V6Ch2: An assassin breaks into a sleepover! Part 2
Translator: Soafp
I was receiving treatment from the sexy female doctor in the school’s infirmary.
“All done. Don’t get into any more fights.”
The doctor said and returned to her work.
“Are you okay, Sid?”
Christina looked down at me, worried.
“I’m fine. That was a good punch, but thanks to my ‘Slipping Away,’ I managed to evade 97% of the damage and survived.”
I grinned, despite the swollen cheek.
“It might be a good idea to rest in the infirmary today. I’ll come to get you after classes.”
Christina advised before leaving the infirmary.
I lay on the bed and stretched. It was comfortable.
“Yaa.”
Suddenly, a petite girl appeared from under the bed. It was Nina-senpai.
“Yaa.”
I greeted her in return. I knew she had been eavesdropping from the beginning.
“What’s up?”
“I suppose it’s time for an update on Claire.”
“Ah, my sister?”
“Yeah. Let’s head to Claire’s room for now.”
As always, I was led by the tiny Nina-senpai as we moved to Claire’s room.
Claire’s room had changed a bit since the last time I entered. Medical equipment and various unknown magical tools were scattered around. Claire lay motionless on the bed.
“Claire…”
Beep, beep, beep, beep…
One of the magical devices made a sound.
I had seen something like this in the hospital of my previous life.
“Her pulse stopped. She might be…”
I bowed my head, praying for Claire. I had never believed in an afterlife, but since I had been reincarnated into this world, there was a chance Claire could be reborn somewhere else, assuming she was lucky.
“Please, let her be reborn as something better than a cockroach or a microscopic insect.”
“She’s not dead.”
Nina-senpai stated with a dull look.
“But the magical device has stopped.”
“This sound means the magical power measurement is complete.”
The one who corrected me was not Nina-senpai but a sexy female doctor who entered the room. She had entered so quietly that her presence was almost unnoticed.
“Doctor, you were in the health office earlier, right?”
“Yes. I was introduced to you by Nina-san, and I’m both Claire-san’s therapist and the school doctor. My name is Mu.”
She bowed deeply, and I couldn’t help but notice her dark skin, plump sensual lips, and pointed ears peeking out from her silver hair.
She was a Dark Elf.
“Nice to meet you, I’m Sid Kageno. I’m sort of Claire’s younger brother.”
“I’m well aware of that. I look forward to working with you in the future.”
“No, no, thank you.”
“No, no, no thank you.”
We kept bowing to each other.
I mean, why was Dr. Mu being so humble? Wasn’t she a bit too modest for a doctor? But then again, maybe Dark Elf doctors were a rare type?
Once Dr. Mu finished her bow, she expertly operated the equipment and examined Claire’s magical energy.
I was quite impressed by Dr. Mu’s skillful handling of magical energy.
It was hard to believe someone of her level was working as a school doctor.
She seemed remarkably capable, and her ability to mask her presence was also natural.
Modern doctors were truly impressive.
This situation was far beyond my meager medical knowledge, and I realized it was better to leave it to the professionals.
“It’s amazing that Nina-senpai has such a skilled doctor acquaintance. Friends in high places, right?”
“Nyahaha.”
Nina-senpai chuckled, looking a bit embarrassed.
“So, what’s the condition of my sister like?”
“There’s no threat to her life. She will wake up eventually. If I may explain her condition, the fluctuations in her magical energy and the reaction of a new insignia on her right hand…”
I interrupted Mu-san, who was explaining the medical details.
“Alright, alright, I get it. As long as there’s no immediate danger to her life.”
“Well, what matters is when she’ll wake up.”
Ideally, I wished Claire would remain asleep a bit longer.
“If we let her wake up naturally, it could take several weeks to a few months, depending on Claire’s magical aptitude.”
“I see.”
“Of course, we can forcibly awaken her, but in that case, there might be aftereffects on her magical circuits…”
“Wait, that’s not good. That’s very not good.”
“Yeah, you shouldn’t underestimate the aftereffects on magical circuits. We should prioritize Claire’s well-being…”
As I listened half-heartedly to Mu-san’s explanation, I gazed down at my sister, who was sleeping so peacefully.
“She’s better off staying asleep forever.”
She’d just be a nuisance, as always.
The moment I said that, the atmosphere turned icy.
Nina-senpai’s eyes widened, Mu-san stiffened, and they both swallowed hard.
“Is that your will?”
Nina-senpai asked with a tone so serious it felt like the end of the world.
“The Great Will looks far, far beyond us. Let us obey it, no matter what awaits us ahead, until this life is over.……”
Mu-san knelt down with a determined look in her eyes.
“Uhm…”
What is this atmosphere?
I was overwhelmed by the strange tension in the room and instinctively retreated.
“Th-that was just a joke…”
Even if it was a joke in bad taste, I didn’t intend for it to be taken so seriously.
“Well, it was quite a surprise. I thought my heart would stop.”
The atmosphere shifted to a warm and relaxed one.
But why was Nina-senpai suddenly using honorific language? What just happened in that room?
“Alright, I’m leaving my sister in your care.”
I quickly left the room.
I couldn’t help but wonder about that strange atmosphere. Maybe that joke was really too insensitive.
But to be fair, my sister has always been unusually tenacious. She has an abnormal regenerative ability from birth. It’s almost like she was born with it. So, even if she’s unconscious, I can laugh it off and make jokes.
After dinner, Kanade, Christina, and I were playing Old Maid in our bedroom.
“E-Eliza-sama was so angry! I’m going to die for sure.”
Kanade, crying, drew a card from me.
Oh, she picked the Old Maid card.
“Don’t worry; this mansion’s security is tight. If it comes to that, I’ll be here too.”
“But Eliza-sama had a big male student by her side.”
“Yeah, he was there.”
A student who pretended to be a guard by Eliza’s side in the white mist. He’s the one who threw me earlier.
“Are you talking about Dekuno Bou?”
“That’s right, and rumor has it that Dekuno Bou’s father is connected to a criminal organization, and they’ve used illegal security forces to bury many people in the shadows. If you’re killed, your organs are sold, your flesh is minced, and your bones are melted into slime, leaving nothing behind… It’s over.”
“The Marquis of Onyano Bou, right? It’s true he has a bad reputation, but I wonder if he has the guts to break into this mansion.”
“I’m in!”
With a card drawn from Christina, it was my turn to lose.
“Yes, yes.”
“I’m in too.”
“Eeh~ Why can’t I win at all?”
It was because I could tell from Kanade’s expression that she had something on her face, but I didn’t say anything.
“So, is playing Old Maid with three people actually fun?”
“It’s so much fun!”
Kanade’s eyes sparkled as she replied.
“Ah, I see.”
Different people have different tastes and hobbies.
“Well then, I’ll go ahead and take a bath.”
“Eeh.”
“But we were going to play until we find the Old Maid…”
“Sorry, but it was agreed that the loser takes the first bath.”
“Despite the fact that we were planning to turn the tables on each other…”
I ignored Kanade’s discontent and headed to the bathroom.
“Kanade, want to play Old Maid together?”
“Sure!”
I heard an unsettling voice from behind.
Next Christina entered the bath, Kanade and I would be alone together. Surely, she’d realize that playing Old Maid with just two people was rather pointless.
Afterward, Kanade and I found ourselves playing Old Maid alone.
Late at night.
Several shadowy figures moved within the Hope family’s remote mansion. They wore masks and held weapons, waiting for the right moment to launch their attack.
“Father, is it time yet?”
“Don’t get impatient, Dekuno.”
Dekuno Bou and Oyano Bou conversed in hushed tones.
“But the lights have already gone out.”
“We’ve left the reconnaissance to Baron Shinobi. We should wait for his signal.”
“Alright, father.”
Dekuno Bow responded, although he seemed somewhat dissatisfied.
“Don’t worry, Dekuno. You’ll get the credit for this attack. Once you graduate from the academy, the seat of Night Sword will be passed to you.”
“Really!?”
“I’m getting old. Once you graduate, you should take my place.”
“Hehehe, I’ll tear that Christina apart for underestimating us.”
“Our targets are two people: Christina and Kanade. As for Duke Hope, he’s waiting with the evidence as we agreed.”
“That poor woman is being betrayed by her own family.”
Dekuno chuckled, mocking her.
“It’s a wise choice. If our family’s generations of traditions were destroyed because of that foolish daughter, we’d become our enemy. But in exchange for the evidence, we promised to save Duke Hope alone. Don’t kill him by mistake.”
“Hehe, I get it.”
“Be careful. Oh, and there seems to be one male student in the same room as the targets. His name is Sid Kageno, I believe.”
“Oh, that trash next to Christina. What should we do with him?”
“Doesn’t matter much, but it could be a nuisance if he’s a witness. Take care of him while you’re at it.”
“Alright.”
“Good. Don’t fail. Reconnaissance is handled by Baron Shinobi, the attack by the Bou family, and the mansion’s encirclement by Marquis Jet. There’s nowhere for them to run.”
“There’s no escape, huh?”
“No. If something goes wrong, both the reconnaissance and encirclement teams will move as backup. The assassination unit includes assassins from the lawless city, and the encirclement team has a master of the White Tiger Style who was expelled for being too vicious. There’s no room for failure.”
“Hehe, that’s just like you, father. The fight is decided before it even begins. The most enjoyable fight is the one you’re sure to win. That’s your motto, right?”
“Kukuku, that’s right.”
Oyano Bou grinned with twisted lips.
“Father, it’s the signal from the reconnaissance team.”
“Here they come. Let’s move.”
And so, multiple figures infiltrated the mansion.
Christina lay on her bed, staring up at the ceiling. Inside the room, Kanade’s snoring and Sid’s steady breathing could be heard.
She couldn’t sleep. It wasn’t Kanade’s snoring that kept her awake; it was the events of that morning. The gruesome sight of the two bodies hanging from the fountain, their blood staining everything, haunted her. The two who had used extreme violence had been ruthlessly killed by a greater power.
Power.
Pure power could transcend everything: laws, ethics, authority.
“Fufu…”
Christina let out a small, bitter laugh as she reached up to the ceiling.
Then, she heard the faint sound of fabric rustling.
“Is someone awake?”
There was no response.
“Kanade? Sid-kun?”
Kanade’s snoring and Sid’s breathing continued as if nothing had changed.
“Is it just my imagination…”
Suddenly, she heard a clicking sound. The door was opening.
“Who is it?”
She inquired, and the partially opened door stopped.
Beyond the half-open door, she could barely hear a soft exhale.
“Do you have business here?”
As she spoke, Christina reached for a sword next to her bed.
It was strange that there was no response from the mansion’s personnel. Any of the mansion’s staff would have replied immediately.
Christina’s room was filled with the sounds of Kanade’s snoring.
Then, it happened.
“Kill them.”
With that signal, a group of dark figures rushed into the room.
“Everyone, wake up!”
Christina shouted and threw Kanade’s blanket at the intruders.
“Ggguuu… What? What’s going on?”
Kanade, in a state of confusion, tried to make sense of the situation, and Christina handed her a sword.
“It’s an attack!”
As she spoke, Christina deflected the blow from a burly attacker.
She applied just enough force to test her opponent’s strength. He was skilled but not unbeatable. Christina adjusted the angle of her sword and parried his attack.
Her blade found its mark in the shoulder of her opponent, causing him to cry out.
“You… you dared to do that!”
The deep, familiar voice reached her ears.
Christina parried another attack and faced off against five attackers.
“Don’t let your guard down! You get back!”
“But Father…”
“I told you not to speak anymore!”
The man called “father” pushed aside the burly man and stood before Christina, acting as the group’s leader.
“Uwaaah! What’s happening? Am I going to die here?”
Kanade continued to wail as she fended off two attackers.
Meanwhile, Sid Kageno…
He was trying to sneak out through the window.
“Ah…”
He met Christina’s eyes and smiled awkwardly,
“Well then, see you later.”
He quickly disappeared out the window.
“Y-You traitooooooooooor!! I’ll curse you! I’ll become a vengeful spirit and curse you!!”
Kanade’s angry voice filled the room.
“Don’t let him escape! Chase him down!”
The leader of the group gave orders, and three of the men went after Sid.
“Saved by the bell.”
Christina muttered quietly.
Sid had taken on three of the attackers, allowing Christina and Kanade a chance to defend themselves. It reduced their chances of survival, but it wasn’t a hopeless situation. If they could hold on for a little longer, the estate’s security personnel would respond to the commotion.
“Now, I think it’s time for us to have a little chat.”
The leader of the group said, and Christina could see a wicked grin beneath his mask.
“Oh, how polite of you. Are you from the Nightblade?”
“Don’t bother trying to mislead us. We know that reinforcements won’t be coming. By now, another squad will be taking care of the problem.”
“Never underestimate the Nightblade. They’re not as weak as you think.”
“I believe you misunderstand. The Nightblade is desperate to take care of this problem for good.”
“Really? And how do you plan to do that?”
The leader chuckled, and his men closed in around Christina.
“Oh, you know. A little bloodshed. If you don’t resist, it won’t be as painful.”
The attackers lunged at Christina, and she managed to block one of the men’s swords.
“But really, who is your target?”
Christina continued to parry their attacks.
“None of your business.”
The leader pressed forward, but Christina’s skill with a blade was evident.
“Fine, keep it a secret if you must.”
Their battle raged on, but then something unexpected happened. There was a sharp noise, and Christina watched in disbelief as one of the men’s bodies was suddenly severed into two pieces.
“Wha—? What just happened!?”
The attacker’s body collapsed, his eyes filled with terror.
“Watch out!”
The others stepped back, bewildered by the gruesome sight. Christina held her sword at the ready.
“Who did this? Show yourself!”
Christina demanded, but no one appeared.
“Are you trying to deceive us? Is this your trick?”
The leader was wary, and his men stayed on guard.
“No, I swear I had nothing to do with it.”
Christina was equally baffled. She had merely deflected the man’s attack; she hadn’t delivered the killing blow.
Another noise caught their attention.
The same fate had befallen the other two attackers who had gone after Sid. They lay lifeless in the hallway.
“What in the world is happening?”
Christina muttered to herself. She couldn’t explain the mysterious deaths of the attackers.
“The sword, why is there no blood on it?”
The leader’s gaze was fixed on Kanade’s blade.
“Huh? Oh, you’re right.”
Kanade examined her sword, and it was entirely clean. There was no blood to be found.
“Why, did I awaken my true powers at last? The hidden depths of my strength finally revealed?”
Kanade’s voice was tinged with excitement.
“No, it couldn’t be. What in the world…”
The leader was about to say something when he noticed a rustling sound.
In the bed, there was someone unfamiliar, sleeping with their back turned, bathed in moonlight.
“A blood-stained clown…”
Someone murmured, and with a roll, the clown turned towards them, smiling behind its blood-red mask.
“Hii…”
Dekuno Bou stepped back.
“Are you Jack the Ripper?”
On the other hand, Oyano Bou remained composed.
He gave orders to his subordinates and turned his attention back to the blood-stained clown.
“It seems you appeared here deliberately. Were you indeed the assassin you hired?”
“N-No! The Hope family does not employ assassins!”
Christina denied the accusation, but Oyano Bou wasn’t really listening.
“However, you have exceptional skill. Thanks to you, we’ve suffered great losses.”
Oyano Bou stared at the lifeless bodies of the skilled swordsmen that had been brutally killed.
“These men were renowned swordsmen in the underworld. It’s hard to believe, but it’s the reality.”
Oyano Bou let out a tired sigh.
The blood-stained clown continued to lay in bed, smiling behind its bloody mask.
“We have to accept reality. We believe it’s not in our best interest to be at odds with you. Even if we win this battle, it will result in significant losses for both sides. You must realize this as well. We have no intention of asking you to join us, just to withdraw. We’ll make sure not to tarnish your reputation. What do you say?”
The blood-stained clown shivered slightly, shoulders trembling.
He laughed silently.
“….What’s so funny?”
With a sudden halt in his trembling, the clown pointed a trembling finger.
Slowly, so slowly, the clown’s finger pointed towards one of the attackers. It was as if it was making a choice.
And that finger eventually stopped, pointing at one of the attackers.
“What—–“
The attacker tilted his head in confusion.
In the same instant, the clown flicked its finger.
The next moment, the attacker’s head jumped from his shoulders.
“No way!”
Blood sprayed like a fountain as the headless attacker fell to the floor.
“Help! Father, I can’t take this anymore!”
Dekuno Bou crawled on the floor, seemingly paralyzed with fear.
However, the blood-stained clown’s finger was already searching for the next target. The finger bypassed Dekuno Bou and pointed at another attacker.
“Wait!”
With a panicked cry, the skilled swordsman swiftly evaded, showing his expertise.
But when the clown’s finger was flicked away, the upper half of his face was blown off.
His remaining mouth moved as if trying to say something, but only blood foam came out.
Next, the blood-stained clown’s finger pointed at Kanade.
“What? Me!? Why!? Noooooo!”
The finger paused for a moment but then passed her by, pointing to a further attacker, flicking it aside.
“Nooo…”
He remained in shock, his head missing.
Now, only Oyano Bou and his son Dekuno Bou were left.
“N-No, Father, let’s get out of here!”
Dekuno Bou clung to his father’s legs.
Oyano Bou couldn’t hide his astonishment after witnessing the four formidable swordsmen being instantly defeated.
“So, the negotiations have collapsed… I see. You intentionally left me behind to showcase your power and gain the upper hand in negotiations. There seems to be room for negotiations after all.”
The blood-stained clown remained unresponsive to Oyano Bou’s words.
“Let’s start with an apology. I’ll admit that we underestimated your abilities. We don’t know how you acquired such power, but to think you would have this much…”
Cold sweat trickled down Dekuno Bou’s face.
“But this mansion is already surrounded. I signaled my subordinates a while ago. The backup units from the surrounding area will arrive soon. We have the elite squads of Viscount Shinobi and Marquis Jet, even a master of the White Tiger Style, the “Sword Demon,” in reserve. However remarkable your abilities may be, surviving under these circumstances is…”
Oyano Bou’s words were abruptly interrupted as the blood-stained clown made a move.
He rummaged under the futon.
Upon closer examination, the futon was strangely bulging and stained a dark red.
From underneath the futon, the clown pulled out two severed heads.
“No…”
Two familiar faces for Oyano Bou.
“Viscount Shinobi… and even Marquis Jet…”
Each severed head had a Spade 4 and a Spade 5 stuck in them.
“Did you say the surrounding units were all wiped out…? Nonsense! The opponent is just one person!”
Finally, Oyano Bou lost his composure.
“What do you want!? What are your demands!?”
He screamed, foaming at the mouth.
The blood-stained clown slowly took out a card from his pocket.
It was the Six of Spades.
“No, no, no!”
Oyano Bou instantly understood for whom that card was meant.
He used his son, who was begging to be released, as a shield and tried to hide behind him.
“D-Dad, really!? Let go, let me go!”
“No, no!”
Together with Dekuno Bou’s attempt to break free, the clown swung to cut them down with the Six of Spades.
At that moment, a shattering sound came from the window, and a tall swordsman appeared.
“Hehehe… So you’re here, Jack the Ripper.”
His voice was calm, and an unusual aura surrounded him.
The long sword he drew from its sheath gleamed in the moonlight.
“W-Wait, aren’t you… Sword Demon?! Are you alive!?”
Oyano Bou regained his composure upon seeing the Sword Demon.
He cautiously revealed his face from behind Dekuno Bou.
“It’s been a while. I thought I could have an exhilarating battle, but it seems you’ve killed everyone else and plan to escape. I’m disappointed.”
The Sword Demon spoke while maintaining an unwavering gaze on the blood-soaked clown.
He understood the situation.
This clown was a formidable opponent, comparable to himself.
“Who is this Sword Demon?”
The intimidating presence and unshakable magical power also sent shivers down Christina’s spine.
Without a doubt, he was one of the world’s top swordsmen.
“It’s not surprising if you don’t know him. This man comes from a faraway land called Wakoku, a nation of martial artists.”
“Martial artist…!?”
Christina had heard of it.
Across the sea was a secluded nation, Wakoku, known for its elite martial artists. There, martial artists were revered as symbols of power rather than swordsmen.
Wakoku had isolated itself, making it challenging to gather information, but occasionally, martial artists came to other lands for training.
They were all exceptionally skilled.
“And this man is one of Wakoku’s four major schools, the White Tiger Style, expected to become the youngest head instructor. However, in his pursuit of power, he slaughtered nine of his disciples, leading to his expulsion from the school.”
“Fu… That’s an old story. I was feeling a bit bored in this country, but I didn’t expect to encounter such an eccentric martial artist like you.”
The Sword Demon said as he lowered his stance, readying his sword.
“Hehehe… Jack the Ripper, trying to run away because you’re afraid of the Sword Demon? What happened to your earlier bravado?”
Oyano Bow’s laughter echoed.
“Let’s do this.”
The Sword Demon crouched low.
“Crunch.”
Kanade cleared her throat.
And then, the blood-stained clown’s finger was deflected.
At the same time, the Sword Demon’s body trembled, avoiding something. Immediately afterward, a hole was pierced in the wall behind him.
“Deflecting fingers… with no preparatory motion, and this much power. If it were anyone else, that strike would have been the end.”
The Sword Demon murmured in amusement.
Jack the Ripper also seemed somewhat surprised. He looked at the Sword Demon as if assessing his power.
“But it doesn’t work on me. Even without seeing, I can sense the presence.”
Saying that, the Sword Demon closed his eyes and readied his stance.
“Come on, Jack the Ripper. Your attacks won’t land…”
In that moment, there was a soft “thud.”
“Eh…”
The Sword Demon’s head flew off.
The body of the decapitated Sword Demon collapsed slowly, blood spraying like a fountain from his neck.
The severed head that fell to the floor blinked at Jack the Ripper in bewilderment.
“Haa…”
And with a small sigh, the clown placed the Six of Spades in the head.
“No… Why…”
In turn, Dekuno Bou fell lifeless.
Jack the Ripper then turned his gaze to Christina and Kanade.
An eerie tension filled the silence.
“It’s the one who witnesses the killing, they get killed…”
Kanade trembled like a newborn deer.
But to her surprise, instead of what she expected, the blood-soaked clown made a “pitter-patter” sound as he walked away.
“Wait!”
Christina called out to him.
In the midst of the stillness, an unusual tension lingered.
“Wait for me!”
Christina pleaded. Jack the Ripper turned around and paused.
“Your objective… You delivered the documents of Goethe Mono to me, right? Is that your doing?”
In response to her question, the blood-stained clown stopped and remained silent. He gazed at Christina with the fixed grin on his mask.
“Kukuku…”
The clown let out a small laugh.
Then he threw a card.
Christina instinctively tried to defend herself with her sword.
However, the card grazed Christina’s cheek and pierced Kanade in the temple, who was behind her.
“Eeeeek!?”
“Kanade!?”
Kanade fell to the ground, blood flowing from her head.
“Kukuku…”
The clown leaped out the window. However, Christina couldn’t pursue him. She had to make sure Kanade was okay.
“Are you okay? Kanade, please, say something!”
Kanade’s life was at risk.
A friend with whom she could speak her mind without caring about her status at home. It was a unique relationship for her.
“Kanade, Kanade!”
There was a pulse, there was breathing; all they needed to do was stop the bleeding.
“Ugh… Christina…”
“Kanade, hold on!”
Kanade placed her trembling hand on top of Christina’s.
“It’s okay. I… won’t make it anymore…”
“No, that’s not true!”
“I know my body better than anyone…”
“Kanade, you don’t understand anything. You’ll be fine; you’ll definitely survive!”
“Could you… hear my last wishes…?”
“There’s no need for that!”
“Please, Christina.”
Kanade looked at Christina with serious eyes.
“Okay. You don’t need last wishes, but if that’s what makes you feel better. If something happens, I’ll make sure to convey it to your parents.”
“Thank you, Christina… but I don’t have any last wishes for my parents.”
“Huh…?”
“My last wish is… Sid Kageno!”
Kanade’s eyes widened
“You’re a traitor, Sid Kageno! I’ll never forgive you!! I’ll curse you to death, so get ready!!”
And then, Kanade closed her eyes peacefully.
“Kanade, Kanade, please, wake up!”
But Kanade didn’t move anymore.
“I have to deal with this incident, and you’re in the way by lying there!”
Christina peeled off the card stuck to Kanade’s head with a sharp sound.
“Ouch.”
“This is just fake blood.”
“Huh…? Am I alive?”
Kanade touched her own head in bewilderment.
“Don’t worry. There’s not a scratch on you.”
“But the card pierced my head…”
“It was just fake blood sticking it.”
“Jack the Ripper, you scoundrel!”
Kanade jumped up with a bright red face.
“Wait, there’s something written on the card.”
“Huh, what is it?”
The card Christina was holding had a poem written in blood.
“The dandelions in the field
Kill all the bad people
We always count them, but sometimes
we play like this.”
“What does it mean?”
“I’m not sure, but he left it behind for a reason.”
At that moment, the door of the room slowly opened.
“Hey, everyone! You’re all safe!”
Approaching them with a somewhat insincere smile was a plain-looking, black-haired boy named Sid Kageno.
“I’m so glad you’re safe.”
Christina sighed with relief.
“Hey, Sid! Guess who came crawling back? The lousy traitor has some nerve showing up, right?”
Kanade blustered like a thug.
“No, no, I was in grave danger.”
“Grave danger? I was practically about to die here. If Jack the Ripper senpai hadn’t shown up, I would’ve been a goner for sure.”
“Heh, so Jack the Ripper appeared, huh?”
“Yeah, he showed up all cool and started going ‘whoosh, whoosh, whoosh’! It was seriously intense!”
Kanade had quickly returned to her usual self.
“Heh, I’m so relieved.”
“Yes, yes. So, this martial artist, in the blink of an eye, he—wait, that’s not the time for it, Sid Kageno!”
“Oh, right.”
“I won’t forgive the traitor! You had some nerve leaving us behind and running away!”
“I’m really sorry!”
“Don’t think a simple apology will cut it! Starting now, you’re getting a thorough beatdown!”
Kanade tackled Sid with both legs, took the mount, and began to pummel him.
“How’s that? Had enough yet?”
“Uwaa, stop it!”
And so, the beatdown continued for a while.