Volume 10 Chapter 53 The Lunchtime Bell
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Gina!!”
The door swung open with a violent bang. The heavy impact, sounding as if it might shatter the wood, drew the immediate focus of everyone inside.
”Lady Tiet!” Ginaida cried.
”How long are you going to keep this meeting going? A military council shouldn’t take more than ten minutes!” Tiet said, huffing with her arms crossed as she stood tall like a guardian deity.
In the barracks’ briefing room, Ginaida scrambled to her feet, flustered by the sudden and overbearing appearance of the young girl. The soldiers exchanged puzzled glances.
”Have you already finished your tour of Livorno? We depart tomorrow. The operation to reclaim Royal Capital Rocetta¹ will begin shortly, so please wait just a little longer,” Ginaida said.
”I’m not waiting. You’re the one who’s going to show me around. I only brought a guest with me,” Tiet replied.
”A guest?”
With a high-pitched creak, another figure entered through the wide-open door. A girl with swaying ash hair and a face that resembled an exquisite doll stepped into the barracks.
”Gina. I’ve come to see you,” she said.
”…H-Hero…!!”
It had been only a few days since her return from Crimson Spire². Ginaida had finally achieved her reunion with Hero Anna, also known as Cianie.
* * *
”Gina. You were very cute when you were a child. Fifteen years have passed, and in reality, you’ve become quite the beauty,” Cianie said.
The plains of Livorno stretched on endlessly. As they gazed at the tranquil countryside scenery, the three walked side-by-side.
”I am humbled by your words. Speaking of which, Hero, you look exactly the same as when I saw you at the Crimson Spire,” Ginaida said.
”That is because I was evading the effects of Crimson Spire,” Cianie replied.
”Was that so? How should I put it… a beauty beyond compare is exactly what describes the Hero. I am filled with admiration at such loveliness,” Ginaida said.
If Ginaida had known Cianie’s true age, perhaps she would have swapped ‘beauty’ for ‘pretty girl.’ The two reunited friends let their conversation bloom. Listening from behind, the girl knight nodded to herself while keeping her arms crossed.
”Don’t be fooled, Gina. Anna has a ridiculous Stellar Skill³ called Divine Disassembly⁴. Her body is thin, she’s short, her breasts are huge, and on top of that, she’s a pretty girl like a holy doll from Trios, right? She’s just using her skill to cheat,” Tiet said.
”A… skill, is it?” Ginaida asked.
Tiet was the only person in the world who could so boldly needle Cianie Hartmann. Her secret exposed, Cianie averted her eyes from Ginaida’s gaze, only to be smacked repeatedly on the back by Tiet.
”Even Tiet is popular,” Cianie muttered.
”Hah? You looking for a fight? Use your ability to make my breasts huge too!” Tiet snapped.
”…Sorry. Doing that to someone else’s body is…”
Tiet pouted. She glared at Cianie’s chest with a look of resentment before turning her frustration onto another target.
”Hyah?!”
”I guess Gina is about this much,” Tiet muttered.
”Wha—Lady Tiet…!!” Ginaida cried out.
Tiet squeezed the breasts of the woman she had only just met. Compared to the blatantly buxom Cianie, it was nothing special. Having quickly lost interest, Tiet let out a sigh and looked away toward the horizon. Ginaida, having been groped and then sighed at, glared at Tiet with a look of pure grudge.
”Klock is in the east, right?” Tiet asked.
”Yeah. He said he’d fight Demon Lord’s Army⁵ over there until I defeat the Demon Lord,” Cianie replied.
”I see.”
As soon as Klock’s name was mentioned, the trio’s expressions turned serious. Or rather, only Cianie’s had remained serious the whole time.
”I was surprised to hear my brother was standing on the battlefield. I never imagined he’d be leading a troop and fighting just like I am,” Ginaida said.
”Leading those soldiers, he was like a fish in water. Klock manages leading people quite naturally. Ordinarily, just addressing a large crowd causes tension and a heavy mental burden, but Klock pulls it off with total composure,” Cianie noted.
This was a perspective Cianie held because she observed Klock so closely. It was a fact that things were well-organized, but most people didn’t realize how impressive that actually was. Cianie, thinking she could never do it herself, was the one who understood.
”Hmph. So he actually had talent in that area. Well, I could do at least that much,” Tiet said.
The three continued walking through the low grasslands until they reached a small village. It was a place Ginaida had fled to once in a dream world, but naturally, neither Cianie nor Tiet knew that. It was a settlement surrounded by a small fence, lacking even a ward against Monsters. It was a scene that showcased just how peaceful the surrounding territory remained.
”By the way, Hero, why have you come here? Weren’t you fighting in the east?” Ginaida asked as they crossed through the village.
”The Demon Lord is going to land in this territory. Based on instructions from the Saint, I came to achieve the subjugation of the Demon Lord,” Cianie explained.
The Saint.
A moment of silence fell as if time had stopped. For Ginaida, those words were like a bolt from the blue.
”The Saint?! Is Lady Saint safe?!”
Ginaida stopped abruptly and turned around. Cianie and Tiet looked at her, blinking in surprise at her intense reaction.
Ginaida confessed that she had once been the Saint’s caretaker. How the girl was kidnapped the moment she looked away. How she had been helplessly taken, and how Ginaida was subsequently reassigned to the battlefield. Cianie and Tiet listened in silence until she finished.
”She is safe, so please rest easy. I don’t want you to be too surprised, but she is—”
”Klock was the one dragging that girl around! I see, so he was just cleaning up his sister’s mess!” Tiet interrupted.
”……Pardon?” Ginaida stammered.
Cianie, who could think of others, and Tiet, who basically only thought of herself. Tiet, who had grasped the truth at the same time as Cianie, took the opportunity to expose the relationship between Klock and the Saint.
”My brother… took Lady Saint…?”
”The Saint sees the future to decide her actions. She knew she would end up under Klock. Her being kidnapped wasn’t your mistake, it was—” Cianie began.
”Her future sight is a Stellar Skill, you know. She’s looking at the future all the time. It means she saw through everything. She probably let herself be kidnapped on purpose, so don’t worry about it,” Tiet added.
”……”
Cianie, who had been trying to choose her words carefully, closed her mouth as Tiet blurted everything out without reading the room. She pouted, a rare expression for her. If Klock saw her like this, he would surely laugh. Without noticing the minor friction occurring between the girls beneath the surface, Ginaida’s expression grew brighter and brighter.
”Lady Saint… is safe…”
”That’s right. Klock is alive, and the Saint is perfectly fine. There’s nothing for you to worry about anymore!! Good for you!!” Tiet laughed, whacking Ginaida on the back.
She was being handled a bit too roughly, but Ginaida was overwhelmed with joy instead, her eyes filling with tears.
”Eh… sorry, did that hurt?” Tiet asked, panicking.
”Tiet. Calm down a bit. She isn’t as sturdy as you are,” Cianie scolded.
”N-no… I’m fine…”
However, Ginaida looked as though she might collapse into tears right then and there. Misunderstanding the situation, Tiet hurried to apologize. While Tiet fussed and Cianie gently scolded her for her rowdiness, Ginaida seemed to want to say that wasn’t it, but couldn’t speak well. An awkward situation continued for a while.
* * *
”This is the site of the former Livorno Estate. As you can see, it is now just vacant land,” Ginaida said.
The three had reached this place during their walk. They had intended to just talk and deepen their friendship, but their feet had naturally led them here. Or perhaps, they had simply headed there without thinking.
”Well, I’ve been here before during the investigation of that incident. But man, there’s so much nothing here it’s hard to believe an estate ever existed,” Tiet remarked.
”Yes. Even I feel as if my own memories might have been a lie,” Ginaida replied.
There was no conversation to be had looking at the empty lot. There were only a few trees scattered about, as if to mark where something had once been. No traces of House of Livorno remained.
It had been several years since Cianie and the others investigated Klock’s case. Not even the rubble of the estate that remained then was left now. However, if the people involved were alive, there was nothing more to say. Klock and Ginaida were here. The most important things remained. If there was any lingering regret, it would only be regarding those who had done this.
”Hero. It’s been a long time since you’ve been involved with my brother. Has he caused you any trouble?” Ginaida asked, perhaps hoping to turn the conversation to something more cheerful.
”It’s fine. He is very considerate toward me. …No, actually, it’s not fine. There is something I want you to tell him too, Gina,” Cianie said.
”Something you want me to tell him?”
Cianie suddenly reversed her opinion one hundred and eighty degrees. Ginaida tilted her head as she saw Cianie’s eyes narrow.
”Klock is a constant cheater. He likes women too much, and it’s a bit of a problem,” Cianie said.
And so, the dark side of Klock was finally revealed to his sister.
”Eh… my brother is cheating?”
What flashed through Ginaida’s mind was the smile of that bright boy who seemed to know nothing. A memory that was far too beautiful, of a brother who always thought of his sister. Following that was the coarse language that hadn’t existed in her memories. As if overwriting her memories, the image of a ruffian began to well up.
”It’s not just one or two women. At this rate, there’s no telling how many wives he’ll take,” Cianie stated.
It was an argument without any exaggeration. Thinking it couldn’t be true, Ginaida glanced at Tiet. However, the girl knight just rested both arms behind her head and said nothing. Sensing that this was a confirmation, Ginaida spoke up.
”I-I understand. When we reunite, I will give my brother strict orders. I will tell him to never do anything that makes the ones he loves cry!!”
Ginaida looked as though she were bracing for battle. She showed a tight fist, declaring her intent as if swearing loyalty to the Hero.
”You are such a good girl. I am very happy to have such a reliable sister-in-law,” Cianie said.
”S-sister-in-law…!!”
Cianie had used the word ‘sister’ as if it were only natural. Hearing this, Ginaida stood agape. A spark of light was born in the depths of her eyes. Then, Ginaida hesitantly opened her mouth.
”Big… sister,” Ginaida whispered.
”What is it?” Cianie replied with a gentleness she wouldn’t even show Klock.
Though Cianie was much younger in physical age, the relationship of elder and younger sister was born. It was an exchange between sisters who were getting ahead of themselves. In just one conversation, the two had spun a bond as sisters—
”Hah?”
Tiet kicked Cianie’s buttocks. She was the girl knight who could act more insolently toward the Hero than anyone else in the world. Without mercy, she then slammed her palm against Ginaida’s buttocks as well.
”OWWWW?!”
A satisfying smack rang out. Having been hit with quite ruthless power, Ginaida bounced. Cianie, who took zero damage, turned around with a blank look.
”What’s wrong, Tiet?”
”Don’t ‘what’s wrong’ me!! Don’t screw around, you two!! Hey, Gina. Don’t you dare call Anna your sister in front of me. If you call her that, I’m coming at you with a fist!” Tiet yelled.
”Eh?! I-I’m sorry…!! B-but why…??” Ginaida stammered.
With her cheeks puffed out, Tiet completely severed their relationship. The two looked at each other and tilted their heads.
”Listen, Klock was originally a lord or something, right?! Then it’s more impressive for him to have a lot of women! Then just let him do what he wants!!” Tiet shouted.
”Eh? No, but—”
”Klock isn’t such an idiot that he can’t tell right from wrong. Right? So don’t say anything unnecessary. Every woman he chose is probably necessary,” Tiet said, siding with Klock for some reason to justify his cheating.
Tiet turned her head away with a huff. When Ginaida went silent, having been talked down by the girl knight, this time Cianie puffed out her cheeks.
”Um…”
For some reason, a heavy atmosphere suddenly began to flow. Ginaida, being more mature than the others, sensed it sensitively.
”Lady Tiet, do you not have anyone you like?” she asked, attempting to break the situation by changing the direction of the conversation.
”I… I don’t really have anyone like that,” Tiet said, turning her head away again.
”Then, if someone you’d like to date appears in the future, what kind of things would you want to do with them?” Ginaida asked.
”…Things I’d want to do?”
One could catch a glimpse of Ginaida’s effort to move toward a fun topic. Cianie let out a sigh, and Tiet remained grumpy.
”Who knows. Well, I guess it’d be nice if they just ate with me. At the same table,” Tiet muttered.
”That… sounds very lovely. Looking back, I also think small happinesses were the best,” Ginaida replied.
After a brief pause, Tiet snapped back.
”…Wait, what am I making myself say?! I’m Lady Tiet, the Holy Knight of Brave Knight⁶!! That was rude of you!!”
”I-I’m sorry, I just…!!”
Tiet was a girl of that age. She had high self-esteem, making her a very difficult girl to handle.
”I just thought it would be nice to talk like this and get to know everyone’s character,” Ginaida said as the three returned from their walk. She was the one who consistently steered the conversation. If she didn’t say anything, it wouldn’t just be quiet; it would be total silence.
”Then, Gina, is there anything you regret?” Cianie asked.
”Regret?”
”Regret is a wish. It is an emotion that very clearly reveals a person’s character,” Cianie explained.
Cianie’s physical age and the years she had lived were different. She spoke with the kind of wisdom that comes from age, but to an outsider, she only appeared to be an intellectual girl.
”When my brother left home for the last time and didn’t come back. I regretted whether I could have stopped him that day,” Ginaida said.
What happened that day was the end of an ordinary daily life. That final day. For Klock, it must have been the day he made a great resolution to save Ginaida. He had been a person who thought deeply before acting since childhood. He had never disclosed that secret to anyone. It was likely unavoidable that Ginaida never noticed her brother’s suffering until the end.
”After that, I escaped Livorno with the servants when the fires of war arrived. I hoped for my family to come get me at the evacuation site, but I also felt regret when I learned my parents had been imprisoned. Why didn’t I try to go look for them? Also, the matter of Lady Saint being kidnapped that I mentioned earlier. My regrets are something like that,” Ginaida shared.
”You’ve had a hard time,” Cianie said.
’My life has been nothing but regrets.’ At those words from Ginaida, even the usually loud Tiet said nothing.
”Can you really understand someone’s character with that?” Tiet asked.
”She cares deeply for her family. It’s clear her humanity prioritizes relationships with people. I think this kind of person is the type you can trust,” Cianie replied.
”I see,” Tiet said, clapping her hands together. She seemed convinced. If Klock were here, he would have been thinking about how old Cianie really was inside. Despite looking like a teenager, there was far too much dignity in what she was saying.
”Does Tiet have anything she regrets?” Cianie asked.
”Eh? Me?”
”Let us hear Tiet’s story too,” Cianie insisted.
Tiet already knew what Cianie regretted. Of course, it was about Klock, and there were too many twists and turns to easily explain it to his sister, Ginaida. Thus, the turn was passed to Tiet.
’Then, give him my regards. No, you can’t talk to him. Then forget it. Take care of him.’
The unnecessary words she had said herself surfaced in Tiet’s mind.
”I…”
Why didn’t I chase after him then? I shouldn’t have thought about unnecessary things like being second place.
Tiet’s gaze fell as she was exposed to their eyes. Before the girl knight who had suddenly gone silent, Cianie and Ginaida looked at each other.
Because she had sent him off in a strange way, she couldn’t follow him later. As the distance grew and time passed, she became afraid that she might be forgotten. She wondered if a letter might suddenly arrive. Or if he might come to pick her up and ask her to come with him. She imagined things that would never happen, and her chest felt tight.
”Tiet…?” Cianie asked.
How did it end up like this? At first, she only intended to play around a bit. Because Clara and the others were always acting like adults and bragging, she just wanted to experience it quickly too. But then she got to know him, understood his character, and they started talking about all sorts of things. Then, before she knew it, she started getting irritated when he wasn’t nearby. Just thinking about him being Anna’s lover made her feel uncontrollably hazy.
What kind of life were they living in the Beast Country? If she had chased after him then, would she have been among them? Even without him, things shouldn’t have changed from before. It was just supposed to have returned to how it was. She didn’t want to think anything. Why was she feeling regret? But she desperately wanted to go back to that time and say it again. That she would chase after him later, so wait for her.
”I don’t really have any regrets…” Tiet muttered.
”…Tiet?”
”Nothing… really…”
”Did you say something?”
”…Hm? What?”
Tiet, who had missed the words, asked Cianie.
”Does Tiet have anything she regrets?” Cianie repeated.
”Hm?”
”Let us hear Tiet’s story too,” Cianie said again.
”Hah? Why are you saying it twice?!” Tiet snapped.
”Eh? I didn’t say it,” Cianie replied.
”No, you definitely did. Anyway, forget about me. Stop that boring talk and let’s talk about food. Hey, Gina. You’re obviously preparing dinner tonight, right? I want to eat meat. Meat,” Tiet demanded.
”Meat? Hmm, I’m not sure if I can provide it, but I’ll try to negotiate something,” Ginaida said.
”Hah? Theocracy⁷ can’t even put out meat?”
”No, since it’s wartime, the food supply is… if we at least returned to the home country, I could prepare as much as you want,” Ginaida explained.
The three talked for a while longer and shared the same table that day. Somehow, the conversation never ended. They talked about Klock joining the Brave Knight party, and how they would look for Hermine together once the war was settled. They spoke of many things.
Having spent the day together, the three became much closer than they had been the day before. The sense of distance was close, but the others were the Heroes. Ginaida had been constantly nervous, but Cianie and Tiet, who apparently wanted to get close to Ginaida for personal reasons, didn’t let her go while she was busy with work.
* * *
A brief moment of peace.
A short break between the work called ‘fighting.’
The next day, the girls left Livorno. On their bodies was armor for fighting. On their feet were iron boots for running across the battlefield. Blades for cutting down enemies were hung at their waists, and the girls took on the appearance of warriors. The lovely girls who had enjoyed the peace were no longer there.
”Listen, my compatriots!! Finally, the time for our counterattack has arrived!!”
The flag of Theocracy, adorned with a shield, fluttered. Several kingdom flags were mixed among the military banners, and the sound of military boots gathered.
”Demon Lord’s Army insolently trampled upon the land of this kingdom. Their advance knew no bounds, attacking and occupying the Empire, Theocracy, Stras, and the Federation one after another. Our human lands, the homelands where we were born and raised, have everywhere become the nesting grounds for Monsters!!”
Ginaida spoke to the gathered soldiers. The eyes of the warriors, filled with more fighting spirit than ever before, were focused solely on her.
”We have resisted that onslaught many times, but the enemy is powerful and inexhaustible. In this critical situation, the leadership of each country has only fallen behind, and we were unable to take a single effective measure. But that was only until yesterday,” Ginaida declared.
The girl knight stood with her arms crossed and a smug look. The girl adventurer looked off into the distance with a composed face. When Ginaida looked at the two girls, the soldiers’ gazes also focused on them all at once.
”Standing here are living legends. The women called the strongest. The adventurer party, Brave Knight,” Ginaida announced.
A moment of silence fell. Immediately after, the soldiers broke into a simultaneous uproar.
”Lady Hero Anna. And Lady Tiet, who struck down the enemy general, Asura Prince, in the previous battle,” Ginaida said.
She hadn’t actually struck him down. For some reason, there was a misunderstanding; she had just let him go. Cianie, who hadn’t yet heard of her friend’s achievement, looked at her neighbor with sparkling eyes. Perhaps feeling slightly awkward, Tiet averted her eyes and feigned ignorance.
”Listen and be amazed. The Hero recently faced Demon Lord’s Army on the eastern front of the Federation. She defeated one of the enemy generals and came here as reinforcements. In the Federation, they have already begun pushing back Demon Lord’s Army. The Demon Lord’s Army that advanced into the Empire has already retreated, and counterattacks have begun all over the world,” Ginaida continued.
Regarding the situation in the north, the information Cianie had confirmed with her own eyes was being relayed exactly as it was. The disappeared Hermine. Having lost the fortress, the Empire’s army appeared to have been soundly beaten, but Demon Lord’s Army had retreated. The Empire’s army was gathering at Bernsa again, and for now, the north was successfully in a defensive formation. As for the east, she had conveyed that her brother was playing a major role on the battlefield. A little bit of exaggeration was just for flavor.
”Next is our turn!! From here, we will reclaim Royal Capital Rocetta and drive out Demon Lord’s Army!!”
Believe in the Hero’s guidance. At those words, the soldiers raised a battle cry. A voice that sounded like it would shatter the air. A thunderous roar just like a storm echoed.
Perhaps the cheer was greater than she imagined, as Ginaida was slightly overwhelmed. Tiet picked her ear with her pinky, muttering that it was noisy. That was certainly Cianie’s influence. Cianie was looking away as if it were someone else’s business. Her being there meant that the sun that illuminated them was here.
”Hero. Lady Tiet. Please. We ask for your guidance,” Ginaida said.
She had the face of someone who had made a life-or-death resolution. Seeing her acting so formal, Tiet wore the face of a naughty brat—
”Ow?!”
Once again, the girl knight smacked Ginaida’s buttocks.
”Anna and I are here. Relax your shoulders more,” Tiet said.
”You don’t need to be nervous. It’s fine if you just follow us slowly,” Cianie comforted her with a look of affection.
Tiet was being annoying because she was Klock’s sister. To the two who were far too reliable, Ginaida showed her gratitude.
”Alright, let’s go beat them up!!” Tiet shouted.
Like they were just going out for a quick shopping trip, the group departed. Toward the Royal Capital in the south, the signal for the counterattack finally rose.
* * *
”There is a possibility that members of the royal family have been left behind,” Cianie said.
The Theocracy army, a mixed troop led by Ginaida, followed behind. The sacred and pure Brave Knight girl. The peerless Holy Knight girl. The two leading the way advanced rapidly toward Royal Capital Rocetta.
”There must be survivors. If they are alive, I want them saved. That’s what Gina said,” Cianie noted.
”Yeah. It’s been confirmed that the King was executed. But apparently, no one else connected to the royal family has been confirmed,” Tiet added.
That was the story of the Crotopone royal family, whose whereabouts were unknown. A significant amount of time had already passed since the fall of the Royal Capital. Even if there were people left behind, their survival would be hopeless. There shouldn’t be any living humans in the Royal Capital, which had turned into a demon city where Monsters roamed, but…
”Can’t be helped. Out of respect for Gina, I guess blowing everything away at once is off the table,” Tiet said.
The two approached the outer wall of the Royal Capital at an impossible speed. Having run far too fast, the Ginaida squad following them was about to disappear from sight. Was the enemy army aware of the Theocracy army? If there were Demonkin in the Royal Capital, they would have noticed the immense magic power being emitted by Cianie and the others and should be reacting soon.
”It’s coming,” Cianie said.
As expected, a simultaneous glow occurred atop the castle wall. The magic power glow from using Magic. Orange arrows were launched. One after another, they drew arcs in the sky and came toward the two.
”This many attacks for just two people,” Cianie noted.
”There’s someone over there capable of sensing magic power,” Tiet replied.
A rain of flames poured down. However, the two avoided them perfectly, weaving through the gaps in the barrage. By the time the trajectories reached the ground, they were no longer there. Running at an extraordinary speed, the two reached the city’s outer wall in an instant. They easily climbed it by running up the wall.
”What?!”
”T-Too fa—”
An angel-like girl descended upon the castle wall. The sun shone brilliantly, showing no sign of setting. Her otherworldly beauty was enough to make even a master of dreams swoon. Just by showing her behavior, she delayed the reactions of the warriors gathered on the wall.
”Activating first Stellar Skill, Stellar Manifestation⁸,” Cianie declared.
Those sapphire eyes took them in. They were the eyes of a god delivering judgment. The sunlight of the solar disc. That sunlight was poured upon the soldiers lined up along the castle wall.
”Gah?! AAAAAAAHHHH?!”
”AGYIIIIIII—?!”
The Demonkin soldiers suddenly became human torches. The stone castle walls began to melt. Even though they hadn’t been scorched by heat, even though there should have been no heat source anywhere. Immediately after, explosive flames danced up like a volcanic eruption.
”W-What just happened—??!!”
The opposite side, having spotted the intruders and separated by the space between them, was engulfed in flames in an instant. Those on the other side who were safe were wrapped in shock. Then, they understood a second later why they were safe and why those on the other side were burning.
”Pulsar Rotation⁹. Divine Punishment in Practice—,” Cianie said.
The incarnation of the sun judged without weighing them on a scale. There was no mercy. She stated that their evil deeds were clearer than seeing fire. Their way of life was condemned, and the sentence was executed like a routine day’s work.
”…Do you not need to hold back?” Tiet asked.
”It’s fine. Only enemies are on top of the castle wall,” Cianie replied.
Like the breath of a giant dragon, the heat spread over an ultra-wide area. Flames rose so high they could likely be seen from anywhere in the Royal Capital. The stone outer wall protecting the northern side of the Royal Capital began to melt with terrifying momentum. The Demonkin Magic troops and archers stationed there literally evaporated. The two easily achieved their entry into the Royal Capital. It was a preemptive strike that went beyond flashy into the realm of unreasonable.
”Alright, then I’ll…” Tiet started.
”Wait. Tiet, absolutely do not. The Royal Capital will disappear,” Cianie stopped her.
Tiet opened her mouth wide. Cianie hurriedly moved to block it. ‘It’s a joke,’ the girl knight teased her with her tongue. A chop landed with a soft thud as a retort. Even though the battle had begun, an exchange lacking any tension was the daily life of Brave Knight.
”By the way, there aren’t any Monsters anywhere,” Tiet noted.
”Yeah. Even though the story was that it was occupied by Monsters,” Cianie added.
The enemy army used magic tools to manipulate and utilize Monsters as soldiers. According to the information, the presence of Monsters had been confirmed in the Royal Capital as well, but no such shadows could be found in the surrounding area at all.
”The Monsters ran away when I beat that Asura Prince guy, didn’t they? Maybe there aren’t any Monster Soldiers left?” Tiet asked.
”They seem to be using magic tools to control the Monsters. Since it seems the Monsters lose their brainwashing without the magic tools, it’s possible they let them escape,” Cianie replied.
The two cut through the inside of Royal Capital. Running straight to the royal castle, they jumped with all their might and entered through a balcony. They kicked the door open and made their entry into the castle.
”What are yo—”
”I-Intruder—”
There was no time to even raise a proper voice. At the same time their figures were identified, the Majin soldiers were sent flying. They weren’t even cut by a sword; Tiet beat them down one after another with just her fists. The Majin soldiers were smashed into the castle walls one after another.
”Hm?”
It was when the two who had entered the castle passed through the courtyard and reached the great staircase inside. At their feet, a suspicious shadow moved.
”This is… Shadow Step,” Cianie muttered.
The movements of the two Heroes stopped. The shadow had restrained their shadows.
”This immense magic power. Are you the Heroes…!!” a voice called out.
The castle wall shook unnaturally. It wriggled as if it were liquid, and something was slowly formed. An animal with horns was shaped. In addition, something ranging from a snake-like creature to a four-legged animal that looked like a dog appeared. The forms were diverse. Things similar to Monsters were being made from all directions.
”I see. So that whole thing with the Monsters was this guy’s ability,” Tiet said.
”Is it an executive of Demon Lord’s Army?” Cianie asked.
Before Cianie and Tiet, someone who appeared to be a Demon Lord’s Army Commander stood in their way.
—
Summary:
Ginaida reunites with Cianie and Tiet, learning the Saint is safe under Klock’s protection. The trio faces Klock’s reputation as a womanizer, leading to a comedic sisterly bond between Ginaida and Cianie. The chapter shifts to high-stakes warfare as the Brave Knight duo spearheads a Theocracy counteroffensive to liberate the Royal Capital from Demon Lord’s forces.
—
Character Insight:
Ginaida transitions from a guilt-ridden former caretaker to a resolute military leader, fueled by the relief of the Saint’s safety. Cianie displays a balance of regal authority and personal possessiveness regarding her future ‘sister-in-law.’ Tiet’s internal monologue reveals her ‘regret’ is actually a longing for Klock, though she masks this with her usual aggressive ‘funsu’ persona.
—
Behind the Scene:
This segment brilliantly juxtaposes the ‘soft’ character moments with ‘hard’ combat magic. Cianie’s Pulsar Rotation highlights her status as a ‘living legend’ whose power scales far beyond standard mages. The use of ‘Shadow Step’ by the unknown commander introduces a mechanical counter to the Heroes’ physical speed.
—
T/L:
Notes:
• Gina – A kind choir member who shows genuine concern for Adelina. She’s a rare ally in this unfamiliar place, offering some comfort and companionship.
• Tiet – A companion and friend of Anna. A holy knight from the royal capital. She wears light armor and carries a shield adorned with a dragon holding a sword, indicating her affiliation with the National Military Police. She is concerned about Anna’s well-being and tries to support her emotionally.
• Rocetta – The royal capital of the Kingdom of Crotopone, where the knight barracks are located.
• Cianie – A noble girl with a fluffy white and light blue dress, indicating her high status. She has a hesitant and flustered personality but is kind and courteous. Her relationship with Klock begins as an accidental encounter and develops into a romantic interest. She has a fiancé but expresses feelings for Klock, complicating their relationship.
• Anna – The legendary Hero, chosen to defeat the Demon Lord. Her past life is Sylvia Croce. She is described as a heavenly being with overwhelming skill and a merciless attitude.
• Clara – Female. A junior knight in the Crotopone knights. She is energetic and a joker, often making light of serious situations. Her appearance is not described in detail. She has a casual relationship with Tiet, who sighs at her lack of growth.
• Hermine – Daughter of the Emperor of the Second Empire of Dusselhelm. A companion and friend of Anna. The mage. She is pragmatic and encourages Anna to focus on her duties as a hero rather than her personal revenge.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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