Vol 9 Chapter 2 (1/2)
The special forces team directly under Major Loki Jotunheim's command—Sleipnir
This teaainst Ds, here children with special talents had been gathered
Na horse, the initial teaht members
One of the at his tealfar's operations room
Everyone looked terrible in de intent fro the whole operations room with an unusual sense of tension
Things were not like this initially When the team was first formed, the mood was quite lively because they were all children
The hot-blooded duo of Otr Axe, wielder of outstanding in Club, theThe talkative Robin Dark would prattle all day long, a true annoyance The straitlaced Sigurd Gram, very strict on rules, was very noisy in a different way Lancelot Ignite, who always did things his oould fan fla on the situation The highly disciplined Nataku Yue would take every opportunity to train noa policy of uninvolvement
The one who always served as their arbitrator and settled things was the japanese who had been promoted as their captain—Mononobe Yuu
Major Loki had said the following to those eight
The eight of you are one beast—Sleipnir
However, when Major Loki changed his plans after conferring the codename of ”Fafnir” upon Mononobe Yuu, he added a ninth member to Sleipnir
This was the sniper with rare eyes, John Hortensia
The reason was most likely because Mononobe Yuu's abilities were too outstanding He could already turn into a terrifying monster all by himself Hence, Major Loki decided there was a need to fill in the vacant spot
But right now, there were only seven members present Sleipnir was incomplete
Starting with Mononobe Yuu's departure, vibes in the teaed a bit This process accelerated with John's desertion
After being ad their failure to take down Kraken Zwei, the reunited teaers to one another
Precisely because he was the smartest and most intellectual in the team, Kunato sensed this, just barely Sleipnir's members were currently in an abnormal state
Individual na the sa on the same face as them
He felt hisintent had invaded the majority of his consciousness
While they were in such a state, Major Loki leisurely walked in front of them
”hello—Everyone It see superbly”
Loki remarked with satisfaction
Kunato and the others reflexively saluted in upright and h the word ”co unusual, Kunato could not continue thinking about it
”Theto you all next is very difficult However, the last part in Sleipnir's completion will be achieved on the job”
Loki kept his eyes narrowed and smiled happily
”If 'she' possesses the anticipated scrapped genes, as a collective whole, you will be able to become a monster on the same level as 'Fafnir' Unlike the Hreidular entities are taken to their limit, this power reaches the realm of authorities”
Declaring solemnly, Loki looked back and forth across the aze upon Kunato
”!?”
Confronted with Loki's icy gaze, Kunato felt his breathing stop for an instant
”Although close, you are still not there yet S this”
Saying that, Loki placed a red capsule on Kunato's hand
Kunato had some impression of it This was one of the medications that had been prescribed to him when he was hospitalized for his injuries
Instinct told hi Loki was forbidden Despite tre, Kunato's body moved on its own
The instant he sed the red capsule, the white hts beca his heart disappeared without trace
”Very well, move out There is only one person you need to kill—Charlotte Blood Lord”
The instant the ish brains dramatically turned calm and clear all of a sudden
Their brains were entirely enlisted to find methods to kill her and perform calculations from there
”Yes sir”
All mean
For the sake of the hter—
Part 2
Mitsuki's personal dorirls dorard's ordinary students lived
This dormitory, inhabited by one two residents until recently, was now the place where irls lived
Forbidden froathered in Mononobe Mitsuki's room in the leisurely afternoon hours as usual
Even when under house arrest, the industrious Mitsuki was handling student council presidenton a cushi+on in front of the bookshelves, engrossed in reading Mitsuki's collection Iris, Tia and shi+on were taking a nap on Mitsuki's bed, sleepy after eating their fill at lunch Jeanne was sleeping next to shi+on while Kili and Vritra sat on the sofa, watching a TV prograh a satellite broadcast channel
Aainst the wall, noticed Ariella leaving the room quietly
Putting her computer on the floor, Ren chased after her
”Onee-chan, where are you going?”
Exiting the room to follow Ariella, Ren asked quietly
Ren always called her ”Ariella” in front of others, but used ”Onee-chan” when the two of the to Midgard, they were as close as real sisters despite having no blood relation
Precisely because of that, Ren noticed so was off about Ariella
”—I'round floor corridor for a bit”
Turning around, Ariella smiled cheerfully as usual and answered
”Really?”
Despite nodding, Ren actually noticed the portable ter the room
To prevent Ren fro with her left side towards Ren That hand was probably holding the terminal
Judging from this situation, she must have left the room to call someone
Her answer just noas definitely a lie
”Ren, you'll get fat if you don't exercise a bit, you know?”
Ariella waved her hand lightly and left
Her facial expression when lying reminded Ren of the first time when they met
Despite her cheerful behavior, a certain part of Ariella was shrouded in darkness
Back then, Ariella had taken up a wary attitude towards Ren because she feared herself for beco a deeply hurt look
Not wanting to see her acting that way, Ren had opened her heart to Ariella
”Onee-chan”
However, Ren did not knohat Ariella was currently thinking She pressed both hands on her greatly agitated chest
Part 3
”What was Charl planning in saying those words?”
Sitting on the bed in the roo my heart
After obstructing my conversation with Major Loki, Charlotte had left the room Mica-san did not come to take her place to monitor me Calls could not be made, so I was unable to speak to Ariella and Tia
Without anythis way and that, ru what Major Loki had said
A world without dragons, losing stability The grave sins committed by Charlotte It was still a mystery which parts were real
In the end, I did not get to ask about Hreids I did not know
—Regarding uess my only choice is to ask her directly
I had not been able to say anything just now, but this would be the only method to clear up my doubts
In that case, the only thing I could do noait for Charlotte to return
Lying down madeto do, a brief afternoon nap would be good
Thinking that, I handed my consciousness over to sleepiness
However—at that moment, I should have pondered more carefully
The significance of Major Loki's ti me then
This was an essential consideration
He was the kind of person who had to achieve his goals regardless of what I did—
Woooo—!
I woke up to some kind of loud noise
”Ugh”
I rubbedin the surroundings
Instantly realizing that so unusual had happened, I drove away my drowsiness
No one was in the rooe—It was already dusk and I had slept longer than expected
In any case, I approached theto confirm the situation
”What”
As soon as I looked outside, an obvious eency entered my view
—Midgardsormr had activated
Nored in the sea, the concentric defense systeard on all sides
The last time I saw such a scene hen Leviathan attacked However, there were no ard
While I was standing there, unsure why this had happened, I heard the door open in the room
I turned around to look at the entrance, only to see Mica-san looking at me with a stiff expression
”Mononobe-san, this is an eency, please come with me”
Mica-san spoke with urgency
”Mica-san, what on earth happened?”
”We will talk while alk We are out of time Hurry and follow me”
I left the roon of the principal in her office
Mica-san swiftly broughtthe elevator that arrived immediately, she finally started to explain the situation
”—NIFL has invaded Midgard's territorial waters without permission and surrounded this island We did not find out until just earlier because Midgardsormr had been neutralized”
”Midgardsormr was neutralized? Is it possible to do that from outside?”
It was truly hard to ihly secure electronic systeet hacked so easily, so I asked Mica-san
”—Of course it is i fro while on the observation visit last time”
Speaking of which, Major Loki said he did so the school festival
”But I saw the defensive barriers floating up”
”We finally ain control of the system so the final defensive line was deployed in the nick of ti for now, but they will force an inspection, claiard”
The elevator descended while we spoke Instead of stopping at the ground floor, it continued underground
”Force an inspection?”
”Yes—Midgard is suspected of traitorous behavior against mankind, apparently Due to official orders, we cannot use Midgardsormr to intercept and repel them either”
Mica-san spoke in a conundrum
”Traitorous behavior againstKraken Zwei—no, shi+on—back to Midgard?”
”NIFL has not made clear to us their particular suspicions, but she will probably be one of the targets for inspection Harboring Kili the known terrorist andcontact with Vritra It is currently unkno much NIFL knows but there are a number of reasons they could potentially use”
”—In that case, we can't refuse their inspection”
I pursed my lips and whispered Mica-san nodded
”Indeed, Charlotte-sa to forestall them, but it will merely be a question of time before the inspection takes place When that time comes It will not do to leave you, Mitsuki-san and the others where NIFL will discover you”
Mica-san looked me in the eye and told me solemnly At this moment, we happened to reach the lowest level and the elevator stopped The doors opened
This floor here all sorts of infrastructure were concentrated The exposed piping was particularly conspicuous
”This way please”
Mica-san led the way for ot out of the elevator
”In other words, ill hide starting now Is that it?”
Walking through a et lost in, I asked Mica-san while she advanced
”Indeed Before the United Nations and Asgard make a move to rescind the order, the few of you must hide”
Answering while , Mica-san suddenly stopped in front of a wall covered with piping and placed her hand on it
”What”
What appeared before my eyes was a sturdy metal door Mica-san rotated the massive handle to open the thick door and hurried me
”We will take the stairs down from here Please watch your step because it is very dark”
I definitely could see stairs with help fro the dark corridor
Mica-san closed the door after entering, surrounding ht on the ceiling instantly lit up
Even so, the light was very di staircase
Taking care not tothe path with Mica-san
”Rescind the order Is that really possible”
When I asked Mica-san,at me, she nodded deeply
”Yes—with Charlotte-sauaranteed However, NIFL has taken measures on their side, so it will take ti this period, thus publicly exposing dragon ed and the matter of contact with Vritra, it would be very difficult to salvage the situation”
”So Mitsuki and the girls are up ahead?”
”They are taking a different route, led by Haruka”
Speaking of which, this staircase was continuing onwards to the depths However, I pointed out so me
”Is it really okay for me to meet them? I was isolated all this time clearly because contact was forbidden”
”This is a question of risk”
”Risk?”
I frowned and asked Mica-san nodded affirmatively
”Yes Due to the lack of infores caused by contact with you cannot be underestimated But if by any chance NIFL were to capture soed color, execution would be very likely Considering these risks, the decision will be left for the girls to ment”
”Mitsuki and the others—They'll make their own choice?”
Shocked by the unexpected explanation, I confirmed with Mica-san
”This is the best solution—Let them decide their own lives That hat Charlotte-sama said”
How one lived was more important than what one was—Charlotte had said this in the past
Hence, she had given Mitsuki and the girls the right to choose their way of living However, ay of living had Charlotte herself chosen?
The facial expression, which Charlotte had shohile calling herself possibly the worst dragon for humans, flashed in my mind
”Considering safety concerns, we have to hurry and on marks, but—”
What if Mitsuki were to choose contact but regret the decision later on? I felt very hesitant This was not just their probleed them, I had to consider my own responsibility
”Haruka has already infor transformation They will surely feel just as lost as you are, Mononobe-san Consequently, I hope you will discuss properly a yourselves to reach a conclusion”
Mica-san's words pro over things on ain
”That's right I'll try that”
I answered Mica-san smiled faintly and nodded at me
The conversation stopped there, leaving only the echoing sound of footsteps bouncing off the walls The stairs were several tier than expected By the time we finally reached the bottom, I already had no idea how many steps there were
Mica-san opened a door just as sturdy as the one at the entrance White steaap
Passing through the entrance, I found a rocky cavern before h and I felt like I was about to be cooked
”What on earth is this place”
Looking back and forth across this cavern which had poor visibility due to the steam, I asked in doubt
”You are able to use water froht?”
”Oh yeah I heard that it was drawn froround—”
”Here is the source”
Mica-san replied Then we turned a corner and soon reached a vast open space
”This is an underground lake?”
The giant subterranean space was filled withwith bubbles while white team rose froh
”Charlotte-sa It was discovered by chance while Midgard was expanding its underground facilities She has monopolized it ever since”
Mica-san walked along the shore of the underground lake and gestured with her hand
”A cottage was built here while installing pumps to extract the water”
Over there was a white house eh it matched the school and the clock tower's conten, it looked very conspicuous in this cavern
”It's almost like a secret base”
With s split between i by the lake
”This is quite a good hiding place This cottage is not recorded on any of Midgard's maps, cannot be reached by elevator, and for a shelter, it is quite difficult to discover Combined with the fact that this place is equipped with , there is no better hideout”
Indeed, this placedown hidden staircases Its existence was not exposed either To keep the hot spring all to herself, Charlottethe secret
After listening to Mica-san, I looked at the surroundings of the building then noticed the sound of footsteps apart from our own
—Aures appeared
”Mica?”
It was shi+no entered a stance on reflex, I relaxed uard
”Indeed, it is me, Haruka Mononobe-san is with me too”
After Mica-san answered I heard ”Nii-san!?” and ”Mononobe!”
Just as I was told earlier, shi+noirls had arrived via a different route
We stopped in front of the cottage, e
Behind shi+no in Mitsuki's dorm
”Wah, Mononobe It's been a day since I last saw you!”
Iris waved happily
”Nii-san”
With her hands clasped together before her chest, Mitsuki see She looked like she wanted to approach me but stopped
Most likely, she had already heard the risks in touching me
Lisa, Firill and Ren looked attheir doubts
Ariella, who behind everyone else so I could not read her face
”Yuu”
Tia poked her head out froh, she was not as energetic as in the past I heard that she had started acting strangely since returning to Midgard, so it was definitely could not be entirely due to the risks in beco my mate
”Captain, you've had it rough”
Jeanne lowered her voice and bowed her head She was carrying the sleeping shi+on on her back
Having brought everyone here shi+noaze and smiled wryly
”shi+on is having her afternoon nap She's the one who carried shi+on”
”She's impossible to wake up once she sleeps”
Adding to shi+nomiya-sensei's explanation, Kili stepped forward
Unlike everyone else, she did not show any hesitation on her face Instead, she was s in a carefree manner
”We finally get toforward to this ”
She exposed her right hand whose dragonand approached me without hesitation
”Kili”
My dragon lowed blue
”Please wait!”
Mitsuki called out anxiously and grabbed Kili's arm to stop her
”What are you doing? I don't give a dainally, I ht lose my powers upon adulthood, so I'd say this suits be perfectly fine”
Kili stared at her reproachfully, but Mitsuki did not back down Instead, she argued back in a forceful tone of voice
”Be that as it may, this is not a matter that concerns you alone Since Nii-san will shoulder a heavy responsibility as a result, I believe that both sides need to have a proper discussion beforecontact”
”What a pain”
Kili frowned and whispered
”Hey, you two—”
Feeling a dangerousin the air, I intended to stop them
”Mitsuki-chan, Kili-chan, don't fight”
But before I could do that, Iris already intervened
Then Kili took her gaze off Mitsuki as though casting away herdeeply, she said:
”Oh well It ht away After all, it's a special act for Yuu and I to becoe ceremony”
”A-A e ceremony!?”
Mitsuki suddenly screaht red
Troubled over the risks of transforirls also started to have doubts in a different area
”Using such a description It does cause you to becoe ways”
”Although that's what I intended fro when said out loud”
Lisa and the blushi+ng Firill remarked
”Mm”
Ren also lowered her head shyly
However, Iris cried out in extreme panic
”H-Hold on! Then I'h it e ceremony!”
”Calht noe are erasing the color on our dragon marks to eliminate the risks in the event of capture”
Silent the whole time until now, Ariella came up and consoled Iris
Ren had been quite concerned about Ariella in yesterday's phone call, but Ariella looked the saiven that she should be the first to react to the topic of e
”Oh O-Okay! Ahaha I've gotten the wrong idea M-Mononobe—pretend you heard nothing!”
Scratching her head shyly, Iris pleaded to me
”G-Got it”
Intimidated by Iris' forcefulness, I nodded Then I heard a sigh of exasperation
”Verily Ye are too leisurely”
Shrugging helplessly while taking a step foras Vritra in a black one-piece dress Her arreen vine rapped around her neck
It was a tereneration of dark ained freedom of movement compared to before, but the fact that she could not use her powers reed
”Have ye really understood the situation? Indeed—Yggdrasil's core?”
Saying that, Vritra looked at Tia, who had been silent the whole time
””
Tia's little shoulders shook while she alternated her gaze betweenanything
The girls and I were quite troubled by the way Tia was acting Silence fell upon the cavern that felt like a steam cooker
”—Well then, you all need to discuss properly then decided whether to come into contact with Mononobe Yuu or not For now, please enter the house first You'll get all sweaty if you keep standing here”
Seeing us stopped, shi+noh to break the silence
”Yes, let us go inside to explain how to use the facilities and our course of action from here on”
Mica-san agreed with shi+noe
I followed Mica-san and glanced sideways at the silent Tia
She had said she wanted to be ed color, but now, she was in such low spirits
Since I was supposed to talk to the girls next, Iso strangely
Deciding that in my mind, I entered the door that Mica-san opened
Part 4
Equipped with insulation and air conditioning, the building was ined
The living rooant sound and hoe sofa in the middle There were two doors inside, probably both bedrooms
There was an air like it was a space Charlotte used to relax
Although it looked quite spacious from outside, it still felt quite cramped after so many people came in
Not permitted to touch Mitsuki and the others yet, I stayed on the edge of wall on the far side of the room
Two groups were naturally formed in the room with Iris, who had already touched me and Jeanne, with Kraken Zwei on her back, on my side
”—Perfect Rooroup will stay in the left rooroup will use the roo and food later to make up for deficiencies”
Standing in between the two groups, Mica-san gave such directions to us
”I-I can sleep in the same room as Mononobe!?”
Iris was very surprised Going ”ith the Captain” in a conundrum, Jeanne was very flustered
”This is necessary to avoid inadvertent contact However, numbers are distributed rather unevenly Those who chose to touch Mononobe-san may switch rooms next”
”I know you all should know this, but please know your boundaries as students and do not cross them”
The faltering Iris went ”Yes” and huddled herself with a stare from shi+nomiya-sensei
Sht wryness, Mica-san continued
”Also, this place has a toilet but no bathroo outside”
”U outside looks too hot to enter”
I recalled the seething hot spring I had seen along the way and asked Mica-san
”Don't worry There is a flow of cold groundwater near this cottage,water to produce an appropriate teher temperatures so please do not venture too far away”
”Understood”
Charlotte e at this spot so that she could take baths immediately
—But still, a hot spring huh?
I could not help but recall what had happened at the volcanic island we visited during the Basilisk can
There was a hot spring on the island too, but Firill had brought all the girls in while I was enjoying a dip, putting me in quite a perilous situation
I looked at Firill only to ainst the corner of her lip suggestively, she s the volcanic island incident too Most likely, she was hinting to keep what had happened a secret
”—Thus concludes what you need to know about living here Going forward, you will remain here on standby until NIFL's inspection ends They will have to withdraithin a week at most”
Mica-san told us that, see quite confident in Charlotte's clout Then shi+nomiya-sensei spoke next
”Mica and I will be in charge of replenishi+ng living supplies Also, portable terminals cannot be reached here Do not move recklessly even if you are curious about the situation outside”
”But what should we do in case of unforeseen circuht not come, shi+nomiya-sensei”
Raising her hand to ask a question, Lisa showed a worried expression While entrusting things to Charlotte, it was only natural to worry about unexpected developments
”In that event, I leave it to all of you to exercise your own judground, please send soerous for those with colored dragon marks, shi+on and Jeanne to be exposed before NIFL”
Sweeping her gaze back and forth over us, shi+nomiya-sensei warned solemnly
”Yes, ill be careful”
Lisa and the rest of us nodded shi+noaze to Mica-san
”Very well Mica, then let us return to the surface”
”Yes, Charlotte-sama will have her hands full if left to her own devices We shall depart now, everyone”
Mica-san nodded and bowed her head at us
The two adults left, leaving us looking at one another
”What do we do, Mitsuki?”
Firill asked for instructions from Student Council President Mitsuki
”Yes We need to first check out the roo—No, before that, let us decide the sequence ill follow to have our individual discussions with Nii-san”
Mitsuki pondered while she spoke, then proposed what they were going to do next
”Sure, but hoe decide?”
Agreeing with Mitsuki, Lisa asked her how
”—Rock-paper-scissors”
Making a fist to indicate 'rock,' Mitsuki answered with a serious face
Part 5
”—This rooe”