Maydare Volume 3 Chapter 2 - The Man Who Once Killed Me (Part 1)

 You know, I read a lot of books where some teenager is destined to save the world or something, but not a lot of them often talk about what a bad idea it is to put all that pressure and responsibility on an inexperienced kid who doesn't exactly have the best judgment or decision making skills (and then get surprised when they inevitably mess up). At the very least I feel like there should be more adult supervision.

In other news, Professor Ulysses continues to desperately drop hints to Makia about the reincarnation thing

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The next day, the representatives from eight countries gathered at the alliance conference.

The event was held in the great southern Kingdom of Ruschia, and was attended by dignitaries from the Frezier Empire, the Vabel State, the Kingdom of Gilche, the Kingdom of Orien, the Kingdom of Jibralta, the Republic of Benelia, and the Principality of Draco.

All the countries had sent their kings, prime ministers, or equivalents, indicating that this was an urgent and important meeting. Apparently, the alliance conference was held periodically, but this time the main topic of discussion would be countermeasures against the Hermedes Heavenly Empire, which had been increasing its power in the north and repeatedly committing acts of aggression.

The conference was also attended by the Savior Airi and her Guardians. It also served as an introduction of the Savior who had descended in the Kingdom of Ruschia to the dignitaries of the various countries.

I hadn’t seen Airi in a long time, but her face was stiff and she wouldn’t make eye contact with me.

I was also feeling heavy-hearted from what happened yesterday. Because that man was here.

The blond foreign soldier, Kanon Pachelbel.

Speaking of which, I wondered what Airi thought of General Kanon.

If he was the man who once stabbed Saitou and Tanaka-san, then Airi, a.k.a. Tanaka-san, would probably think that General Kanon was the blond man who stabbed her. However, that assumes that she had seen his face…

I’ll have to ask her later. But I wonder if Airi would talk to me.

“It is predicted that the key to the outcome of the next war will be ‘transference magic,’ which has developed rapidly in the past decade.”

The conference was led by Prince Gilbert. He was also one of the Guardians of the Savior and the third prince of the Kingdom of Ruschia.

He had been busy this whole time, being in charge of the preparations for this alliance conference.

“Unlike conventional transference magic, transference magic using advanced magic transfers a far greater distance, much more mass, and at a much faster speed. In the past few years, the Heavenly Empire has been developing transference magic at an incredible rate. They have created ‘weapons’ and ‘tools’ with built-in transference spells that can even be used by non-magicians.”

Guns with built-in transference spells were used in the incident at the summer ball by Margrave Greigs and in the case with Professor Batiste. With such a tool, anyone could easily replenish their weapons or transfer themselves to another location.

This was a terrifying thing. Armies, weapons, and even magic could be sent to the desired location at will with transference magic.

In other words, the Heavenly Empire’s offensive could reach the distant Kingdom of Ruschia if the conditions were met.

However, this kind of transference magic requires that something called a “gate” be set up in advance at the desired location. The mysterious device we found in a cave on the herb garden island also served as a gate.

In short, we needed to keep an eye out for Heavenly imperial spies slipping into our countries and setting up these gates. And when we find them, we must thoroughly destroy them.

Apparently, the Kingdom of Ruschia had already found and destroyed a number of these gates.

In addition to transference magic, the Heavenly Empire was also preparing for war on a number of fronts.

Particularly——

“The Heavenly Empire has an army of ‘demons.’”

The representatives of each country were buzzing upon hearing this topic.

General Kanon of the Frezier Empire gave a dispassionate explanation on demons.

“By nature, demons are not existences that obey humans. It is safe to assume that the Heavenly Empire has created something that makes demons subservient. The Heavenly Empire’s use of demons means that an appropriate amount of damage can be expected.”

“What…!”

Unlike the Kingdom of Ruschia, which was unfamiliar with the damage caused by demons, there were many countries that live in fear of demons.

Demons attacked and killed people, and some even ate them. Their power and cruelty were far different from humans. If they were the Heavenly Empire’s army, people couldn’t help but be afraid of them.

Some kings were angry at the relentless Heavenly Empire and wonder how the alliance should deal with it.

On the other hand, there were also optimistic rulers.

“You have the Savior here, don’t you? I have heard the Savior’s magic is effective against demons.”

“The Savior is also an【All】Blessed Child.”

“Perhaps the Savior will stop the Heavenly Empire’s invasion.”

They believed in the legend of the Savior, and believed that a Savior from another world would lead the world to peace, just like the〈Savior of Fraxinus〉five hundred years ago.

“...What are you talking about?”

However, the one who denied it all was Airi herself, who was undoubtedly the Savior.

She had been looking down and keeping silent until now, but she suddenly raised her head.

And then, she said something outrageous in front of the rulers of each nation. 

“I don’t want to do it. I quit being the Savior.”

“...Wha—”

Everyone’s eyes were on Airi.

We all thought we misheard something.

We didn’t understand the meaning of her words.

Even the Guardians who were always by her side couldn’t hide their surprise. That of course included me.

“I’m not the protagonist or anything. If that’s the case, then I might just die like everyone else. I want to go home. Take me back to my old world!”

“W-What are you saying, Airi? You’ve worked so hard and had such a positive attitude. You can’t make jokes like that in a place like this…!”

Prince Gilbert was desperately trying to calm Airi down.

“I’m not joking!”

Airi raised her voice forcefully and kept shaking her head.

“This is completely different from my ideal! Because this isn’t the world I created, right!?”

“...Airi.”

“War? Demons? Whatever. You’re afraid of a war that hasn’t started yet, and you want the Savior to stop it? That’s stupid. What do you want from me? Of course that’s impossible. …What is this world?”

Airi was endlessly spilling her thoughts.

“What…is this world, really.”

Eventually, Airi ran out of the main conference room with a pale face.”

It was obvious at a glance that Airi wasn’t her usual self.

Prince Gilbert wanted to go after her, but since he was facilitating the conference, I and the other Guardians left and chased after Airi. 

Airi ran as far as she could and sat down at the end of a palace corridor, hugging her knees.

“Airi, what’s wrong? Are you not feeling well…”

I called out to her and reached out my hand. Upon that, she suddenly raised her head.

“Why? Didn’t you say it, Makia? You said this world isn’t my world!”

“...That’s…”

I unconsciously drew my hand back.

Airi didn’t want the role of Savior because I denied her world, her ideals.

“I don’t care what happens to this world anymore. Do I need to protect this world? I mean, why do I have to do that?”

“...”

“This world should just be destroyed by war or anything else. Since I’m going back to my old world!”

She spoke like she didn’t care about anything. I never would have thought Airi would say something like that.

The words seemed to have shocked her Guardians Sir Lionel and Thor in no small way.

“Lady Airi, please calm down. I’m sure you must be tired. Let us take you to your room so you can rest.”

“Thor. You don’t have to force yourself to be nice to me anymore. You hated me anyway, didn’t you? I was always saying mean things about Makia.”

“That’s not…”

Thor was bewildered by what Airi said and couldn’t say anything more.

Sir Lionel pacified Airi with a firm tone of voice.

“Lady Airi, you’re too conspicuous here. Let’s leave the conference to His Highness Gilbert and go back to your room. I’ll take you there.”

“You must be disgusted with me too, right, Lionel? I’m an embarrassing girl with delusions of grandeur. You’re not as nice as you seem, Lionel.”

“Lady Airi—”

“Don’t touch me!”

Airi rejected Sir Lionel’s outstretched hand and shook it off strongly.

“I don’t want you. I don’t want you anymore! All of you, everyone!”

It wasn’t just this world.

She was even denying the Guardians that had been so important to her until now.

“...Lady Airi. Do you no longer even believe in our loyalty or resolve?”

I could hear the disappointment in Sir Lionel’s words.

Airi didn’t say anything more after that.

Her head maid, Clarissa, arrived, took her in her arms, and took her to her room. It seemed that she was the only person Airi still trusted.

I pressed my hands to my mouth and apologized to everyone there.

“...I’m sorry, it’s all my fault. I’m the one who said those things to Airi.”

“No, it isn’t your fault, Miss Makia.”

Surprisingly, it was Sir Lionel who refuted my words.

“Airi wouldn’t have been able to withstand the ordeals in the future like she was before anyways. It would be charming if she was a girl prone to dreaming, but instead, there is something about her that made me think she couldn’t look directly at us or this world.”

“...Sir Lionel…”

“I guess we’re now on the brink of…seeing whether or not Airi can take a look at herself, accept this world, and change herself.”

Sir Lionel was mature and calm to a fault. Next to him, Thor gave a small nod at his conclusion.

But what would happen to Maydare if Airi really gave up her position as the Savior? Could the role of Savior be given up in the first place?

The Crest of the Four Lights shining on our chests.

Even now, it was still firmly engraved above our hearts.

That night, an evening party was held in the great hall of the Ruschia royal palace, with the dignitaries of each country invited.

I was ordered to participate as one of the Guardians, but the Savior herself, Airi, never showed up.

Prince Gilbert was said to be trying to persuade her, but ever since she announced that she quit being the Savior, she had shut herself within her room and wouldn’t let anyone enter.

This was the hot topic of the party.

“How irresponsible…”

“After indulging in so much luxury at the royal palace…”

“She’s just a little girl after all. There haven't been good rumors about the Lady Savior for a long time now…”

“What exactly were the Guardians doing…?”

They used to praise the Savior and Guardians so much before, but now they were gossiping and bad-mouthing us, completely flip-flopping on their opinions.

The role of Savior was one that could only be filled by someone from another world. No one in this world would forgive her for refusing that role.

“Miss Makia.”

I was standing by the wall in the main hall when Professor Ulysses called to me.

“Pro...Your Highness.”

“I don’t mind being called Professor.”

Professor Ulysses smiled wryly.

Although, the professor was wearing beautiful princely garb tonight, different from his robes at school.

“Miss Makia, are you feeling okay with the heavy meetings we’re having consecutively?”

“I’m fine. More importantly, Professor, is Airi…”

I’ve been wanting to ask that for a long time.

“Airi is still secluding herself in her room. She does not let anyone in except for the head maid, Miss Clarissa. Of course, she won’t listen to me, either.”

“Is…that so.”

“This is nothing for you to worry about, Miss Makia. This is Airi’s trial for her to overcome.”

Professor Ulysses said the same thing as Sir Lionel.

The adults were calm, as expected. However, I didn’t think anyone thought it was okay for things to continue as they were now.

Professor Ulysses felt the gazes surrounding us…

“It was discourteous of me to only stand and talk to a young lady at an evening party. How about it, Miss Makia? Won’t you share one dance with me?” 

“Huh!?”

Dancing with Professor Ulysses!?

This was a situation I had never considered before. Although my admiration for my teacher was probably quite different from that of other ladies, I still esteemed him everyday. I couldn’t even count the number of times I’ve admired him for being so amazing and wonderful, so I raised my hand as high as I could and answered,

“Yes! I will dance with you, sir!”

I sounded just like a student answering a teacher’s question.

“Mm, an excellent response as ever. Now, please give me your hand.”

I was embarrassed, but I enthusiastically took Professor Ulysses’ hand.

Escorted by Professor Ulysses, I stepped onto the dance floor.

The professor was mature and kind, and even his soft smile seemed to have magical power. At magic school, I tended to forget that he was the second prince because he looked like a typical magician, but when I was dancing with my hands being pulled skillfully by him, I was reminded that he was a prince after all. He was so perfect that I wondered if there was anything he was bad at.

“By the way, Miss Makia. What do you think of those three?”

The sudden whisper in my ear pulled me back to reality.

“By those three, do you mean the visitors from Frezier?”

“Yes. Queen Shatoma, General Kanon, and Bishop Eska.”

My heart fluttered at the mention of that name, but I also thought, I see.

If we talked about these things while standing around, there was a risk that someone would overhear us. It would be easier to disguise it by dancing while talking.

“They’re incredible people…it’s hard to put it in words, but I felt like a little ant in the meeting room where all those people were gathered.”

“They certainly are. Those three are Frezier’s shield of justice.”

In the middle of the dance, Professor Ulysses glanced to the side.

Through the gaps, he was looking at Queen Shatoma, surrounded by a large crowd of people.

“The three of them, with Her Majesty in the center, have a relationship of absolute trust, and they possess ‘magical powers’ that are befitting of their position and authority. That is why Frezier is strong.”

Queen Shatoma, General Kanon, and Bishop Eska.

I did feel that there was something special about their relationship. But I still didn’t know what it really was. Why did they have such a strong bond?

“But…the Kingdom of Ruschia also has you, Professor Ulysses.”

When I muttered that, Professor Ulysses looked slightly surprised, then a somber smile appeared on his face.

“Fufu. Thank you for your kind words. However…we lost Eugene.”

“...”

I heard that Eugene Batiste, who died after his body was taken over by the Blue Jester, were classmates with Professor Ulysses at magic school.

I didn’t get to hear from Professor Ulysses personally about Professor Batiste’s case, but I could tell from just those words that he was quietly mourning his tragedy.

“Miss Makia. There will come a time in the not-too-distant future when my power alone will not be enough to protect the Kingdom of Ruschia. There will come a time when I will have to ask for your help.”

“Professor…but, I—”

“I see infinite potential in you and Thor. As magicians.”

…Me and Thor?

I wanted to ask him why, but our waltz finished just then, and we let go of each other’s hands and bowed to each other. The people around us applauded the ladies and gentlemen who had been dancing.

“Well then, Miss Makia. I shall see you at school.”

And then, Professor Ulysses dashingly left.

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