It's time.

　From last night to this morning, I was sitting and leaning against the wall of my house with the Mad Sakura in my arms.
　This is because I couldn't dismiss the possibility that the end-of-the-week Jiu-Jitsu Army would attack me in my sleep.
　Although I took a nap in this position, I was prepared to switch my thoughts and movements to combat at any time.
　In the end, though, the attack didn't happen until it was time to leave the house.

　I had a hard time getting out, but my head and body didn't have any fatigue left in them.
　What's filling my head and body right now - anger.

　Sword in hand, I leave the house.
　As I leave the house, I notice someone leaning against the fence a short distance away.

"Huh?
Oh, Kurohiko.

　It was Isla.
　She came running up to me, "Only a few minutes ago," she said.

'You're up early, Ira-san. You're up early, Ira-san, and you seem to be in.......good shape.

　Compared to the last time I saw him, I got the impression he was less nervous.

Yeah, that's perfect.

　With a big smile and a clenched fist, Ira-san appealed to me for energy.
　I had told her when I visited the girls' quarters yesterday that I couldn't go to her game today.

'Actually, you know what?　Well I heard about today from Currier last night. And the reason why I couldn't go to the match-up table yesterday.

　When I visited yesterday, she didn't elaborate.
　Ira-san looks up at me like I've done something wrong.

"And, um....you know....you said that Kurohiko is the target of the attackers.
Is this from Miss Currier?

　Apparently, Makina-san, I've revealed the matter of me being a target to Currier-san as well.

''Oh, it's not!　I got it out of Currier, who was very reluctant to do it.　You see, because Kurohiko was acting strange when he visited my dormitory yesterday... so it's not Currier's fault, you know!

　I didn't have the slightest intention of blaming Currier-san.
　Besides, if that person decided to talk, then surely it was the right decision.

''I'm sorry, even for me, I didn't really intend to hide what happened today, but I didn't want to give you unnecessary worries before the game.''
No, it's fine. It's nice to know you care. It's just--

　Ira turned on his heel and turned away.

'Make sure you come back safe and sound, okay?

　His voice sounded like he was desperately trying to keep the anxiety out of his voice.

'Currier said that the enemy would be a group with considerable confidence in their strength. He also said that it would not be possible for everyone to be safe from the attack... maybe even stronger than those four deadly disasters, right?

　He doesn't say anything comforting when he's not sure.
　That's just the way she is.

It's the frustration of not being able to help in a situation like this.

　Ira-san's shoulders were trembling a little as she said in a faint voice.

''But ... I know exactly what I'm capable of right now. That's why I'm going to do what I have in front of me right now.

　Isla clenched her fists.

I'll be there for the third round, that's for sure. I'm going to win today, so that Kurohiko can see me. So--

　After gulping down a spit, Ira said.

'Kurohiko, you have to win and come back.

　She held back the trembling in her voice.

'Because I want Kurohiko to see how much I've grown up--Atachi, I want him to see how much I've grown up in the third round.

　She has been building up for this day and training her mind to be strong.
　But now, it is being shaken by an element of anxiety that shouldn't have been there.

''I promise. I will definitely win, too. And I will come back alive.

　Ira also bumped his fist into my outstretched fist.

"The third round--I'll be there to see it for sure!
Yes.

　Their fists part.

Well I'll see you later, Kurohiko!

　This time I didn't turn around and Ira-san just ran off.
　As I stared at Ira-san's back as she ran away, the anger in me changed in quality from before.
　The sensation of the fire that had been burning red was changing into a blue, quietly burning flame.

''..........''

　Endno, Jujitsu Army.




　After meeting up with Currier-san, I rode the carriage that came to pick me up and headed to the Holy Tree Knights' headquarters.

''Good job, Kurohiko.

　Makina-san had already arrived at the headquarters.
　If you ask me, early this morning, I heard that there was an official warning of an attack from the Endno-Junken Army to the Holy Tree Knights Headquarters.
　They went out of their way to write a declaration on a fine quality parchment and slammed it into the headquarters without even showing themselves.
　The content was almost the same as the information given to Rokia's subordinates.
　In fact, it was more of a statement to the effect that they were aware of our recent movements and were already aware that information about the attack had been leaked.

I'm not sure if this can be taken as a fair statement.　I still don't get it.
War between the nations, is this what you're thinking of?

　Formal declaration of war.
　To them, does this 《Ritual》 feel similar to a mourning battle?

　After that, after receiving instructions from Commander Sogut, me, Currier-san and the knights were divided into each security team.
　I'm in charge of Prince Gears and his group.
　The security team of Prince Gears and his group immediately went to the mansion where the prince and the others were staying.




　When the group members rang the mansion's doorbell, Prince Gears, Shana-san and Rose appeared from inside, having finished their preparations.
　There should be other Ruvel Argan's companions, but today's Holy Martial Festival seemed to have narrowed down the number of people who would be accompanying them.
　When Rose-san, dressed in jet-black armor, appeared, the members of the guarding group spat in a pressured manner.
　One of the group members begins to explain to Prince Gears about today's movements.

　I checked my pocket watch.
　The spectators have already entered, and now it's about time for the opening ceremony of the second round.......

''I'm looking forward to working with you today. Well, yes, that's reassuring. It's a good idea to have that forbidding spell user as an escort to the Great Sacred Ground. Hmm, it's a boon.

　Following the prince, who doesn't seem to feel the slightest bit of anxiety, Rose stepped into the carriage, full of weight.
　With a small hand on the back of a jet-black hand held out from the carriage, Shanna-san gets into the carriage.
　Before she closed the door, Shana called out to us.

You'll be safer with you guys, won't you? We'll have Rose with us, so don't worry about it too much.　Especially Kurohiko, you don't seem to be particularly at ease today, do you?
''I'm sorry. I, I want this Holy War Festival to end safely at all costs. That's why--
Good. Don't apologize. Anger is a powerful thing, as long as you're hurling it at the wrong people. So don't worry about your currier, okay?

　Currier-san, who was dismissed from the conversation, looks up.

''Ah, no I'm not worried about Kurohiko in that aspect. There's something strangely disturbing about it... so, Kurohiko--

　Currier's face tightens.

'Take care of yourself, just in case.

　I nodded my head.

　Two interlocking carriages started to move towards the Great Sacred Ground with the riding knights.
　I offered myself and decided to use the Fifth Forbidden Spell to cover the surroundings from the sky.
　I leave the jacket I took off to Shana and activate the Fifth Forbidden Spell.
　Two huge wings grow out of my back and the ground.

　Leaving the impressed faces of the Geass princes, I immediately jump up into the sky to check my surroundings.
　The field of view is wider from the sky, and I can see the movement in the distance.
　But there was something else to aim for.

　I dare to let the Endo Tenjou Army, which is probably hiding near here right now, catch me in the act.

　They wanted to focus the enemy's attention on me.
　It's a good idea to show them this figure to show them that the existence of the forbidden spell user is a fact.
　I'm not going to be able to get a good deal more than that.
　It's a good idea to be aware of the power of the forbiddenbidden fruit, and allocate a lot of forces to where I am.

　It's a good idea to be able to find a certain position based on the direction in which the attack took place, if you attack with arrows or magic tricks while flying in the sky.
　If that happened, they might be able to reduce their numbers before they arrived at the Great Sacred Field.

　However - the attack didn't happen in the end until they reached the Great Sacred Ground.

　It seems that the other guards didn't get attacked either.



　Currier-san looks up at the Great Sacred Ground, where cheers are leaking out.

''If that's the case, then today's Holy Warrior Festival is safe...''
Now, the rest of your guards will go right on into the Great Sanctuary!

　Makina-san is crisply giving instructions.
　It seems that Makina-san has assumed the role of organizing the security team outside.
　It seems that the Holy King's party including Prince Yggud and Princess Hel's party had already arrived at the venue before we arrived.
　Commander Sogut and Ms. Diares have also already entered the Great Sacred Ground.

''The assignments for each gate are as I explained before we left. The enemy's strength is unknown at the moment. Each group, please be very careful.

　The north gate is a defense team led by Lili.
　The east gate is the defense team led by Node-san.
　The south gate was a defense team led by Currier-san.
　And - the west gate, the largest front gate, was my defense squad in charge.

　It's a painful thing that the top three of the Holy Tree Knights can't go around defending each gate, but should I consider this place lucky that we didn't have any attacks on the move?

''Well then, Currier-san,''
Yeah. We'll protect their jubilee with our own hands.
Yes, sir.
Oh, and, uh, Cecily has a message for you.
Is this from Miss Cecily?
"'If I win, you'll have to stay at the Arkwright family compound for a day.
Haha Miss Cecily, I'm so relieved to see that today is just as usual.
Also, 'So please make sure this case is over in one piece.'
...I knew it was a requirement to survive.

　It's really nice to know that someone is concerned for you.

''I'll be careful too. Please take care of yourself, Currier-san.
"Don't worry about it. I don't think there is a greater threat on this continent than the Four Deadly Disasters and Hibigami. Even for me, after my recent battles, I'm stronger than ever.

　After that, the other groups went to their posts.
　Then I remained at the west gate with the twelve holy warriors of the Order of the Twelve.

''..........''

　--If you're coming, come.

　It was about twenty minutes after the other groups had left.

　I saw five figures walking towards us.

　A member of the group puts his hand on the hilt of his sword.

''That's the End of the Tenth Legion?　As announced, it's really up front...

　The voice of the group is not excellent.
　It's because they have more than a certain amount of ability that they understand.

　I'm going to be able to say that those five are not ordinary people.

　All five of them were wearing eccentric speckled clothing.
　Purple and black based clothes.
　However, although there was a sense of color unity, their attire was not uniform like the uniforms.
　The five of them walked towards us in a horizontal line with an imposing gait.
　The purple-haired man on the far right was holding his sword on his shoulder.
　The other four have their swords at their waists.

　Five of them stop.

　The man with the white haired eye patch in the center stepped forward.

''You're the forbidding spellcaster, aren't you?''

　The man with the eye patch smoothly draws his sword from his waistband.

The first thing I want to tell you is that we do not underestimate you. The existence of the forbidden curse was also made more believable when I saw you flying through the air earlier. And the fact that you defeated the Four Deadly Plagues, well I guess it's true.

　The man with the eye patch turns his head as if he is doing preparatory exercises.

The best thing to do is to bring five people, including me, here instead of two at a time.

　...I'm right on target here.

I always had a bad feeling about this before I made my move but I guess my instincts can be good sometimes, too.

　A sharp and vicious gaze silently pierces me.

"We are the Ten-Display Army, the Eight Funeral Blades.

Eighth curse, release.

Today, I'm going to bury you right here in this room-- the Conjurer.

　With his right hand, he pulled out the Mad Sakura with his sword.

"--The eighth forbidden curse ... the second realm, released.