Volume 5 Chapter 4

Duel / Princess and Diva / Dual Act

One hour remaining to start the duel, Hayato was in the reception room of the palace.

He was in the room that was brought yesterday for the first time. There are two reasons about why Hayato is here. One of them is to wait for Kilfelthar and Claudia who went to pick up Sakura who was coming to Gudenburg using the high speed train and the other to wait for Emilia who had gone to change clothes. Emilia had been wearing the uniform of Little Garden during the morning, but since today was the duel, she was asked by Kate to change clothes, since there would be many high-ranking officers who would be present, including King Gra.n.a.ld. Of course Emilia was reluctant to change her clothes like yesterday, and although she put up resistance, she finally had to do it against her will. He had separated from Emilia for about fifteen minutes.

The moment for the duel was approaching minute by minute.

(Sakura hasn't contacted me, will she be really ok?)

While anxiety dominated him, *TON* *TON*, the door made that sound.

– Hayato-sama, we have already finished the preparations. Hime-sama is already waiting for you in the vehicle.

It’s Kate’s voice.

He opened the door and she entered the room. Hayato got up from the couch together with the bag he held in his hand. What was inside is his Variable Suit. He was told that he should take it when he left Little Garden, since it can't be predicted when and where he has to fight against the Savage.

When he got out from the corridor and left the palace, there was a vehicle exclusively for the royal family, the same one he used yesterday.

– Should I store your luggage?

Kate stops walking right in front of the vehicle and asks him. It was to know whether or not to place the bag in the trunk of the car.

– I’ll take it with me inside, so I’ll do it.

This is the situation. It is not known what can happen.

It would be a problem if it were to damage even the Variable Suit, which is why it is better to keep it by his side.

That was Hayato’s decision.

– As you say. Now, get in please.

When Kate said that, a man who looked like the driver and who was standing in front of the vehicle, opened the backseat door.

– Ah, Hayato…

Emilia, who looked at Hayato’s appearance and murmured his name, was wearing the same dress as when she went to meet the king. Also, for some reason she looked nervous.

– Ah! Wait a minute!

When Hayato got into the car, Emilia told the driver that tried to close the door from the outside, and Emilia turned her eyes to Kate.

– Will you stay to do homework, Kate?

– Yes

Kate nods and continues.

– I have a duty to clean the rooms of Hime-sama and Hayato-sama.

– Would you like to go with me? Being surrounded by Otou-sama, Douglas and the cabinet of ministers, it will be a nuisance to keep their company.

She had thought about it since, after this, Hayato will not be with her.

Emilia considers that she only wants to have an ally close to her, she does not ask for more.

– For much that you say that, Hime-sama, because I have work to do, I will not be able to be with you. And, that reminds me, Claudia-sama and Kilfelthar, why are not they next to you?

– Oh, Claudia and Kilfelthar are in another task at the moment.

– All right, then I’ll pray for Hayato-sama’s victory while I clean up. Have a good day, Hayato-sama, Hime-sama. I pray that you have good fortune in the war―

Then the conversation with Kate ended.

With a *BATON*, the door was closed, and the car began to move.

Then, Emilia immediately approaches his ear and asks him.

– Is it like you still haven't had contact with Claudia and the others?

– Uhmm…

Hayato frowned indicating that he was worried.

– I also sent an email to Sakura, but she hasn't answered either.

Emilia speaks slowly and close to his ear, taking into consideration that the driver did not listen to them. Similarly, Hayato also responded with a low voice.

– For some reason I have a bad feeling. Even if the Hundred was originally sent, it is very strange that they haven't arrived at this time, I will call Claudia again. It is also absolutely necessary to tell them immediately that we are heading towards the arena.

Emilia takes the PDA out of her pocket and tries to contact Claudia. But, it’s impossible, it does not call.

– Hmmm, I can't connect…

– In that case, I’ll try with Sakura.

Hayato also takes his PDA and tries to contact Sakura, but the result is the same. It is announced that there is no coverage or that the device is turned off.

– Why is this happening? I don't think there is no coverage area around the station…

Emilia tilts with the sound.

The vehicle keeps moving towards the arena.

– How much more is it for us to get to the stadium?

– Hmm, would you say about ten minutes?

It has been five minutes since the vehicle began to move. This means that the distance between the arena and the palace is about fifteen minutes.

*TURURURU*, *TURURURU*…

– Oh…!

The melody of the incoming call emitted by Hayato’s PDA resonated inside the car.

Looks at the screen. It’s an incoming call from Kirishima Sakura.

[It finally connected!]

When Hayato pressed the b.u.t.ton, Sakura’s voice of emotion was so loud that his ears ached.

– Why, so suddenly the voice so strong?

[Because it has finally connected! I’m grateful that after getting here you’re fine!]

– Get here … Could you meet Claudia and Kilfelthar?

[Err, somehow … but, after this, the worst is really coming. The traffic lights are off due to a big blackout and this has turned into chaos. Therefore, the car is stuck in the middle of traffic congestion. In addition, radio waves from the PDA are outside the prefecture *. Honestly, this is a terrible sabotage]

TN: Textually says like that the kanji.県 外 = kengai, outside the prefecture.

– “Sabotage” … don't tell me―

[Claudia says that what has been happening at this moment, is definitely due to an intervention by Prime Minister Bratt who is related to Douglas]

– … for real…?

[But we’re fine. Leaving Kilfelthar driving the vehicle, and being armed here as well as Claudia, we will arrive quickly using energy. Where are you now, Hayato-kun?]

– To be honest we are heading towards the arena.

[In that case, I will personally leave the Hundred in the arena]

In the same instant Sakura said that.

[It’s dangerous, Sakura-san!]

Claudia’s voice was heard, and at the same time he heard *PAAAAAAN*, the firing of a gun.

[―KYA!?]

What he heard next was Sakura’s scream.

– Hey, Sakura! What is happening!?

Even though Hayato shouted, he did not hear the return voice. And the call was also disconnected.

– Hayato, what happened?

– Suddenly a shot was heard accompanied by Sakura’s scream, and then the call was cut off.

– Huh? … That, don't tell me that was the bad feeling…?

– Sakura’s words, she told me that they had received sabotage.

-…Sabotage? Why something like that…?

– There was a blackout at the station and the signal stopped, then they were stuck in traffic, among other things.

– Wait a minute. That means they will not be able to deliver the Hundred on time….

– Sakura and Claudia seemed to get out of the vehicle, armed, saying that using energy they could deliver it quickly and―.

He heard the scream moments ago.

He was anxious. It was the same for Emilia.

– I can't be helped. I will go to pick it up myself.

As soon as the private vehicle stopped at the traffic lights, Emilia opened the door and went down the road.

– Hey, where are you going…?

– Emilia smiled sweetly at Hayato, took the Hundred that was on her chest, squeezed it firmly, then shouted.

– HUNDRED, ON!

With a radiant bluish white, she displayed <mist>> Arms Shroud, in the waistband of the dress, and created a kind of propulsion device “Thruster“, similar to wings, which is the same as Claire uses, in her back.</mist>

<mist>– Using this I will fly and get to where Claudia and the others are, to get the Hundred. In this way I will get there faster, and even if I don't know what the situation is or what might happen, it will be better to face them with all my might.</mist>

<mist>– … “Might”, are you okay with that suit?</mist>

<mist>Emilia is not wearing her Variable Suit now. But her appearance is of a dress.</mist>

<mist>– No problem, no problem. This clothes, its skirt is long, and by flying through the skies, even if I’m in a fight, nothing will be seen inside of it. So far, I feel comfortable not having to strain and have to be hiding things like other women.</mist>

<mist>– No, I didn't mean that…</mist>

<mist>Okay, if Emilia’s ability is enough, then it may not be a matter of concern.</mist>

<mist>– In any case, we don't have time. I will definitely deliver the Hundred before the battle starts. Hayato, trust me and wait for me. Tell my father that I'll be late. Until then, take care!</mist>

<mist>Emilia injects energy into the gun barrel and flies powerfully in the direction of the station.</mist>

<mist>***</mist>

<mist>– You, don't move!</mist>

<mist>Sakura and Claudia turn their eyes towards the place where the voice came from.</mist>

<mist>There were more than ten people belonging to the Gudenburg police, and each of them pointed their gun.</mist>

<mist>– Hey! Why is it now that we are being targeted by the police!? And as if that wasn't enough, they shoot my PDA! I will sue them!</mist>

<mist>– Silence! Surrender and raise your hands right now, terrorists!</mist>

<mist>That was what a man of average height said and who was in his forties. He is the captain of the Public Order Maintenance Unit under the direct control of the Privy Council. It was also he who shot Sakura’s PDA.</mist>

<mist>– Huh? Wait a minute. We terrorists? What nonsense are you saying!?</mist>

<mist>– There’s no point in continuing to deny it. You are being sought internationally for being members of the anti-Slayer organization. You are some dreadful and terrible terrorists!</mist>

<mist>– Huh?</mist>

<mist>– Check this out!</mist>

<mist>The captain of the law enforcement unit pulled out two sheets of paper. In them, the faces of Sakura and Claudia were printed.</mist>

<mist>– Hey! What the h.e.l.l does this mean!?</mist>

<mist>Sakura, who is next to Claudia, asks her the question.</mist>

<mist>– It seems that the Prime Minister of this country has influence on public safety and wanted us to be on the list of those wanted by the police. Currently the Prime Minister is our enemy, as he has links with Emilia-sama’s fiancé―</mist>

<mist>– Whaaaaat! How did something like this happen!?</mist>

<mist>Holding their weapons, the members of the POMU approached them. As Sakura stepped back, carrying with both hands the small box that contained Hayato’s Hundred, she raised her voice to the forces of the POMU.</mist>

<mist>– Hey you, is it that you don't know who I am? I am the Idol that travels around the world, the