Volume 2
Chapter 9 Part
3
The Boy Wishes
Upon Bubbles, The Girl Dances Across the Skyway 3
Translator : PolterGlast
―Same time, in Kamotsu.
"What's
that?"
Attracted by the
uneasy surrounding commotion, Kuga Houri looked at the majestic sight spreading
in the western sky and was so shocked that he forgot to take command of the
sporadic battles.
The enemies who had
planned to take advantage of the commotion to raid the city, and even the
regular soldiers of the garrison, were rendered speechless by the unusual state
of the distant sky above them.
What they saw was the
radiance of spiritual power connecting heaven and earth.
"Spirit
technique, huh? ...... But something of that scale-."
Mikuriya Shishin, who
came to assist Houri, frowned at the scene he was looking at.
Even in the dark of
night, the distant sky was bathed in color, and the source of the phenomenon
was quite a distance from Kamotsu.
Despite the distance,
even the color of vermillion gold was reflected so clearly.
Without a doubt, it
exceeded the scale of what a single person could handle on his or her own.
Is that color really
vermillion gold?
The vermillion is more
translucent, the gold more opulent. The brilliance is like a phoenix flying
high in the sky.
If only one were to
praise that color, then,
"―Vermillion
gold."
"......
Pardon?"
"No, it's
nothing."
As he thought about
the meaning of the words that slipped out of his mouth unconsciously, Houri was
finally able to understand the hidden meaning behind it.
There is only one
deity in this world who can possess the brilliance of vermillion gold, and that
is the Great Divine Pillar of the Shumon Province.
In other words, that
radiance signified the arrival of Shuka in this world.
Originally, a being
who has ascended to the position of Divine Pillar cannot manifest itself in
this world.
This is because their
existence is so heavy that it distorts the balance of this world.
However, there is an
exception to this.
Using the dragon dens
as its substitute. If the divine pillar descends into this singular vessel
representing the rightful host, the divine pillar itself can wield its full
authority without destroying the world.
This is the origin of
[Aragamioroshi], a divine technique.
―Arawakamioroshi.
As far as Houri knows,
only two people in Shumon Province, Kihoin Shion and Kihoin Tsuguho, who have
inherited Kihoin's blood, can use this divine technique.
However, it is
confirmed that neither of them has ever set foot in Hasebe territory.
In other words, it is
someone other than them. And also,
―Someone who is personally trusted by Shuka is
exercising this power.
Like a revelation, the
boy who had shrunk next to Saki resurfaced in his memory.
The boy was so
mediocre that even his face left only a vague impression in his memory.
However, as he began
to understand the significance of his existence, a single term popped into his
mind.
Kanna-no-Mikura. This
term came to mind, and Houri felt a twitch in his cheeks at the thought of it.
Only the eight
families have the possibility of giving birth to a Kanna-no-Mikura.
If Kuga were to be
excluded, then the Rindou family would be the only possibility left in the
Shumon Province.
"...... That
bastard, Kozaburo. Did he know everything and still play the shamisen*1 to us?"
*1 An idiom meaning to mislead the other party by doing something out of
place.
"My Lord, you
seem to have an inkling about that brilliance.
―If you are willing, I, sincerely, would be happy to
discuss the matter with you."
Putting aside the
content of his sarcastic mutterings, the movement of his mouth seemed to have
reached his mind.
"It's nothing.
―Even if there is, it would be a situation that we
would not be able to handle."
However, Houri brushed
Shishin aside with a single word.
As long as
Kanna-no-Mikura was involved, there was no way he could arbitrarily leak
information to a mere old family from the Central Province.
Houri put his spirit
vessel in its scabbard and turned on his heel to head out of the main shrine,
leaving Shishin behind, who was still in a state of confusion.
He went to the back of
the battlefield, where bullets were still flying, and called for Minesatsu, the
captain of the garrison, who had been hiding and surviving the gunfire.
"How's the other
side holding up?"
"They're
troublesome.
―To be honest, I am surprised that their revolver would
be this troublesome."
They are easy to
handle and powerful enough to kill someone with a single shot if it hits the
wrong spot.
Moreover, these can be
covered to a certain extent by impromptu training.
They are powerful
enough to be used in a fight against humans.
The defenders were at
their wits' end, and the regular soldiers who engaged in the early phase of the
war suffered tremendous damage.
"Hmph. I assumed
it was foolish of them, but who could have thought? They sure are
persistent."
With a snort, Houri
turned his head toward the Torii Gate where the enemies were barricaded.
"My Lord, it's
dangerous!"
"Don't worry.
They're just a diversion.
Once we eliminate
these people and the ships offshore, we'll head for the Gennaji Temple."
"Huh? Gennaji
Temple?"
"I don't know how
they got the information, but judging from the direction of that brilliance,
that's what they're after.
When we get there, the
battle will probably be over, but we'll have to at least clean up the
mess."
"But we can't
ignore the guns they have.
Even with the divine
protection we have, they still have the potential to defeat our
guardians."
"I told you not
to worry about it. ―I'm not so senile as to let myself be left out in these
circumstances."
Amid the increasingly
intense barrage of bullets, he said these words and walked ahead with ease.
The spiritual power
that quietly swelled up gently surrounded Houri.
The fact that he, the
head of one of the eight families, was being left in the dark regarding the
details of Kamotsu's emergency situation irritated him, and he shouted out an
incantation with his violent emotions intact.
"Let's dance,
let's recite ― Kushi doko no owabari."
A moment later, in
Houri's hand lay a single wakizashi.
Its length is about 60
centimeters. It has a simple decoration, only a long cord attached to its back,
like a bird's tail, fluttering behind Houri.
The enemies' gunfire
became even more intense as Houri walked calmly straight toward them.
However, Houri did not
show any signs of impatience.
No matter how ignorant
he might be about pistols, he could roughly estimate their effective range
after so many battles in such a short period of time.
From a position at a
sufficient distance, Houri poised his sacred artifact in a calm manner in
Hassō-no-kamae stance.
There is no doubt that
the church knight who is the main suspect is packed in the Gennaji Temple.
If that is the case,
the enemies here are merely a diversion, a discarded pawn that Houri doesn't
need to be wary of.
He didn't know whether
the same thing would apply to the ship, but in any case, if the ship fell, it
would be the same no matter which one it would be.
"......In that
case, there's no need to hold back.
It will be a massacre.
Prostrate yourselves and present your heads to me."
Leaving a murmur in
its place, Houri's body disappeared.
The shock of this
incomprehensible phenomenon halted the movements of those standing there.
This opportunity would
not be overlooked. Flashes of flame split the night darkness and danced in
multiple layers, and each time, the enemies' bodies were slashed apart and flung
through the air.
A sound similar to
that of the Shō (笙 / a traditional
Japanese court music instrument) colored the darkness.
It was not even a few
moments later that the flashes of flame that danced together exterminated the
screams and the fleeing enemies.
――――――――――
"Vermillion
gold............"
Saki was also stunned
and fascinated by the scene.
The area that should
have been submerged in the azure divine realm was being repainted with such
brilliance from the very spot where Akira was standing.
It was truly a
reenactment of a myth, a scene where the gods were fighting each other.
There was nothing Saki
and the others could do about it.
The best they could do
was to stand in a corner and endure the divine power that was raging in the
air.
But Akira and
Benedetta were different.
The two, who were
permitted to stand in front of the struggle for world domination demonstrated
by the divine power, were confronting each other.
Behind Benedetta,
Ariadne sat on her throne.
Behind Akira, facing
her, stood a young girl with long, golden hair and eyes gleaming with blue
flames.
"It's been a
while, Ariadne.
I can see that you are
still as devious as ever."
"...... I don't
want to be told by you, Shuka-hime.
You seem to be
treating the Blessed Child, whom one cannot expect to obtain twice, very
roughly, don't you think?"
"Fufu. This one
is Kuro's fault, so it's beyond this Mistress' control.
―Well, everything's fine. He's with me now after
all."
"That is for the
Blessed Child to decide.
Only he who has been
granted true freedom in this life can be the miracle that holds the age of God
together."
"Is that why
you're so determined? But, just a moment ago.
You were rejected, no?
Why don't you just go home?"
As if to provoke her,
the young girl's delicate hands softly embraced Akira.
"...... No other
choice then. I'll show you my divine power and bring him home in triumph."
Perhaps incited by
Shuka's provocation, irritation flashed in Ariadne's eyes.
"Have you
forgotten? This land has already fallen into my divine domain.
Furthermore, you have
pledged not to touch this land.
No matter how you may
struggle, my victory will not be shaken."
"Of course. I remember
that very well."
At the end of the
exchange between the divine pillars, Shuka smiled with satisfaction.
Shuka's arms were
lifted off from Akira and swam softly in the air behind him.
The long hair
extending from Shuka's head was brushed away by the breeze, and in a single
movement, the night darkness was overwhelmed and driven away.
Flames rushed out.
The moment a strand of
Shuka's hair, which danced in the air and trailed over the ground, touched the
temple, it was transformed into a flame and spread the radiance of the sun in
the dawn over the world.
The five elements that
supported the world melted the azure splendor without resistance.
The divine energy of
vermilion and gold danced in the air, and without much pause, the world
regained its original form.
"How ......? The
divine pillar should not be able to break the covenant of inviolability, what
in the world did you do?"
Benedetta's question,
which she let slip in stupefied gibberish, was a natural one.
Divine pillars are
incapable of uttering falsehood.
Because for them, to
lie is tantamount to denying their own existence.
The weight of their
words is heavier than that of human beings, and a single word of God is equal
to an oath.
Even if the promise is
unfavorable, they cannot arbitrarily revoke it.
It is a privilege that
only humans have that words are only as light as the tip of their tongue.
Thus, the scheme
planned by Benedetta and the others was based on the premise that Shuka could
not interfere in this land.
Because even though
the covenant specified that the Wind Cave at Gennaji Temple belonged to
Baratush, it was in fact under Shuka's jurisdiction.
If Shuka were to
proceed with the rough act of repainting the divine domain, the victory would
surely be in Shuka's favor.
Now that the restraint
by the covenant had reduced to nothing, Benedetta's victory had become so far
away that it was impossible to even see where it was heading.
"I don't know
what you have been told.
This Mistress only
promised not to touch this land while the Pārijāta was being thrust into this
land.
After all, it would be
pulled out eventually.
In this world, no
matter what age, only humans will play with promises as they please."
"Kuh
............!!"
Facing the triumphant
Shuka, Benedetta braced herself.
Only the surroundings
centering on St. Ariadne's throne barely blocked the vermillion gold invasion,
but in the end, the output of the Blessed Child could not be matched by the
output of Miko's [Aragamioroshi], which is merely its imitation.
It took a lot of
trickery to get to this point, and the rivalry was based on a direct connection
between Vansuir and the dragon veins.
Benedetta, who had
retracted the pages that used to be Rakuyou Zakuro and were flying in the air
back into the scripture, stood in front of Ariadne to protect at least the
throne.
The divine attribute
characteristic of the scripture raises its output in proportion to the number
of sealed pages.
If the Rakuyo Zakuro
could be turned into sealed pages, she was prepared to expect that the output
she would attain would be more than adequate.
".......My
sincere gratitude."
Seeing this, Akira
opened his mouth.
"Thanks to you, I
got to know myself a little better."
"............ No.
I think it was your own strength that led you to this understanding.
I am merely a puny
human with meager ability, and the amount of assistance I could give Akira-sama
is trivial."
On the contrary, she
probably didn't expect to be thanked.
Realizing that it was
just a parting exchange, Benedetta smiled a little sadly after a brief blink of
eyes.
"...... Besides,
it troubles me that you think you've won. Akira-sama, have you forgotten that
your sacred artifact is now sealed within this scripture?
In order for you to
claim your victory, you need to strike a blow that will defeat me and repel the
divine domain of St. Ariadne, right?"
"........................"
Akira could not come
up with a counterargument to Benedetta's point.
As she pointed out,
once the Rakuyo Zakuro was sealed, there was no sufficient firepower in Akira's
hands to make a decisive move.
―Even so, Shuka's radiant smile blossomed into a broad
smile at the certainty of victory.
"Even if you
sealed the Rakuyou Zakuro, it would not be enough of a flaw to impede this
Mistress' wings.
And to begin
with―"
In response to Shuka's
urging, Akira extended his palm toward the empty air.
He was aware that the
handle of the Rakuyou Zakuro that was inside him was gone, and it was certainly
true that his sacred artifact was sealed.
―But for some reason,
Akira was confident
that he would be able to draw his sword.
"Sink
into the setting sun ― Rakuyou Zakuro!!"
In response to Akira's
wish, a flame of vermillion gold blazed forth.
Instantly, the
brilliance was scattered from within, and in his hand was a dark red blade that
looked as if it had been carved out from the burning darkness.
"Wha
......!!??"
Upon witnessing this
abnormal outcome, Benedetta looked down at her own sacred artifact.
The pages that used to
be Rakuyou Zakuro were already bound into the scripture held in both her arms.
Above all else, she
was sure that the divine attribute she had exercised showed that she had spent
all of the pages to seal Akira's sacred artifact.
"Certainly,
Ariadne's Miko.
You have undoubtedly
sealed the Rakuyou Zakuro.
―Alas, unfortunately. If it had been the other three
sacred artifacts in my possession, things would not have turned out this
way."
Benedetta finally
realized what Shuka meant.
―She was illuminated by the brilliance of vermillion
gold, and yet there was no shadow cast by the scripture!
"Rakuyou Zakuro
has a myth that represents the shadow of this Mistress which fell on the sun.
No matter how you seal
its essence, you can never seal its shadow."
Rakuyou Zakuro's
authority is not a slash that disregards all protection.
But to create shadows
that would not normally be cast on the sun. This contradiction spelled out the
power to ignore all protection and to interfere with the shadows that arose.
Although it won't be
able to exercise this authority because what Akira drew was not the real
Rakuyou Zakuro itself, there should be no problem if it was limited to a single
blow output.
"...... We've
both played our cards enough, haven't we?
Let's wrap things up
with the next one."
"―Yeah, I suppose
so."
Benedetta responded to
Akira's words with a nod.
Her lips trembled, the
Houjutsu and the barrier protecting the azure glow stood in front of Akira.
No more words were
needed.
With a single swing.
Armed with a blazing dark flame, Akira leaned forward and kicked the ground.
The divine energy
raged, and a single meteor streamed from Akira's palm, trailing behind him.
The opposing spikes
were created inexhaustibly, and each time they fell before the blade of burning
darkness, they scattered with brilliance.
The conflict between
the burning darkness and the glittering light had no end in sight, and not a
shadow of retreat flashed in Akira's footsteps.
Slashing, dodging,
smashing, and advancing. With each step, the conflict intensified, whereas
Akira's pace quickened.
And then,
"Zei~i~i~iii~―!!"
The end was so abrupt.
Akira, passing through the cluster of shattering spikes, unleashed a finishing
blow at the barrier.
―Crash.
The blow struck down
from the Daijōdan stance was too crude to be called a spirit technique.
However, it was a
solid blow that was fully imbued with the teachings of Asogi Genji.
Perhaps pressured by
Akira's momentum, the dark-red blade (the shadow of the sacred artifact) that
pierced the barrier and sliced halfway through, ―
― turned into a flame of burning darkness that
constituted itself and scattered along with the barrier.
―Win.
Benedetta felt that
she had grasped the slightest glimpse of a chance at victory.
The power to create
the shadow of a sacred artifact. In a sense, it nullified the seal, which was
the worst match for Benedetta.
However, it was still
merely a shadow. The sacred artifact itself might be indestructible, but the
indestructibility characteristic would not extend to the shadow of the sacred
artifact.
Reduce its durability
with Houjutsu and then crush it with the barrier to lead it to
self-destruction.
If she allowed him to
get this close, there would be no time left for Akira to re-create the sacred
artifact.
Her aim was right on
target, and her intentions were fully accomplished.
If there was
nothing left but to use hand-to-hand combat, then this body, which was
well-versed in hand-to-hand combat, would win the battle!
Benedetta released the
scripture from her hands and took a step forward.
As she clenched her
fist, she was struck blindly by the radiance of the sun in Akira's palm as it
moved into the empty air.
―Her only miscalculation was in assuming that Akira's
sacred artifact was only Rakuyou Zakuro.
Be Glorious―!
The echoing voice was
short and quiet, but it surely erased Benedetta's chance of victory into
nothingness.
"Jakuen
Gayou!"
―There was nothing that could be done.
Confronted with
defeat, Ariadne shut her eyes and the divine domain disappeared regardless of
Benedetta's opinion.
"―Benedetta!!"
Just before her vision
was engulfed by the brilliance, two shadows blocked Benedetta's front.
Immediately afterward,
a torrent of burning
hell was unleashed, ripping through the night darkness and crushing down
through what used to be the main hall of the Gennaji Temple.
―It was the last radiance that signaled the end of the
battle.
――――――――――
"......
Salvatore, Sir Trovato, are you all right?"
"Somehow. Though
I have exercised my powers too much and my spiritual power is at its
limit."
"Right. The best
we can do is to carry the saint on our backs and escape."
After Jakuen Gayou's
slash had passed, there was a scorched plain with barely any remnants of trees
left,
―Benedetta, protected by Salvatore and Alessandro, who
had intervened just before, was sitting on the ground.
"It's our
victory―!"
"Yes.
―And it's our defeat."
They gave it everything
they had.
Without denying Akira,
who was gasping for air, Benedetta replied in affirmation.
"Then, you have
no more business here.
―Get the hell out of here."
"...... Aren't
you going to finish us?
Frankly, there's no
way for us to resist now."
Glance. He turned his
gaze to Saki and Ryota.
Both of them were not
in a position to make a decision right away, possibly under the influence of
the divine energy.
Shuka, who was hugging
Akira from behind, only looked downward at Akira, seemingly not interested in
this exchange.
Prepared to be scolded
later, Akira decided on his own to let the three of them go.
"I know. You guys
didn't intend to kill us from the very beginning.
It was too unnatural
that I, an inexperienced fighter, could put up such a good fight against the
most experienced fighters I had ever met.
...... Especially
Benedetta's fighting style is too monotonous, and I knew right away that you
had no intention of defeating Shuka."
"It was a close
call, that's for sure.
But I'm glad you understood
our intentions, which were not about victory."
"............
What do you mean, Benedetta Casalini?"
Behind Benedetta, who
replied in affirmation, an out-of-breath Ambrosio stood up through the rubble.
"Are you saying
that you have come to this land of apes just to sink Vansuir in defeat?
Are you really the
descendant of the saint who protects the Holy Church of Ariadne!? Answer me,
Benedetta Casalini!!"
One of his arms was
missing, and he was unable to stop the bleeding.
Judging from his weak breathing,
it was easy to imagine that he would not last much longer.
"It's all for our
own protection, Sir Ambrosio."
"If you are
defeated, it means that the Holy Church of Ariadne will collapse.
Are you planning to
return to our homeland with the stigma of a traitor!?"
"It will not
collapse, Sir Ambrosio.
What will collapse is
the main faction led by Lord Sorrentino, who has plotted this holy conquest.
Only they will sink,
and the doctrine of the Holy Church will not be shaken."
"What, do you, mean...?"
What the girl in front
of him was saying was not quite seeping into Ambrosio's thoughts as the haze
began to take over.
"―What you
believed to be a true doctrine is actually a relatively new branch, established about
500 years ago.
It is easy to understand,
easy to carry out holy conquests, and convenient.
It is a doctrine
designed to flatten the Western Continent."
"............"
No words could be
furthered.
Leaning against the
barely remaining woods, Ambrosio let his gaze wander.
"Create splinter factions
and avoid a decisive defeat.
...... This strategy
has worked very well, but as Sir Ambrosio knows, the total number of splinter
factions is already over-numbered.
If this were to
continue, the doctrines of the main faction could contaminate the original.
Therefore, it was the
urgent task of the moderate faction led by me to clean up the splinter
factions."
That has now
been accomplished, Benedetta said nonchalantly.
"With the Pope
absent and Sir Sorrentino at the head, he would be eliminated before the Papal
Cconclave, which would establish the power structure for the next generation.
In order not to cause a conflict during this period, Sir Sorrentino probably
had it in mind to keep me away from Vansuir.
--It was difficult to
coordinate the timing, but was it radio? The technology you have been keeping
secret sure has come in handy.
Soon the downfall of
Sir Sorrentino and his followers will be inevitable."
"...........................
..."
No words were spoken.
Ambrosio quietly
crumbled from the wood on which he had been leaning to the ground.
Leaving only a glimpse
of that figure, Benedetta returned her gaze to Akira.
"............As
you are probably already aware.
We knew from the very
beginning that the divine seal would not be able to reach the divine pillar
that governs the dragon den, which is the source.
However, if we could
pull out the Nirvana religion's divine artifact, the right to control this Wind
Cave would be temporarily vacant.
If we use the right to
control the Wind Cave that we have taken from the Nirvana religion as a
bargaining chip, we can persuade Akira-sama to accept our invitation to
Vansuir.
That is the entirety
of our objective, for which we came to this land."
It didn't come to fruition,
though. With a hint of self-mockery, Benedetta turned on her heel.
As the two knights led
her way, Benedetta gave Akira nothing but a smile.
"Before any
further disturbances occur, we shall retreat to our homeland.
―I hope we can meet you again, Akira-sama. If you are
willing to remember me, this Benedetta will be very happy."
――――――――――
"―Well done,
Akira, and that's why you are the hero this Mistress has been looking for.
―Hmm?"
After Benedetta and
the others disappeared behind the trees, Shuka smiled softly and charmingly.
She slid easily
through the air and settled her young limbs in Akira's arms, her lips pursed as
the brilliance of vermillion gold began to disperse.
"...... I see, is
it already time to go?
Even though it's been
a long time since I've returned to this world. I wish I could stay here a
little longer."
"...... I'm
sorry, I'm not strong enough."
The effect of
[Aragamioroshi] is coming to an end.
Aware of the fact that
Shuka's presence is fading away from within him, Akira hung his head in
apology.
"No problem.
There will be plenty of opportunities. I'll be waiting for you at the temple,
so please come back as soon as possible.
―Ah, right, you are Saki, am I right?"
After twisting her
limbs in Akira's arms, Shuka glanced at Saki, who was lying on her back.
"........................
Yes?"
"Now is the time
for this Mistress and Akira,
...... no?"
"........................
Yes."
"Good. I permit
you to continue to be with him in this world.
...... Akira, you will
be home very soon, right?"
"Yes, very soon.
Right after I return to Kamotsu, I will visit the temple."
"Fufu. I will be
looking forward to hearing about your exploits―"
With these words, the
brilliance of vermillion gold dissipated beyond the darkness of the night.
As soon as the
radiance was completely gone from deep within him, Akira let out a big exhale
and sat down on the remaining stone steps.
"......
Hhā~a~a~a~a~a..."
"―Good work,
Akira-kun."
"Yes. I am
relieved to see that Saki-sama seems to be safe as well."
With the disappearance
of the divine power, her body could finally regain its freedom.
Saki sat down next to
him, without asking whether it was okay or not.
"Well, are we
done for now?"
"No. There is
still the matter of the Holy Church of Guidance."
"Do you mean
Padre?"
"That's part of
it, but it goes deeper than that.
―Do you remember Benedetta's benediction?"
"Benediction?"
"Well, are we
done for now?"
"No. There is
still the matter of the Holy Church of Guidance."
"Do you mean Padre?"
"That's part of
it, but it goes deeper than that.
―Do you remember Benedetta's benediction?"
"Benediction?"
"Gentle wind. In
the mythology of the [Holy Church of Ariadne], Ariadne transformed herself into
the blowing wind."
"...... Was that it?"
I honestly
don't remember. With such an expression on her face, she returned a vague affirmation.
"Yes.
However, the
benediction of the [Holy Church of Guidance] does not mention the wind at all.
It is something that
represents the divine pillar, you know? It is a point that absolutely cannot be
changed."
―Certainly.
In the
benediction I heard in the village, there was only [beyond the ocean[ phrase.
Akira looked intently
back at Saki, who replied in affirmation.
"Even though they
completely disregarded the wind part, the followers of the [Holy Church of
Guidance] didn't even question this.
In other words, the
[Shrine Parishioner Lottery], or as Benedetta referred to it, [baptism], is
already in effect."
Akira's guess sent a
shiver down Saki's spine.
Even so, Akira's words
did not end there.
"In both the
previous rebellion and the current oracle, the one thing that coincided was the
[guest from beyond the ocean].
...... If this does
not refer to the [Holy Church of Ariadne], then..."
―what exactly did they adhere to?
Saki had no answer to
Akira's question.
Only silence lay
between them.
After a brief moment,
in front of the stone steps where they sat down peacefully, stood Nonoka, who
had regained consciousness after being healed by Ryota and regeneration
talisman.
"............
Oi."
"? ......
ugh."
*Bam*.
Ryota, with his brow
furrowed, swung as hard as he could and punched Akira, who looked up, in the
cheek.
"Wha,―"
Saki was shocked by
the sudden assault, but she held her words in her throat as she smiled
bitterly.
It was indeed a
blunder on the part of Akira to overlook the strength of Vansuir.
Even if there was no
other choice, as the person in charge of the strategy, he could not object to
any words of criticism.
―But,
"Listen here,
Akira. I still don't acknowledge you.
It's just that I found
there's a little more to your abilities than meets the eye."
"......
Ha..."
Akira and Saki, who
were prepared to be blamed for overlooking the matter, were taken aback by the outrageousness
of the words thrown at them.
Ryota was even more
agitated at the sight of the two of them standing side by side in bewilderment.
But perhaps his
spirits were dampened and he lost his words, he just turned his head away and
clicked his tongue.
"I and Nonoka
will go down to the foot of the mountain first.
After a brief rest,
Akira and the others can come down too, and we'll pick up the soldiers and
immediately return to Kamotsu!"
Without waiting for
Akira and the others to reply, Ryota and Nonoka left through the gate.
The only thing that
remained was Nonoka's one last apologetic nod.
"......What was
that about?"
"Beats
me............."
Without knowing
Ryota's true intentions, both of them tilted their heads in unison.
As a result of the shock
of being punched in the face, the anxiety from the riddles surrounding the
[Holy Church of Guidance] has faded away.
It's all going to be
all right. With optimism in her heart, Saki changed the subject.
"I wonder if that
woman will come back."
"Eh?"
"She said she
would return, right?
She liked you a lot,
didn't she?
"Who
knows............"
How should I
respond to Saki's teasing smile?
Not knowing the name
of the emotion that was slightly floating around in his chest, Akira tilted his
head without showing any signs of being bothered by it.
"Even if she
came, I'm sure she'd just be a nuisance. But I think we might see each other
again sooner than we expect."
―Well, that may be so.
In response to Akira's
reply, Saki silently responded with a nod of the head.
The remaining puzzles
disappeared, along with the man who called himself Padre, without any intention
being revealed.
It would be impossible
to catch Padre, who had escaped.
And the same goes for
Vansuir.
There was no denying
the possibility that Vansuir would move to settle the situation at some point.
―But still, she did notice something.
"Hey,
Akira-kun."
"Yes?"
"You called me
"Saki" earlier, didn't you?"
"E......Eh?"
"You see. Can you
call my name one more time?"
"U-umm, that's
...... because we were in the middle of a battle."
"You don't
necessarily have to be in the middle of a fight to call my name, you
know?"
"―My
apologies!"
"I'm not mad. As
long as you're willing to call my name, that is~."
"Please give me a
break, Ojou-sama!"
The two of them sat
side by side, jostling for the stone staircase on which they sat, competing to
take and concede each other's territory.
The only thing left to
know was the outcome of the war, which left nothing but smiles on their faces,
―Only the moonlight, silently looking down, could tell
this outcome.
――――――――――
TIPS: Benedetta's
objective.
As soon as she
received the oracle, she was sure that she would be defeated.
Even if they won the
war, they would not be able to maintain their control over Takamagahara as long
as they could not even prepare the capital to govern.
Therefore, then she
decided to reduce and organize the splinter factions belonging to the main
faction by taking advantage of the defeat.
However, through the
same oracle, she also understood that she would encounter the Blessed Child
(Kanna-no-Mikura).
In other words, her
objective is to be defeated and to invite the Blessed Child.
To achieve this, she
has no choice but to take control of the Wind Cave in Kamotsu and hopes to have
Akira be invited to Vansuir by Akira's own will as a bargaining chip.
The saving grace to
this contradiction is that control of the Wind Cave does not equal victory for
Benedetta.
Letting Ambrosio
control the Wind Cave in Kamotsu would result in his defeat.
Subsequently, by
defeating Akira, a contradiction would be established in that he was defeated
after snatching control of the Wind Cave.
Since the blame for
any defeat goes to the main faction, Benedetta, as someone from the moderate
faction, was free to move.
P.S.
―Rindo Kozaburo, who was under suspicion from Houri,
sneezed around that same time.
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