Volume 5 - CH 68

ーーThe ruthless skirmish, which had broken out in the Watergate City of Priestella against the Witch Cult was, at last, approaching its finale.

On the other hand, a strong sense of revulsion​ and an unnerving feeling boiled up by simply coming in contact with Batenkaitos. It was unlike from what could be sensed by Reinhardt.

Of course, his unnatural fighting strength was unquestionably undeniable.

Dynas : “It’s not like that either. I’ve lived enough, and faced enough battles to say…… that brat’s fighting technique can’t be explained by just talent. His movements are that of someone who’s stacked them up for years and years.”

At Dynas’ words, Otto and Felt glanced at Batenkaitos once again.

At just that moment, Batenkaitos had received a short sword’s attack with his arm. Gripping the wrist of the one holding the sword, Batenkaitos gyrated his body, and turning him upside down, he threw his body to the ground.

Furthermore, as the men commenced their pursuit, 『Gluttony’s』 feet glided on the cobblestone drawing a circle, and freely using his limbs, he destroyed their balance and made them fall.

Unquestionably, that fluent and elegant movement had the power to draw a line between being refreshing and the violent ambience Batenkaitos wore. His undeniable art of having a system of a variety of martial arts, had been cultivated into himself.

The young boy, who looked fourteen, had perfected such techniques which would take years and years to masterーー?

Dynas: “I suppose, someone called a martial arts genius may be able to do this but…… I don’t want to think that such a brat was blessed with that talent.”

Batenkaitos’ mastery was such that Dynas had to say that much. At that moment, Otto realised what the jealousy in the leaked words of one of the white robed men, who were fighting 『Gluttony』, meant. They, who were fighting the battle, had realised this truth before Otto and the rest. That is why, they wereーー.

Otto: “Dagger handling, unarmed fighting skills, perfect martial arts techniques……?”

Saying that, Otto resumed to doubt the reason behind it once again. “Is that even possible?” was the only thought that came up in his mind.

“ーーーー”

He had heard of people being sent to colosseum at a very young age, and the ones who become swordsmen are taught and trained fighting techniques in the southern empire of Vollachia. If Batenkaitos was to be in such an environment, it may not have had been impossible for him to acquire such skills at this age, but those skills in fighting techniques would again, be different.

The only way for him to learn and cultivate those would be to train under an equally and appropriately apt trainer.

Otherwiseーー,

Otto: “To steal it away…… No, to eat it like food?”

Otto had already heard Subaru mention that 『Gluttony』 was an existence who ate the 『Name』 and 『Memories』 of its opponents. The truth is, Otto had the knowledge of the form of two young girls who had been eaten, and had gone into a state of not being present in anyone’s memories. Hard to believe, but he surely did not eat something which was visible to the eyes. However, till now, what happens to that which gets eaten, was a thought that did not dawn upon him.

Possibly, 『Gluttony』 had been storing the eaten memories of his opponents and using them.

The techniques of a martial artist who had trained for over ten years, or the fighting skills of a warrior well acquainted with the battlefield, or even emulating the attack of a young girl, who had been by Subaru’s side and supporting​ himーー. 

Otto: “He’s using magic!!”

Felt: “Gaston!”

Ley: “El Huma.”

As the shocking attack commenced, Otto’s shout and Batenkaitos’ chant echoed at the same time.

A sound resonated in the area as the air crystallized, and the icicles subsequently produced, swiftly moving, aimed for the startled 『White Dragon’s Scales』.

However, against the rain of ice, Gaston stood firm, with his arms spread. The giant, with his normal defense, smashed all of the ice that came in contact with him with his body. Against the destruction, the 『White Dragon’s Scales』 dove behind his back, in order to reduce the impairment being inflicted upon them. However, they were still unable to prevent the damage. 

Ley: “Onii-san’s judgement was good. It seems it couldn’t become any more of a surprise attack than what we had thought.”

Watching the torment, Batenkaitos, who was behind the magic, raised the edge of his mouth. 

Even if it was told that the ones wearing the same clothes were unknown allies, it was still not convincing. Even so, neither did Dynas’ voice have any deceit, nor did it have any composure. Charging ahead as if flying, he raised the short swords in both of his hands and slashed into Batenkaitos.

Ley: “Stop it, Dynas. It’s an old relationship. Hometown’s purification is one step ahead, so crossing swords with comrades like this is foolish.”

Dynas: “ーー!? You, from where did you, about thatーー!”

Carelessly trampling upon Dynas’ circumstances, Batenkaitos raised the edge of his right dagger. Lightening the blow of the two short swords with his dagger, 『Gluttony』 struck Dynas’ chest with his knees, and at the same pace, he leapt backwards due to the resultant force.

Dynas coughed as he gripped to his chest, but managed to retrieve the collapsed three strangers.

Seeing Dynas in that shape, Batenkaitos let out a sigh.

Ley: “Don’t stubbornly stick to the vessels. What is important is the heart and the inside, no? What lets a person be like that person isn’t the outside, but the inside. We know about your hard work, Dynas. It wasn’t your fault you couldn’t protect Milian and Meili. Your luck was bad.”

Dynas: “Shutupshutupshutupshutu~p! What do you! Know about me! Stop saying things per your own wishes! You rotten demo~n!”

Raising an enraged voice, and forgetting the damage’s pain, Dynas charged at the enemy again. He angled his two short swords and aimed for Batenkaitos’ face, but making a face as if he was acquainted with the attack, Batenkaitos dodged it with ease. At the same pace, Batenkaitos stretched his hand for Dynas’ back.

Ley: “Woh?”

Gaston: “How long will you go ignoring us”

Felt: “Is what we’re saying, you idiot!”

Gaston aimed directly for Batenkaitos’ slim waist from behind. Batenkaitos’ elbow thrashed into his nose, but Gaston did not fall back because of the hit’s impact.

Furthermore, while Gaston stalled Batenkaitos, Felt jumped in. She crashed her long and slim package which she had gripped in her hands into the susceptible back of his head.

Ley: “Idiot huh, how hurtful. Perhaps we, actually know much more than you do, you know?”

Felt: “Argh!”

But, Batenkaitos bent forward at Felt’s attack, and then subsequently received it with his right arm’s dagger by raising it. The vigorous strike gave rise to a crushing sound, however, its aim mostly missed, and Felt’s stance came to be unguarded.

Seeing Felt and Dynas could leave together, his hands could also reach Gastonーー so Batenkaitos’ devilish hand, at the same pace, touched the three,

Otto: “I will not let you, though!”

Just when he was about to reach, the cast red hot magic stone reached Batenkaitos’ feet. The moment he saw that, Batenkaitos’ movement stopped, and Felt and Dynas withdrew with urgency.

Felt: “Don’t let go, Gaston!”

Ley: “Don’t forget this, you demon girl……!”

Gaston, standing firm, was unable to escape from Batenkaitos and was caught up in the magic stone’s range. As the magic stone’s glowing intensified, and the next instant, it gave rise to an explosion powerful enough to tear off the stone pavement.

Red and white light illuminated, and Felt rolled away from the explosion to the other side. Otto somehow grabbed her, and then glanced at the explosion’s span.

These magic stones are what Otto constantly carried “just in case”. Ever since the fight with Garfiel in the 『Sanctuary』, he determined it would be better do so for his own safety.

It may be a means painful on his wallet, but its strength was nothing to laugh at.

Otto: “Is your companion alright!?”

Felt: “Hah, don’t underestimate my giant. He’s my armour. He won’t be hurt by a meagre and soft attack. But……”

Just when she said that much, a giant figure emerged out of the smoke. It was Gaston. With his body having taken a sooty colour, he smacked his body making a desperate face.

Gaston: “Gha~a~a~! Hot! Hot! Hot hot! I’ll die!”

Otto: “Even if you may be able to take explosions, I guess you can’t stop your body from warming or cooling.”

Felt sighed, seeing the form of her attendant agonizing in high fever. Though he had bathed in the might of the fire magic stone from close proximity, Gaston’s life did not appear to be in a serious condition.

Confirming that much, Otto turned his eyes back towards to smoke. The black fumes were rising at a reasonably good scale, so there was no way Batenkaitos, who was at its heart, had managed to defend himself. On the other side of the black smoke, was Dynas, knelt down, but he seemed to be safe.

And,

Ley: “Bennett. Calcifs. August.”

Otto: “ーー!?”

A whisper was heard, and all eyes turned away from the hypocentre.

There were visible the forms of three collapsed white clothes, and Batenkaitos in perfectly good health. The youth, once again, raised his left hand’s palm saying “lick”, and inched it closer to his mouth and licked it.

What followed was beyond understanding. Once again, three more unidentified white robed people appeared.

The way he had escaped from the hypocentre, and the unanticipated appearance of three more victims, all of it was beyond comprehension.

Felt: “Shit! What’s with them! From where……. no, when……?”

Standing beside Otto, Felt violently scratched her beautiful blonde hair. She also, once again, was beginning to lose understanding what was the meaning of what she was seeing.

What must be considered urgent, even that was something Felt, right now, did not know. However, Otto understood. This, mysterious state.

Otto: “This is, what it means when the 『Name』 is eatenーー!”

Disappearing from everyone’s memory, and bode only within Subaru and no one else, was a young girl named 『Rem』. That very same phenomenon, was transpiring in front of his eyes right now.

At that point, Gaston and Dynas commenced their attack at the same time.

Dynas’ two single edged katanas, and the short sword which Gaston held, both of then clutched onto their respective weapons. Against the attack of the two, the vulnerable Batenkaitos opened his legs wide and dropped his stance.

With his arms on the ground, Batenkaitos’ body whirled with his legs stretched. The spinning kick swept the legs of the two men, and destroyed Dynas’ balance.

And thereーー,

Otto: “Ua~a~a~ーー!”

Dynas: “Wa~h?”

Raising his voice, the fourth player, Otto grabbed him.

By coming there, Otto set himself up perfectly for close combat, and without anticipating this turn of events, Batenkaitos raised an astonished call, and successfully managed to wrestle with Otto’s body.

Bind him at this same paceーー the very next moment he thought that, forceful pain assailed upon Otto’s guts. Batenkaitos’ left fist pierced in, and sent Otto’s body rolling.

Otto: “Ghue ~hk, gohogh ~hk!”

Ley: “At the right place, with the menu for your strong flavours and blandness available, the appropriate place for that, we must a~bsolutely find out about it, onii-san. Later, we’ll pro~perly partner you……”

When Batenkaitos blurted that out, the two, whose stances had collapsed, moved.

Dynas carried the tumbling Otto in his arms, and the one protecting the two was Gaston. Batenkaitos tilted his neck at that battle formation, and looked down upon what had come upon his tattered clothes.

ーーAt the point where he had wrestled with Otto, two magic stones were dangling.

Ley: “Well we~ll.”

His movements for absconding were slow.

The very next moment of Batenkaitos noticing the magic stones, the two magic stones exploded immensely.

It was the collegiality of a fire magic stone and a water magic stone.

The red and yellow light, and the blue and white light proliferated, and Batenkaitos’ body was enveloped in the light and a shockwave was released.

Ley: “ーー~hk!!”

Receiving the light from a close distance, Otto also was subjected to harm.

Though Gaston, who was acting as a wall, shielded the majority of it, its impact could still be felt upon Otto’s skin. His skin scorched to the point of freezing, and chilled to the point of burning.

Once the shockwave came to a halt, the second hypocentre was a truly terrible sight to witness. The cobblestone had been torn off, the soil underneath was wide open, and scorched fragments of stone had been scattered​ across.

Ley: “A~h, that’s so cruel. Our only good dress got spoilt.”

And, once again, Batenkaitos had placed himself at a point away from the hypocentre.

However, it seems this time, at least, he was not undamaged.

The youth’s long hair had suffered the attack heaped upon themselves as an aftermath of the blast, and he had a somewhat sullen voice.

It seems the youth had unmistakably gotten caught up in the hypocentre. He lost the rag that covered his entire body till now, and the skin beneath was now unconcealed.

Otto: “ーーUgh.”

Blurting that out thoughtlessly and reflexively, was Otto. 

Gaston and Dynas were also speechless, grimacing while witnessing the same. 

ーーThe newly exposed skin of the young boy, was covered with wounds and scars.

Scars of a whip, scars of hot iron, scars carved by an edged tool, scars inflicted by a rough surface, scars of the skin being gouged out, scars of a beast’s fangs, scars of repeated hits that had turned the skin bluish black, scars of an innumerable amount.

The youth who wore rags, now wearing only a waistcloth, turned around with his wounded body, and seeing Otto and the others grimace at him, he made a displeased face.

Ley: “Forcibly taking away a child’s clothes, and then reacting like that is quite hurtful. Adults like all this, don’t they?”

Otto: “……I don’t know about the adults you are close to, but normally they do not.”

Ley: “Hm~. So, you’ll be all compassionate again. Changing your heart and attitude like this, it’s because of things like that we can’t trust you peo~ple!”

Spreading his arms as if showing his body covered with wounds, Batenkaitos yelled that.

Otto made a wry face at his words, and Dynas made a disgusted expression. Only the two of Felt and Gaston had no alteration in their expressions.

They gazed at the frowning Otto, and sighed.

Felt: “Heyhey, don’t go about thinking strange things. Those things can be anywhere, they’re just not on mine or your body, but can be anywhere.”

Gripping to the package in her hands, confessed Felt. Her eyes did not have even a fraction of compassion. Of course, Otto knew that their opponent was undeserving of that, but it’s not as if he was a Sin Archbishop and insane by birth.

At least, that was the impression Batenkaitos’ body gaveーー.

???: “ーーJust boring imagination will be fruitless, in fact. You’ll end up regretting it, I suppose.”

“ーーーー”

Out of nowhere, echoed the voice who had not been in the open plaza.

Everyone, including Batenkaitos, raised their heads at the sudden happening.

Everyone’s line of sight turned towards the waterway surrounding this large plaza– and lightly fluttering about midair, was a lone young girl, who then descended and stood.

In a frilled, spread out dress, with beautiful, round eyes and coiled, cream hair. Her clearly stinging attitude had become normal now, as she observed the situation with her large, circular eyes.

And once her eyes met with Otto’s, she sighed suggesting she did not have a choice.

???: “Subaru alone is sufficient for perverted games and sweetness, I suppose. The only one Betty will help is also just Subaru…… This time is a special exception, at maximum, in fact.”

Otto: “Yes yes, my apologies, for making trouble for you like this. But, thank you so much.”

At the young girl’s harsh sounding response, Otto, however, tasted a sense of relief, so much so that he wanted to lie down in exhaustion.

The very existence of the girl was one of Otto’s “ways to win”.

???: “Well then, let’s clean up this fuss, and ask Subaru for a hug, I suppose.”

Saying this with a listless face, raising her hand, was the young girl.

No, the Spirit. That too, a Great Spirit among Spirits.

Natsuki Subaru’s Contract Spirit, Beatriceーー finally entered the battle as backup.