Alice Tale in Phantasmagoria

It has already been nearly 1 week, from when the saintess left the fort .
During that time, the soldiers on our side prepared for an attack and continued their watch irregardless of night and day, the color of fatigue is becoming thick .
While saying that, our military force is insufficient to for us to make an idiotically straightforward charge .
The soldiers of the fort number at about 10 thousand .
The soldiers of the commonwealth that oppose that, number above 30 thousand at the least .
There’s nothing but to continue defending, while making use of the fort’s grounds .
Fortunately, their side is far from their home country so their supplies aren’t as they would like it .
As such they can’t carry out such like a war of attrition for an indefinite amount of time .
The ones who will fall first in an endurance contest are, them――This much is Ilya’s council .
Looking up to the sky from the nightless castle’s window, as always there was a star filled sky that seems to suck you into it there .

「……Nn? Oneechan . 」

I turn my gaze downward and, I found an ane doing stretches in the fort’s courtyard .
……Yosh, let’s go .
Seeing me place my foot on the office’s window frame, the security maid-san standing by in the room became fl.u.s.tered .

「O, ojousama?」
「Shi～」

I silenced the maid-san by using a gesture with an ancient legacy and, jumped down into the courtyard as such .
Adjusting my magic power, I land on the ground without a sound .
Stealthily approaching the back of the ane continuing her stretches――

「――Is it Alice?」
「Wa waa! That surprised me……」

Having a voice call out to you like it’s natural around when you’re trying to surprise someone, makes me surprised in turn……

「To do something like sneak up behind a woman in the night, I can’t call that a good pastime, Alice . 」
「U……I’m reflecting a little . Or rather I’m cowering in fear of oneechan’s wild sixth sense . 」

That playfulness like it’s overflowing was……

「Fufu, so, what?」
「No, I saw oneechan from the window so, I wonder what she’s doing～ like that . It’s only that though . 」
「I was doing my practices up until now so, it was around when I thought to sleep after doing stretches . 」
「Is that so . 」

While saying that, Shion-san groaned while spreading her legs as her body fell forward .
Perhaps it’s exceptionally soft, it seemed like her entire body would end up sticking to the ground .
However this is that isn’t it……her, her giant b.r.e.a.s.t.s will be crushed……

「Alice」
「Hyaii!」
「? If you’re going to just stand there, could you give my back a slight push?」
「That’s just what I wanted . 」
「Some～how, I’m sensing danger toward my body though?」
「Because we’re sisters . 」
「……That’s totally not an answer that let’s me feel safe though . 」

I touch Shion-san’s back as she becomes exasperated .
Sensing portions that are delicately feminine and, a suppleness suitable for a swordsman, makes me admire her .
I understand from just this, how perfectly she executes her daily preparations

.
The preparations that gather over time――effort .
At the least days without resting on talent, definitely won’t betray you .
Even now that is still being conveyed, from Shion-san’s back .

「Hey, don’t embrace me and push okay . 」
「……Eh, it’s already over?」
「It hasn’t even started though……」

It can’t be helped, I should seriously a.s.sist her stretch then .
I put my power in and push and, her body ended up being truly flat against the ground .
……I wonder what the forces of her b.r.e.a.s.t.s are doing .
I a.s.sisted her stretch for a while, while sensing the divine mysteries of the human body .

「……」
「……」

At the end of her stretch, we put our backs together and sit while entrusting our body weight to eachother so as to discuss something .
A crying voice like a bell cricket’s, was ringing across the fort’s courtyard .

「Are you worried?」
「Hai……」

I really couldn’t answer that in front of everyone though .
There’s an impact, and the back of Shion-san’s head is put on the back of my head .

「The Alice that recklessly went out on a walk all on her own, without thinking at all, has grown up hasn’t she～」
「……When is that story from, it’s troubling having stories from 100 million years and 2 thousand years ago being used against me . 」
「Oh, somehow it’s become like a majestic love story hasn’t it . 」
「Maa, it’s certain that I and oneechan’s bond was established since that time . 」

Eiyaa, and I unconsciously tried pushing back with the back of my head .
Shion-san took the heavenly sword Senbonzakura Murak.u.mo left at her side into her hand .
……This premonition of death!

「This katana, is almost like it was born for me, it’s the ultimate partner that doesn’t give any feeling except that . 」
「Eh? Aah……I’m super envious . 」

My precious skinship was outdone, by future Saira’s unique masterwork……
But in truth, I think that Saira did make that just for Shion-san .

「……Is it that incredible?」

I, can’t even do the act of swinging it though .

「Aah, of course . Those flower petals made from magic power, can be manipulated with a radius of 10 meters around me but, that’s convenient isn’t it . 」

Since that effect can do the act of taking offense and defense as a single body, it also can do the act of shooting through the opponent, it also can even do the act of serving as a hindrance .
Furthermore as Senbonzakura absorbs magic power from the air on its own, it naturally recovers .
An excellent sword that covers for the swordsman’s weakness called one against many, and grants the Shion-san specialized in evasion the option of『receiving』――It could be described as such .
To Shion-san it’s like giving an oni a metal rod .
Right, in short……perhaps it’s that might is itself power?

「So, to oneechan does it seem like, that which is me, could be cut with that?」

Simple curiosity came bubbling up .

「Nn～～? I wonder? Perhaps, something would come of it if I tried?」
「……When I asked that same question, you said that

that which is Till was impossible didn’t you? Imouto’s mood is ruined . 」
「Haha, since that shorty-chan’s experience and level of development is different from Alice’s isn’t it? I still feel that, you know, or rather, after seeing that scene it’s all the more burned into me, that that is the『strongest』 . 」

Since she was so strong, it exceeded logic didn’t it……
As I released my power while remembering back, Shion-san came to completely give her body weight over .

「Wa waa」
「But, while that which is Alice isn’t so far away it does feel like it will eventually become such that it won’t reach anymore . 」
「……Imouto’s mood has become a little better . 」
「Fufu, then that’s good . So until then, we’ll protect you you know . Ilya’s also here, this is that you shouldn’t take too much weight on your own back . 」

――――Naturally, without any sort of advance warning, just one single trail of tears flowed down .

「……」
「……」

I don’t think, it was noticed .
I see……there was also Aim’s matter so, I might have been, stuck thinking I have to do it too often .
But in reality I alone shouldn’t be able to, be the opponent for the tactical capabilities of 30 thousand soldiers .
Even if my true power surpa.s.ses theirs, the gas also runs out quickly with my fighting style .
Even if I can exert the same true power as Till for a moment, I can’t fight steadily over a large period of time like Till .
That is the present『strongest』 .

「……I really don’t like it, even after coming this far, I’m full of gaps aren’t I . 」
「That’s why, you have charm . 」

While feeling the warmth of someone I can rely on, I slept after being struck by the night’s wind for a while .

――In the early dawn of the next day, the commonwealth’s invasion finally began .

◇■◇■◇

「If we hold out for 3 weeks, we’ll see victory . 」

According to Ilya’s judgement, that is that that will become the turning point .
With the sediment’s removal finished in a rushed manner our side is now able to secure a supply line from Wilmington .
In that regard the commonwealth has the fatigue from coming here by crossing mountains and, their home country is far from here .

「However, attacking will be easy if we only close ourselves up like a turtle right . It’s necessary for the defenders protecting the main gate, west gate and east gate to be firm but, I think it’s also necessary to occasionally form raid units and go out to strike them . 」

Since if we were to only close ourselves in, the opponent would end up being granted plenty of rest wouldn’t they .

「Forming that raid unit is……」
「――I will go . 」

As expected, Shion-san stated as such and――

「――So, why did it become such that our supreme commander is coming along?」

There’s me sitting on the horse Shion-san is controlling like it’s natural .

「Because I wanted to be with my ane for life?」
「I suppose you’re alright, if

alright, if you still have the leeway to say ominous jokes . 」

I suppose it’s because I don’t have a trace of an intent to die .

「Captain Shion, is this alright……?」

The 1st unit’s vice captain was whispering into Shion-san’s ear while being angrily angry but, I could totally hear her .

「Because she’s a child that doesn’t listen to what she’s told isn’t she, well, isn’t it fine?」

I’m being spoken of like a child throwing a tantrum .

「We will protect Alice-ojousama, there will be no cause for concern . 」

And, the members of my personal elite guard are nodding .
I’ve left the command to Ilya so she’s watching our home but, since these children seriously are a gathering of valorous warriors I think there’s no problem .
I guarantee their true ability .
My personal guard and 1st unit, together 25 names are here as members of this time’s raid unit .

「Open gate!」

The east gate’s door and drawbridge open .

「Yosh, let’s go!」
「Affirmative!」

The horses run out together, at Shion-san’s command .
The fort is surrounded by forest and mountain areas but there is a nearby belt of level ground, to the army invading into this it’s a position that leaves them stark naked with nothing to cover them .
The enemy army that could not afford to prepare tents for everyone in the mountains, is readying their formation on this level ground .
The terrain advantage overwhelmingly disfavours the commonwealth .
And so we send out a raid unit, in the early morning as they rest their offensive .

――Shortly after departing the fort, the sound of drums calling out came .

As expected their lookout has no openings in 24 hours .
Lights are suddenly lit in the encampment on commonwealth’s side, it started to become tumultuous .
However because the objective is for them to not leisurely take rest, it’s fine with this .

「Magic unit, release!」

At Shion-san’s command, the members adept at magic deliver a long range strike .
The 3 magics of flame, lightning and ice pour down on the still distant enemy formation, the bellow reverberates .
By the way I also, pay a visit with an Ishtar Edge to the area .

――Fairy of Silver Lightning confirmed .

That report, ran through the commonwealth .
I’m that much of a famous person……?
That attack might not have been helpful .

「……tsu! It’s a Frisian horse! Avoid it!」

The shortest distance to the enemy formation was blocked off by laying out mobile blockades .
We changed our bearing at Shion-san’s command and, closed in on the enemy formation while going around that but――

「Here as well!」

This time a pit trap had been dug, such that it was difficult to notice when looking from a distance .
……What meticulous arrangements, in this short period of time!
Who……the saintess’s instructions!?

「Kuu, it can’t be helped! Detour further!」

Pulling on the horse’s reins, we changed our bearing again .
A little off from the enemy formation there is――

「――――As expected, I have been waiting, Alice-sama . 」

――――Sitra・Fon・Austanya!!!
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――――Sitra・Fon・Austanya!!!
The saintess, went out to the furthest front line then!?

「――Deploy, Omega・Crown . 」

A semicircular barrier, enveloped the battlefield moments later .

「This is……!」

This method of use is!?
I tried chanting magic as a test but――it didn’t activate .

「That condition, should be the same for you though……」

Even on the commonwealth side, the categories of magic and skills are entirely forbidden .
To replace that there’s swords, spears, bow and the like around the saintess, we’re surrounded by a variety of soldiers with specialties that don’t rely on skills .
……A proper straightforward match is it!
An arrow came flying, aimed at my head .

「――Haa!」

Shion-san strikes it down with her katana .
I glance behind me and it seems their operation has already begun, the commonwealth’s soldiers have started encircling us .
……Without overlooking the matter of a raid unit going forth, they even read the fact that I would sally forth .
I suppose they thought of me as a simple idiot～, right .
But――

「Having their form exposed, is the same for you! Which of us will see a painful experience――please teach them!」
『Yes・my・lady!』

They placed their hands on their various weapons .
If magic can’t be used, the advantage is over there……?
――You’ve looked lightly upon us haven’t you!

「Please curse your misfortune to have barred the way before ojousama . 」

Personal guard captain, Myan .
Excluding Ilya, the personage who stands at the top among the maid-sans .
That girl who specializes in throwing knives, uses her throwing to accurately slaughter the enemy soldiers, without the use of magic or skills .

「Alice! We will, take the enemy general’s head!」

While those elites among elites at a mere 25 names don’t allow the enemy to draw close, Shion-san accelerated our horse’s speed .
The scenery flows, Sitra draws steadily closer .
With this then……tsu!

「――Reflect・Crown」
「―――――tsu!」

In an instant, I jumped off as if I’d fallen from the horse .
I was prepared for impact but, Shion-san covered for me .
While rolling on the ground, I confirmed the form of the horse thrown back high into the sky .
……Forgive me, horse-san .

「……Kuu, are you alright, Alice?」
「Of course, oneechan is?」
「Aah, it’s nothing at all . 」

Shion-san readied her katana and, quickly stood up .
I also stand up, while checking the situation .

「――Alice-sama, I’m pleased to able to speak with you……I did not want to meet you in this sort of place . 」

The saintess with closed eyes wearing a habit .

「However, if the era will not permit that……Allow me to defeat you, Fairy of Silver Lightning . 」

The air of the straightforward warm Sitrsan from when I faced her as an envoy, wasn’t there .
What is before my eyes is, a warrior of the battlefield who has long since determined their resolve .

「The legend of the strongest will――――be brought to an end here . 」

The monk staff held in her hand is thrust into the ground――Sitrsan opened her eyes .
In those pupils, patterns like crosses are inscribed within――