Chapter 64 ~ Unleashed
Upon deleting all data related to their thesis from the data storages and devices they brought for the competition, Yuuji and Mayumi led everyone to the First High School’s green room to begin planning for their next move.
“Now then, about our next move... Only one enemy ship has invaded the harbor. The area around the shore is more or less under enemy control, though they seemed to have suffered quite the casualties as well thanks to the heightened security around that area.
Ground transportation has been mostly paralyzed as well, perhaps due to the guerillas.”
Mayumi explained the gravity of the situation to everyone in the room. It was bad, but not as bad as it would’ve been if Yuuji, Aika, and Tatsuya hadn’t alerted their comrades in the military about the possible attack in Yokohama. If they didn’t... Then Mayumi couldn’t even begin to imagine what sort of situation they could be in.
“What could they be after...?”
Kei asked.
“The fact that they specifically came here means there’s something they want in Yokohama... And although there’s also one in Kyoto...”
“The Magic Association branch office. Or to be more precise, their main database.”
Mayumi nodded to Yuuji’s answer.
“Yes. All the crucial and confidential data about our country’s magical technology is being centrally managed in Kyoto and Yokohama. So it would make sense for them to come here if they wish to steal our country’s magical technology.”
“...When will the rescue ship arrive?”
Mari crossed her arms as she kept her gaze focused on the map of Yokohama displayed on the screen.
“It should be arriving in another ten minutes... But it doesn’t look like it has the capacity for this number of people.”
“Regarding Nakajo-san and the others who are headed for the shelters through the underground passage, it seems that Tsubakihara’s concerns were unfortunately correct. However, since the enemy force was small, they should be able to drive them away soon, according to Hattori.”
Suzune reported, having just received the message from Hattori from her phone.
A sigh of relief escaped their lips before Mari turned towards everyone.
“You’ve heard of our situation. Unfortunately, we won’t have the chance to get on the ship. At this point, we’ll have to head to the shelter ourselves even if it’s somewhat risky.”
“...Tatsuya. I’ll leave this one to you. If I do it, I can’t guarantee the driver’s life.”
“Alright.”
“Brother...?”
Hearing their exchange of words, everyone turned to look at Yuuji and Tatsuya, who suddenly moved around towards the wall behind them.
Then, with one swift movement, Tatsuya whipped out his Silver Taurus and aimed straight ahead into the wall.
“B-Brother?”i quickly tried to activate her CAD and cast a spell that would allow her to see through walls to find out why Tatsuya suddenly raised his gun.
And then she saw it. A massive truck racing right into the building. But before it could even reach the stairs to the entrance, the entire thing suddenly turned to dust, leaving behind the driver that fell and hit the stairs from the sudden disappearance of his vehicle.
Her eyes widened in shock... She had heard of his abilities from Yuuji before, but she didn’t think it was to this extent...
Then suddenly, a familiar voice snapped her out of her daze.
“I’m sorry to have kept you waiting!”
Entering the room was a beautiful jet-black hair woman, dressed in the militaristic green uniform of the JSDF.
“K-Kyouko-san?!”
“Long time no see, Mayumi-san.”
Everyone stood frozen in their position as they stared at the JSDF officer who suddenly walked into the room.
Then, following right behind her, a middle-aged man, similarly dressed in the green military uniform entered with a solemn expression. Without even having to look at the emblem sewn into the collar of his shirt, his sheer presence and air alone told them that he was a high ranking military officer.
“Special officers, information control has been temporarily disabled.”
Yuuji, Aika, and Tatsuya nodded to Kyouko’s words and immediately saluted their commanding officer, Major Kazama Harunobu.
Just then, Juumonji and Kirihara, who was being led to the first high’s green room by Captain Sanada that they met in the entrance, also arrived to see Yuuji, Aika, and Tatsuya saluting Kazama.
“I am Major Kazama Harunobu of the JSDF.”
Recognizing the name and face, Juumonji immediately introduced himself as well.
“So you are that Major Kazama... I am the acting Master Clan Conference representative for the Juumonji Clan, Juumonji Katsuto.”
Kazama nodded at the Juumonji clan representative before shifting his gaze back at the special officers, who were standing at attention.
“Fujibayashi, give him the rundown on the current situations.”
“Yes sir.”
Kyouko quickly accessed the terminal and entered a security key to gain more access into the system. And when she was done, symbols signifying the JSDF forces and the hostile forces’ location in the map appeared.
“Currently, our forces stationed at Hodogaya are battling the invaders. We also have one battalion from Tsurumi and Fujisawa each rushing to this site. The Kanto Branch of the Magic Association has taken a defensive position on its own.”
“Good job. Now, special officers. In light of these special circumstances, our battalion, which had been on its way to Hodogaya on a separate mission, has been ordered to add our support to the defense. In accordance with the JSDF special assignment regulations, I’m hereby ordering you to mobilize as well!”
Gasps filled the room as their classmates and friends finally understood the reason why the JSDF suddenly came and shared this information with them...
Aside from Erika, Mayumi, and Miyuki, who knew of their involvement with the military, every single one of them looked at the three in shock and disbelief.
“The JSDF requests that these special officers’ rank remains confidential. Please be aware that this is based on the JSDF’s secrecy protection law. I hope you understand.”
Heavy silence filled the room as they slowly processed the revelation in their minds. But before they could even finish processing, another officer came from the back door and addressed the three.
“Officers, we have the Mobile Suit you designed ready for you in our trailer. Let’s hurry.”
“Captain Sanada. Understood.”
Yuuji said as they all nodded.
“My squad and I will be providing protection for the rest of you. So please rest assured.”
Tatsuya then turned towards his sisters and friends.
“I’m sorry. You heard them. Go with the upperclassmen and evacuate to the shelter.”
He swept his gaze across Leo, Mizuki, Mikihiko, Honoka, and Shizuku, who were most definitely still reeling in from the shock. But just as he was about to walk away, a hand caught his shoulder.
“Tatsuya. Before that...”
Yuuji stopped him and directed his gaze towards Miyuki. And as he followed the direction of his friend’s gaze, Tatsuya’s eyes widened when Miyuki approached him shyly. Her cheeks were dusted with pink as she raised her hands and caressed her beloved brother's face.
He slowly closed his eyes, enjoying the warm sensation of his little sister’s soft, loving touch, and kneeled down before her in a ceremonious manner.
She raised his chin slightly, and pressed her lips lightly against his forehead.
In that moment, an overwhelming amount of Psions that had been sealed for so long suddenly burst out of Tatsuya’s body, creating powerful winds that forced everyone to brace themselves from getting blown away.
And with a soft, heartfelt whisper, Miyuki bestowed upon her brother a few words of encouragement, and a prayer.
“Brother... You now have free rein. May the favors of war be with you.”
May he return to her side safely and continue living this peaceful, dream-like life together.
“Thank you. Then I will be off.”
As the winds caused by the unleashing of Tatsuya’s power disappear, Kyouko made her way towards Yuuji and Aika as well, approaching them with a smile.
“Yuuji, Aika-chan. You should do it as well.”
“Kyouko-nee...?”
A look of surprise flashed across Yuuji’s face. Having unleashed his power, Tatsuya alone would’ve been enough to take care of this situation. There was no need for him and Aika to unleash the “seal” that they, according to the “setting” the Chat Group had created, put upon themselves and set each other as the key.
Then, Leo brandished his hilt-shape CAD and activated the technique he had been learning from Erika. Using his specialty Fortifying Magic, Leo solidified the flatness of the extremely thin black membrane that was released from the Chiba Family’s secret sword technique, “Usuba Kagerou”, creating an ultra thin blade of carbon nanotubes woven into an ultra thin plate that was 5 nano-meters thin.
He dashed towards one of the frozen robots and slashed horizontally, cleanly slashing off the robot in half along with the pilot within it.
Then, Erika similarly brandished her Orochimaru, the sword Toshikazu had brought along for her, and dashed towards the second frozen robot with her movement accelerating magic. Then, with her massive nodachi raised into the air, she swung down and bisected the other robot cleanly into two and shattered the ground with it.
In the other area, where Toshikazu’s team were guarding, Kei had also detected hostiles going through his detection spell he had set up around the area beforehand.
“Here they come...”
As soon as those words left Kei’s mouth, two military robots appeared from the corner of the road and rushed towards them.
“Haaaaah!!!”
Swinging her arm, Kanon activated her spell, causing the ground beneath the robots to shatter and cave in.
“Now!!!”
Using this opening, Toshikazu dashed towards the one in front with his massive blade and swung down, slicing the robot in half before retreating to avoid the massive explosion that came after.
Kirihara also rushed towards the second one and was welcomed by hail of bullets from the machine gun units equipped on their head and shoulders.
From behind, Sayaka threw her magic-enhanced blades towards the machine gun units, slicing them in half and stopping the rain of bullets, and Kirihara slashed down the robot with his sonic blade, eliminating the second robots of the first wave of hostiles coming their way.
The fighting continued on both fronts. Waves of robots, tanks, and foreign soldiers wearing military uniforms similar to the ones that attacked them in the conference center, came in doves, continuing to scrape down their defense little by little until they were overwhelmed.
Fortunately, the twin-engined large rescue helicopters Mayumi and Shizuku called for came before they were overwhelmed.
But just as they were about to land, thousands upon thousands upon buzz filled the air as dark clouds began to appear and move towards the helicopters unnaturally, hindering their landing. Upon a closer look, the dark clouds turned out to be massive amounts of flying insects from a spell that flew towards the helicopter.
Shizuku immediately aimed her gun-shaped CAD towards it and used “Phonon Maser”, the spell she used during the NSC’s Pillar’s Break event against Miyuki, to try and kill off as many insects as she could and help the helicopter land.
But no matter how many times she tried, the dark clouds always reformed and continued surrounding the helicopters.
That was, until the dark clouds suddenly began to move away from the helicopters.
“Eh?”
“What’s happening...?”
Their eyes instinctively followed the direction in which they’re moving. Rather than being blown away, the dark clouds seemed as if they were being sucked away before disappearing into nothingness.
And when the sky finally cleared up, they saw a figure of a man in jet-black combat suit, floating in the air above them with one hand holding a beautiful gun of gold that reflected the orange-red light of the afternoon sun.
Right by his side was another figure in a similar jet-black combat suit, but this time, they could see that it was clearly a woman, and a familiar woman as well judging by the obviously voluptuous body figure that no clothes could ever hide.
Then, six other figures in similar suits came to their sides and stopped, floating in the mid air right beside the helicopters.
A look of shock and recognition painted all of their faces except for Mayumi, who immediately smiled and waved her hand at the two in front.
The male figure nodded, lowering his gun, and looked towards the feminine figure.
She nodded back at him and began to descend slightly towards the crowd as they watched and stared in shock and slight wary, still uncertain to the nature of their intentions.
But, the doubts quickly disappeared as the feminine figure opened her arms, like a mother welcoming her child into her warm, loving embrace. She began to glow with brilliant golden light, and above the entire entrance plaza of Sakuragicho station, a beautiful golden magic formation appeared and encompassed every single one of them.
Shining particles of light fell upon them as the golden magic formation glowed brighter and brighter. And upon touching the particles of light, , all their wounds and fatigue disappeared completely, as if they were never there in the first place.
“T-This is...”
“Amazing... I don’t feel tired at all...”
“It feels so refreshing...”
“My wounds are healed... Even my sprain...”
“This is a miracle...”
No matter if they’re regular civilians, students, or members of the police, gasps of shock and awe began to spread amongst them. Mari, Suzune, Shizuku, and Honoka were similarly surprised by such miraculous abilities.
Although extremely rare, healing magic was by no means unknown. As daughters from influential families, they knew of its existence, but they never knew there was one this effective.
Healing magic in Modern Magic was a spell that gave the illusion that healing existed in this world. They are simply temporary measures and were only used as first-aid until they were able to get proper treatment.
But this... This was far from being just an illusion... This was true healing... All of their injuries, pain, fatigue, everything disappeared as if time had reversed for them.
A true miracle. It was a Goddess’s blessing.
Right after healing them, the feminine figure raised back up towards the figure with the golden gun, spoke a few words, before flying away, accompanied by three other figures who seemed to be escorting her.
Meanwhile, the figure with the golden gun and the rest of his comrades began to form a defensive perimeter around the evacuation zone.
They would then escort the helicopters until they reached a save zone and fly away to combat the rest of the invaders in other areas.
Meanwhile, after separating from Yuuji, Aika went to where Kanon and Kei’s team were to help.
Erika and Miyuki’s team would be fine since Tatsuya was already heading there with the detachment Captain Yanagi lent him. Yuuji and the detachment he received from Captain Yanagi would also be enough to escort the rescue helicopters to the safety.
But Kanon’s team was alone, and she knew from the anime that they'd be pinned down quite badly. Kirihara would lose an arm and a leg, while Kei would receive heavy injuries from being struck by a piece of sharp metal that flew off during an explosion. So, she’ll need to hurry and go to their location.
She increased her speed, followed by the other soldiers from Yanagi’s squad, and she soon arrived at the location.
The battle was intense with Toshikazu still fighting tanks and armed soldiers while having sustained some injuries. Kei and Kanon were using the destroyed tanks and cars as cover while they flung spells, while Kirihara and Sayaka helped Toshikazu as vanguards.
Fortunately, they haven’t sustained heavy injuries like they have in the anime. So Aika quickly rushed towards them and used her healing magic, the one dubbed “blessings” by the military, to cure their wounds and rejuvenate their stamina.
“Eh? This light...?”
“W-What is this?”
“Could it be...?”
Kei, Kanon, Kirihara, and Sayaka all looked at themselves in shock as wounds from all around their body began to close and energy filling their bodies.
Meanwhile, Toshikazu, who was similarly shocked, noticed this sensation to be similar to the tales he had heard from his friends in the military.
A tale of a divine light that heals all wounds, replenishes the soul, grace them with another life, and turn the tides of battle.
He thought it was just simple exaggerations commonly found from tales in a battlefield made up by disoriented and hallucinating soldiers who had just returned from the battlefield.
But this... this was real... He could feel himself filling up with energy and the pain quickly disappearing.
On the other hand, seeing this light, the invading soldiers all gasped and shouted in pure shock.
“T-This is...?!”
“No way... W-Why is she here?”
“This light... the “Sacrament”?!”
“Why is the “Divine Light” here at a time like this?!”
All of their attention turned towards the feminine figure in the sky. This was the first time they’ve ever seen the figure of the “Divine Light”, a ghostly figure in the battlefield that had been said to turn the tides of battle against after reviving hundreds of enemy soldiers. The phenomenon that plunged many soldiers into despair after believing that they were “going against the heavens itself”.
And after the light dissipated, the “Divine Light” turned towards them and raised her hand into the sky. As she did, massive dark clouds began gathering in the sky above them, plunging the land into darkness.
“F-F-Fire at her!!!”
“Kill her!!!”
“H-Hurry!!!”
Bullets and tank shells flew towards her in doves, exploding and covering the entire sky in dark smoke.
But, as soon as it dissipated, they saw the “Divine Light” still floating there, unharmed, with the necklace on her chest glowing in blue light.
And that was the last thing they saw before lightning struck each and everyone one of them, and darkness filled their vision.