Volume 5 Chapter 19 To The Academy
The bed at the inn was hard compared to the beds in the student dorms, making it uncomfortable to sleep.
In the middle of the night, Elk woke up. The springs of the bed creaked, and he couldn't fall back asleep. Looking over, he saw Bob snoring loudly, and further away, Elwood was sleeping peacefully.
"I'm not trying to be nervous..." Elk chuckled to himself.
Trying not to wake the two, he moved quietly, but the floor creaked under his feet, so he used Telekinesis to float.
He quietly opened the window and climbed onto the roof of the inn, feeling the night breeze.
"......"
The starry sky was shining.
And he began to think.
"Rosho..."
It was here that Elk finally thought about Rosho.
Why did he join the Goddess Holy Church?
Balthazar had said it was brainwashing.
If someone is brainwashed, can they go back to how they were? Were the other kidnapped students also brainwashed?
The ones who attacked Soara were definitely students from the academy.
"Ha... huh?"
Suddenly, someone came out of the inn.
At this hour, could it be an employee working at the inn? ...Elk thought, but it was someone else.
It was Kaya.
Kaya was wearing combat gear and had equipment on. She didn't seem to notice Elk.
She looked unusually tense for a walk. That's how it appeared to Elk.
"...I'm curious."
Elk stood up and floated using Telekinesis.
Slowly, he followed Kaya.
In the night sky, it was dark, and there were no shadows or sounds. It was perfect for tailing someone.
Then, he arrived at the edge of the dungeon, near a deserted ruin... and there she was.
"Eh, Yato...?"
Yato was there.
She was wearing her combat uniform, standing quietly with her arms crossed.
When Kaya approached, she slowly opened her eyes and took out a letter from her pocket to show her.
"So, what? You called me out with this letter?"
"I have something important to discuss."
"...Hmm."
Kaya took out a wooden board from her pocket and showed it to Yato.
To Elk, it just looked like a branded wooden board. But Yato's expression changed.
"The Oniwaban group (Protectors of the Noble House)...?"
"I am Kaya Shigaraki, the 4th seat of the Yamato Oniwabanshu. Nice to meet you... Princess."
"......"
Princess? Elk almost said it out loud.
Yato sighed, looking bored.
"You're mistaken."
"No, it's not a mistake. You are definitely the missing daughter of the Kushinada family, Princess Sakuya, who disappeared 5 years ago."
"Are you stupid? Do you want to say I'm the princess of Yamato?"
"Yes. There's no way to hide it. 'Sixfold Demon Sword'... that's the treasure sword of the Kushinada family, right?"
"...Tch."
"That's not all. The other 5 swords are also the treasure swords of the Kushinada family. It was a mistake to show them all in that personal battle. To an ordinary Yamato person, they just look like regular swords, but for someone from a samurai family like me, they are famous swords known to a few... only a handful know they are the treasure swords of the Kushinada family."
"......"
"You went missing in your first battle 5 years ago and were declared dead, the third princess of the Kushinada family, Princess Sakuya, right?"
"......"
Yato fell silent and let out a small laugh.
"I'm Shikiba Yato. Just a mercenary."
"Princess..."
"Even if I were a princess, so what? Is that Kushinada family looking for a girl who went missing and was declared dead 5 years ago? What's the reason?"
"That is... my own decision. I recognized your Sword Technique; you were wielding the Sixfold Demon Sword. I thought it might be you, so I called out."
"Then, you're mistaken. I'm Yato from the Shikiba family. I don't know anything about the Kushinada family."
"...There was a report that the Third Princess was being abused, but..."
In the next moment, Yato quickly drew the Sixfold Demon Sword and pointed it at Kaya's neck.
"Do you think students won't fight each other? If you do, you're naive... I could easily cut off your head and display it at the dungeon entrance, you know?"
"That was a slip of the tongue..."
"...There won't be a next time."
Yato sheathed the sword.
Kaya looked straight at Yato and said.
"Don't you plan to return to Yamato?"
"No. I have no regrets about a country with such a suffocating family. I'm suited for being a mercenary... I only entered the academy because it was my father's last wish."
"Your father...?"
"Just so you know, he's not some jerk from the Kushinada family. He's from the Shikiba family."
Yato glared at Kaya. It seemed she really didn't want to be associated with them.
"I don't know what your purpose is for entering the Royal Academy, but if you get involved with me, be prepared."
"..."
"Well then, good night."
Yato started to walk away──then Kaya spoke up.
"Um! That... as a friend, can I get to know you better?"
"Huh?"
"Um, well... I am indeed part of the Oniwabans group. I sometimes take on government jobs. But my contact with you has nothing to do with missions or the Kushinada family... it's just that..."
"You're not being clear. What are you trying to say?"
"Um, well... I, I! I've fallen for your sword!"
"...Huh?"
Even Elk felt the same way: "...Huh?"
Unusually, the cool Kaya is blushing, looking down, and trembling a little.
"I, I want you to, to... please make me your disciple!!"
"......"
Yato looked at Kaya with a confused expression.
Then, as if she thought of something, she smirked.
"Sure. I'll make you my disciple. It looks like your weapon is a naginata, but..."
"I, I can use a sword too. I mean, the naginata is easier to use against multiple opponents, so I mainly use a sword."
"Then I'll teach you. Also, you should come stay in the dorm where I live. We'll train twice, in the early morning and in the evening."
"Y-yes!"
"Honestly, you're being so indirect. You mentioned the Oniwabans and the Kushinada family, so I was on guard."
"I came to the academy purely for study abroad. The Oniwabans are on break until graduation."
"Hmm. Well, that's fine. I'm going to sleep now."
"Yes, Lady Yato."
"No need for 'Lady.' And I don't like overly humble attitudes, so just talk normally."
"...Got it. Then I'll call you Yato."
"That switch is impressive, Oniwabans. Let's pretend we met as friends from the same hometown in the dungeon."
"Okay, understood."
The two walked back to the inn side by side.
What was this all about?
"...Kaya is part of some organization called the Oniwabans from Yamato country, and Yato is a princess? So, Kaya fell in love with Yato's swordsmanship and became her disciple... is that right?"
Elk scratched his head and tilted it, looking in the direction Yato and Kaya had gone.
"Kaya. I didn't know she could make that kind of face... well, it doesn't seem to have anything to do with the Goddess Holy Church, so I'll just pretend I don't know."
Muttering this, Elk returned to the inn.
* * *
The next day.
Elk gathered in front of the inn.
Bob glanced at Elk and said to everyone.
"Sorry, I have to stay behind to investigate the dungeon. I've left your guidance to another group of adventurers, so please head back to the academy with them."
As Bob spoke, Karera, leading Gambo and the others, approached.
Karera gave Bob a light high-five.
"Sorry, I'm counting on you."
"Don't worry about it. Just treat me to a drink later."
"Sure, sounds good. Well then, take care!"
Bob waved lightly and headed into the dungeon.
Since he had retrieved the treasure, the collapse should be starting. Monsters probably wouldn't appear much, and the treasure wouldn't respawn. Most likely, Bob would pretend to head to the deepest part, take some time to explore the dungeon, and make it look like he retrieved the treasure.
"Alright, I'm heading back. The dungeon practice is still practice until we get back!"
Elk and the others started walking toward the academy.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Donate me
Support Me with USDC
(ERC20)
Support Me with XLM
(Stellar Lumens)