kscans

Chapter 132 - Tracing the Memories of War

The Royal Capital Roselia no longer retained its former majesty.

The towering spires were encased in ice, the plaza’s fountain was frozen solid, and silver lightning streaked across the sky. It was a destruction so quiet and cruel that it was almost beautiful.

"Elimination action, continuing. Order protocol, no overrides. Hostile reaction… present."

She was simply fighting as she had been commanded.

The girl, La Muse, had now been perfected as a "weapon." Her silver hair fluttered in the wind, and her asymmetrical eyes shone with a cold light. In one hand, she held a staff of condensed lightning. In the other, a blade of blue ice.

"Is she including unarmed civilians!?" Mamoru muttered, gnashing his teeth, but he did not step out. He was strictly the "secret master," dedicated to watching over Ares’s growth.

"Muse-chan!! Please, listen to me…!" Slime Princess Lumiere desperately hopped across the half-frozen rubble to get closer.

"It’s me! Lumiere! The one who read poetry with you in the library, that--!"

The girl’s steps paused.

La Muse’s inorganic eyes wavered slightly. For just a moment, a "memory" that had been frozen in the depths of her heart may have stirred.

But.

"…Elimination target, unique slime species ‘Lumiere’. Possibility of betrayal, confirmed. Judged as a component of the Demon Lord’s army."

A silver bolt of lightning shot from her staff.

"--!!" Lumiere just barely avoided a direct hit by flinging her slime body out of the way.

"It’s no use… She’s been completely brainwashed…!"

Getting close meant immediate elimination. Speaking to her didn’t reach her memories. Tears welled up in Lumiere’s eyes.

Just then, Zombie Count Robele appeared nonchalantly.

"My, what’s with this blast? Oh, is that you, Muse-chan? Your skin is as pale as ever…"

"Zombie species: combat target. Continuing destructive actions—"

"Hey!? Is this how you treat a dear friend who just came to say hello!? Just how cold are you!?"

"Cold protocol: activate." BAKI BAKI BAKI BAKI BAKIH!!

The entire alley instantly froze over, leaving only Robele’s face sticking out of the snow.

"I won’t be able to embroider again like thisssss!!"

Meanwhile, Ares stood frozen, her sword at the ready.

(…What should I do? Can I really fight a child like this?)

Her sword felt heavy. Her feet were rooted to the spot.

But Robele had secretly placed something in her hand.

A small needle and thread for embroidery. It was the same "sky-blue" thread that La Muse and Robele had once chosen together.

"She’s still… the same as she was back then, somewhere inside. She’s probably crying in the depths of her heart."

"…!"

A fire lit in Ares’s eyes.

"I don’t want… anyone to cry anymore."

Putting strength into her gripped sword, Ares started to run.

"Muse!! I… I’m here to save you!!"

But her cry did not yet reach its destination.

A silver bolt of lightning streaked even higher into the capital’s sky. The story was finally growing more intense.