Tsuyokute New Saga (LN)

Book 7: Chapter 16

Im heading off. You guys wait here.

On the promised days noon, Kyle had prepared himself and said his goodbyes to the others in front of the inn. Minagi and Souga were still hurt so they were taking the day off, leaving them to Kyles team and Yuriga.

But

Mera did tell Kyle to come see her alone, but Lieze couldnt shake her worries.

Its fine. Just believe in me. Im feeling great today, Kyle confidently said after a long and comfortable sleep.

Even his allies could tell he was in particularly good shape today.

Hm, you seem like youre all freshened up. Your face is completely different from before, too. Shildonia commented as she looked at Kyle.

Its likehes found new conviction. In a good and bad way, too.

Lieze was somewhat dubious about this change in Kyle, but since he was doing better than before, she decided to let it slide.

Ive got some business to attend to, so Ill tag along, said Shildonia.

But you cant enter the Tower, right?

Oh, dont worry about that. I wont enter the Tower.

Kyle thought about Shildonias ominous comments but decided to have her tag along.

I dont like the idea of this, but you better come back quick so that I can give you the report.

Sorry about this, really. Ill take some time later, Kyle apologized to the grumpy Yuriga as he wondered to himself how he ended up in this situation.

All right, Im off. Kyle started walking with Shildonia after.

Good, lets go after him.

Seeing Kyle take the corner, Seran spoke up.

Huh? What are you talking about?

Im not about to fool around. I have a reason for that. Im pretty sure theres gonna be people getting in his wayas a wallor of sorts. I dont like acting as his guard, but I have to do it.

Ah Lieze understood what Seran was talking about, as her face grew pale.

Yeah. So, you guys stay here and Seran said, only for him to swing his sword to deflect the knives flying at his back.

I see now. Seran glanced at the direction the knives came fromthe inside of the inn, and grit his teeth. Sorry, Lieze. You were right about Dalia. The presence I felt wasnt from her Seran sighed.

Wh-What do you mean?

Not only that, but it seems like I was the reason for it all alongMakes sense that Id constantly get the creeps if the people Ive been avoiding all this time were this close.

Timed with these words, a woman appeared from the inn. One that even Lieze knewas she was one of the employees working for Dalia, called Maria.

Cmon, dont leave me hanging. Wheres the other one? Seran grinned as he provoked the woman, only for another woman to appear right after Maria.

She looked awfully similar to Maria, even wearing the same clothes.

Huh? Theyre twins? Lieze couldnt contain her shock.

I see how it is. Whats your name? I know the other one is Maria.

Miria said the woman.

Maria and MiriaAnd without masks today, no less.

When they attacked Seran in the public bath back at the Empire, they were both hiding their faces.

Right back at you. I can see youre not attacking us while naked today.

Are you going to strip naked when you run away?

Maria pointed out something about their past encounter, with Miria offering the final blow.

Can you not make me sound like a maniac?! Seran screamed, as he wanted to believe the reason Lieze and Urza moved away from him was solely because they knew a battle was about to ensue.

Are youinto exhibitionism or something? Yuriga gave Seran a disgusted look. Because if so, I cannot allow such a twisted human to be by Luiza-samas side

Shut up! Im not that type of person! Enough about this, already! Seran bluntly cleared his throat and then looked at the two women. So you two were twins, eh? Makes sense your coordination was on-point.

The level of their coordination was the main reason Seran decided to escape. But hearing that they had been together even before birth explained a lot.

So you were watching over us in turns?

It explained why Seran didnt pick up on anything except an eerie feeling.

Yes. Dalia-san is completely innocent. We acted under Cordi-samas orders, and had her move to safety before last night.

Cordisama, eh? I thought you two were that old hags disciples? Why did you leak information to the creep?

We may be her disciplesbut Cordi-sama was the one who took us in.

Both of them seemed uncomfortable when speaking about this. It seemed like they were stuck between helping Leyla and Cordi.

I see. So you were trying to please both sides.

The two might not have liked that way of phrasing the truth, but they didnt deny it.

But you know that Cordis already beaten the dust, right?

Of courseWe are currently acting under Leyla-samas orders. We cannot let you follow him.

So youre here to keep me tied down. What did that old hag say?

That we can take an arm or a leg. They both looked at Seran like they had mentally prepared themselves.

Sounds like her, all right. Well, fine. I still dont like how things ended last time, so Im going all out today. I feel great, actually, Seran smirked, as the twins steeled themselves.

They could tell just from looking. The reason they could hold their ground the last time was because of all the particular conditions they had created. Even so, Seran was still much stronger. Surely, they had no way of winning now.

You two stay out of this, Seran said to Lieze and Urza, who nodded with a stiff expression. Same goes for you, Yuriga.

Naturally. I didnt come here to play all buddy with you, she said with a harsh tone, but her eyes were glued to the impending battle. Now then, no time to waste. Lets get this started.

With those final words, the battle that would end in an instant began. As for the twins, Maria first stepped forward, as Miria attacked from behind her. There was no coordination there. It was just a desperate attack. The main goal was for Maria to hold down Seran as much as possible. If she could have Seran focus on her for even a second, then maybe Miria could strike down Serans arm or leg to leave him unable to fight. They were prepared to sacrifice their lives for thisBecause this was the least they could do to repay Leyla.

They were born somewhere in the boonies and lost their parents in a battle with beastmen. They were then raised as part of the extremist faction that hated anybody who wasnt human. But one day, Leyla came to face Cordi, realized the talent they had, and took them in. Strict but kind, she raised and trained the two, and they felt indebted to her. Thus, they didnt hesitate to agree to Leylas request to slow down Seran. They were ready to sacrifice themselves. Serans first attack came in at the speed of light, forcing Maria to use up all her focus to merely intercept it. It was far too close for comfort, but she didnt die at least.

Oooooh?! Seran raised a voice of shock, and Maria looked over at Miria to signal her to attack

Huh?

However, standing there was a translucent womanThe Wind Spirit Sylphid, restraining Mirias body.

What a shame.

The last thing Maria saw was Serans devious smirk and Liezes fist approaching.

All right, thats done. Good thing it worked out. Seran finished tying up the twins and wiped the sweat off his forehead.

D-Didnt you talk about fighting fair and square?

Maria may have gotten knocked out by Liezes punch, but Miria was barely conscious.

I was lying, of course. Why would you listen to the person youre about to fight? Seran ridiculed the two twins.

He may be right, but it still wasnt something they could just swallow and accept.

What did that old hag even tell you? You should know we act like this.

Dont say we, please Lieze grumbled, but since she participated, she couldnt argue back.

Hold on a damn second! How did you even pull that off? Did you plan this beforehand? Yuriga was still bewildered as to how they managed to show such perfect cooperation.

I meanwhen Seran says were supposed to say out, he usually means to help out.

Exactly that, Lieze and Urza looked at each other and nodded.

Forgive me, Leyla-sa

Not happening.

Miria wanted to bite her tongue to end her life, but Seran knocked her out with a clean swipe to the back of her head.

Sorry, but were gonna need you later. Gotta clean up after our mess. Seran grinned as he imagined the face of the strongest enemy being troubled.

Seran

Hey now, you dont have to get all emotional on me, you guys. This is what Im hoping for.

When it came to Seran, there was no real feeling of melancholy when he went off to fight like during Minagis battle with Souga. Having spent so much time with him, Lieze knew that better than anybody.

Its pretty simple. Theres someone I want to fight. In that sense, that old hag and I are the sameand so, Im counting on you to handle the rest, Seran grinned and then ran away.

I cant believe hed use that hand Yuriga watched him run off as she glared after him.

But you knowSeran just doesnt want these two to die, Lieze pointed out as a defense lawyer for Seran.

What do you mean?

He knew that these two were willing to sacrifice their lives in order to slow him down.

Since they were technically his fellow disciples, Seran chose this course of action to ensure they wouldnt have to die.

So he acted like the bad guy while intending to save them?

Pretty much. But dont give him too much credit. He still enjoyed toying with them andAh, shes not even listening, Lieze didnt even finish her sentence because she realized that Yuriga was mumbling something to herself.