I stare blankly down at the ground where the once-flaming blade is simply lying there now. Takeru, and obviously he is indeed Genta's dear friend Takeru and no longer an agent of Messiah, looks shaken, and it takes me a moment to actually piece together his words.

I lower my Sougan Blade with a little sigh. "Oh, zut." I mutter, glancing at Genta, and back and Takeru, and back again.

"Please, forgive me for believing you weak enough to have fallen again." I say to Takeru with a little bow. "My name is Etienne, and you have nothing to fear from me." There's a handkerchief in my pocket and I turn to offer it to Genta with an apologetic little smile.

"Where would you like me to start?" I ask my confused friend. "The harness, or the double that Takeru mistook me for?"

"