Vol 8 Chapter 3 (2/2)
Suddenly, that thought occurred to me
But of course, I did not knoe should do either Since we could not change our appearances like Vritra, our only choice was to face Kraken Zwei as humans
””
Iris' face flashed in my mind I shook my head
Kraken Zas born between a dragon and a hu into a dragon as a result of acquiring immense power
Right now, the one closest to Kraken Zwei—ht possibly be Iris
I could not help but feel furious at hts
Part 3
Once Jeanne's emotions had calirls were already back from their bath
”Hey Yuu, where did you go? We aiting the whole time for you to peek, you know?”
With her hand on her hip, Kili complained to me
”Hold on, Kili-san! I was certainly not waiting for him!”
However, Lisa corrected her
”My, oh really? While ere bathing, you seemed quite unsettled the whole time”
”I-I was purely being vigilant against voyeurs”
”Oh, but—”
Just as Kili was about to joke with Lisa again, she see and stopped mid-sentence
”Oh dear, John, your eyes are red Don't tellhappened?”
Kili cocked her head, seeued, and asked Jeanne
””
Jeanne avoided eye contact with a co her like that, Kili said quietly:
”No way Did you get found out?”
”Indeed”
In response to Kili's query, Jeanne nodded lightly to admit
”However The Captain's edabout me!”
Jeanne clenched her fist and spoke with fervor
”What happened?”
Unclear what the situation was, Firill came over and asked
”Oh, basically the fact that she's actually a girl Although it's a shame that I've lost material to ardless of who's around”
Kili shrugged and answered, instantly causing a coirls
”Jeanne-chan? So that's her real name?”
Tia asked with surprise all over her face
”Yes, it's a nice naht?”
Kili replied, s happily
”To be honest, I knew from the start”
”Mm Ariella, no fair”
Ariella smiled wryly while Ren looked out fro quietly
”John-san—no, I suppose I should call you Jeanne-san now? I initially thought you were quite delicate But never did I suspect you were a girl—”
Lisa scrutinized Jeanne from head to foot and back a number of times, then remarked in an impressed tone of voice
”By the way, I' everything about her”
Saying that, Firill looked at me coldly
”Mononobe-kun, what did you do to her? Don't tell ender, you couldn't repress your desire—”
”How is that even possible!?”
I yelled at Firill and Jeanne nodded vigorously too
”Indeed The Captain won't do that sort of thing Instead he was gentle—he sied me”
In that instant,icy cold
”Mononobe-kun You're so unfaithful”
Firill pouted and glared at me
”I can't really support such behavior”
”Mm”
Ariella looked exasperated while Ren agreed with her
”(glare)”
I felt an extra sharp and stinging gaze, only to see Iris narrowing her eyes at me from the van's
”No, I wasn't thinking anything dirty!”
I protested, mainly to explain to Iris
”Oh? But in such a situation Mitsuki-chan would surely say 'Nii-san is such a jerk,' wouldn't she?”
”Urgh”
”—Mononobe is such a jerk”
Iris pouted and withdrew into the van
”H-Hey—”
I hastily tried to enter the van, but just at that moment, shi+nomiya-sensei looked out from the driver's seat
”Please asseed”
We looked at one another then gathered around shi+nootten out of the driver's seat Despite feeling bothered byherself into the van, Iris still came outside
”shi+no happen?”
Lisa asked on everyone's behalf and shi+nomiya-sensei nodded bitterly
”Yes Kraken Zwei isfaster than predicted”
”Meaning she suddenly accelerated? But why—”
Firill tilted her head in puzzlement
”The reason is this”
shi+nomiya-sensei declared stiffly then showed us the screen on her portable terminal
Shown there was Kraken Zwei, entirely wrapped in silver hair Although her appearance was the saht
”She grew bigger”
Only after hearing Ariella'sBecause a transround looked especially tiny
”Ariella Lu is correct Kraken Zwei is rown in size Currently, the body length is roughly fifteen meters”
Kili exaht her hand to the side of her mouth
”Rather than her body itself growing in size, it's more like the th If dark enic trans in this short amount of time is also—!”
However, she held her right handintensely with purple light
”It hurts”
Tia and the others, whose dragonin color, all pressed their hands on the locations of their respective dragon marks
”W-What's wrong, everyone? Ah, Ren, are you okay?”
Iris panicked and showed concern for Ren, who had crouched down
Judging froon mark symptoms did not affect Iris
'The slowing in the dragon on has increased in comparison to her nature as a D'
Without warning, Vritra's earlier words placed reality before my eyes
I spontaneously looked towards the van, only to see a faint purple glow leaking from the inside
”—!”
I ran to the van and peered inside As expected, the light source was the neck of Mitsuki as lying down on the seats
”Oooh”
Stuck in deep slumber all this time, Mitsuki moaned in pain
”Mitsuki!”
I approached and held Mitsuki's hand, calling her name
”Miyako”
Fro for air, I heard a faint sound
What she said was the name of the best friend whom she had personally executed
Was Mitsuki having a nightmare of that time? Or did she superi her? I could not tell
But the dragon low also conveyed clearly to irls
”I will protect you”
I swore to my precious and beloved little sister then exited the vehicle Everyone's gaze was focused on me
”The glow of Mitsuki's dragon mark has also increased That's probably because Kraken Zwei is approaching”
”—'Tis not all”
Originally silent, Vritra swept her strong gaze across everyone in turn
”Ye should realize by nohat the Kraken's child seeks is not faless behavior”
”It's not o, that child will surely—”
Jeanne i once she saw that the girls with changing dragon marks did not voice their support
Just as the tense silence was reaching breaking point, shi+nomiya-sensei took a step forward
”Noher to persuade her has increased Hence, ill change tactics”
”—!”
Jeanne bit her lip with chagrin surfacing on her face
”However, please do not misunderstand I have not abandoned the possibility of persuasion It's just that ill observe her whilerisk as much as possible”
”Huh”
Jeanne reacted with surprise at what shi+nomiya-sensei said
”I will inform everyone of the plan's details while on the move All participants in the operation, move out with me immediately!”
shi+nomiya-sensei issued orders sternly
”—Yes ma'am!”
Lisa and Firill head their heads high and puffed out their chests, answering loudly
About to head to the scene, shi+noth” that I could feel froation Squad which I had never witnessed—
Part 4
”Onii-chan, everyone, do your best”
”Don't worry about Mitsuki, we'll protect her for sure”
Ren and Ariella saw us off as we departed Likeaiting at the lake side, Kili waved to us while her other hand held the vine that was binding Vritra
”Even if NIFL attacks from the air, ill strike them all down So Yuu, you have to protect me well”
”Hmph”
As usual, Vritra turned her face away in displeasure
”Then we're off”
Including me, the participants in the operation waved then took to the sky Tia with her fictional ar Jeanne andskills
For transportation, Lisa was in charge of Iris while Firill had shi+no themselves in wind transmuted from their respective dark matter, they ascended in the air
Within the blink of an eye, Ren and the others were no longer visible while the van on the side had become a small dot
'—Well then, I will now explain the key points of the operation'
The communicator transaze off the lake that was growing distant
'First of all, ill approach Kraken Zwei until visible range, to let her know of Jeanne Hortensia's presence Judging fro range is quite broad and will surely detect her'
—So shi+nomiya-sensei had heard the earlier conversation
We had not gone out of our way to explain to her, but she had switched to using ”Jeanne” and ”her” to refer to John, this showed that she had overheard our dialogue
'Then ill first retreat temporarily and pulled back After that, put down the three of us, Mononobe Yuu, Jeanne Hortensia andinally assigned'
”Understood!”
Flying while holding or
Since Tia, Lisa and Firill were using coles should display the destination's necessary information
'Hold on, shi+noreatly deviate from Kraken Zwei's direction of advance'
Perhaps having confirmed the map, Lisa raised a question for shi+nomiya-sensei
'—I know, but if what Kraken Zwei seeks is fae direction and come towards us If she advances in search ofdirection—Then ill exterminate her at the combat location'
shi+noravely
Jeanne and I were both being transported by Tia I could hear Jeanne asp
'In other words We will persuade if it looks like there's hope for success Perhaps thatin front of Kraken Zwei'
Firill agreed with shi+no down at the view below the entire ti on her skin, she was still wearing my jacket
'Yes, if she changes course, chances of successful persuasion will be her However, I have considered the worst-case scenario, of course, and asked the ned locations, distributed in our surroundings, to get ready to snipe If the need arises, please attack froe'
shi+nomiya-sensei explained the process to us but Iris raised a question
'—If we follow that plan, e be able to protect Mononobe and the rest of you in an eency? My Catastrophe doesn't work'
'It's not that it doesn't work, but it gets blocked Since Kraken Zwei is half D, then there should be a lienerate at a tih transmutation are not limitless'
—Indeed Kraken Zwei handled Catastrophe by generating aevasive action That was probably evidence that her eneration was insufficient
'Consequently, the other three apart froet takes defensive action, Iris Freyja will then fire at weaknesses in her defense Since Mononobe Mitsuki's antimatter is not available, there are no other effective e course, ill use this same attack sequence too'
shi+nomiya-sensei explained a battle plan that should have chances of succeeding, but Iris spoke pessiain:
'Then If that plan fails too'
'Then run away No matter what our situation, none of you may approach Kraken Zwei Keep your distance away froon'
shi+nomiya-sensei asserted strictly
''
Iris fell silent withabout the worst-case scenario outlined, because the words 'turning into a dragon' had additional significance to Iris right now
—Iris
I wanted to tell her things but in front of others, I could not bring up Iris' change
'I understand'
'Roger'
Lisa and Firill responded on the silent Iris' behalf
”If you are in danger Tia doesn't want to run away alone”
However, Tia shook her head while transporting me
”Don't worry, Tia It's actually safer for us, the ones who are nothappens, youthat time”
”Find a solution?”
Tia showed surprise at what I said
”Even if all plans fails, I will still put an end to things Since Kraken Zwei is also a D—So long as the opponent is human, I won't lose for sure”
Not for Tia alone, I was also declaring clearly for Iris to hear on the channel as well
'Mononobe'
Transported by Firill, Iris cast her gaze towards me
As for Jeanne, who did not wish for battle, she looked doith a sad expression
”However, our first iht now that it won't turn into a battle”
To cheer Jeanne up, I deliberately added in a cheerful tone of voice
'—Mononobe Yuu is right Right now, the first iet If we display an intention to fight from the very start, she will be wary too Once we pass the next hill, the target should enter our view Please prepare yourselves'
Pointing to a slightly higher hill ahead, shi+noed everyone to prepare themselves mentally
To avoid getting a at low altitude, following the hill's slope to gradually rise in elevation
Soon after—The target came into view
The scenery broadened all at once after we passed the hill One object in the scenery was an exceptionally large silverpresence
”—!?”
The extent of its asp Perhaps because she was still expanding during our journey here, her length had clearly exceeded fifteen meters
Covered by a silver curtain woven by multiple layers of mithril threads, her real body was not visible The slowly quivering exterior was re in the ocean The tiny silver threads fluttering at the edge of her body gli to set
At this moment, I felt all the hairs on my body stand on end
—We were seen
Feeling this signal through my skin, I instantly yelled
”That's enough! Everybody pull back quickly!”
'Stop advancing! Turn around and retreat!'
Almost at the same time, shi+nomiya-sensei issued orders
”G-Got it!”
Kraken Zwei's appearance had stunned Tia She came back to her senses and answered
Jeanne stared intently at Kraken Zwei, gradually receding away, then took a deep breath
”I am here! You don't have to be afraid on your own anymore! Come with me!”
Jeanne yelled with all her strength
After crossing the hill and Kraken Zent out of sight, she closed her eyes as though in prayer
”Please You must remember me”
I as cover
”What—”
No, th of silver ribbon had uprooted the entire hill, scattering trees and soil
'Accelerate! The target is gaining on us!'
shi+noently
On the other side of the cloud of rising dust and sand, countless glilimpsed
Was she chasing after Jeanne? Or seeking e, it was still unclear
Confir this question was next
'I am about to fly at full speed Are you okay, Tia-san?'
Lisa asked Tia as transporting Jeanne and me
”Yes, no problem!”
'Well then, time to accelerate!'
Our flying speed increased all at once, the scenery was left behind in the blink of an eye
Then according to the plan as discussed earlier, we first landed at the bank of the river out west
The river itself was quite narrow but the shore was quite ith excellent visibility
”—According to the plan, ait here for Kraken Zwei If she does not coon, as mentioned just now, and exterminate it”
shi+noirls in the attack team
”Affirmative”
”—Yes”
”Understood”
Lisa, Firill and Tia answered with tense expressions
Iris nodded silently in response then turned her gaze at me
”Mononobe”
”Don't worry, no matter what happens, I—”
I s to comfort Iris who seemed quite worried—but she shook her head
”No, Mononobe, it's the opposite this time”
”Huh?”
With eyes filled with strong determination, Iris stared at me in my surprise
”No matter what happens, I will protect you I won't let you die no matter what, Mononobe”
”Iris?”
I sensed sonal from Iris' expression and reached towards her
”So, Mononobe, don't be reckless, okay?”
Then Iris s my hand—and went towards Lisa and the others with a turn of of her body
Together, shi+nomiya-sensei, Jeanne and I watched them fly towards the sky
”The only thing left is to wait”
shi+nomiya-sensei watched the screen of her portable ter at transmitted information to ascertain Kraken Zwei's location
We were at the wide open riverside, so visibility was excellent, but Kraken Zwei had yet to appear
However, faint ru a cala sharply while circling nonstop in the air above
”Please Come over”
Jeanne stared at the direction of the ruhtly
”—Hey Jeanne”
”Eh?”
I called her original name but she looked at me in surprise
”Oh, you prefer John instead?”
”N-No, either is fine”
Jeanne blushed slightly and waved her hands frantically in denial
”Okay—Jeanne, why are you so biased in favor of Kraken Zwei?”
I asked about what had intrigued me the whole time
”I mentioned earlier because I know she is human—”
”—I get a sense that you've grown fond of heryou sacrificed yourself to block Sleipnir's attack for her and seeing you look so anxious right now I really don't think that's the only reason”
Risking one's life to protect someone, that was easier said than done Were it not for someone more precious than oneself, one would definitely falter at a critical moment
The reason why I was not afraid to pay any price in my battles so far was because I did it for those I held dear
”Indeed, I ht be a bit too biased, but no matter what, I can't leave her alone”
Jeanne paused here and stared straight into my eyes
”My wish is for ood fortune”
”Good fortune?”
Not knohat she was talking about, I frowned and asked
”—I started out as a war orphan and only survived to this day thanks to rateful froood fortune That is hen I ood fortune I don't want to betray this fortune”
Hearing Jeanne's words, filled with deterreement
”I see—I get it now”
Having obtained the answer to s as Jeanne, praying that Kraken Zould coood fortune
”Jeanne Hortensia”
shi+noaze off the portable terminal and looked in Jeanne's direction
”?”
Jeanne looked at her questioningly Immediately, shi+nomiya-sensei bowed her head deeply
”—Thank you”
She wasas shi+nomiya Miyako's elder sister shi+no to provide her sister's child with good fortune
If Mitsuki were here, she would probably have done the sa
Then at this moment, I heard faint static from the communicator on my ear—followed by Lisa's voice
'This is Lisa Highwalker Visual confirmation of Kraken Zwei froed course towards you!'
”—!”
Jeanne and shi+nomiya-sensei looked at each other with optimism
However, shi+nomiya-sensei soon tensed her expression and issued orders to Lisa and the others
”After waiting for Kraken Zwei to move, the attack team will spread out in four directions froet does not yield to our persuasion, commence the attack immediately”
'Understood'
After Lisa answered, Tia, Firill and Iris also responded, then the exchange was over
The persistent rurew louder and louder
”She's here—”
Hearing shi+nomiya-sensei say that, Jeanne and I nodded in response
In addition to the ground's ru
Boo this thunderous crash, trees and soil flew up into the air The silver ribbon ht to shi+ne
Dust was blown by a strong wind After ed completely
The vast forest following the river had been swept clear, turning into an eantic silver-white body
Covered by aas countless silver strands fluttered in the air
”!”
The pressure exerted by her presence was causing my body to stiffen I almost created e through rationality
Our current undertaking was persuasion It was imperative to avoid movements that would cause her to take hostile action
”Stop! I am here!”
Jeanne took a step forward and called loudly to her Perhaps understanding her speech, Kraken Zwei stopped advancing, halting her movements completely
—Judging from the situation, will it work?
'Firill Crest reporting Everyone is in position now'
From the communicator, I heard that all members prepared to snipe in the event of failure had reached their positions
”Acknowledged Rees”
shi+nomiya-sensei answered quietly and focused her attention on Jeanne and Kraken Zere facing each other across the river
The whole tioosebu in this direction
”—You must be lonely all by yourself But you can rest assured now Don't hide in that big shell Come out and let me see you”
Jeanne spread her arently
Vibrations rese a ripple appeared on Kraken Zwei's silver curtain, then opened smoothly in front of her body
Due to a decrease in obstructions, I could feel Kraken Zwei's gaze stabbingmy spine
—What was this?
Jeanne's call see to plan, but I still felt an indescribable sense of unease
From the interior of the obstruction woven from silver strands came a presence that pricked my skin
—Did Jeanne and shi+no?
I was the only one whose body was frozen
Then thisonly me
After unraveling irl ele exposed eye glowed purple
”—!”
The instant I irl, my premonition turned into certainty
She was not looking at Jeanne!
”Gahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!”
The girl roared, staring straight at me
I instantly felt pain on the back of on mark was located
As though responding to this pain, purple light erupted fro wind, the hair over the girl's forehead floated up, revealing the pattern beneath
—That was a dragon mark!
”H-Hey, what is with you!?”
Jeanne frantically called the girl but Kraken Zwei ignored her, only staring at me
The on on mark hurt
In addition, so emotions flowed in
The intent to steal A pulsation of e to force submission and plunder
This girl—wanted to mark me as hers!?
Invaded by an intense foreign body sensation and and disgust, I figured out the girl's goal
Kraken Zas chasing rave proof of her ed color at all
Sier erupted in a torrent
In addition to Kili, Mitsuki and the others, you intend to take me too?
The pain of loss, the suffering of the plundered, I had experienced it countless ti precious things
Hence, I shall not allow anyone to take anything froain!
”—How could I let myself be taken by you!!”
I swung my arm with furious eon mark vanished
It felt as though sohtly—The nature of her feelings towards ed
”Gururururururururu—!”
Obvious hostility surged in the girl's gaze as she growled
Clang—
A sharp and ear-splitting metallic noise resounded all around
It was the sound of friction between silver threads fluttering in the air and getting entangled together
”I beg you! Please calm down!”
Jeanne desperately tried to soothe her but the girl remained unmoved
”Jeanne, it's no good! She's already—”
I understood