Interlude: The Sword (Part 4)

…

Never would I have believed a kiss could decisively end a battle. Even considering what I had been told, the action never occurred to me. Even as a child, I would've rebuffed the proposition as some lurid tale. To do such a thing during battle, to beguile the mind through seduction, was a dishonor beyond compare. The act befitted some novel of dubious nature more than reality. The sight of the action, especially since it was initiated by an elf, made me doubt whether I was awake and not dreaming.

Lyon, the elf who was the very picture of an assassin, had initiated the kiss with assistance from the archer who had mistaken spears for ammunition. The moment her lips met those of Bell's Sensei the battle had been decided. The demon of lightning we had been fighting, who had been our superior in strength, tactics, speed, and many other qualities, abruptly turned into a young man caught unaware.

"Mmph!?" Bell's Sensei cried out in surprise and confusion against Lyon's lips. His eyes, which had been so steely and focused, began to blink rapidly and search for help. The mirrors of his soul, which had sought out targets moments ago, now frantically begged and pleaded for aid. None of which came because everyone was caught by the sight. After a few seconds, he attempted to press his hands and push his aggressor away, but he seemed at a loss as to where exactly to do so. For a split second, the two parted and their eyes met as Lyon reared mere centimeters back to draw breath. Strands briefly connected them until wind broke the bridge. "Lyon what the hell are you doing—"

That should've been the end of it. I had no doubt that Bell's Sensei had returned to us. We had triumphed over his Skill. A quick glance told me that everyone else felt the same. However, there was an edge to Lyon's eyes that I managed to catch. A telling sign of deadly intent that sent me reeling back in surprise. I knew what the assassin's next move would be, but I wasn't prepared for it.

Under the pretense of assuring victory, the elf cut off the young man's words with her lips once more. Her hands shifted to the back of his head and the small of his back. Bell's Sensei once more flailed and tried to find purchase upon her form. However, given her form of dress, there was no place for him to put his hands without incrimination. Her clothes clung to her form with little modesty and she pressed her body against his. He was forced to take a step back before he found himself precariously balancing on his heels against her advances.

I searched for someone, anyone, to contest the matter.

Bell's fellow students met my gaze with steely eyes and forged will. Another shock went down my spine as I saw the promise they had in their gazes. They would not allow me to tamper with this matter. No matter how unbecoming the strategy was of the battle, they had acknowledged it as their method of victory and would ensure it would be seen through. There was no honor to be found in their hearts. This matter would be settled in the most efficient and fastest manner possible. They would see their Sensei thoroughly defeated. There was no aid to be found from them. They supported this matter completely.

A-aren't kisses only supposed to last a few moments? D-do adventurers not need to breathe? Why are the two of you still locked together?!

Though the thought shamed me, I believed that I would find some manner of aid from the others in pursuit of Bell's Sensei. I was wrong. If anything they were deeply engrossed and studying the moment in its entirety. The Amazon was abuzz in excitement and no doubt planning her own lascivious attack. The two elves, the mages, were scrutinizing the matter with the eyes of strategists and tacticians. One stood taller and ready to approach the matter head on. The other was huddled and muttering to herself while casting a gaze filled with ill intent. I realized that this wasn't the end of the battle. Bell's Sensei's critical weakness to overwhelming impropriety was revealed to all. The depravities of this battle would continue to pursue him for the rest of his days. None of the onlookers had the grace and humility to accept defeat. Either they were steeling themselves for a protracted battle, intended to support the next assault, or were looking for furtive means to subvert his defenses. There were no allies to be found among them.

Bell's Sensei was putty in the assassin's hands and… and… t-ton—other ministrations. The valiant, wizened man was reduced to helplessness. This was truly the day where he was soundly defeated.

I didn't look to Bell. I knew his thoughts on the matter. They were completely improper. His eyes would undoubtedly be shining in elation and joy. A wide smile would be upon his features. I cast a glance to my savior. All my thoughts were true. He may have been heavily singed, bruised, and beaten, but there was no denying that he was ecstatic at the sight. How unfortunate. "Well done, Lyon!" I heard him praise the assassin. I discarded any thoughts which had me using the same tactics with haste. He was cheering this on. Dunce. "Get Sensei back here!"

I was lost and without allies, capable of only watching the lengthy, unceasing impropriety before me, until the person I least expected spoke.

"…I do not understand." Praise all the good gods that inhabit the world. There is still purity and goodness of heart to be found upon this world. Though we vied for the affections of the same individual, Wallenstein-san appeared as bemused by the situation as I was. Bell's features turned towards her in shock. I felt something akin to joy of victory curdle in my heart. "How could a kiss possibly stop Hikigaya? He was so close to victory, but that stopped him?"

Though I scarcely believed in the effectiveness of the action, I couldn't help but take a step back at the utter confusion I heard in Wallenstein's voice. I knew that the Sword Princess was childish in some ways. She had the habits and mind of a child in matters that did not involve combat. Once I'd thought it a ploy, but I realized that was simply who she was. She had been born to adventurers and raised to be an adventurer. When she encountered something she didn't understand, she inquired of it, tried to understand the answer, and did her utmost best to accept it. Aiz Wallenstein, by all means, was the very personification of an Adventurer.

Wallenstein took my silence as a need for clarification and she provided it.

"Hikigaya Hachiman's Skill allows him to ignore all else and pursue a singular goal. We were in the way of his goal. We were being beaten by him." I could only stand by and listen to the words of the woman who I strove to defeat. Her words were complete and concise. She was desperate to understand since it was a battle. She didn't see this as a matter of the heart in the slightest. She gestured towards the ongoing scene where all were joyous and content. "How could he cease in the completion of his goal due to a kiss? He was primed to defeat us. He was infallible in this location, set to be victorious, and yet he chooses to simply stop?"

There were many answers I could have provided. I could have spoken of love, duty, and companionship. Those ideas were central to my Familia. A cornerstone upon which my Familia had stood upon. We worked together, looked after one another, and sought out means and methods to supplant our foes in tandem. I could have spoken of friendship, relations, and care. However, she wouldn't have understood. No, she couldn't have. She was not trying to understand Bell's Sensei, but instead why he had lost.

Because she was afraid that she would be defeated in the same way.

I didn't know what to say. How could I? I was trained to be a warrior. I understood her words. her concern. Not only that, but as an Adventurer I understood why she was so adamant about not being defeated in such a way. We all held goals which we yearned to achieve deep in our hearts. Bell's Sensei had been able to take on insurmountable odds, cast aside everything, and was on the cusp of victory and achieving his goals… but threw it aside due to a single, innocuous action. She saw herself in his place. Wanting to achieve everything and being on the cusp of victory, but being felled through means she didn't understand.

It was an affront to her.

A weakness that she feared.

This was the woman who at the age of 20 is one of the strongest beings in the whole world. The Sword Princess who can carve open the earth with a single swing of her blade. A woman who leaps into battle after battle heedless of danger. A girl who had become Level 2 at the age of 8. An adventurer who faced Udaeus and untold legions of Spartoi without aid for the sake of being acknowledged by the gods. A being who has ventured into the depths of the Dungeon. Someone who has seen what Bell's Sensei has done for the sake of everyone, his drive to keep everyone safe at any cost, and had nearly been defeated by it. She had seen the one thing that she couldn't overcome be defeated by a single action. Someone she had told me she had admired, who she had praised many times, and whose methods and means she inquired of Bell very often.

Someone who had been quite quiet as we advanced to liberate Bell's Sensei from his own Skill.

"Yamato-san, did I say something wrong?" There was no denying that I was afraid of the thoughts that crossed my mind. The realization gave me terrors. Bell had described her as a kind and gracious girl, one who cared deeply for those close to her, but one who could hardly ever relay her thoughts and affection. Weren't those words the same as the ones he used to describe his Sensei? I could see how they were similar. They removed threats precisely and efficiently. They sought out ways to protect those they cherished regardless of how much pain they suffered themselves. Could Wallenstein… could Wallenstein do the same as Hikigaya if she was pushed to do so? No, if she felt it necessary? "Is there something I've misunderstood?"

Before I could answer… no, before I had to answer, there was a general clamor that took both of our attentions. One of the elven mages had decided to pry the two apart. Our gazes were drawn away, the questions and words she uttered drifting away, however I found the previous elation and joy I'd felt at the conclusion had faded.

What was in store for us now?

What did we gain through our victory?

We had come forth with a single goal in mind without consideration of what was to come after. If we never noticed how Wallenstein felt, of the feelings one of our own held in her heart, then what did we know of those who watched from the shadows and kept silent?

The battle had been won, but what shall we do of the peace?