Umarekawatta “Kensei” Wa Raku o Shitai

Early in the morning, I'll finish dressing and leave the inn behind.... It's been a long time since I dreamed of 'old times'.

I didn't dare touch Ilis and Aria deeply about Ruino Tomra.

A girl wearing a knife and a kimono - a man I know named Tomra - is said to have moved to a country in the East.

It's the same region as Azma Klee from The Swordsmen I defeated before.

This is only a so-called 'survey'. But for some reason, there is something close to certainty.

That Ruino, who is involved in this situation, is the blood of a man I know.

If that's the case... it means you're not someone I'm not involved with.

I left the inn on my own, even to be sure.

He says he'll leave the other students to the two of us in an emergency. To what extent it is urgent, it may also come close to the individual.

However, I think the situation is adequate and falls under 'it'.

"Hiccup, you came all the way out here, huh?

Look at me, girl - Ruino grins.

"That's right. Where people are sleeping, they're sending 'killers', right? I've never seen you face to face like this, Mr. Ruino."

"Hit it, yeah. I've always asked for you..."

If that's about admiring me, for example, it's not unpleasant, but even if all I can feel from Ruino is laughter, it's killing me.

Things are really weird, there's no people in the morning, there's no crowds because they're blockaded.

Instead, there are knights around Ruino. Despite his sword, Ruino himself keeps his eyes open to the knights around him, and he keeps staring at me.

"Yeah, yeah, even if we just met. You... are not like the others. That's right, I only killed four Swordsmen by myself!

"To be exact, I didn't kill one of them."

"! That's right. So... if I kill one more, will it be just the same in numbers? Then it might not take me long to get beyond you."

At the same time as that word, Ruino kicks the ground and packs the distance from me.

When the knights around me don't have time to react and instantly pull the knife out - they wave the blade down to my neck without getting lost.

Kin, and the sound of metal bumping around.

I'll make sure Ruino's blow is prevented.

The knights try to make a move late, but I signal it with my hands to stop it.

Ruino says, distorting his mouth like a three-day moon with a grin.

"Hit me, I figured - that's a good sword muscle. It's worth working with the Knights. Even this one time, you're going to be satisfied! But this isn't enough, is it? More... More! I wish I could slaughter you."

The impending, I can see that Ruino is still seriously trying to kill me.

I'm sure that's because you know I won't die to this extent.

If this kills you - that's what makes you a man who's not as powerful as she seeks.

"I know you do, but that's after it's all over"

"Hit, maybe... you came out to say that? Go out of your way..."

"That's what you wanted to hear, isn't it?

"... hiccup, hiccup. You know what I mean? But it's a little different. I also looked for swordsmen late last night... I couldn't find them. I was wondering if you hadn't come to this town yet. But I can't contain the heightened feelings, so I just want to 'taste' it."

"Taste, huh? That's a pretty good expression."

"'Cause, right? I'm here to fight you. But the swordsmen are certainly out of the way. When I fight you, I want to fight you in a state of perfection without worrying about anything. Yeah, but... maybe I can't stand it after all."

Critical and I can see the power to hold Ruino's sword getting stronger.

We just met, and I didn't know Ruino in any way.

But with the blow now - my 'investigation' turns to certainty.

The man I knew also used a knife and had a similar sword muscle.

Is Ruino Tomra... the granddaughter of Souki Tomra?

(I didn't expect to have a daughter like this from that man's family line.)

In a way, I can't hide the surprise.

Even though he was a man who lived the sword path as well, a man named Souki, in my memory, takes care of his family above all else.

I don't think it's strange to die at a time like this, to allow a dangerous way of life.

"... as I was saying, I'm not going to fight you yet. By the way, can I just ask you one question?

"What? If your question, I'll give you an answer to anything?

"How is Souki Tomra?

――

The moment I heard my question, there was a change in Ruino's expression. The smile disappears and the power to hold the knife is weakened.

Even though he was murderous, Ruino lowered his sword softly to distance himself from me.

Apparently, my question was unexpected.

"... why did you give me your grandfather's name?

"Grandpa," Ruino said.

This confirms - Ruino is Souki's granddaughter.

"I just know the name. Tomura, right? I was a little involved, and I was just wondering if maybe."

"... that. If they ask me if I'm well, I'm dead. If there's a place in the afterlife, you might be fine."

"Right. Are you dead already?"

"A question, that's all? Something tells me my family's motivated when they talk, they don't answer...... Oh, there you are! Next time, huh?

When Ruino says so, he turns his back and leaves the spot behind. In the end, he ended up just literally 'greeting' the knights around him without turning his gaze to them.

... Souki is already dead.

As far as Ruino's reaction was concerned, it seemed like something had happened, but it was not a situation where I could hear so much more about it.

"First Class Schweitz, are you all right!?

"No problem."

One of the knights called out to me, so I answer.

Even if you're on guard against Ruino, Remill, the Knights Commander, is choosing the path to work with her - they, their men, will have a lot of complicated thoughts, too.

"... I never thought Ruino would go into that kind of behavior in the early morning. I'm sorry I couldn't stop you."

"I don't mind. It's not like I'm going to be slaughtered at that point, and I'm the only one who's after Ruino. You don't have to be so vigilant."

"I will protect you, including you - because that is the order of the Knights of Ayn and our will"

"Thank you. But when it comes to Ruino, I think it's probably okay"

…… What is that...?

A knight man speaks questions in an incomprehensible way.

Of course, no one who can understand that - probably not except me.

Because she's 'strong' and I'm the one she's after.

I don't know about that real reason. But what do we do about Ruino... maybe I'm the only one who can decide that.