Chapter 4 - Hero Summoning

Part 1

Leaving Takeru behind, Ouka dashed in the direction of the Academy.

Screams resounded all over the city. Determining who the enemy was easy for Ouka.

Variants that were rampaging in the city had a humanoid form, their skin was flesh-coloured and they had long tongues. They had neither eyes nor noses, there were only ears and a big torn mouth.

"——A necromancer..."

Necromancers, filthy witches mainly specializing in evocation, they used earthen puppets and corpses as soldiers.

Those variants were without a doubt corpses. They could be recognized by the putrid smell coming from them, as well as their behaviour. Necromancers in order to control the corpses seal certain organs, the reason being the fact that corpses with all of their senses intact retain a certain level of ego. That is why their noses and eyes are sealed leaving only the auditory sense.

And there was something much more troubling than their senses, the residents were running away while their screams became more and more intense, it seemed to be exactly what enemy wanted.

"——It's the Inquisition! Please run away without making any sound! If you scream you'll be attacked! Try to escape without making any unnecessary noise!"

Ouka's voice was drowned in screams and couldn't reach everyone.

"The KnightsSpriggans aren't here yet..."

Ouka stopped her feet after reaching the intersection on the main street, then she pulled out her gun while standing in the middle of all the people who were trying to run away.

She directed it towards the sky and shot rapidly until she ran out of ammo. Because of that, corpses that targeted people changed their target to Ouka.

The corpses had saliva dripping from their mouths down on lower parts of their bodies. Considering their movement capabilities, the material they were made of was definitely fresh. Ouka's pupils were displaying fury.

"——Heretics!!"

Ouka let out a roar, and pulled out a spare gun from the holster at the same time.

While displaying her anger for the necromancers, she held the gun horizontally and shot the corpses one after another.

After running out of bullets, she jumped and performed an explosively strong roundhouse kick on the variant.

The enemy didn't go down, Ouka used the momentum from the roundhouse kick, and kicked off his upper body again. She discarded the spare gun, and pulled out a magazine from the gun belt attached to her thigh to reload.

Ouka attacked relentlessly, she showered the enemy with a storm of bullets and kicks.

"............"

All the corpses that were at the intersection were wiped out in no time, Ouka replaced the magazine once again and checked the surroundings remaining vigilant.

There was no one else there, and the corpse variants were stalled for the moment. There were only dead bodies of the victims lying on the ground.

As the enemies got up again, they groaned as if they were suffering.

But it was not the corpses Ouka had defeated, they were the dead bodies of the victims that have risen.

The terrible thing about necromancers is the fact that their magic is contagious. Dead humans bitten by those corpse eating demons are revived as the same type of demons.

Around Ouka, was a scene that looked like it came out of a B-grade movie.

When she started preparing to fight again, she heard gunshots and bullets swept over the risen corpses from attacking them behind.

It was reinforcements, the Knights『Spriggan』 finally arrived at the front lines. In front of Ouka were assault bikes and the new state-of-the-art dragoons.

One of the inquisitors riding a bike stopped in front of her and turned off its engine.

"You're a student and part of test platoon huh. Leave this place to us and go back to the academy quickly."

The man who looked like a captain blurted out such a thing after coming late.

Ouka wanted to complain, but instead she had to ask a few questions in order to get a grasp on the situation.

"The alarm has been sounded so besides KnightsSpriggan, Witch HuntersDullahan should also have been dispatched right? Where are they?"

"No idea, we just received orders to get rid of the corpse eater demons from within the city, that's all."

The inquisitor got off his bike and ordered each of his subordinates while holding a gun in one hand without paying attention to Ouka.

"The enemies aren't just the corpse eater demons and necromancer, there wouldn't be any explosions if it were so. Do you know anything about what's going on?"

"Don't know. But one of my men seems to have contacts, from what he says it seems like..."

After the inquisitor issued commands while still holding his gun, he turned his back to Ouka.

Right before leaving, he said.

"It seems like 『HeroEienherjar』 appeared."

Hero, that word turned Ouka speechless.

——AntiMagic Academy's chairman's room.

While looking from the window above at the hectic academy grounds, Sougetsu turned on the radio the desk was equipped with.

"So, what does it sound like?"

The KnightsSpriggans that were earlier dispatched have come into contact.

《"While it sounds like screams of agony, do you want to hear?"》

"Please."

*bshht*, after the sound signalling communication switch terrible noise reached Sougetsu's ears. Screams were mixed with noises, and it took him a while to determine it was human voices.

《"This is the eighth KnightsSpriggan squad! Enemy isn't just corpse eating demons! Repeat! Enemy isn't just corpse eating demons! Requesting urgent support——"》

Right after that, a scream resounded.

The communication was switched again, this time it was sound of wreckage and light breathing that was heard this time.

《"Urgent...Witch HuntersDullahans...requesting support...enemy is...anti-magic firearms are not working...opponent is product of summoning magic..we think it's 『HeroEienherjar』...he has a Magical Heritage..."》

"............"

《"It's my first time seeing...such magic...11th...knights...all together...the...Hero...for sure..."》

A buzzing sound, as if something was charging.

Words of the inquisitor could no longer be heard, right after that a roar came out disrupting communication.

Sougetsu stood frozen stiff with his eyes wide open.

《"That's all. It was the last transmission from KnightsSpriggan, next I'll project the image on the monitor."》

The monitor on which his communication partner. the secretary was visible on was incorporated into the glass window.

Now, there was a giant wearing a golden armour... the monster looked like a man-made artificial doll.

《"What do you think, Chairman?"》

"...yeah, without doubt. His body is one thing, but the enemy is an HeroEienherjar. A really powerful guy."

After saying "Hero", Sougetsu shuddered.

——"Hero『Eienherjar』"——

For the Inquisition Board, that kind of magical organism was considered a product of the past.

During witch hunt era, a hostile witches used a certain summoning magic.

A high level summoning magic, there were three non-standard ones infeasible in modern times.

『Hero Summoning』, 『Legend Summoning』, 『Myth Summoning』.

One of them, Hero Summoning. It was magic that was used for the last time 150 years ago. Among witches, it was a forbidden magic only heretics with the greatest talent could use.

During the era in which the entire world was subjected to infestation of fantastical creatures, an era when magic usage was common. There were many people whose power rivaled God, their feats of valour were handed down after their death, and in current modern world they're hero of stories.

During the war, the cornered witches revived them and violence escalated with them as the vanguard. This summoning magic required tens of thousands innocent lives to be sacrificed. Many precious lives have been lost as a result.

It wasn't a magic that could be used by any ordinary person. But now, it has been revived once again.

Sougetsu's shoulders trembled... as he laughed.

"——Kukuku, kuhahahaha! A hero, they dusted off such a thing! How in hell did Fantasy CultValhalla summon such a thing!"

There were no reports that would imply the required tens of thousands died in recent years.

Having no idea how they did it, Sougetsu laughed while holding his belly.

"...that's fine, it's really nostalgic. It has really gotten interesting, I wonder if they're going to start it again, a stupid war like the one that had so many people die."

Inside Sougetsu's eyes there was madness dwelling.

The secretary with whom he was communicating with was confused.

《"...umm, Chairman, what are we going to do? Even though it's slow, the Hero is heading towards the academy."》

"Their aim is the tower with sealed Magical Heritages... no, it's probably the forbidden area witches are held in... well then, what to do. Against a Hero, KnightsSpriggans aren't sufficient..."

That's when Sougetsu narrowed his eyes, and grinned like a Cheshire Cat.

"...aah, that's right. There's that, don't we have a perfect guy for that. I see, indeed. It's a good opportunity to awaken him."

《"...Chairman?"》

"Connect my microphone to the speakers for the academy-wide broadcast to all students."

《"Y-yes, is it going to be evacuation orders?"》

Towards the confused secretary, Sougetsu,

"Evacuation? Don't say such stupid things."

He voiced it bluntly,

"We don't want to shave off such a fighting potential do we? We have enough human resources to become a wall all over!"

After the secretary realized what he wanted to do, she tried protesting against Sougetsu's decision.

《"Chairman, that's too much! You should call in Witch HuntersDullahans and authorize use of Relic Eaters immediately!"》

"Of course I'll call them out, the Witch HunterDullahan. But only if it goes out of hand, It's just a mere Hero. The high-ranking witch is definitely more frightening, even if we use Relic Eaters."

《"Then why... why is there a need to use the students?! They aren't part of the regular Inquisition yet?!"》

The secretary's yells didn't reach Sougetsu.

"...well then, I wonder if the boy and the girl will properly form a contract with each other."

There was nothing and no one who could stop his laughter anymore.

Part 2

"Shit! That Ootori... leaving alone without permission!"

Takeru was heading towards the school at full power on a borrowed bicycle that was lying on the road.

It's only a guess, but Ouka is heading towards the witch's location, meaning where the explosions are happening.

Since the explosions are moving towards the academy little by little, Takeru naturally headed to the academy as well.

"...I've got a bad feeling."

He shouldn't have followed Ouka alone towards where the witch is.

That's because he couldn't help, but feel that something irrevocable was going to happen, and that creepy premonition hurried Takeru.

"Don't die, Ootori...!"

While scattering droplets of sweat, he rushed towards the place where explosions sounded and smoke rose.

There was no crowd, it was good that there were no people. Takeru was racing on his bicycle through the shopping mall as a shortcut. KnightsSpriggan apparently evacuated citizens from front lines.

The mall was quite empty. But, in exchange.

"——Guhh."

After he left the residential area and rushed through the large shopping mall, a stark naked human came out from the children's clothing area all of a sudden.

Takeru pressed the brake suddenly, and he stopped right before crashing.

He tried to apologize in a hurry, but immediately noticed that the other party was not human.

It's weird for someone to be naked in the first place. He retorted to himself.

Takeru facing a monster without mouth nor eyes, he got off the bicycle in a hurry.

Monsters suddenly jumped out from every direction, they were hiding in the stores and feasting upon meat.

"...these guys are...!"

Corpse eating demons, that term appeared in his head instantly. Takeru gripped his sword's hilt strongly and sharpened his mind.

Front, left and right, and one from behind. At the same time.

The situation was incredibly disadvantageous.

But, however.

It wasn't the time nor place to act perplexed.

"...out of my way."

After acknowledging the enemies aren't humans, Takeru's clan blood was boiling.

In the first place Kusanagi-style wasn't created to fight with humans.

So to speak, it was the perfect situation for Kusanagi Takeru.

As if it was a custom-made battlefield for him.

Takeru shifted the sheath attached to his waist towards his back, he pulled out his sword all at once while twisting his upper body strongly.

Kusanagi's Double-Edged style—— 『Single Wheel』. A heretical sword-drawing skill, sliding the sheath near the tailbone, twisting the waist to the limit, squeezing the sheath with left hand and release of the twisted upper body. Withdrawing the sword all at once while drawing a circle matching the rotation of the hip.

A skill used against humans by Kusanagi's during a siege once before, it was only effective when many enemies were attacking at once, an all-range attack uncommon in swordsmanship.

It reached 180 degrees in front and 180 degree's behind him without loosening the momentum of the drawn sword. Force created by waist rotation is multiplied by the held out foot, and slashes behind. What is needed, is timing, a strong waist and above all a loose lower body while slashing.

He let out the load without thinking. The Double-Edged technique style variant has been thoroughly trained into him. The burden on the waist was huge, and the gap between them was large. But the hit-rate was 100% even while he shouldered that burden. The Kusanagi style holds its own.

Takeru sank four corpse eating demons bodies within one breath, and he stopped the momentum with his feet and sheathed his sword.

"Are these guys familiars? They have fragile bodies like humans but... these numbers."

As he looked around, he had an illusion of being surrounded by a pack of wolves. The corpse eating demons could be seen coming from all corners of the shopping mall.

If a witch came out now, it would be extremely reckless for Takeru to challenge it alone. Just the fact the witch could manipulate corpses like this meant it was an opponent that could not be defeated by a student.

But unless he broke through, he won't be able to do anything. Neither follow Ouka, nor join his comrades.

"——Just because you're were humans before, I won't be as nice as to let you off!"

Takeru lowered his body and kicked off the floor. He ran maintaining his posture as if he were to fall down forward. Supporting himself to the very limit to avoid falling, he ran through the mall at full speed.

"You're in the wayy!!"

He hit the corpse eating demon in front with a single sword strike. Takeru's legs didn't stop at all, his movements changed to Kusanagi-style's 『Battle Rush』, a technique that allows delivering blows while running. A fundamental thing like footwork did not exist within that technique, by having his body lean forward to the point of almost falling forward for the sake of allowing him to slash with his sword. The entire body weight of his body was used in the blows because it was intended to move on while crushing the enemies rather than cutting them.

A single point breakthrough. For the sake of slashing again and again despite their fear of counterattack, those who mastered Kusanagi-style could move their lower body and upper body separately. No matter how the legs moved, no matter how he traveled, the upper body was resourceful and doing its own job.

The fact that the enemies were a monsters with no intelligence was a great bonus and really convenient. The battle swordsmanship used against hordes of demons, that was the Kusanagi's Double-Edged style. Takeru crushed the corpse eating demons that attacked him as he broke through the shopping mall like a fierce tiger.

He finally saw the way out, he didn't see any signs of life in his surroundings as he ran. Takeru noticed that the enemy sensed his movements thanks to their auditory senses. All the monsters jumped on him, at least, he should make it so he didn't appear alive to them anymore. He stroked his own chest.

And then.

At that moment, he heard something that sounded to him like a bell.

From the gap between the monsters, he looked towards the source of the sound.

He saw something unbelievable.

"——Wha..."

There was a girl who looked really out-of-place standing in the mall.

A figure that looked like a hallucination. Takeru couldn't help but suspect his own eyes.

Azure-coloured hair, azure coloured-dress, and her pupils also were azure-coloured.

"...why in such a place?!"

While surrounded by corpse eating demons, the girl was still staring at Takeru. His and the mysterious girl's gazes met.

The illusion of the world stopping, Takeru's thoughts stopped as well.

Muscles moving Takeru's body stopped and he was falling forward losing support.
$
"Gah——s-shit!"

Takeru passively crashed and rolled on the floor getting covered with scratches, he flew towards the girl while rebuilding his posture.

The Corpse eating demons that enclosed her, were ready to pounce on her.

Takeru sheathed his sword and embraced the girl's body barely avoiding the enemy. He dashed towards the exit at once.

"What are you doing in a place like this?! Didn't you hear the alarm?!"

"............"

The girl just looked at him with clear pupils as he held her by his chest, she didn't say anything. Maybe she was shy, but she didn't show any fear despite this emergency, either she had nerves of steel or she knew too little.

Takeru ran out of the mall, he ran to a safe street, put the girl down and grabbed his own knees.

Apparently not knowing Takeru had a hard time, the girl continued to ogle him expressionlessly.

In front of this silent girl, Takeru was at wit's end. It wouldn't be a problem if he left her with KnightsSpriggans for the time being, they would have taken her to an emergency shelter but there was no way to contact KnightsSpriggans.

If it's just one person it shouldn't be a problem, he will survive this hell together with the child.

Takeru put a hand on his chin as he thought about it, when the hem of his jacket was suddenly pulled.

Looking down, he saw the girl looking up at him while pinching his clothes. As if astonished by something, she opened her mouth slowly. Breath leaked faintly from her pale pink lips together with the words

With a mysterious atmosphere about her, finally from girl's mouth a voice came out for the first time.

"Panpakapaaan"

............

............

An incomprehensible sound, Takeru was stunned with surprise.

The fanfare-like sound definitely came out of the girls mouth, strength left Takeru, despite the appearance her voice was very clear and mature, she made fanfare with such a voice. *clap* *clap* she even threw in a few claps as a bargain.

"...what are you doing?"

Takeru came up with a question.

As Takeru was stunned, the girl continued.

"——Congratulations. Mr. Kusanagi Takeru, you have been chosen as the second contractor. In order to initiate the contract please answer the following questions."

She said it without intonation and with a machine-like voice, the phrases sounded like the ones scamming advertisement sites that are rampant on the net use.

"...eh? Eh?"

"Question number one. Do you intend to become an inquisitor?"

"Yes! ...no, wait, what are you talking about?"

"Question number two. Do you have any intention of exterminating witches?"

"............"

His head indeed hurt, Takeru placed his hand on his forehead.

He definitely became crazy after seeing something so terrifying. It's understandable, he saw corpse eating demons attack someone so small. It was very definitely super frightening and painful.

Thinking like that, his tears came out for some reason.

He must escort this child to a safe place by all means, even if he has to do it while crying. He tried putting his hand on the staring girl's head.

"Question number three. For the sake of your own goal, will you discard yourself?"

Takeru unconsciously stopped his hand, at a loss of words, for some reason incomprehensible words came out from her mouth. He couldn't ignore them this time.

Explosions and screams at the distance still didn't stop.

Feeling distant from the noise, Takeru didn't take his eyes off from the girl's pupils, Azure-coloured and very, very deep pupils.

"...? Communication?"

Takeru was dazed, suddenly there was a call from his watch-type device.

It was from... Ikaruga.

《"Kusanagi? Where are you now?"》

"Suginami, what's going in school now? And I'm... well a lot happened. I was chasing Ootori, but on the way——"

《"More importantly, it's pretty bad over here, listen to this for a moment."》

Ikaruga suddenly switched the communication.

Then, he heard the Chairman's speech.

《"——To all of the students, right now, we the Inquisition Board are in danger on unprecedented scale. As you might already know, the prosecution target that appeared in the city is an Hero『Eienherjar』. You probably know from the educational materials, but the Hero's strength is beyond our imagination——"》

Sougetsu continued with an exaggerated tone of voice.

"This is... a school announcement?"

《"Shut up and listen, this part is important."》

《"——Many innocent citizens and Inquisitors have been already sacrificed. The Hero is heading towards the academy, we assume their target is the contraindicated area. It's a matter of time before he reaches them. Saying a thing like this might be shameless... but right now, we're not strong enough. It will take some time before reinforcements from other branches arrive. That's why... that's why I implore of you. Lend us your strength. I want us to fight together. Against the detestable witch that took lives of innocent people. In order to give him a hard blow, I want you all to stand up against him! Qualification or class matter no longer! All of you are Inquisition, all of you are Witch HuntersDullahans, together we shall conquer them... time to witch hunt has come! It's time to judge the heretics!"》

Takeru finished listening to broadcast, made a crooked expression unintentionally.

"...that's crazy."

《"It's not a conscription, it means it's completely voluntary. Some look at other platoons, these guys who are most enthusiastic about it already started participating in intercepting by making a defence line in the academy together with KnightsSpriggan."》

"...can only Witch HuntersDullahans do something about that enemy?"

《"No idea, the Hero was not left in any documentation from Witch Hunt Era. If we leave this alone, before the reinforcements arrive the school will be turned to rubble. As it was said in the broadcast, the enemy's aim is the contraindicated area."》

——Takeru opened his eyes wide.

Contraindicated area... it's the area located in the deepest part of the academy that witches were being held in.

From petty criminals to criminals accounted with severe crimes, the treatment is different according to the weight of their crimes. A prison for witches.

《"Kusanagi? ...what do we do?"》

"............"

《"You're the captain. Usagi is here as well, running is fine, fighting is fine... I at the very least will follow your decision."》

Ikaruga leaves it to him, Takeru fell silent for a moment.

He shut his mouth tight and clenched his fist.

"I... about the enemy this time... It's better to run away.."

《"............"》

"For us who couldn't seize even a single F-rank artifact until now. There is no way we can stand against an enemy like a Hero, wait for the dispatch of Witch HuntersDullahan. It's best to evacuate until this is over. As a captain, I don't want you guys to die in vain."

It was a weak attitude, but also a decent conclusion. There was no objection from Ikaruga, it was the Captain's choice.

《"But even in such situation, you intend to go right?"》

Ikaruga said those words and sighed, Takeru nodded.

Takeru, not as a captain but a human being called Kusanagi Takeru said what he wants to do.

"Ootori is now... Hero... no, for the sake of defeating the witch she is heading back to the academy. She will definitely ignore my order. Inside her there's only hatred for witches. Her hatred is all she has."

《"............"》

"To me, Ootori is already a member of the 35th platoon. I don't want her to die the same way I don't want you to die. But she... you can't stop her the normal way."

《"............"》

"That's why in order to stop her..."

He stopped speaking and shut his mouth tightly.

This decision might be wrong, if the captain analysed the battle situation he shouldn't ever make such a decision. Even if he intended to go alone.

"——Well then, I think I'll go hunt down a Hero now."

Takeru said it with a clear tone. It can be understood without thinking at all. Such a thing was impossible. What would be his chance in percentage? 0.1%? 0.01%? 0.001%?

No no, it was probably zero from the get go. Even though the Kusanagi-style was created for the sake of eliminating evildoers, the fact that it's outdated didn't change.

That's why it was reckless and foolhardy. It's like being defeated before even starting.

Even so, Takeru still intended to subjugate it.

He declared that, with a sword in his hand.

《"...Kusanagi, you... pulled out your sword didn't you."》

"Yeah."

《"When you were talking about hunting or whatever, at that time. I don't know what happened, but you aren't in a situation where you need to draw it are you? I mean that drawing sound?"》

"No, you can tell that I'm calm right? I'm calm alright? Though I pulled it out indeed, I'm different from my old self."

Ikaruga sighed. While Takeru kept silent not knowing what to say as an excuse.

《"Well I won't say anymore. Our preparations here are done, we also have a sword made for you. I'm not a swordsmith, I specialize in firearms so don't expect too much."》

I'm ready to fight, that's what Ikaruga said to Takeru.

Takeru opened his eyes wide at this unexpected development.

"...Ikaruga, you..."

《"Ah——please don't misunderstand. I don't care about Ootori Ouka, but, I'm interested in the HeroEienherjar. In the current age, that thing is a precious sample. If you guys are going to collect data, I'll lend you all of my strength."》

In the end, Ikaruga was Ikaruga after all. A little bit of embarrassment betrayed her.

It really seemed like she was preparing and moving on her own.

《"Hmph! I don't care about what happens to Ootori Ouka, but punitive expedition against that legendary magical being Hero『Eienherjar』 is a different matter! The honour of subjugating that is appropriate for me... there will be no other chance as good as this to make my name famous throughout the academy!"》

Said Usagi with her high-pitched voice interrupting.

《"It's not convincing at all when you're trembling with a blue face."》

《"Whaa?! I-I'm not trembling! I might be shaking with excitement though!"》

《"For a while now, your rifle is making clattering noises as you tremble"》

《"I-It's a lie Kusanagi! Suginami is just jealous of my courageous self, there's nothing to be scared of!"》

《"Shes ran to the restroom four times within the last 20 minutes."》

《"I didn't! I tell you not to say anything to Kusanagi!"》

A loud clattering sound could be heard from the device's speaker.

Kusanagi laughed wryly at those two like usual.

"Listen, Captain's orders."

While hearing voices of his noisy comrades, he muttered.

"...thanks, both of you."

It probably wouldn't be heard, but he finished the communication saying that.

"Sorry for making you wait——eh?? What?! Where did she go?!"

The figure of the girl in front of him was nowhere to be found. Takeru looked around in haste and scoured the nearby places briefly, but couldn't find her.

She should have been standing here a while ago... where did she go to?

"Speaking of which... why did that child know my name..."

As if he had met with a ghost, Takeru stroked his back.

Part 3

AntiMagic Academy, main gate.

The first line of defence were guards compromised of test platoon members and a few of KnightSpriggan troops.

The shooting rifles leaned from the barricade intercepting the corpse eating demons.

"This is easy, we alone are enough if it's just this much."

"Right? I don't know about Hero, but this is a piece of cake. S-class or whatever, ancient weapons cannot stand up to us who are armed with modern weapons."

The students shouldering assault rifles, comrades from the same platoon that responded positively to Chairman's request. For them who bravely stood up, the corpse eating demons were not enough. The students were seizing Magical Heritages on a daily basis as part of the test platoon system, they were always threatened by Magical Heritage, they stood against that darkness armed with guns.

With a genuine witch as an opponent, for those who were really tense because of that, it was quite anticlimactic. Corpse eating demons, when you compare them to the threat a person armed with a gun poses, it was like heaven and earth. A corpse eating demon is at most like a stray dog that is hard to put down. They are really hard to kill, but just hitting them with Inquisition's anti-magic bullets was enough to get rid of them.

The corpse eating demons hit by bullets turned into ash and got swept away by the wind.

Students seeing a corpse eating demon turn into ash smiled relaxedly.

"At this rate Hero won't be a big deal either. It's just a product of witch's magic, hardly an opponent for us——"

The moment he said that to his comrade beside him.

In the front, from the other side than the one corpse eating demons invaded. A dazzling light was emitted.

Just beside the students, *shuu*... a sound of something evaporating.

After they faced in that direction, there was nothing there anymore.

No barricades, no KnightSpriggan troops, nor comrades from their own platoons.

Everything was blown away, and turned into pile of rubble.

"......ha?"

Everyone stopped thinking, the guy that was talking just now disappeared in an instant. An empty scenery. Emptiness spread right beside them.

Just, a right hand of the guy who was speaking until now was lying by their feet. Like a mannequin arm.

Students in front of such absurd slaughter looked up to the sky trying to escape from reality.

Cloudless sky dyed orange by the setting sun offered good visibility.

While feeling the wind on their cheeks, they lost their nerve and were inclined to escape.

But of course it didn't go well.

From their toes up till their heads, they trembled suffering irresistible fear. Students couldn't help but look at the one who took everything from them.

At the slope near the school gate, in the middle of the corpse eating demons' ashes dancing. A big shadow was moving up calmly.

It was an awe-inspiring figure coloured with gold and platinum. That form was sinister, evil.

It's skin, or maybe armour. They were unsure how to classify it, looked like bone or a carapace.

But that's it.

No one expected the Hero who was called in by 『Hero Summoning』, to be a variant that looked like that.

An outdated weapon summoned by ancient magic.

That was the way students imagined the Hero, that's how they imagined it'll be.

But the figure that came walking in, rather than being described as outdated, it looked futuristic.

"...hyaaa!"

It approached while making heavy sounds.

In his right hand he moved his large sword——no, a large gun which he pointed at them.

Ouka took a bike from KnightsSpriggan without asking and came back to the Academy, she was shocked by the devastation.

The beautiful AntiMagic Academy.

The school building's fully equipped inner courtyard, that looked like a part of a western palace.

All of it was gone without a trace.

The school building was partially destroyed, the garden has become scorched earth. Fallen students with serious injuries everywhere and between them were dead people.

Looking all over the place, everyone had guns in their hands. They must have been defeated in battle.

"...what happened... why... did students participate in battle?"

She approached the fallen students in a hurry and checked if they're breathing. She tried to contact Sougetsu but couldn't get through. Ouka bit her lower lip.

Why didn't the Witch HuntersDullahan mobilize. Why are students participating in this battle. In the first place, what does this plight mean.

Ouka didn't have enough information to understand the current situation.

Just——there was one thing sure.

Far ahead of them, there was a huge figure leisurely walking.

That was the culprit responsible for this devastation. A product of magic. The hateful abomination definitely set up by the witch.

Ouka discerned the enemy's nature. Her pent up rage overflowed.

Her sworn enemy walked leisurely through the courtyard which has turned into an inferno. Ouka saw the figure of Hero for the first time.

She knew it was a human who became a legend, summoned and called a hero. To think it was a human being like that. A monster just as she imagined.

She didn't feel an ounce of intelligence from the Hero. He looked like a machine that destroys everything in front of it.

"...you...want to fight it...?"

A voice came from the shadows, Ouka moved her gaze towards the source.

Hidden behind the pillar of the corridor that connects school buildings, was a shaking male student suffering a knee injury, there were many other students trembling under a rock, either in a school building or in the shade of a roadside tree.

Seeing the enemy's might, they completely lost the will to fight. All of them regretting being so faint-hearted.

Ouka ran towards one of the students unnoticed by the enemy.

"Tell me what's the situation. Why didn't the Witch HuntersDullahan come? Why are students participating in combat?"

"Fighting...or running away...with that opponent students couldn't do neither..."

"Answer me!"

Ouka grabs the frightened student's uniform and drags him closer.

While breathing out painfully, he said to her.

"N-no idea...we participated because we were told we'll become Witch HuntersDullahans if we defeat that thing, that's all..."

"...isn't that insane? ...enemy is an S-Class hazardous product of specialized magic right? Who would say such a thing..."

"...didn't you hear the Chairman's speech...?"

When she heard the contents of speech from the student, she started grinding her teeth.

"...to bait in the students like that."

"We couldn't even scratch that monster! W-we ran away, we had no chance of winning!"

The student got slapped and fell behind towards the wall. He fell silent with tears in his eyes. Ouka asked him with a thorny tone.

"You, did you see the intrinsic magic of Magical Heritage that Hero used?"

Intrinsic magic, a secret magic contained within Magical Heritage. Magical Heritages have spells concealed within them, although they are limited to a single effect. The ones that can activate a magical procedure without an owner are qualify as at least an A-Rank when it comes to risk evaluation.

"I don't know, from the very beginning we couldn't put a scratch on him, everything was repelled by a barrier."

"...a magical barrier."

Magical barrier, for a barrier that's not penetrated by Inquisition's bullets, it must be a really powerful one. In order to deploy such a barrier, there's a need of huge amounts of magical power that can't be generated by a modern witch. She realized that without a doubt, the barrier is being generated by Magical Heritage.

However, academy's students aside, for the forces to be annihilated in such a short time can't be because of the barrier's threat. Moreover, the shape of Magical Heritage is a... gun. Is its body used for original attacks, and a magical procedure that grants the protection? Ouka thought there has to be something else too.

"The enemy is a Hero. It should not be able to use multiple Magical Heritages. Did anything else change before? He took out only this much people, there definitely has to be something else."

The grabbed student's face goes pale at once.

He saw something, Ouka intuitively understood.

"...we couldn't defeat it no matter how hard we tried. Even bombardment didn't affect him so I was trying to withdraw, and then..."

"............"

"Then suddenly, under his feet a magical circle appeared...and then...in an instant...everyone that was fighting in front, all the Inquisitors...became...slabs of meat."

"Tell me what did you see at that moment, it might become a clue that helps us defeat the Hero."

The student held his head in his arms, and muttered towards the ground with eyes bloodshot.

"The knights... 11 of them... inside enormous explosion of light, I saw it for a moment, when it increased they attacked... he...!"

The student spoke until then, and cried out as if he was in agony. Ouka's face displayed dread. Summoning 11 knights and a magical barrier.

"...the Hero is Arthur Pendragon... and the Magical Heritage is Excalibur..."

At the same time as she guessed. "Is that possible?" Is what she wondered about.

Excalibur written down in history had originally the form of a sword. But that Hero's possession is not a sword, but a gun. Its shape is close to a modern mass produced railgun.

Railgun... impossible.

There's no precedent for magical power to dwell in modern weapons like a railgun. The relatively small number of Lost Type Magical Heritages in shape of a gun, were made and used during Witch Hunt War and these are the only ones. Although there are the irregular types, it's impossible for them to draw out such destructive power.

And above all——

Excalibur should have been destroyed by Inquisition a hundred years ago.

It shouldn't exist anymore, it's not supposed to be here.

However, a Magical Heritage with unique magic allowing to summon 11 knights, there's no other in existence. Above all, Ouka had an idea.

During the 『Trackless Psalms』 case the traded objects were pieces of Magical Heritage.

If they were pieces of Excalibur, she couldn't rule out that possibility.

At present, restoration of destroyed Magical Heritage was not possible, the possibility is equal to zero... however.

If Fantasy Cult『Valhalla』』 is involved, then the possibility is no longer zero.

"............"

Ouka covered her mouth slightly scared . She narrowed her eyes as she resolved herself.

She borrowed a magazine and a small assault rifle placed beside the student. She also confirmed the amount of bullets and pulled the cocking lever.

If that gun is really Excalibur, is the documentation wrong? ...the barriers definitely exist. Excalibur is not only the sword itself, its supposed to be one heritage together with the sheath. King Arthur was invincible thanks to the sheath rather than the sword itself. In other words, sword for attack, and the defence... is supplied by the sheath.

Holding a gun, Ouka faced forward.

Well then, first sheath... unless we destroy the holster...

Ouka couldn't leave that monster unchecked as it is, her hatred... was not the reason.

She raised her hips, going to chase after Hero.

"Hey, don't run away."

"I will buy time, you guys treat the wounded."

These students will never forget the expression on Ouka's face at that time. With poor equipment and baseless guess, going against an opponent who is a monster that can't be taken down by an entire battalion, Ouka was undaunted.

On the contrary, it seemed like she was laughing.

Ouka hid in the shadows lurking around the Hero and checking his waist.

Indeed, there was something like a holster for accommodating a gun there.

"...no choice but to bet on it, eh."

While holding a gun, Ouka calmed her feelings as preparation for battle. She pressed the gun against her forehead and closed her eyes as if praying.

The moment the enemy stopped walking, she jumped out from the shadows holding her gun.

Aligning the sight with her eye, she continued to fire in three-shot bursts.

Just as the students said, the bullets were stopped by invisible barrier before reaching Hero's body.

Ouka focused her fire on a single point in the barrier applying force in the same spot.

The Hero was turning towards her already, his body was about three meters away. He had one hand on the Excalibur and pointed its muzzle halfway towards Ouka.

——Thirst for blood.

Ouka jumped to the side.

The impact made a huge crater in the ground——a mass of magic power passed right beside her.

"———!!!"

Her nerves froze. If she kept sitting there, Ouka would become just a lump of flesh. And that's not the only thing causing her fear, the shockwave just now was an intrinsic performance of Excalibur. It wasn't magic.

The blows hit like cannonballs. Bullets are not products of magic, the frame itself contained powerful magic. It was the original Excalibur! It was consistent with legends. King Arthur released spirit magic by slashing with the sword, he was said to be an unmatched warrior. Even when used by witches once before being destroyed, it was written in the data bank that it was used in a similar manner.

And now it changed its shape to a gun, allowing it to be used at a perfect distance.

"I can't fight it too long...!"

In front of such ridiculous destructive power, she showed a glimpse of fear.

This chance, was not missed by the mighty warrior, the Hero.

That instant, he saw this opportunity.

The moment she landed after jumping, Hero swung Excalibur in front of himself. Ouka forgot that the Magical Heritage was not only a gun, but it also had a shape of a sword and could be used as such.

Ouka kicked off the ground again before the blade slammed to the ground jumping again, however.

"No good! Too low— this is——"

Impact.

A direct hit was avoided in the nick of time. The ground that was hit was pulverized and part of it became debris which was hurled towards the sky together with Ouka.

——But,

"Haaaaaaaaaaa!!!"

Ouka was alive, immediately after the ground was broken she kicked off a large debris. She negated the impact by using her legs like a spring. Her ad hoc decision was extraordinary, motor nerves practically reacted by themselves. The hell she experienced up until now allowed her to survive this situation.

Ouka fired blindly as she was falling. She was hardly aiming. Bombarding Hero with bullets downwards from the sky.

Of course, all of it was blocked by the barrier.

Ouka landed on top of the barrier, immediately reloaded and fired at the barrier from zero distance.

Along with a loud sound at impact, all of the bullets were repelled. No matter how she concentrated fire on one spot, it didn't budge. Even with mithril coating that had anti-magic effect, it was impossible to break through this solid wall.

"——Guhh!!"

The Hero raised his gun trying to get rid of Ouka who was clinging to him. Ouka twisted her body the moment she ran out of ammo. She jumped off by doing a backflip.

She rolled after landing to distance herself from the Hero. However, hero caught Ouka's leg with his rugged hand as she tried to escape.

"——Gyah...!!!"

Her leg, held by a fist as big as her head, broke like dry leaves the moment of contact and bent irregularly.

Ouka almost screamed in pain, she showered the hand that grabbed her leg with bullets from her favourite gun.

For a moment she thought the bullets reached, but to no avail.

The barrier changed it's shape upon contact with enemy, it covered Hero's body in a thin layer. Repelling bullets completely, he was unwounded.

There was no longer a way for Ouka to escape. While grabbing her broken leg, the Hero threw her towards the wall of the Academy.

She smashed into a wall at high speed, Ouka spat out blood.

"...I won't... die yet..."

A voice from the back of her throat, which sounded like it was squeezed out.

What motivated her, was the vision of the witch that took everything away from her.

A loud laugh coming from her mouth that formed a shape like crescent moon, like a butcher.

Ouka didn't forget that absolute fear.

While maintaining that vision, she gazed at approaching Hero.

"...this degree of... fear...!"

Ouka's beaten up body ached, she got up halfway.

"Accepting death by hands of an enemy of this degree——is unforgivable!"

Exhaling turbulently and roughly. She placed a hand on her knee and looked at herself. Her uniform was in tatters, her underwear was clearly visible.

Without even trying to hide her appearance, Ouka stood on her broken leg.

She exhaled breath that had the scent of blood and slowly held out her hands before her.

This gesture looked as if she wanted to grab something.

She whispered with a fading voice and closed her eyes.

"...if possible, I didn't want to use it."

Resolving herself, she spoke slowly.

Desiring with supreme ardor——"Summis desiderantes affectibus——"

Together with the words she spoke, the world lost all sound.

The air pressure around her fell rapidly, oxygen in the surroundings depleted.

A spark appeared in the air, tinnitus covered the world.

In that space like a prelude to hell, Ouka opened her eyes.

And,

——The Hammer of Witches"——Malleus Maleficarum"

At that moment, under Ouka's feet, even though she shouldn't possess any magic. A magical circle appeared.

The air screamed like a chorus performing a requiem. Under her feet from the magic circle something like a black coffin appeared.

Before Ouka's hands that were held out, the coffin stopped in mid-air.

Right after she narrowed her eyes, the exterior of the coffin cracked and shattered. From the interior twin handguns appeared.

The barrel measured 15 inches, its features looked more like automatic guns than a revolver.

Women and children aside, it's unlikely to be handled by a normal human being, something that had an unknown application.

It' was too large to be called a pistol. Something that didn't even exist in the past, original gun that was completely independent.

On their exterior there was a unique crest displaying a distorted wingless dragon. 『The Malleus MaleficarumIV "Vlad III"』 was carved onto them.

Ouka picked up those huge guns from the air, and crossed them in front of her body.

"I didn't intend to use you bastard but... it's an emergency. Lend me your power, Vlad."

Ouka spoke to herself.

Then,

《"——From the beginning. We respondeth to thine call Master."》

A voice suddenly rang in Ouka's head.

A heavy and thick voice of a man. Even though there were no humans beside her.

Hence, the fact that voice has been emitted from the handgun Ouka summoned is obvious.

The Relic Eater, 『Vlad』.

One of the anti-magic weapons only inquisitors from Witch Hunters『Dullahan』 were allowed to use.

It was Ootori Ouka's exclusive Relic Eater.

《"For, thou art our provisional contractor."》

Vlad spoke with a condescending tone, devoid of inflection. It had a personality, many Magical Heritage's that interpreted human speech have been discovered. And all of Relic Eater series had personalities dwelling within.

Irritated with Vlad's bossy attitude, Ouka grimaced.

"You shut up and just listen to me."

《"Provisional is provisional, I hath no intention to respond to all thy requests. For I have not been accepted by thy yet."》

"Shut up, who would want to be accepted by a bastard that's a product of magic."

Ouka rejected Vlad, and pointed the guns at the Hero.

Having to use Vlad was humiliating to Ouka. To be using the power of a devil to win against a devil, it was synonymous to being already defeated by magic. That's what she thought.

Even so, Ouka wanted to defeat this hateful enemy.

Even if she personally loses. Even if she admits defeat, as long she tales the enemy down she was fine with it.

That's what she thought, she grasped Vlad.

The enemy aimed his muzzle at Ouka.

"——Fix my leg, Vlad!"

《"Understood."》

The magic bullet was fired, the crushed leg was being rewinded to the original state like a playback. The next moment Ouka jumped to the side.

Ouka successfully avoided the magic bullet. In fact, unlike her movement up till now. She was inhumanly fast, and her jumping force flung her into the sky.

《"Body enhancement is minimal. If thou desire more than this, Accept me."》

"I refuse!"

《"A stubborn woman. However, that's good!"》

"That's creeping me out!"

She landed from several meters height without receiving any shock, puttinh distance between herself and the Hero.

《"Our foe is a Hero... King Arthur and Excalibur, seems a bit lacking to be our opponent."》

"I told you to shut up. Hurry up and release the trigger."

《"Trigger, for the first? Or the second?"》

"I decided on first."

《"Without turning into 『Witch Hunter』 despite facing a Hero?"》

"If it's about me accepting you, I refuse."

《"Such obstinacy. Understood, *click* Trigger released. Did you memorize the enemy's barrier technique?"》

"Of course, who do you think I am."

《"Very well—— Let us start the witch hunt."》

An intimidating voice declared in Ouka's head.

At the same time Ouka rushed towards the enemy, the Hero.

"————"

The Hero also exhibited movement. He once again moved Excalibur's muzzle, and tried to shoot the magical bullet.

《"That's nothing more than mass of magical energy——avoid it."》

"Don't need you to tell me!"

Ouka leaped up, the magical bullet passed under her feet. She danced very, very high in the sky while she pointed her gun's muzzle at the Hero.

She stretched out her arms, and pressed the trigger with all her strength.

"——Pierce!"

The moment gunshot sounded, a human-like scream sounded.

Too strong recoil, lifted Ouka's body even higher in the air defying gravity.

The fired thing was a stake of light. It was a spell itself.

From that spell, a stake made from magical power, sharp like a needle rushed towards the Hero.

However the enemy's, King Arthur's absolute defence——

...*gachan*...!!

Made a sound like broken glass. It was at the moment when the stake that was shot hit the barrier. Upon contact, a part of the barrier crumbled like glass. A hole was made in it.

The stake hit King Arthur's shoulder directly.

The large body staggered.

In every Relic Eater exists an intrinsic magic with special non-standard ability.

Ouka's 『Vlad』's ability is, passing through all magic that is understood by the user. Meaning.

What is needed, to have the process for using magic inside her head.

That means even if the magical device is not present, even without magic currently available. The instructions previously memorized could be automatically converted by 『Vlad』's ability, allowing it to pierce magic.

『Vlad』's stake was like an eraser that wipes away the scribbles from the wall.

The amount of magic she currently knew could be counted in the tens of thousands. Ordinary people cannot even understand the procedure, so a memory and incredible intelligence, as well as ability to recall images was required.

Ouka's head had all of it.

To defeat the enemy, you must know the enemy first. In Ouka's head, there were thousands of procedures that could be used in magic.

She didn't shoot only once.

Raising a hand once again, 『Vlad』 shot in rapid fire. Stakes seized King Arthur's body. All of them were direct hits.

Stopping the barrage, Ouka landed. The landing was magnificent but her face was distorted in agony.

《"It's because thou were shooting invariably you were hurt by recoil. Thou were squeezing the trigger without shifting the aim even as thou broke bones in thy arm, confess thine guilt."》

"It's fine... hurry up... heal it...!"

While in pain, Ouka checked the damage on the enemy. Hero, King Arthur was... alive and well.

《"The damage dealt to enemy was minor. There isn't enough power, the stake's quality wasn't enough. Thou mightest be able to eliminate this battle monster if thou performed contract?"》

"...how many times do I have to tell you."

《"At this rate thou shalt be defeated by him. The barrier persists. Excalibur's sheath instantly repairs the damaged portions of barrier. Unless thou destroy the sheath there is nothing to talk about."》

It was just like Vlad said. Even if she pierces through the barrier, the damage is reduced by it too much. At this rate only defeat awaits her no matter what she does.

"...we'll use intrinsic magic and make an opening."

Ouka, as if grabbing the last resort, said it while clicking her tongue.

《"Oh? Thou hast finally accepted it?"》

"Wrong, I'm not going to accept it. I'm saying that I'll take more."

"Hmm, instead of a contract, thou shalt sacrifice your blood, very well... I shall agree on that."

Right after Vlad consented, chill struck Ouka's body.

"...uuu...guhhh...!"

Her vision blurred, her body staggered.

Right now, a third of blood in her body was given to 『Vlad』, such an amount of life support she had was enough for one minute. Ouka breathed painfully.

《"It was delicious, in exchange, do whatever you want."》

Hearing the voice, Ouka looked up disgusted.

And, grasping the shaking guns strongly, she opened her legs and lowered her upper body. She took a special stance.

One gun aimed at sky, the other one aiming at the ground. And then——

————『Entertainment of the Impaling Prince"Tepes Rain"』

She squeezed the triggers as she spoke the magic's name.

Unlike the normal operation, there was nothing coming out of the muzzle. Instead of that, enormous magic appeared in the sky and the ground.

After noticing 『Vlad』's intrinsic magic the Hero became vigilant.

He took a defensive stance, he prepared to intercept the attack with his railgun-blade.

——But, such defence was useless.

The assault, came from the sky.

A rain of stakes showered the Hero injuring him after magically appearing in the air.

Like meteorites, they were falling and breaking through the barrier. The Hero tried to knock them away and avoid them. He got immediately exhausted by the amount of stakes coming from the sky.

Even so he endured through it, because he was a Hero. He continued to block and avoid the shower of stakes by slipping into the gaps between them. King Arthur tried to outdo the intrinsic magic 『Entertainment of the Impaling PrinceTepes Rain』.

But 『Vlad』's magic was more than that. First from the sky——now from the ground.

Breaking through the asphalt under his feet, thick stakes flew out vigorously.

The scaffold collapsed and King Arthur staggered. Sharp stakes drove into Hero's armour, slightly, but definitely dealing damage.

It was far from fatal, even with the blood she sacrificed

The intrinsic magic didn't realize a complete wall.

To use intrinsic magic without a contract, you should sacrifice hundreds of people's lives.

Ouka didn't accept the contract with 『Vlad』 yet, that's why she was unable to bring out all of its power.

——But, it was enough for Ouka at the moment.

In the meantime as he was distracted by intrinsic magic, Ouka closed the distance between them to one meter.

"——At this distance this power is enough! It will pierce without being impaired!"

Guns in both of her hands moved up and shot a pair of anti magical stakes.

The stakes penetrated the barrier and struck Excalibur's sheath.

The sheath got blown off from King Arthur's waist, and it rotated in the air. There was no damage to the sheath itself, but in the stakes an anti magical procedure was inscribed. The sheath soared in the sky and gradually lost its shine before falling to the ground.

——The barrier was gone.

Let's go! At this rate if I shoot him with stakes—— I'll win!"

Her heart was full of confidence.

She aimed her gun at Hero's body and put some strength into the fingers on trigger.

At this distance she definitely won't miss. She'll move her body somehow. There's no way she'll lose. It's the decisive blow.

Ouka trusted in her own victory.

——But, however,

《"Forgiveth, the witch hunt is suspended by order of the king."》

At the same time as the voice sounded in the back of her head, the magic she was clad in was lost. Power of 『Vlad』 in her hands was lost as well.

She was unable to grasp the situation.

Why?

That question didn't appear in her head. Just.

Victory right in front of her was lost, she was dumbfounded.

The momentary chance disappeared, Ouka was hit by thirst of blood. Unable to avoid it, Ouka was blown away by Hero's kick.

She smashed into the ground without raising a moan or scream. She finally stopped after being thrown violently.

Feeling the pain running through her entire body, with her remaining consciousness she understood she lost.

...it's that man...

Breathing faintly, she had an idea why 『Vlad』's power was lost. She knew the answer.

Ouka was disqualified from Inquisition, she has been stripped of Witch Hunter'sDullahan's responsibilities. That means she was forbidden from usage of Relic Eater. However, when emergency alarm was sounded, restriction on Relic Eaters were lifted, and 『Vlad』 should be available for use.

But at the last moment, she was stripped from the right to use it by Chairman, Ootori Sougetsu. Why now of all times, during such a crisis... Sougetsu abandoned Ouka, why did he do such a thing, what was he trying to achieve. Ouka knew it was pointless to pursue truth. An ordinary person couldn't understand his intentions.

"............"

There was no more workarounds. Her body couldn't move, she had a few broken bones.

She couldn't move, and felt pain by just breathing.

The Hero walked up to Ouka, and aimed his gun's muzzle at her forehead.

The light is condensed, and Excalibur's magic bullet was about to be unleashed at any moment.

Aah... it's over.

As the enemy was about to use abominable magic, she was struck with regret. Ouka looked towards the red sky.

In the end... I'm going to disappear without doing anything.

Even though she sacrificed everything for the sake of revenge, she was going to die without fulfilling it. How pathetic. How shameless. She thought so. However, there was also relief in her heart.

With this, she will be released. As she put her mind at ease, Ouka noticed something.

...how detestable.

Even though she knew that, easing up like that was fine as well.

Up until now she pushed herself. A weak habit like that became obstinacy, then, a nasty pride, she lived and endured only for a single purpose.

Such a heavy burden expanded in her heart was now lifted. That's why, she could no longer stand up.

After she arrives in the afterlife, she will apologize to her family.

I wonder... if they will forgive me.

Ouka worked hard, she wondered if she'll get praised.

She shed tears hoping for that, Ouka felt really pathetic.

It was an end to Ouka's everything, she lied on her back and closed her eyes.

The world's curtain lowered, darkness arrived.

However, the bell that marks the end didn't arrive. Instead——

——Who will let it end like this!

She heard a voice from somewhere, Ouka opened her eyes slightly.

"Kusanagi Double-Edged Style——"

Reflected in her eyes that gave up on everything, between shattered debris and glass, was a valiant figure.

That figure overlapped with the twilight's moon, flying in the air.

"That idiot..."

Ouka, murmured.

Why did he come, she said to herself in her heart in a tearful voice.

"——Mantis slope...!"

A roar.

The right shoulder of the hero that was about to shoot with Excalibur was powerfully slashed once from above by the guy that was falling from the fifth floor of the school building while dutifully shouting the technique name. He rolled forward as soon as he jumped out, and performed the attack while rotating like a wheel.

He cut with a honed blade, his own body weight in addition to the weight of large horse-slaying sword[9] and a centrifugal force from the rotation. A blow that was further amplified by free-fall.

As expected, the Hero suffering such a blow staggered backward and fell.

Ouka saw that fool's absurdly outrageous swordplay from behind his back, faintly conscious.

It was a really big back. That's why, she felt like she could leave everything to him, a very reliable back.

And the idiot in question, was holding a sword in order to protect Ouka and stood against the Hero.

"Ouka, are you okay?"

Without looking back, Takeru asked.

"...why."

Why did you come, asked Ouka.

"Isn't it obvious, to save you from dying. Rather than dying, you better look how I slaughter this guy."

With his back to her, Takeru said that forcefully. Ouka frowned while in pain.

"Run away...it's impossible for you..."

"We won't know until I try it."

"Are you retarded...something like...a sword, what can it do."

Protesting against Ouka's words, Takeru said while his mouth drawn an arc.

"...then look properly."

"...uhh?"

"Promise me. If I defeat this guy, you will let me help you out with your revenge."

He poised with his sword horizontally, full of confidence.

And,

And—— standing in front of his sworn enemy, and glared at him while looking like a demon.

"Hey〜... it seems like one of my members has been in your care."

『"............"』

"It's been a long time since I felt like this. And I have forgotten, but it still feels disgusting."

He slowly raised the sword that was set up horizontally to match his line of sight.

And he gripped the handle more elaborately, compressing his strength to the very limit.

"Thank you Mr. Hero, you reminded me of my old instincts."

Takeru's anger accumulated and, saying one thing,

"Beating up one of my comrades... there's no way I'll let you off...!"

"Kusanagi's Double-Edged Style initiate, Kusanagi Takeru. Present at the battlefield——"

An explosion.

"——Shall subjugate you, no questions allowed!"

And, Kusanagi Takeru's struggle finally resumed.

Hearing his roar, Ouka was reminded of the warped feeling she had two years ago.

"Aah...I see...I remember now..."

She recalled an image from the past,

Middle school second-year, first lesson.

A team deathmatch against other classmates.

The last one versus one duel.

An idiot oddly confident in his swordsmanship.

"...it's that guy..."

That courtesy from before, that strike, and that outburst.

『Mantis Slope』 is a technique performed by jumping from a high place and rotating, creating a destructive power like a cannon by using centrifugal force and body weight. Death awaits those who don't defend themselves from it. A direct hit exerts tremendous destructive power.

The opponent was a Hero. He's covered with an armour made out of metal, even though he was unsure whether it was gold or steel. Obviously, there was only a little crack on his shoulder.

Tough. Very tough.

But Takeru still felt positive.

No matter how small a scratch it is. No matter how trivial it is. The fact that he's hurt——means that he can be cut apart.

Rebuilding his posture, Hero held the gun again.

Halfway up, Hero shot from his gun. Tiles under his feet, *bagong* a sound of hoarded magic power being released spread.

Takeru immediately avoided by jumping away. His behaviour was really easy to understand if you looked closely. The charge up time is long, predicting his movements was easy. He didn't need to use 『Magic-Sweeping SwordSoumatou 』.

However, the bullet speed was odd. It was equal or even greater than that of a real railgun. Even after you've successfully avoided, you are unconsciously scared by the shockwave from behind.

"Then!"

Sinking his body low, Takeru carried the sword with his right arm. He kicked off the ground strongly, and got closer to Hero by using 『Battle Rush』. He lifted his arm carrying a sword high up as he jumped, swinging at the enemy's shoulder with all of his body weight.

*tsugin!!*

The exact same location as the first sword cut. He slashed the blade between the cracks.

*bikibiki* The crack expanded noisily .

"——Good!"

Definitely positive. The hero staggered backwards once again.

Takeru used the chance as the enemy landed on the ground to make distance from him.

He contacted Ikaruga by the intercom.

"Suginami, do you know anything about the enemy?"

《"I looked into the remaining records from surveillance cameras, it's really interesting. Speaking of the magical performance, the enemy's weapon is Magical Heritage Excalibur, but the body of the weapon is certainly a modern railgun. It was arranged so that it can be used as a sword as well, but it's mostly the same structure modern Alchemists use. That means it's a railgun with Excalibur's ability. It's really interesting and worth resea——"》

"I don't need that info! I need its movement patterns or weaknesses!"

《"Its rate of fire should be low, the same as the prototypes. It takes a few seconds for it to cool down by thermo-runaway before it fires again. The electrical conductor is probably generating magnetic field by passing magic power instead of electricity. Magical procedure can be applied as long as——"》

"So I just have to get close, I won't get hit by it if I'm right under him."

《"Be careful. It's still original Excalibur in close quarters! It can still use its ability."》

"If it's close quarters combat——I won't lose!"

Declaring that confidently, he activated Magic-Sweeping Sword『Soumatou』 .

Not thinking about the burden on his body, he threw himself forward at one stretch.

Even though he had a much faster reaction time than the enemy, the hero switched his stance from shooting to close combat in emergency and thrust upwards from below.

As expected of King Arthur, the renowned knight, it was a really sharp cut.

Skills aside, the enemy was much taller than Takeru.

Takeru saw through the thrust from below, and extending the sword in front he rammed forward instead of pulling back.

High pitched sound of blades clashing.

In a direct clash, the horse-slaying sword made out of adamantium would not hold out. And prior to that, Takeru's body would have been blown away by the impact.

Therefore, Takeru parried the Hero's sword skillfully. He placed his blade to match the enemy attack, and the power flowed behind him.

The impact of the blow and the magical power were released behind Takeru.

Inside the fierce wind, upon stepping under the Hero. Takeru returned the blade in an instant and gripped it with the opposite hand.

And then utilizing his legs, he slammed his blade into enemy's left limb as he jumped.

It was a blow that used the power of the entire body. Although only slightly, it was enough to lift the Hero's body.

"Oooooh!!!!"

While raising a roar Takeru rammed towards the staggering Hero.

*dun*, with a heavy sound Hero fell down on his back.

Takeru didn't miss the opportunity and had withdrawn backwards vigorously as he fell.

"Usagi! Now!"

At that moment, on the roof of school building in a distance. Something flashed.

Three gunshots sounded and shortly afterwards something passed in front of Takeru when he jumped back.

The violent sound of a direct hit even more intense than the gunshot's. The fallen Hero's body sank into the ground.

Three shots in a row. Sniped from long distance. And all three bullets directly hit entering the crack.

From the 12th floor of the first school building. Observing Takeru's and Hero's battle from long distance.

There in prone position was Saionji Usagi, holding Ikaruga's special anti-materiel rifle frowning in shock caused by the rebound.

Impatience and anxiety were clearly visible on her face. At the very last moment, Usagi's bad habit surfaced again.

Two shots in a row were hit after the first bullet, she was anxious. What if one of them hit Takeru?

What if the next shot misses, and Takeru will be caught by the enemy exploiting that opportunity? What if they lose the battle because of her?

Right now, inside Usagi there was tremendous amount impatience and anxiety.

《"Usagi, you okay?"》

The moment Ikaruga cut in, Usagi clicked her tongue.

"What's up with this gun... I thought my body would fall apart from the rebound."

《"The bullets are a little special. I tried to use rare orichalcum, but it was too heavy and didn't fly so far. So I used high quality explosives to give it propulsion causing it to have a quite a bit of recoil."》

"As expected, another outrageous illegal modification..."

With an angry mark on her head Rabbit answered via intercom.

《"It's not like I modified it for fun, if it isn't at least this much it won't hurt that thing. Look, the power is bigger than expected thanks to orichalcum."》

That being said. She looked through the heavy rifle's scope and saw the enemy sink into the asphalt. In the place where the crack on the shoulder's armour was, there was something like a large crater broken in there.

Ridiculous firepower.

But, dealing with such a powerful rifle terrified Usagi.

If she hits any ally with it, it won't end at that degree of having legs or arms being blown off. The entire body will be blown apart.

Imagining that scene, Usagi's hands are trembling violently.

"...ugh."

"...are you scared?"

"That's..."

She tried to deny, but she stopped. It couldn't be helped in such a situation, scary things were scary.

The enemy wasn't terrifying. The most terrifying thing for Usagi when sniping was mistakenly shooting an ally.

During the 『Trackless Psalms』 case, she tried to do something when Takeru was in a pinch and ended up causing friendly fire.

It's not something Usagi is doing on purpose. She isn't playing around, but that's not an excuse. If she fails this time, she won't have anyone to excuse herself to.

It's different from that time. It was powerful live ammunition. Missing was no longer a joke.

Usagi thought that what Ouka said before was right. You can't trust a sniper who has a risk of shooting his allies. She didn't even trust herself.

Trembling increased, the rifle was making rattling noises.

《"I know it's scary, if I were in your position I wouldn't be able to snipe like this."》

"...uuuu."

《"Kusanagi can only fight at close combat. He has to rush in really close. The gun that I made has a lot of factors that lower the accuracy. So what if you miss, the responsibility lies together with me and Kusanagi as well."》

Because we're comrades. Even though Ikaruga didn't say that, Usagi felt as if she heard that.

The trembling subsided slightly.

Furthermore through the radio she heard a desperate voice.

《""———!! Usagi!"》

"...Kusanagi."

Despite being in combat, Takeru contacted her.

Despite being in the middle of combat, she heard Takeru's rough breath. Usagi looked down for a moment.

《"...what's happening, Usagi."》

"Kusanagi.. are you... are you not scared?"

《"——Ugh! Scared of what?"》

"That I... that I might hit you by mistake... are you not afraid?"

If she hits Takeru mistakenly, she imagined that he'll be blown apart. Usagi bites her lip scared.

But despite her own fear, Takeru,

《"Nooooooope not scared at all!"》

Clearly and vigorously said that.

Tears appeared in her pupils, as a start Usagi looked up.

《"You will watch over me. You will protect me."》

"............"

《"I know just how skilled you are, I also know that you're the one that puts in the most effort. That's why——"》

"......"

《"——I can assure you that there's no one else who is more reliable than you."》

Takeru was dancing on the ground. Grasping a sword, not leaving the enemy's side. Looking dignified, he fought valiantly.

Why does he leave his life in my hands.

That's because he believes in Saionji Usagi's sniping skills.

The wind carried the sounds of the clash far away.

Usagi changed her position and stood up, she lifted the rifle. The heavy rifle's weight was 10 kilograms or more. But now for Usagi, it was no time to complain about weight, she had to protect the trust she had obtained.

She connected her belt at her waist with hooks that were made by Ikaruga in advance, the safety line was wrapped around the railing on the roof to prevent her body being blown off.

She placed the barrel on the railing and pulled the bolt. She aligned her eye with the scope in an unreasonable posture, she matched her reticle against enemy.

"Distance is 200 meters... Wind speed and wind direction... no, at this distance neither wind speed not temperature matters. Eh...? 200 meters...? What's 200 meters?"

Immediately she showed surprise, a shocked laugh came out from Usagi's mouth.

"What is... this... what have I been doing."

Pathetic, she laughed at herself. Yes, pathetic. Calling 200 meters 'sniping' was impudent.

Such a thing couldn't be called sniping.

An inquisition's veteran would make a hole in human brain at this distance.

"——This is laughable, isn't this really easy."

At the same time as she made that declaration, she held her breath.

With strong momentum breaking through space. The bullet hit the abdomen of Hero who tried to stand up.

The overwhelming shot covered the field of view with white smoke, as the handheld barrel jumped upwards with recoil, the belt supporting her body also threatened with being blown off, and made clattering noise.

However, it was not blown off.

——*kan*!

Usagi jumped up with sheer willpower and submerged guts, and at the same time she reloaded by pulling the bolt. She slammed the barrel onto the handrail thinking.

"I am no longer a march hare...!"[10]

One shot after another in rapid succession. Immediately after Takeru's attacks she hit the grazes.

——*Kan*!!

"I am no longer a rabbit chased by wolves...!"

——*Kan*!!!

Usagi's aim did not falter.

Bouncing back with the recoil of the barrel was no big deal for Saionji Usagi.

——*Kan*!!!!

"I am AntiMagic Academy's 35th Test Platoon's——sniper!"

She chanted simultaneously as she shot, she was shooting with rapid-fire. Pain and recoil attacked her every time she fired, but Usagi's aim didn't shake.

She simply aimed and sniped.

At that one thing, Usagi was a genius.

As long as her heart was calm, the world she saw through the scope was Saionji Usagi's kingdom.

"Kuhh!"

After repelling a blow, Takeru's body bent backwards.

Because of repeated clashes, a critical opening was born.

The renowned Hero didn't miss it. He instantly approached and reached out to Takeru.

He slashed with Excalibur upwards once more.

The distance was zero. Even parrying was impossible now.

But Takeru was in no hurry, he ambushed the enemy with confidence.

Because,

——*whoosh*

As if grazing his nose, a bullet crushing everything on its path passed by.

And it was a perfect, direct hit on the Hero's temple.

Hero staggered to the side severely, his posture broke.

"Hahaha, she really is amazing after all!"

There were several times when he saw Usagi hitting the practice targets, but it was the first time he was able to adore it in actual battle.

Timing was also perfect. Whether long distance or close combat, comrades supported each other. They perfectly kept it up until now.

Probably, when it comes to accuracy she was better than Ouka.

Upon receiving the rain of armour-piercing bullets the Hero's body was violently scraped. Although the armour appeared to be only on the surface, it was fairly thick. But the crack continued to spread from shoulders to waist. It was slowly collapsing.

If they keep it up they'll defeat him, at the beginning possibility of victory was small, but now it was within arm's reach.

《"I shall reload! Follow up!"》

After listening to a communication from Usagi, Takeru tried to charge to close combat. At that time,

There was a change in Hero's movements. The gun that was held up until now, was suddenly stabbed onto the ground. Hero held his hands on the gun, the two eyes on the doll-like mechanical face shined.

【"Our destiny is eternal glory. Let us advance together on the path of chivalry. My comrades separated from me. My knights. I summon you here in the name of the gathering's oath——"】

A distorted mechanical voice sounded making an eerie chant. Suddenly a big magic circle appears around the Hero.

"——?!"

Takeru stopped his feet vigilant.

《"Run away! He's going to use intrinsic magic! We don't have countermeasures against it! Hurry up and run! It's the best choice available!"》

Hearing Ikaruga's desperate voice, Takeru instantly moved.

Retreat. Retreat for now. That was the only thing in his head.

Takeru withdrew and approached the unmoving Ouka. He immediately checked her status. With those legs she couldn't even stand up.

"I'm fine... leave me... run away!"

Takeru picked her up without saying anything.

"Hyaa?! Y-y-you!"

"Shut up! You'll bite your tongue!'

"Leave me! Escape alon——"

"——I came here to protect you! Now that you know, shut up and let me save you!"

"......〜〜〜〜"

Holding her in the so-called princess-carry. Takeru ran while holding Ouka. She was blushing bright red, and attempting to get herself free, but she couldn't in that situation.

She nestled herself quietly by his chest and endured.

Takeru couldn't afford even a blush.

As he ran away, a chill went down his spine.

"...this is bad..."

He had an unpleasant hunch. Uneasiness, foreboding, sixth sense.

Inside Takeru's brain, something like an instinct set off alarm sirens inside his head, a sense of danger.

"Usagi, run away."

《"What happened——suddenly——"》

Usagi subconsciously responded, Takeru let Ouka down from his hold.

"...Kusanagi?"

Ouka looked up at Takeru's face.

She saw that his face was devoid of colour. It was more appropriate to call it a shadow of death, it was nearly transparent. His facial expression relayed one thing, I have to protect, that's what he desired.

Ringing sounded, Ouka tried to call Takeru's name again——the next moment.

【"——Knights of the Round."】

Beside the Hero who finished the chant, shadows of people who shouldn't have been there appeared.

Eleven knights emerged.

Takeru sensed a crisis, he poised with a sword and activated Magic-Sweeping Sword『Soumatou』 .

A moment of silence. A split second of silence.

When silence came to an end, the school building that acted as a wall for Takeru——was blown away.

In the slow-motion world, Takeru witnessed it.

Breaking the school building apart, a figure of a brilliant knight rushing while scattering magic power.

The Knight stabbed with his sword, a very nasty blow. Even with Magic-Sweeping Sword『Soumatou』 activated, he couldn't keep up with it's speed.

Speaking of what Takeru was able to do, he used force at an expanse of his bones and muscle, only to deflect the enemy's rapier away from Ouka. He was only able to shift the direction enemy rushed towards.

Immediately after succeeding in shifting the direction, as the aftermath the wave of magic from the blow struck Takeru.

The suicidal attack against the summoned knight made out of light demolished the entire school building.

The rush of eleven knights who had scattered in four directions and became a mass of light heavily damaged the academy.

Several school buildings have turned into rubble, the roof Usagi was standing on was blown away.

Excalibur's intrinsic magic, 『Knights of the Round』

This magic summoned by the pseudo-hero 『Reproduced the strongest strike』 of eleven knights serving King Arthur. That's what was released.

The first thing Takeru saw after opening his eyes, was sky dyed by sunset.

Takeru survived the strongest blow of the hero somehow. He felt a discomfort in his body. Strangely, his body didn't feel cold nor pain.

Moving his neck, far behind him Takeru saw a fallen girl.

Ouka seemed safe, he confirmed that she was breathing.

There was no problem with Usagi either, although it seemed distant, he could hear a tearful voice coming from the intercom. All platoon members seemed safe.

"For now...that...'s good..."

He smiled helplessly at himself.

Takeru already noticed, on top of his head, was his lower half of the body. It didn't move even when he tried to.

The upper body alone, couldn't even crawl.

"Shit... as expected... It's impossible."

Now that he thought about it, it was magic with risk classified as S-rank. It was crazy to think he can win against a summoned Hero. He did well, he tried to comfort himself. But Takeru's heart was clouded.

Because originally, Takeru was a sore loser.

"The worst...I'm about to die...shit."

He could hardly breathe, he tried to eyes, curtains have dropped. The end was near.

"...dammit..."

He afforded to spit out a curse, as a remainder.

"...showing off...in a place...like this..."

In an attempt to clear the hazy view, he lowered his eyelids.

"......not yet...I still...here....do..."

He looked vacantly at the sunset that was about to end.

At that time, suddenly.

Suddenly——he saw an azure-coloured human shape.

That figure looked down from above on fallen Takeru.

Stare——, an inquiring gaze looked down.

...this child...from shopping mall...why in such a place...

This place is dangerous.

He attempted to say that but no voice came out, he breathed air in painfully.

Takeru's life, at this moment, was about to close its curtains.

"Mr. Kusanagi Takeru—— I shall resume the contract."

These were the last words Takeru heard.

Part 4

—— Question number two. Do you have any intention of exterminating witches?

—— He heard a voice, a contract began in the abyss.

Takeru no longer opposed the questions. He no longer had freedom to do it.

That's why he answered. He only could answer.

—— I promise. I will exterminate evil witches.

—— Question number three. For the sake of your own goal, will you discard yourself?

—— Yeah, if it's worth it, I will discard everything.

—— Question number four. For the sake of your goal, will you discard what you hold dear?

—— You must be joking.

—— The last question. You...

............

—— You... for the sake of defeating enemy, will you discard your humanity?

............

............

............ Yeah, I'll discard it.

—— The contract has been completed.

—— Please pull the trigger.

Just as he has been told, Takeru pulled the trigger.

Before he knew it, he pulled the sword's trigger.

《"—— Host "Kusanagi Takeru" verifying authorization.

—— Triggering operative procedure.

—— Injecting magic, starting erosion.

—— Repairing damaged parts. Time required for construction process — five seconds.

—— Repair, no problem both are compatible. 100% Matching rate.

—— 『Witch Hunter』 complete."》

Along with a monotone voice, a heavy bass echoed.

Takeru feeling his body moving in the darkness opened his eyelids.

《"Host, please wake up——it's time for witch hunting."》

With a tone like an alarm clock, sounds a monotone voice.

Shutupppp...don't have to tell me, I'm already awake.

Feeling ridiculous discomfort, he got up disgruntled.

Desiring with supreme ardor——Hammer of Witches"Summis desiderantes affectibus——Malleus Maleficarum"

Translator's Notes and References

↑ Zanbatō

↑ A reference to Alice's adventures in wonderland I take it.

Chapter 4 - Hero SummoningPart 1Leaving Takeru behind, Ouka dashed in the direction of the Academy.Screams resounded all over the city. Determining who the enemy was easy for Ouka.Variants that were rampaging in the city had a humanoid form, their skin was flesh-coloured and they had long tongues. They had neither eyes nor noses, there were only ears and a big torn mouth."A necromancer..."Necromancers, filthy witches mainly specializing in evocation, they used earthen puppets and corpses as soldiers.Those variants were without a doubt corpses. They could be recognized by the putrid smell coming from them, as well as their behaviour. Necromancers in order to control the corpses seal certain organs, the reason being the fact that corpses with all of their senses intact retain a certain level of ego. That is why their noses and eyes are sealed leaving only the auditory sense.And there was something much more troubling than their senses, the residents were running away while their screams became more and more intense, it seemed to be exactly what enemy wanted."It's the Inquisition! Please run away without making any sound! If you scream you'll be attacked! Try to escape without making any unnecessary noise!"Ouka's voice was drowned in screams and couldn't reach everyone."TheKnightsSpriggansaren't here yet..."Ouka stopped her feet after reaching the intersection on the main street, then she pulled out her gun while standing in the middle of all the people who were trying to run away.She directed it towards the sky and shot rapidly until she ran out of ammo. Because of that, corpses that targeted people changed their target to Ouka.The corpses had saliva dripping from their mouths down on lower parts of their bodies. Considering their movement capabilities, the material they were made of was definitely fresh. Ouka's pupils were displaying fury."Heretics!!"Ouka let out a roar, and pulled out a spare gun from the holster at the same time.While displaying her anger for the necromancers, she held the gun horizontally and shot the corpses one after another.After running out of bullets, she jumped and performed an explosively strong roundhouse kick on the variant.The enemy didn't go down, Ouka used the momentum from the roundhouse kick, and kicked off his upper body again. She discarded the spare gun, and pulled out a magazine from the gun belt attached to her thigh to reload.Ouka attacked relentlessly, she showered the enemy with a storm of bullets and kicks."............"All the corpses that were at the intersection were wiped out in no time, Ouka replaced the magazine once again and checked the surroundings remaining vigilant.There was no one else there, and the corpse variants were stalled for the moment. There were only dead bodies of the victims lying on the ground.As the enemies got up again, they groaned as if they were suffering.But it was not the corpses Ouka had defeated, they were the dead bodies of the victims that have risen.The terrible thing about necromancers is the fact that their magic is contagious. Dead humans bitten by those corpse eating demons are revived as the same type of demons.Around Ouka, was a scene that looked like it came out of a B-grade movie.When she started preparing to fight again, she heard gunshots and bullets swept over the risen corpses from attacking them behind.It was reinforcements, theKnightsSprigganfinally arrived at the front lines. In front of Ouka were assault bikes and the new state-of-the-art dragoons.One of the inquisitors riding a bike stopped in front of her and turned off its engine."You're a student and part of test platoon huh. Leave this place to us and go back to the academy quickly."The man who looked like a captain blurted out such a thing after coming late.Ouka wanted to complain, but instead she had to ask a few questions in order to get a grasp on the situation."The alarm has been sounded so besidesKnightsSpriggan,Witch HuntersDullahanshould also have been dispatched right? Where are they?""No idea, we just received orders to get rid of the corpse eater demons from within the city, that's all."The inquisitor got off his bike and ordered each of his subordinates while holding a gun in one hand without paying attention to Ouka."The enemies aren't just the corpse eater demons and necromancer, there wouldn't be any explosions if it were so. Do you know anything about what's going on?""Don't know. But one of my men seems to have contacts, from what he says it seems like..."After the inquisitor issued commands while still holding his gun, he turned his back to Ouka.Right before leaving, he said."It seems like HeroEienherjar appeared."Hero, that word turned Ouka speechless.AntiMagic Academy's chairman's room.While looking from the window above at the hectic academy grounds, Sougetsu turned on the radio the desk was equipped with."So, what does it sound like?"TheKnightsSpriggansthat were earlier dispatched have come into contact."While it sounds like screams of agony, do you want to hear?""Please."*bshht*, after the sound signalling communication switch terrible noise reached Sougetsu's ears. Screams were mixed with noises, and it took him a while to determine it was human voices."This is the eighthKnightsSpriggansquad! Enemy isn't just corpse eating demons! Repeat! Enemy isn't just corpse eating demons! Requesting urgent support"Right after that, a scream resounded.The communication was switched again, this time it was sound of wreckage and light breathing that was heard this time."Urgent...Witch HuntersDullahans...requesting support...enemy is...anti-magic firearms are not working...opponent is product of summoning magic..we think it's HeroEienherjar...he has a Magical Heritage...""............""It's my first time seeing...such magic...11th...knights...all together...the...Hero...for sure..."A buzzing sound, as if something was charging.Words of the inquisitor could no longer be heard, right after that a roar came out disrupting communication.Sougetsu stood frozen stiff with his eyes wide open."That's all. It was the last transmission fromKnightsSpriggan, next I'll project the image on the monitor."The monitor on which his communication partner. the secretary was visible on was incorporated into the glass window.Now, there was a giant wearing a golden armour... the monster looked like a man-made artificial doll."What do you think, Chairman?""...yeah, without doubt. His body is one thing, but the enemy is anHeroEienherjar. A really powerful guy."After saying "Hero", Sougetsu shuddered."HeroEienherjar"For the Inquisition Board, that kind of magical organism was considered a product of the past.During witch hunt era, a hostile witches used a certain summoning magic.A high level summoning magic, there were three non-standard ones infeasible in modern times.Hero Summoning, Legend Summoning, Myth Summoning.One of them, Hero Summoning. It was magic that was used for the last time 150 years ago. Among witches, it was a forbidden magic only heretics with the greatest talent could use.During the era in which the entire world was subjected to infestation of fantastical creatures, an era when magic usage was common. There were many people whose power rivaled God, their feats of valour were handed down after their death, and in current modern world they're hero of stories.During the war, the cornered witches revived them and violence escalated with them as the vanguard. This summoning magic required tens of thousands innocent lives to be sacrificed. Many precious lives have been lost as a result.It wasn't a magic that could be used by any ordinary person. But now, it has been revived once again.Sougetsu's shoulders trembled... as he laughed."Kukuku, kuhahahaha! A hero, they dusted off such a thing! How in hell didFantasy CultValhallasummon such a thing!"There were no reports that would imply the required tens of thousands died in recent years.Having no idea how they did it, Sougetsu laughed while holding his belly."...that's fine, it's really nostalgic. It has really gotten interesting, I wonder if they're going to start it again, a stupid war like the one that had so many people die."Inside Sougetsu's eyes there was madness dwelling.The secretary with whom he was communicating with was confused."...umm, Chairman, what are we going to do? Even though it's slow, the Hero is heading towards the academy.""Their aim is the tower with sealed Magical Heritages... no, it's probably the forbidden area witches are held in... well then, what to do. Against a Hero,KnightsSpriggansaren't sufficient..."That's when Sougetsu narrowed his eyes, and grinned like a Cheshire Cat."...aah, that's right. There's that, don't we have a perfect guy for that. I see, indeed. It's a good opportunity to awaken him.""...Chairman?""Connect my microphone to the speakers for the academy-wide broadcast to all students.""Y-yes, is it going to be evacuation orders?"Towards the confused secretary, Sougetsu,"Evacuation? Don't say such stupid things."He voiced it bluntly,"We don't want to shave off such a fighting potential do we? We have enough human resources to become a wall all over!"After the secretary realized what he wanted to do, she tried protesting against Sougetsu's decision."Chairman, that's too much! You should call inWitch HuntersDullahansand authorize use of Relic Eaters immediately!""Of course I'll call them out, theWitch HunterDullahan. But only if it goes out of hand, It's just a mere Hero. The high-ranking witch is definitely more frightening, even if we use Relic Eaters.""Then why... why is there a need to use the students?! They aren't part of the regular Inquisition yet?!"The secretary's yells didn't reach Sougetsu."...well then, I wonder if the boy and the girl will properly form a contract with each other."There was nothing and no one who could stop his laughter anymore.Part 2"Shit! That Ootori... leaving alone without permission!"Takeru was heading towards the school at full power on a borrowed bicycle that was lying on the road.It's only a guess, but Ouka is heading towards the witch's location, meaning where the explosions are happening.Since the explosions are moving towards the academy little by little, Takeru naturally headed to the academy as well."...I've got a bad feeling."He shouldn't have followed Ouka alone towards where the witch is.That's because he couldn't help, but feel that something irrevocable was going to happen, and that creepy premonition hurried Takeru."Don't die, Ootori...!"While scattering droplets of sweat, he rushed towards the place where explosions sounded and smoke rose.There was no crowd, it was good that there were no people. Takeru was racing on his bicycle through the shopping mall as a shortcut.KnightsSprigganapparently evacuated citizens from front lines.The mall was quite empty. But, in exchange."Guhh."After he left the residential area and rushed through the large shopping mall, a stark naked human came out from the children's clothing area all of a sudden.Takeru pressed the brake suddenly, and he stopped right before crashing.He tried to apologize in a hurry, but immediately noticed that the other party was not human.It's weird for someone to be naked in the first place. He retorted to himself.Takeru facing a monster without mouth nor eyes, he got off the bicycle in a hurry.Monsters suddenly jumped out from every direction, they were hiding in the stores and feasting upon meat."...these guys are...!"Corpse eating demons, that term appeared in his head instantly. Takeru gripped his sword's hilt strongly and sharpened his mind.Front, left and right, and one from behind. At the same time.The situation was incredibly disadvantageous.But, however.It wasn't the time nor place to act perplexed."...out of my way."After acknowledging the enemies aren't humans, Takeru's clan blood was boiling.In the first place Kusanagi-style wasn't created to fight with humans.So to speak, it was the perfect situation for Kusanagi Takeru.As if it was a custom-made battlefield for him.Takeru shifted the sheath attached to his waist towards his back, he pulled out his sword all at once while twisting his upper body strongly.Kusanagi's Double-Edged style Single Wheel. A heretical sword-drawing skill, sliding the sheath near the tailbone, twisting the waist to the limit, squeezing the sheath with left hand and release of the twisted upper body. Withdrawing the sword all at once while drawing a circle matching the rotation of the hip.A skill used against humans by Kusanagi's during a siege once before, it was only effective when many enemies were attacking at once, an all-range attack uncommon in swordsmanship.It reached 180 degrees in front and 180 degree's behind him without loosening the momentum of the drawn sword. Force created by waist rotation is multiplied by the held out foot, and slashes behind. What is needed, is timing, a strong waist and above all a loose lower body while slashing.He let out the load without thinking. The Double-Edged technique style variant has been thoroughly trained into him. The burden on the waist was huge, and the gap between them was large. But the hit-rate was 100% even while he shouldered that burden. The Kusanagi style holds its own.Takeru sank four corpse eating demons bodies within one breath, and he stopped the momentum with his feet and sheathed his sword."Are these guys familiars? They have fragile bodies like humans but... these numbers."As he looked around, he had an illusion of being surrounded by a pack of wolves. The corpse eating demons could be seen coming from all corners of the shopping mall.If a witch came out now, it would be extremely reckless for Takeru to challenge it alone. Just the fact the witch could manipulate corpses like this meant it was an opponent that could not be defeated by a student.But unless he broke through, he won't be able to do anything. Neither follow Ouka, nor join his comrades."Just because you're were humans before, I won't be as nice as to let you off!"Takeru lowered his body and kicked off the floor. He ran maintaining his posture as if he were to fall down forward. Supporting himself to the very limit to avoid falling, he ran through the mall at full speed."You're in the wayy!!"He hit the corpse eating demon in front with a single sword strike. Takeru's legs didn't stop at all, his movements changed to Kusanagi-style's Battle Rush, a technique that allows delivering blows while running. A fundamental thing like footwork did not exist within that technique, by having his body lean forward to the point of almost falling forward for the sake of allowing him to slash with his sword. The entire body weight of his body was used in the blows because it was intended to move on while crushing the enemies rather than cutting them.A single point breakthrough. For the sake of slashing again and again despite their fear of counterattack, those who mastered Kusanagi-style could move their lower body and upper body separately. No matter how the legs moved, no matter how he traveled, the upper body was resourceful and doing its own job.The fact that the enemies were a monsters with no intelligence was a great bonus and really convenient. The battle swordsmanship used against hordes of demons, that was the Kusanagi's Double-Edged style. Takeru crushed the corpse eating demons that attacked him as he broke through the shopping mall like a fierce tiger.He finally saw the way out, he didn't see any signs of life in his surroundings as he ran. Takeru noticed that the enemy sensed his movements thanks to their auditory senses. All the monsters jumped on him, at least, he should make it so he didn't appear alive to them anymore. He stroked his own chest.And then.At that moment, he heard something that sounded to him like a bell.From the gap between the monsters, he looked towards the source of the sound.He saw something unbelievable."Wha..."There was a girl who looked really out-of-place standing in the mall.A figure that looked like a hallucination. Takeru couldn't help but suspect his own eyes.Azure-coloured hair, azure coloured-dress, and her pupils also were azure-coloured."...why in such a place?!"While surrounded by corpse eating demons, the girl was still staring at Takeru. His and the mysterious girl's gazes met.The illusion of the world stopping, Takeru's thoughts stopped as well.Muscles moving Takeru's body stopped and he was falling forward losing support.$"Gahs-shit!"Takeru passively crashed and rolled on the floor getting covered with scratches, he flew towards the girl while rebuilding his posture.The Corpse eating demons that enclosed her, were ready to pounce on her.Takeru sheathed his sword and embraced the girl's body barely avoiding the enemy. He dashed towards the exit at once."What are you doing in a place like this?! Didn't you hear the alarm?!""............"The girl just looked at him with clear pupils as he held her by his chest, she didn't say anything. Maybe she was shy, but she didn't show any fear despite this emergency, either she had nerves of steel or she knew too little.Takeru ran out of the mall, he ran to a safe street, put the girl down and grabbed his own knees.Apparently not knowing Takeru had a hard time, the girl continued to ogle him expressionlessly.In front of this silent girl, Takeru was at wit's end. It wouldn't be a problem if he left her withKnightsSpriggansfor the time being, they would have taken her to an emergency shelter but there was no way to contactKnightsSpriggans.If it's just one person it shouldn't be a problem, he will survive this hell together with the child.Takeru put a hand on his chin as he thought about it, when the hem of his jacket was suddenly pulled.Looking down, he saw the girl looking up at him while pinching his clothes. As if astonished by something, she opened her mouth slowly. Breath leaked faintly from her pale pink lips together with the wordsWith a mysterious atmosphere about her, finally from girl's mouth a voice came out for the first time."Panpakapaaan"........................An incomprehensible sound, Takeru was stunned with surprise.The fanfare-like sound definitely came out of the girls mouth, strength left Takeru, despite the appearance her voice was very clear and mature, she made fanfare with such a voice.*clap* *clap*she even threw in a few claps as a bargain."...what are you doing?"Takeru came up with a question.As Takeru was stunned, the girl continued."Congratulations. Mr. Kusanagi Takeru, you have been chosen as the second contractor. In order to initiate the contract please answer the following questions."She said it without intonation and with a machine-like voice, the phrases sounded like the ones scamming advertisement sites that are rampant on the net use."...eh? Eh?""Question number one. Do you intend to become an inquisitor?""Yes! ...no, wait, what are you talking about?""Question number two. Do you have any intention of exterminating witches?""............"His head indeed hurt, Takeru placed his hand on his forehead.He definitely became crazy after seeing something so terrifying. It's understandable, he saw corpse eating demons attack someone so small. It was very definitely super frightening and painful.Thinking like that, his tears came out for some reason.He must escort this child to a safe place by all means, even if he has to do it while crying. He tried putting his hand on the staring girl's head."Question number three. For the sake of your own goal, will you discard yourself?"Takeru unconsciously stopped his hand, at a loss of words, for some reason incomprehensible words came out from her mouth. He couldn't ignore them this time.Explosions and screams at the distance still didn't stop.Feeling distant from the noise, Takeru didn't take his eyes off from the girl's pupils, Azure-coloured and very, very deep pupils."...? Communication?"Takeru was dazed, suddenly there was a call from his watch-type device.It was from... Ikaruga."Kusanagi? Where are you now?""Suginami, what's going in school now? And I'm... well a lot happened. I was chasing Ootori, but on the way""More importantly, it's pretty bad over here, listen to this for a moment."Ikaruga suddenly switched the communication.Then, he heard the Chairman's speech."To all of the students, right now, we the Inquisition Board are in danger on unprecedented scale. As you might already know, the prosecution target that appeared in the city is anHeroEienherjar. You probably know from the educational materials, but the Hero's strength is beyond our imagination"Sougetsu continued with an exaggerated tone of voice."This is... a school announcement?""Shut up and listen, this part is important.""Many innocent citizens and Inquisitors have been already sacrificed. The Hero is heading towards the academy, we assume their target is the contraindicated area. It's a matter of time before he reaches them. Saying a thing like this might be shameless... but right now, we're not strong enough. It will take some time before reinforcements from other branches arrive. That's why... that's why I implore of you. Lend us your strength. I want us to fight together. Against the detestable witch that took lives of innocent people. In order to give him a hard blow, I want you all to stand up against him! Qualification or class matter no longer! All of you are Inquisition, all of you areWitch HuntersDullahans, together we shall conquer them... time to witch hunt has come! It's time to judge the heretics!"Takeru finished listening to broadcast, made a crooked expression unintentionally."...that's crazy.""It's not a conscription, it means it's completely voluntary. Some look at other platoons, these guys who are most enthusiastic about it already started participating in intercepting by making a defence line in the academy together withKnightsSpriggan.""...can onlyWitch HuntersDullahansdo something about that enemy?""No idea, the Hero was not left in any documentation from Witch Hunt Era. If we leave this alone, before the reinforcements arrive the school will be turned to rubble. As it was said in the broadcast, the enemy's aim is the contraindicated area."Takeru opened his eyes wide.Contraindicated area... it's the area located in the deepest part of the academy that witches were being held in.From petty criminals to criminals accounted with severe crimes, the treatment is different according to the weight of their crimes. A prison for witches."Kusanagi? ...what do we do?""............""You're the captain. Usagi is here as well, running is fine, fighting is fine... I at the very least will follow your decision."Ikaruga leaves it to him, Takeru fell silent for a moment.He shut his mouth tight and clenched his fist."I... about the enemy this time... It's better to run away..""............""For us who couldn't seize even a single F-rank artifact until now. There is no way we can stand against an enemy like a Hero, wait for the dispatch ofWitch HuntersDullahan. It's best to evacuate until this is over. As a captain, I don't want you guys to die in vain."It was a weak attitude, but also a decent conclusion. There was no objection from Ikaruga, it was the Captain's choice."But even in such situation, you intend to go right?"Ikaruga said those words and sighed, Takeru nodded.Takeru, not as a captain but a human being called Kusanagi Takeru said what he wants to do."Ootori is now... Hero... no, for the sake of defeating the witch she is heading back to the academy. She will definitely ignore my order. Inside her there's only hatred for witches. Her hatred is all she has.""............""To me, Ootori is already a member of the 35th platoon. I don't want her to die the same way I don't want you to die. But she... you can't stop her the normal way.""............""That's why in order to stop her..."He stopped speaking and shut his mouth tightly.This decision might be wrong, if the captain analysed the battle situation he shouldn't ever make such a decision. Even if he intended to go alone."Well then, I think I'll go hunt down a Hero now."Takeru said it with a clear tone. It can be understood without thinking at all. Such a thing was impossible. What would be his chance in percentage? 0.1%? 0.01%? 0.001%?No no, it was probably zero from the get go. Even though the Kusanagi-style was created for the sake of eliminating evildoers, the fact that it's outdated didn't change.That's why it was reckless and foolhardy. It's like being defeated before even starting.Even so, Takeru still intended to subjugate it.He declared that, with a sword in his hand."...Kusanagi, you... pulled out your sword didn't you.""Yeah.""When you were talking about hunting or whatever, at that time. I don't know what happened, but you aren't in a situation where you need to draw it are you? I mean that drawing sound?""No, you can tell that I'm calm right? I'm calm alright? Though I pulled it out indeed, I'm different from my old self."Ikaruga sighed. While Takeru kept silent not knowing what to say as an excuse."Well I won't say anymore. Our preparations here are done, we also have a sword made for you. I'm not a swordsmith, I specialize in firearms so don't expect too much."I'm ready to fight, that's what Ikaruga said to Takeru.Takeru opened his eyes wide at this unexpected development."...Ikaruga, you...""Ahplease don't misunderstand. I don't care about Ootori Ouka, but, I'm interested in theHeroEienherjar. In the current age, that thing is a precious sample. If you guys are going to collect data, I'll lend you all of my strength."In the end, Ikaruga was Ikaruga after all. A little bit of embarrassment betrayed her.It really seemed like she was preparing and moving on her own."Hmph! I don't care about what happens to Ootori Ouka, but punitive expedition against that legendary magical beingHeroEienherjaris a different matter! The honour of subjugating that is appropriate for me... there will be no other chance as good as this to make my name famous throughout the academy!"Said Usagi with her high-pitched voice interrupting."It's not convincing at all when you're trembling with a blue face.""Whaa?! I-I'm not trembling! I might be shaking with excitement though!""For a while now, your rifle is making clattering noises as you tremble""I-It's a lie Kusanagi! Suginami is just jealous of my courageous self, there's nothing to be scared of!""Shes ran to the restroom four times within the last 20 minutes.""I didn't! I tell you not to say anything to Kusanagi!"A loud clattering sound could be heard from the device's speaker.Kusanagi laughed wryly at those two like usual."Listen, Captain's orders."While hearing voices of his noisy comrades, he muttered."...thanks, both of you."It probably wouldn't be heard, but he finished the communication saying that."Sorry for making you waiteh?? What?! Where did she go?!"The figure of the girl in front of him was nowhere to be found. Takeru looked around in haste and scoured the nearby places briefly, but couldn't find her.She should have been standing here a while ago... where did she go to?"Speaking of which... why did that child know my name..."As if he had met with a ghost, Takeru stroked his back.Part 3AntiMagic Academy, main gate.The first line of defence were guards compromised of test platoon members and a few ofKnightSpriggantroops.The shooting rifles leaned from the barricade intercepting the corpse eating demons."This is easy, we alone are enough if it's just this much.""Right? I don't know about Hero, but this is a piece of cake. S-class or whatever, ancient weapons cannot stand up to us who are armed with modern weapons."The students shouldering assault rifles, comrades from the same platoon that responded positively to Chairman's request. For them who bravely stood up, the corpse eating demons were not enough. The students were seizing Magical Heritages on a daily basis as part of the test platoon system, they were always threatened by Magical Heritage, they stood against that darkness armed with guns.With a genuine witch as an opponent, for those who were really tense because of that, it was quite anticlimactic. Corpse eating demons, when you compare them to the threat a person armed with a gun poses, it was like heaven and earth. A corpse eating demon is at most like a stray dog that is hard to put down. They are really hard to kill, but just hitting them with Inquisition's anti-magic bullets was enough to get rid of them.The corpse eating demons hit by bullets turned into ash and got swept away by the wind.Students seeing a corpse eating demon turn into ash smiled relaxedly."At this rate Hero won't be a big deal either. It's just a product of witch's magic, hardly an opponent for us"The moment he said that to his comrade beside him.In the front, from the other side than the one corpse eating demons invaded. A dazzling light was emitted.Just beside the students,*shuu*... a sound of something evaporating.After they faced in that direction, there was nothing there anymore.No barricades, noKnightSpriggantroops, nor comrades from their own platoons.Everything was blown away, and turned into pile of rubble."......ha?"Everyone stopped thinking, the guy that was talking just now disappeared in an instant. An empty scenery. Emptiness spread right beside them.Just, a right hand of the guy who was speaking until now was lying by their feet. Like a mannequin arm.Students in front of such absurd slaughter looked up to the sky trying to escape from reality.Cloudless sky dyed orange by the setting sun offered good visibility.While feeling the wind on their cheeks, they lost their nerve and were inclined to escape.But of course it didn't go well.From their toes up till their heads, they trembled suffering irresistible fear. Students couldn't help but look at the one who took everything from them.At the slope near the school gate, in the middle of the corpse eating demons' ashes dancing. A big shadow was moving up calmly.It was an awe-inspiring figure coloured with gold and platinum. That form was sinister, evil.It's skin, or maybe armour. They were unsure how to classify it, looked like bone or a carapace.But that's it.No one expected the Hero who was called in by Hero Summoning, to be a variant that looked like that.An outdated weapon summoned by ancient magic.That was the way students imagined the Hero, that's how they imagined it'll be.But the figure that came walking in, rather than being described as outdated, it looked futuristic."...hyaaa!"It approached while making heavy sounds.In his right hand he moved his large swordno, a large gun which he pointed at them.Ouka took a bike fromKnightsSprigganwithout asking and came back to the Academy, she was shocked by the devastation.The beautiful AntiMagic Academy.The school building's fully equipped inner courtyard, that looked like a part of a western palace.All of it was gone without a trace.The school building was partially destroyed, the garden has become scorched earth. Fallen students with serious injuries everywhere and between them were dead people.Looking all over the place, everyone had guns in their hands. They must have been defeated in battle."...what happened... why... did students participate in battle?"She approached the fallen students in a hurry and checked if they're breathing. She tried to contact Sougetsu but couldn't get through. Ouka bit her lower lip.Why didn't theWitch HuntersDullahanmobilize. Why are students participating in this battle. In the first place, what does this plight mean.Ouka didn't have enough information to understand the current situation.Justthere was one thing sure.Far ahead of them, there was a huge figure leisurely walking.That was the culprit responsible for this devastation. A product of magic. The hateful abomination definitely set up by the witch.Ouka discerned the enemy's nature. Her pent up rage overflowed.Her sworn enemy walked leisurely through the courtyard which has turned into an inferno. Ouka saw the figure of Hero for the first time.She knew it was a human who became a legend, summoned and called a hero. To think it was a human being like that. A monster just as she imagined.She didn't feel an ounce of intelligence from the Hero. He looked like a machine that destroys everything in front of it."...you...want to fight it...?"A voice came from the shadows, Ouka moved her gaze towards the source.Hidden behind the pillar of the corridor that connects school buildings, was a shaking male student suffering a knee injury, there were many other students trembling under a rock, either in a school building or in the shade of a roadside tree.Seeing the enemy's might, they completely lost the will to fight. All of them regretting being so faint-hearted.Ouka ran towards one of the students unnoticed by the enemy."Tell me what's the situation. Why didn't theWitch HuntersDullahancome? Why are students participating in combat?""Fighting...or running away...with that opponent students couldn't do neither...""Answer me!"Ouka grabs the frightened student's uniform and drags him closer.While breathing out painfully, he said to her."N-no idea...we participated because we were told we'll becomeWitch HuntersDullahansif we defeat that thing, that's all...""...isn't that insane? ...enemy is an S-Class hazardous product of specialized magic right? Who would say such a thing...""...didn't you hear the Chairman's speech...?"When she heard the contents of speech from the student, she started grinding her teeth."...to bait in the students like that.""We couldn't even scratch that monster! W-we ran away, we had no chance of winning!"The student got slapped and fell behind towards the wall. He fell silent with tears in his eyes. Ouka asked him with a thorny tone."You, did you see the intrinsic magic of Magical Heritage that Hero used?"Intrinsic magic, a secret magic contained within Magical Heritage. Magical Heritages have spells concealed within them, although they are limited to a single effect. The ones that can activate a magical procedure without an owner are qualify as at least an A-Rank when it comes to risk evaluation."I don't know, from the very beginning we couldn't put a scratch on him, everything was repelled by a barrier.""...a magical barrier."Magical barrier, for a barrier that's not penetrated by Inquisition's bullets, it must be a really powerful one. In order to deploy such a barrier, there's a need of huge amounts of magical power that can't be generated by a modern witch. She realized that without a doubt, the barrier is being generated by Magical Heritage.However, academy's students aside, for the forces to be annihilated in such a short time can't be because of the barrier's threat. Moreover, the shape of Magical Heritage is a... gun. Is its body used for original attacks, and a magical procedure that grants the protection? Ouka thought there has to be something else too."The enemy is a Hero. It should not be able to use multiple Magical Heritages. Did anything else change before? He took out only this much people, there definitely has to be something else."The grabbed student's face goes pale at once.He saw something, Ouka intuitively understood."...we couldn't defeat it no matter how hard we tried. Even bombardment didn't affect him so I was trying to withdraw, and then...""............""Then suddenly, under his feet a magical circle appeared...and then...in an instant...everyone that was fighting in front, all the Inquisitors...became...slabs of meat.""Tell me what did you see at that moment, it might become a clue that helps us defeat the Hero."The student held his head in his arms, and muttered towards the ground with eyes bloodshot."The knights... 11 of them... inside enormous explosion of light, I saw it for a moment, when it increased they attacked... he...!"The student spoke until then, and cried out as if he was in agony. Ouka's face displayed dread. Summoning 11 knights and a magical barrier."...the Hero is Arthur Pendragon... and the Magical Heritage is Excalibur..."At the same time as she guessed. "Is that possible?" Is what she wondered about.Excalibur written down in history had originally the form of a sword. But that Hero's possession is not a sword, but a gun. Its shape is close to a modern mass produced railgun.Railgun... impossible.There's no precedent for magical power to dwell in modern weapons like a railgun. The relatively small number of Lost Type Magical Heritages in shape of a gun, were made and used during Witch Hunt War and these are the only ones. Although there are the irregular types, it's impossible for them to draw out such destructive power.And above allExcalibur should have been destroyed by Inquisition a hundred years ago.It shouldn't exist anymore, it's not supposed to be here.However, a Magical Heritage with unique magic allowing to summon 11 knights, there's no other in existence. Above all, Ouka had an idea.During the Trackless Psalms case the traded objects were pieces of Magical Heritage.If they were pieces of Excalibur, she couldn't rule out that possibility.At present, restoration of destroyed Magical Heritage was not possible, the possibility is equal to zero... however.IfFantasy CultValhalla is involved, then the possibility is no longer zero."............"Ouka covered her mouth slightly scared . She narrowed her eyes as she resolved herself.She borrowed a magazine and a small assault rifle placed beside the student. She also confirmed the amount of bullets and pulled the cocking lever.If that gun is really Excalibur, is the documentation wrong? ...the barriers definitely exist. Excalibur is not only the sword itself, its supposed to be one heritage together with the sheath. King Arthur was invincible thanks to the sheath rather than the sword itself. In other words, sword for attack, and the defence... is supplied by the sheath.Holding a gun, Ouka faced forward.Well then, first sheath... unless we destroy the holster...Ouka couldn't leave that monster unchecked as it is, her hatred... was not the reason.She raised her hips, going to chase after Hero."Hey, don't run away.""I will buy time, you guys treat the wounded."These students will never forget the expression on Ouka's face at that time. With poor equipment and baseless guess, going against an opponent who is a monster that can't be taken down by an entire battalion, Ouka was undaunted.On the contrary, it seemed like she was laughing.Ouka hid in the shadows lurking around the Hero and checking his waist.Indeed, there was something like a holster for accommodating a gun there."...no choice but to bet on it, eh."While holding a gun, Ouka calmed her feelings as preparation for battle. She pressed the gun against her forehead and closed her eyes as if praying.The moment the enemy stopped walking, she jumped out from the shadows holding her gun.Aligning the sight with her eye, she continued to fire in three-shot bursts.Just as the students said, the bullets were stopped by invisible barrier before reaching Hero's body.Ouka focused her fire on a single point in the barrier applying force in the same spot.The Hero was turning towards her already, his body was about three meters away. He had one hand on the Excalibur and pointed its muzzle halfway towards Ouka.Thirst for blood.Ouka jumped to the side.The impact made a huge crater in the grounda mass of magic power passed right beside her."!!!"Her nerves froze. If she kept sitting there, Ouka would become just a lump of flesh. And that's not the only thing causing her fear, the shockwave just now was an intrinsic performance of Excalibur. It wasn't magic.The blows hit like cannonballs. Bullets are not products of magic, the frame itself contained powerful magic. It was the original Excalibur! It was consistent with legends. King Arthur released spirit magic by slashing with the sword, he was said to be an unmatched warrior. Even when used by witches once before being destroyed, it was written in the data bank that it was used in a similar manner.And now it changed its shape to a gun, allowing it to be used at a perfect distance."I can't fight it too long...!"In front of such ridiculous destructive power, she showed a glimpse of fear.This chance, was not missed by the mighty warrior, the Hero.That instant, he saw this opportunity.The moment she landed after jumping, Hero swung Excalibur in front of himself. Ouka forgot that the Magical Heritage was not only a gun, but it also had a shape of a sword and could be used as such.Ouka kicked off the ground again before the blade slammed to the ground jumping again, however."No good! Too low this is"Impact.A direct hit was avoided in the nick of time. The ground that was hit was pulverized and part of it became debris which was hurled towards the sky together with Ouka.But,"Haaaaaaaaaaa!!!"Ouka was alive, immediately after the ground was broken she kicked off a large debris. She negated the impact by using her legs like a spring. Her ad hoc decision was extraordinary, motor nerves practically reacted by themselves. The hell she experienced up until now allowed her to survive this situation.Ouka fired blindly as she was falling. She was hardly aiming. Bombarding Hero with bullets downwards from the sky.Of course, all of it was blocked by the barrier.Ouka landed on top of the barrier, immediately reloaded and fired at the barrier from zero distance.Along with a loud sound at impact, all of the bullets were repelled. No matter how she concentrated fire on one spot, it didn't budge. Even with mithril coating that had anti-magic effect, it was impossible to break through this solid wall."Guhh!!"The Hero raised his gun trying to get rid of Ouka who was clinging to him. Ouka twisted her body the moment she ran out of ammo. She jumped off by doing a backflip.She rolled after landing to distance herself from the Hero. However, hero caught Ouka's leg with his rugged hand as she tried to escape."Gyah...!!!"Her leg, held by a fist as big as her head, broke like dry leaves the moment of contact and bent irregularly.Ouka almost screamed in pain, she showered the hand that grabbed her leg with bullets from her favourite gun.For a moment she thought the bullets reached, but to no avail.The barrier changed it's shape upon contact with enemy, it covered Hero's body in a thin layer. Repelling bullets completely, he was unwounded.There was no longer a way for Ouka to escape. While grabbing her broken leg, the Hero threw her towards the wall of the Academy.She smashed into a wall at high speed, Ouka spat out blood."...I won't... die yet..."A voice from the back of her throat, which sounded like it was squeezed out.What motivated her, was the vision of the witch that took everything away from her.A loud laugh coming from her mouth that formed a shape like crescent moon, like a butcher.Ouka didn't forget that absolute fear.While maintaining that vision, she gazed at approaching Hero."...this degree of... fear...!"Ouka's beaten up body ached, she got up halfway."Accepting death by hands of an enemy of this degreeis unforgivable!"Exhaling turbulently and roughly. She placed a hand on her knee and looked at herself. Her uniform was in tatters, her underwear was clearly visible.Without even trying to hide her appearance, Ouka stood on her broken leg.She exhaled breath that had the scent of blood and slowly held out her hands before her.This gesture looked as if she wanted to grab something.She whispered with a fading voice and closed her eyes."...if possible, I didn't want to use it."Resolving herself, she spoke slowly.Desiring with supreme ardor"Summis desiderantes affectibus"Together with the words she spoke, the world lost all sound.The air pressure around her fell rapidly, oxygen in the surroundings depleted.A spark appeared in the air, tinnitus covered the world.In that space like a prelude to hell, Ouka opened her eyes.And,The Hammer of Witches"Malleus Maleficarum"At that moment, under Ouka's feet, even though she shouldn't possess any magic. A magical circle appeared.The air screamed like a chorus performing a requiem. Under her feet from the magic circle something like a black coffin appeared.Before Ouka's hands that were held out, the coffin stopped in mid-air.Right after she narrowed her eyes, the exterior of the coffin cracked and shattered. From the interior twin handguns appeared.The barrel measured 15 inches, its features looked more like automatic guns than a revolver.Women and children aside, it's unlikely to be handled by a normal human being, something that had an unknown application.It' was too large to be called a pistol. Something that didn't even exist in the past, original gun that was completely independent.On their exterior there was a unique crest displaying a distorted wingless dragon.The Malleus MaleficarumIV "Vlad III"was carved onto them.Ouka picked up those huge guns from the air, and crossed them in front of her body."I didn't intend to use you bastard but... it's an emergency. Lend me your power, Vlad."Ouka spoke to herself.Then,"From the beginning. We respondeth to thine call Master."A voice suddenly rang in Ouka's head.A heavy and thick voice of a man. Even though there were no humans beside her.Hence, the fact that voice has been emitted from the handgun Ouka summoned is obvious.The Relic Eater, Vlad.One of the anti-magic weapons only inquisitors fromWitch HuntersDullahanwere allowed to use.It was Ootori Ouka's exclusive Relic Eater."For, thou art our provisional contractor."Vlad spoke with a condescending tone, devoid of inflection. It had a personality, many Magical Heritage's that interpreted human speech have been discovered. And all of Relic Eater series had personalities dwelling within.Irritated with Vlad's bossy attitude, Ouka grimaced."You shut up and just listen to me.""Provisional is provisional, I hath no intention to respond to all thy requests. For I have not been accepted by thy yet.""Shut up, who would want to be accepted by a bastard that's a product of magic."Ouka rejected Vlad, and pointed the guns at the Hero.Having to use Vlad was humiliating to Ouka. To be using the power of a devil to win against a devil, it was synonymous to being already defeated by magic. That's what she thought.Even so, Ouka wanted to defeat this hateful enemy.Even if she personally loses. Even if she admits defeat, as long she tales the enemy down she was fine with it.That's what she thought, she grasped Vlad.The enemy aimed his muzzle at Ouka."Fix my leg, Vlad!""Understood."The magic bullet was fired, the crushed leg was being rewinded to the original state like a playback. The next moment Ouka jumped to the side.Ouka successfully avoided the magic bullet. In fact, unlike her movement up till now. She was inhumanly fast, and her jumping force flung her into the sky."Body enhancement is minimal. If thou desire more than this, Accept me.""I refuse!""A stubborn woman. However, that's good!""That's creeping me out!"She landed from several meters height without receiving any shock, puttinh distance between herself and the Hero."Our foe is a Hero... King Arthur and Excalibur, seems a bit lacking to be our opponent.""I told you to shut up. Hurry up and release the trigger.""Trigger, for the first? Or the second?""I decided on first.""Without turning into Witch Hunter despite facing a Hero?""If it's about me accepting you, I refuse.""Such obstinacy. Understood,*click*Trigger released. Did you memorize the enemy's barrier technique?""Of course, who do you think I am.""Very well Let us start the witch hunt."An intimidating voice declared in Ouka's head.At the same time Ouka rushed towards the enemy, the Hero.""The Hero also exhibited movement. He once again moved Excalibur's muzzle, and tried to shoot the magical bullet."That's nothing more than mass of magical energyavoid it.""Don't need you to tell me!"Ouka leaped up, the magical bullet passed under her feet. She danced very, very high in the sky while she pointed her gun's muzzle at the Hero.She stretched out her arms, and pressed the trigger with all her strength."Pierce!"The moment gunshot sounded, a human-like scream sounded.Too strong recoil, lifted Ouka's body even higher in the air defying gravity.The fired thing was a stake of light. It was a spell itself.From that spell, a stake made from magical power, sharp like a needle rushed towards the Hero.However the enemy's, King Arthur's absolute defence...*gachan*...!!Made a sound like broken glass. It was at the moment when the stake that was shot hit the barrier. Upon contact, a part of the barrier crumbled like glass. A hole was made in it.The stake hit King Arthur's shoulder directly.The large body staggered.In every Relic Eater exists an intrinsic magic with special non-standard ability.Ouka's Vlad's ability is, passing through all magic that is understood by the user. Meaning.What is needed, to have the process for using magic inside her head.That means even if the magical device is not present, even without magic currently available. The instructions previously memorized could be automatically converted by Vlad's ability, allowing it to pierce magic.Vlad's stake was like an eraser that wipes away the scribbles from the wall.The amount of magic she currently knew could be counted in the tens of thousands. Ordinary people cannot even understand the procedure, so a memory and incredible intelligence, as well as ability to recall images was required.Ouka's head had all of it.To defeat the enemy, you must know the enemy first. In Ouka's head, there were thousands of procedures that could be used in magic.She didn't shoot only once.Raising a hand once again, Vlad shot in rapid fire. Stakes seized King Arthur's body. All of them were direct hits.Stopping the barrage, Ouka landed. The landing was magnificent but her face was distorted in agony."It's because thou were shooting invariably you were hurt by recoil. Thou were squeezing the trigger without shifting the aim even as thou broke bones in thy arm, confess thine guilt.""It's fine... hurry up... heal it...!"While in pain, Ouka checked the damage on the enemy. Hero, King Arthur was... alive and well."The damage dealt to enemy was minor. There isn't enough power, the stake's quality wasn't enough. Thou mightest be able to eliminate this battle monster if thou performed contract?""...how many times do I have to tell you.""At this rate thou shalt be defeated by him. The barrier persists. Excalibur's sheath instantly repairs the damaged portions of barrier. Unless thou destroy the sheath there is nothing to talk about."It was just like Vlad said. Even if she pierces through the barrier, the damage is reduced by it too much. At this rate only defeat awaits her no matter what she does."...we'll use intrinsic magic and make an opening."Ouka, as if grabbing the last resort, said it while clicking her tongue."Oh? Thou hast finally accepted it?""Wrong, I'm not going to accept it. I'm saying that I'll take more.""Hmm, instead of a contract, thou shalt sacrifice your blood, very well... I shall agree on that."Right after Vlad consented, chill struck Ouka's body."...uuu...guhhh...!"Her vision blurred, her body staggered.Right now, a third of blood in her body was given to Vlad, such an amount of life support she had was enough for one minute. Ouka breathed painfully."It was delicious, in exchange, do whatever you want."Hearing the voice, Ouka looked up disgusted.And, grasping the shaking guns strongly, she opened her legs and lowered her upper body. She took a special stance.One gun aimed at sky, the other one aiming at the ground. And thenEntertainment of the Impaling Prince"Tepes Rain"She squeezed the triggers as she spoke the magic's name.Unlike the normal operation, there was nothing coming out of the muzzle. Instead of that, enormous magic appeared in the sky and the ground.After noticing Vlad's intrinsic magic the Hero became vigilant.He took a defensive stance, he prepared to intercept the attack with his railgun-blade.But, such defence was useless.The assault, came from the sky.A rain of stakes showered the Hero injuring him after magically appearing in the air.Like meteorites, they were falling and breaking through the barrier. The Hero tried to knock them away and avoid them. He got immediately exhausted by the amount of stakes coming from the sky.Even so he endured through it, because he was a Hero. He continued to block and avoid the shower of stakes by slipping into the gaps between them. King Arthur tried to outdo the intrinsic magic Entertainment of the Impaling PrinceTepes Rain.But Vlad's magic was more than that. First from the skynow from the ground.Breaking through the asphalt under his feet, thick stakes flew out vigorously.The scaffold collapsed and King Arthur staggered. Sharp stakes drove into Hero's armour, slightly, but definitely dealing damage.It was far from fatal, even with the blood she sacrificedThe intrinsic magic didn't realize a complete wall.To use intrinsic magic without a contract, you should sacrifice hundreds of people's lives.Ouka didn't accept the contract with Vlad yet, that's why she was unable to bring out all of its power.But, it was enough for Ouka at the moment.In the meantime as he was distracted by intrinsic magic, Ouka closed the distance between them to one meter."At this distance this power is enough! It will pierce without being impaired!"Guns in both of her hands moved up and shot a pair of anti magical stakes.The stakes penetrated the barrier and struck Excalibur's sheath.The sheath got blown off from King Arthur's waist, and it rotated in the air. There was no damage to the sheath itself, but in the stakes an anti magical procedure was inscribed. The sheath soared in the sky and gradually lost its shine before falling to the ground.The barrier was gone.Let's go! At this rate if I shoot him with stakes I'll win!"Her heart was full of confidence.She aimed her gun at Hero's body and put some strength into the fingers on trigger.At this distance she definitely won't miss. She'll move her body somehow. There's no way she'll lose. It's the decisive blow.Ouka trusted in her own victory.But, however,"Forgiveth, the witch hunt is suspended by order of the king."At the same time as the voice sounded in the back of her head, the magic she was clad in was lost. Power of Vlad in her hands was lost as well.She was unable to grasp the situation.Why?That question didn't appear in her head. Just.Victory right in front of her was lost, she was dumbfounded.The momentary chance disappeared, Ouka was hit by thirst of blood. Unable to avoid it, Ouka was blown away by Hero's kick.She smashed into the ground without raising a moan or scream. She finally stopped after being thrown violently.Feeling the pain running through her entire body, with her remaining consciousness she understood she lost....it's that man...Breathing faintly, she had an idea why Vlad's power was lost. She knew the answer.Ouka was disqualified from Inquisition, she has been stripped ofWitch Hunter'sDullahan'sresponsibilities. That means she was forbidden from usage of Relic Eater. However, when emergency alarm was sounded, restriction on Relic Eaters were lifted, and Vlad should be available for use.But at the last moment, she was stripped from the right to use it by Chairman, Ootori Sougetsu. Why now of all times, during such a crisis... Sougetsu abandoned Ouka, why did he do such a thing, what was he trying to achieve. Ouka knew it was pointless to pursue truth. An ordinary person couldn't understand his intentions."............"There was no more workarounds. Her body couldn't move, she had a few broken bones.She couldn't move, and felt pain by just breathing.The Hero walked up to Ouka, and aimed his gun's muzzle at her forehead.The light is condensed, and Excalibur's magic bullet was about to be unleashed at any moment.Aah... it's over.As the enemy was about to use abominable magic, she was struck with regret. Ouka looked towards the red sky.In the end... I'm going to disappear without doing anything.Even though she sacrificed everything for the sake of revenge, she was going to die without fulfilling it. How pathetic. How shameless. She thought so. However, there was also relief in her heart.With this, she will be released. As she put her mind at ease, Ouka noticed something....how detestable.Even though she knew that, easing up like that was fine as well.Up until now she pushed herself. A weak habit like that became obstinacy, then, a nasty pride, she lived and endured only for a single purpose.Such a heavy burden expanded in her heart was now lifted. That's why, she could no longer stand up.After she arrives in the afterlife, she will apologize to her family.I wonder... if they will forgive me.Ouka worked hard, she wondered if she'll get praised.She shed tears hoping for that, Ouka felt really pathetic.It was an end to Ouka's everything, she lied on her back and closed her eyes.The world's curtain lowered, darkness arrived.However, the bell that marks the end didn't arrive. InsteadWho will let it end like this!She heard a voice from somewhere, Ouka opened her eyes slightly."Kusanagi Double-Edged Style"Reflected in her eyes that gave up on everything, between shattered debris and glass, was a valiant figure.That figure overlapped with the twilight's moon, flying in the air."That idiot..."Ouka, murmured.Why did he come, she said to herself in her heart in a tearful voice."Mantis slope...!"A roar.The right shoulder of the hero that was about to shoot with Excalibur was powerfully slashed once from above by the guy that was falling from the fifth floor of the school building while dutifully shouting the technique name. He rolled forward as soon as he jumped out, and performed the attack while rotating like a wheel.He cut with a honed blade, his own body weight in addition to the weight of large horse-slaying sword9and a centrifugal force from the rotation. A blow that was further amplified by free-fall.As expected, the Hero suffering such a blow staggered backward and fell.Ouka saw that fool's absurdly outrageous swordplay from behind his back, faintly conscious.It was a really big back. That's why, she felt like she could leave everything to him, a very reliable back.And the idiot in question, was holding a sword in order to protect Ouka and stood against the Hero."Ouka, are you okay?"Without looking back, Takeru asked."...why."Why did you come, asked Ouka."Isn't it obvious, to save you from dying. Rather than dying, you better look how I slaughter this guy."With his back to her, Takeru said that forcefully. Ouka frowned while in pain."Run away...it's impossible for you...""We won't know until I try it.""Are you retarded...something like...a sword, what can it do."Protesting against Ouka's words, Takeru said while his mouth drawn an arc."...then look properly.""...uhh?""Promise me. If I defeat this guy, you will let me help you out with your revenge."He poised with his sword horizontally, full of confidence.And,And standing in front of his sworn enemy, and glared at him while looking like a demon."Hey... it seems like one of my members has been in your care.""............""It's been a long time since I felt like this. And I have forgotten, but it still feels disgusting."He slowly raised the sword that was set up horizontally to match his line of sight.And he gripped the handle more elaborately, compressing his strength to the very limit."Thank you Mr. Hero, you reminded me of my old instincts."Takeru's anger accumulated and, saying one thing,"Beating up one of my comrades... there's no way I'll let you off...!""Kusanagi's Double-Edged Style initiate, Kusanagi Takeru. Present at the battlefield"An explosion."Shall subjugate you, no questions allowed!"And, Kusanagi Takeru's struggle finally resumed.Hearing his roar, Ouka was reminded of the warped feeling she had two years ago."Aah...I see...I remember now..."She recalled an image from the past,Middle school second-year, first lesson.A team deathmatch against other classmates.The last one versus one duel.An idiot oddly confident in his swordsmanship."...it's that guy..."That courtesy from before, that strike, and that outburst.Mantis Slope is a technique performed by jumping from a high place and rotating, creating a destructive power like a cannon by using centrifugal force and body weight. Death awaits those who don't defend themselves from it. A direct hit exerts tremendous destructive power.The opponent was a Hero. He's covered with an armour made out of metal, even though he was unsure whether it was gold or steel. Obviously, there was only a little crack on his shoulder.Tough. Very tough.But Takeru still felt positive.No matter how small a scratch it is. No matter how trivial it is. The fact that he's hurtmeans that he can be cut apart.Rebuilding his posture, Hero held the gun again.Halfway up, Hero shot from his gun. Tiles under his feet,*bagong*a sound of hoarded magic power being released spread.Takeru immediately avoided by jumping away. His behaviour was really easy to understand if you looked closely. The charge up time is long, predicting his movements was easy. He didn't need to use Magic-Sweeping SwordSoumatou.However, the bullet speed was odd. It was equal or even greater than that of a real railgun. Even after you've successfully avoided, you are unconsciously scared by the shockwave from behind."Then!"Sinking his body low, Takeru carried the sword with his right arm. He kicked off the ground strongly, and got closer to Hero by using Battle Rush. He lifted his arm carrying a sword high up as he jumped, swinging at the enemy's shoulder with all of his body weight.*tsugin!!*The exact same location as the first sword cut. He slashed the blade between the cracks.*bikibiki*The crack expanded noisily ."Good!"Definitely positive. The hero staggered backwards once again.Takeru used the chance as the enemy landed on the ground to make distance from him.He contacted Ikaruga by the intercom."Suginami, do you know anything about the enemy?""I looked into the remaining records from surveillance cameras, it's really interesting. Speaking of the magical performance, the enemy's weapon is Magical Heritage Excalibur, but the body of the weapon is certainly a modern railgun. It was arranged so that it can be used as a sword as well, but it's mostly the same structure modern Alchemists use. That means it's a railgun with Excalibur's ability. It's really interesting and worth resea""I don't need that info! I need its movement patterns or weaknesses!""Its rate of fire should be low, the same as the prototypes. It takes a few seconds for it to cool down by thermo-runaway before it fires again. The electrical conductor is probably generating magnetic field by passing magic power instead of electricity. Magical procedure can be applied as long as""So I just have to get close, I won't get hit by it if I'm right under him.""Be careful. It's still original Excalibur in close quarters! It can still use its ability.""If it's close quarters combatI won't lose!"Declaring that confidently, he activatedMagic-Sweeping SwordSoumatou.Not thinking about the burden on his body, he threw himself forward at one stretch.Even though he had a much faster reaction time than the enemy, the hero switched his stance from shooting to close combat in emergency and thrust upwards from below.As expected of King Arthur, the renowned knight, it was a really sharp cut.Skills aside, the enemy was much taller than Takeru.Takeru saw through the thrust from below, and extending the sword in front he rammed forward instead of pulling back.High pitched sound of blades clashing.In a direct clash, the horse-slaying sword made out of adamantium would not hold out. And prior to that, Takeru's body would have been blown away by the impact.Therefore, Takeru parried the Hero's sword skillfully. He placed his blade to match the enemy attack, and the power flowed behind him.The impact of the blow and the magical power were released behind Takeru.Inside the fierce wind, upon stepping under the Hero. Takeru returned the blade in an instant and gripped it with the opposite hand.And then utilizing his legs, he slammed his blade into enemy's left limb as he jumped.It was a blow that used the power of the entire body. Although only slightly, it was enough to lift the Hero's body."Oooooh!!!!"While raising a roar Takeru rammed towards the staggering Hero.*dun*, with a heavy sound Hero fell down on his back.Takeru didn't miss the opportunity and had withdrawn backwards vigorously as he fell."Usagi! Now!"At that moment, on the roof of school building in a distance. Something flashed.Three gunshots sounded and shortly afterwards something passed in front of Takeru when he jumped back.The violent sound of a direct hit even more intense than the gunshot's. The fallen Hero's body sank into the ground.Three shots in a row. Sniped from long distance. And all three bullets directly hit entering the crack.From the 12th floor of the first school building. Observing Takeru's and Hero's battle from long distance.There in prone position was Saionji Usagi, holding Ikaruga's special anti-materiel rifle frowning in shock caused by the rebound.Impatience and anxiety were clearly visible on her face. At the very last moment, Usagi's bad habit surfaced again.Two shots in a row were hit after the first bullet, she was anxious. What if one of them hit Takeru?What if the next shot misses, and Takeru will be caught by the enemy exploiting that opportunity? What if they lose the battle because of her?Right now, inside Usagi there was tremendous amount impatience and anxiety."Usagi, you okay?"The moment Ikaruga cut in, Usagi clicked her tongue."What's up with this gun... I thought my body would fall apart from the rebound.""The bullets are a little special. I tried to use rare orichalcum, but it was too heavy and didn't fly so far. So I used high quality explosives to give it propulsion causing it to have a quite a bit of recoil.""As expected, another outrageous illegal modification..."With an angry mark on her head Rabbit answered via intercom."It's not like I modified it for fun, if it isn't at least this much it won't hurt that thing. Look, the power is bigger than expected thanks to orichalcum."That being said. She looked through the heavy rifle's scope and saw the enemy sink into the asphalt. In the place where the crack on the shoulder's armour was, there was something like a large crater broken in there.Ridiculous firepower.But, dealing with such a powerful rifle terrified Usagi.If she hits any ally with it, it won't end at that degree of having legs or arms being blown off. The entire body will be blown apart.Imagining that scene, Usagi's hands are trembling violently."...ugh.""...are you scared?""That's..."She tried to deny, but she stopped. It couldn't be helped in such a situation, scary things were scary.The enemy wasn't terrifying. The most terrifying thing for Usagi when sniping was mistakenly shooting an ally.During the Trackless Psalms case, she tried to do something when Takeru was in a pinch and ended up causing friendly fire.It's not something Usagi is doing on purpose. She isn't playing around, but that's not an excuse. If she fails this time, she won't have anyone to excuse herself to.It's different from that time. It was powerful live ammunition. Missing was no longer a joke.Usagi thought that what Ouka said before was right. You can't trust a sniper who has a risk of shooting his allies. She didn't even trust herself.Trembling increased, the rifle was making rattling noises."I know it's scary, if I were in your position I wouldn't be able to snipe like this.""...uuuu.""Kusanagi can only fight at close combat. He has to rush in really close. The gun that I made has a lot of factors that lower the accuracy. So what if you miss, the responsibility lies together with me and Kusanagi as well."Because we're comrades. Even though Ikaruga didn't say that, Usagi felt as if she heard that.The trembling subsided slightly.Furthermore through the radio she heard a desperate voice.""!! Usagi!""...Kusanagi."Despite being in combat, Takeru contacted her.Despite being in the middle of combat, she heard Takeru's rough breath. Usagi looked down for a moment."...what's happening, Usagi.""Kusanagi.. are you... are you not scared?""Ugh! Scared of what?""That I... that I might hit you by mistake... are you not afraid?"If she hits Takeru mistakenly, she imagined that he'll be blown apart. Usagi bites her lip scared.But despite her own fear, Takeru,"Nooooooope not scared at all!"Clearly and vigorously said that.Tears appeared in her pupils, as a start Usagi looked up."You will watch over me. You will protect me.""............""I know just how skilled you are, I also know that you're the one that puts in the most effort. That's why""......""I can assure you that there's no one else who is more reliable than you."Takeru was dancing on the ground. Grasping a sword, not leaving the enemy's side. Looking dignified, he fought valiantly.Why does he leave his life in my hands.That's because he believes in Saionji Usagi's sniping skills.The wind carried the sounds of the clash far away.Usagi changed her position and stood up, she lifted the rifle. The heavy rifle's weight was 10 kilograms or more. But now for Usagi, it was no time to complain about weight, she had to protect the trust she had obtained.She connected her belt at her waist with hooks that were made by Ikaruga in advance, the safety line was wrapped around the railing on the roof to prevent her body being blown off.She placed the barrel on the railing and pulled the bolt. She aligned her eye with the scope in an unreasonable posture, she matched her reticle against enemy."Distance is 200 meters... Wind speed and wind direction... no, at this distance neither wind speed not temperature matters. Eh...? 200 meters...? What's 200 meters?"Immediately she showed surprise, a shocked laugh came out from Usagi's mouth."What is... this... what have I been doing."Pathetic, she laughed at herself. Yes, pathetic. Calling 200 meters 'sniping' was impudent.Such a thing couldn't be called sniping.An inquisition's veteran would make a hole in human brain at this distance."This is laughable, isn't this really easy."At the same time as she made that declaration, she held her breath.With strong momentum breaking through space. The bullet hit the abdomen of Hero who tried to stand up.The overwhelming shot covered the field of view with white smoke, as the handheld barrel jumped upwards with recoil, the belt supporting her body also threatened with being blown off, and made clattering noise.However, it was not blown off.*kan*!Usagi jumped up with sheer willpower and submerged guts, and at the same time she reloaded by pulling the bolt. She slammed the barrel onto the handrail thinking."I am no longer a march hare...!"10One shot after another in rapid succession. Immediately after Takeru's attacks she hit the grazes.*Kan*!!"I am no longer a rabbit chased by wolves...!"*Kan*!!!Usagi's aim did not falter.Bouncing back with the recoil of the barrel was no big deal for Saionji Usagi.*Kan*!!!!"I am AntiMagic Academy's 35th Test Platoon'ssniper!"She chanted simultaneously as she shot, she was shooting with rapid-fire. Pain and recoil attacked her every time she fired, but Usagi's aim didn't shake.She simply aimed and sniped.At that one thing, Usagi was a genius.As long as her heart was calm, the world she saw through the scope was Saionji Usagi's kingdom."Kuhh!"After repelling a blow, Takeru's body bent backwards.Because of repeated clashes, a critical opening was born.The renowned Hero didn't miss it. He instantly approached and reached out to Takeru.He slashed with Excalibur upwards once more.The distance was zero. Even parrying was impossible now.But Takeru was in no hurry, he ambushed the enemy with confidence.Because,*whoosh*As if grazing his nose, a bullet crushing everything on its path passed by.And it was a perfect, direct hit on the Hero's temple.Hero staggered to the side severely, his posture broke."Hahaha, she really is amazing after all!"There were several times when he saw Usagi hitting the practice targets, but it was the first time he was able to adore it in actual battle.Timing was also perfect. Whether long distance or close combat, comrades supported each other. They perfectly kept it up until now.Probably, when it comes to accuracy she was better than Ouka.Upon receiving the rain of armour-piercing bullets the Hero's body was violently scraped. Although the armour appeared to be only on the surface, it was fairly thick. But the crack continued to spread from shoulders to waist. It was slowly collapsing.If they keep it up they'll defeat him, at the beginning possibility of victory was small, but now it was within arm's reach."I shall reload! Follow up!"After listening to a communication from Usagi, Takeru tried to charge to close combat. At that time,There was a change in Hero's movements. The gun that was held up until now, was suddenly stabbed onto the ground. Hero held his hands on the gun, the two eyes on the doll-like mechanical face shined."Our destiny is eternal glory. Let us advance together on the path of chivalry. My comrades separated from me. My knights. I summon you here in the name of the gathering's oath"A distorted mechanical voice sounded making an eerie chant. Suddenly a big magic circle appears around the Hero."?!"Takeru stopped his feet vigilant."Run away! He's going to use intrinsic magic! We don't have countermeasures against it! Hurry up and run! It's the best choice available!"Hearing Ikaruga's desperate voice, Takeru instantly moved.Retreat. Retreat for now. That was the only thing in his head.Takeru withdrew and approached the unmoving Ouka. He immediately checked her status. With those legs she couldn't even stand up."I'm fine... leave me... run away!"Takeru picked her up without saying anything."Hyaa?! Y-y-you!""Shut up! You'll bite your tongue!'"Leave me! Escape alon""I came here to protect you! Now that you know, shut up and let me save you!""......"Holding her in the so-called princess-carry. Takeru ran while holding Ouka. She was blushing bright red, and attempting to get herself free, but she couldn't in that situation.She nestled herself quietly by his chest and endured.Takeru couldn't afford even a blush.As he ran away, a chill went down his spine."...this is bad..."He had an unpleasant hunch. Uneasiness, foreboding, sixth sense.Inside Takeru's brain, something like an instinct set off alarm sirens inside his head, a sense of danger."Usagi, run away.""What happenedsuddenly"Usagi subconsciously responded, Takeru let Ouka down from his hold."...Kusanagi?"Ouka looked up at Takeru's face.She saw that his face was devoid of colour. It was more appropriate to call it a shadow of death, it was nearly transparent. His facial expression relayed one thing, I have to protect, that's what he desired.Ringing sounded, Ouka tried to call Takeru's name againthe next moment."Knights of the Round."Beside the Hero who finished the chant, shadows of people who shouldn't have been there appeared.Eleven knights emerged.Takeru sensed a crisis, he poised with a sword and activatedMagic-Sweeping SwordSoumatou.A moment of silence. A split second of silence.When silence came to an end, the school building that acted as a wall for Takeruwas blown away.In the slow-motion world, Takeru witnessed it.Breaking the school building apart, a figure of a brilliant knight rushing while scattering magic power.The Knight stabbed with his sword, a very nasty blow. Even withMagic-Sweeping SwordSoumatouactivated, he couldn't keep up with it's speed.Speaking of what Takeru was able to do, he used force at an expanse of his bones and muscle, only to deflect the enemy's rapier away from Ouka. He was only able to shift the direction enemy rushed towards.Immediately after succeeding in shifting the direction, as the aftermath the wave of magic from the blow struck Takeru.The suicidal attack against the summoned knight made out of light demolished the entire school building.The rush of eleven knights who had scattered in four directions and became a mass of light heavily damaged the academy.Several school buildings have turned into rubble, the roof Usagi was standing on was blown away.Excalibur's intrinsic magic, Knights of the RoundThis magic summoned by the pseudo-hero Reproduced the strongest strike of eleven knights serving King Arthur. That's what was released.The first thing Takeru saw after opening his eyes, was sky dyed by sunset.Takeru survived the strongest blow of the hero somehow. He felt a discomfort in his body. Strangely, his body didn't feel cold nor pain.Moving his neck, far behind him Takeru saw a fallen girl.Ouka seemed safe, he confirmed that she was breathing.There was no problem with Usagi either, although it seemed distant, he could hear a tearful voice coming from the intercom. All platoon members seemed safe."For now...that...'s good..."He smiled helplessly at himself.Takeru already noticed, on top of his head, was his lower half of the body. It didn't move even when he tried to.The upper body alone, couldn't even crawl."Shit... as expected... It's impossible."Now that he thought about it, it was magic with risk classified as S-rank. It was crazy to think he can win against a summoned Hero. He did well, he tried to comfort himself. But Takeru's heart was clouded.Because originally, Takeru was a sore loser."The worst...I'm about to die...shit."He could hardly breathe, he tried to eyes, curtains have dropped. The end was near."...dammit..."He afforded to spit out a curse, as a remainder."...showing off...in a place...like this..."In an attempt to clear the hazy view, he lowered his eyelids."......not yet...I still...here....do..."He looked vacantly at the sunset that was about to end.At that time, suddenly.Suddenlyhe saw an azure-coloured human shape.That figure looked down from above on fallen Takeru.Stare, an inquiring gaze looked down....this child...from shopping mall...why in such a place...This place is dangerous.He attempted to say that but no voice came out, he breathed air in painfully.Takeru's life, at this moment, was about to close its curtains."Mr. Kusanagi Takeru I shall resume the contract."These were the last words Takeru heard.Part 4 Question number two. Do you have any intention of exterminating witches? He heard a voice, a contract began in the abyss.Takeru no longer opposed the questions. He no longer had freedom to do it.That's why he answered. He only could answer. I promise. I will exterminate evil witches. Question number three. For the sake of your own goal, will you discard yourself? Yeah, if it's worth it, I will discard everything. Question number four. For the sake of your goal, will you discard what you hold dear? You must be joking. The last question. You............... You... for the sake of defeating enemy, will you discard your humanity?.................................... Yeah, I'll discard it. The contract has been completed. Please pull the trigger.Just as he has been told, Takeru pulled the trigger.Before he knew it, he pulled thesword's trigger." Host "Kusanagi Takeru" verifying authorization.Triggering operative procedure.Injecting magic, starting erosion.Repairing damaged parts. Time required for construction process five seconds.Repair, no problem both are compatible. 100% Matching rate.Witch Hunter complete."Along with a monotone voice, a heavy bass echoed.Takeru feeling his body moving in the darkness opened his eyelids."Host, please wake upit's time for witch hunting."With a tone like an alarm clock, sounds a monotone voice.Shutupppp...don't have to tell me, I'm already awake.Feeling ridiculous discomfort, he got up disgruntled.Desiring with supreme ardorHammer of Witches"Summis desiderantes affectibusMalleus Maleficarum"Translator's Notes and ReferencesZanbatA reference to Alice's adventures in wonderland I take it.