Assassins Pride - Volume 3 - Chapter 7

Assassin Pride Volume 3 Chapter 7
LESSON:Ⅶ～The Trial of Boastful dolls～

(Unedited)

The familiar smell of paper and ink was simulating Melida’s nostrils.

She opened her eyelids trembling with trepidation. The intensive glare was so dazzling that it was difficult to grasp the situation. The surrounding was cold and silent, and the echo made it like a fairly large enclosed space.

What happened to me? To say she had passed the examination, the two dukes’ daughters suddenly quarreled about her. Just as they have chased and captured the escaping Mule, the Magic Book that she had never seen engulfed Melida.

In terms of feeling, it’s still on the extension cord. In fact, it must not have been ten seconds since then. Melida stood there, slowly lowering her hands, which had been covering her face unconsciously.

And then she was taken aback, even though she was quite conscious of it

“Where is this place…….！”

The place was no longer Bibliagoth with endless bookshelves. Even though there’s an ambiguous fog hanging over it, but it seemed like somewhere in the palace……  Maze Garden? Trimmed hedges surrounded everywhere, creating a wide open area that felt like and easy-to-play area.

There were several facilities in the square. The hedges were lined with chairs like the spectator seats, and the deepest part of the square was equipped with very high platform and seats. Several tables were arranged symmetrically from left to right, with ladder-like order arranged from up to down.

In other words, Melida stood in the lowest position in the middle of the square, forming a composition that was viewed above by all the chairs. She was surrounded by waist high fence covered with the handrails……. and Melida was forced to be surprised again by looking down her dressing.

“The costume changed again？”

She was not wearing the martial training attire (battle dress) of St. Frideswide. but instead in a bright apron with a lovely frilly trim. It gave the impression of being naive, probably because of the big bow on the head and the classic panties under the long skirt.

The katana hanging from her belt was still there, it maybe the only salvation for her. Melida, encountered the phenomenon for the second time, immediately thought of the possibility.

“This is the effect of magical book…! Did she read the 《Diva’s poetry anthology》 again?”

“Half right, Melida-chan.”

A voluptuous voice answered from the left. The ambiguous enveloped fog faintly dispersed.

Melida’s eyes lit up at the sight of the dark haired girl sitting cross legged on the table.

“Mule-san!”

“I did read the magical book, but this time it’s not the same book from 《Diva’s poetry anthology》. It’s named《Volta’s fantasy Tale》, to 《lock people into the world of story》. ”

At a glance, she changed her appearance, too. There’s a sense of wildness in the fur vest and the shorts, as well as the cat-like ears and tail. The fingers of the rough-hewn glove, pointed straight up to the head. Melida’s eyes followed it looking up, and felt more thrilled out than surprised.

Expanding over the garden was not the familiar black sky, but a creamy 《background》. Three-dimensional words and articles floated in the air like clouds, giving a sense of two-dimensional closure.

Unapologetic, Mule grinned across her folded hands.

“Those who are imprisoned in this magical book will become the supporting characters in the story, unable to return to the outside until they meet the end or find a way out……! Even though it’s supposed to keep an opponent busy, buy time, or have fun with friends? “

“Lita! Are you okay…….?”

Then the noise turned Melida’s face in the opposite direction immediately.

The fog vanished from the table on the right, revealing the presence of her dear cousin. Like Melida and others, she was turned into a supporting character. Puffy shorts and a colorful tank top. Is the Gold Pocket Watch and bunny-like ears her trademark?

Elise, forced into the chair, immediately kicked the table away and tried to gallop over. But several “walls” stood in front of her with a metallic sound. A thin layer of walls with the hardness of steel was a playing card even larger than a human being.

Mule smiled cruelly across the figure of the Joker.

“No, Elise-chan? Actors’ will and actions can change the course of a story… even so, please respect the basic storyline. Unfortunately, the protagonist of this story is not you, but the《Cinderella》with full of deception. “

Obsidian like eyes turned this way, and Melida approached the maiden bravely.

“… If you have something with me, I’ll listen to you! Get Eli out of here! “

“Don’t worry, I won’t bully her at all. Because this is not a place of 《execution》, but a 《court of law》… where the guilty are brought to justice. ”

Rap Rap Rap! The sharp sound of gavel resounded everywhere.

“Silence! Silence! From now on there will be on trial! “

The fog that had enveloped the square dissipated in great swathes. The raised platform directly in front of Melida added to the sense of presence, and a figure appeared at the top.

The guy was a so-called 《scarecrow 》. It used large buttons and wool threads to create a funny look. Only the costume was quite grand, with a magnificent crimson cloak and a bodice trimmed with gold thread, and a crown of gold on the head.

The scarecrow twirled the gavel through his glove, and outstretched another arm.

“Welcome to the court of the King of hearts! Thank you for coming all the way out here…. 《the doll with the glass eyes》 over there, is that Melida Angel?”

The scarecrow called in a chipper voice, and Mule replied with a beautiful smile.

“Onii-sama, this is the daughter of Angel the main family without any doubt. It’s a pity that you cannot see her face…. She is a very lovely girl, huh? ”

“It’s annoying. Only now I regret to choose this magical book.”

After they exchanged pleasantries, the daughter of the La Moore family turned to Melida.

“Melida-chan, the man in the very high seat is the mastermind of this conspiracy. I lured you, Melida, to this place, as the man’s instructed.”

“….Mule-san, are you meaning that you have been deceived by that kind of scarecrow’s rhetoric? ”

Mule chuckled, and the scarecrow shook its shoulders and giggled.

“So that’s what Onii-sama looks like… No, Melida-chan. That’s also the effect of the magical book.《Volta’s fantasy Tale》disturbs the mind of the prisoner. In other words, normal people will see something completely different. If you have a deep connection just like Melida-chan and me, it won’t work sometimes, but the design is supposed to make you forget who you are and enjoy the supporting characters? “

In other words, the《mastermind》was trying to hide himself. It was a dirty trick that made Melida press her lips together in unpleasantness.

“In that case, Mule-san, even if I were to ask you that who is the scarecrow, you—”

“I can’t tell you, sorry.”

“Then what do you want? You surely don’t want to just play stage with me?

As Melida yelling lost her temper, the whispering sound dropped from the position even higher than scarecrow.

“Oya-Oya, behold, just like a rude wench as said.”

The sound was coming from the high hedge. At a place like VIP section of a theater, with little dresses and Tuxedos and figurines in fancy masks, the crowd of china dolls were whispering.

“Have you heard the loud yelling just now? Iya, it’s hard to imagine being the daughter of a noble family.”

“If it had been Mule-jou or Salacha-jou, they would not have panicked like that. Yeah, definitely would not.”

“By contrast, Elise-sama’s commanding style is really admirable….!”

Knock–Knock, the scarecrow stroked the gavel again.

“Quiet in the gallery, please! The defendant is admitted to having the freedom to speak. Even it’s just nonsense lip service, she must be given a chance to make excuses!

“A true leader of our《Operación》!”

“It’s the King of Hearts now!”

Ignoring the voice of adults who had taken the liberty of warming up, Melida said with a cold expression:

“I don’t know who you are, but I don’t want to bow for a king who’s afraid to show his face. I’m still in the middle of a bar exam, excuse me.”

“You are not able to escape, Melida Angel….. No, the fake daughter of the Angel house!”

Merida’s shoulder twitched. The scarecrow raised his voice and said more excitedly.

“At this sort of time, you won’t say that you know nothing about why you were brought to this court? We will not escape from the unreasonableness here! If the world is to turn a blind eye to evil, let us take it upon ourselves ── clerk, prepare to record it! “

The scarecrow put on an affectation of raising his arm, and Mule spread the magical book on her crossed legs.

“《Once upon a Time》!” The spell caused the pages to turn on their own. As Melida stared at what would happen this time, she found blank pages.

However, founding that those blank appeared criss-cross cracks, it suddenly stood up, into a very delicate three-dimensional picture books, with hedges around and tables of different height. In addition to the configuration, and the paper renditions of characters…… Melida was immediately aware.

“Is that magical book going to turn what happening here into a story……!”

“Amazing answer, defendant-san. Incidentally, oh, the interaction right now was well documented, so I think you’d better choose your words with a little more grace?”

“……”

Invisible pressure tightened Melida’s lips.

She was vaguely aware of what Mule and the scarecrow up to. In another words, they intended to challenge the orthodoxy of ancestry of family Angel. Like inducing Melida to make a gaffe or behave a manner inconsistent with Knight Duke family, in order to obtain such evidence. As long as the evidence was sold to the newspaper looking forward to the scandal, the stain of family Angel was sure to spread through the whole Frandore, with surprising grew.

As Melida tightening the lips, the scarecrow raped the gavel loudly.

“Great! Then let’s start the trial right now. She is carrying a suspicion! The defendant, Melida Angel is not qualified to be one of the Knight Duke family, but she called herself Angel! She is suspected to deceive the people of Flandre for thirteen years!”

“……”

“It is unforgivable! The duty of noble is to be the shield or sword for the weak without Mana! But the defendant who did not inherit the descent of Angel, certainly could not manipulate mana, and always abdicating her aristocratic duty! Can you all agree this!”

“Of course not!”

“How dare you deceive us,《incompetent gifted》 evil!”

The audience made a scene in the gallery. The scarecrow smacked the gavel after witnessed the roar of the crowd.

“That’s right! But it was finally time for the crimes she had accumulated over the years to be brought to light. Because the man who claims to be her real father is on the scene! “

“That’s a fake”

Standing up from her chair in such a state of agitation was Elise, seated in the right seat as seen from Melida.

“Such a man must not be Lita’s father. Roze-sensei said it was weird, too. And if he is really related to Lita, I’ll know it!”

“Counsel, what do you mean 《you can see》 ? “

The scarecrow was unruffled, as it were, in that air, so retorted coldly.

“Can you prove the authenticity of the defendant’s descent to convince us? And when you say sensei, do you mean First Generation Marquis (Career Marquis)? Can you prove that she’s right, and that we can trust that, too? “

“Uu～… “

Being asked again and again, Elise gritted her teeth as if unwilling.

The scarecrow went on in a singing voice as if he had pushed his luck.

“Well, there seems to be no objection! That’s right. They can’t prove that the defendant’s descent is legit. But, we can prove that the defendant’s descent is not pure!”

He said, taking out a book with a dance move.

The title was engraved with <Melida Angel>. The scarecrow skimmed the beginning and read aloud.

“Name, Melida Angel. Attack 129, Defense 111, Agility 141… and, Alas! Her rank is ──…………..《SAMURAI》! “

Melida bit her lip, and the audience was boasting like, “Oooh! ” ! “.

As if satisfied with the response, the scarecrow lifted the closed book.

“This is the categorical proof! The Mana of Family the Knight Duke has the dominant trait of being inherited steadily, and never loses the advantage, even if mixed with civilian descent. That’s truth! BUT why isn’t she a Paladin? “

“Because she got the fake descent!”

“The defendant has certainly deceived us! Her father is not Duke Felgus!”

The insults fall down as with weight, all reprimanded the petite young girl.

When the commotion finally had abated a little, Melida made up her mind and opened her lips

“… I know that between my otou-sama and my okaa-sama, there are rumors that would disgrace the family Angel. But that’s a completely lie! Because Sensei told me that even though I was born into a knighthood, there are situations where I cannot inherit the superior-class. If the purity of the descent gradually wanes with each generation, there may also be a decline in capacity, or Mana itself cut off! “

The audience gasped. Merida took the opportunity to say:

“Even if I am a Samurai, it cannot prove that I am not the daughter of my father! “

The scarecrow which sit on the presiding judge’s bench, placed the book named 『Melida Angel』 on the table.

The voice that had been pretending to be cheerful changed. At best, it felt serious. At worst, it felt unhappy.

“… I see. You’re right. Even we only got this book, it’s already to stir up the public opinion; but it’s still not conclusive proof of your origins. If we go to trial really, we’ll be the ones being judged. “

“Shicksa…. n,no! King of hearts, what are you talking about?”

Said one of the spectators, but the king did not look at him at all.

The buttons of the scarecrow──The person on the other side of a distorted subjectivity ──gave the impression of a narrowed single eye.

“But there’s one thing that I can’t understand at all. Why were you once such a 《Incompetent Talented Girl》? “

“……!”

“I got it. So, if you really are the daughter of Duke Felgus, born of a commoner’s mother, though of Angel’s blood, you did not ascend to the class of Paladin, if that be so, is it possible that you do not own Mana at all? And why didn’t you wake up Mana until you were thirteen? “

“It’s…..It’s because…..”

The memory of that night turned to heat and revived on Melida’s lips. Her private teacher had said that, though it was to awaken Mana, if it were known that he had inflicted on the Duke’s daughter a crude cure, with a success rate of about 70 percent or sickness, he would not be able to live in the normal society.

The decision was made by herself, but he was the one who’s taking the risk. Melida believed in the authority of her descent absolutely. Still, there were still things that need to be kept secret.

Looking down at Merida, who had fallen silent, the audience suddenly regained its momentum.

“L……Look! She can’t argue with that! There must be some reason to feel guilty!”

“N…….No….”

“What’s not? As you well know, you the so called《Incompetent Gifted Girl》, is not a person worthy the name of Knight Duke family!”

Merida’s retort was interrupted by a high pitched female voice, and the gallery erupted.

“That’s right! The fact that she was once the 《Incompetent Gifted Girl》is the strongest evidence that she do not own the descent of the Duke! “

“If she really is the daughter of Felgus, then it would be reasonable to assume that she would have the equivalent of a Paladin, even she is not one.”

“You’ve got it! Yes, that is to say that wench herself lets everybody realized that she is a useless rubbish! And did not inherit the Angel’s descent! “

“Do not speak ill of Lita!”

Elise couldn’t help herself. She kicked a huge playing card that was stuck on the table with all her strength

For an instant cease of people’s voice, she began to cry, as if her throat would become hoarse:

“Lita is much better than me! I lost to her in tryouts! “

“… and… and it turns out it was just an accident? “

The woman’s voice retorted at once, though the ending was a bit halting.

“If you compare the abilities of two, you can tell at a glance! Miss Melida is but a base While You Were Sleeping, fed to her by her governess. If she had the makings of the Duke, she would have beaten Miss Elise fairly, wouldn’t she? “

“……!”

Losing was losing, and Elise seemed to have remorse in her, and for a moment she could not speak.

One of the audience grunted as if to say, “see, I told you so. “.

“It’s a done deal. Shall we say we’ve uncovered the truth? “

“Yeah, that’s right. I’ve been thinking about it ever since. I heard that the 《Incompetent Gifted Girl》dare to go to class even though she cannot use Mana, and got beaten strictly every time and so on. “

“Just like a scarecrow! The daughter of a damn commoner is a scarecrow! Aha Ha, perfect fit! “

“……!”

Melida clenched her fist so hard that her skin turned white. The taunts of adults were still continuing.

“Have you looked at that wench’s intake file? I thought it was a joke. Well, it must be a typo. Or I thought there was a five-year-olds in school! “

“Of course. I’ve never seen a single-digit ability number. It’s amazing! Oh, what a farce! It was a great thing to talk about at a party when you didn’t know what to talk about! “

“Not only being incompetent, but also cannot know who you are. Just like that arms dealer. I do not know how he could be so bold as to propose marriage to the family of the knight duke…”

“Ala, I heard it was their own mind? I heard that for their marriage, Duke Felgus couldn’t even know how much effort was made to run around in all side… It’s the hot topic at that time. But that impudent bitch betrayed the devotion of Duke Felgus! “

“She is of humble nature! Surely we should drive every member of the plebeian class into the lower quarters, and turn Flandre into the domain of us? According to my preeminent vision──”

“………I”

A murmuring interjection brought the heated discussion to a sudden halt.

Melida shivered as she stood in the dock, a Warren of cells. The voice, though small, was an emotional one that couldn’t help but come to their)ears. It was what everyone thought, like a frown on their faces.

“Urusaa────────────────────i!”

The high-decibel sounds of what one might thought of as ultrasound reverberated around, not literally, the hedgerows shuddering. Children and adults alike recoiled in dismay, and one of the audience’s legs were so weak that he nearly fell from his perch.

Melida gasped as she let all the air out of her lungs.

But she didn’t stop there.

“Urusai! Urusai! Urusai! Even though you can only speak from high places, so don’t speak ill of my father and my mother! ”

“Wha-Wha-What are you saying? It’s so rude…..”

“What do you know about mother? I remember all the memories of my mother when she was alive, all my treasures! Mother is very devoted to love me and father adults! There’s no way I’m a child of betrayal! “

“……!”

The dummy in the gallery retracted as if shocked. Like a bird that had flown from its cage, Melida took a decisive step and the blue skirt flips.

“I will prove it! I will become more and more powerful, join the Crest Legion, and be the《daughter of the Angel》 house which admitted by the whole nation! I will prove the love between my father and my mother! Even if I am a waste, even if I am 《Incompetent Talented Girl》, I will never give up…… ! I will never lose to you! “

The dummy in the back row of the gallery actually fell off his chair this time.

The adults on the other side of the subjective wall, all of them was stunned and speechless.

When Melida’s hurry gasp reverberated in a fictional garden only

The scarecrow, seated on the presiding judge’s bench, ceased to frolic and looked down quietly at the blonde.

“………I see. So you willing to be a Paladin for your late mother’s honor?”

Melida seemed to see the smiling faces of the young men.

“Just like they say, Melida Angel. And a much more difficult opponent than I thought. “

“Huh……..?”

“In that case, prove it for everyone. If you are going to take the path of Thorns, firstly you need to pass the obstacles I have prepared and show it for everyone. Let’s see if you can really keep up with the Knights Duke.”

The King of hearts raised his hand and snapped his fingers loudly.

Then a figure fluttered down from the cream sky. The figure swooped down like an eagle, picking up dust as it touched the ground. Boom! A diffused wind whipped the fog away.

It was a young girl with cherry-colored hair blowing in the wind, dressed in a military-like coat and trouser skirt, taking the white as the fundamental key, and added again a few cent black and red colors, making a person indescribably associate playing card. Lowered military caps cover the eyes, emerald eyes in the fall of the dark shadow.

“Salacha-san…..?”

“……….”

Being able to see the real thing like this was proof that it was connected by strong Karma. But the Shicksal’s daughter did not answer Melida’s call; she swung the spear from side to side as will. Depicts the front end of a slender blade, she sliced cleanly through the bars that surround the defendant’s box.

Scarecrow doll in the High Bench of the judge put a haughty attitude, again to act like a swing off the arm.

“Go, my loyal Knight,《Jack》! Expose the lies that have been spreading through the Angel family. Defile the blood of hypocrisy with the tip of that spear! “

Just like the Marionette, Salacha turned the spear smoothly and lowered herself into position. The range of the attack made Melida reflexively threatening, and she leaped to the rear.

“W, wait! Don’t be that, Salacha-san!”

“I’d like to forestall it if I could──”

Sarah said, frowning as she locked the moment when she would make a surprise attack without revealing a flaw.

“There’s nothing to do about it now. At least let me end this quickly and personally. Only this is my──Harvard self-esteem! “

The dirt exploded at her feet as Melida reached for the hilt.

The fastest spear collided with the fastest Katana, a loud metallic sound as a signal of war.

“Lita!”

Elise, who immediately tried to jump out of the box, was stabbed in the back, blocking the action. It was a fierce claymore that held Elise close to his neck.

“Uh-huh, Elise-chan is up against m～e～”

Mule, who moved with feline agility around Elise’s back, smiled in apparent delight. As if to show contrasting emotions, Elise, looking at Mule, said in a voice that seemed to freeze:

“You’re in the way. “

A long sword drawn with lightning speed and wielded with great sharpness. Mule used her skill to block the second and third blows in succession.

The four daughters of the knight duke houses shot different color of Mana all at once.

Like a smoke of dissonance──