“Whew. What a beauty. What are you doing in a place like this?”
“We… we got lost…”
“Lost? Come on. You don’t end up in a place like this just by getting lost. Are you from the state army?”
“State army? No… we’re not…”
“Hmm…”
The mage eyed us nervously.
“Hey, Focal. Don’t bully them too much,”
Damn… he looked even more intimidating up close. He was easily over two meters tall.
“Carton. You again… it’s a woman, right?”
“Heh heh heh. Hey, don’t say things that might be misunderstood.”
“These guys were just watching us fight. You understand? Even with all these people dead.”
“Oh, that’s not good. Normally, if you see humans fighting monsters, you’d help, right?”
“Yeah, that’s normal. These guys were hiding and watching.”
Damn… I couldn’t say anything to that. Their pressure was making me sweat uncomfortably.
“But she’s beautiful. My type. You understand, right, Focal? We’ve been seeing nothing but men’s faces for days.”
“Huh? …I get it, but they were here in this place, you know? Don’t let your guard down.”
“We let the Fire Bird escape. I don’t want to let this cute girl go.”
Damn it… I moved my body to shield Kimijima.
“Oh, look at this knight,” the man laughed. “Hahahaha!”
“Knight? No way. Look at the matching bracelet and ring. They’re married, aren’t they?”
What? …Matching bracelet and ring? Is that a custom?
But this mage was sharp, not letting his guard down for a moment. He had quickly noticed the similar designs on the ring and bracelet. I didn’t know what to do and could only listen to their conversation. Meanwhile, the giant man was shamelessly eyeing Kimijima.
“Anyway… where did you come from?” the mage asked.
“From… Gallar Blue…”
“Huh? Why on earth?”
“We were… accidentally teleported from the Sky Temple…”
“Hmm… The Sky Temple, huh? A transfer, are you?”
“That’s right.”
“It’s quite a distance from Gallar Blue to here, isn’t it? How’d you get here? You’ve just transferred, so you couldn’t have climbed the rank, right?”
“…I hid.”
“…Gyahahaha! I see, hee-hee-hee. Indeed. If I hadn’t used magic to search, I would’ve missed you too. You guys are amazing. To think you managed to escape this far. Kukukuku…”
“Hey, Focal. Are you done yet?”
“Yeah, it’s fine, Carton. This woman hasn’t climbed the rank either. But don’t break her.”
“S-Stop it!”
Damn it. They’re moving the conversation along on their own.
I slowly move my left hand towards my sword. …Do I have to do this? They’re humans, after all…
The moment they see my movement, the atmosphere changes. Even the wizard who was laughing his head off now exudes a sharp killing intent.
“Hey… are you planning to fight?”
“Y-You guys… are the ones, right?”
“Sigh… You just transferred, so I guess it can’t be helped that you don’t understand. What’s your rank?”
Focal asks, his tone betraying his tension.
“W-What does rank matter?”
“At best, a few hundred thousand… at worst, a few million… huh?”
The wizard grins, seemingly confident he’s correct after looking at my face.
“I’m somewhat known in these parts, you know? I’m ranked 328th, a wizard of the 8th level.”
“Three digits!”
“Kukukuku… Not enough? Need more despair?”
“W-What’s that supposed to mean?”
“This big guy here is ranked 87th.”
“No way…”
At that moment, I must have had a face full of despair. The two of them burst into laughter again, looking like they couldn’t contain themselves. The three behind me were also rolling with laughter.
In this world, those ranked within the top 100 of the so-called Divine Ranking are called Celestials. It’s said that the names of Celestials are always displayed in each temple around the world. One of the top 100 people out of two billion in this world was now right in front of me, directing fierce eyes at Kimijima.
“Sensei…”
Behind me, Kimijima lets out a frightened voice. It’s natural. The words spoken with such vulgar phrases… Even though she’s a child, being a third-year high school student, she understands their meaning. Along with anger, I feel an indescribable nausea.
“You guys… She’s… still a child, you know? …What are you thinking?”
“Focal, this guy’s a pain.”
“Kukukuku. Look. Even knowing the hopeless difference, he still tries to protect her. Isn’t it beautiful?”
“Is that so? Well, this woman is certainly beautiful enough, gahahahaha!”
It’s no use. These guys… they’re the type who enjoy killing. At worst, even Kimijima might…
“Kimijima… Run…”
“Sensei, no!”
“Just go!”
Sensing my intentions, Kimijima refuses to follow my words. But… in this situation. It’s tough for a woman. If she’s caught, terrible things will definitely happen.
…
I won’t let that happen.
I place my thumb on the tsuba and lower my center of gravity.
“You idioooots… It’s… impossibllllle…”
I won’t listen to their talk anymore. As I raise my concentration to the limit, even Focal’s words begin to slow down. The time axis between my surroundings and me starts to shift. I could see Carton, affected by my killing intent, slowly changing his face to an expression of rage as he tries to raise his sword, which looks like a giant cleaver. As expected of a Celestial. His reaction is fast. His eyes show no hesitation to kill.
…Regrets can come later.
Once I’ve decided, there’s no stopping. Even my grandfather used to say, “The sword that gives life is just a pretty phrase. This is a technique for cutting people.” That’s right. Protecting Kimijima is my duty now.
I draw my sword as soon as I open my mouth. Even in the face of a Celestial, time was completely mine. As expected of a Celestial, Carton’s sword still retains considerable speed in my time. But it’s not a problem. I take a step forward and swing my sword upward. Could Carton see my movement in his eyes?
The sword returns to its sheath, flicking off blood. I don’t break my concentration.
Beyond the big man being split apart, I can see the wizard’s face slowly turning to shock. He must be a man of renown too, as even while his face shows surprise, a fireball begins to form in his right palm. I twist my left hand to adjust the angle of the sheath. Blade facing upward. As I draw the sword, it traces an arc diagonally, splitting the fireball, and without stopping, it slices through the wizard’s body in a diagonal cut.
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…It’s anticlimactic. Truly anticlimactic. With just these movements, I’ve reaped human lives.
The remaining three, unable to keep up with the turn of events, stared at me, frozen in place.
“Y-You’ve got to be… kidding…”
Focal only managed to say that much before collapsing on the spot. With my feelings still heightened, I bend my knee and, in an exaggerated act, wipe my blade on Focal’s robe. Then I slowly stand up, sheathe my sword with a click, and slowly look around at the three.
“Do you… want to fight too?”
“Eek! Please spare us!”
These two were probably the backbone of the group. The three, their spirits completely broken, flee from the spot. For my part, I have no intention of forcibly taking more lives. I watch the three leave and let out a trembling sigh.
I killed… people…
As the men leave and the immediate danger fades, my sense of guilt intensifies. Two corpses lying before me. They were still glaring at me with expressions of rage.
…
It couldn’t be helped. It couldn’t be helped. It couldn’t be helped. …
I try desperately to convince myself, but a dark emotion begins to envelop my entire being.
I killed… people…
Haa… haa… haa…
My heart rate increases, and breathing becomes difficult. I try desperately to breathe, but there’s not enough oxygen. It’s no good… the discomfort keeps increasing. I try to take deep breaths as usual, but it’s not working…
“Sensei!”
Through my hazy consciousness, I hear Kimijima’s voice.
Kimijima… Sensei has… killed people…
“Sensei! Sensei!”
I can hear Kimijima’s voice, but I can’t even grasp where she is.
“Ah… ah…”
“Sensei!”
Kimijima’s voice seeps into my cold heart. …Kimijima… warm me up…
Kimi…shima…?
In my fading consciousness, in front of my eyes… Kimijima’s eyes were peering into mine.
What… is…?
…I was tightly embraced by Kimijima… and my lips were sealed with hers.
…
“Mmph!”
My consciousness becomes crystal clear all at once.
That overwhelming… sensation… I… helplessly…
…
…
How long did it last? Eventually, we separate, though neither of us initiated it. Kimijima must have been on her tiptoes. The arms that were wrapped around my neck slowly unfold, and her face lowers.
I watched Kimijima’s face move away with a slightly lonely feeling…
…
…Wait! This is bad!
“Kimi—”
“I-I’m sorry!”
“Eh… no…”
“Sensei… you seemed to be hyperventilating… and there was no paper bag…”
“Ah, I see… right, hyperventilation.”
“…Yes.”
H-Hyperventilation? R-Right, supplying carbon dioxide to… treat hyperventilation syndrome…
No, that’s not it. I should know better. But I can’t admit that.
Unconsciously, I touch my lips where her warmth still lingers. Seeing this, Kimijima’s face turns bright red. Seeing her like this, I become conscious of it too.
“…Th-Thank you. You saved me.”
“…That’s a lie.”
“Huh?”
“The hyperventilation thing is a lie. …Sensei, for my sake, you kept… sacrificing yourself…”
“Kimijima?”
“For my sake, Sensei has been pushing himself all this time, and I’ve been selfishly depending on you! You must have been scared too! And then… before I knew it… I… kissed you…”
“Kimijima…”
“Did you… hate it?”
“No! Not at all! …But… you know…”
“What is it?”
“There’s that… suspension bridge effect, right? I’m… just an old man, you know?”
“Even if it’s the suspension bridge effect, isn’t that okay?”
That’s right, I’m a Sensei and Kimijima is a student… There’s more than ten years between us. It’s not uncommon for students to become infatuated with their more experienced teachers. Even that kind of… sudden love usually ends once they graduate.
Damn it…
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