Kiyotaka sat still for a second, lifting Emilia so her head was on his lap as he stroked her hair to calm her down.
Kiyotaka: (Think. Elsa was there... there's a high probability that Elsa is strong enough to kill Frederica. After all, despite being a Demihuman, I didn't sense anything all that special regarding combat. Is she really alone there, though? Was there no one else? Regardless, taking Ram with me isn't a good idea. The only reason I left with her in the last loop was because I had no time to prepare. It's better for her to stay here and keep an eye on Roswaal. Also Emilia may need her support. Besides her stamina is quite low so if I took her she might...
Kiyotaka felt a slight chill as he remembered the feeling of her body going cold in his arms.
Kiyotaka: (I've felt that kind of sensation so many times, but... it's only now starting to bother me. I guess my mind really likes to play favourites. )
Kiyotaka shook off the thought and looked to Emilia.
Kiyotaka: (Looks like she's feeling better.)
Kiyotaka: [Emilia. Wake up.]
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Ram lit the aroma and closed the door as she left the room. They were still waiting for Garfiel to arrive.
Ram: [She's finally calmed down, and is resting now. The aroma hypnosis will prevent any nightmares.]
Kiyotaka couldn't help but stare at her face.
Ram: [What's wrong, Ayanotaka? You look like you've seen a ghost.]
Kiyotaka: [You can take off as many points as you want so just humor me okay?]
Ram: [Hm?]
Kiyotaka pulled Ram into a hug, and she was surprised.
Ram: [What's gotten into you all of a sudden?]
Kiyotaka let her go.
Kiyotaka: [Sorry about that.]
Ram: [Your arm... It's shaking.]
Kiyotaka hit his arm as it stopped shaking.
Kiyotaka: (I still remember the sensation of them crawling underneath my skin.)
Kiyotaka: [Don't worry about it.]
Ram looked concerned, but let it go.
Ram: [... 5 points...]
Kiyotaka: [... hm?]
Ram: [Plus... 5 points.]
She walked away.
Kiyotaka: (Well that reaction was expected.)
Kiyotaka sat down.
Kiyotaka: (Even though I didn't see anyone else, and even if it's likely that Elsa could manage killing everyone at the mansion on her own, I'm not completely convinced that she's the only one that was sent. It seems too easy, though there is no evidence. But if there really was a second person... how strong would they be? Would Frederica and I be able to defeat those two? There are too many unknowns.)
Kiyotaka pondered it again.
Kiyotaka: (Should I gather information and then loop again? Given the last death I had. The trial checkpoint will last for at the very least 2 days. Going past that, however, would put me at risk of a new checkpoint being created. In the same way, though, if I managed to die past that point and the checkpoint stayed the same, it would give me more time. Not something I want to test, though.)
Ram: [You're in deep thought. Thinking of a way to win me over and leave Roswaal-sama?]
Kiyotaka: [Considering the way he's been acting so far, I doubt it would take me that long to come up with a way if I wanted to do something like that.]
Ram's face darkened slightly.
Ram: [You're... not wrong.]
Kiyotaka: [I think I should discuss some things with Frederica.]
Ram: [Frederica?]
Kiyotaka: [It stands to reason that she may know more than she's letting on. It could be a way to understand Roswaal's motives a bit better.]
Ram: [I see. That is a good point.]
Kiyotaka: (I actually want to make sure that everyone at the estate is safe. If we can manage to deal with the situation there, then I can focus on what happens here. After all, I have someone I can depend on.)
Kiyotaka: [Do you have any metias or birds that can send messages?]
Ram: [We have a bird.]
Kiyotaka: (It should take her 2 days to get to the mansion. We'll be there long before then, but... Elsa will also attack in two days. Unless she's waiting in the area. Still, it's not a bad idea to pull out this card.)
Kiyotaka: [I'll talk to Emilia before I go.]
Ram: [You're going right now?]
Kiyotaka: [The sooner the better.]
Ram: [Do you want me to come with you?]
Kiyotaka: [No. Given Roswaal's unknown motive, there's every chance Emilia will be put in danger. I want you to stay here and keep her safe.]
Ram: [... alright.]
Kiyotaka: [Any messages you want me to give Rem?]
Ram: [Stay in bed and sleep cutely as always.]
Kiyotaka: [... sure.]
Kiyotaka: (The sister complex actually goes both ways...)
Kiyotaka: [I'll go talk to Emilia.]
Ram nodded.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Kiyotaka was talking with Emilia.
Emilia: [Kiyo....]
Kiyotaka: [You don't want to go through the trial tomorrow, do you? I understand why, but there's a part of you that's returned. If it were absent, I wouldn't force you to undergo the trial, but now that it's here, it'll only hurt you unless you sort things out in there.]
Emilia: [I... I'm scared.]
Kiyotaka: [Please just do this for me, and I promise everything will work out. I'll make sure everything works out. Regardless of how long it takes me.]
Emilia seemed confused but sighed.
Emilia: [So... you're saying... that... you're depending on me for this?]
Kiyotaka: [I know it will be painful for you and you'll struggle, but...]
Emilia held Kiyotaka's hands.
Emilia: [You've done so much for me. If it wasn't for you, I would have died so many times. You can leave this to me.]
Kiyotaka smiled as Emilia looked at him, a bit shocked, and blushing as she smiled.
Kiyotaka: (She should be able to handle it, and with Ram here, interference from Roswaal can be kept to a minimum... unless... could it be that he'd attempt to isolate her?)
Kiyotaka: [Emilia. I'm going back to the mansion to deal with something important, but I will be back, okay? You're not alone.]
Emilia: [Kiyo...]
Emilia nodded with an angelic smile.
Emilia: [I'm feeling reaaally determined now.]
Kiyotaka: [I'll leave the rest to you, okay?]
Emilia nodded as Kiyotaka left.
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The area was dark as a woman whose face was obscured was sitting as she read a letter.
???: [How amusing. I shall allow it.]
Another woman off to the side bowed in recognition with a soft smile gracing her features.
???: [Then I'll be taking my leave for now.]
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Kiyotaka got off Haku as Petra walked over, doing a curtsey. She was wearing a red hair tie.
Petra: [Welcome back, Kiyotaka-sama. You returned much sooner than I expected.]
Kiyotaka patted her on the head.
Kiyotaka: [It's good to see you. We should head inside. I have some things to discuss with Frederica.]
Petra: [Hm? Frederica-neesama is out patrolling the forest barrier right now.]
Kiyotaka: [Then let's head inside for now.]
Petra nods as Kiyotaka and they head inside. Kiyotaka closes his eyes, spreading threads of mana out through the mansion.
Kiyotaka: (Well, my Mana Strings aren't sensing anything. It looks like Elsa isn't in the mansion yet... wait... there she is.)
Kiyotaka focused on the spot.
Kiyotaka: (Right there.)
Kiyotaka sighed.
Kiyotaka: (She's in the mansion... no one in the village is dead yet. Her main targets are here. Is that how it is? Well, my backup isn't here yet, so antagonising her isn't smart.)
Kiyotaka knocked on a door.
Rem: [Um. Who is it?]
Kiyotaka: [It's me.]
Rem: [Kiyotaka-Kun? You're back? So soon?]
Kiyotaka: (Hold on... that sound... is she...)
Kiyotaka opened the door to see Rem wiping down a table.
Rem: [Kya!]
Kiyotaka: [What are you doing? You're supposed to be in bed.]
Rem: [It's not good to barge into people's...]
Kiyotaka: [It's not good to work while you're sick. Get back in bed. Now.]
Rem reluctantly got in bed.
Kiyotaka: [I came back to talk with Frederica, but I also have a message from Ram.]
Rem: [From Oneesama?]
Kiyotaka: [She told me to tell you to "Stay in bed and sleep cutely as always."]
Rem blushed.
Rem: [Oneesama didn't have to say it like that...]
Kiyotaka: [Isn't her honesty something you find charming, though?]
Rem: [Don't make fun of me Kiyotaka-Kun! You're right, though. Oneesama's honesty really is charming.]
Kiyotaka: [Alright. Stay in bed. I'm going to go have a chat with Frederica.]
Rem nodded.
Rem: [Okay.]
Kiyotaka: (Asking Rem to participate in the battle with Elsa is not possible. She'd definitely get a headache or collapse during the fight.)
Kiyotaka then left the room.
Frederica: [You returned sooner than I expected, Kiyotaka-sama. What a surprise.]
Her eyes were closed with a happy expression.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※
Frederica set down a cup of tea.
Kiyotaka: (Nothing seems wrong with it.)
Kiyotaka took a sip.
Frederica: [Since Emilia-sama is not with you, I assume the trial is not yet complete?]
Kiyotaka: [You're correct.]
Kiyotaka: (While I didn't actually come here to discuss with her, doing so won't prove any risk. As for Elsa. I am keeping tabs on everyone's positions. I don't think she knows I'm here yet.)
Frederica: [Can I ask why you came back, Kiyotaka-sama?]
Kiyotaka: [I'd like you to tell me everything you can about Roswaal's intentions.]
Frederica: [Kiyotaka-sama, what do you...]
Kiyotaka: [You gave Emilia the stone. It began glowing, so I took it only for it to teleport me.]
Frederica: [What? Teleport?]
Kiyotaka: (Genuine surprise... I see she's not privy to all the details. Conversation with her is useless.)
Kiyotaka: [You don't know anything... I see. I'd like you to get Petra and Rem out of the mansion and take them to the village.]
Frederica: [What? But why?]
Kiyotaka: [Elsa. I know you're there. Why don't you come in?]
Elsa opened the door, holding Petra in her arms with a knife to her neck.
Kiyotaka: (You're here earlier than expected aren't you )
Elsa: [It's good to see you again. Ayanokoji. Shall we keep that promise we made?]
Kiyotaka: [Sorry, but I'm the type to break promises wherever it suits me. besides. I'm not the only one here.]
Elsa: [Of course. A large maid and a small maid. I want to lay them out on a table to compare their insides.]
Kiyotaka: (Even Ike comes up with better pick-up lines than that. And he's Ike.)
Kiyotaka: [Dona!]
Kiyotaka: [El Goa!]
Kiyotaka fired a fireball at Elsa, who blocked it with her arm as Frederica partially transformed her arm, striking at Elsa, who blocked with her blade. Kiyotaka rushed in, grabbing Petra and getting her clear.
Kiyotaka: [Frederica. Now! Get out of here.]
Frederica: [But...]
Kiyotaka: [Now!]
Frederica grabbed Petra and left, rushing up the stairs to Rem's room.
Elsa: [Oh? Do you want some one-on-one time with me?]
Kiyotaka: [Not going to chase after them?]
Elsa: [Well, Maylie can deal with them just fine, and I want you all to myself.]
Kiyotaka: (There is another.) AN: LOL Kiyotaka became Yoda for a second there.
Kiyotaka: [Well then, let's see how our battles go.]
Elsa smiled.
Elsa: [Yes. Let's gut each other.]
Kiyotaka: [Earth Brand Arts.]
Kiyotaka summons his Kopesh.
Elsa: [What an interesting blade. It looks good at cutting and hacking. It might be well suited for me. Could you explain it?]
Kiyotaka : [Sorry, but I have allies to assist after I'm done with you.]
Elsa smirks.
Elsa: [Do you really want to spill my guts all over the floor that badly? Oh... to have my feelings reciprocated. It feels so... good!]
Kiyotaka and Elsa rush at each other, going through a fierce exchange of blows as Kiyotaka blocked an attack, getting pushed into a wall as it cracks from the impact. She rushes in, aiming for his guts, when Kiyotaka dodges and grabs the back of her head, slamming her face into the exact spot the wall was cracking and kicking her through it.
Elsa: [Oh, I love it.]
Kiyotaka stepped outside, pointing his sword at her.
Kiyotaka: [I'm not the same as when we first fought.]
Elsa: [I can tell. You've gotten so much stronger. The thought of you growing so much just to fight me... It's giving me butterflies.]
Kiyotaka: (She's not going all out yet. Once she decides to stop playing with me, things will get messy. I just have to stall for time until then.)
Kiyotaka: [Ul Goa!]
Kiyotaka fired multiple fireballs at Elsa, who dodged them, getting closer when Kiyotaka kicked up dirt into her eye. AN: Bully Maguire would be proud.
Kiyotaka stabbed her through the heart.
Kiyotaka: (Will that do the job? Well, regardless. If I keep the blade here, you can't exactly regenerate.)
Elsa moved as the blade sliced through her more.
Kiyotaka: [What are you...]
Elsa's heart regenerated, and Kiyotaka jumped back.
Kiyotaka: (Even stabbing her in the heart isn't enough?)
Elsa: [Even if it's you, you won't be able to kill me or buy enough time, you know.]
Kiyotaka: [That would be true if it were only me.]
Elsa's eyes widened.
??: [El Fura.]
Suddenly, Elsa's arm went flying with a spurt of blood.
Elsa: [What the?]
Elsa regenerated her arm, licking the blood from the former stump.
Elsa: [A surprise attack, was it? That wasn't very nice.]
A girl walked over. She had yellow eyes and was wearing a hooded mage's outfit and holding a staff.
???: [Sorry, but I don't think you're at all worthy of being with my Onisama.]
She smirked, taking off her hood.
Ichika: [If all you have are looks, he'll get bored and toss you aside eventually.]
Elsa: [Isn't that a bit rude to say all I have are looks? I think my personality is quite charming too.]
Ichika: [Being freaky has its limits, and you're long past those limits.]
Elsa: [2 against one. A Brother and a Sister. Even if they don't look much alike. How lovely.]
Ichika smirked, walking to stand beside Kiyotaka.
Ichika: [And we don't play fair when it comes to our enemy.]
Elsa: [I just love this. So many insides to free.]
Kiyotaka: [Let's see if you're capable of it.]
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To Be Continued
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Rating Out Of 10 For This Part:
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