[Rokudenashi] Memory Record Vol.6[Inheritor of the Flame](2)(Completed)

At a hill near Imperial Mage Court Mage Corp HQ
Eve is sitting down with Lidia
“Such an old-fashioned family. I know that it must be really hard for you”
“But don’t worry. You have me by your side. I am your ally, Eve”
“Sis…”
Eve looks at Lidia’s face.
It feels strange…while they don’t connected by blood, Eve feels that Lidia is somewhat similar to her mother, Sheila.
That’s why she doesn’t feel estranged towards Lidia at all.
Only towards Lidia, that Eve can be honest to herself.
And Lidia, perhaps because of her bright personality that’s not present in other Ignite members, immediately treated Eve as if she is her real younger sister since 5 years ago when she just entered the House.
“What’s wrong Eve? Is there anything on my face?”
Even though hailed from commoner’s blood, Eve placed herself in a den of monsters called the House of Ignite.
And the reason she hasn’t broken down from tremendous pressure yet is undoubtably thanks to Lidia’s presence.
“N—No. Um…It’s thanks to you that…and also about today…that you took me to various places with you…it’s probably because you’re worried about me…that’s why…um…tha..nk..yo..u”
Although it’s in Eve’s nature of being unable to be honest.
Her words of gratitude gradually turned into a mumbling.
But Lidia, as if she already knows, only smiles back.
Lidia is always like this.
Not only towards Eve, but also everyone else who’s with her feels safe and relaxed.
Even though Ignites are hated by many due to various reasons, to many people only Lidia is the exception.
That’s why Eve always finds it strange.
“Um…Sis…”
“Hm, what’s it?”
“It might be a boring question but…why are you being so nice to someone like me, sis?”
“Because you’re my cute little sister obviously.”
Lidia makes a face like “why are you asking something so obvious?”
It seems that she made it too indirect and Lidia didn’t understand what she truly meant to ask.
“N—No. I mean…as you have already known…I am an impure “half-blood” and everyone on the House is like that so…”
Lidia looks a little bit surprised.
“But you’re different. A pure blood Ignite and…how should I put it…you don’t look that Ignite-esque…?”
That’s right
Lidia Ignite
Unlike the typical power hungry Ignite members, she’s the one with a truly righteous heart and overflowing kindness, a heretic.
And she’s also a perfect commander in every aspect incomparable to Eve.
Even that Azel has to acknowledge her and turns blind eyes towards her carefree attitude.
Why a person of this calibre is in the House of Ignite?, Eve can’t help but ask to herself.
“Fufu…Not Ignite-esque, huh?”
It’s strange.
It seems that Lidia’s face just shows a hint of sadness.
“Ah! I—I’m sorry that I said somethings rude…”
Eve just realized her own mistake.
She’s a loner who doesn’t have many friends.
That’s why she hates herself for sometimes being a little insensitive towards other’s feelings.
But
“No. That’s not what I mean.”
Lidia gently shakes her head.
“Hey, Eve, do you know about…the true meaning of the name “Ignite”?”
Eve confused at Lidia’s sudden change of topic.
And she also can’t understand the meaning of the question either.
“I used to have a grandfather whom I respected”
Lidia’s grandfather…which means Duke Azel’s real father.
“Grandfather? I haven’t met him yet…”
“He passed away from an illness before you came here. He taught something to me.”
“Ignite is the empire’s top in it’s military magic. Which means that it’s a figure who ought to be a leading example for everyone. And, as the ones born with power, it’s our duty to protect everyone who doesn’t born with one. A true family of mage nobles that lead with justice. A brilliance from such nobility will then light the dark and lead people to a bright future, as such is the origin of “Lord Scarlet”…the origin of Ignite. It’s a name that should be proud of.”
“What? Does Ignite’s name really hold such meaning…?”
Eve is let dumbfounded by the explanation.
Everything about it obviously goes against what the current Ignite looks like.
“Hey. Don’t make that face. I know what you feel though.”
“Ah. I’m sorry…”
Lidia smiles with a hint of loneliness.
“Well, as you see, it’s a teaching of our house that is long forgotten by everyone. Recent Ignites are only focusing on expanding their political influence.”
“…Father?”
“Yeah. The others in the family are also not that different but…father is the most extreme.”
“My grandfather, even though born as an Ignite, tried to uphold our lost dignity, a kind of heretics. He used to fight with father on their different opinions when he was alive and he was also the one most saddened from seeing Ignite losing it’s former dignity.”
“…….”
“Grandfather then suddenly passed away from illness and father came to hold a complete control over the house. After that everything changed. While it’s true that during father’s reign, Ignite’s political influence grew into something incomparable to what grandfather’s era used to have, I still love grandfather’s way of Ignite more.”
“Sis…”
————————
Lidia looks forward, as if grieving for something that won’t be returning ever again.
As Eve’s turning silent, doesn’t know what to say to her sister in this state,
“Found you, Eve”
Without notice, multiple presences surround Lidia and Eve
There are fifteen mages, Eve’s colleagues. The uneasy aura around them clearly tells that they didn’t come here with good intentions.
All of them are people who lost to Eve in the mock battle tournament this afternoon.
“…What do you want with my sister?”
Lidia looks around while covering for Eve.
“Well…you know, we are merely planning to challenge Eve to another “mock battle””
A man who seems to be the leader says with a vicious smile.
“…Mock battle?…”
“Well, since you guys Ignite are always so full of yourself…”
“In the army these guys always do whatever they please. Do these aristocrats actually think that they’re that important?”
“Don’t you think that your tyranny will be allowed forever…!”
As the men are sprouting hatred, Eve speaks up
“Wait. Doesn’t it mean that all of this fuss is just a private fight!?”
“Hey, this is not a mere private fight. You see, we even received an official permission from the higher up! Do you want to see the documental proof?”
The leader hands out a document with a smirk.
“No way…I don’t remember signing to such agreement! This must be a forgery!”
“Shut up! Just come here! You don’t have any right to refuse!”
“Yeah! Yeah! Just come here quietly!”
Eve can only bite her lip in anger in front of the five mages.
It’s easy to predict what’ll happen next.
After all, this is merely a 5vs1 bullying in the name of “mock battle”
And the reason they only targeted Eve is also clear.
By targeting Eve, who is a mixed blood, the House of Ignite probably won’t focus their anger on them, a kind of insurance.
Besides, all of these fives are all endowed with talents.
It’s a cake walk for Eve if it’s just 1vs1, but 5vs1 is purely impossible.
She can’t run away.
If she ran, her father will reprimand her for bringing shame towards the family, and even if she fought and lost, she’ll still get reprimanded. It’s no way out.
As Eve starts to give up and trying to walk forward,
“Stop right there. I won’t permit this mock battle. It’s an order from a superior.”
Lidia extends her hand to stop Eve in the track
“Just go away and stop bothering my sister. Right. Now.”
“S-Sis…”
Aura that surrounds Lidia suddenly changes from it’s normal warming atmosphere into that of a fierce war goddess.
Eve can only look at Lidia who came out to protect her in an awe.
“W-What’s your problem!? 100-man commander Lidia, this isn’t your place to interfere!”
“Y-Yeah! We already got a permission from the higher ups!”
…
“WHO. FUCKING. CARE.”
Lidia said with a smiled on her face.
“I won’t ever forgive anyone who’ll hurt my sister. If you guys really want to do it I’ll be your opponent.”
The fives can only swallow their breathes in front of such a fierce Lidia.
“Hah? I-It’s not possible. We don’t have a permission to fight with you.”
“That’s right! If we fought with you here it’ll be a private fight…a violation of military law. In that case even someone like you can’t get away without any punishment. Are you really ok with that!?”
“I don’t mind.”
“If you want to, I can even swear a geas for you guys that I’ll report to the superiors that “Anything that happens from now on is a private fight instigated from my side””
Lidia then chants a spell to perform the geas on herself.
If a geas is not fulfilled, the curse will torment the target with great pain.
“I-Is she serious about this…?”
“W-Wait a minute sis!?”
Eve panics
“Do you understand what you just did!? Your position will be threatened!”
Lidia answers back with a smile
“When my cute little sister is in a trouble, why should my position has any importance?”
“S-Sis…”
“I’ll protect you…No matter what’s the cost.”
Eve lost words against her sister’s determination.
“I always walk the righteous path that I believe in. For I am the true Ignite.”
Lidia then turns towards the fives triumphantly
“Y—You dare to underestimate us!?”
“Even if it’s 100-man commander Lidia, do you think that you can win against us in a 5vs1!?”
The fives start chanting their spells together.
Lidia simply rolls up her sleeves and takes a stance.
Magical energy in the atmosphere thickens.
And then—

“You know, Eve, I have something to say to you”
She says that while elegantly brushes off scattering sparks that fell upon her.
Around Lidia there lies five unconscious mages.
Everyone there was knocked out only with the least amount of burns and shocks that were needed. No excess injury at all.
What happened before Eve’s eyes was an elegant performance of flame.
This wasn’t “Winning by a large margin” at all. It was a one-sided trample.
“W-What’s it?”
Eve is still in awe from seeing the difference in the power between her and Lidia could only answer while dazing.
The next word that comes out from Lidia, however, completely takes back her senses.
“About the House of Ignite, I’m certain that it’ll meet it’s doom in the near future.”
“S-Sis! What did you just!?”
“Our father…he created too many enemies. The anger and resentment have been gathering around us so much that people aren’t afraid to do stupid things like this incident.”
“Sure, there are many who admire the elegant achievements of Ignite, but there are also a lot of hatred resulted from the forceful policies that we took for those achievements. While it’s true that we possess some allies, ultimately they are only sticking to us because of our name. “If I continue to flatter and follow them, I can also enjoy residues from their luxuries”—Those who’re following us only think like this.”
“…….”
“Eve, be careful about father. He’s a really dangerous person. It seems that he harbors some sorts of unknown ambitions that he’s willing to sacrifice anything and cast aside anyone to achieve, even Aries.”
“Aries…?”
If Eve remembers correctly, this is the name of Lidia’s biological younger sister that died in an illness, an incident that lead to Eve’s adoption into the family.
“What happened to her…?”
Lidia doesn’t answer to the question.
“The House of Ignite, is destined to be doomed, by everyone and everything that father has cast aside and sacrificed. I have a premonition about this.”
Eve only gets dumbfounded in front of Lidia’s eyes that speaks with seriousness.
“But I won’t let it happen, Eve.”
“Sis…?”
“Eve, I believe in the Ignite. The true meaning that our name signifies. The justice and ideal that everyone already forgot. I’ll make sure to revive it’s glory.”
“Eve…will you lend me your hand in my quest?”
“Me? Being a help to you?”
“W-What’s the meaning of that…? How can someone as powerless as me be your help…?”
“Eve, on your last mission you did abandon a chance to earn more achievements, am I right? Why did you do that?”
“Y-You see, there was a pair of mother and her child that failed to get away from the site of battle and I couldn’t bear myself to abandon them…”
Or perhaps, Eve was seeing her past self with her mother in them…
“But because of this I failed to get my achievements and didn’t fulfill my duty as an Ignite…”
The scene when her father reprimanded her flashed in her head and her expression turned gloomy.
Towards such Eve who’s reprimanding herself, Lidia only pats her head gently.
“You did good, Eve.”
“!”
“Even in a battlefield where protecting one’s own life is already a difficult task, your kindness still reaches out to people. That’s who you truly are. You’re the hope of Ignite, Eve.”
“S-Sis…”
“If it’s with a kind girl like you. I’m sure that we can change the Ignite for better. Eve, won’t you lend me a hand? To your clumsy elder sister who did stupid decisions after seeing you in danger?”
Lidia laughs awkwardly.
Eve doesn’t know if she really is such a great person like Lidia just said about her.
But if it’s Lidia who’s asking for her help, then the answer is obvious.
For Lidia is an ideal mage whose Eve’s aspiring to become like.
“I understand! I’ll become a great mage like you! And someday I’ll become your power! Please let me accompany you!”
“Thank you, Eve. I’m sure grandfather must be proud of you too.”
“Al~right, now I must think of excuses about this incident before we meet father next time…”
“H-Haha, sis, you didn’t change at all…”

“Eve. I’m going to entrust you with the next mission”
Eve is surprised by Azel’s sudden statement.
While she was busy with her military duties as usual, Azel suddenly summoned her to his command room of Imperial Court Mage Corps.
What kind of reprimands will I receive this time?
Who would’ve thought that a good new was waiting for her?
“H-Huh? M-Me? Really?”
“Don’t make me repeat myself”
Hmph. Azel snorts.
“There’s a group of seven rogue mages who betrays our imperial army and is currently planning to join a terrorist group. I’m ordering you to either capture or exterminate them, do you understand?”
“…….”
“Form a team under your command and complete this task flawlessly…understand?”
Until now Eve has always been working under someone’s order.
But this is the first time she’s going to be in charge.
Also, while normally this kind of mission would be relayed to her through her direct superior, this time it is a direct order from the highest commander of the imperial army, Duke Azel.
For Eve, this is truly an unprecedented happening.
(Does this mean…father is starting to acknowledge me, even if only a little?)
Feeling like this, Eve doesn’t hesitate in her answer.
“R-Roger ! I shall complete this great task as you command !”
“Good. I’m expecting a good new from you.”
“…! Yes ! As you wish !”
Expectation. Eve couldn’t hide her surprise as this is the first time she ever heard the word coming out from her father.
If she can answer his expectation this time, maybe he will start to acknowledge and love her mother more.
I will try my best.
As Eve is brimming with a sense of purpose, someone speaks up.
“…Please wait, father.”
Lidia, who was standing there the whole time, interrupts the moment.
“I think it’s too early for Eve to take on a mission like this”
“…Sis?”
She walks up to the front as she speaks
“All of the rogue mages are rank C ~ B. They are complete veterans who have already experience many real combats”
“And why should that even matter?”
“While Eve’s current capability is undoubtly those of rank A, it’s also true that she’s still a newbie who has no experience. I think that we should assign more experienced personnel for this mission”
“……”
“Or if you may wish so, entrust this case to us Special Mission Annex. I, as the leader, will personally go out and exterminate those traitors for yo—”
“That won’t do”
“You’re still on a mission, prioritize that first”
“B-But ! A comrade hunting mission like this is too much of a burden for her !”
“Isn’t it natural for an Ignite to be capable of this much? And besides I don’t know why you should have any hesitation on killing those traitors”
“S-Still !”
“Lidia, my daughter. You are without a doubt an excellent personnel. You’ve climbed up to this S rank while being this young. You also complete every mission flawlessly, exceeding even my expectation. That’s why I’m willing to overlook your free-spirited personality. I even cover for you about that incident a few days ago, do you understand what I mean?”
“…!”
“But, for you to defy an order from your superior, a head of Ignite. If you continue to voice your objection too much I will show no mercy. Do you understand?”
A rare moment when Azel shows his anger towards Lidia.
Seeing her sister in a bad position, there’s no way Eve can stay calm.
She doesn’t care if a mixed blood like her is shunned by her father, but she can’t stand it if it’s going to happen to her sister.
Lidia is the one who’s going to bring a revolution to Ignite. She’s the hope of our house.
She can’t let her ends here, especially if the reason is simply to protect Eve.
“S-Sis ! Don’t worry about me ! I’m going to be fine !”
She blurted out without thinking
“I’ll surely exterminate those traitors !”
“…Eve…are you really ok? Aren’t you pushing yourself?”
Of course she’s not ok.
Actually she doesn’t like this heavy burden at all.
But even so…
“…I’m fine. Please wait for the good news”
To answer her father’s expectation, Eve goes on to form her squad.

And like this
Eve started her first mission as a squad leader.
With her extraordinary talent, she manages to precisely pinpoint the location of enemy’s HQ.
Then, without a single bit of carelessness, she starts to collect information and form a truly flawless strategy.
And then…

At the camp located in front of the rebel’s hiding place.
“—As our earlier briefing and analysis on both sides manpower, first the gamma team will be in charge of dispelling enemy’s barriers and magical traps. The moment they’re dispelled the alpha team shall proceed with decoy suppression fire from the backside. 15 seconds afterward, beta team will charge in from the front. As seen from the enemy’s formation, this is going to be a close-range magical skirmish. I want you so proceed with a dynamic defensive stance but disguise it as a suppression stance. All up until this point will be our decoys. After the enemy has been firmly rooted in this position I shall lead my main force, the delta team, through this underground passage and pincer them from behind with a sudden surprise attack. This shall complete our operation. Everybody, please tune up your inner magical clock to match each other for the operation”
Eve’s currently on a final briefing session before commencing the operation.
Her team was formed from both selecting young talents and volunteers from the army.
Thus, everyone here is an experienced first-rate sorceror who possesses enourmous talents.
But even for seasoned veterans like them…
“…Wow. I honestly didn’t know that this kind of strategy exists at all…”
“So…if we follow this plan we’ll surely come out unscathed. Can’t help but feel bad to our enemies…”
“Is this the power of Ignite…?”
Everyone was in awe and completely forgot that the one who leads them is a newbie girl who’s much younger than them.
“The briefing is over. Is there any question or objection ? Please raise your hand if you have one”
There’s only silence.
The strategy was completely flawless. There’s no point to criticize.
That’s why this kind of question comes out…
“I permit you to speak, squad leader Shanks”
“From now on, we’re going to commence this disgusting mission of killing our own comrades. So I want to ask our little kitty commander, is this mission “Dead or alive”?”
This is certainly a mean question to test Eve’s resolve.
After a brief pause, she answers without hesitation.
“Yes, dead or alive”
Eve made up her mind, to be the one responsible for the sin of killing one’s comrades.
Her killing intent is now pointing at her former comrades-in-arms.
“They possess confidential information and is currently planning to cooperate with the anti-government organization. We must prevent them from meeting at all cost. We’ll finish them off here, this is an order”
“Roger that, captain. I pray that this operation will be a success”
With this, the briefing is over.
Every member now becomes busy preparing for the upcoming operation.
As Eve’s making a heavy face, a man approaches her.
“As expected of you, Eve”
He’s squad leader Rizaf (the one who challenged her to a duel and tried to gang up on her)
“Splendid strategy with sharp tactical eyes. Should I say “As expected from the predigious house of Ignite”?”
“And your ability to gain the trust of squad members is great too. Now everyone who used to ridicule you as a little kitty has changed their opinion. You must be a natural born leader”
“Squad leader Rizaf”
Feeling bad, Eve tries to change topic.
“By the way, I didn’t expect you to volunteer for this mission. This is already a disgusting mission of comrades killing to begin with. And aren’t you supposed to hate my guts?”
“…Hmph. So you have any problem with this?”
“No, from an ability standpoint this has no problem at all. In fact, having you on our team is really beneficial for this operation. Looking forward to work with you”
“Same for you too, captain. A mission like this, let’s finish it quickly…”
With this, everyone resumes their preparation.
And the operation finally begins.
The operation to exterminate former comrades…

———
—————
———————
Eve’s strategy was perfect.
From reconnaissance to strategizing, everything was flawless.
Of course, in a battlefield unexpected things are common. However her strategy takes even all of those factors into accounts and has 2, 3 folds of contingency plans to back it up.
If everyone follows this strategy to the letter, in addition to the benefit of suppressing ally force’s losses to the minimum, even the prospect of capturing all of the rebels alive is possible.
Even if there happens to be an unexpected situation that isn’t in the plan, Eve is still confident in her ability and flexibility to answer on-spot.
—It’s supposed to be like that.
That’s why Eve can’t believe the situation in front of her own eyes.
An enourmous amounts of unexpected storms her squad, leaving her unable to respond.
“…What is this…? What’s…happening…?”
Inside the enemy’s hideout. Eve stands there alone.
She was stranded from her allies due to unexpected traps and ambushes.
She knows that now isn’t a time to daze around, but her head still remains blank white.
She can’t think of any countermeasure.
“Ahhhhhhhhh!”
“Shit ! Ain was dead !?”
“There’s a trap here!? I didn’t hear any of that !”
“Everything is in a totally different position from what we’ve heard !”
Sounds of confusion and terror come through her communication tool.
Sounds of magic weaving destruction and death.
“Enemies are firing ! Get down !”
“Gyaaaaaaa !”
“Uahhhhh! My arm, MY ARM !”
“Fuck fuck fuck FUCK ! We fell into their plans !”
“No. NO. I DON’T WANT TO DIE !”
“The enemies read every of our movement ! Captain Eve ! Please respo—”
“Sorry…captain…gamma team…is wiped o—”
“Liz ! Hang in there ! Uahhhhh ! Fuckkkkkk !”
“Captain ! Please respond ! If this going on all of us will di—!”
Sounds of death and agony fly about.
“Ah…Ahh…AHHHHHH !”
Eve can’t stop her trembling.
Her usual composure has completely collapsed. No matter how exceptional she is, there’s no way a 14-years-old girl can response to a situation like this.
“Why…? Why did it turn out like this…? WHY….!”
Eve then goes to the front line.
Trying to help the remaining force as much as she can.
———
—————
Thud !
Eve got thrown to the ground.
Her magics were sealed by [Spell Seal] and she’s all tied up.
She’s also totally battered from the previous fight.
While she managed to barely avoid fatal wounds, she still can’t stop her bleeding. Now she can’t move even a finger.
Her squad is met with total annihilation.
She’s the only survivor.
“Hahaha ! Such an easy victory !”
Her captive, alongside his 6 comrades of traitorous mages look down onto the powerless Eve.
“Feel bad for her lackeys that were led to their deaths by such a worthless leader !”
“Agreed. It’s because those Ignites keep thinking that they’re the best that makes them ended up like this !”
“Hahahaha ! This feels so satisfying !”
“W-Why…?”
“My strategy…was perfect…so why did…it…”
Eve, still can’t accept the reality that happens before her eyes.
But without having to wait, the answer shows itself.
“Of course it would fail. No matter how perfect your strategies are, if they were leaked to the enemies they become meaningless. How can a test with correct answers sheet goes wrong?”
—It’s Rizaf.
“Rizaf…!? So you were a mole !?”
“So you finally realized. How idiotic can you be?”
“…Yes. As you expected, everything was a ploy to lure you, or rather, Ignite out”
“Lure us out…what do you mean by that…?”
“ “What do you mean by that?”…you say?”
Suddenly the air is filled with anger and hatred.
Such an atmosphere is way too much for a 14-years-old girl. Eve can’t stop trembling.
Then the rebel mages speak up, one by one.
“You don’t understand? Are you playing dumb? Or do you really not know what you guys have done?”
“Don’t you know how did we suffer because of you Ignites!?”
“Wasn’t your fucking scumbag dad the one who drove my pop to suicide !? What did my dad do to deserve that !?”
“And you guys left my younger brother to die on the battlefield…! It’s because of your dad’s command ! It’s because of him trying to scoop all achievements for himself !”
“My big brother was used as an expendable pawn ! Even though he was an upright soldier !”
“And my house was framed by Ignites for treachery ! Our land was confisticated and my family is destroyed ! FUCK ! There’s no way we would betray her majesty ! Do you know how long we’ve been faithful retainers to the royal family !?”
“I don’t know about those “political marriages”, but you guys Ignite rob her from me ! My childhood friend who promised to spend her future with me ! Getting wed to that disgusting old pig ! And she hung herself because of that…because of you !”
“We’re not going to forgive you…not the Ignites !”
Eve’s totally pressured by them.
Even so, she tries to speak back.
“I know that you guys despise my house. But then why did you do this !? Did any of my subordinates do anything wrong!?”
“Ahh…that’s right. Now we’re no different from your scumbag dad…”
“But even if is that so, we still want our revenge !”
“Yeah ! I don’t care what’s going to happen anymore ! As long as I can get back at you guys !”
It’s clear that everyone of them has become desparate. They stop caring about anything else anymore.
However, if think in the other way, this is also a clear indication of how much hatred are they feeling towards Ignite. It’s so much that they won’t be able to move forward unless they can exact their vengeance.
If looking carefully, you can see that their eyes no longer have any sanity left in them.
Everyone was already consumed, broken beyond repair, by an immeasurable amount of hatred.
“Well, do you understand now, Eve?”
“Everyone here wants their vengeance. They don’t care what will happen to them anymore. “There’s no future left” Well, actually count me in too. Since 10 years ago that you guys destroy Gusta village, my home—No. None of that matters now”

“About the House of Ignite, I’m certain that it’ll meet it’s doom in the near future”

“Our father…he created too many enemies”

Eve suddenly recalls Lidia’s words.
Now she understands their meaning, their seriousness.
What her sister have been worrying about…
For the first time ever, she starts to feel it…

“A….Ah…”
Overwhelmed by the torrent of pure hatred, Eve starts crying while trembling in fear.
“But, you know. As expected of Rizaf. Didn’t think everything would turn out as you predicted”
“Right? I told you that if you guys were all to rebel at the same time, there’s no way that the cautious duke Azel won’t make a move. As he’s probably busy trying to destroy those old evidences of his wrongdoings, he must send one of his families for this mission in order to keep this a secret. Well, actually it would be better if he sent that Lidia Ignite instead but we still got this filthy mixed blood anyway so let’s celebrate our victory”
“What are we going to do from now on?”
“Well, let’s see…”
“Anyway, let’s proceed as planned : torture. We’re going to keep torture her so much that she regrets being born…”
The words sent chill onto Eve’s spine.
Looking carefully, she starts to see that the room is littered with tools for torture : Whip, chains, hot coals, denailing tools etc.
She starts to tremble just by thinking that they’re going to be used on her.
“Yes…we’re going to torture her until she squirms like a pig. We’re going to rob every bit of her dignity as a human. After that we’re going to record a footage of her saying out loud those atrocities the Ignites have commited and send it to their manors, threaten to release them to the public !”
“Hahahaha ! Nice idea ! With that his reputation will be totally crushed !”
“Can’t wait to see that arrogant man’s face turns red from anger !”
“Ahahaha ! I’m good in healing magic. So feel free to tell me if it looks like she’s going to die !”
“Ok ! I leave it to you ! So we don’t have to hold back right !?”
“Heyhey. Don’t get too cocky and kill her. Remember that this is only the first step of our plan to dethrone that guy and lure him out so that we can kill him ourself?”
“Yeah…that’s right…After we broke her mentally, you’re going to be the one who “rescue” her and use that fact to get close to duke Azel, right, Rizaf?”
“I got it Rizaf…but I don’t know if I will be able to control myself to not kill her…”
Hatred and anger that have been penting up for years.
They are slowly turning into dark, twisted pleasures, creeping towards her.
Slowly…
Slowly……
As if spirits of the dead come back from hell, crawling onto her…
“A…Ah…No…Stop…!”
“Ple—Please…Someone…Please help…!”
The dignity of an elite is nowhere seen.
What’s left here is simply a trembling 14-years-old girl.
As it seems that she’s going to be consumed by the vortex of anger and hatred, at that moment…
“—EVE !”
BOOM !
The ceiling of the underground chamber suddenly exploded.
Clad the raging flame, someone descends down the hole.
“I won’t let you touch—”
Tremendous inferno scatters around the room, striking towards the rogue mages like flaming serpents.
“MY SISTER !”
The destructive power as if coming out from hell.
It seems like a volcano just erupted on that place. Steels and rocks are melted.
While the rogue mages just managed to defend themselves in time, it gives the descending mage enough opening to save the captured girl.
—The mage who descended into the room and rescued Eve is—
“Sis!?”
“Eve, I’m sorry that I’m late. It must’ve been scary. But it’s fine now”
It’s Lidia Ignite.
“W-Why are you here!?”
“I had a hunch that bad things will happen so I went to look at the history of all the rogue mages but I found out that all traces of them are getting erased. However I got the info telling me that it won’t be strange if all of them happens to bear some kind of grudges against Ignite…especially you”
“I’m surprised, squad leader Rizaf. To think that there’s a survivor of that incident, the “Tragedy of Gusta”, the biggest stain among Ignite’s dirty deeds…”
“Hmph. So you know about it huh”
“Anyway, it won’t do me anything good talking about it to someone who isn’t directly related to it like you. No matter what I do, my family and neighbors won’t come back to life, not ever again”
“I thought that this incident has too many coincidences aligning together so I come here on my own decision…it seems that I made the right choice”
“Ha, do you actually think so? Don’t you know that you’re a just a moth flying straight into a flame !”
Rizaf looks down on Lidia with cold eyes.
“This plan is originally made to lure you out, Lidia. For there’s no one who can do more damage to duke Azel than you, the next head of Ignite !”
“Too bad that I’m not that weak ! Do you think I’m gonna lose to you guys ? Don’t take the name “Lord Scarlet” to lightly !”
As she swings her left arm,
Without any incantation, suddenly multiple pillars of flame rise.
Torrents of heat wave fill the room, painting it bright red.
“Ugh…!”
“This is—Ignite’s…!”
In front of the crimson grim reaper, none of the rogue mages can step forward.
In other word, “Secret — The Seventh Garden”
The ultimate secret technique of Ignite, the great house of fire magic.
This place has already become her domain.
“Do you think I came here without any plan!? I’ve already activated my domain ! You guys can no longer win even if there are hundreds of you ganking up on me !”
“Guh…!”
“While it’s true that you guys did terrible things to my younger sister, I’ll guarantee your life if you don’t resist. Surrender, now !”
Lidia’s anger from seeing her injured sister overwhelms the rogue mages.
An ultimate magus whom normal mages absolutely cannot stand against.
That is—the “Lord Scarlet”
But
“It’s you who understand nothing, Lord Scarlet. Didn’t I say that we’ve been targeting you from the beginning ?”
Rizaf, without any sign of fear, snaps his finger.
In that moment—
“—What…!?”
Flame from Lidia’s spell suddenly disappeared like those of a candle.
“Why happened to my spell!?”
It’s impossible.
The Seventh Garden—once activated this spell won’t receive any effect from another spell, it’s an invincible technique.
Thus, Lidia couldn’t hide her surprise at the unexpected phenomenon in front of her.
And there’s no way veterans like them will let this opening go to waste—
“Do it now ! 《O Shining Spear of Lightning Emperor》!”
“《O Shining Spear of Lightning Emperor》!”
Seven 「Lighting Pierce」were casted at once.
Of course Lidia would try to defend herself with a wall of flame.
However…
“《O Crimson Formation》—Ughhhh…!”
Mysteriously, Lidia’s wall of flame didn’t activate, thus she was pierced by multiple lighting spears.
While she managed to avoid fatal damage thanks to resistance spells that she casted on herself beforehand and the defensive effect of her mystic code, 2 on her left arm, 1 on her right, 2 on her right leg, 1 on her left and another on her left shoulder, her body is full of holes from the earlier spell.
Powerless due to electric shock, she fell to her knees.
“S—SIS!!”
Eve screams as her sister fell.
“Do you think that we won’t have any plan for your flame when we’re planning to fight you?”
“I’ve already created a jamming barrier that will disrupt any fire magic casted in this area. While it’s true that your “Seventh Garden” is threatening, I have nothing to fear if you casted it after I already placed the barrier. The right to ever cast any fire magic is now literally in my hand”
“…!”
Lidia can only stumble in silence.
(How is this possible…It’s a misdecision from my sister !)
Normally, there’s no way a sharp person like Lidia to fall into this kind of traps.
She will definitely notice it and create a countermeasure.
However this time she’s not “normal”, without her usual composure. Obviously the reason is—
(…It’s because I was caught ! That’s why she rushed in to help me as soon as possible without thorough preparations ! It’s…It’s my fault that sis is…)
Eve closes her eyes as she blames herself.
Eventually, she made her mind.
“Sis…Please run…”
“!”
“It’s still in time. Even with those wounds if it’s you alone you can make it out alive…!”
“……”
“That’s why…Please…Leave me here…Sis…!”
However
Lidia simply smiles, and says
“…I’m fine, Eve”
Stands up weakly, Lidia’s slowly facing towards the rogue mages.
To protect Eve.
“No way !? Sis. Why !?”
Despaired, Eve tried to reach out to her sister. However that back remains standing firm.
“To be able to stand with that wounds, as expected from an Ignite”
“But even with that, there’s no way we’re going to lose against you. Not only with those injuries, but also with us 8-to-1 and your fire magic sealed. Your chance of winning is zero”
“I know…”
“But even with that I will still fight for what I believe is right, because I’m an Ignite”
“Tch ! You of all people saying that !?”
“Fine ! Hey, you guys ! Let’s do this ! Our penting hatreds, we’re going to unleash all of them on you scumbag Ignites !”
“Yeah !”
Like this, Rizaf and other rogue mages started chanting spells.
Lidia, by forcing her injured body, is also trying to chant ones of her own.
“Sis…!”
The only thing powerless Eve can do right now is to keep looking at the fight in front of her.

———
—————
To put it frankly, this hasn’t even been a match.
There’s only a scene where Lidia’s getting pummeled one-sidedly
“《O Claws and Fangs of the Icy Wol—》!”
“Too slow !”
“Gyaaaaaa !”
Lidia, whose fire magic has been completely sealed off, tried her best to chant other spells.
But, before she can do anything, a barrage of explosive flames, blizzards and lightning rains down on her mercilessly.
Complete seal of fire magic.
8-to-1 situation.
And critical injuries on her left arm.
Every factor is against Lidia, she’s at overwhelming disadvantage.
“Guhah…!《O Azure Fairy of Ice, Play thy Orchestra of Winte—》!”
“I won’t let you do that !《Roar O Flaming Lion》!”
“《O Blade of the Storm King》!”
Explosive flames and vacuum blades attack Lidia relentlessly.
And there’re more spells firing at her while she’s being blasted away.
“Ugh…Ahhhhhhh!”
Slowly, slowly, slowly
Her sister…is slowly being broken…
Surely, cruelly and mercilessly…
“…Aahh…Ahh…Sis…Sis…!”
While her sister is getting beaten, Eve can only watch.
Although she’s trying her best to mitigate and relocate all damage. Her body has already been injured enough that it won’t be strange if she’s already dead by now.
But even with that, she won’t fall.
She won’t retreat.
As she continues to stand there, protecting her sister.
“…《Play thy Orchestra of Winter, and May Serenity be with thee》…!”
In order to protect Eve, she’s trying her best to chant her spells.
But her all-out attack of ice laser was futile, as it was blocked by someone’s magical barrier.
“How persistent ! Just drop dead already ! 《O Claws and Fangs of the Icy Wolf》!”
“…!?”
As 「Ice Blizzard」 was flying towards her, she continues to shield Eve from getting hit by it.
“Sis…Please stop…Sis…I beg you !”
Eve can only plead towards her while crying.
However, no matter what happens, Lidia’s still standing, haven’t retreat even a single step back.
As she continues to protect Eve.

———
—————
“It’s finally over, huh? Didn’t expect you to last this long”
“……”
She finally reached her limit.
Lidia is kneeling in front of Eve, powerlessly.
Her body that has been damaged by a barrage of assault spells is miserable she can’t stand looking at it.
All the blood from her body forms a giant pond under her.
Lidia isn’t moving a bit as if she’s already lost consciousness.
“Sob…sob…S-Sis…Sis…!”
Seeing her battered sister, Eve can’t do anything except wailing weakly.
“Well, the foreplay has been too long…shall we start our revenge?”
Rizaf said while looking at his comrades
“If we do anything more than that Lidia will be dead…so shall we start from Eve then?”
“Heh ! Finally ! I’ve been waiting for this moment !”
“Ahhh…I can finally avenge that person !”
“You scumbag Ignites, I’ll show you our hatred !”
(It’s no use…Everything’s over…)
There’s only despair in Eve’s mind now.
Soon, both her and her sister life “as a human” will be over. Miserable ends are what await them in the near future.
(Thinking about it…what a miserable life I have had…My mom died because of me…and now my sister is going to suffer the same fate…I can’t be anything but a god of misfortune for my loved ones…)
Why did I born into this world in the first place…?
Aah…nothing’s matter now.
I’m tired of even thinking.
(At least…please don’t make my sister suffer…I’ll endure her shares too so please…don’t hurt her…)
Eve can only make the pointless wish as her heart slowly descends into nothingness.
In that moment,
She feels a warm sensation on her head.
As she raises her head to see it…
“S…Sis…?”
Lidia extends her shaking hand to pat Eve’s head.
“It…will…be…fine…Eve…”
She smiles with her bloodied face.
“I’ll…protect…you…because…I’m…an…Ignite…”
What kind of miracle is happening?
Lidia starts to stand up again as she’s saying.
Suddenly, an intense feeling permeates the area.
Is this freak an immortal? Rogue mages start to panic.
Every one of them starts taking their stance while facing Lidia who’s standing there like a ghost.
“…So you can still stand, huh?”
Rizaf continues to look at her cautiously.
“But it’s still meaningless. Now you’re simply a sandbag. Standing up like that is like telling us to beat you down again”
That’s right, the mages regain their composure and start ridiculing them again.
However Lidia ignores all of them and continues speaking to Eve
“Hey…Eve…”
“W-What is it, sis…”
“You know what, I’m very happy that you came to our family”
“Huh?”
“For you this family maybe just a hell for you, but I’m truly glad to be able to become your elder sister”
“You’re not very honest and is very stubborn…but at the same time is also a strong, kind girl with an upright heart…that’s why I’ll protect you…no matter what the cost…because…I’m your big sis…”
Lidia says this while looking at her adversaries
“That’s right…I’ll protect her…my younger sister…Eve…! I won’t lose another sister…not ever again…!”
BOOM
Suddenly, Lidia was clad in flame
“WHAT!?”
It’s different from her normal flame.
It’s completely white. A flame that shines brightly.
“Impossible !? How did you activate a fire magic !?”
“What’s happening !? Isn’t this place supposed to seal off an activation of any fire magic !?”
“Well…it’s because this isn’t actually a fire or heat magic…”
Lidia explains to trembling Rizaf
「Secret - Finis (Great Flame of the End)」A spell that uses one’s soul as a fuel. The most forbidden Ignite technique.
To turn oneself into a flame, the “final” spell of one’s life.
“T-That spell is—!”
“S-Stop ! Sis ! If you do that you won’t be able to —!”
Then
Lidia, who’s being wrapped in white flame, turns back her head and smiles at Eve
“…Eve. Good girl…You are my pride”
As she’s speaking
Lidia’s form at the time is supremely divine, more beautiful than anything else.
Then she turns back to face the rogue mages again.
As she extends her hands, a pair of fiery wings sprout from her back.
The form of an angel.
“C-Curse youuuuuuuu!”
They fired all of their spells towards her.
But no matter what they fired, the moment a spell touches her flame, it vanishes into nothingness, nothing can reach Lidia now.
“What the fu—!? What kind of spell is thi—!?”
As Lidia swings her hand
A flash of elegant white flame strike one of the mages.
“—a—”
That person who got caught suddenly disappeared, completely vanished without even a single speck of ash left behind, totally erased.
“Aaahhhh….UWAAAAAAAAAA!”
“R-《Roar O Flaming Lion》!”
“O-《O Shining Spear of Lightning Emperor》!!”
But they’re futile.
None of their attacks reaches Lidia. On the other hand, the rogue mages are getting erased, one by one.
“You must be kidding me ! H-How is this possible ! Is this…is this an Ignite !? FuckfuckfuckFUCKFUCK!”
As he realized his impending doom, Rizaf could only scream in anger.
“So you’re going to say that in the end, we’re just merely the ones who are destinied to have everything robbed away from us !? And you guys can just go away with them, without us being able to take back a single thing !? Curse you, curse you, CURSE YOU!”
“Give me back everyone in the village ! GIVE ME BACK MY PARENTS! GIVE THEM BACKKKKKKK!”
As he screams, he desparately charges in trying to punch her.
“…I’m sorry. Even if Ignite really deserves to go to the hell, I’m still going to protect my sister…farewell”
As Rizaf is charging in, Lidia’s flame gently envelops him.
“—ah—dad—mom—”
Alongside his tears, he’s then evaporated instantly, without having to feel any pain.

—Silence
Only silence is left there, alongside Eve and Lidia.
There’s nothing left.
Since the caster is gone, 「Spell Seal」placed on Eve was also dispelled.
With her magic back, she undid her bindings and rushed to Lidia’s side.
“S-Sis…!”
“Why…? Why did you use that 「Flame of the End」!?”
Suddenly
“Guhah…!”
Lidia coughs up blood and falls down. Eve can only hug her while crying.
“Ah—Aaaah—It’s been too late ! Sis is…Sis is going to…! Why is this happening!? Why did you do this for my sake!?”
As she’s asking her with tears,
“It’s because…I think that it’s the right path…”
“…Eve…I know…I know that you are really a very kind girl…You can have sympathy towards other people problems as if they were your own…You are someone who can fight for the others’ sake…You are a true Ignite…I believe in you…”
“That’s wrong…! Compared to sis someone like me is…!”
“No…Actuallly…I’m the one who can’t be called a real Ignite…”
“…Sis…?”
“I…I let my sister…I let Aries died…because I was scared of father…that’s why I couldn’t say anything to him…I couldn’t protect her…even though she’s my sister…!”
Tears start to fall from Lidia’s eyes.
Eve doesn’t know what happened before she came to Ignite.
She only knows that Lidia used to have a younger sister named Aries and she’s deeply regretting what happened to her.
“That’s why…to at least compensate for my sin…I’ve been trying to become a true Ignite…trying to walk the correct path that I believe in…but it won’t matter now…hahaha…I’ve already used my “final flame”…my life as a mage is already over…in the end I’m only words with no achievement…Eve…I’m sorry for being such a useless sister…”
“That’s not true ! That’s totally not true…!”
“Didn’t you just protect me, save me !?”
“…Eve…?”
“Sis was a true Ignite. You were the most upright Ignite more than anyone !”
“But I…can no longer…”
“That’s not true…! Because you have me to follow your footsteps !”
“!”
“I promised you, I’ll become a great mage, a true Ignite as you did, I’ll realize all of your dreams that you entrusted to me. That’s why…!”
“…Thank you, Eve…I’ll entrust you with the name Ignite that I’m proud of…”
“But please…don’t forget that walking your own path of justice, the path that you believe in, is what signifies a true Ignite…Actually, the family itself has nothing to do with it…It only depends on how you decide to live up your own life…Please don’t forget…”
“I know…I know…! I understand…that’s why…!”
“The path you’re going to take from now on…is going to be really rough for you…but…”
“I know…I won’t…I won’t lose…I won’t forget what you’ve taught me…That’s why…!”
Like this,
Eve and Lidia continue to cry in each other arms.

———
—————
As the side effect from using the forbidden spell, Lidia completely lost her ability as a mage.
Deeming her as useless, duke Azel exiled her from the house.
Not so long that she went missing afterward.
No matter how much Eve investigated she couldn’t get a grasp of her whereabout.
When she asked her father, he simply answered that he went to a medical institute to try taking back her magecraft ability.
Any detail beyond that…was unknown.
Everything about this incident was brushed up as a simple accident, and the truth remains buried in darkness.
Eventually, Eve rose to the position of the next head thanks to her being a spare.
After she rose to her position she simply tried her best.
To become a true Ignite her sister wants her to be.
To realize her dreams.
To protect the pride of true Ignite, to find its meaning.
But in order to do all of that she needs to become its current head first.
If she isn’t the head, she won’t be able to make any reform she wants to.
In other words, if she isn’t acknowledged by her father and others in her family, she won’t be able to reach her goals.
That’s why she killed her heart and completed duties after duties, for the sake of her sister.
Relentlessly pursuing military credits, achievement, and fame.
To protect what she inherited from her sister, Eve had been endured continuing to turn her back on the very same thing.
However—humans are weak and frail.
What have awaited Eve after she rose to the position of the next head made her experience up until that point feels like a heaven.
Unimaginable pressure and responsibility were shoved on her.
She didn’t even have a moment to spare to feel amazed at her sister who had been enduring the same hell.
As she keeps being in a cruel environment, slowly her heart was eroding.
Shining purposes that she used to have gradually fades in color, and eventually forgetten.
As an unending stream of duties keeps storming her, even a memory of her sister starts to fade from her mind.
Without her noticing, Eve gradually lost what’s truly important to her.
Without even a moment to spare and look back.
Eventually what was left was a cold-blooded woman who’s always hungry for credits and achievements, who treated everybody as her pawns.
That was a woman Eve Ignite turned out to be.

———
—————
“…Hm…?”
Suddenly, she opens her eyes.
The place is her camp for strategizing. She’s in a middle of Kirumu Operation.
As she wakes up, she tries to recall what happened in her sleep.
“A dream…? Was I seeing a dream…? Was I crying…? Why…?”
She speaks as she feels her cheek, surprised
(I have a feeling that I just saw a dream…a very important dream…something that I mustn’t forget…something that’s the core of my being…something about my promise with big sis Lidia…but what exactly is that…?)
As she tries to recall the content of her dream, a sharp flashback strikes her mind.

—Hmph. To see that Lidia whom I put so much trust on disappointed me like that—
—Eve, to prevent you from turning out like that, I shall put my “wedge” on you —
—With this, you can no longer—

“…Ouch!”
A sharp pain suddenly follows through her brain.
Within that tiny moment, the content from that dream completely disappeared from her mind.
Alongside with the content of that flashback.
“…I must’ve been tired…”
She tries to confirm her clock while sighing.
After she fought with Glenn 3 hours have passed.
For her to be in a dazed state for such a long time is a proof that she still too lax : she thinks to herself.
“Hey, Eve”
“!”
Glenn, alongside Albert and Sera, entered the tent.
“…What do you want?”
Eve turns her face away, while sending a sharp glare towards him
On the other hand, Glenn looks straight into her.
“My anger got into my head at that meeting but…can I ask you again to reconsider your strategy?”
“…….”
“I know…I know that your strategy is the most surefire way and also the safest, not to mention the loss on our side that will be suppressed to the minimum”
“……”
“…But I still can’t give up…There must still be a way. You’re an unfriendly woman but there’s no doubt in your genius…There’s no way you can’t do it…isn’t that right?”
“……”
“I know that this is me trying to force my opinion on you but…it’s precisely because a crapsack world like this that makes me want to continue on the path that I believe in, even if it’s little by little…This is what I want to ask of you !”
Glenn bows his head.
“……”

—I will fight for what I believe that is right—
—For I am also a true Ignite—


No one knows what came through Eve’s mind

“Hmph. Very well. I shall heed your request this time”
Eve snorts while saying in an unfriendly voice.
“…Huh…?”
Not only Glenn who was surprised.
Sera blinked in disbelief while even Alberts narrowed his eyes in doubt.
“…What do you mean by those reactions?”
“Well, It’s strange for me to say this but…I didn’t expect you to fold and accept my request at all…what exactly happened to you?”
“Hmph. Shut up. I don’t know what’s going on either”
“…I don’t know but I just feel it that way. Do you have any problem with that?”
“N-No I just…”
Ignoring Glenn, Eve immediately stands up and quickly put the map on the table.
“Call Christoph back here. We’re going to redo the analysis on geography and enemy’s forces from square one. There must be some openings that we’ve overlooked. You guys prepare for the recon operation. Since it has come to this we’re going to go through with our new policy”
“O-OK…well, you know…Eve”
“…What do you want…?”
“W-Well…I’m sorry…and thank you”
Bam !
Reacting to Glenn’s apologise and gratitude, Eve suddenly slams the table.
“Hmph. How many times do I have to say that I’m your superior ! Stop speaking with that friendly tone ! If you have enough time to apologise then work with your hands and feets ! Don’t you know that thanks to you my works has increased even more !”
“O-OK ! I understand !”
Glenn hurrily went out from the tent.
Seeing those twos, Sera and Albert could only look at each other in awe.
Sera then smiles awkwardly while Albert shrugs his shoulders, both of them following Glenn soon afterward.
“…I just…totally can’t understand !”
Left alone in the tent again, Eve angrily ponders
“Why must I feel this irritated everytime I see him!?”
Even so,
A strategy that seems reckless, seemingly impossible and completely devoid of the word “effeciency”. The idea to save as many people as possible. For some reasons, she can’t bring herself to hate it.
At that time she still didn’t notice, the renewed sense of purpose that starts to burn in her heart like a flame.
She just continued to make a new strategy while scratching her head…

“Lord Scarlet”—The true meaning and honor that the name implies.
For Eve to finally recall and realize about it, that’s another story for later…