Kaze no Kishihime v1c5

Chapter 5 — Four vs Four Duel

As usual, after finishing her work at Lord Jervul’s residence, Karin was resting in the hall when Bacchus and Narcis showed up, both looking unusually pleased. Their faces practically radiated happiness.

“You two look like you are in a good mood.”

“Of course we are! Today is the payday!”

The full knights received a stipend from the palace according to their rank. It was divided into twelve parts and paid out once a month on a fixed day. And today was that day.

“So we are heading out for a drink now. Want to come along? Cendrillon is coming too.”

At that moment, Cendrillon walked over.

“This one is not coming.”

He shut it down immediately, and Karin clenched her fists.

“Why not?” Bacchus asked in surprise.

“It is too early for drinking,” Cendrillon said flatly.

“I was already drinking a bottle a day when I was nine.”

“If he does not take a break now and then, he will collapse.”

With Bacchus and Narcis both speaking up for her, Karin straightened her posture as if to back them up.

Cendrillon glanced at her and muttered, “I suppose it cannot be helped.”

That one line filled Karin with joy, finally, she would get to eat something decent!

For the past week, all she had eaten was hard bread and bean soup, with a bit of dried meat, raw vegetables, and apples. That was it. It was not as if Cendrillon treated himself any differently, he simply had no interest in anything but alcohol, so his meals never changed.

Back in the countryside, at least the food was normal. Living like this was exhausting.

At last, something proper to eat! Just thinking about it made her smile.

The place the four of them went to was the same tavern Karin visited before, the “Breeze” tavern, which had once been Lord Dragignon’s residence.

Bacchus seemed particularly fond of the place, going on and on about the food.

“The mussels here are incredible. They say they are shipped from the northeastern sea using ice magic. Steamed in red wine, it’s so good your tongue melts.”

They were led to a table, and the dish was brought out right away.

“Here, Karin, try some.”

Bacchus urged her on.

She took a bite, and was stunned. He was right, it was so good it felt like her tongue would melt. The garlic and the taste of the sea blended perfectly, it was truly a fine dish.

“This is amazing!” she blurted out, and Narcis smiled.

“So Cendrillon has not been feeding you properly, has he?”

“That man only cares about alcohol. What a strange person.”

Karin glanced at Cendrillon. He did not touch the food at all and continued drinking silently. Even with something this good right in front of him… she could not help feeling exasperated.

Bacchus downed his wine in one gulp and laughed heartily.

“And on top of that, he hates women! The two greatest pleasures in life—women and good food—and he enjoys neither. Honestly, it is unbelievable!”

Even when he was told that, Cendrillon showed no reaction.

As the alcohol went down, the atmosphere gradually grew livelier.

Bacchus burst into loud laughter and began bragging about his exploits—stories of duels he had won, nobles he had defeated, things like that. Some of the names he mentioned were well-known, which surprised Karin.

Narcis was not about to lose either. His stories were all about romance—being pursued by some noble lady, spending the night with some young noblewoman… the kind of talk that made one dizzy just listening.

After they finished, they turned to Cendrillon for his opinion, and he would always reply the same way:

“Impressive. That is quite something.”

That alone was enough to please them, and they only grew more enthusiastic.

Karin leaned closer to Cendrillon and asked quietly,

“Are those stories true?”

Cendrillon answered in a low voice:

“They are, more or less. Just replace ‘marquises and counts’ with street thugs, and ‘duchesses and noble ladies’ with women off the street.”

I see… so they have been embellishing quite a bit.

Still, since the two of them were clearly enjoying themselves, Karin found herself enjoying it too, regardless of how true it was.

“So, Karin! I am strong, right?”

“You are a pervert, though.”

“Karin, now you understand, do you not? I am the most beautiful man in the history of the Magic Guard.”

“Your taste is terrible, though.”

Even though she kept replying sharply, the two of them were too drunk to notice. “I see, I see, you are a good one!” they said, urging her to eat more. They were not listening at all, but thanks to that, Karin was able to fill herself with food.

“Why are you two so close?”

Karin voiced the question that was on her mind. From the outside, the three of them had completely different personalities and appearances, yet they got along like brothers.

“We just clicked,” Bacchus said.

“At first, we could not stand each other, though,” Narcis added.

When Karin asked their ages, she was surprised to learn that both of them were still under twenty, they were only eighteen.

Setting Narcis aside, Bacchus did not look eighteen at all. When she said that honestly, Bacchus puffed out his chest and replied, “That is just because of the difference in experience.”

While they were enjoying their meal, the door to the tavern opened, and a group of four splendid knights dressed in pure white entered.

A hush fell over the place. Karin stared at them and immediately recognized them as the Unicorn Corps saw before. Seeing them up close, their appearance was truly dazzling.

In contrast to the Magic Guard, whose outfits were all mismatched except for their black cloaks, their white uniforms were perfectly unified, as if they stepped out of a painting. Their wands were sheathed in scabbards woven with gemstones and silver chains. Karin could not take her eyes off them, completely captivated, but Bacchus and Narcis both wore bitter expressions.

What was going on? As she wondered, one of the Unicorn Corps members who had taken a seat spoke up.

“Hey, it smells in here.”

He was a young man, about the same age as Karin and the others. The other knights nodded in agreement.

“Yeah, it smells like mold.”

The innkeeper rushed over and bowed his head.

“I do not notice any particular smell… If there is anything lacking in our service, I humbly ask for your forgiveness.”

“Oh, it is not the tavern’s fault,” the knight said lightly. “It is certain customers.”

That line made Bacchus’s face change instantly. He rose with a low growl, but Cendrillon stopped him.

“It is not worth it.”

“But—”

Karin could feel that something was off.

“Our guests here are all fine people…” the innkeeper said nervously, wiping sweat from his brow. The Unicorn Corps were clearly important patrons, but he could not afford to anger the others either.

“Fine people? Perhaps. To be dismissed from guarding His Majesty and still walk around like that… yes, that is quite impressive.”

Narcis placed a hand on his wand and moved as if to stand, but once again Cendrillon stopped him.

“Ignore them.”

“But we cannot just sit here and take that!”

Cendrillon, however, remained unconcerned.

“Did not Lady Viviane already warn us to behave? We just had a clash with the Germanians recently, did we not?”

I see… So the Magic Guard and the Unicorn Corps, who served as the Duke of Eustache’s personal guard, did not get along. Come to think of it, the Unicorn Corps had been assigned to protect the king, which meant the Magic Guard had been pushed aside and mocked for it.

“Look at those black cloaks! It is hard to believe nobles once admired them. They look like crows!”

Karin felt anger rising. What kind of Unicorn Corps is this? Just a flashy name… she thought, though she did not have the courage to say it aloud.

The Unicorn Corps knights grew increasingly brazen.

“Throw those people out,” one of them told the innkeeper. “It ruins the meal.”

Both sides were nobles, and the innkeeper was at a complete loss.

“P-please, have mercy…” he pleaded, bowing again and again. One of the knights, apparently irritated by the sight, kicked him hard, and a loud crash echoed through the tavern.

That was enough.

Karin quickly wrote “courage” on her palm with her finger and made a motion as if swallowing it. Then she stood up and pointed straight at them.

“Do you call yourselves nobles?”

“Who is this?” the knights said, looking at her in surprise.

“Karin, stop,” Cendrillon said.

“Why should I stop? Does it not anger you? They are mocking you!”

Cendrillon replied calmly,

“If we cause trouble again, our pay will be cut.”

“Are we not already poor enough? What is there left to worry about?”

Cendrillon answered seriously,

“I would not be able to afford alcohol.”

Karin stared at him in disbelief.

“You… is alcohol all you think about?!”

She shook off his hand and glared fiercely at the knights, who were sneering at her.

These were the Unicorn Corps she had once admired? Her disillusionment turned into burning anger. To think she had believed people like this were admirable…!

“Who is this kid?”

“Just a child, is he not?”

“So the Magic Guard has fallen so far that even children can join!”

The knights burst into laughter.

Karin’s expression changed. Her eyes sharpened, and her body began to tremble slightly. The air around her stirred, turning into a wind that wrapped around her.

“What is this? Too scared to say it to my face? I thought so. You are cowards, rotten people who can only whisper insults from a distance like women!”

“…Cowards.”

At that word, the laughter stopped.

The innkeeper, realizing he could do nothing, had already retreated, and the other customers sat in silence, sensing the tension.

One man stood up. He was a large man, not quite Bacchus’s size, but still imposing. Under his arm he carried a wand as large as a spear. His face was flat, almost snake-like.

“Oh? So you are hiding behind a child now. It has been a while.”

“Hey, that is Angelo,” Bacchus muttered.

“You are right,” Narcis said in surprise.

“Who is that?” Karin asked.

“He used to be in our unit,” Bacchus explained. “But he caused too much trouble and got kicked out… Looks like he joined the Unicorn Corps. Clever bastard.”

“So, a traitor,” Karin said.

“But he is strong,” Bacchus added quietly. “Be careful.”

Karin’s eyes grew even sharper.

“The Magic Guard really has fallen,” Angelo sneered. “All that is left are fools like you and children. No wonder it is headed for dissolution.”

The knights burst into laughter again.

“Shut up, you traitor. You will get what is coming to you.”

At last, Karin’s hand moved to her wand.

“Hey. If you draw that, even a child will not be forgiven.”

In the suddenly silent tavern, the knight’s voice echoed.

Cendrillon grabbed Karin’s wrist.

“That is enough, Karin.”

“Let go!”

He tried to stop her from causing a scene, but another hand intervened.

“Do not stop him, Cendrillon. He is right. Those people are unforgivable.”

It was Bacchus. Narcis also stood, placing a hand on his wand.

“There are things more important than a pay cut.”

“I challenge you to a duel,” Karin declared, drawing her wand.

For a moment, even the fear in the tavern was forgotten. All eyes were drawn to her poised figure. She stood there with such dignity, it was almost beautiful.

Bacchus and Narcis stepped forward, taking positions at her sides.

“I will issue a challenge as well.”

“As will I.”

The Unicorn Corps members rose to their feet.

“Four on your side, four on ours. Very well, we accept.”

Cendrillon stood up with a weary expression.

“…What a pain. Lady Viviane is going to scold us again.”

Both groups made their way to the courtyard of Saint Christophe Monastery, the same place as before. At this hour, few people passed by, making it an ideal location for a duel.

They stood facing each other at a distance of about fifteen paces.

Bacchus, Narcis, and Karin glared at the Unicorn Corps, ready for battle.

Cendrillon, on the other hand, stood slightly behind them, arms folded, looking thoroughly annoyed.

“Then let us begin. Let me remind you, it was you who issued the challenge. If you die, you have only yourselves to blame,” Angelo said.

Karin stepped forward slowly.

“Enough talk. Come at me.”

“For a child, you have quite the presence. I would enjoy teaching you a lesson, but… my opponent is him— Cendrillon!”

Angelo pointed his wand toward Cendrillon, who stood at the back looking bored.

“I have disliked you for a long time. Always acting so high and mighty! Today, I will send you to your grave.”

He raised his spear-like wand.

Cendrillon was about to sigh and say “What a pain,” when Karin stopped him.

“Hm?”

“I am your opponent!”

“You cannot beat him,” Cendrillon said.

But Karin had already raised her wand and rushed forward. Thanks to the courage spell, she felt invincible. If she defeated Angelo, then Cendrillon would finally stop treating her like a child.

“Right! After Karin!”

Bacchus and Narcis followed.

Angelo clicked his tongue and swung his wand. A massive sphere of air surged forward, threatening to engulf Karin.

But in an instant, she leapt upward, evading it, and came down from above with her wand imbued with “Blade.”

“She is fast!”

Her relentless assault forced Angelo onto the defensive.

At the same time, Bacchus and Narcis engaged their own opponents.

The battle unfolded in dazzling exchanges.

Cendrillon let out a sigh, drew his wand, and faced his opponent, a young man with a dull expression.

Without even stating his name, the man launched a spell. It was water magic, just like Cendrillon’s. In a place without natural water, one had to draw upon moisture in the air.

Several ice arrows shot toward him. Cendrillon, looking annoyed, cast “Blade” and deftly knocked them aside.

The first to finish was Narcis, who specialized in earth magic.

His opponent raised several golems from the ground. Narcis smiled and cast his own summoning spell.

But his golem was not made of earth.

A shining golden figure appeared.

“My Golden Lady! Crush them!”

The three-shaku-tall golem, shaped like a noblewoman, wielded a fan and effortlessly destroyed every earthen golem.

Seeing his constructs annihilated, the opponent immediately raised both hands in surrender.

“Ha! How is that? My Golden Lady! A noblewoman of pure gold!”

“Pure gold? That is brass,” Cendrillon muttered under his breath, then moved.

His own duel ended quickly. With “Blade,” he closed in, his opponent responding in kind. But against a master, it was hopeless. Within three exchanges, the opponent was pushed to the brink.

One more strike would end it.

Cendrillon feinted, thrusting toward the body to force a block, intending to follow up with a strike to the wrist.

That should have decided it.

But instead, the opponent did something unexpected, he leaned forward, completely unguarded.

“You idiot!”

Cendrillon’s strike pierced his chest.

It drove deep into the heart. A fatal blow.

“Damn it… I messed up.”

At that moment, the man, expression unchanged, swung his wand.

“What?”

Cendrillon jumped back. The knight, with a hole in his chest, suddenly sprinted away and vanished into the darkness.

“…What was that?”

There was no mistake, his wand had pierced the man’s heart. Yet the man had moved as if nothing had happened. Even water magic, which governs the body, could not do that.

Cendrillon stood there, stunned.

Bacchus finished next. His opponent, a fire user, was badly burned, and though Bacchus himself was scorched, the other man could not endure it and surrendered.

Bacchus crossed his arms, glaring down at him.

That left Karin.

Angelo was strong. His wind magic, manipulated with surprising finesse for such a large man, sent blades of air slicing toward her. But Karin’s “Gale” was overwhelming, scattering every attack. She toyed with him in the air, using her superior mobility.

Covered in cuts, Angelo finally dropped to one knee.

“Is it over?” Karin asked.

“Not yet!”

Driven into a corner by someone who looked like a child, Angelo’s eyes were bloodshot with frustration.

Certain of her victory, Karin surged forward, her wand wrapped in “Blade.”

But she made a mistake.

“What?!”

Assuming he would only use wind, she had not expected earth magic.

A hand of soil burst from the ground and seized her leg. Angelo, it seemed, could use a bit of earth magic as well.

“Fool! A child like you knows nothing of tactics!”

A massive scythe of air came swinging toward her neck.

“This is bad—!”

At that instant, her courage vanished. The memory of the abyss she had nearly fallen into as a child overlapped with the image of the blade.

“I am going to die—!”

Then suddenly, the weight on her leg disappeared. She felt her body lifted, and then she was on the ground.

“Idiot! Do not get careless!”

Cendrillon.

“You—”

Angelo tried to continue, but the blood loss robbed him of strength. He staggered to his feet, only to collapse again.

Bacchus and Narcis cheered.

“Nice one, Karin!”

“You are incredible! You actually beat Angelo!”

But Karin only bit her lip in shame.

At the very end, she made another mistake. If not for Cendrillon, she would have died.

Beside her, Cendrillon glanced once, then seemed to lose interest, sinking into thought.

The defeated knights gathered around Angelo and began treating his wounds. It looked like his life had been saved. Finally, he let out a weak breath.

But even so, being defeated by someone younger than himself still seemed hard for him to accept; his face remained completely blank.

Bacchus and Narcis picked up their opponents’ wands, snapped them in half, and warned the knights, who were watching in frustration.

“Do not speak ill of the Magic Guard again.”

Karin, her face mixed with regret and the shame of being saved, lowered her head to Cendrillon.

“…Thank you. You saved me.”

But Cendrillon seemed distracted. Only when she spoke did he come back to himself, then he hurried over to Angelo, who was sitting there in a daze.

“Hey! Angelo!”

“…Hmph. What, come to mock me?”

“No! The guy who fought me, what was his name?”

“Oh, Pedro. What was that guy doing, running off like that?”

“Who exactly is he?”

“How should I know? He only joined recently. I am not even sure if that is his real name.”

That was not unusual. Many knights used false names to avoid bringing shame to their families. Cendrillon did the same, and so did Narcis and Bacchus. Even though Cendrillon was close with them, he did not know where they were from.

Cendrillon looked toward the direction where Pedro had disappeared and let out a sigh.

“Hey, what is wrong with you?” Karin asked, puzzled.

“That guy… I stabbed him straight through the chest… but he ran away like nothing happened.”

“Come on! That is impossible!”

“I am not lying. It is true.”

Cendrillon’s serious expression made the others look at each other. Bacchus patted him on the shoulder.

“You are just tired. It probably slipped past his side and looked like that.”

“…And besides, you always drink too much,” Narcis added.

Karin, clearly annoyed, spoke up as well.

“Right. That must be it.”

His complete disregard irritated her, even after he saved her.

“No, that is not it! I am telling you—it went straight through the center of his chest!”

He tried to explain, flustered, but no one listened.

Bacchus and Narcis threw their arms over each other’s shoulders and shouted:

“We are the proud Magic Guard! Oh—!”

“Alright! Let us gather the others and report our victory!”

Narcis shouted, and Bacchus immediately agreed. They picked up the captured wands and started off, with Karin following behind them.

“Hey! Wait for me! You idiots!”

Cendrillon hurried after them.

That night… the members of the Magic Guard were in high spirits over the long-awaited good news. Everyone had been craving a taste of victory. And the fact that their opponents had been the arrogant and detestable Unicorn Corps made it even more satisfying.

Among the stories, Karin’s performance as a trainee became the highlight. “You defeated Angelo! That is incredible!” they said, congratulating her and constantly raising their glasses in her honor.

In that way, Karin was welcomed by the Magic Guard and accepted as one of them.

But…No one believed what Cendrillon said.

Left with no choice, he sat alone and drank quietly.

And then… for some reason, the sensation of stabbing someone earlier that day brought back memories of the past. That “incident,” tucked away in the corner of his mind, began to surface again and again.

“…Damn it.”

He muttered as he kept drinking, but once awakened, the memory would not let him go. Before he knew it, he was completely drunk.

Karin, sipping her drink by herself, noticed Cendrillon had collapsed in a corner of the tavern.

“That guy…”

She felt a headache coming on. Even in a moment like this, he remained shut inside his own world. Looking at his face, a sense of frustration welled up inside her. He held back in their duel, and today, he saved her life.

She could not bring herself to celebrate with everyone else.

At least today… she was the one who lost.

She thought that as long as she used “courage,” there would be no opponent she could not defeat. But that was not true. She could not beat Cendrillon, and she could not beat Angelo.

With that realization, doubt crept into her heart.

…Could she really become a knight like this?

Even as those thoughts filled her mind, Cendrillon lay there, drunk and unconscious.

Karin walked over to Cendrillon and shook his shoulder.

“Hey, who falls asleep in a place like this? Wake up.”

“Mm…”

But he only groaned, as if uncomfortable.

If he threw up here, it would be a complete spectacle. Karin helped him up.

“Come on, let us get some air.”

Saying that, she led him outside.

In his drunken sleep, Cendrillon drifted back into the past.

In the forest of his hometown…

By the spring he loved, resting his head on “her” lap, basking in the sunlight. Strands of bright golden hair brushed against his face, and in his dream, Cendrillon smiled.

“Pierre, what is it? Does it tickle?”

Pierre was his real name, a name he had abandoned in the past… a name no one spoke anymore.

In the dream, he spoke to the golden-haired woman.

“Karinā, your hair is teasing me.”

“Karinā.”

His lover from long ago.

The only woman he had ever loved.

By coincidence, it was also the true name of the girl now calling herself Karin—but Cendrillon did not know that.

In his dreams, she was always wrapped in light. The woman who led him toward paradise, her skin carried a warmth like the sun itself.

In that hazy state, under her gentle, tender gaze, Cendrillon could think of nothing.

“Oh, it is not teasing. I am doing it on purpose.”

“Why?”

“So you will not forget that I am right here.”

Those words pierced his chest. He reached out, and “Karinā” gently took his hand. He lifted himself, drawing his lips closer to hers…

Karin led Cendrillon into a deserted alley. She did not want passersby to see a member of the Magic Guard in such a disgraceful state. Their reputation was bad enough already.

“Hey, get it together.”

She scolded him as he staggered. Honestly… why did this man have to drink so much?

He had so much ability… was he not just wasting it like this?

If only he drank less.

As she was thinking that, Cendrillon suddenly murmured:

“…na.”

Karin froze.

“Hey, what did you just say?”

She leaned closer, wanting to be sure. Her pink hair brushed against his cheek.

“…Karina.”

This time, she heard it clearly.

There was no mistake, he called her by her real name. Why? How did he know? As those thoughts ran through her mind, her heart began to race.

“How do you know that name—”

Just as she asked, Cendrillon suddenly grabbed her by the neck.

“Mm—!”

It took her a moment to understand what was happening.

His lips… were pressed against hers.

By the time she realized it, a full ten seconds had already passed.

Her lips felt sealed.

Sealed… by his lips.

What? A kiss? What was happening? Was she… being kissed?

The meaning of the word finally caught up with her and exploded in her mind. Her face burned.

A kiss… she was being kissed… no, more precisely—her first kiss was stolen.

It was the first kiss of her life. She had never imagined something like this would happen, and her thoughts spun into complete chaos.

Anyway—!

Now was not the time to blush or panic!

Karin twisted her body, trying to break free, but the more she struggled, the tighter Cendrillon held her, pressing her firmly against himself.

“Ughhhhhhhhh…!”

As expected of a man’s strength, if she could use magic it would be another matter, but as she was now, she could not escape at all. As she struggled, Cendrillon held her down with force and precision, then pushed her onto the ground.

“Stay by my side… always.”

Cendrillon said it with intense eyes. Struck by that gaze, Karin found herself nodding before she realized it.

But the next instant, understanding what that meant, she hurriedly shook her head.

“N-no… that did not count!”

In the dim alley, Cendrillon’s hand moved.

“—!”

Karin’s eyes went wide.

In his dream, Cendrillon lost himself in Karinā’s lips, hungrily deepening the kiss, his tongue tracing inside her mouth. It was a kiss so vivid and intense it hardly felt like a dream. Karinā’s lips responded just as fervently, her body seeming to try to slip free from his grasp.

When he finally pulled back, he murmured:

“Stay by my side… always.”

Karin’s body froze.

Cendrillon’s hand moved to Karinā’s chest—

—but there was no soft fullness. Only a flat, smooth plane.

“Karinā?”

The moment he said it, the haze of drunkenness shattered, and reality came rushing back.

“…Ka… Karin?”

Karin trembled beneath his hand—his housemate, the “boy” apprentice of the Magic Guard. All color drained from Cendrillon’s face.

“N-no way… I…”

Karin’s face trembled, on the verge of tears.

I messed up…!

Mistaking him for his past lover, he had kissed this “boy”… and even—

“My… my chest… you touched it…”

“I—I am sorry.”

“And… and you kissed me…”

Karin said, her voice shaking.

“I am really… sorry.”

This was bad. Even if it was a drunken mistake… it was still with a boy! No matter how beautiful he looked—he was still a boy!

Karin shoved Cendrillon away.

Then, clutching her chest, she ran off.

…This is bad. He must have been completely shocked.

I have to clear this up later.

But… what was that dream?

The memory of it lingered in his mind.

Cendrillon let out a long breath.

It felt too real.

“Karinā.”

That name carried so much within it—joy, despair… and a sin that refused to fade.

A sin he could never forget.

Something like a lump rose in his throat, making it hard to breathe.

Forgive me.

He whispered it, but knowing those words would never reach her only drove him deeper into despair. Cendrillon buried his face in his hands and let out a heavy sigh.