Vol 10 Chapter 1 (2/2)

I touched Ariella's ribbon in

This ribbon was apparently her first present froiven it to me before she soiled her hands

Although she toldto her request I believed that this ribbon should be handed back to Ariella rather than being given back to Ren

”I don't think Ariella would spread inforer Ren But it's possible for NIFL to calculate our position based on communications That's e all came here”

After I explained, Charlotte passed her gaze back and forth over us

”I nohat transpired However—This place is probably the erous, you know? Selected by ed If NIFL soldiers, ignorant of the situation, were to discover you, how eted by a dragon”

”No need to worry about that The dragoncolor because we have made contact with Nii-san Ariella-san is the only one who has yet to touch Nii-san”

After Mitsuki answered on everyone's behalf, Charlotte looked at me in wide-eyed surprise

”M-My friend You're a to accept the risks and make contact with you”

I was slightly frightened by her intent starting

”W-What's wrong?”

”Nothing This developh I still haven't discerned anything yet—Hs of the maidens?”

Charlotte leaned forward and examined me up close

Her blue eyes, as beautiful as a pure fairy's, glied

Her breath was blowing on row hot

”Ch-Charl, you're too close”

”Oh—S-Sorry Went on a tangent there”

Blushi+ng slightly, Charlotte coughed deliberately

”Aheonin color—Is it really okay for them to be here, those who must not be seen by NIFL?”

Charlotte looked at shi+on, Jeanne and Vritra

Although shi+on had becoed under an Asgard lab It would be nothing surprising even if NIFL deether with shi+on

Furtherard theVritra, currently in a captive state, as a ainst mankind

I was fully aware of these risks However—

”There'll be no way to respond in an e protection It's still better for shi+on and the others to be with you, Charl”

”You wish to protect me?”

Charlotte asked in surprise

”Since I know you're being targeted, that goes without saying, right?”

Wondering why she was so surprised, I nodded at the same time

Next, Charlotte sighed deeply and looked at ly

”Are you—truly sure?”

”Huh?”

I was puzzled by her solemn tone of voice

”Ariella Lu decided to killall of you Did it occur to you that she ht be fully justified?”

””

I could not answer immediately Major Loki had warned rave sin She was apparently ad to this herself

Hence, I did not think that Charlotte was , what I needed to do had not changed

”They are separate matters”

Without responding directly to Charlotte's question, that was how I answered

”Separate matters?”

”Right now, Charl, your life is being targeted, so I have to protect you However—once I know that you're up to so I can to stop you Both are matter-of-fact actions I'd take as a friend There's no contradiction”

That hat I told Charlotte I was si my own decision from the standpoint of a friend

Charlotte stared atat me

”Hoo—Indeed, that's the kind of person you are, nize that clearly”

Shrugging, she slowly stood up from her seat and raised her hand casually

Next, ripples appeared on the surface of the pool of blood on the floor Then the blood turned into spheres like bubbles and hovered in the air

At the sa sucked away from her bloodstained lab coat

The blood gathered on Charlotte's pal into a large ball of blood

When all blood had disappeared fro ball-sized sphere of blood was formed in front of Charlotte

Witnessing this scene, Mitsuki and the girls whispered a themselves behind me

”This red blood is preciselyprepared this, allow me to tell you all what I am about to do”

Following the ball of blood floating in the air, Charlotte opened ain the office

Outside was a sparkling starry night and Midgard in darkness

Although I knew late night was approaching, it still felt subtly reassuring to actually see the scenery outside theHaving spent soht, uous

”Coood look outside”

Charlotte reached out and called us to the

The Midgardsormr defense systeuish from the horizon due to the darkness Apart from the illuminated campus, all other places were shrouded under the canopy of the night

However, there were ht source in the darkness that kept flashi+ng Flashi+ng light sources appeared intermittently around the school

”Muzzle flashes fro on?”

I gasped and asked In response, Charlotte nodded

”Currently, the Dragon Subjugation Squad is in charge of generating walls of air and electroard facilities to prevent NIFL's invasion The fighting over there is taking place outside the barriers”

After Charlotte explained, Mitsuki spoke up frantically

”The Dragon Subjugation Squad has entered the fray!? In that case, I e of command as the captain—”

”Don't panic Haruka is in co barriers without fighting These kind-hearted girls are unable to attack huin with”

Charlotte san to spread a us

”Then who is NIFL fighting, may I ask?”

Lisa asked on everyone's behalf Charlotte stopped s and answered in a calm voice

”The NIFL soldiers under my control”

”What?”

The unexpected answer made Lisa at a loss for words Meanwhile, Charlotte continued with a grave expression

”NIFL broke Midgardsor artillery bombardment It was afternoon today when they executed a fully arard's right to legiti a solider to open fire, thus refusing the those under hly one third of NIFL's deployed soldiers are under ”

After listening to Charlotte, Kili remarked sarcastically with aloofness

”Directing and acting out a script of your own to start a battle and even hter one another, how cruel of you As expected of the dragon that rules humanity”

”—I know this not behavior befitting a human Those who fall underthem into undefeatable monsters to assault their couys can accept readily”

Charlotte spoke in self-loathing while peering at the reactions of Mitsuki and the others Were they i place in the darkness with flashes of gunfire? Everyone looked a bit timid in expression

However, Mitsuki took a step forward as though encouraging herself and said:

”To be honest, I have no idea whether what you are doing is correct, Principal However We must stall for time until the inspection order is rescinded, just as we initially planned”

Listening to Mitsuki, Charlotte shrugged slightly

”Judging froe in, they intend to seize evidence of h, preparations are under way to rescind the order Those guys are probably not going to pull back Even if Asgard orders them to withdraw, they won't leave obediently”

”I-In that case, how do you intend to resolve this situation, Principal?”

Mitsuki asked in a panic

Indeed, if rescinding the order was pointless, then we currently had noout of the current predicament

”This is war between NIFL and ated the other Hence, I intend to put everyone fro the shore”

Charlotte aze and answered

”That's why you need a large volume of blood?”

Looking at the blood sphere and the hole in the floor where the blood had flowed, I uttered quietly in a hoarse voice

”Yes But this is still not enough In other words, victory in this war depends on whether I can collect enough blood first or if NIFL arrives first Hnece, it's tiain”

Moving away from the , Charlotte returned to her chair and picked up her knife

”You're stabbing yourself again?”

Seeing the knife's sharp glint, Tia asked in a tre voice

”loOks pAiNful”

shi+on cowered in fear behind Jeanne's back

”Oh right—Sorry This scene is a bit too hardcore for young girls Those who don't want to watch should enter the inside room Well That is, if you're still not afraid ofall that just now—”

Charlotte s at everyone to test our response

Mitsuki and the girls exchanged glances in confusion before all looking in my direction

”We will leave the decision to Nii-san's judg us, Nii-san is the one who knows you best, Principal”

Iris, Lisa and the others nodded in agree in a dilemma for a while, I cautiously chose my words

”My opinion remains the same Charl, you just said this is a war between you and NIFL—But to us, it's a battle to save Ariella and protect you, Charl That's why our best choice is to hide shi+on and Jeanne here while the rest of us wait for Ariella”

Mitsuki smiled with satisfaction after I presented my viewpoint

”—Our policy is thus decided Well then, Jeanne-san and shi+on-san, please enter the inner room first Oh, Vritra-san, you too, please”

”Understood”

Carrying shi+on on her back, Jeanne made her way to Charlotte's private roo to say, but in the end, she followed Jeanne without uttering a word

Having confirhed and said to us

”Now then, let us discuss our battle plan Please do not in your blood collection, Principal”

”W-Wait, you guys—”

Were develop unexpectedly? Charlotte stood up from her chair in puzzlement

”Don't forget that I'm the monster that rules overuy to a fault, don't any of you fear me?”

Listening to Charlotte's question, Iris and the others looked troubled Then hesitating, they said:

”Because You're the principal, after all”

Iris scratched her cheek and answered

”It doesn't feel real even if I called you scary right now”

Firill replied with head tilted

”Judging froes in abject villainy”

After Lisa shrugged wryly, Tia nodded in agreement

”Tia doesn't think the principal is a bad person!”

Next, Ren concurred in a feeble voice:

”But She apparently steals underwear”

”Well, that is as far as the worst goes”

Mitsuki added a comment that sounded quite mean

Leaving her opinion to the end, Kili shrugged with indifference

”Having becoht? There's no reason for me to fear Acht”

Neun was a reference to the ninth counterdragon that had come into existence to resist a monumental calamity I had heard that froon born to handle the eighth cala her Acht, or the eighth

However, there was still no concrete evidence to prove that I was Neun—

”So this is the result of my everyday behavior huh”

Listening to everyone, Charlotte sighed in disappointment

”Indeed No need to worry, we'll protect you”

S wryly, I patted Charlotte on the shoulder

”—Understood Since you've said this much already, I will count on all of you”

Apparently freed from many mental impasses, Charlotte smiled cheerfully at us

”Currently, NIFL has dispatched unmanned weaponry, which I cannot control It's possible they h the Dragon Subjugation Squad's barriers Top priority round invasions, but surface defenses also need to be bolstered”

Hearing her request, Tia ietically

”If it's machines, Tia will hack them all!”

Having seen how Tia had handled the partitions earlier, we nodded Left to Tia, the unmanned weaponry would probably all become neutralized in a moment's time

At this h it had suddenly occurred to her

”Perhaps—in addition to the un Midgard?”

If that were possible, NIFL could be controlled even without Charlotte exercising her authority

However, Tia shook her head sadly

”Tia can only affect nearby objects using electrical interference There is a e, but”

Tia explained in a quandary

Speaking of which, Yggdrasil's interference range was also li the branches from its trunk—

”And the method is?”

Head tilted, Firill urged Tia to continue

”Moving Yggdrasil's CPU into a tree on Midgard and letting it grow big That'll enable long-distance interference But it's very tie commotion”

Tia frowned and explained the reason

”That's true If the same kind of absurd tree appeared here as in japan, it'll undoubtedly cause s”

Even if it could suppress NIFL for now, the world would seal away Midgard because of Yggdrasil's revival

”Also, it'll definitely block off sunlight I likeblow dryers, so it'll be a bit of a nuisance”

Iris' worries were quite off the mark

”I could help you out if the shade causes temperatures to drop—No wait, Iris-san, now is not the appropriate time to discuss this matter, is it?”

Lisa shrugged in exasperation

”Wow A tsukko of japanese culture for Mononobe-kun's sake is bearing fruit”

Firill praised Lisa with a thu, Lisa waved her hands

”No That was just unintentional—Listen here, Mononobe Yuu! Firill-san was just joking, so do not take her seriously!”

”O-Okay”

Overwhelmed by Lisa's forceful stares, I nodded

”Off topic”

Ren reh in embarrassment

”Goodness gracious My apologies for being in a bit of fluster Sue would be very difficult In that case, ill have to allow the unmanned weaponry to come close”

Forcibly returning to the subject, Lisa looked at Tia in worry Understanding Lisa's concerns, Mitsuki nodded

”In terms of safety considerations, Tia-san must exit the barriers in order to approach the unmanned weaponry In that case, she will be vulnerable and ill need an extra bodyguard”

”Leave this task to me then”

Lisa volunteered to be Tia's bodyguard without any hesitation at all

”Tia is very reassured to have Lisa co!”

Tia bounced up and down happily, but suddenly, her expression changed I stared at her in doubt

”Oh, but Since you have to fight Ariella, it's better for Tia to stay with Yuu”

”Oh right—If you're there, Tia, you can obstruct Ariella's use of transmutation”

Holding ainst the corner of my mouth, I pondered

Tia was able to hack hts were transnals too, she was capable of interfering in dark eneration was a product of mental resonance

Naturally, as with e, but in an unavoidable battle against Ariella, having Tia on eous

While I was deliberating over what to do, Charlotte spoke up

”It will take round Why not take as round as possible first then go underground to intercept them?”

Hearing Charlotte's suggestion, Mitsuki nodded firmly

”Indeed, that would be better However, defenses on the ground surface round transit Who will fill the gap in defenses on the ground to take Tia's place after she departs?”

Mitsuki asked while looking at us Next, Firill raised her dainty hand

”Leave it to e of defense”

While saying Ariella's name, Firill looked at me

”Mononobe-kun, I leave Ariella in your hands”

”Yes, don't worry”

I nodded solemnly at Firill

”In that case, there will no issue on the surface I shall take take coation Squad as well”

Mitsukieyes Seeing her like that, Lisa sighed lightly

”Mitsuki-san, if you are worried about Mononobe Yuu, why not go along with hiation Squad to shi+nomiya-sensei, so our side will be fine”

”I, umm, well”

Mitsuki frantically shi+fted her gaze back and forth between Lisa and me, then lowered her head shyly

”Very well, it is decided Thank you, Lisa-san”

Mitsuki answered in a feeble voice

”Yes Do your best too Well then, Tia-san and Firill-san, let us depart”

Calling the two girls, Lisa opened thein the principal's office and walked into the balcony

”Good luck, everyone!”

Iris waved to theht sky

After they disappeared into the darkness, Charlotte turned to look at us

”The situation underground is under closein the command center They will contact us as soon as NIFL trespasses into dangerous territory Until then, you should rest in that room there and not move around for no reason”

Charlotte pointed at the room where Jeanne and the others had entered

Just as Charlotte pointed out, there was no way to decide where we should wait on standby until NIFL's invasion route was confirmed Ariella would probably be the first to reach the clock tower Thinking that, I replied affirmatively to Charlotte

”—Got it However, I've so to talk with you about, Charl”

”So to talk about?”

Looking straight at Charlotte, as tilting her head in surprise, I nodded firmly

Part 3

The sound of dripping blood returned to the quiet principal's office again

With a knife stabbed in her belly, Charlotte looked up at the ceiling with a pale demeanor

Her expression would twist in pain fro this, I felt very worried

”There ht?”

”No, this is the most suitable”

Widening her eyes slightly, she showed a grin surfacing on the corners of her lips

Only Charlotte and I were present in the principal's office Everyone else had gone to the other room for a nap

”But when you stab that spot, it's very painful yet the bleeding is not that ht?”

”If I bleed out too h I won't die Controlling ets means I have to maintain concentration The pain is also a necessaryconscious”

Charlotte answered eariness on her face

At this time, I finally noticed that she had already pushed herself too far Her painful expressions reflected not only pain but also the accu

”What happens if you lose consciousness? Will the controlled targets be released?”

”No, so you don't need to worry about that However, they ive detailed coht result”

Charlotte answered me indifferently

”Killed? But didn't you say the people under your control are immortal?”

”That's only a lie part of their body, it's ienerate”

Listening to this, I understood why Charlotte was bearing all this pain

”You don't want anyone to die, Charl”

”I'll make myself clear This is not out of mercy I just find it's a pain to handle the aftermath of deaths My friend—Is this really okay? You definitely won't approve of my actions”

Charlotte e on a front, it was a serious question

Hearing her, bathed in her gaze, I sighed lightly

”You don't want to be approved In other words, what you're doing now, Charl—what you're going to do—isn't so you wish to do”

”Well—”

Charlotte seeh, she avoided eye contact and stopped

Seeing her like that, I ht up the main topic

”My former superior officer—Major Loki at NIFL—said that you intend to corave sin and deprive many people of their lives Ariella also said she had a reason to kill you Charl What on earth are you planning to do?”

After I inquired, Charlotte clenched her fist as though trying to endure so

While she remained silent, I continued to ask from a different approach

”An old dressing table in the underground cottage—It's yours, right? I saw the photo in the drawer”

”Oh It was taken with me and my father in the past”

After a while, Charlotte nodded lightly

”So it really was your father, huh? To be frank, he looks very similar to the Major Loki I just mentioned”

I cautiously chose my words Charlotte smiled wryly

”I know I also ju the school festival Although I've known of his existence long ago, I never expected such an uncanny reses”

”Bloodlines? In other words, Charl, you and Major Loki are—”

While thinking just as suspected, I gazed at Charl

”That's right, we're blood relatives That being said, it's the level of blood tie where one could consider each other strangers”

”Can you explain in detail?”

Noas the only opportunity to step into her world I insisted strongly

Charlotte's gaze wandered a bit in hesitation but in the end, she gave up and said:

”A couple centuries ago, there lived a pair of twin brothers They both obtained power simultaneously At the same time, they also understood that this was an authority that had manifested to protect the world from humanity's hands”

”Twins?”

After I ht nod

”Indeed The younger of the tasthe world, he had received the power to control and e humanity As for the elder brother, he had apparently obtained the power to eliminate humanity off the face of the earth”

”What?”

Having developed civilization, huon Tia and Vritra had already informed me of this

The eighth counterdragon born to oppose the calaon—the ”Gray” Vampire

However, according to Charlotte, the world apparently gave birth to two counterdragons at the same time

Vritra had said that after so arded as a part of the world and hence did not get eli mankind as an external threat still remained

Due to a division in the world's will, were two authorities, identical in ends yet diametrically opposed in means, produced?

Charlotte looked at me in my puzzlement and continued

”However, the older brother left the responsibility of protecting the world to Leonardo—my father—and apparently did not use his authority even once in his life My father named this unchosen power the scrapped authority, Code Lost”

—The scrapped authority The unused power of the eighth

Words I had heard during the previous battle against Vritra suddenly flashed through my mind

'Mayhap 'tis the scrapped eighth—'

She had definitely said sohth authority, she had been holding back

Vritra probably knew about the duality of the eighth authority

”When the eighth authority awakened,and became immune to disease In this manner, he lived for centuries Undoubtedly, this was for the purpose of continued control over humans Rather than the true nature of the power, immortality and eternal youth were likely the effects of the body adjusting itself to the ability”

Charlotte placed her hand on me as she spoke

Transfor power—this had happened to Iris recently To accommodate power, the body of flesh evolved to becor ained their powerful appearances due to that

”Due to eternal life and youth, my father always lived in solitude However, perhaps his ot on disaster and had a child And I a life spanning centuries—Hence, I grew up showered with love and doting But on the day of my thirteenth birthday, a certain incident happened”

Charlotte gritted her teeth while holding back pain However, it looked evena knife into her own body Such was the tor the past in her memory

”My father had been traveling all over the place in his efforts to establish Asgard, but he came ho up, dozens of guards my mother and father were all murdered”

Charlotte's father, supposed to be i this inherent contradiction, I refrained fro this question in front of her sorrowful demeanor

I took Charlotte's hand, clenched tightly in a fist, and held it, waiting for her to calm down Her hand felt exceptionally cold because of her current bleeding

”Hoo You're so kind Back when the tragedy struck, Mica was also holding round shelter”

Charlotte recounted nostalgically and placed her other hand on top of my hand

”Mica-san?”

”Yes, Mica-san was originally my father's vassal From the day I was born, she has always stayed by e of my education and protection On that day, Mica and I were the only two survivors Locked in a posture of , that man and my father drew their last breath I did not witness what had actually happened”

Charlotte took a deep breath to cal with a solemn expression

”Although I had no idea back then, all the guards were semi-immortals who had entered into blood pacts with enuinely immortal in every sense of the word Yet despite that, everyone died Unable to understand what had happened, all I could do was cry and wail”

Charlotte spoke in self-deprecation However, that was only to be expected for a thirteen-year-old girl to be confronted with that kind of situation

”I can recall clearly what happened after that I shutfor Mica to handle But one day, I witnessedinstantly It hen Mica explained this that I learned about my father's power for the first time”

Looking at our overlapping hands, Charlotte recounted nostalgically

”I knew I had inheritedthen, I finally resolved e The day I found out the truth hen I succeeded ard”

”The truth”

I repeated the word, prohtly

”My father's killer belonged to the older brother's bloodline He was apparently a soldier who had extraordinarily distinguished hi in civil war zones Perhaps he had inherited the power for killing h