Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume4 Chapter2

Chapter 2 — Sky Voyage

The flying boat filled with ether continued to glide over the clouds.

The destination was a sanctuary in the Elemental Spirit World – Floating Island «Ragna Ys».

It was the venue for the Spirit Blade Dance festival.

Originally, only the shrine princesses 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 festival 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 a small tremor."

"This is indeed a latest flying ship. If all goes as planned we will be arriving about noon."

That being said, Claire lie 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 Festival 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 festival."

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, 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 to for 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 have 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 are 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."

"Hmm, it just really might be so......"

Nowadays, Claire's such method of retorting with frivolous talk always nearly came to blows.

"-----Nevertheless, your Hell Cat Spirit 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 of the limbs, with her fingertips.

"Wait a minute, Scarlet is my contract spirit. Do not touch her in such a carefree manner."

"Hey, isn't even a little okay......?"

Picking up and hugging Scarlet up 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!”

As if calling for Claire’s assistance, Scarlet gave out a bothersome cry.

“I think it seems that your contract spirit wants to separate from you.”

“Let’s say, Simorgh face is pretty lovely too……”

Ellis peevishly started muttering after listening to this.

When listening to this, it seemed like it was a chant for making a contract with a spirit.

“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 as 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 Spirit «Fenrir», it showed an expression of great annoyance.

……I can understand, that feeling

Frustratingly serving as a slave spirit 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 for searching 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 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 nods 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 of 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 spirit magic at such level, ain’t it?”

Rinslet tilts her head in thought, and Claire nods in assent to her.

Alphas Empire---from East to West respectively, a small country sandwiched between the two major principalities, Ordesika Empire and Dracunai--the Dragon Empire. Their main resource was the Spirit Ore which was excavated from mines. But, for that small country to bring such enormous fortune, trading for the excavation equipments in the historic ruins was ongoing since ancient times.

Though it is not authenticated to be definite, to be the headquarters of the organization of the Dark Traders «Corpse League», 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 a spirit user 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, a rumor is heard about them rapidly buying and collecting spirits for military services.”

Ellis started muttering over such a matter while folding her arms.

“Why now, why is it necessary for them to assemble spirits for military services?-----“

That wasn’t just all to it.

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 Devil King----isn’t that so?

It was believed that the Devil 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 Devil King Sulaiman.

It was believed by the followers of the Devil King, that one day a 2nd advent will come again in the empire.

Devil 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 Devil King, and even my colleagues believed it to be so......

For this reason, they then blessed Kamito who was considered a spirit contractor blessed by that man, with an existence which was a high ranking spirit contracted with by the Devil King himself.

“At any rate, this news is still unclear about how being related to Ren Ashbell, right.”

Claire shrugged her shoulders.

“Suddenly appearing 3 years ago, a nameless spirit contractor. After these years, of the same age of 16 years old as I, wielding the Spirit of Darkness. How did she reach that level is truly impossible to comprehend.”

For the sake of winning through the Spirit Blade Dance Festival, not only the ability and power to use spirit magic but gathering intelligence was also essential.

Though the academy was able to provide with essential details of the spirit contractors and their elemental attributes from the other participating teams, regarding the one called Ren Ashbell, there was nothing but simply what collected from flying gossips.

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 spirit contractor.

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 was summoned at the academy.

That’s----

And, Kamito dropped his gazed to his leather gloved left hand.

Restia, there is no doubt that the one participating in action 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» .

----Because it is her wish.

Those were really the words uttered by Restia.

And then, he will be reunited with that girl.

Damn it! How was that girl able to change the Spirit of Darkness.

If she has changed, if that another 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.

◊

Directly below one of the flying ships escorting the representatives for the Blade Dance Festival, a small person geared in battle form appeared.

As if lurking around to ambush a 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, Onii-sama”

An expression of a delicate smile appeared on that young girl’s face as she called for her spirit.

At that moment, the ring on her index finger glowed in bright red.

And thus-----

“Come, rampage to your heart’s content. Annihilation spirit «Death Gaze».

A small crack suddenly appeared in the clear sky, and a black monster appeared from it.