Volume 24, 4 — Guardians who Defend their Homeland

Volume 24, Chapter 4: Guardians who Defend their Homeland

'I don't want to be told that by you'. For now, that sentence was still being held back without being spoken.

"Really……"

Felli opened her mouth, saying that with her own mouth.

What did this have to do with 'our battle' that Leerin had spoken of?

Though Felli very much wanted to say that to him, she still didn't form it into words.

"Ah, that was truly a meaningful remark."

Probably because he noticed Felli sighing, Sharnid showed a devious smile.

"This isn't just a battle belonging to those who were selected, is that it?"

"Basically."

Because she didn't have the energy to talk back, Felli could only quietly nod her head and let the conversation carry on.

"Then, what do we do, Felli-chyan?"

Sharnid asked.

"Harley and I can't think of anything. Felli, do you have any clue about what kind of person could think of some way of resolution in the current situation?"

"No."

Because her head hurt a bit, Felli rubbed her temple.

To speak of the people considering strategy in Zuellni, there was only the Military Arts head and the platoon captains. Felli didn't expect them to be able to think of some answer to break through this situation. Not to say that they didn't have ability, but to think of the time that they would need to understand the current situation, it wasn't sure whether or not they could succeed in the end, and really made one feel anxious.

Since Zuellni didn't have any suitable choice of person, then she could only search outside.

And currently, outside were gathered countless cities.

What veteran Military Artist should they request help from?

"Explaining the situation and requesting help from some person whose strength we're not even sure of, we'll waste even more time."

"Then, only 'that' is left, right?"

What Sharnid who said this meant was the city that could be seen behind him.

A devastated moving city was there.

The Lance Shelled City, Grendan.

"Other than the extraordinary Psychokinesist who understands the situation, there's still quite a few extraordinary Military Artists. If we want to talk then there's only that place."

"But……"

Felli was very clear on the meaning behind Sharnid's words.

But because of this, Felli was hesitant.

Was it truly good to request of them right now?

The battlefield wasn't only the place Layfon and the others were in. A big group of flame beasts was currently spreading their boundaries on this world, and even now, danger continuously drew closer to the City Collective headed by Zuellni.

Strong people were necessary to face that kind of threat.

If she made them ignore the true battle, and only think about the selfish request proposed on their side, was that truly good?

Felli's heart had that kind of doubt.

"Is it truly good to trouble those people?"

"Ah, you~"

Sharnid made a face of giving up.

And his words were suddenly interrupted by a cough, because the city loudspeaker behind him had activated.

◇

"Ah, ah, umm…… Testing testing. Hm? Hmm? Weird, didn't I already press that button, Ah, if I don't press this down then you can't hear me? Nnn~ Okay! Uwah! So loud!

Uh…… Is this alright? Ah- um- can everybody hear me? Ah, even if I ask over here I won't know the answer. Ahaha.

Hello everybody, I'm the Student Council president Samiraya Miruke.

Right now I want to tell everyone the correct information, but unfortunately the Student Council isn't operating perfectly, so the information hasn't been completely collected.

Right now the Military Arts head Gorneo and all of the platoon captains are working hard, and everyone please follow their instructions.

If it's already a completely safe situation, then I apologize.

Otherwise, all of the normal students have all evacuated to the cities designated for use as shelters. Those cities will be departing soon, so please don't worry.

Also, next……

Since I said that the normal students have already evacuated, what am I doing? There will probably be people thinking this.

I have already decided to stay here.

What will I do by staying here? There will probably also be people thinking this. I'm probably also thinking that myself.

So, I want to explain a little, so anyone who can afford to listen, please do.

I only wanted to become Student Council president because I idolize the previous Student Council head Karian Loss.

President Karian truly loved Zuellni, as I think that anyone in their second year or above already knows. When Zuellni was extremely troubled, he volunteered to become Student Council president in order to help Zuellni fight.

Of course, I also know that the ones who truly fought were the students in the various Military Arts classes.

But, the previous Student Council president worked extremely hard behind everyone's back, and because I was doing Student Council work at that time, I could always see that, and at the time I felt that he was an extremely incredible person.

Afterwards, that person graduated, but I didn't want to let that person's hard work end there.

So I wanted to succeed him properly.

Doing this wasn't only for the next Military Arts competition, and though that is very important, even more important is to make Zuellni an Academy City that everyone treasures.

Because, the Academy City is a place that we cannot return to after our time passes. So, I hope that everyone can have thoughts like 'that time was truly happy' or 'what a fulfilling six years'.

I think this, and I also want myself to think this.

Because of this, I elected to run for the Student Council president and was selected with everyone's help, but the situations that I had resolved to prepare to work so hard for became like it is now.

Honestly, I really hate it. If it hadn't been President Karian who broadcasted that, I definitely wouldn't have approved of us being here. Right now though is the time to endure and not voice my complaints, but if not for President Karian, I definitely wouldn't be able to endure.

'Give back the life of my campus!' Something like that.

I think the Military Arts students who fight rather than saying these kinds of words are truly great.

In this kind of situation, I also know that everyone is very bravely facing the coming difficulty, but I still selfishly decided to do this.

I will not go to a shelter, but will stay in Zuellni.

I know that this is uncalled for, and that I have no use.

But, I will stay.

The reason for my doing this, as everyone knows, is because I am the Student Council president.

I will stay here, just like all of the Military Artists who are fighting here, because I am the Student Council president.

Even if this place only has students, like a city made up of amateurs, it's terrible for the city's leader to run away in a difficult time.

So, everyone…… Please protect me.

Protect me, protect the Academy City, and then, everyone please return safely.

Afterwards, let us all hold a victory celebration!

A celebration happier than any other time!

A great celebration that will make the people of other cities envious.

Because it will be a happy celebration, I don't want to see anyone weeping.

So…… everyone.

Please come back alive."

◇

Morale rose everywhere in the city.

Military Artists cheered.

"It should be like this."

Sharnid snapped his fingers and said this

Felli looked at his proud face, feeling that there was some inexplicable angry feeling in her heart.

"That was what I wanted to say. How worthy of being our Student Council president, she really understands things."

"What things?"

Indeed, the Student Council president's speech was useful to inspire hearts.

But, as she had said herself in the end, that was only her self-assertion.

"This will only give everyone trouble."

"Things aren't like that, listen to those voices."

Sharnid meant the cheers that they could still hear even now.

"It's not like making a self-assertion is always a bad thing. There are times when it can be good. Listen to their voices, if they felt troubled, could they make those kinds of cheers?"

"……No."

Though they wouldn't be that loud either.

But, the vast majority of the voices were made because they had been moved by President Samiraya's words.

"In other words, there are times when it is right. Like when Captain says things to boost our morale, maybe we can say things to lead to a decent outcome?"

"A decent outcome, you say?"

"Well, think about it, definitely needing to defeat the giant beast in order to stop Nina, isn't that only our own wishful thinking?"

"Yes."

"Exactly. In the end, don't we want to resolve the crisis completely?"

"That's how it is."

"Even if it has no basis, we still want to do such a difficult thing. So I think that there should be no problem at all requesting a little bit of help, right?"

"…………"

"Isn't saying something free?"

"Whether or not it's free doesn't matter, and I'm not hesitating because of that kind of thing either. I'm just……"

"You don't want to trouble anyone because of your decision."

"……"

"Right?"

"……It's like you said."

"Be careful, that's the legendary Nina Disease."

"Disease!"

Felli was speechless at being suddenly told this by Sharnid.

"Wanting to carry the burdens of everything alone is one of the symptoms of Nina Disease. The first step of the cure is to reassure yourself."

"Uh……"

"Incidentally, the more time we spend here, the greater the crisis for the original source of infection, and the longer Layfon will have to toil for."

"I know that!"

Felli could no longer refuse after being told to this degree.

With a bit of a shameful feeling, Felli linked to Elsmau's Psychokinesis flake.

(I understand the situation now.)

Listening to their situation, Elsmau was extremely calm.

(It's very self-serving of me who clearly refused in the beginning to come back now and say these things.)

(It's not like that.)

Compared to the somewhat apologetic Felli, Elsmau's tone hadn't changed at all.

(Rather, you asking for our help might be our salvation.)

(Eh?)

(Though we've already made preparations for a defensive battle here, we haven't made any preparations at all for what we should do when we go on the offensive. If we can use your situation as a base, we can definitely move forward.)

(I-is that so.)

(Though I can't quickly reply to you, I'll tell the situation to the person who specializes in planning strategy, so please wait a bit.)

(Who is that person?)

Though that question didn't have any deep meaning, Felli still asked because she was a bit concerned.

(It's Haia Wolfstein Laia.)

It was that mercenary. Speaking of which, he was indeed in Grendan.

"She said Wolfstein? Isn't that the name Layfon had when he was a Heaven's Blade successor?"

After Elsmau's voice broke off, Harley spoke.

"That mercenary became a Heaven's Blade successor."

Sharnid also made a complicated face.

Speaking of which, it was only because he had appeared that Sharnid's friend had been made to encounter such a situation.

"Ah, right now isn't the time to be concerned about those things."

Just as she was troubled over what to say to Sharnid, Elsmau's voice sounded.

(I've made you wait.)

(It's nothing, it was very fast.)

It had truly been only a short period of time.

(It's because Haia also agreed to my proposal that it could go so smoothly.)

(What's the plan, then?)

(Our assistance here will create a path of advance for Layfon. If he can move without obstruction, he should be able to arrive soon.)

(But, what is that assistance going to do……?)

(The strategy is extremely simple, what is necessary is our information support, as well as the precision shooting of a sniper……)

Afterwards, Elsmaus told them Haia's plan.

It was an extremely incredible plan.

"How can we do that kind of thing?"

Even Sharnid could only feel doubtful.

"We can only try and see."

Felli had already secretly made her decision, and by now they could only know how it would work out by doing it.

Contacting Gorneo, they made the necessary preparations. Though he was a bit doubtful at first, when he heard the name of the person who would be coming over, he quickly agreed.

The stubborn and doubtful him had unexpectedly agreed so simply.

That kind of person was going to come over immediately.

"Aah, I feel like my stomach started to hurt a little."

Sharnid definitely had to show his sniping skills in this plan. His tense feeling right now was completely different from just before, and he truly started touching his stomach.

At the same time he did this, Harley and the thing she had asked someone to prepare returned at the same time.

"Sorry for the wait, we'll prepare it immediately!"

Harley jumped down from a transport truck, and about ten other Military Artists began moving the thing.

It was a giant cylindrical metal object.

A Kei cannon.

This was a defensive weapon that could take in the Kei of many Military Artists and shoot it out in a breath. It wouldn't be a problem even if there were a Military Artist with insufficient strength, and as long as many people flowed their Kei into the cannon, it could create a blow with enough destructive force.

This was a thing created for that kind of use.

This was a weapon necessary for this kind of situation, and actually, they had already been positioned everywhere around Zuellni, and the other cities had all carried out the same work.

So, right now there was only one more place to set up a Kei cannon.

Considering this, they could relax their minds a bit…… right?

"Is this really alright?"

"Nn, the Military Artists who operate it have other preparations, it's alright."

"In that case……"

The Military Artists who were with Harley seemed to be very used to these kinds of rear support missions, and the movements with which they positioned the Kei cannon were very fluid, without any unnecessary motions.

But they were still a bit confused towards this kind of work positioning an unmanned Kei cannon.

"Speaking of which, will she truly come?"

"Since the other side said she would, we can only believe them."

Sharnid who worried about this and that had also begun feeling hesitant……

"Oh my, I've really made you wait."

That person appeared, accompanied by that kind of leisurely voice.

"Uwah, she really came."

Sharnid whispered quietly.

Even Felli worried in her heart.

But, she couldn't express that kind of emotion.

Because it was them who had asked the other side to come.

"We're counting on you."

Felli lowered her head.

"Nnn. Since I, Alsheyra Almonise, have come here, everything will be resolved."

Although this boasting woman was very bold, for some reason she didn't feel any sense of security.

Considering what they had to do after this, maybe there was nothing she could do about that.

Firing the Kei cannon for support and eliminating the fire and flame beasts obstructing the space between Layfon and Nina.

A dangerous plan that could harm Layfon if they made so much as a single mistake.

◇

The first question was, why was she, undoubtedly the world's strongest Military Artist, not on the battlefield, but being sent to this kind of place?

For this, it is needed to look at the strategy meeting not long before.

"So, the preparations for a defensive battle are already complete?"

(Yes. The shared area of every city is already decided. The place we are responsible for is here to here.)

Towards Haia's question, Elsmau who was not present used her Psychokinesis flake to draw out on the map the district that they were responsible for taking on.

"It's much smaller than I expected."

"Are people sympathizing with us?"

Troyatte responded to Haia's remark.

"We're being underestimated."

Lintence's face hardened.

"Let those sheets experience our strength a little."

Barmelin said something that made the others uncomfortable.

"It's okay, it's okay. Don't say those kinds of things, first let's do what we have to do."

The killing intent released by the Heaven's Blade successors was wiped out by Alsheyra.

"Then, Elsmau, it's fine as long as we protect that area?"

"For the moment it is. According to the speed at which the flame is closing in, it should arrive before we finish the preparations for counterattack. It won't be good if we don't overcome that first."

"We're passive, huh."

"That's how it is~ So, first we should wear down the opponent's fighting spirit."

Haia who said this pointed his index finger at the map, the simple map that had been created for this meeting. On the area that Grendan was responsible for, an acute triangle had been drawn.

"Though it's like this, considering the size of the main body, these flames shouldn't be things that are so easily dealt with…… Then, skillfully defusing the enemy offensive while moving closer should be the best method, how about it?"

Saying this, Haia looked at the others.

"Can we use a spear formation to break open a path?"

Troyatte looked at the map.

"It feels like we'll be using the big guy's steel threads and my Karen Kei to make a shield, right?"

"Yes. Afterwards, the others will act independently if something unexpected happens."

"I see. That's not bad, right? Sirs? Madam?"

"Don't call me 'madam', I might slaughter you."

"……Ah, I knew it would be like this."

"Okay, then it's decided."

After Haia declared this, the atmosphere of a strategy meeting had already disappeared.

It wasn't a bad thing. Though it was the eve of battle, nothing could make the Queen happier than the fact that the remaining Heaven's Blade successors could group together and strategize at this kind of time.

But……

"Wait wait wait."

"What is it~?"

"What about me?"

"…………"

Towards Alsheyra's question, Haia went silent.

His expression was extremely complex.

"Nn?"

"That……"

"Nn."

"Well, how do you fight, Queen?"

"Huh……?"

She hadn't thought that she would have been asked this kind of question.

"See, I also know that you have very strong Kei power~ But, in the end we haven't ever seen the Queen fighting~"

In other words, because they didn't know her manner of fighting, they didn't know how to weave her into the strategy.

That was what Haia meant.

"Moreover, your Kei power isn't simple, with a single mistake my strategy might be demolished~"

"That kind of thing won't happen."

Alsheyra laughed, denying Haia.

Though she did that……

"It will~"

"It definitely will."

"That sounds reasonable."

Troyatte, Barmelin, and Lintence. Three Heaven's Blade successors nodded their heads in agreement together, and the Queen's smile froze instantly.

"Wait, you guys……"

"She'll definitely wipe it out."

"That's for sure."

"…………"

"Lin, you trust me, right?"

"No, you'll screw it up, right?"

"Then why did you stay silent!?"

"Because it feels silly to say the same thing as these guys. But it's certain that you would do that."

"Aah, really!"

Hadn't the atmosphere just been extremely good? After being betrayed by Lintence, Alsheyra shouted out.

"That guy doesn't have any coordination to speak of either! Is that alright?"

"If it's the steel thread boss, though he's a bit stuffy, he can do the work~"

"Ahahaha…… I didn't expect him to be called stuffy."

Towards Haia's unexpected opinion, Alsheyra couldn't help but laugh.

"So, before we break open a hole, just stand by properly."

While the Queen was laughing, the strategy was forcefully decided, and before she could say wait, they had all departed.

After that.

Haia had suddenly said to the Queen, 'It feels like if you're too bored you'll do something bad, so I found something for you to do~'

◇

Felli and the others learned of her situation.

"What do you guys think? Don't you feel that it's over the top?"

"Huh……"

Being asked that question was very difficult. Though her mouth didn't say so, Felli still thought it.

Also, she still had some questions.

"Well, though I also know I have a lack of coordination. But, I don't want to be told that by them. They clearly don't have any coordination to speak of themselves."

"I see."

'Why must I be sat on the Queen's lap and be held like a doll?'

She really wanted to try asking that question.

But was it okay to ask her?

In any case, the other party was Grendan's Queen. The strongest Military Artist who made the Heaven's Blade successors obey.

Was it really alright to ask her that kind of question?

Though Felli had no problems dealing with the attitudes of Heaven's Blade successors, she really had some misgivings when dealing with the Queen.

The occasional glances of the workers who were positioning the Kei cannon made her cringe. They didn't know who Alsheyra was.

In their eyes, they could only see a beautiful woman who had suddenly appeared and who was very fond of Felli.

And that was a fact that couldn't be denied, intensely hurting Felli's self-esteem.

"Then, why do I have to do this kind of thing?"

Finally gathering her resolve, Felli asked.

"That's it!"

Alsheyra's sudden loud voice made Felli's body go stiff.

As if wanting Felli to relax, the Queen began patting her.

"Ah, actually, I'm a breast person. I never even dreamed that this kind of day would come."

"No, this……"

"You should feel proud, that it was you who changed me."

"Uh, um……"

"This could be called a revolution. A revolution of consciousness. I never would have thought that there would be a girl without boobs that I would be able to forgive."

"…………"

In other words, she meant that she 'didn't have any'?

That really made her mad.

"Though I asked you to come, and it's not too good to ask this question, but can you truly do this? The Kei strength that filling the Kei cannon requires isn't small."

"Who knows?"

"What……"

"I never did it though, is it harder than making a Dite evaporate?"

"Eva……~?"

Evaporate?

"Yeah. It's tough, it's usually very puzzling."

Though she had heard of them exploding, it was the first time she had heard evaporating. Did that mean that with her power, it was too fast to explode, but directly evaporated?

Felli looked at Harley.

Harley who was positioning the Kei cannon seemed to have heard their conversation, and the light in his eyes was already extremely abnormal.

"Ah, nothing that can be done."

Seeing Alsheyra laughing by herself, Felli was truly speechless this time, and was only able to be at her mercy.

Not too much time had been spent until the positioning was completed.

But Felli felt that this period of time was extremely slow.

Compared to the exhausted Felli, Alsheyra was lively.

The Kei cannon had already been completely prepared before her.

"We'll leave the filling to Her Majesty, and we will supervise the aiming. Is that okay?"

"Alright, I'm not good at doing anything precise."

Alsheyra stood on the receiver used for filling the cannon. There was a console in a place slightly separated from it, and Sharnid was sitting there.

Communicating the information from Layfon to Sharnid and the others was Felli's job.

"If this line becomes green, that means it's already full, so stop filling at that time, understood?"

"Yes yes, I understand."

"Then, I leave it to you."

Harley left.

(Begin the plan.)

At the same time, Felli informed everyone present.

(We're about to begin the defensive strategy outside, so everyone please be careful of changes in the airflow.)

Elsmau gave a warning through Felli's Psychokinesis flake.

"Elsmau really likes being nosy."

Alsheyra laughed, extending her hand to the receiving device.

"This kind of work isn't anything very difficult."

The Queen's hand touched the crystal surface, and the light of Kei that spilled from her body was absorbed inside.

Beep----------------------------------~~

Bang!

Truly, no one knew what to say.

Before Felli and the others, smoke rose from the Kei cannon.

"Hey, why isn't it showing a green light?"

After Alsheyra released the melted receiving device, she turned around.

"…………"

"…………"

"…………"

No one knew what to say.

"R……"

Harley broke that short silence.

"Replace it! Replace it now! It's faster to replace it completely than to fix it! Hurry!"

Hearing those shouts, the workers quickly began hurriedly moving.

In the commotion, Felli and Alsheyra's gazes met.

"Ehe."

"It shouldn't be an 'Ehe'."

Her voice was much calmer than she expected.

At that time, in the distance behind Alsheyra's back, several explosions occurred.

The crimson flame that had drawn close was blown apart by a large amount of Kei power, twisting into the sky.

The defensive battle of the City Collective had begun.

◇

The flame twisting towards the sky even blotted out the sky.

Flame beasts flew out from the fire.

Their numbers were……

"It would be too stupid to go count them."

Claribel said this.

After a flash of the Kochouenshiken formed by the Heaven's Blade, a change happened with Kei.

External-type Kei, Karen variant - Raging Ice Vortex.

Wind holding an incredibly low temperature formed a typhoon in Claribel's surroundings.

The flame beasts assaulting her from various directions were shredded by blades of cold air, and the speed of the wave of flame also became slower.

In her surroundings, the members of the fourteenth platoon were fighting.

"Hey hey, you'll be engulfed if you keep standing in the same spot, hurry up and move!"

"Understood!"

It was only the captain who responded with liveliness. The other members followed behind the captain with looks of surprise.

The Kei cannons positioned on the outskirts of various cities carried out their intervention, attempting to push back the nearing wave of flame.

Claribel maintained the typhoon she had created, and the platoon members supervised getting rid of the flame beasts that slipped through the net.

It wasn't only Claribel's fourteenth platoon that had begun moving. All of Zuellni's Military Artists were fighting.

As an effect of the Student Council president's speech just now, morale was extremely high.

They felt that things should go very smoothly.

"But, this probably can't continue for long."

Claribel said.

The amount of the flame before her was extremely shocking.

Moreover, the flame closing in from behind them was even more endless.

In this kind of situation, even simply enduring couldn't be held on to forever.

"If we don't have any opportunity to turn the tables in a single blow…"

Who could do that?

The Heaven's Blade successors?

The Queen?

Or someone else, chosen by fate?

"Regardless of who it is, someone please make everything end."

Murmuring this, she strengthened the power of the ice vortex.

"This battle really makes one feel empty."

◇

The hard work of Harley and the workers bore fruit, and it wasn't too long until the next Kei cannon was prepared.

"Please don't break it again."

"I, I know."

Reversing the positions for an instant, Felli's stare made Alsheyra seem to shrink a bit.

This should be doable.

Rather, if it still didn't work this time, there wouldn't be a next time.

(Sharnid.)

Felli only let her voice reach him on the console.

(We wasted quite a bit of time on the replacement.)

"As expected, right?"

Sharnid could already roughly speculate what came next by Felli's words.

(We only have one chance. The Psychokinesis has already become very thin, and pinpointing Layfon's location has already begun becoming difficult.)

"Didn't you say just now that you released many flakes?"

(Though I released many, the flakes can't combat fire for a long time. Many of my flakes were also destroyed by Captain.)

"Really, that Nina."

(Because of those reasons, I must bother you to get it in one try.)

"I know. Damn, I wanna cry, I really wanna cry……"

Felli's consciousness left Sharnid who was moping around by himself, looking at Alsheyra again.

Right now she had a rather intriguing expression as she looked at her hand and the receiving device.

(Then, begin the plan.)

Felli told her.

Under everyone's gazes, Alsheyra placed her hand on the receiving device, and the Kei that she released from her hand was much more careful than before, and it was slowly absorbed by the receiving device.

"Stop!"

Because of Harley's tension, the voice he let out made one feel as if his throat was going to spasm, and Alsheyra quickly took off her hand. The indicator line shown on the measuring device had already become a red color representing danger.

(Sharnid!)

"Got it!"

Sharnid's voice didn't sound tense like before, showing that he had already focused his mind.

It was a moment as if the air had solidified.

The sound of the trigger being pulled reverberated in the air.

What happened after that was the flash of the Kei cannon firing straight out.

And afterwards, the barrel of the Kei cannon that had completed its mission lit aflame while it crumbled.

◇

Layfon, who felt a giant pressure from behind, stopped in his tracks.

From the time he felt this crushing presence, Layfon began searching for a place to avoid it.

If his judgment was mistaken, Layfon would also be eliminated. This kind of premonition flickered across Layfon's mind in a split-second, and afterwards he once again began running rapidly.

He didn't have any reason to avoid it.

Because Layfon sensed this.

Because this came from behind…… meaning that it came from his companions, that was obviously one reason.

But this wasn't the only reason Layfon didn't stop his feet.

Layfon believed that the Kei pressure that was closing in at this moment wasn't just something that had come from his 'companions'.

This was definitely the method that Felli and the others had thought of. Layfon was fully convinced.

So, Layfon didn't make any changes, but continued running.

There were only a few seconds from when he first felt the pressure to when the pressure drew close.

It was an even shorter time before Layfon's surroundings were covered by light.

This light and pressure, along with the shockwave that covered Layfon's surroundings as it crashed along the ground sending sparks everywhere, wiped away the flame beasts blocking Layfon's forward path and blew away the flame.

Layfon's surroundings became empty space in an instant.

There was nothing else obstructing his advance.

Every obstacle had been cleanly eliminated on Layfon's path to the flame beast.

So now……

"I can do it!"

Layfon didn't consciously raise his speed.

But, the strength he had used to deal with the fire and flame beasts naturally went to running, and Layfon's speed increased.

The blank space created by that giant shot just now couldn't continue forever. As if trying to fill that space, crimson flame surged in from all directions.

But, it was already too late.

Layfon hadn't stopped.

His speed hadn't changed at all.

He wouldn't stop.

He wouldn't slow down.

Felli and the others had already opened a path for him.

They had done everything Layfon had expected.

So, Layfon definitely couldn't stop here.

He definitely couldn't slow down.

Even if something happened.

Even if something wanted to stop him.

Even if some change happened before him.

"I'm going to Captain!"

Layfon's role was to arrive at his destination, and save that girl.

But yes, something had changed.

A change happened on the flame beast's head in the slightly shortened distance.

The shot that had intervened with Layfon had hit the beast's chest, and that thing had happened as if anticipating that opportunity long before, or perhaps it was simply taking advantage.

A giant ball of Kei.

Though this Kei power was far higher than the shot just now, the flow of that Kei was extremely familiar to Layfon.

"Captain!"

It was Nina's.

Layfon's back went cold because of a bad premonition.

"Felli!"

(The s……itua…………)

"Felli!?"

(Ps……nesis………………Lay……………………)

The voice that came from the Psychokinesis flake was basically incomprehensible because of noise.

Felli's voice could no longer reach.

"Then…… I can only rely on myself."

No, not right.

The road on which he had come here had been created by relying on Felli, Sharnid, Harley, and others. Afterwards was Layfon's mission.

This was the shared mission that they had thought of at the start.

"Captain!"

That ball of Kei wasn't what Layfon was scared of.

Layfon believed this as he charged over.

The ball exploded on the beast's head.

The shockwaves produced once again wiped out the flames trying to pour over into Layfon's path of advance.

The lava that had originally been covering the ground was all blown away, becoming a rain of fire.

Layfon who had almost been blown back also lowered his head, rapidly advancing with a low posture.

After the shockwave subsided, he adjusted his posture, seeming to almost fall over.

Layfon witnessed the new development occurring before him with his own eyes.

A cluster of flame was before Layfon.

◇

Success.

Accompanying the awakening of her consciousness, that feeling spread through her body.

Nina who had been thrown into the air by the shockwave produced from her Kei explosion was even now still in the air.

She had only lost consciousness for a moment.

Her eardrums were assaulted by the sound of a hurricane. Her vision was blotted out by strong light, and her skin was immersed in strong shockwaves. She felt numb because of these confused senses.

Her eardrums…… Did it seem like her hearing had held through?

No.

It was just that her hearing was the first to return.

"Ah……"

As if coughing out something from inside her throat, Nina made a sound. In the next moment, when her entire body could feel the circulation of the heat of Kei, her five senses recovered.

"Ugh!"

The strong light before her could create new confusion.

Nina endured this, confirming the situation.

"This is……?"

It was the sky.

Nina looked at the sun, and lowering her eyes was the ground.

She seemed to have been shot to a very high place.

What about her body?

No problems.

"And the situation?"

What happened to the flame beast?

That beast that wanted to end the world?

It was still there.

Right now, when she lowered her eyes there was only the body of the giant beast.

But, its head wasn't there.

The part that had suffered the explosion that Nina created was no longer there.

"Did it work?"

Its head had been destroyed, so did that mean they had won?

That beast was dead? She had defeated it?

If that weren't so……

"Please…"

As Nina coughed, a change slowly happened in the horizon.

The body of the flame beast shook.

It collapsed.

"……It worked."

Nina spoke to herself.

"Yeah, it worked."

A voice suddenly spoke up, and Nina's falling body was suddenly stopped.

Nina's body had been caught by countless vines.

It was Airen.

The vines catching Nina slowly placed her on the ground.

The mysterious man who had appeared with Saya used a kind of hard-to-accept smile to welcome Nina.

"With this, it's over."

The moment Airen said this to her, an inconceivable regret filled Nina's chest.

The man's single eye kept looking at the crumbling monster, and that deep gaze made Nina feel that that person held something unfathomable.

It wasn't an emotion.

It was even simpler, like a kind of regret that had been liberated. Had Nina been infected by it?

Then, was what Nina felt from his body also the same burden?

"Ignasis's spirit is also getting tired of anger. As long as we defeat that replacement guy, everything will be decided. That person was also finally able to become a human."

"That person……?"

"It's something from our side."

The man's mouth curved upward slightly, and he wanted to gloss over everything. Nina also didn't investigate further.

Because Nina felt that his regret was different from her own.

Nina also more or less knew the truth of what he regretted.

Time.

Airen and Saya had already experienced more time than Nina could imagine.

But Nina had not.

Nina had inherited her great-grandfather's mission and was currently in a time of struggle where she felt that she had to do something - that was it. But Nina couldn't see through the true atmosphere surrounding Airen and Saya.

The moment she sensed that, Nina felt a hard-to-endure feeling of inferiority.

Though she was in this position, she wouldn't permit herself to stay in this position.

She was fighting while being completely oblivious to the true meaning behind the battle.

Nina felt extremely concerned about this.

"Did I complete everything properly?"

"Nn?"

"Did I properly do what I had to do?"

"……I don't know what you're getting at."

Airen's lone eye looked at Nina, and as if her heart was being seen through completely, Nina turned her face in a different direction.

"If you let that thing be, this world would have been destroyed. Right now when a way to eliminate Aurora particles still hasn't emerged, if the world crumbles, a great majority of humans would die."

Nina almost didn't understand anything of what Airen was saying.

Regardless of whether she knew the truth behind the battle or not, it made no difference to Nina.

Even if she didn't know, she would still do what she had to.

That should be enough.

"You did well, isn't that enough?"

"…………"

She didn't really understand it herself.

Before she could search for an answer, Nina descended to the ground.

To express everything in a single world, it would be a very simple term.

That would be 'negligence'.

The beast was still fallen while crumbling, and the remaining flame had lost its strength from before, and probably because it wasn't completely burning, thick black smoke endlessly rose to the sky.

The flame that had been spreading to its surroundings earlier had also stopped.

The flame beast had died, and the rest was just to deal with the giant wreckage.

That was all Nina thought there was.

A light appeared.

Just when the light appeared, it was still weak.

But afterwards, it became a strong light.

"What!"

When she noticed this, Nina's vision had already been dyed red.

She couldn't avoid it.

It was death.

Without sparing her a moment to think, it was right there.

"I never would have thought that wounded beast……"

She had known and accepted the oncoming fate that she faced. But right now she could still move, so what was it that determined the fate?

Accompanying Airen's voice, Nina felt that her collar was grabbed by something.

She was being pulled on.

"We've underestimated it!"

The next moment, Nina was pulled out. If she were a bit more negligent, then her collarbone would have been broken. Nina who was pulled back by such a strong force left the place where she had been in moments.

Nina, flying through the air, saw the scene of two figures being swallowed by flame.

The figures were…… Airen and Saya.

After the two figures were engulfed, the flame once again took aim at a different place.

"Guah!"

Because she had been watching that scene blankly, Nina forgot to make landing preparations.

Nina rolled continuously on the ground, and finally stopped.

The flame still raged.

Its appearance looked like a beast that had lost its mind because of intense pain.

"Ah, ahh……"

Moreover Airen and Saya had been engulfed.

Were they alright?

Could they be alright in that kind of situation?

He had done that to protect Nina.

The self-blame that had suddenly appeared tormented Nina.

"It's all because of me……"

Things clearly hadn't ended definitively, but she had relaxed her guard.

"I killed those two……"

"Ah, don't be that concerned."

Suddenly, a voice consoled Nina.

"Those people can be said to not have the concepts of life and death, and as long as their heart stays alright, there will be no worry. They are those kinds of things."

"……Eh?"

It was a voice she had heard before.

"So losing their mental vitality is the worst for them. That's why they expand the world of their mind so faithfully, and would never discard their own glory, nor would they ever give up on pursuing the things that they want. I'm not just saying this, it's reality."

It was a voice that Nina knew.

"Though I know it became like this from others' selfishness, I still haven't given up on my own anger."

"……Senpai."

Nina turned her head, and what she saw there was a red-haired man.

It was Dix.

Dixerio Maskane was standing there.

"Yep."

Dix, who had suddenly appeared in this kind of situation, only made Nina feel worried.

He had clearly disappeared with Nelphilia to some unknown place, so why had he suddenly appeared here.

"Senpai…… why are you here?"

"Nn…… ahah."

She could see weariness on the face of Dix as he thought of what to say.

"Weren't you with Nelphilia?"

Nelphilia was definitely also around right now.

She had run into her on the road here.

Nina had only asked this because she knew this.

Her heart was filled with doubt and worry.

Why would there be this kind of situation?

Why had Dix appeared the moment that Airen and the others disappeared because of the beast's sudden counterattack when they had thought it defeated?

Why did he seem like he knew Airen from his tone of voice?

Who was the person that Airen called the man 'getting tired of anger'?

Could it be……

"……Do you know already?"

"Ah!"

Hearing that sentence from Dix, sparks flew in Nina's mind.

The iron whip that swung out wasn't able to hit him.

Dix landed in a place slightly farther from Nina.

"Why!"

Nina shouted out.

Was it truly like this?

Was Dix really the true body of that flame beast?

Was he the culprit who wanted to destroy this world that much?

"Why are you, who fought with the Wolf Faces, like this?"

"I myself want to ask that."

Nina's vision had already distorted from anger, and in the center of it, only Dix's figure was very clear.

The flame that seemed about to disappear continued, and his red hair blew in the wind.

His hand clutched his chest.

"Being toyed with by that character, and ending up being a reflection, it really makes things impossible to laugh about."

"……What are you talking about?"

"My own business."

Different from his frivolous expression, the strength in the hand clutching his chest seemed intense enough to peel off his skin. Dix looked at Nina.

"My insignificant business. Work that hasn't been of any use even till now. It's so embarrassing that I can't even cry about it."

"Senpai……"

"But, these things won't change no matter how much I say right now. Nor will they come again. How should I explain it? What a joke. What would happen if we lost the essence of our minds? Can you still say those kinds of idiotic things when you know the outcome, Airen!? You're truly incurably naive!"

"Senpai……?"

The expression of Dix who was talking to himself continuously began distorting, and his laughing expression disappeared, with only rage.

Along with that change, heat began to be produced in his surroundings.

The temperature of the air continuously rose.

It was trying to become flame.

"Aah, damn! Something like transporting everything to Velzenhaim was just a dream to begin with. I'm only me! Regardless of whose legacies, whose desires, whatever happens, these things no longer have anything to do with me now. I'm only me, nothing other than this. Because of my anger and frenzy, the flames of my rage will never burn out. That is me, and if even that is no more, then I will no longer be myself."

Nina had no idea what Dix was saying.

But, that didn't mean she didn't understand anything.

There was a part that she could understand.

Dix hadn't become the enemy of this world because he wanted to.

It wasn't him who had wanted to become the beast of flame and incinerate the entire world.

She completely didn't know the reasons for it.

Nina was completely unable to imagine what kind of things had happened for things to become like this.

But, Dix had never thought the situation would become like this, Nina was very clear on that point.

"……Senpai, can you not stop this?"

"It's no use. I tried to destroy myself by giving my rage to that thing and then let it be defeated in the physical world, that was my plan, but it seems like it failed."

"Self-destruction……"

When she heard that phrase, Nina felt that something in her mind had been stimulated.

"That thing……"

Saying this, Nina pointed at the frenzied flame.

"Velzenheim. The Haikizoku possessing my body. But, it was the rage that refuses to disappear from my heart that made it become like that. The useless me who learned the truth there and gave up, and that thing ran amok after taking my anger…… Ah, in other words it only became that way."

The expression of Dix who said these words became even more vicious.

Every time he spoke a word, the temperature of the surroundings would rise a bit.

The density of the Kei he released also rose endlessly.

"…………"

"But, regardless of how long it burns it doesn't disappear, and as long as there is some kindling left behind, it will turn into a blaze. I am the kindling."

"Uh."

He gripped the Dite in his hand. He clearly hadn't brought a Dite, so where exactly had the Dite appeared from?

The Kei he released also became flame the moment it came in contact with the air.

"Come, this is the final battle. Though I don't know why you're here, the reasons for which you are here can be fulfilled now."

Dix shouldered the iron whip.

That stance was……

"Senpai…… I……"

"Continuing to ask won't produce any results. Come, let's go."

In a moment, Dix's Kei exploded. The Kei that swelled as it became flame entered the next stage, compressing itself into his body, and the gigantic Kei began circulating rapidly in his body after becoming denser.

The flame twined around his shouldered iron whip, and lightning crackled.

"Senpai!"

The endlessly growing Kei density had already created a phenomenon like a small hurricane, and Nina could already feel it very accurately.

"Uwah!"

"I already said that talking was meaningless!"

He didn't wait any longer.

He planted his foot heavily on the ground, and in the next moment, a giant flash of electricity appeared.

The strike that wanted to crush Nina shot out.

"Huaaaah!"

The belated Kei covered Nina. Her hands that took up the iron whips were extremely heavy, and her feet that were planted on the ground also burdened her.

No, it wasn't like that.

That wasn't her way of fighting.

Have no confusion, and just advance - that was what Nina had been taught.

Then, who had taught her?

It was the fighting methods of her Military Artist father that had been taught to Nina. Her Military Artist heart and foundations were also learned from her father.

But, just that wasn't enough, and who was it who allowed Nina's feet to stand firmly on the ground?

Her companions in Zuellni.

The fourteenth platoon who had promoted Nina to a platoon member.

The seventeenth platoon that Nina had formed herself.

She completely relied on them.

But, it wasn't just that.

Who had given Nina the two feet to continue advancing?

'If you believe in yourself, then don't be confused, and take that step forward, and then deliver the blow.'

Who had taught her that saying?

"Senpai!"

That shout was drowned out by the rumbling of Raijin, and Nina also flew into the air.

She wasn't still living because Dix had been merciful, but because the Haikizokus had strengthened the defensive power of Nina's hastily-used Kongoukei.

"Too weak. You're only at this level, huh."

Descending, Nina heard calm words.

"For what are you here? For what did you come here? Did you come here to meet your end together?"

"Ugh……"

"As long as I still live, this flame will not be extinguished. Even if it disappears right now, after some time it will resurrect again. Regardless of how many times, it will recover, and regardless of how many times, it will burn again. Because a hopeless person like me is still living."

"Senpai."

"Come, you came here to end everything. That's why you came here. Then come, don't be confused, advance. What are the things in your hands?"

"I can't do it!"

Why?

"How can I do that!"

Why had she come here?

For what had she kept walking to this day?

For who, for what. It was to become a person who could help others that she had walked on to this day. Her ultimate ideals should be here.

She could decide the victor between the thing that had always fought with this world and the fate she had inherited from her great-grandfather.

That should be the most fitting situation for Nina's ideals.

For who, for what.

The place where she could do it was the place where she was now.

Even now, nothing had changed.

It was obviously like that……

"I can't do it!"

Why?

She had only believed there was a monster here.

There was evil here, and as long as she defeated it, the world could be peaceful.

Nina had thought this.

That beast of flame had completed Nina's ideals in that sense.

But……

"Why is it senpai!"

The person who had given Nina the two feet to advance with was Dix.

If it wasn't Dix, then maybe…… was that kind of thought too naive?

"What more is there to say? I'm here, and you're here. Right now there's already only this. Continuing to talk about cause and effect doesn't have any meaning. It's only do or do not."

Dix who had just charged out readied his iron whip on his shoulder again.

He cast a contemptuous gaze on Nina who was even now still on the ground on one knee.

"What is it? Didn't you come here to save the world?"

Yes.

That was true.

But, but.

She couldn't stand.

Right now, she no longer had something that had supported Nina up till now.

She had lost it, and Nina no longer knew what to do.

"I……"

She couldn't.

"Aahn?"

Dix made a doubtful sound.

She had decided to give up on fighting.

Then the plan would transfer to the next stage.

A feeling resonated in her mind with many implications.

"What is it?"

Nina's entire body was abnormally frozen.

Her fingers were constantly trembling, and her entire body felt paralyzed.

Had her strength left her?

No.

Her hands that grasped the iron whips were gripping more forcefully than before.

Her shaking feet stopped shaking and prepared to stand.

But, Nina's heart still hadn't regained her vigor.

Nina's emotions and heart hadn't been set in her iron whips.

But, Nina still stood up, still grasped the iron whips.

"This is?"

Though Nina wanted to say it, her mouth wouldn't move.

Her vision caught Dix, but things weren't as Nina had thought.

"Fool, you've been toyed with by the Electronic Fairies."

Through Dix's words, Nina slightly understood a little bit about the situation.

"Armadune? Dischale? Tentorium? Falysodam?"

Nina spoke the names of the Haikizokus she had inherited from her great-grandfather.

But, none of them responded to Nina.

'What's going on!?'

Nina let out a soundless howl…… and then she finally realized her foolishness.

What kind of beings they were.

Why had they come here?

Why they had become Haikizokus.

Yes, it was all for this day, for this moment.

They had become Haikizokus to defeat the being that would lead the world to ruin, and had always waited for this day.

That goal seemed about to arrive, but Nina's heart had wavered. No, her heart had already turned.

In that kind of situation, would they just be shocked?

Would they allow failure?

Nina was very clear that the answer was definitely no.

So, had they thought of this plan from the beginning?

Was it enough for us only to be able to come to this place?

Things wouldn't have become like this if you had an iron will.

Those voices were obviously blaming Nina.

It seemed like Nina's body no longer belonged to Nina.

Her hands that grasped the iron whips didn't have any feeling, and her feet didn't have the sensation of standing on the ground. A feeling like floating in the air dominated Nina, and everything was torturing the helpless Nina from a distance.

She could hear the sound of an explosion from behind her, and she didn't know why Dix's expression was becoming more and more furious.

Nina only slightly felt the Kei pressure in her body suddenly rise.

This also confirmed that those Haikizokus had lived and existed to today for this moment.

This moment had meaning, and after this, there was no way out.

In other words, things were like that.

She couldn't even say something like 'stop'.

This was the worst outcome that her foolishness had led to.

At least, that was how things should have gone.

She didn't know who it was who, but someone stopped Nina's body, stopped the movements that didn't belong to Nina.

"Stop right there."

Calm words stimulated Nina.

"Don't think that I'll let you do whatever you want with this body."

Aah……

Other than the familiarity of this voice, it brought another emotion to Nina.

"What are you doing?"

Dix spoke to the person behind Nina.

"Have you come to stop me, and then make everything end?"

He asked this.

"I don't know that kind of thing."

He said that.

"I only came to bring Captain back."

Nina's body, that even now still wanted to advance, was held back by a single hand of his.

"If something obstructs me, then I'll blow them all away. That's how things are."

"Not bad."

Dix laughed.

"I rather like that way of thinking."

He moved his feet.

The angle of the iron whip on his shoulder also changed.

The direction of Raijin also changed because of this.

That moment, Dix's fangs were no longer aimed at Nina.

They were aimed behind her.

Aimed at the person there.

"Lay……fon."

Nina spoke with great difficulty, whispering his name.

"Then, let me see what kind of power you have!"

Layfon's hand let go of Nina's shoulder.

He stood in front of Nina.

Seeing his figure, Nina noticed it.

Layfon's hand didn't have a Dite.

◇

Before Layfon stood in front of Nina……

Facing the flame that was closing in, Layfon made a decision in moments.

it was time to use the cards that he had kept hidden.

"Damn."

The opportunity that Layfon had thought of actually wasn't right now.

But, if he didn't use it now, then he wouldn't be able to reach Nina.

He could only try and see.

Layfon instantly made that bitter choice, and reached his hand to his sword belt.

That sword belt had been obtained from Harley.

After opening the buckle of the sword belt, Layfon brandished the sword belt.

The various Dites held in the sword belt were tossed into the air.

"Restoration!"

Layfon called out the restoration keyword.

That moment, the Shim Adamantium Dites flying through the air shone with light together, and restored.

The blade of the Shim Adamantium Dites as they flew through the air moved with an unimaginable trajectory.

A giant light was currently correcting the paths of the falling swords.

That light of Kei was released by Layfon.

External Kei variant - Rumbling Sword.

The giant Kei twining around the sword blade formed a new giant blade.

The Dites dancing through the air were assembled one after another into this blade.

Afterwards, as if becoming like this were totally natural, the assembled blades released new light one after another, producing a blade of Kei.

This was Layfon's hidden card.

Using Composite Blast, and pouring it into the Shim Adamantium Dites that he had gotten from Harley, he used them in an instant.

Though this method of use was similar to a technique of Karen Kei, it couldn't be used as accurately as Karen Kei. Because this method was also one that Layfon had thought of not long ago, he couldn't use a method of splitting the Kei into small parts.

A big move that he could only use once.

External-type Kei, Composite Blast variant - Seven-Branch Rumbling Sword.

"Don't block my way!!"

Using the various Dites and the blade produced by Kei to pierce the cluster of flame that was drawing close, he cut it in two, and the shockwave pushed the energy to the limits of what his mind could maintain, becoming an explosion.

The expanding shockwave blew away the flame.

Layfon didn't have time to confirm the results.

He couldn't stop.

Layfon charged into the midst of the parted flame.

On the other side, he saw Nina.

◇

Like that, Layfon stood there.

"You have no weapon yet still stand there?"

Watching Layfon, the red-haired main spoke.

Was this man the center of the chaos?

Though he was a bit surprised in his heart, it wasn't the time to dwell on those.

"Though I don't hate that style, still, what are you prepared to do empty-handed?"

Though the man's voice didn't seem like he was looking down on Layfon, it didn't seem like he was ridiculing him either. It even made it seem as if he had a bit of goodwill, making Layfon's heart a bit perplexed.

Was this the opponent's plan?

"I didn't come here to win against you."

"Ha, and then? So that's how it is, I understand - you want me to flee?"

"…………"

"What I want to know is what you're planning to do empty-handed. I won't let you run away, and if you want to come save Nina, don't even think of running. Moreover, if you truly do that, then those things that are staying passive right now might take action again."

This person knew about the Haikizokus inside Nina's body.

Was it because of Nina's movements just now that he learned of it?

"……I already said it."

Nina was behind him.

The red-haired man was in front of him.

Because of the explosion begun just now that had continued until now, everything had been blown far away, and this place had a tranquility that didn't fit a battlefield.

"If you want to impede me, then I'll get rid of you."

"So I'm asking, can you do it or not."

"I can do it."

Layfon who said this raised his arm high.

In this state, it would definitely come.

Layfon firmly believed.

"I'm not alone."

In the next moment, the sound of an explosion sounded in the sky.

A sound like a fireworks blast.

Afterwards was the sound of something tearing through the wind, indicating that something was descending, and something was drawn into Layfon's palm.

A Dite.

The same as what he had lost just now, a Shim Adamantium Dite.

There were also several other Dites that fell to the ground.

These weren't only the things that fell.

(The connection has already been strengthened - it will no longer cut off again.)

Felli's voice sounded in the surroundings.

(Ah~ Layfon, how was it, my assistance?)

"Flawless."

(That's right.)

(Don't forget my skills. I was the one who made that gun in such a short time.)

(Shut up, you lucky Dite addict.)

(So mean!)

Hearing the noisy voices and feeling that his heart had been soothed, a smile even appeared on Layfon's face.

He restored the Dite in his hand.

"I have a weapon. I have as many as I need. I won't hesitate to defeat you, so run if you wish."

"You're really speaking lightly."

As if to respond to him restoring the Dite, the red-haired man released Kei.

"Do you think you can win against me that easily?"

The flame-infused Kei was trying to push Layfon down.

The difference in power was that evident.

"Layfon…… you can't, run away."

Nina's pained voice came from behind him.

"You can't win, so……"

"It's alright to run, but at the least I have to bring Captain."

"Lay……fon?"

"If I don't do even that much then it's no good, so I have no choice but to get rid of the things obstructing us."

"Id……iot……For……someone like me……"

"Captain, you don't understand anything."

"……What?"

She truly seemed not to understand anything.

Seeing Nina like this, everyone's heartfelt feelings came from the other end of the Psychokinesis flake.

(Do you understand, Felli-chyan? This is Nina Disease.)

(How pathetic that I almost suffered from that kind of illness.)

(Really, it's terrible to leave this kind of disease uncured.)

(Yes, that's right.)

"You…… you guys……?"

"It's alright even if I can't defeat him."

Layfon spoke to the confused Nina.

Of course, his eyes still watched the red-haired man. The man seemed to not want to cut short Layfon's conversation.

The might of his Kei just increased alongside the passing of time.

"It's alright if Captain doesn't defeat him. Who do you think is behind us? Her Majesty is still here. Lintence-sama and the others are still here. People I don't know are also preparing in the cities behind us."

(Speaking of that Queen, can you hurry up and make her go to you?)

(Eh? But I'm still busy~)

(Someone please hurry up and deal with this weirdo.)

(Can't do it.)

(Impossible~)

(You useless things!)

"……It seems like right now what is most clear is."

If he got entangled with those people, it would have no end. Layfon continued speaking.

"Captain doesn't have a reason to give up her own life for this kind of fight, and to prove this point, it's alright even if I bet my life."

(No, wait, that's very strange.)

(It's a bit much to bet your life.)

(Please don't get accustomed to saying those kinds of contradictory words.)

(Ahahaha, Layfon is embarrassed~)

"Aah! Your Majesty, please don't talk!"

Really, he couldn't keep up appearances this way.

"Lay……fon……?"

"So I'm saying, it's alright. You don't need to push yourself in this kind of place."

Layfon scratched his head as he spoke.

"'There will be someone who thinks of a way to resolve it'. Though that kind of method isn't enough, still, even that doesn't mean that you need to burden yourself with everything. If you yourself are not enough, then leave it others who can do it."

Yes, in order to guard Grendan's orphanage, Layfon had worked hard alone, and in the end failed. But, the orphanage hadn't met with any unfortunate incidents because of this, and the Queen had revised policies.

There weren't many situations where a single failure meant the end of things. An opportunity to turn things around had to be somewhere. However, the person who retrieved everything or who corrected everything might not be himself.

"So, I don't want to lose senpai in this kind of place, nor do I want to lose those Electronic Fairies."

Layfon raised his restored Shim Adamantium Dite.

The red-haired man's Kei had already filled the surroundings, as if trying to burn away the defensive Kei that Layfon used. His eyes were like fire. The smile on his face was disappearing, and his expression told Layfon that in his body, something was crumbling, making him about to burst.

"Then, I'm a rare incurable specimen, huh."

His violent, toothy smile made Layfon's face tense up.

"But, you let me see a very good answer."

"…………?"

"Here's a gift for that answer."

The red-haired man's Kei spilled out, becoming even more frenzied, and its density also increased.

"I'll get rid of you in one move."

"If you want to talk about gifts, I'd still rather if you could let us return."

He wouldn't listen to those jokes any longer.

From the killing intent given off from the iron whip on his shoulder, he was almost at his limits for endurance.

"I am Dixerio Maskane, who are you?"

"Layfon Alseif."

After the introductions.

They moved.

The red-haired man, Dix, took a step out, and Layfon moved his waist low, making a stance for an engagement.

Combined Internal and External Kei variant - Raijin.

Psyharden Technique - Flame Cut.

Two Keis collided.

Acting in concert with the nearing lightning, Layfon swung his blade, and the iron whip on Dix's shoulder swung down to collide with the blade.

If it were a collision of purely strength, the difference in Dites would be proven here. Layfon didn't have those odds. But, if it were a moment where the opponent hadn't been able to gather all of his strength into the iron whip……

It seemed like the opponent wasn't that simple.

As expected, a clash occurred with the opponent's weapon.

Layfon felt that the Dite in his hands had become a bit different.

It had fragmented.

The iron whip swung down as if it hadn't collided with Layfon's Flame Cut at all.

But, even if the path of the iron whip continued as if nothing at all had happened, the surrounding environment definitely changed.

The Kei housed inside the fragmented Dite exploded.

Though the majority portion of this Kei was offset by Raijin's Kei pressure and dissipated, it still led to a small-scale explosion.

Layfon was affected by the explosion, and the position of his body moved. No, Layfon had purposefully taken advantage of it.

Layfon let his body endure the pressure produced by the explosion, forcing his body to move, and avoided Raijin by swinging in an arc.

He moved behind Dix.

But, what would he do after this?

He no longer had a weapon in his hand.

No, when he was turning, Layfon's feet had kicked something.

It was a Dite that had fallen onto the ground.

One of the Dites that had scattered on the ground from Sharnid's precision sniping.

The Dite that had been kicked floated in front of Layfon's face.

He grabbed it.

Restoration.

He let his Kei pour into it at full power.

He released it at the back of Dix, who had passed by him.

Heaven's Blade Art - Hazy Garret.

The slash formed an encircling net that tried to tear Dix open.

But, Raijin's pressure wouldn't permit that to happen. His Kei power didn't let that situation occur.

A normal Dite couldn't be used, so he used a Heaven's Blade art. When he didn't use Composite Blast, it wasn't a complete Heaven's Blade Art.

Even so, this Dite became powder and was scrapped.

The encircling net of slashes still hadn't been able to tough Dix.

Layfon no longer had a Dite.

Raijin had ended, and Dix was preparing to turn back towards him.

The Kei for the next round had already been prepared, and he was ready to release another blow of Raijin.

The iron whip on his shoulder was burning with a deadly flame.

Raijin, released.

But, Dix wasn't the one who released it.

From his side, Kei howled, and Lightning roared.

Combined Internal and External Kei variant - Raijin.

"I won't let you do what you want to my subordinate!!!!!"

It was Nina.

Dix, who had focused on Layfon, received Nina's Raijin attack undefended.

A severe sound came from before Layfon.

Lightning engulfed the flame, and sparks flew.

"Captain!"

But, Dix had blocked that sudden assault. That large iron whip that was very similar to Nina's two iron whips endured the strike.

The might of Raijin became sparks, searing the ground.

"Oraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"

Nina howled, and Dix who showed a smile but looked filled with rage didn't move at all.

The tug of war didn't lean toward either side. Kei pressure melted the surrounding ground.

"Lay……"

Nina's expression twisted.

"Layfon!"

She yelled.

"yes."

Layfon, who had been watching this, finally came to his senses.

But, what could he do.

(Move your left foot forward three paces.)

Felli's short words sounded from in front of him, and just from that, Layfon understood her meaning.

A Dite that was obscured by the dust over the ground was right there.

After picking it up, Layfon ran.

His speed rose to the level of Raijin in a moment, and even the light of restoration was left behind.

He didn't have any tricks to play, and just pointed his blade at the target, running rapidly.

"Haaaaaaaaaaahhh!!"

His entire body's Kei was focused into the point of the blade.

Dix who was locked against Nina's iron whips looked at Layfon. He who was unable to completely offset her Raijin was unable to move freely.

Perhaps it was because he understood his own end.

He smiled.

Looking at Layfon, he smiled.

Layfon was unable to stop, nor did he have any time to think. Layfon continued increasing the speed of his sprint, and the Kei of the two of them clashed as he rushed straight through the space between the two of them.

And after that……?

"Guah!"

When he realized that the situation had changed, Layfon was sent flying into the air along with the sound of the Dite in his hand shattering.

His back received an impact.

The pain made Layfon's vision blur, and to confirm the thing that he should be there, he raised his head.

Only Nina was there.

He couldn't see Dix. Over there was only Nina standing there alone, and three Dites were spread on the ground.

That was the best proof that Dix had just been there.

"Captain……"

Only when he thought about running to her side did Layfon notice that his entire body was severely painful. Part of the reason was because of that collision just now, and another was the effect to his body of his forceful evasion of Raijin before.

Even so, Layfon still forced himself to stand, walking towards Nina.

"Are you alright?"

"Nn…… For the time being, I'm alright, the Haikizokus gave me strength."

After judging that the somewhat dazed Nina was safe, Layfon began looking around.

"That person……?"

Where had he gone?

Had he disappeared?

Nina's originally evenly-matched Raijin had been liberated, and he had been engulfed by it.

Had that power eliminated him?

"……He said before that his body had no meaning. As long as his mind hasn't died, that person isn't dead."

But then……

"Then…… you mean, it still hasn't ended?"

"No……"

Nina shook her head.

He looked at the ground.

He looked at the third iron whip that had lost its owner.

'Beautifully done.'

"The moment before he disappeared, that person said that. That person always wanted to disappear. But, he couldn't do it himself, so he was always looking for someone to help him depart. That person definitely thinks that it's over with this. So, it's already…… fine."

"…………"

Nina talked about Dix like she knew everything.

No, did she actually know?

If it weren't so, then even if the opponent were a human, Nina wouldn't be this dazed.

"Can you believe it? That person was a senpai of ours from long ago, and he was the person who taught me Raijin."

"Eh?"

"He taught me when I was confused."

"…………"

"He allowed me to always continue forward while sticking to my ideals."

Nina's back was trembling.

"…………"

Layfon moved his gaze from her body, looking around.

The flames around the cities had lost their energy.

That battle was over.

This might be the end.

Layfon didn't know many details about the situation either.

But, this battle that had involved too many people that he was close to had finally ended.

Layfon firmly believed this, and sighed deeply.

The light of the Psychokinesis flake that was drawing close made Layfon feel yearning and closeness.