Vol 10 Chapter 4 (1/2)
Chapter 4 - Critical Point
Although the checkpoint in the Border was in high alert when the Pureblood Party attacked, it was no longer an iun
With the possibility of eneic, rather than the Grey City that was a den of vagrants and criminals, the solidification of defense in the city and facilities was of higher priority
Even though it wasn't ians deployed in the defense perimeter
A single truck had co when there was relatively few people
One of the Spriggans had rushed to the car and with a clipboard in his hand he hit theof the driver's seat
Theopened and a person dressed like a cook had peeked out
It was disguised Kirigaya Kyouya
”——Sup! I've coh here?”
As thehis excellent bearing, the Spriggan had looked puzzled at the man and the clipboards in turns
”There's no ration distribution in the schedule from the looks, you don't seem to be inquisitors?”
”Aw, as expected of a Spriggan protecting the city! So sharp〜 I sure look up to you guys〜”
He had a clearly cramped up smile, Kyouya took off his cook's hat and smiled cheerfully
Sweating profusely, he opened one eye to check the Spriggan's expression
The Spriggan had stared intently at Kyouya before dropping his line of sight at the clipboard again
”Cut the pointless flattery What did you come here for, old man”
Old man
Hearing that, Kyouya had pat his chest in relief
shi+t why do I have to take this role!
Currently, Kyouya was being disguised by Mari's ic refracted lighthiuised to sound like that of soic seeic that was about the third best ic of hers, so they were tremendously anxious whether she could do it
It seemed like they were able to fool him so far
”W-well〜, it's a volunteer work Witches have attacked a while ago right? My shop was in danger too back then t-thanks to inquisitors working hard 〜”
”Oh-hohh, I see”
”Exactly so〜 I guess? As a thanks I' free pastries in your defense line, isn't that a chic plan of my store? How is it?”
”I see I see I get it By the way, there's so I'd like to ask while at it”
”W-what is it Nii-chan?”
”Is your bakery in the Grey City?”
Kyouya's s expression froze
”ah〜umm??”
”The only part of old japan attacked was the Border A large scale battle hasn't happened yet Or e? There should be a travel ban now, I don't think you would be able to fund overseas travel when you just have a bakery though?”
The Spriggan was looking with a clear suspicion in his eyes By the way, in this era to travel abroad one had to pass through a large Sanctuary and the aircraft had to e amount of money was necessary
As one of his excuses was crushed, the inquisitor stared at him
S-shi+tt, shi+t shi+t shi+tshi+tshi+t! I' the S
Despite hoas, Kyouya was a stupidly honestpulled in he should just have said ”I'ans” and be done with
”A-ahaha〜, I-I'm not really studious〜 I misspoke you see My store wasn't destroyed, but collapsed is what Ilike that and people were evacuated no customers would come in〜”
Although his tone of voice wasn't stable, he soan
”For now, show o”
”Eh i-it's just pastries you know?”
”Making a further mess of this is pointless isn't it, open up”
When the Spriggan went up the loading space, Kyouya got off the driver's seat with a pale face
”give me a break”
Takeru had trouble breathing and a difficult enduring as he could feel a bulge squeeze his face
The place he was in at the moment was a wooden box placed in the back of the vehicle
Since the headquarters of Heretic Alliance were in another world, it was necessary to use transferpoint equipment installed by Heretic Alliance in the Grey City and Border was reuise of a distribution vehicle
Nagaru intended to have one of the disguise ic specialists do it, but Mari said ”there's no need to” and has taken the role with self-confidence While Nagaru had trust Mari, the ic specialist (self-proclaimed), but Takeru and the others were full of anxiety
That Kyouya, is he doing it properly s-still, i-it's too narrow here
Takeru wasn't the only one as jammed into a wooden box with paper-based buffer material and pastries
The entire 35th platoon was in it
To go into i and Mari in front of hia and Ouka behind
”S-Suginamii, please do not move it is too narrow here——hyann!”
Because Ikaruga had ainst Takeru's face Usagi let out a char voice and twisted her body
”Kusanagii-iii, your breath ticklhyahn! P-please stop breathinggg”
”Pwahh, I'll die though?!”
As expected, in this state he'll end up suffocating, he changed his posture and moved his face towards Mari as in the front left of hia twisted her body and pushed his back, he ended up plunging forward
”O! Suginami, don't movee, I my face hit the wall?”
When he looked forward, it wasn't the wall but Mari as as close to the wall as possible
Takeru fearfully raised his gaze up and saw Mari with tears in her eyes, who had tasted sharuntled expression The h it was unknoas she thinking, Mari had grabbed Takeru's head with both hands and pressed it against her own chest
And she had begun to strongly grind his head into it
”?!?! What are you doinstopp”
”It ain't a walll, I have 'em, I properly have 'eht, Takeruu”
His face was pressed against Mari's soft chest, rubbing it
They were there Certainly, there was a hard to express pleasant sensation there
It was a great thing by itself He didn't have a proble either However, it wasn't time to say that now
Takeru somehow slipped away from Mari's constraint and leaned backwards
This tia's and Ouka's breasts
”I wonder if there was a better way to do this in the first place, why do all four of us have to be squeezed into one wooden box?”
Spitting a sigh, Ikaruga hugged Takeru's head against her chest as if she was e a plushi+e
”Heyy, don't hug mee, don't cuddle my headd!”
”Kusanagi, it feels as if you had grown accusto”
Honestly, he was accustomed to it
”? Ootori sure is quiet Nor 'keep it down' and such, being the loudest one”
Ouka's face wasn't visible as it was obscured by buffer material
When Ikaruga tried to move the material away,
”You gyuys, I told tyo be syailent”
She had soh she tried to hide it, it didn't really work since she had red bean paste stuck on her cheek
”why are you eating anpan now?”
”N-nyot eatying anyathing”
”Don't force yourself”
”ng-gulp, i-it's fine isn't it It's a waste to use it just for infiltration Also, we can't enter battle hungry”
Ouka pouted for asideways, then, no in her hands
””
This one too has coht Takeru earnestly
Even though they were going to a quite dangerous place, as this platoon acting as usual
Everyone was accustoe and was at ease, it see the sense of tension
As the captain in here, I should act strictly for the first time after a while
Takeru didn't really try to act strict before, but he had braced himself to scold everyone
That's when, the cargo's curtain was opened
He proainst his mouth
”I think I heard so just nohat's inside there?”
”I-I I said there're pastries in there〜”
Looking fro like an oldarmor
From the look on Kyouya's pale face, he was clearly heavily upset
So it was no good
The inquisitor went on the cargo without saying anything Then without saying anything, he opened the wooden box
Fortunately, it was the box next to theirs
”it's pastries”
”I-I told you right〜?”
Relieved, Takeru pat his chest and sighed deeply
”Sorry, but I'll have to open them all”
Whatt?!
Takeru had raised his pale face and Ouka behind hiun
At the same time the lid was opened, she turned the muzzle towards the inquisitor
””
” ” ” ” ”” ” ” ” ”
In silence, the inquisitor and Takeru's group stared at each other
About five seconds have passed staring
”it's pastries”
As if he didn't see anything, the inquisitor closed the lid Soundlessly, Ouka beside Takeru had sighed deeply
”good grief, don't scare me like that”
Saying so in quiet voice, Ouka lowered her gun
”The disguise uy is useless isn't he”
It seeuise ic on the box itself Most likely the content of the box waslight refraction
The inquisitor had checked all the boxes and clearly calmed down, then filled the clipboard
”Next ti Got it?”
”Y-yes sir, sorry 'bout this〜”
”Also, one ”
Kyouya's shoulders twitched as he tried to esture similar to a salute
The inquisitor had hit the clipboard with the pen's point and pointed at the cargo
”Are your pastries tasty?”
”He? Ah, yess yes yes!! O-of course it's exquisite!”
”Then divide so our stations Pastries are really nice We're always lacking sugars”
Hearing the inquisitor ask hiain relieved
Although it was quite forceful, they have h the Border
Kyouya returned to the driver's seat and started the car
The Grey City wasn't that broad, but it was still of the city size
Their objective was a place dyed even darker by the previous war than the Grey City was, the Critical Point
Froer zone, huh there isn'tfound is still haunting
Takeru thought about the future while in the wooden box
They learned in the school's classes on how dangerous the Critical Point is The location in which depending on the time and weather, phases of the e varied was called Critical Point
In other words, there was a chance they would lose their lives without being able to do anything in the Critical Point Fortunately, Lapis' and Vlad's functionality was able to confirm the presence or absence of Akashi+c Hazard Also, Mari's Aurora ical property allowed them to withstand the Akashi+c Hazard for several seconds
Just as ”Invisible Disaster” naested, it was invisible
Instead, random phenoravity suddenly changes, trees rapidly grow and die within the span of one day, as well as other singular phenomenons
Although the inquisitors are wary of how dangerous the Critical Point is and won't approach it, they needed to be more focused than usual
AntiMagic Academy's Chair Hayato had co afternoon tea
《”We're currently searching for Kurogane Hayato We have lost hiain after he entered the Border but there was one strange report”》
”Say it”
《”A suspicious vehicle had entered the Grey City fro about a bakery distributing pastries”》
Sougetsu responded with ”hmm” and placed the cup with tea on the table
《”The lookout let the any questions, what should we do?”》
”Has Kurogane-kun entered the border?”
The calling inquisitor had responded with confirmation
”Then, while continuing to search for Kurogane-kun pursue the vehicle as well Youunexpected”
《”Understood Should we interrogate the?”》
”No, tail them, it's fine if you just chase after them Let them swim for now”
Sougetsu finished the call and heaved a sigh
”a baker, really at time like this?”
That's clearly suspicious, isn't it
Thinking so, Sougetsu chuckled
About an hour after they entered the Grey City, the car has suddenly stopped Havingin the box, Takeru had pushed up the lid and looked outside
When he did, Kyouya opened the curtain in the back
”We've arrived From here on it's the Critical Point There's no inquisition's patrols either it won't be strange if you die any time here, so be careful”
Kyouya went up on the cargo and from the bottom of one of the boxes he took out Nero, which he placed on his shoulder
Takeru and his coot out from the wooden boxes and looked at Kyouya as he stretched As Kyouya continued to be wary of the surroundings, everyone including Takeru stared at him
”ha? What yer' lookin' at”
” ” ” ” ”” ” ” ” ”
”What's with you bastards staring like that if you've got anythin' to say then say it!”
As Kyouya had intimidated them, Takeru instinctively turned away
He had no idea what kind of expression should he make
Even though Kyouya intimidated them, to Takeru he looked like an old man from a bakery
As Kyouya looked out of touch elsewhere, the 35th platoon'seach other
”is that really fine with Kyouya?”
”Bffufu he hasn't noticed yet We're already in the Critical Point so he can just cancel the disguise ic”
”D-don't laugh at the poor guy rather, it's Nikaido who put the ic on him, so she should just release it”
”But if I aave him an instant charm If the charm isn't torn off, the effect won't disappear”
”It's interesting so let's leave it as is The sight of an olda pose with a Relic Eater in his hands is surreal I should have brought a camera surely, Yoshi+mizu would be happy with a picture”
The three eren't sure whether they should laugh or not and Mari with Ikaruga who desperately held in their laughter
Seeing the bunch like that, Kyouya thought they are being strange and looked at his own reflection in the truck's glass
”———!”
Rather than surprised, he was speechless
When Kyouya got off the car, he took out the char to his original appearance, without looking in their direction he responded, bearing the anger
”H-h-hurry up and get off the damn car!”
He had walked under the guise of calm, but it was already too late Kyouya had already prepared hiet a ”baker” nickname
In otten off the car
On the road ahead partitioned by yellow tape spread the Critical Point
The Grey City was eerie, but the Critical Point far surpassed that Even though it was daytihtly dim
The place in which they would lose their lives the ht in front of them
”let's go”
Takeru and others passed through the yellow tape, setting their feet in the Critical Point
In case of entering the Critical Point, special goggles or contact lenses called analysis Filter had to be put on the eyes The filter detected ical power to be visualized
In the Sanctuary there are places where atrocious ical power doesn't disappear Akashi+c Hazard deprives life of the organisnized after being passed through the filter
Also, oneof the Sanctuary's tides Since movement of the Akashi+c Hazard inside of the Critical Point is constant, if theysed by it
”There's an hour left until this place will be sed up in the Sanctuary We still have time, but it's better to hurry”
Mari said so and had begun to move quickly in the front
It seemed like she had been in the Critical Point twice in the past and was accustoot lost in the underpass it couldn't be trusted tooinside twice in the past, so it was natural
There wasn't a single soul in the Critical Point Because it was cos were old Posters and propaganda froe of old fashi+oned cars were left intact
The buildings aged more severely than those in the Grey City and there were many that collapsed
Since plants weren't affected by the Sanctuary, elsewhere there were eroded trees
The 35th platoon proceeded through the asphalt, raised up by the growing trees
The Critical Point wasn't broad After walking for 10 minutes they arrived at the destination
”it's here A newspaper company?”
All that could be recognized froh was that it was so raised, it probably was from before Inquisition had come to old japan to intervene, about the ti enforced They were taught in history classes that before the war, Inquisition was very weak in japan
”Let's hurry Kyouya, keep watch at the entrance If so happens contact us via radio”
”got it Be careful as not to drop dead in there”
Bluntly showing his concern, Kyouya stood on guard in the entrance, poising Nero
Carefully treading Takeru and the others set their feet in the building
The inside was full of dust and there was no evidence of people being in there
The high stacks of yellowed printing paper were the same as at the time when they were printed The evidence of devastation was left intact
Until they reached this place, they haven't seen even a single huht up in the Akashi+c Hazard all vanish without a trace
In a place like this without any signs of people for many years, there was an illusion as if the time had stopped
It felt as if staying in there for long would cause their spirit to become unstable
Naturally everyone had become silent and they had just continued to look for the docuh there were many newspapers, they couldn't see what could be the document
Takeru and the others had exa from first up to the fifth floor
”there's nothing here Sixth floor is the only one left”
After finishi+ng the search of the fifth floor, they headed to the sixth
”S-still, it's great that we reached here without anything happening”
After getting to the sixth floor, Usagi broke the silence
In tune with Usagi who had read the mood, Ouka softened her expression
”That's true, wherever we go it always turns troublesome”
”It's a dangerous place, but ere safe up until now There's no eneo on at ease〜”
Hearing Mari's carefree words, Takeru smiled wryly
The tere probably concerned about comrades
”Everyone, don't relax too much Let's hurry up and find the document then leave this pla——”
After reaching the end of the stairs, without saying anything Takeru had opened the middle room on the sixth floor and took a few steps in
——In the ane Hayato
””
””
Hayato stared at Takeru as usual, overfloith intimidation
In his left hand, he had soun and was already pointing it at them
They were careless, Takeru was completely defenseless and didn't even have a hand on his sword
His comrades who have co Hayato from behind Takeru
They had no idea how to act
Why was EXE's captain, Kurogane Hayato here?
What was he doing in a place like this?
When he thought so——he re was that of enemies
”——!!”
Takeru dropped his waist low and when he stretched his hand to the sword,
——Hayato was already in front of hi with speed impossible to follow
With just one step, he already arrived in front of Takeru
F-fast——
He was approached before he could use Soumatou
As Takeru was astonished for being sealed before he could rasped his head with one hand and pulled hiround
《”Kusanagi, enemy! Hide yourself!”》
Late by a e from Kyouya had entered his ear
As the debris of the wooden floor had scattered, Hayato shouted to everyone
”——All of you get down!”
He was so intiot down on their faces
Irazed their heads
The walls, floor, pillars, all of it had continued to rupture with a popping sound The only ones that realized they were targeted by soi and Ouka
The first blow had coe froun
Hayato grasped Takeru's collar and with abandon he slid Takeru all the way to the , then Hayato hie beside
Ouka grasped Mari's unifor Ikaruga's waist and rolling her forward
《”!! This bunch is the EXE with mass-produced models! I'uys do so about the snipers!”》
Mixed with the sound of shooting and combat, Kyouya could be heard
The ene here?
”You guys, what did you come here for”
Before he could ask, Hayato asked him in cold voice
Takeru slowly regained his calm and braced himself
”And why is Kurogane-san here?”
”I' questions Answer”
”I refuse If you don't answer, I' to answer either”
Even though they were helped, Takeru said so without drawing back an inch
Hayato glanced at him from above
Honestly speaking, it was so inti
Then Hayato looked away from Takeru and looked at the floor of the office
Takeru's line of sight was also lured in there
In there, fell a single black notebook
That hat Hayato was holding when he came to the sixth floor
He o of it when he helped Takeru
”that notebook, can it be”
””
”Kurogane-san's the same as us——!!”
When he spoke up to there, his mouth was jammed
That was because Hayato looked down at Takeru with clear intent to kill
——I won't let you have it
That's what his eyes said
Takeru clenched his fist, then alternated between looking at the notebook and Hayato In that notebook, without a doubt was inforetsu, written by Mineshi+ro Kazuma
”khh”
””
Putting his legs at the wall, Takeru was ready to leap at any time, Hayato made a similar stance
This ht not be their enemy, but he isn't an ally either
That was clear as a day This man definitely wouldn't pass the document to Takeru and others
Bullets were still flying over their heads Most likely they were being fired at fro on the opposite side of the street
If he triggers the Soumatou he will be able to avoid the bullets and recover the document Takeru's body was different from the past and if by chance he was hit by a bullet he would activate Witch Hunter form and survive
Rather than the bullets, this man was the problem
He had no idea how strong was Hayato Although it was obvious at a glance that he was strong, Takeru didn't kno strong was he
Could he recover the docu bullets at the same time?
It's not about whether I can——I' it!
It couldn't be helped even if he thought, he had to believe in hith into his feet
He was going to ju
————Now!
The s in order to leap by kicking off the wall
——Froh the
He triggered Soumatou and tried to desperately suppress the momentum of the jump, but unable to co
In the slow- an EXE uniform had jumped into the office
He had a wire hook attached to his waist He had ju the wire from the roof on the opposite side
The un in his hand and aimed the muzzle at Takeru at the same time as he jumped in
——This is bad I can't avoid it in this posture
The rasped his shoulder and returned hiinal location
Hayato and the stranger glared at each other, pointing muzzles at each other
But they didn't shoot
Even though they aimed at each other, they didn't fire
When Takeru's dynaround as the slow-motion had melted He picked the docuain
”Jougasaki”
Hayato called the man's name
The asaki had put the document in his bosom and disconnected the wire from his waist
The shooting had already stopped
Jougasaki glared at Hayato
”I have ed you Senpai I didn't think you would betray us”
”I told you not to follow me”
”We will follow It's Chairman's order after all I'm an inquisitor and you're now a criminal I won't listen to your order no more”
Holding guns in both hands, Jougasaki firhts between Hayato's eyebrows
Hayato too, put strength into the finger on 050 caliber gun's trigger
In this tense atmosphere, the platoon members all were almost struck breathless
”Senpai, please surrender I don't want to kill you and I don't want juniors over there be in any er than this”
””
”The newcootiation is the last chance If you're to surrender, it's your only chance!”
””
”Senpai!”
As Jougasaki appealed, Hayato narrowed his eyes slightly
Takeru only knew their relationshi+p was that of a boss and a subordinate Judging froer the EXE's captain but was instead treated as a cri from the fact he had followed after Mineshi+ro Kazues etsu, however
What to do, if we're caught here on't be able to return to Heretic Alliance! I won't be able to save Kiseki! I don't knohy is Kurogane-san here, but we can't draw back now!
Takeru called out to Lapis in his head
《”Lapis, can you turn into Witch Hunter form instantly?”》
《”It's possible, but without a chant and ain armor's construction Meanwhile, Host will be vulnerable”》
《”OK then I'll e somehow!”》
He stopped his breathing and tried to put his fingers on the sword's handle
But,
”Hey, junior Don't strain yourself Stay quiet there”
Still pointing his gun at Hayato, Jougasaki aimed his blood-lust at Takeru
Takeru's hand stopped just before touching the sword's handle
The thirst for blood that didn't lose to that of Hayato's had sent chills down his spine
”You're the 35th Test Platoon right I won't say anything about it, so just surrender here”
”that's not going to happen!”
Glaring at Jougasaki, Takeru looked for a chance
Still focusing his gaze on Hayato, Jougasaki smiled
”I wonder, why is the majority of the Small Fry Platoon's captains so stubborn what do you think, Senpai?”
”?”
Puzzled, Takeru looked at Hayato