Vol 4 Chapter 1 (2/2)
”Kili's strength is enough to oppose NIFL's ar Firill's country itself hostage”
I remarked with deep worry
If the truth was revealed, forcing the Principality of Erlia to make Kili an enemy, she would probably eliminate all threats mercilessly
”No way What should I do?”
”—It seeht away”
Taking out her portable terminal, Mitsuki showed us the screen shi+no for her
”Then I shall head over to the conference Nii-san, everyone, please have lunch first”
Saying that, Mitsuki swiftly left the catering building
”Yuu”
Sitting on htly
Tia had been subjected to Kili's brainwashi+ng education before The pair of horns on her head were also given to her by Kili through biogenic transmutation And her parents' murderer was also—
”Don't worry, although it's unknohat Kili's goal is I don't think she wants to take you away like before, because we already defeated Basilisk”
”Really?”
”Yeah Even if you're her target, Tia, I'll still protect you, so don't worry”
I reached out and stroked Tia's head
”Yeah Then Tia is relieved”
Tia relaxed her body as though breathing a sigh of relief
””
On the other hand, Firill showed a stiff expression on her face while staring at the next news report With her grandfather's passing and her hoer, it was only natural for her to feel unsettled
However, I could not offer co the situation
The probleard would choose to react
And the only student involved in that decision was Mitsuki as the student council president
—Mitsuki, I' on you
Believing in er sister, I prayed that she could point out a better path
Even after the bell rang for afternoon classes, Mitsuki still had not returned Charlotte B Lord showed up as the substitute teacher to cover Periods 5 and 6
The principal's childish appearancethe students She looked especially happy to be teaching Although she did not look any older than us in appearance, ruard's inception, hence her age likely did not match her appearance
”—When a D is targeted by a dragon and her dragon on just by on All of you should know this already But according to the latest research, a D's dragonification enerated from her own body”
It was supposed to be History class right now, but she was proudly talking about the latest D research while dressed in a loose-fitting lab coat Every ti projected on the blackboard, her blonde hair fluttered lightly behind her
She mentioned she had a medical license when I received a health exa a researcher
”This hypothesisher own dark on's form But here's the problem now A human brain does not have sufficient specs to control and process biogenic transmutation—”
This was a very interesting topic, so I had no complaints
However, I wondered: Was it really okay for Midgard's chief ad time in this kind of place?
Essentially, I asked her in the beginning, doesn't the principal need to attend the ard's commander, that's her job I'm just the principal”
”Any deficit onification, a powerful link is forpower There is also evidence that a D can feel the dragon's consciousness when her dragon es color Such testimonies also lend support to this hypothesis”
Saying that, the principal turned her gaze to Iris and Tia They had been targeted by dragons separately and had sensed the thoughts of dragons
”Excuse me”
Lisa raised her hand at this moment
”Yes, what is it? Do you have a question?”
The principal asked Lisa in delight
”Yes, although I find this hypothesis very co It does raise the question, how is Kili Surtr Muspelheienic transmutation?”
Lisa's question was only natural, because we had witnessed with our own eyes how she used biogenic transmutation to heal her wounds instantly
Lisa probably recalled that incident after seeing Kili just now
”Well, there are two kinds of possibilities”
However, the principal raised two fingers and spoke
”Two kinds?”
”Yes One is that she is also using so power The other is that she is not huin with”
”Not huht not even be a D?”
Lisa exclaimed in surprise but the principal nodded with a nonchalant expression
”assus that are beyond you Ds—That implies she is a different lifeforon and I would not be surprised even if that were true”
The principal remarked calmly
Thinking logically, this was the natural conclusion But for us, who had thought of Kili as simply a D the whole time, ere rendered instantly rendered speechless
Inside the classroo to announce the end of the period
”Oh, it's tiazes of beautiful athered upon me, time sure flies”
The principal spoke in a wistful tone of voice That seeood mood
”—As much as I'd like to continue, that's it for today's lessons Dismissed”
”Y-Yes Please rise, everyone”
Since Mitsuki was not present, Lisa took on the role of issuing orders
”Bow”
”Bye”
The principal started walking and was about to exit the classroo the door and looked back at me
”Mononobe Yuu, coot business with you”
”Okay, got it”
I wondered what it was about while following the principal to the corridor
”Show on mark”
Hearing that, I instantly understood the principal's intent
”—There's nothing unusual”
I showed the back of on mark was located while I spoke
The small wound that had appeared after Leviathan's defeat was now part of on mark
Since I had gained the ability to create antigravitational matter after the wound appeared, the principal was suspecting a causal relationshi+p between the two
”Hes in your powers? Are you able to perform new transmutations?”
Stroking ertip, the principal asked
”None so far”
”I see It'd be interesting if you beca Basilisk But since it hasn't been that long since the teae will occur later Report to ”
”Yes”
I nodded affiraze to the door of Brynhildr Class
”Antiravitational ainst the dragons, Ds would gain neers after victory This time should be no exception Apart froes in the others, so you must pay extra attention”
”Creating new erous I'll be careful”
A suddenly obtained power could go out of control or cause accidents Hence, I must pay attention and not miss minute symptoms
”Great, then finally—Could you crouch down slightly”
”Huh? Like this Is that okay?”
I had no idea what the principal wanted but I still bent down and lowered my posture
Immediately, the principal placed her hand on my head
”Mononobe Yuu, you did excellent work It's all thanks to your contributions that Basilisk could be taken out successfully without sacrificing a single person”
It felt quite e my head
”P-Principal, what are you doing so suddenly—”
”H you You're unhappy with this level of praise?”
”No, I'm not unhappy at all”
”Then accept it with gratitude It's extremely rare for me to personally reward a man”
After ruffling my hair for a while, the principal smiled and left
I returned to the classroos, my classmates all stared speechlessly
”Mononobe-kun, your hair is such a mess, fufu It's so weird”
Having worn a gloomy expression all day, Firill chuckled
Seeing her smile, I felt somewhat thankful for the principal's reward
Perhaps getting stroked on the head was not a bad thing once in a while
Part 3
Located so to Mitsuki alone My acco
Nor hall at seven in the , but today, Mitsuki still had not returned when dinner time came
Alone, I ate the meal prepared by the housework robots—the auto-maids—then returned to my own room
After finishi+ngin ot received a
'Please come to conference room number one on the first floor of the clock tower immediately'
The sender was Mitsuki The email only contained the brief instructions above
—Head over to school at this hour?
This was surely about handling Kili, right? But why ask me to come over?
Despite not knowing the reason, I still followed instructions and made my way to school
Although everything was shrouded under the canopy of the night sky, the stars were bright and it was not difficult to find my way
The school's clock tower, visible frohtly lit
I used ates, then entered the silent campus Since the usual entrance to the clock tower froh the back door
”Conference rooht?”
I looked at the roo my destination, I opened the door
”—You arrived at last Ho, Mononobe Yuu”
I felt troubled to be suddenly greeted by Lisa's glare, only to see that all of Brynhildr Class had already gathered
”Nii-san, hurry and take a seat”
Standing in front of the whiteboard, Mitsuki urged me to sit down Next to her was shi+nomiya-sensei while the others were already seated
”Yuu! Over here!”
Hearing Tia called me, I took the seat next to her
”Tia, all of you were called here?”
”Yes, we've been waiting for Yuu the whole time”
Since Mitsuki's dorirls dor for just me
I looked around the rooonally in front of ht
”Good evening, Mononobe”
”O-Oh Good evening”
Iris greeted me shyly in a quiet voice and I replied nervously
Lisa and Firill were sitting in the front row Ren was sprawled on the table napping while Ariella shook her shoulder
”—Looks like everyone is here Then I will start the announcements Ren Miyazawa, time to wake up”
shi+nomiya-sensei took a step forhereas Mitsuki retreated to the side
”Mm”
Ren rubbed her eyes and looked up
”Sorry for suh it is very sudden, I would like you all to set off for the Principality of Erlia at 0600 tomorrow”
”What—?”
I was not the only one exclai speechlessly at shi+nomiya-sensei
”Currently staying in the Principality of Erlia, Kili Surtr Muspelheiard's protection and demands to be picked up by Ds Hence, I have selected you as the pickup team”
After saying that, shi+nomiya-sensei looked at each of us in turn
”Mononobe Yuu and Lisa Highwalker have co and involved history with her Mononobe Mitsuki is the captain of the Dragon Subjugation Squad whereas Firill Crest is a princess froroup, I believe that Brynhildr Class is theout this mission”
”H-Hold on! shi+noard again!?”
Lisa asked loudly with disbelief
It was only natural for her to be worried Kili had caused serious destruction in Midgard Welco someone like her would be suicidal behavior
”I knohat you are trying to say However, since her e has been broadcast widely across the entire world, Midgard has no choice but to respond humanely”
”But she's a terrorist, right!?”
”All Ds will be discredited if she were to be exposed as a terrorist Having covered up their crimes so far, NIFL probably won't disclose the identity of a deemed disaster either In other words—We cannot treat her as a criminal”
”E-Even so I still don't agree that this is the correct response”
Lisa argued desperately Precisely because Lisa cherished her friendstheerous person to enter Midgard
”Yes, it is definitely not the correct response But to the outside world, we can only act in this manner, then adjust afterwards”
”Afterwards?”
”Yes,after we take her out of the Principality of Erlia You will tell her that ill put ard If she does not accept, you will let her go on the condition that her being a deemed disaster will not be disclosed”
”Restrictions on freedom is an appropriate otiations break down?”
Lisa frowned and asked
”Midgard is an organization that protects Ds Even if she is deeation to kill her More importantly, I cannot allow any of you to commit murder”
Hearing shi+nomiya-sensei's answer, Lisa could not help but fall silent
To coht behind those words
”I will continue if there are no other questions Although Ds are forbidden froard's territorial waters, for this special exception, you are granted a five-day exemption We will use this period to travel to the Principality of Erlia and make contact with Kili Surtr Muspelheim”
”shi+no for si Kili”
The five-day exemption bothered me so I raised my hand and asked
”Indeed, there are grounds for that Starting the day after torand funeral for King Albert for three days And she has openly told theceremony on the last day, so ill transport her only after the funeral Before that, I want your teauards”
”Bodyguards Really?”
”NIFL will likely target her life, but while she is staying in the Principality of Erlia, she is purely a D trying to seek help At least until we negotiate with her, we must not allow her to be killed”
If Kili was treated as a D, Midgard was duty-bound to protect her I understood this principle quite well, but—
”That Kili I don't think she needs bodyguards”
Recalling her powerful abilities, I re her was the objective, that would be a separate er than me
”Even so, unexpected things will always co on you, Mononobe Yuu”
Judging fros, the one actually perforuard duties was probably ainst were humans As a former soldier of NIFL, there was no better candidate than me, but I still felt quite worried
”I understand”
Still, giving anyone else this task would be too dangerous Hence, I sighed and gave up on resisting Reluctantly, unwillingly, I accepted the job
After detailed explanations on the itinerary, ere dishly an hour later
”We are setting off early toet ready Nii-san, e for me?”
”No problem, leave it to me”
I nodded to Mitsuki and left the conference rooether
I never expected ould leave Midgard again so soon after defeating Basilisk
Although it was a journey to foreign lands—I could not feel excite in my heart
Feeling that what awaited us was a future i
Part 4
At 6a, led by shi+nomiya-sensei, all ard
First, we took a large high-speed helicopter for several hours to reach an airport somewhere Then from there, we transferred to a private jet that we had hired
I slept on the plane By the tiht strealow
'All travelers—Our plane is set to arrive at the destination in roughly ten minutes'
Despite having spent al, the time was still only dusk This place ht hour tiard
I felt weight onseat, Mitsuki was sleeping with her head resting onfrom the fact that the announcement had no woken her up, she ue
Thinking I should let her sleep longer asher
The plane still seeh in the sky I could see layers of clouds, dyed orange-red by dusk, covering the distant ground in patches Protruding froe with snow-capped peaks
”It's all mountains”
”Because that's the characteristic of the Principality of Erlia”
Firill suddenly poked her head out from the seat in front
”Woah!?”
Her explanation ca me exclais
”Let me tell you, because the Principality of Erlia is surrounded by tall mountains, it's known as the ”Landlocked Island” and methods of transportation to the outside world are very limited”
”I had heard that they relied on planes as the chief mode of transportation But to such an extent?”
”Yes, all land routes basically have to cross h thethe country Until the airport's construction, it was totally an isolated country”
Firill pointed at the land visible outside theand explained
”Actually Before gaining independence during the chaos after World War II, it was not even a country—sirandfather, s”
”Ah, so that's why it's called a principality rather than a kingdom”
I remarked in comprehension
”Indeed The Crest faion for centuries but only started the royal ado”
Firill see close to her homeland
”I see So it's currently a democracy?”
I re that
”When Grandfather succeeded the throne, he voluntarily gave up power and opened up state-owned land to the people to extract rare resources This made the country extre person”
”Apart frohts as well as Midgard gaining independence, right? How should I put it? He is a ed countries and the world”
I sincerely adrandfather
Sile hu enough already
”Yes, everyone respects Grandfather”
”Then I'm sure the Principality's citizens must be very sad”
I iined the entire country to be shrouded in sorrow, but for soh she found it funny
”I think the citizens will be sad But definitely, it won't be like what you're i, Mononobe-kun”
”What do you mean?”
”You'll knohen you see it”
Firill smiled mischievously
'—Our flight is about to land, please secure your seat belts'
Another announcement was heard in the plane
”Once we arrive, I'll take you all to go sightseeing Mitsuki, time to wake up”
Firill reached out and poked Mitsuki's cheek Then she retracted her head and sat properly on her own seat
”Mmm Nii-san?”
Mitsuki rubbed her eyes sleepily I told her ere about to arrive while pondering what Firill meant by ”You'll knohen you see it”
As soon as we exited the plane, I felt cold wind against my face instantly
”Woah S-So cold”
”Mm”
Ariella and Ren hunched up and rubbed their exposed arms
”I would have worn thicker clothing had I known earlier”
Carrying Tia on her back, Lisa exited the plane, speaking with a frown
On Lisa's back, Tia was soundly asleep, refusing to wake up no matter how much we called to her
I descended the ganghile looking at the scenery afar Just as Firill had e faintly visible in the distance, enclosing the entire region The altitude felt quite high too for the air was cold and rarefied
This was quite a harsh environ from a tropical island
”Wow, so cool and refreshi+ng!”
Iris was taking deep breaths co of which, I had never asked where she was frorown up in a cold country
As soon as I descended the gangway, I saw an extra long luxury vehicle—probably a stretch limousine—parked before us It looked like the car had driven directly on the runway to welco next to the car was a woman in a heavy coat
”Oh!”
Firill instantly rushed down the gangway the instant she saw the woman
”P-Princess Firill—That is very dangerous!”
”Helen!”
Ignoring the voice telling her to stop, Firill rushed over and hugged the woman
As soon as we descended the gangway, Firill instantly turned around to face us and introduce her to us
”—She is Helen,my infancy too”
”My name is Helen Brown Dressed like that, you et in the car I will prepare war for all of you once we reach the palace”
”Thank you It is a pleasure to meet you”
Mitsuki walked up and bowed to her
We boarded the vehicle at Helen-san's urging The heat was on inside the and it was very warm The interior of the li each other After we had settled into our seats, the li smoothly Helen-san was the driver
”—Well then, let's briefly confirm our schedule from here on Ah, before that, synchronize your timepieces The time is currently 1823 in this country”
shi+no sure we had all checked our watches or portable terminals with it, she continued:
”Next, ill be welcouests The palace will prepare individual rooet ready in your roo the party, you will probablyand queen—as well as Kili Surtr Muspelheim, of course”
Soulped
Meeting that Kili again—The thought of that instantly dispelled any uplifting feeling of trip abroad
Since there was no telling what Kili's goal was, nothing could be predicted If Kili intended to harht her And in order to stop her,her
”The schedule for tomorrow and beyond will be adjusted after we talk to her Any questions?”
shi+noaze across our faces
”Well”
With the Tia sound asleep, using her lap as a pillow, Lisa raised her hand and spoke hesitantly
”What is it?”
”How should we face Honoka-san—rather, how should we face Kili?”
”I won't ask you to be friends with her, but for the sake of finding out her goal, please try to talk to her asto peaceful and cordial cohtest In a dangerous situation, please prioritize your own safety when taking action”
”Understood”
Despite a worried look, Lisa still nodded affirmatively
The conversation ended there I turnedthe airport runway Passing through the ter a street lined with e hotels
Perhaps because it was next to the airport, the street scenery looked unexpectedly modernized Because I was told that this country was reht the scenery would be ricultural and countryside
But before long, brick buildings with distinctive styles beca s
Vendor stalls were lined along the sides of the road with huge crowds ht and saw people decorating buildings and the street with electric illumination and colored fabric
”Looks especially—lively”
Seeing the situation inside of town, Ihad died but I could not sense any
”Yes, because the festivities start tomorrow”
Seeingopposite me
”Eh? Isn't it the king's funeral starting tomorrow?”
”In this country, funerals are the same as festivals Our custom is to send the deceased off to heaven in a lively celebration”
After the sun set in the westernout at the dazzling lights, Firill explained
”I get it now So that's why you said earlier I'll knohen I see it”
”It will definitely be ht do so nefarious”
Gloom flashed across Firill's expression She likely meant Kili by ”that person” Firill was probably the ly taken in a dangerous terrorist
”Don't worry As long as I'm here, I absolutely won't allow Kili to do whatever she wants”
I was very worried too but I still had to assert this, because rather than being a question of whether I could do it or not, it was so I oing to let sadness or harm come to Firill
”Mononobe-kun, you're quite reliable sometimes”
”'Sometimes' is redundant”
”Fufu”
Hearing hed happily
Then feeling strong gazes at this moment, I followed them to their source
For so coldly at me
”W-What?”
”Nothing, none at all”
Mitsuki answered, her words inexplicably prickly
”Mononobe Soood friends with Firill-chan”
Iris reht sulk
”N-No, that's not—”
”We aren't?”
Looking at my face, Firill's question put me at a loss for words
”Perhaps I guess it's not entirely”
In the process of resolving the conundrum between Mitsuki and Iris, I had many opportunities to interact with Firill It was true that we had become much better friends than before
”It ether”
Firill leaned forward, drew near my face and whispered in my ear
”Urgh”
My ears began to feel hot whileher boso
”Nii-san, do you know that your face is very red?”
”Mononobe Did so happen between you and Firill-chan?”
Mitsuki and Iris' stares turned even sharper
”N-Nothing at all! Putting that aside, look, that store's decorations are so pretty—”
I was trying to change the subject forcibly when I stopped mid-sentence
Fro the thick crowds in the street, I sensed an intense stare directed at us
”What is the matter? Nii-san?”
I was brought back to reality by Mitsuki calling to me
However, the scenery rapidly receded in