Vol 10 Chapter 2 (2/2)

”Nii-san, ill expand the barrier!”

I heard Mitsuki's voice froust of wind blew over, probably fro Tia and co

After that, Ariella's group used the dark enerated by their hands to fire jets of flame at me

But blocked by the barrier of air, they exploded ht

Sure enough, it looked like they were all capable of using darkthis fact could not possibly be true—

Only an exceedingly clear and si this conjecture in my mind, Ren ran forward to me

”Onii-chan! Why Onee-chan—this is, so weird!”

Ren's sense of dissonance was even stronger thanwith a very pale face

”Yeah, rather than having committed herself to some kind of resolve—It seems more like she's lost her sanity”

Looking at Ariella on the other side of the fla explosion, I nodded at Ren

”What can we do? Onii-chan, what can we”

Ren stared hard at me I wanted to reassure her with a pat on the head, but al and a blade of air

Hence, I looked into Ren's eyes and voiced h for others to hear

”Ariella ht have transformed”

”Transformed?”

Uneasily, Ren repeated what I had said

Ariella and her group continued to attack, but Mitsuki's deployed barrier was very secure Currently, we had the tie information

”Hreidht at the mountain villa and at the Principality of Erlia—was hollow inside Only s to my former superior officer, Major Loki, they had transfor power”

”Right—You've seen what's inside them”

Kili narrowed her eyes and whispered Working together with Jeanne, she had also seen it at the Principality of Erlia before

”Right now, the people with Ariella is also a unit belonging to Major Loki Compared to the time when I was still with them, their vibes and ability levels are completely different It's possible that they've transfor a power similar to Hreidmar's”

”The price of power”

Iris murmured softly

Having gone through a transformation of her physical body due to Basilisk's authority, Iris had experienced what it was like Last tiht up Hreidons

From what I had heard from Charlotte, Major Loki was the descendant of thehumanity If this authority truly existed and Major Loki had the technology tocould be connected together

The clear dragon—”Colorless” Fafnir

Hreidmar, Sleipnir, Ariella, and me as well—Most likely, we all held this authority

Major Loki had said that true value lay in the ability to obtain poithout transfor those who had obtained the authority, I was the only one bestoith the codename of ”Fafnir”

Conversely, it implied that everyone else apart from me had transformed However—

”Don't worry, Iris”

Without looking back, I declared strongly

”Mononobe?”

”If obtaining power causes transformations, there must be a way to turn back All I need to do is repeat what I did to turn you back to human, Iris”

”Oh—”

Hearing what I said, Iris took a deep breath

”Nii-san, I no your intentions”

”Tia knows too!”

Mitsuki and Tia realized what I was trying to say

However, there was so I had to tell them

”However, there's no way I can decide the ht the current Ariella and her tea' Ariella, there's absolutely no way forthe uncertainty of what the other side will trans dark matter”

”What Wait, Yuu!”

Kili glared at ave her a look to tell her to wait for me to finish

”Be that as it may, I don't need to win All I need to do is touch Ariella with ertip With that, she'd surely recover her sanity That's why, I'll be counting on you girls to cover et killed”

I said that while roup was attacking

”Wait! If we do not discuss properly beforehand, weyou, Nii-san—”

Mitsuki called out anxiously to stop me, but I shook my head to tell her it was fine

”Don't worry, Mitsuki You'll act suitably when I feel it's necessary I know this fro It'll tell me how all of you will take action, Mitsuki”

”Even if you know, this is still too”

Mitsuki grumbled in protest At this moment, Kili interjected

”I believe in Yuu When covering hi'—I felt as though Yuu and I were joined as though of one ht?”

I nodded at Kili's question

”Yeah, I knew Kili would help me Perhaps, there's some kind of link because we've become 'the same kind'”

”In that case, Tia can definitely do it! Tia is already Yuu's wife, we can surely connect our hearts together through the bond of husband and wife!”

A competitive flame had apparently been lit in Tia's mind

”Ehhh!? Tia-chan, it's too early to talk about husband and wife! But I've had this feeling of connectedwave of feelings were transmitted”

Seeing Iris agreeing with Kili too, Mitsuki showed displeasure in her expression

”Speaking of bonds with Nii-san, est Very well—I understand Till Nii-san reaches Ariella-san's side, I shall absolutely protect him”

Next, everyone looked at Ren, who had yet to comment”

”Mm Onii-chan You've always knohat I wanted to say even if I did not say it out Hence, I believe in you, Onii-chan”

Ren gripped her hahtly and accepted my battle plan

”Thank you, Ren”

I smiled and looked at Ariella as on the other side of the barrier

”—Mitsuki, on nal, release the barrier”

”Affirmative”

I replenished Nergal's a the blade of air in fried

Was Ariella's group trying to break through the barrier by force? Their attacks were escalating in intensity—However, this produced openings in the generation of dark matter

Seizing the opportunity, I yelled

”Mitsuki!”

The instant the attacks paused, I rushed out With the barrier lowered, there was nothing to stop me anymore

Ariella's group ied formation

In the center, Ariella backed ahile the young men flanked and surrounded me

By throwing knives and transht different directions, they attacked Every strike was imbued with the intent to kill with certainty A mortal wound would result no matter which attack landed

”Antigravity!”

Using Siegfried to fire a dark ravitational matter

Deployed with me at the center, a repulsive field deflected all attacks

But after that, while I was running, dark ain

”Tsk—”

This was the same tactic as what Iris had used to counter Leviathan's repulsive field Attacking with dark matter directly within the field instead of from outside—

As expected, Ariella's group was currently ap between the hu to kill, versuswithout murderous intent

However, I had already declared I would rescue her frohts in her heart

”—Coments of the Far Beyond”

Even enerated by Ariella's party It was created by the girl with super spatial perception as able to exert precise control so long as explosions were the foregone conclusion

”O raging wind, explode!”

The instant Ariella and her tea fla out

With the sound of an explosion, my view becaainstin the world, I understood what Iris had done

Bythe air she had summoned explode, she had cancelled out Ariella's attack It worked the same way as how Kili had protected herself earlier, but I received no dae at all despite my close proximity This was evidence of perfect control of the explosion's directionality Sure enough, Iris' talent was extre in a most unconventional area

At the sa soldiers

”First Arrow—Forked Wind!”

Almost impossible to discern with the naked eye, the arroind turned into countless arrows, shooting at them

Nor, it was ih this reement with Mitsuki

If I could do it back then, there was no reason why they could not do it now

Like beasts, they moved between the invisible arrows Simultaneously, they launched knives at me from unstable postures

Continuing to advance towards Ariella, I htly away from the repulsive field's zone of effect There was very little dark enerate a strong repulsive field

However, thanks to Mitsuki slowing them down, I received new support

Boom—Several ss, deflecting the knives away

This was Kili's Muspelhei out dark matter, too small for the naked eye to see, in the entire space, she was able to trans

However, this seehty barrier had a weakness Ariella and company instantly acted in response

Silently, they raised their hand to generate darkit into white smoke

Tiny particles of dark matter could be erased with the use of smoke Muspelheim was neutralized as a result, but thanks to Ariella and co to defense, I received the chance to advance further

I had pretty enerated dark matter So far, they had all performed the same transmutation simultaneously In that case, Ariella should be the one person capable of generating darkdarksoldiers when they raised their hands

If my speculation was correct, then there should be a delay until the next transmutation

I was almost about to reach her

”Yuu!”

”Onii-chan!”

Tia and Ren were the ones to buy ap

Tia used lightning attacks to restrain the young soldiers while Rencapacity to create thick walls on ht

My dragon mark pulsated

Everyone's thoughts were transht noere definitely linked together

If this was the bond between those ofthan this

I was not fighting alone

Ariella—I won't let leave you behind either, all alone!

I closed in on her, extending fried

This time, I'll surely catch you I will rescue you with this hand

During the underground battle, I had used Ether Wind to sense Ariella's internal thoughts Unable to stop herself, Ariella was definitely seeking help

With a hollow expression, Ariella stared atthe knife in her hand

It felt as though I could see an illusion of my left hand severed and my heart stabbed

However, I ignored the warnings of instinct and pulled Siegfried's trigger

”Ether Bullet!”

Usingdarkthem around my left arm

A heavy strike connected

However, the silver blade slicing at olden particles

When a living body was enveloped in concentrated Ether Wind, the soul inside would manifest This manifested soul was immune to all physical interference

This was a characteristic of Ether Wind that I had learned during the battle against Hraesvelgr

Despite my lack of dark matter, it was still possible to envelope ambled on this

Naturally, if it failed withsevered, Ariella would probably take my life in the next strike

In that instant, I was at least able to touch her with ertip

I reached out to Ariella withenveloped in golden particles

The instant on olden particles linked our ether

Part 3

I saw her fragments

People gathered around aged wooden tables, havingTwo adults, five children Probably a married couple and their children

Laughing cheerfully, thefun anecdotes fro, the wife chimed in with her husband The children listened to the man, the ambiance was lively

The girls all looked a bit similar to Ariella

I saw her despair

On a burning street, people kept screa bird had descended upon the scattered disarray of human corpses

While the giant bird spread golden particles, the deceased caue outlines

It was like stepping foot into the land of the dead Witnessing this world, she called out to the figures of her family

But before she could iant bird They disappeared

I saw her hope

It was inside a dark house somewhere Furniture and tableware akin to junk The cracked walls were covered with graffiti

But it was there that she found herself surrounded by a large faain

All of the children A variety races They looked like they had no blood relation with one another

However, they were definitely bound by bonds rivaling that of real brothers and sisters

Although it was a bit of a hassle to have everyone relying on her, she found a shred of satisfaction in her torn heart

I saw her transformation

A D's proof appeared on her body Despised by her trusted companions, she was cursed and denounced as a mortal enemy by the children she saw as her family

By the time she knew it, the world had been turned upside down Everything was unrecognizable The end loomed into view

Her daily life of fighting dragon-worshi+ping cults and looking after children was cut short Exiled to another place, she started a new beginning It was a sterile white box, neither dirty nor broken In other words, a certain irl who always followed him silently

I saw her resolve

It was out at sea On a gray, completely unadorned deck, she—Ariella—had a reunion with a past comrade

”Lieutenant Shelley, I see My, you've reallyout of yourself”

Ariella mocked the woman dressed in the NIFL uniform

”I will become captain imminently And one day, I will become the chief of NIFL's Middle Eastern Fourth Branch that was established using our organization as a foundation Naturally—the prior assumption is that I do not end up killed by you here”

The wo

”I think you've gotten the wrong idea I've no intention of seeking revenge fro for me to hate you”

”All I saved was your life, right? Before selling you off, I already knew you ed you forthat Hence, I already prepared myself to be killed as soon as I was ordered to make contact with you”

Hearing this, Ariella smiled wryly

”As luck would have it, I was sold to a place er had to worry about food and even found new family”

”Is it the red-haired girl with you?”

”Yes, she's called Ren Myfor her—Still, I've always remained quite concerned about the situation of my former family”

Saying that, Ariella gazed deeply into the woman's eyes

”Your request asking me to be a spy No problem, I accept However, I have a condition”

”—Very well So long as it is within ive, I accept any conditions no matter what”

Looking at Ariella squarely in the eyes, the woman nodded

”In that case, there's no proble within your power”

Ariella shrugged lightly and told the woman her condition

”I heard that Ds can enerate resources I'll hand all of that money to you and I hope you can use it to let the children in the organization go to school”

After hearing Ariella's condition, the woman stood there in dumbfounded amazement

”What Are you serious? Those children threw rocks at you for becoer see you as family Even if they receive your kindness, they won't be thanking you”

”Even so—They're still family to me”

Ariella replied without hesitation

This was not hypocrisy or charity but sienuine wish

I saw her determination

”—Seriously, is there no other way?”

Alone in a corridor, Ariella asked stiffly with her ear pressed against her portable terminal

'Yes, rather than Gray's unilateral decision, this is the outcome of a majority vote between major developed nations We ood sovereign'

What was heard from the portable terminal was the voice of Shelley who had reunited with Ariella previously

”But Gray possesses an authority that can control ht?”

'Of course, Gray could also realize her will forcibly, but the result is still the same when you uses this move She will have no choice but to control the world'

””

Gritting her teeth, Ariella fell silent

'Hence, you must accept this request If you refuse, we shall resort to underhanded means if necessary'

”Like the time with Iris?”

After Ariella questioned quietly, the other side answered with a moment's hesitation

'Indeed, ill threaten you like last ties, the ones you are currently supporting Yes'

”—How underhanded”

'We are perfectly aware of that'

Listening to the wohed deeply

”Fine—I accept Although I don't think you're the kind of villain who'd really use children as hostages, I can't take the risk Also For the sake of protecting those children's future, it looks like I can't avoid a battle against Gray”

Despite knowing this was a choice that would destroy her own happiness, Ariella still accepted it

Resignation and fighting spirit—These two emotions overlapped in her heart Ariella coht

These scenes, which I had watched, turned into golden particles and disappeared into the deep darkness

Adorning the darkness like a starry sky, the golden color gathered together in a vortex, turning into the shape of a human

It was Ariella—

Given for in the darkness

”Entering another person's heart without per in delicacy”

After Ariella said that, I realized it This was the world inside Ariella's heart

This was probably the amplified effect of the resonance caused by the same-kind transformation combined with Ether Wind's action on the mind

”Sorry, but it's thanks to this that I found out a lot of things I've also come to learn why you accepted NIFL's request to be a spy for them, Ariella, and why you have to kill Charl—”

Using my mind to control my body's outline, I landed in front of Ariella My body was also giving off golden particles, wavering unsteadily

The duration of this conversation was probably limited until the natural dissipation of all the Ether Wind I had generated Extremely short

”All for the sake of protecting your faht?”

Hearing my question, Ariella smiled wryly

”Yeah, but you need to concern yourself with this, Mononobe-kun Since what I've set out to do has already failed, it's just an excuse The other party in the deal, Captain Shelley, is an upstanding woman”

Hearing her answer, I understood Ariella's true intent

”Really So you wished to be stopped—That's why you wanted me to save you”

'Stop me—Save me'

Those were Ariella's feelings that I had overheard via Ether Wind during the underground battle That e could stand in her ithout hesitation

”Eh? I never said that, you know?”

”—I heard it The voice of your heart Ariella, you ht?”

After I said that, Ariella took a step back, extremely flustered

”B-Back then—Mononobe-kun, you really were”

Were she in her physical body, Ariella probably would have turned bright red in the face She lowered her head shyly

But after a slight while, she continued speaking, still with her head down

”But Although I hoped to be stopped, I also wanted 'to succeed' just astouched by you and transfor relieved”

Ariella clenched her fists tightly and forced these words out

”In other words, Ariella, you hope to fight?”

I asked Otherwise, she would not have felt eret

”I'e now, but also protecting the future”

Ariella nodded lightly before looking up

”No les, it will turn into a world that she has no choice but to control And once she exercises her authority, all conflict will be gone from the world”

”What's wrong with that?”

I asked the question that Charlotte had not answered I could not think of any reason orld peace was bad

”—Certainly, those living prosperous lives for want of nothing would be very happy for this kind of peace to persist However What about those who are suffering under tyrannical regile against the state's rules?”

””

I took a deep breath after listening to Ariella I are of the type of people she had brought up I had seen theht had not occurred to me until she mentioned it Thisa peaceful country's as the standard

”I hate war too, but I believe there are things in this world that must be overthroith the use of force A revolution is probably about to break out in the country where I used to live with uarantee that life hereafter will be happy but for those children, it's their only re hope”

I was overwhel at me resolutely

What she shouldered, what she protected, was of such ination However—

”Even if that's true Do youCharl is the only option?”

Unable to accept, I asked Ariella nodded sadly

”Yes Well, initially I thought about letting the principal rule the world then savingfrom Captain Shelley about how the principal's father had stopped nuclear war, I kneas i that can be adjusted so precisely It'sthan that”

”Si?”

I repeated Ariella's words as a question Fear and revulsion appeared on Ariella's face

”Dominance is no easy task Most likely, neither the principal's power, or the one held by us, Mononobe-kun and s that can be unleashed in full”

Ariella's words conveyed and intense sense of crisis with slight pity and compassion mixed in her voice

”The principal surely knows this too But she has no choice but to do this She can't stop it herself Likefor someone to stop her That's why I have to stop her”

Ariella clenched her fist hard Although there were contradictions in her words, I knew she was sincere

Next, at this an to thin out

”—It's almost at the limit”

”Looks like it”

”So I'll be your mate once I wake up fros ' born to kill hu faint I'm sure I can't stop the principal anymore”

S hands

”Sorry”

Having deprived her of s, all I could say was that

”No need to apologize, Mononobe-kun Although there are regrets, I do feel very relieved after all But I still can't accept this”

As the particles grew dilute, Ariella's expression became distorted

”I'll surely struggle with unsightliness So, if possible, please don't let Ren see htliness”

Ariella looked like she was about to cry now, but her figure vanished before her tears could fall

At the sauous My consciousness was about to be pulled back

shi+ning brightly, the golden particles flowed past the scenes I had just witnessed—the sea of Ariella'sinto the depths of darkness

My consciousness instantly returned to reality after I could no longer see anything

Before ertip ofher forehead

The conversation in the dream had apparently taken place in an instant Her body was still enveloped in blue light

Originally blank, her face blushed slightly whileintent

”Ooh”

Her expression distorted itself as just noeak sound came from her lips

”Ariella!”

Before she could do anything, I hugged her tightly first

”! Ooooh! Ahhhhh!!”

She struggled hard to shake off th

Finally, her resistance weakened and her groaning turned into sobbing

”SniffSobGuh”

Ariella buried herself in , she desperately tried to suppress her sobbing

These were tears of regret Having made contact with her heart, I understood very well

”Onee-chan!”

I heard footsteps and Ren's voice behind me

To calm down Ariella before Ren arrived, I stroked her slender back gently

”Mononobe-kun, you're really so kind”

Feeble words from Ariella's lips reached my ear

Part 4

”I've caused everyone trouble I'm honestly really sorry”

Inside the underground passage with exposed pipes and wall dae froized to all of us

The young soldiers of Sleipnir were collapsed nearby without any signs of waking up During Ariella's transformation, they looked like they were in pain and apparently fainted

After checking their condition, Mitsuki sighed lightly

”Destroying facilities, leaking information Ariella-san, you have broken these two of the school rules These two violations cannot be forgiven lightly, but since no one was harmed as a result and your hand was forced, after consideration of extenuating circumstances, as your classmate, I would like you to write and hand in twenty repentance essays”

Speaking in a student council president's tone of voice, Mitsuki informed Ariella of her punishment

”Umm That's all?”

Shocked, Ariella asked in response Mitsuki threw a glanc