Chapter 102

c102: Conviction

It was something strange but my senses were honed, by walking on as the forests, mountains and valleys stretched out .
My vision opened up as if my senses naturally connected, my hearing improved .
There’s absolutely no way that that was what’s called a case of the imagination or such .
Walking the woodland path I became able to detect the dangers of my surroundings a moment faster .
Preferring to avoid futile killing, when I thought that beasts had taken interest in our location, we purposefully detoured .
When I thought monsters were lying in wait, that couldn’t be helped so I attacked preemptively .
Even without relying on magic, that which is called a person’s limit might be very high .

「Alice-san?」
「Saira, the current me could beat Till with one fingertip . 」
「That’s your imagination nya, more importantly Alice-san . 」

Eh?

「Ah, hai . 」
「We’ll arrive at the royal capital soon nya . Are we going to stay here for a while?」

A branching road, as Saira pointed toward the sign there her eyes faced toward me filled with expectation .
Naturally, she’s enthusiastic since she can study blacksmithing I suppose .

「Of course, we’ll stay with the determination to not leave until you grasp the trick for katana practice . It’s all up to Saira okay . 」
「I’ll do my best! My arms cry out nya!」
「Fufu, I’ll be holding expectations . 」
「Hai desu!」

And so I was a little injured .
Occasionally she’s someone that comes to harsh judgments, speaking of Saira .
Issn’t she? Kyuu?

「Kyu～i」

Why do you avert your face, Kyuu?
I grasped Kyuu from the top of my head with both hands and brought our faces together and, that face was abruptly averted .
You, definitely read my heart didn’t you?
That’s so isn’t it?

「Alice-sa～n, over here over here!」
「Over here～!」

We advanced down the road to the royal capital while I and Kyuu began a pointless fight and, we called out to by Makina and Rin-chan who were stopped before the branching path’s sign .
Oya, and I turned around while my face met with Saira’s .

「Is the royal capital not this way?」
「That’s so but, there’s a renowned blacksmith on this path to be sure . 」
「To be sure . 」

Rin-chan’s body is jumping with her hands waving as she’s matching her voice like an echo at Makina’s feet .
At some point they came to get along, Makina and Rin-chan .
Maa since Rin-chan is a child who doesn’t do things like dislike people isn’t she .
……And so the destination was postponed, Kyuu!

「Kyui!」

Making one cry, Kyuu went up my arm and rode on my head again .
The fluffy warmth of that soft stomach, seems like it could become a habit doesn’t it……





「……Here?」

We’ve come to a stop .
The place we arrived at via Makina’s guidance .
After the matter of enjoying hiking again for a bit, we brought our feet to a halt and gathered having climbed along a mountain stream .
I, Saira and Rin-chan, looked up to the vast heavens in one group .

「Huge isn’t it nyaa……」
「Huge!」
「……」

I held back my impression .
Before us as such the unexpected figure showing itself is, a waterfall .
The water raising its rumbling groans fell into the basin below and, a white mist is rising up .
Perhaps carried by water droplets turning to mist, I felt that chilly damp air with my body .

「It’s a superb view, but . 」

Makina-sa～n?




At my gaze that’s asking just what sort of thing she’s demanding, Makina nodded with an innocent smile .

「We’ve taken the wrong path!」
「Hate the sin and don’t hate the person……」
「It’s～ a joke! Since there really is a swordsmith-san’s workshop here . 」

Even if you say that, there isn’t something like a residence to be found in this place surrounded by green forest .
The droplets rising up from the fall’s basin drew a rainbow and it’s something beautiful though .

「Where where!」

Rin-chan created a visor with her hand and looked over her surroundings but, it seems that her results weren’t satisfactory .
Fumu, so that’s how it is right……

「As a conjecture, is the workshop beyond this waterfall?」

She cleanly stabbed her finger toward the waterfall .

「Correct! Sharp, Alice-san!」
「Fufu, I might look like this but my imagination is abundant . Something like the rear of a waterfall, isn’t that the fundamentals of an adventure!」

Don’t underestimate a love of fantasy .

「Is it excalibur?」
「Ekusu?」
「Only that sword, I want to equip it……」

There is becoming a knight and, having Saira make it for me I suppose……
Though in reality I don’t even have an iron sword .

「I don’t understand well but, while we were engrossed in conversation Rin went ahead you know?」

Makina complained to me with her gaze .
Rin-chan quickly approached the large quantity of water gouging the earth and flowing down the waterfall, using the mountain stream’s rocks as footholds .

「Koraa! Danger management!!」
「Kyahaa, deshi, it’s okay～!」

It’s not okay!
It hurts, water!

「――Cast release, Blizzard!!」

The spear of ice that Makina released, pierced the core of the waterfall .
The flow of water split vertically into two equal parts .
I basically couldn’t see any signs of that ice losing to that extravagant waterfall’s water flow and breaking .

「That’s excellent magic, your ice magic?」
「Not at all, I just borrowed it . 」

Makina hit her glove with two claps .

「Deshi～, a path was made! It’s fine to go through!?」
「Saira . 」
「Hai desu nya . 」

I also gave Kyuu over to Saira from the top of my head while I was at it .
Having made various conjectures Saira held Kyuu to her breast and, went into the waterfall’s cave with Rin-chan .
Without the event of the sound of the waterfall cutting off it became echoes and reverberates .
And so the 2 people left behind, entered a face off posture as if they were going to do a duel or such .
……There’s no mistake that that’s not entirely wrong though .

「You really do force your way forward come to face your doubts from the front don’t you, Alice-san . 」
「Makina, please show me your status . 」
「Eh～」

There’s no need to go along with Makina as she points her lips frivolously .

「Makina . 」
「I don’t want to . 」
「As your employer, I order you to reveal it . 」
「What’s this, isn’t that something proper . 」

Put her hands together behind her head, going ya～ how troublesome, Makina’s feigning indifference .

「Why does that bother you?」
「Well that is……」

I suppose there are a number of reasons for, not being able to register at the guild .




To start with slaves, Ilya also isn’t able to freely register .
Next is red card .
In the case where it’s spread through the guild that someone’s wanted internationally .
――And beyond that, identity fraud .

「I’ll allow you to show just your name . 」
「Hahahaa, you occasionally become serious don’t you, Alice-san . 」
「Relying on the power of others to determine my destiny, being held by others doesn’t match my nature . Knowing what I need to know and, enacting the proper resolution . Is the matter of devoting yourself to other people’s problems confusing?」

For example even if Makina came to act for our sake from the bottom of her heart, I wouldn’t like it even then .

「Really, a strong person, to the extent that it’s blinding isn’t she……」

Makina released her joined arms and, turned her face down .
――And then she raised it .

「I refuse . I am moving on my convictions . If you want to bend that――」

Makina’s gaze became sharp .
In a natural posture, she readied her lower body .

「Show me that level of resolution . 」

A level of pressure that made it difficult to breath .
That’s Makina’s hostility .
But to whatever extent the troublesome matter awaiting us after this is, I want the data to cut through that .

「……That’s, just fine . 」

This body is already prepared for battle .
My senses are honed .
To be sure the sound of the waterfall is crushing one of the five senses .
Sound, I well understand that the condition of such as that being blocked is fairly important .

――Kick the earth .

Our acknowledgements are both finished .
To request more than this, words that only scrape the surface are unneeded .
Lowering myself I enter Makina’s breast .
I thrust my lower palm .
However this missed .
It’s the true power the opponent displayed in close combat with Shion-san, I think it’s a class above my own .
From the beginning my first strike was a preliminary test, I released my power and jumped .
Pulling back my released left, and without releasing my momentum I release my right lower palm into her at the same time .
One two .
In the space of an instant, a lightning fast combo attack that didn’t allow the opponent to act .

――Be that as it may, Makina showed she could endure even that .

Acting so as to throw off my arms, my attack was diverted to the outside .
Turning it aside like a willow――this fighting form!
Till!!?
An instant change in perspective .
Those obsidian eyes that lacked temperature to an extent that they make me shudder .
Conviction, is it .

「――」

Makina murmured softly .
Most likely a chant .
That girl’s counterattack is coming!
Being cautious I backstep .
Take distance .
Reset my posture――

「Slow . 」
「nNa!?」

I used lightning and, took distance at my top speed .
Even so, Makina is right in front of my eyes as if it’s entirely natural .
Speed at the same level as my own!?

「――Ice・Impact . 」

Taking Makina’s attack with my arms a moment later――I couldn’t do anything but take it .
Attacking into my opening, I couldn’t avoid it cleanly .
With a motion at a level where I could see it easily Makina reached out her fist and struck .
At the moment of contact, ice exploded――





「Kuuu . 」

My view shook .
I was blown away by an incredible impact .
Righting my body after it was sent flying, I somehow brought myself to a halt .
Magic attack?
Physical attack?
My arms feel heavy .
Thanks to the Regenerate Robe, I’m gradually recovering though .
……Am I superior, in pure magic?
It was quite the technique but it wasn’t at the level where in receiving it I couldn’t receive it completely, that’s if it’s her magic .
But if it were a person without magic power, that just now would’ve dealt decisive damage I suppose .

「――」

Still more is there!
She naturally isn’t going to wait for something like this side’s regeneration .
In continuation Makina murmured softly .
Looking her over from the front, I defended strictly――――a presence came from directly behind me .

「――Flare・Impact . 」
「Tsu!?」

She shouldn’t have escaped me, what is this!!?
My view wasn’t cut!
Even though she was there, she disappeared!
After thinking, I forcibly jumped using my lightning reflexes .
I somehow avoided the direct hit itself but, it wasn’t a clean dodge .
The flame’s blast wave .
Blown away, rolling across the ground, I plunged into the waterfall’s basin as such .
The sound of the water struck my ears .
Drawn in by the muddied flow I was pulled deeper and deeper .

「Goboo . 」

Even though I had no intention of drinking it the water entered my body .
……As if I’d let myself be finished here!
My mouth squeezed out just one symbol .
Going against the flow, after having fallen to the bottom of the waterfall’s basin once, I used magic and jumped off the bottom in one burst .
I pass through the water surface .
The noise in my ears is harsh…… 
Frankly, the damage is also harsh .
But it’s still not enough to knock me out .
Makina’s standing on the earth and looking me over again .
Her hair has become soaked in water and was brushed away behind her .

「Next is, Light・Impact . But let’s stop Alice-san . With this next one Alice-san――will die you know . 」

She’s not a child who would do something uninteresting like, intimidation .

「Even though in magic power, I seem to be superior?」
「That’s completely unrelated isn’t it . You’ll break you know . 」

……That sort of technique is it .
Though it’s a vague theory or rather, I know that technique’s atmosphere .
Ice, flame, and then shattering lightning .
In fact, even in my current state having eaten two magics I’m bearing enough damage to feel like vomiting .
I suppose I can’t allow myself to take a finishing attack, even if it’s simple damage .

「……I understand . 」
「……Fuu, if you’ve come to understand then――」
「――I’ll also, be completely serious . 」
「……I forgot . 」

I hate losing enough to die you know .
Receiving my gaze’s fixed glare, I noticed that Makina seemed to be smiling softly .
Though it’s unrelated .

「Lightning・Field!」
「……Ma, that’s what it becomes isn’t it . But, that’s pointless . 」

She knows my fighting style, such an appearance .
To start with if I don’t catch the overly elusive Makina this won’t become a match .
Read ahead into Makina’s movements .
I don’t need force .
More importantly my magic is superior .
It’s fine to do it lightly!

「Thunder!」

Conduct, respiration, gaze, sensing that with my skin I read Makina’s attack in advance .
――Even so I didn’t hit .

「I, excel at everything you know, as you can see . 」

Once again, her gaze and voice has no temperature .
I turned to Makina after she appeared and, slowly refaced my body .

「……Is it just my imagination then, I sensed that just now you――seemed to have disappeared though?」
「It’s regrettable but, there’s neither trick nor contraption . 」

It’s not Libra’s teleportation is it .
Up until now that hasn’t been the sort of magic that’s used in battle I suppose .
That’s, this child’s combat style is it .
Frankly I don’t understand .
Her attacks are composite attacks with magic and physics .
Furthermore I can feel her considerable sense but, more importantly what’s troublesome is that method of teleportation……
I really don’t understand that .
But I can comprehend it .
Certainly just as Makina said, this barrier is no good .
I won’t catch that girl at the level of reading just a bit ahead――as long as I don’t dominate space itself .

「――!? This is……Alice-san’s……? I can feel enough magic power that’s it’s scary……Haha, really really such a thing iss……really, incredible . 」

For example even supposing that the fight is a clash of obstinacy, I have no intention of losing .
For the first time Makina’s expression changed into something that didn’t have room to spare .
If you’re going to interfere it’s fine if you do .
I concentrate my honed senses .
It’s fine just so long as I don’t receive a fatal injury, with an instinct like kurozukume’s――discard my defense!

「From my right hand is the ancient goddess’s breath . 」

The upper class magic born forth from my right hand, go forth as intended……!
It’s from here!!

「From my left hand is the heaven’s eye of wisdom which oversees all . 」

I grind my teeth .
Without releasing my magic power, I bring the palms of my hands to the front of my breast .
I combine the magic powers repulsing eachother in front of my breast and cause it to sublimate .
You’re going to relaxedly observe that opening are you, Makina .
That arrogance――I will break it!!

「Manifest――」
「Deshi～, still～?」

I couldn’t do it .

「Ah……」
「……Ri～n～, mou, even though it’d become extremely exciting haadn’t it……regrettable . 」

……I as well .
For some reason she regretted it more than me and, Makina reproached Rin-chan .
As it’s the case that with us as such our inner thoughts aren’t something Rin-chan knows, Rin-chan waved her hand from the waterfall’s cave and called out come～ on .

「……Haai, I’m coming now, Rin-chan . 」

Fuu, we both relaxed the power in our shoulders .
And so Makina faced me with reproachful eyes to an extent that even I could tell .

「I’ll give you the match . 」
「Haha, I’m……I don’t want to fight Alice-san though . 」
「N～o! You drove me to bewilderment!」
「It’s fine with my loss though . 」
「Ha? Haa!? That’s not okay!」
「Our methods and objectives have already been switched out though haaven’t they……」

I won’t let you escape, Makina!

「De～shi～? Huh? Deshi, soaked!」

We entered the waterfall’s cave while exchanging a heated debated and, Rin-chan’s eyes went round .
Un……even my underwear was done in wasn’t it .

「……That’s strange issn’t it . 」

Looking at me drip with water, Rin-chan tilted her head .

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