chapter 33

Memories in an irregular state are mayhem factors.

Madeleine says, women wont go to war unless they possess great power. And certainly. It would be weird to see a woman wearing a servants uniform at the battlefield.

As result of thinking what to do about this, it was decided that I would go wearing the same outfit as Madeleine. When I ask if its fine to wear it and look like a magician even if I cant use magic, she says with a laugh, itll be alright if you just vaguely play along.

Is this really alright?

We decided to just try getting me dressed for the time being.

This one.

The clothes I was handed had a purple undertone. Because of its complicated structure I didnt know how to wear it, but I was able to put it on somehow while being instructed on how to. It somehow gives off a similar feeling to the outfit that Miss Leiya was wearing.

Hers was simple, yet this one is too complex, including a large hood and several layers. However, more than anything, I want to wear trousers. Hers was simple, yet this one is too complex, including a large hood and several layers. However, above anything else, I want to wear trousers. You can sit cross-legged as much as you like, and can also walk in long strides and even do a handstand. Oh how great pants are.

But, there is only one setback.

It doesnt suit me, hu-h

Confirming my appearance in a full-length mirror at Madeleines room, I cant deny the feeling that Im being worn by the clothes. (1) Although the size was more or less okay.

Oh, is that so? It suits you splendidly. I think its only because you never wear purple clothes that you feel its strange.

I wonder if thats how it is.

Thats how it is.

As I become sulky, Madeleine laughs. Were wearing the same clothes so whats with this difference. Is it because of what must be called a magicians aura, I feel that Im already losing starting from my atmosphere.

Well, I have to go make a report for a little while, so wait for me here. For the time being I think that Ill try consulting about you with my Foster Father, is that alright? (2)

Yeah, as you see fit.

Sending-off Madeleine as she leaves the room, I look back again at the full-length mirror. Not matter how many times I see it I dont look good. Even changing the angle or trying a magician-like pose, its useless. After all, I think the dark red clothes that I was wearing in the beginning are the ones that suit this face the most. More than this gorgeous costume, simpler and cutish clothes suit me better.

Thinking back now, perhaps eating this child was the beginning of everything. If I hadnt, I wouldnt have this appearance nor would I be here now. With another form, maybe I wouldnt even be in this castle. Although it is this late already, yet Im having a sense of guilt for stealing and living the life of this human child. But I believe she became blood and meat and is living together with me. This is only me thinking of my own convenience, but other human beings are also the same. This is, the splendid food chain.

So speaking of this child, I wonder what her name wa ouch.

The moment I thought if she had a cuter name, suddenly a severe pain runs through my head, such as if thick needles were piercing me. I sit down since I cant remain standing because of the pain, but in turn my sight began to shake.

This, means!?

I remember that at that time, when I was attacked by the daydream, I had a similar sensation. There was no pain, but all I could see faded and turned into black-and-white, and finally turned into a blurry sandstorm in which I couldnt see anything. (3)

And with a snapping sound, my vision changed completely.

For me, dreams have 2 patterns.

I wonder, where am I.

There patterns are, the dreams where I recognize that its a dream, and the dreams where I do not.

Although there are other varieties of dreams such as colorful, scary dreams and fun dreams, whats important to me is whether or not I am aware in them. And moreover, the dreams come with entirely different contents.

Even the dreams where Im aware can be further split into two. In the case of scary and dreadful dreams, I am making preparations in advance and gradually looking for a method to wake up somehow by randomly repeating a trial and error system. And this is strange, but within those scary dreams there are many things which make me aware of it being a dream. Wake up, wake up, wake up, what do I do to wake up! ? Thinking only that, while escaping from the scary things. In case of seeing a fun, happy dream, within the dream I would go; ah, such a wonderful dream! If only I would never wake up! while moving around, doing as I please.

The second type, where I dont recognize it as a dream, is almost like I am being washed away by the story in that dream.

For example, I am the protagonist of those stories. But the strange thing is, even though Im the protagonist, there are cases where it even seems that Im seing things from an objective viewpoint. Its hard to understand, but if I have to compare it to something, then its a feeling like my point of view is floating in a set place. (4) If I am to say it in an easier to understand way, then its like the visual point you have in games when you move the protagonist from above.

And the bizarre thing is, that the me who is watching on; the me who became a Dragon, never gets taken into either type of dream.

Even if Im supposed to be aware, Im not.

Its objective, and yet subjective.

Again, ?

When I opened my eyelids I was collapsed on the rooms floor. Getting up an confirming my body, evidently its my human self. Im not that girl which I saw in the dreams full-length mirror.

The door was still open so I close it and then sit down heavily on the bed. I wonder how much time has pa.s.sed since I fell, because by watching the clock hung up on the wall I can tell its still morning, so I think not too much time has pa.s.sed.

Well then, I dont know which is a dream and which is reality.

The me right now can certainly say that this is reality, but my Dragon self within the dream believe that inside the dream is reality.

I dont know which is real, and which is fake.

Oh, my head is confused.

When I was groaning from being at my wits end, a loud alarm resounds from my mobile on the bedside. I have an alarm clock but, I wont wake up with just one alarm so I also set up my mobiles. For it to ring at this time, I wonder if the snooze function was on. (5) When I tried to stop in a hurry by sprawling over the bed, I noticed I had an e-mail. It had arrived a few minutes ago, the sender was oniichan. As I open the e-mail while sighing, thinking that the content may be something bothersome again, the t.i.tle was AI LABU HANA. (6)

[Dont forget Hanas lunch! Today it was your turn. And Im feeling lonely today too because you didnt send me off with a Have a nice day, oniichan. <3! (7)="" from="" time="" to="" time="" get="" up="" early,="" put="" on="" the="" matching="" frilly="" ap.r.o.ns="" i="" bought="" for="" you="" two="" and="" come="" to="" revitalize="" me="" while="" playing="" the="" music="" of="" hitting="" the="" frying="" pan="" with="" a="" ladle!="" (8)="" i="" also="" ask="" you="" to="" consider="" the="" option="" of="" sleeping="" together="" with="">

Breakfast, I forgot

I was having the feeling that I had forgotten something, so it was Hanas breakfast. In our house we have weekly turns for taking care of Hana. Shes mostly affectionate with oniichan, but we decided that the whole family would take care of her.

The latter half, I ignore it as something trivial and just send back an understood as a reply, and this time I stand up from the bed I was sitting on with the intention of changing my clothes.

Eh?

But a sudden lightheadedness doesnt actually cause me to sit back on the bed, but to collapse on top of it, and at the same time my field of vision becomes pitch black.

Fa-thud.

***

From a distance I can hear the sound of clas.h.i.+ng metal, sounds similar to explosions, and although faintly, human cries and screams. The b.l.o.o.d.y, uncomfortable atmosphere here is different from the castles.

When I noticed, I was standing inside of something like a tent. Madeleine was by my side, there were also two other men in front of me. One is an uncle who seems to be 30-years-old. The other one was a young man.

Madeleine, please call me immediately if anything happens.

They begin to leave the tent.

Please take care, Foster Father.

She said Foster Father. That is to say, the other man is her adoptive older brother? (9) Waiiit a minute. If you say that this man of short gray hair and tanned skin looks alike to someone, then isnt that someone the First Knight Corps Captain?!

Dont you have an Older Brother?

Take care, Foster Brother.

Foster is not neede- (9)

Please leave quickly.

With grief hanging in the air, Madeleines Foster Brother left the tent.

Honestly, I want him to grow detached from me already. (Madeleine)(10)

Im confused.

Even If I try to calm down, this is odd.

My head cant keep up with the situation.

Heck, what happened?

I, dont have any memories of it.

I remember up to the point where I got dressed in the same clothes as Madeleine. But after that I dont know the details of how I got here. I dont remember why Madeleines Foster Father and Brother were visiting the tent we are in, nor what type of talk we were having. I understand from the situation outside that this place is close to the battlefield. However, there should still be a few days of time until I go to war. But in fact, my awareness was interrupted at Madeleines room, then I saw a daydream, and at some point I arrived to the battlefield. Is there any way, to draw out this kind of memory?

Dont be so nervous, but because the preparation phase this time was short, we will wait-and-see on the opponent. The full-fledged war surely is yet to begin.

Y, yeah.

Maybe my face was stiff, but Madeleine smiled at me as if to rea.s.sure me. But far from being tense, my head seems likely to short-circuit at these incomprehensible events.

But calming down and trying to think about it, I realized that there are also parts which I somehow remember. The fact that after that, Ariade and Chiffon, as well as Maribelle, found out that I was going to war and while we fought over this, one way or another I managed to persuade them. The fact that it was decided that for the time being they would tell no one that I was going to war. Because their expectations would trouble me. But, as I was told that I had to speak with the Top Management, theres the fact that I met and reported to those uncles and the Prince once more. The fact that we managed to talk over the quarrels, and that I was desperately chilling myself out. Vaguely, but there is another part that I remember as well. But I cant clearly say whether I experienced that or not. Because I only have the information but not a sense of reality from it.

Madeleine has been talking about something since earlier, but really, nothing entered my ears and even my line of sight was swimming about.

Hey Vito, are you listening?

Im sorry, again please.

She was amazed at me.

Theres no helping it. Listen properly because Ill say it again.

Theres no helping it, Madeleine, I was wondering what on earth happened to my body, I cant not to be anxious and curious.

Ending our talk, we leave the tent and breathe the outside air. After calming down my faded memories return. Madeleines Foster Father and Brother only came to give their greetings, I do not remember that it was a particularly important talk. For some reason her Foster Father ended up making an invitation, but I pa.s.sed on it. He spoke pa.s.sionately about his research and so on, but I was saved when Madeleine stopped him. By the way, her Foster Brother was a man of invective. He was terribly sweet to Madeleine though.

Is this whole surrounding area a camp, I wonder, as it is full of people who come and go. When I was staring at the situation with a lost air, I heard footsteps from nearby so I faced that way. Our lines of connect and we both make surprised expressions.

Why are you here.

I ended up being found out right away. I wore my hood right away but he certainly saw my face clearly when I had turned around.

Long time no see, Sir Stefanos.

I met a troublesome person.

There is an unfamiliar woman next to Stefanos. She has a brighter red burning hair than him, and her muscular but slender physique may pa.s.s her as a man at first glance, yet one can determine she is a woman from the bulges at her chest. But, what she is wearing is the characteristic Fourth Knight Corps unique Dragon Rider armor and helmet.

Oh, oh, such a lovely magician lady. Im called Minette Duran. I wonder if you would let me hear your name?

Its Vito Tienu.

Can I call you Vito? Please eel free to call me Minette.

Eh, yes. Minette san. (11)

Lady Minette approaches me and tends me her hand as if she is asking for a handshake. As I was wondering if it was a greeting handshake and placed my hand on top of hers, my hand was pulled and a light kiss was placed on its back. Surprised, I withdraw my hand and she says, Cute, while showing a soft smile characteristic of a woman. She has a more gentlemanly atmosphere than Stefanos who is an advocate of women in a bad sense. A manly woman. Shes such a cool person, it makes me want to call her Onee-sama. How should I put it, this is the first time I see a person kissing the back of someones hand.

Sister, what are you doing.

Stefanos, who came in between us as if to peel us off, looks at Lady Minette with a shocked expression.

Could it be, this person is his older sister who left with a The world is waiting for me!!, I wonder. They are somewhat similar and he called her sister.

Stefan is also such a shrewd guy. You have such a lovely child as an acquaintance, why didnt you introduce me to her.

Because I had not heard a word from you and I didnt have any mean to contact you, right?

Oh, thats right. Sorry.

Shes absolutely Stefanos sister. No doubt.

Rather than that, why are you here? We havent heard anything about this.

As expected, he asked about it. As I was wondering if I would run into one of my acquaintances, I had actually gathered some resolution, but to run into one so quickly gives me the feeling that my initial momentum is being crushed.

Its obvious you wouldnt know. If it was known that I came to the battlefield there would be chaos, right? So it has been kept in secret.

No, so what I want to hear is, by whos will are you here.

Stefanos heaved a rare sigh. And with unusually serious, earnest eyes. The castle and the battlefield, with the only difference being the location, I wonder if such a thing can change a person so.

It is my will.

That so, then I wont say anything. Do your best not to die.

How frank.

Perhaps youre worried about me?

res no way. f something happens to you Ill receive Captains anger burst. Tis honestly a fine trouble. (12)

Dont know if he did it to release stress or the like, but he has been challenging me to matches saying he wanted to move his body. He could have picked on the Vice-Captain who was nearby, but why did it have to be me. Moreover, recently he has been using some sort of inhuman technique against me, you know?! Thanks to you my bodys full of wounds! Surely you, you didnt do something to Captain, did you?

When I got the point and my gaze s.h.i.+fted all over the place, I received a flick to the forehead. As I was holding my forehead since it was quite painful, Lady Minette stood in front of me in order to protect me.

Stefan, what are you doing to a frail girl.

This fellows not frail though. She vomits fire, crushes humans by stepping on them and eats them, and can bend these thick iron bars, you know?! Just how is she frail!

Thats certainly true, but Im a girl as far as it goes (a female), so please Id like you to refrain from saying it in a loud voice. Isnt that like I was some savage gluttonous creature?

Oh!? No way, are you that Earth Dragon?!

Yes, apparently so.

Apparently she was able to connect Stefanos words to me being a Dragon. While my interest was picked because she she thinks very fast, *grabs,* both my hands were caught and I was stared at by twinkling pupils.

Thats great! Wont you be my friend please?! Ill also welcome you warmly if its fine with you to be more than friends!

Whats with the more than friends.

Sister stop it its embarra.s.sing!

WHAT is embarra.s.sing. I had told you that its no good to monopolize a pretty girl so hand her over to me as well, right?

So Im saying its that what is embarra.s.sing! Become interested in men rather than women already!

Just in what part of such filthy creatures do you want me to take an interest? Isnt it obvious that sweet girls that are as cute and tender as flowers are way better than that?

Its because youre like that that you wont receive a proposal to be a bride despite turning 25.

I will think about it if it is a girly man.

A male maiden huh. (14) I understand. But Im sorry for Lady Minette, because I feel such a child does not exist in this world.

Moreover, its unusual that Stefanos is being lead around. When I laugh at this, I ended up receiving another flick to the forehead.

Starting fron my skin, that small pain echoes within my head, and suddenly my sight began to sway.

No way, a-, gain?

The figures of the two people in front of me become invisible when my field of vision becomes black as if China ink was spilled on it. I also can no longer hear the voices of the two people who had begun to quarrel again, and I was. .h.i.t by a sense of floating in the air.

And *bam,* I switched over.

Was it because of the forehead flick! ?

I loathe you, Stefanos.