Chapter 7
Chapter 7 Their mortal combat (second half)
Sponsored Content
When she was a kid, her dream was to have a cake shop.
Make, sell and eat cakes with her wonderful husband every day.
The story of a very young Satsuki who still hadn’t remembered any memories of her previous life.
It was different now. She wanted to become a splendid Savior and stand next to Moroha.
Her dreams for the future weren’t uncertain, they were realistic goals.
But sometimes, the feelings of wanting to run a cake shop bring back that innocent wish.
So, for example――
– This is a new autumn work, but how does it taste, Nii-sama ♥?
– Ah, let me try it. Hmm… well… Have you think of adding a bit more of Cointreau?
– Hohou, I’ve gotten to know Morohsan more and more.
– That’s because I’ve been eating the cakes you’ve made every day. My tongue can’t stop enjoying them.
– Gee〜z, why do you say tha〜t? It’d be bad if your stomach never gets satisfied, you know?
– It’s fine, it’s fine. Making cakes is quite the labor, so if we keep making them, there won’t be time for me to get fat.
– Yup. I agree with you.
– By opening the store with you and getting to help you, I understood very well…
– Hmm? What?
– How tiring it is to make them, the cakes that you have baked for me. Now, I’m slowly coming to…
– G-gee〜〜〜z. You’re so fo〜rmal. If it’s for Moroha, then I can do anything.
– Thanks. Again. Satsuki…
– Moroha…
– Let’s go back to our everyday lives.
– Moroha… ♥.
――In what state am I!?
This wasn’t just a virtual image made from Satsuki’s convenient desires, actually, if it was Moroha, he would say this was reality! Don’t let anyone say you’re a deluded girl!
She could have such a realistic imagination because she simulated it in her brain over and over and over and over and over again.
And if she could run a coffee shop with Moroha at the school festival, then bittersweet exchanges should amount to 80% even if what she was told wasn’t something like this.
She should be able to simulate the dream she gave up since she was aiming to be a Savior.
Ho〜w m〜uch w〜as sh〜e looking forward to it!?
How much had she been looking forward to the day, which was today, and that became the first step, since the coffee shop was decided?
– And yet, why, why is this happeniiiiiing!?
Satsuki screamed with tears in her eyes. At the same time, she swung her small sword.
With anger, and putting aaaaaaaaall her prana into it, she released it immediately.
A shining, golden long sword wind blew violently, mowing down the shelves in the basement food section.
The advanced Light Technique Jupiter was used by only a few users at the Akane Academy.
At any rate, for Satsuki, who gave off an overpowered feeling, attacking by putting a lot of prana into the sword was surprisingly an easy performance.
Perhaps one should say that it suited her?
The wind of destruction mowed down two, three food shelves on its way and made a hideous gaseous Golem explode.
– *Panting*… *Panting* … I wonder how many of them are now…
– 10 or so. Congrats, I rounded the number.
Shizuno, who was immediately protected by Satsuki, applauded without putting effort into it.
– By the way, what about you?
– Do I lie face down for Ranjou-san’s honor? I’m a graceful person after all.
– You say so cleverly. I don’t know any other woman who’s as shameless as you.
As they cracked jokes with each other, Satsuki sincerely thanked Shizuno.
They were suddenly attacked while shopping in the basement food section, a large quantity of《Golems》 appeared one after another. If they had been alone and had fallen into panic, they probably would have lost heart.
Yes, until just a few minutes ago, Satsuki was happily shopping with every one of Strikers.
Originally, Moroha was supposed to come too, so the shopping group candidates were all girls.
Unfortunately, being the case that Moroha couldn’t come, she was fully enjoying this girls-only gathering mood while speaking in high spirits.
Satsuki was disappointed at first, but she was gradually drawn into the mood around her.
When a disquieting presence wandered around, Shizuno, who was the only one looking sleepy, swiftly stood straight.
– Don’t you hear a strange sound? Like the sound of a bell…
She began to say interesting things like that.
When they noticed, the customers other than themselves had disappeared in the food section.
It was an impossible thing, they couldn’t even see the clerks.
Once they gathered everyone, and the very moment when they started discussing what was happening――
– So you came. You’re just young girls, aren’t cha? I got the unlucky number, huh.
They could hear the voice of an infinitely cheerful man, who, contrary to his words, didn’t have a troubled appearance at all.
– The report seems to be accurate, we shall be careful of spies later.
They could hear a calm, handsome and yet somewhat cold voice of a man resounding there.
When they noticed, a really suspicious-looking duo stood there.
One of them was a middle-aged man with an unpleasant look who went beyond handsome and who applied perfume on himself.
The other man was a young black man with bottomless feelings who smiled gently but his eyes didn’t smile at all.
Both were smartly dressed up in black suits and had sabers hanging on their waists.
– What do we do? I feel ashamed for having to be violent with girls.
– You do have a point. By the way, young ladies. Will your representative welcome us?
The two men began to say selfish things.
The gazes of Satsuki and all the members were gathering at Haruka, the oldest regular member.
Haruka reluctantly dealt with the two people as her cheeks stiffened.
The unpleasant-looking middle-aged man gave his name as he applied perfume on him.
– I’m Dario Veratti. A knight of France’s『Cradle of the Sun』. My court rank is Le Gaz*. And this one is Blaise-chan Renaji Deux*.
*TN: First one means gas and it’s the furigana reading for Gas = 1 and the other one in katakana is “レナージ” and like a previous term, I don’t know how to translate it because it forms a French word I don’t know. It’s the furigana reading for Force = 2.
Most of the girls, including Satsuki, didn’t know who they were, but Shizuno’s body was stiff.
She pushed Haruka aside who had just been decided as the representative,
– What’s the business of two high-ranked knights of《Les Éléments》in the distant Japan? As you said, Moroha isn’t here, is he?
She was careful, but she asked, throwing out her chest as if to not be treated with contempt.
Then the young black man Blaise showed a gentle smile,
– Will anyone of you come to France with us? Just two or three of you will do. The rest of you can go home. We by no means want to discomfort you. If you wish, it won’t be a problem for you to shop as much as you want at the Bercy Village or dine at the Le Jules Verne while admiring the spectacular night view. We will escort you all.
– What the? Is that an invitation for a date?
– Are you a travel agent or something?
Together with Shizuno being sarcastic, Blaise smiled and Dario just seemed to be interested.
That made made Satsuki understand that these two were truly dangerous.
– We can really go home later?
Haruka signaled with her eyes while reminding that to Blaise and Dario, and Satsuki and Shizuno supported her by nodding.
– We only want to summon Haimurchan to Paris, that’s our only objective.
– We dislike useless fights.
Both Dario and Blaise didn’t seem to be small fries telling absurd lies――they replied back to most of the shopping group――while being more or less cautious. The girls were all reserve corps members with no fighting experience.
– We’ll return and bring reinforcements!
They parted from them, waving their hands to the girls who promised so with crying faces.
The ones who remained were Satsuki, Shizuno and Haruka, those three.
– Will you kindly come with us?
– Absolutely NOT!
– We’d rather bite our tongues than making Moroha have unwilling thoughts because of us.
– I-I’m not so determined to go that far, but I’m not going to accept your incomprehensible demand!
Dario and Blaise looked at each other’s face and lamented each response of the three being different from the other two.
– You’re unreasonable but vigorous girls――
– Will you please surrender before you die?
They pulled out the sabers from the scabbards and let the Golems manifest.
And so, the battle between the trio of Satsuki, Shizuno and Haruka and the pair of Golem users started.
– These thiiiiiiiiiiings! They’re endleeeeeeeesss!
Satsuki instantly glared at the consolidating 11th and 12th Gas Golems while blowing them away with Jupiter.
Dario, who was hidden behind the mowed down food shelves, raised both hands with dramatic movements.
– How many of your gas monsters are there!?
– Ah. Who knows? I don’t remember well.
Dario shrugged his shoulders without appearing to be making fun of him.
– I’m quickly losing interest. I’m in high spirits and I’m trying to make incredible Golems similar to everyone, but every time I sacrifice them on the way. It’s really lamentable when I realize that.
– You can manifest this quantity of Golems at the same time, but the amount of mana is somewhat terrifying, isn’t it?
– Hehe. It’s not so bad to be praised by beautiful wom――ah, ooooops.
Shizuno, who had a ruthless look in her eyes, fired White Breath without chanting and Dario rapidly ran away.
He hid in other food shelves again.
– Urushibara, I’ll go after him!
– Wait. Your priority is to protect me.
– Guggggggg, they’re endlee〜sss.
– Don’t lose your focus, Satsukii!
Satsuki, who heard the scolding of Haruka from above, was startled.
When she looked up, feeling a killing intent, a Black Panther《Golem》 kicked the ceiling and attacked, making sure to leap. The Panther Golem itself, which was as fast as a flash, electrified its whole body while making sparks split open.
– *Eeek*
– Fight like it were a practice, you idiot.
Sponsored Content
Haruka, who could fly like a swallow in flight, kicked it flying from the side, changing the trajectory of the Panther Golem’s attack.
– I love you, Momo-senpai ♥.
– I don’t need your love, and be reliable. Do you think Shizuno and I can do it alone!?
Haruka landed while nagging, but she grimaced and kneeled down on one knee.
That foot that kicked flying the《Golem》 moments ago.
Satsuki was taken aback.
She directly kicked the always electrified Panther Golem, but she received an electric shock.
– are you okay!?
The legs were indispensable for the speed specialized-type Haruka.
Satsuki tried to ran up to her, but she was held back by Haruka with one of her hands.
– You must protect Shizuno. I’ll never be brought down that fast.
Saying so, Haruka kicked the ground and charged while grimacing again.
She wasn’t okay at all. That was merely a bluff.
Haruka slashed the Panther Golem that dodged the continuous firing of Shizuno’s White Breath and performed a three-dimensional high speed battle combined with aerial combat.
However, her mobility had clearly dropped.
If they were on par before, now the Panther Golem was superior.
In entangled-like high speed battles, where up and down, left and right were interlaced, Satsuki had no chance to keep up with Shizuno.
They had no choice but to bring down Haruka one-to-one.
However, Dario’s judgment said otherwise.
When he saw that the Panther Golem had the advantage, he made all the Golems that were continuously attacking Satsuki and Haruka rush to Haruka.
– Don’t underestimate me! I’m not going to be killed by these dolts!
This time, it wasn’t a bluff, and despite having her mobility somewhat reduced, there was no signs of Haruka getting hit by the number of Gas Golems that went rushing.
But――
– Now, Blaise-chan!
To respond to Dario’s cry from somewhere, the Panther Golem discharged the electricity from its whole body. A three-meter square area was pierced by lightning spears, and Haruka wouldn’t dodge this area attack.
Moreover! The Gas Golems showered with these lightning strikes triggered explosions one after another.
The explosions happened in succession, shocks enveloped, scattered and danced. Fine particles hung over.
Haruka’s petite body disappeared in that vortex.
– Momo-senpai!
Satsuki forgot herself and went to save her.
The running momentum created wind, blowing away the fine particles, and arrived at Haruka who collapsed on the floor.
– U… uuh…
She was still alive!
But she lost consciousness.
The Black《Golem》, which was no longer electrified, was aiming at Haruka like a hyena.
– I won’t let you!
Satsuki put all her strength into her kicking feet and sped up noticeably.
One of the seven derived techniques of Godlike Movement, the walking method named after the sixth star of Hokuto.
The absolutely straight Bukyoku that added speed and power to forcibly accelerate.
The Panther Golem had its attention caught by Haruka, so when it noticed her movement, it was already too late.
She turned her whole body into a cannonball and hit it hard from the collar with all her strength.
She planned to sacrifice stamina for speed――? The Golem shattered like splinters.
On the other hand――
As a result of Satsuki rushing out all of a sudden, nobody was next to Shizuno.
Her physical ability was the same as of an ordinary person, while she had offensive arts by means of Dark Arts, there was almost no skill to protect herself, so the Kuroma Shizuno was left behind.
There, the gentle voice of Blaise was heard.
– You finally lowered your guard.
From within the shadows――that stretched on the floor from the safe food shelves, the man’s head emerged all of a sudden and crawled out of it as he was.
– Is that your《The Origin》? “Shadow Lurker” Blaise-san?
– Oops, you knew my nickname? It is not so simple to introduce myself, is it?
– It isn’t, but it’s not that you aren’t cautious, but more like that old man who seems to be the careless one, yes?
– You have amazing powers of observation. Well, Dario, despite appearances, is a man with a certain skill. Although careless.
Blaise showed a tender smile and pulled out a knife from his breast pocket.
– Still, you’ve been checkmated.
He slowly and carefully approached.
Shizuno was not good at physical exercise.
She wasn’t good at all at unarmed martial arts.
Blaise, on the other hand, was a man, he seemed to have a bit of a toned body.
He was a master at manipulating knives.
– Am I going to be killed?
– No. I’ll just escort you to France?
– You’re a surprisingly good person, you know?
– If we overdo it too much, Charles-sama will later fall into self-hatred. He is a troublesome person after all.
– I see. That sounds like both of you have a master that is worth to work for.
A bit before she was caught by Blaise, Shizuno moved.
She took out the ID Tag from her bosom and ordered while pouring mana into it.
– Come――Dragon Staff Nargravitz.
A flash of light flashed and the ID Tag changed its shape.
And transformed into a dragon made of crystal, ice and cold.
– A Golem!
By the time when Blaise shouted, the loyal ice dragon had ascertained the enemy of its master and automatically swooped down on him.
– I’m the one getting checkmated!?
Blaise got his trunk bitten and became pale from the fear and extremely low temperature that attacked him.
Yes――
She had a Golem but hid it on purpose, the victory of Shizuno started when letting Satsuki protect her. She completely read through him the moment Haruka got her leg hurt in the middle of this until this stage.
(I will have to apologize to Momochi-senpai who acted as a decoy later)
The ruthless and cold-hearted witch of hell wasn’t against making small sacrifices for her master.
Due to the sudden drop in his body temperature, Blaise lost consciousness as if falling asleep.
Nargravitz opened its mouth and carelessly threw it away.
Dario remained alone, but――
(Ara, a phone call? From Maysan?)
Shizuno’s smartphone rang, she answered the phone.
『Moroha is in a pinch nanodesu!』
Shizuno’s spine got chilly with the opening cry.
– Explain in detail and quickly.
She asked with a trembling voice.
『His sword has been broken by PSG desu! He is an opponent that cannot be defeated in a Dark Arts battle!』
– Got it.
If Maya’s report was true, then Shizuno had to decide fast.
Someone had to deliver a replacement ID Tag to Moroha.
– Ranjou-san!
Calling her desperately, Satsuki was coming back all sweaty, holding Haruka in her arms.
– Sorry. I left you alone… Ah, when did you knock him down!? What’s that cool dragon!?
She ignored that nonsense,
– Moroha is in danger. You go. Call Maysan for the location and details.
She really wanted to go, but since she was unable to use Godlike Movement, it couldn’t be helped.
With an overwhelming sorrow, she had no choice but to leave this matter with Satsuki.
– B-but what are you going to do!? That old man still remains, you know?
Satsuki objected while alternately seeing Blaise who lay down and the face of Shizuno.
– If it’s a one-on-one, then I’m not going to lose, am I?
– Th-that opponent is very skillful, isn’t he?
– Who do you think I am?
Shizuno told the unreasonable Satsuki with a voice that even included anger.
She was the only woman who was allowed to stand next to the worst Demon King who was feared as the enemy of the world.
Satsuki didn’t know her circumstances, but nodded as if she was overawed.
– You don’t seem to get the situation, but that Moroha is in danger, you know? I’m saying that you rushing there is the safest choice, nothing else. Are you actually taking that into account?
– T-that’s what it seems you’re trying to say.
– You want to stand next to Moroha, don’t you? If so――be more dependable.
Moroha had two sides to stand「next to」: left and right.
One of those would never be given to anyone, but the other one could be trusted to Satsuki.
– I… I’ll do my best! Thank you, Urushibara! Thank you very much!
When Shizuno was entrusted with Haruka, Satsuki rushed out in high spirits.
– You two, be absolutely safe!
She looked back one last time.
She herself was in danger, and yet, she even left her noisy words with her.
After Shizuno followed her with her eyes until she was gone, saying nothing,
– It really helped me that you have waited. And for letting her go without saying anything. I think you can take this as my thanks, more or less?
She said to the invisible enemy as she lay down Haruka on the floor.
Accompanied by her ice dragon, she put herself on guard to start a Dark Arts battle at any time.
– Don’t mention it. I may look like this, but I’m a knight and it’s my rule to be kind to women.
Dario, who was hiding behind the food shelves, turned up, leading countless Gas Golems.
– But, are you really being serious? Do you think you can beat me in alone?
– Who knows? To be honest, I don’t have that much confidence in myself. I went through a bitter experience once before.
Sponsored Content
She prayed that this man wasn’t a monster like Leshya.
– But is there something that can be done? A dear person told me he entrusted this place to me. And that dear person is caught in a dilemma. Both of us had no choice but to take that.
– You are risking your life for the man you fell in love? Ojou-chan, you are an incredibly good woman, you know?
The dandy winked while applying perfume on himself.
– If we had met sooner, would I have had a chance?
– No chance at all.
Shizuno rejected him flatly.
– Because, even before I was born, he was the person I set my heart on.
For that man, she would challenge one of the best French magicians to a battle.
Shizuno, who was told she was risking her life, smiled graciously.
Isurugi Jin tried to stand up with all his strength while tasting the asphalt ground.
However, even now, his body wasn’t doing as it was told.
It wouldn’t move, it twitched while still lying down. His body was heavy. He stared fixedly at the front with just eye movements.
Zlatan, who looked like a demon in helm and armor, was running to finish him off.
Judged from the sense of time and dynamic vision of a Shirogane, it was a heavy and slow charge as if a fly came to a stop.
But a rumbling in the ground occurred with every step, shaking the whole body of Isurugi who went down on his hands and knees, pressing his sense of impatience.
If he weren’t to stand up fast, he would be done for.
If he weren’t to stand up fast, he wouldn’t be able to go and help everyone.
Together with that, the fate of his companions weighed heavily on both shoulders of Isurugi.
He clenched his teeth one more time as blood overflowed from his mouth.
With his head running out of blood――Isurugi suddenly realized.
He looked at his right shoulder just with an eye movement.
And looked at his left shoulder.
Then, in his consciousness, he threw and cleared away what was weighing on them.
His body became a bit lighter.
(I’m sorry, everyone. But, these are my honest feelings)
He lifted up his scrawny cheeks.
The face of the captain of Strikers fell away, revealing the true nature of Isurugi who resembled a wild beast.
He noticed.
This had nothing to do with fighting to help his companions.
So, his companions, he drove them away from his head for a moment.
He stared forward, with eye movements only.
Beyond the muscular male opponent――far, far away.
He gazed at the back of Haimura Moroha, the illusion created by Isurugi’s head, seen there.
(Yeah, there. I want to go there)
He firmly gripped the ground with both arms.
Filled with strength for the first time, he slowly raised his still heavy body.
Only his upper body rose.
– Wow! You received my blow but you still stand! That’s impressive!
He heard a noise.
Actually, it was a nuisance. That giant body.
It obstructed him, it didn’t let him see the back of Moroha.
There was just only one way to chase Moroha’s back, avoiding that hindrance.
Recently, instead of polishing just 5 Star Techniques such as Jupiter and Mars, the practice of Godlike Movement became interesting.
It was one of its seven derived works――but out of the three times he used that, only once was a success.
(One in three? That’s not something that can be simply used in combat, is it?)
If he failed, certain death would be waiting for him.
(But, that’s enough)
Those were his honest feelings now.
Light, light.
My life is somewhat light.*
*TN: This sentence is constructed like this: The life of such an ordinary man is light somehow.
Why was that when he tried to reach that monster, he squeezed the whole dice at every fighting scene but didn’t have the resolution to turn away and throw it?*
*TN: monster is the furigana reading for Moroha.
When he took that decision, his body became even lighter.
Isurugi slowly raised his right knee.
From there, he picked up his sword with his right hand, stored it to the side and prepared for the art of sword drawing.
– Wow! You’re coming at me? Bring it on, let’s clash head-on this time!
He heard a noise again.
Isurugi talked to himself.
– Let’s go. To kill God who gave birth to me with such incompetence.
And, he ran.
No――he disappeared.
The 190cm tall figure disappeared suddenly.
He stood far beyond the opposite side of Zlatan.
An unnatural movement as if cutting off and connecting frames of a movie.
The walking method Shukuchi was also called a secret.
Ancestral Arts’ Light Technique Hagun.
– What did you do?
Zlatan said, looking puzzled.
He understood that the act just now that felt like teleportation was amazing, but Isurugi, who was before him, just teleported behind him, so how did he do it? He was curious.
– Hagun is just seen as a phenomenon, like a teleportation, and not an actual leap in space. I can’t go beyond walls, so I just ran horizontally past from behind you at a speed you wouldn’t see me.
When Isurugi drew his sword, blood flew all over.
– While I’m at it, I’ll kill all those who get in my way.
– I understand you less and less.
Zlatan turned around to Isurugi.
Only his upper body.
His side of the torso was cut in half, the upper and lower body were misaligned.
– Huh…? Wh…? Is…?
The pain and hemorrhage came too late.
Zlatan opened his eyes wide.
His giant body collapsed as if sinking.
Isurugi felt a roaring sound and a tremor on his back.
There was no need to learn physics that speed was power.
The faster an object moved, the greater the impact when it hit something.
If that was true?
Since he cut him off, moving at a speed that was invisible to the eye, then how powerful was that? Isurugi transformed magic speed into cutting power by incorporating the art of sword drawing into the way of Shukuchi.
Swift Wind Jupiter. Thunderclap Mars.
And, Quick Hagun.
*TN: Please notice that all the adjectives for the abilities mentioned above include the Kanji “Jin” which is Jin’s given name.
Although it was incomplete, this was the third trump card of Isurugi Jin.
– I give up. It is my defeat.
Zlatan took off the Golem he had put on and lay down on the asphalt, in a dai (大) shape.
He connected his side that was torn off with Healing the Scars.
– I don’t mind losing. The strongest and the strongest collided head-on, it was a match worthy of being called magnificent. Allow me to thank you.
Isurugi replied as he turned his back on the praise of the first knight of《Les Éléments》.
– Sorry. I don’t care.
He walked away, without ever looking back.
He made something ridiculous: he cut off the Golem with an extreme hardness at a speed beyond perception, and yet, he replaced a cane with his pride, his sharp sword that had no cracks.
He could throw an explosive dice here, but he hadn’t a single rib safe.
His face came back to being the face of the captain of Strikers and made a phone call with his mobile phone.
– Haneda? I’m sorry. I won’t be able to head there for the moment. Rely on other reinforcements, please.
He hung up while wishing good luck and safety to his companions.
He dragged his body forward and forward, with his sword as a cane.
– Right… Haimurkun is far away…
Until merely 30 minutes ago, this wasn’t hell at all.
Rather, they were in the opposite side, in front of God, everyone was having fun and making noises….
But now, the inside of the chapel had turned into a disastrous scene that could only be called hell.
His companions just lay down, forming heaps of corpses everywhere, there was no place not being wet with fresh blood.
Taketsuru couldn’t afford to check whether they were alive or dead.
Right in front of him, there was a repulsive and strange appearance as if it had crawled out of the marsh of the realm of the dead.
A Slime Golem created by a high-ranked knight of《Les Éléments》.
*TN: Slime Golem is the furigana reading for “life that is not in this world”.
Behind it ――its master, another Rank-A Kuroma, was encamping at the entrance.
Compared with her, his fighting power was terrible.
Only two people remained.
Taketsuru, dripping with seat, kept attacking crudely, dealing with and dodging the attacks of the Golem with a technique he put on his body, he was still standing somehow.
This didn’t mean that the chances to win would be there just by being alive.
Moroha couldn’t come. Émilienne said so.
*TN: Émilienne is the furigana reading for soaked woman.
Isurugi couldn’t come. Haneda contacted him before he collapsed.
Despair.
– What are you doing, Uisuke!?
Taketsuru came to his senses with the sharp scolding voice of Manako.
He succumbed to despair as if his heart was painted over with it, he was dumbfounded for a moment.
The Golem wouldn’t overlook that chance.
It reacted in an instant and stretched out its liquid tentacles with a bug-like cold killing intent.
It twisted the tip of the tentacles, turned them sharp like a spear and aimed at the abdomen of Taketsuru.
He couldn’t afford to prevent it anymore.
– Don’t give up, you baka!
The sharp scold of Manako came flying.
Together with her fist.
Taketsuru was knocked down, the tentacle spears missed the mark.
Instead, they pierced Manako’s abdomen.
Manako, an expert of Clairvoyance, and who secretly told Taketsuru she could see the movements of Moroha and Haruka in slow motion, and who was completely unhurt until just now, tragically sprayed blood.
– I’m not going to give up…
Manako wasn’t going to fall down even while shedding blood from the corners of her mouth.
Since they returned to liquid, she cleared away the tip of the tentacles and kept squaring off against the Slime Golem while healing her pierced abdomen with Naikatsutsuu.
The Golem turned countless tentacles into spears and stretched them out, but she cleared them away altogether.
Taketsuru finally recovered from the shock of the punch, raised only his upper body and looked at the brave figure of Manako.
– You’re a Savior, aren’t you?
Manako’s knees were falling and losing strength.
Her abdomen that got pierced was showing effect.
– While I’m not going to wait to be saved, it will be a lie unless you save me!
Manako straightened her knees with determination, and recovered her posture.
But she reacted a little too late to deal with the tentacles and one of the countless ones pierced her right thigh.
Without being able to stand, she sat down on the floor right where she was, making a sound as she hit the floor.
– Manchan!
Other three tentacles pierced Manako in front of Taketsuru who stretched his hand, jumping up.
Taketsuru desperately caught the upper body of Manako who slowly fell down in front of him and embraced her in his arms.
– Manchan!
– Don’t let out a pitiable voice like that. You’re a Savior, aren’t you?
Her proud eyes had become blank, she already saw nothing.
– Stand up fast, defeat those two and save everyone.
– I’m not like Haimura… so don’t say that….
– I truly like that about him. He’s so cool.
– Don’t praise… other guys… in front of your boyfriend…
– But, you know――
Manako said with a voice as if squeezing it out to the end.
I want Uisuke to save me――
She certainly said so and closed her eyes.
She just used up all her strength and lost consciousness.
She wasn’t dead yet. The brilliance of her prana was still there, her body was still warm.
Saviors didn’t seem to die so easily.
But, if she were to be attacked again, one more time, she would certainly die.
Taketsuru raised his heavy chin and faced forward.
The Golem, for some reason, was in a globe shape, in a state of rest.
Beyond that, Émilienne was crying.
– Wh-whyyyyy. Why is this so touchiiiiing? I’m already, already moved to teeears. I am sorry, my lacrimal glands are looooose.
Taketsuru absolutely came to understand this woman.
– But you killed us, didn’t you?
– I’m sorry for being a terrible woman, I am sorryyyy. But I’ll give you tiiime, so please continue your final fareweeeell.
However, he was not going to follow Émilienne’s recommendation.
Taketsuru looked at Manako’s face in his arms.
He caressed her cheeks that were losing life slowly.
– Sorry.
He muttered a single word.
– Yeeees? I am sorryyyyy, did you say somethiiing?
Émilienne seemed to be apologetic, but he didn’t talk to her.
– Sorry.
He muttered once again, enduring the tears.
– Why are you apologiziiing? More importantlyyy, I think your girlfriend will be more pleased with words of looove. I am sorry for the impertinent remaaaark.
– Sorry, Manchan. I’m not a Savior.
He knew she didn’t hear him anymore,
And while being self-conscious of his cowardice,
Taketsuru whispered.
– I was a filthy assassin in the past. I had no courage to disobey scary guys, I killed as much I was told, I got my reward and drank alcohol with it. I was a piece of trash, forgetting my dissatisfaction was my only pleasure.
It was said that there were many other previous-life holders like Taketsuru.
But nobody would say that. That was secretly decided in advance.
And, it was said that all the “violent criminals” disliked so much the memories of their previous lives showed off in their dreams that they suppressed them to not show them unconsciously.
Taketsuru was like that.
– Someone like me, being a Savior, how ridiculous. It makes me laugh.
He tried to laugh, but his dried and hoarse voice didn’t come out well.
– But I could reincarnate. In a true sense, I wanted to be born again.
So, he did a tremendous effort while dripping with sweat.
– It’s wonderful to be strong to save someone. It’s wonderful to not kill people anymore.
What kind of difficult efforts was he able to put up with?
He imposed himself to live seriously.
He continued averting his gaze from his true self.
– I also was a guy who wanted to be like Haimura.
I affirm that I’m not a《Savior》, and yet, I save more people than anyone.
– But that’s impossible. I can’t be a Savior. I can only be a filthy assassin. At last, I could take a decision. I’m sorry it took so long. I’m sorry for betraying Manchan’s expectations.
Sorry. Sorry. Sorry.
Without being able to endure the tears that welled up anymore, Taketsuru apologized while shedding a sea of tears.
He turned around one more time while apologizing.
– I feel sorry for you.
– Come agaaain? For me too, you sayyyy? I am sorryyy, but I don’t get the meaning of thaaaat.
– You’ll die. If you don’t, Manchan will die. Sorry.
– Ummmmm. I really can’t understand the meaning of thaaat. I am sorry for being impoliiiite, but how are you going to kill meeee? The difference in strength is evideeeent. Even now, the brilliance of your prana is getting weaker and weaker, riiiight?
– That’s right. Right now, my prana is watering down and spreading in this whole area.
– Hmmmmmm. You’re clever, aren’t youuuu? But, what’s with iiit?
Émilienne, who tilted her head to the side――suddenly began to vomit blood out in that same posture.
– Whaaaat…?
Fresh blood overflowed from her mouth while being overcome with surprise, she the ground with splashes.
– I’ve transformed my prana into a thread which you have fully inhaled into your lungs. It can cut and it’s stronger than a piano wire. That’s my Mars. The form of my soul.
– *Gurgling* *Gurgling* *Gurgling* *Gurgling* *Gurgling*――
Émilienne crouched where she was and scratched off her chest, lying on her back, without enduring it, writhing in pain.
– It hurts, right? Sorry. Dark Arts healing can’t heal internal organs right away. Sorry. So, die fast to be at peace. Sorry. I’m sorry for using such a terrible technique. But there was no other way. Sorry. I’m weak, you see. And you’re way too strong. I can’t go easy on you. Sorry…
The only thing that Taketsuru could do was to apologize.
His eyes and Émilienne’s eyes seen through the openings of her long hair met.
Her eyes were appealing.
“I apologize, so please, save my life only”
She wasn’t being insincere, she literally apologized with utmost effort.
In response to that, Taketsuru――
– You’re too scary. I’m a coward. I don’t have the courage to stop here. Sorry.
He refused as he apologized.
– I’m truly… sorry.
The eyes of Émilienne were dyed with fear, as if she had seen something horrible.
Immediately after, he swiftly turned around, his eyes widened.
– Eh…?
– Stop there, Taketsuru-kun. And I apologize for being late.
He kept looking at Émilienne this whole time, and yet.
He contemplated the killer for the first time, trying to burn her into his memory, and yet.
In what moment did he stand there?
– The teachers will take care of this, so cancel your Mars please.
Tanaka Tarou, a First Year Class Teacher at Akane Academy, put his hands on Émilienne’s chest and made her swoon with Saturn.
– You did it nicely. Tough you certainly had it difficult. You were brave indeed. It’s alright, everyone was saved, so don’t brace yourself that much.
Taketsuru nodded many times with a confused-looking face and returned the steel thread that turned Émilienne’s lungs into shreds back to just prana.
The thread of tension was also cut and dropped his cheek on Manako’s head held in his arms.
– You surprised me. I thought quite back then that we were of a similar type, but you were really in the same side as me.
Naturally, he failed to hear Tanaka’s whisper…
He brought his cheek near Manako’s head and felt relieved that she could survive at least.
– Ensure safety! Teachers, we rely on you!
Other teachers rushed into the chapel with Tanaka’s signal, it became busy all of a sudden.
– Oh my! There’s a Golem of『Cradle of The Sun』and it’s waiting orders!
– Hmmm, quite the unique sample. Unlike normal ones, the rumor saying that it won’t protect its master without orders was true.
– It doesn’t have an auto defense function, though it can be used for attack and exploration…
– I hope it’s worth the research.
– Teachers! The treatment of students goes before research!
– I-I-I apologize for that, school principal.
Even the school principal herself came to do healing while leading the group.
Tanaka, who was a Shirogane, had no healing abilities, so he watched the surroundings.
Taketsuru addressed Tanaka.
– Sensei…. I, was about to kill, a person…
He confessed while hugging Manako closely as if clinging to her.
Tanaka said nothing for a moment.
He took off his unfashionable black rimmed glasses and cleaned them with a handkerchief.
While doing so,
– Taketsuru-kun wanted to kill her for his own benefit and pleasure?
– No… That’s…
– You did the best you could to save Souysan. At least, with that thought and will, nobody can criticize you. I assure you.
Tanaka was a middle-aged teacher who was like a company employee with no mien and with his hair parted on one side.
Despite that, Taketsuru had fallen into an illusion in which he was having a conversation with a battle-experienced veteran now.
– I think so. The righteousness of a Savior is no more than a thought. This isn’t a manga, there are no absolute good escape routes. Keep wondering to yourself your own righteousness. That’s also a study that should be learned at Akane.
Tanaka put on his unfashionable glasses.
He squatted to match Taketsuru’s gaze.
– You can do it. Your teacher believes in you.
No matter how one looked at him, he only looked like an ordinary teacher.
But the hand on his shoulder was warm.
He felt he was saved.
There was someone glaring at the teachers as they rushed into the church and aided the students like he regretted it bitterly.
A man with drooping eyes and a face that was the very picture of arrogance.
– Your face is the only joke here, Émilienne! You have the nerve to be defeated by these brats!?
He looked down from the rooftop of an apartment building, clicking his tongue many times.
Charon Menes, a high-ranked knight of《Les Éléments》.
Originally, the plan was to attack the church together with Émilienne.
However, when working out how to do it, their opinions diverged.
Charon’s opinion was,
– We mercilessly launch a surprise attack, while the damn brats are confused, we challenge them with all that we have and massacre them one-sidedly while showing off the difference in power and status.
That was a very natural thing.
Émilienne’s opinion was,
– I’m not going to do a childish thing of that leveeel. I think that just making them experience great fear even if it doesn’t take their lives is enooough. But it can’t be helped if I ended up killing them for using too much foooorce.
That was a half-hearted thing.
Since Émilienne didn’t yield to his opinion because she was a stupid obstinate person, Charon wasn’t going to give up or bet the noble blood flowing inside him.
Yes, Charon was a magician with a conservative ideology, he admired and served Charles who had a more precious blood and strength than him, however, he had never thought of Émilienne and the others as his colleagues.
He just feigned they were companions, controlling himself in front of Charles.
– Be glad that you followed me, who has lineage, social status, abilities, everything!
Charon spat towards the church while cursing.
Now, he made a 《Golem》 stand by above him.
A Phantom Golem made with evil spirits and ghosts as catalysts.
Blending the mysterious presences of the land, the golem was now ready to show all its power.
Its ability was guaranteed in proportion to the time it took to make use of it.
It was different from the ditchwater that Émilienne manipulated.
The jet-black evil man who kneaded and hardened every conceivable malice and hatred into a human form eagerly waited for the moment he could release his killing intent as much as he wanted.
– Do you get it? I’ll annihilate those guy over there. Waiting for that immigrant kid to be with Charles-sama is unbearable. This is a good opportunity, so I’ll murder you together with these brats.
Charles may be sad for a moment for losing a close aide, but he should forget about you soon.
Charon, who arbitrarily decided so, lifted the corners of his mouth and raised his right hand.
If he swung it downward, his loyal《Golem》 would storm the church, scatter death and destruction and completely kill those who were inside.
The brats, who thought they had gone from hell to heaven, barely escaping alive, would be thrown into hell one more time. He enjoyed it so much just by imagining it.
Here it goes, Charon brought his right hand down and――
– Hello? Can you hear me, Shimon Maya? I kept you waiting. I’ve finally found the fifth person.
The voice that he heard all of a sudden from behind surprised and stiffened him.
– Wha〜t i〜si〜t?
He turned around, raising his drooped eyebrows watered down by a cheerful mood.
A girl who wore the uniform of Akane Academy and with a sword in hand came towards him with her mobile phone held on her hear.
(A brat of my level! She crept, erasing all her presence. She did surprise me!)
He grimaced with hatred, but the girl saw that,
– I remember his characterless face. His name, if I remember correctly, was Charon. He’s definitely a high-ranked knight and a close aide of PSG.
She reported to the other person on the phone with a machine-like tone of voice.
Charon’s temple trembled short and repeatedly.
– Hey… brat? Are you aware… of what you’re doing… right now? Huh? How much have you been following me, the Raam Deux of the splendid『Cradle of the Sun』!? Even if I kill you and violate you 100 times like a toy, my demonic Golem will still have something to offer, do you get that, how insulting that is? Hey?
*TN: Raam deux is the furigana reading for Spirit = 2.
Charon opened his eyes wide and threatened her.
He decided.
As for this brat, he decided he would tease her to make her regret her insulting words and kill her after making her cry and shout.
He decided to not forgive her, even if she begged forgiveness, going down on her hands and knees.
– Here I go!
Charon swung downward the hand in the air towards the silver-haired girl.
– Tell me how it feels to have even your myelencephalon violated to exhaustion by my cute evil spirits!
He soothed and humored his insulted anger with a sadistic excitement and laughed loudly, drooling saliva.
This brat didn’t know what kind of torment would suffer now.
The girl said with an emotionless voice while putting away the mobile phone.
– Cute evil spirits? Where are they?
– Huh…?
Charon couldn’t understand what he was told.
They’re there! Look u――nope. Actually, there was no Golem there.
It had completely disappeared.
– Huuuuuuh!? The joke is in your face!?
Charon was confused, he cursed to no one in particular and glared at the girl.
– Damn you!? What type of poor and boring trick did you use?
When he looked at the sword of the girl very closely.
That sword, which had a really suggestive and sinister shape.
It was appropriate to call that aura as cursed sword.
– I’m sorry. That was a joke. My sword ate your cute evil spirits.
The girl quickly admitted her choice.
While combining it with an inexperienced and quite terrible joke.
– By the way, are you aware of what you’re doing right now? I fully enjoy my school life. I now love Akane Academy. Those who mess with it――are all my enemies.
The girl sharpened her gaze like a blade and slowly readied the cursed sword.
– S-shuuuut uuuuup! Silence! The only joke here is your face! Don’t get carried away because you neutralized the Golem! Eat my Dark Arts, throw out your internal organs and diiiieeee!
Charon turned his face deep red and began a spelling.
– You don’t know your enemy and you don’t know yourself, do you? What does a young bird chirp when it doesn’t discern or learn what a battlefield is? It chirps that it doesn’t know the place it will be hunted. That’s certainly the best joke there is.
Even though he witnessed the huge amount of mana the girl had, the girl paid no mind at all.
There weren’t many people in the world, like the Saviors, who could defeat “Man-eater”.