Shirone the Maiden of Swords

　It was easy to come to the Republic of Ariadia.
　Chiyuki-san had set the Transition Gate Dimension Gate in the Temple of Raina in the Republic of Ariadia in advance.
　This should be the first time the Transference Gate has been built outside of the St. Renaria Republic.
　In order to create the Transmigration Gate, we need a large area where we can draw a magic circle to serve as the Transmigration Gate.
　The only one who can provide that space is the Order of Raina.
　Therefore, unless the country has a large Temple of Raina, the Transitional Gate can only be set up in a country that has a large Temple of Raina.
　But if that was the case, they could have set up transit gates in the kingdom of Veros and other countries as well.
　As for why he didn't do it, apparently it's because he doesn't want to expand the range of activity for Reigi.
　I don't know why, but I recall him saying so.
　Even so, the reason why he made the Transitional Gate to the Republic of Ariadia is because this country is rich and located in the center of the continent.
　It seems that Chiyuki-san is planning to make this Ariadia Republic a base other than the St. Renaria Republic.

''Right. You and Rage-kun were separated by four levels: ......''
Yes, Miss Sirone?

　That's what I'm told by the woman who called herself Laylia.
　It's kind of strange to be kneeling from someone older than me.
　Leiria is a priest of the Temple of Raina in the Republic of Aryadia. Where I am now is also a room in the Temple of Raina in the Republic of Aryadia.
　In the Republic of Ariadia, the power of the Raina Order is weak, and the temple is quite small compared to the Temple of Odis.
　Still, Ariadia is a large city.
　In terms of size alone, it's about the same size as a country with a population of about 100,000.
　The number of priests and laymen working at the temple is also large.
　In the Temple of Raina in the Republic of Ariadia, there are dozens of priests working at the top, with one high priest at the top.
　Leiria is one of them.
　However, although Leiria is a priest, he does not work in the temple.
　That's because Leiria is an apostle. Raina is a god who protects people's lives from demons. Believers who become apostles do not work in the temple, but often go outside the temple to exterminate demons.
　She is also said to be a freedom fighter and exterminates demons.
　She usually lives in the Free City of Thessesia, which is located in the north of the Republic of Ariadia, and she doesn't often come to the Republic of Ariadia.
　But now she is here.
　Because it was an angel, a warrior maiden under Raina, who made Leiria an apostle.
　She has ordered us to help her.
　When we come to the Republic of Ariadia, we meet Leiria.
　She was with Rage-kun when he entered the Labyrinth of the Evil One.
　In one of the rooms of the temple, besides us, the high priest and Leiria are there, kneeling to us.

''Well, may I ask you to show me to the fourth floor now?''

　I ask Leiria for help.

'Please wait, Lady Syrone!

　Suddenly Kaya, who was beside me, speaks up.

'What's going on, Kaya?'

　Kyouka is surprised when Kaya suddenly speaks up.

'Shirone-sama and Miss. The other party is the one who captured that Rage-sama. It's dangerous to enter the labyrinth without a plan.''
But Kaya!　If we don't hurry up and go get them, Rage and the rest of you are in danger.
'Yes, Kaya. Your brother's life is in danger. We must hurry and get him out of there.

　Kyoka agrees with me.
　But Kaya shakes her head.

'No, miss. Until Rage-sama is executed. There is still time. I'll think of something to do before then.
should.
'That said, ...... what kind of moves are you talking about, Kaya?'

　I'm going to take a bite out of Mr. Kaya.
　In reason, what Kaya is saying is correct. But I couldn't calm down.

'To put it bluntly, it's impossible for us to do it by ourselves. To begin with, we are the ones who will capture Rage-sama and Chiyuki-sama. If we rush into them blindly, they will only capture us too.

　Kaya says slowly.
　That may be true.
　Rage and Chiyuki are strong.
　If you run into a place that Raiders can't get out of, they'll catch me too.
　However, even though I know this, I can't help but move.
　It's always like that for me.
　I can't sit still. That's why I always worry about Kroki.

'Such ....... So you can't do anything about it, Kaya?

　Kaya shook her head at Kyouka's words.

'We can't do it alone. So I think we should seek outside help.''

　Then Kaya looks at Regena.
　There is a Regena here. For some reason, Kaya-san brought her here from St. Renaria.

''Um, what is it?''

　Regena was puzzled by the sudden attention.

''Regena-san. Can't we get some help from Kuroki-sama?''

　Kyouka and I let out an ooh and aah at Kaya's words.
　I see. So that's why he brought Regina with him, Kaya-san must have thought that we couldn't do it alone to help Reigi-kun. And then she came up with the idea of asking for Kuroki's help.
　Indeed, Kuroki is strong. If we can get Kroki's help, we're a hundred strong.
　And Regena is still connected to Kroki. They should be able to contact her.
　Why didn't I think of that?
　I had to come up with these things first.
　I pat myself on the head for not thinking.

'Your husband's hand, sir? ....... I can't do that. Rage is Nargol's master's enemy. There is no way you can request him to help your enemy.

　Ligeena looks down and replies.

'Oh no, you're an enemy ....... Kuroki is not an enemy. It's just that Kroki is only in Nargol because he's being held captive by a witch called Kuna. And he said he doesn't want to be an enemy.

　I say, but Regena shakes her head.

'Syrone-sama. That is not all. I've heard that the labyrinth is very dangerous. I can't let your husband go to such a place.''

　Regena pouted and looked to the side.
　But Kaya looks at Regena and laughs at her.
　It's a rather nasty smile.

''Hey, Regena-san. This can be a reason to meet with Kuroki-san, can't it? It's in your best interest to just keep in touch, isn't it?

　Hearing those words, Regina opens her eyes and looks at Kaya.

'Ugh ...... very sly words. If you say something like that, you can't ...... refuse it, can you? I understand. But I just need to contact you .......

　Rigena looks down and reluctantly agrees.

''Huh. Thank you, Regena-san.''

　Kaya is triumphant to hear that.
　It hurts my conscience somewhat when I see it.
　But still, why did Kuroki tell me how to contact Regena only?
　Why wouldn't he tell me? That's a bit tricky.
　I think it's unfair. You should tell me first and foremost.
　But now I can see Kuroki again.
　I'm sorry for Rage-kun and Chiyuki-san, but I'm more happy about that than anything else.



Dark Knight Kroki.

　He goes to the god Heybos in Elyos.
　The dwelling of the god Heybos was always passed by when he went to the god Tothna's place.
　At that time, he does not speak to the God of Heybos. God Heybos doesn't like to be approached by people who have no need for him.
　That's why he couldn't hear from God Heybos about Nat's capture on the way to the god Tona.
　The parlor of God Heybos is so cluttered with all kinds of materials that you'd think it was a warehouse.
　I am in the center of the room and I am talking to the God of Heybos.

"Well, I'm going to go to that underground palace ...... no, it's a labyrinth now. That's where you're going .......

　God Heybos looks disgusted.
　According to the information on the Emerald Tablet, that labyrinth is humiliation itself for the God of Heybos.
　That's why the incident was sealed by the God of Heibos.
　Even in Elyos, no one would dare to speak of the incident to the God of Heybos.
　Few dwarves seem to know about the incident.
　The records in the archives of Elyos were records that were not normally shown to outsiders.
　If Tona hadn't been specially shown them to me, I wouldn't have known about them either.

'Yes, I'm going to help Nat. That's why I need the help of the Haybos gods.

　I lower my head.
　Nat has been captured by Rage and his friends. The rage is trapped in a labyrinth on the plain of Minon.
　The god Heybos, who built that labyrinth, should be familiar with the labyrinth.

Good. I'm indebted to Nat for his help. I'll help you as much as I can.
Thank you, God of Heybos.

　I bow my head.

"But, Dark Knight. It was Heybos who built that crypt, but he later converted it into a maze. After it was turned into a maze, we don't know.

　The Heibos God looks troubled.
　The underground labyrinth we are about to go to was not originally a maze.
　It was turned into a labyrinth by the evil god Lavrus, who was afraid of the Modes. That's why the god Heybos doesn't seem to know what happened after it became a labyrinth.

'Not much should have changed since then. So it's fine if you can tell me as much as you know about it.
'Well ....... Then I'll give you the blueprints for that labyrinth.
That's enough. Thank you.

　I thank him again.
　The god Haybos takes out a stone tablet made of gems from the cupboard behind him.
　It appears to be the same one as the emerald tablet.
　He takes the tablet from God Haybos and bows his head.

'Thank you. But that's not the only problem," he says. Even if you step into the labyrinth, you'll still have Lavrus. Lavrulus is strong. Can you win? For you?

　The words of the god Heybos made me uneasy.

'Are you that strong, Lavrus is ......
'Yeah, strong. You have your life in a decent fight with Modes.
I see. ......

　I nodded at the words of the Haybos God. That's certainly a strong one.
　I've never had a hand-to-hand combat with Modes. But he's probably stronger than I am.
　If you fight him, you might lose your life.
　If there is life in fighting that Modes, Lavrus must be quite strong.
　I'm starting to feel uneasy.

''Moreover, that labyrinth gives Lavrulus unlimited power. As long as he's in there, Lavrulus can recover indefinitely. What do you plan to do, my lord?

　He pondered the words.
　Modes was relieved that he'd said he'd be fine, but he wasn't.
　I don't know if I can win.

'Hey Boss God ....... Is there anything I can do to make it better?
'There is probably no one in that labyrinth who can defeat Lavrus. Modes would win, but I can't let him use his power of destruction.

　The god Heybos says in a frustrated tone.
　It seems that Modes had tried to enter the labyrinth before to defeat Lavrus.
　However, as expected of Modes, he would have to fight Lavrus with all his might to win in the labyrinth. And Modes' power is so powerful that you don't know what will happen if you fight with all your might.
　That's why the Hayboss God decided that he couldn't let him use his power and stopped him from getting the dwarves to avenge him.
　In fact, he would want to avenge them himself more than anything else.
　The dwarves captured with the god Heybos were especially the ones he loved.
　The fact that those dwarves had been killed seemed to pierce the heart of God Heybos as a thorn in his side.

'So you might as well think about rescuing that nut guy instead of fighting him.
Is there a way?
Looks like Nat's on the fifth level. That place was originally an underground garden. It seems that Lavrus' men have turned it into a prison to keep the humans in. It seems the people he brought in from the outside are being held in the cells with him.

　The god Heybos tells me that the minotaurs under Lavrus' command have captured the humans there and enslaved them.

Do you know how to free that prison?
'I don't know ....... We didn't make it as a jail in the first place. We don't know what happens after it becomes a jail.
'I see. ......'
'But a jail cell isn't perfect when it's not built as a prison. There's got to be a loophole in there. We can figure it out if we look into it.

　If that's the case, we'll need to look into it.

'Then we'll need to look into that.

　The Haybos god nodded when he said it himself.

'Well, besides. Unlike the brave men of Lena, Nat won't be executed. We can go and help him after the brave men are done, can't we?

　That's for sure.
　It's better to go and help Rage and the others after they've been executed or freed, that's for sure.
　I don't think Lavrus would want to execute Nat, either. To be frank, I don't think Nat would give a shit.

'I certainly don't: ....... Thank you for all you've taught me, God Heybos. I'd better get going then.
"Proceed with caution, Dark Knight.

　The god Heybos waves his hand.
　I bow my head and leave the room.
　Leaving the room, I look at the huge object by the door.
　It's probably some kind of material.
　These miscellaneous items are placed at random in the dwarf's workshop.

''Why don't you come out now?

　I say to whoever is hiding in the shadows of that material.
　I was aware that someone was eavesdropping outside the room.
　As I say this, someone wearing a hood comes out of the shadows.

'That's as good as it gets, Kroki. Is it the power of love?

　That someone takes the hood off and a beautiful face comes out of the inside.

"Love is ....... Was it you after all, Goddess Raina?

　The one who was eavesdropping was still Raina.
　For some reason, I can recognize the presence of this goddess.
　This is the third time I've met this goddess.
　The first time was in the Republic of St. Renaria.
　The second time was in the Kingdom of Rox.
　But there's something different about the atmosphere of the last time we met.
　I have the feeling that you are looking at yourself with much more glamorous eyes than before.
　Also, compared to the last time we met, I'm somewhat shabbier.

''How did you know you were coming here, Raina?''

　That was always the question. Obviously, this goddess had been waiting for him. She knew in advance that she was coming here.
　I don't feel like I'm being watched. I wonder how she is monitoring my movements.

'Well, I wonder why?'

　Raina giggles.
　Seriously, what is this goddess thinking? We can't be too careful.

"Hey, Kroki. I know you're going to that labyrinth too. Can I come with you?

　Then he comes to himself.

'I'm not going to go help Rage.

　I turn my head to the side and answer coldly.
　Rumor has it that Raina and Rage are lovers.
　It didn't feel like that when I met them before.
　But according to Nat's information, there's no doubt about it.
　And seeing as how she wants to help Raige, the rumor is true.
　To be honest, I'm jealous of Rage. You can't just take a beautiful goddess as your lover while you have all these amazing beauties like Sirone and others in your life.
　I'm so jealous that it brings tears to my eyes.
　I want to make out with such a beautiful woman myself.
　It's a good thing I already have Kuna. But I can't erase the envy in my heart.
　Maybe that's why I don't feel like helping Raige.
　I think it's narrow-minded, but I couldn't help it.
　And I don't think I have to help them.
　They are strong. The girls around them, not just Rage, are excellent.
　I don't think that Rage, with Sirone and all those beauties at his side, needs any help from me.
　It's a good thing that you're able to have a good time with them.
　Worrying about myself was just meddling.
　So I won't worry about it anymore.
　I'm going to let myself be on my own.

'Huh, I don't care about Rage. I just want to be with you.

　Raina says that and comes closer to my face with a charmed smile.
　Wait! It's close! It's close!
　I am now wearing my armor, but I am holding my helmet under my arm. In other words, it's in the face.
　That's why I'm thrown into a daze when Raina's super beautiful face comes at me.
　Would she lie like that to save Rage?
　There's no reason why Raina would want to be with him.

"She's all cheating. You should be able to keep me company when she's not around. It was hard for me to get out of it. If you miss this opportunity, you don't know when you will see him again.

　Then Raina takes her arm.

'Wait!　Leena!

　I'm confused.
　Could that girl be Kuna?
　Coona isn't in his element yet, so I'm letting him rest in his own compound in Nargol.
　When I told her I was going to the Haybos gods to save Nat, she wanted to go with me and it was hard to calm her down.
　I hope he's a good boy.
　But how does Raina know that?

'Let's go, Kroki. If we use the transition gate that Chiyuki set up, we should be able to get there in no time. Let's go from there.

　Raina said and tugged on her own arm.
　I haven't said I'm going with her yet. But for some reason I can't disobey Raina.
　I'm being dragged along like Donna Donna's calf.




The freedom fighter girl Sisyphe.

Ha!

　I swing my wooden sword at Novice.

'Yup!'

　However, the wooden sword is easily dispelled by Novice's wooden sword.

''Yes!!!''

　Sister Kayna's stick swings at Novis from the side.
　But Novis dodges it easily by flying backwards.
　My sister Kayna and I move away from Novis and keep our distance.
　It takes two of us, me and Kayna, to fight, but we're no match for Novis.
　As expected of a brave man of fire, he is sometimes called a brave man of fire.

I quit: ......

　Suddenly, Novis releases his stance.

'What's the matter with you, Novis!
'No. You can't improve with Sisyphe. ......
'Excuse me!　You're the one who asked me to come with you to practice your sword!

　In the first place, me and my sister Kayna are going with you for sword practice, which is what Novis asked for.

I'm sure you've got no choice in the matter. ...... It's a good thing that you're able to do that," he said, "because it's the only person around who can help you with your sword. And since I can't let them get hurt, I can't even get serious about it ....... This isn't a good training partner.

　Novis says in a regretful voice, but saying that doesn't help.

'I'm already ....... Even so, I can't deal with you. But what's really going on here all of a sudden? Do you want me to come with you to sword practice?

　I wonder.
　Why does he suddenly want to be strong and ask me to be his sword partner? This has never happened before.
　But Novice doesn't respond to his words.

''Well, that's what happens after seeing a brave man of light.
Sister Kayna!

　Kayna's sister laughs and hugs Novice's back.
　I sigh when I hear that.
　It seems that she still has a rivalry with Rage-sama. But no matter how hard I try, I don't think Novice will be able to beat Rage-sama.
　But it's good to try to be strong.
　When Maddie saw the dark-haired sage, she said she had to work hard too, so she went to the witchcraft society in Ariadia to study. That's why she's not here right now.
　We are now practicing our swords in the backyard of the Temple of Ishtia.
　Normally, men are not allowed to enter here because it is a place where the laundry of the priestesses who serve Ishtia, the goddess of love and beauty, is hung out to dry.
　But I have been asked to work at the Temple of Ishtia on several occasions. I have become friends with the temple maidens at that time, so I am allowed to use the temple as a special guest.
　The Temple of Ishtia is very generous in the way it treats me, a Feria faithful, with kindness.
　If this were a Feriah Temple, I would be forced to convert.
　To begin with, it is generally said that the Feriah and the Ishtia faithful do not get along with each other.
　But that's because they don't like Ishtia, because of their dislike for the goddess of marriage.
　Because according to the teachings of Lord Feriah, the goddess of marriage, it's good to be faithful to one's husband. And Feriah is also loyal to her husband, God King Odis.
　On the other hand, the Goddess of Beauty, Ishtia has had several male goddesses as lovers.
　In other words, Lady Ischthia was contrary to the teachings of Feriah.
　This is why the Feria congregation dislikes the Ishtia congregation.
　But it wouldn't be a problem if I, as a Feria follower, didn't care about it.
　And unlike the Republic of Ariadia, the power of the Ishtian Order is strong in this Free City of Thessia, and it would be unprofitable to go against them.
　But as long as you don't mind their doctrine, the priestesses who serve Lady Ishtia are all very easy to get along with.
　I was just a child when I arrived in the city, and I was under the care of the priestesses of the Ishtia Order at that time.
　So I can't say anything.
　And now in the backyard are me, my sister Kayna, and Novis, as well as the temple priestesses who have become friends with Nora.
　Some of these priestesses are obviously here to see Novis.
　Even if they can't match Rage-sama, Novice is amazing enough. I don't think there is any need to be so mean-spirited about it.

''Haha ....... I don't know if you can beat Rage-sama or not, but I think you should learn from a real martial arts teacher, not me.

　I say, and Novis shakes his head.

'I've been thinking about that too. I had a fight with a famous swordsmanship teacher before: ....... All of them refused to let me in.
'Ah. Come to think of it, that's happened to me before: ....... Then there's no one around here to teach you the sword. ......

　Novis had destroyed one of the swordsmanship dojos before.
　That swordsmanship dojo didn't seem to be of a very good nature, but no one would teach Novis a sword after what happened.

'Then why don't you ask the brave man of light to teach you, boy. He's strong, and he should be able to handle the boy swinging his sword with all his might.

　Nora, who was watching beside him, called out to him.

'Don't be a boy, Mr. Nora. I'm not a boy anymore.
'Oh, I'm sorry: ....... I forgot how quickly humans grow, my apologies.

　I don't know how old Nora the Elf is, but she has probably lived for more than 100 years.
　From that Nora's point of view, all humans are children.

'But Novis. I think Mr. Nora has a point in what he said.

　I think what Nora said is a good idea.
　I don't know if you'll tell me, but Master Rage is strong. It would be much better than what we're dealing with.

'Sure it is, but ....... It's something.

　Novis looks kind of uncomfortable.

''Well, it's certainly just because of the reason. You wouldn't want to ask the brave man of light to teach you a lesson~ Then Novis, why don't you get a lesson from the sword maiden?

　Sister Kayna says with a smirk.
　I don't know what the reason would be to dislike Rage-sama.

'The maiden with the sword?　What's that, sister Kayna?
What, you don't know, Novis? He's one of the Brave Men of Light. He wasn't around when I got here, though. They say he's a better swordsman than the Brave Man of Light.
Really, Kayna!

　Novice's surprised voice.
　Come to think of it, I've heard about it from Chiyuki-sama, too. I heard that Rage-sama has a woman called the Sword Maiden as a companion other than the women who hid in the labyrinth with him.
　If I'm not mistaken, her name is Shirone.
　That woman is beautiful, just like the other women with Master Rage. Rumor has it that her swordsmanship is such that she seems to dance.
　However, I heard that she is separated from the Raiders.
　They should be in the far north by now.

But ....... 'How do you get a lesson from that person?　You're far away, aren't you?
'Yeah, that's the thing, Sisyphe. Everything seems to be coming here. It's like Leiria is going to pick up that sword maiden.
'Oh, really?'

　Leiria-san has gone to the Temple of Raina in Ariadia on an errand for the Order.
　I hadn't heard what the errand was, but I didn't think it was such an errand.

'I see, so the sword maiden is coming here then. I'm sure she's beautiful after all. Ehehehe.

　The bottom of Novice's nose visibly stretches out.
　I don't know what I'm thinking at all. I'm a little angry.
　In all likelihood, Novis won't get the chance, since Lady Rage is here.
　But I'm curious too. What kind of person is he?
　I'm not Novice, but I want to learn the sword too.
　Because if I can be strong, I want to be too. Miserable is the misery of being weak.
　Lady Syrone, Maiden of the Sword. I wanted to meet you.

"Novi~!

　Suddenly I hear a voice, this voice is familiar.
　It's someone I've known for a long time, appearing with the voice.

"'Justy!

　My voice and Novice's overlap.
　The one who showed up was someone Novis and I have known since we were kids.
　His name is Justia. When I call her, I shorten it a bit and call her Justy. She is a priestess in the service of Lord Ishtia.
　She is a girl of my generation who I met when I first came here. She had played with me, Maddie and Novice when she was little.
　That Justy comes running in with a thud.

'If you're back, you can call out to me, Novis!

　Then he hugged Novis. I guess Justy hadn't seen Novis since he came back.

'Guffaw!

　Novis makes it sound painful.
　Justy is a pretty fat girl, even to me as a woman. And sometimes she's as powerful as a man's face. Novis looks pained, not happy to be hugged by a girl, but pained.
　In fact, she is the sister of the brave Gaudan of the earth. I found out about that just the other day.
　I was really surprised when Justy told me about it.
　Come to think of it, the two of them are somewhat similar.

"Oh, Sisyphe. Are you here?

　Justy says as he hugs Novis.
　Ever since I was a little girl, Justy has liked Novis and for some reason, he sees me as an enemy.
　Justy apparently thinks that I like Novice. It's not true.
　But it's not fun to be noticed and then told as if I wasn't there.

'You were there all along and you didn't know it, Justy?　Sorry, I'm not as big as you.

　I laugh and say, looking at Justy's belly.

'Yeah, Sisyphe. Your breasts are so small I didn't even notice them.
Nah!

　My breasts are not on the small side by any means. At least they are bigger than Maddy and Nora's. In short, Justy is too big.
　But Justy's breasts are big, but his girth is also quite large, so it's not frustrating at all. But it's a little uncomfortable.

"Hey, you're just fat!
'I am not fat!　I'm just a little chubby!

　Me and Justy glare at each other.

'Wait, wait, wait!　You Novices are foaming at the seams!

　My sister Kayna, who was watching beside me, steps in between.
　When I look, I see Novice limp in Justy's embrace, blowing bubbles.

Kyah: ---- Novis!

　Justy stops hugging him and shakes Novis.
　Fearful Justy strangles Novis, who was called the brave man of fire. I thought so.