He who Protects the Transforming Heroines from The Shadows - Chapter 12 - Akatsuki, the Lightguide Princess

“Gale Slash.”

In the dimming twilight, a voice cut through the air. As if responding to the words, a blade of wind sliced cleanly through the creature known as a Dark Thrall.

With a final, dying cry, the monster was engulfed in light—and transformed back into a human.

This time, the Dark Thrall had taken the form of a woman in a business suit. Whether her heart had been consumed by stress at work or the anxieties of job hunting, given her youthful appearance, was unclear. For now, she was unconscious.

A figure in a pale emerald-green hood gently propped her up against the wall of an alleyway.

Battles with Dark Thrall typically took place in residential or urban areas, simply because that’s where people were. If it weren’t for the ward that dispersed bystanders—cast by the Lightguide Princess—countless civilians would be caught in the chaos. The green-hooded Lightguide Princess always shuddered at the thought.

“…Well then, I guess it’s time to go home.”

Stepping out of the alley where she’d left the woman behind, the hooded Lightguide Princess reached a deserted street and began to undo her transformation. One way or another, her work as a Lightguide Princess was done for the day.

But just then, a man’s voice rang out.

“Huh? You’re already done?”
“…!”

She hadn’t de-transformed yet. And yet, someone else’s voice came from nearby.

The hooded Lightguide Princess snapped her eyes toward the source of the voice. Under a streetlight stood a boy.

He wore a cocky grin and had a frivolous air about him. Likely around her age. Dressed in dull, gray-toned clothing, a short spear glinted dully in his right hand beneath the lamp.

“…Oh. It’s just you. Kakashi.”

Upon recognizing him, the Lightguide Princess let out a long sigh. Still grinning, the boy called Kakashi replied casually.

“Hey now, ‘It’s just you’ is a little cold. I came all this way to help, you know. And my Guardian name isn’t Kakashi. It’s Scarecrow. Don’t mess it up.”
“Does it really matter? Japanese or English, it’s the same thing. More importantly, what do you mean ‘you came to help’?”

The two were acquaintances, at least. In fact, they’d even fought together as Lightguide Princess and Guardian pair. That said, the hooded Lightguide Princess didn’t care much for Scarecrow personally. Not that she hated him—she just didn’t do well with people as flippant as he was.

“Just what I said. I came to help you, Akatsuki.”

Scarecrow responded to the green-hooded Lightguide Princess—Akatsuki, with a light tone.

“…Are you mocking me? Sure, the Dark Thrall today was close to Beast-class, but I can handle a weakling like this myself. Just so you know, I am ranked 25th.”

Akatsuki glared at him from beneath her hood.

Normally, Guardians wouldn’t show up for fights like this unless there was a special reason. Dark Thralls that weren’t Beastman or Darkian-class could be handled by a Lightguide Princess alone.

And Akatsuki was ranked 25th among the Lightguide Princesses. Dark Thralls like this were easily dispatched.

So to her, Scarecrow’s “help” came off as a slight insult to her capabilities.

“Hey, I’m not underestimating you. I know how strong you are. But this is a direct order from Lord Ralva. Even I can’t say no to him.”

Scarecrow placed his short spear across his shoulders, resting both arms over it as he explained.

“…Lord Ralva? What’s the reason?”

The name caught Akatsuki off guard. She asked, bewildered.

Scarecrow’s grin faded into a rare serious expression as he explained.

“Apparently, it’s because of a report from our rank 10th. You remember when Reizeroll showed up in the city recently, right? You and I were called in for that. Well, it turns out he ran into Feliet while we were fighting her.”
“…Feliet? As in the top-class Darkian? No offense, but that No. 10 guy is lucky to be alive. That level of enemy is usually for rank 5 or above.”

Both Lightguide Princesses and Guardians had ranking systems. Lightguide princesses were ranked based on their purification power, combat experience, and overall ability. Those who placed in the top 100 were considered elites.

The same for the Guardians, excluding purification, since they didn’t possess the power to purify Dark Thrall.

Speaking of which, as she had been saying, Akatsuki was ranked 25. A bit presumptuous, but she’d call herself a powerhouse. (Scarecrow was, if she recalled, ranked somewhere around 50.)

Feliet, on the other hand, was an upper-echelon Darkian, requiring rank 5 or above just to survive an encounter.

“To be fair, that guy’s a monster—he hit rank 10 in just one year. But even he barely made it out. We’re talking about Feliet, after all. His last confirmed appearances go back to the Middle Ages. He should’ve fled under normal circumstances, but apparently, there was a rookie Lightguide Princess there. So he couldn’t run.”
“A rookie…!? You mean a newbie Lightguide Princess fought Feliet? That’s insane! Why would Lady Soleil approve such a match-up…?”

Akatsuki couldn’t help but raise her voice. It was suicide. Assigning a rookie to fight Feliet was madness.

The one who decided which Lightguide Princess fought which enemy was Soleil. The ranking system existed largely to support those decisions. (Same went for Ralva.)

So Akatsuki couldn’t understand it—why had a rookie, likely unranked, been thrown at Feliet?

“Apparently Feliet just appeared out of nowhere and started attacking. The rookie had no choice but to fight. —And that brings us to the main point.”

Scarecrow sounded tired of talking, but pushed on.

“Normally, both our rank 10th Guardian and the rookie Lightguide Princess would’ve died. That’s just reality. But they didn’t. Why? Because, for some reason, some unknown person showed up, or so I heard.”

He was vague, probably because he hadn’t seen it himself. Akatsuki understood that much.

“Some unknown person?”

Her confusion about Soleil’s judgment was replaced with a new mystery.

“Yeah. I haven’t seen him either, I just heard the rumors. But from what I heard, he is someone shady, a real enigma-type of guy.”

For once, Scarecrow’s face stayed serious. It was rare enough that even Akatsuki took notice.

“They say he’s called Spriggan. A man in a black cloak who saved the rookie Lightguide Princess’s life.”
“So he saved her life? Then doesn’t that make him a good guy? Sure, if he’s that shady, it raises some questions, but still…”

From what she heard, Akatsuki didn’t get a bad impression. Scarecrow scratched his head, looking conflicted.

“I mean, sure. From that alone, he seems decent. But the problem is—he used a power based on Darkness.”
“Darkness powers…? Then this Spriggan—”
“Yeah. Since he could talk and showed intelligence, he might be a Darkian.”

A warm breeze fluttered Akatsuki’s hood. Scarecrow lowered the short spear from his shoulders, holding it properly in one hand now.

Then, saying “And so,” to conclude it, he finally laid out the reason for his presence.

“Even if he saved a Princess and a Guardian, he’s fishy as hell. Also, I heard this isn’t the first time he’s helped a Lightguide Princess. But that still doesn’t make him an ally. Plus, he shows up during battles between Princesses and Dark Thrall. So now, every Guardian has been ordered to assist, even in low-risk battles.”

Having said his piece, Scarecrow let out a long sigh. His usual smug grin returned to his face.

“…I see. Basically, you’re here to be my bodyguard.”

Akatsuki summed up the situation plainly. It seemed he wasn’t lying when he said he came to help.

“Okay, I get the idea. Thanks, I guess. But I don’t need a bodyguard. Being around you is exhausting.”
“Ouch. Words can hurt, you know? I came all this way even though I didn’t want to. At least show me your real face as thanks.”

Scarecrow leered at her, trying to get a peek beneath the hood. Akatsuki snorted in disgust and walked off.

“Sorry, but I don’t show my face to just anyone. I trust your skill as a Guardian—but not you as a person.”

And with that, Akatsuki vanished down the street.

“Haha. Man, she really hates my guts.”

Left alone beneath the streetlight, Scarecrow chuckled to himself, still grinning.

♦

“Hot…”

Under sunlight that felt almost like midsummer, Eito lay face-down on his desk at his seat.

Even though it was still mid-May, today’s high was supposed to reach 28 degrees Celsius. He had checked the forecast that morning, so the heat he felt now matched up with that.

It was currently the fourth period—Japanese class. Normally, a student lying face-down like this would be scolded by the teacher, but no such voice came. That was because today’s Japanese class was a self-study session due to the teacher being out sick.

Eito had planned to sleep during the period, thinking the assignment could wait until later, but it was so hot he couldn’t even sleep. That was his current situation.

“Damn global warming…”

Muttering a somewhat off-the-mark complaint, Eito pressed his cheek to the desk, practically fusing with it. At first, the desk had felt a bit cool, but now it had grown lukewarm from his body heat.

Come to think of it, this morning, Youka and Miya had barely made it to school on time—though maybe “on time” was a stretch. Seeing the two of them arrive just before the bell had made Ueda Katsuo looked somewhat pleased.

“…Well, it’s good they’re doing better, at least.”

Whether the heat had fried his brain—or perhaps it was already defect since birth—Eito stared up at the clear May sky from beneath his bangs, his eyes void of expression.

Feeling thirsty, he was about to pull his water bottle from his bag when that sound echoed in his head.

Kiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiin…

“…Tch.”

Letting out a fed-up sigh, Eito pulled out a pendulum with a black gem attached from his bag and slipped it into his pants pocket. Then, quietly left the classroom, which had become lively with chatter due to the self-study session. High school self-study periods, after all, were rarely quiet.

“Good thing it happened during self-study…”

He hurried toward the entrance hall. Once there, he ducked into one of the lockers.

“…”

It was cramped inside with cleaning supplies and such, but he managed to squeeze in. Holding his breath, Eito stayed perfectly still.

『It’s been a while, Eito. Sorry to trouble you again—huh? Why is it so dark in your field of vision?』

Soleil’s voice echoed in his mind. It really had been a while since he’d felt this sensation. Since Eito couldn’t speak aloud right now, he answered her question via telepathy.

(Because I’m inside a locker.)

Eito could communicate with Soleil through telepathy, and she could also share his field of vision. Though she’d said she usually only did that when a Dark Thrall appeared.

『…What?』

Soleil sounded completely confused by his answer.

『Um… Eito, why are you inside a locker?』

A Dark Thrall had appeared—meaning he should head to the scene immediately. So why was this boy inside a locker? Soleil couldn’t make sense of it.

(From inside the locker, I can see out pretty well. And no one opens these things at this time of day. You get it now, right?)
『I , that’s why I’m asking!!』

Soleil snapped.

『I’m asking why you’re in a locker even though a Dark Thrall has appeared! What’s wrong with you!? Are you tupid!? No, wait—of course you are! You’re a moron!!』
(Calm down, you age-faker. You’re the idiot here. Just wait and you’ll understand.)

Eito, not particularly pleased to be called a moron while crouched in a locker, retorted.

『EEEIIITTTOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!』

As a result, Soleil completely lost her temper.

While they exchanged these silent thoughts, hurried footsteps echoed nearby.

Peeking through the locker’s gap, Eito saw Youka and Miya come running, switching from their indoor shoes to their regular shoes before dashing outside.

A moment later, Kouji arrived, did the same, and disappeared out the door after them.

“…Now do you get it? That’s why I was in the locker.”

About two minutes later, Eito emerged from the locker and muttered aloud. You might wonder why he didn’t just say it through telepathy—but it was just a habit.

“My class had self-study, so I was the first one able to leave. The Dark Thrall showed up nearby, so there’s no teleportation this time.”

Saying this, Eito changed into his outdoor shoes and headed outside.

“If I’d headed straight there first, those two or Kounomiya—who all have more stamina—would’ve caught up. And then they’d start suspecting me.”

Confirming the Dark Thrall’s location in his mind, Eito exited the school gate and started jogging toward his destination.

“That’s why I hid in the locker, so I could see them without being seen. This way, it looks like I’m chasing after them. As usual, they won’t notice me. Got it now, you dumb goddess?”

Slightly out of breath, Eito finished explaining why he’d hidden in the locker.

『Ugh… Yes, your logic is sound. …I’m sorry.』

Soleil apologized to him. Eito had simply acted based on one principle: never let them find out who he really was.

“Being able to apologize means you’re honest, at least.”

Saying that, Eito picked up his pace a bit.

『Hm…! I’m sorry, Eito. It seems another Dark Thrall has appeared nearby, so I’ll be handling that. Please take care of those three.』
“You’ve got it rough too, huh? …Well, leave it to me.”

That was the last he heard from Soleil. Feeling a little sympathy for her busyness, Eito accepted the task.

Though in truth, he figured things would be fine, with Kouji around.

♦

Not long after Eito left, during class at Fuuraku High School, the sound of light footsteps running down the hallway echoed.

“Ugh, come on! I’m blaming you for this, Soleil-sama!”

Her bob-length hair swaying, the girl hurried toward the school entrance. There, she changed from her indoor shoes into her personal shoes. Then, with her destination clear in her mind, she dashed off.

Honestly, for a student like her, the job of the Lightguide Princess was difficult. After all, like this time, she could be suddenly summoned in the middle of a weekday afternoon. In other words, she was always in class, and had to find a way to slip out somehow.

And that was a risky thing to do. Even with an excuse, teachers wouldn’t think well of it, and she’d be labeled as a student who often skips class. Moreover, depending on the excuse, her friends might think she had some serious stomach issues. That was the most painful part for her personally.

There were other risks too—like the test content being announced while she was gone—but she could just have her friend show her later.

“Though, since it’s him, I bet he’d have me treat him with something in return.”

With a small laugh, she simply kept running. This time, the place where the Dark Thrall had appeared was close to Fuuraku High School, so she was heading there on foot.

As she pictured her blunt, friendless friend in her mind, she remembered—

The very reason she became a Lightguide Princess.

“…It can’t be helped. I’ll do my best again this time!”

The bracelet on her right wrist, set with an emerald-green gemstone, sparkled in the sunlight. With a grin, Hayakawa Satori kicked off the ground under the blue sky, ready to fulfill her mission as the Light Guide Princess “Akatsuki.”