Vol 5 Chapter 3 (1/2)
Chapter 3 - A Moment of Peace
In a rural ion On the peaceful le hut
It was the second Fantasy CultValhalla scout squad's standby station
That's what the people living in this hut were calling it
”——So, the Inquisition headquarters is on the verge of collapse?”
The blue-haired girl as playing around with a radio opened her eyes wide, and said spoke with astonishment in her voice
《”No, it's not like that The VIP we're supposed to rescue is isolated in the underground facility, and only a part of the deepest prison was destroyed”》
”I see”
《”However, according to the inforer any facility that can accommodate the VIP in the headquarters Since it will take a considerable amount of time to repair it, seems like she'll be transported to another facility”》
The girl's fingertips were loudly hitting the table
”Then we'll pursue them It's an opportunity to crush that academy”
《”are you an idiot?”》
”I'm not Mother Goose is the one who's an idiot Crushi+ng that school and taking revenge for oal”
《”It's enough that Haunted is acting according to his personal feelings We are not seeking a ith them”》
”But, that's only you Mother Goose, and Orochi Fantasy CultValhalla is seeking ith them Witches despise humans”
《”I won't deny that, but it's not like they want to kill everyone There are many witches who seek a world without conflict”》
The girl has gathered her fingers for a fist
”a world without conflict? What's interesting in such a thing The world Mother Goose and Orochi desire is just your ego It's different from what everyone wants”
《”you're thinking just like Haunted does I've had it, Orochi, please take over”》
”No, I still haven't finished talking Right now is the chance to atta——”
After the girl said that much, a hand stretched from behind her
Behind the girl stood a slie would indicate early twenties or so, he had disorderly long hair and his pale skin was strangely fitting the kihost Moreover, his eyes were closed shut, the fact that both of his eyes were like that meant
He was blind Light had already left his eyes
Despite not seeing he took thesome dried meat he took over the call
The girl puffed up her cheeks
”Orochi, don't butt in”
”Yes yes shaddup, shaddup piss off, Diluted”
Diluted It referred to how she was drinking very weak tea and coffee
That's a nicknairl
”Don't call me 'diluted' I'll cut you up”
”Oh-hoo, well said towards your master Try it if you think you can”
”grrr”
”Here, I'll give you a candy so stay silent”
Orochi has thrown a candy to the girl and dis up to the radio
”——Hey, Orochi here Sorry 'bout my disciple”
《”you should educate herforce, there's a problem with her behaviour”》
”Dahaha! Even if you say that to reat self, she's been like this ever since she was entrusted to me”[1]
After laughing merrily, Orochi erased the smile from his face
”I more or less predicted that this would happen The VIP Kusanagi Kiseki has broke out of jail right? That girl has reached puberty I could tell that this would happen sooner or later”
《”Yes Haunted's and Mephisto's assaults have ended in a failure, although I determined it to be convenient, however”》
”Hmph, that's how it'll turn out if you leave it to that pervert you know? 150 years ago it, was his fault that ere trapped in a world like this You, who has fought along with reat self should know that”
《”Those were instructions from above, it couldn't be helped There're a lot of people ant to fight on our side, so there's a lot of madmen like him ant to start a war”》
”so? What do we do, General”
《”assault the convoy during the transportation and retrieve the VIP”》
Hearing Mother Goose's plan, Orochi snorted
”And here I was sure ya would give the order to kill her”
《”Even if I gave such an order I know that you wouldn't carry it out, I too have no desire for that to happen Above all, as long as we accomplish e aim for we'll be able to save her, it'll be inevitable”》
Oh well, responded Orochi
Beside hiainst her teeth
” it just us two? Reinforcements?”
《”The ene transportation We assuh air”》
”Then two of us won't cut it”
《”We have prepared several 『HeroesEienherjars』 They will arrive there shortly before the operation starts”》
Hearing 'Heroes' Orochi started to dig in his ear grumpily
”the Magical Dragoon guys huh My great self will not acknowledge such things as 'heroes'”
《”Their bodies are that of a doll, but the soul is a real thing Even so, there's no ego in them”》
”If the vessel for the soul is different, it's natural that the ego won't surface Those idiots froreat ancestors would scold them for that”
《”In any case, they will beco force I do not knohich ones are the dummies, for that you should use your abilities and attack all of them on case-by-case basis”》
”Heyhey You know that we're several lad to descend to human habitats”
《”The operation will start in a few days, I will contact you again Please finish your preparations by then”》
At the same time as Mother Goose turned off the radio, Orochi threw the headset on the table
”Hey, Diluted, good for you It's your first ti into actual combat How's your self-confidence?”
Orochi placed his hands on his head and called the girl
The girl as beginning to iun on the desk by thea candy bar in her uns there were strangely long azines inserted, she turned the muzzles to Orochi
”Perfect I'm ready any time to crush the Inquisition”
She started to strongly chew on the candy she had in her mouth
After exploring the labyrinth in the back-alley's barrier Takeru and the others have discovered the Dealer's hideout and warily invaded the interior
The personnel inside must have escaped earlier, luckily the hideout was empty
The interior seelass table and a spacious sofa, on the counter's shelves, in a roere arranged bottles with liquor All of it was illegally produced liquor froe With just this much, they could have earned a considerable amount of points
However, it wasn't time to worry about points
”Kiseki”
After laying her in the bedroom in the back, Takeru stroked her cheek with the back of his hand
Kiseki as sleeping moved her mouth as she felt a tickle
Just by seeing her sleep like this, Takeru was happy enough to shed tears
It's been five years since he touched her Takeru too hoped endlessly for this moment to come He ascertained just how valuable was an opportunity to contact his family like this
But while he felt happy, an anxiety echoed in his chest
It has been five years since the tragedy during which Kiseki massacred so many people has ocurred
Recalling what happened back then, Takeru squeezed his fist
it's okay It definitely won't turn out like it had back then
Takeru cal that
That's when,
”Oniichan?”
Faintly opening her eyelids, Kiseki woke up
There was tension, but only for a entle expression and moved closer to Kiseki
”You woke up huh How do you feel? Is there any place that hurts?”
”? Why is Onii-chan why is Kiseki?”
The ue, she raised her upper body and placed a hand on her forehead
However, she definitely hasn't lost the memory
And it seemed like she was able to recall it in detail
Both the hter froo
”Kiseki has again”
”It's all right I'm here”
”But I killed again?!”
”You are not at fault I know that very well”
Takeru hugged Kiseki's shoulder and pulled her to himself
Even so, Kiseki couldn't stop being frightened by what she has done
'you don't know it there's no way Kiseki isn't at fault! Kiseki's body fulfilled her wish!”
”what's at fault, is your body Not your heart”
With her face buried in his chest, Takeru stroked Kiseki's head
The two hugged each other
”———Kusanagi, we need to talk a litt hey whaaa!”
Ouka who suddenly opened the doors and ca, she raised a hysterical voice
”Y-you hat are you siblings!”
Despite being someone who could be described as serious-type, Ouka has blurted out soely comical
Startled by that overly-serious tone of voice, Takeru released Kiseki's shoulders
”you've been considerably influenced by Suginami haven't you”
”——?!!”
”Don't act that shocked”
As he s at Ouka from the bed quickly hid behind Takeru
Only peeking with half of her face from behind his back, Kiseki stared at Ouka anxiously
Ouka stood in front of the tith a gentle expression and after bending her waist, she looked at Kiseki
”Nice to ic Acadei's coards”
She stretched her hand out
Kiseki alternated between looking at Ouka's face and her hand, then she cried out a short ”ahh” After looking at her hair she realized it was the girl with sunset-coloured hair about whom she heard before
She hesitantly overlapped her tre hand with Ouka's
”Kiseki is called Kiseki Onii-chan's little sister”
”Yeah, I've heard Just as Kusanagi said, you're a cute girl”
As Ouka smiled, Kiseki responded with a blush
”Don't worry Nothing bad will happen to you, I promise”
””
”You're my benefactor's little sister I will never abandon you”
Met with Ouka's sincere attitude, Kiseki looked down showing a troubled reaction Somewhere in that expression of hers there was a shadow
”Sorry as you can see she's bad with strangers She can't have a decent conversation with anyone other than me”
Takeru said hinting that its complex, and Ouka shook her head
”No, there's no problei, come with me for a moment Everyone wants to talk about what to do now”
He nodded, agreeing to her offer
Ouka waved to Kiseki and left the bedroom
Takeru tried to follow her, but
”Onii-chan”
He was stopped by Kiseki, and turned around
She was facing down and gripped the bed sheets strongly
”I'll be back soon, wait a moment”
Although he said so to reassure her, Kiseki still faced down anxiously
”don't worry I don't know if I'll get everyone to helpabout you”
He had no confidence He had no way of confir he could say
Suppressing the hatred he felt for himself, he opened the door and headed back to his comrades
The htly Takeru saw that
”ll me”
Even though the voice didn't reach him, just fro
Despite that, as ifit so that he didn't hear it, Takeru closed the door
After Takeru left the bedroo down
Ouka was standing while entrusting her back to the wall Everyone was silent, staring anxiously at Takeru
”Sorry I made you wait”
He uttered an apology and sat down on a counter seat Ouka glanced at him
”Kusanagi, about e do from now on”
”Wait aI need to tell everyone about it”
”is that fine?”
”I can't involve the to reveal this today anyway”
Hearing Takeru's resolve, Ouka closed her eyes in silence
After placing his hand on his knees finding determination, he started to relay the truth to everyone
”That girl is nation is SS-class and was originally confined in the contraindicated area's deepest prison”
Usagi and Mari showed an expression of surprise
Ouka who heard about it in advance showed no reaction, Ikaruga too, has only narrowed her eyes in silence
”Probably, she left it on her own”
”Left you say from the contraindicated area's deepest prison?!”
Displaying surprise even further, Mari leaned forward
That was understandable Speaking of the country's deepest prison, it was the ent facility of Inquisition In terms of robustness, it was comparable to the elf restoration facility in Alchemist's fifth institute
In response to Mari's reaction, Takeru faced down
”That's how dangerous she is In the past in our home town, she killed a lot of people”
””
”But don't misunderstand Kiseki is unable to control her power She didn't do it because she wanted to Aside frooes out of control and when she's harmed she's very docile”
”that's”
”She——”
It hen Takeru was about to say the truth
Ikaruga as staying silent up until this moment opened her mouth
”Has Overflow Complex”
Everyone's gaze gathered on Ikaruga
”You see, Kusanagi's little sister has a sickness like that It's a sye have Their Phantom Instruments are cracked when they're born, or when its ic even without intending to do so You ht?”
Both Mari and Usagi heard the disease's name
”This disease can be suppressed by Gleipnir if it's an ordinary witch, but the ai's little sister has is out of ordinary A high aic power, if not converted won't cause harm to humans, but if it causes an abnor disaster”
”T-then while we're speaking, isn't it dangerous?”
”No need to worry The thing with Overflow Coical power is at its peak Since she e amount of it by the time she came here, it should take a while until it's refilled Fortunately, Kusanagi's little sister symptoms are not a crack-type, it will overflow only when it's full, until then it's okay”
Usagi stroked her chest relieved, and examined Takeru's pale complexion
Hearing Ikaruga's description, Takeru tried to raise an objection
”Hey, Sugi——”
”Be quiet Kusanagi It'll be faster if I'”
”No, it's not about that What you're saying is”
”Silence”
Strictly, Ikaruga stopped hi
He was forced silent by Ikaruga's serious expression She must have known all-too-hat he wanted to say This is what Takeru wanted to tell her
'What are you saying it's practically all lies'
As Takeru's gaze questioned her as to why is she lying, Ikaruga also answered with her gaze
There is no need to say the truth, is what it said
”So, why does Sugina?”
Usagi asked, and Ikaruga responded to her
”About the time I entered the school, I hacked the contraindicated area's database out of curiosity The record about Kusanagi's sister was there”
That too, was a lie
There were no records on Kiseki in Inquisition's database The facility and all its instruments were stand-alone and all records were stored on paper
Obtaining infora learned about Kiseki from Takeru after his defeat to Ouka in the middle school when he ed by despair
The reason Ikaruga kept the truth about Kiseki in secret, was definitely as not to instil fear of Kiseki in their comrades
Takeru understood that, and hit his lap with his fist
Telling theood idea
It wasn't that he didn't trust his comrades But it was inevitable that they would fear Kiseki
Knowing Kiseki's identity and knowing the risk, only few could remain sane
””
Ouka are that Ikaruga and Takeru were feeling uncomfortable
It was clear that the tere hiding so
She could draw out what it was by questioning them
However, she was unable to act so rudely towards her comrades, nor she had intention to
not being included feels lonely
S wryly at the fact that she felt lonely, Ouka downcast her eyes
Honestly, she has never thought that Takeru's circunated as an SS-class risk, there is no way he wouldn't be upset After encountering her in the back alley, he didn't knohat to do
When she shook hands with Kiseki, it wasn't that she didn't feel scared
It was because of Ouka's own policy and the feelings she had for Takeru
The gratitude Ouka felt toward Takeru was real Thanks tohim, she didn't stray from the path of a proper person
The bitterness of living only for revenge and loneliness
It was a sense of isolation which reseh darkness
Previously, Ouka cherished it and was resolved to accept it as the obvious retribution As if clothing herself with sin, she continued to seek revenge
But Takeru on top of accepting her revenge, had denied her way of living
Ouka knew, just how little a single person can do
Ouka knew, just how less is it to isolate herself
Ouka knew, just how great the power born fro with one's comrades was
That hy this time, Ouka reached out to Takeru
Don't shoulder it alone What are you doing agonizing yourself alone, fool You who have forcefully shouldered half of my burden, why do you seem like you're about to be crushed by your own burden and so she thought
I will shoulder your burden in my oay
After separating from the wall, Ouka sat down on the chair next to Takeru
As she stared at everyone's faces, she could tell that everyone felt lost not knohat to do
Noro back to the contraindicated area, secured and subjected to appropriate treatment would be most appropriate course of action
However, the person in question was Takeru's little sister Although she was restrained by a powerful force, it was no wonder one would think about releasing her However, that kind of half-assed thinking should be unacceptable for an Inquisitor candidate
Because Mari was in a sis the best Understanding this, Ouka tried a suggestion
”Everyone, I think you understand the situation Without a doubt this is an enated as an SS-class danger go unchecked”
”b-but she's Takeru's little sister? Even I knohat's the right thing to do but”
Mari said so in a lukewarm manner
Ouka nodded and placed her hands on her chest
”Yeah But I as a member of Inquisition, I'm unable to release her”
Showing a strong will, Ouka stared at Takeru
Takeru opened his hand that was clenched into a fist and turned around to her
”I know I too intended to do that Having her go outside like that is dangerous and she too, wouldn't want that either”
”I guess so”
”Passing her to Inquisition Board would be optimal”
Once again, Takeru clenched his fist
Ouka put on a faint, bitter smile and looked down at the wristwatch-type device
”After deciding that, let's act i”
””
”We will escort Kusanagi Kiseki to contraindicated area”
Everyone looked up in surprise
Takeru slightly rose up from the chair
”Escort you say aren't we going to contact Inquisition and call in Witch HuntersDullahans?”
”Although I really want to do that actuallythis barrier”
”eh?”
”It won't respond anyhow”
Speaking of which, after entering the barrier Takeru's intercom also broke down
However, there was an option of contacting the the barrier
Takeru was confused, but after looking at Ouka's expression, he guessed everything
Ouka unnaturally shook her head saying ”good grief”
”Like this we can't contact them There's no choice but to drop her off ourselves”
While saying so, Ouka showed Takeru a smile
”Even I know that visitation of a witch with high-level danger designation is an enormous expanse If it's an SS-class then that must be an explosive amount”
”it can't be, that you”
Takeru stood up from his chair
Ouka scratched her cheek and averted her eyes
”I aal act It can't be said that there's no danger but I believe Kusanagi's promise”
The promise
As long as he's by her side, he won't let any of his comrades be harmed Ouka believed him when he said that
”that's ell it's fine for the siblings to spend an hour alone together”
Takeru wasn't the only one surprised
All platoon estion come from her mouth
Probably feeling aard, Ouka desperately turned away and tried to hide her face with her bangs
The first one to laugh was Ikaruga
”on top of being bold, you said so that doesn't fit you”
”I-I am aware of that”
”Were it to be Ootori fronore the fact they're relatives or whatever and hurry to the call the Dullahans out of long-winded obligations”
”Even now I think it's a very dangerous idea”
”But well you've done well despite how you are You read the atmosphere well”
After being praised, Ouka's line of sight continued to wander around as she was uncomfortable
Following Ikaruga, Usagi stared at Ouka puzzled
”If it wasn't Kusanagi's little sister, she wouldn't show any mercy but it's not like I won't praise that proposal”
”〜〜!! Who does Saionji think she is”
”How about obediently being glad after hearing a praise〜?”
Hearing Usagi laugh with ”Ohohoho”, Ouka couldn't respond anyhow
Looking at Ouka acting so, was Mari stared at her in silence from the couch
Her line of sight said she wasn't convinced, it relayed that she absolutely won't acknowledge it Noticing that, Ouka glared at Mari
””
””
”it doesn't suit you to the point of being disgusting”
Ouka stood up and cath she pinched her cheeks Not wanting to lose, Mari pinched her cheeks too
”Yo shou hare houman ho shan wead he wood〜! (You too are someone who can't read the mood)”
”'hont het wool o hosel hust 'hos owotten hetter 't shoshi+aling〜! (Don't get full of yourself just because you've gotten better at socializing)”
While the two engaged in pointless grasping one another Ikaruga approached Takeru and spoke directly into his ear
”accept this gift in silence It was better not to say the truth”
”But I can't have you all take extra responsibility for——”
”Extra? Are you serious? If you are, then I'll beat you up”
Takeru was sharply glared at and silenced
He didn't experience her glare that much before
”I don't care if Kusanagi thinks that this is superfluous, but this is a one-in-a-lifetiirl will be free as she is now”
”But, Kiseki is”
”I know If she knew about that girl's real identity, Ootori would abort the arrangement If it's possible to use this case, make sure you use it in full even if it's at expanse of your comrades”
””
”ether Whether you do it or not, or will you stay indecisive as you are now, is up to you”
”Suginami I”
”I think that is the proper thing to do There is no 'correct' answer to choose It's so that can't be easily decided on so it's all right to trouble yourself over it But make sure to properly decide yourself Because I, have no intention of shouldering your burden”
Ikaruga stated it firmly and looked at Ouka who sat down on the chair next to them
Her eyes were cold, but also gentle
Takeru looked around at the platoon that was as noisy as usual, and dropped his line of sight at the palm of his own hand
Ten minutes later, the 35th platoon's members have finished a brief self-introduction and after leaving Takeru aside they have surrounded Kiseki
”——No, since that's how it is, the platoon's fashi+on leader Nikaido Mari-san will coordinate Kiseki-chan's outfit!”
Kiseki suddenly grew impatient and has turned restless
”U-um what does this mean?”
”Since you siblings can finally have a date all by yourselves with no outsiders butting in, it's decided that it has to be perfect!”
”date?”
”Worry do not Kiseki-chann S-sis will make you all cute and prettyy”
Kiseki slightly drew back seeing Mari coers of her both hands looking troubled
”but Kiseki isn't in a position to be able to do such a thing for everyone too, it would be best to hurry and send me back to contraindicated area that's”
”Come on〜it's fine! I too am a witch just like Kiseki-chan, I won't be intimidated by you”
”witch?”
”Indeed Look, this collar The folks in here don't le person”
Seeing everyone's gaze focus on her, Kiseki was flustered
”but even so, it's not good I'll be a bother”
”You're similar to Takeru only in weird attitude like that! You three, don't just stand there and help out!”
Mari pointed at the platoon members and started to act bossy
”Do not try to pointlessly raise our tension, it is annoying who put Nikaido in charge, I wonder”
”Why, ain't that obvious? Aeable about fashi+on?”
Taking a twirl around and putting on a sns appeared beside, Mari finished it with a peace sign
Everyone's line of sight showed no reaction
”what?!”
”For some reason it seems to me like she'll end up in some indecent outfit In that case, it ismaiden!”
”Ohohoho” Usagi laughed loudly
Hearing that, Ouka cleared her throat
”Although it ht seem that I have no sense because of what I'll say you two, make sure it's as inconspicuous as possible”
”How stiff, it's all right for just a bit Also, on the other hand, it's unnatural for adolescent girls not to dress up a little”
Mari pouted
”Thaton hand We uise beforehand Our choice is limited”
Ouka raised her index finger and urged everyone to calm down
Usagi and Mari looked at Ouka a bit dissatisfied, and thenon the bed, or to be precise, they stared at the pointlessly big boston bag next to her
Ikaruga guessed what theyout the clothes from inside One after another with a rustle she took out one outfit after another It was an a
”——Don't make a mess okay?”
”Why did you get this many?!”
Taken aback, Ouka questioned her with a bitter face
”But wasn't it you Ootori, who have toldthese?”
”I didn't tell you to this far!”
The amount and diversity of the clothes could make one dizzy
For a while after that, Kiseki acted like a dress-up doll
This isn't good, that isn't good and like that she was putting on and taking off clothes
The first one, was a one-piece dress and a straw hat
”umm hy is it”
”Oh my, how cute”
”It feels like summer”
”it does fit her, but doesn't it feel out of season?”
”Hht catch a cold”
The second one, a yukata and a fan
”I'm sorry but it feels cold”
”Black hair fits yukata's after all, doesn't it”
”It feels like summer”
”Oh, Kiseki-chan your breasts are unexpectedly”
”Rejected It's too out-of-season and eye-catching”
The third one, AntiMagic Acadele
”ah, this is somewhat, easy to move in I think”
”Nice〜dual-wielding large guns gives off a hard-working feeling, really nice〜”
”Can't see a tree in the forest, is it all right?”
”So that's how it is she has slightly bigger breasts than I do!”
”In the uniform, if she's asked for an ID she'll be found out immediately, rejected”
The fourth one, bikini
”It's e”
”Excellent”