28 – Red Flower
One week later.
The duel was to take place in the garden behind the baron’s house.
The reason for this was that there was a need to go through the official procedures.
Duels were a part of society, and a right of the noble class of the empire. However, it was also necessary to notify the government and receive approval.
If anything, a week was on the short side. The more difficult part was persuading the baron and his wife.
They both opposed the idea. However, Iria argued that it was a matter between Aize and Mikhail, and there was nothing they could do to interfere.
Still, they were not satisfied.
The baron glared angrily as he stood in the garden.
And then there were the two people in the center.
“Damn it. How troublesome all of this is…”
Spat the man who was facing Aize.
He was dressed in the exact same way he had in the mountains.
A knife twirled in his hand.
“Hey, look. The master’s face.”
He pointed towards Mikhail Fravault.
Indeed, his face was twisted with anxiety as he sat in the spectator seat.
“His whole plan has crumbled. Even if I win, there is no going back. Still, he hasn’t given up. He should just accept defeat.”
“…I don’t care about that.”
“Of course.”
He chuckled.
“Well, let’s get this over with then.”
“In the name of His Imperial Majesty, we hereby commence the trial by duel between Aize Lilietg and Mikhail Fravault.”
Iria’s words tore through the air.
The nervous atmosphere around them turned into bloodlust and shook the air.
“Now…begin!”
The man in front of her fired.
Aize dodged the bullet and was about to step forward in order to rush towards the man…but he had vanished.
“!?”
It was mostly instinct.
She raised her spear above her head to guard, just as the heavy impact hit it.
A moment later, she was flying through the air after being kicked.
“…”
As she flew, a rain of bullets assaulted her.
Each targeted her vitals. She regained her posture in the air and knocked them down.
(He’s fast…!)
Too fast. Too precise.
Could it be…that he was holding back in the mountain?
As Aize landed, the man rushed towards her with the speed of the wind.
She dodged it just in time, but the knife still left a thin streak across her cheek
But it didn’t end there.
(I cannot read his movements…!)
His arm was like striking snakes, attacking in quick succession.
Not only that, but he continued to fire at her with his pistol.
As for his face, it was without expression. He stayed silent as he pushed her closer to death.
(He’s strong…!)
Even more than her.
◆ ◇ ◆
“Teacher…!”
Ms. Iria looked at me with worry, and I nodded.
He was definitely several levels above Ms. Aize.
“I hope you’re not thinking about stopping this now?”
Siad Mikhail Fravault.
He was smiling again.
“Aize…”
Mimi clutched her hands together as if praying.
I had told her that Aize would win.
And I had done so while knowing that the man was stronger.
“He-he won’t kill her, will he?”
The baron said with a panicked expression.
Mikhail shook his head.
“Of course, I have told him to try and keep her alive. Of course, one can never be certain…”
(He’s lying…)
I could tell by the movements that he had been ordered to kill her no matter what. It was already that kind of situation. If Aize made one wrong move, she would be dead.
“Wh-whaat…”
“Baron Lilieth.”
The baron and his wife turned to him.
I kept my eyes on the fight while I spoke quietly.
“Watch carefully. See her fight. And understand why she is risking her life.”
“Why…”
“If she just wanted to stop a wedding, there was no need to do this.”
There were always other options.
And yet, she was there now.
“What is the…”
“It’s obvious!!”
The baron turned to look at Mimi in surprise.
Her eyes were filled with tears.
“She said it! She doesn’t care about living like a noble. Or luxury. She just wanted things to be like before…”
“That’s…”
“That’s the only reason that she is fighting. She hopes that it will wake you up…”
I had the feeling that she had said similar things before.
And it had likely fallen on deaf ears.
“…Aize!”
Suddenly, Sherry shouted.
And they all watched as a bullet went through Aize’s leg.
◆ ◇ ◆
(…It’s fine.)
Aize ignored the pain and thrust her spear at the man.
She could still fight.
“I don’t understand you.”
The man said. Still, there was no emotion in his voice.
His gun was pointed between her eyes.
“Why do you continue? What is the point? You could have just let your friend take care of it. Then you wouldn’t have to die.”
“…It’s kind of you to worry.”
“Eh?”
Aize smiled.
He didn’t have to say anything. He could have just pulled the trigger.
“Sorry, but I’m not going to yield.”
“You’re a fool…”
The conversation was finished.
—The knife and bullets came like a storm.
With her leg shot, Aize did not have mobility. She could not resist him.
Even if she avoided being hit by a lethal blow, his attacks were not slowing, and the number of small cuts increased.
Still, Aize remained calm.
(Teacher…)
—Find life in death.
Within this past week, Aize had experienced ‘death.’
Yukito had put her in situations where she thought she would die. Over and over again.
Death was scary.
Everyone thought so. Even teacher.
He had said so.
“It’s over.”
While bleeding all over, Aize fell and leaned against her spear. And then the barrel of the gun was pointed at her head.
The difference had been overwhelming. There was no hopoe.
(Mimi…father, mother…)
She could hear voices coming from far away.
Iria, Sherry and Mimi.
(Reality was cruel…)
Still.
No matter how bad it was.
She could not forget those days when she was happy.
Her parents had not listened.
No matter how many times she tried.
Like the arne flower, happiness wilts and dies away.
But still…
There could be miracles. One chance in a thousand. Ten thousand.
If there was such a possibility, then she had to try.
And so…
It was as if her life had been leading up into this moment.
(The thing that will make him lower his guard…)
Her bloodied hand hovered over the ground.
(The moment when he thinks he won…)
She ignited.
Like a flower, a pillar of flame rose up towards the sky.
Scarlet Arnes.
The flames named after the beloved flower.
The magic arts had been hidden, and spun out like a spider’s web.
Of course, she had not done it before the battle. She had been doing it during the fight. For this moment.
No human would survive a direct hit.
“Gaaaahhhh!!”
The man screamed as he was enveloped in fire.
The flames blazed, swirled like a tornado, and then vanished.
As smoke poured from his body, the man fell to the ground.