The “Master swordsman” who was reincarnated, wants to live freely - Chapter 71

Translator: Darling | Editor: Nebosuke

In the middle of the spacious park – Iris was walking, alone.

She wasn’t with Alta and the others in order to lure out Alia and get in contact. 

Though she doesn’t know whether Alia will show up, she was still waiting for her friend.

If any person was to pass by Iris, she quickly moved away to a different location.

…That is because if the one in a million chance of Alia arriving arose, it was most likely going to be a fight.

(I have no more hesitations)

This is what Iris had decided upon, in her heart. After her talk with Alta, she came to this conclusion – 

Even though this is what she had decided, she could feel her hands getting sweaty.

Either way, she’s nervous – To the point as to where she’s thinking about where she’s wrong as a human being.

Alia has no hesitation, yet Iris does. That very “Hesitation” is exactly where their difference is going to come from.

(Mr. Schweiss said it too… If Alia has truly become our enemy, there is no way I am going to get her out of there.

If that is really true then…!!)

A silhouette came up to Iris.

Only a little bit away from her, hiding their face with a robe, they made their way straight to Iris.

There seems to be no one else – there could be someone watching from far away, they obviously made their way to Iris. 

… And then, they showed their real selves.

“..Alia”

“You’re really this kind of person huh, Iris”

– Alia said as she judged Iris.

Alia had told her to stand down, but Iris is still employed as Eina’s escort. Alia understood this though.

The reason she came in disguise is that Alia too had something more to discuss.

That much Iris could infer.

“You told me to stand down, but I can’t make that decision”

“…I know. Still, I want you to do so”

“Well, before I do, please tell me why”

“I have nothing to tell you, Iris”

Alia showed that she was watching her surroundings.

She was checking whether no one else was around, right? Alta and the others are waiting a little away from us, but she shouldn’t be able to see them from here.

Alta sure has beyond normal powers, but I doubt he’s able to perceive what’s happening at such a distance as this.

…. But if it takes too long, Alta might actually come here.

If that were the case, Alia would surely disappear before he reached us.

I need to convince her before that happens.

“Don’t say such things. I think of you as family”

“…I’ve never thought of us like that”

“Still, I see you as someone important”

“Irrelevant. I already have stopped thinking about you”

“…Well, then why do you tell me to stand down? If you really don’t care about me anymore, then we can just fight right now –

and you can kill me. If I were to be a trouble for you that is. I don’t intend to stand down from all of this though”

“… You really don’t know anything, do you? You never have”

Alia left out a small sigh and then, from her bosom takes out a Black Shortblade.

Iris saw her doing so but didn’t respond. Alia seemed serious – Iris could feel that even against her, Alia’s killing instincts seemed real.

“Take out your blade. If you won’t stand down, then I’ll kill you”

“…I’d like to see you try”

“!”

Iris again answered without changing her attitude what so ever. She balded her fist and took a step forward.

It was her chance to tell her what she had to.

“If you really want to kill me, then do it now”

“You’ll die without a fight? Aren’t you going to become the strongest knight?”

“That’s right. My goal is to become this kingdom’s strongest. I already have no more doubts towards that”

“Then -“

“However, for that sake, I don’t need to fight you. If I need to stop you with a fight, then that’s what I will do. Next time.

This time is different though. It won’t solve anything. So please, I ask you, tell me everything. No matter what happens, I am on your side”

“…I won’t listen”

Alia’s expression was wavering. She realized how long they had been together.

For the first time, Alia showed her troubles. Through Iris’s hesitationless words Alia’s true self came out.

Iris then took one more step, going forward.

“I’ll act as if I didn’t hear that. I will take you home. Because we’re family”

“You’re wrong. I’m not your… You’re wrong”

“I’m not wrong. You are my best friend, my family. For me, that’s the true-“

“Don’t say such things”

For the first time, Alia’s voice was roaring.

She took her shortblades into both her hands and approached Iris with murderous intent.

Iris didn’t waver. She took one more step forward, causing Alia to take one back.

Alia was shaking, and almost silently continued speaking.

“I beg you, stand down”

“I can’t do that”

“…If you think of me as family, stand down. I beg you”

“! I can’t let you go with a face like that. You understand that, don’t you?”

Iris was talking to Alia in an instructive like manner.

Alia’s murderous intents hadn’t subsided yet – She then kicked the ground, and leaped towards Iris, covering the distance between them.

She then put a dagger against Iris’ throat.

But Iris didn’t care. And right before the blade was about to take Iris’ life, it stopped.

“….”

“Alia”

“Why can’t you just listen to what I tell you…”

Alia looked as if she was going to burst out in tears.

Iris had never seen her face like this – It showed how determined Alia truly was.

But Iris surpassed that determination.

“I and Mr. Schweiss are here for you. He too believes in you, waiting for you. That’s why I came here alone”

Those words really gave more meaning to the situation.

Though there might be enemies lurking around, Iris came on her own – She did so because it was clear that she saw no issue in her meeting with Alia.

Alia removed the dagger from her throat and looked away.

She seemed as if she was troubled about what to do next.

Still, Iris had to take Alia back with her – Iris was convinced this was the time to do so.

“Oh my, Oh my. You’re such a troublesome child… Notoria”

“!”

A voice was heard from Alia’s rear side.

Four people came out of the shadows. Their presences were unnoticeable.

Three of them donned hoods and masks, resembling the assassins that attacked before. And the other one was a white-haired person in white clothes.

His face didn’t really seem to get much praise for its health, was filled with a wide grin.

“In the end, you failed and were convinced by her kindness. How troublesome”

“…You… You are the Shadow Apostles, right?”

“Oh, you already know that much? – No, perhaps Eina Bodel told you all about us. That could be quite troublesome…

But perhaps, not if we kill you”

This one person that kept on talking knew well what was going on.

Iris took out the flare she had kept in her bosom and prepared to launch it.

There were four enemies – And one by one they held serious power.

Iris felt that taking them on by her own would pose serious trouble.

Then, Alia stood in front of Iris, as if to protect her.

“St-stop. I will convince Iris, so…!”

“No need to be so frightened. I don’t plan to kill her. I was thinking of using her instead”

“Use… Me?”

“Ooh, yes, that’s right. You hold great power, but… there is one I am more worried about. From the information I’ve gathered, he is called Alta Schweiss.

These children were fighting with him, but he seemed a bit too powerful. So I figured I had to change the strategy. 

But if all goes well, you too might be able to start the “war”.

“…! So that IS what you are after, then?”

“Hmmm, seems like that girl is really hard to get. I had planned to have her killed, however, this would be perfectly fine. Notoria, capture Iris”

“…”

“Iris, don’t obey him”

“Don’t obey, you say. What gives you the right to say that?”

“What right…? Are you trying to tell me that Alia has no free will of her own, but to listen to you, Qufirio Notoria?”

“!.. Hoho, has it come to this?”

The man looked a bit surprised as to what Iris had said.

This time Iris stood in front of Alia to cover her.

Alia seemed troubled about what to do – Still, Iris believed in her.

If she is to not believe Iris now, then there is no way Iris is able to get her back.

“I…”

Alia started talking. But she had no more strength in her arms and lowered her weapons. Her will Iris to kill had vanished.

To fake even her intent to kill – That was the kind of girl Alia was.

Still, Iris was able to see through this lie of hers.

Iris took the flare out of her bosom, into her hand and – 

“I can’t let you do that though”

“!”

The one that moved was the smallest of the four.

Judging from his voice he was as old as Alta, maybe even younger.

In a moment he already managed to cover the distance between him and Iris.

In his right hand, he held a short blade – Though he was very deft with it, Iris used the flare as cover.

“— Purple Lightning!!”

With these words, Iris took some distance and called forth her sword.

Cladded in purple lightning she moved towards the boy.

“If you can’t do anything it doesn’t matter Notoria. You can leave this to me”

“Father…”

“! Father?”

Iris was surprised to hear this and had to blink a few times.

Alia surely just called this boy, who is about the same height as Alta, Father.

The young boy took off his mask, revealing his face. It looked exactly like Alia’s.

He had an ominous smile with it too.

“Unfortunately, you were a little off. For I am Qufirio Notoria”

The boy – Qufirio proclaimed.

He took out his blades. He and Iris headed towards each other.