Chapter 37

Book 3




　Storm. Both sides furiously clashed their halberds, sending shockwaves that flinched the onlooking student.
　I can't tell if they're using Moves or not. It's literally a clash between two storms.
　But Player Rouhi didn't stop to utter 'Next', intensifying his offense instead.

"This is... tremendous. I cannot miss this."
"Welcome back, Ichinose-san. His match with you was a battle of techniques wasn't it? But this time it's pure... brute force. That player is well versed in both techniques and pure power, it looks like."
"...That appears to be the case. I figured, he didn't go all out against me."

　Ichinose-san made her frustration known. But... I should focus more on the match.
　Kaname dropped one of his halberds, threw his arm out, grabbed player Rouhi's weapon and lifted him up.

"Oh!? Go, Kaname!"
"Haaaaaaaa!"

　He swung and flung him away. But--player Rouhi regained his balance mid air and kicked the air like it was an invisible wall, taking position behind Kaname near instantaneously.

"That's quite enough. That last attack was very well done. However... I see that your minute movements are lagging behind. For now, you should focus on improving that point. Also, you have yet to fully master that summoned weapon of yours. From what I can tell, it's a type that grows stronger with its owner's mana. You'd want to train on raising your mana pool."
"Yes, thank you so much for your guidance!"

　Jen-sensei could do some aerial tricks but this person... is even more skilled on that than her.
　Doing impossible acrobatics you'd see in games like real double jumps and stuff.
　Wonder if I... could ever get to that point.

"I'm back, Yuuki-kun. Seems like you're the last one standing, everybody else's gone."
"Can't blame 'em after watching that intense fight. Good for you Kaname, he gave you advice."
"Yup. Would have been nice if Kai-kun tagged along to this boot camp."

　Yeah, that guy is aiming to be a battler after all.

"Oh? You're the only one left it seems. Let's--hm?"

　Player Rouhi tilted his head when he saw me entering the field.

"...Kuku, now this is a surprise. I almost lost my cool. It's been a while, young man."
"I'm sorry, I do feel like we've met somewhere before too..."
"Remember out match at Akimiya resort hotel? I see, so you were an Akimiya student. I had always wanted to measure your strength... Luck is on my side."
"Ah! I'm sorry for that time. I broke your device."
"Don't worry about it, those weren't mine anyway. Well then, you're... a katana type I see. Let's... begin."

　His exquisite katana handling shown in his match with Ichinose-san. I'm yet to reach that level... but I have my own style.
　A dash slash. Yet he backstepped away just as fast right before my attack connected. He saw right through me.

"Please don't match my timing."
"Kuku... Nice move, let me have a go myself."

　Player Rouhi disappeared in that moment. His katana almost reached me by the time I realized.

"Blocking with your sheath huh. You're quite a handful, young man!"
"I won't lose to a copycat!"

　Dash, five slashes. He couldn't handle them all and unleashed a mowing slash midway through my barrage.
　We're standing still during our clash. I'm parrying his attack purely through reflex and sword speed.
　Not yet, I can keep at it. I gotta go fast, faster... Even faster!

"Haaaaaaaaaaaa!!!"
"Daaaaaaaaaaaa!"

　I swung my katana so fast I lost sensation of my hands.
　We each blocked and parried each other attack--and just as we were about to hit our limit, we took some distance away.
　I regulated my breathing and reset my stance. My opponent put his katana in his sheath as he was catching his breath too.

"Still rough around the edges, but your strength is the real deal. Focus on bettering the basics."
"Is it lesson time already? I still have a Move I want to show you though?"
"...Is that right. In that case, I too shall show you my Move. This is the last one."

　I wasn't the only one who took a quickdraw stance. Player Rouhi lowered his waist as he took the stance.
　I focused my mana into my right hand to unleash the most destructive 'Gale Gash' yet.

"...Disappear!"
"I'm not gonna lose!"

　A moment later, a crimson flame flared up in the space between us two as my Gale Gash cut it apart, flaring it up more intensely.
　Did he... stop my Coordinate Attack? Those slashes should have been generated in his position, yet they ended up raging a storm in the space between us.

"...You erased it huh. That Move appears to be a wind Magecraft. I would have never imagined you managed to offset my Move."
"Are you for real... You saw right through it in one glance?"
"That's the end of our match. As for your lesson... let's see, keep polishing your foundations. Focus on the basics. You already have both trick moves and finisher in spades. Bolster your foundation and you should naturally learn more Moves on your own... I wish I could have fought you at full strength."
"Should I say 'right back at you'? I know what's that on your wrist."
"Kuku... so do I about that thing on your neck. That was truly a stimulating match. Mind telling me, your name."
"I'm Sasahara Yuuki."

　We praised each other for a good fight before parting. I'm nowhere near the top. He felt bottomless and that fight made me realize that.
　It was amazing... The speed in which he saw through my Moves and chose the best hands to deal with it was superhuman level.
　Ixia-san was right when she postulated that my magecraft wouldn't really work on people more powerful than me.

"Good work, Yuuki-kun. I'm so jealous... He never asked for, my name."
"It appears you're acquainted with him... That was a good fight indeed. That new Move of yours... I did not think it could offset his Lost Art..."
"You mean that Otherside Move? Still hard to believe you could make flame fly out of a katana like that."
"That is not magic, that flame is generated from the natural air friction caused by the speed of his slash. Only natural wind or water disarranged by mana could extinguish that flame. Your counter move was the best answer against that. A happenstance it may be."

　No kidding. So he didn't shoot out flame, it just got ignited on its own.
　Wonder if you can't just cut up that flame.

"Either way, I'm super tired... Let's get out of here, you two. It's so stuffy in here."
"I agree, let's go outside. I think there's more students around now."
"They are probably those who were training outside. Seeing as we are done, taking a shower might be a good idea."

　I got on board with that idea and left the feverish crowd.



　I'm trying to figure out what to do after this while showering.
　I could use some cold drink or do a light exercise with VR.
　Oh yeah, Kaname is apparently pretty buff, let's check it out, shall we--

"Uwa!"
"! What's going on!?"

　A huge tremor hit the bathroom all of sudden, tripping the showering Kaname up.
　Ah, he's swole alright. Wait no, forget that.

"The light went out... power outage? What was that tremor?"
"Something feels off. The water's out too. Let's take a look outside. Put on your clothes!"
"Yeah, gotcha."

　We fumbled our way to wearing our clothes in the dark and hurried outside.
　...My smart terminal is completely out of range. Is it a jamming...?

"We're on an island and all. Maybe there's no other relay stations to hook it up."
"Yeah... That tremor and power outage... There might be a trouble with the power line facility."

　Is this... the raid Chairwoman mentioned?
　Then we gotta regroup with Ichinose-san and Jen-sensei first thing first.

"Let's meet up with Ichinose-san before returning to that indoor training stadium. We gotta regroup."
"Hn, got it."

　Ichinose-san had left the shower room before us. We found her in no time.
　She agreed to look for Jen-sensei with us and ask for instructions.

"...At least the smartterm's flashlight is usable."
"Forgive me. I have left mine in my room."
"Oh it's fine, there's enough light with our terminals. Ah, Yuuki-kun, turn left there."

　We're starting to hear a rustle. The people in the training stadium are probably panicking.
　The door to the stadium wouldn't budge when we tried to open it.

"Look. On the opposite side of that glass door. The shutter's down."
"Is there no other way to get in? How about you hit it real hard, Kaname?"
"Do we need to go that far? We can just wait for the power to get back up, right."
"That's gonna--"

　But our conversation got cut short. By a sound of explosion and people screaming beyond the shutter.

"What!?"
"Ssh... The speakers inside are broadcasting something."
"What... Is it to clear up what's this all about...?"

　Nope. I bet it's--

『First of all, we have taken custody of around 80% of students and training instructors as well as school instructors inside the training stadium. We have imposed a normally unbearable gravity force and mana restriction indoors through environmental control system. The few unlucky students have suffered heavy injuries. We are capable of altering this environment further and reaping the rest of the people indoors.』

　...Are they serious. This is way harder than I imagined.

"...They're not bluffing, are they."
"...Yeah. That facility can really alter the environment inside."
"Let's focus on the broadcast. We might find out their goal."

　The mechanical sounding voice could be heard from the speaker again.

『We seek the destruction of all facilities on this island as well as securing the researchers. We have cut off means of communication but consider this a warning to those idling outside. Stay still until we're done. We are currently switching to emergency power indoors. Once it is done, our people will check the facilities. We won't harm you as long as you obey us.』

"You heard them. Let's follow their instructions."
"Is that really okay... Can't we do something?"
"Well, we might be able to save the hostages if we turn off the indoor environmental control."

　Nope. That's a no go.

"That's probably out of question. They're clearly in the know about the situation here before committing. I bet they've got moles among the staff members and come here prepared for resistance."
"That sounds... plausible. Right... To these attackers, the instructors must pose the highest threat. They've successfully put them out of picture... The environmental control device is the assailants' lifeline." 
"Besides, we have no clue about their number. We must not act on our own... no matter what."
"...Got it. So, what's the plan? Maybe we could take out at least the patrolling hostiles."
"That's probably not a good idea. Our enemies are clearly trained pros. They must have a protocol in place when they lose contact with their men. Vexing it may be... I believe Sasahara-kun is correct in his assessment, we should remain obedient here."

　That's for the best. I never... thought that it would come to this either.
　Player Rouhi is still in the indoor training stadium. That person would likely make his move if the students come into danger. I'm guessing he's the cooperator Chairwoman contracted.
　But... Our enemy holds the numerical advantage. He definitely won't go out of his way to make a move on them on his own....

"Oh yeah... Where's Ixia-san..."
"Calm down, Yuuki-kun. I bet she's behind those doors too. I saw her handing out some sort of medicine when we left."
"...I see. That means there's at least one person there who can treat injuries. Even with the screams earlier... I believe she'd get it under control."

　I'm actually relieved about that instead. Ixia-san won't lose to anyone, I'm sure. She's definitely gonna come through no matter what the enemy tells her to do.
　The light returned inside the facility.

"Let's go over the plan. First obediently surrender if they find you.... Then... once you're inside with the others, find an opening. Fortunately, Kaname's got a device and a summoned weapon. They won't be as alarmed if you give them your device."
"Hm, got it. Right... having someone who can fight inside is a good idea."
"As for Ichinose-san... here you go. Bring my weapon device with you, bear with the weight for a bit. They should lower their guard around you too if you let them take it."
"Understood. What about you, Sasahara-kun?"

　The indoor side should be safer with these two. As for me... I gotta neutralize these hostiles before the situation leaked to outside world...

"I'm gonna go around and find those who are isolated indoors. Can't tell what they're gonna do to people who act alone. I'm gonna gather as many people as I could before they could find me."
"But you are risking yourself if they find you before you manage that. You should bring your weapon device with you."
"No, I'd rather them not mistake me as a defiant. Please Ichinose-san."

　I gotta leave my device somewhere if I assume that form anyway. I might as well leave it in Ichinose-san's hands.
　I'm gonna ask if they could make my choker store my device as well later.

"...That's that. I'll head for the central tower for now. Try to stay in line, you two. I'll let myself caught once I've got more people with me."
"...Very well. Don't do anything reckless this time, Sasahara-kun..."
"We'll join up with combat capable people inside. Give us a signal... if you make a move, okay."
"Haha, I don't think I can this time around. Then... I'm off."

　I paid no heed to Kaname's weird expectation and looked for somewhere unpopulated.


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



"Excuse me. Would you please let me treat the injured? I am versed in the way of medicine. I won't act out of line, would you please give me the permission."

　I am unable to move freely due to the mysterious mana that puts pressure on my entire body.
　I struggled a little before I could stand up and counseled the assailants.
　...I am familiar with the concept of gravity. But this is nothing like that. It's a power spot generated by mana meant to resemble the effect of intensified gravity.
　I postulate these assailants have put on those armor to escape this effect.
　Fortunately, it is possible to soften this pressure to a degree by activating high level Physical Boost.
　However... Several girls who are lying on the ground appear to be struggling to breathe. They will not... last if this keeps up.

"...Alright, go ahead."
"Thank you."

　I walked with a half-bent posture to a corner of this training hall where the injured have been gathered. I made them drink mana recovery medicine with a slightly stronger dosage than normal.
　She's a small girl. This is... I understand that I have to wait for Yuuki to resolve this incident, but it is hard on my mental.

"How are you feeling...? I take it you are not well adept with Physical Boost, correct?"
"...Yes... I'm sorry."
"Please don't think about it. How about the rest, do you feel better?"

　Once I confirmed their reply, I made them stay as close as possible, like what what modern people would say, 'packed like sardines in a can'.

"I will relief the pressure if only for a bit... with my mana. Please stay as still as possible."

　I channel my mana into the closest girl that then gets channeled to the next girl to create a barrier that protects these girls.
　It appears to be working. Their complexions are changing for the better.

"...Everything will  be all right. I'm sure help is on the way. So please bear with it for a little bit more, okay."
"Yes... Thank you very much."
"It's helping... I can't thank you enough."

　Their feeble voices prick my chest. It's okay, Yuuki will definitely save us.
　I was praying in my heart when the entrance sounded astir and several new people entered the stadium.
　Aren't they... Yuuki's friends, Kaname-kun and Ichinose-san... Which means, Yuuki is...?
　The two saw and walked up to me.

"Yuuki-kun's mother. Can we talk?"
"Yes, please come over. I'm in the middle of treating the injured students. You two can come over here. It should help relieve the pressure."
"...You have my thanks. Moving around inside this stadium... is far harder than I imagined..."
"Yup. I don't think I can fight well like this... either."
"...Please try to remain composed, okay. What is that you wish to talk about?"
"We saw Yuuki off outside. He wanted to meet up with other students that got left behind before they let themselves get caught."
"He was worried what the assailants would do to people acting alone... He's putting other people above himself even during an emergency..."

　Is that so. Which is to say, he must be undertaking his mission right now.
　I suppose... we can rest easy now.

"I believe in my son. As such, let us stay put for now."
""Yes.""

　I know you can do it, Yuuki.







"Test, test... Alright."

　I put on my combat suit, and checked the needlessly realistic feeling padded chest armor, my altered voice and the hair sticking out of my helmet before holding my greatsword over my shoulder.
　I'm on the roof of the central tower. As far as I can tell, the students training outside have all been crammed in a gazebo-like structure meant for resting.
　Three people are guarding the main entrance to the stadium. And five people are in the back of the building. Four people are watching over the gazebo. They're probably gonna send several fighters to guard this spot soon as well.

"...First, I'll eliminate all hostiles outside. If they do a periodic status report... They're going to send people out to check out for any irregularity... Not good, I can't think of any better idea besides slaughtering them all since I got no info on their scale."

　I could have planned it all out better if only I knew how many personnel they got and their positions... Dammit, it doesn't look like I have any other option than a complete massacre.
　Hold it... Since they've cut off the communication indoor, they must get in touch with each other using transceivers. And... communication was also jammed during our field training two months ago.
　They might have ways to jam comm then.

"Regardless of the answer... I still gotta kill them all."

　Rewrite my mindset. This is no training, or a VR. I will be reaping people lives with my own will.
　Become a crazed warrior. Abandon all hesitation, give them no mercy, think of them as less than humans, turn into a demonic sword whose sole purpose is to fell its enemies.

　My sharpened senses caught the sound of footsteps heading toward this rooftop.
　I jump. I aim for my target mid air. Four people wearing unfamiliar military uniforms.

"...My first kill ever worth commemorating."

　I crushed two people as I swung my sword down before immediately making a mowing motion, cutting the two other in half. 
　I look at the corpses and confirm that these four aren't the facility personnel.
　The order is all messed up, so what. They're enemies regardless. Doesn't matter if they're affiliated with the facility, the moment they're walking around out here, they're enemies.

"These guys... don't have transceivers on them. Were they never expecting to get in contact with their friends indoors...?"

　All the better. I can kill in peace.
　Afterward, I perched on the rooftop for a few minutes before I went around the north, east, south and west tower rooftops. Once I confirmed that there was nobody stationed on those rooftops, I started the extermination job one by one starting from the back of the stadium. 



"Guh... fu... ku."
"Die already."

　I killed all the guards stationed around the buildings before finishing off the guards watching over students who were training outside in an ambush.

"Hii! D-don't come here, someone help!"
"Shut up. Stay silent. I'm on a mission."

　Figured. Ordinary students aren't exactly used to seeing people die.
　I had the screaming schoolgirl caught by the hostiles quiet down and explained to her that I'm here to deal with those hostiles. So I'm their ally in a way.

"Please state your affiliation."
"I'm not authorized to disclose that. Stand by."

　Are you for real man. I almost yelped in shock when I saw the schoolboy who fearlessly asked for my identity.
　Shousuke, you weren't training indoor today? Didn't know you were outside.

"...Understood. Please save the students inside the stadium."

　Hold it? Maybe they've got intel on those attackers since they've been outside all this time?
　I immediately asked but everybody was too scared to observe the situation.
　But sure enough, Shousuke was ready to answer to my question.

"Five people in the back. Three people at the gate over there. There were three people before you defeated them. I have no information on the number of hostiles inside."
"Gate... There's something beyond that."
"I'm unclear what it is, we're only told that only authorized personnel may enter. I believe it's a place to manage this facility's lifeline. I heard an explosion sound coming from the other side around thirty minutes ago."

　Nice, Shousuke. That might be the place that got destroyed while we were showering.
　I gotta smash any hostiles still lingering in there first.

"You have my gratitude. I am breaking in the stadium as soon as I have that location secured. You students stand by in this place just to be safe. Hide the bodies."
"...Yes."

　I should avoid conversation as much as I could... eh, this much should be fine.
　I passed through the gate and found a destroyed small building ahead.
　Their goal was the destruction of every facility on this island... yet why would they station people there?
　Upon a closer inspection, only the building is destroyed, a radio tower-like structure next to it is still standing tall. I could see a cord-like thing extending from this tower.
　What? That power line-like cord is extending to the research tower.

"Guess I could eliminate two and capture one? Hope it goes well."

　I jumped to a nearby tree before commencing the attack.
　Two people standing next to each other got their heads lopped off in an instant. I thrust my sword before the last one.

"Don't move."
"!"

　Now that I'm close, I can see that cord is connected to a machine.
　Are they setting up something inside the facility... with this machine?

"Tell me what this machine is. I promise to let you off as a source of intel if you do. Thank your luck."
"...I don't know."

　I cut off his toes.

"I don't know!"
"I'll have the other one."

　Is he really clueless, and here only to watch over the thing?

"Die."

　Unfortunately, I'm much too inexperienced to let them live.
　I don't even know what they're good for, I only know to kill.

"Please wait! I don't know for sure, but it's sucking something out... I think."
"Sucks out? I see."

　I see, he's really not informed about the detail. Is this machine... sucking out some sort of data?
　Why would they do it remotely like this? Can't they get it close to the research tower.
　I eliminated the man and unplugged the machine's cord before lugging it away. I probably shouldn't destroy this thing.
　There's gotta be some scheme around this thing. I should secretly hand this over to Chairwoman.
　I hid the machine inside a wooden storage nearby.　

"The device that manages the training stadium's environmental control... is probably in the research tower. Gotta hurry."



　The research tower is located separately from the central tower and the adjacent buildings we're staying at. It's a huge single-story building far from that zone.
　That's where they're researching all kinds of stuff like the VR device I borrowed the other day, latest equipment and new inventions that combine both magic and science.
　That Environmental Control System thing is one of their newest inventions finished last year.
　...And it got misused right away, bringing us to this situation though.

　Sure enough, there were guards in the passage leading to the research tower.
　I looked for another entrance from the forest encircling the research tower but found no windows or ducts I could use to infiltrate. There's only one entrance it seems.
　This is probably where they control the training stadium's environment. Which means, taking control of this tower should release all the students, instructors and trainers including Player Rouhi inside the training stadium.
　This should be the final act of my mission this time.

"I better start developing magic for assassination. Thankfully my element is wind. Air is invisible after all."

　I dashed in one breath. Full power Physical Boost makes me one with the wind.
　I mercilessly stabbed the guards at both ends of the passage and immediately took cover behind the door.
　...Don't think anything superfluous. Focus on my mission. They are enemies. All of them are enemies.
　There's nobody inside the research tower's corridors. I quietly made my way to a room that had people's presence where I could finally hear a conversation.

『Give it another try.』
『...Nope, no good, I can't get a reaction. It's been physically cut off somewhere.』
『The high powered jamming backfired on us... Relying on wire in this day and age.』
『What should we do? Should we pause this operation to check the situation for now?』
『The suppression force from homeland should be coming in two hours. We must withdraw before the appointed time. How long will the repair work and upload take?』
『One and half hour if everything goes smoothly... we'll be cutting it close.』

　Fumu. Are they some country's operatives? Peeking inside, I see a boss-like man wearing a cap, and two white robed male researchers heeding his word.
　Are they the moles? Guess I could let them live.

"I'd like to capture that boss too if I could, but it doesn't seem possible. They've taken other researchers hostages... No other choice than to kill huh."

　I took up my greatsword and internalize the shortest route to strike.
　The best route that keeps the hostages safe... Okay, this will do.
　I quietly opened the door before immediately taking a dash and swung my greatsword down.
　But the white robed man standing next to the boss stopped my attack with a spear horizontally.
　Wha? How'd he manage to stop my full power attack.

"So what though."
"Wha--"
"What are you--"

　I pulled the man's spear-like weapon, crushed his head with my hand as it fell my way, and used the same arm to swing a punch at the boss's head, sending it flying into a stain on the wall.
　The last white robed man fell down on his rear after watching two people suddenly die right in front of his eyes.

"This researcher must be a mole. Tie him up. Relax, my mission is to liberate this facility. Can you change the setting of the training stadium's environmental control from this place?"

　When I asked the group of researchers in the corner, a man replied to me, probably their supervisor.

"Yes we can, it's been set to monsters capture spec, we have to undo it quickly!"
"Got it. I'll leave it to you. The rest of you tie this man up."

　Now then... All that's left is the hostiles in the training stadium. Then--

"Where's the broadcaster? Can we send a broadcast to the training stadium from this place?"
"Yes! Ah... Please wait... I cannot, undo the setting... The training stadium is sending a signal to reject interference from this location."
"...Them killing the people inside was a bluff huh."

　What the heck, I should have freed that place first then.

"Got it. You guys stay here. Don't forget to get that man in a rope. Just in case, take cover inside this research tower's barrier and prevent another raid from outside."
"Yes. As for the people at the training stadium..."
"I'll go smash those hostiles myself."



　I'm back in front of the glass door. If Kaname and Ichinose-san have been brought in there, then there should be a way to give them a signal and get them open this door... but whatever.
　I let out a full powered thrust to break the door and the shutter in one go and lunged inside.
　In that moment, my body experienced a huge resistance, as if I've been encased in invisible viscous liquid.

"Guh.... Gaaaaaaaaa!"

　I forcefully made my body move and tear up the people wearing black cardboard-like armor obviously different from everybody else.
　With my rampage as an impetus, screams started making rounds all over the place too.
　Player Rouhi and... that's Jen-sensei! Also... Kaname caught a hostile.
　Ichinose-san... finished off the hostile Kaname caught huh.
　I ran around in this space prioritizing dealing with hostiles that made an attempt to touch the hostages.
　Those armor must allow them to move freely in this environment.
　When I look again, both Kaname and Ichinose-san have fallen on the ground.
　They're amazing, other adults can't even move....

"Gah!"
"Stop, I surrend--"

　I kicked up the last one, turning them into a splat on the ceiling.
　I'm acting as gruesome as I could to be a symbol of dread.
　This is the Hound. An incarnation of madness and slaughter that seek out its enemies.

"...All members, move out of this place on your own. I'll carry those who can't move."

　After I said that loudly, everybody started crawling their way out on all fours.
　Even my full powered boost feels resistance, it must be rough on ordinary students.
　One group, however, stood up and began walking tightly together.
　Wait, that's Ixia-san leading the way.
　Maybe... she has cast a spell to resist this environment?

"Are you the agent sent by Akimiya head?"

　Another person who was standing unperturbed in this environment talked to me.
　It's player Rouhi.... He really is no ordinary man. How're you so relaxed.

"I was stationed nearby as a contingency. I owe you one."
"...What do you think about this incident."
"Well now."

　I'm not gonna talk... this guy's too sharp.

"...All to keep up their appearance as a major power, huh. How worthless. Don't you think this world is oh so... foolish? Kuku... so pitiful I can't help laughing."
"Help carry the students out if you've still got strength left. I'm going."
"Ah, will do. Kuku... you're still such a young girl too. Met so many interesting young people today."

　...Young girl he said. I'm part relieved that he didn't find out, and part conflicted.
　I kept going in and out carrying all the students and researchers who couldn't move before coming across someone writhing alone.

"Hii... Hii... Ah! I'm saved! ...You have my gratitude, Dainsleif."
"...Don't talk to me. Almost dropped my tone."

　It's Chief Nishida. Her white robe is full of dirt.

"Nn, I'm sorry."
"Any injured personnel?"
"There were several but Ixia-san has treated them."
"I see. You're the last person who can't move then."
"Sorry about this. I'm really useless with anything related to combat."

　S-she's a true blue researcher...
　Once everybody has evacuated outside, I was about to set off to look for any remaining hostiles around the building when someone jumped in front of me.

"Excuse me! You went all over inside this building during your mission right!!!"

　It's Jen-sensei. She's so flustered her face is all wet, I wonder what's up?

"My student! I can't find one of my students! I asked other students outside and they said they don't know too! Have you seen him anywhere!? Maybe you've saved him somewhere! He's a small cute short haired boy! Please... please... tell me you've saved him...!"

　One student is still missing... don't tell me, he's been...?

"I saw nobody like that. I have not combed through every single facility, however. He might be in hiding somewhere."
"No...! All the rooms have been locked automatically! He's not in his room... Ah..."

　Could the hostiles take him away?

"Jen-sensei, please calm down. Sasahara-kun must be taking cover somewhere. I don't believe he is in any immediate danger."
"But! His sword is with you...! He's not armed...!"
"It's okay. He's stronger than me even bare handed."

　...Ah! It's me!

"I might know one boy. He was walking around inside one of the facilities. I led him outside to see if he could contact someone outside the island there... He had a slightly, short stature."

　Dammit... Dammit.. I said it myself! Short, me--!

"T-that's him! That's gotta be him...! Thank goodness... so he was outside..."
"I see... He might get a signal in the harbor..."
"Don't go looking for him just yet. Please stay in a group for the time being. I will head to the harbor and see if I could get a contact myself. Instructor, do a roll-call on the other instructors and wait for further instructions in the hall."

　After that, I walked up to Chief Nishida.

"I have captured a researcher suspected to be the mole, take care of that side. Is there anything you can do to restore communication with outside world?"
"They have satellite phones here, but those attackers probably destroyed them already. How about calling from the harbor? You might just reach the maritime relay station there."
"Understood. Also--"

　I told her about the suspicious machine I stored in a wooden storage and she said, 'They'll likely send their people to fetch that. Move them to a safer location out of reach from them.'
　Oh right, Chairwoman did mention that a certain country would conveniently intervene later.
　Those hostiles mentioned 'homeland' too. No room for doubt it seems.

　I took the machine from the wooden storage, went to the harbor, hid the machine inside a boat management hut and used the app that connects me directly to the chairwoman.

"Dainsleif speaking. Mission complete. I have suppressed nearly all hostiles save for one mole researcher. Hostiles defeated by ally cooperators are still alive and bound."
『Your timing is perfect. A certain country has just offered their assistance. A unit on a practice drill on a nearby island intercepted a suspicious signal by coincidence. They're asking permission to disembark on that island.』
"What's my next move."
『Gather all the dead hostiles in the harbor and lock the surviving hostiles somewhere else. Tell them that you have 'Successfully taken complete control of the situation'. Go and greet the fools nonchalantly barging in with the best hospitality you could offer... Just please don't go over the line.』

　...How could she so casually ask someone to do such heavy labor.
　Afterward, I crammed all the bodies that were in the hotel, the rooftops, the facility and the research tower inside a container, inhumane it may be, and carried the container all the way to the harbor with full power Physical Boost. There, I sprawled on the ground after using up all my remaining energy...



　The sound of a motor and breaking waves roused me up just as I was about to doze off. I stood up and waited for the arrival of a medium sized boat speeding this way at high speed.
　The hull has a raised flag of a certain country. They're probably here to confirm if the situation has really been resolved.

"That's as far as you are permitted to disembark. Don't move further."
"Pardon me. May I ask your affiliation--"

　My terminal rang in that moment. I put it on speaker mode so they could hear the caller on other side.

『She's a representative of Akimiya, one of the financiers in the boot camp currently being carried out on that island. You sure got there fast.』
"...Miss Ryouka."
『The incident has been resolved just as I have explained. You may take the bodies and verify their IDs.』
"But some hostiles might still--"

　I opened the container's door.
　An intense smell of blood wafted in the air. I lifted and slanted the container to roll the bodies out.

『Didn't you hear me? Everything has been resolved. We will let your country take the surviving hostiles once we're done interrogating them. Private forces of the boot camp financiers will deal with the clean up, you may go back with those bodies. I'm grateful for your quick action despite costing you a drill.』
"...It was only the right thing to do. We will claim the surviving hostiles at a later date."

　Right as Chairwoman hung up, the unit leader man looked at me with his hand on his forehead.

"...You're telling me your unit did this. How could you be... so cruel."
"Unit? Incorrect. I did all this myself. I'm glad you guys are willing to retreat. Cross the harbor line, and I might have to add to the body count."

　Greeting. I'm gonna make my introduction as grand as possible.

"As you might have guessed, I am the Hound of Akimiya. Codename, Dainsleif."

　Dunno if my bloodlust seeped out. I put all my defiant will in my word as I gave him my name.

"Until next time at the battlefield. It's stinking bad in here, go and leave with those bodies."
"...Roger... that..."

　I saw them off and checked that there was nobody around before I transformed back to my original form and made my way back to the facility.
　They're not gonna continue the boot camp now are they... Wonder what now.







"As you could hear yourself. I'm grateful for the sentiment but you can see that we are capable of handling any and all situations ourselves. I don't see a single pressing matter to deepen our relationship with your country as of present. Of course that plan is under consideration in the future, however...  My apologies, Diplomat Crescent."

　In the chairwoman room of Akimiya's HQ, Akimiya family head, Ryouka is having a quiet stand off with a silver haired woman known as Crescent.
　Crescent could only distort her face in frustration as she listened to the call and gave her consent to Ryouka's word.

"...That's quite a nice way to spend pastime, Miss Ryouka. Very well, it appears you have no need for our army's strength at present. However... Don't you think it's quite boorish of you to fasten a rope on a girl of such a tender age?"
"Fufu, do you think so? 'Her' performance has liven up to the legend itself. As my demonic sword, she will brush off flying embers coming my way and cut down anything standing in my way from now on."
"...Really. Do take care not to have the rug pulled right under your feet. We are always ready to answer your call for help."

　Thus their stand off came to a quiet close. Crescent stood up and briskly walked away while Ryouka, left alone in her office, patted her chest for a plan well done.







"Oh dear, such a substantive boot camp this was. Even if it meant helping Akimiya in this matter. Boy did they have some nice pawns."
"Hmmm. So, got any result?"
"Yeah. I afforded a spar with 'Sasahara Yuuki' from the report. He's quite an elusive young man, I can't get a grasp on his true strength. By my estimation, our subordinates don't hold a candle to him at the very least."
"Hee... 'Yuu-chan's' really gotten strong huh."
"...Another thing. I came across the girl serving as Akimiya's trump card in present time. She had an unusual aura to her, and her strength... would surpass me one day. Kukuku.... How pleasant."
"Are you planning to get her on our side? Aren't you too trusting just because she's on Akimiya side? At the end of the day... They're all earthlings."

　The man, Rouhi, is cheerfully talking on the rooftop of the central tower with nobody around.
　Next to him, stood a girl.
　They didn't seem to care about the incident, chatting about the people who piqued their interest instead.

"I'll be staying here for a while before regrouping. You can go ahead of me. Make sure you stay undetected."
"Got it. What about that thing? Those guys were trying to steal some kinda research data and secret files. Should we go collect that?"
"Right, we can't let that major power have that. Retrieve the machine if you find it."
"Kaay. Don't take it on me if it's been busted up badly though okay~."

　Nobody is the wiser about their true goal.

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