The Apostle’s Raid, and The Kings Capital is Invaded
*This is not meant to be a perfect translation, I cannot read japanese characters and this was carefully edited based on translations I got from my Machine Translator. Therefore, there are bound to be errors here and there! At best, this could be considered as an unedited Final Draft towards an Official Translation*
In a room where the only light source was produced by the moonlight rays, causing a contrast of black and white from the narrow grate window.
A simple and plain room can be seen. It’s only around 6 tatami mats in size with a small desk, chair, wooden bed, and a simple toilet. If compared to Earth’s prison cells, it’s obvious that this is much worst.
In such a bad prison, sitting on the bed in the corner, is Hatanaka Aiko who is currently burying her face in her knees.
It’s been 3 days since Aiko was brought to this room.
Due to the bracelet artifact worn on her wrist, Aiko could not use magic. Still, though she tried to escape at first, as expected, it wasn’t possible to pry open a steel door with her physical strength alone, moreover, the opening of the grate window is only big enough for one of her arms to just barely pass through.
Even then, the current rooms position is at the very top of an expensive temple, it is the [Kamiyama]*God’s Mountain* temple, even though it should be impossible to reach the ground safely, there are members of the church standing on watch.
In such a position, while worrying about her students safety, Aiko who cannot do anything is dejected and gloomy, Her already small body stature becomes even smaller on the bed.
[.........I need to get to my students…...but how……]
Aiko while looking up muttered slightly, she remembered what the nun with the silver hair had said to her as she was kidnaped. Aiko’s thoughts, if what she heard from Hajime would become an inconvenience when told to Kouki and them, it’s obvious who the “master” that she spoke of is. And it appears that they’ve taken interest in a student as well.
Aiko’s mind became filled with unspeakable uneasiness. Recalling, the events of Ulu*Town where Hajime’s group repelled the demon army*, where one of her students lost their life, Yukitoshi Shimizu. Possibly, again, another student will…., with these thoughts in her mind Aiko became more anxious.
Being confined in this open room, she tried to think about things that she could currently do. If she settled down and look back calmly, the royal palace felt too unnatural and covered with a thick sense of incongruity. In Aiko’s mind, with a strong posture, she remembered the dangerous atmosphere that King Erihido and other leaders carried.
Surely, Aiko began to guess that the nun with silver hair had done something. She definitely said, “charm” if that was true then, surely, something along the lines of brainwashing was done.
However, at the same time, when talking with Shizuku and Ririana, such odd sense of incongruity was not there. Though becoming relieved about that, there is still a strong uneasiness built up in her chest due to being confined.
While praying for their safety, another concern was remembered. it was the words, “elimination of the irregular.” Those words were she heard just before completely losing consciousness, for some reason Aiko recalled a certain student.
The person that she owes her life to, the student that killed Yukitoshi Shimizu. While holding strong will and overpowering strength, the boy who thought seriously and listen to Aiko’s words. And, a lot of things happened, a various amount of things, deep inside, as expected deep inside, though she shouldn’t think about it, but she still ended up remembering.
The memory that she desperately tried to seal in her mind, is once again remembered, for some reason her cheeks become hot. Though Aiko was shaking her head to clear her mind of it, she begins to worry about Hajime’s safety, and carelessly muttered his name.
[......Nagumo-kun]
[Ou? what, sensei?]
[Fe!?]
From the sudden answer to her unconscious mumbling, she instinctively let out a unexpected voice. There shouldn’t be anyone else in the room, while looking throughout the room, Aiko inclining her head, [Was it a hallucination?] she said. However, Aiko was definitely not hallucinating, again, she heard the voice.
[Over here, sensei]
[Eh?]
Aiko’s body became alerted to the voice, it wasn’t a hallucination after all! Her gaze peered towards the narrow grate window. There, it was the appearance of Hajime that was peeping through from the otherside.
[Eh? Eh? Nagumo-kun? Eh? This is the top floor….of this temple….eh?]
[Ah~, yes. First of all, calm down sensei. Im almost done confirming for traps…...]
Disregarding Aiko’s confused stare, Hajime confirms whether there are any traps with his Magic Eye, then “Transmuting” was used and bright red sparks appeared, a hole big enough for one person to pass through was made and with that the invasion was complete.
The room Aiko is confined in is about 100 meters above ground level. However, he entered as if he was on solid ground! That is to say, for Hajime to casually opened a hole and walked right in, caused Aiko to stare in shock.
Hajime shows a small smile towards the amazed Aiko.
[What, is it really that surprising. Didn’t you notice that I was coming? Though I should have already cut off all traces of my presence…...I’ve lost a bit of my confidence now]
[He? Noticed? Eh?]
[No, because, you call out my name. Didn’t you sense me outside the window?]
Obviously, in order for Aiko to feel Hajime’s presence shouldn’t be possible unless “Perception” was used, but Aiko simply called out his name because of her desires, while thinking that, Aiko couldn’t say that she unconsciously muttered his name, she quickly thought that changing the topic would be the best choice.
[Um, besides that, why are you here……]
[To help, of course]
[Wa, for me? Nagumo-kun? You came all the way here to help me?]
To Aiko who began to blush and mumble strangely ~awaawa~, Hajime carefully examined her stature, surely she hasn’t already been brainwashed? Hajime thought while frowning. With a serious look in his eyes, he began to closely examine Aiko with his Magic Eye to look for signs of magic manipulation.
While walking up towards Aiko who sat on the bed, observing in great detail, Aiko started blushing a great deal and her heartbeat escalated. Anyways, the boy that she was just thinking about, came to help after hearing about her predicament, beside her on the bed at night, being watched by such an intense expression. It’s just a student and teacher, there shouldn’t be any particular problem right? Though she thought so…..Aiko wasn’t confident to say it out loud, she became stiff as she could do nothing but return the gaze that Hajime is giving her.
Hajime, thinking that it’ll be ok now that the Magic Eye didn’t pick up any kind of magic manipulation, grabs onto Aiko’s hand. He was going to remove the artifact that was binding her magic.
However, Aiko whose hand was suddenly grabbed [Hyau~!] a strange voice leaked out and she shrunk down a bit, [Stop! It’s no good! Nagumo-kun! Such thing can’t be permitted! I’m a teacher!], she began to yell.
[No, isn’t it inconvenient if your magic is sealed? Or, is there something wrong with it? Though there doesn’t seem to be any traps]
[Eh? Ah, this thing…..]
[.......what else is there]
[Ah, ahaha…...sorry. Its nothing……]
Suspicion passes, Hajime’s eyes began to show a disappointed look, Aiko tried to deceive him with a fake smile. And, changing the topic, asked how he knew where she was being locked up.
[The princess told us]
[Princess? Princess Ririna?]
[Ahh. She witnessed you being kidnapped. While judging that Amanogawa*Kouki* and them were under surveillance, she decided to escape the royal capital. Then she requested our help]
[Riri did…..then Nagumo-kun accepted her request]
[Maa~na, I seem to be responsible for this situation too…..though sensei might not have wanted to see me…...well, please endure it until we return to everybody]
After Hajime finished removing the artifact that sealed Aiko’s magic, he stood up. Aiko, predicted that Hajime’s last line was about Shimizu’s death. And, Aiko’s eyes looked straight at the dubious Hajime, then began saying what she truly felt about it.
[Not wanting to see you, there’s no such thing. You’ve come to help, I’m really glad. …...Certainly, Shimizu-kun’s situation can’t be completely forgotten, and it’s likely to never to able to forget it….still, your intentions you had when you pulled the trigger….. I think I understand them. I don’t hold a grudge against you, I don’t hate you either]
[.......Sensei]
To the wide eyed Hajime, Aiko revealed an anxious smile with gentleness.
[At that time, because I couldn’t say it properly…..now, please let me say it. ….Thank you for helping me. I’m sorry for making you pull the trigger]
[.........]
Hajime had a wry smile because it appears that Yue was correct, still, it’s a fact that I’ve caused Aiko pain, however he couldn’t bring it up.
[I, I only did what I wanted to do. Though I’ll receive your gratitude, you don’t have to apologize. Rather than that, lets leave soon. The princess should have reached Amanogawa and the rest already. After we join up with them, it’s necessary to talk about the future]
[I understand. …..Nagumo-kun, please be careful. The church sees you as a heretic. And, to the one that kidnapped me, you are probably…..]
[I know. Either way, after I deliver you, I’ll be taking care of the unfinished business, probably, at that time, the church and I will clash against one another. ….I’ve already prepared for it though]
Hajime nodded to Aiko with a gaze of strong will. Aiko’s cheek becomes hot again due to the gaze, Aiko tried to word out her concerns once more.
but, at that time, a roaring sound of someth