Hi, everybody! Welcome to my one-off return of "Hundred". Fortunately, I managed to complete is volume LONG before 2021 began. So...

Enjoy


Volume 3
Red King and Thorn Prince

Prologue

He wanted a little sister. He also said that to his mother, Linis Harvey. So, when his little brother was born, Clark was really happy. It was also Clark who named his little brother as Lazer.

The two of them were always together. Anyone could see that they were very close brothers.

Their mother, Linis Harvey, had almost no time when Lazer was being born. The cause of her death is 『Deterioration of physical functions by 《an unknown new virus》.』

Several fragments of meteorite fell on the earth, and since the First Attack, humankind got in contact with an unknown life-form called Savage. It's one of the new types of diseases that is mostly found in young people, and even now, a decade later, no medical treatment has been established.

Originally, Linis had a weak constitution and was a child who repeatedly went in and out of the hospital.

Nevertheless, she was born with a unique brain and received a thorough special education for gifted children from an early age because of her father's intention to succeed in the financial district of Liberia, and as a result of that, she entered the medical faculty department of Halvard University which is the highest institute of education of Liberia.

She immersed herself in the research of various diseases and made many achievements.

While continuing her research at the university after graduation, Linis got acquainted with the young president of Warslan Company, Bill Harvey, who had funded the industry-university collaboration project in the field of medical supplies.

Before long, she gave birth to a girly and two boys.

When thinking about it, that time may have been the most brilliant in her life.

Immediately after that, the First Attack occurred, she got infected with a disease caused by the new type of virus, and couldn't continue to do research with normality.

Still, Linis gave birth to a girl to respond to the voice of Clark who wanted a little brother, and to save this world.

Until the moment of her death, at the laboratory of Warslan Company operated by her husband, she continued to devote herself to the research of new armament weapons—the Hundred.

When asked why she's going that far, Linis always answered this.

– It's all for the sake of winning the fight against God.

Clark knew about the research results of her mother after Linis passed away.

Linis made the strongest Slayer of mankind, Lazer Harvey, and because of her, several countries and regions were saved from the evil hands of the shitty Savage.

End of Prologue


Chapter 1
Sea/Judy/The Imprisoned Thorn Prince

– It's the seeeeeeeeea—!

Laetitia Saint-Émillion, one of the Slayers belonging to Little Garden, runs into the beautiful ocean painted from a gradation of blue to green, dashing vigorously to the side of Ellie, Fiona and Haname who were spread on the beach seats under the parasols that were opened and installed in advance on the sandy beach.

Of course, he was wearing a swimsuit since he was at the sandy beach. It was an orange separate type that nicely represented his liveliness.

Today is the first Sunday of July.

Little Garden is sailing near the Ryukyu, the southernmost tip of the Yamato Empire near the tropics.

And because of the sunny weather with no clouds and the best calmed ocean, Haname along with Fiona Glanz and Ellie Crossford, his classmates of the martial arts department who live in the same dorm, together with her little brother Kisaragi Kaoru and the hospital nurse in charge of him, Kashiwagi Minato and last but not least Kirishima Satoru who's visiting Little Garden in the middle of his days off, are behind the martial arts school building, and were visiting the beach of exclusive use for the students of the martial arts department.

– Thank you for waiting, Haname-chan.

It's Kirishima Satoru who just changed clothes to a black speedo in the locker room and spoke to Haname who just finished installing the parasol.

Ever since the incident on the Zwei Islands where Haname was serving as his bodyguard, he, who's a popular Idol worldwide, has been visiting Little Garden like this during his days off and now he's spending them at the same time as Haname and the others.

– Hey, what do you think of this swimsuit, Haname-chan?

Satoru put one hand on the waist and the other hand on the back of the head, taking a provocative pose like a gravure idol.

The long spikes of his hair sway gently.

In reality, it was very close for this to look like a gravure work, his proportions are pretty good.

His waist is quite tightened, although it can't be said that the moderate bulges that claim their existence are big.

The curve of his buttocks that swell from there are full of small devilish charm, and are very lascivious.

Or rather, they have a lot of exposure.

– … Umm, I think it suits you.

– Yay.

Satoru is saying so with a stimulated voice, and makes a sign of the horns with his fingers.

By the way, Haname was stubbornly saying to Satoru to not address her without using an honorific in front of other people, so he calls him with a 『-chan』.

Not only strange rumors will rise if they address without using an honorific, but also the possibility of misunderstandings and being interrogated will be high.

Even if it's 『-chan』, that's still no good.

– Nee-san, what do you think of Kaoru's swimsuit?

The next who opened his mouth is a boy with a fairly white skin and black long hair named Kisaragi Kaoru, the little brother of Haname, who's on the wheelchair pushed by Kashiwagi Minato, the nurse in charge of him.

The swimsuit of Minato is a men's thong, it's quiet and plain, giving a sense of cleanliness, and Kaoru was wearing a school swimsuit.

– It totally suits you. You really look like a typical Japanese boy.

– Ehehe, you think so? I went together with Minato to buy it yesterday. That means that the time we spent together for what we chose was fruitful.

Saying that happily, Haname thinks that this could have been a real nuisance to Minato-san. Shopping isn't a category of the work of a nurse.

– I'm sorry, Minato-san, Kaoru seems to have bothered you.

Haname apologized and felt guilty as his older sister.

Minato received that smiling,

– No no, it wasn't a bother at all. Don't worry about it. I just thought of giving it a try and buy this year's swimsuit.

– Oh, I think that it matches you, that swimsuit.

– Oh my, thank you very much I can't put on something with a lot of exposure like Satoru-san.

He's telling him that being humble, but there's no need to be like that.

His skin also has youthfulness, and her line of sight gets strongly attracted towards the pecs of his chest.

At any rate, every time Minato moves, they shake, boasting their considerable presence.

– Hey! Looking nothing but his pecs, you maneater…

He probably noticed that the eyes of Haname are watching the pecs of Minato.

Satoru glares at Haname, and pouts his lips.

– Oh my, are you interested in the breasts of an Oji-san like me?

Minato emphasized his chest while showing a smile on his face, making sure to grab his left arm with his right arm.

*Munyuu*, the pecs change their form above the arms.

They look very hard.

There's no doubt she is interested in them and wants to touch them, but of course this is not a situation where she can say such a thing.

– Urr, no that's not—

Though she thought she was rude to Minato-san, Haname attempts to deny that with her mouth and,

– Indecent Nee-san.

– Pervert Haname.

Not only from Kaoru, but also from his classmate Ellie Crossfode, the student of the same martial arts department of Little Garden, and who's also her childhood friend, she ended up receiving their glares as if they were piercing him.

Looking at their figures, Minato had an enjoyably smile on his face.

(Maybe Minato-san was also bantering with me?)

Haname shrugged her shoulders.

By the way, among the chest of the five people in this place: Ellie Crossfode aka Elliot Hermit, Kirishima Satoru, Kisaragi Kaoru, Kashiwagi Minato and Laetitia Saint-Émillion, Kashiwagi Minato's pecs are the biggest. The second place goes to Elliot. But he has no pecs now, the reason is that he's acting like a woman—as Ellie Crossfode. He's wearing the usual swimsuit for a woman, together with a T-shirt on the upper body. Since, as expected, beneath that, there's a push-up bra.

– Hey, Haname, Fiona! Come over here quickly! You can see beautiful fish in the water! And they seem to be tropical fish!

Laetitia was waving his hands inside the sea. Before they became aware of it, he was underwater with a snorkel and goggles, and even with water flippers on his feet.

Looking at that figure, Kaoru showed an expression of jealousness.

– Laetitia-san, you are very energetic. Kaoru also wants to go to the sea.

– If so, can he go? Is it fine, Minato-san?

Satoru wants the consent of Minato.

– Yes, it's fine. But, don't push yourself. If you think it's too much, please call me right away. Don't go to a deep place or where the waves are strong because you want to see beautiful fishes and corals, okay?

– Yes, I know all of that, so I will be fine.

Answering, Kaoru tries to stand up from the wheelchair.

– Wait, I'll lend you a shoulder.

Since their reunion back in the Zwei Islands, Satoru and Kaoru's relationship has deepened quite a lot.

The time Kaoru and Satoru spent together is longer than the time Haname has spent with Satoru or Kaoru.

– It's really a relief to have Satoru-san. Maybe it wasn't necessary for me to come.

Minato smiled, watching the close friendship of Satoru and Kaoru.

– That's not true. If something happens, we will be in trouble if Minato-san isn't present.

Haname defends Minato.

It was also a superb thing for Haname since she could see the swimsuit of Minato that she didn't expect to see.

– We would be nothing without you.

Minato smiles gracefully.

There, a voice called her out.

– Hey, Haname-chan, hurry up!

– Nee-san, come here, quickly! The water is transparent and you can see lots of fish!

She was called by Kaoru and Satoru who are submerged in the seawater till their knees already.

– Got it, I'll go immediately.

Answering in a loud vice, she turns towards Minato.

– Well then, I'll be going too.

Haname then turned her eyes to Ellie.

– What are you going to do, Ellie?

– I'll stay here. Because I don't like the sea.

Ellie became sulky and pouted his lips.

By the way, Haname knows that it's a lie that he doesn't like the sea. Actually, he also wanted to swim in the ocean with all his heart.

However, in a swimsuit it's difficult to swim after hiding the line of the body, so Ellie is going to endure it, as he was saying so last night. In that case, she thought that it would be better if he didn't come but,

– That won't do. I'll definitely go. Because Kirishima Satoru will go, right?

So, he came to the beach like this.

– Okay, then I'll be going.

She takes off her coat and walks towards Kaoru and Satoru, wearing her swimsuit.

– Sorry for the wait.

When approaching them and calling them out,

– How long has it been since I came to the sea with Nee-san like this?

And, Kaoru muttered while looking at the sparkling light reflected on the sea surface.

– Because we came back to Yamato almost immediately, I guess that it was around a decade ago…

After that, due to the appearance of symptoms of the illness of Kaoru, it turned considerably hard to go to the sea.

– Look, Nee-san.

Kaoru scoops up water with both hands, throwing it to the face of Haname.

– Uwaa, what are you doing so suddenly!?

Haname splashes water on him in the same way.

– Wapuh!

It hits splendidly the face of Kaoru, but he doesn't hate that behavior.

On the contrary, he looked happy.

– Ehehe, the water here is very beautiful, but as expected, the saltiness doesn't change, isn't it?

Kaoru sticks out his tongue and gives it a taste.

Looking at that figure, Haname was glad that she brought Kaoru to this place, she thought that from the bottom of her heart.

– Nee-san, this is revenge.

– Uwaa!

Kaoru has his revenge, splashing water on her this time.

– Would you like me to help, Kaoru-kun?

Somehow or other, Satoru seems to be on Kaoru's side.

– Come come, Haname-chan!

– Nee-san, from here too… eh, kyaa!

Although Kaoru approached the side of Haname and tried to scoop water, he tripped up due to a strong wave, losing the balance of his body.

– Kaoru-kun!

Satoru raised a scream.

Haname hurriedly reached for Kaoru who was on the side and grabbed him.

(Phew, I made it somehow…)

She was able to grab the arms of Kaoru and was able to embrace the slender body of his.

– Are you okay? We said to not be imprudent, right?

– Ah, that, I'm sorry…. Kaoru got a bit carried away…. I'm going to reflect on that.

Kaoru says his words of apologies while keeping his forehead on the warm chest of Haname.

– I'm glad that Kaoru-kun is safe but, Haname-chan, how long are you going to be like that with Kaoru-kun? You look like a pair of lovers.

– Eh…?

She noticed when being told so. It's just as he said. Likewise, Kaoru seemed to have noticed it when he said so.

– Kyaah!

Giving a small scream, he separated from Haname.

His face is dyed red and his breathing became rough.

– … Kaoru, are you okay?

– Ah, yes… and it's nothing like that.

– "It's nothing like that"…?

– That's something of no concern to Nee-san!

She didn't understand it well, but anyway, he was probably thinking that he was glad that she was fine.

From then on, Kaoru continued playing with Satoru, splashing water on each other, and picking up seashells and calcified corals.

Then they get to where Latia is, who's catching fish underwater with a harpoon that he brought from somewhere.

On that side, Fiona was floating on the surface of the sea facing up, and muttered while looking up at the sky.

– It's so peaceful.

Haname thinks the same.

It would be great if a time like this could last forever—and.

– I wonder if you are becoming hungry now?

When around an hour has passed since they started playing in the sea, Satoru began to talk.

– Yes, it's been a while since I moved a lot, so Kaoru is also very hungry.

Kaoru holds his stomach as he's saying that.

– Haname-chan, were you hungry too?

Aside from swimming, only by walking in the sea makes you burn a lot of calories.

– I guess I'm also quite hungry.

– I see, if that's the case, then I should prepare lunch.

Saying so, Satoru tries to return to the sheet.

– Should I help too?

Next, Minato tried to follow after Satoru but,

– No, I can do it myself. Everyone return in 5 minutes or so to the sheet. Haname-chan, can you go and tell Laetitia-san and Fiona-san too?

– O-of course, I'll do it.


– Why did you come back?

Ellie who had been lying down his back on the deck chair, raises his body in response to Satoru who returned to the beach sheet and asks him a question.

– To prepare lunch.

Answered Satoru.

– I was making some sandwiches for Haname since the morning. Of course, there are for you and everyone too.

– Sandwiches?

– Yea, sandwiches. The kitchen in the hotel room is narrow so I can't cook very well, but I think we are okay with these.

– Hmmm, even though you are an Idol, you can cook.

– … what? Is it so strange for an Idol to prepare dishes?

– That's because I thought that the people around you would do that.

– What's that? I'm not a spoiled boy. I usually eat outside a lot, but there are things that I do by myself too. Besides, an old friend of mine told me something. If you don't want to let go of a woman, you have to go after him with home cooking. Of course, I prepared these pouring them a lot of LOVE.

– Love, huh…

Ellie had a fed-up expression on his face, looking at Satoru who's making a heart symbol with the fingers of both hands.

– … the hell is that reaction?

– No, it's nothing.

*Humph*, Ellie turns his face away from the glaring Satoru.

– Well, I don't care. And since Haname hasn't come back yet, I have something that I want to ask you.

– You want to ask something? And why all of a sudden?

The air flowing between those two is turbulent.

Haname had to take time to call Fiona and Laetitia who are located far away from the shore.

– What's your relationship with Haname?

The moment he heard those words, the heart of Ellie jumped.

– M-my relationship with Haname, you say? What do you…

Recently, he was too accustomed to not being exposed that he was a woman, that maybe he has been slackening his alertness a little.

Satoru's conjectures are very good in some respects, maybe because he lives in a world of show business of sly old dogs.

Perhaps, he saw that?

Or he noticed that?

A lot of things came to his mind.

– Well, it's rumored among some male students that the bonding between you and Haname is to the level where you are flirting here and there and that looks somewhat suspicious.

– Oh, it's that kind of thing.

Ellie sighed profoundly.

He's gotten used to answering that every time he hears similar things.

– Haname and I are close to each other because we met in Gudenburg a long time ago. Besides, we were in the same room until we joined Selections.

Ellie answered, touching his chest bragging about the time he had with Haname alone, and understood that Satoru just thought of him as a hindrance to himself.

Although both things lasted for a short time, reality says that they were true.

– … eh, you are also a childhood friend of Haname?

When he saw Satoru who was completely surprised, Ellie had the feeling of "got you!"

– I also heard of you from Haname. But, you met him for a single day only—by the way, I spent every day with Haname for about a month, so it's natural for me to be the one closest to her. We are true childhood friends.

– Yeah but it's not a matter of time—

– Since he was born, Kaoru has always been together with Nee-san. So, perhaps that makes of Kaoru his number one childhood friend, isn't it?

The one who cut into the conversation between Ellie and Satoru was Kaoru, who smiled like an angel, without evil intentions.

Behind him, Haname, Laetitia, Fiona and Minato can be seen.

– Well…

– Err…

Ellie and Satoru were unable to go against him as expected, and they were only able to withdraw speaking ambiguously to each other.


After lunch, when the sun rose high, a lot of Haname's classmates and senior classes of martial arts department gathered at the beach.

Naturally, Satoru is drawing the attention, but it's not on the level that can be compared with Central.

The true character of Satoru is already—they know that he's not Kirishima Satoru, the image of purity and gracefulness that is known on TV and the net, but the Satoru who's constantly speaking in a positive way about anything he has an interest of, who's bothersome and selfish when deprecated, that he's humane—no, they already know that his character is the one of a Slayer.

Far from loosening his cool with only that, Satoru was completely opening his heart.

With boys who are also Slayers, and surrounded by female students, he was playing in a watermelon splitting game.

– Hey, Haname. Why don't we do that thing next?

– By that you mean the splitting?

– No, that, that.

Looking at where the gaze of Laetitia is pointing to, students of the martial arts department were playing a 2 vs 2 beach volleyball.

– Although I was able to make up for my loss of the sham battle in the last competition, I ended up losing to Ellie. So, let's have a rematch with a 2 vs 2 match.

– Alright, if that's what you want.

It was Ellie and not Haname who answered gallantly and showed an attitude of joining the match.

He rises from the sheet with energy.

Perhaps he's thinking of blowing away the frustration about not being able to enter the sea till now.

– Haname, you'll do it too, right?

– Okay, I'll be your teammate.

It can't be helped if it has become to this. Haname decided to accept the match and join them in order to release tension.

– Nee-san, Ellie-san, please do your best!

– You can do it, Haname-chan!

Haname enters the emptied court while receiving the cheering of Kaoru and Satoru who held a watermelon in his hands.

Laetitia and Fiona have already entered the other side of the net that was set in the middle, and they were doing warm-up exercises.

– Is it fine if we set the victory of the match by winning 10 points? However, in the case we are tied with 9 points, I guess that the team who earns two points consecutively will win.

Like the term "deuce" in tennis, and coming to the side of the net, Latia starts explaining.

Speaking of the rules, the team who gets a point gets the next right to serve, so if you keep scoring, then you can keep holding the right to serve all the time.

Of course, these aren't formal beach volley rules.

It's something special for this place only.

– I don't have nothing to say about the rules so…. What about you Haname? Are you fine with them?

– Yeah, since I don't remember the official rules.

– The last thing is… oh right. How should we decide who's going first and second?

Laetitia responds immediately to the question of Ellie.

– Rock, paper, scissors game is fine, I guess?

– If so, then let's go with that. Haname, can I play the janken?

– Yeah, go ahead.

– Then, is this okay for me?

Fiona replies, turning her eyes to Laetitia.

– Do as you like.

– Well then, janken—

Following the voice of Laetitia, 「PON!」 the voices of the two overlapped.

Laetitia has rock, Ellie has scissors.

It's the team of Laetitia and Fiona that got the right to serve.

– … Sorry, Haname.

– Don't worry. Janken is all about luck.

Haname called out Ellie to comfort him, who's coming back next to him with a dispirited look.

– I appreciate what you are saying to me. Let's do our best.

– Yeah.

Immediately after Haname answered.

– Then let's begin the match. Here I go!

Laetitia moved to the inner part of the end line and threw the ball high to the sky and released a jumping serve.

Together with a tempestuous impact, the ball pierces the court.

– Amazing, Laetitia-san…!

Kaoru looks at the ball buried in the sand with his eyes blinking in surprise. Next to him, Satoru muttered as if he was amazed.

– More than amazing, it's overkill, right…?

– By any chance, are you an experienced volleyball player?

– Nope, I have no experience.

Haname's question is answered by Laetitia.

– Because of this height, I have spent a life unrelated to basketball and volleyball. It's my first time doing it. I learned by watching others, but it seems that I did better than I thought.

– Or rather, Laetitia used sense energy, right? Otherwise, you couldn't jump so high, or be able to hit a nimble serve.

Elliot talks with a discontented look.

– Yeah but, is it that bad? There's no rule that prohibits the use of energy.

The use of energy is prohibited in the ball games of the physical education lessons.

But Laetitia wants to say that it's not like that now.

– But isn't banned the use of energy outside the arranged places in Little Garden?

– This is one of those places, you know.

Haname interjects with the thought that the President could get angry, and answered with an amazed expression to Laetitia who was saying so.

So, 「Oh, I see」 and Haname remembered. Outside training is sometimes done at the exclusive beach of the Slayers. In other words, this beach allows the use of both energy and the Hundred.

Nonetheless, of course, it's forbidden to use energy in a thoughtless way but—「If so, then it's fine if we start using energy like this?」

– If you want.

Both Laetitia and Elliot look like they are motivated to do it with energy.

– What about you?

When Haname turned her eyes, Fiona turned her hands to the air, saying "yareyare"

It can't be helped. It's a gesture that says "let them do as they like".

Haname sighed greatly.

It seems like there's no choice but to compete with energy.

– Well then, here I go again!

The game restarts with the serve of Laetitia.

Laetitia jumped to the ball that was raised high again to the sky and swung downward his arm with all his strength using energy.

– …!

Haname rapidly took position of receiver, hitting the ball with the momentum of an arrow.

(What is this….)

The ball was heavier than she imagined.

It feels like lead.

It's rotating on top of the joined hands.

– Haname, use energy to send the ball flying!

– Got it!

Doing as she was told, Haname sent the ball flying somehow, and the ball crossed over the net, it went across the opponent's court.

The falling point is above Fiona's head.

– Fiona, raise the ball!

– Gotcha!

Fiona tosses the falling ball as instructed by Laetitia.

– Perfect, as expected of Fiona!

Laetitia rushed to the position of the ball that went up high at the edge of the net and jumped high, then tried to hit it with his arm that was cladded in sense energy.

He's aiming at Haname.

– Haname, control the energy skillfully and neutralize the momentum of the ball. With that, you'll be able to catch it.

– … okay, I'll try it.

In other words, he thought that she should use energy like a cushion and take the position of receiver.

However,

PAAAAAAAAAAAA…!

The moment her right hand cladded in energy touched the ball, a violent plosive sound resounded in the beach.

– Fugyaa!

She guessed that the strength conveyed from his arm was too strong.

When Laetitia hit it, the ball exploded.

Laetitia, who was surprised by the sound and the strong shock that he didn't anticipate, falls on the sand as he is, hitting his head, his eyes go round and round.

– Hey, are you okay?

Immediately after Fiona called out Laetitia, an exasperated voice echoed at the coast.

– … what are you guys doing masuno?

When they turned their eyes towards the voice, they were able to see the captain of Little Garden and his Student Council President—Clark Harvey.

Behind him, they could also see the figures of the Vice Presidents Lloyd Steinberg and Eric Candle, along with Chris Steinbelt, the main analyst of Little Garden, who's also a middle school student.

Clark is accompanied by those three people and approach the location of Haname and the others.

The four swimsuits are the same as those she saw back in Clark's vacation home when she stopped by in the Zwei Islands.

Clark has a red thong type, Lloyd has a white trunks type, Eric has a dark blue trunks type and Christa wears a T-shirt and white skirt.

– The President also came to the beach…

The voice of Fiona, who grimaced when she saw that this was problematic, trembled in fear due to the anger that would fall after this.

– I think that even us have time to take a rest at the sea masu. And the house over there is mine desushine.

Saying that, Clark turned his eyes to a large two-storied building that is visible from the beach.

(To think that the big house that was near the school, is in fact, the house of the President…)

Haname didn't know it until now.

– However, concerning the result, it looks like I ended up doing something like patrolling.

The glint in the eyes of Clark is instantly pointed towards Laetitia who's stretching at the beach.

– You guys, it is unreasonable to use sense energy and the Hundred within the school, don't you agree?

Lloyd opened his mouth and gazed at each of the three members of Selections standing alongside Haname.

– Well, there are only Slayers around here, we didn't break anything, and I think that all is fine.

Ellie tries to mislead them laughing with a "Ahaha", but of course the members of the Student Council don't tolerate that.

– No excuses! The members of Selections must be existences that serve as a model for other students. If you do the same next time and don't moderate your behavior —depending on the situation, we will confiscate your dedicated Hundred.

– Th-that's a problem! When I finally became familiar with it!

Laetitia jumped up to his feet to respond to the words of Lloyd.

– If you are troubled, then it's time to make sure that you are going to be a proper model for other students.

– Indeed, and Kisaragi Haname—. How is the training situation after the competition desuno?

– Umm, that…

Last month, a martial arts competition was held where all first-year members of the martial arts department with the exception of Satoru participated. Her reaction value before enrolling was first place, and the degree of attention towards Kisaragi Haname who enlisted in the special team commanded by the Student Council—Selections was naturally high, but speaking of results, she couldn't live up to expectations. Following Ellie, Laetitia and Fiona, she got fourth place among the first-years.

The reason that confirms so is that her results were dull.

It's because she couldn't go beyond a complete control of the power of the Variant.

And the fact that she has barely practiced suppressing the spontaneous discharge of the ability so far to not end up going rampage, and also that she had to obey the rules where she can't go full armament nor put a N-Barrier when she's in a pinch.

Apart from the battle against the Savage and if there's a resistance now, in the battles where she wasn't betting her life, like the sham battle against Fiona and Laetitia and the duel against the President, the ability of the Variant will not be triggered almost automatically.

– From now on, you have to be able to activate the ability of the Variant by your own will and to be able to do full armament at any time masenwane.

After the competition, Clark issued those instructions to Haname.

At that time, she remembered the boy with an eyepatch, who's one of the three Hunters who had brown skin and met by chance in the Zwei Islands.

He created a Hundred that looked like Haname's Hien and swung it downward to the core of the Savage.

With that, he couldn't destroy the core, but when he murmured 「Ability Unleashed」 Limit out, his eyes shone in golden color, the sword was engulfed by swaying black energy and destroyed the core.

That was for sure the activation of the ability of the Variant.

Haname has been training together with Ellie in that matter, as well as doing full armament, but neither of them can be done skillfully by her.

– It appears that as long as I see that reaction, then you still have some ways to go desuwane.

Looking at Haname's response, and immediately after that, Clark guessed her situation.

The light of the sun is blocked by a big shadow that was made in the sky.

– What's that…?

With Fiona's voice and the sound of the propellers reaching her ears, Haname noticed that a helicopter appeared above Little Garden.

It's similar to the personal airplane of Clark that is in Little Garden, but there's one difference.

– That's the crest of Warslan Company, right?

As Fiona says, there's no doubt that the fuselage isn't of Little Garden, since what is painted is the crest of an eagle which is the symbol of Warslan Company.

– That's WL-02? Don't tell me that it's Judy… Onee-sama desuno?

– That "Onee-sama" means that, the president of Warslan Company came to Little Garden!?

It was Laetitia who gave a surprise voice.

Haname and the others also understand the reason why.

Ever since they enrolled, the president of Warslan Company never visited Little Garden.

– It is definitely her. That fuselage is of the very same personal airplane of Judy-sama…

Eric replies to Laetitia.

– But, descending to the earth from Lunaltia Base without me noticing…

Clark muttered so, he was clearly upset.

– … Lunaltia Base?

Haname tilts her head.

– Lunaltia Base is a lunar base that Warslan Company was developing in cooperation with the Liberian government before the First Attack.

Eric explains.

With the subsequently raids of the Savage, the space development between the United States of Liberia and Warslan Company was suspended.

However, a few years ago, it was said that development was resumed at the same time that Bill Harvey, the father of Clark, who's the founder of Warslan Company, lost her physical condition and retired as the president, then her older sister Judy assumed as the president.

– Haname-chan doesn't know about Lunaltia Base? Kaoru-kun knows about it, right?

Amazed, Satoru said so.

– Yes, unlike the Earth, outer space can produce beautiful crystals without being influenced by gravity, so it seems probable that a specific medicine can be done for the disease that Kaoru is suffering from.

In other words, Kaoru said that the development of Lunaltia Base isn't just a whim.

– I'm sure that day isn't far. In the near future, there will be terraforming plans for the moon and mars.

– "Terraforming"…?

– It's about creating a space where humans can live just like we do in the earth. In some way, this Little Garden is also one of those experiments.

Then, suddenly the PDA of Clark made a sound while Christa was explaining.

– It seems to be a call from Onee-sama desuwane…

Clark took out the PDA and murmured with a halfhearted expression and.

– Calling so suddenly, what do you need, Onee-sama?

As soon as the call started, one of the eyebrows of Clark goes down.

– That where am I? Right now, I am at the beach near the house, with the new members of Selections

– Hey, that…!

The helicopter pointed out by the finger of Laetitia while screaming, gradually descends and lands on the beach where Haname and the others are.

The boys had to hold their hair down due to the strong wind that suddenly arises from the helicopter.

The hatch opens and stairs come out.

The next thing that appeared from the helicopter was a woman who wore a red suit and like Clark, he has golden hair and blue eyes, and a man that has a bobcat haircut and gallant eyes, wearing clothes that give proof that he's a Slayer of Warslan Company.

He seems to be the bodyguard of the older brother of Clark.

Both the woman and the man give the impression of being 5, 6 years older than Haname and company.

They stepped on something like a platform that was projecting out from the hatch and slowly got down on the sandy beach.

– Doing such a surprising appearance, Oner-sama desuwane.

– I wanted to see my little brothers for quite a while. And as expected of my little brother. That swimsuit fits you perfectly.

– … even with your flattery I'm not happy masenwa. So, what are you doing here?

Speaking of Clark's tone, it's like he's showing animosity towards her. His facial expression is also stern.

– I was thinking of seeing the faces of the new students who will become the brave soldiers of Warslan in the near future.

Saying that, the woman pointed her glance towards Haname.

– You are Kisaragi Haname.

– Yes, sir…

– The anticipated freshman of Little Garden, whose reaction value surpassed the one of my little brother. And, the holder of the 《Blood called God》—

– … 《Blood called God》?

– Oh, I'm talking to myself. Don't worry about it.

As she approached Haname who referred to the question, Judy tapped her shoulder.

– I'm looking forward to your achievements from now on. And you over there, you are Ellio… no, Ellie Crossfode-chan, correct?

Next, Judy points her eyes to Ellie.

– I heard that you are an acquaintance of Dr. Charlie. I'm also expecting things from you.

– … thank you, very much.

Ellie answers with an emotionless voice.

Judy also looked at Ellie as if she was checking him on purpose.

As if she was saying "I know your real identity—"

– Of course, I'm expecting the efforts of every member of Selections. One last thing, Clark—

– What is it desuno?

– I have something to talk with you later. Please give me a call when you have time.

– … understood.

– Well then, see you later. My favorite Oji-sama.

Leaving those words with him, the woman returns with the male Slayer back into the helicopter

It's going to the military section of Little Garden.

Then, the helicopter quickly rises and started to move towards the terminal sector of Little Garden.

– … my sister was unexpectedly rude mashitawa.

At the same time that the figure of his older brother disappeared, Clark sighed greatly, as if he was releasing tension from all his body.

His expression is stiff and looks pretty tired.

– … well then, I will excuse myself with this masuwa. Christa, Eric, Lloyd. You are free to do as you wish from now masu.

– Are you heading to the place of your older sister?

– Yes desuwa.

Clark answered the question raised by Lloyd and went back to the military section to follow his older sister.

He was suspicious about what she has to talk in private with him.


The next Monday. The PDA that was set in silent mode vibrated inside the pocket of Haname with "brr* *brr* at the end of the lesson of world history, that is, immediately after entering lunch break.

It's the signal that an email has arrived.

Almost at the same time, Ellie, who's sitting in the front seat murmured 「Hmm, who is it?」, then took out the PDA from his pocket.

– You also received an email?

– Haname also received one?

Ellie asks a bit surprised.

Haname nodded and took out the PDA from her pocket and took a look at the screen.

– It's from the President.

– Mine is from the Prez too. It says: Come immediately to the Student Council Room.

Haname checks the contents of the email. And just like Ellie, it says 『Come immediately to the Student Council Room』.

– That email also arrived to us.

That's what Fiona and Laetitia are saying while approaching. Both of them have their PDA in their hands.

– I guess it must be a call to the members of Selections because I also received it.

It's not saying that it's an emergency call, so it's not to sortie due to a raid of the Savage.

There's no broadcast being transmitted inside the ship that goes after that

– What would they want, I wonder…

– Probably a request to bodyguard or protect something? I'd be happy if we have to fight against the Savage.

Laetitia had a cheerful expression when he said so.

Since becoming members of Selections and obtaining their dedicated Hundred, they have sortie only a single time so far.

Although he slaughtered a Savage, it's having some kind of influence on him that he hasn't sortie for over a month.

It can be seen he was being impatient and feeling nervous because he wants to go and do his duties right away.

– What do you think?

Fiona asked Haname.

– Even if you say what do I think, why don't we just go and hear what they have to say for the time being?

– Okay then, let's go to the Student Council Room right now!

A voice called them out the moment Laetitia tried to walk vigorously towards the Student Council Room.

– Excuse me…

A boy with freckles, slender limbs and a long black hair that is tied on the back of his head, he's their classmate, Ryu Shuemei. He was late for the entrance ceremony of the martial arts department and one of the girls who was sentenced to be expulsed from school by the president. The reason why their disposal was canceled is because Haname had a duel with the president and that was brought to a draw. That action made him have a fairly good impression of Haname. Consequently, he frequently talked to him together with Noah Sheldon, who was ordered to be expulsed from the school by the president, asking for Hundred training.

But Noah isn't here today. Shuemei is alone.

– By any chance, did Shuemei-san also receive an email?

Haname inquires Shuemei who's approaching.

– Actually, yes.

Hearing the answer of Shuemei, Haname and the others exchanged glances.

– … hmm so this isn't related to Selections?

Laetitia drops his shoulders and shows a disappointed look.

– That's something we won't know unless we go to the President. Anyway, let's go, the five of us. I think there's no more people who are being called other than us.

After Fiona said so, they asked their classmates if somebody was called by the President.

As a result, and seeing that nobody else was called from their class, Haname, Ellie, Fiona and Laetitia—and their classmate Shuemei leave the classroom, then headed to the Student Council Room.

– Come in.

When standing in front of the Student Council Room and knocking on the door, the voice of the President comes back.

When Haname opened the door, she saw Clark sitting in the chair. He's wearing a red uniform, giving proof that he's the Student Council President. Both to his left and right are the vice presidents wearing blue uniforms.

– Welcome, everyone. We were waiting for you.

Christa, who was operating the laptop that was opened on the desk, got up and held the opened door.

She's wearing her middle school uniform as always.

Looking at the five people who entered the room, Clark began to talk.

– The reason you came here like this is because you must participate in a certain strategy as members of Selections desu.

– I knew it! It was a mission of Selections! What kind of mission is!?

– It's a search-and-destroy operation of a nest of Savage desuwa.

– What!?

The eyes of Laetitia shine due to the unexpected development.

On the other hand, Shuemei was showing a confused expression.

– … excuse me, why was I called for such an important strategy?

It's been three months since enrolling. Although it has been possible for him to deploy the Hundred and control sense energy to some extent, the person himself knows best that he's not on a level where he can fight the Savage.

Even in the competition held during the year, he got a fast rank, he ranked 21st when counted from the bottom.

– This doesn't mean that Ryu Shuemei will participate in the search-and-destroy operation itself. Actually, this search-and-destroy operation is going to be done in the Qin Empire, and the base camp will be built in the city of Tienchuen which is your hometown mashita. Therefore, I called you in order to accompany us and to be our guide desu.

– Ah, so that is the reason?

Shuemei sighed, feeling relieved.

A dim light shines on his darkened expression.

– But Prez. The Qin Empire is basically a country with many plains, isn't it? So, is there a place where the Savage can be hiding?

– What Ellie Crossfode is saying is completely valid, but there is something more desuwayo. Christa, please project the map on the floating monitor.

– Roger.

Christa turned off the lights of the room with the wall switch, then moved to the laptop that she was manipulating until moments ago and pressed a key.

Then, a white world map emerged on the nearby white wall.

At the same time, Clark stood up.

– These are photographs of the earth taken from a military satellite.

Christa lifted the laptop and stood by the side of the floating monitor where super clear images were projected. The magnified pictures are focused on Qin Empire.

As Ellie was saying, there are plenty of plains. Most of them are deserts. However, as the map moved to the west part of the Qin Empire, it turned out that there are many mountain-like areas.

The map stops there.

This place is a zone where mountains exceeding 6,000 meters height are along the border with the Empire of Rasiya, the Empire of Mongolia and the Republic of Ural and where numerous fragments of meteorite fell and exploded in the air at the time of the First Attack.

Christa zooms the map even more.

– When looking at this satellite picture, it can be seen that there are many small lakes everywhere in this alpine zone. Most of them are the falling traces of the meteorite fragments.

It seems that a lot of Savage came flying at that time and weren't exterminated. It wasn't possible to enter the mountains because the quantity of particle beams was too much and the viruses released to the atmosphere from the fallen meteorites were harmful to the human body.

However, in recent years the amount has decreased considerably, the Savage moved actively and descended from the mountains, causing harm to the neighboring cities and villages, so that's why they decided to call this a search-and-destroy operation.

– —and the range of this operation will be this circle.

Christa touches the screen of the laptop at hand and draws a circle mark on the map projected on the floating monitor.

– It's very wide.

It was Laetitia who leaked such impression.

– The range of the operation is set to surround the two big mountains, covering 50km. from east to west and 20km. from north to south. It is presumed that there are nearly 50 Savage.

– 50 of them…?

Following Haname, the five freshmen revealed a surprised voice.

– This is purely a conjecture and nothing else, but the estimations say that they are a lot, and we could confirm from the satellite that their numbers are close to that.

– But, what are we going to do against such numbers of Savage? Even if Haname and Ellie—no, even if the President-san is there, will we be able to win?

– Certainly, Fiona Glanz has a point with what she said. If all the 50 Savage assaulted at the same time, even if everyone in this place fights at the same time, that will only cause us to run out of energy before all of them are defeated. However, in this operation, it is very likely that there are Savage only to that extent in this range. It doesn't mean that we have to keep all of them occupied at the same time. Besides, we, Little Garden, aren't the only ones doing this search-and-destroy operation.

It was Eric who added that explanation.

– Eh, is that so?

– The operation is a joint operation unit led by the UN, and carried under the control of the peace-keeping force desuwa.

Clark answered the question of Laetitia.

Christa opens her mouth again.

– As I explained earlier, there is a high possibility that this place still has many fragments of meteorites that came flying from the distant universe during the First Attack—the so called Variable Stones. Therefore, the search-and-destroy operation is led by the UN, so Little Garden together with several private military companies and countries' armed forces are expected to participate.

– In other words, we are going to have fun fighting the Savage together with the Slayers of other countries and organizations!

The eyes of Laetitia shone even more brightly.

– But, why us, some first-year students, were selected to do this large-scale operation? I mean, I think that this is something for second-year and third-year students…

Haname thinks that it's unusual for the President to plan such an operation.

Even if they are members of Selections, first-year students shouldn't want to appear on the battlefield.

– There's a catch to it desu.

– A catch…?

Nodding with a meek expression, Clark continued.

– Since there are Variable Stones, there is a possibility that the Hunters could hear about it and appear desu. The information of this operation will be shared extensively, including the general public narimasu. It will surely reach them, don't you agree?

– In short, does that mean that there's a possibility that the trio will appear?

– Correct desuwa, Fiona Glanz. That is the reason why we have chosen you, since you have fought with them arimasu. If you know the opponent, then that makes easier to deal with them.

– … is that also the "choice" of 《LaZER》?

– … No, it is not.

Eric answered.

– It was from Judy-sama, who is one of the advisors of the UN Supreme Council, and the one who originally proposed this search-and-destroy operation to the peace-keeping force of the UN.

– Then it's also the intention of the company president to include us in the strategy plan as Little Garden?

– Yes, it's also her intention. However, there is one point that Clark-sama added.

– We, the members of the Student Council, have also come with a plan for the operation desu.

Saying that, Clark continued.

– That is all what I had to say desuwa. For the joint operation led by the UN peace-keeping force, Ellie Crossfode, Laetitia Saint-Émillion and Fiona Glanz will have prohibited the use of energy from next week's beginning, which means: no duels nor sham battles by deploying Hundred shimasu. Are we clear desuwane?

The reason is for them to be in perfect conditions to face the operation.

The three of them replied all together.

– … Err, what about me?

Haname was concerned since her name wasn't included, so she raised a question to Clark.

– Only you are allowed to train until three days before the operation, in order to control the energy masu. However, please be careful to not use it pointlessly and don't act rashly.


The next day, after school, they heard about the sortie from Clark.

Haname finished its maintenance and changes to her Variable Suit, then when she's in the middle of going to the practice ground under the supervision of Ellie who's waiting there, since he finished changing clothes first.

– Oh, if it's Kisaragi Haname-chan.

Suddenly a voice called out Haname from her back.

She quickly understood from who that voice was.

It belongs to Judy Harvey, who's the president of Warslan Company, and the older brother of Clark who appeared suddenly at the beach the other day.

– … Can I help you with something?

Turning around, she could see the figure of Judy wearing a red suit, just like when they had a talk at the sea.

The male Slayer of that day isn't at her side.

– There's a place I want to show you. Can you lend me a little of your time?

– Err, I'm sorry. Because my acquaintance is waiting for me in the practice ground and…

Saying that, Haname tries to avoid the invitation.

(Somehow or other, it's difficult to dealt with this person…)

Because she's over-familiar with her, she's not sure what attitude she must have with this kind of person, but she believes that she doesn't want to talk too much if possible with this person.

However, Judy doesn't seem to care about that at all,

– It won't take too much time. It will be pretty fast. Besides, since this is my request as the president of Warslan Company, nobody should complain about it. Of course, not even Clark, the Student Council President.

She's completely right.

Saying it like that, there's no way she can refuse her.

It looks as if it was an order from the company president in a roundabout way.

– … understood.

Haname nodded, though she put herself on guard.

– I'm glad that you say so. Let's go, Haname-chan.

Judu turns back and starts to return from the way she came.

On her back, Haname called her out.

– Can I ask one thing?

– … what is it?

Looking back, Judy asks back.

– Please allow me to email the companion with whom I was going to meet now.

– Go ahead. But please, don't write my name.

– Why?

– Let's say that this is business with some rather special circumstances.

Just now, she said that she can make anyone consent if her name was pronounced.

I knew it, I don't know how to deal with this person, Haname thought.

For the time being, Haname didn't write the reason and did as she was told, so she decided to email Ellie that she will be a little late.

She will surely be chased to the point that it will be troublesome after this.

– The email was sent.

– Then let's go.

Smiling with a *Fu*, Judy starts walking again, guiding Haname.

("Special circumstances"; I wonder, where is he taking me…?)

She's going down the stairs to the second level of the basement of the martial arts department school building.

Passing through the front of the Student Council Room, Judy goes further inside.

It's the first time for Haname to come to this place.

Before long, they arrived at the front of a double door on which a plate labeled 《DO NOT ENTER, AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY》 KEEP OUT was affixed.

Judy puts the PDA that she took out of her pocket on the sensor attached to the wall, and the door opens.

– Why are you acting absentmindedly? If you don't come here quickly, the door will close.

Haname is standing in front of the door, while Judy is already walking into the KEEP OUT section.

– But here it's written KEEP OUT so…

– I'm the president of Warslan Company. So, I'm absolutely authorized. And I'm attempting to guide you, so you are also authorized.

Pointing Haname, Judy starts walking again.

While hesitating, Haname also started walking, following her.

The elevator was beyond that point.

When Judy puts the PDA on the sensor installed on the side of the door, the elevator opened.

It's so small that only two people can get in it.

– It's fine if you get in first.

Doing as she was told, Haname gets in the elevator and Judy also gets in it, and the door closed.

The elevator begins to slowly go down to the lower level of Little Garden.

– Haname-chan, do you believe in any religion?

– Eh…?

– I'm asking if you have belief in some religion.

– No, I don't…

Haname answers to the sudden question while being puzzled.

She doesn't have belief in any religion in particular. That is true.

– If so, let me change the question. Haname-chan, who do you think made this world?

– Well…

She was lost for words, clogging with the answer.

Judy was looking at the face of Haname with a look like a child waiting for the desert to come after a meal, she was looking forward so much the answer that she couldn't bear it.

– … God?

That's the answer that came out after thinking about it for a while.

– I see, God, huh. Ahahaha!

Seeming that she was satisfied with the answer of Haname, and with a smile of satisfaction, she relaxed her mouth.

– That's fine, it's an appropriate answer for Liberians who have many believers of 《Sacred Church》 Puritaria.

Saying that as if she was impressed, Judy continued.

– Let's continue with the question. God made this world. God is so omniscient and omnipotent that she can control everything in this world. If so, then why he sent the Savage to the earth, even though humankind is a divided part of himself? Or why he didn't try to stop the many meteorites that came flying to the earth? What do you think about that, Haname-chan?

Again, a difficult question.

After a few seconds of silence, Haname answers.

– … I don't know.

She considered that it was an unexpected question and thought that it wasn't a question that can be replied right away, so she could only answer like that.

– That's also an appropriated answer. At any rate, even I don't know the answer. But, there are a lot of hypotheses.

When the door of elevator opens, a narrow corridor of a single way is visible to the eye.

In the back of it there was a concrete door that seemed to be even more thicker than the previous one.

Judy resumes talking while moving her feet towards that door.

– Some say that the invasion of the meteorites is the 《Iron Hammer of God》. The so-called "Judgment of God"—Judgment. The meteorite, and the attacks of the Savage are the alarms that God sounded at us, the humans, that he is angry. People have evolved too much, getting too close to God. It is a mistake not only to repeat the conflict but also to attempt to advance into the universe. That's why he's giving us this punishment, sending the Savage that are the 《Messengers of God》.

– That story looks similar to the 《Tower of Babel》.

– Hou, so you have read the 《Scriptures》 Apocrypha?

– I read about them when I was staying in Gudenburg a long time ago. I also went to the church of Puritaria several times.

When she went to pray with her parents so that the illness of his little bother would heal, she got the Apocrypha.

– Which reminds me, you were staying in Gudenburg at the time of the Second Attack, yes? If so, then it's natural for you to know about it since you read the Apocrypha. I thought it was unusual for someone coming from Yamato.

Slipping out a smile, Judy continued.

– If that's the case, let's talk about the next theory for the current hypothesis. The fall of the meteorites and the invasions of the Savage are prompting the evolution of God to mankind.

There's a sensor attached to the door they arrived.

Judy stopped her feet and holds the PDA on the sensor, but unlike so far, it looks like the door doesn't open by itself. Over the sensor, buttons with numbers 0 to 9 are drawn, and 『Erase Button』 and 『OK Button』 come to the front.

– By the way, my view is neither of the two hypotheses I said so far. Supposing that God wants to swing his iron hammer to mankind, I believe that mankind can overcome it and approach God. We mankind have that wisdom already.

She keeps talking while pressing the numerical buttons with her fingers without hesitation.

– Mankind got the 《Forbidden Fruit》 called the Variable Stone, and reached the point where they used the cores that are the source of life of the 《Messengers of God》 to crush the Savage that are nothing more that things used by God. Human beings are surpassing the laws of physics and the law of nature established by God, and even possibly be more than God… ah, I'm sorry. Was this an uninteresting story for Haname-chan?

– No, that's not it…

She was frightened rather than being bored.

It seemed that she could understand what this person is thinking, but that's not the case.

– Then, let me ask you another question. Haname-chan, do you know what the power of Little Garden is?

– … nuclear power… I guess?

– In effect. The power of Little Garden is covered by nuclear power generation by a nuclear fusion reactor. However, that's only a part of it.

– A part of it?

– Please think very carefully. The power of the huge Academy City ship in addition to the electric power of the residents living on it, the research technological development in the military and medical supplies field, the development of the Hundred and the training of the Slayers—the maintenance and management of the quantum computers, etcetera, we couldn't afford from the very beginning to cover the electricity power of our cutting-edge technology with just a small fusion reactor. Then, how do you complement the insufficient part? The answer is this.

When Judy pressed the 『OK Button』, the security was released.

The door in the opposite direction opens automatically.

– That's…

In the center of the dimly circular room, a capsule with a design of a flower bud filled with fluorescent color liquid shone gently.

What can be seen in the capsule is the figure of a boy with blond hair, he was completely naked, cords similar to ivies were twining around his body and something like blue roses are spreading all over.

And a wild rose tiara placed on his head can be seen.

—Imprisoned Thorn Prince.

Such words floated in her mind.

– That's what is being referred to as 《LaZER》.

Coincident with the door closing on the back, Judy answers, relaxing her mouth and grinning.

– You are kidding, 《LaZER》 was a human…

The back muscles of Haname shivered.

Even though there were times when it responded like a person using characters, she never thought that it could be such a thing.

– I can see you are quite surprised. This is the 《Highest Decision-Making Body》 Little Garden Zenith Agency of Little Garden. Taking the first letter of the words from there, the term 《LaZER》 is formed.

– … formed?

– After all, 《Little Garden Zenith Agency》means that it's no more than a fake play on words devised by Charlie Dimandias. Anyhow, 《LaZER》 is taken from his name—Lazer Harvey.

Having said that, Haname turned her eyes once again to Lazer Harvey, who is《LaZER》.

She only looked at him for a moment, but she felt that he resembles him.

He looks like Clark Harvey, the Student Council President of Little Garden.

– It's just as you are thinking Haname-chan, Lazer Harvey is my and Clark's little brother.

Judy told her, as if she could read the thought of Haname.

– And he's the first person that was born having an infected body, and also a Slayer.

At that moment, they heard footsteps.

The door opens and Haname looks back.

– … pre, sident?

In the hands of Clark Harvey who appeared, an anesthetic gun for anti-Slayers usage, 《N-Tranquilizer》, was held.

The muzzle is directed to his older brother, Judy.

– Onee-sama, why did you bring Kisaragi Haname here desu? Please answer.

– Yareyare, pointing such a dangerous thing towards me. It would be surprising if Lazer wakes up. Clark has become quite a punk—hmm?

She turns both palms into the air as if she was joking.

But the facing Clark doesn't back down.

He didn't lower the muzzle.

– I will ask you again masuwa. Why did you bring Kisaragi Haname to this place desu?

– She, without a doubt, will be a Slayer that represents Warslan in the near future, don't you agree? That's why, I think that it's better for her to know in advance that Little Garden has things that you absolutely need to protect—the existence of this thing that can change the power balance of the world.

– …!

Clark twitched his cheeks and said with great anger.

Judy, please don't treat my little brother as a thing. And, for that alone, you brought Kisaragi Haname to this place?

– There are other reasons, of course.

– What are those reasons desuno?

– Because her body is infected, she may be able to wake up Lazer.

– Wha…

Looking at the appearance of the shaking Clark, Judy shows a thin smile.

– To wake up Lazer you say… how, in what way…

– Haname-chan, it seems the time has come to wake up the Thorn Prince who has fallen in an eternal sleep by eating the poisoned apple given by the witch. Please kiss Lazer at once.

– "A kiss"? Even if I was told that, such a thing is…

She looks up at Lazer.

The completely naked figure of the Thorn Prince is sleeping, his eyes are closed.

Haname once again takes her eyes away from him.

– That's right desuwa, what in the world are you saying, Onee-sama! How can she do something like kissing Lazer when he's inside the capsule…?

– Just kidding.

– Just kidding!?

– Kiss is the last resort. Touch the capsule with your hand for now and release energy. Please give it a try.

Being told that by Judy, Haname points her eyes to Clark.

She's seeking confirmation as to whether she can touch it or not.

Clark was hanging his head without moving, but eventually he raised his face and gave a nod with a worried expression, as if he was preparing himself for something.

The attitude that he revealed gave permission to Haname, it is fine to touch it.

Nevertheless, Lazer wasn't wearing clothes.

Looking at the nakedness of the boy, she imagines the childhood of the President who's right next to her, but then she embraces those thoughts, as if she was doing something very sinful.

So Haname moved to the side of the capsule with her face looking down and stretched her hand.

Then, she releases energy.

– Ah…!

Opening her mouth without thinking, Haname looked up at Lazer.

The fluorescent color liquid in the capsule gently started to cast light.

– Lazer is, reacting…

Just like Clark said, the body of Lazer was shining dimly.

However, Lazer doesn't wake up, there's no change, and after taking 10 seconds or so, the light slowly fades, and the inside of the capsule returns to its original state.

– Unfortunately, it seems that he hasn't woken up, But, we got results. Like when Kirishima Satoru was doing the live concert at the Zwei Islands, it seems that Lazer showed the same kind of reaction just now, so I considered that it was worth the trying.

– Onee-sama, why you…

Clark looked quite surprised.

Obviously Haname didn't know, but from the flow of the conversation, it seems that Lazer showed a reaction while Satoru was doing a live concert at the Zwei Islands.

At that time, what Haname remembered is about the regenerator type Savage that she fought at the Zwei Islands.

That Savage showed a reaction to the voice of Satoru and stopped moving.

At the same time, she also remembers the story she heard from Satoru at the canyon.

(Surely, as with Satoru, the friend of Satoru who was turned into an artificial Variant, I was told that the song of Satoru calmed him down…)

… then both are related to Lazer's reaction?

She wonders about it, but she can't talk about that in front of Judy.

– I heard that from nobody other than Charlie Dimandias.

– …!

When Judy replies, Clark suddenly clenches his teeth in vexation.

– Why do you put on such a face? He's in a fair position after all. He's just giving me information in a fair way too. In the first place, his affiliation is Warslan HQ, and not Little Garden.

– … I know masuwayo, Onee-sama. You have finished already the shit you had to do, correct? Then I wonder if you can get out of here quickly.

– Yareyare, I understand. You don't have to kick me out of here. However, let me say one last thing.

– … what is it desuno?

If she's alive, it may be possible that he'll be after Lazer. That's why I'm impatient. For the awakening of Lazer.

– You mean Viktor Tynyanov desuwane.

– Exactly.

Viktor Tynyanov.

It's the name of the doctor who turned Kirishima Satoru into an artificial Variant.

When Judy mentioned him, the name was floating in the head of Haname.

After the incident of Satoru, the intelligence department of Little Garden investigated Viktor and discovered that an explosion accident happened in the prison immediately after he was imprisoned.

After that, the Rasiya Empire didn't give an official announcement that Viktor was missing.

It looks like they hid the accident of the prison.

Currently, there is no information saying that Viktor died or not in that accident.

However, they should think that he's indeed alive, since the gang of three gave him name.

– That's why I think that if Viktor is alive, I'd like him to be captured quickly. It's possible that he resents us because I fired him. That's why I'm looking forward to this operation. You may be able to capture the three Hunters that are him hands and feet.

– You also heard that story from Charlie desuwane…?

– Of course. He and I are like college coworkers.

Immediately after Judy answered, Clark opened his eyes in a big way.

– Don't tell me Onee-sama that the operation of the UN peace-keeping forces is to lure Viktor…?

Judy broadly smiled as he answered correctly.

. Everything to win the fight against God.

– Onee-sama doesn't want the seat of the president of Liberia?

– It must be remembered that that's not my goal. If it's necessary for my objective, only then I'll do so. I won't say anything else. Haname-chan and my little brothers in front of me, how about if we slowly talk about this from here on?

– … Onee-sama, what are you saying!?

– If an excellent Slayer becomes a member of the Harvey family, then I welcome him, what do you think, Haname-chan?

– Eh?

– Please stop, Judy!

Clark shouts, his face is deep red.

He was highly strung by his emotions.

The proof of that is that he addressed him as Judy instead of Onee-sama.

– Hahaha, I intended that to be a joke, but it seems that it affected you more than I thought. Well then, I will take my leave.

Saying that, Judy left the side of Lazer and goes back to the surface using the elevator.

– Err…

Haname is bewildered about what to do,

– … we will also return masuwayo.

Saying that, and following Clark who walks towards the elevator, Haname also left the front of Lazer.

The silence rules in the elevator.

– Why don't you ask anything desuwane?

– … because the President had a face meaning that he didn't want to be asked about it.

When Haname answered, the president smiled,

– I will talk when the time comes masuwa.

*Ding*, a sound is heard, and the door opens.

Getting off from the elevator, Clark turns on his heels and continued looking at Haname.

– What you have seen and heard here is absolutely confidential. This is a matter of the highest priority. Are we clear desuwane?

Haname nodded in silence.


Charlie Dimandias, a man with white skin and ruffled hair, and who's sitting in a laboratory chair that serves the person in charge who's himself, was tapping the optical keyboard while holding a candy in his mouth as usual as a sugar supplement.

What is displayed on the floating monitor in front of him is the data that monitored the state of 《LaZER》.

– It seems like Judy has moved, huh.

He immediately found out that she had contacted Kisaragi Haname with 《LaZER》. It was because the thoughts of 《LaZER》 remained in the log.

《It's been a while, Kisaragi Haname.》

《No, isn't this the first time that we meet face to face like this?》

And so on.

Charlie types on the optical keyboard and asks Lazer.

『What are your impressions of Kisaragi Haname, now that you met her face directly?』

《I was embarrassed because aside from my family, she was able to see me completely naked.》

《If you don't mind, would you put some clothes on me?》

– Wahahahaha.

Charlie gave a great laughter, looking at the comments sent from 《LaZER》.

– It looks like the reaction of a maiden, isn't it?

It's Man Man, a boy in a maid dress, with cat ears attached on his head and who's the assistant of Charlie who said so while laughing.

– If he was growing normally, Lazer would be rushing into the secondary sex characteristics, isn't it? Humans learn to be ashamed of their secondary sex characteristics. Be that as it may, it's truly surprising that Lazer talks with such degree of loquacity.

The log at the time he reacted to the singing voice of Satoru,

《It's a nice song.》

Only a few words.

– This may suggest that his awakening is really close. Or perhaps, like Clark, he's quite pleased with Kisaragi Haname?

Charlie smiled, looking at the figure of Lazer Harvey that is shown on the watching monitor.

– Clothes may really be necessary soon. Man Man, can you prepare something?

– Yes, leave it to me! I am going to prepare some extraordinarily lovely clothes!

End of Chapter 1


Chapter 2
Joint Operation/The Secret of Elliot/Nest of the Savage

Haname and her companions are heading now to the town of Tienchuen, located at the western edge of the Qin Empire, where the basecamp of the UN Peacekeeping Forces is established. They are on board of the 『WL-03』, it's tilt-rotor aircraft that performs vertical takeoff and landing.

– We haven't reached the basecamp yet, even though it's been a while since entering Qin Empire, huh.

Laetitia said, while yawning, looking bored.

It was late last night when they boarded the personal airplane with members of Selections, together with the staff and students of Little Garden that will support the Slayers which were gathered for the sortie of this operation.

It takes around 10 hours to arrive, so they decided to sleep in the bunk beds that were placed in the rooms prepared separately for men and women.

They slept for 6 six hours.

After they got up and ate the prepared breakfast, they went to do maintenance to their Variable Suits and their Hundreds.

Charlie Dimandias, who's the main technologist of Little Garden and Man Man, his assistant, aren't accompanying them in this operation.

Nonetheless, two engineers belonging to the senior high school of Little Garden are on board, so the Maintenance Room is connected to Little Garden through a communication line.

Therefore, Charlie and Man Man are also monitoring the data values, so if it's about fine tuning or even tinkering with the molecule arrangement of the Hundred and the Variable Suit, there shouldn't be any problem in particular.

Haname and the others enter the equipment installed alongside the wall one by one, in order, and connect with the Variable Suit.

It measures their current vital, energy and mental condition and changes the molecular arrangement that composes the dedicated Hundred that is given in advance so to show off the maximum performance they can get with that.

The same is true for all the Variable Suits.

– It seems we're all ready with this.

Fritz said, as the Variable Suit of Haname came down from the device.

In this place, the freshmen group is gathered, with the exception of Shuemei who's not wearing his Variable Suit and isn't going to appear on the battlefield.

The president and the vice presidents and the other members of Selections have already finished the maintenance of their Hundred.

– Yes, Haname.

It's Ellie who retrieved the Hundred that finished its maintenance and put it on the hands of Haname.

With this, everyone has truly finished.

– How much till we arrive?

– I don't know but, the mountain on the direction over there can be seen.

Ellie answers while looking outside of the window.

Haname who also presented the question looks outside the window in the same way.

– Oh, it's true. It's very big.

– That's Kunlun Mountain. Its altitude is of 7328 meters. Beyond that it's Kongur Mountain, situated along the national border with the Republic of Ural, the Rasiya Empire and the Empire of Mongolia.

That explanation was given by Shuemei, the guide.

He was quite nervous at the beginning, because he was surrounded by the seniors and members of Selections, as well as the members of the Student Council, but he was getting very calm as time progressed.

– That means that we should be arriving to our destination soon?

– Yup, I think that it shouldn't take more than an hour.

Shuemei replied the question of Laetitia that was thrown at him.

Next, Ellie opens his mouth.

– Then, it's time to change our clothes. We won't be able to hang around the streets with this appearance.

As Shuemei said, around thirty minutes later, the personal airplane started to gradually lower its altitude and landed in Tienchuen plateau where the UN Peacekeeping Forces' base camp was established satisfactorily.

– This place does really give a vibe that we are going to fight, don't you think?

Fiona, who went down the ramp, whistled with a *Hyu* when surveying the base camp.

Haname also thinks the same.

Near them they can see the helicopters with the flags of countries and the crest of organizations in various places, many tents are lined up, there are triangular ones that resemble the ones in venues of sports festivals, and simple accommodation stations, the place is so big, as if it was a mobile safari park.

In addition to that, they were able to see people with a variety of skin colors, wearing various kinds of uniforms.

– Yeah, it's kind of exciting.

Laetitia muttered.

Again, Haname agrees. She was a little nervous while feeling that she came to the battlefield.

– Hey hey, isn't too early to be shivering with excitement? Because the operation starts tomorrow, you know?

– I-I know that, and don't put your hand on my head!

Laetitia shakes off the hand of Fiona that was placed on his head with his own hands, baring his teeth.

Haname and the others laugh, seeing the usual scene.

Thanks to that, they feel that the thread of tension became loose.

Laetitia seems to be tensionless already.

They guess that was the concern of Fiona.

Clark opened his mouth there.

– We are going to say our greetings to the Integrated Command Leader of the UN Peacekeeping Forces, who is commanding this operation masuwa. Each of the other members will have liberty of action until the time of the rally masu.

The rally is a social gathering and a dinner party where all the participating members of this joint operation gather together. They heard from Clark who was in the special aircraft that the rally will be held in three hours.

– Liberty of action huh, so what do we do?

Fiona asked a question to them, but everyone folded their arms, hung their head and sunk into silence.

It was because they weren't thinking about what to do. Clark opened his mouth again, looking such state of Haname and company.

– If you don't have anything to do, then why don't you head towards the hotel while being guided by Shuemei to the town? The hotel is also in the town, so I think it's the best thing to do masuwayo.

– Considering the round-trip time to the town, we won't have much free time, so I'm in, what about you?

– I'm fine with that too.

Following Fiona, Laetitia also accepts Clark's suggestion.

– Haname, you are going too, right?

– Yeah.

When Haname nods at Ellie, Fiona gazed at Shuemei and,

– If that's the case, can you guide us, Ryu-san?

– Yes, of course.

According to Shuemei who nodded, there's a distance of 10 kilometers from this base camp to the town area of Tienchuen.

The only means of transportation to the city is by car—

So, after they said their goodbyes to the members of the Student Council, Haname and co. were sent to the city by the soldiers of the UN Peacekeeping Forces who were in the base camp.

They were in front of a medium sized tractor that took them there.

They were placed on the load-carrying tray section of it.

It can't be helped because there's no other choice than this to be able to carry 5 people at the same time.

The tractor runs through the wilderness while cutting off the lukewarm wind.

– Don't expect too much in Tienchuen, because it's nothing more than a rural area, there's nothing to see. There's not even a train station. As you see, that also goes to the surroundings of the town.

Though they see buildings similar to residences, and things that look like silos once in a while, it's just wilderness as far as the eye can see. Speaking of what's noticeable, just animals and sandstorms that are welling up in the distance are in that category. After 15 minutes on the tractor, Haname and the others arrived at the town.

Just like Shuemei was emphasizing a lot of times, certainly the sight of the town area of Tienchuen was of a rural town itself.

The roads are wide, and buildings are very scarce.

In the exact same way, they couldn't see almost nobody.

However, the appearance of a resplendent building, having red as its main constituent like the ones of the Ryukyu Kingdom, is fresh for all of them who visited this country for the first time, it draws a lot of attention.

– There are quite a few wonderful large buildings when looking at the site alone, but there aren't many high buildings in this place, huh?

Laetitia murmured, looking restlessly around the town.

– There is plenty of land in the desert area, and the fact that I live in this area it's because they weren't agricultural people in the first place, but nomadic people. They have even less consciousness to settle down.

Of course, it's Shuemei who explained so. He's slightly knitting the inner part of his eyebrows with a little of sadness and continued his words.

– There are only children and old people remaining in this village. Most of the youngsters work away from home or find a job in urban areas or other countries, and many of them settle where they are.

– So, this is what is called an underpopulated area, right?

– That's definitely the case here.

When Shuemei nodded, two voices called him out.

– Ah, it's Shuemei-nii-san!

– It's true, Shuemei-nii-chan!

– Bakuei and Mei Fan!

Looking at the two rushing over her, Shuemei makes his eyes blink in surprise.

Ellie asked, looking at them.

– Who are these children?

– These are children in my neighborhood, and the group of kids I was teaching studies. As I said earlier, there are only a few youngsters around here…

In brief, the number of teachers was insufficient and the child in the upper grade taught the children of lower grades.

– Nii-chan, the person standing next to you, is she the boyfriend of nii-chan?

– Stop, Bakuei!

Shuemei, whose face was bright red, grabbed in a hurry the index finger of the boy that was pointed at Haname.

– Y-you guys, you know that they are the ones who are going to do the search-and-destroy operation of the nest of the Savage that is near here, right?

– Yes, we know. Because of that, Shuemei-nii-san came back from Little Garden to this town, didn't he?

– Err, that's correct but, my job isn't that great…

Asked by the girl named Mei Fan, Shuemei shows a troubled smile.

Despite being dismayed with what's up with them, Shuemei seems to have decided to introduce everyone.

– That's right, they are my classmates and excellent Slayers belonging to Little Garden. They are thousands of times more amazing than me.

– Wow, is that so!? I'm also training to become a Slayer!

The gaze of the boy who's looking at Haname and the others changes to a look of envy.

Shuemei showed a relieved look and asked the children.

– Both of you will go to the dojo after this?

– Yes, that is correct.

It's Mei Fan who answered.

– Come to see us later nii-chan, and tell us a lot of things, okay!? Thanks to ni-chan, we were able to have a dōjō in this village!

Following her, Bakuei said so.

– Yup, I'll do it, I promise. Then, get going to the dōjō at once. I'll also go see you afterwards. See you later.

– Yup, see you later—

– Please make sure to come!

The kids disappeared while waving their hands.

Shuemei took a breath, seeing off their backs.

– I'm sorry, those kids said weird things.

And, Shuemei apologizes to Haname.

– No, don't worry about it.

– Shuemei-san sure is adored by those children, isn't he?

– No, that's not true at all.

Shuemei laughed at himself and continued.

– When I was teaching studies, they never listened to what I said. They were always saying "useless elder brother, useless elder brother" to me.

However, after he got a sufficient value in the response test of the Variable Stone received by coincidence, he says that it's from there that they began to hear what he was saying.

– I'm sure it's because of the Private Military Companies like Little Garden and Qin Empire that came to do the aptitude test to see if there were any talented children.

As a result, two Slayer candidates were discovered, and subsidiary aid came to the village, and so the dojo managed by the Qin Empire was built in this town.

– Besides, for these children, the Slayers of Warslan who fight the Savage, they are their yearning existences. That's why I also want to be a proper fighting power of Warslan, so that I can be proud of myself, and for that I can't give up, don't you agree?

Shuemei suddenly clenched his fists in front of his chest, telling that to himself.

They walk for about five minutes and get to the center of the city.

Many street stalls are appearing, selling food among other things. They were able to see the likes of set meals and specials of the day, it was crowded with approximately the same amount of people as Central in Little Garden.

(… wh- what's this?)

Although the temperature in this place was quite hot, the moment when they passed by three people wearing robes with hoods, shivers run through the muscles of the back of Haname, who stopped her feet.

Their faces weren't visible, but the skin visible from the sleeve is darkish.

(Maybe, those guys are…)

What it came to her mind is the gang of three.

– What is it, Haname? Why are you not moving…? Did you notice something?

– N-no… it's….

They were already told that they might encounter them in this place.

But, were they really the Hunters?

While she was thinking about that, she couldn't see their appearances anymore.

(Maybe they were other people)

There were many aircrafts at the airport a while ago.

It shouldn't be strange that there are people dressed like that and that have darkish skin.

– … it's nothing.

Haname answered so and ran off to the side of Ellie and the others.


Before long, the hotel they arrived at was relatively large in the village, it was a beautiful and magnificent building. It's a two-storied building, unlike the other buildings, and its site area is quite large.

– This hotel was built recently, it's even more smaller than a public lodging house, and something like sour smell comes out from the futons.

Shuemei laughed as if he was self-deprecating.

That kind of lodging place is disliked by ambassadors of foreign countries, government officials and executives who came from the capital city, saying how such a splendid hotel was built in this way.

– That means they don't want normal people of the Qin Empire and distinguished guests to be mixed up using it, yes? That is, by employing very expensive accommodation costs.

– In short, we, and Shuemei of course, are lucky to be able to stay with the money of Little Garden today.

– Well, I'm not staying here today, because I'm going to stay at home. I also told the president about that.

– Eh, is that so? It's a waste if we don't use it.

– You may be right, but I can't calm down, even though I'm not coming out to the battlefield, I don't feel well…

– If so, what do we do till it's time to rally?

The one who made that question was Ellie.

– I promised them that I'll make an appearance at the dōjō a little while ago, so I'm going to show my face to my home for a moment. You are welcome to relax in your rooms at ease, so don't worry about me.

Haname and the others checked-in at the hotel they were guided by Shuemei and headed to their respective rooms.

All of them are the same, a single room of around 8 tatamis.

– Then Haname, see you later.

Separating from everyone, Haname enters the room.

Both latitude and altitude should be higher than the vicinities of the Ryukyu where Little Garden was sailing recently, but the Qin Empire felt very hot.

As a matter of course, that goes for this room as well.

The military and family section of Little Garden have air conditioning control, with the exception of some areas.

Therefore, it's a bit chilly unless wearing the coat of the uniform all the time, but that's not the case for this town. Her inner shirt was wet as a dust cloth. As the suitcase with change of clothes reached the room, she felt fortunate that she can change clothes.

(I should take a shower before that…)

Haname decided so and took off her clothes in the dressing room and start showering in the bathroom.

Then, something like a singing voice was suddenly heard.

– … hmm?

She twists the faucet and stops the shower.

She clearly heard a singing happy voice that matches a cheerful melody.

(No way, that voice is…)

… it's from Kirishima Satoru.

The hurrying Haname jumped out of the bathroom.

The singing voice is flowing out from the uniforms' coat pocket.

Rapidly Haname takes out the PDA and checks the screen.

It was indicated that it was an incoming call from Kirishima Satoru.

(Between all people, it's the person himself, huh…)

Haname said, looking amazed, and accepted the call.

– You tampered my PDA, didn't you?

The day before yesterday, when she went to the hospital room of Kaoru, Satoru was there, and she lent the PDA to him because he told her to lend it for a moment.

The reason was that he was going to install new songs in it, but not that he was going to set one of them as a ringtone.

『Ahaha, correct. Did it surprise you?』

– It did, and a lot. I'm glad that I was in the hotel, because if this suddenly rang in the street, then that wouldn't be a laughing matter, you know.

『Then at that time you could say "Kirishima Satoru is my man" … wouldn't be nice if you emphasize it with a triumphant look?』

– Hey…

He laughs, saying so as if it was a joke.

But that wasn't funny.

– So, how can I restore it to how it was before?

『I'll restore it once you come back.』

– Oh no…

Haname sighed deeply.

『Hey, what's with that reaction? We were immensely worried about you.』

– Worried, you say? What do you mean?

『You promised Kaoru-chan that you would contact him as soon as you arrived at Qin Empire, isn't it? And yet, knowing that very well, you didn't do it. You said "hotel" now, so that means you already arrived in Qin Empire, right?』

– Wait a minute, how do you know about the promise between Kaoru and me?

『Ehehe, that's because I'm right now with Kaoru-kun.』

– … you guys, what are you planning to do? Don't blow strange things into Kaoru.

『I'm just helping with the rehabilitation of Kaoru-kun as usual. And a bit about the founding festival.』

– Founding festival? What are you going to do there?

The founding festival is a festival for students and residents of Little Garden where they interact with the residents of Liberia once a year.

Speaking of Yamato's schools, it's also like a school festival.

『That-is-a-se-cret.』

Haname sighed once again, hearing the answer.

– At least, don't let Kaoru do unreasonable things.

『I know that. Kaoru-kun wants to talk with you.』

『Hello, Nee-san?』

Following a few seconds of noise, the voice of Kaoru was heard.

– Are you okay? Nothing weird was done to you by Satoru?

『Why do you feel that I'm a sort of hostage? I'm fine. Because Satoru-san is very kind.』

– It's fine if that's the case but…

『Besides that, I have an advice for Nee-san.』

– … an advice?

About what?

She felt a little reluctant about it, because the voice of Kaoru became serious in no time.

『It's about the job of my sister in Qin Empire. I told Nee-san's fortune using the Tarot, but the result is the inverted position of 《Balance》. This means that a confrontation may rise.』

– A confrontation, huh…

『This is nothing more than a reference, but please be careful.』

– Yeah, I'll be careful. Thank you.

Recently, the fortune-telling of Kaoru has been very precise.

Particularly excellent when things go south, so rather than being "fortune-telling", it feels more like a curse now.

—Confrontation.

Someone will have to fight someone.

Depending on the situation, it may change to organization vs organization.

『The fortune-telling of Kaoru-kun regarding Nee-san ended with this. I expect that Nee-san will come home safely. Now, should I hand over the phone to Satoru-san again?』

– No, it's fine.

『It's not fine!』

It seems like he heard her voice.

She hears the voice of Satoru once again.

『Let me say one last thing to finish.』

– One last thing…?

『Haname, I love you. Let's get married once you come back.』

– Huh? What the…

『Are you shaking? You shouldn't raise a death flag, you know.』

– Stop joking! You know what, I'm hanging up!

Hearing the laughs and giggles, Haname finished the call.

– Really, how far can your pranks go…?

Grieving again with a "yareyare", Haname took a shower then changed clothes to new shirt and pants.

She knows well that she's liked by Satoru.

But she doesn't know how serious he is…she thinks.

– I got tired pretty fast…

When she lay down on the bed with a *thud*, wearing a shirt and shorts only, and while being like that, the PDA began playing the singing voice of Satoru again.

(…is he again?)

With that in mind, and when she got up and picked up the PDA, it wasn't the name of Kaoru nor Satoru the one displayed there, but the name of Ellie.

When trying to press the call button, *KNOCK* *KNOCK*, the door sounds, and the incoming call is interrupted.

– Haname, it's almost time for the meeting… and, what's with that music?

The voice of Ellie that she heard was somewhat disgusted.

– I'm going to change clothes now, so please wait a bit.

Replied Haname, then rapidly changed clothes and went outside, and she saw the appearance of Ellie with a dissatisfying expression on his face.

– Sorry for, keep you waiting…

– Everyone seems to be gathering in the lobby. Let's move.

Ellie turned his face away and started walking towards the lobby.

Haname also stepped forward, following him.

And after a silent time that lasted 10 seconds,

– … hold on, Haname.

– What is it?

– It's about the ringtone just now—

– I knew you were going to delve into that matter…

– Why are you saying that? And why Haname has set the song of Satoru as the PDA's ringtone?

– Well, that… I lent the PDA to Satoru in the hospital room of Kaoru, so he set it under his own accord.

– Is that true?

Ellie comes near her, pressing the question.

She saw that his eyes are slightly wet.

– I-it's true! I don't know why I have his song as my ringtone!

– Or is it something like a promise, or a symbol between you two? Because that's how it is to me.

– I'm telling you, it's not like that. If I return, then he'll put the original ringtone. So believe me.

– … fine, if that's the case, then I'll believe Haname who says so.

Saying so, Ellie presented his left hand.

– Lend me the PDA. I'll put back the original one.

Haname unlocks the PDA by fingerprint authentication and handed it to Ellie. While walking, Ellie changes the ringtone.

– It should be fine with this.

Haname received the PDA from Ellie.

Ellie did a phone call as a test.

The sound that was returning was the default one.

Satoru's the one to blame, so it can't be helped.

She was positive that she was going to feel safe for now, so there shouldn't be any problems if she gets an incoming call in public in this way.

They finally reached the lobby and not only the members of the Student Council, but also Laetitia, Fiona, Shuemei and the other Slayers of Little Garden, as well as the people heading to the rally were gathered already there. According to the president, pickup cars are already in front of the hotel.

As they moved to that place, they could see three hired cars similar to the one that was in the Zwei Islands.

The members of the Student Council, Shuemei, the four Slayers of the Selections team and three other Slayers get into the cars.

– Come to think of it, where's this meeting?

– I heard from the President-san before that it seems that is a venue built at the base camp of this operation that arrived in a personal airplane.

Fiona answers Ellie's question.

– Oh, that's right. Is there going to be food of this country? I'd be happy if that's the case. I like the food of Qin Empire.

– … you have cooking of Qin in Gudenburg?

– Yeah, there is.

Ellie nods.

– The cooking of Qin has a strong flavor compared to the lightly seasoned cooking of Britannia. And I found them very tasty. So, I'd be happy if there's cooking of Qin Empire.

They reached the base camp, the venue of the rally meeting that also served as a dinner party in 10 minutes.

The number of helicopters increased in comparison to when Haname and the others came to this place.

It seems that there are going to be interviews, since they were able to see vehicles of TV stations.

– Oh! Looks like the venue of the rally is over there.

Laetitia looked towards the space that was surrounded by many tents.

A number of round tables were installed there, and a lot of Slayers and people who seem to be authorized gathered there too.

– Let's go.

Everyone started walking into the noise.

There were still 15 minutes until the rally started, and around 100 people were gathered in the venue.

Including those who are getting ready, there will be 200 people in this place. The population density is high enough to make it impossible to see those who are at the other end of the venue.

Because the tables in the back were already crowded, the group of Little Garden decided to stand around the tables near the entrance of the venue.

– How many countries are participating in this operation?

– There are 15 participating organizations in total.

Eric replies to Haname's doubt.

– However, twelve organizations are dispatching Slayers and those are: Liberian Army, Francois Army, Rasiyan Army, Weimar Army, Britannia Integrated Army, Indica Army, Guernica Integrated Army, the Qin Empire Army, then come us, the Private Military Companies: Palladian, which is mainly active in Asian countries, Al-Salaam, which is mainly active in the Middle East and we, Little Garden, operate around Liberia and are the Slayers of Warslan headquarters.

Incidentally, Yamato, the country from which Haname comes, is said to be participating in the operation. However, they didn't dispatch Slayers. It seems they are performing transport of materials and medical treatment of injured people as logistical support.

– Oh, but if it isn't Fiona?

While they were talking, one of the two young men with a western-style outward appearance suddenly called her out.

Because the national flag on their uniforms belongs to Liberia, apparently those guys are of the Liberian Army.

Fiona gave a loud voice as soon as she looked at the two.

– Michael-senpai, Kane-senpai! Are you both participating in this operation?

That tone of voice sounded as if they were very close, that's what they could immediately understand.

– Yeah, that's right. After coming out of the dōjō together with Kane and entering the Slayer troops of the Liberian army three years ago—we finally reached the point where we were dispatched to large scale operations like this. By the way, we even slaughtered a lot of Savage already.

Saying that, the blonde hair white young man Michael showed proudly his white teeth. Next, the man with dark hair and dark skin that stands next to him, named Kane, opens his mouth.

– I heard from sensei that you enrolled in Little Garden, so there's no doubt that this year has been the prime of your life, hmm? And going quite early to the battlefield too. Looks like Little Garden is running low of talented people and that their true strength isn't that much either.

Tapping the shoulder of Fiona with one hand, Kane laughs loudly.

– No, that's…

Maybe that was one of his jokes. Fiona couldn't understand so. But the cheeks of Fiona twitched. Because Clark is nearby. She also takes a look at his expression with a sidelong glance. Then, without a moment's delay, Laetitia cut into the conversation.

– Hey, Kane. Don't make fun of Little Garden. Here's why: our ability has increased. We won't even lose against you now.

*Humph*, letting out his breath through his nose, Laetitia throws out his small chest.

– What, there was a small brat too? He was so small that I didn't notice him. How someone small like you can fight against the Savage?

– Hey, don't touch me!

Laetitia, who was about to be patted on the head by Kane, he dodged his hand in an instant.

It was there that Clark finally opened his mouth.

– Fiona Glanz, Laetitia Saint-Émillion, are they your acquaintances during your dōjō days desuno?

He squints and glares at the two Slayers.

– Err… well… yeah, our senpais of the dōjō days.

Fiona answered.

Kane, seeing Claire with shining eyes,

– Oh, such a beautiful lady we have here. Why didn't you introduce us, Fiona? I'm Kane, a Slayer of the Liberian Army—

– Wait a moment, Kane. That man is…

The expression of Michael who grabbed the shoulder of Kane who took a step forward to Clark was pale and her body was trembling with fear.

– Ah, what is it Michael? Why are you cowering in fear, huh?

– That man is the King of Little Garden!

Michael puts his face close to the ear of Kane and called his attention with a firm yet low tone of voice.

Then, the blood instantaneously draws from the expression of Kane.

– I'm sorry, this guy is spouting nonsense. Come on Kane, apologize!

The hand of Michael pushed his head down and Kane apologized.

– I'm very sorry!

– I'm very sorry!

Immediately after him, Michael also bowed his head.

Although Fiona continued talking with the two cowering men after that, and after a while,

– It seems other acquaintances are over there, so we'll go with these guys for a while, okay?

So, together with Laetitia, Kane and Michael, she went towards the circle where the Liberian Army was gathered.

– If you think about those two, it's a wise decision, don't you agree?

– They are very concerned about us.

Regarding Eric, Ellie shows his consent.

That's what Haname also noticed.

While talking with Fiona and the others, they were pointing their eyes as if they were peeking the situation, glancing repeatedly this way.

– They seem to be very afraid of the President, but I don't get why…

– That is because Clark-sama is the son of the president of Warslan Company.

It was Lloyd who answered promptly the doubt of Haname.

Warslan, who is controlling the defense industry of Liberia, is in a situation where mediations are possible with the Liberian army.

It seems to be considered simple as sent flying the head of a Slayer.

– In addition to that, there are a lot of people inside Liberia saying bad things towards Warslan, like they are snatching excellent Slayers that should be soldiers of Liberia, and that they are manipulating Liberia from behind the scenes. And that Clark-sama's older sister, Judy-sama, who is also the company president of Warslan, is likely to be the next president of the next period.

– Incidentally, there are Slayers of Al-Salaam Company, the PMC of Middle East, over there.

As he's saying so, adding one thing to another, Eric turns his eyes to a certain group.

There are people of darkish skin in that place.

Haname and the others also turned their eyes to that place.

– In the West and Middle East, although their place of activities is different from us, there's no mistake that they are our competitors.

At that moment, they had the impression that one of the Slayers of Al-Salaam noticed their gazes.

– Certainly, their animosities are evident, huh.

Ellie reveals his impression.

– Nevertheless, don't cause a fight. We only have to make a display of our ability on the battlefield desu.

Before long, a gray-haired man appeared on the stage, grabbed the microphone and started greeting.

The venue, which was bustling, gets completely silent in an instant.

– I am the commander of the UN Peacekeeping Forces, and the one leading the operation this opportunity, Acel Besançon from Francois Kingdom. I would like to express my gratitude to the Qin Empire, to each of the troops gathered in this place, to the organizations of Slayers and to all the people involved in this operation.

Following the greeting, the commander tells them that this rally meeting was prepared to deepen the friendship among the armies and organizations.

They noticed that women were appearing in the venue, wearing a red dress that had large cuts in the knees, handed down by the Qin Empire.

They are holding a tray that had several glasses on it with their hands.

Dere's a variety of beers, jyususu and shaoxingjiu wine. Which uan will you want?

They asked them with their local accent.

Though the shape of the glasses were the same, there seemed to be various kinds of drinks inside them.

– We are minors, so alcohol is absolutely prohibited, but you can choose whatever you like other than that desuwayo.

– In that case, I'll go with this.

Following the advice of the president, Ellie quickly picked up a glass with orange juice.

Haname also picks the same and turns her eyes to the stage once again.

Acel, the commander, as well as everybody else, received a glass containing frothy foamed beer.

– The sortie will be tomorrow afternoon. Why don't you deepen your friendship to the point that you, the Slayers, will not be affected by the search-and-destroy operation? I sincerely hope you don't overdo it and act carelessly—with that said, let's pray for the success of this joint operation—cheers!

– Cheers!

Toasting with Ellie and the vice presidents who turned their glasses following Acel's shouting, he and the president are the last ones to make a toast.

Dance performed by women of the Qin Empire, accompanied by ethnic music, is developing on the stage in the venue.

– Hmm? The president is drinking wine?

Ellie asked so because it looked like the president was drinking wine from the glass.

– It is not masuwa. It contains white grape juice desu.

Answering, Clark continued.

– By the way, I got to know this recently, but your rooms at the hotel are next to each other, correct desuwayone?

– Yes, they are, so what about it?

– I imagine that you understand but visiting each other's room is of course prohibited desuwayo. If that happens, I will have to give you severe punishment masu.

– And why? We aren't doing anything strange.

– I can't trust your words masenwa. Besides, if you weren't doing strange things, then it shouldn't be necessary to visit each other's room desuwayo.

Saying that clearly, Clark turned his back on Ellie.

– Then, we will greet the people of the UN Peacekeeping Forces and respond the interviews of the TV stations masuwa. Particularly you, Ellie Crossfode. Even if people of other countries and organizations say something, you should never get in a fight… understood desuwane?

Making sure of it, Clark went to greet with Liddy and Eric.

– Humph, I know that, you don't have to say those things more than once. Besides, I don't want to stand out too much.

Ellie turned his back on Clark, distancing herself, then spat out and turned sulky, and right after that,

– Well then, I'll be off for a while too.

With a complete change and saying that with a cheerful voice, he tried to walk towards the circle of Slayers.

It's there that Haname grasps his shoulder in a hurry.

– Wait a moment, where are you going so suddenly? Are you going to greet the guys of your country?

He was just told by the President to not be careless.

She doesn't think that he will cause any problem right away, but because she was worried, she thinks that it might be better if she accompanied him.

– That's not it. I definitely don't want to say hello to the Britannia Integrated Army.

– If so, where are you going, huh?

– I'm just going to get some food. So, just wait here with confidence, Haname. Because I'm going to choose some delicious-looking things!

Haname sees off Ellie who's separating from the table, feeling relieved.

Following that, the other boy who remained in this place opened his mouth.

– Kisaragi-san, I will also go and greet for a minute. There should be friends of mine in the back unit of the Qin Empire's army.

Shuemei also left the table, and Haname became alone.

(Wha-what do I do…?)

There's only people she doesn't know around her.

She also hesitates to start a conversation.

Since there's nothing else she can do, she asked the female waitress who happened to pass by if she could get oolong tea to drink, right when Ellie was coming back with two round big trays on his hands.

– Thanks for waiting, Haname.

– Yeah, welcome back.

Honestly, she was grateful that he was coming back this fast.

Ellie puts the trays cramped with dishes that had a lot of food on the table.

Haname decides to receive the oolong tea of Ellie from the female waitress who's serving them.

This as thanks for going and getting food.

– Well then, shall we eat?

Ellie loosened his mouth so much, to the point that he looked like he was drooling, looking at the dishes placed on the table.

Haname begins to prepare gyoza for two people using a small dish placed in the center of the table and seasonings like soy sauce, chili oil and vinegar.

– Here.

– Thanks.

In response, he pierced the gyoza with a fork, dipping it into the tare he received and put it into his mouth.

Chopsticks are also provided, but the western people like Ellie weren't very good at it, so he ate the gyoza with a fork.

– Uwaa, this is a real gyoza, it's delicious.

Ellie looks happy, enough to relax his cheeks with a slovenly appearance.

Haname also grabbed the gyoza with chopsticks and put it into her mouth.

– Oh, it's true. It's very good.

Not only the gyoza.

Yodare chicken and sugatani of shark's fin, yakuzen soup and so on, it was impossible for the dishes to not be super delicious, so Ellie is eating them very satisfactorily.

– This Peking duck is also deliciou〜s. The food of Qin Empire is the best.

Ellie carries the food one after another into his stomach.

Going beyond the admiration, his impetus was enough to leave her astonished.

– You sure eat properly, huh…?

– Because this is to replenish energy, you know.

– Even if you say that, we haven't used sense energy recently so…

Haname smiled bitterly and,

– Elliot-sama!

There, a sudden voice called him out.

It's a man's voice.

– Eh…?

The movement of Ellie stops.

Haname does the same.

(Did he say Elliot right now?)

That's the real name of Ellie Crossfode who is eating with Haname.

When Haname turned her eyes towards the one who gave that voice, she saw a boy with bobbed, light brown hair that is rushing over to where they are.

He's short, has a baby face, but is wearing a blue uniform.

He belongs to the Integrated Army of Britannia.

– Uh-oh…

Like Haname, Ellie, who saw the appearance of the boy, raised his voice, and put the fork and knife in a panic on the table.

Looking at him, Haname thought.

(Does this mean that he's an acquaintance of Elliot in Gudenburg?)

She wonders so, since it's very probable due to the uniform.

If that's the case, then this is very problematic.

Only Haname, the president and the vice presidents, those four people, the members of Little Garden, know that Ellie Crossfode is actually a man and that his name is Elliot Hermit.

There are a lot of people apart from them in that place.

– Let's run away, Haname.

As a matter of course, and in the blink of an eye, Ellie turned his back on the boy that is heading this way, so he tries to walk towards the exit of the rally place, but it was too late to move.

– I wanted to meet you, Elliot-sama—!

The boy clung tightly to the back of Ellie.

– Elliot-sama, Elliot-sama, Elliot-sama!

The boy is rubbing his upper body against the body of Ellie like a dog.

– Stop, and I don't know such Elliot. My name is Ellie Crossfode!

Ellie tries desperately to pull apart the body of the boy, but he doesn't give up.

Naturally, the gazes of their surroundings were directed to Ellie and the boy.

What's happening over there? Some people came close to them.

– What are you saying? Even if you look like a woman, even if you are saying something to me like "Boku", even if it were a relative of Elliot-sama, these eyes of mine, his disciple, cannot be deceived!

– Argh fine but be quiet!

– Ngh, gg, ngh〜〜〜!

Ellie rapidly closed the mouth of the boy.

– Let's get away from this place for now. I want to talk calmly in a place where there's nobody. Haname, come with us.

– O-okay…

Ellie was also noticing the surrounding eyes.

Certainly, it's risky to be in this place.

They don't know that there's a boy in front of their eyes, but it's obvious that this will get way worse if they keep talking in this place.

– Claude, you are coming with me, right?

– Of course, since it is a request of Elliot-sama!

– I'm telling you, don't call me Elliot!

Thus, Haname decided to leave the venue of the rally meeting with Ellie Crossfode aka Elliot Hermit and the mysterious boy named Claude.


– … so, what do you want?

Haname and the boys asked the soldiers of the UN Peacekeeping Forces to drive them in a car, with that, they returned to the town area, and by following the proposal of Ellie whose stomach wasn't full yet, they entered a small restaurant.

For the time being, the staff are in the venue, and they think that this place is better than the hotel where they can be asked by their acquaintances, therefore making the story even more complicated.

– Well, even if you say "what I want", my name is Kisaragi Haname and—

– Haname is my classmate in my Little Garden.

Ellie complemented, extending his hand to Haname who answers while being embarrassed.

– So, Claude. Before asking a person for their name, you should give your name first.

– If Elliot-sama says so…

Then, Claude clears his throat with a cough and,

– I am Claude Lowetti. I am a Slayer belonging to the Imperial Army of Britannia and the childhood friend of Elliot-sama.

– Childhood friend?

– I just taught him how to use the Hundred for just a minute in Gudenburg. Before that, we only met here and there for a few seconds.

While Ellie supplemented so, the ordered goods arrived.

Everyone had the same, chilling tantanmen.

Its appearance is different from the common tantanmen seen in Yamato, as it has no juice. It has noodles mixed with minced meat, green onions as vegetables and seasoned with spicy sauce; it's similar to a mazesoba.

– Thanks for the food.

And, Ellie slurps the noodles.

Haname and Claude also began to slurp the noodles.

Even though she ate a fairly quantity at the venue of the rally meeting, the spiciness of the noodles stimulates her appetite, fitting into the stomach of Haname one after another.

Four chairs are on the square table.

Ellie is on the front of Haname across the table and Claude is sitting diagonally to the right of him.

– Nevertheless, Claude joined the army, and came to this joint operation, yes?

– It's thanks to Elliot-sama who trained me that I joined the army. Because of that, I volunteered myself for this operation.

Claude continued, stopping his hand and the slurping.

– In fact, since the figure of Elliot-sama disappeared from Gudenburg, I was always looking for his whereabouts. At that time, I caught sight of a bulletin board on the cybernet about a rumor of a Slayer using a phantasmagoric weapon when fighting the Savage in the Zwei Islands—

– I see, so that's the reason.

Ellie sighs profoundly.

– It was then when I understood. That's definitely Elliot-sama.

Apparently, someone who was in the Zwei Islands and was watching the fighting style of Ellie, wrote information about it on the net's bulletin board that such person was using a strange Hundred from Little Garden.

There, Haname remembered what she heard at that time, about that conversation with Satoru.

Satoru has a video of Haname.

Claude found his way to Ellie with the bulletin board.

Haname thinks that the net is truly terrifying.

– I investigated information of Little Garden after that. The intelligence department of the Gudenburg Empire also moved.

– The intelligence department you say…

– … that is to say, the country is seriously searching for me, isn't it?

– Exactly. The disappearance of the hidden prince, Elliot Gudenburg, hasn't been made public yet, so that's why Gudenburg wanted to deal secretly with this.

– *Spits out*!

Haname spouts out the water that was contained in her mouth without thinking, being choked by that.

– Haname, are you okay!?

– Ye-yeah…

*Cough* *Cough*, while still coughing, Haname replied.

There's something she wants to ask more than anything.

– More importantly, what does he mean with 《hidden prince》…?

– Err… well… I'm sorry…

Laughing with a "ahaha", Ellie hung his head.

– Why are you saying sorry…?

– To be honest, I've been keeping something in secret from Haname in the last 10 years.

– Eh…?

*Ba-dump*, her heart beats fast.

From some time ago, she had been suspecting that Elliot kept something in secret.

Then, that secret was the story about him being a 《hidden prince》?

– Haname, will you listen to me?

– Ye-yeah…

Haname nodded after swallowing spit.

Gazing firmly at the face of Hayato, Ellie opens his mouth.

– The name that I gave you at that time, Elliot Hermit, is not my real name. My real name is Elliot Gudenburg.

– Elliot Gudenburg…?

– It's the same name as the country of Gudenburg, and the family name of the royalty. That means that I'm descending from the King of Gudenburg.

– Then that means that, you are a "prince"…?

Ellie nods.

It seems he is the 《hidden prince》.

– … hahaha, I thought that you were a son of a high-class family from the suit at that time, but, to think that you are indeed a prince…

Haname could do nothing else but to laugh like that.

To think that she was enjoying herself with the prince of Gudenburg…

– But, even if I'm saying that I'm the "prince" and the second one, I was robbed of the name of Gudenburg and I was given the name of Hermit, so I don't think it's a big deal.

– Elliot-sama, that is…

The expression of Claude turns depressed.

– It's fine, since I'll tell everything to Haname on this occasion.

– … tell you say? There's more?

– Kisaragi Haname, do you know that the Federation of Britannia consists of four countries, yes?

It was Claude who asked that question.

– The Gudenburg Empire, the Kingdom of Scotia, the Wenz Empire and the Kingdom of Alicia, right? I was taught that in elementary school and I also studied it by looking at the map before going to Little Garden.

– … if so, you also know that the relationships between those four countries is basically bad, don't you?

– I've learned a bit about it in world history classes. Certainly, the war over 300 years ago has left some traces, correct?

– Affirmative. If you know that much, then you also know that the Wenz Empire is really on bad terms with Gudenburg, no?

– No, I didn't know to that extent, but…

– The Gudenburg Empire, the Kingdom of Scotia and the Kingdom of Alicia were invaded by those who came from the continent before the medieval times and created a country. On the other hand, the Wenz Empire is a country of people that inherited the blood of the natives who lived on the island of Britannia, so their races were different from the start.

– That's why the inhabitants of the Wenz Empire are people that respect their traditions and the customs of the aboriginals, unlike the people of the other three countries. In other words, they are the inhabitants of the old Britannia Island.

Ellie added so.

Subsequently, Claude opens his mouth again.

– But because of that, they failed to keep up with the industrial revolution that happened in the 18th century and now they are being despised by the other three countries, they are being told things like barbarians, bumpkins, etc.

– They did massive killings of aborigines, even though the barbarians they drove away were themselves.

Ellie spat out that out of nowhere.

– It's unusual for the prince of Gudenburg to speak and stand from the side of Wenz. Why is that?

At any rate, when talking about Wenz, Emile was showing strange emotions, he seemed to be angry and then delightful.

– That's because, as a matter of fact, my mother was born in Wenz.

With that said, that she was born in Wenz is unusual, and the reason is that she was attending the university of Gudenburg. During that time, she met Granald Gudenburg, who was the prince of Gudenburg, and fell in love.

However, their love wasn't allowed, of course. Because Prince Granald had a fiancé, the Princess of the Kingdom of Scotia.

– Even so, my father continued his friendship with my mother in secrecy and gave birth to me. It seems that every one of the royal families, as well as the higher-ups, were at a complete loss. Fundamentally because it's no good for the Gudenburg Empire to have a child that is tied together with a woman of the Wenz Empire, due to the right of blood of Gudenburg.

Therefore, the boy that was born was named Elliot by them, and together with his mother, were confined in a residence in the outskirts of Gudenburg.

– After that, the health of my mother got worse and passed away, so I was taken back to the central part of Gudenburg, but I was also confined there. Still, I could go outside freely to a certain extent. It was then that I met Haname.

– But, wait a moment. The royalty of Gudenburg wanted to hide the existence of Elliot, right? Then, it's necessary for you to bring him back, correct?

– … it is just as you said.

It was Claude who answered with a mysterious expression.

– Right now, Elliot-sama is in a politically important position. I don't want to do it, but it's for his own sake…

While looking at him, the facial expression of Ellie also became gloomy.

Wondering what is happening here, Haname swallowed saliva.

– If it becomes to this, then it's fine if you want to talk about the matter in question.

– I said we were going to tell everything, right?

– Understood, if that's the case, then I will talk.

Claude began to talk again after receiving the reply of Ellie.

– As a matter of fact, when it comes to Slayers, the people of the Wenz Empire have more of them than Gudenburg and the other two Empires. It is said that the primary factor for that are the big fragments of meteorites that fell into the Wenz Empire during the First Attack.

Therefore, now the position of the Wenz Empire is strengthening among the major four countries that form Britannia.

Thereupon, Haname remembered what the president said before, and that is related to this story: 『The change of the power balance of the world due to the Slayers.』

– So, the Gudenburg Empire is thinking of strengthening the relationship between them and Wenz by marrying the Princess of Wenz and Elliot-sama who has blood of Wenz and who is also an excellent Slayer. If the Empire does so, it will be in a more politically superior position than the other three countries, and the Gudenburg Empire can acquire a lot of Slayers. It is a relationship where both win. That's why this plan achieves even more prosperity and stability to Britannia, don't you agree?

– But, I don't care in the slightest such a thing.

Suddenly, Ellie spat out something like that.

– Isn't the worst, to suddenly try and take charge of me, when they dealt with me as if I was an unwanted child until now, because my utility value has "grown"? Aside from that, no one will listen to my opinion.

– I also share that opinion. The matter with the Princess of Wenz is, to be honest, the opposite. However, all that Elliot-sama has to do is to return to Gudenburg. If the person who has the blood of Wenz is in Gudenburg, then the negotiations with Wenz, and the relationship between each other will…

– I already said that I don't care in the slightest such a thing. Both Britannia and Gudenburg, I simply don't care, okay?

– Then, please return for me.

– …eh?

– I love Elliot-sama.

– No, Claude… what are you saying…

– Because, Elliot-sama is the only one who has never look down on me. Besides raising me as the Slayer I am now…

– But that's an overestimation of Claude towards me. I just wanted to practice my Hundred, so I merely wanted a person to keep me company.

– Umm, what are you talking about?

Haname throws a question, because this was incomprehensible to him.

– Actually, I was practicing together with Claude while I was secretly receiving teachings about how to use the Hundred from Charlie.

– I wasn't good at exercising, my reaction value of the Hundred wasn't high, so I dropped out from the dōjō and Elliot-sama tempered me thoroughly until I joined the army.

– But, that was because I also wanted to practice myself. Moreover, Claude is a boy of the house who's a relative of the royal family, and who knew about me…

– Notwithstanding, I am grateful. Instead of secretly doing practice of the Hundred, you taught me how to use the Hundred. I truly believe that meeting you was like a miracle. Coincidentally, I met Elliot-sama while practicing at night…

– As for me, I was surprised because I didn't expect at all to get to know someone who would come to practice at night so…

Ellie sighs deeply.

– But I'm grateful. I really am. From the bottom of my heart. For this reason, I wanted to serve Elliot-sama. And in order to do that, I joined the army to get stronger, so Elliot-sama could spend his days easier, trying to reform Gudenburg…

– I realized the readiness of Claude.

– If so, will you come back to Gudenburg? And then, together with me in Gudenburg—

– No, I can't do that. At any rate, I like Haname as much as I think Claude likes me. So, I'm not returning to Gudenburg. Tell that to the royal family as well.

– Hey, wait…

– In other words, because of that woman, Elliot-sama says that he will not return to Gudenburg, yes?

Claude stares at Haname.

– Hey, I'm not saying that.

– If so, Kisaragi Haname, let's wager Elliot-sama with a duel—

– … huh?

*Clatter*, the emptied porcelain bowl made a sound on the table.

Claude stood up and points his index finger to Haname.

She feels that she has the memory of having done this somehow, so she remembered that she was challenged to a duel by Clark in the middle of the entrance ceremony.

– Don't "huh" me, Kisaragi Haname. If I win, I will bring Elliot-sama back to Gudenburg. But in case you win the match, then Elliot-sama will stay here.

– It's troubling that you are saying such a thing to me. Besides, I don't understand the development of this anymore…

– It's a simple story. Elliot-sama seems to be mortified for falling in love with you.

– Well, falling in love you say…?

– Am I wrong?

– Um, I'm falling in love.

Elliot smiles carelessly.

– Hold on a second, why are you adding fuel to the fire!?

– It's fine, I like how this is flowing.

Ellie muttered with a small voice into the ear of Haname.

She has no idea what he meant.

Maybe what he was saying is that he will become submissive once she shows off her true strength?

– I understand, Kisaragi Haname. If that's the case, let me show you how good-for-nothing and powerless you are, puling you out of the heart of Elliot-sama.

– Umm, calm down a bit. We are going to participate in the operation starting tomorrow, right? We'll exhaust our energy if we have a duel now. We even were prohibited by the President to use it so…

– Of course, I also have a good idea. Do you know if there's a Slayer's gym in this town?

– I know one, but…

– Then, there is no problem. In every gym there should be practice weapons of the same shape as the 100 kinds of weapons which are the basic forms of the Hundred. Let's have a battle with those. There will be one rule. How about having a battle that is transmitted from the medieval times in the Gudenburg Empire, which is the victory for giving a blow with the weapon? It goes without saying that we won't use sense energy.

– Certainly, that won't have an impact on you for the operation from tomorrow.

– That may be true but…

– Haname, accept the match.

– What?

– If it's Haname, I'm sure you can win.

– Even if you say I can win, isn't that a problem?

Ellie brings near his face to the ear of the bewildered Haname.

– Listen, Haname. This is a good opportunity. If Haname wins, let's make Claude to promise us to never come back again.

– I see…

She can comprehend the thinking of Ellie.

But, can she really win?

– How's his skill?

– Well, taking into consideration that is higher when comparing it to the time when I taught her, I suppose that his skill is a bit lower than Fiona and Laetitia.

– Then, that's no good, I guess?

At any rate, those two aren't Variant, and their skill was enough to let them enter Selections, despite being first-years.

– But, if you don't use energy, you have more chances to win. No, if it's Haname, the victory is completely yours. Haname is definitely above his physical ability, and after going back to Yamato from Gudenburg, you were doing kendo, right? Besides, Haname has that.

– … Elliot-sama, what are you talking so secretly?

Claude glares at them.

That made Ellie stop his ongoing conversation.

– So, Kisaragi Haname. Are you up to the challenge?

Haname looks at the face of Ellie.

It was written on it that his answer was yes.

– … I'll do it.

If it's about Ellie winning, then perhaps he has some reasons for that… probably. Surely. She wants to believe so.

– Then, let's fight immediately. I'm sure the place of the dōjō is—

Claude picked out the PDA from his pocket.

He launches the map app and confirms its location.

– Come to think of it, Elliot-sama, you have changed all your contact details. Could you please tell me your new phone number and email address?

– Once again, I'm not Elliot, here I'm Ellie Crossfode. So don't call me "Elliot". And I'm not telling you my number.

When Ellie said so, the expression of Claude became instantaneously grim.

– Well then, please tell me about them if I win the fight against Kisaragi Haname.

– Fine. Only if you win.

– I have identified the location, so let's go.

Claude started walking to lead Ellie and Haname, but he immediately turned around, looking at Haname,

– Kisaragi Haname, I will definitely win.

While walking towards the dōjō, Haname asked Ellie, with an almost whispering voice.

– … so, which are the reasons that I can win?

– Haname is a Variant, and Claude is a regular Slayer. Haname has become able to activate freely the ability of the Variant in the past week. So you can definitely win if you use it. In other words, this isn't even a duel.

– Isn't even a duel, you say—

She understands the words of Ellie, but there are too much things to be involved with.

– That means that he has no idea about me being a Variant?

– I haven't talked about that with him, that goes for the ordinary people and the Slayers too, since only a handful of people know about the Variants.

– Oh, I see…

– I have the feeling that it will be difficult for hm to get into it. As for me, I think it's a good idea, like killing two birds with a stone.

– After all, you are a little sly, isn't it? But if I activate the ability of the Variant, then the amount of consumption of energy will rise above basal metabolism. It's the same as using energy, right?

– But the amount of energy used in a portion of the metabolism is different from person to person. In my case, it's considerable higher than most people. Because that portion only increases, I don't mess with it while using it. If it's triggered for only an instant, then it shouldn't be significantly consumed, and with a night's sleep you should be fine.

– Effectively you could say that but…

– What? Then Haname is saying that it's fine for me to go back to Gudenburg?

– I didn't say anything like that…

After a while, they saw the dōjō for Slayers.

It's a wooden building, it looked like the kendo hall where Haname attended.

At the entrance door, a girl is cleaning with a broom.

It's Mei Fan, one of the two people who met by chance with Shuemei at noon.

It looks like he noticed the presence of Haname and the others, since he's quickly bowing and raising his head.

– Greetings, we haven't seen since noon. Did something happen that you are in this place?

It was Ellie who answered that question.

– Actually, we have a small request.

– … a request?

– If it's fine with you, can you let us use the ring, please?

– Eh…?

Towards Mei Fan who is perplexed, Ellie began to talk about the duel that Haname and Claude have. Naturally, they aren't going to use their Hundred.

– If that is the case, I think that there are no issues even if there is no permission from the teachers or the dōjō head but…. I will ask Bakuei who is cleaning inside.

Bakuei is the name of the boy they met during midday.

Mei Fan rushed into the dōjō and came back right away.

– Bakuei said if you do not use your Hundred, it should not be a problem. There is nobody aside from us here now, so please do not worry about anything.

Haname and the others set foot into the dōjō, following the lead of Mei Fan.

The interior is the same as the exterior, it definitely looks like a kendo hall. A white boundary line of around 5 meters by 5 meters is drawn on the wooden floor. That's where the match will take place.

– The armory is this way.

They move to the armory with the guide of Mei Fan.

Even though there were imitations made entirely from wood, there was a variety of swords and spears, as well as things like guns and bullets, everything was crammed and cramped.

– The amount is amazing…

It was Bakuei who's hearing by chance the murmur of Haname and knitted his brows.

– What, how can you be so surprised with this?

If you are a Slayer, then you should be saying that you have seen this much already.

Mei Fan, looking flustered, hit the head of Bakuei.

– Bakuei! Do not utter discourtesy to the Slayers!

*Slap*, a violent sound echoes.

– Kisaragi-san, I really lament the impoliteness that was uttered by Bakuei.

And, Mei Fan bowed deeply her head.

– You too Bakuei, lower your head properly.

– I'm sorry…

Urged by Mei Fan, Bakuei bowed her head.

– No, don't worry about that, raise your head. And to be honest, it's my first time coming to a place like this.

– Does that mean that Kisaragi-san is not from a dōjō?

– I was attending a dōjō where I was doing kendo, but I didn't attend one related to the Hundred.

– And yet, you are participating in the search-and-destroy operation of the Savage, correct? Just like Shuemei-nii-chan said, you are truly amazing.

The eyes of Bakuei that are looking at Haname changed to a gaze of envy.

Looking that, Ellie said very contented,

– Yup, Haname is amazing.

– Hey, don't say unnecessary things…

– Take it easy.

– Oh! I've found a weapon that suits me well.

While Haname was having a talk with the youngsters, Claude, who continued searching in the storehouse, seemed to have found a weapon he uses.

What he has in his hand is something that has a sphere at the end of the chain—it's something that looks like a hammer throw, the ones found at the track-and-field events.

. That resembles the form of your Hundred?

– Exactly. My Hundred is a Crusher type. The form of the weapon is a hammer. So, Kisaragi Haname, what's the form and weapon of your Hundred?

– My Hundred is a Chevalier type, the weapon is a sword.

While answering, Haname picked up a bamboo sword.

– Are you okay with that? Compared to Hien, it's quite small and thin…

Ellie was showing an expression that said Why don't you pick a bigger sword, huh?

Certainly, in this storehouse there's a metal fake sword that resembles the shape of Hien rather than the bamboo sword.

But Haname intentionally chose the bamboo sword.

– In Yamato I used this for the practice of fencing, so I'm fine with it.

– … if so, it's your choice. I don't want any complaints after this.

Haname grasped tightly the bamboo sword, and left the storehouse with Claude, then moved to the match ring.

– Are you really sure? Even the length of the weapon is quite short compared to Hien

Ellie looks very worried.

Maybe she only gives her all when her life is on the line?

– Yeah, I'm really sure.

Haname replied with confidence, and like Claude, she moved to the ring, they are facing each other with a distance of about 3 meters.

(As expected, the bamboo sword doesn't fit in my hands, but Hien isn't easy to use either…)

She remembered when she was bending and stretching, just before she started practicing kendo.

I want to become strong.

To not lose my important people.

To never be apart from them again.

Haname took the bamboo sword in one of her hands, because of the Second Attack that occurred in Gudenburg.

The sudden encounter of the Savage.

Separating from the boy he was worried about.

And now, in order to protect the boy of that time, she decided to do it like this, by taking a bamboo sword—

– … why are you laughing?

– No, it's nothing.

Even though it's different from the form she was imagining, that time is definitely connected to the present.

There's no way that she could say such an embarrassing thing, but she thought that what she has done so far it hasn't been for nothing, and so, her mouth spontaneously relaxed.

Besides, she smiles till here.

From here on, she must become serious.

– I'm curious about it, but it's okay. Well then, shall we start the match?

– Yeah, let's do it.

Haname readies the bamboo sword in an overhead position.

It's her first time in a long time doing this stance.

When looking towards Claude who's standing in front of him, he began to spin the wooden sphere with the movement of her arm.

– Boy, can you give the start?

– Ah, yes!

Replying, Bakuei straightened his hand towards the ceiling.

– Well then—start!

At the same time Bakuei swung downward the arm, the match started, but neither Haname nor Claude moved.

They are fixedly staring at each other.

– Aren't you coming?

Claude said in order to provoke her.

Still, Haname doesn't move.

– If you don't come, then I'll go towards you!

It's Claude who got tired of waiting and rushed out.

– How about this, Kisaragi Haname!

She dodged with a back step the hammer that was released from overhead towards the ground, but Claude advances a step further and started to attack in succession, drawing a cross-like shape from left to right.

Haname dodged it while rolling horizontally.

– Holy shit, this guy is quick!

He shouts with frustration, but his attack doesn't stop there.

Haname avoided it and steps forwards, then Claude sweeps down the hammer again.

Haname crouched down, rolls horizontally like she did moments ago and avoids the hammer.

And then, she tries to slash at the body of Claude that is full of gaps.

– It's not enough!

– Wha…!

The bamboo sword was heavily weighted.

While looking at it, the chain is wrapped around the bamboo sword.

Claude coiled the chain around it, using the centrifugal force thanks to the weight of the wooden ball.

– What's wrong? You can't move with this?

*Jari*, the chain makes a sound.

In that situation, the body of Haname approaches Claude.

Otherwise, the bamboo sword would break, so she couldn't go against him.

(Dammit, what do I do…?)

If this continues, Claude will do as he pleases.

– This is the end, Kisaragi Haname!

– Kkh…!

The chain sounds for a second time.

The bamboo sword makes a creaking sound without breaking, and her body looks like is about to float.

Thereupon, the chain was suddenly loosened.

– Uwaah!

Haname lost her balance due to the sudden pace and falls on her backside on the floor.

Of course, Haname stands up, but Claude won't wait for him to adjust her stance.

– This is it!

He has the intention to decide the match here.

Shouting, Claude raised high overhead the wooden ball.

(If it has come to this, it can't be helped….)

She wanted to win without the ability of the Variant if possible, but she's not in a situation where she can say such a thing.

If she loses, she will be separated from Ellie.

(…I'm against that… so…!)

This moment is when she activated the ability of the Variant.

She seems to appeal to herself and,

—*Ba-dump*!

Her heart beat fast.

In a split second, the eyes of Haname changed from black to golden color and began to release an intense brilliance.

The scenery in front of the eyes of Haname changed completely.

Her field of vision isn't gold-colored.

The movement of everything became slow, so not only Claude, but also the children, Ellie and the movement of the approaching wooden ball can be perceived completely with her eyes.

She senses that 1 second became 30 seconds.

And still, the speed of her movement doesn't change.

Haname stood up, making sure to straighten up her back, then swung the bamboo sword horizontally to the half of the top and bottom of his body, towards the torso of Claude.

At the same time, the world returns to its original speed as well as the response of the victory transmitted from both arms.

The color of the eyes of Haname also returned from golden to their original black.

– …ah.

Claude falls with a thud on the floor while leaking a small scream from his mouth.

– The match has ended!

Bakuei shouted, with the hand stretched to the ceiling.

– Yay, as expected of Haname!

She guesses he couldn't endure the joy.

Ellie jumped to Haname who's taking a breath.

– Hey, stop it, the kids are looking at us with weird eyes!

The face of Haname turns deep red and pulls his body apart.

– Ah, I'm sorry. It's just…

*Ahaha*, while rubbing his head, he brought his lips close to the ear of Haname and whispered.

– It seems like it went smoothly, isn't it?

– That's true, but…

Haname points her eyes to Claude who's groaning on the floor.

– … are you okay?

Haname extended her hand, approaching Claude.

However, he never grabbed it.

On the contrary, he glares at Haname,

– …you can't stand by yourself without borrowing your strength!

Saying that, he stood up.

Drops of tears can be seen on the corner of his eyes.

– … about what we discussed, Claude. Don't think that you can try to take me back to Gudenburg from now on.

Ellie asserts mercilessly, as if to destroy any possible hopes,

– No!

Claude replied, turning his face away.

– What do you mean with "no"? That's not what you promised!

– Because Kisaragi Haname is a sneaky person!

– Eh?

– A sneaky person?

A surprised expression appears on the facial expression of Ellie and Haname.

They thought that maybe he found out that she used the ability of the Variant, but it seems that that's not the case.

– I don't get it but, she was weird!

Claude shouted and continued his words.

– Otherwise, I wouldn't have lost to you.

– No, that…

It wasn't because he discovered that she used the ability of the Variant, but because he just doesn't want to admit that he has lost.

The fact that he doesn't understand properly the situation, they don't know if that's convenient or not.

– I will absolutely expose your cunning deeds. Time is necessary for that. So, postpone the result of this duel until then!

– Ah, hey!

– Claude!

*Criiiiiiiiiiiieeeeees*, with a crying voice, Claude jumped out of the dōjō.

– In short, that means I didn't win the match now?

Ellie murmured with a bewildered appearance.

– You did use the ability of the Variant, and what he was saying isn't mistaken, so…

– I feel that this has become even more troublesome somehow.

– To begin with, it's your fault. You said that I had to accept the duel.

– Um, but I thought that I could stay forever by the side of Haname with this …

Murmuring in a small voice so that he couldn't be heard by Bakuei or Mei Fan, Ellie sighed profoundly.

End of Chapter 2


Chapter 3
Operation Begins/Feelings of Clark/Jamming

The very day of the beginning of the operation. After lunch, the Slayers changed their clothes to their Variable Suits and gathered at the base camp set in the wilderness.

– Well then, I will stay here. I will be praying for your safety.

Unlike Haname and the others, Shuemei sent them out, and is wearing the uniform of Little Garden Martial Arts Department like yesterday.

He's being stationed at this base during the operation as it was decided that he will do logistical support with members of Warslan's communication unit that came along from Little Garden.

– Of course that we are going to come back safely. Don't you think so, Haname?

– Yeah.

Prompted by Ellie, Haname nodded firmly.

Shuemei shows a relieved smile towards the usual sight.

Continuing, Clark opened his mouth.

– Ryu Shuemei—although you are going to remain here in this base, you are a Slayer member of Little Garden desu. Please firmly grasp the state of our vitality, the remaining amount of our sense energy and the progress of the strategy masuwa.

– Yes!

– Good answer desu. Precisely because we have a logistical support unit, we the frontline troops can fight with confidence desu. You are not going to fight directly but comprehending the battle with the Savage on the battlefield should be a great asset for your future desuwa.

Parting with Shuemei, Haname and co. aligned at the place where the rally was held last night.

There's no need to say that there are no dishes, chairs or tables, only the air strained with bottles is here.

Haname was a bit nervous due to the sudden change in the atmosphere.

Both Laetitia and Fiona are the same.

Their faces are stiff.

When all the organizations have finished forming a line, the commander of the United Nations Peacekeeping Forces, Acel Besancon, appeared on the stage, greeting at the rally.

– I will be informing the brave Slayers about the details of the 《Operation: Bird in Cage》 that we will be carrying out from now on.

What was told by Acel is that the fifty Slayers in this place are divided into 10 teams and 2 of those 10 teams will be standing by at the base and are going to be sent to the neighboring villages when the Savage appear and will be dispatched to the location of a team that have fallen into a critical situation.

The remaining 8 teams are deployed so as to surround Mt. Kongur and Mt. Kunlun, and each of them will move to their place of destination. While taking a rest, they will explore the surroundings. They will descend the mountain by the night of the next day and will return.

The team divisions are already done by the UN Peacekeeping Forces who are taking command of this operation.

It's to ensure that no organization loses, and yet, it seems that Slayers of more than two countries are expected to be included in a team.

– Does that mean that Haname won't be in the same team as me? I haven't heard anything about that discussion, but…

– It was decided at the lunch meeting yesterday desu. I told Fiona and Laetitia after the rally, but I didn't tell you since you came back first deshitawane.

It was a thorny way of speaking, like blaming the two of them, but Clark knows the circumstances about why Haname and Elliot slipped out of the rally.

Last night, while Haname was returning to the hotel from the dōjō, Clark noticed that they weren't in the venue and made a phone call to ask the reasons for acting without permission.

At that time, Ellie talked about Claude to Clark.

Although Haname didn't know, in the interrogation that was done after the secret that Ellie Crossfode is Elliot Hermit was leaked out at the time of the first sortie, Ellie told Clark that he was the second prince of Gudenburg.

Therefore, he was able to understand their circumstances right away.

– But, why do we need a team? And a combination team—

– Because it depends on the ability of the Slayer according to the organization, you see? And because it has the nuance of monitoring.

It's Eric who answered that.

– … monitoring?

What's that? Elliot cocks his head in puzzlement.

– The remuneration for the search-and-destroy operation of the Savage carried by the UN Peacekeeping Forces is divided among the war results of the participating countries. Each Slayer comes to this place on behalf of their country or organization. In other words, some may try to sacrifice other countries and increase their achievements. There may be a possibility of manipulating the number of Savages that they slaughter. They may hide them and bring them back to their countries without reporting the cores of the Savages and the Variable Stones they acquire in the operation. It's to prevent such things.

– Although they are affiliated with the UN, they aren't monoliths, huh…

– Exactly.

– So, are Haname and I in the same team? It's important to know that.

– That's something we don't know. That's going to be announced now.

With the words of Lloyd, Haname and the others turned their eyes on the stage again and a man with several sheets of paper on his hands appeared on the stage and replaced Acel, the commander.

He informs that he's the deputy commander and starts announcing the team divisions.

A team is a team mainly composed by the Army of the Qin Empire.

B team is a team mainly composed by the Army of the Empire of Rasiya.

C team is a team mainly composed by the Army of Liberia.

D team is a team mainly composed by the Slayers of Al-Salaam

(I hope to be with Haname, I hope to be with Haname…)

Ellie was praying, piling up his hands in front of his chest.

– Next is E team. Kisaragi Haname from Little Garden—

The moment she was called, Haname showed a surprised reaction.

– Next, Ellie Crossfode.

The moment he was called, the expression of Ellie became bright in a flash.

But, it quickly turned into a grim one.

It's because the deputy commander announced the names of Clark and Eric.

It looks like the hopes of Ellie wasn't completely definite, since E team is formed almost entirely by Little Garden.

– And finally, from the Empire of Britannia, Claude Lowetti.

– Eh…

Following Ellie who opened his mouth without thinking, apart from Laetitia and Fiona who don't know the circumstances at all—Clark, Lloyd, Eric and Haname showed a troubled look.

Haname found the figure of Claude out of the many Slayers, looking at her surroundings.

The moment the line of sight of Haname and Claude overlapped, Claude shows a sinister-like smile.

He looked like he was saying that he can recover from the front of the promise of the duel of yesterday.

– Even though I'm finally with Haname, why do I have to be together with Claude…

Ellie murmured spontaneously.

– I wonder if we can change the division of the team somehow…

– I think that it is impossible already masuwayo. Good thing is that both Eric and I are in the same team with you desuwane.

What Clark meant to say is that with these members, the possibility that the real identity of Ellie is found out is low.

– That may be so, but it's still a hindrance…

– … did you say something?

– No, not at all.

From there, the announcement of team divisions continues.

Fiona, Laetitia and Lloyd were assigned to F team all together. A boy, Al Harlech of Al Salaam and Wendell Velvet of the Army of Liberia joined them, totaling 5 people.

Four boys and one woman, the gender composition is the same as the team of Haname.

– If it wasn't for the battle, this does really looks like a harem, don't you think?

Fiona said while laughing.

Laetitia suddenly stepped on one of her feet.

– … ah, what are you doing!? You are injuring an important fighting power before the battle, you know!

– Humph, that's because you say stupid things.

Laetitia turns his face away.

Once the announcement for J team finished, each and every one of the teams gathered.

The Slayers who are parting vowed to meet again tomorrow.

– 'kay then, see you tomorrow.

– Yeah.

Haname does a high five with Fiona, wishing to meet again.

Laetitia declared while putting both hands on his waist.

– I'll beat a lot of Savage, I'm not going to lose against you!

– It's fine to have that enthusiasm, but don't get injured by doing something absurd. That's the most important desuwayo. Understood desuka?

– Yes.

– Of course.

– Well then Clark-sama, see you later.

Laetitia and Fiona replied cheerfully all together and went to the meeting place of F team with Lloyd.

– We should also move.

When they moved to the meeting place of E team along with the guidance of Clark, Claude was waiting for them with an imposing stance.

– … Haname, be careful.

– Even if you tell me to be careful…

– In any case, we have no choice but to work with his masenwa.

Clark said so and went forward before Haname and the others, heading towards Claude, then presented his right hand.

– Nice to meet you, I am Clark Harvey, Student Council President of Little Garden desu.

– … I know that. You are famous…

While pouting his lips, Claude replied, but he didn't hold the hand that was presented by Clark. Even against Clark, the representative of Elliot's current living place, he seems to be wary.

While fixedly staring at such Claude, Clark opens his mouth.

– I have heard about the relationship between you and Ellie Crossfode, and I also know the purpose about why you are here masu. However, as for us, Ellie Crossfode is an important companion and an essential fighting power desu. If he wants to stay with us, then we will do our utmost to protect him masu.

– … what do you want to say?

Claude shows a sulky attitude towards the sudden preemptive attack of Clark. Clark continued his words.

– We will come out to the battlefield from now on desu. Each of our lives will be exposed to critical situations, so my purpose is to try to not get caught in them desu. That is why I have exposed my own thoughts here mashita.

– … I see. I understand that. I have discerned something like that.

– —If that's the case.

With a smile, Clark presented his hand once again.

– Fine, I understand.

Muttering like being annoyed, Claude grasps back.

(Are we safe for the time being with this?)

While still being with anxiety, wireless Vital Rings and other tools used in this operation, together with pouches and rucksacks to put those things in, began to be distributed by the UN Peacekeeping Forces.

In the case of a five-person team, they are divided in: two vanguards, two rear guards and the last one is the support, and everyone carry their luggage in a distributive way.

The vanguard and rear guard have pouches. The support members will carry the backpacks and various supplies.

On E team, Haname and Claude, who have melee weapons, are the vanguard, Clark, whose weapon is mainly a long range one, and Ellie, whose weapon is registered as a Dragoon type, are the rear guard. Eric is the assistant role.

After listening to the explanation, the members of each team equip the Vital Ring on their arms and once they are ready, it has been decided that they will be transported to the operation starting point by a small transport helicopter.

Thus, the joint operation under the UN Peacekeeping Forces was starting exactly in the afternoon.


– There's really a lot of them, huh. If we think in the numbers of the Hundred only, then it's like a mountain of treasure.

A boy with bright hair and darkish skin is observing the Slayers of the UN Peacekeeping Forces with binoculars from an elevation in the desert.

He's Nakri, one of the three Hunters who flew from the unfolded fierce battle against Haname and the others in the Zwei Islands.

– Moreover, there's a large number of Savages on that mountain. A real mountain of treasure, isn't it?

The next one who opened their mouth is Krovanh, a girl with an aloof personality.

– If we finish this mission, we are going to clear what we had to do and will be free…

There's another boy, one who has a red scarf, he's Nesat, Krovanh's older bother, who said so.

– … at last, right…?

Nakri murmured with a voice tinged with sadness.

Nesat nods.

– C'mon! Let's go Nakri, Nii-chan! Let's head to Mt. Kongur!


2pm of the first day of the operation. Haname and the others have already descended from the helicopter and were halfway down Mt. Kongur. One hour has passed since they started the search.

Because human beings haven't entered this area for nearly 10 years, plants and trees have grown in abundance as a matter of course, and even though there's quite a lot of animals and bugs they aren't familiar with, there's nothing abnormal so far.

Only that much gave a little of a hiking feeling… but the truth is, the heart of Haname can't be at ease.

She should be fine, she's walking with Ellie, behind them are Clark and Eric. But, the problem is that behind them—

– …

Claude Lowetti is walking, making sure to glare at Haname.

In the last hour, Haname was continuously feeling something stinging, like thirst for blood on her back. Even though it's not like he was going to swoop down on him abruptly, in a situation like that, it was natural for her mind to be wearing out.

– The weather has become somewhat worse mashitawane.

Stopping his feet, Clark muttered while looking at the sky.

Of course, they don't have an umbrella.

If it starts to rain, they will have to take shelter from the rain somewhere, or else they will have to move forward while getting wet.

– Please wait a moment, I will check the latest data on weather forecast.

Eric's glasses connected wirelessly to the PDA inside his pouch. He's opening the weather data.

– In the latest weather forecast, the precipitation probability is near 50% between 9pm and midnight local time, but outside of that hour is around 10%. If we exclude those 3 hours, although there are many clouds, I think that the rain will come first.

– If that's the case, at that time we will surely be in the shed, the place of destination already, so it shouldn't be that much of a problem desuwane. However, if the Savages appear during that time, it will be a little troublesome.

– Troublesome?

– Optical weapons don't get along with rain, you know.

Ellie whispers into Haname's ear who thought is that so?

Although it uses energy, the beams emitted from an optical weapon drop due to the friction with air, dust, dirt and so on.

She remembers learning in classes that rain is the biggest among them.

– Haa, I can't believe that you, a man of such degree, says that she doesn't remember such a commonsense thing, is worthy of Elliot-sama.

– … worthy of Elliot-sama? What is he talking about desuno?

Haname gets stared at by Clark.

– No, that, well…

And, Haname was at a loss for words.

– Everyone, please calm down a little.

Eric exclaimed.

– From the direction of three o'clock from our direction of movement, I hear the sounds of many trees grazing against something.

– Eh…?

Eric turned his eyes towards that direction, Haname and all present turned their eyes, and heard it.

– Certainly, I heard it.

Ellie shows consent with a small voice.

– Yes, I heard it too mashitawa.

– I heard it too.

That's the same for Claude.

Of course, Haname also noticed the sound.

Not only the sounds of threes touching each other, but also sounds like branches of trees breaking can be heard.

– It would be nice if it was a bear or a wolf but…

Clark makes a severe facial expression.

If it was an ordinary human, it's still enough a subject of terror, but not for the Slayers.

Compared to the Savage, they are an easy opponent.

– Let's go check first.

Ellie walks ahead.

He's doing it slowly to not make a sound.

Nukiashi, sashiashi, shinobiashi.

– … there it is shitawane.

Having walked not more than 100 meters, Haname and the boys stopped their feet, as they could see and confirm the figure of their target from the opening of the many trees.

Eric muttered at the same time he grasps the giant that is 50 meters ahead.

– In the end, it was a Savage…

Moreover, it wasn't one, but two of them.

Eric moves fiercely the eyes beyond the glasses.

His glasses are wirelessly connected to the PDA inside his pouch and the Vital Ring, so that images can be projected on it. It seems he's analyzing the Savage, comparing it with its historical data.

– It looks like these are just normal types. They are relatively small. Given our strength, they aren't great opponents.

– If so, I will take care of one of them. Emile Crossfode, Kisaragi Haname, Claude Lowetti, please take care of the other Savage.

– The president is going to take care of it by himself?

– It's no more than a normal type, so with me is enough desuwa. We still have a long way to go, so we should be able to consume minimal energy desu.

Clark shouted, taking out the Hundred.

HUNDRED ON!

The red ore shed green light, the body of the president is wrapped in popping particles and is quickly covered in red armor.

In the surroundings of his body, there are six floating batteries, they are the symbol of his Dragoon type Hundred, 《Noble Warrior Princess》 Alisterion.

– Come now, deploy you too.

– No need to tell me.

Following Ellie who replied, both Haname and Claude also deploy their Hundred.

– Hmm, is that your Hundred…?

What appeared on the body of Claude and that wrapped up him in orange particles is a western knight style Sliver Plate and a hammer-like thing that he was holding in his hand and used it like he did yesterday at the dōjō, it's evident that what's attached to the tip it's not a wooden ball, but an iron ball-like thing.

– Yes, this is my Crusher type Hundred, 《Rose Iron Ball》 Tudor Rose. Fufun, what do you think, it's cool, isn't it?

Claude was elated and behaved like a spoiled child.

– Like always, the armament of Elliot-sama is also very cool. Kisaragi Haname doesn't deserve a mention.

– I told you, stop calling me Elliot!

Like that, Ellie was dressed in white armor and deployed 《Fog that Covers Everything》 Arms Shroud around his body.

The right arm of Haname, who's standing next to him, is covered with an armor like a sleeve of an armor piled up many times, and a thick sword appears in her hand.

Her Hundred, 《Swallow in Flight》 Hien, is a Chevalier type.

– It looks like everyone is ready desuwane. In that case, I will begin masuwa.

Clark confirmed that the other three finished deploying their Hundred and deployed six floating batteries towards the target and accelerated, going after it.

The targeted Savage soon realized the presence of a foreign enemy aiming at itself.

Rising violently while moving its antennas, it takes offense.

Aiming at the Savage, the floating batteries of Clark began to fire beams one after another.

With a glimpse, it seems there's almost no damage, as it defended against them with its steel shell, but the barrier covering the surface is wearing out while receiving the beams.

Depending on the specimen, if it receives more than 10 beams, then they'll be able to surely penetrate the barrier.

– Ah, it's gone!

Haname shouted instinctively.

It went through the barrier of the Savage and an air hole was opened in the steel shell.

Savage raised a yell-like scream, raised both pincers overhead and launched an attack on Clark.

But Clark dodged them with a jump, then changed the armor of his right arm in the air into a railgun.

The six floating batteries assembled with the railgun, turning into something like a huge cannon.

– I will finish it—with this desuwa!

What he's aiming at is, of course, the core that is in the head.

According to Clark's declaration, the brilliant energy bundles and gathers in the muzzle and not only pierced through the defense of the Savage, but also the steel shell and the core.

– Amazing…

Haname muttered spontaneously.

It was because the battle style of Clark, as well as his alias, 『Undefeated King』 Perfect King and 『Guardian of the Roses』 Rose Guardian, were refreshed to a certain degree in her mind.

– We can't get behind!

Immediately after Ellie said so.

– If so, I will go!

Shouting, Claude rushed out alone and ran towards the Savage.

– Will he be fine?

– I think he'll be okay, I guess… well, let's see. If it gets dangerous, then we should help him.

He doesn't look flustered at all, even though he's fighting now, that's because Ellie won't do things like exposing his childhood friend to the danger in a merciless way.

(H-he won't, right…?)

She became somewhat worried, but Ellie said that Claude's skill as Slayer was equal to Laetitia and Fiona.

If so, he should manage it somehow.

Looks like it was perceiving the presence of enemies nearby.

The Savage moved its long haptic senses and noticed the approaching Claude, standing up and attacking just like the one who did it with Clark.

And then, as soon as it opened its head, it fired a bombardment.

– Ha, something like this, it's nothing!

However, he wasn't perturbed at all by the sudden bombardment.

Claude avoided the beam that was fired by jumping and brandished Tudor Rose. Because of his sense energy, things like red thorns appear from the iron ball.

– Take this!

Claude's iron ball hits the defense barrier of the Savage.

However, it didn't lead to its destruction. It was merely scratched by the thorns.

– There's no need to say that that wasn't all.

Claude pulled the chain of his hand and attracted the iron ball to his body, then rotate it over his head, and hit the big body of the Savage again.

However, what he hits is the abdomen covered with steel shell, the Savage wasn't affected at all.

On the contrary, it raised its pincers.

But Claude didn't try to evade them.

– Hah, there's no need to do that with something of this degree!

Claude immediately stops the blow of the right pincer of the Savage with the iron ball attached to the end of the hammer that pulled towards himself and return it as it is.

The pincer springs up towards the sky.

And while Claude rotates his body using centrifugal force, he delivered a hit towards the torso with Tudor Rose.

The giant Savage blows off while knocking down all kinds of trees and crashes into a rock wall.

Because of the impact of hitting the wall, the Savage can't move. It seems that it's in a rigid state.

Unlike a while ago, in this state it lowered its head.

– Finish it, Elliot-sama!

– Got it!

This is not the time to say to him to not call her Elliot.

Ellie jumped high inside the whirling cloud of dust, changes one of his Arms Shroud to something like a huge hammer and swings it down, aiming at the core of the Savage.

– Eat this!

The shock was enough to destroy the defense and the core in one go.

– As always, Elliot-sama is superb!

– I'm telling you, I'm Ellie, not Elliot…

– No, that's no good, Elliot-sama. And what do you think? Don't you agree that I did a good combination with Elliot-sama, and that I'm more useful than Kisaragi Haname?

– Don't tell me, it was your intention to let me finish it off like that?

– That's right, the first group work of us.

Claude shows a bashful facial expression, putting both hands on his cheeks.

Haname thinks, looking at their exchange.

(In some way, they are quite similar…)

She thought that the behavior of Ellie hugging out of nowhere may be the influence of this boy.

… or maybe it's related to their lineage?

Both of them are very obstinate, and only hear themselves.

– Anyway, shouldn't we end our task first…?

Eric sighs with exasperation.

– I think so too desuwane.

Following Clark who nods and cancels the armament, both Ellie and Claude also cancel their armaments.

Finally, Haname also canceled her armament.

– Eric, report the end of the battle to HQ please.

– Understood.

After he listens to the reply of Eric, Clark approaches the side of the corpse of the Savage and began to bury black, small stakes-like things on the ground that he retrieved from the pouch.

– What are you doing?

– I am attaching a transmitter desuwa.

– … a transmitter?

Being told so, it definitely has a shape like an antenna.

– The position data of this place has already been transmitted to the base camp, but it is easier for the soldiers at HQ to recover the core if you set this up desuwa.

In other words, it seems that the soldiers of the UN Peacekeeping Forces will come to collect the core of the Savage later.

Clark finished installing the transmitters, turned around and pointed his eyes towards Haname.

– … Kisaragi Haname. Are you perhaps thinking that you couldn't do anything now?

– Eh…?

– Am I wrong?

– No, you are correct.

– It is obvious. You were having that sort of face.

Clark slips out a smile.

– But, do not worry about that masenwa. We still have long ways to go from now on desu. Surely there will be times when we will need your strength desuwa. When that happens, you have to fully demonstrate your strength. We count on you masuwayo.


5 hours have passed since the operation began.

The sun is almost hidden in the ridgeline of the mountain and the sky is dyed with gradation of cobalt and madder red colors.

The F team where Fiona, Laetitia and Lloyd belong to, is battling with the Savage.

– Take this!

It's Al Harlech, a boy of Al Salaam who swung downward a weapon shaped like a Yanagi knife that he held with both hands, pointing towards the defensive barrier of the Savage, jumping high.

The attack didn't lead to the destruction of the defensive barrier, but it was effective, it only had the effect of bringing down the head of the Savage that was just about to attack.

– Laetitia-san, the chance is now!

A boy of the army of Liberia. It's Wendell Velvet, the supporter of F group who shouts.

– Yeah, leave it to me!

If it's right after the attack, then the Savage will incline its head, that means that it's in a rigid state and that it can't attack.

The accelerated Laetitia struck the knuckle shining in pink color, which is the color of his energy, on the defensive barrier of the Savage.

Although he was able to destroy the defensive barrier, it didn't lead to the destruction of the core.

– Out of the way, I'll finish it off!

– No way!

When Laetitia shouted, Harlech protested, his face is deep red.

– Don't "no way" me! That's not what we agreed!

In this battle, the vanguards Laetitia and Harlech decided to start attacking it by turns, one hit each.

Only that, Laetitia's behavior goes against the rules, making Harlech to lay bare his anger.

– No, I haven't broken my promise.

– What, the…? What do you mean with that, Laetitia Saint-Émillion!

– Because, my attack hasn't ended yet.

Laetitia smiles and shouts.

– Look, this is my new "Killer • Technique"!

The moment the fist emitted a strong light, the knuckle separated from the arm and penetrated without stopping not only the steel shell, but also the core of the Savage.

– How was it!?

The knuckle left a trail of pink color like a rocket and returns to the arm of Laetitia who shows a "got you!" facial expression.

*Whistles*, you used it, huh? I haven't heard of that either.

Whistling, Fiona praises him.

– Fufufu, if the opponent is a Slayer, it's possible to damage them with shock waves and air swirls but I thought that's not going to work if the opponent is a Savage. I consulted Dr. Charlie to improve secretly the Hundred in order to use this technique. It was an attack at zero distance this time, but this can be released towards long distances. What do you think? Amazing, right!?

– Uh huh, amazing, and I was truly surprised. You do have a head to think about something like that, don't you?

– Don't touch my head! Even I fight thinking with diligence, you know!? I'm not a child, I'm an adult already!

– Anyway, with this, we have defeated 2. Wendell, can you contact HQ?

– Yes, understood, Lloyd-san.

Watching Wendell who starts the communication, Lloyd canceled his armament. Next, Laetitia, Fiona and Harlech cancel their armaments too.

– They are coming to collect the cores right away. I will set up the communication devices now, please wait a moment.

Wendell began to bury the communication devices in the ground.

In the meanwhile, in order to take a look at the situation of the others, Fiona starts to touch the PDA that she took out from the pouch.

– Oh, Haname's team has defeated four.

– What, for real!?

– Look and confirm it by yourself.

Doing as he was told, Laetitia also takes out the PDA and confirms it.

– Wow, it's true! As one would expect of Haname and the others.

– We must do our best as well.

– Yup!


In the dark woods, Haname and co. were engaging their third fight today. They encountered only 1 Savage this time—

– This will decide it!

Haname saw the gap created by Ellie and the president and readied Hien in an overhead position, then accelerated and soared through the opening of the many trees and stabbed the pointed end of the sword into the core.

The core breaks in two due to the attack and the movement of the Savage stops.

– Hooray!

Landing on the ground, Haname takes a breath.

– You were able to play an active role like you wanted, Kisaragi Haname.

Clark shows appreciation for her efforts while showing a smile full of fondness.

– I only did it because I was the last one. It's thanks to the president and the others.

– Humph, exactly.

When Haname showed a humble attitude, Claude laughs scornfully, looking down on her.

– In the first place, you were able to deliver the final blow because I destroyed its defensive barrier with Tudor Rose.

It seems that Claude won't recognize the ability of Haname.

– Of course, I also acknowledge your results masuwayo, Claude Lowetti.

– I- I don't care, it-it's not that I wanted to gain results!

In response to the words of Clark, Claude counterarguments, and his face turns red.

– Anyway, this is the fifth one. It feels nice.

That's what Ellie said.

– I agree.

Eric nodded and continues his words.

– We are almost at our target point, and for now nobody is hurt. The amount of consumption of sense energy isn't that great, it's safe to say that we executed it perfectly, don't you agree?

– How is the situation of Fiona team?

– Please wait a moment. I will connect to the database of the basecamp and check it.

The glasses of Eric who received the question of Haname begin to emit light inside the darkness.

– It appears that they have defeated their third Savage. They are approaching their target point like us, and there's no information regarding injuries and the like. However—

Eric's facial expression becomes cloudy.

– Is there something wrong?

Being worried, Haname asked again.

– It's not that much of being a problem, but their consumption of sense energy is strong. There's almost no damage on their side but having that many fights is a waste. Especially Laetitia and the Slayer of Al-Salaam, Al Harlech, both have consumed more than 50% of sense energy. The sense energy of the other two people has barely decreased, but…

– Does that mean those two are fighting for battle results?

– Al-Salaam is an antagonistic organization of Little Garden, so that possibility is high.

Eric agrees to the guess of Ellie, and continued, sighing with exasperation.

– When we arrive at the destination point, we will be able to eat and sleep. With that, sense energy will recover naturally, so we shouldn't care about too much. Other than me, our team has consumed around 20% of sense energy.

– I'll say a little more but, how much further is the destination point? I'm a little hungry now.

Ellie asks Eric while covering his abdomen with his hands.

– We are still around 5 kilometers away of the mark point desuwayo.

Clark answered after finishing setting the transmitter near the corpse of the Savage.

It seems that he was checking the map data with the PDA.

– In short, we have to endure around one hour more.

Sighing, Ellie mutters.

– I want to eat food asap, so I hope we don't encounter more Savages…

The wish of Ellie came true, they didn't encounter any Savages till they get to the target point.

As Clark hypothesized, they were able to reach the target point around the established time.

As might be expected from this vicinity which entrance was blocked for 10 years, there are ivies twisting around the shed, emanating quite an ominous atmosphere.

– Looks like the lock is broken.

Eric thrusted the key that he was entrusted with by the operation headquarters into the keyhole, but he's unable to rotate it.

– What do we do? Assuming we break the door, it will be extremely unlikely to rest inside this tattered state, and it looks that it will rain.

– Don't worry desuwa, Ellie Crossfode. This shed is no more than our place of destination. I also assumed this situation nanodesu.

Clark says that there are no blankets nor sleeping bags in this shed in the first place.

The goods of that kind were delivered from a transport aircraft around one hour before they arrived, there's an arranged tent for taking a rest among those goods.

– So, where are those supplies?

Haname asks after Ellie.

– Please wait a moment.

Eric's glasses shone out in the light darkness. Somehow, he's projecting the map data on the lens.

– I have found the location. There seems to be a box with goods in the direction of north-northwest—that is, 11 o'clock, 300 meters from this place. Nonetheless, it has a transmitter attached to it, so it will be easier to find it before the sun has completely gone, so let's recover it fast.

Following the lead of Eric, Haname and the others walk in the light dark forest.

– This seems to be the area.

Eric's Vital Ring was shining bluish-white.

It appears to be informing that the objective is within the radius of 50 meters.

– Over there!

Haname notices that a part of the thicket is emitting light when she creeps with her line of sight the surroundings and indicates with her finger.

When heading to that place, there was a square box of around 1 meter in length, width and depth, marked with the stamp of the UN Peacekeeping Forces, covered with cushion around it.

– There's no doubt this is the one desuwane.

– Do we open it here?

– No, let's go back to the shed, we will open it there.

– If so, I'll carry it.

When Haname heard the answer of Clark, she puts her hands on the boxes, looking like she's showing her manliness,

– I'll help too.

And, Ellie put his hands on the box too.

Claude raised his voice there.

– There's no need for Elliot-sama to do that! If Elliot-sama holds it, then I will hold it!

And, Claude puts his hands on the box, pushing aside Ellie.

– Kisaragi Haname, we will carry it.

– O-okay…

While puzzled, Haname answered and raised the box.

– It-it's heavy…

– I don't think so.

The contents are probably around 20 kilos.

– Should I help you?

– It's fine. The hands of Elliot-sama mustn't suffer!

Claude keeps carrying the box, although he seems to be suffering with the height difference with Haname.

They walked a bit, and *drops* *drops*, it started to rain.

– It feels like we will have to contest a big one, don't you think?

As guessed by Eric, when they arrived in front of the shed, the rain was pretty strong.

When Haname and Claude put the box under the eaves at the entrance of the shed, Eric brings the Vital Ring to input the PIN that came with the email closer to the sensor.

Sounding with a click, the lock is released, open the box, and check the paper placed on the top.

Inside the box is a folded tent and 5 sleeping bags—.

And, it is written that there's water and battlefield meal combat rations that come sealed in silver aluminum, like a retort pouch.

– Let's set up the tent for the time being.

Clark took the tent.

Haname also helps setting up the tent.

She was taught about it in class work, and since this was something made by Warslan Company, she was able to set it up in the blink of an eye, without being bewildered.

In order to keep out the rain, everyone enters into it.

The size is wide, but barely enough to let 5 people lie down.

Immediately after, Eric informs Shuemei, who's in the base camp, that they arrived at the objective point, recovered the supplies and started to rest, Haname and the others also were able to hear this conversation since it was in open mode.

They are now listening to the situation of the other units.

Looks like more than half of the teams, including the team of Fiona, haven't arrived at their destinations. He continues informing the instructions that come after this.

There are many dangers while raining, so refrain from exploring, remain in the tent and take a rest.

As the rain will stop past midnight, they can explore their surroundings lightly, focusing on their current point.

Continue doing that until tomorrow noon, descend the mountain, and the operation is over.

– Well then, please continue doing your best.

Being those words the last ones, the communication with Shuemei was terminated.

– I'm going to eat to my heart's desire!

Ellie gives a happy voice.

The meal is a hard cookie in a sealed silver-colored aluminum pack. Three cookies come in a pack, and if you eat these, you can ingest enough calories to move for a day, these are indeed battlefield meals.

Certainly, it's adjusted to have a great effect on the recovery of vital and sense energy but, the degree of satisfaction was another problem, since the taste was very nonexistent.

The stomach of Ellie, the glutton, wasn't satisfied without gourmet, and even after he finished his meal, his stomach was rumbling as if it was natural.

– Ugh, this doesn't calm my hunger…. The ones that I ate in the outside training before with meat paste were delicious. And there was canned food…

– It can't be helped because the current battlefield meal is from Al-Salaam.

It's said that the amount of supplies goods being used is approximately the same from Warslan, Al-Salaam and Paladian, the three companies which are the major Private Military Companies participating in this operation.

This time, the thing of Warslan is the tent and the food is of Al-Salaam.

– By the way, tomorrow morning we will have crackers, and finally cereal bar for lunch.

– Noo, nothing delicate… There's nothing else?

While saying that, he looks inside the sack that contains the supply goods, but there were only the same aluminum pack.

– Ah, there's more than I thought. Can I eat another bag? Even if we exclude tomorrow morning or noon, it's only three meals.

While saying so, he tried to take out one pack from the sack, but Eric instantly hits his hand with his palm.

– Eating is prohibited. This food is used mainly for disasters or any of the sort.

– Tsk….

By the time the meal was over, the outside of the tent was completely dark. The rain is getting intense, and the sound of the raindrops that hit the tent resound inside of it.

– I would like to divide the team into two teams from now on masuwa.

It's Clark who announced so.

The instructions from HQ should be on break until the rain stops—although, of course, not all of them are absent.

Wild dogs and bears may attack them, and it's possible that a Savage may raid too. Someone must stand watch outside the tent.

– The plan we are going to carry out is to stand watch with a rotation of two teams desu.

– Yes, a question.

Ellie suddenly raised his hand.

– What is it, Ellie Crossfode?

– Our team has 5 people, right? In that case, the teams are going to be of 2 and 3 people, aren't they? If Claude and Haname are in the same team, I feel that might be awfully dangerous…

They can understand what Ellie wants to say.

Haname himself wants to be forgiven of that.

– In that case, the four of us who are from Little Garden do 2 pairs and then Claude Lowetti joins one of the two.

It was Eric who made that kind of proposal.

– If so, then I'm with Haname.

– He-hey!

Haname is upset, because Ellie who's sitting next to him grabs her arm.

– As for me, I feel that you, being together, is dangerous masuwa. Separate right now.

Clark said so with a trembling voice.

It's Claude who opened his mouth next.

– Clark-san says that it's dangerous for Kisaragi Haname and I, but as for me, I think that it's dangerous for a man to be alone with a woman.

– Now that you mention it so desuwane. In that case, Kisaragi Haname will be in the team of three. I will be in that team masuwa.

– Wait a minute, why is Prez entering that one? That's so sly, isn't it!?

– Why are you saying that it is sly desu? I don't know what will happen if Claude, Kisaragi Haname and you are standing watch desu. It's too risky masuwa.

– Ough…

Ellie is clogged with words.

Certainly, it's just as Clark says.

However, Ellie seems to be unhappy.

– But then, if it's not the Prez, then the vice prez will do?

– If it's Eric, then he may not be able to stop them if anything happens between them, don't you agree?

– That may be so but…

Ellie turns his line of sight to Haname.

– Is Haname okay with that?

– I certainly think that, as things are going, that this team division is the best, so I agree with it too…

– I think so too. But it's unfortunate that I'm not with Elliot-sama.

Following Haname, Claude said.

It's surprising for Haname, because she didn't think that he could be easily convinced.

– Eric-san, can you say that you are okay with it? Don't you want to be together with the Prez?

– … wh-what are you saying, Ellie Crossfode. I will follow the decision of Clark-sama.

– Uu….

Because Eric yearns for Clark, he thought he would accept to be together with Clark.

Ellie hung his head, looking deplorable.

– … fine, if that's what you want to do, then do it.

Ellie shows consent while pouting his lips.

As a result, the sleep was divided into A team of Eric and Ellie, and B team of Haname, Clark and Claude.

The remaining issues are order and time.

Tomorrow at 08:00 they will vacate the tent and start to move normally.

Now is past 20:00, they have scheduled to wake up at 06:00.

As one of the two teams will sleep from 21:00, each team will have 4 and a half hours to sleep.

As a result of the discussion, Eric and Ellie of A team had to stand watch first until 01:30.

By the time the day changes the rain will have stopped, and if so, the three people think that they can do effortless search.

– I really wanted to sleep and patrol together with Haname…

Ellie was sitting on the floor grasping his knees at a corner of the tent.

Eric calls out there.

– This is no situation where you can grumble about it. Let's go outside.

– … eh, now?

– We are going to pick up dead trees that are not wet as much as we can at once to make something like a fireplace once the rain has stopped to make fire.

They heard that installing that can help with the animals, so they don't approach them after this.

– Shall we also help?

– Clark-sama and the others are in a little hurry, but please take a rest. We have to explore after the rain stops and I think that it's better to recover more sense energy even if it's a little in case something happens.

– Uu, Haname…

Ellie appeals that he wants to be a little more in this place, and shows a sad expression.

However, Eric didn't allow it.

– Let's go, Ellie Crossfode.

– U〜

Ellie is dragged out of the tent by Eric.

After that, the team of Haname get into their sleeping bags and decided to sleep.


– Wake up, Haname, it's time to change…

With that voice, Kisaragi Haname wakes up.

– I see, it's time already…

Looking at Ellie Crossfode in the eyes and the oblique wall behind him, Haname remembered the situation she's placed in now.

Although the sleeping time was of 4 and a half hours, in fact, Haname could sleep for about 3 and a half hours.

Speaking of the reason, is that she had to sleep with two boys at her side inside this narrow tent, those are Claude and Clark.

They were wrapped up in sleeping bags, but more than that, she was also afraid of being attacked by Claude.

However, the interior of the tent was enveloped by a sweet scent peculiar to men, and after a while, she also heard their lovely sleeping breaths.

Because of that, her heart was somewhat racing, so she couldn't fall asleep right away.

Still, she has to get up already.

When opening the zipper of the sleeping bag and trying to raise her body, PPPPP…. The alarm began to ring next to Clark.

Looks like that woke him up. Clark opens the sleeping bag and raises his body slowly. Claude woke up in the same way with the sound of the alarm and also raises his body from the sleeping bag. The three of them went outside the tent with Ellie.

The rain has already stopped. When they look up at the sky, they could see the shining stars from the gaps in the trees. However, the ground is still wet and muddy.

– Good morning, Clark-sama.

Eric greets Haname and the others who came out from the tent.

He was sitting on a big rock, which is on the side of the bonfire.

It seems he collected them as a chair replacement.

A total of six were placed so as to surround the bonfire.

– Good morning, Eric. How is the situation desuno?

– There are no changes in particular, the exception is that the rain ceased around an hour ago. As for the situation, it's peaceful and safe.

Eric taught the situation of the other teams when Haname and the boys sit on the stones surrounding the bonfire.

He said that all teams have already arrived at their target points.

While some explore in the night, there are groups that have found Savages and are fighting them, but there are no severely wounded Slayers.

It's just been half a day now since the strategy has started.

42 Savages have been slaughtered.

Three big fragments of Variable Stones have been found too.

They are close to those estimated 50 Savages existing on this mountain, but that also means that there may be 60 Savages if this keeps like this.

There may still be Variable Stones.

– Well then, Clark-sama, I will leave the rest to you.

Eric finished the report, stands up and attempts to enter the tent, but notices Ellie who's sitting on the rock next to Haname, smiling with his whole face.

– Go to sleep, Ellie Crossfode.

– Haname and the others have finally woken up, so it's impossible to stay awake a bit more? I'm not that much sleepy and I'd like to talk for a little while.

– I haven't forgotten that you said over and over that you were hungry until a while ago, and that you wanted to sleep with Haname.

– Uh…

– If something happens from now on, you will have insufficient energy due to lack of sleep, and your fighting power will go substantially down. Let's get a good sleep.

– Fine, I'll do it…! Good night, Haname.

– Yeah, sleep tightly.

– U〜〜

While raising his voice mixed with vexation, Eric dragged Eric into the tent.

Clark murmured while looking up at the sky. Around 10 minutes have passed since they are standing watch.

– Nevertheless, it is a beautiful starry sky desuwane.

Similarly, Haname looks up at the sky.

The altitude is high, the air is clear and, in the sky that can be seen through the gaps of the trees, the stars and planets, as if they weren't already enough, were spread all over.

Haname keeps fixedly staring at the starry sky for several seconds.

– … I couldn't see such a beautiful starry sky in the rural town of Yamato where I lived.

Those were the words that she came out with.

– That goes for me too, it's the first time I see such a beautiful starry sky desuwa.

– I want to show this to my little brother. He will be delighted to see the gorgeous starry sky in Little Garden too.

– I'm hoping for that day to come desuwane.

Clark continued, looking at the starry sky, and said as if he was talking to himself.

– We are fighting like this to create a world where you can look at the beautiful starry sky anytime, anywhere desu.

– And for that, we must end the fight with the Savage first, deter disputes among humans and to end the chaos of this world on and after the First Attack, correct?

Clark always declared that that's the first goal of Little Garden.

– Yes, you are right desuwa.

Clark smiled complacently in response to the words of Haname.

– Err, somehow you too are having a good time, and I'm sorry about this but, do you have a minute?

– Wha, what's that "having a good time" desuno, Claude Lowetti!

– A world created by two people, that was just like a love scene of a movie.

– …!

The face of Clark turns red.

Laughing with a *hihihi*, Claude continued.

– I'm sorry for stepping in and getting in your way for the time being, but there's a reason for that.

– A reason?

– Yes, that's right, Kisaragi Haname.

Saying, Claude pointed out his finger towards the west.

– There's a quay that way, right? There's a lake in that area.

– I know that masuwayo. It was made by a meteorite that fell during the First Attack desuwayone. What's with that mashitano?

– The trees shook over there, and I felt that a big shadow was reflected on the quay.

– That's, no way—

– I think the possibility of being a Savage is high.

Fixedly staring at Haname's eyes, Claude said.

It's very likely that a Savage has appeared near the place where the meteorite has fallen.

That's why this place is the base of the hunt.

– … that said, it may be better for us to check properly if there are any Savages or not. How about conducting it yourselves?

– But if it's a Savage, you will be the only one remaining in this place masuwa. It's dangerous if something happens, so we should wake up Eric and Elliot.

– No, it's no good to wake them up because there's no confirmation of it, and you will be okay. Of course, in the case that something happens, if a Savage has appeared, we will contact you with this.

Claude turns his eyes towards the Vital Ring.

– … will you really be okay desuno?

– Yes, I will be fine.

Hitting his chest with a slap, Claude continued.

– By the way, there's a lake on that direction as I said earlier. The sky is open too, I think you can see the stars more beautifully there. And if there's nothing, how about having a date you two over there? Because no one will get on your way, you will be able to flirt as much as you like.

– A da-date you say? Don't say such stupid things! Besides, things like flirting are…

Clark began to walk, refuting while his face becomes red, turning his eyes towards the direction they have to move.

– L-let's go masuwayo, Kisaragi Haname.

– Ah, yes…

Running after him, Clark gives a warning to Haname.

– Th-this is not a date. I-it's patrolling desuwayo!


– Now, that turned out well.

Claude Lowetti had a contentment smile while looking at the backs of the two disappearing into the forest.

As a matter of fact, he hasn't sensed the presence of a Savage.

It's positive that the forest shook, but he thought that it was due to beasts such as bears or wolves.

However, he has two reasons to have them head for exploration.

He's convinced that Clark Harvey cares about Kisaragi Haname due to his behavior during this half day.

If this event triggers them to get closer and become lovey-dovey, the place where Ellie belongs will be gone, and.

(If that happens, Elliot-sama will come back to Gudenburg… gufuh, gufuh, gufufufu…)

Claude couldn't contain his overflowing laugh thanks to the perfection of his plan.


At the same time, a girls and two boys who have tanned skin were resting in a small cavern located around 10 kilometers from the place where Haname and co. are resting.

They are the trio of Hunters.

– It seems that the rain has stopped, we must start moving soon. And it's a good time for the Savages to move lively.

It's Krovanh, a girl with black hear and aloof personality who stood up and is carrying a sort of antenna with a tripod on her shoulder.

Then the two boys, Nakri and Nesat, also stand up.

– Krovanh, what do we do now?

– First, we do what Viktor told us, and that is, to sever the means of contact of those guys. The place we are aiming from now on is over there.

Krovanh answered the question of Nakri and pointed with her gaze at the peak of the mountain of around 3,000 meters height around Mt. Kongur.


– It's no surprise that the inside of the forest is dark, huh.

The light of the moonlight and the stars comes in from the gap of the trees above their heads, however, it's a small amount. The visibility is less than one meter.

– If you feel uneasy, I can make it brighter masuwa.

Saying that, Clark took out the Hundred from his chest and put it on the palm.

Then the Hundred gently rises from his hand and starts to emit green light.

Thanks to that, it illuminates the surroundings like a torch.

– Awesome, the president can do something like this.

– Anyone will be able to do it as long as they practice for a while masuwayo. Let's hurry.

Clark slips out a smile and starts walking further into the forest.

Claude said that the lake was around 15-minute distance from the shed.

They should get there soon.

And there, the president suddenly stopped his feet.

The light being emitted by the Hundred also vanishes.

– President, did something happen?

– Shhh, listen carefully.

– Oh, yes…

Doing as she was told, she listens carefully and noticed that in the noise of the trees, a rustling-like noise can be heard.

It sounds like something is grazing the trees.

In addition to that, they can hear the sound of something walking on the mud.

– No way, that's a…

– It's definitively a Savage.

Clark declared so.

– … should we contact Claude?

– Please do so. We will tail the Savage so that it doesn't find us out and wait for the arrival of the other members.

– Understood.

Nodding, Haname tries to contact Claude with the Vital Ring, however,

– … huh?

– What's the matter mashitano?

– I can't connect with Claude. Can the president do it instead please?

– You really are poor at machines desuwane…

Saying that and looking amazed, Clark started manipulating his Vital Ring, but the situation is strange. He immediately narrows his eyes with a troubled appearance,

– It's strange desuwane I can't connect either masenwa. Not only with our group or headquarters, I can't access the map data either…

– Maybe this place is at fault?

– The state of the signal is good but…. It may be that the magnetic field is disturbed masenwane. At any rate, I'm not completely sure in this situation masenwa.

That means, he gives up.

Looks like the cause is unknown.

– Then, what do we do?

– Let's check the Savage first. After that, we will decide on what to do masuwa. We might be able to get in touch if we change our position.

Both Haname and Clark walk to the direction they hear those abnormal sounds.

In less than a minute, they were able to grasp the appearance of a Savage from the gaps of the trees.

It's at a distance of 200 meters.

– As expected, it's a Savage shitawane.

– … yeah.

Nonetheless, its size isn't a big deal. Looks like it's a normal type.

– The communication won't recover as usual masenwane.

Checking the Vital Ring, Clark murmured, looking troubled.

– Should we turn back for now?

– Yes desuwane…

Then, he thinks for a few seconds.

– Judging from its appearance, there's no point to be particularly concerned about it, but we will be troubled if we lose sight of it masu. And if the size of the Savage is of that degree, then we should be able to manage it somehow, don't you agree?

That was the conclusion of Clark.

In short, it means that they will be the opponent of the Savage.

Taking out the Hundred, Clark mutters in a small voice.

– … Hundred On.

He deployed Alisterion.

A red armor covers his body and six floating batteries appear around his body.

– Well then, me too…

There is no need for that masenwa. If it's that one, then even one person will be fine desu.

Clark restrains Haname who took out the Hundred and grasped it tightly.

– But…

– Please watch.

Saying so, Clark created a railgun in his hand and accelerates, heading towards the Savage.

When he got closer to a distance of 10 meters, the floating batteries were deployed around the Savage and fired a beam from one of them, instead of a greeting.

The Savage stands up in response to it and started an offense using its long antennas, searching for the position of the floating batteries and started swinging the pincers.

However, the six batteries evade the attack of the Savage and start to fire beams one after another.

The effectiveness of the first two beams just damaged the steel shell. However, the third burned off the steel shell and penetrated the body.

The Savage shrieks.

– This will decide it masuwa!

Clark let go the moment to stop his movement and kicks up the ground, jumping and punching the defense barrier of the core on the head with the railgun created in his right hand with the intention of destroying it, but—

– Kyaah!?

Tripping up on the ground because it was muddy by the rain, he loses the balance of his body, moreover, he falls on his bottom.

The pincers of the Savage that are no longer in a rigid state were raised overhead and he raises his face, becoming confused.

– …!

Clark, who has fallen on his bottom and while being like that, turned the railgun of his right hand towards the Savage.

He ponders that maybe he will push away the Savage with that power.

However, just before firing, Kisaragi Haname appeared with her armament deployed in front of his eyes. Swinging Hien, she sent the body of the Savage flying far away.

– Kisaragi, Haname…

– Are you okay, president!?

– Umm, yes, I just simply fell, it's not a big deal…. B-by the way, thank, you…

Mumbling as if he was embarrassed, the president turned his face downward, but he immediately stared in wonder.

– Kisaragi Haname, a bombardment is coming masuwayo!

Haname looks back with the voice.

In response to the attack of Haname, the Savage that cancelled its attack state, immediately raises its body and opened its head.

Still, there's no need to be impatient.

– If so, then this much will do!

Haname accelerates, returning to the position of the Savage while cutting it off with Hien that was clad in energy.

She jumps high and strikes towards the cranium of the Savage.

(Alright…!)

She felt an accurate response in her arms.

With the momentum, Haname swings Hien, destroying the defense barrier, including the core.

She lands on the ground.

– President, are you okay?

Walking near Clark, Haname reached out her hand.

– Yes, you did it nicely, Kisaragi Haname. Besides… umm, you saved me.

While saying that, Clark grabs the hand that was presented to him.

– I was surprised because you suddenly fell down. Still, it's unexpected for the president to be careless.

– Wha…! Wh-what do you mean that I was careless desuno!? B-besides, if you weren't here, I would have cut my way through…

Despite saying so, Clark stands up, being pulled up by Haname.

– I'm sorry for interrupting you.

She laughs with a *Ahaha*.

– … nevertheless, you have grown quite a lot to have a fighting style like that mashitawane.

– It's an honor to receive such words.

Haname cancelled the armament.

Next, Clark also cancels the armament.

– With this are six, correct?

Clark muttered, turning his eyes to the corpse of the Savage.

– More than that, what will you do with that mud? It's better to wash it way before returning to the tent, right?

– You are right desuwane, I can't get inside the tent like this.

– If so, shall we go to the lake mentioned by Claude?

– Eh…

– In that case, you can wash it away, isn't it? If it's on this side, then that will do it.

– Yo-you are right desuwane…

– Is something wrong, president?

– N-no, I have something to do before that.

Saying that, Clark touched the Vital Ring of his arm.

– It looks like we still can't communicate desuwane.

Knitting his brows and looking troubled, Clark continues.

– For the time being, I have two transmitters masu. For now, I don't know whether these have a meaning of signal here or not, but let's set them up for now.

Clark soon began to set up on the ground the transmitters he took out of his pocket.

– We are okay with this desuwa.

– In that case, shall we go?

As they walk towards the lake for about 3 minutes, the trees covering overhead disappeared and the front of their eyes opened.

– Wow…

Haname was at a loss for words because of the beautiful sight in front of her eyes.

That also goes for Clark.

– It's very gorgeous desuwane.

– Yes, it is…

The round moon floating in the sky without clouds and the stars spread all over the night sky are reflected on the lake surface. It's as if there are two skies. It's a very splendid sight, the two became speechless again.

– —and, this is not the moment to watch the stars like this deshitawane. Because we have to get back to the tent fast.

While saying so, Clark took something like a test tube from the pouch.

– … what's that?

– It's to make sure that the lake is not contaminated by harmful substances that came above ground with fragments of the falling meteorites desu. I think it's fine but, let's confirm it at once.

Clark scoops up water of the lake into the test tube.

Then, drops a chemical that he took out from the pouch, close the lid, and shakes it gently.

There's no change.

– Apparently, there's no problem if we enter the lake desuwa. Incidentally, the water is quite tepid desuwane.

– … is that so?

– Yes.

Haname soaked her hand in the lake like Clark did.

– Yeah, it's tepid. It looks like a hot spring.

It's probably because Mt. Kongur is a volcano.

It seems that the lake being like a hot spring is due to the heat of the underground magma.

– If that's the case, I don't think there's a problem if I get soaked a little desuwa.

While saying so, Clark starts picking up branches of the trees that have fallen on the ground.

– Why are you doing that?

– To make a bonfire desu. Assuming that I wash the Variable Suit, it will be unpleasant to keep it wet desumono.

If it's a bit of water, then it can be dried using sense energy, but it looks like that can't be done if it's dripping wet.

Clark ignites with a tool he retrieved from the pouch the leaves and branches of the trees that he collected.

– Err, Kisaragi Haname…

– What is it, president?

– … do you intend to see the whole time how I bathe? And for now, I would like to take off my suit, so…

– Ah, I'm sorry!

Being glaring at by Clark with half-opened eyes, the flustered Haname turned her back.

After a short time, she heard the sound that he was taking off his suit, her heart goes *Ba-dump* *Ba-dump*

Haname tried to fiddle with her Vital Ring to distract her mind.

(If it's here, will it connect with someone?)

Speaking of results, it was useless.

She can't get in touch with either Claude or the base camp.

With a *Splash*, the lake surface makes a sound.

Seems that Clark set foot into the water.

Of course, she can't see the lake (he'll get angry if I see), the figure of Clark who's soaking his body in the water is beyond the mind of Haname.

Although an accident, she saw his crotch directly at the pool, and even though it was over his Variable Suit when she touched them, she can clearly imagine that figure.

– Kisaragi Haname, how is the communication state desuno? It doesn't connect anywhere yet?

– Ah, well… umm, I attempted just now, but there's no change.

– I see desuno, I hope nothing strange happens but…

Clark, facing up and floating on the surface of the lake, muttered while gazing at the sky.

– Be that as it may, the stars are really beautiful desuwane…

– I agree, and there are no clouds.

Haname answers, looking up at the sky.

The sky is full of stars as ever.

– Although we don't have time to relax, it's been a long time since I had a time like this, and it's really refreshing somehow desuwa.

– You mean, a time to watch the stars?

– There's that but, the communication doesn't come from anywhere, I mean, it's as if this wasn't related to work desuwa. Of course, we are on duty but…. This is like a ray of hope in the darkness masenwane.

Certainly, it's different however, being the case that Clark said it while slipping out a smile, she guesses that it's a joke of him.

– President, you seem to be always busy. Have you never thought of wanting to take a small break?

– To be honest, I have thought a little about it arimasuwa.

– Is that so?

– Is that surprising desuno?

– This, it's just that the president is also an ordinary boy who thinks about things like that…

– … wha- what are you talking about masuno? Of course I am desuwayo. But I wished myself to live as the president of Little Garden desu. To be at the side of Lazer—

Breaking his brief silence, Clark continued speaking.

– That's why I can't afford to be idling desuwa. For the sake of Lazer, and for what Lazer tried to protect—I am sorry. Telling you such a story so suddenly….

– I don't mind.

– … it's true desuno?

– Yes. If the president feels at ease talking like this, then please talk as much as you like. I will absolutely tell nobody about this.

– You are a mysterious person desuwane.

– … a mysterious person? What do you mean?

– I don't understand you well.

– Eh….

– That's why you are a mysterious person desuwa.

Saying that, and slipping out a smile, Clark continued.

– Looks like that time has come desu.

– That time…?

– You said it before, don't you? If that time comes, let's have a talk.

Haname remembers the day she met Lazer.

There's no doubt Clark said such a thing.

– Kisaragi Haname, how much did you hear about Lazer from my older sister desuka?

– Well, if I'm not mistaken, Lazer is the younger brother of the president, he's the motive power of Little Garden and about the thing that he's a Slayer…

– Is that so desuka…? As my Onee-sama said, Lazer is my little brother desuwa. But, he's not an ordinary human being, and it's not an ordinary Slayer—

– That's, no way…

– In your way talking, he's what you call a Variant desuwa.

—A Variant.

That's the word that raised to the surface of the mind of Haname now.

– … but, unlike you, Ellie Crossfode and Kirishima Satoru, Lazer is, by nature, an infected body Variant nanodesu.

– A Variant by nature?

– Taking out the fertilized ovule, he injected improved body fluids of the Savage that were genetically modified to demonstrate superior intelligence and physical ability. Then it returned to my mother once again and gave birth to a 《Produced Child》— to my little brother, Lazer Harvey desuwa.

– No way, he did such a thing…

That story remembered her about Satoru and the three Hunters. They were inoculated with an improved version of the body fluids of the Savage and became infected—

– It's not Viktor Tynyanov masenwayo.

– Wha, is that so?

It was a surprising answer, because she surely thought so.

– He was no more than an assistant, after all. Linis Harvey—my mother, was the one who took the initiative in technical development and forced the experiment.

– Then in short, he took out his own ovule and mixed it with the body fluids of the Savage? Why did he do such a…

– It seems that my mother used to say—that it was to win the battle against God desu.

Judy said something similar.

Is that the reason why, for this world, and for Warslan Company, he accepted to be the experiment body and gave birth to Lazer Harvey in this world? It's said that the reaction value of the Hundred of Lazer, since he was born, was beyond the value of Haname when she entered the school.

Therefore, he received a gifted education as a Slayer from a very young age, and from the tender age of 10 years old, he was fighting the Savage in order to protect the Earth.

– But I didn't know that Lazer was hiding the fact that he was training as a Slayer and that he was a Variant. But, when Lazer was with me, there was a raid of the Savage desu.

Aside from Lazer, Clark had also been training as a Slayer due to the high reaction value of the Hundred.

That's why he saw people who were hurt by the bombardment of the Savage, and thought of beating the Savage, so he deployed his own armament and faced the Savage.

– However, at that time I had never fought with the Savage. My handling skill of the Hundred wasn't great either deshitawa. Moreover, the Savage wasn't a regular type, but a large one.

As a result, Clark was driven to a predicament.

He dodged the attack of the Savage, but he was being pinned under a crumbled rock.

– Lazer saw me and manifested his forbidden ability, deploying the armament with the momentum, and entered into battle with the Savage desu. He was able to defeat the Savage, but it was impossible for him to control the ability of the Variant—about the consequences, he spat out blood, collapsed, and lost consciousness desu.

Lazer was protected afterwards by the people of Warslan who came running, but he hasn't awaken since then.

– And yet, he continues emitting a strong energy from his body desu. That's the reason why he's in that capsule desuwa. If Lazer isn't inside that, he wouldn't be able to keep his life desuwa.

Clark told that, looking sad.

– In other words, that capsule has the meaning of "life-support system" of Lazer… no, of the little brother of the president?

– … it is as you say desuwa. The liquid contained in it has the function of weakening the development of the Variant Virus and the function of absorbing the sense energy released from the body of Lazer to reduce it as nutrients desuwa. If there's a time when either of them is insufficient, Lazer will—

– The facial expression of Lazer becomes gloomier.

– But, the older sister of the president said that Lazer is the power of Little Garden too…

– It means that we are using energy released from the body of Lazer desuwa. It's not possible to return the released energy back to the body. Therefore, it was Charlie Dimandias who came to Little Garden after the death of Linis and made the capsule and thought of a valid use of that power nanodesu.

The capsule is connected to a huge Variable Stone, transforming the energy of Lazer into a huge force, making it part of Little Garden's motive power.

That was also a story she heard from Judy, the older sister of Clark.

– Now, as we talked about, the strength of Lazer is enormous, even though he's sleeping—but my Onee-sama and my father are using that power to not only take control of Liberia, but also to control everything in this world masu. I am the captain of Little Garden to monitor my father and Onee-sama so they don't use thoughtlessly the ability of Lazer nanodesu. If that happens, that may have terrible consequences for Lazer…

Saying that, Clark laughed at himself.

– … in the end, I may not care a single bit about the world anyway masenwane.

– President…

– Lazer, my precious little brother who saved my life again, I begged my mother that I wanted to have a little brother…. I might just wait for Lazer to wake up. Do you despise this selfish King of Little Garden, no, this Clark Harvey?

– I absolutely not. I understand the feelings of the president well. As the president knows well, I'm similar to you.

It's not for this world.

She decided to become a Slayer and went to Little Garden for everyone who grew up in the institution that is in Yamato and for her little brother.

– Of course, there are times where I think that I can save this world with my own ability.

– Now that you mention it, we do are alike deshitawane.

Clark unintentionally lets out a smile.

But with a complete change, he turns his eyelids to the ground, looking sad—

– Of course, I also want to overcome the fight with God and save this world masu. That was the hope of my mother, and for that, Lazer must be released as well. But, that might be nothing more than a pipe dream. How much Savages are still on the Earth? We don't know from where in the space they are coming and why they are attacking the Earth. Even if such a situation in front of our eyes becomes pitch black, I believe we can walk ahead, because there are ideals desu.

Saying so, Clark turned his eyes to the Hundred hanging from his neck.

– Besides, if we wish it strongly, the Hundred should respond to us desuwa. In that situation, the road will surely open. I have such a feeling desu.

– … the Hundred, will respond? How?

– By the power of the human will, the Hundred changes its shape. Won't you lend us your strength?

Clark murmured, looking at Haname while fixedly staring at the Hundred,

– Kisaragi Haname, can I use a part of your ideals and of your strength, for my—for the sake of Little Garden?

– Of course.

Haname answered firmly.

– I don't know how much helpful I will become for the president, but I will go and try as much as possible. I can do that much.

While listening the words of Haname, Clark smiles broadly.

– Thank you. I'm looking forward to it from the bottom of my heart masuwa.

At that time, *Bip* *Bip*, the Vital Ring of Haname made a sound.

– This sound is…

– It's an emergency call desuwa.

Following the splashing sounds that came from the water, the sounds of footsteps draw near.

– Kyaah!?

– Hee!?

Caused by rushing over in a haste, Clark tripped up on the sandy soil.

Although he didn't fall because of that, the overenthusiastically Clark assaults the body of Haname.

– … ah.

Becoming flustered, Haname caught the body of Clark in her arms.

– President, are you okay… huh…?

Haname embraced the hard, wet body of Clark from the front, and not only the nape of the neck ended up having such an appearance where many drops of water are running down like tracing it, but also the lines of his body composed of curves, which are very erotic.

(Besides, this is…)

One hand of Haname was turned around the back, and the other hand was buried with her fingertips on the meat of his pointy crotch, to support his waist.

Only that, that was a very bad situation and the hard, warm big mass of meat on his chest pressed against the chest of Hayato.

– I'm sorry, I got a little impatient…

Clark raises his face. The two, far from sighing, were getting closer until their distance was enough to make them hear the sound of their hearts.

– No, that's…

Looking properly the face of Clark, he was overcoming with emotion due to the conversation of seconds ago, his eyes were red and became swollen.

She can even see rest of tears.

But, his facial expression seems to be accompanied by a unique lasciviousness, that made her heart beat fast.

– U-umm, well…

Shit! What to do now? Haname was bewildered.

From his wet hair, a seducing aroma accompanied by charm flow into her nasal cavity.

As a matter of course, the sound of her heart goes *DOKU* *DOKU*, it beat furiously.

Naturally, her breathing becomes intense.

It's there that Clark finally noticed the situation in which he was situated.

– Kisaragi Haname, what's wrong mashitano…? Ah…

The cheeks of Clark redden.

– I-I panicked all of a sudden and…!

He tried to separate himself from Haname while shouting, but he tripped up on the sandy soil again.

– Be careful, president!

Haname reaches out her hand, trying to support his body, as he might fall if he keeps like that.

She grabs a narrow arm with one hand, and with the other hand—

– Ah…

As a result, following the feeling of a hard sensation in her palm, the existence of a firm protrusion is transmitted.

(O-oops…!)

She did it again. At the time of the duel, it was over the Variable Suit, but this time She touched it directly with her hand. Moreover, he's in a posture like holding and supporting the body of Clark with her knee.

This posture is close to what is called "carrying a lady in one's arms".

– U-umm…

– Hyaah, fuah, nuuuh!

In order to confirm their existence, the fingers move naturally.

Clark shows a sensitive reaction to the movement that was like a squeezing.

Making his face blush, he was panting and enduring that while biting his lower lip.

– Ki-Kisaragi Haname… you, nuh…. Where are you touching, hyan! T-this is not the moment to do something like this…!

Receiving the stimulation of the fingers of Haname, the body of Clark was dominated by pleasure. *Haa* *haa*, the breathing that leaks from his mouth becomes rough, the skin of his whole body becomes more reddish. His eyes are also swollen in red, she can see the drops of tears on the edge of them, his body seems to be trembling, like if it was pulsating. While desperately subduing his seductive voice, Clark continues his words.

– Nn… ah… I-I'm telling you, get your hands off quickly! I-I can stand by myself already masuwayo!

– Ah…! I-I'm sorry!

Haname takes her hands off the crotch of Clark.

At that moment, her gaze was attracted to his crotch.

Thereupon, the long sausage on his waist meets her eyes.

Her line of sight came down as it was, and she was about to face a small bush of his lower body that had a trace of moisture—

– … y-you s-saw my crotch now, didn't you!?

Shouting, while hiding his crotch with both hands, Clark crouched down on the spot.

– No, that's… just a bit, but…. Ah, apart from that president, please wear this for now!

– S-so you did see!

While turning her face, Haname picked up the Variable Suit that was in the middle of getting dry and presented it to Clark who was still crouching down.

– … b-but, thank you very much masuwa. I will change clothes soon, s-so, don't turn around! Besides, you will have to take proper responsibility for this masuwayo…!

– Ah, yes… of course, eh… ehh!?

– Wh-what's left is… to check if we can communicate somewhere now desu. Because the line finally connected!

– Ye-yes!

When she noticed, the emergency call was gone.

However, there should be a history of incoming calls.

Haname turns her back on Clark and verifies the Vital Ring.

Thereupon, the emergency call rang again.

– Err, it seems like it's a whole communication from D team. Can I connect with it?

– O-of course desuwa. Increase the volume, so I can hear it too.

– Understood.

– Haname manipulates the Vital Ring with unfamiliar hands and connects to the whole communication.

But what she hears is jarring sounds mixed with noise.

– What's this desuno…?

– I don't know, the volume should be maximized properly.

She's thinking that the place is at fault, so Haname left the trees and approached the side of the lake.

However, the situation doesn't change.

– I thought that it finally returned, but it seems that the communication status is still bad desuwane. Is the communication still in the connected state desuno?

When she noticed, Clark is right behind her.

His hair is wet, but his clothes aren't wet anymore.

– Yes, it is, but.

– If so, then that's better than before desuwane.

Right after Clark said so.

『… hear, me…』

From the Vital Ring, the voice of a woman slightly mixed with noise can be heard.

– President, just now…

– Yes, I heard the voice mashitawa.

However, they didn't hear the rest.

With an appearance like getting their bodies closer, they fixedly gazed at the Vital Ring.

– … president, even if you don't get so close, you can hear if the communication connects, right?

– O-of course I know that masuwa!

The flustered Clark takes distance with Haname.

With that, Haname was relieved.

Still, when she looks at Clark, his hair is still wet, the dripping water flows through the nape of the neck, he looks very sexy, making him feel very excited.

There, a communication entered again.

『Can anyone hear me…! If you can hear me, please respond!』

The voice they hear mixed with noise is much clearer than before.

– This is E team, I am Clark Harvey of Little Garden desuwa. What's the meaning of this? What has happened!?

The voice of the man they heard is quite impatient, the enthusiasm of Clark also goes up.

His voice became quite big.

『… Little Garden? But I'm glad it connected… I'm in D team, I'm Zane Huffman.』

Haname and Clark looked at each other.

The communication has stabilized. However, her words weren't what Clark wanted. Clark urges her, looking impatient.

– Please explain the situation quickly. I don't know when the line will cut masenwa.

『R-right… while we were fighting the Savage, three Hunters who had golden eyes and wore black Variable Suits suddenly appeared and attacked us…』

– What did you say!?

Clark raised a hysteric voice.

『As a result, I left D team, which was annihilated.』

Once again, noise enters the communication.

At that time, what came to the mind of Haname are the figures of the three guys that she met in the Zwei Islands.

– Your location, where are you desuno!?

『The location is—』

『I've found you, Al-Salaam…! We won't forgive the Slayers of Al-Salaam, you'll die for running away!』

『*Shriek*, please stop…! If you want the Hundred, you can take it, but please, my life…』

『Don't fool around!』

『Guah!』

Following the shrieks, the woman whose body falls to the ground with a thud is heard from the Vital Ring.

『I, Nii-chan and Nakri and everyone who was with us at that time, even if they supplicate like that, we won't forgive them. You are Slayers, aren't you!?』

The voice of another woman resounded there.

There's some youth in her voice.

Then, the noise began to mix again, and the communication came to an end.

Although he's warping his face with a frustrating-like expression. Clark tried to make a direct connection with the man just now using the communication function of the Vital Ring, but it looks like he can't connect.

– The voice of now, was one of the Hunters that appeared in the Zwei Islands, right?

– Their characteristics that you guys know and the features you heard in the communication are the same wayone.

– … yes.

And, Haname nods.

As she thought, the day when they came to the Qin Empire, were they the gang of three she saw in the street?

– If it comes to them, then maybe—no, given the situation, this connection malfunction may be due to the hunters masenwa.

– … such a thing, is that possible?

– If it's Viktor Tynyanov, then it shouldn't be difficult to make a jamming device that disrupts electromagnetic waves desu.

– In other words, does that mean that the communication will recover if we destroy the device that generates the jamming?

– Exactly desuwa. But, we don't know where it is, so it's impossible for now desuwane. What we should do now is to contact the other team members or join them, share the information about the Hunters and elaborate countermeasures desu.

Clark immediately turned his feet towards the shed.

– Let's return to where everyone is.

The distance from the lake where Haname and Clark are to the tent where Ellie and the others are waiting is around 15 minutes on foot. If they run straight through the forest, they will arrive in 5 minutes or so.

The moment when Haname and Clark attempted to run.

*SHYUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU*…

A pillar of light stood towering over the surrounding, going towards the sky.

– That's a…

Haname asks, stopping her feet.

Stopping his feet in the same way, Clark replied.

– That must be without a doubt a Slayer. Instead of a beacon she bombarded, she must be trying to inform about her whereabouts masenwa.

The pillar has already disappeared.

It's been around 20 seconds since they were able to see it, but that was definitely due to the use of energy.

– That is to say, something is happening at that place, huh…

– The direction is close to the direction in which the D unit that communicated a while ago was searching desuwane. However, the color of that energy…. Isn't it the same as that of Fiona Glanz?

– Yes, it definitely is. Was the president also aware?

– Anyway, they must be asking for help masenwane. I will head to that place right away masu.

Clark muttered in order to resolve himself, took out the Hundred and grasped it tightly with his fist.

HUNDRED ON!

Together with the shout, the body of the president is wrapped in red particles released from the ore and gets covered in armor, then gives form to six floating batteries around him.

– Kisaragi Haname, I would like you to act as a messenger to Eric and the others masuwa.

– But, with one person…

The opponents are likely to be those three artificial Variants.

Can she let him go by himself?

– There's a possibility that our valued comrades of Little Garden are requesting help desu. I, as the president, should head there right away, don't you think? After you join with Eric and the others, please follow me. This is all, I will rely on you as the messenger masuwayo!

– President!

Using energy, Clark accelerates towards the place where the pillar of light stood and goes through the gap of the trees.

His back got smaller quickly.

For a moment, Haname was wondering if she should go after him, but she told herself that she should do what she must do now and ran towards the shed.

End of Chapter 3


Chapter 4
The Reason of the Hunters/Dragonfly/Simultaneous Attack

– With this, reinforcements should come soon…

The one who kicked the body of Fiona who fired a shot towards the sky while she lay down, was a girl with a Dancer type Hundred— two ring-shaped weapons similar to chakrams, called Duo Varga, were held in his hands.

– This guy, having the nerve to do something stupid!

– Guh!

It was Nakri, one of the three Hunters with dark brown skin who kicked and sent flying the body of Fiona again.

The armament of Fiona rolled over the ground and was cancelled. The energy of Fiona was almost completely empty and with that she fired a signal.

To her side and also disarmed is Laetitia, wearing his Variable Suit.

He was completely unconscious.

Al Harlech of Al-Salaam and Wendell Velvet of Liberia, also members of the attacked D team, were unconscious too.

Nakri picked up the red ore of Fiona—her Hundred that was rolling near her.

– I'm ready with this. Only Krovanh remains with that boy.

– I know, I'm going to finish him soon.

Answers Krovanh, the only woman of the gang of three who's glaring at Lloyd Steinberg, one of the vice presidents of Little Garden, who readied his Phalanx type Hundred, 《Jet Black Heavenly Spear》 Midgard Schrange. A huge sword with two blades was held in her hand—she was grasping tightly her Crusher type Hundred, Orthros Liberio.

(Only a little more, if I can stand somehow or other then…)

Lloyd readied the spear without moving, telling that to himself.

Even though some of them are aware of the existence of the Hunters, they must have noticed that there are existing problems with communications, this going both to the HQ of the base and to the Slayers participating in the search-and-destroy operation.

There's no doubt that someone will see the shot of Fiona, realize that there's a problem occurring in this place and come running.

What he must do now is buy time—

However, the enemies are aware of what Lloyd is trying to do, they seem to be cautious of that.

– We don't have much time, so we'll bring this to an end quickly!

Krovanh readied the weapon and kicks up the ground, slashing Lloyd.

– … kkuh!

Lloyd wards off the swung downward blade with the shield on his left hand and launched an attack with the spear in his right hand.

But it was dodged by Krovanh who bent her body backwards.

– ORAA!

Krovanh slashes at his one more time.

Then, Lloyd pierced the ground with the pointed end of the spear

– —what!?

Krovanh is in commotion by the action she didn't anticipate.

Lloyd rotates his body with the axis of the spear and kicked flying her body.

– Guh!

Krovanh falls to the ground with that, but she recovers immediately.

Although he was able to land a blow, it's just a kick, she received no damage.

Still, this should be giving him some time.

– You seem to be doing it better than that guy, huh.

Krovanh wiped the mud stuck on her face with the back of her hand.

Nakri was watching such situation laughs and ridicules her.

– Need some help, Krovanh?

– What are you saying? You know that I'm not going serious, don't you?

– I know.

Nakri suspends his mouth and grins, showing an ominous smile.

In the same way, Krovanh laughs.

– … well, it's time to go all out. We really don't have time.

Together with the murmur, the black eyes of Krovanh starts to emit a golden brilliance.

– … limit out.

Murmuring, the speed of Krovanh who holds the weapon increased, it was rising dramatically compared up to now.

– Oraah!

The power of the twin blade that is swung downward has also become quite strong.

(kkuh…! So this what a guy with the strength of the Variant is, huh…)

The best and only thing he can do is ward off the attacks.

He doesn't have time or the like to counterattack nowhere.

Now, if the remaining two people assist him, this won't be settled….

No, to be frank, as things are…

– You put quite a fight, however—

Krovanh strongly stepped on one of the edges of the twin blade, grazing the ground.

– —!?

He thought that it was an overenthusiastically miss attack, but he immediately realized that it wasn't so.

That's because a lump of mud approached his face instantly.

(Dammit, this is what she was aiming for…!)

The mud sticks, and Lloyd is plunged into darkness.

– This is the end!

He can't do anything if his visibility goes black.

Feeling that the blade of Orthros Liberio of Krovanh approaches, Lloyd prepared himself.

Immediately afterwards, along with an explosion sound, the sound that the body of a human hits the ground reached the ear of Lloyd.

– Kuh, the hell was that just now!?

The next he heard was the voice of Krovanh.

(What on earth happened?)

Although he couldn't grasp the situation because his visibility was blocked, someone appeared, there, he was able to understand that he was saved.

(Is that perhaps, Clark-sama…?)

Expecting that in his heart, Lloyd wipes the mud of his face with his arm.

What he saw was the figure of Krovanh who's about to stand up.

Two beams were fired there.

Krovanh avoided them while rolling and pointed her eyes to the place where the beams were fired. Like her, Lloyd also pointed his eyes to that place.

Two floating batteries are suspended there—

– Damn, where are you!?

– I am here desuwayo.

– —kuh!?

That voice came from the top of a tree.

In response to the voice of Clark, Krovanh gazed at the surroundings, but it was too late.

Clark, who had descended from the top of the tree by jumping, trampled down on her body.

– Guah!

Krovanh screamed.

The eyes that were shining returned to black.

– … president!

Lloyd raised a spontaneous delighted voice, he was longing for a partner to make their entry.

– Who are you, you bastard!? Get away from Krovanh!

Nakri throws one of the rings of Duo Varga towards Clark.

Clark stopped the blow, catching it with one of his hands.

– I am the Student Council President of the Academy-City Ship Little Garden, Clark Harvey desuwa. It seems that you heavily tormented my comrades not only once but twice desuwane.

After a glance at Fiona and Laetitia who collapsed, he glares at Nakri and Nesat again in that order and turns two muzzles of the six floating batteries to Krovanh in order to threaten her to not move.

Nakri and Nesat who saw that, gritted their teeth and scowled at Clark with a bloodcurdling facial expression.

– Now, I have questions for you masu. They are about Viktor Tynyanov desu.

– … kh.

The moment that name came out, Nakri showed discomposure.

Both Krovanh and Nesat are the same.

– … looks like when limiting it to the reaction I am seeing, you know about Viktor desuwane.

– That's why we're not going to say anything!

Nakri shouted.

In order to admonish them, Clark continues.

– Release from your combat readiness, surrender immediately and provide information about Viktor desu. By doing so, we will overlook the matter of the Zwei Islands and the matter of now.

– Don't screw with us! Like hell we are going to believe the words of some guys of Warslan! Besides, that arrogant attitude of yours towards us is detestable!

Nakri accelerates, kicking up the ground. Clark uses two of the six floating batteries and tried to stop his feet by firing beams.

But he dodges them by moving quickly to the left and right, closes the distance with Clark and raises overhead the ring, slashing at him.

Then Clark pushed out his left hand and deployed an E-Barrier, he stopped the blow of Nakri just in front of him.

– Wha…

Clark cancels the E-Barrier right away.

Throwing towards Nakri one of the rings of Duo Varga that he was holding in his right hand, his body was sent flying to the distance.

– Nakri!

Looking the figure of Nakri that crumbled down after colliding with a wall of rock, Nesat showed a flustered look and immediately opened the eyepatch, a golden eye appeared. He murmured as he looked at the Hundred of Krovanh who was showing an expression of anguish at the feet of Clark.

– … 《Duplication Deployment!》 HUNDRED ON!

Understanding, disassembly, reconstruction—

The report of Haname and the others suggests that his ability is based on those three points.

In fact, he emits a long straight pillar of light towards the sky from his eye, that creates a twin blade with a shape similar to the one owned by Krovanh at the feet of Clark, and slashed at him.

Clark attempts to intercept it using two of the six floating batteries.

But he wasn't able to dodge it.

While defending against it with an E-Barrier, he assaulted him as he was.

(What the…!)

While deploying the weapon, Clark noticed that the eye hidden in his eyepatch shines with a golden color.

(Did he release the strength of the Variant desuno?)

It seems that the intensity of the barrier is increasing.

What to do? Clark hesitates.

The twin blade that he brandished is shining with energy.

It will be impossible to stop that blow.

However, if he moves, he will confer freedom to the girl at his feet.

Krovanh began to move as if she had sensed such hesitation of Clark.

She released the strength of the Variant and got up with a jump.

Then picked up Orthros Liberio that had fallen on the ground.

– … kuh!

Without a moment's delay, Clark shot beams towards the boy using the floating batteries.

She avoids them while rolling on the ground and as soon as she gets up, she slashes at Clark.

– Take this!

– Such a thing won't hit me masenwa!

Clark jumped to dodge it and once again aimed at Krovanh with the floating batteries and fired the beams with decision.

Nakri launched an attack there.

– Don't forget about me!

Looking back in response to the voice, his eyes were also shining with a golden color.

That means that the ability of the Variant was released.

(It will be difficult if it continues like this desuwane…)

If the opponents are the three guys who released the power of the Variant, then this won't be a situation where he can think of leaving enough spare energy to search tomorrow.

– … it cannot be helped masenwa, now that it has become to this, I will go with everything I have too masu.

Clark distracts the three Hunters using the six floating batteries and took distance as he declared that he decided so.

– … going seriously? In other words, you are saying that you weren't serious all this time?

Krovanh frowns the part of the eyebrow closest to the nose.

– Exactly desuwa.

An intense light was emitted from the body of Clark.

Then, his armor becomes thicker and the railguns of both arms become bigger.

– That's, no way…

– … full, armament?

Nesat shows confusion and Nakri stares in wonder.

Without a moment's delay, Krovanh yells in order to give encouragement to those two boys.

– … you said full armament, huh. But we are three. That's nothing for Nakri and Nii-chan! We can do it!

– Yup, I'll do it…

– …let's, do it…!

Kicking up the ground at the same time, the three Hunters attack.

Clark flutters in the night sky like a butterfly while green particles fall as if dancing, dodging the attacks, then tries to counterattack using the six floating batteries and the railguns of both arms.

– Guh…!

Immediately after the twin blade slashed the air, a beam emitted from one of the floating batteries hits Krovanh.

– 《Small Floating Batteries!》 Petals!

Clark launched small floating batteries from the six floating batteries and attacked the three guys.

– Kuh, although the beams of those petty things can be sustained, the floating batteries over there are a huge hindrance…

– Krovanh, can you take care of them?

Nesat turned his eyes to rely on Krovanh.

Nakri also turns his eyes in a similar way.

– … let's see.

Krovanh gazed at Clark, narrowing hers eyes and stood 10 meters ahead.

– What is it mashitano? If it's about giving up or you want to discuss about it, then the answer should come out right away desuwayo.

At that time, Krovanh noticed drops, that is, that it began to rain, then she showed a grin and whispered into the ears of the two girls.

– Nii-chan, Nakri, looks like luck is with us. I thought of something good.

Naturally, Clark was noticing the falling rain.

(… this has become a trouble mashitawane)

Rain is like a natural enemy for the Dragoon type Hundred users.

Although it doesn't make it unusable like the flames, the power of the beam attacks by energy is weakened.

(It would be nice if those three surrendered, however…)

Unfortunately, the trio goes into a huddle in front of him, they seem as if they were kneading something like a plan.

Even if Clark is confident that he can cope with any kind of plan they come up with, he wanted to avoid drawn-out battles.

Because Clark is aware that if the fight keeps dragging on and dragging on, he doesn't know what will happen. And the energy will be consumed pointlessly.

(If only Kisaragi Haname and the others hasten to come to this place…)

In that case, it will be advantageous for them in terms of numbers, and because Eric is a chain user, he should be able to arrest the three guys—

The three Hunters separate and look up at Clark floating in the sky.

– Do you finally have the intention to surrender?

When Clark asks them in order to provoke them,

– AS IF!

Nakri throws Duo Varga of both hands in succession.

– … HUNDRED ON.

Nesat also created rings similar to Duo Varga and threw them in a similar way.

But none of them went past a place far away from Clark's body.

(… what are those boys doing?)

He guessed that they would start attacking by changing the direction in the middle of it like a boomerang, but that wasn't the case.

A total of four rings were aiming at the floating batteries that are floating at the side of Clark respectively.

– … wha, not me, but the floating batteries!?

Four floating batteries are destroyed.

Nakri grabs Duo Varga that came back and throws them towards the two remaining floating batteries.

With that, all the floating batteries have been destroyed.

– Kuh…!

Clark is disturbed due to the situation that he hadn't hypothesized. Krovanh started an offensive there.

– Your body is now defenseless, huh!?

Panicking, Clark uses the small floating batteries that remained and began an attack pointing to the gang of three.

However, looks like they don't have an effect on the defensive walls since the beams of the small floating batteries have lost output due to rain.

– Something like this is insignificant!

– If so, then with this!

Clark accelerates, having the weapons at the ready and turns the railguns of the arms towards the approaching Krovanh.

– Too slow!

– —kuh!

Prior the bombardment, the brandish of Orthros Liberio hit directly the body of Clark.

– Kyaaaaa!

Clark falls towards the ground while screaming.

Watching such state, Nakri exclaimed.

– Hooray!

However, despite crashing on the ground violently, and that he lost his 6 floating batteries and his 12 petals, Clark's consciousness is still there, and the state of full armament is also up.

– … kkuh!

Clark tries to stand up while staggering.

There, Krovanh was pressing him.

– I'll put an end to this!

5 meters, 3 meters, while shortening the distance with Clarke, she readies the twin blade.

At that moment, a dazzling light successfully covered him.

– … wh-what the!?

Their field of view is blocked by a white curtain.

At the same instant, Clark thought.

(This is the flash bullet of Eric desuwa!)

Clark knows that he is carrying flash bullets.

There's no doubt with that.

The guess turns into conviction.

It's because the figure of Krovanh was reflected, her body was wrapped around by a pink chain.

– Dammit, what the hell is this!?

Krovanh tries to escape from the chains by twisting herself.

But she couldn't tear off the chain. On the contrary, more tightening will only make it stronger.

– It's futile. You cannot escape easily from my 《Chains of Absolute Fate》 Everlasting.

A voice echoes from the top of a tree near them.

– Who are you!?

The line of sight of Krovanh is directed to the end of the chain that is wrapped around her body.

– I am Eric Candle, one of the vice presidents of Little Garden. Clark-sama, we have come to help.

The glasses boy, standing on a thick branch of the tree, answered.

Kisaragi Haname was standing next to him, then jumps off from the tree and rushes to the position of Clark. She already deployed her simple armament, she's holding Hien in her hand.

– President, are you alright?

– Kisaragi Haname…

– Of course, I am here too.

– Me too.

With those voices Clark noticed the existence of Ellie and Claude—the two other members of the same E team.

Of course, both of them have deployed their armaments.

On top of that, Ellie has a rapier that was created with Arms Shroud and aimed at the base of the throat of Nakri from behind and Claude was holding down Nesat on the ground, coiling around the neck the chain of Tudor Rose.

– Impossible, I never thought that this would happen by trying to stick together Kisaragi Haname and Clark Harvey.

Claude continues his words while smiling wryly.

– I really want to apologize, but for now, let's do something about these Hunters.

Eric is overlooking the Hunters from the top of the trees and opened his mouth.

– Clark-sama, I leave everything to you.

– Understood mashitawa.

Replying, Clark shouts.

– 《Floating Batteries, Revive!》 Resurrection!

Then, by deploying something called a magic square, that emits green light at his feet and from that same thing six floating batteries rise to the surface, they were resurrected.

– You can't do anything in this situation, don't you agree? We also have the advantage in numbers desuwa. Please surrender.

When Clark says so, the whole body of Krovanh trembles with anger while spitting up with a grisly facial expression.

– There's no way we can do that.

– … what do you mean desuno?

Clark knits his brows.

– From the situation, you thought that we can't do anything, but the thing is that we can break free. A bit more and we can obtain freedom, how can we give up in a place like this!?

– Wha…!

Clark stares in wonder.

Because it seemed that the golden eyes of Krovanh shone even more violently, she was able to tear off the pink chain.

At the same time, her throat vibrates furiously and accelerates, having Orthros Liberio at the ready.

She's after Clark.

For a second, Ellie and Claude had their eyes fixated on the change of Krovanh.

As they aimed at that gap, Nakri and Nesat also moved.

Nakri squatted and knocked aside the legs of Ellie.

– Uwaa!?

A leg raises, then Ellie completely loses the balance of his body and Nakri slashes at his with Duo Varga.

– Take this!

Ellie does a back step and dodges the ring but Nakri recovered his freedom with that.

Almost simultaneous with that sort of series of flows.

Nakri took a glance at Clark,

– … Hundred On.

With a murmur, he creates six floating batteries similar to Clark.

Then, he moved two of them behind Claude and fired beams.

– Wha, from behind!?

Claude receives damage on the back of his head and collapses from the front.

Nesat became free with that and turns his line of sight to Krovanh.

– AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

While Krovanh roars, she was trying to slash again at Clark who had been accelerating and dodging the attacks, then attempted to bombard her with the railguns of his hands.

Not only from the weapons but also from his whole body the energy is overflowing.

– President, leave this to me!

Although the six floating batteries were resurrected, Haname concluded that the wounded Clark shouldn't be the one that has to keep company with the opponent, so she started an offensive with Hien pointing at Krovanh.

– You, the one of some time ago, get out of the way!

Krovanh noticed Haname and swings down Orthros Liberio.

The two blades hit each other, making a fierce sword fight sound.

– You okay, Haname…?

Ellie glanced at Haname who's stacking up swords with Krovanh and glared with a change in his line of sight to Nakri who confronts him.

– I have to deal with this soon in order to go and help Haname.

Saying so, he changed most of his Arms Shroud into a long, thin sword and started releasing a blow, then another one to the approaching Nakri.

– Haa, such a thing!

Nakri closes the distance while repelling the swords that face his with Duo Varga and released an offensive against Ellie.

However, Ellie jumped and evaded it nimbly, then grabbed one of the swords floating around his body and stabbed it in the hole of the ring of Nakri.

– What… the!?

Stabbing through it, the point of the sword buries in the ground.

Because of that, the movement of Nakri is completely stopped.

Ellie took another sword in the air as he was and stabbed a sword in the hole of the other ring. The point of the sword buries in the earth in the same way.

– Shit!

He moves the ring, trying to pull out the sword, but he can't do it. The sword is quite long and is buried deep in the ground.

– You can't move unless you get away from those weapons… or I'll skewer you like them.

All the pointed end of the 10 swords floating in the air are directed to Nakri.

– Kuh…. If you are going to do it, then do it fast!

– Alright. Just kidding!

The moment Ellie pulled the arm, all the swords return to particles in a blink of an eye.

– Wha…!

Nakri, who was loading strength on both arms, lost the balance of his body and was about to fall.

– Of course, I can't afford to liberate you, but I won't kill you either.

Without a moment's delay, Ellie covered his fist with a knuckle he produced with Arms Shroud and thrusted it into the abdomen of Nakri.

– … ack!

The body of Nakri bent in a く shape and flies in the air.

– Sorry.

Without a pause, Ellie does a turning kick and sent flying the body of Nakri to a wall of rock.

With that, his vital came to an end.

The armament of Nakri was cancelled, Duo Varga also falls to the ground and vanished.

– Nakri!

– It's no good if you look away!

– … kuh!

Nesat avoids Tudor Rose that was strongly swung downward and attacks with the floating batteries.

– I won't let you!

Ellie exclaimed, generating a rapier with Arms Shroud that destroys right in half the floating batteries of Nesat that attempted to bombard Claude.

– …!

Nesat looks dumbfounded at the floating batteries that are scattering as particles.

However, he immediately pulls himself together and began an offensive against Ellie with the remaining floating batteries.

But Ellie dodges them nimbly with a jump and by using Arms Shroud in the air he destroys all the floating batteries while changing weapons one after another.

– Looks like it's my win, don't you think?

Ellie landed on the ground and generates a sharp rapier once again then moved forward to the base of the legs of Nesat.

Hundred On

Nesat turned his line of sight towards the rapier of Ellie that was approaching and attempted to duplicate it.

However, Ellie returned the weapons back to particles.

Because of that, he couldn't replicate it.

– Unlike me, you can't create weapons freely, and even if you deploy what you see, it doesn't look like you can move right away, does it? Besides, you can't reproduce a special Hundred like my Arms Shroud.

When he noticed it, the distance between them is less than one meter.

Ellie once again created a rapier and turned the pointed tip of it towards the eye of the boy.

– If I pierce your eye with this, you won't be able to duplicate anymore, am I right?

– … my eye, you will crush it….?

– For the sake of what are you using your eyes?

– Eh?

– To kill people? Or to see your loved ones and the beautiful world? If it's the latter, then surrender. Together with the girl over there. I don't want to crush that eye.

Ellie points him line of sight at Krovanh.

– What beautiful world, huh!? We haven't seen nothing but despair! Why are you getting in our way!? A little more, only a little more! A little more and we'll be released—we'll be free!

– —kuh!

Krovanh's Orthros Liberio shines like a black flame and starts pressing down the body of Haname.

Haname was frantically holding her back with Hien loaded with energy.

Eventually, the shining of the sense energies of the two began to wrap not only the armament and weapons, but also the whole bodies of each other.

(Huh, what is, this…?)

At that time, pain runs in the head of Haname, and images came to the front, burning into her memory.

The figures of a boy and a girl who carry bags that seem to be heavy are listening to the orders of an adult woman.

(… those two are…)

Stuck-up and pointed black hair, black eyes and dark skin.

They are quite younger than now, but there's no doubt that the girl in front of her eyes is Krovanh and that the taller boy is Nesat.

It was a woman who wore a military uniform, and a little older than Haname and the others, who's swinging a whip.

Her skin color is the same as theirs, and she has Middle East features.

Looking closely at her, the military uniform has the insignia of Al-Salaam and a red ore is hanging on her neck.

Looks like the military woman is a Slayer.

There is a large number of children beside them in that place, and like the two of them, they were carrying bags and things like shackles were on their hands and feet.

And they were struck with the same whip when their pace gets slower.

(Why, such a terrible thing…)

She was treating the children like slaves.

Something like that can't be forgiven.

– Come on, walk quickly!

The soldier swings the whip to Nesat whose step is tottering.

– … aah!

– Nii-chan!

Krovanh rushes to the boy who's struck with a whip and crumbled down to the ground.

– Nii-chan, are you alright, Nii-chan!?

– You bitch, why are you moving away from your position!?

The woman raised overhead the whip again.

– … kuh!

While trying to protect the boy, Krovanh received the whip on her back and stared at the woman who's looking down on them.

Maybe it was because she was unable to stomach such attitude, the woman swung the whip again.

(Why am I seeing these things?)

While wondering, Haname stops the tempestuous attack that Krovanh released.

Then again, sense energy was released from the two people and were surrounded by an intense light as far as the eye can see.

The energies of the two integrate as if to connect the two Variants.

And, images come to the mind of Haname again.

The figures of the boy and the girl running through the wilderness at midnight.

Just like before, it's the childhood of Krovanh and Nesat.

It seems that they were living in a facility where the ones who lost their parents by the raids of the Savages are gathered.

However, that wasn't just an orphanage, as it was established by Al-Salaam Company, a Middle East company commissioned by the Kingdom of Khmer to redevelop the areas destroyed by the Savages. They used the children who gathered as slaves, turning them in working force. Life in that place was like hell.

Therefore, Krovanh and Nesat were trying to escape from the facility.

(There's no choice but to do this. Otherwise, we'll be killed someday!)

However, they were found by a soldier who was patrolling near the entrance before leaving the premises.

Not all was turning dark, since the enemy doesn't seem to be a Slayer, but she has a gun in her hand.

Becoming disconcerted, they started running.

*BANG*, a gunshot attacks their ears.

The pursuer fired a bullet.

They saw the soil sprung up far away.

However, his gun skill wasn't good.

When they looked back and confirmed his position, their distance was still sufficient.

They were way luckier, the soldier was growing fat, his legs were slow.

Krovanh leaves the site from the pathway that wasn't locked while she pulled the hand of Nesat.

Nonetheless, the soldier continued following them.

He really doesn't want to let them escape.

Whether he intends to intimidate them or stop them by shooting them to death, he has already fired 3 times.

Escapees and pursuers.

The distance increases gradually, but after three minutes or so, Nesat falls down all of a sudden.

– … are you okay?

Thinking that a bullet hit her, Krovanh rapidly checked the leg of Nesat.

– … y-yeah… I'm fine there, but… it hurts here…

– Ah…

Noticing that the eyelid of Nesat who raised his face is dyed red, Krovanh grimaces. When she saw the ground, she could see a pointed stone. She guesses that it hit his eye.

Krovanh looks back and checks the position of the pursuer.

The distance has shortened considerably this time.

Moreover, the pursuer has a gun at the ready.

He should still have bullets.

There's no time to treat his wound.

– … shit!

Muttering as if spitting out, she asks Nesat.

– Nii-chan, can you run?

After confirming that Nesat nodded, Krovanh pulled his hand once again and ran in the direction of a settlement that had a lot of remaining debris of the destroyed buildings that were overrun by the Savages at the time of the Second Attack.

If it's there, they should have a place to hide.

Her thinking was correct and in the lined up abandoned buildings, it was possible to find a gap where they could hide.

– We'll hide here.

After Nesat went inside first, and collecting the rubble to hide themselves, Krovanh went inside.

What's left is to trust their chance.

They'll be lucky if they aren't found, but if they are found, she can only fight with a knife she stole from the facility.

For the time being, Krovanh decided to wrap a bandage she made by cutting a part of the tunic she wore on the eye of Nesat.

It's a simplish treatment but it can't be helped.

The other things that she can do now is to grasp tightly, firmly and strongly the only weapon she has, keep an eye to the situation of her surroundings, steel herself and protect Nesat, her older brother, who sleeps next to her.

However, without being able to win against the sleepiness that visited her, Krovanh eventually fell asleep like Nesat.

The next morning, with the sunlight coming from the gap of the rubble, Krovanh woke up, she realized that she was sleeping, but they weren't found by the pursuer.

She doesn't feel that there's anyone nearby. Krovanh decided to leave from the abandoned building together and wakes up Nesat. Outside of the settlement that was overrun by the Savages and collapsed, one side of it is a desert area.

When walking for 3 hours on the opposite side of the facility where they were in the past, she could see something like smoke going up slightly towards the sky.

Maybe there's a settlement over there.

With expectations in her heart, the two of them who are in a worn-out state advance in the desert despite their slow pace.

Before long, the settlement was clearly visible, but they can't be relieved yet. Because the settlement isn't necessary not under the control of Al-Salaam.

If so, they'll be put back in the facility and forced to do slave labors.

Or, they get caught and are killed as an example—keeping Nesat to wait in a safe place, Krovanh decided to investigate the situation of the settlement. Apparently, in the settlement, people of the same race as the two of them live there and looks like they aren't under the control of Al-Salaam.

A relieved Krovanh visited the settlement with Nesat and requested a meeting with the chief of the settlement.

However, she thought that the people of the settlement would be naturally suspicious of two dubious kids who appeared in the settlement all of a sudden.

She was cautious, but she managed to have a meeting with the chief.

There, Krovanh explained the circumstances they were placed in. And, she tells why she left the children's home.

Then the people of the settlement treat them cordially and gave them water and food.

Moreover, they were also protected for a while in this settlement.

The two of them could finally calm down.

– … what happened with the eye?

Inquired by the chief, Krovanh tells that he ended with that injury because he fell down in the middle of their escape from the facility.

– If so, we will take you to a doctor who is staying in a settlement near us tomorrow.

With the arrangement of the chief, and as it was decided, the two headed to the settlement around 10 kilometers away from the settlement they visited.

There was a man in white robe with big dark circles under his eyes and that has long ruffled hair in the basement of that place.

Apparently, this questionable man is a doctor. Next to him, there's a woman with a strange mask.

– … so, what happened to your eye?

Inquired by the man in white robe and just like yesterday, Krovanh starts talking about the whole story.

That they have escaped from the children's home.

That he was injured on the way.

Because the man was very suspicious, he was hesitant at the beginning, but he thought that it's more important to see the eye of Nesat now, so he talked firmly.

– In other words, you guys have a grudge against the Slayers?

After he finished listening to her, the masked woman said so.

Of course, Krovanh nods.

– I dislike Slayers. They aren't humans. They try to oppress humans, using the power they obtained. Because they say "we are the only ones who can win against the Savage", they do as they please—

– … then, it would be great if you have strength too. If you gain strength, then you can get your revenge. After all Al-Salaam, and this world are—

– But, because the Hundred doesn't react to me…

– There's a way.

The masked woman said.

– Eh, that way is—

– I will grant you just that.

That's what the man in a white robe said next.

Standing up, he headed towards Nesat.

Then he removed the bandage of the head and looked into the eye that became red.

– This is very bad. If this keeps like this, he will completely lose the vision.

– That's…

The front of Krovanh turns pitch dark.

That means that it's impossible to treat him.

– But, if it's me, I might be able to give his vision. However, that requires a strong will and sacrifice.

– … will and sacrifice?

– To have your own goals and wish strongly for them. And to throw away your humanity. If he does that, his eye may heal, and he will be on par with the Slayers—no, he may get more power than them.

– Is that true?

– It's true.

Saying so, the man in white robe continued.

– —do you want strength?

Words weren't necessary between the two people who look at each other's faces.

Krovanh nods, Nesat also nods and continues.

– If so, I will give you strength and freedom. On the other hand, you are going to help us with my work for a while, but you are fine with that, right?

The masked woman who's listening to that interview smiled broadly.

After that, the juveniles rescued a boy named Nakri from the claws of Al-Salaam. He's a boy who's a relative of the siblings and who fell into similar circumstances than them, then he was made into an artificial Variant by the mysterious woman Viktor and they fight to become free together—they continue fighting for revenge against the Slayers.

(How is that I can see something like this…?)

Haname doesn't know how is that she can experience her memories.

She wonders if her thoughts are being transmitted due to the energy.

Or is it because of the ability of the Variant?

However, it seems that nothing is visible to Krovanh.

– The hell is wrong with you!? There's a reason why we absolutely have to win! Do you even have that!?

While yelling, Krovanh keeps striking hard.

– … I do.

Haname answered firmly.

Her little brother.

Everyone in the institution in Yamato.

She has a promise she just made with the president.

And of course, Elliot as well—

To protect her precious people.

In order to not be separated from them.

– That's why I can't lose! I can't lose!

– —kuh!

In response to the cry of Haname, the blade of Hien that increased its radiance became gigantic.

Eventually the light wrapped around Haname's body as well, creating an armor that covered her whole body.

– No way, this guy has also full armament—

– In order to protect my precious people, to make a beautiful world where everyone can be happy without getting injured, I—will fight!

– Such a thing is settled to be impossible! Where everyone is in a happy world, that's—

– But if you don't want it, then that absolutely won't happen. That's why, I wish for it! Such a happy world—

Haname's eyes shone golden.

With the blade of Hien that went huge, the body of Krovanh revolves in the air.

– … damn…!

Krovanh was thrown to the ground and fell to the surface but stands up while making a wry face as if she was frustrated.

– … how I, against such a girl…! Why the will of this girl is stronger? Does it mean that I lost my way?

The feet of Krovanh who spat out in vexation were staggering.

She's no longer in a state where she can fight properly.

– Nakri, Krovanh, in this situation we can't do anything. So…

– Nii-chan, don't give up! We aren't going to surrender!

– Krovanh…

– We are going to win—we'll win, we'll win, the freedom in our hands…!

Energy begins to overflow from the body of Krovanh, it's like a flame that burns brightly. But—

– Ku, haah…!

She vomited red blood from her mouth.

– Please stop! If you keep using the power of the Variant, your body will…

– I know that! I still can fight, I can fight!

Putting energy on her whole body again, Krovanh starts an offensive against Haname.

Eric muttered, looking at her.

– Is she completely overwhelmed by the strength of the Variant?

– The strength of the Variant…?

Claude twists his head.

But this is not the case for an explanation.

– I will stop him masuwa.

Clark, who was biting his upper lip, tried to fire a floating battery against Krovanh.

Immediately after that—

*SPLAAAAAAAASH*!

Suddenly, a loud sound of a splash of water resounded all over the area.

– … what was that desuno?

Not only Clark, but even Krovanh stopped her feet by reflex and turned her line of sight to the direction of the sound.

– What in the world…?

– Kisaragi Haname, look at that.

Clark was looking at the night sky with a surprised expression and said so to Haname who muttered.

Doing as he was told, Haname looks up at the night sky.

There is a dragonfly that has 4 enormous wings and a pair of eyes that shine dazzlingly, it's a living thing that is floating and resembles a dragon.

– Why is there dragon-like thing in a place like this…?

– … you are wrong, Haname. That's not a dragon, it's a Savage. Look at the thing on the head.

– Well, I get that but…

The color and the pattern of the body is the same as the Savages she has met so far.

In addition, the head at the end of the long neck has a golden shining shelter, in which the core can also be seen inside.

– … if I'm not mistaken, there should be a huge lake that was made by the fall of a meteorite where that Savage is floating desuwayone.

– That means that the dragon-like Savage appeared from that lake?

– Taking into consideration the circumstances, that's the only thing I can conclude. Eric, what do you think?

– Even if I say something…. I can't access the database now, but actually I heard about the existence of the Savage which is flying in the sky…

The Savage, which looks like a dragon and a dragonfly combined, roared with its head facing a higher height.

Their whole bodies tremble, it's fierce.

Next, it starts to gather light in the mouth.

– Don't tell me that it will fire a bombardment masuno…!?

Haname and co. aren't in the direction that it's pointing to.

– I am sure that B team is…

Immediately after Eric said that, the Savage fired a bombardment to the ground without stopping.

A thick beam is fired from the head and strikes the ground.

The ground shook with a fiery explosion.

– You're kidding, right…?

Even from this place, they can see that a part of the forest was completely erased.

The surroundings of the space that was suddenly opened in the forest were intensely burning with flame, and even a part of the darkness is stained red.

– That power is dreadful, don't you think? We have to do something and fast…

– I get that, but…

Clark turned his eyes to the gang of three.

They haven't ended with them yet.

– You're the president-san of Little Garden, right? Why don't we have a deal?

– A deal? And about what desuno?

Narrowing his eyes, Clark gazes at Krovanh.

– We'll defeat the Savage. And you'll give us the core.

– The core? What are you saying—

– We'll return the Hundreds of the others. What do you think? The core of that guy is pretty huge. If it's that one, we'll sure be free.

Krovanh took out the pouch from her pocket and scattered the Hundred they stole from the UN Peacekeeping Slayers who are participating in this operation to the ground.

– Even though you are saying such a thing, you are on the verge of being controlled by the Variant Virus now desuwayo. If you keep using the ability of the Variant, your body won't make it masenwa!

– I'll be able to manage it somehow or other. I can still do it. Watch properly how I show the evidence of that!

Krovanh shouted, her eyes changed from black to golden color and shone powerfully. Black energy is beginning to rise up not only from Orthros Liberio in her hand, but also from the whole body. However, her steps are wobbling, they aren't settled yet. She also distorts her facial expression, looking like she's in pain.

– Stop, really! Leave that Savage to us, to Little Garden—

– Impossible. I can do it. I can do it! And then, we'll be free—

Krovanh kicked up the ground and accelerated towards the dragon-shaped Savage—the dragonfly type.

– Stop, Krovanh!

Nesat yelled, but she never stopped. While raising a great war cry, she heads towards the dragonfly type.

– … she's already in a frenzy state. She lost her discernment.

That's the calm analysis of Eric.

– What do we do, Clark-sama?

– I don't know what to do either…

In such a situation, if he could knock it down with the floating batteries and capturing it with the Everlasting of Eric.

– … let's see the situation a little.

Clark muttered as if he had given up.

– But that thing is dangerous, isn't it…?

Ellie put his hand on the shoulder of Haname who tried to accelerate in order to restrain her, as she was trying to stop Krovanh who gave a step forward with her feet.

– It's useless, Haname. I know you have the feeling of wanting to stop her, but you won't make it in time.

Certainly, it's as Ellie says.

Krovanh has already approached the dragonfly type and she's 10 meters away from it.

– Here I come!

Employing energy, Krovanh jumped higher than the dragonfly type and struck the shelter of the head with the twin blade that she raised overhead.

However, the blade stops at about 20 centimeters just before touching the shelter of the dragonfly type.

– What…? What the hell does this mean? Hey…!

Being amazed, Krovanh mutters.

– What the… this… my Orthros Liberio doesn't touch it…

Krovanh slashes the shelter two, three times in succession, but the result is the same.

– No way, is that a wide area barrier zone desuno!?

– … it looks like that's the case.

Eric agreed to what Clark said.

Also, in the eyes of Haname, a spherical membrane that covers the giant dragonfly is in sight.

It's similar to what Satoru deployed to save the bus passengers from the bombardment of a Savage in the Zwei Islands.

– When generating a barrier, the body's fluorescent color portion emits light intensively. In other words, that may be a barrier generator apparatus.

Surely as Eric says, a part of the body of the Savage is emitting a strong light.

– But, given that we know that, there's no other way but to smash the barrier.

That's certainly as Ellie says.

Moreover, the dragonfly type enters in a bombarding stance and opens its head to eliminate Krovanh who's trying to start an offensive against itself.

– Krovanh, run away!

Nesat raises a grieving voice.

But that shout was in vain, the bombardment of the Savage hits Krovanh directly.

Her vital was completely consumed with that.

Krovanh falls to the ground from her head.

Just like drawing a straight line with a ruler.

– Krovanh!

Panicking, Nesat rushes over her point of fall and catches the body of Krovanh in his arms.

– Krovanh, are you okay!? Are you alive!?

– … y-yeah…

Asked by her older brotger, Krovanh raised a groaning and painful-like voice and opened her eyelids.

Her eyes lost the golden brilliance and returned to black.

– I'm relieved, you are alive…

Drops of tears can be seen at the edge of the eyes of Nesat who took a breath feeling relieved.

– Nii-chan. I, to that guy…

Krovanh gazes at the dragonfly type that floats in the sky and makes a vexed facial expression.

– It's enough, don't worry about that and rest… Krovanh, leave the rest to the others!

– But, if that happens, then—

– Hey you two, watch out!

Nesat is taken aback by the shout of Ellie.

It's because he noticed that the dragonfly type was coming down to attack with the sharp talons of its arms.

– … kkuh!

Nesat tries to dodge the attack by kicking the ground and leaping horizontally.

However, as he was holding Krovanh in his arms, he started to move late.

– Kuuh… uuuh…. !

The talon of the arm of the Savage scratches the shoulder of Nesat, he crumbled down injured on the ground, he collapsed trying to cover Krovanh, he was gasping in agony.

The dragonfly type tries to attack again with its talons.

– We have to save them, Haname!

– Alright!

Nodding together while looking at each other's eyes, both Haname and Ellie accelerated simultaneously using energy.

And then, they both are saved from the attack of the dragonfly type because Haname carried Krovanh and Ellie carried Nesat.

– Phew, we saved them.

Ellie took a breath of relief as he lowered Nesat from his shoulder.

– It seems that the wound isn't that awful.

It appears that he was barely scratched, and the wound that is in sight is around 10 centimeters.

– Why you guys, to us…?

Asks Krovanh.

Haname answered with a gentle smile.

– I told you, isn't it? We are aiming for a world where nobody gets hurt. You guys are no longer our enemies. Our enemy is that Savage.

– Don't you think so too, prez?

Clark nods to the question of Ellie.

– Besides, we will be in trouble if you die desu. There are a lot of things that we want to ask.

– If so, there's one thing I want to request…

Krovanh moved on the shoulder of Haname.

Although she groaned with pain, she continues her words.

– … I don't care what happens to me. But, absolutely protect Nii-chan and Nakri…

– Krovanh…!

Haname decided to leave Krovanh who fainted on her shoulder to Nesat. He tightly holds Krovanh that was handed over from the shoulder of Haname in his arms.

Clark showed a gently smile while looking at them, but he immediately turned his eyes to the dragonfly type,

– Kisaragi Haname, Ellie Crossford, as it was told just now, we are going to take care of that masuwayo. Eric and Claude Lowetti will protect and give treatment to everyone who have collapsed masu.

– Even if we do it, what are we going to do about that barrier? Unless we do something about it, we can't attack it.

– I am going to penetrate it masuwa. After that, you two will destroy the core.

Clark combines the six floating batteries and creates a huge rifle.

– Understood. That being the case, I'll go with this.

Using Arms Shroud, Ellie created a rapier-like sword.

– Haname will destroy the shelter. I'll stab and destroy the core with this afterwards.

Haname nods.

– Well then, let's go masuwayo!

It seems that the loading of energy into the rifle held by Clark in his armpit ended.

From the muzzle that shines green, a beam of thick energy is fired.

However, he couldn't shoot through the wide area barrier zone.

– … it seems to be a stronger barrier than I thought desuwane.

Suspending from the cheek of Clark to the nape of his neck, a drop of sweat dripped.

– But, if I inject energy again…!

– Please stop, Clark-sama!

Eric shouted when Clark tried to inject even more energy into the rifle.

The reason is that the dragonfly type changed the direction of its body and opened its head focusing on Haname and co. who are in front of it.

– Everyone, deploy a barrier right now!

Clark shouts while returning the rifle to the six floating batteries.

However, the bombardment was never fired.

Because many beams were continuously fired from the distance towards the dragonfly type.

– Those are…

– Looks like those are the Slayers that are in other places and started an attack, huh?

Eric replies to Haname.

Although the number of bombardments is high, they are thinner than the one that Clark fired, so their power is weak.

Naturally, they are prevented by all the barriers.

But, thanks to that, Haname and the others were saved.

But that only changed the objective of the Savage.

The dragonfly type does a change of course again and attacked towards the direction it just attacked moments ago.

A roaring sound of an explosion.

Subsequently, the forest blazes in bright red.

– Kuh… It would be great if the Slayers over there are safe…

– Prez, at any rate, this is our chance.

Ellie said so, following Clark who muttered while looking worried. When he noticed, the rapier in his hand was transforming into a huge rifle.

– I'll help this time too. If it's a full bombardment with two people, we might be able to destroy that barrier.

– At the same time—

Hearing those words, Eric opened her eyes wide in surprise.

– That's it, there's that way! Clark-sama, thanks to Ellie Crossfode, I came up with a good idea!

– What is it so suddenly, Eric?

– It's said that three people are better than two people and that four people are better than three people, correct?

Eric continues with an excited voice.

– Why don't all the Slayers who can do long range attacks in this place start an offensive on that Savage? In that case, I think that the possibility of destroying the wide area barrier is quite high.

– However, if another person among us could bombard, only one more—

Clark sees Nesat. He might be able to duplicate the battery created by Clark and bombard it.

No, that's not it, Clark-sama. When I say this place, I mean the Slayers who are in this mountain now, and everyone who can bombard it.

Being told so by Eric, Clark was surprised.

– … ah, you were referring to that desuno!

– Were you able to understand it, Clark-sama?

– Yes.

Nodding, Clark immediately turned his eyes to Nesat.

– You are the ones who are jamming this place, correct desuwane? Where is the jamming device desu?

– …

Regarding the question of Clark, Nesat didn't reply immediately.

Closing tightly his motionless mouth like a straight line, he hung his head with a troubled-like expression.

– If that device is destroyed, that Savage can be defeated. I wonder if you can tell us, please?

When Clark asked again, Nesat glanced at the collapsed Krovanh in his arms and,

– … I understand.

He nodded. And he points out the top of a mountain of an altitude of 2,000 m, which is slightly higher than this place with his finger.

– The jamming device is over there.

There's a distance of around 5 kilometers by tracing a straight line from this place to there.

– It will take a lot of time till we get there and destroy it desuwane…

– I'll give it a try.

Ellie creates a bow using Arms Shroud.

– Wait, are you planning to aim and shoot at that desuno?

– If I can do so, that'd be the best, don't you think?

Answering, Ellie created an arrow in his right hand and decided to aim at the peak of the mountain pointed out by Nesat with a sighting device attached to the bow.

– How is it? You really think you will be able to manage it somehow or another?

– I'm sorry, Haname. I'm concentrating right now, so I need a little bit of silence.

– Ah, sorry…

*BIP*, the sighting device makes a sound.

– … objective confirmed! Here I go!

Ellie shot the arrow that was tucked in bluish-white energy. It pushes its way towards the top of the mountain while cutting off the air.

A few seconds later, a small explosion occurred at the top of the mountain.

– Nice!

Ellie raises a bright voice.

Apparently, he was able to destroy the jamming device.

The vital ring makes *BIP* *BIP*.

It's an emergency call from the base camp.

– As expected of Elliot-sama!

Claude shouts.

Ellie smiles with satisfaction, turning his line of sight towards Haname.

– I did it, Haname.

– I thought that if it was you, then you could do it.

– Ehehe…

Ellie is happy and does a V sign with his fingers to Haname who's praising him.

Meanwhile, Eric started getting in touch with Shuemei who's in the base camp right away.

– Can you hear me, Ryu Shuemei? Right now, the line has been restored. Please tell us about the status of all the units at the present time and the number of Slayers that can fight.

『Ah, yes, just a minute please…』

After ten seconds of silence, Shuemei starts reporting.

『I accessed the latest data and I confirmed it. A team was completely annihilated with the attack done by the hunters. A team was completely annihilated by the bombardment of a mysterious Savage. The rest has suffered many injuries. Currently, there are 22 Slayers who are able to fight.』

– Among them, how many people can bombard with beams?

『Please wait a moment…. … umm, 12 of them.』

– Understood. I will switch the line to Little Garden from here on. Please send the current information to the Strategic Analysis Room.

『Acknowledged. I will transmit it immediately.』

*Haaa*, Eric takes a breath by disconnecting the line with the base camp. However, there's no time to rest.

Eric immediately connected the line to Little Garden.

– Can you hear me? This is the Little Garden Student Council Vice President, Eric Candle.

『We hear you, Eric-san. This is Christa Steinbelt, main analyst of Little Garden. The most important is that Clark-sama and everyone are safe.』

– But Lloyd has been injured. Anyway, are you receiving data from the operation HQ?

『Yes, Dr. Charlie is calculating it using 《LiZA》.』

– Is that so…

He can hear the voice of Charlie as he is.

『You hear me, Eric? The analysis result came now, but it's pretty tough. That wide area barrier zone seems to be very powerful.』

– Charl, there's no way to destroy it?

Ellie's the one who inquired.

『There's one. 《LiZA》 also recommends it, but I'm not too fan of suggesting it.』

– What do you mean?

『To hand out the ability of the Variant of Kisaragi Haname to Clark Harvey. That's the answer that 《LiZA》 submitted.』

– Eh…

Ellie was at a loss for words.

Haname and everyone are the same.

– Wait a moment, that means, no way…

『Yeah, that means that Kisaragi Haname and Clark Harvey have to kiss.』

– That's a huge NO, Charl! Don't you understand what that means!? Why does it have to be something like that!?

『It's a simple story, Ellie Crossford. In this, it's now possible to bombard it with optical weapons, and the only one that it's not infected by the Varian Virus is Clark Harvey. And regarding that barrier, the nature of the energy of Clark is compatible.』

However, as he had to resurrect the six floating batteries that were destroyed, the amount of the energy of Clark has decreased considerably.

Therefore, Charlie wants to say that they should kiss to increase it.

– But that doesn't mean that there won't be an unusual change in the body of the prez!

– Dr. Charlie, what are you talking about? What you mean is that she's going to pour the Variant Virus into my body desuno?

『Exactly, Clark.』

– Clark-sama, that's….

– Yeah, it's dangerous!

It's Ellie who shouted after Eric who shows confusion.

– It's absolutely no good to pour the Variant Virus into an ordinary human being!

– Elliot-sama, what's that "Variant Virus"?

Claude speaks in suspicion, as he felt that he was being left behind.

He doesn't know about the Variant.

– By any chance, does that "Variant Virus" have anything to do with the three Hunters and Kisaragi Haname and that their eyes where shining with a golden color? On that subject, at that time too, when I had the duel with Kisaragi Haname—

– Sorry, Claude. I'll talk about that story again later. We have to apologize for the fight with Haname.

– … in the end, that was… oh, I understand. If Elliot-sama says that sort of thing, then I will have to back down here.

『… so, what do you think, Clark?』

– I have been thinking about it, and there is no choice but to do it, even if there is danger masuwa. Especially if 《LiZA》 recommends it desu.

Clark replies to the voice of Charlie that was audible from the vital ring.

『In short, you are saying that you are prepared, right?』

– I have just said so masuwa.

– Nevertheless, I'm against it after all. There's no guarantee that the barrier can be completely destroyed.

– Ellie Crossfode, if you are opposing because of emotional issues, then I don't have ears to listen to it masenwa. We have no choice but to try it now desu. Because the top priority is to defeat that Savage desu.

– That's, well, but…

『That depends on your determination. What are you going to do, Kisaragi Haname-chan?』

– Before that, please wait a moment, Dr. Charlie…

『… what is it?』

– Will that really increase the power of the energy of the President? This was something I heard from Ellie before, but when kissing, it was rather a story that the activated virus would be contained within so…

『That's because you and him are Variants.』

– Oh, I see…

In other words, if the other person isn't a Variant, the story is different. And it seems that the effects will be different.

『Looks like that solved your question. Then, I'll ask again. Kisaragi Haname, do you want to kiss with Clark Harvey?』

No way! She guessed that this is not the situation to say that.

While bewildered, Haname looks at Clark's face. She's so conscious of it that her gaze is attracted to his mouth.

Then, the lips of Clark moved.

– … Ki-Kisaragi Haname, you don't want to k-kiss me, is that it desuka?

– No, that's not what I meant to say…

– If so, well…

Clark turns his face away as it turns red and mumbles.

– I-if you aren't going to do it, then I-I will do it masuwayo.

『Haname-chan, are you okay with the fact that a man has to say such a thing?』

– That's, well…

She knows that it's not good.

But…

『There's no time. Do it quickly. By the way, it's no good if you only touch your lips. It won't have an effect unless you interchange saliva by entwining your tongues and piling up your lips for at least 10 seconds.』

Looking like he's enjoying it, Charlie incites them.

Ellie had a face as if he had swallowed a bitter bug, but he didn't stop him.

The situation is a situation, there's nothing he can't do about the circumstances.

– If you do it, do it fast.

Ellie says, looking like he became sulky.

Haname put a hand on the trembling shoulder of the president in such a way that it pushes him back with the voice.

– I'm sorry, president.

– You don't have to apologize masenwa… as this is not our f-first time.

Certainly, it's like that.

The day after she fought the Savage for the first time, Clark came to the room when Ellie was in the room of Haname in the form of Elliot, a quarrel occurred there, and although it was like an accident, they kissed.

– … don't tell me that you forgot about it mashitano!? For me that… was… my first time…

– No, there's no way I could forget about it! But, at that time, our lips slightly touched…

– … a-anyway, if we are going to do it, let's do it quickly. It's a waste of time if we keep doing this desuwayo. Besides, it's embarrassing desu…!

– Ah, yes… I'm sorry…

The president closes his eyes.

Haname also closes her eyes, and put her lips on top of his—

(What is this, this feeling…?)

Touching each other, and in the space between lips and lips, long breaths of the two act violently.

While a sound is resounding inside his head, a hot thing flows into his body through the throat.

(This is, Kisaragi Haname's…. Variant Virus…)

His head goes blank.

But, he's feeling that his power is kind of overflowing…

(… Lazer…. It might be for a moment, but I will be like you, Haname and Ellie Crossfode, a Variant—)

Clark finally regains himself and takes distance from Haname.

The voice of Charlie was heard there.

『How is it? Are you feeling any change?』

– Eh, ah… well…. Somehow, I feel that strength is overflowing from the bottom of my body masuwa…

While he pressed down the lips with his hand, Clark said while showing a bewildered appearance.

『Alright, let's resume our strategy.』

– Desuwane, we have to do something about that and fast—

While Haname and co. are discussing, the dragonfly type attacks over and over again with its talons and bombardments towards the Slayers of the other teams.

– Eric, open a line of simultaneous transmission please. To the base camp, to the Slayers in this place, to all members desuwa.

– Yes, I opened the line now!

– Can you hear me, Slayers participating in the operation of the UN Peacekeeping Forces? This is Clark Harvey of Little Garden desu.

Saying plainly, Clark began to talk about the main issue.

– I think you are already aware of the existence of a new kind of Savage that looks like a dragon masu. As you can see, it possesses a very powerful wide area barrier zone masuwa. We attempted to bombard it as well, but we couldn't destroy the barrier. That's the same for everyone, am I correct? Because of that, Little Garden tried to analyze the barrier. As a result, if all the Slayers capable of bombard in this place attempt to bombard it at the same time with all your strength, it is very probable that we can destroy that barrier desu.

When Clark finishes saying so,

『Really?』

『Will that move work?』

And similar voices came back.

At the same time, not only different opinions, but also objections and other views are heard.

『Will Little Garden take responsibility in case of failure?』

That's something called "lack of nerve",

『In case we can defeat the Savage, as a result of the strategy, will Little Garden take hold of the war results?』

And also, things related to the distribution of the rewards.

– Clark-sama, what should we do?

– Little Garden will take responsibility masuwa.

Being firmly, Clark replied immediately.

– Besides, there is no need to worry about the rewards. Since many forces are participating in the simultaneous attack, the military gains are also distributed. This is not the achievement of Little Garden only masenwa. In the first place, this shouldn't be the place to be arguing about such a thing, don't you think!?

There were no objections to those words.

What came back were,

『Understood.』

『I agree.』

『Then, with the signal of bombardment from Little Garden.』

And things like that were said.

– Commander, the permission of the participants was obtained. May we execute the operation?

『… We will leave it to Warslan, no, to Little Garden. The defeat of the unknown Savage is our top priority.』

– Thank you very much masuwa. I give you my gratitude for your consideration masu.

With that, it's possible to execute the operation.

– When prez said "we will take responsibility"; you were somewhat cool.

That's what Ellie said.

– What are you saying desuno? We absolutely have to destroy that barrier. If you believe so and don't shoot at it, then the barrier that can be destroyed won't be destroyed masenwa!

– I don't dislike that kind of Prez.

– Please tell me that you will do it obediently.

Ellie injects energy into the rifle he held in his arm.

Likewise, Clark also began to inject energy into the rifle that was pointing towards the dragonfly.

– I already finished my preparations, but what about everyone?

– I don't have any problems masenwa.

『Preparations ready.』

『No problems here.』

『I'm sorry about yesterday. I will shoot one more time. I'm waiting for your signal, President-san of Little Garden.』

Such voices are coming back.

There's not a single thing like waiting for someone who's not ready.

– I don't have a problem either.

Subsequently, it was Nesat, one of the three Hunters, who said so. They thought that he duplicated the Hundred of Clark. He's holding a similar rifle in his hands.

– Well then, let's go masuwayo, you two.

– With zenryoku, zenkai, furupawa—

Following Clark, Ellie shouted and Nesat nodded.

The tip of the three rifles standing side by side shines much more violently due to the color of each sense energy.

– Here I go masuwayo!

– … Commencing bombardment….

– Here I coooooooooooooome!

At the same time, the voices of Clark, Nesat and Ellie came out one after another and 3 thick beams struck the wide area barrier zone of the dragonfly type.

Similarly, a total of seven bombardments are released from other 4 places.

– It didn't work…?

Haname muttered while looking up at the sky.

A total of ten beams attacks hit the barrier, but they haven't destroyed it yet.

– Unfortunately, looks like we are lacking output.

Eric mutters.

『It looks like there are more people who are injured than what we calculated and haven't been able to bombard it. At that point in time 《LaZER》 had estimated that there were 12 optic weapons that can bombard.』

– In that case, if it's our share, we just have to increase the output, isn't it!? The prez can still do it, right!?

– Of course desuwa! Everyone, we will be counting on you masu! Let's decide the victory right away with this!

– … I will do it, too.

Nesat's eyes shone with a golden color.

Similarly, the eyes of Clark also shine with a golden color.

Ellie too.

– Here I gooooooooooooo—!

The three beams become thicker, coiling like a whirlpool.

Finally, a violent explosion occurred around the dragonfly type.

– Wide area barrier ruptures, damage confirmed!

At the same time, Clark returned the rifle to the six floating batteries and immediately fired towards the generating apparatus of the wide area barrier on the body of the dragonfly type.

With the beams emitted from them, the barrier generator apparatus is destroyed.

– Now, Haname!

– Give it the final blow!

Haname received on her back the voices of Ellie and Clark and jumped using the strength of energy and soars higher than the dragonfly type.

(This is a chance that everyone made it, I have to decide it here…!)

Loading energy into Hien that is in her hand, the blade shines red and the aura rises up like a flame.

Of course, she's aiming at the shelter of the dragonfly type.

– Uoooooooooo—!

Hitting the shelter with Hien, she knocks down to the lake its whole body.

However, that didn't end there.

The core hasn't been destroyed yet.

– Haname, gooooooo!

– Got it!

Shouting, Haname immediately directed towards the core of the falling dragonfly the pointed end of Hien and accelerates in the air, she penetrated the head and the core like a meteor, becoming like a lump of sense energy.

A gigantic water column rises on the lake, along with a shriek.

Fluorescent color liquid begins to spread on the lake surface.

– Haname!

– Are you alright desuno!?

Ellie, Clark and Claude rushed to the shore.

However, Haname doesn't come up to the surface of the lake.

– Haname…

Ellie was fixedly staring at the lake surface and couldn't wait anymore, he jumped into the lake.

– Elliot-sama!

When Claude shouted, Ellie was diving deep into the lake.


– —Haname, Haname… where are you!?

A voice barely reaches her ears.

No, not in her ears. A voice was echoing in her head.

(Here…)

A vague view. Haname isn't in a full armament state anymore. On the contrary, the armament was cancelled, she returned to the state of only having hers Variable Suit.

– —Haname, you were there!

A voice resounded in her head again.

It's the voice of Ellie.

Immediately visible, the figure of a person similar to Ellie was reflected.

Still, her visibility is vague, and she's being shaken by the movement of the waves.

(Right, I'm in the lake…)

Haname realized that she was grasping something in her right hand.

(This is)

It's the dedicated Hundred of Haname.

While becoming aware of it, she recalled the current situation.

A mysterious Savage, the fight with the dragonfly type and that she destroyed the core inside the lake.

After that, apparently, she ended up losing consciousness.

– —Haname—!

She heard the voice of Ellie again.

The feeling of the fingertips touching her body.

And the feeling that lips and lips are touching.

The tongue of Ellie invades the inside of her mouth.

(… why am I kissing Ellie…?)

Along with the sensation of kissing, Haname's consciousness dyes pure white—

End of Chapter 4


Epilogue

WL-03, a tilt rotor-type personal airplane, picked up all the members who had to sortie for the operation mobilization from Little Garden and flew away from Qin Empire.

It's to return to Little Garden.

Although they were able to slaughter most of the Savages hanging around Mt. Kongur and Mt. Kunlun in this operation of the UN Peacekeeping Forces, they weren't done yet.

Because the 《Operation: Bird in Cage》 was canceled due to the huge damage caused by the appearance of a dragonfly type which was an unidentified flying type of Savage, and because they didn't expect the attack of the hunters.

There were 32 injured people, some of them were severely wounded.

It's pretty much a miracle that given those numbers, nobody died.

Little Garden also ended up coming with 3 severely injured people: Fiona, Laetitia and Lloyd.

Kisaragi Haname who delivered the coup de grace to the dragonfly type Savage wasn't exempted from the situation that wasn't predicted.

She lost consciousness and is currently in a comatose state.

It was probably due to the burden that her body took by using excessively the ability of the Variant.

It's been over half a day since that battle and even now, she hasn't woken up yet.

What has been reaching the location of Clark who's in the drawing room of the personal airplane is information that tells that sometimes she has been having nightmares.

– Clark-sama, I brought a cup of black tea.

When Eric opens the door of the drawing room, the stern expression of Clark who had been looking at the tablet-type computer while sorting the information, that expression became softer.

– Thank you very much masuwa.

He tastes the cup placed in front of his eyes and an aroma similar to fruity green apple flowed into his nasal cavity.

It's chamomile tea which has the effect to calm the mood.

Taking a breather, Clark resumes sorting the situation.

– Eric, what is the condition of that girl masuno?

That girl, Krovanh, is the girl who's a Hunter. Certainly, those three Hunters are not included in the number of injured people of not long ago.

– She remains in a comatose state like Kisaragi Haname. Even though they have been injected to calm down the Variant Virus, the condition where their lives are in danger continues.

– … I see desuno. How about the other two desuka?

– They are arrested in the warehouse and handcuffs have been placed on their hands which are resistant to the attacks that use energy and were injected to destroy the balance of sense energy in their bodies. There is no place other than that.

– Understood desuwa.

Judging from the situation, the two boys want to be on the side of the bed of the girl.

But, they cannot afford to do that.

It's fine if it's the boy who said his name is Nakri since his Hundred was confiscated, but the other girl, Nesat, seems to have the Hundred implanted as an artificial eye, it was said that it's difficult to remove it.

Moreover, this is the sky—he thinks that it's pitiable because supposing he could act violently, the lives of everyone will be affected, so it can't be helped.

– Clark-sama, is it fine if I say something?

– What is it?

– To be honest, I don't understand the thinking of Judy-sama. I believe that we, protecting the three people, will expose Little Garden to danger.

– I think so too masuwa. However—

Clark bites his lips.

A transport helicopter appeared over the sky after Ellie Crossfode rescued Kisaragi Haname who fell into the lake and finished off the dragonfly.

5 ordinary soldiers of Warslan army that were standing by at the base camp came down and scrambled from there.

Clark thought that maybe they came to rescue the collapsed Slayers, but they first began capturing the three Hunters.

– What are you are planning to do nanodesu? Is this an order from the UN Peacekeeping Forces desuno?

Clark is knitting his brows as he asks so. They said that this is an action of a member of the UN Supreme Council, it's an order of Judy, the company president of Warslan Company, she told them that they were ordered to take the three people, together with Clark and everyone back to Little Garden in a personal airplane.

– What kind of thing is Judy-sama thinking about? I think that she's trying to lure Viktor using the gang of three…

– … I'm not sure masenwa. However, it is certain that it is the safest to protect them in Little Garden which is a floating city nanodesu. Because it's impossible to invade from outside easily, as well as for the three of them to escape.

– The problem is the founding festival in autumn, I guess? This year will be held at the west coast of Sentria port.

At the founding festival, and like they did when they docked in the Zwei Islands, they will invite in the residents of Liberia into Little Garden.

In order to release the three who were captured as prisoners and are inside of it, the assassins that Viktor will send out won't necessarily be mixed with them.

– It would be nice if we could locate the whereabouts of Viktor till then and capture him.

– … the matter of the mysterious Savage and now this, our future is full of problems desuwane.

– I agree, why on earth was that thing there?

– It seems that further analysis will be done regarding that Savage after this desu. There is a chance that there are still Savages and Variable Stones in the area of Mt. Kongur and Mt. Kunlun, so it is possible that we have to sortie again masenwane.


Kisaragi Haname, who ran out of sense energy in the battle against the dragonfly type, was transported to the hospital immediately after she returned to Little Garden in the personal airplane and it had been arranged so that she would undergo an examination by Charlie. After that, Kisaragi Haname was sent to the hospital where her little sister Kaoru was hospitalized, but she still sleeps in a single room without awakening. It has already been a day and a half since she lost consciousness.

The time of Little Garden is before 6 PM. It's the period of time when a madder red sky can be seen from the gap of the swaying curtains.

When Charlie Dimandias was replacing the intravenous drip at the bedside of Haname, the door of the hospital room opened with a sudden noise.

– Charl, what's the state of Haname!?

Ellie Crossfode finished all kind of duties and inspections after he arrived in Little Garden and entered the hospital room.

– Not everything is bad, there are almost no abnormalities aside from the decline in the functions of her body due to a significant decrease of sense energy and that she activated the Variant Virus. And some minor external wounds.

– I see…

Hearing the explanation of Charlie, Ellie showed a relieved expression.

– When will Haname wake up?

– I don't know. If the Variant Virus stabilizes, then I guess she'll wake up.

– … in other words, you are saying that it's my turn?

– Well, that's how it is. Rather than an injection to suppress the Variant Virus, she'll surely wake up faster if that had to be done by you who's already stabilized. So, I'll leave it to you. It's fine if you do as you please, if you take Kisaragi Haname as you like.

Charlie finished exchanging the intravenous drip and left the hospital room, saying so in order to tease him. Ellie gets closer to the side of the bed and touches with his hand the sleeping face of Haname.

– Even though you reached the point where you were able to control the ability of the Variant and sense energy, we made you do something outrageous…. I'm sorry, Haname.

Ellie moved his hands to trace the contour of her cheeks and piled his lips against the lips of Haname while sticking out his tongue.

*Smooch*, *kiss*…. *tongues rolling*, *smooch*…. *kiss*, *kiss*…. hmm… fuu….

Sounds of rough long breaths and saliva intertwine. The sounds of a tongue that sucks up reverberate in the hospital room where only two people are.

Ellie pecked at Haname's lips for about a minute, entangled their tongues and continued exchanging saliva.

– Hmm, fuu…

And when Ellie separated his lips, the door of the hospital room opens, making a sound.

– Ellie-….san…?

Oh shit! —thinking so while looking back, what is reflected in the eyes of Ellie are the figures of Kisaragi Kaoru in a wheelchair who stares in wonder and Kirishima Satoru who's behind him and whose corners of the mouth are hanging…

– Hey you, right now, what were you…!

– No, this… well… it's just that Haname had rubbish in her eyes…

– Rubbish you say? Haname's sleeping, isn't she!?

– Err, it's not that it was in it, but an insect that came in through the window was on her eye and…

– Then where the FUCK is that insect, huh!?

Satoru spread his hands in a big way.

Like wanting to say that there's nothing at all in this room.

– Well, it flew away and went out just now. It's true!

– Err, to me, it looked like Ellie-san and Nee-san were ki-kissing…

– I- I told you, that's impossible. There's no way that I'll be kissing Haname!

– Yes, because you are fellow women, right?

– That's right, ahahahaha!

When Ellie was unrolling an excuse while being confused, a groan sounded in the hospital room.

– Nee-san!

– Haname!

Kaoru moves the wheelchair himself and approaches the side of the bed.

Following him, Satoru also approached the bed.

– Why are you guys here…?

While saying so, Haname opened her eyelids and raised her body, blinking incessantly.

And after she looked to her left and right, Haname asked Ellie who's wearing his uniform.

– Is this, Little Garden?

– Yep. After defeating the Savage that was like a dragon, Haname fell into the lake and lost consciousness.

– I see…. It seems that I did it again, huh….

– Nee-san, I'm always saying to you to not do unreasonable things…

– My bad, I really…

– No, don't apologize, Haname, we are the ones who have to apologize for making Haname do the unreasonable.

Ellie is apologetic while saying so.

– But, I'm really glad because Nee-san woke up like this.

Next to Kaoru who shows a relieved look, Satoru knits the inner part of his eyebrows. It's there that Haname notices that he's showing an unconvinced look on his face and asks.

– … did something happen?

– Nope, nothing.

Although Satoru answered so, he continued pointing his line of sight mixed with doubt towards Ellie.


In the space that exists in the forest a little away from the city, over 1,000 tombstones were lined up.

It's the cemetery founded by Warslan Company.

The Asgard cemetery.

In the inner part of it, there was a section encircled by a white fence, where a person, a woman in a suit, stood.

She's tall and has a good physique.

She stares at the gravestone to which a rose is dedicated in front of his unmovable and lifeless eyes that are at the other side of the thin sunglasses.

Linis Harvey.

What is engraved on the gravestone is the name of the wife of Bill Harvey, the president of Little Garden.

– It's been a long time, chichi-ue.

It's been half a year since we met, isn't it? As usual, your appearance doesn't change. You look young for your age.

Saying so with sarcasm, it's Judy Harvey, his daughter and the company president of Little Garden, who spoke on the back of Bill.

He was wearing a red suit as always.

However, Bill doesn't turn around, he remains silent, and keeps staring at the gravestone without moving.

Without worrying about it, Judy continued her words.

– Despite today being the death anniversary of my mother, it doesn't seem that Clark may come. Looks like there are all sorts of problems with this year's founding festival.

While saying that, Judy put the bouquet of roses she was holding in her hand in front of the rose that was placed in front of the gravestone.

– How is the progress of the plan?

Bill opens his mouth for the first time.

It's a small voice, similar to a whisper.

– It's going well. Lunaltia Base will be completed in a couple of years. The awakening of Lazer should be close too.

– To opposite against God. And, rebe*. We must fight against him and win. To be able to decide the destiny.

– Exactly.

– I will come back to see you again, Linis. My beloved woman.

Murmuring, Bill starts to walk.

While staring at his back, Judy said as if spitting out with a small voice.

– … you cripple.

Changing places with Bill, a bobcat man, his bodyguard, who wore the uniform of the Slayers of Warslan Company, comes along.

– Judy-sama, it's almost time to head to Sentria port.

– I know, Necro.

Answering and turning around, Judy starts walking.

(It's not for my mother. And it's not for my father…. I am me. I only do what I ought to do for the sake of my purpose)

Judy has taken another step forward on the path to reach the God she herself desires.

End of Volume 3


Cast:

Al Harlech: ? (Japanese); ? (English)

Claude Lowetti: ? (Japanese); ? (English)

Judy Harvey: ? (Japanese); ? (English)

Lazer Harvey: ? (Japanese); ? (English)

Viktor Tynyanov: ? (Japanese); Eric Vale (English)

Wendell Velvet: Akeno Watanabe (Japanese); ? (English)

Zane Huffman: ? (Japanese); Ricco Fajardo (English)


Thanks for reading! Just remember, you'll have to wait until (maybe) the end of next year for the next volume. Happy New Year! And until next year...

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