The Doll Knight/Chapter 17


 * -|English= Chapter 17 - And So the Boy Becomes a Man

Like a graceful leopard, a tall knight clad in blue armor leapt through the window. Following behind him was a small boy wearing a cap.

'Princess Tia, I'm sorry. I know I'm a bit late,' he said.

'Sir Pedro...'

'So you did come, after all.'

A tremulous smile floated onto the princess' face.

Somewhat embarrassed, the boy returned the smile. Their eyes locked and words unsaid passed between them.

'Hey! There is a time and place for things!'

The duke, having been completely ignored, was sputtering in anger.

As the duke seethed, his second-in-command was stealthily sneaking up on the still bound princess. He reached out his hand for the princess' shoulder.

The Blue Knight leapt forward like a bolt from a crossbow.

'Blargh?!'

The pitiable second-in-command, having taken a direct punch from the Blue Knight, collapsed against the wall, unconscious.

'Th-That's a bit much...'

Duke Gaston, now white as a sheet, fled the room in a stumbling lurch.

'Princess Tia, let us hurry! Your crowning ceremony begins soon!' Pedro said.

'Yes!'

Escaping the manse, the two were pursued by the duke and his guard.

However, as if to obstruct their path, a scarlet shadow fell down, shaking the ground.

'Sorry, but I'm gonna have to get in your way. I'm afraid thoroughness is the number one part of being a puppeteer, after all. Hehehe.'

The way he spoke made it hard to believe it was just a job.

It was the masked puppeteer, Harlequin, and the crimson demon doll, Calamity.
 * -|Japanese= 第１７話　そして少年は男になる

しなやかな豹のように 窓から滑り込んできたのは 蒼い甲冑を身につけた、長身の騎士. そして、帽子をかぶった小柄な少年でした. 『ティーア様、すみません. ちょっと遅れてしまいました』

『ペドロ様……やっぱり、来てくださいましたね』 泣き笑いのような表情を浮かべる王女. 照れくさそうに、少年が微笑み返します. ２つの視線が、しっかりと絡み合いました.

『こら！　時と場所をわきまえんかっ！』 すっかり無視されてしまった公爵は 口からアワを飛ばして喚きました.

一方、公爵の副官は、こっそりと 縛られた王女の背後に忍び寄りました. 副官が、王女の肩に手をのばした時. のごとく蒼騎士が迫りました.

『ふごっ！？』 哀れな副官は 蒼騎士の平手打ちをくらって 壁に激突して気絶しました. 『そ、そんな出鱈目な……』 真っ青になったガストン公爵は 転がるようにして部屋を出て行きました.

『ティーア様、急ぎましょう！もうすぐ戴冠式が始まります！』 『はい！』 屋敷を脱出して、公爵を追いかける２人. しかし、その行手をさえぎるように 緋色の影が、地響きと共に降り立ちました.

『悪いけど、邪魔させてもらうよ. 人形師は信用が１番だからね、うふふ』

仕事とは思えぬ楽しげな口調. 仮面の人形師、ハーレクインと 紅い悪魔人形《カラミティ》です.