Chapter 30: Returnees Do Not Return (2)
Guoooo──!
A deep roar echoed.
The misshapen maw that covered Dante's right shoulder. It was a shout let out, baring its teeth.
Dante himself seemed to be unconscious. While his unfocused eyes wavered, Dante's limbs moved mercilessly, performing a sword dance.
- Damn it! I can't understand it!
The professor of the Department of Swordsmanship, groaning as he received Dante's sword strikes.
To be pushed back in a chaotic battle with a student. It was an impossible thing. He had to use all his strength just to deflect the descending blade.
This is not a human's strength. The professor of the Department of Swordsmanship clenched his teeth. Not a strength brought forth by mobilizing blood, bones, and muscles, but……,
- It's like the power of a monster…….
It was close to a struggle woven from malice.
- Step back! I'll take over!
Koong, and.
A giant spear, thrust into the ground at Dante's feet.
A yellow line was drawn on the surface of the spear. It was a signal announcing the activation of an artifact. Pajijit! A wave of electricity, manifested with the spearhead stuck in the ground as its axis. It immediately surrounded Dante's body.
- Now!
The professor of the Department of Spearmanship shouted.
Geugeugeuk! Foam frothed at Dante's mouth. The electricity that had penetrated his body was paralyzing his nervous system. A chance to bind him. The professor of the Department of Elemental Studies gripped his magic staff.
- O spirits of the earth, help me.
A flurry of earthy light extended from the professor of the Department of Elemental Studies. The spirits he had contracted with were helping with the composition of the spell. Soon, magic chains that bound Dante's four limbs. Through the protection bestowed by the spirits of the earth, they became rocks and pressed down on his bone joints, but,
──Jjaenggang!
They scattered like paper.
- This is quite something.
The professor of the Department of Elemental Studies laughed bitterly.
- His bones should have been shattered, but why……
- Don't think of him as a student, old man. At this rate, we'll be the ones to get hurt.
- Are there no alternatives? It would be good if the Vice President came……
……Though it's impossible, and.
The professor of the Department of Spearmanship recited softly.
Konstanze von Theresia. She must be supervising the entire war situation. The barrier of CIAR must also be being maintained through the Vice President's magic. Looking at it from a cool-headed judgment, the anomaly that had occurred to Dante in the current situation was nothing more than a small commotion.
- Did they say remnants of the 2nd Prince. Those damned warships.
- Yes, the Vice President announced so. She did tell us not to let our guard down…….
- How ridiculous. Who would have expected an invasion to be carried out in this way.
A chilling scheme.
It was a fact that all three professors agreed on.
There was only one means to move such a huge military force in an instant. It was none other than teleportation magic. Since it was impossible to teleport onto the ground, they must have used the sky. The professors understood so.
The entire area of the capital, Naflansee, was being protected by a disruption spell. It had sealed the coordinate designation stage of teleportation magic. The Dimensional Doors installed in a limited space were being overused, but it was impossible to infiltrate an army through them. That's why they must have used the sky, but……,
No one would have expected it. Because teleportation magic was a spell with poor economic efficiency. Ten people's worth of magic was needed to move one person. The scale of the cast needed for the teleportation of a warship would be indescribable.
What on earth is behind them?
What teleported dozens of warships,
and why did the boy before our eyes become like that.
- Do we have to kill him? That child…….
As the professor of the Department of Spearmanship asked softly, the professor of the Department of Elemental Studies let out a sigh.
- Can you kill a child?
- It's impossible. But…….
- It's the same for me. I want to avoid killing a brat at all costs. If it weren't for that, there would be no reason for us to be like this. I would have cut his throat long ago.
- I suppose so. I'm sorry. I said something unnecessary…….
- Abel Argento.
As the professor of the Department of Swordsmanship said that name, the gazes of the other two professors froze. Sword Saint Abel Argento. Though they couldn't reveal his identity due to the vow spell, the professors knew that a Sword Saint was present at CIAR.
- The only one who can break this situation is that man. Where on earth is he?
At the same moment the professor of the Department of Swordsmanship asked,
- Everyone, get back!
Geureuk──!
Dante's body, leaping violently.
The professors straightened their stances. They had no choice but to respond. Even if it became a meaningless war of attrition, for now, the only measure was to postpone Dante's treatment.
‘……Teacher Abel.’
And so, while the metallic sound echoed,
‘Teacher Abel is…….’
Monika panted for breath.
She was observing the situation from a distance.
‘……Where on earth are you?’
While the professors were fighting hard against Dante, for Monika, she had no choice but to think of Abel's face. Abel would know. A way to return Dante to his original state. Yes, Teacher Abel would surely…….
“Monika.”
At that moment, Fleur's touch, pulling on Monika's collar.
“What are you doing? We have to go to the shelter too.”
Fleur whispered with a worried expression. The students who had been gathered around began to scatter. Some of them were carrying a wounded student. Though the wound was sealed through divine magic, their uniform was stained red, and their face was pale.
“Are you hesitating because of Dante senior? You don't have to. It's none of your business.”
You can't do anything anyway.
Whispering so, Fleur glanced at Dante.
“The professors will take care of it. We have to run.”
“I……”
Monika stood blankly and opened her mouth.
There was no basis to deny it. Fleur's words were sound reasoning.
What can I do here? Save Dante? Or will I kill him?
Monika knew well. The power that accompanies saving someone is manifested through a force strong enough to kill that someone. The professors were also the same. They could kill Dante at any time. That was why they had grasped the choice of trying to save him.
During the Mirror War,
The ones who killed the children were soldiers, and the ones who saved the children were also soldiers. The concept of power is two-sided. Just as the blade of a sword is split in two.
I am young and weak.
Monika also knew this well. She was sufficient to be killed by someone, and her situation was also suitable to be saved by someone. What she had proven while living was more luck than ability.
Dante was also the same. The lives of the young and weak are just weighed on the palms of adults. The professors might be able to save Dante in the end, but it was also a problem that they might cut his throat with a sense of guilt.
Will Teacher Abel come?
Or, will he not be able to come?
Should I go look for him? Should I wait?
‘What if, Teacher is facing an even greater danger…….’
Monika looked at a distant place.
The unidentified warships surrounding the floating island. Further beyond that, the warships belonging to the Capital Defense Air Force were revealing themselves.
They couldn't rashly engage in battle. CIAR was a hostage. The Capital Defense Air Force was also hesitating to approach because this place was blockaded.
‘……Yes.’
Monika closed her eyes gently.
Abel would be at the center of the war situation.
I shouldn't look for him. I shouldn't wait.
Because I'm not a lost brat.
That was why she asserted.
“I'm staying here.”
Fleur's eyebrows twitched.
“I'll look for something I can do. So, Fleur de Saint-Pierre, I hate you to the point of throwing up. But……”
Monika's gaze shifted cautiously. The janitors of her age, standing behind Fleur. She looked at the restless Trisha, Melisha, and Sasha.
“Please take care of my friends. Take them to the shelter.”
At the moment Monika said so and turned her back,
“No. I can't allow it, Monika.”
What are you going to do by yourself?
Fleur's question flew sharply, and,
[──Lady Monika!]
Fabien's voice, heard from afar.
[I was looking for you, Lady Monika.]
Fabien, who had run at full speed, stopped beside Monika. Monika tilted her head. The thing that Fabien was hugging. She thought it was a lump of iron, but seeing it up close, it was a sword. A great sword so long and heavy that it seemed better suited to be used as a pillar of a building. Holding it out, Fabien spoke.
[Professor Argento ordered it. To deliver this to you, Lady Monika.]
“……This thing?”
No, no.
Monika shook her head vigorously.
“Teacher Abel, this……, to me?”
[That is correct. He left this and went out.]
Fabien's palm stroked the body of the sword.
[I have analyzed the properties of the sword on my own. It is a product completed by refining the blade with pure silver, and at the same time, having it absorb holy water.]
An armament similar to a Holy Relic.
Fabien said that's how it should be understood.
[It will exert a massive power, limited to monsters. Professor Argento ordered me to deliver this if you were in danger, Lady Monika.]
Of course, you seem safe now, but……, and.
Fabien muttered, observing the battle between Dante and the professors.
[It seems you will soon be involved in a dangerous matter. Am I right?]
“……You've hit the nail on the head.”
Monika wore a hollow smile.
“By the way……, will I be able to lift this?”
[It will be possible. Because Professor Argento was certain.]
An Aura whose form has become clear.
If you use that, you should be able to lift it.
Fabien relayed the words that Abel had said.
‘……Teacher Abel knew everything.’
Monika thought, looking down at the palm of her prosthetic arm. She released her Aura at the same time as she held her breath. The flow of Aura, triggered from her heart. She poured it into her prosthetic arm with all her might.
At that, a stalk of grass that wrapped around her arm.
It shone with a green light and bloomed leaves.
Monika gripped the hilt, with that in her embrace.
‘……It's light.’
The weight transmitted to Monika was light. At most, the weight of a training longsword. It was because the Aura that had been concentrated in her prosthetic arm had moved to the great sword. The stalk of grass, holding a radiance, wrapped around the cool blade, and finally, it bloomed like a vine that had grown, wrapping around a support.
“Good, that's a very cool sword.”
Fleur, who had been standing at a distance, opened her mouth.
“Your job is finished, Golem. So I'll give you a new mission.”
Fleur looked down at Lisian, who was in her arms. As she was, she kissed her on the forehead, then carefully held her out to Fabien.
“Take my dog and Monika's dog, and the janitor friends, to the shelter. And you. Your cooking skills are truly terrible. Don't pack a lunch for Monika from now on.”
After pouring out some stern words at Fabien, Fleur stood facing Monika.
[That can't be. My cooking skills are…….]
While Fabien was protesting, having received Lisian,
“Mr. Fabien.”
Monika opened her mouth.
“I ask you. Please take Trisha, Melisha, and Sasha to the shelter. And Thunderstorm too……”
──Woof!
Thunderstorm, who had been staying by Monika's side, approached Fabien.
Thunderstorm? Surely that's not this dog's name. Asking so, Fabien tilted his head. His expression was one of seeming pity.
[……Understood, Lady Monika. But please keep this in mind. My cooking skills are great.]
Fabien approached the janitors.
- M, Monika, are you really thinking of staying here? If so, we too……
- Shh! We'll just be a burden if we stay.
- Goodness. To think the day would come when Melisha would grasp the situation. You live and learn.
The janitors of her age retreated along with Fabien. Monika, who had been watching their retreating backs, faced Fleur. With the great sword stuck in the ground, she stared at Fleur's blue eyes, which were honed like an icicle from the polar regions.
“You're not going?”
“I'm not.”
I can't understand you, Monika.
Muttering so, Fleur turned her gaze away. She looked in the direction where Dante and the professors were fighting hard. A drawn-out, messy battle of attrition was continuing. Dante's momentum was the same, but the professors were letting out ragged breaths.
So what about it?
“Monika Lohengrin, you said your purpose was to survive, and that you live only for that. That's why you said you wouldn't even dream of getting revenge.”
Why are you holding a sword?
Whether you save someone, or kill someone,
it's all the same in the end. You can't survive like that.
If you try to save, you'll just end up in a situation where you need to be saved, and if you try to kill, you'll just end up in a crisis where you'll be killed.
Fleur's whisper tickled Monika's ear.
“I don't know either. Why I'm holding a sword.”
Monika said, pulling out the great sword that was stuck in the ground.
“Until a while ago, I was just swinging a broom. I'm not confident I can save Dante senior, nor am I confident I can kill him. That's too grand a story. All the swordsmen say that. Whether they'll kill someone or save someone. But I can't make that kind of vow. Because it's not cool at all. And above all, the act of harming and saving a person is……”
Not something that can be done with something like a vow.
Monika muttered so. With the guard of the great sword on her shoulder.
“If I save him, it will just be because I was lucky. If I kill him, it will just be because I was unlucky. A life is nothing more than a candle flickering in the wind. It's so light that you can't promise anything.”
A life is not heavy at all. Rather, it's light.
Something that can be extinguished in the blink of an eye.
That was a person's life.
She had learned the process of death before the way to live alone. That was why Monika could assert it.
“I might not be able to save Dante senior. But I might be able to save him.”
Because it's light, because it's endlessly light,
a mere candle is a law that is preserved with just a hand.
A life is also the same. If my mother's gesture had been even a little slower, I would have died. Monika had thought so several times. She had reminisced, and remembered. A fleeting moment had decided Monika's life and death. She had been saved by a time difference that could not be measured, that was so very light.
“Then tell me. How you're going to save him.”
Because I'll help you.
Whispering so, Fleur moved her right foot.
Tuduk, and.
The front toe of her Flat Shoes crushed Fleur's shadow, and,
“──Sir Alberge Hildeberg.”
A shadow that stirred at the same moment as Fleur's call. A gaunt arm shot out from within the shade.
Soon, a knight in heavy armor revealed himself. Though his armor was fresh, what filled the inside was just a skeleton. It was clear that he was a dead person resurrected through Fleur's Resuscitation Ceremony.
<Alberge Hildeberg, I have answered your call.>
Alberge said, kneeling on one knee.
The glint of light in his eye sockets shone reddish-black.
“Good afternoon. Will you help me?”
<How could I refuse. My soul is yours, miss.>
Alberge stood up. The two swords hanging at his waist swayed. An ornately decorated Rapier. It was handed to Fleur. Alberge drew a Claymore and took a battle stance.
“……What. Why is a corpse coming out of a shadow.”
At Monika's question, Fleur, who had been poking the Pommel of the rapier, smiled.
“Have you become curious about me? I transplanted a pocket dimension into my shadow. Isn't it cool?”
“Not at all. It just looks eerie.”
“I can transplant one into your shadow too. You just have to rent it from the Imperial Parliament. It will take quite a lot of money, but if you want, I can pay for it.”
“I don't need it.”
“That can't be. It's an incredibly expensive technology.”
Monika glanced at Fleur.
Fleur, gripping the rapier, was staring straight ahead. While her sky-blue hair undulated like a stream, Fleur's expression looked more serious than ever. A face where no scheme could be found. Monika let out a sigh.
“Fleur de Saint-Pierre, let me ask you something.”
“By all means.”
“Why are you helping me?”
“Isn't it natural that I should help?”
Fleur met Monika's gaze.
Fleur's light pink lips curved primly. A painted-on smile. That child's face is like a neatly decorated paper mask. Monika thought that part of Fleur was creepy.
“You lost everything because of my family. You lost your hometown, you lost your parents, and you even lost your right arm. My family is the perpetrator. You are the victim. So I must take responsibility. The perpetrator taking care of the life of the victim. Isn't that very natural? Is there anything strange about it?”
Everything is strange. It's like you're crazy.
From one to ten. Everything is strange, isn't it?
Monika muttered so. But it was not a moment to lay out her resentment. Fleur would be a good fighting force, and there was a need to utilize her abilities.
Save Dante. For now, let's just think about that. I can't be sure, I can't make a vow, but it was at least possible to keep only the objective in my mind.
“I'll explain the plan.”
Monika opened her mouth with a firm expression.
“Move as I say from now on.”
The strength in her hilt intensified.
The leaves that wrapped around the great sword swayed endlessly.