CHAPTER 56 – WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE

At the time Origa joined up with Hifumi, the First Knight Order was already close to complete annihilation.
Swinging the chains of the chigiriki, he hits the knights with the counterweight firmly. He focuses his aim on faces and noses and once their movements grow dull, he strikes at their necks.
Broken teeth and blood are scattered all over. On one side there are the fallen members of the First Knight Order of whom none are breathing anymore.
Everyone of the Third Knight Order, noticing Hifumi’s approach due to Sabnak’s warning, withdrew from the battlefield in panic.
Even the last member of the First Knight Order, coming thrusting his spear, had the spearhead arrested and his stance broken. He fell down by being tripped up.

“It’s the end.” (Hifumi)

The knight, having his neck broken by being stepped on, died spurting blood from his mouth.

“Alright, they were disposed of, huh?” (Hifumi)

Putting away the chigiriki, he puts the somehow disheveled dougi in order just as Origa is drawing close.

“Hifumi-sama, it looks like there aren’t any enemies in this area left.” (Origa)

Hifumi, listening to Origa’s report, muttered “Is that so?” after sending a fleeting glance in the direction of the gathering Third Knight Order.

“And… I discovered Beirevra not long ago.” (Origa)

“I see. So, what happened to him?” (Hifumi)

“I killed him with my own hands.” (Origa)

While stroking the dagger she fixed back on her arm again, Origa shows a face of neither sadness nor delight. Hifumi puts his hand on her shoulder.

“Good work. It is finally over.” (Hifumi)

Hifumi remembered the novel “Assistance in Revenge” he read once before. Although it was slightly different, for some reason, the words he casually said were something along those lines. He had a feeling that Origa at last, with those words of appreciation, was saved.

“H-Hifumi-sama…” (Origa)

Origa, overcome with emotions, leaped into Hifumi’s chest without even wiping the tears that started to pour out.

“Oh?” (Hifumi)

“I’m very sorry. Let me stay like this, only for a bit…” (Origa)

Hifumi, who showed a face of doubt for a moment due to Origa suddenly bursting into tears, seized her shoulders and pulled her apart. He directly stared into the eyes of her.

“Laugh, Origa.” (Hifumi)

“You killed your enemy accomplishing your revenge, right? Aren’t you glad? At such times you should laugh.” (Hifumi)

Origa, looking at Hifumi’s face for a while, smiled cheerfully while shedding tears after having taken a deep breath in one go that resounded through her throat.

“That’s right. It’s fine like this.” (Hifumi)

If seen from the sight, they might look like a couple that overcame some ordeal, but there are corpses of knights scattered in the surroundings.
Sabnak and Biron approach nervously at that point.

“Ermm…” (Sabnak)

“Ah, Sabnak, is it? I wonder if they are still fighting in city down the road? I will go there.” (Hifumi)

“No, umm… Though that person…” (Sabnak)

Sabnak pointed ahead. There was the figure of Prince Ayperos standing rock still with an appearance as if being an empty husk.

“Is something wrong with that brat?” (Hifumi)

“Brat, you say… Even if he’s like that, he still this country’s prince.” (Sabnak)

“It should be obvious”, Sabnak says, but Hifumi does no more than tilting his head to the side.
Did you intend to become a hindrance? Origa is looking at Sabnak with eyes full of nothing but the wish to curse him to death.

“Well, it’s fine. Although it seems he is being manipulated as well, we, of the Third Knight Order, want to take him into custody, but…” (Sabnak)

“I have no use for a brat that shows no inclination to fight with me. It’s fine if you do as you like with him.” (Hifumi)

“Thank you very much.” (Sabnak)

Hearing Hifumi’s answer, Sabnak gathered several people and headed towards Ayperos’ location.
In exchange Earl Biron steps in front of Hifumi.

“Thank you for your assistance. I am called Earl Biron Kamrat (T/N: >> Kamuratto <<). You are Earl Tohno, right?” (Biron)

“Biron? Ah, that letter-sending Earl, eh?” (Hifumi)

“That is so, on this occasion…” (Biron)

In the instant he tried to convey his gratitude, Hifumi draws his katana with his right hand using a backhand grip and presses the cold blade against the scruff of Biron’s neck.

“It’s alright to call me here because there are enemies. But, I don’t like your intention of using it for your own benefit.” (Hifumi)

“I-Intention to use you is wr-“(Biron)

“To call me for the sake of protecting your city isn’t using me? I came to kill the enemies, but I think it is far too good and convenient to be convinced that you aren’t included as one of them.” (Hifumi)

Until just now he had the leeway to show a smile, but now sweat was trickling down on his face. Biron saw his own reflection on the blade.

“I planned to personally protect the people and myself… since there was also the Third Knight Order… with the First Knight Order being outside my predictions…” (Biron)

Breathing roughly, Biron talked in broken parts. Hifumi separated the katana.

“A-As nobles of the same country, I requested the assistance of the hero Earl Tohno…” (Biron)

“Because there are battles, I will go there. I don’t care about the country or members of the same faction. My only criterion is whether you will become my enemy or not. … The overdue territorial soldiers of Fokalore will come here. You are free to welcome them or to oppose them, but if you consider mutual beneficial relations, I think you should arrange something corresponding for the given benefits. Don’t you think so?” (Hifumi)

Hifumi laughs broadly. Biron began to realize the true nature of the thing he had called himself. He thought that if Hifumi was a battle maniac, he would be delighted if there were enemies, but he made a huge mistake.
(This man yearns for nothing but killing. Doesn’t he have any interest in the result of a battle?)(Biron)
He now understood the reason why Sabnak had the Third Knight Order depart in a hurry at the time when Hifumi arrived. At that rate they might have been massacred in one go as they are a knight order as well.
Looking at Hifumi’s back heading in the direction of the prince, Biron took a short rest as consequence of his blunder.

☻

“Shall we remove the magic tool for the time being?”

“It will be bad if it has some side effects. It will also be bad if he acts violently. Isn’t it better to take him in the current state and return to the royal capital?”

“I have a feeling that the guys of the prince faction will say something about this, but…”

With Price Ayperos standing in the middle, the knights debated their opinions, but as of yet they haven’t reached a decision.
Noticing that Hifumi came walking over, all of them get out-of-the-way.

“Sabnak, you said that this guy is the prince.” (Hifumi)

“Please don’t accelerate his death…” (Sabnak)

“I recalled that I made a promise to Imeraria. I won’t kill him right now.” (Hifumi)

With those words Hifumi violently tore off the prince’s clothes and grabbed the magic tool embedded in his chest.

“I will let that guy himself choose his own destiny.” (Hifumi)

Same as with Ribezal previously, he tore off the magic tool in a brutal way without caring about the other party’s body at all.
The knights, visible in the surroundings, are just watching the situation without being able to stop this.
No one tries to catch the prince as he collapses to the ground.

“U… Uu?” (Ayperos)

Blinking his eyes, the prince regained his consciousness.

“Wh…at? What the he… My chest hurts… ? Uwah.” (Ayperos)

As the prince is looking at his own bloodstained body with a hole in his chest, he becomes confused right away. A magic potion was applied on him with a splashing sound.

“You woke up. Stand up.” (Hifumi)

Flinging away the emptied bottle, Hifumi orders him.

“This is…” (Ayperos)

Although he was completely preoccupied with the healed wound, the prince quickly got up.

“You bastard are from that time…” (Ayperos)

The prince is glaring with eyes full of hatred, but Hifumi isn’t even a bit perturbed.

“Well then, you have the choice to decide your fate here.” (Hifumi)

“What was that? You bastard, towards me who is the prince…” (Ayperos)

A single slap strikes Ayperos’ cheek.

“Shut up.” (Hifumi)

Tears are gathering in Ayperos’ eyes as the pain makes his surroundings appear blurry.

“This country’s throne is taken by Imeraria.” (Hifumi)

“Wh…” (Ayperos)

“It’s fine for you to do what you like after this. It’s even alright to oppose your elder sister. There is also the way of receiving some position of allegiance. … Ah, since your mother isn’t in this world anymore, relying on her is pointless even if you want to.” (Hifumi)

Ayperos opened his eyes widely due to the last words.
He surveys the vicinity. Because he only recognized the face of Earl Biron, who came close, he looks at that face.
Earl Biron slowly shook his head left and right.

“Such a… n-never…” (Ayperos)

“Ah, I killed her.” (Hifumi)

Hifumi, perceiving Ayperos gaze returning to him, informs him of the truth without hesitation.

“U-Uwaaaaaa! You bastard! You bastard aaaaaare!” (Ayperos)

As the prince suffered from being seized by madness, Hifumi kicked him with his right leg causing him to fall to the ground. Hifumi scowled at Ayperos who was unsightly tumbling to the ground.

“They chose the path of hostility by themselves. And they died due to that mistake. You are free to resent me, but have to resolve yourself to bear the responsibility for that action yourself.” (Hifumi)

“Ugu…” (Ayperos)

Although Ayperos is overpowered by the intimidating air of Hifumi, on top of fear, the emotion of rage is strong within him.

“You bastard are a parasite that has infiltrated this country! Not just ascending to a position, that doesn’t befits your-likes, by buttering up to elder sister, you are even deceiving elder sister. I won’t forgive you for kicking me who should become the king!” (Ayperos)

Does he not cease once he has started to spit out words of rage? He continues the insults towards Hifumi.

“P-Prince, let’s returning to the capital for the time being…” (Sabnak)

The prince doesn’t stop even as Sabnak calls out to him.

“I won’t go anywhere with your rotten Third Knight Order! Drawing someone like that into the country, this is the outcome after he was given a rank and territory! A savage that doesn’t understand what pedigree is! To injure me! Wh…” (Ayperos)

Ayperos’ field of vision warps.

“Wha, wha-wh-w…” (Ayperos)

Before anyone knows what’s going on, Ayperos head divides left and right. Both halves get out of alignment while shedding blood.
At the time he collapsed to the ground with the sound of a short splat. Ayperos died spilling the contents of his head.

“I won’t forgive you for insulting Hifumi-sama anymore than this.” (Origa) (T/N: The yandere strikes!)

It is Origa who did him in.
Stretching her right hand in front of her, she bisected Ayperos’ head cutting it with the a wind blade possessing the highest sharpness she could think of.

“Acha~” (Sabnak) (T/N: An expression basically meaning “Shit what have I/you done?”)  

Just Sabnak, as the only one amongst the shocked knights, spoke up.

☻

“You will stay here. Wait for the arrival of Alyssa’s group” (Hifumi)

“S-Such a… Ouch!” (Origa)

Origa squatted down rubbing her head after she received a fist from Hifumi.

“You stole my prey. Letting that foolish brat go freely like that should have created still more chaos within the country, but…” (Hifumi)

“H-However…” (Origa)

“Is there anyone that loses their temper over that brat from before? Anyway, the remaining lot is my prey.” (Hifumi)

Origa, being stricken with depression, saw Hifumi off with teary eyes as he went towards Münster by himself while being indignant.

“Do you have a moment?” (Biron)

Recovering herself, Origa bowed to Biron who came and started talking to her.

“How may I help you?” (Origa)

“Ah, it’s fine if you aren’t this formal. After all I’m in the position of having been saved by you. So, I hear that Earl Tohno’s troops are headed here, but since I want to welcome them to Münster, I’d like you to tell me the number of people if it suits you.” (Biron)

“If it is something like that”, Origa told him the number of people and their formation.

“And, I think that the dispute in this city will likely reach its temporary conclusion with this, but I wonder if it will result in having the troops, he brought along, return?” (Biron)

Upon hearing Biron’s question, Origa faced him with a suspecting look.

“No, I don’t understand the reason why Earl Tohno, who has this much fighting strength, especially brought along his troops, you know.” (Biron)

“… Well, it’s fine, I guess.” (Origa)

Origa quickly returning to being expressionless, unnaturally clears her throat.

“This time’s march was something like doing an expedition practice. Originally it’s only natural that they are unnecessary to do something like assisting Hifumi in such sort of battle.” (Origa)

“But,” Origa continues.

“After the departure from Fokalore Hifumi-sama had only once talked about his plans. … Because it isn’t interesting to fight people who are manipulated by a magic tool, he won’t enter Horant ・・・・ and,” (Origa)

“T-That is, in other words…” (Biron)

“As soon as our Fokalore territorial army has put their preparations in order, we will invade Horant.” (Origa)

Origa further continued as Biron was becoming pale.
“If you become an obstacle, we will advance the troops to crush you in one go with that power as well.”