Alice Tale in Phantasmagoria

Multicast――So many Fires rush in that both hands wouldn’t be enough to number them .
While saying that they’re low rank magic, the force of magic changes based on its user .
Eclair’s Fire is, capable of rivaling the force of a normal person’s high rank magic .

「……Ilya!」
「Yes, my, lady . 」

I was lost, for a moment .
If it’s the current me, the act of fully handling everything is possible .
But, I wanted to see Ilya’s real worth here .

「Ancient・Field!」

Ilya’s shining green shield .
In that place, a shining silver color was supplementing it unlike how it always was .

「You should observe, the absolute barrier of the dragon that master acquired . 」

Ilya’s barrier that’s confronting the Fires closing in from every direction, is a spherical barrier with no gaps .
Up until now Ilya’s barrier has had an absolute advantage against regular attacks but, its effect fell against magic .
But――

「However many people it is, the event of ojousama being injured will not come to pa.s.s so long as I am here . 」

The rushing Fires are moved away by the silver green barrier, without coming near .
Of course, the event of Ilya coughing blood due to her being burdened beyond necessity doesn’t happen either .
I see, her current skill appears to have magic defense 5’s multiplier, in addition to defense 5 .
Truly an absolute barrier .

「Well done . You seem to be doing excellently aren’t you . 」
「I hate to interject but . 」

The Ilya who released the barrier, readied her spear again without letting her guard down .
Eclair observed that result, without anything particularly shaking her emotions .
It’s the case that the Fleurety acting fl.u.s.tered beside her is different isn’t she .
If you end up being overwhelmed, the conversation won’t even reach the battle .
It’s a problem that comes before actual ability .
As I’d expect of, Eclair .

「That’s pathetic isn’t it? Such a thing as faltering while you stand before the being you recognized as your master . 」
「U……」

Words are also a part of battle .
It seemed Ilya was attempting to break down a『weak point』 .
She’s effectively driving Fleurety into a corner, by mixing the point of her lance with the blade of her words .
Her aspect of having purity and impurity together, is Ilya’s charm point isn’t it .

「Fun……Retty, wha～t are you afraid of . Could this possibly mean you’re thinking of yielding the way to Ilya?」

Pat, and as Eclair patted her head, she went to the front .
Unlike me that girl is, a pure magician .
I a.s.sume she’s not good at taking the front .
……It’s because she’s trying to look cool .

「Ah, master-sama! Ilysama is……str, strong! It’s dangerous!」
「I understand, such things you know . But you see? There’s no way to fight Alice, while being afraid of Ilya okay . What do you think of that, Ilya?」

Ilya displayed a large sigh when asked and, shook her head to the side .

「It is just as Eclair-sama says isn’t it . Have you not yet taken consideration of the true power of the person you’re confronting? That’s inexperienced . If you direct insults……overmuch toward my master I will have no choice but to become seriously angry . 」
「……u」

Wherever her original vigor was, Fleurety ended up thoroughly hiding behind Eclair’s back .
That girl already knows the capability of Eclair’s magic but, Ilya’s level of capability is unknowable .

「Ma, it’s that sort of thing isn’t it . You’ll grow used to it you’ll grow used to it . Because you have talent . 」

Showing some frivolity, she redirects Retty’s thoughts .
Eclair you, when did you become that mature……

「Even though you’re my woman……」
「……Did you say something?」

I try glaring at her resentfully and, Eclair also faces me with an unmoving eye .

「……It’s fine already . Please fall back, Ilya . 」
「If ojousama, says as such . 」

Withdrawing her lance, Ilya stood by behind my back .
Once again, I confront the crimson girl .

「Seriously……Eclair is impatient . Do you not know the concept of waiting?」
「Unfortunately, something like time crosses 100 years with ease you know . I’ve already had enough of, such things as regretting an evening nap . 」

I, the matter of having seen that battle has already become a trauma so, it has also become a wellspring of resolve .
However, the sort of thing as that girl not standing there, has become a trauma .
……This isolation, shouldn’t be fillable using consolations with shallow content .
As shadows stretch from the trees dropping branches and leaves beside the road, we’re encircled in cold as we face off .
Almost, like it’s reflecting back the current distance between my and Eclair’s hearts .

「……Is your desire, the t.i.tle of the strongest? Or is it, that responsibility?」

Of the people able to intervene in that battle, there were none in that place .
Even if I try thinking calmly, that is reality .

「Both . 」

And so, I won’t hand that over .
I understand……
Eclair stamped down on the stone laid road as if she was grinding her teeth and, came another step forward .
The distance between both factions is 10 meters, somewhere around there is it .

「……It throbs . 」

Eclair, is holding her right eye that should be sealed .
All five of my

senses go, dangerous, it’s dangerous, alarm bells are ringing throughout my body .

「――This right eye, regrets . 」

The seal is, not released .
Even so, magic power is being emitted from Eclair’s right eye as if it’s overflowing .
Tears of blood are flowing down and falling, from the gaps in the hand pressed against her right eye .

「……Eclair is……even if I fight it――even if it could stop if it’s me!」
「――tsu」

The magic power gushing out is――――black .
Her crimson flame is, being swallowed by a black abyss――it’s being switched out with black flame .
The demon eye with tears of blood flowing from it is, opened together with crimson light .

「Is this, a forced released……」

The demon eye of past sight, and this magic power .

「――Since, isn’t that right Alice-chan? If you do it halfway, Till won’t be able to rest in peace . 」

Her atmosphere is, completely different .
It’s been some time since I’ve felt fear before battle .
That crimsoneye is, definitely imbued with killing intent .
Shrouded in darkness, the strongest user of flame .

「Est-san……」

The revered great magician whose legend is still spoken of today, manifested before my eyes .

「As you guessed . But it isn’t the case that I came today for a request or, that I came to give a lesson . 」

That killing intent, says more about her reason than words .

「If you’re weak, it will become something that humiliates Till――that alone is, something this me will not permit . 」

This means, there was nothing like a peaceful method of resolution from the start .
Black flame’sThe enemy’s armament is, that preeminent fire magic .
She has no weapon, she’s empty handed .
……That was also so for Till .

「I will have you show your resolve, 7th generation . If the result is uninteresting, please perish here . That weight, that resolve, pa.s.s it on to this child . 」

Incredible pressure .
I want to believe that it’s shaking in excitement but, my body is shaking .

「Haha……」
「?」

Pulling up one eyebrow, Est-san showed her doubt .
Terror is, a shackle .
That was so for Fleurety just before .
And now, I’m about to be overwhelmed by this prodigious magician,
――However, that isn’t possible .

「……Something like resolve . 」

I remember back to that day where I airheadedly wanted to become an adventurer and, had a sense like this was a game .
Protected by Shion-san, protected by Ilya, with Till always watching over me……
I didn’t, intend to take that lightly .
However, the result is this travesty .
Whether the resolve to fight or, the exchange of lives, I thought I had overcome it all .
Now――even that is tepid .

「Fufu」
「?」

It was amusing and, I couldn’t stop laughing .
Thus, there’s nothing except to display all of that here .

「Est-san――please come at me, I’ll be your opponent for you . 」

I won’t be the one to step forward .
There’s a need to be clear about where you stand .
Even the Est-san who I can’t get a grasp on, was taken aback by my impudence .

「Fu……Ahahaa! Fine then, Alice-chan!! You’ve taken my interest――t!」

Along with a bloodl.u.s.t that seemed to slash at me, Est-san cut to the start――
She glided with soundless footsteps, on the gravel covered stone pavement .

(――Ground shrink!?)

The footwork Makina had used .
Her physical ability is, fundamentally none other than Eclair’s――but, the level of speed is different .
I completely lost, an enemy that was right in front of me .
Coming not to fight in a magic battle but, a brawl is it .

「――Tou」

Gou, and a brutal sound that you wouldn’t imagine of Eclair’s slender legs, pa.s.sed far too close to my eyes .
I somehow avoid it with a backstep .
Est-san quickly folded her high kick in, this time she’s coming to follow up with an elbow thrust .
Seriously, is this a battle between magicians .

「But……I don’t dislike it you know . 」

The words Till said at some point .
Match the opponent’s charge and, step in from your position as well .
See through the elbow thrust that seems like it could break through even thick concrete and, lightly add the base of the palm to its side to divert its course .
Afterwards, use the opponent’s power with a back throw to fling them away .

「――Guu, even this is simply!」

Est-san was surprised, as she spun in mid air .
As expected, in the place of this excellent receive with no damage .

「Quite capable……I see, those eyes, that speed . You’ve strengthened them with magic……Lightning magic isn’t it . It’s the most proficient at self strengthening . 」

This area of a.n.a.lysis ability is the same as Till’s, calm and fast .

「I won’t lose you know, whether in hand to hand, or in magic . 」

I put my hair that had gone over my shoulder, in its place behind me .
Having gotten up Est-san also, brushed off the dirt that got on her clothes and reset her position .

「I see, Fairy of Silver Lightning……I can sense the pressure of that nature――but well . 」
「――」

My breath stopped .
Est-san released her magic power .
This pressure, from just and only that .
Black flame, shrouded Est-san’s body .

「As you wish, shall we go on

on to a magic battle, Alice-chan . 」

She’s grasping the fundamentals of Eclair’s spec but, she’s a being able to come and emit this different level of performance is she .
Pushing her body enough to break it……I can’t see this as such .
Her proficiency with magic power, and also the way she uses the demon eye .
It seems the difference is in that area .

「Next, is it fine if I go?」

Est-san deployed her multicast as simply, as if she was lifting a spoon .
――5 shots of, black Star Flare .

「……I want to ask a little but, do you want to turn the royal capital into a sea of flame?」

However leniently I look at this, it’s too much .
If it’s just enough to burn me to death then, I suppose there’s no way she couldn’t control that destructive power .

「It’s alright, since there won’t be any damage, beyond burning Alice-chan to death . 」
「How impressive……it’s a kind thing to the environment . 」

Ahaha, we raise an out of place laugh together .
That’s the black flame Estoria is it .
That girl used phantasmal magic, as the Libra imitating her but……
She has no duty to, go out of her way to bring that out does she .
Such like bringing out the opponent’s full power and winning, she doesn’t follow that sort of sporting doctrine does she～ .

「……On that note that looks like it’s rather painful but, is Eclair alright?」

Looking at the tears of blood that continue to flow, Eclair’s body is raising quite the scream .
But since that child has guts, I a.s.sume she wouldn’t tell her to stop or the like .

「There’s a certain, level of burden isn’t there . I’m admitting it because it can’t be helped even if I hide it though . 」

Est-san gave me my answer while slumping her shoulders .
I see, then there’s no room for doubt anymore .

「This is just for your information but since, that child, is mine . I won’t put up with her being injured . 」

A slight twitch, Eclair’s body stirred a such .
It didn’t seem like Est-san’s behavior .

「Thank you for the meal, Alice-chan . But, even if you don’t worry about it, today was good bye here?」

There’s no sense of tension but, it’s not the sort of bloodl.u.s.t that could be called a joke is it .
Now then, opposing that amount of magic power, this isn’t the occasion to be indefinitely hesitating .
Blowing a deep thin breath, I went one step forward .
I’ll end this .

「――Play time is over . 」

I released my magic power .
The silver whirlwind was like a tornado, the surroundings are blown away .
The artificial phenomena of a natural disaster .

「……Haa～, what magic power . Certainly extraordinary……The reason Till favoured you . Well, that and that you’re unrelatedly cute though . 」

Est-san was surprised but, the edges of her lips are pulled up as if she’s somewhat enjoying this .
However, that body is shaking like it saw a horror movie or such .
I don’t know if that’s conscious or, unconscious though .
As a fact, my magic power is overwhelming black flame’s .

――This is the skill, latent ability .

A sensation like pulling up another self, drifting on the ocean floor .
Unconscious ability, that isn’t normally used .
Considering the burden on the body, it’s said that people display no more than a portion of the power they hold .
Conscious, magic power, power, in all regards, it’s an active skill that pulls that out for a moment .
Discharging a magic power that the body can’t entirely control, silver light pierces the heavens like a flash .
It became a wind that burned the air and blew away the clouds, causing the twilit sky to show its face .

「……………………Fu～n, exceedingly close to a lightning fairy . High elf, is it . 」

Est-san’s eye narrowed and, cold sweat flowed down those cheeks .

「It’s my 2nd time including practice but, I’m not used to it am I . 」

Just as I confirmed before, it seemed that there were a few physical changes .
As far as what’s visible, my hair turned to a golden color .
Also the ears that are the special characteristic of elves, sharpened to the same degree as Till’s .
This is a simple elf transformation――I suppose it’s a form close to a high elf .

「Est-san……more than anyone else, I won’t forgive myself . Saying something like that Till was weak is……I definitely won’t allow it . That is why I won’t lose you see . Whether it’s to you, or to anyone . The fact that the me who is weaker than Till doesn’t lose to anyone will, become the proof that that person was the strongest . 」

It’s fine even if I’m called an idiot, I believe as such .
Est-san rubbed her hair, throwing it into disarray, as she looked up to the heavens .

「……You really do seem like, her prided daughter . 」

She mumbled to herself, as if making conversation with the sky .
And then as if she’d set her resolve, she turned back to me with an unbeatable face .

「……Fufu, shall we reach the conclusion? A chill runs through my spine, Alice-chan . There aren’t more than a few times when I’ve reached this feeling . 」

As the lack of a sense

a sense of tension has reached the point of acting like we were chatting, it conversely displays that Est-san’s experience isn’t just for show, and creates a sense of unease as well .

「That’s as I desire it . When I decided to succeed this name, I made one promise . Buy all fights that are sold . At the least, until I make it understood that I am the strongest . 」

I suppose it isn’t something commendable but, I’d be glad to fight for the time being .
The new strongest seems, somewhat weak……Till’s face will be covered in mud if that sort of thing is said .
Such a thing, Est-san doesn’t even need to say it .

「Somehow, the one to underestimate her opponent was me then……」

A～ah, I was done in wa.s.sn’t I――Like that, Est-san agonized to a degree that made it easy to understand .
I get that she’s an entertaining person as I look at her .

「Then, that that isn’t just an appearance, shall I have you provide me the confirmation of the strongest! Now then, face me――!」
「――tsu」

It came――!
Burning away me alone, the 5 unrelenting black suns .
There’s no meaning to regular evasion .
With the area of a slight insight into this quant.i.ty of heat, it’s truly water on a burning stone .
Then there are 2 methods .
Complete defense――like Till――show it be blocked is it .
――Or show it be evaded, with a special method is it .
There’s no need to think on it, the decision within my capability is the latter .
The evasion that renders everything ineffective, what comes to mind is――mist transformation!
Heard often in fantasy, the special prerogative of vampires .
But if it can be done by vampires, the current me who’s close to a lightning fairy shouldn’t be unable to do it .
……I believe as such .
Maa, speaking of my knowledge rather than mist it’d be better as――――quantum transformation perhaps .
I run magic power through my body, as I confront the advancing volume of heat .
Image .
I am within the atmosphere……such that I become one body with the magic powermana……!

「――Goooo!」

Facing the black suns coming toward me, I plunge in without an act of evasion .

「!!? She, threw the match? No――」

I plunged into, magma that melts all materials――
Within the black sun, without feeling the heat, I pa.s.sed through .
One, two――five, all of them!
Having pa.s.sed through the black flame, I caught, the Est-san who became defenseless after finishing her chant .

「Hhaha! Cheap……!! That’s beyond what I could imagine!!」

I entered close range while still in my quantum transformation, as Est-san showed a somehow pleased seeming look .
――That also, served no purpose though .

「How far! Mou, Alice-chan you!!」

――Now, it’s this side’s turn!
Having closed the distance, I immediately turned around and, relied on my power to grab the back of her head .

「Kuu! You materialized!? No, more importantly this power!?」
「Please prostrate yourself!」

And as such, I struck her into the ground while relying on my power .
I forced her to the ground with my power, as she tried to get out of the exceptional technique I caught her with .

「――Kahaa! Setting the speed aside……this power……! Really, cheap……!」

As the price for having her mouth forced into the stone laid ground, Est-san’s――Eclair’s lips had painful blood running from them .
Ignoring that, I restrain her arms on the side of her back with power like that of a clamp’s .

「Ku――u! Ow, owowow! Alice-chan wait! It’s breaking it’s breaking!」

I have no intention of going along with her easy going att.i.tude .

「――Do you surrender?」
「Uuu……! Such a thing as forcing a maiden to the ground and demanding her surrender, Alice-chan you――Owowowow!」

Maa, as if to say it’s fine if it sticks together afterwards, I give one more twist .
Probably, if I add just a little more power――

「Wait wait! Since I～ understand! Surrender, surr～ender! ……Really, since I won’t be able to excuse it, if I cause injury to this body . 」

It’s rather late .
Eclair’s body has already used the demon eye and, she’s rather hurt from my current attack .

「……Do you surrender?」
「I surrender I surrender, mo～ since the opponents I’ve said such a thing to, were only my shishou and the elder . It isn’t something I’ve said to Till you know～?」

Being forced to the ground, it was my defeat when it reached that point was it～, she was murmuring that while staying carefree to the end .
Yare yare, this person, I suppose it wasn’t the case that she was holding back but, she wasn’t serious either was she .
Ma, since it would be troubling if she went overboard with Eclair’s body .
In any case, this battle is over .
I release her a moment later .
I also, release latent ability and return to my original silver hair .
Fuhee? And Est-san stood up while rolling her shoulders, as she admired me .

「Really seriously, just what was that? It’s against the rules . 」
「You’re not tired are you . 」

And she’s acting like she just did a warm up exercise .

「That’s not it either you know, strongest . Since oneesan, was impressed?」

My nose was poked by that admiring oneesan .

「In conclusion, it means I have no role to play doesn’t it . Makes me feel like an old lady doesn’t it, I’ve become something that isn’t needed . 」

But, what’s called the experience of fighting a person ofa person of Est-san’s level has become my confidence .
This fight was, my touchstone as the strongest .
……Could it possibly be that that was its purpose then .
No……Considering Till and Est-san’s relationship, it’s more complicated isn’t it .
Est-san came to give my nose one more poke, while smiling abashedly with Eclair’s face, as I looked in at her .

「Then, I leave the rest to you okay, 7th generation . Since I’ll cheer you on, given the matter of being Till’s daughter . There’s no mistake, Alice-chan is the strongest . 」
「……I can have confidence, since it’s none other than Est-san saying that . 」
「Fufu～, it’s fine to have a lot, junior . 」

Est-san made a satisfied seeming wink and――was about to vanish as such .
I frantically grabbed Est-san’s arm .

「Anou!」
「Nn? You’re angry? Do you want, one more shot?」
「No no that’s completely wrong . 」

So please stop presenting your right cheek, furthermore that body is Eclair’s……

「That’s not it……ano, the demon eye of past sight……could it be . 」
「Aah……it’s that sort of thing . It’s regrettable but, it’s impossible isn’t it . 」

Pat, and while patting my head, Est-san made a sad seeming look .

「Past sight isn’t omnipotent . It’s not the case that it can do anything and everything as expected of it . Furthermore I and Eclair have good affinity . 」

Then, Till is……

「People’s lives, aren’t so simple you know . Because, we can’t cheat……though it’s strange, for this me to say this isn’t it . 」
「That’s so, isn’t it……」

As much as I had just a bit of expectation, the backlash came again .
My heart tightened .

「Since I will also do my best, for Alice-chan’s sake……don’t cry don’t cry . 」
「Mou……I’m not crying so . 」
「Fufu……Then……it’s near the limit is it . Get along together with Eclair, okay?」
「I’m, going to give her a punch . 」
「Buu, roーger, do it gently! Bye then?」

Est-san’s presence vanished .
In short that means, she returned to her original personality .

「……」
「……」

I firmly, rubbed my forehead into Eclair .

「Wha, what is it . Do you have a complaint?」
「To the contrary, I’m surprised at the matter of feeling like I don’t have a complaint . 」

That rather good feeling, went and made me smile .

「Hii, wha, what is this, for an Alice, you were incredible . 」
「Were you not saying things like, please go die then?」
「……I didn’t say that . 」

Eclair averted her eyes, as her sweat trickled out .

「I’m, raather hurt . That it became like I’d be killed by Eclair, it hurts doessn’t it . I wonder just how many times this makes it . 」

I made a dumb face, implying that I didn’t know and, tried putting my finger on my chin .

「Fu, funn . Even if you do round about things, I’ve done as much as making my resolve you know!」
「Hohou? To be boiled or baked?」
「Is, is it not fine to do as you please . 」

Her eyes are tearing up a little but, is she okay?

「I understand, Eclair……Then, please lend me your ears for a bit . 」

I confirmed the Ilya standing by with a bright smile and, switched to a soft voice .
Fleurety is afraid of Ilya and won’t come near .

「Waa, such things, stop it already . 」
「Are you trembling?」
「That’s wrong you know . 」
「Maa, it’s fine . 」

The doubtful Eclair, comes and turns her ear .
They’re adorable ears that make me want to munch on them, without intending to .
Munch .

「Kyaaa!? Wha, what are you doing, idiot Alice!」
「Huh?」
「Why are you making a s.p.a.ced out face, like your body did it on its own!」

Because it is in fact exactly that, it can’t be helped .

「So, the request is . 」
「Kuu……you’re being shameless because you’re the winner, aren’t you . 」
「Maa maa . 」

This time for sure, I borrow her ear .

「This is now, a request I want as an absolute promise but . 」
「Ma, maa . It’s reached this point, so it can’t be helped . 」
「……」
「……」
「Please, give birth to my child . 」
「……………………」
「Also, I’ve already thought of her name . 」
「…………………………………」

Eclair’s face is turning red enough, to make me wonder a little, is she alright .

「Ko, koko, kodo, ko?」
「E～tto, in short, no matter what, I won’t fight with Eclair anymore . Since, I wouldn’t like it if your womb was affected okay?」
「……You……ano, sono……」
「Nn～?」

Our foreheads were thrust together once more and, I tried chasing Eclair’s gaze as it went around like a merry go round .

「………………………………………………………Eeh . 」
「Nn?」

Eclair was murmuring, with a voice like a mosquito’s cry .
Twisting her head, the Eclair that had turned pure red was going no no while shaking her head .

「Beecaause! With you, anymore, that is……you said you wouldn’t fight, idiot Aliiice!!!」

I smiled .
Holding her firmly, I also apply Heal .
I rub away the blood on her lips and, her tears of blood .

「Then, I’ll be relying on you for that sort of thing, my beloved Eclair . 」
「……Fun, you as well, please do your best . 」

Perhaps she was a little frustrated, Eclair murmured something in the end, with a voice like she was sulking .

――Strongest magician-san, that is .