Part 6
It was a fight that they could never afford to lose. And yet,
…KUN!
Toujou Basara's impatience and frustration intensified. In terms of speed, he
is superior. Attack speed, movement speed, reaction speed––––in every
aspect he is better than Zolgear.
––still, not a single cut was made by his sword.
Zolgear kept on dodging the attacks that Basara gave and easily dealt it with
ease. He passed through all his attacks, read his faints, and handled his speed
with composure.
There was an overwhelming difference in abilities that his speed alone is
insufficient to reach.
Moreover –––as Maria had said, Zolgear can also use countless powerful
magic besides sword fighting.
The black flame a while ago is magic. He applied magical power to the blade
and shot it through. Even though he's messing around with sword plays, if he
used magic, it will be over. However,
"Even so, I cannot lose here…!"
As an elder brother, as a childhood friend, and as a son–––Toujou Basara
wanted to protect them.
The man before his eyes is trying to deprive him of his important ones and
taint them.
He cannot forgive such a thing.
…Besides,
Even in overwhelming disadvantage, the situation is still better. Zolgear is
cautious of [ ] that was made to save Zest. In addition, to
acquire Basara's ability, he's trying to choose the best option to capture him
alive. The way things really are, there is a faint hope among the hopeless
difference in their abilities–––Therefore,
…Please, hold on…!
As Basara persuaded his own body, he changed his fighting style.
This style is contrary to the speed types that avoid useless movements. Using
it in the battle against Takashi who excel in wielding the Spirit Lance[
], it makes an opponent incapable of reading your moves by giving
away too much useless movements and recklessly charging ahead at full
speed, a way of fighting that is almost similar to a reckless rampage.
However,
…A little is all I need…
If he were able to drive Zolgear into a corner, even by a slight chance, then
it's possible to defeat this guy. So,
"––––––"
Putting his body into the domain of hyper-speed, Toujou Basara began
charging at Zolgear.
"Hou…!"
To Zolgear who seemed to be delighted as he saw, Basara drove a continuous
attack that combined both irregularity and eccentricity. On the other hand, as
Zolgear dealt with the combo of attacks that Basara gave,
"So a non-strategic suicide attack eh …? Your way of resistance pleases me
to the end."
Banishing Shift
Abysmal Execution
Byakko
White Tiger
Still smiling with composure, he cut off Basara's attacks.
––––But, from here on, Basara accelerated. Afterimages are slowly
appearing, series of attacks are connected, and began to surpass Zolgear's
defenses that he took pride of. And then,
"Seeeeeeaaaaaaaaa–––!"
Tearing apart his robe along with his scream, Basara apparently caught
Zolgear.
Starting from his shoulders a small rip ran around Zolgear's battle clothes.
…I can make it…!
Even his consciousness was about to dim the moment the sword reached,
Basara had found light.
"Impressive… Even though I had ground you to this extent, you still
managed to lay a blow on me."
Zolgear smiled in admiration,
"––––Now then, How about this?"
The moment he said that–––– Zolgear's figure disappeared as if it was
swallowed by the void.
"Wha–––!?"
Basara was caught in a surprise. Zolgear's presence, let alone his terrifying
aura of magical power has completely vanished.
With a severe expression, Basara set up Brynhildr and focused his eyes at his
surroundings.
"Hah–––?"
The moment he felt a presence, it was too late.
"Ga,hah...ah…ha…!?"
Basara's neck is grasped by an invisible hand, and his body was lifted to the
air. And then,
"You can make use of the speed you are proud of to disappear from the eyes
of your opponent, yet you can't do anything when the other party disappeared
from your view? How disappointing… "
A voice full of ridicule was heard from the thin air before his eyes. While
grabbing his neck so hard that it might broke anytime,
"Guu...Ku, Oooooooooooooooooo!"
Toujou Basara swung Brynhildr with great force to the space in front of his
eyes.
"––––Whoops!"
However, his body was thrown, his back hitting the floor forcibly. With a
roar, a crater appeared on the stone-paved floor behind Basara.
"Gaah...uh…!"
Raising his voice in agony from the impact, acute pain ran all over his body.
Still, he rolled to his left with haste. At the same time,
GAKIIIN!
An invisible blade pierced the floor from where the right shoulder of Basara
was.
"Hahaha, You avoided that well, that's good, but not so."
"–––There!"
As Basara rolled sideways, he kicked the floor and stabbed towards the place
of origin of the voice.
He aimed at his feet. If the opponent is superior at stealth, one way to defeat
it is by disabling his movement. However, when Brynhildr drew a horizontal
slash, Basara only cut through thin air.
On the contrary, he received a blow coming from his right that seemed from a
sword hilt.
"Guhah! Guh…huh…."
He received an impact from his torso, stumbling back by a step or two.
Almost fainted in agony from the hit in his trunk earlier, Basara clenched his
teeth in rejection and still tried to stand up. However,
"Have your fast legs that you're proud of stopped working? If so, then behave
and fall down. It will be much easier"
At that moment he said that with a grin, Basara lowered his head in pain.
"Gah–––!?"
Receiving a blow from the back of his head, his body pitched forward.
––––But, this was enough for Toujou Basara to fall unconscious.
In addition to that, before engaging with Zolgear, Basara had already taken so
much damage in order to persuade Takigawa and Maria. Even a blink would
make Basara's eyelids be closed for eternity.
However–––Basara who fell sideways, had his eyes almost shut, and then he
saw. The two girls who shouted on top of their voices toward him.
Mio and Yuki.
"––––!"
Basara couldn't hear what the two are saying. As if all of the sounds were
gone from the world. Probably because the damage he received was too
much, his sense of hearing was temporary paralyzed. However,
"––––!"
Mio and Yuki desperately called out something. Towards Basara, they
shouted on the top of their lungs.
Toujou Basara couldn't hear it. He couldn't hear even a tiny bit of voice from
the two. But,
"––––!"
When the two finally stopped their words, they looked at his face that seemed
like they are about to cry.
"Kuh...O, Ooo…!"
Clenching his teeth, Basara stood up.
It's because he remembered. The reason why he is fighting, the reason why he
must not lose here.
The sense that was born first was his acute pain. The pain lead Basara to
regain his five senses again.
"So you can still stand huh… Coming up to this point, is no longer bravery,
but plain stupidity."
With a happy tune, Zolgear suddenly appeared before him at once.
"......"
Basara fixated his eyes on him in silence. Then,
"You've got good eyes. Eyes full of willful thoughts of your unwillingness to
hand yourselves over–––then, I shall trample those thoughts for you."
Zolgear expressed a cruel smile.
"I will show those eyes of yours the true meaning of despair…"
In a second, Zolgear vanished again. However, Toujou Basara didn't move.
Basara closed his eyes, and the concentration of all his other nerves have
been raised to the maximum.
…Maybe.
In his present condition, being able to swing his sword this time maybe his
last.
––I must never miss this time.
Aiming for a single blow, Toujou Basara prepared his stance.
Slipping out excess force from his whole body, he arrived into a speed
reaching like an act of god.
Zolgear's figure and his presence cannot be felt. Being able to completely
erase his own existence, perhaps, it is a skill that crosses dimensions or
something. But still, there is only one chance to catch Zolgear. And that is,
…the exact timing Zolgear attacks me…
It was to aim at him in a flash. Zolgear's attacks couldn't be avoided until
now. However, Basara didn't think about evasion anymore. If the other party
uses an ability to cross dimensions, It is impossible to avoid it no matter how
he moves. Then one should not choose evasion, but a flash counter ahead as
an option. Suddenly––––To the tremor in the atmosphere that was felt
behind,
Toujou Basara twist his body faster with a spinal reflex, and paid all out in
his single blow.
The horizontal killing slash caught the invisible Zolgear from thin air.
As Brynhildr's slash was driven in––––Toujou Basara gave a positive
response.
"Ah..."
At that moment–––he became dumbfounded.
Brynhildr surely hit the torso of Zolgear.
However, it didn't reach. The spot was protected by a protective barrier by a
very small gap.
––––just a few millimeters more.
If he could only set their distance to zero, Basara might have been victorious
from here. However, the distance that is only from zero to several
millimeters, seemed to be a cruel distance between zero and infinity.
"That's right–––I really wanted to see those eyes."
The moment his dark smile is heard, Toujou Basara was flung against the
wall at his rear.
＊＊＊＊＊
With just a glance of Zolgear, Basara was crashed on the wall and fell on his
back. –––but, he couldn't stand up. A sword attack of Zolgear threw Basara
off behind, completely separating his consciousness from his body––––––
which was only natural. However,
"Basara..., Basaraaaa!"
Being bound by mental bondage, Mio cried out Basara's name. Then,
"...uu..."
Basara moved with a slight groan. Even though the armor in his right hand
crumbled, he didn't let go of Brynhildr.
"Having this much vitality to move for an insect…I'm impressed by your
willpower."
Grinning, Zolgear began walking slowly towards Basara.
That time.
"––––Don't move"
A cold voice was heard behind Zolgear.
It's not Mio. It is not Yuki. And no––––It wasn't Zest either.
––––Then who is it?
Zolgear understood. Then he smiled.
The one talking at his back is none other than…
"I knew you would come… the boy is only a decoy, and the real thing is you,
right Maria?"
Part 7
Still smiling, Zolgear turned his back and faced Maria with composure.
On the other hand, Maria was also in a calm and composed state, and said:
"…You're wrong. In fact, Basara doesn't want me to come."
However,
"I'm not the type to wait while others are fighting––––and it's also because
Mio-sama and I aren't fated to be yours in the first place."
She told so, and glanced at Mio from her distance.
"You…are Maria, right…?"
A voice of surprise was leaked at her figure, which transformed herself into
her mature form. Being silent because of the guilt after deceiving them, she
glanced at Mio and Yuki apologetically but only for an instant.
"––––Hou. I knew it, that figure of yours is truly beautiful."
At that instant, Zolgear gazed back towards her.
"––––––––––"
As soon as she saw Zolgear's creeping glance that seemed to lick her all over,
Maria jumped back in panic.
"Though I don't usually have even a little bit of desire towards young people,
you right now made me quite excited. But even if I order you to transform
yourself several times after coming to follow me, that would be impossible
because it is a one-time use technique...or was that a lie as expected?"
"...I would rather die than become your partner at night"
Maria spat out in disdain.
"I really cannot understand a habit of a wild succubus having a sense of
virtue… then, you who kept on feigning ignorance, with your family's life on
the line, why is it that you are in your transformed state right now?"
Zolgear shook his shoulders feeling happy.
"Do you want to become a woman at least, because you failed making the
boy deprave you ––––Or, you think transforming yourself and keeping your
original form would allow you to escape the guilt from your betrayal?"
"I don't have any more rights to expect such a thing. I had appeared to stop
Basara from acting recklessly."
And,
"My purpose coming here in this appearance––––was to kill you."
She declared in an icy tone.
"Me, killed…? Surely, you are able to fight me on face to face, but not this
time."
As if gauging her ability, Zolgear spoke.
"However, a considerable amount of time has passed after you transformed.
In that condition, you can only last for a few minutes. In such a short time,
you intend to kill me who is even more powerful that you?"
"We won't be able to find it if we won't try"
"No, I already knew. You cannot kill me… haven't you forgotten?"
Saying so, Zolgear snapped his fingers.
Then–––––on the screen at the wall to the right, a video footage of a prison
was projected. There, a member of her family was reflected.
"––––––!"
Maria held her breath instinctively, then her face turned bitter.
"Now then, I will let you choose… Naruse Mio and that girl over there to
become mine, betraying your master together with the Moderates faction that
was supposed to save you, or see your family die?"
As he said so, Zolgear revealed a vulgar smile.
He has taken the hostage in some unknown remote place. It was a hopeless
situation. However,
"…I refuse all of them."
Maria, enduring her heart to succumb in desperation glared at Zolgear.
It's because of what Basara had said to her. Because he will save her by all
means, Maria shouldn't give up either.
And–––––thanks to Basara, a ray of light remained in this desperate situation.
That is,
"I will defeat you here, and look for my family afterwards. For sure, that
woman over there know their whereabouts."
Not taking a move yet, Maria took a glance at Zest. She was told as useless
and has just been ordered to die, so there's no reason for her to follow
Zolgear's orders anymore. Even if Maria asked, it may be impossible, but if
Basara who saved her life asked, it is. Then,
"After defeating me huh? …unfortunately, that's impossible."
From those words, Zolgear couldn't help but laugh.
"How can you declare that sort of thing so casually? As for the limit your
appearance will last, it is only a little more time–––with me as of now, one
serious hit would kill you."
To that, Maria got into a pose, lowered her waist lightly, and broke into a run.
"Nay… Even if you are in that state for a long time, I say that it's impossible
for you to save your family after defeating me."
The moment Zolgear said those words ––––The video footage on the wall
suddenly changed.
"Eh...?"
Maria was dumbfounded for a moment. Having projected onto the wall, was
the prison covered with blood. And the figure of her family that was reflected
a while ago can't be found anywhere.
Zolgear with a heartfelt expression said:
"The moment I snapped my fingers a while ago, was not to start the
projection the video footage. It was the motion key to activate the superelectromagnetic radiation device of the jail where your family was. The video
footage a while ago, is the result of what had just become." He said in
disappointment.
"But you should be grateful. Though I exposed a horrible way of dying, there
is no time to suffer. After all––––––the body exploded in an instant."
He said so as he continued projecting the video footage at this moment.
"––––––––"
Particles of innumerable purple lightning has risen in the surface of the jail,
engulfing Maria's family in a state of panic, then swell like a balloon in
surprising swiftness, and exploded–––––into a thousand fragments of flesh
and blood.
"Aah...Aaaaahhh..."
In Naruse Mio's line of sight, Maria leaked a trembling voice of aghast.
Losing all her willpower, both of her knees slowly got down on the floor,
rose colored particles wrapped Maria, and the next moment, her body
returned to that of the original young girl.
Feeling the despair of witnessing her family's death, the last power that
remained in Maria was lost. If it was the usual Mio, she would rush up to
Maria and support her. It doesn't matter even if she had been deceived. If her
loved one has gotten hostage and was threatened, it couldn't be helped. –––––
But the present Mio wasn't able to rush up to Maria.
Mio's eyes were also nailed down to the video footage that has been showed
to Maria. The death of Maria's family resembled the way her foster father is
killed while confronting Zolgear for the sake of Mio's safety.
The memory of that day was inevitably revived.
In Mio's mind, the scene when her adoptive parents were killed flashed back
clearly.
"Aaah...Aaah, aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa––––––!"
As Mio's feelings burst out, red waves that swelled up inside her went loose.
Part 8
"Splendid…"
Upon witnessing the power of Wilbert running wildly inside Mio, Zolgear
exclaimed. A deep red wave extended around her, making the atmosphere
rumble intensely.
And then––––the waves produced a gravity storm and focused on a single
point, seeming to swallow everything within its grasp. With a shrill sound,
the bright red waves Mio produced was dispersed.
At the same time, vast magic circles appeared along the walls, the floor and
the ceiling.
"––––––all appeared according to my calculations"
Zolgear who succeeded in completely confining Mio's power, said so and
laughed in a grand manner.
––––––For the power gravity magic of Wilbert that sleeps inside Mio,
Zolgear performed elaborate preparations to obtain it. Collected information
are poured into his mansion.
Zest examined the numerical values in Mio's battle against Lars in the park
the other day, prepared the magic field, and finished the adjustments.
The switch to make Mio's power run wild was also predicted to this extent,
too. The important thing is to make her experience a similar scene when her
parents are killed like in the video footage, and that should do it.
The video footage some time ago could be replayed, and if anything, a human
being and a devil will do as a sacrifice. If it works and the power runs wind
again, awakening its full power will be in no time.
––––The only difficult part is, deploying the anti-magic field consumes a
large amount of magic power. This time Zolgear's magic power was used,
but it is as what you expect of the power of the strongest demon king.
Though Zolgear was confident in his amount of magic power, it has made to
consume most of his just by having suppressed it once.
…However.
Zolgear suddenly smiled.
This time, he can use the absorbed magic power that was suppressed from the
current rampage to the device for the next one. It only has to repeat the
rampage and absorption afterward.
"The goal to obtain the power of Wilbert was within my sight…"
Zolgear examined over again. After the rampage, Naruse Mio's stood still
with hollow eyes.
Probably it was impossible for her to retain consciousness after releasing all
that magical power inside her body.
However––––in spite of such state, Mio was beautiful.
But then,
"Well then––––shall I show you much more?"
Thoroughly satisfying her beauty, Zolgear stretched out his right hand to tear
apart Mio's clothes.
"Nn––––…?"
But the hand disappeared.
"––––––Guaaaaa! My hand, my hand! –––"
As he pulled back his right hand while grimacing in pain, his right arm was
already gone up to his shoulder.
––––and then, Zolgear finally noticed.
At Mio, who is standing still––––the surrounding atmosphere was shaking.
"…This is… no way!"
Zolgear, who unleased the power of Wilbert inside Mio, understood why it
was alive while being in the center of the gravity storm. As if he cannot
believe what is happening, he cried:
"Was the gravity waves that didn't let through created a space distortion? Did
it create a barrier of high temperature in the surroundings...!?" (!)
Probably, this is the original power of Naruse Mio.
Sleeping in the shadow of Wilbert, was Mio's true nature that cannot be
warped by any existence.
And then, the moment he thought so, Zolgear held his breath in shock. The
cause–––Naruse Mio, turned her hollow eyes onto him.
＊＊＊＊＊
The time has come.
Despite of the powerful force running wildly around her whole body, Naruse
Mio was calm and composed.
"–––––"
Naruse Mio, while staring at the man in front of her eyes, longed for this day
to come.
––––One day, her parents were suddenly killed. She was told that she was not
a human but a demon. She kept on convincing herself that it was a lie, but the
truth was thrust to her–––almost crushing her to despair and uneasiness, but
still, she was able to make it somehow. To avenge the enemy who murdered
her adaptive parents––––this man in front of her eyes, was her earnest desire.
She was confident her wish will finally be fulfilled at last.
If it's her present self–––obliterating the enemy in front of her would be no
effort at all. Therefore,
"Sto-Stop it..."
Seeing her enemy frightened, she raised her hands in a quick motion.
No problem. I can erase him completely without a trace. Because I––––I
have lived for this sake. I will defeat the enemy of my parents right now.
Thus, intending to eradicate everything, Mio created waves to erase him
whole.
"I cannot allow this, Mio."
This time––––––a soft voice was heard, completely restraining her actions.
Part 9
While dragging his injured legs, a dull, heavy pain reached his sides.
Still, Toujou Basara called unto Mio's back that was before his eyes.
"Stop… You mustn't kill him."
"…why?"
Without looking back, a question came. It was a low, dark voice that is far
from the usually bright Mio. This face of hers wasn't seen by Basara. But, he
was sure––––––she had that expression that he would never allow her, this
present Mio to do it. And then,
"This guy is father and mother's enemy… This guy, he killed them in front of
me."
"…Yeah"
To Mio who is still not looking back, Basara returned a bitter nod.
"I have lived to take my revenge to this bastard, to kill this bastard!"
"Yeah, I know…"
That's why, Mio:
"If you understand...Why did you say "don't kill" ?"
"––––––––––"
To that cold voice, Zolgear's whole body shook in fear. Yuki and Zest held
their breaths, too. Powerful and intimidating. In addition to Wilbert's power,
Mio's potential has also let loose, a pressure suitable to be called a demon
king's level.
However–––––Toujou Basara still told her. With a firm and strong voice,
"But I––––this revenge of yours, I didn't wish for your future to be bound up
by this."
These words, which Basara had said, was a wish that he held from the bottom
of his heart.
––––––The enemies of her parents were defeated. Being released from the
suffering, she should have a peace of mind.
Being obtained her long cherished wish, it should provide her a sense of
fulfillment.
But, if Mio intended to take revenge on her parents' enemies, it will all end
here. Other than the fact that her parents were killed, nothing will be left
other than the fact that she killed the enemy.
Of course, a big regret will remain in Mio if she doesn't kill Zolgear here.
However.
That regret of hers will be healed by Basara, Maria and Yuki whom were
close to her.
But if not, she won't be able to erase the fact that she had done. Before,
Toujou Basara let his ability run wild once, his past where he erased the
bodies of his companions couldn't be the same anymore. If Mio were to kill
Zolgear here, this truth will never be overturned.
If Mio were to kill her own feelings and gave priority to complete her
mission above all––––––if she acquired training of the Hero Clan, he might
not stop her.
–––––––But, Mio is not so.
In reality, she's not straightforward, but is actually gentle. She's acting brave
and all, but the truth is she isn't strong. Even that she had inherited the
Demon King's predecessor's power, even that she could use strong magic,
Toujou Basara is sure–––––Naruse Mio is still a normal girl.
For that reason, Basara wanted to protect her.
From everything who will hurt her. Therefore–––––if Mio is going to hurt
herself,
He will protect her even from her own self.
Therefore, Toujou Basara said again. He intended to repeat this no matter
how many times.
"Mio, if you kill him–––––you will only achieve a sense of liberation from
revenge for a moment, followed by eternal despair. The life of this guy… you
don't need to carry it in your back and suffer this burden."
Basara pleaded.
"Because I will protect you…from the hatred of losing your parents, from the
regret of overlooking this fellow, I will protect you from all of them, even to
those that seemed to be impossible. I'll spend every day being near with you
from now on…I will lighten it little by little."
In a soft voice, but filled with strong emotions he wanted to convey, He told
to the girl whom he cherished so much.
"......…"
Then, from Basara's words, from a long silence Mio gave,
"…Then, give me an order."
She said, turning around and looked back towards him.
And cried out.
"Primarily under the contract, I who am your subordinate, "Don't kill him",
"Give it up", give me an order to do so. Then I, to Basara–––––to Onii-chan,
I will follow."
She squeezed out those words in a tragic but brave voice. However, Basara
refused to remain silent.
"…No way. If you are saved by that then I will order you as much as I need
to. However, we cannot return to being a brother and sister anymore if we did
that. It will be impossible for us to return back to being a family."
I hate that.
"Right now I am not a hero. And, if this is a mission, these flashy words
cannot protect you anymore." However,
"But as a family, as a big brother, as a man–––––I will protect you."
With those words that contain what he truly desire, Toujou Basara hugged
Naruse Mio.
"I'm sorry for being unreliable...but still, let me protect you."
As he touched Mio, the people around them held their breath at once. This is
because they have witnessed Zolgear vaporized his arm in a similar way in
front of their own eyes.
But––––Toujou Basara informed his own body that there is no need to worry.
The barrier of high temperature surrounding Mio didn't exist anymore. When
she turned around with a face that seemed to cry anytime, Mio had already
calmed the rampaging of her power. Later on––––––by the words that
persuaded her, he waited for the opportunity.
––––––Then, Mio was hugged into the arms of Basara, and before long,
began quivering her shoulders.
It grew louder and louder. Before she knew, the cries overflowed.
"–––––––––––"
With her parents murdered, it revealed her real nature and a wailing girl who
was trapped in her own despair of cruel reality and revenge was born. The
sorrow of Naruse Mio, those feelings that she couldn't stop, formed tears and
overflowed. As such, Mio, her precious family––––––Toujou Basara kept
silent, and continued hugging her.
Part 10
The backslash of her power running wild has seemed to hit.
Mio fainted into the arms of Basara after a short while, as Yuki observed. At
the same time,
"–––––––––––"
The figure of Zolgear who had crouched on the floor dissolved into thin air.
He used this chance and escaped in an instant. Nonaka Yuki reacted
immediately.
"–––––I won't let you escape!"
She tried to pursue him at once, but,
"There is no need for that, Yuki…"
Basara that held Mio gave words of restraint. However, Yuki didn't
understand.
"Why... that guy hurt Basara and everyone. Besides, he is also obsessed
with you two. As soon as he have healed his injury, he will surely come back
again. Plus, that man, to Maria–––––."
"It's okay…"
However, the moment Basara gave words of relief,
"––––––Maria" A voice sounded like a child called a name, and Maria was
the first to respond.
Everyone followed where the voice came from, then the young succubus
came up running to the entrance. With overwhelming surprise filled her heart
for a moment, Maria jumped onto the succubus that was even smaller than
her.
"How...?"
Feeling the warmth of her family whom she have thought would have died,
Maria was stunned by that fact.
"–––didn't I say that I'm going to save you?"
Basara said.
"There is someone who lent his power to us. Before Zolgear tried to kill this
child, he was able to save her somehow. The one that have died was only a
dummy to be precise."
"A dummy..."
For Maria who doesn't believe in miracles,
"Yes. For that I'm alright... Thank you, Maria"
With a reliable warmth surrounding her arm, it came to tell her that the
miracle is real. With a soft voice,
"Until now, they have made you suffer for a long time. For that, I'm very
sorry..."
From those calm words, her small head was raised, and with a trembling
body and a shaking voice, Maria which is deeply moved, said
"...Mother..."
It was a deep heartfelt reunion. Still, there is a word that couldn't be avoided.
...Mother?"
Yuki knitted her eyebrows in reflex.
Then, the smiling young succubus beside her is…
"Oh my, I apologize for the slow introduction. I am Maria's mother, Shera.
I'm grateful for you helping my daughter."
"Ha, Well… that is...it's our pleasure"
With a slightly perplexed look, Basara also bowed, although he gave a hand
to help her out, he doesn't seem to know about it and the fact truly shocked
him.
Also, Yuki wanted to hear the circumstances including the matters of the
'Collaborator' that Basara said.
"Well...I'll tell the details later."
That idea was renewed from Basara's words. Well, there is certainly one
thing that they should be doing right now. That is,
"First of all, let's find a way out of this place. Zolgear may have a device or
something in this mansion."
From his words, Yuki and the others who were in the place nodded. Then,
Basara,
"––––Zest, you're going to come with us, too."
Unlike Zolgear who ran away, she was prepared to accept what kind of
treatment they will do to her, they told to the beautiful demon who have
remained quiet till now.
"Though there are a lot of stories I want to hear… we'll discuss about what
you will do from now on."
Then, in front of Yuki's eyes,
"…Got it. I will abide your orders, Toujou Basara."
With an obedient nod, Zest said so.
"This life whom you, an enemy, saved–––––––Please decide what will be the
use of me"
Part 11
Something dark crossed the space of a bedroom that night.
The moment Mio fainted, Zolgear succeeded escaping before Basara's eyes.
"How dare him, to my arm…"
As the pain of losing his right arm gradually became severe, Zolgear spitted
out words of grudge.
"I – I won't forgive you… I will never forgive you. I'll destroy you together
with this mansion. As soon as this wound is restored and my magic power
recovers, I will give you despair more panful than death…"
Zolgear cursed with a voice shaking with anger. As darkness entered his eyes
once again, he leaped from the midst of his bedroom basked in moonlight.
"―――GAAAAaaaahhh!?"
However, he received a direct hit of an explosive flame magic and was blown
off outside the bedroom he just entered. The explosion greatly ripped off his
right flank.
"...Gah, Guuh… Wha...?"
As Zolgear who rolled to the round looked up, a shadow suddenly emerged
from the darkness.
And then―――as the shadow made a single step, the moonlight illuminates
it, revealing its face. That is,
"La – Lars…?!"
Zolgear spoke in aghast.
"Well, well, well. It's been a long time, Marquis Zolgear. Oh my, what
happened to you?"
Lars floated a cold smile and looks down in a calm manner.
"Why is a gentleman like you…groveling like an insect to the ground?"
Oh my?
"I can't seem to find that prideful hand of yours that made countless women
cry. Are you possibly thinking that your arm dropped in the dark and came
looking for it? Oh dear, so that's why you're in a panic right now. Sadly,
your arm has completely disintegrated right? I think it's pointless even to
look for it anywhere."
He had known the entire situation all along. Saying in a tone tinged with
ridicule,
"You bastard... so you're alive all along"
Zolgear glared with hatred while suppressing the wound on his flank with his
left hand.
"Wha? Such thing, you don't really get it? You're really stupid are you?"
Lars shrugged his shoulders.
"…this whole incident. In exchange with Naruse Mio, it was your objective
to slip Toujou Basara in my residence from the very start. And you, to give
an opportunity, to that succubus…"
"Yes. Because you know that you are being suspected by me, I have intended
to provoke your Excellency's subordinate from the beginning of negotiations,
burning my "doll" to make it clear that I have been silenced completely."
Therefore,
"Thanks to this, she didn't keep an eye to this place, and it was very easy to
move. After that, I began investigating the whereabouts where Maria's family
is captured"
"What the…?"
"Why so surprised? You're one of the famous high ranking demons in Hell,
besides, you're currently on house arrest. Now that I don't know who may
notice my presence, it's not an option to take the risk to do something
unnecessary. Also the Moderates are still continuing their search, but it
shouldn't be kept in your main mansion. If I am found by Maria and be
discovered, all will be wasted."
However,
"To be able to act when something happened, I considered to put the magic
near the degree where I can control it like a remote. If you put it too far away,
it will only cause uneasiness. So if you aimed to focus on looking, it will hit a
jackpot. To tell you the truth, I was already ahead and located the place.
Thanks to the snap of his Excellency's finger, I have found and saved the
hostage with ease."
"...you, you bastard, what are you sa-…no. What the hell are you up to?"
He noticed the possibility that the man in front of his eyes might be a spy of
the Moderates. Looking at the circumstances that is happening in front of him
right now, is not considered wrong. However――in locating the whereabouts
of the hostages, why did he remain silent to Maria and her fellow
companions? If it was for the existing Demon King faction, it won't do any
profit for the Moderates. Unable to see Lar's real intention,
"Nay… My plan intended to go a little more cautiously. After calling me via
phone call, by a little rough method of camaraderie as a proof to confirm our
friendship, dealings have been proposed in the middle of the fight."
"Dealings…huh…?"
"Yes. For the information regarding the whereabouts of Naruse Mio, we
wished to help the family of Maria who is kept hostage. As a substitute ――
for me, I said that I don't mind the reward. Because I'll achieve it no matter
what. That's all."
And,
"I accepted the condition. Therefore, I'm now here before you, your
Excellency."
While looking down upon this, Lars seemed to be happy.
"Wha-what are you saying...?"
The fact that Lars had dealings with Basara, was the fact that Zolgear was
unable to believe.
"――the predecessor His majesty Wilbert, As for choosing the foster parents
whom he may leave his daughter with to be brought up to the human world,
these two people were especially kind among his subordinates."
Lars lowered his eyes and began to talk.
"Perhaps, you bastard wouldn't even know the names of the people you've
killed. They were never of the highest ranks, but they are existences which
are loved dearly by many of their fellow brethren."
And,
"Above all――those two raised an orphanage that continued accepting
children who had lost their relatives during the Great War, and were yearned
like an older brother and an older sister, especially fellows like me."
"――You son of a!? Don't tell me――"
Zolgear was at loss for words. To the man who stands before his eyes, he felt
something darker than hatred in him.
Then――what on earth did Toujou Basara exchanged with from his
negotiation with Lars?
――When Basara was fighting against him, it seemed that there were some
delaying tactics and decoys involved. Basara was a decoy to lure Zolgear,
and Maria was his aim all along.
After all Basara had said instructed her to "come with me".
Then, who is the one that Basara was waiting for? If it doesn't become
unexpected development that Maria comes to him, who will stand behind
Zolgear? As he thought of this, he has no choice but to be in shock, as Lars
tells the purpose that he has kept on holding secretly till now.
Against the rays of moonlight, a frozen smile is revealed.
"That's right Zolgear. The conditions that I took out――is to kill you by this
hand."