Alice Tale in Phantasmagoria Vol 2 Chapter 52

To Sever, This Chain of Hatred

Receiving a heal from Til, my injuries were recovered. Feeling the back of my neck, it truly is gone. ...The ones left on my heart remain. No, in terms of scarred hearts, Klan suffered the most serious injury though. No, no, I was a victim as well! Don't misinterpret this, ne? The perpetrator was Libra. The offender, Libra! These are the important facts! "...To have these things happen at the center of the battlefield. Such indiscretion." Klan let out an infuriated voice as she separated a little ways away from me. And from these ways away, my heart received damage... Because, when I get close Klan glares at me! ...Being hated by Klan, I don't want this! "Noble young lady too, do not stay mad at her. Then was the effect of Charm Magic, say. Lay being bitten by a dog, to rest, and it will be good." "... I understand. Then accordingly, applying the proper desecration would be quite fitting, wa." "Desecration!?" With that, an extremely serious sentencing was done in an uncaringly calm voice, spoken like a ruthless monarch also known as evil!? "...What was that? Desecration? Sure... I shall use it then, wa." Klan, holding her neck, wore a wicked smile as she turned towards me. What should I do, without a doubt I've got a bad feeling... "Dear, dear. Owing to my'n barrier, isn't it good that a person cannot see this tomfoolery." Don't call it tomfoolery, please. "That is... Anyway! Was it true a dragon appeared in the Royal Capital?" "No need to fret, the incident happened on the streets outside of the county. Everything has already been cleaned up." "This is the [Ice and Snow]..." With a complex expression, Klan looked at Til. "Now then, once the barrier is disposed of head to the camp. Afterwards, do as you would like." "...The winds are decided, yet we are still in the middle of combat. Can we not have a loan of your power?" "Balderdash... that sort of mass slaughter, would be a bitter memory." Til let out a lamenting laugh. "However――!" "Klan! Please don't push Til!" "That, was not ... no, quite so. I shall then desert my magic sword as well, wa." Beside the waist where a rapier was carried by the handle, Klan loosened the grip and reflected. "Ku, you're lacking in experience." "Wa, wa-" My back got struck. That hurts... "However, I will more or less place hopes into thou ... Romus' granddaughter. Show, if at all, whether the world has grown, could you?" "Witch of the [Ice and Snow], you..." "Here', we are going." With the snap of her fingers, the world secluded by the dome of ice was demolished and vanished. At the same time, the people that were at the base of the ice structure, Klan and I, were taken care of. Then to the skies, we were carried up. Til's magic, really, truly great. It's something to yearn for, ah. "――You have my gratitude, wa." To those words, I caught a chuckle by Til. With this, I could see a good ending to the Ostia uprising. After that was... Shortly after being taken up by Til, we made our arrival to the camp located at the base of the hill. Klancesca's well-being and reclaiming superiority in the war was met with troops that erupted in cheer. At once, Klan began being with, then administering the troops to the end, only separating for a moment to start gathering about the whole situation. "...You have a good smell, Alice." "I know, Til. Please believe in me." "Fh~un, all right. Iy' shall head off." "Yes, thank you very much. Though as it turned out, I'm no good when Til isn't here." Lazy, distrusts humans, broken aspirations which never show, my master, whom I nonetheless love. The part that pr

ops her up is what I love. "Relying on Iy' forever, that would trouble me so." "If you say that, I will rely on you for who knows when." "Kuh, what a cute brat ... with that." Having the last laugh, Til yet again departed for the capital by the skies. Til sure is amazing ― No need for a horse, by herself. The me is stuck, who can't soar the skies, doing business by going on ground. For now. "Ojou-sama... thank goodness you're safe." "Alice-san! What a relief, nyaa..." After seeing off Til, from the tent Ilya and Saira appeared. Both of them wore a medical outfit which consisted of a white apron. ―― Moreover, the aprons had blood on them. "That outfit..." "Saira said, she 'had to' no matter what." "I can't participate in fighting, at least I could put great effort in saving those that do..." Saira... This child, is extremely kind-hearted. The work of a medic, must not be fun. In the middle of agonizing cries, injuries big and small on soldiers, doing what can be done. Words are easy to say, easy to imagine yourself on the spot. The work itself, not everyone can do. "You have given it your best, ne." I pet Saira's head. Saira was fidgety and looked confused, and shook her head. "The ones that did their best, were the ones at the front of the battle, Alice-san, the soldiers-san, nya..." "Nope, the frontline, the ones at the back, they equally did their best, and brought victory to our shore. That's why, Saira, you did your best, I will say it was many times as I need." Perhaps we cannot praise the war itself. But this war was a necessary fight. As Klan had said, there is simply no way that we will give in to terrorism. "...Alice-san, always complementing me, you will make my heart so warm ... ah! Na, this isn't the place to cry, nya! I still have, lots to do though still!" With that said, the confused Saira went left returning to her tent. Saira... The things Saira does, it must have reached every Human heart, I think. It must have. "Ojou-sama..." "Of the white dragon, I didn't kill it, Ilya." Ilya unfastened her apron, and she was next to me but refrained from being close. "Myself ... I do not have lingering affection. Already, there are none places to return to." "Eh, none? Ilya's place to be, is by my side. It's not enough?" The reflection of Ilya's eyes glittered. It wasn't something that I see a lot. "――Ojou-sama, is the person at fault. If you wouldn't stop if you had to fight against a relative. It is that sort of feeling." "If such a thing happened in reality, I would actually stop, ne." "Huhu, I have to get myself stronger. I cannot lose to that Onee-san." Shion-san, huh. But, it's nothing like going, and trying to kill Shion-san, or the Old man, I think? If a situation like that ever happened... let's see. Our lives would not be exchanged one for another, but our fists would do the talking. ...Hm? Weird, the image which floated up is of Old man dying in one strike. Rest in peace, old man! ――Piiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii. Suddenly, a horn echoed. What it meant ―― was danger approaching. The camp that was tasting the victory right before them, all tensed up while preparing. "... It has come, ne." "Then Ojou-sama, in place of myself for Saira." "Ehh, a pleasure, ne." Seeing Ilya head off, I focused on the horn. Guards one way or another going to fight―― - It was only a matter of time before it broke through. What a wierd conversation. There was no mistake in thinking that Klancesca was distributing the guards. Something threatening cannot easily be deployed and come close. "Why is it, now, that such a dark thing has happened." My legs went towards where Klancesca was, the tip of the hill. In this world, heading towards the place with a hunch, the most probable location for things to happen. Yes, only a very ―― bad hunch. "What do you mean, Paru?" (Corrected from Pal from Ch.48) "Princess, our entire camp has been completely encircled. It is our absolute loss. Since it has come to this, honorably surrender." The butler spoke with all respects in a clear voice, it felt like a bad joke and left an empty feeling. By my side, the dignified and transparent Klan stood beside. "Alice..." Klan wore a face, that could not grasp the current situation. No... maybe, Klan does understand. But she would simply not acknowledge it. The Ilya that I know ―――― has been said to have betrayed us, I can't think of it happening. Since then, to support the people's morale, was my role. "Have you been tempted by Libra, Butler-san." "No relation with it, Silver Lightning. This is our dearest wish. The overthrow of the kingdom, the allegiance with the republic. Then with that, this senseless war will end." It was let out, with no reason to keep anything concealed. Klan's complexion turned bad. Angry, Klan was ready to use her magic sword. "...Selfishly, I did my own investigation. The rich family that purchases Human-beast combat slaves ―― Not Ostia, Not Sacramento. Wilmington's butler, it is you, Paru Shiusu." (I have no idea what this means) From where the soldiers were, came screams. The human-beats were assaulting, I thought. In response to my words, the butler did not have a change in expression. "The sniping at the hotel, I wasn't the target. It was Klan, ne? As I approached the windows, at one time, our eyes met, ne? Perhaps, then you waited for a time when Klan and I stood in line, so that we could be subjugated at the same time, does that sound right?" "I commend you, Silver Lightning. As I thought, you head wanders well." From the waist, the butler unsheathed a saber. Klan seemingly did not move. As if shielding with her back, the butler made his way towards Klan. "My doubts started, only when I had met and saw that man in the back alley, ne." That man with the delicate features. At that time, I didn't think it was anything special. That pretty-man sort of person, I didn't think it meant anything. But ―― with the revolt happening in the capital, I caught hold of the true form, the motivations were bridged. "You ―― are a human-beast, ne." "――eh?" Klancesca got a surprised look on. Which she then, looked at the head observing. Where she looked, there were no 'ears' that human-beasts notoriously had. No way―― "As you have guessed, I do not have the ears ―― they were excruciatingly torn off, ne." "――――!" The complexion on Klancesca deteriorated. Very ... beyond redemption. "All words being said I understand through lip reading. For sound cannot make its way to me. Other of my own voice, I do not possess the hearing." "You sure are skillful at talking, Butler-san." "I am obliged, Silver Lightning." The motive, was just as said by the pretty-faced gentlemen. Just as he said. Their reason to fight. From the camp, more shrieks came from non-combatants. I tore my heart apart. "So ... you think you thought you would be forgiven for the things you did?!" The assassination, the incitement of hatred, the surprise attack. Those things, are not part of war!! "Your standards of morals must be shaken. I am returning for what was done. The arrogant Human species, their attitude, these things I am giving back are not too much." I get things he says. The things that were done I sympathize with. But, this method of changing a kingdom, will only leave the kingdom's people with hatred. The hatred of the people who become newly conquered will not easily disappear. The history of "The Other World", is all you need for proof... "So, step aside Silver Lightning. The head of the princess, I will be beheading it." "Paru..." Princess, huh. This butler looked at Klan with a discerning eye, his resolve had no ill will. "――You heard her, 'older sister'. You won't complicate things more than it has to, ey’?" "...An obstinate person, ne." The pretty-faced man placed his long sword on his shoulder, and came closer. At the center of the war's true form, the driver, was this here gentlemen. Or, is this battle and its sake a hidden part of the war. Either way, something is not complete. "So, will you let non-combatant civilian lives be lost pointlessly, have you made a decision yet, O'Princess?" "I'" Behind her back, I searched for Klan's hands and held them. They were cold. Like wanting to heat them up, I grasped them tightly. "――More so, giving myn life easily will never happen, wa." Well said, Klan!! "I don't mind, then, I shall murder you." The gentlemen rushed, stepping towards me. As usual, fast. The butler was cunning in holding a sabre underneath his armpit. Klan, has not drawn her sword. If it's only me, there's no way I can cover for both of us. ――But!! "[Aim]!!" "――――Roger, aim and fire." A magic stone was commanded through instructions, immediately obeying and activating a field. "Naa!!" "Kuu!" From the sky, pairs of lightning arrows barraged. They were a sure hit. At that distance, they will hit everything outside of me and Klan. To weave through like entering through the hole of a needle was the skill of a genius. "This, ... " The spot targeted was turned to rubble, the face of the butler who I thought was hit remains. "I see, I know very well you know? Your skill." Umm, that shooting skill that happened, ne? "I thought you died...?" "Surely, I am concealing it." The errand I sent Ilya on, it was all for this. "...Upsetting, 'big sister'. Seriously an upset." Arrows of lightning that Saira crafted. Equipment to the shooting skill ―― [Aim] was a single use. The body that persisted after being pierced, the defeated gentlemen softly groaned. "――――However!!!" "What-!" Before I knew it, his hand grabbed the ground and sputtered sand blinding me. The person who I casted. Now my hands are up protecting my face. Seriously tenacious, stubborn! ――In that instant. I was already clad in lightning element, ready to repel any slash with repulsion ―― Shoot!! The gentlemen passed under my arm. Fast! Was that now the fastest!? [Aim] cannot be targeted! The target ――! "Noooooooooooooooooo!!" (「ダメええええええええええ！！」) Something jumped in front of Klan and it was ―― Saira!! A situation where no one had the expectation of thinking, only one person reacted. How Saira moved at this moment could be said to be godly. A super genius, unthinkable reaction. Arriving here, already going by the situation. In front of Klan, Saira extended out an arm, ready to block the longsword by receiving it. Even though she is godly, Saira cannot take something like that! This gentlemen, would not miss this once in a thousand years’ chance and throw it away! Saira!! "Eh――?" Saira's image of being cut down played in my head, but the scene was surprisingly different. "――ts" That gentlemen, clenching his teeth, who swung his longsword with his full power, was forcibly stopped against its will. "――Ku-haa..." No, that's wrong ―― at the stomach, was pierced by a dagger. "――The payback has been returned, zo." "Solt-san!" Probably coming from the camp dressed pitched black, whom the dagger belonged to. "Ha... time to pay the piper..." The gentlemen quietly murmured to himself as he crumbled. "Ah, aa..." Having experienced the event, Saira went weak-kneed, her legs were shaking. And that now empty-eyed gentlemen, floated a smile on his face as if having been told a joke. "You ... make no mistake, not regretting it, would be fine... bleh-" (げほっ) The gentlemen spit blood. The wounds are deep. ――A fatal wound. "To meet good humans, ..., fu, is a good thing, isn't it, ..." The gentlemen's eyes were met. It reminds me of the street in Rufin, where my chest tightened and twisted. The gentlemen's smile floated. With a smug face and wink. Why ―― does it feel like Saira is being entrusted, that sort of feeling. ...Just now, it was because he was struck by the [Guy who wears black], that he stopped, right? That's ... not what I feel. "...ha, shit, a place where no one knows and not the battlefield ―――― to pass away, to go, ne..." The calm faced ―― gentlemen went to sleep. And Klan placed a hand to calm the Saira that had been shaking the whole time, her whole body. Saira sort of jumped in surprise, then got petted. With that, Klan went forward. "――Paru Shiusu, was his spirit put to rest?" "――Somehow, the mind is clear it seems, O'Princess." The gentlemen should have no stamina, I thought. Being dealt by the single [Aim] and on the ground all this time, the butler like a haunted ghost, replied dispassionately. "I see, you sure are and have been with me for a long time, wa, Paru." "I am unworthy of those words. The first time we met, I was just but a vagrant." "In those days, were you thinking of killing I'?" "――Yes, but to be fair, not for the sake of killing the Princess. It was to seize power from the people, that business." "The death of Father and Mother, was it you?" "You are mistaken, though... I can't say for certain whether I may or may not have." "Why, have you not attempted to kill me until now?" "Maria-dono, was there. I could never get away from her grasp. Places where her eyes are not watched are a myth, there were no options." "And so now, she stays in the capital, making this the time." Klancesca drew out her sword. "――Do you have any remaining words?" At those words, the butler directed closed eyes beyond to his brethren ―― then to Saira. "I ask, grant my fellow brethren a merciful heart." With no sense of debt nor obligation ―― the butler demeaningly muttered. At those words, Klancesca truly displayed sincerity as she bowed her head. "This chain of hatred, Paru Shiusu, was to be your fate as its holder and shall be severed. Henceforth, I', absolutely will turn against the discrimination of thy brethren." "――――Your Highness, Princess of the passionate Dukedom, you have my greatest rank of appreciation that can ever be offered." The calm smiling butler, by a magic sword held by Klancesca, was stabbed―――― __ "He who pays the piper calls the tune." - a saying about choices. Guy who wears black - is Solt

Chapter end