Case 74: On the perceived innocence’s end.

*****

The former hero party was reunited again.

Walking along one another, they seemed to exude that otherworldly aura once felt a decade ago. One could almost see the mana-ridden capes fluttering behind their backs as they passed by. At the moment, no matter who it was, they would surely falter before their majesty.

Except... one girl.

With a slightly chubby dragon nesting in her arms, the child with black hair and eyes didn't seem to mind the living legends' presence at all. Her steps were steady and proud, bringing her ahead of the four even though they were supposed to lead the way.

''Child.''

''Nn?''

The archmage, with a statue barely taller than that of Lyra, caught up to her. ''Don't you have something you want to learn? Ask away, and we'll teach you.''

It was an immense offer. When someone of this caliber offered lessons for free, it meant that they exceptionally liked the recipient. Of course, Lyra knew that, but she wasn't too excited.

Though it was true she loved swinging her sword, that wasn't her whole world. If asked... she would perhaps cite something—someone else as her purpose in life.

''I'm fine with anything. I'm good at everything.''

So, she gave a generic reply, thinking they would give her a random lesson later. It wouldn't be too bad to exercise a bit while waiting for her sister, she thought.

'...Yeah.'

It worked out great. Lyra had been feeling a bit irky these days, too.

However, it was apparent that this attitude only further intrigued the party members. A budding talent whose abilities were incredible yet lacking in motivation... they had seen someone like Lyra several times. Rachael, Penelope, or even Mia, the archmage herself.

Moreover, she was a talent recognized by none other than Jeanne, the legendary heroine of that crusade a decade ago.

'''' ... ''''

The four glanced at one another. A unanimous decision was then passed within seconds, void of any verbal exchange.

They would conduct the 'test' on her.

[Hey, isn't it a bit strange?]

''What is?''

Peering over Lyra's shoulder, the little dragon whispered,

[Why are we fighting her all of a sudden...?]

''...I don't know.''

She was brought to an empty gymnasium.

Up until this moment, Jeanne had always been the one pointing out parts of Lyra's swordsmanship that she needed to improve, and the latter's thoughts were exactly that. Perhaps the former would add something, but that was the extent of it.

Yet, standing in front of the heroine now was the ex-heroine, who was lightly stretching for the match ahead.

'Why am I fighting her...'

At this point, even Lyra was confused. Still, a promise was a promise, so she readied her sword anyway. Amethyst, seeing her owner's nonchalant attitude, could only sigh.

''I'm ready.''

''Good. Come at me first.''

Lyra fought with a longsword, one neither too long nor too short, too big nor too small. In other words, it was an ordinary sword. Thinking of practicality, the heroine chose the most common weapon among soldiers so she could replace it easily on the battlefield.

On the other hand, Jeanne held a noticeably broader sword—not to the extent of a claymore, but substantially bigger—looking as relaxed as ever.

'It's a bad match...'

Lyra's instinct said so. Not only were her strength and stamina inferior, but she had never fought anyone using such a weapon before, while Jeanne had likely encountered myriads of longsword users.

Of course, she had no intention of making it an embarrassing incident. She had to get serious from the get-go.

''Amethyst.''

In an instant, the dragon's mortal body was shed into thousands of purple light specs, which flowed steadily into Lyra's sword. If she couldn't defeat Jeanne anyway, she might as well go all out and gain some experience.

With that mindset, Lyra shot herself forward.

Tearing through the air as though a whip was her sword, striking her opponent at an unusual angle. In the first place, Lyra hadn't fought humans much before, and she only thought it would be beneficial to use slightly more unorthodox approaches. It was all about catching them off guard.

She had ample talent to execute such moves without undermining her own tempo and techniques.

'...Amazing.'

And that much was apparent to Jeanne. Even as she lightly parried off the sharp strokes from the little lady, she couldn't help but marvel at the gleaming gem before her.

Not only was the girl able to stabilize her connection with the dragon, but she also wielded its power with surprising expertise.

''...Did she have that much mana?'' Corderlia muttered, frowning at the strange scene. ''No, this is...''

''She's efficient,'' Mia interjected. ''Immensely so, I'd say.''

Of course, a part of it was Cecilia's meticulous fine-tuning of Lyra's potion intake, but it was undeniable that the heroine held exceptional potential.

Yet, with obviously less experience and physical capabilities than Jeanne, Lyra soon found herself unable to break through—not in the slightest. Even as she rapidly adapted to her opponent's simple yet masterful style, she couldn't find an opening.

Not that she really tried, anyway. Her mind was actually somewhere else from the start.

'...Why am I like this?'

It was about her big sister... again.

Every time Cecilia's silhouette came up, Lyra felt a pang of discomfort. Not because she disliked that person or anything. Just... it was this bitter hatefulness that swelled up in her whenever she saw those women being close to her sister.

Lyra knew it was jealousy, but was jealousy supposed to be this intense?

She didn't have a clue. Still, the continuous stress nearly drove her to insanity these days. Katrina's class was next week, so she couldn't ask her until then either.

In other words, she was frustrated. One could even see the fiery irritation inside her void-like eyes.

That was what Jeanne briefly saw as they clashed, at least.

''Focus, Lyra.''

''...''

''I know you want to be with your sister, but she—''

Suddenly, something snapped.

The battlefield's atmosphere seemed to darken at an alarming rate, and a piercing chill descended, making even Jeanne flinch.

''What... about my sister?''

''?!''

A thrust.

An ordinarily slow yet utterly unavoidable strike—aiming straight at Jeanne's thumping heart. At the same time, that heart of hers was being grasped tightly by the infinitely dark and grotesque malice coming from the little girl.

Perhaps that was why she couldn't move out of the way.

''Tch!''

Almost in panic, Jeanne mustered her real strength and covered herself in a cocoon of fire. It was her soul guardian—Inferno, Apostle of Hellfire.

Immediately afterward, Lyra found herself restrained by the other party members, who all held perplexed expressions as they worriedly stared at her.

''...I went overboard.''

Realizing what she had done, Lyra promptly retreated and put down the sword. It was certainly an awkward silence. But while Lyra only shrugged off her mistake, the others couldn't think so lightly of her anymore.

At some point, their thoughts converged, and none of them dared to say that the girl was innocent, especially when it came to her big sister.

*****