Illustration Novel 3

**The pride that dances on the battlefield** is the third release of the Illustration Novel series and features Carmen.
The Novel was published on February 25, 2022, featuring NaBaBa as the Illustrator for this story.

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## Translation

——What you need for a battlefield is similar to what you need for a good woman. It’s not always easy to understand, but think about it.

“A weapon.”

“A healthy body.”

“A mentality that you are better than your opponent.”

You need all these things, don’t you? You also need something like this.

“Shiny hair.”

“Charming lips.”

“A bright red dress and high heels.”

……I wonder if you don’t understand this. If that’s the case, you need to learn.

Carmen “Fufu… It’s nice to have a wide bathroom. A narrow bathroom can make you and your heart feel small too.”

It’s my first day off in a long time without any work or training. I was happy to be able to take a proper bath in the large bathroom, polishing my whole body with salt and carefully applying shea butter to my skin while massaging it when it was still daylight. It smells sweet, like chocolate and coconut. It soothes me.

This is the first dress that a mature woman wears on her bare skin, which is not only sweet but also bitter and wild. The fine brown skin soon becomes shiny, as a bead of sweat slides down it. I loved this brown skin.

Air on the G String —— *Why do you polish yourself so carefully?*

Carmen —— *I have no lover to embrace my body*.

That’s how I got blunted by **Air on the G String**. But she doesn’t understand. The only reason I polish my body is to fight with fellow Musicarts. Spoiled childern who can only measure their existence by the affection of others will not know. But instead, I understood it. When I stand on the battlefield with this polished body, when I dance and fight, when I feel the pleasure of a fine dress grazing my smooth skin, I will never forget it.

The battlefield is filled with blood and smoke, screams and shouts from both sides. As I weave my way through the incessant bombardment, I turn and take aim at the D2s.

………Be crushed.

…………Be crushed.

……………Be crushed.

“Thanks, Carmen! We’re in the clear!”

“Yes! We can cut them off at once! Don’t be late!”

My comrades pump their fists in the air and shout for joy. I respond with a smile.

Carmen “We haven’t lost on this battle. As long as I’m dancing on this stage.”

Hair fluttering. My dress sways. My skin is brown and shiny. It is not only blood and dust that dance on the battlefield. I, too, also dances here. Recalling the pleasure of being driven by passion for what I lost, I tremble. What I have lost—— is indeed peace, in a world where music reverberates. When I am fighting for it, I feel an inexplicable elation. It’s like being in the heat of love. It’s like singing and dancing in front of the one you love.

I believe that the most important thing on the battlefield is “pride”, and as the battle rages on, those who stand without pride will quickly be reduced to ashes. In the end, it is “pride” that will make the difference. If you stand up one more time, and shoot one more bullet. It’s “pride” that inspires you at the brink. Because if you’re not proud of yourself, there’s no bet that you’ll die there.

So I will polish my body, in order to stand on the battlefield with pride. The weapons for recovering what I’ve lost are my skin, my hair, and this dress. Wrapping a bath towel around my body, I look in the mirror, humming to myself.

Carmen “Yup, I’m proud of myself today♪”

As I gently dried my hair with another towel, I naturally smiled. It’s all right for me.

Carmen “I’m polishing my body for the sake of peace and music.”

*Fufu*, I wonder if it’s very cool to say. But I want to have that kind of exuberance. I’m a woman, I’m a Musicart who risks her life to protect the world. But… I thought of something.

Carmen “I wonder what the Conductor sees in me.”

It’s been many years since the Conductor was put into action in the fight against the D2s. I’m used to fighting with them, but I don’t think I’ve been tamed. I will always be me. I will fight for what I want. I look in the mirror again, look at my bare body in the reflection and opens my mouth in satisfaction.

Carmen “I am **Carmen**. A woman no one can tame— Just kidding.”

If you were a cute one, I might think about it? *Fufu*. But if there’s a person who can tame me, then you might see a new me. That would be fun for a little bit. Then the bathroom door opens with a bang. When I wonder who it was, **Jupiter** came with a bath towel wrapped around her body.

Jupiter “Uwah, Carmen’s here! How long have you been taking a bath!”

Carmen “………Oh my.”

**Jupiter**’s hair was wet, even though she hadn’t showered yet. She’s probably been training. She really likes to work out.

Carmen “It’s okay to force your body for once, but I think it could use a bit of healing. Would you like to join me?”

Jupiter “No! I’m gonna get all slimy like you!”

Carmen “What a waste, really. You’d shine more if you were polished.”

Jupiter “I’m all sweaty and shiny right now—!”

We exchanged a few pleasantries. I handed over the bathroom to Jupiter, and after I got dressed, I walked down the corridor of the Symphonica in a good mood, full of pride.

**Unofficial Translation by Rara**

Source: Illust. Novel 3 Translation

## Characters in Order of Appearance

* Carmen
* Air on the G String
* Jupiter

## External Links

1. ↑  https://twitter.com/ayatakaha
2. ↑  https://twitter.com/NaBaBa?s=20&t=MywH33JNyNoX1iBxBwscQg