Assassins Pride - Volume 1 - Chapter 4

Assassin Pride Volume 1 Chapter 4
LESSON：Ⅳ　～Sleepless Ones～
「…… Ojou-sama. Please wake up, ojou-sama! 」

Being shaken from above the blanket, the little girl’s consciousness was slowly pulled back from being sleepy.

Her eyelids were heavy, her head ached. The fatigue from tournament the other day remained intense as if there were constraints all over her body. The stricken scars were still throbbing with pain.

She barely raises her head, if looking at the clock hanging on the wall, the clock hand was pointing at 5. It was too early for people’s general activity hours, even the street lights were still sleeping quietly right.

But why was someone standing at the side of the bed, strongly shaking the little girl awake?

「Ojou-sama! You can’t sleep forever, you know. Please wake up!」

「…… Yes」

The little girl reluctantly sat up. Right after that, the blanket was stripped off, and then the stretched out knots of the arms undo the buttons of her pajama, energetically changing clothes for her.

Gray hair compiled into a bun, the woman with the gaze like a nervous crow was the head maid Mrs. Othello. With admission to St. Freidswide, the skillful employee dispatched from the main house in charge of supervising the little girl’s aid.

The little girl was seized with sleepiness as she was in a daze, in the time to say “ah”, her dress had been arranged. In the end, Mrs. Othello lightly slapped the girl’s cheek, breathing some life into her, with orderly gait which oldness couldn’t be felt she headed to the door.

「Since she is still sleeping, I’ll go visit her right now. I count on you for this morning lesson, make a large difference from other students. You can’t waste even one second, you know!」

Putting her hand on the doorknob, Mrs, Othello said bluntly said in a sharp tone.

「What happened to your response? Elise-sama?!」

「…… Yes. I’ll do my best」

「Very well! Let’s make the master proud」

*Batan!* With a loud noise, the door was closed, Mrs. Othello didn’t match with the lazy atmosphere of the morning, the distant sound of restless footsteps echoed around.

Although originally she was a strict person, recently she looked almost like a watchdog. However, there was no evidence as to why she was so desperate. At the end of the semester public tournament the other day, Elise’s cousin……… Melida Angel’s unexpected great effort must’ve influenced her.

The city where the lights were squeezed out, the air would be much colder. Elise who changed to the light training wear on the brim of the bed held her delicate shoulders.

「…… Cold」

The exhaled breath melted in white, which did not reach anywhere.

†　†　†

Elise’s residence was built at the most elegant high-end residential area of the Cardinals academy district. At the resident underground training room, Elise finished her morning lesson after taking a bath to clean off the dirt, it was time for breakfast to catch her breath.

Although at both ends of the dining room maids were lining up in a row, at the wide and long table there were only two people eating. Anyway since Elise had used to it since young, the home tutor born from the commoner Rozetti was always feeling uncomfortable.

On the opposite side of Elise, was  Rozetti

「Fuaaa~~……」

As she yawned enormously, Mrs. Othello scolded her immediately.

「Sensei! What is that sloppy gesture!」

「Eeek! So, sorry! But I’m sleepy……」

「What kind of teacher are you! You should have taken a good night’s sleep. If sensei yourself couldn’t be a role model for ojou-sama it would be troublesome」

While hiding her face with the glass cup at her mouth, Rozetti timidly reputed.

「……Ano~ Othello-san. I’d said it before, but I don’t think it’s good to increase the practice time. Especially because Elise-sama is in a growing period, forcing too much unreasonable work on her would break the body beyond recovery ……」

「Well! Does Sensei don’t have any motivation?!」

The tableware was bin, trembling with the shrill voice, Mrs. Othello shouted.

「Exactly because she is still growing if she did what she could do, the body would be stronger. Is it wrong?  Efforts will not betray people. Pain, hardship this is the food of success! I knew this very well. The evidence is this…… the wonderful result from the public tournament the other day！」

*Nururi~*, with a gesture as if a snake, Mrs. Othello caressed Elise’s shoulders.

「Nee ojou-sama, if we report the result of the tournament, the master would be very delighted. The main house Felgus-sama too would be speechless before Elise-sama’s gallant figure! Ohoho!」

「…… Yes. I’m happy」

「But, you understand there’s some point to reflect on right? Why in the third round, you rushed the end? Further, you should’ve disposed of the enemy unit one by one, lastly, you had left Melida-sama for last and offered the kneeling girl before the audience’s eyes…… who would be the rightful successor of the house Angel, even though it would be obvious to everyone’s eyes!!」

「…………」

Instead of the taciturn Elise, Rozetti timidly raised her palm.

「Anoo~, I think you should stop doing such thing but～……」

「Such thing, you said?」

「S-since I said it on the day of the tournament didn’t I.  Things like appealing the audience on the stage, it’s like trying to show off your strength rather than just winning normally……. From the children of the school, wouldn’t they feel a little bad about her……」

「I don’t understand what you mean」

Mrs. Othello arrogantly snorted.

「Fun」

「Because she had the strength and the position, it is obvious to display it. As ojou-sama is superior to other students, and it’s a fact, what problem would there be to let them know that? At that place, there was a great number of people from the knight regimen (Guild) watching the battle. What should we do if she didn’t positively promote herself to them!」

「Th— that I don’t know if Othello-san might have been proud but, Elise-sama has a place in school……」

「A place at school! There are much bigger things for Elise-sama than that!!」

*Pishan!* Thunder dropped by Mrs. Othello and no one knew how many times it was.

As for the branch house of Angel household that Elise was born into, the bad condition of the main house daughter Melida was nothing but good news. If they could show contempt for the little girl that didn’t wake up her mana, then they would. Yet, if Elise grew into marvelous paladin then, there was the possibility it could overturn both family power’s relationships………. Though saying that, Mrs. Othello had claimed the vanguard of the reformist group.

That was why at the public tournament the days before, she suffered a big shock. The one that was called the incompetent gifted girl Melida suddenly revealed her mana, overwhelmed the enemy from the first year who was supposed to be a higher rank. With thousands of spectators unable to move their eyes from her, she guided the white unit to victory.

Was that scene not very interesting. Just before that match, the flared up Mrs. Othello ordered Elise. Produce a more impressive game than Melida and wipe out her image from the audience. Before and after the battle, appeal and crush the enemy members with heroic action, coating over Melida’s great effort.

The girl was coerced so, Elise had to do as told. Mrs. Othello’s dictatorship was, even the maids in the residence also felt constrained. With the shrill voice she instructed and scolded at the workplace repeatedly so the girls were scared of her, no one could say anything. She prohibited whispers to the utmost.

The maids were standing still as if ornament while watching over, Rozetti smiled to them from the opposite side of the dining table. It could be understood that it was forcefully made up, awkward facial expression.

「To— today breakfast is much more delicious right!」

「Eh……」

Elise couldn’t help but return a befuddled voice. Frankly, sauce, eggs and quiche too, she didn’t understand what differed from the usual breakfast.

Was it because the reaction was undesirable, Rozetti continued to lift the scone.

「E- eto— this strawberry jam is the best!」

「…… Sensei, that’s jam is sour berry. Straw berry is this one」

Elise uninterestedly corrected, on her hand was the orange color jar that she raised up. It was often mistaken because the fruit’s flesh melted into nectar. 「Auu……」as the home tutor’s figure of dropping her shoulders in a dispirited fashion, Elise did nothing but respond with a silent blank face.

Since the day the public tournament ended, Rozetti had been in that mood again and again. No matter what attempt she was met with utter defeat, such frustration could be felt.

Perhaps because Elise always couldn’t make any expression other than boredom, she must be paying attention to it. Or was that exceeded her tedium limit, since it was fine with anybody she just wanted a talking partner right?

Or of becoming Elise’s home tutor, right now she might regret it.

「Mrs Othello. The costume from St. Freidswide has arrived」

「Well, for the festival right」

At around the end of breakfast, one maid carried a wrapped box came. Elise’s pupils which always kept an emotionless expression listened to those words, for a moment they were just a little opened wide.

「What costume for the festival?」

「Costume of bringer used in the Circlet festival. The participants from the academy wear them」

「──Well! What is this shabby piece of cloth!」

Opened the wrap box Mrs Othello raised a hysterical voice.

The costume sent from the academy was a pure white dress inflated fluffily at the train, and a dainty crown as if a glasswork. In exchange for the long skirt, the upper half body had a lot of exposures, if the little girls in St. Freidswide were to wear it they would produce the cute fairy in the forest.

However, if distinguished by the eyes, you could find deterioration here and there due to passing time.

Mrs Othello seemed like she wasn’t pleased with it. After the first glance, she immediately put it back into the box.

「Such a thing, we could never let Elise-sama wear it. Before the festival, let’s prepare a new costume. Please send the cloth and call the seamstress.」

「Eh…?」

Unconsciously Elise let out a voice. Mrs. Othello’s pupil was Kiran, shined up.

「What is it? Ojou-sama」

「…… nothing」

In place of Elise who downcasted her eyes, Rozetti humbly expressed.

「Ano～, I think it would be an obtrusive talk if one person alone came with a different dress right……」

「Isn’t that fine? It could easily tell the difference between her and other children. Just like the fairy queen accompanied by subordinates! Ohoho, wonderful!」

She smiled pleasantly, Mrs. Othello sent back the maid holding the costume box.

「Find a suitable reason to return it back to the academy for me」

「…… Yes, Mrs. Othello」

While making a complicated face the maid nodded, she exited the room with the box on her hand.

Elise while still staring at the table, heard the sound of a door closing hard.

「…… Sorry, Lita」

She mumbled, as if expecting to reach no one.

†　†　†

「Toooryaa～! I want to report to Elyyyy!」

「That’s the spirit, ojou-sama! One more blow!」

The sound of already custom mana clashing was, echoing in Melida’s residence’s wide plaza.

After the end of term ceremony they entered the long term break, today seemed like she could devote herself much more to the training with the home tutor Kufa, the wooden sword Melida was swinging had much more spirit put into it.

The reason was, of course, the public tournament held before the break. At that third battle, she was thrust at by the overwhelming difference in power from her cousin Elise Angel. Achieving the dearest wish of first-time victory against Nerva the opponent, although calling it a big rear step out, by no means, they would be in slacking off state of mind.

The schedule for training during the break had been planned perfectly by Kufa. When the academy resumed after the break, she would show off even more of her level up. In the time Elise took 3 steps, this one would take 4 or even 5 steps little by little closing the differences!

With the set up training made by Kufa, it could be called as a sudden keen.

The all-powerful home tutor that was 2 heads taller than Melida was, as ever composedly fighting. Nonetheless, for beginners like Melida, the battle between capable ones was still too fast to see.

After several swords confrontation, Papapapa intermittent flash of light flickered. Immediately after, Kufa raised the sword over his head. After Melida reacted with a twitch, she jumped forward slantingly. At the same time, Kufa made the sweeping legs sharply across the air.

「Hou!」

A voice as if surprised in astonishment leaked out from Kufa’s mouth.

Melida immediately swung the sword back but, it was easily stopped. However as Kufa standing still putting blade to blade, a little happily relaxed the corner of his mouth.

「Very good you noticed the faint just now, ojou-sama」

「Ehehe! When you raised the sword I got the feeling sensei’s mana flowed to your lower half body, perhaps I thought!」

「Hou…… then with that state one more blow!」

Pointing the sword at each other, taking the distance they got poised again for charging.

Once again a number of blows was exchanged. Kufa was “bun” clasped his wooden sword, however, his mana consciously went to the other place. Having seen through the feint Melida, immediately flew.

However, no matter how long passed the tripping didn’t come flying.

A-re? she lifted her head, there was the figure of Kufa holding the wooden sword unchanged…….

Pokan! at Melida’s defenseless top of her head, one attack was inflicted.

Her vision had stars flying around, unable to bear it she dropped the wooden sword. Crouching down she endured the pain.

「……Se, sensei that’s sly～!!」

「That’s feint of feint. Seems the training is not enough huh」

Even though Melida protested with teary eyes, he was an unchanging nonchalant fiendish home tutor.

†　†　†

「Jaja～n!　Sensei, please look at this!」

It was then in the interval break of the lesson. To Kufa who was drinking tea at the broadened tea table in the corner of the plaza, Melida showed off something.

Just now it was sent from the academy, a pure white dress fluffily inflated at the hem.

「Eh, a present for me? I’m happy but a women dress is a bit ……」

「Mou, that’s wrong! It’s Circlet Night costume!」

To the always playing stupid home tutor, Melida angrily inflated her cheek.

Circlet Night was the festival at the start of summer and was celebrated by all of Canbell. On that day not only the noble and commoner but even to the lower working class gathered in the city, putting up the bonfire of the sun blood (Nectar), launching the sonorous firework. The people would be in Knight or Angel, or even monster costume parading the street, the Lycanthrope imitated puppets were gathered at one spot and set up a grand campfire.

As he complained that it was a festival to wish for peace in the city, Kufa who was still holding the cup nodded.

「Yes, of course, I know it. Every year when it comes to this time the noisy will-o-wisp flashes everywhere. When I was doing my dirty work the couple around keep flirting flirting flirting. Such merry festival disturbs me to the core」

「Sen, sensei? What did you reminded off?」

「Please don’t mind it」

Said so, Kufa elegantly drank the cup.

Just what kind of growing up did he have, even though he rarely talked about himself, just like the attitude of as if saying 「The world event had nothing to do with me.」

「By the way ojou-sama, what is this thing called Circlet Night’s costume?」

「Ah, yes. Do you know at the festival there’s a parade? The huge lycanthrope doll would be taken around the whole town, finally, at the place of the bonfire, it would be thrown in. At this parade several people, as the student from St. Freidswide would be entrusted」

This honorable role was, of course, restricted to a few people. This year, the students with excellent results for each academic year were selected. To be frank, the public tournament conducted at the end of the semester was, to judge who could be able to participate in the parade in that position.

And then honorably, at the tournament, Melida too had shown great efforts that had surprised a lot of audiences, and that frame had come around.

「Please look carefully at the costume, sensei. Even though it was fixed, it’s a little old right?」

「It’s true. It’s had been used greatly huh」

「This is something that was passed down from generation to generation since the start of the academy. As it is an honor to join the parade, to stand there representing the academy. To wear this costume and come out in the Circlet Night is the yearning of everyone coming to the academy.」

「I see. So you’re saying the souls of successive generations of heroes are stored in here」

Kufa received the costume from Melida, gently stroking the surface. He handled the mending trace could fairly be seen at the skirt hem, somewhere with dazzling eyes he scrutinized

「……The truth is? Since at around childhood school I made a promised with Ely」

To Melida’s few words which were spilled in mumble, Kufa inclined his neck.

「A, promise? Come to think of it, before the tournament you had talked about it right」

「Yes. The olden days, at the time when I saw the parade of the Circlet Night with that girl. The senpai from St. Freidswide were, at the time when we saw their beautiful figures like fairies waving their hands……『It would be nice if we wore those costumes someday』『Let’s enter the parade together』we said」

As though pressing his chest, Melida tightly grasped her palm.

「……I already thought I couldn’t keep the promise since I dropped out. I gave up because I thought I couldn’t do anything but gazing at Elise as she came out from the parade. But right now, that costume is here as mine……just like a dream」

Melida was a little teary, It is all thanks to sensei, she finally added.

From Kufa’s heart, he blessed with a smile.

「It’s nice if you could keep your promise」

「Yes!」

After giving a cheerful answer, Melida was suddenly, looking down as if her face was in heat.

「Ano, sensei……sensei perhaps, maybe you don’t like the festival much but……」

「Yes, it is. Is there something wrong?」

「Nothing, but……. I-if it’s fine with sensei, I would be happy if sensei could dance together with me at the campfire……！」

「Ah……」

Just now Kufa let out an awkward voice. At that moment, Melida’s body became stiffened hard.

「……I’m sorry, ojou-sama. I’d already informed Emy but, the truth is since now due to circumstances of duty outside, I have to temporarily return to the Holy King District」

「I-is that so……」

「But, the festival lasts 3 days, right? I would be able to return by tomorrow, at that time surely, would you dance with me?　──Of course, at that time, if ojou-sama’s hand hasn’t been taken by another gentleman, however.」

As that joke came out of his mouth, Melida was completely changed, bloomed a charming smiling expression.

「Fufu, my hand will always be free for sensei!」

「Oya, what an honor」

If returned a smile with a smile, what would happen with the girl’s cheek who was staring at each other, Pou, as if she was charmed it became red. Kufa’s disciple was truly, she showed various colorful expressions.

Immediately after, this time she suddenly, as if making up her mind about something she turned her body away.

「Ano, sensei. Can you give me a little more time for break?」

「Is something wrong?」

「I’ll go change clothes immediately right now! I want sensei to be the first to see this outfit!」

After she took back the Circlet Night costume from Kufa, Melida was pitter-patter running back to the estate. 「Please waitー!」only her voice remained, she disappear at the direction of the door. Surely she called Emy, and with great haste, she would finish the dressing and come outright.

Yare-yare while he said with a bitter smile in that mood, Kufa returned the teacup to the saucer.

And then in substitute for it, rustle, below the table he took out goods.

It was a camera.

「Since ojou-sama stated she wanted to show me right」

With the always smiling face that the maids from the estate called「Fiend」,kyu, kyu, kyu, Kufa started to polish the lens.

After this, he collaborated with Emy who was partly excited about ojou-sama glorious moment, not minding Melida who was embarrassed because she became a little sexy with the dress specification they joined together the 360 degrees up and down, the two of them shuttering the camera to their hearts’ contents again and again was ──already went without saying.

†　†　†

The time went around 17:00, the Circlet Night opening came sooner and sooner.

Seeing Kufa off heading to the station, Melida who had the maids help changing into the traditional dress was, heading off to the place of gathering for students of the academy which was noticed.

Cardinals academy district townscape was as if weaving between the gaps of the buildings lots of lanes stretched around. The gathering point’s lane was usually the plaza that accumulated the waterway, and it was popular as an exchange place for residents in the neighborhood.

One of the squares of that place, a vacant lot close to the Childs’s main street where the parade would be held, was a meeting place for students of St. Freidswide. Before the meeting time, 30 minutes Melida had headed to it, already almost all the participants of the parade had gathered. Everyone wore a matching pure white dress, she was in a state of exhilaration at her own bold and mysterious self.

On the contrary, the main street had already filled with people. As she thought soon in between the big spectator the representatives of the academy would be parading right, the throbbing hastened all the more.

「Melida-san, over here!」

The same class group beckoned her. It was different than before she couldn’t use her mana, now she was already on equal footing with the girls. Melida joined the girl’s circle without feeling timid.

With expectation and a little anxiety her cheeks blushed, for a short time, she chatted with her classmate while waiting for the starting time of the parade. The remaining participants of the parade continuously came gathering, before long「Was!」conspicuously a loud cheer came up.

What was it as she moved her eyesight, There was a crowd of white fairies in one corner of the square. At the center the standing fairy queen was being surrounded, Kyaa kyaa raising praises.

「Well well, what gorgeous attire!」

「Elise-sama! Where did you get that outfit!?」

「……The people from my house prepared it」

Heading at the surge of people the figure of her cousin could be seen, Melida was「Eh……」unconsciously she let her voice out.

Elise didn’t come wearing St. Freidswide traditional dress. The design was almost the same, but the high-class material could be understood at first glance. Depend on how the light hit the scarlet flame bird fabric could be seen, the crown she was wearing was made of fire spirit spark stone.

Combined with Elise’s own evangelical atmosphere, the other student who wore the standard costume had become foils before they could say “ah”. Although as if worshipping the main leading actor on the stage there were students swarming around her, but the bitter girls who took their distance were also in great numbers.

The second-year senpais that were close to Melida were, glaring at Elise with cold eyes.

「……What do you think about it?」

「It doesn’t fancy me」

Fun. The senpai spat out as if scorning from the bottom of her heart.

「She doesn’t like being in the same appearance as us right? I don’t know about any knight duke house but, doesn’t she think of others only as minor roles right. Even though these costumes are inherited from the senpais as something important, she doesn’t even care about this.……I can’t believe it」

Identical gazes from here and there aimed at Elise.

If she didn’t have the position of kouhai and senpai, Melida would explained「That’s wrong!」. Elise wasn’t the kind of girl who would say such selfish things. Because since the old times she had been looking forward to wearing that costume. Surely somehow, the reason why she didn’t come wearing it……….

At that moment, Fuu, Elise got out of the ring of students.

「Ara? Elise-sama where are you going?」

「……The crown is a little sore. I’m going to fix it again」

Leaving a few words, the girl alone had entered the alley. The senpais’ sights who sent her off was, as expected, they were harsh.

「It would be nice if she didn’t come back」

「……!」

Unable to contain herself, she started running as if chasing.

「Melida-san, it’s about time we start!?」

「E, etou, I’ll be right backー!」

Leaving the few words to her classmate, she started running to the alley Elise went into.

The city residents were mostly being out, and the tourists too who especially headed to such an alley without any human presence were also none. The festival’s great noise was far away, the surroundings were quiet as if being left behind.

Because she could see Elise immediately. Her voice could be heard.

「……uu……fu, u……! Uuu…………!」

It was a crying voice. Melida was taken aback, unconsciously she silently killed off the sound of footsteps.

An alley further deeper than the previous meeting place. At that place, there was a small plaza, and a tree had been planted. Before the water gushing out copiously sculpture, Elise was sitting down.

From the gap of the palms of her hands which covered her face, large drops of tears were falling.

「I wanted to wear it……Even though I wanted to wear it…….I don’t want to be only like this……! I really wanted to wear it……really wanted to wear it……!」

「……!!」

Melida’s chest whose was staring at a hidden place, Gyu tightened.

Pushing Elise away, since they put a distance to her, they didn’t see her crying like this. At the academy where occasionally meeting her face, she was always an aloof expressionless face, because one couldn’t understand what she was thinking…… Melida too didn’t understand what she was thinking.

Oh, the weak crying figure was the same as before. Elise was everybody’s favorite, but the scene where she got especially on good terms with anyone Melida didn’t see it. Perhaps since estrangement with Melida she had always been crying outside of public eyes right………

Melida unconsciously stepped her feet forward, the costume’s decoration was Sharan, let out a voice.

At that sign, startled Elise lifted her face.

Weeping her eyes out the blue pupil reflected Melida’s figure, a big drop of tears flooded out.

「……Li, ta?」

「E, Elyー……ano……」

Melida was, trying to approach her with one step. Just before this.

*Don* from behind she collided with someone. As if she was being pushed by a line.

「Nee, can you go a bit further?」

「Ah, sorr──」

Melida became startled and apologized right away.

The man standing behind was, put on a full-body monster costume with that strange appearance, it was not so.

Since the number of people appeared at the same time with the same costume appearing here and there in the ally, blocking the exit.

「E, wha, what……what is this!」

Surprised, Melida was cornered to the center of the plaza with Elise. As if to not let the two girls in costume run away they surrounded. No matter how they thought about it this was not common.

「Wh, what this! Who are you people!」

When Melida resolutely raised her voice, the man who collided with her just now, put his hand on the hood that was covering his face.

「What……do I look like a prince on a white horse?」

He brushed off the hood, Melida and Elise behind her were at a loss for words.

It was a silhouette of a young man. However, calling him human would be too grotesque. The skin on his body was cracking as if wasteland, the lower half of his face was protected by being bound in bandages.

It was like if he didn’t do that, then as if at any moment rotten flesh inside would crumble down──

Intuitively understanding the opponent’s true form, Melida unconsciously stepped back 2,3 steps.

「Lycanthrope──!!」

Just before she was about to scream, the bandage man’s hand quickly put up before her eyes.

With only just that, Melida was quickly taken by sleep. She couldn’t feel her feet, immediately she fell to the ground. From somewhere there was a voice raising, only moving one finger was difficult.

「Lita! Lita……!!」

The grief voice of her cousin was the last thing, as she lost her consciousness.

†　†　†

Just what had happened to their bodies. How long had passed since then till now──

Their consciousness that was captured in darkness, had finally returned. Their heads were hazy as if fog, their eyelids were heavy. The five senses that were shut off were brought back at one, Melida shook her quivering body. The surrounding was filled with cold air as if piercing.

「What, this……?」

Melida who fell on the cold floor was, slowly raising her upper half body.

The stone floor which was polished as if a mirror, looked like it from a hall somewhere. A little sound had large echo. On the floor here and there were pedestal and objet d’art, seemed like large and smalls various objects were piled up, but it was too dark to see clearly. There was not even a light, the few meters ahead was hazy.

Melida looked down on her body. It was still the Circlet Nightdress, there was no state of being inflicted injuries, there was also no restriction.

However, there was an uncomfortable feeling on her right wrist. There was a bandage coiling that she had never seen before. The moment she used her nails to tear it off, but strangely it seemed absorbed in the skin and wouldn’t come out.

「Wha, what is this……?」

「Ah, you’re awake.」

It was a man’s voice. As she concentrated on her eyes, ahead there were signs of several humans moving around.

Sitting on something like debris, the young man who had bandage coiling around his body headed his face at her.

「You, just now……!」

She recalled the scene just before she lost consciousness. Right away Melida released her mana──but she realized it didn’t come out.

No matter how much thought she fed mana didn’t flare up.

「Eh, why……!?」

「If you want to use your mana it’s no use」

The bandage man pointed his index finger. At the strange cloth coiling around Melida’s right wrist.

「My bandage tilts the capable person’s alignment to the low side. Meaning it sealed mana with superpower. Well, even though it doesn’t have any effect against competent ones, but for you as opponent it’s enough」

At that moment, a person figure alone ran up to the bandaged man. It was a man clad in weird black cloth.

「Jin-sama, soon the time for preparation is……」

「Be quick about it. I don’t want to be in this place stink with nectar for even a second──And moreover, at the time you called my name it would be《Dear William》I told you how many time do not forget it right」

「Y, yes! William Jin!」

The man in black cloth responded in fear returned to his work, perhaps he was human. However the bandage man called Jin, with this unusual power of bandage was no doubt a Lycanthrope. Both races that should not be compatible with each other were acting together, up till now such thing Melida didn’t hear about.

Even though she understood perhaps it was wrong, Melida asked the bandage man.

「What, is your objective! Kidnapping!? If it’s ransom then we’ll pay so quickly contact our families」

「Nn? Unfortunately. Although it was kidnapping, but our target isn’t the money」

「……You are Lycanthrope right!? Why are you coming in Flandor! Why are you accompanied with human! I don’t understand!」

「You’re a little wrong, I’m human you know.……Also a half Lycanthrope」

In an enigmatic manner of speaking, the young man fuu, leaked out a sigh from the gap of the bandage.

「For the sake of being able to oppose those with mana, according to the《The Organization》an artificial existence born and changed with the planted factor of the night……That is me. William was the name when I was still human. If you want to get close to me, call me William Jin」

Melida’s head was, trying her best just to understand half of his talk.

「Artificial……!? You guys, what the heck are you……!?」

「Our organization is called《Troops of Tomfoolery Dawn (Guild Grimhuis)》. Have you heard about it?」

Shaking her head would be offensive, Melida kept silent. At least it was not a name appeared in teaching.

「……Well, it’s better if you don’t know. For now just think of this organization is evil」

「That, that evil organization is, why did they kidnap me!」

「You are, not Paladin right. Though you’re from Angel duke house.」

Suddenly she was pressed at the heart of the matter, Melida’s heart leaped in shock. The loved and respected home tutor was, 「You’d better hide it」explained clearly, she immediately remembered it.

「Wha, what is that……」

「A this tournament before you used your power showily right? Though I had seen it too, our client too apparently had noticed your rank. And it seems this person couldn’t stomach that your rank isn’t Paladin, thus he selected our evil organization」

「Who is that guy!!」

「No, I couldn’t say that right. The thing I can teach you, is the only thing I’m going to teach you」

Saying so the bandage man, click, snapped his fingers.

From the darkness, several shadows came walking out. The silhouette that carved unpleasant memories into Melida………There were two lowest Lycanthrope Pumpkin heads.

They were, the beautiful silver hair little girl who was like a fairy gasped and dragged both her hands coming.

「Ely!!」

Unconsciously she rushed over but, without a moment’s delay the bandage man put up his hand to restrain her.

Elise too listlessly closed her eyelids, seemed like she had fallen into a deep sleep. She was still in the carnival dress which had a high-class air which had been seen earlier. Although she was the same as Melida having no injuries, as expected on her right-hand wrist the mana sealing bandage was coiling.

The pumpkin heads casually dropped Elise on the floor, at the same time the bandage man said.

「Melida Angel. From this moment we will forcefully rogue your rank into Paladin」

「Ha……Haa!?」

「That’s our client’s wish. Since that sort of knowledge is our 《Troops of Tomfoolery Dawn (Guild Grimhuis)》 ‘s specialty. However even so the success rate is 0.5%……Although out of 10 cases more than 9 of them they would die, client-san said if you’re not Paladin then you’re better of dead you see」

The bandaged man raised his arm, pointed at behind of Melida.

Fearfully turning her head, Melida was startled. At that place, black bone was piling up.

「Kya!」

Unconsciously she let out a scream, the sound resonated widely.

……However, if very very carefully looking, that bone was not something to be afraid of. This, chilling space where the sound was well reflected too, was not familiar but was well known.

Museum or art gallery, it was this hall. The bones which were set up behind Melida were, from some sort of gigantic animal skeleton, and were reappearance with perfect balance. Many support pole could be seen.

And the Bandage man arrogantly sitting on was, the toppled eminent figure’s sculpture.

「Cardinal academy district memorial museum Cent Morgana──. In the days when the sky was filled with blue light, more than now the materials when mankind ruled vast land were, displayed variously here. One of these days you would have a field trip here right? Though like I care」

「Why, why did you bring us here……」

「Well, I don’t know what business the higher up did. But 『Let’s do the surgery at this block (Campell)』is the demand of the client I can’t help it.……Right now I’m only obeying order」

As if it were troublesome from the bottom of his heart, the bandaged man pulled up his collar. He was also a Lycanthrope, so it was not wrong that the feeling he was bad at the sign of sun blood (Nectar) filled upper block.

「The Circlet Night was mostly annoying but the existences like us could blend in as stage appearance. Moreover the troublesome overseers weren’t here, you guys conveniently separated from the group, it was quite a smooth catch」

「Overseers……your mean senseis……」

「Right. Now is the midst of festival so the human’s eyes are cut off from here, because the knight regimen(Guild)’s troupe has blocked the area around here. Don’t think of calling for help or any troublesome stuff okay? The client pulled some strings, so the defense deployment had been changed 」

「The knight regimen (Guild)’s deployment, changed……!?」

Melida doubted her ears. Someone that could move the Knight regimen (Guild) as he liked at the holy king district, if surveying all of Flandre there was only a few people. Especially if it was not the man from the highest decision-making agency council it would be impossible. Was it the head of each Legion, or maybe the head of the duke house………..

「Otou-sama……?」

Unconsciously she murmured the possibility, Melida strongly shook her head.

Ignoring Melida’s distress, the bandage man stared at his feet, murmuring in a dark voice.

「……Well, although your sensei has a debt to me. There should be a time when I hand you over right. At that time I don’t know if you’re alive or something but」

「Eh……?」

「In the first place I was pushed around by that old coot, the real blame lay on him for making me fail my mission. From sir Elsnes we didn’t get any decent report, only in one night I lost my subordinates, what a big joke……!」

Melida could no longer understand what he was saying.

The bandaged man again, as if continuing to spit out the words aimed at someone who weren’t here. Gasping the sculpture head which he was sitting on, repeating the words, he put in hatred.

「well, it’s fine. We have a promise to meet again. The next time I meet him……The one that walked over this human transcended me, I’ll make him regret with skewer across his body!」

In one go the sculpture had cracks running, with only the strength of his fingertips the plaster head broke and scattered.

The stone grains flew to the hem of her dress, Melida’s delicate feet were, a little shivered for a moment.

Reaching a situation about which nothing could be done, she finally started to actually feel the seriousness of the situation.

She could not call for help from sensei. She couldn’t expect rescue from the Knight regimen (Guild) either. Escaping with her own strength too, as she had double-checked that as expected her mana was sealed.

The enemies was the bandage man who could use the mysterious power (Anima) right, the surrounding men in black clothes were preparing the disgusting experiment…………the number of people was perhaps around ten. Moreover there was Lycanthrope mixed in it.

This was an unprecedented predicament, as expected, she had to find a means of escape──

「U……nn……」

At that time, the voice of the little girl who wasn’t herself sounded.

At the feet of the pumpkin heads, Elise while groaning opened her eyes.

「ELy!!」

「Finally you’re awake? The sheltered upbringing​ sure don’t feel danger huh」

Seeing the bandaged man completely off guard, Melida believed this was their only chance.

Elise’s basic status and mana amount too was by far higher than Melida. The home tutor Kufa only commented「It was not the level of new student」. The bandaged man and his men were completely let down their guards if it was now, instantly taking them by surprise they might be able to do it.

The bandage man’s mysterious power called 《Mana sealing》was said to have weak effect against powerful ones. They didn’t notice Elise’s true strength so it was the perfect chance!

──Please, Ely!!

Melida watched attentively as she instructed the ray of hope at the waking girl.

「U……N……?」

While rubbing her eyes, Elise raised her upper body.

Opening the always dimly eyeballs, in turn gazing at Melida in front, the surrounding pitch-black space which in there the adult continued their mysterious work.

Her pupils which were like sapphire were, little by little opened up.

「Good morning Elise Angel. Do you remember anything before you lost consciousness?」

The bandaged man said in a friendly tone, Elise’s attention was headed to him.

To Merrida’s eyes, she could understand Elise’s body was instantly tensed up.

「Although because I don’t want to say the same thing over and over again so I’ll skip it, from now on I’ll perform magic on you and Melida Angel. If it failed then, either one of you, or both of you would die though, well just relax. I already taught Melida-chan though, why no one would come to save you」

「……no……」

「Because there’s a lot of trouble necessary preparation to make, wait a bit longer. If you like it’s fine to chat with Melida-chan. If only you try to escape then mostly overlook──」

「NOOOOO!!」

Suddenly, Elise held her head and scream.

Her delicate body was trembling with fear. The bandaged man knitted his eyebrows, dispatched with the sign of his finger. The pumpkin heads were cackling moving like puppet, looked into Elise’s face.

「No! Don’t! Don’t come here….…!!」

As Elise was still fallen on her back she intently shrunk away. As if to not let the pumpkin heads and bandaged man entered her vision, she covered her face with both her arms. After all it was a figure of shameful like a toddler.

「……What is that?」

As puzzled bandage man who cocked his head in puzzlement, Melida was Bishan! as if tasting a shock of a  clap in her cheek.

That right, how could I forget. The Elise that Melida knew was dim and dangerous, but the truth was a very big cry baby, coward──

Ghost like or scary existences all of it she was bad at.

Because only seeing the picture of the Lycanthrope placed inside a book she was「Scary scary」that night too she couldn’t sleep and tremble, 「I can’t fight such thing」and she cried.

And since Melida was,「In order to protect this girl I had to be stronger」determined──

But even so!!

「……!」

Melida gasped her fist tightly until it hurt, whipped her numbed feet and stood up.

Even so──When did I forget such a thing.

I better wait for Elise to protect me, what kind of incompetence is that!

Even though I had to protect Elise!!

Melida’s red pupils were, flared up with fire. The fists she gasped were filled with passion.

「Hey, if you’re struggling so much like that I’ll have to hold you down」

The bandaged man was as if being troublesome gave direction, the two pumpkin head reached out their hands to Elise. Elise further shook her limbs and rampaged, with big scream she drew the attention of all the people inside.

At that moment, Melida flipped her body.

Going through the 【No entry】rope which was waist level tall, she broke into the sandbox just now. At one pole of the gigantic white model supporting prop, she rushed over and kicked it with all her strength.

「……What are you doing」

As expected the bandage man had noticed Melida’s action but he didn’t stop Melida. Pulling out one supporting pole, she swung around as strong as she could. The model’s foundation was, hit many many times.

Normally the plain display item would not lose its stability. Since was the hit spot correct, or rather was the goddess smiling at them. The gigantic white model was shaking violently and heeled over.

Breaking its balance, as looking up the structure was slowly topping over them.

「Wha……」

The eyes of the bandaged man were, as expected slightly opened. Melida immediately threw away the prop, turned her body over. Reached out her hands to Elise who was sitting dumbfounded.

「Ely! Over here!」

「Aa……」

Elise’s hand which reflectively stretched out, Melida’s finger intertwined with it. Immediately after.

The white bone crashed into the stone floor, piercing noise echoed across the museum.

Roaring enough to cause tinnitus. The joined parts were as if bomb flying around. The blown bone fragment grazed the cheek, as the bandaged man protected his face he smacked his lip in annoyance.

Finally as the silent returned, over there was the pitiful scattered mountain of bone.

「How awful……Isn’t that very valuable stuff? Not like I care though」

Although unconsciously he complained, the opponents that he should complain were no longer there.

At the mountain of bones, the two pumpkin heads that were pinned under only had their eyes spinning around. The blonde and silver hair, that sisters of the duke house figure had suddenly disappeared.

One of the subordinate wearing black cloth was, flurried running over to the bandaged man.

「Ji, jin-sama! We’ve lost sight of the target!」

「Immediately block all the exit and entrance. Talk to me after that」

「……But, resistance is futile so more or less it would be faster to punish them」

The head of the black cloth man who just spoke, the bandage man gasped it with lightning like speed.

Mishi, he put strength in his fingertips as if a vise.

「You know I am itching to kill so much right now. Moreover, Wil.Li.Am」

「Ye, y,es……ku, Willi, Ah……ga……!」

As the bandage man let go of his hand, the black cloth man was as if having his thread cut fell flat on the ground.

Without giving it a glance, while the bandage man trailed the hem of his coat he started walking.

「Yare yare, it has become a troublesome work……」

With an opposite tone, there was no hesitation in his gait.

The young little girl’s footstep sound was, certainly echoing at the other side of the darkness.

†　†　†

Cent Morgana memorial museum was, separating the displayed items’ category each into 8 areas. To let visitors have a smooth field trip, the areas were connected in a donut shape starting from the entrance, and it seemed that it had a structure that went around the hall and returned to the entrance.

「It seems at the third area corner there is an emergency exit. Let’s go」

Confirming the current location on the guide map, Melida ran with quick pace. However Elise the girl who she held hands with was, still sniffling crying without coming. Seemed like the current situation of being kidnapped by the Lycanthrope was scary so it couldn’t be helped.

「Higu……e, ue……!」

「Don’t cry Elise! There’s no use in crying 」

「Egu……but……」

Melida temporarily stopped her feet, put her hand around Elise’s back, *gyuu* hugged her closely.

「Look, since I’m with you right now! Ne」

While Elise was dropping tears at Melida’s naked shoulder, clinging onto her bravery.

After staying like that for a while, she slurped her nose loudly.

「……Un」

「Good」

Melida removed her body, showing a smiling face.

Although the truth was Melida too couldn’t be helped but feel anxious, if Melida was in tremble Elise would be even more scared. With the intention of supporting her cousin, Melida herself had been supported too.

Once again the two linked their hands and ran out. Here and there from the darkness the footstep of the kidnappers echoed around to the limit of scariness but, Elise had already stopped crying.

Somehow she had to think about a way to escape.

「As expected that couldn’t come out?」

「……Not possible. Mana completely doesn’t come out」

At the mysterious bandage coiling around their right wrist, Elise unpleasantly looked down on it. Although she thought that maybe if it were the paladin girl she could, somehow it was a faint hope.

Compared to the armed black cloth men mixed with Lycanthrope called the kidnapping group, right now they themselves just like normal person had too much hope put in. Although was the surrounding full of darkness as if metaphor their current situation, Melida didn’t have the choice to stop her feet.

──If sensei was in our situation, he definitely would not do things like giving up!

The unrelenting power, the tenacious like a hyena, and the diamond-like perfection, if it were that home tutor, surely he would show a breakthrough in ways that people wouldn’t think of. If taking in pride as that man’s pupil, then kept in mind don’t do any embarrassing behavior.

Thinking about Kufa, Ki she lifted her face. Immediately after were her eyes accustomed to the darkness, slowly the surrounding sight come to be visible. She could see numerous items on display in a glass case.

「Nee, over here…………this is weapon right!?」

At one of the glass cases, Melida dashed over in high spirits. Over there was a dagger with a jewelry and a three-pronged spear, and the small arms that seemed like the gunner class would use were decorated there. Apparently this was at the ancient time periods producing and using weapons and arms, introducing area it seemed.

However Elise who lined up next to her was saying with her usual tone.

「But these weapons ……have no feeling of divinity, I don’t think they can hurt Lycanthrope」

「U, I guess so…….U～n, somehow I want a weapon」

While worrying with her head, Melida examined the content of the case badly not giving up.

The weapon the mana capable ones used was, in addition to strength and sharpness, the important components were mana conductivities. Anyhow mankind bitter enemies the Lycanthrope was, other than the attack originate from mana or sun blood (nectar) all would be reduced to nothing. Right now for the girls themselves to open an escape door, somehow they had to carry a weapon with suitable divinity.

The stuff at the range of vision was, a bulletless handgun and an unchanging knife, furthermore ……────

Thinking at that, Melida’s head was popped up with an idea.

She headed her head at nearby, the found Elise was blanky tilted her little neck.

「What?」

Didn’t answer her question, Melida crouched down completely at the girl’s feet. As an experiment she tried to pull the hem of the dress left and right but, as expected of first-class fabric. Even a single thread wouldn’t fray.

If so then looking around her surroundings, Melida found a handy pole. Unhook the no entry rope, the around one meter long made of metal pole, she carried it on her shoulder and raised it above her head.

And then without time for Elise to say “ah” in surprise, she struck the glass case.

The ear ripping crashing sound resounded loudly across the hall.

「I-is it fine to do that……?」

Ignoring Elise who covered her ears in surprise, Melida borrowed the jewels attached dagger from inside the broken case. And then once again she went down on her knees at Elise’s feet, she made a cut at the hem.

Biri biri biri the skirt was pulled and shredded, Elise’s cheek became a little red.

「Li, Lita……?」

「I learned from sensei. 『Fight while putting in all the possible choices from the surrounding. Even if you have to break the world just survive』he said.──I’ll also borrow this」

Making use of the completely torn hem cloth, then she rolled it at the tip of the pole. Next the tiara on Elise’s hair was taken off, checking the inlaid jewel.

The fire spirit spark stone……the highest rank jewel it was, tinged with the divinity the same as nectar. If she struck it again something hard, the scraped off fragments would become live coal with high fever.

Moreover, the flame bird became the material for Elise’s dress. And then this too the material was the highest class excellent article, the flame bird feathers that lived thousands of years also had divinity dwell.

Although she didn’t know how effective it would be against the other bunch, it was worth giving it a try.

「Ely. Since it’ll be dangerous so stay close──」

Saying so Melida noticed.

Before she knew, at Elise’s back, a slippery grotesque figure approached.

The moment she turned back to look at it is too late, Elise was knocked down on the ground. Before Melida’s eyes who rushed over too, from somewhere a black shadow stood in her way.

Being grabbed tight at her neck, Melida was pinned down while looking upward.

「Kaha……!」

Hitting the back of her head on the tough floor, Jiin, her brain became numbed.

The ones that pinned down Melida and Elise were 2 pumpkin heads. It must have been the sound of breaking glass case that exposed their position right. Really she didn’t notice that.

「Li, Lita……!」

Her head was tightly pinned down, Elise couldn’t move at all. Melida too was desperately struggling, but the grip of the hands that were strangling her was just much stronger.

「A……u……U, gu……！」

That groaning voice as if squeezing out was, leaking out from her lips.

Her chest lost oxygen, she was unable to think. From the place the pumpkin head touched, as if it had become stone the feeling had been lost. Neck, body, shoulder, arm were gradually losing strength, finally, the remaining hand’s palms were ──felt heat flaring up.

「……!!」

From Melida both eyes the light returned. It was the same as that time. That evening, that time when she was close to death after taking the medicine to awake mana, or at the time being corner being corner by Nerva Martillo at the public tournament.

Whenever Melida fell into hopeless dilemma, wrapping it all up at such situation together with her palm in heat, that person’s voice would rebuke at the frustrated heart of hers.

Live, live, live, live.

──Live!!

「──!!」

Suddenly, she opened her eyes and lifted up her shaking arms.

The tiara she was gripping in her right hand, with all her strength she slammed it against the stone floor.

Many times, many times, many times, she slammed it, the sounds of that highly echoed around the surrounding.

Before long, the shaved fallen ignite stone’s fragment was, rapidly caught the heat and suddenly flared up.

At her left hand which was holding the improvised torch she ignited it, the remarkably dazzling fire swelled up.

『Gya!?』

The moment the pumpkin head removed its body out of surprise, Melida didn’t let it pass.

「──Aaa!!」

Together with a fighting spirit, she held the torch above her head, she thrust the tip into the pumpkin head mouth. From inside its face, the fire burning, the pumpkin head with a rasping shriek fell back to the ground.

After Melida sprung up with rough breathing, she hit the torch at the pumpkin head that was holding Elise down.

「Get away from Elise!」

The pumpkin head without collecting itself took distance, Melida readied the torch aiming at its face.

「Look! I’m going to give you something to eat so open your mouth like an idiot!」

Being told so but the pumpkin head wasn’t incompetent to follow. In a panic it closed its mouth, moreover from above it pressed both of its hand. Aiming at that moment, Melida broke into it.

「Your eyeball is empty!」

The headgear hollow was not only the mouth. Piercing accurately at the right eye, the inside was mercilessly roasted. The second pumpkin head body too writhed a shrike, fell on the floor.

「Something like you I’ve already ……no longer scared of anymore」

She said as if throwing violently, Melida helped Elise stood up. It was not the place to be careful, they started running with loud sounds of footsteps.

「Lita, that was amazing……」

「This is only the beginning!」

Right hand holding the torch, left hand pulling Elise’s hand, while running. Finally they reached the third area. Placed exactly opposite to the entrance hall at this place was, the emergency exit as it was written,

「There it is!」

In the innermost part partitioned by a red rope, the double door could be seen. Although the possibility that it could be locked was thought of, but they couldn’t stop their feet here.

Together she nodded with Elise, furthermore they quicken their steps. Ten step to the door, at that moment,

「You surprised me how tough you are, princess」

Together with the abrupt voice, the darkness clumped together in front of them.

The space was bent, inside of it the tall youngman’s figure appeared. Wearing the haori outer coat, it was the man with bandage coiling around his body. The leader of the kidnapping group that kidnapped them.

Unconsciously in a warning her body had stiffened but, she remembered the feel of the torch she was holding. More than the Lycanthrope here, being weak against the holy flame, earlier it already had been proved by his attitude.

「Yaa!」

Melida didn’t stop her feet, she struck with resolute. However just before it she lost the figure of the guy, the torch only shook off the black mist.

「Over here」

From behind the voice came, Melida and Elise surprised turned their heads. This time they were at a loss for words.

Before they noticed at behind the bandage man, seven, eight figures of dark human shadow were, in order words all the member of the kidnapping group had gathered. The bandaged man said without moving an eyebrow.

「Melida-chan, I’m going to give you the Paladin you always wanted why are you running away?」

「……I already have the splendid class like my sensei! Paladin or whatever I don’t need it!」

「Is that so」

Showing no concern for Melida’s claim, he scratched his cheek.

「By the way since the emergency exit behind you are locked, no matter what you do it won’t open」

「Ku……」

Being told that Melida didn’t give up. Once again she raised the torch high, charged forward.

Strongly brandished it, just before it she changed the trajectory and aimed at the foot. The bandaged man suddenly pulled his legs, instead incline his upper body forward. Aiming at that, Melida connected her second attack. Rotating her body with the force of the first swing, the second attack thrust aiming at his face.

「──」

Immediately after the bandaged man opened his eyes wide, at his face Gaan! the torch struck.

Although Melida certainly felt the response, immediately after she opened her eyes wide in surprise.

「Even though you got the guts to aim at my face without hesitation but……」

The tip of the torch was, with the prosper flame burning on it had been stopped by the bandaged man’s hand.

While his skin was burning, Gyu! the fire was crushed.

「Too bad I’m your opponent」

One hand of the bandaged man was dimmed, immediately after, receiving a huge shock at her abdomen Melida was sent flying.

Sliding across the polished to the end hall, while twitching with spasm she didn’t even move.

「Lita……U!」

Elise who turned her head around too once again, her cheek was slapped strongly. Suffered a tremendous shock, she couldn’t help but collapsed. The two of them side by side, groveled on the cold floor.

「I told you not to resist right? It’s difficult to adjust to avoid killing」

As if it was annoying, he waved his hand flickering, the bandage man taken 1 step, approaching the very young girls.

「Well, since you’ve realized it then act like adults」

The girl had already couldn’t do anything. It was obvious to everyone’s eyes. Melida in the question didn’t let out a voice, she was merely collapsed onto the ground with her face lying down. Her arms were twitching little by little, each time a clear sound echoed around.

──sound?

The bandaged man Jin stopped his feet.

If very very carefully look, Melida hadn’t been twitching. The fire spark stone clasped in her right hand was slammed again the floor, once again as if she was trying to stoke a flame. Even up to this time, she was yet to give up.

「Lita……!」

Elise who realized it too once again tightly bit her lips and raised her upper body. While             tear amassing at her eyes too, with her own hands she tore the hem of the skirt, seemed like she was trying to make a weapon.

「You guys……」

At the moment Jin unconsciously murmured, Melida pupil whose was still lying face down was, glittering as if emitting light and glared at him. The moment he was stared down by that eyesight ──zoku! His Lycanthrope instinct was, shivering at his spine.

From above the bandage, Jin pressed his mouth.

「……this is bad. Change of plan」

「Eh?」

「No need for the changing surgery. I’m disposing of them here. If I let them live, in the near future, surely they would become a threat to us.」

Jin declared with a strong tone, the black clothes men behind were shaken with unrest.

「Eh, no, no but! Our mission is……!」

「Anyway since it’s a surgery without any hope they’ll survive. We can make any excuse. So shut up」

Leaving the subordinates without a sense of crisis, Jin boldly stepped forward.

If leaving the girls to live and grow, sooner or later his and others’ status might be overturned. Not only that they were hiding their bottomless potential. Not to mention, it would be absurd to bestow her the rank of paladin.

Standing in front of Melida who seemingly moving her arm with all her strength, Jin was “goki” snapped his fingers.

「……If it were five years from now the one being hunted could be me.」

However, right now was not yet, they were still developing children.

These girls that had yet to be raised well, kill them now.

「……!!」

Melida opened her big eyes wide. Right now her powerlessness was, no one but herself fully realized it the most. The stricken belly was hurting like crazy, her whole body was heavy as lead. The hand that was clasping the Tiara was trembling, no matter how many times she struck it no fire came out.

And then mustering all of her will power she raised her arm once again, swung it down on the floor.

Seeing her mistake on aim, kashin, a dry voice echoed from the tiara.

「See you」

The bandaged man lightly said, stoking up his left hand. At that fingertips, faint light was, ──fluttering.

She thought about how he suddenly stopped moving,, Bah! raising her face, she saw that he was looking at Melida back.

Even though beyond the bandage she could understand, he was distorting his face in annoyance.

「……Tch!!」

Smacking his lips he kicked off from the floor, he flew backward far behind. Melida and Elise were knitting their eyebrows wondering what happened, right after it.

The double door emergency exit was blown away.

The fragment of the door grazed to the top of the head, at the same time in the back there was vivid light. Melida and Elise unconsciously turned to look back, they saw two figures of human jumped in from inside the backlighting.

「「Sensei!!」」

As Kufa and Rozetti respectively checking on their students with a glance, they ran through the side just like the wind. Raising their already unsheathed weapons, the black clothes men attacked.

The bandage man who was the head of the enemy group was, seeing the black military cloth Gii! opened both his eyes wide.

「Leave the brats! Kill the knight!!」

As if to response they raised a war cry, the black cloth men ran up all at once. Three people surrounded Kufa, as if blocking the exit path they swung their weapons down. On the other hand Kufa with a black blade on his waist, with one slash.

The slashing attack that didn’t stop in the eyes consisted of many strikes like a boisterous dance. Almost at the same time repelled the three’s weapons. Riin, while the clear metal sound was played, the black clothes men’s upper bodies were pushed to the back. Breathtaking master technique──as if trying to overrun on the opening, the round blade ran past from behind scattering scarlet flame.

The metal rings she had grasped were, Chakram the weapon. As they freely shredded the black clothes men who lost their balances, not letting a single graze on Kufa. As if having the intention of they’d be pulled back, Rozetti stopped them in mid air. Right then as if performing a dance she waved the hem of her costume, once again shot out the chakram from both her hands.

The black cloth men’s attentions were turned upwards──At this moment, the black shadow ran past the distance of a few meters. With a still posture of swung his arm Kufa, calmly put the sword back, one clap later the blood spray caught up.

As Kufa caught the black sword that was sheathed in its scabbard with one arm, and then hit the lower jaw with the palm of his hand as if to roll it in. And then spinning his body with acrobatic kicked up overhead. The pushed up heel has touched Rozetti’s heel sole who was dancing mid air. The girl used this force to further fly up high in the air. At the height no one could reach, she released the crimson flame as if the angel’s halo.

Without leaving any openings the two’s coordination was, impossible to win against the black cloth man who relied on numbers──

アサシンズプライド_P001_扉.indd

「A……amazing……!」

Melida and Elise were, fixing their eyes upon the scene forgetting to breathe. The battle level they had never seen before. Even at the game held in the presence of a lord in the holy king district, probably this sword dance would rarely be encountered. The overwhelming statuses of the home tutors, the piling amount of experience, even though not putting in number they could be felt through the skin.

The very young girls were, unconsciously clasped their arms together.

That is──

That is our target, that stage!!

The final remaining two man in black clothes movement was, Kufa pressed both the blade and the scabbard at the same time.

「Roze!!」

At the same time as he called the shadow came flying in, grazed his head landed behind. At the same time as if the falcon hunting prey, the charkam she was holding in both her hands had already mowed the life force of the enemies.

The final two-man fell down──With that, suddenly it became quiet. Taking a notice all the black man had fallen to the floor, the only ones standing were Kufa, Rozetti and the girls.

Rozetti looked down on the charkam on her hands, trembling from somewhere she murmured.

「……What’s that just now. This feeling……sense of unity​, for the first time……」

At her back was, whoops whoops turning his sword around, putting it back to the scabbard with a calm face was her partner’s figure. Rozetti was as if she was searching for something, or she was seeing through something, she cast a glance.

「You, just what are you?」

「Just a humble home tutor. Other than our problem, right now……」

「That, that right!」

In a confuse Rozetti sheathed her weapon, rushed over here. The girl, found her pupil’s figure in tattered custom, her face was sullen hurtfully.

Spreading both of her arms………..just before touching Elise’s skin, she let down her arms.

「O, ojou-sama……I’m sorry, it’s my fault for not keeping myself together」

Just before she declared, the silver hair Elise jumped toward Rozetti’s chest.

As if feeling relieved, the 13 years old little girl put all her body weight on the home tutor as if her sister.

「Sensei……」

「Ha, hawawa, fuwa……!」

Was Rozetti in confused or was she in excitement with a hard to tell face, she restlessly changing between the girl in her chest and Kufa’s face. Kufa was “yare yare” mood said and nodded his head telling her to do it, as if with determination, Gyu～! she strongly hugged tight.

Until Elise complained「That hurts a little」, that hug wasn’t loosened up.

At that sight, Melida unconsciously smiled broadly──Petan, she sat down on the floor softly and weakly.

「Ojou-sama?」

「I’m, I’m fine. My leg gave out a bit……」

Immediately Kufa came to her side and knelt, and softly put her hand on his shoulder.

「Your safety is above all else.……I’m sorry for being late」

Melida swung her neck in response, and then, suddenly she realized.

「By the way sensei, why are you here? Don’t you have to go to Holy King District ……」

「Yes. On the way from Knight Regimen (Guild)’s headquarter (Lodge)『we spotted the criminal organization having lively activities at Cardinals academy district』as I received contact. I had a bad hunch so I jumped off the running train」

「Ju, jump……!?」

「And then it seems I was right. As I came back in a hurry, as ojou-sama’s whereabouts were unclear as I bumped into Rozetti-san who was making a fuss.──Fortunately since it was weighing a bit in my mind at the school break, beforehand I had done a little investigation」

Removing Elise from the hug, Rozetti surveyed the fallen kidnappers.

「What the heck are these guys?  If I look carefully isn’t Lycanthrope also mixed in」

「Eto, Guild Grimhuis something……he said」

「Troops of Tomfoolery Dawn (Guild Grimhuis)!?」

Rozetti gulped sharply, Kufa too intently frowned.

「You, you to, know them?」

「Eーto, they’re extremely bad guys! What does that lot want to do with Elise-sama group!?」

「Something like, change my class to Paladin, something they said」

「…………」

Hearing up till that, Kufa stood up without saying anything. Though it was like saying「I got it」

「Rozetti-san, can I leave oujou-sama to you? If it was the Wizard of the Knight regimen (Guild) you should be able to lift the curse imposed on both of them. While they were regrouping please seek protection for the girls」

「Eh, what about you?」

「The Lycanthrope man who had bandage coiling isn’t here. Seems he had slipped away」

Hearing so Melida noticed. Amongst the kidnappers that fell on the floor, there was no figure of the bandage man called Jin. Kufa tightly holds the scabbard of the black sword.

「Perhaps he’s the strongest……the kidnapper group leader right. Following his escape route, there’s a possibility I could locate their hideout.」

「Th-that’s dangerous! I’ll go too……」

「Their aim is our ojou-sama, right? Leaving them alone is this place forever is scarier. It’ll be fine if it was me, I won’t chase too far」

Saying so, he promptly turned his body. Melida just at that moment, mildly called him to halt.

「Ano, sensei……can you listen to me for a bit」

「What’s wrong?」

「Before the bandage man had said. There is a man who requested them. That person is, if I’m not Paladin he would be in trouble.……With that, who that person would be?」

Kufa once again went down on his knees before Melida, gently put his hands on Melida’s shoulder.

「The truth is before coming here, noticing the knight regimen (guild)’s deployment had been unnaturally changed, helping deducting the whereabouts of ojou-sama there was one man. Who do you think that is?」

「Eh……?」

「Felgus Duke……ojou-sama’s father」

She smiled as if answering, Kufa stood up.

「Rozetti-san, I’m leaving it to you」

「Ah, wa!　…………Mou」

Without hearing the voice to stop him, in the time for one to say “ah” he had dashed forward into the shadow.

Melida too was very worried about him but, as she was now she would only become a burden. Meekly receiving the protection from the Knight regimen (Guild), let’s return safely.

「……Thank you, otou-sama」

As no one could hear that murmured, since then she cocked her head.

Then the one who made a request to them, in the end, who was it?