In a room where the only light source was produced by the moonlight rays, causing a contrast of black and white from the narrow grate window.
A simple and plain room can be seen. Itās only around 6 tatami mats in size with a small desk, chair, wooden bed, and a simple toilet. If compared to Earthās prison cells, itās obvious that this is much worst.
In such a bad prison, sitting on the bed in the corner, is Hatanaka Aiko who is currently burying her face in her knees.
Itās been 3 days since Aiko was brought to this room.
Due to the bracelet artifact worn on her wrist, Aiko could not use magic. Still, though she tried to escape at first, as expected, it wasnāt possible to pry open a steel door with her physical strength alone, moreover, the opening of the grate window is only big enough for one of her arms to just barely pass through.
Even then, the current rooms position is at the very top of an expensive temple, it is the [Kamiyama]*Godās Mountain* temple, even though it should be impossible to reach the ground safely, there are members of the church standing on watch.
In such a position, while worrying about her students safety, Aiko who cannot do anything is dejected and gloomy, Her already small body stature becomes even smaller on the bed.
[ā¦ā¦ā¦I need to get to my studentsā¦ā¦but howā¦ā¦]
Aiko while looking up muttered slightly, she remembered what the nun with the silver hair had said to her as she was kidnaped. Aikoās thoughts, if what she heard from Hajime would become an inconvenience when told to Kouki and them, itās obvious who the āmasterā that she spoke of is. And it appears that theyāve taken interest in a student as well.
Aikoās mind became filled with unspeakable uneasiness. Recalling, the events of Ulu*Town where Hajimeās group repelled the demon army*, where one of her students lost their life, Yukitoshi Shimizu. Possibly, again, another student willā¦., with these thoughts in her mind Aiko became more anxious.
Being confined in this open room, she tried to think about things that she could currently do. If she settled down and look back calmly, the royal palace felt too unnatural and covered with a thick sense of incongruity. In Aikoās mind, with a strong posture, she remembered the dangerous atmosphere that King Erihido and other leaders carried.
Surely, Aiko began to guess that the nun with silver hair had done something. She definitely said, ācharmā if that was true then, surely, something along the lines of brainwashing was done.
However, at the same time, when talking with Shizuku and Ririana, such odd sense of incongruity was not there. Though becoming relieved about that, there is still a strong uneasiness built up in her chest due to being confined.
While praying for their safety, another concern was remembered. it was the words, āelimination of the irregular.ā Those words were she heard just before completely losing consciousness, for some reason Aiko recalled a certain student.
The person that she owes her life to, the student that killed Yukitoshi Shimizu. While holding strong will and overpowering strength, the boy who thought seriously and listen to Aikoās words. And, a lot of things happened, a various amount of things, deep inside, as expected deep inside, though she shouldnāt think about it, but she still ended up remembering.
The memory that she desperately tried to seal in her mind, is once again remembered, for some reason her cheeks become hot. Though Aiko was shaking her head to clear her mind of it, she begins to worry about Hajimeās safety, and carelessly muttered his name.
[ā¦ā¦Nagumo-kun]
[Ou? what, sensei?]
[Fe!?]
From the sudden answer to her unconscious mumbling, she instinctively let out a unexpected voice. There shouldnāt be anyone else in the room, while looking throughout the room, Aiko inclining her head, [Was it a hallucination?] she said. However, Aiko was definitely not hallucinating, again, she heard the voice.
[Over here, sensei]
[Eh?]
Aikoās body became alerted to the voice, it wasnāt a hallucination after all! Her gaze peered towards the narrow grate window. There, it was the appearance of Hajime that was peeping through from the otherside.
[Eh? Eh? Nagumo-kun? Eh? This is the top floorā¦.of this templeā¦.eh?]
[Ah~, yes. First of all, calm down sensei. Im almost done confirming for trapsā¦ā¦]
Disregarding Aikoās confused stare, Hajime confirms whether there are any traps with his Magic Eye, then āTransmutingā was used and bright red sparks appeared, a hole big enough for one person to pass through was made and with that the invasion was complete.
The room Aiko is confined in is about 100 meters above ground level. However, he entered as if he was on solid ground! That is to say, for Hajime to casually opened a hole and walked right in, caused Aiko to stare in shock.
Hajime shows a small smile towards the amazed Aiko.
[What, is it really that surprising. Didnāt you notice that I was coming? Though I should have already cut off all traces of my presenceā¦ā¦Iāve lost a bit of my confidence now]
[He? Noticed? Eh?]
[No, because, you call out my name. Didnāt you sense me outside the window?]
Obviously, in order for Aiko to feel Hajimeās presence shouldnāt be possible unless āPerceptionā was used, but Aiko simply called out his name because of her desires, while thinking that, Aiko couldnāt say that she unconsciously muttered his name, she quickly thought that changing the topic would be the best choice.
[Um, besides that, why are you hereā¦ā¦]
[To help, of course]
[Wa, for me? Nagumo-kun? You came all the way here to help me?]
To Aiko who began to blush and mumble strangely ~awaawa~, Hajime carefully examined her stature, surely she hasnāt already been brainwashed? Hajime thought while frowning. With a serious look in his eyes, he began to closely examine Aiko with his Magic Eye to look for signs of magic manipulation.
While walking up towards Aiko who sat on the bed, observing in great detail, Aiko started blushing a great deal and her heartbeat escalated. Anyways, the boy that she was just thinking about, came to help after hearing about her predicament, beside her on the bed at night, being watched by such an intense expression. Itās just a student and teacher, there shouldnāt be any particular problem right? Though she thought soā¦..Aiko wasnāt confident to say it out loud, she became stiff as she could do nothing but return the gaze that Hajime is giving her.
Hajime, thinking that itāll be ok now that the Magic Eye didnāt pick up any kind of magic manipulation, grabs onto Aikoās hand. He was going to remove the artifact that was binding her magic.
However, Aiko whose hand was suddenly grabbed [Hyau~!] a strange voice leaked out and she shrunk down a bit, [Stop! Itās no good! Nagumo-kun! Such thing canāt be permitted! Iām a teacher!], she began to yell.
[No, isnāt it inconvenient if your magic is sealed? Or, is there something wrong with it? Though there doesnāt seem to be any traps]
[Eh? Ah, this thingā¦..]
[ā¦ā¦.what else is there]
[Ah, ahahaā¦ā¦sorry. Its nothingā¦ā¦]
Suspicion passes, Hajimeās eyes began to show a disappointed look, Aiko tried to deceive him with a fake smile. And, changing the topic, asked how he knew where she was being locked up.
[The princess told us]
[Princess? Princess Ririna?]
[Ahh. She witnessed you being kidnapped. While judging that Amanogawa*Kouki* and them were under surveillance, she decided to escape the royal capital. Then she requested our help]
[Riri didā¦..then Nagumo-kun accepted her request]
[Maa~na, I seem to be responsible for this situation tooā¦..though sensei might not have wanted to see meā¦ā¦well, please endure it until we return to everybody]
After Hajime finished removing the artifact that sealed Aikoās magic, he stood up. Aiko, predicted that Hajimeās last line was about Shimizuās death. And, Aikoās eyes looked straight at the dubious Hajime, then began saying what she truly felt about it.
[Not wanting to see you, thereās no such thing. Youāve come to help, Iām really glad. ā¦ā¦Certainly, Shimizu-kunās situation canāt be completely forgotten, and itās likely to never to able to forget itā¦.still, your intentions you had when you pulled the triggerā¦.. I think I understand them. I donāt hold a grudge against you, I donāt hate you either]
[ā¦ā¦.Sensei]
To the wide eyed Hajime, Aiko revealed an anxious smile with gentleness.
[At that time, because I couldnāt say it properlyā¦..now, please let me say it. ā¦.Thank you for helping me. Iām sorry for making you pull the trigger]
[ā¦ā¦ā¦]
Hajime had a wry smile because it appears that Yue was correct, still, itās a fact that Iāve caused Aiko pain, however he couldnāt bring it up.
[I, I only did what I wanted to do. Though Iāll receive your gratitude, you donāt have to apologize. Rather than that, lets leave soon. The princess should have reached Amanogawa and the rest already. After we join up with them, itās necessary to talk about the future]
[I understand. ā¦..Nagumo-kun, please be careful. The church sees you as a heretic. And, to the one that kidnapped me, you are probablyā¦..]
[I know. Either way, after I deliver you, Iāll be taking care of the unfinished business, probably, at that time, the church and I will clash against one another. ā¦.Iāve already prepared for it though]
Hajime nodded to Aiko with a gaze of strong will. Aikoās cheek becomes hot again due to the gaze, Aiko tried to word out her concerns once more.
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but, at that time, a roaring sound of something breaking was heard from afar, the air also trembled a bit.
With that Aikoās body stiffens up and turns her eyes towards Hajime, Hajime was staring out and concentrating on something in the far distance. At that moment, Hajime gained information from Yueās group whoās on the ground.
[Che, with this timing. ā¦..well, in a sense itās convenientā¦ā¦]
After a while, Hajime glances back at Aiko while clicking his tongue. Though Aiko doesnāt know that Hajime has telepathy, but because she knew he had a lot of artifacts, she guessed that he learned something, her glance gave off the impression of wanting to know what was going on.
[Sensei, itās a surprise attack from the Majinzoku*