Vol 5 Chapter 4 (2/2)
“……Does that mean”
“Yes Ishtar-sama bet that it would fall to you yesterday She also added that Ymy-sama would select you herself Pardon me, but are you an acquaintance of Ishtar-sama’s?”
“……I shouldn’t be”
“Is that so……it’s nothing, I was just a little curious”
A little childishness showed through in her smile
However, that smile was also wiped away in an instant and she suddenly came to a stop ahead of him
What stopped her was ── a giant door lit with ehts
“It’s an eency exit”
“Would this kind of suspicious authentication device <reader> be on a norency exit?”
Poking out on the side of the door was a box-shaped device
“Please i door Without a password, it’s just an ordinary eency exit but only when authenticated with a special staff member’s authority, it will connect to the elevator within”
──Counterfeit check……’Normal‘──
──IC level check……’Second class‘──
──Unlocking the gate Please enter within twenty seconds──
Froeunderfoot, The sound of two things joining together roared out
“Fuu Now then, Sheltis-sama”
Looking fixedly at her card key, she pushed it against his chest
“Please take this”
“……But this is Yuragi-san’s card key”
“The elevator ahead of here is for a single person only Furthermore, you must have a staff member’s authority to move it ── that is to say, you require the authority that my card key possesses”
She boith a smile
That loneso She would only come this far
“This is as far as I can guide you Please make sure to return my card key, okay?”
“……Thank you”
He held fast to the card key given to him
Turning his back on Yuragi who still had her head bowed deeply, Sheltis walked on
Part 7
──She was staring up at the night sky
The night celestial sphere could be seen through the do at the stars or the moon and was just in theout of her mind
……It should be right around now
……Sheltis should be infiltrating the Governmental Sector around now
“Ymy-sama is romanticist, huh─ Have you come to like this room?”
A voice that was casual and sweet no matter the place
Coaxing? No, it’s like the kind a mother uses to placate a child……it’s that kind of voice
“Ishtar-san, do you not like the starry sky?”
“M to look at it forever I’d rather see I’sa-chan than stars and if I can’t have that, then I’d choose to train”
Ishtar was holding a towel that was a little wet Yone to the bathroom but not even a few minutes had passed before she returned Her clothes were the same formal wear as well
……Come to think of it, it’s been the same for three days
“You’re fast at taking a bath”
“I always take a quick bath─ Ah, but I haven’t really taken a bath in a few days? I’ve just been wiping myself with a wet towel”
That was the first she’d heard of that She had thought she was at least taking a quick shower
“……Are you also holding back on taking a bath?”
“Until we get back to Tenketsu Palace <sophia> We don’t knohen an eneht attack”
“You haven’t been sleeping enough since we came here either”
“Yes, that’s why I’ back home─ I want to roll around in bed”
……She’ll go that far to guard me?
……Even though she’s not a Sennenshi+, and even though she only caardless of her will
“Is it strange? Well, if I had to say the truth, it can’t be helped that guarding’s a pain U, okay? I don’t want to act out the role of a Sennenshi+ That’s why I remain as an Elite Guard”
“……That’s unexpected”
Rather than shocked, she was more surprised
“In that case, you didn’t have to accept being my escort……”
If it was aa Priestess, not even an Elite Guard could refuse But they could be exempted if they had prior business and there was even more assuredness if they were to claim to be in bad condition A Guard of Ishtar’s level should also know that
“This time is special Ishtar also has an ulterior motive”
She rested a tuft of her hair in her palm
“I have a goal If I didn’t escort Ymy-sama like this, I wouldn’t have a chance to come to the Governmental Sector Well, in reality, even if Ishtar co conveniently accomplished are low”
“That is──”
“It’s, a, secret This is so secret from I’sa-chan, so it’s also a secret to Y a relatively fir Ymy-sama”
“I’ this less and less”
The inside of her head seemed to have become mixed up so Ymy made no efforts to hide a frown
“Uuard a Priestess but Ishtar-san, you had an ulterior motive that motivated you to come here to the Govern after me so well is……for a different reason?’
“That’s it─ If Yuess I’ll talk about it?”
shi+ver With it pointed out so accurately, she took a step backwards without thinking
“She was busy thinking about Sheltis who had headed to the Governmental Sector and couldn’t sleep That took no s Really, this Elite Guard is discerning in everything
“……I get it I’ll do my best to sleep”
That’s why I want to know Why is so a Priestess is a pain guarding me so attentively like this?
“It’s for distinction”
Unexpected words leaked out from the Cadres Guard’s lips
“Are the Priestess-saht now?”
“……Eh?”
“Ishtar isn’t satisfied at all I’sa-chan who just becaular Guard is out of the question Everyone else is weak, too weak I’ve thought the sa for st them that stood out Like Holn-chan or Leon-kun” [T/N: That’s ホルン which is pretty h]
The third Sennenshi+, Mechanically Armored Soldier x machina=””> Holn Nova
The fifth Sennenshi+, Great Sword User Leon Nestrius Ohva
The naiven had both already become Sennenshi+
“Ishtar knew one more that was better than or at least on par with those two There was a disparity between his strength and emotions but it was a child that would have become a Sennenshi+ within a few years”
Who would that be? Who is the Guard that could rival those two that she’s talking about?
“The reason Ishtar is properly guarding Ymy-sama is in deference to that child with a little bit of a feeling of atone troublesome onto him”
“…………”
The person that she had pushed so me sincerely connected with atonement to that person?
……That would mean
……With that , the one that comes to mind is───
“Ishtar-san, what are you thinking?”
“You’ll cooal when the time comes”
She turned around
Her side profile was coldly sharpened to the point that Ymy’s spine froze up
Part 8
The Holy Hall
It was a giant room and corridor
If you looked, the stone floor to the point that you could see each individual strand of hair reflected in it There were nu that filled the rooht
“……Now then, what’s gonna come out?”
“What would you do if it was a cute girl?”
“No way On the contrary, if someone like that came out here, it would actually be weird……ah, but maybe”
“So a girl really would be good?”
“If it’s one that I can talk to”
Biting his lips shut, he leered at the light-filled passage ahead
──There’s nobody
Exas for presences, he continued on step by step
“Hey, Sheltis, what do you mean by talk to? With so come this far?”
“……There’s e talked about Yuragi-san just before About Ymy”
That Ymy relied on herself and entrusted the ‘Mikuva’s Crimson Eye‘ to him
“When we reach Mikuva’s Crimson Eye, thearchipelago <lagoon> will be solved too, right?”
“Most likely The outline of the Governmental Sector’s plans as well”
“Can we investigate things outside of the Governmental Sector too?”
“What do you mean?”
“……No, sorry I just wanted to try asking”
Within his swirl of thoughts, there was one suspicion that was continued to be lodged and wouldn’t flow
“Last night, I thought about so with Ymy How to put it……is this really the work of the Governmental Sector?”
With hi the position of Ymy’s consultant, he felt a calm that wasn’t there until then and was able to sort out the information related to this case
The floating archipelago <lagoon> that lay on the boundary of the areas under the Governenshu that were there
“I also understand that it’s clear that the Governmental Sector is suspicious I think the chances of that are still over ninety percent”
“What about the re ten percent?”
“……I don’t know But I wonder what it is Maybe it’s the Govern, why did they have the confidence to call us all the way here to their territory?”
The Governht be the confidence that even with the conference, they could e to hide it or maybe there was some other plan
……It’s just that if that’s true
The identity of that golden spellcaster, Maha, ht become more of a mystery
“…………”
“In response to your earlier question, if you specify the time and place, it is possible to search the ‘Cri are high though”
“I got it, thanks”
At any rate, just continue on If he didn’t find the all-important ite ……Above all else, he would have failed Ymy
“Straight ahead?”
“Since there are no other paths to take Whether it’s a trap or anything else, we have to keep going”
The ten metre-wide hall stretched on endlessly
Along the sides of the corridor were countless stone pillars with arches at the top that supported the ceiling The design was highly re similar
……This large size is curious
There ht line He had snuck in quite deep since separating froiant underground cave
“Ilis, it’s a little late to ask but are there any security devices?”
“Not as far as I saw It’s an area known only to a handful of Governht not be any so as to not leave behind visual data”
“I see, well that makes sense”
It was a place called the Holy Hall To protect their secrets, they couldn’t set any security devices precisely because this place was so i the Holy Hall, all they had to do was proceed
“……A door”
It had been several s
Before his eyes, a solemn and shi+ny door crafted with brass and silver could be seen
“It doesn’t see like a key”
“Roger It looks like a regular door that opens to the sides so I can open it…………”
His breathing caught before he decided that in his mind
──Somebody’s here[/b]
A heavy pressure that overwhel there It was somebody with an absolute existence that he’d felt only a few times even in Tenketsu Palace <sophia>
……It’s the same one as that time
On the first day of the conference, the presence that had enveloped the entire of the Govern
“Ilis, construct the swords”
He ordered machine crystal <ilis> to construct the dual swords and did nothing but stare ahead Towards the direction that he couldpressure from
“An intruder……hasn’t it been a long time?”
The large figure of a person appeared froht without a sound
No, that wasn’t the figure of a person ── it was a fully er than an adult The cylindrical handle was thicker than a grown man’s arm and the cylindrical pommel atop it was such that it was debatable whether Sheltis could wrap his arether
“Surely there’s no way you don’t know of the treasure that lies ahead of here? If so……”
A defective product way too large for a person to use
He was carrying that easily with one hand
“From here on is the inviolable, absolute Holy Hall As the ‘number one‘ of the secretthe Holy Hall, Zeadoll, I shall elinificent skills”
He was a large man that towered over Sheltis
The gray longcoat worn over a thin black overshi+rt could not hide thewithin
His scorched-earth-colored hair was cut short and bristled up and his grey eyes forcefully conveyed his gallantry
……He’s the Holy Hall’s guardian
He could feel the cold sweat traveling down his cheek
The secret military force ‘Heaven’s Wheel‘, an executive unit of the Governmental Sector’s ……I knew they’d have a secret e of In case Golden <maha> was part of the Governht hatever unit he would belong to
……Maybe I should be happy that Maha’s not here?
It was easy to iine his battle form Without technique, schemes or traps, he would just use the pre his opponent with his oer Moreover, Sheltis was also bad at planning
Now then, what to do
First, he would ascertain Zeadoll’s movements and then move to counterattack──
“…………”
“…………”
But the guardianwhatsoever On the contrary, he was casting a questioning look over with expectant eyes
“…………It’s your move”
“What?”
“State your name”
He swung his extremely heavy ht
“Although I have na in manners Name yourself”
“……Sheltis”
“You idiot, why did you say your real name?”
“……Ah, cra──”
His voice ca in response to Ilis’ reprimand If that man knew the names of Tenketsu Palace <sophia>’s Guards, then he would know his goal and his background However──
“I see, so Sheltis For having the ability to infiltrate up to this Holy Hall, first allow me to praise you admirably”
……Eh, perhaps
……Did he ask for my name just to say that?”
“Furtherth and naturally readied your swords That is also praiseworthy”
“……Haa, why thanks”
“However!”
Zeadoll’s bellow shook the athout the entirety of the Holy Hall
“This Holy Hall is absolute holy territory with le intruder has permitted to date That’s why, Sheltis ── overconificent skills If you take even one step past this border, I will stay silent and overlook you”
“……Is that okay?”
“I swear on my honor I have never deceived an enemy within my lifetime”
“…………”
Looking at his eyes, it was clear that he was not lying
This o to ‘Mikuva’s Cried his loss That was because he knew that the adversity of not being allowed to lose would cause further growth for himself
……Sheesh, his calculations are completely messed up
……It’s the type I’m worst with
Feeling theair, Sheltis let out an honest wry smile
“This is troubling……it would’ve been a lot easier with some crafty type It’s unexpected that someone like you would be in the Governmental Sector”
“Fu that?”
“────”
“There is no deceit within those eyes Judging fronity and conviction, you came to the Holy Hall prepared for a confrontation with me, did you not? The way you act says so”
They ords that shook the air
Wordlessly taking them on ── the corners of Sheltis’ lips raised It wasn’t the wry smile from before but the childlike smile that he showed to those he knew in Tenketsu Palace <sophia>
……Of course
……Despite saying how hard it is
“I’ood with those kinds of stances”
“Is that so?”
“Jeez……like this, Maha would’ve been better Enough that I wish he’d switch with you”
But there was no reaction to Maha’s name
……Is it a principal of not speaking to allies? It would be a given with this man’s personality
“Fumu Then let’s start”
The instant he prepared his swords again
A storround shook the sanctuary at the same time
A heavy pressure see on the back of his head A chill down his spine stiffened hiertips
──So fast!?
He crouched low enough to skiround An instant after that With the force of a cannonball, the silver h the area directly above his head That force passed by Sheltis and went towards the stone pillar behind hi
Crush
The towering stone pillar had been reduced to countless fragle hit fro a spoon into pudding
“An admirable reaction”
The treasure guardian pulled out the o, he should’ve been tenleisurely ten metres to the rear
Looking at the rubble of the stone pillar, the destructive power ulp
……So this is why there are no surveillance cameras
He already had the unrestrained large-scale destruction force and bizarre mobility to be called a weapon Even if so the enemy, the dust that would show up on the caless
“Let’s go”
By the tiuardian wasn’t at that place anymore
Stoiant body had already ht in front of hiotten the mistaken impression that he had warped
“Sheltis!”
Machine crystal <ilis> let out a warning
……I can’t stop it with the dual swords
It was like stopping a cannonball with a knife It wouldn’t even deflect
“──Tch!”
Thedoith a roar He calculated the path it would take and shi+fted over by half a step,in towards Zeadoll
“Hoh”
The guardian’s eyes widened slightly
The center of the swirling gust that the mace had stirred up ── it could even be called the eye of the hurricane, the place closest to Zeadoll was a safe zone Only the dual blades made unilateral sense
Phew Breathing out, he gathered strength into the grip on his tords without a break
The target is the tip of the chin
It would deliver a shock to the spine if struck horizontally with the tip of the sword and paralyze the brain’s nervous system control It was a strike that would cause a person to faint no matter what
……It’s decided
Matching with thehis sword up to counter Perfect tied With that assuredness, he would strike the tip of the chin with the back of his sword At the same time──
Scraaaape!
With a dull sound, the dual swords forged with Hyouketsu crystals was deflected
“……Wha!?”
It wasn’t the sensation of a human body The chin’s bone? No, that’s not it; it was heavier and iant lureater impact
“There are no openings in my Sanctuary Arts”
With spear-like vigor, Zeadoll swung down his left elbow
The strike that should’ve defeated hi that surprise caused wasn’t overlooked and he felt the guardian’s counterattack sink into his flank
“Guu……!”
He barely defended with his left elbow
Crunch His face distorting frouardian closed the gap with flowingthe mace sideways in succession
Smack
Pressing on his nuht hand, he jumped up
Watching the cylinder at the end of thesideways on the curved cylinder, he then flew up tracing a triangle until just about grazing the ceiling
……Did he say Sanctuary Arts?
……As long as I don’t kno he did that defense earlier, I’ll have to start with getting rid of his attack options
He would cut that mace with his swords
When Zeadoll stoppedafter a miss, he would focus on the thinnest part of thatthe sword in his right hand with all his ht──
“I’ll take it”
Seeing that, Zeadoll’s smile deepened
Would he pull back theit up? It wasn’t either of those two options that Sheltis expected ── the treasure guardian swung up his own bare hand
“His own arm!?”
His sword’s momentum wouldn’t stop The blade of Hyouketsu crystals would cleave that trained right arh the back of his mind
Screeeeeeeee……eeee……chh…………hh…………!
A sound without literary equivalent echoed through the Holy Hall
Just like a crystal handbell would h-pitched sound
“……No way”
He descended silently with his dual blades in hand and this time Sheltis was truly without words There was no issue with the swords’ blades Not a single……not one drop of the blood that should have been clinging to it was there
The swords that he’d swung doith all his strength had been completely stopped by the point of the man’s elbow
“Mu”
Staring at the torn part of his coat near his elbow, Zeadoll put a finger to it His brown arap in the coat’s fibres It was just slightly but so
“You broke through my defense with a small sword like that……?”
“……Broke through?”
He furrowed his brows at the unexpected words
This was the second tih his swords was solid and it was not a defense that could be pulled off using the hardness of er than that So close to the solidity of Hyouketsu crystals
And then there were the words he used to describe his arts
“Manifesting the properties of shi+nryoku in a tangible form is of the Worshi+p line of spells”
“……The same style as Monica, huh”
Monica applied a coating of silvery-white crystals infused with shi+nryoku to her crossed rods <rosario> and used that to fight
This man was likely of that type The difference was ── as opposed to Monica who manifested it as silvery-white, he hadn’t manifested the shi+nryoku as a special material
“Then is it a conceptual materialization?”
“Hoh, so you know of my Sanctuary Arts”
With an affirmation made with admiration, Zeadoll narrowed his eyes to needles
Conceptual materialization
I the shi+nryoku was the same as with Monica The difference was in hoas done Instead of i shi+nryoku with a vague concept like ‘so hard and firm that’s also colorless and transparent‘
“……It’s the first ti like it aside from the Hyouketsu Kyoukai; so it really exists”
“I would think so It’s an extreh-level technique”
The primary example of conceptual materialization was actually the Hyouketsu Kyoukai created by the five Priestesses
Whatever the concrete ie used was a private matter of the Priestesses’ but the manifestation of ‘Hyouketsu crystals‘ into the world was also an application of conceptual materialization
“Casters that apply this to battle are exceedingly rare so I’ve only seen two others in the past in with, it’s not a spell that can be used by just anybody”
In Tenketsu Palace <sophia>, only somebody on the level of the Priestesses could use it and none of the Guards could So to speak, while it was a technique that was forgotten, it was still being passed down here in the Governmental Sector
“A secret art passed down to the protector of the sanctuary”
“Indeed However, the successive generations of guardians were too dependent on this ability and neglected to train ……You understand what that means, do you not?”
He held theits tip in his direction, the current generation’s guardian declared as if in song
“That technique’s just an extra?”
Juhtly from that spot, he flew over the rubble underfoot
“I would say so No matter how much you factor in the conceptual materialization, it’s still an unusual amount of endurance It can’t be explained aith just the spell so there’s no other way but for his body to have been forged to the liin with”
This th was not in the Sanctuary Arts
He was a seeker of strength
He was not haughty about his exceptional body, had no shred of self-conceit, instead spending each day training to conceive this result Even if the Sanctuary Arts had not been passed onto this man, he would have discovered a substitute for it on his own
“Let’s go”
“He’s co”
Before , Sheltis had already ju, Zeadoll read his route and kicked up rubble
“Hah!”
He blew back the countless fragment became ten and ten becaht of a uardian cal
In the face of this man’s defense, pebbles wouldn’t e
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