The "Master swordsman” who was reincarnated, wants to live freely - Chapter 54

Translator: Darling | Editor: Coming soon…

As I returned to the academy, I saw that Iris was waiting for me at the main gate.

The moment she noticed me too, she came running.

“Well? Do you know where she is?”

“Sadly, I didn’t get kind of information”

“Oh… I see..”

Iris seemed disappointed.

During her normal life she was usually always calm and collected, but now this…

She doesn’t want to show this to anyone usually, but she’s truly worried about Alia.

To not cause any uproar in the class, she had said that she had trouble at home, which caused her not to come to the academy,

but if the public inspection would come, that was not really a viable option either.

Before this Iris was being hunted down, and even then managed to keep her head cool. But now that Alia, someone she was always with, had left without a trace –

It’s not strange for her to actually follow where the rumors would lead her.

“I’m sure Alia’s fine but… I really have no idea what had happened”

“We’re certain that there is indeed something, so I have a few knights helping out as well”

“Thank you. I.. I am not able to do anything right now, do I?”

Even though all of this, Iris needs to go and see the Empire’s Grand Marchel’s daughter – Eina had to be escorted throughout the Kingdom, no matter what.

Iris has a good sense of responsibility, but she is also overflown with worry right now.

After all, a family member has disappeared. 

“Iris, don’t overwork yourself, alright?”

“Thank you, that’s quite alright. It’s my responsibility. Still, Alia is… If you get to know anything, please let me know”

“Of course”

(Let’s stop talking about what might be and what might not be for now)

I can’t say that the timing of Alia’s disappearance has nothing to do with the visit of the Empire.

I’d almost say that the timing is a bit too perfect.

Until now Alia had always attended the academy as a proper student.

She then disappears as soon as Iris is supposed to actually go and meet the people of the Empire – So it’s really hard to say that there is no connection.

Still, telling Iris that this is the case would only put a heavier burden onto her.

(I am almost 100% certain that Alia is trained to be an assassin… If you consider all the facts, you could assume that she was going to assassinate the Empire’s people- )

I don’t want to think about it, but I have to.

Of course, if you want to talk about possibilities, there are various others you could think about as well.

Still, I am supposed to just consider Iris’ safety, but I can’t stop thinking about why she vanished.

…And that is exactly why I am going to act as an escort for the Empire’s dignitaries, even if Iris wasn’t their guide.

That’s both for Iris and for Alia’s sake.

“So please, try to rest for the day. The Empire’s party arrives only next week”

“…Yes. If I wouldn’t, then I would only fuss more about Alia, huh”

I nodded to what Iris had said.

For a mere second, I had thought that this is were Alia would show up again. But alas, that didn’t happen.

Alia had already been gone for several days. Yet, time kept ticking, and the day of the escort came closer and closer.

*****

– A few days had passed.

Alia got out of the window and went to the town during the night. Alone.

She wore a black coat that covered her body. And underneath it, she was cladded with weapons.

It’s been a while since she actually took weapons with her – She was prepared for battle.

Alia was jumping from rooftop to rooftop and then stood still once she had reached a certain building.

“Oh, I was already waiting for you, Notoria”

“Master..”

Alia didn’t change her expression at all once she had noticed the man.

A man cladded in white, with white hair to boot – This was Alia’s very first [Master].

They hadn’t met for a few years, but his appearance hadn’t really changed.

The white-haired man looked at her and said,

“Your outfit.. Have you come to fight me?”

“…If need be, I will.”

“Hahaha, you’ve become quite good at jokes, haven’t you.”

As he laughed, he also came closer to Alia.

Alia prepared her [Pitch Black Blade], and prepared to fight.

For Alia, this man was nothing more than an enemy – That’s also why she came here in the first place. ..She couldn’t let Iris, nor Alta know about this.

“You don’t have to be so wary. I’m not going to kill you”

“…Well, then why did you call me over here? What reason would you have?”

He was in accomplice with both the owner and the thief of the suitcase.

“You’re so cold. Seems like I really can’t put you at ease, huh. How about this child then?”

As he spoke these words, two shades came out of the dark.

They were cladded with a pitch dark cloak and a red mask.

She couldn’t really see their faces due to their masks, and their presence was also hard to notice, so Alia once more prepared to fight.

In response, the man waved his hand as if she had to calm down,

“Stand down. They’re not your enemy. After all, they too are Notoria, you know”

“..–!?!”

Alia opened her eyes.

The shady figures took off their masks and showed their faces.

They had the same hair and pupil color as she did.

Their faces also look similar to that of Alia but seemed like they were more grown-up.

Alia knew these two well.

As the man laid his hand upon both their shoulders, he laughed, with his mouth like a crescent moon.

“These are your [Brother] and [Sister]. Isn’t this nostalgic?”

“…You’re lying”

“Am I? You thought I killed them? I wouldn’t do such a thing… No, your [Father] wouldn’t dare do such a hideous deed”

“… Dad?”

“Yes, he was supposed to come here as well. This job is going to be quite a hassle you see”

“Job?” – Alia asked, in response to the man’s remark.

If she had to guess – He had called out to Alia, since he needed her too.

Alia’s hands were shaking. She came to fight, but as she looked at their faces, she wasn’t able to swing her blades at all.

“It’s easy… If you manage to complete the job, you get to go back to your old life. And if you like I can also guarantee the lives for these two as well”

The man was clear with his words. And as Alia listened to his words, she lowered her weapons. 

There was really only one choice for her to make.