Episode 20: A Bizarre Performance
Barbat’s hair changed to red this time, and his body began to be covered in red Magical Power.
He must have granted himself “Body Enhancement Magic.”
Body Enhancement Magic is an all-in-one offensive and defensive magic that increases one’s own enhancement and resistance.
“The games are over! A brat like you should be chopped to pieces with this sword!”
Barbat drew the sword he wore at his waist.
Conflicts between nobles are basically close combat.
He leaned forward and kicked off the ground, disappearing in an instant.
“Minashiro-sama!”
“Form a barrage!”
I ignored the mournful cry of the expressionless female officer from behind.
I instruct the officers to form a barrage.
The bayonets the officers have are not for firing live ammunition, but weapons for firing “Magic Bullets.”
It’s like throwing paper shurikens at Stella-Class individuals, but even so, being shot at with stinging shots can be a distraction and annoying.
“Tch!”
Barbat seemed to choose to evade into the air.
I’m at the landing point.
“Die, Ortenos!”
Barbat holds his sword overhead.
Then, I shall accept the challenge.
I align the long pipe I hold in one hand with Barbat’s sword path.
“Haaah!”
The moment our melee weapons clashed, Magical Power and Magical Power collided, and the air trembled.
It felt like catching a star that had fallen from the sky.
The ground couldn’t withstand it, cracked, and sank in with a thud.
“Hah, what’s wrong, Ortenos!”
“Kuh…”
I exchange blows with Barbat several times, but I pretend to be at a slight disadvantage.
Our weapons are called “Star Tools,” and they are made of a special metal that is sturdy enough not to break even when clashed with the power of a “Body Enhanced” Stella-Class.
And it is also a weapon that can kill Stella-Class individuals.
My pipe is custom-made, but Barbat’s sword is probably quite a masterpiece as well.
“Just die already, brat!”
“Uwa…”
Clang, clang, dull metallic sounds like blunt objects colliding echo.
I am repelled along with the pipe and driven to the rocky area, staggering.
“Haa… haa, Ortenos brat, I think you did pretty well.”
Barbat, catching his breath with his shoulders, spoke to me, who seemed to be at his limit. The acting should be enough by now.
“Then, can I ask you one thing, Barbat?”
Enemies are most careless at the moment of delivering the final blow.
I decide to try to gather some information.
“Yeah, sure, I’ve decided to act generously in front of those who are about to die, so ask me anything. But if I don’t like it, I’ll kill you!”
Apparently, Barbat’s mood has improved a bit after seeing my condition, and he’s become more talkative. Then, I won’t hesitate to ask.
“Then I’ll ask, what is your goal?”
“It’s obvious, isn’t it? For me to become the King of Naia!”
“House Naia is a matrilineal line. You shouldn’t be able to become king.”
“I can. If I kill Ulgool in this operation, I will have accomplished a feat that even that great grandmother of mine couldn’t achieve. The Naia royal family will have no choice but to recognize me!”
Barbat’s goal was indeed the succession to the throne.
The Naia family has traditionally had a strong matrilineal line, and there has been a tendency for fewer male children, but in the current generation, they have produced four male children in a row, and finally a female child.
This has created a crack in the traditional matrilineal history, and people like Barbat have a chance to succeed to the throne.
“What do you intend to do with the princess? Even if you can defeat our grandfather, she will definitely become an obstacle, won’t she?”
“Huh? It’s obvious, isn’t it? I’m going to cooperate with House Hoshiros and kill her.”
House Hoshiros is located in the northwest of the Kingdom of Naia and is a bitter enemy bordering Ortenos.
If what Barbat says is true, Hoshiros harbors animosity towards the Kingdom of Naia, but could that be possible?
“I see.”
“When I become king, I’ll make sure to send your family to the afterlife, so you can die in peace.”
“Hmph.”
It’s you (Barbat) who’s going to the afterlife, though.
I was thinking about what to ask next, but my thoughts were interrupted by Barbat’s next words.
“However, the next head of the family, Elmia, is an exception.”
Elmia, my beloved sister.
I was momentarily speechless, not expecting the name that is like a god to me to come out of the mouth of the scum in front of me.
“…Huh?”
And I reflexively let out a menacing voice.
“You suddenly became bloodthirsty. Ah, I see, now that I think about it, you’re Elmia’s half-brother. This is a masterpiece. When we conquer Ortenatris, I’ll bring your head with me.”
“…”
Am I getting bloodthirsty? That’s no good.
I still need more training if I’m going to be provoked by someone like this.
I’ve managed to put on a bit of a show of struggling, so all that’s left is to quickly split his skull and end it.
“I wonder what Elmia will think when she sees your head. Will she be filled with sadness and cry her eyes out? Fuhahaha, just imagining it is unbearable.”
“…”
Barbat wears an intoxicated, disgusting expression.
Every time Elmia’s name comes out of his mouth, my heart stirs terribly.
I remember that day six years ago, when Elmia was filled with sadness.
I remember when I swore that I would protect her no matter what.
“It would also be interesting to kill your family in front of Elmia. Elmia will probably entertain me as my best toy for a while.”
Ah, no, this guy is no good. I can’t let him live.
…No, no, calm down.
Are you going to ruin everything here?
A viscous, jet-black mass paints over my emotions, and my vision turns red.
At this moment, I was reminded that I was also a noble.
“—What did you just say?”
Contrary to my contradictory thoughts, the words come out of my mouth.
I can imagine what Barbat is going to say.
Even so, I am asking again, confirming —
“Huh? It’s obvious, isn’t it! The White Princess of Ortenos, the spitting image of the late Illumina, the woman you Ortenos bastards worship so much, I’m going to defile her!”
—Are you someone who deserves to taste terror and pain to the marrow of your bones?