Kenkoku no Jungfrau:Volume 1 Chapter 1

1

“ーIt is like so in the legends. ー”

Under that dazzling sunlight, and on the spacious stage, a dignified singing voice resounded.

And then, following the song, a many music strings started to play in a refreshing tone. They were Harps.

“ーIt was the times of antiquity. Many kings, Many countries, and Many Faiths were mixed together, and then they conflicted, an age where nothing was controlled ーand finally, an existence know as a demon revealed itself in this world ー”

That place was an arena which had been opened in a grand scale.

In the central area, there was a stone stage that had been cut in a square shape. And in its surroundings, a maintained area was planted. The low wall had been wonderfully decorated with candlesticks, and a small flag was stabbed below that. Even from a distant view it could be realised from their varied designs that, there were 12 kinds of flags in total.

Beyond the stage that was enclosed by a low wall, a circular auditorium had been prepared. The seats had already been filled so much that the aisle could not be seen, but everyone had been attentively listening without opening their mouths.

“ーThen the many kings went to battleーTherefore, a certain king lost his territory and nation to the demon. For a certain king, it was to acquire the territory trampled by the demon. Again, for a certain king it was just to gain more prestige with bravery and valour. ー”

To be able to make one’s voice echo here, an extraordinary speaking volume and technique should be necessary. However, the girl’s singing voice could not pile up that impossible amount of vibration. The one singing while playing the harp was a girl with light purple eyes.

There was a thin ring fixed on the finger that was playing the bowstrings. There was also a bracelet of the same design on her arm. Anyone who was familiar with magic should be able to tell that the design curved there represented an <Omen>, which had properties of power.

“ーAnd thus, the many kingdoms began to decrease. Even possessing any kind of sword, or casting any kind of magic, or using any kind of knowledge, could not harm the body of the demon ーThe legend begins from hereー”

Her raven hair was tied in a bundled by the back of her head. It extended to her waist, forming a long ponytail. Her closed eyes looked long and narrow, and her flower bud like lips was soaked in a beautiful pink colour.

The cloths that she wore were not a dress but a uniform that a schoolgirl usually wears. Compared to a dress, it had fewer decorations but her long and slender legs which were covers by tights helped her undulated rich body figure. As a woman, her glamour was definitely not at a disadvantage.

Though it was a fine weather, for her to be able to wear such lightweight clothing in a season where the snow had yet to melt, was all thanks to the magic flames that warmed that place up.

“ーFrom a number of countries which could not possibly counted, soon only 12 remained. There was a king who advanced to defeat the demon too. There was a kind who though his own power was more than enough to defeat it too. There was a king who from the fear of the demon concealed himself in his territory too. It was at that time, a single sage was said to cut down one of the demon’s arms. ー”

The girl was singing about a heroic tale from the time of antiquity. It wasn’t old enough to be called a myth, but it wasn’t from a near enough past to leave behind remnants in literature. But, it is a very familiar tale for the people who live there. It was a splendid singing voice; none of spectators opened their mouths and listened attentively to the song. ” ーThere is a sword that could kill the demon. I want a person who has excellent techniques. Isn’t there anyone who would come with me? ーThere were 12 people. The 12 kings sent one of the most excellent knights from each of their kingdoms. ー”

Other than the audience seats, on the other side of the outer wall, the spire of a watchtower ascended.

The number of spires surrounding the arena, and the decorative flags hanging on the outer wall, were of 12 of each of them in total. To this country, the number 12 represented holiness/dignity.

“ーThe 12 knight and the single Sage confronted the demon, and then splendidly defeated it. ーAnd like that, making the sage their king, the 12 kingdoms became one. The 12 knights were referred as The Knights of the Round Table and became the model of all knights. ーAnd so, time has reached the present. ー”

After finishing singing for a while; the girl let out a breath feeling relieved.

While a grand applause was being sent, the girl saw a single face move back. It was when she was leaving the stage. Raising her face, the girl fixed her sight on that spot.

ーーA Clown…..?

Following the knights, the soldiers were forming a line; it was the front row seats of the auditorium. On the next row of seats, there were mercenaries with robust physiques but there was a girl with a Clowns clothing there.

She had long silver coloured hair and vivid crimson pupils. With a strikingly good body figure, she should’ve attracted a lot of attention.

The general visitors were seated on a further row. She was curious about how the girl slipped in with the soldiers but she couldn’t stand still there for too long. She quietly got down from the stage.

On both sides of the stage, several knights were standing in a row. Amongst them, after she joined the East side, she heard a sociable voice calling out next to her.

“Did you see something that caught your interest, Lutile”

The girl, Lutile’s name was called by Youth who had a fearless physique and face. He had long blonde hair tied behind his back, and was wearing a frock coat. It was a little bit exaggerated thing to wear at the place of a ceremony.

After being asked, the girl searched for clown's appearance again but was not able to find it.

“ーThe time has reached the presentー was it? That was quite a good show you know.”

The last phrase was a part the girl added specifically for this ceremony. It wasn’t in the original song.

“We are still in the middle of the ceremony, Gillette Oni-sama.”

Even though she had deliberately lowered her voice, she accidentally called him by his old nickname. When she realised this, her face became red. At this the youth made a nostalgic gentle face and shrugged his shoulders.