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439 p1. Noble Faction and New School Year [12]

 

「An unbelievable thing has happened! Probably the greatest upset in the history of the Sword King Festival! With Allen’s victory, Thousand Blade Academy has three wins and two defeats — In the fierce battle between Thousand Blade Academy and the Imperial Academy… The victory belongs to the Thousand Blade Academy!」

Following the live commentary, the spectators’ seats exploded with tremendous excitement.

「You were amazing, Allen! Nice fight!」

「It was one hell of a match… It was without a doubt the best sword fighting match of the tournament!」

「I have been watching the Sword King Festival for decades, but this year the level is really high!」

「I can’t believe that the undefeated Imperial Academy has lost. Times are changing.」

「The Golden generation! They are the new golden generation of Thousand Blade Academy!」

I let out a sigh of relief as a storm of great enthusiasm swirled around the National Holy War Arena.

(Haa… thank goodness…)

At one point, I had no idea what’s going to happen, but I’m really glad that I was able to obtain the victory.

As I released〈Zeon〉and stretched my body greatly, my gaze met with the two swordsmen who were in the seats directly across from me.

「To imitate my〈Neba Glome〉… Allen is truly unfathomable.」

「That bastard, copying my〈Vanargand〉…」

Idol applauded with a soft expression while Sid-san looked like he was about to go on a rampage.

(Having borrowed the power of their soul dress, Idol doesn’t seem to be angry at all, but Sid-san is insanely angry…)

When I stepped down from the stone stage while thinking about that, Ria jumped onto me with tremendous force.

「Allen…」

「Oh!」

「I’m glad that you’re safe… I’m really glad…」

She muttered that over and over, with tears in her eyes.

I seem to have made her worry a lot once again.

As I gently stroked Ria’s head, Leia-sensei, who had come down from the special seating, came and stood next to me.

「Allen, are the memories…」

「Memories? What do you mean?」

「…No, don’t worry about it. It’s nothing.」

Leia-sensei shook her head slightly and fell silent with a serious expression.

What a weird sensei, I thought…but I immediately recalled that she has always been weird.

「As expected of Allen, it was a splendid match.」

Rose said with a happy smile.

「To defeat one of the Seven Holy Swords in a single combat… your strength knows no bounds.」

「What was that thing at the end? All of a sudden, you were using all sorts of abilities. My mind was literally about to blow!」

「You are so lively even after being pierced through the heart. You did not just outgrow being a human, you pretty much outgrow being a living thing, though…」

「Allen-senpai, you are a little too strong that it’s almost scary.」

「Gutter worm… How did you copy my ability…」

While the president, Lilim-senpai, Ferris-senpai, Lou, and Claude-san were sharing their thoughts and feelings… That’s when “it” happened.

「O-Oi… What the hell is that!?」

As someone in the venue pointed at the sky, the people beside them looked up at the sky, and they began to grow noisy.

The small realization propagated from one person to another, eventually creating a big ripple.

(What are they making a fuss about…?)

Following everyone’s gaze, I looked up and saw a black whirlpool.

(…Is that what I think it is?)

The next moment, a “shadow” like dot welled up, and a man clad in ominous spiritual power suddenly appeared.

「HELLOOOOOOOOO! ALLEENNNNNNNN RODOREEEEEEEEEEEE!!!」

A former classmate from the Gran Swordsmanship Academy, Dodriel Barton, a swordsman with the troublesome ability which can control shadow.

「D-Dodriel!?」

Immediately after that, a large number of dots filled the sky. Swordsmen in black overcoats arrived one after another.

They landed on a shadow platform created by Dodriel and looked down at us from far above.

(The Black Organization… What a number…)

Even at a quick glance, there should easily be over 1,000 people.

Amidst the sharp tension running through the National Holy War Arena, a mysterious presence clad in a jet-black robe appeared from the depths of a particularly large shadow.

「Your Majesty, this way please~」

「Good work.」

The person called “His Majesty” sat down on a shadow throne which Dodriel created.

At the same time, all the Black Organisation swordsmen knelt on the spot.

(…Is that Barrel Ronelia?)

The Emperor of the Holy Ronelia Empire, the founder of the Black Organization, and the evil leader who will lead the world to ruin.

Barrel’s face could not be discerned as it was covered with a black haze.

「Hmm……」

The guy sitting in the chair of shadow took an extensive look at the scene below him, and for some reason, his eyes stopped and fixed on me.

「…I see, he looks very similar.」

It was a strange voice.

Young, old, warm, cold – a mysterious voice that sounded familiar.

One thing I found out was that, judging from the pitch of his voice, Barrel Robelia was probably male.

(…Is it his real voice this time…)

During Keishinkai, I heard his voice through a video message which was applied with a voice changer, so this will be the first time I’ve heard his voice in person.

Barrel is a very secretive person, and it is said that he hides his voice, let alone appearing in public.

Now, he has appeared in the Ringuard Empire, revealing his voice.

(What kind of change is this, or is there some meaning to it… I don’t know the reason, but this is not an ordinary situation.)

As I was thinking about that, a hoarse voice echoed from the special seating.

「Your Majesty the Emperor! Thank you for coming all the way!」

「We are terribly sorry. We failed to kill Allen Rodore because that idiot Shin messed up… But he’s already at death’s door! We should be able to deal the killing blow now…!」

The unbelievable statements from the special seating were made by the great noble Patriot Bornard and the chairman of the Sword King Festival Executive Committee, Duke Dufton Money.

The two leaders of the noble faction revealed shocking information.

Barrel, on the other hand, turned his gaze slightly to the side.

「–Dodriel.」

「Yes~」

After giving a light reply, Dodriel held up his soul dress〈Shadow Ruler〉in front of him.

A cloud of shadows appeared at Patriot and Dufton’s feet, and the jet-black cloud carrying them moved towards Barrel.

「The Emperor?…Did you guys betray Ringuard!?」

「What do you mean by killing Allen Rodore!?」

「Say something, you stupid nobles!」

An angry roar erupted from the audience, but Patriot and Dufton didn’t care at all.

「You guys are the idiots! Why don’t you realize that Ringuard is a mud boat waiting to sink!」

「From now on, we will be reborn as nobles of the Holy Ronelia Empire and rule this world!」

They laughed mockingly, but they were not moved towards the Black Organization, and the cloud of shadows stopped in midair.

「Y-Your Majesty…?」

「I am unable to handle heights, so I would like to quickly move to the stable footing over there.」

As their nervous voices was heard,

「–Dodriel.」

「Rogeeer.」

Dodriel’s evil shadow entered Patriot’s and Dufton’s mouths.

「「M-nmogogogo…!?」」

The two, who were stuffed with a large amount of shadows―exploded from the inside out.

Dark red flesh and blood splattered in all directions, causing the venue to fall silent.