Difference between revisions of "Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume5 Chapter7"

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m (Reverted edits by Masterupc (talk) to last revision by Zzhk)
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A large amount of spectators from every country in the continent had gathered in the hall.
 
A large amount of spectators from every country in the continent had gathered in the hall.
   
Mixed in with the influential nobles and Princess Maidens from every country in the continent's training facilities, were girls wearing the Areishia Academy school uniform.
+
Mixed in with the influential nobles and princess maidens from every country in the continent's training facilities, were girls wearing the Areishia Academy school uniform.
   
 
The Blade Dance competitors assembled above an altar in the center.
 
The Blade Dance competitors assembled above an altar in the center.
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At the front of the spectators were Carol and Mireille waving a white banner.
 
At the front of the spectators were Carol and Mireille waving a white banner.
   
"J... Jeez, those two... that's embarrassing!"
+
"J-Jeez, those two......that's embarrassing!"
   
 
Rinslet blushed and hid behind Kamito.
 
Rinslet blushed and hid behind Kamito.
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Other than Leonora, it seemed that Muir whom they'd fought yesterday was also here.
 
Other than Leonora, it seemed that Muir whom they'd fought yesterday was also here.
   
(It doesn't appear that they know I've lost Est yet...)
+
(It doesn't appear that they know I've lost Est yet......)
   
 
If they did know of Kamito's situation, they wouldn't be looking at him vigilantly but instead with the look of a falcon eyeing its prey.
 
If they did know of Kamito's situation, they wouldn't be looking at him vigilantly but instead with the look of a falcon eyeing its prey.
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Fianna said teasingly.
 
Fianna said teasingly.
   
Besides Team Inferno, twenty three teams had gathered.
+
Besides Team Inferno, twenty-three teams had gathered.
   
 
Even within them, Dracunia's Knights of the Dragon Emperor had an overwhelming presence.
 
Even within them, Dracunia's Knights of the Dragon Emperor had an overwhelming presence.
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It was like the feeling of being stared at by a giant predator.
 
It was like the feeling of being stared at by a giant predator.
   
"Dracunia's Dragon Knights training is high quality. Even excluding Leonora, they seem to have no openings."
+
"—Dracunia's Dragon Knights training is high quality. Even excluding Leonora, they seem to have no openings."
   
 
<!--177-->
 
<!--177-->
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Quina Empire was a large country located on the eastern part of the continent. It had a completely different culture compared to the western countries like Ordesia.
 
Quina Empire was a large country located on the eastern part of the continent. It had a completely different culture compared to the western countries like Ordesia.
   
"The white haired one is their ace, Shao Fu. She uses the divine beast spirit White Tiger."
+
"The white-haired one is their ace, Shao Fu. She uses the divine beast spirit White Tiger."
   
 
"Four Gods? Even though there are five people?"
 
"Four Gods? Even though there are five people?"
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Answering Kamito, Claire moved her gaze to the group that was wearing white holy garments.
 
Answering Kamito, Claire moved her gaze to the group that was wearing white holy garments.
   
"Those are the Holy Kingdom of Lugia's Sacred Spirit Knights. The ace is the runner up from last time, Luminaris the Paladin."
+
"Those are the Holy Kingdom of Lugia's Sacred Spirit Knights. The ace is the runner-up from last time, Luminaris the Paladin."
   
 
"Geh!?"
 
"Geh!?"
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"Kamito-san, did something happen?"
 
"Kamito-san, did something happen?"
   
"N... No, it's nothing..."
+
"N-No, it's nothing......"
   
 
Kamito quickly shook his head at the puzzled Rinslet's question.
 
Kamito quickly shook his head at the puzzled Rinslet's question.
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Holding the Blade Dance after only three years was extremely rare. It usually took decades and sometimes only happened once in a hundred years.
 
Holding the Blade Dance after only three years was extremely rare. It usually took decades and sometimes only happened once in a hundred years.
   
Because of the age restrictions on eligible Princess Maidens, crossing blades with the same opponent should never happen, but it seems this time was a case filled with special occurrences.
+
Because of the age restrictions on eligible princess maidens, crossing blades with the same opponent should never happen, but it seems this time was a case filled with special occurrences.
   
 
"She's nineteen so she's the oldest one at this Blade Dance. It seems that she swore to defeat Ren Ashbell to restore her honor."
 
"She's nineteen so she's the oldest one at this Blade Dance. It seems that she swore to defeat Ren Ashbell to restore her honor."
   
"I... I see..."
+
"I-I see......"
   
 
"Kamito-kun, you're making quite a sour face."
 
"Kamito-kun, you're making quite a sour face."
   
Fianna teased the bitter faced Kamito.
+
Fianna teased the bitter-faced Kamito.
   
 
<!--179-->
 
<!--179-->
"Next is the Principality of Rossvale's Rupture Division. Their ace is Milla Bassett, the youngest this time at thirteen years old. Though they're an emerging nation that gained independence from the Holy Kingdom of Lugia only within the last few decades, their elementalists are said to be top class."
+
"Next is the Principality of Rossvale's Rupture Division. Their ace is Milla Bassett, the youngest this time at thirteen years old. Though they're an emerging nation that gained independence from the Holy Kingdom of Lugia only within the last few decades, their elementalists are said to be top-class."
   
"And them?"
+
"—And them?"
   
 
Kamito looked towards the team that had been glaring in their direction since a while ago.
 
Kamito looked towards the team that had been glaring in their direction since a while ago.
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"Why are they glaring at us?"
 
"Why are they glaring at us?"
   
"Umm... that's probably because of me."
+
"Umm......that's probably because of me."
   
 
Claire said so like it was hard for her. <!--with difficulty.-->
 
Claire said so like it was hard for her. <!--with difficulty.-->
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"What do you mean?"
 
"What do you mean?"
   
"Remember, it's because I slapped their prince before yesterday<!-- Wasn't yesterday the day the four of them who went in a date? -->."
+
"Remember, it's because I slapped their prince yesterday—"
   
"...Ahh, I see."
+
"......Ahh, I see."
   
 
Kamito finally remembered.
 
Kamito finally remembered.
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"No, if Claire hadn't done anything back then, I would have."
 
"No, if Claire hadn't done anything back then, I would have."
   
"...Eh? Um, that means..."
+
"......Eh? Um, that means......"
   
 
As Claire's face went red.
 
As Claire's face went red.
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A commotion started near the entrance of the great shrine.
 
A commotion started near the entrance of the great shrine.
   
"So they've finally come."
+
"—So they've finally come."
   
 
===Part 2===
 
===Part 2===
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She led four elementalists that were wearing hoods which extended to cover their entire body.
 
She led four elementalists that were wearing hoods which extended to cover their entire body.
   
"So that's Team Inferno..."
+
"So that's Team Inferno......"
   
 
Kamito stopped breathing and watched them.
 
Kamito stopped breathing and watched them.
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He immediately discovered the small girl with ash grey hair.
 
He immediately discovered the small girl with ash grey hair.
   
The Instructional School's 'Monster', militarized spirit user, Muir Alenstarl.
+
The Instructional School's monster — militarized spirit user, Muir Alenstarl.
   
 
She quickly averted her eyes after meeting Kamito's.
 
She quickly averted her eyes after meeting Kamito's.
   
 
<!--181-->
 
<!--181-->
Walking next to Muir was a tall girl with jade green hair. Her ears which were characteristic of the Elfim race were visible under the hood. Elfim specialized in covert operations within forests, so she might have been an intelligence gathering elementalist.
+
Walking next to Muir was a tall girl with jade green hair. Her ears which were characteristic of the Elfim race were visible under the hood. Elfim specialized in covert operations within forests, so she might have been an intelligence-gathering elementalist.
   
Another was a girl with eye popping blue hair. She was the only one who had luxurious gold and silver accessories lining her hood and she carried a folding fan with a gaudy design.
+
Another was a girl with eye-popping blue hair. She was the only one who had luxurious gold and silver accessories lining her hood and she carried a folding fan with a gaudy design.
   
"The crest of the Alphas Theocracy royal family... don't tell me, Demon Caster Sjora Kahn!?"
+
"The crest of the Alphas Theocracy royal family don't tell me, Demon Caster Sjora Kahn!?"
   
 
"You know her?"
 
"You know her?"
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"She's the number one witch in their kingdom, the admired successor of the Dusk Witch."
 
"She's the number one witch in their kingdom, the admired successor of the Dusk Witch."
   
"To think that other than Muir, such characters would be there..."
+
"To think that other than Muir, such characters would be there......"
   
 
Kamito groaned while wiping the sweat from his brow.
 
Kamito groaned while wiping the sweat from his brow.
   
But more oppressive than those three and drawing most of the spectators' gazes, the last person.
+
But more oppressive than those three and drawing most of the spectators' gazes the last person.
   
 
At the appearance of that person, the silence that had overtaken the hall was replaced once again with clamor.
 
At the appearance of that person, the silence that had overtaken the hall was replaced once again with clamor.
   
"...Who is that, that person!?"
+
"......Who is that, that person!?"
   
 
A black knight covered in jet black armor.
 
A black knight covered in jet black armor.
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<!--182-->
 
<!--182-->
"What a repulsive divine power..."
+
"What a repulsive divine power......"
   
 
Fianna, who was more receptive, said in a shaky voice.
 
Fianna, who was more receptive, said in a shaky voice.
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Silence fell and the ringing of iron shoes echoed.
 
Silence fell and the ringing of iron shoes echoed.
   
"Kamito..."
+
"Kamito......"
   
 
"It's fine."
 
"It's fine."
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Shielding the nervous young ladies behind him, Kamito took a step forward.
 
Shielding the nervous young ladies behind him, Kamito took a step forward.
   
And stood off against the crimson masked girl.
+
And stood off against the crimson-masked girl.
   
 
"To think there was someone who could break the Brand of Darkness."
 
"To think there was someone who could break the Brand of Darkness."
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"That brand was only for the purpose of jump starting the awakening of the Demon King within you. Once the Gate has been opened, it can never return to how it was before."
 
"That brand was only for the purpose of jump starting the awakening of the Demon King within you. Once the Gate has been opened, it can never return to how it was before."
   
"What is this Demon King you speak of?"
+
"—What is this Demon King you speak of?"
   
 
Ren Ashbell smiled within her mask and whispered in a voice so others couldn't hear.
 
Ren Ashbell smiled within her mask and whispered in a voice so others couldn't hear.
   
"If you want to know, ascend and face me, Ren Ashbell."
+
"If you want to know, ascend and face me Ren Ashbell."
   
 
"Ren Ashbell, huh. Having you say that is the greatest irony."
 
"Ren Ashbell, huh. Having you say that is the greatest irony."
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Amongst them was Reicha Alminas.
 
Amongst them was Reicha Alminas.
   
When he had met her yesterday, she had been a normal docile girl, but wrapped in her ritual clothes and performing a ritual, she certainly had the presence of one the five highest Princess Maidens.
+
When he had met her yesterday, she had been a normal docile girl, but wrapped in her ritual clothes and performing a ritual, she certainly had the presence of one the five highest princess maidens.
   
 
Eventually, the Tempest details appeared from the five Queens.
 
Eventually, the Tempest details appeared from the five Queens.
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The introduction to the Blade Dance was held in the northern forest area of Ragna Ys.
 
The introduction to the Blade Dance was held in the northern forest area of Ragna Ys.
   
The field was covered by a separating barrier cast by all the Divine Ritual Institute's Princess Maidens, so it was impossible to leave by normal means. Each country's representatives were transported with their respective teams to random locations and, over the course of seven days, would offer up their blade dances.
+
The field was covered by a separating barrier cast by all the Divine Ritual Institute's princess maidens, so it was impossible to leave by normal means. Each country's representatives were transported with their respective teams to random locations and, over the course of seven days, would offer up their blade dances.
   
 
<!--184-->
 
<!--184-->
There was one rule, you could not kill an elementalist.
+
There was one rule you could not kill an elementalist.
   
 
The Blade Dance was not a martial arts match, but a dance ritual.
 
The Blade Dance was not a martial arts match, but a dance ritual.
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There was no way it would be allowed to taint the ritual offered to the Elemental Lords with a death.
 
There was no way it would be allowed to taint the ritual offered to the Elemental Lords with a death.
   
The competition was decided by gathering the special spirit stones distributed to the representatives, the magic stones.
+
The competition was decided by gathering the special spirit stones distributed to the representatives the magic stones.
   
 
If a competitor was separated from their magic stones for more than one minute, they would be forcefully teleported out.
 
If a competitor was separated from their magic stones for more than one minute, they would be forcefully teleported out.
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Seven days from the opening of the battle. The four teams that had assembled the greatest amounts of magic stones would be brought before the Elemental Lords to offer the final blade dances. At this point, even if a member had been lost, all five members would continue into the finals.
 
Seven days from the opening of the battle. The four teams that had assembled the greatest amounts of magic stones would be brought before the Elemental Lords to offer the final blade dances. At this point, even if a member had been lost, all five members would continue into the finals.
   
"Good fortune and divine blessings upon the blade dancing Princess Maidens!"
+
"—Good fortune and divine blessings upon the blade dancing princess maidens!"
   
 
The five Queens reading the oracle from the Elemental Lords spoke this in tandem.
 
The five Queens reading the oracle from the Elemental Lords spoke this in tandem.
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<!--185-->
 
<!--185-->
Ordesia's former second Princess, Fianna Ray Ordesia.
+
Ordesia's former second princess, Fianna Ray Ordesia.
   
 
Captain of the Sylphid Knights, Ellis Fahrengart.
 
Captain of the Sylphid Knights, Ellis Fahrengart.
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The younger sister of the Calamity Queen, Claire Rouge of the house of Elstein.
 
The younger sister of the Calamity Queen, Claire Rouge of the house of Elstein.
   
And the winner of the last Blade Dance three years prior, Kazehaya Kamito.
+
And the winner of the last Blade Dance three years prior Kazehaya Kamito.
   
 
The four girls and one boy, each with their own Wish, moved to challenge the Blade Dance.
 
The four girls and one boy, each with their own Wish, moved to challenge the Blade Dance.
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Slight fog obscured his vision. Cries of birds and beasts could be heard from afar.
 
Slight fog obscured his vision. Cries of birds and beasts could be heard from afar.
   
"Inside a forest, huh... there are countless places enemies could conceal themselves..."
+
"Inside a forest, huh......there are countless places enemies could conceal themselves......"
   
 
Claire, who transported in directly after him, gave a cursory look at the surroundings.
 
Claire, who transported in directly after him, gave a cursory look at the surroundings.
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"Should I have my wind familiar search the immediate area?"
 
"Should I have my wind familiar search the immediate area?"
   
"That's right...no, it may be better not to. It's not that I don't trust your abilities, Ellis, but spirit magic users will instantly discover us."
+
"That's right......no, it may be better not to. It's not that I don't trust your abilities, Ellis, but spirit magic users will instantly discover us."
   
"...That's true."
+
"......That's true."
   
 
<!--186-->
 
<!--186-->
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Rinslet summoned the demon ice spirit with her finger.
 
Rinslet summoned the demon ice spirit with her finger.
   
The blizzard clad Fenrir raised a war cry.
+
The blizzard-clad Fenrir raised a war cry.
   
 
In an instant, five peoples' worth of luggage was sucked into its opened mouth and disappeared.
 
In an instant, five peoples' worth of luggage was sucked into its opened mouth and disappeared.
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Rinslet petted Fenrir's head and it gave out a sweet whine.
 
Rinslet petted Fenrir's head and it gave out a sweet whine.
   
"Mu, Scarlet is cute but Fenrir is also cute..."
+
"Mu, Scarlet is cute but Fenrir is also cute......"
   
 
Ellis gazed at Fenrir with an expression like her heart was stolen.
 
Ellis gazed at Fenrir with an expression like her heart was stolen.
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"The freezing coldness at the Laurenfrost's is enough to kill. Or rather, I was stranded in the garden that time I came to the main house to play when we were kids."
 
"The freezing coldness at the Laurenfrost's is enough to kill. Or rather, I was stranded in the garden that time I came to the main house to play when we were kids."
   
"When I found you, you hugged onto me and sobbed... sigh, where did the cute Claire from back then go, I wonder?"
+
"When I found you, you hugged onto me and sobbed......sigh, where did the cute Claire from back then go, I wonder?"
   
 
Rinslet sighed with a faraway look.
 
Rinslet sighed with a faraway look.
   
 
<!--187-->
 
<!--187-->
"Y...You... if you say anymore, I'll turn you into cinders!"
+
"Y-You......if you say anymore, I'll turn you into cinders!"
   
"How wide was the garden if you managed to get stranded..."
+
"How wide was the garden if you managed to get stranded......"
   
 
To the side of the two was a dumbstruck Kamito.
 
To the side of the two was a dumbstruck Kamito.
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Kamito nodded.
 
Kamito nodded.
   
Even though this was within Ragna Ys, whether it was because the Wind Elemental Lord's divine protection was weak or something, it was definitely cold. The academy's school uniform also had built in cold protection, but it didn't seem like it would be effective against the night's cold.
+
Even though this was within Ragna Ys, whether it was because the Wind Elemental Lord's divine protection was weak or something, it was definitely cold. The academy's school uniform also had built-in cold protection, but it didn't seem like it would be effective against the night's cold.
   
 
"It's also important to secure a water supply. It would be good if there was a river or lake nearby."
 
"It's also important to secure a water supply. It would be good if there was a river or lake nearby."
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Claire's suggestion wasn't just for drinking water, it was also for the required purifications an elementalist needed to undertake to remove any taint.
 
Claire's suggestion wasn't just for drinking water, it was also for the required purifications an elementalist needed to undertake to remove any taint.
   
"At any rate, that means the first thing is to search the surrounding area. Our formation will consist of me as vanguard, Rinslet and Fianna in the center and Ellis and Kamito in the rearguard.
+
"At any rate, that means the first thing is to search the surrounding area. Our formation will consist of me as vanguard, Rinslet and Fianna in the center, and Ellis and Kamito in the rearguard.
   
 
Claire proposed a logical formation.
 
Claire proposed a logical formation.
   
Fianna who was weak at battle was in position to be protected by everyone and Rinslet was able to see in every direction. Kamito who possessed great power was positioned to monitor the surroundings and the two who possessed great one on one strength, Claire and Ellis, were stationed at each end.
+
Fianna who was weak at battle was in position to be protected by everyone, and Rinslet was able to see in every direction. Kamito who possessed great power was positioned to monitor the surroundings and the two who possessed great one-on-one strength, Claire and Ellis, were stationed at each end.
   
 
<!--188-->
 
<!--188-->
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They had walked in the forest for roughly half an hour.
 
They had walked in the forest for roughly half an hour.
   
From a while ago, ball like light spirits had frequently flitted around overhead.
+
From a while ago, ball-like light spirits had frequently flitted around overhead.
   
 
They were the spirits for the purpose of relaying the Blade Dance from the field back to the great shrine.
 
They were the spirits for the purpose of relaying the Blade Dance from the field back to the great shrine.
   
It seemed they were trained not to intrude on their privacy, but there was no doubt that Kamito and the others were currently being displayed on screen.
+
It seemed they were trained not to intrude on their privacy, but there was no doubt that Kamito and the others were currently being displayed on-screen.
   
 
"We haven't found any signs of water. Just how large is this place?"
 
"We haven't found any signs of water. Just how large is this place?"
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Rinslet said as she removed a branch from her hair.
 
Rinslet said as she removed a branch from her hair.
   
"...My feet have started to hurt a little."
+
"......My feet have started to hurt a little."
   
 
Fianna, who wasn't used to hiking, said with a grimace.
 
Fianna, who wasn't used to hiking, said with a grimace.
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"Shall I carry you?"
 
"Shall I carry you?"
   
"Eh? N... No, it's fine..."
+
"Eh? N-No, it's fine......"
   
 
At Kamito's words, Fianna's face reddened and she shook her head.
 
At Kamito's words, Fianna's face reddened and she shook her head.
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"Don't push yourself. It's too late if you become unable to walk."
 
"Don't push yourself. It's too late if you become unable to walk."
   
"B... But, I...that is, I'm wearing this short skirt..."
+
"B-But, I......that is, I'm wearing this short skirt......"
   
"Th... That's true..."
+
"Th-That's true......"
   
...As expected, even the queen that always teased Kamito would be embarrassed by that.
+
......As expected, even the queen that always teased Kamito would be embarrassed by that.
   
 
"Kamito, you're thinking about such indecent things again!"
 
"Kamito, you're thinking about such indecent things again!"
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Ellis drew her sword.
 
Ellis drew her sword.
   
"I... I'm not thinking them! Or rather, what's this again about!"
+
"I-I'm not thinking them! Or rather, what's this again about!"
   
"Hmph, m... my foot hurts... maybe."
+
"Hmph, m-my foot hurts......maybe."
   
 
Ellis chewed her lip like she was pouting.
 
Ellis chewed her lip like she was pouting.
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Looking at her condition from before, that didn't seem to be the case but,
 
Looking at her condition from before, that didn't seem to be the case but,
   
"I... Is that so?...But, as expected, carrying two people is a little harsh."
+
"I-Is that so?......but, as expected, carrying two people is a little harsh."
   
"M... My foot also started to hurt suddenly!"
+
"M-My foot also started to hurt suddenly!"
   
"Yes, lending me just your sh... shoulder would help greatly!"
+
"Yes, lending me just your sh-shoulder would help greatly!"
   
 
<!--190-->
 
<!--190-->
 
"Yeah, I can do that much."
 
"Yeah, I can do that much."
   
"I... Is that so? T... Then, I shall take you up on that."
+
"I-Is that so? T-Then, I shall take you up on that."
   
 
Rinslet smiled and moved over to his shoulder.
 
Rinslet smiled and moved over to his shoulder.
   
"...!"
+
"......!"
   
 
Her uniform that lightly smelled of sweat.
 
Her uniform that lightly smelled of sweat.
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His heart throbbed at the soft sensation touching his arm.
 
His heart throbbed at the soft sensation touching his arm.
   
"...Th... That's unfair, Rinslet! Kamito, please lend me your shoulder as well!"
+
"......Th-That's unfair, Rinslet! Kamito, please lend me your shoulder as well!"
   
 
For some reason unbeknownst to him, Ellis also latched onto his shoulder.
 
For some reason unbeknownst to him, Ellis also latched onto his shoulder.
   
"Th... Then... me as well♪"
+
"Th-Then......me as well♪"
   
 
Fianna also rested her head on his shoulder from behind.
 
Fianna also rested her head on his shoulder from behind.
   
"Th... This is difficult..."
+
"Th-This is difficult......"
   
 
Being hugged by three girls, he let out an anguished voice.
 
Being hugged by three girls, he let out an anguished voice.
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"Fufu, you're not honest. Even though it'd be fine for Claire to say her feet hurt as well."
 
"Fufu, you're not honest. Even though it'd be fine for Claire to say her feet hurt as well."
   
"Wha... a... aren't you being stupid!? I'm fine, I can walk on my own!"
+
"Wha......a-aren't you being stupid!? I'm fine, I can walk on my own!"
   
 
Claire cried out angrily with a red face at the teasing Fianna.
 
Claire cried out angrily with a red face at the teasing Fianna.
   
"..."
+
"......"
   
 
<!--191-->
 
<!--191-->
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"Be quiet. We're being ambushed."
 
"Be quiet. We're being ambushed."
   
"...!?"
+
"......!?"
   
 
The three separated from Kamito and summoned their respective contracted spirits.
 
The three separated from Kamito and summoned their respective contracted spirits.
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A silence like the drawn bowstring of a bow.
 
A silence like the drawn bowstring of a bow.
   
(No, this isn't silence, it's inaction.)<!-- TLC, not sure if '' or " -->
+
(No, this isn't silence it's inaction.)<!-- TLC, not sure if '' or " -->
   
 
Kamito sharpened his senses and searched for presences.
 
Kamito sharpened his senses and searched for presences.
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"It's unexpected. That we would find a trap this early."
 
"It's unexpected. That we would find a trap this early."
   
"Yeah, even though it shouldn't be a good plan to act this quickly..."
+
"Yeah, even though it shouldn't be a good plan to act this quickly—"
   
 
Right after Kamito nodded.
 
Right after Kamito nodded.
   
"...They're coming!"
+
"—They're coming!"
   
 
A flash of light exploded.
 
A flash of light exploded.
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===Part 5===
 
===Part 5===
 
<!--192-->
 
<!--192-->
(...A distraction, huh!)
+
(......A distraction, huh!)
   
 
What had exploded was a depth charge spirit stone embedded in the ground that was prepared beforehand.
 
What had exploded was a depth charge spirit stone embedded in the ground that was prepared beforehand.
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In tandem with it, Kamito felt determined presences moving in.
 
In tandem with it, Kamito felt determined presences moving in.
   
(...From below!)
+
(......From below!)
   
 
He felt the flash was to disrupt him. Kamito trusted his instinct and jumped.
 
He felt the flash was to disrupt him. Kamito trusted his instinct and jumped.
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As he thought, there were others as well.
 
As he thought, there were others as well.
   
The sand mass wriggled and stretch towards his arm...
+
The sand mass wriggled and stretch towards his arm—
   
"I won't allow that, freezing fangs, pierce, Freezing Arrow!"
+
"I won't allow that, freezing fangs, pierce Freezing Arrow!"
   
 
Rinslet's ice arrow pierced the sand arm.
 
Rinslet's ice arrow pierced the sand arm.
Line 520: Line 520:
 
Claire warned him.
 
Claire warned him.
   
Kamito kicked the ground and jumped.
+
Kamito kicked the ground and jumped-—
   
"Crush them to death, stone beast spirit Gargoyle!"
+
"—Crush them to death, stone beast spirit Gargoyle!"
   
 
The shadow that instantly fell to the ground. The gigantic mass that fell from above.
 
The shadow that instantly fell to the ground. The gigantic mass that fell from above.
Line 533: Line 533:
 
The beautiful pure white uniform.
 
The beautiful pure white uniform.
   
"If I recall, that's the Kingdom of Balstan's...
+
"If I recall, that's the Kingdom of Balstan's......''
   
"O master swordsman, become my shield!"
+
"—O master swordsman, become my shield!"
   
 
From further up the path appeared Fianna's knight spirit.
 
From further up the path appeared Fianna's knight spirit.
Line 545: Line 545:
 
The young ladies got into formation around Claire.
 
The young ladies got into formation around Claire.
   
(I can't really blade dance without Est, but...)
+
(I can't really blade dance without Est, but—)
   
 
He created a short sword using his basic spirit magic.
 
He created a short sword using his basic spirit magic.
   
He attempted to circle around in the disturbance... just then.
+
He attempted to circle around in the disturbance just then.
   
 
Sending earth and sand flying, a sand giant appeared before him.
 
Sending earth and sand flying, a sand giant appeared before him.
   
"Tch...!"
+
"Tch......!"
   
 
Kamito widened the gap while clicking his tongue.
 
Kamito widened the gap while clicking his tongue.
   
(The sand spirit user... just where are they?)
+
(The sand spirit user just where are they?)
   
 
<!--194-->
 
<!--194-->
Line 564: Line 564:
 
The first theory was that the elementalist had used their spirit's earth attribute to hide underground with spirit magic. But there were no traces of such.
 
The first theory was that the elementalist had used their spirit's earth attribute to hide underground with spirit magic. But there were no traces of such.
   
A second presence appeared behind him.
+
A second presence appeared behind him—
   
(The second one...!)
+
(The second one......!)
   
 
From the shadow of the trees appeared a girl wielding a saber.
 
From the shadow of the trees appeared a girl wielding a saber.
Line 578: Line 578:
 
The girl shouted that as she turned to face him.
 
The girl shouted that as she turned to face him.
   
"For the act of embarrassing my master, sorry, but I'll have you disappear here!"
+
"For the act of embarrassing my master sorry, but I'll have you disappear here!"
   
"So it's really revenge for that idiotic prince, huh..."
+
"So it's really revenge for that idiotic prince, huh......"
   
 
Kamito sighed, astonished.
 
Kamito sighed, astonished.
Line 586: Line 586:
 
There were those who foolishly dragged their trivial personal grudges into the Blade Dance.
 
There were those who foolishly dragged their trivial personal grudges into the Blade Dance.
   
"...I sympathize with you. Elementalist of Balstan."
+
"......I sympathize with you. Elementalist of Balstan."
   
 
"I won't allow ridiculing my master!"
 
"I won't allow ridiculing my master!"
Line 595: Line 595:
 
Kamito dodged to the side by jumping. The blades of wind lightly grazed his neck.
 
Kamito dodged to the side by jumping. The blades of wind lightly grazed his neck.
   
(...Although if I had Est, that kind of attack would be nothing.)
+
(......Although if I had Est, that kind of attack would be nothing.)
   
 
The storm of wind blades that flew in every direction prevented Kamito from closing in.
 
The storm of wind blades that flew in every direction prevented Kamito from closing in.
Line 601: Line 601:
 
"Hah, it seems you really can't fight without a contracted spirit!"
 
"Hah, it seems you really can't fight without a contracted spirit!"
   
(...Why does she know I lost Est?)
+
(......Why does she know I lost Est?)
   
As he raised suspicions, at that moment... bluish white lightning came from behind him.
+
As he raised suspicions, at that moment bluish-white lightning came from behind him.
   
 
He instantly turned his body and repelled it with his spirit magic sword.
 
He instantly turned his body and repelled it with his spirit magic sword.
Line 625: Line 625:
 
He observed the surroundings without letting down his guard as he jested.
 
He observed the surroundings without letting down his guard as he jested.
   
Behind was the saber wielding wind elementalist. In front was the bow wielding lightning elementalist.
+
Behind was the saber-wielding wind elementalist. In front was the bow-wielding lightning elementalist.
   
 
<!--196-->
 
<!--196-->
 
And the sand giant also appeared behind him.
 
And the sand giant also appeared behind him.
   
(...Three skilled elementalists. As expected, it's tough.)
+
(......Three skilled elementalists. As expected, it's tough.)
   
 
Cold sweat gathered on his temple.
 
Cold sweat gathered on his temple.
Line 640: Line 640:
 
Claire and others should be fighting against that stone beast spirit from before not too far away, but because of the fog, he couldn't hear sounds of the battle or their voices at all.
 
Claire and others should be fighting against that stone beast spirit from before not too far away, but because of the fog, he couldn't hear sounds of the battle or their voices at all.
   
(From the start, this plan was for taking me down, huh...)
+
(From the start, this plan was for taking me down, huh—)
   
 
This time's Blade Dance was a battle of attrition.
 
This time's Blade Dance was a battle of attrition.
Line 650: Line 650:
 
The two elementalists battling Claire and the others were likely just buying time.
 
The two elementalists battling Claire and the others were likely just buying time.
   
(Then I'll also buy time. Just hold on until Claire and the others come...)
+
(Then I'll also buy time. Just hold on until Claire and the others come—)
   
 
Kamito gripped his hands and took half a step.
 
Kamito gripped his hands and took half a step.
Line 663: Line 663:
 
"He can see my wind blades!?"
 
"He can see my wind blades!?"
   
"It's a pity but their paths are easy to read in a forest!"
+
"—It's a pity but their paths are easy to read in a forest!"
   
 
The blades themselves were invisible, but he could see the leaves and branches they cut. After being shown the attack so many times, Kamito had discerned their speed and width.
 
The blades themselves were invisible, but he could see the leaves and branches they cut. After being shown the attack so many times, Kamito had discerned their speed and width.
Line 675: Line 675:
 
"You, I won't let you!"
 
"You, I won't let you!"
   
Immediately, an arrow of lightning came towards him... however,
+
Immediately, an arrow of lightning came towards him however,
   
 
That instant, Kamito disappeared.
 
That instant, Kamito disappeared.
Line 683: Line 683:
 
Kamito had kicked the ground and flew straight up.
 
Kamito had kicked the ground and flew straight up.
   
The battle techniques that had been hammered into him at the Instructional School, Meta three dimensional movement.
+
The battle techniques that had been hammered into him at the Instructional School Meta three-dimensional movement.
   
 
The other orphan from the Instructional School, Jio Inzagi, had also used this move, but his speed did not match the overwhelming version of Kamito's Shadow Weaving.
 
The other orphan from the Instructional School, Jio Inzagi, had also used this move, but his speed did not match the overwhelming version of Kamito's Shadow Weaving.
Line 692: Line 692:
 
Kicking the trunk of a tree, Kamito accelerated. The wind elementalist and lightning elementalist fired at the afterimages he left behind and hit nothing.
 
Kicking the trunk of a tree, Kamito accelerated. The wind elementalist and lightning elementalist fired at the afterimages he left behind and hit nothing.
   
"Sandman, topple the trees around you!"
+
"—Sandman, topple the trees around you!"
   
 
The wind elementalist shouted sharply.
 
The wind elementalist shouted sharply.
Line 698: Line 698:
 
The sand spirit roared and knocked down the surrounding trees.
 
The sand spirit roared and knocked down the surrounding trees.
   
Despite its dull looking body, it was unexpectedly fast. He had fought with members of the earth attribute such as rock, but this was the first type that had such mobility.
+
Despite its dull-looking body, it was unexpectedly fast. He had fought with members of the earth attribute such as rock, but this was the first type that had such mobility.
   
"Tch..."
+
"Tch......"
   
 
Losing his footholds, Kamito had no other choice but to land.
 
Losing his footholds, Kamito had no other choice but to land.
   
"O wind, blow wildly!"
+
"—O wind, blow wildly!"
   
 
The blades of wind from the side severed the sand giant's arm.
 
The blades of wind from the side severed the sand giant's arm.
Line 713: Line 713:
   
 
<!--199-->
 
<!--199-->
"Ellis, that's a great help."
+
"—Ellis, that's a great help."
   
 
"Sorry for being late. The mist spirit caused me trouble."
 
"Sorry for being late. The mist spirit caused me trouble."
Line 719: Line 719:
 
Ellis landed lightly and readied her spear with magnificent movements.
 
Ellis landed lightly and readied her spear with magnificent movements.
   
"Kuu, the plan is a failure, huh... retreat!"
+
"Kuu, the plan is a failure, huh......retreat!"
   
 
The enemy wind elementalist's judgment was quick.
 
The enemy wind elementalist's judgment was quick.
Line 725: Line 725:
 
The plan to take Kamito out with a swift attack coupled with a surprise attack had failed. There was no point in fighting any further.
 
The plan to take Kamito out with a swift attack coupled with a surprise attack had failed. There was no point in fighting any further.
   
"Like I'll let you run!"
+
"—Like I'll let you run!"
   
 
Ellis waved Ray Hawk.
 
Ellis waved Ray Hawk.
Line 731: Line 731:
 
Ellis' demon wind spirit was several tiers above the opponent's wind spirit. While cutting down the trees in its path, the wind blades attacked the retreating elementalist.
 
Ellis' demon wind spirit was several tiers above the opponent's wind spirit. While cutting down the trees in its path, the wind blades attacked the retreating elementalist.
   
In its path, the sand giant stood up.
+
In its path the sand giant stood up.
   
 
The blades of wind landed a direct hit. The wind elementalist and lightning elementalist had disappeared into the forest.
 
The blades of wind landed a direct hit. The wind elementalist and lightning elementalist had disappeared into the forest.
Line 739: Line 739:
 
However, at the moment the front had been blown open, Kamito realized.
 
However, at the moment the front had been blown open, Kamito realized.
   
(I thought its movements were too good...so you hid there.)
+
(I thought its movements were too good......so you hid there.)
   
The sand gathered again and completely resealed its wound... just before that.
+
The sand gathered again and completely resealed its wound --- just before that.
   
 
<!--200-->
 
<!--200-->
Kamito instantly jumped into the sand's opening. He punched through the giant's solar plexus.
+
Kamito instantly jumped into the sand's opening --- he punched through the giant's solar plexus.
   
 
It was the feeling of sand that greeted his fist.
 
It was the feeling of sand that greeted his fist.
Line 758: Line 758:
 
Kamito shrugged and answered Ellis' question.
 
Kamito shrugged and answered Ellis' question.
   
"...Sorry. I'll be taking this."
+
"......Sorry. I'll be taking this."
   
 
Kamito leaned down and took the magic stone from around the girl's neck.
 
Kamito leaned down and took the magic stone from around the girl's neck.
Line 772: Line 772:
 
"Are you guys also unhurt?"
 
"Are you guys also unhurt?"
   
"Yeah... rather, don't tell me you defeated them without a contracted spirit?"
+
"Yeah......rather, don't tell me you defeated them without a contracted spirit?"
   
 
Claire widened her ruby eyes.
 
Claire widened her ruby eyes.
Line 808: Line 808:
   
 
<!--202-->
 
<!--202-->
"..."
+
"......"
   
 
Kamito dropped his eyes to the spirit seal on his right hand.
 
Kamito dropped his eyes to the spirit seal on his right hand.
Line 814: Line 814:
 
In the end, even when Kamito's body clearly felt danger, the Gate had shown no signs of opening.
 
In the end, even when Kamito's body clearly felt danger, the Gate had shown no signs of opening.
   
"Est..."
+
"Est......"
   
 
===Part 6===
 
===Part 6===
"As expected, Kazehaya Kamito..."
+
"As expected, Kazehaya Kamito—"
   
 
The ones watching the first day of the Blade Dance from afar.
 
The ones watching the first day of the Blade Dance from afar.
Line 829: Line 829:
 
"That is why he is suitable to be sacrificed to the dragon sleeping within me."
 
"That is why he is suitable to be sacrificed to the dragon sleeping within me."
   
The girl standing at the cliff edge, Leonora Lancaster, licked her lips.
+
The girl standing at the cliff edge Leonora Lancaster licked her lips.
   
 
With ferocity emanating from her entire body, her eyes gleamed like blood.
 
With ferocity emanating from her entire body, her eyes gleamed like blood.
   
(Leonora-sama's Dragon Blood is awakening...)
+
(Leonora-sama's Dragon Blood is awakening......)
   
Apparent fear painted vice captain Yuri El Cid's face.
+
Apparent fear painted vice-captain Yuri El Cid's face.
   
 
Shivers ran down her spine.
 
Shivers ran down her spine.
   
The strange power inherited by those who served dragons, Dragon Blood.
+
The strange power inherited by those who served dragons Dragon Blood.
   
 
This was Yuri's fourth time seeing Leonora with red eyes.
 
This was Yuri's fourth time seeing Leonora with red eyes.
Line 849: Line 849:
 
If the dragon within her woke up, not even her subordinates could stop her.
 
If the dragon within her woke up, not even her subordinates could stop her.
   
(But this time seems a little different from usual...)
+
(But this time seems a little different from usual......)
   
 
Yuri looked upon Leonora's side profile.
 
Yuri looked upon Leonora's side profile.
Line 859: Line 859:
 
Leonora stood there looking upon the landscape in silence.
 
Leonora stood there looking upon the landscape in silence.
   
"Tonight, we hunt a pack of lions."
+
"—Tonight, we hunt a pack of lions."
   
 
Yuri and the others nodded wordlessly.
 
Yuri and the others nodded wordlessly.
Line 865: Line 865:
 
That was the signal of an attack for the Knights of the Dragon Emperor.
 
That was the signal of an attack for the Knights of the Dragon Emperor.
   
<noinclude>{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume5 Chapter6|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume5 Chapter8}}
+
<noinclude>{{SeireiDance Nav|prev=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume5 Chapter6|next=Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance:Volume5 Chapter8}}</noinclude>
</noinclude>
 

Revision as of 17:14, 28 March 2018

Chapter 7:The Real Battle Begins

Part 1

The hall was filled with nervousness and excitement.

A large amount of spectators from every country in the continent had gathered in the hall.

Mixed in with the influential nobles and princess maidens from every country in the continent's training facilities, were girls wearing the Areishia Academy school uniform.

The Blade Dance competitors assembled above an altar in the center.

Because the audience was comprised of the nobility, there was no unsightly jeering.

It seemed like there were fans of the elementalists, so each appearance of the representing teams was followed by high-pitched cheering.

"Milady, please do you best~!"

"I will believe in and await milady's victory! Glory to the Laurenfrost!"

At the front of the spectators were Carol and Mireille waving a white banner.

"J-Jeez, those two......that's embarrassing!"

Rinslet blushed and hid behind Kamito.

"Kamito, stay vigilant. You are attracting a lot of attention."

"Yeah, got it."

At Ellis' words, Kamito surveyed the area and felt many gazes upon him.

Other than Leonora, it seemed that Muir whom they'd fought yesterday was also here.

(It doesn't appear that they know I've lost Est yet......)

If they did know of Kamito's situation, they wouldn't be looking at him vigilantly but instead with the look of a falcon eyeing its prey.

"Fufu, Kamito is popular."

Fianna said teasingly.

Besides Team Inferno, twenty-three teams had gathered.

Even within them, Dracunia's Knights of the Dragon Emperor had an overwhelming presence.

Around the leader, Leonora, elite elementalists assembled. The Knights of the Dragon Emperor were a military unit with rigid rules. All of the members stood straight up without moving.

Kamito's eyes met with Leonora's.

Those red eyes were incomparable to when they'd met at the library yesterday.

Chills ran down his spine for an instant.

It was like the feeling of being stared at by a giant predator.

"—Dracunia's Dragon Knights training is high quality. Even excluding Leonora, they seem to have no openings."

Ellis noted as she analyzed the enemy teams.

"Yes, if we leave aside Team Inferno, they are one of the favorites to win. There are also other teams to be wary of."

Claire said that in a whisper and Fianna and Rinslet also turned their heads in his direction.

"First, there are the two representatives from the same academy as us, Team Wyvern and Team Cernunnos. On top of that, the druid girl has an overwhelming advantage outdoors. There's a chance she'll incite all the magical beasts in the forest to attack us."

Moreover, they had already experienced a severe loss during practice against that druid girl. There were certainly opponents he didn't want to have to fight.

Then Claire turned her gaze upon the team that wore foreign outfits.

"They're Quina Empire's prided Four Gods. They're a team that specializes in battle tactics."

Quina Empire was a large country located on the eastern part of the continent. It had a completely different culture compared to the western countries like Ordesia.

"The white-haired one is their ace, Shao Fu. She uses the divine beast spirit White Tiger."

"Four Gods? Even though there are five people?"

"The fifth is probably the one that controls the Four Gods."

Answering Kamito, Claire moved her gaze to the group that was wearing white holy garments.

"Those are the Holy Kingdom of Lugia's Sacred Spirit Knights. The ace is the runner-up from last time, Luminaris the Paladin."

"Geh!?"

Kamito slipped out a surprised yelp at that name.

"Kamito-san, did something happen?"

"N-No, it's nothing......"

Kamito quickly shook his head at the puzzled Rinslet's question.

(I'm sure she was the holy spirit user. Because it was a bad match with Restia's darkness attribute, the fight was quite harsh.)

Holding the Blade Dance after only three years was extremely rare. It usually took decades and sometimes only happened once in a hundred years.

Because of the age restrictions on eligible princess maidens, crossing blades with the same opponent should never happen, but it seems this time was a case filled with special occurrences.

"She's nineteen so she's the oldest one at this Blade Dance. It seems that she swore to defeat Ren Ashbell to restore her honor."

"I-I see......"

"Kamito-kun, you're making quite a sour face."

Fianna teased the bitter-faced Kamito.

"Next is the Principality of Rossvale's Rupture Division. Their ace is Milla Bassett, the youngest this time at thirteen years old. Though they're an emerging nation that gained independence from the Holy Kingdom of Lugia only within the last few decades, their elementalists are said to be top-class."

"—And them?"

Kamito looked towards the team that had been glaring in their direction since a while ago.

"The representatives from the Kingdom of Balstan. They're under the direct control of the royalty."

"Why are they glaring at us?"

"Umm......that's probably because of me."

Claire said so like it was hard for her.

"What do you mean?"

"Remember, it's because I slapped their prince yesterday—"

"......Ahh, I see."

Kamito finally remembered.

The crown prince of the Kingdom of Balstan. The prince that had acted out of interest and tried to kiss Claire.

"So it's because you embarrassed them."

"It's good enough if that crown prince understands with his body!"

For some reason, Rinslet was more angry than Claire.

"The Kingdom of Balstan's royalty may have ordered them to take revenge. Sorry, I carelessly created this mess."

"No, if Claire hadn't done anything back then, I would have."

"......Eh? Um, that means......"

As Claire's face went red.

A commotion started near the entrance of the great shrine.

"—So they've finally come."

Part 2

The instant Ren Ashbell entered, the commotion died down.

She led four elementalists that were wearing hoods which extended to cover their entire body.

"So that's Team Inferno......"

Kamito stopped breathing and watched them.

He immediately discovered the small girl with ash grey hair.

The Instructional School's monster — militarized spirit user, Muir Alenstarl.

She quickly averted her eyes after meeting Kamito's.

Walking next to Muir was a tall girl with jade green hair. Her ears which were characteristic of the Elfim race were visible under the hood. Elfim specialized in covert operations within forests, so she might have been an intelligence-gathering elementalist.

Another was a girl with eye-popping blue hair. She was the only one who had luxurious gold and silver accessories lining her hood and she carried a folding fan with a gaudy design.

"The crest of the Alphas Theocracy royal family — don't tell me, Demon Caster Sjora Kahn!?"

"You know her?"

He asked and Claire nodded.

"She's the number one witch in their kingdom, the admired successor of the Dusk Witch."

"To think that other than Muir, such characters would be there......"

Kamito groaned while wiping the sweat from his brow.

But more oppressive than those three and drawing most of the spectators' gazes — the last person.

At the appearance of that person, the silence that had overtaken the hall was replaced once again with clamor.

"......Who is that, that person!?"

A black knight covered in jet black armor.

It wasn't just her appearance that was strange. Her entire body was covered in a mysterious aura.

An existence that was never meant to be here — for some reason, that was what he felt.

"What a repulsive divine power......"

Fianna, who was more receptive, said in a shaky voice.

Ren Ashbell noticed Kamito and walked straight over to him.

Silence fell and the ringing of iron shoes echoed.

"Kamito......"

"It's fine."

Shielding the nervous young ladies behind him, Kamito took a step forward.

And stood off against the crimson-masked girl.

"To think there was someone who could break the Brand of Darkness."

"It's a pity. Things won't go how you want them to."

Kamito returned the gaze of the crimson pupils within the mask.

"That brand was only for the purpose of jump starting the awakening of the Demon King within you. Once the Gate has been opened, it can never return to how it was before."

"—What is this Demon King you speak of?"

Ren Ashbell smiled within her mask and whispered in a voice so others couldn't hear.

"If you want to know, ascend and face me — Ren Ashbell."

"Ren Ashbell, huh. Having you say that is the greatest irony."

Kamito clicked his tongue and groaned.

"But I'll clarify this. If I beat you, you'll tell me everything."

"What confidence for someone who's lost their contracted spirit."

"Est will definitely return. She is my best partner."

Ren Ashbell shrugged, turned on her heel and left without another word.

And thus the short exchange between the two Ren Ashbells ended.

Commotion returned to the great shrine hall again.

Above the bonfire burning at the altar, five Queens appeared.

Amongst them was Reicha Alminas.

When he had met her yesterday, she had been a normal docile girl, but wrapped in her ritual clothes and performing a ritual, she certainly had the presence of one the five highest princess maidens.

Eventually, the Tempest details appeared from the five Queens.

The introduction to the Blade Dance was held in the northern forest area of Ragna Ys.

The field was covered by a separating barrier cast by all the Divine Ritual Institute's princess maidens, so it was impossible to leave by normal means. Each country's representatives were transported with their respective teams to random locations and, over the course of seven days, would offer up their blade dances.

There was one rule — you could not kill an elementalist.

The Blade Dance was not a martial arts match, but a dance ritual.

There was no way it would be allowed to taint the ritual offered to the Elemental Lords with a death.

The competition was decided by gathering the special spirit stones distributed to the representatives — the magic stones.

If a competitor was separated from their magic stones for more than one minute, they would be forcefully teleported out.

Seven days from the opening of the battle. The four teams that had assembled the greatest amounts of magic stones would be brought before the Elemental Lords to offer the final blade dances. At this point, even if a member had been lost, all five members would continue into the finals.

"—Good fortune and divine blessings upon the blade dancing princess maidens!"

The five Queens reading the oracle from the Elemental Lords spoke this in tandem.

That signified the beginning of the battle.

Amidst the deafening cheers, the elementalists entered the transportation circle drawn above the altar.

Just before the transportation circle, Kamito turned to face the young ladies that were his comrades.

"Everyone, we will definitely win!"

"Yes♪" "Yeah!" "Of course!" "That, um, that was my line!"

Ordesia's former second princess, Fianna Ray Ordesia.

Captain of the Sylphid Knights, Ellis Fahrengart.

The eldest daughter of the house of Laurenfrost, Rinslet Laurenfrost.

The younger sister of the Calamity Queen, Claire Rouge of the house of Elstein.

And the winner of the last Blade Dance three years prior — Kazehaya Kamito.

The four girls and one boy, each with their own Wish, moved to challenge the Blade Dance.

Part 3

After stepping into the transportation circle, a mysterious forest opened up in front of him.

Slight fog obscured his vision. Cries of birds and beasts could be heard from afar.

"Inside a forest, huh......there are countless places enemies could conceal themselves......"

Claire, who transported in directly after him, gave a cursory look at the surroundings.

"Should I have my wind familiar search the immediate area?"

"That's right......no, it may be better not to. It's not that I don't trust your abilities, Ellis, but spirit magic users will instantly discover us."

"......That's true."

Ellis nodded at Claire's deduction.

"My Fenrir will carry everybody's belongings."

Rinslet summoned the demon ice spirit with her finger.

The blizzard-clad Fenrir raised a war cry.

In an instant, five peoples' worth of luggage was sucked into its opened mouth and disappeared.

"That's convenient."

"The Laurenfrost territory's population is isolated, so having Fenrir carry goods is a life saver."

Rinslet petted Fenrir's head and it gave out a sweet whine.

"Mu, Scarlet is cute but Fenrir is also cute......"

Ellis gazed at Fenrir with an expression like her heart was stolen.

"The freezing coldness at the Laurenfrost's is enough to kill. Or rather, I was stranded in the garden that time I came to the main house to play when we were kids."

"When I found you, you hugged onto me and sobbed......sigh, where did the cute Claire from back then go, I wonder?"

Rinslet sighed with a faraway look.

"Y-You......if you say anymore, I'll turn you into cinders!"

"How wide was the garden if you managed to get stranded......"

To the side of the two was a dumbstruck Kamito.

"We should also find a camp site or we'll freeze to death."

"Yeah, that's right."

Kamito nodded.

Even though this was within Ragna Ys, whether it was because the Wind Elemental Lord's divine protection was weak or something, it was definitely cold. The academy's school uniform also had built-in cold protection, but it didn't seem like it would be effective against the night's cold.

"It's also important to secure a water supply. It would be good if there was a river or lake nearby."

Claire's suggestion wasn't just for drinking water, it was also for the required purifications an elementalist needed to undertake to remove any taint.

"At any rate, that means the first thing is to search the surrounding area. Our formation will consist of me as vanguard, Rinslet and Fianna in the center, and Ellis and Kamito in the rearguard.

Claire proposed a logical formation.

Fianna who was weak at battle was in position to be protected by everyone, and Rinslet was able to see in every direction. Kamito who possessed great power was positioned to monitor the surroundings and the two who possessed great one-on-one strength, Claire and Ellis, were stationed at each end.

Kamito and company got into formation and began to advance through the forest.

Part 4

They had walked in the forest for roughly half an hour.

From a while ago, ball-like light spirits had frequently flitted around overhead.

They were the spirits for the purpose of relaying the Blade Dance from the field back to the great shrine.

It seemed they were trained not to intrude on their privacy, but there was no doubt that Kamito and the others were currently being displayed on-screen.

"We haven't found any signs of water. Just how large is this place?"

"It should be considerably large. Ragna Ys's size is comparable to a small country."

Claire, who was walking in front, answered Kamito's question.

"It looks like we'll need to create a map soon."

Rinslet said as she removed a branch from her hair.

"......My feet have started to hurt a little."

Fianna, who wasn't used to hiking, said with a grimace.

Unlike Claire and the others, she had transferred in and hadn't undergone the same open field training.

"Shall I carry you?"

"Eh? N-No, it's fine......"

At Kamito's words, Fianna's face reddened and she shook her head.

"Don't push yourself. It's too late if you become unable to walk."

"B-But, I......that is, I'm wearing this short skirt......"

"Th-That's true......"

......As expected, even the queen that always teased Kamito would be embarrassed by that.

"Kamito, you're thinking about such indecent things again!"

Ellis drew her sword.

"I-I'm not thinking them! Or rather, what's this again about!"

"Hmph, m-my foot hurts......maybe."

Ellis chewed her lip like she was pouting.

Looking at her condition from before, that didn't seem to be the case but,

"I-Is that so?......but, as expected, carrying two people is a little harsh."

"M-My foot also started to hurt suddenly!"

"Yes, lending me just your sh-shoulder would help greatly!"

"Yeah, I can do that much."

"I-Is that so? T-Then, I shall take you up on that."

Rinslet smiled and moved over to his shoulder.

"......!"

Her uniform that lightly smelled of sweat.

His heart throbbed at the soft sensation touching his arm.

"......Th-That's unfair, Rinslet! Kamito, please lend me your shoulder as well!"

For some reason unbeknownst to him, Ellis also latched onto his shoulder.

"Th-Then......me as well♪"

Fianna also rested her head on his shoulder from behind.

"Th-This is difficult......"

Being hugged by three girls, he let out an anguished voice.

"Hey, you three! The formation is falling apart!"

"Fufu, you're not honest. Even though it'd be fine for Claire to say her feet hurt as well."

"Wha......a-aren't you being stupid!? I'm fine, I can walk on my own!"

Claire cried out angrily with a red face at the teasing Fianna.

"......"

And Kamito stopped walking.

"Kamito-san, what's wrong?"

"Be quiet. We're being ambushed."

"......!?"

The three separated from Kamito and summoned their respective contracted spirits.

A silence like the drawn bowstring of a bow.

(No, this isn't silence — it's inaction.)

Kamito sharpened his senses and searched for presences.

(Two people. They're scouts or there are others with them.)

"It's unexpected. That we would find a trap this early."

"Yeah, even though it shouldn't be a good plan to act this quickly—"

Right after Kamito nodded.

"—They're coming!"

A flash of light exploded.


Part 5

(......A distraction, huh!)

What had exploded was a depth charge spirit stone embedded in the ground that was prepared beforehand.

It was a substitute that looked flashy but had no power.

But it had made an opening for an instant.

In tandem with it, Kamito felt determined presences moving in.

(......From below!)

He felt the flash was to disrupt him. Kamito trusted his instinct and jumped.

Right after. The place Kamito had been at just before was replaced with a giant arm of sand.

As he thought, there were others as well.

The sand mass wriggled and stretch towards his arm—

"I won't allow that, freezing fangs, pierce — Freezing Arrow!"

Rinslet's ice arrow pierced the sand arm.

"Kamito, above!"

Claire warned him.

Kamito kicked the ground and jumped-—

"—Crush them to death, stone beast spirit Gargoyle!"

The shadow that instantly fell to the ground. The gigantic mass that fell from above.

Earth and sand danced in the air as the ground tremored.

The spirit that had taken the form of a stone goblin. The elementalist girl rode on its back.

The beautiful pure white uniform.

"If I recall, that's the Kingdom of Balstan's......

"—O master swordsman, become my shield!"

From further up the path appeared Fianna's knight spirit.

The knight's sword drew a shining arc. The sound of stone being crushed rang out as the stone beast's arm was destroyed.

Two seconds after the flash, his eyes had finally recovered.

The young ladies got into formation around Claire.

(I can't really blade dance without Est, but—)

He created a short sword using his basic spirit magic.

He attempted to circle around in the disturbance — just then.

Sending earth and sand flying, a sand giant appeared before him.

"Tch......!"

Kamito widened the gap while clicking his tongue.

(The sand spirit user — just where are they?)

Kamito quickly ran his eyes over the surrounding area.

The first theory was that the elementalist had used their spirit's earth attribute to hide underground with spirit magic. But there were no traces of such.

A second presence appeared behind him—

(The second one......!)

From the shadow of the trees appeared a girl wielding a saber.

An invisible flash split the tree behind Kamito.

Kamito covered himself and dodged.

"To dodge my blades of wind, as expected of the male elementalist."

The girl shouted that as she turned to face him.

"For the act of embarrassing my master — sorry, but I'll have you disappear here!"

"So it's really revenge for that idiotic prince, huh......"

Kamito sighed, astonished.

There were those who foolishly dragged their trivial personal grudges into the Blade Dance.

"......I sympathize with you. Elementalist of Balstan."

"I won't allow ridiculing my master!"

The wind elementalist girl swung the saber.

Kamito dodged to the side by jumping. The blades of wind lightly grazed his neck.

(......Although if I had Est, that kind of attack would be nothing.)

The storm of wind blades that flew in every direction prevented Kamito from closing in.

"Hah, it seems you really can't fight without a contracted spirit!"

(......Why does she know I lost Est?)

As he raised suspicions, at that moment — bluish-white lightning came from behind him.

He instantly turned his body and repelled it with his spirit magic sword.

The sword burst into grains.

Facing to the direction it came from, a girl stood there with an elemental waffe bow.

"No way, he reacted to that surprise attack just now!?"

The wind elementalist widened her eyes in shock.

"It's because I knew another person would be hiding."

Kamito shrugged.

"As I thought, you're dangerous. We have to crush you while you can't use your contracted spirit."

"You're overestimating me quite a bit."

He observed the surroundings without letting down his guard as he jested.

Behind was the saber-wielding wind elementalist. In front was the bow-wielding lightning elementalist.

And the sand giant also appeared behind him.

(......Three skilled elementalists. As expected, it's tough.)

Cold sweat gathered on his temple.

From some point in time, a thick fog had coated the forest.

It wasn't natural fog. It was obviously created with spirit magic.

Claire and others should be fighting against that stone beast spirit from before not too far away, but because of the fog, he couldn't hear sounds of the battle or their voices at all.

(From the start, this plan was for taking me down, huh—)

This time's Blade Dance was a battle of attrition.

There was no need to defeat all of the enemy team at once.

He didn't know where they'd received information about his losing Est, but they had aimed for Team Scarlet who had lost their strongest force.

The two elementalists battling Claire and the others were likely just buying time.

(Then I'll also buy time. Just hold on until Claire and the others come—)

Kamito gripped his hands and took half a step.

"It's useless!"

The wind elementalist waved her saber and created blades of wind.

But Kamito didn't stop. Slightly shifting his center of gravity, he dodged by a hair's breadth.

"He can see my wind blades!?"

"—It's a pity but their paths are easy to read in a forest!"

The blades themselves were invisible, but he could see the leaves and branches they cut. After being shown the attack so many times, Kamito had discerned their speed and width.

Of course, to actually carry it out required extraordinary senses and courage.

Messing up just a tiny bit would mean the end. Due to the rules, his head wouldn't fly but his consciousness would.

Accelerating, he closed in on the wind elementalist.

"You, I won't let you!"

Immediately, an arrow of lightning came towards him — however,

That instant, Kamito disappeared.

"Wha!?"

Kamito had kicked the ground and flew straight up.

The battle techniques that had been hammered into him at the Instructional School — Meta three-dimensional movement.

The other orphan from the Instructional School, Jio Inzagi, had also used this move, but his speed did not match the overwhelming version of Kamito's Shadow Weaving.

Weaving between the branches of the trees, it was a technique of moving at top speed in all directions to toy with the opponent. Amongst the elementalists that had received ordinary battle training, there were none that could do this.

Kicking the trunk of a tree, Kamito accelerated. The wind elementalist and lightning elementalist fired at the afterimages he left behind and hit nothing.

"—Sandman, topple the trees around you!"

The wind elementalist shouted sharply.

The sand spirit roared and knocked down the surrounding trees.

Despite its dull-looking body, it was unexpectedly fast. He had fought with members of the earth attribute — such as rock, but this was the first type that had such mobility.

"Tch......"

Losing his footholds, Kamito had no other choice but to land.

"—O wind, blow wildly!"

The blades of wind from the side severed the sand giant's arm.

The blue ponytail waving in the wind.

Ellis who had her elemental waffe Ray Hawk in hand.

"—Ellis, that's a great help."

"Sorry for being late. The mist spirit caused me trouble."

Ellis landed lightly and readied her spear with magnificent movements.

"Kuu, the plan is a failure, huh......retreat!"

The enemy wind elementalist's judgment was quick.

The plan to take Kamito out with a swift attack coupled with a surprise attack had failed. There was no point in fighting any further.

"—Like I'll let you run!"

Ellis waved Ray Hawk.

Ellis' demon wind spirit was several tiers above the opponent's wind spirit. While cutting down the trees in its path, the wind blades attacked the retreating elementalist.

In its path — the sand giant stood up.

The blades of wind landed a direct hit. The wind elementalist and lightning elementalist had disappeared into the forest.

Ellis bit her lip in frustration. The sand spirit immediately began to rebuild.

However, at the moment the front had been blown open, Kamito realized.

(I thought its movements were too good......so you hid there.)

The sand gathered again and completely resealed its wound --- just before that.

Kamito instantly jumped into the sand's opening --- he punched through the giant's solar plexus.

It was the feeling of sand that greeted his fist.

The rebuilding sand giant crumbled in moments.

The one that appeared from within was a girl who had fainted.

"What does this mean?"

"That sand giant was her elemental waffe."

Kamito shrugged and answered Ellis' question.

"......Sorry. I'll be taking this."

Kamito leaned down and took the magic stone from around the girl's neck.

If they waited one minute, this girl would be transported back to the grand shrine.

"Kamito!" "Kamito-kun!" "Were you okay?"

Claire and the others came running from the other side of the forest.

It seems the other fight had also reached a conclusion.

"Are you guys also unhurt?"

"Yeah......rather, don't tell me you defeated them without a contracted spirit?"

Claire widened her ruby eyes.

"No, it would have been dangerous if Ellis hadn't come. They ran away in the end."

"Here," he said as he tossed the magic stone to Claire.

At that time, the fainted sand elementalist was enveloped by a transportation circle and disappeared as shards of light.

"We defeated the stone beast elementalist. The mist elementalist got away."

Claire gripped the two magic stones in her hand.

"It's dangerous to chase them too far. They seem like a meticulous team."

"At any rate, I never thought we would be attacked this quickly."

"Yes, it seems like it would be a good idea to find a camp site quickly."

Claire nodded at Ellis' words.

As expected, they weren't going to be elated at their first victory.

Kamito turned to the path forward that was covered in the remnants of the depth charge spirit stone.

(The mysterious thing is how they managed to ambush us.)

Even though it hadn't been even an hour since the start, they had moved like they knew Kamito and the others' location.

(Also, they knew that I've lost Est.)

Just who was leaking information, he wondered.

"......"

Kamito dropped his eyes to the spirit seal on his right hand.

In the end, even when Kamito's body clearly felt danger, the Gate had shown no signs of opening.

"Est......"

Part 6

"As expected, Kazehaya Kamito—"

The ones watching the first day of the Blade Dance from afar.

Seated on a slightly elevated hill were five girls in military uniforms.

One of those favored to win this time's competition, The Principality of Dracunia's representatives, Knights of the Dragon Emperor.

They were using the dragon attribute spirit magic "Dragon Eye" to observe far away.

"That is why he is suitable to be sacrificed to the dragon sleeping within me."

The girl standing at the cliff edge — Leonora Lancaster licked her lips.

With ferocity emanating from her entire body, her eyes gleamed like blood.

(Leonora-sama's Dragon Blood is awakening......)

Apparent fear painted vice-captain Yuri El Cid's face.

Shivers ran down her spine.

The strange power inherited by those who served dragons — Dragon Blood.

This was Yuri's fourth time seeing Leonora with red eyes.

The first time she had witnessed it was two years ago at the entrance examination for the Knights of the Dragon Emperor. Leonora had obliterated all other contestants within minutes.

It was a mad dance that had felt like it would cause casualties.

If the dragon within her woke up, not even her subordinates could stop her.

(But this time seems a little different from usual......)

Yuri looked upon Leonora's side profile.

Looking at her appearance, she seemed calm.

For some reason, her interest was only directed at one person and she wanted to slaughter only that male elementalist.

Leonora stood there looking upon the landscape in silence.

"—Tonight, we hunt a pack of lions."

Yuri and the others nodded wordlessly.

That was the signal of an attack for the Knights of the Dragon Emperor.