Volume 12 Chapter 2 (1/2)

Chapter 2: The Enemy That Must Not be Defeated

Part 1

「Is that so……I did something like that.」

Odin looked down sadly.

Kizuna, Reiri, Kei, Landred, also Gertrude were conversing anew with Odin who regained her self.

Odin whose thought pattern was returned to the state like in the past was literally a changed person. Her features became gentle, and her personality, her thought, her speech and conduct were also leaving no trace of the severe ruler before this. Odin who took off her armor and wore a thin and elegant cloth was truly endowed with the style of a G.o.ddess.

Reiri stole a glance at Landred beside her.

Odin's figure vaguely had similarity with Queen Landred. It must be because things like Odin's castle and outfit were close with Baldein that Landred governed.

And then this world of Odin also accomplished change in appearance.

The thick cloud cleared up and the light of sun s.h.i.+ned in from the sky, while the snow was starting to melt. The snow piled up on the temple was also completely melted, the overflowing water was flowing down the slope, making a river. The sun and river melted the snow falling and piling up on the ground, the glacier became large river, and the frozen sea was flowing in.

Greenery sprouted from the land that appeared underneath the snow, the forest of withered trees also took back its vitality and changed into a verdant forest.

Odin's residence in the past, the temple that was already a ruin was also resurrected like a young tree. Just like how tree grew, the temple's pillars and walls were lengthening up by themselves. The pillars grew up and leaves were growing from them. Their figure was like big trees.

「The me at that time……those who win and survive a struggle for existence are superior, and the inferior only stand in the way of evolution──that was what I was thinking.」

'Even though that wasn't my intention', Odin muttered.

Landred turned a mournful look at Odin.

「How did it turn out like that……?」

Odin shook her head sideways with apologetic look.

「Somewhere in the way, I became weird. At first it was a small change. While I was hastening the evolution and putting out improved plan, before I realized it was turning into extreme method……eventually, I prioritized the overall worth and merit and the individual worth became something light.」

When Odin smiled faintly, Reiri and Kizuna, and then Gertrude who was stiffening from nervousness beside them were staring at her.

「However, exactly because there are diverse existence and worth that various ways of fighting are created. For me who was focused only on an aspect of strength to reach the limits and defeated by someone who I thought to be unnecessary might be only natural in a sense.」

「Eh……no, that……」

Gertrude was at a loss of how to reply.

「I'm planning to remake this world into a world where various sense of value can coexist together from now on. Really thank you very much.」

Odin casted down her eyes as though bowing. She then raised her voice 'ah' as though noticing something.

「I have to return this back.」

A red crystal was placed on the palm of the hand Odin held out. That was the configuration information of the world of Kizuna and others Lemuria, and the world of Grace and others Vatlantis. The thing that was the collection of a part of that.

Landred gestured for Reiri to take it. Reiri moved toward Odin and picked up the crystal while feeling somewhat nervous.

It was unclear just from seeing whether it was Lemuria's data or Vatlantis's. However, with this one of the worlds should be able to be restored as before.

「Odin, there is one thing that I want to ask.」

Reiri questioned the one eyed G.o.ddess. Odin tilted her head slightly and smiled gently.

「What could it be?」

Reiri was at a loss for words for a moment. This G.o.ddess was an opponent who she faced in a mortal combat just now, it was hard to believe this situation so suddenly.

「……We are going to defeat Thanatos after this. But that machine G.o.d possesses tremendous strength. I want to ask if there is something, a weak point or a conquer method against her.」

「That's……」

Odin frowned with a troubled look.

「I think it's something really difficult.」

「We know that. That's why I'm asking you who is a machine G.o.d like her and also her comrade.」

「Let's see……if it's all of you, then perhaps you will be able to defeat her.」

Hope grew inside Kizuna's heart hearing that.

「But, at that time it will be the time that spell the end of all the worlds.」

──'Eh?'

Kizuna stared at Odin's face in shock. Reiri also lost her words from surprise. She pulled herself back together and asked.

「What does that mean? Say it in a way we can understand.」

「Let's see, for example……」

Odin put forward her palm. Then white cold air gathered above her palm and a lump of ice appeared. When she flipped her palm, the ice lump fell on the floor and broke.

「When my hand let go, the ice fall to the floor.」

Reiri frowned. She couldn't understand what Odin was going to say.

「That's because there is gravity right?」

「That's right. And then if a force is added from the fall, it will break. And then if heat is added, it will become water and evaporate.」

The lump of ice on the floor melted in the blink of eye and became water.

Kei typed on her keyboard expressionlessly.

『Simple physical law. There is nothing particularly mysterious about it.』

「This is an example. This kind of law rule over this world. But what if this kind of law doesn't exist in this world?」

Kei's fingertips stopped above her keyboard.

「This world, and also your world. Inherent law exists in all the worlds. That kind of law defines each world, forming the world by carrying decision like this world is moving by this kind of rule. If that kind of rule doesn't exist, all worlds will become simple chaos, unable to maintain existence.」

Kei operated her keyboard while sweating coldly.

『I understand what you want to say. If all the laws are gone, world won't be able to maintain their form. Any kind of substance won't be allowed to exist. But, what is the relation of that with Thanatos?』

Odin closed her eyes.

「All the rules of our world──are created and maintained by Thanatos.」

「──What?」

Reiri's face stiffened.

「Even if for argument's sake you are able to defeat Thanatos, at that moment your world and also my world will surely be annihilated.」

Kizuna recalled Nayuta's words.

Most likely after her chance meeting with Thanatos, she noticed that fact.

He recalled her words that she whispered almost inaudibly.

『……No matter what kind of method we use, it's impossible to defeat Thanatos.』

Part 2

Battles.h.i.+p Oldium was advancing through the s.p.a.ce at the interstice with another world.

Battles.h.i.+p Ataraxia that was destroyed from the fierce fighting against Odin was abandoned, while Golden Dragon that received great damage from its emergency landing and had difficulty to sail was also similarly abandoned.

Odin shared some magic power with Nayuta, but the best she could do was repairing one s.h.i.+p.

「But, I'm recovering my consciousness slightly. I think I will be able to walk after some more time pa.s.sed.」

Nayuta raised half her body from the bed and slurped roasted green tea.

Kizuna who was sitting beside the bed was staring at her with wonder.

He wondered in the end how did he feel about his mother. It was hard to forgive her when he remembered about the past. However deep in his heart, looking at her figure recovering some vitality like this caused him to be undeniably relieved.

「What's wrong, Kizuna?」

Nayuta was looking up at Kizuna in wonder.

「A, aah……just thinking, you're looking well.」

Nayuta smiled widely. That smile was the smile of little girl without any worry in it.

「Yes, fortunately. It's thanks to Odin. I was also able to talk with her a little.」

Reiri who was standing at another side of the bed across from Kizuna was crossing her arms while looking down on her mother.

「Talk? I didn't see anything like that……」

'Fufufu' Nayuta leaked out a chuckle and stared at Reiri boastfully.

「Fellow G.o.ds are able to talk secretly you know♪」

「……What kind of conspiracy is that huh?」

「It's still a secret. In order to trick the enemy, first you start from your ally, there is that kind of saying right?」

Reiri's face scowled hard.

「I don't get your reason for tricking your ally. However the point of how to trick the enemy is important. Do you have some kind of plan?」

Nayuta stared still at the teacup she was holding and put it on her mouth one more time.

It was unclear whether she was putting on air or she found it hard to say. Kizuna spoke out something that diverted a little from the topic.

「……Kaa-san, you noticed Thanatos's true nature didn't you?」

「Yes. Previously when we fought Thanatos.」

「Is there nothing else that we can do anymore?」

Nayuta reached out her hand to the table beside her pillow and put the teacup there.

「We haven't lost all option.」

Kizuna's body unconsciously leaned forward.

「Please think about it. Any kind of method is fine.」

「──For example, we can stay in Odin's world without leaving it and live using that world as our new home. In fact Odin invited us exactly with that offer you know?」

Even Reiri only heard that for the first time.

「Are you considering it?」

「──No.」

Reiri shook her head. Even if she considered it, it was unthinkable that she would accept that invitation.

「Other than that?」

Nayuta looked down and stared at her own hands that were joined together on the blanket.

「There is one more idea. It's a bit troublesome, but with this method surely the laws of all the world can be keep preserved while turning Thanatos powerless.」

Kizuna's eyes were s.h.i.+ning with light of hope.

「Really!? If there is such way then tell us earlier!」

「But, for that Kizuna and──Reiri's cooperation is necessary.」

When she lifted her face, Nayuta stared at Reiri's eyes.

The eyes of the mother looked like they wanted to say something. As though there was some kind of truth they wished to bring to attention. Reiri felt like that.

「──The situation is like this. I'll listen to whatever you say. Try saying it.」

Part 3

Inside Oldium that had a total length of two thousand meter was more vast than imagined. Inside the great battles.h.i.+p that could even be called as a flying palace, there were facilities prepared as though to move the government system of Vatlantis in its entirety there. But even with that, there was still unused area in the interior.

One of the several conference rooms was exclusive for Vatlantis's emperor and her aides. Although it was at the smallish side, it was an extravagant meeting room. The important people of each world were gathered there.

From Lemuria, Hida Reiri, Kizuna, s.h.i.+kina Kei.

From Vatlantis, Grace, Zelcyone.

From Izgard, Gravel.

From Baldein, Landred.

And then Aine──she was sitting beside Grace, closer to Vatlantis than Lemuria.

It wasn't Aine who chose that seating. However, the even flowed naturally like that and no one complained about it.

In reality Vatlantis's emperor was Grace, but formally Aine was the legitimate successor. Grace herself was also recognizing it that she was only a replacement until her big sister returned.

Until now they only concentrated to escape from Odin's world, and there was no leeway to think of such matter. But, they was able to safely escape and reunited with everyone, so the worry that Aine almost forgot showed up once more.

Each faction was sitting clumped with their own with the round table divided into four parts. Aine's eyes met with the eyes of Kizuna who was sitting at the opposite side. Aine immediately averted her gaze.

──'What am I doing?'

Reiri's sharp voice resounded and Aine straightened her seated posture.

「First I want to make a report regarding the present situation. Currently we are in the middle of formulating strategy for the future in cooperation with Hida Nayuta. We will be able to publish the summary of it tomorrow.」

Zelcyone raised her voice at the timing when Reiri's words cut off.

「Are you saying that you've got the prospect to beat Thanatos?」

Reiri paused for a moment as though ruminating that question.

「──That's right.」

The attendances at Vatlantis's side stirred.

「Of course, there is no guarantee that it will work. I cannot deny the point that we won't know the result until we try it. But, it's worth a try.」

Zelcyone faced Grace and Aine and spoke whisperingly.

「──Then, perhaps it will be all right to wait for the detailed explanation.」

「But, to advance our consideration, there are two points that we wish to confirm to you ladies.」

Grace frowned at Reiri's words.

「What are they?」

「First, we want to borrow the emperor's exclusive villa in Oldium as well as the unused area adjacent of it.」

「Oo, my villa is it.」

An exclusive villa for Grace was built by making use of the vast s.p.a.ce inside the s.h.i.+p. It was a moderately large white palace with a garden around it that was planted with lawn and trees. Furthermore there were artificial pond and river that were circulating clean water.

「You can use it as you like. However……the unused area is just an empty lot you know? Just what are you going to use it for?」

Kei immediately typed her keyboard.

『We're going to make an artificial beach and sea. Also, we will install the facility of wide area type Love Room that had its development halted in the experiment stage previously. The plan is to make the whole area including the villa to be usable as Love Room.』

Landred spontaneously leaked out a smile.

「My my, you are planning something really outrageous there. I will be looking forward for tomorrow♪ Everyone too, how about we trust headmistress here and leave this to her? Okay?」

Landred's speech and conduct was still mixed like when she was at Ataraxia Academy that Nayuta created. She wasn't fixing it at all, so the surrounding also stopped criticizing her every time.

「I have no objection.」

Grace easily replied, then next everyone's gaze gathered on Gravel.

「Izgard is also the same. We will leave it to Reiri.」

Reiri nodded then she spoke the other matter that she wanted to confirm.

「We have defeated three machine G.o.ds. Now we have recovered three fourth of the worlds' configuration information. With that, at present it's possible to revive Atlantis.」

Reiri looked around the attendances.

「Here the Atlantis side can adopt the choice to return the world of you ladies back to normal and pull back from the fighting.」

Aine opened her eyes wide in surprise.

「That's……」

「──Right.」

Grave tightened her lips into a thin line. Reiri stared at their expression and continued talking.

「We are going to take back the configuration information of Lemuria from here on, and then defeating Thanatos. That's why knowing that I will ask this. Will you ladies still fight together with us from here on too?」

Reiri stared at the Atlantis force with a serious gaze. Receiving that gaze, the partic.i.p.ants of Atlantis side all made a grim expression.

「Grace……」

Aine called her little sister's name worriedly.

Grace purposefully let out a large sigh and then acted arrogantly with exasperated air.

「……Here I was thinking just what are you going to say……truly, good grief. If that's our intention then we will already said it since long time ago.」

Aine's expression snapped into a bright smile.

「Then, Grace!」

「Nee-sama too, what are you worrying about? Lemuria is Nee-sama's second hometown. Besides it's also Nii-sama's hometown. In the past we fought each other, but right now we are fellow comrade fighting together. Also……」

Glace glanced at Kizuna.

「This is atonement for the enormous damage we brought to Lemuria. We will show you how we save more than what we destroyed with our strength.」

「──I see. Our thanks.」

And then this time Reiri turned to Gravel.

「What about Izgard?」

Gravel too shrugged her shoulders, as though to say 'what are you saying at this late hour'.

「Of course, we will also fight. After all this for an important──」

Gravel unconsciously turned her gaze to Kizuna.

Kizuna was also staring at Gravel. Their gaze clashed with each other.

Gravel suddenly smiled.

「……friend's sake.」

Reiri smiled in relieve.

And then she stared at Landred at the end.

「Baldein will……」

'What are you going to do?' Reiri was going to say, but Landred stayed quiet and closed one of her eyes.

Part 4

That night, Aine was spending her time in Grace's room. Actually she wanted to talk with Kizuna by spending the whole night──she was thinking like that, but a prohibition order was given from Reiri.

Kizuna had to prepare for the mission tomorrow, and then they would also get summoned early in the morning.

「I wonder what is the strategy that will be disclosed tomorrow?」

Grace was combing her big sister's hair with a comb while humming.

「Hm? About the headmaster's talk is it. Who knows? We will know it fur sure when tomorrow come.」

「……Hey, you just called her headmaster.」

「Oo, it's still coming out intentionally.」

Saying that, Grace laughed in humor.

'Muu', Aine puffed out her cheeks in dissatisfaction.

「Was it that fun? That's, Ataraxia Academy.」

「That was just extremely fun!」

'Muuuu', Aine was getting more and more into a bad mood.

She heard about it since when they were in Odin's world. She heard that everyone was going to the same academy Ataraxia that Professor Nayuta created whether they were from Lemuria or Atlantis.

When Gravel and Grace were making the atmosphere lively by talking about their memory there, Aine could do nothing except listening. She was harboring a really complicated feeling of alienation.

It felt like she was a student who was the only one that couldn't join the outing, unable to join in with the nostalgia talk, and then felt lonely.

However she found it quite hard to imagine that academy daily life.

She understood that Reiri was the headmaster.

However it was already impossible to imagine when it came to the point where Nayuta was the board chairman.

Inside Aine, the only image that she had about Nayuta after she became machine G.o.d was only the time when they were locked into a mortal combat with her. She wondered why from there it then turned out like that.

When he tried asking the others, it seemed that Nayuta were putting suggestion into their mind so that they wouldn't think of it as unnatural at all.

Nevertheless, it was amazing how Grace was attending the cla.s.s of second year first group in her place.

The best part was Zelcyone. That captain of the imperial guards was the student council president of Ataraxia of all things. It was funny no matter how many times she thought of it.

「What's wrong, Nee-sama? You are making different faces by yourself there for a while?」

「I, I'm not!」

However, before this she saw Hayuru and Hyakurath talking harmoniously to each other as though they had been best friend for many years, the two were giving instruction naggingly at Gravel and Masters, and they were awfully good at looking after others.

Seeing everyone's exchange, Aine felt for real that the thing called Ataraxia Academy really existed, and everyone was spending time together there.

Furthermore it was together with Kizuna.

Surely that might be something that could be called as springtime of youth that Aine didn't know about.