Ch 137.2
I remember. This is Claude’s older brother, Kane.
He was Kane Leonhardt. The man who robbed Claude of her money by using violence and then splurged it by pretending to have a glamorous life to those around him.
He used to wear luxurious armor, but now he just looked like a shadow of his former self.
Kane looked at both me and Claude with a refreshing smile.
「Haha, this sure takes me back.」
「…」
As soon as Kane took a step towards us, Claude took two steps back.
Kane reached his arm out to Claude, who was clearly frightened.
「I wanted to meet you Claude.」 he said smiling, but Claude remained silent.
「After I lost to you I couldn’t stay with the Knights… It was quite a miserable life. Everyone looked down on me with contempt… Which was understandable. I had lost to my younger sister, to a child. They made a total mockery of me. I didn’t have a single ally…」
Didn’t you bring that upon yourself though? You robbed your sister of her money, just so you could go and play it off. Afterwards your sister made fun of you in front of your subordinates. To me that seems like the perfect punishment. After that you couldn’t remain a knight, and had a tough life? Well serves you right!
Suddenly, Kane, who had just confused his life’s circumstances, started to shake.
…Is he crying…?
「Claude, I think I finally understand how you must have felt. You were probably treated the same at home weren’t you? That’s why I wanted to meet you again and apologize. I’m sorry Claude.」
「Big brother… I-I’m…」
At that time, Claude said goodbye to the Leonhardt family, however, somewhere within her heart, she must have felt guilty about it. Her calling Kane, brother, was proof of that.
Claude stretched out her shivering hands as she tried to hold Kane’s hand.
At that moment, Kane twisted his smile.
Kane’s right hand immediately shot towards the sword that was hanging on his left hip.
「Claude-san!!」
Shirushu noticed that and jumped forward to protect Claude.
At the same time, Kane pulled out his sword.
This is bad! Time Square!!
As I cast the spell, time stopped and before me I could clearly see Kane wielding his sword at Claude.
So you planned on making Claude lower her guard and attack huh. I thought you were really trying to connect with Claude. I was too naive. Trash will always be trash. Kane has the Leonhardt family’s unique spell, Screen point, which can almost completely nullify all magic. However, it only works if the said magic touches his body. There are many countermeasures to it.
While time was stopped I cast Black Ball, Blue Ball and Green Ball.
Triple Fusion: Icicle Ball.
I unleashed the spell towards Kane’s feet.
A sound of metal being distorted was heard, and then Kane’s feet were covered in magical ice.
Due to Kane’s Screen point the ice couldn’t completely constrain his movements, however it was enough to stagger him so that his sword deviated from its original mark.
After the sword’s trajectory changed, it ended up slashing towards Shirushu. With a tearing sound Shirushu’s back was slashed by Kane’s sword.
「a…」 Shirushu tried to cry out as fresh blood fluttered in the air.
She fell down and her pink hair touched the grass.
The scene that happened just now, passed through our eyes in slow motion.
「Shirushu!!」
「Tsch, I missed.」
「Shirushu-san!! Wake up!!」
Claude immediately ran towards her crying, as she picked up Shirushu’s bloody body.
When Kane saw that he laughed boastfully.
「Haha! This is all your fault Claude. That girl will die just because she tried to protect you! It’s all your fault!」
「No… Shirushu-san…」
Claude held on to Shirushu’s body as her hands quivered and her tears fell down.
She had been betrayed, cursed, and now even sank into despair all because of her brother.
It was hard to imagine that there was something that could break Claude’s heart this much, considering she was able to withstand any attack without faltering.
「You bastard…!!」
「Hmph… Zeph was it. Don’t think I’ve forgotten about you.」 Kane said as he smiled, however at the same time he took a step back.
「However, there are others who hold a grudge against you… Still I’ll hold off until I’m with my friend to kill you.」
「What did you say?」
Afterwards Kane didn’t say anything else and just disappeared within the grass.
「Wait! Do you think you can just get away?!」
「Haha, I don’t mind if you chase after me, but shouldn’t you take care of that girl over there. Her wound looks quite deep.」
「…!」
「Hahaha. You don’t need to worry, I’ll come meet you again.」 said Kane laughing as he disappeared within the forest.
I wanted to go after him immediately, however I couldn’t just leave behind Shirushu as she was seriously injured.
That bastard… I’ll remember this!
「Zeph-kun… Because of me… Shirushu-san…」
「It’s not your fault! Calm down Claude!」
「But… but…」
「It’s fine. I’ll take care of Shirushu, so help me!」
「O-Okay…」
As Claude continued to cry I told her to help me by removing Shirushu’s jacket.
Kane’s sword left behind a long line that ran through Shirushu’s back, as it endlessly leaked blood.
Upon seeing that Claude took a deep breath.
「It’s fine, we’ll definitely save her.」 I said that and immediately afterwards cast Time Square.
While time was stopped I cast Healing twice.
Double Fusion: Double Healing
I put my hand on Shirushu’s wound and cast, upon doing so the flowing blood slowly stopped.
Shirushu’s face, which had been pale just a minute ago, began to regain its normal color.
Phew, guess that should do it for first-aid.
「However, the situation is still unpredictable…」
Healing was a spell that could heal wounds, however it couldn’t restore physical strength.
In the worst case scenario, Shirushu could die due to losing too much blood…!
「Claude, call Milly immediately!」
「O-Okay!」
「… Get yourself together.」
I embraced Claude as she couldn’t stop her tears.
My clothes quickly got wet due to Claude’s tears.
But even so, she still showed no signs of stopping. It must have been quite the shock for her.
It doesn’t look like she’ll even be able to move properly. But still… Kane said that there’s someone who has a grudge against me, didn’t he? Moreover, he said that he was his friend… Who in the world was he talking about…?
Looking up, I noticed that a dark cloud had appeared in the previously clear sky.
◆ ◆ ◆
Within a steep, rocky mountain in the northern part of Sazan Island.
After having split with Zeph and the others, Kane made his way inside a crevice of the rocky mountain.
The cave looked like it had been naturally formed, and seemed like the perfect place for avoiding the public eye.
Due to this also being a small dungeon spot, it was the perfect place for the Sti Beetles, which were able to dispose of garbage, to spawn. Which in itself was useful for Kane and his friend.
Still I think it’s dangerous for us to stay here any longer… I hear that within the Dispatch Magicians there are ones with unique abilities which make it extremely difficult to escape their pursuit… thought Kane.
The one who had suggested that they hide here was the one who had escaped with him from the Prison Island.
Within the crevice Kane called out that person’s name.
「Grain-dono! Grain-dono, are you here!」
However, there was no reply.
It seemed like Grain had left somewhere. While feeling anxious, Kane proceeded even deeper.
There’s definitely someone chasing us considering we escaped from Prison Island. Even so, I guess it must be safe here, after all Grain-dono, who was once a Dispatch Magician, said so.
Kane thought.
As he did so the sound of his footsteps resounded within the cave. Normally the cave would be quite lively, however today it was strangely quiet.
Towards the depths of the silent cave, Kane once again called Grain’s name
「Grain-dono!!」
「I was waiting for you.」
Suddenly a woman with long black hair, and a white coat stood before Kane.
As Kane saw her sharp gaze he instinctively created some distance between them.
A Dispatch Magician… he thought.
The woman slowly walked towards the flustered Kane.
Every single one of her moves showed that she was no ordinary woman.
Kane stepped back once more, and after taking a few more steps the woman stopped. She then slowly opened her mouth.
「There’s something that I’d like to ask you. I presume you know a man by the name of Grain Ravens… Where is he?」
It seems like this woman still hasn’t found Grain-dono. Is what Kane was thinking.
Knowing that he stroked his chest and laughed at the woman as if he was trying to mock her.
「Unfortunately, I cannot help you. And even if I knew I still wouldn’t tell you. That person is the one who helped me in my time of need on Prison Island. He’s my saviour. It will go against my pride as a knight if I were to sell out my saviour you see.」
「A knight’s pride you say. And here I hear that you did some terrible thing to your own sister.」
As Kane heard the woman’s words he clicked his tongue and got angry.
To think that it’s spread that far. That damn Claude. Why must she torture me no matter where I go. She’s the worst sister there is. Thinking that, Kane angrily shouted back at the woman.
「It is an honor for the youngest child to help the ones at the top. I’ve done nothing that would invite your scolding.」
「Is that so… Well I guess it’s fine. That aside, let’s go back to the topic about Grain. Since he’s not here, I’ll have to make do by only taking you with me for now…!」
「You sure are persistent. I told you already that I don’t know anything.」
「If that’s the case I’ll have to force it out of you… Just so you know, the Association’s torture is not kind.」
The dialogue that just happened between the both of them was probably worthless from the start. The woman immediately drew her sword and swung it at Kane.
Without any hesitation, she aimed at Kane’s vital points.
Even if her strike caused a fatal injury, it would still be fine because it could be treated.
She’s quite the feisty one considering her appearance! And seeing that she didn’t use an attack spell then it must mean that she knows about my Unique Spell. Kane also pulled out the sword that he had stolen from an adventurer and received the woman’s strike.
After clashing swords for a number of times, it became evident that something similar to an aura was covering the woman’s body.
She’s using some kind of strengthening magic!
Their skill with the sword was almost on par, however as time went on Kane was gradually pushed back.
If she saw a chance the woman would strengthen herself with magic, and widen the gap between them even more.
It was a reliable strategy.
So I’m at a disadvantage when it comes to a prolonged battle huh… Ah?!
For just a moment Kane diverted his gaze. The woman saw that launched an attack that aimed at Kane’s throat.
Kane somehow stopped it at the last moment, however he was pushed back by the force of the blow.
The woman’s strength, which had been increased with magic, far exceeded that of Kane.
The woman’s body glowed with the colors of the rainbow as it was supported by her strengthening magic.
Of course, she had also cast defensive magic as well. So even if Kane managed to land a hit on her, in the end it wouldn’t cause much damage.
But even so, Kane looked at the woman with a smile on his face.
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