Umarekawatta “Kensei” Wa Raku o Shitai
71. Aria's Father
In a large park - Illis was alone, walking.
We're breaking up with the Altas and acting alone to lure Aria out. I don't even know if they're coming, keep waiting for my best friend.
If people pass right around the corner, Illis travels away.
... because in the unlikely event that Aria came, there was also the possibility that it would soon be a fight.
(I'm not lost anymore)
That's what Iris decides in his mind. Talking to Alta, Illis' determination has solidified - he thinks so, but I can see he's sweating a little on his hands.
I'm so nervous - everywhere, so much so that I assume I'm a bad person.
Aria has no strays, and Illis has strays. That 'stray' is what makes a decisive difference between Illis and Aria today, he said.
(The teacher also said... if Aria has really become an enemy, she shouldn't tell me to pull my hand. There, if it's possible...
The shadow came under the Illis without straying.
From a short distance, he comes straight ahead with his face hidden in a robe.
There's no way anyone else is with us - it's possible we're looking at it from afar, but obviously the person came towards Illis.... really showed up.
"... aria"
"That's who Iris is, after all"
As I have guessed, Aria says.
Aria told me to pull my hand, but Illis is still on Aena's escort. That, too, Aria probably grasps.
Still, he showed up because I'm sure he's still going to talk to Aria too.
Iris was so convinced.
"You just told me to pull my hand, it would be impossible."
"... yeah, I knew. But I want you to."
"Before you do, let me know why"
"... I won't tell Illis."
Show Aria how to check her surroundings.
I guess he's checking to see if there's anyone else but Illis. Alta and the others are waiting a little further away, but at least not within sight.
Alta also has a non-standard strength, but will not be able to grasp the situation so far away.... After some time, Alta will also come here.
When that happens, I'm sure Aria will disappear from before Illis.
Before we do that, we need to convince them.
"Don't say that. I think of Aria as family."
"... I never thought of it that way."
"Oh, still, I care about you"
"It doesn't matter. I don't care about Iris anymore."
"... then why are you telling me to pull my hand? If you really don't think so, fight me now - so, you just have to kill me. If it gets in your way. Whatever you say, I'm not gonna pull this off."
"... Illis really doesn't know, does he? For a long time."
Aria sighs small and takes the Black Shortcuts out of her pocket.
Iris doesn't mind looking at it. Aria's expression is serious - even Illis feels that Aria's killing spirit is real.
"Stand up. If I do not draw from this matter, I will kill you."
"... try it"
Iris also answers without changing his expression. I clenched my fist and stepped forward.
I'll tell you exactly what I want to tell you - because now is my chance.
"If you can really kill me, just kill me"
"Don't fight, are you going to die? You're gonna be The Greatest Knight, aren't you?
"Yeah, that's right. My aim is to be the strongest knight in this country. I'm not lost in that thought."
"Then..."
"But I'm not fighting you to be. If I'm serious about fighting and stopping you, I'm gonna do it this time. But not now. That won't solve anything. So... please, tell me everything. I'm on your side, no matter what."
"... I didn't hear that"
Aria's expression shakes slightly. I can tell because we've been together for a long time.
For the first time, Aria showed upset. Aria's "heart" was glimpsed into Illis' unmistakable words.
Illis takes a step further, moving forward.
"I'll tell you what I didn't hear. I'll bring you back. Because you're family."
"No. I am not like you..."
"No, you're not. You're my best friend, my family. For me, that's true."
"Don't say anything unsolicited."
For the first time, Aria roughed up her voice.
Put a short knife in both hands and point the kill at Illis.
Iris does not frighten. One step forward, Aria backwards.
Aria looks upset and continues her words quietly.
"Please, take your hands off me already"
"I can't do that."
"... if you think of me as a family, please"
"Huh! You look like that. I won't be able to leave you alone. It's okay, right?
As Iris teaches, he speaks to Aria.
Aria's intent to kill never disappeared - finally Aria kicked the ground and packed the distance. Stick a short knife toward the neck of Illis.
Iris still doesn't mind. Pitali and Aria's short knife stop on the verge of taking Iris' life.
"... eh"
"Aria."
"Why doesn't Illis listen to me..."
Aria's expression was still about to cry.
I've never given her such a sad look - that's all I can tell she was firmly determined to do.
Illis has surpassed that determination.
"Me too, and Dr. Schweitz. He's waiting for me, too, believing Aria. So I'm the only one here"
That the word is true is corroborated by the circumstances.
One Illis even though the enemy may be lurking - because he thinks it's no problem to have contact with Aria explicitly to let him do that.
As Aria lowers her short knife from the throat of Illis, she deflects her gaze.
He looked worried about what to do.
But if we keep this up, we can bring Aria back - yes, when Illis is sure.
"Oh man, you're a troubled kid...... Noria"
"Huh!"
From behind Aria, the voice arrives.
There were four of them who showed up, with little or no sign of it.
The three have masks on the hood and a look reminiscent of assassins who have attacked before. And the other, a grey-haired man dressed in white.
I smile with a face that I can't even say is healthy for flattery.
"In the end, you seem to fail to persuade them to bond, you're in trouble."
"... you Shadow Apostles."
"Oh, is that how you find out - no, rather Aena Bodle was inviting you in anticipation of that? Ha, if so, I'd have had a little trouble...... Maybe it doesn't make sense to kill him, or something?
A man who keeps his words on his own, as I have guessed a lot.
Illis prepares to unleash the Signal Bullet he has missed.
There are four enemies - each and every one - who are quite capable.
It's just hard for Illis to deal with him alone, that's what he was deciding.
At that time, Aria stands to shelter Iris.
"Ma, wait. Illis persuades, from...!
"You don't have to be so frightened. I'm not going to kill her. I'd rather let you use it."
"Using...? Me?"
"Oh, yeah. You are quite capable too... but the trouble is there's another one. According to the information, was it Alta Schweiz? Looks like these kids got together a little bit, but they're too strong. So a little bit, I'm going to rethink the operation. If it works, you might be able to start a war."
…… After all, that's what you're after. "
"Hmm, you can't eat that girl inside. I didn't know this one was meant to be targeted - but that's why this is a good time. Noria, get Iris."
"... eh"
"Aria, not if you obey me."
"Don't obey, huh? What right do you have to say that?
"Rights...... right. Are you telling me that as you are Cufilio Notoria, you still have reason for Aria to obey?
"Oh, here we are."
To the words of Illis, the man gives a slightly surprised look.
Now he stood forward so that Iris could shelter Aria.
Aria seemed lost - still, Illis believes in Aria.
Because if Illis doesn't believe me here, I'm sure he can't bring Aria back.
"I..."
Aria clogs the words. Eventually, he lowered the short knife he held in both hands without force. Clearly, the intention to kill Iris disappears.
Lie even with intent to kill - that's the girl named Aria.
Still, Illis' determination saw through Aria's lies.
When Iris reached for the flare that he had snuck in his nose...
"I can't let you do that."
"Huh!"
It was the youngest of the four that moved.
Same as Kid Alta from his voice, or below that.
Such a child, in an instant, packs the distance from Illis.
What's in your right hand is a short knife - and yet Illis uses a flare bullet for his defense.
"-" Purple Electricity "!
At the same time as the words, Illis takes a distance and calls the sword.
Wrapped in purple thunder, Iris faced the child.
"If you can't do anything, stay back, Noria. I'll take care of this."
"Father, …"
"! Father, what...!?
Hearing the words, Illis opens his eyes to surprise.
Aria did refer to the boy as her father, even though she said he was as tall as Alta.
A boy puts his hand on the mask and reveals his face. She had the exact same face as Aria, with a creepy grin.
"Unfortunately, you're a little off. I'm Cufilio Notria."
Boy - that's what Kufilio says.
Kufilio with a short knife, and Iris confronted him.