Chapter 99
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 99
Chapter Title: Intermission (5)
Adel and Ellie suddenly kicked off an argument and stormed out.
The Sword Sovereign casually pulled an apple from somewhere beside me.
Crunch, crunch—
She peeled the skin with a fruit knife I didn't know where she'd gotten.
"How's your condition?"
"So-so."
"I see."
Having sliced off a piece of apple, the Sword Sovereign offered it to me.
I took it and ate it, thinking to myself.
'Surprisingly tasty.'
My master didn't seem to have any talent for cooking.
But peeling an apple wasn't really cooking, so no problem there.
"So, you're still going ahead with the Azure Dragon Tournament finals?"
The Sword Sovereign peeled off another piece and held it out to me.
I took it and munched on it blankly, my mind wandering.
'Ah. Right.'
Come to think of it, the Azure Dragon Tournament finals were still ahead.
I decided to ask the question that had been on my mind.
"How'd the semis, second match go?"
"That companion of yours, Kurotsuki Yoru? The girl who was originally supposed to compete?"
"Yes."
"It naturally ended in Hiiragi Masato's walkover win."
As expected.
I had no idea what Masato had been up to while corpses were rampaging under Greiver's control back then.
But at the very least, the Hiiragi family wouldn't have let him take any injuries.
That made it so Yoru was the only one who'd ended up hurt. And on top of that, hospitalized.
The semis second match had been a free gift for the Hiiragi family—better than they could've hoped for.
"Honestly, I'm worried about you going into the finals."
I took another piece of apple and met her gaze.
She was watching me with concern in her dark eyes.
It was different from when she'd told her disciple to win the Azure Dragon Tournament and prove his worth.
"You can't properly use mana, your body's not at full strength, and now you have to face Hiiragi Masato... No ordeal like this one."
"Still have to do it. I need the winner's reward."
"If you're set on it, I won't try to stop you."
The Azure Dragon Liquid.
The medicine I needed to heal Mother's body.
I hadn't gotten a chance to talk with the head physician about Mother earlier, but I had a pretty good idea.
He'd seemed reluctant to bring her up.
Probably so I wouldn't worry even more on top of my own injuries.
Which meant Mother's condition was steadily worsening.
'Haa.'
Somehow, both my parents had ended up as patients.
Ah.
Come to think of it, there was one more.
"What about Ariel?"
My little sister.
Ariel Leonhart—Master had said she'd turn her human.
I wondered how it'd gone.
"Hee hee. Curious?"
The Sword Sovereign's lips curved up in a grin as she let out an odd little laugh.
What was it... like she was looking forward to my reaction.
"Yes. I humbly request that my master share news of my little sister with this disciple."
"Hee hee hee. Very well."
The Sword Sovereign grinned and explained Ariel's current state.
"First off... the intervention was a success. Ariel won't revert to those 'disaster' days."
"You sure?"
"Of course. Who do you think I am? Aonia's greatest spirit medium. At the very least, it's clear she can now exist on the 'human realm' level."
In other words, she still possessed supreme personal power, but now she was at a level you could call human.
Compared to the past, when we'd likened her to mountains or the sun, it was a blessing.
"And the vessel? Stabilized?"
"Yes. Her body won't suffer any more backlash from the otherworld. Though... that means she can't wield transcendent power anymore either."
"I don't care about that."
I wanted Ariel to be happy as an ordinary girl.
"Ufufu. But it's not over there?"
"Huh?"
Yet the Sword Sovereign looked oddly full of anticipation.
As if the chaos between me and Ariel afterward was something she couldn't wait for.
"Your little sister... she's adorable."
"???"
"How can a girl be so cute, shy, and lovable? You'll be shocked when you see her yourself, so look forward to it."
"Ah. Sure, okay."
If Master was saying it so confidently, there had to be some basis.
But... Ariel being adorable?
I'd always thought of her as cute as a big brother, but I hadn't expected to hear it from someone else.
'Did she really change that much?'
Then why hadn't she come here?
"Ah. Ariel's still adapting to her altered mindscape, so she hasn't come yet. I'll let you two meet later."
"Specifically when?"
"Hmm... Probably on the day of the Azure Dragon Tournament finals? You've got to show her your cool big-brother side."
"Sure, we can do that."
The Azure Dragon Tournament finals weren't far off anyway.
I'd meet Ariel then and see for myself just how adorable my little sister had become.
After that, I focused entirely on recovering my body in preparation for the Azure Dragon Tournament finals.
Adel and Ellie—who'd been bickering and at each other's throats at first—had gone quiet now too.
-I'll go watch your Azure Dragon Tournament or whatever finals too.
-M-me too! I definitely want to see it...!
They said they'd be cheering for me to win, so I had to give it my all.
Hmm... Objectively speaking, it was tough, but...
With them cheering me on, I had to try my hardest.
Anyway.
Finally, the day before the finals.
I headed to Yoru's hospital room in the same Ikimizu Sanatorium where she was recovering.
"Yoru."
Knock knock—
There was a rustle from inside, followed by permission to enter.
"Yeah. Come in."
Click—
I opened the door and stepped inside to find Yoru hurriedly tying her hair up.
Ah. Guess she'd had it down while in her room.
...But why tie it up now that I was here?
"Why bother with that? Just relax."
"Yeah. No, just... like arming myself as a woman, I guess."
"???"
What kind of arming...?
Yoru tied her hair back, exposing her nape, and spoke as if that was that.
"So, what brings you here, Kline?"
"What do you mean? Came to visit a friend."
"Hehe. Knew it. I asked knowing full well."
I casually took a seat in the chair for guardians nearby.
Yoru, lying on the bed, looked subtly different from before.
She was still the cheerful, lively girl I'd met at first.
But now... it was like she'd set down a heavy burden.
She looked utterly carefree, completely at ease.
It was a good look on her.
"How do my eyes look?"
"Huh?"
"What about my eyes?"
Yoru leaned slightly toward me.
Sapphire-blue irises, like jewels embedded in her eyes.
Exactly the same shade as mine, like looking in a mirror.
"What about 'em? They're pretty."
"Hmmm... I like how good you are with words, Kline. Keep it up."
"You look way more relaxed too. Glad to see it."
"Huh? Oh. Yeah."
Yoru gave a bashful smile at my words.
It was a girlish expression unlike her usual tomboy self.
"Feels like a long journey's finally over. A path of hardship that's stretched since the day I was born. Can't believe it ended so quick—kinda feels empty."
"So what? The important thing is it ended. Plenty of people never reach the end in their whole lives."
"Yeah. Fair enough. So... thanks a ton, Kline."
Anyone hearing her would've known it was sincere.
The depth of her gratitude toward me was palpable.
"For avenging Mom and me. For resolving the grudge that's haunted me my whole life. It's all thanks to you. I seriously don't know how to repay you."
"Repay me? Just live your life. Get along with other people now."
"Oh dear. Don't you get it, Kline? There's only one person I want to get along with."
"Saying that with those eyes is kinda problematic."
"Whatever. It's probably too soon anyway. Looks like I've got a bunch of competitors already, but I'm not worried."
Yoru stretched her arms out and flopped back onto the bed.
A brief silence followed.
I got to the point.
"I'm heading to the Azure Dragon Tournament tomorrow."
"What? For real?"
Yoru sprang up from the bed like a coiled spring.
She touched my face all over with a worried look.
"No way. I don't wanna see our Kline humiliated at the tournament."
"Humiliated? I'll just win."
"But... you're not in normal condition right now. It's obvious."
"Yeah, it's a shame. But I have to get that winner's reward. Can't forfeit."
"Hmmm. Well, you told me the situation before. Guess it's unavoidable."
Yoru kept kneading my face like it was dough.
This girl... her skinship felt bolder somehow.
Maybe resolving her lifelong grudge had lightened her heart. Should I let it slide...?
"Then I gotta go watch."
"Not gonna rest here longer?"
"They say I'm almost fully recovered now. Watching the Azure Dragon Tournament should be fine."
"Then come watch."
I replied offhand.
It wasn't like she was the only one watching anyway.
"Everyone else is coming too. Be nice if you were there."
"Huh? ...Ahh. So the other girls will be there too?"
"Yeah, pretty much."
"Hmph. I see."
Yoru gave a pouty smile at my words.
It was an impish grin.
"Dear me, dear me. I can see the future clear as day. Looks like our Kline's still clueless."
"What're you talking about?"
"Nothing. I'll pray for the chaos you'll face. Though I'll be joining in too."
"???"
I had no idea what Yoru meant.
I wouldn't understand until after the Azure Dragon Tournament.
And finally.
FINALS
Oni Mask Boy VS Hiiragi Masato
Azure Dragon Tournament finals day.
I left the sanatorium and arrived at the tournament venue.
Aiming for the one and only way to treat Mother.