Vol 10 Chapter 3 (1/2)
”—Someone powerless huh Seriously That's quite a painful jab”
Rewinding to an hour or so earlier, inside the Naglfar's operations roo wryly at the screen after the call disconnected
Ariella Lu was co the opponent's weakness in an instant was part of a killer's essential skills In that sense, her talents were clearly evident
”Just as you say, Ariella Lu, I have never seen anyone as powerless as I am”
This was neither hu the truth calmly
Poas that which was required to do certain things
To stand up, to walk, to obtain food, to earn ht, to flee—All this required power
Muscle power, physical power, military power, financial power, power of intellect, power of authority There were more types of power than one could count
Holding power unsuited to the target would be useless There were also situations where necessary poas impossible to obtain due to incompatibility From this perspective, thein the power required to attain his own goal
”However, I have never envied you lot Not even once”
Loki raised his head and looked at his subordinates in the room
They were nameless soldiers clad in silver ar motionlessly without any reaction
However, Loki did not hold the such an attitude because all they were capable of recognizing were commands from Loki That was how they had been tuned
Loki slowly stood up and stopped walking in front of them
”Rather, I'rateful for this from the bottom of my heart Because I aeezers Instead, I becaoals”
Using his hand to touch an armored outfit's cold and hard exterior, Loki quietly continued
”Were I perfect and flawless, I never would haveothers My superior poould have turnedto be exploited, a disposable weapon—Just like you lot and my father”
Loki narrowed his eyes and spoke With his hand, he knocked on a motionless soldier's chest armor
”However There are times when humans have no choice but to take action personally What times are those, would you say?”
The ar, but a faintTreanism's natural response
”Here's the anshen no one but yourself can get the job done My re trump cards were Sleipnir and 'Fafnir,' two of them Now that neither of them could respond to my expectations—”
At thisat an arer, he smiled
Then as though carving these words into himself, he continued in a sinister manner
”—I shall abandon this lovely powerlessness”
Part 2
In order to reach the ground surface froainst Ariella had taken place, it was necessary to round level then take the elevator there
But before we left the building—the instant we got off the elevator—ere greeted by the sight of calamity
”This is”
I took a deep breath and exaround floor There were several woard staff A reeted our noses
”—It's the smell of blood”
I frowned and said to Ariella and the girls ere getting off the elevator after me
”Eh!? Are they already—”
Iris cried out and looked at the people ere collapsed on the floor with pallid faces
”No They do not appear to have external injuries I believe they are only unconscious However, I have not been able to establish coo What on earth happened?”
Mitsuki approached the collapsed women and refuted what Iris was about to say
”Anyway, this doesn't look minor We have to clarify the situation as quickly as possible”
Kili suggested while staying vigilant of the surroundings Tia nodded firreement
”Go to Lisa and the others! Tia is very worried!”
”Mm”
Ren also grabbed ed me to hurry over
”—Got it But let's be careful, everyone”
Standing in the lead, I went through the automatic door at the entrance to exit the clock tower
The ser
It was currently late at night Norency situation, the entire caht reflected was a red color covering the entire sky
”Crimson mist?”
Iris murmured
”Generate squall!”
Alauntlet fictional arust of wind blew, the scent of blood becahter
”Onee-chan?”
Ren looked at her in puzzle Ariella to ansith a stiff expression
”Best not to inhale this ht be too late by the time you smell it”
”You think it's soas?”
Kili asked Ariella after cautiously checking the surroundings
”No, rather than poison gas This is surely—”
Did so occur to her? Ariella hesitated
”Oh, it's Lisa and Firill”
However, Ariella was interrupted by Tia's joyful voice Despiteto say, I still went up to greet the two girls descending from the sky
They looked relieved to see Ariella, as scratching her cheek in embarrassment
”Ariella-san—Allow me to say this to you first, welcome back”
”Umm Yeah, I'm back Sorry”
Ariella lowered her head after nodding at Lisa
Firill tapped Ariella on the shoulder, causing her to look up
”Welcos to say to you, but let's have a proper chat later”
Firill motioned to the crimson mist with her eyes
I followed her gaze to check out the situation
”I'lad you two are okay What the heck is that red mist?”
Lisa gazed atmy question
”We are the only ones who are fine While that red on Subjugation Squad lost consciousness successively It is now impossible to sustain the barriers”
Firill continued after Lisa's answer
”However, it's the sarounds haven't been breached yet Apart from those hacked by Tia, the majority of unmanned weapons have been destroyed too, so no worries there”
Listening to these reports, Mitsuki showed surprise in her expression
”In other words, this mist is not an attack launched by NIFL?”
Hearing this question, Lisa nodded with a serious look
”Indeed Rather—The effect on NIFL has been very severe According to what I could observe froardsormr's final defense line and has covered NIFL's fleet”
””
I gasped after listening to Lisa What Ariella was about to say earlier—wasnow
A red mist with the smell of blood Neutralized NIFL soldiers and the mist-covered fleet
Although the presence of victiical conclusion was that ”she” had caused the current situation
”Yuu, so”
Just at at that ht by Kili's voice
I looked where Kili indicated A figure cay illued to a wo us
I reflexively raised ot a proper look at her clothing
She earing an old-fashi+oned maid outfit Only one person dressed like this on this island
”Mica-san!”
I called her na over
”Mononobe -san”
Mica-san sank to her knees after calling my name hoarsely Upon closer examination, I saw that her maid outfit was tattered
Stained with blood all over, there also seeunshots
”Did you get shot!? We'll treat your wounds immediately—”
I reached out to check her injuries, but Mica-san refused me politely
”Do not worry The wounds have already healed I am one of Charlotte-sama's folloho have been bestoith her blood”
”But why are you in such pain?”
If it was the same as shi+nomiya-sensei's case, she would not die fro profusely from her forehead and too weak to stand up
Following irls looked at Mica-san in worry
”This This is not my pain It is Charlotte-sama's”
”Charl?”
I frowned Mica-san nodded feebly
”This situation was caused by Charlotte-sae volu all of NIFL's people under control in one fell swoop”
Listening to Mica-san, everyone had questions
”Since the principal did it, why are the staff and the Dragon Subjugation Squad also?”
Iris asked in puzzlement
”Due to controlling too many people siht beout of control I am about to lose consciousness too”
Mica-san pressed on her forehead in pain and finished Firill cocked her head in puzzlement
”If the principal's power has gone out of control Why are we okay?”
”Because Well, allow me to confirm first All of you have chosen to make contact with Mononobe-san, haven't you?”
Confronted with Mica-san's question, Firill nodded in a slight fluster
”Huh? Huess?”
Blushi+ng, Firill sought everyone's agreement
”Y-Yes—everyone here including Ariella-san, has already made contact with Nii-san”
After Mitsuki answered on everyone's behalf, Mica-san said ”I see” quietly
”In that case—therein lies the reason Having transformed into Mononobe-san's kind, all of you became more 'superhuman' existences than ordinary Ds As such, Charlotte-sama's power to control mankind has not affected you”
”'Superhuman' existences”
I was shaken by these words but Iris seemed unaware She continued to ask:
”Then we'll be fine?”
”No Charlotte-sa Mononobe-san's injuries In other words, the effects are si action at all”
Mica-san shook her head and refuted Iris
Charlotte's power had definitely helped me out a lot In other words, the fact that ere considered hue in this situation, but I felt slightly relieved At this moment, Iris looked up at the clock tower in worry
”—If that's the case, shi+on-chan, who's nearer to the principal and Vritra-chan, who's a dragon, should be fine But Jeanne-chan is definitely”
As an ordinary person, Jeanne had likely lost consciousness like the staff and the girls of the Dragon Subjugation Squad Was Mitsuki picturing the situation? Her face was clouded by uncertainty
”I am quite worried The principal's situation needs to be verified Perhaps it would be better if we returned”
”Wait, Mitsuki”
The one who disagreed was Ariella, who had been showing a somber expression the whole time
With everyone's gaze gathered on her, Ariella looked sharply at Mica-san
”Detailed adjuste number of people—That's what you said just now But isn't this situation actually the true nature of the principal's authority?”
””
Questioned by Ariella, Mica-san silently averted her gaze Suspicious of how the two of the, I interjected
”Ariella, what is theof this?”
”A similar phenomenon happened when the principal's father exerted control on a wide scale to prevent nuclear war It seeroup of people felt greatly threatened by his authority Rather than do else?”
”—”
Mica-san gripped her fist silently This expression conveyed a kind of suffering different from pain
”It was also to prevent her froo kill the principal If what I heard from NIFL was true, then it's definitely not si here can't be described siht now, it's extreerous to approach the principal”
Ariella warned us strongly while waiting for Mica-san's response
”What you say is indeed correct Until now, Charlotte-sa all her effort to suppress her authority fro with full functionality”
Mica-san lowered her gaze and spoke while avoiding eye contact
”I knew it So—If she fails, ill happen exactly?”
”Well”
Mica-san hesitated When Ariella urged her to continue, the air shook
BOOOOOOM!
”What happened—?”
With the sound of a heavy explosion, black s
”It is in the front gate's direction Judging from the distance, the explosion should have happened outside the campus”
Lisa looked up at the smoke and remarked, but her face was filled with puzzle her head in disbelief
”But NIFL's people have lost consciousness And Tia should've hacked all the re unmanned weapons near the school So who on earth—”
Listening to the two girls, Mitsuki crossed her arms and spoke with a troubled look:
”Capable ofunder such conditions, the other party must be 'superhuman' like us”
”—”
I held my breath In other words, the other side consisted of humans transformed by an authority
Like how shi+on had gone on a rae as Kraken Zwei or Iris had Basiliskified
Earlier, Ariella and the members of Sleipnir must have been transformed by Code Lost Ariella had sed a capsule and I would assu soldiers of Sleipnir had done the saave them these capsules was my former superior officer, Major Loki
In that case, it would not be surprising if Major Loki had dispatched more forces powered by the scrapped authority
”Don't worry, Mononobe-kun”
Ariella's voice interruptedbut she was s with confidence
”No er than I was earlier That level of coether There's no reason to hold it in reserve”
”True Okay, then let's—”
I was about to suggest hurrying over to that side, but Ariella stopped me in a sharp voice
”But Mononobe-kun, are you still sure you want to protect the principal after seeing the current situation? Handled poorly, it s for everyone on this island, you know?”
This viewpoint was perfectly natural for Ariella, who saw Charlotte as dangerous However, I was firmly set in my conviction
”Since so similar has happened before—Charlottethat, she still skirted the boundary, forcibly trying to protect Midgard In that case, I trust Charl will succeed”
”Then Mononobe-kun, are you planning to do nothing and leave fate to her?”
”No, I' If a threat approaches Charl, I'll protect her If she's feeling discouraged, I'll cheer her on by her side This is what I can do as her friend”
Hearing my answer, Ariella showed surprise on her face
”Cheer her on I see Fufu That's my Mononobe-kun Oh well Since I've already decided to follow you, I won't cole word”
Apparently reassured, Ariella accepted my approach
Next, Mitsuki approached me and said:
”—Then it is settled No one has any objections regarding the ht?”
Mitsuki asked the group After everyone expressed agreeaze back to me
”Well then, Nii-san, let us go check what the explosion noise earlier was about, shall we? Mica-san, please stay put here”
”Very well, thank you”
Mica-san replied in a pained voice and bowed her head deeply at us
When she looked up again, she made eye contact with me and smiled
”Charlotte-sama truly has a wonderful friend”
Part 3
As we neared the front gate, ere greeted by the sight of burning red flames mixed with dust and smoke
Explosions were heard one after another Ariella had deployed an air barrier against the reds into the sky was clearly unusual
”That hue of the flames It's the color of when the special fuel used in une unmanned weapon”
I ran while telling everyoneher fictional armament to fly, Tia frowned
”That probably is an unher to confirm”
”Don't, carelessly increasing your altitude is very dangerous If unh-poeapons Everyone, focus on protecting yourself”
I called out to Mitsuki and the girls behind fried, un Tia was the only one flying but everyone else had their respective fictional armaments wielded The only exception was Kili who treated the surrounding space itself as a weapon
The sate What appeared to be a giant plate of ar by an explosion, was eate that we nor our portable terminals
We cautiously went over the destroyed ate and exited the campus
Severalintensely on the road where lively crowds of students would pass through on their school cos
Next, three figures appeared before us Accoe explosion, they were illuminated by the flames
”What—”
I could not help but doubt my own eyes
The two people standing on the left and right were soldiers clad in arht many times, but could also be humanoid drones too
Reflecting red light fro all kinds of ridiculous heavy weapons They were surely the ones responsible for destroying the unmanned weapons
However, the problem was the slender man flanked by the two armored soldiers
Dispatching Hreidmars and unmanned weaponry was foreseeable to a certain extent, but I never expected ”him” to head to the frontline himself—
”Major Loki”
When I called out his nah it was too far for voices to be heard, he must have read my lips
”Heh So that's him? I feel a different vibe from him compared to our conversation over the communicator He doesn't seem like the type to be on the frontlines”
By htly doubtful look
It see as , what I felt was not li feeling somewhat different from before
So was off
Leading two ar off an extremely fearsohtening and terrifying feeling co from him
A lethal situation that my current self was unable to oppose, my instincts warned intensely
”Nii-san, what is the h the enemy is equipped with heavy weaponry, there are only three of the them unilaterally”
Controlling her voice, Mitsuki sought my opinion
It was indeed as she described With a sufficiently wide open space, Ds were able toene recklessly would be the best tactic Since Major Loki's objective was to kill Charlotte, there was no point in wasting words with him now
However—Despite knowing all this, I could not issue the order
My heart was filled with a sense of foreboding that soht happen if we made a move carelessly
”Mononobe?”
Iris and the girls looked at me in puzzlement but I remained stuck in hesitation
”Yuu—Tia's is co”
At thisoverhead, Tia whispered quietly to me
Although I could not understand what she ged un out fro to the unmanned weapon she had hacked
However, the soldiers equipped with heavy weapons and armor did not move Neither did Major Loki show any intent to evade the un at him He simply looked at it in irritation
—BOOM!!
Instantly, without any prior warning, the unmanned weapon exploded
”What?”
I totally had no idea what happened No one had attacked, yet this powerful weapon was suddenly rendered into wreckage
”Tia-san, do you knohat happened?”
Lisa asked Tia who had the unmanned weapon under her control, but Tia shook her head in shock
”Dunno It suddenly exploded”
”It's almost like my Muspelheim But it's not He shouldn't be a D and in this dusty environment, tiny particles of dark matter cannot be sustained at all”
Kili looked gravely at the destroyed un their surprise but another scene took place to further deepen our puzzlement
One of the arth in his knees and collapsed on the ground
”What's with that guy?”
Firill murmured in doubt
”Was he injured by shrapnel from the explosion?”
Ren brought up the most likely possibility but I had seen clearly that the armored soldiers were unharmed
Watching us react, Major Loki sht Then he walked slowly towards us
”Nii-san!”
Mitsuki pleaded with ain to issue orders There was no time for hesitation
”I'll go Before we find out what Major Loki—that man, in other words—has done, don't any of you make a move”
I ordered the girls in forceful tone of voice then started walking forward
”Wait, Mononobe-kun If you do this in this kind of situation, he'll surely—”
Ariella stopped htly
”I know But that's why I o”
The fact that he was standing in Charlotte's red mist without behind controlled stood as evidence that he was no ordinary person In other words, it was very likely that Major Loki also possessed Code Lost
I walked forhile paying attention to the armored soldier behind Major Loki The other ar
Major Loki halted when our separation had shrunk to five ly and stood face to face with him
”hello, 2nd Lieutenant Mononobe”
Major Loki spoke with his usual tone and expression but there was soaze towardslivestock—a doard gaze—together with a sense of pity towards one of his own But now, his eyes contained coldat prey he was about to hunt
”Major Loki”
I focusedmy fictional armament to disappear At the same time, I stared at Major Loki
”I already know of Sleipnir's defeat, but never did I expect her to shoith you Sleipnir is supposed to be i them”
Major Loki glanced behindat Ariella
”2nd Lieutenant Mononobe choosing to stay on Gray's side, defeating Sleipnir then showing up to obstruct me—Under such conditions, you were supposed to be filled withforced to dispose of Ariella Lu by your own hand”
With an expression conveying his surprise at the unexpected turn of events, he shrugged
”Do you wish to exact revenge from me?”
Informed of Major Loki's intent, I asked cautiously
”No—It simply saves me a bit of effort Besides, it allowed ht say that this currentis what I hoped for”
”By this point, what is there for us to discuss?”
Our positions were in complete opposition, which h that hat I thought, Major Loki nodded
”Indeed, this is the end, which is why I have things to tell you Relax, this isn't my last wish I don't do useless stuff like that What I' a coardless of fate's machinations”
”Successor?”
When I frowned and repeated what Major Loki said, he nodded deeply
”Indeed, the successor of the clear dragon—'Colorless' Fafnir—is essential to the current world”
””
This hat Charlotte had told”the power born to kill humanity”
”Judging froist fros easy Fafnir is the na capable of killing even the immortal Gray In the past, that hat my father called it”
”The one who assassinated Charl's father I heard that NIFL treats him as a 'hero'”
”—Indeed And hopes were placed in me as the 'son of the hero' I received the best education and greedily absorbed knowledge and skills, distinguishi+ng myself with various accomplishments And I intended to respond to their expectations, but I lacked the most crucial talent”
Major Loki continued in self-deprecation
”The day my father died, I was still in my mother's womb and did not inherit the authority”
”Huh—”
His unexpected words made me exclaim in surprise
Was my reaction exactly the sahed sarcastically
”Knowing the truth of the expectations laid upon me as I entered NIFL, yet aware that I lacked the essential talent, for the very first time, I was confronted with my oerlessness and as impossible for me”
”Major Loki doesn't have an authority”
Still in doubt, I h this was only natural upon further thought, for soht of hi truth
Just as Ariella had pointed out earlier, there was no reason for him to hold back combat potential in reserve If Major Loki possessed the same kind of potent poielded by Sleipnir and Hreidmar, he could have finished the job on his own
Hence, it was only logical that he did not possess Code Lost
No But that was only up until now Why was he here currently—standing cal controlled by the red mist of blood?
This contradiction troubled ht while the corners of his rin
”Are you that surprised? Then ood Froathered people who possessed power and focused on conducting research This was to investigate as much as possible about the Gray I had to defeat”
Major Loki looked up at the red mist and asked me:
”2nd Lieutenant Mononobe, before Gray exerted control—Did you know about that authority's true nature?”
”No”
I shook my head Ariella had said that Charlotte's poas not do else”—But what exactly, I had not heard Mica-san had also glossed over the issue
However, Major Loki seemed to have obtained the answer Without any uncertainty, he spoke
”The authority of the gray dragon—the 'Gray' Va the hu”
”Unite? What the heck are you talking about?”
Unable to understand him, I frowned