How's Blackbeard doing?

　As Miss Cecily was putting away the food, Miss Currier came in.

'Ah, Miss Currier.
You're up. How are you doing?
"Right now, when I put pressure on my body, I get intense pain, but I think it will go away with time. It's really a gradual process, but the pain is easing up.
Well, that's good. Take it easy, okay?

　Cecily returned, wiping her wet hands.

'Have you finished discussing this person called Noyes?
Just in case. Thanks to the Dean's cooperation, it looks like things will go off without a hitch at Lokia's end.

　At Cecily's maid outfit, Currier-san's expression changed.

''But Cecily, your outfit--''
Oh, is that it?

　Cecily plucked up the edge of her skirt in a mischievous way.

''I borrowed it from the headmaster, but it looks pretty good on you, doesn't it?　Yes, and next time I see Currier--
No, thanks.
'I'm tired. I remember you were so happy to wear your new dress at Cirrus Baths.

　With a crunch, Currier-san's knee snapped.

The fact that you can fabricate facts with an unconcerned face, you... to begin with, that was forcing me, which you don't like--

　Cecily-san's expression was shaded and a glint blurred the corners of her eyes.

''I'm sorry, I prepared that dress for Currier's sake, but... annoying, wasn't it?''
Don't cry!　d*mn, what the hell ... that's not fair, that's not fair!
'Hmph, Currier is kind after all, isn't he?

　Cecily-san's smile suddenly changes to a radiant smile.
　Curie-san stares at Cecily.

You have changed a bit lately, haven't you?
Ehehe........Currier's troubled reaction is so cute, I can't help it.

　Cecily-san flicks her tongue out as she clasps her hands together and apologizes.
　'Hmph,' sniffs Currier-san.

'Tell me, dammit.'
Look, Mr. Currier.
Hmm?　What's the matter, Blackie?
Are you going to settle this with the noise?

　She uttered earlier, 'It seems the preparations are going to end without a hitch.
　Maybe it's because--'

''Well yes. We originally came here to find the noise, and if we can sear it out here, so much the better.
When will you decide to do it?

　There was a pause.

'I'm due shortly after this.'

　I turned over and said hesitantly.

''Does that mean ... it has to be right after this?''

　This is what I'm going through right now.
　I can't help Currier-san with this.

I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this in the future. From the point of view of those guys who are hiding in the academy under the guise of being students, it's probably easier for them to move around in their current state. You said that it's also convenient for the second and third years to be gone,
Yeah?

　The matter of Noise should be more important than anything else to Currier-san.
　She came to this academy to find the Noise Deuce.
　I want to help Currier-san like that.
　But I'm not likely to be able to help her now that I'm carrying the load of using a forbidden spell.
　At such an important time........

"Don't worry, Kurohiko.

　Mr. Currier bent down a little, and the corners of his mouth relaxed as if to relieve me.

'Your help would be reassuring, I'm sure, but as for the noise, I'm going to settle it myself.
Mr. Currier...
'Of course I don't think Noyes is an easy guy to deal with. Of course I don't think Noyes will be an easy opponent, he's a very well prepared guy and, more importantly, he can't just kill Noyes this time and be done with it. It's going to be a very difficult fight, I think.
But you're going to do it, aren't you?
Yeah.

　Mr. Currier sits up.

'And when something unexpected happened, you knew I'd be fine, didn't you?　Then you just have to trust me this time, too. That's all that matters to me.
Okay.

　That's right.
　Mr. Currier is a lot smarter than I am, and above all, stronger.
　Noise or not, there's no way he's going to be defeated easily.
　He was even with that hibigami, a man who went toe-to-toe with him.

I'm sorry. I may have done something inappropriate.
Hmph, I don't mind being a little presumptuous. You defeated two of the four scourges.
That's why we're doing this.

　I laughed jokingly, and Currier-san's expression softened as well.
　Currier-san sits on the edge of the bed.

''Well, so let me take care of the noise. ........By the way, you said that your body is in extreme pain when you move, is it tough to stand up?
Yes, for now. And the only reason I'm up this way is because of Cecily's help.

　Smiling, Cecily smiled at me.

'It sounds like you had enough room to feel your heart pounding against your chest, though, right?
Why, Miss Cecily!
Well, that's a pretty generous amount of time.
I'm sorry, it's a misunderstanding. No, it's true that I was thrilled, but...
But I don't like the idea of you feeling sorry for yourself when you're being assisted in a sincere way.
Well, it was just a little prank on my part, wasn't it?

　As expected, Cecily-san thought it was bad, and Cecily-san gave me a helping hand.
　.........No, it was Cecily-san who drove me into the swamp of poison.
　And with a dumbfounded look on her face, Curie-san lifted her own both breasts for support.

I'm sure you'll find that men really like it. I'm sure you said that when you went to the bathhouse of Cirrus, you said you wanted to squeeze it if you could.
..........

　I pray that among the forbidden spells I have yet to see, there is a forbidden spell of past alteration.
　

'Cecily's mother told me the logic behind a man's preference for women's breasts, but from my point of view, these things would only get in the way in battle.

　Currier-san drops her gaze dissatisfactorily to her own chest.

''The range of attacks will be larger, and movement speed will also be affected to a greater or lesser extent. It also limits my size when choosing clothes and armor for combat................and to me, it seems unnecessary. Even if they serve their original function, first of all, in my case, it's not like I'm going to have children in the future.

　Cecily-san, who had distant eyes, huffed and smiled vacantly and said in a tremendous whisper.

''There's an unfortunate pattern where only the chest part of the borrowed clothes creates an uncomfortable feeling because of the lack of breasts.......''
Hmm?　What did you say, Cecily?
No, no, no, it's nothing.
But that one?　Are men, by any chance, going to be happy if they simply have their breasts floating around?

　I try to picture a scene where only my chest is floating in the air.
　..................
　It's too eerie.
　That scene is too eerie.
　As I was thinking about this kind of thing, the element of 'whose' might be indispensable - and so on and so forth, the door of the medical room opened.

But of course it's better to have something than nothing!

　...Who are you?
　A brown-skinned woman dressed in black clothes, dominating her twin-tails tied with black ribbons, entered the room.
　Currier-san and Cecily-san were somewhat poised.

　What's that?
　Creamy white hair.
　Black knee socks.
　White boots.
　Purple eyes and an eye patch.
　And that distinctive tone of voice--

'What?　Shanatrice, Mr.?

　Maybe it's because I smelled that I'm an acquaintance, but Curie-san and Cecily-san's caution eases.

　.........No, but is it still the wrong person?
　For Mr. Shanatrice, it's a--

　You're too tall.

　Yes.
　She must have been almost as tall as Makina-san.
　Nevertheless, the woman who entered the room was a slender beauty.
　Furthermore, her bosom was open for emphasis, and even in size, it was different from the one I remembered.
　But, like a model, the woman walked over to me.

Yes, Blackbeard. Despite my appearance, I am Shannatris.

　I said.
　Huh?
　I knew it was Shanatrice?
　Not like sisters or something?

'Didn't you just say it looked like this?　Is your appearance by any chance due to a surgical procedure?

　It is said that the noise and other types of noise use change spells, so there may be a good number of such techniques as well.

'No, I've never heard of such a technique, let alone a noise spell, but...'

　Currier said.
　Shanatrice smiled proudly.

This is the result of a new drug I've developed.
A new drug?
Hmm. I'm not sure I'm attractive enough as a woman to seduce you.
Ha, ha.
Wait, wait!

　Miss Cecily rose from her chair.

'Shanatrice, you said, didn't you?　So you're that 'Ruvel Argan Witch', the famous Vice Captain of the Divine Punishment Corps...........Shanatris Tuelf?
'Mm, how true. I was called to Renowthred today by my friend Machina. I didn't expect it to coincide with the arrival of the Four Deadly Plagues.
Why are you now talking about seducing Blackberry?
"Because you took a strong interest in this man as a forbidding spellcaster and wanted to take him back to Ruvelargan, and because you fell in love with him as a woman because of the manliness he showed in his battle against the Four Deadly Plagues.
What?

　Currier's and Cecily's voices overlapped with each other.

'Hmm?　Did you notice anything odd about it?　I was just answering a question with my heart, wasn't I?
Well, uh, I mean...

　Cecily choked on her words, perhaps amused by the pure and straightforward answer without any impurities.

''Shanatrice-san, I, I have no intention of leaving Renousled at the moment...''
I understand. Machina is not going to lend you your dog so easily. However, if you enjoy me as a man, you might change your mind, don't you think?　Hmm?

　I said, and Shanatrice-san leaned in hard.
　........My breasts, which are about to spill out of my clothes, are pressed against my elbows.
　Because I'm currently in a short-sleeved state, my elbows are exposed.
　Ah, the faint warmth that comes from the raw skin on the part of the elbow that is being touched....

"Shanatrice, mmm, my chest...
You are going to call me Shana, or I will not let you go.
Shana, Shana.
There you go, sweetheart.

　Funi.

'I mean, why are you pushing me further?
Mmm-hmm. The man who uses this potion can pinch himself.
I don't hear that-- Oh, my God, it hurts...!
See, it hurts to move, doesn't it?　You just have to watch the way your body moves. Don't push yourself, Kurohiko.

　Now I can't move about in a haphazard manner because of the pain thing.
　Shit.
　I can't just let it happen....

'No, please don't!　This is-- this is a disgrace!

　And Cecily pulled Miss Shanatrice away from him.

'Mm?　Is that you?　Don't tell me you're Kurohiko's girlfriend?
'A potential lover!　Just like Currier Versteen there!

　......................
　Eh?
　Kyu, I hadn't heard that Currier-san is also a potential lover...?
　No but if I could be that close to Currier-san, I would--

Oh, yeah?　You are not only pouring powder on Makina, but on other women as well? You're not bad at all, Kurohiko.
The idea that you're sprinkling powder on top of each other is not true!

　However, Shana-san brushed aside my defence and said in an interesting tone.

I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one who's been looking for a beautiful girl.　The rumored 'Jewel of Renowthred' or something like that?
Well, that's what they call it.

　So Cecily's alias has been handed down to Ruvel Argan?

It's not a good idea to have a girl like this, who looks like an anthropomorphic lapidary. It's a good idea to have a good time. But...

　As I dexterously escaped from Miss Cecily's feathering, Shanatrice - Shana - leaned back against me again.
　And this time she sat down on the bed and placed her hands on my shoulders at a slight angle behind me and pressed her breasts further against me.

''On this side of the appeal, does the eagle win?
Well, you're...

　Cecily's face flushed and her shoulders shook with a wince.

''See, ku, Kurohiko doesn't like it either!
Hmm?　Is that right?　It doesn't look like he doesn't like it.
"Kurohiko, you better not like this!
Well, I mean...
Hmm, does Kurohiko now want me to die quickly and efficiently?
Oh, I don't think so!　Shana-san saved me when I fought the Beshgam, and...

　A cynical Shana slides her gaze to Cecily.

'Duh, isn't it?　Not that you don't like it, but you seem to be grateful, don't you?
'Idiot!　For all intents and purposes, that was too blatant an induction!

　.....................
　Cecily, it's coming out.
　The ground is showing.

Then why don't you use your breasts to show them off?　Hmm?　Hmm?
Kyu-chee, Currier!　Appeal to me!
"...why are you dumping me?　And why do you look at my breasts?

　What ... what's going on here?

Because I'm not as big as she is...

　Cecily's cheeks turned cherry red and swollen.
　Humph, Curie-san sniffed coolly.

I don't think a woman's worth can be determined by the size of her breasts, though. There is nothing wrong with having good looks and physical characteristics, but I think that is only the first impression that is most powerful.
'You're right - breast size is really only a minor factor in measuring a woman's worth!

　Again, someone appears from behind the door.
　........This time, Makina-san?

Who are you?

　Makina-san's gaze, which narrowed her eyesight, was catching Shana-san sitting behind me.
　After staring for a while, slowly, Makina-san's eyes widened.

''........Could it be Shana?　Huh?　But--
I can't help it.

　Shana took a small, slender vial from her cleavage.
　The bottle was filled with a blue liquid.

'What does that mean?'
I've been experimenting for some time with the possibility of creating a potion that would change the human body. And now you've finally made it, albeit still in the testing stage?
... what?
''Well, I don't think we'll be able to make it in large quantities due to material problems, and I'm not going to make a big announcement about it. Above all, I'm still having problems--
Shana, you--

　Grumpily, Makina-san walked up to Shana-san.
　She had a serious look on her face.
　There's an awfulness that seems to shoot through it.
　I'm angry, is it........?
　With a crash, Makina-san grabbed Shana-san's shoulder with both hands as she sat on the edge of the bed.

''Let's buy that potion at a asking price,''
Well, Makina...?

　Makina-san's eyes were serious.
　It was the level of seriousness of the so-called 'seriousness' that makes you read 'serious' when written as 'serious'.

''No, no, as I was about to say before, there are problems with this drug--''
Give it to me. No, no, please. Please.

　Makina-san bows her head deeply.
　It even looks like she is throwing everything away........

"Don't tell me you........want to become glamorous like the current me?

　Makina-san nodded with a mysterious look on her face.

''It's fine if you take it that way. I've been wanting to see the scenery from 'there' where you are now, even if only once. Now, tell me the value.

　........Part of it was slightly unclear what he was saying.

''Hmm, so instead of handing over this potion, do you mind if I take Kurohiko back to Rouvelargan like this?
I'm sorry, I just can't do that.
Hmmm, you don't seem to be losing your mind...

　I was a little relieved.

But Makina, I didn't know you were that fond of glamour. Hmm, I understand. You can't blame me for this, just this once.
Oh, Shana!　My, my one and only best friend!

　With a big smile on her face, Makina-san hugs Shana-san.

''Why can't I be honestly happy.......why can't I be honestly happy when you say you're my best friend for the first time.......''
Now, let's get on with it.

　With a bang, Makina-san took the vial in her hand as if to take it away.
　She quickly opened the lid, put her hands on her hips and gulped down the contents in one gulp.
　And Makina-san's body was enveloped in a blue-white light.
　And then.


This is....


　What can I say?
　Like Shana, thud!　And I thought it was going to be a pattern of being a nice buddy - but

　It wasn't.

　Normal.
　Yes - it was perfectly normal.

　Makina-san had transformed into a normal, dainty beauty, about halfway between Currier-san and Cecily-san in height.

　Of course, her clothing size remained the same as it was before her transformation, so her skirt length, for example, was a bit more miniature.
　In addition, the reasonably full breasts, even if not ripped off, firmly emphasized their presence.
　Yeah.
　Simply, she's a beautiful woman.
　From a beautiful little girl to a beautiful girl, she had blossomed.
　I guess it's more like Makina's usual cuteness was joined by a slightly more mature sense of beauty.
　Everyone else must have had a similar impression.
　The transformation was so stunning that I was even at a loss to choose the right words.

　Makina-san, who picked up the mirror on the desk and confirmed her own appearance, put her hand on her cheek.

''Is this me...?''

　Makina-san turned her body towards me.
　Her silky hair flutters in the air.
　You can find out more about this by looking at the following information

How is it?
Well, I think it's very beautiful. ...No, I'm not trying to be flattering. Seriously.
Oh, thank you...

　With a sniff, Makina-san pulled down her miniaturized skirt.

''But this length is a bit troubling. I see ...............................So this is what it means to be tall.

　Makina smiled bitterly.
　Shana patted her chest in relief and asked, "How do you feel now that you've gotten your wish?

'How do you feel now that you have your wish come true?
Well, I can't say it's an inconvenience. You can't wear your clothes.

　However, he didn't seem to be unconcerned.
　........The smile on her mature face was somewhat fresh.
　And Cecily-san began to whisper something to Currier-san.

''Dodo, what shall I do, Curie?''
Hmm?　What?
A powerful foe, sir.
The headmaster?　.... why?
''See, can't you see the atmosphere between that Kurohiko's reaction and the headmaster?

　Once, Currier-san turned her head to me and Makina-san, and then back again.

'You're smiling,'
She said it's bad because she's smiling!
I'm sorry. I'm not quite sure what you're getting at.
...Ugh, you know, I feel like crying.

　So, ah, and Currier-san made some kind of guessing face.

''No ... if you mean 'enemy' in that sense, then I think you're the stronger enemy than me, don't you?''
What?
You know, I've been thinking lately that you have a surprisingly low opinion of yourself, don't you?

　Chuff, Cecily sips her nose adorably.

'Am I becoming a powerful enemy, me?　I'm kind of, well, I just know what's in me--
''Humph ... at least to me, you're a more formidable foe than the current headmaster of the school.
Currier I'll make you two some potato butter for Kurohiko next time, okay?
Hmm?　Oh, yeah, I don't mind - but, wait. That's not something we're going to bother making together, is it?

　And that's when it happened.
　Shana's body was surrounded by a pale light.
　And when the light subsided, Shana had returned to her original childlike form.

Hmm, looks like the effects of the potion have worn off.

　She pulled a pocket watch out of her baggy clothing pocket.

'As I suspected, the more often it is used, the less time it lasts.
W--

　Makina looked at Shana with a despairing look on her face.

'This effect isn't permanent!
Hmm. At best, the effect will last for a while.
My God, my God...

　A devastated-looking Makina poked her hands on the floor.

'Shah, Shana!　I wonder how many of those pills are out there!
I'm afraid that's all we have left since you drank it. I only have a couple of bottles in my lab in the Ruvell Argan, but I've only got a couple of bottles left.

　Makina-san with a faraway, enlightened look in her eyes.

'A fleeting dream, wasn't it...'

　Perhaps the effects of Makina-san's medicine are about to wear off.
　

''Makina-san........''

　Makina-san smiled sadly, tears blotting the corners of her eyes.

''Kurohiko, at least keep this image of me firmly burned in your eyes.......''

　When I looked at her, Cecily-san was casually breathing a breath of relief.

　　　　　　　　　　*

"So ... I heard that Rokia is going to be 'setting the stage' for the noise in the campus square, what about Kurohiko?
Can you take me with you, just in case?
Yeah. I see.

　Currier-san exchanged a glance with Makina-san.

''Right, then let's get the wheelchair ready.

　Ms. Machina walked out of the medical bay and pushed a chair on wheels.
　........well, it's a wheelchair.
　I sit in the wheelchair with the help of Cecily-san and the others.
　Cecily-san was going to push the chair for me.

　I look down at the arms of the armrest.

　Earlier, I thought I wouldn't be able to help Currier-san, but after thinking about it, I might not be able to help her at all.
　Although my body isn't in a state where I'm capable of fighting - I have the ninth forbidden curse.
　Unlike the other prohibitions, that one doesn't seem to put nearly as much strain on the body when used, and as long as you can say the words, you can activate it.

　Most importantly, if you can restrain it with those chains, you can block the intake of the holy element itself.

　Of course, considering the battle with Hibigami, the giants, and the Four Deadly Disasters, it's possible that it won't be of much use--

'Oh, yes!　Mr. Currier.
Hmm?　What is it?

　At this point, I'm not sure if it's valid or not.

'I've failed to talk to you before about the noise change spell--'

　　　　　　　　　　*

　I had just left the main building and come to the square in the school grounds with Makina-san and the others.

　There is something like a stage set up in the square, which is just opposite the entrance to the Holy Ruins.
　I remember hearing somewhere before that it was a stage used for events at the school.

''What is Rokia planning to do by gathering so many students in a plaza like this?''

　I asked Makina-san, who was standing next to me.
　The plaza was now filled with first-year students in uniforms and civilian clothes.

'Come on. I was asked to gather as many of the students who had been evacuated to the campus as possible here, and I just followed those instructions...''

　This school is located at the opposite end of the evacuation zone.
　Most of the students in most of the lodgings have chosen to remain in the school rather than go to the royal capital where the four evil plagues are roaming around.

　The students who would have originally been evacuated from the West Gate to the Duke's Domain of Sigmsos were driven back into the school by Beshgam.
　And after Beshgam's death, it seems that many students decided that it was safer to stay in the school where the person who defeated the Four Deadly Disasters was present, so many students chose to remain in the school.

''But Makina-san, how could you trust that Rokia?
It's not that I trusted you.

　Makina-san narrowed her eyes and looked at the square in a complicated manner.

''However, if the attack of the Holy Ruins giants and the Four Deadly Plagues is due to that person called Noise, as he says.......if we let it go, we don't know what will happen next. If it can be dealt with as soon as possible, it's a good thing for the headmaster's position.
I see.
Well, when push comes to shove, there's always Currier.

　And then a man in a uniform walked over to us from the stage.

'Well, well, well, we're all matching sama.

　The man who smiles fearlessly with his arms outstretched - Rokia - stands in front of us.
　Currier-san, whose expression tightened, gently put his hand on the hilt of the sword at his waist.

''If you show any funny moves you'll know then, won't you?''
"Kukku, you've always been a swordsman. Well, I'll do my best to keep you out of your own skin. I'm a hard worker.

　Rokia smiled at me with a grin.

'Did you see that?　You're the one who defeated the Four Deadly Sins together, and yet you don't seem to have won any trust. You're a woman who looks like she's been transformed into ice, right?
I don't trust you completely either. But I do appreciate the fact that you helped Mr. Currier out. Thank you.
'It's just a conflict of interest with the Four Deadly Disasters. Even with this noise. ...Well, I'd rather have a conflict of interest than a conflict of interest, wouldn't you say?　Right?　The headmaster of the school?
Yes. As you said, my cooperation with you this time was only because it was in our mutual interest to do so.
That's good.

　Rokia snorted.

It's not always the same thing," he said, "when it comes to trust and friendship, we don't always have the same thing in common. You don't really know what the other person is thinking. That's why it's better to have a united interest and take a cooperative course.
Machina, who is this man?　I don't think he looks like a normal student to me.

　It was Shana who asked that.
　Apparently, Makina-san, she hadn't told Shana-san about Rokia.
　Makina-san looked at Currier-san and Rokia in turn.
　She must be asking if she can talk about it.
　And then Rokia spoke up.

'I'm Rokia, that's what I am. I'm not sure if it would be better to call myself the king of the "Kingdom of Fools" or not.　Well, it's equally meaningless to say that he's the king of the 'Kingdom of Fools', where everyone is famous for calling himself a king.
"Kingdom of the Fools," you say?　Well, then, in your apocalypse...
Now I'm infiltrating the school in student form with the help of the headmaster to catch a certain b*tc* who escaped to this school," he said.　Well, that silver-haired woman over there with the bad eyes is just like me.

　Rokia took a glance at the students gathered there.

I've got all the students in the academy gathered there now in order to flush out that annoying little b*tc* who still doesn't have her tail between her legs.
Hmm, a woman being chased by the people of the apocalypse. And who is this woman?
'Oh?　What, you're interested in that stuff?
'A woman being pursued by someone from Doomsday Township who is powerful enough to defeat the Four Deadly Plagues... I'm honestly quite curious.
Ha, that's a cunt. That b*tc* is a--


The Noise Deuce--also known as the Formless Game. The worst witch in the Sixth Estate... or is she more like you than you know?　Shanatris Twelfth.


　A familiar, raspy, low voice emanated from Lokia's side.
　But it wasn't Rokia's voice.
　A moment later--

　Twisting his body backwards, Lokia drew the technique.

　From Lokia's left hand, ice that releases frost is born.
　A spear of ice, extending in the direction he turned with the speed of a released arrow.
　The man standing at the end of the spear's attack thrust his open right palm forward.


　I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this as well.


　The movement of the outstretched ice spear came to a halt.
　The man with his arm outstretched gripped the shattered ice in his right hand and crushed the ice in his hand with a peck.
　The man then released the shattered pieces of ice from his forward raised hand onto the ground.
　Stepping on the shimmering pieces of ice scattered underfoot, the man steps forward.
　The man, with a slight amusement in his dusky eyes, sneered.


''It's been a while, 'Demon King,'''


　Rokia shoved his hands into his pants pockets and let out a long, thin sigh.
　Then he lifted his chin slightly and confronted the man with a somewhat cumbersome look on his face.


'Yo, Hibigami,'