Vol 4 Chapter 2 (2/2)
At this moment, small explosions could be heard in the adjacent alley with the rising of white smoke
Frightened pedestrians flooded in our direction Walking in front, Kili and shi+nomiya-sensei were sed by the crowd
—So the enemy is here!
This was most likely to separate Kili from us
”Firill, you go and join Mitsuki and the others Tell them not to move from this spot for now”
”Eh? Mononobe-kun Where are you going?”
”Please, I' on you!”
Without enough time to answer her, I rushed into the chaotic crowd
Back at the waterfall, I had already told Kili concisely the enemy's attack approach
Namely—to move towards places with fewer people
I forcibly pushed through the crowd and entered a s location
Just as I predicted, Kili was there
”—Aren't you too slow? I'd feel troubled if you don't protect me”
Kili colared at me There was a faint scratch on her cheek
”You were attacked?”
”Yes, it was apparently launched during the earlier flood of people, but this level is nothing to be concerned about”
Kilithe wound Immediately, black bubbles of dark matter flowed out and erased the laceration cleanly within the blink of an eye
”Biogenic trans”
”So long as I remain conscious, it's possible to heal any wound nosliced by a blade still hurts, even to the point of infuriatingwith everyone in the surroundings to death”
Kili's cold and aze looked at the streets packed with people
”I won't allow that”
Feeling that she was definitely not joking, I warned her seriously
”Oher you Then what do we do next?”
Without showing any fear, Kili sht and asked for my future plans
”We will move deliberately to a place where the enemy can easily attack Once we're there, we'll defeat everyone who co”
”Okay, very simple Awesome”
Kili smiled fearlessly
Hence, we ran deeper in the alley
Although it was a narrow alley, it was not co at full speed, passing through a crowd that was heading for the main road, we searched for a deserted location
Going against the flow of people in this manner for a while, we found a square-shaped open area in the alley It seemed to be a plot of land left behind after a house was demolished recently
After confirht, I said to Kili
”We'll intercept them over there”
Anti-personnel weapon—AT Nergal
While running, I generated dark un Holding Nergal's faradually focused
”Understood Attacks launched from afar can be handled by e enemies to you”
We stopped in the center of the open space then turned our gaze to the dark alley where the ene from
”—Very well, bring it on”
As soon as Kili said that with a grin, the air tes rose all at once
Spreading out tiny dark y, then using it for offense and defense, that was Kili's ”Muspelheim”
She had probably deployed a barrier of therainst attacks that out-ranged her
At thisfroht have decided to attack I could feelmy entire body like needles
Only one person?
Finally getting a bead on the number of presences, I was surprised by the result
A muzzle flash came from the depths of the dark alley
—Sizzle!
But before the bullet could reach us, it vaporized with a red glow
Due to the intense te scenery was shi+ in the heat
Unfazed, the ene I was struck by the smell of melted metal
Next, the ene The object exploded inwhite smoke
The eneured out Muspelheim's weakness
Dark reatest vulnerability was interference from ordinary et worn away and disappear when covered by sh Muspelheim in the past, but—
”I knew you would take countermeasures of this level”
Kili ss like black snow
To prevent theed the dark matter But all Ds without exception had a lio
Increasing the size of each piece of dark e would shrink accordingly
Seizing that opening, a petite figure stepped into the open space Running with a low posture as though sticking to the ground, the figure threw a un at us
As soon as theblack snow of dark matter, it instantly burned red-hot and exploded from internal expansion
Aunpowder, the eneun as a replacement
We were roughly ten meters apart At this distance, I finally saw the opponent's face clearly
Platinum blonde hair fluttered aolden eyes see
I recognized him John Hortensia—Sleipnir's sniper
”!”
Realizing his intent, I extended my left palm
By focusing my consciousness on the muzzle pointed in our direction, I predicted the bullet trajectories
John would not norets from the distance was his job But in the current situation, there was no one better suited than hi Kili's Muspelheim
While running, he kept pulling the trigger
Instead of getting stopped by the barrier of therh instead
The reason was sih the air was filled with dark aps between the dark y barrier by trans dark matter, which meant vulnerable spots could be found if the positions of all dark matter were acquired from the start
From a common sense standpoint, this was mere theoretical talk, but John's ”eyes” were capable of turning theory into practice Now that the dark h for the naked eye to see, he wasskills
Anti-materiel armor—Damascus 09P!
Knowing his intentions, I had already used transmutation to create shi+elds to block his bullets
Clang—!
Manifesting along the bullet trajectories, the heavy ar deflected bullets with acute metallic sounds
”Eh?”
Seeing bullets pass through Muspelheim, Kili exclaimed in surprise
”I'll take care of this guy! Kili, you guard against other attacks!”
While saying that, I shot Nergal at John Nergal was a projectile-based high-voltage electroshock gun aluaranteed to render the victie as though he had predicted my action
While blocking the line of sight between John and Kili, I rushed forward Firing Nergal, I dashed out of Muspelheim and closed in
John frowned and fought back with gunfire
Since Kili was behindcreated from transmutation to accurately block John's shots Exactly because his ai his bullet trajectories was quite easy John see at s
Seeing ht before his eyes, John reached behind him with his left hand and tossed a certain black object at me
Anti-explosive armor—Uruk 73E!
Thinking it was a grenade, I instantly deployed anti-explosive are of black smoke
—Another smokescreen!?
Covering my mouth and nose, I jumped back Obscured by the smoke, I could not see him
”What—Uwah!?”
I heard a cry of pain fro
Then the s a clear view of the scene
”Huh?”
The sight rendered me speechless
John was pinned down on the edge of the open space The one who had subdued him was my classmate—Ariella Lu
”I', but this looks like an enemy, so I captured the enemy first”
Restraining John's joints splendidly, Ariella smiled cheerfully as usual
Part 5
”Ariella You're ah he's a sniper, I can't believe you subdued a member of special forces”
I felt impressed from the bottom of my heart and praised Ariella who had captured John
”Although I did sense a different iin with—Your combat skills are quite superb”
Approaching fro at Ariella while she spoke
”Eh? Not really, I have just a bit of rown rusty yet Putting that aside—What are we going to do with this person?”
Ariella gestured to John with her eyes I honestly did not think Ariella's skills were on the level of ”just a bit” but the ht now
”Please keep hiot many questions for him”
”Okay, got it”
Ariella nodded in a relaxedthis time, she did not loosen John's restraints
I bent down and spoke to John, who had his face doith an expression of chagrin
”Long time no see, John”
”It's been a while, captain”
He looked up slightly and replied in what see tone
”I'er a member of Sleipnir Isn't it weird to call me captain?”
”No sir, you are the captain”
I remarked with a wry s ain
”Fine, address me however you like if you say so Let's talk about so else Where's the rest of Sleipnir? Why are you the only one attacking, John?”
I raised the question that bothered me the most If they truly intended to kill Kili, the entire team should have attacked instead
”The others are not present because I acted alone without permission This is insubordination”
”Insubordination? What's going on? Did you guys receive orders to assassinate Kili, John?”
Yesterday, Major Loki had said his side would handle things Did that notout Sleipnir?
”Until yesterday, that was the case indeed—But orders have changed The major wants Sleipnir to focus on surveillance then handle the aftermath if any problems arise”
”Surveillance and clean up Then soe of the actual operation?”
”Yes sir”
John nodded affirloomy expression
”I don't want you to fight that man, captain, which is why I wanted to eliminate Kili before then, because I essentially have a chance at victory But why did you obstruct me, captain! That woman is a terrorist, equivalent to the public enemy of humanity!”
Despite Ariella's restraints, John still glared at Kili with his golden eyes
”Midgard has decided to protect Kili—si so far as to disobey orders, to stop uy?”
”Because I believe will be killed”
John looked away from me and answered hesitantly
”Who will be killed?”
”—You, captain”
Tostatement
Sleipnir's members knew my abilities better than anyone Precisely because they knew, that hy they acknowledged me as their captain
”I don't knohat the others think, but even now, I still respect you, captain I don't want you to die here, so—”
John orried for er than me
Sure enough It's him?
The tall man whom Kili said had almost killed her, who felt similar to me
”What are that guy's characteristics?”
I asked in a dry voice
”An unidentified man whose entire body is clad in ar for this country, Major Loki suddenly brought hiether, because he only follows orders from the major, ere unable to coordinate on the battlefield, resulting in her escape”
John glared resentfully at Kili while replying
”What's that guy's name?”
I gulped and made the final confirmation
”—Hreidmar That hat Major Loki called him”
After asking John the necessary questions, I confiscated his gun and released him
”Captain I believe that you should personally take care of that wouy arrives”
He glared at Kili and warnedinto the depths of the dark alley
”You allowed him to escape Personally, I wanted to kill hiht?”
”That's right”
”What a shame I wanted to vaporize him”
Kili shrugged and sighed
”—Don't say that kind of stuff again if you really intend to go to Midgard Vaporize this if you need to vaporize so”
Saying that, I handed her erous ite back
”You leave me no choice”
Kili took the two guns and tossed them into the air
The guns expanded from heat and exploded like fireworks
”Woah! Why did they explode?”
Not knowing about Kili's Muspelheim, Ariella widened her eyes in surprise
”Oh, just now, that's—”
Whileour way back to the , I explained Kili's Muspelheim to Ariella then briefly recounted what had happened
NIFL had mobilized to eliminate Kili The one in command was my former superior officer Iris and the others had no experience in huht up, I intended to take care of things with just Kili After listening to ered
”I know roughly what happened now, but I can't approve the fact that you didn't tell anyone about your plan Everyone ht?”
”I know that But I want to avoid getting the others involved in conflicts between humans as much as possible”
If I told them about the plan, Iris and the others would definitely try to help
As much as I worried about their safety, what unsettled on combat were too powerful
If they accidentally killed soht crossed my mind, I became unable to discuss with them
”But Perhaps one of the after you like me So your solution is still not the best”
”Yeah, I'll apologize to everyone e get back”
Because Ariella did chase after me in fact, I could not retort
”Yeah, that'd be best Uot a question too, about the person just now”
”You mean John?”
I asked and Ariella nodded
”So, is John the first name?”
”Yeah”
”Are you sure? It's not a nickname?”
”Yeah But why are you asking?”
I frowned, unable to understand what Ariella was getting at
”Hmm, it just bothers me a little”
Ariella clutched her right hand then cocked her head in puzzlement
”?”
Not knoas bothering her, I could not help but start to ponder
”Mononobe-kun, are you close with that person?”
”Yeah, I think he's the one who admired me the most back in Sleipnir”
”Oh, that's right, it seems that person went as far as to disobey orders for your sake If that's the case, sure enough”
”What do you h?”
Seeing Ariella figuring things out on her own, I asked her
”H for me to reveal And it's possible I could be mistaken”
”I totally don't get what you're talking about”
Seeing Ariella wave her hands with a wry sh
”Ahaha, if you're curious nofor the real na will be all clear if you do that”
In other words, John was using a fake na like that?
Ariella's reply simply baffled me
But listening in on the side, Kili reat interest:
”Oh This seeht not to vaporize that person”
Kili's expression looked like she figured out so A smile surfaced on her lips
—What was going on?
It felt like Kili and Ariella had leftof what Ariella had said, I walked but could not think of anything related to John's name
As soon as we got back to the s had calmed down The initial explosion was probably just a s alley, the townsfolk did not see the festivities Brynhildr Class was assembled by the roadside
”Oh, Nii-san!”
Mitsuki instantly ran over as soon as she spotted me
After that, I explained what had happened—As expected, I ended up subjected to harsh lecturing
Part 6
After getting attacked, we left the scene first and returned to the palace
Although it was slightly earlier than scheduled, since the ”Konsousai” or Soul Departure Rite was starting tonight at Erlia Castle and ere going to attend the opening cere in the first place
Although the toas starting to liven up already, this funeral ceremony of the Soul Departure Rite apparently had its official start after sundown
After a brief break in our roo appropriate for the cereh-class limo
All the girls were dressed in the saht The scene inside the car looked very glamorous
After passing through the castle wall's ate where there were many people lined up, the liate which seemed to be exclusive to involved parties
”Wow”
Pressed against the car , Tia exclaimed in wonderment
The castle's spires were lit very beautifully, shrouded in an atmosphere both solemn and fantastical
The palace was nificent too but this place really see a realm of fantasy
However, I currently could not is of emotion
Although everyone was chatting with silance against the surrounding situation
Hreidmar The instant I heard this nale moment
Even though Mitsuki had warned ain” I was the only one capable of engaging hi to enlist Kili's aid
”Please co”
Led by Helen-san, we entered the castle The stone-built interior was quite cold, honestly
But after going up the stairs and passing through a htly
I could hear the noisy crowds Over there was a viewing balcony overlooking a vast hall on the ground floor
Ain the deepest end of the hall Under the portrait was a coffin covered in flowers
”Grandfather”
Firillat the portrait and the coffin
So that was King Albert?
An oldfroaze He looked like soth of will I could feel froe his country and the world
Once the hall was packed full of people, Firill's father, Prince Alfred, ascended the stage and greeted them
The cereined First, a long inally noisy interior of the castle instantly fell silent
Firill closed her eyes with a sole of her grandfather If what Ariella had said was true and souls really existed, then her prayers ought to reach her grandfather
Following her lead, the others and I offered our silent prayers
—If it's thanks to you that the present Midgard ca a home for us
Then the silent prayers ended Originally a bit diinally on standby, the orchestra started playing gentle music
The hall instantly turned into a party venue and people went out to dance one after another
There seeinally concentrated together, the crowds followed directions and gradually dispersed
Seeing the e so rapidly, I felt a little troubled but I already knew that it was this country's unique way of seeing off the deceased
Dancing in front of the royal coffin, the people also looked a bit mournful
”—Watching is too boring Shall we dance too?”
Looking at the hall from the balcony, Kili asked us
”I believe we should stay out of the spotlight Your life is being targeted, you know?”
However, Mitsuki showed hesitation on her face
”Don't worry, the royal faht And there are so h to pick this location to make a move”
After saying that optimistically, Kili took my hand
”Come, dance with me”
”H-Hey!?”
Kili pulled
”Ah! Don't take Mononobe away!”
”Tia wants to dance with Yuu too!”
Iris and Tia chased after us
”No helping it Lisa-san, let us go as well”
”Because we must watch her closely”
Mitsuki and Lisa sighed and walked over
”Ren, let's go too There seeood food”
”Mm”
Ariella and Ren followed
”I atch from here”
However, Firill, shi+no area
The majority of people present probably knew that Firill was a princess of the Principality of Erlia as well as a D If she appeared in the party and caused a coard had sent Ds to receive Kili Surely, she must have made her choice in consideration of that
With Kili holding round floor
”I don't have any ballroo experience, okay?”
”No problem I will teach you You'd look super laht?”
Kili looked at Iris and the others who had followed us to the hall, then she immediately started to move with dance steps
”Woah”
I moved my feet frantically to follow her
”Coood Now just repeat these steps”
”O-Okay”
Kili guided me very well and the step patterns turned out to be unexpectedly siht of dancing as martial arts forms, it was not too hard, actually
After getting used to dancing, I now had the luxury of attention to spare on other things
”What's the matter?”
At a distance alh to kiss, Kili s me
The sensation wasmy heart race
Perhaps it was perfu in front of htly Inconspicuous lipstick had been put on her lips,them look very seductive
Due to wariness against her until now, I had not noticed particularly, but dancing with her black hair fluttering, she was extremely beautiful
”N-Nothing”
However, I felt resistant to offering s up
”You can only look at your partner during a dance This is manners Don't look away from me”
”Guh G-Got it”
I stared straight into Kili's black pupils She smiled contentedly
”Indeed, that's the way”
With coordinated steps, we danced along with the music
”—Yuu, what is Hreidmar?”
Kili whispered while dancing
”It's the na to take your life”
”That's not what Iyou what kind of existence is he?”
”Is there any point in asking that?”
Hearing my question, Kili stared into my eyes, nodded and said:
”Yes, because I want to know you better”
”Isn't that way too selfish of you, given howalready?”
I frowned and answered
”Fufu—Perhaps Then how about this? If you tell me about Hreidmar I could answer one question of yours”
I was surprised to hear her offering tereous than I expected If one of her secrets could be revealed Then I had no choice but to agree
”—Got it Hreidmar is apparently my reference”
”Reference? In other words, your master?”
”No, it's different from a master-apprentice relationshi+p I've never talked to Hreid and memorized it, that's all”
Actually, rather thanchar that only I could understand
”Oh In other words, your ferocity comes from him?”
”Soh lots of harsh co watched him”
”It almost sounds like contamination”
Kili frowned and s I had deliberately withheld
”Yes So that's why Hreidmar and I possess similar traits That's probably the part that you found similar between me and him”
”No, you two are different Although I described you as similar before, I can't feel from him the kind of charm that you have”
Kili asserted with an inexplicably forceful tone Staring intopassion
”After hearing about Hreidmar, I am even more certain of it What attracts me is a certain characteristic deeper inside of you The ferocity residing within you, to ht be a troublesome rival instead”
Kili grinned
”A rival? What the heck kind of rival”
”I'm not sure either, this purely a woman's intuition But apart frohts on you”
Saying that, she instantly leaned her body against me
”So don't lower your guard I won't forgive you if you easily let yourself become someone else's posession”
Devoured by the intense eaze, I felt my breath taken away for a moment
But when the s, I ca to the new melody
”—I don't need your per Rather, it's time for me to ask questions”
”Ohan intense lead like this is not bad either Very well, what do you want to ask?”
Kili showed surprise on her face but soon showed a sht
”Who are you? If it's so even you don't know Then tell me the reason why you don't know”
I repeated the question I had asked her many times, but this time, I cornered her
”Sure, this is the promise, but—”
Despite nodding in agreeled free from my arm
”—There seeirls in line, so I shall excuse myself for now”
Slightly farther away, Iris and Tia were glaring in our direction Mitsuki also looked extremely displeased
”H-Hey!”
I tried to stop Kili froed my hand
”Don't be anxious I will keep ain later”
S seductively, Kili then walked over to the tables with food
”Yuu is so much like a prince!”
I first danced with Tia according to the orchestra's h due to o