Sousetsuka

Chapter 24

Book 2




"Ichinose-san, I'll maneuver as planned. There's five hostiles, our class holds numerical advantage but you gotta pay attention for ambushes."
"...Got it."

　We were going to leave the bombing site when a group of people disguising themselves as Univsomething showed up.
　Thus I decided to take the escape route crowded by people running away from their vehicles near the collapsed bridge even if it carries some risk.

"What's our move... Also, what's up with the radio silence from our allies..."
"...It could be a magic-based jamming. Our comm devices boast high specs but they rely on magic-based technologies... It is not unheard of for high ranking mages to jam such devices."
"Makes sense... Sorry, I'm gonna jump to a higher ground. Please hold on tight."

　I kicked the ground hard and jumped higher than buildings' roofs, landing on top of an electric pole to get a view on the surroundings.
　Where's the real Univsomething... They should be moving on these rooftops.
　I found an individual in all black guiding people to safety.
　I jumped down there and checked with this person.

"Excuse me, are you with the mission's staff!?"
"You're...! No, more importantly, who's that you're carrying!"
"! You're a member of Universomething I take it!? Why are you here! Aren't you guys supposed to tail our group!"
"Uh no, I'm with the unit tasked with tailing the delegation entourage... The unit following you has our captain--"

　I told them what happened. A group of people wearing the same attire.
　And how they made a mistake on the personnel list.
　Above all, the fact that they were elves under those helmets.

"I'm guessing the magic-induced explosions have caused interference to our communication... Acknowledged. We will dispatch our forces to this place. You go and bring Norun-sama to the resort."
"Roger... Please help my classmates."

　My targets of protection are originally my classmates. However--I've been told to prioritize the princess in this mission. Yes, they ordered me to choose the princess over my classmates in a life or death situation--and I agreed. I don't believe those guys will lose anyways.

"Norun-sama... I'm gonna get serious. Please seriously hold on tight."
"Yes... I'll leave everything in your hands, Yuuki-sama."

　I jumped so hard it broke the asphalt under, leaping over several buildings in one go.
　My superhuman jumps are made possible now that my limiter is removed. We're closing in on the hotel fast. But this also means I'm getting farther apart from my friends.

"Yuuki-sama, I do not see a pursuer. Please let me down right over there."
"No. Not until we reach the hotel."
"...You would rather protect me even if it means enduring that pained look on your face?"
"...This is my mission. Please don't worry, we'll get there soon. I'll go back right after."
"...Yes. I wish you good fortune."

　At the hotel, the chairwoman's group had already left, leaving only government officials there. They've been notified on the bridge bombing incident.

"I'm sorry, I don't have time to explain now. I'm going back to the students, to my classmates."
"Hey you, wait!"

　I shook that detaining voice off, turned around and leaped out as hard as I could.
　I found several grown ups laying on top of a building along the way but I pressed on ahead, ignoring them.
　...What the heck, are you telling me those are our real bodyguards... Why'd you guys let them steal your equipment just like that!
　I clicked my tongue as I reached the park where Arariel was shooting down a barrage of magic.
　I swooped in and crushed one of the hostile mages.

"Coming through! Arariel, keep moving while minding your position! Go for the kill when you see an opening!"
"Back and barking orders already ain'tcha."
"Just do it!"

　Our enemies are definitely gonna focus on our long ranged attackers.
　Don't fight them head-on like a fool, our classmates can dodge their attacks just fine for sure.
　I kicked at the hostiles while they were still stunned by my abrupt arrival before regrouping with my classmates.

"Ichinose-san, focus on an enemy at a time together with Kai. Selia-san, crush the hostiles baited by Arariel."
"Is Norun-sama safe!?"
"Kai, this isn't the time. Believe in Sasahara-kun."
"R, right! Got it, I'll do just that."

　First, I'll have the two with the best coordination among us here to take on one hostile at a time. Gotta focus on decreasing their number.

"Hit and run tactic is it. Roger that."
"As for Kaname..."
"I have my own idea. Well, it probably mirrors yours though." 

　Kaname seems to understand that I want him to stop hostiles aiming to throw our group's teamwork in disarray. He went for an enemy going for Selia-san while taking a view on the entire battlefield.

"Kazuki-san, I don't know anything about you!"
"I have an aptitude for electrical type magic. It's not suited for frontline, and more for support behind the line. However--I am capable of stopping magic aimed at you."

　A javelin made of stone shot out of a blank space and got repelled off by some sort of lightning... Crap, didn't know magic could be invisible.
　Kazuki-san had just blocked that.

"I will handle the front. No magic will get past me."
"OK, you bet. Then... I'm off."

　These hostiles are a bunch of people who managed to raise all this hell and defeated Univsomething with a few personnel.
　They can't possibly be weak. But--we can do this. It'll be fine, we're doing fine.

"...I'll have you guys disappear asap."

　I hurled myself at a nearby man who was locking swords with Koune-san and pushed him off into the sea. Then--

"Koune-san, you can finish him off."
"For the kill?"
"Either works for me."

　I won't tell her to kill outright. She's not a member of Practical Combat Theory Lab after all. But--

"Then, in for the kill I go."

　She rained down icicle spears upon the sea as she said that.

"I may be a knight but magic is not outside my expertise."
"I see. Then, you can keep Kazuki-san safe."

　I left her with that task and went to help Selia-san who was staving off three hostiles trying to get to Arariel by herself.
　But then, Kaname sliced one of them in half before I got there.

"This is my first real campaign using this. Yep, it's as sharp as I thought."
"Uhee... No wonder you don't wanna wield that in our practice matches."
"Yup. It's apparently pretty valuable too."

　Kaname is wielding the silver halberd with such ferocity belying his slim build.
　Meanwhile, Selia-san crushed the two hostiles rushing at her.
　Hers... is an axe. Its terrifying appearance is the biggest hint to its lethal capability.

"...They're kinda fragile."
"Aren't they. Let's take care of the remaining three in one fell swoop."

　They're strong. So this is the power of Class SS.
　That was when I finally noticed something. Satomi-san is nowhere to be found.

"What about Satomi-san!?"
"She found a chance to go for the bridge after you left. I think she's helping with the rescue effort."
"Got it. Ichinose-san and Kai... are finished with theirs too."

　A black thorn jumped out of a hostile's chest, killing them and leaving only one left. 

"Hee, I see. Now that's a fun way to kill."
"...You're all that's left."

　The last hostile standing was the one who tried to take Norun-sama away.
　His helmet design isn't like the rest... Maybe it was the squad captain's?

"...No matter. We were never under an illusion we'd come out of this alive. The princess has left our grasp as well, that's fine. Kuku... It's our defeat for underestimating mere students."

　The man let go of a metal staff-like thing and raised his arms as if he was surrendering the moment he was the only one left.
　A bravado? No... Something's not right. Something...
　His helmet moved ever so slightly as if he was looking somewhere for a brief moment.
　I immediately punched the man to destroy his helmet and handed him unconscious to Ichinose-san.

"It's not over yet! I'm guessing... It's the bridge!"

　Recall. Why did Norun-sama come to Japan. Chairwoman said it was a 'Risk Distribution'. Which means--the delegation entourage must be these hostiles' target too. Just leaving them on top of a broken bridge doesn't cut it!

"The bridge... You can't tell me there's a third bomb!?"
"Drawing our attention, throwing the escort unit into chaos, and forcing the entourage on the bridge. The scale's too big if all they wanted was to kidnap Norun-sama! There was no need to go that far."

　I ran at full speed toward the bridge.
　There's no more people left around the broken bridge, only empty vehicles are left.
　I find Satomi-san helping to treat the wounded alongside the real Univsomething members fire fighting and carrying the victims away.

"We must evacuate this place at once. There might be... another explosion coming. An even bigger one...!"
"You're, back...! What about Norun-sama."
"She's safe. So, please get all the wounded away from this place. The delegation entourage might be in peril for real this time."
"...But we can't leave them behind... A helicopter is heading this way right now."
"Got it. Please leave with the wounded."

　Ichinose-san and Selia-san came by so I asked them to help transporting the victims.
　The rest of our classmates are keeping watch on the tied surviving hostiles at the park.
　I ask the Univsomething folks to help with the clean up before going lost in thought once again.

"...The first two explosions leave the entourage stranded... The goal is likely to stop them from regrouping with these Univsomething guys... And now that they failed to secure Norun-sama...."

　I'm guessing there must be a bomb of some sort meant to kill the entourage for real. The monorail is still hanging suspended over there too, what do.

"...Well there's only one way to get it done."
"Sasahara-kun, we've cleared all the civilians in the area. If there's a risk of another explosion... we should get away as well. Our mission is to keep Norun-sama safe and remove the hostiles targeting her."
"She's right, let's leave the rest to the pros. Things haven't gotten that bad anyway, and there's a heli--"
"What if they have someone monitoring this place? What if they set the bomb off the moment that helicopter comes close to maximize casualty...."

　What's their goal? Of course it's to worsen the two worlds' relationship. Moreover, the offenders are Grandia natives this time... Earth side may not bear the brunt of the faultfinding this time, but Grandia side may still cite this incident to shift away from Earth... Or not? I don't get it. It's the bigwigs' job to mull over all that stuff. My workload is--

"Sorry, but I gotta go. You three get away from here."
"What are you talking about, look how far they are! Not even you can get there."
"Nope, I'll be fine. I'll get back if something goes wrong. Ichinose-san, I saw Univsomething guys on top of a building in the shopping area. Please tell the real Univguys about this."
"...Very well. You're going then? Promise us you will come back in one piece."
"I'll be back before you know it."
"Are you sure? I don't think... you can cover this distance even with Aerial Repositioning, you know...?"
"I'll be fine. I've gotten the knack recently."

　I can do this. As long as I jump mostly horizontally. Besides--I think I can easily do double jump with Limiter off.
　I did an approach run and leaped off with all my might at the end of the broken bridge toward the other end 200 meter away.



"...Make another jump mid air, huh. Like this, I think."

　I jumped again in the air right before I started falling, and landed on the edge of the broken isolated bridge pier.
　On this side, the monorail passengers are in the middle of getting away from the monorail and moving onto the bridge through the railtrack.

"Hey you! Did you just leap from that side..."
"Yes. Can I have a sitrep... I can lend a hand if needed."

　A male elf wearing a high class robe ran up to me not long after I landed.
　But he immediately--

"Leave at once. You are not safe here... And please get everybody near the bridge to safety. We can't reach anyone through our comm devices from this side."
"...I see, they've planted something."

　He quietly and calmly pointed at a wire that extends to the bridge pillar while being discreet as to not alert the people nearby.

"It appears to be a magecraft device... A machine if you go by this world, with a large scale explosive magecraft encased within. I don't believe we have enough time to defuse it."
"...Is it bad if I bring it here?"
"Could I trouble you if possible?"

　I jumped down to find a briefcase painted with the same color as the pillar before going back up. Scary. This is too scary.

"That's an incredible leg strength you possess... Ah, yes, it appears dispelling this magecraft would take far too long. They even made it to look like earth's gunpowder... Get away. And please pass along the fact that this was done by our brethren. It will be detrimental... if these bombs are mistaken as being Earth-made."
"Err, what if we threw this bomb into the sea..."
"It won't do any good. The scale of this magecraft is too big. It will set off regardless if it's underwater. Above all... The remaining people inside the monorail would fall from the shockwave." 

　Did those hostiles plan that far out when they left the monorail hanging.
　...When did they plant all these. It all seems far too elaborate.

"...Let me have the bomb."
"What are you going to do with it?"
"A plan that'll likely result in the least amount of victims given the situation."
"...Can you, do it?"
"I don't have a dying wish. I think I've got a solid chance of succeeding."

　If this person is to be believed... The scale of the explosion must be more than 200 meter big in radius since it must reach the floating city. Which means--

"A rescue helicopter is heading this way, please tell them to look for me. I'll be seeing you again!"

　I can do this. The only issue is--Whether I'm surviving this or not. No, I will. I probably will.
　I made another long jump and leaped into the open sea with all my might.

"Ah, dangit... The briefcase's started making this weird vibration."

　I did a double jump as I was closing in on the sea surface.
　I'm getting farther and farther from the bridge. This should be far enough to minimize the damage on there.
　And right as I was about to fall on the sea surface once again--I threw the briefcase down hard. I dived in the sea and kicked the water hard, submerging below as if my life depended on it. I took a stance and readied myself to brace for the coming impact.
　...If I die here... What's gonna happen I wonder. Will I go back to my original world... No that's a wishful thinking... Ixia-san... I'm sure she'll grieve for me... Oh man, I don't wanna make her cry...
　But I gotta do this... or else so many people will fall victim to this and--

　I could feel an intense light alongside an impact that shook my entire being down to the core while my body was being roasted from the sheer heat despite being underwater--Then I blacked out.







"Hey, that stuff gotta be from that time we helped those guys with the kidnapping yeah?"
"Indeed. However... We may have agreed to lend our aid but this was not part of the plan shared with us. Involving civilians risks painting our back as 'His' target of purge." 
"Uee... But that was the best hand they coulda played. Akimiya pawns ain't no slouch. We gotta scram fast, don't wanna be mistaken as those guys' allies."
"...Indeed. His valor is worthy of praise but there is no escaping that explosion alive. We lost a great man."

　Two men had a quiet discussion as they watched a barely distinguishable shadow of a person jumping off a bridge before an explosion swallowed it from afar. Taking one last glance before turning around and leaving.
　It's a type of a modern weapon with a 300 meter wide blast radius.
　It boasts an explosive power so high the heat it produced instantly evaporated all the water around. No one caught in the blast could possibly survive.
　And yet the person underwater is--







　I'm coming back to my sense. I can think in my mind. Yet I can't open my eyes.
　I'm not dead? Yep, I'm not dead. I'm alive.
　I heard a sound. I could faintly hear a conversation nearby.
　It's awfully blur but my ears picked it up for sure.

『The ruptured eardrums, the broken bones all over his body, and the rest of his external wounds are gradually healing. He either has taken in some sort of high level liquid medicine or is under some sort of divine protection to survive that...』
『Understood. We will take over his care from here on. You are prohibited to share any information regarding this patient. That is all.』

　What, what are they talking about. Also, my body was wounded all over huh.
　No wonder everything hurts and I can't move.

"...Can you hear me, Yuuki-kun. Could you move however you can to signal you're listening?"

　I tried to speak but no voice came out of my throat.

"I see, you've come to. We can wait to have a chat. Your whole body has been severely damaged by the shockwave rushing at you under the sea. I'm not sure what caused your rapid healing however."

　What. If this is not the work of magic, then how?

"Don't try to think anything right now. Focus on resting."
"...Got, it."
"...Even your vocal chord has regenerated... You're really full of surprise."

　I passed out once again. What happened... after that.

<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >

　I came to once again. I could open my eyes this time.
　Hahaha... I can finally say it this time. The classic--

""I don't know this ceiling.""

　Someone's voice overlapped with mine.
　The voice sounded familiar, I turned my slightly hurting neck and found--

"Ah... This is a dream. I see Rio-chan."
"Nfufu, nope you're not dreaming. Long time no see, Yuu-chan."

　This girl is the only one who calls me that as of present. I can only wonder why the sole person that has ever utterly defeated me is here right now in this dimly lit hospital room.

"You got in the news. So here I am on a sick visit, all stealthily. You really went and did great thing in Tokyo, what a surprise."
"Wha... You're kidding me... So I just went and made my debut out there."
"『A brave student saving more than 100 lives including a delegation entourage』... You're so cool, Yuu-chan."

　Ah... I see, they all survived. Thank goodness, I didn't put myself at risk for nothing.
　Also... I just checked that I got all my limbs intact. I still feel a bit sluggish though.

"...You seem fine, I see. Yup, that's good. Think it's high time for me to leave, I'm hearing voices. Can't have anyone see me."
"Eh, you're leaving already? Tell me your contact please. I've gotten so much stronger y'know? I wanna have a revenge match, Rio-chan."
"Eh, I dunno... No... I cannot tell you yet. But--I am sure we will have our rematch one day. Bear with it until the time is right, boy."

　She started speaking like a grown up again, quietly stood up--and disappeared in a blink.
　The window was left open before I knew it alongside a swaying curtain.
　...This doesn't look like the first floor no matter how you slice it. Who's that girl really... she's too full of mystery.

　I slowly sat up. My body still feels sluggish but it's only at the level of a cold.
　I should call the nurse and tell them I'm awake--
　Right as I was about to, the light turned on and the door to my room opened.
　Chief Nishida in a white robe came in with a man who seemed to be a doctor here.

"My, you're really awake. I went here to check on you when I saw the sensor reacted."
"Ah, Chief Nishida. Huh? Is this your research facility?"
"No, it's a hospital on the mainland. While you're here, you will be under my care and a doctor dispatched by Akimiya."
"I see..."
"Now then, first I'll tell you what happened."

　She told me pretty much the same info Rio-chan just said.
　Thanks to me carrying that third bomb away from the bridge, the incident reaped no more casualty.
　My impromptu plan, which was equipping my suit and using my sword as a shield allowed me to barely survive the explosion.
　My extreme healing is thanks to a highly dense concentration of medicine that has the same property as nectar they detected inside my body. A medicine whose formula has long been lost.

"I'm sorry but could you tell me how that came to be."
"Uh, I have no clue."

　I took a quick glance behind her to which she grasped.

"Chief Nishida, there's no doubt his blood contains the same efficacy as Nectar or Elixir!"
"Leave. This matter is under jurisdiction of my superior, Akimiya. Fall back."
"! Please, excuse me."

　Chief Nishida locked the room once the doctor left.

"Tell me."
"I've been drinking a beverage Ixia-san concocted lately. She said it was a nutritional drink... But I know nothing more beyond that."
"...I see. It's possible if we're talking about her... That's one thing cleared up."
"Can I ask you something? Err... How am I treated now? After all the trouble of trying to stay incognito. This whole mess turned into a huge news..."
"...Let's see. The decision on that will fall on Chairwoman, not me... but I think you'll be fine. You jumped into the sea to save many lives and got transported to a hospital. It was a heroic story but nothing I would call abnormal. Besides, this will actually make it harder for those trying to misuse your power. At most, you'd be seen as a special Scwhein School student who did something heroic."
"R-really... Then, I'm safe."
"That is my guess. The assailants weren't that strong. The thing that drew the most attention about you was 'Incredible jumping power by way of Physical Boost'."

　I see, that's good then. Things should settle down once I'm back on my feet.
　I asked Chief Nishida when can they let me go and she said they would examine me tomorrow and I might get discharged depending on the result.
　My healing rate is simply that astoundingly fast.
　I mean all the bones in my body were all broken the first time I came to, and yet they're all completely fine now.
　But the fatigue from muscle laceration will remain for a while... That is to say, I'm sore all over.

"It's just... There's another problem. Ixia-san stormed in the campus. Family Head came out to meet her, but she was so indignant when she came marching in all the lecturers thought they were done for. She's settled down now after I told her your situation over a call..."
"Ah... I got in the TV news... I bet."
"Yes, extensively at that. They wrote, 'The student victim' too so... All of us was prepared to die by Ixia-san's hands..."
"...She'll likely rush over tomorrow..."
"She will. I did tell her that you weren't at risk of dying... but of course she will."

　Deep terror and fatigue flashed on Chief Nishida's face.
　Ah... She's gonna suffer another hit to her stomach because of me... She's really got it rough.

"What about my classmates?"
"The banquet was canceled but they still went with Norun-sama as well as the delegation entourage to Nagata-chou. 'This incident was perpetrated by our side. The fault lies on us, we will not blame you.' You can hear the rest from Family Head, but you can sleep tight knowing all is well."

　I see... Thank goodness. Guess I can rest easy tonight.

"...Right. Your vital looks stable, and nothing seems wrong with your body. Now that we know that super recovery is Ixia-san's handiwork, that will be all for today. I'll leave you here, do take it easy now. Good night, Yuuki-kun."
"I will... Good night, Chief..."

　All my concerns are gone. I'm worried about Ixia-san but knowing that things will work out somehow, I'm falling asleep once again.



　Being none of the wiser about an intruder coming in through the still open window.

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