Vol 12 Chapter 1 (1/2)
Chapter 1 - Marduk of Mechanized Aviation
Part 1
From my—Mononobe Yuu's—perspective, Mononobe Mitsuki was soreater fortitude than anyone else
Back when she lost both parents in the car accident, ht thus Had I been in her place, ould I do?
The death of parents felt totally surreal and I could not iine how life would continue after that However, there was no way I would be able to hang in there—That hat I felt
However, Mitsuki socars due to the accident, Mitsuki overcah her own efforts
Of course, I would protect Mitsuki as her older brother, and support her—But in the th to surmount adversity
It was the same when ”Blue” Hekatonkheir approached our town
Mitsuki went alone to stand before the dragon I followed only because I worried about her To fight Hekankheir—Had Mitsuki not spelled it out, such a notion would never had occurred to me
Watching that delicate silhouette of hers froon hundreds, no, thousands of tie
Even though Mitsuki was crying, even though she was tree of her back was the brave silhouette that I still know
I ht Hekatonkheir, only because I wanted to aid Mitsuki I simply wanted to protect what she hoped to protect, that was all
Three years after that, I was reunited in Midgard with a Mitsuki who had grown to become even more resolute and brave
Despite going through the tragic ordeal of killing her best friend who had turned into a dragon, she still led the Ds in battle as the captain of the Dragon Subjugation Squad
Despite her sorrow, despite her pain, she continued to stand strong stoicly
But now—
”I am sorry Nii-san, I am sorry—”
Lying on against , Mitsuki kept apologizing hoarsely—
I had never seen Mitsuki this ”weak”
When Kraken Zwei, the orphaned child left behind by her best friend, showed up, Mitsuki had left the battlefield once
But this time was different
The pillar that had kept her going all this time had been totally demolished
It was evident without needing to ask Because, it was the same for me too
—These feelings ofMitsuki as the one dearest to me
They hat constitutedto this day
But after Vritra infors steed into confusion
With wavering thoughts and e words to Mitsuki
Acting like this I ht now
Part 2
At the dormitory where all of us lived—inside my bedroom at the far end of the corridor—There was a currently a tense atmosphere
”Mononobe What on earth happened?”
”Yuu, you look like you're in so much pain”
Dressed in yukatas, Iris and Tia inquired with puzzled voices
Midgard's principal, Charlotte, had organized a fireworks party The staff had opened stalls for everyone to enjoy, but soirls to be confused by the pained expression on my face
”Mononobe-kun, you clearly said you were going toto Mitsuki But you never came”
”We were so worried about you two”
Also dressed in yukatas, Firill and Lisa spoke Then Ariella and Ren also stared at me seriously
”What happened to your important conversation?”
”Mm Onii-chan, tell us”
Jeanne and shi+on also went ”Captain” and ”Papa” respectively, nodding to urge me to explain
”—Looks like my mother already knohat happened”
Kili narrowed her eyes and looked at Vritra, as beside me
In addition to the students of Brynhildr Class, shi+nomiya-sensei and Mica-san were also in my room
They were looking in surprise at Mitsuki as sleeping on the bed and Vritra andon the side Since I had suddenly called everyone over on my portable terminal, this was only to be expected I still had not told them the situation
Principal Charlotte was apparently occupied so she sent Mica-san to come on her behalf
Currently, a heavy silence shrouded the room There was no sound outside the dorm either
After the fireworks, night at Midgard had returned to its usual serenity
Having enjoyed the festivities, the students began to return to the girls doran to pack up
Before replying to Iris' question, I first checked on Mitsuki's condition on the bed
Apologizing nonstop, exhausted fro, Mitsuki had fallen asleep only just earlier If possible, I wanted to take her so, I must not leave her side
It was iin to devour Mitsuki again—
That darkness, invading Mitsuki's body andVritra called ”end matter”
Recalling that darkness that was even blacker than night, I looked up at everyone present
”Please stay calm and listen quietly to what I have to say, so that we avoid waking up Mitsuki First of all, this is about 'true dragons' and the ninth calamity”
Saying that, I shi+ftedI had heard from Tia and Vritra but had not informed the others To allow everyone to comprehend Mitsuki's condition, it was necessary to start from there
”Yuu”
Tia called ravity of the situation The others also waited quietly for me to continue
To reassure Tia, I nodded and began to speak
Leviathan, Basilisk, Hraesvelgr, Yggdrasil, Vritra—The dragons we had fought in the past were all counterdragons, born to fight ”true dragons”—great calalobal scale Charlotte's Code Acht and the Code Lost held byhuhth calamity, in check—
And the next great calamity was perhaps already imminent
Listening to these row restless However, I explained to them the fact that a new authority would arise to oppose this calamity
And the being possessing this authority was ”Neun” In other words, the ninth counterdragon
Perhaps Neun was me—Mononobe Yuu
”True dragons and counterdragons Even if you suddenly tell us about all this, ill only end up even more confused”
Lisa sighed with her forehead against her hand Firill nodded too with undisguised puzzlement
”Hrown somber Oh well, we already knew you were no ordinary D, Mononobe-kun, back when you selected us, but”
Next, Iris cried out in a realization
”Oh—Then when you touched us, Mononobe turning us into your kind, does that also on species too?”
”Yes—Indeed 'tis so Undoubtedly, ye could be considered Neun”
The one who answered Iris' question was not me but Vritra Kili mocked her
”That was my intention from the very start I've always believed Yuu to be Neun and understood what it meant to be his mate Mother, you were the one who refused to believe”
”Hmm I had my own reasons Nevertheless, I confess that I have erred on this er any reason to doubt this person of being Neun”
Vritra replied to Kili in a slight sulk, then lightly tappedbeside her
Seeing this, Kili frowned
”Since you are asserting so strongly, Mother, it ht?”
Saying that, she looked at Mitsuki on the bed
Judging from the situation, it was quite easy to associate this ”reason” with the matter of Mitsuki
”Mononobe-kun, you've been together with Mitsuki all this time?”
”Onii-chan Where were you two during the fireworks?”
Looking at Mitsuki, Ariella and Ren asked me
”I was talking to Mitsuki on the beach At the tie suddenly occurred to Mitsuki”
I clenched my fist and answered
Next, shi+on, as originally staying next to Jeanne, ran over to and looked up at me in worry
”Papa, aRe yOU oKaY?”
”Yeah, I'm okay”
I unclenched my fist an patted shi+on on the head
Noas not the tiret Mitsuki was the one in true pain What I should be doing noas to tell everyone the whole story and ask for their help so that Mitsuki could be saved
Perhaps, these thoughts and actions caet it for now
Stroking shi+on's hair, I looked up and saw shi+noirls
Starting froaze across Mica-san and everyone else—slowly co my words
”In hindsight, the ninth cala inside Mitsuki the whole tio, that darkness seeped out and almost devoured Mitsuki Vritra called it 'end matter'”
Everyone gasped
In sequence, I told the speechless girls what had happened on the beach
Suddenly in horrendous pain, Mitsuki's hand had turned auous in outline and corrupted by pitch blackness Just as the darkness was devouring Mitsuki, I touched her, causingthe darkness away
”—The blue light caused Mitsuki's body to return to normal However, the end matter scattered outside turned into pitch-black hu the power of Code Lost”
I omitted the detail that the shadows looked like Mitsuki's parents Although I had no intention of keeping secrets Even though Mitsuki was currently asleep, this was not so I could talk about without her presence
And right nohat agonized Mitsuki and me the most hether my wish to protect Mitsuki came sincerely from the heart In other words, it was a personal issue between the two of us Discussing this with anyone would have to be left until later
”I definitely encountered the ninth cala that car accident which killed Mitsuki's parents—I encountered the darkness of end matter at the ti Neun's authority, but froan to lurk inside Mitsuki”
I paused at this point Next to me, Vritra took a step forward and said:
”According to the prophesy I received froht to be on's arrival However, Mononobe Mitsuki's transformation into Neun hath ended the ninth cala fro, 'tis still possible to suppress it Be that as it may, I cannot say for sure ill happen next Hence, I wish to enlist assistance frodrasil's successor”
Looking at everyone in turn, Vritra finally settled her gaze firmly on Tia
As the new core of Yggdrasil that had turned into Neun too, Tia nodded solemnly
”Tia understands the basic situation now But what should Tia do?”
”I hope thou couldst search the Akashi+c Record for as on—'Disasterification' Apocalypse—as possible, then taking the current situation into account to produce a new prediction of the future”
After listening to Vritra's request, Tia tilted her head in puzzlement
”The seventh calaht now?”
”Kiskanu said that the seventh calareater calahly valuable to comprehend the seventh cala in a higher di in my complete state, and used dark matter to restore the world after the fact Consequently, I did not have a chance to obtain a clear view of the seventh calamity”
Saying this with a depressed expression, Vritra continued
”However, Kiskanu was destroyed by the seventh calaave rise to a new plant network, Yggdrasil Its core consciousness was exceedingly obsessed with prioritizing its own survival, co to listen to mine advice Ostensibly, it was conquered by fear”
”Fear”
Tia gulped and Vritra nodded solemnly
”Indeed—Hence, I wish to know that which Kiskanu witnessed at the moment of its destruction, the true nature of the seventh calamity If this were known, 'twould be possible to find a way to counter the ninth calamity, mayhap”
”Got it Tia will try to contact the Akashi+c Record”
Tia answered with a voice of determination but next to her, Lisa showed an expression of worry
”Tia-san, are you sure? Wouldn't there be possible danger unless you approach this cautiously?”
”Yes, so Tia wants to concentrate inside the bedroo Tia, if possible”
Slightly hesitant, Tia looked up at Lisa
”—Certainly, if I can be of assistance I wanted to accompany you in the first place Rest assured”
Lisa gently stroked Tia's head then looked at me
”Mononobe Yuu, Tia-san an I shall excuse ourselves for now Although I have yet to come to terms with the whole affair I entrust Mitsuki-san to your care”
”Yes—I got it”
Enduring the severe pain in reed with Lisa
”However, you are not allowed to be reckless”
Did Lisa feel concerned abouta final reminder, she left the room with Tia
With the shutting sound of the door, the rooain Next, Iris spoke up hesitantly
”U-U we can do? How can we save Mitsuki-chan?”
”Iris, well”
Unable to suggest any concrete action, I could only grit my teeth How to save Mitsuki, what to do fro yet
However, Vritra tugged atmy silence
”My coht to do is to keep Mononobe Mitsuki co Mononobe Mitsuki herself—Endas two possessors of Neun's authority are present Hence, 'twould be wise if ye were to take shi+fts to remain by her side”
”Vritra-chan Yes, I got it! Then let's take turns to watch over Mitsuki-chan!”
Saying that, Iris approached me
”Let me have the first shi+ft Mononobe, you should take a bit of a break You seem so tired”
Iris urged seriously but I could not bring ree
”No, since I'm the only one who has actually used Neun's authority I can't leave Mitsuki's side—”
However, the others began to speak as though to drown out my words
”This is your room, Mononobe-kun I think it's best if you rest on the sofa over there, since you'll be able to know i happened”
Firill pointed to the sofa in the rooreed
”We'll take turns to watch Mitsuki, don't worry”
”Me shi+fts to keep watch over the night”
Listening to thehtly
”No helping it I will help out too since there's nothing for me to do until Tia finishes her task It seems like a nice chance to chat with Yuu Well then, Iris-chan, I' the first shi+ft to you”
”Yes, leave it to me!”
Iris clenched her fist hard and nodded
Thus, after Firill and the other girls left the room, shi+nomiya-sensei and Mica-san also walked to the door
”Mononobe Yuu, we shall go report the situation to the principal Mononobe Mitsuki is supposed to be sent underground for isolation and detailed exa as said just noe conclude that it is not the time to separate you two For the purpose of isolation, this dor the sao out until we contact you and watch over her well”
Holding the doorknob, shi+nomiya-sensei finished Mica-san also spoke:
”Mononobe-san, we entrust her care to you However, just as Iris-san and the others have suggested, you should rest for a while”
”Yes, I understand”
I nodded and saw the two of them off
”Umm, Captain, Zwei is already”
At that moment, Jeanne, who had been silent all this ti her eyes, about to fall asleep
”She's already sleepy, right? I' Take shi+on back to your room, Jeanne”
The conversation just noas probably a bit too hard for shi+on to understand I smiled wryly
”Roger that Sorry I am just an ordinary person without special powers I cannot aid you in this matter, Captain”
”Don't worry about this kind of stuff Jeanne, you're working hard as shi+on's surrogate mother This is an i rateful for that”
I thanked Jeanne apologetically Staying in the rooorously
”That's right! Jeanne-chan, you don't need to push yourself Just think of shi+on-chan”
”—Thank you Then let's go, Zwei”
S with a reassured look, Jeanne took shi+on's hand
”Yawn Papa gOoD niGHt”
”Yeah, goodnight”
Waving to ht
After she left the roo were the four of us— on the bed
”An ordinary person without special powers?”
Looking at the doorway through where Jeanne had left, Vritra ht
”You see”
Vritra s look at her
”No, what oneto differ would be the implication that huarded with hostility by Gaia twice, as the second and the eighth calamities, could not possibly be ordinary, could it?”
It looked like Jeanne's cohtly and continued
”—Furthermore, she definitely possesseth a pair of extraordinary eyes, yes?”
”Yeah, that's true Jeanne's eyes are definitely not ordinary”
Vritra's question made me nod stiffly
Capable of capturing all objects within her field of view and discerning theifted Sleipnir was a team assembled from people like her
”The saons—Exceptional abilities do not exist without reason Perhaps her abilities were inherited froin? 'Tis this that I am curious”
Saying that, Vritra shrugged and turned her back to me
”You're going back to your room too, Vritra?”
”Nay, I intend to have a look at Tia Lightning's condition Though I have informed her in detail of the type of information she needeth, one would presume that the extraction of data from the Akashi+c Record must be difficult indeed”
Shaking her head, Vritra left my room
Thud After the door closed, the roo soundly, hence, it was as though Iris and I were alone together
”Oh, umm, Iris”
Noticing I was obliged to say so to Iris, I composed my words
”W-What is it?”
The cowardly aura e herself, she asked in response
””
However, I failed to continue My thoughts could not cohed
”Nothing, really I guess I'm a bit tired”
Resting ainst my hand, I shook my head Iris frowned in worry
”Are you okay, Mononobe? I'll watch over Mitsuki-chan properly, so get some rest, Mononobe”
Saying that, she pushedme to the sofa
”Hey—”
I reacted with a confused voice, but Iris ignoredme on the sofa, she moved a chair to the side of the bed and sat down
”Until Firill-chan comes for the next shi+ft, I'll stay awake on watch for sure! So don't you worry”
Iris asserted forcefully and turned her face towards Mitsuki on the bed Seeing Iris stare unblinkingly at Mitsuki, I smiled wryly
”Got it, I'ht fall ill too if you push yourself too hard, so relax a bit”
”Yes, okay”
Seeing Iris start taking deep breaths, I lay down on the sofa Only then did I notice I was still wearing a yukata However, deciding I could change later, I switched to a more comfortable posture on the sofa
After I reclined sideways to the right, the bed enteredthe sleeping Mitsuki with a serious look on her face
Watching the side of her face, the words that I had been unable to compose earlier naturally surfaced in my mind
Yes—This matter must be conveyed to Iris
”Iris”
”What is it?”
After I called her name, Iris took her eyes off Mitsuki, but asked while still keeping the same posture
”Mitsuki asked me She wanted me to tell her the answer to the question as to as the dearest to me She only hoped for me to make a decision rather than a choice—That was the idea”
Without touching upon explanations about the ninth dragon, I talked about ”my personal issue”
”To make a decision rather than a choice I see”
After a moment's silence, Iris repeated my words then smiled
”Iris?”
”Oh, okay, sorry—I think I understand so I' a mistake”
Gazing at Mitsuki on the bed with gentle eyes, Iris replied
”Mistake?”
”The current situation, our relationshi+ps, your inner self, Mononobe, she si any of these—That's what I think I'm the same too I want to understand you better, Mononobe”
Iris answered with a blush, but she continued to speak while staying in her posture withouteye contact with me
”However, I already knohat Mitsuki-chan wanted to find out Mononobe, you replied that Mitsuki-chan is the dearest to you, right?”
”How do you know that?”
When I asked in surprise, Iris scratched her face
”I know this much at least, because you are the one I love”
”—”
The straightforward confession caused my face to heat up
”Mononobe, you said you lovedis not a lie I already knehen you selected me—However, if the question ho is the most important to you, Mitsuki-chan will definitely come to your mind I feel that this is on a different level than si someone”
”Iris—Looks like you know me better than myself”
S wryly, I made fun of myself
On a different level than si someone That was definitely true
”That's right, it's just as you said, Iris My reply to Mitsuki was that she was the dearest to me But that apparently steon”
Covering my face with my hands, I spoke stiffly
”Eh?”
”That darkness—The ninth calamity is sealed inside Mitsuki That's why I've been instinctively protecting Mitsuki, according to Vritra Mitsuki also heard this already”
My voice treized to me endlessly
”N-No way—”
”To be honest, I haven't put s in order yet I can't tell which emotions come from myself and which ones are out of Neun's instincts It's precisely because I' to Mitsuki”
I bit ripped my heart
”Mononobe”
”Sorry, I' to discuss this with you I'll find the answer on my own, but it's just that I feel that I must tell you about this That's why—”
Unable to think of words to continue, I stopped there
The roo, I heard Iris' whisper
”Yes—I believe in you If it's you, Mononobe, things will surely work out”
Part 3
Somehow, I fell asleep
I openedafter my nap
So sleepy—I really wanted to remain in the land of dreams
However Strangely, my body felt heavy
As for where this weight careeted by the sight before me
”Gu”
A petite red-haired girl—Ren Miyazaas sleeping on top of me She was curled up like a cat, soundly asleep
Having changed, she earing her usual uniform instead of a yukata
What on earth was happening? I looked waround then noticed Ariella sitting on the chair next to the bed
Having taken over Iris' seat, Ariella had been watching the sleeping Mitsuki the whole time
I shi+fted htly and the sofa sank down This sound prompted Ariella to look over
”Oh, Mononobe-kun—You woke up Hmm Are you okay like that?”
S wryly, Ariella rose up fro onthere on the sofa, I looked at Ariella
”It'd be great if you could explain the current situation”
When I asked, Ariella scratched her cheek aardly
”U”
”Why?”
Unable to comprehend, I asked
”Well, Ren and I are roommates—Since I came over here, it ht?”
”Yeah, but what's the problem there?”
I frowned and looked up at Ariella Then glancing at Ren, she knelt down next to me and whispered in my ear
”I hope you'll keep this a secret But Ren is scared of sleeping alone She can't sleep like that”
Ariella spoke with an expression as though revealing an important secret But for Ren, perhaps this really was strictly confidential
”—I see, I get it now I'll pretend I never heard the previous exchange But I can't believe she chose to sleep on top of me out of all places”
Sighing, I looked at the soundly sleeping Ren Inside my room, the only places to sleep co on me should not be very comfy
”Ren is able to sleep anywhere as long as she's by the side of so Your heartbeat allows her to relax and fall asleep straight away As expected of Ren's 'Onii-chan'”
Now that she pointed it out, indeed, Ren's ear was pressed against the left side ofher red hair softly, I looked at Ariella again
”I'er sleep in this posture I'ently without waking her up?”
”Got it Leave it to me”
Ariella nodded and used her arot off the sofa and stood up to stretch Despite her petite size, having a person's entire weight on me still made me stiff and unco that, I looked at Mitsuki sleeping on the bed
”How is Mitsuki doing?”
I whispered to Ariella, as poking Ren's cheeks while she was sleeping on the sofa
”She woke up once when Firill was on watch, but she i a scene”
”She woke up once, huh—Uh, what's the time now?”
Since it was dark outside the , I had no sense of the passage of ti 4a
”Mononobe-kun, you slept for allad you woke up before Kili's shi+ft If you were still sleeping, I's”
Ariella spoke withlast tiht
”No, you probably don't need to worry about that If it's Kili, I'll definitely wake up the ”
I smiled wryly and shookuard up against Against anyone dangerous, I had full confidence in my ability to wake up immediately to handle the situation
”Very well But I get the feeling you et swayed by the situation even if you're careful, Mononobe-kun—”
””
Unable to deny her words, I could not say anything
”I said it before, Mononobe-kun, but you need to pull yourself together Especially against Kili, you have to be more assertive”
Arms akimbo, Ariella cautioned me
”But she's not soht?”
”That's where you're wrong I think she'd go along with your demands, Mononobe-kun, if you're forceful Rather, she'd be happy about it”
”H-Happy?”
The unexpected word left ly
”She is similar to me in some ways, so I know Kili probably likes a partner who's better and stronger than her So on a basic level, she's a passive person, or rather, she wants to be led”
”A passive person In other words, she's a masochist?”