Deep underground, where even moonlight didn’t reach.
In a room where only a single eerie flame wavered, Reina and I held our final review of the plan.
A nostalgic place for her, no doubt.
Although she’s not the type to soak in sentiment.
“You’ve prepared properly?”
”…… Yes, all proceeding without issue.”
“Good, good. Ten years since I picked you up and raised you. At last the chance for you to be useful has arrived. Do this properly.”
”…… My deepest gratitude.”
What is Reina thinking under that Noh-mask face that won’t twitch.
When a replacement vessel has appeared, she could be more disturbed…… hmph, she’s just a doll at the end of the day.
So unsettling it’s almost funny.
…… Whatever. My time with this one is short.
“This time I will, without fail, acquire Mashiro Liche.”
A chance with conditions this favorable rarely comes again.
Lamdarb Kingdom — soil that can be bent however needed.
An island far from other nations, hard to interfere with from outside.
Powerful figures are only the other academies’ headmasters who consider me an ally.
A perfect chance to abduct Mashiro Liche.
The only concern is that damn brat’s unknown technique.
If he hadn’t placed Mashiro Liche by his side, this would have been far easier.
He gets in the way of my plans, again and again……!
“Tch…… if you’d just earned more trust from Veret, you could have grabbed her……”
”…… My sincere apologies.”
“Fine. I never expected much from your side.”
Few would care for one as completely devoid of charm as her.
Especially given the girls he keeps near him.
”……At last. My ambition is near completion.”
I feel my own life span closing in.
Outstanding mages are known to die young.
The days of losing what I once could do, to age, are more terrifying than any battlefield.
I refuse. I will live and live. I will wield my power to its fullest.
I want to go back. To my prime.
”…… The final day. You understand what you must do?”
“Of course. I haven’t forgotten the words you gave me. To him——”
“——Yes. See it through, without fail.”
”…… Yes. My life exists for you, Sensei.”
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
Standing on the deck, Boku watched the receding port of Lamdarb with reluctance.
Because the person always beside me was still on that island nation.
”…… Ouga said he had things left to do — what could it be? Miss Alice, do you know?”
”…… No. But Lord Ouga is scheduled to board Lady Lebetsenka’s ship. It shouldn’t take too long.”
“I hope so……”
“For now, let’s watch the sea and distract ourselves. The ending should be a good memory.”
”…… You’re right! I will!”
Miss Alice is right. Brooding doesn’t suit me!
…… But, even so, the other ships are no longer in sight.
Huh~? Has that much time passed……? I’d been staring only at the port, so we might have drifted apart at some point.
…… Still.
”…… There’s no one else here. Scarily quiet.”
“Everyone must be tired from the stress. Resting in their rooms, I’d think.”
“——That’s a mistaken guess, Chris Lagnica.”
“Ah, Headmistress, hell——”
“——Stay back, Miss Liche.”
A hostile tone I’d never heard before made my body recoil.
Looking, Miss Alice had her blade pointed at the Headmistress.
And the Headmistress’s clothes were…… dyed bright red.
”……!”
Before I knew it, defensive reflex kicked in and I was preparing a spell.
But…… my teeth chattered, and I couldn’t stop shaking.
The Headmistress laughed amused, watching me.
“To not faint under my killing intent…… a talented vessel really is something.”
”…… You. What have you done?”
“Can’t you tell from this blood spray? I hate it, you see. Talentless and loud. But — well——”
“——the final, screaming face, I quite like.”
”——[Blade-Flower Scattershot]!”
”——[Double Thunder Rondo]!”
“Kyaaa!”
Miss Alice’s slashes and the Headmistress’s spell collided head-on, and the ship rocked hugely.
I nearly fell, gripping the rail to stay up.
“As ever, you use such bizarre techniques. You’re the only one, you know? A commoner who can face mages head-on.”
“Then let yourself be cut quietly.”
“That, I refuse. I don’t want to die. Aging is truly hateful. I want to live forever.”
”…… So that’s why you’re after Miss Liche.”
”…… Eh?”
After me……? What does that mean……?
No good…… my head’s a mess, thoughts won’t organize.
“Hmph. Sticking you onto Mashiro Liche on purpose — that brat had noticed.”
“Resign yourself. Lord Ouga sees through all your evil.”
“That beloved master of yours. Should be getting killed by my apprentice about now, I’d say.”
“K-killed……? Reina-san? Killing Ouga……?”
“Yes. That girl was a defective trash no matter how I poured into her, but she might be useful at the very end.”
”…… That ear-grating laugh.”
”…… You’re awfully confident. Can you fight me and protect that child?”
Miss Alice darted her eyes my way for an instant.
Then she grinned ferociously.
”…… Heh. Decided. Lord Ouga commanded me to protect Miss Liche. Then I shall, at the cost of my life, kill you!”
“Then let me see it. [Lightning Vortex]!”
A booming roar; the sky flickered.
”——!”
The next instant, countless great bolts of lightning rained down at us.
◇ Announcement ◇
A short story for the theme I solicited via poll has been posted on the activity notes.
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Karen’s Boob Eye-Mask
https://kakuyomu.jp/users/kinome_mogumogu/news/16817330663923973678 ◇