Assassins Pride - Volume 11 - Chapter 1

Assassin Pride Volume 11 Chapter 1
LESSON: I ～The Angels’ Hideout～

(Unedited)

Salacha Shicksal was silently straining her ears.

Her nerves became sharp. She also closed her eyes and tried to feel the surrounding presences with bare her skin. ──She was in swimsuit. Her well growth fifteen years old proportion was repelling the vigorous water droplets.

The wave’s unstable tremor shook her feet.

Here was St. D’Autriche girl institute’s pride outdoor pool. Right now, there was not even one student swimming. Instead, many gondolas were floating.

They were foothold.

Or perhaps《Battlefield》──

The slight rushing sound hit her ears, Salacha suddenly opened her eyes wide.

Without rocking the gondola, she flipped her arm with perfect sense of balance.

「There!!」

At the same time, it overlapped the trajectory the 《sword》which was launched from behind her left side.

Together with the shock of an exploded balloon, both parties were pushed back. Salacha held her ground.

However, the《enemy》didn’t try to kill the recoil. The same time Salacha tried to ready her posture with a hind foot, the opponent flew vigorously, and with that momentum, she kicked the gondola’s bow.

When that was done, the stern side where Salacha was standing shook all the way.

Having her feet pushed up, Salacha looked down in surprised, right after it, the second sword attack approached her merely exposed left side nape. It was a miracle that the interception was in time. Bashiin! Together with that second exploding sound both sides’ weapons flicked.

Because they wielded their tensed muscles over the limit, their muscles were in pain.

She used her right hand to catch her left hand that was swung up and switched the weapon to her dominance hand, she scratched away the 《enemy》’s figure in front of her eyes. When it seemed the gondola sharply shook to the left, the after image was blurred on the other side. Even though she turned her face one beat later, the corner of her vision was caught into the ripple on the water surface.

The quickness was amazing.

It was not merely about physical ability. It was an unusual skillfulness of controlling the mana pressure in the whole body《Chaos Cadena》. While the《enemy》was running on water, they focused all the mana in their lower half body, after taking the final step and delivered the sword over here, they instantly moved mana from their lower half to the upper half body and into the blade. It was terrific speed──with this Salacha couldn’t catch up.

As she herself who had the superior rank (Class), there was a reason to competing with《her》who had the rank of Samurai.

If asked, it was because her teacher (sensei) was much much quickly.

Since she had been constantly taking lesson from a man like that everyday, her dynamic visual acuity had been trained. When it came to his teaching policy it was famed as 「fiendish」, and even though his student was just a girl of her age, his manner of not hesitating with having great attention to detail made her envy with just switching their place for a try──

Ah, being distracted was a fatal point.

She searched for《his》vague figure by the poolside by mistake, right after that, while they were running through from behind, they dealt an attack. Although it was a rubber bat, when having mana put it, it hurt. The severe stricken sound transmitted from her flank to her whole body, with that force Salacha was sent flying.

She fell into the pool.

In return the one landed on the gondola and mischievously put the bat on her shoulder was ──

While showing her teeth and doing a charming peace sign was Melida Angel.

She was the second year who had just transferred to St. D’Autriche girl institute.

From the poolside, the clapping and cheering of classmates resounded.

「Nihhi hi. It’s my win」

「Lita, don’t let your guard down yet……!」

In the pool there was yet another fighter in swimsuit.

It was Elise Angel carrying the same rubber bat. Already, there wasn’t any one in D’Autriche who didn’t know about these lovely transfer student sisters. Grasping the fact that the silver hair angel hadn’t loosened her tension yet, the clapping from the poolside calmed into scattering.

Melida tardily readied the bat again.

The rule of this on water match should be「knocking down the opponent into the water」……

The pool shook.

No, it roared.

As if a dragon howled at the water bottom, it vibrated. The floating gondolas were trembling violently. Melida tightened her wariness and lowered one of her knees.

「What, what is this!?」

What was happening on the boat, Melida didn’t understand at all. Elise was the quickest to concentrate her eyes into the water, then she noticed. The《Shadow》freely jumped about in the pool.

The《mermaid princess》that ignored the water resistance roughed up the pool.

「Sala……!」

Picking up Elise’s mutter, Melida too leaned her body in a fluster.

There, cutting through the water with quick speed that wasn’t different from when she was running on water, there was the figure of a mermaid. The water resistance itself became the pool’s scream, the wave gushed up higher than ever and made the gondolas rage.

This is out of control! Melida opened her eyes wide.

「Just, just how could she swim so fast!?」

「She’s using the power of the Dragon Knight (Dragoon) ……!」

Elise was the fastest to see through it. Melida swung back at her.

「You, you mean she was kicking the water? With that absurd leg strength of the Dragoon!?」

「……Perhaps, it might be a failure to knock Sala to the water」

On Elise’s intelligent beautiful face, cold sweats were dripping.

It was immediately after.

The columns of water that was like explosions continuously rose, the gondolas Melida group was standing on were capsized「Ukyaa!?」「Au」swallowing those angelic screams they all dived to the water.

Once again there were magnificent splashes of water ──

The moment Melida showed her face above the water「Buha」, the amused laughing voice of the classmates from the poolside resounded. Next, Elise who emerged shook like a pupil to scatter the water droplets from her silver hair.

Then finally, the devilish mermaid princess mischievously poked her face from underwater.

Melida immediately pushed her index at her.

「That’s sly, Sala!」

「No no, Lita-san. The rule is not just『you lose if you fall into the water』, but『the last one standing on water is the victor』──you know」

「Mugugugug～……」

Ignoring her vexing close friend, Salacha climbed up one of the undamaged gondola.

She entrusted only her upper half body to the edge and looked shy.

「……Because I won’t lost that easily」

The whistled blew. It was the signal to switch players.

Melida and Elise, Salacha withdrew from the water and dropped by the bar established as an annex by the poolside. As self service they could drink smoothie. Of course they couldn’t use it in the midst of lesson, however ── right now was great, it was lunch break time.

The three occupied one table and raised the glasses.

Melida’s was lemon taste. Elise’s was yogurt and Salacha’s was melon smoothie. ──

“Chirin, the class rang refreshingly.

「D’Autriche girl institute is a very nice place in my opinion!」

The appearance of one fully enjoying their drink was the transfer student Melida.

On top of the slender open minded swimsuit figure, she stretched her arm to the utmost.

「Since you can swim in the pool all year round. Although Frideswide doesn’t lose to this either, if the circumstances were different I’d feel like I’d returned to being first year!」

「But, the school regulations are a little strict」

Elise was drinking the smoothie bit by bit.

「Lita, did you read the catalogue in the dormitory room? It’s very thick and dense……」

Melida gulped the sweet and sour lemon taste down her throat.

「──Anyway, well, it’s a good school. That’s for certain」

While Salacha made a faint wry smile, she put the cold glass on her cheek.

「And furthermore, it’s perfectly suitable to hide yourselves right?」

「Hau」「Au……」

Toward the twin angels who groaned, Salacha couldn’t hold her sigh

However with resolute attitude, she raised her index finger at the two transferred students.

「I was very worried you know? Suddenly 『your whereabouts are unknown from Cardinals Academy District』」

「「We’re sorry…………」」

「『Where is the Holy Knight (Paladin)? Where is the talentless gifted girl? Actually where is the Angel written in the prophecy』──things like that, the newspapers were gleefully interested!」

Melida and Elise’s figures went dark soon after the ball at the Zohar science party.

The hideout they had chosen was this Aqualimus Heaven Mirror District which had St. D’Autriche girl institute. Melida had visited many times, the scene of reticulated waterway on the grand canal and then the come and go gondola ── uncharacteristic to《inside the lantern》, this was the greatest city of water of Flandre.

According to Kufa who guided them here, it seemed there was nothing more suitable than here.

First of all it was the position. The institute located on a small separated island, to come from the entrance it was definitely necessary to use a boat.

Furthermore, as St. D’Autriche girl institute and St. Frideswide girl academy were sister school, there was deep relationship. From the lecturers to the students, they all could be considered《Allies》. Moreover, it was the girl school closed to men just as Frideswide. The entering of outsiders was strictly controlled.

In that case, what to do if someone disguised as related ones and snuck in?

As for that uneasiness, Kufa declared「Don’t worry」.

Even if they were an extremely rare master of disguise, that technique would sure not pass through Kufa. Although the background was unknown, anyhow there was no need to be worried.

Therefore.

Melida group could be in this defenseless swimsuit state, enjoying the smoothie on one hand and playing in the water. Melida and Elise’s existences right now were contained to only inside St. D’Autriche girl institute. As expected, on the occasion of going out into the city required simple disguises, however…….the residents, not a single person noticed the agitated Angel sisters transferring to St. D’Autriche girl institute.

When they needed to go out for stationary shops, Melida and Elise would put on their stylish glasses and laughed funnily. ── neglecting the worrying Salacha.

Around when the three people’s glasses by the poolside were empty, the bell from the school tower could be heard.

It announced that the afternoon class would start shortly. Melida group also followed their classmates, after they cleaned up the glasses they headed to the shower room.

Using the ample water they carefully washed their skins, taking the pleasant shower’s stimulation on their faces.

After Melida took a breath「Buha」, she took off the swimsuit top and released the modest bust. The taken off swimsuits were…… suitably folded and temporally put in the rack.

「How’s your side? Sala」

Over the partition board, Melida broached about a hard to say topic.

「You suddenly became the current head of house Shicksal, is there any trouble?」

「Thanks to Kushana-nee-san, it’s so-so」

There was the feeling Salacha smiled wryly transmitted.

It said that her cousin (Kushana) was teaching her the basics of secretary.

With the curst gnawing at her body, there was not much time left ──

Even so, it was great that she survived over the revolt, Melida thought.

………..Together with Serge.

「She is making time for me until I graduated. It’s very hard because there’s a lot of things to remember」

「One year left……」

「Speaking about it since we met, not even one year had passed nee」

Somehow it seems like a very long time ago, Salacha smiled.

Melida turned her back to the shower and leaned at the swing door.

Looking to the left side, Salacha was also in the same posture and staring at her.

Undauntedly toward her close friend’s smile, Melida also smiled.

「Talking about it, you directly exchanged words with me was the swimsuits time at the pool, right?」

「That, that was desperately……」

「And you Sala, in the end you suddenly ran away. I was surprised」

For us to be in a relationship of calling each other with irreplaceable pet names must have been unimaginable at that time right?

Melida was “fu”, remembering something she had tried to not think of.

She impatiently tap the switch door with her fingertips.

「……Why isn’t Mule here?」

Salacha too was only cast her eyes down looking painful.

The best friends themselves were a《group of four》. At any turning point of seasons, or any important strife, they all spent it together. Sometimes they opposed, sometimes they cuddled close, and finally, sometimes they were drawn together by the destined guidance ──

When thinking back, it was always four people.

Inside the fun back flash, the colors that reminded the four colors were always glittering. And around them, there were the kindly watching over appearances of the adults ── her beloved. The yearned and respected one.

That fragment which must not be lost was, right now, missing from themselves.

Melida looked to the right.

Completely didn’t join in the conversation, Elise was absentmindedly being hit by the water. Melida lightly hid her skin while transferring to the nearby partition and detached the shower head from the wall.

While she combed her cousin’s precious silver hair she washed it for her.

「Rozetti-sama is fine you know」

Elise was still wearing her upper and bottom swimsuit, she raised her chin to make it easy for Melida to wash.

From the hair roots to the hair end, Melida’s fingers checked while carefully washing with the shower.

──According to the plan, Rozetti should have united with them here already.

However, her arrival was terribly slow.

Apparently Kufa periodically contacted her, and from what he heard, the escape plan’s diversion had beautifully succeeded, Melida group’s classmate Yuffie and Sonia right now had peacefully returned to St Frideswide girl academy. That was sincerely great.

Then, why even at this moment Rozetti hadn’t showed her face to them?

It seemed it would take more time to reunite, they knew that without even asking Kufa.

Even at the best of times, it took a great amount of efforts for the home tutors to give Melida group the peace of D’Autriche. Some kind of circumstances must have happened. It was some trouble that couldn’t be said.

Therefore, Elise pressed down her uneasiness hard and bit her lips.

Pulling the string from behind and taking off the swimsuit top, Melida hugged her cousin.

「She’ll be alright, surely」

While saying it to herself too ──

And then, as she was washing the girl’s body, Elise sullenly turned back over her shoulder.

「Lita, I’m not a little kid anymore」

「Eh?」

She snatched the shower.

Then pointed it at Melida’s face! The storm of water droplets filled her vision, Melida was taken aback「Wabu!?」

「Now, now you’ve done it! And I was kindly ──」

「Fufufu……This is my field. Lita has no weapon at all」

「Kuu, you got me……!」

「Sala. Don’t make such an envious face, come here」

「Fuee!?」

Suddenly being pointed with the water, Salacha let out a wild voice.

Anyhow, she was leaning her body from the switch door full of interest.

While her heart was beating fast ──

「Be, because Lita-san and Ely-san are very good friend as I thought……」

「If Sala doesn’t come then it can’t be helped」

「We have to come to you」

「Fueeeeeee!?」

With that said, the two rudely barged into Salacha’s bath space.

Salacha was pressed to the wall without any place to run, just like a teary eyed bunny.

「No, no, no matter what three people is very cramp～!」

「Ara, why am I feeling cramped. What do you think, Ely?」

「Certainly because the《fruits of betrayal》that we don’t have is pressuring」

It was Elise who answered an exemplar answer without hesitation. “Ching”, her eyes glittered.

Taking the chance Salacha “poof” covered her bust, Melida took the shower head.

The Angel sisters’ cooperation power was invincible.

「This is terrible. They’re too big to move freely as you wish, right?」

「Although we don’t face that fate」

「There’s no way to run──」

「Obediently resign yourself……」

「I, I, i……uyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa～～～…………!!」

Then, with “Waa waa, kya kya”, the angels messed around in the cramped space.

As the bell rang the second time, finally, they noticed that class was approaching in great panic.

†　†　†

There was a gentleman supporting those pupils’ relaxation in the shadow.

He was cladding in a fine quality suit. Sinking his waist deep on the sofa, he brought the glass of wine close to his mouth. The place was far away from St. D’Autriche girl institute ── inside the pitch black darkness. That《meeting place》couldn’t be said to the public.

From the second floor special seat, the young man was looking down below his eyes.

In the spotlight stage, a masked man was holding the mike.

『The next item is this!』

As if escorting a madam, he swayed his arm, from the stage wing a cart was pushed out.

The thing bath in spotlight on the cart looked like a giant boulder…….a white mass.

However, the participants filled up the seats which already made up half of the meeting place immediately realized that thing’s value.

『Denebrae’s claws』

Following the host’s declaration, there was the feeling of hearing saliva gulping.

The happy tone explanations were heard from the megaphone.

『This thing belongs to a famous Lycanthrope……the Denebrae which has poison that could easily destroy a city was designated as the most dangerous species by the Calvary Regiment (Guild). However, what if you can obtain this bone?』

The host used his opposite hand as the rasp and did an erasing gesture on the giant claw.

Then suddenly he took out a cigarette from the pocket, he held it in his mouth.

『If you mix this fine powder into cigarette and smoke it, you can taste the sensation of heaven. However! Please take note……in the end it is still a scene in dream. If you devoted yourself to it too much, there won’t be a return path』

In short, it was strongly poisonous.

Lycanthrope Denebrae showed their preys the inescapable hallucination.

That anima’s power was taken from its claw.

『Of course. Although the trading in the market is strictly forbidden──』

The host sneered.

『No words of law shall reach this place』

Certainly it was just his imagination, but there was the feeling the participants in the meeting licked their lips.

The host once again held aloft the mike, and vigorously declared.

『With this size, starting bit is fifty gold coin!』

「Fifty two!」

「Here, sixty!」

「I’ll give to seventy five!」

Immediately, the guests started to compete with number. The one who ultimately declared the largest number would exchange the same amount and obtain Denebrae’s claw.

This was what called an auction.

However it must not be made public ──

On the back of the second stair seat, protected by a curtain, there were presences.

「Welcome to Detroit underground auction house」

The politely bowing waiter had sword hanging on his waist.

Without giving a man a glance, once more new guest came to the special seat.

It was a prime young beautiful woman. She picked up the wine glass from the stray and surveyed her eyes around.

At one, her eyes stopped at the gentleman relaxing elegantly on the sofa.

The waiter was still bowing.

「Your companion is waiting for you, madam」

Not limited to her, the participant, the sponsor side, everyone was wearing mask to hide their identity.

Even so, it seemed the girl immediately sensed who was waiting for her.

At the gentleman’s right side, without turning her eyes she sat down.

「When I think the invitation was persistent, so this is it」

The gentleman placed his palm on his head.

Needless to say, it was Kufa.

And the woman was the duchess Almedia La Moore. Their exchanges had already been so deep that they could understand each other with just a glance even with mask on. It was awe-inspiring.

For a mere knight ──

Almedia threw him a sharp glance from the corner of the mask.

「Then, antique art dealer earl Nightley ……Thou art a celebrity on that line. Who would have thought he was the malicious, fiendish, Spartan, the triple threat home tutor」

「It’s the temporary figure to hide in the world──」

It was one of the camouflage social positions that Kufa prepared several all over Flandre.

At the moment,《Nightley》was no more than a merely fabricated position of a nephew by borrowing the name of the late predecessor. And the time to effectively put it to practical used had come. Right now, Kufa had a setting of visiting Aqualimus Heaven Mirror District to buy the rare utensil Acclaim glass

That thing which was traditional inherited by St. D’Autriche girl institute was somehow couldn’t be inherited, and negotiation was going now ── that was the official stand.

Reality was that, in other to not let any assassin other than himself appear, he kept a watchful eye around Melida, however.

After a long time, he returned to his position as Kufa Vanpiel, he leaned his body forward.

「There’s no other reason for me to ask for your visit like this. I need to ask a favor from you duchess」

「Try to say it」

「I want you to withdraw the ojou-samas’ assassinate order and pressure the White Night Calvary Regiment (Guild Jackraven)」

Flandre at the moment was right at the height of political change, the Calvary Regiment (Guild) was making large scale reorganizing in quick pace, it was already impossible to judge out loud which force and who was ally.

If he relied on the circumference king duke Felgus Angel, he could ask him to protect Melida group right.

However, that was namely letting great amount of people know the girls’ location.

Transferring their location to the Holy King District’s King castle wasn’t by any means easy to say safe. They had to always think about the danger of having poison mixed in food or being aimed by muzzle from hidden places.

For now, the safety of St. D’Autriche girl institute was to the end temporary.

Kufa’s objective was to return Melida group to St. Frideswide just like before. And being able to meet all the maids in the estate again to hear「Welcome back」.

Because that was the absolute promise to Emy group who accepted the memory operation.

For that sake, he couldn’t keep hiding himself all the time.

He had to carefully ascertain the ones to rely on.

And with that, it was Almedia.

Kufa couldn’t think of anyone more talented (connected) than her. Certainly she was a bad drunk, narrow minded and sometimes being childish like a kid, however ──

「Aren’t those eyes……thinking about something extremely disrespectful?」

「Ah no, don’t be absurd」

Anyway. She deeply loved her daughter Mule, and her close friends Melida and Salacha group had the same amount of affection poured into them, that was certain.

Without betraying Kufa’s depended hope, Almedia showed a positive attitude.

She put her finger on her jaw and glared at the not much interested auction stage.

「Just to here that request, I also have to give out some conditions」

「Conditions?」

「Even if stopping the White Night Calvary Regiment (Guild Jackraven), the negotiation materials are needed to simply satisfy them」

“In the first place”, Almedia raised her index finger and made the purple nail conspicuous.

「Why did the White Night commit violence to try to kill the Angel’s children?」

Kufa recalled the slightly bitter riot a few days ago.

It was the mysterious science party Zohar which originated at the end of the Leybolt foundation’s visit. There, the buffoon manager Clover declared impressively「I’ll explain the roots of the knight duke houses and the nobles!」and the likes, then the gears started to go mad.

The roots of the noble class, that was.

The professor of the White Night Calvary Regiment (Guild Jackraven), Agasty was afraid of it being brought to light. No, he was “frightened”. If not, he wouldn’t make arbitrary decision of killing of the circumference duke king Felgus.

The mana capable ones’s origins ── The thing that continued to trouble Melida, the blood’s secret──

The key to everything was hidden there!!

「As always you’re sagacious」

Almedia didn’t even laugh at Kufa’s pet theory and affirmed it.

「In order to protect the Angel’s children from the assassin’s evil influence, it won’t just take a few lines dropped from me to be safe. I have to remove the source of uneasiness of the white night!」

「The source of uneasiness……the main culprit……!」

「Indeed. O assassin tutor, duke La Moore is going to order you again」

She suddenly brought her body close to him and concealed her voice.

「Heed me, go and obtain Flandre’s important history book. If thou doth that, I’ll use it as the negotiation material and warn all the assassins without fail」

「The history book?」

「The forbidden magical book,《Black Book》──」

Almedia raised her upper body to recline.

Kufa urged her with his eyes, Almedia nodded small and many times then continued.

「It was made in the most ancient era of Flandre, the magic beyond magic──What is called the book sealed by《incantation》. It’s protected by a powerful and repulsive curse that it has the origin『only speaking it out calamity will befall』, therefore its true name is lost」

「Where is it, if you could give me some hints」

「St. D’Autriche girl institute’s principal is holding the key. However……」

Almedia was hesitated at that. She raised her index finger to her scarlet mouth.

「……It is expected to take a little more time. Therefore I want to ask thee」

「If that is the only one way to save the ojou-samas──」

「I’ll leave that to you. However, better be quick. Other than us, there are forces aiming for the《Black Book》」

Hearing the unexpected circumstances, Kufa lightly opened his eyes.

Almedia also distorted her lips looking unpleasant.

「One of them is the Leybolt foundation──that damn good for nothing (Jack) pierrot seemed to pretty much notice the《weak point》is Flandre’s history. Sparing no money to collect history books from all times and places.──Look, even at this meeting too!」

While still distorting her lips, she pointed down stair with her chin.

Kufa too turned his face.

Although without much interest either, it seemed the auction was reaching the climax.

『Finally it’s today’s final item!』

Gripping the mike the auctioneer made a proud posture and all the meeting became noisy.

The thing on the cart being carried out was, a book put inside a glass case.

That old book which worn out here and there must have some value in it.

While drawing the attention of participant as much as he could, the auctioneer continued.

『This is the confidential document《Mysterious Sand Ghost Stela》……In the four vacant years since the development of the eastern part of the continent till the residential area construction, what had happened at that place? It is said that the truth is written down. Similarly, I couldn’t explain this book’s code……But, what if that were the wealthy and intelligence chosen ones like you?』

“Then”, he surveyed the meeting place with his sight.

Everyone of the participant was buffing their nostril thinking that has to be me.

The auctioneer skillfully cheered.

『As you all have guessed, this is the book written down in the《Index Librorum Prohibitorum》──what every collector desperately seeks. The council would definitely not look down on the owner of this book. You will be instantly the man or woman of honor……Now now, starting bit is seven hundred gold coins!!』

「Se, seven hundred!?」

「Hehe, I’ll win over those that don’t understand its value. Mee, seven hundred twenty!」

「Eight hundred! I came here for that……!」

「Here, I give eight hundred fifty! If I don’t return with that book the manager will get angry ……」

Immediately, eye dazzling amount of money started to being replied under their eyes.

As expected, Kufa also drew his upper body to the back of chair because of the air pressure (K.O.).

Beside him, Almedia didn’t move even an eyebrow. She was just sharply looking down at the meeting place.

「……Lately, I know that the pure blood thinkers are conducting thought control」

Her timbre was somewhat hollow.

The pure blood thinkers were the group of noble supremacism that emerged to resist the middle class claiming the intervention toward political and military affairs. Just as their name, they wanted the “not mixed” noble’s linage to reign supreme.

Far from the respective rank of the family linage, they held a grudge toward Melida who was a daughter of commoner, it was understandable how much they clashed with Kufa group.

Fortunately, they were able to avoid an all out attack from them till this point, but ──

“It won’t continue like that”, Almedia’s almond pupils declared.

「Thou art being used」

Kufa lightly bit his lip.

A few days ago, the lines that suddenly hit the newspaper front page was said by Almedia.

Mercilessly she picked her nails at Kufa’s heart ──

「『The Angel sisters’ missing has the hand of a night world’s noble involved. The half man half demon mysterious person that has human and Lycanthrope figure mixed, his name《Mystic Opera》』──Who is it talking about, you surely could self know that right?」

It was obvious when thinking about it. The White Night Calvary Regiment (Guild Jackraven) had become their enemy.

Kufa’s true identity was half vampire and with the much wider range compare to this point, it was well known to Flandre’s important people……..!

Almedia continued without a bit of worry.

「The pure blood thinkers are using it.『In Flandre right now, a night world spy has slipped in. Do not hand over any confidential report to him!』──Using that pretext they alter the Index Librorum Prohibitorum, and gather up the books inconvenient to themselves from all over Flandre, then burn them, they are planning on censoring thoughts. ……indeed a stubborn lot」

Almedia’s purple lips declared as if singing.

「The holy evil examination committee, they’re organizing the revision system until that 」

「A holy evil examination committee ……according to the pure blood thinkers……!」

「Prudently take it too heart. If that lots are to thoroughly implement their pure-blooded thought ──」

She muttered a few words.

「They will set aside any obstructing methods」

A gunshot roared.

──The meeting place fell into silent.

Inside the death silent, one guest was raising the smoke lingering gun.

「Playtime is over! You filthy heretics……Hahhahaha!!」

「Hii!? It’s the purge knight of holy evil examination committee!」

The man next to him immediately noticed, as if the ripple spread the commotion transmitted.

Inside the dark guest seats, but the faster to erase his presence was a powerful thief like showy jacket………. big man. No, looking at the long hair bundled and deep make up and the mannish well built…… it was a female body?

Anyway, she was huge. Especially her build was double an adult male.

With her plump palm, she grasped the giant gun tightly.

And on her left waist was a curve blade (Sabre). She had an appearance of some pirate captain without a doubt.

That one spoke.

「I am the corps commander of the Calvary Regiment (Guild), leader of the pure blood thinkers……Scotch Schneisen!」

The name that everyone acknowledged was declared and the atmosphere trembled all over.

The corner of her mouth curved up like a beast.

「I’ve heard about the shady trading of Detroit’s auction and was lying in waiting. It really is effective. Ha────hahahahahahahaha!」

On the second floor, Kufa opened his eyes wide, but not at the content of the speech.

「That one is duke Felgus’s successor ……New captain Schneisen! Is she female?」

「It’s unidentified gender」

Almedia said without even one hint of interest.

「However, it seemed that is male. 《Pure blood thinker’s mother (mom)》or some kind of exaggerated name he puts on……I’m seeing if it is part of their plan or not」

「What is it?」

「The pure blood thinkers’ ultimate idea is controlling all the noble marriage by themselves──」

Inside the pitch black pupils, there harbored a fierce light.

「In order for that time to come, he’s putting the impression of《Mother (mom)》on himself」

「──That’s arrogant」

「You said it」

Below Kufa group’s eyes, that mom was public speaking while mixing body and hand gestures.

Schneisen with his fat finger pressured by the ring pointed at the stage.

Toward the glass case under the spotlight ──

「That《Mysterious Sand Ghost Stela》is designated as taboo by the basic of our holy evil examination committee! The owner or discoverer has the duty to quickly submit it!」

「Hi……!」

「However! This owner disobeyed the Index Librorum Prohibitorum and tried to use it for trading. You all participated in the auction while knowing that are equally guilty! The punishment is……Haha, I’ll hand it down right now.《Exile from Flandre》!! Ha──────────hahahahahahaha!!」

「Are, are you joking!」

One of the guests stood up and ran to the exit.

「I only came to see! I have just one gold coin, I can’t pay anything!」

「Me, me too!」

Immediately panic rose. Before the participant flooding to the exit, a number of gallant shadows stood in the way. They each put their hands on the mantle concealing themselves.

Numerous mantles fluttered to the sky ──

「「「We are the holy evil examination committee! Here to constrain you!」」」

They swore loyalty to captain Schneisen, the knights of the pure blood thinkers. The participants finally became frantic as they were at their wit’s end. One male guest was being arm locked and fell to the floor.

While letting saliva fly he screamed.

「Save, save me! If I’m driven from Flandre how could I survive!!」

「Will you be dyed in our idea or will you die?」

Originally, the military outfit knights which should be protecting the commoner didn’t even twitch an eyebrow.

After looking at that sight with a satisfied smile, captain Schneisen slowly searched his pocket.

He took out a photo.

Then he did a passionate kiss.

「Alas, my dear……with this, our idea is one step closer……!」

He muttered that monologue which no one understood but himself and put but the photo. Then he turned his giant body.

He looked down on the trembling auctioneer on the stage from close distant.

Grapping the man’s neck, he carelessly hung him up with one arm.

「Owner Detroit! Hahhaa……Won’t you carefully talk about the wonderfulness of pure blood with me! Ha～～～hhahhahhahhahhaa!!」

「Hiiiii! This is just a momentary delusion! Save me! Save meee……!!」

Looking down at the pitiful uproar, there was someone leaked out a sigh of grieve「Yare yare」

It was Almedia on the second floor seat.

「I did tell them to『Don’t overdo it』though……」

「At least offer the participant an escape route right?」

Kufa bent his upper body and pulled a stick from under the sofa.

When he gripped the handle and put strength into the left and right, with a dull light the blade became exposed. ── it was a hidden sword.

After Almedia gulped down the glass in one breath, she stood up.

She borrowed the sword on the waist of the waiter who couldn’t help but be perplexed. Then pushed his shoulder away.

「Thou too, run away!」

「Ro, rogeer!」

Toward the man who ran through the curtain as fast as he could, there was nothing could be done but praying for his safety.

Almedia and Kufa lined up in a line and looked down at the scream filled sight below.

The duchess’s fingertips pressed the mask hiding her face.

「Don’t look down on Schneisen. Although he looks like that but his skills are firm」

「Alemedia too please be careful of your position……let’s break up our secret meeting (date)  here」

The two gripped the handrail strongly and flew down in succession.

Together with the wind, the each said their parting.

「Now then, let’s meet again!」

「Next time, with the《Black book》!」

Kufa unsheathed the sword in midair. The ringing of metal was noticed by the people below.

At the same time the purge knights, or something the pure blood thinkers called themselves, saw, they flipped up their weapons. However, they were one beat late. While dodging the enemy’s slash, Kufa let his sword danced as he landed.

The knight had his upper hand hit and dropped the weapon.

「Nuu, gu!?」

Taking the chance the man groaned and stiffened, he made a back and forth slash. Being hit at the left and right carotid artery, the man fell flat down.

The other purge knights noticed what happened in a blink of an eye.

Seeing the restrain was loosened, the captured participants crawled away to escape.

Inside the darkness, the dim sword flash surrounded the masked Kufa.

「Who the hell are you!」

「The wanted《mysterious person》──」

While bragging, he swayed and flopped to the ground.

Right before that, the floor was kicked off severely. The knights couldn’t follow their eyes at the《Shadow》dazzled in an instant. He cut up one who failed to notice. With a diagonally slash at the second one who was surprised at the sword cut, the man tumbled to the ground. Although the keen eyed third knight noticed him, at that point Kufa had pushed his hand to the floor and jumped his lower body.

With the heel his kicked the man away at his snout.

The enemy spewed out blood and flew away. In the moments the remaining knights followed that scene, Kufa pulled out a wire from his sleeve.

He simply swung his arm with smoke like speed and mowed down with noticeably great force.

All the remaining purge knights had their feet pulled by the wire and greatly tumbled down.

In return Kufa raised his body.

「The time buying should be──」

The instant the evacuation entered his vision.

Kufa heard the thunderous gunshot as if precognition. He flipped the stick in anticipation one beat faster. The blade cut the bullet line, and then, the bullet pierced that defense.

「──!」

With great reflex he bent his upper body backward. The flown out bullet gouged Kufa’s flank and stopped.

The roaring sound of impact from behind appeared.

It was the tailwind like shockwave.

Finally, “clink” the tip of the sword broke and fell to the ground ──

Even though it was a warning, it might divert the attention a little bit.

Kufa stared at the big man pointing the muzzle at him from the stage.

──No different from its giant appearance, that pistol’s power was like that of a cannon.

「HA────HAHAHAHAHAHA! So you are the mysterious《Mystic Opera》. I’ve heard of you. The betrayer that didn’t stick with any sideee!」

「……!

「Don’t worry, I won’t kill you. You have to continue playing the《villain’s part》for us!!」

With his plump finger, “Bachin!” he signaled.

──Kufa immediately noticed the human figure flew down from the ceiling.

Right after when Kufa was jumping back, sword attacks rained down and pierced the floor.

Kufa glided his left foot to hit the brake, he held up the partially destroyed blade.

──that was a strange impression. Who was that.

The one who made the surprise attack from above was a slender human compared to the other purge knights. It was a woman. Cloaking in a haori, and stubbornly lowered the hood her identity was unknown.

Is she here to fight, that puzzlement was discomposing the inside of his chest for some reasons.

Without minding, captain Schneisen spread his thick voice.

「Capture him alive! Swing your《Scythe》as you like!」

That power of death god, what did that mean.

Anyway, the hooded young girl kicked off from the floor. Kufa readied the half shorted sword. He parried and parried ── the young girl’s slashes somehow had no《feelings》. As if she was merely saying「because I was taught like this I’ll swing it like this」.

That alone was accurate and without any pointlessness, however easy to read.

But she was fast.

From normal eyes that would have to be nothing but《flowers of light》reflected, the terrifyingly fast speeded sword slashes flooded Kufa freely, the half broken sword was snapped entirely. Sparks bloomed, the blade was chipped again. As expected it was not made assuming battle like this ──

“Gou”, the wind howled.

The hooded girl instantly jumped back. Right at her nose tip, the chopped wood and iron mass flew by.

The thing that crashed into the wall was one of the guest’s seats.

As they looked at the direction it was released, Almedia was brandishing her sword.

「That’s a little rude」

While she twisted her body and rotated it, she made a full swing. From their bases, the guest seats were shot, shot, shot out ── the heavy seats themselves were flying with abnormal speed, and the hooded girl devoted to a complete run away since no one must have not taught her that.

On the stage, captain Schneisen immediately flung up the muzzle.

That gun barrel was flicked because of a side blow attack.

──The broken sword tip stabbed into it.

「……TCH!」

As he turned his face in annoyance, he saw the figure of《Mystic Opera》having took a throwing posture.

The mysteriously beautiful figure, right after that, was hidden by the mowed down debris of the guest seats.

The cannonballs continuously shot out gouged the guest seats, blowing them away as dust rose up ──

Then, when it seemed the storm had settled down.

「……Those slippery devils!」

Schneisen used his glove on hand to pull out the sword from the gun.

Over there, the subordinate purge knights were simply laying collapsed including the participants now had gone missing.

The group of mysterious people wearing masks had also abruptly erased their figure from the auction house.