novelAlchemist, Assault (2)
| ← Ch.076 | Ch.078 → |
Encouraged by Lapis, Takeru contained the trembling of the hand holding the sword. While he hesitated, a number homunculi with exact same appearance have come from the back of the road.
Giggling, the homunculi scratched the Hyakki Yakou cell embedded in their chest. The cells were woken up and continued to erode the homunculi body.
Their figures changed from Kiseki's——into demonic ugly shapes.
An army of monsters. A flock of variant.
It looked like the legendary Hyakki Yakou itself——
"——UOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoo!!"
Unable to withstand seeing Kiseki's appearance in such a pathetic state, Takeru rushed forward with sword in his hand.
In the middle of a nightmare, killing countless of his little sister.
＊＊＊
Blocked by a wall of flesh, Ouka and Mari were separated from Takeru and stood back to back assaulted by homunculi.
"We were careless...! If they can transplant the cells, we should have considered this possibility right from the start!"
"How about you calm down... even if we think about it now, we can't help it. Who would think they'd put it to practical use so quickly. Not even a week passed since we arrived at Heretic Alliance's home base."
Hearing Mari's words, Ouka regained composure as well. Even if she continued to comment on what couldn't be helped, there was nothing they could do. Rather than regret, they had to deal with what was in front of them.
Feeling grateful to Mari's impudence, she materialized stakes on elbows of both her arms.
Mari smiled wryly and deployed a magical circle beneath her feet.
"Geez, Takeru really is a siscon... well, I don't hate that part of him though."
"What do we do. Suginami was blocked off by the wall. She won't hold out alone for too long."
"...c'mon you, it's already obvious what we're doing, right? I'll pass on pairing up with you ever again."
Slightly hurt by these words, Ouka looked sideways at Mari.
However, Mari's true feelings weren't those that opposed pairing up with Ouka.
It could be seen in her expression. Even she wanted to overcome this situation together.
Her trembling hand was a proof of that. The opponent was Hyakki Yakou that had Kiseki's cells transplanted in it. They were fragile as compared to the original, but it didn't change the fact that they would die just by being touched by it.
She needed someone to watch her back.
"Let's separate here. Leave Suginami to me, you chase after Takeru."
"You're right."
"Indeed I am. In my dictionary there's no such thing as abandoning one of the two."
Acting firmly, Mari sunk her waist low.
"Don't die——!"
"——Same to you!"
The two kicked off the floor at the same time.
Then, Ouka swung her right arm and Mari released magical power she hoarded in both of her hands.
"《Count's Fang》!"
"《Aurora Cannon》!"
They hit the wall of flesh with all they had.
Magic of the two passed through the wall, opening up their own paths. The centre of the wall begun to immediately regenerate, but they were able to fly through it. Fighting the homunculi that turned into demon forms, they threw themselves in their own, separate battles.
＊＊＊
Isolated, Ikaruga concentrated on escaping. She maneuvered the Dragoon hovering backwards and continued to leave chasing homunculi presents with a Gatling gun.
Ikaruga was a technician. She was familiar with piloting Dragoons, she also had the knowledge required to bring out the machine's performance to the limit. Although she was an aspiring Regin, her Dragoon piloting would compare to the best among the Knights' special operation troops.
However, Dragoon's weren't compatible with quick enemies. Even on a ten meters wide road, a three meters wide giant Dragoon was at a huge disadvantage.
Not only she didn't have much ammunition left, but the high vibration blade also was almost out of energy.
"......nhh......!"
The Gatling gun at the right arm had run out of bullets and was purged.
Using the chance when the barrage was interrupted, the homunculi eroded by the cells ran on the walls like spiders rushing at her.
With the little energy remaining in the blade, she turned around swinging it. She cut in half two homunculi that jumped at her, but one survived and clung to her arm.
The homunculi threw its arms around her and the cell grew in size, its shape being distorted.
With a rustle, the Dragoon's arm was subjected to quick erosion by Hyakki Yakou.
Ikaruga purged the arm itself and the Dragoon fell on its back.
"Boost ignition, full throttle...!"
Releasing the booster while still lying on the ground, she slid on the ground escaping through the hallway. Using all energy she had, Ikaruga distanced herself from the homunculi at incredible speed.
When she approached a wall Ikaruga fired the canon with explosives on the remaining arm, destroying the wall to get away. As the Dragoon vibrated violently Ikaruga continued to clench her teeth.
Before long, the energy was depleted, with a deep bass sound Dragoon stopped functioning. Interface lost its light and the display dimmed.
Ikaruga manually opened the hatch and crawled outside on her own.
"............"
She must have hit her forehead because blood was dripping down her cheek.
After wiping the blood with her hand, Ikaruga looked around.
She had no idea if the enemy had followed her, but should have taken quite a lot of distance from them. The place she was currently in must have been a homunculi manufacturing facility. She saw unadjusted homunculi being transported by a conveyor.
Without a soul originally, homunculi were too stupid to be used for anything else other than chores, but they specialized for combat by transplanting Hyakki Yakou's cells. To use them as a weapon, large quantities had to be produced.
Dragging her feet, Ikaruga advanced through the manufacturing facility.
"...just what am I doing here..."
Muttering a question to herself, she raised her bloodied hair.
There was a proper reason for which she joined Takeru and others. That was to take revenge in Kanaria's stead.
But, that was something to do after they have saved Kiseki, Takeru's little sister. Even though she didn't have any combat capability, she wanted to participate and help them. That's why she volunteered to take part in the operation using a Dragoon.
However, she didn't think she would be unable to keep up to this degree. Although she had some confidence in piloting Dragoons, she was still holding others back.
She had another method of fighting, but it was set aside for the her final objective.
"Doings things... I'm not used to, is difficult..."
Ikaruga continued to walk, smiling wryly. She had no idea where was she going. Walking endlessly through the manufacturing facility, her breath roughened and she felt like falling over.
Her vision was hazy and she tripped often. Apparently the injury on her head was more serious than she thought, she lost too much blood.
Cursing her weakness, Ikaruga fell on her knees.
"Stand up... if you stop here... what meaning would be there in coming here."
Scolding herself, she put her hands on the floor.
When she attempted to stand up and force her body active again.
Suddenly, a white hand has been outstretched in front of her.
Not being able to afford surprise, Ikaruga made a hazy expression.
Standing there was——
"Are you all right? Ikaruga-san."
——A gray-haired woman wearing a black lab coat.
Stunned, Ikaruga opened her eyes wide.
"It's been a while, hasn't it. About 15 years? Or maybe 16, was it? I prooperly remember you from the time you were a baby."
Ikaruga didn't know the woman who smiled broadly.
She didn't know her yet she knew her who was she to a painful degree. She saw a number of monsters so far, but this woman was in a special class by herself.
Tragedy's ringleader. Exploring the origin of life and playing around with it using technology. A system aiming for nothing else but to explore... the cause who completed the 'Suginami'.
Representative director controlling the Alchemist——alchemist, Suginami Suzaku.
Ikaruga slapped away Suzaku's outstretched hand and took distance, dragging her body.
Suzaku rubbed the hand that was hit, Suzaku made a blank look.
"Oh dear, there's no need to be so frightened is there... I wasn't really trying to do anything to you, okay?"
"...d-don't come any closer..."
"Oh-hoh, well well... if you reject me so much I'll be hurt. Genetically, I'm your mother after all."
When she said 'mother', Ikaruga's vision was stained red.
For the first time ever since she was born Ikaruga was completely furious, she stood up.
"——Don't screw with me...! Even if I inherited your genes, I'm not your child...!"
As Ikaruga denied their parent-child relationship, Suzaku made a wry smile.
"If I'm not wrong, your parental genes belonged to Paracelsus-san, hadn't they? He was an outstanding person. Good genes. His sperm and genes were excellent in improving the quality of my own genes."
In Suzaku's clear eyes there wasn't a speck of evil.
That was why she was disgusting.
Hearing her speak only of people's genes caused more and more anger well up in Ikaruga. Her appearance was characteristic to Suginamis. Her skin and hair color was different, but as Ikaruga's maternal genes came from Suzaku they were very similar. Her body looked younger than Ikaruga's. She did not know what technology was used, but Suginami Suzaku achieved pseudo-immortality and was said to be alive for over 500 years now.
"By the way?, what did you come here for? It doesn't feel like you came home to see mom... oh, can it be that you came to rescue Kusanagi Kiseki, mm? I have heard from Sougetsu-sama that you are in very good relationship with the elder brother, Takeru-sama. Did you come here to help him?"
Speaking in a very fast manner, Suzaku joined her hands and smiled happily.
"...where's Kusanagi's little sister..."
Ikaruga narrowed her eyes sharply and inquired.
Asked about Kiseki, for some reason Suzaku's eyes shone.
"Well asked! I very much wanted to discuss the results of my various studies with another Suginami! After all, you are someone who had managed create technology to artificially restore the elves! Surely, you will join me in the discussion——"
"I already knew for a long time that you can control Hyakki Yakou and that you successfully transplanted its cells. I'm not interested in garbage of a technology like that... hurry up and tell me where is she."
Articulating strongly, Ikaruga spoke her request to Suzaku.
Suzaku made a lonely expression just for a moment, soon after she threw her arms open laughing happily.
"So that is so, so that is so... but, you are wrong about a single matter."
When Ikaruga frowned questioningly, Suzaku genuinely happy raised both her hands.
"——I haven't succeeded in controlling Hyakki Yakou! Result-wise it was a failure!"
Seeing Suzaku speak happily about her failure, Ikaruga felt increasingly uncomfortable.
An ordinary human wouldn't be able to understand the joy from a failure, what was unpleasant, that Ikaruga was able to.
The reason she was happy about failing was simple.
——She could continue to research it. There was room for improvement. She could progress. There was more to learn about the toy, she could still enjoy it.
Suzaku was genuinely happy.
"I found the reason for failing! It was hypothesized that by showing her a dream to comfort her it would lead to controlling Hyakki Yakou, thus I had conducted it! But performing it with a clear understanding of what a human's soul is was a mistake! Before implementing this method we have to clarify what a soul is! History of mankind shows that incomplete technology backfires on it!"
Ahh... exhaling ecstatic, Suzaku put both her hands on her chest.
"But... this failure has prompted a further progress of technology. It had become a stepping stone to understanding principles behind souls and at the same time, it has shown new possibilities of Hyakki Yakou...! Denied peace called dream, what happened to Kiseki-sama who returned to reality... do you want to know, Ikaruga-san?"
With tears in her eyes, Suzaku squirmed.
Despite increasing discomfort, Ikaruga listened quietly in order to obtain information.
"Kiseki-sama... that girl full of possibilities... denied the dream and had obtained full control of Hyakki Yakou...! That person had become one with Hyakki Yakou's flesh... no, it would be more correct to say that Kiseki-sama has finally become Hyakki Yakou!"
"...what...did you say...?"
"She has bloomed! That person has become complete as Hyakki Yakou!"
Ikaruga has turned pale.
Kusanagi Kiseki has controlled Hyakki Yakou. Hearing just that makes it sound like a good thing.
However, that wasn't something which could be controlled by spirit of a single person. Kiseki's pain, suffering had come from Hyakki Yakou purely granting her desires. It was frightening to just imagine it how painful it was for a human with reason. Kiseki was fighting with such horrifying pain.
Kiseki controlling the Hyakki Yakou meant that she has accepted it. That she had become true to her desires. The reason Kiseki was fighting them so far was because Takeru was her hope. She had hope in the existence that will kill her.
Losing that hope, Kiseki broke.
It's natural for this to happen... it's not that we didn't predict this happening... but, that's precisely why we hurried to her rescue...!
Despite knowing there was no sin in Kiseki, Ikaruga couldn't help but to blame her.
The first one to betray her was Takeru. He abandoned Kiseki's hope who desired death and didn't kill her for his own happiness. This fact, was nothing more than a betrayal to Kiseki.
But, Ikaruga was important for Takeru's happiness.
That was why Kiseki felt bitter and broke. When she met her once she told her "it's wrong to blame it on someone else" but it didn't seem have reached her properly.
...Kusanagi...!
If possible, she didn't want Takeru to bump into current Kiseki. Ikaruga could tell for what purpose Kiseki accepted her desires.
Ikaruga released strength from her shoulders, relaxing.
Right now, in this place, there was nothing she could do for Takeru.
If she was complete as Hyakki Yakou... the possibility of Takeru's salvation reaching Kiseki was extremely small.
"I do not know where Kiseki-sama currently is. I do not think she had exited from this facility yet, but surely she must be searching for her elder brother?"
"............"
"It would be better if Ikaruga-san had escaped quickly. There is no method that would stop Kiseki-sama right now. I myself cannot do so. I'm going to leave this place and observe Kiseki-sama's activity from the mountain's summit."
"............"
"Ah, if you want, we can go together?! I have two notepads with me, we can observe together, sketch, share our impressions. It will definitely be fun!"
Excitedly, Suzaku invited Ikaruga.
Ikaruga faced downwards and clenched her teeth powerlessly.
Oozing with anger, her mind was going crazy.
Anger, like blue flames had spread throughout Ikaruga's entire body and lodged itself in her heart, cold as ice.
"...actually, my objective isn't just saving Kusanagi's little sister."
Peeking into Ikaruga's face, Suzaku was puzzled.
Ikaruga unbuttoned her blouse and exposed her chest.
"After we're done saving the little sister... my objective was to blow away this entire location."
Her fingers crawled at the center of her chest, where her heart was.
"Unfortunately, now that we're no longer able to save the little sister, I can no longer afford to erase this entire location."
Her fingertips touched something hard.
It was a scarlet stone embedded in her skin.
Stroking the scarlet stone, with eyes cold as ice she stared at Suzaku.
"But——I can at least kill you alone."
Clearly having murderous intent directed at her, Suzaku had a dumbfounded expression.
Ignoring Suzaku's reaction, Ikaruga ordered the foreign matter inside of herself.
——Rewrite.
Momentarily, Ikaruga's body——one cell by one, changed into something different.
The structure of her body was being reworked starting with the center of her chest.
Her pure white skin turned brown-red like soil, her eye color had whites and black reversed as she turned inhuman. Her ear lengthened in a sharp angle and her body overflowed with magical power.
It was power of the Philosopher Stone she had used against Isuka a few months earlier.
A dark elf's DNA was input in the Philosopher's Stone and the taboo technology has rewritten her own body. The source of the cells "Lost Matrix" no longer existed. However, using the memory of when she used it previously, she improved the Philosopher Stone she was holding.
By awakening that memory——Ikaruga once again turned into a dark elf.
"Personally I have no grudge against you. I don't care where and what you do. Even what happened to Isuka, I think is my own fault."
"............"
"However."
Ikaruga expanded a magical circle beneath her feet, magical power raged below her and hair stood up on its ends.
Then, she pointed her supple fingers at Suzaku.
"As long as you're alive——my cute daughter can't sleep in peace."
That's right. That was enough of a reason to kill this woman.
As a mother, instead of her daughter Ikaruga just had to erase whatever disturbed Kanaria.
Whether it was good or evil, right or wrong, it didn't matter.
For a cute daughter throwing tantrums, so that she doesn't have to live a life bound by hatred and live peacefully.
A mother would become strong.
If it's for her daughter's sake——Ikaruga too, would step on path of carnage.
"...Marvelous...!"
Looking at Ikaruga using Philosopher Stone power right in front of her, Suzaku shed tears of delight.
＊＊＊
Takeru was walking through the blood and organs.
His entire body covered in blood, he no longer looked like an armored knight but like a demon instead.
Since he couldn't simply turn into God Hunter form, it was difficult for him to completely destroy Hyakki Yakou's cells. There was no choice but cover Lapis' blade with magical power and single-mindedly cut them all down.
He killed, killed, and killing he hurried ahead.
Continuing to kill the dolls that had the same appearance as his little sister.
"............"
The inside structure of the lab changed again, he no longer knew where was he walking. He thought of trying to destroy the wall of flesh to rejoin Ouka and others, but was already connected to a different passage. At times he felt like he passed through the same place, at others he felt it was different.
Mentally, current Takeru couldn't afford to think about these things. Even though he knew they weren't Kiseki, killing dolls that looked like her visibly exhausted his spirit.
《"...Host."》
"...I'm okay. Did you find Ouka and the others?"
《"Not yet. My apologies. I'm not good at searching..."》
"So you didn't find Kiseki either..."
《"...yes."》
Lapis replied in a disheartened tone of voice.
As if to show his thanks to Lapis, Takeru wiped the blood off the blade with his hand.
"I ended up using you roughly... sorry."
《"No. Host always thinks of me as he wields me... rather, it is me who has to apologize for forcing Host to fight in this manner."》
In response to Lapis' concern, Takeru smiled lightly and narrowed his eyes.
Since he was likely to lose human sanity, he was saved by her human words. Somehow, the usualy cold blade felt slightly warm.
That must be how much was his soul frozen.
《"——Host, be careful, in the front!"》
Hearing Lapis' voice suggesting him to be vigilant, Takeru raised his sword in an instant.
A new enemy? The lab's passage was still shrouded in darkness.
But, what was ahead of him were dead bodies of homunculi and remnant of Hyakki Yakou.
"...what?"
She squinted sharply and glared at the corpses ahead.
In the sea of blood and organs, there was a shadow. On its knees, breathing roughly, when it noticed Takeru's approach its pupils glinted in the darkness.
"...Kyouya...?"
"............Kusanagi, huh."
When Kyouya confirmed Takeru's appearance, his mouth drew an arc and he stood up using a gun like a walking stick.
Takeru turned the sword's point at him.
The two owners of deep fate once again stood in opposition.
"Why are you here. Did you come again to get in my way?"
"Ha, don't act so conceited. I'm here for my own goal."
"Goal? Is it revenge?"
"It got nothin' to do with you."
Kyouya pointed the muzzle at Takeru and his expression turned steep.
Kyouya's goal...
Takeru looked at where he stood and at the scattered remnants of the enemy around him.
He stood as if to protect a room's door. Not even a bloodstain from the homunculi carcasses filling the passage didn't has reached the door.
With just this circumstantial evidence, Takeru guessed it.
"Is Yoshimizu there?"
"...I told you 's got nothin' to do with you."
"So you cooperated with Alchemist in order to save Yoshimizu."
As Takeru inquired, Kyouya clicked his tongue in irritation.
Takeru was expressionless.
Staring coldly at Kyouya with the pair of his eyes, he shook the point of his sword.
"Then take Yoshimizu and escape from here. You better rely on someone else other than Alchemist."
"Someone elsee? What other organization other than Alchemist can possibly save her? Don't make me laugh."
"Ask president Hoshijiro for help. If it's that person, she should be able to find a way to save Yoshimizu."
"I'll pass. I've no intention of clinging to dissidents' faction that's a damn gathering of heretics."
Still aiming the gun at Takeru, Kyouya raised his chin and mocked him.
"How about you, what did you come here for? Did you come here blindly to save your little sister?"
"That's right. And that's also why I don't have time to be bothered by you now. Get out of the way."
Suppressing his emotions, Takeru clearly said "Out of my way."
Kyouya looked at Takeru with despise he felt from the bottom of his heart.
"You're so naive. There's no way to save that little sister of yours. You should know it best, right? The only way, is to kill her!"
"——I came here because I do have a method!"
Takeru shouted in anger.
He tried to suppress his feelings and try to resolve it peacefully, but it was already impossible. It wasn't time to do such a thing. If he doesn't hurry he won't be able to save his comrades nor Kiseki.
If Kyouya was to stand in his way, Takeru didn't hesitate to fight him.
When Takeru bared his feelings in frustration, Kyouya's eye color changed.
"A different method...? There ain't such a thing."
"If we transfer Kiseki's soul into another body, at the very least she won't have to suffer from the Hyakki Yakou's body! I came here to use that method! Please, Kyouya... don't get in my way... any more than this...!"
"............"
"You have no reason to get in my way...!"
Compelling him with feelings, Takeru requested Kyouya to let him pass.
Kyouya erased the smile from his face and furrowed his eyebrows.
"Place the soul in another body...? What kind of method's that... no, wait... there was a witch like that before... if I"m not wrong, called Mephisto..."
He placed his hand on his chin, as if exploring his memory.
Takeru sunk his waist low and seeing the chance he tried to slip past Kyouya.
——*bam*, with a heavy sound the gun spew fire and the projectile landed by Takeru's feet.
"Khh!"
"Hmph... hey Kusanagi. I'll ask you one thing. If you're moving her soul to another body, it means you're making her possess another body, right? You're using an 《Install》 instant charm, aren't you."
Hearing Kyouya's question, Takeru tried to answer him.
But he changed his mind on the verge of doings so. He had a bad feeling. There was a sudden change in Kyouya's attitude. There seemed to be more than one reason for which he was insistently asking about the method to save Kiseki.
...it can't be... this guy...!
To save Kiseki another body was required. By preparing a homunculus and using 《Install》 charm to transplant the soul into it, Takeru could save Kiseki.
But, using the same method——couldn't Yoshimizu Akira be saved as well?
"...you have it, don't you? An 《Install》 charm."
Kyouya covered his face with the palm of his hand.
Takeru could see his pupils glare from between the fingers. Evaluating, eyes of the beast.
Takeru's premonition was on spot.
Those eyes were of someone intending to plunder.
Selfishness of someone who doesn't pick methods for his own purpose. Eliminating everything in the way. Stealing what he needs.
That kind of a person's eyes!
"Kyouya... you...!"
Takeru squeezed the sword's hilt, entering battle readiness. In order not to be stolen from, he had no choice but to fight.
If it was saving Yoshimizu, then Takeru wanted it as well. However, this salvation was Kiseki's, it belonged to her alone.
No matter the reason——he could never give it up!
Seeing Takeru change into a furious demon, Kyouya laughed slightly.
"...reminds me of old times. You've been always like this. Always reckless, just going forward uncaring about surroundings... in order to protect what you want to protect... to save what you want to save. Recently there's more of that in you than your mask."
"............"
"...Kusanagi... no more chatter, give me... give it to us, now."
Kyouya clenched the gun's grip and moving away the hand from his face, he glared at Takeru.
Ironically, dwelling inside of his pupils were the same feelings Takeru had.
I want to save. Just that.
As Kyouya said, there was no need for words any more. Even Takeru knew that it was useless to say anything to current Kyouya. Although he couldn't allow himself to empathize, he understood his feelings to a painful extent.
...that's why——
"I refuse——this is our salvation! It's not yours!"
Knowing that it's pointless to say anything else, Takeru triggered Soumatou.
Kyouya too, had his blood permeated with Nero's poison and the blood vessels in his body have started pulsating.
Takeru squeezed the handle strongly and Kyouya put a finger on Nero's trigger.
And the next moment——the two crashed with an explosive momentum.
The blade and the barrel clashed, cracks ran throughout the passage as a result from the impact.
Colliding from the front, in the middle of swirling magical power the two glared at each other.
Since he could keep up with Soumatou's speed and explosive power, Kyouya couldn't be underestimated after all.
The one whose arm strength was higher——was Kyouya.
"Ha!!"
As if spitting laughter, Kyouya swung his gun.
Takeru's sword was parried and he was blown backwards.
Having a shotgun against him in a confined area, it would be fatal to move away even a little bit. Kyouya turned the muzzle towards Takeru and fired a shotgun shell.
With a heavy roar, small magical bullets spread in a wide range assaulting his entire body.
It was impossible to avoid. Takeru changed the sword's shape into that of a wide great sword, using it as a shield.
The bullets hit the sword and Takeru was blown further backwards.
Takeru who was blown away by the power of the buckshot flew with a cannonball-like momentum and desperately tried to stop by standing on the wall.
However, before he could stop, Kyouya has already came flying at him.
——So he caught up in an instant.
That was a tremendous physical ability. It could be already said that his speed was equal to that of Takeru's.
The shotgun fired right in front of him.
Takeru once again used a great sword as a shield.
But he had no intention of repeating the same thing. At the same time the bullets hit, he tilted the sword and deflected them backwards.
He side stepped, barely fell to the ground and already dove under Kyouya.
Having the shotgun projectile graze his shoulder, Taker returned the deformed sword into nodachi and slashed upwards at Kyouya's jaw.
Kusanagi True Light style, Wolf's Sword.
Like a beast biting a throat, the sword closed on Kyouya's jaw.
"Sawed-off——!"
The barrel of Kyouya's gun was cut short and its shape changed.
When the muzzle was directed at Takeru's face who approached from below, on the brink of shooting Takeru shifted his blade's trajectory, parrying the shortened barrel.
He couldn't repeat the same course of the fight again. Takeru fought Kyouya before. He could predict that Kyouya would shorten the barrel the moment he entered below him.
Kyouya clicked his tongue and leaped backwards.
There was no way Takeru could let him escape. Not allowing him to take distance, Takeru sunk low with his right leg and flowing, swung the sword in front of Kyouya's eyes.
"Lay off!!"
Along with his roar, blood vessels on Kyouya's temple throbbed.
The moment his eyes turned bloodshot, Kyouya's gun changed shape and received Takeru's slash.
The shape in which his arms itself turned into a weapon was very unfamiliar to him.
Seeing the weapon, Takeru opened his eyes wide.
"——A tonfa, huh."
The weapon called tonfa was a blunt weapon that combined both defense and offense.
"You ain't the one who can fight in close range!!"
Kyouya caught Takeru's blade with the tonfa arm and hit his abdomen with the tonfa in his free arm.
Because Takeru leaped backwards on the brink of getting hit, he succeeded in decreasing the damage.
However——
"Buckshot!"
The tip of the tonfa retained its performance as a gun, it had something like a muzzle on its tip.
A shotgun fire flowed from there, assaulting Takeru's abdomen.
"Ggghh!"
Takeru who received the shotgun fire from very close distance has bent in く shape and blown backwards again.
"A bonus!"
The tonfa's muzzle was aimed at Takeru's body who was being blown away and a magical bullet was released.
Slug shot. A single projectile-type concentrated magical bullet burst the moment Takeru slammed into the wall.
With a roar the passage and its ceiling collapsed. To find Takeru who disappeared in the smoke Kyouya rotated the tonfa on his arms and started to walk slowly.
"............damn it."
Dissatisfied, Kyouya glared in the middle of the smoke.
Kyouya didn't think he could defeat Takeru with just that.
But, however.
"I didn't lose my mind have I... what's with that."
He stopped his feet and readied the tonfas.
Takeru's figure emerged from the smoke. Since Lapis increased the amount of armor with magical power the damage was minor. Still, that was not all.
He——was holding a sword each in both hands.
And not only that, both of them were wide great swords.
Their length was about six feet each. Takeru held those lightly.
"...heh, dual wielding... interestin'...!"
Kyouya strengthened his vigilance and slowly took distance.
Takeru pulled back half of his body and took a stance spreading his both arms widely. The left sword was poised forward and the right one was raised high.
The appearance of the maintained posture was like that of a kabuki actor, a finest sword stance of Double-Edged style.
Dual wielding was rarely used in Kusanagi Double-Edged style. For Double-Edged style that assumed one would use all strength in one blow, dual wielding that dispersed strength between two hands was unimportant.
This stance, was the only one defensive stance in Kusanagi-style.
I get now why did Master forced stances into me before teaching me techniques...
In the Double-Edged style, there was that one technique that specialized in "receiving" and "flow".
This stance existed for the sake of that technique. Takeru furrowed his eyebrows and once again, turned battle ready.
"Come."
"Let's see if it just looks good or not!"
Kyouya kicked off the floor and closed in at once.
Swinging the right tonfa, he approached right from the front.
Takeru relaxed his legs in the stance and first received the hit with the sword in his left hand.
Next was the shoot from Kyouya. Takeru blocked the shotgun fire with wide great sword at close range before it could spread.
But, because the power was great Takeru's body was flung upwards along with the sword he held in his left hand.
That's when,
"Ghost Light Firefly!"
Takeru triggered the technique. One that used enemy's flow and harnessed their power by parrying, Ghost Light Firefly.
The stronger the enemy's attack was, the higher was Ghost Light Firefly's power. Without pulling back the great sword that was blown away with impact, Takeru let his body be carried by the flow. At the same time as the blown away sword pierced the ceiling, Takeru kicked off the ceiling using his legs like a spring returning back to Kyouya.
But because his weapon was large and he was holding it in just one hand, his speed decreased. Even though he was riding on the flow, his movement was too slow. He was too late.
As Takeru rushed at him, Kyouya swung the tonfa upwards.
Make it in time!
——*dingg*!
The tonfa and sword collided, an impact was born. Then once again shotgun was fired and once again Takeru was blown away with the sword.
"Ain't you getting rid of your weapons sure is fishy!"
Ignoring Kyouya's provocation, Takeru did the same thing again.
He was blown away and returned, parried and once again lunged in.
Even faster! More sharply! As if rotating...!!
His appearance, being blown away and returning was like that of a yo-yo.
Kyouya must have felt how Takeru was hitting the wall and rebounding. The careless smile he made was tinged with mockery.
Takeru didn't mind it. He endlessly repeated doing it. As it repeated, Kyouya too, has noticed.
"......?!!"
Clearly, the speed with which Takeru was coming back was increasing.
The trajectory at which he came back was changing and drew a circle instead of a straight line.
"...what's going on...!"
No matter how much Kyouya hit him, Takeru continued to accelerate.
In fact, the only attack that hit Takeru was the very first one.
Other attacks either grazed him or were received by the sword.
Not only they were received, but also used.
"HAAaa!!"
The circle around him was getting smaller, before he noticed Takeru was already attacking him from the front.
Takeru was rotating. Parrying Kyouya's attack, using a circular motion to utilize the rebound he rotated like a tornado.
While Takeru finally got to use his huge weapons, Kyouya's attacks have been suppressed. Before long, the one attacking wasn't Kyouya but Takeru instead.
Takeru's blows never lost any momentum and were tremendously heavy.
Not only that, he was using two weapons so the time between his attacks as he rotated were very short.
Unable to take it, Kyouya started to avoid.
As the speed and power increased many fold, Kyouya couldn't bear it.
He was driven to a corner. Takeru mercilessly accelerated.
The victory and defeat was already decided. Compared to Takeru who was taught swordsmanship from an early age, Kyouya was an amateur. Even though he was an excellent student, he was jack of all trades and this wasn't a weapon for him.
——That's what Takeru thought.
"——Bastarrrrdd!!"
"?!!"
Kyouya's roar filled him with dread.
Driven by passion, Kyouya accelerated of all things.
His fists, footwork has gotten faster, all his capabilities increased.
Not bothering about the fact recoil was used, Kyouya just continued to furiously attack. However, thanks to the obsession dwelling in those attacks that he caught up with Takeru's speed who was using Ghost Light Firefly. Even though he was parried, Kyouya plunged straightforward, counter-attacking undaunted by grazes.
Spreading sparks all over, the two continuously attacked.
《"With Nero's poison in his body, he should have avoided death... it can't be, I wonder if he has developed resistance to poison."》
Kyouya's brain processing speed was accelerated like Takeru's, but he hadn't the strengthening of body and dynamic vision. Therefore, his phenomenal physical ability was one of the Relic Eaters, Nero's benefits.
When they fought before his blood vessels all over the body burst and it ended with self-destruction.
Current Kyouya has completely mastered the power of poison. Most likely, while Takeru was attending Magic Academy he spent his time fighting battles beyond imagination. Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to hold out for so long against Takeru, a swordsman.
However, no matter how much resistance did he develop, there was a limit. Kyouya's blood was bubbling, as if boiling it has expanded his blood vessels.
Still, he continued to move. As Kyouya continued to accelerate Takeru was filled with dread.
Takeru knew first hand how dreadful was the power of people exceeding their limits.
Kyouya's big mistake was not having a weapon suiting his ability.
His weapon wasn't neither a Relic Eater nor revenge.
It was obsession.
A power that allowed an ordinary human bloom into a superman.
"I won't pull back! I can't turn back to how it was! Now that there's no other way for me, I won't show mercy to anyone!"
"I'm different from you! I wouldn't think of depriving someone of salvation to save Kiseki! Don't you get it?! Even if you save Yoshimizu like this, she won't be happy about it!"
"Couldn't care less! Wanting to save Akira I dive headlong into battle! You're the same, Kusanagi!"
"......!"
"If it's to save her I will hurt anyone, kill anyone! Even if Akira doesn't want it, I'll save her! For myself! The reason you betrayed your sister's the same——stop acting goody-two-shoes in a battle between men!"
A blow with a full body behind it grazed Takeru's cheek. Even though it only grazed him, Kyouya's fist full of obsession had gouged the meat in his cheek.
What Kyouya said was correct. Takeru was the same. For himself, selfishly he sacrificed many things in order to get what he wants, betraying.
Even though he was aware of it, he continued to pursue hope without change.
Nothing changed. Just his position and the situation are different.
How deeply sinful it was. For the two incompatible people to be so similar.
No matter what he was told, he had no intention of pulling back and smoothing it over.
Even if he was showered with persuasion, his heart wouldn't waver.
Discard sympathy. It's rude to have any towards Kyouya. It would mean lying to himself.
Takeru stopped the rotation and crossing the great swords, he slashed as if to cut through Kyouya.
Likening the tonfa to a fist, Kyouya thrust into Takeru's arms.
The fist and sword collided and the two pushed against each other.
"KUSANAGIIIIIiiiiii!!"
"KYOUYAAAAaaa!!"
Baring their fangs, two men clashed with their souls.
Two demons of dark green and azure armors scattered magical power, parrying each other's weapons, then took distance from each other. In the silent passage, the two gathered their strength.
This would probably be last exchange of blows.
Therefore, with all strength——they would strike the other!
"Kusanagi Double-Edged style...!"
"Triple Thread...!"
Takeru's sword turned into a iaido katana and sheathed.
Kyouya's weapon was mounted just on his right arm, turning into a huge tonfa with three muzzles.
And——at the same time, the two strongly burst.
"——Heavenly Evil Spirit!"
"——Slugshot!"
The godspeed sword draw and with a punch, highly-concentrated magical bullet were released.
It wasn't a clash of power.
Which one was faster and more accurate, was the decisive factor.
Swinging from above, Kyouya's fist assaulted Takeru.
Speed-wise, Kyouya was on top. This fight in which they strained all their nerves for a single blow depended on the speed and on who reads the opponent better. Predicting enemy's actions before they make them and making first move was essential.
However, it was different for Takeru who could use Soumatou.
Not only he could read the opponent's actions, he could act as he watched his movement.
Currently, Kyouya should have been able to do the same thing, but in this situation difference in their experience was apparent.
Putting the remaining strength into Soumatou, Takeru had the world slow down to the limit before he pulled the sword out.
He predicted that Kyouya wouldn't just swing his fist down. It was on spot.
After swinging up, he already had the muzzle aimed at Takeru. He would fire as a feint in that state, if it hit it would be fine, if it was avoided he would aim for that moment and closing distance he would swing down directly at Takeru. That was Kyouya's plan.
Surely enough, he released three magical bullets first.
Predicting it, Takeru lowered his upper body avoiding them.
In Kyouya's eyes opened widely as he realized he was read.
In the ultra-high speed world, the two's line of sight met.
On the verge of his slash hitting, Takeru saw Kyouya make a faint smile.
Takeru guessed he would perform suicide. He closed his eyes and pulled out the sword with full strength.
——For his own sake——
The strike exploded on Kyouya's torso.
The moment Soumatou was released, Kyouya's body formed a く shape and slammed into the wall right beside.
Penetrating the wall, Kyouya plunged into a homunculus pod.
He... didn't move.
Takeru performed a follow-through and let out a deep breath.
"............"
After waiting his breathing calms down, Takeru walked towards where Kyouya was.
Raising his head from the adjustment solution for homunculi, Kyouya started coughing.
A few meters horizontally from him a single pod was removed from the rail. Seeing the person sleeping in it, Takeru felt pain in his chest.
With a pained expression, Kyouya looked up at Takeru who walked up to him.
"...hitting me with the back of the sword, what a sissy thing to do... hurry up... kill me."
Silently Takeru shoved the sword's point at Kyouya.
Kyouya exposed his neck and smiled sarcastically.
'It's fine. ' As if to say that.
"............"
Takeru pulled back the sword, sheathed it and turned his back to Kyouya, who tried to stand up with a furious expression.
"It might have been a blunt strike, but a normal person would be blown to small pieces from it. If you move, you'll die."
"Bastard...don't screw with me...don't give me needless mercy...!"
"Mercy? No."
Still turned with his back, Takeru clenched his fist.
"I have no intention of forgiving you for what you did. If not for you, Kiseki might have not ended up like that."
"............"
"But who will save Yoshimizu if you die. Who will be there when she wakes up. There's no one but you."
Relaxing his shoulders, Takeru stared at the ceiling, seeking heavens.
"Kyouya... earlier... when you were prepared to die, you were relieved weren't you."
Hearing Takeru, Kyouya made an extremely bitter expression and turned away.
"Don't leave Yoshimizu and escape on your own. Don't go and die ahead of her."
"............!!"
"Even if you stay in Inquisition, you're free to ask dissidents for help. I won't say anything else, nothing."
Takeru started to walk, in order to fulfill his own goal.
Kyouya didn't say anything else.
...right now, I just have to save things of my own.
He was not in a position to lecture anyone and since they were similar, it was like speaking to himself.
Dying ahead is unforgivable. Takeru who had betrayed Kiseki had intention to live and fight until he fulfilled his wish.
He had to hurry.
The priority was to rejoin his comrades, then all of them will save Kise——
" Onii-chan "
——————First, dread has ran through him.
Then, comfort hearing the nostalgic tone of voice and horror similar to surprise shook his spine.
Takeru slowly turned his face towards the voice.
Holding the sword he opened his eyes wide and was petrified on spot.
His mouth made a distorted arc as he saw the beauty impossible to save and stiffened.
There were wings.
Incredibly distorted, powerful wings. The meat overflowing from her legs like a skirt wrapped around her like children around their mother.
Her body was no longer human. Her heart was already cold as ice.
But there, undeniably, was his important person.
Unexpected to an unpleasant degree. Even though he didn't want to, he had to admit it.
That wasn't a fake, but true...
"Kiseki...?"
Forcing his cramped mouth, her name leaked from it. Why did he call her like that, he didn't know. There were no remnant of how he remembered her. A shy, with embarrassed smile. It has already disappeared.
There, was just a big smile.
Wanting to spoil herself, a happy smile suggesting just that.
Her figure wrapped in eerie variant acting like a dress was too chaotic, it could only be described as beautiful.
"Onii-chan. We finally meet."
Kiseki spoke the same words as when they reunited for the first time.
Takeru staggered, with a stretched expression and remaining strength he reached out to her.
That moment——demons overflowed from inside Kiseki.
＊＊＊
Ikaruga who used 'Philosopher's Stone' to change into a dark elf, was in shock.
Producing antimatter with with elf's magical power, she morphed material and released 《Catastrophe》.
It should have been released.
"..."Philosopher's Stone"... it's a convenient toy."
Suzaku has appeared.
Expanding a jet-black magical circle, flapping black lab coat. Her hair stood up like Ikaruga's. Her skin wasn't like that of a human, but white and shiny like a pearl. Her ears pointed and pupils cloudy white.
Her appearance truly looked like an elf's.
However, it wasn't that of a wood elf or a black elf.
"By reading the DNA, rewriting the owner's body structure and DNA into the same thing source organism was... well done achieving technology that is culmination of alchemy by yourself."
"...no way... you too...!"
"Yes, about 300 years ago, was it... the probability was quite high, but I was very happy when you completed it."
300 years ago... so that long before her Suzaku managed to refine 'Philosopher's Stone'.
Ikaruga realized the difference between their strength.
"Generating antimatter that requires enormous energy, you created an excellent attack magic. As your mother gene, I'm proud of you."
Suzaku's appearance was changed by Philosopher's Stone. Her current appearance was probably something known to exist by excavating fossils, never seen by man a 'High Elf'. There were only hypotheses on what kind of elf was it, but legends said they hated conflicts and manipulated stars.
After becoming a legendary extinct creature, in an instant Suzaku erased antimatter shot by Ikaruga using a different magic.
"...what did you do...!"
"Are you familiar with dark matter? Although it's a substance of which there's an infinite amount in the universe, it's mysteries haven't been clarified yet. There are some theories that substance leads to the mystery of the universe and such. Because researchers were curious about it, I brought some down from the space."
While saying so, Suzaku had something like a black sphere appear on her palm.
"We learned one thing. The reality of what touches this material wavers and it turns as if they didn't exist in the first place."
"............"
"In other words, they disappear. It was a good experiment. I have confirmed that matter disappears, but I haven't tried with antimatter yet."
Suzaku smiled happily, then laughed.
Ikaruga clenched her teeth and fired multiple antimatter bullets at Suzaku.
Small gray lights shook as they closed on Suzaku.
When it did, Suzaku spread the dark matter like a water veil, blocking the flying antimatter. As if it didn't exist right from the start, the antimatter disappeared.
Ikaruga was at wits end. In the first place she wasn't interested in magic, she didn't learn operative procedures for any other magic than this. Cursing herself for being asleep during operative procedures class, in her hands she clutched antimatter she produced.
"...not yet!"
She poured the antimatter on the ground, 《Catastrophe》 activated when antimatter was exposed to matter. In that case, she didn't have to hit Suzaku directly. It just had to touch the floor and cause a large explosion.
Her vision was filled with light, impact hit the manufacturing facility. Ikaruga expanded a protective field, blocking the impact.
There was less antimatter than she used in the Fifth Research Facility, but there was enough power to shake the manufacturing facility.
In the middle of light, Ikaruga saw Suzaku disappear. Although she could cover herself with dark matter membrane, she did not do so. Her black lab coat was blown away, skin was torn away with internal organs and everything evaporated. Witnessing it, Ikaruga closed her eyes.
When the explosion has subsided, the only one on spot was Ikaruga.
The homunculus manufacturing facility was destroyed, the machines were dissolved. The walls and ceiling collapsed, disintegrating in an instant.
Breathing roughly, Ikaruga released the change and returned to her original, human form.
Even though it was improved, there still was a large burden on the body and Ikaruga felt unsteady.
"............"
It was over. Suzaku has certainly disappeared. Although it was the first time Ikaruga killed a person, she didn't feel too good about it. Even if it was the ringleader behind all that happened.
...let's immediately change the mood. I need to look for Kusanagi next.
After that, she will destroy this facility.
Fixed on a goal, Ikaruga tried to leave the location.
"Where are you going?"
Hearing a whisper-like voice in her ear, chills ran down Ikaruga's entire body.
Immediately after, Ikaruga was strangled from behind and raised up.
"Kh...haa..."
"Ikaruga-san, you're a very tomboyish daughter. The manufacturing facility I made after much trouble is all messed up. I can understand wanting to brag to your mom about your research results, but if you overdo it I'll have to re-educate you, okay?"
Chuckling, Suzaku strangled her with one hand. Although she had the high elf's appearance, it was certainly Suzaku. Flapping her feet in agony, Ikaruga managed to barely move her neck and glare at Suzaku.
"...I killed...you...!"
Hearing Ikaruga's words, Suzaku made a blank look.
"Yes, I died. Certainly, just now I was caught up and blown up by an explosion."
"Wh...y...!!"
"Oh... that's right. I still haven't taught you how did I achieve pseudo-immortality, have I."
Waving the index finger of her free hand, Suzaku cutely winked.
"Me right here, is a different me. Even though I say 'different', me who died earlier is same me that's right here."
"...a clone...?!"
Suzaku shook her head.
"A miss. Rather than clone... it's Suginami. It seems like you misunderstood the system that is Suginami. It's not wonder since this system is referred to as "Designs Child", but the essence of this system is not producing excellent researchers."
Lightly opening her eyes, Suzaku spoke of the truth Ikaruga didn't know of.
"To be precise——the goal is to produce human beings that inherit my genes. Clones have too short lives and are costly to produce. The budget wouldn't last if I was to subject normal children to genetic manipulation. And above all, that way of doings things is more interesting."
"............!!"
"Why was there a need for you to inherit my genes... of course for outstanding humans to be born, but not only for that. Suginami genes are special, they have a special name."
So that Ikaruga doesn't immediately die, Suzaku continued to regulate her grip.
And then, she said the shocking truth.
"The gene's name is——"Phoenix", in other words - me. It's not referring to this "body" nor to the "body" that has died earlier. Phoenix is name of the "gene" that dwells in all children born through Suginami system."
"———?!"
"That makes my existence, the gene itself. If the Phoenix program detects that the one claiming to be 'Suzaku' dies, the gene is awoken in another Suginami and they are reborn as new Suzaku. Since the genes of Suginami are connected by a network, if I die again here and now, another Suginami will change into Suzaku."
"...that's... then, the soul..."
"Phoenix doesn't have such a thing."
Impossible.
An existence without a soul——just a gene, there's no way it can exist.
"Of course, I'm dwelling inside of you as well."
"............"
"All bodies of Suginami have it dwelling in their bodies. We're a family after all. Right now, I wonder just how much of the Phoenix gene is diffused around the world, even I can't tell. After all, the Suginami system was completed with help of magic 300 years ago."
Suzaku spoke, as if blowing into her ear.
The gene held memory and personality of "Suginami Suzaku". The person herself has died long time ago, but her memories and personality was inherited in full by the genes. When she died, she was replaced, died again and replaced again, surviving.
Killing such a thing was impossible. Suginami genes were spread all over the world. Killing all of them was nearly impossible.
"One day... you too, might become me."
Suzaku said so with a joyful voice.
If Suzaku dies, another Suginami becomes Suzaku. Using that kind of perpetuum mobile this woman... no, this gene continued to live for over 300 years.
Ikaruga forgot even her suffering as she was strangled and relaxed.
Then——her shoulders trembling, she started to laugh.
"I get it that I don't have a way to kill you... but I... won't become you. If it's killing you inside of me, there is a method."
"?"
"Did you forget? I can rewrite my own genes...!"
——*bzzt*
An electric current ran through Ikaruga's body.
"...if I rewrite my personal genome slightly, you won't be able to function...! Searching for an alien gene inside of me is nothing...!"
She can't kill her. But at least, she has to make this much of a counter-attack.
Glaring at Suzaku's blank expression, Ikaruga shouted.
"Serves you right...! I won't let you defile my soul... nor my genes!"
There was no change from Suzaku's previous expression.
However, she just a little bit regretfully tilted her head.
"Oh my... even if Phoenix is awakened, your memory and knowledge doesn't disappear and is inherited by 'me'... what a shame. Since Ikaruga-san was very outstanding, I looked forward to taking your share of knowledge."
"You must be joking... makes me sick...! Humans aren't made up just with memories and knowledge! But I guess you, who is just a gene wouldn't know!"
"Is that so..."
The grip on her neck has gotten stronger.
Ikaruga's face distorted in pain and she flailed her legs.
"Then, it can't be helped. I'll have you turn into my knowledge. Actually, I was curious... what happens if a human is tossed into dark matter."
"——Khh!"
"Naw, I wasn't wondering whether body disappears or not——"will I see the soul?" is what I thought, see? Since I have no soul myself."
In her palm, Suzaku made dark matter appear. The substance has become enormous, big enough to swallow a person.
The only thing in Suzaku's pupils was curiosity. She was a monster driven by intellectual curiosity alone. Her only feelings for others was intellectual curiosity, making her incompatible with anyone.
That existence was underlying the system called Suginami.
Hearing that this darkness also dwelled inside of her and she was defeated by it, Ikaruga was mortified.
She fought the best she could. Sprouting a person's emotions, she jumped out of the cage by her own will and meeting 35th platoon she found place she belonged to. She lived not as a Suginami, but as a normal human.
And yet, in the end, being killed by Suginami's darkness made her frustrated.
No, that's wrong. It wasn't this.
"...Kana...ria...sor...rry...!!"
As her consciousness faded, Ikaruga called her daughter's name.
They weren't connected by blood, she didn't feel the pain of birthing, a half-elf child.
The only thing she did, was to give her name.
If possible, she wanted to do more motherly things for her.
She didn't know what a 'mother' was, but not knowing she would do her best, wanting to become one. It was all still ahead of her.
That was the most frustrating thing.
"If you're to apologize——then don't go alone in the first place!!"
The moment she heard the roar, the hand grabbing Ikaruga's soared high into the air.
Freed, Ikaruga fell on her knees on the ground.
At the same time, the arm generating dark matter was also cut off, then rolled beside Ikaruga.
Severely coughing, Ikaruga raised her face looking upwards.
There, stood Kanaria. Standing in front of Suzaku, she poised L?vateinn as if to protect Ikaruga. L?vateinn blade blazed like magma and its point was turned at Suzaku.
Ikaruga's expression stiffened.
"...Kanaria... how did you...?!"
Kanaria didn't look at Ikaruga's face, remaining still turned with back to her.
Suzaku who had her arms of too, blinked quickly as she curiously stared at Kanaria.
"...if I'm right, aren't you the half-wood elf Isuka-san made?"
Being questioned, Kanaria bit her lower lip.
Then, she strongly breathed out through nose and shook her head.
"Wrong. Mama... ——I'm a half-wood elf made by Mama and this one here!"
This, was the first time Kanaria recognized Ikaruga as her creator.
Ikaruga's pupils shook.
"Hey, you."
Kanaria called Ikaruga.
"You're a liar. The parent who gave Kana a name, wasn't mama. It's you, Kana knows it."
Swinging the sword sideways, Kanaria created a circle of flames to protect Ikaruga.
"Also, you don't understand. That Mama wouldn't be happy if Kana took revenge for her, is true. Kana was wrong. But even if you go instead of Kana, Mama won't be happy either."
"............"
"...if you die, Mama will cry again..."
"............"
"——That's why Kana came here!"
Not for revenge, but to protect Ikaruga.
With a new resolve in her chest, Kanaria used L?vateinn. The blazing blade, it's performance as a Sacred Treasure was the proof it has shown a slight reaction, despite being said to be non-functional.
Something changed inside Kanaria. L?vateinn responded to that change. Ikaruga too, could feel that change.
It seemed like Kanaria was no longer just a rebellious child. Just a little bit, her back looked bigger.
"A wood elf and a Sacred Treasure... isn't that the partially-destroyed L?vateinn?! I see... Valhalla also considered it. Certainly, your soul is close to that of a wood elf, it's quality is different from a human's. As I thought, the so-called souls are interesting... it's a shame I don't have one."
Suzaku regenerated with Philosopher's Stone and before the muscle tissue could be covered with skin she put a hand on her chest. Although that gesture was supposed to make it seem she was sad, immediately after her interest was drawn to something and her eyes sparkled.
"That's right. I wonder, if me who has no soul uses a Sacred Treasure, what's going to happen?"
Hearing Suzaku's idea, Kanaria snorted loudly.
"What, you want to steal it. L?vateinn from Kana."
"I won't steal it. Just take it. I'll just borrow it from your corpse."
"——Just try it!"
Kanaria kicked off the ground and attacked Suzaku.
Suzaku deployed dark matter around her. Five spheres appeared and flew into the air at high speed.
Ikaruga tried to stop Kanaria but couldn't move because of Philosopher's Stone' burden.
"High Elf's body is amazing——I can see your movements with ease."
The spheres surged at Kanaria all at once.
Kanaria kicked off the ground and burst into air. The spheres did the same, changing direction moving from the floor upwards, attacking Kanaria's feet above.
In order to fight back, Kanaria swung L?vateinn below her.
"No! That matter is——"
However, L?vateinn's blade——cut the dark matter sphere in half.
"Such a thing!"
In quick succession, she also cut apart the remaining four spheres.
Suzaku opened her eyes and burned the sight into her eyes.
"Wonderful——my interest is growing and growing. Certainly, Sacred Treasures aren't of this world, aren't this universe's substance. The Sacred Treasure's existence disturbs the very nature of dark matter which is "to erase everything"——this is truly interesting!"
Kanaria spread fairy wings in the air, swinging flames.
Wrapping the surroundings in inferno, Kanaria pointed her sword at Suzaku.
"Kana won't forgive you! That's why she'll kill you! Here and now!"
Blue hair danced in the air, golden pupils glared at Suzaku.
As if responding to her will, L?vateinn shone even more.
Suzaku squinted and calmly stared at Kanaria.
"...I don't mind. But, even if you kill me here, you can't erase my existence. After all, I'm dwelling in every Suginami there is."
"Even if you are just a gene, Kana will kill all of the Suginami gene in this world."
"Really? Even if you could do such a thing——"
"——It can be done with what I have."
Ikaruga stood up, interrupting Suzaku who tried to deny it.
And, she touched the Philosopher's Stone embedded in her chest.
"If I'm there, erasing you from all Suginamis in the world can be done. I still can't manipulate genes of others, but I'll accomplish it one day. Even if it takes years... surely, I'll erase you from this world."
Suzaku strongly stared sideways at Ikaruga who said so, then glanced sidelong at Kanaria.
"I don't understand why is there a need to do that, is that what they call revenge? For your Mama... Isuka-san."
"Wrong. As long as you're there, Mama and Kana... and her over there, all living beings on earth will cry. That's why I'll kill you! You won't play with living beings any more!"
"Sophistry. Are you just trying to find a justification for revenge in your heart?"
"So what. No one is troubled by it and it doesn't change the fact you're the worst! Even if Kana didn't want revenge, she has no reason to leave you alive!"
Kanaria spoke using Ikaruga's words.
Ikaruga told Kanaria that Isuka wouldn't want her to take revenge.
Still, it didn't mean Suzaku's existence could be left alone.
If left alone, the living beings of this world would become her toys.
Therefore, it wasn't for revenge. It was to save the world. They might actually not care about the world... but without the world, people important to them couldn't live. Their important place will disappear.
That's why——
"Kana, will not——forgive you!"
Ikaruga won't forgive Suzaku.
Diving down from the air, Kanaria approached Suzaku.
Swinging upwards and then to cut Suzaku in two she was about to swing down the sword.
"I see——then, punishment time?."
Grinning broadly, Suzaku opened her eyes lightly. That moment.
"——Ahzghhhh?!!"
Kanaria suddenly let go of the sword in her hands. The wings on her back disappeared and she fell to the ground.
Blown onto the floor, she immediately touched her head.
"Kanaria?!"
Ikaruga rushed to her and put a hand on her back.
"What happened??"
"M-my head——Ahhh......hurts...ssss... aaaaaAAAaaAAAA!!"
Kanaria screamed and turned away.
Her entire body was covered with sweat and her lips turned purple in an instant. Her eyes were unfocused, her breathing painful.
The sight of Kanaria stricken with a mysterious headache overlapped with Ikaruga's memory.
This condition was——
"It's re-education. Just like Isuka-san, Kanaria-san has a micro chip embedded in her brain. Before Isuka-san picked her up, just in case... or rather, she was left behind to be raised to be an experimental body. Ah-hah, it's good to prepare just in case isn't it?."
They were speechless at what she confessed.
When re-education was performed, strong emotions cause the brain a severe pain. Since Kanaria couldn't suppress her emotions, the pain must have been off scales compared to Isuka. In the worst case, she could die.
"I don't really mind if I'm killed but... Kanaria-san's words just now, not allowing me to play around with living beings was it? In other words, it's denial of my thirst of knowledge that's the only value of my existence. If you try to deprive me of it——I'll kill you, I guess."
Suzaku generated dark matter again and made if float around her.
Looking down at Ikaruga embracing Kanaria from behind, Suzaku squinted.
"As expected, even I would become desperate if my immortality is threatened. Although killing for reasons other than my thirst for knowledge isn't my hobby, it can't be helped."
Suzaku who never displayed interest in other people was clearly directing murderous intent at the two.
Ikaruga could only hug Kanaria who cried in pain.
"It hurt...s......Mama.........!!"
Losing her consciousness from pain already, Kanaria cried for mother's help. Ikaruga knew the mother Kanaria called was Isuka.
She didn't hesitate any longer.
"It's all right... I'm beside you."
Whispering into Kanaria's ear, she gently wrapped around her body.
"I'll be always with you... I won't go anywhere... I won't leave you alone."
Conveying her feelings best she could, Ikaruga relayed them to her honestly.
Kanaria's trembling from pain slightly calmed.
And convulsing fingertips she squeezed the sword.
"...khh...hh...!"
Unable to take a proper breath, Kanaria lifted the sword and turned towards Suzaku.
Silently, Ikaruga overlapped her hand with Kanaria's.
Suzaku stared coldly at this sight.
"Unfortunately. While it would move a normal person, I cannot understand it nor have any interest in it. I don't understand what drives you so far."
"...ghh......hh!"
"It's my win. You two cannot eradicate me, it's impossible."
She said so, sighing lightly.
The dark matter spheres closed on the two. Ikaruga without fear nor sadness just snuggled together with Kanaria.
" "It's not two!" "
In the collapsed manufacturing facility sounded voices of people who shouldn't be there.
Suzaku opened her eyes wide and instantly thinly spread dark matter around her. The first thing that hit was a aurora-colored magical bullet. The magical bullet was big enough to swallow a human, but it was lost to the dark matter.
——However, the moment Suzaku was distracted by the magical bullet, a bullet has penetrated her head.
The bullet crushed her skull and blown away part of her brain.
"............?"
Suzaku took two, three steps with damage brain before finding the surprise attacker with her eyes.
Two shadows by the debris at the entrance.
One of them expanded a rainbow-colored magical circle, the other held a rifle on her knee.
"Hah, the one who's unfortunate is you. Did you forget about us?"
"...I do not really understand, but if not two people, then four. If not four people, then six."
Nikaido Mari and Saionji Usagi at the same time saved Ikaruga from crisis.
Ikaruga was surprised at the two's sight and made a faint smile. The two were all beat up. Reaching her must have been extremely difficult. Although they had cool expressions on their faces, their clothing was at terrible plight and they might have as well been just in their underwear.
So they were that desperate as they rushed to her, Ikaruga was honestly happy.
Resisting until the end after being shot through the head, Suzaku pointed her fingertips at Mari and Usagi.
From the tear leaked brain fluid, her eyeball was dyed in blood and yet she made dark matter sphere appear in the air.
——*slash*
However, dark matter wasn't released, a blade has appeared from her belly.
Behind her, was Kanaria's figure stabbing through her using L?vateinn.
Suzaku looked at her with just her whites, then finally getting to refocus and moved back to look at Kanaria.
"Po...intle...ss...stru...ggle... th...there's...no...death...for...me."
"This is... beginning... decades, even if it takes hundreds of years... I'll hunt you down down to hell...! If you don't want to die, sleep forever inside of someone's genes...!"
With a watery sound, Suzaku spat out blood.
Then at the last moment, forming a smile she said.
——Let's meet again.
Kanaria pulled out L?vateinn piercing through Suzaku and swung it down at her brains, after splitting her upper body in two, she turned around.
Suzaku's body was enveloped in L?vateinn's flames and burned to ash.
Kanaria walked up to Ikaruga and her legs stopped.
The two stared at each other.
When Ikaruga was about to move her lips to say something, Kanaria wobbled and fell over. Ikaruga gently received her, then pat her head that lied on Ikaruga's chest.
"...you did your best haven't you, Kanaria."
It weren't words of blame, not an apology, not thanks. Ikaruga praised her like praising a child.
Although Kanaria furrowed her eyebrows dissatisfied for a moment, running out of stamina she fell asleep.
Until Mari and Usagi approached, Ikaruga continued to stroke Kanaria's head with a very happy smile.
The Glossary
Adol Field (アドル?フイールド) - It's written as (腐蝕結界) meaning "Corrosive".
| ← Ch. 076 | Ch. 078 → |