Chapter 6 (1/2)

Chapter 6

Ice Princess/Four Fiends

Part 1

Having passed through the unusual fusumu that had appeared at Toujou Sae’s house, Tobio and Lavinia had been invited to the building serving as headquarters for the Utsuseency

As soon as they set foot there, they were surrounded by a crowd of fellow class their numbers, it could be estimated that there were scores of them at least With a at the number that had previously surrounded Sae’s house, in all likelihood, it was possible to assu people who had been made into Utsusemi were here Of course, since it was possible to revive the monsters like was done with Sasaki previously there was seely no end to them……

The figures of adults wearing business suits were frequently seen ……The ency s like binding tokens to their hands, or otherwise carrying so like talismans ……It see supernatural power

The blood lust of the ency members turned towards them

In this situation, Hi s

“——Welcoency headquarters, no, hidden base”

With nothing e by such an invitation

Regarding Tobio and Lavinia, their hands were then placed into handcuffs and restrained That which is typically called handcuffs, they are equivalent to blocks of iron with holes in theical sequences written on them ……Likely because of that, as soon as his hands were cuffed, irresistible chills ran down his entire body Si since before——the spiritual link seely weakened

……As for the aforee behind Tobio and coe carrier that was being pushed by a e had the same pattern written on it as the handcuffs Just as Tobio was abiding by his current handcuffed state, Jin was also not resisting, and was just cale However, those deep crierous raw hostility It was apparent through this aspect that he would flare up at le word from Tobio

Passing throughauthorization, the place the two people and one animal were lead——was a vast chamber

It was a strange scene with countless of what appeared to cultivation tanks lined up—— The cultivation tanks were connected to capsules laid out horizontally Throughout this room there were cultivation tanks and capsules visible everywhere

Hiressed down a prepared path between the cultivation tanks

“Take a proper look at this”

Urging hiaze towards a cultivation tank Thereupon, within the green liquid——he noticed a hu in there It appeared to be the saedones had been placed within them side by side

“This is……!!”

Hi for Tobio, for ords had failed

“Those in here, they are the relatives of the boys and girls ere turned into Utsusemi”

“——!!”

Tobio beca truth So these were the parents and siblings of his class? In reality, they’d been brought here and placed inside these things……

Himejima Hanezu spoke to Tobio

“You were already aith how the experih School students’ faed residence I believe? They are all currently here”

……As expected, all of his classmates’ relatives were here In that case, Sae’s parents should be here—— As Tobio was looking around Hi

“Anyway, for the sake of the ongoing exa the artificial Sacred Gear can cause irregularities in the experimental body’s mind and body In order to coenetic relation——blood relatives were necessary For those that beco the Utsuses, are used to supplement the recovery Periodically the experimental body will have to spend a day in these capsules in order to preserve their ability ……It seems the technique is not yet perfected”

For their class those artificial independent avatar type Sacred Gears——those monsters, produced such a demerit? And the relatives were assembled to compensate for that……

They carried this secretive large scale experiment, all for the sake of the Four Fiends Project——to steal the abilities of Natsume and Samejima, and make use of them to triumph over those people from the Clans……

……So it would appear that this is the purpose of the Utsuse with them, is the true purpose of the traitor in the Governor General’s organization and one Lavinia is pursuing soht That black lion he had seen at Sae’s house, it was clear that though it resembled the Utsusemi, it was a different kind of existence

In other words, the experi performed here, it appeared that, for each of the 233, they were the result of intersecting goals ……This was the origin of the dreadful research for the Four Fiends project that was being carried out here The Governor General and Lavinia were trying to prevent this Speaking of which, Lavinia was looking around the cha displayed here appeared unpleasant

Tobio and Lavinia were then urged on, and they entered an elevator The elevator descended As they steadily descended, “Where in the world are we descending to?” Tobio was compelled to ask as the elevator came to a stop

They advanced together with the agencythee double doors There was a solemn sound as the chief opened it

The interior——was a huge empty room The cha except lighting, and no hout

The agency members positioned Tobio and Lavinia in the center of the roo Jin beside them

The other agencythe walls, as Hi the two people and one animal

“This rooh to serve as a nuclear bomb shelter There’s not even the smallest chance of collapse due to impact”

He then took so like a flat rele button Thereupon, Jin’s cage was released The black puppy leapt from inside The instant Jin was released he ceased his quiet surveillance, and raising a lol, threatened Himejima Hanezu

He continued while s with his lips

“That is to say, even if there were some kind of disturbance in here, it wouldn’t particularly affect the research facility up above”

Hi it horizontally, the part that was stored away extended revealing a shakujou (TN: Also known as a Khakkhara, a staff used in Buddhiss on the end)

“Now then, Ikuse Tobio For just a bit, why don’t you amuse me in here?”

Hi the tip of the shakujou at Tobio

“——Do set that ‘Dog’ on me”

Si his hands released and dropped to the floor At thatpower spread fro Tobio’s supernatural ability and Jin’s power, he realized their awareness had synchronized

Just in case, for the sake of confirlanced around the roo the ‘Blade fro forth, the conditions of this place were poor As far as that was concerned, it should be sufficient for them to appear from the shadow at his opponent’s feet……it seemed he had predicted such a move However, with the exception of that deadly offensive technique there was nothing else he could do as of the present

Lavinia drew close, speaking in a whisper

“……Since it’s come to this, I will assist you so froate Toby’s true abilities But if I were to lend Toby a hand here——”

While speaking, Lavinia glanced over at Sae

“……Since that ate her to become serious, for noill merely watch attentively”

Driven by doubt over how she would reician, he realized that the solution ainst the Buddhisther, or so he arbitrarily interpreted it Rather than this, he was gladdened by her concern for Sae

Based on what Lavinia said, it appeared an all-out battle against the that the other party’s ression would lead to a dreadful reality beyond expectations

Since the handcuffs binding Lavinia had yet to release and drop off, Tobio called out to his partner

“……Jin”

Si called, from the puppy’s forehead a katana——a protuberance exactly like a japanese sword sprouted During his three days of intensive training, Tobio had named the protuberance that appears frolish word)

Facing Jin frorown, Tobio issued his command

“CHARGE!”

Together with this cry Jin transforh speed bullet and advanced towards Himeji in his hand gave off a pale light, repelling Jin’s attack That shakujou he was holding took the lethal attack fro, and wasn’t jostled either so it clearly was soth had been supernaturally enhanced

With his body having been freed Jin was able to engage in high speed coardless of Jin’spursuit with the blades fro a blade from the tail, all of them were parried by the shakujou

……As expected, ordinary attacks are of no concern to him In that case——

“——HAKEN!”

Hearing Tobio’s command Jin’s red eyes shone ominously At that instant, out of the shadows at Hiantic Blade appeared ——It was the ‘Blade fro over the past three days, although there was a lie and a restriction on the point of appearance, it became possible to use this technique to some extent

He had given it a naht Hook} (TN: Apparently Haken is German for hook)

Regarding this na from nearby,

“It’s a valuable skill Enough that it deserves a nas from the shadows, the form of a distorted hook……”

For a short while, he pondered it until speaking——

“——The hook of dark night, Night Haken is what it should be called, you agree?”

And thus it was na an embarrassed face, the troublesoestion, and it had been accepted Fro instructions to Jin verbally was advantageous in so like a name was essential

He attacked Hih he had coh into the air, and evaded the extending Blade While evading, he swung the shakujou horizontally and shattered the blade that had grown from the shadow!

……With the power residing in that shakujou, even sht Haken is easy? For Tobio, this information, as far as his combination with Jin was concerned, was quite severe That is to say, unless he can reliably stab that guy’s body, there’s no way to bring him down

……However, Tobio did not yet possess the cohtered Utsusemi monsters But, even if they possessed supernatural power, he was not prepared to murder an actual person

Even so Tobio was co a swift end to absurd affair For the sake of rescuing Sae——

“Jin! Again!”

Once again a blade was born from beneath Hile strike with the shakujou, easily breaking it Without giving up he fired off Night Haken over and over, but those were also dodged, all broken without landing a direct hit

Suddenly, Hian glowing hter

“HA!”

With that condition, together with his yell he swung the shakujou horizontally Thereupon, froht at Tobio The instant it was about to score a direct hit, fro the shape of a shi+eld was struck by the bullet of light This was a defensive technique he’d acquired during his three days of intensive training The danger with Sacred Gears such as Jin, this was a plan to overcome the case where Tobio who is the master was attacked personally——as a defensive technique, a broad blade would be projected from the shadow at Tobio’s feet to serve as a shi+eld

——But, together with a sharp cracking sound the Night Haken that was a shi+eld was sht, it s, and Tobio’s body was bloay by the resulting shock

“GAHA!”

His entire body having been equally struck by the force of the blow, Tobio was thrown onto his back on the floor Due to the aftershock of the light bullet, as well as the dahout his entire body

Writhing in pain to the point of being short of breath……he ai the floor, before he was struck by the follow up attack that was pursuing hi consciousness, and started to rise to his feet

……Due to the pain fro hi in his legs hasn’t stopped, however, nevertheless, he directed his gaze at his opponent as he faced Himejima Hanezu

Regarding his opponent——right as he perceived his glaring eyes, he abruptly smiled

“……As expected, it’s like this huh? This ‘Dog’, as of yet is hasn’t tasted the blood of man has it?”

He continued while pointing the tip of the shakujou at Jin

“Ikuse Tobio, regarding the sharpness of your——that ‘Dog’s attack, it is precisely that you lack the resolution In other words, that attack was docile”

As though seeing through Tobio’s emotions, Himejima Hanezu stated this

“……You who is thea hu caution to the black ‘Dog’ that is your Sacred Gear see its attack to become blunt”

…………

He had gained an understanding of their behavior Indeed, it was as he had said, Tobio——was hesitating with his attacks so as not to kill his hu this, with the connection ofday by day it was impossible for this to have not been transmitted to Jin

Presently, it seemed that Himejima Hanezu’s skill as a supernatural power user was superior to his own However, the case of Jin releasing murderous intent towards him fro At least in regards to that shakujou, it should nor it cleanly in two

With each of theht to hi, if he were unable to control Jin’s attack, it would reach a situation where his opponent——a hu would be killed…… It was okay it an Utsusemi monster was his opponent, it was fine if it that clay doll was his opponent, but—— To be able to pull that off against a person, against a being with hu them be okay?

——Regarding himself, he merely wanted to rescue Sae and his classmates

This alone was his deterht For that he seemed ready for any number of Utsusemi opponents It was the same for his comrades For this Jin had also steadily attained power However, if the opponent was a person……

If he were to beco arrived at this thought——

‘Is it okay if I make Jin a murderer?’

It was at this point——

Having arrived at this final entle

Tobio bit his lip, shedding tears of regret ……Having arrived at this point, having penetrated his eneht before his eyes……until ‘that’ finalin resolution

To the side Lavinia, perceiving Tobio’s true intentions, bowed her head

With a look of pity Himejima Hanezu spoke to Tobio

“……Noe ht it be the ominous Jin instead?”

Letting such words slip from his mouth, Himejima Hanezu approached Tobio ——It was at that moment

I a solemn sound, the door to this space opened a second time

Passing through it, there was an elderly foreign woested that she was in the latter half of her sixties, while the sharp glint in her eye and her upright posture seeure of an elderly woh out of a fantasy tale

Arriving froothic style attire who seemed to be her attendant Unlike the elderly woht atmosphere However, her clothes were also purple

The elderly woman spoke

“Chief engineer-dono, wouldn’t you say that you’ve had enough fun already?”

Hi out a sigh

“This witch-dono For her to arrive here”

The elderly woman, with a smooth stride, quickly strode towards Tobio

“Since I also wanted to see this ——The alleged ‘Dog’”

——she said, turning towards Jin, greatly interested

…………!!!

……Tobio, from the side, abruptly sensed an instant increase in pressure It was natural Having attentively watched the fight between hi previously unseen hostility at the elderly woman who had been called ‘witch’

……Indeed, ‘witch’ With the appearance of an elderly woman…… In all likelihood, this wo

Noticing Lavinia’s stinging look, the elderly wohed

“——Oh my, certainly, this child is the assassin from ‘Grau Zauberer’”

The elderly woman stood before Lavinia’s eyes, her eyes narrowed, and spoke with a pleased expression

“It’s been awhile, ‘Ice Princess’ Lavinia”

Lavinia spoke in annoyance

“……’Purple Flausta, you were the collaborator? I see, it is only natural I would be the one sent after such a ‘Great Magician’ such as you”

“There are also such remarks that has beenthe ‘Ice’ to pursue the ‘Flame’……”

The pair each glared at each other It could clearly be said that in the at issued the seeht and elderly woht wound around their respective bodies

The agency members present——even Himejima Hanezu merely furrowed their eyebrows at their confrontation

However, the one who destroyed this at on the spot, the one who interrupted the elderly wo The one who had acco Lavinia and the elderly woman in amusement, inquired of the elderly woman

“Oshi+-sama, Oshi+-sama, who is that child? She’s completely adorable kyun kyun♪” (TN: shi+ or Oshi+ is a way of addressing one’s teacher or mentor)

The woirl’s speech and conduct

“……Good grief, you don’t read the at miss, she’s with the aforementioned fair-haired chairman Pheles”

Hearing that, the girl clapped her hands together with delight

“Wow♪ That’s airl)”

The elderly woirl

“This girl is a”

“Nice to meet you♪”

The girl who had been introduced as Walburga innocently waved at Lavinia

A everyone present there with a troubled response, Lavinia merely hid her face, such was the impact of the tone in which she had spoken

“……If confirh”

Steadily, steadily, a cold wave spread throughout the rooht chill, the te little by little There was even white breath being exhaled Everyone was closely observing the source of this drop in atmospheric temperature

Indeed, fro released——

Tobio abruptly recalled that time in the department store Natsume and Lavinia, over the previous communication had definitely conversed about this

——If it has become like this, I will just “freeze” them then

——Th-that’s to done as a last resort This whole place ht become frozen over I would think This! Demise Girl {Indiscriminate Ice Princess}!

……Was this what they were talking about?

Cheerfully watching as Lavinia released cold air, the elderly wousta enquired of Himejima Hanezu

“……Chief engineer-dono, I have just one question for you……how irl?”

“……We applied spell equations that have been passed down by each of the Five Principal Clans respectively……”

Saying only that roaned

“……Indeed, was that not enough?”

“Yeah, it was insufficient Unless it was ten ti miss”

A dry hout the vast space—— The handcuffs restraining Lavinia’s hands had developed a crack More cracks appeared after the first, and were spreading——

“——That is roughly it”

It shattered with fragments scattered all over the floor Lavinia’s blue eyes——were dark, the color having become like that of the ocean depths

With her wrists now having been freed, Lavinia let out a white breath And then, from those tiny lips, a curse that did not appear to be of the living world was leaked out

<——from eternal=”” sleep,=”” awaken=”” and=”” thus,=”” the=”” fools=”” shall=”” sleep=”” for=”” eternity——=””>>

The cold air——congregated Alongside Lavinia, a vortex of frozen air was being gathered There, si form The ice appeared to be made up of hands, feet, a torso, and a head placed on top

“——This is my honorable puppet”

What was born beside Lavinia, it was a princess made of ice—— About threea dress However, those looks were not those of a human With neitherfro It had four arms, all of which were thin However, in contrast with those thin are

This is……a Sacred Gear, isn’t it? Tobio was unable to judge, but he could at least say that rather than ic, it seemed likely that this was the embodiment of Lavinia’s will

Seeing that strange princess of ice figure, the elderly woh of admiration

“……One of the thirteen, Absolute Deirl would be endoith the incarnation said to overthrow even God……”

Augusta’s gaze turned to Tobio

“……Could it be said that they attracted each other?”

“It certainly ht be possible”

To Lavinia’s re

“Interesting Truly interesting Azazel and Mephisto already have a hand in this as well”

Fro there abruptly appeared a winding pillar of violet fla, it beca the room

<——the anointed=”” one=”” was=”” fastened=”” to=”” the=”” cursed=”” cross=”” by the=”” high=”” priest=”” of=”” the=”” purple=”” flames,=”” the=”” sacrifice is=”” enflamed=””>>

The old wo a curse

The purple flaed for to in the sae crucifix foriant of fresh flaiant’s heroic hand was raised a cross ure, its size seeht

Lavinia and Augusta were each standing beside what could be called their respective alter egos which were squaring off against each other

……A princess of ice, a blazing giant shouldering a crucifix, could these be independent avatar types? If they are, not just co until now, their nature is also completely difference to our own Sacred Gears They also see While those all resey, it seey that had been fashi+oned into human form

Tobio, gulping, could only attentively watch the humanoids of ice and fire that were before him

Augusta showed a daring smile

“My giant made of purple flames or your Ice Princess, to melt, or perhaps to freeze, which shall be the outcome of this match?”

The elderly wonaled to Himejima Hanezu

“Chief engineer-dono, don’t you think it would be a good idea if you left this place? As it would see myself to involve your side with our side’s affairs”

Augusta pointed upwards with her finger

“——Isn’t there so up above that you need to take care of?”

Hearing this one line, Hi their feelings he quickly unsealed the doorway, and let them out of the room

Hi to the elderly woman

“……I will moderately rely on you”

Doing as he was told, he left that place

——He was taking Sae

Tobio, his body heavily da knees, soain observed Lavinia and Augusta