Shadow Farms
“Things That Always Ignored”
Summer is almost here.
Under the sky that at least felt like it, I vigorously swung my wooden sword. This is the time period for afternoon practice. After being released from Alexia, I returned in the same group as my good friend Hyoro and Jaga.
Due to the Zenon-sensei scandal, the reputation, and relationship issues with the other students of the Royal Capital Bushin Style had ended. Thanks to that, the three of us have now been in Group 7.
“So, hey, how did it go with Princess Alexia?”
Hyoro asked while doing swing practice next to me.
“I've said many times, we broke up, and that's it.”
I almost got killed in the process.
“Sweetest. You didn't even get a kiss?”
Ask Keep.
“No, not a single one.”
Like that, we had an unimportant conversation while relying on sheer momentum to continue our lackluster practice swings. Welcome to Group 7, huh?
It is really a waste of time, but since it is the Way as a mob (figurant), I have no choice but to follow it calmly.
“Oh yes, it is almost time for the God of War Festival. Have you submitted an app for Senbatsu Tournaments?”
“Who do you think I am? If I show off a little in the tournament, then bringing home two or three girls would be very easy.”
Hyoro. Keep dreaming, Cherry*.
(TN : Cherry \= Perjaka)
“Mufufu, handle three at the same time may be rather difficult.”
The word Jaga. Keep dreaming, Cherry.
“Sid, you haven't signed up yet, have you?”
The God of War festival refers to a major tournament held once every two years. Famous swordsmen from both inside and outside the country would gather together for it. And in that tournament, there's a bracket for the school. Senbatsu tournaments are our school's way of deciding who will represent us.
(TN : ‘Senbatsu’ means ‘option.’ Like, the best ‘selected’ among them.)
Naturally, since I was a mob, I had no intention of joining something as conspicuous as it was and making attention focus on me. It's totally unthinkable.
“I ti-..”
“I've helped you submit a registration form, so thank you to k-.. !!”
For some reason, Hyoro suddenly grabbed hold of her stomach and fainted.
“H-, Hyoro-un! What's wrong with you!”
It was a very quick blow. The kind of attack that no one else knows about other than myself.
“Oi, yes, Hyoro. Why did you fall like you just received an attack directed straight at your stomach?”
I asked while opening my left fist.
“S-, looks like you're very specific, Sid-kun.”
“It's not good, he's completely lost consciousness. I'll take him to the infirmary, so help me. Oh yes, is it possible to cancel my registration to the tournament?”
“Do not know. Ah, Hyoro spewing bubbles.”
After reporting to the teacher that Hyoro collapsed all of a sudden, we got permission to leave the classroom to go to the health room.
Along way.
“What is it?”
I saw an important-looking group walking around the campus.
“It... oh hey, it's Princess Iris.”.
I also saw Alexia. As our eyes met, he turned to the side with ‘fun’.
I still haven't told anyone about him going crazy and turning into a slaughter maniac. As long as he doesn't bother me, I don't intend to tell anyone about the incident on that roof. Non-aggression is the right word. He can enjoy attacking people randomly as he pleases, I don't care. It seems that his skills have improved lately, so I don't think it's a bad idea to brush up on his technique on an actual person. As long as it's not me.
“Oh yes, I remember hearing something about Princess Iris having something she investigated and asking Midgar Scholar Academy to investigate it.”
One might not think this when looking at Jaga, but he actually has quite a lot of information. Our Midgar Magic Swordsman Academy is huge, and we apparently share our campus with Midgar Scholar Academy. There they study science or do research or the like. I don't really know the details.
“Fu ~ n.”
Oh yeah, he mentioned the formation of a new squad or something.
Jaga and I watched the group of knights pass by, leaving Hyoro to the infirmary, then skipping for the rest of the lesson time.
⊕⊗⊕
Talks were taking place in a large reception room with several people inside.
“I ask you for help, as a famous person in the entire royal capital as a leading expert in this field, to decipher this artifact.”
The one who said it while holding the pendant-like item was the graceful, red-haired Princess Iris.
“But I'm still a student.”
The one who saw the artifact and then rejected it was the beautiful pink-haired teenage girl.
“Your research results are well known both inside and outside the country. In this field, no one knows better than you, Shelly Barnett.”
“But it remains..”
“It's a good opportunity. Why not try it?”
The one who cut Shelly's words off was a middle-aged man.
“Vice Principal Ruslan Barnett.”.
Ruslan said with a laugh.
Shelly just showed me a smile like a problem.
“Shelly, you are someone who will eventually fly into the world as a researcher. This request from Princess Iris can be an important stepping stone to your bright future.”
“But someone like me..”.
“Shelly, I always say this, don't I? More confident. This can be done if it is you. Only you can do it.”
Ruslan placed one hand on Shelly's slender shoulder.
“Good..”.
Shelly received the artifact from Iris.
“I understand, language of the ancients. And even written in code.”
“The object was found in one of the religious facilities called the Order of Diabolos. We suspect they did research related to ancient civilizations, but we don't know the details. We also think that the code is also related to ancient civilizations.”
“Means this is a suitable job for me.”
Shelly stared at the artifact, her curiosity already twinkling in her eyes.
“And we also want to assign some knights to guard the artifact.”
“‘keeping’...?”
Ruslan reacted to Iris' words.
“We will be in front. This artifact is being targeted by the Order of Diabolos even at this time.”
“That sounds very dangerous.”
Ruslan's eyes are getting sharper.
“This artifact was originally seized from their facility. Of course, this was not the only thing we confiscated back then - there was also a large amount of documents and other items. But we were very disappointed, the other day, the facility where we kept all the objects was set on fire. The only thing left is that artifact.”
“Ahh, the fire incident. By the way, after the incident, Princess Iris formed a new knight, right?”
“Iya. Although the size is still very small.”
“If I remember correctly, his name is The Crimson Order? So you are here today under that identity?”
“Ya, right..”
“How much confidence do you have to trust the existing Order of Knights?”
Iris did not answer Ruslan's sharp question.
He just stared straight at Ruslan without a single change in his expression.
“Fumu, okay. I'll give you permission. But only two.”
“Two... It is safest for me to take care of it myself, but..”
Iris displayed a conflicted expression on her face.
“If Iris-sama is always in the field, then there will be no progress at all with our other work as knights.”
The one who said this was a knight with a large body sitting to the right of Iris. Hair like a lion's mane, and a trained body. There was even a huge scar on his face.
“That's also true, I guess. Alright, Glen, this will be your new assignment from now on.”
“Good! I'll do my best.”
Glen lowered his head.
“Nee-sama, allow me also to help.”
So said Alexia from the left Iris.
“The more people assigned here means fewer people can be investigated in the Jet Black incident.”
Iris remained silent.
“Crimson Order is also still lacking people. Besides, I've met him before. There's nothing better suited to this role than myself.”
“But, Alexia, you still..”.
“Learners? But what's the problem because I have the power? You were the one who said those words, Nee-sama.”
“I didn't say such a thing.”
“You just said something similar to Shelly-san.”
Iris grimaced, as Alexia smiled calmly.
“Although you used to be very funny..”
Iris's nagging with a small voice.
“I heard. Nee-sama, I really want to know. What is their purpose. And ... are they our enemies or not.”
“But it's dangerous!”
“I know.”
Iris and Alexia stared at each other for a while.
“Good. But only to the degree where it does not negatively impact your lessons, and only on missions with low probability of danger.”
“Thank you very much.”
Alexia smiled as she lowered her head.
“About the artifact, we will hand it to you then.”
Thus Iris said to Shelly while sighing.
⊕⊗⊕
