Published at 23rd of November 2020 09:52:30 PM
Chapter 93
[Lullaby of Sky]
Renga landed on the road in front of us just after the phoenix (Sen) appeared .
Renga passed in front us and scraped off the road with his claws due to his momentum .
But he immediately killed his speed and turned to me .
“Gyau!”
It seems that with the death of Desuko-san, the brainwashing was undone too, and he is no longer showing the hostility that he had before . It seems that he sniffed my scent and flew all the way here .
“Renga, are you okay?”
Then what happened to General Ichinose?
Did he lose in the battle against Renga?
Renga ran toward me and pushed me, making me fell on my back and facing up on the ground .
The length of Renga who seems to have grown further in a month now exceeds 10m . Renga puts his chin on the ground and the height of his gaze was finally below me .
When I reach out to Renga’s head and touch his scales, it was slightly warm . The exhales of the excited Renga are rough and hot enough to scald people .
“That is Renga, hm . I saw him rampaging in the sky, but looking at it closely, he sure is scary . Is it going to be fine?”
Byakurei-san has already descended from my back . He already got emergency treatment for his legs, so it still takes time until he can walk, but it seems that he can at least stand while holding onto my shoulder .
“Perhaps it’s fine now . ”
“Rather than that, that is dangerous, isn’t it?” Roll said, so Byakurei and I who had been glued to Renga for a while turned our eyes to the Phoenix Sen .
When Sen flew high in the sky and flapped her wings, glittering flame dust flew toward the ground .
Eventually, the center of the city was surrounded by flames .
“Kemuri, how’s there?”
My device is still connected to Kemuri-san . Boss turned to the Phoenix and put his hand on his chin .
[Tameiki and Ichinose, Chiyaku and Tenjoumine are in the middle of battle . Other than them, everyone has already started to withdraw . However, because of the movement of the Phoenix, it has become difficult to withdraw . That is Sen, right?]
Tameiki-san already came back as well, huh .
“That’s right . It can’t be helped . The members here will be heading to support the withdrawal . Shido should also be back soon . ”
[Roger that . ]
Kemuri-san hung up . I put the device in my pocket and look at Boss to demand for instruction .
“Shion, how many people can Renga carry while flying?”
“…I don’t know because I haven’t tested it . I think if it’s only the four people here, he can do afford it, but… are you planning to ride him?”
“Ahh . We’re going to pick up Tameiki and Chiyaku . ”
I see . It is difficult for Tameiki-san and Chiyaku-san who were being restrained by the two generals to withdraw . Especially since Sen is there .
However, if there are 6 or more people, Renga’s strength is insufficient and there won’t be enough space for everyone .
Although it has grown up, 6 people could barely fit to get on the bottom of his neck . If you ride on the lower part of his back, you will be hit by his wing and be seriously injured .
Renga himself has the potential to carry any number of people .
“Can you do it? Renga . ”
“Gyau!”
“Good reply . ” Hearing Renga’s reply, Boss said so .
“Then let’s get on in order . ”
“No, wait . I’ll take the cafe master and run away first through another route . I’ll likely be shaken off even if I got on him with these legs . I’ll see you at the Derrida branch, Hyde . ”
“Ahh . ”
“Well then, later . ” Byakurei-san said so, and walked toward the cafe while dragging his legs .
Certainly, in that state, Byakurei-san is a burden . He would be a great force if he could have Chiyaku-san to heal him after meeting with her, but Chiyaku-san might not necessarily have such leeway .
Anyway, leaving behind Byakurei-san, Roll, Boss, and I got on Renga’s back and flew .
“Renga! Over there!”
When I pointed at the central district and shouted, Renga speeded up .
The phoenix (Sen) seemed to notice our existence immediately, she turned to us and let out a high-pitched roar .
“Piiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!!”
“Gyaoooooooooo!!”
Renga also roared to counter the roar of the Phoenix .
“Renga, don’t mind it!”
Sen is larger than Renga in body length . One size… no, it may be more than that .
But even though we were riding him, Renga’s speed seemed to be faster .
“Renga! Turn and lower the altitude!”
Renga’s body tilting down sharply .
I put my hand around Renga’s body and grabbed it firmly .
I know the position of Tameiki-san and Chiyaku-san from the location information sent from Kemuri-san .
The central district is burning and I can’t confirm by sight, but it seems they are still fighting on the ground .
The fact that they are fighting regardless of the phoenix means that the SDF don’t have leeway either .
If the urgent situation continued, they may not have the time to shift the target to the phoenix .
Renga slips vertically through the gap between buildings .
Sen who was approaching from behind is forcing through the gap between buildings . Then, the buildings on both sides exploded and crumbled down as if they were smashed from above .
I cling to Renga to withstand the blast waves .
“What’s that… did they set up bombs in the building…?”
“Shion, over there . ”
Looking at the place where Boss pointed at, I found Tameiki-san and General Ichinose on the burning ground .
Maybe because General Ichinose is the opponent, Tameiki-san who is supposedly good at aerial battle is fighting with her feet on the ground . There were many craters in the surroundings .
“Tameiki-san!”
The moment I called, a rubble 1m away flew . It’s Ichinose’s attack .
Renga hesitated and plunged to Tameiki-san .
“Please jump on . ”
And when we rushed to Tameiki-san as is, she crouched, avoiding Renga’s rush .
I got impatient and looked back . Then, I saw Tameiki-san was hanging on Renga’s tail . She had a sullen face, probably because her battle was interrupted in the middle .
And there is no pursuing of Ichinose . It’s difficult for Ichinose to keep up with us even with his ability; I tell Renga to speed up .
“Next is Chiyaku, right!”
“Renga, proceed as is!”
We proceed for a while, this time searching for Chiyaku-san .
Sen is no longer following us . Renga was fast and made many small turns, so we managed to pull apart from her .
It is possible that Ichinose is fighting Sen after seeing our withdrawal .
Chiyaku-san and Tenjoumine were each lying down with a gap of about 10m .
Tenjoumine has a blood pool under his body .
But both of them were still breathing .
“Slow down!”
“Gyau!”
After I patted Renga’s neck and shouted, Renga slowed down and approached the ground .
“Roll! Please!”
“Got it!”
Roll wrapped the wire of the grappling gun around Renga’s neck and jumped off . Renga’s scales are so hard that they won’t be damaged because of the wire .
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After she landed on the ground, she carried Chiyaku-san on her shoulder . And to match it, Renga flew, increasing the altitude .
Pulled up by the wire, Roll kicked the wall of the building several times while carrying Chiyaku-san, and return to Renga’s back .
“What about General Tenjoumine? He’s still breathing . ”
“Leave him . ” Boss said so, so I had Renga get higher .
However, I wonder if it’s not necessary to end Tenjoumine . No matter how hurried we are, we should have enough room for that .
I wonder if he had something in his mind .
“Cough…! Cough…!” Chiyaku-san who was carried by Roll woke up while coughing .
There is no noticeable external wound on Chiyaku-san . Or rather, she was unharmed and only had her lab coat dirty .
“Chiyaku, are you okay?”
“…Is that… Sen?”
There was a phoenix in front of Chiyaku-san’s gaze .
When the altitude was raised until the top of the buildings, the figure of Sen moving to shake off something can be seen .
As I thought, Ichinose is engaging Sen .
This makes retreat easier .
“That’s right . ” Boss answered Chiyaku-san’s question .
“Hyde, I want to collect Sen . ” At Chiyaku-san’s words, everyone’s eyes gathered on her .
What is this person thinking about?
“What are you thinking about, Chiyaku? Such a thing is impossible . ” Roll said .
Then, Chiyaku-san stood up on the back of Renga and took out a scalpel from her bosom .
Then she cut her wrist with the scalpel . Blood spilled from the open cut .
“She is my assistant . ” Leaving behind those words, Chiyaku-san jumped off the back of Renga just like that . Chiyaku-san rides on a thin plate made of her own blood and flies to the phoenix .
Her eyes that were looking at Sen were completely like the eyes of a child looking at their toy; does she really think of her as her assistant…?
“Good grief . Chiyaku being selfish again . ”
“What are we going to do?”
“There is no choice but to collect Sen . When Chiyaku became like that, there’s no stopping her . ”
Hearing Boss’ words, I have Renga change his course .
Chiyaku-san has already reached Sen’s immediate vicinity .
Renga is gliding through the air . Heading toward Sen at once .
“But how do we collect her!?” While cutting through the wind, I screamed .
“We have no choice but to return her to the human form!”
“Howa!?”
“We should just kill her once . Then she should return to human form . ”
The one who jumped out was Tameiki-san .
She releases her hand from Renga’s tail and head towards Sen like a bullet .
Chiyaku-san was putting up a fight by pouring on blood slashes at Sen many times over .
Ichinose who had been engaging Sen from earlier hit Sen with rubbles and other things repeatedly, but all of them slipped through Sen’s flame body .
Although Ichinose was wary of us who were nearby for a while, he never attacked us . Does he mean to fight together temporarily?
“Piiiiii!!”
Sen made her phoenix’s body do a full rotation, releasing intense, hot wind to the surroundings .
I have Renga move and Roll catch Tameiki-san who was blown away .
“Ugh…!”
“Are you okay! Tameiki-san!”
“…I’m fine . Rather than that, stay away from here . ” Tameiki-san said so and flew toward Sen again .
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As told, I have Renga take some distance, and meanwhile, Tameiki-san sneaked under Sen’s body .
What is she going to do?
When I thought so, the body of the phoenix rose unnaturally into the sky . No, it fell into the sky .
“…!”
That is one of Tameiki-san’s techniques, ‘Weightlessness’ .
A technique that can be said to be a secret technique that takes away the weight of the person she touches and invite them to sky .
I see . Even though she is an immortal, if she was thrown to the outer space, she will not be able to live .
And she will continue to die forever and will continue to wander in the universe .
“Piiiiiiiiiiiiiiii . ”
The phoenix Sen made a shriek-like roar, flapped her wings and tried to descend .
Tameiki-san is following after Sen, pusher her out .
The one who rose there was Ichinose .
Ichinose manipulates Sen’s body to raise her further .
Moreover Chiyaku-san was chasing Sen from below .
Ichinose’s ability is now well-known .
‘Last Stop – Sky High’
The ability becomes stronger as the altitude increases .
If they push the phoenix out of the atmosphere, Tameiki-san and Chiyaku-san may be killed after that .
“Shion, after them . ”
Was Boss saying that because he thought the same thing as me?
However, if we chase them, we may be the prey of that ability too .
Is it going to be fine…?
“Renga, chase!”
I put my hand on Renga’s neck and ordered him .
“Gyao!!”
Immediately, Renga rose and flew to chase after Tameiki-san and the others .
Sen is keep getting pushed into the sky by Ichinose’s ability and Tameiki-san’s ability .
The sorrowful roar became weaker as the air became thinner .
Renga circles around the phoenix . It was our duty to be on the lookout for Ichinose .
The flames covering the phoenix Sen are torn up once in a while, her figure is getting smaller and smaller .
And soon .
From the small flame, a naked Sen who returned to the human form appeared .
“AHHHHH—!! I give up, I give up! I’m sorry, I’m sorry!! Please spare me!!”
I was stunned when Sen cancelled her phoenix transformation at the unexpected timing .
She was afraid that she would be thrown into outer space, so she chose the option of begging for her life .
The one who immediately jumped at that time was Chiyaku-san .
She jumps and carries Sen’s body from the side, and descends on a thin film of blood .
However .
“Can you wait for a moment?”
Ichinose stopped them .
As if the voice controls the space itself; even Renga stopped in place .
Here is about 5000m above the sky… No, more? I don’t know .
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The still burning city was far away, and when I look around, I can vaguely see the faintly transparent cotton candy-like clouds .
In other words, a territory where Ichinose is unrivaled .
“At this altitude, even if it’s against a mythical class Fafnir child, against the top executive of Anonymous Tameiki…, even if it’s against former Self-Defense Force General Senjiya Kusuri…”
*gulp* I heard Roll behind me swallowing her saliva .
“I think I alone will be enough . ”
*flap, flap* Flapping his wings, Renga stopped in place .
While swaying up and down, I looked at Ichinose diagonally below me .
Ichinose raised his glasses with his middle finger and glanced this way .
After all, it was as I expected .
If Sen is incapacitated, there will be no merit for him to fight together .
“Well, I wonder about that . ”
With his jet-black coat fluttering, Boss stood up on the back of Renga .
“Anonymous Leader… Hyde…”
Ichinose looks surprised when he saw Boss stood up .
Did Ichinose not notice Boss’ existence? Certainly, I don’t think he could afford to care about the humans on Renga .
“General Ichinose, it would be great if you could withdraw here . ”
Those who know about Boss’ ability is limited even within the organization .
I think Ichinose wouldn’t want to deal with the unknown boss either .
However, there is the possibility that Boss’ words just now are bluff . If he can beat him, there is no reason for him to avoid fighting Ichinose .
It is also possible that he is afraid of getting injured though .
The masked Boss and Ichinose glared at each other for a while .
Eventually, Ichinose exhaled, looked around and said,
“It seems wise to withdraw here . I’m worried about the damage to the city .
Situation like this won’t come twice, but… it can’t be helped . ” Then he chose to withdraw .
Ichinose shrugged and *hyun* fell toward the ground .
“Ahh . This city is over . ”
Chiyaku-san who casually carried the fainted Sen said so, so I looked at the scenery below .
We’re currently in the sky above the city . I couldn’t help but have a mixed feeling at the view of the flames that I could see from here .
The city where I was born and raised is on fire .
Neo Slaceid Building, a symbol of the collapsing city .
After the retreat of Ichinose, we also lowered our altitude and looked down at the city from the back of Renga .
This is to check the withdrawal status of the members .
According to Kemuri-san, the withdrawal of all members has been completed .
Renga is slowly moving away from the city .
Roll, Tameiki-san, Chiyaku-san, Sen, Boss, and I .
As expected, the number of people on Renga’s back was over his capacity .
Suddenly, Boss casually took out a notebook-sized device from his pocket .
“That is…”
“It would be just the right time to delete information, right?”
Boss did something with the device and threw it towards the city .
“Somehow, I feel a little lonely . ”
The rumbling of the city remained in my ears forever .