Vol 11 Chapter 2 (2/2)
Being told that with a strong asted
”You're worried about ly kind”
”Wrong I a this war I'd be troubled if you died now”
””
”We have succeeded with our o to waste Our fight isn't over yet”
Sage moved away from the wall and with his arms folded, looked at Takeru's bed
”We should have made a proth as long as our goals overlap, even if we are to becoot that oath”
There was no kindness nor ee's eyes He relayed that he had helped them only because it was necessary
Takeru squinted a little bit, then dropped his line of sight towards his palm He should have controlled the Soumatou, but he saw his palm double
Just like Sage said, if it continues this state will be life-threatening
But
”I'm not dyin' as if I would”
In order to live, this poas necessary
”I want to live I won't die no matter what”
He can't let his life be extinguish so easily after he broke his promise with Kiseki
”Even if it's being stubborn, I'll do whatever possible, no matter what”
While recalling his declaration of war to Kiseki, he raised his face and focused himself
”I will survive, and I'll save anything and everything”
What dwelled inside him, ithout a doubt a soul of a demon
Men of Kusanagi household were born with rough temper and stubbornness It was said the reason for that was the fact they were born with demon souls rather than those of hule-, it was appropriate to call it madness
Takeru didn't think of denying his own soul
Right noanted to be proud of it, rely on it
The demon soul that will never break
”I've heard of it before, but you really are a horribly stubborn guy”
”I'm told that often”
As Takeru replied lightly, Sage put on a faint smile
There's nothing else I have to say, it implied
”We scheduled a discussion in an hour Rest your body until then”
In order to leave, Sage put his hand on the doorknob
” for us Prepare yourself”
Leaving just that, Sage left the room
Left behind, Takeru recalled the sight of the city from when they escaped the Critical Point
The war had finally began His past, everyday life was gone The world war heading towards certain ruin
He has to stop it No matter the method used
Takeru closed his eyes in order to prepare for battle
Right now, he needs to preserve his strength as e said, Takeru's brain wasn't in a state that would allow him to act optimistic
He closed his eyes in order to reduce the burden on his eyes as much as possible
But, he was no longer able to sleep
If he sleeps, his control over Soumatou will be released
It was i berserk as he sleeps
Although he didn't tell Sage, but after just during one hour of sleep Takeru felt as if he continued to sleep for years Because of that his tiredness didn't go away in the least Rather than his body, it was his brain that was tired
He will have to think of a ht is over
Kurogane Hayato told hihty beyond your iination
His current state will probably shorten his lifespan but in order to fight that th, the power of Soumatou in out-of-control state was necessary
While Takeru received treat
As Ouka sat down in the chair by the table, her gaze passed through Mineshi+ro Kazuane Hayato
”How is it? Can you read it?”
Usagi who carried a tray with tea had put the cups on the table as she peeked at the documents
Ouka thanked Usagi and picked up a cup
”It's difficult”
Sitting down in front of frowning Ouka, Ikaruga held her chin in her hand and continued to play around with ertips
”Encryption, huh well, I guess that iven”
”But, that Kurogane person was able to read it, right? Is it different from the one used by EXE's?”
Lying face-down on the bed, Mari asked as she flailed her legs
Glaring at the docuh and took a sip of the tea
”It's close to the encryption used internally aed quite differently It must be what the captain and vice-captain used A normal member like me probably can't decipher it all”
”If you can't read it, it's definitely coi-san won't be able to either〜 And we've got no clue what's President doing”
Since they were the members of Heretic Alliance, the first one to read it should be their boss, but it was unknohat happened to Nagaru
It seemed like all the members of the Heretic Alliance have evacuated, but naturally, their transfer's destination ay from the Inquisition's headquarters Not only it would take time for them to rejoin each other, it would be very difficult now that the war had began
Although it was fine to hide in the hotel, on site there were only the Sixth Guard Troop, Seventh Student Squad and the 35th Platoon They had no choice but to communicate with the other members of the alliance to consult the course of action
Suddenly, Ouka stood up from the chair
”Could you leave the docu it”
”I do not ht?”
”I'm not a pro when it comes to encryption Well, try what you can”
Ouka turned around on her heel and headed outside of the room
Just one person, Mari had poured her suspicious gaze towards Ouka
Pretending to be calm, Ouka walked down the hotel's corridor
With a hand, she wiped the sweat on her forehead and at the same time she went past corner, she called Vlad
”Vlad do you kno's Takeru now?”
《”Thou can just go to his room and confirm it”》
”I' because I can't do that”
《”after receiving treatment fro obediently Right now he's alone”》
Ouka put a hand on her chin and pondered
《”Froical power communication Put on a filter on it”》
《”Already appli'd one”》
《”what do you think we should do?”》
It was unusual for Ouka to seek Vlad's opinion outside combat It meant the situation was that serious
That was because she had already decrypted the content of the docuement of EXE's encryption, it was her forte and her hobby to solve one-time encryptions like that
There was no way for her not to be surprised by the content
Ootori Sougetsu is this world's God?
Her adoptive father was?
It was soht that he wasn't hu like a sorcerer or a vampire
But it must have been the truth The world collision theory and the ”Fragical World” were real, and the evidence above all other is that Sougetsu et this document
After recognizing the contents as the truth, Ouka had no idea what should she do with this information
《”Thou belike shouldn't betoken thy comrades yet Not only it will cause confusion but also decrease morale”》
《”however, don't we have to tell theetsu isn't killed? If that man dies, the world will perish”》
《”Not everyone can kill a God A God is a anism in other words, an existence that can't be kill'd by this world's substances Thou don't hast to fret regarding to that”》
Just like Vlad said, noranisms can't be killed with human hands
The organisical poho live in this world are called fantastical organis e had a fundamentally different nature
Since they were outside of this world's principles, they were only teical power ran out they automatically returned to the world they have come from
The existence called God was also a anism
The probleetsu as a God, had a body and lived in this world
This world's God Is ritten in the document
《”Considering he gave Mistilteinn to Kusanagi Takeru and tri'd to reshape him into a God Hunter, he's belike an existence that cannot commit suicide”》
《””》
《”Master, thou ho shouldst thou betoken this to with highest priority, do thou?”》
In response to Vlad's question, Ouka fell silent with a difficult expression
But soon enough she raised her head and resolved herself There was no time to hesitate
”——I thought it would be so like that”
Hearing a voice from behind, Ouka let out a short scream and turned around
Mari stood there, staring intently
”N-Nikaido hat are you talking about?”
Seeing Ouka's attitude that suggested she clearly hid soh
”Don't go doing things that don't suit you Also, yourall over y'know?”
”N-no way, Vlad is properly encrypting i——”
”Who do you think I am?”
Mari put a hand on her hip and raised her chin as if to look down on Ouka
It wasn't that Ouka forgot, and it couldn't be said that she was careless
Despite all that happened, Mari was a quite renoitch and was said to be a specialist when it caic
Even as she was overpowered by her gaze, Ouka directed the brunt of her anger towards Vlad
《”I hast told thouthis is unprofessional”》
Vlad said with a tone of voice as if he was in a bad mood
《”Don't give me that! This is a top level secret!”》
”I said, you're leaking it all over”
Having an index finger thrust at her nose, Ouka bent backwards
As she tried to find an excuse after all the time that passed, Mari's expression softened
She stopped staring and made an amazed expression
”I don't really bla you earlier, it's not like I don't understand your not wanting to confuse everyone”
”Nikaido”
”But, no shouldering it alone! You're absolutely telling everyone!”
Ouka intended to say she was going to do that anyway, but kept silent
I would be acting like Takeru, she thought
”Let's talk with Takeru first I'll go with you”
Standing proud, Mari wouldn't back down no matter what
Ouka relaxed her shoulders and reluctantly agreed on going with Mari
Ouka and Mari came to Takeru's room and told him about the document
Told that Ootori Sougetsu whom the Heretic Alliance should overthroas the God of this world, and in front of the truth that this world will perish if he's killed, Takeru——
”Is that so”
” ”” ”
”a God, huh I see”
Put his hand on his chin, convinced, took a sip of bottled water that was put on the bedside and closed the cap
” ”” ”
”?”
Astonished, Ouka and Mari looked at Takeru's reaction and,
” ”That's all?!” ”
They leaned over, retorting
Takeru sitting in the bed had bent backwards in surprise
The tere unable to understand as this man etsu is a God”
”G-got nothing else to say?! He's a God, a God! Is it too crazy for you to co?!”
”If we kill that oal is to stop the war, but the operation of getting rid of the highest priority target won't end with just 'a few' casualties you know?!”
As the two drew closer to him, Takeru smiled wryly and scratched his cheek soundly
Their expressions turned into those of disbelief more and more
”W-well, I'ic World, collision of worlds, Sacred Treasures, we've been involved with too uess?”
” ”As if!” ”
”I-I'm sorry”
He ended up apologizing reflexively, Takeru was always being himself
Meanwhile, Lapis eed beside Ouka and Mari
”As expected of nity even in face of the world's truth I am proud to be your sword”
clap clap clap, while applauding Lapis said so expressionlessly
”You, stop flirting at weird times!! Can it be that you knew about it?!
”I didn't knoasn't interested why did Ootori Sougetsu want the power for killing Gods I was fine as long as I could fuse withwell about it, it all oal is suicide”
”So what if it does onna do?! We can't kill him you know?!”
When Ouka asked Lapis that, Takeru as in bed made a meek look
”Our goal isn't killing Chairht have to kill him in order to save Kiseki and to stop the war”
”Yyou're right, but it doesn't change the fact that our options to resolve it have narrowed”
”I guess But on the other hand, knowing his goal, we can focus on not killing him no matter what”
”uh”
What he said was si him? They didn't know too as he this world's God in the first place
In the docuical World they have reached and was real, but there were no reasons or circuetsu had become the God
Just the facts ritten briefly in the document
Ootori Sougetsu is a God
That was all
”Even if he's a God, it's not like he can do anything he wants Otherwise he wouldn't go so roundabout when it co hi Kiseki should be possible”
””
”Well, as for the approach it's not soether That's what Heretic Alliance is for after all”
Neither Ouka nor Mari knew Takeru could act this positively
He only looked ahead It wasthat was
In particular Ouka had received the biggest shock upon learning the fact killing Sougetsu would make the world perish
She clenched her fist and faced doards in frustration
”Takeru, are you satisfied with that?”
””
”Can you allow thathim back?”
Takeru faced down just for a moment in response to Ouka's words, but soon after he made a smile
”——I'll pay hi endlessly is hell for that bastard isn't it So, let's have him live forever”
Hearing that, Ouka recalled that killing Sougetsu wouldn't be paying him back
Above all, Takeru's goal wasn't revenge He was different from Ouka who had no one to save
It wasn't that he was broad-minded or tolerant
This htforward
”Whatever Chaire”
Who cares about the truth of the world
Who cares about the origins of the world
Who cares about what is a God
The truth that Mineshi+ro Kazuane Hayato desperately tried to hide, the truth that Ootori Sougetsu was the foundation of the world
This man——couldn't care less about it
The three teaathered in the lobby in order to ements on what they should do in the future
First of all, the explanation of the content written in Mineshi+ro Kazuma's document was necessary
Takeru was the one explaining
The exclusion of Ootori Sougetsu froets for assassination What should be done in order to stop the as defeating the coi Orochi He also explained that Kusanagi Kiseki, who is the Inquisition's ultimate weapon should be stopped
That was all he explained
Everyone stood astonished
Takeru had recognized the fact that Ootori Sougetsu was a God as ”There's a need to change the strategy”
Of course, 35th Platoon aside, it wasn't like the members of Pureblood Party or the Gods' Embers accepted it with ”Oh, is that so”
At first it was ”you ht?”, then it continued with ”What do we do”
”If the opponent is a God, hoe deal with him?”
”I don't really know myself, but isn't it fine to continue as ere?”
Takeru said that seriously to the speechless members of Pureblood Party
”No way, is he even soainst? If he's a God, he can blow so of a hand”
”Hht frouess he has no need to do so I oal is suicide”
” ” ” ” ”” ” ” ” ”
All the Pureblood Party members stood astounded at once
What's with this guy acting carefree does he have a screw lose in his head?
And even more so than the Pureblood Party, the problem were Gods' Embers
Froious beliefs, the words ”Ootori Sougetsu is this world's God” were a blasphemy above all else To theanisnized as a huh to despair
Quiet Sixth Miko's Guard Troops held their hands together to pray Some were sorrowful, some looked stunned as they stared into the air, there were various reactions
But the captain, Mikado Yuzuho was different With her usual resolute attitude she struck the floor with the spear's handle
”I see So Ootori Sougetsu is a anism”
With these words, the girls of the Sixth Guard Troop raised their heads
Despite receiving the truth that Ootori Sougetsu was a God, Yuzuho wasn't upset
”And that anism holds the life of this world itself is that all the information you received?”
Takeru nodded in response to Yuzuho's words
”Yeah”
”Then it's natural to exclude hiets to eli the Valhalla's leaders and Hyakki Yakou With that, the ill mostly end”
”Exactly”
When Takeru responded with a smile, Yuzuho nodded satisfied
Yuzuho spoke to surprised uard
”The alanisetsu He encoher die, we believe in the God that watches over our fate”
” ” ” ”” ” ” ”
”If you are true believers, you shouldn't despair because of the existence of a anism that devours the life of this world”
Then she re-sat on the sofa once again and said to Takeru, ”Allow h”
”Please stop calling Ootori Sougetsu a 'God' It's unpleasant That thing should be recognized as a anism In the first place, a God is——”
”Ookaay, I get it!”
Since it seeo on for a while, Takeru interrupted it early
Putting both his hands on the table, Takeru stood up
”War has already began We've no tih forces But we've already decided what to do”
It was questionable whether they should nod in approval in response to Takeru's words
Rushi+ng in without having anything resolved was foolish It was just a suicide attack Their defeat was clear
But as Takeru said, there was no time If the war continues, at this rate the world will definitely be destroyed Whether they kill Sougetsu or not, the result will be the same
First, stopping the war is top priority
”Thinking about it now is a waste of time Let's do e can”
That's what Takeru learned from the battles until now, and from his comrades
This alliance's teaht in their own fields of specialization
Takeru understood that well
There was still no contact from the Heretic Alliance's members who have evacuated from the headquarters What Takeru and others kneas that they were in a very distant place
The intelligence gathering troops that were dispatched to the city before the war began couldn't be contacted either and the alliance
In other words, the only ones a the Heretic Alliance who could cooperate were the three teams in here
They could only look fro in the city, but it was clear that it had turned into hell
Most likely, the ones who had the advantage were Valhalla with their surprise attack
At this rate, if the Inquisition is cornered
”Kiseki”
Inevitably, they will have Hyakki Yakou enter the battle
If that happens, Takeru itness the nightmare for the third time
He didn't want to see that kind of thing ever again
Takeru dressed himself, and tried to leave the room in order to head to the battlefield with his comrades
The moment he opened the door, his vision shook
When he staggered froh to make him fall over, someone supported him from the side
”Mari”
”Be quiet I should be able to ease it a little”
As she lent him a shoulder, Mari put her hand on Takeru's forehead
Her hand on his head was tinged with heat and glowed faintly
”Aic, there's one that acts as a sedative it'll suppress your brain's activity a little”
”you, noticed huh”
Takeru said that with a tired expression
Even as he tried to stand, he couldn't find any strength in his legs It seeht on Mari's small body
Mari furrowed her eyebrows and while firic
”For your infore long ago I came because I'm the only one who can ease you, Takeru”
”isthat so”
”Everyone knows already that you're a guy on't listen despite the state you're in That's why everyone does what they can They're preparing for battle”
The hand on his forehead had slid down to his cheek
Mari's pupils moved closer
”See, I too actually want to stop fighting and hide soether until the world perishes Right now, even if just by a second, I want cherish the time with everyone with you”
”I think so too”
”But, you're going to fight, right? There's no stopping you, right?”
”yeah”
He didn't apologize
”In that case, on't let you die we'll protect you! That's e can do!”
We won't stop you, she meant
Everyone a, Mari, Ouka
They didn't want Takeru to fight The opponents were the most powerful leaders of Valhalla, Hyakki Yakou that devours the world and a God on top of it
There was no perspective of winning
Despite what he said, Takeru are of that
Bravado, unfeeling, accusto, neither of those applied to him
However, there was no choice but to do it Unless he does it, he won't get what he wants
Who would stop the man who thinks like that Who would reject such selfish wish
What his co him a hand
Takeru too after all this tiht now, he fully relied on his comrades He even relied on them too much
That's why, even in this state, he thought of himself as a person happy from the bottom of his heart
Since he sought even greater happiness than this, there was no wonder he was ridiculed as an idiot by Mari and other comrades
”Let's go together everyone, together”
Mari embraced Takeru as he smiled powerlessly
He didn't start acting reckless today
Despite being aware that he only troubled his co able to back down
The battle was beginning
Most likely, it was a fierce battle like nothing he had experienced until now——