Chapter 281 - Lost Child

Nell Julius Elrod departed from Royal Spada Academy with nervousness and determination rivalling with the time she first went for a quest as an Adventurer.

In truth, she didn't wear her normal blazer-type uniform, but a white Shinto Priest clothes made for combat use, she looked just like what a Priest should look like.

Moreover, she held a lunchbox packed with egg sandwiches that she had gain mastery in, so as to give them all to Kurono if he were to feel hungry after match.

Today she was a perfect healer who would not be embarrassed to go to any Coliseum, or so was a groundless confidence swelling within her.

「Just wait Kurono-kun, I will soon come!」

Whoa, Nell filled herself with spirit, and stepped out of the main entrance.

The『Curse Carnival』starts in the night. Like that she would arrive there while having more than enough surplus time.

Although, Kurono being a contender had reached the venue,『Grand Coliseum』much faster.

Nell was hardcore in the no sense of direction skill, so this method of meeting at a place was not good, still it was that famous『Grand Coliseum』we were talking about. Even she knew the road till there.

After all, one would naturally reach it by just walking straight on the biggest avenue in Spada, there's nothing like routes. Even tourists coming to Spada for the first time wouldn't be lost.

But Nell knew about her prided no sense of direction skill, so she thought of walking while being cautious. At least five ago, she sure did thought like that.

(Ufufu, it's kind of pleasing, to be a Healer for my friend)

As soon as she started moving towards the destination, those sorts of fickle thoughts filled up her mind.

Of course, just like she had given Kurono a special amulet in the noon, she was overly-cautious to not let him face any deathly danger, and she was getting anxious thinking about the worst case scenario.

Though Nell had a modest character, but she had a self-confidence of possessing a very rare divine protection of healing magic.

That『Aria Guard Field』used the young hers divine protection, but still, it was created with the cooperation of more than a dozen of imperial mages and various valuable ingredients. Handmade, or rather it was a perfect custom-made high grade Magic Item.

But then, the finished product is in the condition where it used just one feather of Nell's wings, so from people not related in its making would not be able to understand how much of items and work was needed to make it.

If appraised correctly, its cost would surely be above ten million Klan.

Nell didn't inform him about any of that information at the time of gifting it to him because of two feelings, one being of her wanting for Kurono to take her gift without any hesitation, while other being her wanting for Kurono to take an Item created by her feather just for him.

As a result Kurono equipped that『Aria Guard Feather』, hence reducing Nell's concern greatly, therefore the feeling of happiness from helping a friend was winning against other feelings.

Moreover, the composition of a lovely male Gladiator having a beautiful female as a Healer was a situation that most of the girls on Pandora Continent yearned for.

Even the Princess of Avalon was not an exception to that, after all she too was a maiden having proper sensitivity.

The love-story of a Gladiator and Healer were quite a lot if counting since the Ancient Era, but the 'latest story' of it would be the Current Spada King, Leonhard and First Queen.

In the biggest sword battle tournament of Spada opening once every four year,『Battle Olympia』, the young Leonhart participated while hiding his status.

There was a special reward that the King would fulfil to any single wish of the victor, hence Leonhart won through the whole cruel tournament and asked the King, his real father, to allow his marriage with the female Priest who was the Healer in that tournament.

Nell had even heard that dramatic story right from the mouth of the person himself, so it was only natural for her to have even stronger yearning.

(I-If Kurono wanted to marry me then......No, that is n-not Kurono-kun, kyaaaah!)

If he won the competition he would only get the fight money and the Cursed Weapon nothing else, moreover it wasn't even a tournament so overall victory was nonexistent. Naturally, sorts like King would fulfil any one wish and so on was in not in slightest related.

It was perfect delusion completely unrelated to Kurono's will, but there was no way to retort for it.

Like that Nell walked on with dangerous steps while unfolding a sweet vanilla delusion with man she was worried about, just like a maiden of her age, but,

「Uwaaann, Onii-chaaaaann!」

「I-Idiot! Don't cry......」

Abruptly, a small child's crying voice reached her ears, causing Nell to awaken from her delusions and pay attention to it.

There were two humans of less than ten, one a younger girl and other an older boy, most probably siblings.

The brother was comforting the grumbling little sister, but the brother's face had an anxiety even above than the fact that her younger sister had started crying.

The pedestrians turned their gazes at them, but seeing no criminal act was going on they kept on passing by without paying much heed to it.

After all their parent's would be near, everyone would think about it like that.

However, Nell stopped and kept looking but there was no sign of parents coming.

「Are they lost children? ......」

If a small child were to be anxious within the city, anyone would think of it like that.

Can't ignore it, any good-hearted person would think like that and start helping.

And Nell was kind-hearted to be called the representative of those good-hearted people. At the very least everyone person who knew her, thought like that.

Adding on the relation of elder brother and younger sister directly matched her own.

In childhood she too moved around while holding her brother's hand.

She had went around many places――In the Avalon Royal Castle that was like a labyrinth from inside, a beautifully maintained garden, the friendly Spada, her holiday villa in Asbel Mountain Range.

And the superior yet rascal brother would always secretly sneak out to play regardless of the place they went out, along with her clumsy, blockhead and cute younger sister.

Her memories with her brother would unceasingly appear if she were to close her eyes and think about it.

No, that wasn't anything of the past currently. Even now, after coming to study in Spada, her brother would always hold her hand and move around.

The beautiful sibling love, that wasn't something just for the two of them, if was the similarly existing between the two small siblings in front of her.

No matter what, have to save those two small siblings, not to let them cry from anxiety, want to make today as a page of fun memory within the two.

Nell's heart emphasized to get on with it without hesitation.

Without doubting that, her body moved and at that time,

「Thank you Nell, help me if something happens」

The figure of her friend saying those words of trust to her appeared in her head.

Her irreplaceable friend, who would fight in a life-and-death battle soon, and would also need her help.

「W-What should I do......Kurono-kun......」

If she helped the lost children, she wouldn't reach the venue by the time of opening of the『Curse Carnival』.

Although she would have more than enough surplus time were she to walk on straight just like now, however she didn't have surplus time to be taking a detour.

If she had promised to play, there was no problem to explain the situation later, however, this time it was related to a dangerous sword battle.

If she arrived late as the Healer, if something irreversible occurred......just thinking that her foot about to step forward stopped as though petrified.

「What, should I do......」

Although the dangerous『Curse Carnival』, if it were to be her brother as the contender in place of Kurono, she would definitely help the lost children without hesitation.

She trusted that much of the ability of her brother.

She couldn't think that something bad could occur just by her being late, after all her brother was superior in everything, studies, physical training, magic and was even gifted with heavenly luck.

Her older brother was too much superior that caused her to feel sense of powerlessness.

Most probably she thought of that not only when thinking of her brother, but every party member in her party『Wing Road』.

The Third Princes of Spada, and her best friend, Charlotte Tristan Spada. Heaven-sent child of sword Kai Est Galbraith. The prodigal Necromancer holding the Demon Eyes, Safiel Maya Hydra.

Those three were superior to everyone, holding talents as though they were loved by the Black Gods of the Pandora Continent.

That was to the extent that it can't be covered with her possessing the super rare divine protection of『Heaven Calming Imperial Princess: Aria』.

In short, it wouldn't matter were she to remain or leave『Wing Road』.

The party with a party name with『Wing』coming from her white wings growing from back, had no need for that person herself, what a laughingstock she was.

「But, Kurono-kun is......」

However, Kurono was different.

He wasn't a perfect human like her brother, to the extent that even she could teach him magic.

Conversely, he pointed out her food was rotten to core without hesitation, and even taught her the proper way to cook.

That relation of filling up the defects in each other was perfectly that of the friendship that Nell had imagined.

Now was it a truly fated meeting, or just that Nell didn't know but this was the way many friends met at first all around the world.

In either case, Nell wanted to use her power for her friend needing it.

「Waaaan, I haaaaaate iiiiiiit! Papa!!! Mama!!! Where are you!!」

The voice of small little sister rose up and brought Nell back from the centre of tornado of thoughts.

(I'm sorry Kurono-kun, I, just can't ignore these lost children!)

She was worried about Kurono, no doubt.

But, she couldn't select the option of leaving alone the small child in front of her.

And finally, Nell started moving.

For just saving the pitiable brother and younger sister.

Chapter 282 - Nameless (1)

「Did Nell get lost......」

We promised to meet here, but there is no sign of her appearing in this『Grand Coliseum』.

Naturally I'm quite worried about her, but as expected I can't be leaving the quest to go search for her.

After waiting for the last minute of the time on the front gate, I reluctantly entered the venue, finished various formalities before finally reaching the waiting room.

Although it is called as waiting room, it was just like the benches for baseball players, meanwhile one can see the mound, no, arena clearly from here.

Regardless of Adventurer Rank, all contenders are assembling here. Numerous people were standing all over the place equipped with good equipments, the scenes was just like that of Adventurer Guild's lobby.

However, as expected of Cursed Weapon maniacs, many of them seemed very bizarre.

Especially the young lady, who was standing boldly in front wearing equipment with gaudy design, seeming just like a black wedding dress.

You see, she's got some great ringlets, so obviously she's some rich young lady. She even adds「deswa~」at the end of sentence, one more proof.

Seeing her eating popcorn held under her arms seemed somewhat elegant.

Moreover, the man sitting beside her was also emitting quite the conspicuousness.

He was wearing a black coat similar to mine, but his face was covered by a mask of skull-design.

Furthermore, he has a katana at his waist, making me remember of that battle maniac vampire from before.

Well, the Prince of Avalon also had it, doesn't seem like that much of a rare weapon to me now.

Well, leaving aside that bothering participant; the『Curse Carnival』has already started.

Right it the Second Fight is at its peak. A lizard-man armed with a halberd is having a hard time against a human male swinging some Cursed Weapon.

The ground of Arena was just like a place with an extensively spread out dirt surface, without any obstacles; in short the fight was head-on without having anything to hide.

Seeing the two fight in this ridiculously big arena somehow lacked a massive impact, however, that would be filled up later by the high-level battles using flashy martial skills and offensive magic.

Well, I plan to return before that, though.

「Good gried, to be fighting against Nameless, truly unfortunate, both me and you」

I faced the place the voice came from only to find a young man crossing his long legs and sitting right beside me on the bench.

He had long blond hair, blue eyes and a fine nose bridge, even without those long ears of his it is easy to guess his race is Elf.

That Light Armour covering his body probably was arranged from Mithril making him look more like a Prince and less like an adventurer.

This person is probably the participant for the Third Match.

After that is mine, so maybe he just strike a conversation with me just because of whim.

「What is a Nameless?」

I was neither nervous nor all worked up so I also tried to get along with his conversation.

「You dunno even that? Hahah, what newbie」

Even the sarcastic smile turns good model for an portrait if the face is handsome.

I am used to be treated like a newbie. I can't be getting angry over each and every thing, like that I pondered nonchalantly.

「The match is already decided with you being like that, but anyway, I better tell you」

Is that the so-called, a souvenir to afterlife?

No, this ain't about you『Black Hair Curse 「Coffin」』, I didn't call for you so stop shouting 「Master~~」in my head repeatedly.

I strengthened my blackening on Hitsugi-chan for shutting her up, and lent my ear to the explanation given by this kind handsome Elf.

「Listen, all Cursed Weapons will be cursed but not all of them will have names. Just like in normal weapons, from best to worst, same exists in this realm in the form of Top Named to Nameless」

「So Nameless is the lowest grade for Cursed Weapon, is that right?」

「You're quick on the uptake. I don't hate that sort of person」

Playboy smiled elegantly, however fortunately being a man I felt nothing.

「The name can't be appraised too, in short, the blood sucked by that weapon is still far too low, it is something like a child of Cursed Weapons. It could evolve if used continuously but who knows how many years ahead would that come to be. A patient story it is.」

He said as if declaring he won't ever use that.

Well, I also won't think of laboriously raise any Cursed Weapon by wasting lost of my time. It's not like those Apostle going to sit back eating popcorn while the weapon strengthens.

「You're right」

「Well aren't I? Now I can only expect for some surprise or wait for next year」

A competition in Coliseum, listening to those words only tournament would appear in one's mind, but this『Curse Carnival』has a rule; one participant may fight just one time.

The sponsor side seems to pair up the opponents after taking their abilities in account.

They seem to be carefully thinking carefully of the combination of a high grade cursed weapon and a high ranked Adventurer, after all it would be the main show, meanwhile for low ranked people like me and others, we seem to be fighting against any random person.

Rank 3 is already enough to be called as a successful adventurer, however the special treatments are given only after Rank 4. So the wall between first-rate and second-rate is quick thick.

Leaving that aside, in the end, my opponent in Fourth Match will also be a Nameless weapon.

No name even after appraisal would mean a weapon of much lower level than the『Cursed Hatched「Tsujigiri」』I stole from that goblin, in short a weapon with utterly powerless curse.

Hmm, looks like I won't be able to get a strong weapon that easily.

This Elf must also be feeling that disappointment. Expecting for next year would mean, something among the lines of praying for getting a good weapon next year.

But, what is that surprise?

「Aren't the surprise battles from the barge of other opponent, or a royal battle normal in sword battles? The Chairman Mordred is a shrewd trader, course he is going to add those sorts of surprises 'deliberately'」

I see, so an outline process it is.

Well, from the view points of competitors fighting with life at stake that would not be tolerable, but if it's about that big skeleton asshole, who loves to swindle others, he would surely give orders like that in a happy mood.

But, this Elf actually wants that surprise himself,

「You're quite confident」

「Yeah, sort of」

Elf expressed a smile full of satisfaction, as though saying thank goodness I asked him about it.

「You also seem to be Rank 3 Adventurer, but——」

A silver shining Guild Card is suspended on my neck, it's only obvious to know my rank at a glance.

「I reached to this rank in just 3 years」

Oho, well he sure has suffered quite some hardship for quite the amount of time.

「You see, in just 3 years」

「O-oooh......」

So that was your boasting point, dammit.

But I shouldn't be rude to a person I meet for the first time, so I became a yes-man and evaded this point.

Well, if I were alone without Lily and Fiona, it would've taken time to reach till here, I can't be making fun of him.

「But, a different sort of talent is needed to use Cursed Weapons, nothing related to fighting......do you know that?」

「Bodily constitution, right?」

I have been bestowed this opinion both from the receptionist at Guild and the Princess of Avalon.

「That's how it is. That's why even though I had rare sword talent, but I kept away from Cursed Weapon, however——」

As though saying something important, he raised up his blond long hair.

If this were a shoujo manga, this scene would be drawn in a big centre square along with sparkling effect in background.

「—–Looks like, the heavens have given me two things」

「So, you can use the Cursed Weapons」

Sending a meaningful sidelong glance to me, the Elf took out the sword in his hand from the scabbard.

「Look at it, isn't this a good sword?」

「It's a Mithril Sword, right?」

Seeing the entire blade shining with silver light, even I can understand the name of sword, although not having any eye for appraisal.

Or rather, I think I have seen it somewhere before......

「Yeah, this is surely a Mithril Sword. However, it comes along with curse」

Hmm, a Cursed Mithril Sword reminds me of that fake sword with Mithril plating that Mordred once tried to give me——Ah, I see, so this is the one from that time.

「I can hear the voice of hatred just by grabbing this sword......but, I didn't go mad upon listening to the voice, rather I felt pity for it」

No, it can't be, he is speaking with lots of confidence, so maybe this is not that fake shit sword. I want to believe it as a coincidence.

「Maybe because I'm like this, Chairman Mordred thought of giving me this sword. He said that I had the talent of possessing a strong heart」

Uggghh, this ain't shit. This Elf is being scammed so shrewdly.

What to do, considering he will snap at me, I should tell him the truth. After all it's a matter of life and death——

「Oh, the match is finished. I feel bad for you to appear after my splendorous match, but work hard」

Speaking those words in the end, the playboy left his seat at once.

I couldn't make it.

It can't be helped; he is also a splendid adventurer. Since he is fighting with the determination of dying, it's his responsibility for reaching whatever end that awaits him.

Although I feel somewhat guilt, but he could've snapped back at me if I showed too much kindness to him, it's better to not speak anything, as an Adventurer this is the right thing to do.

「But, I finally understand the reason, why Nell and Erina tried to stop me」

Looking in the arena, the lizardman with wounds all over body was raising up the Cursed Weapon he stole from the opponent, and was raising a war cry as though saying he won.

But, next moment the lizardman turned different.

He went mad, started crying out loud in voice just like wild animals, something that can't be called as words, and he started swinging the sword in the empty area.

He failed in controlling the curse, in short, he was possessed.

The spectators crowding the seats within the『Grand Coliseum』all watched it happily, while raising shouts of joy.

「What an evil competition it is」

I will go back right after finishing the match, I swore in my heart.