took the trouble to teach her to never give up until the bitter end. So Ousawa Miu won't give up anymore.
 
She must find a way to survive, and help those that lent a hand to her -- together with Akatsuki.
 
So Miu started to look around and confirmed the situation she was in.
 
...... The biggest problem was the anti-magic barrier......
 
The place she was being held was meant to hold criminals. Naturally measures were taken to counter magic. Although Miu only saw two guards there must be other guards stationed throughout the dungeon. And she was chained to the wall, it was nearly impossible to escape on her own.
 
...... However, there was still a chance......
 
Miu was supposed to be executed in front of a crowd the people in Disdiya. When the time comes they will have to transport her from the dungeon. Of course, they know that will be her only opportunity to escape, and were sure to take the utmost precautions when escorting her to her sentence.
 
But that was her only chance, Miu had no more choices.
 
When the moment comes she can only try and escape with all her power -- with her life at stake.
 
It was when Miu firmly swore that in her mind the door to her cell suddenly opened.
 
And the person who entered was knight in Golden Armor -- Leon.
 
"Why are you here?...... There should be a little more time before sunrise."
 
Seeing her perplexed face made Leon smile.
 
"I am aware of that. I just wanted to check how the dungeoner was doing...... can I trouble you two to step out for a little?"
 
Alongside the gentle voice was a certain pressure.
 
The two soldiers standing guard looked at each other, and then reluctantly left the cell.
 
Waiting until the cell door completely closed -–
 
"At sunrise at your public execution -- I will be the one to chop off your head."
 
After saying so, Leon slowly walked closer to Miu.
 
Miu silently glared, but Leon floated a calm smile,
 
"The look in your eyes tells me you have no intention to die here......"
 
Leon was now standing right in front of Miu,
 
"However from now on, I will always be at your side. I advise you to give up on the idea of managing an escape."
 
"..............!"
 
She knew they would take steps, but she never anticipated it this early or with such thoroughness. Mortified, Miu bite her lower lip, however Leon had mixed emotions and,
 
"Very soon this longstanding war raged within Alayzard will be marked by a period. It is unfortunate that Galious is not in this world anymore -- no matter, there is a new Demon King. After I kill you, and defeat Akatsuki for good. My war will also finally be over."
 
Miu listened as Leon spoke with such conviction. Kaidou had said he wasn't so sure that Leon was being manipulated. It seems it was his own willpower to try and kill Akatsuki and myself, and at the same time bring destruction to the Demons. At that time five years ago and now it was the same -- madness.
 
Even more so now, there was no way Miu could back down.
 
"It's still too early...... we haven't lost yet."
 
Miu squeezed out her voice as she spoke.
 
"Your still holding such unrealistic expectations for Akatsuki? You know, right now we in the dungeon underneath the palace of Disdiyan empire, while Akatsuki is now...... at Gorudono Grand Canyon."
 
Upon hearing those words, Miu couldn't help but widen her eyes in surprise. It was the long overdue moment she was wishing for. Her face immediately showed the relief she had from the bottom of heart and,
 
"Thankfully...... he finally woke up."
 
"To be honest, even I was very surprised that he survived that injury but...... he just regained consciousness, and has been delayed several steps."
 
And Leon laughed,
 
"To get to where you are by sunrise he has to in one breath defeat the forces left at Gorudono, the garrisons along the border, and the knights at the Imperial Palace. It is almost an impossible task."
 
And......
 
"Even if Akatsuki makes it to your jail cell -- I will kill you early right where you stand."
 
Just resign yourself to your fate -- was what Leon's words were meant to convey to her, but the look in Miu's eyes remained steadfast and unwavering. Then,
 
"Those eyes...... I've seen them before somewhere......"
 
When Leon looked at Miu he suddenly noticed something.
 
So Ousawa Miu answered his question for him, and reminded him of the past truth.
 
"Have you forgotten? We've have met once before long ago."
 
Yes.
 
 
 
"In that place five years ago that day that you died."
 
 
 
Leon couldn't help but stare. His mind was interconnected between the present and past.
 
"You were...... no way, that child at that time?"
 
Miu just nodded to affirm Leon's speculation. It was just like that. Leon grabbed a dark elf child, and before her eyes tried to use her once as a way to kill her Father, Galious.
 
It was not surprising that Leon wouldn't recognize her. Miu's appearance had greatly changed in those five years. In actuality, even Akatsuki was not yet aware of this astonishing fact.
 
Although her Father, Galious had never mentioned the incident, following the story she heard from Loutier it was a real eye opener for her.
 
She was sure that was the reason why -- her father did not reveal the truth that day. It was not as simple as Akatsuki killing Leon to save a mere demon child, but the valuable life of his only daughter. Galious didn't reveal the truth in order to give Sherfied one last chance out of their predicament. Perhaps that was his way in repaying the debt he owed Akatsuki.
 
And also that --  was the real reason he could entrusted her to Akatsuki.
 
At that time Miu lost consciousness after she was taken hostage by Leon. Therefore up to now, she thought that Leon was beaten by her father. However, she understood that wasn't the case after hearing the truth from Loutier.
 
At the same time, she finally understood why her father after he returned from Sherfied would tell her those words.
 
-- If that human really does defeat me, I want you to live with him.
 
From the beginning "that human" was referring to Akatsuki. Even before Akatsuki had become the "Rogue Hero," Galious had already made his decision.
 
After Leon heard the whole thing –-
 
"I see...... history really does repeat itself."
 
Leon's surprised expression gradually turned into a pleasantly surprised smile.
 
"Certainly the situation is almost the same. You were a hostage, and I was trying to kill the Demon King."
 
In addition --
 
"...... And that includes the part where Listy was about to die."
 
"Wait...... wh-what does that mean?"
 
For the first time Miu was alarmed, Leon showed a pleasant smile as if enjoying it and,
 
"Right now, Listy has come to the Imperial Palace to persuade Emperor Baram to consent to a cease-fire. The meeting is just like ours here. It's behind closed doors with no other people around. Even if something unexpected were to happen some excuse could easily be made."
 
That was why Leon was there talking to her.
 
"I heard the stories about Akatsuki after I died. That guy can make a one in ten thousand possibility into reality, and may even be able to reverse this situation."
 
But --
 
"Last time it is possible for him to kill me, and then save you and Listy...... but this time it won't go so smoothly. I will kill you, while Emperor Baram will be responsible for killing Listy. With two enemies in separate locations it is impossible to beat us at the same time. Even if he really does break into the Palace, he only has the time to save one of you. That guy will have to make a choice between you and Listy."
 
"To manufacture such a situation, you expressly came all the way to the dungeon......?"
 
Her words and expression were filled with anger.
 
"What's the matter? Do you not believe in Akatsuki?"
 
Leon laughed and,
 
"But then again, the possibility of him coming to help you appears to be higher. Since he doesn't know Listy is here or what situation she's in...... It seems she will be on the other side a little earlier than you."
 
"...... Listy-san will be fine. She is much stronger than me, and would never have an accident."
 
Miu's tone showed her belief in that like-minded girl.
 
During the duel with Akatsuki she showed that her strength was the real thing. Therefore, there was no doubt.
 
"Since she dared to come alone to a hostile environment. That would mean...... there was no possibility of failure."