Grimoire x Reverse ~Reincarnated Demon Romance Tale~

Chapter 5

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Chapter 5

City of Water Mermila II [Malicious Initial Movement]

Imperial Academy Headquarters.

About ninety years ago, the Imperial Academy was born during the reign of Talos II. The location of the place could be said to be at the heart of Empire as was a logical placement. Behind the palace where the emperor reigned was the Imperial Academy, set up as if to protect it, though as the oldest building it was originally the museum of the emperor that led to the throne.

An organization to protect the Imperial Capitol against demons, by studying them and creating what was now known as the Empire’s own magic system, the “Imperial Academy” was born. In that past era of the Empire when the tide of anti-demon feelings were strong, its impact was enormous.

And, now.

With the existence of the Book Agency (TL: this refers to the “soldiers” or rather general members of the Academy, whom we have met before – like the magic librarians wubordinates) and the power of the magic librarians, the Imperial Academy was indispensable to the Empire.

The one who reigned at the apex of was a person known as “Marshall” who rarely made an appearance. There were only a handful of people who had seen this figure, including the first and third seats of the magic librarians.

As the leader of the Imperial Academy Book Agency of Magic Librarians, he is the one person capable of going against the magic librarians, or to put it another way, the magic librarians are a unit under the direct command of the “Marshall.”

Well, today in the Imperial Academy “between the Guran” (紅蓮の間) there was the shadow of a young man.

While in the Guran, the Marshall can “Govern” using a special magic. However, it is a room used only to hear the voice of the Marshall.

A tall young man brushed his long blonde hair and bundled it over his shoulder. He wore a black coat engraved with X on the back and both hands are bound in bandages.

A circular carpet embroidered with red and gold. Immediately after he kneeled in the middle, the interior of the room was dyed in darkness.

[Grendel. The story that you allowed a demon into the Empire…is it true?]

“Yes…I apologize.” (Grendel)

It was the voice of a crazy old man. The sound echoed with an intimidating deep ba.s.s around the surroundings, though Grendel just closed his eyes in response.

He understood the best that it was his loss. He understood. The pain echoing through his fists is not the same sensation of pain his body felt. Anger at his Divine Phenomenon phase skill being broken, indignation, and regret burned in his body.

[She did it…]

Suddenly the voice of the Marshal changed. For Grendel who was prepared for heavy rebuke and punishment, this was surprising. Instinctually he raised his eyebrows, but this did not seem to be particularly noticed.

[Is it true that the one who escaped you was a Nine-tails?]

“Yes…It was certainly seriously wounded. However, we must still be vigilant—” (Grendel)

[Hehehe! It seems like that spell of stone was solved?!…But it was too late…Hiragi…] “What…?” (Grendel)

It was too late? Hiragi?

Grendel who did not understand, raised his face. This movement was perceived by Marshall, who responded to the question with harshness.

[It is not your concern. By the way, was the nine-tails any match for you?]

“Eeh…The nine-tails was not any issue. But the problem is—” (Grendel)

[I see, I see. Good, I will forgive this time’s blunder. But…I will give you the following duties]

“Y-Yes…!” (

Grendel)

There was something he wanted to say, but it was an atmosphere where he could not speak. He swallowed his words and again lowered his head.

[Bring the Nine-tails here alive. Allow the eighth seat to accompany you.]

“Capture…alive? What is the meaning behind this?” (Grendel)

[Haven’t I already said this has nothing to do with you?]

“B-But, while the first seat is absent…bringing demons into the Imperial Academy.” (Grendel)

It was an unreasonable order.

The sanctuary of the Imperial Acadmey is not so much on top of the Empire as it is on top of the Imperial House.

In this country that holding to an exclusion of demons, and it became known that the Marshal and captured and brought a live demon inside of the Imperial House, things would become difficult.

There was another reason why Grendel was reluctant.

It was because of the existence of the first seat whose words and influence were stronger in certain places than the Marshall. Now that he is out of the country, if the Marshall acted irresponsibly it would agitate the first.

Especially since the feud between the Marshall and the First Seat was getting more feverish.

He did not want to add fuel to the fire.

[It’s fine. That nine-tails was around when this place still belonged to the Emperor.]

“…However, now that a total of five seats are outside of the country, if something dangerous happens the first seat will be—”

[What are you saying about the first seat!!]

“… I said that he will be officious.” (Grendel) (TL: Officous is to be intrusive or “a.s.sertive of authority in an annoyingly domineering way, especially with regard to petty or trivial matters.”)

[I’m glad you understand]

Huh, it sounded like he snorted.

Grendel kept silent while kneeling.

Though sighing inwardly about being forced to be involved, Grendel never showed it on his face. This was because he believed the fault lied within him. So he had to carry this burden himself.

[Then, Magic Librarian tenth seat Grendel Glyph Scale. Capture the nine-tails with the eighth seat and bring it to this crimson. I don’t mind even if a few limbs are missing]

“Yes…as you say.” (Grendel)

At the end, as soon as he heard the command of the Marshall, the light slowly returned to the room.

This was the end of the audience with the Marshall.

As Grendel stood up slowly, he rearranged his coat and breathed out a single sigh. When he stretched to check the feeling in his fists, there was still a bit of discomfort. But there was something more interesting that.

“…That demon. It was not just any demon. How much power was it hiding?…I have no idea. I think there is only one thing (思うことが一つだけある).”

As Grendel left the center of the Guran and walked towards the door he looked up at the high ceilings. The battle with the demon, he had also seen it in last night’s dream. It was a demon that defeated the Divine Phenomenon phase skill easily, wearing an unusual appearance. Who on earth are you?

Eventually when he realized no answer was no forthcoming, he was left with only one thing to think. That is, the demon’s full power was only released when he had used his palm strike.

“It was like I pushed something into its body. It was like a switch…but different, like knocking over an object or something like that.” (Grendel)

He opened his grasped fist. It was still wrapped in white cloth, of course, due to his inkuries. However, the Empire also had advanced healing magic. It was possible to be cured without taking too much time.

There are mainly two reasons.

First, he was waiting to devote himself to training until the injuries had gone away.

The second was his commitment against the defeat of both fists. (もう一つは、この両拳が敗北したことに対する戒めだった)

With his arms wrapped to his fingertips in white he pushed the door open slowly. Once he reached the corridor, the setting sunlight greeted him. The usual sight of red carpet running in front of him seemed to burn dully from the sunlight.

“It seems like you were beat badly.” (Eighth Seat)

If there was something different from usual there, it was a colleague leaning against the wall in the hallway. A young woman with brown hair pulled back with a band. She was twp years older than Grendel and was a pretty girl with freckles and a bright expression.

“Eighth seat…” (Grendel)

“Since you struggled so much despite your skill which is not so different from mine, and we want to capture it alive, isn’t it impossible?” (Eighth Seat)

“The nine-tails isn’t an issue…but the problem is another demon.” (Grendel)

She was simply playing her Ocarina in a round, when she froze for a moment realizing she didn’t understand his words. Blinking her slightly reddish eyes, the eighth seat tilted her head.

“Not vice versa?” (Eighth Seat)

“No, the problem is the other.” (Grendel)

“Hooh…so there was something interesting.” (Eighth Seat)

While she nodded, Grendel thought inwardly; until she encountered this demon herself, of course she would have this kind of att.i.tude. But it was a monster among demons that deviates too much from common sense. That was a being that might even become a threat to the existence of the Imperial Academy.

“…But, doesn’t it seem amazing?”

“What do you mean?” (Grendel)

“Gathering a mere two people for such a Demon, wouldn’t four magic librarians be better, since you were defeated? I wouldn’t want to taste the humiliation of defeat from a demon.”

Pocketing her Ocarina, she folded her arms behind her head and walked ahead. He took a moment to think, but then Grendel hurriedly tried following after the eighth seat who headed to the lobby first.

“Hey will you wait a moment?” (Grendel)

“Oh, did I say something strange?”

“No, four people. Including you and me, who are the other two against the Nine-tails and the Oni?” (Grendel)

“From the same report that you were defeated it was also reported that the two were heading towards Mermila—” (Eighth Seat)

“…Is it the fifth seat?” (Grendel)

“That’s it. And one more person.”

One more person. As a method to completely erase it, the answer was simple.

But wouldn’t that person be excessive force?

Though Grendel thought so, the eighth seat was unlikely to feel any kind of embarra.s.sment even when she was being troublesome.

“It seems like between the third and fifth seats they will crush the Oni neatly.”

That night. It had been awhile since the sun had set.

Shuten and Hiragi had hid in the mountain near the city of water Mermila.

“For a moment I forgot that I was listening.” (Hiragi)

“Is it the kind that’s rubbing against the front?” (Shuten) (マッチは手前に向けてこするタイプだが？)

“How is that important you idiot oni!” (Hiragi)

As a joke I suddenly asked her standing next to me.

As usual, the response is not too bad, and Hiragi is showing anger as if a blood vessel had broken.

But is the fluffy-tails becoming accustomed to it? The restoration of her pulsing blood vessel once broken is quick. I looked down at Hiragi as she looked up and took a deep breath.

“I still haven’t heard why Shuten is in this town, or the purpose behind your trip in the first place.” (Hiragi)

“Oh, did you finally want to hear it? No, it seem like a good thing rather than clearly wanting to break up…this older brother is happy!” (Shuten)

“Who is older than me!?…Oh, no that’s not it! Since our destinations happen to coincide, what is your journey for?” (Hiragi)

“…Well~ I’m looking for something.” (Shuten)

“Looking for something?” (Hiragi)

“That’s it. There is one in this town, so I’m just picking it up.” (Shuten)

*Plink. Plink. Plink.*

Blinking three times, she looked at me. Even with an extremely serious look, she was only able to find out it was some kind of errand.

Apparently different from my ordinary exuberance, Hiragi nodded at this seemingly seriousness. Originally this errand was for me, though it was a bit disappointing with only me.

Then it would be better if she started looking for her thing first.

“Whatever you do, if you have not found what you are looking for by the time I’m done, then I can help you.” (Hiragi)

Having said that, Hiragi raised one finger.

“We can find each other easily by the pa.s.s, so shall we act separately for now? It’s a bit of a drag on me to accompany you on your errands. But once I’m done over here I will also come and help you out.” (Hiragi)

“…Hmm.” (Shuten)

I stroked my jaw. Since I do not have a beard or anything like that it was a gentle stroke. Seeing Hiragi watching me, I nodded with a casual expression as I thought it would be okay.

“Okaay. Then are you leaving?” (Shuten)

“Well…because it’s just over here.” (Hiragi)

“See ya later then.” (Shuten)

He jumped leisurely after shaking his hands.

The reason why they have to work separately is because they have to do this quietly. Even though I understood, there was still some loneliness.

The city of water Mermila is securely surrounded by a st.u.r.dy exterior wall unlike the village of Rene. However, it was not made any higher by magic. With Shuten’s and Hiragi’s physical ability it was possible for both to jump lightly and land on the wall without difficulty. So without hesitation both jumped towards their destinations.

She thought that it was nice to have a human-like companion, despite how unexpected a companion, and I thought that the circ.u.mstance where he would disappear would not happen no matter how many times he was burned with fox-fire.

Where does such an ethereal feeling original?

Though there is no need to bother with such a thing.

“…Fuu.” (Hiragi)

There were bad memories. There was no reason to compare with Shuten, but there is no doubt that is a “tragic past” as well.

She jumped over the roof of a brick private house without a sound to the pace where she wanted. Floating like a silver breeze in the night.

“The night winds are not bad either…I wonder where Shuten has moved?”

It felt like a journey as a traveling cook. (あの旅厨の感じている世界)

Although there is no such thing flowing through her path. Still, she did not dislike his way of thinking that made her feel as if she could recover herself again.

She stopped slowly.

It was a place she had visited once. Even after a hundred years, she could not forget it.

There were many stones scattered around casually, the only one standing out in Mermila on a hill where the moon rose behind it.

These words were engraved upon it: “General Garland Fortus rests here.”

It was the grave of the man whom Hiragi had fallen in an unrequited love with one hundred years ago.

The city of water Mermila had a relatively high standard of living even though it was located in the southeast frontier of the Empire. These were people who were well off, so many were born into good circ.u.mstances. Therefore, even when a man born here were to become a general of the Imperial Army, it is not so strange.

Garland Fortus, the second son of the Mermila’s Lord.

As far as appearance went he was helpless, yet he was a cool man who was a strong and fearless warrior. (だらしがなく、どうしようもないのうてんきで、それでも戦いに臆さず強く、かっこいい人間であった)

An opponent who had helped her a hundred years ago, and died before she could return the favor.

“…It is history now.” (Hiragi)

Due to living so long, the people who had been born and died before even seeing her could not be counted even with the fingers on both hands. But among them, Hiragi’s biggest regret was being unable to thank this man.

In front of that grave resting in a high place, it was distinctive from many tombstones. Hiragi stared at the engraved words.

“I was not able to bring anything. You died so quickly…when you were called a father…even though I…am older…” (Hiragi) (あっさり死んじゃってさ……何がパパって呼んでくれだ……私の方が……年上、で)

What kind of feelings were overflowing in her head, dropping to her cheeks?

She did not understand and for a moment could not think of anything.

But there is one thing left to say before his tombstone.

The reason she had come to the Empire was to say it. To convey those thoughts to that important person.

“So—” (Hiragi)

“Indeed…If you traveled all this way to visit this grave, then I might as well allow you the opportunity to see him off.” (Grendel)

“—tsu!?” (Hiragi)

She immediately turned at the sudden voice.

It was the man she had fought against that day. Long golden hair sparkled in the moonlight, a magic librarian in a black coat.

“You are…!” (Hiragi)

“Well, you see, it’s a demon. It looks like ginger noodles though (しょうがねーっぽいけどねえ TL: whatever that means xD).” (Eighth Seat)

“Eh!?” (Hiragi)

Grendel Glyph Scale.

At the same time I saw his figure, I heard a voice from the headstone of Garland. Turning around she remembered how easily her blood boiled, and she had shot fire reflexively.

“Do not touch that person’s tombstone!!” (Hiragi)

“Oh okay…Sorry, I didn’t know who this tomb belongs to.” (Eighth Seat)

There was a woman standing on the man’s tombstone who had the appearance of being the same age or so as Grendel. The flames thrown freely hit empty sky as the woman jumped down, and she landed lightly with a laugh.

“I see. It’s alright.” (Hiragi)

“Eighth Seat, you were on the tomb of Garland Fortus and his family members who were generals of the Imperial Army. Indeed…you should apologize to the people who died.” (Grendel)

“Yeah…I’m sorry.” (Eighth Seat)

“And you are…!!”

It was Grendel who does not alter from his composure, and a woman who was known as the Eighth Seat in this fantasy world.

“Although it is unfortunate, I cannot give up again this time because it is the order of the Sanctuary.” (Grendel)

“It’s like being trained. Please prepare.” (Eighth Seat)

I was immediately attacked. (一気に詰んだ)

The Eighth Seat playing an Ocarina and Grendel wearing gloves.

Both in flapping black coats, one was a guy that reminded Hiragi of a slight despair.

Magic Librarian Miss Benetta has appeared!

Magic Librarian Grendel has appeared! ▼

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