Vol 3 Chapter 4 (2/2)
Froht, one could tell that the Earth was round This was a real the clouds
We were standing on a silver-colored gigantic weapon Mistilteinn—e bomb developed to take down Basilisk
In our surroundings were other girls froed as the support tea here and there, busy with their work
Using the transmutation of air to control wind they kept Mistilteinn hovering in the air while working to thicken the mithril armor at the bottom
We initially asked NIFL's transport aircraft to pull Mistilteinn up to this height, but after transferring the task to the Ds, they retreated, because Mistilteinn's weight was no longer within the aircraft's load bearing limit
To conserve their energy as part of the descent team, the members of Brynhildr Class were on standby on top of Mistilteinn, waiting for preparations to complete
Nor, this was an altitude where it was difficult to breathe and the te as very waren, so there were no proble
Tia had also joined in the ranks of creating wind, because she wanted to contribute her part, co in a partially forced manner
However, she could not descend together with us because the risk of dragonification increased if she went near Basilisk Even if we ended up defeating Basilisk, our operation would be a failure if we lost Tia
Hence, after the preparatory work ended, Tia would need to leave with the other ation Squad
I looked up at Tia who kept trans-shaped fictional ar red
Our surroundings was almost wind-less This was evidence that Tia and the others were definitely controlling the wind
”—Now for final confirmations before the operation”
Mitsuki spoke after sweeping her gaze at each one of us in turn Pushi+ng her goggles up to her forehead, she earing a small communicator Her attire exuded a sense of soleation Squad
”Firill-san and I will be in charge of controlling Mistilteinn's descent Trajectory adjustment will be very difficult once Catastrophe's attack connects Using the data sent from surveillance devices, we must maintain our position above Basilisk at all times”
Mitsuki turned her gaze to Firill, earing the sales as her The same equipment as what Lisa had used to snipe Basilisk, this allowed theet outside of visual contact
”Yes, no problem Precise control is my specialty”
Firill nodded fir her fist before her voluptuous bosom
”If the operation goes smoothly, I predict Basilisk will take evasive action We will control Mistilteinn's descent until thefive seconds before i the explosion would be impossible, hence, Ariella-san, plase deploy multiple physical barriers”
”Leave it to me I am everyone's shi+eld”
Ariella thumped her chest and accepted the task
”Lisa-san and Ren-san, please cooperate with Firill-san and I to devote our full effort to creating a barrier of air With this, we should be able to defend fro of unexpected developments to you two”
Mitsuki looked at Lisa and Ren seriously then continued:
”By that, I a five seconds If it persists beyond five seconds, follow Plan A If a second shot is fired, please counter with Plan B”
This was the most important task with everyone's fate on the line Any error in judgment and all would be lost
”Mm”
Ren nodded affirmatively
”—Understood I shall accomplish my task lawlessly Mitsuki-san, I hope that your plan will meet my expectations”
Lisa stared into Mitsuki's eyes and answered with a challenging tone
”Very well, please believe in me”
Mitsuki was not inti her expression, a smile surface on the corners of Lisa's lips
”Finally, there is Nii-san and Iris-san Your responsibilities will change greatly depending on the situation Have you memorized all the patterns with certainty?”
”Y-Yes! Sure thing, probably!”
Iris answered hoarsely while Mitsuki shoorry on her face
”The ”
”Ooh U-Umm”
Seeing Iris panicking, I helped her out
”It's okay Iris' and uide my partner”
”Mononobe”
Iris looked at ratitude
”Well then, Nii-san, please look after Iris-san, your partner”
I could somehow sense some displeasure in Mitsuki's answer
Then Mitsuki received a report through her communicator I could hear faint voices from it
'Tea All tasks complete'
'Team B finished as well'
”—Thank you for your hard work Please move on to the next process”
Mitsuki issued orders then looked at our faces and said:
”Mistilteinn's fortification is coin soon”
We all nodded in acknowledgement with tense faces Then Tia came over to us She had probably asked members of the team who had finished with mithril reinforcement to take her spot
”Yuu, everyone!”
Tia landed on Mistleteinn and looked up at us with a worried face
”Then it's ti”
I touched Tia's head and said
”Yuu You guys will surely coht?”
”Yeah, I promise you, we'll definitely come back alive All of us”
After I answered, Lisa immediately added one more sentence
”Naturally, ill also defeat Basilisk, so just ithout worrying”
”Yeah, Tia knows Tia will cheer for you all! Tia will cheer very very hard! So—Do your best!”
With moistened eyes, Tia shouted loudly
I instantly felt a fla in
Basilisk had set its eyes on this gentle girl, wanting to obtain her, but I absolutely refused to hand her over
This was different fro the strong power driving myself, I said to Tia:
”Leave it to us We'll help you reject Basilisk”
Mitsuki and Firill took over Mistilteinn's control, then the Dragon Subjugation Squad members not involved in the descent operation departed froradually receding in the distance
Then the descent operation began Falling towards the Basilisk 15000 meters below
It felt like taking an elevator in a skyscraper, a sudden onslaught of a hovering sensation as though all your innards were floating up Since ere surrounded by the air created by Mitsuki and the others, I did not feel the ringing in es
”—Currently at 14000 ard where Tia-san and the others are taking refuge Correcting Mistilteinn's trajectory”
Wearing a pair of goggles, holding her fictional armament of a bow, Mitsuki reported the situation to us
Basilisk's attack range was normally 5000 m but reached 10000 m when the third eye opened As soon as our altitude went below 10000 et attacked any time
”Passed 12000and has apparently entered a stance to counterattack Mistilteinn”
Holding her book-shaped fictional argles in a calm voice
Lisa and Ariella generated their fictional ares in the situation Ren leaned against Lisa while Iris silently held ripped her hand tightly in response, waiting for the time to take action
”About to reach altitude of 10000 e—”
Before Mitsuki finished her sentence, the situation changed
Suddenly, the rate of falling decreased dramatically while red particles rose around Mistilteinn
—So suddenly!?”
”The third eye is attacking! Keep some distance from Mistilteinn!”
While rapidly reporting the situation, Mitsuki floated up lightly Mitsuki and Firill generated wind to make everyone hover
”Wawa!?”
Well-versed in flying skills, Lisa and the others were unfazed but Iris was in a panic due to losing balance Unused to the sensation, I also felt a little troubled while I looked down at Mistilteinn, gradually getting farther away from us
Since Mistilteinn was acting as a shi+eld, the red light did not reach us
But if it persisted for more than five seconds, that would be a different
”Three, four, five—”
At almost exactly five seconds, the red phosphorescence in Mistilteinn's surroundings vanished Since the resetting of kinetic energy was gone, Mistilteinn's falling speed began to accelerate again Mitsuki and Firill used wind again to control Mistilteinn's movement and conduct trajectory adjustments
”Thank goodness Looks like it's the same as predicted”
Ariella breathed a sigh of relief
”No—getting attacked by the third eye right off the bat cannot be considered the sainally hoped that Basilisk would attack like last time, below 5000 m Lisa-san, please take watch out for the third eye's second attack”
Mitsuki shook her head with a worried expression
”Understood It ht have used the third eye to attack at the start so as to secure y for a second shot Ren-san, Plan B on standby”
”Mm”
Lisa lifted Gungnir and aimed it doards whereas Ren placed her hand on the spear Immediately, as in the previous battle, Lisa's fictional arrew in size
Maintaining that state, Lisa stared at the still-intact Mistilteinn
”If Mistilteinn is breached, ill serve as the second spear!”
”Mm!”
Ren nodded fir to Lisa
”—We will presently reach 5000 m Basilisk will probably fire the normal 'Catastrophe' from its pair of eyes to attack!”
Mitsuki urged us to pay attention Just as she predicted, Mistilteinn's speed slowed down greatly again Adjusting our relative speed, Mitsuki and Firill kept our distance from Mistilteinn
Although red light could be seen faintly, the color was h to defend
At this rate, Mistilteinn would probably strike Basilisk directly Unlike Leviathan with its absolute defense, Basilisk should be possible to defeat as long as it hits
But there was one e sensory powers displayed by Basilisk last ti the operation to us, Mitsuki had said the following regarding that—
That power
Indeed, Basilisk was using a power that interfered with ti in objects within its vieas, in a certain sense, looking into the future
Looking into the future—Suppose this speculation was correct, it was no wonder that traps like land mines were useless
But even with such a cheating power, there were still openings to exploit
The future was not fixed and could easily change due to actions taken Basilisk itself was using action to evade danger
And based on the previous time, it noticed Lisa and Mitsuki's attacks only after my side had taken action
”Altitude 2000evasive action! If this was its decision after looking into the future, the third eye could very well fire its second shot! It is highly probable that Basilisk predicts that the next attack will destroy us!”
Mitsuki reported rapidly Her words probably sounded like dialogue of despair, but this plan was actually devised by predicting and assu this situation
After reinforce duration for roughly nine seconds In other words, it would break down right at the end of the second shot This was precisely the trap we had laid for Basilisk
”Altitude 1000 ! Ariella-san, deploy multiple barriers! Lisa-san, start Plan B!”
”Got it!”
”Understood!”
Looking down at the red light expanding all at once, Ariella and Lisa answered respectively
”Barrier, five-fold deployment!”
Ariella brandished her gauntlet-shaped fictional ariant shi+eld with as many as five layers between Mistilteinn and us
”Transform, spear of holy silver!!”
Using Ren's power, Lisa used transir into mithril
In that instant, the future seen by Basilisk very likely changed
Although there was no concrete proof, there was circumstantial evidence that backed such speculation
The flow of time caused by ”Catastrophe” was akin to physical sie based on the current state and conditions, turning into an appearance later in time For example, it would not take into account factors like a bird reet object from the scene
If looking into the future was based on the power of ”Catastrophe,” then it would not take into account the actions caused by unpredictable factors like living creatures
In other words, only now did Basilisk realize the threat to its life
The distance was less than 1000 m now Even if it could look into the future, its choice of action was still limited
”—Mistilteinn destroyed! Ariella-san's shi+eld is also breached! Lisa-san, please endure!”
”This is h!”
The spear's tip of ht then just as Lisa declared, it endured successfully against the reht Then Mitsuki shouted:
”Third eye, stopped! Basilisk is taking evasive action!”
Perhaps seeing the future of itself getting skewered, Basilisk stopped attacking with ”Catastrophe” and started
”It's too late to escape now”
Firill declared forcefully
”Lisa-san, please launch the spear! We will correct its trajectory!”
Hearing Mitsuki, Lisa nodded Trans the spear's shaft into antic spear
”—Pierce!”
Then chasing after the accelerated spear, we descended as well
”Iris, it's alht?”
I said to Iris beside me
”Yeah, no problem, I know!”
Saying that, Iris generated her fictional armament of a staff
I was also holding Siegfried inIf I , hence failure was absolutely not an option
”Three seconds away froet———Impact!”
Accoantic silver spear stabbed into the white ocean that had been turned into salt
With a giant crash that shook the atmosphere, a cloud of salt dust rose Unlike NIFL's Mistilteinn, Lisa's spear did not carry explosives and would not explode Once evaded, it would not inflict a lethal wound, of course
Crawling out—Basilisk could be seen ee in the nick of ti into the future
Iht shot out from its two eyes to deprive us of time
But having confircapacity into it, I warped space as much as I could
”Antigravity!”
The white glow caused a localized repulsive field, deflecting the red light's trajectory
Still, the Antigravity bullet's effect only lasted an instant Our situation would only worsen even if we kept trying to create shi+elds
Nevertheless, we no longer needed to defend anymore
An instant was all it took By securing enough tihts, my mission was already accomplished
Basilisk was roughly 200 meters away
Iris would never miss at this distance
”O holy silver, explode!”
Raising Caduceus, Iris cried out
Immediately, a silver explosion detonated in front of Basilisk
The noise fro htly
The point blank explosion was ie, it was too late even if it could predict the future The exploding mithril shrapnel struck Basilisk all over its body
Giiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!
That was probably Basilisk screa noise reverberate throughout the surroundings
”O holy silver—Explode! Explode! Explode!”
Iris keptmercilessly
Basilisk's eyeballs were coe of the attack It was no longer capable of attacking with ”Catastrophe”
Basilisk curled its body up like an arainst the explosions, but the tough mithril shrapnel easily penetrated the scales of diamond
But just at this moment, curled into a ball, Basilisk suddenly contracted its body slightly
Just as I had a bad feeling, the stone pillar-like diamonds on its body suddenly flew apart violently in all directions
”—It still has this kind of secret move!?”
Seeing the sharp blocks of diaun pellets, Mitsuki cried out in surprise
”Don't worry! Leave it to me!”
The inco dia abandoned its heavy outer shell of dia to burrow into the desert of salt with nimble movements
”I a you escape—O flare, pierce!”
Iris was panting heavily fro her place, Lisa unleashed a torrent of light froantic spear This was a maximum-scale positron cannon produced with the help of Ren's dark matter
I generated Siegfried again and attacked almost simultaneously with Lisa
”Plasma Bullet!”
This was the transainst Basilisk, a technique using plasmafied compressed air to attack Initially, I only succeeded occasionally, but after practicing relentlessly, I finally mastered the technique
My Plasma Bullet pierced Basilisk's head accurately froe hole in the center of its body
Basilisk shook and lost balance, then collapsed on theto burrow
Keeping sufficient distance from Basilisk, we landed on the sea surface that had been turned to salt
”Approach the enemy in formation! Deliver the fatal blow!”
We followed Mitsuki's orders and entered the for
Taking on the role of defense, Ariella, Firill and Lisa were stationed separately on the edges with Mitsuki andin the middle Furthermore, I had Iris by my side while Mitsuki had Ren
This forainst hostile attacks while exter the enemy with maximum firepower
”—Iris”
”Yes!”
I extended ht hand
”Anti-dragon armament—Marduk!”
Using the dark matter borrowed from Iris, I constructed a weapon from a lost civilization
The giant cannon had interiorto my will and aimed for Basilisk On this sea that had been turned into salt, I had a stable foothold
”Ren-san, I a on you”
”Mm”
Then Mitsuki borrowed Ren's dark e her own fictional armament
Despite having its head and body pierced, Basilisk was stillto burrow into the salt and escape This vitality was extraordinary It ht very well revive if we did not seize this chance to defeat it completely
”Mitsuki-san, this ti!”
Facing forward, Lisa cried out without looking back
”—Yes!”
Nodding firorously, Mitsuki nocked the arrow of dark matter on Brionac
Then we launched the final attack against the brutal dragon of red
”Special artillery, Megiddo—Fire!!”
”Ter Arrow—Last Quark!!”
My cannon shot out a blue projectile of light while Mitsuki fired an arrow of anti Basilisk's body
The blue flash and the blinding white light of annihilation temporarily altered the colors of the world
Basilisk's gigantic body ed in the light, returning to nothingness
Although the blast swept salt and dust in our direction, the barrier of air deployed by Lisa and the others caused the white wave to fly past as though avoiding us
Finally, a large hole was left in the plain of salt However, the explosion had apparently punctured the layer of salt Seawater was gradually flowing out fro a perfectly circular puddle
For a moment, no one spoke
Staring at the hole filled with seawater, Mitsuki finally exhaled quietly
”Phew”
Releasing her fictional armament of a bow, Mitsuki looked up at hte clear blue sky
Lisa sloalked over to Mitsuki and stood beside her
”It disappeared so cleanly, leaving not a single trace behind”
”Yes”
Mitsuki concurred weakly
”And everyone survived Not a single personThus—You have fulfilled my condition”
”Are you willing to forgive me?”
”Of course, I always keep my word”
Lisa reassured her with a pleasant expression but Mitsuki asked while staring into the distance:
”Is it that easy to let go? If you are forcing yourself—”
”I aracious, Mitsuki-san, you never change”
Arhed in exasperation
”But”
Mitsuki lowered her head with an expression as though she could not accept this
”Ahhh, I cannot bear the sight of this any longer”
Lisa scratched her head impatiently and forcibly embraced Mitsuki
”Mmmph!”
Finding her face pressed against Lisa's massive bust, Mitsuki moaned uncomfortably
”Mitsuki-san, you have done plenty enough already I respect someone like you from the bottom of my heart As friends, I am proud of you As fa”
Lisa hugged Mitsuki tightly
As though realizing so, Mitsuki showed surprise on her face
”—This sensation Ahhh, I see now That time, it was also you, Lisa-san, who”
Mitsuki htly
Then despite some hesitation, Mitsuki still wrapped her arms around Lisa's back
”Thank you Lisa-san”
Although I had no idea what Mitsuki's murmurs ulf between them had vanished
—Thank goodness, you two
”Mononobe-kun, let's go over too”
I atching over Mitsuki and Lisa froave my back a push at this time
”Huh? Go where—”
”There!”
Firill ignored my doubts and shovedme to collide into them
”Kyah!? M-Mononobe Yuu? W-What on earth are you doing!?”
”N-Nii-san!?”
”No, it's Firill who forced—”
”Victory is a joy to be shared with everyone”
My posture was like hugging Mitsuki and Lisa Then Firill pounced on my back Instantly, the sensation of a soft and bountiful bosoainst my back
”Oh, wait for me, Mononobe!”
”—Ren, let's go over too”
”Mm”
Even Iris, Ariella and Ren joined in, instantly packing us together like sardines
”M-Mononobe Yuu! Y-Your face is too close!”
”Nii-san! W-Where do you think you are touching!?”
Although Lisa and Mitsuki were coap for me to escape
”Basilisk is defeated, congratulaions”
Firill cheered for victory in her usual calm voice
”Congratulations! Wonderful, on!”
Iris answered with a voice of cheerful vitality
”Awesome!”
”Oh—”
Ariella raised her ar, Ren cried out loudly in a rare moment
—By this point, I ht as well throw caution to the wind
”Mitsuki, Lisa, it's our turn next”
Grabbing Mitsuki and Lisa's arht respectively, I raised them to the sky
”Great! We WONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!”
Squeezing my voice out from the bottom of my abdomen, I yelled as hard as I could until my throat hurt
Seeing me yell loudly next to them, Mitsuki and Lisa first shoide-eyed shock on their faces then finally chuckled at the same time
”Lisa-san, shall we have a shout too?”
”Yes It's not every day that we get a chance to do so”
Lisa coughed briefly then nodded in response to Mitsuki's question
Then the two of the their voices of joy to resound across the blue sky