Volume 2

    Chapter 134.2

    Chapter 134 . 2 : The End of Battle

    Celia  shook her head in an apologetic manner and then showed a slightly sad smile .

    「No, I’m glad that you’re safe . 」

    「Wha………… . . U-Uhn」

    After Celia received such a surprise in hearing those words from Rio, she nodded with a slightly embarrassed face .

    At that time, suddenly――,

    （………… Sorry, Haruto . ） [

    Aisia’s voice resounded in Rio’s head .   Though she was still using her usual emotionless tone, her voice was as calm as usual .

    （Aisia………………… . . So you’re safe .   Thank god .   And I should be the one  apologizing to you .   So, Are you safe Aisia?）

    Though Rio was slightly petrified when he heard Aisia’s voice, he asked her if she was alright, worried about her .

    （……… Uhn . ）

    （Thank goodness . Where are you right now, Aisia?　Can you come to our position?）

    （I can see you already, Haruto . What should I do now?）

    （It seems I have to leave to save Vanessa-san first .    Since you might be close already, can you help me  protect Celia-sensei and the others while staying in your spirit form?）

    （………… . . Understood .   Sorry . I won’t  leave Celia’s side for now）

    （It’s okay .      I mean you went in order  to protect Celia-sensei didn’t you? 　Let’s confirm our situation later . ）

    （Yes . ）

    Rio passed by Celia’s side after hearing Aisia’s reply and――,

    「Aisia is safe and sound .   I’ll take Charles along and go to save Vanessa-san .    Can I leave the treatment of those two youths to you Cecilia?  　I’ll be back soon . 」

    He told so while overlooking Charles who was lying down beside them .

    ◇　◇　◇

    After that, Rio  took Charles along with him as he went towards the place where they had Vanessa .    And when they reached there,

    「Oi, what was that explosion from before!   ?　Are you bastard trying to kill our princess!  ? 」

    Vanessa asked for an explanation from the two knights who were keeping  watch of her .

    Naturally, the explosion she was referring to was the explosion caused by the collision of Alfred and Rio finishing moves .    But――、

    「Silence, you have no right to know!  」

    Those knights easily rejected Vanessa’s demand with a slightly flustered tone .     Right beside them were the wounded griffons who were currently leisurely sitting .

    「Oi, what is the meaning of this?   　Are you truly trying to kill princess Christina?    」

    「How do you expect me to know that?  But, Charles-sama……… . . No, maybe having Christina-sama dying in this place is more convenient for duke Arbeau . 」     い

    「Hey, stop talking about such confidential information so carelessly!  　Please spare me from being burdened with the crime of killing a royalty!」

    「I feel the same way too!   　Rather, that woman will become our scapegoat right?　Or could it be that Alfred-sama is…………… . . 」

    Thus, those two knight were completely ignoring Vanessa’s existence while having such a discussion in low voice .

    「Oi, what are you talking about!  ?　Explain it to me too!   　What did you just mean?  　What is happening right now!   ? 」

    Vanessa was frantically seeking for an explanation regarding the current situation .     But, those two knight didn’t pay any attention to Vanessa  anymore .

    「Kuh, Kill me……………… .    If that’s the case, please kill me .    Please, show me your compassion as a fellow knight . 」

    Vanessa’s head was hanging low as she said so .    She thought that she might bring various trouble by being captured alive .

    Those two knights  turned away from Vanessa as if  the situation was slightly awkward .             Thereupon, the tables were turned on them when Rio appeared with an apprehended Charles .

    「C-Charles-sama!   ? 」

    The knights  shouted Charles’ name in panic .

    Vanessa who was also lured by their tone turned her line of sight there——,

    「H………………… . H-Haruto-dono!  ?　What are you doing here!    ? 」

    She asked with a bewildered voice .

    「As you can see .    I’ve come to save you .   ……… . Oi」

    After telling her so, Rio pushed the tip of his sword on Charles’ back who was walking ahead of him .

    「R-Release that woman . 」

    Charles ordered those two knights to release Vanessa with a frightened face .

    「…………… . Hah?  　B-But…………… . 」

    「Do it quickly!   　Or I’ll punish you for ignoring my order!   」

    「Y-Yes!   」

    Though the ordered knights were showed slight resistance with a confused face, they started to untie her after being ordered by Charles . Thus, Vanessa was released in the blink of an eyes .

    「Vanessa-san .        Please restrain those two . 」

    「…………… U-Understood . 」

    Now Vanessa was the one to bind those two knight under Rio’s order .

    「Hey, Haruto-dono .            ………… . . please tell me what just happened?   」

    Though Vanessa was binding those knights as ordered, she found  it extremely difficult to hold back from asking for an explanation .

    「I managed to repel those guys .    Though Rei-san and Kouta-san were injured due to that, there’s no problem .          So please be relieved . 」

    「………… Do-does that mean my brother is?  」

    Vanessa asked that question with a disturbed look . She really couldn’t bring herself to imagine them repulsing their pursuers who had Alfred amongst them .          But――、

    「Disarmed and unconscious . 」

    「What the………… . . 」

    Vanessa was at a loss for words when Rio blatantly told her that .    Though it was an unbelievable story , Rio had brought the  evidence along with him .

    「Though I made him faint, his life isn’t in any danger .           So please be relieved . 」

    「N-No .   By the way……… . . Did you beat him, Haruto-dono?   　Did you beat my brother?          」

    「Yes .    That’s right . 」

    「I see………… . 」

    Though Vanessa was completely shaken by such a revelation, Rio calmly replied as if it was nothing , thus she gulped her saliva when she heard that .

    「I put those guys under arrest and then came here .    Let’s go  deal with those griffons」

    「……… . Yeah . 」

    Vanessa nodded with a dumbfounded face .    After Rio and Vanessa had disposed the 4 griffons  guarded by those two knights, they went back to  where Celia-tachi were waiting for them .

    ◇　◇　◇

    「Your highness!  　Thank god you’re alright!  」

    Vanessa who confirmed Christina’s safety  rushed towards her in panic .

    「Yeah, it’s thanks to lord Amakawa .        I’m glad that nothing happened to you too . 」

    Christina replied to Vanessa with a thin smile .

    「No .   I failed to hold back my brother and thus made you go through a  dangerous experience .    I’m unworthy of your worry . 」

    「It’s okay .    The result couldn’t be avoided as you were against that Alfred」

    「………… Regarding that matter, did my brother truly get defeated in combat?  」

    Though Vanessa was hanging her head down in shame, she timidly asked about Alfred .