01x03 - Kingdom of Lies

[bunniefuu]

These plans for after graduation

Rio's the only one who didn't write anything.

Where is it that you want to go, Rio?

My parents' homeland, the Yagumo region.

Seirei Gensouki

Kingdom of Lies

As you already know,

magic uses formulae designed

to control magical power.

By pouring od through them, this craft

meddles with matters of the world.

Today, the fifth and

sixth-years will use Lighting

to deepen their understanding

of controlling magical power.

Lighting?

Professor! Anyone in this room should

be able to use low-level magic like—

No, wait.

There is one person who can't use it.

Yes, there is!

A lecture intended for those

with poor magic control

Isn't it a little late for all of that?

I see.

Well then, will you two

try using Lighting for me?

Yes, Miss!

Lighting!

At that level, I can't say

you've mastered it yet.

What do you mean?

Being able to cast a covenant formula

depends on a person's affinity.

It's not the same as being

skillful in magical control.

Even without the use of magic,

with the existence of artifacts,

there are those who can use multiple

magical techniques simultaneously.

Like this.

Dectet Magician.

Lighting.

That's amazing!

One person can control that

many Lightings at once?!

It's true that I can't cast magical

covenant formulae like they can.

But

by imitating the flow of magical power,

for some reason I'm able to

reproduce magical techniques.

All right!

Now, let's begin our lecture

on magical control!

Just what I'd expect from you,

Professor Celia!

I found that so moving!

Why, thank you.

Hey, commoner.

It seems you've been seducing

the female students of late.

What do you mean?

Don't flatter yourself.

Your win in the tournament

was simply a fluke.

I understand completely.

Then stop trying to push yourself forward.

Stewart, stop that, now.

You're of the nobility, aren't you?

You shouldn't lay criticism

without definite evidence.

B-But this brat even

tries flirting with you!

Nothing of that sort has ever happened.

Hey, commoner.

If you try anything foolish

during the outdoor practicum,

the house of Duke Huguenot

will not stay silent!

Sir Rio

Flora?

It's just

That was clearly a false accusation, wasn't it?

Yes.

But not getting involved

is best for all of us.

I'm sure he understands that, too.

Oh, but

He is always taking care of

things on his own like that.

And I still haven't been able

to do anything to repay him.

This is where our outdoor practicum

is being held, isn't it?

Yes.

They're going to test how well we've

learned military exercises at the academy.

I'm a little nervous.

There is no need to worry.

It's a team competition, and all the most

dangerous monsters have been culled.

Now, I will tell you the details

of the practicum from the notice.

In order to withdraw from

a battle zone, our units

will travel the shortest course through

this mountain forest and aim for the goal.

The operation lasts until sunset.

Good results here will have a tremendous

impact on all of our grades.

My friends, let's reach the

goal by this afternoon!

Yeah!

Won't that be impossible?

This is a wooded, mountainous area.

It will take twice as

long to travel anywhere.

Not to worry.

I've already got a special course in mind.

What do you mean?

The soldiers who serve in my home region

just happened to be quite knowledgeable

about the geography of this area.

I had them tell me about all the animal

paths that can be used as shortcuts.

Then I passed it on to our upperclassmen.

It feels like cheating. I don't like it.

To say that information controls

everything in w*r is no exaggeration.

We're practically guaranteed

a good result here.

What do you think, Princess Christina?

I'll leave it to you.

After all, you are the

commander of this unit.

Thank you.

Then, let's move out!

Yeah!

Hey, commoner.

Consider yourself honored.

You're a hindrance who can't even use magic,

but we've prepared a job

that even you can do.

This is everyone's luggage.

Carry it and follow us.

Understood.

Don't you dare do anything uncalled for.

Excuse me.

Um

Shall I carry a little of that?

What?

No, I'm fine.

Thank you for your concern.

This just isn't right.

Why is it only Sir Rio

who must endure such

Monsters!

Don't panic, everyone! They're goblins!

The three in the vanguard should use

artifacts to boost their physical abilities.

Charge!

Enchant Physical Ability!

They were nothing much.

We need more formidable monsters.

Just as I'd expect from you, Stewart.

You're so reliable.

By way of contrast

Hey, Rio!

Don't just stand there in a daze!

My apologies.

That was much too close. To think anyone

would notice at this distance

What an impossible child.

Shall we test him a little and

see what his true capabilities are?

We're out of the forest!

The goal is close!

All right! Hooray!

A cliff?

It can't be!

What's going on?

Maybe his information was wrong?

What are we going to do?

Go back the way we came?

We'd lose a lot of time.

Commander.

Y-Yes?

Where do we head next?

The path seems to come to an end here.

Well That's

Th-There are orcs!

Everyone! Defenses!

V-Vanguard!

Raise shields and block the spears!

Ow! It hurts! It hurts!

Help me

Stop it!

Flora!

Sir Rio?

Flora!

We need to focus on exterminating

the monsters first!

D-Defend!

Vanguard, raise shields and form a wall.

Rear guard, use attack magic

to lay down a barrage!

Roanna, tend to the injured!

Blitz Shot!

Blitz Shot!

Blitz Shot!

I wonder if falling from there without

a single injury will make them

suspicious of me.

I saved her without thinking about it.

It isn't magic or magical techniques.

Even now, I don't know what

this power actually is

Or anything about that girl.

You can't be serious!

You say I pushed

Princess Flora off the cliff?!

No, I wouldn't go so far as that.

It's just that Alphonse asked me if anyone

might have bumped into Princess Flora.

I was pushed, too!

I am a victim here!

Someone else is responsible!

Getting overexcited isn't

good for your wounds.

And after I treated them for you, too.

Stewart, please, calm down.

I'm simply trying to understand

the circumstances.

Th-That's right! I've just remembered.

It's that commoner who's responsible!

Did you just

Yes.

In that moment, the coward was so

frightened of the monsters' attack that,

though I am injured, he pushed

me with all his might!

Because of that, I could not avoid

colliding with Princess Flora!

So, fearful of committing the crime of

k*lling a member of the royal family,

that man may have saved

Princess Flora in his desperation,

but in return, he fell from the cliff himself?

Th-That can't be what happened!

Sir Rio was simply trying

his hardest to save me!

This has gotten problematic.

What should I do?

He's the one responsible.

Right, my upperclassmen?

Y-Yes.

Is this really the time to

be looking for a culprit?

Commander!

Th-Then, as Her Highness

the Princess is safe,

let's find a way out of the forest!

I had planned to graduate

from the academy, but

Please, wait!

Are you saying we're

going to abandon Sir Rio?

That fall was just him

getting what he deserves.

Getting what he deserves?

Then my nearly falling was

me getting what I deserved.

I am going to go help Sir Rio,

even if I have to go alone!

You mustn't!

What are you saying, Princess Flora?

Flora, calm down.

As soon as this practicum is over,

we'll send out a search party!

Why is a monster like that

Why are you just standing there?

We'll be k*lled!

Thunder Ball!

Wha—

If Thunder Ball doesn't work,

we need to use Ice Lance!

Vanguard, increase your physical abilities!

Ice Lance!

Enchant Physical Ability!

Re

Retreat!

Run!

Princess Christina!

Please get a hold of yourself!

Of course

Where is Flora?

I believe she has already escaped.

We should hurry as well.

Are you all right?

No!

Please, take him and get away from here!

Sir Rio!

Hurry!

Right!

This way!

Come on!

He's tough.

And

He's fast!

I can't die here.

So why did I come back to save her?

He's amazing!

Now.

Why was that monster—

Princess Flora!

Princess Flora, are you hurt?

No. I'm s-so sorry!

My. I got to witness something even

more entertaining than I'd expected.

That black hair

Is he the offspring of people who drifted

here from the Yagumo region, I wonder?

If so, I can see why he'd be

able to use the spirit arts.

What a worrisome child.

Honestly!

The Head of the Academy

is such a taskmaster!

You could just do the

research yourself, you know!

And these materials on monsters are so old

And so, that commoner

Rio has gone missing.

But Princess Flora is

advocating for this Rio.

Lord Garcia,

if the standing of the

House of Huguenot is put at risk,

it will only embolden

the house of Duke Arbor.

That would be bad for the kingdom,

would it not?

The royal family has become weak.

It's maddening!

Now that things have come to this, I suppose

we have no choice but to blame the boy.

I'll leave the rest to you,

Duke Huguenot.

Understood.

Please leave the matter to me hereafter.

Rio

What could have happened?

Who's there?

It's Rio.

I'm sorry for causing such a commotion.

P-Professor

I was really worried!

I'm sorry.

Are you hurt? Are you all right?

That tickles!

That's horrible. What are they thinking?

They're laying a false charge!

Rio, you haven't done anything wrong!

It's the people in power who

decide what's wrong or not.

Even if I appealed with the truth,

no one would acknowledge it.

It's because I'm not of the nobility.

I'm sorry.

The truth is, I wish I could do

something about this for you, but

Please, don't apologize.

Everything is thanks to you, Professor.

It's thanks to you

that I've been able to come this far

without crumbling and going bad.

I'm glad I was able to meet you, Professor.

I truly mean that.

Rio

That's why you were the one person

I wanted to say goodbye to, Professor.

You're going to the Yagumo region, aren't you?

Yes.

I see.

I wanted to see you graduate, but

I'll write you letters along the way.

Though I'll be using an alias.

All right. What name will you use?

Haruto.

Haruto

Haruto.

Well then, I should be going.

I'll see you again, won't I?

Yes. I'm sure we'll meet again.

For certain, absolutely certain, understand?

Stay safe

until you return all right?

Have a safe trip!

I will! I'm off!

Your letters I'll be waiting for them.

I'll be waiting, okay?

What is your name?

I'm called Celia.

Rio

Rio? That's an unusual name.

My parents were immigrants.

Are you all right?

Don't touch me

Just a moment. I'll make us some space.

There are a lot of

difficult-looking books here.

But you look so young, Professor.

Hm? Oh, yes.

I'm still only twelve, after all.

It's very good.

I'm glad you like it!

When you drink a good cup of tea

It just makes you feel happy, doesn't it?

I have you, Professor Celia.

Huh?

What?

Oh, Rio!

Yes?

You're making fun of me, aren't you?

Treating me like a child!

But you're older than me, Professor.

Y-Yes, but well it means you

think of me as a friend, right?

Yes.

Would you rather I didn't?

I don't mind.

What?

I don't mind.

That is the clothing of

the assassination target.

Remember the scent.

The target is twelve years old

and male. Goes by Rio.

His hair is black, so you

should recognize him quickly.

No matter what it takes,

find him and k*ll him,

Latifa.

Understood.

Next Time

Little Assassin Girl

"Little Assassin Girl."

Spirit Chronicles

Exciting Bonus Manga

I'm Flora.

By Minazuki Futago

I wanted

to thank

him

for

saving

me so

many

times.

Do you

have any

idea

where

Sir Rio

is right

now?

N-No?

She's

surprisingly

sharp