Chapter 4
Chapter 4 The night before the wild operation
Three days after Strikers got in Nagano.
The elite members of the British Headquarters finally arrived and all the《Saviors》 participating in the operation massed at the Shiojiri branch office.
The total number of people was actually 356.
The breakdown was: British Division: 92 members. Japanese Division: 218 members. French Division: 46 members.
A military strength of this level concentrating in one place was unprecedented.
Looking at it from a different angle, if a《Metaphysical》were to appear elsewhere, it went without saying that they would have difficulty dealing with it. However, if they were really driven into a perilous situation, they could dispatch a force with Mari’s《Transportal》 so an audacious summoning could be done.
It wasn’t an overstatement to say it certainly was a large-scale operation.
It would be carried out tomorrow morning at 06:00.
The British Headquarters would divert and attack Statue, the Japanese Division would do so with Seven Horns and the French Division would do that as well with Anemone all at the same time.
Meanwhile, the rescue team led by Moroha was expected to infiltrate the labyrinth.
The forces of the three nations distracting the enemies had quite powerful diverting powers.
They were certainly able to form multinational mixed forces, organizing fighting power evenly, but they purposely avoided that.
Since cooperation was of much importance in the battle against 《Metaphysicals》, it was decided that each country doing it like they usually did, that is, being together and fight, was better.
Similarly, the Russian and American Divisions were requested to defend Europe only and not to send forces to this operation to avoid the worry of confusing troops from other countries any further.
Below that sort of scenery──
In today’s evening, the leaders of the Japanese Division held an anti-Seven Horns strategy meeting, and both Isurugi and Mari were summoned.
Moroha wasn’t summoned as he joined the rescue team.
The topic of discussion that ought to be determined was mainly a battle formation problem.
The assignment of frontline troops and reserve troops.
The thorough enforcement of division of roles and rotations and the formation of each platoon.
As that happened.
Isurugi walked down the corridor, heading to the small briefing room with Mari.
– You have quite a reliable expression, Isurugi-kun.
Said Mari who walked next to him.
Her facial expression was stiffened.
– Is that so? For me, it feels the same as usual.
– You know where we will be going from now on, so it is a reliable proof that you can be as you always are.
Mari winked, but it was obviously stiff, it wasn’t the same as always.
– Even I was nervous the first time.
– You say that but this is the second time today, isn’t it!? No matter how many times I attend, I don’t get used to it.
Mari shrugged her shoulders, looking sulky.
While chattering pointlessly, the small briefing room came in sight.
Isurugi opened the heavy door and prompted Mari to get in.
– N-no no, you get in first, Isurugi-kun.
Having that requested by the diffident principal, Isurugi proceeded to go in first.
The inside wasn’t that spacious.
A conference table was in the center of it and the tabletop was a monitor capable of displaying operational graphs.
Seven people were sit around it.
All of them were remarkable people.
Their demeanor, or more precisely, the atmosphere they were clad in, was immediately transmitted from them.
Suiting the seven of them, the air in the room got filled with tension, so much that it made them feel a physical mass.
Mari was still confused at the entrance.
Including both Isurugi and Mari, all the people in this place were Rank 《Saviors》 of the Japanese Division.
The rude gazes of the seven people were fixed on them, increasing the heavy pressure.
– Uh…
Mari let out a groan right away.
Isurugi protected her by obstructing their gazes.
He entered the room very naturally and sat on an empty seat.
With a composed face without feeling anything in particular.
Mari just kept close to him, saying 「Don’t leave me behind!」 and sat down next to him, curling herself up.
– We are late.
Isurugi greeted with his eyes.
As if they were one, the seven people talked all at once.
– Nah, we’re just 5 minutes in. Don’t worry.
– But let’s start already.
– Not so fast. Since when all 9 members were present?
– It’s been two years since the magic beast species, no?
– Are Mari-chan and Isurugi-kun okay?
The absurd chatting didn’t stop.
As he looked this kind of thing, Isurugi thought that they were no different from children.
Mari, who curled herself up next to him, had a different opinion.
In the suddenly lightened atmosphere,
– Oh, Isurugi. You have been improving your skills rapidly these days, correct?
A big man in the middle of his forties, sitting in the chairman chair greeted him in a throaty voice.
His shoulder width was formidable, his pectorals were massive, and his bearded face looked like a bear. But,
– How about leaving that for later?
Making the gesture of swinging an air bamboo sword and not an air fishing rod was friendliness itself.
That person was Tabata Katsuie, the branch office head of the Chubu region Headquarters and Nagoya.
A skilled Shirogane who had been active since the establishment of the Japanese Division. He was also considered the strongest person within the Division until Moroha appeared.
In this operation, he served as the commander of the anti-Seven Horns troops.
Also, Tabata had a famous anecdote. He always self-introduced to the person he first met,
– My father likes historical novels and thus I, his son, was named 『Katsuie』because the sound of 『Tabata』is similar to 『Shibata』.
– Thanks to that, I’m a hairy and corpulent man as you can see. But I wanted to be born as a slender handsome man.
*TN: I’m kind of lost here. Both sentences are written as separate in the raw text, but they seem to be said by the same person.
And with a grumbling as the trademark routine,
– In the end, even the Japanese Division say 『Then it’s decided you are the head of Nagoya branch office, no?』. Despite being a true Tokyoite. The udon cooked in a broth containing miso paste is so good that I pull the soba in.
And threw a punch line and was set to be laughed at.
A man who couldn’t help but make them feel nervous with his fierce look.
Isurugi met Tabata after the graduation last year when Tabata attended as a guest, but he still looked healthy.
He reported the present condition mixed with a strained laugh.
– The growth of the kouhais this year has been amazing. I can’t let my guard down, can I?
– Yes, that 《Ancient Dragon》, isn’t it? I also wanted to meet him calmly, taking this chance, but the old man doesn’t leave him alone.
– It’s not just Haimurkun. Inspired by him, many are growing fast.
– It’s refreshing, refreshing indeed. Graduate fast and come to us. So we can be at ease too.
Tabata laughed loudly.
Some people appear, saying 「Without doubt」, smiling broadly.
Mari was finally able to calm down.
There──
– No matter how many greens graduate, there’s no way we can be at ease.
The stubborn voice not only stirred up the mood in the place, it even poured poison into it.
Everyone’s attention gathered at the woman who let that voice out.
Isurugi also glanced at her with an ironic(ish) feeling.
A talented woman both in literary and military arts who was the first secretary of the Head of the Japanese Division and who acted as his bodyguard.
She was Takanashi Kyouko.
Just a few days ago, she was the person responsible for tricking Moroha and imprisoned him in the mansion of the “witch of the prison”.
He had heard that with that reckless behavior, she received a suspension from work, but in this situation, it was necessary to have as many dexterous people as possible, so her punishment was cancelled and joined the operation.
– Tabatsan, will you ever refrain from saying such pathetic statement?
Takanashi glared at the chairman seat two seats away from her.
When someone muttered 「It’s just a light greeting. Cut it out」, this time, she thrust her gaze at them.
– What you are saying is both good and bad. We were humbly given Rank by Surugsama, no? And yet, you don’t understand that the statement you’re saying feels as if you’re making light of us and as such you are making light of Surugsama’s authority? It is impossible for me to forgive you.
Takanashi got angry, spoke sharply and continued criticizing.
Someone muttered 「Everyone but you gets it」again and she thrust her gaze at them.
– Tabatsan, you are the general who represents Surugsama who cannot leave Tokyo and who was entrusted with the army, right? I would like you to have more dignity without forgetting that.
– I’m not good at being ceremonious.
As Tabata waved his hands, he trembled at Takanashi’s sharp gaze.
This was a pathetic attitude that didn’t match his physique, but no one laughed.
Tanaka’s last position was the commanding officer of the fire department special rescue team, so he was full of courage and sense of duty, and he was well known in the Japanese Division for taking care of others and the good quality of his character. He wasn’t just a strong Shirogane. Of the nine people here, no one but Tabata would be discontent about being the president. Everyone except Takanashi understood that.
– I sense Surugsama’s true motives behind Tabatsan being absolutely necessary entrusted with this. I have no choice but to get Kashiwaba Gen’ichi come back soon.
Takanashi continued making cynical remarks to the very end.
And when the name of「Kashiwaba Gen’ichi」came out, the majority of the ones who were in this place had stumped-looking faces.
The only one who was calm was Isurugi as he wasn’t acquaintance of his.
Although he knew that great name well.
Kashiwaba Gen’ichi. The former Office Head of the Japanese Division Internal Audit Office.
A man who displayed his sharpness in a department that kept a watchful eye day and night on things that were related to illegal activities and on humans in the Division abusing hidden《Ancestral Arts》.
He was the greatest user of 《Godlike Movement》in the Japanese Division. Consequently, he excelled at covert abilities and anti-personal abilities, he also was feared by his surroundings.
While he excelled at those two things, his strong point was assassination.
He actually never had to assassinate someone, but it was the best as a deterrence.
He had heard that Kashiwaba was able to maintain order when the Japanese Division was just recently built thanks to him exercising his authority by means of “fear” while the righteousness and ethics of the 《Saviors》 hadn’t permeated yet.
Anyway, even as a strong person who represented the Japanese Division since its Genesis, admired by his surroundings due to his personality, he was a person that was the extreme opposite of the leading Tabata.
– Well, for the sake of Yatsuko-san, let’s start the meeting soon.
Tabata took the lead as he tapped his left shoulder.
Triggering those words, the atmosphere changed again.
Some straightened their posture and others made fighting spirit burn in their pupils even though they still felt listless.
Takanashi seemed to look even more displeasured, but she didn’t object anymore.
Isurugi also straightened up his back and faced the meeting.
18 eyes focused on the virtual battle outline drawing projected on the whole table──
– I’m sorry, as for Akane Academy’s Strikers, I will turn them to reserve.
That was what Tabata began to say when the meeting got heated.
The topic of discussion extended to the distribution and formation of personnel and was picked up before anything else.
Based on the standard development of the White Knight Organization when fighting a Dreadnought class, only B-Rank Shiroganes or higher constituted the frontline troops.
C-Rank Shiroganes were reserve units. Their main role was to guard the Kuroma Forces, which were the cornerstone of their firepower, and to make an insertion to support the front line when a trouble occurred.
They couldn’t be unprepared, but it could be said that their duty was relatively less dangerous.
– If it’s because we’re still regarded as students, there is nothing we can do.
Isurugi calmly opined without getting worked up or trusting too much.
– Most of the people in the team are B-Rank, and more than anything, we have experience as we battled against a Fortress class once.
– That is true. But you still haven’t participated in a large-scale operation, have you? For that reason, there’s an opinion that you will see afterwards with which I have agreed with too.
Tabata explained as he tapped his right shoulder.
Whose opinion was that──he barely felt shadiness.
And immediately got an answer.
– I suggested it.
Takanashi bent her lips.
Seeing this was just as he thought, Isurugi stared fixedly at Takanashi.
However,
– Sorry. I got something to say.
Another hand was raised.
A woman in her mid-twenties wearing a tank top.
In the seat between Tabata and Takanashi, she leaned on the back of the chair disrespectfully and swung the chair back and forth.
The well-tanned woman, who gave the feeling of being a black wild animal, was the branch office head of Kyushu Headquarters and Hakata.
Her name was Wadatsumi Kaya.
She was a reputed top ace in western Japan.
– If we make those guys, who don’t know the battlefield, move around, it will be difficult to surround it.
And Kaya scratched her armpit.
Voices saying 「I see」were heard from the rest of the people──from those who were mainly entrusted with western Japan.
As Isurugi continued surveying those two for a short while,
– Understood. We will get to learn with the reserve unit.
He didn’t argue in particular and accepted.
This was his judgment as the captain. He had no reason to get worked up and say 「No, put us on the front line」here.
It was unpleasant that one of the proponents was Takanashi, but it made some sense.
He thought so, but,
– Well, listen to me to the end. Your power is needed on the front line. I will only put Isurugi in my platoon.
Tabata ordered as he tapped his left shoulder.
Isurugi turned a sharp gaze.
That wasn’t a funny demand.
It was unmistakably meaningless to leave an Rank Shirogane idle in the rear. It was unnecessary to think about it.
As if to finish the conversation, Tabata tried to move on to the next topic.
– Please wait.
Isurugi raised his hand to stop that.
– As the Captain of Strikers, I cannot accept having members deployed beyond the reach of my sight.
He raised an objection with a firm tone of voice.
Unlike the last conversation, he was unable to ignore this.
– The reserve unit side won’t face great danger, will they? Besides, isn’t it just a gathering of students? Then you won’t have to take care of each and every one of them.
– The opponent is a 《Metaphysical》. And practically an unprecedented Fortress-class 《Metaphysical》. Concluding ahead of time that there won’t be great danger is unforgivable.
Isurugi recalled the time of the summer camp when they battled with a Fortress class.
The opponent they thought was a giant insect species was actually a multi-headed species and changed the attack method, but if it weren’t for Moroha, they would have been driven to the point of complete defeat.
– Haimurkun has already been picked up by the rescue team. I will fight together with Strikers. I am not saying this out of selfishness. Please understand that.
– I don’t think you’re being selfish. But understand this. 200 lives depend on us. I can’t let the way I thought was best bend.
Tabata ordered in an easy-to-understand manner.
He said he disliked being ceremonious, but he was by no means an irresponsible man.
Rather, he was a hero who seemed to have an iron and consistent stand point.
– I am also responsible for taking care of the team. I will not yield.
Isurugi deliberately and decisively refused.
And silence.
Mari looked at him, feeling nervous.
The rest of the people seemed to be surprised at the unexpected crash.
The air got filled with the smell of gunpowder with every passing moment.
– Isurugiii──
Tabata stopped tapping his shoulders.
He placed both fists on the table.
And got up slowly.
He carefully observed, made his power of observation overflow, and bared his fangs.
With a low and unsettling voice, like a fierce animal howling,
– ──I asked you, and yet, you aren’t listening to me?
He threatened.
A beast-like intimidating air was released with a rattle from his whole body.
The already large body appeared to have swollen up many times.
It could be said it was a complete change from his friendly attitude until now.
Gasps were heard from here and there.
Not only Mari, all the tough guys in this place cowered and flinched from that to a greater of lesser extent.
Even Takanashi, who had the dignity to keep speaking ill of him to that extent, solidified.
This was Tabata Katsuie.
Since the establishment of the Japanese Division, the man who went through many near-death experiences had an atrocious majesty.
Taking it directly, Isurugi couldn’t help but receive the impact.
(This person… was like this…?)
An impression he was an even stronger and scarier 《Savior》.
He didn’t feel anguish even if he was threatened with a beast-like expression now.
On the contrary, Tabata trying to make himself look bigger and doing the best he could do looked even touching.
(Even if he doesn’t act like that…)
A scene flashed back in Isurugi’s mind.
Yes.
For example, If he were facing Lu Zhixin here….
That man didn’t have a fake ghastliness.
Far from displaying a big body, his category, to put it bluntly, would be “shorty”.
Far from losing his temper, he smiled without impressiveness.
With an easygoing attitude, he readied his fists as if jesting. With only that much──
Thinking back upon that, Isurugi was suddenly struck with terror.
Sweat spouted out. More than a week had passed since then. But still.
Being pulverized with just one hit was a truly horrifying experience.
But experiencing it wasn’t meaningless.
Isurugi calmly believed so while gazing at Tabata who bared his fangs.
(Now, what do I say to make them understand?)
As everyone’s faces stiffened, he began to contemplate while having room to smile bitterly.
And──A loud sound was made all of a sudden behind him.
The door was thrown open without any advance warning.
Isurugi turned his head. Tabata and the others noticed all at once.
An intruder who disregarded the “In a meeting” sign appeared without knocking.
An unexpected visitor nobody expected.
He stood up at the doorway with an arrogant attitude and glared at them.
He was Charles Saint-Germain, the Head of the French Division.
Two people were by his side, he was accompanied by Cathedral Knights who wore black hoods and masks of goat skull.
Faster than Isurugi wondering what he was doing there, with impatience,
– Listen. I have a request for you.
This statement didn’t read the air. No.
This supernatural person possessed an aura that ended up repainting the air with just a few blunt words.
“We’re in a meeting. Leave” Even Tabata wasn’t able to say such simple words. He was sweating and stiffening.
Isurugi also felt he got goosebumps.
Despite being no different from ordinary people in terms of physical ability, the leader of Kuromas stood proudly in one place.
If anyone in this place were to incur this man’s displeasure, the room would immediately turn into ashes and they would be massacred.
Isurugi could grasp that on his skin.
(This… yes, this…)
Touched by the cleverness, his body stiffened and for some reason, his heart was invigorated.
He stared at Charles with awe.
Tabata and Mari were like him.
However, without being concerned about such gazes, Charles requested to the chairman Tabata.
– Lend me your troops. We’re all《Dark Saviors》. We need a meat wall to fight.
A manner of speaking that sounded arrogant and on top of that insolent.
– That’s not our problem. There are many of them over here, so won’t that split us too much?
Despite being overpowered, Tabata insisted on what should be said.
This time, this was the sense of responsibility and courage people admired.
– I know. It’s not like we need that many. Just enough to become a burden. One team is all I ask.
– … You’re okay with one team?
Tabata frowned.
It’s absurd.
So reckless.
It’s incomprehensible.
Such whispers were leaked out from here and there.
Without caring about their feelings, Charles got cocky.
Instead, the 《Les Éléments》waiting on the right side moved.
A big man of more than 2 meters tall.
He pointed at Isurugi.
And Charles said.
– This guy. Lend me the damn brats of Akane Academy. Understood?
He asked for Strikers.
No way! The room got noisy.
– Impossible!
Takanashi changed her complexion and stood up.
– They’re no more than children, they aren’t useful! I will immediately choose the Shiroganes acknowledged by──
– Control yourself, servant! Who allowed you to speak directly!?
The giant knight scolded her in a loud voice and made her shut up.
Dejected, Takanashi sat down. She looked around while signaling with the eyes, as if to say「Someone object instead of me」but nobody responded. Takanashi grimaced in vexation.
On the other hand, Mari grabbed Isurugi’s sleeve and began to say, worried.
– Can we refuse?
Tabata agreed with that.
– Yes, you don’t have to overextend yourself. If it’s one group then we’re good to go.
Without replying immediately, Isurugi looked at Charles’ eyes.
Then the French supernatural man smiled with contempt,
– What do you think, sonny? Are you confident that you have what it takes to hold up the front line and fight with us on your back?
He provocatively stared back at him.
Isurugi got invigorated again, he was in breathless suspense.
If he thought about it very ordinarily──
From the point of view of a man like him, they probably were no more than stones on the side of the road, the only exception being Moroha.
Probably it wasn’t worth provoking him.
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This is what they call heart is won by heart!
(Of course, pride can do it too)
Even if he was still immature by himself, the unified strength of Strikers was the real deal.
Isurugi concealed the excitement in his mind and returned a provocative objection.
– We’ll be bitter enemies in the same boat, huh. It’s not a problem for me… but supposing our true strength isn’t up to the task and we collapse, are you actually prepared for that? Can you think about that?
– What are you spouting out?
Charles immediately made a face as if he had swallowed a bitter bug.
He suddenly slurred his words and spat out.
– Paris Saint-Germain will be on the battlefield and you say you’ll fall behind like the《Metaphysical》? If you’re going to have needless worries, then go get a cancer insurance too.
Hearing that, the knight who was waiting on the left side spouted out.
– You dishonest!
With a laughing voice, it turned out the knight was a woman.
Turning the eyes under the mask to him, and with a friendly tone of voice,
– We know your real strength best. We crossed swords with you, didn’t we? If you guys cooperate with us, then as it is called in Japanese, you, who are strong, will be even stronger, no?
Charles changed his facial expression in a twinkle.
– W-who said a thing like that and when!? Don’t translate as you please, Chloe!
He yelled, making saliva fly, but the female knight ignored him.
– Don’t you think?
She just asked him for his approval.
Of course, the reply of Isurugi was determined.
– Let’s work hard to become good metal rods.
– Then we are the ogres? You are mean.
*TN: Both sentences are references to “making something strong even stronger”. The literal translation is “ogres and metal rods”.
The female knight smiled free from worry.
– Nonsense. Don’t start a tedious talk. It’s a waste of time.
Charles turned away as if he had become sulky and immediately left while mumbling.
He suddenly came and arbitrarily left.
An impatience beyond their expectations.
The two knights bowed and ran after him.
Isurugi turned around to the chairman seat.
A bitter face was there.
「This guy comes and does whatever he pleases!」 was written on his face, and「But, well, I don’t hate him」 was written too.
Tabata said this out loud.
– You can’t go. You need to discuss it with that person.
With that same bitter face, he powerfully showed a person out.
Kyouko clamored something, but she gave permission without caring about it.
– Thank you for your understanding.
Together with a bow, Isurugi turned on his heel.
He pushed the heavy door open to run after Charles and company.
After the meeting, and moving to an unpopular place, Takanashi Kyouko argued.
No, it was a one-sided attack rather than an argument.
Kyouko’s screaming voice echoed in the unused multipurpose room.
– Why didn’t you stop him with me!?
It was exactly the appearance of a demoness who glared extremely angry at someone.
– Don’t be silent, say something, Kaya!!
She thrust her finger and accused her.
The other party──Wadatsumi Kaya, who thrust a finger into one ear and turned away, replied while yawning.
– You said they shouldn’t put the damn brats on the front line, so I just went with it and said it with you. If they aren’t going to become an obstacle for us, then it doesn’t matter where they’ll fight.
– That’s terrible! I explained it to you, didn’t I? If those brats are able to do a great job in a big stage like this, then they will grow up more and more, no!?
– Sorry. I didn’t pay attention to such a thing. I’m not interested in your position, power struggle, preferences or whatever.
– But it’s connected to Surugsama’s position!
– He has such a boring personality, doesn’t he?
– That’s not the problem.
– Then what’s the problem?
– This isn’t the moment to explain that! Anyway, even Kaya was betrayed many times by Urushibara Tadanori, right? You don’t want that man and Akane Academy to have everything their way, do you!?
– I’d love to gruesomely kill that damn Tadanori. But since Mari-chan became the principal, that school has changed. Those guys who came this year are the highlight. I have no grudge towards them.
– Are you sane, Kaya!?
– Kyouko isn’t the sane one here. You said it, but now you still have a very small chance, right? Surugsama is generous, but he hates incompetence, doesn’t he?
– I do know that! That’s why I’m getting impatient!
Kyouko yelled hysterically.
– Good grief. It seems like you don’t get at all what I said. I’m done.
As if being amazed, Kaya left of her own accord.
She broke down.
Kyouko hit the window in frustration.
In the past, they polished their Light Techniques together and worked as the bodyguards of Suruga Andou.
As Kyouko increased the sympathizers in the main office of the Japanese Division, Kaya began to distance herself from her and with the recognition of being an Rank as a chance, she volunteered for Hakata branch office head and went to the far west.
(… Now that it has come to this, I have no choice but to do that)
Kyouko mumbled as she gazed at the outside scenery.
The face of the demoness, the dark facial expression she had, was reflected in the window.
It was created whether or not it was executed.
In this operation, the “Witch of the Gate” Shimon Mari was one of the key persons.
Putting herself in a safe location, she would wait for the rescue team to prepare the anchor of 《Transportal》.
There, Kyouko made a plan to apply to be the personal protector of Shimon Mari.
Being confident to deceive with words, the reason was 「Seeing that the mastermind of the 《Metaphysicals》 was identified, they might do something to strike the essential point of this operation」or something like that. The one who would really hurt Shimon Mari was Kyouko.
She would pretend to have been injured, fabricate a fictitious criminal and commit a crime.
What would happen next?
The rescue team and Haimura Moroha, the one she hated, would be unable to escape with the gate not opening and they would be at a loss whether to advance or retreat.
Once it was known that the rescue team was imprisoned, it would be impossible to say that they could keep diverting the enemy.
They would have no choice but to abandon the rescue of those who got their souls pulled out and start attacking the labyrinth from outside.
While knowing that Haimura Moroha and company were inside!
The people who got their souls pulled out would be sacrificed, but Kyouko would say that was the way it was and that something like that was okay as they were sacrifices from the beginning. Only 100 people, moreover, the ones that became the source of《Metaphysicals》.
The White Knight Organization sometimes gave too much priority to humanity and the hypocrisy that diverted its attention from efficiency was disgusting.
(Yes… that’s the only way to proceed)
Kyouko strengthened her resolve.
If so, and first of all, she had to apply to be relocated to Tabata.
She stamped her heels and left the multipurpose room.
(Hmm…?)
And she found a suspicious person.
In a bit distant place, a boy was sitting in a corner of an unpopulated corridor, playing with a smartphone.
He wore the uniform of Akane Academy.
She froze for a moment, wondering if he had heard the verbal dispute not long ago, but there was no sign of that.
It seemed that emails were constantly coming, he was absorbed in replying to them.
If he were reporting to someone, he would have probably disappeared quickly without being confused in a place like this.
(How was this kid called?)
She dug up the memory of the profile files that Akane Academy regularly presented.
A boy with a totally womanizing-like and refreshing-to-the-point-of-being-disgusting face seen from the side.
(竹… 武… 丈… I can’t remember)*
*TN: All three of them, when it comes to names/surnames/given names, start with Take, but the third one corresponds to his name. Taketsuru in case you forgot.
Surely, even though he was a Striker, he was a plain Shirogane with nothing but insignificant abilities.
Her memory was vague, but she couldn’t help it.
She decided not to give a damn now.
– You’re working hard, aren’t you?
She slightly bowed, putting sarcasm into it and passed in front of the boy whose name couldn’t remember.
– Yes!
The boy also returned a bow with no manners.
If only they were beaten from behind by Charles and company tomorrow!
Kyouko was indignant but she regained calm right away.
(I’m looking forward to seeing how you all will cry and the faces you’ll have tomorrow)
What would happen if the brats of Akane Academy, who had fallen into a Haimura Moroha addiction now, were to lose their ray of hope?
Imagining so, she found relief in the dark pleasures.
And curved her lips in an evil manner.
Suddenly a large amount of blood was spat out from her mouth.
The final meeting of each force had ended, the commencement of the operation would be the next day, so the only task the warriors had was to rest well.
Despite that.
Even though it was about to get dark, the courtyard grew noisy with shouts of joy and people.
The sounds of a sword fight resounded several tens of times.
The single-edged iron sword swung by Moroha and the fantastic large sword that Edward mowed down clashed directly opposite.
White and purple prana glittered each time and the waves of the impacts caused the hair of the spectators to move backwards.
The impressive face-off between S-Rank and S-Rank.
But this was just a warm up for the two of them.
So much that Edward wasn’t wearing armor.
Moroha did this to confirm the results of the training with Tekka over the last three days.
Edward faced him long ago, so this was to confirm the growth of Moroha.
One game, they just talked about sparring.
The spectators gathering in rapid succession and the overflowing clamor were beyond discretion.
『If that’s the case, can you catch this amazing blow?』
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Showing a daring smile, Edward slashed at him from above.
A desperate blow with all of his might but full of gaps.
He looked.
There! Moroha seemed to have countered him, but in the end, Edward protected himself with 《Sun》, so, at this rate, he would end up cutting him right in half.
If that’s the case! Catching it foolishly honest with the sword would be just as Edward expected. Saratiga, which was still an iron sword, would end up breaking. He felt that much power.
『Not a chance!』
Moroha stuck out his tongue while doing a big back step and escaped from the range of the long large sword of Edward.
『I got you!』
His face got right in front of Moroha in an instant.
In spite of certainly being a Tank type, it was like cheating since this man’s specialty was Shukuchi’s way of walking 《Hagun》.
It distorted the concept of distance between opponents called martial arts, put his rhythm out of order and tackled Moroha from the top of the shoulders.
However, it was an afterimage of Moroha.
It was Edward who was attacked in his unguarded moment, making a face that said 「Uh oh!」
『I’m tired of looking at that technique』
Moroha, who took a roundabout path to the back, slashed at him from the upper right.
Immediately after using a technique such as 《Hagun》, Edward couldn’t move right away.
He pulled the sword and drove the back of the blade right behind him.
A bright white flash of light exploded, this was Moroha’s prana.
– Guh…
However, it was Moroha who showed suffering.
Edward’s back was absurdly hard and the impact of hitting it returned to the wrist.
『I call it an excellent predictable pattern』
Edward turned around while being triumphant.
As he was unable to move about and with a technique that was just right in the middle of 《High Durability》 and 《Sun》, he concentrated his defense only on his entire back, protecting him against Moroha’s blow.
As expected of the first-class toughness of the White Knight.
『If it annoys you, why don’t you use 《Hagun》? Don’t tell me you can’t use it, can you?』
『I don’t like it』
Moroha, whose surprise attack failed, stepped back and got poised again for charging.
《Hagun》 was a Shukuchi’s way of walking that created gaps from even gapless opponents.
The downside was that if he couldn’t bring him down, or in the worst case, it was dodged, he wouldn’t be able to move due to the recoil from releasing a powerful technique, his hands would hurt and would end up eating a retaliation.
In Edward’s case, with his excellent defense ability that could be said was his ground, he was calm even if he was in a situation in which he couldn’t move. Moreover, when he wore Argusten, he used it as much as he wanted.
As for Tekka, who gave a try using a technique of another dimension like three 《Hagun》 in a row, it seemed that a recoil when using the powerful technique was unrelated to him. That was a possible action because he was a Sennin who abandoned karma and body.
Moroha wasn’t like that.
《Hagun》 could only be fired once.
He was unable to stomach something like forcibly creating a gap from a gapless opponent with such a big gamble.
Gaps and whatnot could be created as much as he liked with ingenuity.
At any rate, if he was going to give it a shot, it was better to bring the opponent down soundlessly.
So──
Moroha started spelling with his left hand while holding the sword in his right hand.
– That shapeless blade That invisible inscribed sword──
A chanting.
Edward reacted to it,
『How boring. Just when it was finally getting exciting. Let’s just go sword against sword. Your petty trick will be crushed from the front, you know?』
He pulled a wry face and reduced the distance.
His movement of raising the sword overhead was more compact and faithful to the basics than a moment ago.
That was why there were no gaps.
Exactly like the sword of a champion. The “shallow petty trick”, as it was declared, would be shattered and overpowered.
(But what will you do if it’s not shallow?)
Moroha saw that the raised sword reached the top and entered the swinging downward trajectory,
– ──Come, ripper.
He hit the light characters written in the empty sky with his left hand.
《Breeze Blade》.
He unleashed a sharp blade-like wind, striking Edward.
『Did you forget? Dark Arts take their time. If I look carefully at it and measure the timing, I’ll be OK』
Edward exposed himself to the fangs of the raging wind right in front of him.
The Noble Violet prana he was clad in enhanced its radiance in an instant and repelled the blade of gust of wind.
Edward was completely unharmed.
This was his specialty, the instant perfect defense──the Light Technique《Moon》*.
*TN: This is also an archaic version of moon, gyokuto.
It was an ultrhigh defense technique that tormented Moroha when they fought for the first time.
『Of course I haven’t forgotten』
Standing in front of the roaring, fantastic large sword, Moroha hit the ground with the tip of his right foot without getting confused or panicking.
To be more precise, the ancient magic characters he wrote on the ground with his toes were a second row of 《Breeze Blade》.
『Uoooo…』
Edward ate the storm and was blown backwards.
He tried to kill the momentum by standing firm on both legs right away, but he was unable to hold his ground immediately.
『This Jack-in-the-box…!』
He glared at Moroha and smiled gruesomely.
Since his first fight with Edward, Moroha began to put his creativity to work in relation to his spelling methods during battle.
As he said, Dark Arts were frustratingly slow in a combat speed range of a Shirogane.
To make up for this, he came to the point where he could spell 1st Rank Dark Arts on the floor using his feet, and if it was the same Dark Art, then he was also capable of spelling it at the same time using his left hand.
And what he learned recently was this delay trigger.
Since the「strong image of the generated event」that was necessary for the exercise of Dark Arts became blurred, making a big delay was still impossible. It was less than a second at best.
Still, regarding the speed range of a Shirogane, if there was a delay of a second or even a fraction of a second, it was possible to come up with a one-two punch combination as it was called in boxing.
In fact, Edward’s 《Moon》 was an undefeatable art for an instant only, so he was unable to defend against the 《Breeze Blade》that was released a moment later.
Edward stood firm in the windstorm as he made a rut of a few meters on the ground.
It was a big opportunity.
It wasn’t that Moroha missed it, but the next spelling was over.
The chanting was omitted.
In just a few seconds, an imperfect 《Decrease Weight》brought his weight near zero.
But now a few seconds was enough.
By means of Dark Arts, Moroha pseudo abandoned his karma and body and reached the area of the Shinsen──
– Ooh….
He accelerated together with a scream.
The excitement of the spectators also welled up with the climax today.
For them, it was as if Moroha’s body had been divided into 9.
Swift and simultaneous consecutive attacks, 《Donrou》. 9 clones.
He hit nine points of Edward’s body from 9 directions with the back of the sword.
With that momentum, he ran past him to his back, swung the sword and sank it in the lower back, in the same posture he was.
He couldn’t move for a moment due to the recoil from releasing a powerful technique.
A grand applause from the spectators broke out.
Praises never stopped towards Moroha who had demonstrated a technique of a different dimension and made 9 clones with a delayed Dark Arts.
One person in that situation,
『Hmm…』
Edward groaned, sounding displeasured as he cocked his head.
Moroha turned around and Edward also turned to him.
Even after being showered with 9 consecutive attacks, he was as if nothing had happened.
『I thought the delayed attack of Dark Arts was great, you know?』
He traced one of the fine cuts carved in his whole body by the swings of the blades and stared at his reddened fingertip,
『What was that last 《Donrou》? Maybe you were inspired by the old man, but the power was too light』
Then grumbled as he rubbed the place that was struck by the swords one after another.
There were various factors that determined the slashing power, but body weight was also an important factor.
Moroha gained enough lightness to be able to make 9 clones by means of 《Decrease Weight》, but the downside was that the power of each blow ended up decreasing dramatically.
The fist of Tekka, which should be light like the body weight, was actually heavy, but this was probably thanks to the unique way to swing Chinese martial arts had. Lu Zhixin also used that secret technique, the 「*hit*」 was so powerful despite looking like it was just a light hit.
『Come now, the reason you carefully hit nine points of my body is that it was a countermeasure against the kind of way I used to protect my back above the rest, no? However, if the power of one hit is so trivial, then I can entirely prevent it with an ordinary 《High Durability》. Doesn’t that make it meaningless?』
Probably because he was much dampened, Edward said persistently.
Moroha didn’t particularly explain it. He just scratched his head.
Then, Edward made a face like he suddenly noticed something and was no more discontent.
『I’m very sorry, Jack doesn’t know about such thing, does he?』
He grinned embarrassedly as if he were lecturing to the Buddha.
And then, a sudden transformation: he made a face like a child who got toys showed off to him,
『At any rate, you’re planning something again, no? And for that, you turned me into a guinea pig? I’m not honored! While I’m at it, if you can reveal how the trick works, will you tell me about it please?』
『Well, I’m still practicing it. Next time』
『Don’t be so stingy! Leaving things undone is cruel!』
Edward complained, but Moroha didn’t pay attention to him.
The spectators seemed to be dissatisfied, but explaining his technique while getting such level of attention──he couldn’t because he was extremely embarrassed.
『Enough! I’m telling Angela after this!』
『Wai, hey, bringing up Angelsan is foul』
The figure of AJ being angry and launching an attack on him vividly came to his mind, making him frown.
Seeing his facial expression, Edward spouted out.
『Haha, although I wasn’t serious, to think it would have an immediate effect like that. Everybody has one or two people they are no match for』
『Obviously. Why are you saying “catching a youngster like me”?』
Moroha frowned even more.
Edward seemed to feel completely relieved.
『Haah, I sweated a lot. Since I got tired and failed to evaluate things properly, should we bring the sparring to an end here?』
The mood dispersed with his words.
The spectators scattered as they discussed and reacted unanimously with satisfaction as if they had seen a masterpiece movie.
As Edward also shouldered the large sword,
『However, when we fought before, when it came to our swords, I was better than you. Now we’re pretty much evenly matched』
『You said it well. I was able to have a good match with you because you weren’t wearing your armor, but that’s nothing to be proud of』
『Hahaha! I’m praising you so I hope you can accept it honestly!』
Edward left while waving his hand.
『I can’t trust your frivolous mouth』
Moroha saw him off while sticking out his tongue at his back.
In fact, he was just bored of being flattered.
Moroha had no particular need of others’ praises.
He raised his face while indulging in a non-serious meditation.
His eyes traced the walls of the building in the immediate vicinity, they climbed up higher and higher and reached the rooftop.
Satsuki and co. were there, bending half of their bodies on the fence while rooting for Moroha’s sparring.
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When they noticed Moroha’s gaze, they waved their hands.
There was no need for praises or the like.
The girls’ support was more than enough for Moroha.
The rest was a waste for him, so it wasn’t needed.
On the other hand, on that rooftop──
– Moroha has his eyes fixed on me.
Leshya, who waved her hand with a movement that closely resembled a metronome, whispered to herself.
– Huh? What if you go buy some glasses? He has his eyes fixed on me, no?
Satsuki, who waved her hand with a movement that closely resembled a puppy’s tail, flared up at that opinion.
The two of them, who tried to bend forward from the fence, immediately looked at each other’s face, giving off sparks with their eyes.
– I’d say that the degree of your contact lenses don’t match you?
– I have no contact lenses! Well, that’s natural〜? Even if I close my eyes, my skin is oversensitive to the hot gaze of Moroha, you know?
– I see, then you’re pointing out a situation in which you sleep even with your eyes open, yes? Thank you for your wild delusion.
– Don’t look at me like I was a poor giiiirl.
They continued screaming and quarreling like that.
Shizuno, who was watching Moroha’s sparring from the top of the fence a little far away,
– So noisy…. The aftertaste of the magnificent battle between Moroha and Sir is ruined.
She complained to Haruka next to her.
– B-by the way, who does Shizuno think he’s gazing at?
– Can Momochi-senpai stop this silly conversation please? Of course that one is me.
– An incredible self-confidence overflows from your tone of voice!
Defeated, Haruka hung her head,
– W-well. It’s either you or Satsuki or Leshya, right?
– You don’t get the joke, do you, Senpai? When it comes to Moroha, it’s sure to say he’s looking at all of us, right?
– Is, is that so…?
– Yes, of course. Moroha is cautious in the way he treats women. Since ancient times.
– A thorny way of saying…
– I wonder about it? But that’s why he’s so wonderful… is that probably what you’re wondering, yes?
Being enigmatic, Shizuno said in a somewhat happy tone of voice.
Feeling like she would lose her estimation as a woman, or more precisely, her dignity, Haruka felt timid.
Whether she knew or nor the feelings of others, Shizuno elegantly beckoned Moroha in the courtyard.
Then Moroha got in the building and disappeared.
Satsuki and Leshya were still quarreling.
The evening breeze came forth and Shizuno’s breathtaking and beautiful hair fluttered.
She held it down as she turned towards Haruka.
– The 《Donrou》 Moroha used a while ago showed it was useful to study under the old man the last three days.
– Yup. It was amazing. Since he can use Dark Arts too.
– Did Momochi-senpai also achieve that sort of result? You were practicing together, no? Satsuki was rejected and became sulky though.
– Because Tekksan said “first come, first served”, so it couldn’t be helped.
As Haruka clarified,
– You can’t call it a result, but thanks to the practice, I’ve decided.
She watched attentively the afterglow going down behind the far Hida Mountains.
A remarkably strong wind blew, not only the long hair of Shizuno fluttered, the short hair of Haruka fluttered too.
When it stopped, she told Shizuno.
– I volunteered for the rescue team.
Certainly it wasn’t a decision made without consulting others, she had also obtained permission from Isurugi.
– And Moroha?
– Yes. He got Sir Edward’s permission.
– Moroha is happy that Momochi-senpai has volunteered, right?
– I, I guess.
– I’m happy too, you know?
– … Why?
When thinking about it, Shizuno expressly taking Haruka to the place where Moroha and Tekka were practicing felt like this was anticipated, or more precisely, planned.
– Ara? The difference between a person that can be trusted is next to Moroha or not when plunging into the jaws of death is significant, isn’t it?
It’s that easy, Shizuno replied.
Now that she said that, she somewhat understood the reason.
– I’m in charge of being Moroha’s support. Since he can only take care of the front, covering his back is something I can do.
– Thank you very much.
– You don’t need to thank me. I’m not doing it for y──
Haruka faltered there.
Her face seen from the side was rubbed by Shizuno’s gaze.
She felt a silent pressure.
But Haruka mustered her courage and said.
– … Because I also… like… Moroha.
She could only mumble in her mouth, but it was an incredible progress coming from her.
After the three days of training finished, Tekka explained.
– A person’s courage cannot be tempered in a small period of time.
And.
– This time, you were able to take a step forward. Don’t stop there. As long as you continue taking a step forward, courage can train anyone, anywhere. No matter how cowardly you are, depending on your mental attitude, you will someday get it without fail. Don’t ever forget it, alright?
And.
With gentle eyes as if looking at his grandchildren.
As he smiled like a good-natured old man.
– Thank you very much…. It was really useful for me. … But leaving Moroha aside, why did you go so far for a stranger like me?
Haruka made up her mind and gave asking a try.
Motivating herself with rough words was another step.
– At first, I thought you had gone too far to turn back. Seeing your eyes seeing Moroha, hearing your voice reaching Moroha, something struck home.
– Huh…?
– Your simple love is good. Your hidden love is even better. My karma gets cleaned just by looking at you by his side.
– Eh… eeeeeeeeeeh!?
– Don’t be flustered. You don’t pay attention to the things an unknown old geezer like me knows, do you?
The things said by Tekka calmed her.
(How sharp…)
She thought he resented her, but probably because her inner thoughts were in sight, she ended up being read,
– Well, I’ve been madly in love for 500 years.
She was laughed at.
– I have a mobile phone picture of Mati-chan from Dakar with whom I’m in a relationship now, would you like to see it?
– Your image of a Sennin is crumbling so stop it.
Despite interrupting the derailment and so on──
In order to avoid the karma gathering with the aftermath of the large-scale operation, Tekka, who announced that he would leave this area tonight, also gave his final advice.
– It’s okay to take it slowly, but have the courage to keep moving forward. That is the same for love.
Haruka recalled Tekka’s advice and carved it into her heart again.
Shizuno stared at her the whole time she indulged in meditation.
The doll-like face that didn’t know what she was thinking about.
The eyes Shizuno turned to others were always horribly cold.
Like the freezing winter sky.
Haruka seemed to back off and to lose to the pressure, but she stood firm, not only that, she took a step forward.
The words just now were, so to speak, exactly like a declaration of war.
She and I proclaimed fair and square that we are rivals who came to like the same man.
I must not lose to the pressure.
Shizuno is scary though! She’s a junior but she’s scary!
(Do I do it? Oh? Oh? Me, in a scene of carnage?)
With energy only in her mind, her eyes became a little teary and stared back at her,
– If only there were no need to say such a thing.
The color of Shizuno’s pupils subsided a bit.
Somehow, she had an even easier-to-approach atmosphere than usual.
A loss of interest, rather, she felt unwell.
As soon as Haruka faltered, feeling that,
– I, I mean, you asked me the other day, no? Besides, I’ve only revealed it to you, it’s cowardly to keep it only to myself.
– What a nice person you are. It would have been better to follow Maysan’s example a little though?
– Why are you saying the name of that child?
– I think Momochi-senpai needs to be prepared to snatch him away from under her nose with a surprise attack?
– Ah, I, I can’t do something like….
– What a pity. Even though Senpai is around three laps behind already.
– What kind of race are you talking about?
– Do you want to hear it?
– You don’t have to say it.
– You’re slow and can’t do a surprise attack; you don’t look like an expert of 《Godlike Movement》, how lame.
– Light Techniques have nothing to do with this, do they!?
– Well, please improve your speed as much as possible.
– You’re that ahead!?
Haruka lowered her dejected shoulders.
Not being taken on had a limit. She, who had strained herself, felt stupid. She was working herself up even though there really wasn’t anything to fight at.
– This time is a good opportunity, so please help Moroha properly and earn points.
– This indescribable feeling of being on top of your palm…
Haruka stared at her with scornful eyes, but Shizuno no longer took notice of that.
Moroha had just arrived on the rooftop and came walking, greeting them without delay.
And a glance was given at her.
Her eyes stirred her up, saying「Will you get a late start again?」
Fearless to the point of being impudent.
As her rival in love, what a formidable enemy she was.
(Tekksan told me it was okay to be slow)
Haruka hit her own cheeks,
– You were amazing against Sir Edward!
She followed Shizuno and rushed to Moroha with Satsuki and Leshya.