I am just restraining myself, I am frantically restraining myself right now.
So, do not show me some despicable smile, do not ask me to shake you, and do not demand for cooperation with that condescending attitude.
「Sure, likewise. We also have a desire we would like to accomplish. To that end, becoming an S-rank adventurer is a necessary prerequisite. So we have come fully prepared to fight while putting our lives on the line」
Ahh, I am getting sick of myself.
It seems like I have really gotten good at hiding my emotions.
Keeping up appearances all the time, always trying to suppress and keep myself in check, even this burning fury is being suppressed deep inside my body.
With a reasoning, that it is a necessary measure, and a clamoring voice screaming, like I give a damn.
And like that, they kept piling up. One after the other, one after the other, one after the other.
By the time I realized, like it was just a matter of course.
Little little corpses, little little mountain of skulls, little little malevolent seeds.
You see Leon, I have come this far riding on fond memories, enough to burn through my whole body.
After that, I thought about a lot of things. A lot of things also happened.
I ran, I was killed, went back in time, I killed, I took revenge.
My last conversation with you, looking back, it was full of discomfort.
You may probably know something related to the foundation of this world that I do not know about.
And that something might have brought about your betrayal on that day.
Perhaps the reason of having no other choice, might have very well been a reason viable enough to precipitate your nobility to action.
But, I will not forgive you.
Even so, no matter what, I will never forgive you.
Even if there was a reason behind it, I will kill you without fail.
So, just wait for me a little while longer.
「Like I said, I look forward to fighting beside you on the battlefield」
And so, I shook his hand that he stretched forward.
☆
「Umm, prince, I beg of you please could you refrain from making reckless remarks. You have to properly explain the process for promotion, we are already pushing this unreasonable special case to go through already as it is」
Valeria put a stop to the conversation that was proceeding gradually in one breath.
「Hmm. My apologies」
Leon who replied such in an unfriendly manner with a sullen face, sat down on the sofa again.
By the way, during the conversations too, the attitudes of both Yuuto and Mai was consistent as they remained silent. However, their clasped hands are slightly trembling from being immersed in my anger.
My precious sister and good friend have fallen to the same place as me.
Even though I really want the two of them to be happy, ...I feel disgusted by myself for cheerily thinking so.
But even that just slightly brushed the surface of my mind, and now it will be swallowed by a vortex of hatred and disappear.
I can't afford to get noticed. Calm down.
I took a small breath, and detached my consciousness.
「Now then, since the prince have also mentioned it, I believe you should already have a rough idea about the promotion of rank. A-rank as a special privilege, and S-rank, in times of war only, is the consideration. As you already know, after raising your guild rank...」
Valeria profoundly cited the benefits such as placement of quests with attractive rewards in proportion to the degree of danger, disclosure of highly confidential information, power* equivalent to that of an aristocrat, discounts on supplies sold in the guild and so on. (TLN: Authority/ Influence)
「And lastly, high ranking adventurers are liable to receive quests from the guild by designations. Although they have the right to refuse, in that case, their authorities as high ranking adventures will be frozen for a fixed amount of time」
That seems to be the last of the explanations, so the conversation came to an abrupt halt.
After that, Valeria folder his arms again and continues.
「That is probably your intention, but now we are in the midst of war. Naturally, high ranking adventurers have been asked to participate in the war. As S-rank adventurers or higher will have a drastically increased battle results* if allowed to operate individually rather than collectively, so they don't have the right to command soldiers, but instead, they have the authority to move independently」 (TLN: Military gains)
「Yeah, I know. Just as you guessed, my real purpose is to appear on the battlefield. There is an opponent that I want to kill」
「...Fumu. I see」
I didn't utter any lie.
「Now then, concerning the examination to acknowledge your rank」
「I just have to display my strength right」
As Valeria nodded once, I stood up on my feet.
「I am not really fond of idle chatters, shall we get started. So, who is going to serve as my opponent. You want me to display my strength right?」
I turned my gaze towards Valeria.
Needless to say, it is most likely going to be Leon who I am going to face. That's the kind of person he is.
But, since it will be strange for me who is just meeting Leon for the first time, to be cognizant of his disposition to know that he would probably do that, I opted to wait for Valeria's words.
(Now, from here on, from here on, is another step)
To the poisonous path leading to death. On the road to a devastated death.
I will trample on that nobility, and pour the drops of your life into a vessel of despair
This is the last preparation for your stage.
As long as that is taken care of, all that is left, is just to roll down all the way down the road after losing your footing off its track.
(Say it, say it, come on say it already. Say that I will serve as your opponent)
「The one who will serve as your opponents for your examinations...」
Little by little, little by little, to the depths of despair.
To obtain the magic power required by the [Induction Blade of Genus Metamorphose].
So that when you finally notice the gradual transformation, it would be too late.
If I don't draw him out to a battle ground, even if it is a simulated one, I can't get as much magic power that is needed.
If the opponent is not prepared to receive pain, the ability won't activate.
(So, shall we begin. Just as planned, you...)
Come on, come on....
「Sorry for keeping you waiting! Now then, who among you am I* facing?」 (TLN: Archaic form of first-person singular mainly used by noble and elderly women)
「Galua!」
「Ta-dah, fufun? Oh-ho? Ohohohoho? Isn't this Kai-chan!」
That's right, so I knew it. I already friggin knew it.
「Fumu, you're finally here」
This thing called fate, always grinning in poor taste with its bad looks, while it deals you the joker.
「Alright, so these ladies will serve as your opponents」
(...Ahh, damn it, oh friggin goddamn it. When I finally thought that the advantages of having the advanced information* are no longer applicable, this happens?) {TLN: Probably the information about the first cycle}
Standing in front of me as I froze.
A scarlet hair that burns vividly, with an expression revealing an unyielding spirit, Leticia.
And next to Letcia, is a red-scaled dragon puppy that spews fire, Glen.
A bright shiny golden hair, with a sadistic smile on his face, Nonorik.
(I am pretty sure I killed Nonorik..., Would you cut me some slack already)
An idle thought does not give an optimal solution to an unexpected situation.
Uncertain factors, uncertain factors, uncertain factors, uncertain factors.
And above all, the second symbol of calamity who appeared before me so nonchalantly.
「you two, for a lady, that kind of attitude is a failing point」
A calm-colored blonde woman who is closer to brown than Nonorik. Her hair is bundled a bit high, to make a small ponytail.
The other two possesses small builds, and with the impression they give as they remained silent, they appear very mature.
(Yes, that's it, it's that composed face)
A noise ran through my mind.
Lilia, aah, Lilia, Lilia, Lilia Lilia Lilia Lilia!!
It is a surprise attack. All the doubts in my head fade away.
Along with Leon, the two of them together are present in this place at this moment!!
My mind was being swept by an intense rage.
Ah, goddamn it, this is why this so called god, is one lowlife son of a b*tch.