I Don’t Want to Be a Heroic Spirit [95]

Just as Okita Souji had mentioned, this wasn't Ikki Kurogane's first time eating one of these silver apples; back during his grueling training, he'd had them daily.

But even so, he was amazed at the apple's effects.

His energy surged, almost like an injection of pure vitality.

"On my way here, I checked the food they've been giving you."

Seeing Ikki's color noticeably improve, Okita suddenly spoke up. "They've laced it with something to weaken your body and lower your immunity. Even a Blazer would be affected, though the process is slow. They've arranged for Professor Oregiri to bring your opponents here so you can keep competing, haven't they?"

"That's right."

"So, their goal is to make you lose and miss your chance to compete in the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival?"

"…I don't know."

Ikki lowered his head, a shadow passing over his expression.

After a long pause, he looked back at Okita. "Okita, how did you even get in here?"

"Really? That's what you want to know?" She sighed. "But I guess I should've known."

"Well, it's just… I mean, this is the Alliance branch—four floors underground."

"Oh, don't be so shocked. I've snuck into places way more secure than this. Come on, next question."

Somewhere more secure than the Alliance branch...

Could it be the Alliance headquarters itself?

In reality, sneaking in here hadn't been difficult for Okita. With her rank B Presence Concealment paired with her Servant ability of Spirit Form, she'd navigated the entire branch as if it were her own home.

"Okita… what kind of person are you?"

"What kind of person, huh…"

A captain of the Hyperion? Humanity's final Master? Guardian of Canterbury? Traveler of Teyvat?

"Why, just a first-year student at Hagun Academy, of course," Okita said with a smile. "But in the past, people used to call me 'genius swordswoman,' 'Mibu Wolf,' 'The Slayer,' and even 'Princess of the Slayer Corps.'"

Most of those titles sounded dangerous, but Okita spoke of them so casually that they seemed almost harmless to Ikki.

After spending time with Okita, he'd gotten to know her well. Even hearing about her past didn't change how he felt.

So what if I know your past? I already know who you are now, and I'm looking forward to the future with you in it.

Actually… he felt closer to her now.

Okita was willing to share her past with him.

"So, were you some kind of terrorist before, Okita?"

"Hmm… that's probably accurate?" Okita scratched her head, looking slightly troubled. "I never quite understood politics… but everyone told me it was to bring happiness to more people, so I just went along."

"That's way too casual. Are you sure you weren't just being tricked?"

"Nah, they were all weirdos, but pretty decent to be around. Besides, if it turns out they tricked me, I'll just slice them across the chest. They wouldn't mind."

…They wouldn't mind being sliced?

Definitely a strange bunch…

The way Okita described it all was absurd.

Yet Ikki found himself believing her, because her face didn't look like she was lying.

"You've really been living in a dump like this?" Okita put her hands on her hips, scanning the room.

It was… excessively clean.

Nothing to see.

No bed, no chair—not even a speck of dust or a single crack.

It was so barren, it hardly felt like a place for a person to stay.

Being here too long would give anyone claustrophobia. And Ikki was completely alone, without a soul to talk to.

No wonder he'd looked so sickly when she arrived, considering even his food was drugged. Not even someone as resilient as Ikki could withstand that forever.

"Come to think of it, Ikki, I think I'll just slice up everyone outside to get you out of here."

"Please, don't do anything dangerous like that."

After they chatted a while, Okita suddenly pulled out something.

"What's this?"

She handed Ikki a handkerchief. When he opened it, he found it held a lock of hair.

Bright red, like a blazing flame.

"Stella…"

Ikki's heart warmed as he held the lock of hair, remembering the fierce, fiery girl he'd fallen so hopelessly in love with.

"They say hair is a girl's second life. So, Ikki…"

Okita's voice drew him from his thoughts, and he looked up at her.

"Stella's entrusted her life to you. Don't let her down."

Ikki and Stella had already made a promise.

To declare their love to the whole world. To stand together at the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival.

So… until that day came.

"I'll never give up…"

Ikki's face filled with happiness.

If happiness had a color, the happiness in Ikki's eyes would surely be a vibrant, warm red, like a flame.

Okita watched as Ikki carefully wrapped the red hair in the handkerchief, placing it tenderly in his pocket like a treasure he would guard with his life.

"Thank you, Stella… I won't give up anymore."

And…

"Thank you, too, Okita."

"Looks like you've finally come to your senses."

That had been Okita's plan all along: use the silver apple to restore his body and Stella's gift to heal his spirit.

Seeing Ikki's determination return, Okita grinned. "I'm glad it wasn't all in vain. Took me long enough to find you."

For Okita, sneaking into the branch wasn't the hardest part. The hardest part was locating Ikki.

The building was massive, towering over a hundred meters, with several underground levels. And it wasn't just one building but three, connected together.

Okita didn't free Ikki. Instead, she left alone.

But rather than heading out, she made her way to the upper floors.

There was one more person she wanted to see. From Shizuku, she'd learned that while the Kurogane family was indeed behind this, the actual mastermind spreading rumors and imprisoning Ikki was Kurogane's right-hand man, Akaza Mamoru.

Before long, Okita found Akaza.

Short, fat, and piggish, his narrowed eyes and flabby face reminded her of a fox.

Everything about him was revolting.

Akaza was a Blazer, but Okita was confident in her Presence Concealment, so she approached without worry.

Don't get the wrong idea—she didn't plan to draw her sword on him, although she was very tempted to do so. But she knew that wouldn't be enough.

"If possible, I'd really love to handle things the 'Okita Souji' way…"

As Baobhan Sith, she'd learned a few tricks from Da Vinci.

With her rank D magic as an Assassin, Okita could perform some minor spells without issue.

While this world did have magic users, it focused on innate abilities, and they hadn't developed a way to channel magic into specific spells.

So, they lacked any real defenses against magic.

Which made things all the easier for Okita.

---

so... turns out the weapon master can die. webnovel blocked it again for copyright stuff, so i'm not reposting it. don't wanna risk losing my other translations too.

but don't worry, the weapon master's alive and well on patreon. thinking about setting up a scribble hub for stories like this—because some battles can't be won on webnovel.

thanks for sticking with me. you're the real MVPs.

If you notice anything that feels off, just let me know—I don't mind fixing things up.

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