Assassins Pride - Volume 3 - Chapter 5

Assassin Pride Volume 3 Chapter 5
LESSON V: ～The messengers of death god～

(Unedited)
「What the heck is it this time!?」

As the unending multi musical duet of resentment resounded, Melida included, four people quickly dashed out from the reading room. Just as usual, this gigantic infinite library gave people an uncomfortable feeling…… The scream as if piercing people’s eardrums vibrated and echoed continuously.

「Dead man’s voice……?」

Mule faintly frowned while analyzing, right after that.

From the other side of the corridor, a violet tsunami approached with tremendous force. While they were flying as if gliding on the ground, they screamed out curses as if spitting out blood with their mouths opened to the limit, the ghosts that wandering in Bibliagort had gathered into a group.

While the four of them opened their eyes wide, they kicked the ground without a moment’s delay. Melida and Elise jumped up at the same time, and Mule a step behind them. And the last one, Salasha soared just before getting engulfed by the wave of ghost. From her hand, the book with the name『Melida Angel』imprinted on it slipped from the girl’s hand.

「Ah……!?」

The book scattered on the ground was immediately covered by the army of ghost color dashing through the hallway.

It seemed that the ghosts’ aim was not the four young girls. They soared to the air not paying any attention to the angels’ figures, and charged to somewhere as if they were aiming at the gate to hell. Melida frowned her eyebrows at the unbreakable flow of few hundred corpses.

「Where in the world are they aiming to go……?」

The four young girl gripped the bookshelves and ladders, looking down at the hollow army that overflowing their vision. Salasha, who was having a stiffed expression, suddenly noticed something.

The ghosts didn’t have a real body. The book that dropped to the ground shouldn’t have been blown away and just stayed there. At the same time, there was one other person who noticed that fact.

Suddenly, Mule let go of her hand from the bookshelf and flew down. Following her, Salasha also jumped. They unsheathed their weapons from mid air, and leaped into the raging wave.

「Salasha-san!? Mule-san!?」

Two sounds of metal clashing overlapped Melida’s scream.

While Mule and Salasha cut down any obstructing ghost, they ran in the hall way with great speed in low positions. The two’s aim was the former『Melida Angel』’s book that was lying on the ground. Inside the waterfall like army two flames ran through, as if displaying their footprints the ghosts’ remains kept flying out.

「「……!!」」

The sakura color flame and pitch black flame sometimes mixed, and evermore violent metallic sound scattered. The two raised their speed more and more, and dashed through the corridor. Scattering the ghosts, gushing the flame out, they charged from both side aiming at『Melida Angel』’s book. After violent sparks scattered, the two people’s figures soared up.

At nearby Melida and Elise, it was Salasha who was biting her lips.

And then Mule landed on the bookshelf at the opposite side to the three.

The book that was picked up from the floor──was inside Mule’s palm.

「You, you two, why are you doing this……」

「Melida Angel──…………」

The moment Melida called out, a voice as if coming from an actress reading a script out loud overlapped.

Mule opened the first page and politely weaved each and each of her word.

「Attack 129……Defense 111……Agility 141……」

Her seductive tongue licked her lips, just like a carnivore seeing treat in front of its eyes, her mouth bent into a smile.

「Rank…………──────────《Samurai》」

“Shiver”. A shudder ran through Melida’s back.

She closed the book in satisfaction, the bewitching 《Demon Knight (Diablos)》curved the edge of her lips.

「Fufu……I have to tell Shicksal-onii-sama about this」

Letting mana gushed out from her whole body, Mule strongly kicked off the bookshelf. As the black quartz’s back rapidly grew in distance, Salasha gritted her teeth. A few moments later, she also jumped to follow her.

Melida couldn’t do anything but absentmindedly looked at them go, but someone strongly shook her shoulders.

「Lita, you have to catch her!!」

Elise yelled with a tense expression, and kicked off the bookshelf with all her might. Melida focused mana to her legs even though she was in a vortex of confusion, and flew into the air to the utmost.

──Why are you doing this!? Mule-san!

She didn’t give time to be befuddled nor time to think. Melida was simply just soaring between the gaps of the bookshelves seeking the《answer》that was gradually running farther away. Leaping over the army of ghosts clamoring under their eyes, finally they went about in different directions.

「Give back Lita’s book!」

While Elise prepared her posture in mid air, she unsheathed the great sword. She swooped down from Mule’s head like a falcon, immediately followed, a loud sound of metal resounded. With her left hand holding the book, Mule swung the thick claymore with her right arm. That scare-worthy physical strength was beyond that which was shown in the selection matches.

While Mule parried the pursuit, she was aiming at who knows where. She dashed around the hallway while scattering jet black flame, then jumped down the stair many times. However with the state of carrying books and item on her hand and with her pochette, there was no way she could shake off the holy knight (paladin)’s and the dragon knight (dragoon)’s pursuit ──

「Miu-chan, I won’t let you get away!」

Salasha jumped down like a meteor and thrust the spear to the ground, pulverizing the stone floor with a thunderous roar. At the same time Mule covered her face against the flying pebbles, Elise who went behind her slashed the great sword. Barely being able to stop it with her claymore, Mule was sent flying dozen of meters on the floor.

The pochette’s cord was torn off, and many magical books scattered to the ground.

Just before Mule prepared her posture again, Elise and Salasha attacked from both side. As if they were thinking it would be better to just bisect the book, the great sword and the spear were sharply drew to the limit.

Barely able to raise only her upper body, Mule, right after that ── sneered.

「《Once upon a time》!!」

A gush of wind coiled around with Mule in its center, and blown Elise and Salasha backward.

The magical book that opened since who know when finished its duty in Mule’s hand, and became pieces with its final page being carried away by the wind. Being protected by the wall of wind Mule curved her lips ── However, immediately followed, she opened both of her eyes wide.

Breaking through the wind wall and dashing toward her barely touching the ground, her field of vision captured such a golden figure. As expected there was no time to prepare, Mule was caught by the nape of her neck and pinned down on the ground.

「Caught you!」

It was only after a few seconds. The magic’s time limit had arrived, the gush of wind vanished with a puff.

The corridor suddenly fell into silent. Melida was ridding on Mule, however, she loosened the strength she used to grip Mule’s neck’s nape. Although being at loss and confused, her ruby like pupils were all jumbled up.

「Tell me, Mule san. Why are you doing this? Aren’t we friends already? You told me that you wanted to pass the exam together, was that all a lie……?」

「If speaking about why, then yeah──」

Without even a hint of being perturbed, Mule showed a smiled as usual.

「Because I like Melida-chan」

「Ha, ha……?」

「Because I like you, so unintentionally I want to bully you. O my cute Melida-chan, do you still think this is the certification exam?　──《Once upon a time》!!」

Taking the chance when Melida was taken aback for an instant, Mule loudly shouted.

Numerous magical books scattered on the floor all at once released their spells. Hundreds of pages flew to the air, and covered Melida’s surrounding fully just like a dorm.

One of the two who ran over in desperation, the sakura color young girl yelled with a grief voice.

「No good, that’s Shicksal house’s《door》──Run away! Melida-san!!」

However, Melida had no choice but to accept that it was definitely too late. Being surrounded by a tempest of whirling papers which was like a storm, none of the four people had any way to escape. Melida’s focus nailed on one book lying on the floor.  It was the magical book《Maeterlinck’s observation map》.

On the blank pages which were being turned over with great force, the map of the labyrinth slowly spread out.

Seeing the big messy notation 【Current layer】, Melida opened her eyes wide in shock.

──Layer 18th!?

They had descended much farther than the original《Fifth layer》on which they took the sixth grade test. Melida group had since when, and why, went down from the first layer of Bibliagort and entered this deep place.

Her brain was paralyzed by the shock, and Mule’s whisper from a bit ago traversed across her mind.

『Do you still think this is the certification exam?』

……

Melida had no choice but to admit that she had unbelievably overlooked that. While hearing the sound of paper being blown out from the books and covering their vision completely, just like barely being able to keep a calm thought, a flash of doubt came to her mind.

If this was no longer a test, then since when……────

　　　　†　†　†

──Since when have they been plotting this!?

As if clearing the clinging doubt, Shenfa Zwitoque mowed down her sword. The polished Fencer class’s assault skill bisected the ghost’s body.

Seeing the figure of the enemy became mist and scattered away, cheers mixed with relief resounded.

「Shenfa-onee-sama!」

They were the examinees that descended into Bibliagort to take part into the certification exam. Their number was six people with half were second year. While Shenfa casually wiped off cold sweat, she turned back at her schoolmates.

「Is anyone injured?」

「We’re all fine, thanks to onee-sama!」

Shenfa looked around the group and nodded. 「Let’s go」, everyone nodded in return to her order.

While leading the students running through the long and large hallway, Shenfa desperately tried to sort out her complicated thoughts. Just what had happened to us, the examinees?

As she had taken the certification exam last year, she quickly noticed something irregular had occurred in this year exam. They had gotten on the elevator from the academy’s glassmond palace, and on the way they were attacked by a mysterious phenomenon, when they noticed, they were thrown into the inside of Bibliagort.

If it were normal exam, no way such thing like that could happen. First of all, the examinees would receive a final briefing at the safe area of Bibliagort’s first layer, and while being led by the guiding lecturers they would depart in unit. Relying on the magical book《Maeterlinck’s observation map》, they would aim at the designated reading room of the layer, that should be the case.

Much less, for this year there was inexperience first year joining too. Without the lecturers’ guidance nor a map, leaving them with only their scattered members in this giant labyrinth, unbelievable!

Shenfa couldn’t help but bit her lips in this absurd situation they fell into. However, she couldn’t just let the kouhais notice the disturbance in her heart. Their dependence eyes were lying on Shenfa’s back only. Therefore, she couldn’t unsightly fail them or do something of the likes.

While leading a number of people united in the middle of the labyrinth, Shenfa single-mindedly rushed through the hallway. However, honestly this labyrinth was too big. No matter where they went to, it was till the same scene of bookshelves, without a map she had not even the slightest idea where the stairs were.

In addition, the worrisome thing was the ghosts crawling around everywhere in this labyrinth.

They showed their figures from the shadow of the bookshelf suddenly, and scrapped off the girls’ mental and fighting strength. The kouhais screamed at their eerie looks, Shenfa, having to defend them, put excessive strength inside her finger tips. Going through one battle after another, her limit was steadily reaching……────

The very moment when she started thinking, she bumped into someone at the corner of the passage. In front of her eyes, something was approaching with mist like speed, Shenfa raised the tip of her sword a bit late.

Cold steel on each of their nose tips, as they both thrust their weapons at each other, then Shenfa saw the opponent’s face.

「Headmaster-sensei!」

Unknowingly, strength left her shoulder greatly.

St. Frideswide girl academy’s headmaster, Charlotte Blamange slowly drew back the majestic long wand she was holding with both of her hands. She stared at Shenfa and other examinees at the back in turn.

「Is there any injured student?」

In answer to the first question coming out of the headmaster’s mouth, Shenfa could barely shake her head in horizontal. And the examinees came up from behind clung to the old witch.

「Headmaster-sensei! We’re, we’re……」

「Everyone, it’s great that all is safe. There’s no longer anything to be afraid of」

When they took a look, behind the headmaster, she was taking other girl students clad in battle training attire (battle dress). Perhaps their situation was the same, they were thrown into the inside of Bibliagort suddenly, and as she was in the middle of aiming toward the elevator back to the academy, she must have been picking up the examinees.

Looking over the girl students that had increased by ten people from the back and front, the headmaster said with her echoing voice.

「Although there are a lot of confusion, but first of all, more than everything let’s return to our school. I’ll lead the way. Everyone, try not to go astray!」

The girls cheered in union with a great mood. The headmaster smiled broadly, and swayed the hem of her robe.

As the headmaster was running ahead like an athlete, Shenfa increased her speed and lined up by her side. The little girls behind might be able to hear them, but there was no leeway to squeeze the volume.

「Headmaster, do you have any idea just what have happened to us?」

「Could you recall the lump of big tree that suddenly filled all of the elevator, miss Zwitoque?」

While the headmaster was running without losing even one breathing, she answered with her eyes fixed in front.

「That phantom is from the magical book《Perouna’s trompe l’oeil》. Its effect makes everyone who was wrapped by its magic to be transferred into a fixed location within Bibliagort. Because of it we who were originally should be going down to the《First layer》were blown away, and were sent to inside this labyrinth」

「But what could be the reason for it……!?」

Hearing that, for a brief moment the headmaster could be seen hesitating over the answer.

「……Let’s investigate the detail later on. For now, let’s retrieve all the examinees without leaving even one, then safely withdraw back to St. Frideswide」

「Headmaster-sensei, I can’t see the first years at all」

Shenfa finally said out the anxiety that had always been in her mind although she couldn’t let out until now.

Headmaster Blamange nodded looking a little unpleasant.

「……The other guiding senseis also got sent to Bibliagort, they should be guiding  the examinees while trying to get back to the academy. We can’t do nothing but hoping the girls are with some of them. Although surely I think they won’t be going even further inside the labyrinth」

“As long as there is no one’s incitement.” The headmaster’s conspicuous wrinkle mouth faintly moved. Uneasiness quickly swelled up inside Shenfa’s chest, it became hard for her to suppress her tone.

「Headmaster, certainly this won’t be like Luna Lumiere selection matches right, when St. Frideswide fell into an ordeal right? I can’t help but worry about those pitiful kouhais」

「Let’s stay calm, miss Zwitoque. When there is any abnormality in the certification exams, the academy which isn’t far away should have known. Our reliable rescue would be rushing here any minute now」

「──Ohoho, isn’t that promising」

A hoarse male voice cut in the conversation, the headmaster stood still as if having her string cut.

Following Shenfa who was one step slower, the girl students from behind stopped their feet in drops.

As if blocking their advance path, from the other side of the bookshelves, two human figures stepped out.

They clad in rag like black robe, their age and genders couldn’t be distinct. However the things that were carrying not peaceful intent were the obvious glittering of swords peeking out from their hems.

Headmaster Blamange decisively stepped out in front and asked.

「I presume the one plotting this situation are you? Trapping us with the phantom of《Perouna’s trompe l’oeil》, just what are you planning to do?」

The rag robe men didn’t even twitch, but from someone mouth a voice echoed.

「Certainly we are the ring leader, but what did you say, Perouna……? I don’t know about that. For us, our targets are scattered now and it’s pretty annoying you know 」

「They’re playing dumb……! Headmaster-sensei, talking to them is just a waste of time!」

Shenfa stepped in front in high spirits, and unsheathed the fencer class’s long sword.

The two rag robe men took out their swords as if in response, they started to approach.

「Very well. There’s no need for preys to waste their breath, just try to cling on to what is left of your short lives」

「It seems there is no room for negotiation」

Headmaster Blamange readied her majestic long wand, and stepped up beside Shenfa. She exchanged a fleeting side glance at her student and gently loosened her mouth.

「Let me take on one of them. Don’t let your guard down, miss Zwitoque」

「Headmaster-sensei, try not to overdo yourself. I’ll thoroughly beat into you this! The me that was polished at St. Frideswide for three years!!」

“Don”, Shenfa strongly kicked the floor, following her, the headmaster rushed out as if gliding.

As the opponents had split, the rag robe men also confronted them one on one. They had confident that they could defeat the imperfect mana capable ones as direct targets.

Shenfa bit her teeth hard as she swung down the sword at the rag robe man that jumped at her. Right after she believed that she had a telling blow, a high pitch sound appeared. The enemy’s sword had accurately repelled the attack.

The robe’s hem that flowed in the wind concealed their hand, making it hard to read the sword movement. In addition, their reaction speed that could handle her attack easily …… Fearfully so, these mysterious assassins were undoubtedly mana capable ones.

──Although being born in noble linage, how could they lose themselves to criminal path!!

Transmitting her loud fighting spirit in the sword she was gripping, she let it burst with flame. With the undoubtedly fastest sword move in all of St. Frideswide school year, she damage the enemy with chaotic continuous attacks.

The tip of the sword drew trajectories just like following a text book, and slipped into the enemy’s wrist. As she flung it up as if drifting, the enemy’s sword detached from their hand and flew to the air.

「Haaa!!」

Toward the enemy’s empty flank, Shenfa struck the sword with all her might. Her favorite practice sword sucked into the rag robe with terrific speed──

“Bushi”, as the blade cut into flesh, a fresh feeling penetrated her finger tips.

「──!」

For a moment, Shenfa’s whole body stiffened with a “Gishi”. It was at that moment. In the state of having a sword impaled to half of his flank, the rag robe man leaped at her while screaming. The blood that scattered out from the wound flashed on her cheek, making the fifteen year olds girl’s body jumped in fright.

「Hi……!」

The rag robe man sprung at Shenfa who was standing bolt upright. He eagle gripped both of her shoulders with movement like that of a beast, and opened the drool smeared mouth wide under the hood. As he was trying to bite the girl’s neck with the yellowed canine teeth──right before that, “Do!” The shock from a flank strike sent the rag robe man flying.

The old witch that stepped in when it was dangerous used the long wand’s head to blow away the rag robe man. The enemy who was rolling on the floor groaned as he tried to stand up while blood spilling out from his abdomen. The headmaster briskly approached and struck the enemy’s head from right above. They were silenced.

Raising the long in service long wand, the headmaster opened her mouth 「Fumu」.

「……That’s a strange feeling. It doesn’t seem they have trained themselves thoroughly though」

She muttered with a nonchalant face as fresh blood dripped from the robe’s hem. As the drops of life being right in front of them, Shenfa, furthermore dozen of other girl students swallowed their breath quickly.

「Headmaster sensei, you, you’re injured! When you protected me ……!?」

「This is nothing serious, miss Zwitoque. Now then, let’s hurry onward」

When they took a look, the enemy who confronted the headmaster had already sunk into the floor. Realizing that herself couldn’t bring down the enemy and had held the other back, Shenfa bit her lips tightly.

The headmaster picked up the practice sword lying on the ground and held it at her with a smile.

「You surprised me with how much you can fight in real battle. Your sword dance just now was brilliant, Shenfa」

「……」

Deciding that she wouldn’t be a burden anymore than this at any cost, Shenfa tightly put the sword back to her waist.

The two rag robe men had already become unable to move one bit. If they could remove all obstacle like this it would be great, however sure enough, thing wouldn’t go that easy.

The moment they thought they had finally found the stair to the upper floor, they discovered a few human figures taking up position around it. Their outfits were exactly the same as the two man group just now, the rag robes.

Everyone of them was facing their backs at Shenfa group and looked out at the direction above the stair.

「That’s strange, what do you think they are guarding?」

「I don’t know, headmaster, but this is our chance」

Shenfa put her hand on the hilt of the sword, and the examinees who were focusing on the third year nodded with a stiffed expression. Seeing the students gripping their weapons with tensed pupils, the head master nodded somewhat unease.

「……Then, I’ll leave this to you. Everyone, do not exert yourself」

「「「Roger!」」」

All the girl nodded just like a rally, next they all at once flew out from the hiding place.

The rag robe group instantly tried to turned back, however all of them couldn’t react in time against the group of mana capable ones, even though they were still trainees. Shenfa rushed quickly and loudly unsheathed the sword.

「Smash their hands and feet! Take away their fighting ability!」

Based on her own experience, Shenfa issued a manifesto like that. As expected for themselves who were still students, no matter how transcended their sword skills were honed into their bodies, they had no determination to kill anyone. In that case, the line was drawn at「Don’t kill them」. Instead, let’s hurt them without mercy as long as they don’t die.

The enemy group was five man. The students became groups of two or three, and swooped in from the rag robe men. They bashed heads, slashed legs and skewered the parts that wouldn’t be fatal wounds.

Every rag robe man bled and fell to the ground as the students breathed heavily.

「Haa, haa……, we, we did it」

「──Hoho, so the mice had nicely fallen into the trap」

Right after that, a hoarse voice resounded around from somewhere.

At the same time the girl students were taken aback, the stone floor under their feet released ominous light. The blood flowing out from the rag robe men ran on the ground like a snake, it drew a mysterious pattern.

The moment the blood stream tied into a circle, a violent feeling assaulted Shenfa who was standing at the middle of it. It was a sharp pain as if her heart was caught by rusty chain and constricted.

「Gu……aaaa!?」

The pain as if her soul was being ripped off was abruptly ended right after a shock from her flank that sent her flying. As she rolled on the floor, she barely able to lift her face up, and she saw.

Headmaster Blamange who blew her away was experiencing hell instead of her.

「Ku, nuu……!!」

The headmaster supported herself with the cane, she was holding out at the center of the magic circle. The blood color whips stretched out from the stone floor and captured the old body, forcefully constricting it. From the hem of the robe heartrending fresh blood streamed out.

Out of nowhere, the hard on the ear cheer from an old man resounded.

「Oo────hohoho!! Headmaster, don’t exert yourself like that! Your strain lees like life force would shrink even more you know!!」

Headmaster Blamange didn’t answer, but suddenly she opened her pupils wide.

The long wand that she held high strongly smashed into the stone floor. The force of impact ran to all directions, the ground was blasted with a thunderous roar. The bloodstained circle was interrupted, the binding spell was lifted from the headmaster’s body.

Unbearably, “Gaku”, the old witch fell on her knees, and several girl students ran to her in flustered.

「Head, headmaster, please hold on!」

「Haa, haa……. Everyone, is safe, right?」

As the headmaster let out feeble breathes, none of the students could answer her. In the first place the first one that was caught by the magic circle was Shenfa, and thanks to the restrains being broken quickly, other people didn’t get seriously injured. But undoubtedly, the one who was greatly injured in the group was the headmaster.

As though they had fully confirmed it──

Suddenly, the space in which there was nothing bent, and from inside it, someone stepped out.

The body was slim and tall, and clad in rich colored robe like it was dyed in poison. His head was wearing a decorated hood, and the stood out wart on their looks confirmed that they were an old man.

While the headmaster was supporting herself with the cane, she glared with strong gaze at the mysterious old man.

「……It seems you have successfully dealt a lot of damage to me. The one who was chasing us since a while ago is you, am I right?」

The old man bowed with polite attitude just like a royal court mantic specialist.

「Nice to meet you, headmaster Charlotte Blamange. I am called Krodor. An apostle that sworn loyalty to Flandre most ominous arm organization, Troops of Tomfoolery Dawn (Guild Grimhuis), I, a man made lycanthrope, was given free reign of the name《Necromancer》」

No matter how much the old man Krodor’s words simply bothered her mind, first of all more than anything, headmaster Blamange couldn’t help but bent her face at the true form of the enemy that had come to light.

「Troops of Tomfoolery Dawn (Guild Grimhuis)……! Don’t think I’ll be threatened by the likes of you outlaw」

「Ho ho, please don’t say we’re outlaw. We are only following our own creed and return this Flandre to its rightful order. As vulgar lives should be released from this world」

He rang his nose looking down at them, Shenfa, who was unable to bear it, leaned forward.

「Wait, I’ve leant about the name《Necromancer》in class. They should be the race of Lycanthrope that exercises heretic magic to toy with lives using the corpses of human and animal as the intermediary……! If you are one of them, then the robe men that we beaten are……」

Other girl students suddenly realized, they stripped off the hood of the rag robe man lying on the floor.

The decaying flesh since long ago which had lost all vitality entered their eyes, making the girls leak out scream from their throats.

The necromancer Krodor「Kuku」let out an unpleasant laugh.

「You students are slow on the uptake. Point deducted──That’s right, the opponents that you desperately trying not to kill are puppets that had already had their blood circulation extracted」

「Ku……!」

“Now then”, Krodor raised the palms of his hands. On the creepily and far extended bony finger tips, accompanied by the characteristic cold air of the lycanthrope, the mysterious power (anima) lighted up.

「Just scrapping off the headmaster wouldn’t be scary enough. Let’s have someone die for me, shall we?」

「Wait, why does Troops of Tomfoolery Dawn (Guild Grimhuis) target our school……?」

「Dead men tell no tales. I don’t need any chatty mice in my research room」

The rag robe men lying on the floor rose as if being pulled by strings. They didn’t care how much injuries were on their hands and feet. Seeing the ghastly figures, the girl students screamed.

The broken arm raised the weapon, one of the robe man leaped at them. Although Shenfa gritted her teeth, she stepped out with do or die spirit. While she scrutinized her eyes, she thrust the tip of the sword.

“Stabbed”, the blade buried until its root at their left chest, certainly she felt the core was pierced.

In spite of it, the enemy didn’t stop. They stretched both of their arms in the state of having their chest sewed together and scratched the air trying to grasp Shenfa’s shoulders. Her spirit was broken by the unworldly vise, Shenfa’s legs drew back two, three steps.

「Hii……!!」

「Just give up, they’re all dead man! They won’t stop unless you cut off their heads!」

Krodor’s hoarse shout resounded. Although Shenfa didn’t have any leeway to confirm it, the other girl students were also in disadvantage situation. If they cut off the rag robe man’s arms they’d keep on advancing, if they broke their legs they would crawled on the floor at them. Panic was spreading among the group of young girls.

The sly necromancer rang his voice as if this was the best time for it.

「C’mon, headmaster! Your precious students will soon join the rank of corpses right before your eyes!」

The anima stayed at his finger tips drew complex lines. Two rag robe men showed agile responses, then assaulted two shaking and stood still second year girl students.

「……Nueei!!」

Letting out a loud war cry, the headmaster dashed like a wind. Fresh blood danced together with the afterimage, before it could touch the ground, a vivid shocking sound appeared. The two rag robe men were knocked down in a blink.

For an instant, Krodor’s finger tips lightly dance as if a conductor.

「Hey, how about this!」

The headmaster who squeezed out all of her strength dropped knees after a moment. As if they were aiming at that moment, a rag robe man closed in from behind stabbed the sword straight down.

Seeing the sight of the sword hilt stretched out from the beloved and respected headmaster’s back just like a gravestone, everyone swallowed their breaths.

「「「Headmaster-sensei!!」」」

The rag robe completely changed their aims, all of them leaped at the headmaster. They covered her back, smashed her legs, and swung down the sword at her crumbled posture. Just like the sight of maggots eating at the big tree, blood splashed intermittently. The little girls franticly screamed.

「Nooooooooooooooooooooo!! Stop!! Headmaster-sensei is ……!!」

「Oo──Hohou!! Having to protect them, such a hardship!!」

For an instant, the rag robe men were blown away to all direction without one left.

In the middle of it, headmaster Blamange who had swung the long wand yelled with a bloody vomit.

「I have things worth risking my life to protect……that is my pride!!」

“Don!” She strongly shook the floor, headmaster Blamange rushed out like a bullet. As the old witch approached  with lightning like speed, Krodor’s sluggish pupils opened wide.

「I won’t let the likes of you lay a finger on my students!!」

The tip of the long wand that contained bursting flame struck Krodor right at his middle. The old body of the necromancer broke like a dead branch, right after that, mushily the space was distorted and a rag robe body appeared.

「Too bad, that’s a substitute」

The real Krodor had swapped place with one of the rag robe man. The substitute corpse gripped the long wand’s root, and struck headmaster Blamage’s nape with a hand blade. It accurately captured her carotid artery, “megi”, a repulsive slamming sound smashed into Shenfa group’s eardrums.

The headmaster skillfully brushed up the enemy’s hand knife. She tied the enemy’s body with her hand, and with dynamic movement she threw them. This time Krodor couldn’t completely avoid it, with a click of his tongue he drew his finger tips once more. The rag robe that was blown to the air exploded midway.

「Damn you, that’s one of the precious piece I weaved my anima into──」

He couldn’t finish what he was saying. Right after, while bathing in flesh and blood of the corpse the witch charged at him. 「What!?」The solar plexus of Krodor who opened his eyes wide was pierced by the attack with all the might of headmaster Blamange this time.

Without a moment’s delay, flame burst at the tip of the long wand, and magic bullets were released. It fired repeatedly at close range. As if squeezing out every last drop of mana, the sound of raging gunshot hit Krodor hard.

「Gu! Ga, gaha, ga! Aa! Gaaaaa!?」

After a few seconds of charging, one final conspicuous and grand shot roared. From Krodor’s bent back, blood erupted just like fire cracker. His distorted lips spitted out blood like a water fall.

「How, how……could this be……!!」

Headmaster Blamange pulled her body back with a sway, and made a full swing with the long wand. She smitten his temporal region, Krodor was sent flying to the floor. The old man with the caved in skull didn’t move one bit.

At the same time, all the rag robe men fell to the floor as if having their strings cut off. They were released from the necromancer control. The dumbfounded girl students finally regained their words.

「Head, headmaster-sensei!」

「What the hell, how annoying」

The headmaster suddenly cursed with rough language, and sat down hard on the floor. The dignity robe was thoroughly dyed scarlet, her legs were shaking like fawn. Her palms that were smeared in blood had already seemed to be unable to raise the weapon anymore.

「These legs and loins don’t listen to me anymore……If only I were ten years younger!」

「Headmaster……」

Shenfa got close to her side with painful expression. However the headmaster said vehemently with a grim tone after staring at the girl students surrounding her.

「Everyone, you must not stop here. Because Troops of Tomfoolery Dawn (Guild Grimhuis) is involved, there won’t be just one assassin like him」

「But, headmaster-sensei……」

「Miss Zwitoque, please lead the students in my stead. Just single mindedly aim at the upper floor. If an assassin like just now appeared…………Right, please somehow try to return here. I’ll do something about them」

With glittering drops oozing out from both her eyes, Shenfa embraced her dying headmaster.

「How could I leave headmaster-sensei here……!」

「Shenfa, please be reasonable……」

「Even though headmaster was in so much pain, I couldn’t do anything! I’m so useless! Why is the headmaster-sensei asking this worthless me for help……?」

The headmaster bloomed a smile full of joy that didn’t give off a feeling she was injured with her bloodstain lips.

「Because I love you all, just like my own daughters.」

「Headmaster……sensei……!!」

As Shenfa broke down in tears, from the direction of the girl students group, sounds of two people dropping to their knees could be heard.

「Please forgive me, headmaster!!」

「Because……everything is our faults……!!」

Everyone all at once looked at the owners of the voice. The two second years who were letting tears streaming out while hiding their faces were Shenfa’s acquaintances. In the Luna Lumiere at the last semester, they were the group that served as Elise Angel’s unit members.

「Daisy-san……? Pris-san ……?」

「The ones who read《Perouna’s trompe l’oeil》……were none other than us!」

Hearing that shocking confession, the girl students felt shaken. Shenfa raised her pupils and stood up.

「You, why did you!?」

「Because it’s an order from father-sama, telling me to make up the blunder in the selection matches……. That, that reformist group? Operación? We received instruction from such a faction……!」

「We didn’t think it would be like this! We didn’t know the criminal syndicate would be involved, and the headmaster is, everyone is……injured so much like this……U, uuu」

Headmaster Blamange asked with a calm gaze toward the girls’ repentance.

The headmaster had noticed from the beginning. In order to use the magical book the users had to be there. The culprit that read 《Perouna’s trompe l’oeil》and made the examinees wander in the labyrinth had been standing on the elevator, someone inside St. Frideswide.

The bleeding witch leaned her back on Shenfa and quietly said.

「You have confessed that you acted against all the examinees, and you asked for forgiveness」

「Yes……」

「Then return to your homes, and clearly express your opinions to your parents. For example tying a blood pact with them, telling them that you can’t be dolls under their control. Is that fine?」

「Yes……Yes, headmaster-sensei……!!」

The moment the girls were sobbing, many confused footsteps sounds overlapped each other.

It was from the upper floor of Bibliagort. The ones that roughly came down from the stairs were not headmaster Blamange’s allies. Wearing a fur vest on his muscular body and with his fierce look, he was not fitting at all in this intellectual limitless librarian. Moreover, a group of ferocious carnivores that looked like wolf or boar or even serpent filled up the stair.

Just like the leader of the flock, the fur man suddenly raised his arm and stopped the beasts. He turned his face to look around then vibrated the bridge of his nose. As the robe men’s and Krodor’s giant stream of blood was letting out a foul odor, the man frowned his face as if being able to comprehend the situation with his sense of smell alone.

「Krodor you inane……your opponents were only a dotard and a few students!!」

“Biri”, the angry voice that almost could shook their skin made the girl students petrified. Headmaster Blamange clung on the long wand to stand up. From the hem of the robe, immense amount of blood spilled out.

「Yare yare, can’t even catch my breath……」

The fur man tried to use the minimum manner as a knight, bent his thick chest and spread out his voice.

「Nice to meet you Charlotte Blamange. My name is Atmos. I, together with Krodor that dropped dead over there, and alongside another person, are called with the nickname《Three claws devil (Tri Edge)》which has the meaning that we looked a little inhuman. Please to make acquaintance?」

「There’s no value putting a little devil party’s name in the text book at all」

The man who named Atmos carved a beast like smile on his lips.

「By all mean I would love to duke it out when you are at your golden age, but can’t help it. Let me see you struggle on death door! This Atmos-sama will tear the large tree to its final root!!」

「Everyone, protect the headmaster!」

Shenfa who unsheathed the sword at the lead lined up in a row together with the other examinees, they made a wall in front of headmaster Blamange. Atmos bent his face as if having his interest piqued.

「You students that don’t even know bloodlust have are useless!! Stay back!!」

「We, we won’t let the likes of you……hurt our headmaster……!!」

Seeing the figure of Shenfa held the sword while shaking without any intention of backing down, Atmos snorted. As he made a short whistled, the beasts that filled the stairs bared their droop dripping fangs.

「You got guts. Then become my brethren’s preys! Go, you lots! Rip and tear all those windpipes with your heroic fangss──────────!!」

Right after he said, immense fresh blood spouted upward.

It was from above the stair. With the death throes of beasts that continuously overlapped each other, an endless rain of blood poured down. A hair rising slashing sound was accompanied by a corpse came rolling down. Atmos turned back with a startle.

「What the hell!!」

From the upper floor of Bibliagort, there was the figure of a young man fluttering his military uniform while descending the stairs. If the outfit was darkness then the sword was pitch black. While slipping through the enemy group as if gliding, he let out sound of sword slipping out of its scabbard.

When the boar jumped at him, he grabbed its short leg and slammed it to the wall. The wolf that swooped down at him next was blown away with a full swing. Then he unleashed a fierce palm strike at the boar that bounced because of the shock of slamming to the floor.

Full force pressure came up from his lower body and was released from his palm, making the beast explode from within. Meat and body fluids scattered in great amount, but without a moment’s delay the young man mowed down his hand. As if he had prepared a flint, a spark which instantly erupted ignited the animal fat.

The sudden radiated flame engulfed the upper floor. The heat wave greatly advanced, Atmos unbearably covered his face. The troop of over dozen of beasts was overrun by the flame without time to escape.

「How dare you!!」

Right after cursing, the enemy rushed through the flame wall and charged at him. Atmos opened his eyes wide at the glitter of the sword unsheathed from its scabbard, just before it hit, he intercepted with a hatchet. A high pitch metal sound rang, in the posture of locking weapon, Atmos was greatly pushed back.

「──Nuooooooooooooooooo!!」

The handrail of the passage pressed against his back and stopped them there. Atmos’s right fist that instantly swung down was intercepted by the enemy’s left arm. They were in a struggle for supremacy for a short while.

When looking at the unannounced enemy, although he was a soldier, he was still a young boy. However, the outward appearance was not the problem. Atmos bared his blood thirsty canine and ferociously lifted the edge of his mouth.

「Your skill is not bad……! But unfortunately, no human knight could defeat me ……I’ll show you the true character of the man made Lycanthrope《Manticore》!!」

After he said, Atmos’s physique expanded double. His muscle swelled up, his body hair crawled out from all his body, his head transformed into something looked like a lion. His right palm with sharply extended claws greatly pushed back the enemy’s hand.

「Nuhahahaha!! How’s that, are you surprised!? Time to doubt your ears, my status right now is──」

“Gishi”. Atmos’s whole body was strongly stopped.

His right palm which was locking with the enemy was being pushed back with unbelievable force. Abnormal grip strength crushed “creak, crack” and deformed the beast’s palm. Seeing the cold air creeping up from his feet and the blue flame flickering in the young man’s right eyes, Atmos was astonished.

「Im, impossible……!? You bastard, that, that power, no way……────」

“Zan!”   The young man mowed down his sword.

Atmos staggered back two, three steps and fell down from the handrail’s edge. The giant beastman fell down to the hell of Bibliagort, in midway, his upper half and lower half separated. Each of which was engulfed in flame, and as his pupils which opened wide in surprised were finally swallowed in darkness, it disappeared.

The young man swung the sword and cleared out the blood, he put it back to the scabbard. As he quickly turned his heel, the girls of St. Frideswide let out sobbing greeting voice.

「「「Kufa-sama!!」」」

「Is there anyone injured?」

Toward the first thing he asked, the girl students cleared the way and pointed behind them.

「Head, headmaster-sensei is……」

As Kufa rushed closer, light returned to headmaster Blamange’s small pupils. Just like looking up at a guiding light amidst hell itself, the headmaster’s voice trembled 「Oo……!」

「This is not a dream, right? The students are……!」

「You too, headmaster」

He quickly confirmed with his visual and knew that the headmaster’s condition was very bad. If she weren’t taken back to the academy and examined by the doctor her life would be in danger. As Kufa tried to lend her his shoulder, she appealed with her utmost voice even though she was leaking out feeble breaths.

「There are still other examinees left inside Bibliagort. I’m worried about them. The enemy is that criminal syndicate Troops of Tomfoolery Dawn (Guild Grimhuis) ……」

「It’s alright ma’am, I’ve generally grasped the situation」

Kufa wrapped the headmaster’s arm around his shoulder, and forcefully lifted her up.

「Since then the criminal activity situation report had immediately sent back to St. Frideswide. It’s not only me but also Rozetti-san, and even the coincidently present Holy City Imperial Guard (Crest Legion) and duke Felgus also join in with the rescue. They will thoroughly retrieve all the remaining examinees」

Those were comforting words, however the headmaster let out a question with her bloodied lips.

「Criminal activity situation report you say……?」

She frowned looking dubious. It was exactly at the moment when he was about to ask her real intention in detail. A hoarse voice of an old man resounded around.

『How could this be, even Atmos was done in!』

From the robe corpse lying on the floor, slowly a purple figure raised up.

It was the silhouette of the upper half of an old man. The figure was an unbearable carrion sticking out of moldy hole on the bones. Seeing the face of the hollowed cheek skeleton, Shenfa opened her eyes wide.

「No, no way……the necromancer just now!? The headmaster should surely have defeated him!」

『Indeed, however I’m right now is dead man. I have discarded my flesh and with my trump card, the secret technique, I have resurrected as the《Undead King》……! Although I didn’t want to use it』

On the head of the skeleton there was a rusty crown. Krodor’s ghost raised both of his hands, on his bone only finger tips, mysterious light erupted.

『And when I was thinking of searching for new flesh, what a loss!  In that case, I’ll drag you in with me. O those that obsessed with the limitless library, this is not be the place to count the texture of the bookshelves!!』

The boney fingertips danced complexly, and all of Bibliagort trembled as if responding.

『Quickly come to your king! And rip apart all those that are alive!!』

From the bottom of the earth, hair rising roars gushed up.

It was the voice of the ghosts loitering Bibliagort. Perhaps following the undead king’s order, the ghosts inside the labyrinth were aiming at this place. Not only on the present layer, at this moment, undoubtedly from the upper floor, and even the lower floor, the gray color army was closing in.

With a face saying “I don’t want to believe this”, Shenfa staggered two, three steps.

「Ho, how……he could freely enslave the ghosts in the great labyrinth, I’ve never heard of it before……」

『Ohoho, this is my authority as the undead king. You lots won’t be able to stop this. The undead will only lend their ears to the undead words!』

Kufa immediately wrapped his arm around headmaster Blamange’s waist and yelled.

「Everyone, run!!」

He pulled Shenfa, and the other girl students dashed as if being pulled. They ascended the stairs scattering with beasts’ corpses and finally reached one upper floor. Standing in front of the many twist and turn and stretched out hallway, everyone couldn’t decide the way and stood still.

While trying to push the kouhai’s back, Shenfa issued a manifesto.

「Don’t stop moving! I remember this scene in last year certification exam……everyone, to the second passage from the right! St. Frideswide’s《gate》should be close by!」

Kufa supported headmaster Blamange and kicked the ground taking the initiative. Just like pulling the girl students with invisible strings, Shenfa ran through the passage according to her memories. Right at the moment when they felt relieved because the ghosts’ figures couldn’t be seen, from the far and high ceiling, a purple carpet creeping down attacked their eyes.

「They’re coming from above! Look out!」

Right after he said, the ghosts kicked the bookshelves flying and down poured. One ghost crashed into the floor, the second one slammed into it. The third to the fifth ghost squeezed together, and Krodor ghost flew down to the improvised just made throne. The bone only fingers swung like a conductor’s stick (baton)

『Now go! Run them over!!』

From the ceiling, the upper floor, the corner of the hallway, from everywhere ghosts swarm out. While they were pulling down the ones at the lead, stepping on them, drools flying, they scrambled toward the humans like a flood.

Headmaster Blamange separated her own body, staggering as Shenfa supported her.

「Don’t worry about me, mr. Vanpir……!」

Instead of an answer, Kufa flew away. While he rhythmically jumped across the gap between the left and right bookshelves, he let the sword dance. “Chin”, he sheathed it and landed, once again he sprinted at high speed.

The bookshelves as tall as the eyes can see were cut to pieces from the middle and right after the girl students passed through they crashed to the floor. Inside the dense cloud of dust which rose up, the following ghosts stepped on their pinned comrades and were hot on the chase.

The army was already on the scale of hundreds. Kufa intentionally lowered his speed and stuck to the tail of the group then he unsheathed the sword with full strength. A cutting line ran from the both ends of the hallway up to the bookshelves, they collapsed under their own weights. While dragging dozens of ghosts they fell into hell. Kufa suddenly increased his speed and pulled Shenfa with the headmaster, with speed like that he rushed to the head.

「Over there, I can see it……St. Frideswide’s《Gate》……!」

Mixing with the headmaster hoarse voice, there was an unconscious clinging sound. In the hollowed atrium at the end of the hallway, the recognized magical circle was lying in wait for the students.

As dozen of girl students arrived on it, Shenfa quickly operated one part of the floor.──However, nothing happened. The magical circle didn’t emit even a little of light and remained silent.

「What, what’s this!? I can’t get it to move!!」

Shenfa became half frenzy and struck the floor. In the few seconds they were being slowed down, the gray army all too easily caught up. On the tightly packed magical circle, the headmaster swung her long wand even though she felt on her knees. Kufa too carefully readied his sword.

While being raised up by the ghosts’ Yagura, Krodor pleasantly let his bone rand.

『Ohoho……it seems Racheldi had done it. St Frideswide’s history will end today, headmaster』

「You, what have you done to the elevator!?」

『That’s a failing mark, kid. Now go check your answer in the underworld!!』

He made fun of Shenfa, Krodor let more than ever fearsome anima gush to his fingertips. The ghosts let out groans from their crushed throat “Uoo”, and sidled closer.

Kufa thrust out the tip of the sword trying to threaten them, and turned his eyes around. In front of the ghosts that could come swooping in at any moment now, the fateful choice was closing in.

──Must I transform into vampire now!?

It was not possible to exterminate this many ghosts while protecting the students. However once the figure of Vampire attacked the headmaster group’s eyes, then the mask《Kufa Vanpir》would be lost. At best he would be dismissed from the mission of a home tutor and the contact to people whom he met in this one year as Kufa would disappear to eternity.

The words they exchanged before the certification exam would become the final parting words with that blonde girl.

However, even so ── because he had faith in the name Kufa Vanpir, he couldn’t let the girl students die in front of his eyes like this. Kufa pressed his face with his right hand and let flame erupt out from his eyes. He felt the killing intents coming out from the shackles gushed up together with fierce anima.

However, even though he had resolved himself, the lingering attachment from his beloved student put a collar on the ferocious beast’s neck.

The boiling anima rapidly sunk, Kufa was surprised without anyone’s knowing.

──I can’t……transform……!?

Kufa lost himself at the never seen before phenomenon. In the span of a few seconds and milliseconds in reality, those thought flashed through his head in high speed. Why was it so hard to decide? Why the thought of unable to meet with everyone made my chest hurt so much?

──Each time I think of her my heart is scratched off, just what is the true meaning of this heat!!

The conflict inside the seven year olds young boy was interrupted by a hoarse yell of an old man.

『Go, my ghosts! Sacrifice them all to your king!!』

The grey color army raised a terrifying shriek. The girl students raised their weapons with trembling fingers. Shenfa stepped out at the most front line, headmaster Blamange pulled back her lips as if preparing for the worst.

Kufa who was still in the vortex of confusion gritted his teeth, at that moment ──

Something fell down from the sky “Zudodododo!!” and pierced the surrounding of the magic circle.

The things that isolated the girl students as if a prison were bandages with mysterious patterns drawn on them. They were harder than steel and flexible like living things. Right at the moment the ghosts were about to forestalled them, a bundle fell down and when it landed, it spread out to all direction.

Seeing the overcoat figure of a young man inside of it, Kufa unconsciously let out a cheer.

「──So you finally made it, William Jin!!」

(illu)

As the young man stretched out his sharp arm, numerous bandages flew out from the cuff. They caught and tied up Krodor who was lying on his tower, and restrained him. From the skull’s mouth, anguish screamed leaked out.

『Gunu……!? What, is this……why is the《Ghoul》Jin, here……!?』

Krodor tried to move his free fingertips. However, from the bone’s tip, anima’s light disappeared. The young man with his lower half face wrapped in bandages said without moving even one of his eyebrow.

「It’s useless, my bandages can seal unnatural power. It doesn’t matter if it’s mana or anima」

『Damn you and your ghoul’s social standing……!』

The bandage young man didn’t answer, he only looked around.

The gray army of ghosts fell in complete silent as if having just wakened up from a dream. The undead king’s control had vanished, they were in loss of guidelines for action. The young man continuous voice pervaded like ripple on water.

「Heed the word of your own undead kind.──O ghosts, remember your cherished desires. Have you found the prophecy? Until your soul fade keep on searching the bookshelves. Leave, now!」

『…………』

The ghosts turned their hollowed eyes away and one by one melted into the floor. Until the subordinates which were supporting the tower vanished, the ghost king who was dragged down to the floor yell with his hoarse voice.

『Damn you, damn you……!! Jin you backstabber! I will report this to the leader ……I won’t let it end with this……! I’ll rub poison into your ugly carrion, and let you taste hellish suffering……』

「Shut it, old man」

The young man stretched the bandages to the limit. Squeezing the upper body of the ghost until it couldn’t be seen, right after that, Krodor’s ghost “Butsun!” vanished to the air as if being torn apart.

Sweeping off the remains like a whip, the bandage returned to the young man’s cuff.

「My name is William」

The Lycanthrope named so flicked his finger. The bandage prison protecting the girl students loosened and dropped to the ground.

Kufa sheathed his sword and approached him. He had a serious look rather than being relieved.

「I didn’t think you would actually come. You have my gratitude 」

The bandage young man bent his index finger at the squeaking dormouse.

「Since you said 『I can’t dance with one shoe』. And also if you disappeared my plan would be undone. So now don’t forget our《deal》」

「Perhaps, Kufa-sensei? That man is……?」

The girl students were in a state of finding it hard to grasp the situation, they let out timid voice while still raising the drawn weapons. After he had run the expedient he prepared before hand with his tongue, he opened his mouth.

「This is someone concerned with the unit I belong to, his name──」

「Isn’t he a Lycanthrope……!?」

The voice that asked him was trembling.

Even though the threat of the ghost army had disappeared, the girl students still hadn’t dropped their guard. That was certain, because there was no mana capable one who had mysterious power like controlling bandages. Moreover, the little skin peeked out from the bandage was cracked…… William Jin pulled up the collar of his overcoat, silent turned his back at them.

The moment Kufa was in loss of what to say to fix things up, a loud metal sound echoed. Someone returned their weapon back to the scabbard and gallantly stepped up.

「It doesn’t matter who he is! He is our benefactor, just like Kufa-sensei and headmaster!」

It was the girl who waved her magnificent hair, Shenfa Zwitoque. As she approached Jin without hesitation until a suitable distance, she bowed as if trying to show the deepest respect. The blue blood hair danced, the flowery aroma stroked the bandage.

「I thank you from the bottom of my heart, in represent of everyone here. O knight-sama whose name I don’t know──」

「……!」

The trace if tears remained on her cheeks entered Jin’s eyes. He opened his eyes that lost their light wide and stayed silent for a few seconds………suddenly, he turned his face away.

「……it’s nothing」

As he answered bluntly, he squatted down beside the magic circle as if trying to escape.

He forced out a cough “kohon” and called Kufa with his hand.

「It’s good that one danger has passed, but asking for my assistance might be a bad move you know」

「What do you mean?」

「It’s clear something had been done to the elevator that it couldn’t move. And St. Frideswide’s《Door》 from the academy side is also locked. Moreover that Krodor jii-san just now, Atmos and Racheldi group, you have to exterminate the《triad》. But, did you get them all?」

Kufa’s expression stiffened unconsciously. The one he defeated inside Bibliagort was only the man made Manticore Lycanthrope. Hearing the two’s talk, the headmaster also joined in.

「Most of all, the criminal report about Troops of Tomfoolery Dawn (Guild Grimhuis) is weighing on my mind. Their lots didn’t have any esthetics. Namely that situation report about the examinees’ danger which transmitted back to St. Frideswide asking for guidance inside the labyrinth is fake or not……」

The wounded all over witch coughed violently, the student flustered and rubbed her back.

Jin stared at Kufa with his lightless eyes and announced with his unchanging tone.

「……this might be bad. As I thought this time they aren’t aiming at Melida-chan. Rather, the client’s aim is however, the 《dotage jijii》’s true objective is──」

「All the lives of St. Frideswide students……!? Not just burying the ojou-sama, just before the scandal’s details got caught by the newspapers companies, they want to silent everyone who saw the scandal……」

「They surely don’t discriminate, as always though」

The students didn’t hear this part of the conversation. Kufa looked up at the long tunnel. At the end of the limitless abyss was the school of girls with its fighting strength boundlessly scrapped off because of the missing of Kufa, Rozetti and the headmaster.

If a disaster came falling down right now ──…………

Kufa bit his lowered lip and let out a deep breath.

「Better safe than sorry huh……It seems it was a right decision to leave them there」

　　　　†　†　†

St. Frideswide third year Christa Shanson right now undoubted was confronting the biggest dilemma in her life. The《nightmare》that she only saw in text book or document photo was before her own eyes with overwhelming presence.

It was completely different from the scarecrow used for practice firing. ──

That thing was filled with freezing killing intent and cold air (anima).

「I’ve sealed Glassmond palace’s《gate》. Is, is this alright!?」

While having bitter thoughts she let go of the control panel, a satisfied laughing voice covered her from the back. It was the voice of a woman who urged Christa to the elevator part of the glass palace.

「Yes, good work. With this the lecturers-sensei who dove into Bibliagort wouldn’t be able to return to the academy anymore. Just like the butterfly with its wing plucked……Am I right?」

「As, as you said!」

「Fufu, thank you. Then next, I’d be very happy if you could make《chain castle》for the castle gate?」

The one that one-sidedly commanded with a calm voice was the《human shadow》of a matured woman.

Because the thing that was pretending as a human shadow was not human at all. The skin was green and the eyeballs were sluggish gold. And the bug eater flower that sprouted on her head was letting an irritating poison waft in the air. The dress which wrapping her voluptuous proportion was mended together with leaves of plants …… Although she could be called a beauty, her given impression was weird.

She announced her name publicly, as Racheldi ──

The man made Lycanthrope《Alraune》belonged to Troops of Tomfoolery Dawn (Guild Grimhuis).

As she was ordered by Racheldi, Christa bit her lips while couldn’t help but willingly follow. The reason was because the beautiful Alraune was holding a young girl in her arm.

She was taking hostage of a first year girl student. Racheldi’s five fingers extended like roots of a tree and the pointy ends were pressing against the girl’s white nape. If she felt like it she could easily tear the skin and pierce her throat. As her own life was being lightly toyed with, the hostage girl had tear swelling in her eyes.

「I’m, I’m sorry Christa-onee-sama……I’m sorry……」

Hearing the trembling whisper, Chirsta couldn’t even carelessly answer her. Even to this moment, for there was no victim from the academy side, it was almost miraculous.

──Just why is this happening……!!

In the state of being pressed behind tightly by Racheldi, Christa followed the route to of Glassmond palace entrance hall. Her legs were numb to the point it could collapse at any time, even right now she didn’t have the sense of reality more than the feeling that the floor was coming apart.

In truth today was day off. Christa planned to come to the academy to help with official work for the opening of the labyrinth librarian certification exam with other students and enjoy the few remaining time of this year school lives together with the students living in dormitory.

Then it happened. From the moment the criminal activity report of the criminal syndicate Troops of Tomfoolery Dawn (Guild Grimhuis) came to the office room, the familiar school scene had transformed into something extraordinarily different.

The examinees’ safety became unclear, the reliable adults including Kufa and Rozetti, even the visitors that happened to be there, the Imperial City Holy Guard (Crest Legion) and the knight duke Angel, also rushed to the labyrinth, as the girl students and sisters were left alone the academy suddenly dominated by a confused atmosphere.

As three hundred girl students all were wholeheartedly praying for the safe return of the examinees for even a minute sooner, the elevator of glassmond palace started to go up with its gear.

And then, in front of Christa, in front of the girl students excited for the reunion with the examinees, the figure appeared ── taking place at the middle of the elevator, an inhuman bewitching beauty.

The girl students who couldn’t understand the situation were at a loss in front of the skillful assassin that wasn’t hesitate at all in fighting scene. Racheldi quickly drew her weapon and rendered the girls powerless, she then took a trembling plus immobilized first year hostage.

Just like asking them to go on a walk, she ordered in a carefree tone.

To lock down St. Frideswide from both the inside and the outside ──

Whether this bewitching Alraune was whimsical or meticulous, she was guided by the student president Christa looking here and there in the academy. She had showed no interest in the school tower, the dormitory tower nor the practice place, she mainly investigated the vicinity of the garden and the castle wall, it gave off the feeling she was confirming the escape route.

In that time, Christa and other students also did something meaningful ──

And right now, the long awaited closing of the glassmond palace’s《gate》was commencing. She wasn’t satisfied with the shutdown of the elevator, she wanted to seal all movement regarding the labyrinth, and completely isolate St. Frideswide.

While realizing she was biting her lips too much it was on the verge of losing sensation, Christa finally walked to the entrance hall. As she exited the main gate onto the front garden, Racheldi and the hostage estimated the exit path, she sent a signal toward the tall wall surrounding glassmond palace.

From her raised fingertips mana intermittently ignited, it was a simple hand signal. From the top of the wall that had received the signal, glittering flame blinked two, three times at them. Moreover, she blinked two, three at the side of the wall.

A while later, a low vibration like wave licked the ground. Sound of a bell pierced the black sky “Go──n”. The melodic driving sound and the mechanism of the castle wall that moved slightly like body tissue. Right after it made a round of the castle wall, colorful flame burst up from the wall.

It was the thing the first year had seen once, St. Frideswide’s《Chain Castle》

The last semester Luna Lumiere selection matches seemed nostalgic like it was a long past day right now. That time, there was the reliable headmaster Blamange and the lecturers. The home tutor who kept bottomless charm Kufa and the young energetic《First generation marquis (Carrier Marquis)》had been watching over them.

Right now, not even one of them was here.

Sweeping away all the hardships in front of their eyes, protecting the safety of the girl students, this was the trial which none other than Christa had to take as she was the head of the girl students alone.

Christa strongly pressed down the fear that was building up inside her heart, with resolute attitude she turned back.

「There you go, I’ve completely sealed off St. Frideswide as you demand! Release the hostage!! Or perhaps, without the shield you can’t face the students like me!?」

「Ara ara, such wonderful bravery」

As Racheldi was still smiling friendlily, she so easily let go of the hostage. The two girls were taken aback for an instant, having quickly returned to her senses, Christa kicked the ground.

She pulled the first year’s arm and slipped through the side of Racheldi, she ran into the palace while yelling.

「Now, everyone!!」

On the wall, dozens of figures showed up. They were the students of St. Frideswide carrying multiple kinds of firearms. With the glassmond palace’s main gate behind, her front, left and right were all surrounded without a gap, Racheldi leaned her head as if troubled「Ara?」.

「Just when I’m thinking what you’re doing running around sneakily, you’re just preparing an ambush huh」

「Regret giving us the chance! St. Frideswide third year, all forty one member of the gunna class, fusillade! Taste this thoroughly!!」

As Christa raised her hand up, she strongly swung down. 「Fir──────────e!!」

Dozens of muzzle flash appeared in great number. The triggering sound that could puncture eardrums was played very loudly. The bullets that were faster than the speed of sound caused the wind to roar and bent the space into a spiral shaped. Without any place to run, she faced the pea-side destruction coming from all sides──

「Ahaa, beautiful!!」

As Racheldi joyfully bent her face, right after that, forty one’s muzzles continuously fired at her.

The timbre of being shot was “Tatatatatata”, resounded rhythmically. Racheldi’s body bent due to the impact. Her body rotated without stopping for breath, her four limbs twisted endlessly, it looked like nothing but a dance. As expected she was not human, because the thing scattered was not blood, but leaves of plants or flower petals.

The amount of time the sound of gunshot flying about was no more than five seconds.

Her voluptuous body was riddled with holes, Racheldi lied face upward. A big pool of blood soaked on the ground, already she couldn’t even twitch. Christa muttered as if feeling anti-climax.

「She, she’s finished……?」

Although that was a very disappointing last scene, it seemed like nothing but that. The students’ bullets had surely seized her. It was unthinkable that those tragic injuries were acting. Anyway, should I check the corpse……….? Thinking so, she took a step, and right after that.

Racheldi who was exposed to a cruel dead suddenly curved her lips up.

「Wonderful. As I thought just now I had to make a scapegoat」

「What……!?」

Christa opened her eyes wide as that was obvious.

Racheldi’s corpse was《restored》. As if a plant growing the missing holes were filled up and the water washed away the sticking blood. From who knows where tree’s leaves gathered and made up the dress, when she stood up, she had returned to her original beautiful figure.

Looking at the third year and third year girl students who were at a loss for words, the beautiful woman smiled.

「Aa, don’t be so disheartened? You certainly have brought down《one》of me. Since it’s a battle result you could boast, let’s have a parting gift for the death 」

「Mon, monster……!」

Christa immediately swung up her arm and gave the signal to the firearm regimen.

However, the shooting sound didn’t roar. In return there was a scream.

「Nooooooooo!? Let, let me go!」

Did something happen? Christa looked around as if being pulled. And then she saw something hard to accept. On the top of the wall, one of the gunner had her arm twisted up.

The one who captured the student was another green skin Alraune.

「Eh……!?」

Unconsciously, Christa looked at the enemy in front of her eyes and back at the top of the wall. Without even time to suppress the commotion, from all direction, here and there, the screams of students overlapped. The firearm regimen hiding in the wall was suddenly raided by the enemy’s《group》appeared from behind.

Dozens of enemy were without exception, the exact same figure of that Alraune.

「Ara ara」「Ufufu」「Are we playing tag?」「Wait wait」「I hate running butterfly you know」

As they mowed down the arms of the Alraunes, they transformed into tree’s roots and knocked the girl students flying. Their breaths became poison mist and those who breathed in even once fell down as if having their strings cut.

Inside the chaotic pandemonium, Christa had no choice but trembling her limbs.

「What, what is this……!?」

「I’m the man made Lycanthrope《Alraune》. You shouldn’t think of me like a human」

As if having difficult to deal with a student with bad mark, Racheldi put her hand on her cheek.

「How about I teach you one lady’s secret, that seems fine……I can plant the seeding onto the earth and raise my other self you know. The total number could go up to hundred……!」

「No, no way……」

「Ufufu, thank you for kindly showing me everything, student president-san. Did you think you’re prepared for battle? I’ve left seeds around this whole academy, and laid out my roots across the land you know?──That’s right, listen, can you hear it?」

Racheldi leaned her ears as if listening to the fairy’s melody, ecstatically she closed her eyes. Wondering what happened Chirsta too strained her ears, she finally noticed.

It was not only the vicinity of glassmond palace. Certainly, here and there in St. Frideswide, the screams of girl students being frightened of the enchanting beautiful flower could be heard. The first years barricaded themselves inside the dormitory tower, the second years protecting them, and the third years bravely prepared their weapons …… More than three hundred young girls in all over the academy were confronting a predicament, Christa could visually imagine that.

As her legs trembling in despair, Racheldi further summoned another nightmare.

「Now then, shall we move to the main stage? The truth is, even though I threaten everyone, I’m not that fond in unrefined battle or whatnot. Because I have my own dance」

The bug eater flower growing from her head wriggled as if a living thing. For a moment, when she thought it expanded like a balloon, it quickly withered and let out endless purple mist.

All other self of Racheldi that was in sight did the exactly same action. Perhaps, without a doubt, all the hundred Alraune that were released inside St. Frideswide was painting the young girl’s garden with the poisonous color right now.

The effect of that had finally and obviously came.

「Chris, Christa-onee, sama……」

The first year leaned against the main gate from behind groaned and fell on the ground. As Christa tried to approach her, her knees suddenly dropped at the fifth step.

The feelings at the tip of her limbs were going away, Chrsita immediately noticed that phenomenon.

「This is, poison……!?」

「Aren’t you correct? Plucking three hundred buds of life one by one, I absolutely have no interest in that. Therefore, I’ll have you all die together. My anima rides on the pollen and becomes poison, it kills people by eating them from the inside out. Deaths in an all girl school are like flowers bloom in profusion, right? Aha, how wonderful!!」

Flame burst out from Christa’s whole body. She put her hands on her knees and barely being able to raise her body.

Racheldi raised the edge of her lips as if impressed「Hee」.

「Since the true form of poison are anima, you can resist it with mana……Aren’t you a clever one, student council president-san?」

「You’re seriously looking down at St. Frideswide……! It will take sometimes for the students to succumb to your poison. If we could exterminate you before then──」

From Racheldi’s fingertips, tree roots which extended for dozens of meters snatched Christa’s left leg at high speed. Blood danced as her skin was gouged, an anguish scream leaked out from the young girl’s lips「Aaa!?」

Toward the girl student who once again bent on her knees, Racheldi approached with movement like a model.

「You call human like pest or something right. I know that’s your upbringing」

「……You’re, really good at running your scoundrel mouth」

Racheldi strongly slapped her cheeks. Christa’s whole body was blown away, then rolled on the ground.

The girl students who were suffering because of the poison distorted their faces at the tragic figure of the student council president.

「Christa-onee-sama, please, please run away……!」

「Aha, run to where!? There is no place to run!」

As Racheldi swung up her arm, it constricted tightly and became a sharp whip. She hit the lying facedown Christa and seeing the torn uniform and scarlet scar, the bewitching beauty raised her lips.

「Biliagorth’s entrance is locked! The castle wall has already been turned into a prison! In this academy that has become my own garden, there is no imminent threat toward my supremacy at all!! All of the three hundreds chipping chopping small birds, I will pluck their wings without leaving one and knock them down to the ground! Ahahahahahahaha!!」

「Even if you break us──」

While still lying down on the ground, Christa said. Her disheveled hair covered her mouth, however her resolute gaze pierced Racheldi.

「The knights who returns to St. Frideswide will……cut down your petal without one remaining……You’d better prepare yourself ……」

「……Such sweet as honey excuse from a poor loser, you make me want to vomit」

“Megi!” One of Racheldi’s arm transformed. It knotted up like a branched tree’s root, and greatly became pointed, showily it drew back as the tip of it took careful aim at the lying facedown young girl.

Kicking the ground so strong that it shook, Racheldi yelled.

「I’ll kill you only right here right now!!」

「──!」

From Christa’s closed eyelids, tear dropped out. The girl students who couldn’t do nothing but look despairingly held their breaths. Racheldi’s lips split up like a demon.

── For an instance, running out from glassmond palace, there was a light sound of footstep.

The human figure that interfered at the last moment stopped Racheldi’s arm which swung down barehanded. Dull and heavy sound spread out, the shockwave swept away the poison mist in surrounding area.

Not only Racheldi who was facing her, the girl students watching was also at a loss. Christa who timidly raised her face blinked her eyes at the slender back standing in front as if protecting her.

「Sis, sister……?」

It was one of the sister who clad in original habit working in the academy. Christa was also acquaintance with her, however not even a little, the girl she knew didn’t have the strength to stop a Lycanthrope’s full power attack barehanded.

Racheldi tilted her head many times, she forced out a smile.

「Ara ara sister-san, you can’t be called a normal person right?」

The tip of the transformed arm flipped like a snake. It aimed at locked sister from the back.

And once again, a scene which everyone doubted their eyes unfolded. It seemed like the sister’s arms moved like mist, one after the other, numerous snakes were mowed down then her elbow strike attacked Racheldi like a bullet. The shock pierced through her back, as her body unable to bear it and bent, the sister mercilessly kicked the beautiful girl’s face.

Being blown away as if it was a joke, Racheldi rolled on the ground of dozens of meter. She took landing posture and flung up, she spread her limbs to land like a beast.

The bewitching flower that raised her face no longer had a jester smile.

「Who are you?」

The sister pulled back her leg from her fascinated horizontal kick posture. As that leg twisted from the middle, Christa unconsciously opened her eyes wide. The more shocking thing was, the sister removed the broken leg, threw it away, in one turn around she became petite.

「……Can’t help it……other than the mission……always remember to prioritize human’s lives……」

The sister muttered, while she complained as if making an excuse to herself, she continuously removed《Part》from her whole body. The other artificial leg, both the artificial arms, and the body trunk correction tool. She took off the habit seemingly annoying habit, in return she put on the pitch black military uniform.

She pulled the hood low over her eyes, below it, she tore off the human skin mask.

Leeway or not, now that it had come to this, Racheldi regained the smile on her whole face.

「This is terribly unexpected. Just who aare you, trying to spoil my flowers?」

『I am the envoy of white night』『one hundred faces of the ever-changing』

Instead of an answer, black piece of memos fluttered down from the sky. At first two pieces, next one piece.

『And』

The final piece grazed the hood and ignited at the same time it sentenced.

The girl’s glaring face inside the darkness flared for an instant.

『The one who will slay you』