Vol 8 Chapter 1 (1/2)
Breaths leaked out regularly from between the sleeper's soft, pink lips
The small but beautifully shaped boso
Her pale skin felt a little cold to the touch of one's fingertip
However—Pulsation of the heart and warmth definitely resided in the depths of her body
”Mitsuki”
Staring at my adopted sister—Mononobe Mitsuki—who continued to remain unconscious, I called her name softly
Nevertheless, there was no answer
According to Vritra, whose poison had rendered her unconscious, she would not wake until several days later
Although reassured that her life was not in danger, I could not help but have lingering worries
”Are you okay, Mononobe? I'll watch over Mitsuki-chan, so why don't you rest for a bit?”
Just then, the silver-haired girl—Iris Freyja—asked worriedly
I looked around to seeat me
The current location was an infirainst Vritra ended, ere taking a break inside this spacious room where many beds were lined up
The doctors and nursesus to tend to our oounds
Fortunately, with nomore than scratches, there was no proble
The lack of visible people was not evidence of absence I could sense their presence outside the door
From the first moment e arrived at this base, we could already sense that NIFL soldiers were not very friendly towards Ds
Despite providing a place for us to rest, it felt more like quarantine or house arrest
”I'm fine On the other hand, Iris, don't you look sleepy?”
I felt concerned about Iris' heavy eyelids
It was presently ue and drowsiness to attack in unison
”Ahaha, I'ht ”
S wryly, Iris looked around the room
In the for confidently despite being bound by wooden vines Everyone else was bearing a grim expression
This was only natural After Kili, the dragon e color too
'A second-generation hybrid dragon is capable of e in color No exceptions—every last one of them'
After the battle, this hat Vritra had told us
If what she said was true, both Tia and Firill, who had not faced Kraken Zwei in battle, and even Lisa, as not currently present, would all eventually become marked as mates
Everyone as long as they were categorized as Ds, and possibly myself included even as a man—
Moreover, Vritra had proceeded to deliver evenwords
'The third generation, born froon and a D who has becoeneration thus engendered will even be able to enerate dark matter'
'In thisinto the resilient lifeforons—'
Her story was difficult to s, but i as it was true that multiple Ds had been marked as mates
Why did Vritra want to turn huons?
Vritra had refused to answer the question, re silent ever since
”Hmm It feels itchy somehow”
Bothered by her dragonin color, Ariella tried to roll up her uniform from the back
This was to check her dragon mark that seemed to be located on her abdomen
”─Wait, Ariella Lu Do not expose your skin carelessly”
shi+no a small terminal at the wall, called out sharply to stop her
”There are eyes and ears all around Do not forget that we are currently in a very precarious position”
shi+no NIFL's suspicions regarding the color change of dragon marks
Aon ed color was the option of elimination I was reminded of what had happened with Iris last time
Therefore, the fact that all Ds could potentially becoe so easily
”But Since ere outside e checked earlier, it ht've become an open secret already”
Firill turned her gaze to the door and murmured worriedly
”Even if that were true, there is no need to provide the as we deny the fact, NIFL cannot take a forceful position Midgard's top priority is securing the lives and huhts of Ds Even if information has to be shared, it must take place after your safety is ensured”
shi+nomiya-sensei announced with a resolute attitude
Gaining awareness that they were backed by Midgard, the girls showed relieved expressions surfacing on their faces
”But howhere? Tia wants to see Lisa sooner Tia wants to go back to Yuu's house!”
Sitting on the edge of a bed, Tia complained in boredom
”Mm I don't like it here either”
Ren agreed idly with Tia
”Norequires their perive them a pretext to take action and who knohat they will do”
”They refuse to grant us permission to leave?”
I asked with a frown
”Yes, all they've done is insist that ait patiently By this point─”
Pururururu─
While shi+notone sounded
An unknown caller
After getting shi+nomiya-sensei's permission, I took the call, only to hear a faainst my eardrum
'hello, Mononobe-kun'
”Director Miyazawa?”
I answered in surprise
Finding out that her father was on the phone, Ren turned her gaze towards me
'Yes, is it okay to speak right now? There are things I wish to convey to you as soon as possible'
Miyazawa Kenya's voice did not show his usual confidence
For soathered an impression of anxiety
”I suppose it's okay but What on earth─”
'You know a Major Loki Jotunheim, yes? Namely, your former superior officer'
””
Hearing that unexpected naasped
Somehow, Miyazawa Kenya and him
'I encountered hied a feords Mononobe-kun─He knows everything'
An intense chill ran down my spine
Everything─Although Miyazawa Kenya did not state outright, he likelycolor
'Major Loki is apparently preparing to take forceful measures You would be advised to be careful Also, he had a e for you'
”A e?”
In response to my question, he inhaled and said:
'You are the onethe choice'
His voice felt so cold that I felt as though Major Loki hispering in my ear
Rather than the content, it was the voice that made my body stiffen more
”And what are the choices?”
'I'm totally at a loss even if you ask e along Oh, although I am in no position to say this I entrust Ren in your hands'
Without waiting forup on his own
As I took the portable terazes from everyone
”A call fro a move”
After I suhed heavily
”Tis slowly No other way─there may be future repercussions but I will ask her to invoke her power”
Saying that, shi+nomiya-sensei took out her portable terminal
Solimpsed momentarily from her expression─
Part 2
”—Hmm, I see Got it”
This was the fortified island of Midgard in the sea far south of japan
Located at the top floor of the academy's clock tower in the center of the island was her—Charlotte B Lord's—office
A petite figure not too different fro blonde hair and blue eyes, she looked like a fairy living in the clock tower
However, she was Midgard's chief administrator as well as the academy's principal
Reclining securely against the large executive chair, she exuded solemnity as befitted a leader
”Leave it to n croith the name of 'Gray' Let me rescue you and the students fro the authority I inherited from my father”
Ending her call with shi+noaze to the wo by on the side
The tall worave expression
”Mica—I knohat you wish to say but this is an e a crisis If I don't use my power nohen else!?”
Seeing Charlotte insiste fervently, the secretary—Mica Stuart—eh
”Charlotte-saardless, I must correct you first They are not yours Moreover, I believe there is a huge proble the use of authority”
”Problem?”
”Charlotte-sa your influence coanization who can be controlled using your authority During the Leviathan battle, ere unable to stop the invasion mounted by NIFL's forces”
Mica explained in a calrinned fearlessly
”I know that, but think carefully about it That situation was different from now If direct interference is out of the question, we'll just have to s”
”The top and the surroundings—naures in japan?”
Mica asked after thinking briefly
”Indeed, list out the people who have made deals with us”
”As you wish”
Glancing at MIca as she took out a portable ter it, Charlotte then looked up at the ceiling
”—That being said, indirect s would be fine if Kraken Zwei kept still and stayed sealed at the bottom of the hole But we'll have to dispose of her if she starts to move However, the marked Ds cannot be sent to the frontline under those circumstances”
Although they had failed to defeat Kraken Zwei, at least theyits opening usingKraken Zwei inside
But in the event that Kraken Zwei broke out of the opening, all Ds would turn into uncertain factors that could becoons
”No To assert that all Ds will end up this ould be juht be the exception—”
Recalling the ied as her friend, Charlotte murmured
If the report were true, his dragon e color sooner or later, but she was pondering the possibility he ht be the sole exception
Charlotte did not think this just because he was a man
Due to Kraken Zwei appearing as a girl, onemale, he would be even more suitable as a mate instead
But ever since she came to know of his existence Charlotte had always harbored doubts
Ds were beings supposed to be all fe them
Was he truly a D?
A dragon's power—an ability that Charlotte's father had called an authority—was inheritable
Just as Mitsuki had obtained the power to create the Kraken's antimatter and Charlotte had inherited her father's title and ability, so-called authorities were abilities that did not rely on congenital aptitude
Then having acquired Leviathan and Hraesvelgr's powers, had Mononobe Yuu received the power to generate dark matter under certain serendipitous circumstances?
It was merely speculation
However, the answer ht very soon
If he did not end up on, it could prove that he was not a D by birth
”But by this point, it doesn't really matter what he is”
Charlotte smiled wryly and reached for the chessboard on her office desk
”Fro as we can have fun together again Hence—Don't you die on me”
Using her fingertip, Charlotte flicked a knight piece towards her faraway friend
Part 3
”—How unexpected I can't believe they let us go so easily, even going as far as to provide a vehicle for transportation”
On a bumpy ride in a military transport, I commented to shi+nomiya-sensei
Once the confinement order was lifted, we took the unconscious Mitsuki and left the NIFL base Roughly half an hour had elapsed since Driving along a , the vehicle was surrounded by darkness with only the headlights and the stars in the sky as light sources
”Because the principal negotiated on our behalf, NIFL cannot overtly interfere with us for now”
shi+no her eyes on the road
”Where are we going next? Back to Nanato City?”
I was sitting in the front passenger seat To avoid waking up Iris and the others, ere sleeping in the back seats, I continued the conversation quietly Right now, it was past 2am
The poisoned Mitsuki was not the only person sleeping Iris, Tia, Firill, Ariella and Ren, all five of them were currently fast asleep
The only ones aere myself and shi+no on my lap
”No, returning to that toould be very dangerous while it is uncertain how the situation will develop next Your parents and innocent people er”
”Then—”
”Don't worry By pulling strings, the principal has secured a location that's suitable as a stronghold for us, which is where we're currently heading Lisa Highwalker and the others are expected to meet us there”
shi+no along the winding and treacherousme about future plans
”Hey”
Sitting on my lap, Vritra called out in displeasure
”What?”
”Do not give reatly”
A vine was entangling her entire body to restrict her freedo to Tia, this vine was very sie coard's school festival
Even if Vritra generated darkmore vine to tie her up Hence, Vritra was unable to perform transmutation even while Tia slept
Tia's ability to control this kind of poas an indication that her synchronization with Yggdrasil was proceeding smoothly
Tia needed Yggdrasil's knowledge in order to enter a discussion with Vritra Although Vritra had given up on that discussion For the sake of understanding Vritra's objective, Tia still spent time to synchronize cautiously
Once Tia obtained Yggdrasil's knowledge, we should be able to understand s
After all, Vritra was keeping silent, refusing to reveal her true goal I was just thinking that she finally opened herirrelevant complaints
”Thy lap is too hard and uncomfortable There is still space in the back Allow me to sit in the back”
Vritra pouted while de iirl, her facial expression looked quite cute—But I could not agree to her demand
”No Who knohat you'll do even if we've prevented you froether with everyone who's sleeping”
”Art thou saying that one must maintain this posture the whole time?”
”Yes Inintent even when I'et any funny ideas”
I yahile I warned her I had no intention of staying awake the whole time to monitor her
”Hement at hand? Ah—Hath this body of mine incited lust in thee?”
”What!? C-Cough, c-cough, what nonsense are you suddenly spouting—”
Confronted with an unexpected accusation, I coughed and questioned
”'Tis a law of nature forto enjoy a female body whilst I am immobilized”
Vritra looked up at aze
”No way in hell I'd do that! I sat you on my lap because of spatial constraints—Wait, don't you start looking at me so coldly too, shi+nomiya-sensei!”
Seeing slight revulsion in shi+nomiya-sensei's expression, I protested
”Oh no, h I do understand the situation There is an air of cri on your lap”
”Urgh”
Precisely because of shi+nomiya-sensei's calm attitude, her observation stabbed deeply into my heart
”H my body is thine intention 'Tis a teh 'twould be unpleasant Having lost in battle, I s are”
Looking like she had resigned herself, Vritra leaned her back against rance from her black hair revived memories from my dance with Kili at the Principality of Erlia
—This is the same scent
”H My posterior hurteth no longer”
Due to heraround on top of hts, but I took care not to let it show on my face At the same time, I said to her:
”Just sit in relaxing posture Don't worry, I won't lay my hands on you After we meet up with Kili and the rest, I'll ask her to take over supervising you, so please bear with it for now”
If I had to keep watch over Vritra twenty-four hours a day, not just shi+noirls were probably going to start viewing azes
”Oh? In other words, thou art not so deprived of females that thou needst to make a move on me? Indeed, 'tis true Thou art surrounded by so many females, 'tis only natural”
Vritra glanced at the back seats and shrugged
”Mononobe Yuu Is that true? What uns have you done to them—”
Immediately, shi+nomiya-sensei questioned me in a low voice
”I-I haven't done anything! Vritra, please stop talking”
”Hmm From my standpoint, I have no wish to displease thee either This human body also needeth rest, hence I shall heed thy counsel, to shut up and sleep”
Consequently, Vritra closed her eyes and entered a state of slumber
Although she had already displeased y to protest
After I sighed in resignation, shi+noized to me
”My apologies As a former D, I am not too familiar with men, so I accidentally believed what Vritra said”
shi+nomiya-sensei scratched her cheek in embarrassment
”Oh no, don't worry about that—”
I frantically shook my head to tell her I did not mind
Indeed, it was understandable that she would lack a lot of knowledge if she had been living in Midgard where there were no other men
Although her dauntless attitude and rank as colonel contributed to her i, most likely twenty or so
When talking to her norot was that of an older sister with a narrow age gap
Because not too long ago, she used to be a student at Midgard just like me
”—shi+noation Squad's captain, right? I heard Mitsuki mention that everyone idolized you”
shi+nomiya-sensei smiled wryly at my question
”Praised as outstanding talent and getting carried away—I did go through such a phase indeed However,special, because I couldn't even save a single person, er sister”
shi+nomiya-sensei's words made me realize—
Like Mitsuki, she was shouldering a heavy cross due to shi+nomiya Miyako's death
During the Kraken battle two years ago, shi+noon and was killed by Mitsuki's own hand And the one who had issued the order to attack was shi+noation Squad captain at the time
”Regret over that incident hatmy powers The principal offeredsaid, even to this day, I still haven't been able to save anyone by my oer”
shi+noreed with her
”No way, I'm sure there are people whose lives were saved thanks to your unerring judgment”
”I'm very happy that you can say that, but the one who has been turning every crisis around is you I arateful to you that there has been no more victims like Miyako”
shi+no wheel and patted ined, it was a woman's hand, soft and warm
Regarding the arrival of Kraken Zhat could be considered her sister's daughter—She must feel equally shocked as Mitsuki But even so, she did not forget her position as the commander
Just like two years ago, she did not forsake her duties as captain of the Dragon Subjugation Squad—
”Thank you very much”
Rewarded by a woman like her, that was all I could say in response
”You should rest too Vritra has long fallen asleep”
I took a closer look to see Vritra sleeping soundly againstface was so innocent that itso wary of her
”Yes, understood”
However, I still could not freemy eyes
The sense of despair when I saw Mitsuki collapse to the ground—
That was soain
Part 4
”Hood sleep The air is so fresh”
Iris got off the car, stretched and breathed in theair comfortably
”—Is this the stronghold?”
I looked up at the two-story residence that looked white and hazy in themist and asked shi+nomiya-sensei
After traveling several hours by car, we had arrived at a villa deep in the mountains
”Looks like a rich person's vacation home”
Ren rubbed her eyes and said
The others were looking around with drowsiness still visible on their faces Although this was clearly far out in the woods, the trees and garden were trimmed and very well kept
I was carrying the unconscious Mitsuki on my back As for Vritra, as bound by a vine, she was showing an expression of displeasure because Tia was holding the other end of the vine
”Indeed This is a vacation ho to someone in a position of power The entire mountain is part of the premises Surveillance cameras and other security systems are very well-equipped We will instantly know if anyone intrudes into the premises”
After listening to shi+nomiya-sensei's explanation, Ariella commented in amazement
”That's a Rather than a vacation home, it feels more like a safehouse”
”Yes, this place is also designed for hiding important people Since the communications equipence front Medical facilities are apparently available too”
shi+no towards the villa and we followed
”Look, Mononobe-kun, over there is a tennis court”
”Yuu, there's a pretty garden!”
Firill and Tia pulled my arms and pointed at what they had discovered
”What kind of bigshot does this vacation ho to?”
This was not a place that could be ed by someone who just had a bit of money
There was also the fact that NIFL had let us go so easily The principal h up That person's level was likely near the top of the country
Charlotte calling herself hueration
”I was told that a caretaker nor roped into our problems, he was asked to evacuate There is plenty of food here and the facilities can be used freely”
shi+nomiya-sensei looked back over her shoulder and explained to us
”Okay, Mononobe, play tennis with me”
”Sure, if I can get soetic”
Seeing that Iris was the only person in high spirits, I could not help but smile wryly
”Yeah Maybe it's because I had a good sleep, my body is in excellent condition If it's now, I feel like I won't lose to anyone!”
Irisa tennis racket
”—Iris Freyja, please save the fun and ga They should have arrived before us”
Just as shi+nomiya-sensei finished, the villa's door opened from within
”You guys are so slow We've had enough of waiting”
”We have waited a long time, everyone”
Kili Surtr Muspelheihwalker appeared
I had no idea where this villa was located but perhaps it was relatively close to Nanato City That or Kili and Lisa ht have flown over here
Then so man
”John! You woke up!”
Seeing John Hortensia, who used to be in the same team as me in NIFL, safe and sound, I called to him loudly
Kili had rescued hiht hiinally in a coained consciousness
”Yes, sorry for worrying you I'lad you are safe and sound too, Captain”
John answered in relief but for soloom
”What's wrong?”
”U I need to tell—”
Rumble~~
John was just about to speak under a somber atmosphere when a cute sound was heard
I looked around, only to see Tia holding her sto
”Tia is hungry”
”—Let us share infor breakfast, so it will be done soon”
Lisa s it” and waved to everyone
”I'll come help you after I move Mitsuki to her room”
I loaded the unconscious Mitsuki ontoworriedly at Mitsuki in her deep sleep, Lisa renewed her morale and smiled
”Very well—I look forward to your help, fufu Cooking together with you brings back memories of the school festival”
Theroo in froht
The kitchen was spacious with fresh ingredients in the fridge Cooking here was not a problem at all
”My apologies for leaving breakfast's preparation to you because cooking has never been my specialty”
shi+noized to those of us ere preparing the meal
”You've been driving for the whole journey here, shi+nomiya-sensei, so leave the rest to us now Please have a rest”
Tia chietically after my reply:
”We will make a yummy breakfast! Please wait and look forward to it!”
Due to practicing during the school festival, breakfast was quickly readied through our collective efforts
Since cooking rice would take tis and toast
”I never thought I'd get to eat the Captain's own cooking”
John see moist