Re: Freedom: Regaining Freedom In Another World

FYI

Scene/ POV

: Speech

- Thoughts

[Flashback]

"Quoting"

(Author Note)

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Capital City

I woke up to the sound of marching. I got up and walked out of the room. It was the middle of the day. About 4:00 pm when I saw Lord Barnes outside.

Barnes: Hand him over and there will be no need for conflict.

Emilia: I refuse. Why are you even doing this?

Emilia was speaking with him from the balcony as Barne's men were outside the gates of the estate.

Barnes: He is suspicious. Hand him over for questioning.

Emilia: He's done nothing wrong!

Barnes: Then we'll just take him by force. Those eyes hold a darkness that I've never seen in anyone. There is no way that someone like him could be anything but dangerous to Lugunica.

Crush stepped out onto the balcony.

Crusch: You dare intrude on a Royal Candidate's domain and threaten to use force? Leave the estate this instant.

Barnes: All you need to do is release Ayanokoji Kiyotaka into my custody for questioning.

I walked towards Emilia.

Koji: It's okay. It's only questioning. I'll return once it's over.

Emilia: No there is no reason for you to go. They are baselessly accusing you of being a criminal with no proof and not even a crime to convict you of. I order you to stay put.

Koji: I understand Lady Emilia.

Barnes: Then you leave me no choice.

A knight spoke up.

Knight: Sir is this allowed? This is the domain of a Royal Candidate. We can't barge in like this. The elders would have our heads.

Barnes grabbed him by the collar.

Barne: You'd question me? How many times have I contributed to saving this Kingdom? Whatever the consequences are I alone will pay for them. None of you will be held responsible. Now go apprehend him!

Knight: Yes sir.

The knights knocked down the gates.

Crusch: You fools!

They began storming the estate.

Koji: Emilia-Sama. Please. There need not be bloodshed. let me go.

Emilia: I won't.

Koji: Then you can punish me for this when I return.

I dropped down from the balcony ensuring not to injure myself.

Koji: I voluntarily come into your custody.

Emilia: Kiyotaka!

I left with Barnes until we reached an interrogation room. 

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Interrogation Area

I could hear Julius and Reinhard outside.

Julius: What is this Lord Barnes?

Barnes: He can't be trusted! Just look into his eyes. I saw that look at the ceremony. It's pure evil!

Rienhard: Lord Barnes, please. I confirmed Kiyotaka's intentions personally.

Barnes: Those eyes are not that of a human's.

Reinhard: Please release him now. I'm not asking as the Sword Saint. I'm asking as Reinhard.

Barnes: Then let me ask him questions.

Reinhard could be heard sighing as they walked inside. Reinhard and Julius looked at me apologetically as Barnes sat down from the other side of me.

Barnes: You answer my questions and then I'll release you.

Koji: Of course sit. 

Barnes: Are you human?

Koji: Yes.

Barnes: Have you killed anyone before?

Koji: Yes I have.

Reinhard: Kiyotaka...

Julius: What the? There's no way.

Barnes: How many?

Koji: 23.

Reinhard: Kiyotaka what is the meaning of this?

Koji: It was an organisation formed by my father in the other world. We were told that if we failed to achieve tasks we would be punished. Several times were were asked to fight each other. The punishments were severe. So severe you could die. I fought and killed the others to protect myself.

Barnes: Do you feel guilt?

Koji: No. 

Reinhard gripped his hand.

Barnes: Who does your allegiance lie with?

Koji: Lady Emilia.

Barnes: Will you at any point harm Lugunica or its people?

Koji: No.

Reinhard: Lord Barnes, please. you have your answers. Let him go.

Barnes: Why did you become a knight?

Koji: Because I wanted influence to convince the Knights to assist Lady Crusch in defeating the White Whale.

Reinhard: The White Whale. Why?

Koji: Because If I don't Lord Wilhelm and Lady Crusch will be erased from existence by its power.

Reinhard: Grandfather...

Barnes's eyes still locked on me with suspicion. He gritted his teeth and released me. Reinhard walked to me.

Reinhard: I'm sorry about Lord Barnes.

Koji: No it's alright. I find his loyalty admirable.

Reinhard: He's not usually like this. I don't know what's gotten into him. He really is a good man. Please trust me on that.

Koji: It's fine.

Koji- Everything is going as planned.

Next, he'll attack me on my way home and then his reputation will be destroyed. This way I'll gain influence and be able to gather recruits to fight the White Whale.

Koji: I'll see you another day Reinhard.

Reinhard: Right. I hope this doesn't make you think of him sourly.

Koji: Of course not.

I stepped outside and walked back to the Karsten Estate when Barnes attacked me as I dodged the slash of his sword.

Koji: Lord Barnes please don't do this.

Barnes: You monster. You're hiding something and I know it. I'll kill you before you can do something horrible.

Koji: I have no idea what you're talking about Lord Barnes.

Barnes pointed his sword towards me as I drew my sword.

Koji: Please don't make me fight you.

Barnes: You devil.

Barnes rushed at me. I attempted to block the attack but his strength was so grat it broke my sword and slashed me.

Koji- I underestimated him.

I jumped back holding my wound but Barnes gave me no time to breathe.

Koji: Donna!

I summoned pointed pillars attempting to stall but he dodged each of them.

Barne: I'll kill you, devil! 

Then instinctually I did it. The manna surrounding my hand materialized into steel as I blocked his attack.

Barnes: Where did you get that blade devil?

Koji: I'm not sure myself.

I remembered the feeling and created a shorter blade in my left hand.

I got into a stance putting the shorter sword in front and the longer back and closed my eyes.

Koji- Feel it.

Reinhard showed up.

Reinhard: Lord Barnes! Stop!

Koji- Just in time.

Barnes charged at me.

Barnes: I'll kill you!

I parried his first attacks with the shorter blade and slashed at him with my longer sword but he dodged back.

Koji: Please stop this Lord Barnes. I really have no intention of harming Lugunica.

Barnes: You lying conniving bastard.

Reinhard: Lord Barnes...

Reinhard looked horrified. He was fixed to the spot unable to move. Unable to decide what to do. This man meant a lot to him.

Barnes- In those eyes I saw the potential to harm even the Sword Saint. To protect Reinhard. I must do this. Just as I was there for him after the death of his Grandmother I will be here to save him. To save him from this monster. This devil.

When I looked into his eyes I saw the look of a man willing to do anything to protect the ones he loved. It was most likely why he vehemently denied most operations to fight the White Whale. He didn't want to lose the men he loved to that creature. He didn't want to forget them.

Koji- Is this really the right way? it's the most efficient but will I really be any different of a person if I go through with this?

I lowered my sword slightly as Barnes cut me down. I died. I watched as Reinhard's face twisted in anguish at the sight of his father figure killing his friend.

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Karsten Estate

I woke up at the Karsten Estate. I got up. I walked over to the balcony.

Barnes: Hand him over and there will be no need for conflict.

Koji- I now have to find a way out of this plan I've trapped myself in. In short, I have to defeat myself. How troublesome.

Emilia: I refuse. Why are you even doing this?

Koji: Emilia. Let me talk to him.

Emilia looked at me.

Emilia: Alright.

I walked in front.

Koji: Lord Barnes. Might I ask for the reason for your appearance here?

Barnes: You are a suspicious person. I wish to interrogate you thoroughly. 

Koji: Might I ask on what grounds?

Barnes: Your eyes. They are that of a devil.

Emilia looked outraged but I stopped her from making any comments on it.

Koji: They are. But my soul is different now. I've changed.

Barnes: You expect me to take your word for it?

Barnes drew his sword pointing it at me.

Koji: No I'll prove it to you through my actions.

Barnes: Is that so? How do you intend to do that?

Koji: With the help of Lady Crusch, Lady Emilia and The Knights of Lugunica I will slay the White Whale. At the end of the battle if any knights die you may kill me right then and there.

Emilia: No! Kiyotaka!

Koji: Trust me Emilia.

Emilia: How can you even?

Koji: Have I ever failed before?

Emilia: Kiyotaka...

Koji: I'll be fine.

Barnes: Is this official?

Koji: It is.

Barnes grits his teeth. He was contemplating it. He was on the verge of going against it but his men spoke up.

Knights: Yes! We'll kill the White Whale and end it all!

Knights: It's reign of terror will end thanks to us!

Barnes: Fine. You will prove yourself with your sword.

Barnes sheathed his sword unhappy with the result but unable to speak against his men who were ready to ride into death behind him.

Crusch stepped out.

Crusch: You secured assistance from the Knights of Lugunica. Even if it's only one unsanctioned faction they will be of great help to us.

Koji: It will bring us one step closer to victory.

Crush: Agreed.

Emilia: Kiyotaka...

Koji: Don't worry Lady Emilia. Everything will be fine.

Koji- This is my recompense for my mistake in choosing manipulation over conversation. I wonder how many times I will die this time. I don't want to but with this, I have no choice.

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To Be Continued

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