Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume3 Chapter7

Status: Incomplete

Pending light TLC with tense restoration for the remaining part

Chapter 7 - Valentia Holy Festival

Part 1

It was evening. The plaza of Academy Town was bustling with crowds of people.

Sweet smells tickled his nostrils. At the shrine, delicious-looking baked sweets were piled up like a mountain and princess maidens dispatched from the academy were showcasing a blade dance that entertained the spirits.

"However, where did that girl go?”

As his gaze fell towards the chocolate that Claire had thrown aside—

Kamito breathed a sigh, exasperated.

Together with Ellis and the other two, they had given chase after Claire. But halfway through, the time for the change of patrols came and they had to give up. With that, they started their rounds around the «Wind» area.

"....."

Ellis, walking right beside him with a complicated expression, stared at the chocolate that Kamito was carrying.

"What is it, Ellis?"

"N-No, it's nothing.... It looks like there's no problem in this area."

Ellis coughed, and looked away.

Indeed, there did not seem to be any signs of suspicious activity in this area.

Although there might have been brawls between drunkards and pickpockets, those kinds of troubles were left for the town's vigilante corps to deal with. Rather, what Kamito and the others needed to look out for were the matters that the townspeople, who were not used to interaction with spirits, incurred the anger of the spirits unknowingly.

During the rituals of worshiping the spirits, those kinds of incidents occurred frequently.

"This is almost like.... a da-date."

"Hm, did you say something?"

"Nothing at all, concentrate more on patrolling!"

Ellis' face was flushed a deep red as she got angry.

"So-Sorry...."

Kamito apologized.

.....Wait a second, isn't Ellis the one who isn't concentrating?

Since awhile ago, Ellis was not able to calm down, was stealing glances at Kamito's face from the side now and then.

Somehow, her manner of walking seemed unsteady and uncertain.

Their shoulders coming so close together that he was not sure whether they were touching, and then her screaming "Fuwaa", once again moving away from him — that kind of thing was repeated over and over.

Because of that, they bumped into the people that they passed by, many times.

"Ellis, walking like that is dangerous."

Unable to watch any longer, Kamito grabbed Ellis' hand,

"......W-W-What are you doing, you insolent person!"

"No, since a while ago, you were somewhat unsteady, and it got dangerous... Your hand is also a little hot. Would you happen to have a fever or something?"

"...～Wh-Whose fault do you think it is?!"

As Ellis' hand was joined with Kamito's, she hit his shoulder.

"I'll have you bear responsibility for taking my first time!"

"Wh...!?"

At those words of Ellis, whose face was colored in bright red,—

The people, going back and forth the street, turned around with their faces lighted up.

They glared at Kamito with a scornful-like look and murmured in a soft voice together.

"Ellis, don't utter something that would invite misunderstandings!"

"I-It isn't a misunderstanding! Really, I-it's my first time joining hands with a man!"

"...!?"

I see— Kamito suddenly understood.

Thinking about it, Ellis was also an ojou-sama with a prestigious noble background.

Now that he thought about it, Claire and the others seemed like they were hesitating about joining hands with him when they were departing yesterday. To them who were the daughters of nobles, joining hands with a boy might be an act more embarrassing than he imagined.

"...Sorry. My bad."

Just as Kamito was about to release her hand—

"Ah, no, I don't mind, and I didn't mean to scare you."

As Ellis embarrassedly looked away, she tightly squeezed his hand back.

It was the soft feeling of a girl's hands. The reason hard calluses were formed here-and-there was surely the proof that she seriously practised her martial arts.

Just like that, Ellis walked on stiffly like a spring-action toy.

"I-It's... a guy's hand"

"Of course, it is."

Upon hearing Kamito's reply, Ellis giggled, seemingly happy, for some reason.

He was instantly startled by that facial expression of the usual dignified Ellis.

"It's more embarrassing than I thought... to hold hands."

"Ahh, that is true."

Scratching his cheek with one hand, Kamito vaguely nodded.

To be honest, he was a little absent-minded.

From a moment ago, Ellis' large busts were pressing on his arm.

Although, he didn't directly touch them because her Knights breastplate was there, the sensation of their elasticity was being transmitted whether he liked it or not. The reason his eyes unconsciously moved to her willful body beneath her armour was something that couldn't be helped for a boy in puberty.

W-With such a stiff personality, her body sure is soft...

With his heart beating hard and full of excitement, the two walked down the main street filled with the hustle-and-bustle of the festival for a while.

The beautiful stone-made street was lit up by the illumination of the spirit ores.

Pointing at the soft-toy bear ornamented at the display window, Ellis' eyes had sparkled, and she was gazing at a gorgeous party dress in front of a clothing shop.

When Kamito brought up yesterday's maid's outfit incident to tease her, her face turned bright red as she flared up.

"Hmph! After all, I'm not suited for those sort of beautiful clothings!"

"There's no such thing. Ellis in her usual knight clothing is also attractive but I also want to see Ellis wearing clothes like these."

"...What-What are you talking about?"

Pouting her lips, Ellis bashfully looked downwards.

Those actions were not of the usual dignified knight, they seemed to be those of an ordinary girl.

Looking at her like that——

Kamito suddenly had something he wanted to try asking.

"Hey, Ellis, why did you plan on becoming a knight?"

While she was the daughter of the top military families, the Fahrengart family, he had felt that her obsession towards the way of life of a knight wasn't just because of that reason.

"......"

Ellis slowly turned her face toward him.

"At first, it was because of the admiration towards Aneue."

"That Velsaria Eva?"

"That's right. Aneue was a splendid knight. She was a person who was disciplined with herself, hated injustice, was earnestly polishing her sword skills, and was always aiming for a way of life like attaining the objective of the people."

As if gazing at somewhere far away, she looked up at the sky that was dyed by the faint sunset.

"From when I was a child, I had always been thinking of wanting to be a knight like Aneue. As the successor of the Fahrengart family, I want to be a spirit knight that protects many people. So, when I joined the academy, I immediately made an application to the Sylphid Knights that Aneue was serving as Captain."

Suddenly, Ellis's reddish-brown pupils darkened.

However— She continued.

"When I joined the academy, Aneue had already changed. As if she was spurred on by something, she had turned into someone merely pursuing only power. Of course, I can't say that way of life is absolutely wrong. Pursuing power superiorly is also the proper way of life as a spirit contractor. However, at the very least, that person now isn't the knight I admired."

"What had changed her like that?"

Kamito asked—

Ellis tightly bit her lips,

"It's probably the match with Ren Ashbell three years ago."

"...!?"

Without thinking, Kamito had raised his voice.

"I'm also not sure what happened. However, with that match, it is a fact that Aneue had changed."

"..."

Kamito dropped his sight onto his left hand tucked into a leather glove.

The spirit seal, which tied him with his former contracted spirit, was engraved over there.

It was the left hand that defeated Velsaria and won through the Blade Dance three years ago.

It was the left hand that had cut down many «wishes» for the sake of victory.

—The me three years ago had not been looking at anything.

He was just merely fighting for her sake.

He had earnestly accumulated victories and brought down many opponents with a pure heart.

There were practically no opponents whose faces he remembered. At that time, he didn't have the leisure of thinking about things like what kind of thoughts the opponents defeated by Ren Ashbell had participating in the Blade Dance

He recalled Velsaria Eva's icy-like pupils.

...Was it me who changed Ellis' respected knight?

Ellis dropped her line of sight from the madder-red sky, and turned towards Kamito.

Her reddish-brown pupils harboured strong will.

"I want to show Aneue it, the way of the knight I believe in. Although I am still inexperience now, I am thinking of wanting to seize the thing that lies beyond power someday. For that reason, I'm participating in the Blade Dance."

For the sake of the way of the knight I believe in—

Ellis, who said that in a dignified manner, was dazzling to Kamito.

"Ellis, don't you hate Ren Ashbell?"

Kamito had inquired spontaneously.

If the occasion that changed Velsaria was assumed to be the match from three years ago—

It couldn't be helped that she was hated by Ellis— So, he thought.

However, Ellis lightly shook her head.

"Of course, I also had resented her when Aneue was defeated. However, while looking at Ren Ashbell winning and winning, I noticed that I was getting captivated by her."

"I don't get it. She should be similar to the other spirit contractors, merely dancing a blade dance for the «wish». It's not like she has a splendid goal like Ellis—"

"Wrong"

Ellis interrupted with a harsh voice.

"...?"

"Her blade dance was a blade dance more noble than anyone's. If that was not the case, it would be impossible for her to satisfy the Elemental Lords, and above all, why do you think the girls, who were watching her at that venue, are now still attracted to her."

"..."

Kamito spontaneously gulped at the threatening look of Ellis who was like scolding him harshly.

"It was precisely because the appearance of her dancing the blade dance was noble that I was charmed by and attracted to her. Surely, she wasn't swinging her sword for herself— but for someone."

"For someone..."

Kamito—

Stared motionlessly at his left hand that exchanged a contract with the darkness spirit girl.

He felt like he was saved a little with Ellis' words.

For someone— That was correct. The reason Kamito participated the Blade Dance was for her.

Losing himself, he swung his sword for the sake of granting her one and only desired «wish».

Even if, for example, that result was something disgusting.

Performing a blade dance for his precious her— at least that was certained.

The girl in front of him had said so.

"Ellis, thank you."

"...? What is this about?"

Ellis frowned suspiciously.

"No, nothing."

Kamito laughed bitterly as he looked away from Ellis.

—Then, his gaze stopped at one store.

"Ellis, could you accompany me to buy a little something?"

"W-We're on duty, you know."

"I have decided on what to buy. It shouldn't take more than a minute."

"...It can't be helped. What are you buying?"

"Um, something..."

As Kamito scratched the back of his ear, he walked towards the store.

Part 2

Claire was walking through the spirit forest on the outskirts with a dejected expression.

The lively noise from the plaza far away could be heard.

The day was almost over, but it was somewhat vexing for her to return just like that and she also felt that she didn't want to meet Fianna and Rinslet.

"...Euph! What with the work of the Knights? D-Despite that I was planning to forgive him."

Claire rubbed her eyes briskly with her uniform sleeves.

The cold evening wind blew her red twin-tailed hair like it was making fun of her.

Claire bit her lips tightly and dropped her sight onto her leather loafers.

*Potaa* A drop of tear spilled over and fell.

"...It's my birthday and yet..."

Upon voicing it out, she suddenly became unbearably lonely.

Every year, both her parents, her sister and the locals would gather in great numbers in their castle and a grand birthday party would be held. She would wear a beautiful dress, the table would be fully lined up with her favourite cakes and feasts, and she would be sleeping in a warm bed together with her sister, who would return from the «Divine Ritual Institute» only on that day— that would be the most enjoyable day of the year.

However, four years ago— on that day when her sister Rubia Elstein betrayed the Elemental Lord of Fire.

Young Claire lost everything.

...That's right, I still have my goals.

Shaking off her sentiments, Claire sharply raised her face from the ground.

It was not the time to be having fun with such things like her birthday or the Valentia Holy Festival.

My goals are to win through the Blade Dance and know the truth of four years ago. For that objective, I have to become even stronger—

Her red twin-tailed hair bristled up like flames.

Even if someone like Kamito isn't there, I'll—

"Fufu, you seem to be harbouring a lot of stress, hellcat ojou-sama."

"...!?"

Towards the voice from behind—

Claire quickly turned around.

A girl was giggling as she was standing at the opposite of the grove of trees.

She had jade-green hair that grew till her waist and ears with sharp tips.

She had recollections of her.

She was the waitress, who came carrying the gigantic parfait, at the restaurant yesterday.

When did she get close?!

Claire got cautious and readied herself. To approach Claire, a spirit contractor, without being noticed, she couldn't be a normal person.

Her intuition was telling her that this lady was dangerous.

"Who... are you? I am sorry but I am now in a terrible bad mood."

"Ah, what a cute face you're making, what a very scary cat."

Vivian Melosa swung both her hands to show her.

"Despite that I took great pains on planning to lend you power.”

"...Power?"

Claire's eyebrows twitched.

"Yes, it's the thing that you now desire the most."

"You... could you be...?"

Clare glared at the lady before her.

"The Curse Armament Seal smuggler!"

"Correct! However, to be accurate, it would be researcher, you know♪"

As Vivian Melosa was swinging her index finger, she was slowly walking towards her.

Her red glaringly shiny pupils were peering motionlessly into Claire's eyes.

It was like she saw through till the innermost depths of her heart.

"—Hmm, kitty, don't you want that splendid power?"

Her words roaringly reverberated.

Claire couldn't move like her feet were binded.

This is domination magic?!

It was a type of mind manipulation magic.

Her words echoed many times in her head and penetrated the innermost part of her mind.

"... You"

"If you implanted my «Curse Armament Seal», your hellcat-chan will become an even mightier spirit."

It hurt like her head was splitting. Even if she plugged her ears with both hands, the words penetrated through.

—Hey, don't you want power?

—The power to overwhelm everything— The power to achieve your «wish».

...It's obvious that I want something like that!

She had wanted power. She had needed power at any cost for the sake of her goals.

For that reason, she would do anything— She had prepared herself like that since that day four years ago.

Thus, she had even risked the danger to her life to reach her hand out to a powerful sealed spirit.

She had made a contract with that darkness spirit's presented frenzy spirit.

However.

"Don't look down on me!"

In an instant, Claire's blazing Flame Tongue manifested in her hand, and mowed down the space before her.

"...My domination magic was broken?"

"My apologies but I'll reject your forceful sale."

As Claire raised her breathing, she swung her Flame Tongue with a snap like to shake off the temptation.

"How disappointing. I thought you had the qualifications but it looks like I miscalculated."

Vivian Melosa shrugged her shoulders looking bored.

If it was Claire from a few weeks ago, she probably wouldn't have been able to oppose the temptation.

She might have seek easy power and laid her hands on the Curse Armament Seal.

But I'm now different.

If you want power— I will become your contract spirit.

...After all, he had promised me

"So, I don't need such phony powers!"

At the same time Claire shouted, she released a fireball of spirit magic.

She didn't go easy on the merchant opponent of the Curse Armament Seal. She attacked with the intention of turned her completely into cinders.

A terrifying shock and explosion resounded in the quiet forest.

The trees in the surroundings were blown off at one go and had fallen down in a straight line.

The trees burned up. However, Vivian Melosa wasn't there.

"Fufu, please don't be in such a hurry. There is someone else who wants to meet you without fail."

A bewitching voice sounded from within the forest.

Claire was startled and turned around—

From deep within the forest, a tall girl appeared.

"You are..."

She was the adamantine spirit contractor upperclassman, who provoked Claire yesterday.

There was completely no expression on that face of hers.

She came over, walking unsteadily like a ghost.

"Don't tell me... the Curse Armament Seal?"

"Ah, please don't be mistaken. The one who wanted power was her. Although, it looks like her mind couldn't bear my Curse Armament Seal."

The sound of chuckling scorns reverberated within the forest.

"...Wa...a...laire...Rouge...Aaaahhh!"

The adamantine spirit contractor girl released a ear-splitting wail.

In that instant, a violent wind swept over, and a huge beast appeared from nowhere.

Over there— There was large deer of the metal attribute, which easily surpassed Claire's height.

It had two horns that extended out radically and black pupils that harboured signs of atrocity.

It had a terrifying air of intimidation that was like her skin trembled.

"What? Isn't this... the adamantine spirit!?"

Claire raised her voice in shock.

Her contracted spirit shouldn't be a powerful high-ranking spirit of this level.

"No, that is without doubt her spirit. It evolved with my Curse Armament Seal, you know♪"

Vivian Melosa chuckled.

"So, would you please cooperate with my experiment, hellcat ojou-sama."

"...!?"

The frenzied large deer released a repulsive roar and came charging over.

Part 3

What Kamito bought was the cat pendent that Claire was looking at.

After getting the box wrapped with a red ribbon, Kamito placed it into his chest pocket as he embarrassedly scratched his face.

"Today is her birthday."

"I see. The reason you asked for the remuneration in advance was for the sake of buying that."

"Hn, you could say that... but, I ended up having a quarrel with her."

The moment Kamito shrugged his shoulders, Ellis coughed.

"I think reconciling is not going to be that hard. Wasn't that chocolate from just now Claire Rouge's handmade item?"

"Ah, it looks like it. It also looks like she practised yesterday."

"For her to give that on the day of the Valentia Holy Festival means that, err, she doesn't even hate you, I think... I mean, I'm think that she wants to reconcile, right?"

"If it was like that, it would be great."

"A-Although, in the case where the recipient is of the opposite sex , there is also a slight chance that that's not just it but..."

Ellis coughed again—

She stared at Kamito's face.

"Hn? What's the matter?"

"E-Err, u-um... Actually, I-I also have chocolates—"

Ellis was almost going to take out something from the pocket of her uniform, and at that moment.

*Dooooon—!*

An earth-shaking-like thunderous roar reverberated from the direction of the plaza.

"...Ellis!?"

"Ah, lets go Kamito!"

Ellis instantly changed back to her knight face, and starting running vigorously.

Part 4

Pushing through the crowds and after arriving at the plaza—

"What is that!?"

Right in the middle, there was a giant beast dashing around.

With two sharp front teeth, a pig-like monster.

Its body was covered fully with glass-like material that shined like a mirror.

That was not a beast, but a spirit.

A high level spirit that's gone wild.

The crowd in the plaza had already fallen into panic.

Escaping in the same direction, they all fell like dominoes.

With them, there were also quite a few old people and children.

"What made the spirit run wild?"

"Eh, even if the Spirit Contractor could be hiding somewhere close, this looks like the spirit has totally lost all control."

Not surprising, being used to deal with these situations, Ellis was very calm.

She already equipped herself with her Elemental Waffe "Ray Hawk", and began to prepare to fight.

"The investigation can be delayed. Make this situation a level 5 spirit crisis, lets destroy it together, Kamito."

"Understood!"

Kamito unsheathed Terminus Est from his hip.

Flowing his divine power to his blade, he woke up the sleeping Demon SlayerDemon King Killing Sacred Sword.

"Est, grant me your power!"

Noticing the Elemental Waffe's existence, the hysterical spirit looked at the two.

Releasing a giant scream, it immediately charged forward.

A shockwave shook through the ground. The buildings around collapsed one by one.

"—Ha!"

Ellis used Ray Hawk and swiped the air.

It released countless wind slashes that could even rip metal apart towards the spirit.

Even a high level spirit could not completely take on the skill without getting severely injured.

But—

At that exact moment, the mirror-like skin of the spirit released rainbow colored lights.

"W-What!?"

The wind slashes that were bounced back slashed through the surrounding buildings; the top part of the buildings slowly slid down, causing it to fall and gathered up a lot of dust.

"I-It managed to rebound my wind slashes!?"

"No— It even increased the power of your slashes."

Kamito glared at the spirit in front of him.

...A rebound attacking type spirit, eh?

An image of yesterday's fight quickly flashed through Kamito's brain.

...That means, it was yesterday's mirror spirit?

"It's coming, Kamito!"

Ellis screamed out. After shrugging off the rubble, the hysterical spirit started charging again.

Kamito tightly grabbed Terminus Est, blocking the spirit in front.

Dodging is easy— But, we can't do that—

In the back there are still a lot of people that haven't escaped yet. I can't just leave them.

Kamito used the blade and slashed at the pair of teeth that was approaching.

The clashes between metal could be heard loudly. Even though his strength countered the beast's charging power, Terminus Est, who can't even use a tenth of its power, couldn't even damage the skin.

...This monster, isn't its divine power a little too strong?

Kamito's forehead started sweating.

Kamito, maintaining his stance to block the beast's teeth, was slowly being pushed back.

Damn, if we at least have an elemental spirit, there might still be a way—

A hysterical high level spirit. Even if it poses a threat to normal spirit contractors, but for Kamito who was titled the strongest blade dancer, it was not a bitter struggle.

Then the question then was, had the surrounding crowds escaped yet?

Letting this giant monster run freely, there was no need to imagine the consequences.

Noticing the elemental damage was useless, Ellis started to help freeing the crowds behind Kamito's back. A calm and reasonable decision that was made by the Captain of the Sylphid Knights.

The demonic mirror spirit started to howl wildly.

The ground which was cracked by the shockwave threw Kamito, who was blocking the charge, bodily in the air.

And like that he fell into the rubble.

"Gah, its too strong..."

Kamito groaned, and when he was slowly preparing to stand up—

"Kamito!"

Hearing Ellis' shout, Kamito quickly turned his head around.

The demonic mirror spirit which was stampeding in town headed towards a young girl.

Probably after seeing the hysterical spirit, she got scared and couldn't move.

The spirit released a loud cry and started to speed up.

Damn, Must. Catch. Up!

Kamito kicked off the ground towards the demonic spirit, and started running.

At that time, grabbing the small girl and dodging was impossible to do.

Judging the situation, he pushed the girl on the side.

—Crimson blood was then released into the air.

The giant pig struck his stomach and pierced Kamito.

"Gwah!"

Blood spurted from his mouth. Hot, burning, and his vision slowly turning white.

The demonic spirit tossed its teeth around and slammed Kamito's body heavily on the ground.

"...! Kamito!!"

Quickly, Ellis dashed towards him.

The white school uniform was now stained with huge blood spots.

Gah... What happened to that girl?

Enduring the sharp pain, he looked around—

She, was now unconscious on the ground.

Feeling at ease at the same time, Kamito began to cough violently.

Red blood was sprinkled on the ground.

"Kamito! Are you alright?! Kamito—!!"

Ellis cried out.

"Haha... S-Seems like I didn't die, —Cough—"

His consciousness began to slip away.

The image of the worried Ellis became blurry,

The body which was drowned in cold sweat was a clear warning about the huge blood loss.

With one hand over his abdomen, Kamito slowly stood up.

Staring at the demonic mirror spirit that was covered in his own blood.

"E-Ellis, assist me. I'll get rid of that guy."

"But, your injury—"

"Your Elemental Waffe and this guy have too much difference. Only I can do this."

Preparing to argue back but obstructed by the truth, Ellis unwillingly clenched her lips.

Kamito clenched Terminus Est with both hands, and transferred the rest of the Divine Power to it.

...If I don't finish it at the next strike...

Even if the Demon King Killing Sacred Sword was among the strongest level of Elemental Waffe, its power was not very stable.

Without enough Divine Power to control it, the power could not be released.

With the current state of Kamito, he could only bet on the next hit.

The demonic mirror spirit raised its teeth, and charged again.

"Ellis, I'm counting on you!"

"Ah!"

Kamito jumped upwards— no, flew up.

It was Ellis who used her Elemental Waffe.

Flying to the top of the demonic spirit's head, Kamito swung his sword downwards on the monster's head.

However.

...! It didn't go through!?

Demon King Killing Sacred Sword, only pierced the top of the demonic spirit's forehead by a little.

Because of the heavy injury, his control over Est became really unstable.

Because of the rage that had turned the spirit hysterical, it shook his head wildly, and threw Kamito on the ground.

While the behemoth slowly approached the fallen Kamito—

At that moment, a crimson slash shone across the sky.

The fiery whip wrapped itself around the demonic spirit's leg and caused it to fall.

*Boom—!*

Accompanied by an earth splitting noise, the dust flew up.

"What!?"

Through the widespread dust— there came her voice.

"That person is actually my slave spirit... w-without permission you can't touch him!"

"Claire!?"

Kamito's eyes widened in surprise.

Holding the fiery whip, Claire jumped from the 2nd floor down from a building.

"Y-You, Why—"

"We'll talk afterwards. Let's defeat these spirits first."

"Those?"

Kamito frowned— and followed Claire's sight and looked.

This time, from the destruction of the buildings, in the plaza's other side, there was another spirit.

A giant metallic deer with huge horns on its head.

"...! Another one!"

"What is happening, Claire?"

Ellis rushed over and asked with a sharp expression.

"Their master, are those two students that use the mirror spirit and the metallic spirit. Even though the Spirit Contractor has already fallen, these two spirits have completely lost control and became hysterical."

"Don't tell me, those two people yesterday... B-But, their contract spirit, aren't those—"

Even without finishing the sentence— Kamito suddenly realized. Ellis also seemed to notice.

"Don't tell me..."

"Uh, they have Curse Armament Seals."

"...!"

Ellis clenched her lips in trouble.

It seemed like she was troubled as she failed to prevent students reaching out to Curse Armament Seals.

Allowing mid level spirits to evolve into a high level spirit's Curse Armament Seal. Transplanting those things, was dangerous. Thus the conclusion— the spirits going hysterical.

"Anyways, how are your injuries!?"

Noticing the blood stains on the uniform, Claire widened her eyes.

"...Ah, got beaten up. You too, aren't you also covered in injuries?"

"...It's not a big deal, at this level."

Claire unintentionally moved her face away.

But, even her uniform was torn everywhere, her hands and legs full with scratches.

"More than that, Ellis, why hasn't the support of the Sylphid Knights arrived yet?"

"They should already be on their way. It's just that because it is only Kamito and I that are stationed in this area... So, even if the groups are coming from other regions, it will still take some time."

Ellis clenched her lips tightly. Because the combat power of the Sylphid Knights was cut in half, they could only move other people from other areas to support.

Releasing a loud roar that shook the earth, the fallen demonic mirror spirit stood up.

Having the form of the deer's, the metallic spirit also slowly went to the plaza's center.

"There are two high level spirits running wild, —this is really troublesome, no?" Claire nervously said.

There were still large groups of people that hadn't escaped the plaza. Idly waiting for the Sylphid Knight and the Academy for reinforcements, would only cause irreparable results.

"You can't move any further."

"Sorry, but please stay put until reinforcements arrive."

Respectively clenching their own Elemental Waffe, Claire and Ellis confronted the spirits.

And at that instant, a bright flash bursted open.

A painful shriek came from the rubbles, and it started to crack.

"...! What just happened!?"

Kamito yelled out, blocking the rubble with his hands.

It's as if there was rain.

A rain of rubble that mercilessly barraged the two hysterical spirits.

Shaking the ground violently, countless pillars of fire shoot up to the sky.

"..."

The barrage stopped—

At that time, the only thing left was a destroyed plaza.

The two high level spirits had already been wiped out.

...What, just happened!?

While coughing, Kamito turned his face towards the direction of the barrage— just above the sky.

There was a giant floating fortress!

An aerial fortress that was equipped with several layers of armor and numerous cannons.

There stood a person with cold ice blue pupils, overlooking the ground.

"The Silent Fortress—"

Using only one strike that destroyed the entire plaza was the Academy's strongest Spirit Contractor, and she slowly landed on the ground.

"Power would be ravaged by forces with more power. A power that is equal has no difference with having no power."

"Velsaria..."

Kamito clutched his abdomen that was oozing blood, and stared at Velsaria.

The plaza that was completely flattened with the barrage of cannons.

The pieces of rubble, merciless trapped the crowd that had not yet fled.

"Why did you open fire! Don't tell me you didn't know, using that kind of Elemental Waffe, would cause that kind of conclusion—"

"I only destroyed the hysterical spirits. You could only say that those that were involved had bad luck— no, having that kind of damage would already be considered lucky."

"Onee-sama! Do you seriously think that—"

Velsaria coldly glared at the emotional Ellis.

"Ellis, looks like you being the captain was a mistake, right. You can't even deal with this level of situation."

"...!?"

Pushing away Ellis, Velsaria turned around and left.

At that moment.

"Hurry up and take it back."

"What?"

"I told you to take back what you just said! Hurry and apologize to Ellis!"

In a hazy consciousness, Kamito stepped forward with wobbly footsteps, towards Velsaria.

Unforgivable. Clearly not knowing Ellis' thoughts and saying those types of sentences.

Saying such a thing, is that what Ellis claimed as a perfect knight?

Whatever creed you live by is your freedom. But, a person like you who doesn't know anything, stepping on Ellis' ideals and values, I would never forgive her.

"I'm just saying the truth. The Fahrengart knights never distort their own ideals."

"Shut up, you do not have the requirements to be titled a knight."

"...!?"

A feeling flashed in Velsaria's pupils.

Neither troubled, nor anger— some other emotion.

"Disappear, male spirit contractor. Your existence only blocks my vision."

"Wait—"

Just when he was prepared to chase her, Kamito's vision suddenly shook.

Blood gushed out of his throat. The vision in front of his eyes suddenly became hazier like the mist.

"Damn...!"

"—Kamito!"

Claire quickly supported Kamito's fallen body.