——Falling.
To a pitch-dark world.
Straight into it.
Still, Hayato didn't close his eyes.
This didn't mean that he was going to fall endlessly.
When the ground was finally visible, he did an ukemi*.
(Now!)
Immediately after the ground could be identified due to the brilliance of his armament.
Before crashing into the ground, and as he recovered the balance of his body, he was able to land on it.
(Even so, what is this place…?)
Shaking his head to the left and right, Hayato ascertained the situation.
It was the same pitch-darkness than when he was falling.
He couldn't see anything.
– Emilia! President!
He raised his voice continuously, but there was no reply.
Even when calling the name of Latia was the same, or when calling the names of Ryuuto and Aila.
There was no reply from nobody, and he couldn't see the brilliance of their energies.
It seemed that he was by himself in this place.
(Really, what is this place?)
Until a while ago, he should have been on the surface of《Planet X》.
Thereupon, Hayato and the others decided to confront, to battle a white-haired girl.
In the middle of that, the girl pressed a button that she had produced and the ground below the feet of everyone collapsed——.
And that was how he got to where he was now.
Judging from the situation, he sure was inside《Planet X》.
(The question is, what should I do from now on?)
Hayato was thinking about waiting until someone came where he was or if he should move to look for his companions, relying on the light of his armament, but when he was thinking so.
A voice resounded there all of a sudden.
– Ku ku, it seems you fell into my trap magnificently.
Following that, all the space surrounding him was illuminated by light.
Because of that, Hayato was surprised looking at something that was reflected in his field of vision.
– Are those…?
Capsules shining dimly.
Those seemed to be the source of light.
Inside them, the comrades of Hayato were being imprisoned.
Emilia, Claire, Latia, Aila and Ryuuto were inside them, all members of the capture team.
Though the armaments of everyone are cancelled, they don't seem to have any injuries.
He couldn't hear their voices, but their bodies and mouths were moving inside the capsules, and when he got to Emilia, *bang* *bang*, he also hit the glass of the capsule with both hands.
It appeared that they were saying that he could get out from here.
– ——What do you want?
Hayato asked, glaring at the little girl in front of him.
The girl answered with a quite indifferent expression.
– As I said earlier, I like games. So, let's play a game, okay ☆?
– A game? And what kind of game are you after, huh?
– From the five people inside the capsules, you'll have to choose two first. Those will be your teammates. And together with those two, I'll make you fight the remaining three. The winner side wins. Once that is done, we'll be ready to proceed to the next stage.
– You're going to make my allies fight each other? I'm not going to do such a——.
– I'll make you do it. Because I'm being serious here, you know.
The girl showed a meaningful grin and continued.
– If you like, would you like me to show evidence of that?
Following the words of the girl, the capsules emitted a light.
Then, all the members who were inside them began to suffer, screaming.
– What did you do!?
– Inside those capsules, and as you all refer to it, I sent sound waves that interfere with the Variant Virus. At this rate, eeeveryone might completely run wildly ☆.
– Stop it! And release everyone!
– You didn't hear me? if you choose two companions, I'll release everyone from those capsules just as I've been telling you, okay? However, the three that you didn't choose will be released in a rampaging state. If you kill those three, then it's game clear. I'll only set free the ones who have survived, alright?
– …
Hayato clenched his teeth in response to the words of the girl.
(What, what should I do?)
Hayato thought that there was no way to break free from this situation successfully.
If that was the case, then how could he stop the sound waves inside the capsules?
And, from where were those capsules being controlled?
But, he didn't know.
The girl continued while cackling, looking at Hayato that had a vexed expression on his face.
– Hey hey, if you don't choose quickly, then far from everyone running wildly, they might end dead, you know? But, since this is getting boring, should I choose them? Emilia and Claire are your precious* women, right? That is what I get ☆.
*TN: term used is 大切 (taisetsu): it's been used a number of times throughout the series, but in this particular case I don't know what term fits better here. It can mean: beloved, precious, dear, cherished, valuable among other uses.When the girl finished saying that, the light of the capsules of Emilia and Claire disappeared, the two crumbled down from their knees.
– Emilia!
Even when Hayato called her, she didn't reply.
– President Claire!
That call had the same result.
The capsules descended slowly and when their movement came to an end, the transparent lids opened.
– Emilia, president!
While calling them again, Hayato rushed to where the two collapsed as if they had jumped out from the capsules.
Both of them were moving.
They recovered consciousness somehow.
– Hayato… what is this?
– What is this place desuno?
Emilia and Claire, placing both hands on the ground, asked Hayato while standing up.
Then, the little girl replied.
– You're going to play the game from now on.
– Game you say?
– Yeah, the three of you are just one team. By betting the survival and escape from this planet, I'll make you kill each other with the team of the other three.
– What!?
– What!?
While the voices of Claire and Emilia gathered as they stared in wonder, the light of the rest of the capsules disappeared.
Next, and like it happened with Claire and Emilia, the capsules started to descend.
And exactly like not long ago, the lids opened immediately after they stopped moving.
Because of that, Latia, Aila and Ryuuto, who fell as if they jumped out from the capsules, placed their hands on the ground almost at the same time and raised slowly.
Dyeing their eyes in a golden color, *groan*… they were also raising deep groans.
It was obvious that they weren't in a normal condition.
– Alright then, game start!
Following the words of the girl, Latia jumped out.
– AAAAAAAAAAAAA!
She rushed to attack Emilia while screaming.
– Is she… running wildly!?
Emilia said while dodging with a jump the fist of Latia who was coming to strike her.
– No matter how you look at it, you can only think so masenwane.
Claire responded, she was standing off against Aila.
What was drawing near her was a bat-shaped battery.
Claire shot it down with her battery and after she did so.
Claire called out to Aila.
– Calm down, Aila! You are being manipulated by that girl now desuwa!
She said so because she herself had the experience of being manipulated by Serivia.
However, those words seemed to not reach the rampaging Aila.
Then again, Aila created a bat-shaped battery and fired towards Claire.
While that was happening.
Hayato was squaring off Ryuuto.
(Damn, what should I do?)
Hayato thought while blocking the sword of Ryuuto.
How could they stop Ryuuto, Aila and Latia?
However, no method came up.
(Do we have no choice but to defeat her?)
"Her" was, of course, the mysterious girl.
He didn't know whether they would stop with that or not.
But——and while he was troubled by that.
– By the way, you'll break the rules if you attack me on purpose. For each attack, I'll kill someone in this place.
The girl said, as if she had read the thought of Hayato completely.
– Well, in the first place, it's impossible for you to do such a thing, to kill me, you know.
*Kyahaha*, the girl laughed innocently.
Anything and everything ended up appearing like she saw through it all.
(What do I do…? What should I do?)
The only things that could be done by Hayato now were dodging and mowing down the attacks of Ryuuto. The breakthrough solution beyond that point hadn't been found at all.
That was the same for Claire and Emilia.
All they could do was to protect their bodies from the attacks of Aila and Latia.
It was in the middle of that when.
– Hmmm, this is somewhat boring.
The girl who was looking at the fight of the six and sitting cross-legged on top of the row of capsules was yawning greatly and unnaturally.
– Since the situation doesn't seem to change, it's genuinely boring. That's why let's add a time limit.
Standing up with effort, the girl snapped her fingers as if she pseudo-used magic.
Then, numbers emerged on the wall.
——3:00.
Then 2:59, 2:58 and so on, a countdown had started immediately.
– 3 minutes remaining. If you don't kill them quickly, I'll kill your three companions. After that, I'll make you three have a death match. Naturally, only one of you can survive——
– Wha…
Hayato was lost for words due to such sudden thing.
– You're changing the rules!? That's so unfair!
– That's right desuwa!
As if following that, Emilia and Claire raised displeasured voices.
– If that is alright, then no holding back is also alright, isn't it!? That's why, I'll also——
– Hey, Emilia! Stop!
She didn't hear the stop of Hayato.
A floating battery was deployed around the mysterious girl.
Emilia fired a beam.
However——.
– Wha!
The figure of the girl disappeared from that place, the beam of Emilia ended up being dodged.
What appeared next was the back of Ryuuto.
Moreover, a scimitar was held in his hand.
*Slash*, swinging the scimitar on the back of Ryuuto, the girl cut off his back.
– ——kuaah!
Ryuuto screamed, blood was sprayed from his back and fell to the ground just like that.
– Yes, with the loss of this guy, the king of this planet is me. I said that breaking the rules is strictly prohibited, didn't I?
– Dammit…
After she spat out so to the girl that was turning a broad grin towards them.
– Sorry, Ryuuto…
Emilia turned her line of sight to the fallen Ryuuto.
Likewise, and when Hayato also turned his line of sight to him, he noticed something.
Like the silver lining of a dark cloud, the body of Ryuuto was slightly going up and down.
He was still breathing.
Emilia also noticed it.
However, Aila didn't seem to be aware of that,
– How dare you… how dare you, to Ryuuto!
The eyes of Aila who shouted shone in a golden color even more furiously.
– Hey wait, Aila——.
Panicking, Emilia raised her voice, but she didn't reach Aila.
– AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!
Together with a scream, Aila started a desperate attack on Emilia.
While she sent a number of bats flying that was twice than normal, she hit Emilia with a new weapon——with a whip she made from her bat-shaped floating batteries.
– How dare you! How dare you! How dare you! How dare you!
– Kuh…!
That attack was intense.
Aila was full of gaps, but Emilia was facing her with all her might, blocking and dodging the attacks was the only thing she can do. It didn't look like she had the room to counterattack.
(Should I go and help her out?)
However, and to do so, he had to no choice but to attack Aila.
Was there any other way to stop the attacks of Aila?
To do that, it would be the best to take away the whip from her hand.
When Hayato was about to start moving to try and do that much.
A floating battery was deployed around Aila.
It wasn't from Emilia.
It belonged to Claire.
– Get away from Emilia!
Shouting, Claire fired a beam.
That hit directly and in succession the full-of-gaps Aila.
Aila crumbled down, it made her fall to her knees on the ground.
As a result, Emilia was able to get away from Aila——.
– Thanks, Claire…. But, is that fine?
– What desuno?
– Look, Aila is…
Emilia turned her eyes to Aila with an uneasy expression.
Claire replied, as if being apologetic.
– I shouldn't have caused a fatal wound to her desuwa. However, that was the only way to stop her moveme——
The moment Claire got to say that.
– HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!
They heard a yell.
Latia released energy from her feet and tried to punch Claire.
– ——wha!
The floating battery wasn't at hand now.
So Claire created a gun on her right arm and tried to divert that with it, but she couldn't make it in time.
The blow of Latia punched the cheek of Claire.
Because of that, Claire was sent flying, she ended up being blown away to a wall.
Latia accelerated, attempting to add another blow there.
She approached Claire and,
– Haaa!
She sunk the fist into her abdomen.
– … ah …
The armament of Claire who was struck by the fist was cancelled——.
And from her knees, she collapsed to the ground.
– President!
Hayato shouted instinctively and tried to rush to the location of Claire.
However, Latia turned around and this time accelerated towards Hayato.
She tried to punch him like she did with Claire.
But——.
– I won't let you!
Emilia stood in front of Hayato.
He could see that a huge hammer was in her hands.
Of course, it was created using Arms Shroud.
Holding the huge hammer aloft, she stood off against the striking Latia.
With a full swing, she sent her body flying towards the wall.
With that, the armament of Latia was cancelled, she was unable to move.
– Woooow, eh? The bones of her body didn't crack? But, the table was turned in one go with this. The team of Hayato-kun has an overwhelming advantage, no? What's last is the finishing blow and the game is over ☆.
Saying so, Hayato glared at the girl laughing rudely.
The remaining time was 1:30.
In essence, the victory was pretty much obtained.
And yet, the girl said to finish them off.
(How do I know what I should do?)
Hayato was confused.
It was Emilia who talked to him.
– Hey, Hayato. Do we surrender?
– Eh…?
Emilia cancelled the armament while Hayato is surprised with what are you really saying?
Hayato asked while dumbfounded.
– Surrender? And how?
– Like this.
Laying her hands on the shoulders of Hayato, Emilia——.
Kissed Hayato.
It was a short kiss, they only and barely put their lips on top of the other.
– Emilia… what on earth do you think you are doing?
He didn't get the meaning of her actions at all.
Putting her hands on the cheeks of Hayato that showed even more confusion, Emilia continued her words.
– I love Hayato. I want to survive from this place with Hayato. Even if everyone else dies, the only one that I don't like at all to die is Hayato. Besides, I would never want to fight with Hayato. I don't want us to kill each other.
– Then, you're saying that by giving up she'll release us?
– … yeah.
Emilia nodded.
– In the first place, it was a mistake to come to this planet. We can't win against that girl. So, if we just surrender, then we might get her pardon.
– What are you saying…
– Ahahahahaha, you truly say fascinating things, Emilia Hermit!
Laughing loudly, the little girl continued her words.
– … however, what I'm going to do is the destruction of all the universe——and since I decided to destroy even the Earth sooner or later, it's meaningless to escape. Lastly… oh right. If you say that you're giving up on the capture of this planet, then until you die… no, until almost the same as the generation of your children, I may stop launching attacks on the Earth.
– You heard her, Hayato. Don't you think that her proposal is good?
– There's no way I think so!
Hayato replied immediately.
– Such a thing doesn't solve anything. It's absolutely wrong to just turn around and make ourselves happy! Even from the preparedness as Slayers of Little Garden, aren't your actions off?
The ones who had the power will use it for the sake of those who don't——.
They should exercise their power to create a better world.
Noblesse Oblige.
That was also a preparedness as Slayers of Little Garden.
Emilia should naturally know that as well.
But then, she even said such things.
– I see…
Hearing the words of Hayato, Emilia muttered looking vexed.
– Hayato cares about Claire rather than me.
Together with those words, the eyes of Emilia changed into a golden color.
– Hayato chooses Claire rather than me.
Simultaneously with those words.
Feeling the strong energy of Emilia, the back muscles of Hayato shivered.
– Hayato, I, I totally hate that I'm not the number one of Hayato! A thing like Claire being the number one of Hayato means that Hayato is not real! It's a fake!
Emilia released even more intense energy from her whole body and by creating a sword with Arms Shroud, she attacked with it.
– Haaaaaaaaaaaa!
Hayato thought while staring motionlessly at the impending Emilia.
(I wanted to see the situation a bit more, but it can't be helped now that this is happening, huh)
While bending his upper body, and at the same time he dodged that sword While he had Hien at the ready——.
– Haaa!!
He immediately and mercilessly unleashed a counterattack.
– Wha… Haya…to…?
Being struck by the not-lenient brandish of Hayato, Emilia tumbled down.
Emilia, who was struck by the blade, wasn't the only surprised with that attack.
There was a little girl who was watching over the situation.
Emilia fell with a thud.
Then, the body began to transform into particles.
Hayato muttered, confirming such state.
– As I thought, so this is what it was.
The Emilia until a few moments ago——.
——No.
Only an ore was left in the place where the fake Emilia was——.
It was almost like a Hundred's ore.
Hayato asked, scowling at the little girl.
– Hey, what is this?
– Oh, you noticed it? What did convince you?
– I had an uncomfortable feeling from the beginning. Including the fact that the president and Emilia don't get caught so easily in the first place.
The two of them always overcame the obstacles. Even if they were to get in a pinch, the actions themselves never felt incorrect.
But this time it wasn't like that.
That was the first sense of discomfort.
– Due to that, what convinced me that she was a fake was when she kissed me.
The reaction of his body at that time was different than usual.
The Variant Virus of his whole body rejected it.
"This is not what I want", it said.
– Besides, when the color of her eyes was golden, the thing that I felt from her body was completely different than always.
"There's no doubt this is an imitation", Hayato was convinced of that.
But, he was also thinking of seeing a little more of that.
Because he tried to find a chance to attack the girl.
– I see… the reason is that yours and Emilia's Variant Virus were the same type, yeah? I intended to come near but not to an inferior one, but you weren't able to trace it completely, right? Still, you perceived it. It's my utter defeat. I give up.
– How is everyone else doing?
Saying so, Hayato turned Hien to the girl.
But still, the girl never showed a frightened behavior.
– Right now, they're playing games that were created by other terminals from this me, aren't they? Those guys are probably dead by now.
After the girl laughed continuously with, Kyahaha, hahahaha.
Immediately there, the girl continues her words.
– … or perhaps I should say that you planned to corner me, huh? As you know, I'm no more than one of my terminals. There's no effect on the main body and on the other terminals if at this rate, you kill me, you know? However, since I'm not in a good mood, I won't be killed so easily.
Saying so, what the girl took out from the pocket was, a capsule.
– I'll tell you something good. Inside of this there is an energy crystal——the things that you guys call Hundred and which has the same quality as those. That's right, let's call it Monster Ball.
– Monster Ball?
That is pretty much like the name of a game item.
So that means——.
– Ahaha, you're making a "I guessed so" face, you know? That's right——
When the girl threw the ball into the air, it transformed while emitting light like a Hundred and covered the body of the girl.
After the light disappeared, the girl who was supposed to be there disappeared, only a huge dragon remained there.
A long neck and a big body.
Big arms and a long tail.
It was a green dragon similar to an enemy monster of an RPG which had a thick skin like a chain.
『Whadda ya think? It's quite game-like, right?』
The voice of the girl was like a proxy that acted as spokesman for what Hayato was thinking.
– Certainly, that's what I think.
Hayato ended up smiling bitterly involuntarily.
『——anyway, let's have a match, Kisaragi Hayato. Could it be possible for you to defeat me, now that I turned into a dragon?』
It could be that this won't go like it did in the past.
Still, he couldn't afford to lose.
Having Hien at the ready, Hayato started the duel with the girl that became a dragon.
※※※Shortly before Kisaragi Hayato started the game with the little girl——.
When he was still falling from the surface of《Planet X》to its interior.
Like him, Claire was falling from the surface of《Planet X》, she was being driven by her guilty conscience.
(It was my mistake… deshitawane)
Their opponent had no limits.
They should have put themselves on guard to be able to respond to whatever may have happened.
——No.
Even though they were standing ready, the response to it ended up being delayed.
That was something she should reflect on.
Staying in the air using the thrusters, Claire turned her eyes to the place from where she had fallen.
However, there was nothing like a hole in there.
Did it have the same principle as the barrier deployed outside《Planet X》?
It appeared that the ground that should have crumbled hds already been restored, so it was unlikely that she could return to the ground.
Because of that, Claire slowly landed on the ground using the thrusters and decided to think about what to do from now on.
(What is this place desuno?)
She didn't feel signs of people in the surroundings.
If she didn't feel their energies, then she couldn't see their brilliances.
Like she ended up being isolated.
(… no, this isn't restricted to myself only masenwane. It's possible that each one of us is isolated masuwa)
What was the thing that the girl had set?
She honestly hadn't the slightest idea.
So, with precaution, she began to investigate what was going on with this room.
Thinking so, and when Claire was about to move.
*TAP* *TAP*, echoing footsteps could be heard.
They were slowly approaching her.
The footsteps weren't heavy, but light.
… Perhaps was, that girl?
Claire put herself on guard while turning her gaze to the direction of the footsteps.
Then, lights slowly began to turn on around the ceiling.
The illumination that was hidden in the walls appeared to be no more in that state.
The scenery of the surroundings was slowly appearing.
That was when she found out that this was a square room with a high ceiling.
She got that the room itself had a considerable size just by looking around.
To the extent that it could be used even in baseball.
However, the ones who were in that space were just herself and another person——.
It was the previously mentioned girl that stood 5, 6 meters ahead.
– What are you going to do in this place masuno?
Claire fired the first shot.
– No other than a game, you know ☆.
Replying with a smile, the girl answered while greatly spreading both hands.
– It's a very, very entertaining game! If you clear it, then I'll let you meet your companions. This is a proof of that!
– Wha…
Claire was lost for words, looking at the video projected in the air together with the words of the little girl.
Because there was a video of Kisaragi Hayato crucified on something like a cross.
The camera on the surface of《Planet X》was pulled just like that, then she saw that Emilia, Latia, Aila and Ryuuto, her other companions, were similarly crucified.
Everyone seemed to be unconscious.
– ——now, I'll let you get all the members. Clear the game if you want to save them. Easy, right?
– I won't know whether that game is easy or not unless I listen to its contents masenwa. What kind of game is this anyway masuno?
– It's really a simple game. You just choose one from the five of them——.
Smiling broadly, the girl continued her words.
– Let's say that if you kill one, that if you sacrifice one, then the rest of the members will be saved.
– Please stop joking. What are you even saying masuno!?
Glaring at the girl, Claire shouted.
That meant that the death of someone was absolutely inevitable.
– I'm not joking. By the way though, I'm not going to kill you, so be relieved. Now, if you're reluctant, then let me kill them with the robots that are near them.
According to those words, and around Hayato and the others that were crucified, there were robots they fought on the ground.
When she looked carefully, all of them had something like rifles in their hands.
– What stupid things are you saying masuno!? This is not even a game in the first place masenwa. It's too one-sided masuwayo!
– Ahahaa, that may be, certainly. But, it's fine. If it's interesting for me, then that's great. Shitty video games also exist in this world, after all. Although, I don't care whether you all know that or not.
The girl laughed rudely.
– Now that I remember, if you say that you can't choose from among the five of them, then maybe I can give you another choice? For example, what about this?
Saying so, what was projected on the wall was《Charlotte No. 1》.
– As you can see, this is the spaceship you were on board. I wonder if it's completely alright to go all-out with a bang on that spaceship. But, won't a lot of people die, rather than just one? Ahahaha, ahahahahaa!
– You truly joked about…
Claire glared with a sharp gaze at the girl that laughed loudly.
– Oh, how scaaary.
The girl imitated her, making her body tremble.
Her irritation swelled with each and every attitude of hers.
The girl repeated her words again.
– If so, then what about even more choices? This will take a little of time, but let's change the choice to your hometown——to what you call the Earth, shall we? When I intruded the computer of the spaceship, I found its location by analyzing the data. It seems that it will take time to destroy it, but I'll do my very best!
As usual, she was joking.
She thought of nothing but making fun of her.
– By the way, the time limit for the selection is one minute——if the countdown finishes or before it finishes you do any suspicious movements, then at that time, and by all means, not only I'll kill your companions and the spaceship——but also the earthlings, so be careful. In the end, you have no choice to not play the game ☆.
After she said so.
She raised her hand high above her head and declared sonorously.
– Alright then, countdown start ♪.
Together with those words, a display at 1:00 appeared in the air.
– … kuh… !
Claire showed a vexing-like expression on her face, looking at the countdown that started decreasing with 0:59… 0:58…
That figure seemed to be irresistibly amusing.
The little girl kept grinning.
– So, Claire Harvey? What'll you do? In this situation where you aren't able to sacrifice me and where you can't carry out Noblesse Oblige which is what you say often?
– Why do you know about such a…
– I scanned and analyzed the data of the brains of the captured Slayers. Not only the things about the spaceship but about also about you, everything was completely examined. That's why, this is my suggestion!
"Yes yeees", raising her hand, the girl said.
– I thiiink it's fine if you kill Emilia. You see, if you kill Emilia, you may be able to get Kisaragi Hayato, riiight? You also love Kisaragi Hayato, don't you? That's what I get, you know? Ahahahahahaa!
Claire showed an angry expression as she listened to the words of the girl.
Even so, and by regaining her serenity right away, she asked again while cowling at the little girl.
– Can you tell me one more thing desuka?
– Hmm, it's fine since we're still in time, but what would it be?
– This, this isn't your body, but just a terminal——so there is no meaning for me to kill you here. Is that thinking correct masuwane?
– You're right. It's useless for you to kill me. At that point I'll be transmitted to my real body and your comrades will die.
– Understood. That means that you're inheriting the will of your real body. There is no mistake when thinking so desuwane.
– That's right. Do you want to ask anything else?
– Just one last question desuwa.
Claire asked the girl again.
– When thinking about it, you should be able to kill us more easily——that is what I believe masuwa. And yet, why don't you do so? Why do you let me ask things?
– Because it's funny. That's all there is to it.
The girl replied, acting quite indifferent.
– For example, insects can easily be killed if they're crushed underfoot, but that just sounds boring. An innocent child that pretty much laughs heartily, looking at them in a state where they can't move while picking their legs one by one. Such feeling is my feeling, you know?
– Understood. That is more than enough desu.
– What? Did you decide who you're going to kill now? Ah, but the time is almost up though.
As her words said, the count was below 10 seconds.
Claire released a strong energy from her whole body and displayed a change to a whole-body armed state right there.
– … huh?
Somehow that the girl didn't expect that move.
With a flustered expression, the girl shouted.
– Wai-, what do you think you're doing, huh!? If you make a suspicious movement, then I'll kill everyo——
– I don't care masenwa.
Claire replied clearly.
She didn't imagine that answer.
Naturally, the girl was amazed.
– Excuse me? Do you know what you're talking about? I'm saying that your companions will be annihilated, you know? And not just the spaceship, but even the Earth as well——even so, that's ok for you?
– I believe in my companions——
The reply of Claire didn't flinch.
– My companions aren't existences to the degree of being killed by your playful, half actions masenwa. At any rate, the video where they are crucified is nothing but a fake video that you made, no? Besides, no matter how much technological strength you have, that doesn't mean you can destroy the Earth in one way or——
– S-still, I can issue an order to launch an all-out attack on the Earth! Since it'll take some time, it will be destroyed in a few days! Moreover, this video isn't fake! I didn't say that it was a joke!
– If so, then why don't you just show how you kill them? I believe in my companions masu. On top of that, I have the role of the leader. And the role of the leader is to complete the operation desu.
Declaring so, Claire created Buster Cannon in her hands.
– I promised to go back to Earth with everyone. My companions have never betrayed my feelings. This time as well, they'll absolutely grant my wish. That's right, I believe in them masuwa.
– How…! How can you believe so much in others!?
By holding her temper.
The little girl shouted while making her shoulders quiver.
– How? I've been saying it, right? Because they're my companions——that's all there is to it desuwayo. Also, I've spent all this time together with my companions desu. No matter what you say, that trust isn't going to sway arimasenwa.
The count went down to 0.
– … how boring.
The girl said as if spitting out.
– I detest guys like you! The game can go to hell already!
Simultaneously with the disappearance of the video before her.
The girl took out something like a ball from her pocket and hung it out in the air.
– No more games! Humans like you, will die here!
Together with the shout of the girl, the ball transformed into particles.
A light covered the body of the girl——.
When that shining vanished, what appeared before the eyes of Claire was a huge creature with a reddish-brown skin standing on the ground with its two legs.
Having a big head and sharp teeth, it was the king of the dinosaurs.
– A tyranno…saurus?
『Hahaha, so that's how it sounds in your world, huh. This says that it somehow resembled a creature that existed in the past, in my birthplace too. By the way, I can do this thing ☆』
The tyrannosaurus bombarded from the mouth, like breathing out flames.
Claire extended her arm to the front, and deployed an E barrier.
– It's just like the bombardment of a Savage, desuwane…
Claire murmured while stopping the bombardment.
『… Savage? Oh I see, the 《V》news. But I'm considerably stronger than a normal Savage, you know?』
– No matter what my opponent is, I will defeat you and join my companions desu.
『Alright then, do we have a match, Queen-sama?』
The girl said to provoke her.
Still, Claire never lost her coolness.
– Yes, let's do it desuwane.
Thus, the battle between the king of the dinosaurs and the queen of Little Garden——.
——No.
And the queen of the moon, the representative of the earthlings, had begun.
※※※Going back in time——.
When the Slayers of the capture team were falling from the surface of《Planet X》into its interior.
Even though her body was small, Latia had outstanding reflexes.
Therefore, and even if the ground below her feet collapsed all of a sudden, if it was a fall, then the height was irrelevant as it was easy to deal with.
Latia rotated and rolled up her body.
Then checked the state of the place that was below her and landed spectacularly.
– What the, is this…?
She tried to confirm the situation by shaking her head to the right and left, but it was pitch-dark, she didn't see at all.
Even when looking up, the result was the same.
It was completely dark, so she didn't understand what was overhead.
Speaking of things she understood, and considering the falling time, it appeared that the height was probably quite something.
– Heeey, presideeent! Hayatooo!
Latia decided to raise her voice next.
Nobody answered, although she assumed so because no lights of energy were seen. By walking a little, she touched a nearby wall, but there were no irregularities, so she won't be able to ascend.
Then, what to do?
Was there any way to get out of here?
In order to find it, and when Latia was about to start walking to investigate the situation of the surroundings a bit more.
*Bang*! A sound resounded there.
A spotlight that was turned on sounded.
Latia was illuminated by that dazzling light.
Holding a hand before her eyes, she prevented that light, then footsteps were heard.
*Clank*, *Clank*, it was a resounding sound.
It wasn't running.
It was slow——.
And yet, it was certainly approaching.
It was the ominous itself based on the footsteps, it didn't feel like it was a comrade at all.
While being on guard, Latia asked.
– … who's there?
– It's me.
Together with those words, the footsteps stopped.
Subsequently, the figure of the owner of that voice was illuminated by a spotlight.
– In the end, it was you, huh….
——Her presentiment was on point.
That voice——and the figure that was seen on the other side of the hand she held aloft were of the mysterious girl she fought above ground.
When the eyes finally got used to the light, Latia lowered the hand that she was holding over her head and asked to the girl while staring at her.
– What is this place!? Where are my companions!?
– Hey, don't demand an explanation with such a scary face, okay? I came to negotiate with you.
– … to negotiate?
– Yeah, a negotiation ☆. And data too, by the way.
When she snapped her fingers, the right rear of the girl was illuminated by a spotlight.
There, she could see the figure of Fritz that was in a capsule big enough to have his body fit in it.
– Wha…
Latia was amazed with what is this development?
Fritz seemed to be unconscious inside the capsule.
Although she was confused, she asked the girl.
– Hold on, what is this!? Why is Fritz here? Fritz should be on the spaceship…
– Ahahahaha, the spaceship that you guys were boarding is in my hands already. He's the evidence of that. By the way, the rest of the crew members are also in my hands, of course.
*Grin*, the girl smiled elated with success.
Though she showed a vexing expression on her face as she glares at the girl, Latia asked again.
– … so, what's that negotiation you were talking about? If I comply with it, then you'll release Fritz?
– Yeah, I'll do that. And the negotiation condition is one. That you two, and all together, to become my partners.
The girl said, raising one of her index fingers.
– What!?
Latia glared at the girl with "What are you saying!?".
– Hey, what I'm saying is that I'm not going to kill you or him if you were to become my partners. However, you have to cast away your humanity, okay?
– Don't make fun of me, saying that only Fritz and I will be spared and that the rest of our companions will be killed! There's no way that I'll accept such condition!
– Hold on, didn't I say that is just to release Fritz? Even that is fine, since you'll lose such emotions. If you become one with him on this planet by abandoning what it's called "being a person", won't that mean that you can always spend time with him, that you can spend intimate time for eternity with the man you love so much? Isn't that something wonderful?
– There's no way I'll consider such a thing! Regardless of why you bastard know my feelings, I'll absolutely refuse such a thing!! And in the first place, even if I don't borrow your power, Fritz and I promised to be always together!
– Really…? You believe in him.
– Obviously. Because Fritz and I have a strong bond connecting us.
Always, since they were very young children until now.
And forever from here on.
– But, it's a shame. He's betraying you. I think that you don't know that.
– What…? What on earth are you garbage saying…?
– I'm saying that he's cheating on you. You didn't know, right?
– Cheating on me, you say…? Do you have evidence or something!?
– Yes, I have. Because I've scanned and analyzed all your brains. Since you think it's a lie, I'll do this for you and show that si-tution ☆.
Saying so, the girl pressed the switch that the capsule had.
Then, the capsule emitted a light dimly and Fritz in its interior screamed, looking like he was in pain.
– Hey, stop it!
– Uh-oh, don't move——
Towards Latia who was about to launch a punch by kicking the ground, the girl told.
– If you move any further, I'll kill this guy immediately, okay?
– Kuh…!
Precisely because Fritz was in the hands of the opponent, here she had no choice but to listen to what she said obediently.
At the same time the scream stopped and the glow of the capsule vanished, the girl said.
– You can look back. Interesting things can be seen.
Interesting things.
What on earth did she mean with that?
Despite being suspicious, she looked back as she was told.
Thereupon, a video was projected on the wall.
What was projected was a rehabilitation room in Little Garden.
Fritz was sitting in a chair.
However, he wasn't alone.
What, is this…?
On top of Fritz who was sat in a chair, a girl was sitting there, as if mounting him.
– That woman is…!
She was a girl that belonged to Little Garden High School Nursing Faculty.
She began to exchange a hot kiss with Fritz.
A very long kiss.
The very same moment their lips separated.
The girl grabbed the right wrist of Fritz and invited him onto her voluptuous chest just like that and let him open his five fingers.
– Come on, Fritz-kun, please have a lot of rehabilitation with my breasts… ❤.
Simultaneously with those words.
Latia raised a loud voice.
– What the crap is this!? What do you…
– Ahahaha, this is only the beginning. There are other interesting things.
When the girl said so, the video switched to another one.
– This…
The next displayed place was also a familiar place to Latia.
It was New Planet Notre Dame, the room where Fritz was lodging.
Fritz and three women were on the bed.
Latia knew those girls.
Those girls were the ones who took care of them at the lodgings that were prepared by New Planet Notre Dame Government.
Surely, there should have been servants who were hired by Notre Dame Government.
Everyone, including Fritz, were wearing bathrobes, but since no one was wearing a cord tied around the waist, the women had their bathrobes open.
And, no one was wearing underwear either.
– Hey, Fritz-san.
The one who raised her voice was a girl that was hugging the left side of the body of Fritz. And while kissing the neck of Fritz with fawning-like gestures, she continued asking questions while looking up at his face.
– Come to think of it, I'm wondering what kind of relationship do you have with Latisan…?
– What kind of relationship? She's just a childhood friend.
– That means she's not your girlfriend?
– … girlfriend? She's still a child, you see. So it's still a bit premature for her to do such things.
Saying so as if he joked about it, Fritz kissed her forehead to have his revenge on the girl.
– But let's stop talking about Latia. Because you girls are the ones in front of my eyes now.
The girls showed a spellbound expression on their faces when they heard those words and by twining around Fritz as they were, they continue kissing and crawling their tongues on his skin.
Naturally, the girls also kissed him on the lips.
Latia looked away from that video, like saying that she couldn't watch such appearance of Fritz and the like, then shouted with all her strength while her face was dyed red.
– Enough! Don't show me strange things like this!
– Ahaha, you're upset, you're upset. I mean, you're not his girlfriend, after all. I guess that you were just misunderstanding?
– Shut up! This thing is probably your own fabrication!
– If so, why don't you ask the person in question whether the video just now is truly a fake or not?
The moment the video disappeared.
What followed so was an exhaust sound heard on the back.
And when turning around, the capsule was opening——.
Fritz, who was trapped inside, tried to crumble down to then put his hands on the ground.
– Fritz!
Latia attempted to rush to where Fritz was. He was practically in a state where he was supporting his body that flopped onto the ground, but it was right there when.
– Sorry, Latia!
Fritz got up abruptly, but kneeled down on the ground immediately.
– What's wrong, Fritz!? Why are you doing such a thing!?
Latia asked, dumbfounded
Fritz replied.
– The video that was shown to you now. It was seen by me as well. Everything in there is true. That's why, I'm sorry…
– Ahaha, look, it's all true after all! You saw that not only he flirts with women, but he also doesn't see you as a woman, right? Ahahaha!
Latia, who was struck by the instigation of the girl, clenched her teeth strongly to the point that they made a sound.
And then——.
– Fufuh, ahahahah… ahahaha!
Making her shoulders quiver, she started to laugh.
– Stupid… I'm really stupid, huh…
Latia muttered as she hung her head.
– Why stupid? You arbitrarily misunderstood that you were even his girlfriend, no?
– You're wrong!!
Simultaneously with the loud denial.
Latia raised her voice, kicked the ground and headed in a straight line towards Fritz.
While rotating her body, she kicked away the body of Fritz with all her strength.
– Wha——.
That was an action that she didn't expect.
The girl was amazed.
And then when he collided with the wall from the back of his body, the collapsed Fritz disappeared, turning into particles.
Only an ore similar to a Hundred was left there.
Looking at it, Latia said, laughing at herself.
– … seriously, I was stupid…
Just after that, and by making sure to hit her thigh with a fist she grasped tightly, Latia continued.
– Even if it was for a moment, you made me be upset with a fake. I'm truly an absolute moron!
– How…. How did you know he was a fake…!?
The girl asked as if yelling.
Then Latia replied, moving her body to shake it.
– To be honest, I didn't care about that kind of thing.
– … eh?
– Fritz, who was in such a pathetic state, no matter if it was real or fake, it's not the Fritz that I'm in love with. That's why, I just gave him punishment. And now——.
Latia turned her body to the direction of the little girl in an instant.
From the body of Latia that was scowling at the girl, a fierce energy began to rise.
– Although it was a fake video, I'll never forgive you for making me be cheated on by Fritz——and for playing with me!
Due to the overwhelming anger, the Variant Virus inside the body of Latia was activated. The body of Latia was covered by a whirlpool of surging energy.
As soon as that whirlpool disappeared.
Her whole body was covered with a thick armor.
– Wwait a minute!
Looking at Latia that was in a whole-body armed state, the girl continued speaking while being flustered.
– Certainly, the Fritz Grantz of a while ago is a fake. But the video that I showed you is real. I scanned his memories and everyone's memories on the spaceship——
Latia had no interest to hear the words until the end.
She accelerated and hit hard the body of the girl.
– Uwaaah!
Being blown away, the body of the girl collided with a wall.
– … kh, why are you hitting so suddenly… you're so barbaric…!
Latia declared towards the girl that was still crumbled down on the ground.
– I'm not going to be deceived by you anymore. I, I believe in what he left to me, I believe in the words of Fritz!
You're the most important to me.
When they were lying and hugging each other on the same bed, he told her so.
There was no lie in those words.
They had spent their lives together enough to believe so.
She was living.
So——.
– If you keep doing something like playing with my heart using Fritz, I'll really not going to forgive you!
– Okay, I understand. I finished playing already!
She could see something like a small ball in the hands of the girl that stood up while saying so with a hint of bothersome. Latia asked as she glared at it.
– … the hell is that?
– This is the next game ☆.
– Wha!
Immediately after the girl threw the ball in the air.
A fierce light was emitted, it finished dyeing the field of vision of Latia in pure white.
(What the, is that…)
Until that light was thin which took a couple of seconds.
And at the same time when her visibility returned to normal.
– Wha…
The figure of an animal, of a dragon, was reflected in the eyes of Latia.
It was not just a dragon.
Its arms and wings were unified, it was a huge dragon that danced in the air.
It replaced the figure of the girl that disappeared from that place.
– … if I remember correctly, that's a dinosaur called Pteranodon, huh.
Latia muttered, looking up at the dragon.
The voice of the girl that answered those words was heard.
『So that's how it's called in your world. But, perhaps this one is way stronger than that?』
As she finished saying so, the Pteranodon glided vigorously. It had launched an attack with its beak at Latia.
Latia thought while dodging that with a jump.
(That voice just now, was that dinosaur talking?)
If so, then that girl must have transformed into a Pteranodon by using that ball-like thing.
(… well, as they say, anything goes, huh)
As if to affirm such thought, the Pteranodon talked to her while fluttering its wings in the air. It did so with the voice of the girl like moments ago, of course.
『Well now, try to defeat me! If that happens, then you can regroup with everyone else. By the way, this is the real deal!』
– ——if so, then I' won't go easy on you.
Without being agitated by the words of the girl, Latia changed to a readied stance, pulling both hands all of a sudden.
Aiming at that, the Pteranodon started gliding again.
『Don't underestimate me, Latia Saint-Émillion! I'll make sure that you'll never see Fritz Grantz again!』
※※※The time went back again when they were falling from the surface of《Planet X》.
Aila was attempting to land, by adjusting her posture and making her wings on the back flutter.
It was in the middle of that when.
Something passed vigorously next to her.
It was Ryuuto.
– Ouch!
The shriek of Ryuuto reached her together with a dull sound.
– Uugh, I ended up hitting my lower back with all my strength…
It gave the impression that he fell in that same posture. Ryuuto distorted his face in pain while rubbing his lower back with which he fell on the ground.
On the other hand, Aila landed softly and slowly on the ground from the place she was before, then surveyed the surroundings first.
Besides the brilliance of her armor and the one of Ryuuto, no other light could be seen.
Both she and Ryuuto were alone in the complete, dark world.
(Did Claire-sama and the others fall in another place?)
While wondering so, Aila turned her gaze to Ryuuto and said.
– Hey, are you ok?
– Yes, I'm fine.
Ryuuto replied as he raised his face while sitting on the ground.
– It's pathetic that I completely failed the ukemi though.
– Yareyare, you don't change, huh.
Aila showed exasperation towards Ryuuto who smiled as if he was self-deprecating.
Subsequently, Aila held out her hand to Ryuuto.
– Can you stand?
– Thank you very much.
Ryuuto gave words of gratitude and grabbed the hand of Aila.
He tried to stand up at the same time Aila pulled his arm.
Neither Aila nor Ryuuto doubted that he would be able to stand up properly this way.
However, and just before they though he could stand up.
With a pain running on his back, Ryuuto ended up losing the balance of his body and——.
Wha…!
Aila was able to notice that Ryuuto was falling down at the last minute, but it was too late, she couldn't do anything.
– Uwaah!?
Aila was pushed down by Ryuuto who fell thoroughly, raising his voice.
– That hurt…
She heard the voice of Ryuuto.
When she opened her eyes that ended up being closed instinctively, the face of Ryuuto was there.
The distance between their faces was only a few centimeters——.
*Bdump*, the heart of Aila did a heavy heartbeat.
However and again, that wasn't noticed by Ryuuto.
– I'm sorry, Ailsan…
Ryuuto, who opened his eyelids saying so, blinked incessantly.
He finally understood the situation or so it seemed
– … eh, Ailsan?
The face of Ryuuto that noticed he was hanging over Aila turned red very fast.
– I-I'm sorry, I-I…!
Aila shouted, looking at Ryuuto sitting in panic and moving his arms in the air.
– Don't worry about that and calm down first!
– Ye-yes!
He regained his composure a little with those words.
Ryuuto stood up slowly and scratched his cheek as he apologized to Aila who stood up in the same way as him.
– Umm, I'm really sorry. Is there a way I can apologize to you…?
– I don't care about it, and don't apologize for every single thing. I tried to raise you forcibly, so it's my fault too…
Although she said so, the heart of Latia was beating fast with excitement.
She was too embarrassed that she couldn't see the face of Ryuuto properly.
– anyway, let's go!
– Where are we, going?
– Look, you see that over there?
– Ah…
There was a faint, shining bat in the place where Aila pointed with her fingertips.
What was visible beyond that was a passage.
– I made my familiars explore this whole room. It appears that the passage is the only thing here. There's nothing else. Having said that, let's go.
Saying so, Aila started walking towards the passage.
Ryuuto walked, following after her.
It was a fairly wide passage.
They could walk next to each other, but Aila was purposely not doing so.
She was walking ahead.
So she wouldn't see the figure of Ryuuto.
She was thinking that her excitement might subside if she did so, but that didn't happen.
The heavy beatings of Aila's heart didn't stop.
Even though she was deliberately not speaking to him.
(Rather, am I feeling excited precisely because I can't see him?)
What will she do if she were to get hugged without warning?
When she thought of such kind of thing.
– Excuse me, Ailsan…
– Wh-what is it…?
Aila looked back, though she was startled by the sudden voice that reached her.
– I can't stop my heart going crazy from a while ago, is that the same for you, Ailsan?
– Huh? What are you saying…?
– Well, that is, I'm saying that the pounding of my chest doesn't stop. Look here, please. It's doing like this——
Ryuuto said so and took the hand of Aila, then tried to bring it close to his heart.
– Stop!
Hurrying, and shaking off the hand of Ryuuto, Aila shouted.
– Aila…san?
Ryuuto was showing a sad-like expression that seemed to want to say "why are you doing such a thing?"
He looked just like an abandoned puppy.
How cute.
She even ended up thinking that he was cute.
But, she didn't cling to that feeling.
Aila continued speaking as if persuading herself.
– You're stupid! Why are you seducing me like that!? In the first place, you idiot like Touka, isn't that right? And yet, you're acting like you're playing with me!
Why?
Why were tears overflowing?
Even she herself didn't understand it well.
While fixedly looking at such Aila, Ryuuto said.
– What Ailsan is saying is half right. But, it's also half incorrect.
– … what… ?
The words of Ryuuto, she didn't calculate them.
With that much, Aila knitted the part of the eyebrows close to the nose.
Ryuuto continued his words while showing an expression hinted with sadness towards Aila.
– Certainly, I like Touksan. But Touksan hasn't noticed those feelings. In the first place, it looks like Touksan hasn't shown signs of love. That's something Ailsan knows as well, yes?
– Well, that… that's something I may agree with, but…. But, it doesn't necessarily mean that that's the case!
– Does Ailsan hate me?
– … huh?
Aila was amazed.
– You fool, what are you saying so suddenly…?
– Immediately after I entered to the academy, I thought whether Ailsan hated me or not. Ailsan had a superior skill than myself as a Slayer, I was so completely worthless that we cannot be compared, even now. That's why I was scared of Ailsan. But——
Staring at the eyes of Aila, Ryuuto continued his words with a serious look.
– In the midst of joining our duties as members of Selections and coming out to fight against the Savages, I saw the real Ailsan.
– The real, me…?
– Yes. The real Ailsan is a serious, kind and very nice person… I ended up liking such Ailsan——
– 〜〜〜!
——Like,
Being told so, the face of Aila ended up dyeing redly.
Ryuuto continued speaking as if attacking a routed enemy.
– … what does Ailsan think? As I said in the past, do you think that I'm a pathetic, useless man?
– No, I don't, not anymore…
– Is that true!?
Flowers suddenly bloomed on the face of Ryuuto.
– … well. The real you was different from how I pictured you. The real you wasn't pathetic…. I think you are an honest, gentle and good man, not like, when, I…
– If so, then…!
Ryuuto showed an expression full of expectations.
However——.
– Don't say anything else!
Aila exclaimed to smash the expectations of Ryuuto.
– Don't say anything else… ever!
– Why…?
With a look saying that he was about to cry at any time, Ryuuto asked.
– It's a very painful thing to keep a love that will never come true… Ailsan knows that very well, doesn't she?
– Just because you're doing something like giving up on that love, it doesn't mean that I like you! I mean, that's how it is!
While turning her face red, Aila thrust an index finger at Ryuuto with a snap.
– Because Touka doesn't turn her face, you're going to move on to me? That's a stupid argument, you know? You idiot, you're not that idiot! You're just an imitation to me! A fake! And depending on how this progresses, I'll make you come to your senses!
– Touksan…
Ryuuto showed an expression as if he had received a shock.
But that was only for a moment——.
– Fufu… an imitation… a copy…?
Hanging his head, Ryuuto muttered.
His shoulders were trembling short and repeatedly.
– Haha… hahahahah! An imitation! A fake! Isn't that right!?
Spreading both hands suddenly, Ryuuto laughed loudly.
Aila was surprised, staring at such appearance, however, and when immediately regaining herself,
– What's funny!? Why are you laughing like that!?
– I'm saying that I'm worried about the person I like, but then you point out things like "you're a fake". I think that Ailsan is truly an interesting person.
Saying so, Ryuuto put a fearless smile on his face.
——No.
– Who, are you?
An imitation. A fake.
It was different from what she said bluntly.
With an eerie presence and an eerie smile floating on his face now, Aila thought that he was a completely different person than the real Ryuuto.
That was why, she asked.
– Fufufu, it seems that I ended up being exposed, as one would expect of a last-minute disguise.
A light was emitted from the whole body of Ryuuto.
Almost at the same time when that light disappeared.
What was before her eyes wasn't Ryuuto.
But the little girl that claimed to be the ruler of this planet.
– I tried to get a chance by using the man you like to cause you a fatal wound but… it's a shame. You saw through me.
– Wha… who's the man I like!? As I mentioned earlier, it's not like Ryuuto is that for me!
– Ahahaha, you're shaking, you know?
– S-Shut your trap! More importantly you bastard, what happened to the real Ryuuto!? Where is he now and why are you doing this!?
– He's in another place, he's going through the same as you. I think that's pretty much the same for each of the other guys, you know?
– Fufu, I see…
– … why are you laughing?
The answer of Aila was something unexpected for her.
The amazed girl asked.
– Well, I'm thinking there's no problem. Claire-sama and the others, even Ryuuto, should see through your good-for-nothing traps and the like easily.
– … hmmm.
She was displeased with the answer of Aila.
– So that's how much you trust your companions, huh.
Looking evidently bored, the girl said.
– Naturally.
Replying, Aila created bat-shaped floating batteries that surrounded her body.
– That's why I'll defeat you to let me head where my companions are.
– If it's like that, then shall we have a serious battle?
Saying so, the girl also created bat-shaped floating batteries similar to the ones Alida had that surrounded her body.
They had the same texture as the robots they fought on the surface, but that was something that Aila didn't care about.
She was thinking nothing now because she was going to take revenge on the opponent who toyed with her own feelings using Ryuuto.
– I was just wishing for it.
While showing a delightful smile, Aila decided to accept the battle.
– I'll make you atone for the crime of trying to fool me!
Together with the shout, Aila fired immediately all the bat-shaped floating batteries pointing towards the girl.
Thereupon, the little girl also fired all the bat-shaped floating batteries to meet the enemy.
That was the beginning of the fight between the two of them.
※※※The time returned back again when they were falling.
The next one was Ryuuto.
– Uwaaaaaaaah!?
The ground below his feet crumbled, and his body started falling.
I wonder, how far am I going to fall in this pitch-dark world?
At this rate, I may end up dying, right!? Although he was having such thoughts, Ryuuto turned his line of sight to a falling point.
The ground approached immediately.
I see, with that as the finishing line, I feel relieved… of course, there's nothing that I can do.
If he were to not land properly, it was possible that he were to die.
But he didn't have time to fall successfully using energy.
*Thump!* and by making a sound, Ryuuto ended up hitting his lower back on the ground.
– It hurts, it hurts, it huuuurts….
He suffered a considerable shock on his whole body.
His lower back was throbbing with pain.
As expected of an emergency landing.
Contrasting with such Ryuuto, there was a girl slowly flying down from above.
——It was Aila.
As she landed, Aila made sure to look down on Ryuuto and said.
– Good grief, you truly are a…. Can't you even do an ukemi skillfully?
She was amazed somehow.
But, that was expected.
– I'm sorry. It was so sudden, that I lost my head…
While thinking that he was really pathetic, Ryuuto answered.
– Yareyare…. Anyway, stand up. Here.
– Thank you.
Grabbing the hand that was stretched by Aila, Ryuuto stood up.
– Well umm, what is this…
Shaking his head to the right and left, he checked the situation of the surroundings.
Tilting his head to the side, Ryuuto said as if asking her.
– Where are we?
– I have no idea.
Aila walked a bit and touched a wall with a hand.
– … it's cold.
– Yeah, it is.
Ryuuto that stood next to Aila also touched the wall.
It wasn't a mud wall, the texture was the same as plaster——.
It was almost identical to the walls of the school building of Little Garden.
The surroundings were equally dark and there were no lights except for the light of the energies emitted from their armaments.
– I don't feel any sign of people at all. Do you feel something?
– Oh right, give me a moment please.
Closing his eyelids, Ryuuto felt around for surrounding presences.
And then, he felt something.
Opening his eyelids, Ryuuto answered.
– I feel an energy presence, although it's slightly ahead of us. I don't know well to who belongs, but…
– Oh! Is that so? If that's the case, let's head this way. It can't be helped, even if we stand still in this place.
– You're right, so shall we do so?
Ryuuto replied and started walking with Aila.
And then as soon as they saw the passage.
– It looks like it's connected to another room, right?
– What do we do? Do we take a look?
– Well yeah, let's take a look.
Ryuuto received the consent of Aila and advanced manly first.
Then Aila also went into the passage.
The fairly wide passage allowed two people to walk side by side.
Even if they walked a little, the exit wasn't in sight.
The light at the entrance was no longer in sight.
In the darkness, only the footsteps of the two continued reverberating in the passage.
– Say, Ryuuto.
– What is it, Ailsan? Did something happen?
Receiving the voice that arrived on his back, Ryuuto turned around, stopping his feet.
– … no, it's just that I was thinking that it's been a long time since we are alone. I just wanted to say that.
– … eh? Do you think so?
– A lot of people were around us inside the spaceship, remember? And in Notre Dame as well!
Alia answered desperately.
With that, Ryuuto understood.
– Yeah, you can certainly say that. We often trained with two people in Notre Dame.
Ryuuto smiled sweetly and,
– It's thanks to that and truly thanks to Ailsan since I think we are now recognized by Claire-sama and everyone. And certainly to Touksan who put me on training everyday on Earth….
– … Touka, huh.
The expression of Aila darkened slightly.
Ryuuto didn't seem to notice that.
– Did I say something bad?
Because of that, he took a quick look at the face of Aila.
– No, it's nothing! It's nothing! More importantly, err…
– ?
Aila started to fidget all of a sudden.
Why is she doing so? Ryuuto incline his head to the side.
– What I wanted to say is… how to say it, that in this darkness, my heart is racing a bit, or rather, I should say that… that, err, umm…
– That's the same for me.
– Wha, is that so!?
– But, I'm sure they are fine. Because I think we can join with everyone soon.
– Huh?
– … eh?
– What are you talking about?
– Ailsan, since it's just the two of us in the darkness, is your heart racing because you're scared? Although I thought that that was cute… if I certainly think very carefully that Ailsan uses things like bats, and that in the first place the name of your Hundred is Darkness Queen, then darkness like this is your specialty, right…?
– Enough, you idiot!
– Eh, Ailsan? Why are you angry…?
– Your consideration is so bad!
Aila, who shouted with her face dyed bright red and casted her eyes to the ground, continued speaking.
– I, well, just…. The meaning of what I said, that my heart is racing somehow, it's because we are alone, like this.
– … eh…
As one would expect with all that he was told, no matter how naïve Ryuuto was, he could understand the meaning of those words.
For a moment, the face of Ryuuto blushed.
Grabbing both shoulders of such Ryuuto, and while fixedly staring at his eyes, Aila started a close questioning.
– … Ryuuto, what do you think of me?
– Err, that's…
– You're alone w-with me like this, so I'm asking whether your heart is getting excited or not!
– T-that's…
Her cheeks dyed redly, the wet pupils staring at him without moving.
His heart couldn't stop accelerating when looking at such Aila.
Becoming embarrassed, Ryuuto averted his eyes.
And that, for Aila, seemed to project that that was rejection.
– I see, I, I don't have what is called the charm of a woman… and compared to Touka, I…
Aila muttered while hanging her head and felt frustrated as tears were in her eyes.
It was enough to make one think that, as how things were, she would end up bursting into tears.
But, she didn't——.
– If so——
– Wha!
Leaning in close to him even more, Aila kissed him, and just like that, Ryuuto ended up being pushed down on the passage.
– Hmm… *kiss*, *smack*… Ryuuto… *kiss* *smooch* ❤.
A bittersweet taste with a soft sensation.
It was clear for Ryuuto that the tongue of Aila was moving inside his mouth.
And each time that happened, his thinking was chaotically being stirred——
(What, is this…)
The inside of his head got pure white.
Almost like ecstasy.
To the extent that the kisses felt really good.
– Puhaah ❤.
A hot, long breath leaked.
A few seconds after their lips separated.
Ryuuto couldn't come back to the real world.
Even if he returned, he wouldn't be able to immediately recognize that this was the real world.
When he noticed it and the moment he opened his closed eyelids.
What was reflected in his eyes was the face of Aila and her reddened cheeks….
A drool was stretching out between the lips of the two.
– Ailsan, what is the meaning…
– … I thought that I should teach you my——the charm of a woman. How was it, your first time? How was the taste of the kisses…?
– Well, Ailsan, let's separate for a moment…
The distance between face and face was too close.
Even their bodies were touching each other.
Under such a situation, they couldn't speak properly.
But——.
– ——I refuse.
The proposal of Ryuuto ended up being discarded with 2 words.
And while she fixedly stared at Ryuuto, Aila continued.
– Ryuuto… until you say you choose me, I'll kiss you a large number of times…. No, even more than that, I…
Aila brought her lips close again and tried to kiss him again.
– I'm sorry, Ailsan!
With both arms, Ryuuto pushed away the body of Aila instinctively.
With that, Aila fell on her backside on the ground.
– Why are you… why are you going so far to reject me!?
– Ailsan…?
Ryuuto was amazed, looking at the figure of Aila that tried to stand up.
Not only was the color of her eyes, her expression also different from the usual Aila.
She was trembling in anger, like she wasn't sane.
But with that, he was able to grasp the state of Aila.
Ryuuto kept speaking to calm Aila.
– Please hear me, Ailsan. Ailsan has becoming strange now. You're probably being manipulated by that little girl, or something else is——
– That's not true!
Aila denied it by making sure to shout, using her whole body.
And then, by rising——.
– The present me, and my feelings as well, they are all real! And if you, if you don't take hold of me, I would rather kill you, and then I will——
– Wha…!?
A fierce energy was released from the body of Aila.
Simultaneously with that, Ryuuto was convinced.
(Is this…!?)
There was no doubt that the energy was different from the one of Aila.
In other words, the Variant Virus that dwelled in the body of Aila wasn't rampaging due to some cause, and it wasn't mixed with something like a strange virus.
It meant it was a different thing from the start.
– Go, my familiars!
Aila created bats, her familiars that surrounded her body, and released them towards Ryuuto. Still, Ryuuto wasn't flustered.
After he picked up Ryuuga gently.
And by kicking the ground heading to where Aila was, he closed his eyes.
(… sense them…)
There were seven energies in total.
Six smalls and one big——.
She was not entirely the real Aila.
While closing his eyes, Ryuuto slashed the approaching bat-shaped floating batteries with Ryuuga and continued going forward until reaching Aila.
And then——.
– Haaaaaaaa!
He cut down the body of Aila with all his strength.
– Guh…
Receiving the blow of Ryuuga on her torso, the body of Aila fell.
It immediately changed to the body of the gray-haired girl——.
– How… did you know she was a fake…?
Putting a hand on the ground, the girl asked while trying to stand up.
Ryuuto answered as if looking down on her.
– I've been training with Ailsan for a long time. And those weren't ordinary trainings. We trained to sense energy.
That was how he knew.
Even if her appearance was Aila, what he felt from her body wasn't the energy of Aila, but something close to the robots, the opponents they were fighting just a little ago.
– Hahah… I see…. Even though I intended to copy her wonderfully…
The little girl who said so looking frustrated couldn't stand up immediately. She couldn't even support her own body with her hands, she collapsed on the ground again and disappeared, becoming particles.
– It would be great if that girl disappeared completely with this, but that won't happen, right…?
Nonetheless, and for the time being, he got to a point where he coul rest.
– Even so, I couldn't see through her plan immediately, I got to this situation due to my lack of virtue. Moreover, to end up being seduced like that——
He had to train even more to control himself.
Ryuuto told himself so.
(To begin with, Ailsan isn't supposed to have such kind of feelings towards me, and yet…)
The discomposed himself was ashamed.
The person he liked was——.
He ended up feeling bad for the bad things he did, to Touka as well.
(Argh, why am I…!)
Being annoyed, Ryuuto scratched his head.
When they meet next time, will he be able to make eye contact with Aila properly?
He had a feeling that he was going to end strangely stressed.
(Anyway, I must recover my motivation!)
By hitting his both cheeks with both hands with a *slap* *slap*, Ryuuto closed his eyes and started searching for surrounding presences.
– Hmmm…
He didn't seem to sense the energy of someone nearby.
There were things in the middle he didn't get well, but it would be pointless to stay still in this place.
First of all and above all, he had to reunite with his companions.
Although it was faint, he should go towards the direction where he sensed something.
Deciding so, Ryuuto started running.
※※※The remaining one was Emilia Hermit.
– Uwaah!?
After the ground below her feet collapsed on the surface of《Planet X》.
Immediately after that, Emilia tried to return to her original position by transforming a part of her Innocence type Hundred——Arms Shroud that was deployed around her body into thrusters.
However——.
– … ouch!!
She immediately ended up hitting her head.
She didn't see well since it was completely dark, but there was some kind of ceiling.
If so, then where did she fall from?
She couldn't see anything at all except the light of her armament.
The place that had a hole in it was restored already?
She wasn't able to think about anything else but that, but there was another thing that worried her.
Descending like that, Emilia slowly landed on the ground.
And then, raised her voice.
– Hayatooo! Are you here!? Hayatooo!
But there was no response at all.
A response should come if someone was there, but this meant that no one was in this place.
(Well, that was worrying me, but…)
If Claire had fallen in the same place, then she surely was floating in the air like herself using the thrusters of Alisterion, but she should have seen the light of an armament if someone was there too.
– Hmm, what should I do now? Should I check the situation first…?
Using Arms Shroud, Emilia created a small ball on the top of one of her palms.
And by letting it float gently, it emitted light near the ceiling.
– This feels like a substitute for electric light though…
Her companions fell too.
There was really nothing in the room.
It was an emptied, square room.
——No.
There was just one thing in it.
The entrance to a small passage.
Moving in front of it, Emilia raised her voice towards the passage.
– Heeeey, is anyone theeere?
However, nothing came back.
Just her echoing voice came back.
(Ugh… what should I do…?)
Should I continue like this?
Or should I think a bit more in this place?
Be that as it may, the other choice she seemed to arrive at was to destroy the ceiling.
(Why don't I try that first?)
Making the ball of light move till it was near the ceiling, she made it explode just like that.
– *BOOM*!
The sound of an explosion reached her ears.
Now, did something happened to it, I wonder?
In order to confirm so, she then created a sphere of light with Arms Shroud again and tried to move it closer to the one she made explode earlier.
The result: the ceiling had not even a scratch in it.
– Hmmm, it looks impossible to destroy it, after all…
Since that was the case, she had no choice but to go forward.
– Light o light, come over here.
Putting the light back on her hand, Emilia set foot into the small passage.
There was nothing in the passage; she understood so with the light.
Still, Emilia carefully stepped forward, one step at a time.
And then, after a short while——.
Did she walk around 100 steps after entering the passage?
(Is that the exit?)
Beyond that, a light could be seen.
After Emilia came close to its side by moving faster, she approached the exit with a cautious walk again.
And then, when she finally reached the exit——.
– Wha!
Emilia went through the exit and raised her voice spontaneously.
Hayato and Claire were kissing there.
Both of them were standing face to face, hugging each other's body.
– What is, this…?
What was this situation?
She didn't understand at all.
Hayato spoke to Claire after their lips separated.
– President… with this, I poured a lot of Variant Virus into the president. No matter what happens after this, you should be fine.
In other words, he delivered his power now.
This meant it was a kiss to increase the strength of Claire.
(But, why now!?)
Besides, the kiss was too long!
Even though Emilia thought so——.
– Again, it's not enough masenwa.
Claire said.
– … eh?
Hayato stared in wonder, as if he was surprised.
Emilia too.
– Certainly, the power may be enough for now. But now, I feel that I want you more and more desu.
– Does that, perhaps means that I…
Nodding, Claire answered.
– Yes, that means that I want you to kiss me more desuwa.
– … president…
Putting a finger on the lips of Hayato who said so, Claire requested Hayato.
– Please don't call me president, but Claire.
*Gulp*, gulping down saliva, Hayato——.
– … Claire…
Hayato, who called her name as he was told, tried to kiss Claire again.
Emilia was taken aback with that.
(——eh, why am I staring at them so dazedly…!?)
Her boyfriend was about to cheat on her in front of her eyes, but her head wasn't following the sudden development.
But, she was okay now. She had to stop them quickly.
– Hey, hey, Hayato!
Raising a voice that said "what the heck are you doing?", Emilia stepped forward into the two who tried to kiss and,
– Ouch!
She suddenly ended up hitting her head.
– Is this…
Although it looked like there was something before her eyes, there was something she was able to touch when she stretched her hand out.
She went and hit it with a fist, but it didn't break.
(Is this perhaps a reinforced mirror glass?)
They couldn't see her from the other side.
Hayato and Claire started kissing passionately without worrying about her.
– Ugghh, what do I do!?
Emilia was bewildered.
– Nonetheless, I must stop them! I mean, I'll stop them!
Deciding so, and by using Arms Shroud that was floating around her body, Emilia created an ax in her hand.
– Both of you, kissing is——
While shouting, and at the same time the ax that was raised high overhead to destroy the glass.
– ——!?
When she turned around feeling presences on her back, there were two robots shaped like automatic vacuum cleaners that were cylindrically flat and went around Little Garden.
Those started making a loud, electronic sound while turning on a red light.
『Intruder! Intruder!』
『Eliminate her! Eliminate her!』
– To think those even talk…!
Emilia was surprised as she didn't expect them to utter words.
Moreover, the robots emitted an intense light from their whole bodies and transformed into particles, they displayed a change to robots that held a sword and a shield.
They were small, but they looked like the robots she fought on the surface of《Planet X》.
They had one eye, and speaking of what was different, they had 3 legs——and also, she saw that shining swords and shields were in the arm-like manipulators.
『Intruder! Intruder!』
『Eliminate her! Eliminate her!』
The two robots raised such voices again.
When thinking that the color of their eyes had changed from blue to red, beams were suddenly fired.
– Wawah!
– When I thought that those were going to attack me using their swords, to think they went with beams instead…!
Jumping in a hurry, and after she dodged the beams emitted from the two robots.
– Take this!
Emilia created a sword with Arms Shroud then slashed one of the near robots.
The robot blocked it with the shield, and attempted to counterattack with the sword.
However——.
– Not bad… but——
Emilia unleashed two attacks nimbly.
They were faster than the sword of the robot, they struck the side of the body and sent it flying.
Colliding with a wall, the robot exploded.
The only thing that was left there was an ore similar to a Hundred, which should be its motive power.
– One down——
Saying so like a mutter, and when she turned her eyes to the other robot that was just about to fire a beam.
Emilia also dodged the beam with a jump, then rotated her body once in the air——moved to the back of the robot and swung the sword while turning around.
– Eeeih!
With that blow, she won——.
The robot that was slashed at the back exploded.
Like before, an ore similar to a Hundred fell to the ground with a plop.
– Alright, with this…!
Emilia thought she could separate Hayato and Claire, but when she was about to turn around.
「「HUNDRED ON!」」
She heard the voices of Hayato and Claire that overlapped each other.
Why are they doing this? Emilia tried to turn back.
And then, something sounded that cracked behind her.
– … wha…!
What was reflected in the eyes of Emilia when she looked back was the figure of Hayato that had just swung Hien earnestly.
Hayato had destroyed the glass that was between them.
The one standing even far away than Hayato and that had Buster Cannon at the ready was Claire——.
(What's the meaning of this!?)
Emilia immediately noticed that their eyes were dyed in golden color.
In other words, they were rampaging.
– Die here, Emilia Hermit!
A bombardment was fired from Buster Cannon.
– … kh.
In a hurry, Emilia created a shield with Arms shroud and blocked the beam.
But the attack wasn't over with that.
– Haaaaaaaaaaa!
While shouting, Hayato attacked her with Hien.
That was also something that Emilia had predicted.
She instantly transformed the shield into particles——.
Then she created a sword with Arms Shroud and repelled Hien with it.
And then, she threw the sword into the air to make it transform into a floating battery and fired a beam towards the head of Hayato.
It was a magnificent direct hit.
While Hayato lost his posture, Emilia once again returned the weapon to a sword, and this time she took it with her left hand——.
– ——Yaaah!
Emilia cut down the defenseless trunk of Hayato.
Hayato, who collapsed with it, disappeared becoming particles.
What fell to the ground next was an ore like a Hundred as it happened with the robots before.
Looking at it, Emilia was convinced.
(As I thought, it was something like this, huh)
As expected, he wasn't Hayato.
But a fake created to imitate him.
– Emilia Hermit! How dare you, to Kisaragi Hayato!
Together with a shout, Claire released the floating batteries.
There was no doubt she was also a fake like Hayato.
If she considered so, then there was no room for mercy.
Throwing the sword in the air to make it disappear, this time she created a thruster on her lower back.
From there, and by discharging energy vigorously, she accelerated to the position of Claire.
After making the thruster disappear in mid-air, she made a sword again and slashed at Claire.
– This is the end ♪.
Claire collapsed due to the slash of Emilia and disappeared, turning into particles like Hayato did just now——what was left there again was an ore similar to the Hundred that fell to the ground.
– Fuu, yareyare.
Emilia took a breather after defeating Claire and raised her voice as if provoking.
– The hell is this worthless farce? In any case, you're watching from somewhere, right? Come out now!
– Ahaha, you got me nicely.
The little girl appeared in a place around 5 meters ahead of Emilia so as to respond to those words.
– How was it? How does it feel when your boyfriend is showing off that he's making out with another girl?
– Speaking clearly, I was extremely irritated. Because of that, I didn't notice immediately that both of them were fakes.
– Ahaha, I guess the operation was a huge success after all. But, how did you realize he was a fake? Did I make it rampage too soon, or you did you feel that something was out of place?
– It's simple. It's because the Variant Virus flowing in the body of Hayato and mine is the same kind. Even if you copy it, I found out a small difference. I can perceive it clearly in my body.
– Good grief…. Even though a 99.512351% was identical to the data…
– But, I know the difference. And that is a thing called the bonds of a couple. That might not be understood by you though.
– …
The girl showed a vexing expression as she looked at Emilia who threw out her chest with an arrogant attitude.
Emilia continued her words, turning towards the girl.
– Since it's your defeat with this, isn't it okay for this worthless farce to end?
– … hmm, well, yeah, there's that, but there's this choice too. Choose an opponent that will fight you. First is a dragon. Next will be a huge soldier that you fought once. Next is——
– Ah, time out, time out. I don't care about anything else. In the end, I'll just keep defeating them like before. Such a thing is really trivial to me. Let me see Hayato, and fast.
– If so, I'll be the same opponent that Kisaragi Hayato is fighting now!
While showing an angry look, the little girl threw the ball she took out from her pocket into the air.
The girl was wrapped up in light——.
※※※A dinosaur emerged from the light.
Around the time when Emilia began to fight with the mysterious girl whose appearance was like the one of a Tyrannosaurus.
Liza, who flew out from《Charlotte No. 1》to investigate the identity of the mysterious voice, stood on the surface of《Planet X》.
– … and now…
Closing her eyes to cut the noise due to the sense of sight, she attempted to feel around for the location of the girl who called out to them with「Help me」.
『Thanks for coming』
The voice of the aforementioned girl reached her hears.
Then when Liza opened her eyes, there was a girl that was just a little bit younger than her older sister standing there.
A girl with white hair and a very white skin.
Speaking of Little Garden, would she be from middle school or high school?
The girl who looked like she was 15, 16 years old, was wearing a dress resembling a Variable Suit, and on her head, she also put on accessories like golden horns.
(Who's this person… this girl, I wonder?)
It was clear that she was neither an earthling nor a Notre Damian.
She appeared to be a dweller of another planet.
The "dweller of this planet" was the most probable, but the most problematic thing was that like herself, there was no vessel in her being.
In other words, she was an energy body.
On top of that, her being was thin——.
Rather, Liza perceived with a glance that her existence wasn't stable.
Turning towards Liza who continued pointing doubtful eyes towards her, the girl started asking her.
– I am trapped in a certain place inside this planet now. Would you please help me, if that is alright with you? I want to stop my older brother and save this world——and the universe.
– … older brother?
Liza seemed to be bothered by those words.
There were also many things to be even more worried about.
– Err, first of all, who are you? Would it be fine if you let me hear about that first, I wonder?
– Ah, I am sorry, I ended up omitting all sorts of explanations. It has been a long time since I talked to someone else in this way, besides, I may have been a little impatient.
After she said so.
The girl started introducing herself properly.
– You can call me Miile ——I am the sister of the person who constructed this planet factory and who is attempting to rule the universe.
As she said earlier, she was a captive now and was being used as one of the brains of this factory. In a sense, she told her that she was the other ruler of this planet, alongside her older brother.
– … however, that is not the cause that affirms this planet——this factory. For this reason, I was waiting eagerly for this day——for the day when a third party visited this planet.
Miile kept doing preparations secretly for the sake of cooperating with that third party to stop the plans of her older brother.
– That is why I am able to show myself before you in this way. It is thanks to your companions who visited this planet first.
Of course, while it may be true that she was doing preparations, it didn't mean that she could easily outwit the surveillance of her older brother. There was also the possibility of she being found out immediately if she were to do a strange move.
Though she was able to avoid that due to the Slayers, including Claire, who were drawing the attention of her older brother.
– I got the main point of your objective. But, allow me to ask one thing——
It wasn't entirely clear for Liza whether Miile was telling a lie or telling the truth.
There was also another thing she didn't get.
– Where are my companions? What are they doing now?
– I am sure they are fighting somewhere in this planet with my older brother.
That was the answer of the girl.
– Could it be that both the place and what they are doing aren't known to you?
– What I can tell is that my older brother has created a closed space that I cannot see and where he is confining your companions. I think you want me to explore but doing so will increase the risk of being found by my older brother. So——
Miile stretched her hand towards Liza.
– Please hold my hand first.
– … your hand?
– With that, I should be able to take you right away to the place where I am arrested, using the secret path of the network that is laid out throughout the planet. You also seem to be an existence similar to my current self.
In other words, she was also an energy body.
It meant that, when transforming into particles, she could move in the network.
– If I can escape from the binding of my older brother, the things that I can do will increase. Let's find the place where your companions are located as well. So please, take my hand.
– … understood, I shall believe in you.
Replying, Liza stretched her hand towards Miile.
It didn't seem that she was telling a lie.
Besides——.
(At any rate, there's no point if I don't go beyond)
Naturally, she was not going to neglect her alertness.
Although she was telling herself so, Liza grasped the hand of Miile.
– Come to think of it, I haven't told you my name yet. My name is Liza. Liza Harvey.
– Lizsan, is it? Thank you very much for believing in me.
– It's too soon to give me your thanks. Also, it's not a problem for me to help you.
– Well then, I will take you to that place first.
The bodies of the two that began to shine following those words transformed into particles and disappeared as if they evaporated from that place.
※※※– Where are we…?
Liza was in a different place from the place she was moments ago.
There was nothing, it was different from the surface of《Planet X》.
It was a pure-white world.
Liza was floating in the air in a pose like joining hands with Miile.
It felt as if they were swimming in the ocean.
– We are inside the network that dominates this planet.
Miile answered to respond to the mutter of Liza.
– We will soon arrive to the place where I am arrested.
As she said, when they were absorbed into the pitch-black hole that appeared in front of them, the surrounding scenery changed completely. What Liza saw was the figure of a girl——of Miile imprisoned in a capsule shaped like a huge cocoon.
– This is your real body, yes?
Liza spoke to the girl that should be next to her.
However, her figure wasn't there.
『I am sorry. It seems that my energy ended up being consumed by now. Thus, it seems I am limited to only talk to you through your mind』
– If you can talk, then I don't mind.
Replying, Liza asked a question.
– Then, what's the best thing to do to help you?
『By tearing off and pulling me out from that cocoon, you should be able to rescue me from the capsule. However——』
And then, in the middle of that, when Miile continued her words.
A siren suddenly reverberated in the chamber and the red lamp on the ceiling began to rotate.
『I was about to talk of the possibility of an automatic security that runs when you touch the cocoon, but it seems that it ran already…』
Following those words, two guard robots appeared in the room.
The size of their bodies was identical to the ones Hayato and co. fought on the surface, they were a little bigger than a human, they had three legs and one eye.
With these being the same as the ones that Hayato and the others fought on the surface, there were no questions or answers.
A sudden attack——they started firing beams from their eyes towards Liza.
– Those feel like guardians——like guard robots of this chamber, am I correct?
Liza dodged the beams, leaping high with a jump.
– They sure look like the robots that appear in science fiction movies.
She ended up muttering so unconsciously.
『Can you win?』
– That's easy.
Liza created a sword of energy in the air and launched an attack on the guardian robots.
That brandish was splendid, it destroyed a part of the head of a guardian robot.
Nonetheless, its movement wasn't interrupted.
On the contrary, the guard robot tried to attack with the sword.
(They're really stubborn, but their movements are monotonous…. They show no signs of someone operating them…. Even the AI is an old model)
Liza stopped its attack with the sword.
The sword technique of the guard robot was really monotonous, the movements ended up being easily read by Liza.
(It's easy to beat them down)
The analysis of Liza wasn't wrong.
Immediately after she sent flying the shield of the guardian robot with the sword of energy.
Liza generated spears of energy around her body.
She pointed her palm towards the guardian robot.
Then one, two, three spears pierced the torso.
– As one would expect, that should be the end of it, right?
According to those words, the guardian robot exploded, emitting light.
One was down.
And one remained.
Confirming its state which said it was about to release a beam from its eye at any time, Liza dodged the beam with a jump——then turned behind it and brandished the sword.
Because of that, the second guardian robot also exploded.
『You are strong』
A voice echoed in her head.
– This much was nothing, believe me.
After she answered so.
Liza asked, looking up at the capsule that was like a cocoon where the girl was captured.
– Apart from that, how can I rescue you?
『Any form can be used. I think there is no problem even if you cut open the capsule with the sword』
– Alright.
While kicking the ground to jump.
Liza floated gently.
(Be that as it may, it feels nostalgic, huh)
It reminded her when she herself became the motive power of Little Garden.
The condition of herself at that time and the condition of Miile were very similar.
(I wonder, what scientist of what planet would think that we are pretty similar?)
She did a swing while thinking so.
As the capsule broke, the liquid that was filling the interior overflowed and the girl fell.
Catching the body with both arms in the air, Liza landed.
– You okay? Can you stand up?
– Yes, thank you very much.
Even if her body was preserved in super technology, because she hadn't moved for many years, she wasn't linking with her brain as she would expect.
Liza knew well enough to say that she disagreed, that moving in that way was different from the energy body.
However, Miile and Liza weren't exactly the same. Speaking of what she was, the body of Miile seemed to be almost the same as Mei Mei's body——an automata.
Because of that, Mille was able to stand on the ground with her two legs right away.
– Thank you very much for helping me, Lizsan.
– It's fine. Since I'll be receiving the thanks of that after this.
– It is true. And for that, please give me a minute.
Saying so, Miile closed her eyelids.
She remained like that for 5 seconds, and then——.
She opened her eyelids again.
– What were you doing now?
– I reconnected my brain with the network of this planet using the horns of my head. It seems I was able to connect without problems.
It appears that the horns of Miile were supposed to have the roles of antennas.
Incidentally, Mille said that she also ran the dummy data so that her older brother wouldn't found out that she left from the capsule.
They'll be discovered sooner or later, but this could buy them a little of time.
– And now, I know the place where the companions of Lizsan are. It looks like and as expected, my older brother is with the companions of Lizsan now.
– If so, then we are just right in time. Would you mind guiding me to that place?
– That is not a problem. But——
– What's wrong?
– Although I am improved, my body is a living flesh already——I can interfere with this planet through the network, but I can't do something like transforming into particles like before.
– In other words, does that mean you will be going on foot?
– However, and depending on the situation, I may ask Lizsan to destroy the walls and floors to head towards there through the shortest route. As for me, I don't have great fighting abilities. So, at those times, I will be relying on you.
Receiving those words of such Miile, Liza answered with incredible confidence.
– Yes, leave it to me.