n

nRudel wore his white armor over his body, Aleist was clad in his black.

nThe white and black knights stood side by side in the Celestia Castle courtyard.

nFires were rising across the castle town and the townsfolk had begun their evacuation.

nIzumi darted out for more freedom in combat and looked around.

n

"And now I'm surrounded.

"

nThe mechanized unit of the Gaia Empire.

nAn elite unit thrown into dark, backroom missions, it was made up of those whose bodies were mainly mechanical.

nThe three red eyed man who commanded that elite force held a barbed sword in each hand.

nA tail protruded from his robe. Freely moving it around, he looked amused as he looked their way.

nAcross his visor, Rudel spoke to Izumi.

n

"Aleist and I will handle this. Izumi, Millia, go protect the princess. You two, Na… masked woman I do not know.

"

nBoth Rudel and Aleist lowered their hips and readied their weapons.

nThose around kept wary of their every move.

nAs Izumi remained wary of Emilio, Nate in her mask explained.

n

"It's alright. Please think of him as an ally. As long as it comes to protecting Cleo-san, he is our comrade in arms.

"

nAleist also spoke to Rudel.

n

"That's how it is, so while I'm sure you've got a lot going on, for now we have to work together… there are too many enemies.

"

nAround then, the enemy mechanized unit continued to shuffle and gather.

nWhy were so many able to slip in?

nAs he thought that, Rudel—

n

"How long has it been since we fought together?

"

n

"Not since we met Sakuya? I get the feeling it's been a real long time… I only really remember getting into slugfests with you.

"

nAs the two of them started an out-of-place conversation, a number of the mechanized unit came at them.

nThe one who called them to a stop was the three-eyed man.

n

"Stand down!

"

nRudel had smacked one to the side with his shield, while Aleist had used the long-hilted swords he held in both hands to stop the attack of another.

nAnd once the enemy Aleist pinned down was cut down by Rudel, Aleist's hands were free, and his unoccupied left-hand sword pierced into another foe.

nA reddish black oil spouted as the two enemy soldiers were flung away.

nThe enemy soldier Rudel had bashed didn't move after he collided with a wall.

nRudel spoke.

n

"Head to where Sakuya is. If she moves, the castle will crumble.

"

nThe reason Sakuya hadn't come to their aid was because the castle interior was still a jumble of enemy and ally. If she made any wrong moves, she would end up injuring allies.

nBut if they could make it to Sakuya, they'd be safe.

n

"Her clumsiness is inconvenient at times like this.

"

nAnd Rudel,

n

"But that's what makes her so cute

"

nThe three-eyed man issued orders to his men.

n

"Cut at them with the resolve to become sacrifices for the cause. The white and black knight… take their heads, and glory shall follow for eternity! It will be a severe loss to Courtois!

"

nAs the surrounding soldiers made for Rudel, Izumi took Cleo's hand and ran off.

n

"You two better survive!

"

nAs the two of them raced off towards the enemy, whether Izumi's voice even reached or not…

nMillia ran watching their back, while Nate and Emilio took the vanguard.

n◇

nUnder his helmet, Rudel moved his eyes.

nAs he fell back to avoid the spear thrust from his right of a mechanized soldier, he turned and bead them down with his left-hand shield.

nFor the enemies that tried cutting at his now-empty back, a number of black stakes protruded from his shadow to skewer them.

nAleist was using both his hands to parry foes, and a number of enemies rushed at his back as well.

nConcentrating to produce shields, the leaping soldiers collided with them and fell to the ground.

nRudel turned to the enemies coming at them one after the next, muttering under his helmet.

n

"This is a pain.

"

nUsing his sword to sweep back surrounding foe, he moved to stand back to back with Aleist.

nBecause of the enemies scattering reddish-black liquid around, the smell of oil was much harsher than that of blood.

nAleist, his breath a little disturbed,

n

"There are too many of them. Rather…

"

n

"Right.

"

nThe oil spreading across the ground restrained their use of magic.

nLooking around, the three-eyed man was nowhere to be found.

nAleist sighed.

n

"Give it some time, and this place will blow sky high.

"

n

"I don't think it's something to laugh at, but that's something I'd rather avoid.

"

nWould the oil on the ground ignite?

nThat was their worry.

nThis was especially troublesome with Rudel's high magic output. If the blaze spread, they would instantly find themselves fighting through a sea of flames.

n

"This is getting harsh, but… three-eyes is gone.

"

nAs Aleist cut down the foe coming at him, he spoke to Rudel.

n

"Who's going to go?

"

nHearing Aleist's serious voice, Rudel thought just a bit.

n(They're no weaklings, but if Aleist is wary of the man… will it be difficult for Izumi and the others?)

nRudel highly evaluated Izumi's abilities.

nBut he couldn't ignore Aleist's decision.

n

"Got it. I'll handle this place. I'm good at drawing attention.

"

nIn his white armor, Rudel was extremely conspicuous at night.

n

"But it'll be troublesome to break out of this encirclement. That Celestian King definitely had a hand in this. To the very end, he's the worst.

"

nA large number of enemy soldiers still remained around.

n(Good grief, where are they coming from? That aside, it sounds like Aleist knows something, but for now…)

nIn order to let Aleist slip out, Rudel performed a grand cut at the enemy.

n

"Once you reach Sakuya, flee into the sky. They won't be able to follow you there… go!

"

nThe two who ran off in different directions.

nRudel accelerated, cutting down one enemy soldier after the next. Perhaps they didn't feel pain, as the enemy came at them without fear.

n(They really are troublesome foes!)

nAs he accelerated with wind dragon, the oil scattered and stuck to everything around.

nNearby, as if to observe him, Rudel spotted a single soldier on the wall.

n(Is it about time they used it?)

nAs he thought that, the soldier took out something like a pipe and made a motion of igniting it. Once the pipe-like item breathed fire, he tossed it straight at Rudel.

n◇

nWhile Izumi's group ran down the palace corridor, they found the three-eyed man waiting for them.

nRunning to the front, Emilio glared at the man.

n

"That was the shortest possible route. Why are you here!

"

nThe laughing three-eyed man opened his robe a bit to show off his legs. There were small wheels attached, alongside ominous spokes.

n

"Even if I take a detour, as long as I'm faster, it is possible to catch up. What's more, your side is moving while guarding our precious test subject.

"

nEmilio took a stance with his saber, Nate readied her knife.

nMillia fired an arrow into the three-eyed man's shoulder.

n

"No way…

"

nShe reeled back.

nThe man let out a mechanical laugh, pulling out the arrow and crushing it in his hand as he spoke.

n

"I'm sure it will be meaningless before the white and black knights, but a majority of this body is a mass of iron. An arrow with just a bit of magic put in is pointless. Now won't you hand over our test subject?

"

nCleo was necessary to manipulate the ancient weapon, the three-eyed man recognized that.

nIzumi called out to the two up front, letting go of Cleo's hand to grip her hilt and take an iai stance.

n

"Dodge to the side!

"

nNate swiftly reacted, Emilio opened the passage a little late. And as Izumi drew her katana, a shockwave broke out, and the three-eyed man—

nIzumi's eyes instantly turned to the ceiling.

nLike a reptile, the man stuck both arms and legs to the ceiling surface, immediately extending his tail to attack her.

nWhile Izumi hit the attack aside with her scabbard, the tail went right on to wrap around Cleo.

n

"N-nooo!!

"

nAs it lifted up a screaming Cleo, the tail was cut through by Emilio's saber.

nMillia embraced the falling girl, while Izumi hammered another slash into the three-eyed man.

nWhen he landed right in the center of the group, Nate took a swipe at him, but he locked her down with a sword.

n

"You Courtois dogs… would do best just to cower in the shadows of your dragons!

"

nThe man discarded his tail, only for another tail to shoot out of his robe.

nNot to capture Cleo, this was a blow filled with killing intent.

n

"If the subject is to be taken by Courtois, then I'd rather!

"

nThe three-eyed man said with a laugh, and Cleo was unable to move from surprise. Millia tried to yank her aside.

nIzumi tried to cut at the tail, but…

n(I won't make it in time!)

nThere, Emilio leapt out in front of the tail and cut it down with his saber. The sword broke in two, and the tail's pointed end stabbed deeply into his body.

n

"Emilio… why?

"

nCleo was still immobile; the three-eyed man tried to retreat back.

n

"Blasted traitor!

"

nBut Nate tripped him up, and as he collapsed onto the ground, she immediately thrust her knife right into the vicinity of his neck.

nThat attack she had carefully aimed at the armoring's joint stuck deeply into his throat.

nShowered in a reddish black oil, Nate spoke.

n

"… This really is the worst.

"

nAfter delivering the finishing blow, she stood and raced over to Emilio.

nIzumi was taken aback, but she immediately poised herself to guard them.

nThe collapsed Emilio gripped Cleo's hand. And then and there, Emilio decided he would convey his message to Cleo.

n

"Emilio… I am set to die shortly. Why would you…

"

nPerhaps with too much to say, Cleo's words couldn't come out. Spitting blood from his mouth, Emilio smiled a bit.

nAnd he opened his mouth.

nMillia stopped him.

n

"Don't speak! We have to start your treatment at…

"

nThere, Nate held Millia back and shook her head.

n

"This is the end of the line. Please give them some time to speak.

"

nEmilio offered Nate his gratitude.

n

"T-thank you. Cleo…

"

n

"Yes.

"

n

"I'm… I'm your real brother. Mother took me when she left the castle.

"

nPerhaps listening with conflicting emotions, Cleo's gaze shifted. But Emilio continued on.

n

"Life was filled with troubles. But I had mother with me and it was fun. I heard I had a little sister…

"

nEmilio took a silver, egg-shaped necklace from his clothe pocked and entrusted it to Cleo. On it, the insignia of the royal house was engraved.

n

"This is…

"

n

"You have a gold pendant, don't you? That one belonged to our aunt… can you hand this one to Aleist… the black knight as his payment? You don't need two exchange stones, do you?

"

nExchange stone… a force that moved the ancient weapon, and by paying a price, a stone that could grant a proportional reward.

nOf course, Emilio didn't seem to understand what basis it worked on.

n

"U-umm…

"

nAfter spitting up blood, Emilio's breathing grew rough as he spoke.

n

"There are loads I wanted to tell you. But there's no time. Our mother loved you, and aunty did too. That man… when father told mother she was going to die, he was considerably troubled. We wanted to take you when we ran, but… hac!

"

nBefore Emilio's bloodened mouth, Cleo shed tears.

n

"Emilio… my brother.

"

nCalled brother, Emilio made a delighted face.

n

"Thanks for that. Now I can make a proper report to mother. No, I guess I'm off to hell, so that's not happening.

"

nSmiling, Emilio placed a hand on Cleo's face.

n

"Cleo… mother and me, we both love you. When you were announced as the next sacrifice, mother was crying. She could no longer move her disease-weakened body, but she said time and again she wanted to meet you… she wanted to apologize. So I'll say it. I'm sorry. Please forgive her.

"

nWithout letting out a voice, Cleo nodded. She nodded and nodded, and Emilio spoke up.

n

"… Thank god. Leave the rest to Aleist…

"

nEmilio's body ceased with those words, Cleo hung over him and shed tears.

nIzumi readied her katana.

n

"Who is it!?

"

nThe one who ran over was Aleist in his black knight armor.

nHe looked at the collapsed Emilio. He took off his helmet and raced over to the body.

n

"W-why! What happened!?

"

nThe one who spoke coldly to a fidgety Aleist was Nate.

n

"We don't have any time. Senpai, where's Rudel-senpai?

"

n

"He's buying time! We have to get that man to a doctor!

"

n

"It's too late for that. It's already over… now, let's go. There's no telling when an enemy will come.

"

nNate took Cleo's hand.

nCleo…

n

"Why… if I just died, it would all have worked out.

"

nWhen she said that, Aleist struck her with his left hand. Collapsing onto the floor, Cleo gazed up at Aleist in wonder.

n

"That man! Emilio wanted to save you! He continued to fight all on his own! And over his corpse, over all his effort… don't say you want to die.

"

nTo a teary Aleist, Nate spoke.

n

"Senpai. If you don't want to waste Emilio-san's will, for now,

"

n

"I know!

"

nAleist wiped his tears as he walked off, Cleo gazed at his back.

nIzumi extended a hand to Cleo. Millia as well.

n

"… I don't know what I should say at a time like this. But if we keep dawdling here, it surely won't make Emilio-dono happy.

"

n

"Now let's go.

"

nTaking both their hands to stand, Cleo walked, turning back a few times to look at Emilio's smile.

n