3 bar menu

Chapter 86 Part 10 – Things that never change. And a promise. In order to protect the lives of the mother and the baby, Countess Rosenthal will put everything on the line to fight against Alisa.

In the dancing area, father and mother were about to begin their dance. The orchestra members remained suspended, but this did not affect father, who was an expert dancer.

「I know the rhythm and melody of the ‘Thunderbolt Polka’ by heart. I’ll take the lead, so Cornelia, you just have to follow me.」

He’s actually saying stuff like that. The ‘Thunderbolt’ series is the pinnacle of dance and usually people would have to squeeze out their entire ability just to keep up with the music …… I wonder if this person is really human.

Mother looked a little nervous, but there was no fear in her eyes as she nodded.

It is impossible for this couple, who are one in body and soul, to fail in such an important scene. The two of them turned to look at Countess Rosenthal and bowed elegantly. Countess Rosenthal could no longer stand up and remained seated, but she happily responded with a nod.

「…… How beautiful. I, too, …… have dreamed of the day when I would dance the ‘Thunderbolt’ with Wendell-sama. But, as expected, the two of them look best together …… From now on, everyone in the imperial court will agree that Cornelia-san is more than just an expert in archery. She will surely become a legend in high society. It’s frustrating, but ……」

Countess Rosenthal spoke while watching father and mother dance in perfect sync with each other. However, she didn’t look frustrated at all, but rather proud, like an older sister seeing her younger sister setting out for a new life.

My heart ached because I felt like I was slightly deceiving her.

Countess Rosenthal misunderstood that mother had completely mastered the ‘Thunderbolt Polka’ because mother had taken on the challenge of being her partner for the dance. However, in my opinion, she had only mastered about 80% of it.

The successful performance of that three-stage dance was a miracle brought about by mother’s feelings for Countess Rosenthal. Mother is indeed excellent, but in order to immortalize her legend, she will need more days of hellish training.

Despite my worries, mother snuggled up to father’s chest and whispered something in his ear. It’s nice to see them getting along so harmoniously, but it’s rare for mother to be so proactive. Father looked surprised too. But right now, they are in the middle of a hectic ‘Thunderbolt’. It’s dangerous. Ah!! See, they missed a step!! And also, why are they moving sideways!?

I nearly screamed, but I hastily suppressed it so that Countess Rosenthal wouldn’t notice. When I timidly glanced at her from the side, I saw that her mouth was in a straight line. Could it be that she found out!? However, the trembling at both ends of Countess Rosenthal’s mouth was not due to anger. It was because she was desperate not to cry.

「…… Minuet …… for me ……」

Unable to hold back any longer, the countess sobbed.

The dancing father and mother looked at her with a gentle gaze.

I came to my senses belatedly.

It wasn’t a mistake. The two of them had included the minuet of Rona’s memory into the fourth stage of the ‘Thunderbolt Polka’, the Fulfillment of Love. It was a message from father and mother that they were going to stick close to each other and live together for the rest of their lives, but they would never forget about Rona.

This was the reason why mother had whispered to father earlier.

「…… Indeed, she might become a legend in high society ……」

I cried out in admiration. I feel ashamed. It was I who had underestimated mother. If there was a hole, I’d want to get inside it.

「Of course. After all, she is Wendell-sama’s wife, my dear friend, and above all …… she is a mother who raised a wonderful daughter like you.」

Countess Rosenthal cheered me up when I was feeling depressed.

I never thought that the day would come when we would understand each other like this, even though we were bitter enemies in the previous 「108 times」.

But that makes the impending goodbye that much more sad. I almost cried again.

「…… What a fool. Don’t be so good-natured. I don’t want any more souvenirs of tears. I won’t be able to carry them to the netherworld.」

Countess Rosenthal teasingly said so as she stroked my head.

「…… My body is incapable of bearing children. But if I had a child, I would have wanted a daughter like you ……」

「…… Countess Rosenthal ……」

Don’t say things like that!! It makes me want to cry even more ……

「…… Something unbelievably dangerous is coming ……!!」

Suddenly, Bradd’s expression turned serious as he warned us. I knew at once that he was not joking. The atmosphere was unusual. I was already drenched in cold sweat.

「…… It’s outrageously menacing. Everyone, evacuate ……!! No. There’s not enough time. Damn it.」

His eyes were bulging with tension and he was involuntarily grinding his teeth. I was horrified to realize that he was trying to suppress his shuddering of fear. Bradd never showed such a desperate reaction even when facing Addis the Faceless.

Father and mother also stopped their feet.

「…… What the heck is coming here? Bradd. Could it be that it’s a user of ‘Dark Illusion’ like Addis?」

I wiped away my tears, pulled myself together, and asked the question.

If so, it’s a threat. Bradd and I have not been able to defeat that invisible attack.

However, on our side, we have Seraphy who can determine the position of the enemy’s planned attack based on the changes of the wind and predictions of the future. In other words, he is the natural enemy and radar of the ‘Dark Illusion’. Seraphy has already entered a battle stance and is trying to concentrate and look for signs. As expected from a man of the sea who deals with the overwhelming nature. How quickly he can read the signs is going to decide the outcome of the battle.

「Seraphy, let me know when you know where the enemy is. I can’t let this intruder interrupt this dance. I’m going to strike that person first and end this.」

Arnold bared his teeth and nocked his arrow to match my instruction. It’s the preparatory stance for the coordinated move that we have practiced. I also took a throwing stance to paralyze the opponent with the Ruby. We’re ready to intercept!!

Looking at the wide-eyed, trembling Countess Rosenthal, I smiled.

「Don’t worry. We’ve got all these amazing members here. No matter who the attacker is, I’m sure we can kill that person in an instant and resume the dance.」

I won’t let that attacker get in the way of Countess Rosenthal’s last wish.

「…… N-No ……!! You must not mess with that thing ……!!」

However, even when I called out to her, she was terrified and desperately tried to hold us back.

It’s going to be fine. We have my mother, who is a super archer, and my father, who is like a joker. With this lineup, there’s no way we’re going to suffer an embarrassing defeat.

But Seraphy, who was in charge of detection, let out a startled groan and stood still.

「What’s going on ……!? The wind around us had completely died out. Such an eerie phenomenon had never happened even in the sea. It was as if the wind had been sucked into some huge hole. And I also can’t see the future. This is ……」

I shuddered. Doesn’t that mean that we’re going to die ……!!

Seraphy seemed to have come to the same conclusion as I did and his face turned pale.

「…… Bradd, is it possible to retreat?」

I tried to change the plan, but Bradd responded with a stiff smile.

「…… That’s not possible. I told you, right. That the person coming is unbelievably dangerous ……!! If we show our back to that attacker, we will be annihilated in an instant. We have to form a circle. Even if it’s just the women, we have to protect them somehow ……!! …… Don’t let your guard down. It’s coming!!」

With a determined look on his face, Bradd kicked the floor and leapt.

And so a bizarre and hopeless battle began.