Seiken Tsukai no Kinju Eishou

Her irritation didn’t calm down.

AJ smacked her lips many times.

Even though she had decided she would absolutely not chatter pointlessly, she ended up getting along a bit well with Moroha unintentionally.

Even though she intended to not be involved in that war of his, she ended up going to see the battles of Moroha unintentionally.

Even though she felt she had nothing to do with what that idiot was doing, she ended up appearing all of a sudden when Moroha was attacked unintentionally.

She was truly sick of that naivety of his.

She got angry as she made a phone call with her cell phone.

She checked her surroundings to make sure no one was watching her.

– h.e.l.lo? It’s me.

AJ talked to someone on the other side of the phone call with an arrogant tone of voice.

– Yes, we’re still in Vladivostok. That monster beat up the branch head a moment ago. We’re going to listen to what that branch head has to say.

The other party of the phone call wanted Moroha’s information in secrecy.

AJ was like a spy that transmitted so.

Doing something like making friends with Moroha wasn’t an act worthy of herself.

When she thought that this would probably become a problem for that cheeky brat, her heart felt refreshed.

Her irritation finally subsided.

However――the person on the other end was a detestable guy for AJ.

That was why her way of talking was so rough.

– Huh? What will happen to that branch head? I don’t know. That’s entirely up to Moroha’s mind. Huh? That I stop him? Give me a break. Our agreement was only about transmitting Haimura’s actions to you in detail, wasn’t it? I have no obligation to risk my life. Hmm, if you’re worried about the fate of branch head-sama, then coming to stop Moroha would be the best, don’t you think? Well, if you can.

A voice of protest was heard from the other side of the phone, but that was of no concern to AJ. Since she shouted out the information of Moroha, the ones who would weaken would be them.

The one who had a strong position was her.

– At any rate, we’re going to board the train at 15:30 tomorrow. I’ll contact you when details are decided again.

Because she told exactly what they needed, she was able to end the call arbitrarily.

If she were to have a very long phone call, it would be suspicious for Moroha.

– Hmm. No matter where I put my eyes on, I realize there’s nothing but annoying guys around me.

AJ, who felt annoyed as she stared intensely at the cell phone, decided to go back where Moroha was.

There was a wide storehouse district in the port-city of Vladivostok.

An aged and messy corner with an impression as if it had been removed from the APEC joint redevelopment plan and left behind for decades.

Because the night was gloomy and had an eerie feeling, no people were there. Even security officers were practically not found.

It was a large and shabby grain warehouse in a corner of such deserted place that AJ brought in the verge-of-death Bernard in the stolen Pajero.

Moroha said he would heal Bernard with Dark Arts, so AJ, in the meantime, decided to patrol the surroundings. If this was expressed as it was, that this was an abduction and confinement on top of an a.s.sault, and this was found by anyone, it would be very complicated for them. So, she checked up the entire vicinity diligently and earnestly.

It was during that time that she contacted a certain person with her cell phone and informed them about Moroha’s actions.

She patrolled for nearly one hour, and when she confirmed there was no one, to the point it was very creepy, she returned to the warehouse.

Moroha noticed the presence of AJ and,

– Any news?

– It felt like a ghost town.

– Then it’s okay to make some noise without hesitation.

Moroha brazenly said something disturbing with a cute face.

– What about his treatment?

– This guy still has a bit of toughness in him, doesn’t he?

AJ, who heard Moroha’s report, saw the condition of Bernard.

The giant laid on his back on the bare concrete floor.

Certainly, he had recovered from a「dying condition」to a「slightly burned」.

His whole body was covered with orange prana that rustled like ripples.

Despite being unconscious, he was healing himself with Naikatsutsuu. And with an extraordinary resilience.

– He has so much vigor that he doesn’t need my Healing the Scars.

– I see… wouldn’t this mean that his self-regenerative ability exceeds my lord’s…?

– I know right? It’s at an incredible level.

Would this be a man one couldn’t kill if one were to try?

Not so much, if one were to crush his heart and brain, he would die.

AJ reappraised Moroha and Bernard at the same time. They were the owners of simple and yet very useful characteristics.

– He will open his eyes at any moment.

And――as the medical opinion of Moroha said, Bernard soon opened his eyelids slowly.

He looked at AJ with an absentminded expression, then looked at Moroha and came to his senses suddenly.

He straightened up by reflex like a spring action.

– Sorry. But don’t move any more than that.

Moroha thrust a sword that he manifested in an instant at his throat.

The sword blade wore a cold brilliance of prana, showing that threat with eloquence above all else.

It didn’t matter how much of a great Light Savior in terms of defense Bernard was, he didn’t have the technique to defend against it unarmed.

And so, it was sad to say that for this man, who wasn’t blessed with speed, stealing Moroha’s chance and run away was impossible.

– I… I…

Even the experienced-in-battles Bernard seemed to understand such a simple reason, so he didn’t resist despite looking frustrated.

However, he kept his cool and,

– Unfortunately, I don’t know the whereabouts of Her Majesty Lightning Empress. And even if I were to know about it, I would absolutely not tell you. Now, whether you’re disappointed or angry, kill me quickly.

He even showed a bold smile.

He closed his eyes calmly with a gracious becoming of a warrior.

– Do you really don’t know?

– I don’t. If you think I’m lying, you can catch other guys and get information out of them. Would you like me to tell you the whereabouts of the guys who wouldn’t have a problem at all saying what’s not in their mind for Her Majesty Lightning Empress even if they have to die?

– I give up…

Moroha, who heard him from beginning to end, scratched his had with his left hand.

AJ was startled.

– Hey, do you believe what this guy’s saying!? This is the way of living of the ones who don’t want to talk!

– Well, I think he really doesn’t know. Rather, I slightly felt that this was be the case.

– Are you serious…?

That wasn’t what she heard. AJ was astonished.

– Because, please think about it. If the guys who know her whereabouts are all over, wouldn’t imply that the meaning of “moving from place to place” and the meaning of “hiding” are halved?

– Are you saying what if everyone knows about it!? This guy is a leader, isn’t he?

–  Lightning Empress is distrustful to the extent she doesn’t believe in her subordinates, am I right?

– Well…

AJ was full of objections. Indeed, his words didn’t sound so off. As she wandered so, she looked towards Bernard.

– I was unable to get the trust of Her Majesty Lightning Empress, I just feel ashamed of my own worthlessness.

Bernard groaned, sounding unsatisfied from the bottom of his heart.

AJ had no choice but to cover her forehead.

– What do we do? It doesn’t make sense that we had caught this guy then.

– I wouldn’t say so.

Moroha said plainly, as expected of someone who boasted what he had hypothesized previously.

– You’re such a conceited guy…. So, will you go and show me what you’ve got?

AJ taunted him, looking displeased, and Moroha nodded in a way without caring about it at all. Then, he turned cold eyes to Bernard and,

– Even if you don’t know where Lightning Empress is, you do have a way to contact her, right?

– … I see. It’s not what we wanted but we’re still there.

AJ looked towards Bernard as she thought so.

– ……

As soon as that happened, Bernard shut his mouth very tight, he had took the silence for granted.

He wasn’t going to talk even if he was killed――that was the silent drive that could be surmised from his expression.

– What are you going to do, Haimura? This guy can’t be dealt with by ordinary means.

– That’s why I told you to think about it.

Moroha took over it relaxed and addressed Bernard in a friendly tone of voice.

– Hey, don’t hasten to your death, alright? I have a proposal.

– ……

Bernard didn’t meet his eyes. He showed an “I’m not listening” att.i.tude. But Moroha continued anyways.

– Don’t you want to report to Lightning Empress that I came to have a war in Russia?

AJ nodded,

– I see, so that’s what you had in hand――the h.e.l.l are you thinking about!?

She immediately opened her eyes wide in surprise and rammed into him with all her strength.

Nevertheless, Moroha ignored her completely and continued making an outrageous proposition deadly serious.

– Since I’m making no progress with you, I’m going to talk to the branch head of Khabarovsk. So, can you tell me about them?

– Wait wait wait! Think veeery well about it, Haimura! I mean, there’s only one advantage for your unaided brutality that marched into Russia. It’s easy to do cover actions, but you can only attack under the cover of darkness in days like today. And yet, abandoning your own advantage is the pinnacle of stupidity, you fool!

AJ desperately exhausted her vocabulary, trying to persuade Moroha.

– It’s all right. Please look.

Despite this, this guy ignored me quite indifferently! Get it already! AJ became angry.

– … What are you scheming?

Bernard also took a bare att.i.tude of suspicion. A natural reaction.

However, Moroha brazenly,

– It’s not something to the degree of scheming though. If Lightning Empress knows that I came, then wouldn’t she come to kill me nonchalantly? In that case, it would save me the trouble of finding her whereabouts.

– That’s so foolish…. There is no way that Her Majesty Lightning Empress would be bothered because of someone like you. You’re treating Russia with contempt. You will end up regretting it when you receive the all-out attack of the fearless fighters like kiraboshi.

*TN: Kiraboshi means “glittering stars”.

– But I won’t know unless I give it a try?

Moroha, who smiled daringly, and Bernard, who was filled with silent anger, glared at each other for a moment.

(This guy is absolutely cheeky….)

AJ felt that her irritation was calming down little by little as she looked at the face in profile of Moroha.

How should I put it…? I don’t dislike him. A man that is wild just like him.

She kept watching attentively without saying anything.

Eventually――

– Can I truly report to her?

Bernard had a grim look on his face, he was extremely cautious.

– Won’t you be at a disadvantage if I give all the information about you?

– Please do so?

– … I have my cell phone in my car. Can you get it for me?

–  Ah, the one we confiscated.

AJ took out the cell phone made by Vinpelcom co.

Prompted by Moroha, it returned to its owner.

Bernard started to type a mail instead of doing a phone call.

Moreover, it was a long piece of writing. It took time.

Moroha had no concern at all because it was his intention that he made a report as much as he wanted. He stole it while he was typing all of a sudden, a conduct as if confirming the contents of the email.

AJ ended up feeling anxious.

– It’s done. Don’t thank me.

Bernard took a breath and crushed the cell phone in very small pieces with Strength.

A splendid destruction-of-evidence style.

– Thank you.

Moroha thanked him, but AJ, contrary to him, seemed to lose heart.

– Idiot. Don’t go saying such idiotic things because you kill the tension. In the first place, this guy served his purpose already, doesn’t he? In that case, be mindful to no say something like getting along well with him.

– I guess so.

Moroha nodded laudably and said, turning towards Bernard.

– You’re no longer useful to us, so can you go home?

– I see, if you send him back home, then you won’t get used to each o――are you stuuuuuuuuuupid!?

This guy!

How does he really!

How does he really dare say something like that!?

AJ turned towards Moroha who put away his sword and rushed into him as she stamped her feet.

– Huh…?

As one would expect, Bernard also became speechless.

– Hmm? Was my English weird?

– This total idiot, your language isn’t the problem!

AJ continued shouting at Moroha who had an even greater stupid face with a voice that came from the bottom of her core.

– You came to have a war, no!? This is your enemy, isn’t he!? How are you going to make the best use of him if he’s going back!?

– You mean making him a prisoner? But management is a trouble.

– I’m saying that killing him is obvious! I! From a while ago!

AJ said to everyone, baring her canines.

Then Bernard groaned, without being able to hold back his laughter.

A way of laughing that made fun of them as if saying that he experienced a welling up of emotions from the very bottom even if he tried to suppress it.

– What’s so funny!?

– Fufu, I ended up laughing like that. I was strangely wondering since when the famous j.a.panese Branch became so radical with brats like this, but that’s not the case. The j.a.panese are truly naïve. I’m being disdained by peace idiots, so I cannot stand it.

– Heeey, isn’t he laughing at you, Haimura!?

AJ grabbed Moroha’s collar and drew it near her.

– You… you said at the restaurant during the day that if this guy didn’t confess anything, you would be willing to torture him, didn’t you!? Where did that resolution go now!?

– That’s not what I said, did I? Angelsan said so of her own accord and consented of her own accord too, right?

– Uh…

AJ dug up her memory with a bitter-looking face. That was, probably true.

– While that’s true, being treated with contempt it’s also a bother for me, I guess.

Moroha muttered like he didn’t understand the meaning as he scratched his head with his left hand.

– Fufu, what are you going to do if you are bothered? Will you beg with your knees on the ground so that I don’t make fun of you somehow? Fufufu, haha――

The scorn of Bernard still felt strange.

Then, it suddenly stopped. *Stab* ――

A small sound coming from below interrupted him.

AJ dropped her eyes… as she grabbed Moroha by the collar.

The pointed of the sword held by Moroha should have been thrust at the nape of the neck of Bernard, but it was certainly stuck into his side.

The expression of Bernard was distorted with agony, making him remain silent.

– Hey…? What did you do so suddenly…?

Moroha pushed aside the bewildered eyes of AJ by looking to the side.

Her face had changed completely.

Her whole facial expression had crumbled down.

– Uh… ah…

AJ ended up separating the hand that was grabbing him by the collar reflexively.

In the UK, Angela Johnson was nicknamed as “mad dog” and was also feared by her companions, but now, she was shocked, and stumbled after a step or two.

Due to the ghastliness on the completely expressionless face of Moroha.

As if she looked into the abyss instead of his vanished expression.

(d.a.m.n… that made me remember…)

That day, when Moroha, who crossed swords with Edward, detachedly overlooked the world from far away in the sky and put an end to it by using a demon-like Dark Art that made Edward unable to fight.

AJ looked up the whole story from the ground without being able to run to her master in crisis and trembled violently.

She didn’t want to remember, it was a bad memory in her chest.

Then again, AJ couldn’t take her eyes off from the terrible look on Moroha’s face seen from the side, it made her whole body stiffen.

Moroha looked down on Bernard with eyes filled with dreadfulness and asked indifferently as he stabbed him with the point of the sword.

– Have you dreamt about your previous life? Do you remember it?

Bernard protected his dignity and withstood the scream as cold sweat hung down, then replied while bearing the pain.

– … w-what about… that…?

– I’ve seen it. I always stand alone in the battlefield, fighting countless enemies――

Moroha held his tongue there.

AJ made a sound with her throat.

Because it was transmitted to her without listening more than that.

Because she understood when she saw the cruel eyes and the face in profile of Moroha that wore dreadfulness.

Fighting against countless enemies――

Killing and killing countlessly of them――

– j.a.panese are naïve? Peace idiots? What on earth are you talking about?

Facial expression returned to Moroha’s face.

He raised his cheeks with cruelty.

– Wouldn’t the point be that you’re growing senile instead?

The bold Bernard lost the color of his face.

His big body now looked way smaller than Moroha’s.

Moroha pulled out the sword, blood began to overflow from the wound. Bernard even forgot that it could be closed up with Naikatsutsuu. Blood continued to overflow from the wound of the man who had healed himself even though he had lost consciousness.

– You measure the opponent on your own gauge and scorn them as you please. That’s so tepid and the very reason you can’t win against me.

Moroha said all he had to say while Bernard couldn’t even return a single word.

Those words also hit AJ.

When she fought against Moroha and the others in j.a.pan, she fixed upon them who were barely awakened students without doubting her strength, and belittled them. However, she was struck by an incantation by the disdained Moroha who could use both Light Techniques and Dark Arts and who was also no more than a “Jack of all trades and master of none” ; she couldn’t pierce completely the defenses of Satsuki and Shizuno that couldn’t be considered something like D-Rank.

If she had known that Moroha could use incantations, she wouldn’t have allowed Edward to have such a dangerous one-to-one fight. If she had known that Satsuki and Shizuno could to that much, she would have brought more subordinates.

It was as Moroha said, this disposition would lost before fighting.

That was the same for Bernard. When he met Moroha alone, he should have escaped.

Even the person in question seemed to fully realize.

He grinded his teeth out of anger as if chewing thoroughly so, lying face down.

– Did I enlighten you enough?

Moroha kicked his muzzle into the air with his toes.

Bernard’s head jumped up moments later and fell down in the same way.

His large nuisance body had the shape of the character 大.

And fainted with his eyes opened wide.

That shouldn’t have been a strong kick because his nose wasn’t broken and there was no blood coming out. However, he probably fainted due to the Light Technique Saturn that mowed consciousness.

– Shall we get going?

Moroha had a carefree smile.

AJ suddenly couldn’t reply. She couldn’t keep up with his sudden change.

She fixedly stared at him, wondering if this guy was truly the very same person who stabbed Bernard.

– Is there something on my face?

Moroha came out of the warehouse quickly as he tilted his head to the side.

He wasn’t joking, Bernard seemed to be left alive. He showed no regret, he looked quite indifferent.

AJ looked back at Bernard many times as she followed Moroha helplessly.

His fainted look as he bit his tongue looked mortifying, it made a terribly lasting impression.

They went back on foot to the hotel.

Moroha was humming unconcernedly.

His nerves couldn’t be understood by AJ.

– Hey… what was with that att.i.tude of yours minutes ago…

AJ glared at the back of Moroha who walked first and who looked like he walked leisurely with half-opened eyes.

I was scared! I was startled!

――But she wouldn’t say anything no matter what.

– An acting, it was an acting. I didn’t want to be treated with contempt.

Moroha stopped his feet, turned around and smiled radiantly.

– … You’re a great actor.

AJ was sarcastic, but that wasn’t transmitted with her tone of voice.

– Tell me. Why did you make him report you? Why did you keep him alive? Why is that it’s not good to be treated with contempt?

– There are various reasons, but… well, the best reason is the one I said before. Since we don’t know Lightning Empress’s whereabouts, it’s faster to make her come for me, don’t you think?

– I don’t get it. These aren’t Bernard’s words, but I don’t think Lightning Empress will get off her backside.

– She will――

Moroha moved his head to the left and right full of confidence.

– ――Because I’ll beat the branch heads one after another.

Cold sweat gushed out from the whole body of AJ.

– … Don’t tell such a preposterous thing as if it were extremely easy.

– It’s not easy. This is the only way to do it because it’s the fastest one.

Moroha shrugged his shoulders.

But AJ who heard so thought deep down.

((This guy may do it…)

Bernard was factually strong.

He defeated such a warrior easily and ended him by breaking even his mind.

If it’s Haimura Moroha.

– … But will that really lure her out? Lightning Empress doesn’t think of her subordinates as subordinates. She always abandons those who suffered damage by someone.

– She abandons her subordinates, but she’s not going to overlook me.

– What do you mean?

– To put it simply――she’s strong and also famous at the White Knight Organization, isn’t she?

– Huh…? That’s because it’s an ability-based organization.

AJ nodded as she thought with suspicion.

Powerful Saviors were revered by their surroundings.

They wouldn’t listen to the orders of those who weren’t strong.

Namely「being recognized by the one’s surroundings as very strong」was nothing but the authority and power of the White Knight Organization.

– So, first I have to prove that I’m stronger than any of the Russian leaders.

Moroha declared with a fearless expression.

– If I defeat 5 or 10 of them, then everyone should have no choice but to acknowledge me. They should realize that Lightning Empress isn’t the only one who’s terrifying. When that happens, what will it be of Lightning Empress’s authority? Will it shake as it should? That’s why I’m going to destroy Lightning Empress’s political power from the base.

AJ caught her breath.

Certainly. Certainly it was.

– … It’s highly unlikely that Lightning Empress can let pa.s.s how you’ve acted. The Empire would surely collapse, especially if there are rumors saying that she’s running around, trying to escape from you. Sooner or later, the governor herself will have to come and choke the life out of you, huh.

– My plan can successfully lure her out, don’t you agree?

Moroha wanted her approval, but A just became disappointed, and sunk into silence.

She made her mouth have the form of the character “へ”and glared at him with disgusted-looking eyes.

Then, after she lamented,

– When I think “what the h.e.l.l you’re going to do?”, you have the guts to come up with something outrageous. The joke of a brat saying something like “war” which resulted to be too much, abandons it on the way and goes home, and yet.

She attacked him with abusive language.

Actually, she thought「This guy can probably end up doing something」before she came to Russia, but she had resentment to say so honestly.

– Ahaha, Angelsan laid her fangs bare.

But Moroha wasn’t worried about it, he laughed it off cheerfully.

– It’s because of a reason like that I can’t be underestimated by Bernard.

– I got that…. But was it necessary to keep him alive? Wouldn’t it be a trouble if he joins other guys, goes back to his normal state and fights again? He’ll do this forever.

– No, I don’t feel like he’ll contact other Russian branch heads. Because the instant he failed, his death was determined. If he were to go shamelessly, he would be purged.

– Ah…

In other words, whether he was left alive or killed, it was calculated that Russia would lose strength anyway.

– It would be ideal if there was a comrade of his, a person that sheltered him and this guy advertised『Haimura Moroha is scary』though. Well, I don’t expect such a selfish thing to happen.

Anyhow, Moroha continued as he laughed.

– The style of Lightning Empress is “to kill immediately”. That’s why I won’t kill anyone in this war.

– … And not because of naivety?

– Nope. Mine is absolutely better. Angelsan will understand so soon.

– I hope that’s the case.

AJ hit him with abusive language, but as expected, that didn’t go through.

A war without killing anyone.

When she heard of such a pipe dream, she didn’t feel like laughing at all.

When Moroha started fighting against Bernard, she never stopped being surprised by everything he did and everything he said, her senses were paralyzed.

She bent her mouth into a “へ” character and looked up at the sky as she walked.

The clouds had cleared up before she became aware of it.

The nights of Vladivostok were equally to London’s, there was no person in sight and the stars were clearly visible.

She relied on the constellations to search for the west, to look at a certain direction of England.

(… “Jack in the box”, huh…? There’s no more fitting name for this guy)

The person who named him as such was Edward.

As expected of my lord, AJ was impressed by him once again.

Moroha, who continued surprising AJ with his deep thought, wasn’t an omniscient G.o.d.

Only one thing was out of his predictions.

Rather, it could be said that he couldn’t read through the innermost thoughts of the man called Bernard.

After he woke up on the cold floor of the grain warehouse, Bernard returned to his private residence at full speed.

There was a large room in the bas.e.m.e.nt.

Bernard called it “the audience room”.

With the exception of a deep crimson carpet, there was only one furniture.

A magnificent silver-rimmed mirror installed on the upper part of a wall.

A large mirror that could be used to reflect the giant body of Bernard without sparing anything.

He kneeled politely in front of it.

He bowed his head and addressed someone with dignity.

– It’s Bernard. Are you listening, Darko?

Absolutely no directly-controlled subordinates or anyone else was allowed to enter into the room or be in the wide room.

Nevertheless, there was an immediate response.

A response through the mirror.

『I hear you. It’s this about the last email, Bernard?』

The voice of a young man muttered.

Bernard, with his head still hanging down and in an immobile position,

– Yeas. I want to report this to Your Majesty Lightning Empress directly by all means. I want to be given an audience with Your Majesty Lightning Empress.

『You can be glad. Your Majesty has been waiting for you from not long ago』

– Oh, what a surprise…. I don’t deserve such an honor.

Bernard shut his eyes as if reflecting upon it.

This means of communication was truly allowed in case of real emergency.

It was the whimsical Lightning Empress herself who allowed this. He was prepared to be rejected.

In the meanwhile, a strange phenomenon happened to the great mirror.

The mirror surface that reflected the kneeled giant distorted as if oil scattered in water.

How much did it take? 10 seconds? ――

The disarrayed mirror surface recovered its perfect condition once again and reflected the figure of a person.

However, what was reflected wasn’t the giant body of Bernard anymore.

But the figure of a luxurious, beautiful woman who leant coquettishly against a splendorous, gorgeous sofa.

She wore a bloodstained-looking, deep crimson dress, and in that posture she had, a deep valley was distinctly peeking through from her b.r.e.a.s.t.s that were greatly distant from each other. It seductively emphasized her voluptuousness.

She wore an arrogant smile suitable for such a magnificent beautiful face and glared at Bernard.

『Raise your face, Bernard. I allow it』

She, the very master of Bernard, ordered sounding annoyed with an amorous husky voice.

That person was Lightning Empress Vasilisa.

– Yes!

Bernard responded lively and raised his face, still kneeled.

What he saw in the mirror was a reception room that concentrated luxury.

It had an unappealing presentation, it felt like a video call was being used.

The close aides and big leaders waited respectfully behind Vasilisa’s sofa.

A person, one of those members, was not present.

A man who was always blindfolded, Kondrat, wasn’t there.

Instead of him, a half-oriental, exotic beautiful girl was in wait.

They didn’t have a close relationship, but if they met, a conversation to the degree of coworkers would spring.

While she was a girl with an unyielding personality, why was that she had a face like she was trying not to cry now?

She had folded her arms as if holding her body below her ample chest, and had turned her face away, trying to not make eye contact with him.

She was a leader just like him, she was the branch head of Yekaterinburg.

Her name was Katya Eschkevna Honda.

(Why is she near Her Majesty? Did she get promoted instead of Kondrat?)

Bernard asked himself and immediately self-replied “no”.

(Maybe Her Majesty is now staying in Yekaterinburg?)

He had never heard that Katia wanted to stand high in Her Majesty’s favor and trust, so that would explain it adequately.

Together with that, he felt relieved.

Yekaterinburg was far from Vladivostok.

Even if Haimura Moroha were able to head there without hesitation, it would take him several days.

In the meanwhile, the Empire would be able to formulate a perfect counter-attack.

When Bernard turned his head quickly, Vasilisa commanded, sounding annoyed.

『Greetings are unnecessary. Go straight to the point. I’m sleepy, you know?』

– Y-Yes!

Bernard obeyed respectfully and replied.

– Although I already reported this to the throne by email――

Bernard spoke verbally about the person named Haimura Moroha again.

That he was able to use Light Techniques and Dark Arts at the same time, and how terrible it was that he changed them at will in combat.

In addition to how powerful the prana and mana themselves were.

Was he an enemy that would attack and take care of the Rank Saviors that Russia was so proud of without stint?

– A brave enemy who should never, never be looked down on.

He emphasized as he thought back upon the terrible, angry expression of Moroha he saw in the grain warehouse.

– These are the grumblings of a loser after all.

Bernard heard slanders revealed with low voices by the close aides, but those didn’t worry his thoughts.

It was fine if a person walked along the wise Her Majesty Lightning Empress.

And so, in order to fulfill his last loyalty, he pressed one hand and one knee against the floor and pet.i.tioned, throwing out his chest.

– I was defeated by Haimura. And so, I shamelessly exposed myself to ridicule. Originally, under Russian law, I should commit suicide by the sword immediately. That is the loyalty I shall offer to Your Majesty Lightning Empress. However, I daringly beg you to ignore that. At any rate, if my life will end, then it will end by sacrificing myself in order to kill Haimura next time. Forgiveness is unneeded. I want you to grant this Bernard the imperial command to be part of the vanguard of Haimura counter-attack network.

He risked his life with that wish.

Bernard reported to the throne with a sincerity out of this world.

As it was expected, Vasilisa was――

Hiding her mouth with a folding fan as she yawned like when one listened to a lullaby.

Then she stifled the yawn and,

『I won’t』

The folding fan was thrust at Bernard in the mirror.

Vasilisa’s reply was clear and concise.

『I don’t tolerate failure. Die. There are no exceptions』

– Guh…

His report to the throne was dismissed.

Bernard reflexively bit his lips to the point blood came out.

However, he was also resolved for this.

Since it had come to this, there was another way in order to fulfill his last loyalty.

He stopped biting his lips and smiled open-heartedly.

He finally noticed the gaze of Katya who turned her eyes towards himself unexpectedly.

(Why didn’t he escape?)

The pouting-looking, blaming-looking eyes of hers seemed to say.

“If you had ran when you were defeated, then you wouldn’t have to die”.

(I’ll tell him that now)

Bernard threw out his chest again and stood up bravely.

He readied a thing he fetched before coming to the audience room.

A spare gla.s.s shield.

『Bernard, control yourself!』

『He stood up without permission!』

『You’re being disrespectful in front of Her Majesty!』

Angry roars of criticism immediately flew from the close aides, but Bernard didn’t listen to them as expected.

The only thing he considered was Vasilisa, to whom she devoted his loyalty.

This was his last performance to the master who folded and unfolded the folding fan as she got irritated.

– Haimura Moroha’s Lightning Helix could not kill me.

*Closed aggressively*, Vasilisa closed the folding fan.

『Ho! Hohoho, ho, ho, ho, ho! Everybody heard it, no? That is splendid indeed, no?』

She started to laugh charmingly.

The intention of his words were properly transmitted to her, who was wise.

『I understand your loyalty very well. I’ll use your life to my heart’s content, alright?』

– I am extremely delighted.

『Well, it’s justice』

That was a farewell.

A finger of Vasilisa began to put ancient magic characters into written form in the empty s.p.a.ce in the mirror like an icefish.

She started chanting comfortably like a requiem to bid farewell to Bernard.

One line. Two lines. Three lines. Four lines. Five lines. Six lines――

The written characters got even more complicated and mysterious. If it were a 6th Rank, then Rank users would be very limited, and even if it could be used, it would be a next-to-impossible task to do it to completion in several minutes, but Lightning Empress put it into written form easily.

Bernard burned with prana again, held the impregnable shield and stepped firmly on the floor with both feet.

Seven lines. Eight lines――Nine lines.

Vasilisa finished spelling and chanting at the same time and finally hit him.

An instant.

The huge magic characters drawn in the empty s.p.a.ce sparked, giving off sparks.

The brilliance produced felt several times higher than the hundred thunderclaps created by Moroha.

Hard blue light gathered and twisted like a string made from twisted paper and formed a thick current.

And turned into a monster.

Vasilisa gave birth to a blue lightning dragon.

It raised a roar named thunder and rampaged.

The power that destroyed everything was released only to attack Bernard.

The blue dragon charged as it ran through the air, flashing, undulating.

Through the mirror――no, from Yekaterinburg to Vladivostok¸ it swooped down on Bernard transcending the concept of s.p.a.ce.*

*TN: Yekaterinburg and Vladivostok are furigana readings for “the other side of the mirror” and “this side of the mirror” respectively.

The French Division had concluded that the research of Dark Arts was the most popular, it was a stated fact.

The Dark Arts, which started from 1st Rank, existed only up to 9th Rank.

It was out of common sense beyond that point. A 13th Rank was――nothing but an incantation.*

*TN: This “incantation”, as every other word “incantation” used by me in previous chapters, it’s formed by 2 kanji that indeed form charm/incantation/spell. However, if read separately, it can be read as “prohibited spell”.

Therefore, all Dark Saviors should aim for the ninth.

Those who reached seventh were less than ten.

The person who learned an eighth one was one, Lightning Empress.

And that power balance was broken in succession by two Saviors tonight.

Moroha became the second person who used an eighth one,

And now, the Dark Art that released Vasilisa was undoubtedly a ninth one.

Later on, the White Knight Organization would name it.

The Origin of Vasilisa, Lightning Dragon.

The fangs of the lightning dragon approaching before his eyes were so dazzling they were difficult to see.

Bernard was so delighted he seemed he ended up becoming strange.

There it is….

There it is!

“Lightning Empress” Vasilisa Yurievna Mostovaya!

This mana will end up being seen by Haimura Moroha, a man that is「the Jack of all trades and master of none」! The most profound of the Dark Arts!

He was glad to serve this lady.

He was glad this lady could use his life for this reason.

He returned to a childlike innocence and shouted in delight from the bottom of his heart.

– Hurraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!*

*TN: The first part of the scream is the furigana reading for “Glory to Her Highness Lightning Empress”.

Be delighted!

Be delighted!

Be delighted!

Bernard was filled with supreme bliss until the moment he was swallowed deeply by the blue lightning dragon, his impregnable shield was bitten and destroyed and lastly he became sc.r.a.ps of seaweed of light.

And then, on the other side of the mirror――

Katya, the branch head of Yekaterinburg, averted her gaze from the execution done in front of her,

She couldn’t see such a repulsive scene.

(Bernard… you’re a stupid man…)

Even though she cursed him in her mind, sadness was greater than disgust.

With the exception of offering a fanatic loyalty to Lightning Empress, Bernard was, was… a hero with very good feelings.

His brokenness was somewhat the less objectionable in the Russian Division full of broken guys.

He was truly a reliable fellow who protected his motherland from the metaphysical, and yet.

(A valuable person died again)

It was very regrettable.

It was absolutely irritating. Therefore, she averted her gaze.

If she were to look at Vasilisa in the eyes, she surely wouldn’t be saved from her disrespect.

(Fuu…)

Without making her emotions be highly worked up, Katya thought about something practical as much as possible and decided to sort her feelings.

She pretended to be dazzled because of the blue lightning dragon and turned her face away to Vasilisa,

– Haimura has made a declaration of war against us, Russia, but since this is an aggression done by the j.a.panese Division, should we consider him as the vanguard?

– Let’s see… I don’t think that the nothing-but-cowardly j.a.panese Division has the guts for this… you know? Wouldn’t this probably mean that Haimura has become desperate?

Vasilisa hid her mouth with the folding fan and laughed in a stifled manner.

Her close aides approved immediately.

– Kuhahahaha! He has gone too far that it will bounce back at him!

– Perhaps he’s out of his mind because “man-eater” gave him judgment?

– And maybe he saw the opportunity to kill Her Majesty Lightning Empress with that momentum and take over Russia…? He’s stupid.

– The brat was worshipped as an S-Rank, so maybe he’s getting worried now that he reached an elevated place just like Her Majesty. Hmmm.

– What a presumption of his! And arrogance! And disrespect!

– He can only regret this misunderstanding being buried in the ground.

No one doubted the thinking of Lightning Empress.

Or tried to think for themselves on purpose.

Katya meditated as she looked at such crafty courtier with cold feelings.

(Certainly, this is the situation one gets when one thinks about the arbitrary actions of Haimura. That’s okay. But the question is why Haimura thought of such an absurd thing like going to war alone…)

She a.n.a.lyzed it from multiple angles, but she couldn’t come to a conclusion.

(Is he really just a fool? Or is this a big thing that the thinking of ordinary people can’t reach …?)

Her interest welled up all of a sudden.

Towards the man called Haimura Moroha.

Katya raised the following question as she decided that she would try to investigate him on her own later.

– According to Bernard’s report, Haimura pretends to crush Khabarovsk next, so should we send a notification to that branch office?

– Who’s the guy I left Khabarovsk to?

– Bulat, Your Majesty Lightning Empress.

A m.u.f.fled voice resonated faster than Katya could reply the question.

It was Darko’s voice, one of the close aids.

A short young man dressed in a strange outfit.

He was entirely and absolutely covered with a cloth, just two holes were made so his eyes could peek through it.

Every time she saw his appearance, Katya recalled the「Teru teru bouzu」that her j.a.panese father suspended by the window on rainy days of her childhood.*

*TN: Teru teru bouzu is a paper doll to which children pray for fine weather.

– Bulat has already been made to wait in front of the “mirror”. Is it possible that the beautiful voice of Your Majesty Lightning Empress give him an order?

Darko said so and bent at the waist next to the big mirror hanging on a wall of the room.

This large mirror was a magic mirror made by Darko’s Dark Arts.

A large mirror was installed in the private residence of all branch office heads, including Katya.

Darko was a magic user who transcended s.p.a.ce, he connected mirrors with mirrors.

He had a The Origin similar to the soundly famous j.a.panese “Shimon Mari”.*

*TN: Shimon Mari is the furigana reading for “witch of gates”.

When this magic mirror was connected to another magic mirror, all inorganic substances could be sent bi-directionally.

If light and sound was sent, then it was possible to use them like a video call. Not only that, they could be used to attack the other side with Dark Arts like Vasilisa did moments ago.

If people could be sent, this wide Russian movement would have been easier, but unfortunately that was impossible because people are organic matter.

– If the voice has encouraging words of Your Majesty, there is no doubt that Bulat will be encouraged by it and he won’t hesitate to push forward to subjugate Haimura without minding his life.

– That may be…

Vasilisa contemplated as she was satisfied with the virtue of preparation of her subordinate.

– No, that won’t happen.

However, she yawned immediately and rejected it plainly.

– Are you saying that… it’s not good to notify Bulat about Haimura?

Katya wondered strangely and confirmed.

– Hoho, if we tell Bulat that an S-Rank came to attack him, wouldn’t he just run away, tucking his tail between his legs?

– ……

When it came to Bulat, those words did have some true in them. Nevertheless….

The cold-hearted judgment of Vasilisa who didn’t consider her subordinates as subordinates.

Katya felt sick again.

– Haimura will aim for the branch offices of Chitá and Ulán-Udé after Khabarovsk, correct?

– Well, as long as he doesn’t know my whereabouts, that’s the only thing he can do. Don’t you agree?

– In that case, should we head there?

– The same as before. Don’t say anything. … Oh, that’s right. The guy with some grit was Dmitri from Irkutsk, yes? Tell him only. To get the achievement of defeating Haimura. I should expect that he takes at least an arm with him, hohohohoho.

– All the east except Siberia will be abandoned!?

– Hoho, anyway, even if I order them to encamp to siege Haimura from this moment, they won’t be in time for it.

Even though they had lost Bernard, this meant four more branch office heads would be sacrificed.

Even though Russia had a huge number of talented people, how many of them was she…?

The power and status of the leaders, who were made to fight in something similar to h.e.l.l as they were commanded by Vasilisa, were earned in exchange for surviving from a verge-of-death condition while also being startled of being purged because not even a single mistake was allowed.

But also they were blood crystals.

Carelessly and easily tossed.

(From this woman’s point of view, we are… tools that have somewhat good usability at best, but that doesn’t mean she has no choice but to discard tools with no value)

Katya couldn’t help but feel indignation.

– As expected of Your Majesty Lightning Empress! That is a good idea!

– In the meantime, the “Haimura interception network” with the people that remains.

– Let’s get them to prevent Haimura from leaving to buy some time.

– Yes, let’s have a decisive battle in west Siberia!

The close aides, including Darko, praised highly the cruel plan of Vasilisa unanimously.

All of these guys weren’t fanatical like Bernard. They were scared, they just obeyed. They were a self-interested lot that, if they wanted, would take care of the leftovers as well.

– Hohohohohohohoho.

Vasilisa listened to such excessive flattery and laughed very pleasantly with good humor.

A laughter impossible to listen to, they wanted to plug their ears. Katya felt uncomfortable that her own house, which was swept clean every day, was slowly being contaminated.

She endured it as her body trembled.

(Still, these guys are comrades who protect their motherland…. That’s for sure…)

She told herself so many times as if reciting a spell in her chest.

If she weren’t to believe so, she wouldn’t be able to stand there.

And so, it only took nine days for the last line that believed in Lightning Empress to be betrayed.