Seiken Tsukai no Kinju Eishou Vol 6 Chapter 3

Moroha ran through the streets while basking in the cold wind.

It was past 10pm, there was almost no people.

Since he used G.o.dlike Movement and Decrease Weight, he just ran from the men’s dormitory to s.h.i.+zuno’s house at the top of the hill.

He asked for advice immediately after Charles left, but he was told to “not talk about this on the phone” so he decided to get this and that ready and paid her a visit.

The house of the board chairman and his wife stood inconspicuously in the hill.

s.h.i.+zuno’s room was on the second floor.

As soon as he arrived, he opened the door while greeting.

– Sorry for being this late, s.h.i.+zuno.

The inside was pitch dark.

Moroha was confused for a moment.

– s.h.i.+zuno…?

– Reservation is not needed, you know? Come in.

A languid voice was heard from the back of the room.

His eyes got used to that darkness and he could slightly grasp the situation inside with the light that flew in from the corridor.

He could see the figure of a person who moved slowly on the bed.

– Were you sleeping?

Even though he told her he would go there now.

Moroha entered the room as he was told while thinking in puzzlement.

He carefully shuffled his feet. He was afraid of kicking something and crus.h.i.+ng something underfoot. High-cla.s.s items were carelessly scattered about in this room. If by any chance the conversation were to be about compensation――his heart ended up collapsing just by thinking about it.

– Were was the light switch?

– I have a remote control, but where did it go?

– You even have a remote control for that? I don’t get the houses of the riches…

– Maybe it’s on the low table? Can you go and get it?

– Sure, I’ll do it.

Moroha fell to his knees near the low table and began to search high and low by fumbling.

– Could it be that it’s actually on the desk?

– Really now…?

– Or maybe under the bed?

– You’re lying.

– Oh, you got me? It’s actually here.

*Beep*, an electronic sound sounded.

The moment the light turned on, the room became brighter.

The bed was surprisingly close to the low table and s.h.i.+zuno was in front of him.

She was dressed in a lascivious negligee!

She lay face down and sent him a flirtatious glance.

A see-through cloth that made a heavy use of lace! The white skin slightly seen underneath it! And black underwear!

The hem of the skirt that anxiously moved down from the bent knee seemed it would be turned up at any moment! At any moment!

– W-what’s with that appearance?

Moroha turned his eyes in panic as he blushed all shy.

– You came to creep into my bedroom, no? Though if it’s Moroha, I’d always welcome you?

– Don’t poke fun at me. Go and put on something quickly.

He spotted a cus.h.i.+on spread out close to the low table and sat, turning his back on s.h.i.+zuno.

– You don’t have to be so shy.

– Please be aware that your figure has a negative influence on healthy high school boys.

– Thank you. That’s a compliment, yes?

– Don’t be so pleased about it and put on something fast.

Moroha bore a headache.

But there was no sign that s.h.i.+zuno changed her clothes.

She was just happy――a mischievous child who waited for someone to get caught in her trap. A sign like she grinned hit his back.

– s.h.i.+zuno-san?

He questioned her aloud and with his back still turned on her, without affording to see her face.

– Wait a bit? I think that it’s not ready yet?

– Haaa…. What’s “not ready yet”?

Moroha rested his chin on the low table and stared intensely at the front with an astonished face.

He stared at something made of high-cla.s.s wood and made in a country he didn’t know, that something was an antique door.

It suddenly opened.

Without a knock or greeting.

The person who appeared so abruptly was――Leshya.

Leshya saw Moroha, then saw s.h.i.+zuno still dressed in negligee and blinked several times,

– It seems I interrupted you.

And closed the door.

– It’s a misunderstandiiiiing.

– I’m depressed. I should die.

Moroha ran after Leshya who rushed out into the corridor in panic, bound her arms behind her back and calmed her with all his might.

One minute later――

– It’s not just a silly joke.

– I want you to be aware that your joke gives heartache to innocent high school girls.

s.h.i.+zuno and Leshya, who sat down adjoin each other at the low table, were still arguing.

By the way, s.h.i.+zuno finally put on her gown. Thanks to that, Moroha could look her in the eyes.

– Moroha has just arrived and we haven’t done anything, so can you forgive me already?

s.h.i.+zuno insisted nonchalantly and Leshya turned suspicious eyes towards her.

– It’s late in the night, so why don’t we start talking now?

When Moroha, who was sat at the low table with them coughed, both persons finally stopped their quarrel.

He looked at them and began to talk again.

– Why did you even call Leshya?

– You want to hear about the Head of the French Division, don’t you? In that case, it’s better to have more sources of information.

When s.h.i.+zuno put a serious tone of voice and gave a business-like reply,

– It’s my first time experiencing this, being invited to a friend’s house.

Leshya did a complete change from her stare with scornful eyes and replied looking very glad.

Moroha asked s.h.i.+zuno as he compared such contrasting people.

– You’re on good terms with Leshya? That’s surprising.

Though around the time when they had just met it was terrible.

It was like a foul talk between the two who knew each other’s temper rather than the dangerous quarrel just now.

– Because she can be of help for you.

– Huh?

– When we talked, I surprisingly got on well with her.

s.h.i.+zuno restated calmly.

This time, Moroha glared at her with scornful eyes without disguising his suspicion.

– For me, my first family is Moroha and my first friend is s.h.i.+zuno.

But when Leshya declared so, looking happy again, he was taken aback.

Leshya couldn’t look her in the eyes with pity.

– The conversation was about the Head of the French Division who suddenly came to scout you, right?

Moroha nodded to s.h.i.+zuno’s confirmation.

The talk on the whole was transmitted on the phone earlier, and Leshya had a look like she already knew that.

– To begin with, what kind of person is Charles?

– You’re asking so hurriedly?

s.h.i.+zuno replied immediately.

– He’s a fastidious man who always seem to be displeasured.

Leshya replied immediately too.

Sorry, he understood only when their glances met.

– I mean, Leshya met Charles?

Her way of speaking now.

– Yes. He was relatively friendly with Lightning Empress. Whenever there was a conversation between the two, I happened to be present there as a guard of Lightning Empress.

– I see…

– The French Division and the former Russian Division had a close relations.h.i.+p, akin to an alliance. They were called “extremists” by other Divisions.

– How extremist are they in specific?

– They do whatever it takes to strengthen their influence.

– The former Russia attempted to gather strong Saviors with a selected few that disdained everybody.

– France is the opposite. At any rate, they’re stacking numbers.

s.h.i.+zuno told them very accurately the circ.u.mstances around that while citing an example.

For example, in j.a.pan and in the UK, the middle school third year students did a test in private to see whether they were Saviors or not, and if it there was a positive, the way to scout them to a Savior training school was taken.

If they widened the scope of the test, then they would be able to discover much more Saviors at once, but that wouldn’t do it.

One of the reasons was that the special test took time and that it was troublesome to take tests to those who weren’t students.

But there was a reason even more important.

Ridiculously inefficient political problems.

If the number of Saviors drastically multiplied and the White Knight Organization gained too much power because of it, then it would be evident that the government and the powerful ones would be afraid of a rampage of the supermen called Saviors and would start a firm regulation, suppression and elimination of them.

– We absolutely aren’t dreadful beings.

– We’re no more than a group that is able to destroy metaphysical to the end.

The quant.i.ty given to that image by the powerful ones was crucial.*

*TN: Image is the furigana reading for illusion.

On the other hand, the French Division wasn’t concerned about that image creation or the powerful ones.

Charles widely distributed political funds to all the prominent political parties in his country to water them down, meaning that he did as he pleased now.*

*TN: Meaning that no party stood out or had more power than the others.

– Solving everything with money… the disgusting conversation repeats again, huh.

Moroha was dispirited as he saw the image data displayed on the tablet that s.h.i.+zuno had presented.

The current French Prime Minister who shook hands with the sour-looking Charles and who didn’t wag his tail was displayed on it.

– The expression for it is『World is money after all』, isn’t it? That’s nothing but the truth for the people who live in this world.

– I know that.

This was why his aunt taught him to「Sell all but his soul」.

A job t.i.tle was all that one needed to knock down those guys with cheap and ridiculous souls with a stack of banknotes; and probably, from the point of view of the French Division, that kind of talk was「too easy」.

– But is Charles that super rich?

– Yes. He controls a few banks and brokerage firms from the shadows, he’s also a leading figure in the European financial business.

He could pay 10 billion yen without batting an eyelid. He grasped that from the bottom of his heart.

– A person who doesn’t match his appearance, huh…

That youthfulness, and that hurriedness didn’t give the slightest signal that he was an authority in the economic world.

However, the various images that s.h.i.+zuno showed by sliding the tablet――in which Charles was displayed with VIPs, then he in a corner of a brokerage firm was displayed small and then he surrounded by men and women of all ages dressed up at some party venue and so on――it seemed like they got awfully used to the sour-looking face of that guy in those places as they watched the images.

In the political and business world and high society of France that were crazy about the swirling money and power, a person, the figure of Charles who adopted an “I don’t care att.i.tude”, actually started to look good in it in.

– Wow, he got used to it.

– That’s natural. PSG is a magician after all.

Moroha was surprised by the words of Leshya.

– How magicians don’t feel out of place even if blending with politicians and rich people?

s.h.i.+zuno replied that question immediately.

– Well, they’ve been related to the political and business world from long ago. To begin with, it’s said that the origin of many magic a.s.sociations in Europe is the Knights Templars in the Crusades era. Knights Templars flourished due to finance business and many of the magic a.s.sociations that became their followers also imitated their ancestors. It’s the alchemy of the magicians that lives in the present-day PSGs who make money with insurances and securities trading and by lending and borrowing money.

– Magic a.s.sociations, huh…

He certainly thought that a Kuroma was being compared with a magician, but to think the latter was a professional with history and tradition. Moroha folded his arms when the shady story came out.

Well, when he objectively looked at the White Knight Organization, he concluded it was quite a shady organization too.

– Do they actually exist like Freemasonry?

– I don’t know if they’re still a thing these days, you know? Anyway, magic a.s.sociations actually exist, ranging from the secretive ones that are completely unknown to those that recruit members online. One of them is『Cradle of the Sun』and PSG is its leader. It’s the parent and core organization of the French Division.

– I asked Katya to send me the data. She took a sneak shot of them during the meeting with Lightning Empress.

A number of copies of images brought by Leshya were lined up on the table.

Charles dinning with a displeasured face and ominous people who backed him were behind him.

Everyone wore jet-black hoods and masks of a goat’s skeleton on their faces, they completely hid their ident.i.ties.

This told him they were the members of a magic a.s.sociation, he came to understand and agreed that this was an anachronistic outfit.

– These guys are the core of the French Division, aren’t they…?

Moroha sorted in his head for a moment.

The inquiry combined with the structure of the White Knight Organization he heard before.

– In other words… and to begin with, the magic a.s.sociation called『Cradle of the Sun』does exist, and although it looks strange for us, there are modernized magicians belonging to it who earn a living in finances and securities trading and Charles was their boss, right…? Then, at one point, the metaphysical appeared in France and Charles went to defeat it because there was no other choice. He cooperated with other countries and the creation of the White Knight Organization was decided and Charles launched the French Division with the subordinates of the『Cradle of the Sun』 … correct?

Applause surged from s.h.i.+zuno and Leshya.

It seemed that he wasn’t wrong.

– A question remains even after my sorting is completed. You said that there were other magic a.s.sociations besides『Cradle of the Sun』, didn’t you? If so, then there’s a group of Kuroma other than the White Knight Organization?

Leshya and s.h.i.+zuno explained, taking turns.

– No. According to the official announcement of the French Division, 『Cradle of the Sun』is the only group of Kuroma, which is way they were able to embark on metaphysical extermination. Other magic a.s.sociations are just groups that confusedly researched solid science and pointless occult stuff.

– Whoever the first PSG was, it seems that it was a Kuroma who could awaken by themselves? Since 『Cradle of the Sun』has been researching Dark Arts and the discovery of humans who have potential as a Kuroma uninterruptedly for hundreds of years, a group of Kuromas was formed nevertheless before the founding of the White Knight Organization――that’s the historical background.

– Then the real magician group is just Charles and the others…?

– Yes. But, ironically,『Cradle of the Sun』appears to be “heretic magicians” for other magic a.s.sociations, you know?

– Eh? Why?

– For other a.s.sociations, magic is science and the occult. As if those were the real thing. So, 『Cradle of the Sun』, which can create flames with Dark Arts without devices or sources is abnormal and heresy, don’t you think?

– I see… That’s certainly an ironic story.

And Charles had the ancient and honorable origin of being the 11th generation of Paris Saint-Germain.

Therefore, why he had the alias “The Legitimate Heretic Magician”.

– Hmmm…

Moroha indulged in thought as he put his hand against his chin.

In the printed images, Charles had dinner with a surly face.

The same face towards everyone, even before Lightning Empress, even before Moroha.

That was an indication of having a core, a “self” worthy of being unshakable.

A proof that his character wasn’t shallow.

He got that clearly when comparing him with the opposing Lightning Empress. A frivolous facial expression that felt like it flirted with men and that became loose during top-level meetings. It was often said that pictures were disconnected from reality to the point of being cruel.

(Charles Saint-Germain, huh…. He was a bothersome guy… but how does he live and what has he been able to acc.u.mulate, I wonder…?)

Moroha couldn’t help but being unconsciously interested in him.

He looked at Charles in the image and the masked men who had no c.h.i.n.ks.

History. Social Rules. Deep knowledge of Dark Arts.

Charles and his close aides had what the White Knight Organization didn’t.

He felt a dreadfulness different from the Former Russia. *

*TN: Former Russia is the furigana reading for worst and most sinister.

– Could it be that Moroha is considering going to France?

Leshya’s words brought his consciousness back to reality.

When he noticed――Leshya stared at him, her upturned eyes were full of suspicion.

– Are you hesitating? Why don’t you discuss it with us?

– I’m not going. I have no reason to go.

Moroha answered clearly.

Leshya immediately softened her look in the eyes and revealed a smile,

– I’m relieved to hear that. I’m determined to accompany Moroha wherever he goes, but I like this country called j.a.pan and Akane Academy. I don’t want to go anywhere else if possible.

– I understand you. There are so many reasons to not go.

As he made Charles listen to him.

That man babbled something like「In that case, bring your family and your friends to France」, but that wasn’t entirely realistic.

He should have told that impatient man.

“Don’t talk so fast”.

– The biggest question is why PSG needs Moroha so much?

– He said something about human domination and this and that…

– When I heard that on the phone, I ended up doubting his sanity. Extremists are famous even within the White Knight Organization for their intention of political power amplification, but I can’t believe they thought of doing such an outrageous thing.

– He’s just a strange guy, but I can’t see him as a guy who lost his mind…

When Moroha and s.h.i.+zuno inclined their heads to the side together, Leshya interjected.

– PSG is just a short tempered, fastidious and arrogant man, though he was an honest person in the beginning.

– That “honest” you’re mentioning is…?

Moroha retorted and because Leshya thought out, looking grave, he prompted her, being fl.u.s.tered.

– PSG started talking about human domination 5 years ago.

– He’s been planning this since then? I didn’t know.

– Until then, and despite his eccentricity, he thought about saving the world by exterminating the metaphysical properly. I remember it well because only Russia was an extremist at the beginning of the founding of the White Knight Organization, he was isolated.

– … Then he suddenly changed 5 years ago?

– Yes. Russia didn’t catch hold of what happened to him. However, and all of a sudden, he wanted to contact Lightning Empress and offered and tried to plan human domination with her. Lightning Empress deemed it acceptable because she’s simply an incarnation of a l.u.s.t for power, but I felt a somewhat tragic but heroic determination in what PSG had said. I never saw him as a man who lost reason.

Leshya selected one of the printed images.

A close-up of Charles’s facial expression during a dinner.

His usual displeasured face.

But, his blue eyes were impressive.

Filled with a strong discernment――but at the same time, they looked somewhat sad.

– A tragic but brave decision… huh.

Moroha understood when he heard so.

The rather stubborn-looking Charles didn’t look like a l.u.s.t for power was swelling within him at all, but if he was aiming for「human domination」which had an unspecified, incomprehensible and tragic-but-brave decision, he could understand. The uncomfortable feeling disappeared all of a sudden.

He got that when looking at Charles in this image.

This also seemed to be the truth of the moment when the photo was snipped.

– You know, I came to the conclusion that “maybe Charles is after my incantations and he began to say that so that I would teach him about them”. But, I think he’s not that sort of guy.

– I think so too. He never asked Lightning Empress “I wish you to teach me your incantations”, but rather he seemed to avoid an incantation that needed a big compensation to use.

– I see…

He understood one thing but the mysteries ended up increasing by one again.

What happened 5 years ago that made Charles have a sudden change and pushed human domination on him?

– Every time I understand less and less…

– I’m sorry for not being able to give you advice well.

s.h.i.+zuno put a hand on her cheek with a gloomy tone of voice and Leshya clouded her face.

– That’s not true. I’m glad I could hear what type of guy Charles is. That guy, “I’ll use whatever means〜”, “I’ll summon you to France〜”, and so on, I’m just worried because he threatened me. He seems to be more rational than I thought, maybe needless anxiety is a good thing.

– Certainly, my knowledge about PSG is that he’s not a person who would suddenly try to send out an a.s.sa.s.sin.

– Elensan says so, but should we be relieved or smile wryly because of that?

– … s.h.i.+zuno is a friend but a malicious one.

Leshya became sulky and turned her back on her, then put a gloomy cloud of prana on her shoulders.

– This is also a joke, okay? Anyways, shall we take a break? I’ll get black tea. Accompanied with lots of grape jam.

– That’s Russian style. I shall carry them.

s.h.i.+zuno proposed while standing up and Leshya accompanied her while waging her tail.

– Elensan likes sweets too?

– Of course. Satsuki said that girls who don’t like sweets don’t exist anywhere in the world.

The characteristic cheerful atmosphere of the girls disappeared as they entered the corridor.

Moroha thought with that scene just before his eyes.

(They totally became friends…. Or maybe she’s being led around by the nose…)

It was a hundred times better than having a cold quarrel.

Or maybe this was the amazingness of the tolerance the girl called s.h.i.+zuno had.

Leshya seemed to be happy, that made him calm down when he saw her.

Moroha thought again.

In the end, I don’t want to go to France.

He returned from s.h.i.+zuno’s house.

Moroha walked with Leshya on the asphalt road that zigzagged through the hill.

The way there was skipped with G.o.dlike Movement, but the girl begged that she wanted to return slowly.

An “I beg you” from Leshya who didn’t demand too much from him, so she wanted him to grant her wish.

Cars occasionally went by, there was hardly any light or sound.

There was a crescent moon tonight, and its light was unreliable.

Because of that, Moroha walked as he looked up at the stars that were prettier than when looking at them in the city.

– Aren’t you cold, Leshya?

– I’m okay. This isn’t like the winter in Russia.

– Haha, you’re right. But I think that the way you walk is unusually strange.

The movement of her limbs was awkward.

– I ended up getting strongly conscious that it’s just the two of us in this darkness and silence.

– Haha, yeah, it’s just the two of us.

Moroha laughed because he was nervous about something strange.

– Once we descend the hill, it will be livelier even if it’s at this late hour.

– … It’s not like I don’t want to be just with you.

Leshya whispered.

It was a stiff tone of voice, but when he looked to the side, she seemingly pouted her lips. That was cute.

Moroha suddenly made up his mind while feeling amused.

– Speaking of lively, there will be a school festival soon, you know? We decided to run a coffee shop with Strikers. Would you join us, if you like? A request from me to everyone.

– Ah…

He proposed and Leshya hesitated to speak.

Her facial expression was slightly gloomy.

– You don’t feel like it?

– That’s not it. I want to do it, if possible…

– What is it, then?

– Uh…

Leshya hesitated to speak again.

On the contrary, she actually looked away to the back.

And perspired cold sweat.

– Ummm… I don’t want to invite you if you don’t want to, if you have any circ.u.mstances, I think that’s okay…?

Moroha felt like she was torturing herself somehow, so he said as if intervening.

– … It’s very difficult to bring it up.

– I’m not going to get angry, you know.

– Really?

– I swear by the G.o.ds of heaven and earth.

Leshya, who placed her trust in Moroha as he intentionally tapped his chest exaggeratedly, spoke frankly and nervously.

– My cla.s.s is going to run a coffee shop at the school festival too…

– Ah!

He quickly realized and clapped his hands together.

Moroha’s cla.s.s was subconsciously forgotten because they came to the conclusion that they weren’t going to do any performance.

But if it was Leshya’s cla.s.s, then it was possible that they would do something properly.

– I enrolled… a month ago… and finally… everyone in my cla.s.s… started to talk to me recently…. So… I too… was glad that I could do… something with all my cla.s.smates…. But… that also means betraying Moroha… and that I will be against you… if only I could split… my body into two…

– No no, this isn’t a matter of life and death.

Moroha waved his hands from left to right.

– If Moroha says it, I’m prepared to turn my back on my cla.s.smates…

– No no, a critical preparation like that isn’t needed.

Moroha waved his hands from left to right.

– … D-does that mean that you’re abandoning me…?

The confused Leshya s.h.i.+fted her attention to him as if clinging to him.

– No, I don’t mean that. Rather, it pleases me that Leshya has more friends now. I’d like Satsuki-san to do the same.

Moroha patted her back lightly to cheer her up.

– I’m not going anywhere, but running a coffee shop and honoring your cla.s.s happens only once in a lifetime. I think you’ll definitely have fun.*

*TN: Not sure what “I’m not going anywhere” means here.

When Moroha said so, Leshya stopped walking suddenly.

He turned just his neck as he thought in puzzlement.

Leshya had acc.u.mulated lots of tears in the outer corner of her eyes.

– Me too! I’m so happy that Moroha said that!

Immediately after that, she clung to him from behind.

The slender arms of Leshya twined around the nape of Moroha’s neck.

A warm sensation and a fierce throbbing clung to his back, making him forget the chilliness of the autumn night.

– You’re exaggerating.

– I’m not. How much s.h.i.+nes this deep emotion that fills my heart? If I can open it and show it to you, I’m sure you’ll be able to understand it too.

– That’s why I said that manner of speaking is too exaggerated.

Lehya’s cheeks rubbed against the area near Moroh’s nape, her long breaths pa.s.sed near his ears, but not enough to tickle him.

– Come on, let’s go back.

– I refuse. I feel like I want to stay like this.

– We have a spoiled child here, huh.

– I don’t want to let you go no matter how much you laugh at me.

– Okay, okay. Should we return by carrying you on my back?

Moroha turned his arms to this back with a bitter smile.

– In other words, your ulterior motive is “to want to rub my b.u.t.t and thighs”?

– You ruined my good intentions?

– But I know. I heard that all j.a.panese boys only think of lewd stuff. That’s a healthy thing. I’m in no way disdaining Moroha for thinking about lewd stuff.

– … By the way, where did you hear that?

– ? Of course from the gentleman of『5ch』, why?

– … Those guys aren’t a good example.

– My seriousness is misunderstood as stubbornness, but I do understand this. That’s why I want Moroha to rub me without worries. I want this lucky lecher to enjoy himself.

– Sorry. I’ll walk and drag you at this rate, so cling to me until you’re satisfied. Okay?

– Thank you. I’ll take advantage of those words.

Moroha began to walk, dumbfounded.

Leshya never released her arms as her feet were dragged along slowly.

One dragged along and the other was dragged along.

A test of endurance to see who gave up first.

But Leshya was so obstinate that in the end she clung all the way to the women’s dormitory.