Chapter 110: Door to the Heart

Though irritated by the continuous backbiting we heard, we entered the West Wing. There was a wall of thorns densely packed here too, but holding up the [Holy Sword], they receded just like before.

“Took longer to recede than before.” <<Beyond here are memories the little girl truly doesn’t want anyone to enter. Seems she is resisting somewhat against the [Holy Sword] too.>>

At Kohaku-san’s telepathy, I nodded in understanding—I see. Inside the West Wing is quite spacious, but feels generally old. Somehow furniture is sparse and feels bleak. If there was even one painting or vase with flowers in the corridor, it would be different. While I was thinking such things, a loud voice was heard from the end of the corridor. Unlike the whispering backbiting until now, it feels like shouting.

“This voice is…!”

Imperial Princess Leticia jogs towards the corner at the end of the corridor. There were figures of a boy and a girl, which could only be described as shadows like paper cutout characters.

“Cut it out! Can’t you speak more properly!”

The shadow boy squared his shoulders and hurled abuse at the crouching girl. …Wait a minute, doesn’t that crouching girl look like Imperial Princess Risha? Could that boy be…!

“…That shadow is Dias. That voice, that attitude, that silhouette… no mistake, it’s my younger brother, the Eighth Imperial Prince Dias.”

Imperial Princess Leticia asserts. I knew it! Ore-sama Prince!

“Your voice is small, don’t know what you’re saying! As royalty, speak more boldly! Shameful!” “S-Sorri…” “Don’t cry at everything! Crybaby! Annoying!”

This guy…! Was he such an arrogant guy since childhood! I really hate this guy!

“Just as Brother said, you really are useless! A ‘failure’ after all!” “Dias!”

Perhaps unable to bear the excessive verbal abuse, Imperial Princess Leticia strides towards shadow Dias. In that moment, Imperial Princess Risha‘s shadow disappeared, and instead two shadows like knights blocked Imperial Princess Leticia‘s path.

“Highness Leticia! Careful!”

Shadow knights, just like when Magic Sword Discord created them, swing swords at Imperial Princess Leticia.

“[Ice Prison World]!”

Suddenly ice spears shot out from Imperial Princess Leticia‘s feet, mercilessly piercing the two shadow knights. Is this Imperial Princess Leticia’s ‘Gift’…?

“It hurts…!” “Risha!?”

Simultaneously as the shadow knights pierced by ice spears disappeared, Imperial Princess Risha‘s pained voice was heard from somewhere.

<<Those shadows are also part of the little girl’s heart. Probably feeling the pain of being pierced in the dream as real pain.>>

Telepathy from Kohaku-san arrives. Means hurting those shadow knights gives suffering to Imperial Princess Risha? While I was flustered by Kohaku-san’s words, several more shadow knights appeared unnoticed.

“Intruders! Beat them all up!”

Dias‘s shadow shouts behind the shadow knights. Us aside, does he see Imperial Princess Leticia as an intruder too? No, if that Dias shadow is also part of Imperial Princess Risha‘s heart, then everyone is an intruder.

“Kuh…!”

Knowing defeating shadows hurts Imperial Princess Risha, Imperial Princess Leticia hesitates to attack.

“Elliott!” “[Gravity Change]!”

When Elliott swung his right hand sideways, the three shadow knights in front were knocked down and immobilized. Elliott‘s ‘Gift’ [Gravity Change] allows freely changing gravity of desired targets within range. Seeing shadow knights defeated in an instant, Dias‘s shadow steps back as if flinching.

“Wh-What are you!? Opposing me, the Imperial Prince!?” “I am a Prince too. Besides, I cannot stomach your conduct.” “Gue!?”

When Elliott held up his right hand, Dias leaked a frog-like voice and was pinned down on the spot. Good going, Elliott! Elliott is looking down at Dias with a rarely angry face. Well, being shown such a scene. This… Elliott‘s impression of Dias is the worst… Technically a senior one year above once entering ‘Academy’ though. For Dias too, getting hated because of an impression shadow created by Imperial Princess Risha, which might differ from reality… Well, don’t think there’s much difference though. These things depend on perception. Dias might not have said it that strongly, but because Imperial Princess Risha was frightened, it sounded very intimidating… maybe a little possibility? Maybe.

“I knew Dias found Risha annoying since he is a brother from the same mother as Brother Darkel but… Never thought it was this much…” “Your brother doesn’t seem very bright. Wasn’t he filling his inferiority complex towards excellent older siblings by scorning a younger sister less capable than himself?”

Might be a bit harsh, but I voice my thoughts. If I recall Dias‘s capture story seen on the net, it said he was pampered since childhood and believed he was excellent, but having excellent older siblings like Imperial Princess Leticia and First Imperial Prince above him… Would be strange not to have a complex. But taking it out on a younger sister is unacceptable. As a brother, and as a human.

“I think comparing oneself with someone is unavoidable. But I cannot forgive his way of doing things. What did she do to deserve this?” “…I am nothing but ashamed.”

At Elliott‘s words, Imperial Princess Leticia looks down. Well, Ore-sama Prince being an idiot isn’t entirely Imperial Princess Leticia’s fault though. Suddenly, Dias‘s shadow and shadow knights Elliott was pinning down vanished like mist.

“Let’s go. Must release Highness Risha from this nightmare quickly.” “Yes, indeed. Must talk properly with that child.”

Imperial Princess Leticia starts climbing the stairs inside the building. Does this lead to that tower? On the way up the stairs, countless thorns blocked the path again, but when I held up the [Holy Sword], they parted left and right wrigglingly—uzo uzo—just like before.

“…not…” “Eh?”

Heard something. Another backbiting?

“That voice just now… Risha?”

Stopping on the stairs, Imperial Princess Leticia puts a hand to her ear. Eh? Imperial Princess Risha’s voice? Certainly felt like a girl’s voice…

“…Don’t come…”

Heard it. Indeed Imperial Princess Risha‘s voice. Saying don’t come, is she saying that to us?

“Just leave me alone…! Everyone bullies me… Don’t want to meet anyone anymore…!”

The stairs in front are being closed off by thorns further. This is Imperial Princess Risha trying to close her heart further. Trying to reject us.

“There is no meaning for me to be alive… It’s more useful for everyone if I die…” “That’s not true! Risha! If you, if you die… what should I do…! Don’t say such things!”

Imperial Princess Leticia shouts, but no reply from Imperial Princess Risha. Our voices not heard…? No, correct to say not reaching?

<<Little master, hurry. The little girl is denying herself, trying to crush her own heart by herself. If that happens, this girl will never wake up again.>>

Telepathy from Kohaku-san arrives. Crush her own heart…? Means heart dies? No way…! This child did nothing wrong!

“Both of you hurry! Going to be a bit rough, but won’t make it in time otherwise!”

I swung the [Holy Sword] overhead and slashed the thorns occupying the stairs—zuba. Thorns turn into glittering light particles and disappear like mist.

“Uh, hurts…!” “Sorry…! I’ll apologize as much as you want later!”

Apologizing to Imperial Princess Risha complaining of pain, we run up the stairs. Suddenly, from the shadow of a vase on the landing, several shadow knights leaped out again, pointing swords at us.

“[Gravity Change]!”

Elliott holds hand over shadow knights, pinning them down on the spot. Ignoring the shadow knights, we just ran up the stairs intently. As we go up, thorns increase. Seems we are quite deep into the heart. As Kohaku-san said, reaching here would have been impossible without [Holy Sword]. Elliott‘s [Gravity Change] has a range; effect disappears if about ten meters away. Thus, released shadow knights chase from behind but…

“[Ice Prison World]!”

Part of the stairs freezes by Imperial Princess Leticia‘s ‘Gift’. The leading shadow knight slipping on it fell, entangling followers into a dumpling ball falling down. Imperial Princess Leticia‘s ‘Gift’ is probably creating ice of free shape within range. Seems same as ice magic, but freedom degree is probably far superior. Threat from behind gone, we ran up stairs further, finally reaching the top floor. Thorns densely infest the large double doors. Or rather, corridor, windows, everything covered in thorns, seemingly constantly multiplying. Perhaps due to [Holy Sword]’s effect, they can’t approach around me, so I stand before the door safely. The room beyond this must be Imperial Princess Risha‘s private room.

“Stop…! Don’t come…! Just leave me alone…!”

Hearing that tragic voice, for a moment, doubt crossed my mind whether this is the right thing. Intruding into the depth of her resisting heart, bringing her back to reality for our convenience. Isn’t that no different from those who oppressed her until now? But, like this she will die. Heart and body. We want Risha to live. And want her to know she has allies, people who cherish her. It doesn’t change that we are forcing our feelings, but,

“Absolutely won’t let you die.”

I held the [Holy Sword] in high stance, and swung it down at the door with all might.