A drop hit the window frame.

　The sound of rain continues uninterrupted, filling the street with ripples.

　A girl's boot treads on the water that flows like a thin veil.
　The flowing water splits cleanly without defiance, and flows again.

　Step by step, the only one going against the flow is the girl with the hood up.

　Her parasol is black.
　The umbrella is black, and it catches the rain that pours down, and rather than bouncing off, it flows heavily and falls to the ground.

　A girl was walking.

　Under the umbrella, she looked straight ahead to her destination.
　At the top of a slightly sloping path, there was a church.

　The windows were left open.
　The grass is overgrown.
　No bells in the belfry and the gates remain distorted and thinly open.

　She knew that it used to be a church that also served as an orphanage.

　She had visited it once before it was torn down.

　She had visited the church once before it had been torn down, though she had not found the answers she wanted in its teachings.


　The rusty hinges creaked and made a thin sound.
　Raindrops splattered and the path to the property was muddy.

　Not caring about that, she walked into the church.

　She opened the heavy double doors.

　There was a faint smell of rotting wood.

"......

　Just as the sound of the rain faded into the distance. The dull sound of the door closing.

　I close my umbrella and look around, and there it is, the same chapel as always.
　The stained glass at the end of the podium, in front of her, has faded over the years, almost to the point of being yellowed, dirty glass.

　--Cold.

　It was too cold to even close the window.
　Even though the cherry blossom season had arrived, the temperature was still low.
　And then there was this rain that seemed to envelop the capital.

　Rubbing her arm, she walked into the chapel.


"Oh. Are you a visitor?


　At the sound of the voice, the girl looked up unperturbed.

　In the chapel, in the front row. Sitting quietly in the front row of the chapel was a girl with a graceful atmosphere and striking gold.

　A large black ribbon at the back of her head and a hairdo that, once strangled, spread out like a waterfall.

　She wore a pure white one-piece dress.

　It was a stark contrast to the girl who came in a black cloak and a black umbrella.

I don't really think of churches as welcoming guests, do you?
No, it's not. People who come to church to pay for something are called guests, aren't they?
So the church usually has merchandise and logistics to support its business. What exactly do you sell?
That's not important. If all the needy and foolish people are to be the logistics, the only place to supply them will be here in the face of God.
I see. --You don't look like a peddler, though.
No, sir. After all, it was a commodity. It's not a church in King's Landing, though.

　The girl's eyebrows twitched behind her hood.

　The golden girl slowly stood up, not caring about her reaction.
　Then she slowly turns around and walks down the center aisle to the girl in the cloak.

I've missed you so much that I've chosen you as my home. What do you think? Does this house suit me?
"No," she said.

　The girl in the cloak slowly took off her hood.

　The girl in gold squinted.

　There was a dazzlingly beautiful silver.

"You want me to answer, don't you?　Her tone, her appearance, and even her mood were refined. You've acquired both military prowess and education in defiance of your origins.
If you're a ......, does it look like you're just faking it? For a woman who was born to shine.
No?　But a beautiful painting is not something that can be achieved only with expensive paints and a famous artist.
"I see, I see.

　I see." Covering her mouth with a fan from her pocket, the golden girl asks the silver one.

I'm not sure what to say.　The only thing I don't understand is art, no matter how many times I see it.
"Of course, of course. The difference between a beautiful painting and an ugly one. The difference between a beautiful painting and an ugly one is obvious from the start. That is, what the artist intended to paint on a blank canvas.
"The...

　For the first time, the golden girl's breathing became slightly uneven.
　She turned her scrutinizing eyes straight up to the silver girl as if to strike her. 　

Do you think that everything is predetermined from birth?
No way. It's the idea I hate the most.



　Poof, poof. The words of a girl with her hands on the backs of the couches in the chapel, playing with her hands as if she had no time to spare.

　The golden girl continues to stare at her, as if looking at her, as if probing her.

What to draw, for what purpose, and how to draw it. No matter how beautiful the result is, only the soul of the artist can be conveyed. You are certainly a beautiful painter, aren't you? I can see the polished study in your eyes.
Oh. That's very nice of you to say. I'm sure you've been polished to perfection. It's not like you're going to be the kind of person who's going to be flattered by a bunch of nonsense like flattery.

　The silver girl laughs.
　The silver girl laughs and the gold girl responds.

"So, am I a beautiful painting?
No?
"No?" "...... Why is that?

　The way she tilts her head with the fan closed around her mouth is certainly beautiful.
　The silver girl told her.

If the purpose you are trying to portray is 'Shura', which is to improve yourself without regard for others. "If the goal of your painting is to elevate yourself without regard for others, then you must be ugly and incomprehensible to others, right?
"Mm-hmm. ......

　The golden girl twisted the corners of her mouth as if to say, "I don't think so. The golden girl twists the corners of her mouth.
　The quiet laughter dominates the chapel, muffling the sound of the rain outside.
　Her shoulders trembled, her mouth held back, her eyes unseen.

　The corner of the silver girl's mouth twisted into a smile that seemed to stifle her.

I'm not saying that ...... church suits you, but...

　She looks around at the deserted, decaying church and continues.

You look good here.
"Hmmm, ......, baboon, .......

　She tosses the fan aside.
　The golden girl looks up to the sky without looking at it as it tumbles aside with a thud.

　The golden girl looks up to the sky without looking at it.

"--aah".

　Instantly.

　The golden girl disappeared.

　The silver girl opens her eyes and without a moment's thought, pulls out a contessa behind her.

　Her own sword shakes with a dull thud.
　At the other end of the line, the gold girl's fist.

I heard you deal with parasols.
A parasol?　...... Ah.

　I'm sure you've heard of parasols.
　The silver girl's vision was filled with blackness and she found herself looking at the ceiling.
　I notice a burning pain in my forehead.
　The only black that girl has is the boots she's wearing.

　It's that simple. She kicks me from a low position.

That's just to keep the blood from splattering on her dress.

　She avoided the money that would have come between her and the ceiling by rolling.

　With a sound that shook the chapel, the couch bounced and rolled four times.

　I'm not sure if you've ever heard of this, but I'm sure you have.

I'm not sure what to say.

　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

　I'm not sure what to make of it.

I thought it was a little too good for a sparring partner.

　The silver girl spun around and landed on her feet, while the gold girl stepped lightly and told her.
　Her hair is pulled back over her ears, her breathing is steady, and her gaze is that of a beast.

"Let me train you. Princess Lilac.
"It's not polite to speak a person's name before they've said it, Aria."
"Aria?　That's even more rude than calling me by my first name.
"......?

　"Aria?" giggles the golden girl, smiling.

"To say that name is to disparage yourself as a common soldier.
"What do you mean?
"I'll tell you what it means.

　As Aria kicked the floor of the chapel with a thud, the silver girl, Lilac, raised her contessa.

　Instantly, Aria leaps forward.
　Lilac was momentarily bewildered by her stance, as if she was jumping into Lilac instead of upwards.
　If she dives at him like this, she'll be in Kontse's range. A thrust would be the end.
　But the distance was slightly too short to reach Lilac directly.

　"As Aria dove, she put her hands on the floor, and Lilac saw it coming. She uses the contessa as a defense and prepares for the kick.

Air Aria.

　Two swirling blows in the air.
　Perhaps her boots are specially made, but they are completely unharmed by the cleave of the conches.

　Lilac, who had distanced herself from the first blow, did not get hit by the heel of the second, but that much she understood.
　If the first blow was carelessly avoided, the second blow would pierce the adversary's temple.



"I've taken to calling myself 'Aria' when people can't even keep up with my solo singing."
"I see. Thank you for the correction. Thank you for the correction. I see I have been unintentionally humiliating you.
"Mmm. Good eye.

　Lilac narrowed her eyes at the golden girl as she spun around.

　Now, her feet touched the ground faster than her hands could leave it.
　She had tremendous softness, but strong muscles that used her own body as a weapon.
　I see. This is not going to be easy.

So, what should I call you?
Well... Arawn. Arawn B. Smiles. That's my name. If you don't mind, I'd like you to remember it and show it off in the afterlife.

　Arawn goes on the offensive.
　His kicks were as sharp as spears, and he could kick up and down at will to avoid them. It's difficult to control the Konzesh because it's so close to you, and the moment you get into an in-fight, your fist will strike the defenseless torso.

"Gghh!

　I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea.

　But even if your consciousness is about to be taken away, you must endure this moment. Because--





Mad Eater.






"！！！！

　In the event you're not sure what to do, there are a few things you can do.

　You realize that your life could have ended right here.
　She gasped at the sudden surge of bloodlust, and then slowly stood up again, caught her breath and faced Aylan.

　Aylan looked at Lilac with a quizzical look in his eyes.

You are not aggressive enough. I'm not sure what you mean by that.
You're right. I'm not going to do anything right today.
"...... today?

　Lilac clicks her heels and mutters.

"Yes. You know what I'm doing. Since you're so proud to register as a player, why don't we have the game there?
No, thank you.
I'm sure it'll be at .......

　Lilac shook her head, "Oh dear.
　I don't need to be told what to do. Aylan B. Smiles wants to kill each other now.
　If you understand the rules of a fighting tournament, this place where you can put your whole heart and soul into is probably a higher priority than a fighting tournament.
　Lilac knew that all too well.

　So...

"You're in trouble. I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one who has a problem with this.
"...... What do you mean?

　I knew it.
　I'm not sure what to make of this.
　I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's a good idea.

"Not at all. He's mine. I'm free to do what I want.
"......

　Arawn's eyes are sharp as he looks at Lilac.
　I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea.

　But then, suddenly, that murderous intent slackens.
　I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea.

I'm sure you're not lying. I'm sure you're not lying. ...... So what is it that you're doing here?　I don't think you're planning to spend a pleasant afternoon with me. ......
Let's just say I'd be disappointed if you thought that was my intention. ......

　I wonder if this woman has any idea that I'm wanted or that I'm here to kill her.
　With that question in mind, Lilac gently stroked her lips.

I'm here to make a deal. I'm just here to make a deal.
"Deal with me?　Well, let's at least talk.

　The sound of rushing rain.

　Lilac suddenly looked at the stained glass.
　It had been raining, she thought.
　It had been raining for a long time.

　But until this moment, the sound of rain was out of her mind.

　Perhaps it was because the presence of the woman in front of me had visibly faded.

Would you like me to offer you a cup of coffee?
"No, thank you. Oh, I just have one question before we make the deal.
What is it?


"Have you ...... ever killed a woman or child who didn't want to fight?

　The question was a kind of confirmation.
　The question was a sort of confirmation, but Aylin looked puzzled, chewing on her question for a moment.

"Well, ...... you may have killed ......?
You're not sure.
That's ...... true.

　Because," she continues.

You're not referring to me or you, are you, woman or child?
No.
If that's the case, ...... well. I'm sure you're not the only one. You can't rule out the possibility that he was killed in the process of training when he was bounced out of sight. ......
I think it's a pretty big deal, so why are you being so vague?
"Big deal?

　Aylin blinked his eyes once more, as if he didn't understand anything.

Why should you care if someone else lives or dies?
"Oh, that's all right.

　Fluttering her hands away, Lilac thought.

　The woman in front of her doesn't "deny" killing women and children.

　That's why it's a good way to pin the blame on her.

"Now, may I ask you a question of my own?
"Yes, please?

　Lilac's question must have been unimportant from the bottom of her heart.
　She was so indifferent to Lilac's question that you could almost hear the voice in her mind, and easily switched to her own question.

　There was so much information Lilac could have given her, such as why she was being asked this question, or what had happened to the woman and child.

　I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not, but it's a good idea.

If you were going to offer me a deal, why did you goad me into it?
"Oh, because...


　If I'm right, she's the only Shura who doesn't see the weak as equals.


　--So, yes. So yes, in your words.


"You wouldn't want to do business with a woman who calls you 'Alia', would you?"



　Arawn looked very convinced. I see.

　I see," he muttered quietly.