For the disclaimer and the story's note, you can find it in the first chapter.
Chapter 07
"—what's the situation?"
Wearing a shirt and a crimson military uniform hanging from her shoulders like a cloak, a young girl had entered the bridge and asked the question.
"Commander"
The guy waiting beside the captain's seat gave a salute as perfect as if it were in a military textbook.
The girl that had been called commander only gave that a glance, and then kicked the guy's toes.
"Oww!"
"Skip the greetings and explain the situation."
While saying this to the guy who had an anguished, or rather, ecstatic expression, she sat down in the captain's seat.
The guy straightened himself immediately.
"Yes. The attack started as soon as the 'Spirit' appeared."
"AST?"
"No. It is «Devil»."
A Spirit codenamed «Devil» was a Spirit in which attacked the other Spirits with intent to kill. So far, there were many casualties in «Devil's» attack. However, the casualties mostly were Anti-Spirit Team members.
Wearing mechanical armor to hunt, catch and kill Spirits; above humans, but not quite on the level of monsters; they were the modern magicians. In other words, the reality was that even being at a superhuman level was not enough to compete seriously with Spirits.
However, the «Devil's» main target was Spirit. It was mystery why «Devil» attacked her own kind. Although countless AST-members had fallen in the hand of «Devil», there was not even one casualty belonged to the hunted Spirits. Usually, the Spirits, who were attacked by «Devil», fled after they suffered grave injuries.
However, there were some close calls, for example: «Hermit» and «Princess».
The worst case scenario that had happened was the inversion that happened to «Princess».
"—we have confirmed the ID of the Spirit. At the moment we are following the movement of both the emerged Spirit and «Devil»."
Since the appearance of «Devil» for the first time, they had ranked «Devil» as dangerous and hostile Spirit. «Devil» had attacked many reemerged Spirit with intent to kill and not only that, she also attacked AST who attacked her too.
«Devil» was known as vicious and brutal Spirit, although «Nightmare» was still the most dangerous Spirit.
There was nothing about «Devil» since she emerged for the first time. She, «Devil», was a mystery.
"Show me the visuals."
At the commander's word, real-time footage showed up on the bridge's large monitor.
On a wide road around two blocks from downtown, two girls fighting while waving huge weapons around was shown.
With the clashing of the weapons, bursts of light escaped, the ground cracked, and buildings collapsed. It was hard to imagine that this scene was part of reality.
"Huh? The «Princess» has truly been inversed. Her rank has risen from AAA-rank into SS-rank. However, why those two monsters just stare each other like that?"
"Maybe they have beauty contest because they have tired fighting each other?"
The commander raised her foot, and with the heel of her boots stepped on the guy's foot.
"Guhgii!"
Ignoring the guy who was making an extremely happy face, the commander quietly sighed.
"I understand that you tried to lighten the mood. I'm also tired of only being able to watch."
"So, what you are trying to say is..."
"Yes. Finally the Round Table gave their consent. The plan is starting now."
With those words, the sound of the crew members in the bridge swallowing their breath could be heard.
"Kannazuki."
The commander lightly leaned into the back of the seat, and raised a small right hand with the second and third fingers held straight. It was as if she was asking for a smoke.
"Yes, sir."
The guy quickly reached into his pocket, and took out a small lollipop. He speedily but carefully removed the wrapping. Then, he knelt beside the commander, and said "please enjoy" as he placed the lollipop between the commander's fingers.
The commander put it in her mouth, and the stick started to move up and down.
"...Ahh, now that I think about it, where is our important 'secret weapon'? He didn't answer the phone just then. I wonder if he properly went to a shelter, or not?"
"Let me investigate, and, huh?"
The guy twisted his head, perplexed.
"What's wrong?"
"Well, that."
The guy pointed towards the picture. The commander moved her gaze there—"ah", she made a short sound. Slowly, the commander's body started shivering.
"That...that buffoon! Why in the hell is he here?"
The commander let loose a disbelieving sound. There was also a hint of worry mixed in.
On the side of the standoff between the inversed «Princess» and «Devil», the school uniform clad figure of a handsome young man was spread out. The young man was sitting on the ground and his face showed desperate expression.
"Quickly, retrieve him!"
The commander gave out a command in hurry.
"Wait commander, he seems trying to say something. Let's hear it first. If situation becomes more dangerous, we will retrieve him immediately."
The one who said that with lazy tone was female officer. Then, the female officer tinkered with her console. Second later, the formerly mute real-life footage now was accompanied with voice.
[—me. It is painful for me to watch my women fighting uselessly like this. My heart is without limit, my love is not finite! You two do not need to quarrel pitifully like this to be my woman. I can divide my love to both of you evenly. So, let's stop all of this useless farce and calm down. Let we have a talk before killing each other, okay?]
The bridge became silence. Everybody stared fixedly at the bridge, perplexed. Even the female officer, who gave out the idea, showed a mild surprised reaction. No one would think the young man would have steel balls to say something ridiculous in front to scary Spirits like that...
Page Break
I did not wait long for the reply of my crazy proclamation. My life preservation instinct shouted to me and I followed my instinct without complaint, jumping to my left. Just like that, I was saved from being split into two.
Dark purple colored mana flashed next to me, craving deep trench in the ground and destroyed everything in its path. The destroyed city behind me became more miserable that a moment ago.
I gulped my saliva nervously as I stared the destruction of «Princess'» casual swing. Yes! It was only casual swing and the destruction from it was terrifying.
"What nonsense you have said, human?"
My head turned back, staring the annoyed Spirit in front of me. Sweats immediately drenched my nape and forehead, showing how terrified and nervous I was.
«Princess's» beautiful yet deadly eyes narrowed. The tip of her massive sword—the manifestation of her «Demon King», «Nehemah»—faced the ground. Her alluring pink colored lips turned into straight line. She was annoyed! Although she was looking down at me, she still put her guard up. She was still vigilant with Origami floating not far from her.
In the other side, «Devil»—AKA the Inversed Origami was staring at me with fixed look. It was the first time I saw a shred of emotion on her face, confusion and curiosity.
I have taken their attention, what left was prolonging my life somehow.
"Why are you silent? Speak fast or I will kill you!"
Chills traveled on my back as I heard «Princess'» declaration. It was not an empty threat. Unlike normal «Princess», she would kill somebody without batting an eyelash. The only reason why she had yet killed me was because her curiosity. Although I knew this much, I still felt nervousness while facing this beautiful tyrant.
"Ahahaha... sorry if I offend you, but I need to take your attention somehow."
My instinct rang again. I immediately dove to my right, jumping over the deep trance. Another dangerous wave of mana passed over, another portion of city behind me was destroyed mercilessly.
'This chick was crazy!'
I wanted to shout out aloud but refraining myself. I would die sooner if I said that!
"Wait! Hold on! Please, stop attacking me! I am just an innocent bystander!"
Waving my hands frantically, I shouted this with panic-stricken face.
Fortunately, the next attack was halted. «Princess's» curious eyes fixed on me.
"You're an innocent bystander? Hump! Do you think you can fool me? Who are you? Are you this wretched woman's ally?"
Pointing her loathing look to the silent Origami, «Princess» asked this to me.
Now, I was in the between of rock and hard place. I did not know what Origami would do if I said I did not know her. On the other side, if I said I knew Origami, «Princess» would launch her killing attack to me.
When I did not answer her question, «Princess» raised her «Nehemah» highly.
"Wait! Hold on! Time up! Time up! Stop attacking first, asking question later! Let's start with introduction first! I have known you yet! Please be merciful to this poor innocent bystander!"
The attack did not come. «Princess» lowered her sword slowly.
"Humph! Speak now before I lose my patience! Be happy this honorable me give you a chance to speak!"
I wanted to cry when I heard «Princess'» haughty tone. She was totally different with the normal «Princess».
Author, Fate, Gods, whatever the existence above, do you hate me so much? Why you put me in this crazy situation? The canon Shidou had never experienced this kind of shit in his first day, damn it!
"My name is Itsuka Shidou, you can call me Shidou. And like I have said, I am just an innocent bystander who is unfortunate enough to be pulled in this situation."
"Name...Itsuka Shidou...Shidou...name...Shidou...name..."
«Princess» mumbled with a low tone. Her eyebrow twitched as she did this.
What happened to her? Did she feel annoyed, jealous, or mad because she did not have name?
Meanwhile, Origami's face showed complex expression. She mumbled something under her breath.
"Itsuka...Shidou...Itsuka...Shidou...Itsuka Shidou-san..."
Suddenly, Origami gripped her head. Her eyes wavered. Her face showed painful expression as if she was assaulted by worst headache.
I was curious to what happened with Origami. However, my curiosity disappeared soon because «Princess's» sudden movement.
«Princess's» hand lashed like snake, her massive sword split the air. At that time, dark purple mana shot out towards Origami.
The destructive shock wave slammed Origami and pushed her far away. The mana wave created another deep trench in the ground as it dragged Origami. Then, it slammed a wrecked building dozen meter away from my position. As the shock wave and Origami slammed the wrecked building, it was collapsed immediately.
I stood there agape, I could not think straight and I was bemused by what had happened in span of second.
Did I see right? Did «Princess» pull an underhanded tactic, attacking Origami who was lowering her guard? Ruthless! This chick not only crazy but also ruthless!
I did now know what happened with Origami after the building collapsed on her. My mana sense caught Origami's energy fluctuations for split second before it disappeared. In my heart, I was anxious as slightly worried for Origami.
"Humph! What a coward!"
«Princess's» haughty sniff took my attention back on her. As I heard that, I felt how ridiculous this woman was. She was hypocritical tyrant! Terrifying! She was terrifying!
"You..."
Suddenly, «Princess's» eyes fixed on me and I felt my heart tightened.
Anxiety and nervousness filled my heart. What will happen with me? I did not know. This was far from what I knew of Date A Live universe. Everything had been shown up differently than how the canon supposedly was!
"I do not like you!"
Eh?
A Rejection! Wait! What in the hell is this? I had confessed yet and I already got a rejection!
"You have something I do not. It made me angry! Now, be happy I will smite you with the full power of Nehemah!"
I understood it immediately. She was jealous of me! Because she did not have name, she became angry. Since Inversed «Princess» was more ruthless and did not have qualm in killing, she decided getting rid of me to calm her anger.
What an actual fuck!? That was too extreme!
"Wait! How about this! I will give you a name and you will spare my life today, how about it? It was fair exchange right?"
I offered this fair exchange to the «Princess».
"You, a mere human, give me a name?"
Sneering at me, «Princess» asked with mocking tone.
My heart was clenched by fear. She was really arrogant and haughty. Everything she had done so far was overbearing. If this continued on, I could not dodge my death flag. I am going to die for sure!
She raised her sword on top of her head. The purplish dark light leaked from that massive single-edged sword, sending a malevolent pressure to me.
My mind became more frantic. In front of my impending doom, my mind became clear somehow. Immediately, I tried another way to prevent my early demise.
When I found out an idea in my mind, I did not wait to say that idea aloud.
"Wait! Please wait! Forget about giving you a name, if you do not want it! How if I become your Servant? Personal butler? I am really good with house work and I am confident with my cooking? How about it? I can cook delicious meal for you! If you spare me, I will become your personal butler for a day! No, wait! I will become your personal butler for a week!"
«Princess», once again, stopped her swing midway. I immediately relaxed as I dodged my death yet again.
However, her next words made me stupefied.
"Servant? Personal butler? What kind of nonsense you are saying? What is cooking? What is delicious meal? I do not understand any of it! Be gone vermin!"
Thus, «Princess» slashed her massive sword at my direction.
To Be Continued