Kage no Jitsuryokusha ni Naritakute! (The Eminence in Shadow)

(5) Cult Members and The Cursed One

Author: Aizawa Daisuke

　A man was walking down a dark underpass.

　He must be in his mid-30s, and he had a sharp gaze at his well-trained body. He has gray hair tied back while his feet stopped at the end of the underpass. There was one door with two soldiers beside it.

"Where is the daughter of Baron Kagenou?"

"In here, Orba-sama."

　The soldier who was questioned salutes Orba and unlocks the door.

"Be careful. I'm restraining her, but she was extremely defiant."

"Hmm, who do you think I am?"

"Oh! I'm sorry!"

　Orba opened the door and entered the room. It was a stone dungeon. A single girl was chained to the magic block chain fixed to the wall.

"It's Claire Kagenou."

　At Olba's call, the girl called Claire raised her head.

　She is a beautiful girl. Perhaps because she was taken away while she was sleeping, she is wearing a thin negligee, and her plump breasts and fresh thighs peeked out. Her silky black hair was trimmed at her back, and her strong-willed eyes stared at Orba.

"I've seen your face in the royal capital. I'm sure you are Viscount Orba"

"Hmm, I used to be a member of the Imperial Guard... No, at the God of War Festival?"

"God of War Festival... Ah, yeah, that time when Princess Iris cut you up every which way".

　Fufu, Claire laughed in merriment.

"Hmph, if it's within the framework of the match, that's great. Even though I don't intend to lose a real battle."

"It doesn't change even in the actual battle. Viscount Orba, who lost the first round of the final tournament."

"Nonsense. You have no idea how great it is to stand on the final stage."

　Orba glared back at Claire.

"I will be able to stand on that stage just in one year later"

"Unfortunately, you don't have another year left."

　The chain that connects Claire rang.

　Right after that, Orba's teeth were clenched just below her neck.

　Gachin, and.

　If Orba hadn't tilted his head slightly, his carotid artery would have been bitten off.

"Is it you or I who won't be alive in a year? Would you like to try?"

"You don't even need to try, Claire Kagenou."

　Orba's fist pierced Claire's jaw as she laughed ferociously. Claire slammed into the stone wall, but she stared at Orba with the same strong eyes. Orba lowered his unresponsive fist.

"Did you jump backwards?"

　Claire smiled fearlessly.

"I wonder if there were flies in the room."

"Hmph, it seems that it's not just about being swayed by high magical power."

"I was taught that magic power is not about quantity, but how to use it."

"You have a good father."

"I've never learned a thing from that bald man, it was my little brother."

"Younger brother?...."

"My impertinent little brother. Whenever we fight, I will always win. And I always learn from my little brother's sword. Even so, he never learned anything from my sword. That's why I choose him every day."

　Claire said so with a mischievous smile.

"He's a poor little brother. Then I'm the hero who saved him from his cruel sister."

　Orba paused and looked at Claire.

"Claire Kagenou. Have you had any physical problems lately? Magic is difficult to handle, control is unstable, pain flows when you use magic, your body begins to blacken and rot, what are the symptoms?"

"Are you pretending to be a doctor on purpose to take me away?"

　Claire smiled with the edge of her lustrous lips.

"I used to have a daughter."

"A threat? I tend to rebel when threatened. Even if it's irrational."

"Are you sure you don't want to answer honestly?"

"Well, what should I do?"

　Orba and Claire glared at each other for a while.

　Claire was the first to break the silence.

"Okay, that's no big deal, let me answer. Is it physical or magic damage? I'm fine now, as long as I'm not chained, I'm comfortable."

"Now?"

"Yes, now. About a year ago, I had the symptoms you mentioned."

"What, did you say you were cured? On your own accord?"

　In Orba's knowledge, there were no cases of 'that' being healed naturally.

"Yeah, I didn't really do anything spec... Ah, yeah, my little brother had me do something he called 'stretches'? I don't really know the details, but he asked me to practice it and before I knew it my body returned to being in top condition."

"Stretches? Never heard of it..."

"Conforming person...? What do you mean?"

"There's no need  for you to know."

　The moment Orba said that, a shock ran through his nose.

"Guh!?"

　Orba retreated to the door, suppressed his nosebleed and glared at Claire.

"Claire Kagenou, you bitch...!"

　She was supposed to be restrained with chains on her limbs, but for some reason only the chain on her right wrist came off and blood was pouring out of it.

"Did you shave your hands and remove your fingers...!?"

　The chains holding him back weren't just chains, they were demon block chains. And in other words, Claire only used her pure strength to scrape the flesh of her hands, crush her bones, release her restraints, and hit Orba.

　Orba was astonished at that fact.

"If something happens to that child, I will never forgive her!

　Orba's full fist hit Claire's stomach. There was no way for her to block Orba's attack.... which was amplified by his magical power, as she was chained to his magic block chain.

"You brat!..."

　Orba threw up and Claire collapsed. Blood dripping from Claire's right hand creates a reddish-black stain on the floor.

"Well, that's fine. You should now understand..."

　Orba mutters and reaches out for the blood. At that moment, the soldier gasped and rushed into the room.

"Olba-sama, it's serious! We have intruders!!"

"Intruders!? Who are they!?"

"I don't know! They seem to be few numbers, but we can't stand against them!"

"Kuh, very well, I'll go out! You guys should strengthen your defenses!"

　Orba clicked his tongue and turned on his heel.