The "Master swordsman” who was reincarnated, wants to live freely - Chapter 67

Translator: Darling | Editor: Nebosuke

As the day came to an end, I went to the rooftop. Iris wasn’t in the room, nor was she outside.

So, I figured that I would find her here.

I opened the door and I saw Iris staring at the scenery. She seemed rather depressed.

“It’s hard to say you’re fine now, isn’t it?”

“Mr. Schweiss…”

As she saw me, she bit her lip tightly. It looked like she wanted to say something, but she couldn’t.

I stood next to her looking at the scenery with her.

The lights of the town just went on, and a beautiful night scene was laid out before us. This was not something that you could see from the “Academy’s” rooftop.

Iris also took in the scenery one more time. We stood there in silence as time passed.

The one who started talking was me.

“It’s about Alia.”

“!”

As soon as Iris heard that name, her body started quivering.

What am I supposed to do about this? – That was the kind of recoil that she showed. I looked at her and then left out a small sigh. …I never meant to startle her like this.

However, now that it happened, I really couldn’t do much about it. She seemed rather corned.

“Though I don’t worry about it, I share how you feel, Iris. I will bring Alia back to us.”

“I know you will. But I want to be the one that gets her back.”

She looked at me, looking as if she would burst out in tears at any moment.

“However… I don’t know. I never expected to fight against Alia. Though I know there was a lot going through my head… I couldn’t fight Alia for real.”

“That’s why you couldn’t bring her back?”

“…Alia said she could kill for those she ‘holds dear’ without hesitation… So she has someo…dear there – That’s why she fought me as well. And the more I think about, it the less I understand…”

Iris was really set on bringing Alia back. 

Though I don’t know what was said between Alia and Iris back in the arena, I can at least guess that Alia had said her goodbyes. The reason Alia was with the Shadow Apostles was because of someone she “holds dear”.

“Who is the person Alia holds dear?… We don’t know unless we ask her herself, right? However, I am certain that Iris too is someone she holds dear very much.”

“… How can you say that?”

“You’re the one that knows that best, I think. If you didn’t go all out, as you said, then I would’ve expected your wounds to be more severe. That is if Alia was actually going all out as well.”

“That’s …”

Iris was at a loss for words.

From my perspective, Alia and Iris didn’t have that much of a difference in power levels. Depending on the conditions and the situation, I really can’t say who will end up on top.

At the very least, if I were to look only at Iris, I’d say she’s far from being the best – Surely when she is fighting Alia.

Doubt dulls the blade … If Iris were to fight Alia right now, I don’t see her ever killing Alia.

“Did Alia say anything else?”

“Something else… Yes, actually. She told me to not interfere with this matter.”

“! Well, if that’s what she said, then she too really had no intent to fight, right? Aside from her reasons, Alia is now on the enemy’s side. 

She will do so the next time too, and wants you to not interfere – That’s what she wanted, right?”

“…! Well, then Alia’s…?”

“You as well as Alia seem to be quite worried about one another. From what I’ve heard up until now, my guess is that Alia wanted to do way more when she entered the battlefield, but she really did not want to fight you.”

Iris seemed baffled. Looks like I hit a snare here.

The Shadow Apostles’ clear objective was the elimination of Eina. And then, there was the war between the Empire and the Kingdom… Perhaps there was value in getting that done for them.

The fact that Alia wanted Iris to get out of here was no doubt a way of telling us that she was now siding with the enemy.

For assassins, it was incredibly dangerous to expose their identity, especially since Alia had already let us know of what she’s capable of.

If she was really willing to fight, she would have hidden her identity instead.

“Your words really relieved me a bit, Teach.”

“Well, maybe it’s a bit too soon.”

“Perhaps. I’m sorry, I… I always whine when I’m with you, don’t I?”

“That’s quite fine. If you are able to do so with me.”

“Haha, you really are a child aren’t you?”

“Yea yea, I hear that a lot.”

“— But really, thank you. Either way, I have decided on what I have to do. I will absolutely bring Alia back,” Iris proclaimed while clenching her fist.

Though she seemed to be somewhere else a few moments back, she seemed to now be filled with determination.

As long as she doesn’t stray from her path, she will be fine – The real issue is Alia.

Now Iris’ doubts had been lifted, I still had something to tell her.

“Iris, when you first met Alia, it was in the Kingdom, right?”

“…? Yes, it was a rainy day. I was together with my mother…”

“I just talked with Mersche actually about Notoria.”

“Notoria… You mean Alia?”

“That’s right, not all the way. Surely it is Alia’s surname, but it also really defines the relationship between her and the Shadow Apostles.”

“…What do you mean?”

“Qufirio Notoria – Founder of the Shadow Apostles, is our real enemy.”

“…! You’re meaning to tell me that Alia’s family created the Shadow Apostles?!”

“Family isn’t quite right, but let’s keep it at that for now.”

I told Iris what I heard from Mersche.

Notoria was Alia’s surname, but it also symbolized the “Empire’s shadow”.

***

Without any trace, Alia was sitting in the shadows, tending to her weapons.

She was sharpening the blade she had recently used against Iris.

She had an icy expression, almost like a doll.

“Notoria, are you alright?” someone asked Alia.

They came towards Alia, dressed in hood and mask. They took them off as they got closer to her.

It was a young man whose face looked just like Alia’s.

“…Brother.”

“Are you uneasy? Whether Iris Reinfell will actually withdraw?”

“…She probably won’t, I think.”

“Ooh? It’s your responsibility, so I can’t say much about this… But if you take too long, I will have to kill her myself.”

“I know,” Alia said to her “brother”.

Alia too was well aware of what Iris was up to – After all, they had spent much time together. …But that was exactly why she has to come up with something, she thought to herself.

As they were talking, one more figure showed up from behind her back.

Her hair was long, and her face was a bit more mature than Alia’s face.

“Don’t threaten our sister.”

“Sister…”

As Alia called out to her “Sister”, she started laughing.

These two were what Alia regards as “Siblings”. …Their numbers seemed to have shrunk quite a bit.

“I never meant to threaten her. I am merely stating the truth.”

“That is exactly what I see as threatening. But it’s fine. “Father” and “Master” will see to it that Alia does what she must – That’s what was promised, right?”

“…Yes.”

Alia nodded to what her “Sister” said.

Right now Alia’s family was complete. In the battle before, everyone also participated.

The result was nothing more than a failure, but they did understand what the enemy was capable of.

And the enemy included Iris. Of course, Alta was no exception either.

All the more reason as to why Alia had to come up with a plan, fast.

“Do not worry. Once Eina Bodel dies, it’s all over. It’s going to be fine.”

“I know…”

Alia gripped her blade.

She only heard her one purpose – Assassinate the girl named Eina Bodel.

“Master” told her that she was unnecessary for the Empire. … And that if she were to die, Alia’s wishes would be fulfilled.

(I will protect those that I hold dear.)

“Good kid. Well, the other two are waiting for us, so let’s go talk about the plan for our next battle.”

“Oh, do you want to finish early?”

Alia also stood up after her “Brother” and “Sister” did as well.

With determination in her heart – Alia moved out.