The Elemental Sword Demon King
Episode 168: Towards the Place of Negotiation
POV: The Victoria Blade
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After making simple preparations, Kaizo and Victoria set off quickly. They travel lightly, keeping their load to a minimum.
The Nyx also changed back to a sword form on Kaizo's waist. Entering a dormant state and completely cutting off his consciousness, he could not awaken to his own will without the holy power of Kaizo.
The guiding spirit floated lightly in the air, a weak mass of fire in front of the two of them. As long as they followed him, they would not get lost even within the forest.
"H-Hey, Kaizo?"
"Hmm?"
Victoria tried to start a conversation with Kaizo who was walking in front.
"Umm, no-one..."
"Hm, is that it?"
Then the conversation died. I don't know how many times. Starting from some time ago, his efforts have always followed this model.
(Seriously, what's wrong with me!?)
Victoria knew very well the reason was herself. Being too self-conscious about being alone with Kaizo, it became impossible for him to talk casually with her as usual.
(Kaizo, do you think I'm acting weird?)
He glanced at the figure walking in front of him. Kaizo looked completely indifferent. That's a little annoying.
(However, being able to work with Kaizo, really.).
In fact, the only time Victoria had a monopoly on Kaizo was the first few days after they met. Ignoring Kaizo's contracted Spirit, Nyx, there was Tiana who moved in as Victoria's roommate in the ladies' dormitory not long after.
In addition, Kaizo has also been recruited by the Hybrid Knights, meaning she has to participate in Knight work alongside their morning meetings, further reducing the time she has for Victoria.
Furthermore, at dinner time every day, Aura would always "unintentionally cook too much" and bring food into the room to share with everyone.
Since the Sword Style Festival began, Victoria and Kaizo's own time has dwindled.
(But, just now different.)
Also, although the reason was suitable for the negotiating role, Kaizo did choose Victoria as his partner to advance unchanged. This fact alone was enough to make him very happy.
(If only I could be a little more honest.).
As they continued on, he quietly stared at Kaizo's back. Suddenly, he found his legs entangled by something smooth and slippery.
"Gee!"
"Victoria!?" Kaizo suddenly looked back.
There was a small snake around his feet. Kaizo quickly bowed, grabbed the snake's head and threw it into the forest.
"You okay? Were you bitten?"
"I-I'm fine. Just a little scared."
"Are you afraid of snakes?"
"I-I'm not afraid! I just don't like them." Victoria averted her eyes, her face red.
"Isn't that the same thing? Anyway, can you stand up?" Kaizo grabbed Victoria's hand and helped her stand up from the ground.
"Ah, yes. Thank you." Thank you."
His heart was pounding in his chest. Even without a mirror he knew his face must be as red as a fever. He felt so embarrassed that he could not see Kaizo's face.
"Then let's continue." Kaizo let go of his hand and was about to start walking.
"Ah, wait-wait!"
At this moment, Victoria chased after Kaizo and grabbed his hand, grasping it tightly.
"Victoria?"
"This is better."
"Eh?"
"I said it was better. Guarding the master is the duty of the slave."
"H-hey..."
Holding Kaizo's hand, Victoria started running fast. Kaizo had no choice but to hurry up and follow him.
(Uwaah, seriously, what am I doing!?)
Due to her involuntary brave behavior, Victoria's face became extremely red.
****
POV: Kirigaya Kaizo
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The fire spirit guiding them started to swirl in one place in front of the aged ruins. These ruins may have come from a distant past.
The legendary age when the mainland and Astral Spirit were still uniform, the mythical age when this temple was still in use.
Its walls almost all collapsed, and the only reason why it still managed to maintain some of its original form was very possible thanks to the stone pillars embedded in the ground.
The other side of the ruins faced the cliff and one could hear the rumbling of the noisy rapids.
"This is supposed to be a negotiating place."
"The ruins of the ancient temple. With a river nearby, this is quite an ideal environment for a fortress."
"Quick and look, this is a trail of barriers being built."
Following the direction Victoria pointed out, Kaizo found a stone pillar in which a pattern resembling an emblem was carved.
"The sacred seal of the Rossvale Kingdom, and also very new." Victoria muttered in disbelief.
"However, there's no sign of an active barrier when we get in, right?"
"Right, the barrier was destroyed. This place has lost its function as a fortress."
"What's going on?"
(Rupture Division left this fort? Or vice versa.).
"Hmm?" A drop of ice-cold water fell on Kaizo's forehead. He mumbled softly, "It's raining, yeah..."
Closing his eyes with one hand, he looked up to find the sky had been filled with dark clouds without him noticing. As the speck of rain fell, it became a torrential rain in the blink of an eye.
"Life!"
"Is there no place to shelter from the rain?"
Victoria wore her uniform jacket over her head and frantically scanned the surroundings to find a cave under a cliff near the ruins. This was not a natural hole but a place that one dug using spirit power.
"There, hurry!"
"Ah, yes..."
The two of them quickly ran towards the cave. The cave was large and deeper than imagined. It was really dark inside.
Victoria chanted a spirit language spell to light a small fire at her fingertips, thus illuminating the uneven stone wall. The remains of a bonfire can be found inside the cave.
"The Rupture Division seems to have a bonfire here."
"Then, let's make good use of it."
They both sat by the fire. Victoria brought the fire close to her fingertips and immediately lit a bonfire.
"I didn't know rain was going to happen in this place."
Since the Wind Palace was above the surface of the clouds, one would not expect rain. Come to think of it further, it would be strange if the plants thrived without rain. Furthermore, there were the existence of rivers and lakes.
"Wind Palace doesn't always float on clouds. We may not be able to figure it out while on the island, but it moves by cycle. Right now, he must be below cloud level."
"I understand."
The rain showed no sign of letting up. Kaizo and Victoria were completely drenched.
Removing the ribbon at the end of her ponytail, Victoria sighed, "Huh. If the other negotiator is absent, how else."
"Even a trap would be a better situation than it is now."
"In hindsight, where would they go after leaving their fortress?"
Facing Victoria who had untied her ribbon to lower her hair, Kaizo was shocked.
(These girls are too careless!?)
Her red hair looks very seductive when wet. Illuminated by the light of the campfire, her supple body displayed a beautiful soft contour. As her soaked uniform clung tightly to her skin, the lace pattern of her underwear became faintly visible.
"Kaizo, what's wrong with you?" Victoria asked with a puzzled expression, tilting her head. Clearly she was unaware of how attractive and seductive her current appearance was.
"Ah, umm, how should I say it..."
(How can I show it, just as I am suffering right now.)
Victoria finally realized her appearance and frantically curled her soaked body into a ball, "Well!?"
"Sorry, didn't tell you earlier."
...
*Connected.....
*Note: This story is fictitious. If there is a similarity in the name of the character, the scene, or the story, it is a mere coincidence and there is no element of intentionality.