Chapter 25

Mystery at Okutama is the twenty-fifth chapter of the Rakudai Kishi no Eiyuutan manga.

Summary
As the rock giant crushes the cabin where Stella is, Ikki barely manages to grab her and save her. Seeing the rock giant Stella is more shocked at the fact that it's not human, her reaction shocking Ikki. Ikki the attacks the giant himself, using his first secret sword, Saigeki, piercing through the giant. However, the giant transforms into human sized rock giants, which attack Ikki. Ikki notices that these rock people are actually puppets. controlled by a Blazer. The rock puppets overwhelm Ikki, and try to attack Stella. Stella though destroys them, having somewhat recovered from her illness.

As Ikki and Stella prepare to fight, Utakata Misogi suddenly appears, greeting Ikki and Stella. One of the rock puppets crushes Utakata's head, to the shock of Ikki and Stella. However, Utakata simply appears nearby, uninjured. This is due to Utakata's Noble Art, Black Box, which allows him to twist cause and effect. Utakata explains that due to his ability, he can survive from basically any attack. However, the ability is almost purely defensive, as it can't make things that Utakata has zero percent chance of doing, making him worthless in fighting the rock puppets. Stella questions why Utakata is here then, with him answering his just protecting Ikki and Stella until Touka arrives. Just then, Touka does arrive, and she explains that the Blazer controlling the rock puppets, most likely uses a Device in the shape of wires. With these wires, the puppeteer directly controls only a single puppet, through whom he controls the rest, and by finding and destroying that certain puppet, all the other puppets would be destroyed as well. Touka then uses her Reverse Sight, to locate that puppet, and destroys it with Raikiri, also defeating the other puppets. After defeating the rock giants, Touka notices that Stella is sick, and carries her away, embarrassing Stella. Ikki and Utakata also walk with her.

Somewhere else, the Blazer, calling himself "Pierrot" who controlled the puppets, is talking to another Blazer, noting how his simple experiment with puppets, turned rather unfortunate. The other Blazer says that it's because "Pierrot" was careless, also saying that he doesn't now what "Pierrot's" organization is trying to do, but they should be less reckless, as the Festival is approaching. "Pierrot" though claims that he requires to fun, or otherwise he will be bored. "Pierrot" also notes that Stella, who the other Blazer is supposedly infatuated with wasn't too healthy. The other Blazer says that if Stella is too weak to fight in the Festival, she isn't worth his attention, as he then leaves. "Pierrot" then says that the other Blazer is more bothersome than his brother Ikki Kurogane, revealing the other Blazer is Ikki's brother.

Characters

 * Ikki Kurogane
 * Stella Vermillion
 * Utakata Misogi
 * Touka Toudou
 * Reisen Hiraga (unnamed)
 * Ouma Kurogane (unnamed)

Trivia

 * This chapter is the first implication of the Akatsuki and their plans in the manga.