Vol 10 Chapter 5 (1/2)
A Day For You 02
Against the surface of the air filter, the sandstorm continued to swirl
On the opposite end of the sand and grit, the h in the sky
With alround sparsely lit only by decorative lights, the area seemed to sink into darkness
Within that, bathed in thestrong, but gradually weakening With the ebbing of the howling, the sky over Zuellni stopped There was nothing that could answer In that place where shadows stoodof a sound could be heard
Only buildings whose rooftops were cast in the shadow of the Departe were nearby In the vicinity, there were no housing facilities What was there was thedistrict, in which warehouses stored produce Crops which received a surface security check here would then at some point be passed to thethat could be heard suddenly began to move
From somewhere that looked to be underneath, in the next moment the shadow disappeared from that spot
◇
”A thief in the produce warehouse?”
After being called first thing in the h of course, he knehat a thief was
”More ilary attempt?”
In response, Formed had a troubled smile on his face The place was Zuellni's only established City Police Station While sipping tea served in the break-roo, Layfon looked at Naruki who stood next to Formed
”It isn't as if there wasn't a thief, but”
With so the lines of hesitation in his words, Forue of a sleepless night
Zuellni was an acade there were students It wasn't as if there were any adults there, but they did not havetheir studies, upperclassht the underclass and research That was Zuellni's way
Concurrently, there were also other cities Foregoing changes in economics, a disparity of wealth would occur There were also those who failed in business Though they were not officially recognized, ga houses also existed If they were cheated, there would be those ould rush to the City Police
Though only temporary, in the confusion caused by a robbery, it wasn't as if there was no one chasing after the thief
But of course, as Zuellni was an academy city, the city's reason for existence was for the students The city's econoraduation So that students didn't lose their senses for living in another city, simulations of their futures were established as a major premise
Therefore, relief measures were enacted
The loss of assets, those who declared bankruptcy received financial support from the student council
Of course this aid had to be repaid, and if they weren't, graduation certifications would not be granted While there were those ere held back due to not paying, they were few
At any rate, those enrolled in Zuellni never faced starvation due to financial proble, it was reasonable that cases of theft with student culprits were rare
Particularly, theft of comestibles was seldom heard of
”Why break into the produce warehouse”
Layfon went right to the probleh Layfon hadn't even been at Zuellni for a year, he still had a sufficient understanding of it Before enrolling, he investigated the scholarshi+p system and came to understand them both
”If it's about the robbery details, they're easy to understand”
While Formed muttered that piece of information, he drank from his own tea
Up until now, Layfon's classmate, Naruki, continued to stand motionlessly nearby
”So, as stolen?”
”Nothing was stolen in this case To be more accurate, it was an attempt”
”Huh?”
As a military artist, it was as if Layfon became a necessary companion, and that was probably why he was called There were military artists in the city police Maybe it was due to Zuellni's academic traditions, but in the Military Arts Department, those ere known as elites were also platoon members Normally these individuals did not show interest in the typical activities of the city police
However, there were tieted by people froroups skilled military artists would be present For those instances, there were platoons members ould temporarily assist the city police
Be that as it may, it was a short-term job unique to the Military Arts department
Layfon, at his classmate Naruki's behest, found himself in that situation
”What is it?”
For that reason he was called; however, it was just a burglary atte was stolen, it wasn't as if they couldbus
”Well, hold on”
Formed stopped the bewildered Layfon
”The problem lies with the contents of the assailed warehouse”
”Contents?”
”You know, don't you? Toht say that I do knoever”
It was apparently a day where one receives sweets frooodwill Though it was originally the custom of another city, companies in the Business Department involved in confectioneries had learned of it and had ca of those at an age most interested in love, Zuellni's students received Van Allen's Day with fervor and an advertising struggle had grown considerably since last year
”So, what about it?”
”With the Business Depart District had obtained several new species of produce and grew them for this day The warehouse that was broken into contained one of those”
”Well”
Even in saying that the ingredients for eted, the exact point was still unclear
”Every raw ingredient contained in the warehouse was examined beforehand Due to the wide variety, it took quite a while, but thankfully a knowledgeable person was there The target was probably the Heartseer Fruit”
”Heartseer Fruit?”
Formed nodded in response
”A confectionery known as Rinka placed the production order, and so the arrange Rinka wanted to use it as their featured product”
”So then why?”
”Originally, Van Allen's Day's roots ca food prepared from the Heartseer fruit was only pered couples In short, presenting food ards to the opposite sex has the sa It seems that the Heartseer Fruit had died out in that city, and so when a person wanted tofor that special someone, they defaulted to sweetsor so I've heard”
”Well”
”Thatis it Why would it be that in Erupa, they would only allow married couples and those soon to be married to eat food prepared fro that all of a sudden”
”There appears to be a stie depends on the circu, it's said to be really convenient”
He tried to conceal it in his voice, but he was grinning broadly Next to hietting what Formed had said, Layfon was also not crude He let out a troubled sort of laughter
”Of course, it needs to be prepared a certain way It seems only alcohol and steeped honey are needed to reency out of the sweet fruit”
After Layfon became troubled at his reply, Formed returned to his former self
”However, that's the effect it has on a normal person On a Military Artist, it has a different use”
For spirit, it causes an abnormal acceleration of Kei flow Other than that, it induces oversensitivity of the nerves, sharpens the senses, etc Compared to that ti drug”
”It can't be”
Just recently, they were coal Kei accelerating drug DG These kinds of things, one after anotherLayfon looked at Forround up until noasn't at all suspicious Besides, it appears that to an extent that effect of the Heartseer Fruit was unknown I don't knohat the people interested in this product are thinking, but we can't leave such a dangerous item be We prohibited its shi+pment, but the probleuard it”
So it seemed
◇
”So, I won't be here to ended, Layfon and Naruki rushed back to the first year building Soed to make it to the first class of the day, and noas noon While eating Meishen's hand- She spoke while Mifi had the straw for her milk still in herfrom the warehouse to the disposal facility toht, and I will be stationed in the vicinity as a guard, so tomorroon't be able to come to school”
Naruki had replied
”It's the long awaited Van Allen's Day too Such a waste”
Mifi removed the straw from the empty milk carton and inserted it into a new one
”You say it's a waste but I don't have anything so it has nothing to do with me”
After Layfon had said that, Mifi and Naruki sih
”? What?”
”No Ah, is that so?”
Looking as though so with a ”Nyahaha” and looked at Naruki
”It's not that way for you, Nakki? A chance to be alone together with the section chief? Perhaps?”
”I won't be doing anything of the sort”
Exhaling, Naruki averted her gaze
”Is that so?”
Hearing this for the first time, Layfon looked to Meishen With the impression of ”What do you think?” she tilted her head
”Nakki likes men who are devoted to work, you know Sooes back and forth between the research lab of the Cultivation Departs Further, you're wrong”
Though Naruki could be called obstinate, that face beca side by side: the short, but stout figure of Formed with the tall and slender physique of Naruki They were polar opposites, or so he thought
”The chief is justue out at her
”Well, I ifting sweets originally has nothing to do with us, right? If not sweets, there's also the route ofsomeone else lunch, you know~?”
”Th, that's true!” Meishen said suddenly in a bright voice, nodding in assent, to which Layfon was astonished
”I, I' Meishen, Naruki and Mifi both sighed
At the end of training at the Military Training Facility, Layfon went to explain the circu his job with the City Police, and considering with that personality, he wasn't sure if anything was going to happen
”I see”
It was their after private training session Nina nodded, wiping away her sith a toith the straw of her sports drink still in her mouth
”If it's like that, that ht?”
Her lips parting from the straw, those words drawn frootten
”That's right”
”I will convey theof it, protecting the cities order is also the responsibility of a military artist”
In the Military Arts Department, while the crippled Zuellni had acadeardless of which city, Military Artists received favorable treat those, but she faced down opposition from her parents and came to Zuellni Without the assistance of her parents, shethe mechanisms to pay for her tuition and expenses, and that lifestyle did not i into the produce warehouse e bunch, huh?”
Nina appears to have becoh thesee in the produce warehouse was targeted, For
Moreover, Nina had been dragged into the incident with the illegal wine the other day
That's why Layfon was keeping silent concerning the i
”H approval”
Uttering that, Nina si as well
Upon washi+ng away his sweat in the shower roo Facility, Layfon headed towards the warehouse district that the produce warehouse was found in The person who structured these insipid, rectangular warehouse left them with a cold atmosphere Within the confines of the warehouse district, there were vehicles for personal use, which would then be used to transport cargo to the nearby trolley Furtheres to various places Those personal-use vehicles were rarely left behind in their designated parking lot, ht The warehouse district is said to be croith people in the earlycargo Standing next to a gate, Naruki held onto the nunated before hand
”Anything?”
Upon inquiring, Naruki shook her head
”No sign ofup the front door of the warehouse opened, revealing a lit area From there, Naruki led the way up a small staircase fronated as a guard's rest area Forlad you're here”
Looking overwhelmed by a lack of time, Formed started and motioned for Layfon to approach the
”That is the afore at the place she was pointing at, not unlike the other warehouses, they were lined up The tag ”D17” was painted on the roof of the warehouse The distinct difference was that the shutters in front were crushed flat
”Provisions are the cities lifeline, and as such, that warehouse was built to be sturdy That also includes the shutters If an explosion occurred, it would still be in fine condition”
Whilst listening to Formed's explanation, Layfon surveyed the shutters It seeh there was a deep, yet tiny depression in the shutters as though it were struck by a fist, and from there concentric circles radiated outward No matter ay it was looked at, it looked to have been broken through blunt impact
”It was a military artist, wasn't it, the one who did this?”
”Couldn't be anything else”
Formed nodded in assent
Next to Formed who had a facial expression as if he had just acquired his resolve, Layfon continued to blankly observe Strengthening his eyesight with Kei, Layfon could see the aftere froe was made from a bloith a fist
(It's so small)
The size of that hand bothered Layfon Whether for an adult or a student, the hand was still on the small side There was still the possibility that it was a male with a sure of a woround in front of the shutters If it were that blow, it wouldn't have been strange to leave a footprint behind However, it seeh that wasn't the case If that is the case, the strike was ile blow fro at that conclusion, Layfon looked elsewhere
”However” Formed let the probleh the shutters After that, the security alar the suspect to flee, but doesn't that see those lines
”It feels like so in at full speed, doesn't it?”
Naruki nodded in assent
”It seeet i or the other feels strange”
Taking a sidelong glance at the quarreling pair as he leaned against the sofa, and closing his eyes so he wouldn't notice the He could take a short rest, or so he thought
The change occured later that night At that time, Layfon was on top of the warehouse's roof He sat on the roof with his legs stretched out and his eyes shut While using Sakkei to hide his presence, Layfon extended the sensation in his hands in all directions, reading disturbances in the at crescent of the , on the thick clouds before it
Upon sensing a disturbance, Layfon opened his eyes Even now, Layfon maintained Sakkei Meanwhile, his Dite remained in its weapon harness If he were to restore it, the Kei would undo his Sakkei In order to not come out of this empty-handed, he kneould have to come to him A presence From where he stood, Layfon looked in its direction It came fro to give the signal Here and there, guards stood, hiding in ith all equip, Layfon suppressed his presence and approached, ju, he suppressed his presence to the point where he couldn't even think of getting caught
(If it's from here, then)
Even if the opponent were to flee, he would pursue Without any feeling of haste, Layfon drew his Dite from its holster The City Police had yet to complete their preparations, after all Until one reached the vicinity of the warehouse building, the ground sloped doard Froht path to the warehouse There was no getting lost on the way to the warehouse
At that time, if all of the hidden police officers in front of warehouse D17 in which Layfon was located were to stand up, there wouldn't be a single stretch of ground left uncovered If the owner of the presence were to run through, they would spread out and cast it over the subject
A net It wasn't just an ordinary net The weights at the end of the nets contained batteries that, once activated, would release an electrical current for ten h the net that would render a body immobile for its duration The ten-minute net spanned the entire roadway, and if even a hint of an intruder would show itself, they would have him covered immediately Meanwhile,
”What the!?”
In response to a piercing shriek co from the police hidden on the roof, Layfon rescinded his Sakkei and restored his Dite A sudden cross wind had caused the net to fall and delayed preparations by an hour That incident gave the short individual the opportunity to escape Layfon allowed his Kei to rise throughout his body in order to inti presence In that instance, that sht forward and fled perpendicular to the front of the warehouse Layfon chased behind, running along the roof's edge The shts
Fast but not a speed he couldn't follow If he enhanced his vision with Kei to et, he could ponder on how to apprehend the subject
There was just oneThat sudden squall that rendered the net useless was not so?)
Surely even now, he is probably hiding with his presence suppressed nearby Scanning the area while running, he had a feeling that the target was in the immediate vicinity, but exactly where he could not pinpoint
(Somehow, they aimed for that opportunity)
If they ai his field of vision while following the target
Running at full speed, the fleeing presence didn't appear as though it would change direction
(If things proceed at this rate)
The Warehouse district appeared to be constructed adjoined to the Manufacturing district For a split second, his field of vision shi+fted forward
(He chose a quiet area?)
Just as he was thinking that, he approached closer to the target from behind This left Layfon perturbed
”Tsk”
It seein
Hostile intent froht out underfoot As much as he would like to, he wouldn't be able to handle both parties
(What should I do?)
In that moment of hesitation, a new presence had appeared from a different direction
”Here!”
He didn't think it was an ally Layfon swung his sword towards his front A burst of Kei shot fro, exploded The new presence had shot their own external Kei burst The explosion scattered through the air Layfon, as if part of it, flew Their ai eneht, but
”Eh?”
Dashi+ng forward in thehi
”Like I'd let you escape!”
While Layfon readjusted his balance, the presence threw so in his direction Layfon fired a burst of Kei in its direction, intercepting the object
”Cra!”
Halting his charge, Layfon prepared hiering afterie
But it never came
The unknown presence had used the situation to flee
”They got me”
All three of the unknown presences had left without a trace, leaving hiht, after debriefing, Layfon parted with Forlance away from the dejected appearance of Naruki and company, he turned in the direction of the dorulfed in clouds, the path was lit with only the street la silently, was able to ht of a street lained that he could spot ure raised its voice
”I didn't think you'd be able to notice e fra to noton? That was”
”Don't say it”
Due to the large frame, Gorneo's physique was disproportional to his attractive face
”But”
”You don't have anything to do with it Is what I'd like to say, but I can't”
Gorneo's words were clearly filled with repugnance
”Then, as I thought”
”That's right, that was Shante”
On top of warehouse D17, Layfon reliably confirht A figure with red hair fluttering as though fro it
”Why?”
”I don't know either”
Gorneo regretfully shook his head
”Beginning a few days ago, she hasn't been going back to her roorief”
In this state of affairs, it appeared as though he wasn't able to capture Shante
”So from the rear, that was?”
So that new presence on Shante's path was Gorneo Layfon realized what that Kei technique that attacked him was
So then, as the presence that approached from behind
”About that That wasn't my opener”
With the involvement of the fifth platoonshiht those h”
There was another thing
Above all else, even if Layfon were able to catch Shante, the presence behind wasthat the person before hiure that took him by surprise seemed only there to serve as a distraction, and Layfon noticed that the figure was not persistent about the action and fled just as easily
Moreover, there was the issue of the flashboht and sound to disorient the eneeneral studies student or even an ordinary Military Arts Students capable of causing this e
In the case of platoon members, even if they could apply to set up a platoonit as a trap, they would not be able deceive the ement nor would they be able to carry out the plan outside of the fields
”Covert military artists from other cities If you think about it, it's somehow appropriate”
Gorneo came to that conclusion Of Grendan's military families, the fame of the Luckens household which had turned out two Heaven's Blades couldn't possibly be hidden With Grendan's history along with his origins in the Luckens fa under the appearance of city ca
”And about Shante's objective?”
”That I don't know Her upbringing was unique, but she's still an orphan If she does have an objective, I can't fathom what it could be”
”Shante's birthplace?”
”It's the Sea of Forests City Erupa”
After hearing that, Layfon went on to tell Gorneo of the thing at the warehouse
”Heartseer fruitI've never heard of it, but there should be a reason why Shante's so persistent about it I can't think of her being interested in the Kei Accelerating Drug's properties, though There must be some sort of connection”
”It's a habit, so is that it?”
”Since she was raised by beasts for a short while or so I heard, the Heartseer fruit may have attracted a part of her instincts However, with just that, it was able to seize her attention”
”It would probably be better to leave further investigation to the City Police”
”However if we do that, I'm sure that Shante would be pinned as the culprit After keeping it under wraps, we couldn't bring it up now”
If word had gotten out that Shante was involved in the warehouse raid, forcing her to drop out wouldn't be the only consequence Shante is the main force of the fifth platoon One of Gorneo's principal duties was the development of his team, yet the fifth platoon may be dissolved as a result
”No et out sooner or later More iood idea for us to look for any tools she used For person Rather than keeping it a secret, it would be better to collaborate”
”You bastard, why do you go through so much just to trouble me?”
Layfon and Gorneo had a history between them When he was still in Grendan, Layfon was responsible for seriously injuring Gorneo's senior beyond recovery That caused Layfon to leave Grendan, with Gorneo, as already in Zuellni at the ti injured his senior beyond recovery, Gorneo held a grudge against Layfon
Thus, siravity of Gorneo's predicaaze, Layfon only replied with a bitter s officer wouldn't want the 5th platoon disbanded”
”That's, the current you?”
After h and proceeded to nod in assent