《The Master Swordman Who was Reincarnated, Want To Live Freely》 1 1. Prologue "What a number of demons. ...... The man in armor was astonished at the sight. The knights of the Kingdom of Gardea, who had deployed to the Woolworth Marshes, were all bewildered. The report had come in about a few weeks ago. After receiving word that a large demon was appearing in the vicinity of the marshes. Naturally, the Order moved quickly. The Woolversh Marshes are not far from the royal capital. It was a quick response, but there was more to it than that. The demon was an insect, and its reproductive power was such that it could create an army in a short period of time. Perhaps the swampy environment was suitable for them, but their bodies resembled hard armor as they strode through the swamp. Hundreds, if not thousands, of demons, each one larger than a human, roamed the marsh. I''m not sure if this is a good idea, but with our current strength, we need to contact the ...... captain. I don''t think that''s necessary, sir. No! You--no, you-- The one who spoke to the man was a boy. He had a pretty face that looked like a girl''s, which was not appropriate for this place. His hair was black, which was rare in this area, and his eyes were as black as his hair color. But the boy was wearing armor just like the man. He also carried a sword on his hip, though it was lighter than the man''s. The boy was also a knight. "First Officer Alta Schweizer. No need, huh? The reason I''m here is to eradicate the demons spreading in the swamps. It''s the same for me. But even for you, with that many ...... If we''re talking about possible or impossible, then yes. At least that much. The boy, Alta, replied to the man''s words and ran off, kicking the ground with a thud. Before the man could stop him, Arta was running away. On the battlefield, there are times when your fate depends on whether you can act faster than anyone else. In this case, someone had to make a move because he was going to have to fight anyway. By the time the man reacted, he was within striking distance of the demon stalking the swamp. Alta draws his sword. A shock that could not have been swung by a boy echoed around him. It was not a strong impact, but a sound as if a gust of wind had blown. One of the demons fell to the ground with a slump. The other demons noticed. But by the time they noticed, they had been cut into pieces one after another. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for, and what you can do to help. It''s a great way to make sure you''re getting the most out of your money. The other knights also raised their morale in the face of the warrior knight. "Oh, the others are moving too. This will be over soon. ...... I can''t wait to go home and rest. In the event that you have any kind of questions regarding where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site. 2 2. Escort mission It was a few years ago that I, Alta Schweizer, regained the memories of my previous life. I was given only the name "Alta" in an orphanage, without a family name, and when I turned five, I was exposed to magic for the first time. It was then that I remembered that I was once the "Sword Saint" Raoul Isaruf. I don''t know if this is a memory of a previous life, or a so-called "reincarnation" -- I don''t know. There was no way to prove that I was Raoul, and I had no intention of spreading it. The knowledge of swords and magic--that was enough for me. My talent was recognized, and I was adopted by the local noble family of Schweizer, and I am now working as a knight of the kingdom. I became the youngest knight since the beginning of the kingdom. Of course, I don''t make this known to the people. There are various ranks of knights, but I was given the rank of "first class officer," which gives me relative freedom and discretion. If you ask me what I want to do when I am reborn, I don''t want to do anything. I just want to do what I couldn''t do before, and I don''t want to struggle. In my previous life, I only became stronger to fight. In that sense, maybe I can get along as Alta Schweizer with Raoul''s memories. All I want to do is to work early, earn money, drop out early, and live a comfortable life. What I want is to work early, earn money, drop out early, and live a comfortable life. I''ve got more than half of them down, and the mother body is dead-- zero dead here, huh? There are a few injured people, but almost no ...... damage. Impressive work. First Officer Alta Schweizer. Yes, thank you, sir. Knight Commander Remyll Eyn. I bowed my head. The woman leaning her elbows on the desk and checking a report is Remyll Eine. She is the leader of the Kuro Wolf Knights to which I belong. Her long red hair is tied back in a bun, and she''s wearing her knight''s uniform, which is slightly worn down. I can''t help but wonder if the bare chest area is appropriate for a knight, but each order has its own style. I guess that''s allowed here. "So, I''ll get paid according to the number of kills I make, right? "You don''t talk about money the second time. You''re too young to be so concerned. Is the Schweizer family in such dire straits? As for the Schweizer family, at least they don''t need my money to survive. My father-in-law, the current head of the family, is an excellent man. It''s just that I''m a bit greedy with money. I replied without any particular concern. It''s natural to be happy when you get money, and the fact that you can save it is comforting. The amount of money you need to save depends on whether you are buying a house in the country or in the city. (I''ll have to decide that at some point. (I''ll have to decide about that at some point, though.) By the way, are you a city person or a country person? Are you a city person or a country person? "Are you sure you want to talk about pickup? Are you sure? No, sir. I''m talking about where I''m going to live. Come on, if you''re gonna propose, be a little more romantic. And don''t forget the age difference. I shouldn''t have asked the Commander. When I said that, Remyil said, "I''m just kidding," and chuckled. This was the true nature of her as a Knight Commander. It''s easier to talk to her this way. Although it can be troublesome at times. Well, it''s your choice whether you want to live in the country or the city in the future, but while you''re young, let''s talk about the present. I have a bad feeling about Remyil''s words. What Remyil took out of the drawer was a sheet of paper. There was a picture of a girl with some information on it. "Hey, this one looks familiar. "That''s right. She is the daughter of the Rheinfell family, one of the four great noble families, and is known as the "strongest" person in the capital, aside from the knights - Miss Iris Rheinfell. I picked up the paper that was handed to me. I take the paper that was handed to me. The "Sword Saint Princess" - that''s what they call her. She has shown extraordinary talent as a magical swordsman who combines sword and magic, and is said to be on par with the Sword Sage, despite being a woman. I''ve never met her, but I''ve at least seen her. I also remember her dignified behavior. "The Four Noble Houses ......, what''s wrong with your daughter? I want you to be her bodyguard. "Yes? I ask back. It seems my bad premonition came true. Escort duty, escort duty. Haven''t you ever done that before? No, I have, but ...... escorting the "Sword Saint Princess" is ...... You should not say whether it is necessary in the first place. Remyll sighs a little. I know what you mean. She says she doesn''t need an escort either. But you know, there''s been some shady business going on lately. "Fishy movement: ......? Yeah. I''m investigating that separately, but Miss Iris is a widely supported aristocrat in this country, a candidate for the next "king". I''m sure you''ll be able to figure out what''s going on. ''So they say, but why me? "Miss Iris says, ''I have no intention of being protected by someone weaker than me. It''s a very brave thing to say, but when it comes to that, we don''t have many people we can send out right away. You''re the one we can send right away. It''s not that I was chosen, but that I''m the only one who can go right now. It''s true that it''s not easy to find someone who is stronger than the Princess of the Sword. The option of asking if there is anyone else has already been eliminated. In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can contact us at our own web site. I''ve already talked to her about it. I''ve already talked to them about it. I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that. Once again, a bad feeling went through my head. 3 3.To the school The royal capital of the Kingdom of Gardea--Wosir. Many people live in the capital, which consists of five sections. In the center of the city is the royal castle that symbolizes the kingdom, and the knightly order that protects the country is divided into four branches centered around the castle. Many of the students of ¡¶fiorum academy¡· come from so-called noble families, and as well as the size of the academy grounds, it can be said that the facilities are extremely well-equipped. In terms of jurisdiction alone, it was under the jurisdiction of the Kuro Wolf Knights, to which I belonged. In the morning, I walk through the spacious grounds of the school. Perhaps because it is still a little early for the students to arrive at school, there are not many of them. Many of them are living in the school''s dormitory, so there may be room for them. (Still, they are conspicuous. ......) I''m a twelve-year-old on the grounds of a high school, and that makes me stand out, for better or worse. I''d like to head for the staff room as soon as possible. (The leader said that, but I wonder if he really understood what he was saying.) I can''t help but be worried. (The leader said so, but is he really on board?) I can''t help but worry. (Well, you have no choice but to do it. ...... Your salary is practically doubled.) The money given to me, including the funds for my activities at the school, including the salary from the Order, was almost double. To put it bluntly, I can get a lot of money just by protecting the "Sword Saint Princess", a girl who is renowned as the strongest. To be honest, I wasn''t sure if I even needed to protect her, but I heard that there were some disturbing developments. (Well, I''ll figure it out. ......) I headed straight for the staff room. (Well, I''ll figure it out. ) I''m heading straight for the staff room, hoping that my escort mission will go off without a hitch. "? "......? One of the girls looks towards the school building. I''m not sure what to make of it. But the boy soon disappears into the school building. "...... What''s wrong? What''s wrong? The girl who called out to Iris was her classmate, Aria. She looked into Iris''s face with a languid expression. She had just combed her hair, but it was now a sleeping habit again. "There you go again, sleeping habit. "...... He and Iris had very different personalities, but they were always together. For Iris, she was like a sister who needed to be taken care of. Aria, on the other hand, treats Iris, who is called the "Sword Saint Princess," in a normal way. I''m not sure what it is, but I see a little girl. "......?¡¡Dwarf? "Haha, not so small, I guess. I think it''s a kid from the primary school. Most of my business around here is related to my siblings. The school is divided into elementary, middle, and high schools, but they are still on the same campus. (I feel like I''ve seen this before, but ......) "Iris, let''s get to the training grounds. Aria tugs on Iris''s hem. I''m sure you''ll be able to figure out what''s going on. You can say that she is like a cat in terms of whimsy. Iris chuckles at Aria. "Well... I''ve got a sword test today, so let''s at least do some shoulder training. Iris doesn''t need that. No, she doesn''t. I still have a lot of training to do. Iris replied to Aria''s words. The two girls headed in different directions from the school building as they talked. The school chime rang. The school''s chime rang. Aria and Iris rushed into the classroom. They were too absorbed in their sword training at the training ground, and they were just in time. "Gee, just in time. ...... Yeah. That was close. It was a close call. Odds Colster, who was also the head of the school, was the one who interrupted them. Odds Colster, the head of the school year, is a muscular man, but he is also an excellent mage and teacher. It felt strange to have the head of the school standing at the podium instead of the homeroom teacher. Anyway, take a seat. Yes. ...... Sorry. I''m sorry. Aria and Iris took their seats. The auditorium-style classroom was free seating, but everyone sat in the same place. Aria and Iris were seated in the back by the window. As we took our seats, I finally saw the boy next to Odds. (Hey, that kid ......) It was the boy Iris had seen earlier this morning. If he was here, did that mean he was the brother of one of his classmates? Anyway, it was strange that he was here at the time when homeroom started. "Oh, this is sudden, but ...... the homeroom teacher will be replaced today. What? Iris looked at the odds with a surprised expression. My classmates started to get nervous. What do you mean? Did something happen to the old man? Hey, don''t call your homeroom teacher an old man. Mr. Wohl was originally replacing a teacher who was supposed to start today. Mr. Woll was the teacher in charge of Iris'' class. He was in charge of Potions, and for a teacher who was supposed to be in charge of the class, he certainly gave the impression of being inadequate. It had only been a month since Iris and the others had entered the high school, so it was a surprise that the homeroom teacher would be replaced, but it was not impossible. But it was not impossible. Rather, the impossible was what they were about to hear. (What, you mean ......?) Homeroom teacher changes. There''s a boy next to the odds. No way, she thought, but Iris''s bad premonition was coming true. "Well, as of today, I''ll be teaching this class as well as sword fighting--Artha Schweizer-sensei. The boy, Alta, stepped forward. With a smiling face, Alta also responded to Odds'' introduction. Yes, I''m Alta, and I''ll be your homeroom teacher from today. It''s nice to meet you. "Yeah, yeah! All of his classmates were surprised and agreed. 4 4. As a homeroom teacher The class was buzzing. Well, I can see why they''d be upset. If I were on the student side, I would definitely be upset too. After all, the minimum age for admission to this school is fifteen. I wouldn''t be entering the academy, I would be their teacher at the age of twelve, and I would be teaching them swordsmanship. (The Commander has a funny way of doing things, doesn''t he?) I can''t help but think that he is ....... He''s always pushing me to do things that I can''t do, and this time, even though I''ve been told that I don''t need guards, I''ve been forced into a position where I''m involved with the school. Of course-- I''m not sure what to say. A girl with long blonde hair slammed the desk and glared at me and the odds standing next to me. The girl with the long blond hair glared at me and the oddsman standing next to me. She had a neat face and a mature air about her - or rather, she was Iris Reinfell herself. "Iris, calm down. "How can I be calm? She replied to Odds'' words with a resolute attitude. I''m sure you''ll be able to figure out what''s going on. You''ll be able to find a lot of people who are interested in this. Is this school really that short-staffed? No, that''s not why I''m here. ....... This Dr. Alta, you know-- That''s right!¡¡This little kid is your homeroom teacher?¡¡You''ve got to be kidding me! The odds tried to explain, but were drowned out by the students'' voices. I''m supposed to keep my identity as a knight a secret. If a knight came as a lecturer, Iris might find out that the knights sent him and ask him directly to stop escorting her. If that''s the case, there''s really no need for an escort. Well, my setting looks like something that would appear in a book about a young genius swordsman ...... who trained in a faraway land. With the flexible setting of being a relative of the school principal. I didn''t have time to explain it, though. I didn''t have time to explain it, but... "How can such a little girl be in charge of sword fighting and homeroom ......? "I liked Mr. Wol better. I feel that the students'' words at the end hurt him, but I also understand that they don''t agree with him. I''m sure I''d protest too, and I wouldn''t agree. But I''m on the side of the unusual now. If I am assigned as a lecturer, I guess they want me to be recognized as a lecturer somehow. ...... I should get a raise in salary. Let''s put that aside. I''m sure you can understand what I''m saying. He claps his hands to get the attention of the students. I''m going to be in charge of these students from now on, so let''s keep it civil. (...... Is it easy to be a homeroom teacher?¡¡I''m sure you''ll find a lot of people who''d like to know more about this.) So, let''s have a game. "...... match? I''m not sure what to do. I nodded in agreement. There''s always the easiest way to convince an unconvinced opponent. Let''s have a mock battle between you and me. If I lose, I''ll step down as instructor. --It''s the quickest way to show your strength. 5 5. Simulated Battles In addition to the school''s main building, there is a library and an adjacent cafeteria. Basically, students living in the dormitories will have no trouble in their daily lives. The place where I came with the students was called the training ground. It is used for sword fighting and magic exercises. Under the guidance of Odds, I was confronted by twenty students. Even though she was called the "Princess of the Sword," there didn''t seem to be any special classes. In my opinion, the one that stands out in terms of ability is Iris, and the girl next to her with the languid expression. ...... I believe her name is Aria. I''m not sure if it''s a good thing or not. In the event you''re not sure what you''re looking for, you''ll be able to find a lot more information here. On the other hand, I can see that Iris is concentrating hard, as if she is not letting her guard down even in a mock battle. Although I am younger than her, the fact that she seems to be serious is probably a sign that she wants to get rid of me as soon as possible. Well, it''s more convenient for me, too. I''ll ask Dr. Odds to be the referee then. "Oh, yeah. Odds nodded in confusion. Since I made such a suggestion, he might be on edge inwardly. To be honest, I feel bad about that. I''ll go first. Suddenly, a young man came out of the room. He was tall and well-built, and if I recall correctly, he was a student of swordsmanship rather than magic. He was the one who had interrupted Professor Odds earlier. But first, we need to decide on the rules for the mock battle. I don''t need rules. The first one to fall loses......, that''s it. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m going to do it. You can recreate the blade by putting magic power into it, and you can recreate the feeling of being slashed. The pain is weaker than in real life, but you can still feel the cut. The taller students put their magic power into creating the blade. The other students, including Iris, have no intention of moving. "If you''re going to be a teacher, you can use that. Here we go. Before I can answer, the taller student runs off. The sword he held up was a simple straight sword. It''s a simulated sword that can change the type of sword it can produce, but he''s probably simply good at it. There were no feinting moves. The taller student, coming straight at me, moved to intersect me - and fell to the ground. "Where''s ......? All of the students in the room have a look of surprise on their faces. Even more surprised was the student who had fallen. He didn''t seem to understand what had happened. I just put my foot on him lightly. "Well, the one who falls down loses. So, once again-- "Don''t be silly! The taller student stood up and tried to come at me again. I put the blade of my mock sword under his neck. ......! If that was a real fight, you''d be dead twice. Don''t judge a man by his appearance - that''s the first thing I can teach you, so remember that. The first time was on his back, which he slashed at the moment he fell - the taller student would have known he had been slashed. The second time, now, it would have been easy to decapitate him. He spun around and faced the students. I could see them gasp and look at me. I was going to be more flamboyant and obvious, but it had to be done. Well, let''s get back on track and explain the rules. If you can land a blow on me, you win--and I''m not going to go through the trouble of taking on each of you individually. I hold up my mock sword and look at the students. And then. "Come on, all of you. That''s as good as it gets. --I said. 6 6."Princess Kensei" Three girls ran toward me at the same time. They spread out in three directions, looking at each other and timing their movements. They are probably good friends of mine. They''re well coordinated, but... It''s easy to prevent them from attacking from the same place at the same time. "What the ......? They''re all attacking from above. It''s never a bad idea to be in sync, but you don''t have to be in sync. I''m not sure if it''s a good idea or not. "Yikes. ...... "Ouch. Ugh. It was a good partnership. But I can''t reach them yet. The four boys who had preceded us were already on the ground. In the event you''re not sure what you''re looking for, there are a number of things you can do. They seem to understand some simple tactics, but the idea of 20 people working together to attack seems to have never occurred to them. The students are already gasping for air, even though all they have to do is strike me a blow and they will win. Even though they challenge me again and again, I am able to prevent and defeat all of them. Even so, I have to give them some credit for surrounding themselves with a perimeter. It''s better to keep coming. All you have to do is strike me a blow and you win. You don''t have to take a hit to lose. We''re already less than halfway through. I don''t know how long it will take to do this without a time limit - it seems simple enough to say that you only need to strike one blow in the thirty-minute time limit. Even though he heard my words, he didn''t make any move. Just when I thought I had gone a little overboard, two girls stepped forward. Back up, everyone. I''ll take care of the rest. I''ll take care of the rest." The "Sword Saint Princess" and the other two girls who were second only to Iris were Iris and Aria. Until now, they''ve only been watching from afar, but it seems they''re finally ready to fight. It''s as if they''re assessing my abilities as well. "You must be Iris and Aria. Are you guys next? "...... Mr. Schweizer, I underestimated you. I apologize for that. I was a little surprised at the way he bowed his head and said that. I was a little surprised by her attitude - but her expression remained serious. I was a little surprised by her attitude, but her expression remained serious. She held up her mock sword and said. But I''ve seen enough of your sword. It may be fast, and it may not be at the level of a student, but to me it''s like a child''s plaything. "Childish?¡¡Child''s play? Iris, me too. No, I''m fine on my own. When Aria tried to join in, Iris stepped forward, saying so. I''m not sure if I''m going to be able to do this, but I''m sure I''ll be able to do it. "Enough ......? When I heard those words, I narrowed my eyes and looked at Iris. Apparently, she still doesn''t get it. "Iris Reinfell--I''m coming. What she held up was a thin sword. It''s not a rapier, but it''s quite slender for a sword. It seems that she is the type of person who overwhelms with her number of moves and speed, rather than the power of each blow. As soon as Iris kicked the ground, she closed the distance between us. Her speed was incomparable to that of other students, and in no time at all, we were within striking distance of each other. It was Iris who made the first move. A series of feinted blows from a thin sword, but the tip of the sword never reaches me. With a sound like metal scraping, the imitation swords made of each other''s magic power clashed. The next series of blows - the speed is higher than before. The swords were as if they were alive, and they were coming out from all directions at will. Well, it seems that the name "Princess of the Sword" is not a fluke. It''s not just the level of a student, but her skill with a sword may not be on par with anyone in the Knights. Still-- "...... What''s wrong? I''m not sure what to do, but I''m sure I''ll be able to do it. The expression on her face was full of surprise. Apparently, she noticed too. He thought he could finish her off with the first volley, but he couldn''t. The second series of blows went even further, but I was able to hold them off. If you''re in her class, you''ll understand that there''s a definite difference between us. "Soo ....... Iris takes a small breath and attacks again. This time, she didn''t just move in a straight line - she added steps and feinted as she moved from side to side. She also accelerates her movements in an attempt to take out my blind spot. It was a move that set him apart from the other students, and I could tell that he was determined to strike a definite blow against me. In swordsmanship, it is never a wrong choice to fight head-on. However, if the two sides are not balanced in their abilities, it would be a bad move. She seems to be an honest swordswoman, but I think she understands that very well. I will accept her sword again. You''re right about trying to get a blind spot, but it''s hard to do in a big place like this. Stick to ......! "Then I''ll do it. I heard those words from behind me. When I turned my gaze, there was Aria, holding a dagger. That seems to be her weapon of choice. In the sense of swordsmanship, that would be included as a weapon. "Aria! "Iris, we''ll do this together. You can''t do it alone. I kick the ground to get away from her. Iris and Aria--they face me, face to face. They immediately start moving. They split off to the left and right, trying to take advantage of my opening to strike a blow. Some of the other students were in sync with each other, but these girls were in a class of their own. Their movements and coordination are excellent, but they can''t get there in time. "That''s it! I''m not sure what to make of that. The two swords were each trying to strike a blow from my blind spot, but the odds announced that it was over. Time was up, time was up. "Nice try. As promised, I will now serve as your homeroom teacher and sword instructor. I announced again, but this time no one raised an objection. The mock match ended with my victory. 7 7. Reasons for escort Since it wasn''t originally a first period lecture, it was rearranged and I was allowed to be the homeroom teacher and sword instructor. As expected, the students who couldn''t do anything about it didn''t argue with me, but I had to take care of the other classes as well. In other words, the same kind of thing might happen again. Well, if the fact that she had defeated the "Sword Saint Princess" became widely known, there would be no need to talk about it. So, you beat up the students on the first day of school? "I''m a teacher, so I didn''t go to school, and I didn''t beat up the students. I just did what was necessary to be recognized as a teacher. In the school''s reception room, it was Remyll who had come all the way from the first day. As a Knight Commander, he had probably left his duties to his subordinates and slipped out. He must be a very busy man. Did you come all this way to listen to me?¡¡If you call me, I''ll come to you. "Haha, it''s my job to check on the status of my subordinates. You''re here to skip work. Checking on my men. So, did you have a run-in with Miss Iris? Well, she was the one who argued the hardest. --Iris Reinfell. I understand that she doesn''t think very well of me. After all, she was going to be taught by a child like me, who was younger than her. She is one of the four great aristocrats, so she might feel humiliated by such a thing. "Hmm, how was it? How was the ¡¶Saint Sword Princess¡·? Yes, it was. Our encounter was short, but I think she''s long past the level of a student. There aren''t many people who can beat her even in the knight order. Well, no wonder she doesn''t need an escort. At the level of a student, she may already be the strongest. That''s enough to make you say that. So, you don''t think you actually need it? Remyll asked again. Somehow, I understood what she was trying to say. It depends on the level of the Commander''s assumption. If it''s not that I''m the only one available, but that I''m the only one who can do it, then I think it''s necessary. When I replied, Remyll nodded in agreement and said. I see. I guess it was a good decision to leave it to you for now. "...... Oh, by the way, you said there was something fishy going on. Anything to do with that? Yeah, that''s right. The first thing I can tell you is that she''s in fear for her life. Remyll''s expression sharpened. Apparently, it''s serious business from here on out. "Are you saying that she''s being targeted because she''s the most famous candidate for the next king? "It''s very possible. There are other candidates, but ...... she''s probably the best at the moment. If that''s the case, there will be people who think she''ll be a hindrance. If the current king also approves of her, then I guess that would be considered clear treason. Yeah, you''re right. I''m still in the process of investigating, but I''ll let you know if there are any developments. So saying, Remyll leaves his seat. In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site. I''m not sure. Even though it was class time, Iris was not concentrating. As he sat down, he clenched his fists tightly. He had lost - to an opponent who was younger than him. Iris knew that the game had been won just in time. He knew that Arta was going to run out of time, and that''s why he didn''t try to avoid her. Even if she and Aria had attacked in tandem, she couldn''t see how she could have dealt a blow to Arta. (I can''t believe there was such a strong girl. ......) Even after being called the ¡¶Saint of Swords¡·, Iris has never lacked training in order to become stronger. In the event that you''re not sure what to do, you''ll be able to ask for help. (...... No, I wasn''t serious yet either.) Both of us were playing with simulated swords - Iris and Arta were not at their best. Then the next thing to worry about is how serious he is. I''m not sure how good Arta is at teaching, even though he''s younger than me - Iris was so worried about that that she couldn''t concentrate on her classes. 8 8. Consultation on "Kenseihime" The next day - the end of class that day, to be exact - my life as a teacher began. In the mornings, I mainly deliver messages in homeroom, and it''s the same on the way home. I told her that she could come to me with any questions she had, but as expected, no one would come to a kid like me for advice. "Hey, where did you learn to use a sword, Sensei? "In the east. Well, I had a good master. You''re too strong. If he''s that strong, we''ll never beat him. Really, really!¡¡I can''t believe a girl like you is my teacher, but ...... ...... was not what I expected. No, in fact, I''m not asking for advice, I''m just asking questions. It''s after school and the girls are gathering around asking me questions. If it wasn''t for advice, I would have gone back to the staff room as soon as possible, but they wouldn''t let me. The boys were also concerned about my movements, and I could feel their eyes on me. Mostly jealousy. I would say, "Don''t be jealous of younger people. "Teacher, if you''re free after school, let''s hang out! "No, you''re a teacher. I have a job to do after school. It''s obvious that he''s not treating me like a teacher anymore, and it''s not how I expected him to treat me. I thought that there would be some awe and respect after showing strength, but the students seemed to have the impression that he was just a great kid. It seems that word is spreading fast, and people are already saying that I defeated the "Sword Saint Princess". To be precise, I didn''t defeat her, I just beat her by running out of time. I glanced at Iris and saw that she was looking straight at me. No, that''s a lot of pressure. It feels like she''s about to slash at me. I don''t expect everyone to think well of me, but it''s a sad story that the target of my guard is the most wary of me. Let''s see... Gentlemen, I''ve got work to do. Wait a minute. When I opened my mouth to end the conversation, my words were interrupted by Iris, who had been watching the situation. I''m not sure what to make of it. The girls around me shrank back, as if to say, "That''s the Princess of the Sword. "Yes, what can I do for you?¡¡If you need advice, I''m here. ...... Please fight me for real. "I see...? It''s a good idea to take a look at the website and see if you can find anything you like. The classroom was abuzz. She said that she wanted us to fight beyond the level of a mock battle. Or maybe she was saying the same thing. If you fight hard, you can win--if you lose, quit teaching. I fought as hard as I could at that time. I understand that you''re not satisfied with the result of running out of time, but... No, sir!¡¡I''ve already convinced myself that Mr. Schweizer will be my teacher. I''ve already convinced myself that Dr. Schweizer is going to be my teacher," Iris said with a somewhat unconvinced air. If that''s the case, then I guess her wish is simply to fight me. Iris continues. I want to fight with your full strength. That''s all you can do. Please don''t lie to me!¡¡My eyes... Dr. Schweizer, are you here?¡¡It''s time for our regular meeting. At this moment, another teacher came looking for me. No, that''s really good timing. I turn my back on Iris and say. We''ll talk about it another time! "....... Iris, as expected, is not the type to stop me if I say I have work to do. But I never thought that he would seriously want to fight with me. I don''t think it''s a good idea to seriously fight with the object of my protection, and besides, I''m here on business. I thought about using this as an opportunity to get to know her, but considering the various factors, I think the current distance is just right. I had no idea that I would run into Iris waiting for me after I left the meeting thinking that she would give up if I just dodged her. 9 9. Chasing "Doctor, Doctor Schweizer!¡¡Please wait! I hear a voice calling me from behind. I''m walking down the hallway, and a girl is chasing after me - I''ve never experienced anything like that in my life, and maybe it''s a valuable experience. --If it''s a normal girl. "Sir, please fight me! That''s what Iris, the "Sword Saint Princess," said as she chased after me. It was a very unattractive invitation. I''m not sure if she cares about appearances, even though there are still students in the school. "...... huh? A small sigh and look back after opening the window in the corridor. Iris''s expression is as serious as ever. It''s easy...... easy to say, "I don''t want to be a bother. The other party is the target of the escort, the only daughter of Rheinfell, one of the four major noble families. I''m a knight working for the kingdom. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. I''m not going to fight you. ...... I''m not going to fight you, but I want to fight you. ...... I want to fight you for real, sir. I showed you how serious I am yesterday. No, sir. I''m sure you took it easy on her. ...... She''s strong. She''s strong enough for me to think so. If you''re in her class, you probably know whether your opponent is serious or not to some extent. I thought it would be a good idea to match the level of the students. You''ve got it all wrong. Besides, I still have work to do. I''ll help you. No, not really, but you can''t let the students do it. For a moment, I was almost tempted. In fact, today''s work is nothing more than paperwork, which I could do even if I were a real child. --But I can''t fight you for helping me with that. "Oh, please. I''ll do anything. I''ll do anything you want. ...... You can''t say that to a girl. What are you going to do if they ask you to do something shady? What? I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not. It''s a good idea to take a look at the website and see if you can find any useful information. If you understand, then you don''t have to-- No, it''s fine. ...... Yes? If that''s what you want, I''m prepared to do it too. I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not. --No, is this girl serious? I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that. ...... Although I''m younger than her in appearance. I don''t know what it is that makes her tick, but when I gently put my hand over hers, Iris shakes her body. I place a handful of materials on her head. I''m sorry I started it. I''m sorry I started it, but ...... you can''t say things like that lightly. No, I didn''t say that lightly! --Yes, you''re right. She really means it. That''s why I''m in trouble. ....... (Teaching is not an easy job: ......) I thought I could just teach what was appropriate for my students, but it turns out that there is a possibility that there are kids like this. I''m not sure if I''d be able to do that if I were you. ...... I understand. If you''re so sure, let''s make one condition. I''m sure you''ll agree. Iris''s expression brightens. You seem to think I''m finally on board, but ...... I''m not in a position to say I''ll fight that easily. I''m not sure what to say. If you can catch me in the next 30 minutes, I''ll fight you for real. "...... catch you? Yes, sir. And if you can''t, you give up this time. That''s the deal. ...... I''ll do it. Please let me do it. There was no hesitation in Iris''s reply. She''ll definitely come after me with everything she''s got. "Okay. Well then, let''s start now... With those words, I kicked the floor. I jumped out of the hallway window I had just opened. "What ......? I''ll run anywhere on the grounds, not just inside the school! I made the condition because I had no intention of getting caught. The conference room is located on the third floor - if you jumped from here, you could buy a lot of time for her to come after you. ...... Well, it may not be mature, but I''ll do my best to escape. I''m not letting you go! "......? I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not, but it''s a good idea. She didn''t care that she was wearing a skirt - or rather, she didn''t hesitate to jump down even though she was on the third floor. If you are on her level, you can do that. Thirty minutes was a bit too long. ...... I said these words of regret, but ran off without looking back. And so began my chase with the Princess of the Sword. 10 10. Knighthood I left the path and ran to the back of the school building. Passing students look at me as I run past them. Honestly, it''s been a long time since I''ve done something this childish. Chasing is a child''s thing - well, except for the fact that Iris is chasing me from behind at an unbelievable speed. We''ve both enhanced our physical abilities with magic. The reason I was called the "Sword Saint" wasn''t just because of my superior swordsmanship. It was the combination of swordsmanship and magic that earned me that nickname. There are inevitably limits to what a flesh and blood human can do. In that sense, it''s a bit - well, you could say it''s quite reckless - for this young body to display the same level of ability as in my previous life. I''m not sure what to make of this. I''m sure you''ll be able to understand why. I think I''ve got a good distance between us, but she''s still not that far away from me. If I push a little harder and accelerate, I might be able to leave her behind. (We won''t be able to run as fast as we can for another 30 minutes, so I guess it''s time to play hide and seek from here.) Deciding that, I walked through the back of the school building, towards the woods. Although I''m on the school grounds, there are dense rows of trees there. Considering that the school grounds are quite large, the space occupied by these trees alone is quite large. I guess this place is used for exercises, etc. - there are traces of fights here and there. (More like ......1,2--5?). Check the rear. When I saw that Iris was not in sight, I kicked the ground and ran to a tree. At about the same time, I saw Iris''s figure. "......! The expression on Iris''s face was a little impatient. Perhaps she had completely lost sight of me. At the same speed, she ran through the trees. I got down from the tree and looked at the direction Iris was running. If I can kill time until the time limit, I''ll win. It''s also necessary to anticipate your opponent''s actions. Don''t you think? I glanced behind me and called out. But all that comes back is silence. Come on out. There''s no point in hiding. As I repeat this, two robed figures appear. Both of them wear masks, so you can''t see their true faces. I see, it seems that the timing of my appointment here was really just right. --Iris is already being targeted by assassins. "...... How long have you been aware of this? One of the robes asks. Judging by the voice, it''s a man. The other robe is also a man, judging by his size. But that''s not how many I counted. The three seem to have followed Iris. When they got here, I think. Maybe they were waiting for Iris to be alone. I stand in front of the two assassins. The assassins keep their eyes on me and don''t move. They''re probably trying to gauge my timing. "Did you know that when you came here? ...... You''re not just a kid, are you? Well, yeah. I''m a teacher here, you know. I have to deal with trespassers. You''re an instructor?¡¡Are you f*cking kidding me? I''m not kidding. I spread my hands out in a show of hands. The assassins still don''t move. The assassins still haven''t made a move. They''re trying to figure out my every move. "...... Oh well. I can tell by your movements that you''re no ordinary person. We never let our guard down, even against unarmed children. "Never too careful." - Well, it''s already done. "...... What--? At the same time, you take a step forward and swing your arm. With a whoosh of wind, he sliced through the necks of the two assassins. The two men in front of me probably didn''t even realize what had happened. "Sorry. I''m sorry. I''m not exactly what they call a sword saint. --Now, ......, the question is Iris''s. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re doing. It''s a good idea to take a look at the web site and see if you can find any useful information. 11 11. Yuan Kensei "Haha ...... phew. Iris catches her breath and checks her surroundings. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. "Stick with ....... You can see the impatience on Iris'' face. It''s a good idea to take a look at your own personal life. And it didn''t seem like he could catch up. (If we can''t do it the right way, we''ll have to come up with some kind of strategy. ......) At this point, Iris finally cooled down after losing sight of Arta. If you''re not sure what you''re looking for, you can find a lot more information here. I pondered and thought about how to beat Arta. If you just want to catch him, there is never no way. (Let''s go back first--) At the moment, Iris noticed a presence. At the same time, a silver blade came into view. I''m sure you''ll be able to figure out what''s going on. I''m not sure if you''ve seen this before, but I''m sure you have. A blade grazed her shoulder. One of the blades grazed her shoulder. But it''s not a deep wound. Iris doesn''t care about the wound. "You''re not ......, are you? "Hahaha, you can call me sir if you want. The grass and trees rustled, and three shadowy figures appeared. They wore robes and masks, and they looked uniform. That alone was enough for him to understand that they were assassins. As soon as Iris saw them, she took a stance. Running through his right hand was an electric shock - generated by the conversion of magic power. That''s what''s needed to activate the magic. The magic power in his right hand is even more concentrated. But... "......? I''m not sure if you''ve seen this before, but I have. Her vision wavered, and she lost strength. The magic power gathered in her right hand also dissipated. (Paralysis, poison ......!) It''s too late to notice. I''m not sure what to do. That''s why paralyzing poison is the mainstream among us as well. The kind that works fast and hard. It doesn''t take more than a few seconds to kill someone who can''t move. I''m not sure what to do. "......! I''m sure you''ve heard of it. But you can''t free your body. I''m not sure if I''m going to be able to run or even stand up. If it was a paralytic poison, it would be difficult for her to detoxify herself alone. That''s what the assassins were after. And Iris knows why the assassins came. And she knows why the assassins came to her, because she understands that she is in that position. (That''s why ......!) Whoa. The young-voiced assassin shouts in surprise. Shivering, Iris stood up with her paralyzed body. Her consciousness is clear. I can''t let them get me like this. That''s amazing. He''s the kind of guy who can stop a big demon. He''s standing on his own? That''s the Princess of the Sword? She may be talking to her two companions, but there is no reply. As if to laugh at Iris''s resistance, a young-voiced assassin steps forward and pulls a blade from his pocket. It''s a shame, though. It''s easy to kill you when you''re in such a dazed state. (I can''t die like this. ......) Iris still tries to take a stance. The assassins also took a stance. If she fights like this, there is no way she can win. Still, he wasn''t going to be killed without a fight. "Hahaha, no use fighting back. Oh man, it''s not nice to see a bunch of guys going after one girl. "...... What? I''m not sure what to make of it. I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but it''s a good idea. "Schweizer, sir ......? "Yes, sir. I''m not sure if you''ve seen this before. The expression on his face was the same as it had been when he first arrived, but it didn''t fit the current situation very well. "...... Ha, ha, ha!¡¡You are the teacher!¡¡I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not. "If you''re a student, it''s okay to judge by appearances. But when you''re an assassin, you can''t judge someone by their looks. You''re laughing at me because I''m just a kid. Anyway, this is the other one who went into the woods, right? What are the other two doing? I was about to say that much, but then I stopped moving. As if they noticed something, the assassins looked at Arta. "Did you kill them? Yes. You''re going to have to do the same, but first, ....... Arta glances at Iris. In the eyes of Iris, Arta is nothing more than a child. --In the event that you''ve got a lot more than one, you''ll be able to find a lot more. She grasped his hand tightly, as if she did not want to admit it. ''Iris, this may be a bit stimulating for students. If you are not prepared for it, keep your eyes shut. Arutha said, and returned her gaze to the assassin. Iris looked straight at Arta without averting her gaze. If watching a fight is what prepares you for the moment, then Iris can''t help but watch this. "Ha, that''s a lot of confidence!¡¡You''ve just killed two people, don''t get carried away! No, that''s the third one. "What? The young assassin''s dumb voice echoed. The arm that was holding the dagger has been cut off and the slash has already reached the neck. Even Iris could barely follow the two blows with her eyes. (Fast ...... too fast!¡¡It''s also ...... too fast, even though he doesn''t have a weapon!) ) "Well, that leaves us with two ...... Iris could understand. It''s a good idea to take a look at the actual information on the web and also the web site. 12 12.Swordsman Standing in front of me are the two remaining assassins. One stepped back in dismay, but the other seemed unfazed. I catch a glimpse of a scabbard under his robe. --He''s got a sword on his hip. (This guy is ......) The assassin with the sword gives orders to the rear. The assassin then follows the instructions and disappears from the scene. Instead of two against one, it''s one against one. One side seems to have chosen the path of stalling. The assassin with the sword takes a step forward. After a moment of silence, the assassin opens his mouth. You''re not going after him? I will if you let me. Hmm, that''s impossible. Of course not. "Well, sir, ......? Iris asks in a worried voice. I only give her a hand signal to reassure her. The first one - the third one to be exact - has been defeated. But the assassin in front of me is a little different. "I came here with great joy when I heard that I could fight the Saint Princess. It''s not so easy. She''s just an ordinary girl. I thought it wouldn''t be worth fighting if it ended with an attack like that, but I guess it''s not fortuitous. --I never expected someone like you to come along. Is that a compliment to me? "Indeed! At the top of his voice, the assassin took off his robe. His long gray hair was tied back and he wore an old-fashioned kimono. He is not a big man. Stroking his stubble, he touches the sword at his hip. My name is Azuma Krai. My name is Azuma Kry, and I''m one of the Swordsmen. I''m one of the "Swordsmen," ......? When Iris hears those words, she squeals in surprise. I know that name too. Swords and swords - a mercenary organization that finds joy in slaying people with them. It is said that as long as they have the money, they will always slay any opponent, half-legendary existence. --It is said that there is no exception, even if the opponent is a Sword Saint. Do you know the girl there? I don''t know her, she''s not famous. ......!¡¡I''m... Good. I have nothing to say to you. I have a prior engagement with a very skilled young man. A commitment? I''m not making any promises. That''s good. Right now, at this very moment, we are both looking at each other to see when we will cut each other down. While we are talking, or after we finish talking. Maybe when we breathe in, maybe when we breathe out, maybe when we close our eyelids. Let''s keep feeling each other''s fear of death. "Fear of death. I don''t think we''re both feeling that, are we? ...... Good, better and better. So much so that I wish this time could go on forever. But I can''t take it anymore. At that moment, Azuma moved. He didn''t move from the spot. He slumped slightly and drew the sword at his waist. With a flickering motion, the silvery blade of the sword could be seen. Iaijutsu is a technique used by sword wielders. It''s not the right distance for a sword, but I know it. The blade could reach me - or more precisely, the blade made up of magical power. In that sense, it was similar to my swordplay. The air trembled and the trees shook. The force and power that collided in midair created a huge impact. Azuma moved backward slightly. "Invisible, was it? I don''t know.¡¡I didn''t know there were people who could tell just by looking. We both just swung a single sword at each other. With that, Azuma seemed to understand my swordplay. It''s not just what you see. I can hear it in the sound of your swordplay - is it the same as the Sword Saint''s? If you know so much about it, I guess you don''t need to give it away. Now it''s my turn to move. I sit down slightly and swing my arm. There it is--the Invisible Blade. It''s a sword created by wind magic, using only wind pressure. Normally, it has no function as a sword. Because wind is invisible and has no substance. But I''m using a wind blade. It releases a strong amount of magic power and creates a real sword with magic power for just a moment. It doesn''t matter if the opponent is some distance away. It''ll feel like you''re just being slashed from nothing. This is the Invisible, one of the swordsmanship specialties of the Sword Saint, Raoul Isaruf. A few meters away from me and Azuma, the sound of swords colliding with swords echoed. It was not a metallic sound, but a sound like a compressed bag exploding. With a bang and a bang, the invisible blades crossed. The end was also instantaneous. "K-- What grazed my cheek was the blade of wind that Azuma unleashed. The blade that sliced through Azuma''s body was the blade of wind that I had created. The clash of wind against wind, blade against blade, I was superior. Azuma''s body swayed and fell forward. A moment later, with a step, Azuma ran forward. Sheathing his sword, his expression was devilish. But there was also a look of joy on his face - it was clear that Azuma was finding joy in the fight. I guess that''s what swordsmen are for. Still, I can''t reach him. ... A blow as we passed each other. I sliced away Azuma''s sword, and this time my blade dealt a fatal blow to Azuma. Despite the fatal wound, Azuma slowly turns around and smirks. "What''s your name? "Alta Schweizer. I just became an instructor at this school yesterday. "...... Alta, huh. Thank you. ...... I never thought I''d feel so elated on my deathbed. ....... I''m not sure what to say. Azuma finally laughed out loud and collapsed on the spot. I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that. "...... He let out a small breath. As expected, I was a little nervous. It''s been a while since I''ve fought with any kind of concentration. The swordsmen - if there were others of that level coming, this escort mission might be quite arduous. If there were other people of the same level working with him, they would be coming for Iris'' life. And now one of their own is going to be killed. If the group is made up of people like Azuma, then they must be a bunch of battle freaks. (I''m going to demand a raise in pay from the ...... leader, but first things first...) ...... Iris looks at me with a dazed expression. One of them got away, but for once I had no choice. If you try to chase them, there is a chance that Iris will be killed. Perhaps the paralyzing poison was still lingering in her system, but she slumped to the ground. I walked up to her and said. I walked up to her and said, "You should know that I''m only that serious. I don''t know why you want to fight me so badly, but I think you know how strong I am. "...... Let''s just get back to it. I reached out my hand, and Iris gently took it. She grasped my hand so tightly that I could hardly believe she was paralyzed. "Thank you, sir. And... I got you. "What? My eyes widen in surprise. She saw me fight, and then she said it. (Is this girl for real? ......) I was so surprised that I couldn''t respond to Iris'' words for a while. 13 13. Why I want to fight With Iris in tow, I walked back towards the school building. Iris''s only injury was a dagger wound on her shoulder, and she had already been treated with a powerful paralyzing poison. They were now facing each other in the reception room. I''m glad you''re okay, Iris. "...... Yes. If it weren''t for you, I don''t know what would have happened to me. I''m not sure what I would have done without you. In fact, if Iris had fought Azuma properly, I don''t know who would have won. In the first place, she had been driven into a corner by the assassin''s poison. Even with the surprise attack, Iris still lacked one thing: experience. No matter how strong she is, she''s only supposed to fight within a set of rules. It is unlikely that a one-on-one fight will ever begin. One side makes a move and how you respond to it. It''s a world where experience counts. "Dr. Schweizer, may I ask you a question? What is it? "Well, ...... I caught you, didn''t I? Iris asks crisply. It seems that she was desperate earlier, and she wants to confirm the conditions I proposed. It''s true that I was caught by Iris within the time limit - even though it was such an irregular situation, that fact alone is true. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m going to do it. "First, consider the situation. Mr. Iris, you''ve been threatened with death. I''m aware of that ....... If you know that, what does it matter now if you caught him or not? It''s important to me. Do you really want to fight me? I ask again. I posted a condition that if you can catch me, I will seriously fight Iris. I fought the assassins in front of her in order to make her give up that condition. With her class, she could have followed my sword with her eyes. But there was a crucial difference--I was going to make her understand that. Iris nodded her head, clenching her fists even as she heard my words. "...... Yes. So. I''m sure you''ve met the requirements if you''ve answered that way. Yes!¡¡Well then, ......! Can I ask you a reason first? "Why? That''s right. Even though you are strong enough to be called the "Sword Saint Princess", I''m still an instructor at this school. Even if I''ve just been assigned to this school, that doesn''t change. I have to ask why I, as a teacher, have to fight you, as a student, in earnest. At my words, Iris looked a little lost. But after a few moments of silence, she looked at me with a serious expression and said. I''m ...... honestly struggling to grow. I''ve been called the Princess of the Sword, the same name as the Saint of the Sword,......., and I''ve been highly praised by those around me. I have not been able to get stronger since then. "You haven''t gotten stronger? Yes. That''s when Mr. Schweizer arrived. I really thought it was crazy for a child to become a teacher. But you were stronger than me. It was the first time I really thought I couldn''t win, even in a mock battle. So I wanted to see what you were really made of. I see what you mean. I could understand why Iris wanted to fight me. She felt that she hadn''t grown up yet, and now someone younger than her, but more powerful than her, had come along. For her, it would be necessary to fight with someone who is stronger than her in order to break through the barrier. That''s not a wrong idea, actually. I''ve also experienced the feeling of not being able to get stronger unless there is someone better than you. Iris is probably in such a situation. It was enough for me to understand the kind of person Iris is, a girl who, despite the threats to her life, is not afraid to seek strength. (......, but in that case, showing her the fight had the opposite effect. I believe that fighting me will help her to go a step further. I also feel that Iris is still in her infancy. I also feel that Iris is still developing, that she lacks experience in fighting, and that fighting someone of my level would be a good opportunity to cultivate that. So I have two choices. Either I can help her grow or I can''t. (It would be easier for me if Iris became stronger than she is now, but ......) I''m not so optimistic about the situation. It would have been better if Iris had been the target of the attack. But now there are assassins who want to kill Iris when she is alone. If I had come two days later, she might not be here at all. In such a situation, I''ll be helping Iris grow up while guarding her and working as a lecturer. (As expected, there''s a lot to do. ......) To be honest, I''m lost. To be honest, I''m not sure what to do. I''m not sure what to do, but I think that making Iris stronger is part of my job as a teacher. And if she becomes strong, there is literally no need for guards--my role ends there. If I make it clear that I am a knight who has come to protect Iris, perhaps she will contact the Order, and the escort mission may be eliminated. Even so, as a knight commander, Remyll might say that he can protect you even if he''s not a lecturer. I think it would be better to keep quiet about it. "Teacher ......? Iris called out with a worried expression, as if she was curious about the fact that I had been thinking in silence for so long. She doesn''t want me to protect her, she wants to be strong enough to defend herself on her own. I can''t tell her that she doesn''t need to do that. If I can protect myself, so much the better. (Then there''s only one thing for me to do, .......) I can''t do that. ...... Are you going to fight? "No, not exactly. You never know how many times you''ll have to fight before you get the results you want, Iris. No!¡¡Well, I''ll do my best. Of course I''ll do my best, but I''m trying to be more efficient. "...... efficient? Yes. Look, I''m not supposed to give special treatment to one person as an instructor. But this time is special. I''ll train you. After much deliberation, he concluded that if he was going to stay with Iris and protect her, it would be best to settle for that kind of relationship first. In any case, if it was an escort mission, it would be easier for me to be close to Iris. I didn''t expect to get close to her like this, but... Iris rolled her eyes when she heard my words, but then she smiled happily and said "Yes, please! He bowed his head. On the second day of my teaching job, I became the teacher and mentor of my escort. 14 14. Future At night, I was in a bar a short distance away from the school. The person who summoned me was, of course, the Knight Commander, Remyll. The two of us sat in a small private room facing each other. "Commander, just so you know, I''m underage, okay? "Yes, I know that. I''m not going to make you drink anything. You just want to drink. That''s one thing, but this place is run by a guy who used to belong to the Order. It''s a good place to rent a private room. You''re still young enough to be an ex-knight ......?¡¡I''d like to hear more about that. I didn''t call you here to talk about your future plans. It''s about her now. As he said this, Remyll sipped his glass of wine. I would have told him not to drink if he wanted to talk about work, but he is that kind of person by nature, so I didn''t want to get into it. I''ve succeeded in getting to know you for the time being. "I heard that. You went to the academy to be an escort, but now you''re going to be Miss Iris''s mentor? So, it was the easiest thing to do. So it was the easiest thing for me to do. What if she rejects me by saying that she is actually an escort sent by the Order? "From what I''ve heard, she''s attracted to your strength. I don''t think she''d be put off by something like that. ...... No way. Then, as if noticing something, Lemire narrowed her eyes and looked at me. It''s not like you''re going to train Miss Iris to be even stronger so you don''t have to fight, is it? "Oh, no, of course not. I''m a knight too, you know. --I''m a knight too. I think the stronger Iris gets, the less work I have to do. Of course, because Iris herself is strong, it also means that she can protect herself by making herself even stronger. "But more importantly, Commander. What''s going on with the assassins coming in today as opposed to yesterday? "I''m sorry that we''ve been on the back foot. Well, I sent you to prepare for such a situation. What''s the current state of our defenses? "I''ve set up wards around the school earlier today. I can stay some distance away and still make it in time. Also, I gave Iris a talisman as proof that I''m willing to teach her the sword. A talisman? It''s a talisman that tells you where you are. It''s the kind of thing people hate the most, but I can''t afford to lose him. Ah, a locator spell. If that''s the case, it would be easier to cast a spell directly on him. I''m sure Iris would know. You need to know where Iris is at all times. If it was a normal escort, it would be no problem to stay close by, but this time my identity is being kept secret. So I had to stay close by and keep track of where Iris was at all times. Right now, I know she is in the girls'' dormitory. Well, I''m sure you''ll have to come to me directly when you need to contact me in the future, but it''s okay if I do it on your behalf. "This is an important matter. Of course I''ll go directly to you. Saying this, Remyil stoked his drink again. It''s a shame that he looks like he''s just here to slack off. I''ll leave that to the Commander. Anyway, what about the assassin? Ah, the four assassins you took out. Three of them belonged to the same organization. Three were from the same organization. They''re pretty well known, all wanted. To subdue them so easily, you''re the man I expected. Enough with the flattery, the problem is the fourth one. I''m not flattered, but ...... okay. It is said that Azuma Kry is a swordsman who has never been defeated in the East. He''s killed countless people on the battlefield. He''s more of a straight-up assassin than an assassin. There''s a bounty on his head. A bounty on ......? Not in this country, though. Don''t react to the money, to the money. ...... I see. It is unbecoming of a knight to think that a bounty might be offered. I do think about it, though. I''d think about it. I guess Azuma was the kind of man who would kill to fight a strong opponent. The old me might have been able to understand his feelings a little. (Well, maybe I don''t need to understand the feelings of an assassin. That''s not what''s important.) I took care of Azuma, but is it possible that there are other swordsmen in the country? That''s the point. I didn''t tell you that because it was still a possibility, but I should have told you ...... that it would come to this. I''ve got information that some people who appear to be swordsmen have come to the capital. Please let me know about that as soon as possible. ...... There were a lot more enemies than that, if you only look at the possibilities--they attacked when we were trying to narrow down the information. It''s much easier to move if you know that it''s a swordsman. I''m sure that''s true, but are you planning to search by sea? As much as I''d like to, yes. As much as I''d like to, I''m dealing with an opponent. Knights often risk their lives, but I can''t let my men die in vain. That''s where the elite few come in. "Elite few: ......? I nodded my head at Remyll''s words. I''m sure he''s not referring to me alone as the elite few. "Yeah, we''ve already started the search. We''re not going to fall behind this time. Remyll said, sipping his drink again. He''s not one to fight a fight he can''t win. I''ll protect Iris, and in the meantime, we''ll identify who''s after her and take on the swordsmen. (I hope you can do that. ......) "Hmm, don''t worry. I''ve selected the best knights for you.¡¡I''m sure you''ll be able to figure out what''s going on. Before the Blue Sword ......, he was famous for being the youngest knight. "Haha, you''ve taken my place. He''s a man of great ability. You''re to continue guarding Miss Iris. "Yes, sir. I''ll work in moderation. Hang in there. Remyll reminded me again. All I have to do is protect Iris, that''s all I have to do. Now that the conversation is over, ...... let''s have a drink today! You just want to drink, after all. I''ve got work tomorrow. I''ve got work tomorrow too. ......, then go home and get some rest. Hahaha, that''s not how it works! It was clear to me that he had a lot of work to do. So now we can talk about your future. "Well, not until midnight, but for a while is fine. "That''s my knight in shining armor. He''ll do a good job. "Not really a job. I let out a small sigh and went along with Remyll''s drink of hot milk. 15 15.Blue Sword On the outskirts of Fenkor, one of the sections of the royal city of Vossier, there is a dilapidated church. It is said that it will be torn down eventually, but some people regret that it was built so long ago. Some people are working to rebuild the church. In this place, which is sometimes used by travelers with no money, there were four shadows. "...... Is Azuma dead? A man mutters as he thrusts his sheathed sword into the ground. He''s sitting on a chair, but you can tell he''s big. "Ha, that''s not good!¡¡You said you were going to check out the power of the Sword Saint Princess, and now you''re dead? In response, the young man laughs. A young man laughs in response. He puts his hand on his forehead and looks happy. Next to him is a man in a shivering robe. "So, you''ve managed to escape and come back, huh? You''re an assassin and you''re a lousy one. Do you want to die here at least? ...... Ow! Stop! I''m not sure if this is a good idea, but it''s a good idea. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m going to do it. "Please refrain from killing in vain. "Oh, yeah, yeah, useless. I don''t know what you mean by useless. "I understand your report. Go away. "...... Oh, yeah. The woman urged the man in the robe to retreat and leave the place - at the moment, the man in the robe''s head popped off with the sound of metal scraping. In the end, the man''s head snapped off with a clang of metal, and the silvery blade slithered back to him. "What the hell. That thing''s useless now. It''s more useful to kill him. He''s just another random assassin for hire, anyway. ...... And why should I listen to you? You are ....... The air in the room changed dramatically. The two of them face each other, and they could slash each other at any moment. They both touch their swords on their hips, but... "Stop. Don''t fight with your friends. There was a loud thud. A man struck the ground with the sheath of his sword. It shook the building as if it were a rumble of the earth. At the same time, the young man and the woman both broke their standoffishness. "...... Ha, mate?¡¡We don''t know each other like that. I''m sure you''ll be pleased to know that we''re not the only ones who are willing to kill each other when we meet. "That''s why we got people who are willing to take the job. Only four people, including me, actually took the job, even though they were all looking for a battlefield. ...... It''s inevitable. Not everyone is of the same mind. That''s true. So what are you going to do?¡¡Azuma lost. The man nodded and replied to the young man''s question. What I''m going to do remains the same. Killing the Princess of the Sword is what we''ve been asked to do. Who do you want to fight next? "It''s not the Sword Saint Princess, is it? According to the report, it was a child. She''s killed at least three of them. I''m pretty sure it was that kid who killed Azuma. A kid, huh? It''s even more impressive that Azuma was defeated by a kid. So that''s how good he is. All right, I''ll do it next time. I''m gonna go kill that kid. All right. --But I got some work to do first. The man says and stands up. The young man and the woman also look at each other as if they are looking around. I''m sure you''re aware of that. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. He has already drawn his sword - he has slightly long blue hair and a sword with an equally blue blade. In addition, there are a number of knights around him who are keeping a low profile. It''s a formation that surrounds the three members of the Swordsmen. "You''re Bel Torso, the Blue Sword? "Do you know my name? Then let''s talk. I thought this was the kind of place where outlaws like you would congregate,......, but I didn''t expect you to be so easy to find. I won''t kill you if you don''t put up any unnecessary resistance. "Ha, you''re not going to kill me!¡¡That''s a very funny thing to say. Hey, do you mind if I do it? "You''re going to kill the Princess Swordsman next, aren''t you? Then I''ll do it. "...... You dare to discuss assassination in front of me? How dare you? No, I''m not. This is who we are. Yes, that''s right. The man''s voice was answered by a woman. At the same time, the sound of clanging metal echoed. Bell stepped back slightly. The only one who noticed was Bell. At the same time, there was a crashing sound of people falling everywhere. "......! Bell''s expression was one of surprise. The woman pulled out a sword from its scabbard, a sword without a blade. Bell could see the sword. --She could see it, but she couldn''t avoid it completely. He was bleeding from his shoulder and leg as if he had been cut. But it wasn''t a deep wound. --The other knights took the woman''s attack in stride. As a result, more than ten knights all fell down, leaving Bell behind. Blood poured out from everywhere, staining the old church red. Hey, hey, I thought you said you didn''t kill for nothing. "Yes, I do. No, I don''t. I don''t kill for nothing. Ha, I''m off then. I''m going to go. ...... Wait... Bell turns his back on the young man and tries to follow him. But a man with a sword stood in front of him. You''re in my way! I''m not sure what to do. Bell''s swordsmanship is so fast and beautiful that it is called "blue flash. I''m not sure what to make of it. But... "Too slow. A man''s voice echoed. The two flashes crossed. --The next day, eleven bodies were found in an old church. One was that of a headless assassin. The rest are all dead knights. Among them is the blue sword Bell Torso. 16 16. Swordsmanship Class The next day, my work as an instructor continued. Basically, I had homeroom in the morning and on the way home, as well as my "sword fighting" class. In addition, if there was a school event, I was in charge of the class and needed to consult and coordinate. Well, I''ll leave this to the students. ....... I''m sure you''ll be able to figure out what to do.¡¡Let''s start with a swing. Now it''s time for sword fighting class. Some of the students don''t have the basics to begin with, so at the beginning of the class, I will instruct them by checking their swinging techniques with bare hands. The way to do this is different for each student, depending on what weapon they are good at and if they are not good at swords in the first place. "Aruta-sensei. I''m not good at swordsmanship. I''m not good at swordsmanship," as many students say. "Can I ask you to swing again? "Yes. A female student swings her sword. The basic swordsmanship of the school is called "Elxil Style". I''m not sure if you''ve ever heard of it, but I''m sure you''ve heard of it. The girl''s sword swing was simply too slow. She was not putting her strength where it was needed. ...... No, the sword was probably not the right size to begin with. I''ll adjust the size of the sword a little more. It should be thinner and shorter. I''m not that good at controlling my magic,....... The sword used in the class is a simulated sword that uses magic to create a blade. In order to use it, you naturally need to adjust it with magic power. I''m not sure if I''m going to be able to do that. The magic power is often compared to the flow of blood. Can you create an image of it flowing through your body? Hmm, sort of. Now, close your eyes. It is difficult to concentrate when there is other visual information. Now, try to slow down the flow. Slow the flow. ...... The image of the sword should be shorter and thinner than before. A little more. Yes, just concentrate on it for a minute. The girl concentrates on the mock sword as I say. The shape of the sword remains the same, but the blade has become smaller. I think it''s about a minute, ......," she said. It''s getting nice and small! Yes, it looks good. Controlling magic is also a matter of getting used to it, so learn to feel it now. How does it feel to use the sword? Yes, it''s easier to swing than before!¡¡Thanks, Professor Alta! Teacher, teach me too! I''m coming! I''ve never actually taught one person to swing a sword in this way. But I''m enjoying it surprisingly. It''s not too much of a burden to teach them, and it''s not a bad feeling to see them grow and understand little by little. At that time, Iris was wielding a sword at a little distance. He was holding a thin sword, which was quite a sight to behold. Even though it was just a swing, Iris''s sword practice was designed to prepare her for an actual fight. In the event that you have any questions regarding where and the best way to get in touch with us, please do not hesitate to contact us. I''m sure you''ll be able to figure out the best way to use it. I''m not sure if I''d be able to do that if I were you. I''m sure you''ll be able to understand why. In the eyes of the students, she is just a girl who concentrates on wielding a sword and is known as the "Sword Saint Princess". But... (Sometimes I feel a lot of stares...) Mainly when teaching other students. I didn''t look at Iris, but from the direction she was looking, I''m sure she was looking at me. Furthermore, while I''m watching her, I can see a slight tension in the way she swings her sword. She''s trying to act calm, but I can tell. --She was very, very nervous. So much so that she even glanced at me in a series of movements. I''m not going to give her any special treatment in class, but Iris seems to want me to teach her how to use a sword. Yes. Yes, you are amazing, but for now, please concentrate on your own sword. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. "......! Iris''s movements became a little unsteady. I''m not sure if it''s because I didn''t say anything to you. (......Well, I''m going to teach you later anyway. It''s not like I''m going to interfere with Iris''s swordsmanship at the class level.) Sensei. "Oh, yes. What is it? I turned around in response to a voice from behind me. Standing there was a girl who was a little taller than me. --Aria. "Aria, is there something you want to ask me? "Yeah, you want to play a game with me? "Oh, yeah." "A game? "Yes, a match. I couldn''t help but ask, and Aria nodded her head and replied. I never thought that in such a short time, another student would want to fight with me. 17 17. Match with Aria I thought that school life would be a bit more relaxed and easy going. Since I''m here on an escort mission, there''s at least a chance of a fight. But that''s only if you need an escort. For now, let''s not think about that at this time. "A game? "Yeah, let''s play. On top of that, I was going to be challenged by another student. The girl, Aria, always looks sleepy. This is especially noticeable during homeroom, and even when I see her at lunchtime, she is often taking a nap. I wondered why she was challenging me to a fight. --It''s not that I''m not interested. It''s not that I''m not interested, after all, I''m the only one in my class who hasn''t had a proper fight with Aria. Because I was on the edge of my time limit, I don''t know Aria''s strength any better than Iris. But at least we know that she is capable. ...... Well, unlike Iris, who is asking for a real fight after school, I''m in class. If you''re looking for a mock battle, it''s a good idea to know Aria''s power. I''m a teacher at the school, after all. I understand. Watching a mock fight is also a good way to learn, so why don''t you set an example for me, Aria? "Yes. I can''t tell if Aria''s reaction is low or high, but she seems to be happy. "What? ......? It''s not that I don''t like it. The students'' eyes focused on Iris when they heard her voice. I''m sure you''ll be pleased to hear that. "......, it''s nothing. And then she fixed it. Yeah, it doesn''t look like nothing. It''s not like we''re really going to fight or anything, but I guess Iris is worried about the fact that I agreed to Aria''s challenge. In this case, the timing and reason for the challenge would be completely different between Iris and Aria. Well, I don''t know why Aria challenged her to a match. So let''s start with a little distance between us. Okay. Aria moves out from under me. She has a slender body, but the way she carries herself is remarkable. In particular, her coordination with Iris was almost perfect, even though it was only for a moment. --In terms of ability alone, she was probably one of the most outstanding in the school. "Anytime. I kept my distance and held up my straight sword. It''s a little short for the size of my body. It''s easy to adjust a mock sword like this. I''m not sure if you''ve seen this before. Both of these blades were created with magic power by the simulated swords, but she is probably the only one in this class who uses two swords, even if they are short. She is the only one in this class who uses two swords, even if they are mock swords. Holding both daggers in her opposite hands, Aria lowers her posture and holds them up. It''s like a cat, and the sleepy expression on her face changes completely. (It''s almost like a kill shot. ......) I didn''t expect to receive such a look from a student - or rather, from anyone other than Iris. After a moment of silence, Aria kicked the ground. With a quick movement, she turns around and comes towards me. I react, trying to keep Aria out of sight. The sound of her running gradually accelerates. --What I heard was the sound of the wind blowing. Oops. A dagger was thrown in my direction. I turned my body away to avoid the dagger. In my line of vision, Aria was already gone. I held up my sword as I looked back. Before I could throw the dagger, Aria was there. Aria caught the dagger with a snap, and kicked the ground to put distance between us. She must have decided that she couldn''t attack me at this moment. "Wow, that''s amazing. It looks like Aria-san has disappeared. ...... I can hear such voices around me. The timing of her attack, her judgment in watching, and above all, her speed. I can sense from Aria''s movements that she has a lot of combat experience. It is far above Iris, who is known as the "Sword Saint Princess". (......If Iris is strong in head-to-head combat, then Aria will be able to play an active role in group battles where she has prepared a lure or where there are many places to hide. But that was just the way an assassin fights. I couldn''t help but chuckle at her overly timely movements. Despite this, Aria''s movements did not change. She moves as if she is thoroughly looking for an opening. If only there was something to block my view, Aria would have come at me harder. Once she comes close, she moves backward as I swing my sword. As if she knew that the same move wouldn''t work, she didn''t attack me again, throwing her dagger. She just seemed to be trying to deliver a blow to me. (After all, Aria has her own highlights...) It was sudden. Aria stopped moving for a moment. As at the beginning, she lowered her posture and looked at me. What''s wrong?¡¡Is there nothing more we can do? "Well, at least I know you''re strong, so I''ve tried everything. But I still think it''s better to just do it normally. Normal ......? I''m going to-- Aria moved. When she kicked the ground, she accelerated as if she had disappeared from the scene. Aria''s dagger was right in front of me. I cut it off. One after another, Aria''s daggers came at me. One after another - each blow not as powerful as the last, but quicker and quicker, trying to reach me. I step back to get some distance, but Aria won''t let me. Once I step back, she takes a step forward and unleashes another series of blows. It''s not a problem if you can just block it. (...... I''m surprised. (Aria, you''re really good at this, aren''t you? At the very least, you''ve surpassed the capabilities of the assassin who attacked you before. He''s also trying to counter my sword -- if I swing my sword badly, I''ll be at a disadvantage. To put it bluntly, this was completely beyond the level of a class. I''ve had enough of these ...... to know what I''m capable of. Aria, I think it''s time to call it quits. I suggested, catching Aria''s dagger. But Aria doesn''t seem to stop moving. With her other dagger, she tries to strike me with a blow... "Stop, sir. "Stop! With a gulp, I grab Aria''s arm to stop her. Aria looks a little surprised, but then quickly returns to her usual languid expression. "Thank you, doctor. You are very strong. "Yes, thank you, sir. Thank you very much. Right? Aria replies with a self-satisfied look. Aria is strong enough. (Yes, I think she''d be fine as a normal opponent.) While I''m thinking about this, Aria makes her way over to Iris. While I was watching the match, I had noticed that Iris had been getting nervous. She seemed to be eager to fight. But I don''t want to fight Iris now, because I know it will be the same thing again. "Iris, did you see the fight? "Yes, I did. That''s Aria. I know. But what''s going on?¡¡You suddenly want to fight Dr. Schweizer. ...... Hmm. What''s that? What''s that? I''m not sure if this is a good idea, but it''s a good idea. ...... So, it seems that Aria wanted to get Iris'' attention. I''m not sure what to make of this. I guess it''s a kind of jealousy. (I''d like to say it''s cute, but I can''t stand it when people fight me like that. I sigh a little. I''ll make sure to keep an eye on Iris so that she doesn''t challenge me to a fight every time she looks at me nervously in the future. That''s what I promised myself. 18 18. Rehearsal Time The rest of the class went off without a hitch, and I spent the rest of the day thinking about my next sword class. After a brief communication in homeroom, the girls of the class came over to chat, as usual. After a brief chat, I headed to my regular meeting, where I would have an elegant afternoon. Teacher, please. There was no ....... He was so polite that he came to pick me up after the meeting, or perhaps he still thought I would run away. Or perhaps he couldn''t wait to see me. His eyes seemed to be shining a little, indicating that he was really looking forward to being trained. You can also see it in the way he looked at the sword class earlier. Don''t panic, I''m not going to run away. As for the place, well... If it''s a deserted place, it''s probably in the forest. Yes, let''s go now! Don''t be in such a hurry. He was as eager as if he was going on a field trip. In fact, we''re going to practice swordsmanship. After school, students often practice magic and swordsmanship with each other in the training hall. The combination of me and Iris would be conspicuous to say the least. Besides, if I, as the instructor, were to be seen teaching Iris over and over again, that might cause some problems. After much consideration, I decided to take a low-profile approach. Thus, Iris and I came to the forest in the school grounds. A section of the forest is off-limits due to the recent assassination attempt on Iris. The assassin''s arrival is not publicized. Iris herself probably doesn''t want people to know that an attempt has been made on her life. Now, it''s time to practice. Yes, please. He had been a little more enthusiastic earlier, but now he seemed to be a little nervous. I''m not sure what to make of this. The image of her as strong and noble precedes her, and many of the students refer to her by her title or as Iris. However, when I got to know her like this, I found her to be a normal nervous girl. She was even uncomfortable in class. "Don''t be so nervous. Let''s just take it easy. "Okay. First of all, I''d like to see what you can do, Iris. A match? Iris is very bloodthirsty. Aria also suddenly wants to have a match. I''ve been asking for it for a while now. That ....... I''m not sure if this is the kind of thing a girl would tell you. I''m not sure how much better it would have been if the girl had told me. The reality is that she''s asking me to fight for her. It''s not that I don''t understand how Iris feels. For her, at least, there is a sense that fighting me is the closest she can come to breaking out of her shell. If there are things that she realizes during the fight, it will definitely lead to her growth. This is what I call gaining experience. Well, it''s better to be steady than to take that approach now. ...... After all, the situation is the situation. "Before you fight me, do you see this? Then I swing the mock sword in my hand. The only sound around me was the sound of the wind blowing, and the grass and trees swayed softly. It was a simple swing of the sword, but it was a serious swing. "Yes, I can see you, at least. And by "sort of," you mean you can follow it with your eyes, right? Yes, ......, that''s right. Then how about this? He swings the sword again. This time, he swung faster than before - the sound of the wind cutting was sharper, and he swung his sword faster than the wind pressure was generated. Iris gave him a startled look. "I can see it, but ...... You said you couldn''t handle it. Yes, yes. I''m not sure if I can take it at this level. Iris replies honestly. Her strength is real, but if she can actually take my sword, it will be impossible. It''s not because she''s weak. From now on, I want you to be able to take this sword. "!¡¡Does that mean you can withstand Dr. Schweizer''s strikes? That would be one way to do it, but not this time. Iris-san doesn''t seem to realize it, but you are originally able to withstand my attacks. "What?¡¡What do you mean? Iris shouted in surprise. I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but I think it''s a good idea. What''s missing is experience - and the feeling that comes with it. Do you remember Azuma Kry, one of the assassins who targeted you the other day? That''s the Swordsmen of ....... When she said the word "swordsmen," her expression was somewhat gloomy. I wonder if she feels that she can''t win by herself. No, she knew about the swordsmen - maybe there was something to it, but right now it was more about the swordplay. "Yes. He prevented my swordplay. My current swordsmanship is a little slower than it was then, but Iris-san''s ability is comparable to Azuma''s. That Azuma has blocked my attacks several times. There''s no way you can''t defend yourself. I can understand why you would say that, but ...... I don''t think you can actually prevent it. So this exercise is very simple. Iris, can you ''slash a falling leaf''? Yes, that''s about it. ...... You say "that much", but cutting leaves is something you have to be a very good swordsman to do. The fact that he said it so casually shows the high level of Iris. What is required of Iris is not just slashing. Then, how about this? He swings his sword once toward the sky. As the wind whipped up, some fallen leaves flew behind me. I chop them up without looking at the leaves. Without looking at the falling leaves, I cut them in half. "What?¡¡Was that ......?¡¡Did you just slash it without looking? "That''s right. I didn''t see how many leaves fell or where they flew to, but I can feel them. Well, what do you mean by senses, ......, you can do that? I''m sure you''ll be able to find something that will help you out.¡¡It''s a matter of sensation. It''s also the first step in sensing things that come from invisible places. Well, this may be more difficult because there is no deadly force, but it is better for practice. The reason why Azuma was able to block my attack was because he sensed where my attack was coming from. If you know where it''s coming, don''t you think you can prevent it, even if you can barely follow it with your eyes? That''s ...... true, but ...... Of course, this can only be understood by a child as capable as Iris. If you''re a normal person, you can''t move fast enough to block my sword in the first place. It may not be the kind of training that Iris is looking for, but I''m sure this method will help her grow. Instead of training herself to become stronger, she would first use her strength to fight. "You don''t have to cut down multiple cards like I do. First of all, make sure to cut down one leaf - the invisible falling leaves. Can you do that? At my question, Iris'' initially confused expression changes. She exhaled a small breath, and her expression was serious. I can do it. I can do it. I''ll be able to do it today. I smiled at her and replied. I smiled at her and replied, "You don''t have to be able to do it by the end of the day. 19 19. A Girl Named Illys Iris holds up her mock sword. I could see that she was concentrating well - she was taking my advice to keep her eyes shut at first, breathing quietly and watching her surroundings. It''s not like slashing something you can see. It''s different from cutting things you can see with your eyes. If I had to put it into words, it would be called "the sixth sense. When you''re both skilled swordsmen, you know what your opponent is going to do next. It is a combination of intuition and experience that makes it possible to catch the movements of invisible objects. It''s not an ability that can be acquired overnight, but Iris has a talent for it. (At the age of ten, she won the sword fighting tournament held in the royal capital. (When you''re ten years old, you win a sword fighting tournament in the royal capital.) If you''re a child and you do that well among adult knights, you''ll be the talk of the town. As for Iris, the Commander has told me a certain amount about her since I''ve been assigned to guard her. Of course, there is information that comes to my ears even without asking. When she won a sword fighting tournament, she came to be known as the "Sword Saint Princess. Knights who were famous at the time were also overwhelmed by her swordsmanship. At that time, I had just arrived in King''s Landing, right? Iris was taught by her father, Garlo Rheinfell, who was a knight from an early age, and her talent blossomed. Garro Rheinfell, a former Knight Commander, is a name I''ve heard before. Each of the five districts in the capital has its own order of knights. --The current leader of the Kuro Wolf Knights, Remyll, is said to have been one of his subordinates. Although Garro is already deceased. The Reinfel family is now headed by Iris'' mother. Normally, Iris might be the one to succeed her, but she is said to be even more of a candidate for the next "king". I think the last time I saw her after I became a knight was in a nobleman''s ballroom. The way she spoke with dignity even though she was a child, she was just as good as an adult, maybe even better. From my point of view, her appearance at such occasions and her appearance at the school were quite different. She would chase after me to teach me how to use a sword, she would fidget when I asked her to teach me, and she would concentrate on getting stronger like she is now - that''s the girl Iris Reinfell. "Soo ...... Iris takes a small breath. Three minutes after starting to concentrate, Iris finally swung her sword. But it only ends up cutting through the void. It''s only the first sword, but Iris has a frustrated expression on her face. I thought I fell backwards. ...... Oh!¡¡Did you have that feeling? I don''t know. I''ve never swung a sword like that before. I''ve never swung a sword like that before. I don''t know, I just have a hunch. No, that''s all right. No, that''s fine. At first, just feel. The more you do it, the more you will be able to feel. I think it''s very good to concentrate and not just swing in the dark. Oh, thank you very much. I''m not sure if she was expecting such praise, but her cheeks turned a little red and she looked down. I''m not sure how many people can teach her to use a sword. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. Let''s keep up the good work. I''ll tell you what to do if you need anything. "Yes, sir. Iris replied, and focused her attention on her surroundings again. I could see the sweat dripping from her cheeks even though it was only one swing. That''s how much she is concentrating on one sword. It would be rude to summarize Iris as having talent. She is a swordswoman in every sense of the word, including her character. (...... Now, while I''m going to teach you, I don''t have much to say in the beginning. --Let''s think about the future. Lean against a tree and look up at the sky. The report has already reached my ears. Bell Torso was defeated. It is said that he first made a name for himself as a knight when he defeated the leader and chieftain of a bandit group camped in the south. His swordsmanship was said to be infinitely fast and beautiful. I belong to the same knightly order as him, but we don''t know each other very well. However, even though he was quite young as a knight, he was said to be very capable. Certainly, from what I''ve heard, I thought he was capable of handling this mission. --Bell was found dead. She had cuts all over her body and died of exsanguination. There were at least three potentially fatal wounds. That''s how badly he was wounded, but he kept fighting. He was trying to fulfill his role as a knight. The "magic mark" of blood that remained on his sword. If you look at it, you can tell who it belongs to, but at least the blood could only belong to Bell. This means that Bell was mercilessly defeated without being able to take a single blow. (Considering Azuma''s strength, it was certainly at a level that a knight of his caliber could take on. In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can contact us at the web site. ...... She always talks jokingly, but she certainly thinks a lot about her own men. I think she would really like to mourn for the knights who died, but she''s not thinking about that right now. There are two knights who barely survived. According to their information, there are at least three swordsmen left. The woman who killed more than ten knights at once, and the big man who killed Bel. And a young lad. (Of course, teaching Iris how to use a sword is very much for protection, but considering the enemy''s strength, we can''t be surprised if they try to attack us at any time. In the event that you have failed to make a move on our part, it might be more correct to devote yourself to guarding Iris than to finding and defeating the swordsmen. This is just my idea. I''ll discuss it with Remyll, but if the strength of the enemy exceeds my expectations, then it''s right for me to do it anyway. I can''t look for the swordsmen while escorting Iris. Then the quickest way is to stay near Iris, who the swordsmen are targeting. I look towards Iris who is concentrating. She''s called the Princess of the Sword, and she''s good at what she does, but to me, she''s just an ordinary girl. Well, she''s got a lot of blood on her hands, but she''s listening to me honestly. (Normally, I would think that ...... is not worth the effort. (Normally I would think that is not worth the effort, but I guess I can''t say that this time. I watched Iris''s training with these thoughts in my mind. 20 20. Rest is also one of the training A week has passed since I began training Iris. I''ve often seen her practicing early in the morning. There is a dormitory for instructors in this school. I was allowed to sleep there, but as expected, she did not wake me up in the morning. They just practiced what I told them to repeat. Iris has never questioned whether this practice is meaningful or not. I guess that''s how much Iris trusts me, or rather my strength. Anyone with a certain level of ability can slay only what they can see. But this opponent is beyond that level. What the current Iris needs to protect herself is the ability to quickly recognize traps used by assassins, for example. If she can do that, Iris will certainly become stronger. However, there was a slight problem. "Huh, ....... From the morning homeroom, I can see that Iris is sighing a little. As a result of her early morning practice, Iris seemed to be disrupting her normal pace of life. He said there was no need to push himself, but given Iris'' personality, he would practice even if he had to hide. I received a report that she had not lost her concentration in her sword fighting class, but had dozed off in another class. As a homeroom teacher, it was natural for me to receive such reports, but the problem was that I was also the cause of it. "Mr. Iris, have you been a little reckless lately? Reckless?¡¡Reckless?¡¡No, not at all. ...... After school, before we start practicing, I tell Iris that. Naturally, Iris will deny it. For her, this level of practice is nothing reckless - she used to wake up early in the morning to practice sword fighting with Aria. Recently, he has not been practicing with Aria. So, there are more and more opportunities for Aria to ask for a fight during class. ...... As a homeroom teacher, I have to give her a warning. I think friendships are important too. It''s important to get to know not only Aria, but her classmates as well. You''re here at the school for a reason. I don''t come here to play. I''m not here to play," said Iris, who was about to start her practice. I''m not here to play. It is understandable that she is impatient because it is not something that you can gradually see the results of, like pretending or hand-to-hand combat. In that sense, there is a possibility that the training is not suitable for Iris. (It''s just a practice based on my knowledge, and it doesn''t mean that others can do it. It''s hard to be a master. (It''s a practice based on my knowledge, and others may not be able to do it. For Iris, the first step is to practice to make up for what she lacks. However, I don''t want her to fall down or neglect her other lessons because of the training. Mainly me. (And, as I see it, ......) Mr. Iris, let''s take a break from practice today. "......?¡¡What do you mean, a day off? "It''s part of the practice. It is necessary to rest your body efficiently. Of course, it is necessary to train thoroughly in some cases, but this is not one of them. It''s also important to manage your condition. That''s true, but ...... I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not, but I think it''s a good idea. In fact, Iris, who has trained with a sword, would understand. There are some things you can grasp in better conditions. So, why don''t you go have a cup of tea with Aria over there? "What ......? I''m sure you''ll be able to understand what I mean. She was almost completely oblivious, but I had noticed. Aria was nearby, watching Iris and I practice. From behind a tree, Aria emerges. "Aria ......?¡¡Why are you here ......? I was worried about you since you''ve been training alone lately. You didn''t come with me to train in the morning. ...... Oh, ....... I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not. I''m sure she''s lonely, to put it simply. It''s for Iris''s sake, but also for Aria''s sake that she takes a break from her practice. Iris and Aria seem to be good friends, and it is necessary to keep friendships. "Well, I''m sorry. I''m sorry, but my teacher is going to teach me how to use a sword. ...... "Yes, I know that. Yes, I know that. He''s very strong, so I can understand why he would want to teach Iris. Aria glanced at me with a sleepy expression. I''m sure you''re not the only one who has a problem with that. In that sense, it might be better to have a handfasting session with Aria than with Iris. (Well, if you involve Aria in it, you''ll have more people to teach. ......) So, I''ll practice with you from now on. "What, Aria too? What? I was more surprised than Iris. Both of them look at me. Iris has a confused look on her face, and Aria is as expressionless as ever. "Isn''t it nice, Dr. Alta? I feel a kind of pressure. I''m going to let Iris rest. (I spoke to Aria to give Iris a break, but I didn''t expect this to happen. ......) She glanced at Iris. I don''t think Iris can tell Aria no. In that case, it''s all my decision. Compared to Iris, Aria seemed to be more likely to act as a brake. ...... I see what you mean. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re doing. But please don''t spread it around, okay? "No, I won''t. It''s a secret between me and Iris. I''m here too, but that''s beside the point. I''m off for the day, Iris. Please go have tea with Aria. "If Dr. Schweizer says so, ...... I''m not sure what to do, but I''m sure you''ll be able to do it. I think I heard him say in a low voice, "I didn''t get an immediate nod when I asked for it ......," but let''s not mention that. Rather than teaching Aria, I thought it would help Iris grow. "Oh, before that... Aria said as if she remembered something. He stood alone in the forest, leaves flying, and with a dagger from his pocket, he chopped up the fallen leaves out of sight. "......!¡¡You''ll be able to do it ......! I''m not sure what to do. Aria looks at Iris with a self-satisfied look. "Heh, heh. ...... Yeah. I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not. I''m sure you''ll be happy to know that I''m not the only one who has a problem with this. ...... Please, please, please don''t agitate Iris, but let her rest and act as a brake. I was thinking that, but it may be possible to stimulate Iris. This has caused me a lot of trouble. (Also, if it''s Iris and Aria, I think Iris is more capable than Aria. ......) At least, there was something about Aria that made me think that, unlike Iris, she had experience in actual combat. At least, there was something about Aria that made me think that she had some experience in actual combat, unlike Iris, but it was not the kind of experience that ordinary people have. I guess I need to look into it. "Well, since you''re here, let''s have tea together. No, I''m going to bed. The sun hasn''t set yet. He''s a very busy man. "You''re busy and you''re going to bed? ......? The question is not wrong, but I have a job of patrolling at night. It''s not my job as a lecturer, it''s my job as a knight. It''s been a week since the assassins tried to kill Iris, so it''s time for them to do something. 21 21. Under the Moonlight The ground of the school is raised and slightly elevated. With the walls surrounding it, it''s impossible for an ordinary person to jump over. --However, there are people who are not afraid to jump over the walls. Students may climb the fence for fun, but jumping over it is not an easy task. This naturally narrows down the number of people who come to the school. One of them could be the leader who came all the way from the other side of the main gate to talk at the school. Of course, in that case, he wouldn''t break the wards, and in the current situation, he wouldn''t do such a foolish thing. --Then there''s the other possibility. ...... It''s already midnight, and I''m in trouble. In the moonlight, I was walking towards the school building, scratching my cheek. There are no teachers or students coming to the school building in the middle of the night. It was a good thing that I had taken the evening off from practice. There was a shadow. "So you''re the kid who beat up Azuma, huh? As soon as he saw me, the young man smiled happily and said so. He had slightly long blond hair and red eyes. He was in his early twenties or so, with a good-looking face and a certain air of dignity about him, although he didn''t speak very well. He may have had a good upbringing. He put his hand on the hilt of his sword at his waist and looked at me. "What''s up, kid? If you''re sure that Azuma means Azuma Cry, then yes. "Ha, you''re right. That''s funny. Seriously, a kid is in charge? I guess he''s good enough. Just to confirm, you''re one of the Swordsmen, right? ...... Well, that''s obvious when those knights come looking for you. I''m not sure if you''ve seen this before, but I''m sure you''ve. He chuckled and replied. I let out a small sigh when I heard that. To be honest, I knew you''d be here soon, but I didn''t expect you to break through the warding at this time of night. I''ve thought about it a lot. I thought about it. I thought about coming in through the school gates in the daytime, playing with the students and waiting. But then the knights would come, too, wouldn''t they?¡¡I don''t mind, but ...... it''s not nice to be interrupted when you''re having fun with someone. It''s the middle of the night. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re going to be doing and how you''re going to do it. The young man, Fault, seems to have come here to fight me from the start. I knew from Azuma that the Swordsmen would be that kind of opponent. They are a group of battle-hungry maniacs who love to fight. This young man, Fault, seemed to be no exception. After all, he went to the trouble of trapping me in a ward and calling me. An assassin would never do that. I guess Folt is willing to fight the person who killed Azuma. I wouldn''t be surprised if he came at me right now. --I''ve got my belt on too, just in case. There''s also the matter of the blue sword. Because there''s a good chance that the swordsmen who are coming are quite skilled. I''ll fix the broken wards later, but you''ve added to my troubles. That''s okay. I''m sure they were expecting us. And the Princess of the Sword is here, right?¡¡After I kill you, I''ll go to her next. Can you just tell me where she is? Sorry, but the girls'' dormitory is for men only. Only instructors like me are allowed. When I jokingly replied, Fault put his hand on his forehead and laughed. You can go in, but I can''t.¡¡You''re allowed in, but I''m not? You''re an outsider to begin with. You''re trespassing on campus and you''re also suspected of killing a knight. I''d bring you back alive if I could. Ha, ha, ha!¡¡That''s what the last guy said. You don''t think that''s it, do you?¡¡I''ve heard there''s a youngest knight in the kingdom or something. I don''t know. I don''t know. ...... And just to confirm, did you kill the man who came before you? I don''t know.¡¡What does it matter? --It doesn''t matter. Folt is ready. Apparently, the only way to get to him is to defeat him here. I touch the sword on my hip. I gently stroke it with my left hand and wave my right. Invisible. An invisible blade of wind reaches for Fault''s shoulder. But what I heard was the sound of something colliding with something. I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not. Fault is drawing his sword. No - it was never meant to be sheathed in the first place. The silvery blade has a jagged edge that seems to be layered on top of each other. I don''t even know if that''s the right word. But I knew that Fault had blocked my attack with his sword. "I see you, kid. And with that, Fault swung his sword. I''m not sure if I''m right, but I know that Fault blocked my attack with his sword. I''m not sure what to do. He immediately moved backwards. The silver blade was right in front of me. The blade extended and closed in on me. The blade is not an overlapping blade, but an unmistakable overlapping blade. It is connected by a single line, and is constructed so that it can expand and contract. Dozens of blades are folded into that line, and when the blade extends, it transforms into a number of smaller blades. It can be compared to a centipede in words. The legs become the blade, and the extended blade can be moved freely. I jumped backward, but the blades followed me as if in pursuit. I kick the ground and turn from the right. If he swung the sword with his right hand, he would not be able to swing to the right with his current momentum. Continue to close the distance. If the Invisible is blocked from a distance, you have no choice but to approach and slash. If it''s just pure sword speed, you can certainly hit him if you close the distance. My gaze met Folt''s. I readied my right hand to swing, and Fault saw it and smiled. --My blow was again blocked by the blade of Fault''s sword. This is .¡¡This is ....... I''m not sure what to make of this, but I''m sure it''s a good idea. I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not, but it''s a good idea. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for, and what you can do to help. I''m not sure what to make of that.¡¡It''s not that simple. The Centipede? Oh, so it''s a centipede after all. It''s exactly what it looks like. You''re not just a handful. Let me see it! Draw your sword! Folt swung his sword with great force. The sword begins to move again, like a living being with a will of its own. The blade protecting Folt''s perimeter and the blade chasing me. At first glance, the sword seemed useless, but it had excellent offensive and defensive uses. You can see that Folt is a very good user of the sword. The sword''s blade is infused with magic power, and it can be moved at will. He must have the ability to make the Invisible a mere tactic. Then there''s only one thing to do. "-- The sound of metal clashing echoed. I''m not sure if it''s a good thing or not. I''m not sure if I''m going to be able to do this, but I''m going to try. I''m not sure what to make of that. It''s a beautiful, short, blue sword. It''s a beautiful, blue-colored, slightly short and thick sword. It''s a straight sword made from a rare ore found in a mine called Herendeite. It''s my favorite sword, and it''s made of a very hard material that makes it difficult for the blade to spill. It is made of a very hard material that is resistant to spilling. If I defeat you, there will only be two swordsmen left. "Ha, interesting. Try it! Folt''s sword flies through the air. Folt''s sword flew through the air. I intercepted it, sword at the ready. 22 22. "One Hundred Feet" "Sora, sora, sora! I''m not sure what to do. It''s not just the tip of the sword that''s dangerous. It''s not just the tip of the sword that''s dangerous - the extended blade has an edge as well. It''s not just the tip of the sword that''s dangerous, but also the extended blade. But the blade does not stop. "Ha, what''s the point! The Hundred Foot begins to move again. The tip of the sword is always chasing after me as if it were aiming at me. I try to dodge it and close the distance, but the blade blocks it. I run to look around the fault. I would occasionally swing my sword to attack, but the wind blade I created was blocked by the extended blade of my sword. Even at a distance, if you don''t get close enough, the power will decrease. The entirety of the Hundred Foot seems to be imbued with magical power and boasts a higher defense than it appears. Despite his wild words and actions, Folt was also cautious in his fighting style. He has a firm stance of never letting me get close to him. If you step into an area that at first glance appears to be a gap, he will launch a pincer attack with the blade and tip of the sword - something that would be impossible with an ordinary sword. In terms of killing power alone, the blade of the sword is probably more powerful than the tip. The saw-like blade keeps moving incessantly - gouging might be a closer word than slashing. Are you just going to run away forever? It''s not like that. In response to Folt''s words, he swung his sword. It''s not that I don''t like it," he said. There''s no point in repeating that, you know. Do you think that the blade can cut?¡¡The "core" used for this thing''s blade is not just a string. It''s made from the ¡¶Dragon''s Beard¡·. "The Dragon''s Beard ...... I see, so it is indeed sturdy. The movement of the sword itself can be compared to a dragon''s tail. ....... It''s the kind of sword that rips through flesh and gouges out bone. I''m not sure what to make of it. The material is hard in every way, and although I don''t know the strength of the dragon it''s made from, I do know that it''s of a level that can withstand my attacks. I dodged the approaching sword tip, ducked under the blade, and fired another blow at the sword. The same clash of metal sounded, but it did not stop. You don''t know it''s useless, do you? "Don''t you know it''s useless!" Folt waved his hand widely. With a swish, the blade widened, and the tip of the sword closed in on me as if it were conscious. If I try to stop myself, the tip of the sword will unceasingly unleash a series of blows. If I were to stop, the tip of the sword would unceasingly strike. --Without a decisive move, the game is lost. The sword that Folt uses, the Hyakutoku, is an excellent sword for medium to long distances. It is rare for a fight between swordsmen to be fought at a distance. In particular, a fast blow from mid-range, such as the Invisible I use, is effective against most opponents. In the current situation, it''s not a decisive factor. (...... will take some time, but you''ll have to be steady.) You can''t just keep dodging without a plan. It''s about time--it''s about time it kicked in. I stop in my tracks. I stopped suddenly.¡¡"Huh, you finally gave up? No, I thought it was time to go on the offensive. Huh. ...... I''m looking forward to that. As if obeying Folt''s will, the Hundred Foot moved. I intercepted it with my sword at the ready. I''m not sure what to make of it, but I''m sure it''s a good idea. Every time I hit it, it scratches the ground and the school building. It''s not as if he''s swinging it around in the dark, but the sword''s characteristic is that it can be used to attack a wide area. --In this sense, it''s a good thing that it wasn''t during the daytime, when there are many students. "......! I''m not sure what to make of it, but I think it''s a good idea. I just keep on catching and slashing away at the tip of Fault''s "Hundred Foot" sword. Occasionally, I would catch and stop a sword blow that flew straight at me, and then immediately return the tip of my sword to a defensive posture. In the midst of the increasing speed of the blows, I am still unable to land a single blow. A single blow will seem infinitely far away. At least, I don''t think Fault''s blade will ever reach me. Because his sword is good at long range attacks, but that''s all. His sword speed is also not fast. He has erratic aggression, but his strength is not fully demonstrated in one-on-one combat. Of course, it is good enough for a normal opponent, but in this case, the opponent is bad. "Sorry, but you can''t reach me. "Screw you, ......! He took one step closer, and then another. Each time, Folt would back away. If it was a battle of strength, Fault would have the advantage. I can''t keep fighting with him. I took a big step forward. At that moment, the fault smiles. "Gotcha! He must have found an opening in my movement. He must have seen an opening in my movement and accelerated the movement of the blade, and the tip of the sword came around me. It is true that the attack comes from the left side, and at this timing, my defense will not be in time. But it doesn''t matter. I''m not going to defend myself. I swing my sword at the fault. The blade of wind that emerges approaches the fault. The blade of the Hundred Foot swells and moves to block my attack. I''m not sure what to do. I''m not sure what to do. --I''m not sure what to make of that. It''s also a great way to get the most out of your business. I''m not sure what to do.¡¡Oh, shit!¡¡d*mn it!¡¡What the hell did you do? I''m not sure what to make of that. It''s not that Fault was careless. I wasn''t just slashing at each other for no reason either. It looks like it''s finally working. What do you mean, "......"? My sword, the Blue Armor Sword, is not just a sword. It''s got magic in it. Well, I''m sure you were aware of that, so you were probably on your guard. I said what the hell is going on? Simply put, it''s like a poison. Poison. ......? ......? Yeah. Normally, it''s effective against mages. It''s also effective against swords that have had magic passed through them. But it took a while because of the length of the blade. My sword will break up the flow of magic. "......! I''m sure you''ll be able to find something that works for you. I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not, but it''s a good idea. It is especially effective against weapons that are made with magic or are used through magic power. However, it takes time for the effect to penetrate longer or larger swords, such as those used by Fault. This is the magic effect that my sword has. I''m not sure what to make of this. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. I''ve been waiting for this for a long time. ......! You''re right. Well, at least it didn''t look like your sword strike was going to reach me, so I kept it steady. You were the same way about that, weren''t you? "......! You''re not going to fight me any more now that you''ve lost your dominant arm. I''m sure you''re aware that if you move too far you''ll lose your left arm as well. "Fault Macenta. I''m taking you into custody for the attempted assassination of Iris Reinfell, the Princess of the Sword Saints, and for the murder of knights, including the Blue Sword. "......, do you really think you''re going to get caught for free? I''m not sure if I''ll be able to get away with it in this situation. I''m not sure what to make of it. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not. You can see that it is tinged with a strong magical power. --You''ll be able to see that there is a strong magical power in the ball and it suddenly emits a strong light. "d*mn, ......! The bright light blinds me. I held up my sword, but there was no sign that it was going to attack - it was simply using its tools to get out of here. The presence that had approached me earlier no longer existed. On the contrary, I stopped moving when I felt another presence coming from behind the school building. I looked at it, and the shadow appeared. There was Iris, looking at me with a worried expression. "Iris, what are you doing here so late at night? Schweizer, sir. What did you mean when you said ......? He must have heard what I said. That''s why he asked. That''s why he asked. There is no sign of him nearby, but at least it would be better to stay with Iris than to chase a wounded fault. (...... And now that you''ve asked, you''ll have to explain. In the event that you''ve got a lot of time, you''ll be able to take a look at a few of the best ways to get the most out of your home. 23 23. What to do With Iris in tow, I returned to my room. I was told that the reason why Iris was out at night was because she couldn''t practice during the day. From the sound of it, she must have been practicing not only in the morning but also in the middle of the night. To be honest, I wanted to warn him a little, but now was not the time. Iris was looking at me with a mysterious expression. This is the second time the assassin and I have faced each other, but this time it''s different. She must have gotten some idea from my words. "Are you a knight, Dr. Schweizer? Iris begins with a question that gets to the heart of the matter. It''s easy to be smug, but it''s hard to be smug if you''ve been listening to me and Fault''s conversations during two separate battles. And maybe we''re not at the point where we can fool around anymore. After all, there is even a person who would intentionally enter the school''s warded grounds while trying to be detected. I''m not an assassin, I''m a straight-up assassin - that''s what Remyll said, but it may be a little different in this case. Even as an assassin, the Swordsmen are extraordinary. After a short pause, I turned to Iris and answered. Yes. I''m Alta Schweizer, a first class officer of the Kuro Wolf Knights. I''m a knight by trade. "Are you the youngest ......? That''s also correct. I''m the youngest knight in the world. "......, is that right? I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that. In the event that you''re not sure what to do, you''ll be able to always ask for help. I''m assuming that she really means it. "You came here to protect me, is that right? It''s an escort mission, so yes. ...... If it weren''t for you the first time, I might have lost my life. So says Iris. He didn''t ask me about the assassins or the swordsmen. I''m sure she didn''t mind, but maybe she didn''t want to mention that she herself had been targeted. Iris clenched her fists and continued to speak with a determined expression. But still - I don''t need an escort. You can''t say that you don''t need one in this situation. I''m sure you know that, but there''s a good chance that Azuma, who came before you, would beat you in a fair fight. Even if you say you have the ability-- I know that you don''t have to tell me that. ......!¡¡I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that.¡¡I''m sure you''re not the only one. I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that. After all, he must have heard what I said. He was defeated and killed by the Swordsmen. You knew him from ......? We fought in the finals of a sword fighting tournament once. I had a chance to talk to him in social circles. ....... He was the most knightly and capable person I''ve ever met. He''s the kind of guy who would kill someone like that, isn''t he? That''s why I''m here. That''s not what I''m trying to say. Schweizer-sensei can find the swordsmen and defeat them, can''t he?¡¡You could have chased after them earlier. Iris'' words were not wrong. I''m more concerned about protecting Iris than defeating the swordsmen. If I leave the academy without Iris, I might be able to find the swordsmen and take care of them. It is unlikely that Iris will be able to protect her if she allows other guards to protect her. Or, if Iris is willing to stay in the palace until the swordsmen are dealt with, she may be able to protect them. I''m not sure what to do. The situation now is not so simple. It''s more reliable to wait near you than to seek out the swordsmen. In that sense, it may sound like I''m using you as bait. "That''s fine. Your first priority should be to defeat the swordsmen, not to protect me. At the very least, he doesn''t intend to refuse to have me around, but I sense a strong will in Iris'' words. If you know that you are being targeted by someone who is more powerful than you, you would not be able to say that you don''t need an escort like this. That''s what I was worried about. "Mr. Iris, you don''t seem to like being protected. Why is that? "Well, it''s ....... Iris averted her gaze. I''m sure you have some thoughts on the matter - after a few moments of silence, Iris hesitantly opens her mouth. You''ll be able to find a lot more information on the web. I''m not sure if I''ll be able to do it, but I''m sure I''ll be able to do it. "Father, ...... is that Garlo Rheinfell, the former Knight Commander? You know ......? That was more than a few years ago. He''s a former knight-errant, you know. Then you know that he was murdered, right? ...... Yes, I heard about it. I nodded and replied. Iris''s father, Garlo, was murdered by someone. His body was found slaughtered on the Rheinfels'' property. There were traces of battle all around, but the culprit remains unknown. It is said that he fought as a knight and died in battle, but given the circumstances, it is more likely that Garro was killed by an assassin. My father was the head of the Rheinfell family and above all a knight who wanted to protect his people. That''s why I admired him and wanted to become a knight that surpassed my father since I was a child. It''s not going to happen anymore. ...... It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. If Garro was called the strongest knight, it makes sense that she would still try to be strong even after she became known as the "Sword Saint Princess". I have to become a knight who protects everything instead of my father. I can''t be the one being protected. If I''m the only one the swordsmen are after, that''s fine, but if they''re going to harm anyone else, I want you to make it a priority to defeat them at all costs. Iris declared clearly. For Iris, the guards were not just weaker than her and therefore not necessary. Even if she were stronger, she has no intention of standing on the side of protection. Even though Iris is called a candidate for the "King", she herself does not want to be one. Her goal was to become a knight and protect people, and she still thinks it should be so. --But that''s not the only reason why Iris is so obsessed with strength. I understand how you feel, Iris. I understand how you feel, but we can''t let the swordsmen go unchecked. As long as they are killers, they have been and will continue to kill people. "Then... Then guarding you is the only way to defeat the swordsmen. It''s not that I don''t need to protect you, it''s that I need to protect you in order to defeat the swordsmen. "...... to lure me into a trap? Yes, that''s what I just said. It is better to say that Iris is in such a position than to be protected. It''s not about protecting Iris, it''s about working together to fight. I''ll be here as an instructor for a while. I''ll be here as an instructor for a while, and I''ll intercept the swordsmen who are after Iris. I''ll teach you swordplay in the meantime if you want. That''s a promise. "...... If that''s what you mean... It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. I interrupted her and asked her a question. I just want to make sure of one thing. "......?¡¡What is it? I think it''s true that you want to follow in your father''s footsteps and protect everything. But that''s not all, is it? "......! It''s not just that. You can see that the desperation of Iris to teach me swordsmanship is undoubtedly based on the fact that she wants to inherit her father''s will. But there''s another emotion there, too. "Killing the man who killed your father - isn''t that why you really want to be strong? I understood that what Iris really wanted to do was to become stronger than anyone else, to kill the one who killed Garro Reinfell, the knight who was supposed to be stronger than anyone else. 24 24. To become stronger Iris kept her head down and didn''t answer. It''s true that there is a difference between wanting to protect everything as a knight and wanting to become strong in order to take revenge. But I thought that Iris had both of these conflicting goals in mind. Iris lets out a deep breath. Then she opened her mouth quietly. I want to avenge my father.¡¡I want to avenge my father''s ...... death. "No, I don''t think so. What? Iris looks up and rolls her eyes. You might have thought that seeking power for revenge would be denied to you. But I''m not going to deny it. Everyone has their own reasons for seeking power. If you want to be strong to protect someone, I''ll support you. If you just want to be strong to get revenge, I won''t deny it. It is very important for a person to have a reason to be strong. No matter what the reason is. ...... I thought you were going to deny it. If you think that, it''s because you think it''s wrong, at least in your mind, isn''t it? Huh! When Iris hears my words, she has a huffy expression on her face. It''s not that she doesn''t realize it - the fact that she thought I was going to deny it means that Iris is not positive about revenge, at least not yet. And yet, the feeling has not disappeared from her mind. The two conflicting feelings--they become a hindrance to Iris'' growth. I''m not going to deny the reasons for being strong, but I do think we should choose. Do you choose ......? Yes. If you really want to be strong, you should first let go of your doubts. I think you should choose whether you want to become strong to carry on your father''s will or to avenge him. Iris looked puzzled. Choosing one or the other--I''m not asking you to choose one or the other. Being strong to protect someone is the right thing to do. I don''t think it''s wrong to be strong for revenge either. However, if I were teaching, I would not make students choose the latter path. This is only as a swordsmanship teacher. If Iris is aiming to become the "strongest" knight, I think she should take whichever path she wants to take. If you don''t choose ......, you won''t get stronger? I don''t think so, but I do think it''s at least a hindrance to you becoming stronger. I think there is a subconscious hesitation to be strong. Hesitation: ......? Yes. I guess you could say that you want to be strong and protect everyone, but you also feel bad that you want to take revenge by being strong. I don''t think you have a strong desire for revenge. "So I should abandon my desire to avenge my father''s death, right, ......? It''s up to you, Iris. If you want to become stronger by choosing that path, then swing your sword with that will. In short, you need to blow it off. I think you can still grow. ...... You don''t tell me what to do, do you, Schweizer? The only advice I can give you as a teacher is that you should not swing your sword for revenge. That''s the way of Shura. I have seen such people many times. I once cut down all of them and became a "sword saint". The hesitation does not disappear from Iris''s face. ...... Honestly, it''s not an easy decision to make. I''m not sure what to make of it. What? That was the first I had heard of it. Garlo was killed in front of Iris, and yet here she was, alive. I couldn''t see his face, but I remember the voice of the man who killed him. "I couldn''t see his face, but I remember the voice of the man who killed him. I can''t forget that. "...... But still, Iris looks straight at me and declares. But if I had to choose, I''d rather swing my sword to protect someone else. That''s what Iris said she wanted. There is a difference between saying it and making up your mind. But Iris''s words and expression were full of determination. Despite her hesitation, she knew what she had to do. For Iris, what she needed more than anything was to decide on a reason to be strong. (I''m still a neophyte as a teacher when I don''t realize that from the start. (I''m still a novice as a teacher, too, if I don''t realize that from the beginning.) ...... Well, it''s no wonder she''s not a skilled mind reader. Now she will be able to wield her sword with less distraction. Tomorrow, she might be able to clear the first stage. As I was thinking like that. "......, just for your information, let me ask you this. What are you thinking about when you swing your sword? Iris asks me such a question. The reason I swing my sword is simple. Yes, I do. I want to be comfortable in the future. "...... easy?¡¡Easy is, uh, ......? Iris looks a little puzzled. Do I really need to explain this? I thought so, but then Iris looked like she understood and started laughing. If that''s the reason why you can become as strong as Dr. Schweizer, then no one will have any trouble. "Hmm, is that so? You''re the kind of person who can joke about these things. Well, maybe it''s because I''m just a kid. You''re not childish at all. That''s not childish at all." Iris interrupts me. In my case, I have the greatest advantage of memories of my previous life. At least, I''ll be able to stay close to her as an escort, although it''s not officially sanctioned by Iris. Aside from Folt, there are only two swordsmen left. For the coming battle, Iris and I have formed a partnership. 25 25. Desired Battlefield "Oh, shit. Oh, shit. Fault pressed his right arm while swearing. In the abandoned house, the blood never stops flowing, and his face is filled with anger. Standing in front of him is a large man with gray hair. He has a large scar on his face and a stubbly beard. Adil Gratz was looking down at Fault. "How was the Princess of the Sword? I''m sure you''re aware of that. ...... You know what you''re asking. ......!¡¡It''s the kid that got me.¡¡It''s the youngest knight, they call him!¡¡I''m not a lecturer, I''m a knight, a knight! What''s your name? Alta Schweizer. ......!¡¡I''ll never forgive you, bastard. ...... As Folt says this, he tears off his clothes and begins to stop the bleeding. The fact that he has this fighting spirit even with the loss of his arm shows that he is one of the "Swordsmen". However, Fault''s injury is of no concern to Adil. "How was this kid Alta? I don''t know.¡¡I''m sure I''ll kill him next time! No, I''m not. I can tell by your injuries. You lost in a fight, didn''t you? ......!¡¡I haven''t lost yet! "...... Oh well. At the very least, Alta Schweizer''s swordsmanship was enough to get past yours. Wrong!¡¡I''m not sure what to do.¡¡I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that. Adil laughs. I''m not sure that I''m going to be able to do that. But to Fault, it is a sword. I''ve lost the weapon and the right hand to wield it. What kind of ''magical effect'' was it designed to have? "Oh, ......?¡¡The bastard said it was poison. He said it was poisonous, but it breaks up the flow of magic. Wow, that''s an interesting sword. ...... So you''re asking me that?¡¡It''s not your motto to confirm your opponent''s information by slashing each other, is it? I''m sure you''ll be able to understand why. Adil himself will not change what he does when he hears about the sword from Fault. That''s true. But this time, in the name of the Swordsmen, Azuma and Fault - the two of you lost. It''s a matter of honor for us to lose any more. I told you we didn''t lose! No, you lost. "What? Folt looks up and tries to say something back. The expression on his face instantly changed to one of surprise. I think it was because Adil was swinging his greatsword at Fault. But Adil swung his sword down at Fault without hesitation. A dull thud echoed around him, and he was stained with fresh blood. The chair he was sitting on shattered, and he fell through the floor. It''s more useful to kill useless people. ...... You said it yourself. He thrusts his reddish sword into the floor. Folt has a habit of leaking information unnecessarily. It''s also possible that you could be caught and your information leaked - the reason I took the trouble to bring you back was to ensure that Adil would slaughter you with his own hands. I''m not sure what to make of that. I''m not sure what to say. A woman came from behind me. I''m not sure what to say. The woman''s name is Fis Maiden, and she asks Adil with a kind expression with her eyes closed. The woman''s name is Fis Maiden. Like Adil, she is a swordswoman. "You have a question? We never cared about appearances, did we? Of course not. Whoever kills us is replaced by a new swordsman. That''s how the Swordsmen have always been made up of strong men. It''s an organization where people who like to kill can kill as much as they want. Two of them were killed by the same knight. And the other guy was just a kid - what more could you ask for in a job as a swordsman? "My client is going to be the king of this country and start a war. He doesn''t want stability, he wants to fight for the good of the nation - or maybe he wants to be better. And yet, if I''m right, there''s a chance that I''ll lose the throne to the Princess of the Sword, which is really funny. "That''s true. But still, a war? It''s really futile. You never liked war, did you? No, I just think there''s going to be a lot of futile lives lost. After all, we''re going to be part of that war. "...... Exactly. The purpose of the war was to create a battlefield for us to enjoy, but it turned out to be too much fun. If this continues, the name of the Swordsmen will be ruined. "That''s fine. Then start another war somewhere else. "That''s true, but I took this job because I''m interested in the Princess of Swords. Aren''t you? Fiss shook her head in response to Adil''s question. Adil didn''t know what this Fis woman was thinking. Although she is a swordswoman, she places the utmost importance on whether killing is beneficial or futile. If it''s useless, she won''t do it--that''s her belief. Of course, Adil doesn''t mean to deny that. Each of us fights what we want, that''s what swordsmen are. I''m only cooperating because it''s in my best interest to do so. I''m surprised that you''re so interested in the Sword Saint Princess. From what I''ve heard, she''s someone Azuma didn''t even try to fight. Yeah, we have a bit of a connection. I have a bit of a connection with him. ...... I see. That could be beneficial to you. Yeah. Anyway, how were your pursuers? Most of them I didn''t have to deal with, but there was one who kept coming after me. Oh, who? It''s Remyll Ein, the leader of the Order of the Kuro Wolf. I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not, but it''s a good idea. I''m not sure if you''ve ever heard of it, but I''m sure you''ve heard of it. For Remyll, it would be like a battle of condolences. "Did the Commander himself go to war? Did you kill him? I was going to kill him, but I didn''t want to cause too much trouble, so I killed him moderately. Yeah, you''re right. But I have no intention of engaging in such a battle. What Adil and his team are focusing on now is not fighting for fun, but serious killing to create a battlefield. Perhaps we should have come alone from the beginning. "It was a futile death for the swordsmen. It was a futile death for the swordsmen, especially for Azuma, who had his moments. Didn''t you like The Fault? I don''t remember what nobleman he was, but he killed a lot of people for nothing. If Mr. Adil wouldn''t do it, I would. "Good for you, huh? Next time, I''ll make sure to kill the Princess Swordsman. This isn''t a game - we''re both going. Yes, I will. I''m hoping it will be a beneficial death match. Fith replied with a smile. Adil also chuckled. The two remaining swordsmen began to move. 26 26. Illys and Aria The next day after school, we gathered with Iris and Aria. Iris had listened to me last night and returned to the dormitory. Before the practice began, I stood around the trees with my mock sword at the ready. I''m not sure if I''m going to be able to do it. "How''s ...... it going? "Yes, it feels good. Try to remember the feeling. "Yes!¡¡Yes! ......! Iris looked pleased to hear my words. The more you concentrate, the more you''ll be able to do. The more she concentrated, the more conflicted she must have become about her true strength. Her sword was straight from the start, but it was getting sharper. I believe that Iris will be able to cut down multiple pieces in no time. I don''t think it will be a problem. Aria, who was looking at me with her arms crossed and looking like a big deal for some reason, gives her opinion like that. In fact, Aria was able to cut off the fallen leaves in a more natural way than me. The fact that her movements are not those of a normal person is a matter of concern. Oh, thanks. But I''ve caught up with you now. ......? Do you want to play a mock game to see? No, I mean, we''re practicing now. No, I think that''s fine. I think it''s a good idea. Yeah. What?¡¡But we often have games together. ...... I think it''s a good idea to have a match between Iris and Aria as a way to improve each other''s skills. If you''ve been doing this for a while, you might want to do it again today. "In that case, ....... Iris nodded in agreement, and the two began to prepare. In my opinion, Iris is stronger than Aria. But they seem to have different areas of expertise to begin with. In my honest opinion, Iris has not yet broken out of the game format, and while she has the ability, she is still inexperienced in many areas. Aria, on the other hand, has a style that is complete in a sense. For example, when she fought me, she was very steady in her fighting style, making sure to wait and see. I don''t know if he is unsuited to it, but he ended up choosing to cut each other down. If two people of the same level of ability improve each other, they can become stronger and more effective. The same opponent will know your habits and movements, and you can point them out to each other. I''m ready. Sensei, will you give the signal? Yes, let''s start the game. With a hand signal, Iris and Aria began to move at the same time. While Iris was holding a thin sword, Aria ran forward with a dagger in both hands, keeping her posture low. Aria rushes straight under Iris without looking at her. It''s probably because we both know what we''re capable of - there''s no hesitation in Aria''s movements. But Aria''s expression changed. But there was a change in Aria''s expression. The moment she entered Iris''s space, she noticed something and stepped back. The one who moved to meet it was Iris. He took a step forward and tried to strike a blow at Aria. Aria cuts it off and swings her other dagger. Iris dodges the blow by spinning her body. Her reaction is quick - she can react well enough to the blow she sees. The ...... problem is what happens next. The problem is that after this, Aria, who is still in the air, swings her dagger again without hesitation. This time, it''s a throw - an attack from outside the blind spot. "-- Iris stomps her foot on the ground and turns to face Aria. She is already holding a thin sword and cutting off the flying daggers. If she hadn''t known it was coming, she wouldn''t have reacted. (It would be meaningless if her reaction to the blow was the result of a regular fight, but ...... that doesn''t seem to be the case. You can see it in Aria''s expression. I''m not sure what to make of that. I could see that she was surprised when Iris blocked her attack. Perhaps the blow would never hit her completely, but she might have expected it to just graze her. But Iris reacted and showed it. Aria, who had been knocked off her dagger, tried to move further away. She may be trying to distance herself and retrieve the dagger that fell. Iris would not allow it. He stomped on the ground to close the distance to Aria. The speed of the two swords is almost the same, but Iris is slightly faster. However, Aria should have been able to attack faster overall due to her dual swordsmanship. With only one of them, Aria would have fallen behind. The sound of swords clashing with swords echoed through the air, and soon the time would come for the winner to be decided. Aria lost her balance under Iris''s onslaught and was one step behind in preventing it. At her neck, Iris stopped her sword with a snap. I didn''t have to stop her, we both knew we were going to win. "...... I win, right? "Yeah, I lost. Iris, you''re a little stronger than before. I''m not sure why she looks so happy about losing, but she does. She gently pats Iris on the head. I''m embarrassed. "I''m embarrassed." "Since Iris does it so well, I thought I''d do it for her. I''m just fixing your sleeping habits. "No, I''m just fixing your sleeping position." Iris protested with reddened cheeks. He looked at me and said, "No, you''re not! She even took the trouble to remind me. I''m just trying to show that I know what I''m doing. "Now that the match is over, let''s start practicing with a summary of what we learned. "Yes. "Yes. Iris replied politely, while Aria replied in a somewhat carefree manner. Once again, the three of us begin to practice together. 27 27. As a Teacher "So let''s move on, shall we? He stands in front of Iris and Aria, who are standing side by side, and tells them so. While Aria looks at me with a sleepy expression, Iris'' expression is serious. In fact, I can feel her gaze overflowing with anticipation. I''m not sure what to make of such high expectations, but ...... it seems that Iris is really happy to be moving on to the next step. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re going to be doing. The next lesson is very simple--you will take my sword. "What?¡¡You want me to take your sword ......? Yes. In the first lesson, you will be trained to respond to the unexpected blow that Aria showed you in the game,......, or should I say to feel it more strongly? If you can do that, you can more easily defend yourself with a visible sword. But it''s not as simple as it sounds. Since I''m training you, I was actually expecting you to be able to block my Invisible. The reason why you can prevent the invisible blow is because you can sense it. The ability to grasp what is around you - the "sixth sense" - is an excellent sensing ability for a swordsman. The first step was for Iris to learn that sense. Then, the next goal for Iris is to be able to block my sword blows, which is reasonable. Of course, if it was just a simple sword strike, both Iris and Aria would be able to block it--they are at that level. Then, let''s start with Iris. "Yes, yes! Iris steps forward. I''m not sure if I''ll be able to do it, but I''m sure I can. So, let''s start with the basic speed. I''m going to go faster and faster, so you''ll have to defend yourself. "...... I understand. I''m sorry. When I saw Iris setting up, I pulled out my mock sword. I kicked the ground to close the distance. I heard the sound of the wind blowing. First, three light blows. The first three strikes were aimed at Iris''s shoulders, flanks, and feet, but Iris was able to handle them all. I can see - well, it''s only natural that I can block this much. It was a feint and a blow, but it was a good one. Next, the third strike. This time, he accelerates his blows even faster than before. "......! I''m sure you''ll agree with me. I''m not sure what to make of this. I''m sure you''ll be able to find something that works for you. And now, what about the next one? "Ah! Five strikes. This is not the kind of swordplay you want to show your students. It''s not something you want to show your students. It''s aimed at the neck and other parts of the body that would kill you instantly in serious combat. Of course, I don''t intend to hit the vital points hard, but it gives me a chance to think about how to defend myself when such points are targeted as a practice. Up to the third blow, Iris was just barely able to avoid it, but the fourth blow delayed her reaction and she lost her balance. The fifth blow followed. The tip of my sword stopped just short of Iris''s throat. Yes, that''s it. ...... I''m sorry, I meant to take them all. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. Personally, I did not expect to be blocked until the fourth blow. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. If it''s just sword speed, I''m pretty confident too, to be honest. "Next, me. "Yes. Then, Aria, please come to the front. Then it was Aria''s turn - she struck repeatedly in the same way as Iris, gradually accelerating. As it turned out, Aria had a better chance of preventing the attack. At any rate, she was able to block the fifth blow at the same speed as the sword blow against Iris. The expression on Iris''s face, who was watching from the side, was clearly frustrated. "Well, I can''t believe Aria got the better of me again. ...... "Doh! I''m not sure what to do, but I''m sure you''ll be able to figure it out. You noticed that I was moving the same way, didn''t you? You did? Yeah, that''s right. I did think it was the same, but ......". I think Iris is also relieved inside. --In the event that you''ve got a lot of time, you''ll be able to take a look at the following. What''s more, even though she has a sleepy expression on her face, she''s really paying attention to each and every movement. Perhaps she is skilled in understanding the habits of others. At least I don''t have to practice separately with Iris and Aria, which helps me too. "Now that we know that we''re at roughly the same level, shall we start with both of us at the same time? What do you mean, two people at once? Please don''t ask me if I''m okay. I can do it. It''s probably better if it''s not one on one. You can fight back if you can. You can adjust the speed at which you unleash your sword blows, and more importantly, with the two of you now, it won''t be a problem to do it in a way that is similar to a real battle--that''s what I''m suggesting. (...... Well, my workload is slowly increasing...) It''s not just a matter of watching and talking, it''s also a matter of actually doing something with your body. I knew this when I promised to teach him swordsmanship. --It''s not that I dislike teaching itself. I felt a sense of joy when I saw people grow. In that sense, I may have grown somewhat as a teacher. 28 28. Iriss Resolution I don''t think I''m in a situation where I''m the one who should be calling you. Yeah, for now. After the rehearsal, I returned to the school building, where Remyll was waiting for me. His left hand was tightly bandaged and fixed. I guess he was talking about the "Swordsmen" who came again yesterday. The troops that Remyil had reassembled were attempting to chase down Fault, who had escaped. I had planned for that - of course, I had taken into account the possibility that other swordsmen would come. The result was that Remyll was defeated. "Is your arm okay? If I had taken one more step, I might have been knocked down. You can''t spend all your time at your desk. "You don''t work at a desk that much, do you, Commander? You don''t work at a desk that much, do you?" "Haha, you could say that. "I guess you could say that," I said, and Remyil shrugged. He seems to be in his usual mood, but I haven''t seen him since he told me that the Blue Sword was defeated. Remyil''s decision to go into battle was probably due to that as well. Remy letting out a small sigh, he continued to speak. As for the current situation, I''m pretty sure that the two remaining opponents are the two swordsmen. I engaged one of them, and this is the result. "So you''re saying that Fault Mascenta won''t be joining the fight? I''ve fought him and I can tell you that a man like that could lose an arm and still come back. No, Fault''s not coming back. --We found a body in an abandoned house earlier this morning. It matches the arm you cut off. The body''s at ......? So Fault wasn''t saved by his fellow swordsmen - he was killed before the knights could get to him. I''m not sure what to make of that. One of them was engaged by several knights, including me. I''d heard reports of someone using an invisible blade, but it was that woman. She was carrying a sword with no blade. "What?¡¡One of them was a woman? Yes. I know her name. Fiss Maiden, they used to call her Saint in some parts of the world. A saint? That''s an exaggerated name. The role of a saint is said to vary from region to region, but it is not generally used in a negative way. There are those who use healing magic, those who belong to the church and spread the teachings, and many others. In spite of this name, he is now one of the swordsmen. The invisible blade - it seems to be the same kind as my Invisible, but when it can slice through multiple people at the same time, and also attack those who are far away, it seems to be close to magic. "Did you see the Commander?¡¡The sword? "In a manner of speaking, yes. I was wary because of the previous information, and to some extent I expected it. The sword Phis uses is a thread. "Thread ......, I see. That''s the invisible blade? I''m not sure what to make of it. It''s a good idea to take a look at the actual information on the web to see if you can find anything that might be of interest to you. An opponent with the range to slice through multiple knights simultaneously, and the ability to manipulate them. It would be a troublesome opponent in a different way than Fault, who was also good at attacking from a distance. What about the other one? I''ve never been in a fight, but I know his name from what I''ve gathered. I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not. He''s a big sword user and I''m pretty sure it was Adil who killed Fault. I see. That one''s pretty simple. Oh. I''m not sure what to make of it. We''ve also gathered information on the remaining enemies. Adil Gratz and Fis Maiden - two swordsmen who are trying to kill Iris. From what I''ve heard, Fiss is the more troublesome opponent. He has a fighting style that is more suited to assassination, and he is more skilled than Remyll, the leader of the Knights. At the very least, the opponents who are after Iris are all that strong. Perhaps this is due to the fact that Iris is also known as the "Sword Saint Princess". As far as I know, the only person who is called by the name ¡¶Kensei¡· is Raoul Isaruf. And he has a name close to it. The problem with ...... is when it will come. The question is, when will they do it? If they wait, they will eventually come. There''s a limit to how many knights you can have defending you. In the first place, there are no knights that can win in the current situation. Yeah. I''m sorry to say, but you''re probably the only one in my order. I''ve approached other knight orders for support, but they may not be able to come right away. There is also the role of knights who protect their respective districts. It will also take time to select knights who are capable of competing with the swordsmen. "The first option is to wait for them to make their move. However-- After I said that much, I looked outside the room. In all honesty, I think I''m better than the assassin who''s trying to kill Iris. "Aria, what are you doing in there? "Sir, wow. I''ve never been caught dead before. It was Aria who opened the door and walked in. I was too late to notice her. When she doesn''t show any signs of life, her ability to hide is truly remarkable. So, what are you doing? Iris saw you with the leader of the Order. She seemed really curious, so I checked. Hey, hey!¡¡What are you doing telling me all this? It was Iris herself who came after Aria. It seems that the two of them were planning to work together and listen in on what Remyll and I were saying. I''m sure you''ll be pleased to hear that. "Long time no see, Miss Reinfell. "It''s ......, Mr. Eyn. I''m sure you''ll be able to understand what I mean. "Oh, no, I''m not going to let you ...... Mr. Iris. This is an adult discussion. That''s what the doctor said. ......? You''re right on the money. I''m sorry, ....... It was a private conversation. I think I''m the best person to say that. That''s true, too. ...... Don''t let the kids talk you out of it. No, I''m just a kid. So what are you doing here, Iris? When I asked again, Iris replied with a serious look on her face. If I wait for the person who wants to kill me to come to me, it might cause more damage, right? That''s what I was going to say earlier. If you want to protect only Iris, you can just stay close to me. In the event that you''ve got a lot of money, you''ll be able to take advantage of it. You can''t deny that, for sure. In the event that you have any questions regarding where and the best way to get in touch with us, please do not hesitate to contact us. "Decoy ......? I''m not sure what to make of that. I''m not sure if you''ve heard of it or not. You know that they are going to target Iris in this school, so as long as Iris is here, you can protect her. But that''s not what Iris thinks. I''ll take the bait and lure the swordsmen out. With a look of determination, Iris declared. 29 29. Strategy Policy Mr. Iris, do you know what you''re talking about? ...... Yes, I intend to. Iris answered my question without hesitation. Well, it''s no surprise that she understands what I''m saying. I had been working on the premise that the "swordsmen" who wanted to kill Iris would come here. What Iris is suggesting now is that instead of waiting here, we should make our move and lure the swordsmen. Of course, it''s easy to say in words. For example, if Iris is walking alone at night, there is a high probability that they will come to her. At the very least, they are not the kind of people who would overlook such an opportunity, and so the suggestion of using Iris as bait was not an option for me. In fact, it was the most direct way to get rid of the swordsmen. But... But, "Miss Rheinfell, it is very nice of you to show your willingness to help us in this way. But I must tell you that it''s a dangerous proposition. That was Remyll. His words were polite, but his speech was a little prickly. I''m sure that Remyil hadn''t thought of a way to use Iris as bait. It is a common practice to use a targeted person as bait to lure out the enemy. However, this is only done when the safety of the target of the escort can be guaranteed. This time is completely different - in fact, even in her current state, Iris'' safety cannot be guaranteed. Still, the reason she suggested taking the bait may be that she can''t stand the thought of anyone else getting hurt anymore to protect herself. That''s a big part of why she said she didn''t need an escort. I''m of the same opinion as the Commander. I agree with the Commander.¡¡Dr. Schweizer, ...... "Iris, you''re definitely strong and have a lot of potential. I believe that you can eventually surpass me. But this is a different story. Even if I were close by, I can''t guarantee that I could protect you. ...... I''m aware of that. Don''t worry, I''ll protect Iris. Aria steps in front of Iris. It is typical for Aria to be able to say that even in this situation. Remyll also looked a little surprised. Many of your students are brave, aren''t they? It''s just that these two are special. It is true that they are as good as the swordsmen. But as students, we can''t put you in harm''s way. Would you say that, Sensei ......? I''m a child, yes, but I''m your teacher now. I''m also a knight of the realm. In this respect, I''m a knight and you''re a student under my protection. "....... But you can''t just wait around and-- Yes, what Iris said is also true. If you''re just waiting around, you''re likely to be at a disadvantage as far as the enemy is concerned. I''m sure you''re not the only one who has a problem with this. If he was really just a fighting maniac, he would have started fighting me right then and there, instead of taking Fault back with him. The fact that he didn''t is to be taken as a sign that he chose to position himself to bury Iris for sure rather than fight me there. Seeing Iris'' expression darken, I continued. I''m sure you''ll be able to understand why I''m here. ...... I''ve decided to become a knight in the future. Yes, I know that. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m going to do it. I feel that it is a dream with a sense of mission, like following my father''s footsteps. But it''s still Iris''s dream. "You said that you support me in becoming strong to protect someone, right?¡¡The reason I want to be strong is not to protect me. If it means more sacrifices to protect me - I will not spare this life. "Miss Reinfell...... Remyll could not hide her surprise. This is not something that a girl of about fifteen would say. If someone else is going to be sacrificed for you, then you should be the only one sacrificing. That''s exactly what Iris said. She never ceases to amaze me, as she did when she came after me wishing to fight me. "Some of us have died to protect you. You understand that, don''t you? ...... Yes. If you die, their deaths will have been in vain, so don''t say you don''t value your life. People are only alive if they''re alive. I don''t want to die either. That''s why I fight. I understand your determination, Iris. Commander, let''s accept Iris''s proposal here. Thank you!¡¡Oh, thank you very much! Iris bows her head. But this is only because I have accepted it. I''m sure you''ll be pleased to hear that. I''m not sure I can accept that as a ...... Knight Commander, but I''m not sure I can accept that either. I''m not so dismissive of people that I''d trample on their resolve. I''m sure you''ll be pleased to know that the Commander is probably the most human of them all. You''re so bitter sometimes. ...... I''m not sure what to make of it, but I think it''s a good idea. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. "On Miss Reinfell''s resolve and on yours, First Officer Alta Schweizer. Will you be able to protect Frau Reinfell from the swordsmen? "To put it bluntly, I can''t say for sure. But yes, ...... for 30% more pay. This is serious business. Yes, I''m kidding. And a correction. It''s not about protecting Iris, it''s about me and Iris working together to defeat the swordsmen, is that correct? "......!¡¡Yes! I''m not sure what to make of it. In the event that you''re in a situation like this, you might be pleased to be treated as a fellow fighter instead of being protected. "Me too, me too. I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that. I''m glad you feel that way, but this is my-- "Me and Iris are family. It''s only natural to protect them. "...... Family, huh?¡¡I thought the two of you were very close, but you are not twin sisters ......, are you? Her name is not Aria Reinfell. I believe Aria''s name is-- "Aria Notorious. Iris''s half-sister. "......? No, not at all!¡¡Don''t confuse me with something else. I misspoke. ...... What misspoke? I''m not sure what to say, but I''m sure you''ll understand. In a way, Aria may be the one who surprises me the most. I''m staying at Iris'' house. So it''s natural for me to protect Iris. It''s only natural that I stay with her. If Iris takes the bait, then I take the bait. I see, that''s how it is. I know you are saying that it is natural for you to be with Iris. From Aria''s personality, she is the type of person who will come even if you tell her not to. Above all, we can see that Aria cares about Iris very much. If you''re ready to do this, I understand. But please understand that there is a risk. Of course. Sir, ......?¡¡You can''t involve Aria in this ...... I don''t want Iris to die. I don''t think it would be a shame to risk your life for it either. I don''t want Iris to die, and I''m not willing to risk my life to do it," Aria declared, clearly matching Iris'' words. It is clear that there is a great deal of trust between the two of them. They have been taking care of each other at the Rheinfels'' house, or at least they have known each other since before they entered this school. Iris also nodded reluctantly when she heard Aria''s words. Now we have a plan for our next mission. The timing will be the weekend Sabbath. Iris, shall we have a date? "Okay... what? This was the moment when Iris, who had been happily answering my words, let out an absent-minded voice. 30 30. Aimers When the discussion was over, Iris and Aria left the room. After a few moments of silence, Remyll opened his mouth. ...... No, I didn''t think you''d ask me out on a date in this situation. I told you it was a plan. I explained to you that it was a plan. Iris'' eyes swam, and Aria made a protective gesture towards Iris. Of course, I don''t intend to go on a date. If Iris and I were to act alone, the Swordsmen would surely make their move. It''s simply a strategy to lure her out, but as expected, it''s dangerous to let her act alone. That''s why I''ll always act with her. If you do that, she''ll show herself. Of course I agree with you working together. It''s a simple matter of showing up, isn''t it? "Yes. They''ll be wary of a trap, but even if it is a trap, they''ll bite. Lure them in and you''ll take them out - a simple strategy, but very you. It''s not like I''m being judged on my tactics or anything. I''m purely strong as an individual. The Commander appreciates that, doesn''t he? I''m glad you can say that even in a situation like this. I had confidence in my skills too, but ...... this is the result. The result is this." He quickly shows his bandaged arm. Of course, this does not mean that Remyll is weak. This time, the opponent was bad - if the swordsmen gathered and worked together, they would be no match for a large army. It''s the same for me. "Commander, please stand tall like a commander. I''ll avenge them. I like that about you. How about a date with me when this is over? Oh, no. You said it''s hard with an age difference. Of course you''re joking. You''re joking, of course. You''re making it sound like I was really dumped. RemyL looks a little angry. In fact, in terms of mental age alone, I''m much older than RemyL. I''m not sure what to make of this. ...... Oh, I''ve already done some research on that point. I''m sure you''ll be able to find something that works for you. And it''s not something you can mess around with. It''s not that Remyll didn''t do anything. While I was by Iris''s side as an escort, I continued to investigate the source of Remyll''s desire for Iris. The swordsmen were originally hired hands, and the quickest way to protect them would be to capture their clients. However, from Remyll''s words, he had a vague idea of who he was dealing with. "You don''t mean... "No way. It''s the son of the current King William Tillooque, Zale Tillooque himself. It was not at all unlikely, but the surprise was still greater than the surprise. I''m not sure what to make of this. * * * When Iris returned to the dormitory, she was alone in her room. When he returned to the dormitory, Iris was alone in her room, separated from Aria and pondering alone. (Date: ......, not strategy) It''s not that I''m not a good person, but I''m not a good person. There''s no way she could have asked me out on a date in a place like that. Iris immediately understood and listened to Arta''s thoughts. If you deliberately show an opening, the Swordsmen will surely come--that''s what I''m talking about. It is true that Iris and Arta are a girl and a boy in terms of appearance. No one would think that it was a girl who is known as the "Sword Saint Princess" and a boy who is an expert in swordsmanship. Of course, there was the question of what was the point if their faces were known. However, it was a strategy to show an opening. So, there was only one thing Iris had to do. She had to get serious about dating. (...... I don''t have any experience with that.) ( I don''t have any experience with that.) Although she couldn''t say so at the time, Iris had no experience with such relationships. When you ask her to make an opening, she thinks the opposite. Iris is a serious girl to a fault. If you are going to have a date with a man or woman, even if it''s just for a strategy, you have to make some kind of appearance. ...... Iris is serious enough to think like that. (Talk to Aria about it: ......No, Aria is not familiar with such things: ......) I think it''s fine to just go with it, I can see how that would be the answer. Take a deep breath and lie down on the bed. Looking out the window at the stars, Iris calmed down. "What are you getting worked up about? I''m ....... This is just a plan. She didn''t need to worry about a date - all she needed to do was lure the swordsmen out. As long as she can accomplish that. (Yes, because I''m going to be a better knight than ...... my father. I don''t have time for romance, so it''s natural that I don''t know. That''s fine.) I''m sure you''ll be able to find something that will help you. To be strong enough to be called the "Princess of the Sword Saints" and to be the strongest knight - to make that dream come true. That''s why Iris is going to face the swordsmen. I''m not sure what to say. The royal palace is located in the Vassil district in the center of Vassil, the royal capital. As the name implies, there is a group of knights called the "Guardian Knights" whose main duty is to protect the royal palace. Of course, their role is to protect the people who live around the palace from those who work there, and they are always on guard. Two men and a woman had come to such a place. I told you not to come here if at all possible. Zeir Tiroku replied, brushing back his slightly long blond hair. Both the man and the woman were wearing masks and robes that looked suspicious, but the patterns on the masks were distinctive. Those who wore these masks were acting as Zale''s guards to protect him. The knights also know this, which is why the two in robes can go in and out of the royal palace. --They are Adil and Fis of the Swordsmen. "The next time we do this will be the last time, that''s what I''m reporting. "The next time we attack will be the last, so report back. "Of course, I''m counting on it. "Of course, I''m looking forward to it, though I would have preferred to see Iris kneel. I wish I could have seen Iris kneel. Zale, the son of the current king, has his sights set on Iris, the top contender for king. Some of you may suspect this, but even if you do, you can''t do anything about it. Unless Adil or Fith are caught in this form, they will not make such a mistake. If Iris dies, the next person who will be supported will be this young man named Zeir. Even though he is the son of the king, he is currently favored more than Iris. Not only the people, but also William, Zeir''s father, thinks so. From Adil''s point of view, he has to say that William''s idea is correct, regardless of the people. You can come and see it if you want. "No way. No, I wouldn''t. I''m just waiting for you to be the first in line for the King after Iris dies. After that, I''ll give you a fighting chance if you want. Wouldn''t it be boring to be a man who just wants security like your father?¡¡When you have this much power and wealth, you have to put it to good use. On the surface, Zale is a good-natured man, but his true nature is that of a madman who desires power and only wants to wield it. He''s on the same side as Adil and Fith. If his father, King William, was a good man, it doesn''t mean his son will be as good. It was a fatal blow to the kingdom that it was a part of the foundation of the kingdom. But if it''s possible to ...... bring him to me alive, I don''t mind. Of course, as long as you don''t get caught. "We''re not that flexible. We''re in the business of killing. Yes, we are. But why do you want us to bring him in alive? It''s simple. That woman - she humiliated me in the finals of a previous sword fighting tournament. ....... I want to bury her with my own hands, don''t you think? Zale replied to Phis''s question. It''s just personal feelings and personal grudges - but it''s precisely because he''s this kind of man that he''s likely to be able to create a bigger war when he becomes king. If that happens, Adil will be able to throw himself into the battlefield. The battlefield Adil wants. If that''s what you want, go ahead. But I don''t recommend it. If they find out you''re after Iris, it''s over. "Haha, you''re right. So I guess I''ll just stay here and be quiet. Don''t let anyone know you''re here. I know. Adil left the place with Fis. On the way, Fiss suddenly spoke up. I don''t think he''s fit to be king. "I guess so. He''s the kind of guy who likes to make up for a loss. He''ll be ruined eventually. But you can use him until then. For now, we have to deal with the Princess and Alta Schweizer. "Child knight. I don''t think this country is in great need of strength ...... to even use children in battle. Of course not. I''m not sure if you''ve seen this before, but I''m sure you have. Adil and Fiss have their sights set not only on Iris, but on Arta as well. The day of the battle was fast approaching. 31 31. Sabbath The week flew by in a blur. Without much change, I taught swords to Iris and Aria in addition to my teaching duties. However, they are very skilled by nature. Within three days, they had reached a level where they could take my sword techniques to some extent. Of course, the strength of Iris and Aria does not have to be perfected, nor do I expect it to be in such a short time. What they needed was at least enough strength to defend themselves against the Swordsmen. (Well, I guess it''s time to go.) I was waiting for Iris at the back gate of the school. Waiting in front of the girls'' dormitory would be too conspicuous, so I decided to sneak out through the less popular side. As it was the Sabbath, there would be students around the school. I decided to leave the area around the school at an early hour. After a while, Iris comes running towards me. "Sorry to keep you waiting. I''m in no hurry, don''t worry. But it''s refreshing to see you in plain clothes. "......, is that weird? My words were met with a concerned look from Iris. She has long hair tied back and is dressed in a beige color with a relaxed atmosphere. While many people wear their school uniforms out of style, Iris always wears hers in a serious manner. She always wears her clothes seriously. No, it suits you very well. Oh, thank you. I''m not sure what to say, but I''m sure you''ll understand. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. You can find a lot of people who are looking for the best way to get the most out of their life. You are wearing your usual ...... attire, aren''t you, Schweizer? I''ve only got my knight''s formal wear and my teacher''s work clothes. "Well, that''s not much, is it? It''s not a problem, I''m a workaholic. Of course, I''m a fake workaholic. Of course, I''m a fake workaholic, because my original goal was to make money and drop out early. I feel like I''ve gotten very far from my goal, though. In any case, these days I''m even finding a little enjoyment in teaching and swordplay. (I wonder if it would actually be profitable to have a one-on-one class with the ¡¶Kensei¡· class. ...... As expected, I won''t do it, but...) Calling yourself a ¡¶Kensei¡· is not something that you would do. "Excuse me, sir? "Oh, I''m sorry. I''ll be back. But first, Aria-san... Here. It was Aria who appeared from behind Iris. She was completely hidden behind Iris and had no presence. As usual, the word "unseen" suits her well. Aria''s clothes were black in color and relatively loose in size. However, there is a slight sound of metal scraping as she moves. I could tell that she was hiding something in her sleeves or in the loose-fitting clothes. Good morning, Doctor. Let''s get going. "Hey, Aria!¡¡You''re supposed to be providing logistical support! Iris shouted in surprise. Of course, the enemy would notice us if we acted in large numbers. In order to keep the number as small as possible, I had originally planned to lure them in with just me and Iris. If Aria was going to be part of the mission, she should have been in a position to keep an eye on things from a distance. I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that. "I appreciate the sentiment, but ...... Is that okay, doctor? Aria stood in front of me. Aria was rather forceful in her requests for fights and sword practice. Of course, I could understand her concern for her friend Iris. Besides, to put it bluntly, there is not much difference between the three of us. It''s not like we are a large group. Well, you have to protect not only Iris, but also Aria in case of emergency. (...... is actually better than engaging in a fight away from home, right? I''m not sure what to say. I''m sure the three of us will be fine. "Yeah, yeah, ......? "A date for three. In spite of Iris''s confusion, Aria is not afraid to say words that are not good to be heard by others. I''m not sure if you''ve seen this before, but I''m sure you''ve seen it before. I''m still a twelve-year-old kid. In the event that you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. It''s a good idea to keep in mind that there are basically only three of us in this operation: me, Iris, and Aria. "...... I understand. Aria, if you think it''s dangerous, back off immediately, okay?¡¡The swordsman''s target is me. There''s no way I''m going to back down if I know that. I''m the one who''s going to take down those who are after Iris. You''re very dependable, Aria. But please don''t do anything rash. Of course, I will do my best to protect the two of them - no, I will work with them to fight, but it''s a world where a single blow can kill you. The fight with Azuma and Fault could have been fatal if I made a mistake. I''m going to try to avoid that, but you never know what might happen in a real fight. A slip on the landing, or a delayed reaction depending on your physical condition--such trivial events can kill you in a fight. After a defeat, there is often no time for regret. "Of course, I understand that. I''m not going to let that happen either. I''m not going to be like that either." Iris replied with a serious expression, a complete change from the previous question. It''s probably a good thing that Iris can switch gears so quickly, but her words had a certain weight to them. It''s as if she''s had that experience before. If there is any ......, it is related to the death of Iris''s father. I''m a little curious about it, but I think it''s best not to ask now. I don''t want to disturb Iris'' concentration by asking something inappropriate. So, where are we going? "Well... We have a final destination in mind, but it''s obviously too suspicious to go there right off the bat, so we''ll take some detours to get there. As for our plans in the meantime, we haven''t decided on anything specific, so you two can go wherever you want. "Oh, so that''s how it''s going to be, ......? I''m not familiar with that kind of thing, so I don''t know. I''m not familiar with that kind of thing. "You''re the youngest. You''re right, but I''m sorry. I usually spend my days working. My hobby is working out and training - this has not changed since my previous life. However, these days, I often spend my days off slacking off. I would like to find a hobby that I can get into eventually. If that''s the case, why don''t you go to ...... and buy some clothes for your teacher first?¡¡You said you only have work clothes. It doesn''t have to be based on my standards, but ...... a clothing store might be a good choice. Let''s go to the clothing store first. Aria leads the way. It''s just the way I like to spend my Sabbath. It''s a good way to relax before going into battle. Aria, do you know where the clothing store is? Hmm, it''s just around the corner. That''s a very Aria way of choosing a store. I started walking behind Aria, who was going ahead of me, alongside Iris. 32 32. 10:00 a.m. at a clothing store How about something like this? Well, I think the teacher''s mood is more relaxed than cheerful. "Oh, sir? Oh, no, ......a, something more subdued would suit Alta-kun''s mood! I''m sure you''ll be able to find something that will work for you. At the first clothing store I came to, I ended up choosing my own clothes. I didn''t have any particular clothes that I liked, but Iris and the shopkeeper were talking and looking for clothes that would suit me. Aria, on the other hand, picked out some clothes for me. "Sir, what about this? "Miss Aria, that''s a girl''s dress. It was a full-on dress. There was no way I was going to wear it, but Aria looked at me with a puzzled look on her face. I thought it looked good on you. Haha ...... I hope you can find a man''s dress if you can. I''m a girl. ...... No, that''s true, but... I''m a girl, so I can only understand women''s clothes. Aria''s clothes don''t seem to indicate that she knows much about women''s clothes, and she doesn''t seem to be interested in them in the first place. And if we''re talking about whether or not she looks good in it, she might look good in it, but I don''t want to think about that too much. "Sir, how about this next one? This time, Iris brought the clothes she and the shopkeeper had chosen. It was a decent-looking shirt, as expected from the two of them having chosen it together. She also picked out a pair of pants to match it. Okay, let''s go with that. You''re not looking too hard, are you, doctor? No, not at all. You didn''t look too hard, did you? - No, I didn''t. Iris picked them out for me. I''ve seen it and I''m quite happy with it. "......, is that so?¡¡It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. I''m not sure what to make of it. I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not. (Or is it ......?) Thinking back, I remember that she was very nervous in the sword class after she first promised to train Iris. At first, Iris gave me the impression that she was serious, but looking back, I think I can see more of her girlish side. Perhaps she was born with such a temperament. However, as her classmates also call her "Master Iris," she must have that image in many people''s minds. In fact, the fact that people call her the "Sword Saint Princess", the strongest in the kingdom, is probably the best example. It all started with her victory in a swordsmanship tournament -- if Iris had been just a commoner, she might have been a swordsman with a promising future. But she was in the position of a daughter of a knight commander of the four great noble families. You can find a lot more than just a knight, you can find a nobleman who expects you to become a king. In this sense, today may be an opportunity for Iris to stretch her wings. ...... (Maybe it would have been better if this wasn''t the day of the mission, though. With that in mind, all I can do now is to protect Iris. The only thing I can do now is to protect Iris. After defeating the Swordsmen, I need to catch the people who are targeting Iris--that''s what I need to do to protect Iris. (I''ll leave that to the Commander. ......) "Sir? Aria was standing beside me, tugging at my sleeve. "Miss Aria?¡¡What''s wrong? I''m sure you''ll be pleased with Iris''s choice of clothing, but why not mine? ...... No, that''s not the premise. This time, for some reason, I brought a special kind of clothing, a robe with a hood and cat ears. I''m not sure I''d wear it for anything, but I wouldn''t wear it for everyday wear. I feel that Aria''s senses are even more out of sync than Iris''s. Aria also said that she was under the care of the Rheinfels. In that sense, she is also living a life of a nobleman, I suppose. ...... As you can see, I don''t get that vibe from her. You and Iris are close, aren''t you, Aria? Yes, we are. I care about Iris a lot. I care about Iris." Aria answers clearly and without concealment. Aria also knows that the person who is targeting Iris is very powerful. She knew it was dangerous, but she came with me and Iris. That''s how much she cares about Iris. "Do you care about Iris? "I do, yes. As a knight, I''m going to protect Iris. No, not really. As a mentor at ....... No, not really. ...... Both have been denied. It''s not as a knight and it''s not as a teacher. I''m not sure what to make of that. "I''m protecting you because you''re Iris. That''s probably where you differ from your teacher. ...... I see, that''s what you mean. I understood what Aria was trying to say. In the first place, you and I have fundamentally different ideas. It is true that I am in a position to protect Iris as a knight. Nothing more, nothing less. If you want to protect Iris, do it. Protect Iris because she''s your daughter? Yes. She wants to protect me, her teacher, and everything in between. That''s why I''m worried about her. That''s why I felt I had to protect her. But you''ve already fought to protect Iris twice, right?¡¡Then you can do the same for me. You''re stronger than Iris, and you''re stronger than me. Aria said, and then left. I''ve never seen Aria speak so clearly. She usually doesn''t seem to talk much, but I guess she can talk when it''s for Iris. The reason Aria took the trouble to tell me this was probably because she was thinking of Iris in her own way. She seems to be acting as usual, but secretly she might be worried about Iris a lot. (If you''re going to protect Iris, you''d better brace yourself, I guess. It''s true that the destination is just a point I''ve decided. The enemy could come at any time. I''m not unguarded either. I''m confident that I can protect Iris alone if necessary. That is to say, I do not include Aria in my protection. Aria''s words included the meaning of the words, "Be sure to protect Iris. She is a student, but she is thinking about Iris that much. (......) Maybe I should learn a little from her. ( I should learn a little something from you, because just being strong doesn''t mean anything. "Hey, where''s Aria? She went to return the clothes you picked out. Iris comes back after paying the bill. I take the paper bag in my hand. Thank you for the clothes. How much was it? "Oh, it''s okay. No, you can''t. I''m your teacher, I can''t take advantage of my students. I''m a big saver when it comes to money, but I do have a certain amount of pride. ...... Well, it can be tempting to say that you can help me with various tasks. I''ll give you the money first and then we''ll talk. Where should we go next? If you haven''t eaten breakfast, go to a restaurant and aim for your destination. How about ......? "Yes. I haven''t eaten, so if you haven''t eaten either, that''s fine. I think it would be a good time. Well, I''ll go tell Aria. Yeah, I''ll go with you. I''ll go with you. Let''s stay here as long as we can. It''s true that we''re in the middle of a mission. As if remembering, Iris said. He seemed to be having a good time when he was picking out his clothes. I was confident that I could protect Iris, not only in the store but also at a certain distance, and I believe that Iris is capable of protecting herself. But if I''m going to protect Iris, at least I have to be close by--this is how I would respond to Aria''s words. (It''s a student''s request, so I''m going to listen to it. ...... It may or may not sound like a teacher. ......) "Oh, and sir. Can I have a few minutes of your time after breakfast? "Of course you can, sir. Thank you very much. It seems that Iris has something to say to me. If she doesn''t want to talk about it here, then she doesn''t want others to hear it. So we finished our shopping at the clothing store and headed for breakfast. We seemed to be looking around and before we knew it, we were heading straight for our destination. 33 33. Hesitation to cut off On the outskirts of the Fenkor district, near the place where the Blue Sword was defeated by the Swordsmen. In addition to the church, there are many other old buildings here, and it is also known as a tourist spot. Knights have been clearing the area since early in the morning, but you never know what will happen in a battle. After breakfast, we set out for our destination. At least there were only two people near me, Iris and Aria. There is an elevated area where I can get a good view of the area. Aria is waiting some distance away. Apparently, she heard that Iris wanted to talk to me, so she left us alone. I haven''t been to this side much. How about you, doctor? "I come here sometimes. It''s my job to go around. I don''t know why it''s so strange for a teacher to have a job. He looks like a child. He''s a kid, isn''t he? "Oh, yes. When I said that, Iris giggled. But Iris''s expression quickly turned dark. ...... I''m sorry, I said I wanted to talk to you. It''s okay. It''s okay. It''s better to relax. I thought I could just let Iris talk at her own pace, but she started talking little by little. Do I look nervous? From my point of view, yes. From my point of view, yes. I felt that Iris was acting differently than usual. I thought it was because of the freshness of her clothes and the fact that I had never seen her enjoy shopping in a normal way, but there was something different. I had been feeling uncomfortable all morning. I''m probably the one who''s most scared, even though I''m the one who suggested it. I''m probably the most scared of all. That''s what Iris said to me. She had once said, "I don''t want to die," when she had taken the bait. Of course, it is natural to not want to die. There are not many people who are willing to die when they are about to be killed, even if they think so in word and heart. Iris clenched her fists and continued to speak. I have to be the one to get Aria involved, but I''ve been feeling anxious all day. I''m the "Princess of the Sword," but I can''t ...... be like this even before I meet the enemy! I''m sure that''s what Iris has been dealing with since this morning. It''s not possible in a normal life to have your life threatened. It was rare to find a person who could remain calm in such a situation, where an enemy could come at any time. Iris was no exception. "I have my doubts. I wonder if I can really be strong. I want to say clearly that the Swordsmen aren''t my enemy, but I can''t. ......!¡¡How can I become as strong as you, ......? "Like me? Yes. I really wanted to ask you. ...... It''s the knight that Iris aspires to be, and her goal is to surpass her father. But for Iris, that goal is not there. I could not understand what Iris was confused about unless she told me. As always, I am reminded that I am lacking in many areas as a person. However, there are things I could tell you if you put them into words. "You don''t have to be as strong as me. "...... What? The strength you seek is the strength to help others. It''s easier said than done, but the power to help someone is not just about being strong. But you have to be strong. ...... Of course, what I''m saying is probably just a bunch of nonsense. To protect people, you need a certain amount of strength, but I don''t think you have it right now. Standing in front of Iris, I continued. It''s okay if you''re worried. You''re here because you''re brave. You could have waited and done nothing, but you chose to fight. That''s one kind of strength. There''s a difference between recklessness and courage, but at least the path you chose is a courageous one, in my opinion. "Sir, ...... Iris''s expression brightened. I hope this situation will help her to feel a little more relaxed. I don''t know if I could have said this before. After all, I had only ever seen Iris as the "Sword Saint Princess". Now I''m her guardian, her teacher, and her sword master. In this way, we were becoming more and more involved. "If you need me, you can count on me. That''s what I''m here for. "Thank you, ....... But I''m fine now. I''m sorry for my weakness! It seems that relying on me is not an option for her yet. But just the fact that she expressed her anxiety is a step in the right direction, I guess. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m sure I can do it. When I finished talking with Iris, I turned around to see that Aria was not there. I can at least locate her from a distance, but Aria''s covert abilities are such that she can outmaneuver me. "Aria ......?¡¡I''m done talking! It''s not like we''re playing hide-and-seek in this situation. ...... The only thing I can think of is that Aria''s spy skills were even better than I expected. It''s not ......! I''m not sure what to make of it. Aria was probably headed in the opposite direction from where we were. I''m not sure what to do with it. (*) Two men and a woman were hiding behind a building. One was Adil Gratz, and the other was Fis Maiden. They were the two remaining Swordsmen. It looks like they''re really playing. "Yes, they''re definitely inviting us. They were watching Alta and Iris from a distance. Of course they knew it was waiting for them. If it''s an invitation, it''s time to take it. It''s not in my nature to wait and see. "So that''s what it comes down to. You didn''t have a plan anyway, did you? "The two of us will kill the Princess Swordsman. That''s the objective, that''s the plan. "Hmm, that''s very clear. Fiss smiled at Adil''s words. Just as the two of them were about to make their move. "Wait, where''s the other one? Adil stopped in his tracks. Adil stopped. There was a girl a short distance away from Alta and Iris. She was supposed to be there, but she was already gone. I never took my eyes off her - and yet she was gone, as if she had vanished from the scene. "I-- Phis moves. I''m not going to take my eyes off her, but she''s gone. I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not. In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site. I didn''t expect this. "...... Uncle and sister are the assassins who are after Iris? The hair and skin seemed to glow in the sunlight. I''m not sure what to make of it, but I think it''s a good idea. Adil and Phil were surprised to see a girl with such a young face approaching them, so perfectly unnoticed. Alta and Iris weren''t the only potential enemies here. Who are you? Fiss asks. Looking down at them, Aria pulls out two black daggers from her pocket. "Assassins. Aria holds them up and says, "Assassins. 34 34. Who wants to protect --I still remember that it was a rainy day. A strange place, a strange person. There was no one to talk to her. The girl had no purpose. She just did what she was told. "...... She sits on the ground and looks up at the sky. Counting the raindrops as they fall--a meaningless act. Just then, I hear footsteps crunching nearby. The girl looks over. Standing there was a woman with long blond hair and a girl who looked just like her. What are you doing here? Are you okay? "...... The woman called out in concern, but the girl did not answer. At that moment, a blond-haired girl comes running up to her. Not caring if she gets wet, the blonde girl holds out her umbrella. "I''m Iris. And you are? She smiled gently and asked. It was a smile so similar to the one she had seen before that she couldn''t help but open her mouth. "...... I''m Notria. The girl, Notria, replies. That was the first encounter between Iris and a girl who did not yet have the name Aria. I''m not sure. I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not. The "Swordsmen," the enemies who target Iris, are also enemies of Aria. Adil laughs at the sight of Aria. Huh, an assassin. I never thought you would say that about us. If we kill you, it''s over, right? "Well, I don''t know. There''s someone else who wants the Princess... Not here. Just you. Aria interrupted Fiss. We''ve already checked the surrounding area - there''s only two people here who are targeting Iris. "I see. I see. You have excellent reconnaissance skills--a true assassin. What are you impressed with? The two of them don''t seem to be in a hurry even though they''ve been noticed. At the very least, Aria''s attack was prevented when she was completely obliterated. It is clear that Adil and Fis''s strength is close to that of Arta. (......, but no matter) I look at the two of them. Adil''s side is not poised. Fiss is the one who blocked Aria''s attack. Fiss has a sword in his hand. It has a scabbard and hilt, but the sword he had just pulled out had no blade. Aria has heard what it is. The question is-- can she see it? "I don''t have a choice. Killing you would be futile, but leaving ...... would be harmful. Therefore, I will let you die. Phis drew his sword. Aria''s eyes widen. She opens her eyes to see a thread running around her. A slight glint in the sunlight enters Aria''s eyes. That''s not what she really wants - Aria leaps from her spot and moves away. "! Phis looks a little surprised. She''s probably surprised that Aria evaded her. The threaded blade - something Aria is good at, though she needs to sense it, not just see it. The part of the rooftop where Aria was standing a moment ago suddenly collapses. The thread-like blade must have sliced through it. Aria doesn''t stop moving. The thread moves to chase her. She throws a dagger, but it''s obvious that it will be blocked. (Then ......) When she hid behind a building, Aria threw the dagger at her feet. What appeared was a pitch-black hole. When the dagger went inside, a hole appeared at Fis''s feet. What? In the next moment, Aria''s face showed surprise. The next moment, Aria looks surprised. As if she knew the attack was coming from her blind spot, Fis steps back. The two daggers flew past Fiss. A black hole reappears in the air, and Aria retrieves the daggers, keeping her distance. (She reacts quickly. It''s as if she''s seeing the future.) I won''t let you escape. She doesn''t even give me time to think about it. The threads are coming at Aria again from all directions. He''ll kick the ground and slip right through. "I''m not letting you go. I''m not going to waste any time here. "......! Adil was standing in front of me as I ran. I was so focused on avoiding Phis''s attack that my reaction was delayed. (You can''t avoid it--) Aria holds up her dagger to block the huge sword that is about to be swung down. If she can''t block it, she will surely die. However, Aria''s dagger is not suitable for defense. She can either cut it down or take it out with two daggers. Either way, her options were limited. "It''s over! Instantly, a thunderbolt struck between the two of them. Adil reacted immediately and moved backwards. Aria immediately understood who the magic belonged to. The blonde haired girl landed in front of Aria. It was the girl Aria had been trying to protect - Iris herself. "Iris-- Why are you doing this? When she called out her name, Iris interrupted her and raised her voice. Aria''s body trembled with fear. She could hear the anger in Iris''s voice. But Iris quickly exhaled loudly and said "...... I''m sorry. I got you into this. "...... No. I was trying to protect Iris. I know. I didn''t want to push Aria too hard because of ...... her feelings. But it''s okay now. There was no hesitation in Iris''s expression. Ever since this morning, Aria had sensed it. The subtle changes she could tell from being with him all the time - he seemed to have gotten better after talking to Alta. She could see Arutha coming from behind her. I thought I could fight alone. But Aria notices that she''s somewhat relieved. "Fiss, you take care of Alta Schweizer. I''ll kill them. "Yes, sir. Good luck. "Don''t pray. I don''t need it. The two swordsmen started to move. Adil stood in front of Iris and Aria, while Phis went towards Arta. Adil stands in front of Iris and Aria. Aria holds her dagger, but Iris stops her. Aria, please step back and let the doctor-- "Long time no see, Iris Reinfell. "...... What? I''m not sure what you''re talking about. It seems that he did not immediately understand what he was saying. I''m not sure what he meant by that either. The words alone sounded as if they had happened before. I''m not sure what you''re talking about. "That voice, it''s ....... "Iris ......?¡¡What''s wrong? I''m not sure. If you''ve become known as the "Princess of the Sword," have you managed to surpass your father? Adil smirked. Adil smirked. Aria could see that Iris''s expression was changing to one of anger. 35 35. As Kenseihime It was when Iris was still a child. It didn''t matter if it was morning or night. It didn''t matter if it was morning or night. Because he was a child, he could get lost in anything that interested him. "Father!¡¡Where are you? Iris was running through the house, looking for her father. The sun was already setting, but Iris was still moving around, looking for her father, Garlo, who was supposed to have returned. Even the servants were familiar with her appearance. The young Iris has a talent for swordsmanship. Garlo had approved of it. It was precisely because of this that Iris knew from that moment on that she wanted to be a better swordsman than her father. The sound of metal clashing reached Iris'' ears. It was coming from the garden. It must be Garro practicing his swordsmanship. Thinking this, Iris quickly runs. "Father-- Iris! As she steps out into the garden, she hears Garlo''s voice. Garlo moves to protect Iris, and a man behind him brandishes a sword. --The next thing you know, Garlot is lying on the ground, motionless. When I touched him, I could see the slick, red blood. It didn''t feel real, and Iris forgot to scream. A man stands over Iris, looking down at her. The man stands looking down at Iris. "You''ve done a boring thing, showing an opening to protect your daughter. What, and ......? Little girl, that man kept you alive. The next time we meet, ...... you''re going to have to entertain me, and you''re going to have to be strong. The man touched Iris'' head and smiled at her. I can''t see his face, but I remember his voice well. We talked only a little, but there was no way I could forget. The voice of the man who killed Garlo. It wasn''t until after the man was gone that Iris let out a cry of grief. Since Garlo''s death, Iris has changed. It doesn''t matter if it''s a rainy day or a stormy day. She swung her sword with single-minded devotion. At the age of ten, she won a swordfighting tournament in which adults also participated. She always had two feelings in her mind. To gain the strength to protect others, and to gain the power to exact revenge. It''s something she''s been struggling with for a long time, but when she meets Alta, Iris is able to put an end to her feelings. I''m sorry. You are ....... "Do you remember? Iris stared at the face of the man - Adil. The robe hid his face from view, but his voice made it clear. This is the man who killed Garro that day. "You killed my father, ......! I''m not sure what to do, but I''m not sure what to do. Iris''s face is filled with anger. Her whole body overflows with magic power, and the magic power turns into an electric shock. The magic of lightning - that is the magic that Iris is best at. "That''s some good magic. I''m sure you can entertain me a bit. ......! "Iris, calm down. Aria stops him. But she can''t reach him now. In her head she knows. If he fights out of anger, Iris will definitely lose. Iris knows that even if she fought properly, she would not be able to win. That is why Iris once suggested that Aria stay back. But now, she is stuck. The man who killed my father is right in front of me, and there is no better time than now to avenge him. "Avenge my father: ......! Iris is ready. The magic power concentrates in her right arm and a magic circle unfolds. We''re in a tense situation. It was the moment when they were about to cross swords immediately. "Iris! ! A voice that seemed to shake the air made Iris''s body tremble. It was not a voice with the usual calm atmosphere. It''s not just Iris - Adil and even Aria turn their gaze towards the voice. "Schweizer, Doctor ....... The expression on his face is somewhat gentle and calm, as usual. There was a figure of Arta, standing facing Phis. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. I''m sure that''s not why you''re here, Iris. It''s ....... It may be impossible to remain calm. It may be impossible to remain calm, but your actions may put someone else in danger, not just you. "! Alta''s words made Iris notice. It''s a good thing that you''re not the only one who''s in danger if you act inappropriately. What Iris has chosen to do is to become stronger in order to protect someone else. She chose to come here so that she would not put anyone else in danger anymore. Alta''s words reminded her of that. ...... I''m sorry, Aria. I''m so upset. No, it''s okay. Exhaling heavily, Iris looked at Adil again. The anger wasn''t completely gone - but he was able to look at the other man calmly. I think I would have enjoyed the beastly look you had earlier. I''m sorry, but I''m not here to entertain you. "Well... Fis. Yes. As if following Adil''s words, Fiss draws his sword. Iris and Aria brace themselves, but no attack is forthcoming. I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not, but it''s a good idea. I''m here on business. I''m here on business, too. I''m here on business too. Iris Reinfell: ...... I''ll kill you here. The goal is to split up Iris and Arta. I can''t go back and meet up with Arta anymore - or so I thought. "You think a wall of thread can stop me? "Yes. Well, at least no one has ever gotten through it. Why don''t you give it a try? I will. Alta moves without hesitation. I can feel the absolute confidence in her words - she''s probably going to fight while protecting Iris. But Iris can see that, too. But she also knows that if she''s going to take on these two swordsmen, it''s not safe for her to do so while protecting them. Please wait. You''ll have to deal with that woman. What?¡¡What are you--? Arutha looks at her. The expression on Iris'' face is different from before. It''s not filled with anger, but with a determination to fight. I''ve come here not only to be protected, but also to fight to protect those who may be sacrificed in the future. I''m here too. As if in response to Iris, Aria followed suit. For Alta, Iris alone is probably not enough. Aria, too, is here with the resolve to protect Iris. So for now, I accept it. We''ll fight Adil together. Are you done?¡¡I''m not going to wait for you. Let me have at least a minute of your time. "One minute. In Iris''s right hand, the magic power concentrates again. I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but it''s a good idea. You can find a lot more information on this at ....... Adil also seems to have noticed. The name of the sword is "Shiden" - it was left behind by Garro Reinfell. I swear before this sword now. I will defeat you as the Princess of the Sword. With that declaration, Iris wore the purple lightning. Aria also takes up her sword. The two of them stood side by side in front of Adil. Adil also smiles at the two of them. Adil smiles at them. Come on! That was the signal for the war to begin. 36 36.《Steel Sword》 Iris and Aria have begun to engage Adil. I am me, facing the woman in front of me - Fis. "Are you sure? Fiss suddenly asked me. What are you talking about? "There''s only one thing. The Sword Saint Princess and that girl will die. I didn''t expect that Fiss would say that to me. She''s also one of the Swordsmen. She''s definitely an enemy. --I also understand that Fis is not saying this out of concern for the two of us. As a bodyguard, my primary role is to protect Iris. If that''s the case, you should head over. If you say you can cut wards... That''s true. But as the Princess of the Sword, that''s what she said. I know Iris has been struggling with her own strength. What people expected from her words was too much. As a famous noblewoman, she was expected to become a king, and people thought that Iris was stronger than anyone else, that she was different from ordinary girls. But in reality, she is still the same. She is a hard worker who worries a lot and still tries to live up to the expectations of those around her. This Iris calls herself the "Saint Princess of Swords" and goes into battle. I''m a swordsman before I''m a knight. I''m not going to stop someone who is ready to fight. "Ruthless, isn''t it? Of course, I won''t force you to fight recklessly. Of course, I won''t make you fight recklessly. At the very least, you''re good enough to be here. So my role is to defeat you. After that, I''ll go to Iris and Aria. What if you don''t make it in time after fighting ...... me? I will make it. I''m not going to take the time to fight you for that. I was hoping that you would show me an opening. With a swoosh, Fiss lifts her sword. She''s been focused on killing me from the beginning. She has no interest in the fight over there either. Her words of concern for Iris and Aria were meant to sway me. Fis is probably more ruthless than anyone else in this situation. After a moment of silence, Fiss moved. "So, shall we meet our deaths? He pulls out his "sword without a blade". At the same time, I saw a thread begin to move around the area. I already knew this from the previous information from Remyll. The thread she uses is no ordinary thread - each strand is like a blade. I lower myself and start running. Her attacks from a distance are similar to the faults of the swordsmen I''ve fought before. The threads dance around Phis, spreading out to the surrounding area. When the thread snatches the wall, dust flies as if to shave it off. It''s not easy to get close -- so we''ll have to wait and see. "-- ! With a wave of his right hand, he unleashed Invisible. The invisible wind blade was sent out to Fiss. I had expected that it would either bind the threads or prevent them from being passed through the magic strongly. But Fiss did neither of these things. He moved his body almost at the same time as I attacked, and avoided the approaching blade. (That''s way beyond the realm of normal people. ...... Let''s check it out.) The second attack. The second strike. I ducked under the strings, closed the distance slightly, and fired. But the result is the same. Phis moves his body as if he has a premonition, and evades the attack. He leaps backward and once again distances himself. "That reaction time - it''s not very human. It''s like predicting the future. "Hmm, that''s rude of you. "Hmmm, you''re being rude. Predicting the future. ...... Do I look like a god or a demon to you? "No, you''re a human being. The only difference is that you don''t see anything. Or, to be more precise, we don''t see anything. "...... You notice that? I''m sure you''ve killed Azuma and Fault. Fiss smiles. She''s not squinting, she''s meditating. It''s not that she''s not looking, it''s that she can''t see anything - she''s blind. Of course you need to rely on visual information, but at your level, you''ll know. What you need more than anything is to feel the presence. I''m just many times better at it than others. The sixth sense-- that''s what I expected from Iris. The sixth sense is what I expected from Iris. Phis is blind, but her senses are light years ahead of normal people. "As long as you have sound and skin sensation, you don''t need eyes. In fact, I feel much better this way because I don''t have to look at anything. Did you destroy ...... yourself? No, not that either. There was a time when ...... I was called "Saint". I was tortured a bit at that time, and I''ve been blind ever since. It''s easy for Fiss to say that. Fis Maiden - we''ve learned a little more about her over the past week. Originally from a small village, she was given the task of being called a saint. The role was to ward off demons, but even with Fiss, the number of demons was increasing, not decreasing. That''s true--she was never gifted to be called a saint. It''s just that some villagers made her that way and made an ordinary girl take on that role. The "Sword Saint Princess" was just a role expected by the people. It must be very hard for her to be burdened with such a thing. The least I can do is to free her from that role. You think killing her is liberating? ...... Deep down, we all want to fight. I''m just trying to help. People who want to fight will go to the battlefield and I will clean it up and maybe one day there will be no more fighting. You guys are crazy after all. That''s the kind of people the Swordsmen are. If Iris is right and they are left unchecked, the damage will continue to increase. I''m a normal person. All I do is judge and kill in a normal and honest way. Fiss begins to move again. The thread is coming down on me as Fiss wills it. Attacks from a distance are ineffective. Not all of this thread extends from her blade. Fiss is not a pure swordsman, but a mage who uses strings. The Swordsmen are a group of assassins, that much is clear. Pulling away again, I stopped moving. "Huh, you can''t beat me that far away! Fiss made a gesture as if she noticed something. I''m not sure if it''s because I''m just standing there. Even though she was just standing there, she had lost sight of me. It''s amazing. It''s amazing how you can be so invisible. I don''t respond to Fiss''s words. Not breathing. Not even a hint of killing. All you need to do now is close the distance to Fiss. Move to my side of the line, ducking through the many rippling threads of attack. It''s not easy, but it''s not impossible. Keep your body movements to a minimum. Even the slightest touch of the thread will alert Fis to my location. "...... There was no urgency in Fiss''s expression. Rather than waving the thread randomly, she waited for me to come by draping the thread around her. All I can hear is the sound of Iris, Aria, and Adil fighting. I''m sure Fis isn''t listening to those sounds. He''s using all of his senses except sight to figure out where I am. In a matter of seconds, the moment arrived. "I''m really surprised. The girl before me was very good at masking her presence, but you are even better. Who the hell are you? I''m just a knight. Nothing more, nothing less. He replied to Phis''s words. I''m no more or less than a knight. "So your sword is faster than my thread from there? "Yes, it is. I''m pretty confident about my sword speed. I see. I''m also confident in my ability to control the string. Would you like to try it? Yeah, let''s do it. They started almost simultaneously. I wave my right hand and unleash the Invisible. The first shot is a diversion - she has enough reflex speed to dodge at this distance. The second blow is the real deal. A hidden blade that is released the moment the first strike is fired. By aiming slightly to the left of Fiss, I aim for her to avoid to the right. "--Huh. ! But Fiss did not avoid the first blow. She didn''t avoid it on purpose. I expected her to dodge and then counter, but that would make it easier for me to avoid the attack. In order not to give him the slightest opportunity, Fis deliberately decided to take the attack and turn it into an attack of his own. While being attacked by me, he smiled and waved his hand. Threads came at me, covering my surroundings. My "Steel Thread Sword" - from here, you won''t be able to avoid it. ......! "No, you don''t have to avoid it. No need to avoid it." With his left hand, he pulled out the blue armored sword on his waist. A flash of lightning--my sword clashed with a wall of looming thread. The sound of metal scraping echoed around me, and sparks flew. I take another step forward. I am undaunted by the looming threads. A loud bang echoes through the area. The threads fluttered around me. It was almost an instant in time. The severed threads cut the surrounding area with their own momentum. It was powerful enough to cause bleeding just by grazing the cheek. At the same time, the surrounding area was splattered with the fresh blood of Fis. "You said it first. You said in the beginning that you could easily cut through my wall of thread. "It''s not easy. I used a lot of magic power. My Hekko sword is made of a hard material, but even so, it doesn''t mean that it won''t spill. It''s hard enough to cut with a little extra magic. I''m sure you''ll be able to find something that works for you. I''m not sure if you''ve seen this before, but I''m sure you''ve. After saying all that, Fiss fell down on the spot. In a melee, her power could certainly be more threatening. I think Iris knew this and wanted me to fight her. "...... Well, I''m used to risking my life. Now, there''s only one left. The only remaining swordsman was Adil Gratz - I left the fallen Fis behind and ran off. 37 37. Battle of Illis The swords of Iris and Adil crossed. The impact of the collision causes a rumbling sound to emanate from the surroundings. Adil pours his magic power into the great sword and slams it down like a mass. On the other hand, what Iris is wearing is magic power converted into lightning. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. I''m not sure what to say. Adil''s expression clouded slightly. I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that. Aah! He kicked the ground and tried to push Adil away. But Adil puts his foot down and holds back. Adil has the advantage in a simple push. "Iris, I got it. I''ll take care of it. The two are at odds. A black hole appears at Adil''s feet. Adil tries to move backwards. Iris doesn''t let him get away with it. The two of them are fighting it out. "Huh-- One breath. In the meantime, Iris'' sword strikes again and again. Adil minimizes the movement of his blade to block them. The moment you finish a series of blows - that''s when you counter. "...... ha! Iris lets out a big breath. The barrage was broken. Adil takes a step forward to go on the offensive. It was Aria''s job to fill the small gap. She rushes out from behind Iris and unleashes a sword attack on Adil. Two daggers are used in a high-speed sword fight. What Aria is aiming for is not a fatal wound - even if it is not fatal, the damage will leave an opening for Adil. Iris took that opportunity to catch her breath and start moving. At that moment. "Haaaaah! ! With a yell, Adil swung his sword wide. Aria falls backward. The ground around Adil cracks and the atmosphere trembles. The ground around Adil cracks and the air shakes. The minute is long gone. "...... Well, they make a good pair. You''re both strong. I''ll take that as a yes. Yeah, do that. I miss the way you wear your thunder. It''s like looking at your father. The purple lightning comes from the ore produced inside the Violet Dragon used as its material. It is said that the material that is tinged with lightning alone is so strong that even touching it causes numbness, and only those who can withstand the lightning can handle it. Even those who are good at lightning magic find it difficult to handle. But Iris had mastered it. The electric current that flows through the body also strengthens one''s own physical abilities. Now, Iris was able to exert more than double her normal strength. He held up his sword and asked Adil. "...... Did you kill my father because he asked you to? No, at the time I was genuinely curious about the abilities of the man called ...... the most powerful man in the kingdom. I thought maybe that''s where I''d find what I''m looking for. ...... No, thank you. I''m sure you''ll be happy to know that defeating you will put an end to all of this for me. As long as no one asked my father to assassinate me, that''s fine. For Iris, defeating Adil would be avenging her father. Iris and Aria stand side by side, weapons at the ready. The two of them had the upper hand at the moment. Adil''s greatsword was powerful enough to shatter the ground - it was a threat, but not one that Iris could not defend against. The sword strike was not fast, and Iris and Aria''s level was enough to avoid it. As long as it stays like this. ...... I must admit, I underestimated them a bit. It was Alta Schweizer who defeated Azuma and Fault. Or should I say, exceeded my expectations. "...... Expectations, huh. As I said before, I''m not fighting to entertain you - I''ll decide next time, Aria. "Yes, I will. Aria replies to Iris'' words. The two were about to make their move again. "If you''re going to ......, you''re going to have to endure one minute. "Ah! The ground in Adil''s vicinity cracked. Adil''s whole body erupted with magic power, and the momentum shattered the ground. It was as if a typhoon was approaching, and a roaring sound echoed throughout. "Let''s go! The next moment, Adil began to move with the earth shaking. The sound was caused by the impact of kicking the ground. When I came to my senses, I saw Adil in front of me. (The magic power from the sword is also ......!) I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not, but it''s a good idea. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m sure I''ll be able to do it. "Aria!¡¡Behind you! Iris raised her voice. He signaled for her to move backwards. You''ll be able to find a lot more than just a few of them. "......! But it cannot be prevented. She is sent flying backwards with her body. And Adil moves in to follow. "You didn''t last ten seconds. "I won''t let you. Aria stepped in between Iris and Adil. You can''t prevent Adil''s attack with a dagger - Aria knows that. She bends low, and then, like Adil, spurts out her magic power and leaps forward with great force. Adil''s greatsword and Aria''s dagger overlap. --At the same time, Adil''s sword exploded. "Aria! Aria''s slender body is blown away. It''s not just a simple outpouring of magic power -- Adil is also transforming the magic power to create an explosion. Aria was slammed straight into the wall with great force. "Kah, that''s ....... I''m sure you''ll be able to figure out what''s going on. But she won''t be able to move for a while. It''s finally one-on-one, the Princess of the Sword. Iris distanced herself from Adil. In addition to her overwhelming power, she can move faster than Iris. But it''s definitely not the type of fight that can go on for a long time. If he is constantly consuming magic power, then Iris still has a chance to win. (...... now I''m going to focus on evasion and defense and aim for a definite blow--) When I was convinced that I could do it, that''s when I saw it out of the corner of my eye. You''ll be able to see the frightened girl hiding behind a building in the corner of your eye. (Why are you here? !). Iris finally realized. The scene of the battle with Adil was already far away from the operation area. (If you can''t avoid it, then you can''t avoid it. (If you can''t avoid it, then you have to take it. ......!) I''m not sure if you''ve heard of it or not, but I have. The purple glow grows stronger, and the sound is deafening. Adil''s sword accelerates as it explodes - the lightning and explosion collide, creating a huge blast. Adil is flung backwards and looks at Iris. I''m not sure how anyone could take that seriously. I''m not sure if it''s a good idea. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re doing. You can find a lot of people who are interested in this kind of thing. A large burn mark was visible on his right hand. Iris kneels down on the spot. "...... You and your son did the same thing. How dare you protect your child? Adil also noticed the girl behind Iris. The frightened girl is just trembling on the spot. It seems that she can''t even run away. In front of the girl, Iris stands up again with a smile on her face. What are you laughing at? ...... No, because if I did what my father did, I did nothing wrong. "Nonsense. That naivety in battle can be fatal. ...... But you don''t have to understand. Because this is where you will die. "....... Adil''s words were not answered by Iris. It''s a good idea to have a knight to protect you. (...... You''re still not trained enough to see what''s going on around you. I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that.) In the event you are not able to catch your breath, you can hold your sword. She forced her body to move so that the girl behind her would not be targeted. "Come on ......! I''ll give you credit for having the mental fortitude to say that. I''ll finish you off next time. Adil rushes forward. He drew his greatsword and closed in on Iris. You can''t stop me again. Iris knows that. But all Iris could do was grab her sword and fight. Adil''s sword swung down, but it did not hit Iris. Adil''s sword swings down, but it doesn''t hit Iris. The sword goes sideways and gouges the ground, causing an explosion. Iris lost her balance and almost fell, but there was someone to support her. The next three blows - the "Wind Blade" was fired at Adil. Adil leaps backwards. Adil''s sword was flicked by the boy''s unleashed sword strike. "Dr. Schweizer, ......? "Sorry, I''m late. The boy--Alta Schweizer--answers. It was the first time I felt such a sense of relief. If you''re here, that means ...... Fiss is dead. "Yes, you are the last. Alta holds up his sword. The youngest knight and the last of the Swordsmen faced each other. 38 38.Kensei I stand in front of Adil, sword at the ready. Adil also has his greatsword at the ready. Neither of us moves immediately. "Does it hurt? "...... No, I''m fine. You''ll be able to find a lot more information on the web. Aria also seems to be conscious and will be able to move in a little while. I''m not sure if you''ve ever heard of this, but I''m sure you have. ...... I''m sorry. I was entrusted with the task. I think she''s trying to say that she couldn''t win. But I also know the reason why Iris was injured. It''s never wrong for a knight to do that, but more importantly, it''s never wrong for a human being to do that. It''s not something to apologize for. It''s nothing to apologize for. "But ......!¡¡If it weren''t for you, I''d be ......! Iris''s sorrowful voice reached my ears. She must have had that feeling in her heart for a long time. If it weren''t for me, she would have died the first time she was attacked. If it weren''t for me, she wouldn''t have survived the current battle--I''m sure that''s all she could think about. Because she called herself the "Sword Saint Princess," she doesn''t rely on anyone. From the beginning, there was no one for Iris to rely on. Having become the strongest in the kingdom and being expected by the people, Iris probably had no one to rely on in battle. Then there is only one thing I can say. "You don''t have to think about what it would be like without me. Because I''m here. "......! I know you''ve always tried to be strong without anyone to rely on. But you and Aria are training with swords - there must be someone you can rely on, no matter how little. "Someone you can rely on. ...... I''m sure you can find someone you can rely on. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. She only has a few people she can truly rely on. "Mr. Iris, I''ll make you a promise. A promise? ......? Yes. I will defeat that man. Because I''m stronger than him. And I hereby declare that I am the strongest man in the kingdom, stronger than you. "......! My words were met with a look of surprise from Iris. Yes, there was no one beside Iris to say the words. Then all I can do is prove it. I''m sure you''ll be happy to know that there are knights in this country who are stronger than anyone else, who can''t be beaten. More than me? Yes. More than my father? ......? Yes. I nodded and answered the question as if to confirm. It is a word that denies the most powerful princess in the kingdom, the Princess of the Sword. But what Iris needs now is that word. I continue with my words. "As long as I''m a knight, think of me as the strongest in this country. Here is someone you can count on. One day, when you become ...... the "strongest" sword saint princess in the true sense of the word--then you can protect me. So you can rely on me, at least for now. "Schweizer, sir-- Iris clenches her fists. Just for now, I''ll make a place where Iris can rely on me. There''s only so much I can do, but at least I can do that. That''s what I''m supposed to do as a knight, as a teacher, and above all as a sword master. By nature, I don''t think I''m suited for this kind of role. It''s something I''ve been thinking about since I got involved with Iris. As if her suppressed emotions were overflowing, Iris let out a few words. I''ve always thought that I shouldn''t rely on anyone. I''ve always thought that you should never rely on anyone.¡¡But if you can help us, even if it''s just for now, please help us. ......! "Yes, I''ll help you. I''m your guardian and your master. When he finally managed to squeeze out his voice, he placed a hand on Iris'' head to gently pat her. At that moment, Adil begins to move. "Are you finished?¡¡Alta Schweizer. You''ve been waiting for me, haven''t you? Pull it out. He''s ...... horrible, as if he''s in the moment. Adil has been watching me for an opening. You can find a lot of things that you can do to make your life easier. It was a mistake not to do it now. You should have come even if you didn''t have a chance. "No, to tell you the truth, I''m in a rage. Iris Reinfell covered for her child, but ...... it was still a fun fight. Now you may have a better fight than that. "So you''ve been watching them?¡¡They really are a bunch of fighting lunatics, aren''t they? "Ah, that''s the Swordsmen! Adil kicks the ground. Adil kicks the ground. I start moving at the same time. Adil holds up his greatsword, and I wield the Invisible. I use the invisible Blade of Wind as a check. "The next move. I''ll be watching! The sound of the wind cutting through the air overlaps and hits Adil. What reached Adil were dozens of wind blades. He used his large sword as a shield to block them, but Adil''s body fell backwards. Adil is a pure power type, so I have the advantage in attack. "Oh, oh, ......? You can''t just block the front. Oh! While Adil is being hit by the wind blade, he moves from the right with his sword. A horizontal flash -- Adil swings his sword to drown out everything. Take a step back to avoid it. Adil''s sword was creating an explosion of magical power. It is dangerous to engage in fierce combat. If that is the case, I will fight with all my might. I will sit down and take a stance. Putting everything into my sword speed, I swung my arm. I create multiple blades of wind at a speed beyond what the average person can see. With a roar, the wind blades strike Adil. I''m not sure what to make of that. As if to drown out the wind blade, Adil swung his greatsword again. The earth splits open and a huge blast engulfs the surrounding area. I''m not sure what to make of that. The distance is a few meters. My gaze met Adil''s. I strike Adil, who has already taken a defensive stance, with a series of blows. If the effect of the Blue Armor Sword passes, no magic will flow to Adil''s sword - but Adil smiled. I''m sure you''ll be able to find a way to avoid it. I don''t know... Adil plunges his greatsword into the ground. The area around him glowed strongly and caused a huge explosion. "Dr. Schweizer... I heard Iris''s voice, and then it was cut off. The ground cracks and my body softly flies through the air. (...... here) The water supply for King''s Landing is provided by flowing through this underground aqueduct. This was just a large hollow space. In the darkness, I landed. All I could hear was the sound of crumbling rubble and flowing water. And the sound of Adil''s greatsword. The sound of metal scraping against metal echoes. Despite the darkness, Adil swung his sword. I jumped backwards once, pushed by the momentum. ...... No one will disturb us here. That''s surprising. I didn''t know you were so worried about that. I''m going to blow people away when I get serious. ....... I don''t want you to be so worried about your surroundings that you can''t fight for real. You want to fight me for real? Of course. You defeated Azuma, you defeated Fault, and you defeated Fiss. You are, without a doubt, the man who will be my enemy. I don''t care what you do. ...... I''m going to fight you for real! At the same time, Adil released his magic power. I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but it''s a good idea. I could tell that she was putting all her energy into this fight with me. Do you want to fight someone so strong? Yeah, that''s what I''ve been looking for. I''ve been looking for it for a long time. I''ve fought and fought ...... and still there was no one stronger than me. I''ve always thought that if the Sage of Swords, Raoul Isaruf, was still alive, he would have been able to give me the fight I wanted. "-- Adil''s words were as if he were looking at his former self. In the midst of the daily battle, the fear that there would soon be no one stronger than him. The fear that there will be no one stronger than you. --I didn''t have enough reason to get stronger and keep fighting. (That''s why I thought I''d earn the money early this time to do what I wanted to do: ......) I''ve found another thing I want to do. I wanted to see how Iris would develop. Now I have a reason to fight in that sense. What''s up?¡¡Alta Schweizer. Put up your sword. I''m going to kill you with everything I''ve got. "Yeah, I''ll do that, too. No one will see you here. "...... What? I stabbed my azure sword into the ground and took out a piece of paper from my pocket. I''m not sure what to do with it. With a ray of light, a sword appears in my hand. When Adil sees it, his eyes widen. "...... That sword is ......! Even in the dark, the beautiful blade shines with silver. The double-edged sword becomes thinner and sharper towards the tip. It''s a great way to get the most out of your time and money. The Silver Spirit Sword is the sword that belonged to the Sword Saint, Raoul Isaruf. Why do you have it ......? The answer is simple. Because it''s my sword. What do you ......? Adil''s face lit up with a look of surprise. As if he realized something, he continued to speak. You''re not ...... I''ve promised you that I will win. I will fight you with all my might in the name of the Sword Saint. What I put into my words is my determination. It''s a sign of my determination that I will definitely defeat Adil here since I call myself the Sword Saint. 39 39.Silver Spirit Sword "Ha--hahahahahaha! Adil''s laughter echoed in the basement. Adil''s laughter echoed underground. The fact that such a phenomenon could occur without movement was a sign of Adil''s abnormality. I''m not going to believe that I''m going to believe that I''m going to believe that I''m going to believe that I''m going to believe that ....... You think you''re the Sage of Swords? "Yes, I am. A former sword saint, I suppose. I''m just a kid now. If Raoul Isarulf were still alive, he''d be over 60 years old. You can''t be a sword saint. I know that, but it makes sense. Your swordsmanship proves it - reincarnation is an impossible phenomenon. But ...... Adil swings his greatsword and takes a stance. It doesn''t matter. Let''s just enjoy the moment. ......! So that''s what the Swordsmen are all about. That''s right! Adil moves. Adil moved. He spewed out a large amount of magic power and accelerated his greatsword. I hold up my sword and fight back. I''m not sure what to make of it, but I''m sure it''ll be fine. "! There''s nothing to be surprised about. I just parried it. If the swords touch each other, Adil''s magic will react and cause an explosion. But the direction of the explosion can also be changed depending on how it is received - once you know the characteristics, it is not difficult to cut off the magical effect. "Huh! Adil raises his sword. I dodged it by kicking the ground. At the same time, he unleashes two blows with the Wind Blade. Adil''s magical power cancels out the Wind Blade. It''s as if she''s wearing solid armor. Then, the third blow - whenever the blade of wind approaches Adil, it explodes when it touches the magic power it is clothed with. Not only the blade of magic power, but as long as Adil is releasing magic power, it may be difficult to even touch him. Adil kicks the ground to close the distance. They began to slash at each other, both within arm''s reach. Each time he parries, a blast envelops his surroundings. "Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa! Adil shouted and continued to swing his greatsword. His movements were flawless, and he continued to fight as if he was genuinely enjoying himself. --If I had only been looking for a strong opponent, I might have ended up like Adil. That''s why it''s my role to stop him. After many exchanges of sword blows, we both stepped away from each other. Adil, breathing on his shoulder, smiled. It''s a good thing I''m not the only one who can''t reach you," he said. It''s great, it''s great,......, Alta Schweizer!¡¡You''re a sword saint,...... I''ll give you that. And then I''ll kill you! "Will that satisfy you? It will!¡¡I''m fulfilled now. The reason I created the Swordsmen was so that I could fight the powerful. ......!¡¡I thought there was no one I could count on anymore, but now I''ve met you ....... I''ve never been happier! Even if you win, what do you get out of it? I don''t know. ...... But that''s the kind of strength I''m looking for. You know where it''s going. ......! ...... Yes, I do. But you''ll never know what''s beyond. I''m stronger than you, no matter how long it takes. Not yet. Fighting you makes me stronger... I''m stronger by fighting you--" Having said that, Adil looks as if he''s noticed something. "Is your magic power decreasing? He mumbled to himself. Adil''s gaze turned to the Silver Spirit Sword I was holding. I''m not sure what to make of it. "...... are you being sucked in? I''m sure you''ve noticed. I''m not sure what to make of it. I''m not sure what to make of it, but I think it''s a good idea. The more time that passes, the more the Silver Spirit Sword I carry takes away the magic power of those around me. --I''m not an exception. I''m already consuming a lot of magic power. It''s time for me to go. The silver blade of the Sage of the Sword ...... is famous for its beauty, but few know the power it holds. That''s true. Whenever I''ve fought with this sword in my hands, I''ve always buried my opponents. You are no exception. If both of us continue to lose magic power, eventually all that will be left is the sword in our hands and our own bodies. I point my sword at Adil and say. In the end, the only thing left to fight with is your weapon and your body. It''s a way of fighting that a man who fought only with his sword has arrived at. If there''s one thing you can do to win, it''s this moment. I''m not sure what to say. Adil is running. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m going to do it. I wrapped my sword in wind and parried the blow. Even with the onslaught, Adil''s sword strike never reaches me. The emphasis on firepower makes it easy for me to pass the blow. Soon, both of us were running out of magic power. When Adil''s magic power was gone, my sword strike reached him. "Ah! It grazed his shoulder, and Adil took a step backward. But he immediately swung his greatsword with all his strength. I catch the sword and cut it off. If I take it seriously, I''ll probably dislocate or break a few bones--without magic, my body is only as strong as my age. However, I have the experience and skills that I have cultivated in my previous life. Haa! "Huh... After a breath, I countered Adil''s sword with my own. --The swords clashed with each other. With no magic power in either of us, the fight continues with pure swordsmanship. When Adil swung his sword, I saw an opening and unleashed a blow. Adil does not take it seriously. He takes a step backward and accelerates his movement by kicking up his greatsword. He holds his sword vertically and catches Adil''s greatsword. Adil''s body was thrown off balance by the momentum. In that instant, I flipped Adil''s sword and went into his pocket. Our gazes crossed, and my sword sliced through Adil. "...... Nuh-uh! Adil''s eyes widen. A deep blow to the heart. Adil tries to fall down, bleeding profusely, but he puts his foot forward and endures. I could see that Adil wanted to continue the fight even though he was mortally wounded. As they faced each other, Adil smiled. "Ha, ha ......, that''s extreme. It''s been a long time since I''ve fought with only a sword. I haven''t fought with only a sword in a long time. It would be a shame for me to collapse from a wound like this. "No, you''ve reached your limit. No!¡¡This is where it all begins. ......!¡¡I don''t care if it''s a fatal wound!¡¡Until I die - or even if I die, I''m going to beat you ......! No longer a delusion. I''m not sure what you''re talking about. I tighten my grip on my sword. The silver blade shone with a strong glow. "Then there''s only one thing I can do. Take it as a gift. "...... what? Is that ...... magic power? It''s no wonder Adil was wondering. The magic power of the silver spirit sword is nothing compared to what Adil had just shown. You can see it shaking the air and distorting the blade. The Silver Spirit Sword is not just a sword that sucks in magic power -- the magic power it sucks in continues to accumulate inside this sword. The more people I defeat, the more magic power is stored in this sword. Raul Isaruf, the Sword Saint, never used this magic power. After all, he has won victories with swordplay alone. But I''m a little different... I raise my sword. I only released a fraction of the magic I had stored up. But it''s still powerful enough to bury Adil. "There''s a girl waiting for you upstairs. I''m going to use this technique for the first time. "Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh! Adil starts to move with a yell. His body was covered by the blow I had delivered. "Oh, oh, ......, this is my-- In the next moment, a silvery light took over the darkness of the underground space. 40 40. Fulfilled Promises Iris watched as a silvery light flooded out of the crumbling ground. Iris had no idea what was happening. But one of them must have struck a blow with all their might - or so it seemed. "Where''s the doctor? It was Aria who called out to him from behind. Aria, who had just recovered, was taking the girl that Iris had protected to safety. I don''t know. I don''t know, but that blow might have settled it. Yeah. Aria heard this and sat down beside Iris. It''s better to stay away, just in case. "Then why are you waiting with me? "Because Iris doesn''t listen to me when I say so. ...... Yeah, I''m sorry. No problem, dessert''s on me. I''m sure you''ll have a great time. Even if it wasn''t Arta who came back, Iris had to settle the score here. That''s why she didn''t move from here. For a few minutes, time passed without anything happening. And then - bam - there''s a loud bang in a nearby building. ! Iris and Aria reacted and prepared themselves. A second or third sound, and then the door is slashed open. The one who emerged from the door was Arta. I see, the underground ladder leads to here. "Dr. Schweizer! Iris got up and tried to go to Arta, but she couldn''t get up. She realizes that she has more damage than she thought. Arutha comes running over to Iris and Aria. You''ll be fine. Did you win, doctor? "Of course, I promised you. Aria''s words are answered with a nod from Arta. That promise was to help Iris. The only person in this country who could really accomplish such a thing against the ¡¶Swordsmen¡· would probably be Arta. Thinking of this, Iris couldn''t help but smile. (Really, you''re much better than I am... no, that''s why I tried to get you to teach me. I knew that from the first time we put our swords together. I knew from our first sword fight that Alta was much stronger than Iris. "Well, sir, how can I put this: ...... When he saw that Arutha was safe again, he couldn''t put it into words. He took a deep breath and calmed himself down. Then, Iris continued to speak. Dr. Schweizer, thank you so much for ....... I''m sure my father will be rewarded for this. You don''t have to thank me. I only did what I could do as a matter of course. ...... You are amazing after all. You said that I don''t need to aim for your strength, but I want to aim for that strength. I want to have my father''s will so that I can reach the same heights as you. Iris said, clearly. I don''t just want to be like Alta. He really wanted to become a knight like his father, so that he could stand alongside Arta - or even surpass her. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. If that''s your goal, I''ll support you. You are also my student, so I think I can at least help you with your career path. "There''s no such thing as career advice in this situation. But thank you. Iris and Alta smile at each other. The battle is now over. "Well, the knights will be here soon. Iris and Aria need to get medical attention as well. I''m fine, okay? Just in case. Um, is the doctor at ......? I''m fine. He''s not going far. I just have some things to collect. "What do you need to retrieve, ......? Iris asked. Alta nodded his head and looked away. It''s not my job to do the rest, though. It''s not my job to do the rest," he muttered. In a room in the palace. In a room in the royal palace, Zail Tiroque was frustrated. You can find a lot of people who are looking for the best in the world. I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that Iris is safe and sound.¡¡What are you doing, you incompetent bastards? ......! They''re just paid assassins, that''s all...and they''re taking it out on things as they spit. I''m not sure what to make of this. Swordsmen are nothing but a name. ...... I''m not sure what to make of this. If nothing is done at this time, the investigation will not reach Zale even if he is suspected--some knights of the Guardian Order are cooperating with Zale. I''m sure he''ll be able to get you to agree. I''ll report back. What''s ......?¡¡Why are you here now? The person who suddenly appeared was a member of his own unit. Zale can tell by the pattern on the mask. In reality, it''s a unit made up of paid assassins. Her voice has been magically altered so that it is indistinguishable, but he can tell that she is a woman. She kneeled down and began to speak in a calm, explanatory tone. "Earlier, the two swordsmen were defeated-- "I heard that from the knights at the palace!¡¡There is no need for you to come and report to me now!¡¡The other assassins were all useless! I''m not sure what to make of that. In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site. I''m not a fan of incompetence, so I don''t like it. ...... I''m sure you''re aware of that. "...... what? Zale looks at the masked woman with an angry expression . The woman removes her mask. "Hey, you ....... I''m sure you''ll be happy to know that I''m not the only one. It''s not the assassin who was there - it was the leader of the Kuro Wolf Knights, Remyll Ein. I''m not sure if it''s a good idea or not. "What you just said is reflected in this crystal. It will be a confession that you have targeted Miss Iris Reinfell. What Remyll is holding is something that can record sound. She must have recorded her conversation with Zale. --the fact that you sent the assassin. You''re saying it''s a confession. ...... I''m saying it''s a confession. ...... I''m sure you''re aware that I was under suspicion. And this mask belonged to Fith Maiden, one of the Swordsmen. I think that''s more than enough reason to suspect you out in the open. "......! Zale wavered, feeling cornered. In the event that you''ve got any doubts, it''s not easy to get a hold of Zale, who is one of the candidates for the next king and the son of the current king. This led to the defeat of the swordsmen. You can come with me, can''t you? "...... No, I don''t think so... I''m not sure what to do, but I''m going to do it. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re doing. You''re going to resist? "Of course!¡¡I''ll be caught in a place like this: ......!¡¡That''s absolutely not possible!¡¡You''ve been hit in the arm by that fizz,......?¡¡You''ll be able to get away on your own by using the hidden passages. After I kill you! Zale moves. I''m confident in my sword skills--so much so that if Iris wasn''t around, I''d have a shot at winning. He said that there was no reason why he should kill a wounded Knight Commander. But... "What? The next thing you know, Zale is slammed to the floor. He was taken by the arm and thrown to the ground by Remyll. He immediately tried to get up, but a sword was thrust under his neck. You seem to be overconfident in your abilities. You''re overconfident in your power and your skill with a sword. If you can''t use your dominant arm, it''s no problem for me to capture you. "......! "Well, I say again. Zeir Turok, you are in custody for the attempted assassination of Iris Reinfell. This has already been authorized by the King. Remyll''s words clearly told me this. After letting out a deep breath, Zale let go of his sword. --Thus ends the assassination attempt on Iris. The son of the current king had targeted Iris, the next king candidate, leaving a huge mark. 41 41. Escort of "Princess Kensei" It''s been a while since I''ve been to the Kuro Wolf Knights'' headquarters, the Knight Commander''s office. I''ve been guarding Iris and teaching at the academy for the last few years, so it can''t be helped. He sat down on the chair facing Remyll. Thanks to the mask you obtained, we were able to detain Zail Tiroque on suspicion of attempted assassination. But it''s not a charge, it''s already been confirmed. "So the Commander was investigating you. He wasn''t slacking off on the job. Hahaha, you''re harsh. I haven''t even healed my arm yet. I''m busy dealing with inquiries. Remyll said, showing off his bandaged right arm. The fact that she went to capture Zale in such a state is also typical of her. The attempted assassination of Zeir, the son of the current king, would naturally be a major incident if made public. There were some people within the Order who said that it should not be made public, but the King himself said that the fact should be made public, and now the fact was spreading throughout the country. You''re the one who should answer the questions. I have to talk to the other commanders. I have to talk to the other commanders. Well, I''m pretty much done in that area. Are you satisfied with the results? We''ve already asked for your help. It''s the Guardians that will be in trouble from now on. Some of the knights were cooperating with Zale, even though they were the knights involved in guarding the palace. The internal crackdown is about to begin. Zale''s capture is not the end of the story. It doesn''t mean it''s all over now that Zale''s been captured, but it does mean there''s no one left to go after Iris. Then, of course, my role will come to an end. So, you called me here to talk about a new mission? Do I look like I''m working you too hard? You look like you''ve taken on four Swordsmen almost single-handedly. Hahaha, that''s true. I''ll make sure to give you a special bonus! Thank you very much. It''s what I live for. ...... "You really don''t sound like a twelve-year-old. That''s one of the things I like about you. Money is never a problem. Well, I think I could have continued to work as a teacher for a while longer. After all, in addition to the knight''s salary, there is also the teacher''s salary - simply a lot of money. That was the first advantage, but ....... You''ve promised to teach Mistress Iris how to use a sword, haven''t you? As if she saw right through me, Remyll said that. She''s right, for me right now, it''s also about watching over Iris. She doesn''t need to be around all the time. I''m only a knight. If I had a job, that would naturally be my priority. And in the future I''ll buy a house in the country. The fact that you''ve decided to live in the country is new to me, but ...... let''s talk about the now instead of the future. "Haha, that sounds like the first thing I heard. Hahaha, yes. And I''m going to say the same thing. "...... the same thing? And I''m going to say the same thing." "The same thing?" Remyll replied, nodding with a smile. It was originally the intention of the Order to provide Miss Iris with an escort. I''m sure you''ll be pleased to know that I''m not the only one who''s a fan of your work. That''s right. So, if Iris is no longer being targeted, then my role is over, isn''t it? I''m sure you''re right, but I told you in the beginning.¡¡I told you in the beginning that I would like to have an escort for Miss Iris. She asked me if I would like to have an escort for Miss Iris. I understood what Remyll meant by that. It seems that my role is not over yet. I''ll be back. The rooftop of the school building - at dusk, the spacious grounds are dyed in vermillion and look beautiful. On such a place, there was Iris. Her injuries were still healing, and she had bandages on her arms and head. Because of the assassination attempt, she had become a bit of an outsider in the school. Of course, some people are worried about him. It''s going to be hard for a while. To her, I call out. I should say that I''m grateful that you''ve asked me personally. "Was it wrong to go to ......? Iris looks back at me and answers. No, not at all. I feel it''s progress that you feel you need an escort. I feel that you needing an escort is progress, because Dr. Schweizer told me that I could rely on ....... The expression on her face was somewhat embarrassed, a girl of her age. I guess she finally learned to rely on someone. If that''s me, fine. If that''s who I am, fine. ...... It''s probably best to keep my money-grubbing ways to a minimum, though. Anyway, I was appointed by Iris to be her bodyguard. As it turns out, the relationship is the same as before. I will continue to spend my time here as an instructor, but I will be by her side as a knight who protects her and a master who teaches her the sword. I mean, it''s annoying. No, you''re not. You''re still a student, a child. You''re still a student and a child. It''s normal to rely on someone. ...... I don''t think your teacher should be the only one to tell you that. Haha, I may be a kid, but I''m still a teacher here and a knight. I can''t argue with that, but ...... Anyway, you don''t have to worry about it. So, thank you again. He approached Iris and held out his hand. She nodded her head and took my hand. Hi. Nice to meet you, Dr. Schweizer. Finally, Iris smiled at me. Tomorrow, I will continue to teach swords to Iris and Aria, while thinking about my classes. It''s a life that I couldn''t have imagined back when I was called the ¡¶Saint of Swords¡·. --But I don''t feel bad. But I don''t feel bad about it. So, will Iris-san be helping me with my work from now on? Leave it to me!¡¡I''ll take care of all the paperwork. "No, I''m just joking. No, I''m just kidding. I''ll get angry. In this way, I became the true guardian of Iris, who is called the "Sword Saint Princess. I don''t know how long this will last, but even if I can''t be around her anymore, I''m going to watch over her. Until the day comes when she becomes a knight protecting this country. 42 42. Morning of the Aria --The first thing she saw was a wall of clear glass and a colored liquid. The girl woke up in a place where there were many similar objects. "-- (......?) Someone is saying something to the girl. It''s a child, if only in appearance. But the girl could not understand the words yet. Even so, the expression on the girl''s face was somewhat gentle. "-- A woman in a white coat called out to the child. The girl could only wonder. But then she remembers. (......This is my dream--) "...... The next thing she knows, she is in her room, on her bed. It''s a very good idea to have a good idea of what you''re doing. "Hmm ...... She stretched out once on the bed and got up with a bounce. Once off the bed, Aria flipped up the mat. --There were weapons lined up in a row. Not just the dagger Aria usually uses. There were foldable axes, serrated swords, and more. There are even small items such as kunai. I''ll take ...... today. I picked up a dagger. He grabbed a small bottle of liquid from the table and a whetstone. She sat down on the floor and began to clean the dagger. It''s one of Aria''s daily routines - she never misses a chance to take care of the weapons she uses. The way she uses it, she throws it away as if she were throwing it away. As she cleaned the dagger, she thought about her dream. --I miss it. I also think of my brothers. Aria was the youngest of them all. It''s been over three years now. (What''s with the sudden ......, oh well) Aria was unconcerned and concentrated on cleaning her tools. The sound of the grinding stone scraping the blade echoed. I''m not sure if you''ve seen this before, but I''m sure you have. "Yes... She threw a sheet of paper into the air. Aria swung her dagger and cut the paper in half. The paper was neatly cut in two and fluttered in the air. Aria nodded her head and took out a belted cover from the table. After attaching it to her thighs, stomach, and sides, she inserted several daggers into it. The daggers he had just cleaned were among them. He went straight to the wardrobe. Inside were the school''s official clothes and several of Aria''s personal clothes. All of them have been modified to make it easier to insert and remove weapons. In that sense, the school uniform is the most difficult to put in and out of the weapon. --However, it is forbidden to bring in dark weapons in the first place. But Aria doesn''t care about that. She put on her uniform and washed her face at the sink. After completing her preparations, she waits at the door of the room. "...... He listens carefully and hears footsteps. In three, two, one ......, I open the door with a bang. Just as Iris was about to knock on Aria''s door. I was surprised. ....... You do that sometimes, don''t you, Aria? Yes, I was in the mood to see Iris'' surprised face. "...... What kind of mood are you in? Well, okay. If you''re awake, let''s go to the school. Yeah, let''s go. Oh, wait a minute. You haven''t fixed your hair yet, have you? Then Iris takes a comb out of her bag. This was also part of our daily routine. Aria took care of her weapons diligently, but when it came to herself, she was notoriously careless. While Iris took care of her hair, Aria headed towards the school. It was not yet time for the students to head for the school building. They had promised to train in the morning at the training grounds for the first time in a long time. "Iris, are you okay? "Yes, it''s all better now. It''s been a while since we''ve practiced sword fighting, so today will be a good opportunity to get used to it. Yeah. I''ll go with Iris. Aria''s words were met with a smile and nod from Iris. It''s a morning like any other, and Iris and Aria''s school life is about to begin again. 43 43. Morning Training There were Aria and Iris in the training ground. Aria was holding a dagger and Iris was holding a fine sword as they faced each other. You don''t need to take it easy when you say you''re getting used to it. "No, I won''t. I won''t. That would make Iris angry. No, I won''t. I''m not mad at you. She says that, but she knows that Iris is very particular about her games. He doesn''t want her to cut corners, especially with Aria, because they are both so evenly matched. Recently, Aria feels that Iris is better than her in terms of ability, but... So, let''s go... With those words, Aria ran out. She held up her two daggers, crossed her arms, and lowered her posture. It was a form of observation, ready to respond to any move by Iris. On the other hand, Iris does not move immediately. He is waiting for Aria to come to him, because Aria has a lot of tricks up her sleeve, and Aria has the advantage in quickness of movement. (...... There is no waste of movement. There is no effect of the injury.) When it comes to getting serious, Aria is naturally concerned about Iris. We know that she is prone to recklessness, and it is because of her recklessness that she was injured. --There was a possibility that the fight with the Swordsmen would linger, but it seems that there is no need to worry about that. Aria closed the distance. The first blow -- a dagger and a small sword clashed. Even though they were both using simulated swords, the impact of the collision was real. Aria moves away and looks again. This time, Iris started to move. "Huh... A breath. Iris kicks the ground, closing the distance between her and Aria. The tip of the sword approaches her, and Aria turns her body as if dancing to dodge Iris''s sword strike. She then threw a dagger at him. Iris also moves as if she knew the attack was coming. She lowers her posture to dodge it, and Iris'' onslaught begins. (Thank goodness. She''s okay. (Thank God. It looks like she''s all right.) Aria thought absentmindedly as she blocked Iris''s attack. For the first time with two swords, Aria surpasses Iris''s sword speed - with only one sword, Aria is inferior to Iris''s sword speed. If they were both truly at their best, they would be wielding blades hidden under their uniforms. In other words, Iris would be wielding the "purple light". I have never fought with Iris that seriously. But at least now, Aria could see that Iris was not hindered by any injuries. "-- With a squeak, the dagger was flicked. Aria leaps with her hands on the ground. She twists a couple of times to get away from him, and then picks up the dagger on the ground. As soon as she picks it up, she stops moving, but Iris'' fine sword is right in front of her. They both stop moving. "...... I win, right? Yes, I lost. I''m glad you''re feeling better, Iris. Don''t worry so much. Don''t worry so much. I think I''m winning more matches than you did last time. I don''t think so. I''ve always had more wins than you. ...... I don''t think so. I had more wins than you, didn''t I? Iris asks, as if to confirm. Aria liked the fact that Iris always hated to lose. That''s why she said it in a deliberately agitated way. "Well, I don''t know. I''m not sure. There was a time when Iris was sluggish. I''m not sure. ...... I may have lost a lot at that time, but ....... I''m sure I still have more than you! "Well, let''s do it again and call it a win and a loss for today. You say, "....... That''s fine, we have time for one more game. And with that, they set their weapons on each other. Early in the morning - Aria and Iris had their second mock fight. ...... Needless to say, the result was that they were almost late in the morning. 44 44. Calling the Leader It has been more than a month since I was assigned to the Fiorum Academy. I''ve become accustomed to this life, and in the morning I go out of the teacher''s dormitory to do some light exercise. After that, I went to the school building and confirmed the homeroom report in the meeting. As usual, I report to homeroom. (......, Iris, Aria''s not here.) Aside from Aria, Iris is the honor student type. But she''s often late for school. I know why - she''s probably practicing her swordsmanship in the morning. Just as the bell rings to start homeroom, I hear footsteps running down the hallway. Safe. You''re just about there. Aria signs with her hands, but I tell her the truth. In the background, I see Iris fixing her messy uniform and catching her breath. I''m sorry I''m ...... late. I''m sorry I''m late for . Morning practice is important, but please don''t be late for homeroom. "Ugh, I''m so sorry ....... I''m really sorry. Iris bows her head with an apologetic expression. You''ll be able to find a lot more information on the web. Aria, on the other hand, returns to her seat with a languid expression as usual. When it comes to class, Aria is basically unmotivated. It''s an interesting combination of two people who at first glance seem to be complete opposites, but who usually act together. --The atmosphere of the class was returning to its previous state. The fact that Iris was targeted by an assassin was naturally a surprise and a shock. Conversely, as one of the Four Noble Houses, Iris was always in danger. It''s up to the classmates to understand this and how they treat each other. "Today''s message is about the test. In the event that you''ve got any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Can you ask Mr. Alta to help me? It''s not Arta, it''s the teacher. Some students in my class, or even in the school, call me ''Arta-kun''. I don''t feel bad about being called "Arta-kun", but as a teacher, I can''t afford to be lambasted by my students. ...... This is something that comes up in meetings from time to time. To put it simply, I don''t mind, but the school does a little. I think it''s a good thing ......, but I guess that''s an adult thing. I''m not sure what to say, but I''m going to try. I was just about to say that, when I felt Iris''s eyes on me more intensely. After-school rehearsals are still held on a regular basis. I guess Iris doesn''t want to reduce that time. But that doesn''t mean that she wants to interfere with the other students. This was evident in her expression. I''m not sure what to say, but I''m trying to hold back. (As usual, ......) I''m not sure what to say, but I''m going to say it. Yes, I''ll come talk to you! Me too! Me too! I''ll be waiting. I''ve gotten to know some of the female students this way, but I''ve never had a male student ask me about sword fighting. I can''t help but feel a little jealous of the fact that I mainly get along with the girls, but I''ve already said that. (Don''t be jealous of children, hmm?) Suddenly, I look out the window. A large tree can be seen from the classroom window. I see a bird perched on the branch of a tree that blooms peach-colored flowers in spring, soon to fall and prepare to welcome next year''s new students. It had blue feathers and a scarf around its neck. The bird is a small demon called "white-tailed". ...... The bird is obviously being kept by someone. It''s a small demon called a "white-tailed" bird that is obviously being kept by someone, because it is very friendly to people and is sometimes kept as a pet - I know that white-tailed bird very well. It''s a bird used to send messages from the Order of the Kuro Wolf. I was giving various messages to the students in homeroom, and now a message from the Order is coming to me. (I have a bad feeling about this. ......) (I''ve got a bad feeling about this...) When a message comes in unexpectedly like this, I usually have nothing but bad memories. (I have a bad feeling about this.) When I get a call like this, it''s usually not good for me. The fact that I''ve skipped this means that I''ll probably end up going to the Order''s headquarters after school today. It''s ......, but I have some business to attend to after school today, so I''ll see you later. "Oh, no. I was just going to ask you today. ...... The student who had just asked me a question said something like that. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m sure it''s a good idea. Next to Iris, I noticed that Aria was looking out the window. The person she was looking at was definitely a white-tailed deer. Aria is the type of person who doesn''t show any interest in anything, but I guess she knows that whitetails are not wild. This time she glanced at me and nodded her head. (...... No, no, no, I know. (No, no, no, no, I know. I know.) I''m sure you''ll be able to find something that will help you out. Today, after school, I decided to go to Remyll''s place. 45 45. Escaped Knight Chief It''s an auspicious gesture, coming on the day I summoned you. That''s my trusted knight, First Officer Alta Schweizer. How about a date afterwards? "Commander, all the members of the order were looking for the documents that were piling up just now. "Hahaha, that''s why you''re hiding like this. I''m not sure what to make of this. It should be your job as a commander to look over the documents submitted by the members of the order on a daily basis, but as soon as you arrive, you have to come to the warehouse, which can be called Remyll''s hideout. A few minutes ago, he was hugging his knees with a smug look on his face as he greeted me with a light-hearted "Hi," but now that he''s one of the country''s knight captains, I''m a little worried about his future. I''m sure you''re not the only one. But you found it right away, didn''t you? I have a pretty good idea where the Commander is hiding. I''m lucky to have such good men. I''m happy to have an excellent subordinate." "If you can call this excellent, you must have other excellent subordinates. ...... Anyway, what are you talking about? I ask Remyll. I''m sure it''s something to do with work, of course, since you called me. "Well, well. Let''s make some small talk. How''s school life these days? "How''s school life?" "School life, or lecturer life, or something like that. ...... Well, it''s the same as usual. There''s a test coming up soon, so the students are a little restless. "Mmm, a test. I''m sure you''ll have to concentrate on that, yes. I don''t think Miss Iris needs to worry too much, do you? She''s very good. She''s very good at what she does. She''s not only good at swordsmanship, but she''s also good at learning magic and other subjects. Hahaha, again, that''s unexpected. Don''t forget that you''ll still be with her as her bodyguard. I haven''t forgotten that. ...... Are you saying that there''s been another attempt on Iris''s life? No, that''s not what I mean. I see. I''m relieved for the moment. Because I could predict that calling me now would definitely be something related to Iris. But then I wondered if I had been summoned for something that had nothing to do with Iris. "Well, it has something to do with Miss Iris. Or perhaps I should say that it will be. "...... is relevant now? Yeah. You haven''t talked to her yet, but I''m sure she''ll take care of it. Someone from the Empire will be coming here soon. "The Empire?¡¡The Empire? I''m not sure what to make of it, but I''m sure it''s a good idea. In the event that you''re not sure what you''re looking for, you''ll be able to find a lot more information on the web. It''s been planned for a long time. It''s been planned for a long time," he said. "It''s one of the plans for ...... a real friendship between the Kingdom and the Empire, the two great powers. We are going to cooperate with the empire to hold an event, and we are coming here to inspect it. ...... We will need someone to do the introductions. The other side is also a nobleman, and we need to prepare a person of equivalent status? It''s a good thing you understand so well. On the imperial side, the top of the military, Miss Aena Baudel, daughter of Lord Rugal Baudel, will make her appearance. There will be other noble families and their branches following her, but she''s the biggest name of all. "So you''re saying that Iris will be the one to guide Master Aena? Of course, there are other candidates, but... Of the four noble families, Miss Iris is probably the most promising. The next best candidate would be Miss Marcia Follmann, who is currently the second best candidate. Or both. ...... Anyway, if Miss Iris takes the role, I''ll need to be there as well, is that right? That''s right. The most important reason for this is to protect Iris''s bodyguard - or rather, to make sure that no one from the Empire''s side will be harmed. I''m sure that if Iris didn''t take on this role, I wouldn''t have a job. (I''m sure she''ll take ......) That''s all I can honestly say. If you are thinking about the future of the kingdom and the empire, guiding people around the kingdom is one of the most important tasks. Although Iris herself doesn''t want to be a king, she would be the first to accept the offer if there is a possibility of deepening relations with neighboring countries as a nobleman and a knight. If you''re a guard, you don''t want to take that kind of risk yourself,......, but that''s just one guard''s idea. I''m sure you''ll get it,......, so I''ll tell you about it. I''m going to give you a hard time, too. If that''s the way you feel about it, you can always ask for a higher salary. You''re a first officer, you''re getting paid a good salary. Isn''t it enough for you? Are you a money man? Money is the one thing you can never have enough of, sir. That''s true, but don''t you think there are more important things in this world than ......? "......?¡¡What''s that? Love. Commander!¡¡Are you here? And then, the sound of a heavy pounding on the door reached his ears. Remyll''s body trembled with fear. It seems that the members looking for Remyll have found him. "Well, I didn''t expect you to be here in such a short time. ...... You''ve come a long way. This is no time for admiration. ....... You should be working. Sure, I''ll do it later. Of course I''ll do it later, but I''m not saying when. Even so, I don''t think you can get out of here. I''m here. Hey, ......, did you tell him where I was, ......? "Commander, if there is anything in this world more important than money, I know it too. I''m sure you''re not the only one. I want you to be a more trustworthy commander to your men. I want you to be a more trusted commander. ...... I think you''re still a trusted commander! I''m not sure what to do. He stood on top of a locker in the warehouse and began forcing open the ceiling wall. I''m sure you''ll be able to figure out what''s going on with Miss Iris. Remyll fled from the ceiling as if to leave a message. The structure is connected to the outside of the warehouse. ....... How badly do you want to get caught? ....... Well, we''ve sealed off all the exits. First Officer Alta Schweizer, thank you for your cooperation. Thank you for your cooperation, First Officer Alta Schweizer." "If we seal the ceiling, the Commander is already a rat in a bag. That''s how the woman greeted me when I opened the door to the warehouse. He is a good worker, but ...... he seems to have a habit of slacking off like this. I''m sure you''re busy with your work, so I can understand why you''re feeling this way, but it seems like it might be tiring for you. Perhaps Remyil is enjoying it as well, though. I also thanked the knight who came to pick Remyil up and left the place. My next job has a lot to do with the Empire, so I should probably start by talking to Iris when I get back. 46 46. Date Retry If that''s what you want, I''d like to take it. "Well, I guess you''re right. The next day, after school, I called Iris and talked to her, and she answered as expected. Is there something wrong? "Oh, no, not at all. I laughed and faked it. I didn''t expect him to say no either, and that was fine with me. It''s just that I had to participate inevitably. I''m sure Iris is capable of doing it, so it''s not a problem. (Expect a special bonus from .......) I''m hoping for the same. This is one of the most important missions, and if you succeed, you will be paid a good amount of money. ...... Be careful not to let Iris know that you''re a knight and all you think about is money. In the event that you''re in a position to make a decision on what to do, you''ll be able to do so with the help of a professional. I''m aware of that. Just ....... I know that, but ." Iris averts her gaze slightly and stops speaking. I''m not sure what to say, but I''m sure you''ll understand. "Just? "Well, you''re with Dr. Schweizer, right? Yes, he is. My role is only to protect you. Well, then, when you have time, you can train me at ....... Yeah, I knew that. It''s not that I''m not a good person, but it''s just that I''m not a good person. As for me, I feel very relieved because it''s just like Iris. "Of course, if you have time, that''s fine. It''s not like you''ll be there all the time. "Oh, thank you very much. That''s a relief. Relieved? No, no!¡¡It''s nothing!¡¡Anyway, are you going to practice with me today? Oh, I''m just here to talk about it. "I see. ...... I''m not sure what to say. I''m not sure what to make of this, but I think it''s a good idea. I''m not sure what to make of it. I''m sure that''s one of Iris''s good points. "Iris, are you going to take a break from school for a while? "Aria?¡¡Aria? It was Aria who suddenly showed up. I''m not sure if she was hiding in the area or not, but there are fallen leaves stuck to her hair and uniform. As Iris brushed them away, she asked. "Did you hear me? "No, I heard you. (I''m sure you heard me. ...... You really have great covert abilities.) (I guess she heard me. She really has great covert skills.) If she heard us, then she was at least near me and Iris. When she disappears, it''s not easy for even me to notice. If you''re going to talk in private, you''d better find a place where you won''t be heard. However, this is not something to hide from Aria. It was confirmed that Aria was indeed under the protection of the Rheinfell family - Aria''s guardian was Iris''s mother. "If Iris rests, I rest. No, Aria must study hard. She needs me to be there for her. The way they worry about each other, they are really like sisters. I can understand why Aria is worried about Iris. I can tell you that Iris was taking it very hard the other day. I knew she was strong enough to block a blow from Adil of the Swordsmen, but even so, her injuries had only just healed. But-- "Aria-san, I understand how you feel, but this time it''s also official business. "Official business? Yes. I''m representing the Rheinfel family. That''s why you''re not here. Mmm, I want to go too. I''m not going anywhere, okay? ...... Okay. Aria nodded her head as if she understood what Iris was saying. I thought you might be a little more pushy. ....... I''m not sure what to do, but I''m sure I''ll be able to do it. It was also possible that Aria could have done that. Let me remind you of that. "You can''t follow me behind my back, either, okay? "I know. But if you want to take a break, let''s hang out first. I don''t mind, but ....... I don''t mind, but it won''t be that long of a break. Instead of following me. Aria makes such a request to Iris. That would be cute. It''s fine. I think it''s necessary to relax before work. Are you coming too? Me too? Yeah. Date retry. Date ......? For some reason, Iris reacted more strongly to the words. It was a date strategy - a strategy to lure the swordsmen, but in this way, Remyll and Aria would sometimes use it as a joke. I learned to be careful about what I say. "Is your teacher free this weekend? "Well, I''m free, but... "Then it''s settled. That''ll do for now. Aria interrupted me and proceeded with the conversation. It''s true that on weekends - or rather, basically on weekends, my role is to stay with Iris and do my job as a teacher. I''m usually free on the weekends. If Aria is okay with that, that''s fine with me. I understand. I''ll go along for the ride. You''re here too? ......? "......?¡¡Is that a problem? No, no. It''s not that, but ....... I''m looking forward to it. I''m going home to bed. Hey, Aria!¡¡Wait a minute! Iris looks more upset than ever. He ran after her and disappeared from the scene. It was decided that he would accompany Aria for the weekend. 47 47. Military Daughter That night, Iris was alone in her room. She was already dressed in her nightgown and looking up at the ceiling. (Date: ......) I''m thinking about the daytime - Aria''s suggestion that I go out with Arta again. (No, it''s not a date if we''re just going out, right? Yes, it is. But then Aria suddenly said something strange. ......) As if to convince herself, Iris tried to convince herself. But I can''t get those words out of my head. --Iris has never been in love with anyone. Of course, there are people she likes as family and friends. She has never been aware of anyone in particular. For Iris, that heart was not necessary to become the strongest knight. (Even though it should be, ......) Iris puts her hand on her chest and takes a deep breath. In the event that you have any questions regarding where and how to use the internet, you can contact us at the web site. You can find a lot of people who are looking for the best way to get the most out of their life. ...... Thinking about it, it might have been during the mock match with Arta. I had a special feeling for him. It was the first time I had been overwhelmed by swordplay. I remembered the time when I couldn''t beat my father. ...... I felt that way, but Iris has been helped by Arta ever since. If it weren''t for Alta, Iris wouldn''t be here now - there''s no doubt about that. (It''s only natural to be grateful. ......) I''m not sure if that''s enough to make me think of Alta. He wondered to himself that he would be aware of it. Iris wanted Arta to teach her how to use a sword. He believes that this is the most important feeling and that there should be no other feelings. Thoughts dull the sword. It is necessary for Iris to wield the sword with a single purpose, as Alta taught her. I''m sure you''ll be able to find a lot of people who are interested in this topic. (Yes, ...... is something that I don''t need.) Exhale deeply and recognize that. It''s not a date or anything--I''m just going out for Aria. I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that. But, yes. Maybe we need to confirm that we''re not. As if muttering, Iris says. In order to deny her own feelings, Iris is about to go on a weekend date. The same time At the same time - the imperial capital of the Farmer''s Empire, Vero. There is a palace in the center of the city, where the emperor and his royal family live. Furthermore, the empire is also a military state. Second in power only to the Emperor is the Marshal who rules the army. Rugal Baudel, the current Supreme Commander of the Imperial Army. And his daughter, Ena Baudel, stood alone in the garden. She has a neat face. Her long black hair was tied back in a bun, and she was dressed simply in a shirt and black pants. She touched the sword at her waist. "-- A flash. With a sound of cutting wind, the surrounding plants and trees swayed. The flowers in the garden scattered in time. "...... You''re training at this time of night? "Mmm, it''s you. I''m not sure what to say. I''m not sure if you''ve heard of it or not. It''s not you, sir. We''re going to King''s Landing soon. You should think about what you''ll be doing when you get there, not just training at night. What a strange thing to say. Isn''t that what training is for? Never be complacent, never be negligent, that''s the basis of a soldier. You don''t have to be a soldier to be a soldier, but ...... you were forced to be an officer. Your father would have agreed with me. I am also a born warrior. If I don''t train every day, I don''t wake up well. With a grin, Aena replied. The girl breathes heavily in response to that answer as well. I''ll take care of you even if you don''t. It''s my responsibility as your caretaker if you overexert yourself and collapse. "Don''t worry. Don''t worry, it''s also my responsibility as your supervisor to manage you. I wonder what ...... is. I''m not wrong, but I feel like I''m doing everything wrong. No, it''s just a quibble, that''s all. "Yes, it is. But quibbling is also a form of reasoning - it''s all my fault. Convince me. And with that, Aena swung her sword again. "......". It seems that no matter what you say, it won''t work. The girl sighs heavily again. Aena was elated. According to the information she had heard, there were four knights in the kingdom who had defeated the Swordsmen. A murderous group of swordsmen, including their leader, had been defeated by a single knight. There is also information that the Princess Swordsman was also a part of it. (If you have a chance, I''d love to meet her.) Aena is as excited as a child looking forward to a field trip. Aena continued to swing her sword in anticipation of the coming moment. 48 48. Arias Jealousy It''s late afternoon on the Sabbath and I''m in a caf¨¦ a short distance from the school. There are two girls in front of me. One is Iris, dressed in the same relaxed atmosphere as before. The other was Aria, who was also wearing a large, ill-fitting dress. In front of them was a large parfait. Aria had ordered it, but it was clearly big enough for two people. They share it and eat it together. We are in the middle of what Aria calls a date, or rather a play date. The parfait here is huge, isn''t it? "They say it''s best for two people. Do you want one? No, I''m fine. Okay, Iris. Aww. Uh-oh. ....... I''m so embarrassed. You''re gonna play with me today, right? "Ugh, yes, but ...... I already know. I''m sure you''ll be happy to know that I''m not the only one who can''t wait to see you. In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site. (Come to think of it, she seemed to be worried about something after I told her I was going to teach Iris how to use a sword, so maybe it''s just jealousy. This time too, even though it''s a job, as long as I''m talking to you, I''m borrowing Iris. From Aria''s point of view, she may feel as if Iris is being taken from her again and again. I don''t know what she is usually thinking, but I think she wants to emphasize that the Iris is hers, simple or pure. (I''m not trying to take anything away from her or anything, but it must be hard for people to date her. After all, she is the "Princess of the Sword". And she has such a guarded family. Here, there''s cream on it. "Hmm, thanks. Doesn''t Iris wear cream? You make it sound like I''m doing it on purpose. ....... What do you want to do after this, doctor? Suddenly, Iris turns to me. "Let''s go where you want to go, Aria, not me. I don''t care where you go. I don''t really care where you go." "But since we''re talking about ......... Iris begins to speak in a quiet voice. The voice is so quiet that I can''t hear the important part. "......?¡¡What is it? "So, um, ....... It''s a date, so we''re going to go where we want to go. This is where I want to go, so let''s go where you want to go next. Oh, I see. Then, do you have a place you want to go, Iris? I''d like to go to the market to do some shopping, but we can do that later. No, we''ll go there then. I just wanted to do some shopping too. It''s settled then. Come on, Iris. No, don''t pull! Aria pulled Iris''s hand and started to move quickly. Their appearances and personalities were different, but looking at them like this, they really were like sisters. She glanced at me and looked at me with a frown on her face. (There''s no need to be so cautious.) I responded with a smile. (You don''t need to be so cautious.) I responded with a smile, "She''s the kind of girl who would challenge the Swordsmen alone to protect Iris. The only thing that concerns me is her ability. Aria''s skills are unmistakably specialized in assassination. It''s clearly too advanced for a mere girl to possess. I''d like to talk to her at some point. Excuse me. "......?¡¡Yes, what can I do for you? Suddenly, I heard a girl''s voice. When I turned around, there was a girl standing there wearing sunglasses and a black coat. I don''t know whether she wanted to be conspicuous or not, but she looked at me and said. I heard there''s a clock tower around here that''s a tourist attraction. Oh, it''s over there, by the fountain. I heard there is a clock tower around here. "Hmm, I see. "Hmmm, so you''re saying it''s not what you expect. The girl replies with a little disappointment. A girl in a maid''s uniform came up behind her. The girl spoke in a masculine way, but the atmosphere showed that she was well brought up. However, the fact that she was looking for a tourist attraction meant that she did not live in the capital. He may be a local nobleman. In that sense, he may be in the same position as me. Please don''t go on your own. "Huh, sorry. I was just talking to this girl. I was just talking to this girl. She said the clock tower is not that interesting. That''s what I would have told you in the beginning. ...... "You did?¡¡I''m sorry, I didn''t know what you meant. That''s all right, but I don''t want you to go off on your own. Yeah, okay. I''m thirsty, so go to ...... and get me a drink at that cafe. That''s fine, but don''t move alone, okay? Sure. The girl in the maid''s uniform gave a piercing look and headed towards the cafe where we had just been. The girl looks away. "See you, boy. No, you said to wait for you now, right? No, you told me to wait now. What do you think we''re here for? I don''t know. ...... I don''t know. Laughing, the girl leaves. After all, she has no intention of waiting for the girl in the maid''s uniform. I felt like a free man. Dr. Schweizer, who was that? "Oh, he was just asking for directions. Iris, who had gone ahead of me, came back to me. Iris, who had gone ahead of me, came back to me. She and Aria must have gone to the market first, but I was too late. "Where''s Aria? "She''s on her way to the market. I told her I had to wait for the doctor, but she went ahead of me. ...... Oh, I see. ....... Well, we''ll follow him, then. In Aria''s opinion, she wanted to show how close she was with Iris by asking me out on a date. I''m not sure I can understand why she would be sulking if Iris was only prioritizing me. ...... Speaking of which, sir... Yes, what is it? Do you have someone you like? Someone you like? What?¡¡Please don''t misunderstand me!¡¡Well, I guess you could call it a date. ....... I think it''s okay if people see me like this.¡¡If there is such a person, ...... I''m not sure what to say. You''re very uptight, Iris. Stiff, huh? I''m only twelve, after all. No, I think it''s normal for someone of that age to have a crush or two. What was it like when you were twelve, Iris? ...... At that time, I was all about the sword. So, does that mean you''re here now? No!¡¡It''s not like that! It''s not like that!" Iris denied me with a strong tone. I thought it was going to be some kind of relationship advice, but it doesn''t seem to be that way. If Iris has a crush on someone, she''s going to have a tough time with Aria. Then we don''t have to worry about each other, do we? Well, if the students of the school see us, they might misunderstand us, but Aria is also there. "Yes, that''s true. I''m sure you''ll be fine if the two of you are together, Aria? Iris looks at me as if she has noticed something. When I met her gaze, I saw Aria chasing a man. I couldn''t understand what was going on, but at least I could tell that it wasn''t a normal situation. That''s ....... "It''s a thief!¡¡Somebody catch me! A shouting man''s voice reached our ears, and Iris and I understood the situation. 49 49. Sir Away from Iris and Alta, Aria was heading to the market alone. Markets in the capital were held here and there, with stalls selling fruits and other goods. On the Sabbath, the market was especially crowded. There were more and more people, but Aria continued on her way. (...... What do I want to do?) --Aria didn''t really understand her own feelings. She loved Iris as a family member. So even if Iris had feelings for Alta, Aria should have supported her. Nevertheless, when it came time for Iris and Arata to work together, she felt uncomfortable. I''m sure Iris trusts him. But Aria doesn''t feel the same way - she is capable, but she doesn''t trust him that much. That''s why Aria always takes action on her own. Even the opponent known as the "Swordsmen" didn''t scare her. It was because she thought she could win against an opponent of that caliber. In fact, it was not Aria who protected Iris, but a boy named Arta. "...... Aria stopped dead in her tracks. (I--) That''s when it happened. In the corner of her eye, she sees a young man moving in a strange way. He glances at the case on the ground and then at the man near it. The man was so absorbed in talking to the owner of the stall that he did not seem to notice the young man''s movements. In a split second, the young man makes a move. Holding the case in his hand, he ran out into the crowd with his familiar movements. (!¡¡(Thief: ......) Aria also moved quickly. Before the man could notice her, Aria, too, moved through the crowd with uncharacteristic speed. Then - a man''s voice echoed from behind. It''s a thief!¡¡Somebody catch him! The man probably doesn''t know exactly where the young man who stole the case is headed. The man probably didn''t even know where the young man who stole the case was headed, so when he noticed that the case was missing, he shouted. But the young man is already a long way from the man. (But I won''t let him go.) Aria is the first one to notice the young man. With agile movements, Aria runs through the crowd. She passes under the crotch of a large man carrying a large bag, and jumps over a group of three people with children. On the way, she jumps onto a passing carriage and uses it to climb over the roof of a stall and then onto the roof of a building. He continues to follow with his eyes the movements of the young man who stole the case. The young man seems to be aware of this and makes a gesture of looking at Aria. (I guess he''s used to it. But he can''t run away from me. Because...) Aria''s eyes widen. No matter how far away she is, Aria never misses the young man. From here, I can kill him by throwing the dagger. (......, no! I''m not going to do that. Immediately dismiss the idea. (No, I won''t do that.) Quickly dismissing the idea, Aria chases after the young man, stifling the emotions that rise up if she''s not careful. --I''m not going to do that. (......!¡¡(Collision--) The young man must have been too late to notice. The girl, too, seems to have no intention of avoiding him. In fact, as if she wanted to stop the young man. "Hmm, there are sneaks everywhere, aren''t there? I am... You''re in danger, sir, if you stay here. "You''re in danger, you shouldn''t be here. At the moment of collision with the young man, it was Alta who rescued the girl. Apparently, she had heard the voice. She may have been planning to catch him ahead of time, but she prioritized the girl''s safety. However, Aria soon noticed Arata''s gaze. She knew that Aria was chasing her and entrusted her to him. (You mean you trust me?¡¡...... Okay, I''ll live up to that trust. With a serious look on her face, Aria started running again. She ran from roof to roof, gradually accelerating. In the end, Aria jumped down to take the top of the young man who was running away towards the alleyway. "What? The young man shouted in surprise. That''s probably because Aria, a young girl of no more than a year, followed the young man across the roof without hesitation. If she had fallen on the way, she would not have been injured. It was precisely because she was Aria that she was able to make such a move without hesitation. She put her dagger to the young man''s neck and announced. "Leave your stuff. There''s no point in trying to escape. "What the hell is ......! The young man asks in a frightened tone. Aria giggled. "Me?¡¡I''m-- Notria. It''s been a long time. What? Aria heard a voice behind her, and turned around. Both the voice and the figure were familiar to her. The man who had shouted at her earlier when her case was stolen was here. It was enough for Aria to understand that this situation was already unusual. That case is mine. Well, you''re really good. Notreya. "...... who are you? Who, who ......? Hmm, you don''t recognize my face?¡¡Well, it''s not me you''re looking after, it''s your brother or sister. "-- Aria''s eyes widened. Aria''s eyes widened and she muttered, as if she was trying to recall a memory from before. "Ahead, raw ......? The man smiled as he heard Aria''s words. 50 50. Somehow Iris was alone, chasing after Aria. Arutha had moved ahead of him to catch the thief, but apparently he had prioritized helping others along the way. Seeing Arutha pass to the side, Iris continued to follow Aria. Although they were quite far apart, Iris was still able to run through the crowd of people. Unlike Arta and Aria, it was not as smooth as it should have been. When she finally reached the alleyway, she saw Aria standing behind her. "...... Aria? ...... I called out, but Aria didn''t respond. It was a strange feeling, so Iris approached her and called out again. "Aria! I''m not sure what to say. Aria''s body trembles and she turns around. The expression on her face is as languid as ever, and there is nothing strange about it. Aria tilted her head. "What''s wrong? No, not what''s wrong. She didn''t respond to my calls. I''m sorry. I was just thinking. Thinking? That''s unusual. What about the thief you were chasing?¡¡Did he get away? No. I caught him and handed him over to the knights. What, in such a short time?¡¡And the package? I gave it back. I gave it back to the knight at ....... He''s out there... "My magic can do that. As if to interrupt Iris, Aria replies. I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but it''s a good idea. It''s true that you can use it to deliver a package to someone far away. But could it be delivered to someone that far away? In the first place, there must have been conditions to activate it. "Aria......, what''s wrong? "Nothing. Why? No, it''s just ...... I feel different. That''s not true. I''m the same as always. In fact, Aria''s mood was the same as usual. As Iris was wondering if she was mistaken, Alta came up behind her. I''m sorry, I''m a little late. The thief is-- I''m done. Thank you, Doctor. No, I knew you''d catch up. But you''re awfully early. I didn''t think there were any knights around here. ...... I''m sure you''ll be happy to know that I''m not the only one. So I took him out as quickly as I could. You work fast. I''ll check with you later, but first, Aria. Is there something wrong? What''s wrong?¡¡Why? No, I just felt that you were a little different from usual. Alta seems to be feeling the same doubts as Iris. Still, Aria did not change her attitude. I''m just tired of ....... I''m going home for the day. "What ...... are you doing here so suddenly? "Iris, enjoy your date with the doctor. Hey!¡¡Hey... She smiled and ran out of the room. I tried to hold her back, but she moved even faster than usual, and I soon lost sight of her. At first glance, she just looks like the usual Aria. "...... "What''s wrong? Oh, no. ...... What can I say? I can''t really put it into words, but there''s something wrong with Aria. ...... That''s what I''m wondering. Do you think it''s strange, doctor? Well, I''m more concerned about the thief. No matter how fast a knight is at work, he would never leave the scene without asking the person he caught what happened. It didn''t take long for me and Iris to catch up. So you think Aria let the thief escape? If that''s the case, you''ll have to explain that to the person who stole the case. ...... Even Aria wouldn''t lie about something that would be exposed later. I''m sure you''re right. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. It was probably because of this thought that Arata entrusted Aria with the task of chasing the thief. Both of them were wondering about each other, but they couldn''t find the answer by talking together. ...... Anyway, if you have any questions about Aria, please talk to her. I''ll ask her too when the time is right. I''ll check with the Order. Thank you very much. By the way, what about the person you just saved? "Haha, he got a little angry when I told him that I didn''t need his help. Arta says this with a wry smile on his face. The response was somewhat warrior-like. You can''t respond like that to someone who helped you. ...... You look like someone else, don''t you? "......?¡¡Do you have any idea who that might be? It''s just too much. It''s someone you know very well, Iris. "Who is it? Iris asks, but Alta only responds in a hushed tone, "Well, I wonder who it is. Why don''t you just tell me? "You can tell me!" "Think of it as part of your training. Noticing is also a form of training. "Noticing is also a form of ......, doctor. You just want to play dumb, don''t you? "No, I''m not. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m going to do it. It is not until much later that you realize that the person in Arta''s words is Iris herself. 51 51. Military Daughters Fall In Love The girl''s name is Melche Altina. She works as a maid and bodyguard for the Baudel family. She is also a soldier, and her position is that of a subordinate to Aena Bodle,........ I''m not sure what to make of this. I''m sure you''ll be able to understand why. I''m not sure what to make of that. In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site. On the contrary, she even tried to scatter Mercier several times. For Mercier, he was a troublesome master. (Well, maybe you don''t have to worry about him, because he''s really good. ......) Aena is not in a position to be a soldier only because of her parents'' fame. Her peers and even her superiors were no match for her - "the second coming of the god of war", as they called her in the military. If she continued like this, it would be a dream come true for her to follow in her father''s footsteps. (It''s not good if the warrior gods are as unrestrained as this. ......) He let out a deep sigh. He''s a good man, but he''s too dynamic in other ways. As he walked through the crowd, Mercier was finally about to find Aena. "Aena!¡¡Master Aena! She saw Aena standing a little out of the crowd. Unusually for her, she didn''t seem to be excited by what she saw. Rather, she seemed to be thinking with a serious expression. "...... "Yes, I looked for you. I warned you not to act alone, didn''t I?¡¡Do you have any idea where you stand, Miss Aena? "...... I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m going to do it. "Master Aena? "Oh, it''s you, ....... It seems that she was so deep in thought that she didn''t even notice Mercier until it was too late. She was so deep in thought that it was too late for Mercier to notice. (I don''t believe that something ...... happened while I was away?) Aena is a soldier, and if there is something that would be beneficial to the country, she would at least take the initiative to get information about it. Even though it was a sneak peek, it was also an inspection. Aena opens her mouth as if muttering. "Mercier, you know the story that the only man in the world who has ever held me is my father, right? You mean only when I was a baby? Yes. And there is no one else in the world who can hold me anymore. ...... That''s what I thought. Mercier did not understand what Aena meant. She had chosen to live as a soldier, and when she was offered a marriage proposal, she would often make it conditional on her winning a duel. And most of the time, when she says the word "duel," she gives up on the idea that she can''t win against Aena. ....... When in doubt, Aena continued. It''s not that I was careless ......, but I let that boy take advantage of me. "The boy ......?¡¡What do you mean? It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. I''m not sure what to say, but I''d like to know. It''s the first time I''ve been held by someone other than my father, and my heart is racing. ...... What should I do? "What about ......? This is the first time I''ve been held by someone other than my father, and my heart is racing. This is a great way to make sure that you are getting the best out of your business. 52 52. Girl as usual Have you received any reports? No, there''s no mention of any thieves being caught today. ...... I asked the knight at the Kuro Wolf Knights'' camp, which is located a short distance from the market. I asked the knight there, and he replied. In the end, Iris was worried about Aria and decided to go back to the school, so she sent her off and came here alone. If he had caught the thief that Aria had just handed over to the knight, he should have been brought here. But when I asked her about it, she said there was no such story. When did this happen? A certain amount of time has passed, so I think it should have been reported by now. There are still some knights who haven''t returned, would you like to wait here? No, if they''ve caught him, they''ll be here soon. I''ll just go back to the scene. Yes, sir. I''ll send a knight to the scene if there''s a problem. Yes, thank you very much. And with that, I leave the office. As I thought, Aria is lying - Iris also said she had a strange feeling at that time, but it seems she is right. (Why Aria is lying: ......) I have no idea, as expected. There is a possibility that the culprit is a man who was seen on the way - perhaps he and Aria knew each other. If that is the reason why she missed the scene, it could be explained. However, this is something you can only find out by asking the man himself. (Even if you say "......", since he said he handed it over, you will probably get the same answer even if you question him. If the case was still stolen, the Order would probably have been contacted by the person who stole it. If the case was still stolen, the Order would have been contacted by the thief, but no such report has been received. No one was aware that there was a thief and that the case had been stolen. I headed towards the market first. I decided to go to a stall near the place where I thought the case had been stolen and ask for help. Excuse me, sir. Come in. Are you running an errand? No, I just wanted to ask you a few questions. ......, I''m working. I''m sorry, but you''ll have to find someone else to pass the time. The shopkeeper''s attitude changes completely. The shopkeeper''s attitude changed drastically. He must have thought I was a child playing. ...... I''m used to this kind of thing. I''m also a knight, but unfortunately, due to my appearance and age, I''m rarely seen as such. It''s easier to just listen to the story than to bother explaining it. "Well, don''t be like that. I''ll buy you one of these. I''ll buy you one." "Every time. ...... I can''t help it, what do you want to know? I think there''s been a robbery in the area. I think there was a robbery in the neighborhood. Oh, you mean the one where the guy was shouting, "Thief! A girl was chasing him. That was a hell of a move. Apparently, the shopkeeper was watching the thief and Aria''s movements very closely. But that''s not the point. What happened to the person who had his luggage stolen? "What?¡¡What do you mean? ...... Well, he was gone when I found him. I thought he might have gone to get his knight or something, but he was playing detective.¡¡I don''t know what you''re talking about. That''s about it. Thank you very much. You can play, but that''s something you should leave to the knights. Yes, I''ll be careful. I am exactly that knight, but I''ll keep that part to myself. ...... The owner of the store told me that it was true that there was a thief, and people around here know that. He probably thinks that the case has been solved. The fact is that both the thief and the victim of the theft have disappeared. (I guess I''ll have to ask Aria one more time.) It was no use thinking about it. I decided to go back to the school. I''m going to go back to the school. If Aria still says she gave him up, I''ll go back to the office and check again. As strange as it sounds, since no damage has been reported, the knight will not do any more work. No, that''s right, they can''t. It''s a story that ...... Remy Lemire would find interesting. I went back towards the school and headed directly to the girls'' dormitory, where I saw Iris looking around. When she noticed me, she immediately ran over to me. "Teacher!¡¡Aria, have you seen me anywhere? "No!¡¡You''re not here? I wasn''t in my room, and I''ve looked all over the ...... school grounds, but I can''t find her. I''m not sure what to make of that. It is possible that he has not yet returned to the school. He might be resting somewhere. I''m going to go look around outside the school again. Yeah, I''ll... That won''t be necessary. It was Aria''s voice that interrupted my words. Aria came to me as if she were softly falling from the sky. I guess that''s what it means to be mysterious. Iris ran up to Aria. "Aria!¡¡Where have you been? On the roof. I was tired, so I took a rest. Rooftop? I thought I looked there too. ...... I''m not so naive as to let Iris find me. You should be worried. ...... When Aria answers with a two-fingered piece of paper, Iris looks relieved. It seems that he has not disappeared for the time being. I''m not sure what to make of this. "Yes!¡¡Yes, just now. Did he tell you that I wasn''t there? Aria asked, as if she could see right through my thoughts. I nodded and answered. I nodded and answered. I nodded and said, "Yes. Maybe it''s just that it hasn''t been reported yet. "No. Maybe not. What do you mean? What do you mean? - "Maybe the person I handed over wasn''t a knight. Aria said this with a slightly sullen expression. It is possible that the person you handed over was not a knight - in other words, a collaborator of the thief Aria caught. (That certainly makes sense, though.) But we haven''t received any reports of stolen goods yet. "Well, Aria said she returned it. She said she got the package back and used magic to return it. Iris replied as if to follow up. If she got the package back and returned it to the victim - if she did that much, then the case is certainly solved. The question is the whereabouts of the thief and the knight who handed him over. There are still some questions, but I think Aria did what she had to do. And I''m the one who entrusted her with the chase. ...... So it''s possible that the knight trickster and the thief got away. I''m sorry. I might not have noticed. No, that would have been our responsibility. You did a good job, Aria. Do you know what the knight looks like? Yes, I''ll write it down for you later. Aria nodded her head and answered. If she''s so cooperative, it''s unlikely that Aria is protecting the thief. Suspicion of a student... (As a teacher, I don''t want to be suspicious of my students if I can help it. I''m not only a knight, but I''m also a teacher at this school. I''ll investigate the matter myself first. "Oh, yes. Aria, are you feeling okay? I''m fine. You said you were just tired. You called off your date all the way here? It''s not a date in the first place. ....... Anyway, I''m glad nothing happened. It''s my job to worry about Iris, so you don''t have to worry about anything. You two are as close as ever. I''m sure they''ll have more fun together on their days off than with me. In the end, the day ended with an incident that was a bit of a mystery. Neither Iris nor I had any idea that a few days later, Aria would disappear. 53 53. The Girls Wherening I had come to the headquarters of the "Kuro Wolf Knights". It''s been a long time since I''ve visited Remyll on my own. Most of the time, I''m usually summoned to visit. As soon as I entered the Commander''s office, I saw several knights standing in a row. At the end of the line, the commander, Remyll, was sitting. ...... in a restrained manner. "It''s been a few days, First Officer Alta Schweizer. I''m glad to see you''re doing well. "Haha, does that look good to you? He was still dealing with a mountain of paperwork, and it seemed that he had been confined to his office for the past few days. It seems that he has been locked up in his office for the past few days. The Commander can escape at will if he has a chance, which is why several knights are gathered here to watch and assist him. I looked at the knight standing right next to the commander and said. "Thank you for your time, may I have a moment? Yes, sir. But the guards in the room-- I understand. If he tries to escape, we''ll catch him. Thank you for your understanding. Gentlemen, I''m the highest-ranking member of this order, remember? Then be like a commander. ...... I sigh and take my seat. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m sure I''ll be able to do it. The knights who had been keeping an eye on Remyil also walked out. It''s been a while since I''ve had a break. Thank you. I thought it was time for the Commander to start whining. That''s my knight in shining armor. Why don''t you just let me go?¡¡Let''s go on a date. After work, sure. You''re a tough one, ....... Remyll smiles bitterly. Of course, I''m not here to save Remy from his work hell. So, about you, Aria... "Ah, your student who disappeared. I ran a few checks. Unfortunately, none of them match. I see. ...... I asked Lemire to see if there was anyone who knew Aria. Her nature is closer to that of an assassin than the original. I''m not sure what to make of it, but I think it''s a good idea. That''s why I asked the assassins we have now and the people in the related organizations to confirm it. ....... It''s possible that they''re off the grid, but there are only a few people who have access to them. I''ve heard about the incident - the knight in disguise and the person who stole the package. And the person who stole it ...... may or may not have been a knight in disguise at all. In any case, given her age, it''s unlikely. That''s right. Still, it''s better than having no information. I guess "no information" is "no information. It''s because the Commander made it a priority. Thank you very much. Thank you. What, there''s a girl missing. It''s a priority. It''ll take a little longer if it''s an open investigation. Yes, I''m aware of that. It''s been less than a few days since Aria disappeared. If it''s an open investigation, it will take some time because of the coordination with various agencies. In addition, he had no doubt as to the cause of her disappearance. A person from the empire was expected to arrive soon - the timing alone was too perfect. (It''s a leap of ...... faith, but it''s better to be on guard.) In the end, the theft that took place that day was only witnessed by witnesses, but the escape was only seen. Some knights are cooperating with us in the investigation, but we have not been able to find any clues about Aria even after following the case. "...... It''s unusual for you to look so serious. Well, I understand. I know how you feel.¡¡Did I have that look on my face? You''re usually a very calm guy, you know that? ...... Well, there''s someone right beside me who''s always worried about her. I''m not sure what to make of this. I guess I should be proud of her for taking on the role of guide even in this situation. (I guess the best solution is to find Aria. She''s also my apprentice at .......) I''m also teaching her to use a sword. It''s not like she''s under my protection, but she''s my student and my apprentice. I worry about her as much as anyone. (Well, maybe that''s where people say I''ve changed...) I would like to help you more, but in this state... "The Commander is fine as he is. ''Would you mind bothering me a bit?¡¡I think there''s an advantage to having me with you, don''t you? Haha, being chased by your own people is a disadvantage... I cut off Remyll, who was apparently trying to negotiate an escape, and I left the office. I''m not sure what to do with it. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m sure I''ll be able to do it. ...... I''ll at least make arrangements to relax periodically. What to do now? There are many things I can do, but I don''t know where I should start. For the time being, I''ve decided to focus on the task at hand: guiding the people of the Empire. 54 54. Nohria When I returned to the school, I saw Iris waiting for me in front of the school gate. As soon as she noticed me, she ran up to me. "Did you find out anything about Aria? I''m afraid I don''t have any information for you. "I see. ...... A disappointed look appeared on Iris''s face. I''m sure you''ll be able to figure it out. He seems to be trying not to show it in public, but I guess he is worried about Aria. In order not to cause confusion in the class, I''ve told them that she won''t be coming for a while due to family reasons, but that''s not going to happen when it''s an open investigation. Just a few days ago, Iris was targeted, and now Aria, who is usually with Iris, has disappeared, so it''s not surprising that the gossip is catching on. I''m sure Aria will be fine. ....... I don''t know why she disappeared. I''m sure there''s something going on, but we have a few knights working with us. Let''s wait for more information. Thank you very much. I''m ...... going to do what I can, I guess. Even in this situation, Iris has taken on the role of guiding the Marshal''s daughter, Aena, who is coming from the Empire. In addition to being an executive, she is also a friend. In addition to being an executive, her friend and family member Aria has disappeared. The emotional burden on Iris must be considerable. "Iris, please don''t take it too hard. I can take over if you can''t. I''m fine. I can take over if you can''t. - Don''t worry. But if you find out anything about Aria ......, please let me know right away. Of course. (Let''s not talk about possibilities for now.) I can''t say that the timing of Aria''s disappearance has nothing to do with the Imperial inspection. In fact, from my point of view, the timing is too coincidental. Until now, Aria had been a normal student at the school. But she disappeared as soon as Iris took over the role of guiding her, so I can''t say that there is no connection. Still, it would be a burden for her to point out this possibility to Iris. (Aria''s body language is almost certainly that of an assassin. ...... Normally, the reason for her disappearance would be the assassination of someone from the Imperial side. It''s not something I want to think about, but it''s something I have to consider. Of course, there could be other reasons, if only in terms of possibilities. However, the fact that she cares for Iris so much and then disappears without saying a word can only mean that there was something very wrong with her. This is why, even if Iris decided not to take on the role of guide, I was going to take on the role of guarding the Empire''s important people. ...... I''m not sure what to do, but I''m going to do it. For now, you should rest today. The imperial inspection won''t come until next week. "...... Yes. If you don''t, Aria will worry about you, won''t she? I nodded my head in agreement to Iris'' words. I was expecting Aria to show up, even if it was just for a moment, but she never did. A few days have passed since Aria disappeared. Nevertheless, time passes, and the day when Iris and I will be working as guides is getting closer and closer. It was only a few days ago. --Just a few days ago. Aria had left her dormitory and was running alone through the city at night. Dressed in a black coat, she was armed all over. It had been a long time since Aria had been this well armed--she was fully prepared for a fight. Aria flew from roof to roof, stopping at a building. "Hey, I''ve been waiting for you, Notria. Doctor. Aria looks at the man without changing her expression. A white-haired man in a white coat - Aria''s first "teacher". She has not seen him for several years, but his appearance has not changed much. The white-haired man looked at Aria as if he was assessing her. "That armed ......, you didn''t think you''d be able to fight me, did you? "...... I''ll fight you if I have to. "Hahaha, you''ve got a funny sense of humor now. Notorious. With a grin, the man comes towards Aria. Aria readied her jet-black dagger and went into a battle stance. I''m not sure what to make of this. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m sure I''m not the only one. ...... I couldn''t let Iris or Arta know about this. I''m not going to kill you. I''m not trying to kill you. ...... Then what do you want?¡¡Why did you go to all that trouble to call me? The man who stole the case and the man who stole it were both in on it. Both the man who stole the case and the man who stole it were in on it, because the man in front of him had just arranged for it to happen. "Well, that''s cold. I guess I can''t get you to let your guard down. How about these girls then? As if following the man''s words, two shadows appeared. They were dressed in jet-black robes and wore masks with red patterns. Although she could not see their true faces, Aria once again prepared herself for the presence that she could hardly feel. The man made a gesture of restraint with his hand, and said "You should calm down. They''re not your enemies. After all, you''re both ''Notorious'', aren''t you? What? Aria''s eyes widened. The two men who appeared took off their masks to reveal their true faces. They have the same hair color and eyes as Aria. Their faces are similar to Aria''s, but they seem more mature. The faces of these two people were familiar to Aria. Placing his hands on their shoulders, the man smiles like a crescent moon and says. "Your ''brother'' and ''sister''. Don''t you miss them? "...... is a lie. It''s not a lie. Did you think I killed them?¡¡No, I didn''t. ...... Your father would never be so cruel. What?¡¡Dad, too ......? Yeah, he''s supposed to be here, too. This job is very important. "Work ......? Hearing the man''s words, Aria asked back. I knew it - he had contacted Aria and summoned her, which meant he needed her. Aria''s hands tremble. She had come here to fight, but when she saw their faces, she just couldn''t bring herself to wield her weapon. It''s that simple. ....... Do this job, and you can go back to your life. If you want, I can even guarantee you a life with these two. Hearing the man speak so clearly, Aria relaxed her stance. There was only one choice for Aria to make. 55 55. Imperial Mission The situation in King''s Landing was the same as usual. However, it was the day that Iris and I, along with a few knights, welcomed the inspection team from the Empire. The "Orenso" section - located on the side of the Empire, this section has a strong defense by the "Holy Armor Knights". Even though they are ostensibly a friendly nation, in the end, it is obvious that they are always on guard. Are you feeling nervous? ...... A little. But I''m fine. My question is answered by Iris. He was dressed in a slightly overdressed knightly attire. I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but it''s a good idea. In the background are several people, including the Kuro Wolf Knights--Iris and I will be standing by the side of Ena Baudel, the daughter of the Imperial Marshal. From the Imperial side, there will be several other nobles coming. Knights from various parts of the world will be guarding her, but the biggest name of all will be Aena. After all, she is the daughter of the head of the military--if anything happens to her, it could become a diplomatic issue. (I guess I should be a little more enthusiastic...!) As I was thinking about this, I suddenly felt a presence approaching me. I didn''t expect anyone to come towards me while the knights were waiting. I''m not sure what to make of this.¡¡I''m sure there was no such information. At least, there is no report of any suspicious activity. Of course, the investigation in the kingdom was carried out more carefully because of the arrival of the imperial inspection team. How could someone come here when the inspection team had not yet arrived? It seems that Iris has also noticed this, and quickly takes a precautionary stance. "Sir, ......! I don''t think he''s sending a message. I''m not sure what to make of this. You can''t see her face because she''s wearing a hat. The knights who were waiting behind her took a stance at once. I''m not sure what to make of that. I''m not sure what to do. You are .¡¡You are ....... Iris seemed to have noticed something. It''s a good idea to take a look at the web site of the company you''re working for. The girl stood up quickly, looked at us, and declared clearly. "That''s right. I am Ensign Aena Baudel of the Falmea Imperial Army...! "......? I''m a member of the Falmea Imperial Army, Ensign Aena Bodle! You can''t hide your surprise at the suddenness of it all. I''m not sure what to make of it. Aena, for some reason, remained rigid and seemed to be at a loss for words. "What, what, what ......? "Uh, ......? What''s wrong? No, it''s ...... (...... Are you saying that you tried to appear cool and forgot your lines? Aena''s overly theatrical appearance made me think of such a thing. As we were puzzled, another presence approached us. The one who came late was a girl also wearing the uniform of the Imperial Army. I''m sorry. This is Ensign Aena Baudel. I am Mercier Altina, Master Aena''s bodyguard and direct subordinate. My rank is Adjutant. Please make my acquaintance. This is a polite, normal greeting. This is a polite and normal greeting, and Iris is surprised by the gap between this and the previous one, but she continues with an aghast expression. I am ...... Iris Reinfell. I will be your guide this time. "You must be Iris. You must be Iris, the daughter of the Reinfels - I''ve heard so much about you. And you are? Alta Schweizer. The Schweizer family is a local noble family, but I''m here to serve as your valet. I was wondering if you would allow me to accompany you. After Iris, I also greeted her. The girl who appeared in place of the frozen Aena, Mercier, nodded. I understand, Master Alta. And please wait a moment. Mercier then approached Aena. She whispered something in Aena''s ear, and as if Aena had regained consciousness. I''m a little surprised. I''m a little surprised by something. "Surprised about what? "Never mind, Iris. Master Aena, you are dealing with one of the most respected families in the kingdom. You can''t behave like that. ...... "Mmm, you''re going to show me around. I''m going to ask you to show me around. Wouldn''t it be easier to talk to him if you were a little less formal? As if asking a question, Aena looks at Iris. I''m sure you''ll be able to understand why. "...... Well. If that''s okay with you, I''ll call you Aena. "Well, thank you for being so adaptable. Well, let''s find a place to settle down and have a chat first. It seems that the rest of the delegation hasn''t arrived yet. It seems that the other inspectors haven''t arrived yet. ...... Or rather, they''ve been here for quite a while. I couldn''t help but let my true feelings leak out. At any rate, from here you can see the carriages even if they are some distance away. The fact that you can''t even see them means that they probably arrived in the kingdom earlier than they were supposed to. I don''t know what their purpose was, but I don''t think they did it just to make a grand appearance. (......) He even came unnoticed by the other knights. I''m sure you''re very skilled. The information from the Imperial side has reached my ears as well. Aena Baudel is the daughter of the Imperial Marshal, but because she is his daughter, she is not a member of the military. It is said that she herself is a skilled soldier. She has emerged at a young age, and even though she is a woman, it is said that she will undoubtedly stand at the center of the imperial military in the future - if she and Iris, who is in an important position in the kingdom, can be successfully connected, it will have a great impact on the friendship between the two countries. In that sense, it was meaningful for Iris and Aena to meet like this. I''m not sure why ....... I''m not sure why Aena doesn''t look at me as much as she should. ...... Don''t worry about the rest of them. You''ll be separated from them anyway. As you can see, we''re the only ones coming ahead of you. ...... I''m sorry, but I was wondering if you could show us the way. I''m not sure what to make of it, but I think it''s a good idea. I signaled to the knights in the back. There are several knights who belong to the same Kuro Wolf Knights as me who will be guarding Aena. The ones closest to Aena will be me and Iris. For now, if that''s what Aena wants, I''ll just go along with it. "Well, Iris and I will show you the way. This way. ...... Oh, thank you very much. It turned out differently than expected, but Iris and I began our work. For about three days we would be accompanying Aena on her inspection tour. 56 56. In the carriage In the shaking carriage, Aena and Mercier were seated next to Iris and me. We''re going to head towards the Kuro Wolf Knights in the Fenkor district. During the next three days, they would follow a predetermined route. First of all, we were going to visit the headquarters of the Order. Of course, it was only accessible to the general public. Even though they were girls, Aena and Mercier were both military men - in that sense, they might have recruited more people who could fight from a younger age than the Kingdom. Even in the moving carriage, Iris and Aena continued to talk in the form of a meeting. I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not, but it''s a good idea. "Yes, we''re going to check out a few places and then talk to each other to decide what to do. My purpose is only to observe. Aena''s expression is sharp as she looks over the documents, and she exudes a sense of intimidation that you wouldn''t expect from a girl. Her black military uniform makes her look even more distinguished. Next to her, Mercier was calmly looking over the documents as well. Iris and I followed suit, reading the documents together. But Iris and I had already finished checking the documents. ...... For the past three days, we have of course been paying close attention to security. The knight who operates the carriage has also been dispatched by the Knights, and the Knights'' guards will follow from a short distance away. They don''t form a conspicuous line - which, in the end, seemed to suit the girl Aena. There seems to be a lot of security for me. I''m sorry, but this is the least I can do. I don''t mean to be sarcastic either. I''m not trying to be sarcastic, after all, the Princess of the Sword is guarding me herself. And ....... Aena glanced at me. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. ...... Maybe she doesn''t like children? (Or does she think I''m an escort ......?¡¡I''m sure most people won''t notice that from the start.) I''m used to being judged by my looks. I''m used to being judged by my appearance, because I''m just a kid to anyone who sees me as I usually am. I''m sure Aena doesn''t realize that it''s me who''s in charge of this convoy. I''d like to say, "...... I don''t need a guard like this," but I think I understand my value. If anything happens to me, I''ll be in big trouble, that''s for sure. I''m glad you understand. "Well, at least I know my place. And I''d like you to reduce your numbers when you visit. Ah!¡¡Master Aena. Mercier immediately opened his mouth to condemn Aena''s words and actions. But Aena put out her hand and stopped her. I can protect myself, too. I understand what you''re thinking, of course, and that''s why I''m talking about reducing the number of concessions. It''s ....... I''m not sure if I''m going to be able to do that. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. That''s what I sensed when she didn''t come with the group. Honestly speaking, she is a guest of honor -- she should have more guards, but (Well, it''s a good thing I''m always around .......) I nodded, holding back the urge to sigh. At least I can cover the work of guarding dozens of knights by myself to some extent. To put it bluntly, I''m telling you to work with more energy than usual. (I''ll pay for the reduced number of knights. ...... Well, I guess I can get some extra pay from the Commander.) I finished my calculations quickly. The organization of the ¡¶Kuro Wolf Knights¡· escort was decided by me and Remyll through discussion. I know the members to a certain extent, but I have gathered a group of people with a certain level of ability. It''s no wonder - there''s no point in bringing an inferior force to protect Aena. On top of that, if you consider the burden on me,......, I think it''s enough to cover. I''m not sure what to make of that. I understand. We''ll regroup and take care of the escort when we get to headquarters. Thank you for understanding so quickly. Now, let''s go sightseeing in King''s Landing. Miss Aena. ...... will get you to King''s Landing. (You said "sightseeing." ......) (You said "sightseeing." ......) There was something about this girl Aena that made me feel that she was not only a soldier, but that she was also appropriate for her age. Thus, the four of us headed to the Order''s headquarters for the time being. During that time, there were no major problems. 57 57. The Department is there When the carriage carrying us arrived at the headquarters of the Kuro Wolf Knights, we were promptly greeted by the knights, including Remyll. When Aena got out of the carriage, she immediately stood in front of Remyll and said It''s a pleasure to meet you, but you match the description I''ve heard-- are you the Commander of the Order of Remyll and Eyn? "Yes, I''ve been expecting you. Miss Aena Baudel. And so they greeted each other. I''m sure you''ll be able to understand what I mean. No one would think that he was a knight commander who was being chased by his men until recently. Remyll smiles and bows as he escorts Aena. My men will give you a tour of the headquarters. "Oh, I''m sorry to bother you. I''m sure the Commander is busy. "No, I would have preferred to show you around, but-- I''m not sure what to say, but I''m sure you''ll understand. It''s a good idea to take a look at the actual information on the web. ...... Perhaps it was Remyll''s true intention to show Aena around. You will find a lot of people who are looking for the best way to get the job done. But since Remyil is not joining us, there is only one possible answer. (...... haven''t you finished your work yet?) I can''t help but think that. In any case, Remyil was injured until recently, and that was one of the reasons she was skipping work. If you are a serious knight, you are an excellent knight,......, but even at a time like this, you can see a glimpse of her personality. After Aena, Mercier and Iris followed the guide into the building. Although Iris is also a noblewoman, it is unlikely that she will have the opportunity to be guided by a knight to see the interior of the Order. You will find a lot of things that you can do. You can find a lot more information on this topic at ....... The knights themselves may be a place of longing for her. It was really like Iris to hide her happiness, as if she was struggling in her heart not to enjoy it. (Well, you''re still a child, aren''t you, Iris? More importantly--) "Commander, you haven''t finished your work yet? (Well, you''re still a kid, aren''t you?) "Commander, didn''t you finish your work yet?" I left Aena and the others and stood beside Remyil, who had stayed behind to see them off. Remyll, without averting his gaze. "Aren''t you going? "It''s not like we have to be together all the time. At least as long as she''s here, she''ll be safe. No doubt. But they don''t know you''re a knight, do they?¡¡What if they see you talking to me? I''m a nobleman myself, so it''s no problem for me to talk to the Commander. Oh, I see. Haha, I''m so money-conscious that I sometimes forget. Well, I don''t think it''s noble either. Anyway, what''s going on with your work? Well, I was doing some work that you asked me to do. ...... Are you asking me to help you with that? I''m sure you''ll be able to understand that I''m not the only one who has a problem with this. I couldn''t say anything about it, but Remyil smiled and said, "I''m just kidding. I''m just kidding. You''re busy with the VIPs--this is a gathering place for knights. I wouldn''t say it''s a relaxation, but maybe it''s a place where you can relax a little. It''s not really a place to relax. But it''s not that I''m tired of being with them. I also have Iris. "So, you have a lot of faith in the Sword Princess. "Didn''t she just help us the other day? "Oh, that''s right. Remyll cowered. In the event that you have any questions regarding where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site. In the event that you''re a normal nobleman, you''re less likely to put yourself in danger if you know you''re being targeted. ...... Of course, this is not limited to the nobility. In the event that you''ve got a lot more than one of these, you''ll be able to find a lot more. In that sense, her reputation as a knight in the Order is higher than her reputation as a king, and above all, as a nobleman. And it seems that Aena-sama is also a very capable person. Yes, that''s true, I suppose. I''m not sure what to make of that. I was wondering what you would say if I told you that you don''t need an escort ....... He may have been referring to Iris implicitly. When Remyll says it jokingly, I tell him the truth that Aena just told me. He didn''t tell me he didn''t want it, but he did tell me to reduce it. He said, ''I can take care of myself. "...... Well, that''s not something to joke about. Remyll''s expression tightened slightly. If I had been told it was unnecessary, my burden would have been even greater. Yes. That''s why I''m reorganizing the escort team. Well, I''ll cover for the reduction, so please give me your regards. What''s that ''please'' for? Extra pay. Hahaha, you''re a stickler for ....... We had this conversation and then went back to our respective jobs. The Order''s garrison won''t be around much longer - I''ll get the roster out as soon as I can and start regrouping the Knights of the Guard. 58 58. Merches Question We didn''t spend much time touring the headquarters of the ¡¶Kuro Wolf Knights¡·, and together with Aena we moved on to our next destination. There were only a few places we could visit - if we had been allowed some freedom of movement, Aena might have put a little more effort into the tour as a soldier. At least, she had a good look at the training of the knights. It seems that she is more interested in such things. ...... In fact, it was Iris who looked blatantly happy to see the knights. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. For Iris, the profession of a knight is something she admires, so it''s only natural. Well, it is difficult for Iris to become a knight immediately, even if she has the ability. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. Also, Iris is still in a position where she can become the King. I''m sure she understands that it''s not an offer she can easily refuse, no matter how much she doesn''t want to. (......For now, let''s concentrate on the work of guarding for now.) I switch my thoughts. The number of knights in the regrouped group is about half of what it was in the first group -- it''s easy for me to cover that much difference by myself. In fact, I''m confident that as long as I''m by Aena''s side, there won''t be any problems in terms of combat--but I''m the type of person who specializes in direct combat. I''m not sure what Aena and Mercier''s fighting styles are, but if we assume that they don''t count as part of the force, then Iris and I may have overlapping roles in battle. Therefore, we will have other guards who specialize mainly in logistical support, as well as those who will escort the knight. The most troublesome problem that may occur is that Aria will come to ...... this place. (I''d like to avoid that situation if possible, though. I''d rather be grateful if she came out, since we don''t know what Aria is up to. ......) As I was thinking about this, the carriage stopped moving at a certain place. You can find a lot of different types of shoes and boots that you can choose from. Is this the next stop? "Yes. It''s a protected facility designated by the kingdom, which means it''s one of the places controlled by the Order. ...... Hmm. So, let''s take a quick tour and move on. I''m not sure what to make of it. You can see the personality of the woman as she starts walking without waiting for Mercier or Iris. --As was the case when we toured the Order''s headquarters, she seems to have different interests in different places. At the headquarters, she was particularly interested in the training scene and listened to the detailed history of the past knight commanders. --It seems that he is mainly interested in things related to combat. In that sense, although their personalities don''t seem to be similar, I can sense a similarity with Iris. Iris is more interested in making herself stronger. Aena is not only interested in that, but she is also interested in the field of combat and the history of her past career. The magic library may also be of interest if there is something useful in terms of combat, but this is also a place to visit with a lot of classified information. (And even if you let it slip that you''re a regular tourist,........ I think he''s the type of guy who goes all out for things that interest him, and wants to get it over with quickly for everything else.) Analyzing the girl Aena - this is one of the necessary tasks in the role of an escort. I''ve done a lot of things before I became an escort for Iris. I wish I could have a conversation with Aena if I had time, but when I look at her, she blatantly avoids me. (Hmm, I don''t think I did anything to make her dislike me. ....... I don''t think I did anything to make them hate me. ......) "Dear Alta. "Mr. Alta?¡¡Mr. Mercier? I''m not sure if you''ve ever heard of this, but I''m sure you''ve. I''m not sure what to make of this. While Aena and Iris were listening to me, Mercier came all the way to me. I''m sure you''ll agree with me. I''d like to apologize for that. I''m sorry. Mercier bows to me, all the way down. Because she is Aena''s subordinate, she probably has a lot of opportunities to take care of things in situations like this. She is probably still a student in age, but she is a well-behaved girl. No, no, I don''t mind. I''m just Iris''s valet. I''m your valet." "That''s very kind of you to say. Master Aena is a ...... selfish person, if I may say so. It''s not that I''m difficult, but I''m not very good at it. ...... "......?¡¡I see. So I hope you don''t think badly of me, Aena. ...... Rather, I''d like to know what you think of me. ...... What? No, forget about that. Mercier''s words were somehow not to the point. I can understand what he is trying to say, but he seems to be hiding what he really wants to say. ....... I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but I think it''s a good idea. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. Aena was still talking to the administrator of the magic library. I''m not sure if this is a good idea, but it''s a good idea. "...... So, Alta-sama. When did you meet Master Aena? I''m sure that''s what she wanted to hear. I''m sure that''s what she wanted to hear. But there''s only one thing I can say. I can only tell you one thing: "...... Well, when did this happen? "......What? Mercier rolled his eyes at my answer. I thought I had answered in a natural way, but it seems that Mercier did not expect it. Oh, I guess it''s because I was in disguise. ...... ...... disguise, is it? No, I''m talking about me. I''m sorry, that was a weird story. I''ll see you later. Mercier bows his head again and leaves me alone. I don''t know what he meant by that question, but I can guess ...... something. (Me and Master Aena have met once before. ...... I guess that''s it. I don''t know if I''ve ever had that opportunity .......) I''ll try to think back, but if I met someone in her position, I''m sure I''d remember. ...... I thought about it for a while when I was asked the meaningful question, but I could only come to the conclusion that I have never met her. 59 59.Alta and Ena Basically, we followed the plan of the inspection and traveled by carriage. There were no major problems, and the day''s objectives were coming to an end. The last place we were going to visit today was the arena where the "sword fighting tournament" was held. There are several of these places in the capital, and they are also used for major events. It is usually open to the public, and once a month, a large market is held here. Since today was just such a day, there were still many people around the arena. Hmm, the market itself is over. Aena muttered, a little disappointed. Perhaps she was looking forward to observing such events. ...... That''s how it is. You can find some places that do it now. "Mmm, I see. ...... When I followed up, he looked a bit pleased, but then quickly returned to his original intimidating expression. I almost smiled back at him, but he was a guest of honor. (Haha, that''s difficult. A lot of things ......) It wasn''t exhausting, but it was a hassle. I''m always on the lookout for people around me, and I intend to protect not only Aena, but Iris and Mercier as well. The duty of a ¡¶knight¡· is not an easy one. While I was thinking about that. "Melche, can you go see if the market is still open? Yes, sir. "Oh, well, then I''ll... No, I''ll go with Mr. Mercier. Alta with Aena. Iris glanced at me and said. In her own way, she''s thinking about my placement. It''s not that I can''t protect you if you''re not by my side, but ....... I''m sure you''ll agree, Iris. I accept her proposal, even though Iris has a higher rank in the nobility. Iris and Mercier got off the carriage and headed towards the arena. If you go in through the entrance, you can easily see what''s inside. ...... It won''t take them long to come back. (It''s a little awkward, though.) (But it''s a little awkward.) In the carriage, Aena and I are sitting on opposite sides. I''m looking at her, and she''s looking out of the carriage. She has her legs crossed and her elbows on the ground, as if she is not interested in me. (Well, I don''t mind if she does...) "Alta Schweiz, you say? Suddenly, Aena opens her mouth. I was a little taken aback and surprised. But I immediately nodded and answered. "Yes, Miss Aena. Can I help you? "No, I''m not here for anything. ...... She doesn''t look at me, but she moves quickly to the front of me. Then she peeked out of the carriage. I see Iris and Mercier in front of me. Of course, there''s no sign of them coming back yet. After confirming this, Aena finally turned to face me. This is the first time that''s happened today, I guess. "Hmm, I see. ...... You''re just a kid. I''m twelve. Twelve. You''re young, three years younger than me. Three is almost the same as ......, or rather, from my point of view, Aena is much younger. I don''t think you can tell that. It''s a good idea to take a look at your own personal life. Occasionally, she would mutter something meaningful like "I''m ...... this ......? and other meaningful things. (I wonder what the situation is, this is ......) Even I did not expect this situation. I thought she didn''t like me, but as soon as they were gone, Aena suddenly closed the distance between us. I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that. I''m not sure what to make of this. ...... I wonder if they know that I''m a knight of the guard. (It''s a pain in the ass when people say, "You''re letting a kid be your escort,.......") It''s a trustworthy arrangement on the kingdom''s side, and the empire''s side will think that they are being licked. That''s why it''s better if they don''t find out that I''m an escort as much as possible. "Um, ......? I look at Aena as if I''m trying to figure out what''s going on. I''m not sure if this is a good idea, but it''s a good idea. "Do you mind if I give you a hand? "Your hand? Yeah, just a touch. No problem. ...... (No, really, what''s the situation? ......) (No, really, what''s the situation? ) As if to confirm something, this time Aena touches my hand. Then she lets out a small breath. I''m not sure what to make of this. I''m not so sure about that. Are you okay? Yeah, I''m sorry. I just wanted to check something. It''s just that I''ve been ......... I guess I got a little carried away. Don''t worry about it. I wonder if there''s something going on between these two, like the conversation with Mercier. It may not be enough to confirm it, but maybe it''s worth asking. I''m not sure if I''ll be able to do this, but I''m sure I''ll be able to do it. "Mmm, that Mercier guy. That''s not true. ....... No, no, no, no. The other day...! When Aena was about to answer. She looked around as if she noticed something. I moved faster than that. I took up a position beside Aena as if to protect her. The carriage shook with a thud, as if someone was watching us from the periphery. "Enemy? "Maybe. Master Aena is here. "Mm, you ...... It''s a good idea to take a look at the website to see if there is anything you can do to help. I''ve already changed my mind and am on the warpath. ...... I hope it goes off without a hitch. I was hoping that this would be the case, but it seems that this is not the case. 60 60. Those who get mixed up (Three ...... four--no, you''re more than that.) There are two signs that can be felt just above the carriage. But there are more signs that can be felt in the crowd. The timing, and above all the murderous intent poured into the carriage, was undoubtedly aimed at Aena. I''m not sure if she was the original target, or if they decided to target her for some reason. But it doesn''t change what I have to do. (I''m the one who can protect her without a sword...) At about the same time, he unleashes the Invisible, a blade of wind made up of magical power. The purpose is to wound the people on the carriage and block their movement. But... (...... dodged. You''re fast.) The two people on top of the carriage react to my sword strike. At the very least, my sword strike is not something that can be dodged overnight. And it''s a blow that I fired from inside the carriage. If you can dodge it, it means that the two people who came for Aena are quite skilled. You will find a lot of things that you can do to make your life easier. I''m sure you''ll be happy to know that I''m not the only one. That was my attack, sir. "Sh, Schweizer, first officer ......! I''m sending out a general order. We''ve got a few assassins in the crowd. The signal is yellow. Yes, sir! As soon as the knights are ready, I turn back to Aena. "Well, Miss Aena. Over here. ...... If you''re giving the orders, then you must be... We''ll talk about this later. The enemy seems to be of considerable power. I''ll give priority to your protection. Saying that, I take Aena''s hand. But she gently shook my hand away and smiled. "Huh, you want me to back off? I''m not. ...... Because the situation is what it is. There are two enemies close by. There are still people evacuating the area. Don''t be stupid. You don''t think I''m capable of fighting something like that? As Aena replied to my words, I felt a strong magic power from outside. At about the same time, a roar rang out from outside the carriage. It was water created by magic - it was released at the assassin who had just dodged my attack, and the two of them dodged it again. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for and what you can do to help. ...... This is the magic that Aena cast. I know how many enemies there are. I''m sure you''re pretty good at it, but ...... not good enough to kill me. I''m sure you''re pretty good at it, but not good enough to kill me. You''re a knight. If you are a knight, you should be aware of the people around you. You don''t need a bodyguard for something like this. Now, I''m here!¡¡If you want the head of this Aena Baudel, you can come at me from anywhere! With that, he took out the rapier on his waist. The rapier has a light blue blade, and water petals dance around it. ...... Aena''s specialty is water magic. (More importantly, I''m surprised she came forward on her own. ......) Aena''s actions were probably in line with her words to me. If you''re dealing with someone of this caliber, don''t protect her, protect the people around her. Despite Aena''s attitude, I can see that she is genuinely concerned about the people around her. Perhaps she has a more troublesome personality than Iris. ...... That''s how I felt about her. ("Worry about the people around you.") I let out a small breath and stand next to her. Aena didn''t look at me. What are you doing? You don''t need a guard. I have something to say. Protecting you is the best way to protect the people around you, and it''s not that difficult to protect others while protecting you. In fact, take it easy on yourself. ...... "Haha, you say. Then show it to me! At the same time, Aena and I started to move. Immediately after, a signal round is fired high into the sky. We''re under attack! This is used to say, "Secure the safety of the people around you. I sit on the carriage and check the situation around me. Even the people around me who were upset understood that something had happened by the signal shot. Immediately, the knights guarding the carriage shouted and began to guide them. The two that Aena had pursued split off to the left and right and were looking at us. In addition to their abilities, these two men may also serve to distract attention from the assassins that are mixed in the vicinity. (Stay close ......, you know my timing well. In this case, it''s easiest for me to stay close to Aena. ......) Alta Schweizer. You take the right. I''ll take the left. There''s no way Aena''s going to get that. At least, judging by the height of the two assassins, we''re not in a situation I''m worried about. However, there is something that worries me. "Miss Aena, your opinion. ......, I was just about to make a move. I was just about to make a move. There''s not much in the Empire that could stop me. I somehow understand how the Imperials feel, but I also have things to do as an escort. I''m sure you''ll be able to figure out what''s going on. Iris-sama will come back as soon as she sees the signal bullet. There aren''t many of them. ...... There are probably two of them who are capable. You think ...... a standoff is best? Good. What''s best? The best thing would be for Iris to fight one of them at this time. At the very least, Iris won''t fall behind even if she can dodge my Invisible. In my own way, I''m putting my trust in Iris for this escort mission. Aena''s readiness to fight has not changed. It looked like she was about to make a move, but after a moment of silence. ...... I agree with you. I''ll take your word for it. Thank you.¡¡Thank you very much. ...... I can''t say I was surprised, but Aena accepted my opinion. No, she is also a soldier, albeit a young one, with rank. If she had subordinates, she would naturally be in charge of the chain of command. If you look at the situation, you can at least judge whether you should move now or not. ...... If it were just her, for example, she would definitely be running for the fight. (Now all that remains to be seen is how the other side will move. ...... Hmm?) I saw the two assassins retreating. They may have assessed the situation in this short time and turned to retreat. (If they were assassins, they could have run away when they failed, but they didn''t run away right away, they did it now. (If you are an assassin, you could have thought of running away when you failed, but you didn''t run away right away.) In this case, it would be more effective for me and Aena to go after one of them first. I''d like to leave the other one to Iris, but there''s no sign that she and Mercier are coming back together - the knight''s orders have been given, and people are getting out of here, despite the unrest. (If they don''t come back, there''s ...... no choice.) "Master Aena. We''ll both do one of two things: ...... Is that your plan? That''s your plan?¡¡Yes, that''s my plan. You and I are kindred spirits. But Iris and Mercier haven''t come back. My man, Mercier, is no stranger to these guys, but ...... he has no choice. We''ll split up. No, that''s ...... I know - I''m not going to move far from here. If they''re after me, they might move if I''m alone. Aim there. ...... So, Aena lures the enemy out and I kill it. I just showed you a sword fight, but I never thought I would be entrusted with that much. (Haha, I shouldn''t have said anything too big.) What''s your answer?¡¡No, next time don''t ask, just move. Yes, sir. Let''s start the joint operation. The battle against the ...... assassins began, albeit unexpectedly, with me and Aena. 61 61. Where they are Me and Aena immediately went into action. I went towards one of the assassins, while Aena went towards the other one. Keeping a distance of not too far from Aena, I faced the assassin. The assassin, perhaps seeing my movement, tries to move backwards - of course, I don''t pursue him too deeply. (Now, as for you, Aena, ......) On the other side - Aena is also not too far away from me, as planned. With our backs to the carriage, we are both facing the assassin. With no one by Aena''s side, ...... I check my surroundings. There are other assassins moving among the fleeing people - but they are already leaving the carriage. I''m not sure what to make of it, but it''s a good idea. (I can still feel the bloodshed from all sides. I don''t know about this. The assassin I''m facing is watching me as if he''s observing my movements. There is no significant movement. On the contrary, the assassin shows almost no movement. He is holding a dagger in his right hand. "Is he coming? "...... The assassin does not respond to my words. I guess his purpose is to attract me. A moment later, a loud noise echoes from behind me. "Haha, you can''t kill me just by running away! You''ll be able to''t kill me just by running away!" Such a voice also reached my ears. ...... Aena must have launched a magical attack. At the same time, there was movement in the area. It''s not like she''s running away, but she''s coming towards us. It was the assassins who had begun to target Aena, who was acting alone. I''ll move along with them. "First one-- I leap backwards and jump onto the carriage. The closer I get to my Invisible, the more deadly it becomes. But if you just want to subdue your opponent, the distance is far enough. With a whoosh of wind, I unleash my sword at the assassin''s legs. It doesn''t matter if you are in the crowd. As long as there is a small gap, my wind blade will reach there. "Aah! The voice of the assassin who was hit by my attack echoed. There were a few more who showed signs of being upset by the voice. "The second--third. At the right moment, I unleash a wind blade at the two assassins. At about the same time, two of the shadows fell. This is the third assassin I''ve subdued. ...... Compared to the previous two assassins, they don''t seem to notice my attack and try to avoid it. It seems that the only ones with different abilities are the assassins in front of me and Aena. "...... ()¡¡He''s backing off slightly--he''s trying to escape. At this point, the assassin finally makes a show of running away. He must have realized that he could not kill Aena at this moment. But he can''t chase the assassin here. In the background, Aena is still fighting. I didn''t get a good look at Aena fighting, but she looked rough but she was checking her surroundings carefully. She was probably aware of the assassin''s movements. But before she could, I overpowered the assassin - or perhaps it was more accurate to say that the plan worked. Aena''s single action had allowed her to catch several assassins. "-- The assassin in front of me jumped backwards. The assassin in front of me jumped backwards. He must have seen the wind blade earlier and understood my distance to some extent. I can still chase him at this distance, but that''s not what I''m here to do. Sorry. Three is enough for now. Instead of chasing the assassin in front of me, I turned back to Aena in the rear. A wall of water has been built around Aena, and she is keeping a watchful eye on her surroundings. The assassin Aena was facing was also keeping his position close to her. There was no guarantee that he would be able to kill Aena even if he went into battle. (The bold but also cautious ...... is still a bit tricky. The fact that her fighting style is somewhat similar to Aria''s has always been a concern of mine. If possible, I would like to capture this one. ....... You keep running away from me. ....... Are you willing to fight me? Aena stops her attack and asks the assassin. The people around you follow the knight''s lead and leave, and the three assassins I''ve just subdued have already been captured by the knight guarding them. For the time being, it worked, thanks to Aena''s strategy of staying close to me. "Please surrender. Surrender, and you won''t need to be injured. "...... Injured, huh? You only captured those around you because you wanted information? For the first time, the assassin opened his mouth. It was the voice of a young man, calm even in this situation. I know he''s a young man, but he''s a very capable one - I can''t see his face or skin, but at least he doesn''t seem to be in a hurry. He also seemed to know that the other assassin behind me had already fled the scene. I don''t have to answer. If you''re not going to surrender-- "Iris Reinfell. And Mercier Altina, right? "Yes! The assassin interrupted me and said two names. I didn''t expect to hear those names from the assassin. (Only a few people know that Iris is by Aena''s side. ......) I started to think about it - but no answer came out right away. In any case, the fact that the assassin mentioned their names at least warns me that he is going to do something against Iris and Mercier. In fact, there is no sign that Iris and Mercier are coming back to us yet. Aena''s expression also turns grim as she hears Mercier''s name. I''m not sure what you''ve done to Mercier. I''m not sure what to make of it, but I''m sure it''s worth it. With that, the assassin runs backwards. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m sure I''ll be able to do it. ...... It''s not as if I could catch up with him if I went after him with all my might. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. "Master Aena! The mission is over. Let''s go find Iris and Mercier! I know. (...... I''m sure Iris is safe.) But I''m still worried about Iris. I signaled to the other knights in the guard. If Iris and Mercier come back, please let us know. I was able to protect Aena, but it didn''t seem like the situation was going to be safe yet. 62 62. Reunion Iris and Mercier were walking near the arena, which was still crowded with people. The fact that there were still so many people in the arena meant that there was probably something going on inside. If you just want to see inside, let''s go this way. If you just want to see inside, let''s go from here. You can see a lot more from the spectator seats, and this place is open to the public now. "Yes, sir. And you, Mr. Iris. Yes, how may I help you? You don''t have to speak to me like that. Suddenly, Mercier spoke up in such a way. Aena did not want to be formal, so she spoke normally, but Mercier was different. It''s a good thing that you''re not the only one who has a problem with this. You''re right,........ I''ll do that. Mr. Mercier is-- "I''m sorry, but I''m going to have to leave it at that. I''m not a nobleman, I''m just one of Master Aena''s men. Besides, I''m a normal person. I understand. As they talked, they walked through the service entrance to the auditorium. There are a few people here, too, but it''s more empty than in the arena. Iris moved with Mercier to the front of the auditorium. They were at the front of the dome-like seats, a few meters above the lower level. Here, I could see for some distance. It looks like the market is almost over. ...... "A street performance? Mercier added. The reason the arena was so crowded was because there was a performance going on inside. There seemed to be a crowd gathered around a pair of robed and masked men. Their bodies are both slender, and their movements, from throwing knives to running around the large grounds together, are beyond the realm of ordinary people--Iris sees this and suddenly thinks of a girl. (In the past, Aria used to show me all sorts of tricks, didn''t she?) The girl who was his best friend and family member who had disappeared. Aria never told me much about her identity, that''s for sure. The only thing that Iris has heard in the past is that she has been running away. In the past, Iris has only heard that she ran away. ...... For Iris, it doesn''t matter how Aria lived her life, or so she thought. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. "...... Master Iris, are you all right? I''m sorry.¡¡Oh, I''m sorry. I''m sorry, I was a little taken aback. ...... I understand how you feel, Iris. I can understand why you feel that way. Those two are doing such a great job. If you let Aena know, she might be interested in them. Mercier replied, watching the duo''s movements. Whether Aena would be interested or not ...... would be an important factor in this inspection. It is necessary for the friendship between the two countries. "...... Really?¡¡So you want me to invite him here?¡¡I''ll go get him. "No, let''s go back. Master Aena can be a bit fickle. I can''t help but agree with Mercier when he says that. We have only been together for a short time, but it''s hard to tell what Aena is thinking. In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site. ...... I can''t help but feel a certain admiration for him. (One day I too will be a knight ...... defending this country. I''ll do what I can to make that happen.) I''m not sure what to do, but I''m sure you can do it. I''m sure Aria would say so. "In that case, shall we go back? Yes. I''m sorry about the market. I''m sorry about the market. ...... In the meantime, if you have any other opportunities to stop by--! A moment later, Iris'' words were interrupted by a roar and a murmur from outside the arena. Iris and Mercier looked at each other. That sound was ......! "Master Iris, let''s hurry back-- Mercier''s decision is quick, and he immediately rushes out. Iris did not miss the knife that came flying from behind her. He grabbed the handle of the knife and stood in front of Mercier as if to protect him. I''m not sure what to say. ...... I didn''t think they''d target us too. I''m not sure what to make of this, but I''m sure it''s a good idea. Given the situation, we should return immediately. ....... (If Aena has a teacher ......, then all I have to do is ......) (Aena has a teacher , then what I should do is ) I decided to cover Mercier and return to where Alta was. However, the enemy moved as if they had anticipated this. The two men who had just performed the trick came to Iris and the others without any hesitation. One as if to block the escape route, and one on the side of the arena. Iris immediately takes her stance. In order to summon his sword, the Shiden, immediately. The two who came to the scene also took up their weapons. I''m not sure what to make of that. ...... Iris'' eyes widened when she saw it. Because the weapon was one that Iris was familiar with. "...... Aria? It was so sudden that she could not comprehend it. It''s not possible, he denied, but he was immediately confronted with the reality. The unmasked "girl" was Aria, Iris'' best friend who had disappeared. 63 63. Cross blade "Aria, ......? Iris could not hide her surprise at the sight of her best friend in front of her. In a moment of panic, the threads entwined around her limbs and body, restricting her movements. "Aah! You can''t move. If you don''t move, the thread can easily sever your body. Aria says this matter-of-factly. The thread that restrains Iris was stretched out from the black hole that was created around her - a magic that Aria specializes in. You will find a lot of things that you can do to make your life easier. Why ......? Iris asks Aria. But Aria does not respond to Iris''s words. Aria''s eyes are as cold as they were when they first met, and she doesn''t seem to be looking at Iris. Her best friend, who was supposed to have disappeared, was right in front of her, attacking Iris and Mercier - Iris knew what she had to do, even in the midst of a situation where she couldn''t organize everything. (I have to meet up with the teachers ...... to do that ......) "......! There is no hesitation in Iris''s movements. I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but it''s a good idea. It''s a great way to make sure you''re getting the most out of your vacation. "...... Aria, too, did not show any sign of being upset. But even though she should be able to move right now, Aria showed no signs of moving. --The movement was on the other side. The only movement was on the other side. "-Madam Iris, take it easy. "...... What? It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. It''s a good idea to take a look at the website and see if you can find anything you like. I''m not sure what to do. I''m not sure what to make of that. I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not. You''ll be able to find a lot more than just a few of them. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. He took out a dagger from his pocket, and the fight between Mercier and the assassin began. I''ll leave you to it, Iris. ...... Sorry, thank you. I''m sure you''ll be pleased to know that I''m not the only one who''s a little nervous about this. Iris faced Aria once again. There''s a lot I want to ask you, but for that, Aria. I think I need to fight you. "Okay, come here. Aria replies, moving lightly to get away from Iris. Iris moved to follow her. After a short distance, the two stopped moving. Aria holds up two daggers, and Iris, clad in lightning, calls her own sword to hand. Although they had cut each other with mock swords before, they had never put their own power to the test. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re doing. ...... You''re serious, aren''t you? I''m sure Iris is too. Hey, why are you here at ......? I''ve been worried ...... about you for a long time, and now you''re trying to ...... kill us? It has nothing to do with ...... Iris. It doesn''t matter!¡¡We are-- I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not, but it''s a good idea. The dagger and sword clashed, and their gazes crossed. I''m not going to talk to Iris right now. "......! You can''t persuade her to do anything. You''ll be able to find a lot more information on the web. When Aria noticed this, she quickly distanced herself from Iris. A "black hole" appeared around her. By throwing her projectiles into it, Aria could attack from any direction. ...... This is exactly the kind of magic that an assassin would use. (Don''t hesitate now. ...... I have to stop Aria.) Iris gripped the hilt of her sword tightly and took a stance. (Don''t hesitate now. I have to stop Aria.) Iris grips the hilt of her sword tightly and takes a stance. 64 64.Illis vs. Aria The sword itself is tinged with lightning and will damage anyone who wields it. Iris is able to overcome and master it, but it was only a short time ago that she swore to wield this sword of her own will. Maybe it''s because before that - before he became the "Strongest Knight" - he was hesitant to even hold this sword. But now, it''s different. Even if it was my best friend in front of me, I would not hesitate to take the sword to stop her. No, because it was Aria, Iris took the sword herself. The first strike. Aria had no hesitation in closing the distance to Iris, who was covered in purple lightning. Aria must have understood the nature of this sword. Even so, Iris''s sword and Aria''s jet-black dagger clashed with each other. "......! The moment the sword and dagger collide, Aria shows a look of anguish. I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but it''s a good idea. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. I''m not sure what to do. I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re doing. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. In the event that you have any questions regarding where and the best way to get in touch with us, please do not hesitate to contact us. (But ......) We''ve been with each other for years. We''ve both grown up in these fights. Iris has a good idea of how Aria will attack. Aria''s onslaught, which did not stop even after being struck by lightning, foreshadowed a "short term settlement". She must have understood that the longer it went on, the more advantageous it would be for Iris, who had both the attack power and durability. Even in the continuous barrage, Iris is always looking for an opening to counterattack. And that time would soon come. In the midst of Aria''s onslaught, a small opening inevitably arises. It was a habit of Aria''s, that no matter how fast she attacked, there was always an opening for a big swing. Because it was Iris, she would not let that small gap go - she would take a step forward and go on the offensive. At that moment. "What? What Iris felt was a sense of discomfort with the sword she was swinging. It''s a great way to make sure you don''t get caught in the middle. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re doing. (......This, is ......!) It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. He wrapped a harder one around Iris when he saw the moment she went on the offensive. For just a moment - like an opening - so that Aria could get one step ahead of Iris. I told you. Don''t let your guard down. "I told you. A black hole appears around Iris. A small knife, different from Aria''s dagger, emerges from the hole. The string also came from a hole a short distance away. In order to block Iris''s movement, the knife was aimed at her feet and released. "This ......! Iris''s sword is still trapped by Aria''s thread. But Iris thrusts her flailing sword into the ground and jumps up on the spot, using it as a pivot. It''s as if he''s going to kick Aria at the same time. Aria blocked it and stepped back slightly. You''re not the only one who can do this kind of move. "...... No, I''m not. Iris and I are very different. What''s--? Everything. We''ve always been different. I''ve never really fought Iris in a fight. Neither has Iris. ...... Even now, lightning, you''re weak. "No!¡¡That''s ....... It''s a good thing that you''re not the only one. It''s not wrong to point out that, unconsciously or not, Iris hadn''t been able to demonstrate her true power in her fight with Aria. He really wants to stop Aria, but if he does... I''m not. I wouldn''t hesitate to kill for the sake of someone I care about. That''s the difference between me and Iris. "......! Aria has her dagger at the ready and is ready to fight again. I''m not sure if I''m going to be able to do this, but I''m going to try. This is the first time I''ve ever seen such a thing. It''s a good idea to keep your eyes and ears open for the latest news. (......!¡¡Reinforcements ......!) Iris braces herself. (! Reinforcements !!?) Iris braced herself. She knew it was one of her friends because she was dressed like Aria. The other fellow makes a gesture as if he''s going to give Aria an earful. "......, we''re done for the day. What did you say? I said, "We''re done. I said I''m done. Iris ......, you do your job. I''ll do what I have to do. But I need you to do one thing-- stay out of this. Aria! Iris tries to hold Aria back. But Aria is moving fast - she''s moving away with her friends. As Iris tries to chase after her, she sees Mercier''s reflection out of the corner of her eye. "Mr. Mercier! Iris rushes to Mercier, who is kneeling on the spot. Mercier made a hand gesture to stop him. Don''t worry. I was able to escape as well. ...... He seemed to be a little injured, but he seemed to be okay. Iris looks at the direction in which Aria disappeared. Why? ...... No one can answer that question. The only thing that remains unanswered for Iris is the fact that Aria is clearly an enemy. ...... It was only a short time later that Arta and Aena arrived here. 65 65. Enemy Identity By the time I arrived, the battle was already over. Fortunately, both Iris and Mercier were not seriously injured, and I was able to confirm that they were safe. The assassins seemed to have come for Iris and Mercier, but they escaped before we could get to them--or perhaps that was part of their calculation. If Aena and I had continued to pursue one of them, we might have been able to capture him, but at least as things stand now, the enemy hasn''t lost a single skilled player. In addition to the two who came to us, there are two who are capable of escaping from Iris and Mercier - a total of four people. I''m not sure what to make of this, but I think it''s a good idea. In any case, she basically tries to fight alone, and Aena admits that she can do so. The assassins he captured were probably just a bunch of lizards or lizards with tails. You may not get much useful information. (Did they intend to keep us close until the last minute to check our strength? Well, as it turned out, we were able to ascertain their strength as well.) There is also a possibility that they will send more troops. We needed to be more vigilant. (Now, the problem is ......) Even after I met up with her, I headed for Iris, who was looking off into the distance with a somewhat unhappy expression on her face. She had wounds here and there, and had just been treated with Mercier. "Iris, are you okay? Oh, doctor. ....... I''m sorry I let the ...... enemy escape. No, it''s the same for me. I''m rather glad you two are okay. We captured some of them, but ...... the ones that I and Iris fought are probably the main force. "......Yeah, right. I''m sure you''ll be able to understand why. That alone was enough for me to understand what had happened to Iris. --The assassins'' movements I saw were similar to Aria''s. ...... Was Aria the one Iris was fighting? "......?¡¡How did you know that? ......! I''m sure you''ll be pleased to know that I''m not the only one. She averts her gaze and after a few seconds of silence. I thought I''d tell Dr. ...... about it right away. But I didn''t know how to explain it. ...... "I see. I guess he didn''t want to explicitly call Aria an enemy. But in reality, Aria was the one who attacked Iris. My prediction turned out to be wrong. Given the timing of Aria''s disappearance and the situation with the Marshal''s daughter from the Empire ......, it was quite possible that Aria was working for the organization that wanted Aena. Or perhaps she was a part of that organization from the beginning. (...... No, that''s not very likely. But what if that was part of the plan?) While I was pondering this, my gaze suddenly met Iris''s. The pestering look in her eyes was something Iris had never shown me before. "Doctor ......, what should I do? You don''t have to do anything. "No! I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not, but it''s a good idea. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m going to do it. It is clear that this matter is aimed at us. So we''ll deal with it. What do you mean, "deal with it?" ...... What are you going to do? It''s clear. The enemy is clearly targeting me. ...... We will deal with the enemy. Nothing more, nothing less. It''s ....... Iris choked on her words. You''ll be able to find a lot more than just a few. I think Iris can''t answer well because Aria is among them. But it''s my role to answer here. I understand what you''re thinking, Aena. It is the role of us, the knights of the kingdom, to intercept the enemy. But...¡¡I should''ve asked you about that too. No, you don''t need to ask. ...... The youngest knight in the kingdom, huh? I was going to formally introduce you later, but... No, thank you. I''m sure you''ve heard of it. I''ve heard that you''re skilled enough to defeat the Swordsmen single-handedly. It seems that a certain amount of information has been passed down to the Imperial side as well. I''m not sure what to make of it, but I''m sure it''s a good idea. ...... Well, since the son of the king plotted to assassinate Iris, one of the candidates for king, there''s no way that a case of that magnitude could go unnoticed. I''m sure there will be an investigation. I''d like to introduce myself again, but at least I''ve been entrusted with Aena-sama''s protection. And you want me to leave her alone?¡¡Do you think I''ll accept that? Of course, I don''t expect you to accept that. I''m just curious about something. What is it? I think it''s highly likely that this is aimed at you, Miss Aena. ...... I think it''s more likely than not. I think so too. But you don''t care about the assassins you''ve captured, you only care about the ones who have already escaped. Isn''t that because you already know who you are dealing with? "! Aena looked surprised when she heard my words. Of course, if she thought exactly as I did, it would be easy to dismiss the captured assassin as not having any information. But Aena was a soldier, and it seemed strange to me that she would not care about the assassins she had captured, even if there was a small chance that they had escaped. You''re a funny guy. You''re good at what you do, but you''re also good at assessing situations calmly. I''m flattered by the compliment. It''s true, I knew I could be targeted, and I even went out of my way to make sure I was. Aena replied: "When you asked me to reduce the number of knights in my guard, you clearly meant that you wanted to appear less defensive. Do you know about the enemy, Master Aena? Yes, I''m aware of them too. ...... They--the Shadow Apostles--are enemies of the Empire. Yes, Aena replied clearly. The name of the assassins'' organization and Aria''s involvement in it were new revelations. 66 66. The Shadow Apostles Night - we were at the inn where we were supposed to stay. More knights will be sent to guard the place. I''ve already informed Remyll of the situation. She, too, was moving to take immediate action because of the fact that Aena had been targeted. The four of us are gathered in a room at the inn, Aena, her guard Mercier, Iris, and me. The conversation was about the "Shadow Apostle" that Aena had mentioned earlier. First of all, ...... I''ll admit that the reason I''ve kept my numbers as low as possible this time was to lure them in. I used you guys. "Used you?" ...... I''m not sure what to make of that. You will find a lot of things that you can do to make your life easier. I''m sure she had some idea of what she was doing. ...... This could be a problem between countries. They knew they would be targeted, so they reduced the number of guards. ...... Isn''t that dangerous? "Yes, I know. And if anything happens to me, it''ll be the Kingdom''s fault. That''s what they''re after. The Shadow Angel.¡¡The Shadow Apostles? Some kind of assassination squad? Something like that. It''s a pretty big organization for the Empire, though. ....... There''s a reason why I call it an enemy of the Empire, of course. The Empire is not monolithic either. Although she didn''t go into specifics, Aena''s words conveyed what she was trying to say. There must be someone who wants to start a war between countries by targeting Aena. And considering that Aena''s father is a marshal in the imperial army - at the very least, she must want to protect her father''s position. (Conservatives and extremists: ...... or something like that) Aena is the reason for the friendly relations between the Kingdom and the Empire, and it is the purpose of the Shadow Apostle to target Aena. I know it''s impossible not to worry, but I''ve prepared myself. Even if something should happen to me, there will be no war between the Empire and the Kingdom. "What does that mean?¡¡What do you mean by that? It''s simple. I''ve informed your father of all my plans, though I can''t say he''s been convinced. Aena answers my question. She was going to use herself as bait to fight her father''s enemies. I''m sure that the ...... stage for this was the inspection in this country. This is the reason why I proposed the visit. ......? "The visit itself was necessary to establish friendly relations. You can say that this was my own decision. Of course, the kingdom can hold me responsible for it. I understand all of this, and I''m acting accordingly, but I apologize for the inconvenience. "No, it''s not a problem. It is true that you are being targeted, and it is our role as knights to protect you. The role of a knight is ....... I''m sure you''ll be able to figure out how to do it. I''m not sure if what Aena is saying about "the true meaning" applies to me at all, but at least if I knew Aena was going to be targeted, I would still be doing what I do. It''s my job, as a knight of the kingdom, to protect her. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m sure I''ll be able to do it. ...... In this case, Aria is involved in it. I''m not sure what to make of it, but I''m sure it''s worth it. Yeah, it''s been around for years. ...... Speaking of which, I heard that one of your enemies is Iris, an acquaintance of yours. My best friend. He''s my family, too. ...... Iris replied to Aena''s words. How did Aria get involved in that organization? ...... From what I''ve heard, it was Iris and Iris''s mother who protected Aria. --Aria was on the side of the Empire, I guess. I don''t know if she was separated from the organization for some reason, or if she stayed with it from the beginning. ...... I''d like to say that the Empire will take care of this, but I hear you have some history with them as well. That''s true. I''d like to say that the Empire will take care of this matter, but I hear that you have a history with them as well. Aena-sama wants to destroy the organization itself ......, is that it? That''s right. We want to bring back Aria, who is in that organization - that''s what we''re doing. We want to bring back Aria from that organization - that''s what we''re trying to do. If necessary, I''ll have to fight that organization for whatever reason, rather than just ....... "So you''re saying that you''re willing to cooperate again?¡¡I''ve been hiding the truth from you, haven''t I? I''ve been hiding the truth from you. - So let''s keep it that way. Of course, there may be things that you can''t tell us, but at least you can provide us with information regarding the Shadow Apostle. That way, we can investigate. "...... Okay. I''ll give you a summary on that later. Mercier, get ready. Yes, sir. Mercier, who was standing behind me, replied. My movements and Aena''s are unchanged. I''ll continue my inspection, but I''ll also have to fight the Shadow Apostle that''s targeting Aena and the others. ...... because that''s where Aria is. ...... It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. In this story, we didn''t know much about Aria either. All I knew was that the organization had existed in the Empire for a long time. But then, Mercier came to me. "Mr. Alta, I need to talk to you for a moment. Do you have a moment? "No problem, what can I do for you? "It''s about ......, Notoria. I''m leaving some of this to you, Miss Aena. You say such things. ...... Nautria is - Aria''s last name. I''m not sure if I''m going to be able to do this, but I''m sure I''ll be able to. 67 67. Arias Family As the sun was setting, I went to the roof. There was no sign of Iris in the room, and there was no mention of her going outside. If that''s the case, she must be here. When I opened the door, I saw Iris looking outside. ...... She is looking at the view from the roof with a gloomy expression. It''s hard to say that I''m okay. "Sir, ....... When Iris sees me, she bites her lip. She seems to have something to say, but she seems to be holding it back. I continue to stand beside Iris and look at the scenery. The whole town was already lit up by the lights, and it was becoming like a beautiful night scene. It''s a view not often seen from the rooftops of the ¡¶School¡·. Iris also moved her eyes to the night view again. Some time passed in silence between them. It was I who spoke first. "About Aria... What? The mere mention of her name causes Iris to shiver. She seemed to be scared of what kind of decision I would make. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m sure I''ll be able to do it. ...... I don''t mean to scare her in the slightest. I''m not going to scare her, but I think she''s under a lot of pressure right now. Don''t worry, I agree with Iris. We''ll get Aria back, I promise. I know that, I know that. I want to bring Aria back, too. Iris turns to me. I know that," she continued, looking as if she was about to burst into tears. But ...... I don''t understand. I never thought I''d have to fight Aria. I didn''t mean to stray, but I couldn''t ...... really face the fight with Aria. So that''s why you couldn''t bring Aria back? I''m sure that for Aria, she''d be able to kill without hesitation ...... for the sake of someone she cares about. I''m sure there is someone out there that is important to Aria, and that''s why she can fight me. When I thought about it, I didn''t know what to do. ...... I''m sure Iris wants to bring Aria back. I''m not sure what kind of communication I had with Aria, but I''m sure she said something that could be considered a farewell. The reason why Aria is working with the Shadow Apostle is because of that "important person". It''s hard to say who Aria''s "important person" is without asking her. But for Aria, at least, Iris must be an important person, too. ...... How can you be so sure? I think you know that better than I do. If you didn''t take it seriously, you might have been injured more seriously by now. At least, if Aria was serious, too. It''s ....... Hearing my words, Iris choked on her words. In my opinion, there is no significant difference in ability between Iris and Aria. There is not much difference in ability between Iris and Aria, as far as I can tell. At least, as far as Iris'' condition is concerned, she is far from her best - she was probably the same way when she faced Aria. If the current Iris were to confront Aria in earnest, it would not be impossible to kill her. I''m sure you''ll be able to find something that works for you. I''m sure you''ll be happy to know that I''m not the only one. Oh!¡¡If that''s the case, then Aria probably didn''t intend to fight either. Regardless of the reason, Aria is on the side of the enemy. I''m not sure what to make of this, but I think it''s a good idea. ......!¡¡Then, Aria is ......? You and Aria must be worried about each other. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for and how to get there. Iris had a look of surprise on her face. Maybe there''s something that comes to mind. The clear objective of the Shadow Apostle is to assassinate Aena. And beyond that is the war between the kingdom and the empire. ...... I guess they see value in that. If Aria wanted to keep Iris away from this matter, it makes sense that she went to the trouble of telling her that she was on the enemy side. For an assassin, revealing one''s own identity can be fatal. Especially since Aria''s skills are known to Iris and me. If you really want to fight, it would be right to hide your true identity. I feel a little saved by your words, ....... It''s too early to feel saved. I''m sorry. I''m sorry, I''m so weak in front of ...... you. That''s okay, you can just think of me as the reason. "You''re not so childish after all, are you? Haha, I''m often told that. But thank you very much. In any case, I knew what I had to do from the beginning. I''ll bring Aria back, I promise. Clenching her fists, Iris declares clearly. The expression on her face was different from the previous one, this time it was full of determination. As long as she didn''t have any doubts, she would be fine - the problem would be Aria. Now that Iris'' doubts are gone, there''s something I have to tell her. Iris, you and Aria met in the Kingdom, right? "......?¡¡Yes, it was a rainy day, but I was with my mother. ...... I just heard a story from Mr. Mercier. It''s about "Nootria. No-tria, as in aria? Yes, but not exactly. It is indeed Aria''s last name, but I think it''s at least enough to know her connection to the Shadow Apostle. "...... What do you mean? Kufilio Nautria - that''s the founder of the Shadow Apostle and the one who will be our enemy. ......!¡¡So you''re saying that the person who created the Shadow Apostle is a member of Aria''s family? It would have been better if I could have said ''family''. I tell Iris what I heard from Mercier. I will tell Iris what I heard from Mercier. Notoria is Aria''s surname, and it also symbolizes the Darkness of the Empire. I can''t believe it. Aria was quietly cleaning her weapon in the dark, where no one could see her. She polished the dagger with which she had just fought with Iris. Her expression was cold, as if she were a doll. "Notoria, are you alright? There was someone who spoke to Aria. He was hiding his face with a hood and a mask, but when he came in front of Aria, he took it off. There was a young man with a face just like Aria''s. "Brother ....... Are you worried?¡¡Are you worried about whether or not Iris Reinfell will back out? ...... I think Iris is probably not going to back out. Okay. I''m not going to say anything because it''s your call, but ...... if you take too long, you''re going to have to kill Iris too. "...... I know. Aria responded to her brother''s words. I''m not sure if I''m going to be able to do it. Because of ......, she felt she had to do something about it. As the two of them were talking, another person came up behind them. A girl with longer hair and a more mature face than Aria. "Don''t scare your sister too much. "Sister ....... When Aria calls out for her sister, she smiles and nods. These two are Aria''s brothers. ...... There are a lot fewer of them now, though. I''m not trying to scare you. I''m just telling you the truth. That''s what you call scaring. But it''s okay. You promised your father and the doctor that you would do what Aria said, didn''t you? "...... Yes. Aria nodded at her sister''s words. Aria''s family is all here. They had all participated in the earlier mission. As a result, the operation ended in failure, but it was just a checkup to understand the strength. ...... Among the enemies, there is Iris. Arta was also included in the enemy as a matter of course. That''s why Aria has some things she needs to resolve as soon as possible. "Don''t worry, as long as you kill Aena Baudel, it will all be over. You''ll be fine. I know that too ....... Aria tightens her grip on her dagger. There''s only one objective that I''ve been told: the assassination of a girl named Aena Baudel. I''m not sure if you''ve ever heard of it, but it''s a great idea. I''m not sure if this is a good idea, but I think it''s a good idea. (...... I''m protecting someone I care about.) Good girl. Now, they''re waiting for you. Let''s start talking about the next mission. Yeah, let''s get this over with. Aria stands up, following her brother and sister. With determination in her heart, Aria walked out. 68 68. Military Daughter Confirmed Aena was resting alone in her room. As she sits quietly in her chair, she remembers the events of today. An assassin had come for her. ...... So far, so good, just as she planned. (Is she still targeting me? If it''s not in the Empire, it''s in the Kingdom. ...... The Shadow Apostle is definitely trying to frame the Kingdom for the assassination of Aena. Taking advantage of this, Aena is trying to lure the enemy to her. But even she has one miscalculation. (I was hoping that she might be mistaken.) "I''m back, Master Aena. Mercier returns to Aena''s side. Did you get through to her? Yes, just now. Master Alta understood. I see. That man is very good. ....... He''s shown us what he can do in battle. He can cut down an opponent without a sword - interesting guy. Aena smiles as she recalls her fight with the assassin. The Invisible''s ability to instantly create and wield a wind blade was something that Aena had seen up close and understood. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for and how to get there. I''m sure you''ll be able to understand why I''m so excited. I''m sure my thoughts were correct. "...... Master Aena, no way. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. I''m not sure what to say. Don''t worry, they''re ahead of us now. I''m sorry about ....... "Why are you apologizing?¡¡This was my idea and I put it into action. You''re doing exactly what I told you to do. No, it was my idea. "Merci. Aena interrupted Mercier and called out his name. She stood beside him with a smile on her face. Then she gently touched his cheek. Nothing is wrong with you. I, Ena Bourdelle, can assure you of that. Are you still worried? "...... No, you always are, aren''t you? Mercier responded to Aena''s words with a smile. "Haha, always be me. ...... That''s what I believe. But I can''t help but feel out of sorts in front of Alta Schweizer. Aena sighs and sits back in her chair. ...... Aena walked up to Alta and touched her to make sure she was okay. I''m not sure if I''m going to be able to do this, but I''m going to have to. But it was different when the battle began. He felt a slight flutter in his chest when Arutha tried to protect Aena in the carriage. She didn''t know if it was love or not. When she asked Mercier how to find out, he replied, "If you have the chance, why don''t you touch her again? She followed his advice. ...... As a result, Aena was once again aware that she was conscious of Arta. Arutha was strong - she hadn''t fought him as an enemy, but she knew his strength from close quarters. I don''t know if even Aena can beat him. I can''t help but be curious about Arta, who has gained so much strength despite being just a boy. Of course, until this battle is over, I''m going to focus on them. ...... But what should I do about this feeling? ''...... you were serious, weren''t you? "Mm, what the . Did you think I was joking? No, that''s not what I meant. But it''s a little ...... strange for you to say that you''re in ...... ''love'' with Aena. Is that funny? Enna asks in frustration, as Mercier obviously looks at her funny. When Mercier shook his head. No, I just thought you were interested in that sort of thing. I thought it was out of the question. I didn''t think I''d run into anyone stronger than me here. ...... It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. There is no hesitation in Aena''s mind. I''m not sure what to make of it. I''m sure you''ll be able to find something that works for you. ...... But when that''s over, that''s another story. For now, yes, ....... What if a man and a woman are going on a date? "I thought we were supposed to be devoted? Mmm, at least for now. ....... You should go out with my problems a little too. You''re always keeping me company. ....... Well, yes, I do. For the time being-- Aena and Mercier did so, and they began to talk together. The "Shadow Apostle" and Alta Schweizer--these two were now becoming the targets of her operations. 69 69. Inspections and Operations The next day - we decided to continue our route as planned. Since there had been an attack yesterday, we had the option of canceling the inspection itself. In fact, that''s what we should have done. But Aena''s goal was to lure out the Shadow Apostle. Me and Iris also need to make contact with Aria first to bring her back. With Aena''s offer, we are traveling around the capital in a carriage like this. There were other inspection teams sent by the Empire, but none of them were attacked. "They''re aiming for a place with a lot of people, huh? Aena said in the moving carriage. The assassins had come through the crowds. The reason why they attacked in a crowded place, rather than a deserted place, is because they want to make it clear that Aena Baudel has been murdered. If a person in the uniform of the empire was killed in front of a large crowd, that would be proof enough. I''ll have the knights of the guard do their best to secure the surrounding area. They''ve already started questioning the assassin we captured yesterday, but-- I doubt we''ll get much out of it. They''re probably just hired hands. They''re probably just hired guns. The real target is Kufilio Nootria. "Notoria: ...... Iris reacts to Aena''s words. Aria Notoria - that''s her name. The members of the ...... "Shadow Apostles" are made up of people who call themselves Notoria. Perhaps the reason why Aria did not conceal her name was because she herself did not understand the family name. It was not known in the kingdom - in fact, Aria had been able to live without problems since she met Iris. (I''m sure the Commander will take care of that.) Remyll will probably be here today to talk to her. I had originally asked her to find Aria. As a result, we have to tell her that Aria has joined the enemy. That''s what we should be concerned about more than anything. ...... It''s quite possible they''ll attack us today as opposed to yesterday. You''re right. In particular, it seems that the other side is trying to get a good grasp of our movements before making any moves. Mercier and Iris - they attacked after they were separated. And it seems that the other side has something to do with Iris. Yeah, right. I don''t know when the Shadow Apostle is going to attack, but given the conditions yesterday, it''s going to be narrowed down. If there are no more people around Aena in the crowd. Perhaps if Iris leaves, Aria will come into contact with her. There was the option of deliberately creating a situation to lure her out at some point. "Probably, but I don''t think she''s going to attack today. "Well, why not? "Their actions may be bold, but they''re only doing it because they think they can retreat. If they see us acting normally, they will definitely think it''s a trap. If you know when they''re going to do it, it''s easy to ambush them. If you''re not sure what you''re looking for, you can always try to find out more. And I don''t think they''d set a trap that would fail again and again. The next time, it will certainly be aimed at Aena''s life. ...... If you think about it, at least looking at today''s route, you don''t have to worry about an attack. Of course, this is just a guess. "No, they''ll certainly be wary. They are cautious. ...... They don''t set up a trap when they know it will fail. I was going to take the bait if I had to. It''s not that I''m planning on taking the bait, but Aena has already taken the role of decoy herself. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. ...... We can''t create that situation, though. I''m sure you''ll be happy to know that I''m not the only one. I, right? The one who reacted to my words was Iris. I''m not sure what to say, but I''m sure you''ll understand. But if we could confirm that Iris was working with Aena, there was a possibility that Aria would contact her again. Yes, I''m thinking of having Iris act alone when the opportunity arises. Hey!¡¡Are you okay with that?¡¡If Iris goes alone, there''s a chance she''ll be targeted. I''m used to being the target, so I''ll be fine. You''re used to it. You''re very dependable. Aena smiles happily when she hears Iris''s reply. When the opportunity arises, Iris will act alone - that is the only possibility to contact Aria now. We should continue our inspection in the most natural way possible and create a situation where Iris will be alone. So, let''s start today''s inspection as planned. Let''s start today''s inspection. Everyone in the room nodded at my words. This is how the second day''s inspection began. 70 70. Waiters Nilos Royal Park was a place that gave the impression of an expanse of grassland. After making a few rounds for inspection, we arrived here before noon. We stopped the carriage, and Aena and Mercier were looking at the fountain in the center of the park. It had been built many years ago and was one of the landmarks of the capital. It is said that in the evening, the water rises higher and the shadows cast by the setting sun look like works of art. Even in the daytime, it is known as a beautiful fountain. In such a place, the three ...... Iris were already gone. (So far, as planned, I guess.) (So far, so good.) As I had planned, I asked Iris to act alone where necessary. The park was large and sparsely populated, so there was a good chance that Aria would come into contact with her. Conversely, it would not be surprising if an assassin was sent to target Aena here. However, the "Shadow Apostle" only wanted to expose the fact that "Aena was assassinated" to the public. The park is a bit crowded, but it''s more comfortable than the area around the arena yesterday. Alta, can you come by here again in the evening? "I think we can, if we coordinate. At the pace we''re going today, we should be done before dusk. "Well, if you''re going to ......, I''d like to see the fountain in the evening. Aena said and looked at the fountain again. I''m sure you''ll be able to find something that you like. I''m not sure if it''s ...... a matter of getting to know each other or if it''s a matter of being accepted - it''s a bit of a toss up. At the very least, they recognize that I have the power to protect her. They also readily accepted the fact that I was a knight of the kingdom. I can say that they are very adaptable, including Mercier. That''s a big help to me. I''d like to say that I want to head to the next location ...... as soon as possible, but Iris hasn''t returned yet? Suddenly, looking in the direction Iris had disappeared, Aena said. I''ve told Iris not to leave the park. If necessary, I will contact you with a signal shot. ...... There was a chance that I might lose my cool with Aria, but as far as we talked yesterday, I think I''m fine. In fact, she might want to bring Aria back by herself without my help. For her, Aria is not only her best friend but also her family. However, it was more likely that Aria''s situation was more complicated than that. (I almost know why Aria joined the enemy side ....... That is, if what Mr. Mercier says is true. I glanced at Mercier. Aena''s subordinate, but someone who knows a lot about the Shadow Apostle - I heard the details from her yesterday. If all of this is true, it may be that Mercier is the one who has more to do with this than anything else. Aena is also aware of this, and that''s why she is carrying out this operation. (The kids around me are amazing in so many ways: ...... Well, maybe it''s not my place to say...) Iris and Aria, as well as Aena and Mercier, are actually still children in my eyes. But each one of them was still thinking and acting. All I could do was to help them, I guess. (Well, I guess I can''t ask the Commander for a wage for this. It''s just a hobby, I guess. Watching over Iris''s growth - especially, it''s one of my main objectives right now. If she eventually becomes the "strongest knight" and protects this country, then my role may come to an end. ...... For that, Aria''s presence will surely be necessary. I''m sure that abandoning your family is not an option in Iris'' goal. (Although the strength to protect someone is more difficult than being lonely. (Though the strength to protect someone is more difficult than being lonely) When I was a ¡¶Kensei¡·, I was strong because I was lonely. I can say that with certainty. Raul Isaruf didn''t have many people he could call friends. That is why I am able to act as a knight, as Alta Schweizer, without any worries. "Are you worried about Iris? I''m not sure what to make of it, but I think it''s a good idea. No, she''s strong. No, she''s strong." "Hmm, trust. I don''t envy her, but it''s a good relationship. "I think you have a good relationship with Melche, Aena. You and Melche are ...... right. I care about my people. If you feel that way, you should be concerned about yourself. "Mmm, that''s unnecessary ....... Mercier, with a clear face, interrupted Aena''s words. I also let out a small smile at that. You will find a lot of people who have been in the business for a long time. ...... but... I''m not sure what to do. I''m not sure what to make of that. With this in mind, we stared at the flowing fountain and waited for the time to come. 71 71. Father of Aria In a large park, Iris was walking alone. She had left Alta and the others and was on her own to lure Aria out. He waits for his best friend, not knowing if she will come or not. If someone passes close by, Iris will move farther away. ...... In the event that Aria did come, there was a chance that a battle would soon ensue. (I''m not lost anymore) In her mind, Iris had made up her mind. After talking with Arta, Iris''s resolve has been strengthened - she thinks so, but she can see that her hands are sweating a little. He can''t help but feel nervous - to the point where he thinks he''s a bad person. Aria has no doubts, but Iris does. That "hesitation" is what makes the difference between Iris and Aria now. (As you said ......, if Aria really became an enemy, she wouldn''t have asked me to back off. (If there is a possibility there--! The figure came to Iris''s side without hesitation. It was coming straight at her from a short distance away, its face hidden by its robe. It is possible that the person is watching from a distance, but it is clear that the person is coming towards Iris. It was ...... really, really revealing. ...... Aria. That''s who Iris is, after all. As if she knew, Aria said. Aria told me to back off, but Iris is still guarding Aena. I''m sure Aria is aware of that as well. But he still showed up because he still wanted to talk to Aria. Iris was sure of it. You can''t just be told to back off, of course. "...... Yeah, I knew that. But I want you to. But first, you have to tell me why. ...... I have nothing to say to Iris. Aria glanced around to check her surroundings. I think she''s checking to see if there''s anyone else besides Iris. Arutha and the others are waiting some distance away, but at least they are not within sight. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re doing. ...... After a certain amount of time, Arutha will also come here. When that happens, Aria will probably disappear from Iris''s sight. But first, we need to convince her. Don''t say that. I consider Aria to be family. ...... I never thought of her that way. Well, I still care about you. I don''t care. I don''t care about Iris anymore. If you''re ......, why are you telling me to back off? If you really don''t care about her, why don''t you fight me right now and kill me? If I''m in your way. No matter what you say, I''m not going to back out of this. "...... Iris is really clueless, isn''t she? She always has been. Aria lets out a small sigh and takes out the Kuro Dagger from her pocket. You''ll be able to find a lot more information on the web. Aria''s expression is serious - even Iris can sense that Aria''s intent is real. "Take a stance. If you don''t back off from this, I''m going to kill you. "Go to ...... and try. Try it! Iris also replied without changing her expression. He clenched his fists and took a step forward. I''m going to tell you exactly what I want to tell you, because now is the time to do it. "If you really want to kill me, then do it. "Are you going to die without a fight?¡¡You''re going to be the greatest knight, aren''t you? Yes, I am. My goal is to become the strongest knight in this country. I have no doubt about that. "Then... But that''s not why I''m fighting you. If I could stop you in a real fight, I would do it this time. But not now. That''s not going to solve anything. So ...... please, just tell me everything. I''m on your side no matter what. ...... That''s not what I asked. Aria''s expression wavered slightly. I''ve been with you long enough to know that. For the first time, Aria showed signs of agitation. The fact that Iris had not hesitated in her words gave Aria a glimpse of her true feelings. Iris took another step forward. I''m going to tell you even if you don''t listen. I''m bringing you back. You''re family. "No. I''m not ...... like you. You''re not different. You''re my best friend, my family. That''s what you are to me. "Don''t you dare say that! For the first time, Aria raised her voice. She held a dagger in both hands and pointed it at Iris with murderous intent. Iris is not intimidated. She takes a step forward and Aria steps back. Aria looks upset, but continues to speak quietly. Please, you have to back off. I can''t do that. I can''t do that. ...... If you think of me as family, please... What?¡¡I can''t leave you with that look on your face. It''s okay, okay? Iris speaks to Aria as if to warn her. Aria''s murderous intent never went away, and she finally kicked the ground to close the distance. She thrusts her dagger toward Iris'' neck. Iris still doesn''t take a stance. Aria''s dagger stops just short of taking Iris'' life. "...... "Aria. Why won''t Iris listen to me? ...... Aria''s expression was on the verge of tears. I''ve never seen such a grief-stricken expression on her face before - that''s how determined she was. Iris was more determined than she had ever been. "I''m here, and so is Dr. Schweizer. He''s waiting for you and he believes in you. That''s why I''m the only one here. The situation confirms that these words are true. The fact that Iris is the only one who is willing to do such a thing when the enemy may be lurking in the area is because she clearly thinks that it is okay to contact Aria. Aria lowered the dagger from Iris''s throat and looked away. She seemed to be wondering what she should do. But that''s when Iris is convinced that she can bring Aria back. "Well, you''re in trouble, aren''t you ...... Note Leah. "Ah! I''m not sure what to say. There are four of them who appeared almost without any sign of her. Three of them have hoods and masks, reminiscent of the assassins who attacked us before. The other was a gray-haired man in a white coat. The other is a white-haired man in a white robe, with an unhealthy smile on his face. I don''t want you to end up failing to persuade me and getting tied up. ...... You''re the Shadow Apostles, aren''t you? I''m not sure what to make of this.¡¡It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re doing. Maybe there''s no point in killing her? I''m not sure what to do. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m going to do it. There are four enemies, and each one of them is quite capable. It''s too difficult for Iris to take on them alone, as she has already decided. At that moment, Aria stands to protect Iris. "Wait, wait. I''ll try to persuade Iris to go to ......! You don''t have to be so scared. I''m not going to kill the girl. I''m just trying to use him. "Use ......?¡¡Use me? Yes, you are. You''re pretty good at what you do, but ...... there''s one other person I''m having trouble with. According to my information, it was Alta Schweizer. I''m sure you''ll be able to understand why I''m here. So I''m going to rethink the plan a bit. If it works, you might be able to start a ''war''. "......!¡¡That''s what you''re after, isn''t it? Hmm, that girl is hard to eat. You can''t eat that girl. I didn''t realize that she was targeting me when I thought she was targeting me, but that''s why now is a good time. Notoria, get Iris. "....... Aria, don''t follow. "Don''t follow. What right do you have to say that? Rights. ....... If you''re Kufilio Nootria, why would Aria obey you? What?¡¡Oh, I see. The man looked a little surprised at Iris'' words. This time, Iris stood in front of Aria as if to protect her. Aria seemed to be lost - but Iris still believed in Aria. If Iris doesn''t believe in her now, she will never be able to bring Aria back. "I am ....... Aria choked on her words. After a while, she lowered the dagger in her hands without effort. Clearly, her desire to kill Iris disappears. She can even lie about her intent to kill--that''s the girl Aria. Still, Iris'' determination saw through Aria''s lie. She reached into her pocket for a signal round. "I can''t let you take that out. Aah! The one who moved was the smallest of the four. From the sound of his voice, he was the same as or younger than the child, Arta. I''m not sure what to make of it. In his right hand he holds a dagger, which Iris uses to defend herself with a signal bullet. I''m not sure what to say. At the same time, Iris takes a distance and calls out her sword. I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not. I''m not sure what to do. I''ll take care of this. "Father, Mr. ....... Dad!¡¡Dad, you mean ......? Iris''s eyes widened in surprise as she heard these words. Even though he was about the same height as Alta, Aria did indeed call the boy father. The boy puts his hand on his mask and reveals his true face. He looked exactly like Aria and smiled wryly. I''m sorry, but you''re a little off. I''m Kufilio Notoria. The boy, Kufilio, says. The boy, Kufilio, says, "I''m Kufilio Nautria," and Iris turns to face him, dagger at the ready. 72 72. Who you trust With lightning in her eyes, Iris confronts Kufilio. Kufilio''s appearance is almost identical to Aria''s - only he has an evil smile on his face that Aria would never have. He holds a dagger in his hand and says, "I see. "I see. I''m sure you''ll be able to find something that will help you out. I''m not sure what to make of that. I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but it''s a good idea. If you''re not coming, I''m coming for you. Iris was the first to move. She kicked the ground to close the distance between her and Kufilio. The first to move was Iris, who kicked the ground to close the distance to Kufilio. If you touch it, it can numb your body and slow you down. But... I''m sure you know this, but your little tricks won''t work on me. Kufilio took out two daggers. I''m sure you''re aware of that, but your little tricks won''t work on me." Kufilio took out two daggers and threw them carelessly to the ground, causing the lightning bolts that had been flowing around Iris to drift in your direction. (Oh, you mean lightning rods. ......!¡¡But it doesn''t matter! Iris had originally intended to engage in melee combat with her swordsmanship. The lightning strike was just a byproduct of the "purple lightning" that Iris was handling. Iris closed the distance and flashed at Kufilio. But Kufilio blocked it with the dagger he held in his hand. Kufilio closes the distance between himself and Iris, letting the blade slide. Iris immediately put all her strength into her sword and closed the distance between her and Kufilio. This time Kufilio moves. (Fast ......!) The movement is reminiscent of Aria. But Kufilio''s movement is more than that. He instantly closes the distance to Iris and swings his dagger. Iris blocks it just in time, but falls back. He is overwhelmed--Kufilio''s goal will be to put Iris out of the fight. It''s not just Kufilio in front of her that Iris needs to be wary of. There are three other opponents in the rear. He is facing Kufirio while keeping an eye on the others who may move at any moment. "...... Don''t lick me! I''m sorry. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. It''s not just something you''re wearing, it''s a pure magic attack. I''m not sure if it''s a good idea or not. He takes a step and runs around to see if Iris is still there. He''s not going to move - he''s going to counter the moment Kufilio does. It''s fun!¡¡It''s a lot of fun! ...... There''s nothing fun about it. "No, I honestly didn''t think you''d be able to block my attacks this well. I salute you. I''m not happy to hear you say that. Iris looked at Aria, who was anxiously watching the battle. There is a reason why she has to work with them - in truth, Iris already knows that. If what Arata said was true, Aria would still be struggling. (So I went to ......) In order to save Aria, Iris has a role to play. The time will come. Kufilio kicked the ground and closed the distance to Iris again. Iris reacts immediately, turning her body and holding her sword. The smiling face of Kufilio comes into view - it is another presence that is felt from behind. What? At some distance away, two of Kufilio''s companions were standing behind Iris. While he was momentarily distracted by them, a crunching metallic sound reached his ears. The chains and shackles from the Kuro Hole were connected to Iris'' wrists. The two men behind Iris must have moved to distract Kufilio the moment he moved. ...... If there was even a moment''s gap, they could catch Iris. This is what they were capable of. They didn''t need to go to the trouble of going at it one on one. ...... You knew that, didn''t you?¡¡That''s why I was so cautious. ...... Yeah, I honestly didn''t think I''d be able to handle you guys on my own. Oh, and you came alone? ...... I have people I can count on. -- I''m sure you''re not the only one. It was almost as if he was jumping out of the sky. The boy came as if he was jumping down from the sky, and the Wind Blade that he unleashed broke the chain that held Iris. The boy who landed on the ground, Arta, stood in front of Iris with his sword at the ready. I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but it''s a good idea. "...... Yes, sir. I''m not sure what to say, but I''m sure you''ll understand. 73 73. Those who know Kensei I stood in front of Iris, sword at the ready. There were two behind me, one in front, and another at a distance - from the looks of Aria, she was not in the fight. (I wonder if my persuasion worked, or if ......) She glances at Iris behind her. Iris quickly stood up and faced the two behind her. "Sir, Kufilio Notria is that child. "!¡¡You''re not the man in the white coat over there, are you? "Hello, nice to meet you. Alta Schweizer. The boy, Kufilio, makes a slight gesture of greeting. The boy, Kufilio, still looked relaxed - from the signs of combat, he would have been superior even if he had gone toe to toe with Iris. You know who I am, don''t you? "I''ve done some research. I didn''t expect to find someone as skilled as you in this country. ...... To be honest, I didn''t expect it. I didn''t think the kingdom would be an enemy of ours. I''m not sure what to make of that. Well, maybe that''s why you''re comfortable. Well, yeah. But it''s true that it was because of you that the assassination of Aena Baudel became so difficult. It seems that Aena herself was trying to lure us out. Kufilio looked to a place a little further away. Aena and Mercier are waiting there - Aena was about to come to our side, but I stopped her. There''s no need to put her in the center of the enemy force when she''s being targeted. To be honest, I''m glad you took me up on my offer. "Haha, you''re right. I think you and I would get along. I don''t know. I don''t think I''d get along with you, Mr. Iris, but get down. "......! Alta was the first to move. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m going to do it. It''s a great way to make sure you don''t get caught in the middle of the action. Their last-minute evasive maneuvers are very similar to Aria''s. The Kufirio in front of me also has a face just like Aria''s. It seems that what Mr. Mercier said is true. --According to what I''ve heard, the people who belong to the Shadow Apostles are all related by blood. That''s not an exaggeration, they are family. ...... even if they are made up. "You''re fast. You look like a sword saint. Kufilio said, running towards me. The fact that he''s still running straight at me, even after seeing my swordsmanship, shows that he''s absolutely confident in his ability to fight. He is holding a dagger. The shorter the weapon, the faster the swing. My sword and Kufilio''s dagger crossed - if they had magical effects, my blue armored sword would have a poisonous effect that would kill the effect. First, we hit each other repeatedly. The sound of clashing swords and daggers rang out, and I stepped backwards to support Iris'' body. "What, Sensei ......?¡¡I''m fine!¡¡I''m not injured! "Oh, I see. I didn''t have enough time to check on Iris''s condition. "! Iris looks a little surprised. It''s not that Kufilio is using any kind of trickery. --It was just a pure slash fight, and I was on equal footing. I''m sure we''ll get along just fine. Your sword is really like a sword saint. You say that like you know it. Yes, I do. At least I know a man named Raoul Isaruf. --That''s not just a hearsay kind of statement. It sounds like you''ve met him before. Of course, I don''t have Kufilio in my memory. ...... I don''t remember everything about the people I''ve fought, but at least I''d remember them if they were this good. I''m sure you''ll be able to. (This dagger is used in the same way as Aria''s.) At least, I don''t know of any organization called the Shadow Apostle, and I''ve never fought against one. If it''s possible, I''ve seen them on the battlefield. (Well, this Kufilio is probably ......) I put Iris down and kicked the ground to close the distance between me and Kufirio. Once again, the sword and dagger fights began. First three blows. I launch myself at Kufirio. I avoid the first blow. He slashes away the second blow, and counters the third blow with his own sword. I dodge out of the way. Then, with a wave of my left hand, I unleash Invisible. Kufirio also uses his dagger to block the invisible high-speed blade. Another series of blows. I could see Kufilio smiling in the midst of the slash. Well, you''re certainly strong. I''m strong, but I''m not going to lose. I''ll figure it out as we go. I''m sure Kufilio is aware of this. His physical abilities and reactions are impressive, but he''s only able to block and dodge my swordsmanship. On the other hand, Kufirio''s dagger swing is fast, but not enough to kill me. As we pass each other, a blow is struck - a dagger slightly grazing my cheek, and a blow from my sword on Kufirio''s shoulder. Fresh blood flew through the air. "Dad! It was the younger of the two who had been standing by who shouted in agitation. He was just about to move. "Don''t move, it''s me and Alta. Kufilio stopped him. It seemed that Kufilio had ordered them not to move. Shouldn''t they all come together? "I need you two to keep Iris in check. As Kufilio had said, Iris had already regained her position and was facing the two assassins. I''m fighting with Kufilio, and the only thing I care about is the other guy. A man in a white ...... coat. I glanced at him, but he was calmly showing me the situation. (...... At first glance, he doesn''t seem to be much of a fighter compared to the other three. And he''s not the only one who looks like Aria. He was working with the Shadow Apostle, but only the man seemed different in this situation. I''m not sure what to make of this. ......, but it is strange that he is a child in the first place. I''m not sure what to make of it, but I think it''s a good idea. "Oh, you''re worried about that guy?¡¡Well, then you don''t seem to understand everything. "Everything? Yeah, that''s my origin. Apparently, our information leaked from another notebookia. ...... is really full of defects. Another notebookia. ...... I see. Your words have made a lot of sense to me. It''s funny, right? It''s not funny at all. In this case, it was Aria who had the problem. To her, they were her real family. Naturally, I began to understand Aria''s reasoning for turning to the enemy, but that would not solve everything unless Aria made a move. At that moment, the man who had been watching from the sidelines opened his mouth. "Hmm, you seem to be struggling, Kufilio. I don''t need your help. "Of course not. I''m weak, unlike you. But I''m sure you understand the situation. If we continue like this, we''ll lose. So let''s change the plan. Leave the two Nautria and we''ll flee... how about that? "...... might be the only way. The two of them start talking about such a plan in front of me. In the event that you''re in a position to do this, you''ll be able to do so with the help of your own personal computer. The two assassins who were facing Iris started to move at the same time. But what prevented them from doing so was a knife thrown by Aria, who had stopped some distance away. "...... Aria! Aria''s sudden action caught Iris off guard. The two assassins positioned themselves between me and each of them threw their knives to the left and right. "Four-way ward. At the same time, a ward is placed over me. When the three of them saw that I was trapped in the wards, they ran from the scene. "Aria! "...... Sorry, Iris. Doctor, please don''t ...... kill us both. Aria let out a pleading voice and ran away from the scene. Iris glanced at me. "I''m sorry, sir. I''m sorry, sir." She muttered a single word, and Iris ran from the scene. I guess she was apologizing for her choice to go after Aria instead of helping me. There''s no need to apologize, though. ...... You''ve got a lot of leeway. Well, we''re only here to hold you back. You''ll be there for a while. And in the meantime, we''ll fight Aena and the others? If they come, so be it. But our job is to stop you. As long as we can do that, the rest doesn''t matter. The voices of a young man and a young girl answered each other. Both of them took off their masks, and what they saw was a face similar to Aria''s. "- Stalling. I''m sure you can do it for a few seconds. "What? ! The young man''s expression is one of surprise. One or two blows couldn''t break the wards. It''s a strong structure. But there''s nothing that can''t be destroyed by repetition. With just a few blows to the exact same spot in the exact same way, the wards that held me were instantly shattered. Taking advantage of the momentary gap created, I unleash the Invisible. The two assassins fell to the ground. "...... Don''t kill me, right? I knew it was them that Aria wanted. As I look at the two fallen men, I finally become convinced. There are two remaining enemies - Kufilio and the other man that Iris chased. 74 74. The Existence of Nohria Iris runs after the fleeing Aria and the others. Already, the distance between them has been greatly separated. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m going to do it. (I can''t catch up ......) I''m not sure what to make of this. But the fact that Aria and the others are able to open up the distance between them and Iris must mean that their abilities are that high. (I''m also at ......) Iris was giving it her all. She didn''t care what people thought. Seriously, Iris was trying to catch up with Aria. But he couldn''t catch up. No matter how hard she ran, she could not close the distance. Eventually, Iris lost sight of Aria and stopped. "Ha, ha ...... I''m not sure what to do, but I''m going to do it. He was able to escape - he also lost sight of Aria. At first he couldn''t chase after her and could only see her off, and now he couldn''t even catch up with her. Her body was too heavy to move, and she would not listen to him. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m going to do it. I''m not sure what to say. But Iris denies it. I''m not going to give up on you now - I swore in front of Arta that I would get Iris back. There is no lie in those words, and no matter what happens, Iris will never give up again. The lightning strike fills the air around Iris, crispy. --Clutching the "purple lightning", Iris stood up again. I''m sure you''ll be able to find it ....... I''m not sure what to do, but I''m going to do it. I''m not sure what to do, but I''d like to know what to do. It continues as if it stretches far, far away. --Iris once again ran through the town. * * * In the dark basement, Aria just crouched helplessly. In the end, she had made up her mind to disappear from Iris''s presence and appear before her as an enemy, but she couldn''t do anything about it. Not to stop Iris, not to stop Kufirio. In front of Iris stands Kufilio and a man in white. I''m disappointed in you, Notria. "Sir, ...... "I gave you two chances to convince Iris. But you failed. You could have killed him on the spot, but you didn''t. As it turns out, we can''t even use her and we just have to run. What an appalling result. I ...... Well, don''t be so mad. I''m very grateful that Nootria is here. It was Kufilio who protected Aria from the man in the white coat. Standing in front of Aria, he gently stroked her hair and said. He stood in front of her and gently stroked her hair and said, "I''m going to make use of you, Notria. You should be able to get close to Iris and Alta now without them being alarmed. It''s ....... Indeed, Aria might be able to do that. Iris had said that she hoped Aria would come back. ...... Arta said the same. Aria''s brother and sister are supposed to fight Arta, though. (......She''ll be fine.) Aria also trusts Arta in no small way. It is because of him that Iris was able to survive in the face of the Swordsmen. ...... That power should be wielded for the sake of Iris. That is why Aria did not choose to rely on it. The more Aria relied on him, the more danger Iris might be in. ...... In order to save her brother and sister, Aria had returned to the Shadow Apostle. As a result, the two of them ended up staying behind in the fight against Arta. If they were still alive, one of Aria''s goals would have been half accomplished. The problem is the safety of the others, including Iris, which is why Aria is cooperating with Kufilio. That was how powerful this organization was, Aria knew. Aria, you have nothing to worry about. Dad, can you go to ......? From now on, I''m going to be you. "...... What?¡¡What do you mean? Let''s get you ready, Kufilio. Kufilio says to the man in white. The man in white - Kufilio - also nodded his head and replied. I understand, Kufilio. So Aria is your new body, after all. The boy and the man in white are both Kufilio Notoria. Both the boy and the man in white were Kufilio Nautria, those who live in the darkness of the empire, and the truth behind Aria''s "family. All of the people named Notoria are artificial life forms created by Kufilio Notoria. Therefore, Aria also has the aptitude to become a Kufirio. 75 75. Still she --That was many, many years ago. When she wasn''t even called "Aria" and she was just one of the Notreya. The girl was a masterpiece of her generation, said Kufilio in his lab coat. He would not have her learn all the assassination techniques and feel all the emotions. That was perfection for the girl. But the rest of the world would not allow it. "Get out of here, Notria. The only people who let her out of the orphanage where she had spent all her life were her brother and sister, who loved her. The brother stayed behind by himself to fight the people who were chasing him. ...... They told the girl about their family. "Where''s your brother and sister? "We''ll come back later. So, yes, ...... you need to get out of this country first. I want you to see the bigger world. A bigger world? Yeah, ...... so that you can find someone who understands you. All I need is a family. I have a brother and a sister. ...... Yes, I care about you too. You are the one who taught me these feelings, so I have more to teach you. That''s why you''re running away from here. This is no place for you. I didn''t understand the meaning of those words. But as time went on, the girl, Aria, understood. The feelings of the two Kufilio''s, the teacher and the father, were malicious. And that what her brother and sister had for Aria was love. It was thanks to Iris and Iris''s mother that I understood this. I still remember the day she gave me my name. "My grandmother''s name was Iria, and I was named after her, Iris. So, your name is Aria. Like me, I borrowed it from my grandmother. Now you and I are family. "Family. ...... That''s what Iris told me. So for Aria, her brother and sister who let her go are also her family. If they ever meet again, it will be Aria''s turn to save them. And so, the two people who appeared with Kufilio had changed - they looked the same, but they were different. They both remembered the past, even though it didn''t feel right. So Aria had no choice but to obey. If she cooperated, she would get her brother and sister back. And she wouldn''t touch Iris, either - she had no choice but to obey these words that she didn''t even know were true. "How are you feeling, Aria? Kufilio, wearing a white robe, asks Aria, who is bound without a stitch of clothing. In a slightly larger room, you can see metal cables and glass cases. It looked like the laboratory where Aria was once born. It''s a nice place. It looks like the Swordsmen used it as one of their hideouts, but it hasn''t been found yet. Aria had actually fought with them. They must have been hiding out in this kingdom, moving from one hideout to another. That''s where Kufilio and the others took advantage. "From now on, everything I am will be transferred to you. "I will now transfer all of me to you, and I will approach them as Aria Notoria. That would be the easiest way to kill Aena. Says the boy Kufirio with a smirk on his face. Both of them are Kufilio Notoria, but they specialize in different memories and skills. One is physical and the other is brainy - it is the physical Kufilio who will be replaced this time. ...... Do you really think you can do it that way? It will. You''re more worried about Iris and Alta than you think. It''ll be easier after I kill them. "......!¡¡Why ......? I told you, if you were doing well, you wouldn''t have to. ...... But Iris and Alta were going to be a problem for us. So I decided to kill them. Don''t worry, you won''t be around when it happens. "...... The sound of chains clanking sounded. There was no way she could tear it off to stop Aria from moving. But even so, Aria tried to force herself to move, and her wrist bled. But she still tries to force herself to move, and her wrist starts to bleed. To Aria, Kufilio says with a happy expression on his face. "Haha, I didn''t know you were capable of that much emotion. ...... Maybe I shouldn''t have let you swim. You should have chased them when they killed both of you quickly. "What? Aria was stunned by these words. Because Aria immediately understood the meaning of the word "both of them. "Oh, they''re not the brother and sister you know. They''re fakes made up to look like them--they''re both gone. That''s ....... ....... Then what did we come here for? The family that betrayed and tried to save Iris and Alta was never here in the first place. --No, we knew this all along, but we held on to the little hope that was flashed at us. Now Aria is nothing more than an object to be used. Despair takes over her heart. Kufilio looked down at Aria. There''s nothing to worry about since there''s no more memory of you left. I''ll make you feel better in no time. Yes, sir. The device attached to Aria''s body began to move noisily. She tried desperately to escape, but it was not possible. "Don''t be afraid. You won''t know anything for a long time. I don''t want to - I don''t want to lose my memory. I don''t want to just lose my memory, but if I don''t, Iris will be in danger. (No, really, I don''t want to lose my ...... memory either.) The memories of the days she spent with Iris are important to Aria. I don''t want to lose them, they are irreplaceable. If that''s the case, I''d rather die myself. She was about to bite her tongue out at that thought. "Whoa, I know what you''re thinking. You can''t do that. "......! She was forced to bite the cloth into her mouth, and even that was not allowed. There was nothing left for Aria to do but resist. (I wonder if Iris will realize that I''m different.) All she wanted was a little hope. (Will Iris notice that I''m different?) All I wanted was a little hope. All the equipment in the room was struck with electric shocks, stopping it from moving. "You know who can do that? You said it yourself. "You told me once that you weren''t so naive as to let me find you. That was a few days before Aria disappeared from Iris''s sight. I''m sure you''ve heard of it, but I''m not sure if you have. ...... You knew she was like that. This time, I found you. ...... Aria! I''m not sure what to make of that. You can find a lot of people who are looking for the best way to get the most out of their life. 76 76. How Kenseihime should be I met up with Aena and Mercier, and we talked as we ran through the capital. I''m sorry, but I lost sight of both the Shadow Apostle and Iris. ....... I was a little too far away. "No problem. It''s not a problem. I''m aware of their movements. I respond to Mercier''s words. I know where Iris is - she also seems to have found Aria''s location. If you know where she is, it''s easy. We''ll head there. "No, Master Aena and Mercier, you''ll meet up with the Knights. Do you know the Commander of the Order, Remyll Eyn? Yes, I do, but they''re... The ones you''ve been chasing. I know that. But that''s the plan. I need you to work with the Commander to block their escape route. "...... Well, that''s certainly something that needs to be done. I''m not sure what to make of that. I can understand why she likes to fight and wants to go to the front. And she''s the one who''s been tracking this organization. But... "Master Aena, you''re being hunted. I''m sorry, but I can''t take you with me where I''m going. The wise Master Aena will understand. I''m sorry, but I can''t take you with me where I''m going. No, I''m not. Anyway, I think this is the right way to divide up our responsibilities. You mean, you''re going alone? Yes, it is. I''ll go alone, and if there are any remnants that escape, I''ll hunt them down. I''ll go alone and hunt down any remnants that escape." "Huh, that''s a lot of confidence to go it alone, ...... but I hope you''re good enough to do it. I think I know what I''m talking about. Aena smiles and reaches out her hand to me. "I wish you luck. This time, you can have it. "Thank you. We shook hands lightly and I ran off, leaving the two of them behind. I knew where Iris was because I had given her a talisman before. I didn''t think that what I gave her to protect her would come in handy in this way, but... (Well, I guess it''s faster to go underground from here. I headed for the side streets of the water vein that runs through King''s Landing. It''s like a complicated "cave" that leads to some facilities in the capital. One of them is the facility that manages the underground water supply where the Swordsmen once fought. Iris'' movements have already stopped at one place. Perhaps that''s where the Shadow Apostle is hiding. Even in the darkness, I continue on my way without hesitation. "Shhhhhh... ...... A demon. I see, they can live underground, but ......". I remember a case in which Remyll was particularly busy lately - there had been an increase in the number of demons appearing underground in the royal capital, and he had been busy dealing with them. I chuckled to myself, "You never know where the connection lies. And then I unleashed the Invisible and bounced the demon''s head off. And... The demon dies in an instant. I sigh and run off again. I''m not sure what to make of it, but I''m sure it''s worth it. I''ll take that as extra income. I''m not sure what to make of it, but I think it''s a good idea. But they''re not my enemy. I headed straight for Iris. I''m not an enemy. Iris faced Kufilio with her "purple light". The boy Kufilio, on the other hand, did not seem to be moved even when he saw Iris. I''m not sure what to make of that. I didn''t expect you to find me here. "...... We''ll find it. Aria is family. "Family, or is it that lightning magic of yours? Kufilio seemed to notice this immediately. All the time Iris was sending a weak electric current through the ground and walls. It could monitor the condition of buildings and could observe a wide range of areas while moving. The constant need to release it consumed a lot of magic power, but Iris didn''t care about that. As a result, she was able to find Kufilio''s hideout in the basement. On the way, he encountered several demons, but Iris didn''t care about them. After cutting down all of them, Iris is standing here. The captive Aria was just looking at Iris with a sad expression. I know what she means - she probably didn''t want Iris to be here. She didn''t want to, but she wanted to see him. Iris could understand that feeling. He didn''t want Aria to be an enemy, but he wanted to see her no matter what. "So, ......, did you come alone? Yeah, I am. I''m alone now. "...... Haha, you''re a great woman. She''s called the Princess of the Sword. What does that matter now? Of course it matters. You''re going to fight me with that sword now, aren''t you?¡¡But can you win in such a state?¡¡Your breathing''s erratic, your magic''s low. You''re a wounded man. You''ve only come here to be used by me...! What interrupted Kufilio''s words was a blow from Iris. He kicked at the ground, closed the distance and flashed. Just in time, Kufilio dodged it. He wanted to let Aria go right away, but now he had to focus on the enemy in front of him. Her breathing was labored. Every part of her body ached and was exhausted. Even so, the blow that Iris had just delivered was the most powerful blow she had ever struck in her swordsmanship with Kufirio. Her consciousness was clear and she was able to concentrate. Now Iris is able to swing the sword properly. (The body is heavy ......, but the sword is light. I can still move. I can fight ......! This conviction boosted Iris'' spirits. Soon, Iris was on the move. Three blows in quick succession. She closed the distance between her and Kufilio and swung her sword. Kufilio took out his dagger and blocked Iris'' sword. He did not fire any thunderbolts - the thunderbolts that had covered his body earlier were gone, and now Iris was fighting only with her sword. I''m not sure if Kufilio saw this, but he smiled. I''m not sure what to do. You don''t have to try to numb her like you did before, do you? It may be a strategy to provoke you and disrupt your movement. But Iris is not going to take such a provocation. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m going to try. It''s true that I relied a little bit - no, I relied a little bit on the purple light. But that''s not it. I''ve been called the ...... "Sword Saint Princess" ever since before I used this sword! "......! She flicked Kufilio''s dagger and swung it at his torso. It''s a great way to make sure you don''t get caught in the middle. Kufirio kicked the ground and fell backwards. The blade grazed his abdomen slightly, causing Kufirio to bleed. "One blow first. But it''s not enough. "...... I''m surprised. Have you grown in such a short time? Kufilio''s eyes widened. His magic is low and his strength is gone. I''m not sure if you''ve seen this before. But she can still move - it''s only natural, since she has her precious family in front of her. Iris says with confidence and clarity. Of course, I have to protect my family. I''ll be as strong as I can be to do that. --That''s the way Iris Reinfell is. Kufilio smiled happily when he heard Iris'' words. "Haha, I''m going to enjoy this for the rest of my life. But you''re going to get in the way. ....... Aria, I''m going to kill your fake family now. Because my real family is me. Kufilio said, but Iris''s expression did not falter. He exhaled a small breath and grasped the Shiden tightly, readying it. Right next to him, Aria is trapped. He doesn''t make eye contact with her - what Iris needs to do now is to defeat the enemy in front of her. With the dagger at the ready, Kufilio and Iris face each other again. 77 77. Beyond the Limit I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but it''s a good idea. There are four people in this room, including Iris. The restrained Aria and the man in white who kept his distance - Kufilio. And the boy in front of Iris, Kufilio. Of the two Kufilio''s, only one seems to be able to participate in the battle. The white-robed Kufilio stroked his chin and narrowed his eyes. The white-robed Kufilio narrowed his eyes as he stroked his chin, "Hmm, make it quick, Kufilio. It''s going to take a while, including the time to fix the device. The longer Iris is gone, the more cautious she''ll become. If that happens, even if you become Aria, you will fail. "Becoming Aria: ......? Iris heard those words and checked the devices around her. At least she knew that the one attached to Aria was ''not good'' for her. Seeing Kufilio in the form of a boy, Iris guessed everything. --He''s been living in the same way for years now, changing his body. That''s it. That''s why he''s still a child. Kufilio, even though you''re going to kill him, I don''t think it''s a good idea to reveal too much ...... about him. "Hahahaha!¡¡That''s part of who I am, isn''t it? If it is possible to transfer memories, it is also possible to copy them. It''s the same person, even if the body of the differently shaped Kufilio here is different. The Darkness of the Empire--if it possesses such an inhumane technology, then the word "darkness" is certainly correct. But now Iris is not going to mention that issue. There''s only one thing to do - defeat Kufilio in front of him to save Aria. "Good concentration. If you had taken one more step, that blow would have gone right through my guts, wouldn''t it? "...... Iris doesn''t answer. He gripped the hilt of the sword tightly and took a slight step forward. But that step is far, isn''t it? "...... Yes, it is. Kufilio''s point is not wrong. One more step and Iris would have defeated Kufilio. But if she had taken that step, her neck, which was bleeding slightly, would have tingled. It was a pain that made him realize that he was fighting for his life. Kufilio had also fired a blow to kill Iris. "Hmm... He exhaled a small breath. This pain is a hindrance to Iris right now. All he needed to do was to focus his attention. In order to save Aria, all you need to do is to defeat Kufilio. In order to do that, Iris does not pay any attention to the fatigue and pain in her body. All she needs is the sensation of grasping the SHI-DEN, and she will leave everything behind to complete the Princess of the Sword. I''m coming. These words were like a switch for Iris. At the same time, Iris kicked the ground with her left foot. She closed the distance between her and Kufilio and flashed. "The same thing--! Kufilio took a large step backward, trying to block with his dagger. He must have sensed something in Iris'' blow. As if to give him a further push, Iris swung the "purple light". With a slight cracking sound, lightning flashed. This is not Iris''s magic power, but the unique lightning of the SHI-DEN. It does not scatter around, but glows as if it were wrapped around the blade. Kufilio deflected and avoided Iris''s blow. He quickly adjusted his stance, and this time Kufilio stepped forward. A piercing blow. Iris blocked it with her blade. The sound of metal scraping echoed, and Kufilio slid his blade - Iris moved the "purple light" slightly as if to play it, and deflected the trajectory of Kufilio''s dagger. The technique of sliding the blade against the blade -- this is something that Kufilio can do. Even though he thought he had defended himself, the dagger would reach his body in an instant. The fact that Kufirio could move in such a way as to slide the tip of the blade calmly in the midst of battle showed that he possessed such outstanding skills. However, that technique would not work on Iris right now. He just watches his opponent''s movements and reacts to them - like a built in system. I see, in terms of swordsmanship, she is certainly worthy of the name "Princess Swordsman", which is borrowed from the name "Swordsman". The only thing that will come out of your praise will be the blow that kills you. "Haha, that''s great!¡¡But I didn''t say that to praise you. But I didn''t say that to praise you. My skills are only for killing. ...... I won''t stay with your fighting style forever. With those words, a black hole appeared around Kufilio. It''s the same magic that Aria uses. No, it''s the same magic that Aria learned from Kufilio. It''s a spell that connects space to space and allows things to pass through. It''s a different type of magic than the usual "attribute magic", and can be categorized as "non-attribute magic", which is a unique type. If you look around you, you can see a black hole appearing around Iris. What Kufilio took out were several blades. Let''s see you dance. He shoots several blades into the black hole. As soon as they are inside, they fly out of the other holes toward Iris. You''ll be able to find a lot more than just a few of them. From one hole to another--the blades fly erratically at Iris. But Iris was not intimidated. Just as Kufilio had said, she danced around the blades as if she were dancing, and then she swung her "purple light" to knock them away. But... "! "Iris! The one who screamed out in grief was Aria. The chains holding her made a cracking sound. The pain that runs down her back. Even Iris had a hard time avoiding all of it - but she didn''t look back. Two more blows. Two more blows, one to the arm and one to the thigh, piercing the blade - and then Iris took a big step forward. Kufilio''s eyes widen in surprise. It''s a risk to take a big step forward when you don''t know where the blade is going to come from. But she came towards Kufirio without hesitation to break the situation. She unleashed a thrust. She pointed the blade straight at Kufilio, but was blocked by the dagger. I''m sure you''ll be able to figure out what''s going on. I''m not sure what to do. I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not. It was the same technique that Kufilio had shown earlier. It was the same technique that Kufilio had shown earlier. Even after all this time, Iris was still using the enemy''s techniques in her fight. "Hahahaha!¡¡That''s really funny! "No, it''s not funny at all. I''m not funny. I''m going to break that relaxed expression right now. Yeah, I''ll kill you, too. Once again, Kufilio unleashes his blade. The Kuro Hole appears around him, and Kufilio himself closes the distance to Iris. As they crossed blades, more blades flew from around them. Iris moves her body slightly to avoid them. --She is able to do this because of her training with Arutha. In one-on-one combat with a sword, Iris is close to being the strongest. But in a fight with an assassin like Kufilio, there are always a lot of twists and turns. It''s not like I''ve never experienced anything like this before, where blades are flying at you from different directions. However, Iris dodged them and continued to slash at Kufilio. The pain in her back increased with every movement, and she bled profusely from the blade that had pierced her limb. As fresh blood danced around her, Iris''s consciousness began to fade away. "Squirrel!¡¡-- (Aria ......?) I can hear Aria''s voice. But she can''t hear well. Yes, Iris stood here, trying not to focus on most of the sensations. But the pain is increasing, because now Iris is starting to lose her concentration. With wounds all over her body, Iris finally turned her gaze to Aria. A brief moment in the middle of battle. He saw Aria''s grief-stricken expression. "Don''t be silly! No! She flicked back Kufirio''s blade with a squeal. I''m not sure if you''ve seen this before, but I have. The reason why she has such an expression is because of what she is now. Anger at Kufilio, and anger at herself. The next blow would surely reach Kufirio. But Iris'' body stops there. She loses her balance and almost falls to the ground. Kufirio doesn''t miss it. He immediately takes a step forward and approaches Iris to put the finishing touches on her. (I--) I lost. I''m still not convinced of that fact. I tighten my grip on the SHI-DEN and try to block Kufilio''s blow somehow. Just then, Kufilio noticed something and moved backwards. --Iris''s feet collapsed under her and her body fell. However, someone immediately supports Iris'' body. Surprised, Iris looks at the person and can''t help but feel a sense of relief. He had told her that she could rely on him. "Iris, are you at your limit? The boy - Alta - looks at Iris and says. Glancing backward, he saw that he had cut through the wall. In any case, Iris smiles and replies to Arta''s unorthodox question. I can still do it. So, I''ll leave it to you. You''ll be able to find a lot more than that in the market. He is already beyond his limits. But still, Arta leaves it to Iris. I''m surprised. I''m surprised you''re here, and I''m surprised the kid can still fight. But I don''t know if that''s a good thing - she''s going to die. It''s not up to you. That''s for you to decide. And-- Alta glanced at Aria. With Arutha there, it was safe to assume that she was at least safe. Iris ran towards Kufirio again. 78 78. Under the Name of Kensei I saw Iris off to the battle and headed towards Aria. Aria, who was still bound and unable to move, looked at me as if she couldn''t believe what she was seeing. "Why? Why ......? "What do you mean, ''why''? "Because you''re going to help Iris, aren''t you ......? That''s the question Aria asked. I thought that since I was here, it would be me who would fight Kufilio. But it''s Iris who will cross swords again. I know she''s already over the edge. And that''s why I let her fight. You''re the one I''m here to help, Aria. And you''re the one Iris is trying to help. I''m not here to help you, Iris. That''s crazy!¡¡I don''t care about me right now!¡¡I''m here to save Iris. It doesn''t matter. If you''d asked for help sooner, none of this would have happened. Isn''t that right? Well, that''s because ...... I don''t want to get Iris involved or anything ....... When Iris was threatened with death, you were willing to give up your life to save her. I''m not sure what to make of that.¡¡I think it''s not surprising that Iris would be upset about that. "....... Aria''s expression clouded at my words. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m going to try. I''m sure Aria knew that. It was Aria who tried to reject him. Even more than Iris, she tried to take it all on herself. I''m a little angry, too. Did you think I couldn''t help you? I believe you. I believe in you, and I just wanted you to protect Iris. Oh, I see. Then I''ll tell you one thing. Ah! I cut the chains that bind Aria with my sword, and put a coat on her with nothing on. Then I gently put my hand on her. I''m not the only one who can protect you. I can protect you as well--I''m capable of that. Well, I may be a knight, but I''m also your homeroom teacher now. You can rely on me for that. "Does that mean that ...... will protect me? It is natural for teachers to protect their students. It is natural for a teacher to protect his students, even if they are strangers. So it''s up to you to decide. I turn my attention to Iris'' battle. She was still fighting with Kufirio, but she was already wobbly. She may not even have enough strength left to hold the sword. And yet, Iris continues to fight. She could have asked me for help, but she didn''t. That''s the way she is, and I''m sure she''s decided that she''s going to rescue Aria by herself. At any moment, Iris could collapse. Even in such a situation, he knew that Aria would not be able to move quickly. Koufirio is your father and Iris is your family. If you don''t make your decision clear, we can''t start. "I--! I''m not sure what to do. I''m not sure what to do. I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not, but it''s a good idea. Just in time, Aria threw her dagger, blocking Kufilio''s move. Kufilio looked at Aria with a surprised expression. "Aria: ...... Aria glares at Kufilio. I''ve never seen Aria''s anger so evident in her face. ...... I think she had her choice made from the beginning. I''m not sure what to make of this. I''m not going to let Iris get to me anymore. ...... My only family was my brother and sister who saved me. You are not my family! ...... Ali, A In the event that you have any kind of questions regarding where and how to use the internet, you can contact us at the web site. The amount of blood loss was heavy, and considering Iris'' injuries, it was a wonder she was able to move at all. "Aria, take care of Iris. "Yes, I understand. Aria nodded nodded nodded nodded nodded and Aria supported Iris'' body. She was already unconscious, and I wanted to praise her for fighting so hard. What, you''re going to come out ...... after all? I thought you were just a bystander. I thought you were just a bystander." "That''s not how it works. After all, I''ve promised to watch over her until she becomes the strongest knight. But thanks to you, she seems to have grown. So now I have to do what I have to do as her master. I glanced over at Aria. I put my finger to my mouth to signal her. I put my finger on my mouth to remind her not to tell Iris about what we''re about to see. With the Summoning Technique, I summoned a blade with a shining silver blade. This is the first time I''ve ever seen such a thing. I''m not sure what to say.¡¡Doctor, it''s ....... "Aria, you said you ''believe'' in me. Then I''ll repay that trust. So that you will never be lost again, this Sage of Swords will free you from your spell. These are the words that prove he is Raoul Isaruf. It was a fact that he never intended to share with others. But for Aria, this fact would surely be necessary. --They were supposed to trust each other, and they would never be apart. 79 79. Ghosts "So you''re the Sword Saint, ....... I''m sure you''ll be able to figure out how to do it. I hold the Silver Spirit Sword at the ready and call out to Aria behind me. Aria, please take Iris and get out of here. The way I came should be safe. I''ll take care of this. "...... Okay. I trust you. I''m sure Aria had her own doubts. But she couldn''t just leave the injured Iris there. I''m going to let Aria and Iris go and I''m going to beat Kufilio right in front of him. Kufilio smiled and glanced to the side. "What about you, Kufilio? "Hmmm, ......, that''s quite a turn of events, isn''t it? But I think I''ll run for it. I''ll join you later. All right. You go ahead. Kufilio the boy and Kufilio the man in white - not the same name, but two men of the same existence exist in this world. I can''t help but feel a strange atmosphere when I actually see them. The white-robed Kufilio left the room without a care in the world. I don''t look at him, but confront the Kufirio in front of me. Because what I need to do now is to defeat this boy. "So that guy is Kufirio, huh? That''s quite a strange existence. I don''t know. I''d say you''re pretty strange too. Your swordsmanship is at the level of a sword saint, and I have no qualms about you calling yourself a sword saint. Though your appearance is a bit strange. You didn''t learn the same skills as me, did you? "I don''t want to be lumped in with you. But I am Raoul Isaruf, the Sword Saint. This sword and my swordplay will prove it. I see. ...... You call yourself that because you''re confident you can kill me. Yeah, that''s right. I was the one who made the first move. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re doing. The one who responds is Kufirio''s dagger. The blades of the sword and dagger clashed, and sparks flew. The metallic sound that echoes through the air turns into a series of sounds. Kufirio swung his sword with two or three blows, returning the blade. During this brief battle, Kufilio must have sensed something, because his relaxed smile faltered and he frowned. As the blades clashed and balanced, there was bleeding from Kufilio''s side and thigh. It''s because he couldn''t block some of the blows I threw at him. ...... You''re sucking up magic. It''s a very troublesome sword, really. "From the way you talk, it seems you know my sword. It is true that I''ve cut down every opponent I''ve faced with this sword, and I intend to do so, but do you think people still hears about it? No, the name of the Silver Spirit Sword has been handed down, but no one knows the effects of the sword. In addition, no one likes to use a sword that sucks magic power, even if they are a swordsman ....... Because everyone is using magic to fight. When that magic is completely gone, all that''s left is technology. There aren''t many people who can do that, even if they believe in themselves. "I''m the one who can. "I am the one who can do it." I assure him and put all my strength into my sword. With a swoosh, we flicked our blades at each other. We immediately close the distance between us and strike a blow - Kufilio''s blade doesn''t reach me, and my blow catches him in the shoulder. It was almost exactly where I had hit him in the previous fight. Kufirio leaps, once away from me. His breathing is still ...... steady, but his blood loss is increasing. I see, I can''t win with me like this. You can''t win with me like this.¡¡You make it sound as if there is another way. Yes, there is. Why do you think I know you when you were the Sage of Swords? That''s what Kufilio asked me. It was a question, indeed. I don''t know Kufilio Notria. I don''t know Kufilio Notria, but he talks about me as if he does. If he had heard about me from someone else, that wouldn''t be surprising. But Kufirio clearly knows about the Silver Spirit Sword -- as if to answer the question, Kufirio took a stance. ¡¶Simple Summoning Technique¡·--it''s used to summon something from a different place, just like me. What appeared was a sword with a crimson blade. As soon as I saw the sword, I knew who it belonged to. ...... "The War King, Richto Wirter''s Red Sword? "Oh, so you do remember. Yes, this is one you''ve fought before. Yes, this is the sword of a man you''ve fought, a king who lived by the sword. The bright red blade is said to have been stained with blood from ...... a man you once killed. I also remember a man named Rikt who challenged Raoul Isaruf to a one-on-one duel. He was the kind of man who would be willing to fight on the front lines if war broke out, even though he was carrying his country on his back. What he wanted was a place to die. Not to live as a king, but to fight and die as a swordsman. It''s a sword used by a man who could only live like that. What does that have to do with you? "Well, ...... let''s get this straight. It has nothing to do with me. "...... what? It has nothing to do with me. This sword is mine, though. Just before I joined the empire, when I was in the service of the country where ...... Richto Wirter was king. That''s the extent of my involvement, but that''s about it. I''m not sure if you''ve heard of the magic on this sword, by the way. No, he and I ended up slashing each other with swords. No, he and I ended up fighting each other with swords, not with magic - we don''t know much more than that. Maybe it''s more accurate to say that I wasn''t interested. Because that''s the kind of man I used to be. I used to be that kind of guy. "......, I suppose you''re right. This sword is a sword that remembers everything that happens. As magic, it remembers those who have fought with it - in a way, it was a treasure for a man named Rikt. I just used this sword to get the memory of your fight. "I see. So, will those memories be useful to you? Yes, it''s most useful to me. It holds the memories of the man who used and loved it the longest. ...... So much so that I can retrieve his memories. "Memories, ......? I finally understood what Kufilio was trying to say. He held up the Red Sounding Sword and traced the blade. A magic circle appeared at Kufilio''s feet with a shining golden pattern. Before the Silver Spirit Sword can absorb all the magic power, the last spell is activated. "Memory reading complete! Kufilio holds up the Red Sounding Sword. He may be a boy, but his stance is the same as the man I once met. It was Richto Wirter himself. "It''s been a long time. ...... Raul Isaruf. I''m glad you remember me. Kufilio''s tone changes. A man who has lived in a different body for so many years is able to implant the memories of others in himself. The man who stands here is the same man who fought me, Rikuto. "Clinging to the ghosts of the past: ...... Is that your last move, Kufilio? "Ghosts of the past. You''re not wrong. I was killed by you, and now I''m a man named Kufirio. I understand that I''m just a person whose memory was used ......, but I feel nothing but joy in this moment. It''s a great way to make sure you''re getting the most out of your money. Kufilio holds up his sword. I responded by pointing the tip of my sword at him and immediately began to move. The crimson blade and the silver blade meet, and my gaze and Kufirio''s crossed. "Hahaha!¡¡That was awesome!¡¡Now I''m going to kill you, Raoul Isalf! "No, you won''t. No, you will not. You will be buried with Kufilio this time. It''s the only thing I can do. Those who lived in the past cross swords again in the present. The two sides stepped away from each other, and the fierce slashing began again. 80 80.Kensei vs. King of War My "Silver Spirit Sword" and Kufirio''s "Red Sounding Sword" clash. The silvery blade and the reddish blade clash and sparks fly. My magic power has already run out, and Kufilio has probably used up all of his magic power through the "memory reading" he just did. In the ¡¶Sword Battle Realm¡·, a space where we were allowed to fight only with our own bodies and weapons, Kufirio and I swung our swords. "Hahaha!¡¡This reminds me of you, Raoul Isaruf!¡¡Every time I take a hit from your sword, I remember that fight! Kufilio laughed. His mind is now fused with the memories of Rikt. He speaks almost like Rikt, but there is no doubt that he is Kufirio himself. Kufirio, who was unable to prevent my swordsmanship just a moment ago, is steadfastly defending against my attacks. His tone of voice is rough and his sword swinging movements seem to be messy, but this is exactly the swordsmanship of the man who was called the "War King. If I rush in, I''ll probably get cut myself. If you''re not careful, you''ll end up getting cut. He flicks my sword, then raises it high and swings it down - I dodge it with a slight deflection. This time, with the same momentum I had been hit with, he strikes again. Kufilio swung his sword in response, and the exchange of blows began. I know your sword better than most. ...... You won''t get cut again. I don''t normally stand in front of the Sword Saint twice. You may be the first in that sense. In the midst of this, they continued their conversation as if they were reminiscing about the past. In the past, when we fought each other, we never exchanged a word. I was the one who won after a life-destroying battle. Then I''m having a wonderful experience. "Then I''m having a wonderful experience. My memories are just a sham, but the elation I feel now is real. ......! "Don''t get excited, War King. Don''t get excited, War King. You''ll mess up your swordplay. "Ha, that''s me!¡¡It''s this elation that will raise me up. ....... The blow to cut you is there! With the words, Kufilio unleashes a powerful blow. When I was slightly pushed back, Kufilio didn''t miss it and took another step forward to launch an onslaught. Five blows in quick succession. Each powerful blow aimed at me with a dull thud. The third blow is blocked, but the fourth just misses my shoulder. The fifth blow - I swing my sword at that moment. Richto Wirter has a habit of hitting with his sword. When he strikes a horizontal blow, he stomps the ground hard, and his behavior shifts slightly. I never miss that moment. Because that was the blow that killed Rikt. Seeing my movement, Kufirio smiles at me. I immediately realize that this move is an invitation. I immediately kick the ground. I kicked the ground as quickly as I could and stepped backwards. In his left hand, Kufilio was holding a dagger from his pocket. A drop of fresh blood dripped from the tip of the blade. It was a blow to my right wrist. "Kuku...... Hahahaha!¡¡I told you not to get cut twice! You can find a lot of things that you can do to make your life easier. There''s nothing wrong with holding the sword, but the more I swing, the more I''m at a disadvantage. A little deeper and it would have been a ''mortal wound''. If it had been a little deeper, it would have been a ''mortal wound''." What Kufilio meant by a mortal wound was that he would lose his grip on the sword. I chuckled when I heard him say that. I chuckled when I heard him say that. "Haha, you''re probably right. "Is there anything funny about ......? No, you don''t think you can do it and I can''t, do you? I also have two swords. I hold the Silver Spirit Sword in my left hand and the Blue Armor Sword in my right. I have two swords in my right hand, one as Raoul Isaruf and one as Alta Schweiz. When Kufilio saw me, his eyes widened. "Oh!¡¡That must be it!¡¡You and I must fight with all our might to the death, that is the meaning of our battle! Kufilio also moves, sword and dagger at the ready. We both paused for a moment and then launched another sword strike. His dagger can''t reach me - it''s already there for defense now. My right hand, on the other hand, is bleeding. If I swing too hard, I''ll reach my limit first. ......, but that limit will never come. Sparks flying and fresh blood. You will find a lot of things that you can do to make your life easier. The smile on Kufilio''s face disappears. "......! "Don''t be surprised, War King. What are you ......! I''m the same either way. There is no one who can surpass me in the art of swordsmanship with either hand, right or left. You have a dagger, but ...... it''s nothing more than a Kufirio assassination technique. You can''t kill me with that. I flicked Kufilio''s dagger and let go of the Blue Armor Sword. Kufilio relied on the memory of a man named Rikt to fight me. He also relied on his skills as a man named Kufirio, even though he was only a memory. In the end, that is the reason for his defeat. Rikuto, who specializes in swordsmanship, and Kufirio, who specializes in assassination - if they only rely on their physical abilities, but with their improvised skills, they are far from my realm. Kicking the ground, he grasped his sword in both hands. Kufilio takes a defensive stance. "I said I''d fight as the Sage of Swords. Now that I''ve called myself that, I can''t be defeated. The sound of metal clashing against metal echoed, and then there was a loud squeak. He also cut the blade of the Red Sounding Sword in half, sending the blow right through Kufilio''s body. The broken blade flew through the air, and Kufirio fell to his knees. I pointed the tip of my sword at Kufirio. The silvery blade shines with a stronger glow. By releasing the magical power it has absorbed, the Silver Spirit Sword can unleash a powerful blow of magical power. You don''t need to do that to kill the current Kufirio--but I promised. I promised to free Aria from her spell. If there''s technology in this room, I''ll make it disappear as well. That''s all I can do. You''re only relying on the ghosts of the past. And that''s what you are. "I''m the same ......? I''m not sure if the breakage of the Red Sounding Sword had any effect on the magic, but Kufilio''s tone returned to normal. I nodded and raised my sword. "You''ve lived too long. You''ve lived too long. You shouldn''t be trying to survive on the life of a child. "Ha, ha. ...... You and I are a lot alike after all. If you are a sword saint, then you are also a ghost of the past, right? I''m going to take care of it. As if to blow up the whole room, he unleashes the magic power inside the Silver Spirit Sword. A silvery glow enveloped the room and eventually shook the entire basement. 81 81. How to Take Revenge The man in white - Kufilio was walking alone through the shaking underground passage. He glances back and sighs softly. "Well, well, ...... I''ve lost. Of the other selves - the beings that share the same memories and are divided into body and brain - Kufilio''s body has been defeated. The assassination skills that Kufilio had developed over the years were lost. Once again, Kufilio began to walk forward. He had lost half his body, but that was not a problem yet. He''s still alive, he''s still in charge of his brain, and he still has his memories of assassination techniques. He can create Kufilio Nootria again in the same way. The Shadow Apostle was originally formed by a single man, and has taken on the shape of an organization. As long as I''m still alive, I can start over again as many times as I want. But this time it was quite a thrill. Next time, I''ll make a Kufirio that will be second to none. Then, Kufirio stopped in his tracks. He had a look of surprise on his face, as if he had noticed something. I''m not going to give up yet. I never thought I''d have a new goal here!¡¡Ruling a single country ...... sounds more interesting than that goal. For Kufilio, it was like a game. For Kufilio, it was like a game. Life is short - you can only gain so many experiences in your lifetime. But what if you could extend your life? Or what if we could live a longer life by changing our bodies? I began with such research and have lived for several hundred years. The longer he lived, the more extreme the pleasures became for Kufilio. If Aena Baudel, the daughter of the Imperial Marshal, was killed in the kingdom, the conservative Lugar Baudel would turn into an extremist. If this happens, the power of the extremists that Kufilio is working with will be unassailable. In that war, Kufilio will wield his technology to the fullest. Even if he loses, so be it. He was sure to overthrow the current leader, Lugaru. What was miscalculated was that the kingdom was aware of the move. That is, Aena, Lugaru''s daughter, found out. A mere girl who had lived for only a dozen years could read Kufilio''s thoughts and lure him out using himself as bait. When he thought about it, Kufilio''s mouth naturally relaxed. It''s not easy at all. But this is also... "Interesting, huh?¡¡I don''t think it''s funny. Oh!¡¡Oh, I didn''t expect to find you here. The one who interrupted Kufilio''s words was Aena, the very girl who had lured Kufilio away and driven him to this point. Even in the intricate underground passages, there are only a few paths that lead to the outside of the kingdom. Aena had read Kufilio''s escape route and had beaten him to it. She was dressed in an Imperial uniform, but she was not even in a battle stance in front of Kufilio, and she gave him a cold stare. "So you''re Kufilio Nautria. You''re a very dull man. "Haha, I''ve lost the bright side. Now that you''re here, ...... you''ve come to capture me, haven''t you? "Capturing ....... Indeed, I personally would like to know about your collaborators in order to drain the pus out of the empire. Well, I''m guessing it''s mostly the heart of the extremists. I don''t know, ...... but it''s good that you''re here. I still have some luck. Kufilio said, and took a stance. The magicians on his right and left hands are the magicians - not the best for fighting, but Kufilio himself knows how to fight with magic. "In this narrow path, ...... the only way to escape will be to go past you. But if I can ...... kill you and get out of here, I''ll have nothing to say about it. So, you think you can beat me when you''ve been sitting back and watching? You''ll never know until you try. ...... At least I can. Kufilio suddenly vomits blood with a pain running down his back. As he wiped the blood from his mouth, he slowly turned around. Standing there was a girl. Kufilio knew her - she was Aena''s aide, Mercier Altina. She is a maid for the Bodle family, but also works as a soldier. ...... Without a hint of hesitation, Mercier came up behind Kufilio and struck a blow. What is ...... it? I''m not sure what you mean.¡¡I''m not sure what to make of that. "''Outsider''? You''re a horrible person, aren''t you? Well, your face and voice are so ...... different, it''s no wonder you don''t recognize me. "Face and voice ......?¡¡You are ....... With a startled expression, Kufilio looked at Mercier''s face. Her expression is the same as the one Kufilio once saw. She is the one who raised him and taught him the art of assassination, and the girl who betrayed him and let Aria escape. "I''m sorry, but I''m not the one who''s going to bring the hammer down on you. This is her revenge. The last thing he heard was Aena''s voice. Kufilio finally realized everything. It wasn''t all Aena''s plan that had driven him to this point - it was something else entirely that had caused it. Another blow to the neck ...... was delivered to ensure that Kufilio was finished off. As he bled out, Kufirio fell to the ground in a daze. The end of a man who had lived for hundreds of years was a very quiet one. *** Looking down at the prone Kufilio, Mercier exhaled heavily. "Phew ....... I wish I could say this is all over ......, but now we have more work to do to find out who is involved with Kufilio. I''m sorry, ....... It would have been the right thing to do to capture him. No, it''s better this way. He''s lived a long life. ...... It''s faster to get rid of him than to let him live. In case you were wondering, some of the people involved with this guy are still alive. Thank you, sir. Shall I go get the knights of the kingdom? That won''t be necessary. I''m sure one will be here soon. Aena said and looked towards the road Kufilio had come from. The loud rumbling was Alta Schweizer''s victory over the other Kufirio. Or so Aena seemed to think. The fact that you trust me so much, Aena-sama, shows how much you change when you fall in love with a man. What''s that word? Hmm, but ...... I won''t deny it. I guess that means I''m a maiden too. ...... ...... Hmm. Stop laughing, you''re making me angry. I''m sorry, too. But thanks to you, I''ve done what I had to do. I''ll leave the rest to you, Miss Aena. "Oh ......, I''ll leave the future to you. But you still have a lot of work to do, don''t you? Mercier nodded in agreement with Aena''s words. In the event that you''ve got any questions regarding where and the best way to get in touch with us, we''re here to help. 82 82. For this day Three days have passed since the end of the battle against the Shadow Apostle. Originally, the inspection from the Empire was supposed to be over, but Aena and Mercier were still staying in the Kingdom. In the end, our inspection had to be cut off after two days, but we were told that the inspection of the other areas had continued and ended without any problems. I talked with Remyll in front of the hospital room. I talk to Remyil in front of the hospital room, and he tells me that as far as he can tell, there is no problem with the underground monsters. Once again, we''re sealing off the area so that no one can enter from the outside. "But King''s Landing is a big place. It will be difficult to manage. We''ll just have to try. I''m sure you''ll be happy to know that I''m not the only one. ...... I never thought there was a connection between my busy schedule and this incident. A lot of the paperwork that was filed with Lemire was about the demons underneath King''s Landing - and he finally had time to take care of it. So he came to visit Iris in the hospital. You''ve come all this way and you''re not going inside? "I didn''t do anything special this time. Besides, Miss Iris and Aria are with you now, aren''t they? That''s right. By the way, about Aria... Yes, she cooperated with the Shadow Apostle and explicitly targeted the life of Master Aena Baudel - to be frank, that is a crime. However, the target, Aena, has said that she won''t mention her responsibility, and she was mentally unstable because her family was used as a shield. She may be under observation for a while, but it won''t be a big crime. As far as I was concerned, it didn''t seem to be a big problem. Of course, even if you have a reason to do so, it is still a crime to attempt to kill another person - Aria was complicit in it, so it will never be completely forgiven. Nevertheless, the fact that it was treated as a lesser crime was largely due to the fact that Aena made it a non-issue. I should be grateful to her. I''m glad to hear that. I''m relieved, too. You can tell Aria about it. Also, keep in mind that you''ll probably be supervising the observation process. That''s one more role for you to play. ...... I understand that as well. I also promised to protect Aria - I originally taught her with a sword along with Iris. It would not be too much of a burden. I''m sure you''ll be able to find something that works for you. ...... I''ll leave the girls to you. With a wave of his hand, Remyll left the scene. She said she had some time to spare, but she was probably still busy at the moment. From the Imperial side, the daughter of the Imperial Marshal was targeted during the inspection - but this is all part of Aena''s strategy. It''s unlikely that she''ll mention it too strongly, and it''s unlikely that the relationship between the Kingdom and the Empire will be severely damaged. Nevertheless, there is still much to be done about this matter. For the time being, all I can do is be there for them. Iris, is there anything else you want me to do? "Don''t worry so much. I''m fine. When I entered the hospital room, I could hear Iris and Aria talking. Ever since Iris had woken up, she had been like this - Aria was worried about Iris'' injury and was all over her all the time. I guess Aria feels responsible for all those injuries. I''m relieved to see that you''re doing well. I''m so glad you''re feeling better.¡¡I''m so sorry, doctor. I''m sorry I look like this. ...... Iris quickly hugs the covers to hide herself. She was wearing an outfit embroidered with cute animals, perhaps her nightgown. There was nothing to be concerned about, though. She tried to get up from the bed, and I stopped her. It''s okay to stay. I''m just here to visit you, so don''t worry about it. Oh, thank you very much. "Sir, ...... Aria looks at me with an uncomfortable expression. I hadn''t had a chance to talk to Aria since that day when she revealed her identity as the Sword Saint. Today, it feels like it''s been a long time since we''ve met face to face. She must be tired from the interrogation by the Order, but she doesn''t show any sign of it. "Are you feeling okay, Aria? "No, I''m fine. I''m fine. Thanks to you, ...... saved my life. Aria''s gaze swam, but then she looked at me and said that honestly. It was the first time I saw her genuinely say something like that to me, and it made me smile. Aria reacted to that with a twitch. What?¡¡Did something funny happen? No, I''m just glad you''re being honest with me. The doctor told me to trust you. That''s why you protected Iris and me. So I''ll be a little more honest. But I need you to keep Iris safe. Hey, Aria, ......! Of course I will. But that includes you. From now on, if you need anything, you come to me, okay? "...... Yeah, thanks. Aria was always worried about Iris during this conversation, but Iris smiled when she saw Aria nodding at my words. At last, I felt that everything was back to normal. But there''s one more thing-- I have an appointment with someone. "And, Miss Aria. There''s someone waiting on the roof who wants to see you. Why don''t you go and let me take care of Iris? "You want to meet me at ......? Aria tilted her head. Such a person does not ring a bell for her. But I''ve heard from him, and I understand what''s going on. Aria looked at me suspiciously, but I urged her to leave the hospital room. (*) --On the rooftop, which was turning into a sunset, sheets and towels used in the hospital were being hung out to dry. As the white cloths swayed in the breeze, Aria walked to look around her. There was a hint of human presence. A girl stood looking down on the town. "Are you ......? It''s nice to meet you - or should I say, it''s been a while? Aria looks a little surprised at the sight of her. The girl''s name is Melche Altina. I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but it''s a good idea. She seems to have fought and lost to Kufilio, but judging from the fact that she was only slightly injured, she must be quite skilled. Why does Mercier want to see Aria? "Long time no see, you mean in the arena? That was only a few days ago. Well, but ...... even Kufilio can''t notice it, so it''s no wonder you can''t. "...... What do you mean? Aria''s guard was up. It''s only natural that she would become more cautious when she hears Kufilio''s name. In contrast to Aria, Mercier smiled and took a step closer to Aria. She was not in a state of readiness, but she was ready to respond immediately if anything happened. In response to Aria, Mercier continued to speak plainly. I''m sure Iris was the one who was most upset when she saw you in the Shadow Apostle. But I was just as upset as she was. I wondered why you were there. "......?¡¡Why are you talking like that? You have a different face and voice, so it''s understandable that you don''t understand. But - I told you, didn''t I?¡¡I said I''d be there. "What? Aria''s eyes widened in surprise. Aria''s eyes widened in surprise. She knew it couldn''t be true, but Mercier''s words were something she remembered. It was her sister''s words that had given Aria, who knew nothing, the opportunity to learn so much. She never showed up again, and the people who claimed to be her brother and sister, who hadn''t shown up in a long time, were fakes. I was told that the real ones had been killed by Kufilio. But Mercier, who was right in front of her, said to Aria with the same expression as that time. I''m sure you''ll be happy to know that I''m not the only one who survived. "...... Sister, sir? It''s been a long time since you called me that. Because you''re already ...... That''s what Kufilio said, isn''t it?¡¡Sure, I was almost dead - running for my life, fighting for my life. I still have the scars. And yet, here I am, saved by Master Aena. In that sense, I''m just like you. I was given a name! Interrupting Mercier''s words, Aria hugged her. It was half a reflex, and she was surprised to find herself doing so. But as she buried her face in Mercier''s chest, she gently stroked his head. I never thought I could do this to you. But I''ve always wanted to do it for you. "Sister ......!¡¡I''m so glad you''re alive. ......! I''m glad you''re alive," Aria says, squeezing. Her face and voice are different, but I know now that she is real. Yes, I can feel it. I''m also relieved that you''re okay. I''m also relieved that you''re okay, because I couldn''t let it look like you and I had anything to do with each other until it was all over. I''m sorry about ....... I wanted to apologize to you too. I really shouldn''t have run away at ...... that point. If I had stayed, my brother would have ...... It''s okay. Thanks to you, my brother and I got to know our family. During the time we were together, ...... I saw you slowly grow up and I understood that the feelings I had were not created. So what your brother and I did was not a mistake. I did what I did because I really cared about you, not because I was made to. Mercier hugged Aria tightly. Aria responded in kind. It was as if they were making up for a long time of being apart. After a moment of silence, he gently grasped Aria''s shoulders and slowly released her. When all is said and done, I was planning to welcome you into the Empire. What?¡¡That''s ....... "Yeah, but I''m relieved ....... You already have someone who cares about you, don''t you? Mercier glanced backwards. I''m not sure if I''m going to be able to do it. ...... Iris and Alta must have come to see her out of concern. I''m not sure what to say, but I''m going to say it. I''m fine, sister, I''m fine. I have a very strong teacher and a very important ''family''. Of course, you''re my family, too. I know. We''ll see each other when we want to. So I''ll see you. I''ll see you later. After the conversation with Mercier, Aria turned around. After the conversation with Mercier, Aria turned around and ran to the two people waiting for her. I don''t know. I''m sure you have nothing to worry about. ...... "Yes, it does. We quickly disappeared, but Aria probably saw us. I''m sure Aria saw us, but we both looked at each other and smiled. Aena had come to inspect the kingdom in order to lure the Shadow Apostle, but it had all started before that. The rebellion of Mercier, one of the beings created by Kufilio. One of them has led us to this point. "Well, let''s go back to the sickbay. You''re still recovering from your injuries, Iris. "Don''t worry, doctor. I''m fine now. No, you can''t. When you''re healed, I''ll accompany you to your training. No!¡¡Well, if that''s the case, I''ll make sure you''re well. ...... Hearing my words, Iris nodded honestly. I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but it''s a good idea. Aria came back to me. "Oh, Aria. I was just near here with Iris... Suddenly, I feel a soft touch on my forehead. When Iris saw the action, she looked surprised. --Aria had kissed my forehead. The suddenness of it startled me. With a mischievous smile, Aria whispers, "I like you. I like you a lot, second only to Iris. So I''ll keep it all to myself. "Hey, hey!¡¡What the hell was that all about ......? I don''t know. Don''t be silly!¡¡Wait, wait, wait! In spite of her injuries, Iris tries to chase after Aria as she runs away. In the end, Aria, who was worried about her and came back, caught her and started to interrogate her about what she just did. While watching this, I touch my forehead. "Haha, so you''re still treating me like a child. I couldn''t help but chuckle and mutter something like that to myself. 83 83. The Assassination Girl and The Sacred Princess... Aena was taking Mercier on a carriage ride back to the Empire. A few days have passed since the battle with the Shadow Apostle, and as she gazes at the scenery outside, Aena asks Mercier. Are you happy?¡¡You didn''t have to stay in the kingdom. You''ve just been reunited with your sister. I don''t mind. I don''t mind. I promised Aria that I would always see her. Perhaps you should have talked with Alta for a while longer. After the battle, Aena discussed with Remyll, the leader of the Kuro Wolf Knights, the handing over of the captured assassins, and returned to the Empire without any further conversation with Arta. Aena smiled softly. I''m sure we''ll have another chance to meet. This visit ended halfway through. We''ll have another chance soon. "If that''s fine with you, Master Aena, but ...... there are already two women by Alta''s side. "And by two, you mean your sister? I''m sure you''re right, because she trusts you. "Haha, love rivalry. ...... You think I''m stupid about this, don''t you? No, that''s not what I meant. ....... But yes, you are. I''d like to come here next time without any hesitation. Mercier said, and looked towards the kingdom, which was moving away. The empire and the kingdom - the interaction between the two countries is not yet deep, but we still have to try to build friendly relations in the future. This time, Aena has taken a form of taking advantage of the kingdom side. She will eventually have to apologize for that. Aena understands that much--she intends to stand on the back of the empire in earnest. (In that sense, Iris ......, you''re in the same position as me. In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site. I''ve already thought of some good events to deepen the exchange between the kingdom and the empire, although the inspection ended in the middle. I''m looking forward to ...... the day I come back. The next time we meet, I''ll at least ask Alta out on a date. Mercier, make the arrangements. Wouldn''t it be better if you asked her out yourself? I don''t know how to ask ....... Then why don''t we put it on the first platoon agenda when we get back? I don''t know how to ask you out, but I don''t know how to ask you out. That might be a possibility. ...... I''m kidding, right? Seeing Aena''s reaction, Mercier sighs. The carriage carrying the two of them raced straight towards the empire. I''m sorry. A few days had passed since Iris had been released from the hospital. I had finally returned to my position as a teacher at the school, and was in charge of one of the make-up classes for Iris and Aria, who had been late to class. In the end, I was off for not just a few days, but nearly a dozen. If anything, I think it''s more important to catch up on schoolwork, but that''s the rule at the school. I face the two girls in the training hall, holding my mock sword. I''m not sure what to make of this, but I''m sure it''s a good idea. It''s been a while since I''ve done any physical activity. So it''s okay to be a little ...... serious, right? Yes, I''d prefer to be serious with my teacher. I''m not sure if I''m going to be able to do it, but I''m sure I''ll be able to do it. I wonder why the girls who are my students and disciples are so bloodthirsty. While thinking about this, I say to them. "All right. Now, here are the special rules. If you can land even a single blow on me, you will have all the time to practice your sword fighting. If you can''t, you''ll have to take a full class. "Yes, sir!¡¡Yes, sensei! You''ll get it. I can use magic, can''t I? Aria, this is a sword class, remember? All right, well, first strike. No, wait! Aria ran ahead, and Iris followed her. It''s been a long time since I''ve seen the two of them move in sync--and I move in response. Aria''s dagger and my sword clashed with each other. "As expected of the Saint of Swords. "!¡¡Aria-san, there are no mental attacks in sword fighting class. Aria said with a wry smile, and looked behind her. Iris, who had already come up behind me, swung her sword at me. I flicked Aria''s dagger and evaded to the left. With a slight distance, I faced the two again. That was close. But it''s good to get used to it. Aria, you''ll get it next time. "Yeah, okay. The two smiling girls and I crossed swords again. The day when the two girls, the "Assassin Girl" and the "Sword Saint Princess", can stand shoulder to shoulder again, as best friends and family, has returned. 84 84.Swordsman and Swords girl The Swordspeople are a group of assassins who are said to slay any and all opponents. Even the Sword Sage is said to kill at their request. There are ten members in the organization--there is a pecking order among these swordsmen. The first in line was Adil Gratz, the head of the organization. In the event that you have any questions regarding where and how to use the internet, you can contact us at the following web site: ....... Adil Gratz, the head of the Swordsmen, received a request to assassinate the Princess Swordsman in the Kingdom of Gardea and was defeated. The three swordsmen who followed him were all defeated as well. And they were all killed by a single knight. I have no intention of avenging him. But I can''t let the name of the Swordsmen fall to the ground. The man, Lowell Cruester, is one of those swordsmen. He was ranked ninth ......, higher than Azuma Kry, one of the defeated swordsmen. He is tall and strong. His hair was long enough to cover his eyes and was dyed red by blood. He had slain several large demons before coming here. Even so, he didn''t show any signs of fatigue, and with a long sword that exceeded his height in his hand, he was looking at the Belvaster Fortress. It is a northern stronghold controlled by the Kingdom of Gardea, and is surrounded by high metal walls. It''s a fortress, of course, but Rowell easily sliced through those walls and stepped inside. There are many vicious demons in the vicinity, and trained knights greeted Lowell. ...... Still, all was meaningless in front of him. In the event you''re not sure what you''re looking for, there are a number of things you can do. In front of the fallen knights, the long blade dripped fresh blood. The ore from the underground mines of the ¡¶Groaryl¡· transmits magic power quickly, and the blade, which is long even by itself, has been extended even further with a magic blade, boasting an attack range beyond that of a sword. There was no one who could react to the high-speed slashes that came from it. --This is not revenge. This was not revenge. Rowell intended to wait for that man by storming the fortress of this kingdom and making it his base. A knight of the realm who had buried nearly half of the swordsmen. To do so, he would take control of this fortress alone. "What do you want?¡¡Little girl. Lowell looks behind him. There was a girl standing behind him, perhaps through the wall of the fortress he had carved out for himself. A girl with peach-colored hair, wearing a kimono with a floral pattern. At her waist was a single sword. The girl, who wore her kimono in a way that left her bosom exposed, approached Rowell with a smile on her face. I was just passing by, but you''re doing something interesting, aren''t you? Normally, the events that took place in this fortress would only be seen as a tragedy. But a girl who smiles at this situation is already abnormal - Rowell turned and swung his sword without changing his expression. The long magical blade extended towards the girl. I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not. "! Rowell''s eyes widened in surprise. The girl pulled out the sword at her waist and took the blow from Lowell. It''s not that I''m not a fan, but I''m not a fan. "...... little girl, who are you? I''m not sure what to say, but I''d like to know.¡¡Well, I guess I should introduce myself first. My name is Luino Tomra. As you can see, I''m a swordswoman! The girl''s words made Lowell react with a twitch. I''m not sure if you''ve seen this before, but I''ve seen it before. The ground cracks over a long distance of more than ten meters. Luino was no longer there. That''s not enough to hit me. I said my name, so why don''t you say yours? ...... Well, you can almost tell by looking at that sword. You''re Lowell Cruester, a survivor of the Sword People, right? "Survivor. There is no such concept in the Swordsmen. The four missing slots will eventually be filled and we will once again be the greatest group of swordsmen. Little girl, is that what you''re trying to do by showing up in front of me at ......? "That would be interesting. I told you before. I just happened to be passing by. I was just passing by. I was interested in someone!¡¡Well, in that sense, maybe you and I have the same goal. "...... same purpose? Yeah, I''m interested in a knight who killed four swordsmen by himself!¡¡He killed four swordsmen just like you, all by himself!¡¡You can''t not be interested in something like that! "...... One minute you call yourself a swordsman, the next you want the same thing. I''m not going to let it get to me. "Hee hee, I know that! You tried to kill me with a single blow first!¡¡But that''s just fine. But it''s just right." Rui No said, pointing the tip of his sword at Lowell. Lowell immediately understood what Luino was trying to do. She twisted her mouth into a crescent moon and said. Let''s play dead. We''re both after the same thing. I''d like to kill you to spur you on. You like that, don''t you? "...... I see. Little girl - I won''t even give you time to regret this. Lowell swung his sword again. As he did so, Luino rushed forward. It didn''t take long for the battle between the two swordsmen - the swordsman and the swordswoman - to be settled. ...... There are only five swordsmen left. 85 85. Why "Mountain" I, Alta Schweizer, was in the staff room of ¡¶fiorum school¡·. I''m seated in the back right corner of the room, the same as the other instructors. I let out a small sigh as I put together the evaluation sheets for the students in the sword fighting class. I sigh softly as I compile the evaluation sheets for my swordsmanship students. My job as an instructor has become quite familiar to me - whether that''s a good thing or not is entirely up to me. You''ll be able to get a lot more than just a pair of shoes. In terms of swordsmanship, there was no one better than Iris Reinfell. She is indeed known as the "Sword Saint Princess. ...... From my point of view, her swordsmanship is not at the level of a student. The next most highly regarded is Iris''s best friend, Aria Notoria. I''m not sure if I''d put her in the category of swordsmanship, but she''s good enough to handle a simple sword. There were also a few other students who shone in terms of swordsmanship here and there. All of them may be aiming to become "knights of the kingdom" in the future. The future of this country will be secure if capable people join the knighthood. "Dr. Alta, may I have a word? The person who called out to me was the head of the school, Odds Colster. As usual, I couldn''t help but notice his muscular physique, even though he was in charge of the magic class. It seems that he calls his teachers by their first names, and he is the only one who doesn''t call them ''Mr. Schweizer''. He is one of the people in this school who knows that I am a "knight". However, I usually treat him as a teacher. "Mr. Colster, what''s wrong? Yeah, I was wondering if you could tell me the results of your survey on the mountain side and the ocean side for my upcoming class. I wanted to know the results of your survey on the mountain side and the ocean side. ...... I thought you said each class went to a different location. Yes. The ocean side is usually more popular, but there are many things you can learn in the mountains. There''s a certain number of mountain lovers every year. In my class, we just collected the results of a questionnaire the other day. The results are usually summarized here: ...... I take the form out of my desk and check it. My class is also ...... the sea. "The ocean. Maybe we should have all classes in the ocean. Thanks. The odds leave me, mulling over the results of the survey. --The extracurricular class is one of the classes held every year in every grade. There are several other events, but at this time of the year, they take a survey to decide whether to go to the mountains or the sea. The results of the survey in my class were no different from the others, with the overwhelming majority choosing the ocean. ...... I recall that Iris chose the mountains. Mountain asceticism ...... is certainly a word she seems to like, but. I don''t want to think that''s why she chose it. As for Aria, she chose "sea" as usual. To be honest, it was also a questionnaire for the students to choose a place to play. It took about three nights and four days to get there. ...... The sea side has more places to stay in the city. I wouldn''t mind staying in the mountains, where I can settle down in relative peace and quiet, but at this rate, I''m sure I''ll end up in the ocean. I finished my evaluation for the sword class and got up to leave the staff room. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m sure I''ll be able to do it. ...... I guess they were waiting for me to come out. Dr. Schweizer, we''ve been waiting for you. Oh, I''m surprised you waited. Iris said she couldn''t wait. No, I didn''t say that. Iris blushed a little and denied Aria''s words. But Aria''s words are credible enough. I''m sure you''ll be happy to know that when I left the staff room, I saw Iris with a happy expression on her face. If I described her as ...... like a dog waiting for its owner, she would definitely be offended, so I''ll keep my mouth shut. The two of us headed to the back of the main building. It was common to see training after school, and it had become our place of training. As I walked, I suddenly remembered the questionnaire I had just received. "Mr. Iris, I was wondering about the questionnaire. "Questionnaire?¡¡Oh, is it the ...... mountain for the extracurricular lesson? No, I think it will be the ocean. Oh!¡¡Oh, really? I''m not sure why you''re looking away from me like that. Is there a reason you want to go to the mountains? Because there are mountains there. ......? Why do you use the question form?¡¡You like mountains so much, don''t you, Iris? No, it''s not like that, but ...... you can practice a lot more in the mountains. I didn''t expect her to say exactly what I thought she would. She is supposed to be the only daughter of a great aristocrat. ...... Why would she speak like a wild child? Just as I''m thinking this, Aria comes up next to me. It''s not just that. In the ocean, you have to swim. "......?¡¡That''s right. Hey, hey. Aria!¡¡You can''t talk about ......! Iris panicked and tried to interrupt Aria''s words. But Aria rushes out and tells him to run away from Iris. "Iris, you can''t swim yet. "......, wait a minute!¡¡Why are you telling me this? Iris angrily chases after Aria. The two of them are as noisy as ever, but Aria''s statement was quite a shock. ...... No, in fact, there may be a surprisingly large number of nobles. There are rivers in this area, but there are probably few opportunities for nobles to play in them. It''s nothing to be embarrassed about, but I''m more worried about it. --If you are a knight, it''s not good if you can''t swim. 86 86. Trespassing Knight Chief After accompanying Iris and Aria in their sword training, I returned to the teacher''s dormitory. During the training, Iris kept making excuses like "It''s not that I can''t swim," or "It''s just that my body doesn''t float in water. I''m not saying that not being able to swim is a bad thing either. ....... ...... Hmm? When I stood in front of my room, I felt a presence inside. There are certain people who would enter my room without permission. It''s someone I have an appointment with later in the evening. "You can''t just barge in, Commander Remyll Ein. It is also the duty of a superior to check on the lives of his subordinates. I''m not sure what to make of that. With his long red hair swaying, he was looking around my room as if he was checking me out. To be honest, my room is simple enough that I can leave at any time. I keep a few extra clothes in the closet, and there''s only a desk, a chair, and a bed to sleep on. There''s nothing particularly interesting about it. ...... But more than that. I''m not sure if that''s too much of a private thing. I think you need to have the courage to take a step into your relationship. I''m sure you''re not the only one who feels this way. I''d like to hear you say you''re passionate. I''d call it ''sick''. Can''t you see how much I want to see you right away? Sighing, Remyll sits back in her chair. Maybe she''s right, maybe she''s not. "Is there an emergency? ...... Huh, you''re as perceptive as ever. You''re as perceptive as ever," said Remyll with a smile. When she comes directly to me, it''s usually when there''s an urgent matter. Remyil crosses his arms and starts talking. Let''s start with what you''ve been up to. I haven''t changed much. I''m still the same happy teacher. That doesn''t sound like much fun. Well, I''ve been pretty busy sorting through all the material. When you were a knight, you were much busier. You make it sound like I''m not a knight now. I''m kidding. So, how is Aria? Aria''s back to normal. I don''t think she needs to worry anymore. At least Aria won''t be leaving Iris on her own anymore. She has been obeying me well in her recent training. She has always been a difficult girl to get a hold of, but once she has forgiven me, we seem to be getting closer. I''m still concerned about the fact that he often says and does things that agitate Iris, though. I see. Well, as long as you''re in charge, I''m not worried. How is Miss Iris? I see you''re as fond of your sword training as ever. I''ve always been a swordsman. ....... Personally, I''d like to see you take some interest in becoming a king. It''s up to you to make the final decision. You say that, but it''s not that simple. ...... Well, that''s not what I came here to talk about today. --I''ll get to the point. You remember the Swordsmen, don''t you? Of course you do. I defeated them myself. The Swordspeople are a group of swordsmen, each one of them overwhelmingly powerful. It was an organization that reminded me of the old me, never afraid of death and always seeking the strongest enemy. I never thought I''d hear that name again. If that name comes up, does that mean you''re in King''s Landing? No, we''re not at King''s Landing yet. But some of the fortresses the kingdom has set up for national defense have been attacked. It hasn''t completely lost its function, but six of them have been damaged. That''s pretty big. I see. ...... That could be serious. The problem of national security - and more importantly, the strength of the Swordsmen - is highlighted. You can find a lot of things that you can do to make your life easier. There are no ordinary knights that can stand a chance against them,......, and they are scattered all over the country. I''m not sure if you''ve seen this before, but I''m sure you''ve. Five?¡¡Six places means there''s another one, right? You don''t know where the other one is? That''s the thing, ....... My words were met with a scowl and a slurred response from Remyll. It''s not as if one of the five has already arrived in King''s Landing - it doesn''t seem that way. When Remyll let out a small breath. "The swordsman who attacked the Belvastar Fortress, his name is Lowell Cruester. He was found dead in the fortress. He is no longer one of our targets. That''s what he said. "Found dead?¡¡Not one of the knights defeated him? "The ...... knights had already been severely damaged. We had a lot of good knights there. The knight who was checking from high ground said that there was a girl. "The ...... girl? Yeah, we got some info on the girl. She was staying in a nearby town. Her name is Luino Tomra. Tomra? Tomra?¡¡Do you know anything about him? No, not really. No, not really." I slurred my words in response to Remyll''s question. ...... Tomra is a rare surname. But that doesn''t mean I should assume it has anything to do with anyone I know. I''m still curious, though. You''re saying this girl Luino killed the sword fighters? "Yes, it''s hard to believe, but she defeated them single-handedly. To be honest, I''d be grateful if she was on our side. ...... We''re currently investigating her movements. I see. ...... So, you want me to deal with the swordsmen?¡¡It''s possible, yes. In all likelihood, yes, ........ But this time it is the entire kingdom that is affected. The five knight orders have already held a joint meeting to decide how to respond. --The town you''ll be dealing with is Lelay, in the south. It''s right on the beach. The beach.¡¡The seaside, huh? That''s a very timely story. What, are you going to the beach for class? Yes, it''s still very possible. That being said, it''s almost a done deal. If it''s a fortress in the south, it''s not so much a threat from abroad as it is a threat against demons. I know what the swordsmen are. There is a high possibility that they are still hiding in the nearby towns--they may eventually come to King''s Landing, but this time, all the people here will be mobilized to defend King''s Landing. Even so, I don''t know what will happen if there are five swordsmen,......, but in any case, you are only one. The Kuro Wolf Knights will be dealing with the swordsmen in the town of Leray. I understand. In the event that you''re not sure what you''re looking for, you''ll be able to find it on the web. And prepare the scout knights. "Of course, I understand. We''ll be as considerate as possible. I''ll have to discuss this with the academy, but I''m sure I''ll be heading out to sea now. I''ll have to consult with the school, but I''m sure I''ll be heading to the beach now. ...... Speaking of the sea, I remembered something. I''m not sure if you''ve heard of this, but one of the requirements to become a knight is to be able to swim, right? Of course. Saving people''s lives is also a duty of a knight, and you have to be able to swim in strong currents. In your case, though, even if you can''t do that, you''re still necessary. I can swim, too. I''ve trained myself to swim with a person in my arms. ...... Swimming seems to be an essential part of the job. I''m not sure if you''ve heard of this before, but I''m sure you''ve heard of it ....... You''re asking me this now because it''s . Are there any aspiring knights who can''t swim?¡¡If that''s the case, why don''t you accompany them to practice so they can swim when they go to the beach? "Haha, yes. I think it would be a good idea. Hmm, that sounds like a great idea. You''re not talking about Miss Iris, are you? In response to Remyll''s question, I keep a smile on my face and remain silent. I''m sure you''re not the only one. "...... Is that so? I nodded with a small sigh at Remyll''s words. 87 87. Seaside Town Two weeks after the incident with the swordsmen, I was in the town of Lelay with my students. It''s located along the coast and adjacent to the coast, so it''s a place where the fishing industry has developed. Many of the marine products sold in the royal capital come from here. It is also famous as a sightseeing spot. The town itself is built on a slope along a small mountain, and the view of the sea from there is very beautiful. "Sir!¡¡Can I go for a swim? "Haha, we''ll meet at the beach for roll call first. I quickly answered the girl''s excited question. The energetic kids quickly ran to the beach, and the boys followed suit. The boys followed suit, and I was left in the lurch. "Iris, are you okay? "Yes!¡¡No, I''m fine!¡¡It''s not that the tension is low because of the sea. ...... She politely explained the reason for her low tension. There is a mountain in front of you, albeit a small one. When Iris looked in that direction. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m sure you can do it. I''m the only one leading the group. I''m the only one leading the group, so that''s impossible. That''s right, ....... When Iris''s hopes were dashed, her shoulders slumped. Apparently, she really didn''t want to go to the beach. But this is what Iris needs to do. I''m sure you can understand how I feel, Iris, but it''s important for a knight to be able to ...... swim. I don''t know.¡¡It''s not that you don''t want to because you can''t swim,......, but you do. I''m not sure what to make of it, but I''m sure it''s worth it. This is a great way to make sure you are getting the most out of your money. This is part of your training. "...... training? Yes. I''m going to help you become the best knight you can be. But if you can''t become a knight because you can''t swim, wouldn''t that be a shame? "......!¡¡You''re right, sir, you''re right. I''m not saying it''s wrong not to be able to swim, and I''m not saying it''s embarrassing not to be able to swim right now. I''m not saying it''s wrong that you can''t swim, or that you should be ashamed of not being able to swim. I''ll teach you well. "Mr. Schweizer......, I understand. I''m going to learn to swim in this class. ......! Iris declared with a determined expression. The purpose of the class is not to learn to swim, but ...... well, if it motivates her, so be it. You''ll be able to find a lot more information on the web. "Sir? He suddenly called out to her from behind. It''s Aria, who is as good as ever at disguising her presence. Aria, you weren''t on your way to the beach yet, were you? "No. I was wondering about something. Something bothering you? Yeah, you seemed fine. You have a job to do besides teaching, don''t you, professor? What? Aria asks me that question. She glanced at the tourists a little further away. Aria seems to have noticed that they are not really tourists. This is the first time I''ve ever seen such a thing. I''m not sure what to make of that. I''m sure Iris is aware of this too. He just doesn''t say it. So, what''s the deal this time? Haha, you''re still asking straight out. Yeah, I''m curious. "Well... I guess it''s none of your business this time. That''s what I say. In fact, I''m not lying. I can''t be certain about this case, but I think it''s me who''s being targeted, not Iris. If that''s the case, there''s no need to talk to Iris or Aria in this situation. In fact, if Iris were to ask, she would certainly say that she would cooperate. Aria nodded with a quizzical expression on her face. "...... Okay. If you say so, then fine. But I trust you. So if you need me, you can count on me. And then he ran off after Iris. If it was Aria before ......, she would have tried to talk to him or find out for herself, but in that sense, she may have been properly trusted. That''s why I need to solve this problem with my own hands. The swordsmen lurking nearby, and a girl named Luino Tomra-- (Tomra ......? I never thought I''d have to ask now.) I don''t know if it has anything to do with the person I know as Tomra. But if it is, I have to think about what I should do. 88 88. Selection of Knight Chief Remyll Ein had just finished the meeting and was returning to his office. The five "knight captains" in the kingdom used to meet together only once a month, but now they are being summoned at a high frequency. The reason is simple. There is a looming threat to this country called the Swordsmen. In the past, it was aimed at Iris Reinfell, the Princess of the Sword, and the Kuro Wolf Knights solved that case, albeit at a cost. To be precise, it was thanks to a boy knight named Alta Schweizer. (Will I have to rely on you again this time?). The swordsmen are said to be staying in five different locations. One of them has been left to Arta to deal with. In the event that you''re not sure what you''re looking for, you''ll be able to find out more about it here. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. In the event that you have any questions regarding where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site. (...... I may not have time to do nothing but work at my desk.) I''m sure you''ll be happy to know that I''m not the only one. When he put his hand on the door, he felt the presence of a person. The presence was somewhat strange. Even before he opened the door, he was aware of our presence. It wasn''t as if he was on guard, but I felt a sharp look in his eyes. Remyil touched the hilt of his sword at his waist and opened the door with caution. What was there was a girl. She was wearing a kimono that was more revealing than it needed to be, and not even a sarashi, though it seemed to emphasize her breasts. She was wearing a kimono that was more revealing than necessary, emphasizing her breasts, but not even a sarashi. Just like the swordsman Azuma Kry, the girl with the sword smiles at Remyll. "Welcome back, I''ve been waiting for you. "Luino Tomra? "Yes, I am. How do you know me? The reported physical description matches. The intruder was sitting on the couch, looking unconcerned. "I know. I know that he defeated one of the swordsmen single-handedly. ...... Why are you here? Remyll asked calmly. The most irregular existence in this case is the girl in front of you, Luino. We all know that the swordsmen are after Arta. I don''t know if it''s revenge for the four friends or if there''s a ...... connection, but at least they''re colluding to get to Arta. What we don''t know is the purpose of this girl, Luino. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. The ...... question is, why is she here? It''s a good idea to take a look at the actual information on the web and also to make sure that you are getting the most out of it. I''m sure you''ll find it interesting.¡¡Of course, that''s because I had something to do here. "What do you mean? "You ask so many questions. But I have a question too, so I''ll answer it. I''ve been asking around, and I''ve heard that there''s a child knight named Alta here, and I was wondering if I could meet him! ...... What do you want with Alta?¡¡I''ll ask him for you. "Hmm?¡¡I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but I don''t think it''s a bad idea. You have to wield your sword every day, right? I''m not sure what to make of it. You know you''re already on the verge of war, but Rui No''s attitude remains relaxed. Luino says that he came here for a reason. From her mood, I could guess what she was talking about. Are you also after Alta? I''m sure you''re one of them. I''ve been tangled up with them before,......, so I have no business coming here. You were on ......? That''s not the point!¡¡Where''s Alta? Do you think he''ll answer? I think you''d better answer.¡¡Well, I''m not averse to force, either!¡¡I''m not sure. I''m not sure what to do. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m sure it''s a good idea. I''m not sure what you''re doing here. ! At that time, the voice of a knight shouting came from outside. I''m not sure if you''ve seen this before. What the hell did you bring me here for? What the hell did you bring me here ......? I told you. I told you, I got tangled up on the way here. With Luino''s words, the door was sliced open with a sword. Reacting immediately, Remy leapt from his spot. I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not, but it''s a good idea. "Sword, guests ......! The other visitor was unexpected. The movement of the Swordsmen is always checked by the Order. However, it would be impossible to fully grasp their movements. I''m not sure what to make of it. The swordsman who appeared, Zenas Ladei, glared at Luino with glazed eyes. You can''t think that you can escape. "No, I''m not running away. I''m not running away. My destination is here, and I don''t have time for you anymore! I''m not sure if you''ve heard of it, but I''m sure you''ve heard of it. He clutched his red sword in his hand, dripping fresh blood as he slowly approached Luino. What Remyil should have done was to capture both of them if possible. In the event that you have any kind of questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can contact us at the web site. In addition, even the swordsmen have already entered the kingdom. It''s an emergency situation to say the least. I''m sure you''ll be able to figure out what to do. "Well, let''s make a ...... deal. If you let me see Alta, I can help you. "What ......? It was the worst, yet most desirable option for Remyll. 89 89. Girls in Swimsuits I had the students leave their luggage at the inn, and I was on my way to the beach. It was not a long trip - three days and two nights - but it was not just a visit to the beach. It was a part of the school''s lessons, and I learned about the life and work of the towns adjacent to the seashore. It''s also to learn about the demons of the ocean. ....... Ocean! Let''s swim! I''m going to be the first to admit that I''m not a big fan of this kind of thing. As I watched them, I let out a small sigh. "Well, when you come to the beach, the first thing you do is play, right? I don''t blame them either. After dropping off their luggage, most of the students changed into their swimsuits and began to play on the beach. The afternoon of the first day consisted mainly of activities on the beach. Some children made mountains out of sand on the beach, and girls splashed each other in the ocean. There were also boys watching from the beach. My role is to keep an eye on the students to make sure they don''t go into dangerous places. There was nothing to block the sun on the beach, so I borrowed a parasol and watched from a little distance. It wasn''t only the students who were enjoying the beach - I could also see the people living in the town and the general public who came for sightseeing. Among them, there was a Knight of the Kingdom. "Alta, oil me, oil me! A female student called out to me while I was sitting on a chair. Her name is Miney Lotto. Her name is Miney Lotto, and she works in a trio with a girl I''m good friends with, and she was one of the girls who tried to set me up in a trio when I first gave her a lesson. I''m not sure if you''ve seen this before, but I''m sure you''ve. I''ve heard rumors that ...... there''s a game going on these days where kids try to somehow upset me by not showing any signs of surprise. It is true that I have not lived my life in such a way that I would be upset by the sight of a naked girl, and even now I don''t show any great reaction to such a sight. "It''s not you, Alta, it''s the teacher. What happened to the other two? Hmm, they''re playing in the ocean first. I''m the only one who''s late!¡¡I''m the only one who''s late! So, Alta, go to ....... Would you like me to do it for you? ......?¡¡I''m sorry, Iris! I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but it''s a good idea. He has a hand on her shoulder and a bottle of oil in his other hand. I''m kidding, I''m kidding! "Don''t be shy. Lie down. I''ll do it for you. No, it''s ......, it''s fine! Oh, my God! But Miney was in a hurry to leave. The ...... intimidation of Iris has gotten the better of her. You will find a lot of things that you can do to make your life easier. I''m not sure what to make of it. Iris''s father, Garro Rheinfell, was a knight-errant, but even before that, he was one of the families that had contributed greatly to the kingdom. The family of the current king, William Tilloch, is also one of these noble families. The first candidate for the next "king" is Iris of the House of Rheinfell, and it is said that the House of Tiroku will not be next in line for the throne due to the incident with Zeir Tiroku. The current king, William, is a man who has been active since the war with the neighboring country, and his achievements and the trust of his knights have allowed him to still hold the throne. However, it is said that he plans to step down from his position in the not too distant future. --It seems that he thought that he should be replaced right now because of his son''s scandals. The problem is that the current king is still too young to replace William. Iris, one of the candidates for the position of king, looked at Miney as she left and sighed. The distance between her and the other students has been there since the beginning. She is the only daughter of a nobleman who has long been known as a candidate for the throne and who won a sword fighting tournament at the age of ten, so it might be more difficult to ask her to be normal. When Iris turned to me, she made a gesture of hiding her swimsuit as if she had noticed something. It''s a pure white bikini - a very simple one that is very typical of her. Oh, I''m sorry ...... for embarrassing you. No, thank you for your help. There are more and more girls who are messing with me like that these days. Even if I were to apply the oil, it would only be for work. That''s it!¡¡I''ve seen an increase in that kind of thing lately. ....... Shall I give you a warning? It''s not that serious. And that''s my role as an instructor. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m sure it''s a good idea. In the event that you''ve got a lot of time, you''ll be able to take a look at a few of the best ways to make the most of your time. A girl came up behind Iris as if she was sneaking up on her. I''m sure you''ll be happy to know that I''m not the only one. "Hey, Aria, ......? It''s a great way to get a feel for what''s going on in your life. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m sure I''ll be able to do it. I can''t tell you what I think of your swimsuit, but I can tell you what you can expect from me. It looks great on you. So I have no choice but to say what I honestly think. I''m not sure if she''s angry with Aria for forcing her to show it, but when she hears my answer, she swims her gaze and then turns her head. I''m not sure what to say. She muttered in a small voice. Aria stands next to Iris. "What about me? It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. In the case of the plain clothes, the large size of the cloth area hid the skin, perhaps because she was carrying something in. ...... The swimsuit, on the contrary, looks less cloth area. But the swimsuit looks like it has less fabric area. I think she''s pushing the envelope. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. I bought it because Iris wanted to wear the school''s swimsuit. No, you don''t have to tell me that! You don''t have to tell me that! - School-specified ......?¡¡You didn''t have swimming lessons, did you? We don''t have swimming lessons, but we do wear swimsuits in these lessons. So, there are swimsuits designated by the school. It''s just that no one wears them. I didn''t know that. I didn''t really understand the rules around that. ...... Well, there is no rule that says you have to wear the school''s swimsuit. I think it''s great that Iris was able to follow the rules and wear a bathing suit, even though I didn''t understand them. I''m not sure if you''ll be able to find the right swimsuit for you. You were pretty excited to choose which swimsuit you wanted, weren''t you? So you don''t have to say anything about that! I''m glad that you were looking forward to it. Oh, it''s not that I''m looking forward to ....... No, I''m just getting tired of being on guard duty. Shall we go now? "What do you mean, go where ......? Iris looks at me with a questioning expression. I''m also wearing a jacket, but inside I''m wearing a swimsuit. I''m sure Iris already knows what she needs to do since she''s wearing a bathing suit. "The ocean, the ocean. We''ll start swimming practice now. The time is limited, and it would be better to teach Iris at least the basics while she can''t swim. 90 90. Swimming Practice In the shade of a rocky beach that I had just found while walking along the beach, there was a space where no one was around, and the only sound was the gentle lapping of the waves. Considering the other students'' eyes, I chose a discreet place. As I entered the sea, I realized that it was still the season to feel the cold fully. I guess it''s just my youth that allows me to get excited in this water temperature. ...... Well, I''m younger than you in terms of age. Mr. Iris, come here. Yes, yes. Although confused, Iris follows my instructions and goes into the water. She says she can''t swim, but she doesn''t seem to have any resistance to the water. It would take a long time for me to teach him, but... "Well, I''d like to see what level you are at, so can you swim for me? I''m not sure if I can swim, but I can only do ...... this much. Then Iris showed me a dog paddle that made a splashing sound. It''s one of the ways to swim, and I''m moving forward with it, but ...... I can feel that he''s swimming rather hard. I''m sure he didn''t want his classmates to see him like this. If you''re not sure what you''re looking for, you can always ask for help. As you can see, she''s crouched down and looking at you, her expression is as languid as ever,......, but if you look closely, you can see that she''s shaking a little. --I''m sure she''s trying to hold back her laughter. This is what it looks like. ...... Iris stands up as she says this. I''m not sure if it''s because I''m embarrassed that all I can do is paddle. I''ve got the gist of it. Do you want to start with the flapping feet first? Yes, but first, Aria!¡¡How long are you going to watch me? I thought he didn''t care, but he was still worried about Aria on the beach. Aria replied with an indifferent face. "Until Iris learns to swim. "Not forever! "Can you swim, Aria? I ask, and Aria, without answering, heads for the top of the rock. It was quite a high place, but Aria stood at the top, raised her hands high and jumped without hesitation. She dives into the sea with a form that is unquestionably beautiful. ...... As expected, Aria''s dive is flawless. She must have been able to swim before she started living with Iris. When she comes back, Aria is coming towards you with a sly look on her face. What?¡¡Hey, Aria!¡¡Swimsuit! Oh. I''m not sure what to make of it. I''m not sure if the swimsuit, which originally had very little fabric, had been swept away by the momentum of the plunge - the breast area was completely exposed. I quickly averted my gaze, but Iris blocked my view with her hand. I''m sure you''re not the only one. Don''t be in such a hurry, I''ll be right there. "Then why are you coming over here? I thought I''d take a break. Cover your breasts! Cover your breasts! Iris, you''re in too much of a hurry. You''re in too much of a hurry! You''re in too much of a hurry! - You''re definitely trying to make fun of Iris. --Aria knows that I''m not in a hurry. Aria knows that I don''t get upset, because she rarely messes with me like the other students do. If you''re in such a hurry, why don''t you go get it, Iris? I''ll go look for it. ...... Okay, okay!¡¡I''ll go look for it. ...... I trust you, sir. In the event that you have any questions concerning where and the best way to get in touch with your loved ones, you can contact us at our own web site. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. Aria chuckles as she watches Iris. "Iris is worth teasing," she said. I know, I know, I know. "I know. I''ve had a bit of fun, I won''t bother you anymore. I don''t mind if you do, but if you want to play ......, why don''t you play with the kids in your class? It''s more fun with Iris. I''m sure you''ll be able to understand why I''ve been so impressed with your work. I''m sure the students also feel that the two of them are a set. This is also a part of Aria''s personality, and I know it can''t be helped, but as a homeroom teacher, I think it''s better to tell her to get along. It''s a great opportunity for you to get to know the other kids better. "No, I''ll think about it when Iris learns to swim. Iris comes first, right? Isn''t that right, Doctor? I''m a little different from you, you know. I''m a little different from you." She replied and looked at Aria. She still has her bathing suit on, and her breasts are still bare, showing no signs of embarrassment. It''s just like Aria to not be upset by this. "...... Don''t look so hard. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m going to do it. ...... It seems that she also had a sense of shame. I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that. ...... Yeah. In the event that you''re not sure what you''re looking for, you''ll be able to find it on the web. "Iris!¡¡I''ll find you a bathing suit. I can''t swim, so please don''t be reckless. "Don''t worry!¡¡I''m not going to drown! I''m not going to drown!" I wondered why she was being so strong, but I swam and quickly found Aria''s swimsuit. After that, Aria was still on the beach, but she seemed to be quietly watching me and Iris practice. It looks like I''m finally going to be able to teach Iris how to swim. 91 91.Practice on the sandy beach Yes, that''s what I''m talking about. ...... Iris flapped her feet in the water, silent. I was teaching her to swim by pulling her hand. It''s not that I''m not good in the water, it''s just that I''ve never done it before - at my current pace, I''m sure I''ll be able to swim soon. He just looks at the beach every now and then as if he cares about Iris. He doesn''t bother her anymore, but Aria''s presence seems to bother him. Thinking about it, they are both best friends, family, and competitors. Given Iris''s character, her current situation, in which she is exposing her weaknesses, may be unacceptable to her. On the other hand, it would not be right to tell Aria not to look at him. In such a case, the best thing to do is to use her. "If you don''t want people to see you in your current state, please concentrate on your practice. I''m sorry.¡¡I''m sorry. It seems that Iris reacted so strongly to my words that she drank the seawater. Coughing, Iris stands up. "Ew, ew. "Are you okay?¡¡I''m sorry, I should have pulled it out better. Ugh, yes. ...... It''s my fault for looking over my shoulder. ...... Iris, hang in there. I know, I know!¡¡You''ll see!¡¡I''m going to be a better swimmer than you in no time! Yeah, I''ll be watching. From the looks of it, it''s going to take her a while to master Aria''s swimming. After all, she jumped from a high place and landed straight and clean. The rest of her swim was also very lean and Aria-like. I''m not sure if it''s a good thing or not. ...... Both of them show their personalities. It''s a good idea to take a break. I''m going to go check on the students. I''m sorry, I''m on my own. ...... "No, no, no. From what I saw, everyone seemed to want to have fun. The only one who didn''t want to go to the beach was Iris. Ugh. ...... I''m not sure what to do. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. If you''re taking a break, let''s play. You don''t know what a break is, do you ......?¡¡But I don''t mind. Iris glances at me. She''s probably wondering if it''s okay to play now that I''ve called it a break. Only Iris would be concerned about such details. I shrugged my shoulders and replied. "Please don''t take any risks. "No, I won''t. Iris immediately denied it. But Aria is holding a mock sword, which she hands to Iris. It''s a good idea to practice on the beach. ...... You certainly don''t get a chance to practice in a place like this. I don''t know what it was that she just said to me. Well, I guess Iris is not aware of the danger of practicing anywhere. Sighing, I went back to check on the students. With the other knights on watch, the beach was even more peaceful than usual. I''ve heard that sometimes some bad men come near the sea, but I don''t see any of them. The knights must have taken some action before they approached. The other side seemed to be fine - I saw it from the top of a large rock and turned around. Then, Iris and Aria, already in a battle stance, were facing each other with their weapons at the ready. There''s something weird about this. ...... I''m not sure if it''s because I''m on a beach. In the same time as Iris'' words, Aria ran out. I''m not sure if you''ve seen this before, but I''ve seen it before. On the other hand, Iris, whose reaction was slightly delayed, went into a defensive posture. Aria, with her dagger at the ready, unleashed a piercing blow. ......! It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. Aria doesn''t let that go unnoticed. The onslaught continues, and before long, Iris''s defense crumbles, and Aria''s dagger is thrust at Iris. "Yes, I win. Hey, that was a foul. ...... There''s no such thing as a foul in a fight--I win. Ugh. ...... Okay, okay. You want me to get you a drink? Yeah, it''s the best one. If you''re going to be so vague, why don''t you just come with me? It''s not a punishment, is it? ...... Apparently, while I was gone, the loser of the fight was supposed to go buy drinks. Aria was acting like she was used to fighting in this kind of environment - she had been taught to be prepared for any kind of battle. Iris, on the other hand, was stuck in the sand and couldn''t move as fast as she wanted. One on one, on the battlefield between knights - that is probably where Iris is at her strongest. But what she is aiming for is not at that level. In that sense, it might be better to let her get used to fighting to some extent here as well as swimming. (......Well, I guess that''s only after I''ve taken care of the Swordsmen.) I think about this as I look to the horizon. ...... It''s still all very peaceful, but I already know what I have to do. 92 92. Illys and the Fortune Teller Iris had come alone to the town to buy a drink. And she felt a little regretful. (I should have put on a jacket. ......) As it is a seaside town, you can see people in swimsuits besides Iris. However, Iris is not used to wearing a bathing suit in the first place. In a sense, it''s like walking around in your underwear. ....... I''ve been practicing to be calm in front of Alta, but to be honest, I''ve been nervous all day. (...... I have to try not to think about anything else. I''m sure you''re not the only one.) Iris could tell from the atmosphere of Alta and from the situation around her. --There was a knight among the tourists. It''s unlikely that Arta would be prepared to let Iris escort him. In the first place, if he needed an escort, he would have at least said something. If she doesn''t say anything, it may be that it''s none of Iris''s business. (...... Still, I wish he would have at least consulted me.) For Arta, is Iris just a target for his or her protection? That''s what I''m feeling. I hated myself for thinking such a thing, even though he taught me how to swim and use a sword. But even if Iris were to ask, Arutha would not answer. I''m not sure what to make of it. Becoming the "strongest knight" -- that is Iris''s goal and dream. I''m sure you''ll be able to find something that will help you out. "...... Huh. What''s troubling you? "Yes! This is a great way to get the most out of your business. I''m not sure what to do. Her face is covered with a purple veil and she is wearing a robe. She seemed to be wearing very thick clothes in this relatively warm climate. With a small chuckle, the woman bows to Iris. "......, and you are? I am Nowe Leshin, and I run a fortune telling business here. I''m Nowe Leshin and I run a fortune-telling business here. You seem to be in some kind of trouble. I''m a fortune teller and I work here. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. I''m not particularly interested in fortune telling. I''ve witnessed my classmates having fun with it, but to me it''s just a game. She considers ending the conversation early and returning to Arta and Aria. I''m sure you''ll be happy to know that I''m not the only one who''s not afraid of you. "Oh!¡¡I''m not sure. Iris reacts greatly to Nowe''s words. I''m not sure. It''s not like she''s my girlfriend or anything. ...... It''s not like I''m hiding anything from you. ...... No! It''s a good idea to take a look at the website and see if you can find anything you like. You can find a lot of people who are looking for the best way to get the most out of their life. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. I''m sure it''s nothing to scoff at. ...... I won''t take too much of your time, so why don''t you join me? Nowe removes her veil to reveal herself. She has a distinctive weeping mole on her left cheek. He looks at Iris with a lusty smile. It''s a great way to make sure you''re getting the most out of your time with us. After a moment''s pondering, Iris said. ...... Well, at least a little. And that''s what he said. 93 93. Report It was a while after Iris had gone to buy a drink that I received the call. One of the knights who had been on alert in the area came to take Iris'' place. The knight led me to an abandoned house along the coast. It is said to have been used as a warehouse in the past, but no one has been coming in or out for a long time now. In that abandoned house, there was a body. Where is she? "She was a famous fortune teller in town, Nowe Leshin," he confirmed. She hadn''t been seen in a while. ...... "I see. Her name was Nowe Racine. A blow to the shoulder and chest, no sign of resistance. There were no other noticeable injuries, and I knew immediately that Nowe had been killed by a frontal slash. ...... And more importantly, such beautiful swordsmanship makes you understand that the person who slashed her was a very skilled swordsman. We know that the Swordsmen are hiding in the vicinity of this town. The killer is probably one of them. "A blow from the front. That''s strong. "Hey, you ......!¡¡How did you get in here? The knight shouted in surprise. It was Aria. I stopped the knight with my hand and stood in front of Aria. I told you to wait for me on the beach. I told you to wait on the beach. It''s not something a child should see. "You''re a child, Dr. Alta. And I''m used to seeing things like this. Maybe you shouldn''t hide it anymore. Tell the other knights to be on the lookout. And I''ll take care of this. I''ll move in. Yes, sir! After my words, the knight left the scene. I left the abandoned house. The aria follows, and I let out a small sigh. I understand. I know you''re going to look into this on your own. Besides, you could have done it if you wanted to. "Yes, I could have done that. The reason Aria didn''t do so was, as she had said earlier, that she trusted me. In response to this feeling, I would have ended this extracurricular lesson as if nothing had happened. ...... She now seems to have a stronger desire to learn about the current situation. You remember the Swordsmen, don''t you?¡¡You remember the Swordsmen? They are the organization that was contracted to kill Iris. Yes!¡¡Those assassins, right? You''re sure they''re here? Yes, there is one person confirmed to be ...... currently hiding out in this town. However, we already know his name and some of his characteristics. As you may have noticed, we have already deployed more than a dozen knights. The reason they haven''t tried to attack us is because they know that we are very cautious. The Swordsmen may be what is called a battle-hungry organization, but they are not the kind of people who take on battles they cannot win. I''m sure Adil Gratz, the head of the group, didn''t think he was going to lose in the slightest when he fought me. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m sure it''s a good idea.¡¡Then you should tell Iris. If they were after you, of course I would have told you. But not this time. ...... Does that mean that the target is the teacher? I haven''t gotten to the point yet, but Aria is a very perceptive girl. She must have understood the situation from my attitude and conversation. There''s a possibility that the swordsmen will come here and set up a trap. And if it''s not Iris they''re after, then it''s me they''re after. When I nodded to Aria''s words, she wrinkled her brow in anger. When I nodded to Aria, she wrinkled her brow somewhat angrily, "If that''s the case, you should have told me sooner. "Haha, that''s not really something to talk about... "It''s not funny. It''s not funny. They''re after you, the enemy is coming. Then you should turn to me for help. Aria says this with pride. She continued with a gesture of checking her surroundings. I can find out where the enemy is. I can find out where the enemy is. Even if we get into an engagement, there''s a chance we can do something. I can give you all the information you need. Aria, I appreciate the sentiment, but... It''s not fair that you help me and I don''t help you. Even if the teacher doesn''t want to help me, I can help the teacher myself. I can help you if you don''t want me to. ...... It sounded like a threat in a way. Aria can do it - something I understand very well. To put it simply, Aria will do her own research and provide me with information even if I don''t ask for her help. If that''s the case, then it''s better to cooperate after all - that''s what she wants me to say. The enemy is the Swordsmen. You engaged them once, didn''t you, Aria? Yes. I can fight. When I asked for confirmation, Aria replied in no uncertain terms. I shrugged and nodded in agreement. I shrugged my shoulders, but still nodded in agreement with Aria''s determination. ...... I understand. But I''m not going to ask you to investigate on your own. You have to follow my instructions--that''s the deal. Don''t get involved in anything dangerous or go anywhere you feel unsafe. If you can do that, you can help me. "Okay. I''m not like Iris. I''m not like Iris," Aria said, referring to Iris, "but to me, we''re not so different. She''s the type of person who would give up her life if she decided to work for someone else. It''s great that he can do that at such a young age, but it''s also worrisome. ...... So it would be best to keep him by my side as a means of surveillance. ...... By the way, I had asked Iris to stay by the shore to wait for me to return. She went to get a drink, didn''t she? "She didn''t come back, so I came to the doctor. I thought she might have seen him coming. I see. Well, let''s go get Iris first. Since there was a problem in this area, it would be dangerous to leave her alone. Aria, please keep a low profile along the coast. If anything happens, report to me immediately. "All right. Are you going to tell Iris about this? Aria asks. ...... Aria herself is worried about me, but informing Iris about this is a different story. No, I''m not going to inform Iris - I''m sure you feel the same way, don''t you? "...... Yeah. When Iris finds out about something like this, she''ll do something dangerous. Is that what you''re saying, Aria? As usual, they are difficult children. I''m not sure what to do. The swordsmen are starting to move, and it looks like we need to start moving too. 94 94. Related Iris was being led by Nowe to a deserted alleyway. She no longer had to worry about the people around her, but she felt a little uncomfortable here. But in order for Nowe to perform accurate divination, he needed tools. It was said that Nowe does a lot of divination around here. (......, but I''m crazy enough to ask him to tell me what''s going on with the doctor.) I sigh at the fact that I have come this far. What Iris is trying to get a reading on right now is her relationship with Arutha. She knows that Alta is hiding something from Iris. I don''t intend to find out about that "secret" through fortune-telling, nor do I expect to. (I just thought it would be nice to do this once in a while. That''s right ......, we need to have a quick chat and get back soon.) I also promised to go buy Aria a drink - I couldn''t take too long. Where are we going? "Uh-huh, almost there. Nowe answered Iris'' question without looking back. After a short walk, they finally saw a small fortune-telling store. "Come on. At the urging of Nowe, Iris sat down in front of him. As is typical for a fortune telling store, crystals and cards come into view. Iris herself is not an expert in fortune telling, but she knows what they do. For example, a palm reading is a simple and common practice. "Well, I''d like to start telling fortunes. ...... May I have your name, please? "...... Iris Reinfell. "Iris, right. So tell me about your girlfriend. And that''s why I''m not ...... your girlfriend. Uh-huh. What''s your relationship with this person? "Relationship ......? When Nowe asked, Iris pondered a bit. You can find a lot of people who are looking for the best way to get the most out of their life. But what is more important to Iris is the fact that "Master and apprentice of the sword," he said. That was the relationship. He is the one who teaches Iris the sword and leads her to greater heights. If it weren''t for him, Iris wouldn''t be here today. This is partly because he protected me, but also because I feel that I have gained experience as a ...... swordsman. You will find a lot of things that you can do to make your life easier. Master and disciple: ...... I see. So, shall I tell you your compatibility with this person? "Compatibility? Yes. Although it is necessary to look at the palms of both of you, it is possible to divine from your physical characteristics. What kind of person is your master? "Well, he''s shorter than me, has dark hair and a slightly girlish face. ...... Is that information correct? I''ve been trying to list a lot of things, but I suddenly became uneasy and asked Iris. I was talking about Alta''s appearance, but I felt strangely embarrassed. It was somewhat embarrassing for Iris to say that she felt that way. Nowe nodded with a smirk on his face. "Yeah, that''s fine. I''ve got it pretty much confirmed now. "Oh my god! Iris immediately noticed the change. Nowe''s expression had not changed. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. I''ve had this feeling a few times before - it''s a killer. It''s a little late for that, isn''t it? A blade is thrust at Iris'' throat. Iris stopped moving. The blade is coming from under the table. "...... Who are you, dear? It''s true that I''m a fortune teller. But I''m not Nowe Racine. You didn''t know that, so naturally you''re from the outside. It was hard to get in touch with you with all those knights, but ...... your answer convinced me. You are the Princess of the Sword that Alta Schweizer is guarding, right? "What? I''m not sure what to say. The woman in front of her is not Nowe Leshin, but someone else. And the woman who calls herself Nowe is talking as if she is trying to find out about Arta and Iris. "...... What do you want from me? I''m not here for you. But I want to use you to lure Alta Schweizer to me. You want Dr. Schweizer to go to ......? Yes, so that I can kill him without anyone getting in my way. So, if I send your body parts to ...... Alta Schweiz, will she follow? The tip of the blade drifted downward as it stroked Iris'' skin. The tip of the blade drifts downward as it caresses Iris''s skin, lightly cutting the swimsuit at her chest, revealing her bosom. --The woman''s purpose is to impersonate a fortune teller named Nowe and summon Arutha. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. I''m sorry, but that''s not going to bring the doctor. I''m sure you''re not the only one. You''re a schoolteacher, a child teacher and an escort for the Princess of the Sword,......, and the information I have is very limited,......, but if your name is Iris and you''re talking about the Boy with the Kuro Hair, I''m pretty sure you''re talking about Alta Schweizer. But if your name is Iris and you''re talking about "the boy with the black hair," then I know you''re talking about Alta Schweizer. Wouldn''t a knight who protects you really come to your aid in your time of need? The woman seems to be well aware of Alta''s features. I don''t know who you are," Iris replies, glaring at the woman. Yes, I can at least protect ...... myself! I can protect myself! At the same time, Iris kicks up the table and jumps backwards. With a thunk, the woman sliced through the table. A slight pain runs down Iris''s leg. (......, I''ve been cut. But it''s not a deep cut.) I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but it''s a good idea. I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but it''s a good idea. I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but it''s a good idea. With a crispy sound, Iris pointed the tip of the blade at the woman. I don''t know who you are, but at least I know you''re after me. So I''m going to have to restrain you. You talk like a knight, don''t you?¡¡I like bossy girls. ...... They make me want to give in. In contrast to her earlier language, the woman revealed her full face with a seductive smile and a licking motion. --I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not, but it''s a good idea. The woman''s knee had just struck Iris in the throat. I''m not sure what to say. It''s not too late to start.¡¡I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but it''s a good idea. "Swordsmen," ......? Iris''s grip on the purple light grew stronger. The sudden attack was from an organization with which he had a history. 95 95.Descending Swordsman Girl Iris checks the distance between them and checks the condition of the wound again. Without looking in your direction, you take a step forward. There is a slight sharp pain, but there is nothing wrong with the step. There is no bleeding, just a slight sensation of it running down. The reason why he went to such lengths to confirm this was because the opponent called himself "The Swordsman". Even the depth of the initial wound could be a fatal blow. Iris was well aware of this kind of opponent. The woman, Lustille, took a step forward, her body swaying. At the same time, the blade that seemed to grow out of her knee slid back into her body. Not all swordsmen fight with swordsmanship in a straightforward manner. It was easy to see that Rustille was that type of person. "You have good concentration. It''s hard to believe you''re just a kid. Maybe that''s why I see ...... ''death'' in you. "...... Is that supposed to be a threat? "Uh-huh. ...... That''s not enough to upset Iris. He grasped the handle of the Purple Den and took another scraping step forward. I''m not sure if this is a good idea, but it''s a good idea. "-- In the space of a breath, the stooped Rustille closes the distance to Iris. I''m not sure if it''s a good idea or not. I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not. A metallic sound resounded with a squeak. At the same time, the lightning from the purple lightning in Iris''s grip flowed towards Lustre. I shivered for a moment, but then... "Uh-huh. "Ah! As if nothing had happened, Lustre laughs and waves her left hand. The same blade sprouted from his palm, and Iris flicked it away from him. With a whooshing sound, Iris swung her sword. "Flying Thunder. The lightning wrapped in Shiden turned into a "magic blade" and flew away. Rustille, with a slightly surprised expression on her face, flipped her body to avoid it. (As expected, it doesn''t hit her even at that distance.) I was a little surprised by the long range attack ....... I thought you were a pure swordsman. "Yes, I was a little while ago. But I''m learning. In battle, a swordsman needs to close the distance. But Iris''s mentor, Alta, is a swordsman who can fight over medium distances with the Blade of Wind. Iris had only used it as a check, but now she had perfected it as a technique. He feels it as a response to the swordsmen he has faced. There is no fear like before - Iris is standing here as the "Princess of the Sword. Your body is not an ordinary one. "I know it when I see it, don''t I? Yes, ...... this part of my body has been modified. It''s called a "natural blade" ...... or a "demon blade" that is familiar to the human body. "Demon''s ....... Iris furrows her brow slightly. I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not, but it''s a good idea. I''m not sure what to make of it, but I think it''s a good idea. In other words, although Rustille is human, he is performing "magical experiments" on his own body. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for and what you can do to help. But even if that''s the case, it''s not an acceptable motive for extraordinary slaughter. He is not a knight, but as an aspiring one, he has a duty to stop her. "...... There are many more blades. There are many more blades. As Rustille stroked her own abdomen, three blades shot out with a sharp sound. This is obviously a bizarre sight, but Iris understands that the act is intended to upset her. "Soo ...... She took a small, but deep, breath. I''ll be there. I''m coming. With the declaration, Iris now moved. Without hesitation, she closes the distance between her and the deadly weapon, Lustre. You can tell from her first action that she is a good fighter in close quarters, even though her weaponry is more like a hand-to-hand combat system. I dare Iris to step into that ring - if it''s a melee fight, Iris is good at it. He lets the blade slide to the ground and then raises it. Lustre blocks it with his right sword, then raises his left hand. --Iris stepped forward and grabbed Lustre''s left wrist. . With another flick of her right sword, Iris brought the purple light back into her hand. A moment later, Rustille rose to her feet. As Iris opens the distance again, the sword extends from Rustille''s toes. I''m sure you''ll be happy to know that I''m not the only one who has a problem with that. "...... You move like you know what you''re doing - you can tell where my blade is coming from just by the way you''re killing me, can''t you? Yes, approximately. My previous training with Alta has come in handy. I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but it''s a good idea. I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but it''s a good idea. "-- With Iris''s words, the blade in Rustille''s right hand snapped. For the first time, a look of surprise appeared on Rustille''s face. I didn''t swing it because I knew it would be blocked. I made sure to break it for you. Iris''s swing ...... contained the magic power to deliver a quiet but sure blow. In the event that you''ve got a lot of time, you''ll be able to take a look at the best way to get the most out of your time. It''s funny. You''re strong. And I''m strong too! "......? This is where the real battle begins... Iris had a hunch that this was the case, but Rustille suddenly looked up at the sky. Iris did not avert her gaze. The only thing there should be is the sun shining. But when Rustille smiled a mysterious smile. "I see, ......, that''s why you''re dead. He muttered, as if he had realized something. What are you--? "What? I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not. The next moment, the girl appeared like a meteor, and with a blow without any hesitation, she hit Rustille in the neck. In the midst of the fresh blood, the girl swung her sword to remove the blood. I don''t like to spear. I don''t really like to spearhead, but ...... it can''t be helped!¡¡It''s a contract. It''s a great way to make sure you''re getting the most out of your vacation. 96 96. Why wield a sword? Iris did not immediately release her stance - no, she did not. The girl who suddenly appeared in front of him did not even look at the fallen Lustre. I''m not sure what to do. She smiles like a crescent moon and says something like that. It''s a great way to make sure you''re getting the most out of your money. He grasped the handle of the "Shiden" tightly and held it at the ready. "......, who the hell are you? "If you''re going to ask people their names, why don''t you tell them yours? The girl shrugged her shoulders and said. The girl is not yet in a state of readiness compared to Iris. But she still has her sword drawn. In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site. "...... I''m Iris Reinfell. What?¡¡I''m not sure what to say.¡¡Iris is the Princess of the Sword? Yes, that''s what they call me. Oh, right!¡¡Well, good! The girl says this, and suddenly throws her sword into the air. The sword spun neatly and fell into the girl''s scabbard. I''m not sure what to make of it, but I think it''s a good idea. ...... Indeed, the girl''s blow was a surprise attack. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. With a blow so powerful and fast that even Iris could not have prevented it, she had buried the swordsmen. Even as the girl put away her sword, Iris was still in a fighting stance. I''m Luino Tomura. I''m Luino Tomula, and I''m on your side. "Your side ......?¡¡What do you mean? What does that mean? I''m your friend and I don''t mean you any harm! It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re doing. But Iris didn''t miss a word in that statement. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m sure you''ll do fine. "Yes!¡¡Oh, I guess that''s what it could mean. What''s your taste in clothes? What do you mean by "outfit"? I''m not sure what to say, but I''m going to say it. The swimsuit was first cut off by Lustre. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re doing. But once again, Iris tells Luino. I''m not sure what to make of this. What do you mean by "this"?¡¡What do you mean, you jumped on the heads of these swordsmen? Luino nodded his head. He was about the same age as Iris and could kill without hesitation. He knew that Luino was here at the behest of someone, but he couldn''t understand more and more why she was claiming to be an ally. Luino chuckled and continued to speak. I''m not sure if you''ve ...... ever killed anyone before? No!¡¡Of course you have!¡¡It''s not an easy thing to do. Oh, no. I thought you had killed a few people if you were called the Princess Swordsman. Then what are you holding the sword for? For what? ...... Now we''re talking about-- It''s important. Because you''re still pointing the sword at me. Why are you pointing your sword at me if you''re not going to kill me? ...... Even if you didn''t want to kill me, you''re still a suspicious person in my eyes, that''s all. So I''ll catch you if I have to. "Hee hee, that''s right, that''s right!¡¡So you''re not going to kill me!¡¡You''re not going to kill him, after all!" ...... What would you do if I told you that I intended to kill Alta Schweizer, for example? What would you do? I''m not sure what to do, but I''m going to try. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. I''m not sure if you know him or not. I''m not an acquaintance or anything. Well, I do cooperate with the knights of the kingdom. You cooperate with the knights ......?¡¡You do? No, I don''t. There''s a knight commander or something like that here, you can ask him later. But it''s a shame ....... Luino turned his back on Iris and walked away, as if he had lost interest. Iris immediately moves to stop Rui No, but at the same moment - Rui No deliberately hits the tip of the sword of Shiden on the chest. He reflexively stops his movement and prevents himself from thrusting the blade at Luino. This is the first time I''ve ever seen such a thing. Why did you stop? What do you mean, ......? You just moved to stop me, didn''t you?¡¡But you couldn''t cut me now. I made you so vulnerable, so easy to kill. That''s why I said it was a shame. I''ve been watching your fight from a distance. You''re strong enough, but ...... that''s it. There''s no clear intent to kill. That''s not good enough. If you''re going to fight with a sword in your hand, you have to intend to kill your opponent. ...... If I have to, I will. What do you mean you don''t need to do that now?¡¡It''s not like you''re going to be able to get away with it.¡¡I''m not sure what to say.¡¡I''m not sure what to do with it. I''m not interested in the swords of people who don''t wield them for themselves. As soon as Luino said that much, he reversed again. Luino''s words were a criticism of Iris. It is true that Iris''s sword is not intended to kill her opponent. He has never intended to kill anyone before. This is because the sword of Iris is a sword to protect someone. What Luino is denying is Iris''s way of life itself. I''m not going to leave you like this.¡¡I''m not going to leave you like this. The sound of the wind cutting through the air reached Iris'' ears. Luino drew his sword again. He pointed the tip of the blade at Iris and glared at her. I only wield the sword for me. I''m not going to fight on an ''as needed'' basis like you do. When I decide to fight, it will be a fight to the death. If you can''t do that, then get out of my way. "...... It''s a cat-and-mouse situation. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. At the very least, Iris knows that the girl named Luino wants it. He was not sure if he would be able to capture her, as she had easily buried the swordsmen even with a surprise attack. I''m not sure if you''ll be able to find the right one for you. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re doing. I''m ...... ...... Now Iris swings her sword to "protect someone". It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. It is true that she has defeated the swordsmen who are Iris''s enemies, and that is the reality. Despite her hesitation, Iris was about to take a step forward to stop Rui No when "Iris, are you alright? Are you okay?¡¡Schweizer, Doctor ......? Arta''s voice reached his ears from behind, and Iris turned around in surprise. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what''s going on in your life. 97 97. Unchanged Situation Leaving the scene to the knights who arrived late, I decided to hear what Iris had to say. Her bathing suit was cut off and her breasts were bare, so I had her put on a cloak first. --By the time I arrived, the battle had already been decided. The body of the swordsman, decapitated by a single blow. The situation was changing at a dizzying pace. Just a moment ago, we had discovered the body of a fortune teller killed by a woman named Rustille, and now Rustille had fought and died with Iris. I know that someone else was there before I arrived, but it wasn''t Iris who killed her. It was a blow with a sword, like it was coming down from above. Iris recalls the situation. It was the kimono-wearing girl who used the sword that killed Rustille. The girl who appeared in front of Iris seems to have disappeared as I arrived. I''m sure you''ll be able to figure out how to use it. I don''t know what they''re capable of, but they''re at least one of the swordsmen. I''m not sure how good he is, but he''s at least one of the swordsmen. He must be very skilled if he can defeat them with just one blow. "...... Yes. I tried to stop her, but she seemed to take the stance that if you want to stop her, you have to kill each other. It''s a good thing you didn''t do anything about it, then. It''s a good thing you didn''t touch Iris. Even if you are a swordsman, you should be wary of her. "......, Schweizer-sensei. I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that. I''m not sure what to make of it. I had just said to Aria that I was not going to tell Iris about the situation, but I had not expected that Iris would have to fight the swordsmen here. It seems that the swordsmen were not aiming at Iris, but were trying to take her hostage in order to summon me, and failed. But at least this means that my work is done. It''s no use hiding it now. It was my mission to deal with the swordsmen in this town. In the end, the mission was forced to end. "......, is that so? I''m not sure what to make of that. It''s as if she''s hiding something from me. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m sure you''ll do fine. "Yes!¡¡Doctor, do you know a girl named Luino? Iris says with a look of surprise on her face. The girl, Luino, seemed to have told Iris her name. And the one who appeared in front of Iris and defeated the swordsmen was Luino himself ......, who also buried the swordsmen named Lowell Kruester at the Belvastar Fortress. I''d be lying if I said I didn''t know about it, but I don''t know much about it either. This is true. This is true, but this girl Luino has killed swordsmen in other places. "The swordsmen were killed at ......, sir. It''s a little hard to say here, but ....... I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not. You will find a lot of things that you can do to make your life easier. In a small voice, I talk to Iris. "What''s wrong? "Luino said that he was working with the Order. But you don''t know that, do you? "...... with the Order? That''s new to me. The only information I have on Rui No is the brief one I got from Remyll and the one I just got from Iris. Luino suddenly came to this seaside town and killed a group of swordsmen--certainly not a strange move if she was targeting them. ....... The question is, how did she know that the swordsmen were here? I''m not sure if I should be the one to tell you about it. "! Iris stood up, glaring in the direction of the voice. But the expression on her face immediately changed to surprise. I also looked at the woman with some surprise. "Mr. Eyn, ......?¡¡What are you doing here? "It''s been a while, Miss Reinfell. It''s been a long time, Miss Reinfell. I''ll have a change of clothes ready in a moment. Thank you, sir. But what is it you want to talk about, ......? You said that the Commander didn''t know about Luino. ...... Are you saying that something has changed? Yeah. In the event you have any questions regarding where and how to use the internet, you can contact us at the web site. That''s a fact. The "second person" is the number of swordsmen ....... It''s true what Luino said: ....... Iris mumbles with a somewhat unhappy expression on her face. I''m not sure if there''s anything else on your mind, but I''m talking about Luino right now. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for.¡¡That seems to contradict the reason you sent me here. I''ll have to explain that point as well, but ...... I have a question for you as well. Alta, are you sure you don''t know Luino Tomra?¡¡I''m curious about your reaction to our previous conversation. Doesn''t the name ''Tomra'' at least ring a bell with you? Remyll said with a sharp look in his eyes. He was worried about my reaction the other day. I also reacted on the spur of the moment, but now it seems that it has made Remyll suspicious. It''s nothing. ...... It''s just that I know him from a previous life, but I can''t tell him that honestly. The name Tomra rings a bell, but that''s it. I don''t know her, and I think you''ve got the wrong person. "...... I see. I trust you too, but I''m not going to mention it. Let''s talk about the current situation. There are currently four swordsmen left. One of them came directly to King''s Landing. What?¡¡...... to King''s Landing? Iris was surprised when she heard Remyll''s words. I''m not sure what to make of that. However, from what he had just said, he could vaguely understand the situation. It was not only the swordsmen who had come to the capital, but also Luino. And Ruino and Remyil have formed a cooperative relationship. That would explain why Ruino and Remyil are here. In order to lure out the swordsmen in King''s Landing,......, Iris muttered a few words earlier, referring to the number of swordsmen that Rui No killed. --The current situation has not changed. The swordsmen who came to King''s Landing have not been killed by Luino. There are still swordsmen in this city. 98 98.Luino Tomla The girl, Luino, kept hopping along, and when she reached the outskirts of town, she stopped and looked back. She smiled and said. She smiled and said, "Watch out!¡¡If we had met there, we would have cut each other down without question... He said as if to spit it out. He came to me while I was stopped by Iris. You can''t see him, but Luino can. When he came under Iris, he felt a strange pressure that was incomparable to that of a normal person. After killing the Swordsmen half by surprise and not fighting with Iris, Rui No is in a state of incompleteness. He decided that it would be a bad idea to meet with Alta Schweizer at this moment. I''m not sure what to do. I''m not sure what to make of it, but I''m sure it''s a good idea. I''m not sure what to do. I''m not sure what to make of it. I''m not sure what to make of that. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m going to do it. Iris was strong enough - strong enough that Luino would be willing to fight her. So the current Iris was not enough. She is a swordswoman with no clear intent to kill Luino, but her sword is a "fake" - or so she declares. Iris wields her sword not for herself, but for others. ...... Rui No understood that very well. You have to wield the sword and the sword ...... for yourself. But maybe you have the right stuff. But as Luino left, Iris still tried to step forward. But as Luino left, Iris still wanted to take a step forward, despite Luino''s suggestion that they would have to kill each other. Therefore, there is still a possibility for Iris. With a little more provocation, Iris will certainly choose to fight Luino. If that happens, she will also be the one that Luino should fight. You can''t have too many strong people on the path that Luino is taking. That was a close one. It''s a good thing that I''m not the only one who has a problem with this. Oh, well!¡¡I''ll see you later. He touched the hilt of the sword on his waist and ran off. I''ll see you later," he said, touching the hilt of his sword at his hip and rushing off to relieve himself and, if necessary, find and kill the swordsmen. 99 99. The Rest of the Swords At night, Zenas Ladei is alone in the forest. With his sword in his hand, he walks down a dark path, with only the moonlight to guide him. His destination was the seaside town of Lelay. His footsteps sounded with a steady thud as he made his way. It''s a good idea to take a look at the website to see if there is anything you can do to help. ...... The path of retreating for a time. I''m not sure that''s the way to go. If you have decided to fight on that day and at that time, that is where you will die. These people gathered together and became an overwhelming force. But that force has already lost half of its ...... strength. "...... As Zenas walked forward, he felt the presence of a demon nearby. This has been the case ever since he entered the forest. Especially in the nighttime forest, there were so many demons that even if he were riding in a carriage, no one would be able to proceed. Especially not in the flesh. The man who can do that is Zenas. The demon was looking at Zenas - he didn''t care about such a look, and headed straight for the town. Therein lies the purpose of Zenas. "Rumble! You''re in my way. At that moment, a wolf demon jumped out at him. Without looking in the direction of the wolf, Zenas swung the sword in his hand. With a slurp, the head of the wolf was severed and it flew through the air. Fresh blood splatters around him, but the color of the bright red sword Zenas is holding does not change, only drops of water drip from the sword as if the color is fading. He did not wipe off the blood and tried to continue on his way, but this time he noticed something else and looked in that direction. ...... I didn''t expect to meet up with you here, did you? I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but it''s a good idea. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. The man who stood in front of Zenas was a man. I''m not sure what to make of it.¡¡I''m sure you''ll be happy to know that I''m not the only one. I''m not sure what to make of it. I''m not sure if you''ve heard of it or not, but I have. "Alta Schweiz is just ahead, huh? I''m not sure what to make of it.¡¡I''m not sure what to make of it.¡¡I''m sure you''ll be happy to know that I''m not the only one. An old man who speaks weakly. There is no one else who would make such a reticent statement while belonging to an organization called the Swordsmen. If the other members of the organization heard it, they might have immediately "dealt with" it. Zenas, however, did not show any sign of anger when he heard the remark, and turned his gaze toward his destination. It could be ......, I suppose. But that''s not what I''m after. "Hmm?¡¡That could be the girl who killed ...... Lowell? Yeah, yeah. The one who killed Lowell. ...... I''m gonna kill him. You were close to Lowell, weren''t you? You were friends with Lowell, which is rare among swordsmen - or maybe it was Adil and Fis. Lowell was my friend ....... We joined the Swordsmen together. So I''ll never forgive him. I''ll kill Alta Schweizer after that. "Oh, so you''re going after them too?¡¡You''re a real pain in the ass, you know that? ...... What would you do?¡¡You can kill Alta Schweizer too, can''t you? Zenas asks. That was exactly what he meant. It''s not that Zenas doesn''t kill the man in front of him - it''s just that the words of a man who is ''much stronger'' than he is seemed to Zenas like he didn''t want any trouble. I don''t know. I''m not sure what to make of it.¡¡I''m not sure if I can do that,......, as I''ve beaten four of them. I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but it''s a good idea. ...... The man said while putting his hands on his waist. I''m sure that''s what anyone who knows this man would say. Zenas, too, would not dare to touch the man''s words. "I''ll leave it up to you what to do. I''m only going to avenge Lowell. "Hmm, okay. ....... Well, I''m not here to stop you, either. I''ve already contacted the other two - they''re going to have to deal with the kingdom somewhere else. What about you, then? I''m coming with you. I''m a good friend, you know. Maybe it''s my age, though. The man said with a smile. Zenas nodded and began to walk with the man. There are four swordsmen left, and their goal is to kill Alta Schweizer and Luino Tomra. 100 100. Same as before The first day ended without the students being made aware of the situation. I and Iris left the scene to Remyll and the knights and joined the students. Aria didn''t ask us any specific questions, but she did remind us in a whisper that she would ask us later. Then, in the evening, I just heard from Remyll about ...... the current situation. There are four "Swordsmen" left. One of them is Zenas Ladei, the man with the red sword. I''m not sure what to make of that. I''ve also heard about the reason why Luino Tomra came here. Things are a lot simpler than I thought they would be. Both the swordsmen and Luino are after me, although Zenas is after Luino for some reason. If they''re only after me, it''s a lot easier than protecting ...... others. After listening to Remyil''s story, I went back to the inn. Remyll is waiting for me at the branch office here in town. Throughout the night, the knights will be working to ensure the safety of the students and the town. ...... Just a few things to think about. (If you''re targeting me, is that an option?). "Sir. "Sir!¡¡Ms. Aria. In front of the inn, Aria was waiting for me. She was dressed in a black dress and walked up to me quickly. You''re going to tell me a story, aren''t you? Of course I''ll tell you. I''m going to listen to Aria and Iris, and I''m going to tell them. The girls and I are here as part of a class at the school. I check my surroundings, but there is no sign of Iris, who is always with me. What''s wrong with you, Iris? She said she was going to swing her ...... sword at me. I stopped her, but she said she wouldn''t go far. Aria said, looking toward the beach. I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but I think it''s a good idea. The knights are in place in the town. But ...... I don''t think it''s a good idea to go out alone at this time. Neither does the teacher. I''m a teacher. Shall we go and get Iris? Okay. I take Aria with me and we start walking through the city. There are streetlights, so it''s no problem to walk around the town, but towards the seaside, it''s dark and you can''t see much further. From the direction Aria was looking at earlier, I guessed that Iris was headed in this direction. She follows me without interfering in my direction. Iris found out, didn''t she? I didn''t expect you to be in a fight with the swordsmen. I''m not sure if I should say that I was forced to tell him. ...... I didn''t want to put Iris in danger this time. I''m sure you''ll be able to understand. If it was you who was targeted, are you going to keep your mouth shut to Iris again? I''m going to tell the doctor. I''m not going to hide it anymore. I think I''ll at least talk to Iris about it ....... Aria replied, somewhat crisply. I''m not going to hide it anymore. Iris was indeed strong, but she had almost lost her life once to save Aria. And Aria, on the other hand, risked her life to protect Iris. You guys are really like each other, even though your personalities are not alike. ...... Really?¡¡I''m not like Iris, I don''t push myself. "Haha, from my point of view, you''re both the type that can be easily overwhelmed. No, you''re not. Iris doesn''t have the option to run away. I do - that''s a clear difference. You''re right, Aria is not wrong. Iris is not the type of person who chooses to ''retreat'' from any opponent. On the other hand, Aria is probably the type who can do that. That is, if Iris is not involved in it. "Arta-sensei was a person named ......¡¶Sage of Swords¡·, right? Suddenly, Aria asks me. After I told her that, Aria had never asked me about that fact. That''s right. I''ve only told you, so keep it to yourself. I know that. You''re not going to tell Iris about this? No, it''s nothing to be ashamed of. Besides, a kid like me has memories of a man who was a sword saint. ...... If I told you that out of the blue, would you believe me? Iris believes it. So do I. That''s why you told me, isn''t it? ...... That''s part of it, but at the time I was thinking about how I could be someone you could trust. I wondered what I would do if it had the opposite effect. Now that I know why you''re so strong, you have credibility. Now I know why you''re so strong. You''re the type to hide everything. Are you going to tell me about this too? Sure, I''ll tell you what''s going on. I''ll share information about who we need to deal with now. Even if I''m not there, Iris and Aria can handle the situation. That''s how much I trust them. ...... Not only that, but Iris was a little concerned. About what? The girl Iris met, Luino. She thinks he might have known Dr. Alta. Oh, you mean that? I don''t know anything about this Luino. That''s true. And Tomra? What? Aria''s question stopped me in my tracks. Her expression is serious, and I finally understand the true meaning of her question. I think she means that the last name of "Tomra" has a meaning, just like "Notria". Yes, ...... there is nothing to worry about in that sense either. However, I might tell you a few things. You know that I am a kensei. What do you mean? It''s nothing interesting. It''s just that the man who called me his friend had the last name Tomra. It''s not about Alta Schweizer, it''s about Raoul Isaruf. So I guess you could say that I have nothing to do with Ruino in this case. In the first place, I don''t even know if Luino has anything to do with the man I know as Tomra. Is it possible that this Luino is related to your friend? It''s possible, yes. But that has nothing to do with this case. Don''t worry about that. If anything, the problem is the swordsmen-- I was talking to Aria, but suddenly I noticed a presence and stopped speaking. I stopped speaking when I suddenly noticed the presence of a girl holding a sword with tremendous concentration. Even from a distance, I could see that a girl was wielding a sword made of magic on the dark seashore. It looks like Iris. Aria, let''s continue our conversation after we meet up. Anyway, I don''t even know if I''m related to Luino Tomra. ...... That''s the truth. Aria nodded her head in agreement with my words. What we need to do now is deal with the swordsmen. The glowing sword is a simulated sword made of magic, and Aria and I are heading for Iris, who is wielding it. As we approached, Iris noticed us and turned around. You can train, but you can''t go out at this time. Dr. Schweizer: ....... I''m sorry, I just wanted to--I just wanted to swing my sword. I was wondering if there was something wrong with the last battle, or if you were wondering about the relationship between me and Luino that Aria was talking about earlier. I''ve already answered that there is no relationship between the two, but it may be difficult for Iris to be convinced because of what ...... Remy Lemire said. I know Tomra,......, and I''m sure Iris understands that. As I promised earlier, I will explain to you about this matter. Let''s go back to the inn for now. "Okay. But before we do that, I need you to do something for me at ....... I''m sure you''ll be able to figure out what''s going on. I''m sure you''ve heard of it. It was the same words he had used when he first met Iris. 101 101.Selection of Ilis You want to play me? "Yes. Iris nodded at my words without hesitation. Her expression is serious. It''s a mock sword that she''s holding, but the blade she''s pointing at is filled with determination. It''s more than the first time Iris challenged me to a match. ...... I''m not sure what you''re talking about, Iris.¡¡This is not the time. This is the first time I''ve been challenged to a match by Iris. When she glanced at Aria, her expression seemed to be somewhat angry. Considering the situation, Iris''s comment must have been something Aria couldn''t overlook. --What''s the point of fighting me at this time? It''s necessary to do this now. What are you talking about? When Iris and Aria were about to argue, I stopped her as if signaling with my hand. There''s no need for them to fight right now. I need to find out the truth of what Iris is asking of me. "Dr. Alta, ......? I''m sorry, but you''re going to have to step back. "What? Aria looks surprised. After a moment''s silence, Aria moves backwards, as if following my words. As I respond to Iris, I also take out a mock sword from my pocket. I put magic into it and made it into a straight sword - the same as the Blue Armor Sword I use. "Will you fight for me? "In the past, I might have refused. Even now, I probably shouldn''t have accepted. But if what you''re asking for now requires ''fighting,'' ...... I''ll take it. "Thank you, ....... Iris released her stance and bowed her head. It''s just a mock sword that we both hold. It''s not like they''re really trying to kill each other, but what you can feel from Iris is a spirit that''s close to that. If you think about it, there was something wrong with Iris from the moment she met Luino. Did Luino say something to her? ...... I don''t know what it was. At least something happened between her and me. As Iris''s mentor, I needed to find out. "Professor Schweizer, hand to hand--please. Iris tightened her grip on her sword again, and readied it. The stance is beautiful, straight, and correct. At first glance, anyone with a certain level of skill would understand. Iris is strong and already close to perfection. But with ...... that strength, she still won''t be able to beat me. I''m sure Iris understands that. If she still wants to fight me, then I''ll take up my sword and stand in front of her for the first time in my life. Whenever you''re ready. "Okay, I''ll come. Iris stomps her foot on the ground and starts running. She instantly closes the distance between us and swings her mock sword. The first blow. He dodged it by moving backward slightly. There was no hesitation in Iris''s movements--she took another step forward and struck. This time, she catches the blow. I''m not sure if I''m going to be able to do this, but I''m going to try. ...... I was going to do that, but I was pushed slightly. I''m not sure what to say. I''m not sure what to do. It''s a good idea to take a look at the website and see if you can find anything that might help you. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m going to do it. "Huh! I let out a breath and struck another blow. She let out a breath and struck another blow, bouncing off my mock sword and slashing down. But sooner than that, I go on the offensive. Iris immediately noticed this and moved into a defensive stance. Five strikes in quick succession. In the beginning, Iris was off-balance by the fourth blow and couldn''t take it. But now Iris is different. With the results of her sword training with me and the experience of her past battles-at least the actual battles-Iris has gained a different kind of strength. She was able to completely block my repeated attacks, and we engaged in a fierce battle. Our gazes crossed, and our strength was balanced. Iris grasps her sword with both hands, refusing to move away from me. She''s probably wary of my pursuit the moment she steps back. Iris''s sense of fighting is far superior to that of any other swordsman. She must have understood that if she kept her distance here, she might not be able to prevent my attack. In fact, I was planning to finish him off with a series of even faster strikes if Iris moved back here. It''s not so straightforward now, is it? Thanks to Dr. ....... That''s good. I''m beginning to enjoy this a little more. He was enjoying the fight with Iris so much that he couldn''t help but smile. I don''t know if I''m genuinely pleased with her growth as a disciple ......, or if I''m anticipating that she''ll be strong enough to stand alongside me - but then I also realize one thing. I''m sure you''ll be able to understand why. In order to obtain the strength to stand alongside me, he is going to sacrifice something - he is getting stronger, but what I can feel from Iris now is hesitation. "Mr. Iris. I don''t know why you said you wanted to fight me for real. If you can get something out of it, I''m willing to help. But what I''m getting from you now is the same thing I got from you before. What are you confused about? "...... Iris doesn''t answer my question. For a while, my power and Iris''s were at odds, but then I broke the balance. I flicked Iris''s sword and closed the distance between us. As Iris tried to move to keep her distance, I unleashed an invisible blade from my left hand - the Invisible. The wind blade glanced off her cheek and disappeared into the darkness of the night. Iris'' eyes widened and she stopped moving. It''s the attack I''m best at. If you can''t defend against this-- "I don''t stand a chance, do I? Iris sighs and relaxes her stance. I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that. I''m sorry, I didn''t mean it. I''m sorry it took me so long. That''s fine. So, what are you confused about? I ask again. In response to my question, Iris gives me a confused look and looks away. She seemed to be thinking about what to say. I don''t want to rush Iris. After a while, Iris begins to speak in a mumbled voice. "For example, for example. What would you do if I really tried to kill you? "Iris-san, me?¡¡It''s true, I did feel something uncanny just now, but ...... no way. No way. - I was just using an analogy!¡¡I''d be lying if I said I wasn''t seriously thinking about slaying my teacher. ...... I''m not sure what to say. I''m not sure if I''m going to be able to do it. You''re saying you have doubts about cutting me? ...... I didn''t think I had any such doubts. Because when I was trying to avenge my father, I was definitely trying to kill the Swordsmen. It was the same when I was trying to save Aria. Iris glanced at Aria and said. I thought I could ''cut'' to save Aria. But this time, I don''t know ....... "You don''t know? ...... Luino Tomra said he was going to kill the doctor. What? The words that Iris heard from Luino''s mouth were a clear declaration that he wanted me. That''s what I was going to explain to Iris and Aria. Luino Tomra is going to kill me. Luino is working with the Order under the agreement that he will defeat the swordsmen who pose a threat to the kingdom before that happens. The duel between me and Luino is the truth about the cooperation between Luino and the Order. It was Remyil''s painful choice to overcome the crisis of the kingdom. I tried to stop Ruino. I tried to stop Ruino, but all she wants is to kill each other. I thought, even for a moment, that the only way to stop her was to kill her. Iris clenches her fists tightly. I''m not sure if you''ve heard of it, but I have. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re doing. But Iris is still a 15-year-old girl. She may be able to hold a sword and defeat an opponent much larger than herself, but she probably has no experience in actually killing someone. I can understand why Iris is confused. The swordsman Adil Gratz and Aria''s father, Kufilio Notria, are both involved with people that Iris cares about. If Iris wielded a sword to protect someone, she would have been able to do so without hesitation. But what about Luino? She''s still a girl who kills swordsmen and cooperates with the Order. She may have said she would kill me, but she has not yet acted on it. From Iris''s point of view, there is no doubt that she is the one who should be stopped, but if it comes to a fight, she must have been the one who foresaw that she would have to kill. The fact that she had never experienced this before made her feel lost. I was going to fight Rui No because Rui No is after you ....... But there was a small part of me that thought that if I fought Luino, maybe I could stop him without killing him. If I fought him, we might end up killing each other. That''s why I was confused and tried to run away from ....... I thought to myself, ''If it''s someone who''s after me, I might as well just kill them. For Iris, leaving it to me was an escape, and fighting Luino to protect me was also an escape. If you leave it to me, you won''t have to kill Luino. In the event that you''re a student, you''re going to need to have the ability to take care of yourself. ...... It was too heavy a choice for her to make as she was still only a student. I''m sure you''ll be able to figure it out. ...... Luino asked me something similar. And what did you tell him? What did you tell him? - That I would kill if I had to. I''m going to be a knight as well,......, so I''m prepared to do that. But I''m not going to fight just to kill. ....... If I had more power, I might be able to stop Luino. I''m not going to fight just to kill him,......, but if I had more power I might be able to stop Luino. "I see. You''re still having trouble being a child, aren''t you? "...... What? Iris looks at me with a puzzled expression. I wonder why Iris is always worried about unchildlike things. I almost sigh. You think you can stop me if I fight Luino, right? I''m not sure what you mean by that. You are much stronger than I am. Then you can leave Luino to me. ...... Then you can ignore the fact that you know he''s being targeted. You can''t do that. It''s a very difficult thing to do. So, ......, what do you think you can do now? You mean, what I can do? Yes. If I were to give you one piece of advice, it would be that the one thing you lack right now is confidence. Confidence. ...... I don''t think there''s anything I can do about that. But you''re not as weak as you think you are. You''re not as weak as you think. You''re just good enough for me to take you seriously. I am? ......? If I didn''t, I wouldn''t be here to teach you how to use a sword so well. You are being influenced by Luino''s mood and words. As I taught you before, to be strong you need to choose. Do you want the ...... "strength to just kill Luino"?¡¡Or do you want to be strong enough to win without killing him? I''m not sure what you mean by that. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m going to do it. I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but it''s a good idea. I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but I think it''s a good idea. If you still can''t do that, you can count on me. If you think you can--I''ll leave it to you. "Thank you, ...... teacher. When I talk to you, I really don''t feel like I''m talking to a child. Haha, I feel the same way, to be honest. Isn''t this kind of advice common? You have too much on your plate, Iris. You have too much on your plate, Iris. If you''re not sure, why don''t you ask me? Aria finally intervened, as if she had found an opening in the conversation. I''ve been silently watching the battle between Iris and I for a long time, and I''m sure Aria knew that Iris was lost. Thank you to Aria at ....... I''m sorry to have taken up so much of your time. "No problem, dessert is on me. Aria replied to Iris''s words and they both smiled at each other. It''s good to know that Iris''s worries have been put to rest - the only question now is what to do about the enemy that''s actually closing in. Not only the swordsmen, but also Luino, ...... will eventually turn against them. That was something that everyone here understood. 102 102. Friends of Kensei Back at the inn, I explained the current situation to Iris and Aria again. The ¡¶Kenshakusha¡· originally consisted of ten members, but six of them were already dead. I took care of four of them, and Ruino took care of two of them. Of the remaining four, one attacked the headquarters of the Kuro Wolf Knights in King''s Landing, where Ruino and the Knights became cooperative. One of them, Zenas Ladei, has escaped, but is probably in town - and Ruino himself is after me. As for Luino, he may not come after me as long as the Swordsmen are around. When you were with Iris, she disappeared, right? Yes. When I came to, she was gone. So, this Luino is a man of his word, right? From what I''ve heard, he doesn''t seem like the type. Yes, he is. Well, there''s nothing wrong with being cautious. I nodded in response to Aria''s words. In addition to the swordsmen who are after me, there is a girl named Luino who is an irregularity. She has already buried two swordsmen on her own and defeated one of them, albeit with the help of Remyll. From what Iris told me, I can tell that she is a very capable person. It would be a great help if Rui No was a pure ally,......, but I''ve already heard the story from Remyil as well. In the event that you''re not sure what to do, you can always ask for help. Remyil told me this with an unusually apologetic expression on his face. Remyil probably didn''t want me, his subordinate, to meet Ruino, who was nothing but a danger to him. That''s the woman Remyll is as a Knight Commander. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m sure I''ll be able to do it. ...... But because she''s a Knight Commander, she has to make the best choice. She concluded that working with Luino and putting me in danger was the only way to turn the situation around. I generally agree with that conclusion. If the target was Iris, I would blame Remyll, but if the target was only me, that''s a completely different story. --But if it''s just me, that''s a whole different story. I''ve already doubled my salary this month. I''ve told you both what''s going on, but I''m the one who''s after the ...... swordsmen, and I''m the one who''s after Luino. I won''t ask you for any more help than I have to. I don''t want any more help than I have to give you.¡¡I''m sure you''re not the only one. Aria raised her eyebrows in disapproval. At the beach, I promised Aria that I would cooperate with her - that''s true. But the situation is changing all the time. The enemy was still unclear at the time. But now, the swordsmen and Rui No ...... enemies are completely clear. But now the enemy is completely clear. The only ones to watch out for are the swordsmen. I think I can compete with him then. This time, Iris answered my words. Both of them show their willingness to fight for me as a matter of course. ...... Thank you very much for that. I think they see me as more of an ''object to be protected'' than they think I am. That''s true for me, too. Of course, I think the two of them are capable of fighting. But ...... as I keep saying, you''re students. I know that. But you''re just a kid. I am indeed a child, but I am also a teacher at the school and a knight. A lot of knights have already come to this town, including the Commander. I''m sure you''ll be happy to know that I''m not the only one. "....... I''m not sure what to say. --I''m sure it hurts Iris to be told that she doesn''t need it. It''s not just Iris. Although she doesn''t show it on her face, Aria may also be hurt by my words. But for me, it''s still a fact of life. So, if the enemy attacks, I will take care of everything. Don''t worry about that. Okay? ...... I understand. Are you okay with that, Aria? No, I don''t. But if you say so, I''ll do it. That''s very kind of you. But I''m not saying that you should do nothing to the two of you. No!¡¡That''s ....... The situation is an emergency, no doubt about it. So, for example, if a situation arises where I have to leave my students - in an emergency, I will need your help. You mean me and Iris can protect the other children? I know you''ll be able to do that. Of course, it''s my job and the knights'' job to make sure you''re safe. However, I would like to ask you to help us in this way as well. Will you accept it? It was Iris whose expression brightened at my question. She nodded without hesitation, with a determined expression on her face. Of course. I will protect you all even if it costs me my life. "Haha, not at the cost of my life, but at the cost of yours as well, right? "Then I''ll protect Iris with my life. Then I''ll protect you and Aria, too. "Then so am I. For some reason, the two of them started to fight over such things. The thing I''m entrusting you with is something that can be deadly in some cases, but both Iris and Aria are willing to do it. I''m asking them to do this because I trust in their abilities. Basically, I think it''s fine if I can solve the problem on my own. However, there are multiple opponents at the moment, and I really don''t know what will happen. (...... It would have been safer if I had kept my distance from the students--that would have been nice. The swordsmen named Lustre used Iris as a hostage to try to get to me. There are people who are not afraid to do that. If you think about it, the best choice would be to have Iris and Aria be prepared for any eventuality. In this way, we became cooperative again against the swordsmen. ... In his later years, Raoul Isarulf lived a life far from home. In some countries, he is treated like a hero, in others, he is an object of awe. In some countries, he is treated like a hero, while in others, he is an object of awe. When the Sage of Swords is on your side, your country wins. --But for every victory, there is always someone who is defeated. But for every victory, there is always a defeat. "Huh. ...... Deep in the forest, I finish chopping wood outside the hut and breathe a small sigh. I don''t know who I''m going to meet, but I trim my gray hair and brush it back. Even his beard had turned white. This is the appearance of a late age sword saint. Raoul is already well aware of the decline of his own body. He fought and fought and fought, and even in his old age, he continued to fight. And all he has left is the title of "Swordsman", the "Strongest". All sword wielders aspire to reach that peak. However, once he reached that ultimate point, Raul had nothing more to gain. He has no family to protect and no one to care for him. So, this is my life ....... Hey, you look like you''ve got a lot of free time on your hands. What do you want with ......? The old man who appeared in front of the sentimental Raoul was also old. It''s a great way to make sure you''re getting the most out of your time. "Hey, hey, what''s with the attitude toward a friend you haven''t seen in a while?¡¡What kind of attitude is that? I don''t consider you a friend. I don''t consider you a friend, but it hasn''t been that long. You were here about a month ago. That''s what people call a long time!¡¡I brought you a drink. Let''s have a drink. The old man, Souki Tomura, showed off the bottle in his hand and said. Souki is a swordsman and a mercenary who has been active since his youth. He and Raul had often met on the battlefield. Fortunately for Souki, he and Raul never met as enemies, but only as friends and collaborators. Raul had never been particularly friendly with anyone, but ...... Souki was the only man who had come to Raul''s side, even in his old age. Although Raul does not approve of him, ...... he is the only connection he has with the old man. Souki always talks about the most trivial things. Why don''t you live in the city?¡¡It''s not so convenient here. No, it''s not that. It''s easier to be alone. Don''t say that. So you''re saying you prefer living in the country to the city? I''ll say it again, I''m more comfortable alone. I don''t mind either. Is that what you came here to talk about? You''re not interested in the state of the country, are you? No. Of course not. ....... Actually, there''s gonna be another war soon. Oh, yeah. So? ...... I''m thinking of moving away with my family. I see. Raul nodded at Souki''s words without changing his attitude. Raul''s nonchalant attitude made Souki shrug. "Oh, come on, is that it? If you''re not going to fight, it''s probably for the best. ...... Well, you know. You might not even be able to come here. So if there''s a war and there''s damage here... Do you think I''d lose? "......." That''s none of my business. Well, I''m not just talking about that. ...... What is it? I don''t mean to say goodbye, but if you ever see my family again, I''d appreciate it. You''re here, you''re gonna take care of them. Do I have to do anything? Ha, you''re right. But, you know, it''s you and me, right?¡¡Come on! Says Souki with a smile on his face. That was the last time I saw the man who took the liberty of calling Raul a friend. 103 103. Her Greetings Early in the morning, I finished getting dressed and left the inn. It had been a long time since I had dreamt of the ...... "old days". I didn''t dare mention Luino Tomra to Iris and Aria. I''ve heard that the girl with the sword and the kimono - the man I know as Tomra - has moved to a country in the East. This is the same region as Azuma Krai of the Swordsmen, whom I defeated before. This is just what I call a "hunch. But for some reason, I''m almost certain. That the Luino involved in this situation is of the same blood as the man I know. If that is the case, then ...... is not a person who has nothing to do with me. In order to confirm this, I left the inn alone. I told them that I would leave them in charge of the other students in case of emergency. What constitutes an emergency may depend on the individual. But I think the current situation is enough to qualify as "it". "Hihihi, you came all the way out here? I''m sure you''re not the only one. That''s true. It''s a good thing that I''m not the only one who''s been sent to kill people when they''re sleeping. It''s the first time I''ve seen you like this, Luino. I''ve been thinking about you for a long time. I''ve always wanted you, ....... It is not unpleasant if it is because you adore me, for example, but all you can feel from Rui No is that he is killing you, even if he is smiling. The situation is really strange, it''s not that it''s early in the morning and there are no people around, it''s that the place is closed off. Instead, the knights are standing around Luino. Even though he has a sword pointed at him, Luino himself does not pay attention to the knights around him, but keeps staring at me. You can tell by just seeing him. You are different from the ...... others. It''s no wonder you''ve killed four Swordsmen by yourself! To be precise, I didn''t kill one of them. I didn''t exactly kill one of them.¡¡That''s right. Then ...... if I kill one more person, we''ll be exactly the same in terms of numbers?¡¡I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that. I''m not sure what to make of this. In the event that you have any kind of questions regarding where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site. The sound of metal clashing echoed around me. I blocked the blow that Luino had delivered. The knights tried to move late, but I signaled them with my hand to stop them. I''m sure you''ll be happy to know that I''m not the only one who has a problem with this," said Rui No, his mouth twisted into a crescent moon smile. I''m sure you''ve got some good swordsmanship. It''s worth it to cooperate with the Order. I think I''ll be satisfied with this one!¡¡But that''s not enough, is it? More ...... more!¡¡I want to slug it out with you a lot! The fierce battle continued, and I could tell that Rui No was still serious about killing me. I''m sure it''s because he knows that I won''t die at this level. If I''m cut down by this, then I''m not as good as she wants me to be. You know that, but only after it''s all over. I''m sure you''re aware of that, but that''s only after it''s all over." "Oh my God, did you come out to tell me that ......?¡¡Did you come all the way to ...... Isn''t that what you came here to hear? ....... - Hee-hee, hee-hee. You know?¡¡But not exactly. I was up late last night looking for the swordsmen, but I couldn''t find ...... them. I was wondering if maybe they haven''t come to this town yet. But I couldn''t help but get excited, so I wanted to have a little ''taste''. "Tasting". That''s quite an expression. You know what?¡¡I''m here to fight you. But the swordsmen are definitely a hindrance. When I fight you, I want to be in perfect condition and not worry about anything. But I''m afraid I can''t resist. I can feel Rui No''s grip on his sword getting tighter and tighter. I''ve just met him and I don''t know him at all. But with this blow, my intuition was confirmed. The man I knew also wielded a sword and had the same kind of swordsmanship. Luino Tomura is the granddaughter of ...... Souki Tomura. (I never expected such a daughter to be born from that man''s family. In a way, I can''t hide my surprise. Although he was a man who also lived the way of the sword, Souki, as I remember him, valued his family above all else. I can''t imagine that he would allow such a dangerous way of life, where he could die at any moment. As I said before, I''m not going to fight you yet. By the way, can I ask you just one question? What?¡¡I''ll answer any question you have. How is Souki Tomra? How is Souki Tomra? The moment he heard my question, Luino''s expression changed. His smile faded and his grip on his sword weakened. In spite of the fact that I had been on edge, Rui No quickly lowered his sword and distanced himself from me. Apparently, he hadn''t expected my question. "......, how did you know my grandfather''s name? "Grandpa," Ruino said. This confirms it - Ruino is Souki''s granddaughter. I just know the name. Tomra, you know. I just thought you might like to know. "....... If you''re asking me if I''m well, I''m dead. If there''s such a thing as the afterlife, I might be fine. Okay. You''re dead, huh? Is that all you''re asking?¡¡I feel like I''m losing motivation when people talk about my family. ....... Well, that''s just fine!¡¡We''ll continue later, okay? I''m not sure if I''m going to be able to do this, but I''m sure I''ll be able to do it. In the end, he did not look at the knights around him, but only gave them a literal greeting. ...... Souki is already dead. In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site. First Officer Schweizer, are you all right? "No problem, sir. One of the knights approached me, so I answered. I''m sure you''ll be able to find a lot more information on this in the future. I''m sure you''ll be happy to know that I''m not the only one who''s a bit of a jerk. I''m sorry I couldn''t stop him. It''s okay. I''m not the kind of person who would be cut down by something like that, and in any case, ...... I''m the only one Luino is after. You don''t have to be so careful. I''m sure you''ll be happy to know that I''m not the only one. Thank you, sir. But as for Luino, I think he will be fine. "......?¡¡What kind of ...... is that? The knightly man questioned incomprehensibly. Of course, there is no one who can understand that - except perhaps me. She''s strong, and that''s why she''s targeting me. I don''t know the real reason. But maybe I''m the only one who can decide what to do about Ruino. ...... 104 104. As a lecturer After Luino''s slightly radical greeting, ...... I went back to my work as a teacher. "Wow, sir, ...... you''re early. You''re a teacher. The innkeepers are making breakfast, so please go to the dining room when you''re ready. Hi, ....... I couldn''t help but smile at the sleepy female student''s unenthusiastic reply. It seems that many students are weak in the morning, but it helps that they wake up on time to some extent. It seems that there are no sluggish students who are woken up by kids like me. After breakfast, today was the day for students to decide on their own tasks. The range of their activities is determined to some extent, and they are warned not to go outside the town. ...... The knights guarding the town have been informed of this as well. (Now, all that remains is ......) I glanced at the corner of the dining room. The other students are also glancing at you--Iris. You can see that the expression on his face is very serious and he is ready to fight immediately. I''m sure you''ve already figured this out before ......, but at times like this, Iris is the type of person whose face shows. I''m sure she''s following my words and staying alert at all times,......, but she''s frightening her classmates. Aria, sitting opposite me, sipped her breakfast soup with a slightly sleepy look on her face. She does not seem to be the least bit nervous, which is to be expected. However, Aria''s strangely carefree expression against Iris''s spirited expression created a strange atmosphere. I sighed and walked over to Iris. "You don''t have to look so scared. It''s okay.¡¡Sir?¡¡Did I look like that? Iris was somewhat embarrassed and surprised when I pointed it out. As I thought, she didn''t seem to be aware of it. To this Iris. "It''s been like this since Dr. Alta left the inn. As if to explain, Aria opens her mouth. When I left the inn, ...... I guess that''s when I was greeted by Luino. The way Aria said it, it sounded like she was accusing me as well, but let''s just assume she was mistaken. I''m relieved that you came back without any problems. "That''s true. I''m a teacher, you know. I replied and sat down in a chair near them. That''s none of your business. But you are strong and persuasive. But you''re strong and persuasive. So Iris, you''ve been working hard since this morning to keep your promise to me? Yes!¡¡No, that''s not what I meant. It''s just that ...... I''m aware of it. That''s right. Maybe I should apologize for that. What do you have to apologize for, Mr. Schweizer? ...... "No, it was me who left him in charge while I was gone. But now that I''m here, you can carry on as normal. As long as I''m here, you''ll be safe. ...... I''m going to be normal for now, though. I''m not sure what to say, but I''m going to say it. For Iris, it may be more pleasant to be left in charge. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re doing. But if you keep them on their toes until a time like this, you''ll lose your position. ...... Not that I''m concerned about my position. (It''s just that students need to be students as much as possible. ...... That''s what it''s all about.) It is very difficult to convey this. After all, I myself have no experience of living a normal student life. By the way, Iris and Aria, are you two going to be working together today? We always do. Today we are free to go as we please. Iris and Aria have always been a pair, even in the school. Of course, it is also common for those who are close to each other to be together in class. But of course, they have their own relationships. From my point of view, it was exactly the pair here who were conspicuous for their lack of interaction. So, why don''t you hang out with the other students once in a while? ...... That''s exactly why some of them can''t behave normally when I''m around. Iris replied to my words. It''s a good idea to keep a distance from the other students. ...... I''ve urged her to do this a few times, but she seems to be keeping her distance from the other students because of her position. ...... Aria is not yet in the position of being the daughter of a great nobleman like Iris, so she may be in a position to be accepted more easily by the class. It''s not just the fact that she''s a great noblewoman that keeps her at a distance from her classmates. At the bottom of his heart, he probably feels that there is no way to know when and if someone will come after him. This is all in the mind of Iris, though. (Aiming to be the strongest, huh? I didn''t have any friends either.) There was a man who called me his friend. But in the end, I never got close to him. If you ask me if I could do that now-- (...... Come to think of it, I''ve never had a friend who was also a friend. There is no need for master and disciple to resemble each other in this way. ......) The only difference is that Iris has a best friend, Aria, and a family. Perhaps it is because he has the power to stand alongside Iris that he is able to stay here. It would be unfair to ask the other students to do the same. (I also wonder what the students think of Iris.) At least, I haven''t heard anything bad about Iris. If anything, she was the envy of them all--she was overwhelmingly skilled with a sword, and they all looked up to her. And for Iris, they are just the ones that she needs to protect. I''m not sure what to make of this, but it''s a good idea. ...... It''s a great opportunity, as I said yesterday. I think it''s also a good opportunity to interact with the other kids in the class. You can do this if you think of it as part of your training. ...... I''ll leave that for another time. I''m not in the mood for that right now. Iris rejected my words softly. It seems that I am still in my infancy as a teacher. Aria gave me a furtive glance, but all I could do was shrug my shoulders. 105 105.Altas Schedule "Everyone, today is a free day. However, since we had fun in the ocean yesterday, let''s focus on learning properly as an extracurricular activity today. Each of you will be assigned a task to work on. And don''t go out of town. ""Yes!" As if in response to my words, the students'' voices echoed. To those around me, it may look like a student ...... following a child younger than him, but now is the time when there are few people around. The students don''t seem to be uncomfortable with the idea of being taught by me anymore. I''m relieved about that. A few of the girls ask me, "What are you going to do today? or "Let''s go around the town together," as if they were asking me out on a date. I let out a sigh as the boys gave me a look that was almost murderous, and I checked my surroundings. --A stone house nearby. There are knights stationed inside the house as well. There were several empty houses in this town, and knights were waiting there. There are not usually a lot of knights walking around the town ......, so if knights in armor walk around in such a town, you will be aware of them even if you don''t want to. It''s also a great way to increase the alertness of the swordsmen. While ensuring the safety of the students, I have to deal with the swordsmen who may have come here. The easiest way to do this is to have Ruino take care of the rest of the ...... swordsmen. That way, I would only have to deal with Luino. Of course, I would never say such a thought out loud. Of course, I would never say such a thing. (For the record, even though I''m a sword master,......, I''m also a senior knight. I''m not sure what to say, but I''m not going to say it. In the event that you have a relationship with a person like RemyL, you might jokingly say, "I''ll leave it all to Luino. ...... Rui No has already shown his ability by defeating two swordsmen. In the event that you''re looking for the best way to get the most out of your business, you''ll want to take a look at the following. I wonder why all these girls gather around me. ...... There is no one who can answer that question. "Dr. Schweizer. The one who suddenly called out to me was Iris. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. I''m not sure what to make of that. ...... Of course, being the daughter of the Rheinfel family, one of the four great noble families, it''s only natural that she would have a touch of class. What is it? "What are you going to do after ...... today? She asks me the same questions as the other students. But I know that the intention of the questions is completely different. I guess Iris is still concerned about my behavior. I''ll serve as a lecturer as you go around the town. If you have any questions, I''ll be in prominent places around town. What kind of places? Like that lighthouse. When I looked at her, Iris turned to follow me. There is a big white lighthouse in front of me. It''s a long way from here,......, but I can tell you that it''s big. The lighthouse will probably play an important role in this town, where the fishing industry is originally thriving. The lighthouse is located in the center of the city, and it is a good place to look for information about the lighthouse. Or you could go to the market and research the fishing industry. I''m going to investigate the demons of the waterfront with Aria. Demons, huh? I''d like to warn you that you should not approach them if you deem them dangerous. Well, there have been no reports of such demons along the coast. I''m not a child, I can handle it. They''re my students, I''ll worry and be careful. If there is such a demon, I will defeat it. The one who interrupted the conversation between me and Iris was Aria. I''m not sure if it''s the fact that she''s wearing a large size of clothing as usual, or the fact that she''s been preparing a lot of ...... things. In the event that you have any questions regarding where and how to use the site, you can call us at the web site. ...... Well, if she has a weapon, it''s natural to hide it. I''ll give you a heads up as well. It''s not fight, it''s flight. And you''re not carrying more than you need, are you? "Of course. Just the bare essentials. With a slight pout, Aria glances down at her jacket. The belt and shorts on her thighs come into view, and a few blades are visible beyond that. But soon Iris stood in front of Aria to hide her. "...... Aria, stop being such a prude. "......?¡¡I don''t mind being seen. I don''t mind being seen. I was in a bathing suit with you yesterday. "Yeah, that''s true, but ....... Anyway, you''re being a prude. Why? Nothing!¡¡And you, please stop Aria when she starts to pull her clothes down. That''s outrageous. I''m sure you can stop her. Says Iris, bitingly. Well, I can''t deny it. I can at least stop Aria before she moves. And I don''t know what will happen if Aria resists. I''ll avoid her and show her off. "Why not? I''m sure you''ll agree with me. The two of them are so in tune with each other ......, I should say. I chuckled a little and said to them, "Don''t worry about me. Don''t worry about me. As I said yesterday, in the event of an emergency, your first priority is to ensure the safety of your students. And that includes you. ...... Yes. I understand. I got it. They say yes. I trust Iris and Aria enough. I''m sure they trust me too, but I still feel worried about them. (Maybe I should show them my "seriousness" one more time. It''s not just seriousness in training, but seriousness with a sword in my hand. I''m not sure what to make of it, but I''m sure it''s a good idea. I''m not sure if this will have any effect since I''ve already shown it a few times. At the very least, there was still plenty of opportunity for me to show my true colors against the swordsmen and Luino. As I told Iris, I''m aiming for the most prominent lighthouse in town. It''s a place where you can see everything, and it''s the most prominent place. 106 106. Those who have been waiting Walking along the coast, we came to a lighthouse built on a high cliff. It is the perfect place to look over the town. If you want to see it in detail, though, you''ll have to go down to check it out. But if you look up at the lighthouse from the town, you can at least tell that someone is there, even if it''s a certain distance away. The lighthouse also has magical technology built into it. You can go up to the top of the lighthouse for repairs and restoration. --I was going to wait there and reveal myself. I didn''t expect you to be there. "Well, I was surprised, too. An old man sitting at the top of the lighthouse, looking out to sea, turns around. He smiles and raises his hand toward me. The man had a nostalgic air about him. However, I look at him without expressing myself. He was dressed in a dirty robe, and there was no hint of "strength" in his atmosphere. But the man in front of me is undoubtedly an enemy. "Hey. I didn''t expect a kid to come here. No, it''s because they are children that they come here to play.¡¡Hahaha. Is that what you''ve been waiting to tell me? ...... That''s not what I meant. I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that.¡¡Alta Schweizer. The man''s gaze becomes sharp, though he is still smiling. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m sure I''m not the only one. I reach for the blue armored sword on my waist. But "Don''t panic. I''m just having a drink. With a fluttering wave of his hand, the man placed his hand away from the sword. From his pocket, he pulls out a gourd. The sound of the lid being removed reaches his ears, and he begins to drink the contents. "Hmm ......, drinking while looking at the sea is quite nice. Would you like one? "I''m just a kid. I can''t drink yet. A kid. I''d like to think that it''s not true that a kid like you is a knight ...... and has defeated four swordsmen ....... You''re a swordsman, aren''t you? That''s right. Your name is ....... Do you know it yet? "Riggles Harvey. Unusually for a swordsman, you''re the one who deals with people in the open. ...... It seems you''re in charge of the organization. I''m not sure if I can manage it, but I don''t have the power. You need to be as powerful as Adil to do that. I''m not sure what to make of that. Of all the swordsmen, Riggles was the easiest to get information from. In addition to Adil, the man who actually mediated work requests to the swordsmen ...... is this Riggles. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. If you''re just a manager, you''re still good. It''s a good thing that he''s not just a manager. ...... The Swordsmen, without Adil, are still acting like a well-organized group. When you think about it, it''s really easy to come up with an answer. "You don''t want to fight me ......, is that it? "I wish that were the case. I''m a swordsman, and I''m going to fight you.¡¡I''m a swordsman, you''re a knight. I''m a swordsman and you''re a knight. When two people are incompatible no matter what, it''s inevitable. Then get ready. I''m not going to take much time. Or are you trying to ''buy time''? Riggles is biding his time for something. That was a possibility. Riggles stood up slowly and looked down from the lighthouse, not at me. "In terms of stalling, you were right to wait. I wanted to witness a battle. "...... A battle? Yeah, that''s your business, too. If you and I are destined to fight anyway, why not delay ...... a bit? Riggles made such a suggestion. For my part, there''s no need to take him up on his offer. However, from the moment I met him, a possibility was born in me. So I lined up next to Riggles and looked down from the lighthouse. ...... in order to witness the battle that is about to begin. 107 107. With Determination Iris and Aria have been separated. Already, Alta has disappeared - we know that she is heading towards the lighthouse, but we are aware that she is ''in charge'' of the class. So each of us acted to protect as much as we could cover. Alta is acting alone because she knows that she is the only one being targeted. Therefore, there is little chance of danger to Iris and Aria. The knights of the kingdom are also lurking around ......, so it is surely the right way for Iris to wait for Arta''s return from a safe place. (Are you sure about that, ......?) It''s a question that arose in Iris. (Is that really so?) Such a question arose in Iris. For Arutha, Iris is the object of his protection and the disciple of his sword. But in reality, she is probably more of an "object of protection" to Arta. In the event that you''re looking for the best way to get the most out of your business, then you''re going to need to look at the following. It''s not that he''s jealous of her, it''s just that he needed to tell Aria about the situation so he could explain to her that Arta was being targeted. But I''m sure Arutha didn''t intend to tell Iris about it. (...... I''m still only protected.) She thought that Iris was not strong enough. But no. Alta said to Iris. "If you think you can do it, I''ll leave it to you," she said. If you''re ......, then I know what I have to do. Iris went to the lighthouse on the cliff. The lighthouse is located on a cliff. You can see the path to the lighthouse clearly because of the open view. Arutha and the "enemy" must be there. Without hesitation, Iris pushed forward. On her hip was the "Shiden". The sword, with its purple blade, occasionally shines strongly when bathed in the sun''s glow. It''s also a great way to make sure you don''t get caught in the middle of the action. What are you doing here? I''m not sure what to make of it. She has her hands behind her head and is smiling happily. It''s as if you''re about to go to a festival. For ...... Luino, a festival may not be wrong. What are you doing here? It''s obvious. I''m just trying to make a quick getaway. I thought it would be quicker to break in. I thought we were supposed to break in after defeating all the ...... "swordsmen". That''s true, but ...... they''re always hiding. To be honest, it''s a bit disheartening. I''ve been up all night looking for them, and I''m asleep. ....... And then there''s one in such a prominent place.¡¡And he''s with Alta!¡¡When the two of them start fighting, I''m going to ...... join them in a natural way. I''m not sure what to make of that. I''m not sure what to make of that. It is clear that Luino is nothing but an enemy to Arta. I''m not sure if you''ve heard of it or not, but I have. I''m not sure what to make of it, but I think it''s a good idea. Yes, I was planning on it. Oh!¡¡Huh, ....... I''m not sure if I''ll be able to do that. He did not expect Iris to answer that she would fight Luino. You are ready to kill me? "...... I told you first. I''ll do it if I have to. "What ......?¡¡I''ll do it if I have to." - What ? Don''t come in here and tell me I''m missing the point. You came here to fight me, didn''t you?¡¡You came here to fight me, and now you''re giving me the same answer? The smile disappeared from Luino''s face. From the beginning, Iris'' feelings and determination have not changed. Yes, it is. I''m not sure if I''m going to be able to do it. Luino Tomra...... you want to go after Dr. Schweizer, I will only stop you. If you want to do that, you''ll have to kill me, don''t you think? No, there is a way. ...... What is that method? Luino''s expression became sharp. I wonder how Iris will respond to that... I''m sure that will change Luino''s attitude. He may sneer, or he may smile happily. But it doesn''t matter ...... because you don''t need to worry about their attitude. I am--! It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. I''m not going to do it. Even with the distance between us, I immediately understood. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m going to do it. "......, you interrupted me at the right place. This murderous intent was not directed at Iris. I don''t know why he''s so intent on killing Luino, but he knows he has a clear enemy. And then Iris realizes something, too. "Aria and ...... Lotto-san ......? Even from a distance, you can see the two girls there. My best friend, Aria, and my classmate, Miney Lotto. Standing in front of them is a figure with a red sword. It is Zenas Ladei, a member of the Swordsmen, who matches the information you have heard. "......! Iris understood and immediately rushed out. I''ve come all this way, determined to fight Luino. In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site. "Hey, after you! After you!¡¡You ...... It was Luino who moved even more quickly than Iris. He lowered himself and ran forward, closing the distance between him and Zenas with overwhelming speed. Zenas also turned his gaze away from Aria and Miney, and headed towards Luino in response. In the next moment, a large red blade covered the slope. What Iris sees is Aria dodging the blade and pushing off the cliff to save Miney. The bottom of the cliff was the ocean--Aria''s decision was correct. She probably thought it would be safer to throw Miney into the sea than to involve her in the battle. Iris, too, quickly arrived at the best solution for the situation. --With momentum, she jumped off the cliff. 108 108. Because I believe As soon as she jumped off the cliff, Miney''s figure came into view. Despite the distance, Iris let the momentum of her fall carry her along the wall as if she were running. It wouldn''t last long, but it would be nice to get a little closer to Miney. (Even if it''s just a little, close the distance ......! Miney''s screams reach my ears as I fall. I can hear her screaming as she falls. It''s high, but she won''t get hurt if she falls into the sea. But there are monsters in the sea near here. That''s what Iris was worried about. After taking a few steps to run along the wall, Iris kicked up the cliff hard. Falling diagonally as if accelerating, Iris jumped down just near where Miney was falling. With a high splash, Iris checks the situation around her in the water. Minei had lost her balance and was scratching at the bottom of the sea for several meters. (I''m still not a very good swimmer. ......) I remembered what Alta had taught me. I don''t have any diving skills, but now is not the time to be thinking about that. I''m not sure if I''m going to be able to do it, but I''m going to try. With the weight of the SHI-DEN, it didn''t take much effort to sink deep. (! ) Iris immediately noticed something strange. The demons had come in response to Miney''s scratching in the sea. Iris could not hold her breath for long. Still, in the unfamiliar water, Iris swings her sword. Even though her movements were slower than usual, Iris was able to defeat the demons that came. There are several fish monsters that are not that big, but have sharp fangs. He knocked them down and supported Miney''s body. However, Miney is panicking, and even when Iris touches her, she moves like she''s going crazy. (d*mn it, I have to calm her down somehow! At that moment, she saw someone falling nearby. It didn''t take her long to realize that it was Aria. In response to Aria''s dive, the demons came again - but Aria handled them without difficulty, and came to Iris and Miney''s side. Aria, who can move freely in the water, delivers a strong blow to the back of Miney''s neck. After a loud jerk, I saw that Miney had lost consciousness. Aria swims with Miney in her arms, followed by Iris. They swam to the shore and managed to get out of the water. "Ha, ha. ...... --I can barely breathe. Iris, who was not a good swimmer, but had just learned from Arta yesterday, was really risking her life. Aria, on the other hand, never faltered in her breathing and approached Iris. You can barely swim, so don''t be reckless. ...... can''t help it. Even Aria can''t ...... do that to Mr. Lotto. It can''t be helped. It was like she was following Iris. You were following me to ......? Dr. Alta, Iris, and I, I guess. We spend a lot of time together, so she was wondering what was going on. Aria glanced at Minei. I''m sure you''re not the only one who''s wondering what''s going on. ...... Perhaps she was hoping for some kind of scandal between the school''s lecturer and the daughter of a great nobleman. In the event that you have any questions regarding where and the best way to get in touch with us, please do not hesitate to contact us. However, Iris was deeply relieved that Miney was not injured. I''m glad you''re okay, even though I''ll probably have to explain a lot more when ...... I wake up. She''ll be fine. But we have to get back up there. Aria said, looking at the top of the cliff. The fight to the death had probably already begun on the cliff. Zenas Ladei and Luino Tomra of the Swordsmen. Both of them are undoubtedly capable. However, Luino had already defeated the two swordsmen with his overwhelming strength. He might not be too far behind Zenas either. Still, Iris was going to head up, ready for any possibility. ...... Well... I''ll be right back. Yeah. Let''s get a move on-- Aria, you take care of Mr. Lotto. No!¡¡Iris, ......? Aria looked at Iris''s words with a questioning expression. It was probably something that Aria didn''t expect to hear. I''m not sure what to do. And not all the enemies are here. I need you to take care of the rest of the class. "...... Is Iris going into battle alone? Yes. ...... I''m always sorry for worrying you. But it''s my decision. I''m sorry to always worry you. It''s okay. That''s the way Iris is. I''m worried because ......... But I''m sure the doctor will be at the lighthouse. I''m sure he''ll be able to help you if you need anything. "......, yeah. But this time it''s different. I''m the one who''s trying to protect you. Maybe I''m not in a position to say that. But I know you believe in me. If Iris is in danger, I''m sure Arutha will help her. This thought was probably a naivete in Iris. Alta tells Iris that she can rely on him. If she really needed help, she would go to ...... and ask for help from Arta. However, Iris also has a dream. I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but it''s a good idea. Arta acknowledges that Iris has the power to make it happen. That''s why what Iris should do is already decided. I''m not sure if you can believe me, Aria. ...... It''s not fair to ask. But if Iris has made up her mind, then I believe in her. So please don''t lose. "Yes, of course. Iris smiled and gently placed her hand on Aria''s head. As she stroked her head, Aria felt a sense of relief. Their time together is soon over, and Iris looks straight up the cliff. The battle at the top of the cliff had probably already begun, and Iris was stepping into it. What begins now is a "three-way" battle for belief. 109 109.Luino and Zenas For Luino, fighting was like a part of life. Living in a forest overrun by vicious demons would sharpen his senses and strengthen his body. A strong person is one who does not have the emotion of fear," Luino thought, and continued to live his life without it. He overcame the fear of death that everyone fears, and chose to walk the path of a shura. Therefore, he does not feel the slightest fear of the scene in front of him. Blood continues to flow bright red. The blood continues to flow bright red. It splatters and shoots around me like a blade. Zenas Ladei, the swordsman, dyes his own body in fresh blood, and the mere sight of his fighting style would be enough to make any normal person fear him. I''m sure you''ll be able to figure out what''s going on. I don''t think I''ve ever seen anything like it. I''d like to kill you. ...... That''s how I feel. No wonder. Luino Tomra......, I''m going to kill you. That''s right.¡¡It''s important to have the will to kill. But why me? You killed a friend of mine. Friend?¡¡Who? Lowell! Zenas swings his sword with anger in his face. The red sword, stained with fresh blood, shoots out a ''blood blade''. The blade flies down to Luino in the shape of a crescent moon. Luino dodges it with a flip of his body. He touched the ground with his toes and instantly closed the distance between himself and Zenas. I''m sure you''ll be able to figure it out. You! You!" The swords of Luino and Zenas crossed. In the end, he was able to get to the bottom of the problem, but he was not able to get to the top. But that level of attack would not frighten Luino. I''m sorry, I''m sorry. I remember you well!¡¡Your friend was very strong, wasn''t he? Of course. "Even swordsmen have friendships. So you''re trying to kill me? Yes. ...... You''re the only one I''m going to kill. "Only you"? I''ve killed a lot of people in my life, haven''t I?¡¡I bet there''s a lot of people who''d like to kill you, too, huh? "...... What are you trying to say? I''m sure there are many people who would love to kill you. You will find a lot of people who have been in the business for a long time. But he immediately kicked the ground to close the distance. Luino''s sword and Zenas''s sword crossed again. Each time Zenas swung his sword, the spattered blood crystallized and turned into blades that scattered around him. If you look, you can see patterns appearing on Zenas''s body, with a faint glow of magical power. He must have imprinted his body with a magic formula so that he can use his blood as a weapon. Luino, on the other hand, doesn''t use any magic or other techniques. He only uses pure swordsmanship and magic to strengthen his body. Luino''s body is gradually turning red. It''s not as if Luino has any pain, just a scratch on the skin. He swings his sword and takes a moment to make sure Zenas is dead. (Surprisingly, there is no gap.) But it wasn''t that easy. Zenas''s swordsmanship was not very good, in fact, it was low compared to the rest of the swordsmen. From Luino''s point of view, the swordsmanship of Lowell Cruester, whom he had fought before, was of a much higher level. Still, Zenas has no gaps. At a distance, he would unleash a blade of blood with excellent range. If you are close enough to him, he will repeatedly attack you with a gradual "grinding" attack, as he is doing now. ...... This is because Rui No has not shown any gaps either. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. They both know that each blow they deliver is intended to be deadly, but they also know that it is only a check. Luino once again moves away. Zenas immediately switches to a larger swing. The wide blade of blood extended to a distance of a dozen meters or so, and came at him. Luino bent down and ran against it. Zenas''s large blade had a blind spot. Not a thin sword, but a blade shaped like a crescent moon. --Underneath is the blind spot for Zenas. Luino, in a low posture, instantly closed the distance to Zenas. Zenas must have noticed right away. He was about to stop swinging his blade, but there was no way he could do so immediately. "Gotcha! There was a dry, sputtering sound. He thought he had aimed for Zenas''s neck, but he dodged just in time. But instead, he got the arm that was holding the sword. He slashed down from around the second arm, and Luino and Zenas crossed. Luino quickly reversed. He dropped the arm that held the sword--then he could take the head if he went on the offensive immediately. This is the first time I''ve ever been to a place where I''ve been able to do that. I''m not sure what to say. "You think you''ve won just because you dropped your arm? Zenas turned the fresh blood into a blade and swung the arm connected with more blood. The range of the shot is further extended, and Rui No, who has just changed his stance, is slightly slow to react. A blow that gouged out his shoulder - and then a blade of fresh blood that splattered Luino. With a swift movement, Luino distanced himself from Zenas. I''m not sure if this is the first time I''ve fought a real fight, but it''s pretty messy. I''m not sure what to make of that. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. I''m not sure if you''ve ever heard of this, but I''m sure you have. That''s why Luino laughs. "What are you laughing at? "Oh, you laugh when you''re having fun. Isn''t that what you sword fighters do? "I don''t laugh when I fight. Zenas denies Luino''s words. The blood-connected arm slips back under Zenas and returns to normal. You can tell by looking at the skin that you cut him. If you look closely, you will see that Zenas has cuts all over his body. "Fighting powerful enemies is supposed to be fun, right? No. Fighting is work. There''s no fun in it. Hmm. Is that so? Yeah. I''ll only laugh after I kill you. Zenas glares at Luino. You''ll be able to find a lot more than just a few of them. You don''t look like you''re having fun either. Iris Reinfell. "Yes. My sword is meant to protect people. But I don''t mind fighting. But I don''t mind fighting." Luino asked, and the girl, Iris, answered. Zenas also looked at Iris. A lightning bolt struck the ground around Iris'' body with a crispy sound. I know that you and the Order have a working relationship, Luino. I know that you and I should fight together in this situation, I know that too. But I can''t overlook the fact that you''re after Dr. Schweizer. ....... So, from here on out, it''s my personal fight. I will stop you. I''m not sure if this is a good idea, but it''s a good idea. 110 110. Heart of Vengeance Iris held up the Purple Thunder and faced the two adversaries. But neither Luino nor Zenas of the Swordsmen are paying much attention to Iris. I can understand why Luino is not focusing on Iris. After all, from her point of view, Iris is a "halfwit". The other person, Zenas, was clearly intent on killing Luino. In the event that you''re in a position to do so, you''ll be able to do so.¡¡I''m not sure if you''re ready for that. I told you, I''m ...... ready. Iris was the first to move. I''m not sure if you''ve heard of it or not, but I have. I''m not sure if you''ve seen this before, but I''m sure you have. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. ...... I guess that''s what he thinks. (--not) Iris rejects that idea. A knight is supposed to protect people. If you call yourself the strongest knight, you will always have to kill people in battle. If you think it''s half-baked, that''s fine. This is Iris''s personal battle. I-- You''ll be able to find a lot of people who are interested in this. I''m not sure if you''ve seen this before, but I''ve seen it before. I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but it''s a good idea. Iris took a deep breath and readied her shielding again. This is what I''m prepared to do. I''m not sure what to say.¡¡It''s not as if you''re lost as you were the other day. It''s okay then. Luino smiled happily. I''m not sure if it''s a good thing or not. He held up his sword and looked straight at Iris. You''re my enemy, too, and I''m going to kill you. You can''t ignore ...... me! This time, Zenas makes his move. When he swings his sword, fresh blood sprays out and it transforms into a blade. He must have coagulated the blood and is manipulating it. Iris took one look at Zenas, and slowly moved the purple light. "Senka! With the words, lightning spurted from Iris'' blade. He had rarely used it as a definite "technique". Iris used the lightning strike that flowed around her of her own volition. When the thunderbolt struck the blade of blood around Zenas, it shattered with a sound. Zenas also looked surprised. "Swordsmen...... I had my life threatened by you--I don''t think I could have stayed here if I had been alone. Glancing over at the top of the ...... lighthouse for a moment, Iris glanced up. To whoever might be there. --If Iris were in danger, Arutha would surely come to her aid. But she doesn''t want that right now. Alta told Iris to rely on her. Because Iris feels the same way. --Because she wants to be someone she can rely on and trust. I''m coming to ....... He took a deep breath and ran to Zenas'' side. Zenas is about to ready his sword, but the thunderbolt he just fired hits Zenas'' body. It slightly slowed Zenas down. "...... "Huh-- A horizontal flash. I''m not sure what to do. Zenas blocked it just in time, but Iris didn''t stop moving. It''s not that I don''t like it. Each blow is heavy, forcing Zenas backwards. In the space of a single breath, she unleashes more than ten blows. Still, Iris'' offensive continues. "Oh, come on, ......! Zenas regains his stance and flicks away Iris''s purple light. The sound of metal clashing echoes through the air. Zenas then swings his sword at Iris, aiming for her neck. Iris bends slightly and narrowly dodges Zenas'' blade. The spattered blood coagulates and pours onto Iris in the form of a blade - but she is not intimidated. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. "...... ugh! Zenas''s eyes widen. I''m not sure if you''ve heard of it or not, but I have. The moment he does, he sees Rui No, who bashes Zenas'' head off. He ran underneath Iris with his momentum, and their blades met. "You ......! You !" "Hee hee, that''s not enough to kill him. If you want to be sure, you''ll have to take its head off. I didn''t mean to kill you, ....... "That" again?¡¡You''re really going to fight me, aren''t you?¡¡You were definitely trying to kill me with that attack! "Yeah. At least fighting with you isn''t so easy that I can''t get lost. "Okay, then. What you said earlier... Not yet. No! Luino distances himself from Iris. I''m not sure what to say. This is a great way to get the most out of your business. This is the first time I''ve seen someone so persistent. Luino looks at Zenas with a look of disgust. It''s a bizarre sight -- Zenas is still alive, despite the fact that his head and torso have been separated. It''s an obsession. That''s how much resentment he has for Luino. What the hell did you do? "Hmm, nothing.¡¡I heard he had a friend who was a swordsman, and I killed him. ...... So. Then it''s no wonder he hates me like that. "Hee hee, if you''re going to hold a grudge because someone you care about was killed, don''t you think you should ...... have no one to care about?¡¡I''m not sure what to make of it, but I''m sure it''s a good idea. ...... Can I get rid of that monster for now?¡¡I''ll get rid of you after that. Okay. I don''t want to see any more ...... people trying to fight me like that. Iris looks at Zenas with a sad expression. If Iris had decided to wield the sword for revenge, perhaps she would have done the same. That''s what I felt in my heart. Iris and Rui No each took a stance. They faced the bloodied Zenas, and they ran. 111 111. 膚 complete It''s been many years since Zenas Laday joined the organization known as the Swordsmen. He was originally a military doctor, but Lowell, a member of the same unit, invited him to join the Swordsmen. His reason for joining ...... was quite simple. This is because it is easier to kill people as an assassin than to cure people as a military doctor. You can save more people by killing those who make the effort to treat them than by treating them. The Swordsmen were an organization that called for battle, but as long as there were ten swordsmen who boasted unrivaled strength, there would be no needless sacrifices. At least, that''s what Zenas thought. He and Rowell had killed many people. We''ve killed as many people as we''ve saved. Zenas will never realize that this is ''strange''. It''s because he doesn''t realize it that Zenas has gone against humanity. However, Zenas can feel the "friendship". He has been with Lowell on the battlefield for many years, and the bond between them is invaluable. "Someday, we''ll kill those swordsmen ourselves. Then the rest of us can decide who is stronger. "Yeah, that sounds like fun. --That was the deal I made with Lowell. But Lowell is dead. The man didn''t keep his promise, he was killed in cold blood. Then what to do - Zenas''s course of action is simple. Kill the man who killed Lowell, because that was the only thing Zenas could do. "Gu, gu, gu. "Gu, gu, gu. Whether it was a voice or just a sound, Iris couldn''t tell. Zenas, his neck reconnected, blood dripping from both of his eyes, directed his vengeance at Luino. Even though she knew it wasn''t directed at her, it sent chills down her spine. Even with such thoughts, Rui No''s expression did not falter, and he let out a troublesome sigh. I''m not too keen on this kind of thing. I''m sure you''ll be able to understand why. From Iris''s point of view, Rui No is nothing but a fighting maniac. The fact that Rui No said that she would not find an opponent like Zenas worth fighting for, but that she would not be interested in it. For a girl like Luino, killing each other is something she enjoys, but in Luino''s eyes, Zenas might as well be "dead". For Luino, killing a dead person is a trivial thing. "G-gh-ha. Zenas holds up his sword, letting out an inaudible voice. The blood that flowed out gathered into Zenas'' sword, and the result was the Crimson Scythe. I''m not sure if you''ve seen this before, but I''m sure you''ve seen it. I''m sure you''ll be happy to know that I''m not the only one. I''m not sure if you''ve seen this before. In the event you''re not sure what you''re looking for, there are a few things you can do. Rino ran out to bend his body, and Iris leapt - each evading. As he concentrates the thunderbolts on the "purple lightning," Iris unleashes her magic on the spot. The purple thunderbolts raced down to Zenas and struck him. "......gk I''m not sure if Iris''s blow had any effect, but Zenas moaned. But that doesn''t stop Zenas from moving. I''m not sure if this is a good thing or not, but it''s a good thing. "Nah, it''s too big, there''s too many gaps. Rino closes the distance to Zenas. The distance between the ground and the scythe would have been quite small - but more than that, Luino bent down and closed the distance to Zenas. A series of blows from Luino''s sword. He cut off Zenas'' arm and thrust his sword into his left chest. With a burst of energy, Zenas''s arm with the scythe was blown away. Blood gushed from Zenas'' body in a torrent. "Is this the end? "Yeah, yeah, I''m gonna kill you and be done with it. I''ll kill you and be done with it. I''m sure you''ll be pleased to know that I''m not the only one who''s a fan of your work. It was supposed to be a ...... fatal wound. Zenas has already been attacked many times where he could have died. And yet, Zenas has not stopped moving to take Luino''s life. "You''re the only one-- "...... It''s over. Zenas Radae. Iris had already closed the distance between her and Zenas. With a single swing of his sword, he destroyed the claws Zenas had created. And then a blow from his back - Zenas''s body trembled greatly. "...... Gosh! You''ll be able to find a lot more information on the web. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. His body, which had been connected by magic, crumbled into pieces as he died. The sight made her want to turn away, but Iris still looked straight at the dying Zenas. Zenas was already in a state that could be described as dead. And yet, it was Iris who delivered the final blow. She was the first person to kill ...... with her hands. There is a different feeling in the grip of the sword. But there is no hesitation in Iris''s mind. Iris shifts her gaze. The earth turned red with Zenas''s blood and Luino stood there. I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that. Yes, it is. So... Tell me the rest of what you just said. I''m not sure what I''m going to do until I hear it. The rest of the story? You said it!¡¡You''re going to stop me, right?¡¡And you''re going to do it in a way other than killing me!¡¡I wondered how you would do it. I''m not sure what to do. It seems that he has been paying attention to Iris'' words since a while ago. I''m sure Luino himself doesn''t understand - she can only end a fight by killing each other, and she doesn''t have the option of stopping the fight. Iris let out a small breath and grabbed her Shiden, holding it tightly. It''s easy. It''s not something that anyone can do, but Arta can. I want to be as strong as that. I want to be as strong as that. ......) I''m not sure what to say, but I''ll say it with determination. "I am the "Princess Swordsman". I will crush you to the bone. I will crush you until you can''t even move a finger. That''s the only way I can stop you. If we are swordsmen, then there is an answer to be found. When he heard Iris'' words, Luino rolled his eyes in surprise and immediately started laughing out loud. "Hee-hee, hee-hee!¡¡That''s funny. You''re funny.¡¡This me?¡¡Hee hee hee!¡¡Well then, I guess I''ll let you have it. ...... I call myself a "swordswoman" too. I''ll tell you what... I''ll kill you. Absolutely. I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that. The two began to move at the same time, and the battle began. 112 112. Where to go "Oh, Zenas, you''re dead. ....... He was doing pretty well, though. As he sipped his drink, Riggles chuckled. The three-way battle is over, and only Iris and Rui No are left. I''m not sure if I''ll be able to do it. I guess I''ll have to do it after all. Well, I had high hopes for you, Zenas. The swordsmen were almost completely wiped out by this. I''m not sure what to do. ...... So, shall we get started? It''s not the end of the battle yet. I deny Riggs'' words. Riggles looked a little surprised. "Well, well, that''s surprising. If you think I didn''t move when my students were in danger, ...... now you''re going to watch them fight? I left them in charge of the students. I let them take care of the students, and they took care of themselves, that''s all. Well, I''m surprised. You seem to be quite laissez-faire. You''re still a knight. Yeah, I''m still a knight. First of all, I''m a swordsman. I''m a swordsman first and foremost. Since Iris-san has decided to fight Luino with determination, I have a duty to see it through. Yesterday, Iris confided her worries to me. He said he didn''t know how to deal with someone like Luino, who only wanted to kill each other. If you are a knight, you need to capture your opponent. The reason why Iris was troubled was because Rui No was protecting me and Iris from a clear enemy, the Swordsmen, and at the same time he was trying to kill me. I told Iris, "If you can''t do it, rely on me. But she''s standing there of her own volition, and that''s the answer to "I can. You can stop Luino without killing him. "I see. But if you want to watch the fight, I have no problem with that. I''m the one who said it first. No, I think you really want to see this fight through. "...... Oh, what makes you think that? You told me it was ''relevant''. That''s true. Zenas and the girl are both after you. If Zenas is the one who survived, then they can both come after you. Riggles said with a smug expression. I''m sure he knows that, partly because it''s me. What Riggles has been watching is not the Battle of Zenas, but the Battle of Luino. The expression on his face as he watched over someone was familiar. The man who had once called ...... Raul a friend, Souki Tomra--there was a trace of him. The battle that Riggles wanted to witness was not with Zenas, but with Luino. "If we were going after each other, we would have done it from the beginning. But you didn''t. "Hmm, I guess so. The Swordsmen don''t like to fight together as an organization. Yeah, I guess that''s one of your goals with ...... keeping me here. That''s what I''m talking about. Is there any doubt about that? ...... No, if you''re not going to admit it, fine. But there''s one thing I know for sure. What is it? I remember Riggles ....... That''s supposed to be your real name. Your name is Riggles Tomra. And my daughter is Luino Tomra. I said clearly. Riggus looked a little surprised again, but then he let out a sigh and sat down again. And then. He''s a very talented boy, unlike ...... me. He''s been good at everything since he was a little boy, and he loves to swing a sword. Riggles mutters to himself. He was no longer trying to hide it, and the way he looked at Luino was that of a parent watching over a child. Does Luino know that you''re in the Swordsmen? "No, he doesn''t. Luino no longer believes that any of his family survived. I''m the one who made him do it. ...... What? We can talk about this later. The fight is about to start. So who do you think will win, Luino or Iris? Riggus asks. Riggles seems to have decided to watch the fight too. I also stand looking down at them. Iris and Rui No - both of them are capable. Even from my perspective, I could see that they were close in their abilities. There is no way to tell who will win in a battle between two people of equal strength. There are many factors that can determine the winner: exhaustion, momentary failure, or a slight difference in strength. I''ve never been one to look at the battlefield in a favourable light. If I were in the position of a "sword saint," my answer would be "I don''t know. But if you''re looking at it as her teacher, the answer is different. "Iris won''t lose. She''s that kind of girl. She''s worked harder than anyone else, she''s struggled more than anyone else, and yet here she stands. She''s going to win this fight. Well, I''m surprised you''re so sure. Who do you think will win? I think the answer is ...... ''I don''t know'', but if you say it like that, I have no choice but to answer like this. Luino will win, for sure. I''m not sure what to say. He said this in a way that made me feel that he truly ''believed'' in Luino''s victory. I turned my attention back to the battle between Iris and Rui No. I want to see how they end up. 113 113. Those who kill God, those who claim to be God Iris''s sword crossed with Rui No''s sword. A metallic sound reverberated in the surroundings. It continues not once, but intermittently. When dealing with the purple lightning, Iris cloaks not only her sword, but also her body in purple lightning. But right now, her body is not covered in lightning. The thunder from the blade makes a sound, but Iris is consciously controlling it. Just releasing power in the dark doesn''t work on many people. I''ve already seen Luino''s fight. There is no need to wait and see, no need to check and balance. He uses the magic that flows through his body to wield the sword. The same goes for Luino''s fighting style. She doesn''t rely on magic to fight--she simply swings her blade with all her strength, blow by blow. There is almost no difference in the speed of our swords. With every swing, there was a chance of winning or losing. "Oh, that''s nice!¡¡That''s what fighting is all about! Luino said with a happy smile. He just barely dodged Iris''s blade, and a slight cut appeared on his kimono. He doesn''t care about such a small thing at all. Luino takes a step forward and pokes Iris in the chest. Iris reacts immediately, blocking the thrust with a purple light - or rather, parrying it. He slightly deflects the blade, keeping the power intact. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re doing. "Huh! You can''t hit me! It''s a good idea to keep your eyes and ears open. It''s a good idea to keep your hands on the ground and kick. I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not. ! You''ll need to have a good idea of what you''re doing. Luino had already regained his stance, bending his knees and stooping. He kicked off the ground and aimed for Iris'' neck with a quick movement. (Fast--) A counterattack from evasion. The speed at which she goes on the offensive is unparalleled. There is an overwhelming difference between her and Iris in terms of "experience in actual combat. However, Iris also has a lot of experience in one-on-one combat. In particular, in purely "hand-to-hand combat," Iris is called the strongest by many. These words are too heavy for Iris, who is only fifteen years old. But Arutha, who must be younger than Iris, has promised to be the "strongest in the kingdom". She told me where Iris was going. I''m here to protect such a person--there''s no way I''ll lose at this level. Iris lost her balance, but she did not dare to adjust her stance and turned her head. Rui No''s blade, which came out with great force, struck out at the last moment. Iris twists her body to face backward. As Luino spins in the air, he soon realizes that he is looking at him. And then. And then, "Hit!¡¡This is the way I really fight. A wall of magic power was created under Luino''s feet. It''s not even close to the level of magic, but it''s enough for a foothold. Using her legs as springs, she accelerates back down to Iris. An almost horizontal leap. Iris immediately goes into a defensive stance, but is unable to kill Luino''s momentum. A non-fatal blow to Iris''s shoulder. It was not a shallow blow, and the pain made Iris'' face contort. But Luino''s attack did not end there. Iris immediately turned her body - Luino was on the offensive again. The blade closes in on him. Iris blocked it again just in time. The sound of metal scraping echoed through the air as the two crossed. Again, unable to kill the power, Iris is cut in the arm. (Still not enough reaction: ......!) Then came the third blow. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. I''m sure you''ll agree. I''m not sure if you''ve heard of it or not, but I''ve heard of it. If you''re not sure what you''re looking for, you can always ask for help. Rather, the blow that is sure to take Iris'' life is simple and straightforward. Again, his reaction was slightly delayed, but this time he made sure to prevent the attack. As they passed each other, Luino''s expression wavered slightly. After the first and second blows, he was able to wound Iris without fail. But on the third blow, Iris had seen through it. On the fourth strike, Iris'' blade was ahead of her. Leaping with the momentum, Rui No crossed, blocking Iris'' blade. As he rolled around on the ground, Rui No regained his position. I was a little surprised when I saw ....... I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but it''s a good idea. The fourth blow wounded Luino. In battle, Iris always grows. The more intense the fight, the more power she gains. With his sword at the ready, Iris looked at Luino. Staying low, Rui No also grasped his sword and held it. I told you. I told you I would stop you. I told you I would stop you.¡¡Well, it looks like you didn''t live up to your word. ...... Yes. But I''ll tell you this. I''m going to win. Oh, I like that. I would have enjoyed it more if you hadn''t tried to kill me. If you are so strong, why don''t you want to enjoy the fight more?¡¡Don''t you want to enjoy the last minute ...... fight for your life?¡¡It''s never too late to start. I''m not sure if I''m going to be able to do that. I''m not sure if it''s a good idea or not. The answer to that is quite simple. All Iris has to do is decide to kill Luino without thinking about it. Maybe that would be easier. Wielding power without thinking is many times easier than thinking hard. But the path Iris has chosen is the one that will make her dreams come true, even if it is ...... difficult. I''m not going to change my mind. "...... I see. That''s too bad. I need to check something with you, too. ...... check? Yeah. Luino, why did you want to fight Zenas? That''s the question I''ve been asking myself. When we came here, when Iris and Luino confronted each other, this was supposed to happen. Luino would choose to fight Iris because Iris had declared that she would fight him. And yet, as soon as he saw Zenas, he went towards him without hesitation. I don''t mean to be a prude, but... The Swordsmen are after Alta Schweizer. I was just trying to get rid of them because they will eventually get in the way. ...... That''s all. Then I''d be in their way as well. I''m fighting to protect you, Schweizer. If you''re looking to get out of the way, Iris is definitely more of a hindrance to Ruino. But even if Rui No bothered to let Iris go, he chose to fight Zenas. This time he was happy to take on Zenas, who he said had not tried to fight him properly in King''s Landing. There''s something about Luino''s actions that bothered me. "...... What are you trying to say? I''m not sure. The conclusion that Iris has reached may be wrong. I''m sure that the reason why Rui No wields the sword is not only to enjoy fighting. I heard that he formed a partnership with the Knights in order to fight Dr. Schweizer. I''m sure he means it. Of course I meant it. That''s why you''re trying to stop me, isn''t it? Yes. I wanted to stop you without killing you because I knew you didn''t just enjoy killing. "...... Huh? Luino''s expression grew grim. I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that. If you really enjoy fighting, ...... there would have been a fierce battle in King''s Landing. But I''ve heard that the only real damage was done by the Knights. In this town too. You only killed ...... the swordsmen. Except for the fact that you''re going after Dr. Schweizer, your actions seem more like you''re taking care of him. Luino''s actions seem to be inconsistent, but there is one rule of thumb. What''s that? It''s as if I''m ...... fighting for the right to care about others?¡¡It''s like you''re on the side of justice. I''m sure you''ll be able to figure it out. But you chose to fight Zenas because he targeted Aria and Otto, didn''t you?¡¡You are an enemy of the strong and a friend of the weak. That''s why ...... I wanted to stop you. That''s just Iris'' speculation. I''m sure Rui No is still wielding his sword to make sure Iris is dead. But the Luino of yesterday did not even try to fight Iris. He acknowledged his strength, but did not fight. This raised questions in Iris'' mind and led her to an answer. She wanted to fight against the strong, but she didn''t want the weak to get hurt... wasn''t that the girl Luino Tomura? I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not, but it''s a good idea. I''m not sure what to say.¡¡I''m not sure what to make of it.¡¡I''m sure you''ll be able to understand why I''m doing this. We''re alike, me and you. ...... Like you? Yeah. I tried to be strong, thinking I could do everything on my own, with no one to turn to. And if someone came along who might be stronger than me, I''d fight them. I tried to prove that I was stronger than him. I was going to be the strongest knight. Don''t you feel the same way about yourself? "Hee-hee, I see. Yeah, that''s a very important feeling. But you know... The smile disappears from Luino''s face. You can''t keep talking like you know what you''re doing ....... I''m not sure what to say, but I''m going to say it. It''s a great way to get the most out of your day. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re doing. Blade meets blade, and their gazes intersect. Luino''s expression was full of surprise. Why the sudden ...... There''s nothing sudden about it. My strength has not changed. It''s your sword that''s upsetting me. I''m upset ......?¡¡Don''t be silly. I''m upset ...... because of what you said! Luino''s expression was one of anger. In spite of his words, he is showing more emotion than ever before - a person I had no idea what he was thinking about. But the fact that he is angry proves one thing. Iris was telling the truth, and Luino couldn''t deny it. That''s why he''s so angry. This is understandable because Iris once pointed out her vengeance to Alta. She believes that Rui No is just like Iris. Iris flicks Luino''s sword and launches a series of blows. Luino blocks it and dodges. He immediately tries to counterattack, but Iris doesn''t allow it. He swung quickly, giving Luino no time to counterattack. The speed of the swords should have been almost the same, but now Iris has the upper hand. Luino leaps to distance himself from Iris. You''ll be able to see the difference in the way they look. His demeanor has changed from the relaxed attitude he had just now. Iris is not going to chase after Luino. This will anger Luino again. "Ha, ha, ......, why didn''t you come after me?¡¡It was a great opportunity. "Because ...... I''m not going to win by shaking you up. I wasn''t expecting you to be so upset. Upset?¡¡You can''t just assume that. I''m ...... on the side of the weak?¡¡That''s funny. I never think about weak people. Because weak people have to be eliminated. On the battlefield, the weakest people die first.¡¡So-- When Luino continued to say that much, a look of shock appeared on his face and he stopped speaking. As if to stop him from slipping up. "Because it''s ......? "......, that''s bullshit. With a thump, Luino kicks the ground. In the event that you have any questions regarding where and the best way to use the site, please contact us. When he reaches a height of more than ten meters, he turns around and sticks to the wall of magic he created, just as he did before. This time in the direction of Iris. And he put an extraordinary amount of magic into the blade. I''m going to end this on ...... because talking to you is getting on my nerves. I''m done. I''m sure you''ll be able to understand what I mean. His grandfather and parents were also sword wielders, and Luino was given a sword that he used with great care. One day, she would be famous as a swordswoman...she was very straightforward, despite her ungirlish wishes. If someone is in trouble, she will help them. That''s what Rui No was, and even at a young age, she was able to help others as a matter of course. --Luino changed when her family was murdered. The first one he lost was his mother. Although he was grieving, his grandfather was kind to him and encouraged him. Even though he lost his mother, his kind grandfather was always there to support him. I can still vividly remember ...... when my grandfather, who would always greet me with a smile, was lying in a pool of blood. He lost his beloved grandfather and his father at that time. All Luino felt was helplessness. (Why ...... why why why--) Rather than despairing, Luino just thought. Why did this happen? ...... Both his grandfather and parents were better swordsmen than Luino. There is a reason why you lose. The one who loses is weaker. My grandfather once told me. "On the battlefield, those who are chosen by the Grim Reaper die first. The Reaper? Yeah, no matter how much you want to live, if he finds you, you''re dead. Have you ever seen the Grim Reaper, Grandpa? Yes, he has. Well, me and the Grim Reaper were very close!¡¡That''s why I''m still here with my beautiful grandson. --But my grandfather is dead. Is that what it means to be chosen by the Grim Reaper? He said he was friends with the grim reaper, and yet he was killed. Then what do you do? It''s simple--be strong. If you believe that you are chosen by the Reaper to be killed, then get the power to kill even the Reaper, or even God. It doesn''t matter if it''s a god or a demon. Luino wished for the power to slay everything, and so he gained the power. Absolute strength to subdue all the strong. Luino continues to kill the strong. That''s what Luino wants to do, to eliminate the existence of the Reaper. And now he has it - no one can prevent him from using this sword. The name of the sword is. The name of the sword is "The God Slayer"! Like a single blade. Rui No jumped towards Iris. I''ll be back. I''ve always wanted to be a "friend of justice" like my father. I thought I would be able to do that one day, and I thought my father would watch over Iris as a matter of course. But when Garlo was killed in front of her eyes, Iris changed her mind. Now that Garlo is gone, someone has to take his place on the side of justice. The only person who can take his place is ...... himself. But when she met Alta, she changed her mind. She now has a clear goal to fight to protect others and to become the ...... strongest knight. So these days, I often think about the past. I''ve been thinking about the old days a lot lately, and I''ve been thinking about one technique that Garro showed me, wielding the Shiden perfectly. "Wow, wow!¡¡How did you do that? "This is... It''s a trick I invented. Your father? Yeah. Does Iris believe in ...... God? God. ......? Yes. In the world of swords, a ...... "sword saint" might be the equivalent. I''d like to get that kind of strength too. Who was your father''s admirer? I''m not sure what to make of it. In terms of swordplay, I guess you could say I admire him. But I''m going to be me and wield my sword to protect the ...... people. That''s why I''ve decided to borrow the name of a god for this technique. It''s the name of the ...... god who is fierce but more gentle than anyone else. Many people are afraid of lightning, but I intend to protect people with this sword. The young Iris did not understand all of Garro''s words. However, the words "protect the people" clearly remained in Iris''s memory and she inherited them. Even though he has only seen the technique once, it is etched in his mind. "Thunder God". A rumbling sound dominates, and Iris swings a blade that shines strongly in purple. 114 114. Winners Choice, Losers Right At the moment the blades met, a roar echoed around them. A blade of magic and a flash of lightning--blade against blade, the moment passed in an instant. Rui No, who had fallen from the air with great force, rolled on the ground and eventually fell down. The blade of the sword he was holding was snapped. In the meantime, Iris, who had shaken off the purple light, stood with her feet firmly planted. I''m not sure what to say. I''m not sure what to make of it. I''m not sure if you''ve heard of it or not, but I have. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. But... "...... He collapsed again with a thud. Iris was already nearing her limit. This is the first time I''ve ever seen such a thing. This is the first time Iris has ever been so exhausted by a single swing. But even so, there was no way he was going to fall yet. She walked out slowly and stood in front of Luino. My ...... wins. You can''t decide who wins ...... until one of you dies. Although he can barely move, Luino looks up and sees Iris. The eyes are not yet admitting defeat - even in this state, Luino still intends to fight. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. I''m not sure if I''m going to be able to do it, but I''m going to try. If you want to stop me... "Kill me?¡¡Let me get this straight. You''ve lost to me. A loser can''t just choose to die. Like now. I don''t think Luino will choose to kill himself, but I don''t think he has the strength to do it. She had given her all in the clash with Iris and lost. There was nothing she could do about it now. Iris continues. If you still want to go after Dr. Schweizer, that''s fine. But one thing - you''ve lost to me. Schweizer is much stronger than I am. So much so that I''m learning to sword ...... from him. I''m his student. I''m his disciple. Don''t think you have the right to fight him because you lost to me, his disciple. I don''t have that right. ......? No, you don''t. At least, not until you can defeat me - you don''t have that right. If you want to fight Dr. Schweizer, you must first become strong enough to defeat me. The difference in power between Iris and Ruino was almost nonexistent. The difference in power between Iris and Ruino was minimal. This time, Iris was only slightly stronger than Ruino. Knowing this, Iris said it clearly. She knew that she was putting herself in danger - Arutha was Iris''s bodyguard, and it would be normal for Arutha to fight Rui No before fighting Iris. But Iris doesn''t intend to just be protected. She wanted to be able to protect Arutha in the same way that Arutha protects Iris. --This is the first step. This is the first step. Rui No smiles when he hears Iris'' words. I''m not sure if I''m going to be able to do that. It''s true what they say, isn''t it? I''ve been defeated by you. He stopped Ruino from getting up. He rolled over and looked up at the sky. After a moment of silence, he points his broken sword at Iris. I''m going to go after you ...... next, okay?¡¡If you let me live, I''ll keep aiming for you. And you''re sure you won''t kill me? "Yes, if you''re only going after me, ...... I won''t kill you. I''ll fight and beat you again and again. So tell me how you really feel. "......Really? Why do you want to fight a strong man? I didn''t get a clear answer from Luino. She didn''t know if he would answer, but Iris needed to know. If she really was just a girl who genuinely enjoyed fighting, then she would have to settle things with Rui No completely sooner or later. When Luino let out a small breath at Iris'' question. It''s the first time I''ve ever been asked something like that. I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that. If I''m the strongest, no one else will get hurt. When he finished, Rui No weakens and drops the sword in his hand. I think he was at the end of his rope with his consciousness, and I was finally able to find out what he was really thinking. She is still the same as Iris. The only difference is that the process and method of becoming strong is different from Iris. That''s all I need to know. "...... ha! I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not. It was already too late to stand still - but Iris still had work to do. At the top of the lighthouse, there''s Alta. The Swordsmen must still be out there. Iris must defeat all the swordsmen who are after him. (......!) When he thought about it, Iris got a huffy expression on her face. If you''re in a situation where you''ve reached your limit and you go to Arta, you''ll probably only be slowing her down. You can find a lot of things that you can do to make your life easier. --If you still can''t do it, you can count on me. Those were Alta''s words. Iris was able to "win without killing". But he still doesn''t have the strength to do ...... that and still protect Alta. He is still in a position to rely on Arta. And that''s what Iris herself believes. Because Arutha is the "strongest knight" in the kingdom. Stronger than Iris, stronger than Garro. He believes that he can never be defeated. (Sorry, sir. I''ll leave the rest to you. Iris tightened her grip on the purple light and pointed the tip of her sword toward the top of the lighthouse. I''ve done all I can do right now. I''m sure you''ll be able to find something that will work for you. 115 115. Answers to reach Even from the top of the lighthouse, I could tell it was settled. With his back to the fallen Luino, Iris was pointing her sword at me. I could feel that she was victorious and that she would leave the rest to me. I responded to her by pulling out the Blue Armor Sword on my hip and pointing the tip of the blade at Iris. I''m sure you got it. ...... Oh dear. I''m not sure what to do. I''m not sure what to make of it. Then he drank his drink again. Apparently, he really believed that Rui No would win. He quietly put down the gourd. Luino was definitely in the lead until halfway through. But I guess he was impatient. I don''t think we should have tried to end it so soon. What do you think? "It may have been a quick decision, yes. But if we had fought like that, it would have been Iris who would have won anyway. Iris is a girl who can always grow in battle. In the current battle, as Riggles said, at first Luino had the upper hand. But it was Iris who, within a few blows, caught up to and surpassed Luino''s blow. And then, for the last time, it was Iris who stood still, both of them having expended all their strength. It''s not going to change the outcome no matter what you and I talk about. You defeated Luino, that''s the fact and the truth. She faced what she wanted and she got it. Something to aim for, hey ....... It''s true that the battle between Iris and Luino was Luino''s to lose. I''m sure the battle between Iris and Luino is Luino''s to lose. ...... I think you mean the next battle between me and Riggles. "Okay. Now it''s time for you and I to settle our differences. Honestly, I don''t think I''ll be able to beat you. Riggus said this while stroking the hilt of his sword at his waist. I''m sure he''s the only one in the Swordsmen who''s given up before the fight. But first, let''s hear the truth. "...... truth? The ...... story that made you into the Luino you are today. Oh!¡¡Oh, that story! Riggles clasped his hands together as if remembering. I needed to hear that story. I don''t really have anything special to say. I don''t know where to start. ...... Let''s keep it simple. What happened to the rest of Luino''s family? Luino''s grandfather, Souki, is dead, Luino told me. His son, Riggles, is still alive and belongs to an organization called the Swordsmen, and his daughter, Luino, is living a life of shura. How could that man''s family go down such a path? Except me. Well, ...... to put it simply, my wife - Luino''s mother - is dead. My father, ......, was murdered by one of the people who tried to kill him. "Your father''s ".¡¡Your father''s ....... Souki shared many battlefields with my previous life, Raoul Isaruf. In that sense, I''m sure there were times when he held a grudge that threatened my life. I''ve lived a similar life, and I''ve defeated everyone who stood before me. But Souki had chosen a life with his family and had gone into hiding. The man he was looking for was a knight from a defeated country that his father had helped ...... in the war. Vengeance is an amazing thing. "The man I was looking for was a knight from a defeated country that my father had worked for. And he took my wife''s life. How he got there, Riggles never says. He doesn''t say how he got there, because that would be enough to convey the fact that his wife had died. But that''s not enough. "Was your ...... father killed then, too? No, my father was killed by me. No, it was me who killed him. My eyes widen in surprise. It was his son, Riggles, who killed Souki. ...... How can that be? It''s nothing to be surprised about. As you can see, I am not a man of great swordsmanship. At the time, I was probably weaker than most soldiers in the country. But ...... I got stronger in my own way. Riggles smiled and continued. I''m surprised. I was surprised. I was vengeful - I wanted to kill the man who killed my wife. I grabbed my sword and got stronger. Oh, I''ve never felt that a person can be made strong by something as simple as ...... ''a feeling''. The man who killed my wife, he dared to run away. He probably hoped that my father would have the same desire for revenge and come to fight. But he didn''t. On the contrary, he told me to stop taking revenge. Whose fault was it, I thought to myself ....... He let out a big breath and looked away from Riggles. It was in the direction of Iris and Luino. That''s when it occurred to me. Even I got enough power to slay and kill my grandfather. So what would happen to a little girl?¡¡Apparently, losing my mother wasn''t enough for him. ...... So he made me lose my grandfather, too, and faked my death. You took everything away from my daughter Luino? No, I didn''t. As a father, I gave Luino the absolute power of vengeance. To put it bluntly, the result was a success. In just a few short years, Luino buried the man who killed my wife without a second thought. That was my doing, too. But I knew that Luino could still be strong. "...... I see. So that''s why you created the Swordsmen. I thought it was Adil Gratz who created the Swordsmen. I thought that Adil Gratz created the Swordsmen, a group of battle-hungry maniacs who love to fight to the death, but now I understand. The Swordsmen were created by Riggles. "It was actually you who created them, Adil. I was just encouraging him to do so. He liked fighting more than anything. The same people naturally came together. It''s ...... a shame that you and Adil are the only ones who got him. I''m not sure what to make of this, but I''m sure it''s a good idea. Yes!¡¡Yes, that''s right. The opportunity for Luino to become stronger would have to come from ...... me. After all, unlike me, he has talent. I can''t let it go to waste. Well, I guess that didn''t work out too well. I can''t believe I lost to Iris, the Princess of Swords. Oddly enough, it was ironic to lose to a girl named after the Sword Saint that my father used to talk about. "Why did you let your daughter choose such a path? You could have chosen to live with her. You could have chosen to live with her." Souki chose ...... that path, and that''s why he didn''t choose the path of revenge. He may have planned to settle the matter himself eventually. But he was a man who cared about his family. That''s why he couldn''t leave his son to fall into shura. At my words, Riggles gives a small sigh. There is no such path. Becoming stronger than anyone else is the only way for Luino to live a happy life. That''s why even the Sword Saint was able to live because he was as strong as anyone else. There''s nothing wrong with that. Besides, what''s the point of talking about this now?¡¡Do you deny ...... vengeance when you have gained so much power as a child? I don''t deny revenge. I don''t deny revenge. It''s a way to become stronger. Right? Revenge can make you stronger. The Swordsman became strong because he had nothing... that''s one fact. But you know, there are girls who can become that strong just by wanting to protect someone ....... In your own words, it''s a great feeling. Iris Reinfell - the daughter of a great nobleman, once tried to become strong on the path of revenge. But she didn''t choose that path and made it this far. Her existence is proof to me that I can be strong in other ways besides revenge. ...... What''s the point of saying that?¡¡You''re not asking me to protect Luino right now, are you? If you choose that path, I promise to support you as a knight. I answer clearly. Because that is what I can do for the man who once called me friend. After a moment of silence, Riggles begins to speak in a muttered voice. I''ve never thought of that.¡¡I hadn''t thought of that. But it won''t. But that''s not going to happen. I don''t know why you''re trying to stick up for us. But like I said in the beginning, ...... I''m a swordsman and you''re a knight. It''s also an unchangeable fact, and I''ve already made up my mind. You know you can''t win, but you choose to do so. That''s what swordsmen are for. Besides, ...... Luino is still alive. I''ll kill you, I''ll kill Iris over there, and ...... I''ll pave the way for Luino again. And for that, I will win, even if the fight is unwinnable. This is the same idea as Adil, the man who is no longer with us. These are the swordsmen, those who can only choose to fight, even if they know they cannot win. Riggles drew his sword and finally entered his battle stance. "I see. Then we don''t need to ask any more questions. Riggles Tomra - no, Riggles Harvey. I''ve deemed you an enemy to be eliminated. As a knight, I will bury you. --It was the only thing I could do for a man who had already gone so far astray. 116 116. Her Growth At the top of the lighthouse, we could feel the sea breeze. Occasionally, a strong breeze would blow, bringing with it the pleasant scent of the sea. ......, but I''m not in a situation to enjoy it right now. I pulled out my "blue armored sword" and Riggles, who was facing me, also pulled out his sword on his hip. The pale blade of the sword is illuminated by the sun. Riggles stopped moving as soon as I held the sword level with the ground. I tightened my grip on the hilt of my sword and took up my stance. The sound of the waves reaches my ears. After a few waves, Riggles moved. He took a large step forward and swung the blade as if it were sliding. I swung my blade in response. The first blow. Blade collides with blade, cancelling out each other''s blows. Second blow. I swung slightly faster, and Riggles just barely blocked it. Riggles tilts the blade further, slides it, and flicks it. When I was slightly out of position, he struck again to take advantage. Each of Riggles'' blows was fast and sure to strike at my life. I fall backwards to catch them. Riggles'' blade is completely subdued, and we both stop moving. "You don''t use magic? "Same as Luino, I do. I use magic sometimes, but I''m not good at it. Pure swordsmanship - that''s all I''ve got. You should be using magic, not just swordplay. "No, I''m a swordsman by nature. No, I''m a swordsman by nature. If you don''t want to use tricks, then neither do I. The only thing that exists is the skill that you have honed by wielding the sword. There is no room for magic in this, and Riggles wants us to fight with our beliefs. In that case, I must answer. Just like the man who was once called the "Sword Saint" wanted. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m going to do it. "Hmph. I''m sure you''ve heard of it. And then he moved away. This time I move. I close the distance and swing my sword down. The moment Riggles catches it, my offensive begins. "......! What I unleashed was simply a fast sword strike. The power of each blow is low, but even so, it can slice through flesh just by grazing it, and cut down to the bone if it goes deep enough. Riggles was on the verge of receiving it. --The power he gained from his revenge was enough to take my swordplay. ...... That''s all. "Ha! I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not, but it''s a good idea. It''s a place where you''re about to fall from the top. "...... I see. This is the swordplay that killed Adil and the others. Zenas said I could beat him, but ...... well, maybe I''m not in that league. That''s the path you''ve chosen. I''m not going to ask, ''Do you want to surrender now? I''m not going to ask him if he wants to surrender now, because I already know that he will not choose that path. I''m not going to ask him if he wants to surrender now. It was different from the stance he had just taken. He bends low and takes an animalistic stance, just like Luino. And I''ve seen that stance before on the battlefield. The Blade Beast-- Souki Tomura. The son and granddaughter of the man who once called me friend take the same stance as ....... (Souki ...... certainly seems to have inherited your skills. But the heart--he didn''t seem to inherit it.) I also grip my sword tightly and reposition it. Holding the hilt with both hands, I put my left foot forward. I held the hilt in both hands and put my left foot forward, the blade pointing diagonally to the ground, my arms relaxed. It seems to me that if I continue to fight like this,......, I won''t stand a chance. So I''m going to put everything I have into one sword. This one blow will kill you. "Oh, come on. Riggles put all his strength into his legs. He springs to his feet and leaps to the side. He closes the distance in my direction in an instant and runs his blade horizontally. I step forward and raise my sword. The sound that echoed around me was the sound of a sword breaking. Just one sword. Riggles moves behind me with his momentum. If it was Rui No, he might have created a wall of magic power to follow up. But even if he used the same technique - that time will never come again. "...... I look at the blade of the Blue Armor Sword. It''s a great way to make sure you don''t get caught in the middle. "Hahahahaha!¡¡So, this is the culmination of my ...... work. Riggles smiles broadly. I turn around and look at him. He''s still not looking at me. With trembling hands, he clutched the hilt of his broken sword. The fresh blood flowing out was unstoppable, and it was easy to understand that this man Riggles was on his way to death. Because my blow surpassed his blow. But even in this situation, Riggles seems to really enjoy talking. "I was able to break the sword. That''s a very nice thing. I''m the ...... one!¡¡I''m a man who has defeated many fierce men, including you, Adil!¡¡I was able to break the sword of the man who defeated the fiercest of the fierce, including Adil. ...... I''m not sure what to say. I''m not going to ask you if you''re satisfied with that. The end of the power obtained by the heart of revenge ......, only Riggles can understand that feeling. The only thing I want to ask the dying man is. "What would you like to say to Luino, your daughter? "To Luino?¡¡To Luino. ......? Yeah, ....... Riggles looks up at the sky as if he is lost in thought. Then, after a few moments of silence. The last blow. It''s so beautiful. He falls to the ground with a thud. The battle was over, quietly. Riggus was dead, and I was the only one left. I''m sorry. Souki......, I killed one of your family members. But the other one... Sir! Sir!¡¡Mr. Iris? I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not, but it''s a good idea. When Iris saw me, she looked relieved. I''m glad you''re okay. ...... What? I take my hand off the ladder and Iris loses her balance. I quickly ran underneath Iris. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m going to do it. ...... It was really close. ......I''m sorry. I was so relieved that I lost my strength. ....... I saw the broken blade of your sword. Apparently, he had come to see the broken tip of the blue armored sword. I was watching Iris'' fight to the end. I''m sure she didn''t even have the strength to make it this far. I know you''re worried about ....... For me, this was the most frustrating part of the day. ...... I''m so sorry. I''ll pull you up first! I pull Iris up to the top of the lighthouse with all my strength. Iris immediately slumped down. She seems to have really used up all her strength to get here. "Thank you, thank you ....... "You can wait down at ...... at all. I''ll be right down. I didn''t think you''d lose. But then I realized I was here. ...... Well, that''s just like you. But you''re right, I won''t lose. That''s a promise. When I called myself the strongest in the kingdom, I made a promise to Iris. As long as I''m a knight, defeat would be a violation of that promise. --Until Iris becomes the strongest, I will remain the strongest. I''ve watched you fight from here. I''ve watched you fight from here. You''ve been very reckless, haven''t you? "...... was the best I could do. And I''m sorry I acted on my own. You''ve been apologizing for a while now. I''m sorry. I put my hand on Iris''s head. She did a great job today. I understand that. There''s no need to apologize. You''ve done a great job. "Oh, um, ......?¡¡I don''t like being treated like a child. ...... Are you bad at that?¡¡I wanted to make my praise as clear as possible. I''m not sure if Iris is young enough to appreciate a pat on the head. I immediately try to pull my hand away, but Iris takes my hand and places it on her head again. "Well, I''d like you to ...... me for a minute. She says with a slightly downcast look in her eyes. I smiled and nodded. "Yes. You''ve done a really good job. You''ve done a really good job. You''ve made my life a lot easier this time. I really want to protect you, but ...... you''re my escort, right? You''re my bodyguard, aren''t you? But this time, I prioritized my position as a sword master. That''s not fair. But thanks to you, I think I''m a little closer to my dream. Iris says with a smile. This is not the end of the battle, at least not yet. There is still the matter of Tomra and Luino, and there are still two swordsmen left. Still, for now, he decided to genuinely rejoice in Iris'' growth. 117 117. Complete mission and...... After a short rest at the top of the lighthouse, Iris and I descended from the lighthouse. We met up with Remyll, who was waiting there. "First of all, you''ve done well. You are indeed my trusted knight. I only killed one of them this time. It was mostly thanks to you, Iris. Well, I''m not ...... Iris'' cheeks stained with embarrassment as she listened to my words. Perhaps she is not accustomed to being praised. I''m not sure what to say. "Miss Reinfell. It may be true that you saved me this time. But you must refrain from acting without regard for your own safety. But you''re still a student. And you''re also one of the candidates for the King. I''m sorry about that ....... I''m sorry about that." Remyll''s words made Iris look as if she was going to argue with him, but she honestly apologized. It is true that Iris''s actions were risky, but it was also true. My praise for her is based on my position as a teacher. It is necessary for some people to condemn Iris for her dangerous behavior. Remyll has taken that position, I suppose. I took care of the area around the lighthouse, and the other members of the Order were deployed elsewhere. As long as there were at least two ¡¶Swordsmen¡· left, the composition would inevitably be unbalanced. Because aside from me, the only person who could handle it was Remyll. Iris showed a slightly depressed expression. I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that. But I''m glad you''re okay. ...... But I''m glad you''re okay. ...... Well, thank you, thank you. Iris looks a little surprised. I''m not sure what to say, but I''m sure you''ll understand. I''m sure you''ll be pleased to know that I''m not the only one who''s a fan of your work. ...... Iris''s father, Garlo Rheinfell, was also Remyll''s superior officer. I''m not sure what to make of that. "Commander, where''s Luino? "He hasn''t woken up yet. We''re going to take him into custody and bring him to the capital for now. This mission is now complete. ......?¡¡I believe there are still two swordsmen left. Yeah, about that... Iris? It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re doing. It''s Aria. Aria! I''m not sure what to do, but I''m going to do it. Iris loses her balance and almost falls, but seems to have already recovered her strength to hold on. He hugged Aria and gently stroked her head. I''m sorry. I''m sorry I worried you. "...... It''s true. But I believe in Iris and the doctor. Aria nuzzled her face into Iris''s chest and said, "I''ll be there from the top of the lighthouse. I''ve been checking on them from the top of the lighthouse. Aria was doing her best to protect her classmate Miney Lotto. She should be thanked as well. Where is Miss Lotto? He''s still resting at the inn. He''s fine. Well, that''s a relief. Iris is injured. I''m fine. I''m a little - a lot tired. I''ll give you a massage when I get back. Really?¡¡Thank you. Miss Reinfell, have the first-aid team take a look at your injuries. Aria, take care of Miss Reinfeld. Okay. Iris, should we go? Yeah, okay. Doctor, let me check on the situation later. Yes, all right. Right now, you need to concentrate on your injuries. Accompanied by Aria, Iris went to the first aid station. Iris must have known that there were still two swordsmen left. He may have originally intended to listen to what they had to say here. Once again, he continued to talk with Remyll, who was still there. What do you mean by "mission accomplished"? "Yes. I just received a call from another order. "...... Another order? The Kuro Wolf Knights, or rather you, were originally assigned to this town with the information that there were swordsmen here as well as swordsmen targeting you. But as I said, the other knights were also working to deal with the swordsmen. The other two were killed earlier by another knight. "Oh!¡¡I see. I was a little surprised to hear that. It seems that there were only three swordsmen who came to this town. Therefore, when I defeated Riggles, the swordsmen were all wiped out. But... Are you surprised?¡¡Is it surprising that the other knights defeated the Swordsmen? Remyil said. I nod and answer. "Yes. It is true that the ability of the five knight captains is enough to fight the swordsmen. But I think it would be difficult for ...... one person to defeat them alone. The same goes for Remyll. I''m not sure what to make of that. I know that eventually, the rest of the swordsmen will come after me. So I thought I would be the one to defeat them all. ....... I was surprised, to be honest. I was surprised to learn that the other knights had a level of skill that would allow them to defeat the swordsmen single-handedly. "Alone? But to be honest, that would be a great help. My role is over now. Ah. It''s true that having the strength of the kingdom is a good thing,....... Remyll makes a thoughtful gesture. Is there a problem? "...... Yes. You don''t pay much attention to the Order''s affairs. Maybe it''s time for an explanation. After all, Miss Reinfell is involved. "Miss Iris? Yes. As you may have guessed, the Order of the Kuro Wolf gives priority to the protection of Miss Reinfell. It''s not because she''s in our control zone. We''re trying to protect her in the compartment that we control. Remyll says. The meaning of his words was something that I could understand to some extent now. After all, in the past, the guardians of the royal palace, known as the Guardian Knights, had been in charge of Zeir Tiroku. 118 118. Two Knights The time goes back to before Remyll received the report. After one of the two Swordsmen - Dilo Clover - broke through the fortress controlled by the kingdom, he used the nearby area as a base for a diversion. The three Swordsmen are gathered under Alta Schweizer. Dillo''s role was to disperse the forces of the kingdom, and it can be said that he has done so. A knight looked down at Dillo, who was lying on the ground and sinking into a sea of his own blood. "So this is the Swordsmen. Well, they certainly look the part. I''m not sure what to make of it, but I''m sure it''s worth it. Shaking off the blood that has stuck to his sword, Wendell puts it away. The traces of battle remain all around. The sword blows that were carved here and there were all left by a man named Dillo. Wembel swung only a few blows. Only a few strikes were necessary to slay Dillo. "Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!¡¡That was quite a showy fight! Another knight arrives before Wennberg. The uniforms they wore were different from each other - no wonder, since they belonged to different orders. The one who comes in is a muscular man with his hair brushed back. His uniform was torn and soaked with blood, as if he had just fought. Goz Dancris, the man who, like Wembel, had defeated the Swordsmen. "Well, since you''re here, ...... did you already kill the other one? Wembel knew this, and asked. Gosu replied with a smirk. "Ha, of course.¡¡Well, it was a good way to pass the time. It''s a good thing that the Red Tiger Knights have the strongest name in the world. It''s a lot of power for an upstart. Hahahaha, right?¡¡Unlike the other districts, there are fights every day in Graphiline. ....... Unlike the other districts, Graffeline has a lot of fights every day, so it can''t be as polite as your place in Barlight. "Hmm, yes. Many people are well-behaved. Many people are well-behaved. I am well-behaved when it comes to swordplay. I can see that!¡¡You don''t seem to be hurt at all, do you? I don''t do what I don''t have to do, that''s what I believe. Huh, so you''re-- you''re a little banged up, aren''t you? Of course I am. A man should be able to fight, right?¡¡There''s no fun in a one-sided fight. That''s not my style. Beautiful and overwhelming, that''s my style of fighting. Is that what you enjoy?¡¡I don''t get it. It''s fun. If you want, you can try it. Wembel says provocatively and holds up. As if in response, Gozu smirked. They were about to start slashing at each other. "As much as I''d like to. I''m not a beast like them. That''s why I''m a knight. Aren''t you? "...... Not a beast, huh? You''re right. Killing each other isn''t a hobby it''s a job as a knight. And it''s not a power we should wield now. We''re on the same side. Wembel replied and relaxed his stance. They already know each other - and they''re working together. It''s not a personal relationship, but a larger ...... organizational connection. They are knights of the same country, but their paths are different. If we''re going to fight, it''s going to be Alta Schweiz before you. The Kuro Wolf Knights have made their position clear in support of Iris Reinfell. "Alta and Iris. I''m not sure what to make of that.¡¡I''ve seen her at a sword fight before. I''ve seen her at a sword fighting tournament before. I can understand why you would support her. In fact, there are a lot of nobles who support that girl, right? "A lot. But that''s only because many of them think she''s going to follow the path of the king ...... and are trying to follow her. If the rumors are true, she will never be king. The rumor is that she wants to be a knight?¡¡Ha, that''s a pretty dream. If she wasn''t in that position, I''d be rooting for her. Unfortunately--she shouldn''t have wanted that position. If she wasn''t in such a position, I would have supported her, but unfortunately - she shouldn''t have wanted the position. ...... She has the right to be a king even though she doesn''t intend to be one, and she''s just a hindrance to us. Therefore, the two orders have colluded. So the two orders colluded, just as the Guardian Order, which protects the heart of the kingdom, supported Zeir Tiroque, the son of the current king. They, in turn, support the would-be king. Iris, in other words, is nothing but a political enemy for the two orders. "It''s silly to fight over something like that, but I have my work cut out for me. Now we''ve shown our strength, haven''t we? "Yeah, that''s right. The Kuro Wolf Knights have Alta Schweizer, who can defeat the Swordsmen single-handedly, a fact that will lower our morale. It was time for us to finally show that we had the power. The fact that there are two people as powerful as Alta who are in cahoots with each other will never become public knowledge. The fact that there are two people who are as powerful as Alta colluding with each other will never become public knowledge, but it will spread as rumors. The nobles who support Iris will also hear about it. "What we want is not conflict, but true peace. We want true peace, not conflict. ...... is here for the peace of this country. "Ha, peace. I hope it comes. I''ll do what I have to do as a knight--that''s why they collude. However, they both understood that in order to obtain true peace, as they said, conflict was necessary. 119 119. One Advance A few days later, I visit a room in a hospital run by the Order. In a private room that is not very spacious. I see a girl staring out the window--Ruino. She glances at me. "......, what do you want? It was a rather curt attitude. I chuckled and sat down on a chair near the bed. "I just came to check on you," he said. "As you can see, I''m fine. Did you come to ...... worry about me? I don''t know. I don''t know. I''ll know I''m fine if he attacks me right away like he did before. ...... I don''t have a sword now. Besides, there are people I have to kill before I can fight you. I''m not sure if I''m going to be able to do that. I''m not sure if you''ve heard of it or not. In the event that you have any kind of questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site. He may have been defeated by Iris and understood anew the fact that he was "kept alive". After a battle, the loser has only ''death''. That''s how he must have been living his life. Losing and surviving were new experiences for Rui No, who had just begun his journey on the path of Shura. He would be confused. "Iris was strong, wasn''t she? "I thought you were naive, ....... I''m not naive. It''s easy to say that you want to protect everyone, but if you really want to do that, you have to be stronger than ...... anyone else. No matter how strong you get, you''ll never be able to save everyone. That''s true. But there is a difference between giving up and not giving up at all. ...... I don''t know what you''re talking about. And I haven''t given up. Yeah, you did. That''s why you''re fighting to be strong. That''s why you''re fighting to get stronger.¡¡But from now on, you''re going to do things a little differently. The ...... way? You will be under the observation of ...... the Order of the Kuro Wolf for a while. You have a record of defeating two swordsmen, but you had a spectacular fight with Iris. It''s not like Iris-san wanted that kind of punishment, but it can''t be helped. "Observation, huh. You really don''t want to kill me, do you? Oh ......, this is the result of your victory, Iris. By the way, what would have happened if I had fought you?¡¡Would you have killed me too? I''m not sure if I''d have been able to do that if I hadn''t had the chance. I know that she is Souki''s granddaughter. I know that. I''ll do it if I have to. I''m the kind of person who can do that. "...... Huh, we both say the same thing. But. But you''re really going to kill me. The air is slightly tense. It seemed as if a fight was about to start, but then Luino threw himself down and lay down on the bed. It''s okay. I''m a loser anyway. ...... I''ll go along with it for now. That would be great. Well, I''ve got to go, but ...... I have one last message for you. "...... message? "Yes, from Riggles Harvey, one of the Swordsmen. "The last blow was beautiful," he said. "...... Hmm. Luino averts his gaze and mutters disinterestedly. You will find a lot of people who have been in the business for a long time. I''m not going to tell him that fact either. But even so, the expression on Luino''s face when he heard those words seemed to be a little bit happy. (I guess everyone is happy when they are praised, right?) I left the hospital room and headed home. I still have a long way to go with Luino, but at least I''m going to keep an eye on her as well. That''s all I can really do for the man who called me his friend. ...... (...... Oh, right--) I finally understand one thing there. (......Oh, right--) I finally understand one thing: Raul Isaruf also considered ...... him a friend. Otherwise, he wouldn''t have gone to all this trouble. (I don''t have much experience with friends, so I guess I''m too late to notice.) I left the hospital, thinking to myself. I left the hospital. I realized once again how good it is to have peaceful days. For the past few days, I have not been called by Remyll, and my work as a teacher at the school has become my main focus. It''s been a long time since I''ve experienced an attempt on my life, but ...... I think it''s best to be able to spend time like this without worry. --It''s not that I don''t have things to worry about, but that''s not what I''m thinking about right now. As I was thinking this, I was about to turn down the hallway when I came upon three girls talking. "Oh, Dr. Schweizer. I''m sure you''ll be glad to hear that. Hi, Arta! Minei greeted me lightly, to which I replied with a wry smile. Miney, you''re the teacher. Yes, Mr. Lotto. Yes, Mr. Lotto. You have to show respect to Mr. Schweizer. "If you say so, Iris. ...... You don''t have to say "sir. Oh, right. I don''t want to call you that. Despite this exchange, Iris and Miney seem to be on good terms. In the past, Miney seemed to have backed down, as if she was afraid. I wonder what''s going on. "It started when Iris saved Miney. And then Iris had a chance to talk to her. "...... I see. "I see." Aria tells me in her ear, and I understand. Iris rescued Miney - apparently, she was able to get closer to her classmate because of what happened then. I was afraid that it might be the other way around. Miney was wondering if there was ''something'' between Iris and the teacher. "...... Something?¡¡What''s something? What are Aria and the doctor talking about all this time? ! Aria reacts in a small way to being called out unexpectedly. I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not. ...... I wonder if she''s doing this on purpose. I sometimes wonder if she is doing this on purpose. I''m not sure. The next thing Aria said convinced me. Aria is doing this on purpose. "Yes, yes. Secret talk in front of me, right. With the teacher. ...... Iris glances at me. It''s not like we''re talking about anything secret. What were you talking about with Aria, doctor? "It''s nothing important, sir. It''s just... Doctor, don''t say. But when I tried to answer, Aria stopped me. Aria stopped me. Iris looked at Aria with a raised eyebrow. What?¡¡Is there something you''re hiding? I''m hiding it for Iris. "For me ......?¡¡There''s nothing you have to hide from me! Iris crowded Aria. Seeing this, Miney tried to admonish her. "Well, well, well. I''m sure you have a secret or two to tell! "That''s true, but ...... Jealous? A jealousy?¡¡No, not at all. I just don''t like to be hidden. Iris reacted blatantly to Aria''s words. And then she looked at me again. To Iris, I tried to hide the fact that I was being targeted. Maybe she still cares about that. No, I really didn''t say anything to hide. Aria, please don''t do anything rude. "Yeah. I was just teasing Iris. Don''t do that ...... thing again. But I''m more interested in the relationship between Iris and the doctor!¡¡I don''t see either of you at the beach anymore. I''m sorry.¡¡It''s ....... Iris is slightly upset. I''m not sure if you''ve heard of it, but I''m sure you''ve heard of it. The relationship between me and my teacher... The only relationship between me and my teacher is that he taught her to swim when she couldn''t. "What ......?¡¡You can''t swim ......? What ......?¡¡Aria, Aria!¡¡You''re not going to get away with this!¡¡You can''t escape! As Aria sashayed away, Iris chased after her. Minei also hurriedly chased after them. ...... Apparently, Iris and Aria are now feeling a little more comfortable with their classmates. It may be a way to prevent people from finding out about our relationship, but it''s still a step in the right direction. But "Please don''t run in the hallway. I''ll get mad. It may be pointless to say this to those kids who have already run away, but I''ll say something like an instructor. I made up my mind to take it easy for a while and enjoy my days. 120 120. Broken Hekiko Sword The youngest knight in the kingdom - his name is only known to those who know him. Of course, if you belong to the Kuro Wolf Knights, you''re probably aware of him to some extent. Even so, if you don''t have a chance to work with them, you won''t have a chance to talk to them, and most of the missions that I, Alta Schweizer, have performed have been on my own. Recently, other members of the Order have been helping me more and more, I guess. There is a store that I often visit. "Wow, ...... costs quite a bit, doesn''t it? "Well, when it comes to the top-end stuff, it''s bound to cost a lot. I look at the invoice and frown. The place where I am now is ....... It is located a little far from the school and is run by a blacksmith named Barnes. He also works on difficult items and has been useful for checking the condition of swords in this area. But this time, ......, it''s not going to be so easy. Not long ago, I had my beloved Hekko Sword broken in a battle with Riggles Harvey of the Swordsmen. Not only was the blade chipped off, but the blade itself was broken. I knew it was not an easy thing to fix, but ....... I''m sure you''ll be able to find something that works for you. And if it''s broken, you''ll need a new ...... material. That''s how much it''ll cost, even if I''m being conservative. Well, that''s true. I agree with the words of the blacksmith Barnes. The ore used to make the blue armor sword, called herendite, is quite rare. If the material itself is rare, it will be quite expensive to repair it. But I can''t afford not to fix a broken sword anyway. Besides, there was something I could say to make me feel better. I had no choice. I''ll just leave the repair request as it is. Yes, the damage was caused during the mission. If that''s the case, you can apply for my broken sword as a necessary expense of the Order. You can also repair the sword without worrying about the rather exorbitant price. It''s not often that a sword is broken, but there are times like this. If I had to pay for it every time it broke, I''d be in debt rather than comfortable. ...... In that sense, if it hadn''t been for the expense, I would probably be using only ''swords that can be broken'' right now, for lack of a better word. I''m going to keep the sword for a while, do you need a replacement? "No, I''m fine. No, I''m fine. I''m sure the Order can find a suitable one. Yes. By the way, breaking this sword is quite a showy thing to do, isn''t it? It''s not that flashy, but... But I didn''t think it would break either. "You broke ......? Suddenly, as if to interrupt my words, the girl''s voice reaches my ears. It was a familiar voice to me. --It was a voice that sounded familiar to me. I could feel a feeling similar to a desire to kill near the entrance of Naksanjiba. I know there is a presence of people, but I can''t figure out who it is. I never expected her to be here, much less at ....... "...... Chloe? I''ll call her the name of a girl with long, beautiful blonde hair tied up on either side and red eyes. She usually has a cute expression on her face, but her brow wrinkles up in anger. I intuitively know I''m in trouble. Before I could ask her why she was here. "Hey, did you ...... break the Blue Armor Sword, by any chance? As if to confirm, the girl asks. Chloe Schweizer, my sister-in-law, asks me the same question again. I let out a small sigh. I let out a small sigh, "If it''s already inevitable, I''ll just tell her the truth. "Yeah, I broke it. "............ Oh, you didn''t break it!¡¡You stupid brother-in-law! The next moment, he cursed me just as I thought he would. 121 121. Sister and Sister "Can you explain what you mean? I smiled at my sister, Chloe, who glared at me. I told her not to argue with me there, as it would disturb the blacksmith. Chloe, despite her harsh language, agreed with my opinion and is now at a nearby cafe. What''s more... Why is Chloe here? I''m the one who''s asking the questions!¡¡Why is the Blue Armor broken?¡¡I''m sure you''ll be able to figure it out.¡¡Breaking it is ...... unheard of! I''m not sure what to make of it. I''m not sure if you''ve heard of it or not, but I''ve heard of it. Therefore, I''m not in a position to hold the azure sword, as I should be. This was a gift from the ...... Schweizer family to me as the youngest knight of the kingdom. However, my sister Chloe did not seem to agree with this fact. It''s a job to fight. Sometimes you have to break. "Breaks sometimes?¡¡Maybe you didn''t use it well enough. I''m a little embarrassed to hear you say that. --It''s true that I could have avoided being broken if I''d been better at it. It''s true that if I''d stood my ground better, he wouldn''t have broken me. But there''s nothing I can do about telling Chloe what a swordsman should do. There''s only one thing I can do. I''m sorry. I''m sorry, but I had to break it anyway. "......". That''s why you didn''t deserve that sword. That sword belongs to your sister! Chloe grumbles, picks up her cup, and sips her coffee. Chloe grumbled, picked up her cup and sipped her coffee, her brow furrowed and a look of obvious disapproval on her face. I have sugar and milk. "No, thanks. I''m not a child anymore. I''m not a child anymore. I''m a daughter of the Schweizer family and I have to show that I''m not ashamed of it. Not making the coffee sweet is not an "unashamed appearance". It is rather childish to think that way, but ...... Chloe will get angry if I say that, so I''ll keep quiet. Chloe and I ...... don''t get along, to put it bluntly. I don''t dislike her, but Chloe dislikes me outright. When we first met, Chloe was a shy girl. Now she''s this bright and aggressive girl. You''re talking about your sister-in-law, so she''s coming with you? ...... That''s right. I told her I could go by myself, but she wouldn''t listen. I''m sure she wouldn''t have let Chloe come here by herself. I think it was her sister who was planning to come to King''s Landing, not Chloe. ...... I''m sure you''re not the only one.¡¡I don''t think so. No way. I said I''d come with you, but you got lost so easily. ...... I''m sorry to say it, but that''s one of the funny things about these sisters. Chloe''s sister and my sister-in-law, Marielle Schweizer. As the next head of the family, she worries about Chloe and is always with her. However, she has a tendency to wander off whenever I take my eyes off her. In the past, when Chloe started crying for Mariel, she would often come back to her with a kind expression on her face. It was almost like a match pump. But now Chloe never cries, even when she''s alone. ...... Mariel disappears and doesn''t come back anytime soon. This means that Chloe is now looking for Mariel. The reason why Chloe came to the blacksmith shop is probably because she is looking for Mariel. Mariel could be anywhere, but the blacksmith and weapon shop are more likely. I knew that much, too. I''ll find your sister-in-law later. ...... Do you know how Chloe got here? "Yes, I do. But I''m not going to tell you until I meet up with my sister. You have to help me find her! I said I''ll help you find her. It seems that Chloe doesn''t know why she came to King''s Landing. If that''s the case, then Mariel had her own plans. ...... It''s not every day that she comes to King''s Landing. (I hope it''s not something strange.) In the event that you''ve been living in peace and quiet, the arrival of the Schweizer family is a sign of disquiet. It''s not the same as the crisis we''ve been experiencing, but it''s a different vector. Watching Chloe frown as she sipped her coffee, I let out a small sigh. I hope nothing happens to her. I hope nothing happens to you. I''m not sure what to do. A woman is scurrying around, letting out a big sigh. You can find a lot of people who are interested in this. She is dressed in an all-black one-piece dress and has a troubled look on her face with her hand over her mouth. Even from a distance, you can tell that the woman is beautiful. Her troubled appearance made me think that men would not leave her alone, but it also made it difficult to talk to her. However, seeing such a woman, Iris Reinfell could not ignore her. It''s not often that Iris goes out alone on her days off, but today she was walking alone outside. The reason for this was that he had been told that he could only talk to Iris about it. On his way home from such a confidential conversation, Iris ran into the woman. "Can I help you with ......? I''m sure you''re right... Oh, you''re a very pretty girl. What is your ...... name? What?¡¡My name is Iris Reinfell. You can find a lot of people who are looking for the best way to get the most out of their life. When the woman heard Iris'' name, she smiled kindly and said. "Well, well. You are Iris Reinfell!¡¡You are the daughter of a great nobleman. I must say hello to you as well. The woman pinched the hem of her skirt and barked in an aristocratic manner. As a noblewoman, Iris sometimes behaved in this way, for example, at parties. However, she never greeted him like this in a normal situation, and he looked a little surprised at her movement. The woman continued to speak, leaving Iris to her own devices. My name is Marielle. My name is Marielle. I''m just an ordinary nobleman from everywhere. I''m an ordinary nobleman." "You''re an ordinary ......? You can find noblemen everywhere, can''t you?¡¡Even Iris-sama is here. That may be true, but ...... are you in some kind of trouble, Mariel? Well, ...... well well. Are you worried about me, by any chance? The first thing I did was to ask her if she was in trouble. Iris had first asked if she was in trouble, but it seemed to have been swept under the rug. Once again, he nodded at Mariel''s words. Yes. So, what happened to you, Mariel? I''m not sure what to say, but I''m not sure what to do. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re doing. I''m not sure what to say.¡¡Well, ....... I''m just kidding. I''m sorry. I just wanted to have a little chat with you. No, ...... that''s fine, I''m just curious as to why you''re in trouble. My problem is really quite simple. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for.¡¡I''ve been trying to find her, but I can''t seem to find her. I''m at a loss as to what to do. ...... I don''t know what to do.¡¡It''s not easy to find your sister ....... You need to call out to the nearby knights right away. Don''t be so hasty.¡¡It''s not that I want to make a big deal out of it. It''s just that ...... it would be helpful if you could help me find my sister. ...... I''m not sure what to say, but I''m sure you''ll understand. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m sure I''ll be able to do it. It''s not that I have plans after this. In addition, Iris was going to look for her without being asked. Even if she had plans, Iris would have helped Mariel find her sister. Nodding quickly, Iris replied. If that''s the case, I''ll take care of it. Can you tell me what your sister is like? "My sister is a very pretty girl.¡¡She has a dignified face like you, you know?¡¡I''m sure you''re not the only one. It''s true. Well, not that kind of features. ...... No, I know the features of your hair and your expression. I can tell by her hair and her facial features.¡¡Why don''t we just walk around together and see what we can find? "Yeah, yeah, ......? Mariel takes Iris''s hand and starts walking with her arm around her. I''m not sure if I''m a good person or a bad person. --Iris was thus able to assist in the search for people. 122 122. Meet and Then I leave the cafe and Chloe and I look for my sister-in-law, Marielle. She''s the kind of person who can disappear anywhere and appear anywhere. When she''s found, she''s easy to find, but when she''s not, you can''t find her even if you try. ...... From my point of view, she''s a rather peculiar person. But he has always treated me with the same attitude since we became a family. I also have a strong impression of her as a kind sister to Chloe. On the other hand "Chloe, you don''t have to walk so fast. You''re just walking too slow. I just want to find you and finish my business. As always, Chloe has a spiky ...... attitude. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for and what you can do to help. In Chloe''s eyes, it seems that I, a child with no blood ties, have stolen the sword that her sister Mariel was supposed to inherit. In fact, I can''t blame her for saying that. I refused to accept it once, but not only my father-in-law but also Mariel insisted that I accept it. Therefore, I, who am neither the head nor the next head of the family, have the blue armored sword. However, it is said that if I declare that I will become the head of the family, I will immediately compete with Mariel for the position of the next head of the family. If I declare that I will become the head of the family, I will immediately compete with Mariel for the position as the next head of the family. ...... Rather, Mariel has said to me, "If you will become the head of the family, I will leave it to you. I have no intention of becoming one. Where the hell did my sister go? ...... You''ll never find her if you keep looking. I know, I know!¡¡But how else are we going to find her? Yeah, there''s only one way to find out, but there''s ...... another way. "What? The next moment, Chloe''s expression is one of surprise. I ran up the wall, using a crate in an alleyway nearby as a foothold. The top of the building - if you''re going to look for something, it''s probably easier to find it from a higher place. "Hey, hey!¡¡What the hell are you doing? Chloe''s panicked voice reached my ears, but I only responded with a slight wave of my hand. Right now, I have to find Mariel. Mariel is certainly a mysterious person, but I don''t think she''s too far away from Chloe. At least, she could be found from a certain height. That''s what I was thinking. "!¡¡That''s ....... You immediately see a woman who looks like Mariel. You also notice a familiar girl next to Marielle as she walks along, scurrying from place to place. "...... Iris-san? I didn''t think it was possible, but the person Marielle was carrying around with her arms crossed was, to all appearances, Iris. You can see that Iris is confused, even from here. Maybe I just ran into her ...... by accident, but it seems that Iris is being pushed around by Mariel. I immediately went back to Chloe. "Hey!¡¡Don''t do something insane like go up the wall!¡¡You''ve got a lot of people watching you. I wasn''t staring at Chloe. If I''m with you, people will look at me like I''m weird! Haha, ''weird looks'' is a terrible word. But it did help me find my sister-in-law. Really?¡¡Really?¡¡Then show me the way. All right. I don''t know why, but she was with someone I know. ...... Your acquaintance?¡¡Is he a knight? No, a boy who wants to be a knight, I guess you''d call it. Well, I''m sure Chloe knows her. Hmm. Well, I don''t care!¡¡Let''s get out of here! Okay. Once again, I''m rushed and head in the direction of Mariel. If I didn''t check every step of the way, I might have lost sight of Mariel, but not if she was with Iris. It may not be the most popular way to use it, but as her bodyguard, I can keep track of her whereabouts. The amulet I gave her seemed to be worn by Iris at all times. As her bodyguard, I know where she is at all times, which helps me in that sense. I stopped at the place where Iris was - or rather, where Mariel was. It was a "slightly unusual" clothing store. "What is this place? You''ll be able to get a lot more than just a pair of shoes. I''m not sure what to do. There is a possibility that your sister is in this place ....... I''m not sure if I''d be able to do that. I''m sure you''ll agree that it''s a great idea. Let''s go in, shall we? It''s easy to imagine Mariel forcing Iris into the store. The two of them walked into the store together. The interior of the store was not that spacious and had a rather dark atmosphere. There are a lot of decorations on the walls, some of which are based on flamboyant dresses that even noblemen don''t often wear, and some of which are based on costumes that seem to be based on demons. ...... Just stepping into the store, you are surrounded by a strange atmosphere. You can find a lot of different types of shoes and boots that you can choose from. Hurry up and find your sister. You''re not hiding like that. I''m not hiding. Just keep moving! Okay. I followed Chloe to the back of the store. Then I heard Marielle''s voice. I knew I was right, it looks great on you. It doesn''t match your hair color, but black really does look good. I''m not doing this ...... thing. "Then let''s wear this next time. "What?¡¡This is indeed ....... It''s okay, it''s okay. I''ll take care of it. ...... I don''t know what I''m doing. If you don''t stop it as soon as possible, you''ll feel like you''re in danger. I immediately stepped in the direction of the voice. What are you doing here, Marielle, sister-in-law? "Oh, ......, oh, oh. I''m not sure if that''s a good idea or not, but it''s a good idea. Oh!¡¡Sister, I finally found... "Hey, sir! It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. It''s already too late for ....... It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. And now she is about to be fitted with a collar with a bell attached. Blushing, Iris quickly tried to remove the cat ear catsuit with her paw gloves. However, it seemed that the gloves were preventing her from removing it properly. Why is the teacher here? "Iris, what a coincidence that you''re here. It suits you well. This is different. Let me explain. I don''t need an explanation to understand what''s going on. But Iris, of course, does not understand the situation. This is the man you''re talking about, Iris ......?¡¡Iris is not ...... Iris Reinfell? "Uh, yes. Yes, but... I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not, but it''s a good idea. Chloe, who was behind me, immediately rushed over to Iris and said. I''m a fan of yours, Iris!¡¡Please shake my hand! "What, what?¡¡What? If it''s okay with me? I''m sure you''ll be pleased with the results. I''m sure you''ll be happy to know that I''m not the only one who''s a fan. ...... I understand that things have gotten a little chaotic. 123 123.Alta-chan and Iris-chan I managed to find Marielle and decided to leave the store and talk to her. As for why she was with Iris in the first place, ...... it was apparently a coincidence. I was just passing by and I called out to her. She seemed to be in trouble. It was a coincidence. And you said you were the famous Iris Reinfell, right?¡¡Chloe is a big fan of ....... Chloe is a big fan of ....... No, I''m not!¡¡I''ve heard rumors about the Princess of the Sword!¡¡Although she is still a student, she is considered to be the strongest swordswoman in the kingdom. ...... I adore her! No, that''s not true. ...... I''m sure you''ll love it. --I don''t know what''s going on here. It''s a great way to make sure you''re getting the most out of your vacation. It''s a great way to make sure you''re getting the most out of your vacation. I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not, but it''s a good idea. ...... There''s nothing I can do about it, but I do understand why Iris and Mariel were together. Then I have to ask why Mariel came. "You came here for me, didn''t you, sister-in-law? "Yes!¡¡Yes, yes, yes. But then Chloe got lost. No, I didn''t get lost!¡¡It''s because you disappear all the time. ......!¡¡It''s not me that''s lost, it''s you!¡¡Please don''t misunderstand me, Iris! "Yes, yes, I''m fine. My sister-in-law is a member of ......''s family, isn''t she? Mmm-hmm, yes. Yes, Alta is my brother-in-law, the teacher ......?¡¡What do you mean? Chloe suddenly looked at me with a grim expression. I''m not sure what to say, but I''m going to say it. It''s not like I''m hiding it from her. ...... But I think she saw from Chloe''s attitude that I wasn''t on good terms with her. I''m now on duty beside her as a knight. As a guard, I also teach at the school she attends. "......... is -- what?¡¡I''m not sure what that is.¡¡I''m sure you''ll be able to figure out how to get the best out of it. I''m sure that''s what it is. I''ve always been indebted to you, Mr. Schweizer. I have a lot of respect for him. Chloe has a complicated look on her face when Iris adds that she admires him. Chloe has a crush on Iris, but she hates me. I''m Iris''s homeroom teacher and she looks up to me. Probably, what she just said was an attempt to reconcile me and Chloe. There''s no need to try to fix it. ...... As a result, Chloe began to worry alone. You can find a lot of things that you can do to make your life easier.¡¡But that''s not the case,....... Chloe? I''m not sure what to say. When she gets confused, she goes off into her own world. Leave her alone, okay? Chloe quieted down as she thought about what Mariel had said. I asked Mariel again. So, let''s go back to the beginning. ...... What did you want to see me about? "That''s the story. It''s not that I have anything important to say. I''d like to hear from you about what you''ve been up to lately, Alta. What''s going on? Alta-chan ......? I''m not going to worry about it," he said in a low voice as he repeated it. At any rate, she would not reiterate what she had said to Mariel. You''ve been in touch by letter. It''s true, but ...... you want to hear her voice, don''t you?¡¡I''m not sure what to say. "Your sister-in-law''s term ''cold'' refers to a normal level. I''m sure you''re right. I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that.¡¡Hey, Iris-sama? "What, uh, ......? Iris glances at me with a troubled expression. I guess she doesn''t know how to answer when asked to talk. I let out a small sigh. I let out a small sigh, "Sister-in-law, don''t embarrass Iris too much. And don''t take her around. ...... You know what you''re doing, don''t you? You know what I mean. I''ve been looking for Chloe for a while now. ...... I have an appointment with someone later. I''ve got to get going. Chloe, let''s go. "Huh?¡¡Oh, hey, sister!¡¡We need to talk. ...... Oh my God!¡¡Next time I see you, I''m going to want to hear what you have to say. Chloe, who had entered the world alone, came back, but soon realized that Mariel was about to disappear, and followed her. I''m not sure if I''m going to be able to do it, but I''m sure I''ll be able to do it. ...... Well, they were kind of amazing, weren''t they? I''m not sure what to say. That''s the Schweizer family. I had a different impression of them than my teacher. ...... I noticed that they looked like that. ...... By "like that," I assume you mean the cat ears I mentioned earlier. Iris is not an easily influenced person, but ...... Mariel can make even Iris look like that. I''m not sure what to make of it. --I don''t think she came here just to ask me what I''m up to. (...... And you know my sister-in-law.) I''m sure my sister-in-law knows that I''m in charge of guarding Iris Reinfell. I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that. "Yes.¡¡Yes. I had some business to attend to. ...... Oh, really? So you got involved - or rather, you went to get involved. Well, I won''t deny that. ....... But you are called ''Alta-chan'', aren''t you? I was a little surprised. Suddenly, Iris opens her mouth like that. When I glanced at her, I could sense that she wanted to enjoy my reaction. So, I simply answer. I''m twelve years old. I''m twelve years old, after all. "Well, you''re ...... twelve, aren''t you? That''s right. My sister-in-law is like that. If I hadn''t gone to her, she might have called me ''Iris-chan'' in her cute cat form. "Who the hell would want to look like that? ......! I''m not sure what to say. You can find a lot more than half of them, or almost all of them, but it seems that Iris wants to say that she was still in the "safe" stage. In the event you''re not sure what to do, there are a few things you can do. 124 124. Mariels Purpose Sister! Sister!¡¡Wait, wait, wait! "What''s wrong with ...... already, Chloe? Mariel finally stopped in response to Chloe''s call. It''s not what''s wrong. I thought he was the one who wanted to ...... do something! No, you can''t call your brother-in-law ''he''. You''ll be able to get a lot more out of it than you think. And that''s not all!¡¡I''m sure you''ll be happy to know that. Everyone knows except you, Chloe. Why am I the only one who knows ......? That''s right. Chloe, you get grumpy when I talk about Alta, don''t you?¡¡Consider it, consider it. "Well, that''s ...... true, but ...... You can''t argue with Marielle when she says that. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. ...... But that doesn''t mean she doesn''t want to hear about it. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for.¡¡In addition, I just happened to meet him at the forge a while ago, and he said he broke the sword. ...... "You broke it?¡¡You broke the blue armor sword? Yes, that''s right!¡¡The Schweizer family has a sword. Well, well, well. ...... That''s good to know. Oh!¡¡What''s good about it?¡¡It''s a family heirloom. Chloe could not understand what Marielle was saying. There was no way she could understand. Chloe had never heard of anyone breaking a family heirloom, let alone breaking that sword. It was taken out of the family in the first place and wielded by a man who was not related to her. In Chloe''s eyes, it was an exception, an anomaly. But Marielle replies with a kind smile on her face. It''s a shame to have your sword broken. There''s no shame in having your sword broken. It''s no disgrace to have your sword broken. I''m glad, because I thought she wouldn''t fight like that. What''s that ......? Marielle seems to be truly happy - or perhaps she is. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. Chloe was expecting Mariel to be angry about this, but she was too upset to continue speaking. Chloe is too upset to speak, but Marielle speaks to her in her usual tone. "Don''t be so angry. You''ve come all this way to King''s Landing, you should have more fun.¡¡Why don''t you go sightseeing? "I''ll stay with my ...... sister, she disappears as soon as I take my eyes off her. "Mmm-hmm, really?¡¡Then let''s go together. Mariel walks away from Chloe, pulling her hand. You don''t have to hold hands here, ....... You can''t take your eyes off Chloe, she''ll be gone soon. I don''t want you to be the only one to say that. I''m just kidding. Come on, let''s get this over with. What do you mean, errands? Where do you think you''re going? Oh, did I not tell you? Mariel paused again and turned around. And then. I''m sure you''ll be able to figure out what''s going on. That''s what she said. 125 125. Sudden Reunion When I returned to the school with Iris, she unexpectedly opened her mouth. I''m not sure if you have any plans for the rest of the day. Yes, I do. I have plans to relax in the teacher''s dormitory afterwards. ...... Is that a schedule? Haha, resting is part of the schedule. Working all the time is tiring. That''s true, but ...... Well, if you ask me if I usually work with a lot of energy - not really. I know it''s a lot of work to be a lecturer, but my work as a knight is supposed to be focused on guarding Iris. So, if you''re asking me what my schedule is, does that mean you want me to ...... practice on you? No!¡¡You can''t ......? I had a vague feeling that this was the reason, but it turned out to be so. I have been practicing with Iris and Aria after class. I am well aware of the fact that both of them have recently improved their abilities more clearly than before. Iris, in particular, has finally reached a level where she can take my sword seriously. In the past, she only had a small amount of experience in actual combat, but since I became her guard, ...... she has had many battles that have given her experience. --It''s a little painful to ask if that''s what makes an escort work. There''s nothing wrong with it, but once you allow it, I''m afraid you''ll be asking for it on your days off. ...... No, I won''t do that. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re going to be doing. This is a great way to make sure you are getting the most out of your money. In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site. I reply with a small sigh. You''re right. I don''t mind if it''s once in a while. Can we meet at the usual place afterwards? "Yes!¡¡Yes, yes. I''ll get ready and go right away. "No, there''s no need to be in such a hurry. No, there''s no need to be in such a hurry. I''ll take a short break and then go. It''s a good idea to take a look at the website to see if you can find any useful information. ...... She nodded, but from the looks of it, she''ll be on her way soon. The forest behind the school is the place where Iris and I usually train. It''s a large enough area that people rarely come here. (Is it time for Iris to get some real combat training?) I was suddenly thinking about that. --She has already experienced many "life-threatening" battles. It is a fact that the level of my current teaching is becoming ...... insufficient. For example, one option would be to use my "Invisible" and have Iris assess it. --I''m sure she''d be able to handle that move. Not as a knight, not as a teacher, but as her mentor. In a way, thinking about this is not related to my work either. Well, it was originally intended to make my life easier if Iris became stronger. I''m not sure what to do. Suddenly, I felt a presence nearby, and I took a stance. What appeared in front of me was a girl wearing sunglasses and a black coat. Her appearance was familiar to me. I''m sure you''re right, Alta Schweiz. You''re the first to notice my presence. "What?¡¡Master Aena. ......? I''m not sure what to make of this. I can''t hide my surprise at the appearance of someone so unexpected. I hadn''t seen her since we collaborated in the battle against the Shadow Apostle. I''ve come to the kingdom as a member of an imperial inspection team, and I knew we would eventually meet again, but I never expected ...... such an unexpected encounter. I''m sure you''ll be able to understand why. Aena furrowed her brow and took off her sunglasses. You can tell by the look on her face that she is definitely Aena. ......, but it was a very different impression compared to her usual military uniform. I''m not sure what to make of it. In short, he was dressed down, and his shorts and legs were well exposed. When I think about it, her voice and the way she spoke were also like that. No, they didn''t match in my mind, because they had different moods. I''ve actually already met Aena''s hide-and-seek style. I had actually already met Aena''s hiding style when I was out with Iris and Aria. We didn''t talk that much at that time, and I didn''t remember much about it because of Aria. But now that I look at it again, I understand - but why is she here? Why is Master Aena here?¡¡This is the school grounds. ...... You are a knight of the realm, aren''t you? You''re a knight of the kingdom, aren''t you?¡¡I''m sure you''re not the only one. You''ll be able to find a lot more information on the web at ......, but I''m not sure if you''ve told Aena that I''m an instructor at the school. I''m sure she knows that I''m a knight, but she doesn''t know much more than that. I''m also an instructor here. It''s part of my job as a knight. "Oh, ......, is that your duty as ''Iris''s bodyguard''? Something like that. I''m off today. So why are you here, Miss Aena? I''m not sure if it''s funny that I''m here.¡¡In case you were wondering, I''m still a sixteen year old maiden, which is just about right for a ...... student. I''m sure you''ll be able to understand why I''m here. Are you alone? No, I''ve brought some of my men with me, but they''re on standby. As for Mercier, well, I guess I don''t have to tell you. I''m just here on a quick errand. It''s part of my job as a military man. You came to the school on military business ......? Yeah, I just came to talk to you about the school that Iris goes to. Well, I guess I can talk to you about it. As a matter of fact, I''m planning to ''study abroad'' in the Kingdom. "I see. ...... study abroad--study abroad? I couldn''t help but ask back. I''m sure you''ve heard of it. I''m going to ''study'' abroad. It''s quite cute, but also quite unexpected. It''s even more convenient if you''re an instructor here. I''ve been meaning to look around, but ...... I''ve decided to come here. Aena made such a declaration. This is the moment when the daughter of an Imperial Marshal decided to study abroad in front of me, such an important matter. 126 126. Leaders Meeting "As informed by Ms. Aena Baudel, a platoon of the Imperial Guard has recently arrived at the Fenkor Sector. The Kuro Wolf Knights are keeping a close watch. Remyll Ein reported on the current situation while looking over the documents at hand. This is the conference room of the Royal Knights Headquarters. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. ......, but there are two absentees today. There was a knight who came only to report by proxy. But still, if there are more than two, the knights meeting will be held. "Yes, sir. Does anyone else have anything to report? After Remyll, the next person to speak up was the head of the Guardian Knights, who controlled the center of the kingdom, Teulos Grever. He is a large man who always wears armor and is called the "hardest knight" in the kingdom. The "warding magic" he uses cannot be easily destroyed even by large demons. That is why he is entrusted with the protection of the area around the royal palace. Teulos, who has been the head of the Knights for many years, is highly trusted by the current king, William Tirok. It is probably because of this connection that the Guardian Order has retained his son, Zeir Tylok. However, Zeir was imprisoned for the "attempted assassination of Iris Reinfell. Even though he was the second best candidate for the next king, his trivial emotions led him to commit the murder. It was fortunate that he turned out to be such a man, I suppose. William, too, seems to have no intention of forgiving his son''s sins. ...... The House of Tirok still retains authority because it is the current royal family, but it is unlikely to be chosen as the next king. Still, this Teulos man seems to be in favor of the House of Tirok. It would be a vote of confidence for William. I don''t have anything to report, but I have a question. A slender, bespectacled man with long hair raised his hand. I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but it''s a good idea. He is Halon Stiletto, the leader of the ¡¶Holy Armor Knights¡·. Remyll had several meetings with him just as the imperial inspection team arrived. Beside Hayron, you can see his favorite long sword. The other day, he saw a sword that belonged to one of the "swordsmen" that Rui No killed, and said that he wanted to use it. You can find a lot of people who are interested in this kind of thing. What is it, Halon? Did you find all the ''rebels'' in the guardian order? It seems like it''s been a long time. We''re still working on it. ...... is the answer. "I see. If that''s the case, I''ll send a few investigators from my Order. If it takes too long, I think it will be a problem for the future. That''s... That won''t be necessary. The king has entrusted the matter to Theurous. It''s not our place to interfere. Remyll intervened in their conversation. Even though they are in the same knightly order, they continue to keep each other in check like this. This is because it has to do with power. It''s not that Remyil is interested in power, but he dislikes those who try to establish a cooperative relationship only on the surface, even though they are from the same country. In that sense, Remyll appreciates Teulos. Even after what happened to Zale, Teulos did not abandon the House of Tirok. I guess that''s what being a loyal vassal is all about. This is a similar situation to the current Remyll. It is customary for each Order to nominate a person to be the next king. The Knights of the Kuro Wolf will nominate Iris Reinfell. She is currently the first candidate for the position of "Princess of the Sword," but few people know that she is not aiming for the position of king, nor is she interested in it in the first place. If Iris declares that she will be the next king, it is almost certain that she will be the king at this stage. But Iris is aiming to be a knight. The king is also in a position to protect the country, but he is not allowed to stand on the front lines and fight. That was not an option for Iris in the beginning. Remyll has never discussed this matter with Iris in depth. As the daughter of the knight-errant Garlot, he respects the path she chooses. However, there was also the idea of persuading Iris if she thought about the country. I don''t know if she''ll agree to that. I don''t know if he''ll agree. ...... It''s true, the king left it to him. You can pretend the question never existed. "Then I hope each of you Knights will take care of what you have reported. I''ll report it to the king. Yeah, you got it. Understood. By the way, how''s King William''s health these days? ...... is relatively well, I''d say. Really? That''s good news. Any more questions? No, thank you for your time. Then we are dismissed. And so ends the meeting of the Captains of the Order. Haylon''s last question to Thewlis was also on ...... Remyll''s mind. William has been in poor health for several years, and his public appearances have been few and far between. After the incident with Zale, he had even fewer opportunities to be seen. As Remyll left the conference room. "Why don''t you wait a moment, Remyll? It was Hayron who called out to him. "...... Haylon or . What is it? That''s what I was talking about earlier. Ah, the rumored Order of Magic. Haylon reported that an organization that exists within the kingdom is becoming more and more active. The Order of Magic is known as the Blue Fauna. It was an organization named after a man who was once known as the Wise Man. They are a group that advocates for the rights and position of "mages", called the "Magic Superiority Principle". The Kingdom of Gardea is not an advanced country when it comes to magic. No matter how much you claim your rights, you''ll be able to listen to them but you won''t be able to gain an advantage. "There are some demons that are immune to magic, I understand that. But some of them are extremists. But there are extremists among them who will use their power to show it. I just saw one of theirs near the Fenkor compound. I''m warning you to be careful. "...... Surprising. I didn''t expect you to warn me. "Really?¡¡I think you and I are going to get along just fine. I think I can ''get along'' with you," he said with a wry smile, and left. I''m not sure if I''m going to be able to do that," he said. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. (...... but) There is something else going on here, too. It''s just Lemire''s intuition, but Haylon is up to something. I don''t know what he''s up to,......, but as Haylon said, the Kuro Wolf Knights must be wary of what they should be wary of. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. "Knight Commander Remyll Eyn! "What''s with all the ...... one after the other? "......? No, it''s nothing. What''s wrong? Actually, there''s someone here who''d like to see the knight-errant. ...... I have a visitor?¡¡Master Aena? No, it''s a woman by the name of Marielle Schweizer. "...... What? That''s the name of a woman Remyll knows very well. After all, it is the name of the sister of Alta Schweizer, Remyll''s most trusted subordinate. 127 127. Mariels Thoughts Mariel was being escorted by Remyll to the reception room with her sister Chloe. I''m not expecting you to come directly to the headquarters. I''m not sure what to make of it, but I''m sure it''ll be fine. You could have waited for me at the Kuro Wolf Knights branch. I thought I''d take a look around King''s Landing. Right, Chloe? No, I''m not ....... I''m not a fan of this kind of thing. It''s like a borrowed cat. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. So, Miss Marielle, what brings you here? "Well, don''t you already know what I want? Marielle said to Remyll without losing her smile. I''m not sure if you''ve heard of it or not. No, I have no idea. "Well, well, well. If I wanted to talk to you, it would only be about Alta, right? "Alta, First Officer Schweizer. I''m sure he''s been in touch with you about the latest developments. Yes, of course. That''s why I wanted to talk to you again. "...... with me? Yes. I was wondering if you could take Alta off of ...... Iris''s escort duties? What? This is a great way to make sure you are getting the most out of your time with your family. It seems that she did not expect such a proposal. You will find a lot of people who have been in the business for a long time. Marielle chuckled. Is that a surprise? I''d be surprised if you didn''t. Can I ask you why? The reason is quite simple. It was the ...... "Swordsmen" who were after Iris, wasn''t it?¡¡There are many other stories of recklessness, including those related to imperial organizations. I''m sure you''ll be able to understand that this is the role of a knight, of course.¡¡But I heard that the swordsmen who were targeting Iris also targeted Alta. And that''s a whole other story. Do you think there is a possibility that the Schweizer family could be in danger? It''s ....... You can find a lot more information on the web. --I''m sure you''re not the only one who''s had a bad experience. He knew that and that''s why he became a knight. So I''m not going to argue with him about that. The problem is that the Kuro Wolf Knights may be relying too much on Alta. "Even local nobles are aware of the situation in the kingdom. In the future, the power struggle in the kingdom will intensify. ...... There is no doubt about it, right?¡¡In the event that you have any kind of questions regarding where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. "Does that mean that the Schweizer family does not support Miss Reinfell? No!¡¡What do you mean?¡¡Sister! It was Chloe, who was sitting next to Marielle, who reacted greatly to Remyll''s statement. I''m not sure what to do, but I''d like to know what you think. Don''t panic, Chloe. We''re still talking. "But ...... It''s going to be okay, okay? ...... Yes. Chloe nodded and sat down again, following Mariel''s words. Once again, Mariel looked at Remyll and continued. I''m not saying I don''t support it yet. I met with Iris earlier. "With Miss Reinfell?¡¡With Miss Reinfell? Yes, she''s a very nice girl. You can''t leave someone in need alone. ...... Many noblemen tend to be arrogant, but not that girl. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of where you stand and what you need to do, but you don''t have the awareness of being a candidate for the most important thing, the king. You''re not aware of ....... Is there any difference in that perception? Yes, there is no difference on that point. Remyll also replies clearly. Iris is not interested in the position of king of this country. For a long time now, Mariel has been well aware of this. It''s not that she is actively trying to gain the support of the other nobles. However, she is supported just by the way she is. Maybe that''s the way it should be, but it''s a problem because she herself doesn''t want to be in that position. But I''m considering persuading Miss Reinfell. "...... Persuasion?¡¡I''m sure you''ll have a lot of fun with this. I didn''t mean it as a joke. You know I can''t do that, right?¡¡Just from the letter Alta gave me, I can tell that Iris is very stubborn. She seems to push herself a lot, doesn''t she? You can''t deny that ....... I don''t know if such a girl would easily ...... say ''I will'' if asked to be a king. I don''t think so. I don''t think so. Just like I didn''t become a knight, I''m sure he won''t become a king. Mariel was capable of being a knight. And she had been recruited by Remyll once. But she didn''t choose that path. Of course, their positions were completely different. But you can tell just by talking to her. Iris is the type of girl who has a strong will. Mariel doesn''t think that such a child will be persuaded by Remyll. ...... So, you want me to take First Officer Schweizer off guard duty. Yes, I''m not asking you to stop being a knight. I''m just saying I''m not going to participate in a power struggle I''m sure to lose. There''s no point in supporting Iris if she''s not going to be king. In the not-too-distant future, the others will notice. Iris Reinfell is a noblewoman and a girl who wants to be a knight. Therefore, she will never be a king. There is nothing to be gained by supporting such a person. Marielle expressed her opinion straightforwardly as a representative of the Schweizer family. I''m not sure if this is a good idea, but I think it''s a good idea. I''m sure you''ll be happy to know that I''m not the only one. But it is not the consensus of the Schweizer family. "What do you mean?¡¡What do you mean? I don''t think I want to interfere with Alta''s work for that reason, let alone Chloe''s sitting next to me. This is my own personal opinion as Marielle Schweizer. "So you''re saying that you''re not here to tell me to remove First Officer Schweizer from ......? "Yes, that would be enough to tell you in a letter. I''m here to confirm what the letter doesn''t say. Iris''s personality. And whether she''s worth supporting. "Miss Reinfell''s worth ...... is that what you''ve just found out? No, that''s what I''m going to find out. That''s why I''m here, to ask you a favor. A favor. If that will convince you to accept the position of First Officer Schweizer, I would be grateful. I''m sure Alta-chan will not be convinced by what we have to say,....... It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. This is with the permission of your father, the current head of the family. "I see. So you''ll be staying in King''s Landing for a while? I plan to stay. But I''m not here just to talk about it. So you''re asking me for a favor. I''ll do what I can. It''s a very simple request. I would like to borrow the sword that the Kuro Wolf Knights control. In the event that you''re not sure what you''re looking for, you''ll be able to find out more about it here. Marielle was still smiling. 128 128. Reunited Iris had come alone to the forest behind the school. Arutha had told her to rest a bit and then go, but Iris had come prepared early. She grasped her mock sword and closed her eyes. The wind blew, the trees shook, and the leaves flew. A moment later. "Phew. A breath. In the meantime, Iris swung her sword three times. Even without seeing it, he could tell where the leaves had come from. He had been practicing this regularly, and had gotten the hang of it. This is the practice that Alta first taught me. As Iris herself understands, proper one-on-one combat is a rare occurrence in real life. As a knight, you are naturally expected to fight with many people. Some of them may be assassins who are very good at disguising their presence. When dealing with such people, the intuition to be able to notice traps, for example, is a necessary element for the "peak" that Iris is aiming for. Iris quickly readjusted her stance. This time, he was going to keep swinging until Alta arrived. The "Elxil School" taught at the school is a school created by a man called Fern Elxil. The reason why it is so prevalent in this country is because the man is from this country and has made it big in swordsmanship. However, Iris does not use that style. The word is "Rheinfell". I did not ask my father who taught him to sword fight. But since he learned it from his father,......, that''s what he would name his swordplay. In contrast to the Elksil School, which basically holds the sword in both hands, Iris holds the sword in one hand. It is easier to wield with one hand than with two. However, it is true that the swing is slower with a straight sword. Iris has compensated for this slowness by training herself. This is the quintessence of Iris''s swordsmanship: godlike speed from a single hand. ......, but when it comes to swordsmanship, there is someone even better. It''s not just a matter of time before you find yourself in a situation like this. (To match - or even surpass - his swordsmanship, you''ll have to go to .......) I know I''m not even close. But in order for Iris to reach the heights she is aiming for, she must be prepared to surpass Arta. "Soo. I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not. I''m not sure if you''ve seen this before. You can see that the sword pressure Iris is giving off is that strong. You''ll be able to find a lot more information on the web. "Teacher!¡¡Teacher-- Iris turns around. I''m not sure what to do. "...... Aena? The girl who called her name, Aena, smiled and said her name. The girl who called her name, Aena, stood in front of Iris with a smirk on the corner of her mouth. "Haha, it''s been a while ...... Iris. I''m sure you''ll be able to understand why I''m here. You ask the same question as Alta. ....... No, of course not. But it''s too much trouble to explain it all. I''m here because I have something to say. What do you mean, "I''m here because I have to." ...... Iris glanced at Arta, who was standing behind her. I''m not sure what you mean. I''m not sure what to make of that. That''s all she said. Apparently, Arutha did not know the details either. "So, is the Princess of the Sword doing her secret training here? No, it''s not really a secret training. Is that so?¡¡Then why don''t you do it in a more public place? ...... I don''t feel comfortable in public. You''re not? No. But if you''re a soldier, there are public exercises. But I see. ...... Aena gives Iris a sharp look, as if she''s assessing something. I''m not sure what it is. Iris prepares herself as quickly as possible. "...... What? "No, I''ve seen your swordplay before. Right at the fight in the park. You were an excellent swordsman, but ...... inexperienced. "...... immature? When Iris heard Aena''s words, she looked annoyed. In the event you have any questions regarding where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. I''m not sure what to say. Don''t be mad. I''m not angry. Well then, I''m going to compliment you. You''ve ...... grown a lot in a short time. "Thanks ....... I don''t know what your level of swordplay is, though. I''m sure you do. So. Alta, you''re the judge. ......, is that me? Yeah, I''ve seen Iris''s swordplay, and I''m a little on board. What do you mean? You know what I mean. If you don''t know what I''m capable of, I''m telling you, ...... I''ll show you here. Aena took off her jacket. She was wearing a camisole, and a rapier was visible at her waist. "Master Aena, you don''t mean-- I don''t think that''s a problem.¡¡It''s a good idea to have a good training session. It''s a good way to train, isn''t it? "...... If you say so, I''m fine with it. Sir, can I have your permission? Iris looked straight at Aena and answered. It is true that this is a good opportunity to find out what she is capable of, and at the same time, it is a good training opportunity. The two of them were about to begin their fight when Arta let out a sigh, unaware of the exchange between Iris and Aena. 129 129.Illis vs. Aena Iris and Aena face each other, and I am there to witness their mock match. As the wind blew quietly and shook the trees, the two held up their favorite weapons. Iris has a straight sword, the Shiden. Aena, holding her rapier, pointed the tip of her sword at Iris. "If you get a glimpse of it, that''s it. "Yeah, that''s fine. "Yes, that''s fine, doctor. Iris glanced in my direction. I nodded and raised my right hand to signal her. I nodded and raised my right hand to signal. "Let''s start with ....... I''m not sure what to make of this. I''m not sure if you''re a fan of this, but I''m sure you''ll like it. On the other hand, Aena manipulates water. A sphere of water floated around them, and their weapons collided with each other. With a resounding metallic sound, Iris''s sword and Aena''s rapier sparked. At the same time, the thunderbolts around Iris attacked Aena. However, the water ball floating around Aena easily blocked Iris''s lightning strike. "Water conducts electricity well. It is said that water conducts electricity well, but only if it is not impure. Huh. I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but it''s a good idea. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. I''m not sure if you''ve seen this before, but I''ve seen it before. I see. You''re handling it well. I muttered to myself. I am well aware of Aena''s high level of skill. We had only fought together for a short time, but she had undoubtedly earned the position of second lieutenant in the Imperial Army through her own abilities. Iris is not taking it easy when she fights with Aena. --And yet, they are both wielding their weapons and showing the same level of strength. It''s just as I thought. You''ve grown up a lot, Iris! Thanks for that!¡¡But you can''t afford to be complacent now! Oh, this is fun! But now is not the time to be complacent!" "Well, that''s interesting!" Iris stepped in deeply and swung her sword in a horizontal flash, hitting Aena''s rapier. But Aena leaps backwards, seeming to lose her balance. As soon as she saw the heavy blow coming, she kept her distance, which was a cool decision. Iris and Aena rush out again. Every time their swords and rapiers collided, a shuddering sensation rushed through the air. That''s how much pressure they''re exerting on their swords. Their abilities are completely on par with each other - that''s how I see it. (It would be interesting to watch the match as it is, but I don''t want it to get too heated. I looked at the two of them and calmly assessed the situation. Iris''s expression is serious, and she''s aiming for a sure shot at Aena. On the other hand, Aena is smiling like she has a lot of time on her hands, but she''s not letting up one bit. If you''re not careful, you could be seriously injured in a slash fight. "Hahaha, that''s good!¡¡Show me more!¡¡Let''s see what you''re really capable of! "Okay. If you insist, I''ll do it. But you won''t regret it! Oh, you two. Don''t take it too seriously. Shut up. This is just getting interesting. Sir, this is serious business. ...... I don''t blame you. I walked up to the two of them as they heated up. They are both serious and do not take themselves too seriously - it''s almost like killing each other. Of course, they don''t mean to kill each other, but... You can''t go any further. Stop! Sir, ......? As I stepped into the gap between the two of them, I suppressed each of their weapons with my "mock sword". I''m not sure what to do, but I''m going to do it. I respected their wishes, but this is school grounds. I''m the referee and I''ve decided that this is a dangerous fight. "Oh, I''m sorry. Sensei, ....... "Hmm, that would have been interesting. ...... Iris looked apologetic, while Aena looked a little unhappy. But they each followed my lead and put their weapons away. I was afraid that they would not listen to me, but I am glad that we managed. I''m glad we could work something out. "Well, you did promise me a shot at ....... Are we done now? "Yes. Iris nodded at Aena''s words. Iris looked at her chest. Aena hit him in the side. You can see that each of them has been hit by a blow. We both landed a blow just before I stopped. So, this mock game is a draw. And you, Miss Aena. What? Please don''t agitate my students too much. I''m a pretty hotheaded guy. No, I''m not. ...... Haha, you''re right. I was also excited to see Iris getting more and more excited. But I enjoyed it. Thank you. ...... Yeah, yeah. I haven''t had a match without a mock sword in a while. It was fun. Iris and Aena smiled at each other and shared their thoughts. Then they began to talk about their mock match. But Iris is swinging too hard, isn''t she?¡¡I''m sure you''ll be happy to know that I''m not the only one who has a problem with this. I''ve read that much about you. If you had stepped in, I would have ducked and decided to counter for sure. "I''ve read that much too. Then what happened? It was a backhanded blow. You know that''s what I''m talking about. It''s getting a little heated, but I''m not going to interrupt this discussion. ...... I was wondering how this was going to go, but I think Aena is going to do well here. "Then let''s play the game again and decide? I hope so! I wonder if it''s ....... I watched them interact and let out an involuntary sigh. 130 130. Chloes Advice After the mock match between Iris and Aena, I gave Iris a light training session. We mainly focused on mock sword fights, but her skills are still much better than before. Iris went back to the dormitory to wash off her sweat, and I was on my way back to the lecturer''s dormitory. "Oh, sir. Oh, sir!¡¡Aria and ...... Mercier. "It''s been a while, Alta-sama. I came across Aria and Mercier walking towards the entrance of the school. Mercier, dressed in a maid''s uniform, bows politely. I politely return the greeting. I heard from Aria that you are also an instructor here at such a young age. That''s great. "Yes, I''ve had the pleasure of doing many things. I thought Mercier was here too, but he was with Aria? Yes. Yes, I was wondering if I could talk to you for a while. I was surprised to see you suddenly in my room. You''re very good at hiding your presence. Not as good as you, though. Mercier smiles and pats Aria on the head. Aria accepts it with an indifferent expression. In this way, it is clear that the two are sisters. For Aria, including Iris, she has two sisters. ...... I guess that''s how it is. However, when I think back to the interactions between Iris and Aria, sometimes the positions are reversed. In that sense, Iris and Aria are family and best friends, which is probably the right way to describe them. Are you going home now? "Yes. It''s almost time for us to meet up with ...... Aria said she would take us to the school gate. Is that so? Yeah, it was fun, but only for a little while. I''ll see you soon. There was no mistaking her words. After all, she had told me that she had decided to attend this school. I''m sure she''ll tell you about it later, but for now it''s still classified. I''ll keep it to myself. Are you training with Iris? Yes, I am. I was called in on my day off. How was Iris today? The same as usual. Even on her day off, she was full of energy. I see. He''s always in high spirits. "Your sword training, Iris? Mercier asked with a slightly surprised expression. It seems that Aria did not talk about it either. I''m sure you''ve heard from Aria, but I''m the sword instructor here. Well, it''s kind of an extension of that. By the way, I''ve been taught here too. Aria proudly made a peace. Mercier nodded his head in agreement. I''m sure you''re right. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. I''m trying to teach at a level that suits my students. I''m trying to teach at a level that suits the student, but students like Iris and Aria are exceptional. I guess. Again, Aria followed my words with a self-satisfied look. I chuckled, but Mercier smiled at me. I''m sure you''ll be relieved to know that I''m asking Alta for help. I''d like to thank you for your continued support of my sister, Alta-sama. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m going to do it. Yes, you''re in charge. I''ll take care of you, doctor. And with that, I left them. If Aena is enrolled in this school ......, will Mercier also be enrolled? I haven''t confirmed that yet, but it might be helpful to have her by my side to keep an eye on Aena. I walked towards the lecturer''s dormitory with these thoughts in mind. Then I spotted a girl standing near the entrance of the dormitory. "Chloe? ...... You''re late, stupid brother-in-law. You''re late, stupid brother-in-law. She''s the same as she always was. But why are you here? I''m not a child. I can find out where you work. The fact that I''m working here is not exactly public information. The fact that Chloe is here, along with Mariel, who said she was going to meet someone, naturally leads to the person Mariel and Chloe met. (...... Commander. I''m not sure what you''re talking about. I don''t know what you''re talking about, but Mariel doesn''t seem to be around. I don''t know what you''re talking about, but Mariel doesn''t seem to be around. "Maybe your sister-in-law has disappeared again, and you should look for her at ......? No, you''re not. Your sister is ...... that ....... At the mention of Mariel, Chloe suddenly stopped talking. It was clear from her demeanor that something was wrong. "What''s going on? ...... But first, I need to check something with you. Confirm? ...... with Miss Iris. Iris-sama goes here and you are her instructor and her bodyguard, right? Chloe asks as if to confirm. As I could tell from her reaction earlier, Chloe didn''t seem to have a clue about the nature of my work. I had been keeping my family informed about my work, but Chloe hadn''t been informed about ....... Well, considering her age, she may have decided that she didn''t need to know about my work, either. "Oh, yes. I''ll be by her side as her knight. "...... Yes. Just so you know, I don''t approve of you. I would never approve of a man who broke a Schweizer family heirloom. So I''ll give you one piece of advice. Don''t leave Iris''s side for a while. "......?¡¡What does that mean? No, no, no!¡¡Listen to what I''m saying. I''ve told you what you need to know. And with that, Chloe hurried away from me. I could have stopped her, but I didn''t want to upset her. As I watched her walk away, I remembered what she had said earlier. "Stay with Iris," she said. It''s not like there''s anything going on because Chloe said so. ...... If there is, it''s probably Remyll who''s involved. You may want to go and talk to Remyll tomorrow. I''ve been thinking ...... of peace lately, but there''s so much to do. I muttered to myself. I was thinking about Aena and Mariel, and before I knew it, I had more and more things to think about on my day off. 131 131.The Magicians Association In the Orenso District, there is a facility that specializes in the research of magic technology. It is managed by the Kingdom Magic Association, but it is not an organization officially recognized by the Kingdom. Research on magic technology is also conducted in the kingdom, but it is at a level that is determined by the laws of the kingdom. It''s not enough to revolutionize technology,......, and those who think so created their own organization, the Magic Association. You can find a lot of people who are looking for a new way of life. But... I''m sure you''re all well aware that this country is lagging behind other countries. In the auditorium of the institution, a man stood on the podium and spoke. The man''s name was Farren Torbert. The Torbert family had long been involved in the study of magic, and until his father''s generation, he had served the country as a knight of the realm and a researcher. But his son, Farren, has strayed from that path. He said, "This country disregards the existence of magic. In western countries, in addition to the Knights, there are already magic societies like ours, which are officially recognized by the state. For the innovation of magic technology, that is. Even the Empire is probably technologically superior to the Kingdom when it comes to magic. And yet, in this country, absolute power is concentrated in the Order of Knights. They say they protect the safety of the people, but how long do you think this ...... outdated country can survive? Farren said as if asking a question. The room remains silent. "We mages can give up on this country at any time. But ...... I will never do such a thing. If all you want is to improve your own magical skills, then leave this country and go somewhere else. What I want is people who have a strong will to make the kingdom even stronger!¡¡I believe that the only people here are those who share my aspirations. I believe that the only people here are those who share my aspirations, and will go with me to evolve this country into a magical powerhouse. ""Oh!" As if in response to Farren''s declaration, the people present shouted loudly. This is how the speech ends. Farren walked off the stage. "Well, you''re as popular as ever. Sir Torbert? A girl in a robe called out to him. You can''t see his face, but it''s someone Faren knows well. It''s you. What are you doing here? "Oh, you''re being coy. Just a progress report on what you wanted. It''s already in place. Okay. So you''re ready to go now? Absolutely. But do you have the princess''s permission? Why do you ask that? You''re going along with my plan because you don''t deem it necessary, right?¡¡Or are you going to betray me now? The girl giggled and twisted the corners of her mouth when Farren asked this question. "Of course not. You and I are on the same side - we''ve been through a lot together, and we''ve sworn to reach for the top, right? "Of course, as long as we''re on the same path. What I want is a magical power. It''s all for the good of the country. I agree with you. I''ve been called a witch, and I hope this country will be filled with more magic. ...... will do. Then we''ll proceed as planned. Farren said, and walked away from the girl. The witch - as the girl called herself, Farren did not fully trust her. But at least, Farren understands that her ability is at the top of the list in the Magic Association. The association needs at least one person who is capable of standing alongside the knights of the kingdom. I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that. Farren took out a piece of paper from his pocket, which showed a girl. The beautiful blonde haired "Sword Saint Princess" - Iris Reinfell. The one who holds the key is the girl who is said to be the strongest in the kingdom. 132 132. Engagement Story The following week, the topic of Aena''s study abroad was officially discussed at the meeting, and she was assigned to my class - or rather, she was. Apparently, Aena had requested to be in the class with Iris. You can say that it is typical for her, but now my class will have Iris, who is one of the four major noble families and is called the "Princess of the Sword," as well as Aena, who is the daughter of an Imperial Marshal. I''m not sure what to make of this, but I''m sure it''s a good idea. ...... I hope there are no major problems, but I wonder if Aena will join my escort mission as well. I haven''t heard anything about it from Remyll, though. If that happens, I''ll ask for an extra ...... paycheck. I''m sure it''s all about the money, but I feel like my job is getting harder and harder. ...... Originally, I thought there was a possibility that I could have an easier time as an escort for the Sword Saint Princess because she was too strong, but maybe I should just forget about that. In any case, I''m going to work hard for the salary I get. I thought that Mercier would be enrolled as well as Aena, but she was not mentioned. I don''t know what she''s thinking, but at least there''s no reason for Aena to come to study abroad. As for me, we''ve been on the same side at one time. I don''t think she came here to do anything wrong. "...... Dr. Schweizer! Dr. Schweizer!¡¡Mr. Iris? You will find a lot of things that you can do to make your life easier. She was holding a piece of paper in her hand. "Excuse me. I''d like to take a day off this week, here''s my application. "On a weekday?¡¡That''s unusual. Do you have any plans? I glanced at the document, but all it said was ''personal business''. Not a few students take time off from school to run errands, but this was the first time Iris had applied. "Uh, yes. I''m not sure what to say. ...... I could see that she was trying to hide something from me. I''m not going to ask too much about that, but given my role, I have to ask. "Iris, can I ask you a quick question about your schedule, just in case? It''s ...... not something I''m going to talk about openly, and I''m going to say no. ...... What are you talking about? Actually, ...... you and I happened to meet the other day on our day off, didn''t we? Oh, Mr. Iris is the cat. Forget about that. Anyway, that day I got a call from my parents, the Reinfels. What?¡¡From the Rheinfels: ......? If it was a call to Iris, it must have been urgent. I thought so, but judging from Iris''s attitude, it was not. Iris took a breath and finally started talking about her plans. ...... Actually, I''m in talks to get engaged. "......, you''re engaged? In a way, it was probably the most surprising thing I''ve ever heard. In a way, it was probably the most surprising thing I''ve ever heard. Iris looked a little flustered as she continued. And of course I''m going to say no!¡¡I''m still a student, and I have a dream of becoming a ...... knight. There is no rule that says you can''t get engaged if you want to become a knight, but for her, becoming a knight is the starting line, and she''s not even thinking about getting engaged. I was surprised at the suddenness of the story, but I suppose it is not surprising to hear such a story among nobles. I''ve also heard such a story before about ...... preparing a bride. I''m sure you''ll be able to understand why. I''m sure you''re right. I''m sure you''ll be able to find something that works for you. Yes. I''m going to meet him and decline, so I''m sure it will be quick. Can I ask you something about the man you''re meeting? What do you mean "the man"?¡¡The son of the Rahmberg family. Rahmberg... Rahmberg?¡¡Is that the Rahmberg family, the four great noble families? Yes, that''s right. I''m not sure what to say. I''m not sure what to make of it, but I''m sure it''s a good idea. This is something that only the ...... Rheinfels and the Rahmbergs know about, right? "Yes, I think so. These things are supposed to be made public when the engagement is made official. Well, ......, then I''ll take the day off. I understand. He was surprised by my words, but nodded with a smile. I''m your bodyguard. I''m your bodyguard. Isn''t that the kind of seat you need a bodyguard for? "No, but ...... Don''t worry. I''m not going to be there. I''ll just be standing nearby. This is my own decision, but if I tell Remyil, he''ll ask me to escort him. A while ago, I heard from Remyll about the situation of the nobles. Each knight order has its own royal family and four major noble families. In light of that, talking to Iris about an engagement would be a matter of national security. And I''m also curious about what Chloe said. "Well, um, I''m definitely not getting engaged, so don''t worry about it, okay? I''m not worried about that. For some reason, Iris insisted on this point, and I answered with a wry smile. 133 133. Pile Problems "Hey, I''m glad you called me. I don''t know, I''ll have a drink first thing. I''ll tell you again, I''m underage. I''m underage. ...... or have you been drinking? I''m not sure if you''ve heard of it or not, but I have. It''s not often that I call her, but since I was running late for work at the school, we decided to meet nearby. I had planned to wait for Remyll since I finished earlier than expected, but ...... she came first and was already drinking. I sat down in front of her, glass in hand, beckoning her to join me. What would you like to drink?¡¡What would you like to drink? I''ll have the usual soft drink. And now, what can I do for you? Wait a minute. You know what I always say.¡¡I''ve always said that you should at least tell me what''s going on. How''s Miss Iris doing? I''ve got something to tell you about Miss Iris. What?¡¡Miss Iris''s ......? Remyll looks a little surprised. I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not, but it''s a good idea. I''ve heard that Iris is engaged to be married. "Oh, an engagement. Well, considering the age of Miss Iris...?¡¡Engagement? I''m not sure what to make of this. I raise my right hand to stop her. I raise my right hand to stop her. You don''t know anything, do you? "I don''t know anything. Who was it? The Rahmbergs, I''m told. The Rahmberg''s ...... Well, that makes sense to me. Do you have any idea what that means? Yeah, Haylon gave me something meaningful a while ago. It made sense. "Halon... Halon Stiletto. Knight Commander of the Order of the Holy Armor. Yes. You helped out with the imperial inspection team when they were coming over, so maybe you know him a little? No, I''ve barely spoken to him. ...... Did he say anything to you, Commander Stiletto? In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site. I''m sure you''ll agree. I''m sure you''ll be pleased to hear that. The five knightly orders that exist in the kingdom - of course they cooperate with each other, but they also have their own independent authority. Until recently, the "Guardian Knights" led by Theurus Grever were the most powerful in the country. After all, they were the knights who guarded the center where the current king, William Tiroku, resides. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. ...... Even if Iris or someone else becomes the King, the fact that they were protecting the former royal family will not change. If nothing happened, they would have remained the largest power. But Zeir''s scandals have weakened the Guardian Order. In other words, the Kuro Wolf Knights, to which I belong, are currently in a power struggle. With that in mind, as far as Remyll is concerned. "Is it the Order of the Holy Armor that holds the Rahmberg family? "That''s right. In other words, the engagement between the Reinfels and the Rahmbergs implies an alliance against us. We need to see if the Rheinfels are actually agreeing to it. ...... "The Rahmberg family is famous for their magic, right?¡¡They don''t belong to any order, though. I''d say they''re the best when it comes to magic technology. According to Haylon, the Rahmberg family and the Knights of the Holy Armor are working together to counter the magic cult. I''m not too familiar with this magical cult, but ...... what kind of organization is it? The name of the organization is "Bullfouth" - it is an organization that claims to promote magical technology. In addition, although it is not officially recognized, the magic society is led by the Rahmberg family. There are several organizations in this country that promote magic. There are a number of organizations in this country when it comes to magic, and those two are probably the biggest. Both organizations claim to promote magic technology, but ...... can be categorized as conservative and extremist. I haven''t had any major problems with them yet, but I''ve heard that Bullfuss is getting more active these days. --Well, I digressed a bit. Anyway, the engagement story is connected to the alliance between the Knights of the Kuro Wolf and the Knights of the Holy Armor, but if the engagement between Rahmberg and the Rheinfell family is concluded, it is highly likely that Rahmberg will be the king. If the betrothal were to take place, Iris would be the one to marry--that''s what you''re talking about. Isn''t it possible that Rahmberg will be the son-in-law? "If it''s just an engagement between two noblemen, then yes. But not the "Four Noble Houses". It''s a kind of custom, and Miss Iris is not an exception. She''ll be getting married. "The custom of the Four Noble Houses? But it seems that Miss Iris is refusing the engagement. Well, of course Miss Iris will refuse. But the reason for her refusal will be important. ...... "Reason?¡¡I think Miss Iris would say no because she is aiming to be a knight ....... You may not say this outwardly, but... There''s a lot of problems with people knowing that. Remyll pondered. It''s been a long time since I''ve seen her in serious distress. I''ll tell Iris about it. I''m going to be with her on the day as an escort. "...... That''s my knight. I''m sure you''ll be glad you did. ...... I''ve got a lot of things to think about, including the matter of Aena. I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that. And one more thing - didn''t my sister go to the Commander? "Miss Mariel?¡¡No, she didn''t come to me. ...... I see. Then may I ask you something about Master Aena? There''s nothing much I can tell you about that either. ...... The reason she came to King''s Landing in the first place was to build a friendship between the Kingdom and the Empire. I didn''t expect her to use the study abroad method, though. It seems that she is going to enroll in my school. ...... I''ve been informed about it by other knights. By the way... If you''re including Master Aena''s bodyguard, would you be open to discussing my salary? You''re really a good ...... knight, aren''t you? I''m sure you''ll be pleased to hear that. Remyll has a lot of problems, too, but I understand most of them. The only thing I don''t understand is what happened to my sister. 134 134. B female heart In the capital, there are signs that clearly demarcate the districts. This was an indicator for the people living in the capital, and at the same time it made it easier for the knights to understand the jurisdiction. The building located exactly halfway between the Orenso section to the west and the Fenkor section to the south - this was the stage for the meeting between the Rheinfels and the Rahmbergs today. It was a house used for parties between noble families, and although it seemed too big to be used for just two families, it might be a good place for two of the four major noble families in the kingdom to meet. I was on the roof of a nearby building, watching the house. Although I was in the position of guarding Iris, this was the content of the discussion. I was not allowed inside the building, and Iris brought a man in my place, a steward of the Rheinfell family. The old, gray-haired man seemed to be a veteran who had served the family since Iris''s grandfather''s time, and although Iris had refused, he was willing to serve as her bodyguard. The heads of both parties will not be present, but will make arrangements between themselves. Well, there''s no way Iris would accept an engagement. "Yes, she is. I''m sure you''ve heard of it. ...... So, why are you here? You will find a lot of people who are looking for the best way to get the most out of their lives. I''m not sure what to make of it. "Why? No, that''s my line. It''s a weekday. Neither the teacher nor Iris are at school. We both took the day off. Well, then it''s no problem for me to take the day off. I need your permission first. ...... because Iris didn''t tell me. Aria said, her lips pursed in slight disapproval. Apparently, today''s story is only known to a very limited number of people. In any case, even Aria, who was always with him, had not been told about it. It''s rare that Iris doesn''t talk to you. If you''d told me, I would have found out everything I could about him. I think I understand why she hasn''t told you. I think she felt that if she told Aria, things might get complicated. It was no joke, but Aria might seriously do something like that. Especially if it was about Iris, she would do everything in her power. Aria reached down to her thighs and pulled out a dagger. If he''s weird, I''ll show him no mercy. Please don''t say anything that might get you in trouble. Why isn''t the ...... teacher by Iris''s side? There is a butler guarding Iris right now. Butler ...... Wellman, I think. I haven''t heard the name of the butler, but I''m sure Aria has someone in mind. She used to live with Iris at Rheinfels. She was living with Iris in the Rheinfell family. In that sense, Aria would be a member of the nobility, even if she was an adopted child. "It''s probably him. He was an old man, but from my point of view, I think he''s capable. "Wellman is strong, yes. Wellman is strong, but I think Iris feels safer with you by her side. That''s why I''m here. ...... I thought you were like an adult even though you are a child. But you''re still a kid, aren''t you? What do you mean?¡¡What do you mean? "Maiden''s heart. I hadn''t expected such a word from Aria, and I was taken aback. Maybe it''s something I don''t understand. Are you familiar with the maiden''s heart, Aria? I read about it in a book. That''s surprising. I didn''t know you read books like that. I didn''t read it. It was in Iris''s room. You read books like that too, Iris? I''ve been reading them now and then. Do you know Iris''s hobbies? What''s your hobby?¡¡I think it''s sword training. Yes, but Iris also likes pretty things. Oh!¡¡That''s surprising. ...... You don''t understand that part. I''m not sure what to make of it, but I''m sure it''s worth it. As Iris''s bodyguard and sword master - I still have a short relationship with her, but when you put it that way, I probably don''t know much about Iris yet. Anyway, the teacher should stay with Iris. I kind of understand what you''re saying, Aria, but it''s a delicate subject, especially when it comes to a great nobleman. I can''t be there to witness it. Is that why you''re here? That''s why you''re here? - I''m ready to come to you if you need me. But I have to watch out for you, Aria. Me? As I said before, you can''t be absent without permission. You''ll have to submit a written reflection later. It''s no use going back now, you can stay here for now. "...... Okay. I''ll have Iris write it with you. I''m not sure what to make of it, but I''m sure it''s a good idea. I''m just going to sit here and watch the situation unfold, ....... I''ve already told Iris what I need to tell her. In the event that you''re not sure what you''re looking for, you''ll be able to find a lot more information on the web. 135 135. Mistakes The hallway has a calm atmosphere. But if you look at the ornaments, you can see that they are expensive. Since Iris was born as a nobleman, she could understand the value of these items to some extent. But for Iris, they were not of much interest. She was more interested in the great axe that had been displayed on the way here, which had probably been used by soldiers in the past. Iris couldn''t help but let out a small sigh. "Hmm. ...... "So much for sighing, young lady. Iris''s heart skipped a beat. Apparently, the person behind her could hear her. "I know, Wellman. "Very well then. The representative of the Rheinfel family must not misbehave. The old man with the glasses - Wellman Darrington. His gray hair is slicked back and he is over sixty years old, yet his demeanor has not changed since Iris was a child. I wouldn''t do that. Then stop pulling on your dress as if you''re checking it out. I mean, isn''t this a little too ...... fancy? Iris frowned and asked Wellman. I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not. This is a great way to make sure that you are getting the most out of your money. This dress was also prepared by Wellman. What are you saying? It suits you well. I''m not asking if it looks good on you, I''m asking if it looks good on me in a more subdued color. That''s exactly what you''re saying. If you don''t have the best attire for your daughter''s big day ......, what are you going to do? Wellman confidently states. This makes Iris feel a little uncomfortable. --Wellman doesn''t know that Iris is planning to turn down the engagement offer. Maybe he prepared the winning outfit with the ...... wish that Iris'' engagement would be successful. (......I''m sorry, Wellman. My mind is made up from the beginning. I apologize in my heart. Iris--I''m not going to take the engagement offer. He knew very well that if he accepted the betrothal offer, there was a good chance that he would not become a knight. It is not that I have been turning a blind eye to the subject of succession to the throne. Iris knew that this engagement had the potential to determine the future of this country. Her mother must have at least understood and approved of the engagement. It would not be an exaggeration to say that she entrusted the future of the Rheinfel family to Iris. However, Iris must not say no in order to become a knight. Iris knows that this will cause unnecessary confusion. Before coming here, Arutha had also warned her about this. (Just be firm and talk like me, right? Iris made up her mind and arrived at the place she wanted to go. A maid was waiting in front of the large door. She must be a maid for the Rahmberg family. If the valet was waiting here, then Wellman would also be waiting at the entrance. As the representative of the Reinfels and the Rahmbergs, he wanted to discuss the matter without disturbing each other. "I''ve been waiting for you, Iris Reinfell. Mr. Cashel is waiting inside. All right. Thank you. Iris replied with a smile and the maid put her hand on the door and opened it. Wellman waited silently in front of the door and Iris entered the room. Inside the large room, there was a young man sitting on a sofa in the back. His long silver hair was tied back and his golden eyes looked at Iris. As Iris approached him, the young man opened his mouth. Hello. Long time no see, Iris. The confident voice was a little - no, a lot - different from the person Iris knew. "...... Cashel? Yes, of course. Do you remember me? We''ve met at a few parties. Yes, I do. I may have appeared a little timid then, but ...... not today. I''m here to make you mine, Iris. Cashel declares clearly. I''m sure you''ll be able to understand why I''m here. But Iris is not soft enough to be overpowered. I also want to ...... make something clear to you. You can''t get engaged to me, is that what you''re saying? "What? Iris''s eyes widened in surprise. It''s not hard to see why, since Cashel said it himself before he even started. I''m not sure if you knew that when you asked me to marry you. ...... Yeah, that''s right. Nobility and nobility. It''s not an easy decision to make when you''re engaged to one of the four great noble families. But you and I - the Rahmbergs and the Rheinfels - are at least closer now. So you''re saying that you didn''t want to get engaged in the first place? "Hmm, don''t get carried away. I knew you didn''t want to get engaged. I know you don''t want to get engaged, and it would be the easiest thing for me to do if you did. ...... Now, the question is this: Why are you talking about getting engaged to me? Why can''t you accept my engagement offer? What''s that? It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. ...... There are many ways to decline. You''ll be able to find a lot of people who are interested in your company. In the event that you have any questions regarding where and how to use the site, please do not hesitate to contact us. Because if you answer that way, you will be told that you can learn about it in the future. It''s not easy to say no, especially when you''re engaged to a great nobleman. ...... Maybe the rumors you hear are true?¡¡I''m not sure if I''m going to be a king myself. I''m not in a position to decide if I''m going to be king or not. I''m not in a position to decide if I''m going to be king or not, but if you refuse, it''s possible, right? I wondered if Cashel had come here to find out. It''s not the same as what Iris knows about Cashel, and it''s a bit overwhelming. But Iris took a small deep breath and looked straight at Cashel. ...... Now, I''m not going to deny it. But you and I are on the same page, aren''t we? I''m not going to say no to that right now, but you and I are on the same page, right? That''s it. I see. I''m sure you''re not the only one who has a problem with that. ...... But is that the right answer? What do you mean? What do you mean? Do you think those words will convince the other nobles?¡¡I''m going to be king. Unlike you, I can make a strong statement. But you''re refusing my betrothal because you don''t know?¡¡If that''s the way you feel, why don''t you just get engaged to me?¡¡If you want to be a knight, I can make that wish come true for you. I don''t need you to grant me anything. Don''t try to shake me. That''s my answer. I''m not going to be king--Iris, the most likely candidate for king, is out. I haven''t heard from Remyll, but I know that Iris is in a situation where she shouldn''t make that clear. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. But a man like Zale can never be allowed to be king. He can''t throw away the possibility of Iris becoming king. That''s not to say that he won''t become king--even with such a vague answer, Iris''s position is guaranteed. It pains me to lie, but as a representative of the Rheinfell family. I can''t do that. I see. I was expecting a simpler refusal. "......? Ha-ha, it''s simple. You can''t get engaged to me because there''s someone else you like. ...... What kind of nonsense is that? I''m not sure what you mean by that. It was because there was someone who immediately came to mind when he said "someone I like" that Iris strongly denied it. She did not realize that it was a mistake. 136 136. What Aria Wants to Do Sir. What''s up? You''re bored. Haha, I''m never bored. I found myself talking to a bored-looking Aria. It''s true that I''m not here to do anything in particular. Of course, if nothing happened, I would just wait for the time to pass like this. I can''t just lie down and wait, so I keep my eyes firmly on the house. However, there was no sign of anything happening. ...... However, there are a few knights a short distance away from the building we''re in. It''s not the Kuro Wolf Knights, but the Knights of the Holy Armor. It''s not surprising that there are knights from the other side, since this is right on the border of the Order''s jurisdiction. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. I''m not a fan of this kind of thing. ...... It''s a power struggle that''s already started, even though we''re knights of the same country. I''m not interested in any of that,......, although that may be an exaggeration. I would be happy to be paid, but I don''t want power now. In that respect, it is probably a good thing that I belong to the Order of the Kuro Wolf. At least Remyll is not a person who wants to gain power for personal greed. As a knight, she is only trying to work for the good of this country. It might be better if the other knight captains felt the same way. (If that were the case, it would be ironic to have a power struggle anyway...) "Sir, what''s wrong? Oh, no, ...... I was just thinking about something. No, no, no. You''re Iris''s bodyguard, you have to concentrate. That''s true. But Iris has been getting stronger lately. You''re not just going to leave it to Iris, are you? No way. ...... Aria can be quite perceptive. I laughed and covered it up, but Aria''s words weren''t wrong. I''m not going to push her too hard, of course, but I''m going to let Iris do what she can do, and that''s what I''ve been thinking about lately. I''m sure that if I told Remyll or Aria about this idea, they would tell me to fulfill my role as a guard. ...... Iris, on the other hand, might be pleased. I''m not talking about leaving her in charge just to please Iris or just to make things easier for me, of course. If Iris has an opportunity to grow, I''m thinking of ways to take advantage of it. That said, the events she''s involved in tend to be very important. In that sense, Aria, who is standing next to me, is also the type of person who is easy to get involved with in many ways. Especially now that Aena and Mercier are also coming to the kingdom. I''m sure you''ve heard of it. Yes, my sister just happened to be in the neighborhood. By chance? Did she tell you why she came to the kingdom? No, not really. She asked me about my life here, about school, and about my teachers. About me? His hobbies, what he likes. I don''t know much about him. Well, I don''t have many hobbies. Fighting? I''m a pacifist. You''re not very convincing. You''re so strong. I don''t think strength is the same as principle. And as for strength, you know that. You mean he''s the former Sage of the Sword?¡¡I''m sure you''re as strong as anyone. I''m confident too - well, I was, but there''s no way I can beat him. No, you''re not. You and Iris are both highly skilled for your age. To be honest, you''re much stronger than I am. I don''t think I''ll ever be as strong as Iris for someone else. Aria denied my words. Indeed, I had never heard from Aria about dreams like Iris''. "Do you want to become a knight? "I don''t know. To be honest, I''m not really interested. That''s surprising. I thought that since Iris wanted to become a knight, you would join her. Of course I''m going to be with Iris forever. But I don''t think I''m cut out to be a knight or anything like that. My skills are in killing and espionage. I see. But there are such units for knights, too. Yes, I know. But you''re not interested? I''d like to do something to support Iris. I see. I hope you find something you want to do. When I say this, Aria''s brow wrinkles slightly. ...... Is this my career advice or something?¡¡This is not a school. But I''m still your teacher. "So you''ll do whatever I ask? "That''s not what a teacher is supposed to do, though, is it?¡¡But if I can make it happen, I''ll do it. I think it''s something only a teacher could do. What is it? I want you to make me stronger than Iris. Aria made her wish clear. Her expression was serious and unconcerned. I can tell that''s what she''s wishing for. --I don''t know why she''s making such a wish, but I can understand it. "From Iris? Yes. I just realized that when I was talking to you. I''m not interested in dreams or anything, but I know what I want to do. I''m going to protect Iris. In order to do that, I have to be stronger than Iris. And better than you. You''re right, you''re right. This is the first time Aria has said so clearly that she wants to become stronger. You can find a lot more information on the web at ....... I''m not sure if this is a sign of growth or not. Of course, not only stronger than Iris, but also stronger than the teacher. You gave up on me earlier, saying I couldn''t beat you. "You just gave up on me.¡¡"He said, ''You''re stronger than me. I believe in you, so I''m going to be strong. And if you protect everyone, I''ll protect Iris. What do you think? If that''s what you want to do, I''ll support you. Let''s practice. I''m not sure if you''ve seen this before. It''s not a ...... mock sword, but simply her favorite weapon. It''s a good idea to keep your eyes on the prize. I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that. "...... Sure. I''ll see you when this is over. When Aria was about to put her weapon back in her pocket, she suddenly swung back and took a stance. I also noticed that someone was approaching here. "...... who? "Students these days have gotten so rowdy. Or is that the result of your teaching, First Officer Alta Schweizer? "...... Captain Haylon Stiletto. The man who came before me was in charge of the neighboring district. 137 137. Solicitation Heiron came to me and glanced at Aria. He glances at Aria. Aria holds up her dagger warily. I don''t think there''s any need to be so cautious. I''m one of the leaders of the ...... Order, as he says. "That''s right, Aria. That''s right, Miss Aria.¡¡If you say so, doctor. As if obeying my words, Aria tucked the dagger into her pocket. Heiron nodded curiously as he watched her. It seems that your instructor is a student of ......''s, but he seems to be quite competent. How about joining the Order after you graduate? I''m not interested in ....... Oh, I see. Even though I lowered my weapon, it doesn''t mean that Aria''s guard is down. You can''t help but think that there''s something going on when you contact me in this situation. In the first place, I''m surprised that the Knight Commander, Haylon, has come directly to the scene. That''s how important this meeting is, I suppose. I ask him. "So, what can I do for you? I''m sure you''re in the middle of something. "Yes, I am. But I''ve left the other side to my men. Since we''re in the same area, I thought I''d at least say hello. First Officer Schweizer. "I see. It''s true that it''s been a while since we''ve spoken face to face like this. It''s only natural, since cooperation between the knights often goes through the Knight Commander and his liaison officer. "Then shouldn''t we do the same when we need to? Hmm ...... you''re right, but I told you this was a greeting. Or are you also wary of me? Haylon glanced at Aria again. Aria frowns a little suspiciously, but doesn''t say anything back. I let out a small sigh and replied with a smile. I let out a small sigh and reply with a smile, "Haha, no way. That''s exactly what you said, we''re in the same area. And we''re on the same mission, you know. Escorting two of the four great nobles. We both have the same people to protect ......, that''s why. In fact, don''t you think that''s the way a knight''s order should be? "The way ...... the Order should be? As if to repeat Hayron''s words, I ask the question. I don''t know what he means by that, but he seems to want to talk to me. "Yes. You may know that ...... the five orders of knights are ostensibly in a cooperative relationship, but behind the scenes they are constantly fighting factions. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for and what you can do to help. This is not just my opinion, it is the common perception of all the knight orders. "I see. I''m not familiar with such factions. Even if you''re not interested, you''ll be involved. As you know, this meeting is for the purpose of ...... joining forces with the Knights of the Holy Armor. I''m not sure what to make of that. I''ve heard that the Knights of the Holy Armor have an elite group of knights as well, as they defend the side of the Empire. The knights who have come here must also be highly skilled. It''s quite simple - ''if we form an alliance, we''re on the same side'', that''s how they greet each other. But I don''t think that Iris''s answer will be satisfactory to Haylon. After all, she is planning to refuse the engagement. Or perhaps ...... even if she does, she still needs to connect with us. First of all, could you please not talk about such things too much in front of the students? "Oh, excuse me. But the young lady there belongs to the Rheinfell family, right?¡¡I''m sure it''s not a problem to ask. No, it''s more of an interest to you, isn''t it?¡¡Do you know why Iris over there is at the ...... meeting? "....... Aria did not answer. But that much is known to all the Knights. And Aria''s existence is at least known to the public because of the previous commotion - though the reason Haylon doesn''t mention it is because he doesn''t want to. So, I''ll respond to you as an officer. If we were to form an alliance, I would appreciate it. As for me, even if it doesn''t come to that, I think it would be better to avoid conflict. "Of course, I agree with you. First Officer Schweizer, by the way, are you planning to transfer to another order? "Transfer? Yes, I think very highly of you. I can offer you much better treatment than Remyll. ...... I''m not sure if you''re here to recruit me or not. I''d at least headhunt you if I had the chance. Unfortunately, unlike other knightly orders, I don''t have anyone who is noticeably stronger than me. ....... Specifically, I can pay you three times as much as Remyll. "...... three times. I look at Haylon with a slightly surprised expression. If you''re talking about money, I wonder if you''ve done some research on me. If you are a knight, you should be able to get the best out of it. There are traps to sweet talk, but if I had just joined the ...... Knights, there is a chance I would have taken the offer. But, unfortunately, not anymore. I''m not sure if you''ve heard of it, but I''m sure you''ve heard of it. "I see. Well, she''s young, but she''s good at her job. Perhaps it''s because of her that I was able to make you my subordinate. So you can talk to her whenever you feel like it. "Yes, when I get the chance. When I answered, Haylon turned on his heel and left. ...... I didn''t expect him to not only talk about the alliance, but to recruit me as well. It''s a good idea to tell Remyll that you''ve had this conversation. "Sir, is that man really the Commander of the Order? "Yes, that''s right, sir. Why? Because ...... doesn''t seem like a very nice person. I taught you at the beginning not to judge people by their appearance. He''s a Knight Commander too. I think we share the same desire to protect this country. "But...! Just as Aria was about to continue, she noticed something and looked up at the sky. I noticed it right away, too. I felt a chill all over my body, I guess you could call it. Is this feeling some kind of magic? As I became aware of it, the color of the clear sky changed as if it were reversing. When I looked around from the building, I saw that there seemed to be a large warding system covering the area. I glanced over at Haylon. "This is ....... He, too, is looking up at the sky as if to stare. I wondered if he had done something with the timing, but apparently not. Doctor, let''s go to Iris. "Ms. Aria, let''s be calm first...that was fast. Aria jumped off the building before I could hear her. When it comes to Iris, she acts fast. I''d like to go after her right away, but if she doesn''t know what''s going on, she should probably cooperate with Haylon here. That''s what I thought, but it seems that there isn''t much time left in the situation. I could see that something was coming from the center of the ward in the sky, from the hole that had been created there. 138 138. Joint Front I headed towards the mansion a little later than Aria. The surrounding area is already starting to buzz--this ward doesn''t just cover the area. At the center of the wards is a "summoning gate" ...... where a large scale summoning magic is being used. It was nothing more than a clear act of terrorism, summoning demons throughout the town. In front of the house, Aria has already joined Iris. There were several others beside them. Iris was wearing a red dress, and I was a little surprised at how different she looked from my usual image. But now is not the time to talk about the dress. "Sorry, I''m a little late. Sorry, I''m a little late.¡¡Doctor, it seems that summoning magic is being used around this area. Yes, I''m aware of it. I''m aware of it. ...... At this time, there''s a good chance they''re targeting this area. I didn''t know they were going to target us when we were meeting. ....... It''s going to be troublesome. In the event that you have any questions concerning where and the best way to get in touch with me, you can contact me at my web site. He walks up to me with his maid of honor. "You''re Iris''s bodyguard, ...... Alta Schweizer? "Do you know who I am? You know who I am? - That makes it easier. If the target is here, it is possible that either Iris-sama or Cashel-sama, or both of them, are being targeted. I''ll tell the other knights to move, so you guys stay here. Wait here.¡¡A demon is about to attack the town. You can''t wait around! ...... That''s what Iris would say. Of course, Aria, who is standing next to you, will argue with you. You can''t wait for them to come to you. So, Iris, stay here. You''re the only one who doesn''t want to move!¡¡I can fight, doctor. I''ll fight with you. "Not a chance, Master Iris. The one who interrupted Iris was an old man. I''m sure you''ll be pleased to know that I''m not the only one who''s a fan of your work. He must be a butler in Iris''s bodyguard. The lady, Cashel, and Aria, stay where you are. Especially if this place is being targeted. This old body is here to protect you. It''s too dangerous to go out there and get yourself targeted. Please do not commit such a folly. "Wellman ......, what are you saying? The old man Wellman''s words caused Iris to show a clear expression of anger. Wellman saw this and looked a little surprised. The old man''s words made Iris look clearly angry. But I can''t just sit here and be protected. Think about your position. You are also the heir of the Rheinfels family. I''m thinking. I''m a daughter of the four great noble families ...... Rheinfell. Why do you think we''re still nobles?¡¡We''ve been fighting for this country, including the Rheinfel family, and that''s why we''re here now. If we become recognized as nobles, will we only be protected?¡¡Do you really think that''s acceptable?¡¡I''m fulfilling my role as a noble. It''s not us who are in danger, it''s those who have no way to fight back. So your role is not to protect me, but to fight alongside me. Iris declared clearly. Wellman stepped back, a look of surprise on his face as he heard the words without any hesitation. I was also a little surprised by Iris''s swordsmanship. --But I suppose that''s why it''s so typical of her. With a sigh, she smiled a little. I understand how you feel, Iris. Then I''ll trust you to tell me. "!¡¡Dr. Schweizer, ...... Doctor, me too. Yes, sir. It is possible that this place is being targeted at the moment, but more than that, since the opponent is a demon - the people around it are in danger. So we have to find a way to destroy the wards while defeating the demons. I know how to destroy the wards. What? It was Cashel who came into the conversation. He seemed to have heard what we were saying and continued to speak as he stood beside Iris. I''m one of the four great noblemen, as she said. I''m one of the four noble families. I''ll help you get out of this situation. Thank you very much. So, how do we destroy the wards? A large scale ward like this will not collapse if only a portion of it is destroyed. There must be dozens of people creating these wards. Dozens? When I heard that, I remembered what Remyll had told me about the "magic cult" - "Bullfouth". It was also said that they were based in this area. Is it possible that this organization has moved to target the two of you? "There must be mages gathered at the core of the wards, on each of the four sides. And those who control them. Once it''s triggered, it can''t be destroyed immediately, but in order to destroy the wards themselves, you need to defeat the mages on all sides. I see. Four wards is quite a distance. I''m sure I can destroy one of them, but if they''re in a group, they could be quite a force to be reckoned with. --As if they understood my thoughts, Iris and Aria stepped forward. I''ll take care of one. Me too. Master Iris... Wellman, I believe in you. Wellman, I believe in you. So use your power to protect your people. That''s my order from ....... When Iris said this, Wellman''s eyebrows furrowed and he fell silent. But then he lets out a small sigh. "You look a lot like your father, Miss ....... "Yes, because I am your son. Yes, because I am your father''s son. I will obey your orders and use my power to ensure that no one from the people is harmed. Thank you, Wellman.¡¡Thank you, Wellman. Wellman smiled as Iris expressed her gratitude. Then, Wellman approached me. There was a hint of hostility in his expression. "Alta Schweizer, I don''t approve of you. But I''ll move for the sake of the lady here. You will do your duty like a knight. "Yes, I understand perfectly. That''s all I''m going to say to you. He may be blaming me for allowing Iris to act alone. While he is happy about Iris'' growth, he must have mixed feelings about it. Perhaps he shouldn''t have entrusted such children as Iris and Aria with such an important war situation. But as far as I know, they are more dependable than ordinary knights. In order to quickly get out of this situation, it is desirable to attack all four locations simultaneously. And then there''s the other one. "Is it my turn, First Officer Schweizer? First Officer Schweizer.¡¡Knight Commander Stiletto. What are your orders to your men? We have a lot of good men. We''re already moving them to protect civilians. The way things are going, we''re gonna need more men to attack one place. If you''re willing to go, I''d appreciate it. Now we can go in four directions ...... and get some knights to help us form a small unit. That would leave me free. That leaves me free. ...... You''re right. I''m going to be working with you then. Alta Schweizer. "Alta Schweizer!¡¡Mr. Cashel: ...... That''s fine, but it''s dangerous to move. I told you. I''m a nobleman. You stay here. I''ll show you the power of the Rahmberg mage family. Cashel instructed the maid who was waiting. --With this, the plan was decided, albeit improvised. In the event that you''re not sure what you''re looking for, you''ll be able to find out more about it here. 139 139. Believing We had decided to divide up the members for the warding attack, and I was on my way to the scene with Cashel and some knights. Iris and Aria were on the side of Fencor, that is, under the jurisdiction of the Kuro Wolf Knights. The members of the Kuro Wolf Knights who were at the scene were also selected to accompany them. On the other hand, since I have Cashel with me, the knights I have with me are from the Order of the Holy Armor. You may have only heard of me through rumors. But in terms of rank, I''m the most senior - my platoon is made up of Haylon''s orders and Cashel''s presence. The only things coming from the sky were flying demons. But the evacuation of the people had already begun under the orders of Haylon. ...... Still, there''s no safe place to go when you can''t get out of the wards. I''ll drop a few here. I''m going to drop a few here, and I''m going to need each of you to keep moving forward with a raid. That''s all I said, and I walked up to a nearby building and ran straight up. "Oh, ......? The wall! It''s a great way to make sure you''re getting the most out of your time with your family. The flying demons also noticed me and some of them approached me. I unleash "Invisible". It can cover a small distance and catch flying demons. The target is not the wings, but the ...... neck. It will chop off the heads of demons in the form of birds, bats, etc., one after another. --The demons themselves don''t seem to be very strong. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re doing. The problem will be the mages that will probably be waiting for them ...... down the road. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. I see. ...... So this is what Alta Schweiz is capable of? The one who called out to me was Cashel. I''ve seen him use his magic to strike down some demons as well. --As a mage, I''m sure he''s good at what he does. He doesn''t seem to be intimidated by the demons he sees. You''re brilliant, Mr. Cashel. No need to be flattered. I''m here because I want to see what you''re capable of. My skills? Yeah, how good you are as Iris''s bodyguard. And there''s something else I want to ask you. What is it? I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but it''s a good idea. I''m not sure if you''ve heard of it or not. "Rock Lance! Rock lances rise up from the ground and shoot out one after another. It''s a great way to make sure you''re getting the most out of your vacation. I''m not sure if the only relationship between you and Iris is ...... escort? What does that mean?¡¡What does that mean? What does that mean?" Cashel''s question seemed to have some meaning. The relationship between me and Iris is not just that of an escort. It''s a relationship between a teacher and a student at the school, and a master and a student of the sword. There are many relationships, but I don''t think there are any other notable ones. I''m going to ask you straight out, what do you think of Iris? ...... That''s what I want to hear. "What do you think of Iris?¡¡Well, it''s nothing to hide. She''s my student now. I''m already aware of that. -I was wondering if you also like Iris. ......?¡¡Are you talking about her personality? As a lover, yes. I didn''t stop moving, but Cashel''s question was incomprehensible to me. First of all, the part about "Iris too". First of all, "Iris likes me". I don''t know where that comes from, and I don''t think Iris would say that first. I wonder what Cashel wants to ask me. --Could it be that Iris said she had someone she liked to turn down the engagement offer? I don''t know what you''re asking. I don''t know what you want to hear, but I''m nothing more than her bodyguard. "I see. Well, I suppose it''s hard to answer that question directly. But there is one thing. From now on, when Iris becomes mine, ...... you will also be under my command. Keep that in mind. Cashel sounded as if he was sure he could keep Iris under his control. I''ll have to check with Iris on this one, but I don''t think Iris was undermined by the mood she was in earlier. --And there''s one thing I know for sure. "Mr. Cashel, is this the end of the conversation with me? It''s .¡¡That''s ...... right. Well, I''m going to go ahead of you for a bit. I''d like to conquer this place as soon as possible. The other knights will be guarding Mr. Cashel. If anything happens, I''ll fall back. In the current situation, how quickly we can capture the wards will lead to the safety of the town. I''m going to put the matter of Iris and Cashel behind me for now. As I took care of the demons that were descending one after another, I was getting closer to my destination. At this speed, I might be able to quickly rush to the aid of other places. --I''d like to be optimistic, but there''s a reason why I chose this place. There are two places where I can feel a strange presence. One is where I''m going and the other is where Iris is going. There''s a chance I''ll have to run to Iris'' place too. You can''t go through here! No! --On the way to my destination, I hear a familiar voice. You''ll be able to find a lot more than just a few. ...... Apparently, Chloe had gotten caught up in the situation as well. "Ruh! "......! It''s a good idea to take a look at the website and see if you can find anything that might help you. She has no experience in fighting demons yet. I immediately unleash Invisible on the demons that are trying to get to Chloe. "What? I stopped in front of Chloe, who had a stunned expression on her face. I''m not sure what to do.¡¡I''m sure you''ll be able to figure out what''s going on. Oh. Is Chloe alone here?¡¡Is your sister-in-law--? Oh, you''re the one who''s ...... here all alone!¡¡What about Iris''s bodyguard? Chloe''s voice rang out as she closed in on me. I looked at her in surprise. Calm down. Ms. Iris and I are separated now. It''s ....... Why? I told you, you have to follow my advice. ...... Does that have anything to do with what''s going on? No!¡¡No, no, no, no, no!¡¡I don''t know what the hell is going on here!¡¡I don''t know what''s going on, but you''re my bodyguard, why would you leave Iris alone? Chloe, tell me what you know. Chloe, tell me what you know. There''s a demon attacking the town, and it needs to be dealt with immediately. But why are you in such a hurry to protect Iris?¡¡What do you know about it? It''s ....... Chloe looked lost. I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but it''s a good idea. My sister Mariel borrowed a sword from the Knights of ...... to test Iris. "Your sister-in-law is ......? It was a word I never thought I''d hear. I''m sure you''ll be able to guess why Marielle came here to test Iris. Above all, the fact that I borrowed a sword from the Order ...... means that Remyll was also hiding the fact that I was seeing Mariel. (The Commander ...... knew and didn''t tell me. I''m sure you didn''t think it would come to this. And anyway!¡¡I''m not sure what to do. "Your sister-in-law is also in a situation. I''m sure she''ll help you at least until the situation is resolved. That may be so, but... Besides, I think she''s more concerned about protecting you right now. What the hell? I pulled Chloe''s body back and put her behind me. --A few fireballs went off. It seems that the people who caused this incident set it off. I cut down all of those fireballs with the blade of the wind. "What the ......? In response to the surprised mages, I get as close as I can to the Invisible and release it there. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m going to do it. "What, ......? I''m not sure what to say, but I''m going to say it. Chloe, meet up with the knights in the back and get them to protect you. Chloe, meet up with the knights behind you and get them to protect you, including the people in the building. I know you were trying to protect ...... them. And your feelings are the same as Iris''s. "Mr. Iris and ......? She too decided to fight to protect this town - that''s why I sent her away. If you admire Iris, you should know what she is like. "......! Chloe choked on her words. You''ll be able to find a lot more information on the web. But Iris herself doesn''t want that. She wants to be in a position to protect herself, not just be protected. So I have one piece of advice for you. "So my one piece of advice is to ''trust'' her - at least that''s what I''m doing. "Trust Iris. ...... Chloe mutters, repeating my words. I don''t know if this will convince Chloe, but I run forward. --With my eyes on the enemy looming before me. 140 140.Golem Master --Aria was advancing at an unusual speed. She flew her dagger to strike down the demon without fail, and also used a crate on the side of the road as an obstacle, and just as she ran along the wall, she jumped on top of the demon and cut off its head. Instantly, he creates a "black hole" and throws a dagger into it. He aimed at the flying demon from a distance and struck it down. Leaping from the falling demon, Aria moves forward further. Originally, Aria was not good at fighting with others. It was only at Iris''s level that she could work with her - so Aria did not work with the members of the Order. Aria is not working with the members of the Knights. Alta has anticipated this and has left the chain of command to the captain class of the Kuro Wolf Knights. Aria just needs to aim for the desired location. (......I''ll finish here and go to Iris right away) Aria''s mind was made up. Aria''s mind was made up. She would say that Iris didn''t need help, but if this ward was meant for Iris, she couldn''t leave her alone. I believe in Iris, but that''s not the same as not supporting her. I will not allow anyone to stand in my way. Early on, Aria was getting to her destination. Keeping her presence dead, Aria ran unnoticed by the mages. On the way, she cut down the mages standing guard only in places where there was an inevitable chance of detection. "Haha-- The mage would not have understood what had happened. He suddenly felt a pain in his back and found himself lying on the ground. --Assassination is what Aria is all about. Aria lurked in the shadows of the building, watching the scene ahead. A few figures in robes - one of them stepped forward. Huh, there''s no point in hiding. I''m sure you''ll be pleased to know that I know where you are ....... I know where you are. I''m not sure if you''ve ever heard of this, but I''m sure you have. It was an "eyeball". It''s not a living thing, but something like an eyeball. As the eye''s pupil shines, you can see the magic power concentrating in it - Aria immediately runs from the spot. A ray of light was released. The place where Aria was dissolved as if it had been sprayed with a powerful acid. "Hmm, it looks like we finally meet. "Well, it looks like we''ve finally met, and I''d like to congratulate you on getting to me. The man took off his robe and revealed himself. Blonde hair, white suit. He was, in a word, a rude man. Of course, Aria does not show any reaction and holds up a dagger. "...... Huh, you seem like a pretty cool girl. I''m not sure how you can remain so calm in the face of my beauty. "You''re the mage who created the wards? Uncle ......?¡¡You''re a cool girl, I''ll give you that, but you''re not using the right words. How dare you call me ''uncle''? ...... "Mr. Ledru, I''ll leave you to it. We''ll take it from here. Shut up. I''m talking to you. The men in the rear tried to move forward, but were stopped by Ledru''s words. I''m sure you''re not the only one. I''m sorry I didn''t introduce myself sooner. My name is the Golem Master. I don''t have time for this nonsense. I''m sure you''ll be able to figure out what''s going on. The Kuro Hole appeared behind Ledru and pierced his back. The people around him are in turmoil. "Mr. Ledru ......? I''m not sure what to do, but I''m going to do it. I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not. I thought I had taken her down for sure, but it looks like I missed the mark. Or should I say Ledruh dodged it. "Looks like you''re not just a joker, Uncle. "I''m telling you, he''s not my uncle. ......!¡¡Huh, but that''s okay!¡¡This kind of injury is just the right handicap! Redruth spreads his arms. As if in response, the earth shakes and Aria''s feet crack. Leaping backwards, Aria distances herself. What emerged was a gigantic "golem" that was larger than a two-story building. In addition, the "eyeball" from earlier also appeared around Aria. These must be the golems Redruth is dealing with. They seemed to be watching Aria''s movements at all times, as if they were sharing the same vision. "Hahahaha, how about that!¡¡This is my trump card as a golem master. "...... Huh. I''m sure you''ll be happy to know that I''m not the only one. I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not. "...... What are you laughing at? I''m not. I just thought it would be a quick fix. Ledru used his golem to watch Aria. That''s why he didn''t fall down even after the attack earlier. But even though he had been watching, Ledru hadn''t been able to completely avoid Aria''s attack. At that point, he was no longer Aria''s enemy. (...... Iris, I''ll be right there.) (Iris, I''ll be right there.) Taking out a dagger from her pocket, Aria readied it. Then Aria''s expression changed, as if she were a hunter aiming for her prey. 141 141.Reinforcements Iris grabbed the "SHI-DEN" and ran through the city. Without hesitation, she unleashes a thunderbolt against the demons that descend from the sky. --The demons were frightened by the lightning strike, and she cut them in half with a single swing. You can''t go forward alone.¡¡It''s not safe for you to go forward alone. I can''t. You''ll need to have a good idea of what you''re doing. She glanced back at the knight and saw him coming. "Stay with us. If anything should happen to you, ...... I''ll be fine. I''m fine. Can I leave the area to you? What do you mean "around here"? The knight seemed to have realized what Iris had said. This area is being taken over by demons. I''m not sure what to make of it. I don''t know if they''ve gathered this much or if they''re connected to the demon''s lair ....... But there was no doubt that the situation had to be resolved immediately. I believe in you guys who belong to the Kuro Wolf Knights, just like my teacher. I''ll leave this to you guys. "But ...... Did you become a knight to protect the nobility?¡¡I''m here to protect everyone. I''m not sure what to say. Iris''s resolve has been conveyed - she will not be stopped by the knight''s words. She glanced down at her feet. It was the heels that Wellman had given her to match her dress. I should have changed my clothes. She took off her heels on the spot and looked at her destination in her bare feet. She lowers her stance slightly and takes a stance. "Soo-- Inhale a small breath. She closes her eyes and focuses her attention. There is one place Iris is aiming for. There''s still a few hundred meters from here. There''s the mage who created this ward. There are still many enemies waiting for him. Quickly and surely - Iris must conquer this place. I''m coming. With those words, Iris kicked the ground. I''m going to go." With those words, Iris kicked the ground, her whole body covered in lightning bolts, and she accelerated, making a noise. The demons that saw Iris tried to attack her, but were struck down by lightning as they approached. A method of moving that makes your body look like magic - the "thunder body". It consumes a lot of magic power, but Iris doesn''t care about that. It''s a great way to make sure you''re getting the most out of your time with your family. ......, it''s here! It''s a great way to make sure you''re getting the most out of your vacation. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. Iris ran straight through without hesitation. She slipped past the mages standing in front of her before they could use their magic. The mages chase after her, but she pays them no mind. It''s better if they focus their attention on Iris. The one who unites these mages is just ahead. And the mages are chasing after him, trying to prevent him from reaching them. Iris-- accelerated further. This is what the Princess of the Sword is all about.¡¡This is the Sword Saint Princess''s-- She left the surprised words behind. Eventually, Iris spotted a figure and stopped in her tracks. I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not, but I think it''s a good idea. ''You arrived earlier than expected. Iris Reinfell. "...... are you sure you''re--Farren Torbert......? You remember me, don''t you? Iris had met the man in front of her, Farren, once before, a long time ago. This is because Farren''s father was a knight and one of the people Iris looked up to. His son, ......, never became a knight. The fact that you''re here means ...... That''s right. I''m the one who created this ward, and now I''m the head of the Order of Magic, Bullfuss. ......!¡¡Magic, cult?¡¡You should belong to the Kingdom Magic Association. The kingdom also has an unofficial organization related to magic technology. The reason why their existence is not recognized is because many of their techniques are technically dangerous compared to the kingdom''s own magic techniques. In the event that you have any questions regarding where and how to use the site, please contact us at ....... I''m not sure what to make of that. The Magic Society is an organization that is not officially recognized by this country. It was set up by the Rahmberg family, but ...... their methods are lukewarm. The Magic Society will never be recognized in this country any time soon. There will be no progress in magic technology anytime soon. "So you''re telling me you did this?¡¡If you do something like this with magic just because your magical skills aren''t accepted... "Doesn''t make sense, does it?¡¡It makes sense. We have the power to threaten the power of this country. ...... We can make it known. And you, Iris Reinfell, are a hostage. I''m a hostage? Yes. It seems that Cashel Rahmberg tried to take you in, but you refused. So, from the beginning, this plan was only supposed to be implemented today. "It was meant to be done?¡¡Your actions are a betrayal not only of the Rahmberg family, but of this country. No, ......, it''s for the good of the country. But you wouldn''t understand that if I told you, Iris Reinfell. You''re still a young girl, a little girl who doesn''t know anything. "...... You don''t know anything. It is true that I may still be a child. But even if it was for the good of the kingdom, your actions are unacceptable. I can assure you of that. So I''ll stop you. Iris pointed the tip of her sword at him and held it ready. Farren''s eyes narrowed and he gave a small sigh. You''re a child if you''re going along with my story. Did you let your guard down, thinking that the mages you fought to get here were nothing?¡¡Don''t underestimate us. We''ve been refining our magic for the sake of this country. "! A few mages appeared in front of Farren. In addition, shadows came one after another to surround Iris. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. I''m not sure how many people are out there for me alone. I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that. That''s why I thought you needed this much strength. Okay. I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that. I''m not sure what to say. I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that. "......?¡¡What is it? Farren was unaware of it. But he soon understood. I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not, but it''s a good idea. I''m not sure what to do.¡¡I''m not sure what to do. I''m not sure what to do.¡¡Torbert''s people. "...... you. A woman landed in front of Iris and Farren. Iris had only just found out about the woman. I''m not sure what to say.¡¡And that sword is ....... It''s been a while, Iris. I''ll join you now. Marielle Schweizer, Alta''s sister. --In her hand she holds a sword without a blade, the Steel Thread Sword. --On her hip is a sword with an extendable blade, the Hundred Foot. She appeared with a sword that had been used by the swordsmen that Arta had defeated. 142 142. The World of Ice Mariel''s appearance upset Iris. However, she quickly changed her mind and stood facing Farren. ''Thank you, Mariel. It''s okay. Leave the small fry to me, ...... and do what you want. It''s not that Mariel''s "small fry" included weak opponents. There are some who have dropped back in alarm when she appeared - but Mariel''s blade caught even them. --That was the Steel Thread Sword used by Fis Maiden, one of the Swordsmen. Iris has not actually fought with it, but she has seen it in action. It''s not only the user, but also ...... the fact that Mariel''s skill is out of the ordinary when she uses that sword at will. ...... At the very least, Iris can''t use that sword. You can find a lot of people who are looking for the best way to get the best results. But Marielle can wield it at will. "...... You dare not aim at me, huh? But I never thought we''d be so overrun by a single person. If you wish to surrender, you must release the wards now. Lifting the wards? Stopping me alone won''t stop this magic. But I''m not going to surrender. I''ll take care of Iris. I''ll take care of the girl. "Ha! The mages who had been holding back also started to move. He glanced at her, but she just nodded with a gentle smile on her face. I''ll take care of it--that''s what I meant. (Though I didn''t think I''d be able to help not only the doctor, but his family as well: ......) In the current situation, I would honestly appreciate it. What Iris needs to do is to defeat the enemy as soon as possible. Therefore, Iris focused on one person, Farren Torbert, and grabbed his sword. It was Iris who made the first move. She kicked the ground to close the distance between her and Farren. Farren was not armed - if they were fighting at close quarters, Iris would have the advantage. You can''t expect me to let you get close to him easily. "Ah! I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but it''s a good idea. You''ll be able to find out what it was that cracked - you''ll run your thoughts through your head and realize that it was a misunderstanding on Iris''s part. You feel the cold air beneath your feet. It was the Ice Spear that extended from his blind spot. Iris leaps to the right to avoid the attack. If you look, you will see that Farren himself is covered in cold air. The ground around him was gradually covered with frost, freezing his surroundings to a crisp. "Is this the first time you''ve seen a mage use cold air? I''ve heard that ...... ice magic is difficult to handle. I''ve heard that it takes a lot of practice to get it up to a real-world level. I''m perfectly capable of handling it. I can handle it perfectly." As soon as Farren said that, cold air spread around them at once. The ground froze and the trees and plants transformed into beautiful ice sculptures that looked like they were created by an artist. Furthermore, the ice on the ground changed. As the thorny path was formed, Farren continued in an indifferent tone. "Now you can''t get to me. Even if you were wearing shoes, these icy thorns would easily penetrate. He was probably referring to the fact that Iris was barefoot. It''s true that Iris can''t get close to it under the current circumstances - but that''s only if Iris doesn''t do anything. Do you really think I can''t destroy it? I''m not sure what to do, but I''d like to know what you think. The lightning strike that spread out around her easily destroyed the ice thorns that Farren had created. Farren''s eyes widened in surprise. "! "Now-- The moment Iris tried to close the distance between her and Farren, she felt something like a chill. It wasn''t a chill that he was giving off, but something that he sensed was a trick. Instantly, Iris leapt up to get some distance from Farren. If you look at where he was a moment ago, you can see signs that he was trying to catch Iris. "...... So it''s powerful enough to freeze you instantly. You''ve noticed. This is the power of my magic. I told you, with that kind of power... I told you. I told you this was for the good of the country. You don''t understand. It''s certainly not something Iris can understand. What Farren is doing is clearly an act of treason against this country. But Farren insists that he is doing it for the good of the country. In order to confirm his true intentions, he needed to be defeated anyway. (Perhaps an attack from this distance, even if it reached him, would not be enough for me to defeat him. (Probably I can''t defeat him even if he can reach me from this distance, though I''m sure Dr. Schweizer can use the Invisible to hit him. ......) Iris''s long-distance attack is the "flying thunder", which flies a blade of lightning. It''s fast, but not very powerful. If a wall of ice is built, it will be easily blocked. While facing each other, Iris exhaled quietly. A white breath entered her gaze, and she looked directly at Farren. "Give up. You''re a swordsman, you can''t get close to me. There must be some reason why you don''t come any closer than you have to, right?¡¡For example, you can''t move ...... there in order to maintain that magic. "...... Farren didn''t answer. If you can move while maintaining that magic, then you can approach Iris. But the reason he didn''t do that was because he thought it would be difficult to move with the magic intact. The reason they don''t chase Iris as much as they should is because their magic is of the type that "unfolds" on the spot. In other words, it is like a "ward" that can only be activated in a certain place. If you take the time to ......, Iris has a chance to win. But that would be a conflict of interest. But that''s not in the interests of Iris, who needs to defeat Farren as soon as possible. "...... There''s no point in thinking about it. I''ll decide in one blow-- Iris made up her mind and stepped forward. I''m going to do it in one blow." Iris stepped forward with determination, finding herself on the edge of Farren''s magic and leaping for it. But no matter how much Iris tried, she couldn''t get to Farren in one step. Even if she stabbed her sword into the ground and unleashed a thunderbolt, it would not last. If his feet touched the ground, he would be caught. Farren knew this, and as if to push him even further, he aimed the Ice Spear at the spot where Iris had landed. I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but it''s a good idea. "What? Farren''s eyes widen in surprise. Before landing, Iris had landed on the Wall of Magic that she had created. It also tilted its direction slightly towards Farren and put a lot of strength into its legs. --This is a technique used by Luino Tomra. The moment he kicks out, the wall of magic power fragilely collapses, but Iris instantly closes the distance to Farren. Farren also reacts, but Iris is faster. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m going to do it. "Gah! Ha! ...... I''m not sure what to say. You''ll be able to find out more about this in the future. It''s a great way to make sure you don''t get caught in the middle of the action. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. ...... Hmm, I guess it was too much to ask to use it right off the bat in a real battle. But it worked. Using the techniques of those he had defeated in the past, Iris had defeated Farren. 143 143. Betrayal I ran to my destination, dealing with both demons and mages. Chloe sent me to the Knights who were in sight. All that''s left is for me to get through this as quickly as possible. If Chloe was telling the truth, Mariel would be on her way to Iris. ...... Instead of thinking about what''s next, let''s focus on getting here first. In the event that you''re not sure what you''re looking for, you''ll be able to find a lot more information on the web. In fact, there were no more mages than before. I could hear the voices of demons echoing in the distance, but this area seemed to be in a different space. I stopped and faced the source. You''re one of the mages who enforce the wards here, aren''t you? "Hmm, yes. You''ve come a long way, Alta Schweizer. The girl''s voice reaches my ears. A girl in a robe is waiting for me, alone. Do you know who I am? "Of course you do.¡¡You''re a celebrity, and you''re the youngest knight in the kingdom, having defeated several swordsmen by yourself. ...... Not long ago, you were just a rumor. I''m sure you''ll be pleased to hear that. I''m not sure what to say. I''m a knight, as you know. I''m a knight, as you know, so you can either surrender and lift the wards here, or you can fight me. "Oh, is that what chivalry is all about?¡¡You know the answer to that question, don''t you? The girl''s mouth twisted into a smile. I''m sure you''ll be able to understand why. I thought I had chosen this place because I could see it from a distance, but it seems I was right. Her answer signaled the beginning of the war. "All right, let''s deactivate the warding! I should have. "...... what? I couldn''t help but ask back. I didn''t expect such a response in this situation. I said, "That''s why I said I''m going to remove the warding. It''s quite tiring to maintain them. I don''t want to go through all that trouble. "Does that mean you''re surrendering? No, no, no, no, no. I''m just getting started. No, no, no.¡¡From now on, ......? That''s right. It looks like she''s just arrived. The girl makes a gesture as if she is looking behind me. It''s Cashel Rahmberg with a few knights. I''m finally catching up. I didn''t think we''d have made it to the enemy''s master by now. For a moment, Cashel was at a loss for words. I glanced at him and asked. "Do you know him by any chance? "No... "Hmm, don''t be silly, ''princess''. You''re the head of the Blue House. Well, it''s just a decoration, though. The girl''s words upset the knights around her. Bullfouth is the name of a magic cult that has been making headlines lately. It''s not surprising that the girl said that the head of it is Cashel. I''m not going to let you get away with this. ...... Don''t be silly. Why do I have to deal with people like you and ...... That''s what you understand the most, isn''t it? Bluefause is an organization that can conduct illegal magical experiments, and any research that is successful there will be officially announced by the Magic Society. I guess that''s why they run two organizations. But your personal advisor, Sir Farren Torbert, has betrayed you. "Farren is ......? When Cashel heard the name "Farren", he became very upset. I know that name too - a man who has strayed from the path of the knightly family of Torbert, which originally focused on the study of magic. I had heard that he belonged to a magic association, but from what the girl said, many people belong to both the magic association and the Order. I think it''s useless to get carried away. So let''s be honest, Cashel-sama. "If you''re ......, what''s the point of this, Lusa? I didn''t hear anything! I don''t know what you''re talking about, Roosa. I didn''t hear anything!" Cashel says angrily. Hearing Cashel''s words, Roosa suddenly starts laughing out loud. "Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!¡¡Didn''t you hear me earlier?¡¡You were abandoned by Farren. That''s why he decided to carry out this operation and take Iris hostage. "Take Iris hostage? ......?¡¡He didn''t have to do that. He didn''t have to do that. - "''Keep her in the dark''?¡¡But the fact that Sir Torbert still went through with this plan means that he doesn''t trust you, right? ......, so that means you betrayed me, too. That''s not true. I''ve never been on your side, princess. Stop calling me that. ...... Why not?¡¡You''re a girl. It''s not wrong to call you that. You''re a girl. I was surprised to hear her say that. Kashel Lernberg is a girl. If that''s the case, then the engagement story itself was never meant to be in the first place. You ......!¡¡How did you know about ......! "Hmmm, well?¡¡Sir Torbert told you, didn''t he? That''s bullshit! It was Cashel who started to move when he heard Roosa''s words. I can feel the high magic power. If the Rahmberg family was an excellent mage family, Cashel was exceptional. The ground around Roussa rises, and the magic takes effect - but the next moment, all that rises is blown up. ...... When Cashel saw the scene, he was speechless. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. Mr. Cashel. "....... Cashel steps back. A strange sense of intimidation. The knights are also pressured by this atmosphere. I stood in front of Cashel. "A, Alta, ......? I''ll check the situation later, but I do know one thing. You are the enemy. "Oh, well, I guess you could say that. Well, you''re going to be in our way anyway, so ...... you may as well disappear here. The "Red Lotus Witch" - Lusa Plominate will take care of it. She took off her robe to reveal long hair that could be described as crimson. I confronted Lusa, who was holding a spear of flame created by magic. 144 144.The Witch of the Crimson Lotus She may look like a girl, but the intent to kill is not that of a girl. She calls herself the "Witch of the Red Lotus," but contrary to her name, she holds a flaming spear. The blade and handle are all made of flames, and I can see that they are burning with tremendous heat. You call yourself a witch, but are you going to fight me directly? "I''m just testing you first. I know you''re strong, and I know you well. "A test? As if in response to those words, I waved my right arm. I''m not sure if it''s just the speed of the sword, or if it''s my speed. It''s a very fast sword, and it''s invisible to the eye. A mere mage could easily decapitate her. But my blade could not reach her. ! A sound like a burst of air echoed around me, and the Invisible disappeared in front of Lusa. It''s not that the spear prevented it - a barrier of magic power had been created in front of her. It''s not an easy task. "...... I see. At the very least, there was no magical barrier before I launched my Invisible. You can see that she reacted to my attack and created it instantly. I could see that Lusa''s ability was just that much greater. "Well, then, I guess I''ll go first. Lusa took a step forward. And then the knights who had been waiting for her began to move. "Ka, protect Master Cashel! He seemed to be upset, but he was still a knight. A few of them move to protect Cashel, and two of them run toward Lusa ahead of him. "No! I''m sure you''ll be able to figure out what''s going on. "Whoa, whoa, whoa! That''s brave. That''s the knight of this country. But it''s pointless, isn''t it? "Ahhhhhh! The blade he had swung down had lost its edge. I''m not sure what to make of it. It''s also pierced through the body and instantly burst into flames. The other sword was blocked by the magic barrier and tried to be pierced by the spear. Immediately I started to move. Against the Spear of Fire, I fire Invisible. I shot it before it could reach the knight and closed the distance between me and Lusa. Lutha looked at me. There''s no point in getting closer. She points her spear in my direction. It''s so hot that it could easily melt a sword made of metal. The Spear of Fire, created by Lusa, has the power to kill a human even by touch. It is a weapon that will absolutely give you an advantage over swordsmen. Or, if it''s my "blue armor sword", I might be able to prevent it by breaking up the flow of ...... magic power. It also has enough resistance to resist abnormal heat. But I don''t have it on me right now. --The only thing I can call upon and use is the Silver Spirit Sword. The only thing I can use if I call on it is the Silver Spirit Sword. ...... but it''s too public here. I''ll fire Invisible at Lusa. Three blows in quick succession. None of them reach her and are blocked by the magic barrier. Lutha thrusts her spear at me. I kick the ground and jump to the right. I evade the attack and run around to see what''s going on. You''re really fast. Is he looking for an opening? Yes, he is. I''m trying to figure out what to do. I answered honestly. --I''ve fought mages many times before. They prefer to fight at a distance, and basically don''t like to fight up close. For Raul Isaruf, who was known as the "Sword Saint," they were not interesting opponents. If I close the distance and cut him down, that''s the end of it. There were few people who could react to my swordsmanship. --But not her, at least. She is a mage who can block my attacks, and I can die if I take even a single blow. This isn''t a battle of swords, it''s a battle of magic. --It''s not going to be easy for me to win unless I bring the fight to my level. But I can do whatever I want. With or without an opening, I can keep my distance and fire an invisible. It still won''t reach Lutha, but she doesn''t always create a magical barrier. I''m not sure how many times I''ll be able to do this, but I''m sure I''ll be able to do it. I''m not sure if that''s what you''re trying to do. I don''t know. I don''t know. You don''t seem to have much of a chance. Of course not. I never let my guard down against a strong opponent like you. But you''re right. ...... I won''t be able to catch you even if I chase you, and if I do, I might be the one who''s left behind. Then there''s only one thing to do. Lusa raises her spear to the sky. That movement stopped me in my tracks. I could see the magic power concentrating in the tip of the spear. It didn''t take long for it to create an unparalleled amount of heat - an "it". What''s that? ...... One of the knights muttered to himself. It''s not that hard to see why. The heat is so intense that the surrounding rubble turns red from the heat. It''s not me they''re after, it''s Cashel. "....... I''m not sure if it''s a good idea or not. It''s a great way to make sure you''re getting the most out of your money. I''m not sure what to say. The expression I wanted to see was. By the way, Alta Schweizer. Can you prevent this magic from happening? "...... I see. I quickly move in front of Cashel and the knights. If I''m the only one, it won''t be hard to escape. That''s why she dared to go after Cashel. --To bury me with her. Oh, there''s no way you can prevent that. ...... Haha, shit. ...... The knights behind me are leaking words of despair. It''s a good idea to take a look at your own personal life. You''re the only one who can ...... get away with it, right? Yes, I can. I don''t think it will be that difficult to escape. I don''t think it will be that hard to escape, because she knows that and she''s after you. "Well, then ...... forget about me. Just get out of here. When I heard Cashel''s words, I turned my head. It''s true that Roussa is right, Cashel does look frightened. But even so, she said as if to squeeze out. She said, "If we''re not going to make it, ...... then whoever can beat Lutha should stay behind. I can''t believe she''s that strong. ...... "Master Cashel. I''m a knight, and I''m not one to run away. I need to hear it from you. If you get hit by that, you''re done! I''m a knight and I want to hear from you.¡¡I don''t care either way, but if we''re going to talk about it ......, let''s do it in the afterlife. Lutha swung her spear. In response to that, the shining sphere is also heading straight towards us. I take out from my pocket a piece of paper to use the "Simple Summoning Technique". A silvery glow spreads out, and the next moment - the surrounding area is enveloped in a blast. 145 145. Magic War Hot air and dust flew in the air, and Louisa Plominate quietly turned her gaze downward . "Hahahahahahahaha!¡¡What ...... is no big deal!¡¡Alta Schweizer! I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not. I''m not sure if you''ve seen this before, but I''m sure you''ve. It''s a fireball that compresses heat to melt metal with ease. Not many mages, even if they were mages, would be able to block her magic. That''s why she was so sure. And she hadn''t expected it to go so well. If Arutha abandoned Cashel and distanced himself from him, then it would be a contest of strength between him and Cashel. She knew that if she continued to fight, she would eventually be overpowered. However, the reality was that Arutha, who could not abandon Cashel, took a direct hit from the magic and both of them were blown to pieces. It''s a good idea to take a look at the actual information on the web. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. In the event you''re not sure what you''re looking for, there are a few things you can do. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m sure I''m not the only one. She turned her body away just in time to avoid the wind blade. She turns her gaze in the direction the wind blade came from. The dust gradually clears away and the person standing there is Arta. "What the hell is ......? I''m not sure what to say. In addition to Cashel, there are also knights standing unharmed behind Arta. The back of Alta''s body was completely unharmed. "Nonsense, that''s impossible. How can you be standing there unharmed? If you ask me why, it''s because I prevented it. "......!¡¡Don''t be ridiculous, that''s not ...... possible. Roussa was upset, but observed Arta. I know that the boy Arta is an excellent swordsman, he has nothing in his hands. What he is also good at is a combination of magic and swordsmanship. ...... In other words, he is not a mage. There is no way Arutha can block the maximum firepower of a pure Lusa. (No way, that light that I saw slightly ......? The moment the spell from Lusa hit Arta and the others, the light and the powerful magic that I saw briefly - I didn''t pay much attention to it because it disappeared immediately. But if there was anything, it was that. Alta had somehow prevented Lusa''s magic. It is true that she is an outstanding swordsman, but she also has the means to prevent Lusa''s magic. You can find a lot more information on this topic at ....... The fact that Arta is dangerous shows how dangerous she is. I think we''re back to square one now. ...... Hahaha, that''s ...... funny. Alta Schweizer. Lusa raised her right arm. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. It''s not that she calls herself the "Red Lotus Witch", but that''s what she''s called. This indicates that she is the highest level of ''flame wielder''. But it was a ...... mistake not to finish me off with that blow. Can you prevent another blow? Yes, you can. It''s certainly tough to get hit again and again - so this is checkmate. "I''m sorry. I''m sure you''ll be able to figure out what''s going on. The sound of the wind whistling through the air reached her ears. The next thing he felt was the pain of having his right elbow sliced off. "Gee, ......?¡¡I''m not sure what to do. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re doing. In the midst of all this, Alta''s expression never changed. I was even scared by her attitude. You will find a lot of things that you can do to make your life easier. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. I don''t use it very often either. I''m not going to use it very often either, because the basic rule is to kill or be killed. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. It''s not the Invisible, the invisible blade of wind, that Alta unleashed on Lusa. I''m not sure what to make of that. What Arutha has just unleashed is a spell to kill an opponent at a distance: Return Air. "It was you who let your guard down. You thought you''d killed me with one blow and didn''t try to follow up. But if you had, you might have been dead already. "......! Lutha glared at Arta, holding her right arm. In the event that you have any questions regarding where and how to use the internet, you can contact us at our own web site. "Gee, gee, gee, gee, gee, gee! ! The knights who were watching the scene were shaken. If the battle continued at this rate, Rousa would be defeated anyway due to blood loss. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m going to try to stop the bleeding, no matter how painful or hot it is. "Ha, ha--I admit it, Alta Schweizer. You''re strong ...... and I''ve clearly identified you as an enemy. The next time we meet, I will ...... certainly kill you. What makes you think you''ll be next? "There''s ...... a sa. One on one, you might not have gotten away with it, but you''re not leaving, are you? "....... Alta did not answer. You''ll be able to see the difference between the two. She has the advantage in this spacing. Even if Arutha leaps to close the gap, she can still block Arutha''s attack. She could target Cashel, who was standing behind Arutha. Knowing this, Arutha would not move. Using the rest of her magic power, she activates the "Movement Technique" that she has prepared in advance. It''s a spell that can be used to move around a predetermined location - she uses it to escape from Arta. I''ll be sure to pay you back for your arm. ...... With that, she disappeared from the scene. 146 146. Defense Techniques "Hmmm... ......... I think I got away with it for the time being. I let out a small sigh and let myself relax a little. There''s no sign of Lutha - at least not as a mage, she''s probably the best I''ve ever fought. If I hadn''t been caught off guard when I blocked her attack, the battle might still have continued. The only defensive technique using the ¡¶Silver Spirit Sword¡· was the ¡¶Silver Flash Shield¡·. It was a release of the magic power sealed within the sword, and it was used to prevent the Silver Spirit Sword from spewing out only magic power, rather than calling out the sword itself. This was also a technique that could be used, but this was the first time he had actually used it in a real battle. I thought that the attack would hopefully reach her, but ...... it was not easy. In the end, I was able to use Return Air to deal some damage. The Invisible wasn''t at a range where I could kill it with certainty, so I had to use a spell I don''t often use. The battle was over, and behind me, the knights, including Cashel, slumped to the ground. "Did you survive, ......? I''m not sure how much longer I''m going to be able to live. ...... I''m not sure if it''s a good idea to ask them to move right away in such a condition. I stand in front of the slumped Cashel. "Can you stand up?¡¡Mr. Cashel. Oh, yeah. ...... I''m sorry. But was it ...... magic that prevented Lusa''s attack earlier? That''s a secret. You can see the silver glow in their eyes as they were standing back. I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but I think it''s a good idea. However, if there were more than one other mages of the same class as Lusa, it might have been necessary to release the ...... Silver Spirit Sword. It''s a good thing that I succeeded in getting rid of Lusa for the time being. I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that. There are a few things I need to ask you. "....... My words made Cashel''s expression cloudy. He is the head of the magical cult, Bullfuss, Roussa said. In addition to that, the fact that Cashel is not a "he" but a "she",......, both of which are probably true as far as the exchange you just saw is concerned. I''ll tell you more about it after I break the wards--just when I thought that, the wards covering the sky suddenly cracked. The wards collapsed with a snap, and I saw a clear sky. Apparently, the attack on the four locations had been completed almost simultaneously. You can still see the demons flying some distance away, but the knights will take them down soon. I think I know what you want to hear, ....... I''ll have to explain what''s going on here. But there''s not much I can tell you. Cashel said to himself. --The fact that she had been ''betrayed'', as Louisa had said. I''m not sure what to make of it, but I think it''s a good idea. However, the words and actions of Lusa are a bit questionable. Why did she have to speak in front of me? There was no need to explain, and if he wanted to abandon Cashel, it would have been better to go after him in the heat of the moment. This makes me wonder to what extent Haylon, the leader of the Knights of the Holy Armor, is aware of this fact. He must have cooperated with us since this ward was broken, though. I''ll secure the area for now. We''ll talk after that. Is that all right with you? ...... Yeah. That''s fine. Are you sure you don''t want to go to Iris? I''ll be there in a while. But I don''t think it''s time to let our guard down yet. "...... I see. I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re doing. I''m going to try to keep the area safe until the knights are able to move satisfactorily. As long as the wards are broken, the safety of the town has been secured for the time being, but ...... it will be treated as a large-scale "terrorist incident". If Cashel is complicit in this, the Rahmberg family will be removed from the list of candidates for king - or is that the goal? There is no answer to this question, but as Remyll said, this country is in a very dangerous situation. And Iris is probably one of the people at the center of it. It seems that Iris has defeated one of the mages who control the wards, without needing my help. She may have collaborated with Mariel. But it also reminded me of what Chloe had said. Mariel is trying to test Iris. That''s why she borrowed the sword from the Order. I don''t know what kind of sword she borrowed, but at least I know what she''s capable of. Her tone of voice is usually calm and elusive, but when it comes to her sword skills, she is one of the top people I know. I''m sure that Iris has grown up and acquired enough skills to be a good match for the current girl. But I''m the one who told Chloe to trust Iris. So I''m going to do what I have to do. Because I believe that the Iris of today can pull it off. 147 147. Duel Iris saw the sky clearing and the wards collapsing. He understood that the mission had been a success and that each of them had done their part. It''s a good thing that you''re not the only one. ...... will not wake up for a while. I''m not sure what to say. I''m not sure what to say. In the event you''re not sure what you''re looking for, it''s possible that you''ll be able to find one. Iris gulped when she saw the scene. Mariel had saved Iris''s life, but the sight of her overwhelming the mages made her feel a little scared. She was the sister of her mentor, Alta Schweizer, and considering that, it was no surprise that she was a powerful person. Still, it was true that she had come as a reinforcement. Iris bowed her head and thanked Mariel. Thank you for your help, Mariel. It''s okay. It''s all right. I had something to do with you anyway. "...... me? Yeah, yeah. I wanted to ask you something, Iris. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. After the battle with the mages, she does not have a single scratch on her. There was not a stain on her clothes, proving that Mariel was highly skilled. "Do you intend to become a king, Iris? "Yes! But what she said was something that Iris didn''t expect to hear. Mariel is asking Iris if she is planning to become a king. She hadn''t expected to be asked so many questions about her ''future'' just today. "Why now? "Because now is the time I need to ask. That''s why I came all the way to King''s Landing. That''s why you came to King''s Landing, is that what you''re asking me ......? Yes. I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not. --She''s not lying. If that is the case, was it not a coincidence that she first met Iris? I''m sure you''ll be able to find a lot more information on this in the future. ...... The truth is easy to answer. Iris does not intend to become a king. He is a knight, not a ruler. He will fight as a knight and become a knight like his father, or even better than his father. You''ll be able to get a lot more than that. I''m sure you''ll be able to understand why I''m not able to get engaged to you, but I''m sure you''ll be able to understand why I''m not able to get engaged to you. (......, why are you saying that now? ......) Then Iris remembered the conversation she had with Cashel earlier. You want to be a knight, you want to be with Alta, and then you think about the person you love. It''s as if Iris is "in love with Arta". What Mariel is asking is not about such impure talk. I''m sure you''ll be happy to know that I''m not the only one who''s in love with you. "Yes. However, he immediately felt a presence that made him distance himself from Mariel. This is the first time I''ve ever felt this kind of ...... force against myself. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re doing. You''re right, Iris. If you don''t step back now, your head will have jumped. "...... What do you mean, what do you mean?¡¡Didn''t Marielle come here to help me ......? Yes, she did, a moment ago. But not anymore. You''re trying to hide your true feelings. What I want to hear is your true, honest, unvarnished feelings. Hmm, hey ......?¡¡Do you know this phrase?¡¡It''s called "talking with your fists. Mariel draws her sword. No, what Mariel holds in her hand is a steel threaded sword. There is no blade, and even if she did, it would not be visible. But then she pulls out another sword. Both the Hundred Foot and the Steel Sword were used by the Swordsmen, but it was only the Steel Sword that Mariel had just used in battle. There are probably only a few people in this world who can handle that one sword properly. Marielle, holding up such a sword and another one that would be difficult to handle, said. I''m sure you''ll be able to understand why I''m here.¡¡I''d like to hear your true thoughts as we fight. "Why do I have to fight with you, Mariel? I''ve already answered that. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m sure you''ll be able to figure it out. I didn''t expect to find myself in this situation first. Mariel glanced around her. --It''s no coincidence that she came with a sword. From the beginning, she had come here with the intention of fighting. It''s not just the mages, but the ...... Iris that she came here to fight. If you''re not sure what you''re looking for, you can always ask for help. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. (Why is it that Mr. Ein is ......, but now is not the time to be thinking about that? I''m not sure what to make of it, but I''m sure it''s worth it. I''m not sure if I''m going to be able to do it. It''s a good look. The hesitation disappears and the face of a swordsman immediately becomes. You''re willing to fight me, aren''t you? "...... I don''t think I''m in that situation right now, to be honest. But since you''re not going to let me off the hook, I''ll take it. I''ve been waiting for you to say that. So let''s start ......, shall we? With Mariel''s words, everything around you is being cut into pieces. I''m coming. With the words, Iris begins to move. The duel between Iris and Marielle has begun. 148 148.Mariel Schweiz --The girl was a genius. Even at a young age, she was already as good as any real knight at swordsmanship. The girl''s name was Marielle Schweizer. Anyone who knew her would have thought. Mariel was going to be the strongest knight in the kingdom, no doubt about it. But Mariel did not choose that path. One day, Mariel had a brother-in-law. A boy who was brought up in an orphanage by his father. He was a gifted swordsman, and his manner of speaking was not that of a child. The boy''s name was Alta. He was the first person Mariel had ever encountered and understood to be undoubtedly superior to her. She must have taken him in because he would be beneficial to the Schweizer family. However, Mariel''s thoughts were a little different. There was Arutha, whose talent with a sword was greater than her own. Then, he should be the knight. Mariel thought that the right person should be in the right place. Before Mariel could tell him her intentions, Alta said. I''m thinking of becoming a knight. --This was something she could not have hoped for. If Arutha chose to become a knight, Mariel would do her duty as a lord in a remote area. In exchange, Arutha inherited the Schweizer family''s "Blue Armored Sword". The sword that Mariel had already inherited, the sword that should have been in the hands of a lord, Mariel gave it to Arta. This is what I''ve been thinking since I first met him. Arutha is blunt with everyone, but doesn''t want to get too involved with anyone. She is the same with Mariel and her sister Chloe. She is indifferent and tries to be irrelevant. Despite her absolute strength, Arutha has a fatal flaw. There is no obsession in Arutha. Nevertheless, Arutha was the youngest person to be knighted and showed great success. The Schweizer family received regular reports of her work in the form of letters. The reports were very plain, and it is likely that Alta only had duties that he could perform as a matter of course. Mariel had a feeling that even if he became a knight, there would be no change, and that Arta would quit the knighthood not long after. --It was only recently that there had been a change. Arutha became the bodyguard of Iris Reinfell, the "Saint Princess of Swords," who was known as the "strongest" in the kingdom. She is the only daughter of four major noble families who won a sword fighting tournament at the age of ten and is said to be more skilled than a real knight. She is the daughter of one of the four great noble families, and if Mariel had gone to King''s Landing, her name would have been Mariel''s. After getting involved with her, Arta changed. After getting involved with a girl named Iris, there was a gradual change in Arutha. From struggling with her personality to struggling as her teacher. This is something that Mariel could not do, and something that Iris has brought to her. But even if she was in a remote area, she would still know about the situation in King''s Landing. Iris is the leading candidate for the position of King, but she does not flaunt her position clearly. If the Rheinfels insist on their position, it will be established immediately. The fact that he doesn''t do so suggests that he doesn''t intend to become king. ...... Such is the gossip. Of course, many nobles will not believe such stories and will support Iris, who is known to be the strongest in the kingdom. ...... Mariel is different. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. In the event that you''re not sure what you''re looking for, you''ll be able to find out more about it here. Then, what is the "path" that Iris is aiming for? Mariel has come to the capital to find out if Arta, whom Mariel recognizes, is the person she should be with. She had decided to check it out as soon as she got rid of the interferers. As a result, she ended up getting caught up in the ''incident'', but it didn''t matter to Mariel. This is the time for Mariel to assess the girl Iris. You can find a lot of things that you can do to make your life easier. Both of these weapons were used by a group of assassins called the Swordsmen, and she has never crossed swords with them. Using those swords, Mariel sees Iris''s true intentions. As the one who was supposed to be called the "Sword Saint Princess". 149 149. True meaning Iris tried to close the distance, but quickly stopped. Mariel''s weapons were the Hundred Foot and the Steel Thread Sword. At first glance, one would think that either of these weapons would be sufficient. They are both capable of one-sided attacks from out of range, but they are used in different ways. The Hyakutoku is at its most powerful at medium range. The "slash" from the undulating movement of the blade is the moment when its firepower is at its maximum. On the other hand, the Sword of Steel Thread does not have a technique with high power. It also has no means of defense at close range, and it is said that the Fisses who actually used it devoted themselves to evasion. The essence of the technique is that it is equally powerful at any distance. Its firepower can be maximized at any distance, short or long. I''m not sure if ...... Iris can really handle it with two hands. I''m sure you''ll be able to figure out what you need to do. The only one he used earlier in the battle with the mages was the Steel Thread Sword. He must have decided that he needed to use both of them against Iris. (The steel threaded sword for long range, and the centipede ...... for medium to short range. Iris decides that, and processes the path. He figured out a route that would allow him to reach Mariel and get into her "space". The sound of the wind whistling through the air reached her ears. If it had been Iris before she met Alta, she might not have even been able to dodge. Even now, I can''t follow the thread with my eyes. But I can see it with my senses. Sensing where Mariel was aiming, Iris rushed forward. What? He saw the blade of the Hundred Foot in front of him. Iris cuts it off with the "purple light". He had already stepped into Mariel''s space - he knew that well. But she needed to change her mind quickly. Mariel doesn''t use her sword according to distance. At any distance, she would use both swords against Iris. Mariel uses two different swords, each with different characteristics, and each one is extremely difficult to use. The word "abnormal" comes to Iris''s mind. It must be a challenge just to handle one of them. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. I''m not sure. I''m not sure if you''ve seen this before. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. Iris is determined to make it through this "storm of slashes". Stepping forward, he dodges the slashes of the Steel Sword and responds to the approaching Hundred Foot. As each of them maneuvered delicately to avoid collision and entanglement, Iris moved in time with them. He moved his gaze and searched for the "weakness" of the two weapons. The Steel Thread Sword is invisible and attacks quickly. In addition, it is capable of fine movements - but the current Iris can just barely avoid it. The Hundred Feet is noticeably larger, and after evading the Steel Sword, it launches a follow-up attack on Iris. The blade is moving around as if to protect Mariel. (...... not moving at the same time, right?) As she quickly dodged the steel threaded sword, Iris thought about it. It was a world of a few tenths of a second. But there is definitely a sense of discomfort. It was the Steel Sword that was aiming at Iris, but it was the Hundred Feet that was going to be the deciding factor. Iris was the first to change her mind when she stepped into Mariel''s space. If both of them were going to attack at the same time, how could she get through the wave of attacks? (But ......) Iris''s questions grew louder and louder. (But ) Iris''s doubts grew. At this moment, at this very moment - just as she thought this - Marielle moved her Hundred Feet. (...... I knew it!) It only took Iris a few moments to realize it. ( I knew it!) Iris realized in a few moments that she had to slash away at the oncoming Hundred Feet and step out of Mariel''s line of sight. I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but it''s a good idea. But you were right. "No, looks can be deceiving. That won''t work on me anymore. No!¡¡It won''t work?¡¡How can you say that without getting past it? I''m saying it because I can. That''s a good answer. Then let''s see it. Mariel is ready. She has at her disposal a blade that can easily cut your body if you touch it--a threat indeed. It would take courage to step into such a situation. But if you have the courage to step in, Iris already has it. --Do you intend to be a king, Iris? I remember Mariel''s question. What does Mariel want to ask? I don''t know what the answer is for her. But Iris has her answer. As soon as she turns the blade on Iris, she has to answer that feeling. He stomped on the ground and gripped the handle of the Shiden tightly. Iris started to run again. "-- The approaching Steel Thread Sword. Iris moves through the threads as if dancing, and avoids it. At the moment of evasion, the Hundred Feet closed in on Iris. Iris''s movements suddenly became more daring. If you''re wary of the Steel Thread Sword, there''s no way you''ll be able to go straight ahead - but Iris flicked the blade of the Hundred Foot with the Purple Den and closed the distance to Mariel at once. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m sure it''s a good idea. But ...... Iris is faster. I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but it''s a good idea. The blades of the Hundred Foot were close enough to touch around Iris. Even though the blade was touching her throat, Marielle was unfazed and looked at Iris and said. "How did you manage to get through those two blades? I was almost fooled by how flashy they look. But it''s one of them that actually attacks you. If you are aware of that, it''s not that difficult to deal with them when they switch. "Hmm, ''not so difficult'', huh? I''m sure you and Alta-chan are the only two people in the whole country who can say that, ....... I''m sure you''re not the only one. In addition, if Marielle had used only one of the two, it would not have gone so well. "Oh, ......, you were aware of that much. And? Marielle asks again - Iris answers clearly, keeping her blade pointed. I don''t want to be a ...... ''king''. I''m sorry if that was an answer you didn''t want, Marielle. I''m sorry if that was an answer you didn''t want, but I''m aiming to be a knight. I''m going to be the strongest knight in this country. I want to be the strongest knight in this country, stronger than Dr. Schweizer, stronger than anyone. She said it clearly. I rarely state things like this. But this is how Iris really feels, and what she really means. The answer to Mariel''s determination will be to answer with honest words. ...... Yes. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m sure you''ll do fine. I''m not sure. I''m glad to hear it. I think you''re the right girl for it. And you know that, don''t you, Alta? "Yes!¡¡Well, ...... yes, I do. The doctor said he would support me. So, if you''re going to support ...... me, I''ll have to do the same. I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but it''s a good idea. As Mariel said this, she heard the sound of blades crumbling. Mariel dropped to her knees as Iris lowered her blade in time. I don''t think it''s an unforgivable crime to point a blade at the daughter of the four great noble families of Rheinfell, Iris-sama. You can do whatever you want with me. I don''t care what you do to me.¡¡...... Please raise your head. I''m sure I would have slurred my words if it weren''t for this. I will not be a king - Iris must not answer that way yet. Even if Iris doesn''t want to, those around her do. Even if Iris does not want to be king, those around her do. Therefore, Iris must continue to be the "one who should be king" until the "one who should be king" is found. ...... That was the role that was assigned to Iris. Do you forgive me? Yes, of course. So, here and now, I swear to you. The Schweizer family fully supports the Rheinfels. No matter what may happen, no matter what enemies may appear in the future, the Schweizer family will be with the Rheinfels. As the next head of the family, I swear that I will keep my word. When she finished, Mariel stood up. As soon as she had finished, Mariel stood up, her serious expression returning to a gentler mood. I''m sure you''ll be happy to know that I''m not the only one who has a problem with this. I''ll protect you as Iris''s big sister." "Well, um, ...... thank you, sir? I''m sure the last word will be a little upsetting. I''m sure the last word was Marielle''s true intention, Iris understood. This is why the word "sister" stuck with her. I''m not sure what to do.¡¡It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. "......?¡¡What?¡¡No, no, no, marriage!¡¡How can that be?¡¡I''m not sure what you mean by that. It''s nothing more and nothing less than that. I''m not sure what you mean. Well, I''m not going to ask you about your ''true intentions''. I''m not going to ask you about your ''true intentions'' because I think you''re too naive and a bit pathetic. Well, I guess everything should be taken care of by now. Mariel turned her back on Iris. She may have been joking - but this may be the first time she''s said it outright. Today, there were many opportunities to be aware of this. And what had been a question in Iris'' mind for a long time was becoming a certainty. (Do I like ...... Schweizer-sensei?) This was the moment when a girl who lives by the way of the sword became aware of her feelings for the first time and turned them into deeper questions. 150 150.Halon Stiletto "But, ha! ...... The mage man was pierced by the long blade and fell to the ground. The one standing in front of him was Halon Stiletto. As the leader of the Knights of the Holy Armor, he leads his subordinates to attack the mages and demons without fail. He defeated one of the mages who deployed the wards and did his job. All of the mages that fell around him were defeated by Haylon. --Heron Stiletto is a capable man as a warrior. At first glance, some would say he is thin and unreliable, but that''s because they don''t know him. In his essence, he is simply a strong man. A Knight Commander is expected to have a certain level of ability, but his position naturally requires him to do more desk work. In spite of this, Haylon often stands on the battlefield not only as a Knight Commander, but also as a knight. This is the way Haylon, a man who voluntarily fulfills his role as a knight, is a knight. I''m not sure what to make of that. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. The place is almost under control. In the event you''re not sure what you''re looking for, there are a few things you can do. However, Haylon could tell that all of them were capable. Alta, of course, and the girl who had just faced the Sword Saint Princess. If he fought properly, even Haylon would not be safe. I could understand that just by facing her. Through Remyll''s report, we also got some information about the girl, Aria. She is a girl who has been involved with the Shadow Apostle, the dark side of the Empire, and is currently under observation by the Kuro Wolf Knights. In that sense, she may have been working with Arta. They are both his students who are lecturers ......, both of whom are excellent candidates for the Order. But what are you going to do about the Princess of the Sword? Heiron asks these questions. The Rahmberg family had been consulted in advance about the engagement between the Rahmberg and Rheinfell families. Whether it fails or succeeds, Haylon doesn''t care either way. In the future, however, it will be a stepping stone to building a friendly relationship with the Kuro Wolf Knights - that was Haylon''s goal. I''m not sure what to make of this. I''m not sure what to make of that. Haylon noticed the approaching "presence" and readied his sword. He pointed the tip of his long sword, his preferred weapon, in preparation for whoever was coming towards him. The mage had already been defeated - if there was a mage hiding, he wouldn''t have bothered to send out a sign to be noticed by Haylon. In the silence, Haylon sharpened his mind. In this chaos, in this situation, ...... if they are coming here, there is a good chance that they are enemies. If they are enemies, it''s Haylon''s job to cut them down. Eventually, a figure dressed in a robe comes before Haylon. When Halon saw the figure, he was surprised. "...... You-- Before Haylon can speak, the robed figure closes the distance to Haylon. I saw him pull out the sword at his waist. Hayron moved to respond to it. They looked at each other as if they were locked in a battle of Tsubagai. "...... What do you think you''re doing? What do you mean by pointing a sword at me? ...... No, you don''t. I''m not sure if you''ve heard of it or not. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. And... I''m sure you''ve heard of it. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. "Gosh, ...... It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. You''ll be able to find a lot more information on the web. The place was dyed red by Halon''s fresh blood. 151 151. To be a snable --The battle was over and the damage report was given. The attack by more than dozens of demons and mages did not cause that much damage if you only look at the results. The fact that the knights had already been deployed and that they had succeeded in destroying the wards quickly might be said to have made a difference. But that''s just the numbers. According to a report from a knight belonging to the ¡¶Holy Armor Knights¡·, the leader of the Knights, Haylon Stiletto, has been seriously injured by someone. He is in a critical condition and is currently under emergency measures. It''s unlikely that he and the mages went toe-to-toe since the wards were destroyed. In the first place, Halon''s injuries were caused by the sword. Master, I think we''re done here for now. "Yes!¡¡Yes, that''s right. Thank you for saving my life. Suddenly, Aria spoke to me, and I answered her. I also heard that she had joined up with Iris and the others and that they had each won. Aria had done a great job of defeating the mages single-handedly, and had succeeded in capturing the head mage without killing him. Iris, in cooperation with Mariel, has successfully completed the conquest. It seems that Mariel, her collaborator, has already disappeared and left after saying, "Give my regards to Alta. I was going to ask her about everything, including what Chloe had said, but it looks like I''ll have to wait until later. Cashel will be taken into custody by the Kuro Wolf Knights and we will talk to him later. So I thought I''d give a word of encouragement to Iris as well as Aria. ....... ...... "Mr. Iris?¡¡What''s wrong? What?¡¡Oh, no, it''s nothing. You say it''s nothing, but you don''t seem very excited. I can''t believe you''re so surprised when I talk to you. Iris, you''ve been acting like this for a while now. Yeah, yeah. ...... I''ve been doing a lot of thinking. ...... I''m sorry. I''m sorry you''re going through such a difficult time right now. No, no problem. Thanks to you, the damage was minimal. Let''s hope that the Stiletto Knight Commander will recover safely first. Iris nodded at my words. --However, the Knight Commander of the Holy Armor Order has fallen, and there are still suspicions about the magic cult regarding Cashel. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. The fact that he tried to get into the Reinfel family not only through lies will never go away. It is undeniable that the Knights of the Holy Armor and the Rahmberg family will be severely weakened, which means that their defense against the Imperial side will be weakened. I''m also curious about the fact that Aena came to the school just the other day. ...... As expected, I don''t think she''s involved in this matter. It''s a fact that Aena will hear about sooner or later, so you might as well tell her about the situation with the Knights of the Holy Armor first. Aena is on the side of the kingdom and the empire, and she wants the two countries to be friends. "Iris-sama! "Iris!¡¡Chloe, ......? I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but it''s a good idea. The knights must have been protecting her, but it seems that she has been released. Chloe rushes over and takes Iris'' hand. "Oh, my God, you''re safe!¡¡You''re safe! My sister, I hope she didn''t bother you! I''m sure you''ll be fine.¡¡I''m not hurt. ...... Iris, what''s wrong? No, don''t worry about it. I was just talking to her. Aria''s question was answered by Iris in a dismissive manner. I''m not sure if this is a good idea, but I''m sure it''s a good idea. ...... As far as Chloe is concerned, it couldn''t have been just a simple conversation between the two of them. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for and what you need to do to get it. --The fact that Iris was standing there unharmed meant that she was at least recognized by Mariel. Perhaps the reason why she doesn''t tell him about the fight is because Aria is also here. If she hears about it, there''s a good chance she''ll turn on Mariel for whatever reason. I guess that''s not what Iris wants either. I''m so glad. It''s really ...... annoying to my family ....... No, you''re not annoying. The Schweizer family, with Marielle and, uh, Dr. Alta, are really good people, I think. You must have a good family. ...... is a waste of words. "Iris, I''ve started calling you ''Dr. Alta. Oh!¡¡No, now that you have your ...... family. I don''t care either way. I don''t mind either way, although I''d prefer not to be called ''Mr. Alta'' because it would diminish my dignity as a teacher. I won''t call you that!¡¡But if it''s okay with you, can I use ...... that term from now on? You''re the only one who can confirm that. Of course it''s okay. Oh, thank you. I''m not sure why I''m being asked to thank you, but I''m thinking about it, and then Chloe turns to me and gives me a sharp look. It''s not like I did what my ...... brother told me to do! "......?¡¡What are you talking about?¡¡I''m sure you''ll be pleased to know that I''m not the only one who''s a fan of your work. It''s also the first time I''ve ever been knighted in the kingdom. Don''t talk about the past, stupid brother-in-law!¡¡It''s not that I approve of you!¡¡It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re going to be doing. This is a great way to make sure you are getting the most out of your money. In the event you''re not sure what you''re looking for, there are a number of things you can do. Chloe gave a small smile. You''ll have to remember that. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re going to be doing in the future. She certainly did not run away from the demon that almost attacked her earlier. In this sense, if you polish your sword skills properly, you can become a knight. ...... I feel like I was able to talk to Chloe for the first time in a while. I''m not sure if it''s because she''s usually so hostile towards me. --I think I''ll at least try to explain myself to Chloe, who left me with nothing but a throwaway line. I''m sorry I''m such a noisy sister-in-law. It''s not usually like that, but it''s true that you''re a fan of Iris. I''m sure you''ll agree that it''s a great idea to have a knight who can be a good role model for you. I''m not sure what to do. I was a little worried because she was so excited just now, but it seems my fears were unfounded. And so the big question of Iris''s engagement came to an end, leaving a big question unanswered. 152 152. The Strongest Swordsman Ha, ha ...... at all, to have your arm taken away, you know. In a deserted back street, there was Lusa Plominate. The missing arm was burned to stop the bleeding - but the pain didn''t go away, as it should. Sweating profusely, she leaned against the wall and let out a small breath. I''m not sure if this is a good idea, but it''s a good idea. Now all I have to do is go home. It''s a great way to get the most out of your time and money. "Do you think you can go home?¡¡Do you really think you can go home in front of me? "......! It was a girl''s voice that reached Louisa''s ears. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. I''m not sure if you''ve heard of it or not, but I''ve heard of it. I''m not sure what you mean by "why". If you''re here, what''s so strange about me being here?¡¡I''m sure you''re not the only one. "Do you know who I am, ......? Do you know who I am? You''re a witch from the Western Alliance. It''s only recently that we learned that she had entered this country. "Hmm, if you know so much, there''s no need to hide ....... But you''re a little late to the party, aren''t you ......?¡¡Your alliance with Haylon Stiletto of the Knights of the Holy Armor is dead. The Farmer''s Empire has now lost its connection to the Kingdom, right? "...... What Order are you connected to? Do you think they''ll tell us? No, they won''t, so we''re gonna get them. You don''t think you''ll get away with this, do you? With Aena''s words, figures appeared around her. On the other side of her was a girl. On top of the building, there are also two figures. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for, but it''s not always easy. I''m not sure what to do. "Of course, we will do that if necessary. If it''s necessary to protect the country. That''s a good answer. ...... Except that it would be much more helpful if you could form an alliance with us. That''s not possible, witch. ...... Why? You know why. I already don''t like what you''re doing. You''re just like the extremists in our country who want to invade other countries. I''d like to get rid of all of you eventually, but ...... you''re doing such a conspicuous thing to the "foreign enemy" at hand. That''s why I''m here. I''m not going to ask you any more questions, but if you''re willing to be caught, I can guarantee your life. I''m not sure if you''re a princess or a soldier, but you''re still a princess.¡¡That''s very kind of you ....... "I said I''m not going to question it. Mercier, we''re going to get this guy. Don''t let him get away. Yes, sir! Aena called out to Mercier, the girl waiting in front of her. But as soon as Mercier responds, she turns around. She noticed the presence of the "enemy" there. Mercier quickly readied himself. However, she was blown away by the sword art. He barely avoided a direct hit, but he was knocked against the wall. I''m not sure what to do. Mercier! Aena moved quickly. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re doing. The one who appeared was a man in armor. The man in the armor unleashed a technique that was familiar to Aena. It was an invisible blade of wind--the Invisible. Aena reacts quickly and avoids it. Aena''s men also try to move, but they are just in time to react to the Invisible and are not able to get to Aena quickly enough. In just a few seconds, the man makes them understand that they are the strongest in this place. The next thing you know - Lusa is being held by a man in armor who suddenly appears. "Who are you with your swordsmanship ......? "....... The man in armor did not answer. The man in armor does not answer. The sight of him grasping his sword in silence can be frightening. The man in armor didn''t answer. You know him well. You know him well. He''s the strongest swordsman you''ll ever meet. "The strongest swordsman ......?¡¡No way. No way. The Sage of Swords, Raoul Isarulf, that''s who. The man who rescued Lutha is, without a doubt, the greatest swordsman of all time. The man who rescued Luisa is the most powerful swordsman in the world, but he hasn''t been seen for many years. It was during this time that the strongest man in the world appeared. 153 153. What to do now "Huh, somehow ...... all survived. --Aena muttered to herself. The person you''re dealing with is the one who calls himself Raul Isaruf, the Sword Saint. I don''t know if it''s real or not, but the other side was fighting to protect one of their own, and we were about to be wiped out. Aena had brought along five of her men, including Mercier, all of whom were competent Imperial soldiers recognized by Aena, and who had actually survived. But they were clearly exhausted. Although they hadn''t been directly hit, the Invisible that Raoul had just unleashed. It must have been all she could do to catch that. If Aena herself wasn''t planning on retreating, she might have been wiped out. ...... It was such a strong enemy. There are traces of the battle all over the place. I''m not sure what to make of that. "What do you think, Mercier?¡¡What do you think, Mercier? I think you took his blow pretty hard. Aena asks Mercier, who is standing right next to her. Aena asks Melche, who is standing right next to her. Still recovering, Melche answers, sitting on the ground. ...... So, yes. The only reason he was able to prevent the blow was because his goal was to retrieve the Lusa Plominate. I think that''s it. If he had really wanted to fight us, he would have been wiped out. I agree with you. I never thought I''d meet someone so much stronger than me so soon. ...... But is that really Raoul Isaruf? "......?¡¡What do you mean? "Raul Isaruf hasn''t been seen in years. I thought he was retired or dead. If he is still active, it is unnatural that he has not been seen. That''s true, but the strength of the ...... ''enemy'' is real. Yes, it is. But I think we should still talk about it ....... In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site. The boy, Alta Schweizer. Even Aena doesn''t know much about him yet. She hasn''t seen all of his true abilities, but she did see him fight with Kufilio Notoria of the Shadow Apostle when she was visiting. And just the other day, when he had a mock fight with Iris, he easily stopped Aena''s sword. Although I didn''t mention it at the time,......, Iris and Aena''s abilities were very close, and they were both swinging their swords in earnest. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. That''s why I''m worried. The fact that two people who are more powerful than Aena both use the same technique. If there is nothing to do with it, that''s fine, but Aena''s feeling was that Arta and Raul were not related. She thought that Arta was at least related to the Sage, and that he might be able to tell her something about that Raul. Real or fake, at the very least, that man was clearly an enemy of Aena and the others, and someone who would also be an enemy of the Kingdom of Gardea. What should we do now?¡¡At the very least, it will be difficult to pursue him. ...... "If we go after him, we may be attacked. Instead, we should be on the defensive. Any word from the other deployed soldiers? They''ve just been contacted. They said they were just in time. Sir Knight Commander Haylon Stiletto is still alive. Oh!¡¡I see. That''s right, he''s still alive. Aena breathed a sigh of relief. The soldiers she brought with her are not the only ones. They were given another mission, and it seems they were successful. As for the Knights of the Holy Armor, with whom the Empire had already been cooperating, it would be as Lusa had said earlier. Until Haylon wakes up, the connection between the kingdom and the empire is fading. That''s why Aena is here. I know what I have to do. I''m going to fight for the empire. ...... That''s all I''m going to do. Aena declares with a determined look on her face. Even in the face of an overwhelming enemy, her heart did not break. 154 154. Circumstances of the Knights It''s been a week since a demon was summoned to King''s Landing - still too short a time to say that peace has been restored. In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can contact us at our own web site. ......, but it was the Order that had the biggest problem of all. Haylon barely survived, but ...... has yet to regain consciousness. And even if he does, it''s doubtful he''ll be able to return as a knight. That''s right. I''m not sure what to make of that. In the office of the head of the ¡¶Kuro Wolf Knights¡·, I was talking with Remyll. The other day, the interrogation of the captured "magic cult" - the mages of "Bullfouth" and the head of the cult, Cashel Rahmberg, began. I was there, and I can tell you that the questioning of Cashel was limited to the level of an interview. The fact that it was a "she" and not a "he" is still known only to the Knights, but it will eventually become known within the kingdom. Cashel seems to be showing signs of exhaustion. In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site. In the case of Mr. Cashel, ...... Faren Torbert denies any betrayal, right? Yes. He denies betraying Mr. Cashel. Farren claimed to be the head of the Bullfus, but I heard that Roussa claimed that Cashel was the head. He was very upset when I told him about Lutha. I don''t think he was acting. He even defended Master Cashel, saying it was all his idea. I don''t think he has any merit to defend her now. In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can call us at our own website. I''m not sure if that''s true, but I''m not sure that taking Miss Iris hostage would be feasible. Rather, if you do that, you''re saying that ''magic is dangerous'' - or perhaps ...... that''s what you''re aiming for? "......?¡¡What''s the point? I''m not sure what to make of this. The Kingdom Magic Society is led by the Rahmberg family ...... If Master Cashel works with the Knights to subdue the magic cult, her position will be established. The magic association and the magic cult will fall together, but even if the organization is gone, Cashel Rahnberg will definitely have a clean image. "So you''re saying that Farren forced a betrayal for the Rahmberg family, and in the midst of it, Roussa''s betrayal occurred - is that what you''re saying? It''s only hypothetical, but ...... if Roussa himself was planning to clean up the mess, including the Knights in Holy Armor, it would be the perfect opportunity. It will be revealed in future interrogations. I''m not sure what to make of this, but I''ll take it. ...... The girl named Lusa has single-handedly neutralized two organizations, the Order of the Holy Armor and the Order of Magic. That may have been her aim. She said, "We". I''m sure she belongs to some other organization. I''ve also heard her say that she was able to reduce the strength of the Kingdom. From the intention of that statement, it is clear that Lusa is a person outside of the Kingdom of Gardea, and that he was trying to weaken the strength of this country. You can find a lot of people who are looking for the best way to get the most out of their life. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. It''s not like the Empire is going to make any moves in this situation. We may need to talk to Aena, though. We''ll have to wait and see what the parties involved have to say. With the help of Miss Iris and Aria, the damage was minimized, that''s for sure. Please take care of them. Yes, it is true that we were saved thanks to them. And there''s something I''d like to ask you. What is it? Commander, you said you didn''t know about your sister-in-law, right?¡¡But I heard that the weapon she was carrying was the sword of the Swordsmen. I heard it from Iris. I''m sorry.¡¡I''ll admit that I lied about that story ....... I''ve heard about it from Miss Marielle. I''m sure the Commander knows about your sister-in-law''s abilities. I''m sure the Commander knows about your sister-in-law''s abilities. I heard she was a hot topic for a while. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. However, she herself refused to become a knight, so the story became an empty theory. I''m not going to say too much about it since it''s your sister-in-law''s request, but ...... you should talk to me about it. I am Iris''s bodyguard, and it would be strange to think that my sister-in-law would duel with Iris. "That''s true, but if I told you, you would have stopped me like now. Miss Marielle came here as a representative of the Schweizer family - whether you can continue to be an escort or not, the will of the Schweizer family is naturally included. As a result, it seems that Miss Iris has been accepted, and that''s good. "Well, I knew Miss Iris would be fine. "Well, you seem to have a lot of faith in her. I''m sure you''re more comfortable as her ''sword master'' than as her bodyguard. I reply with a sigh to Remyll''s teasing question. The will of the Schweizer family is of no concern to me. I''m here because of my own will - it''s my will to protect Iris and to teach her the sword. It''s my will that I''m doing the work of a knight, so I don''t need to worry about the opinions of those around me. But then, your position in the Schweizer family will be ...... So, I said I don''t care about that. My sister-in-law was quite angry with me for breaking the blue armor sword, but she said that if she cared about her position, she wouldn''t keep talking about making money. You''re absolutely right. Well, since it didn''t turn out to be that troublesome, let''s end this conversation now! Remyll is trying to force the conversation to end. For her part, the fact that she had even lent the sword to the swordsmen was probably a sore point. In fact, if something happened to Iris because of it, she would surely be held responsible. She knew that, so she lent the sword to Mariel, which means she believed in Iris. I thought I''d end the conversation. ...... What happened to the party in question, Miss Mariel? Your sister-in-law is planning to go home today. She doesn''t want me to bring it up again, so she''s not going to meet me to talk about it. "I see. It''s been a long time since she''s seen her family again. There will be plenty of opportunities to see them again. I didn''t have many chances to talk to my sisters, whom I hadn''t seen in a long time. But she felt like she could talk to Chloe, whom she thought she had completely disliked. I guess Mariel''s purpose was to meet Iris in the first place. So, I''m sure that my relationship with my family is fine - they''ve approved of what I''m doing. 155 155.See off Oh, dear!¡¡You''re too late, the carriage is gone!¡¡We''ll have to find another carriage to take us to the next town: ......! "Don''t be in such a hurry, Chloe. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m sure you''ll be fine. When Mariel heard Chloe''s words, she replied in a slow tone. Chloe blushed a little and said back. I don''t care if he''s coming or not!¡¡You didn''t even talk to him after that. No, Chloe. You can''t refer to Alta as that guy. You should call him "big brother. I don''t care what you call me!¡¡I''m going to find another carriage, so don''t move from here!¡¡Okay. I''m not sure if I''m going to be able to do that. She waved Chloe off as she went to find a replacement carriage, and Mariel looked back at her. You''ve come to see me off, Iris. ...... That''s a fixed term, isn''t it? It was Iris standing there. It''s refreshing to see her in her school uniform, unlike the last time we met. It''s also a good way to make sure that Mariel understands that she is still a student. I''m not sure if you''re alone or not.¡¡I''m not sure if I''ve ever thought of this before, but Arta-chan is not always with you. Even though you are a guard. It''s not like you''re being targeted every day. And even if you are targeted, I can at least protect myself. Yeah. I know you have that kind of power. I know you are not always with me, but ...... you came here alone because you have something important to tell me? It''s not that I have something important to say to you. ...... I heard that you were leaving here today, and I wanted to see you off. The doctor said he couldn''t come because of work. You''re a busy man, Alta. I''ve never been home since I became a knight. ...... Can you tell Iris that I''m here?¡¡This is a great way to make sure you are getting the most out of your time with your family. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m sure it''s a good idea. I''m sure I''ll be fine. I''m not sure if I''m going to be able to do this, but I''m sure Arta won''t want to be away for more than a few days. I''m sure you''re not going to like being away for a few days. I see. In that case, if I go with you, maybe you''ll leave. Well, well, well?¡¡I''m not sure if that''s a good idea, but it''s a good idea. I''m sorry.¡¡I''m not sure why you''re talking about that!¡¡No, not at all! I''m just kidding. In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site. It is true that he said it as a joke, but it seems that Iris is not a good liar. I''m sure you''ll be able to find a lot more information on this subject in the future. ...... It was obvious that Iris was conscious of Arta. In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site. I''m sure you''ll agree. I''m sure you''ll have a lot of questions. "Old stories, huh? Yes. --It''s a very simple story. I''ve known Alta since the time she came to the Schweizer family ....... You can find a lot of things that you can do to make your life easier. In addition, his swordsmanship is several levels above my own, so to put it bluntly, he seems to be ''abnormal''. "Extraordinary? I''m sure you''re right.¡¡I''m sure you already know this, Iris, but for a child, she has such complete strength. But she doesn''t like to talk about her past. And maybe it''s because he has such perfected strength. ...... He has no ambition. "...... Iris listened to Marielle''s story with a mysterious look on her face. I''m sure that Iris hasn''t heard about Arta''s past either. That''s why it''s worth telling Iris. But things have changed a bit lately. Escorting her was just a job - the report to the Schweizer family was supposed to be a simple one. Even I thought so. But the girl ...... often writes letters about her time at the school. "About school? Yes. I think it''s funny that I''m supposed to be working as a knight.¡¡But if it''s about the academy, there''s not much that I have to hide as a knight. That''s why it''s often written that I''m having a hard time as an instructor. And you are often mentioned in them. Oh!¡¡Oh, are you talking about me, ......?¡¡What''s so weird about ......? Iris looks upset. Mariel smiles and replies. "Hmm, don''t tell. I''m not sure what to say.¡¡I''ve told you so much about ......? That''s right. It''s your secret, Alta. But I''ll tell you this. Alta-chan cares about you. So please, Iris. Please take care of her for me. ...... Of course. I''m going to get stronger and become a stronger knight than you. That''s what I swore to Marielle-san as well. I''m sure you''ll be happy to know that I''m not the only one. That''s what I swore to you. So be careful from now on, Iris. "Yes, Mariel, too. After finishing her talk with Iris, Marielle sent her off, saying that it would be a long story if Chloe came back. The incident that happened the other day - Mariel understands that it was also due to a power struggle within the kingdom. In the midst of such a struggle, the Schweizer family will now clearly claim to be on the side of the Rheinfel family. Whether this is right or wrong, Mariel doesn''t know now. But I''m not sure if it''s right or wrong. The truth is, I''ve allowed you to be with her since that time, haven''t I? As for me. As a representative of the Schweizer family, I decided to give it a try, but deep down I had already made up my mind when I saw Arta again after a long time. If Arta, who has never shown her true feelings even when her family is worried about her, is gradually becoming more open with Iris, that''s probably a good sign for him. "Sister!¡¡I found a replacement carriage, what''s wrong?¡¡You look so happy. ...... I was just thinking of you, Alta. I''ve been thinking about you for a while.¡¡I don''t care about that guy who broke the Blue Armor Sword. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re going to be doing in the future. I''m sure you''re right.¡¡It''s not possible!¡¡I don''t know anymore!¡¡You should get lost in the capital! Wait, Chloe. You''ll get lost if you hurry. You''re the one who''s going to get lost! Mariel walks off after the angry Chloe. And so the Schweizer family returned to their usual routine. 156 156. A Man Named Raoul Isaluf In the records of the Sword Sage - Raoul Isalf, his first battle is said to be before he was called the Sword Sage. There is a record of the participation of a mercenary named Raoul Isaruf in a naval battle between two nations. At the time, there were few nations that focused on naval forces, but this nation was different. It had built up a fleet of ships, used rivers, and was steadily expanding its power. This was a tactic that was possible only because the country was so blessed with water. It was said that the sight of several ships lined up to attack was truly a sight to behold, and the mere sight of them was enough to make the opposing nations lose their will to fight. ...... Funny. In the event that you have any questions regarding where by and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site. You can find a lot of people who are looking for the best way to get the best results. "What do you mean, ''strange''? "Our fleet has already entered the territory. Our fleet has already entered the territory, and it would not be surprising if the war were to start here. But look at it - there''s no sign of the enemy. ...... You''re absolutely right. Even if we prepare ambushes, they are useless without decoys to attract them. ...... Haven''t we already given up on this waterway? No, they haven''t. This waterway leads to the vicinity of the capital if it continues. If you do not protect such a place and leave it unguarded, it is the same as admitting defeat. ...... The enemy hasn''t surrendered yet, has he? That''s right. If this is the enemy''s plan, ...... we should proceed with extreme caution from here. Ha! In spite of his overwhelming power in water warfare, the man named Elvira was calm. I''m not going to force my way in, even if I had the power to do so - but when I do, I''ll make sure I attack. This was the reason why Elvira was feared. This is why Elvira is feared, not only as a swordsman, but also as a general. ...... Even for such a man, there are some things you can never predict. I''m not sure what to say. "What?¡¡What do you mean, "enemy attack"? It''s a great way to make sure you''re getting the most out of your vacation. He looked around, but there was no sign of the enemy. And yet, if he received such a report from his subordinate, he would be understandably surprised. Elwair looked in the direction of the voice. And sure enough, there was an enemy there. --I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but it''s a good idea. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. The young man was dressed in light clothing and stood on the ship with only a single sword. You can see that he has already killed several people. It has only been a few days since he received the news of the enemy attack. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for and how you can use it. I can''t believe it!¡¡Let the other ships know!¡¡I''m not sure if I''ll be able to do it, but I''m sure I can. "Yes, sir! Elvira ordered her subordinates, and immediately drew her sword and ran to the young man. This is already the young man''s domain - it doesn''t matter if it''s a sword or a spear. It didn''t matter if it was a sword or a spear, even those with bows were all cut down by the young man''s "swordsmanship. It was clear that Elvira''s ship had already suffered a great loss by just one enemy. When Elvira stood in front of the young man, he stopped moving instantly. (...... Nice try.) Elvira muttered in her mind. The moment they faced each other, Elvira immediately saw the strength of the young man. It''s because of his overwhelming strength that he has attacked this ship alone. It''s a shame, then. The fact that they used a man of this caliber as a disposable pawn. But this is already a battlefield. Putting aside his personal feelings, he addresses a single enemy. "My name is Elvira Fender. "My name is Elvira Fender.¡¡"My name is Elvira Fender." "Elvira......, I never thought I''d run into a hero like you. "Do you know who I am? You''ve got a lot of nerve coming in here all by yourself. ...... You''re young. No matter how skilled you are, you won''t last long anyway. But you can''t miss it--you''ve got to give it up as bad luck. ...... No luck?¡¡Haha, that''s the other way around. The young man swung his sword, letting the fresh blood fall. The young man swings his sword and drops fresh blood, then points it at Elvira and smirks. "I''m lucky. After all, I came here to fight you. "...... You came to fight me? Yeah. To tell you the truth, this is the first time I''ve been in a war. ...... If I''m going to fight, I want to fight a famous swordsman. That''s what I was thinking - you''re the perfect opponent for me. "What? The young man''s words left Elvira speechless. It would be easy to assume that you are a fool to look up to. But how many people in this world would be able to get into this fleet for that reason? At the very least, Elvira would never be able to do such a thing. That''s why Elvira was worried. It is not good to leave this young man alive - not only for the sake of his country, but this young man, if he survives, will definitely be a threat to all countries. Elvira readied her sword and stepped out, kicking the floor. I''ve seen the young man''s swordsmanship with my own eyes. I''m sure you''ll be able to find a lot more information on this topic in the coming weeks. (Fast--) I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not, but it''s a good idea. It''s too late. Apparently, I''m not as good a swordsman as I thought I was. Those were the last words Elvira heard from him, and the end of a hero. In this battle, a single swordsman was responsible for the destruction of a fleet of ships, and soon there was no one left to fear. The young man who made a name for himself against such a downfall would later appear on battlefields all over the world and become a household name. He became known as the strongest "sword saint" - Raoul Isaruf. 157 157.School Festival and International Students A few months into my life as a lecturer, I was supposed to have infiltrated as an escort for Iris Reinfell, the daughter of the Reinfell family, one of the four major noble families, but I found myself focusing more on my life here. Of course, following the incident involving the Shadow Apostle, which involved the neighboring country of Iris'' close friend and family member, Aria Notoria, I met Luino Tomura, who was related to my previous life, in the seaside town of Lelay. And finally, I''m facing the issue of the candidate for the next "king" who is approaching this country. Like Iris, the Rahmberg family is one of the four major noble families. The Kuro Wolf Knights are still listening to her daughter, Cashel Rahmberg, as an important witness. However, it was not to question her for betraying the country, but rather to protect her. Cashel, like Iris, was also in danger of being killed. He has not been able to keep in touch with Remyll, the leader of the group. The main reason for this is that someone attempted to assassinate Haylon Stiletto, the leader of the Knights of the Holy Armor, who are in charge of guarding the west side of the city. Haylon survived, but he is still unconscious, and we don''t know who attacked him. The location of his hospitalization has also been kept secret. However, the Knights of the Holy Armor are the knights in charge of the defense line against the Falmea Empire, and the absence of a knight commander would be too big a problem. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. That''s why Remyll is taking on the job as an actual deputy. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for and what you can do to help. You''ll be able to find a lot more information on the web. In this situation, I should brace myself as a knight and think about what to do next. I''m not sure if you''ve heard of it or not, but I''m sure you''ve heard of it. I listened to the words of a female student standing in front of the blackboard. The school festival is one of the biggest events in the school, not only in FIORUM Academy. The purpose of the festival is to support the activities of the students so that they can go out into the world, but from what I''ve heard, it''s just a simple festival. For example, each class performs a play, dances to music, sets up a store, etc. ...... Anyway, it is a day for each class to put on a show and have fun. Although the event will not be held until a little later, discussions start early because there are preparations to be made in advance. In my class, there were a lot of opinions about what we should do. "Let''s have a stall!¡¡Yakitori! "What are you talking about? It has to be a play!¡¡A play is the best thing we can do in this class! No, we''ll have an ice cream truck. "Why shaved ice ......? I couldn''t help but chuckle. I decided to leave it to the initiative of the students, but I have very little experience participating in festivals, let alone school festivals. If anything, I would say that they are better qualified to think. The final decision may be made by a majority vote, but before that, the students'' opinions are being added to the blackboard. The girl in charge of writing seemed a little dizzy, and I felt sorry for her. In the midst of all of this, Iris and Aria were as calm as ever compared to the other students. After the incident in the seaside town, the gap between them and their classmates has gradually faded, and now they can be seen talking with other children. This is also the case with Aria, but it still doesn''t change the fact that the two of them are always together. However, Iris has been acting a little strange lately. It''s a good idea to take a look at the website and see if you can find anything that might help you. ...... I don''t think I''ve done anything wrong, but... I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but it''s a good idea. On the other hand, Aria, who is sitting next to her, is giving me a strong look - I honestly don''t know what her intentions are. To be honest, Iris may not be interested in the school festival at the moment. The engagement talk was broken off, but I''m sure Iris herself is thinking about the future. Still, the two of them are finally getting along with their classmates, but there is one more person who has come to join them. Specifically, there is a "student" who will be coming to my class tomorrow. The name of this student is... "Maid cafe. "That''s it! Hey, boys, shut up ......!¡¡--Who are you?¡¡Who are you? The female student who was facilitating the event shouted in surprise. It''s a good idea to take a look at the actual information on the web. The ...... boys, upon hearing the declaration, agreed with great vigor. The only thing that upsets me is seeing a girl I don''t recognize in the classroom. One of them was Iris. "You''re ....... "Huh, it''s been a while. I''ve been taking another tour of the school today, and I noticed that the class I''ll be attending tomorrow is about to decide on something interesting. If I had known, I would have started school today. With a grin, the girl in the military uniform, Enna Baudel, says. It seems that she is alone now, and her subordinate, Mercier, who is always with her, is not there. Aria may have noticed this, but unlike her classmates, she didn''t show any signs of surprise. She stood in front of the chalkboard, her shoes clacking. I''d like to introduce myself first. My name is Ena Baudel, and I''m a foreign student from the Falmer Empire. As you can see, I usually work as a soldier. But while I''m here, I''m going to act as one of the students of the school. Take care of everyone. Hearing Aena''s declaration, the students seemed to be in a daze. The story of the foreign student coming to the school would be new to them, but her name was more of a problem. "Bodol ......?¡¡I believe Bodle is ....... Wasn''t the Imperial Marshal Bodle? "Oh, so you''re the princess of the empire ......? I let out a small sigh and clap my hands lightly. I''m not sure what to say. I''m sure there''s a lot of things you''re wondering, but Aena will be joining our class tomorrow. I never thought I''d be introducing myself like this, but please get to know each other tomorrow. "Haha, you''re funny, Alta. I''m sure you''ll find it easy to get along with your classmates with my charisma, even if you don''t tell them. I think it''s great that you''re using your charisma to help you get along, but I''m going to stand in front of Aena and keep talking. "Aena, as of tomorrow, you will be a student here. I''m not going to give you any special treatment, and I don''t think you want that either. I''m going to treat you as an instructor, so can you please start by calling me ''sir''? You can call me Alta, right? Mr. Minei, I shouldn''t have said that at this time. I''m not sure if this is a good idea, but I think it''s a good idea. And then. I don''t like ''Alta-kun''. I''ll just call you Mr. Alta for now. "...... Well, that''s okay. And please wear your school uniform tomorrow, okay? School uniform: ...... Hearing my words, Aena glanced over to a girl standing nearby. I''m sure you''ll agree that this is a great idea. I don''t think I look good in this uniform. I don''t think this uniform suits me. "Haha, that''s not the point. Anyway, I don''t plan to attend any classes today, so I''d better go to ....... "Yeah, right. Well, sorry for the interruption. I''ll see you tomorrow. With that, Aena left the classroom. I''m sure you''ll be glad to know that I''m not the only one who has a problem with that. ...... I hope we can be friends tomorrow. In the silence of the classroom, Aria, who had not said a word until now, suddenly raised her hand and opened her mouth. I vote for a maid cafe. I want Iris to wear a maid''s uniform. "......?¡¡I don''t know why I''m doing this. Yes, that''s right. I''m not sure what to make of that. A maid cafe ...... with maids, how wonderful! "Yes, that''s the only way! "Yes, that''s the only way!" Starting with Aria''s words, the boys began to agree with her one after another. However, some of the girls have a different idea of what they want to do, such as a play. They voiced their opposition. "You''re going to wear a maid''s uniform too, right? "Oh, me?¡¡I don''t think it would be interesting for me to wear one. ...... I smiled again and replied, but all of the students'' eyes focused on me. I''m sure you''ll be pleased to know that I''m not the only one who''s had it. 158 158. Words I Once Heard In the afternoon, after the staff meeting, I was walking alone in the hallway of the school building. I remember that some of the instructors were upset when I told them that my class had decided to have a "maid cafe". Not only Iris, but also Aena would be coming to my class as a foreign student. There was an opinion that it would be a little problematic to have a maid cafe as an event in a class with these two students. It''s not that the students disagreed with me, it''s just that we discussed it and came to a decision, and I told them that I would give priority to it. ...... Well, if we prioritize it, I might have to wear a maid''s uniform, but let''s not think about that for now. The students will be the main organizers of the school festival, and the instructors will be in a position to support them. Of course, there is security work to be done in the school, but I am still doing that. What I should be thinking about now is something other than the school festival. I came to the rooftop. There was a girl in a military uniform looking down on the students as they started to leave the school. "This is a nice school. I''ve never been to a school myself, but the students are lively. I''ve been to imperial schools, but they have a very rigid atmosphere. I think it''s because of your position. I think that''s because of your position. You may have gotten over it with a little bit of energy earlier, but from the students'' point of view, you may seem to be as distant as Iris-san, or even more so. In that sense, your momentum in homeroom may have been the right choice. "Huh, right?¡¡It''s not that I foresaw it, but there''s something interesting you''re talking about in passing. I couldn''t help but join in. Aena turned around and said with a smirk. As usual, I suppose. I was expecting to find her guards in the school, especially Mercier, but there was no sign of him nearby. Now, someone as big as Aena was standing here alone. Perhaps she was confident enough to do so, but considering her position, she was too careless. "You don''t have any guards with you? It''s a bit ostentatious to go to the academy. Well, Iris may have a bodyguard named you, but I don''t need one. You really are the same as always, aren''t you? You''re still the same, aren''t you? By the way, you are the teacher here, aren''t you?¡¡Even though it''s just the two of us, you could use a more relaxed tone. I''ve always had this way of speaking. Well, if you say so, I''ll leave it at that. Anyway, I didn''t get a chance to ask you before, but can you tell me why you''re here? Hmm, that''s the story. Well, I''ll tell you why I''m here. I''ll tell you why I''m here, but it''s already starting to deviate from my original purpose. ...... I''m trying to figure out where to start. Besides, I have a question for you. "Me? Aena nodded at my words and her expression turned serious. It''s not the same as before, it''s as if she''s looking at an enemy. She''s wary of me, though I don''t remember her being that wary of me. As I was thinking this, Aena suddenly took a stance. She pulls out the rapier on her hip and points it at me. "...... What do you mean? I told you.¡¡You said there was something you wanted to ask me. There''s something I need to find out again. To do that, I need you to really fight me here. ...... He wasn''t joking. I never thought I''d hear from Aena what Iris once said to me. Unlike Iris, she had already drawn her sword and was in a fighting stance. It seems that she has no intention of giving me the option of refusing. I don''t know what you''re trying to ascertain, but it doesn''t look like ...... you''re playing around. Of course not. Whenever I draw my sword, I mean it. ...... Don''t worry. It''s not your fault if something goes wrong in this fight. I''m not going to get hurt in this fight. "Well that''s a lot of confidence. If you need to fight, that''s fine, but this is school grounds. The use of magic on a large scale is prohibited. And I won''t be using Serious. Is that clear? "...... Well, okay. What I want to see is your swordplay. Aena nodded approvingly. I was going to listen to her, but somehow I ended up crossing swords with her. 159 159. Swordsmans Name I faced Aena and held up my mock sword. Aena also held a mock sword in her hand - she herself wanted a serious fight, but unfortunately I didn''t have a sword. She grasped a mock sword to match mine. But even so, the spirit I could feel from Aena standing in front of me was considerable. Even though I haven''t even taken a stance yet, I feel as if the battle has already begun. I''ve never actually fought Aena face to face. But there is no doubt that she is at least as strong as Iris. I''ve never actually fought Aena face to face, but I''m pretty sure her strength is at least as strong as Iris''s. I''d rather fight with the real thing instead of these toys,......, but that''s okay. I know what I want to find out. And then Aena held up a mock sword. The simulated sword she created is the same as the rapier she carries on her hip. The tip of the sword is thin, so it is more suitable for ''thrusting'' than ''cutting''. Her hips are slightly lowered and her right leg is lowered backwards, and she is putting all her strength into it - she is probably planning to kick the ground and close the distance immediately. I remain motionless with my sword at the ready. I''m waiting for Aena to approach. "Whenever you''re ready. "That''s a lot of room. You''re not going to come at me? I''m rather cautious. I''m rather cautious. Still, I''ll respond to the word ''seriously''. So, I''m always ready. "I see... then let''s go. With those words, Aena kicked the floor. She instantly closed the distance between us, and without hesitation launched a thrust. I deflected it with my mock sword and caught it. Aena also reacted immediately and stepped back slightly. However, she immediately took a step forward and unleashed a series of blows. The rapier is a particularly good piercing sword, but it can also slash. I could see that he was trying to break down my defense with his quick movements, interspersing his slashes between thrusts. --In terms of sword speed alone, Aena is probably superior to Iris. She is the same type as Aria, who is not as powerful as Iris, but is quicker and tries to do more damage. But in a fight, a thrust or a slash can be fatal. I didn''t take any of Aena''s attacks, and I handled them all. Then, Aena moved back even further than before and let out a small breath. ...... Hmm. I''m not sure if you''ve heard of it or not. It''s hard to hit you when you''re on the defensive. ...... So that''s it. I''ve been on the receiving end of it a few times. That''s what I''m talking about, Aena. Enough with the flattery. I told you, I''m serious. You''re next. Aena said, and changed her stance. She''s going to take my attack this time. In a real battle, there would be a struggle for life as a matter of course. They would not be attacking and receiving each other like this. In fact, it seemed to me that this was the kind of battle that Aena wanted. Indeed, I was going to respond to her "seriousness". Perhaps I''m trying to wait and see because I''m standing here feeling like a teacher in no small part. But what I can feel from Aena is the spirit of a swordsman. --If that''s the case, I should respond to that feeling. I understand. I''m going to be serious about this. As soon as he said that, he kicked the floor and started to move. This time, I launched a series of blows from my side. Aena defended herself by staying low, intending to catch it completely. But my sword is not so weak that I can catch her with that. The fifth strike was a sure thing, but on the sixth strike, her rapier was flicked away. Aena''s expression clouds slightly. Maybe she thought she could take more, but I put the tip of my sword to her throat and say quietly. This is what I''m really doing. Is that what you want? "...... Oh. Now that I''ve faced you again, I understand how strong you are. I''ve always thought that the only person who could be ''stronger'' than me is you, at least. "......?¡¡You mean you''ve met other people who are stronger than you, Aena? I put my mock sword in my pocket and asked her. I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not. Yes. And I have a question for you as well. What is it? What are you ......?¡¡I met a swordsman who uses the exact same sword technique as you. That man''s name is Raoul Isarulf. "What? What came out of Aena''s mouth was the name of a man I never expected. After all, it''s me. 160 160. New Alliance I remain facing Aena and answer her question. So you think that who I am - that I am related to the swordsman you fought ...... who calls himself Raoul Isaruf? "Yes, I do. Your strength is real, and I have worked with you before. But that''s not what this is about. Your swordsmanship is too similar to Raoul''s. And it seems that the Invisible you actually use is also the same as ...... Raoul''s. --The blade created by wind magic is a sword technique that Raoul Isaruf is very good at, and I also use this technique a lot. The reason for this is simple, there is nothing wrong with this as long as it gets the job done. If you are good at wind magic, it would not be difficult to recreate it, but it would not be possible to recreate firing an invisible blade at high speed. In the first place, Raul''s swordsmanship is his own style, a style he has never taught to anyone. What Aena is probably saying is that my swordplay, including that, is the same as that of the swordsman who calls himself Raoul. ...... I don''t know what kind of person you were fighting, Aena. I''m sure you''ll be able to find something that will help you.¡¡And that''s how you remembered me. "Yes, first of all. But the reason I''m asking you directly is because I trust you to a certain extent. So I want you to answer honestly, including any questions you may have. "I see. I appreciate your trust in me, but unfortunately, I don''t have any idea either. If you are on the same level as me, then I would like to fight you. "...... I''m sure you''ll be pleased to know that I''m not the only one who has a problem with this. But soon after, she let out a small sigh and opened her mouth. "Huh. ...... I was hoping you could give me some information, but that''s what I said. I''ll take your word for it for now. Thank you very much. Is that all you wanted to tell me, Miss Aena? Yes, that''s it. Now I''ll tell you what you want to know. The reason I''m here, is it? Yes, that''s right. You didn''t really come here just to study abroad, did you? No, personally, I wanted to study abroad without any worries. Aena replied with a shrug of her shoulders. ...... This is a typical answer for her, but it is not the only reason. I''m not sure where I''m going with this. ...... Well, let''s see. I''m not sure what to say, but I''m going to say it. "Holy Armor?¡¡The Knights of the Holy Armor? I can''t help but react to those words coming out of Aena''s mouth. However, she immediately continued to deny it. It''s not our place to get involved in the incident... or is it? First of all, there is Halon Stiletto, the leader of the Order of the Holy Armor, right?¡¡He''s been working with us, the Falmer Empire. But I believe he was almost assassinated by someone. "You''re referring to the incident the other day. We''re investigating that incident, but you''re already aware of it? Yes, we are. Yes, that''s right. I guess you could call it an alliance. Incidentally, one of the reasons Haylon survived was because I sent one of my men to help him. "! When I heard Aena''s words, I looked a little surprised. I''m not only aware of the previous incident, but it seems that Aena was already involved in the case at that time. It was said that Haylon''s wounds were so deep that he would not have survived if it had been too late. If what she said was true, then it was thanks to the Imperial Army that Hayron was saved. If what Aena said is true, then perhaps we should be grateful. I''m not going to lie to you about this. I assure you it is true. I see. But an alliance, huh? I didn''t think that the Knights of the Holy Armor, who are responsible for the nation''s defense, would be in league with their counterparts. ...... You are surprised?¡¡It''s not that I''m not in direct contact with Halon myself. Rather, I came here with the intention of approaching him from a different direction. That''s why I''m here. "Approach?¡¡I''m sure you''ll be able to understand why I''m here. I''m glad you understand so quickly. In addition, I would like to say that the alliance between the Imperial Army and the Knights of the Holy Armor is not a bad thing for you. It is only an alliance for peace, and this is what my father is promoting. Aena said with a grin. It seems that Aena may be able to provide at least some information on the matter that the Order is investigating. But it is unlikely that Aena would be willing to talk about it. I''m not sure what to make of it, but I''m sure it''s a good idea. ...... No, if she dared to choose this school, I''d consider that possibility and ask her. I''m not sure what to make of this. "Yes!¡¡I''m not sure what to make of it. But I don''t dislike that about you. You''re right, that''s not a bad idea. "Not at all. ...... Are you here to find out? "Hmm, well, that''s about it. Now, speaking of the one you''re investigating, there''s also the matter of the Order of Magic, isn''t there?¡¡I can answer for that as well. I can answer that question as well." "......, from the way you say it, I assume you want something in return for the information? "Huh, you know what I mean. I answered your questions because you answered mine, but I''m not close enough to you to give you everything for free. Aena said this, but not with a hostile look like before, rather she reached out to me as if she needed me. The recent incident with the magic cult, and the man who calls himself Raoul Isaruf, are all connected. And it''s a matter that concerns the future of the kingdom and the future of the empire. That''s why I''ve been looking for an ally at my own discretion. That''s you, Alta. Are you willing to join forces with me? Aena looked at me straight in the eye. Apparently, her reason for coming here is more complicated than I thought. I''m not going to be able to say that I''m going to cooperate with her if the future of the kingdom and the empire--that''s a big word. Normally, I would have brought this up to the Knight Commander, Remyll, for consultation. But that''s not the answer Aena wants. Besides, if she''s talking about the future of the kingdom, it''s obvious that it''s something that concerns Iris. So I don''t hesitate to take Aena''s hand. If you want to cooperate, you can tell me everything you know about ......, is that correct?¡¡I''m sure you''ve had more than a few suspicions about me. "Yeah, I doubt everything. Yes, I doubt everything, but when I decide to believe something, I don''t doubt it. What I need now is a strong swordsman like you. That''s why I''ll tell you what I know. They shook each other''s hands. Thus, Aena, who had ostensibly come to Japan to study, and I became partners. 161 161.Altas Room I''ve decided to join forces with Aena. This is my own decision, without asking for the decision of Remyll, the Knight Commander. It''s better to get as much information as possible as soon as possible, and I''ve already had a cooperative relationship with Aena. From my point of view, I thought she was a trustworthy person. In fact, if there is a good chance that the Order''s ongoing interrogation of the magical cult will be resolved, it would be better to cooperate. However, judging from the way Aena spoke, I now have the important role of fighting and winning against the swordsman who calls himself Raoul. This is the lecturer''s dormitory room?¡¡The room seems to be quite small for a school of its size. "Haha, this is enough for me. The teachers who use this dormitory are single. It''s not ...... supposed to be open to students, you know. I don''t have a choice.¡¡I would have been happy to talk to you in the girls'' dorm. I''m not sure if you''ve seen this before, but I''m sure you''ve. I was supposed to bring her in for a ...... detailed discussion. I decided that it would be better to have her come to the lecturer''s dorm rather than go into her room in the girls'' dorm. I wouldn''t be caught, but I wouldn''t be able to stay in the women''s dormitory as a man for long. --However, the reverse is not necessarily true either. It''s late today, so I''d like to ask you just what you want to know. Hmm, you want to ask about the Magical Order of Bullfus?¡¡I''m sure you can foresee it to some extent when the Knights of the Holy Armor were cooperating with us, you know. Or maybe you already have.¡¡Because the purpose of both organizations was to make Cashel Rahmberg the king of this country. It''s a match-pumping scheme wherein Cashel, the representative of the Magic Association, crushes the criminal organization Bullfouth. What?¡¡I''ve been talking about this with the Commander, but was that really the intention? When I heard it again from Aena''s mouth, my hypothesis turned into a confirmation. The existence of the Blue Faust itself was an organization that was created to disappear in the first place. No, it may have been created for a different purpose in the beginning, but it chose to dismantle the organization in order to boost Cashel. The one who moved to do so was Farren Torbert, but that plan was ultimately destroyed by Lusa Plominate, who calls herself the Red Lotus Witch. I''m sure you''re not the only one. I don''t know that much about it. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. In the event you''re not sure what you''re looking for, you''ll be able to find a lot more information on the web. The witch, Aena, does she know about Lusa? Yes, I know. In fact, my objective included capturing the witch. ...... I didn''t think she had already infiltrated. We''re completely behind the curve. I see. In the process of capturing Lusa, you came across the swordsman who calls himself Raoul. That''s right. He could have easily called himself the Sage of Swords, but I don''t think he''s the real deal. "Why?¡¡Why? It''s simple. It''s a good thing that you''re not the only one who has a problem with this. There''s no reason for him to show up now, much less cooperate with the witches. ...... Witches, you mean you have other enemies besides Lutha? Yes. Now that we''ve talked about Bullfus, let''s talk about our enemies. But first - can''t we have a drink or something?¡¡As a matter of fact, I haven''t had anything to drink since this morning. I was in the middle of a conversation when I received such a request from Aena. In the event that you''ve got a lot of time, you might be able to make use of it in your own home. ...... ...... ...... What''s wrong?¡¡What''s wrong? Your hand is stuck. No, I don''t know, maybe you''re hungry? ...... - Haha, that''s the guy I thought I could trust. Normally, in this kind of situation, I would ''pretend'' not to have heard, but only Mercier would say something like that. He smiled, but Aena put her hat on deeply and made a gesture to hide her face. ...... They are usually embarrassed. In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can contact us at the web site. I haven''t seen Mercier around, so Aena is on her own and hungry. She is the daughter of an imperial marshal, a great nobleman in this country. She is the daughter of an Imperial Marshal, so she is what we call a great aristocrat in this country. You could say that she is a "young lady", so you should have paid attention to her. Well, if I mention it, you might say, "I don''t need that. I''ll make you a light meal. Let''s make a light meal, and then we''ll break up for the day. You don''t know how to cook?¡¡You really can cook? I can cook something light. I''m living here by myself, after all. I''m sure you''ll be able to figure out how to do it. No, if you''re a knight, you''ll at least cook at your place of duty like a soldier. ......? What?¡¡What''s wrong, sir? No, it''s nothing. Let''s start with your home-cooked meal. I''m looking forward to it. You look very happy, Aena. It''s not like I can make anything that big, but... For the time being, I''m done talking to Aena. I''ll talk to Remyll about the Blue Faust, and we''ll figure it out. 162 162.Hand cooking I don''t usually have a stockpile of ingredients, so what I can make is really simple. What I can make is really simple, just a stir-fry of meat and vegetables, but Aena is standing next to me, nodding with interest. She nodded with interest, "Hmm, good knife work. "Hmm, good knife work. You must be very familiar with sword fighting. I don''t think cooking has much to do with swordplay. That''s not true. A good swordsman will be able to chop up food thrown into the air. Haha, yes, you can, but you won''t ......, will you? I don''t go out of my way to do tricks in my room that I would do in a street performance. He cuts vegetables on the cutting board and fries meat cut into appropriate sizes. The seasoning is always decided by eye. To be honest, I have never had the opportunity to cook for others. I often worked alone, and if there was a large group of people, there would be someone else to take care of the cooking. --In my previous life, I rarely had a chance to eat food with others. Do you like your food on the strong side? It''s up to you. Let me enjoy your cooking. Well, I''ll make it as usual. Mix the seasonings and stir-fry over a slightly high heat. The meat and vegetable stir-fry was easy to make, so I usually finished my meals with it. Of course, I can make other dishes, but it is enough to fill my stomach with a certain amount of nutrition. ...... That is what I think. Aena, whether she knew it or not, said admiringly. You''re very good at what you do. That''s my kind of guy. I''m sure anyone can do this. No, ......, I''ve seen my men cooking, but they were chopping vegetables more roughly. To be honest, I''m fine with it as long as it''s edible, but I have high hopes for your cooking. Apparently, Aena''s thoughts were of the same type as mine. Since she is a soldier, she may have had the opportunity to go to war. I used to participate in wars too. When you don''t know when the enemy is going to attack, you don''t have time to eat. But in order to keep fighting, you need to eat. That''s why we naturally cook food that is quick and easy. No, it''s too poor to be called cooking,......, it''s more like prepping and roasting your catch. Perhaps that is the kind of food that Aena''s men prepare. At best, they are wild, and at worst, they are sketchy--well, I''m almost the same as them when I can imagine that. Since becoming a knight, I have a little more leeway, I suppose. I put some stir-fried meat and vegetables on a plate and carried it to the table. "Here you go, Miss Aena. "Yes, let''s eat. With a smile on her face, she takes a seat. I sit down in front of her. She looks at me intently. "What?¡¡What''s wrong? ...... No, there''s something that''s been bothering me. What is it? I was wondering if you had something to do with that... We''ll talk about it later. There''s something else I''m wondering about. ...... What is it? Does Iris come to this room often? "Yes, Iris? Aena''s question was something I hadn''t expected at all. I don''t know why the subject of Iris came up, but I answered honestly. Iris has never been in this room before. She''s a student here - well, maybe she came here once to practice. "Training... you''re talking about the training you''re giving Iris. Do you do it every day? Sometimes on my days off. I often do it after school. I often do it after school. Lately, Iris'' growth has been remarkable. I think she''s grown even more than when she fought Aena before. I replied and put the food in my mouth. Yeah, it''s the same flavor as always. Well... I''m sure you''re a good fighter. I''m sure I could beat her if I really wanted to. I don''t know. I''m sure Aena''s skill is real too. I''m not sure.¡¡I''m sure you''ve played with Iris before, right?¡¡I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that. Aena''s eyes sharpened slightly. I have no intention of favoritism. I''m not trying to play favorites. If you''re better than me, I''ll tell you that. But right now, Iris and Aena''s abilities are pretty close to ...... my level. I don''t even know who would win in a serious match. It''s not that you''re inferior, it''s just that you''re very close. Both of you are capable. "Huh, I see. Then I''ll prove that I''m better than you. But even though our fighting skills are close, I''m still in the lead right now, aren''t I? The situation, sir? That''s what I''m talking about. Well, let''s eat before the food gets cold. It''s simple, but that''s why you can really taste the ingredients. I''m flattered by your praise. I''m flattered by your praise. If you''re satisfied with this, I''m always willing to make more. "......?¡¡Gosh. Aena suddenly coughed as if she was upset and downed her drink in one gulp. I was stunned, but I asked her. "Are you okay? "Oh, yeah, it''s nothing. It''s nothing, but-- watch your mouth. I''m sure you''ll be fine. ...... Did I say something wrong? I''m not sure I can think of anything odd about it. In a delicate atmosphere, Aena and I continued to eat. 163 163. Girls Meeting Aena was on her way to the girls'' dormitory alone. It was the same dormitory where Iris and Aria were staying. Her room was on the top floor of the dormitory, where there was a vacant room. When she opened the door to the room, Aena called out to the visitor. You''re waiting for me in my room, is there any movement? No, I was just tidying up the room. Master Aena, you haven''t packed your things since you arrived, have you? The girl, Mercier Altina, answered Aena''s words. She is not dressed in a maid''s uniform, but in a military uniform like Aena. When she was on duty, she was not working as a maid, but as a soldier. That is why she is now dressed in a military uniform. She was holding the school uniform that Aena was going to wear tomorrow. I''m fine with it. I have no problem with that. I''m not here just for fun. Aena-sama, as long as you act as a student of the school, you are not allowed to wear that uniform for a while. You''re a conspicuous person, after all. "Don''t worry. I have nothing to be ashamed of. That''s not the point... Well, where were you headed?¡¡I was expecting you back a little sooner. I thought you would be back sooner. Aena took off her hat and coat and lay down on the bed. She had gone to Alta''s room. I went to Arutha''s room to have a little talk. "I see, in Alta''s room. So, I take it your request for help was successful? Yes, we''re on the right track. - Right track, but not very responsive, are we? What do you mean?¡¡What do you mean by thin? I''m not sure what you mean by that. What''s that ''is there something wrong? Thank you for speaking for me. Thank you for speaking for me. That''s exactly how I felt. You have a way about you. ....... Look, I went to the room of a guy I was in love with. And I did it alone!¡¡Isn''t it normal to wonder what''s going on? Nothing happened, did it? I ate the dinner he made. I ate his dinner. The expression on Mercier''s face did not change at all, but rather looked as expected. Aena looked a little unhappy. "It''s ....... If you have something to say, say it. "With all due respect, I thought that was typical of you, Miss Aena. "Is that rude?¡¡What''s rude about it? You didn''t do anything in particular. Mercier tells Aena clearly. Aena looks puzzled and then smiles. I don''t see how anything can happen so suddenly. But to dine under the same roof with the man I love - this is a new experience for me. Isn''t it wonderful? "If that''s what it takes to satisfy you--well, I''m getting off track. So you were able to enlist the help of Master Alta? I didn''t go off on a tangent. ...... Oh well. I got his help. In exchange, you''ll give us all the information you have. "All? You mean, like what the enemy is up to this time? Of course. This is a matter that concerns not only the Empire, but also the Kingdom, and even all foreign countries. The issue is the position of the Empire, but now is not the time to think about it. Just when you think you''ve taken care of one problem, another one comes along: ...... There''s no time to rest, is there? I told you. Why don''t you enjoy school life for a change? It''s not about me, it''s about you. Mercier said with a serious expression. Standing in front of Aena, he looked worried. "Me?¡¡I''m well rested. I''m well rested and not tired at all, even now. That''s not the point. ...... I''m very grateful for your help in dismantling the Shadow Apostle. "You don''t need to worry about that. In fact, thanks to you, I was able to move to hunt down the organization. The shadow apostle, the leader Kufilio Notoria, is dead, and the imperial army has overrun all the remaining related facilities in the empire. From there, several of the Imperial militants who were connected to him were taken into custody. The movement of those who planned to wage war between nations quieted down, and Aena''s father, Lugar Baudel, solidified his power as the Marshal of the Imperial Army - ostensibly. As such, Rugal was responsible for everything, even the Empire''s "bomb". Even now, the evil that has spread throughout the Empire is far from being swept away. I will continue to work for you, Aena. I would like to stay by your side forever to repay your kindness. But ...... the enemy this time is too powerful. I can''t go abroad without a large contingent of guards. I''m glad we were able to work together with Alta, but I''m still not sure we can really win. "Mercier, you''ve got it all wrong. I''m not sure what to say, but I''m sure you''ll understand. She patted the bed sheet and motioned for Mercier to sit down. When Mercier sat down, Aena pulled Mercier by the shoulders and pushed him down. What are you doing?¡¡What are you ...... doing? I''m just doing ''what I want to do''. I am convinced that it will be good for the Falmer Empire. And I want to make the Empire a better country - I like to fight, but I don''t want to start a war for nothing. Of course, I will stand on the battlefield if that is what is necessary. But if I can prevent it from happening, I will choose that path. If I can do it by fighting. So again, I''m just doing what I can. I think I know that ....... But you''re taking your life too lightly. "Huh, you say. Is that what you call a woman who risked her life to protect her sister? That''s ...... true. Then I''m only risking my life for the people of the Empire. An Imperial soldier has a duty to protect his people. I''m just doing it. And I do not take my life lightly. If I die, there may be no one left to protect my people. Aena assured her, but Mercier''s expression was still a little dissatisfied. Aena lay down next to Mercier. You are still not satisfied with my words? No, ......, but I thought it was still ''you''. And my role is to protect you from that. That''s what makes you my trusted subordinate. The enemy is certainly strong, but ...... don''t worry. I have a man on my side that I chose myself. You can''t just choose a man because you love him. "No, I don''t think so... no, that''s what you''re saying. ...... It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. I''m not sure if I''d be able to do that if I were you. The meeting of the military girls passed quietly like this. 164 164. Altas Determination After Aena returned to the dormitory, I was in my room thinking. I was thinking about ......, the Sword Saint. The enemy that Aena encountered did not call himself the Swordsman, but more accurately, it seems that Lusa Plominate called him the Swordsman. The witch - that''s our enemy in the Kingdom, and Aena''s enemy in the Empire. In other words, they''re shared enemies, but I haven''t heard any details about them yet. At the very least, the Lutha I fought was far more powerful than any other mage out there. The battle was won, but in the big picture, one of the knights was dealt a major blow, and now, with the appearance of demons in the town, the people are voicing their concerns. I''m not sure what to make of that. What is the identity of the man called the Sword Saint? At least I know he''s not real. Because the Sword Saint is here. But Aena said he was a swordsman of my level. She would never misjudge the strength of someone she fought. This opponent is undoubtedly my equal. I''ve fought many enemies, but I''ve never met an opponent who was as strong as me, to say the least. No. ...... But then I think about it. I do have a memory of a man named Raoul Isaruf. His skills as a swordsman, his past battles--all of these are things I remember. However, I myself have never really thought about the phenomenon of reincarnation. It''s just a memory that came back to me when I was a child. That is how I came to be what I am today, Alta Schweiz ....... The only thing that can prove that I am the reincarnation of Raoul Isaruf is my skills and the sword I carry, the Silver Spirit Sword. That sword is the only one that no one has ever recovered. I don''t think there are many people who would like to use a sword that absorbs the most of its owner''s magic power. But that''s the only way I can prove that I''m Raoul''s reincarnation. The memory of Raoul will not be understood when I tell people about it. ...... Well, in that sense, Aria is the only one who knows my secret. It''s only my strength that proves it. Am I really the reincarnation of Raoul Isaruf? I had never thought of such a question before. There were two people in the Shadow Apostle who shared the same memory. At that time, I clearly denied that they were not the same. ....... I''ve never thought about it, and I don''t plan to ever think about it. I just thought that if I could live my life as a person again, I would live it differently this time. I don''t regret my life of fighting, killing, ...... and gaining nothing but strength. But I''ve learned that there is nothing to be gained from strength. I''m not going to say that I don''t regret my life, but I do know that there is nothing to be gained by being strong. ...... I also understand that I was only seeking strength. I learned it from a girl named Iris, who taught me to use a sword. She wants to be stronger than anyone else. She wants to be stronger than anyone else, not just for herself, but to protect someone she doesn''t know. There is a way to be strong that Raul Isaruf never thought possible. Now I can understand Iris''s thoughts in no small part. I thought I was just protecting her for my job, but then I realized that I was fighting ...... to watch her grow. --Aena also told me that she would fully accept any collaborator I chose. Perhaps Aria would naturally suspect and notice if Aena and I were to act together. And in the end, it will be passed on to Iris. If it''s ......, should I call out to her this time? It''s a good idea to take a look at the actual information on the web and also the web site. You can see the determined look on Iris'' face, and you can''t help but smile. And then I realized a fact. "Oh, I see... Although I told Iris that she could rely on me, I may not have tried to rely on her yet. I guess it''s because I don''t have the sense of relying on anyone. Considering my position as a knight and as a lecturer, relying on her is not an option for me. In the first place, there is no need to think of relying on her. Whoever it is, I''ll fight to end it. That''s how I came to my conclusion. And so I came to the conclusion that if the enemy was that powerful, I would have to defeat him myself. I, the real Kensei, will surely defeat the fake Kensei. That''s what I''ve decided. 165 165. Knight of the Dark Night --Two men were walking through the city at night. Each wore the armor of a knightly order. The men were knights and were patrolling the town at night. Basically, they patrolled along a set route and checked for anything out of the ordinary. The town was quiet and unchanging as many people had already gone to bed. I''m not busy. A young knight, still in his youth, made a light-hearted remark. The man walking next to him reacted to this. You''re not bored. I''m working. The man''s name is Zaida Eiffel. He belongs to the Kuro Wolf Knights, and his rank is "First Officer" - a veteran who has been working as a knight for more than fifteen years. In the event that you''re a first class officer, you''ll often be tasked with defeating dangerous demons or taking part in missions that are important to the country, and all of them are recognized for their abilities. Zaeeda was now mainly in a position to mentor her younger colleagues. Therefore, she took the initiative to participate in patrol duties. I know, I know. I was just complaining. The young knight replied with a bit of disapproval after hearing Zaida''s words. It''s not that he''s not serious, but he''s still not fully aware of what it means to be a knight. It''s his role to guide those people. "If you have time to complain, do your job. I know what I''m talking about. ...... Even so, we''re bored these days, aren''t we? It''s good that we''re free. It''s a good thing we have free time, although I''m not sure we really do. "Are you talking about Commander Eain? The young knight asks, and Zaida nods and answers. Yes. I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but it''s a good idea. The leader of the Kuro Wolf Knights, Remyll Ein. Although he is still in his twenties, he is the leader of one of the five knight orders that protect this country. She used to be active in the field, but now she is mainly working at her desk. However, the fact that she is able to handle these tasks is proof of her excellence. When she had just joined the knights, Zaida had worked with her before. It''s a good idea to take a look at the list of people who are interested in becoming a knight in shining armor. In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site. It''s not easy, is it? Isn''t there a candidate for acting commander over there? "It''s not that there aren''t any. It''s just that it''s not so easy to decide. A Knight Commander is ...... not just a representative of the knights. Is that so? Yeah, keep that in mind. A lot of knights are not interested in power,......, but it is a part of being a knight-errant. Many knights admire the knight-errant who leads the order. You can find many reasons for this, such as "it''s cool" or "I want to get ahead". But to actually become a knight commander is not just to lead the knights of this country. Your abilities must be recognized, and you must fight all kinds of "enemies". In a sense, it is a lonely existence. It is not always the case that the person who is recommended is the one who wants the position. Whether it''s a battle of ceding or a battle of taking - what inevitably follows is a trivial ''power struggle''. The ¡¶Holy Armor Knights¡· can be said to be in that situation right now. Of course, not all of Zaida''s opinions are true. It''s just that there are knights who think that way, and there are also knights like Remyll who don''t care about power and try to fulfill their duties as "knights. But it''s difficult to determine who those people are at the moment. If Haylon Stiletto, the leader of the Knights of the Holy Armor, had had some idea of his successor, there might have been no problem, but he seemed to be in the process of searching for a replacement. As a result - Remyll was to be the acting leader. I don''t know if Haylon will wake up or not ......, but either way, the problems of the Order of the Holy Armor will continue for a while. ......It''s kind of a tough question. I''ve heard that the Knights of the Holy Armor have an elite group of knights. I''m sure it''s not an easy task to bring them all together. I guess so. I''m not sure what to do. Those who can take on such a heavy responsibility need to be prepared. That''s how it is, isn''t it? As for me, I''m fine with doing night patrols like this. Because it''s easier? It''s not that, but it''s ...... worth it. "Deserved? I guess you could say I know what I''m doing. But why do you want to be a knight? It''s a little embarrassing to be asked that again.¡¡It''s a little embarrassing to be asked that again. ...... "If you don''t want to answer, that''s fine. If you don''t want to answer, that''s fine, but don''t forget to answer the question, ''Why did you become a knight? It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re doing. Maybe he didn''t expect to be talked about like this during his night patrol. I''m sure you''re not the only one. I''ll take your answer and do my job right now! "......?¡¡Miss Zaida? Zaida signaled to the young knight with her hand to stop him. It suddenly appeared in front of them. The sound of metal clanging and clanging echoed around them. They knew immediately that it was the sound of armor scraping. In the midst of the dark night, the "jet-black" was so dark that you had to strain your eyes to see it. What appeared before them was a knight. But it was different from Zayda and the young knight. He was clad in armor that did not belong to any order of knights in this country. Stop, who are you? "...... The jet-black knight does not seem to obey Zayda''s words. I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but it''s a good idea. The young knight retreated involuntarily from the strange atmosphere. --Zaida immediately instructed the young knight. You go back to your station. There''s a suspicious person south of Avant Street. Call for backup. What do you mean, "backup"? ...... Where''s Zayda? We''ll return fire. With those words, the two of them began to move at the same time. I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not. I''m not sure if you''ve seen this before, but I''m sure you''ve. Go!¡¡You''re supposed to be the messenger! "Yes, sir! The young knight followed Zayda''s words and ran off. The jet-black knight did not pay attention to the young knight. Apparently, he is going to accompany Zaida. It''s a good thing then, Zayda smiled. I''m surprised to see you slaying him. I''m surprised you chose a knight of all people to fight. Is that jet-black armor supposed to be ...... death gear? "...... (This guy ......) There was no response to Zaida''s words. It''s not so much that he''s ignoring her,......, but that he doesn''t seem to have heard her words. In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site. Zayda put all her strength into her sword and flicked the jet-black knight''s sword. The jet-black knight responded immediately. Their swords crossed again. Because the lights had already been thrown to the ground, they could not see each other completely. But even in this situation, the two of them did not hesitate to fire and receive the sword blows. The sparks created by the clash of swords occasionally illuminated each other''s figures. The duel in the dark of night that had suddenly begun had been settled by the time the young knight returned with backup. He left behind only a large amount of blood. 166 166. One newspaper The next day - morning homeroom was going on as usual, but the students in the class were buzzing. I''m sure they''ve already seen her yesterday, but I guess it''s different when she actually arrives. I''m going to be in your class for a while, starting today. Nice to meet you, boys. Wearing the school''s uniform, Aena said with a fearless smile on her face. It''s a change from the military uniform of yesterday, the girl ...... looks good in a uniform appropriate for her age, but she still wears a hat to match her uniform. I''m not sure what to make of this.¡¡She came to inspect the kingdom before. ...... Hmm?¡¡Yeah, I''m the one who came to inspect. And you don''t need to call me "sir" or anything ostentatious. I''m a member of this class from today. I''m one of the ''members'', if you will. "A member of ......? Huh, you want to hear about it? Aena glanced at me, but I didn''t react, instead addressing the students. She glanced at me, but I didn''t respond. "Yes, I know you have a lot of questions, but you can talk about it during recess. There will be no question period at this time. "Oh, there''s so much I want to know! Hmm. Well, I guess Arta has a point. Ms. Aena, you forgot to add the teacher. I''m sure you all have a lot of questions to ask, but please ask them during recess. Your seat is ...... right in the middle back. It''s not a bad position, but I would have preferred the front middle. I always like to be in the lead position in class. Well, do you want to change? What, you don''t want to-- Yes, I don''t want to have to change my seat. Here: ...... I prevented the student in front of me from changing seats and encouraged Aena to take her seat. The students are still a bit agitated, but they''ll calm down eventually. As usual, Iris and Aria were the two calmest people in the room. Iris looked a little suspicious, but Aria was as normal as ever. I finally get to the point. Now that Aena has been introduced, I have a message for you. For a while, there will be a lot of activity after school due to preparations for the school festival. If you want to buy something, please apply in advance. Every year, there are a few students who leave the school without permission. As soon as we find them, we''ll ask them to write a letter of regret. "Does that mean I don''t have to find them? It was Aena who questioned my words. The students looked at her, as they should. I''m not sure what to make of that. The ...... question itself is a terrible one: "Is it okay if I leave the school without declaring my intentions, as long as I don''t get caught? The question itself is really awful. The question itself is really awful: "Is it okay to leave the school undeclared as long as you don''t get caught? "Don''t you mean that we should try to avoid detection? It''s a challenge when someone tells you not to get out of line. Aena smiles provocatively, and the students gasp. Before you know it, the classroom is about to be swallowed up by her air. She has a high charisma that attracts others somehow, and in a different way than Iris, she lets everyone know that she is special. In such a short time. But I''m not going to be swallowed up by that atmosphere. That spirit should be directed elsewhere. If there are no other questions, then this is the end of homeroom. Please get ready for the next class. With that, I left the classroom. As soon as I left the classroom, a buzzing voice echoed outside. "Aena, I was surprised to hear you say something like that out of the blue. I was surprised to hear you say that.¡¡Well, he didn''t seem to take it well. If you''re told not to leave, you might want to leave.¡¡I figured if I''m going to enjoy school life, I might as well do it. "Enjoying school life, you don''t go to school in the ...... empire? Yeah, I''m a soldier. What?¡¡You''re a soldier? I''m not sure if you''ve ever heard of this, but I''m sure you''ve heard of it. ...... It may not be a story to hide, but I feel a little sorry for the teacher who has to start class in that noisy atmosphere. --I''m going to have another talk with Aena after school today. However, because of Iris''s sword training, the conversation will probably take place later in the evening. ...... I thought I had some free time lately, but it looks like I''ll be busy again. As he leaves the noisy classroom, he pauses to say something. In the event that you are a lecturer, there are many events going on with Aena''s entrance and the school festival. As a knight, I may have to fight a ''powerful enemy'' in the future. It was completely at my own discretion that I entered into a cooperative relationship with Aena. Of course, I''m not going to keep quiet about it. I''ll report it to Remyil who, unlike me, is very busy. Normally, she would contact me at the right time, but I haven''t been able to contact her at all in the near future. However, it seems that she is taking good care of Aena now that she has enrolled in this school. This morning, when I checked the area around the school, there were more knights than usual. We can''t deploy them in the school, but I guess we can''t do nothing to Aena, the daughter of the Imperial Marshal. If Aena knew about it, she would probably say she didn''t want it. I''ll tell the knights outside to contact the Commander somehow, hmm? Suddenly, I saw someone running from the front. From the crunching and scraping of the metal, I can tell that the person is wearing some sort of armor. I looked and saw that it was a girl coming towards me. "Oh, there you are!¡¡You''re Alta, right? Yes, I am. ...... And you are? I''ve come here under the direction of the Knight Commander of Ayn. I''m here on the orders of the head of the Order of the Knights of Eyn. Of course, I''ve gotten permission from the school. I''m not particularly worried about that, but ...... you''re not the Kuro Wolf Knights, are you? I''m not worried about that.¡¡I''m not sure what to make of it, but I''m sure it''s worth it.¡¡I''m not sure what to make of it, but I think it''s a good idea. So I came here. I''m assisting him with the Holy Armor Knights, you know? "I see, so that''s how it is. I understand what''s going on, but if you''re coming to ...... in full knight''s attire, does that mean it''s an emergency call? "...... Yes!¡¡I think it would be faster for me to come directly to you than to fly the white-tailed deer! It''s a bird demon that can be used to contact you. I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but it''s a good idea. Is it something to do with Aena, or has there been a development with Cashel Rahmberg? If it is the latter, I have some information from Aena. The girl knight continued to speak. "Last night, a knight on patrol was murdered. And it was almost at the same time in different places. That''s why all knights above the rank of first officer are asked to be on special alert. "...... what? It was a call about an incident that was completely different from what I had imagined. 167 167. First Officer Girl Knight In a rented room at the school, I talked to a girl knight who came to report to me. --Yesterday, there was an incident. The incident occurred yesterday in "Fenkor," a district controlled by the Kuro Wolf Knights, and "Orenso," a district controlled by the Knights of the Holy Armor. There were three knights affected, all of whom were skilled first-class officers. One of them, Zaeeda Ebel, a first class officer belonging to the Kuro Wolf Knights, is missing. According to the report of the knight who was with her, she disappeared after a battle with a knight in jet black armor. Based on the amount of blood left at the scene and the absence of the knight, it is highly likely that she was murdered and her body was recovered, according to the knight who examined the scene. In the event that you''re not sure what to do, you may want to check with your doctor. I understand what you''re saying. So, I want at least two knights of the first class and above to be on special alert. ...... Is that what you''re saying? Yes, sir!¡¡I''m not sure what to make of that. It''s unprecedented that three first-class officers are killed in one night. The girl knight is right. In the kingdom''s knightly orders, first officer is a rank given to knights of high ability. In the case of the Kuro Wolf Knights, there are only a few, including myself. The two knights who were confirmed to have been killed were first class officers of the Knights of the Holy Armor, and it seems that a complete high alert has been set up over there. --The two knights were the first officers of the Holy Armor Knights, and they were on full alert over there. And that would be a heavy burden for Remyll, who manages both knight orders. That may be why he sent a knight to contact me as soon as possible. "First Officer Alta Schweizer has been instructed to take precautions around the school. I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that. "...... Well... I''m going to try to stay away from the school as much as I can, but that''s just the way it usually is. I''m not sure what to make of this. Yes!¡¡That''s me! The girl knight answered my question with a cheerful salute. I was a little surprised and looked at her again. I can''t believe I''m saying this now, but she looks pretty young. She''s probably a little older than Iris and the others. From what I heard earlier, there are two first class officers. ....... So you''re saying you''re a first class officer too? Yes, I am!¡¡...... Oh, by the way, I haven''t even told you my name yet!¡¡I beg your pardon!¡¡I''m Helen Trousseau, and I just recently rose to the rank of first officer in the Order of the Holy Armor! I see, you''re Helen of the Knights of the Holy Armor.¡¡"Helen Torso? I couldn''t help but ask the name back. I''m not sure what to make of it. I''m not sure if you''ve heard of her, but I''m sure you''ve heard of her. ...... You may not have known her very well, but do you remember Belle Trousseau, the first class knight who belonged to the Kuro Wolf Knights?¡¡Belle is my brother. "I see. So you are Belle''s sister? Helen was right, I did not know Belle. The Blue Sword, that was his alias. With a sword strike so fast that it was called the "blue flash," Belle Trousseau was surely the strongest knight with a promising future in the Kuro Wolf Knights before I joined. In fact, even after his death in the battle against the Swordsmen, I have sometimes heard people regretting his death. However, I had never heard that he had a sister. I hadn''t heard that he had a younger sister, but that he had risen to the rank of first class knight like Belle, and that they were both undeniably talented. As I was thinking about what I should say to her, Helen opened her mouth first. I''m sure you don''t mind my brother, do you?¡¡There are many people in the Kuro Wolf Knights who have a gloomy look on their face when they hear my name in particular,......, but my brother fought well as a knight. It''s a good thing that you''re not the only one who has a problem with this. ...... If that''s the case. You''re right, I didn''t know him very well, but I still hear his name. I''m sure he was a great knight. I''m sure my brother would be happy to hear you say that, Alta-san!¡¡I''m sure my brother will be happy to hear that, because Arta is the current "youngest knight", right?¡¡I''ve heard that my brother is a little bit conscious of me before. I''m also a little - no, a lot - conscious of it!¡¡It''s melamela! Helen clenched her fists. I''ve heard about Bell from Lemire, but my impression of him was that he was a rather quiet young man. In contrast, her sister, Helen, has a much brighter personality ...... and can be described as hot-blooded. I''m not that big of a deal. I''m a fellow knight who will be working with you. I''m not a big fan of that, but I''m a fellow knight who''s going to be working with you. Let''s work together to fulfill our duties as knights. "......!¡¡Yes!¡¡I''m looking forward to working with you! I shook hands with Helen firmly. -Knight''s murder. I don''t know what my intentions are, but I have a man in my mind. The man who calls himself Raoul Isaruf, Aena tells me. I''m sure he''d be no match for a first class knight. I''m sure you''ll be able to find something that works for you. ......, but three knights were attacked at almost the same time. If there is a connection, then there are several other skilled swordsmen on the enemy side. It is unlikely that there are multiple ¡¶Kensei¡·class swordsmen, but in any case, there is no doubt that the enemy is quite capable. I was going to tell Remyll about my cooperation with Aena, but now that I''ve sent Helen, I don''t think I''ll be able to talk to her for a while. I''ll have to check on Lemire''s movements, just in case. I''d like to ask you a question. Is Commander Ein in Orenso now? Yes, I''ve been keeping my hands busy over there dealing with this matter, but ...... he said he had a ''plan'' for this matter!¡¡I don''t know the details, but I''m sure they''ll contact me if there are any developments. "I see, I understand. I see, I understand. Now, shall we act on our own? "Yes! Helen answered cheerfully with a smile. I''m not sure what to make of it. It''s a good idea to take a look at the website and see if you can find any useful information about it. ...... If you don''t know what the enemy is trying to do, you don''t want to push yourself too hard, but if she has an idea, you''ll have to wait for her to report it. 168 168. Usual Practice After school, I went to the back of the school building alone. It''s time for my daily training with Iris, which has already become a routine. My training with her has become much more skillful, and recently we have been having more and more mock fights. I haven''t lost to Iris yet, but I know better than anyone that she''s growing every day. When I arrived at the back of the school building, in addition to the usual members Iris and Aria, there was another girl. "Miss Aena? "Haha, you''re finally here. You''ve got some nerve, keeping me waiting like this. I''ll give you that. Hey!¡¡Dr. Alta didn''t keep you waiting. I''m not sure what to make of this. I''m not sure what to do.¡¡It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. That''s ...... I''m not going to blame you. It''s not that I''m not a fan of your work, but it''s just that I wanted to see how you guys train since I came to this school. You don''t mind that, do you?¡¡I have no intention of interfering. It''s not for me to decide, but... Iris glances at me. You will find a lot of people who are looking for the best way to get the most out of their lives. ...... This is a common sight these days. It''s a good idea to take a look at your own personal life. However, especially during normal times ...... such as homeroom and class, Iris sometimes acts as if she is avoiding my gaze. I wonder if I''ve done something to upset her, but I can''t think of anything. I have also asked Iris about it, but she only replied in a slightly flustered manner, "It''s business as usual. Since then, I have not asked her anything in-depth. Well, as long as you are practicing properly, I think there is no problem at first. It''s fine for you to observe. But please don''t tell the other students about it. "Fine. I don''t like to talk about it either. Aena agreed and stepped away from us. Now we can start practicing as usual. By the way, Sensei. I was thinking of ......, but Aria raised a small hand and opened her mouth. What is it?¡¡Aria-san. "....... I''m not sure if this is a good idea, but it''s a good idea. Then, she quickly looked back at me. --It''s the only way I can understand what she''s trying to say. I thought that if we were some distance apart, we would not be noticed. In fact, Iris and Aena are unaware of her presence. But it seems that Aria was different. Helen was also aware of my current situation, having heard about it from Remyll, and she said enthusiastically, "I''ll be careful not to let the students find out! It''s a great way to make sure you''re getting the most out of your vacation. Even though it''s ......, I can''t explain Helen''s existence here and now. What''s wrong?¡¡Aria. ...... No, it''s nothing. Sensei, let''s start practicing. Aria shook her head in response to Iris'' question. --She seemed to get the idea. And at the same time, Aria could tell that something was going on. When the swordsmen targeted me in the seaside town of Lelay, Aria was the first one to notice something was wrong. She might make some kind of contact later. For now, I''ll just thank her for not touching me. Let''s start as usual. Let''s start with Iris. "...... Yes! I face Iris, and we both hold up our mock swords. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. --The girl who was called the "Sword Saint Princess" may not just have been called that, she may really be on her way to becoming a girl worthy of the name "Sword Saint". ...... anytime you want. Yes, I''m coming. I''m not sure what to do. No tricks, no head-on confrontation. He closed the distance between us and swung his mock sword. I handled it with ease. But Iris''s mock sword was not just passed over, and she quickly moved on to the next blow. I stepped back slightly. --It''s only recently that I''ve started to get pushed around, even in a passive position. Aah! Five strikes in quick succession. The swift and heavy blows would be impossible for any ordinary swordsman to block. But I blocked it. This time I swing my mock sword at Iris. I''m not sure if it''s a good thing or not, but it''s a good thing. It''s a good response. "Thank you.¡¡Thank you. Now, how about this? --I flicked Iris''s mock sword and unleashed another volley. This time, it''s my real sword speed, with no time to rest. "......? I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not. It''s a good idea to take a look at the actual information on the web. In the event that you have any kind of questions regarding where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site. We both stopped moving for a moment. But it looks like you''re not ready to beat me yet. I''m sure you''re right. I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not. I''m not sure if I''ll be able to do it. But there is still some hesitation in the timing of the counter. If you don''t get out when you can, you''re going to get pushed around. ...... Yes, I''ll do my best. Sir, I''m next. Yes, I''ll take my turn. In the event you''re not sure what you''re looking for, there are a few things you can do. I can say that Aria has grown up a lot after training with me. She''s not a pure swordswoman, but she has a lot of experience in ''real'' battles. Therefore, fighting a strong opponent itself will lead to her growth. "...... I can see Aena quietly looking at this exchange with a sideways glance. I thought she would at least try to intervene, but I was surprised that she just stood there and watched. Teacher, let''s do it quickly. "Yes, sir. Well, I''m ready when you are. Yes, and sir. I have some questions for you later. --As the game began, Aria said these words and began to move. 169 169. Interrogation After practice, I usually go to my room to do some paperwork, which is my leisure time. I either sit on the couch and just relax, or I start reading a book that I haven''t gotten very far in - well, I really do a lot of "killing time" when it comes to what I do. Of course, I don''t just lie around all the time. Of course, I don''t just lie around all the time. Being a knight requires a lot of physical strength, so I do some physical exercise to get used to it. But today I didn''t seem to be able to do either of those things. There were two girls sitting across from me - the first was Aena. She is here today to continue the conversation from yesterday. Therefore, I can say that Aena is a scheduled visitor. The second is Aria. She seems to have noticed my "secret" and even asked me to talk to her later during the rehearsal. As a result, both Aena and Aria came to my room at the same time. This can be said to be my fault for not having talked to Aria first. I was just thinking of a good excuse to explain about the "girlfriend" who started it all, but it happened before I could think of one. And then - sitting next to me was Helen with an apologetic expression on her face. "Ugh, sorry. I thought I''d covered my tracks, but I didn''t expect to be spotted so easily. ...... It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. ...... Well, I don''t need to bother explaining the fact that Aria was already aware of me during our practice earlier. It might end up hurting her even more if she was depressed. Seeing Aena and Aria entering my room, Helen also came to my side of the room. As a result, not only Aria but also Aena noticed me, and that''s how we ended up here. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m going to do it. I''m sure you''ll be happy to know that I''m not the only one. "Sir, what do you mean talk?¡¡And this guy is a knight, right?¡¡Why is he at the school? Aria, I''m talking to you now. I need you to be quiet. That''s my line. I''m the one who was supposed to talk to the teacher first. I promised him at rehearsal. "At practice?¡¡Then I had an appointment yesterday. I''m sorry, but I''m first. It''s okay if we talked yesterday, I''ll go first. Not so fast. Well, we can continue yesterday''s conversation later, but ...... I have to ask who this woman is. We''re in agreement. We''re in agreement. So... Who is this woman? I didn''t think I''d ever be in a situation where I''d have to deal with such a question from two girls. But they are not the ones I''m dating, and Helen, who sits next to me, is a fellow knight, so it''s not like it''s some kind of "shuriken" situation at all. I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but I think it''s a good idea. I wonder if it''s ...... interrogation or something. I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but I think it''s a good idea. I let out a small sigh. ...... In the end, I guess I''ll just have to explain it to her step by step. "First of all, let''s talk calmly. I''m calm. I''m calm too. This is why the pressure is so great... I can''t go on like this. I think it would be better if I took the lead in explaining the situation rather than paying attention. It''s a good thing that my students are in perfect harmony, but I didn''t want this to be the case. Her name is Helen Trousseau. She is Helen Trousseau, a knight of the first class like me, and she will be working with me for business reasons. "Hi, I''m Helen from ......, and I''d like to introduce myself.¡¡It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. I''m not saying it''s because you''re my student, but... It''s not because he''s my student, but because Aena just officially enrolled today. I don''t care about that, did you say you have a job?¡¡What did you mean by that? Aena glances at me and asks. Even though she was talking to Aena, she probably didn''t expect Helen to tell her what the "mission" was. I can''t answer that, sir. Don''t worry, I''m not asking you. What? You''ll be able to see a shocked expression on Helen''s face, and you can almost hear the sound of a gasp. ...... She''s a very expressive girl. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. "...... It''s Aria, who''s still giving me the same sharp look. Of course, Aria doesn''t even know that Aena and I are working together yet. She''s probably genuinely wondering why there are knights in the school. --Perhaps she''s worried that Iris might be harmed again. It''s natural for them to feel that way, and I''d like to let them know that I''m not worried about that -- but it''s hard to say that there''s no connection. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m sure I''ll be able to do it. ...... But in any case, as soon as Aria finds out, sooner or later she''ll know about it. In the current situation, it would be impossible to keep it hidden. "Ms. Aria, what I''m about to tell you... I''m not going to tell anyone. All right, then. Now, the reason why Helen is here... Wait, wait, wait!¡¡Are you going to tell them?¡¡I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not, but it''s a good idea. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m going to do it. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. I quickly reply to Helen. They''ll be fine. We''re both first officers, but I''m in charge here, would you agree? "Ha, yes, of course. I will follow Alta-san''s decision. Helen answered in a bit of a panic. It''s good to know that you understand what I''m talking about. 170 170. Persuaded I''ll start by telling you why she''s here. There was a knight killing the other day. What? "Knight Killer? When Aria and Aena heard my words, they both reacted with surprise. It''s understandable that they are surprised. ...... I myself could not hide my surprise when Helen told me about it. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. It''s not necessarily near the school. And it''s not limited to this area, it''s happening all over. That''s why the knights are on special alert. The reason she is here is to deal with the "knight killers". In the event that you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. "...... Hmm, I see. So you are at least a first class knight? Ah, yes. I''m a member of the ¡¶Holy Armor Order¡·. ...... I understand the situation. I''m not sure if I''m going to be able to do it. I''m not sure what to do. I nodded at the question. You can''t just say, "I''m fine," and go it alone because that''s the order. After all, Helen had come here under Lemire''s orders. If she refuses to do so, it will be her who will be in trouble. You don''t know who did it, do you? No, we don''t. If you look at the fact that they are occurring in various places, it must be multiple criminals. However, all of the crimes were committed by knights who were strong in their own right, and we have been beaten. You can assume that the enemy''s ability is quite high. I see. Yeah, that makes sense. Yes, ......, that''s true, but it can''t be helped under those circumstances. I understand why you''re working together. Thank you for your understanding. That''s all I can tell you. At least that''s what Aria wanted to hear. At the very least, she will be relieved to know that the knight is not here because Iris is being targeted. Aena has more to say than just this, though. I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that.¡¡Like before. It''s a little different this time. It seems that they are targeting knights indiscriminately. And they''re all pretty good ones, too. Even more so. You are ...... the strongest person I know, at least. So there''s a good chance they''ll come after you. You can''t deny that. But it would be more convenient if they were to target me. I want to minimize any further damage to the knights. The teacher is ...... well, I think the teacher can win. I''m not sure what to make of it. I also-- Aria, you''re a student. I know you''re good at what you do, but I can''t have you doing dangerous things like ...... going out and patrolling in the middle of the night. "But ....... Aria seemed unconvinced by my words. I knew that she would want to help. But the situation is different this time. It is the knight who is being targeted, and there is no possibility that Iris is being targeted at the moment. In the event that you are a knight, you will need to be able to take care of yourself. It would be great if you could understand this as well. I don''t understand. The one who answered my words was not Aria, but Aena. Everyone in the room looked at Aena. Aena continued to speak with a serious expression. "I saw the training earlier. Although Iris and Aria are not as good as I am, I''m sure they are both capable. In addition, Aria has the ability to spot enemies on par with Mercier, right?¡¡I''m sure you''ll find it much more useful than any of those knights. You can find a lot more information on the web at ....... But... She''s a student?¡¡Huh, you just told me why. So what are you training them for?¡¡To make them strong, I guess. And they''re getting strong enough... and you''re telling them to stay back because it''s dangerous?¡¡No wonder you don''t agree with me. Alta, to be clear, ...... you''re being overprotective. I think it''s insulting to tell someone who can fight to stay back. I was a little surprised to hear Aena say that much. --It seems from her words that she is planning to welcome Iris and Aria as her collaborators. It seems that the person who was watching our training earlier was not just here to observe. --Indeed, I can vouch for Iris and Aria''s abilities as I train with them. Both of them are not the kind of people who will fall behind even if the enemy is skilled. So, it would be an insult to not let them fight. ...... I didn''t try to stop someone who was ready to fight as a swordsman. Maybe I''ve changed my mind a bit. Or perhaps I should say, this time in particular. "Sir, I''m fine. I can fight, and I can make a decision to run away if I think it''s dangerous. At least, I think I can help you. I''m sure you''ll be able to find a way to help me," Aria said with a determined look on her face. ...... Originally, I didn''t think she would back down. I''m not sure if I''m going to be able to do it. I let out a small sigh and raised my hand to soothe them. ...... Oh, I get it. I''m sure you''re not the only one. Aria, as I told you before-- "Don''t do anything you don''t want to do. Yes, I know that. I see. Then I''ll ask you to help me. Is that all right with you?¡¡Miss Aena. Yeah, I was hoping you could help me with this. I thank you for convincing him to go to ......, but I don''t agree that you''re stronger than him. "Hmm?¡¡What, you want to give it a try? Sure, I''ll give it a shot. Okay, okay, okay, okay. We''re all friends here, so don''t get into a fight. Do you understand? ...... Yes. "Hmm, no choice. ...... Well, I mean, ......, Aria and Aena?¡¡I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that they''re going to help us, right?¡¡I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not.¡¡It''s a student and a princess of the empire! "Helen. Helen!¡¡Yes, yes. Aena called out Helen''s upset name. I''m not sure if this is a good idea or not. I''m aware of the abilities of Arta and Aria. I recognize the abilities of Arutha and Aria, as well as Iris, even though she is not here. But I still don''t know what you''re capable of. I''m not going to work with a first officer who isn''t good enough. Helen, let''s see what you''re made of. "Yeah, yeah, show me what you''re made of, sir. Helen''s words trailed off for a moment. Helen''s words were cut off as Aena stood up and pointed a knife at Helen from her pocket. But Helen caught the blade firmly between her forefinger and thumb. "Oh, that''s dangerous! I like it. I like it--you can stay here. Oh, thank you, sir?¡¡Oh, is that ......?¡¡Is that what I think it is, ......? Helen, can you please just calm down and listen to what I have to say?¡¡Helen, can you please calm down and listen to what I have to say? Aena, from what you''ve just said, you''re saying that you and the other members here are going to continue the conversation we had yesterday. "Yes, that''s right. There''s no harm in having a few strong ones. But, ......, I''m sorry. I''d like to invite Iris to join us. I can do that. No, Aria, I''d like you to stay. No, Miss Aria, please stay.¡¡Doctor ......? I''ll take your help. But since Iris is not here. As long as I don''t know her, I''ll stay out of it. Is that all right with you? I said to Aena. Aena lets out a small sigh in response. "...... is fine. It''s not like I''m going to argue with you. I''ll leave that decision up to you. Now, let''s continue our conversation. I''m talking about our enemy. And so we heard from Aena. I decided not to pay attention to the look Aria was giving me at the moment. 171 171. Notice As the sun was setting, the conversation with Aena and the others was over, and they broke up. The information I got from Aena was about the "witches". I don''t know if it has anything to do with this "knight killing" or not, but the witches have a swordsman who is as good as a "sword saint". It''s too early to assume that they are not related. Aena said that she would continue her school life and work with the troops she brought with her at night. This was originally decided when she came here. As for me, I''ll be doing night patrols with Helen starting this evening. I''ll be on alert around the school. Aena and Helen left the room, but Aria stayed behind and muttered something like that. If I leave the school, I''ll need someone to keep an eye out for me. I''m counting on you. "...... Yeah. It''s not that I''m unhappy. But I''d be lying if I said I wasn''t. Aria gave me a sharp look. Then she continued. "Why didn''t you say anything to Iris again?¡¡When we went to the harbor town, I hid Iris because I thought she might be a target. That made sense to me, too. But last time, you relied on me and Iris, didn''t you?¡¡To be honest, I was happy, and I think Iris was happy too. So why are you hiding it again this time? What Aria was unhappy about was the fact that she was keeping Iris out of this case. It''s true that I relied on them when the incident happened before. I could say that I was forced to rely on them, and I felt that I could. I judged that Iris and Aria had the ability to do so. In fact, they did exactly what I expected them to do. I don''t think I can praise them enough. As I said before, the situation is a little different this time. I''m sure you''ll be happy to know that I''m not the only one who can''t help you. ...... I think Iris would be hurt by not being informed. That''s why we try not to let them know. Essentially, you''re still a student. That''s all you ever say. I don''t think I''ve said anything wrong. If you were knights, I''d be counting on you. But you''re not in that position yet. If Iris and I were to quit the school right now, would ...... you rely on us? Aria stood in front of me and said with a serious expression on her face. I can''t help but roll my eyes at those words. But she quickly let out a sigh and shook her head. That''s not the point, sir. There''s something different about you, doctor. There''s something wrong this time, isn''t there? What do you mean, "something"?¡¡I''m just a normal guy. I''m talking about a kensei as an enemy. I mean, Sensei is a kensei, right? "...... At Aria''s words, I fell silent. --The only thing I''m saying to her is that I''m the reincarnation of the Sage of Swords. And Aria has never told anyone about it. That''s probably why she wondered when she heard Aena''s story. There can''t be a kensei ...... because I am a reborn being. I''m sure you''re not the only one. You can''t tell if they''re on the same level until you''ve actually crossed swords with them. But since Aena says so, she might be close to that level. That''s what you mean when you don''t deny it. I was also convinced by what Aria said. --It''s true that the girls were kept out of it for a reason. This guy is probably the strongest I''ve ever met. If he''s really on the same level as me, even in a previous life. "Sir, Iris and I are no match for you. But you''re not the only enemy, are you?¡¡Then I think you should tell Iris, too. "Aria, ......, aren''t you the one who''s most worried about Iris? Yes, that''s true. I''m always worried about Iris. If I could, I wouldn''t want her to be in danger. But still - Iris is that kind of girl. Aria said in a small voice, as if she were telling herself that. I think she also doesn''t want Iris to be involved. Still, she may feel that I don''t trust her or Aria enough to ask why I don''t tell Iris. Of course, that''s not true. I trust them, but I also worry about them. I trust them and I worry about them at the same time. ...... Oh, I see. "Sir, ......? No, there''s something that makes sense to me. Anyway, I understand where you''re coming from. But please don''t tell Iris about this one. I reminded Aria of this. --I''m worried about Iris and Aria, not only as a teacher, but also as a student. That''s why I fear that if they were to encounter a man who claimed to be a sword saint in a place where I wasn''t present, they might be killed. They are certainly strong,......, but to be honest, the chances of them beating me in a fair fight are pretty slim. Aria didn''t seem convinced, but had nothing more to say and left the room in silence. I guess I''ve really found someone I want to protect in the ''real'' sense. That''s a surprisingly difficult thing to do. I let out a small sigh. --I let out a small sigh, because this is the first time for me. 172 172. As It Is Aria returned to the girls'' dormitory alone. Aria was still troubled by the fact that Arta had reminded her not to tell Iris. (I guess the teacher is worried about Iris, but ......) Aria feels the same way. If Iris is going to fight a dangerous opponent, I don''t want her to go alone. But Aria couldn''t do anything to stop Iris from going into battle. But Aria couldn''t stop Iris from going into battle, because she knew that was where she wanted to be, where she needed to be. (So ......) --I know that I should have told her. She knew that she could not do anything without Arta''s permission. Aria thinks that it would be cruel to ask Iris to remain ignorant. She would want to be standing next to Alta. That''s why Aria is conflicted. She wants to follow Arutha''s orders, but she can''t ignore Iris. As she walked along, she found herself in front of the girls'' dormitory. And then... "Oh, Aria! Iris, who was waiting for me in front of the dorm, called out to me. "Iris, ......, what''s wrong? "What''s wrong?" "What''s wrong? I went to your room, but you weren''t there, so I looked for you. Where did you go? I--I went for a walk. Aria replied, a little choppily. For a moment, she almost answered honestly, "I was at Arta''s. "Hmm?¡¡Well, that''s okay. But we still have time before dinner, don''t we?¡¡I want you to go out with me. Where do you want to go? Somewhere nearby, somewhere a little bigger. I''d like to try something out. ...... ...... Another sword fight? No, it''s fine. My training with Sensei is going well, you know.¡¡I want to learn some techniques that will surprise my teacher! Aria couldn''t help but laugh at how typical Iris was. She''s always been obsessed with getting stronger. She''s always striving to surpass the swordsman she''s aiming for. (A little while ago, ...... said that the "enemy" this time is an opponent who calls himself the "Sword Saint". He said he was just as strong as his teacher. If Iris were to fight such a man-- Iris will not run away. She would face the enemy with all her might. Even if the opponent was unbeatable, Iris would do the same - Aria knows that. "...... "Aria?¡¡What''s wrong? What''s wrong?¡¡Sorry, it''s nothing. Sword fighting practice, right? Yeah, yeah. Are you okay? Yeah, I''m fine. I''m gonna help Iris become stronger than me. What are you talking about, ......? I''m stronger than you right now! I''m not so sure about that. I''m not sure about that. I''m not sure if I''d be able to do that if I were you. If that was Arata''s choice, then Aria decided to make the same choice this time. "Wait! "Hey, Iris. Hey, Iris!¡¡What? You know, Iris. How does she feel about you? Aria said something that had been bothering her for a while. Aria was aware that she had been feeling a bit frivolous lately. She had asked him on a whim, but he hadn''t responded. When she glanced back at Iris, she saw that her cheeks were a little red and her eyes were swimming. "Why are you asking me that? ...... Why the honorifics? It''s because you''re asking weird questions all of a sudden! "I don''t think it''s weird. ...... Why are you so upset? I''m not upset, all right? "...... You''re clearly upset - or rather, you''ve suddenly become upset. Aria brings her face close to Iris and gives her a sharp look. "Iris ......, did something happen with the doctor? Why are you talking about that? It''s nothing. ......? You''re still acting weird, though. ...... I''m not weird!¡¡Why are you asking me that?¡¡You don''t have a thing for him, do you? "You too? "''You''? Iris let out a puzzled voice. After a few moments of silence, Iris walks quickly past Aria. "And, and, and, and, and!¡¡All you have to do is keep me company before dinner time!¡¡You''re acting kind of weird. Only Iris has gotten weirder. "Ugh. ...... I''m not sure what to do, but I''m going to do it. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m going to do it. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. (I''d like to tease you about your meeting with the doctor earlier, but ......) Aria has already made up her mind. She''s not going to tell Iris about this, she''s just going to let her be. Because that''s what Aria wants. 173 173. Remils Strategy At night, I left the school with Helen. I asked Aria to stay inside the school, but she was supposed to be on guard while I was gone. Aena is not with me, but she has also started to move outside the school. ...... It''s getting kind of important. I''m getting a little nervous. ...... Helen said, looking a little depressed. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. There is no doubt about her ability. It''s okay, sir. There are two first class officers working together. And I''m proud to say that I''m the strongest of all the knights. "Oh, oh, ......, that''s reliable. I didn''t know you were the type to say that much ....... The old me would never have said something like that. The reason I call myself the "Strongest Knight" is because of the promise I made to Iris. If there is an opponent that I can defeat, it will surely mean that there is no opponent in this kingdom that can defeat me. In a way, the battle that was about to take place was quite important. What route should we take?¡¡Do you want to go around the school or go a little further to the back streets? That''s right. If the enemy''s goal is only knights, they will attack you no matter where you walk. ...... Let''s go to the least crowded place possible. I understand! I''m sure you''ll be pleased to know that I''m not the only one. It''s been a long time since I''ve been on patrol outside the school. It was nighttime in the city, but the moon was already high in the sky and the lights were sparse. I''ve heard that it was quite late when the enemy showed up. It would not be surprising if they showed up just at this time of night. "Speaking of which, the Commander said he had a plan, right? "Yes. I haven''t heard what kind of strategy. ...... "Well, if it''s a strategy he''s thinking of, ...... I can pretty much guess what it will be in this situation. "Oh, really?¡¡What kind of strategy is that? I''m not sure what to say, but I''m going to say it. The Commander is the type to use himself as a decoy in times like this. So I don''t want you to push yourself too hard. "To ......? Helen''s absent-minded voice echoed in the night street. If I''m right, she''s probably working alone. "Heck yeah! "Heck yeah!¡¡d*mn, it gets cold at night. ...... Don''t you think so--and it''s too lonely without anyone. ...... It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. In spite of his position as a knight commander, he does not have any subordinates with him - he just came out of a bar. I''ve only had a little to drink. Normally, I would need a pick me up after a good drink, but today, this is just fine. Touching the hilt of his sword at his hip, Remyil continued walking through the night. --Regardless of the enemy''s intentions, Remyil, the leader of the knights, is acting alone. Just as Iris Reinfell had done in the past, Remyll was using himself as a decoy. What is different from that time is that he is acting alone, with no one around him. (You would think that such a straightforward situation would be a trap, but ...... these people are capable of defeating a first officer. If they were going to target me, they would naturally target me as well. The expression on Lemire''s face was more serious than ever. Some of the affected knights were old acquaintances of mine. If you are a knight, you will naturally lose many people you know. It''s because of this that Remyll has been in the position of Commander until now. (I''m not going to tell you a dream that I want to protect everything like Miss Iris. That''s impossible no matter how strong you become. But it''s still my role to do what I can .......) As he was thinking this, a figure appeared in front of Remyll. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m going to do it. I didn''t expect you to actually show up. You are one of the assailants who attacked the knight yesterday, aren''t you? "...... The moonlight illuminates a swordsman in jet-black armor. The moonlight illuminated a swordsman in jet-black armor, who had already drawn his sword and was poised for battle. As if in response, Remyil also drew his sword from his waist. I''m sure you''ve heard of it, but I''ve never heard of it. I''m sure it''s old-fashioned, but ...... let me tell you my name. I''m Remyll Ein, leader of the Order of the Kuro Wolf. I''m going to capture you and tell you a story. With those words, the battle began. 174 174. From The Other End Remyll faces the jet-black knight and holds up his sword. The blade blazes and lights up the surroundings. The name of Remyil''s sword is the Flaming Lotus. By using an ore that is highly resistant to heat, the blade can withstand even when it is covered in flames. Even after the flames are extinguished, the blade will remain hot for a while, increasing its sharpness. On the other hand, it is difficult to handle, and it is said that there is no one in this country who can handle this sword well except Remyll. The jet-black knight did not seem to be intimidated by the sight of the red-hot blade. (This reminds me of the time I faced the ...... "Swordsmen". It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for and how to get it. I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but it''s a good idea. I''m not sure if it''s a good idea, but it''s a good idea. I''m not going to give you any time to think about it. ......!¡¡Well, of course! Remyll receives the sword. The power of both of them was at odds with each other, and they were in the form of a fierce battle. The speed of the first strike was not spectacular. But there is a high possibility that this jet-black knight is also an expert who has killed a first class officer. Aha! With a burst of energy, Remyll flicked the jet-black knight''s sword. In the event you''re not sure what you''re looking for, there are a few things you can do. The two sides exchanged blows, neither giving up at all. Remyil''s flame-laden sword strike should have frightened his opponent in no small part due to its heat. However, the jet-black knight did not seem to be intimidated at all, even though his armor made a noise from the heat of the flames on his body. Rather, he stepped forward and applied pressure, as if trying to kill Remyll''s momentum. It''s not like he''s trying to do anything special. ......!¡¡It''s not that I''m not a good swordsman,......! In the event you''re not sure what you''re looking for, there are a few things you can do. There is no special shape to the sword, and there is no magic effect to it. The jet-black knight in front of him seemed to be a straightforward swordsman with excellent swordsmanship. The problem is that he is simply on par with Remyll in terms of ability. Remyil has already strengthened his sword by using fire magic - whereas the jet-black swordsman is competing with pure swordsmanship alone. If the swordsman has more than this, then Remyil may be at a disadvantage. I''m not sure what to do. "Huh... I''m not sure what to do, but I''d like to know what you think. I''m not sure if you''ve seen this before, but I''m sure you''ve. If you''re not sure what you''re looking for, you can always ask for help. As he aimed, Remyil slashed the jet-black knight''s arm with his sword. The wound is not deep enough to cut off, but it is close to the bone. And the hot sword burns the wound, increasing the pain. Remyil once again kept his distance from the jet-black knight and opened his mouth. It''s over!¡¡You can''t fight with that arm anymore!¡¡You can''t fight with that arm! The only goal is to capture them. If we can capture even one of them, we can find out what they want. What the Knights, including Remyll, want now is to know why they are targeting the Knights. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. "...... The jet-black knight does not respond to Remyll''s words. I''m not sure if I''m going to be able to do that. "Na ......! Remyll''s eyes widened in surprise. It''s not a shallow wound - the harder you grip it, the more intense the pain. You will find a lot of things that you can do. In the event that you have any questions regarding where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site. I''m not sure what to do. Remyil fought back again. It''s a good idea to take a look at the website to see if you can find any useful information. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. (Not good. ......!¡¡I''m not sure what to do. The sound of metal snapping echoed around him. Remyll lost his balance and the jet-black knight stepped into his pocket. It''s inevitable - but to avoid the fatal blow, Remyil tries to protect his body with his left arm. The moment when the jet-black knight was about to swing his sword down. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. The right arm of the jet-black knight flies in the air. The one who intervened in the fight between the two was a girl holding a sword. I''m not sure what to make of it, but I think it''s a good idea. "--Ruino! I told you, didn''t I?¡¡I''m not sure what to make of it. I''m not sure what to make of it, but I think it''s a good idea. You can find a lot of people who have been in the business for a long time. 175 175. Dead people Luino stands in front of Remyll with his sword at the ready. He had made a contract with her again. He could live quietly under the control of the Order, or he could live as a "special officer" working with the Order. Luino, for whom fighting was his reason for living, did not have to make a choice. Now, the choker around his neck is enchanted and restricts his freedom of movement, but that''s okay. This was Luino''s first mission. "I''m sorry, Luino. Thank you for your help. It''s not too early to thank me. Thank you!¡¡You''re right. ......!¡¡Hey, you, there!¡¡Let''s get this over with! I think it''s too early for that. "What ......? I''m not sure what to make of that. In the event that you''ve got a lot of time, you''ll be able to make use of it. But the jet-black knight clutched his sword with his other arm. You still want to do this?¡¡Are you still going to do this ......? It''s not that way, it''s the one you should be wary of. What? It''s not that way. Rui No had noticed from the moment it was cut off. You can find a lot of things that you can do to make your life easier. Not only that, but there was no bleeding on the cut surface of the jet-black knight''s arm either. Luino checked his own sword. There is no blood in the jet-black knight''s body. There are a lot of people who look like corpses these days. ....... I don''t like to fight dead people, in my opinion. "Dead"?¡¡You don''t think he''s already dead, do you ......? What?¡¡I don''t know about that, but ....... I''m not sure about that, but I think you should give up talking to that thing, Commander.¡¡If you just want to stop it from moving, I can do that right away. ....... I''m not sure what to do. Luino, can you help me? I''ll do it as soon as I can. It''s a good idea to have a good idea of what you''re looking for. The jet-black knight held up his sword and rushed towards Luino. You can''t believe that he just lost his arm - after all, he doesn''t feel any pain at all. He kicked the ground and ran. The name of the sword Luino was holding was "Akara". This is not the sword that Rui No used to carry. It is made of "crimson steel" from the famous red river in the East - the same sword used by Azuma Krai, the swordsman from the East that Arutha defeated. The sturdy blade, which would not break no matter how many people it killed on the battlefield, was once again held and wielded by a swordsman named Ruino. The blade of Luino and the jet-black knight met. --But the battle was instantaneous. "You''re fast!¡¡That was fast ......! Remyll shouted in surprise. You can find a lot of people who are looking for a great deal more than just a great deal more. He then followed up with a further strike that cut off one of his legs from the knee down. With such quick movements, the match between the two was settled without a second thought. Luino places his blade on the neck of the jet-black knight. I''m sure you can''t, but ...... don''t resist, okay?¡¡You can''t do this, but don''t resist, okay? If you move, I''ll hit you in the neck. "Wait!¡¡Luino!¡¡It''s over. "...... The jet-black knight lost both his arms and could not walk, but he still did not stop moving. Rui No immediately understood this and immediately hit the head of the jet-black knight. With a rumble, the head rolled across the ground. At that moment, the jet-black knight slumped and fell to the ground. There''s no blood, after all. ....... It''s not fun to fight these things. "...... Don''t judge a knight''s work by its fun factor. And I told you not to kill him. If they resist, you can cut them down, right?¡¡I''m sure you''re not the only one. Because he seems to be dead after all. "...... ''moving corpse''. I don''t believe that''s possible,....... In the event that you''re not sure what you''re looking for, you''ll be able to find it on the web. When he saw it, Remyll''s eyes widened in surprise. "This is ......! What?¡¡Do you know him? "...... Cyanide Baylord. A man who made a name for himself as a mercenary over a decade ago. I remember him because I''ve seen his face in the past. This man''s death has already been confirmed. ...... This was the moment when I got confirmation that the man I had just been fighting was indeed a corpse. 176 176.Alta and Helen ...... It''s a very quiet night, isn''t it? Helen, who was walking next to me, let out an exclamation of disappointment, a change from the nervousness she had shown earlier. I nodded my head. "Yeah. I feel the same as always. There were already few people walking around the town. Of course, there is no guarantee that the enemy will attack even if Helen and I are patrolling, but judging from their movements, they are definitely targeting a knight of ability. I''m not sure if they''re even aware of what Helen and I are up to. I''m not sure if he''s even checking on what Helen and I are doing, but you can''t let your guard down at a time like this.¡¡You have to concentrate, concentrate ......! Helen slapped herself on both cheeks and looked forward with a serious expression. I couldn''t help but smile at the sight of her. Perhaps she has a quality that can brighten others'' day. The type of knight like Helen is relatively rare. You never know when the enemy will strike, you know. From what I''ve heard, they weren''t trying to surprise us. "Yes, sir. According to the report, it seems that the enemy basically follows the pattern of ''coming straight at us from the front''. It seems like a strange way to go about it, even if the goal is to strike in the dark. ...... In the event that you''ve got a lot of money, you''ll be able to take advantage of it. That''s true!¡¡I''m sure there are other first class officers patrolling the streets. Helen was right, it seems that first officers are taking action in many places. I''d say they''re on high alert. Of course, not all first officers have been summoned to King''s Landing, and there are only a limited number of them. On the contrary, if the enemy is planning to attack us, there is a good chance that they will come to us. Remyll also said that he was carrying out some kind of strategy, and if it worked, he might be able to greatly reduce the enemy''s strength. Also, Aena would have started to move with the men she brought with her. They are moving to monitor the enemy''s movements through a different route than we are. She said that she has "excellent subordinates" with her, and based on Aena''s abilities, she can be trusted. So what I''m going to do is the same -- first, I''m going to recreate the situation of the knights who were attacked. I''ll leave the school to Aria. ...... Although she seemed to agree with me about not telling Iris about the incident, I could see the frustration on Aria''s face. If it had been Iris who was the target - I might not have chosen not to tell her either. "...... "What''s wrong? What''s wrong?¡¡No, I''m sorry. I was just thinking about something. Thinking ...... about that student, by any chance? Something like that. It''s amazing that you''re not only a knight, but also an instructor and an escort. Teaching is just a part of infiltration. Teaching seems to be a tough job, doesn''t it? I used to want to be a teacher too. Is that so? Yes!¡¡My brother told me that I would be better suited for that. ...... I am glad that I chose the path of a knight. I was able to follow in my brother''s footsteps. Helen''s face looked somewhat fragile. As for Helen''s brother, Bel, she herself had said that she didn''t care about him. However, it was still early days since his death. Talking about her brother may remind her of some things. Helen continued. "As a knight, they say it is an honor to fight and die. My father and mother were sad to hear of my brother''s death, but they said they were ''proud'' of him. I am the same. I want to be the kind of knight they say I am. Helen''s expression changed to one of determination. She was determined to fight as a knight, but at the same time she was somewhat unstable. Helen, you are--! Just as I was about to speak to her, I noticed a presence approaching from the front. Helen seemed to have noticed it as well, and was already touching the hilt of her sword at her waist and taking a stance. What came from the front was a knight in jet-black armor. I didn''t think he would actually show up. But this is our chance. ......!¡¡Let''s capture the enemy! I nodded at Helen''s words and drew my sword away. The Blue Armor Sword is still being repaired, and I''m using an unmarked sword that is widely used by all knights. --In some cases, I may have to take out the Silver Spirit Sword. With that in mind, I confronted the jet-black knight. 177 177. Enemy Forces I hold up my sword and confront the jet-black knight. The jet-black knight likewise drew his sword and slowly came toward me. I already had a sense of discomfort - I could hardly feel any kind of killing intent. If he was a skilled swordsman, I could tell as soon as I faced him. But from the jet-black knight, there was not even a hint of killing, not even a hint of presence. It wasn''t an assassin either, so what the hell was going on? I''m going to take the lead here, Arta-san, so please cover me. Helen!¡¡Helen! Before I could stop her, Helen was ahead of me. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m going to do it. The jet-black knight responded to Helen''s movement and ran with his sword at the ready. As soon as their swords crossed, I started to act. I go around from the right and enter the jet-black knight''s blind spot. From there, he unleashes "Invisible" - but the jet-black knight leaps from the spot without looking at me and avoids it. Helen and I move simultaneously and cross swords with the jet-black knight. Helen''s movements were well-matched to mine. Her swordsmanship was impeccable, and I knew immediately that she was worthy of her position as first officer. The jet-black knight facing me was not completely able to take the sword blows of both Helen and I. One by one, his armor was scarred, and I was able to judge the enemy''s strength by looking at it. This is not the swordsman that Aena was talking about. "Huh. I''m not sure what to make of this. I''m not sure if you''ve seen this before, but I''m sure you have. The jet-black knight stopped moving for a moment. Don''t move. "Don''t move. If you do, I''ll take your head off. If you move, I''ll take your head off." Without threat, I tell the jet-black knight. If you move even a single muscle, I was going to cut off your head on the spot. However, the jet-black knight doesn''t even hear my words of restraint, but grasps his sword with his deeply wounded arm and tries to move. "Alta-san! Helen called out my name. At the same time, I was moving. It wasn''t the neck that I cut off, but the arm that held the sword. It''s not that hard to kill an opponent like this -- the important thing is to find out who the enemy is. Again, I put my blade to the neck of the jet-black knight and warn him. "I warned you. No more. But then I realize what''s wrong with me. There was no bleeding from the arm that I had cut off, nor from the wound - the sensation that I had cut off was definitely that of a person. This time, he slashes the head of the jet-black knight, who tries to move again, without hesitation. "What ......? It was Helen who shouted in surprise. I''m not sure what to do, but I''m sure it''s a good idea. How did you ...... get my head? I know what you mean. I understand what you mean, but I don''t see the point in capturing this guy. "There''s no point in capturing him. ......?¡¡What does that mean? I''m not sure what you mean by that. There is no bleeding from the head that was chopped off. I''m not sure what to say.¡¡What? But ......? I''m sure you''ll be happy to hear that. But the small amount of blood on the sword is blood. It''s definitely human. So, what is this ......? I''m not an expert in magic, but it could be some kind of necromancy. "Necromancy ......?¡¡That''s the magic of controlling dead bodies, right? Yes. Yes. It''s supposed to be a very advanced form of magic. To handle a corpse, you have to channel magic power into its entire body and move it. It takes a great deal of skill to move a living person with only magic power. If the witch and her companions are capable of doing that much - as Aena said, they must be capable of doing that much. I''ve already heard that Lusa Prominate, who claimed to be the Red Lotus Witch that I defeated before, escaped with the man she called the Sage of Swords. If she was a witch of the same rank as Lusa, it was certainly not surprising that there was someone who could handle that kind of magic, considering her ability. It''s highly possible that this is the connection to the identity of the enemy that''s targeting the knights this time. To be sure, I picked up the head I had chopped off and took off my helmet to check. Helen opens her mouth from behind, as if to confirm. "Well, it''s still human, isn''t it ......? "Yes. This is a great way to make sure that you are getting the most out of your investment. "Ta, indeed ........ I''m sure you''ve heard of it. Even though it was from a blind spot. I''m not sure how it works,......, but you''ll have to ask someone who knows magic to find out. But for now, we should consider that we have succeeded in reducing the enemy''s strength. Yes, yes!¡¡That''s right!¡¡The night patrol was worth it. Helen agrees with me. But I don''t think she''s quite as optimistic as I am. We have succeeded in reducing the enemy''s strength--that is certainly one way of looking at it. On the contrary, the enemy can replenish its forces and attack us at any time. This is because the enemy has defeated and recovered the first officer. In other words, they are retrieving them for use in necromancy. And if they have a corpse that''s as good as mine, then it''s possible that they have the corpse of Raoul Isaruf. But is such a thing possible in reality? My previous life ended in solitude, with no one to care for me. Even if I could find a dead body, I would not be able to determine that it was Raoul Isaruf. "...... can''t help but think, huh? What, have you noticed something? No, nothing, sir. First, let''s contact the other knights and have them retrieve the body. If the enemy has appeared, then there may be knights in contact with them in other areas as well. Let''s move to other areas and share information while reducing the enemy''s strength. "Yes!¡¡Yes, sir! I still don''t know what the enemy''s strength is. At the very least, there are still enemies on the same level as me - that much is an unchanging fact.