TITLE: Arc 9 Chapter 26: 『Sword Demon VS Crimson Cherry Blossom』 FROM: AUTO TO: EN DATE: 2025-04-27 ORIGINAL TEXT: 第九章２６　『剣鬼ＶＳ紅桜』 　立ち込める強烈な剣気が室内に満ち満ちて、冗談抜きに肌が粟立つ。 　大抵の事態には動じないよう心を鍛えられているが、想定外や予想外が立て続く状況下においても、これほどの局面は例外というべき変事だろう。 「――ヴィルヘルム・トリアス」 　名乗られた名前を口の中で転がし、ヤエ・テンゼンは静々と警戒を強める。 　互いに一合を交えただけだが、初手は相手の蹴りをぶち込まれ、ヤエの方が劣勢だ。 　後ろに飛んで衝撃を殺してなお、その蹴りのダメージはずっしりとヤエの細身に残った。もし下がっていなければ、腹に靴型の穴が開いたかもしれない威力。それを手加減抜きに婦女子に蹴り込むのだから、当人が自称した通り、紳士とは言えない。 　この老剣士に相応しい呼び名は、この国では四十年以上も前から用意されている。 　すなわち――、 「――『剣鬼』さんのご登場だなんて、有名人に会えて感激しちゃいます～。亡き奥様の仇を討たれたエピソード、まさに王国の剣の誉れですよね～」 「――――」 「あら？　でも確か、聞いた話によるとその後に奥様との思わぬ再会もあったとか！　水門都市での出来事はさぞお辛かったのでは？　心中お察しいたします、よよよ」 「――――」 　目元に指をやり、泣き真似をしながら相手の一挙一動を観察するヤエ。 　そのヤエの紅の視線に、老剣士――ヴィルヘルムはわずかな揺らぎもなく凛と立ち、両手に持った二振りの剣に冴え渡った剣気を伝わせ、こちらを見据えていた。 　その青い双眸の静かな光に、あえて無遠慮に相手の心を踏み躙り、動揺させようとした試みは不発、ただ性格の悪い女を演じただけに終わったとヤエは理解する。 「……聞いてたイメージだと、もっと激情家なんだと思ってたんですけどね～」 　どうやらそれも当てにならないということらしい。 　情報の仕入れ先は他ならぬハインケルだったので、実の父親であるはずの相手の情報も信憑性に難ありとなると、いったい彼に何を期待すればいいのだろうか。いっそ『龍』のおもりではなく、フェルトのおもりを任せればよかった。 　そうしてハインケルがフェルトを取り逃がせば、彼女を始末する名目と、ハインケルを切る名目が同時に成り立ったかもしれない。 　などと、ヤエがそう考えた理由も――、 「里長の爺様以外で、私の隠形に気付けるような人ってそうそういないはずなんですけど――フェルト様、もしかして何か悪さしちゃいました？」 「そりゃいくら何でも言いがかりだろ。アタシが手も足も出ねーってのは、テメーが一番わかってることだろーが」 「――――」 「テメーと喋る以外、何もしちゃいねーよ。それが今のアタシの全霊ってもんだ」 　声にいくらかの自憤を交え、部屋の隅に下がったフェルトがそう応じる。 　怒りの演技、なんてそこまで器用なことができる性格ではない。声の震えまで調整できるぐらい精緻な演技力の持ち主なら、ここまで欺く手並みに天晴れだ。 　故にヤエは、フェルトの首にかけた鋼糸を軽く引き、糸を意識させるだけに留め、 「逃げようだなんて考えないでくださいね？　フェルト様のお可愛い首と胴とを泣き別れさせたくないですから」 「尻、一回追加だ。あと、アタシの言えた話じゃねーが」 「なんです？」 「余所見してる暇ねーだろ、今のテメーに」 　べ、と舌を出した可愛げのなさが可愛いフェルト。だが、言われるまでもなく、ヤエはヴィルヘルムから一度も警戒を外していない。――先ほどと変わらぬ位置に立つヴィルヘルムは、見慣れぬヤエの鋼糸術に出方を定められずにいる。それは当然だろう。 　――シノビの術技の大半は、相手の虚を突くことに特化したものだ。 　だからこそ、戦うための技である戦士の戦技と違い、殺すための技であるシノビの技は術技と称される。ヤエの鋼糸術など、その最たるものだ。 　歴戦の戦士ほど、戦い方には慎重を期する。その間に、十重二十重と蜘蛛の巣のように次の罠を次の罠を仕掛けるのがシノビの本領――、 「――四手」 「――？　なんです？」 　ふと、ヴィルヘルムの唇が紡いだ単語、その意が読めずにヤエは眉を顰める。 　そのヤエの抱いた疑問に、ヴィルヘルムの返事はない。――ただ、返答はあった。微かに目が細められ、発された鋭い剣気がヤエの全身を切り裂く返答が。 「――っ」 　くる、と思った瞬間、ヤエは両方の五指を躊躇いなく動員し、制圧するのではなく、殺戮する鋼糸の斬撃を『剣鬼』に叩き付けた。アルから下された不殺の命令は、結果的に守られるものであればいい。殺すつもりで相手が生き残れば御の字、だが殺さずのつもりで放った攻撃など、この相手に通用するものか。 　故に四方八方、それをさらに分割して十六方三十二方、より細かく細分された鋼糸による逃げ場のない圧殺、それに対し、ヴィルヘルムは両手の刃を閃かせ――、 「おおおぉ――っ！！」 　振るわれる双剣の巻き起こす剣風が、押し寄せた殺戮の鋼線を文字通りに一蹴。 　あまりの剣速に、剣と鋼糸の衝突する音が一度に聞こえ、生じた剣火が目を灼くような錯覚をヤエに与える。圧倒的な剣圧に初撃を防がれ、しかし鋼糸術は途切れない。 　指輪から生み出される鋼糸にゆとりを持たせ、次はさらに分割した攻撃を――刹那、ヤエの目の前で部屋の『床』が斬り起こされた。 　――起き上がったのは、切り込みを入れられ、端を踏まれて顔を上げた床の一部。贅沢な寝台ほどもある大きさの『床』が、ヤエの視界からヴィルヘルムを隠す。 「――――」 　ドン、と強烈な踏み込みがあり、その『床』がヤエへと蹴り飛ばされた。 　逃げ場の限られた室内では逃れる隙間がなく、ヤエは左手で操る鋼糸の角度を変え、突っ込んでくる『床』に対処、斬るのではなく括り、弾ませ、跳ね返す。 　蹴飛ばされた反動をそのまま乗せた『床』のお返しは、往路以上の速度と危険性を伴って復路をゆき、途上にある『剣鬼』を猛然と吹き飛ばしにかかる。 　それが――、 「は？」 　鋭い刺突音が響き渡り、中空に射止められた『床』を目にしてヤエが瞠目。 　勢いは加速し、威力は重さの分だけ倍増。そんな『床』の反逆を、『剣鬼』はその質量のど真ん中に寸分の狂いなく剣先を合わせ、空中でビタリと威力を相殺した。 　それはまさに、人の手で成し遂げられる領域にない神業だ。 　ヤエもまた、常人の域にない神童と持ち上げられ、多くの時を過ごした一人であるからわかる。――老いてなお、『剣鬼』の剣技は神業の領域に踏みとどまっていると。 「三手」 　息を詰めたヤエの視界、空中に留まった『床』の向こうでヴィルヘルムが呟く。 　横幅そこそこ、縦幅たっぷりの『床』に隠され、ヴィルヘルムの姿はヤエからは見えない。しかし、鋼糸の優位は見えぬ位置にも届かぬ攻撃を届かせられることにある。 　糸に『床』を迂回させ、その向こうにある『剣鬼』を左右いずれかに追い出す。 　その抜け出した左右のどちらにも、糸は張られていて――、 　――直後、空中の『床』を貫通して、剣先がヤエの鼻先へと迫った。 　鋼が鋼を打つ音がして、強弓もかくやという速度で剣が射出される。『床』を突き刺して止めた剣、その柄尻を打って、剣に『床』を貫通させたのだ。 　予想外というより、規格外の飛矢を放たれ、ヤエは剣を糸で搦め捕るのを放棄し、わずかに軌道を逸らし、細い首を傾けて致命傷を避ける。首のすぐ真横を剣先が通過し、壁を背にしたヤエの傍らに剣が音を立てて突き立った。 　躱した。そして、この刹那においてもヤエは『剣鬼』から視線を外さなかった。 　だから即座に、自分が失策したことにも気付ける。 　剣は深々と、ヤエの首のすぐ右側に突き立った。――逃げ場を左に限定された。 　そこに――、 「るああぁぁ――っ！！」 『床』を足場に飛び、天井を蹴りつけて加速する『剣鬼』の斬撃が落ちてくる。 　唐竹割りの刃が一直線に命を狙い、深々とヤエの左肩へと斬り込んでいた。 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　△▼△▼△▼△ 　ヴィルヘルム・ヴァン・アストレア。――否、ヴィルヘルム・トリアスが王都に滞在していたのは、主であるクルシュ・カルステンを快癒する術を求めてのことだった。 　水門都市プリステラを巡る魔女教との戦いで、『色欲』の大罪司教によって心身を蝕む邪毒を体内に流し込まれ、呪いのような苦しみに喘ぎ続けるクルシュ。 　王国一の治癒術師として『青』の称号を持つフェリスすら、その苦痛を和らげることができずにいる艱難に対し、光明が差したのはここしばらくのことだ。 　クルシュの病状が劇的に改善したわけではない。ただ、その可能性を拓けるかもしれない手段――プレアデス監視塔への道が通じたと、そう報せがあったのだ。 　ルグニカ王国の三英傑の一人であり、全知全能とさえ言われる『賢者』シャウラの力が借りられれば、クルシュを苦しませる邪毒を取り除く手立てがわかるかもしれない。 「クルシュ様をお助けするためなら、石にだって齧りつくしかないじゃない」 　その報せに縋る思いで飛びつくフェリスを、諌める言葉をヴィルヘルムは持たない。 　昨年、魔女教の手で『記憶』を奪われ、以前と大きく違ってしまったクルシュを献身的に支え、手助けしてきたフェリス。フェリス自身、クルシュとの関係を一から作り直す過程には苦悩と戸惑いが多くあったはず。 　その苦悩も一年近く続いて、ようやく二人の間に信頼関係――以前とは違うが、違っていても揺るぎない、そうした絆が結ばれたところだった。 　それを、『色欲』の大罪司教、カペラ・エメラダ・ルグニカは台無しにしたのだ。 　その後のクルシュの苦しみようは前述したが、それに寄り添うフェリスの痛々しさも、とても見ていられたものではなかった。 　だから、プレアデス監視塔を目指したスバルたち一行が塔に辿り着く成果を出したと聞いたとき、さすがと思う以上に痛切な希望がヴィルヘルムたちを焼いた。 　その報せをスバルたちが直接持ち帰らなかったことに違和感はあったものの、他陣営の動向の深くまでは立ち入りようがない。 　ただ、塔への出入りが確実なものとなるよう、試験的な行き来が行われたと聞いた。いてもたってもいられず、その成否と、あわよくば次に塔に向かう一団に加わりたいと訴えるため、ヴィルヘルムとフェリスは王都にやってきていたのだ。 　そして、要人が滞在するために用意される王侯館の一室で――、 「――お耳に入れたいことと、協力していただきたいことがあります」 　と、そうエミリア陣営の内政官である青年から、王国の土台を揺るがしかねない災禍の概要と、ヴィルヘルムが剣を握る理由となる二つの名前を聞かされたのである。 「るああぁぁ――っ！！」 　天井を蹴り、唐竹割りの一撃を赤毛の少女――凄腕のシノビに叩き込む。 　極細の糸状の凶器はあまりにも多彩に、その脅威を不規則な軌道でばら撒いてくる。戦闘を長引かせれば不覚を取る確率が高まると、短期決戦を仕掛けた結果だ。 　喰らいついた斬撃は彼女の左肩から侵入し、そのまま一気に右脇へ抜く袈裟斬りで命を両断する――はずだった。 「――ッ」 　刹那、強く歯を噛んだ少女の体が床に沈む――否、沈んだのではない。床そのものが糸によって切り裂かれ、ばらけた。そのまま、少女の体が先行して地下に落下し、ヴィルヘルムもそのあとを追いかけることになる。 　とっさに伸ばした手で、少女の動きを封じた剣を壁から引き抜き、双剣を確保。 　少女の左肩を斬り飛ばすところまでいかなかったが、深手には違いない。視界から消えた途端、見えてきたときの五倍も十倍も厄介になるのがシノビの手強さだ。 　すなわち――、 「「――ここで仕留める」」 　と、示し合わせたわけではなく、ヴィルヘルムと少女の声が重なった。 　落ちていく、ぽっかりと口を開けた真っ暗な地下への穴の中、ヴィルヘルムは暗がりに差し込む光の反射を受け、一瞬だけ煌めく糸の存在を目視。――それは地下に続くその穴の中、蜘蛛の巣のように張り巡らされた致死の糸の暴威だった。 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　△▼△▼△▼△ 　地下に向かって背中から落ちながら、ヤエは鋼糸で自分の左肩を縛って止血した。 　乙女の柔肌にかなり深々と刃の侵入を許したが、命の純潔は散らされなかったのでセーフと負け惜しみ、同時に『剣鬼』の剣力の凄まじさに驚嘆する。 　最初のヤエの鋼糸を防いだ一手、斬り上げた『床』を蹴り飛ばしてくる二手、ヤエが跳ね返した『床』を突き止める三手に、それを貫通させた剣を囮に斬り込む四手――最初にそう宣言された通り、四手で殺されるところだった。 「嫌なお年寄りばっかりですね……！」 　一番身近だった性格最悪の『悪辣翁』と、平原であと一歩のところまでアルを苦しめた巨人族の老人、そして年甲斐もなく剣の極みにある『剣鬼』――ヤエがとっさに思い浮かべられる年寄りは、いずれも丸くなるということを知らないものばかり。 　そもそも、いつなりと命の灯火が消えてもおかしくないのが世界の習わし。にも拘わらず、そんな世界で長生きしている時点で、年寄りは命の選別に勝ち抜いている。 『だからジジババってのはやべえんじゃぜ。年寄りが弱ぇとか脆ぇとか思ってっと、手前がジジババになる前に墓の下にいく奴が続出すんのな。ま、長生きするシノビなんて例外中の例外のワシが言うのもなんじゃけどよ？』 　と、特に過酷な道を生き抜いた里長の高笑いが思い出され、頬がひきつる。 　相手の目を盗み、心を惑わし、足を封じ、命を奪うのがシノビの極意。そのための心を惑わす術も優等生だったヤエだが、そこは里長の年季に負けると自覚していた。 　ヤエはたぶん、あそこまで性格がひん曲がっていないし、ひん曲がるまで長生きできるとも思っていない。実際、一度はアルに殺されかけた。 　あの幸運が何度も続くとは思わない。――心優しい化け物の気紛れなんて、奇跡が。 「――――」 　転落するヤエを追い、壁の剣を抜いたヴィルヘルムが同じく穴に落ちてくる。 　どうやらシノビとの実戦経験もあるらしい確信に満ちた『剣鬼』の動きに、おそらく過去にシノビを派遣したヴォラキア帝国と、そのときにヴィルヘルムを殺しておいてくれなかった先達のシノビに尽きぬ恨み節。 　それを一呼吸に圧縮して吐き出すと、ヤエの中でカチッとスイッチが切り替わり――地下という暗がりの中を、日中ほど明るく覗ける視野が拡大する。 　夜闇に慣れる訓練の成果、眼球周辺の血流を操作し、見え方を弄る肉体操作の一種。 　黒から灰色に変わった視野に浮かび上がる白い『剣鬼』の姿に、ヤエはようよう自分のフィールドへ持ち込んだと手を広げ――、 「「――ここで仕留める」」 　まさかの一言が同時に放たれ、しかし笑みも驚きも双方にない。 　互いに相手を殺すと決めた。精神攻撃も無意味と定まった以上、心惑の術技は全て置き去りにして、相手の命に届かせるための誠心誠意を尽くすのみ。 　ここはそのためにヤエが用意した、『紅桜』のキリングフィールドだ。 　――バーリエル別邸の地下の空洞は、建物を作り変えるにあたってプリシラが用意させたものではなく、元々の所有者だったライプ・バーリエルの置き土産だ。 　病的な人間不信と猜疑心を拗らせていたとされるプリシラの亡夫は、王都に建てた別邸はもちろん、自領の屋敷や隠れ家にも万一の備えを用意していた。 　この地下へ通じる穴もその備えの一つで、本来ならこっそりと外へ逃れるための避難路として機能していたものだが、敵の侵入経路になりかねないとヤエが事前に潰し、せっかくだから深々と続く穴だけ残しておいたものだった。 　ヤエ的には面識がなく、プリシラのような若くて美しい嫁を無理やり娶り、挙句にその嫁を傀儡に国政を握ろうとしていたというライプにドン引きの嫌悪感しかないが、あらゆる災いに備えたくなる姿勢には共感し、ありがたく便乗させてもらった。 　鋼糸を張り巡らせ、ヤエだけが自由に飛び回れる殺戮のための処刑台。 　いざというとき、いつでもアルの手助けにいけるよう王都に潜入し、監視目的で連れ歩くフェルトをあの部屋に置いたのも、この万一を機能させられるようにだった。 　故に――、 「――ここからは、足加減なしです」 　そう言いながら、膝を畳んだヤエはするりと足から靴を抜き取り、黒の肌着に包まれた爪先を伸ばすと――左右の足の五指を広げ、そこに嵌めた指輪から鋼糸を飛ばした。 　文字通り、手加減ならぬ足加減なし、手足合わせて二十の指を巧みに操り、ヤエ・テンゼンの極めた殺戮の術技が闇の中に跋扈する――、 「――――」 　互いに、短期決戦が望むところなのはお互い様。 　落ちながらヤエは巡らせた糸の一本に膝をかけ、落下の勢いを断ち切って反転、大きな井戸のような円筒形の穴の中、糸の張力を利用して跳ね、攻撃を開始する。 　軽業師めいた身の軽さを駆使し、ヤエは風に巻かれる花びらのように舞い踊る。 　そのヤエの流麗な舞には、見惚れたものを死へと誘う銀糸が伴っており、舞った彼女の周囲には舞を振る舞われたものの血の花が咲く――故に、『紅桜』。 　倒れ伏した屍から流れる血を吸って咲き誇る、美しく残酷な紅の桜だ。 「――ッ」 　その異名を轟かせるに足る猛威が容赦なく振るわれ、自由落下に身を委ねるヴィルヘルムの全身が切り裂かれ、その仕立てのいい衣の下、血肉が中空に飛散する。 　落ちながらの双剣の剣風に後れ毛を煽られ、ヤエは『剣鬼』の眼力にいっそ呆れる。 　剣は鋼糸と違い、その刃を振るう腕の届く範囲までしか届けられない。そのため、この用意された処刑台では、ヴィルヘルムは防戦一方となるしかないのだ。 　当たり前だが、重力に引かれて不自由を強いられるヴィルヘルムに、糸を頼りに自由自在に闇を行き来できるヤエは絶対に近付かない。 　間違っても剣撃の届かない中距離を保ったまま、一方的に鋼糸の攻撃を加える。舞を一曲踊り終える前に、『剣鬼』が地上に辿り着いて自由を取り戻す前に。 　ヤエの腕がおもむろに持ち上がる。――血が噴き出す。 　ヤエのすらりと細い足が壁を中空をなぞる。――血が噴き出す。 　ヤエの細身がくねらされ、身を限界まで反らせる。――血が噴き出す。 　ヤエの舞が完成に近付くたび、防ぎ切れぬ糸撃を浴びる『剣鬼』が血に染まる。 　その足に、その胴に、その肩に、その首に、その頬に、その額に、鋭い鋼糸に舐られた傷を刻み、血を流しながら『剣鬼』は死へと誘われていく。 　だが――、 「――や～な目」 　その恐ろしく澄んだ剣気を宿した眼光が、全く戦意を濁らせていない。 「――――」 　ヤエの振るう両手両足の鋼糸に加え、すでに地下に張り巡らされた糸もある。 　言うまでもなく、ヤエの対処にばかり気を割かれ、ピンと張った糸にうっかり手足を当てようものなら四肢は欠損し、首か胴が当たれば命がおさらば。 　今やヴィルヘルムにとって、この大穴は深く考えずに飛び込んだ魔獣の顎門も同然、牙に肉を削がれ、舌に血を啜られ、最後には胃に落ちて命を溶かされるしかない。――なんて絶望に無意味に抗うものの目を、彼はしていなかった。 「でも、できることは多くないでしょう？」 　その眼光を抜きにしても、ここで終わると思うほど、ヤエは『剣鬼』を安く見積もらない。ハインケルのヴィルヘルム評は当てにならないととっくに遠くに投げ捨て、ヤエは自分の眼で確かめた、命のせめぎ合いの中での彼を評価する。 　故に、為す術なく落下する最中の『剣鬼』に対し、二つの攻撃を警戒する。 　一つは穴の壁を蹴り、ヤエを地下に叩き落としたのと同等の剣撃が放たれること。もう一つも地上で見せたのと同じく、剣をヤエの命目掛けて投じることだ。 　そしてその二択のどちらかなのかは、瞬きの間も惜しいほど直後にくる。 「――し」 　伸ばした黒い足先で円を描き、ヴィルヘルムの頬に三条の傷を生んだ直後、双剣を真下に振るって鋼糸を弾いた『剣鬼』のたくましい足が律動、壁に靴裏を押し当てる。 　微かに曲げた膝、それで十分に脚力を溜め、『剣鬼』が中空を疾駆する――寸前、振り上げた両腕から二本の剣が投じられ、それがヤエの命に向かって迸った。 　二条の銀光が宙を奔り、自分目掛けて迫るのをヤエは舞の一連の動きで回避。 　張り巡らされた糸を足場に宙返りし、股下と反った背のスレスレを刃に通過させて事無きを得る。そして、剣に遅れて飛んでくる『剣鬼』に両足の鋼糸を叩き込む。 　剣を手放し、鋼糸を受ける手立てのないヴィルヘルムが身をひねり、頭を庇った最小限の被害で糸の網目を抜けた。しかし、その突貫の進路にすでにヤエの姿はなく、糸で弾んで逃れたこちらに、無手の『剣鬼』の手は届かない。 　これで警戒した二手、いずれも防ぐのに成功した――と、安堵するのはまだ早い。 「――おおおぉ！」 　壁を蹴り、ヤエを空振りしたヴィルヘルムが円筒形の穴の反対側の壁へ。そこには先に投げた双剣が突き刺さっており、それを掴んだヴィルヘルムがさらに壁を蹴る。 　斜め上へ逃れたヤエを追い、ヴィルヘルムが弾速で上に進路を取った。――そのまま、飛んだヴィルヘルムが反対の壁を蹴り、また反対の壁に飛ぶ。それを繰り返し繰り返し、舞ながら上昇するヤエへと一気に追い縋ってくる。 「冗談……っ！」 　力業も力業で追いかけてくるヴィルヘルムに、ヤエは喉の奥を驚愕に震わせる。 　壁を蹴り、三角跳びの要領で上昇する。それ自体はヤエにもできる。驚くほどのことではない。驚くべきなのは、ヴィルヘルムがそれを繰り返すこの場所には、ヤエの手で無数の鋼糸が張り巡らされているということだ。 　当然、精査する余裕もなく飛べば、糸に当たってバラバラになる恐れがある。 　だが、ヴィルヘルムはそれを恐れていない。何故か。――一度は落ちて通過した空間、そこに張られた糸の在処を把握し、当たらないように飛び上がっているからだ。 　それは異常に卓越した戦闘センスと観察眼、自分の眼で確かめたものに躊躇なく命を懸けられる決断力とが同居した、恐るべき戦手。 　ひらひらと舞いながら、銀糸の嵐に果敢に飛び込んでくる『剣鬼』を迎え、ヤエは致し方なしと、切り札に手をかける――、 「――う、や」 　糸で弾みをつけ、大きく飛び上がったヤエが逆さの体勢で両手足を伸ばし、二十本の指から飛ばした鋼糸を、事前に張り巡らせていた鋼糸に絡め、四肢を引き寄せる。 　ヤエの巧みな鋼糸術は、糸の絡め方と周囲の物体を利用し、林の戦闘で荒くれ者を一度に百人以上も括るような真似ができる。そのヤエをして、全身の骨と筋肉が引き千切れるかと思うほどの力を込めて、鋼糸を一気に引き絞った。 　刹那、地下に通ずる円筒形の穴の中を、はち切れた鋼糸が不規則に暴れ狂う。 　腸詰肉を糸で切るような仕掛けと、張り詰めた鋼糸が千切れる張力を利用した、ヤエにも軌道と手数の読み切れない、空間を丸ごと引き裂くような斬糸撃。 　さらにそこに――、 「――できるメイドはひと手間足すもの！」 　無数の糸撃によって圧殺される空間を眼下に、ヤエが両手の指輪を口元に引き寄せ、口付ける。――直後、指輪から伸びる糸を火の手が伝い、一拍ののち、爆炎が起きる。 　荒れ狂う糸撃に加え、全てを焼き尽くす灼熱の業火――切り札を二枚めくったヤエの容赦のないシノビの術技が、『剣鬼』の姿を紅の光で包み込み、焼き焦がす。 「やっぱり――」 　不殺を貫くことはできなかった、とヤエは戦闘の結果を口惜しく思う。 　だが、始めた瞬間に思ったことだ。殺さずを目指して勝てる相手ではない。殺すつもりでやって初めて、生きるか死ぬかを選べるような相手であると。 　だから――、 「ハインケル様には内緒に――」 「――結構。あれも、私がきていることを知っておくべきだ」 　刹那、爆炎を破って飛び出した『剣鬼』の斬光が、中空にあるヤエを撫でた。 「――ぅ」 　研ぎ澄まされた剣閃に胴を薙がれ、威力を流せなかったヤエが舞とは異なる形で血を巻きながら回転、双眸を見開き、何が起きたのかと呻く。 　起きたことは明白。あの鋼糸の嵐からも、追加の爆炎からも敵は生き延びた。問題は、それをどうやって起こしたか。 　最後のヴィルヘルムの跳躍は真上に飛んだもので、それまでの壁を蹴って斜めに飛ぶものとは軌道の異なるものだった。そして、この穴の中でその飛び方を実現するためには、ヤエと同じ方法――鋼糸を足場に、跳ねるしかない。 「どうやって、私の糸を……」 「何度も見せられました。――あなたの糸は恐ろしく切れ味のいい武器ですが、特定の角度と力のかけ具合で、斬らずに縛ることもできる」 　ヴィルヘルムの答えは、ヤエの鋼糸の特性を見抜いた確かなものだった。 　おかしいのは、それを戦いの中で短時間で見抜いたことと、やはり確証のないものに躊躇なく命を懸ける決断をしていること。 　加えて不可解なのが――、 「なら、火は？」 「斬りました」 　ひどく端的で、どうしようもない返答があり、ヤエは呆れた吐息をつく。 　たぶん、嘘ではないのだろう。そのぐらい堂々とした答えだった。それを受け入れたのと同時に、ヤエの頭の片隅にふとある言葉が蘇ってくる。 　それは一度、役に立たないとヤエが遠くに投げ捨てたもので――、 『――親父は強い。べらぼうにな。お前やアルデバランの奴だって相当なんだろうが、それでも親父の方が、俺は怖い。それが『剣鬼』ってもんなんだ』 　拗らせ全開だが、ハインケルの評価は正しかった。 　アルより強いとも怖いとも認められないが、少なくとも、ヤエよりは恐ろしい。 　――このとき、そう認めたヤエ・テンゼンには誤算があった。 　それは、ハインケルの意見だと、情報の信憑性を話半分程度だと見積もっていたこと。そして何より、ヴィルヘルムの技量が、ヤエの調べた白鯨戦や『怠惰』討伐戦、水門都市の防衛戦のときより練達していたこと。それこそ、ヤエには知る由もないことだが、現役時代の最盛期――『剣聖』に勝った時代に、迫りつつあったことだ。 　故に、バーリエル別邸で始まった『紅桜』と『剣鬼』との戦いは――、 「――ずあぁぁ！！」 　舞の完成を剣閃で阻み、紅の桜の本体を血で染めた『剣鬼』に軍配が上がった。 TRANSLATED TEXT: Chapter 9-26: 『Sword Demon VS Crimson Cherry Blossom』 A powerful sword aura filled the room, making the skin prickle in earnest. Although trained to remain calm in most situations, this unexpected and unprecedented scenario was an exception that could not be ignored. "――Wilhelm Trias." Rolling the name around in her mouth, Yae Tenzen quietly heightened her vigilance. They had only exchanged a single move, but Yae was at a disadvantage, having been struck by her opponent's kick. Even after jumping back to absorb the impact, the damage from the kick lingered heavily on Yae's slender frame. Had she not retreated, the force might have left a shoe-shaped hole in her abdomen. To deliver such a blow without restraint to a woman, as he claimed, was far from gentlemanly. This old swordsman had a fitting title prepared for him in this country for over forty years. That is――, "――To think 『Sword Demon』 himself would appear, it's an honor to meet such a famous figure~. The story of avenging your late wife is truly a testament to the kingdom's swordsmanship~." "――――" "Oh? But if I recall correctly, there was an unexpected reunion with your wife afterward! The events in the Watergate City must have been quite painful, I sympathize with you, boohoo." "――――" With a finger to her eyes, pretending to cry, Yae observed her opponent's every move. In response to Yae's crimson gaze, the old swordsman, Wilhelm, stood firm without the slightest tremor, transmitting a sharp sword aura through the two swords in his hands, staring back at her. Yae realized that her attempt to carelessly trample on his heart and unsettle him had failed, only succeeding in portraying herself as a spiteful woman. "…From what I heard, I thought you were more of a hothead~." Apparently, that impression was unreliable as well. Since the information source was none other than Heinkel, even the credibility of information about his own father was questionable. What could be expected of him? Perhaps it would have been better to entrust him with Felt's care instead of 『Dragon』's. If Heinkel had let Felt escape, it would have provided a reason to dispose of her and cut ties with Heinkel simultaneously. The reason Yae thought this was――, "Besides the village elder, there shouldn't be anyone who can notice my concealment――Felt-sama, did you perhaps do something mischievous?" "That's a baseless accusation. You know better than anyone that I can't lay a finger on you." "――――" "I haven't done anything but talk to you. That's all I can do right now." With a mix of self-reproach in her voice, Felt, who had retreated to the corner of the room, responded. She wasn't the type to skillfully feign anger. If she possessed the acting skills to control even the tremor in her voice, it would be impressive deception. Therefore, Yae lightly tugged on the steel wire around Felt's neck, merely making her aware of it, "Please don't think about escaping, okay? I wouldn't want to separate Felt-sama's lovely head from her body." "Add one more to the list. Also, it's not my place to say, but—" "What is it?" "You don't have time to be looking away, not in your current state." The cuteness of Felt sticking out her tongue in a cheeky manner is undeniable. However, without needing to be told, Yae never lets her guard down around Wilhelm. Standing in the same position as before, Wilhelm is unable to determine how to respond to Yae's unfamiliar steel thread technique. This is only natural. ――Most Shinobi techniques are specialized in exploiting the opponent's openings. Therefore, unlike the combat techniques of warriors meant for fighting, Shinobi techniques, which are meant for killing, are referred to as jutsu. Yae's steel thread technique is a prime example of this. The more experienced a warrior is, the more cautious they are in battle. During that time, the Shinobi's true skill lies in setting trap after trap like a spider's web――, "――Four moves." "――? What is it?" Suddenly, Wilhelm's lips utter a word, and Yae furrows her brows, unable to grasp its meaning. Wilhelm offers no verbal response to Yae's question.――However, there is a reply. His eyes narrow slightly, and the sharp sword aura he emits slices through Yae's entire being as a response. "――" The moment she sensed it coming, Yae unhesitatingly mobilized all ten of her fingers, not to restrain but to unleash the slashing attack of the steel threads upon the 『Sword Demon』. Al's order of non-lethality would be fulfilled as long as the result was achieved. If the opponent survives despite intending to kill, that's fine, but an attack meant to be non-lethal would be ineffective against this opponent. Thus, from all directions, further subdivided into sixteen, thirty-two directions, an inescapable crushing attack with steel threads, to which Wilhelm flashed the blades in both hands――, "Ooooo――!!" The sword wind generated by the wielded twin swords literally swept away the oncoming murderous steel threads. The speed of the swords was so overwhelming that the sound of swords clashing with steel threads was heard all at once, giving Yae the illusion of sword sparks burning her eyes. The initial attack was blocked by the overwhelming sword pressure, yet the steel thread technique did not cease. Allowing some leeway with the steel threads produced from the rings, the next attack was even more subdivided――in an instant, the 'floor' of the room in front of Yae was slashed and lifted. ――What rose was a part of the floor that had been cut and lifted by the edge, as large as a luxurious bed, hiding Wilhelm from Yae's view. "――――" With a loud stomp, the 'floor' was kicked towards Yae. In the confined space of the room, there was no gap to escape, so Yae adjusted the angle of the steel threads controlled by her left hand to deal with the incoming 'floor', not cutting but binding, bouncing, and repelling it. The rebound of the kicked 'floor' carried its momentum back with even greater speed and danger, aiming to fiercely blow away the 『Sword Demon』 in its path. That was――, "What?" A sharp piercing sound echoed, and Yae widened her eyes at the sight of the 'floor' pinned in mid-air. The momentum accelerated, and the power doubled with the weight. The 『Sword Demon』 precisely aligned the sword tip with the very center of the mass of the 'floor', perfectly neutralizing its power in mid-air. It was truly a divine feat beyond the realm of human capability. Yae, too, had been hailed as a prodigy beyond ordinary human limits and had spent much time understanding this.――Even in old age, the sword technique of the 『Sword Demon』 remains in the realm of divine feats. "Three moves." Holding her breath, Yae's vision focused on the other side of the suspended 'floor' where Wilhelm murmured. Hidden by the moderately wide and generously long 'floor', Wilhelm's figure was invisible to Yae. However, the advantage of the steel threads lay in their ability to reach unseen positions and deliver attacks. The threads circled around the 'floor', aiming to drive the 'Sword Demon' on the other side to either the left or right. On both sides where he might escape, the threads were already set up— —Immediately, a sword tip pierced through the airborne 'floor', rushing towards Yae's nose. The sound of steel striking steel echoed as the sword was launched at a speed akin to a powerful bow. The sword, halted by piercing the 'floor', was driven through by striking its pommel. Faced with this unexpected, extraordinary projectile, Yae abandoned the attempt to entangle the sword with threads, slightly altering its trajectory, tilting her slender neck to avoid a fatal injury. The sword tip passed just beside her neck, embedding itself with a sound next to Yae, who was backed against the wall. She dodged it. Even in this fleeting moment, Yae did not avert her gaze from the 'Sword Demon'. Thus, she immediately realized her mistake. The sword was deeply embedded just to the right of Yae's neck. —Her escape route was limited to the left. There— "Ruaaah—!!" Leaping off the 'floor', the 'Sword Demon' accelerated by kicking off the ceiling, bringing down a slash. The blade aimed straight for her life, deeply cutting into Yae's left shoulder. △▼△▼△▼△ Wilhelm van Astrea. —No, Wilhelm Trias was staying in the royal capital in search of a way to cure his master, Crusch Karsten. During the battle against the Witch Cult in the Watergate City Priestella, Crusch was afflicted with a malignant toxin that corroded her body and mind, inflicted by the Sin Archbishop of 『Lust』, leaving her in agony akin to a curse. Even Ferris, the kingdom's foremost healer known as 'Blue', was unable to alleviate her suffering. However, a glimmer of hope had recently emerged. Crusch's condition had not dramatically improved. However, there was news of a potential means to open up possibilities—the path to the Pleiades Watchtower had been established. If they could borrow the power of 『Sage』 Shaula, one of the Kingdom of Lugunica's Three Great Heroes, who was said to be omniscient and omnipotent, they might find a way to remove the malignant toxin tormenting Crusch. "If it's to help Lady Crusch, I'll cling to even a stone." Wilhelm had no words to admonish Ferris, who clung to this news with desperate hope. Last year, Ferris had been devotedly supporting and assisting Crusch, who had lost her 'memory' at the hands of the Witch Cult and had changed significantly. Ferris himself must have faced much anguish and confusion in the process of rebuilding his relationship with Crusch from scratch. That anguish had continued for nearly a year, and finally, a bond of trust—different from before, yet unwavering—had been formed between them. This was ruined by the Sin Archbishop of 『Lust』, Capella Emerada Lugnica. Crusch's subsequent suffering was as previously described, but Ferris's painful struggle to support her was also unbearable to witness. Therefore, when they heard that Subaru and his party, who aimed for the Pleiades Watchtower, had successfully reached the tower, Wilhelm and the others felt a searing hope more than admiration. There was a sense of unease about the fact that Subaru and the others did not bring back the news directly, but there was no way to delve deeply into the movements of other factions. However, it was heard that experimental comings and goings were conducted to ensure certain access to the tower. Unable to sit still, Wilhelm and Ferris had come to the royal capital to plead for the success of this endeavor and, if possible, to join the next group heading to the tower. And in a room of the royal mansion prepared for the stay of dignitaries――, "I have something to inform you of and something I would like your cooperation with." Thus, they were informed by a young internal affairs officer of the Emilia camp about the outline of a calamity that could shake the foundation of the kingdom, and the two names that gave Wilhelm a reason to wield his sword. "Ruaaah――!!" Kicking off the ceiling, he delivered a downward strike to the red-haired girl――a highly skilled Shinobi. The extremely thin thread-like weapon scattered its threat in an irregular trajectory with too much diversity. As prolonging the battle increased the likelihood of a misstep, a short-term decisive battle was initiated. The biting slash entered from her left shoulder and was supposed to cleave through to the right side, bisecting her life――or so it should have been. "――ッ" In an instant, the girl's body sank into the floor with a strong bite of her teeth――no, it wasn't that she sank. The floor itself was sliced by threads and scattered. Her body fell underground first, and Wilhelm would follow her. With a quickly extended hand, he pulled out the sword that had pinned the girl's movement from the wall, securing his dual swords. Although he hadn't managed to sever her left shoulder, it was undoubtedly a deep wound. The moment she disappeared from sight, she became five or ten times more troublesome when she reappeared, showcasing the formidable nature of a Shinobi. In other words――, "We'll finish this here." Without any prior agreement, Wilhelm and the girl's voices overlapped. Falling into the gaping dark hole leading underground, Wilhelm caught sight of the glimmering threads for a moment, reflecting the light piercing the darkness.――It was the deadly threads stretched like a spider's web throughout the hole leading underground. △▼△▼△▼△ Falling backward towards the underground, Yae used steel threads to bind her left shoulder and stop the bleeding. Although she had allowed the blade to penetrate quite deeply into her maiden's soft skin, her life's purity remained intact, so she considered it safe, albeit with a hint of defiance, while simultaneously marveling at the tremendous swordsmanship of the 『Sword Demon』. The first move that blocked Yae's steel threads, the second move that kicked away the slashed 'floor', the third move that pinpointed the 'floor' Yae had bounced back, and the fourth move that used the penetrating sword as a decoy to slash――as declared at the start, she was nearly killed in four moves. "Just unpleasant old folks everywhere...!" The most familiar was the worst-tempered 'Wicked Old Man', the giant elder who nearly tormented Al on the plains, and the 『Sword Demon』, who had reached the pinnacle of swordsmanship despite his age――the old people Yae could think of in a flash were all those who knew nothing of mellowing with age. In the first place, the world's custom is such that it's not unusual for the flame of life to extinguish at any moment. Despite that, the fact that they have lived long in such a world means they have survived the selection of life. 'That's why old folks are dangerous. If you think old people are weak or fragile, you'll end up in the grave before you become one. Well, it's a bit rich coming from me, an exception among exceptions as a long-living Shinobi, but still?' As the high-pitched laughter of the village elder, who had survived a particularly harsh path, came to mind, Yae's cheeks twitched. The essence of a Shinobi is to deceive the eyes of the opponent, confuse their mind, immobilize them, and take their life. Yae, who was an exemplary student in the art of confusing the mind, recognized that she was no match for the elder's experience. Yae probably didn't have such a twisted personality, nor did she think she could live long enough to become so. In fact, she had once been nearly killed by Al. She didn't believe that kind of luck would continue repeatedly. The whims of a kind-hearted monster were nothing short of a miracle. "――――" Chasing after the falling Yae, Wilhelm, who had drawn his sword from the wall, also fell into the hole. It seemed that the 'Sword Demon' was confident in his movements, likely having real combat experience with Shinobi. This stirred an endless grudge against the Vollachian Empire, which had probably dispatched Shinobi in the past, and against the predecessors who hadn't killed Wilhelm back then. Compressing that into a single breath, Yae's switch flipped inside her, and her vision expanded to see as clearly as daylight in the underground darkness. This was the result of training to adapt to the night, manipulating blood flow around the eyes, a form of bodily control that altered vision. In the gray-tinged vision, the white figure of the 'Sword Demon' emerged, and Yae spread her hands, finally bringing him into her field――, "――I'll finish you here." The unexpected words were spoken simultaneously, yet neither side showed a smile or surprise. They had both decided to kill the other. With mental attacks deemed meaningless, all techniques to confuse the mind were left behind, focusing solely on earnest efforts to reach the opponent's life. This was the killing field of 'Crimson Cherry Blossom' that Yae had prepared for this purpose. ――The underground cavity of the Barielle Mansion was not something Priscilla had arranged when remodeling the building, but a legacy left by the original owner, Leip Barielle. Priscilla's late husband, who was said to have suffered from pathological distrust and suspicion, had prepared for any eventuality in his mansion in the royal capital, as well as in his domain's residence and hideouts. The hole leading to this underground was one such preparation, originally functioning as a secret escape route, but Yae had preemptively blocked it to prevent it from becoming an enemy invasion route, leaving only the deep hole intact. Yae had no personal acquaintance with Leip, who had forcibly married a young and beautiful wife like Priscilla and intended to use her as a puppet to seize control of the government. She felt nothing but repulsion towards him, but she empathized with his desire to prepare for every calamity and gratefully took advantage of it. A platform of execution for slaughter, with steel threads stretched around, allowing only Yae to move freely. She had infiltrated the royal capital to be able to assist Al at any time if necessary, and had placed Felt in that room for surveillance purposes, to ensure this contingency could function. Therefore――, "――From here on, no holding back." Saying this, Yae folded her knees, smoothly removing her shoes from her feet, and stretched her toes wrapped in black undergarments. She spread the five toes of each foot and launched steel threads from the rings fitted there. Literally, no holding back with her feet, skillfully manipulating all twenty fingers of her hands and feet, Yae Tenzen's perfected techniques of slaughter prowled in the darkness――, "――――" Both desired a short-term decisive battle. As she fell, Yae hooked her knee onto one of the threads she had spun, cutting off the momentum of her fall and reversing her position. Inside the large cylindrical hole like a well, she bounced using the tension of the threads and began her attack. Using the agility reminiscent of an acrobat, Yae dances like a petal caught in the wind. Accompanying Yae's graceful dance are silver threads that lure those entranced by her performance to their deaths, causing a bloom of blood around those who witness her dance—hence, the name 'Crimson Cherry Blossom'. The blood flowing from the fallen corpses nourishes the beautifully cruel crimson cherry blossoms. "――ッ" The ferocity that justifies her fearsome nickname is unleashed mercilessly, slicing through Wilhelm's entire body as he surrenders to free fall, sending his blood and flesh scattering into the air beneath his finely tailored clothes. As the twin swords' wind tousles her stray hair, Yae is almost exasperated by the intensity of the 『Sword Demon』's gaze. Unlike steel threads, a sword can only reach as far as the wielder's arm can swing. Therefore, on this prepared execution platform, Wilhelm can only defend himself. Naturally, Yae, who can freely move through the darkness using the threads, never approaches Wilhelm, who is constrained by gravity. She maintains a mid-range distance, out of reach of his sword strikes, and continues her one-sided steel thread attacks. Before she finishes her dance, before the 『Sword Demon』 reaches the ground and regains his freedom. Yae's arm rises abruptly. ――Blood spurts. Yae's slender leg traces the wall in midair. ――Blood spurts. Yae's lithe body twists and bends to its limits. ――Blood spurts. As Yae's dance nears completion, the 『Sword Demon』, unable to fully defend against the thread attacks, becomes stained with blood. On his legs, his torso, his shoulders, his neck, his cheeks, his forehead, wounds carved by the sharp steel threads bleed, leading the 『Sword Demon』 toward death. However――, "――Such unpleasant eyes." The terrifyingly clear gaze imbued with sword spirit shows no sign of diminishing his fighting spirit. "――――" In addition to the steel threads wielded by Yae's hands and feet, there are already threads stretched underground. Needless to say, if Wilhelm, preoccupied with dealing with Yae, accidentally touches the taut threads with his limbs, they would be severed, and if his neck or torso were to touch, it would mean the end of his life. For Wilhelm, this large pit is akin to the maw of a beast he leapt into without much thought, where his flesh is stripped by teeth, his blood is sipped by the tongue, and ultimately, he falls into the stomach to have his life dissolved. Yet, he did not have the eyes of someone pointlessly resisting such despair. "But, there aren't many options, are there?" Even without considering that gaze, Yae does not underestimate the 『Sword Demon』 enough to think it ends here. She had long discarded Heinkel's assessment of Wilhelm, and instead, evaluated him herself amidst the life-and-death struggle. Therefore, she remains wary of two attacks from the 『Sword Demon』, who is helplessly falling. One is that he might kick off the wall and unleash a sword strike equivalent to the one that knocked Yae underground. The other is, as shown on the surface, he might throw his sword aiming for Yae's life. And whichever of the two it is, it comes immediately, in the blink of an eye. "――Shi" Drawing a circle with her extended black foot, creating three lines of wounds on Wilhelm's cheek, the 『Sword Demon』 swings his twin swords downward, deflecting the steel threads, and his strong legs rhythmically press the soles of his shoes against the wall. With a slightly bent knee, storing enough leg strength, the 『Sword Demon』 dashes through the air—just before, two swords thrown from his raised arms streak toward Yae's life. Two streaks of silver light raced through the air, aiming for her, but Yae evaded them with a series of dance-like movements. Using the web of threads as a foothold, she flipped through the air, narrowly avoiding the blades that passed just beneath her legs and arched back. Then, she struck the approaching 『Sword Demon』 with her steel threads entwined around both feet. Wilhelm, having let go of his sword and unable to counter the steel threads, twisted his body, protecting his head, and slipped through the web with minimal damage. However, Yae was no longer in his path, having bounced away using the threads, and the unarmed 『Sword Demon』 could not reach her. Having successfully defended against two cautious attacks, Yae thought it was still too early to feel relieved. "――Ooooh!" Kicking off the wall, Wilhelm, who had missed Yae, leapt towards the opposite wall of the cylindrical hole. There, the twin swords he had thrown earlier were embedded, and grabbing them, Wilhelm kicked off the wall again. Pursuing Yae, who had escaped diagonally upward, Wilhelm took a trajectory upwards with bullet-like speed. ――He continued to kick off one wall to the opposite wall, repeating this motion, rapidly closing in on the ascending Yae. "You've got to be kidding...!" Yae's throat trembled with astonishment at Wilhelm's sheer brute force as he pursued her. Kicking off the walls and ascending with triangular jumps was something Yae could also do. It wasn't particularly surprising. What was astonishing was that Wilhelm was doing this in a place where Yae had intricately woven countless steel threads. Naturally, without the luxury of careful examination, flying through could result in being torn apart by the threads. Yet, Wilhelm showed no fear. Why? ――Because he had once fallen through this space, grasped the location of the threads, and was leaping up without hitting them. This was a terrifying combatant, possessing an extraordinarily keen sense of battle and observation, combined with the decisiveness to risk his life without hesitation on what he had confirmed with his own eyes. As the 『Sword Demon』 fearlessly dove into the storm of silver threads, Yae, seeing no other choice, reached for her trump card――, "――U, ya" Using the threads to propel herself, Yae leapt high into the air, extending her arms and legs in an inverted position. She intertwined the steel threads shot from her twenty fingers with the pre-laid threads, pulling her limbs inward. Yae's skillful manipulation of the steel threads allowed her to bind over a hundred ruffians at once in a forest battle by using the way the threads intertwined and the surrounding objects. With such force that it seemed as if her bones and muscles might tear apart, she tightened the steel threads all at once. In an instant, within the cylindrical hole leading underground, the snapped steel threads rampaged wildly and irregularly. It was a thread-cutting strike that utilized the tension of the taut steel threads snapping, like slicing sausage with threads, tearing through the entire space in a way even Yae couldn't predict the trajectory or number of strikes. And then――, "A capable maid adds a little extra!" Looking down at the space being crushed by countless thread strikes, Yae brought the rings on her hands to her lips and kissed them. ――Immediately, flames traveled along the threads extending from the rings, and a moment later, an explosion of fire erupted. In addition to the rampaging thread strikes, a scorching inferno that burned everything to ashes――Yae's merciless Shinobi technique, having revealed two trump cards, enveloped and scorched the figure of the 『Sword Demon』 in crimson light. "As expected――" Unable to maintain her vow of non-lethality, Yae felt a pang of regret at the outcome of the battle. However, she had realized it the moment the fight began. This was not an opponent she could defeat while aiming to avoid killing. Only by intending to kill could she choose between life and death against such an opponent. Therefore――, "Let's keep this a secret from Heinkel-sama――" "――Fine. He should know that I am here as well." In an instant, the slashing light of the 『Sword Demon』 burst through the explosive flames, grazing Yae who was suspended in mid-air. "――Ugh" Yae, unable to deflect the power of the keen sword flash that swept across her torso, spun around, blood spiraling in a manner unlike her usual dance, her eyes wide open in a groan of confusion about what had transpired. What had happened was clear. The enemy had survived both the storm of steel threads and the subsequent explosion. The question was how it had been accomplished. Wilhelm's final leap was a vertical jump, differing in trajectory from his previous diagonal leaps off the walls. To achieve such a jump in this pit, he had no choice but to use the same method as Yae—bouncing off the steel threads as a foothold. "How did you... use my threads?" "I've seen it many times. ――Your threads are fearsomely sharp weapons, but with a specific angle and application of force, they can bind without cutting." Wilhelm's answer was a precise understanding of the properties of Yae's steel threads. What was remarkable was his ability to discern this in a short time during battle and his willingness to risk his life on something uncertain without hesitation. Additionally, what was puzzling was――, "Then, the fire?" "I cut it." The response was blunt and unavoidable, leaving Yae to sigh in exasperation. It was probably not a lie. The answer was given with such confidence. As she accepted this, a certain phrase suddenly resurfaced in the corner of Yae's mind. It was something she had once discarded as useless――, "――Dad is strong. Ridiculously so. You and that Aldebaran guy are probably quite something too, but still, I'm more afraid of Dad. That's what the 『Sword Demon』 is." It was an exaggerated statement, but Heinkel's assessment was accurate. Though she couldn't admit that he was stronger or scarier than Al, at least, he was more terrifying than Yae. ――At this moment, Yae Tenzen made a miscalculation. It was that she had estimated Heinkel's opinion to be only half-credible. And above all, Wilhelm's skill had become more refined than during the White Whale battle, the 『Sloth』 subjugation, or the defense of the Watergate City. It was something Yae had no way of knowing, but he was approaching the peak of his prime during his active years—the era when he defeated the 『Sword Saint』. Therefore, the battle between the 『Crimson Cherry Blossom』 and the 『Sword Demon』 that began at the Barielle Mansion――, "――Zuaaah!!" The 『Sword Demon』, who thwarted the completion of the dance with his sword flash and stained the core of the crimson cherry blossom with blood, emerged victorious. NAME MAPPINGS: 『剣鬼ＶＳ紅桜』 → 『Sword Demon VS Crimson Cherry Blossom』 『龍』 → 『Dragon』 シノビ → Shinobi 『色欲』 → 『Lust』 ヴィルヘルム・トリアス → Wilhelm Trias ヤエ・テンゼン → Yae Tenzen 『剣鬼』 → 『Sword Demon』 フェルト → Felt ハインケル → Heinkel アル → Al ヴィルヘルム・ヴァン・アストレア → Wilhelm van Astrea クルシュ・カルステン → Crusch Karsten フェリス → Ferris カペラ・エメラダ・ルグニカ → Capella Emerada Lugnica 『賢者』シャウラ → 『Sage』 Shaula スバル → Subaru エミリア → Emilia プリシラ → Priscilla ライプ・バーリエル → Leip Barielle 水門都市 → Watergate City プリステラ → Priestella ルグニカ王国 → Kingdom of Lugunica プレアデス監視塔 → Pleiades Watchtower バーリエル別邸 → Barielle Mansion Exported from TranslAItion