Chirem Act 6-6.2
Act 6-6: Gathering Delegations
TL : Cnine
ED/PF :
R1[1-3], R2[4-6]
Part 4
After bowing once more to Sera and the others and briefly addressing Yuiitsu, Bruce returned to the group waiting at their seats under the priests’ instructions. Yuiitsu made no reply. Though it was unseemly behaviour for a social setting, pointing it out would surely provoke a tantrum, so the four silently sighed as they watched Bruce walk away.
「Hey, long time no see, Sera-san— It’s been ages!」
At that moment, someone else left the group the group and entering just as Bruce exited, that person was Julio— Reborn as a slender, dashing young man.
「Julio-san! Yes, it’s been ages! Have you just returned from your mission?!」
「Yes, I arrived today along with the delegation. And long time no see Arcana-sama, Akane-sama, it has been some time. And Fushigi-sama, though this is our first meeting. I am Julio Emperio of the Diamond Class— It's pleasure to meet you.」
「Wow, it’s been half a year already? You look like a different person compared to when we first met. You’re practically a full-fledged soldier now.」
「I’ve heard a lot about your exploits! They call you the Lightning Knight now, don’t they? That’s seriously impressive— And really cool!」
「Hehe, I look forward to working with you. Though you lost the contest for the hero’s seat, it seems you, Julio-kun, have already grown into a worthy hero yourself, aren't you?」
Not only Sera, Arcana, and Akane—his peers and acquaintances—but even Fushigi-chan welcomed Julio upon his sudden arrival, each of them praising him in turn. Yet their words carried not only genuine admiration, but also, perhaps, a subtle reproach toward a certain man nearby who, though he had stood at the same starting line, had failed to grow in the slightest unlike Julio.
And the man who regarded Sera and the others as his own possessions could hardly bear to sit idly by while they fawned over Julio.
「Hmph. How brazen of you to come crawling back and show yourself before me.」
Yuiitsu, blurting out such insult without rhyme or reason, rose from his seat and fixed Julio with a glare.
Yet even under Yuiitsu’s hostile glare, Julio smiled brightly and, as Bruce had done moments before, extended his right hand toward him.
「Hey, Yuiitsu, it’s been a while. Congratulations on becoming the Hero. As your rival who once strove for the same goal, I offer you my heartfelt congratulations.」
「"Don’t bother pretending— You’re not fooling me. I know what you’re up to.」
"Schemes?" Julio frowned, and Yuiitsu clicked his tongue loudly in irritation."。
「You’re looking to steal my thunder, the Hero, just to humiliate me, right? Because you can’t win against me face-to-face, you’ve sunk to such low tactics… So, what— Are you here to gloat over my frustration?」
「No… I never set out to undermine you. I’m just doing everything I can, to the best of my ability.」
「Look at you saying that so brazenly… Just so you know, it’s the Academy that’s keeping me off the mission. If I had gone, those Diavolo stragglers would be wiped out in no time. Don’t get ahead of yourself.」
「... Ah, if it’s you, it should definitely be possible. You’re the one truly worthy of being a hero. I’m far from your level, and I fully know that, so don’t worry.」
「... Tch.」
One could call it like pushing on a curtain. Even if Julio had revealed the smallest hint of emotion, Yuiitsu might have been somewhat cheered, but Julio’s consistently humble attitude offered no challenge, and Yuiitsu sank into his seat with a sullen expression.
Julio, seeing Yuiitsu's attitude, shrugged lightly and glanced back at Sera and the others, whose faces showed a mixture of guilt and discomfort.
「Apparently, he’s not in the best of moods. I should excuse myself for now.」
「Yes. My apologies, especially since you went out of your way to come and say hello.」
「It’s fine. I should have been more considerate of his feelings. Well then… Ah, that’s right.」
As he waved and began to walk, Julio halted mid-step and whispered near Sera’s ear.
「Which remind me, I met him on the way to the meeting.」
「... Are you referring to Rakuichi-kun?」
「Yeah, it seems he won’t be attending this meeting. He looked like he was going somewhere for fun…」
「Yes, he won’t be participating this time… Um, Julio-san, I have a question… Where is Chris-san? That person should be on the same mission as you, aren't they?」
As she glanced over the group from the Northern Command Base, Sera asked. Julio, meanwhile, smiled knowingly…
「Ah, she—… I mean, he left the procession as soon as we reached the city. Naturally, seemingly to meet him.」
「Wha—…! Don’t tell me… are they trying to take Rakuichi-kun’s life... Again!?」
「Well, I don't think so. Besides, with Yuri-senpai accompanying them, it shouldn’t turn into anything serious.」
「…I hope that’s the case.」
「Hehehehe… It must be tough when the person you fancy is popular with the girls. You’re probably on edge about this meeting, aren’t you?」
As he went on speaking softly by her ear, Sera’s cheeks turned red and she cast her eyes down. Julio, amused by her reaction, smiled once more before moving away from her and inclining his head to the four.
「Well then, I’ll take my leave here. Yuiitsu, give it your all in today’s meeting. As for celebrating your appointment as Hero— We’ll save that for another day.」
And at last, after calling out to Yuiitsu— Who still kept his face turned away— He, too, set off toward the gathering.
As they watched his back fade into the distance, Arcana turned to Sera and spoke.
「Could it be… This is what you were speaking of?」
「Eh?」
「The reason you kept Rakuichi from attending the gathering… You foresaw that the mischievous girl would return, and so allowed him to go off and play—simply to keep them from meeting, is that it?」
「No… I never imagined that Julio and the others would return, not to mention that Chris is moving independently, so it wouldn’t matter anyway. What I was speaking of was what comes next—」
――Giiiiiii...
Sera’s words were cut short by the sudden echo of a heavy door swinging open.
Turning back, one beheld a delegation draped in pure white cloaks, each adorned with vivid accents of colour— Envoys dispatched from the Southern Base of Eulia Abelia, the land of witches and wizards— Now ushered into the nave at Goldwin’s behest.
And from among them stepped forth a striking band of five women, clad in splendid attire, breaking away from the delegation as they drew near to Sera and her companions.
Leading them was a bewitching beauty, her appearance that of a woman in her thirties, worthy of the title Madame. Draped in a black dress with a daring bared neckline, she curved her lips into a sly smile, casting her gaze down upon Arcana before she spoke.
「Sup, shorty.」
A vein throbbed at Arcana’s temple.