Ch 27

Episode 27: They are Siblings

The Author made a correction on 11/17/2019

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"Define: Start." (Anne-Sophia)

With those words, a switch triggered, changing my mind into combat mode.

(Define: "Defeat Al-kun" and "Retrieve Ryeini's demon stone.") *(E/N: Pretty computer-esque here, huh.)

Solve the equation to achieve the desired solution. Lacking information.

Accurate assessment of Al-kun's method not available. Commencing investigation.

What will Al-kun do? How fast will he react to attacks? How accurate is his magic, and how versatile is its range? What attacks can I deal with and what is this battle's decisive factor?

My thoughts run at a dizzying pace, and my body moves separate from my thoughts. My body strikes with a flash from the mana blade; countering, Al-kun churns out powerful spells with the wave of his hand.

"Water cutter!" (Algarde)

With a flash of light, a water blade emerges, quickly approaching with the trajectory of a swung axe. Moving with the flow of my running body, the mana blade comes down, dispersing the water blade. I adjust my stride accordingly to avoid losing speed. *(E/N: Rather than an axe, it was originally described as being "swung down like a hand")

Of course, this is not the end of Al-kun's attack. Waving his arms like a conductor, water blades form continuously, drawing various arcs as they approached.

(This is impossible to deal with while moving. Stop and intercept.)

My feet stop and plant themselves. They step around as if dancing, and my sword arcs around, knocking down every single approaching blade.

Step by step, my dance continues, attempting to close the distance between us. But Al-kun, sensing my movement, changes his tactics.

"Icicle."(Algarde)

Al-kun snaps his fingers, and I feel the temperature suddenly drop through the water I disperse. Almost at the same time as I sensed it, the air falls below freezing, causing the water around me to freeze and cling to me.

"Ice prison!" (Algarde)

In other words, Al-kun made an ice prison. The water that enveloped my body rapidly froze over. Feeling my body freezing up, I violently kick the ground to retreat.

I stroked the surface of my arm with magic power, causing the ice forming to peel off like scales. After confirming that my arm's sensation hadn't been lost, I fix my stance.

I pull my body close to the ground, getting ready to sprint, right before seeing Al-kun raise his hand to the sky. A huge ball of compressed water gathers at the tip of his hand.

"Water hammer!" (Algarde)

The compressed water falls towards me like an enormous hammer. Anticipating the trajectory of the hammer in my brain, my legs exert a violet force to leap from my crouched position.

I accelerated at the same time as the hammer hit the ground, gaining distance and rolling to maintain my speed while landing. My mana blade spun like the wings of a windmill, flashing and striking Al-kun.

"Ahh!" *(E/N: Battle cry by Anise)

"Shit!" *(E/N: Pained response by Al)

The blade struck Al-kun, but the blade only drew a small scratch from Al-kun. I cluck my tongue, slipping past Al-kun at full speed.

Though I held a passive stance, my body bounced as if it were sliding on the ground. I thrust forth my mana blade, stopping my movement. Immediately after landing, I turned towards Al-kun and saw the blood spilled from Al-kun's arm strangely squirm, before returning to his arm. It was as if he rewound his wounds.

(Healing... no, regeneration? A combination of Al-kun's magic and a vampire's inherent abilities. Is Al-kun's aptitude ice and water? If so, would blood be a conducive medium?) *(E/N: You'd think that Anise would know Al-kun's aptitudes considering her obsession with magic and the fact that Al and her used to be close, but guess not? Maybe his aptitudes changed over time or something.)

I calmly observe the situation, collecting information to use. Contrarily, Al-kun's eyes burn with fiery emotions. As he waves his hands, icicles form, following the trajectory of his hand in a aurora of magical light.

"Icicle lance!" (Algarde)

One by one, icy spears were consecutively launched, blocking my retreat.

(Can I neutralize them? Can I pierce through them? –Hypothesis established. Immediate execution!!)

I retreated by a step, knocking them down with my mana blade, extended with magic power.

The moment I kicked the ground and flew, Al-kun also stepped forth. The blood gushing out of his wounds warped, forming a red spear in his hand.

"Anne-Sophiaaaaaa!!!" (Algarde)

Gripping the spear in a raised position with both of his hands, Al-kun swings it down as if to strike. My extended mana blade is restored to its original length, as the magic power dissipates.

I parry the blow of the blood spear and take a sidestep. I launch myself beside Al-kun, leaping forth repetitively, landing a blow to Al-kun's stomach.

"OOf...!" (Algarde)

"Ha!" (Anne-Sophia)

Al-kun's belly was extremely hard, as if he was wearing armor, and if not for my physical enhancements, my leg would've been injured. Slightly surprised by the fact, I drew distance from Al-kun.

Anguish filled Al-kun's face. I was out of breath after confirming that my attacks had some effect. However, with this, he's already become a monster. This isn't human endurance.

"Don't...!" (Algarde – probably)

"Huh!?" (Anne-Sophia – probably)

My relief only lasted a moment, as calmness filled Al-kun's face with his restored flow of magic. His face relaxed, becoming unconcerned with his prior damage.

"...What amazing strength. Is this the power of vampires?"

Al-kun ignored my question, merely turning his palm towards me. Light shimmered in the air, a sign of magic, and soon enough, a water bullet shot towards me.

"Water bullet!"

I attempted to neutralize the bullet, but a bad feeling spread through me. A sense of crisis ran through my back like thunder.

Follow your intuition and avoid it by twisting your face just before landing. The water bullet flew past me, sinking to the ground with an unpleasant thud.

"I know your weaknesses." (Algarde)

Al-kun deployed his magic. One, two, three water bullets emerged, noticeably having gravel mixed with them.

Seeing that, I clicked my tongue. My weak point is the durability of my magic tools. I can't take on heavy attacks. If I'm not careful, my mana blade will be destroyed.

"You can't use magic. That's why you rely on magic tools. But, if those break, then they become useless. It's a well-known fact that your magic tools are weak to physical trauma." (Algarde)

"If you think that magic tools are the only cards I have to play, then you're sorely mistaken." (Anise)

"Then prove it!" (Algarde)

"I don't need to be told." (Anise)

A gravel-filled water bullet approaches me when I start sprinting. It's like rain.

(It isn't possible to block rain with a sword.

As long as gravel is mixed within, the mana shield won't be useful here.

Can it be avoided by increasing speed?

–Not feasible. It's not possible to avoid the rain-like bullets.

Then this is it.)

Immediately following, Al's eyes widened. Perhaps he sensed the shift in my magic power.

However, it was too late. –I took a deep breath and "roared".

"----------------------------!!!!!!" (Anise)

Yes, it was the roar of a dragon. The air trembled, the sound reverberating through the air like a shockwave, dispersing the rain.

(Al-kun gave me the hint. If it's possible for a vampire to change their fangs using their demon stone, I should also be able to do something similar in theory.)

The dragon's scream welled up from my lungs and throat. My roar was the equivalent to the intimidation of a dragon's roar. My scream was filled with magic power, amplifying the impact.

Al-kun was taken aback by the unexpected attack, giving me an opportunity to sneak past his guard. With a flash of my mana blade, I slashed Al-kun, making sure to fully utilize this opportunity.

"Ugh--!" (Algarde)

"Mana blade, limit break!" (Anise)

In my other hand, opposite to the one I slashed with, another mana blade reacts to my voice, its blade distorting and taking on a new shape.

The mana blade unfolds into a set of claws. The claws are shorter than the blade, and each is thin. I forcibly inject magic power into them and change the three fragile claws into a single strong one.

Ignoring the excess magic energy leaking out like electricity, I swing the claw at Al-kun.

"Overdrive...! Dragon Claw!" (Anise) *(E/N: ...sunlight Yellow OVERDRIVE! ...Sorry. I mean, Al is a vampy right now.)

The claw strike rips into Al-kun's body as if to gouge out a sword wound. The impact knocks Al-kun away, putting him at the mercy of momentum.

However, the strong impact hits me with recoil, causing me to have to move away from Al-kun to cope with the recoil.

The light from the mana blade fades, and there is no reaction. After confirming that, I return it to the holster on my thigh.

(...The drawback is that it takes a long time to reuse.)

In order to avoid the damage that comes with excessive output, a cooldown is required when using the mana blade. Moreover, during use, its breaking point is unpredictable when not paying close attention. It is literally a double-edged sword, but its power is immense.

A great deal of blood flows from Al-kun's body. The fact that he is vomiting blood shows the depth of the damage he has sustained.

Even so, Al-kun didn't fall. The blood flowing formed a red scab over the wound, damming the flow of blood.

"Hah... hah... hah..." (Algarde)

Still, the process is quite draining on Al-kun's strength and magic. His breathing has become ragged and his eyes bloodshot.

"What's wrong... I haven't fallen yet...! Why... aren't you coming... after me...!" (Algarde)

"..." (Anise)

"You're not speaking...! Are you trying to say that you don't... have to deal with me!? You said you would help Ryeini...! That you wanted... this demon stone!" (Algarde)

The demon stone embedded in Al-kun's body was buried in the inner part of his body, as if it were attempting to take root further.

"----...It's boring." (Anise)

"...What?" (Algarde)

Al-kun raised his eyebrows, questioning what I meant by that.

I was asked—but it was so empty that it made me sad. I could feel my heart emptying. That's why the question unconsciously was voiced.

"Aren't you bored, Al-kun?" (Anise)

"What are you talking about...?" (Algarde)

"You've obtained so much power and are fighting on equal terms with me, but you don't seem to be having any fun." (Anise)

"So, what are you saying?" (Algarde)

Al-kun frustratedly hurled his emotions at me with a sharp voice. My empty heart began to regain some of its heat, as if it were on fire.

It was something that had been bottled up since this beginning of this battle... Er... That's a lie. This feeling has been lingering for a long time.

--It's the sentiment that I've always felt towards Al-kun.

"Have fun, Al." (Anise)

I don't know what made me sound like I was about to cry. I don't think that I wanted to cry... It was neither anger nor hatred. Just an empty heart burning. I didn't realize there was anything left to burn.

"Isn't this what you wanted? But you look so bored. You aren't laughing. You're just so full of anger, yelling your complaints. That's not right. You're finally doing as you please. Isn't this what you wanted?"

If this battle was what Al-kun wanted all along...

Then, why do I only feel his empty anger?

This makes me unbearably sad. So sad, that a void seems to be forming in my heart.

"You should laugh more, be angry more, be sad more, have fun more. If you don't... we can't fight properly. You've always wanted to do this, right? You wanted to compete with me and win, didn't you? If you're finally getting what you want, you need to laugh." (Anise)

"...What's with that logic? That's right! I wanted to surpass you! I wanted to prove that I have something better than you! That's why I'm challenging you here and now!" (Algarde)

"Well, this consultation is over. I can safely say that I'm better, and I have no intention of losing to you." (Anise)

Selling words and buying words. My heart nearly ignites with anger, but the heat doesn't last.

Sadness, emptiness, pain, and hardship. These sole feelings come to the forefront of my mind and make my eyes burn.

"...Hey? Are you living your life the way your heart desires? You look like you're suffocating to me." (Anise)

"...What?" (Algarde)

"You look like you're in pain. Al-kun... If you can't laugh here, you won't be able to laugh even if you beat me..." (Anise)

"I can laugh! I'm laughing now! I finally have something over you! I can protect what I wanted to protect!" (Algarde)

"That's just a relief, isn't it? Can you truly claim that you got what you wanted? –No Al-kun. I don't think you can." (Anise)

----It's painful, Al-kun. It's so painful to see you.

"Enjoy your life." (Anise)

"Enjoy...?" (Algarde)

Al-kun's eyes widened at my outburst. I don't know if he was surprised, angry, or simply shocked. I don't understand him anymore.

"If you can't enjoy it, it's pointless. In the end, you'll just become king. You'll just be a boring tyrant waving around your power, no better than the puppet king you were trying so hard not to be. Or do you enjoy slaughter? Is the oppression of the people your happiness?" (Anise)

"Why do you care? Why are you asking? Is it pity?" (Algarde)

"—If you don't want to be pitied, act accordingly." (Anise)

My heart finally lit up, though the heat was not anger. It was helpless despair. A despair so empty that it has no color. That's why I have to scream. If I can't ignite my heart, I forsake the ability to help Al-kun.

"If it isn't fun, think about living happily. If you don't want to be tied up, think about living freely! Isn't that why you chose to do this? Challenging me, trying to surpass me!? If you aren't enjoying it, what's left afterwards? All that'll remain is a cold crown, don't you understand?"

Al-kun's expression distorted as if my cry pierced him. He stepped back as if pushed by momentum.

I took a step forward to close the distance. My feet felt extremely heavy. My nerves were practically screaming at me not to take another step forward.

Even so. I firmly take a step forward. Even if that step falls short of crossing the disconnect between us.

"Don't you feel anything right now? Frustration? Fear? Well? I'm sure you were scared of me. Don't you feel anything for yourself? You committed a crime, you gave everything up for your goal, and now you've accomplished it, yet it's so empty!" (Anise)

I clutch my chest. My emotions are too painful, too heavy to let out. When was the last time I've felt this sort of regret?

--Yes, it's completely incomparable to the despair when I learned I was magicless. And that, was the worst memory of my life.

That time, I thought of throwing away my life, and now I have to experience an even stronger despair in a different way. It's inevitable that my heart will shatter.

This may be a world full of magic, but conversely that means not being able to use magic is like not being able to breathe. It invoked such despair in me. But Al-kun! You're giving me the same amount of despair!

"Please, feel something... Have fun! You're stronger than ever! For any reason, any circumstance! I'll go all out with you! I'm still... even if I'm like this, I'm still your sister! Your only sister!" (Anise) *(E/N: I added "Please, feel something..." Also, I'm unsure of "I'll go all out with you!" I added the "all" in, it might be something like that she's saying either that she'll stay with him, or that she'll fight him on equal terms. Unsure.)

I don't care if I'm hated. It doesn't matter if you hate me. This is the only thing I have left to give you. That was what I thought, deceiving myself.

But the truth is—I have never forgotten the day I took Al-kun's hand.

He was my precious little brother. He was someone I had to protect. Yet, he was someone I let go after realizing I couldn't protect him.

Please, at least, let him be healthy. Even that prayer fell through. In the end, Al-kun's life was ruined because of me. Yet, I couldn't not choose that path, otherwise I couldn't live.

"I enjoyed my life. I lived! To give form to the magic I've always longed for! No matter how incapable I was of using magic, no matter how much despair I was put through—I've had fun, all this time!" (Anise)

If my wish can no longer be fulfilled, then I'll just burn everything. The emptiness, the despair, the prayer—all of it.

This time, I'll leave nothing behind. This may be the last time. There's no reason to dwell on it. The chains of royalty are something we no longer need.

"This was such a boring battle! Don't you want to beat me!? Are you satisfied! Come, fight more! Show me as many emotions as you want! You've been frustrated all along! You've been asking for it all this time! Right here, right now! Happiness! Sadness! When will you feel anything but anger!?" (Anise)

If you claim I was the one who made your life empty—I'll have to burn it all down.

"If all you have is anger, I will remind you. I'll remember what you don't want to—because I am your sister. This is the only way I can be your sister. That's why!!" (Anise)

I shouted this straight from my heart. Not giving a damn about the feelings of the recipient, I gave the words of my selfish ego.

Al-kun looked dumbfounded in the wake of my cry. Good, that's fine, Al-kun. It's selfish, I know.

--Still, curse me for being able to live independently. I don't care.

"...What's that? Are you trying to say you forgive me?" (Algarde)

"Forgive you...? As if idiot! If you disappear, I'll be next in line for the throne! You can't beat me, don't be stupid! Idiot, idiot, idiot!! By the way, you're an idiot!!!" (Anise) *(E/N: Yeah, this was a string of "bakas". For those ignorant of this term, it is the Japanese term for idiot, often paired with tsunderes, though in this context, not so much.)

"I've always been waiting for this moment." (Algarde?)

"You've been waiting!? You've always wanted this!? Royalty, rules, fate, and so on—just ditch them all! Speak your mind! Wish freely! Do what you want! Don't just put up with it. Wasn't that what you wanted!?" (Anise)

"...That wasn't allowed." (Algarde)

Al-kun mutters this, clenching his teeth so hard you could almost hear them grinding. I don't give a crap!

"I can't forgive you! But it's too late! You understand that much, right!? Then you have to laugh! Just laugh! Laugh at all the things you're putting me through! Be happy! That's what you need to do!" (Anise)

"No, that's too outrageous!" (Algarde)

"Shut up you idiot!" (Anise)

"What are you, a child? You're acting like a child!" (Algarde)

"That's right! I'm a child! I'm still a child! I'm fine with being a child! That's why I'm fighting you!! I'm doing it right now!!" (Anise)

"...Fight...?" (Algarde)

What are you thinking? Al-kun blinked his eyes. Oh, I really can't do this. I wonder why our relationship is like this.

"It's a fight, it's just a fight. This is." (Anise)

"...A... fight...? This is revenge!! I! Wanted! Revenge! On all of you!" (Algarde)

Revenge? Oh, that's right. This is Al-kun's revenge on the royals who took everything form him, giving him the curse of king and leaving him nothing else.

"—You know... I don't care!" (Anise)

"...Why are you like this! Why don't you ever think about the reactions from the people around you! That's why you are called Kiteretsu! Yet, people compared me with you, saying that you're better in everything except magic. Don't know how I felt!?" (Algarde) *(E/N: Reminder, Kiteretsu is likely referring to "Kiteretsu Diahyakka," a manga series about a scientific inventor boy genius named Eiichi Kite. On another note, not sure if I got the last sentence right.)

"I only just found out! And I don't care!! It was you who were supposed to become king!!!" (Anise)

"I didn't want to become king, a puppet king!" (Algarde)

"Then become the king that you want! You don't have to be a puppet!" (Anise) *(E/N: Added the second sentence)

"You should've been king! You're so much better than me; the only reason I'm taking over is because I'm a boy! Isn't that unreasonable!?" (Algarde)

"That's right! That's fine, Al-kun!"

"Yes, it's not! ...Wait, no it's you who're wrong! What are you talking about!?" (Algarde) *(E/N: Duck season... Rabbit season...)

"Al-kun, someone who admitted he wanted to do it, but then denies it... You're the one who wanted to do it, but now you're in denial! Idiot!" (Anise)

"Ah, what are you...! What do you want?" (Algarde)

"I'm telling you! This fight! The fight we're having here and now!" (Anise)

"I'm telling you; this isn't a fight!" (Algarde)

Al-kun held an expression of disbelief. I think I couldn't help but smile and cry.

Because, his reaction was so... "normal". I'm sure Al-kun hasn't had that for a long time.

Suddenly, the memories of me pulling the hand of Al-kun, who disliked it, came to mind. We were still siblings then.

"Oh, I don't care! The details don't matter!" (Anise?)

"It doesn't matter!?" (Algarde?)

"—What could the problem be besides accepting the grievances of a suffering family member?" (Anise?)

--Hey, Al-kun. I'm still wish to hold your hand.

"I won't say this is a royal family! It doesn't make sense to say it anymore! If you throw away your status, I'll do it too! So, I'll face you! If you want a fight, just say so! Just tell me what you want!!" (Anise)

///// *(E/N: This next parts confusing, so I'll just leave the name tags off till it becomes obvious again. Y'all can figure it out the other ones by yerselves, right? Also, I think this is from the perspective of Algarde)

--I can still hear that person scolding me...

The words struck me like a slap to the face. My emotions swell and fill every inch of my body. *(E/N: in = ~2.4 cm for metric users :/)

I don't know if I wanted to cry, or whether to lash out in anger... I just lost my strength. I couldn't help but want to laugh.

"...It's a little late for that now."

"Yeah, it's a little late for that."

I held a face that was both crying and laughing. I've been angry for a long time. Even now, the anger persists. Still, it's no longer pure anger.

"...If only I'd heard those words sooner, I—"

"...If only I'd conveyed these words sooner, I—"

Ah... It's like mirrored words.

"I can't back out now, can I?"

"Nope."

"I wanted to be a monster." (Algarde)

"It's 'person'. Apologize to Ryeini, stupid." (Anise) *(E/N: Not sure if this part is correct)

"You'll owe me. She'll die at this rate. What will happen then?" (Algarde) *(E/N: This part too.)

"I promised her she wouldn't die! If you break your promise, so will I! If we're both guilty, we'll both die! I am royalty! My orders must take precedence!" (Anise)

"...What terrible logic... Really, it's such terrible logic... I'm tearing up." (Algarde)

I laughed so hard tears came up. I was laughing.

I was too sad, too angry, but laughter came anyways, and I couldn't help it... I thought it was fun.

I'm an idiot, I thought. I'm a fool for everything. Both myself and the person in front of me. It's very inappropriate, yet... we're still trying to "fight".

"Hey, sister?" (Algarde)

"What?" (Anise)

"Can you die?" (Algarde)

"No." (Anise)

"Really?" (Algarde)

"That's right." (Anise)

"Then, it can't be helped." (Algarde)

"We'll fight!" (Anise)

"Yes, we'll continue this fight!" (Algarde)

--Ah... I'm sure this fight will be meaningless, leaving nothing behind.

I let go of everything I was holding in me and just let my emotions run as they pleased. From the bottom of my heart, I just want to beat this incarnation of unreason.

Still, it will be okay, my unreasonable Sister would say. This person who is so outlandish, so incomprehensible, strangely pierces my heart.

"I hate you!! Sister!!!" (Algarde)

I have always, always, always hated you!

I hated your freedom more than anything else, and I couldn't take my eyes off you!

I hated and envied you from the bottom of my heart for being able to live each day so fully that you forgot everything else.

I remembered your smile one day. When was it? Your face was laughing. Really, you haven't changed at all since long ago.

I hated her so much, and it just gushed out of me without barriers.

I hated this person. I've wanted to fight this person all this time. This awareness made my heart lighter than anything else, and I helplessly realized that there was nothing ahead.

Yet, I just couldn't stop the laughter from slipping out of my throat.

/////

A/N:

So, I added name tags to most of the dialogue. It was mostly just back and forth and the context was mostly sufficient for identifying them, but I thought it helped. Should I keep adding them?

Al and Anise's relationship really is a mess. So sad.

Yeah, this took longer than I wanted. This chapter was a mess. Especially the end. Also, exams were supposed to come up. But I got sick. AP Calc AB makeup anyone? Well, it is what it is.

Hope y'all enjoyed this chapter!