Alice Tale in Phantasmagoria Chapter 146

It has already been nearly 1 week, from when the saintess left the fort.
During that time, the soldiers on our side prepared for an attack and continued their watch irregardless of night and day, the color of fatigue is becoming thick.
While saying that, our military force is insufficient to for us to make an idiotically straightforward charge.
The soldiers of the fort number at about 10 thousand.
The soldiers of the commonwealth that oppose that, number above 30 thousand at the least.
There's nothing but to continue defending, while making use of the fort's grounds.
Fortunately, their side is far from their home country so their supplies aren't as they would like it.
As such they can't carry out such like a war of attrition for an indefinite amount of time.
The ones who will fall first in an endurance contest are, them――This much is Ilya's council.
Looking up to the sky from the nightless castle's window, as always there was a star filled sky that seems to suck you into it there.

「……Nn? Oneechan.」

I turn my gaze downward and, I found an ane doing stretches in the fort's courtyard.
……Yosh, let's go.
Seeing me place my foot on the office's window frame, the security maid-san standing by in the room became fl.u.s.tered.

「O, ojousama?」
「s.h.i.+～」

I silenced the maid-san by using a gesture with an ancient legacy and, jumped down into the courtyard as such.
Adjusting my magic power, I land on the ground without a sound.
Stealthily approaching the back of the ane continuing her stretches――

「――Is it Alice?」
「Wa waa! That surprised me……」

Having a voice call out to you like it's natural around when you're trying to surprise someone, makes me surprised in turn……

「To do something like sneak up behind a woman in the night, I can't call that a good pastime, Alice.」
「U……I'm reflecting a little. Or rather I'm cowering in fear of oneechan's wild sixth sense.」

That playfulness like it's overflowing was……

「Fufu, so, what?」
「No, I saw oneechan from the window so, I wonder what she's doing～ like that. It's only that though.」
「I was doing my practices up until now so, it was around when I thought to sleep after doing stretches.」
「Is that so.」

While saying that, s.h.i.+on-san groaned while spreading her legs as her body fell forward.
Perhaps it's exceptionally soft, it seemed like her entire body would end up sticking to the ground.
However this is that isn't it……her, her giant b.r.e.a.s.t.s will be crushed……

「Alice」
「Hyaii!」
「? If you're going to just stand there, could you give my back a slight push?」
「That's just what I wanted.」
「Some～how, I'm sensing danger toward my body though?」
「Because we're sisters.」
「……That's totally not an answer that let's me feel safe though.」

I touch s.h.i.+on-san's back as she becomes exasperated.
Sensing portions that are delicately feminine and, a suppleness suitable for a swordsman, makes me admire her.
I understand from just this, how perfectly she executes her daily preparations.
The preparations that gather over time――effort.
At the least days without resting on talent, definitely won't betray you.
Even now that is still being conveyed, from s.h.i.+on-san's back.

「Hey, don't embrace me and push okay.」
「……Eh, it's already over?」
「It hasn't even started though……」

It can't be helped, I should seriously a.s.sist her stretch then.
I put my power in and push and, her body ended up being truly flat against the ground.
……I wonder what the forces of her b.r.e.a.s.t.s are doing.
I a.s.sisted her stretch for a while, while sensing the divine mysteries of the human body.

「……」
「……」

At the end of her stretch, we put our backs together and sit while entrusting our body weight to eachother so as to discuss something.
A crying voice like a bell cricket's, was ringing across the fort's courtyard.

「Are you worried?」
「Hai……」

I really couldn't answer that in front of everyone though.
There's an impact, and the back of s.h.i.+on-san's head is put on the back of my head.

「The Alice that recklessly went out on a walk all on her own, without thinking at all, has grown up hasn't she～」
「……When is that story from, it's troubling having stories from 100 million years and 2 thousand years ago being used against me.」
「Oh, somehow it's become like a majestic love story hasn't it.」
「Maa, it's certain that I and oneechan's bond was established since that time.」

Eiyaa, and I unconsciously tried pus.h.i.+ng back with the back of my head.
s.h.i.+on-san took the heavenly sword Senbonzakura Murak.u.mo left at her side into her hand.
……This premonition of death!

「This katana, is almost like it was born for me, it's the ultimate partner that doesn't give any feeling except that.」
「Eh? Aah……I'm super envious.」

My precious skins.h.i.+p was outdone, by future Saira's unique masterwork……
But in truth, I think that Saira did make that just for s.h.i.+on-san.

「……Is it that incredible?」

I, can't even do the act of swinging it though.

「Aah, of course. Those flower petals made from magic power, can be manipulated with a radius of 10 meters around me but, that's convenient isn't it.」

Since that effect can do the act of taking offense and defense as a single body, it also can do the act of shooting through the opponent, it also can even do the act of serving as a hindrance.
Furthermore as Senbonzakura absorbs magic power from the air on its own, it naturally recovers.
An excellent sword that covers for the swordsman's weakness called one against many, and grants the s.h.i.+on-san specialized in evasion the option of『receiving』――It could be described as such.
To s.h.i.+on-san it's like giving an oni a metal rod.
Right, in short……perhaps it's that might is itself power?

「So, to oneechan does it seem like, that which is me, could be cut with that?」

Simple curiosity came bubbling up.

「Nn～～? I wonder? Perhaps, something would come of it if I tried?」
「……When I asked that same question, you said that which is Till was impossible didn't you? Imouto's mood is ruined.」
「Haha, since that shorty-chan's experience and level of development is different from Alice's isn't it? I still feel that, you know, or rather, after seeing that scene it's all the more burned into me, that that is the『strongest』.」

Since she was so strong, it exceeded logic didn't it……
As I released my power while remembering back, s.h.i.+on-san came to completely give her body weight over.

「Wa waa」
「But, while that which is Alice isn't so far away it does feel like it will eventually become such that it won't reach anymore.」
「……Imouto's mood has become a little better.」
「Fufu, then that's good. So until then, we'll protect you you know. Ilya's also here, this is that you shouldn't take too much weight on your own back.」

――――Naturally, without any sort of advance warning, just one single trail of tears flowed down.

「……」
「……」

I don't think, it was noticed.
I see……there was also Aim's matter so, I might have been, stuck thinking I have to do it too often.
But in reality I alone shouldn't be able to, be the opponent for the tactical capabilities of 30 thousand soldiers.
Even if my true power surpa.s.ses theirs, the gas also runs out quickly with my fighting style.
Even if I can exert the same true power as Till for a moment, I can't fight steadily over a large period of time like Till.
That is the present『strongest』.

「……I really don't like it, even after coming this far, I'm full of gaps aren't I.」
「That's why, you have charm.」

While feeling the warmth of someone I can rely on, I slept after being struck by the night's wind for a while.

――In the early dawn of the next day, the commonwealth's invasion finally began.

◇■◇■◇

「If we hold out for 3 weeks, we'll see victory.」

According to Ilya's judgement, that is that that will become the turning point.
With the sediment's removal finished in a rushed manner our side is now able to secure a supply line from Wilmington.
In that regard the commonwealth has the fatigue from coming here by crossing mountains and, their home country is far from here.

「However, attacking will be easy if we only close ourselves up like a turtle right. It's necessary for the defenders protecting the main gate, west gate and east gate to be firm but, I think it's also necessary to occasionally form raid units and go out to strike them.」

Since if we were to only close ourselves in, the opponent would end up being granted plenty of rest wouldn't they.

「Forming that raid unit is……」
「――I will go.」

As expected, s.h.i.+on-san stated as such and――

「――So, why did it become such that our supreme commander is coming along?」

There's me sitting on the horse s.h.i.+on-san is controlling like it's natural.

「Because I wanted to be with my ane for life?」
「I suppose you're alright, if you still have the leeway to say ominous jokes.」

I suppose it's because I don't have a trace of an intent to die.

「Captain s.h.i.+on, is this alright……?」

The 1st unit's vice captain was whispering into s.h.i.+on-san's ear while being angrily angry but, I could totally hear her.

「Because she's a child that doesn't listen to what she's told isn't she, well, isn't it fine?」

I'm being spoken of like a child throwing a tantrum.

「We will protect Alice-ojousama, there will be no cause for concern.」

And, the members of my personal elite guard are nodding.
I've left the command to Ilya so she's watching our home but, since these children seriously are a gathering of valorous warriors I think there's no problem.
I guarantee their true ability.
My personal guard and 1st unit, together 25 names are here as members of this time's raid unit.

「Open gate!」

The east gate's door and drawbridge open.

「Yosh, let's go!」
「Affirmative!」

The horses run out together, at s.h.i.+on-san's command.
The fort is surrounded by forest and mountain areas but there is a nearby belt of level ground, to the army invading into this it's a position that leaves them stark naked with nothing to cover them.
The enemy army that could not afford to prepare tents for everyone in the mountains, is readying their formation on this level ground.
The terrain advantage overwhelmingly disfavours the commonwealth.
And so we send out a raid unit, in the early morning as they rest their offensive.

――Shortly after departing the fort, the sound of drums calling out came.

As expected their lookout has no openings in 24 hours.
Lights are suddenly lit in the encampment on commonwealth's side, it started to become tumultuous.
However because the objective is for them to not leisurely take rest, it's fine with this.

「Magic unit, release!」

At s.h.i.+on-san's command, the members adept at magic deliver a long range strike.
The 3 magics of flame, lightning and ice pour down on the still distant enemy formation, the bellow reverberates.
By the way I also, pay a visit with an Ishtar Edge to the area.

――Fairy of Silver Lightning confirmed.

That report, ran through the commonwealth.
I'm that much of a famous person……?
That attack might not have been helpful.

「……tsu! It's a Frisian horse! Avoid it!」

The shortest distance to the enemy formation was blocked off by laying out mobile blockades.
We changed our bearing at s.h.i.+on-san's command and, closed in on the enemy formation while going around that but――

「Here as well!」

This time a pit trap had been dug, such that it was difficult to notice when looking from a distance.
……What meticulous arrangements, in this short period of time!
Who……the saintess's instructions!?

「Kuu, it can't be helped! Detour further!」

Pulling on the horse's reins, we changed our bearing again.
A little off from the enemy formation there is――

「――――As expected, I have been waiting, Alice-sama.」

――――Sitra・Fon・Austanya!!!
The saintess, went out to the furthest front line then!?

「――Deploy, Omega・Crown.」

A semicircular barrier, enveloped the battlefield moments later.

「This is……!」

This method of use is!?
I tried chanting magic as a test but――it didn't activate.

「That condition, should be the same for you though……」

Even on the commonwealth side, the categories of magic and skills are entirely forbidden.
To replace that there's swords, spears, bow and the like around the saintess, we're surrounded by a variety of soldiers with specialties that don't rely on skills.
……A proper straightforward match is it!
An arrow came flying, aimed at my head.

「――Haa!」

s.h.i.+on-san strikes it down with her katana.
I glance behind me and it seems their operation has already begun, the commonwealth's soldiers have started encircling us.
……Without overlooking the matter of a raid unit going forth, they even read the fact that I would sally forth.
I suppose they thought of me as a simple idiot～, right.
But――

「Having their form exposed, is the same for you! Which of us will see a painful experience――please teach them!」
『Yes・my・lady!』

They placed their hands on their various weapons.
If magic can't be used, the advantage is over there……?
――You've looked lightly upon us haven't you!

「Please curse your misfortune to have barred the way before ojousama.」

Personal guard captain, Myan.
Excluding Ilya, the personage who stands at the top among the maid-sans.
That girl who specializes in throwing knives, uses her throwing to accurately slaughter the enemy soldiers, without the use of magic or skills.

「Alice! We will, take the enemy general's head!」

While those elites among elites at a mere 25 names don't allow the enemy to draw close, s.h.i.+on-san accelerated our horse's speed.
The scenery flows, Sitra draws steadily closer.
With this then……tsu!

「――Reflect・Crown」
「―――――tsu!」

In an instant, I jumped off as if I'd fallen from the horse.
I was prepared for impact but, s.h.i.+on-san covered for me.
While rolling on the ground, I confirmed the form of the horse thrown back high into the sky.
……Forgive me, horse-san.

「……Kuu, are you alright, Alice?」
「Of course, oneechan is?」
「Aah, it's nothing at all.」

s.h.i.+on-san readied her katana and, quickly stood up.
I also stand up, while checking the situation.

「――Alice-sama, I'm pleased to able to speak with you……I did not want to meet you in this sort of place.」

The saintess with closed eyes wearing a habit.

「However, if the era will not permit that……Allow me to defeat you, Fairy of Silver Lightning.」

The air of the straightforward warm Sitrsan from when I faced her as an envoy, wasn't there.
What is before my eyes is, a warrior of the battlefield who has long since determined their resolve.

「The legend of the strongest will――――be brought to an end here.」

The monk staff held in her hand is thrust into the ground――Sitrsan opened her eyes.
In those pupils, patterns like crosses are inscribed within――