Re: Turning
The Coward's Oath

Shinnichi and Fiona walked through the magnificent passageway. On one side, the walls were filled with paintings and murals. On the other hand, glass ornaments decorate. The morning sunlight at noon entered the cracks, illuminating the dim passageway. Gives a mystical and aesthetic feel.

Their footsteps were clearly heard. Covering Shinnichi's fast-starting heartbeat. Walking side by side, each with a complicated expression. Their premonition says that something is not appropriate. However, they do not know what it is.

In a short time, they arrived in front of the throne room. The door - or rather called the gate - opened it was guarded by a pair of knights. Despite a glance, they stare at Shinnichi sharply before saluting the Princess.

"Victoria's fourth princess, Fiona Throst Victoria Ainsworth and her servant, Shinnichi Kurobane came before the King!"

With an announcement, Fiona and Shinnichi walked into the room. Shinnichi always felt uncomfortable. Not because he was called a servant, but because of their loud voice.

Together with the Princess, Shinnichi walks on a strangely patterned red carpet in the middle. The mural showing the royal emblem still hung proudly. The nobles who filled the side of the room were now replaced by plate-wielding knights. Their aura felt cold and sharp.

At the end of the room, King Albert, the Prime Minister of the Estate and the hero Samejima stand. The two men were on both sides of the King. He looked at her with hatred that he could not understand.

Shinnichi swallowed his saliva. He thinks everyone can hear him. Unable to stop the paranoid feeling, Shinnichi kept going. They reached near the stairs leading to the throne.

Fiona bowed respectfully. Lifting her dress gracefully and beautifully. Shinnichi knelt behind him. Looks scared.

"Praise to you, Your Majesty. The noble king who led Victoria to greatness." Fiona started praising him. Trying to cover up her nervousness that had never existed before.

He lifted his head to look at his father. As a noble, he had the ability to understand one's nature. An important ability to negotiate or relate politics. Although Fiona herself does not like political things, this is related to Shinnichi.

After all, his ability said that the King was furious, for some reason. Praising her book the wrong thing.

"Your Majesty, what did you call this servant of the servant?" tanyakanya. Embolden oneself. "Is it because of his job? Her looks? Pe—"

"Be quiet, my daughter." Albert raised his hand, stopping Fiona. His voice was firm and heavy. "I don't have time to talk to you. Or the desire for her."

"... Forgive me, Your Majesty." Fiona according. He lowered his head.

Everyone's eyes are on Shinnichi. Sensing a piercing look in the eyes, Shinnichi continued to lower his head.

"Shinnichi Kurobane." The estoc called his name. Makes Shinnichi a little surprised. "Forward to the front."

"... Nah, okay."

Shinnichi stood up, still lowered his head, then walked past Fiona. The princess tried to grab his hand, but she undoed her intention. Biting her lips, Fiona could only see Shinnichi advancing forward.

Three steps later, Shinnichi stops. He tried to stop his trembling by clenching both of his hands. It didn't work, of course. He looks like a cold little animal. Under the hateful gaze of the strongest and greatest people in the kingdom? Who wouldn't?

"So." So." Albert began to speak. It's as cold as mountain ice. "This is what defeated one of Victoria's strongest Heroes?"

""!?""

Two people reacted to hearing that. Shinnichi finally understood why he had been summoned there. He also cannot argue.

"N-no, Your Honor. I-I just beru—"

"You think I'm a fool?"

Albert's question makes Shinnichi stiff. He immediately fell silent. The wrath of the King is the wrath of the whole kingdom.

"You defeated the Hero Samejima" Albert continued. Slowly but surely. "To protect the Devils? Is that true?"

Fiona advanced to Shinnichi's side. Trying to defend Shinnichi. "Your Majesty, please. Let hamb—"

"Shut up, Fiona!" Albert raised his voice. His voice echoed in the room. "Let him talk."

"I-i...." Shinnichi tried to find the right word to explain it. However, he could not dispute what he said. "I-I protect the Devils, right. B-but, I just want to keep the peace!"

"Keeping peace?" ask Albert. He sharpened his eyes towards Shinnichi. "Do you know what you're doing?"

Shinnichi silent. He could not answer the King's question. The King hit his throne arm. The loud bang made Shinnichi aghast.

"You sabotaged the display of the power of the Human race!" snapped Albert. His blood boiled with emotion. "What will the enemy think when a lowly servant like you defeats a Hero?! They will underestimate us! Considered the Human race a weak race! You gotit?! Your actions are ushering the Human race into the abyss of defeat!"

Shinnichi's trembling is back. He could only bow his head. Receiving hateful gazes from everyone in the room. There were only a pair of eyes looking at her with pity, yet Fiona could do nothing.

"Pardon me, Your Majesty...." Shinnichi could only let out an apologetic whisper. Only his determination and will alone forced him to stand up. If someone else was in his position, they would have definitely escaped or even fainted.

"I'm sorry?" Samejima. Joining the conversation, he considers that what Shinnichi said was so entertaining.

"Why are you apologizing? Didn't this go according to your plan...." He intentionally stopped his words. "Oh, traitor to Man?"

""!?""

Fiona and Shinnichi cannot trust their ears. The accusation is overrated. Unreasonably even.

"Why do you look so surprised? Haven't you betrayed your own race?" Samejima looked down at Shinnichi. His head was still throbbing after receiving his attack, making him even more furious. "Protect the Devils, speak familiarly with them. Conspiring with them."

"What's that...?" Shinnichi racked his brain. Trying to understand what Samejima said.

Then, the memories appeared in his head. At night when he talked to Haira.

"I-I didn't betray you!" Shinnichi shook his head. Trying to convince everyone.

"You met a messenger of Satan and gave him something, didn't you?" The estoc also joined. "This is your plan. Approaching the Princess for access to the closed information and then giving it to the Demon race. How cunning is your brain."

"N-no! I'm just... I-I just asked him to check my status." Shinnichi started to sound desperate.

"What kind of reason is that?" Estoc shook her head in disbelief. "Only a fool would believe that reason."

"I-I'm not lying...."

Shinnichi lowered his head. Can't hold everyone's eyes. Her chest feels tight. Heads circling. It was like falling into a cliff.

However, a hand extended towards him. Prevent it from falling deeper. Shinnichi felt a cold sensation that held his hand.

Fiona came forward. His tough look was fixed forward.

"Then I am the dumbest man" he said steadily. Holding Shinnichi's hand, Fiona paid no attention to everyone's disapproving gaze.

"Fiona-sama...."

Looking at it, Albert was silent. Samejima tried to contain his anger. Estoc sharpened her eyes. While the knights were watching closely.

"Porter, what does this mean?" The first estoc voiced his question.

"It's as you can see, Estoc-dono." Fiona shrugged her shoulders. Smiling boldly. "He's my precious servant, then I won't let him be."

"What kind of madness is this?" Estoc mumbled.

Not caring about it, Fiona tightened her grip. He turned to Shinnichi and smiled sweetly. Receiving that smile, Shinnichi could not bear to think that he had indeed fallen for the Princess. Shinnichi also smiled slightly.

Fiona turned to look at her father. Staring right.

"I, Fiona Throst Victoria Ainsworth, won't let anyone give Shinnichi Kurobane such an unprovoked accusation!" Fiona raised her voice. Make sure that everyone in the room hears and understands what he is saying. "Anybody who dares, must face me head-on!"

Hearing Fiona's ultimatum, Albert stared at her intently. "Samejima, please wake my son from the traitor's mind control."

Samejima. He pulled the sword from the scabbard. The magic sword was burning red. Burning with magical fire from the dragon king, Riveria. "By pleasure."

Fiona releases Shinnichi's hand. He already thought this would happen. Of course he won't let them get Shinnichi.

Fiona took off her white gloves. Showing his pale white skin. Ice vapor can be seen all around. Instantly, the temperature in the room dropped drastically. The artifact that held back its power - its white glove - had already come off. A sign that he is serious.

"Kurobane-sama, I will protect you." Fiona advanced in front of Shinnichi.

Shinnichi wanted to say something. Protected by the girl he loves, isn't that sad? However, Shinnichi knew, his strength was nothing. If he tries to help, he will just interrupt.

"Protected by a girl? How funny! Don't you dare face me like a real man?" Samejima's taunts again made him feel guilty. "Well, fit for a coward like you."

"Great greeting from someone who fucked all the women in the castle." Fiona swanth taunting him. "Kurobane-sama is more respectable than a man who thinks with************* like you."

"You!" Samejima did not take Fiona's taunts well. He swung his sword. "[Broombo]!"

FUUU! A gigantic fireball emerged from the tip of his sword. Drive towards Fiona and Shinnichi. Fiona is undaunted. He raised his hand gently.

"[Ice Wall]."

A wall of ice appeared from below. Fiona used an intermediate level ice Magic, [Ice Wall] without a spell. Show how great it is in the field of magic.

Duoms! With an explosion, the fireball hit Fiona's ice wall. Restraining and protecting the two people behind him.

Fiona wasted no time. He pulled his hand in front of his chest and pushed it back. Like a wave of water, the ice wall sped towards Samejima. Intention to push him backwards.

"Easy!"

However, Samejima was a Hero. The strongest individual in Panzia or even Zelfria. He cut the wall easily. Like cutting butter with a hot knife.

"Is that all you can do, Princess? It's my turn now."

Standing on the steam and meltwater of Fiona's icy walls, Samejima smiled widely. He then lowered his body. Signs that he will be driving. Precisely, he shot forward at high speed.

Fiona put her foot forward. A dozen ice spears emerged from the floor under his feet. Soaring above the air, Fiona shot out that two-meter-long ice spear. Although basic-level magic, in Fiona's hands, tin magic

Zu! Zu! Zu! The dangerous projectile leads right to Samejima. The young man was not worried. He parried the spear easily. Moving his sword to the right and to the left, smashing it while dodging it.

Arriving in front of Fiona, Samejima drew his sword. Fiona anticipated that, she formed an ice wall in front of her. He strengthens her to protect her from Riveria's sweep.

"Well!"

Samejima didn't stop. He attacked the ice wall with all his might. He cut off most of the ice wall every time his sword hit the wall. Every time the walls return to their original state. Using her magic, Fiona fixed that ice wall. However, constantly improving drained his Mana. Everything has limits. And Fiona was already approaching that limit.

Crews! Crews! Cracks began to form on the surface of the three-meter-high wall. Like a crawling cobweb, the crack continued to widen.

Samejima raised his sword for the final strike. The corner of his lips bent. He swung the sword down.

Kraakk! With a loud sound, the ice wall shattered. Fiona covered her face, trying to take cover from the ice flakes. From behind his arm, he could see the silhouette of Samejima approaching him.

Time seems to be slow. His rapid heartbeat, his hunting breath, he could hear it. He could also see the blade of the sword pointing right at him. Fiona can't move. Is he going to die here?

A black-haired young man would not let it.

Shinnichi pushes Fiona. Keep him out of the way of danger. Fiona's eyes were round, she could see Shinnichi's expression of fear that was incompatible with his daring deeds. However, in Fiona's eyes, that expression was what made her fall in love.

Fiona fell to the ground. A second later, a sharp cutting sound was heard followed by a small thud. Fiona opened her eyes.

Red was the color he first saw; blood. Fresh blood flowed from Shinnichi's right arm. Or rather, the place where Shinnichi's arm was supposed to be.

He looked down. Shinnichi's hand was downstairs, in a pool of his own blood. Just lying down. Complete with open sleeves and palms.

"K-Kurobane-together...." Fiona muttered her name.

❂❂❂❂❂❂

Time is running slow for Shinnichi.

His body moves on its own. Against his survival instinct, he pushes Fiona from the pace of Samejima's sword. Putting his own hand.

Sriing! The sound of the wind being cut off by the blade of Riveria reached Shinnichi's ears with a terrifying clarity. Then, he felt the right part of his body become light. His sight blurred.

Shinnichi glanced down. His right arm is missing. More precisely, cut clean.

"Eh?"

"Ah, I missed." Samejima's relaxed voice sounded. Despite saying that, he kept a big smile.

"A... AARRGH!" Shinnichi's agonizing cry instantly filled the room.

Because adrenaline, though only temporary, loses the sense of pain. And now he finally felt it. Every painful detail that can be felt by him.

"Kurobane-sama!" Fiona rushed to stand up. Caught Shinnichi just before he fell. Fiona lays Shinnichi on her lap.

"Kurobane-sama! Kurobane-sama!"

Shinnichi's blood is still pouring. Stain Fiona's blue-white dress with her blood red. However, right now Fiona could not worry about that.

"Fi-fiona-sama! Ta-hands! My hands are gone!" Shinnichi looked at the right part of his body with a faint look. From above his elbow, his arm was gone. Cut clean until someone can see the bones and muscles.

"What's wrong, Kurobane-sama. I-I'm here. Calm. I'll help you." Fiona stroked Shinnichi's cheek. Trying to calm the young man down. "[Healing Water]."

Fiona uses magic to create a small water ball. Covering Shinnichi's arm and healing him slowly. Still, that low-level magic could not cure him directly. Blood is still flowing

"Urghs! Fiona-sama! My hand! My hand!" Shinnichi gripped Fiona's dress. Looking for ways to ease the pain that is attacking him.

"Oh, someone's crying because they lost a hand. Does it hurt?" Samejima sheathed Riveria and looked at Shinnichi.

"Don't come any closer! You'll pay for all this!" Fiona growled furiously. He made the young man stop and smile.

"Suell up." Samejima smiled mysteriously. He turned his body. "Your Majesty."

"Mist."

Just by mentioning her name, a figure appeared behind Fiona. Before being able to react, Fiona received a punch on her nape. Awareness fades.

"Ku-kurobane-sama...."

Calling her name, Fiona fell unconscious. Mist caught him. He kicks Shinnichi and jumps back.

"Urghs! Fi-Fi-sama!" Rolling on the floor, Shinnichi called out Fiona's name.

"Thank you." Samejima. He walked towards Shinnichi. Like a predator stalking its prey.

"Let's go, little b*dick."

"Urghs!"

Samejima grabbed Shinnichi by the neck. Lift it into the air easily. Samejima threw him in the middle of the room. Right above the strange motives that Shinnichi is aware of.

Brugh! Air was forced out of his lungs. Shinnichi tried to stand up. Just to get a leg hitting his back.

"Aragh!" Shinnichi screamed in pain. Samejima ignored him and continued to plant his heels onto the young man's back. After stepping on it a few times, Samejima stopped.

"S-Samejima.. why?" Shinnichi asked. "Why are you doing this...?"

Samejima sighed. She brushed her hair back. He crouches in front of Shinnichi. Smile at the young man.

"Because I hate you" he answered briefly. "Although an otaku is disgusting, you can smile with friends, close to the Princess. I hate to see a loser like you happy."

"Just because of that." murmured Shinnichi. "That's why you're doing this.... It's all because of such a trivial thing?"

"true." Samejima. "And now, you're gonna die. Oh, don't worry, the princess will be in safe hands."

Shinnichi was fixated on hearing Samejima's words. He raised his head, looking at Shinnichi with an expression he never put on; angry.

"Don't touch Fiona-sama!"

"Oh, you say so big. Can what are you? Oi, bring him here."

Shinnichi turned in the same direction as Samejima. In someone's hands, Fiona was unconscious.

"Fiona-sama! Fiona-s— Guh!" Trying to call out to him, Shinnichi receives a kick right in his head.

"Whispering."

The man walked towards Samejima. Staring at Fiona fixedly, Samejima smiled. "Isn't she pretty?" he said, stroking Fiona's cheek.

"WOW!"

For a moment, Shinnichi forgot his pain. He stood up and ran towards Samejima. However, before he could reach it he was held back by the knights.

"Take me off! Release him! RELEASE THEM! Urghs! Ughhhh!"

Shinnichi. Trying to break away. But, the dozens of punches and kicks left him speechless. He was slammed into the starting place.

"Fiona-sama! Fiona-sama! Fiona!"

Under the Knight's grip, Shinnichi could do nothing. He can only call out his name. Staring at the azure haired girl in Samejima's hands. The girl he loved so much, was in the hands of someone truly evil.

"See you later, Kurobane-sama~" Samejima held Fiona's hand and waved her around. Mimicking the way he talks.

"Don't touch her!" Shinnichi. Replied by Samejima's laughter.

He looked towards Fiona. Then....

Kissed her.

Something breaks in Shinnichi. Something valuable. Something that became her gentle self-identity; her Heart.

Shinnichi gritted his teeth. Negative emotions he had never felt began to overflow. Culminated on his head. Hatred, wrath, sorrow. All joined into one.

Red light began to emerge from that strange motive; a teleportation magic circle. Shinnichi's expression.

"FIO!" Shinnichi exclaimed with all his might. "I'LL BE BACK! I SWEAR I'LL BE BACK FOR YOU! ANYHOW!"

The oath echoed in the room. Shinnichi carved the oath in his heart. And as long as he was still breathing, as long as he could move, as long as he saw Fiona's smile again. It won't stop.

"HAAAAHH—!"

Red light filled the room. Swallowed the young man. In an instant, he and his voice disappeared without a trace.

Kurobane Shinnichi vanished from Victoria.