Vol 6 Chapter 4 (1/2)
Tia Lightning thought back to what Kili Surtr Muspelheim had told her at the Castle of Mirrors
”As things stand, Tia, Yggdrasil cannot be defeated no ive up your huht be a path to hope”
”Eh?”
Tia stared blankly at Kili
The hall all covered with ave an illusion of infinite space At the same time, it also produced countless reflections of Tia and Kili
An uncountable nuirl with two red horns on her head in great unease
”I originally planned to raise you as the truan existing for the sake of opposing Yggdrasil”
”These”
Putting her hands on her head, Tia touched her two red horns
”Indeed, this is an organ connected directly to the brain, which is why I can't put it onyour own brain willthe control of biogenic transmutation to fail”
”Then If Tia works hard, Yggdrasil can be defeated?”
Tia asked timidly but Kili shook her head
”No, I haven't finished with your treatment, so those horns cannot function as intended yet But if you wish, I could perform the final treatment for you”
Staring into Tia's eyes, Kili made this proposal
”Then like this Tia will be able to help Yuu and the others?”
”If all goes well After all, I can't guarantee success since this is the first time, but if your horns function as planned, Yuu and the others have a shot at victory However—”
Kili paused and narrowed her eyes
”—The on transcending the boundaries of Ds and humans”
”!”
Tia gasped and took a step back
”Don't worry, I won't force you, so no need to be afraid I'er a puppet controlled by Mother I will freely decidetoto your oishes”
Kili's expression turned gentle and she smiled at Tia
”Kili”
It was a gentle smile that Tia had never seen on Kili's face
”Yuu said before that how one lives their life is more important than what they are What matters is not the identity of your existence, but what you want to do”
Part 2
In the drasil's branches flooding towards us, I was stunned on the spot with all eyes on me
My secret had been revealed
The fact that Yggdrasil was stealing my body had been exposed
Finally, she still ended up finding out Clearly when Mitsuki was the one person I did not want to know this secret
”Mononobe-kun, tell me the details”
”I want to hear your explanation”
Firill and Ariella approached to question me
”Yuu, tell Tia the truth”
Tia stared at le step
”I'm interested in the details too”
Kili urged aze
By this point, I could not cover things up anymore
Gritting ive them, but—
”Mononobe Yuu, clearly the only choice is to tell theons were created based on data provided by Yggdrasil The price you paid is that your body is now about to be stolen”
Lisa's fictional ar the branches above while she spoke to me
However, what she said felt strange to me
”Huh?”
Hearing her say that, Iris stared wide-eyed from the side
The price paid under the deal with Yggdrasil was the loss ofover my body was the trap it had laid These tere a bit different in
WhenWhen Tia overheard my conversation with Lisa, the subject of memory loss was not mentioned
Then at least the worst situation—that I was not the ”Mononobe Yuu” whom Mitsuki knew—Perhaps this one fact could still remain hidden to the very end
Thank you, Lisa
While feeling grateful for Lisa's quick thinking, I started to explain to Mitsuki and the others
”Just as Lisa said, I secretly ons But there was apparently so siradually—and right now—I'drasil”
O the memory part, I revealed the truth
”To defeat dragons? Could it be that three years ago, Nii-san, you—”
Mitsuki murmured blankly
Three years ago, to protect my hometown, I used a pohich was normally impossible, to repel Hekatonkheir This was done exactly by relying on anti-dragon ardrasil
Smart as she was, Mitsuki seemed to recall that immediately
”Yeah, the fight against Hekatonkheir three years ago was the first time”
I nodded in response to Mitsuki, despite knowing that Mitsuki would feel heavily guilty as soon as I confirmed it
However, this washer ”the price was memories”
As long as Yggdrasil was neutralized, its invasion of uarantee my memories would recover
When it was impossible to recover the real ”Mononobe Yuu”—I did not want to bring despair to Mitsuki
”Mononobe-kun Why did you hide this? If the weapons for defeating dragons is the reason, then you ht?”
Firill glared at rily
”Sorry, because I didn't want you to feel responsible or in debt Also, I only found out recently I was being controlled I never expected things to turn out this way”
I bowed ized to Firill
Seeing me like that, Ariella scolded:
”I understand how you feel, Mononobe-kun, but it pisses me off that we're the only ones kept in the dark From the way it looks, Iris and Ren also knew in addition to Lisa, right?”
Iris looked down in shaaze and pointed her finger in the air
”Mm”
I took a closer look Because fewer people were attacking, the branches were gradually closing in
”—Meaning it's not the ti? Can't be helped, I'll complain properly later”
Ariella returned to attack after glaring at me
”Me too I have things to say but I'll hold back for now”
Firill turned her back to ain
”—As thanks for letting , I'll help out a bit”
With a wave of her hand, Kili incinerated branches with a red bea heat
But in this situation, Mitsuki and Tia did not take their gazes off my face
I saw Mitsuki biting her lower lip, shoulders tre down her cheek
”M-Mitsuki—Don't cry It's really my fault, I'm sorry—”
Even I was surprised at how shaken I was inside I kept apologizing to her To o, she should not be soree
”Nii-san, you need not apologize I arin So do not worry about me”
Mitsuki spoke hoarsely and brusquely wiped her tears aith her hand
”Putting that aside, please allow ?”
”Eh”
My heart pounded like crazy
”I knew long ago that you were hiding things fro desperately So I deliberately refrained froret So this tie to ask you, Nii-san, are you still hiding things from me?”
Mitsuki asked me with conviction
I thought I had concealed things well, but now I kneas totally seen through
More than anyone else, Mitsuki knew this person of ”Mononobe Yuu” She knew everything about otten In front of so would not work
”Yes”
I nodded to confirm Mitsuki's question, but I continued:
”But I can't tell you, Mitsuki”
I prepared myself and asserted clearly
”Why?”
”I still can't say it yet”
I shook my head and stared into Mitsuki's eyes that were red fro
”Then when can you say it?”
”—Once I've retrieved everything”
I gave this answer because I could not think of another way of saying it
”Even if I ask you what you ht?”
Mitsuki snation
”Sorry”
”Very well—Because I kno stubborn you are, Nii-san, I will not force the matter at this time However, one final drasil must be defeated now Is that true?”
Mitsuki's expression tensed She asked me in a tone of suppressed emotion:
”It's true that Yggdrasil's interference in et controlled by it immediately, so there's still time We should retreat temporarily”
To be honest, I had a feeling that the final time limit was not far away, but I answered this way to reassure Mitsuki Because right noere totally out of options
I was adht noe should retreat and request reinforceht be possible to handle the branches' rate of growth
”I understand Indeed, as the captain of the Dragon Subjugation Squad, there is no alternative as a decision Well then—”
Mitsuki paused halfway then turned to face shi+nomiya-sensei
”shi+noive my willfulness, but I, Mononobe Mitsuki, hereby relinquish ation Squad”
”What are you suddenly”
shi+nomiya-sensei was shocked
The others, still attacking branches, also stared in Mitsuki in surprise
”Mitsuki-chan?”
Troubled, Iris called her na her head in puzzlement
”Mitsuki”
Tia also showed doubt on her face but I could also see her trying to figure things out
But ignoring everyone's reactions, Mitsuki turned to face me
”Starting noill only fight as your younger sister to protect you, Nii-san I will absolutely not retreat”
”H-Hey—I said there's still tiht?”
”Nii-san, do you think lying can deceive me?”
As though having co s from the western sky
”Hold on, what do think think can still be done in this situation? If there's a solution, I wouldn't call for a retreat”
The way I saw it, Mitsuki was going to attack recklessly without a plan I made haste to stop her
”Indeed, given the current situation,sufficient distance froe will be iards one's safety Such notions would disqualify a coer sister, nothing more”
Mitsuki s a joke and continued:
”By elih speed, it ht be possible to advance”
”What? But if you get caught in Yggdrasil's interference range, even if just a little, you'll crash ierous!”
I instantly yelled in objection
”—I knohich is why I intend to go alone I will find a way to reach a spot where I can aidrasil directly, to destroy the base of the branches That way, I should be able to buy quite a lot of tiain Nii-san, you and the others will use thatto attack”
Mitsuki's expression showed that she was completely prepared already
”Don't do so stupid like that—”
I reached out, trying to stop Mitsuki, but she was surrounded by a layer of wind, deflecting my hand
Everyone tried to call out and stop her with frantic expressions
But before anyone could make a sound, she acted even faster
”Wait!”
Mitsuki hovered into the air, but Tia crashed into her, wrapped in her own layer of wind
”Kyah!?”
Entangled together, the two girls fell to the ground
”Tia-san, let go of me!”
Mitsuki tried to pull off Tia as hugging her waist but Tia resisted desperately and yelled:
”Don't do that, Mitsuki! Leave it to Tia! If it's Tia, it will definitely succeed!”
”Huh?”
Hearing what Tia said, Mitsuki stopped
”Sorry, Tia should have said this earlier, but Tia finds the current life so happy Don't want any change So Tia could not gather enough courage But Tia has decided now”
Tia separated fro, then looked at Kili
Originally helping out with eli branches, Kili stopped and faced Tia at this time
”Is that right? Tia, you will be choosing your way of living”
Kili spoke gently to Tia
I did not knoas going on, but my heart was in turmoil
Tia nodded and said with a voice of determination:
”Please, Kili, give Tia the power to fight Yggdrasil”
”Got it, then I'll perform the final treatment for you”
Kili slowly approached Tia
”Hey, what treat to do!?”
Unable to grasp the situation, I yelled acutely at Kili
”—I will make Tia's horns complete”
Kili placed her palave me a brief answer
”Make her horns complete What on earth is—”
”Tia is the child I raised to becodrasil These horns were created as an organ for opposing Yggdrasil Although the horns currently don't function, so long as Tia wishes, I can make these horns complete This hat I proposed to her at the amusement park”
Staring at Tia's horns, Kili quietly explained
So that hat they talked about in the Castle of Mirrors that time—
”Tia has been brooding the whole ti from the amuse Is that final treat to Tia?”
I stared at Kili and questioned her in a fierce tone of voice
”Yes, I don't knoill happen if it fails Even if it succeeds, Tia will beco the boundaries of what it ht end up categorized as a dragon”
Hearing Kili's words, Iris' shoulders shuddered
As a D who had transcended boundaries, Iristo Kili
”I won't let Tia do soerous!”
”That's not for you to decide”
Just as I tried to take a step forward, a small explosion detonated in front of me
”!?”
I guardedpain on my skin forced me to frown
”Don't get in the way, Yuu Even you have no right to stop Tia fro her own path”
Exuding off intense killing intent, Kili restrainedaction
The surrounding te out of my forehead and neck She must have deployed Muspelheim
What should I do? Stopping them would require the determination to murder Kili
Just as I hesitated, Tia smiled at me
”Don't worry Because no matter what Tia becomes, Tia will be still the one who loves Yuu most—Yuu's wife”
Then the dark enerated in Kili's handsucked in
”—!!”
The two horns shone with dazzling light while Tia e scream
Part 3
Blinding light and an extended scream
”Tia!”
Ignoring Kili's deployed Muspelheim, I dashed towards Tia
The final treatment probably ended in an instant—Kili did not stop me After she put down her raised hand, Tia immediately collapsed on her knees
As though sliding, I caught Tia's petite body, feeble and drained of strength
”Stay with me! Tia!”
I called to her but Tia seemed to have lost consciousness No reaction Her two red horns also showed no change in appearance
”Tia-chan, are you okay!?”
”Tia-san!”
Iris and Mitsuki rushed forward fro at Tia's face
Unable to leave their positions fro branches, Lisa and the others looked in our direction with paled faces
I looked up and glared at Kili
”What happened to Tia? Did it—fail?”
”Can't tell until Tia wakes up The co as she is able to withstand the strain, she'll surely—”
Just as Kili spoke in a praying tone of voice, Tia stirred
”Mm”
A faint sound ca flashed and popped near her red horns
”Tia can hear”
Tia spoke hoarsely while opening her eyes slightly
”Thank goodness, you woke up”
I breathed a sigh of relief, only to see Tia staring at me
”Tia can hear a cold voice calling Neun Neun Is this the voice of Yggdrasil that's troubling Yuu?”
”What? You can hear it too, Tia?”
I asked in surprise
Just as Tia said, Yggdrasil's voice was still sounding in ht now
”Yes So this is Yggdrasil Yuu's enemy”
Tia spoke as though in the middle of a dream and stood up
”Tia?”
I noticed Tia acting a bit strange and called to her but she focused her gaze ard towards Yggdrasil instead of answering The electrical sparks scattering over Tia's head in the horns' surroundings gradually increased
”StopYuu suffer, be quiet!!”
The instant Tia yelled, electricity exploded nearby
”What!?”
Boos suddenly felt quiet
”Yggdrasil's voice disappeared?”
I inally loud enough to feel noisy, but now, no matter how I much I focused my mind in order to listen, I could not sense the voice anymore The sense of dissonance in my left arm also disappeared
”Looks like it succeeded”
While everyone was feeling troubled, Kili was the only one to show a contented look
”What did Tia do?”
I demanded an explanation from Kili
”—What Tia has constructed is an electrodrasil's interference codrasil is currently unable to steal Tia's darkthis barrier, your side will be able to enter Yggdrasil's interference range”
”What Tia is now capable of that kind of thing?”
I gasped and asked
”Yes Speaking of which, the reason why Yggdrasil can steal dark hts will have th than weak an capable of outputting thoughts as electrical signals”
”Namely those horns?”
I looked at Tia's horns, surrounded by glowing electricity
”Also, Tia has a habit of subconsciously trans dark matter into electrical currents When the dark matter is transhts encoded into electrical signals This further strengthens Tia's interference strength, repelling Yggdrasil's interference This is the truth behind the electronetic barrier”
Thinking back, Tia really did have a habit of generating electrical currents when emotional That was probably why Kili had chosen Tia
After listening to that, Tia held her head and asked Kili:
”So If it's Tia right now, Tia can protect Yuu and the others?”
”That's right As long as you think intensely and generate dark netic barrier will be sustained As long as they stay inside the barrier, the dark matter of Yuu and the others will be free from interference”
”Got it Tia ork hard”
Tia nodded and moved her hand away from her head I saw pearl-like sweat on her head
It was probably causing her quite a lot of strain Bestoith an organ that was not inborn, it was only natural for her body to have a rejection reaction
But Tia steadied her shaking body with her legs and spread the pair of red wings that was her fictional armament
”Yuu—Everyone follow Tia Tia will take everyone to Yggdrasil”
Tia spoke with unshakable determination
Will you be okay? I could only s these words
Because I quickly understood that it was ait would be a waste of time
I could see that she was not okay at all She was clearly forcing herself
In reaction to beco like this—No, she had chosen to do this
Si me
Lisa silently approached Tia and hugged her
”—I know, then I will count on you, Tia-san However, please focus onthe barrier I will fly and carry you”
”Thank you Lisa”
Tia dispelled her fictional armament and held onto Lisa's waist
”I will carry Onii-chan”
Feeling so up at me
Ren's cooperation with me was the key to the next part of the plan, so it was probably better that I traveled with her
”Okay, I' on you”
I held Ren's hand Having confirmed the situation, Mitsuki walked over to Iris and took her hand
”Then I will be responsible for Iris-san's transport So this is it—shi+no off”
Holding the wrecked laptop in her hand, shi+no a bit lost Then at this tied
”Okay Looks like I can't provide support anyon Subjugation Squad—Mononobe Mitsuki”
shi+no Mitsuki
Having just declared she would relinquish her duties, Mitsuki ht posture
”Affiron Subjugation Squad”
Part 4
Gathered around Lisa, as carrying Tia in her arht sky
Yggdrasil's branches were growing at a frightening rate in front of us
Although it was ie, the area under the branches was most likely its territory
We cautiously lowered our altitude and rushed into Yggdrasil's interference range
—No change
Having confirmed there was no interference in our fictional arns of impedance to trans speed The sky glohite faintly Dawn see
Flying in the lead while carrying Iris in her arby our side
”How unexpected I can't believe you ca, Kili”
Flying in the sky with Ren holding my hand, I spoke to Kili beside me
”Let me enjoy the show to the very end since I'm already here Of course, I won't just watch I'll offer a helping hand and won't drag you down, so relax”
”I don't doubt your abilities, but I'll be watching you to see if you have any ulterior motives”
I declared to Kili that I refused to trust her
”Fufu, I don't mind That means you'll have your eyes focused on me”
Kili smiled confidently
”!”
Her s irl was not easy to deal with
”However, you should probably focus your attention on Yggdrasil rather than me Once it realizes its interference over dark , it will surely take other measures”
Just as Kili reminded me to pay attention, Mitsuki yelled from the front:
”Heads up, Yggdrasil's branches are showing changes! Be careful, everyone!”
I hastily looked up to notice that ere already under a canopy drasil's branches
These capillary-like branches blotted the sky, writhing in a sinister and spookyour position
”All units deploy shi+elds! We will break through by force!”
Mitsuki commanded in a sharp voice
”Looks like it's my turn”
Kili grinned proudly and raised one hand to the sky
”—Such flae to enter my Muspelheim”
The approaching branches suddenly caught fire, burning into tiny particles of ash
She had h temperature in the air
Mitsuki and the girls also deployed barriers of wind, but all the branches were burnt to ash before reaching them
Under the gradually brightening sky, the outlines of Mount Fuji's tall appearance and the towering Yggdrasil were gradually co into view
”Target confiret will be 10 kilo distance Iris-san, show time for you!”
”Yeah!”
Iris nodded in response to Mitsuki
”Once we pass Mount Fuji, Lisa-san, Iris-san and I shall attack the et even closer Firill-san and Ariella-san, continue to deploy shi+elds Nii-san and Ren-san will prepare to scatter Ether Wind after the main body is destroyed!”
”Yes!”
I answered and ement
”Huh? What about me?”
Without being called on, Kili asked, pro Mitsuki to reply in a cold voice:
”If you wish to help, please participate in attacking”
”Oh dear, it feels like you're not expecting much of me?”
Kili grumbled with dissatisfaction
Immediately, Iris, as carried by Mitsuki, looked back and smiled cheerfully at Kili
”It's not like that, Kili-chan, let's do our best together!”
”Y-You're really good at getting others caught in your pace Fine, whatever Having created this chance for Tia, even without being told, I seriously intend to go on a rae”
Kili spoke with violence in her eyes
The snowtop of Mount Fuji was before us, but the branches suddenly stopped attacking
Just as it see us with branches, Lisa yelled acutely
”Look quickly! Yggdrasil's shape—”
Located on the far side, Yggdrasil's towering trunk was gradually expanding unnaturally in the middle
Then bizarre and thick branches were forced out fro portion
The sun seehtened all at once Behind us, the sun's rays frohtly dizzy
”Everyone! Go down rapidly right now!”
Just at this moment, I heard Tia shout anxiously
”Yggdrasil's target is Tia!”
Hearing Tia's urgent voice, everyone lowered their flying altitude without fully understanding as going on
In the next instant, a flash of blinding light rushed past us above
”W-What was that!?”
Firill cried out in surprise
”No idea, it seedrasil”
Ariella had not figured out the situation either
”Dodge quickly! It's aiain!”
Tia yelled again
”Descend further!”
Mitsuki instantly ordered us
After we obeyed, another flash of light passed over us
”That light Its speed The power of electrical interference—It netic induction”
Flying ahead, Mitsuki said in a stiff tone of voice
”Isn't that a railgun!? Isn't it i at us!?”
Lisa yelled anxiously but Kili interjected confident after hearing her:
”—Don't worry Tia noticed the attacks in advance, twice already, right? Tia, did you feel anything?”
Tia nodded lightly at Kili's question
”Yes, there's a dangerous feeling”
”I knew it Tia's horns are also quite sensitive towards external electroh it wasn't an ability by deliberate design, as long as we have Tia, we should be able to dodge”
After Kili said that, Tia made an alarmed expression and yelled:
”It's coain!”