The Eminence in the Shadow 75 The Girls' Paths, and His Decision

So says Alexia while proceeding through the underground passage.

"Yay us."

So replies Beta from behind while yawning.

"Did you just yawn?!"

"Nope. But we have been at this for more than half a day already, so how about let's go home? She's probably not in the underground labyrinth anyways."

"I wonder indeed. I got the information from a pretty trustworthy source though..."

"How about let's go back for now and re-confirm the information?"

The two's footsteps echo around the underground passage illuminated by Alexia's magic light.

The monotonous passage continues into the distance.

Abruptly, Beta senses an enormous magic signature, and stops her feet.

After a slight delay, Alexia also stops, and turns around.

"Just now... someone used magic. And an incredibly big one at that..."

"Perhaps it was Rose-sama?"

"By the way, did you sense it even faster than me?"

"Mere coincidence. I am only proficient enough to protect myself."

"Well, whatever. Let's hurry."

The two begin running towards where the magic had come from.

Then they pass through a large, broken door, and find themselves in an old cathedral.

"Rose-senpai..."

There stands Rose, with her eyes closed.

At her feet are several men wearing black who are no longer breathing. Sensing Rose's vibe being different from usual, Alexia does not approach any further.

"So it's Alexisan..."

Rose slowly opens her eyes.

"That magic, what happened..."

"Power was given to me, and I... I will walk the path that I believe in."

So saying, Rose walks past Alexia.

"W-, wait a moment! What is going on anyways?! Why did you stab your fiancé?!"

Rose turns only her head around at Alexia's shout.

"Alexisan... I'm sorry, but I don't want to drag you into my problems."

Then she gazes at Alexia as if looking at something bright.

"Just tell me the reason! I can't help you if you shut me out!"

"Telling you would already be dragging you in."

Alexia glares into Rose's eyes.

"Inside the Holy Ground... we could not do a thing. Not knowing who is right and who is bad, we were there merely as onlookers. I have this really strong feeling that if I remain in the dark, someday something really important to me is going to be stolen away. We talked about this, didn't we?! That's why we said we'd protect what's important to us, all 3 of us, together!!"

Listening to Alexia's words, Rose seems to be looking at a faraway place.

"I really wanted to believe in the words from that day. But in spite of that, why are you looking at me with those eyes? Are you also treating me like just another onlooker?!"

"I'm sorry..."

"Answer me!"

Rose's smile is tainted heavily with sorrow.

"I... can no longer return. That's why I'm envious."

"I don't get it. Are you saying that you're envious of an onlooker who doesn't know anything?!"

"That's not what I meant. I have already lost many things, and surely will lose many more things from here on. Everyone will reject me and curse me as evil."

"What is it that you plan on doing...?"
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"I'm sorry... I have to go now."

Rose begins walking, but Alexia stops her with a tongue click.

"Stop right there."

So saying, Alexia draws her sword.

"I've had enough. I'll stop you even if I have to use force. I am no onlooker."

Rose also draws her thin sword.

Alexia and Rose gaze at each other. In Alexia's red eyes is anger, and in Rose's honey-colored eyes is deep sorrow.

Rose's sword flickers.

The next instant, both of them move at the same time.

Their reaction is concurrent, the speed of their sword is equal, and their skill is on par with each other.

For the briefest of moments, surprise flashes in Rose's eyes. Rose is the strongest in the Magic Swordsman Academy. There should have been a significant difference in skill between her and Alexia. At the very least, that's how things had been when they entered the academy.

However, Alexia's sword has grown so much in such a short period of time. Furthermore, Alexia's sword bears great resemblance to his sword.

Indeed, Alexia's sword... is Shadow's sword.

The two swords clash.

Magic flashes and stains the cathedral.

Though the two are even, the result is clear.

Alexia's sword flies through the air, while the pommel of Rose's sword slams into Alexia's chin.

Thus Alexia crumples from her knees.

What decided the match was simply the difference in the amount of magic.

If Alexia had the same amount as Rose... there's no telling what the result would have been.

"I'm very sorry."

With a final apology, Rose walks away.

Then she notices Natsume.

Strangely, she had completely failed to sense Natsume's presence.

"Natsume-sensei... I'm sorry, but I have to go."

"I won't stop you. I don't have the right to stop you."

So says Natsume with an unreadable face.

The Natsume in Rose's memory always had a gentle expression.

"It's just... I'm a bit surprised, I suppose. It seems that the idiot had thought things out in her idiotic way. The three of us are from different countries, different organizations, have different personalities, and have different beliefs. However, we were heading towards the same goal. Perhaps we actually made a pretty good group..."

"Natsume-sensei…..?"

"I bid you godspeed. Our paths will surely cross again. Until then, I'll be babysitting for a little while longer."

So saying, Natsume kneels down and tends to Alexia.

"Natsume-sensei, who are you...?"

"You should get going. She's only unconscious, and will wake up soon."

Natsume flashes a slightly impish smile.

There's so much to ask.

But both understand that neither are in the mood to answer anything.

"Well then..."

Rose turns around, and vanishes.

Natsume rests Alexia's head on her knees and sighs.

"So this is your decision, Shadow-sama...?"

The figures of the three heroes and the tragic demon depicted on the stained glass somehow seem to be hinting at something.

Chapter end