And then… the last one, Tatara Yui, 《Futen Kyoushu》, also confronted her own destiny. The rose garden in the courtyard of the Royal Castle of Lucelle. At the garden table there, 《Dirty Rose》 aka Ein, who killed her parents, killed her older sisters, and even killed her client, 《Rebellion》, was relaxing. - … Ara, that’s a pretty cute dress. It suits you well, Fia. There was a teapot and two cups on the table. Judging by the scent, there might be rosehip tea in the teacups. Tatara quickly grasped the elements that made up the situation with the skills drummed into her with 《Abgrund》. Ein praised Tatara. - You sure knew that I’d be here. - You and I are fellow students. It has nothing to do with following traces. - … Fufu, that’s not true, is it? - Huh? - It's not just because we studied the same field. Fia knows me well, so of course I know. After all, you've been watching me the whole time. In that hell, you were always chasing after me with those cute eyes, with cute eyes like a puppy. Yes… Fia likes me after all. - ────. - What do you think? Won't you be my real little sister from now on? You’re different from the stupid people in that house. I think Fia and I can become very close sisters. After all, I also love the cute and charming Fia.
While saying so, Ein poured rosehip tea into the cup on the seat facing her. Then recommended Tatara to take a seat. - …. In response to this invitation, Tatara approached the seat she was recommended──and smashed the garden table in two with the manifested chainsaw Device 《Jizurimukade》. - If you’re going to talk nonsense, spout shit in hell after you die, you cunt…*! *TN: Cunt is used in katakana and is the furigana reading for vulgar woman/slut. - Ara ara. What a shame〜. 『《Black Knight》 Iris Ascaride and 《Futen》 Tatara Yui, both of them have come into contact with Kradleland! It seems that both of their opponents are acquaintances, but they’re entering into combat as they are! I mean, despite 《Haboob》 splitting the Vermillion team, all members are facing one enemy each! Kradleland, you fuckers haven't forgotten that this is a battle royale!?, have you!?』 The commentator, who had been following everyone with the drones, was disgusted at the fact that Kradleland had given up on one-to-many advantage. It was a decision that could not be considered as a tactic. However, the members of the Kradleland side were a mishmash of strays who were unable to understand each other. Things such as being unified or teamwork shouldn't be born.
『Well, at the very least, the battle is about to begin! Kradleland and Vermillion! Who will be the first to drop out? I'll chase after them thoroughly with my drones and deliver it to your living rooms──ah, whaaaaaaat!?』 Suddenly, the voice of the commentator, who shifted his attention to the images coming from many cameras, cracked his voice. At the same time, the broadcast screen switched to the camera that caused the surprise. The scene that was being projected there was, 『T-this is────《B B》 has already been defeated!?!?』 ◆◇◆◇◆ I hate adults. They always yell at me with scary faces and scary voices. They hit me with their rugged hands. We just want to have fun and play. ──That's why I get along very well with Or-Gaule.
No matter what I do, he never makes ugly faces. He doesn’t get mad. Rather, he smiles so happily and has fun with me. We play together. Unlike the scary adults. Maybe it's because he's a kid too. Such a friend is about to be caught by scary adults. If so, I have to help him. 《B B》 was convinced after comparing his own gigantic size with the opponent's small size. It was like an insect. And he thought. I can't lose to an opponent like this. Last time, because I was half-assed when it came to enlargement, I was taken by surprise and ended up receiving a sharp stab in the eyeball, but this time, I’ve been at full power from the beginning. If I strike him to the ground and crush him with my fists, he’ll be finished with a single blow. Yes, I’ll defeat him myself. The enemy who is after the life of my only friend. Putting that spirit on his fists, 《B B》 punched. Over and over again, he hit the enemy on the ground with all his might. But,
- Gah, ha! Aaaah! Vigor gradually left 《B B》’s facial expression. Instead, what oozed out with sweat was impatience and confusion. Why? The reason was before his eyes. The road that had been beaten down by his giant fists over and over again. On it──his enemy stood there with a composed face. - … - W-why!? Whyyyyyyy!!!! It was an abnormal sight. He didn't understand. If he was moving around and dodging his fists, then he would know why he was safe. But that wasn’t the case. The enemy didn't seem to be moving at all. He was standing still. The fists certainly engulfed the enemy. But he wasn’t squashed. He slipped through as if punching an immaterial ghost. Why? How? He didn't know, but he guessed that he was good at dodging somehow. Thinking so, a revelation ran through 《B B》’s mind. - Ah! Gufuh, gufufufuuuuuu…! I have a good idea! Having said so, 《B B》 put it into action.
- Up I go────! A big jump on the spot. He laid his body horizontally against the ground in the air and fell. The body press by the 300-meter class giant shook the ground. He couldn't escape from this. Even if such a small insect waved its legs, there was no way it would make it in time. - Gufu! Gufugufufu! This’ll crush you! Get crushed, you bastard!! Convinced of his victory, 《B B》 got up to confirm the battle results. And then, he looked down at the ground where the cars parked on the streets, the roadside trees, the buildings, everything was flattened and crushed, - ────Huh? He was at a loss for words. After all, the black samurai was standing up straight, holding his head high with dignity as if nothing had happened. - W-what? H-hoooooowwwwww!?!? 《B B》 laid bare his emotions and shouted as if to criticize the absurd reality. In response to that, Ikki answered. - It's nothing strange, 《B B》. Your enlargement is certainly a powerful ability. However, if you go to extremes, it loses its advantage. As they say, less is more. While saying so, Ikki spread his own palm to 《B B》 and showed him.
- The human body is full of irregularities, even the palm of the hands. Between the fingers, the fingerprint, the thenar eminence, the hypothenar eminence──these irregularities have grown too large due to excessive enlargement. It becomes more obvious when it comes to your whole body. The cavity in your belly button is far wider than Hagun's dormitory room. Then all he had to do was take shelter in that opening. Just like he did now. He slid into the gap that had spread due to the unnecessary enlargement. That was the trick with which all of 《B B》’s attacks ended in vain. - And that's not the only drawback of excessive enlargement. - !? In other words, for the first time after the battle began, Ikki willingly closed the distance with 《B B》. By sprinting with well-trained leg strength. But not straight. Ikki circled clockwise around 《B B》. Seeing Ikki’s quick movement, 《B B》 moved his head in order not to lose sight of him, but his movement was slow, - The mass of your enlarged body, the gravity drawn to it, the air resistance that accompanies your movements, everything becomes your shackles. You can't keep up with my speed in that condition. Furthermore, just because you’ve enlarged yourself──doesn’t change the weakness of humans…! - Ugah!?
Immediately after, Ikki, who shook free from 《B B》’s line of sight, slid to his feet and cut off the back of both ankles. Yes──the Achilles tendon. The tendon that connected the shin muscles that supported the knee with the heel. If it was cut off, it was obvious that he would be unable to stand. 《B B》's huge body collapsed from his knees to the ground. At that moment, Ikki added another follow-up attack. His aim was the fallen knees──the quadriceps tendon. - Ah!! The quadriceps tendon was the tendon that connected most of the thigh area to the knee. Damage here was equivalent to a leg losing its function. 《B B》’s body, which had lost strength in his knees, fell forward. 《B B》 managed to prevent his body from falling by supporting himself with his arms, but, - This is the end. - ──! It made no sense. Ikki was likely to win. The weak point to decide the match. The temporal region, the 『temple』, the noticeably thin part of the skull, had already fallen within his range,
- First Secret Sword──《Saigeki》!! The next moment, a thrust among Kurogane Ikki's sword skills that boasted outstanding attack power and penetrating power pierced 《B B》’s temple. - Gyah───a, aah…. 《Intetsu》 was like a needle for the enlarged 《B B》. The stab wound itself by means of thrusting didn’t deal much damage. But the impact was different. The energy of 《Saigeki》, which crushed even sturdy structures, easily penetrated the thin skull, thinly, deeply and sharply piercing the cerebellum, which was the locomotor center, causing serious destruction to 《B B》’s consciousness. (H-hu……… h……) Along with the collapse of consciousness, 《B B》's body finally fell to the ground. 《B B》 tried to put his body back on his feet, but, (I… ca… n’t… m, ove my… leg… s… w, why…?) His consciousness was no longer connected to his limbs. And his brain was gradually disconnected, his vision becoming hazy, his consciousness darkening. Kurogane Ikki walked up… until he was right in front of him, in front of his vision that was getting darker. - I win.
- …! 《B B》 glared at that figure with eyes that conveyed a strong impression with all his might. With disgust for the adults he loathed. As if to say that if he got any closer than this, he would bite him. No, he was going to bite at the facts. He couldn't move his limbs, but he could barely move from the neck up. But, - Unfortunately, you can't defeat me now because you’re still a small child. Unaffected by such vigor of 《B B》, Ikki approached him while speaking to him, - But no one stays a child forever. 《B B》. You’ll learn many things in the future. About yourself. About your power. About society. And… what you've done so far. And I want you to face it all and think about it. What kind of adult do you want to be? That should be the starting point of your true life. Saying that, he put a hand on his cheek. 《B B》, of course, tried to bite it, and put the last of his strength into his chin. - I'm looking forward to seeing you again when you've grown up. (Ah…) However, 《B B》 couldn't move. Because he noticed.
The small palm placed on his cheek. The warmth residing in it. It was a kind, warm and powerful feel that was different from any adult hand that he knew, ──No. That’s not it. 《B B》 thought. I know. This warmth, this kindness. 『Ahaha. Look at him. He's a big, healthy baby』 『That’s right, I'm sure he'll be tall and handsome unlike you, darling』 He heard happy voices. Voices that he seemed to have heard before. He didn’t remember them very well. He didn't know who they belonged to. But… in the past, somewhere, he was embraced by this warmth. He was enveloped by this kindness. He knew that. Before being taken to a pitch-black place by a scary, cold, rugged adult hand. When did it happen? Who did it? Even if he tried to remember, 《B B》's consciousness was already at its limit.
It faded. Guided by the nostalgic warmth he felt on his cheek. Eventually the magic was cancelled and 《B B》 returned to his original size. Was he having some kind of happy dream? His sleeping face was that of a peaceful child. ◆◇◆◇◆ 『What a one-sided battle! 《Worst One》 Kurogane Ikki! Without using any magic or Noble Arts, he threw 《B B》’s huge body off balance from his feet and finished him with a blow to the 『temple』! He defeated one of the representatives of Kradleland in a perfect game without receiving a single wound!! Bravo!! Holy Molly! The Japanese samurai is overwhelming, isn’t he!?!? I don't even have time to look at the camera for fuck’s sake!』 After rewinding the video and confirming the details, the commentator shouted in excitement. Everyone in the Vermillion Army, who were watching the footage live, also clapped and praised Ikki's strength. - Aha ☆ It was really an instant defeat! That’s so funny! - … I see. Does that mean that if there weren’t any hindrances in the vicinity, he wouldn’t be an opponent that would be hurt in the first place?
- Don't say that, General. He’s her boyfriend, and he’s too insane. I don't want to be compared to someone like that. He doesn't care if the difference in size is that of an ant and an elephant. Far from getting cold feet, he used his opponent's huge size to neutralize his attacks. The bigger the opponent's body, the bigger the gaps. It was certainly an obvious logic. It was like when you thought you've crushed a flying mosquito, but it was still alive in the dents of your fingers and you failed to catch it. However, although it was an obvious logic──while that might be true, was it possible to do it? Such a calm judgment in front of the coercion of the falling huge fists. Just the thought of it made Tilmitt's body tremble with fear. - What kind of boldness is that? Seriously, Stella came back with one hell of an unbelievable guy. While saying so, Ikki on the screen showed movement. He ran on the main road and started heading towards the center of Lucelle. He appeared to be heading to help his companions. But, 『《Worst One》 began to move again after leaving 《B B》, who fainted and returned to his original size, to the League relief team! Who will become the rust of the sword next!? Well, that's also something to worry about, but we aren’t artistically allowed to show only that guy's ass! We change the scene from here to above the skies of Kradleland! The royal confrontation between the two countries is heating up and it’s reaching a critical point!』
Then the screen of the broadcast switched and showed the battle between Stella and Johan. - 《New King》 Johan's mobility is clear! 《Chariot》's 『Path』 ability is the power that travels everywhere defying every environment and situation! It does not care if it's in the middle of the sky with no footing, and it doesn't matter if it's a perpendicular sharp curve! No matter the place or the trajectory, 《Chariot》 can run without brakes as if driving at high speed down the highway! Its trajectory is like lightning running through the sky! Indeed, isn’t 《Crimson Princess》 at a disadvantage in an aerial battle against this ability!?!? 』 As the commentor said, it was Johan who took the initiative in this aerial battle. Stella's 《Dragon Wing》 was a Noble Arts that she had just learned, so it was hard to say that her proficiency was adequate. Since there was no ground, she was unable to plant her feet on it, her attacks eventually were restrained, and she wasn’t able to fully utilize the power that she boasted. Reasons were many, but the biggest one was the traits of Johan's ability. Johnn's 『Path』 ability, as the commentator said, could conquer any trajectory or any rough road as a flat and straight road. It did not mind any obstacles in its path. That included, of course, Stella herself. Due to this causal interference, the potential of Stella existing in its path was greatly attenuated.
As a result, Stella inevitably fell behind Johan's 《Chariot》, which ran freely through the sky. She was in defense mode only. Even if she tried to defend against the charge and counterattack with her blade, Johan couldn't be captured because he escaped from her range with the momentum of the charge. Stella’s situation was visibly bad. She was at a loss. But, (────) Fresh blood wet Stella's cheeks after crossing dozens of times. It wasn’t──Stella's blood. The one who was bleeding was Johan, who was supposed to be attacking incessantly and unilaterally. 《Lævateinn》’s tip hadn’t even reached Johann yet. However, a streak of blood ran down Johan’s skin, from his cuff to his fingertips, wetting the handle of his knight spear. How? Stella knew the answer. The first round of the last 《Seven Stars Sword Art Festival》. She remembered what Or-Gaule, who participated at the 《Seven Stars Sword Art Festival as 『Hiraga Reisen』, did to 《Koori no Reishou》 Tsuruya Mikoto.
《Marionette King》 Or-Gaule had the Noble Arts of manipulating others with his own threads. Even the latent abilities that the person themselves couldn’t master. It was, so to speak, 《Ittou Shura》 that completely ignored the will of the person themselves. It was an act that irrefutably and forcibly exploited the body and soul beyond the limit. There was no pity or anything. Johan was in that condition right now. The skillfulness of his magical power and technique that were incomparable to Johan in Stella's memory. It was a move that exceeded the strength of the real Johan. If he continued like this, Johan's body would soon collapse. ──She couldn’t afford to be that slow. She had to settle this quickly. 『Leave it to me! I'll protect Luna-nee, myself, Johan-nii and everyone!』 Yes, she made a promise to everyone. So Stella made a decision. 『Eh? Wha, wait wait wait wait! 《Crimson Princess》! What the hell is she thinking!?』 - Stella-chan…!?
- ────! Stella's parents, who were watching the broadcast in Vermillion, also opened their eyes wide. The reason being, 『She put away her Device during the war, in the middle of the battle!?』 She had made such a ridiculous move. 『Is she going to stop 《Chariot》's 《Circus Maximus》 with her bare hands!? That’s crazyyyy────! She’s a little too reckless! It’s completely evident what will happen if she stands in front of the cavalry that flies at top speed with her body! But even if she regrets it──it's too late!!』 The enemy had unarmed themselves. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity was something Johan──and the 《Marionette King》 who controlled him could not miss! - 《Circus Maximus》! 『《Chariot》 plunges in like an arrow! A straight line to the defenseless enemy!』 The golden cavalryman stuck out his knight spear and rode fast in a straight line through the sky directly aiming at Stella's heart. Stella, on the other hand, never picked up the sword. A stance to grab the approaching tip with her bare hands. ──That was an absurd decision. An unthinkable recklessness. There was no infantry that could catch the charge of a cavalry from the front.
Moreover, Johan's ability was 『Path』. The power of supremacy, which plunged forward and crushed all obstacles in its path. That power took the form of a concept and interfered with causality, rendering even Stella's physical strength meaningless. That was obvious. ──But, (I couldn’t care less… about what’s obvious!) Stella remembered. That tiny 《Desperado》 she faced in Edelberg.
《Toutetsu》 Fu Xiaoli. Stella herself was a superior warrior. Therefore, she knew. That enemy──if she fought her ten times, she would lose ten times, that much was obvious. The difference in ability between herself and her opponent was that wide. Stella herself admitted that without leaving room for any objection. But, even so──she was the one who won that deadly battle. Blazers were beings who rewrote their destinies according to their own will. A strong will and a strong ego sometimes changed the obvious*. *TN: Obvious is the furigana reading for fate. In other words, fighting for the hegemony of that fate was the battle of a Blazer. If that was the case──the power that had the fate to run over all obstacles and push forward. How big of a threat would that be? She could stop it. The power of fate that Johan possessed. No. Of course she could. Such a thing. Something of that degree. Because that Johan wasn't even Johan. It was a mere 『wooden figure』 manipulated by an evil will. Because there wasn’t even the slightest bit of will or self in him…! - ────!!
And then, the golden warhorse hit Stella directly without slowing down at all, and the tip of 《Chariot》 hit her heart──no, it did not. Barely. That was because Stella's hands easily caught the knight spear and stopped its charge with force. 『Wha…! It stoppeddddd! Are you for real, 《Crimson Princess》!? She stopped 《Chariot》’s 《Circus Maximus》 that crushes everything that stands in its way! Seriously, she caught it with her bare hands! What a nonstandard power────!!!!』 Stella drew the knight spear that she had grabbed and pulled Johan down from the golden warhorse, grabbed his body, which was about to fall from the sky, by the collar, lifted him, - Johan-nii. I have a message from Luna-nee. She took one deep breath, - You idiot!! You, who should be the model of the people, are the next heir to the throne of the royal family! Now grin and bear it!! She shouted the message entrusted by her older sister, the message she loaded with emotions during the state funeral yesterday night. ──And slapped Johan's cheek without hesitation.
◆◇◆◇◆ The unprecedented shock produced in the left cheek. It blew Johan's body away like a cannonball, knocking him down from Lucelle sky to the ground in the suburbs. The live commentator screamed at this shocking spectacle. No matter how much of a Blazer he was, if he fell to the ground from several hundred meters in the sky, he wouldn't be safe. It was a catastrophe. He would most likely lose his life. But only if he was an ordinary Blazer. Johan, who crashed to the ground from the distant sky and caused about seven houses to collapse due to the momentum, was alive. The reason was the magical power that was forcibly wrought by 《Marionette King》. The magical power that greatly exceeded Johan's limit was released, mitigating the impact of the fall. There wasn’t any particular damage. That was why Johan, who was buried in rubble, twisted his body and tried to get up immediately.
He pushed aside the rubble as if nothing had happened, and tried to stand up. However, even if his manipulated body looked like that──his mind was different. Stella's slap awakened Johann's ego, which had dried up from tears and had sunk into a bog of despair and apathy. (Those words….) He remembered. The way he was yelled at and hit was similar to how it happened just now. It happened when he was studying at a university in England. The pressure of the upcoming coronation. The heavy responsibility that came with it. There was a time when he looked away from all that. If it was an inescapable fate that would come sooner or later, at least he would live freely now. There was a time when he was playing around with friends who weren't very classy. But on a such a night. On the way to a certain party, she appeared. ──Lunaize Vermillion. The childhood friend who studied abroad in order to carry the country on her back like him. Someone equivalent to an elder sister who was one year older and could not be matched.
He knew from the moment they met that he had come to warn him about his conduct. That was why he said. He would be diligent when the time came. So, he wanted to enjoy the here and now. It was at that moment. Together with the very same words that Stella said earlier, he was completely overwhelmed, 『』Do you want to live freely? I don't think that neither you nor I have that right. Whose money do you think we have been raised? Whose money do you think you are getting education? You live for Kradleland, and you die for Kradleland!』 Saying that, she peremptorily dragged him home. … Was it in the middle of the night of that day? He heard that his friends were arrested for illegal drug use. If Lunaize hadn't slapped him and brought him back, even if he wasn't on drugs, just being there would have been a big problem. He would have caused a lot of damage to Kradleland's image and saddened the public and his parents. The fear he felt at that time made him imagine such an 『if』 in his imprudent head, which was restless in the free status called “student”. So, since that incident, instead of just enjoying the present as a student because he would be king someday, he imagined 『himself as a king』 and behaved.
The responsibilities that had been decided he would bear in the future. He wished he was good enough for them. Yes, just like… Lunaize Vermillion, who was aware of her responsibility from an early age and behaved dignifiedly at all times. He wanted to be like her too. But…, (It’s impossible for me…) His father, his mother, his friends──he killed them all with his own hands. The feeling that penetrated their flesh. The trembling at the end of their exhausted lives. The shades of astonishment and despair reflected in their eyes. He remembered everything. Everything refrained in his mind at every turn. He couldn't bear… something like this. It was impossible to live with such sins. To say nothing of being the king…. He didn't want to think about anything anymore. He didn't want to live. (… if I just become the 『puppet』 of that guy, things will be…) Like that, Johan tried to surrender himself to the malice that flowed through his body through the threads, and at that time, - You must not. I won’t allow that.
(──!?) Johan stood up after pushing aside the rubble while being manipulated. She stood before his eyes with the scarlet setting sun behind her. The first imperial princess of the Vermillion Empire. Lunaize Vermillion. ◆◇◆◇◆ (Why, in a place like this…) Now Lucelle was a 『battlefield』. Entering should be prohibited during the war. But why? Yes, to the perplexed Johan, - Do you remember, Johan? When we were kids, in the rose garden of your castle, I made a promise to you, who complained if you were fit for a king. Lunaize said as she walked up to him. Even at this time, with the same expression as usual, She remained the dignified girl Johan admired and fell in love with,
- I remember it. I never forgot it. And now I've come to carry it out. If it's a heavy burden you can't carry alone, I'll try to support you. If you can't bear the pain alone, share it with me. You still have me. Please──come back, Johan!! - Ah──── Having been told so, Johan remembered. Certainly, a long time ago, a very long time ago, she made such a promise. Was he fit for a king? These were the words that Lunaize gave him as encouragement to him when he was a troubled boy. Such a verbal promise from childhood that even he, the side who was encouraged, had forgotten, and she── (~~~~~~! ) At that moment──dread ran through Johan's entire body. Chills like cold water running into his veins. He knew. ──Stop. This was malice. 《Marionette King》 Or-Gaule's malice flowed into his body. Malice turned into blood, permeated into his flesh, and controlled his whole body. The 《Knight Spear》 was lifted up with a sway, and its tip was pointed to Lunaize,
──Please stop…! The feeling when he killed Luke and the others was recalled. A disorienting despair rose up from the depths of his heart. This control was absolute. It couldn't be stopped. No matter how hard he resisted, no matter how much he cried, At that moment too. At that moment too. At that moment too…! However, - Don’t lay your hands on that persoooooooooooon! Immediately after, the tip of the golden knight spear──pierced Lunaize. It deeply pierced her slender body. At the same time, a large amount of blood poured down on the pile of rubble. ──But, - Hah…! A, ga, ……! The bloodshed wasn't Lunaize's. Everything gushed out from Johan's whole body.
Not a single drop of blood came out of Lunaize, whose abdomen was pierced by the knight spear. Yes, Johan escaped from the control of the 《Marionette King》 at the last minute by sheer force. He forcibly tore off the threads of Or-Gaule that were deeply entwined in his body and soul. The instant 《Chariot》 gouged out Lunaize's abdomen, he suppressed the killing intent of the tip by turning it into 《Illusory Form》. But the price was high. The flesh of his whole body was deeply torn, the brain and organs were considerably damaged, and blood overflowed from the ears and eyes. Lunaize, on the other hand, was by no means safe. That was natural. Even if the 《Illusory Form》 didn't hurt her body, the pain was still real. The pain of being pierced through the abdomen by the thick knight spear. The pain of having her spine crushed and the spear pushing through and out from the back. It wouldn't be strange if her consciousness vanished. ──However, - ……. Lunaize didn’t make a sound even though her forehead was dripping with cold sweat. She didn’t change her facial expression either.
The pain and loss caused by 《Illusory Form》 were like a powerful hypnosis that acted on the soul. It couldn’t reap the consciousness of those who went into battle with strong will and resolute determination. Lunaize came here carrying those. In order to save him… her precious childhood friend. In order not to let him lose anything more. For those reasons, Lunaize──started to walk forward without worrying about the knight spear piercing her abdomen. She stepped back to pull out the spear. Lunaize regretted even those few steps that separated her from Johan. And, - Welcome back. Johan. Lunaize hugged Johan who was covered with cuts. - … I, didn’t, protect, you…! Not even in the slightest…! The hugged body of Johan. His body wet with blood trembled. … What was Johan forced to do? She heard that from the devil. It was inevitable that he thought so, and that he felt like he was being crushed by his guilty conscience. But Lunaize knew.
He couldn't save anything. He couldn't do anything. ──She knew that those things weren’t true. That was a given. Because, - What are you saying? You saved me, didn't you? Because of what he did just now, she was alive. - …! - It’s okay. Kradleland will also be taken back by Stella and the others. Without a fail. However, - It's your duty as the king to rebuild it. Don’t worry. You can do it. … Together, we can do it. From now on, I will always stand by you. - Ah────. Always stand by you. The meaning of those words. The feelings put into them. The words he pursued didn't come out. The wounds that were too big. The bleeding. And then… Johan's mind and body had already reached their limit after being tormented by feelings of guilt and powerlessness for the past several days. His Device faded. His body grew weak and leaned on Lunaize. Lunaize continued to stand while hugging Johan's body.
Until the relief team brought by League came. So that Johan's body never fell to the ground. ◆◇◆◇◆ The series of events that occurred before Johan collapsed. It caused the commentator to be terribly perplexed. 『W-what the fuck is going on? What the hell just happened!? Stella-chan's intense slap sent 《New King》 Johan flying, and suddenly Vermillion 's First Imperial Princess, Lunaize Vermillion, appeared, and Johan pierced her without warning…! But she’s not bleeding. Was it in illusory form…? But was it Johan who began to bleed all of a sudden…? Hold on a second, I don’t understand anything. How? Stella-chan's slap was the legendary Hokuto Shinken!?』 Boomer couldn't hide his shaking, but it couldn't be helped. To the public, Johan was the mastermind of the coup, and the fact that he was being manipulated by the 《Marionette King》 was hidden. Only a handful of people knew. If the details of how this battle of representatives was decided were to be officially announced, he wouldn’t avoid the vilification of having yielded to
the terrorists. And the League and Vermillion too. Therefore, there were measures. Boomer, who was only the commentator, had no way of knowing that. But Boomer was also a professional commentator. 『Well, I don't really know what happened, but based on what I saw on the camera, Lunaize-chan doesn't seem to have done anything, rather, it seems that her belly was pierced, therefore, a foul, but that’s not the case. However, you’re not allowed to enter the battlefield during 『war time』, Lunaize-chan! Everyone except the players is treated like a stone on the roadside! There’s no room for complaints even if you get killed! It's dangerous, so hurry up, staff! Take her out right now!』 Without trying to forcibly prolong what he didn’t understand, he focused on something else and fairly checked whether there was a foul due to Lunaize's intervention. Judging whether or not there was such a thing, he gave instructions to the staff. Lunaize, along with the fainted Johan, left Lucelle with the guidance of the relief team. While staring at them… Astraea remembered. What happened last night when Lunaize called her unexpectedly. 『Luna-chan, what is this important thing you have to talk with me〜?』 『This is unusual, not only did you call Mama, but called even me. What's wrong?』
It was late at night when the feast was in full swing. In response to the sudden call from Lunaize to their cell phones, Astraea and Sirius came to the designated exit of central park. Because everyone was gathered in the park for the state funeral, Lunaize called two people and two people only. Lunaize, who called them to such a quiet place, 『… Father, Mother』 Facing the two, she suddenly bowed her head deeply. And, 『Thank you for taking care of me until today. I, Lunaize Vermillion, renounce the right to succeed to the throne of Vermillion』 With a more polite and formal tone than usual, she said such a surprising thing. 『『Wha!?』』 Naturally, Astraea and Sirius couldn't hide their surprise at the sudden declaration. 『Wh-what do you mean, Luna-chan!? Why did you suddenly renounce your right to succession…!?』 At Astraea's question, Lunaize raised her hanging head and answered. 『I think Father was watching, but I noticed it in the exchange with Stella earlier. Who really deserves to be the ruler of this country? Who is the ruler that the people want?』 The exchange with Stella.
It was the fuss that happened when they were putting together the wooden watchtower for the state funeral bonfire. In contrast with Lunaize who wanted to advise the citizens to leave the country, Stella did not follow her and supported the people to remain in the country. The people were very happy and excited about this. Astraea had also heard about that exchange from Sirius. … Maybe she was worried about the difference in support from the people. Astraea thought so, 『… Luna-chan. It's true that Stella-chan is popular with everyone, but I, your mother, don’t think that Luna-chan doesn't have the qualities or that she's less suitable than Stella-chan~. Besides, while being popular is a good thing, I don't think that's enough for a ruler~』 In order to encourage Lunaize to reconsider it, she added, 『Of course I understand you. In Japan, they have a saying, which is: The poorer a child is, the cuter they are. 『T-that’s quite harsh, isn’t it～…?』 『I intend to make an extremely fair assessment. It's not like I'm worried about my bad public reception. However…』 『However…?』 『When I saw Vermillion trying to face the battle where the nations’s destiny was at stake as one, I thought. … Certainly, the country I was born and raised in is a country like that, and… I also like this kind of Vermillion』 『Luna-chan….』 At Lunaize's assertion, Astraea was at a loss for words.
Lunaize was not the kind of person who would say something like this out of a momentary emotion or delusion. Lunaize was serious. …However, Astraea was negative about Lunaize's renouncing the right to succeed to the throne. From her point of view, there was no one better suited to be the ruler of Vermillion than Lunaize. Whether it was the climate, or the influence of the current King Sirius, the people of this country were a bit too unreasonable. For instance, they didn’t try to do something like evacuating while the country was in a predicament, they did exactly so. Lunaize's calmness and rationality were essential to fill in the parts Vermillion lacked. She was troubled, wondering if there was anything she could do to make her change her mind. However, next to Astraea, 『That’s not all, is it?』 『!』 Sirius, who had been silently listening to Lunaize's words, opened his mouth. 『… I was in that place just now. I heard you. ──It’s about Johan, isn’t it?』 At those words, Lunaize immediately opened her mouth. But no voice came out.
Perhaps she was trying to make something up. However, the deception was not voiced──and with the pressure of her boiling emotions, what she really thought immediately began to overflow. 『I want to be by Johan's side…』 『Luna-chan….』 『At this moment when he is suffering the most, I want to be by his side…! I want to rush to where he is right now and support him! It’s unacceptable for the First Imperial Princess of Vermillion, a person who should live and die for this country, to say such a thing…! I know that, I do, but now that I’ve said it, I can’t hold back anymore….』 『Go』 『Eh…?』 『Papa?』 Those words were so unexpected that Lunaize and Astraea looked at Sirius together. It wasn’t like he didn't understand the meaning of Lunaize's words just now. Sirius was that much against Stella’s engagement. In response, Sirius let out a big sigh and said. 『Luna. Since you were little, you always thought too hard about everything. Live for this country? Die for this country? Is that the duty of the imperial family? Stupid. I don't think those guys want that. They want you and Stella to smile. That’s all they want. They are all doting parents. … And it’s the same for me』
Then, he put his hand on Lunaize's head, who was shocked, and patted her hair. With a chaotic and rough manner of using his hand. 『Go, Luna. Do what you want to do. Do what only you can do』 『Father!』 In an instant, Lunaize jumped into Sirius' chest. 『You have looked after me until today…. I love you, Father...!』 Like that, Lunaize then left Vermillion with Stella and the others. To save Johan with her own hands. Yes. Even though she didn't have the ability to fight, she would do it with her feelings. It was nothing but recklessness, but Lunaize chose that. (…Luna-chan is also a Vermillion girl after all) Astraea thought. She thought that Lunaize was like her, but she appeared to be quite wrong. It was flowing through her too. The same hot, fiery blood, just like Sirius and Stella. - … That’s great, isn’t it, Papa? With the heat of her blood, Lunaize admirably saved Johan.
Sharing the joy of her recklessness bearing fruit, Astraea looked at Sirius standing next to her. In contrast with her, Sirius answered. - How is it great? I’m lonely, I feel like crying. With a strong frown. - … Then you shouldn't have let her go. If anything, I was against it, you know? I was against accepting Luna-chan's renouncement of the right to inherit the throne. But Papa told her to go… there was no way I could oppose her in that mood, was there? - Umm, b-but it can’t be helped. I know that Luna has been doing her best since she was a child for the day she becomes the ruler. For Luna to say that she renounces the throne, how much resolution and determination was needed to do that? If I take that into consideration, I can’t tell her to stop. Sirius let out a big sigh when he answered. Then, with a warped expression, he complained, 「If she loves me, why doesn’t she stay in Vermillion forever?」 Because such a slightly pathetic appearance of his was lovely, Astraea gently leaned against Sirius' arm and told him. - Papa. 70% of your daughter’s “I love you” is a means. - Eh?
◆◇◆◇◆ - Thank goodness…. Stella, who was watching over Lunaize and Johan from the Lucelle sky, let out a sigh of relief. When Lunaize said she would stop Johan herself, she was against it, saying that it was ridiculous. But Lunaize didn't yield. 『Don't look down on me that much just because I showed you a little pathetic side of me earlier. I’m not going to wait for someone's help while my beloved man is in a predicament. There's no way I'm such a weak princess. I'm──your older sister』 And then, she managed to get Johan back. Without relying on any ability. (Just as I thought, Luna-nee is amazing…) She always believed it, but she didn't have the feeling that she could win against her older sister. With admiration in her heart, Stella saw off Lunaize, who was taken by the relief team with Johan. And, - … But the real match starts now.
She stiffened her expression and increased the output of 《Dragon Wing》. The phosphorescence scattering from the rising flames rained down on the city of Lucelle. That phosphorescence was Stella's magic power and part of her body. Through her own magic power, Stella overlooked the city of Lucelle, (I found you) Threads of magic power thinner than a spider's thread extended from Lucelle to the entire country. It was as if the whole country of Kradleland was a spiderweb. And, at the center of that nest──without a doubt, HE was there. - For the suffering of Johan-nii, for being the enemy of all those who have been killed, you’re the only one I’ll never forgive! Stella took off after manifesting her Device 《Lævateinn》 again. Towards the enemy that she, the sword of Vermillion, must defeat. The camera of the relay chased Stella's back, 『Stella-chan made 《New King》 Johan, the leader of the Kradleland team, surrender with overwhelming strength! And now she’s suddenly heading to support her allies! She doesn’t look exhausted at all! The Vermillion team already crushed two of their opponents in less than ten minutes since the war started! Moreover, both of them are rookies who have just attained adulthood; the reliability of the new generation is staggering! With this, the situation is 5 to 3! Will the Vermillion team keep that momentum and decide it in one go!? What about the other battles!? First of all, the camera in the royal castle's rose garden──ah, this is…!』
On one of the countless screens stacked on the broadcast helicopter through the drones. The scene that was projected there left the live coverage speechless.
Chapter 17 Futen Assassin Around the time when Ikki and Stella engaged the enemy. In the rose garden in the courtyard of the Kradleland royal castle, a battle was about to begin. 《Futen Assassin》 Tatara and 《Dirty Rose》 Ein. - You’re going to fight me no matter what, Fia. - That’s a given. You’ve sullied 《Abgrund》's reputation. I’ll have you take responsibility for what you did with your head. - I don't get it. … What is in that place for you? - ... I don’t need your sympathy. Spitting out, Tatara smashed the garden table and readied her own device, - Let's go. 《Jizurimukade》…! Pulling the starter rope, she started the chainsaw engine, then raised the roaring chainsaw and brought it down onto Ein’s head. In response to this, Ein, who was sitting on a garden chair, - 《Trigger Happy》- *Thud*, she hit the ground in the courtyard with the heel of her shoe. At that moment, a single red tulip broke through the ground behind Ein and raised its head towards Tatara standing in front of Ein, - Kya────────────────────────!!!!
- ! As soon as it let out a strained scream as though to pierce Tatara’s ears, something sprouted with sparks from the center of the petals. Tatara reacted quickly to this and immediately jumped sideways to avoid that something. In an instant, countless gunshot wounds pierced the ground Tatara had been standing on. - A machine gun…! 《Trigger Happy》 chased after Tatara, who escaped to the side by moving her head, and continued shooting while letting out a high-pitched scream. However, Tatara continued to run clockwise around Ein, using the stone statues and fences in the rose garden to overcome it, gradually closing the distance to Ein. A gambit of strong legs, one that Tatara’s bearing excelled at. However, Ein was in no particular hurry──and hit the ground again with her heel. - 《Bamboo Javelin》. - Kuoh!? In a split second, a line of bamboo javelins popped out, piercing the ground beneath Tatara. A surprise attack from a blind spot at her feet. A normal Blazer would have had their whole body skewered at this point. But not Tatara.
She was an assassin before she was a Blazer. Ever since she was very little, she had received more than enough training to deal with sudden crises like this. Techniques were ingrained in her bones more than awareness. - ────! Tatara's body stopped trying to confront the approaching bamboo javelins and deliberately stamped on the ground. Without stiffening her body, she twisted her body around the tip of the javelins so as to roll and slid her body between the line of javelins. Due to her quick-wittedness, the bamboo javelins only ripped Tatara’s clothes and skin shallowly. However──the enemy she was fighting now was also an assassin who studied in the same educational institution. She knew that this wouldn’t finish off an 《Abgrund》 assassin. Therefore, Ein’s aim was something else── - I got you. It had already appeared as a visible situation. The green bamboo javelins protruding into the sky. They surrounded Tatara like a cage, restricting her movement. And 《Trigger Happy》 didn’t miss this decisive chance, ──A gunshot. A powerful muzzle flash sprouted from the petals, shooting seed bullets.
Surrounded by green bamboo cages on all sides, Tatara had no way to escape this. Yes, there was only one, - 《Total Reflect》. - ──! With the exception of her ability. The moment the bullets passed through Tatara’s body, she continuously activated her『Reflect』 ability. It bounced the downpouring barrage of bullets back to the surroundings. The repelled bullets crushed the green bamboos surrounding her into pieces in an instant. In addition, it turned 《Trigger Happy 》 that was firing bullets into Swiss cheese, sending slices of vegetables to fly, - Haaaaaah! Taking advantage of the moment when the enemy lost her method of attack, Tatara deeply eroded the distance with Ein. In a flash, she mowed her down with the blade of the chainsaw, and cut off the left hand of the unfocused Ein who had caught Tatara with 《Bamboo Javelin》. However, Ein was said to be the best assassin in 《Abgrund》. Without showing any discomposure at having her arm blown off, she immediately jumped back, - 《Crunch Alligator》.
*Snap*, she snapped her fingers with her remaining right hand──and activated the trap she had set at her feet. What appeared after blowing up the soil where Ein fled away and Tatara stood were two leaves. It was a large flytrap with sharp spines inside that could easily swallow a single human being. It wasn’t a simple thing that cut off escape routes and melted flies like a traditional flytrap. Like an alligator, it crushed the prey it captured in an instant with its powerful masseter muscle. It was a mincing and eating maneater. However, the masseter strength it boasted, - That’s not gonna work…! It backfired in front of this enemy. Having the force to tightly close 『Reflected』 as an impact, 《Crunch Alligator》 scattered leaf juice while being blown off into pieces. However, by that time, Ein also secured the distance with Tatara again. She immediately escaped to a position where she couldn’t be pursued, and the atmospheric pressure of the fighting spirit swirling between them temporarily dropped. - *Giggles*. Aren’t you amazing, Fia? I can’t believe that the crybaby Fia has grown up to the point of dropping my arm. … It makes me a little happy somehow. Human growth is an amazing thing, isn’t it? A large number of 《Magic Flowers》 created by her own ability.
Ein praised Tatara’s offensive movement, which she didn't care about, while stroking her own missing left arm from the middle of her upper arm. It was a sincere praise, but for Tatara, it was nothing to be happy about. - Don't pretend to be a big shot. I have scratches, and you have one arm. It's clear as day who has the high ground. … Your head is next. I’ll put an end to this pointless conversation right away. Spitting out, she lowered her body again and adopted a charging stance. Pulling the starter again, she increased the engine output to the maximum and encouraged herself to win the match on the next approach. Ein, on the other hand, - Ara, so scary…. but will it go smoothly as you expect, I wonder? Without tearing down her relaxed smile, she was convinced that she wouldn’t lose to the enemy in front of her. It was terribly irritating for Tatara, - Say it! I’ll decapitate you and cut that calm appearance off, said Tatara, running towards Ein again. No, to be more precise, she tried to start running. But the charge, - …! It was blocked by a phenomenon that occurred in Ein’s missing left arm. As soon as a conspicuously large splatter of blood erupted from Ein’s left arm, the cut surface was pushed open and blood-soaked thorn ivies
stretched out while making their bodies wriggle like a snake. The ivies repeated branching over and over again, and as they increased in number, they became a carpet of thorns around Ein, spreading out in the courtyard while crawling on the ground. And eventually, they reached Tatara’s feet and stretched ivies to coil around her feet. They slowly coiled and entwined around. - ──…! While frowning, Tatara escaped backwards. But the ivies moved slowly, chasing after Tatara, extending over and over again to coil around her. - Gu…! Oraaa!!