Rakudai Kishi no Eiyuutan - Volume 10 Read online

  Prologue: Spider of Naraka

  *TN: Naraka is a Buddhist term for a world below ground similar to hell.

  In a corner of Southeast Asia.

  In the depths of the jungle where tall trees and shrubs grew in abundance.

  There were historic ruins of Khmer architecture covered with ivies.

  The left-to-decay ruins were forgotten existences even for the local inhabitants.

  But, in a part of it, light was coming out from one of the windows.

  That brightness stood out in the torrential rain that fell incessantly from the lead colored clouds that hid completely the sun.

  It wasn’t a flame.

  It was the brightness of civilization based on electricity.

  What were emitting that were… the CRT monitors piled up highly inside the historic ruins.

  Those practically countless monitors were showing the same very girl.

  It was the figure of《Crimson Princess》Stella Vermillion who was making flutter her burning-looking red hair.

  Eventually the video that was projected came to an end with the figure of Stella trampling on it without hesitation as she looked down on the camera with eyes as if she was looking at garbage.

  – I like that… she’s lovely, isn’t she…?

  At the same time, a hot long breath echoed in one of the room of the ruins.

  That breath was let out by a small shadow that was lying down on the sofa surrounded by mountains of monitors.

  From that day on, that person only thought about her twenty-four hours a day.

  It was one of the 1762 marionettes that he was playing simultaneously around the world from this place.

  From that time, the《Clown》Hiraga Reisen was destroyed.

  ——He felt she was beautiful.

  Her well-featured looks.

  Her refined voice similar to a chirp of a bird.

  Her body that overflowed with charm as a woman.

  And above all, how her soul was, that she could even get angry for the sake of others.

  And, for this reason, that person thought.

  I want——that girl.

  I want to make that girl a doll for myself only.

  And, to enjoy myself.

  To make that beautiful face disfigure,

  To squeeze out shrieks from her throat until her voice becomes hoarse,

  To besmear with sludge her beautiful soul with whatever method comes to mind.

  Yeah, that surely, surely sounds——

  (Very enjoyable, there’s no doubt about that)

  When he believed so, he couldn’t keep standing even if he did so again.

  That’s why——I shall move.

  I’ll think of a miracle that will make me meet “her” in this vast world.

  For the sake of obtaining all of her.

  I shall move and break——everything about her.

  Chapter 1: The Festival has ended

  *Just a small note: Moroboshi’s lines were VERY hard to understand for me, so don’t kill me for that please :C

  **For clarification: A certain scene involving 2 characters has no errors regarding their names. It is written like that in the raw.

  The 62nd Seven Star Sword Art Festival that showed a climax rarely seen in the recent years with fierce fights after fierce fights came to an end with the victory of the《Worst One》Kurogane Ikki who defeated《Crimon Princess》Stella Vermillion.

  The spectators who were watching attentively their fight head to their respective homes while talking about the magnificence of the two knights with each other with a look that didn’t cool down its excitement even after the awarding ceremony that happened one night after the finals.

  At the same time, the protagonists of this festival that gathered from all over Japan, the representatives of each academy returned home.

  The stallholders who put out their shops to take advantage of the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival also retired, and the day after the awarding ceremony, the reclaimed land of the gulf coast was taking its original ghost-town shape.

  The festival was… over.

  However, the representatives of Hagun Academy including Kurogane Ikki were still in Osaka.

  That was because the《Star of Naniwa》Moroboshi Yuudai, who was a worthy opponent and crossed swords with him in the first round of the Seven Start Sword Art Festival, led a group and held a victory celebration with the friends of Ikki at the okonomiyaki shop『Ichibanboshi』which was also the home of his parents.

  ◆◇◆◇◆

  – Err, well then! Kusakabe Kagami, this incompetent me who was sentenced to three days of disciplinary lessons from tomorrow for making a mess at the awarding ceremony, will lead the toast to celebrate the victory of Ikki at the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival!

  Kagaami put up the beer mug that she held in her hand after she had refused with a few words while she inserted a self-deprecating joke,

  – Congratulations, senpai――――!

  With a loud voice, she blessed Ikki who sat on the seat of honor of the long table that was made by connecting several tables.

  What followed that was,

  「「「Congratulations——————————!!!!」」」

  The friends and acquaintances of Ikki who gathered for the victory celebration also gave their blessings while toasting.

  The gathered people were Stella and Shizuku who were representative members of the same Hagun Academy.

  His friends Arisuin Nagi and Ayatsuji Ayase. And also the members of the Student Council including Toudou Touka.

  In addition to Moroboshi who offered this place and his other friends Jougasaki Hyakuya and Asagi Momiji.

  The figures of Yakushi Kiriko who was another protagonist at the finals, of Sara Bloodlily who unfolded a fierce combat with Ikki at the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival, of Kazamatsuri Rinna who came along with Sara somehow and even her maid Charlotte Corday were there.

  Although Ikki was shy and slightly embarrassed due to the words of congratulations from everyone,

  – Thank you, everyone.

  He also raised the beer mug and participated in the toast.

  Thus, the party began.

  – Hurry up, they’re cooking! They’re super-cooking! *Clank**Clank* Make your orders rapidly!

  Moroboshi, who stood in the kitchen, called out to them while clanging the metal spatula.

  As if she was waiting for this, Stella raised her hand while raising from her chair.

  – Tama porks for me! And ten of them!

  – Coming right away!

  – Stella-chan… isn’t your gluttony getting refined somehow?

  – I-it can’t be helped, Alice. The fuel consumption of the Dragon Spirit is way too much. If I don’t eat properly I get dizzy, you know?

  – Well, it would be great if you could consume properly as well.

  – Shiro. What are you going to order?

  – I will order tendon with green onion. What will Momiji get?

  – Hmm〜. Since we’re eating a lot now〜. I woonder whiich oone wiill it bee… oh, that’s right! Can it be the napolitan that you were preparing the other day?

  – Let me see. A napolitan yakisoba, right? Yeah, sure. And the corpulent Nii-chan over here?

  – Hmm… well, can I get these tama mix?

  – I’m sorry. We’ll have those starting next week〜.

  – Ah, is that so?

  – Onii-chan, why are you spouting such a stupid lie…!?

  It was a little girl with bobbed hair who raised a voice of protest.

  She was the younger sister of Moroboshi Yuudai. She was Moroboshi Koume.

  Although she was unable to s
peak before, during the battle of her older brother and Ikki she miraculously recovered her voice, and while her tone of voice was still unstable, she was taking orders from everyone while chatting without relying on writing.

  And then, and until the ordered dishes were prepared.

  Everyone gathered around Stella and Ikki who were on the seats of honor and gave them their compliments as they raised each of their beer mugs.

  – Congratulations for your victory, Kurogane-kun! It was incredibly cool! To think that I’ve been receiving sword lessons from such an amazing person, I’m immensely happy!

  – Yeeah, it was really a great thing. But I’ll overturn the outcome from that situation! My alias《Fifty Fifty》was eclipsed after all.

  – I always believed, you know!? That Kurogane-kun would win! Since he’s a knight that defeated my《Blackbird》in the end!

  Ikki responded to them with gratitude from the bottom of his heart.

  – Thank you. If I hadn’t met everyone… I wouldn’t have been able to get this strength by myself. I’m grateful.

  – Though it was unfortunate for Princess-dono. The difference was millimeter.

  Stella showed how she shrugged her shoulders a little with the comfort of Saijou Ikazuchi.

  – To suffer a loss with almost no difference. It’s the result that comes out when you do what only you have to do. And I accept it. But——

  And then, she paused her words for a moment, drained in one gulp the beer mug that she had in her hand with excitement,

  – The next time I’ll absoluuuuuutely not lose…!

  She boasted while vigorously hitting the wooden table with the bottom of the beer mug.

  While she scattered flame’s phosphorescence from her scarlet hair.

  Everyone who was gathered around that valiant looking applauded with「You can do it!」「As expected of Stella-chan!」

  Toudou Touka, who was sitting in a seat somewhat away from the seat of honor and from that situation, stared at those cheerful smiles.

  – Fufu. It seems that next year’s Seven Stars Sword Art Festival will be exciting. It’s regrettable that I can’t participate in it.

  – Kukuku…. That rematch was also the fate written down in the Black Chronicle…. The moment when thou will know will come…

  – Ojou-sama says『I am looking forward to next year!』

  – ――even so, it went too far this time!

  However, only a girl gave her honest opinion with such excitement.

  It was the little sister of Kurogane Ikki, the victor.

  《Lorelei》Kurogane Shizuku.

  Shizuku glanced at the two people sitting on the seats of honor while raising her eyebrows,

  – Since both Onii-sama and Stella-san are a couple, why you two weren’t more worried about the health of each other? It wouldn’t be funny for either of you to die in such an absurd match, you know? Don’t you think that this lacks common sense or something?

  – Ah, I-I’m sorry…

  They made their bodies smaller as if they were kids that were scolded by the words of Shizuku.

  In fact, that final. It was no funny at all with one of their lives being destroyed.

  Because their whole souls were completely put into the slashing attacks they unleashed, they didn’t go easy at all with each other.

  However, and also in line with this, she also excused them.

  – B-but, it can’t be helped…. Because we are knights…, I wouldn’t let my skill or something to come loose against an opponent I deem acceptable…

  If one were to expose a gap, one would be immediately slashed, losing the match.

  The fight of the two had that sort of perspective.

  They couldn’t let their guard down not even for an instant, because they understood that their opponent didn’t wish for that above all.

  And… that was also the same for Shizuku.

  – You truly are helpless people, aren’t you?

  Even Shizuku knew that.

  The bonds of the two was stronger than anything else, that’s why their relationship could do so.

  She was jealous and envious of the bonds of the two… but at the same time she was delighted,

  – … you truly are suited for each other…

  Shizuku muttered with a small voice that nobody could hear and let out a sigh as if she was amazed.

  – Eh? Shizuku, did you just nowーー

  – Why are you placing a boneless ham on your knee?

  – This is my leg!

  ◆◇◆◇◆

  And then, when the cooked okonomiyaki and the teppanyaki reached everyone from the kitchen, and once their bellies were filled.

  Estimating that timing, and after Kagami tidied a part of the table, she spread the pictures she took at the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival.

  From the first match to the finals, all the great efforts of everyone in this place were selected from within the time that passed by, they had fun talking about the memories.

  – Oh oh, please look, senpai. This is a picture when senpai used《Ittou Rasetsu》for a second time! I was able to photograph it neatly, didn’t I? This will be used on the whole surface of the next wall newspaper!

  – Uwaa…, though in this one I look mostly worn-out…

  – But you were very manly and fantastic. The gentlemen who have that much of a naughty side are fascinating.

  – Ah! There’s also a picture when Shiro received a record instakill〜.

  – That’s a coincidence, Momiji. I also came across with this picture when you fell and fainted.

  – I see. Is this the father of the Bloody Da Vinci? I was able to remember his face.

  – … yeah. That’s him.

  – If you have any pictures you want, I will make extra copies, so don’t hesitate to tell me, okay? By the way, my best shot is——this one! The uncensored panties of Her Highness Stella, the Second Princess of Vermillion Ki——!?

  But the moment Kagami took out the photo from her flat bosom and tried to show it to everyone.

  The left jab that held the light and heat of Stella and that was released with a sharp, wind-cutting noise, penetrated the picture that Kagami held in her fingers and turned it into ashes.

  And then, she grabbed the nape of the neck of Kagami with her right hand,

  – Give me the data.

  Pulling her towards herself with all her strength, she brought her close with bloodshot eyes and ordered her.

  The jaw of a dragon that got near until the very eyes of Kagami, which she was able to see clearly——

  – Y-yesh! As you wish!

  The pen yielded before the sword.

  – T-this is no good… because Stella-san didn’t get the joke… ahaha.

  Seeing the state of all the presents who were chatting like that, Moroboshi called out to Koume from the kitchen.

  – Koume. The orders have settled down already, so I’ll join them. Will you be fine on your own?

  – Don’t worry. Leave it to me. … Onii-chan also worked hard.

  – Thank you.

  To appreciate her words of gratitude, Moroboshi patted and ruffled the head that Koume had placed down and she made her cheeks smile broadly with「Ehehe」.

  Then, Moroboshi took off his apron and with a double tama pork dish that he had prepared for himself——sat down next to Touka who wasn’t involved in the photo viewing.

  – Haaaa. Can I sit next to you?

  Touka unintentionally spilled a smile, looking amused with that question.

  – Aren’t you sitting there already? … but yes, you can. Help yourself.

  – Thanks. … hmm. Like I thought, our okonomiyaki is the best. The number one in Osaka.

  – I agree. They were very delicious. I would love to make my family eat them as well.

  – *Ding* *Ding* that’s our business after all. They’re here in the Ichibanboshi of okonomiyaki.

  Moroboshi had dinner somewhat late than everyone else while he return
ed so.

  He ate the double tama pork completely while sticking out his tongue.

  And then, when the sauce taste in his mouth was unified with the beer then poured into the stomach,

  – Hey, Toudou…. The irregular swordsmanship that used electromagnetic force that you showed in the fixed match with Kurogane is what you call 《Inazuma》, right? If so, then you had a plan against my 《Houkiboshi》.

  He touched on the matter just before the final match.

  Touka, who got that, returned a nod.

  – It’s not that my Noble Arts assumed an anti-《Houkiboshi》only, but naturally I have been forging it so that I can meet that purpose. Last year, I didn’t dodge《Houkiboshi》, and you took the pace from there. … Unfortunately, I wasn’t blessed with the opportunity to use it.

  – I imagined so. That’s not it, right? It’s what I thought when I gave a glance at it. Certainly, if you had such skill, then it wouldn’t have gone like last year.

  《Inazuma》was a Noble Arts that created a special magnetic field in the cross range and because of its attraction and repulsion, it made the sharp turns to accelerate abruptly.

  The sudden changing gaps of angle and velocity boasted unequalled strength in midrange pace fights.

  That power was also guessable from the fact that Ikki, who was able to master the sword of《Twin Wings》, pushed back the distance between the swords, the thing he was excellent at.

  That was why Moroboshi said it with regret.

  – I wanted to give it a try too, what a shame.

  The Seven Stars Sword Art Festival was for form’s sake a tournament, it was difficult for the rank to become a ranking of strength.

  From the point of view of Moroboshi’s sense, Touka was the most difficult enemy that stood in his way last year.

  The skill that such formidable enemy had refined to defeat him.

  It was something he wanted to try on the stage of the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival.

  But stillーー

  – Well, I would be the one who would win, isn’t it?

  *Grin*, Moroboshi turned a sidelong glance to Touka with a smile that looked provocative.

  Towards that, Touka also——returned a full smile to Moroboshi.