"Then, where do you want to go?"
Closing the door to the library, Hara asked that question.
"Uhm... I wasn't really... "
Good grief. Because of that search of mine, I had dragged these people. But now that I don't need them anymore... I wonder what I should do.
"Just after you've learned that this place can finally be wandered off, you suggested a stroll. But after everyone agreed, you dived right into the library searching for long-lived history. You can hardly call that a stroll. Who are you, Yui?"
With those words, Hara raised her sword towards me.
"I can also feel that you're a little different from humans around here. I being fine with you is the proof. You see, I really don't like hanging out with people."
'What the heck is this loner saying?'
Out of nowhere, Hara began spouting nonsense.
"Uhm... Ahahaha... What are you talking about?"
"You have nothing to do, right? Come to the training ground. Spar with me."
"Huh... ?"
I indeed have nothing to do. Sparring with my fellow elite knights can also be beneficial; especially now that I just got revived, but...
"Actually... I just remembered that I have something to do... So... "
I don't want to get involved with these people anymore. I also need to give myself some time to think. I still can't get a clear picture of what it is I must do. Dungeon monsters are getting stronger. Couldn't just let it make me accept that it is already too late. So I have to act now or it will be there-will-be-no-second-chance for good.
"Don't give me that. I am not asking you with choices. This isn't asking a favour. This is a challenge. You are going with me. Yui."
Looking at me more intently, she continued.
"Or do you have any reason for not accepting my challenge?"
"Eh... ?"
I couldn't think of a reason to decline.
My mouth could just get left stuck open. Wobbling as I couldn't think of an answer.
"Sigh... Fine. Alright. I'll spar with you."
'Without doubt, this girl was doubting me. But I am sorry to tell you, kid... You won't gain anything from me. Behold the truthfulness of being an intangible ruler.'
We then arrived at the training area.
It was a wide circular plaza. Posts which were supposed to bear fire for light were placed at the plaza's edges. There were also benches for those who are interested in watching. With the tended greenery behind them and healthy grassland that surrounded the place, the feeling couldn't be as comfortable.
However...
I wasn't feeling comfortable at all. I know this one is just a kid and will cause me no harm, but... I can't help to be uneasy.
Right now I was smiling. Notifying the girl that I have nothing to worry about. That I have nothing hidden that could be exposed. Yeah. She won't get anything.
Under the tone of the setting sun, the two of us had stood across from each other.
The cool wind of the night has begun caressing us... to the point that I felt how intense the atmosphere was. The atmosphere between the two of us that looks like we are about to kill each other.
Shiiing...
A sharp ringing sound could be heard as Hara began drawing out her sword.
A long slim sword has shone brightly in the sky.
She pointed it at me as she said.
"Draw your sword. Just so you know... I will not hesitate to take your life. This is a warning."
Without feeling threatened, I could just let my cheerful countenance remain unconcerned with her rather intense warning.
"It seems I wasn't looking serious enough. I'm sorry."
Without me being able to get her message, Hara just blamed herself.
Making an instance...
...Snap...
Hara instantly disappeared.
My eyes could just widen.
Her dazzlingly sharp sword was already in front of my eyes.
'Will she stop?'
I thought to myself.
'Would I be able to evade?'
"Tsk."
I could just click my tongue.
Using a considerable amount of strength, I dodged the attack with high speed then leapt backwards to keep my distance.
Feeling disappointed, I asked Hara in a slow serious tone.
"What are you doing? Are you going to kill me?"
"Oh, you dodged that? There's more where that comes from. I think I won't be serious enough if I don't do it. So I think let's just talk about it in afterlife if you're being confused. That's why I am telling you. Draw your sword. If you're wondering why I am doing this, I already told you. Who are you, Yui?"
"Tsk. Don't give me that crap. Will you kill someone over suspicion!?"
"It appears you don't understand."
A hefty atmosphere just filled the area.
"Wha...!?"
I couldn't immediately react. This aura was so dense!
"Like I told you... I am asking who you are!"
Clarifying things, Hara instantly appeared above me with her sword ready to slice me into two.
I had no choice but to draw my sword.
Clang!!!
"What's the deal with you!? Why are you doing this!?"
In the midst of my question, Hara disappeared from above and then showed up on my lower side.
The way I sensed it, she was about to let out a fierce attack.
"Instant strike... "
A curve of light streaked through my body.
"Gasps!"
I couldn't escape.
...
"Oh... "
Finally... For a moment, Hara stops. She let out that rather amused word.
"And how would you explain that?"
Seeing me cornered and having no way to dodge, Hara could just ask after seeing me standing at the plaza's end.
"I didn't sense movement. What did you do?"
'This girl. She really knows what she is doing.'
To think she will notice. What a nuisance.
Hara was just looking at me calmly when she immediately got serious.
"Wait. Don't tell me it was... "
"Hara! Are you really going to fight me!? No. At this rate, are you really serious about killing me!?"
"You are different. You are too suspicious. Too dangerous! I can't let you get near the kingdom's rulers. I can't let you get near Ms. Rose! You are far too dangerous to be allowed free. Unless you tell me who you really are, I will not let you out of this circle!"
...
"Is that so... "
I let out a considerable amount of mana.
Pooorgshhh...!!!
The overwhelming flow of aura reached up to the sky dispersing its remnants throughout the whole castle.
However, I've felt something.
"Barrier...?"
...
Despite my mana ravaging the place, its atmosphere and sky, Hara was just walking toward me unconcerned.
"Oh, don't try to intimidate me now."
"..."
I could just get surprised.
Hara was now walking nonchalantly toward me as her silky finely-stranded black hair was dancing upward as the massive release of mana was fiercely flowing out from her body.
"I can't let you get near Ms. Rose."
'Intimidation, huh?'
I admit this was rather unnatural for a mere elite knight.
'Instead of me, should it not be you who you should be asking that question?'
"You are asking for intimidation?"
I muttered as I begrudgingly let out an aura that could cover the whole kingdom.
...
Hara could just clenched her fist in anger.
"You're dead."
She said.
'Tsk. Seriously?'
The flow of lines of light began emerging from Hara. After some time, it got tainted with black. Making the aura display somewhat magnificent.
'Just how far would this little girl compare herself to me? Is she not reaching her limit yet?'
"This is ridiculous... "
As fluent as a dream, Hara, once again, disappeared. At a speed you can't even imagine reaching.
I acted to defend, but...
"This is too much for an intangible ruler."
I dropped my aura show and got real.
Hara reappeared in wonder.
"Hara, I don't have anything anymore. If at all you still want to continue... Please be aware that I don't want to lose my life. I will call all the elite knights here so you can be stopped."
"Resorting to cowardice, I see."
"That won't work. Your provocation won't affect me."
Hara could just clenched her fist.
"As if the knights will be able to help you."
She muttered in a very low voice.
"..."
I couldn't clearly hear what she said.
However, it seems I will not have to find out anymore.
Concentrated energy was already loading up on Hara's slim sword.
This wasn't something she'd done before.
Right now, if I don't take this seriously, I will die for sure.
'What's the deal with this woman?'
Hot. The place was being scorched by extreme heat.
"I am not sure if I was right or not but... I am trying to eradicate you because you are, with high possibility, a demon."
"...!?"
"If you are willing to hide until you die, then so be it. I am just protecting those whom I must protect. I am not sure that's why I am letting you defend yourself with all you've got. But if you choose not to... I am sorry. It won't make me waver from my determination to kill you."
Because of what she said, I was left stunned.
Of course, I don't have a plan to die!
But, I couldn't move. This attack of Hara was too overwhelming.
Tsk. I have no choice. Being an intangible ruler doesn't mean being intangible for good. I don't plan to rule as a ghost!
"Say your last farewell, Yui."
"As if... "
Hara then began to move, when...
"Hara!!! What the hell are you doing!!!?"
A voice has echoed loudly throughout the whole place.
...
"Uh...?"
"Huh?"
["Kiezy!?"]