Chapter 5 (2/2)
Celica tried to walk up to hi When it seena held her shoulder and pulled her
”It's dangerous Get hold of yourself”
Ragna knew that he had said so would reach Celica's ears Her treth
He hurriedly held her body that had collapsed to the floor with his arm, and supported her with his chest
”Celi”
Ragna didn't continue his words as he tried to call her To begin with, he already couldn't remember what to say to her
Celica's lips let out a helpless voice to call her father
Itfro
”No no way Why?”
She had finally met him She had found him at last
Her lifeless fingers were trena's clothes It was like there was nothing to cling to other than that
Ragna embraced Celica within his chest If by any chance his hand were to be separated froure would disappear instantly
He fully knew that such a thing would never happen, but he couldn't help it He probably just didn't want to look at her pale, tear-stained face
As she was firan to tre after a little while She buried her forehead on Ragna's chest She muttered as she held back her voice Like how a srief and started to cry
Why? How cos to say I didn't search for you to speak about such a thing
Ragna never laht arm couldn't be moved presently
But if only it could beCelica, he could have patted her head with the other hand
Part 3
Before anyone knew it, the hidden rooained complete silence
A s as Trinity closed a thick notebook in her hand Its black leather of a cover was croritings on it They were mostly reminders of someone's researches
But occasionally, there were no dates or signatures, with sues put in between Sometimes it was a trivial announcement of a decision, soret
The contents were like short journals Its owner, Shuuichirou Ayatsuki, wasn't able to tell it to his daughters What ritten were mostly predictions, and the truth
Standing in for the uninvolved sisters, Trinity only investigated soht her eyes
”It seeinally, your father's research was initiated when a person named Relius Clover received a request”
Breathing out slowly, Trinity said a feords It was then that ti time
For the whole ti
In theand sat down on the floor Even then, she hadn't released Ragna's clothes For now, she still clung to it with her head buried
He didn't see a reason to separate her Forced to keep sitting, Ragna looked up to Trinity with his posture still holding Celica
”Was there a guy named Yuuki Terumi in there?”
”No~, didn't find any”
”Is that so”
He felt disappointed since he had a little hope Ragna had quite a history with hiave out a hidden presence that na had encountered him in a period approximately a hundred years to the future However, he should have existed in this period, too, donning some kind of appearance
To say the least, Yuuki Terumi was one of the Six Heroes who had defeated Black Beast
(H this current stage, the Black Beast won't be defeated?)
Ragna suddenly noticed If that were the case, he couldn't afford to kill Terue
(Well But for now)
The purpose he came up with that he could do in this period was only Yuuki Terumi
For now, rather than that, the girl as desperately wiping her tears from her eyes was more important
And then about the Kushi+nada's Lynchpin that was silently enshrined
”That Relius Cloverabout”
Nine spoke as she separated her back froer that had its reason still yet to be understood by Ragna and the others strongly oozed out from her voice
She wandered to the front of the lynchpin and then looked up at the gigantic object with her chin raised, as if challenging it
”If you want to overco with just your oer And yet, this thing!”
With her anger stirred up, thunder appeared on Nine's hand It largely expanded in just a blink of an eye Before long, the sound of electric discharge filled up the at devices screeched as sparks scattered all over them
”Hey! What are you trying to do!?”
Ragna raised his voice in a hurry With her eyes locked on the Kushi+nada's Lynchpin, Nine didn't even look over to him
”It should be obvious This ridiculous junk has no worth in existing!”
”You you can't, Onee-chan! Father went through trouble taking care of it! It ht be able to stop the Black Beast!”
Weeping her eyes out, Celica raised her face and also yelled
The hidden rooht not know about the daet out to the outside of the rooardless If they were to go to the surface, they would be exposed to the dreadful appearance of a country that had been destroyed by an unidentified monster
If the Black Beast's ferociousfor that miraculous means
But Nine's back turned a deaf ear The lightning sphere greatly raised
Trinity prepared a protective na reflexively held Celica to protect her
The lightning was fired
On the brink of it, a gale swiftly flowed
”Wh!?”
It wasn't clear if the raised voice toward the unusual phenona or Nine
A distorted noise burned the air The course of the fired lightning cluster that had been ai direction In a diagonally upward angle, it s and burst
A noise oftorn off spread The sed the smashed soils and rained doithin the room
”Cough cough W-what?”
Celica lowered her body since she was seized by a fit of coughing while still being held by Ragna's arain choked painfully
She didn't know the details of what had happened But judging froic had been repelled It didn't directly hit the lynchpin
With her sleeve covering herup dust clouds In the front of her, another presence lingered
As his vision gradually becanized the intruder
”Can't let ye destroy this fella”
A short build with the height that didn't even reach Ragna's chest and two tails that swayed A gleah the explosion's smoke
The one as standing there was Mitsuyoshi+, with his wounded right eye covered in bandages
As soon as he saw Mitsuyoshi+'s figure, Ragna spontaneously gasped His
That person also had his right eye concealed by an eye patch The side of his eye that was covered was the sana's master, Jubei, had
”Mitsuyoshi+! Why the hell are you here!?”
”Did ye forget, Ragna? Clavis was originally tryin' to get e fer me to be here”
With only his large left eye sharply focusing on Nine, Mitsuyoshi+ sneered in a friendly tone that didn't change in any way since the tiether to japan But he didn't give any hint of friendliness as his hostility lit up
”I've heard the story Kushi+nada's Lynchpin If its strength can stop the Black Beast, ht as well start it up now”
His voice was calm, but he said it while the tip of his sword pointed to Nine threateningly
The sudden intruder h she rarely did that After she caic
”And just when I thought so had appeared, you just had to say a selfish thing, didn't you? If you've heard the story, then you should have understood I can't let that junk be activated”
”Why? Even ye should've kno es”
”You're an underling of the Alucard Faht? Looks like senility has hit even Clavis Alucard”
Nine boldly answered back as she snorted
Mitsuyoshi+'s face showed a faint discontent at the word senility
”Answer oin' to conceal the means to save the world just fer yer own selfish desire, even as a joke?”
Why did Nine detest Kushi+nada's Lynchpin so intensely? It wasn't just Mitsuyoshi+'s question, but everyone in this room, too
”This isn't a means to eliminate that monster It will only hold it back The existence of the Black Beast will continue to remain”
”It's better than not usin' it Humanity needs time After escapin' from the Black Beast, the tiet the strength to fight against that monster”
The current huy could not oppose the Black Beast The circumstances couldn't produce any kind of satisfaction
But even if they got their hands on soanize it Every country, every institution had their hands full in dealing with the dae caused by Black Beast
And everyone thought about how to save anyone who stood beside them If only there was a little ti
”Just as Mitsuyoshi+-san has said, I feel the saht perish Even if the tiht be saved in the meantime”
Celica appealed while getting up by borrowing Ragna's hand
”Father said thatI think it'll be wonderful if people throughout the world can live in peace even for a while”
Her swollen red eyes pointed directly at the older sister Her voice was powerful, as if the sobbing from before was a lie
Nine dropped her gaze as if avoiding her sister
”Don't say such an absurd thing”
Her fingers whitening as she clenched her fist beside her body
As if his back was enduring so
”You seem to not want that device to be used no matter what But why do you refuse it so erous, then tell us If you don't, then I won't be satisfied since I'ree, y'know?”
”Look here!”
Nine snapped at Ragna's question With her long hair disheveled, Nine turned around The glaring eyes that raised up looked like they would burst into tears anytime soon
”It is nothing but a decoration for now It's less to toss it to the Boundary as it is Electricity and ic cannot reach it when it's inside the Boundary And it needs so It also can't use instantaneous ones like explosion That thing operates continuously in a constant pace Soer, so that can be more easily controlled”
”A source of energy with that much delicacy”
Trinity becauessed it
But Ragna couldn't grasp what Nine was trying to say He took a large step forward as he was frustrated
”Quit talking in a circle! What is it!?”
”Don't you know?”
With hate, Nine spoke coldly Her contena, but her father
”A hu”
The perceived sound felt like it rew cold rapidly
With a voice that had its emotion killed, Nine continued on
”A human soul is unstable, but it can have an unra like a cable or electroic, it will be able to keep functioning as long as the human is still alive”
For it to work in an unknown territory called the Boundary, it had been stated that a huy
Forabout the technique for establishi+ng a human's soul The Kushi+nada's Lynchpin had to be the culmination of those researches It was the first and the last finished creation to Shuuichirou Ayatsuki
”However, the energy for the lynchpin cannot be any kind of human Compared to anyone else, it has to be so one's life force For exa-type ic”
After Nine squeezed out the words as her heart tore to pieces, her ot locked shut
”Ah”
Celica astonishi+ngly let her voice out instead The lightly gripped hand had its index finger peeked out That gesture of pointing to herself was extremely unsuitable with the room's atmosphere
”Could it be me?”
———It needs your power for it to be completed Your
In other words, that was theof their father's last words
Part 4
”So basically”
The tied to open his
”What was that? That Kushi+nada's Lynchpin uses people for fuel What's more, it's worthless if it's not Celica Like that?”
”Rather than fuel, it's ine”
Fro power after previously taking lessons in ot a hold of that data and put it to use in studying the Boundary And in the end, he utilized it as a part of the Kushi+nada's Lynchpin
While cutting her words from time to time, Nine listlessly looked doard as she spoke It sounded like she was hiding her emotions
”Healing ic users are scarce Someone as talented as Celica isn't exactly common What it all comes down to is that man had planned make use of Celica when he made this”
”If the lynchpin is used, what'll happen to Celica?”
”When the inorganic substances are assiradually, her life will be whittled away In the end, all will be exhausted”
Like the energy inside a battery that would eventually be depleted entirely, it would have no more use
”And after Celica's life force is used up, as if nothing has happened, that monster will nonchalantly revive Do you think I will allow that to happen!?”
The suddenly lashed out voice shook the atripped her fist still
”If it's used, that's the sa Celica's life Even with that, does anyone still want to state their opinion to me?”
Her voice had a tension as it reverberated Before long, no one replied What broke the silence was the sound of Mitsuyoshi+as he readied his sword
”Even so”
Strongly gritting his back teeth, Mitsuyoshi+ spoke as if he were squeezing the words out
To say that the fixed tip of his sithout hesitation was incorrect There were troubles inside the dropped gaze that had been raised again
”Even so, if the current situation keeps lastin', sooner or later everythin' will be finished It's an end that has to be avoided completely Humanity needs a chance No matter what the sacrifice is”
Even if it was too heavy to carry that sacrifice
Mitsuyoshi+ sternly furrowed his eyebrows He shouted to shake off his own hesitation
”THERE'S NO OTHER WAY!!”
Kushi+nada's Lynchpin was the last chance left for humanity
One way to break out of the vicious cycle of defensive fight, they had to recover to go into the offensive
She understood that Nine deliberately repeated it as she stared at Mitsuyoshi+ as if challenging him
”I'll fight even if this thing doesn't exist! Black Beast? Bring it on! I'll turn it to charcoals!”
”If that's possible, no one would be scared of the Black Beast's presence!”
Mitsuyoshi+ was seriously planning to defeat the Black Beast Even if he lost his life, it would still be okay if the world was saved But the reality was different The res came out
The Black Beast wasn't a fighting opponent that could be confronted squarely by humans and beastkins
”I understand that ye cherish yer sister Still when the world oin' to say that there ain't any other way!?”
The lynchpin wasn't only affecting Celica's life It also held the choice of risking life throughout the world
If the lynchpin couldn't only need Celica's life and were fine with everybody else's, Mitsuyoshi+ would offer himself Nine would also do the same
Therefore, Mitsuyoshi+ said the right thing while Nine rong
”I won't allow for Celica to be sacrificed”
Nine strongly bit her lips as she hoisted her supple hands
”If you're absolutely doing it, then I will eliminate you even by force!”
Nine's ic ability was considered to be the best in the world Within the white hand, a powerful y transforht orb
Nine pointed it toward Mitsuyoshi+ without any hesitation Just before the light approached Mitsuyoshi+, it burst into countless light bullets as it rained down
”Tch can't be helped I won't back down easily!”
Clearing away several of the light bullets, Mitsuyoshi+ skillfully twisted his body to avoid it
A few of the light bullets hit the lynchpin's body It made Nine chuckle and Mitsuyoshi+ bitter-faced However, the snificent silver and green objet d'art
”H with the Boundary, it's unbelievably sturdy”
The annoyed Nine spoke bitterly This tiet was Mitsuyoshi+ If he came in contact with the invisible blades, his flesh would be torn while his bones would be severed
But Mitsuyoshi+ could see the direction of the wind blades as he leaped He easily jumped over it and then approached Nine
”If ye don't want to get hurt, pull yer hands!”
”Don't take htly!”
The tip of the sharp sword seized Nine But just before it thrust in her throat, Nine enveloped her surroundings with electricity
”WHOA!?”
The sparks repelled the sword As if kicking the air, Mitsuyoshi+ twisted his body Although his balance was a bit off, he landed back to where he was He quickly fixed his posture as he muttered bitterly
”As one would expect froth, but the speed of its deployue”
”Saht that you were just a cute cat, one will be in for a world of pain”
Their respective ability was more than they had expected But neither Mitsuyoshi+ nor Nine could withdraw
”Onee-chan! Mitsuyoshi+-san!”
Since both of theain, Celica tried to prevent it with a flustered voice But it couldn't reach their ears They didn't even glance toward Celica
”I cannot abandon the world!”
”I won't let anyone make use of Celica!”
Stating their declarations together, Mitsuyoshi+'s sword and Nine's shockwave clashed
The ihtly vibrate Despite that, the rooround
Suddenly, Ragna remembered
It was an event before the Dark War that wouldn't fail to beabout it Destruction had been driven away from humanity as the Black Beast once suddenly ceased its activity for a period of one year
In theorder and established sufficient preparation to face the Black Beast
And then when the Black Beast began to be active once again, having a backup froth built by humanity, six heroic people eliminated the apparition that had threatened the world
(A one year gap )
Historically, the cause was unknown
(Was it the Kushi+nada's Lynchpin?)
When Celica got absorbed to the lynchpin, the Boundary would be sealed That hy for one year, the black apparition couldn't move
Was that the truth of the history?
Ragna couldn't believe it With disbelief, he looked at Celica
Near hily bit her lips as her heart was crushed by Mitsuyoshi+ and Nine's fight
Did this girl's life save humanity?
In Ragna's vision, Celica's hair swung violently She broke into a run
Ragna caught her arh
”Ragna!”
With a disapproving look, Celica looked back
In a short distance away, Mitsuyoshi+ was juht arrows The sound of the clashi+ngbrutally
In order for Celica to stop both of thena forcefully pulled the arhed in his amazement
”At any rate, what do you think you can do by yourself? It's dangerous, y'know”
”But!”
She loathed such a situation The big sister she loved very much and Mitsuyoshi+ who she felt indebted to She didn't want anyone to get wounded
For so that was like a prayer It was very easy to i like that
”I know You want to stop them”
”Eh?”
”Next time, tell me when such a time comes”
Soon after he spoke, Ragna set up the blade of the thick sword and pulled it backward considerably Putting all of hisdown horizontally
”URAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!”
As it h speed as it drew a large arc, splitting up the space between Nine and Mitsuyoshi+
”What the!?”
”Tch!”
Right under his nose, Mitsuyoshi+ used his sword to repel it A heavy noise rang out as the sword's trajectory was disturbed After a few rotations, the tip of the sword got buried in the floor
Both Mitsuyoshi+ and Nine stepped aside until they were close to the wall In the na's sas stuck as if it were some kind of a symbol
”Okay, stop!”
Ragna quickly walked to his favorite sword's location In the middle of it, he put in awe to his voice as he raised it
”Y'all are o ith full strength In the first place, no matter who'll win the brawl, isn't the one who decides what to do Celica, not you people?”
He gripped the handle which faced the ceiling and pulled it up Thetoo, but he tore it off by pinning it doith his feet
Nine was silent Mitsuyoshi+ aardly lowered his sword
”I understand what you've all been saying But for now, caloes for Nine and Mitsuyoshi+ Also Celica”
There didn't seena himself was also included
Frankly, it was a bit confusing Putting Celica to Kushi+nada's Lynchpin Was that choice the reality of what had happened? Or did humanity find another way?
As an existence that had lived in the future, he shouldn't change the history
However for such a thing like offering Celica to the Boundary in this place, he couldn't even consider it
Trinity calmly stepped forward
”I also think it's good to do just as that~ I'll et a little rest After all so much stuff happened today~ Okay?”
Ragna felt a deep gratitude for Trinity since she was here in such a tiently wrapped the broken tension
”Yeah”
As if urging her older sister and Mitsuyoshi+, Celica innocently s at it alone, it was hard to believe that her life had control over the fate of the world
Slowly, the freezing mood started to melt
Mitsuyoshi+ restored his sword Covering her sharp glints with her eyelids, Nine crossed her arms under her chest
In reality, perhaps no one had cona spontaneously thought so Even if it was for the sake of the world, such a thing as offering someone he knew as a sacrifice no matter as ridiculous
———
”Ah?”
Ragna looked around while frowning his eyebrows
Hearing a tiny voice escaping from him, Trinity tilted her head in a wonder
”So?”
”No, just now”
Someone called him
As he thought so, the voice could be heard again
———Ragna
It was clear this time He realized it It wasn't the case that it ca directly into his mind
That hy Celica and Nine, also Trinity and Mitsuyoshi+ couldn't hear it
It seena
”I'o outside a bit”
As of now, he hesitated to one-sidedly continue the talk in this place Ready to be doubted, Ragna went toward the door with a broken electronic lock
”Where are you going?”
Sure enough, Nine called him with a cautious voice With his hand placed on the door's fraain, he looked back He didn't know if any kind of excuse would be enough for her
”I'onna cool off my head Be back soon”
Dodging her question with an ordinary excuse, he left the thin, lengthy corridor and turned back to the underground cave where the Cauldron resided