Published at 25th of March 2019 11:09 pm

Chapter 97: Been five years

What a dreadful scene.

You could even say she’s like a god of death wearing a pure white wedding dress.

A combination of her innocent smile and bloody atmosphere.

This amazingly beautiful woman made such a traumatic scene five years ago, killed Samejima and tried to take my first time.

“Bring it on, asshole!” (Velt)

However, I’ll mow down all of that deception and trauma.

Regardless of whether my opponent is humanity’s strongest or the champion of the world, I exchanged a high five with Samejima at that time to protect Ura from everything.

“Fuwa fuwa panic!” (Velt)

I cause a concussion by rocking her in all directions. It’s something I couldn’t do five years ago.

Now’s the time to do what I couldn’t do back then.

“Ara. My body is……… or rather, this is to my clothes………” (Gyanza)

……… Is what I was planning to be doing, but I guess it won’t go so easily.

“Wha-, just the coat!” (Velt)

Is this a ninja’s so-called substitution technique?

Gyanza threw her coat off in an instant, and just her coat was moving around in the air.

Gyanza herself had already gone behind me by the time I let out my words and had put her hand against the nape of my neck.

“I do not understand what kind of attack you were planning on using, but for now, this is the end.” (Gyanza)

“Uu…………” (Velt)

Something I couldn’t do back then? In the end, it was over before I could do anything.

No, I can’t let it end like this!

“U-, damn it! Fuwa fuwa………… ah?” (Velt)

Twisting my body, I turn my face around and jump backwards…………

“There we go.” (Gyanza)

When I turned around, Gyanza was no longer there.

And then, although I tried to jump back to take distance, Gyanza had gone round so fast, that she was already there waiting for me to hold me tightly.

“Okay, it is over.” (Gyanza)

Those words she whispered right into my ear, made me get goosebumps all over my body.

“Y………… ou!” (Velt)

“Ara, geez, you are rebellious as always.” (Gyanza)

What is this?

Why am I being treated like this right now?

“Haa, haa, haa, haa.” (Velt)

“Fufu, you don’t need to be embarrassed, boy. Even if you don’t breath so roughly, I will not run away. Now, it is time to set you free.” (Gyanza)

There’s no way this should be happening!

“Uraaaah!” (Velt)

At this rate, it’ll just be a reenactment from five years ago.

To not let something like that happen again, I…………

“Okay.” (Gyanza)

“U……… o………” (Velt)

The moment I almost punched her, she had caught my wrist before it could reach her.

“Sheet! Uraaah! Rah! Rah! Uraah!” (Velt)

“Hoh, oh, okay.” (Gyanza)

The moment I tried to kick her, a hand had approached the thigh of my stepping leg.

In that case, I’ll headbutt her!

“Nnno, get crushed!” (Velt)

“Welcome. Chu-.” (Gyanza)

She easily grabbed my head tightly with both hands and gently kissed my forehead.

“A………… ass, asshole…………” (Velt)

“Do you still need more foreplay? Boy. You can insert it if you cannot resist anymore, alright?” (Gyanza)

The smiling Gyanza. She isn’t even fighting me.

As if dealing with a rebellious brat, she parried all my attacks.

She can kill me whenever she wants……… she made me feel that she can take my first-time when she feels like it.

“Ve………… lt…………, just, keep it to that, Velt! Come apologize together with me, even if means you have to prostrate yourself.” (Forna)

“Forna…………” (Velt)

“If something were to happen to you, what will happen to me, what will happen to Ura!” (Forna)

I should be able to beat up Gyanza now? I wasn’t trying to be conceited.

I survived against one of the Four Heavenly Beast Demi-humans.

I defeated monster master Cleran at the end of a struggle to the death against her.

I overwhelmed Kagami through power.

I’ve passed through quite a few fights and overcame all of them.

That had become my confidence.

And yet, what is this? There’s a problem from before whether or not I fight.

“Velt………… although you fought Gyanza five years ago, that was a story from five years in the past. Gyanza, who has overcome an endless amount of life or death battles and flourished her blessed natural talent and ability………… is one of the top five within the Ten Heroes of Light!” (Forna)

I became stronger after five years? Gyanza was the one that really got stronger.

You could say Gyanza, who was fifteen at the time back then, only continued growing.

Now that she says it, I should be imagining Forna, who enhanced her experiences and qualities to the limit in these five years.

So, I’m basically confronting a monster that has completely matured.

“A, as always………… the vice chief is terrifyingly strong. She’s completely treating that Velt Jeeha, who overwhelmed Mackey Mouse, like a child.” (Doremifa)

“Fuh, it, it’s only natural. She’s the strongest in the empire. That’s exactly why the king put Gyanza-sama next to princess Arsha as the vice chief.” (Solasido)

“Velt is…………” (Barts)

“E-, even, even if we all fought her at once, she would probably be able to kill us in an instant.” (Shalt)

This is the type of thing that makes even allies shudder in fear.

Despite her destroyed pattern of thinking, how can she still be recognized as a champion in this world?

It’s simple. It’s because she’s exceptionally strong.

At the very least, she’s overwhelming enough for a big fish in a little pond like me to not even be able to challenge her.

“Le-, let go………… of Velt!” (Ura)

“Lord-! I will come right now!” (Musashi)

Stop it! Don’t come!

Ura and Musashi try to jump out to save me.

However, before I can shout, and before the Yellow Jaegers try to hold them down…………

“Fufu………… how sad………… a demi-human and demon………… as expected, I have no choice but to massacre them all.” (Gyanza)

A chill ran through the air, and the condensed, ominous coercion held down Ura and Musashi, who tried to jump out.

Their bodies stiffened as if they became paralyzed, and a waterfall of sweat ran down their foreheads…………

“Sto, stop it oiiiiiiiii!” (Velt)

“Kuh, it seems there is no choice.” (Forna)

Ahh, everything’s going to be over in an instant.

Forna’s trying to jump out, but she probably won’t make it in time.

Even though I can’t see the future, a vivid image of Ura and Musashi’s heads being sent flying passed through my head.

With just one different opinion, you can lose everything.

Even though I know that’s how this world is…………

“Composite magic, Ice Earth.” (Arsha)

At that moment, a cage of ice appeared without any previous notice, and Gyanza was locked in it just before she reached them.

“………… Stop it, vice chief Gyanza. As the commander and as the princess of the Archline Empire, I order you.” (Arsha)

It’s Ayase.

Clad in her firm dignity as a princess, she ordered Gyanza, making her know that she won’t let her object.

“………… Princess………… do you not think that decision is incorrect? Or else………… excuse me, but is there any chance you are brainwashed too, princess?” (Gyanza)

Gyanza, whose movements are sealed in the cage, asks Ayase without smiling.

However, without getting her attitude thrown off balance, she asks an allied soldier.

“Solasido” (Arsha)

“Yes!” (Solasido)

“Could you check whether there is any sort of brainwashing or hypnotism magic cast on me right now?” (Arsha)

“Eh, well, however, there is no need to even check………… princess…………” (Solasido)

“I thought so. That is what he says, Gyanza.” (Arsha)

Ayase is emphasising that she’s making that decision while not being manipulated.

“Moreover, regardless of their true intention, ignoring their achievements of protecting the capital and disposing of them will show the world the empire’s narrow-mindedness. Velt Jeeha and his comrades have shown their existence to the world through that after all.” (Arsha)

“However, if you don’t make a decision because you fear the criticism towards the empire, the people that will cry when the time comes will be the innocent citizens. Are you saying that while understanding this?” (Gyanza)

At that moment, I got goosebumps from the atmosphere Ayase let off.

Without being pressured by Gyanza’s sinister atmosphere, her calmly standing appearance seemed ever so radiant.

“The citizens crying? I definitely will not let something like that happen. I will protect them, no matter what. As one of the Ten Heroes of Light, and as the princess of this country.” (Arsha)

“………… In that case………… if princess Ura and this boy were to betray your consideration for them, what would you do?” (Gyanza)

“In that situation…………………… I will kill those two. Even if it makes the Elfarshia Kingdom resent me.” (Arsha)

It’s not a bluff.

Ayase’s words right now definitely had resolution behind them.

They aren’t just words to overcome the current situation.

It was probably the same towards Kagami too.

This empire itself is the thing that Ayase can’t yield on.

Regardless of her feelings to me in her past life, she’ll suppress her emotions and deal with it when she needs to.

I could sense those feelings from her.

“This is fine, right? Velt Jeeha-kun.” (Arsha)

“……………………… Yeah………………” (Velt)

In the end, Ayase just accepted my request and said that to me, who couldn’t do a single thing.

And then…………

“Forna.” (Arsha)

“Yes.” (Forna)

“I painfully understand how glad you were to reunite with him and how much happiness you were going through. But the thing is, for the sake of the empire, and for his own sake………… I want you to accept that this is the only thing I could do.” (Arsha)

It looks like Forna already understands what Ayase’s going to say next.

With her head hanging down, Forna tightened her fists and bit her lip to hold back her tears.

“Velt Jeeha. Ura Vesparda. From now on, I forbid both people to ever enter the empire again.” (Arsha)

That was the condition given to us, in exchange for being overlooked.

“I am thankful for what your achievements, but as expected, the empire needs to show where it draws the line. This is my maximum compromise. We will exile you from the empire in a few days.” (Arsha)

And, that also signified the second parting with Forna and the others, who I finally reunited with.

However, that was too great of a compromise for me, who couldn’t do anything, protect anything and ended up relying on others again this time, to protect the people that are important to me.

I could only lower my head and say my thanks.

“Ahh………… thank you………… very much.………… princess Arsha.” (Velt)

It’s been five years.

It’s been five years since I felt so weak, frustrated, pathetic and hateful of myself, that I felt like I wouldn’t calm down no matter how many times I bet myself up.

――Sorry, Ayase.

I muttered that in a voice that no one could hear.

――I’m sorry……… Asakura-kun………

Ayase muttered that in a small voice that only I could hear.

Even though she’s already living a tiring life, I ended up making her feel even more troublesome feelings because of me.

I really am……… weak……… pathetic and just talk, no matter how many years pass…… what do you think? Samejima…… sensei…… Kamino…… old man, mum……

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