Chivalry of a Failed Knight Volume 10

Chapter 1 The Festival has ended

The 62nd Seven Star Sword Art Festival that showed a climax rarely seen in the recent
years with fierce fights after fierce fights came to an end with the victory of the《Worst
One》Kurogane Ikki who defeated《Crimon Princess》Stella Vermillion.

The spectators who were watching attentively their fight head to their respective homes
while talking about the magnificence of the two knights with each other with a look
that didn’t cool down its excitement even after the awarding ceremony that happened
one night after the finals.
At the same time, the protagonists of this festival that gathered from all over Japan, the
representatives of each academy returned home.
The stallholders who put out their shops to take advantage of the Seven Stars Sword
Art Festival also retired, and the day after the awarding ceremony, the reclaimed land
of the gulf coast was taking its original ghost-town shape.
The festival was… over.
However, the representatives of Hagun Academy including Kurogane Ikki were still in
Osaka.
That was because the《Star of Naniwa》Moroboshi Yuudai, who was a worthy
opponent and crossed swords with him in the first round of the Seven Start Sword Art
Festival, led a group and held a victory celebration with the friends of Ikki at the
okonomiyaki shop『Ichibanboshi』which was also the home of his parents.

◆◇◆◇◆

- Err, well then! Kusakabe Kagami, this incompetent me who was sentenced to three
days of disciplinary lessons from tomorrow for making a mess at the awarding
ceremony, will lead the toast to celebrate the victory of Ikki at the Seven Stars Sword
Art Festival!
Kagaami put up the beer mug that she held in her hand after she had refused with a
few words while she inserted a self-deprecating joke,
- Congratulations, senpai――――!
With a loud voice, she blessed Ikki who sat on the seat of honor of the long table that
was made by connecting several tables.
What followed that was,

「「「Congratulations——————————!!!!」」」

The friends and acquaintances of Ikki who gathered for the victory celebration also
gave their blessings while toasting.
The gathered people were Stella and Shizuku who were representative members of the
same Hagun Academy.
His friends Arisuin Nagi and Ayatsuji Ayase. And also the members of the Student
Council including Toudou Touka.
In addition to Moroboshi who offered this place and his other friends Jougasaki
Hyakuya and Asagi Momiji.

The figures of Yakushi Kiriko who was another protagonist at the finals, of Sara
Bloodlily who unfolded a fierce combat with Ikki at the Seven Stars Sword Art
Festival, of Kazamatsuri Rinna who came along with Sara somehow and even her
maid Charlotte Corday were there.

Although Ikki was shy and slightly embarrassed due to the words of congratulations
from everyone,

- Thank you, everyone.

He also raised the beer mug and participated in the toast.

Thus, the party began.
- Hurry up, they’re cooking! They’re super-cooking! *Clank**Clank* Make your orders
rapidly!

Moroboshi, who stood in the kitchen, called out to them while clanging the metal
spatula.

As if she was waiting for this, Stella raised her hand while raising from her chair.

- Tama porks for me! And ten of them!

- Coming right away!

- Stella-chan… isn’t your gluttony getting refined somehow?
- I-it can’t be helped, Alice. The fuel consumption of the Dragon Spirit is way too much.
If I don’t eat properly I get dizzy, you know?

- Well, it would be great if you could consume properly as well.

- Shiro. What are you going to order?

- I will order tendon with green onion. What will Momiji get?



- Hmm〜. Since we’re eating a lot now〜. I woonder whiich oone wiill it bee… oh, that’s
right! Can it be the napolitan that you were preparing the other day?

- Let me see. A napolitan yakisoba, right? Yeah, sure. And the corpulent Nii-chan over
here?

- Hmm… well, can I get these tama mix?

- I’m sorry. We’ll have those starting next week〜.

- Ah, is that so?

- Onii-chan, why are you spouting such a stupid lie...!?

It was a little girl with bobbed hair who raised a voice of protest.

She was the younger sister of Moroboshi Yuudai. She was Moroboshi Koume.

Although she was unable to speak before, during the battle of her older brother and
Ikki she miraculously recovered her voice, and while her tone of voice was still
unstable, she was taking orders from everyone while chatting without relying on
writing.

And then, and until the ordered dishes were prepared.

Everyone gathered around Stella and Ikki who were on the seats of honor and gave
them their compliments as they raised each of their beer mugs.

- Congratulations for your victory, Kurogane-kun! It was incredibly cool! To think that
I’ve been receiving sword lessons from such an amazing person, I’m immensely happy!

- Yeeah, it was really a great thing. But I’ll overturn the outcome from that situation!
My alias《Fifty Fifty》was eclipsed after all.

- I always believed, you know!? That Kurogane-kun would win! Since he’s a knight
that defeated my《Blackbird》in the end!

Ikki responded to them with gratitude from the bottom of his heart.

- Thank you. If I hadn’t met everyone… I wouldn’t have been able to get this strength
by myself. I’m grateful.

- Though it was unfortunate for Princess-dono. The difference was millimeter.

Stella showed how she shrugged her shoulders a little with the comfort of Saijou
Ikazuchi.

- To suffer a loss with almost no difference. It’s the result that comes out when you do
what only you have to do. And I accept it. But——

And then, she paused her words for a moment, drained in one gulp the beer mug that
she had in her hand with excitement,

- The next time I’ll absoluuuuuutely not lose…!

She boasted while vigorously hitting the wooden table with the bottom of the beer
mug.
While she scattered flame’s phosphorescence from her scarlet hair.

Everyone who was gathered around that valiant looking applauded with「You can do
it!」「As expected of Stella-chan!」

Toudou Touka, who was sitting in a seat somewhat away from the seat of honor and
from that situation, stared at those cheerful smiles.

- Fufu. It seems that next year’s Seven Stars Sword Art Festival will be exciting. It’s
regrettable that I can’t participate in it.
- Kukuku…. That rematch was also the fate written down in the Black Chronicle…. The
moment when thou will know will come…

- Ojou-sama says『I am looking forward to next year!』

- ――even so, it went too far this time!

However, only a girl gave her honest opinion with such excitement.
It was the little sister of Kurogane Ikki, the victor.

《Lorelei》Kurogane Shizuku.

Shizuku glanced at the two people sitting on the seats of honor while raising her
eyebrows,

- Since both Onii-sama and Stella-san are a couple, why you two weren’t more worried
about the health of each other? It wouldn’t be funny for either of you to die in such an
absurd match, you know? Don’t you think that this lacks common sense or something?

- Ah, I-I’m sorry…

They made their bodies smaller as if they were kids that were scolded by the words of
Shizuku.

In fact, that final. It was no funny at all with one of their lives being destroyed.

Because their whole souls were completely put into the slashing attacks they
unleashed, they didn’t go easy at all with each other.

However, and also in line with this, she also excused them.

- B-but, it can’t be helped…. Because we are knights..., I wouldn’t let my skill or
something to come loose against an opponent I deem acceptable…

If one were to expose a gap, one would be immediately slashed, losing the match.

The fight of the two had that sort of perspective.

They couldn’t let their guard down not even for an instant, because they understood
that their opponent didn’t wish for that above all.

And… that was also the same for Shizuku.

- You truly are helpless people, aren’t you?

Even Shizuku knew that.
The bonds of the two was stronger than anything else, that’s why their relationship
could do so.

She was jealous and envious of the bonds of the two… but at the same time she was
delighted,
- … you truly are suited for each other…
Shizuku muttered with a small voice that nobody could hear and let out a sigh as if she
was amazed.
- Eh? Shizuku, did you just nowーー
- Why are you placing a boneless ham on your knee?
- This is my leg!

◆◇◆◇◆

And then, when the cooked okonomiyaki and the teppanyaki reached everyone from
the kitchen, and once their bellies were filled.
Estimating that timing, and after Kagami tidied a part of the table, she spread the
pictures she took at the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival.
From the first match to the finals, all the great efforts of everyone in this place were
selected from within the time that passed by, they had fun talking about the memories.
- Oh oh, please look, senpai. This is a picture when senpai used《Ittou Rasetsu》for a
second time! I was able to photograph it neatly, didn’t I? This will be used on the
whole surface of the next wall newspaper!

- Uwaa…, though in this one I look mostly worn-out…

- But you were very manly and fantastic. The gentlemen who have that much of a
naughty side are fascinating.

- Ah! There’s also a picture when Shiro received a record instakill〜.

- That’s a coincidence, Momiji. I also came across with this picture when you fell and
fainted.

- I see. Is this the father of the Bloody Da Vinci? I was able to remember his face.

- … yeah. That’s him.

- If you have any pictures you want, I will make extra copies, so don’t hesitate to tell
me, okay? By the way, my best shot is——this one! The uncensored panties of Her
Highness Stella, the Second Princess of Vermillion Ki——!?

But the moment Kagami took out the photo from her flat bosom and tried to show it to
everyone.

The left jab that held the light and heat of Stella and that was released with a sharp,
wind-cutting noise, penetrated the picture that Kagami held in her fingers and turned it
into ashes.

And then, she grabbed the nape of the neck of Kagami with her right hand,

- Give me the data.

Pulling her towards herself with all her strength, she brought her close with bloodshot
eyes and ordered her.

The jaw of a dragon that got near until the very eyes of Kagami, which she was able to
see clearly——

- Y-yesh! As you wish!

The pen yielded before the sword.

- T-this is no good… because Stella-san didn’t get the joke… ahaha.

Seeing the state of all the presents who were chatting like that, Moroboshi called out to
Koume from the kitchen.

- Koume. The orders have settled down already, so I’ll join them. Will you be fine on
your own?

- Don’t worry. Leave it to me. … Onii-chan also worked hard.

- Thank you.

To appreciate her words of gratitude, Moroboshi patted and ruffled the head that
Koume had placed down and she made her cheeks smile broadly with「Ehehe」.

Then, Moroboshi took off his apron and with a double tama pork dish that he had
prepared for himself——sat down next to Touka who wasn’t involved in the photo
viewing.

- Haaaa. Can I sit next to you?

Touka unintentionally spilled a smile, looking amused with that question.

- Aren’t you sitting there already? … but yes, you can. Help yourself.

- Thanks. … hmm. Like I thought, our okonomiyaki is the best. The number one in
Osaka.

- I agree. They were very delicious. I would love to make my family eat them as well.

- *Ding* *Ding* that’s our business after all. They’re here in the Ichibanboshi of
okonomiyaki.

Moroboshi had dinner somewhat late than everyone else while he returned so.

He ate the double tama pork completely while sticking out his tongue.

And then, when the sauce taste in his mouth was unified with the beer then poured
into the stomach,

- Hey, Toudou…. The irregular swordsmanship that used electromagnetic force that
you showed in the fixed match with Kurogane is what you call 《Inazuma》, right? If
so, then you had a plan against my 《Houkiboshi》.

He touched on the matter just before the final match.

Touka, who got that, returned a nod.

- It’s not that my Noble Arts assumed an anti-《Houkiboshi》only, but naturally I have
been forging it so that I can meet that purpose. Last year, I didn’t dodge《Houkiboshi
》, and you took the pace from there. … Unfortunately, I wasn’t blessed with the
opportunity to use it.

- I imagined so. That’s not it, right? It’s what I thought when I gave a glance at it.
Certainly, if you had such skill, then it wouldn’t have gone like last year.

《Inazuma》was a Noble Arts that created a special magnetic field in the cross range and
because of its attraction and repulsion, it made the sharp turns to accelerate abruptly.

The sudden changing gaps of angle and velocity boasted unequalled strength in
midrange pace fights.

That power was also guessable from the fact that Ikki, who was able to master the
sword of《Wings Abreast》, pushed back the distance between the swords, the thing
he was excellent at.

That was why Moroboshi said it with regret.

- I wanted to give it a try too, what a shame.

The Seven Stars Sword Art Festival was for form’s sake a tournament, it was difficult
for the rank to become a ranking of strength.

From the point of view of Moroboshi’s sense, Touka was the most difficult enemy that
stood in his way last year.

The skill that such formidable enemy had refined to defeat him.

It was something he wanted to try on the stage of the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival.
But stillーー
- Well, I would be the one who would win, isn’t it?
*Grin*, Moroboshi turned a sidelong glance to Touka with a smile that looked
provocative.
Towards that, Touka also——returned a full smile to Moroboshi.
- I don’t think so. By suppressing《Houkiboshi》, I would have won this year.
- Nah, impossible.
- I think otherwise.
- Noope, you’re lying to yourself.
- Not at all. This is an absolute fact〜.

「「〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜！」」

In the end, the two of them were rubbing their foreheads with each other while
smiling.
That was the very picture of an explosive situation.
It was natural because their personalities couldn’t yield in topics like this with each
other.
But that didn’t last long.
- Puh
- Ahaa.
After they exchanged killing intent for a moment, they laughed tiny and separated their
foreheads that got a little red.
- Let’s stop. This is nothing but a talk of a fight that never happened.

- You’re right. Let’s drop both of our ego, we’re just wasting time. Besides… the
dejected losers won’t get nothing by biting each other. We have to knockdown
Kurogane. Our mutual target is way too high.

- … judging from that way of speaking, Moroboshi-san is going to continue being a
knight after graduation.



- Is that surprising?

Touka nodded.

- Yes, it is. I thought that you would only become a reservist and would surely take
over your family business.

- Well, I thought about that too, but…

Although the reservists have a《Mage-Knight》license, they work in their respective
workplaces in the same way as ordinary people, but for emergencies only, and when
requested by the《League Branch》,they would be people in charge of criminal
investigations and national defense as《Mage-Knights》.

The people that were running a family business like Moroboshi, the majority of them
became reservists.

And then Moroboshi also planned to do the same.

Howeverーー

- I know, but I finally was able to hear the cheering that I wanted to hear, you see. And
I can still get stronger. Now I can stop shooting this air of superiority.

Touka nodded slowly and deeply with the words of Moroboshi.

- … I agree. Having people who are pushing our backs. That’s a very happy thing.

- We are third years. It’ll be impossible to participate in the Seven Stars Sword Art
Festival, but… Toudou. What are you going to do from here on?

- For the present, I think that I will thoroughly train this summer vacation with my
master. When I saw the battle of Kurogane-kun and the others, it made me realize that
the lack of self-reliance was there, that there is still some ways to go for me. … And
then simultaneously with my graduation, I will register in the National League and
someday aim for the A-Rank League.

The A-Rank League was the popular name of the Top League of the King of Knights
“KOK”, which was a close combat performance done by Blazers and hosted by the《
International Mage-Knights League》

The participants of A-Rank League were players representing the country that had won
one of the few limited recommendations that were assigned to each nation affiliated to
the league. The fights of the most prominent individuals in the world were done by
knights that were singled out, the fights were loved by people all over the world as
supreme pleasure.

Touka had set her next goal there.

Moroboshi nodded with “I see”.

- That’s the easy course, no?

Feeling a distance somehow with what returned, Touka cocked her head in
puzzlement.

- Moroboshi-san disagrees?

- ——well. I’m no’t going to register in the National League. The National League of
Japan… no, the National Leagues of the participating members of 《Mage-Knight
Leagues》have many knights who emphasize on black magic because it’s the policy of
the leagues. Though, my 《Tiger Bite》isn’t an ability of the type that has destructive
power like black magic itself. That’s because the way of the taijutsu and how it is
applied are essential. That’s a lifeline for me. … However, I didn’t reach Kurogane
with my taijutsu.

His current taijutsu and spearmanship didn’t fit into the first-class world.

Moroboshi fully realized that when he fought against Ikki.

Therefore,

- That’s why… I’m thinking of participating in taijutsu-focused matches.

- Eh, does that mean…

Battles that emphasized taijutsu while being a Blazer.
There was only one tournament in the world that was held with such policy.
A continent spread beyond the Sea of Japan.
The world’s toughest League Matches were taking place there. Its name was——,

- I’ll challenge the God of War League…!

-…

Touka caught her breath because of Moroboshi‘s tone of voice that made her feel some
kind of resolution coming from him.
Which wasn’t surprising.
The God of War League was held in China which wasn’t a member nation of the
League. It was a fighting tournament where Blazers participated in it, its name was
famous in the world, being on par with the A-Rank League.
There were a lot of voices saying that the level was higher than A-Rank League.
The reason was the severity of the battles.
The A-Rank League had promised state-of-the-art medical facilities, strict rules,
sufficient intervals and rewards.
But the God of War League was different.
The God of War League was a tournament held by Bujutsuu Temple also called《
Shinryuu Temple》 for ascetic monks, but in the first place, it wasn’t a show business.
Anyone could participate regardless of nationality, but there was no rewards, no
medical facilities, the nonexistent rules was a terrifying thing, and so on.

-『Always Prepared』… you must be prepared to be on the battlefield whenever
you’re a fighter. In that God of War League that embodies the philosophy of《
Shinryuu Temple》, one is allowed to join forces with others and to attack even when
one is asleep, in any case, I’ve heard from Sensei that the battles are tougher than the
illegal underground fighting entertainment industry. … The consideration in terms of
safety is the same, and therefore there are more deaths that can’t be compared to others
like A-Rank League.

The only Japanese who has won that tournament was a man.

Touka, who had heard of the severity of the God of War League from 《God of War
》 Nangou Torajirou, told Moroboshi with a tone that sounded like warning.

However, Moroboshi returned an 「I know」,

- But, there are things that can only be obtained when on the verge of death. … Like
when Kurogane fought against《Wings Abreast》and was able to steal that technique.

- … is, that so?

When she was told so, Touka couldn’t help but be convinced.

Ikki achieved an explosive growth in the fight against Edelweiss, the strongest《Wings
Abreast》swordsman in the world.

Also, in the final match against Stella, both of them were raising their limits with each
other.

The moment like a spark where life and death intersected.

That moment was——in some cases comparable to several decades or regular daily
training.

Moroboshi intended to obtain that moment.

By putting himself in a hard environment to drive himself to the limit.

Understanding that, Touka stopped to check it then yelled to her friend that was going
to walk the path of carnage.
- God of War League has battles for the honor only, as there is no prize at all, but if
you get good results there, then you will get global attention. And you will get a
recommendation for A-Rank League, no?
- Yeah. I’m not interested in the National League, but A-Rank is another deal. Most of
the human beings there are monsters that would carry pretty much to the extremes
their hearts, techniques and physiques. But I plan to challenge them, sooner or later.
- If so… then our rematch will be there.
- Yeah. Absolutely.
Having made a promise, the two made their beer jugs meet gently.

◆◇◆◇◆

Moroboshi and Touka talked about what would come next.
Looking at the two from a distance——Toutoukubara Kanata headed to the place of a
person she had decided to talk today as well.
That person was the《Beast Tamer》Kazamatsuri Rinna of Akatsuki Academy.
- Yes. It is good to eat something not classy once in a while.
- Ojou-sama. *Kiss*.

- Fuaah!? W-w-w-w-what are you doing so suddenly, Char!?
- I did that because there was sauce stuck on your cheek.

- Ah, thank——*ahem*. That helped me a lot. Ho-however, since this《Altar》has《
Purity that wipes impurity away》I hope that you will use it from next time.

Instead of joining the bustling circle around Ikki, Kanata approached Rinna who was
eating little by little a large okonomiyaki with her small mouth and talked to her.
- … it’s been a long time. Rinna-san.
Rinna turned her head with that voice,
- Oh, it’s Toutoukubara’s…

She showed a particular uninterested attitude.
This was also natural because they exchanged greetings in the high society once or
twice as Japan’s most wealthy people, but it wasn’t like they had a relationship as if
they were to talk in private.

- I am sorry for not being able to greet you when I went to《Hagun》.

- Don’t worry. I, the ruler of the night don’t care about such trivial things. *chewing*.
- … I suppose you intended to be sarcastic, yes? Can I sit next to you?
- Khelf yourhelv (Help yourself).
- “Go ahead”, it’s what Ojou-sama is saying.
Then by excusing herself, Kanata sat down next to Rinna.
- But I was surprised. Toutoukubara also knows that Kazamatsuri has strong
connections with the underworld, but to think that Rinna-san, who is the biological
child of the Head Kazamatsuri Kouzou, is involved with the activities of《Rebellion》
…
- Gats ingogect (That’s incorrect).

- Eh?

- Not the subject of Head-sama, but Ojou-sama doesn’t belong to《Rebellion》.

Charlotte explained instead of Rinna who was stuffed with okonomiyaki in her mouth.
The father of Rinna, Kazamatsuri Kouzou, and Prime Minister Tsukikage were old
friends, and because of that connection, Rinna played with Tsukikage since she was a
child, and got on good terms.

That’s why Rinna, when Tsukikage proposed the establishment of the 《National
Akatsuki Academy》to Kouzou as the leader of《Rebellion》, volunteered to
participate in that strategy to become the strength of Tsukikage.

In that sort of sense, her connection was thinner than Sara who was participating as 《
Rebellion》, more or less.

She was a guest like Ouma, because they were good beings.
After she got the explanation, Kanata nodded with “I see”,
- … is that so? If so, please sever your ties from this kind of activities right now.
A little potent, she told Rinna with a tone of voice that was like a command rather
than a request.
Rinna gulped the food that was in her mouth and asked.
- Hou? Why would you order such a thing?
- Because I don’t want to come across with an acquaintance in the battlefield.
That’s right. This was what Kanata wanted to talk with Rinna today.

《Scharlach Frau》Toutoukubara Kanata was a prominent influential person in
Japan.
Therefore, and while being a student, she would appear in the field of an actual combat
in the form of a《Special Summon》.

She fought with enemies and participated in the suppression of bases of《Rebellion》.
――She had experience in killing and wounding formidable combatants.
Even though she was prepared, the experience wasn’t going to leave a good aftertaste.
That’s why she wanted to avoid running across a face she knew in hell.
However, Rinna showed a scornful laugh to that warning.
- Kuku…. I see. But that’s a discussion I won’t comply with. Because this《Demon
Eye of Twilight》is the root of the darkness of the world of the dead, and I am the
person that carries it in my body. You may call that the karma that exists in the world
of darkness…. Guh! The chaos sealed in the demon eye is aching, wishing for blood…!
Kukuku… I wonder who will be the sacrifice tonight…!
Rinna covered the eye-patch while saying such thing.
That was an incomprehensible painful act from an outsider’s perspective.
However, Kanata knew what she meant, and the meaning of that behavior.
That’s why——Kanata used the trump card she had prepared in advance.
- … haa. I guess there is no other way.
She took out a student’s handbook from the white tote bag and called to that place.
That place was——
- Hello? Can I get in contact with Oota Hara, the editor-in-chief of the Weekly
Shounen Jack Editorial Department? Tell him that is Toutoukubara please.

With this action, Rinna, who was next to her, got up so vigorously and suddenly that
she kicked the chair away,
- T-the Weekly Jack? Is that where『The User of the Twilight Demon Eye』is being
serialized? That Jack!?

She forgot about her exaggerated acting and approached Kanata with an excited
expression.

Kanata chuckled to herself due to the expected reaction of Rinna.

- Yes. Because Shoueisha is an affiliate company of Toutoukubara Group.

- Th-th-th-th-then, y-you, can t-talk, with Takayanagi-sensei, the author of『The User
of the Twilight Demon Eye』!?

- Yes, of course. I met him right before coming to Osaka——, Ah. Excuse me. Hello? I
am sorry for interrupting you. … Yes. Well, it’s about the negotiation we discussed
earlier, yes. Like I thought, she is not listening to my persuasion, yes, that’s why and
like I discussed with you Takayanagi-sensei, 『The User of the Twilight Demon Eye
』will have to be terminated——

- Waaait, whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat!?!?!?

Rinna instinctively grabbed the shoulders of Kanata with a loud voice due to the
contents of the conversation that made her hair stand up straight.

- Eh!? What, what does that mean!? What’s going to be terminated!? What!? Even
though it was last week’s opening color!?

- … adults’ matters, isn’t that right? Publishing works that will end up guiding children
to a road of crime can be a compliance issue for a company. If Rinna-san who ended
up setting foot into the underworld due to the influence of『The User of the Twilight
Demon Eye』couldn’t be reformed, then we decided that he would consult with the
editorial department and attempt to terminate his work.

Due to the words of Kanata, the blood from the flushed and excited face of Rinna
disappeared.

An affiliate company of her own family.

Because the work was serialized in that magazine, Kanata knew at a glance that Rinna
was doing a role-playing of the character of the work.

A work she loved till that point.
She had no objection as a hostage. And then――
- T-that’s tyranny! It’s outrageous! Don’t you feel bad for Takayanagi-sensei!?
- Of course I consulted it directly with Takayanagi-sensei. … This is what Sensei said.
『If there is a child who ends up committing crime due to my work, then I will cancel
it. That is what I decided』… he is truly a splendid gentleman.
- Yes! Rinna is rehabilitated! Rehabilitated! Rehabilitated! She’s not going to work with
《Rebellion》anymore! Please, will that much make it stooooooooooooooooop!?!?
Rinna quickly fell down, she clung to Kanata in tears.

◆◇◆◇◆

Rinna clung to Kanata in tears like a kid throwing a tantrum.
Shizuku sighed while staring at her figure in the distance.
- … good grief, she’s quite lousy…
And, at that moment.
A tall handsome man called Arisuin Nagi talked to Shizuku who was sitting alone.
- Don’t be so hard, Shizuku.
- Alice…

- You got tired? I know you don’t like this kind of bustling gatherings, Shizuku.
Arisuin was an extremely tactful man.
It seemed that he was paying attention to her because she couldn’t fit in the mood of
the place.
Despite Shizuku being grateful towards the consideration of her friend, she replied.
- … it’s not that I’m particularly tired. It’s just… that I lost motivation because I was
left out.
- What do you mean?
- … I came here today because it was Onii-sama’s celebration, however, I wanted to
aspire becoming an apprentice of… Kiriko-san.

Arisuin wasn’t surprised with those words, but rather he showed agreement with「I
see」.

- That’s… like I thought, the matter at that time is the reason?
Towards that, Shizuku nodded.
Arisuin said the matter at that time.
That matter was, of course, the night of the semifinals.

After the fight against《Bad Luck》Shinomiya Amane, Ikki, the older brother of
Shizuku, lost his life for a moment due to his ability.
No matter how much she tried to save him, the result of death engraved on his body
tried to steal the soul of Ikki to the purgatory.

Fortunately, Ikki safely came back to life thanks to the efforts of《 White-Robed
Knight》Yakushi Kiriko who came flying there at the request of Father Itsuki, then he
was able to be in the finals against Stella——
- I couldn’t do anything. I was just crying the dilemma of Onii-sama despite me being a
water user like her.

Shizuku remembered.
——The figure of herself who absolutely lost her temper in front of the operating room
where Ikki was going into.
And then, she felt extremely anger with herself.
——“How am I so pathetic?”
And yet, Kiriko, a water user like her, definitely saved her older brother with that
power.
Around that moment, she never fully realized her own incompetence.
- I’ll never go through that again. How was I unable to do anything else but cry the
dilemma of Onii-sama…!? That will never, never happen again. That’s why…
- You thought about trying becoming an apprentice of woman doctor-san.
Shizuku nodded and showed affirmation,
- … but.
She turned a little fed-up gaze to one corner of the table.
Arisuin also followed the destination of her gaze.

There――was the figure of the drunken Kiriko that toyed with the body of 《Bloody
Da Vincy》Sara Bloodlily, she had stolen the freedom to Sara by wrapping her legs
and arms around her like an octopus.

- Oh my, oh my. You. The muscles of your physique are unexpectedly insufficient〜.

- W-well, my body is weak by nature. Besides, I just paint and draw while sitting, so…
it can’t be helped.

- That’s not good, that’s not good〜. If it’s with such everyday life *hic*. The bomb will
explode immediately after you’ve passed your twenties. The bomb is ticking all
throughout your whole body, you see. Bu〜t〜don’t wo〜rry. Kiriko-chan. Actually,
I’m currently researching a revolutionary healing technique that transforms fat into

muscle! So, I have nominated you as the first human testing subject〜. Hmm〜 Kiriko-
chan is so kind〜

- Help me, anyone…
- *Lick*.
- Ah…
Sara had to experience the fetishism of a certain woman doctor called Kiriko since she
had a lot of exposures from the beginning.
Arisuin showed a slightly disgusted smile because of the very lascivious scene where
such two women were entangled while disarranging their clothes.
- She was influenced by sake. That woman doctor-san.
- Despite that, she’s not going to talk a lot. … Or perhaps I should say that even I
might get involved if I get close to her, so I don’t want to approach her. No no no.
- Yeah. I also think that’s fine.
- Well, I will visit her directly in Hiroshima during summer vacation.
Arisuin asked with a little surprised look as Shizuku said so as if she had given up.
- Then you are not going to accompany him to Vermillion?
While facing Shizuku that pouted her lips as if she sulked a little,
- Even I wouldn’t do an absurd thing like that.
(I felt that it was going to be something like that, but…)
He thought, but Arisuin wasn’t a man who would say such a thoughtless thing.



They knew.

That the relationship of Ikki and Stella advanced greatly in the finals of the
tournament.

And those two were going to visit Vermillion Empire to greet Stella’s parents.
If the discussion there were to be settled smoothly, then that would become the key of
their engagement.

Gazing at that coming day, Shizuku started coming to an understanding within herself.

(Shizuku… also loves Stella-chan, isn’t that right?)

Although the person herself would never admit it.

Otherwise, it would be impossible for her to allow her to get close with her beloved
older brother.

Such sweet Shizuku was so cute, Arisuin pressed her cheek with a finger that got a
little sulky as if poking fun at her.

With that, Shizuku raised her sullen eyebrows then raised her index finger and poked
the cheek of Arisuin.

No, rather than saying she poked it, she stabbed it.

Arisuin smiled wryly as he rubbed his cheek due to the very competitive spirit that had
such strong Shizuku-like countermeasure.

Shizuku asked him.
- More importantly, does Alice have any plans for summer vacation? If not, then
would you like to come with me to Hiroshima?

However, Arisuin returned「I’m sorry」with a sad expression towards that invitation.

He had something he wanted to do.

- … I’ve been thinking of going back to my hometown for a while during this summer
vacation. I couldn’t go there for a long time, but I will visit the graves of my friends.

- I see. Then we’ll spend our summer without each other. That’s a bit unfortunate.
- I hope for your training to go well from the distance.

◆◇◆◇◆

Around two hours after the start of the victory party.
Every person who surrounded the pictures and had reminiscent talks of the festival
were more than satisfied, then divided into small groups of fellows with whom they
usually hang out and started having a nice talk.
When they were getting to that step, Ikki, the guest of honor, was finally released from
that crowd.
- *Phew*
Ikki sat deeply in the chair, deposited his back on the back of the chair and looked up
at the ceiling.
He had received the blessings from many people.
His endurance was somewhat drained due to such unfamiliar situation.
But that wasn’t all, he also responded to the interview of Kagami, so his throat was
dry.
Should he get Koume to bring something? Yeah, he thought so and——

- Thank you very much for this winner’s interview. 《Seven Stars Sword Art King》-
san.
*Cubes of ice hitting each other*, a cold and hard feeling touched his eyebrows.
Stella took care of it and went to get a cold barley tea.
- … thank you. You saved me.
And by thanking her, Ikki gulped down the content of the mug and drank around half
of it.
Stella looked at such state of Ikki that was next to her with tender eyes,
And then, she opened her eyes as if she had noticed something.
- Ah, Wait a bit, Ikki. Your hair is ruffled. Let me fix it.

The hair of Ikki got ruffled due to the rough blessings from Moroboshi and Renren that
in the end produced so.
Ikki didn’t pay attention to it because he wasn’t really a man concerned about his
personal appearance, but it wasn’t alright to be that unshapely before her.
So he nodded with an obedient「Okay」and straightened up his back so that Stella
could touch his hair easily.
Stella turned to the back of the hair of Ikki and while she combed it with her gentle
way of using her hands,
- And so it finished, isn’t it? The tournament.
She muttered, feeling a little lonely.
To this, Ikki returned the same opinion.
- Yeah…. In the blink of an eye.
- It feels a little lonely. … Because I was aiming for a long time for this.

That feeling was well understood by Ikki.
He was also aiming for this place.
For the graduation. And for the promise he made with Stella.
That’s why… Ikki became a little uneasy.
- Have you perhaps burned out?
However, Stella laughed Ikki’s uneasiness down with「You serious?」.
- I’ll be training for my revenge next year! And also for that thing last night.
Last night.
With those words, he nodded with「——yeah. That’s right」
That’s right. … Originally, this celebration was supposed to be held yesterday right
after the award ceremony.
The reason why it was delayed by one day was nothing but an urgent business that
came to the guest of honor.
Both Ikki and Stella had received a call from Prime Minister Tsukikage Bakuga to the
gulf coast dome at night.

◆◇◆◇◆

I would like you to meet at the ring of the gulf coast dome at 9 PM.

That call was after the award ceremony. They were brought through Shinguuji
Kurono, the board chairman of Hagun Academy. According to what they heard, they
were going to have a secret conversation with Tsukikage and four people where《
Yaksha Princess》Saikyou Nene was mixed in it, she was one of Japan’s most
powerful persons who acted as the master of Kurono and Stella.

- What on earth do they want to talk about? And calling at such hour nonetheless!

- Come now…. I don’t get it either.

The two entered the dome at the appointed time, walked through the empty passage
and cocked their heads in puzzlement while heading towards the ring.

- If this was an invitation of terrorists, then I’ll wipe the floor with them.

- I think that’s not the case because the board chairman and Saikyou-sensei appeared to
be also in this…

Eventually they came out of the gate that was left open and arrived at the ring of the
meeting.

However, and strangely, no one was there.

There was just silence similar to feeling pain in one’s ear in the spacious room that
stretched out.

- Are you kidding me? Not even the one that called us is here. Ikki. The time is correct,
right?

- Yeah. It’s strange…

The result was the same even when checking the surroundings.

No human shapes were found on the ring nor in the mortar-shaped spectator seats.

It was deserted.

The trash was also swept completely, it was a mere shadow of the wild enthusiasm
until this morning.

Ikki felt a touch of loneliness when looking at that desolated state.
They spent so much time in this place.
The few number of days were less than a week, but such enrichment was unmatched.
For that reason, Ikki felt a strong attachment to this place.
But――
(Huh…?)
Why the stage made him feel such attachment?
(What’s this? This strange feeling)
A slightly penetrating sea breeze shook the silence inside the dome.
Every time the atmosphere shook slightly, it caressed his skin.
Ikki felt a strange uncomfortable feeling with that sensation.
Was the atmosphere in this place that was flowing like this?
Why was it caressing his skin like that now?
——That’s not it.
(The flow of the air is strange)
The visual information he got when surveying the environs not long ago and the
atmospheric fluctuation that he felt on his skin.

These two pieces of information didn’t match.
They were disordered.
The atmospheric fluctuation assumed from his visual information and the one that was
real diverged.
Yeah, as if,

It was as if there was an obstacle other than Stella and himself on the ring――

- ————————!
Immediately after he recognized it, Ikki caught it with his eyes.
Behind Stella. The existence of a dark armor raised a giant halberd overhead…!

- Stellaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! Avoid iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit!!!!

-!
The reaction of Stella at that moment was the fruit of her trust in Ikki.
Stella hadn’t noticed the presence behind her yet.
Nevertheless, she threw her body down to the front reflectively.
She wasn’t bewildered by the sudden scream, she didn’t try to look back.
The complete trust towards the man called Ikki moved her body without thinking it.
Immediately after, the blade of the halberd fell on the place where Stella was standing
just now, and with a roaring sound, it crushed the ring and the silence of this place.
- Who are you!?
- ――――
She threw up the body that was thrown down before with her right hand and rotated in
the air.
Stella faced the enemy and let loose an angry voice.
There was an unusual alertness in her wide-opened eyes.

That wasn’t surprising.
It was easy for him to get even behind them, but his repulsive force easily crushed the
ring of reinforced slate.
His physical strength wasn’t to the degree of Stella’s, but to Kurogane Ouma’s class.
He wasn’t an ordinary person.
Contrasting with that, the enemy covered with a black armor replied nothing and
attacked Stella again.
There was a clear fighting spirit in his actions,
- ! It’s someone we don’t know, but now that he did that, he has become my enemy!
Stella responded.
She immediately made her Device《Laevateinn》manifest in her hands,

- Pierce the azure sky! Flames of purgatory…!
Flames appeared from the blade.
They swirled, the multitude of overlapping flames increased their temperature and
intensity of light in the blink of an eye.
And turned into an incandescent light sword.
Its brightness illuminated with a brilliance the whole interior of the dome as if it was
midday,
——It exposed the detailed figure of the black armor that was fusing with darkness.
That figure,
(That armor, no way…!)
Ikki remembered it when he saw it.
But,

-《Katharterio Salamandra》!!!!

At the same time he noticed it, Stella’s slashing attack of emitting light swallowed the
armor.
It was a direct hit, there was no deny in that.
With that accurate reaction, Stella taunted him,
- Humph! How was t――!?
However, the facial expression of Stella was instantly dyed with surprise.
That was expected.
Her deadly blow.《Katharterio Salamandra》.
He pierced through the torrent of light like it was a gentle breeze without losing a bit of
momentum. The black armored knight appeared before the eyes of Stella from inside
the light.
And then, the black armor brandished the halberd again and knocked it down with all
his might, aiming at the top of the head of Stella.
The evasion of Stella who was convinced about the direct hit of 《Katharterio
Salamandra》wasn’t good enough. But,
- Stellaaaa!
Ikki, who came running, compensated for it.
He strongly thrust Stella away from her side, passed under the falling halberd and
dodged the blade,
- Haaaaaa!
He rolled and twisted his body, then released a horizontal flash at the torso of the
armored knight to cut it right in half.

The armored knight who brought down his halberd couldn’t respond to this.
《Intetsu》’s black blade hit the trunk of the armor as if it was absorbed by it.

However, the slashing attack of Ikki had unparalleled sharpness for sure, but its power
wasn’t that high.
The slashing attack was prevented by the armor, literally the blade didn’t stand up.
However, Ikki obviously knew that.
There was no need to cut the armor.
――The blade only had to touch him, that much was enough.
-…!
The instant《Intetsu》touched the flank of the armor, Ikki put to work the muscles of
his whole body.
He released his second favorite attack by muscle expansion and contraction.
Sixth Secret Sword《Dokuga no Tachi》.

*TN: Literally Long sword of the poisonous moth.

It was a technique that caused ripples in the water inside the body of an armor user by
hitting a certain kind of vibration against the weapon and armor of the opponent,
ignoring all defenses and destroying the enemy from inside.
Firmness and shock absorption weren’t proportional.
The poison called vibration spread in the entire body of the armored knight in a flash—
—
Fresh blood gushed out from the small openings of the armor.
Regardless of that——
- Guh!
Right after that, the black armor released a shark kick like a spear against Ikki.

He didn’t make him feel any damage even though he was struck by《Dokuga no Tachi
》.

However――Ikki wasn’t surprised by this.
The reason was that the attack just now wasn’t aiming at damaging Ikki himself.
He was convinced with that blow.
Who was the person, the armored knight before his eyes? And then,
- Ikki! This guy, is he perhaps that…
Stella, who ran up to Ikki that was sent flying with that kick, got to realize something
similar.
Therefore, they understood.
He was an opponent beyond their powers.
- Stella! Follow me!
- Leave it to me!
With Ikki as the vanguard, the two went to attack him at the same time.
With this, the armored knight manipulated skillfully the grip of the giant halberd and
rotated the halberd above his head.
As Ikki was closing the hap, the jet-black halberd accelerated by sufficient centrifugal
force and became like a black whirlwind, cutting the pulse of Ikki.
He cut it. ——Or so he thought.
However, the halberd that should have intercepted him with a perfect timing, waved a
few centimeters before Ikki who was running up to him.
Fourth Secret Sword――《Mirage》.

*TN: Kanjis given are 蜃気狼. When read as Shinkirou it means Mirage.

It was a body technique that bewitched the eyes of the rival with the tempo of its
unique footwork.
Ikki then also created afterimages in front of him that caused the armored knight to
misrecognize the distance.
And then, the two aimed at the moment when the armored knight vibrated in a big
way and attacked him――!
- Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!
Stella, who was running behind Ikki, returned her sword and swung《Laevateinn》.
Simultaneously with Ikki who ran ahead and jumped.
By landing on the middle part of《Laevateinn》that was swung as a foothold, Worst
One released the First Secret Sword《Saigeki》, a charging technique that had the
most destructive power among the Seven Secret Swords he possessed.
The charging strength of《Saigeki》and the physical strength of the swing of the sword
of Stella shook the ground.
That made everything concentrate in a single point to pierce the enemy, it was a
combined technique that could only be achieved by these two people; it was created by
the perfectly coordinated inspiration and combination of them.
Their names were——

- 《Tsunoou》——!!
- 《Harmonic Bullet》——!!

The inspiration of the name of the techniques weren’t linked at all, but that wasn’t a
problem.

The blow, that was the combination of the strength of the two, was splendid, it hit
directly the area between the eyebrows of the enemy who lost his stance due to his
attack that missed――that caused sparks and a roaring sound to be produced, and
thrust away the armored knight out of the ring.

However,

- Wha…!?

The instant they thought he was pushed out of the ring, he sunk into the wall below the
audience seats just like that.

The armored knight suddenly rotated his body and landed with both feet on the wall
surrounding the perimeter of the ring.

He immediately kicked the wall, smashing it, then leapt towards Ikki and Stella with a
momentum like a cannonball, and then to bisect the two altogether, he swung the
halberd horizontally.

It was a long swing with quite a range.

Even though they dodged it easily, an evident impatience ran on their facial
expressions.

Which wasn’t surprising.

《Tsunoou》, which concentrated the physical strength of Stella and Ikki in one point.

Even though the enemy before their eyes was struck by it directly, no damage went
through him, he didn’t even flinch from it.

- … if that didn’t settle it, then we have no choice but to do that.

- Yes. Let’s do it.

The two resolved themselves towards the opponent, the armored knight that fixed his
stance calmly as he rotated the halberd.

And by breathing in deeply at the same time,

- 《Ittou——
- 《Dragon——
Their ability. They tried to use them to the utmost limits.
——But it was at that time when.

- That’s enough.

「「Eh!?」」
A familiar voice cut in between the three on the ring.
When they looked towards the direction of the one who spoke, the one who was there
was,
- Board chairman… and——
- Nene-sensei and Prime Minister Tsukikage…!?
The three people that they were supposed to meet at this place today came up to the
ring.
Kurono, who was in that group, told the armored knight.
- Any more than this and you will kill each other. Can you drop your weapon?
The armored knight… undid his stance without showing an attitude that opposed so
and dropped the tip of the halberd to the ground.
The fighting spirit of not long ago disappeared from that figure.
So, Ikki and Stella also dropped the point of their swords for a moment――and asked.
- Board chairman. What is the meaning of this?

Towards that question, it was Nene, who was next to Kurono, who returned some
words.

- Well, this was some sort of petty entertainment. However, I’m aware both Kurogane
and Stella-chan know who this guy is, right?

- Yes…

They knew him.

They thought “no way” with that peculiar appearance, but they got convinced while
fighting him.

- The notion of《Fortitude》that keeps restoring the body of the user infinitely. By
wearing the Device《Orichalcos》on his body to use it, this guy, the《A-Rank Knight
》of France, was registered in the KOK A-Rank League for the first time last year and
climbed to the top of the rankings in the twinkling of an eye with a tempestuous and
steady advance——He’s the current top 4 in the world.《Black Knight》Ascaride-san,
isn’t that right?

- ――――

《Black Knight》didn’t respond to Ikki’s question.

He kept being silent like he did until now.

However, that strength.

There was no need to take a commitment to that anymore.

What they didn’t know was why a first-class knight of a country member of the League
attacked them――

Kurono gave an answer to that question.

- Ascaride really wanted to see your strength at any cost. Since that was a sign that he
would launch a surprise attack if we had left him alone, we let him do so under our
watch.