– It’s the seeeeeeeeea——!
Latia Saint-Émillion, one of the Slayers belonging to Little Garden, runs into the beautiful ocean painted from a gradation of blue to green, dashing vigorously to the side of Emile, Fritz and Hayato who were spread on the beach seats under the parasols that were opened and installed in advance on the sandy beach.
Of course, she was wearing a swimsuit since she was at the sandy beach. It was an orange separate type that nicely represented her liveliness.
Today is the first Sunday of July.
Little Garden is sailing near the Ryukyu*, the southernmost tip of the Yamato Empire near the tropics.
And because of the sunny weather with no clouds and the best calmed ocean, Hayato along with Fritz Grantz and Emile Crossford, his classmates of the martial arts department who live in the same dorm, together with his little sister Kisaragi Karen and the hospital nurse in charge of her, Kashiwagi Mihal and last but not least Kirishima Sakura who’s visiting Little Garden in the middle of her days off, are behind the martial arts school building, and were visiting the beach of exclusive use for the students of the martial arts department.
– Thank you for waiting, Hayato-kun♪.
It’s Kirishima Sakura who just changed clothes to a pink bikini in the locker room and spoke to Hayato who just finished installing the parasol.
Ever since the incident on the Zwei Islands where Hayato was serving as her bodyguard, she, who’s a popular Idol worldwide, has been visiting Little Garden like this during her days off and now she’s spending them at the same time as Hayato and the others.
– Hey, what do you think of this swimsuit, Hayato-kun?
Sakura put one hand on the waist and the other hand on the back of the head, taking a provocative pose like a gravure idol.
The long pigtails of her hair sway gently.
In reality, it was very close for this to look like a gravure work, her proportions are pretty good.
Her waist is quite tightened, although it can’t be said that the moderate bulges that claim their existence are big.
The curve of her buttocks that swell from there are full of small devilish charm, and are very lascivious.
Or rather, they have a lot of exposure.
– … Umm, I think it suits you.
– Yay♪.
Sakura is saying so with a stimulated voice, and makes a V sign with her fingers.
By the way, Hayato was stubbornly saying to Sakura to not address him without using an honorific in front of other people, so she calls him with a 『-kun』
Not only strange rumors will rise if they address without using an honorific, but also the possibility of misunderstandings and being interrogated will be high.
Even if it’s『-kun』, that’s still no good.
– Nii-san, what do you think of Karen’s swimsuit?
The next who opened her mouth is a girl with a fairly white skin and black long hair named Kisaragi Karen, the little sister of Hayato, who’s on the wheelchair pushed by Kashiwagi Mihal, the nurse in charge of her.
The swimsuit of Mihal is a flower pattern dress type, it’s quiet and plain, giving a sense of cleanliness, and Karen was wearing a school swimsuit.
– It totally suits you. You really look like a “yamatonadeshiko”.
– Ehehe, you think so? I went together with Mihal to buy it yesterday. That means that the time we spent together for what we chose was fruitful.
Saying that happily, Hayato thinks that this could have been a real nuisance to Mihal-san. Shopping isn’t a category of the work of a nurse.
– I’m sorry, Mihal-san., Karen seems to have bothered you.
Hayato apologized and felt guilty as her older brother.
Mihal received that smiling,
– No no, it wasn’t a bother at all. Don’t worry about it. I just thought of giving it a try and buy this year’s swimsuit.
– Oh, I think that it matches you, that swimsuit.
– Oh my, thank you very much♪I can’t put on something with a lot of exposure like Sakura-san.
She’s telling him that being humble, but there’s no need to be like that.
Her skin also has youthfulness, and his line of sight gets strongly attracted towards the melon-like bulges of her chest.
At any rate, every time Mihal moves, they shake, boasting their considerable presence.
– Hey! Looking nothing but her boobs, you womanizer…
She probably noticed that the eyes of Hayato are watching the breasts of Mihal.
Sakura glares at Hayato, and pouts her lips.
– Oh my, are you interested in the breasts of an Oba-san* like me?
Mihal emphasized her chest while showing a smile on her face, making sure to grab her left arm with her right arm.
*Munyuu*, the breasts change their form above the arms.
They look very soft.
There’s no doubt he is interested in them and wants to touch them, but of course this is not a situation where he can say such a thing.
– Urr, no that’s not——
Though he thought he was rude to Mihal-san, Hayato attempts to deny that with his mouth and,
– Indecent Nii-san.
– Pervert Hayato.
Not only from Karen, but also from his classmate Emile Crossford, the student of the same martial arts department of Little Garden, and who’s also his childhood friend, he ended up receiving their glares as if they were piercing him.
Looking at their figures, Mihal had an enjoyably smile on her face.
(Maybe Mihal-san was also bantering with me?)
Hayato shrugged his shoulders.
By the way, among the chest of the five people in this place: Emile Crossford aka Emilia Hermit, Kirishima Sakura, Kisaragi Karen, Kashiwagi Mihal and Latia Saint-Émillion, Kashiwagi Mihal’s breasts are the biggest. The second place goes to Emilia. But she has no bulges now, the reason is that she’s acting like a man——as Emile Crossford. She’s wearing the usual swimsuit for a man, together with a T-shirt on the upper body. Since, as expected, beneath that, there’s a sarashi*.
*TN: long strip of cloth, usually thick cotton, wrapped tightly around the midriff up to the chest. Source: TV Tropes.
– Hey, Hayato, Fritz! Come over here quickly! You can see beautiful fish in the water! And they seem to be tropical fish!
Latia was waving her hands inside the sea. Before they became aware of it, she was underwater with a snorkel and goggles, and even with water flippers on her feet.
Looking at that figure, Karen showed an expression of jealousness.
– Latia-san, you are very energetic. Karen also wants to go to the sea.
– If so, can she go? Is it fine, Mihal-san?
Sakura wants the consent of Mihal.
– Yes, it’s fine. But, don’t push yourself. If you think it’s too much, please call me right away. Don’t go to a deep place or where the waves are strong because you want to see beautiful fishes and corals, okay?
– Yes, I know all of that, so I will be fine.
Answering, Karen tries to stand up from the wheelchair.
– Wait, I’ll lend you a shoulder.
Since their reunion back in the Zwei Islands, Sakura and Karen’s relationship has deepened quite a lot.
The time Karen and Sakura spent together is longer than the time Hayato has spent with Sakura or Karen.
– It’s really a relief to have Sakura-san. Maybe it wasn’t necessary for me to come.
Mihal smiled, watching the close friendship of Sakura and Karen.
– That’s not true. If something happens, we will be in trouble if Mihal-san isn’t present.
Hayato defends Mihal.
It was also a superb thing for Hayato since he could see the swimsuit of Mihal that he didn’t expect to see.
– We would be nothing without you*.
Mihal smiles gracefully.
There, a voice called him out.
– Hey, Hayato-kun, hurry up!
– Nii-san, come here, quickly! The water is transparent and you can see lots of fish!
He was called by Karen and Sakura who are submerged in the seawater till their knees already.
– Got it, I’ll go immediately.
Answering in a loud vice, he turns towards Mihal.
– Well then, I’ll be going too.
Hayato then turned his eyes to Emile.
– What are you going to do, Emile?
– I’ll stay here. Because I don’t like the sea.
Emile became sulky and pouted her lips.
By the way, Hayato knows that it’s a lie that she doesn’t like the sea. Actually, she also wanted to swim in the ocean with all her heart.
However, in a swimsuit it’s difficult to swim after hiding the line of the body, so Emile is going to endure it, as she was saying so last night. In that case, he thought that it would be better if she didn’t come but,
– That won’t do. I’ll definitely go. Because Kirishima Sakura will go, right?
So, she came to the beach like this.
– Okay, then I’ll be going.
He takes off his coat and walks towards Karen and Sakura, wearing his swimsuit.
– Sorry for the wait.
When approaching them and calling them out,
– How long has it been since I came to the sea with Nii-san like this?
And, Karen muttered while looking at the sparkling light reflected on the sea surface.
– Because we came back to Yamato almost immediately, I guess that it was around a decade ago…
After that, due to the appearance of symptoms of the illness of Karen, it turned considerably hard to go to the sea.
– Look, Nii-san.
Karen scoops up water with both hands, throwing it to the face of Hayato.
– Uwaa, what are you doing so suddenly!?
Hayato splashes water on her in the same way.
– Wapuh!*
It hits splendidly the face of Karen, but she doesn’t hate that behavior.
On the contrary, she looked happy.
– Ehehe, the water here is very beautiful, but as expected, the saltiness doesn’t change, isn’t it?
Karen sticks out her tongue and gives it a taste.
Looking at that figure, Hayato was glad that he brought Karen to this place, he thought that from the bottom of his heart.
– Nii-san, this is revenge.
– Uwaa!
Karen has her revenge, splashing water on him this time.
– Would you like me to help, Karen-chan?
Somehow or other, Sakura seems to be on Karen’s side.
– Come come, Hayato-kun!
– Nii-san, from here too… eh, kyaa!
Although Karen approached the side of Hayato and tried to scoop water, she tripped up due to a strong wave, losing the balance of her body.
– Karen-chan!
Sakura raised a scream.
Hayato hurriedly reached for Karen who was on the side and grabbed her.
(Phew, I made it somehow…)
He was able to grab the arms of Karen and was able to embrace the slender body of hers.
– Are you okay? We said to not be imprudent, right?
– Ah, that, I’m sorry…. Karen got a bit carried away…. I’m going to reflect on that.
Karen says her words of apologies while keeping her forehead on the warm chest of Hayato.
– I’m glad that Karen-chan is safe but, Hayato-kun, how long are you going to be like that with Karen-chan? You look like a pair of lovers.
– Eh…?
He noticed when being told so. It’s just as she said. Likewise, Karen seemed to have noticed it when she said so.
– Kyaah!
Giving a small scream, she separated from Hayato.
Her face is dyed red and her breathing became rough.
– … Karen, are you okay?
– Ah, yes… and it’s nothing like that.
– “It’s nothing like that”…?
– That’s something of no concern to Nii-san!
He didn’t understand it well, but anyway, she was probably thinking that she was glad that he was fine.
From then on, Karen continued playing with Sakura, splashing water on each other, and picking up seashells and calcified corals.
Then they get to where Latia is, who’s catching fish underwater with a harpoon that she brought from somewhere.
On that side, Fritz was floating on the surface of the sea facing up, and muttered while looking up at the sky.
– It’s so peaceful.
Hayato thinks the same.
It would be great if a time like this could last forever——and.
– I wonder if you are becoming hungry now?
When around an hour has passed since they started playing in the sea, Sakura began to talk.
– Yes, it’s been a while since I moved a lot, so Karen is also very hungry.
Karen holds her stomach as she’s saying that.
– Hayato-kun, were you hungry too?
Aside from swimming, only by walking in the sea makes you burn a lot of calories.
– I guess I’m also quite hungry.
– I see, if that’s the case, then I should prepare lunch.
Saying so, Sakura tries to return to the sheet.
– Should I help too?
Next, Mihal tried to follow after Sakura but,
– No, I can do it myself. Everyone return in 5 minutes or so to the sheet. Hayato-kun, can you go and tell Latia-san and Fritz-san too?
– O-of course, I’ll do it.
– Why did you come back?
Emile who had been lying down her back on the deck chair, raises her body in response to Sakura who returned to the beach sheet and asks her a question.
– To prepare lunch.
Answered Sakura.
– I was making some sandwiches for Hayato since the morning. Of course, there are for you and everyone too.
– Sandwiches?
– Yea, sandwiches. The kitchen in the hotel room is narrow so I can’t cook very well, but I think we are okay with these.
– Hmmm, even though you are an Idol, you can cook.
– … what? Is it so strange for an Idol to prepare dishes?
– That’s because I thought that the people around you would do that.
– What’s that? I’m not a spoiled girl. I usually eat outside a lot, but there are things that I do by myself too. Besides, an old friend of mine told me something. If you don’t want to let go of a man, you have to go after him with home cooking. Of course, I prepared these pouring them a lot of LOVE.
– Love, huh…
Emile had a fed-up expression on her face, looking at Sakura who’s making a heart symbol with the fingers of both hands.
– … the hell is that reaction?
– No, it’s nothing.
*Humph*, Emile turns her face away from the glaring Sakura.
– Well, I don’t care. And since Hayato hasn’t come back yet, I have something that I want to ask you.
– You want to ask something? And why all of a sudden?
The air flowing between those two is turbulent.
Hayato had to take time to call Fritz and Latia who are located far away from the shore.
– What’s your relationship with Hayato?
The moment she heard those words, the heart of Emile jumped.
– M-my relationship with Hayato, you say? What do you…
Recently, she was too accustomed to not being exposed that she was a man, that maybe she has been slackening her alertness a little.
Sakura’s conjectures are very good in some respects, maybe because she lives in a world of show business of sly old dogs.
Perhaps, she saw that?
Or she noticed that?
A lot of things came to her mind.
– Well, it’s rumored among some female students that the bonding between you and Hayato is to the level where you are flirting here and there and that looks somewhat suspicious.
– Oh, it’s that kind of thing.
Emile sighed profoundly.
She’s gotten used to answering that every time she hears similar things.
– Hayato and I are close to each other because we met in Gudenburg a long time ago. Besides, we were in the same room until we joined Selections.
Emile answered, touching her chest bragging about the time she had with Hayato alone, and understood that Sakura just thought of her as a hindrance to herself.
Although both things lasted for a short time, reality says that they were true.
– … eh, you are also a childhood friend of Hayato?
When she saw Sakura who was completely surprised, Emile had the feeling of “got you!”
– I also heard of you from Hayato. But, you met him for a single day only——by the way, I spent every day with Hayato for about a month, so it’s natural for me to be the one closest to him. We are true childhood friends.
– Yeah but it’s not a matter of time——
– Since she was born, Karen has always been together with Nii-san. So, perhaps that makes of Karen his number one childhood friend, isn’t it?
The one who cut into the conversation between Emile and Sakura was Karen, who smiled like an angel, without evil intentions.
Behind her, Hayato, Latia, Fritz and Mihal can be seen.
– Well…
– Err…
Emile and Sakura were unable to go against her as expected, and they were only able to withdraw speaking ambiguously to each other.
After lunch, when the sun rose high, a lot of Hayato’s classmates and senior classes of martial arts department gathered at the beach.
Naturally, Sakura is drawing the attention, but it’s not on the level that can be compared with Central.
The true character of Sakura is already——they know that she’s not Kirishima Sakura, the image of purity and gracefulness that is known on TV and the net, but the Sakura who’s constantly speaking in a positive way about anything she has an interest of, who’s bothersome and selfish when deprecated, that she’s humane——no, they already know that her character is the one of a Slayer.
Far from loosening her cool with only that, Sakura was completely opening her heart.
With girls who are also Slayers, and surrounded by male students, she was playing in a watermelon splitting game.
– Hey, Hayato. Why don’t we do that thing next?
– By that you mean the splitting?
– No, that, that.
Looking at where the gaze of Latia is pointing to, students of the martial arts department were playing a 2 vs 2 beach volleyball.
– Although I was able to make up for my loss of the sham battle in the last competition, I ended up losing to Emile. So, let’s have a rematch with a 2 vs 2 match.
– Alright, if that’s what you want.
It was Emile and not Hayato who answered gallantly and showed an attitude of joining the match.
She rises from the sheet with energy.
Perhaps she’s thinking of blowing away the frustration about not being able to enter the sea till now.
– Hayato, you’ll do it too, right?
– Okay, I’ll be your teammate.
It can’t be helped if it has become to this. Hayato decided to accept the match and join them in order to release tension.
– Nii-san, Emile-san, please do your best!
– You can do it, Hayato-kun!
Hayato enters the emptied court while receiving the cheering of Karen and Sakura who held a watermelon in her hands.
Latia and Fritz have already entered the other side of the net that was set in the middle, and they were doing warm-up exercises.
– Is it fine if we set the victory of the match by winning 10 points? However, in the case we are tied with 9 points, I guess that the team who earns two points consecutively will win.
Like the term “deuce” in tennis, and coming to the side of the net, Latia starts explaining.
Speaking of the rules, the team who gets a point gets the next right to serve, so if you keep scoring, then you can keep holding the right to serve all the time.
Of course, these aren’t formal beach volley rules.
It’s something special for this place only.
– I don’t have nothing to say about the rules so…. What about you Hayato? Are you fine with them?
– Yeah, since I don’t remember the official rules.
– The last thing is… oh right. How should we decide who’s going first and second?
Latia responds immediately to the question of Emile.
– Rock, paper, scissors game is fine, I guess?
– If so, then let’s go with that. Hayato, can I play the janken*?
– Yeah, go ahead.
– Then, is this okay for me?
Fritz replies, turning his eyes to Latia.
– Do as you like.
– Well then, janken——
Following the voice of Latia, 「PON!」the voices of the two overlapped.
Latia has rock, Emile has scissors.
It’s the team of Latia and Fritz that got the right to serve.
– … Sorry, Hayato.
– Don’t worry. Janken is all about luck.
Hayato called out Emile to comfort her, who’s coming back next to him with a dispirited look.
– I appreciate what you are saying to me. Let’s do our best.
– Yeah.
Immediately after Hayato answered.
– Then let’s begin the match. Here I go!
Latia moved to the inner part of the end line and threw the ball high to the sky and released a jumping serve.
Together with a tempestuous impact, the ball pierces the court.
– Amazing, Latia-san…!
Karen looks at the ball buried in the sand with her eyes blinking in surprise. Next to her, Sakura muttered as if she was amazed.
– More than amazing, it’s overkill, right…?
– By any chance, are you an experienced volleyball player?
– Nope, I have no experience.
Hayato’s question is answered by Latia.
– Because of this height, I have spent a life unrelated to basketball and volleyball. It’s my first time doing it. I learned by watching others, but it seems that I did better than I thought.
– Or rather, Latia used sense energy, right? Otherwise, you couldn’t jump so high, or be able to hit a nimble serve.
Emilia talks with a discontented look.
– Yeah but, is it that bad? There’s no rule that prohibits the use of energy.
The use of energy is prohibited in the ball games of the physical education lessons.
But Latia wants to say that it’s not like that now.
– But isn’t banned the use of energy outside the arranged places in Little Garden?
– This is one of those places, you know.
Hayato interjects with the thought that the President could get angry, and answered with an amazed expression to Latia who was saying so.
So, 「Oh, I see」and Hayato remembered. Outside training is sometimes done at the exclusive beach of the Slayers. In other words, this beach allows the use of both energyand the Hundred.
Nonetheless, of course, it’s forbidden to use energy in a thoughtless way but——「If so, then it’s fine if we start using energy like this?」
– If you want.
Both Latia and Emilia look like they are motivated to do it with energy.
– What about you?
When Hayato turned his eyes, Fritz turned his hands to the air, saying “yareyare”
It can’t be helped. It’s a gesture that says “let them do as they like”.
Hayato sighed greatly.
It seems like there’s no choice but to compete with energy.
– Well then, here I go again!
The game restarts with the serve of Latia.
Latia jumped to the ball that was raised high again to the sky and swung downward her arm with all her strength using energy.
– ……!
Hayato rapidly took position of receiver, hitting the ball with the momentum of an arrow.
(What is this….)
The ball was heavier than he imagined.
It feels like lead.
It’s rotating on top of the joined hands.
– Hayato, use energy to send the ball flying!
– Got it!
Doing as he was told, Hayato sent the ball flying somehow, and the ball crossed over the net, it went across the opponent’s court.
The falling point is above Fritz’s head.
– Fritz, raise the ball!
– Gotcha!
Fritz tosses the falling ball as instructed by Latia.
– Perfect, as expected of Fritz!
Latia rushed to the position of the ball that went up high at the edge of the net and jumped high, then tried to hit it with her arm that was cladded in sense energy.
She’s aiming at Hayato.
– Hayato, control the energy skillfully and neutralize the momentum of the ball. With that, you’ll be able to catch it.
– … okay, I’ll try it.
In other words, she thought that he should use energy like a cushion and take the position of receiver.
However,
PAAAAAAAAAAAA…!
The moment his right hand cladded in energy touched the ball, a violent plosive sound resounded in the beach.
– Fugyaa!!
He guessed that the strength conveyed from her arm was too strong.
When Latia hit it, the ball exploded.
Latia, who was surprised by the sound and the strong shock that she didn’t anticipate, falls on the sand as she is, hitting her head, her eyes go round and round.
– Hey, are you okay?
Immediately after Fritz called out Latia, an exasperated voice echoed at the coast.
– … what are you guys doing masuno?
When they turned their eyes towards the voice, they were able to see the captain of Little Garden and her Student Council President——Claire Harvey.
Behind her, they could also see the figures of the Vice presidents Liddy Steinberg and Erika Candle, along with Chris Steinbelt, the main analyst of Little Garden, who’s also a middle school student.
Claire is accompanied by those three people and approach the location of Hayato and the others.
The four swimsuits are the same as those he saw back in Claire’s vacation home when he stopped by in the Zwei Islands.
Claire has a red separate type, Liddy has a white dress type, Erika has a dark blue dress type and Chris wears a T-shirt and white shorts.
– The President also came to the beach…
The voice of Fritz, who grimaced when he saw that this was problematic, trembled in fear due to the anger that would fall after this.
– I think that even us have time to take a rest at the sea masu. And the house over there is mine desushine.
Saying that, Claire turned her eyes to a large two-storied building that is visible from the beach.
(To think that the big house that was near the school, is in fact, the house of the President…)
Hayato didn’t know it until now.
– However, concerning the result, it looks like I ended up doing something like patrolling.
The glint in the eyes of Claire is instantly pointed towards Latia who’s stretching at the beach.
– You guys, it is unreasonable to use sense energy and the Hundred within the school, don’t you agree?
Liddy opened her mouth and gazed at each of the three members of Selections standing alongside Hayato.
– Well, there are only Slayers around here, we didn’t break anything, and I think that all is fine.
Emile tries to mislead them laughing with a “Ahaha”, but of course the members of the Student Council don’t tolerate that.
– No excuses! The members of Selections must be existences that serve as a model for other students. If you do the same next time and don’t moderate your behavior ——depending on the situation, we will confiscate your dedicated Hundred.
– Th-that’s a problem! When I finally became familiar with it!
Latia jumped up to her feet to respond to the words of Liddy.
– If you are troubled, then it’s time to make sure that you are going to be a proper model for other students.
– Indeed, and Kisaragi Hayato——. How is the training situation after the competition desuno?
– Umm, that…
Last month, a martial arts competition was held where all first-year members of the martial arts department with the exception of Sakura participated. His reaction value before enrolling was first place, and the degree of attention towards Kisaragi Hayato who enlisted in the in the special team commanded by the Student Council——Selections was naturally high, but speaking of results, he couldn’t live up to expectations. Following Emile, Latia and Fritz, he got fourth place among the first-years.
The reason that confirms so is that his results were dull.
It’s because he couldn’t go beyond a complete control of the power of the Variant.
And the fact that he has barely practiced suppressing the spontaneous discharge of the ability so far to not end up going rampage, and also that he had to obey the rules where he can’t go full armament nor put a N barrier when he’s in a pinch.
Apart from the battle against the Savage and if there’s a resistance now, in the battles where he wasn’t betting his life, like the sham battle against Fritz and Latia and the duel against the President, the ability of the Variant will not be triggered almost automatically.
– From now on, you have to be able to activate the ability of the Variant by your own will and to be able to do full armament at any time masenwane.
After the competition, Claire issued those instructions to Hayato.
At that time, he remembered the girl with an eyepatch, who’s one of the three hunterswho had brown skin and met by chance in the Zwei Islands.
She created a Hundred that looked like Hayato’s Hien and swung it downward to the core of the Savage.
With that, she couldn’t destroy the core, but when she murmured 「Ability Unleashed」Limit out, her eyes shone in golden color, the sword was engulfed by swaying black energy and destroyed the core.
That was for sure the activation of the ability of the Variant.
Hayato has been training together with Emile in that matter, as well as doing full armament, but neither of them can be done skillfully by him.
– It appears that as long as I see that reaction, then you still have some ways to go desuwane.
Looking at Hayato’s response, and immediately after that, Claire guessed his situation.
The light of the sun is blocked by a big shadow that was made in the sky.
– What’s that…?
With Fritz’s voice and the sound of the propellers reaching his ears, Hayato noticed that a helicopter appeared above Little Garden.
It’s similar to the personal airplane of Claire that is in Little Garden, but there’s one difference.
– That’s the crest of Warslan Company, right?
As Fritz says, there’s no doubt that the fuselage isn’t of Little Garden, since what is painted is the crest of an eagle which is the symbol of Warslan Company.
– That’s WL-02? Don’t tell me that it’s Judal… Onii-sama desuno?
– That “Onii-sama” means that, the president of Warslan Company came to Little Garden!?
It was Latia who gave a surprise voice.
Hayato and the others also understand the reason why.
Ever since they enrolled, the president of Warslan Company never visited Little Garden.
– It is definitely him. That fuselage is of the very same personal airplane of Judal-sama…
Erika replies to Latia.
– But, descending to the earth from Lunaltia Base without me noticing…
Claire muttered so, she was clearly upset.
– … Lunaltia Base?
Hayato tilts his head.
– Lunaltia base is a lunar base that Warslan Company was developing in cooperation with the Liberian government before the First Attack.
Erika explains.
With the subsequently raids of the Savage, the space development between the United States of Liberia and Warslan Company was suspended.
However, a few years ago, it was said that development was resumed at the same time that Bill Harvey, the father of Claire, who’s the founder of Warslan Company, lost his physical condition and retired as the president, then her older brother Judal assumed as the president.
– Hayato-kun doesn’t know about Lunaltia Base? Karen-chan knows about it, right?
Amazed, Sakura said so.
– Yes, unlike the Earth, outer space can produce beautiful crystals without being influenced by gravity, so it seems probable that a specific medicine can be done for the disease that Karen is suffering from.
In other words, Karen said that the development of Lunaltia Base isn’t just a whim.
– I’m sure that day isn’t far. In the near future, there will be terraforming plans for the moon and mars.
– “Terraforming”…?
– It’s about creating a space where humans can live just like we do in the earth. In some way, this Little Garden is also one of those experiments.
Then, suddenly the PDA of Claire made a sound while Chris was explaining.
– It seems to be a call from Onii-sama desuwane…
Claire took out the PDA and murmured with a halfhearted expression and.
– Calling so suddenly, what do you need, Onii-sama?
As soon as the call started, one of the eyebrows of Claire goes down.
– That where am I? Right now, I am at the beach near the house, with the new members of Selections…
– Hey, that…!
The helicopter pointed out by the finger of Latia while screaming, gradually descends and lands on the beach where Hayato and the others are.
The girls had to hold their hair down due to the strong wind that suddenly arises from the helicopter.
The hatch opens and stairs come out.
The next thing that appeared from the helicopter was a man who wore a red suit and like Claire, he has golden hair and blue eyes, and a woman that has a bobcat haircut and gallant eyes, wearing clothes that give proof that she’s a Slayer of Warslan Company.
She seems to be the bodyguard of the older brother of Claire.
Both the man and the woman give the impression of being 5, 6 years older than Hayato and company.
They stepped on something like a platform that was projecting out from the hatch and slowly got down on the sandy beach.
– Doing such a surprising appearance, Onii-sama desuwane.
– I wanted to see my little sisters for quite a while. And as expected of my little sister. That swimsuit fits you perfectly.
– … even with your flattery I’m not happy masenwa. So, what are you doing here?
Speaking of Claire’s tone, it’s like she’s showing animosity towards him. Her facial expression is also stern.
– I was thinking of seeing the faces of the new students who will become the brave soldiers of Warslan in the near future.
Saying that, the man pointed his glance towards Hayato.
– You are Kisaragi Hayato.
– Yes, sir…
– The anticipated freshman of Little Garden, whose reaction value surpassed the one of my little sister. And, the holder of the《Blood called God》——
– … 《Blood called God》?
– Oh, I’m talking to myself. Don’t worry about it.
As he approached Hayato who referred to the question, Judal tapped his shoulder.
– I’m looking forward to your achievements from now on. And you over there, you are Emili… no, Emile Crossford-kun, correct?
Next, Judal points his eyes to Emile.
– I heard that you are an acquaintance of Dr. Charlotte. I’m also expecting things from you.
– … thank you, very much.
Emile answers with an emotionless voice.
Judal also looked at Emile as if he was checking her on purpose.
As if he was saying “I know your real identity——”
– Of course, I’m expecting the efforts of every member of Selections. One last thing, Claire——
– What is it desuno?
– I have something to talk with you later. Please give me a call when you have time.
– … understood.
– Well then, see you later. My favorite Ohime-sama.
Leaving those words with her, the man returns with the female Slayer back into the helicopter
It’s going to the military section of Little Garden.
Then, the helicopter quickly rises and started to move towards the terminal sector of Little Garden.
– … my brother was unexpectedly rude mashitawa.
At the same time that the figure of her older brother disappeared, Claire sighed greatly, as if she was releasing tension from all her body.
Her expression is stiff and looks pretty tired.
– … well then, I will excuse myself with this masuwa. Chris, Erika, Liddy. You are free to do as you wish from now masu.
– Are you heading to the place of your older brother?
– Yes desuwa.
Claire answered the question raised by Liddy and went back to the military section to follow her older brother.
She was suspicious about what he has to talk in private with her.
The next Monday. The PDA that was set in silent mode vibrated inside the pocket of Hayato with “brr* *brr* at the end of the lesson of world history, that is, immediately after entering lunch break.
It’s the signal that an email has arrived.
Almost at the same time, Emile, who’s sitting in the front seat murmured 「Hmm, who is it?」, then took out the PDA from her pocket.
– You also received an email?
– Hayato also received one?
Emile asks a bit surprised.
Hayato nodded and took out the PDA from his pocket and took a look at the screen.
– It’s from the President.
– Mine is from the Prez too. It says: Come immediately to the Student Council Room.
Hayato checks the contents of the email. And just like Emile, it says 『Come immediately to the Student Council Room』
– That email also arrived to us.
That’s what Fritz and Latia are saying while approaching. Both of them have their PDA in their hands.
– I guess it must be a call to the members of Selections because I also received it.
It’s not saying that it’s an emergency call, so it’s not to sortie due to a raid of the Savage.
There’s no broadcast being transmitted inside the ship that goes after that
– What would they want, I wonder…
– Probably a request to bodyguard or protect something? I’d be happy if we have to fight against the Savage.
Latia had a cheerful expression when she said so.
Since becoming members of Selections and obtaining their dedicated Hundred, they have sortie only a single time so far.
Although she slaughtered a Savage, it’s having some kind of influence on her that she hasn’t sortie for over a month.
It can be seen she was being impatient and feeling nervous because she wants to go and do her duties right away.
– What do you think?
Fritz asked Hayato.
– Even if you say what do I think, why don’t we just go and hear what they have to say for the time being?
– Okay then, let’s go to the Student Council Room right now!
A voice called them out the moment Latia tried to walk vigorously towards the Student Council Room.
– Excuse me…
A girl with freckles, slender limbs and a long black hair that is tied on the back of her head, she’s their classmate, Ryu Shuemei. She was late for the entrance ceremony of the martial arts department and one of the girls who was sentenced to be expulsed from school by the president. The reason why their disposal was canceled is because Hayato had a duel with the president and that was brought to a draw. That action made her have a fairly good impression of Hayato. Consequently, she frequently talked to him together with Noah Sheldon, who was ordered to be expulsed from the school by the president, asking for Hundred training.
But Noah isn’t here today. Shuemei is alone.
– By any chance, did Shuemei-san also receive an email?
Hayato inquires Shuemei who’s approaching.
– Actually, yes.
Hearing the answer of Shuemei, Hayato and the others exchanged glances.
– … hmm so this isn’t related to Selections?
Latia drops her shoulders and shows a disappointed look.
– That’s something we won’t know unless we go to the President. Anyway, let’s go, the five of us. I think there’s no more people who are being called other than us.
After Fritz said so, they asked their classmates if somebody was called by the President.
As a result, and seeing that nobody else was called from their class, Hayato, Emile, Fritz and Latia——and their classmate Shuemei leave the classroom, then headed to the Student Council Room.
– Come in.
When standing in front of the Student Council Room and knocking on the door, the voice of the President comes back.
When Hayato opened the door, he saw Claire sitting in the chair. She’s wearing a red uniform, giving proof that she’s the Student Council President. Both to her left and right are the vice presidents wearing blue uniforms.
– Welcome, everyone. We were waiting for you.
Chris, who was operating the laptop that was opened on the desk, got up and held the opened door.
He’s wearing his middle school uniform as always.
Looking at the five people who entered the room, Claire began to talk.
– The reason you came here like this is because you must participate in a certain strategy as members of Selections desu.
– I knew it! It was a mission of Selections! What kind of mission is!?
– It’s a search-and-destroy operation of a nest of Savage desuwa.
– What!?
The eyes of Latia shine due to the unexpected development.
On the other hand, Shuemei was showing a confused expression.
– … excuse me, why was I called for such an important strategy?
It’s been three months since enrolling. Although it has been possible for her to deploy the Hundred and control sense energy to some extent, the person herself knows best that she’s not on a level where she can fight the Savage.
Even in the competition held during the year, she got a fast rank, she ranked 21st when counted from the bottom.
– This doesn’t mean that Ryu Shuemei will participate in the search-and-destroy operation itself. Actually, this search-and-destroy operation is going to be done in the Qin Empire, and the base camp will be built in the city of Tienchuen which is your hometown mashita. Therefore, I called you in order to accompany us and to be our guide desu.
– Ah, so that is the reason?
Shuemei sighed, feeling relieved.
A dim light shines on her darkened expression.
– But Prez. The Qin Empire is basically a country with many plains, isn’t it? So, is there a place where the Savage can be hiding?
– What Emile Crossford is saying is completely valid, but there is something more desuwayo. Chris, please project the map on the floating monitor.
– Roger.
Chris turned off the lights of the room with the wall switch, then moved to the laptop that he was manipulating until moments ago and pressed a key.
Then, a white world map emerged on the nearby white wall.
At the same time, Claire stood up.
– These are photographs of the earth taken from a military satellite.
Chris lifted the laptop and stood by the side of the floating monitor where super clear images were projected. The magnified pictures are focused on Qin Empire.
As Emile was saying, there are plenty of plains. Most of them are deserts. However, as the map moved to the west part of the Qin Empire, it turned out that there are many mountain-like areas.
The map stops there.
This place is a zone where mountains exceeding 6,000 meters height are along the border with the Empire of Rasiya, the Empire of Mongolia and the Republic of Ural and where numerous fragments of meteorite fell and exploded in the air at the time of the First Attack.
Chris zooms the map even more.
– When looking at this satellite picture, it can be seen that there are many small lakes everywhere in this alpine zone. Most of them are the falling traces of the meteorite fragments.
It seems that a lot of Savage came flying at that time and weren’t exterminated. It wasn’t possible to enter the mountains because the quantity of particle beams was too much and the viruses released to the atmosphere from the fallen meteorites were harmful to the human body.
However, in recent years the amount has decreased considerably, the Savage moved actively and descended from the mountains, causing harm to the neighboring cities and villages, so that’s why they decided to call this a search-and-destroy operation.
– ——and the range of this operation will be this circle.
Chris touches the screen of the laptop at hand and draws a circle mark on the map projected on the floating monitor.
– It’s very wide.
It was Latia who leaked such impression.
– The range of the operation is set to surround the two big mountains, covering 50km. from east to west and 20km. from north to south. It is presumed that there are nearly 50 Savage.
– 50 of them…?
Following Hayato, the five freshmen revealed a surprised voice.
– This is purely a conjecture and nothing else, but the estimations say that they are a lot, and we could confirm from the satellite that their numbers are close to that.
– But, what are we going to do against such numbers of Savage? Even if Hayato and Emile——no, even if the President-san is there, will we be able to win?
– Certainly, Fritz Grantz has a point with what he said. If all the 50 Savage assaulted at the same time, even if everyone in this place fights at the same time, that will only cause us to run out of energy before all of them are defeated. However, in this operation, it is very likely that there are Savage only to that extent in this range. It doesn’t mean that we have to keep all of them occupied at the same time. Besides, we, Little Garden, aren’t the only ones doing this search-and-destroy operation.
It was Erika who added that explanation.
– Eh, is that so?
– The operation is a joint operation unit led by the UN, and carried under the control of the peace-keeping force desuwa.
Claire answered the question of Latia.
Chris opens his mouth again.
– As I explained earlier, there is a high possibility that this place still has many fragments of meteorites that came flying from the distant universe during the First Attack——the so called Variable Stones. Therefore, the search-and-destroy operation is led by the UN, so Little Garden together with several private military companies and countries’ armed forces are expected to participate.
– In other words, we are going to have fun fighting the Savage together with the Slayers of other countries and organizations!
The eyes of Latia shone even more brightly.1º
– But, why us, some first-year students, were selected to do this large-scale operation? I mean, I think that this is something for second-year and third-year students…
Hayato thinks that it’s unusual for the President to plan such an operation.
Even if they are members of Selections, first-year students shouldn’t want to appear on the battlefield.
– There’s a catch to it desu.
– A catch…?
Nodding with a meek expression, Claire continued.
– Since there are Variable Stones, there is a possibility that the hunters could hear about it and appear desu. The information of this operation will be shared extensively, including the general public narimasu. It will surely reach them, don’t you agree?
– In short, does that mean that there’s a possibility that the trio will appear?
– Correct desuwa, Fritz Grantz. That is the reason why we have chosen you, since you have fought with them arimasu. If you know the opponent, then that makes easier to deal with them.
– … is that also the “choice” of 《LiZA》?
– … No, it is not.
Erika answered.
– It was from Judal-sama, who is one of the advisors of the UN Supreme Council, and the one who originally proposed this search-and-destroy operation to the peace-keeping force of the UN.
– Then it’s also the intention of the company president to include us in the strategy plan as Little Garden?
– Yes, it’s also his intention. However, there is one point that Claire-sama added.
– We, the members of the Student Council, have also come with a plan for the operation desu.
Saying that, Claire continued.
– That is all what I had to say desuwa. For the joint operation led by the UN peace-keeping force, Emile Crossford, Latia Saint-Émillion and Fritz Grantz will have prohibited the use of energy from next week’s beginning, which means: no duels nor sham battles by deploying Hundred shimasu. Are we clear desuwane?
The reason is for them to be in perfect conditions to face the operation.
The three of them replied all together.
– … Err, what about me?
Hayato was concerned since his name wasn’t included, so he raised a question to Claire.
– Only you are allowed to train until three days before the operation, in order to control the energy masu. However, please be careful to not use it pointlessly and don’t act rashly.
The next day, after school, they heard about the sortie from Claire.
Hayato finished its maintenance and changes to his Variable Suit, then when he’s in the middle of going to the practice ground under the supervision of Emile who’s waiting there, since she finished changing clothes first.
– Oh, if it’s Kisaragi Hayato-kun.
Suddenly a voice called out Hayato from his back.
He quickly understood from who that voice was.
It belongs to Judal Harvey, who’s the president of Warslan Company, and the older brother of Claire who appeared suddenly at the beach the other day.
– … Can I help you with something?
Turning around, he could see the figure of Judal wearing a red suit, just like when they had a talk at the sea.
The female Slayer of that day isn’t at his side.
– There’s a place I want to show you. Can you lend me a little of your time?
– Err, I’m sorry. Because my acquaintance is waiting for me in the practice ground and…
Saying that, Hayato tries to avoid the invitation.
(Somehow or other, it’s difficult to dealt with this person…)
Because he’s over-familiar with him, he’s not sure what attitude he must have with this kind of person, but he believes that he doesn’t want to talk too much if possible with this person.
However, Judal doesn’t seem to care about that at all,
– It won’t take too much time. It will be pretty fast. Besides, since this is my request as the president of Warslan Company, nobody should complain about it. Of course, not even Claire, the Student Council President.
He’s completely right.
Saying it like that, there’s no way he can refuse him.
It looks as if it was an order from the company president in a roundabout way.
– … understood.
Hayato nodded, though he put himself on guard.
– I’m glad that you say so. Let’s go, Hayato-kun.
Judal turns back and starts to return from the way he came.
On his back, Hayato called him out.
– Can I ask one thing?
– … what is it?
Looking back, Judal asks back.
– Please allow me to email the companion with whom I was going to meet now.
– Go ahead. But please, don’t write my name.
– Why?
– Let’s say that this is business with some rather special circumstances.
Just now, he said that he can make anyone consent if his name was pronounced.
I knew it, I don’t know how to deal with this person, Hayato thought.
For the time being, Hayato didn’t write the reason and did as he was told, so he decided to email Emile that he will be a little late.
He will surely be chased to the point that it will be troublesome after this.
– The email was sent.
– Then let’s go.
Smiling with a *Fu*, Judal starts walking again, guiding Hayato.
(“Special circumstances”; I wonder, where is he taking me…?)*
He’s going down the stairs to the second level of the basement of the martial arts department school building.
Passing through the front of the Student Council Room, Judal goes further inside.
It’s the first time for Hayato to come to this place.
Before long, they arrived at the front of a double door on which a plate labeled《DO NOT ENTER, AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY》KEEP OUT was affixed.
Judal puts the PDA that he took out of his pocket on the sensor attached to the wall, and the door opens.
– Why are you acting absentmindedly? If you don’t come here quickly, the door will close.
Hayato is standing in front of the door, while Judal is already walking into the KEEP OUT section.
– But here it’s written KEEP OUT so…
– I’m the president of Warslan Company. So, I’m absolutely authorized. And I’m attempting to guide you, so you are also authorized.
Pointing Hayato, Judal starts walking again.
While hesitating, Hayato also started walking, following him.
The elevator was beyond that point.
When Judal puts the PDA on the sensor installed on the side of the door, the elevator opened.
It’s so small that only two people can get in it.
– It’s fine if you get in first.
Doing as he was told, Hayato gets in the elevator and Judal also gets in it, and the door closed.
The elevator begins to slowly go down to the lower level of Little Garden.
– Hayato-kun, do you believe in any religion?
– Eh…?
– I’m asking if you have belief in some religion.
– No, I don’t…
Hayato answers to the sudden question while being puzzled.
He doesn’t have belief in any religion in particular. That is true.
– If so, let me change the question. Hayato-kun, who do you think made this world?
– Well…
He was lost for words, clogging with the answer.
Judal was looking at the face of Hayato with a look like a child waiting for the desert to come after a meal, he was looking forward so much the answer that he couldn’t bear it.
– … God?
That’s the answer that came out after thinking about it for a while.
– I see, God, huh. Ahahaha!
Seeming that he was satisfied with the answer of Hayato, and with a smile of satisfaction, he relaxed his mouth.
– That’s fine, it’s an appropriate answer for Liberians who have many believers of 《Sacred Church》Puritaria.
Saying that as if he was impressed, Judal continued.
– Let’s continue with the question. God made this world. God is so omniscient and omnipotent that he can control everything in this world. If so, then why he sent the Savage to the earth, even though humankind is a divided part of himself? Or why he didn’t try to stop the many meteorites that came flying to the earth? What do you think about that, Hayato-kun?
Again, a difficult question.
After a few seconds of silence, Hayato answers.
– … I don’t know.
He considered that it was an unexpected question and thought that it wasn’t a question that can be replied right away, so he could only answer like that.
– That’s also an appropriated answer. At any rate, even I don’t know the answer. But, there are a lot of hypotheses.
When the door of elevator opens, a narrow corridor of a single way is visible to the eye.
In the back of it there was a concrete door that seemed to be even more thicker than the previous one.
Judal resumes talking while moving his feet towards that door.
– Some say that the invasion of the meteorites is the 《Iron Hammer of God》. The so-called “Judgment of God”——Judgment. The meteorite, and the attacks of the Savage are the alarms that God sounded at us, the humans, that he is angry. People have evolved too much, getting too close to God. It is a mistake not only to repeat the conflict but also to attempt to advance into the universe. That’s why he’s giving us this punishment, sending the Savage that are the《Messengers of God》.
– That story looks similar to the 《Tower of Babel》.
– Hou, so you have read the 《Scriptures》Apocrypha?
– I read about them when I was staying in Gudenburg a long time ago. I also went to the church of Puritaria several times.
When he went to pray with his parents so that the illness of her little sister would heal, he got the Apocrypha.
– Which reminds me, you were staying in Gudenburg at the time of the Second Attack, yes? If so, then it’s natural for you to know about it since you read the Apocrypha. I thought it was unusual for someone coming from Yamato.
Slipping out a smile, Judal continued.
– If that’s the case, let’s talk about the next theory for the current hypothesis. The fall of the meteorites and the invasions of the Savage are prompting the evolution of God to mankind.
There’s a sensor attached to the door they arrived.
Judal stopped his feet and holds the PDA on the sensor, but unlike so far, it looks like the door doesn’t open by itself. Over the sensor, buttons with numbers 0 to 9 are drawn, and 『Erase Button』and 『OK Button』come to the front.
– By the way, my view is neither of the two hypotheses I said so far. Supposing that God wants to swing his iron hammer to mankind, I believe that mankind can overcome it and approach God. We mankind have that wisdom already.
He keeps talking while pressing the numerical buttons with his fingers without hesitation.
– Mankind got the《Forbidden Fruit》called the Variable Stone, and reached the point where they used the cores that are the source of life of the 《Messengers of God》to crush the Savage that are nothing more that things used by God. Human beings are surpassing the laws of physics and the law of nature established by God, and even possibly be more than God… ah, I’m sorry. Was this an uninteresting story for Hayato-kun?
– No, that’s not it…
He was frightened rather than being bored.
It seemed that he could understand what this person is thinking, but that’s not the case.
– Then, let me ask you another question. Hayato-kun, do you know what the power of Little Garden is?
– … nuclear power… I guess?
– In effect. The power of Little Garden is covered by nuclear power generation by a nuclear fusion reactor. However, that’s only a part of it.
– A part of it?
– Please think very carefully. The power of the huge Academy City ship in addition to the electric power of the residents living on it, the research technological development in the military and medical supplies field, the development of the Hundred and the training of the Slayers——the maintenance and management of the quantum computers, etcetera, we couldn’t afford from the very beginning to cover the electricity power of our cutting-edge technology with just a small fusion reactor. Then, how do you complement the insufficient part? The answer is this.
When Judal pressed the 『OK Button』, the security was released.
The door in the opposite direction opens automatically.
– That’s…
In the center of the dimly circular room, a capsule with a design of a flower bud filled with fluorescent color liquid shone gently.
What can be seen in the capsule is the figure of a girl with blond hair, she was completely naked, cords similar to ivies were twining around her body and something like blue roses are spreading all over.
And a wild rose tiara placed on her head can be seen.
——Imprisoned Thorn Princess.
Such words floated in his mind.
– That’s what is being referred to as 《LiZA》.
Coincident with the door closing on the back, Judal answers, relaxing his mouth and grinning.
– You are kidding, 《LiZA》was a human…
The back muscles of Hayato shivered.
Even though there were times when it responded like a person using characters, he never thought that it could be such a thing.
– I can see you are quite surprised. This is the 《Highest Decision-Making Body》LittleGarden Zenith Agency of Little Garden. Taking the first letter of the words from there, the term《LiZA》is formed.
– … formed?
– After all, 《LittleGarden Zenith Agency》means that it’s no more than a fake play on words devised by Charlotte Dimandius. Anyhow, 《LiZA》is taken from her name——Liza Harvey.
Having said that, Hayato turned his eyes once again to Liza Harvey, who is《LiZA》.
He only looked at her for a moment, but he felt that she resembles her.
She looks like Claire Harvey, the Student Council President of Little Garden.
– It’s just as you are thinking Hayato-kun, Liza Harvey is my and Claire’s little sister.
Judal told him, as if he could read the thought of Hayato.
– And she’s the first person that was born having an infected body, and also a Slayer.
At that moment, they heard footsteps.
The door opens and Hayato looks back.
– … pre, sident?
In the hands of Claire Harvey who appeared, an anesthetic gun for anti-Slayers usage, 《N Tranquilizer》, was held.
The muzzle is directed to her older brother, Judal.
– Onii-sama, why did you bring Kisaragi Hayato here desu? Please answer.
– Yareyare, pointing such a dangerous thing towards me. It would be surprising if Liza wakes up. Claire has become quite a tomboy——hmm?
He turns both palms into the air as if he was joking.
But the facing Claire doesn’t back down.
She didn’t lower the muzzle.
– I will ask you again masuwa. Why did you bring Kisaragi Hayato to this place desu?
– He, without a doubt, will be a Slayer that represents Warslan in the near future, don’t you agree? That’s why, I think that it’s better for him to know in advance that Little Garden has things that you absolutely need to protect——the existence of this thing that can change the power balance of the world.
– …!!
Claire twitched her cheeks and said with great anger.
– Judal, please don’t treat my little sister as a thing. And, for that alone, you brought Kisaragi Hayato to this place?
– There are other reasons, of course.
– What are those reasons desuno?
– Because his body is infected, he may be able to wake up Liza.
– Wha…
Looking at the appearance of the shaking Claire, Judal shows a thin smile.
– To wake up Liza you say… how, in what way…
– Hayato-kun, it seems the time has come to wake up the Thorn Princess who has fallen in an eternal sleep by eating the poisoned apple given by the witch. Please kiss Liza at once.
– “A kiss”? even if I was told that, such a thing is…
He looks up at Liza.
The completely naked figure of the Thorn Princess is sleeping, her eyes are closed.
Hayato once again takes his eyes away from her.
– That’s right desuwa, what in the world are you saying, Onii-sama! How can he do something like kissing Liza when she’s inside the capsule…?
– Just kidding.
– Just kidding!?
– Kiss is the last resort. Touch the capsule with your hand for now and release energy. Please give it a try.
Being told that by Judal, Hayato points his eyes to Claire.
He’s seeking confirmation as to whether he can touch it or not.
Claire was hanging her head without moving, but eventually she raised her face and gave a nod with a worried expression, as if she was preparing herself for something.
The attitude that she revealed gave permission to Hayato, it is fine to touch it.
Nevertheless, Liza wasn’t wearing clothes.
Looking at the nakedness of the girl, he imagines the childhood of the President who’s right next to him, but then he embraces those thoughts, as if he was doing something very sinful.
So Hayato moved to the side of the capsule with his face looking down and stretched his hand.
Then, he releases energy.
– Ah…!
Opening his mouth without thinking, Hayato looked up at Liza.
The fluorescent color liquid in the capsule gently started to cast light.
– Liza is, reacting…
Just like Claire said, the body of Liza was shining dimly.
However, Liza doesn’t wake up, there’s no change, and after taking 10 seconds or so, the light slowly fades, and the inside of the capsule returns to its original state.
– Unfortunately, it seems that she hasn’t woken up, But, we got results. Like when Kirishima Sakura was doing the live at the Zwei Islands, it seems that Liza showed the same kind of reaction just now, so I considered that it was worth the trying.
– Onii-sama, why you…
Claire looked quite surprised.
Obviously Hayato didn’t know, but from the flow of the conversation, it seems that Liza showed a reaction while Sakura was doing a live at the Zwei Islands.
At that time, what Hayato remembered is about the regenerator type Savage that he fought at the Zwei Islands.
That Savage showed a reaction to the voice of Sakura and stopped moving.
At the same time, he also remembers the story he heard from Sakura at the canyon.
(Surely, as with Sakura, the friend of Sakura who was turned into an artificial Variant, I was told that the song of Sakura calmed her down…)
… then both are related to Liza’s reaction?
He wonders about it, but he can’t talk about that in front of Judal.
– I heard that from nobody other than Charlotte Dimandius.
– …!!
When Judal replies, Claire suddenly clenches her teeth in vexation.
– Why do you put such a face? She’s in a fair position after all. She’s just giving me information in a fair way too. In the first place, her affiliation is Warslan HQ, and not Little Garden.
– … I know masuwayo, Onii-sama. You have finished already what you had to do, correct? Then I wonder if you can get out of here quickly.
– Yareyare, I understand. You don’t have to kick me out of here. However, let me say one last thing.
– … what is it desuno?
– If she’s alive, it may be possible that she’ll be after Liza. That’s why I’m impatient. For the awakening of Liza.
– You mean Vitaly Tynyanov desuwane.
– Exactly.
Vitaly Tynyanov.
It’s the name of the doctor who turned Kirishima Sakura into an artificial Variant.
When Judal mentioned her, the name was floating in the head of Hayato.
After the incident of Sakura, the intelligence department of Little Garden investigated Vitaly and discovered that an explosion accident happened in the prison immediately after she was imprisoned.
After that, the Kingdom of Rasiya didn’t give an official announcement that Vitaly was missing.
It looks like they hid the accident of the prison.
Currently, there is no information saying that Vitaly died or not in that accident.
However, they should think that she’s indeed alive, since the gang of three gave her name.
– That’s why I think that if Vitaly is alive, I’d like her to be captured quickly. It’s possible that she resents us because I fired her. That’s why I’m looking forward to this operation. You may be able to capture the three hunters that are her hands and feet.
– You also heard that story from Charlotte desuwane…?
– Of course. She and I are like college coworkers.
Immediately after Judal answered, Claire opened her eyes in a big way.
– Don’t tell me Onii-sama that the operation of the UN peace-keeping forces is to lure Vitaly…?
Judal broadly smiled as she answered correctly.
. Everything to win the fight against God.
– Onii-sama doesn’t want the seat of the president of Liberia?
– It must be remembered that that’s not my goal. If it’s necessary for my objective, only then I’ll do so. I won’t say anything else. Hayato-kun and my little sisters in front of me, how about if we slowly talk about this from here on?
– … Onii-sama, what are you saying!?
– If an excellent Slayer becomes a member of the Harvey family, then I welcome him, what do you think, Hayato-kun?
– Eh?
– Please stop, Judal!
Claire shouts, her face is deep red.
She was highly strung by her emotions.
The proof of that is that she addressed him as Judal instead of Onii-sama.
– Hahaha, I intended that to be a joke, but it seems that it affected you more than I thought. Well then, I will take my leave.
Saying that, Judal left the side of Liza and goes back to the surface using the elevator.
– Err…
Hayato is bewildered about what to do,
– … we will also return masuwayo.
Saying that, and following Claire who walks towards the elevator, Hayato also left the front of Liza.
The silence rules in the elevator.
– Why don’t you ask anything desuwane?
– … because the President had a face meaning that she didn’t want to be asked about it.
When Hayato answered, the president smiled,
– I will talk when the time comes masuwa.
*Ding*, a sound is heard, and the door opens.
Getting off from the elevator, Claire turns on her heels and continued looking at Hayato.
– What you have seen and heard here is absolutely confidential. This is a matter of the highest priority. Are we clear desuwane?
Hayat nodded in silence.
– It’s the seeeeeeeeea——!
Latia Saint-Émillion, one of the Slayers belonging to Little Garden, runs into the beautiful ocean painted from a gradation of blue to green, dashing vigorously to the side of Emile, Fritz and Hayato who were spread on the beach seats under the parasols that were opened and installed in advance on the sandy beach.
Of course, she was wearing a swimsuit since she was at the sandy beach. It was an orange separate type that nicely represented her liveliness.
Today is the first Sunday of July.
Little Garden is sailing near the Ryukyu*, the southernmost tip of the Yamato Empire near the tropics.
And because of the sunny weather with no clouds and the best calmed ocean, Hayato along with Fritz Grantz and Emile Crossford, his classmates of the martial arts department who live in the same dorm, together with his little sister Kisaragi Karen and the hospital nurse in charge of her, Kashiwagi Mihal and last but not least Kirishima Sakura who’s visiting Little Garden in the middle of her days off, are behind the martial arts school building, and were visiting the beach of exclusive use for the students of the martial arts department.
– Thank you for waiting, Hayato-kun♪.
It’s Kirishima Sakura who just changed clothes to a pink bikini in the locker room and spoke to Hayato who just finished installing the parasol.
Ever since the incident on the Zwei Islands where Hayato was serving as her bodyguard, she, who’s a popular Idol worldwide, has been visiting Little Garden like this during her days off and now she’s spending them at the same time as Hayato and the others.
– Hey, what do you think of this swimsuit, Hayato-kun?
Sakura put one hand on the waist and the other hand on the back of the head, taking a provocative pose like a gravure idol.
The long pigtails of her hair sway gently.
In reality, it was very close for this to look like a gravure work, her proportions are pretty good.
Her waist is quite tightened, although it can’t be said that the moderate bulges that claim their existence are big.
The curve of her buttocks that swell from there are full of small devilish charm, and are very lascivious.
Or rather, they have a lot of exposure.
– … Umm, I think it suits you.
– Yay♪.
Sakura is saying so with a stimulated voice, and makes a V sign with her fingers.
By the way, Hayato was stubbornly saying to Sakura to not address him without using an honorific in front of other people, so she calls him with a 『-kun』
Not only strange rumors will rise if they address without using an honorific, but also the possibility of misunderstandings and being interrogated will be high.
Even if it’s『-kun』, that’s still no good.
– Nii-san, what do you think of Karen’s swimsuit?
The next who opened her mouth is a girl with a fairly white skin and black long hair named Kisaragi Karen, the little sister of Hayato, who’s on the wheelchair pushed by Kashiwagi Mihal, the nurse in charge of her.
The swimsuit of Mihal is a flower pattern dress type, it’s quiet and plain, giving a sense of cleanliness, and Karen was wearing a school swimsuit.
– It totally suits you. You really look like a “yamatonadeshiko”.
– Ehehe, you think so? I went together with Mihal to buy it yesterday. That means that the time we spent together for what we chose was fruitful.
Saying that happily, Hayato thinks that this could have been a real nuisance to Mihal-san. Shopping isn’t a category of the work of a nurse.
– I’m sorry, Mihal-san., Karen seems to have bothered you.
Hayato apologized and felt guilty as her older brother.
Mihal received that smiling,
– No no, it wasn’t a bother at all. Don’t worry about it. I just thought of giving it a try and buy this year’s swimsuit.
– Oh, I think that it matches you, that swimsuit.
– Oh my, thank you very much♪I can’t put on something with a lot of exposure like Sakura-san.
She’s telling him that being humble, but there’s no need to be like that.
Her skin also has youthfulness, and his line of sight gets strongly attracted towards the melon-like bulges of her chest.
At any rate, every time Mihal moves, they shake, boasting their considerable presence.
– Hey! Looking nothing but her boobs, you womanizer…
She probably noticed that the eyes of Hayato are watching the breasts of Mihal.
Sakura glares at Hayato, and pouts her lips.
– Oh my, are you interested in the breasts of an Oba-san* like me?
Mihal emphasized her chest while showing a smile on her face, making sure to grab her left arm with her right arm.
*Munyuu*, the breasts change their form above the arms.
They look very soft.
There’s no doubt he is interested in them and wants to touch them, but of course this is not a situation where he can say such a thing.
– Urr, no that’s not——
Though he thought he was rude to Mihal-san, Hayato attempts to deny that with his mouth and,
– Indecent Nii-san.
– Pervert Hayato.
Not only from Karen, but also from his classmate Emile Crossford, the student of the same martial arts department of Little Garden, and who’s also his childhood friend, he ended up receiving their glares as if they were piercing him.
Looking at their figures, Mihal had an enjoyably smile on her face.
(Maybe Mihal-san was also bantering with me?)
Hayato shrugged his shoulders.
By the way, among the chest of the five people in this place: Emile Crossford aka Emilia Hermit, Kirishima Sakura, Kisaragi Karen, Kashiwagi Mihal and Latia Saint-Émillion, Kashiwagi Mihal’s breasts are the biggest. The second place goes to Emilia. But she has no bulges now, the reason is that she’s acting like a man——as Emile Crossford. She’s wearing the usual swimsuit for a man, together with a T-shirt on the upper body. Since, as expected, beneath that, there’s a sarashi*.
*TN: long strip of cloth, usually thick cotton, wrapped tightly around the midriff up to the chest. Source: TV Tropes.
– Hey, Hayato, Fritz! Come over here quickly! You can see beautiful fish in the water! And they seem to be tropical fish!
Latia was waving her hands inside the sea. Before they became aware of it, she was underwater with a snorkel and goggles, and even with water flippers on her feet.
Looking at that figure, Karen showed an expression of jealousness.
– Latia-san, you are very energetic. Karen also wants to go to the sea.
– If so, can she go? Is it fine, Mihal-san?
Sakura wants the consent of Mihal.
– Yes, it’s fine. But, don’t push yourself. If you think it’s too much, please call me right away. Don’t go to a deep place or where the waves are strong because you want to see beautiful fishes and corals, okay?
– Yes, I know all of that, so I will be fine.
Answering, Karen tries to stand up from the wheelchair.
– Wait, I’ll lend you a shoulder.
Since their reunion back in the Zwei Islands, Sakura and Karen’s relationship has deepened quite a lot.
The time Karen and Sakura spent together is longer than the time Hayato has spent with Sakura or Karen.
– It’s really a relief to have Sakura-san. Maybe it wasn’t necessary for me to come.
Mihal smiled, watching the close friendship of Sakura and Karen.
– That’s not true. If something happens, we will be in trouble if Mihal-san isn’t present.
Hayato defends Mihal.
It was also a superb thing for Hayato since he could see the swimsuit of Mihal that he didn’t expect to see.
– We would be nothing without you*.
Mihal smiles gracefully.
There, a voice called him out.
– Hey, Hayato-kun, hurry up!
– Nii-san, come here, quickly! The water is transparent and you can see lots of fish!
He was called by Karen and Sakura who are submerged in the seawater till their knees already.
– Got it, I’ll go immediately.
Answering in a loud vice, he turns towards Mihal.
– Well then, I’ll be going too.
Hayato then turned his eyes to Emile.
– What are you going to do, Emile?
– I’ll stay here. Because I don’t like the sea.
Emile became sulky and pouted her lips.
By the way, Hayato knows that it’s a lie that she doesn’t like the sea. Actually, she also wanted to swim in the ocean with all her heart.
However, in a swimsuit it’s difficult to swim after hiding the line of the body, so Emile is going to endure it, as she was saying so last night. In that case, he thought that it would be better if she didn’t come but,
– That won’t do. I’ll definitely go. Because Kirishima Sakura will go, right?
So, she came to the beach like this.
– Okay, then I’ll be going.
He takes off his coat and walks towards Karen and Sakura, wearing his swimsuit.
– Sorry for the wait.
When approaching them and calling them out,
– How long has it been since I came to the sea with Nii-san like this?
And, Karen muttered while looking at the sparkling light reflected on the sea surface.
– Because we came back to Yamato almost immediately, I guess that it was around a decade ago…
After that, due to the appearance of symptoms of the illness of Karen, it turned considerably hard to go to the sea.
– Look, Nii-san.
Karen scoops up water with both hands, throwing it to the face of Hayato.
– Uwaa, what are you doing so suddenly!?
Hayato splashes water on her in the same way.
– Wapuh!*
It hits splendidly the face of Karen, but she doesn’t hate that behavior.
On the contrary, she looked happy.
– Ehehe, the water here is very beautiful, but as expected, the saltiness doesn’t change, isn’t it?
Karen sticks out her tongue and gives it a taste.
Looking at that figure, Hayato was glad that he brought Karen to this place, he thought that from the bottom of his heart.
– Nii-san, this is revenge.
– Uwaa!
Karen has her revenge, splashing water on him this time.
– Would you like me to help, Karen-chan?
Somehow or other, Sakura seems to be on Karen’s side.
– Come come, Hayato-kun!
– Nii-san, from here too… eh, kyaa!
Although Karen approached the side of Hayato and tried to scoop water, she tripped up due to a strong wave, losing the balance of her body.
– Karen-chan!
Sakura raised a scream.
Hayato hurriedly reached for Karen who was on the side and grabbed her.
(Phew, I made it somehow…)
He was able to grab the arms of Karen and was able to embrace the slender body of hers.
– Are you okay? We said to not be imprudent, right?
– Ah, that, I’m sorry…. Karen got a bit carried away…. I’m going to reflect on that.
Karen says her words of apologies while keeping her forehead on the warm chest of Hayato.
– I’m glad that Karen-chan is safe but, Hayato-kun, how long are you going to be like that with Karen-chan? You look like a pair of lovers.
– Eh…?
He noticed when being told so. It’s just as she said. Likewise, Karen seemed to have noticed it when she said so.
– Kyaah!
Giving a small scream, she separated from Hayato.
Her face is dyed red and her breathing became rough.
– … Karen, are you okay?
– Ah, yes… and it’s nothing like that.
– “It’s nothing like that”…?
– That’s something of no concern to Nii-san!
He didn’t understand it well, but anyway, she was probably thinking that she was glad that he was fine.
From then on, Karen continued playing with Sakura, splashing water on each other, and picking up seashells and calcified corals.
Then they get to where Latia is, who’s catching fish underwater with a harpoon that she brought from somewhere.
On that side, Fritz was floating on the surface of the sea facing up, and muttered while looking up at the sky.
– It’s so peaceful.
Hayato thinks the same.
It would be great if a time like this could last forever——and.
– I wonder if you are becoming hungry now?
When around an hour has passed since they started playing in the sea, Sakura began to talk.
– Yes, it’s been a while since I moved a lot, so Karen is also very hungry.
Karen holds her stomach as she’s saying that.
– Hayato-kun, were you hungry too?
Aside from swimming, only by walking in the sea makes you burn a lot of calories.
– I guess I’m also quite hungry.
– I see, if that’s the case, then I should prepare lunch.
Saying so, Sakura tries to return to the sheet.
– Should I help too?
Next, Mihal tried to follow after Sakura but,
– No, I can do it myself. Everyone return in 5 minutes or so to the sheet. Hayato-kun, can you go and tell Latia-san and Fritz-san too?
– O-of course, I’ll do it.
– Why did you come back?
Emile who had been lying down her back on the deck chair, raises her body in response to Sakura who returned to the beach sheet and asks her a question.
– To prepare lunch.
Answered Sakura.
– I was making some sandwiches for Hayato since the morning. Of course, there are for you and everyone too.
– Sandwiches?
– Yea, sandwiches. The kitchen in the hotel room is narrow so I can’t cook very well, but I think we are okay with these.
– Hmmm, even though you are an Idol, you can cook.
– … what? Is it so strange for an Idol to prepare dishes?
– That’s because I thought that the people around you would do that.
– What’s that? I’m not a spoiled girl. I usually eat outside a lot, but there are things that I do by myself too. Besides, an old friend of mine told me something. If you don’t want to let go of a man, you have to go after him with home cooking. Of course, I prepared these pouring them a lot of LOVE.
– Love, huh…
Emile had a fed-up expression on her face, looking at Sakura who’s making a heart symbol with the fingers of both hands.
– … the hell is that reaction?
– No, it’s nothing.
*Humph*, Emile turns her face away from the glaring Sakura.
– Well, I don’t care. And since Hayato hasn’t come back yet, I have something that I want to ask you.
– You want to ask something? And why all of a sudden?
The air flowing between those two is turbulent.
Hayato had to take time to call Fritz and Latia who are located far away from the shore.
– What’s your relationship with Hayato?
The moment she heard those words, the heart of Emile jumped.
– M-my relationship with Hayato, you say? What do you…
Recently, she was too accustomed to not being exposed that she was a man, that maybe she has been slackening her alertness a little.
Sakura’s conjectures are very good in some respects, maybe because she lives in a world of show business of sly old dogs.
Perhaps, she saw that?
Or she noticed that?
A lot of things came to her mind.
– Well, it’s rumored among some female students that the bonding between you and Hayato is to the level where you are flirting here and there and that looks somewhat suspicious.
– Oh, it’s that kind of thing.
Emile sighed profoundly.
She’s gotten used to answering that every time she hears similar things.
– Hayato and I are close to each other because we met in Gudenburg a long time ago. Besides, we were in the same room until we joined Selections.
Emile answered, touching her chest bragging about the time she had with Hayato alone, and understood that Sakura just thought of her as a hindrance to herself.
Although both things lasted for a short time, reality says that they were true.
– … eh, you are also a childhood friend of Hayato?
When she saw Sakura who was completely surprised, Emile had the feeling of “got you!”
– I also heard of you from Hayato. But, you met him for a single day only——by the way, I spent every day with Hayato for about a month, so it’s natural for me to be the one closest to him. We are true childhood friends.
– Yeah but it’s not a matter of time——
– Since she was born, Karen has always been together with Nii-san. So, perhaps that makes of Karen his number one childhood friend, isn’t it?
The one who cut into the conversation between Emile and Sakura was Karen, who smiled like an angel, without evil intentions.
Behind her, Hayato, Latia, Fritz and Mihal can be seen.
– Well…
– Err…
Emile and Sakura were unable to go against her as expected, and they were only able to withdraw speaking ambiguously to each other.
After lunch, when the sun rose high, a lot of Hayato’s classmates and senior classes of martial arts department gathered at the beach.
Naturally, Sakura is drawing the attention, but it’s not on the level that can be compared with Central.
The true character of Sakura is already——they know that she’s not Kirishima Sakura, the image of purity and gracefulness that is known on TV and the net, but the Sakura who’s constantly speaking in a positive way about anything she has an interest of, who’s bothersome and selfish when deprecated, that she’s humane——no, they already know that her character is the one of a Slayer.
Far from loosening her cool with only that, Sakura was completely opening her heart.
With girls who are also Slayers, and surrounded by male students, she was playing in a watermelon splitting game.
– Hey, Hayato. Why don’t we do that thing next?
– By that you mean the splitting?
– No, that, that.
Looking at where the gaze of Latia is pointing to, students of the martial arts department were playing a 2 vs 2 beach volleyball.
– Although I was able to make up for my loss of the sham battle in the last competition, I ended up losing to Emile. So, let’s have a rematch with a 2 vs 2 match.
– Alright, if that’s what you want.
It was Emile and not Hayato who answered gallantly and showed an attitude of joining the match.
She rises from the sheet with energy.
Perhaps she’s thinking of blowing away the frustration about not being able to enter the sea till now.
– Hayato, you’ll do it too, right?
– Okay, I’ll be your teammate.
It can’t be helped if it has become to this. Hayato decided to accept the match and join them in order to release tension.
– Nii-san, Emile-san, please do your best!
– You can do it, Hayato-kun!
Hayato enters the emptied court while receiving the cheering of Karen and Sakura who held a watermelon in her hands.
Latia and Fritz have already entered the other side of the net that was set in the middle, and they were doing warm-up exercises.
– Is it fine if we set the victory of the match by winning 10 points? However, in the case we are tied with 9 points, I guess that the team who earns two points consecutively will win.
Like the term “deuce” in tennis, and coming to the side of the net, Latia starts explaining.
Speaking of the rules, the team who gets a point gets the next right to serve, so if you keep scoring, then you can keep holding the right to serve all the time.
Of course, these aren’t formal beach volley rules.
It’s something special for this place only.
– I don’t have nothing to say about the rules so…. What about you Hayato? Are you fine with them?
– Yeah, since I don’t remember the official rules.
– The last thing is… oh right. How should we decide who’s going first and second?
Latia responds immediately to the question of Emile.
– Rock, paper, scissors game is fine, I guess?
– If so, then let’s go with that. Hayato, can I play the janken*?
– Yeah, go ahead.
– Then, is this okay for me?
Fritz replies, turning his eyes to Latia.
– Do as you like.
– Well then, janken——
Following the voice of Latia, 「PON!」the voices of the two overlapped.
Latia has rock, Emile has scissors.
It’s the team of Latia and Fritz that got the right to serve.
– … Sorry, Hayato.
– Don’t worry. Janken is all about luck.
Hayato called out Emile to comfort her, who’s coming back next to him with a dispirited look.
– I appreciate what you are saying to me. Let’s do our best.
– Yeah.
Immediately after Hayato answered.
– Then let’s begin the match. Here I go!
Latia moved to the inner part of the end line and threw the ball high to the sky and released a jumping serve.
Together with a tempestuous impact, the ball pierces the court.
– Amazing, Latia-san…!
Karen looks at the ball buried in the sand with her eyes blinking in surprise. Next to her, Sakura muttered as if she was amazed.
– More than amazing, it’s overkill, right…?
– By any chance, are you an experienced volleyball player?
– Nope, I have no experience.
Hayato’s question is answered by Latia.
– Because of this height, I have spent a life unrelated to basketball and volleyball. It’s my first time doing it. I learned by watching others, but it seems that I did better than I thought.
– Or rather, Latia used sense energy, right? Otherwise, you couldn’t jump so high, or be able to hit a nimble serve.
Emilia talks with a discontented look.
– Yeah but, is it that bad? There’s no rule that prohibits the use of energy.
The use of energy is prohibited in the ball games of the physical education lessons.
But Latia wants to say that it’s not like that now.
– But isn’t banned the use of energy outside the arranged places in Little Garden?
– This is one of those places, you know.
Hayato interjects with the thought that the President could get angry, and answered with an amazed expression to Latia who was saying so.
So, 「Oh, I see」and Hayato remembered. Outside training is sometimes done at the exclusive beach of the Slayers. In other words, this beach allows the use of both energyand the Hundred.
Nonetheless, of course, it’s forbidden to use energy in a thoughtless way but——「If so, then it’s fine if we start using energy like this?」
– If you want.
Both Latia and Emilia look like they are motivated to do it with energy.
– What about you?
When Hayato turned his eyes, Fritz turned his hands to the air, saying “yareyare”
It can’t be helped. It’s a gesture that says “let them do as they like”.
Hayato sighed greatly.
It seems like there’s no choice but to compete with energy.
– Well then, here I go again!
The game restarts with the serve of Latia.
Latia jumped to the ball that was raised high again to the sky and swung downward her arm with all her strength using energy.
– ……!
Hayato rapidly took position of receiver, hitting the ball with the momentum of an arrow.
(What is this….)
The ball was heavier than he imagined.
It feels like lead.
It’s rotating on top of the joined hands.
– Hayato, use energy to send the ball flying!
– Got it!
Doing as he was told, Hayato sent the ball flying somehow, and the ball crossed over the net, it went across the opponent’s court.
The falling point is above Fritz’s head.
– Fritz, raise the ball!
– Gotcha!
Fritz tosses the falling ball as instructed by Latia.
– Perfect, as expected of Fritz!
Latia rushed to the position of the ball that went up high at the edge of the net and jumped high, then tried to hit it with her arm that was cladded in sense energy.
She’s aiming at Hayato.
– Hayato, control the energy skillfully and neutralize the momentum of the ball. With that, you’ll be able to catch it.
– … okay, I’ll try it.
In other words, she thought that he should use energy like a cushion and take the position of receiver.
However,
PAAAAAAAAAAAA…!
The moment his right hand cladded in energy touched the ball, a violent plosive sound resounded in the beach.
– Fugyaa!!
He guessed that the strength conveyed from her arm was too strong.
When Latia hit it, the ball exploded.
Latia, who was surprised by the sound and the strong shock that she didn’t anticipate, falls on the sand as she is, hitting her head, her eyes go round and round.
– Hey, are you okay?
Immediately after Fritz called out Latia, an exasperated voice echoed at the coast.
– … what are you guys doing masuno?
When they turned their eyes towards the voice, they were able to see the captain of Little Garden and her Student Council President——Claire Harvey.
Behind her, they could also see the figures of the Vice presidents Liddy Steinberg and Erika Candle, along with Chris Steinbelt, the main analyst of Little Garden, who’s also a middle school student.
Claire is accompanied by those three people and approach the location of Hayato and the others.
The four swimsuits are the same as those he saw back in Claire’s vacation home when he stopped by in the Zwei Islands.
Claire has a red separate type, Liddy has a white dress type, Erika has a dark blue dress type and Chris wears a T-shirt and white shorts.
– The President also came to the beach…
The voice of Fritz, who grimaced when he saw that this was problematic, trembled in fear due to the anger that would fall after this.
– I think that even us have time to take a rest at the sea masu. And the house over there is mine desushine.
Saying that, Claire turned her eyes to a large two-storied building that is visible from the beach.
(To think that the big house that was near the school, is in fact, the house of the President…)
Hayato didn’t know it until now.
– However, concerning the result, it looks like I ended up doing something like patrolling.
The glint in the eyes of Claire is instantly pointed towards Latia who’s stretching at the beach.
– You guys, it is unreasonable to use sense energy and the Hundred within the school, don’t you agree?
Liddy opened her mouth and gazed at each of the three members of Selections standing alongside Hayato.
– Well, there are only Slayers around here, we didn’t break anything, and I think that all is fine.
Emile tries to mislead them laughing with a “Ahaha”, but of course the members of the Student Council don’t tolerate that.
– No excuses! The members of Selections must be existences that serve as a model for other students. If you do the same next time and don’t moderate your behavior ——depending on the situation, we will confiscate your dedicated Hundred.
– Th-that’s a problem! When I finally became familiar with it!
Latia jumped up to her feet to respond to the words of Liddy.
– If you are troubled, then it’s time to make sure that you are going to be a proper model for other students.
– Indeed, and Kisaragi Hayato——. How is the training situation after the competition desuno?
– Umm, that…
Last month, a martial arts competition was held where all first-year members of the martial arts department with the exception of Sakura participated. His reaction value before enrolling was first place, and the degree of attention towards Kisaragi Hayato who enlisted in the in the special team commanded by the Student Council——Selections was naturally high, but speaking of results, he couldn’t live up to expectations. Following Emile, Latia and Fritz, he got fourth place among the first-years.
The reason that confirms so is that his results were dull.
It’s because he couldn’t go beyond a complete control of the power of the Variant.
And the fact that he has barely practiced suppressing the spontaneous discharge of the ability so far to not end up going rampage, and also that he had to obey the rules where he can’t go full armament nor put a N barrier when he’s in a pinch.
Apart from the battle against the Savage and if there’s a resistance now, in the battles where he wasn’t betting his life, like the sham battle against Fritz and Latia and the duel against the President, the ability of the Variant will not be triggered almost automatically.
– From now on, you have to be able to activate the ability of the Variant by your own will and to be able to do full armament at any time masenwane.
After the competition, Claire issued those instructions to Hayato.
At that time, he remembered the girl with an eyepatch, who’s one of the three hunterswho had brown skin and met by chance in the Zwei Islands.
She created a Hundred that looked like Hayato’s Hien and swung it downward to the core of the Savage.
With that, she couldn’t destroy the core, but when she murmured 「Ability Unleashed」Limit out, her eyes shone in golden color, the sword was engulfed by swaying black energy and destroyed the core.
That was for sure the activation of the ability of the Variant.
Hayato has been training together with Emile in that matter, as well as doing full armament, but neither of them can be done skillfully by him.
– It appears that as long as I see that reaction, then you still have some ways to go desuwane.
Looking at Hayato’s response, and immediately after that, Claire guessed his situation.
The light of the sun is blocked by a big shadow that was made in the sky.
– What’s that…?
With Fritz’s voice and the sound of the propellers reaching his ears, Hayato noticed that a helicopter appeared above Little Garden.
It’s similar to the personal airplane of Claire that is in Little Garden, but there’s one difference.
– That’s the crest of Warslan Company, right?
As Fritz says, there’s no doubt that the fuselage isn’t of Little Garden, since what is painted is the crest of an eagle which is the symbol of Warslan Company.
– That’s WL-02? Don’t tell me that it’s Judal… Onii-sama desuno?
– That “Onii-sama” means that, the president of Warslan Company came to Little Garden!?
It was Latia who gave a surprise voice.
Hayato and the others also understand the reason why.
Ever since they enrolled, the president of Warslan Company never visited Little Garden.
– It is definitely him. That fuselage is of the very same personal airplane of Judal-sama…
Erika replies to Latia.
– But, descending to the earth from Lunaltia Base without me noticing…
Claire muttered so, she was clearly upset.
– … Lunaltia Base?
Hayato tilts his head.
– Lunaltia base is a lunar base that Warslan Company was developing in cooperation with the Liberian government before the First Attack.
Erika explains.
With the subsequently raids of the Savage, the space development between the United States of Liberia and Warslan Company was suspended.
However, a few years ago, it was said that development was resumed at the same time that Bill Harvey, the father of Claire, who’s the founder of Warslan Company, lost his physical condition and retired as the president, then her older brother Judal assumed as the president.
– Hayato-kun doesn’t know about Lunaltia Base? Karen-chan knows about it, right?
Amazed, Sakura said so.
– Yes, unlike the Earth, outer space can produce beautiful crystals without being influenced by gravity, so it seems probable that a specific medicine can be done for the disease that Karen is suffering from.
In other words, Karen said that the development of Lunaltia Base isn’t just a whim.
– I’m sure that day isn’t far. In the near future, there will be terraforming plans for the moon and mars.
– “Terraforming”…?
– It’s about creating a space where humans can live just like we do in the earth. In some way, this Little Garden is also one of those experiments.
Then, suddenly the PDA of Claire made a sound while Chris was explaining.
– It seems to be a call from Onii-sama desuwane…
Claire took out the PDA and murmured with a halfhearted expression and.
– Calling so suddenly, what do you need, Onii-sama?
As soon as the call started, one of the eyebrows of Claire goes down.
– That where am I? Right now, I am at the beach near the house, with the new members of Selections…
– Hey, that…!
The helicopter pointed out by the finger of Latia while screaming, gradually descends and lands on the beach where Hayato and the others are.
The girls had to hold their hair down due to the strong wind that suddenly arises from the helicopter.
The hatch opens and stairs come out.
The next thing that appeared from the helicopter was a man who wore a red suit and like Claire, he has golden hair and blue eyes, and a woman that has a bobcat haircut and gallant eyes, wearing clothes that give proof that she’s a Slayer of Warslan Company.
She seems to be the bodyguard of the older brother of Claire.
Both the man and the woman give the impression of being 5, 6 years older than Hayato and company.
They stepped on something like a platform that was projecting out from the hatch and slowly got down on the sandy beach.
– Doing such a surprising appearance, Onii-sama desuwane.
– I wanted to see my little sisters for quite a while. And as expected of my little sister. That swimsuit fits you perfectly.
– … even with your flattery I’m not happy masenwa. So, what are you doing here?
Speaking of Claire’s tone, it’s like she’s showing animosity towards him. Her facial expression is also stern.
– I was thinking of seeing the faces of the new students who will become the brave soldiers of Warslan in the near future.
Saying that, the man pointed his glance towards Hayato.
– You are Kisaragi Hayato.
– Yes, sir…
– The anticipated freshman of Little Garden, whose reaction value surpassed the one of my little sister. And, the holder of the《Blood called God》——
– … 《Blood called God》?
– Oh, I’m talking to myself. Don’t worry about it.
As he approached Hayato who referred to the question, Judal tapped his shoulder.
– I’m looking forward to your achievements from now on. And you over there, you are Emili… no, Emile Crossford-kun, correct?
Next, Judal points his eyes to Emile.
– I heard that you are an acquaintance of Dr. Charlotte. I’m also expecting things from you.
– … thank you, very much.
Emile answers with an emotionless voice.
Judal also looked at Emile as if he was checking her on purpose.
As if he was saying “I know your real identity——”
– Of course, I’m expecting the efforts of every member of Selections. One last thing, Claire——
– What is it desuno?
– I have something to talk with you later. Please give me a call when you have time.
– … understood.
– Well then, see you later. My favorite Ohime-sama.
Leaving those words with her, the man returns with the female Slayer back into the helicopter
It’s going to the military section of Little Garden.
Then, the helicopter quickly rises and started to move towards the terminal sector of Little Garden.
– … my brother was unexpectedly rude mashitawa.
At the same time that the figure of her older brother disappeared, Claire sighed greatly, as if she was releasing tension from all her body.
Her expression is stiff and looks pretty tired.
– … well then, I will excuse myself with this masuwa. Chris, Erika, Liddy. You are free to do as you wish from now masu.
– Are you heading to the place of your older brother?
– Yes desuwa.
Claire answered the question raised by Liddy and went back to the military section to follow her older brother.
She was suspicious about what he has to talk in private with her.
The next Monday. The PDA that was set in silent mode vibrated inside the pocket of Hayato with “brr* *brr* at the end of the lesson of world history, that is, immediately after entering lunch break.
It’s the signal that an email has arrived.
Almost at the same time, Emile, who’s sitting in the front seat murmured 「Hmm, who is it?」, then took out the PDA from her pocket.
– You also received an email?
– Hayato also received one?
Emile asks a bit surprised.
Hayato nodded and took out the PDA from his pocket and took a look at the screen.
– It’s from the President.
– Mine is from the Prez too. It says: Come immediately to the Student Council Room.
Hayato checks the contents of the email. And just like Emile, it says 『Come immediately to the Student Council Room』
– That email also arrived to us.
That’s what Fritz and Latia are saying while approaching. Both of them have their PDA in their hands.
– I guess it must be a call to the members of Selections because I also received it.
It’s not saying that it’s an emergency call, so it’s not to sortie due to a raid of the Savage.
There’s no broadcast being transmitted inside the ship that goes after that
– What would they want, I wonder…
– Probably a request to bodyguard or protect something? I’d be happy if we have to fight against the Savage.
Latia had a cheerful expression when she said so.
Since becoming members of Selections and obtaining their dedicated Hundred, they have sortie only a single time so far.
Although she slaughtered a Savage, it’s having some kind of influence on her that she hasn’t sortie for over a month.
It can be seen she was being impatient and feeling nervous because she wants to go and do her duties right away.
– What do you think?
Fritz asked Hayato.
– Even if you say what do I think, why don’t we just go and hear what they have to say for the time being?
– Okay then, let’s go to the Student Council Room right now!
A voice called them out the moment Latia tried to walk vigorously towards the Student Council Room.
– Excuse me…
A girl with freckles, slender limbs and a long black hair that is tied on the back of her head, she’s their classmate, Ryu Shuemei. She was late for the entrance ceremony of the martial arts department and one of the girls who was sentenced to be expulsed from school by the president. The reason why their disposal was canceled is because Hayato had a duel with the president and that was brought to a draw. That action made her have a fairly good impression of Hayato. Consequently, she frequently talked to him together with Noah Sheldon, who was ordered to be expulsed from the school by the president, asking for Hundred training.
But Noah isn’t here today. Shuemei is alone.
– By any chance, did Shuemei-san also receive an email?
Hayato inquires Shuemei who’s approaching.
– Actually, yes.
Hearing the answer of Shuemei, Hayato and the others exchanged glances.
– … hmm so this isn’t related to Selections?
Latia drops her shoulders and shows a disappointed look.
– That’s something we won’t know unless we go to the President. Anyway, let’s go, the five of us. I think there’s no more people who are being called other than us.
After Fritz said so, they asked their classmates if somebody was called by the President.
As a result, and seeing that nobody else was called from their class, Hayato, Emile, Fritz and Latia——and their classmate Shuemei leave the classroom, then headed to the Student Council Room.
– Come in.
When standing in front of the Student Council Room and knocking on the door, the voice of the President comes back.
When Hayato opened the door, he saw Claire sitting in the chair. She’s wearing a red uniform, giving proof that she’s the Student Council President. Both to her left and right are the vice presidents wearing blue uniforms.
– Welcome, everyone. We were waiting for you.
Chris, who was operating the laptop that was opened on the desk, got up and held the opened door.
He’s wearing his middle school uniform as always.
Looking at the five people who entered the room, Claire began to talk.
– The reason you came here like this is because you must participate in a certain strategy as members of Selections desu.
– I knew it! It was a mission of Selections! What kind of mission is!?
– It’s a search-and-destroy operation of a nest of Savage desuwa.
– What!?
The eyes of Latia shine due to the unexpected development.
On the other hand, Shuemei was showing a confused expression.
– … excuse me, why was I called for such an important strategy?
It’s been three months since enrolling. Although it has been possible for her to deploy the Hundred and control sense energy to some extent, the person herself knows best that she’s not on a level where she can fight the Savage.
Even in the competition held during the year, she got a fast rank, she ranked 21st when counted from the bottom.
– This doesn’t mean that Ryu Shuemei will participate in the search-and-destroy operation itself. Actually, this search-and-destroy operation is going to be done in the Qin Empire, and the base camp will be built in the city of Tienchuen which is your hometown mashita. Therefore, I called you in order to accompany us and to be our guide desu.
– Ah, so that is the reason?
Shuemei sighed, feeling relieved.
A dim light shines on her darkened expression.
– But Prez. The Qin Empire is basically a country with many plains, isn’t it? So, is there a place where the Savage can be hiding?
– What Emile Crossford is saying is completely valid, but there is something more desuwayo. Chris, please project the map on the floating monitor.
– Roger.
Chris turned off the lights of the room with the wall switch, then moved to the laptop that he was manipulating until moments ago and pressed a key.
Then, a white world map emerged on the nearby white wall.
At the same time, Claire stood up.
– These are photographs of the earth taken from a military satellite.
Chris lifted the laptop and stood by the side of the floating monitor where super clear images were projected. The magnified pictures are focused on Qin Empire.
As Emile was saying, there are plenty of plains. Most of them are deserts. However, as the map moved to the west part of the Qin Empire, it turned out that there are many mountain-like areas.
The map stops there.
This place is a zone where mountains exceeding 6,000 meters height are along the border with the Empire of Rasiya, the Empire of Mongolia and the Republic of Ural and where numerous fragments of meteorite fell and exploded in the air at the time of the First Attack.
Chris zooms the map even more.
– When looking at this satellite picture, it can be seen that there are many small lakes everywhere in this alpine zone. Most of them are the falling traces of the meteorite fragments.
It seems that a lot of Savage came flying at that time and weren’t exterminated. It wasn’t possible to enter the mountains because the quantity of particle beams was too much and the viruses released to the atmosphere from the fallen meteorites were harmful to the human body.
However, in recent years the amount has decreased considerably, the Savage moved actively and descended from the mountains, causing harm to the neighboring cities and villages, so that’s why they decided to call this a search-and-destroy operation.
– ——and the range of this operation will be this circle.
Chris touches the screen of the laptop at hand and draws a circle mark on the map projected on the floating monitor.
– It’s very wide.
It was Latia who leaked such impression.
– The range of the operation is set to surround the two big mountains, covering 50km. from east to west and 20km. from north to south. It is presumed that there are nearly 50 Savage.
– 50 of them…?
Following Hayato, the five freshmen revealed a surprised voice.
– This is purely a conjecture and nothing else, but the estimations say that they are a lot, and we could confirm from the satellite that their numbers are close to that.
– But, what are we going to do against such numbers of Savage? Even if Hayato and Emile——no, even if the President-san is there, will we be able to win?
– Certainly, Fritz Grantz has a point with what he said. If all the 50 Savage assaulted at the same time, even if everyone in this place fights at the same time, that will only cause us to run out of energy before all of them are defeated. However, in this operation, it is very likely that there are Savage only to that extent in this range. It doesn’t mean that we have to keep all of them occupied at the same time. Besides, we, Little Garden, aren’t the only ones doing this search-and-destroy operation.
It was Erika who added that explanation.
– Eh, is that so?
– The operation is a joint operation unit led by the UN, and carried under the control of the peace-keeping force desuwa.
Claire answered the question of Latia.
Chris opens his mouth again.
– As I explained earlier, there is a high possibility that this place still has many fragments of meteorites that came flying from the distant universe during the First Attack——the so called Variable Stones. Therefore, the search-and-destroy operation is led by the UN, so Little Garden together with several private military companies and countries’ armed forces are expected to participate.
– In other words, we are going to have fun fighting the Savage together with the Slayers of other countries and organizations!
The eyes of Latia shone even more brightly.1º
– But, why us, some first-year students, were selected to do this large-scale operation? I mean, I think that this is something for second-year and third-year students…
Hayato thinks that it’s unusual for the President to plan such an operation.
Even if they are members of Selections, first-year students shouldn’t want to appear on the battlefield.
– There’s a catch to it desu.
– A catch…?
Nodding with a meek expression, Claire continued.
– Since there are Variable Stones, there is a possibility that the hunters could hear about it and appear desu. The information of this operation will be shared extensively, including the general public narimasu. It will surely reach them, don’t you agree?
– In short, does that mean that there’s a possibility that the trio will appear?
– Correct desuwa, Fritz Grantz. That is the reason why we have chosen you, since you have fought with them arimasu. If you know the opponent, then that makes easier to deal with them.
– … is that also the “choice” of 《LiZA》?
– … No, it is not.
Erika answered.
– It was from Judal-sama, who is one of the advisors of the UN Supreme Council, and the one who originally proposed this search-and-destroy operation to the peace-keeping force of the UN.
– Then it’s also the intention of the company president to include us in the strategy plan as Little Garden?
– Yes, it’s also his intention. However, there is one point that Claire-sama added.
– We, the members of the Student Council, have also come with a plan for the operation desu.
Saying that, Claire continued.
– That is all what I had to say desuwa. For the joint operation led by the UN peace-keeping force, Emile Crossford, Latia Saint-Émillion and Fritz Grantz will have prohibited the use of energy from next week’s beginning, which means: no duels nor sham battles by deploying Hundred shimasu. Are we clear desuwane?
The reason is for them to be in perfect conditions to face the operation.
The three of them replied all together.
– … Err, what about me?
Hayato was concerned since his name wasn’t included, so he raised a question to Claire.
– Only you are allowed to train until three days before the operation, in order to control the energy masu. However, please be careful to not use it pointlessly and don’t act rashly.
The next day, after school, they heard about the sortie from Claire.
Hayato finished its maintenance and changes to his Variable Suit, then when he’s in the middle of going to the practice ground under the supervision of Emile who’s waiting there, since she finished changing clothes first.
– Oh, if it’s Kisaragi Hayato-kun.
Suddenly a voice called out Hayato from his back.
He quickly understood from who that voice was.
It belongs to Judal Harvey, who’s the president of Warslan Company, and the older brother of Claire who appeared suddenly at the beach the other day.
– … Can I help you with something?
Turning around, he could see the figure of Judal wearing a red suit, just like when they had a talk at the sea.
The female Slayer of that day isn’t at his side.
– There’s a place I want to show you. Can you lend me a little of your time?
– Err, I’m sorry. Because my acquaintance is waiting for me in the practice ground and…
Saying that, Hayato tries to avoid the invitation.
(Somehow or other, it’s difficult to dealt with this person…)
Because he’s over-familiar with him, he’s not sure what attitude he must have with this kind of person, but he believes that he doesn’t want to talk too much if possible with this person.
However, Judal doesn’t seem to care about that at all,
– It won’t take too much time. It will be pretty fast. Besides, since this is my request as the president of Warslan Company, nobody should complain about it. Of course, not even Claire, the Student Council President.
He’s completely right.
Saying it like that, there’s no way he can refuse him.
It looks as if it was an order from the company president in a roundabout way.
– … understood.
Hayato nodded, though he put himself on guard.
– I’m glad that you say so. Let’s go, Hayato-kun.
Judal turns back and starts to return from the way he came.
On his back, Hayato called him out.
– Can I ask one thing?
– … what is it?
Looking back, Judal asks back.
– Please allow me to email the companion with whom I was going to meet now.
– Go ahead. But please, don’t write my name.
– Why?
– Let’s say that this is business with some rather special circumstances.
Just now, he said that he can make anyone consent if his name was pronounced.
I knew it, I don’t know how to deal with this person, Hayato thought.
For the time being, Hayato didn’t write the reason and did as he was told, so he decided to email Emile that he will be a little late.
He will surely be chased to the point that it will be troublesome after this.
– The email was sent.
– Then let’s go.
Smiling with a *Fu*, Judal starts walking again, guiding Hayato.
(“Special circumstances”; I wonder, where is he taking me…?)*
He’s going down the stairs to the second level of the basement of the martial arts department school building.
Passing through the front of the Student Council Room, Judal goes further inside.
It’s the first time for Hayato to come to this place.
Before long, they arrived at the front of a double door on which a plate labeled《DO NOT ENTER, AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY》KEEP OUT was affixed.
Judal puts the PDA that he took out of his pocket on the sensor attached to the wall, and the door opens.
– Why are you acting absentmindedly? If you don’t come here quickly, the door will close.
Hayato is standing in front of the door, while Judal is already walking into the KEEP OUT section.
– But here it’s written KEEP OUT so…
– I’m the president of Warslan Company. So, I’m absolutely authorized. And I’m attempting to guide you, so you are also authorized.
Pointing Hayato, Judal starts walking again.
While hesitating, Hayato also started walking, following him.
The elevator was beyond that point.
When Judal puts the PDA on the sensor installed on the side of the door, the elevator opened.
It’s so small that only two people can get in it.
– It’s fine if you get in first.
Doing as he was told, Hayato gets in the elevator and Judal also gets in it, and the door closed.
The elevator begins to slowly go down to the lower level of Little Garden.
– Hayato-kun, do you believe in any religion?
– Eh…?
– I’m asking if you have belief in some religion.
– No, I don’t…
Hayato answers to the sudden question while being puzzled.
He doesn’t have belief in any religion in particular. That is true.
– If so, let me change the question. Hayato-kun, who do you think made this world?
– Well…
He was lost for words, clogging with the answer.
Judal was looking at the face of Hayato with a look like a child waiting for the desert to come after a meal, he was looking forward so much the answer that he couldn’t bear it.
– … God?
That’s the answer that came out after thinking about it for a while.
– I see, God, huh. Ahahaha!
Seeming that he was satisfied with the answer of Hayato, and with a smile of satisfaction, he relaxed his mouth.
– That’s fine, it’s an appropriate answer for Liberians who have many believers of 《Sacred Church》Puritaria.
Saying that as if he was impressed, Judal continued.
– Let’s continue with the question. God made this world. God is so omniscient and omnipotent that he can control everything in this world. If so, then why he sent the Savage to the earth, even though humankind is a divided part of himself? Or why he didn’t try to stop the many meteorites that came flying to the earth? What do you think about that, Hayato-kun?
Again, a difficult question.
After a few seconds of silence, Hayato answers.
– … I don’t know.
He considered that it was an unexpected question and thought that it wasn’t a question that can be replied right away, so he could only answer like that.
– That’s also an appropriated answer. At any rate, even I don’t know the answer. But, there are a lot of hypotheses.
When the door of elevator opens, a narrow corridor of a single way is visible to the eye.
In the back of it there was a concrete door that seemed to be even more thicker than the previous one.
Judal resumes talking while moving his feet towards that door.
– Some say that the invasion of the meteorites is the 《Iron Hammer of God》. The so-called “Judgment of God”——Judgment. The meteorite, and the attacks of the Savage are the alarms that God sounded at us, the humans, that he is angry. People have evolved too much, getting too close to God. It is a mistake not only to repeat the conflict but also to attempt to advance into the universe. That’s why he’s giving us this punishment, sending the Savage that are the《Messengers of God》.
– That story looks similar to the 《Tower of Babel》.
– Hou, so you have read the 《Scriptures》Apocrypha?
– I read about them when I was staying in Gudenburg a long time ago. I also went to the church of Puritaria several times.
When he went to pray with his parents so that the illness of her little sister would heal, he got the Apocrypha.
– Which reminds me, you were staying in Gudenburg at the time of the Second Attack, yes? If so, then it’s natural for you to know about it since you read the Apocrypha. I thought it was unusual for someone coming from Yamato.
Slipping out a smile, Judal continued.
– If that’s the case, let’s talk about the next theory for the current hypothesis. The fall of the meteorites and the invasions of the Savage are prompting the evolution of God to mankind.
There’s a sensor attached to the door they arrived.
Judal stopped his feet and holds the PDA on the sensor, but unlike so far, it looks like the door doesn’t open by itself. Over the sensor, buttons with numbers 0 to 9 are drawn, and 『Erase Button』and 『OK Button』come to the front.
– By the way, my view is neither of the two hypotheses I said so far. Supposing that God wants to swing his iron hammer to mankind, I believe that mankind can overcome it and approach God. We mankind have that wisdom already.
He keeps talking while pressing the numerical buttons with his fingers without hesitation.
– Mankind got the《Forbidden Fruit》called the Variable Stone, and reached the point where they used the cores that are the source of life of the 《Messengers of God》to crush the Savage that are nothing more that things used by God. Human beings are surpassing the laws of physics and the law of nature established by God, and even possibly be more than God… ah, I’m sorry. Was this an uninteresting story for Hayato-kun?
– No, that’s not it…
He was frightened rather than being bored.
It seemed that he could understand what this person is thinking, but that’s not the case.
– Then, let me ask you another question. Hayato-kun, do you know what the power of Little Garden is?
– … nuclear power… I guess?
– In effect. The power of Little Garden is covered by nuclear power generation by a nuclear fusion reactor. However, that’s only a part of it.
– A part of it?
– Please think very carefully. The power of the huge Academy City ship in addition to the electric power of the residents living on it, the research technological development in the military and medical supplies field, the development of the Hundred and the training of the Slayers——the maintenance and management of the quantum computers, etcetera, we couldn’t afford from the very beginning to cover the electricity power of our cutting-edge technology with just a small fusion reactor. Then, how do you complement the insufficient part? The answer is this.
When Judal pressed the 『OK Button』, the security was released.
The door in the opposite direction opens automatically.
– That’s…
In the center of the dimly circular room, a capsule with a design of a flower bud filled with fluorescent color liquid shone gently.
What can be seen in the capsule is the figure of a girl with blond hair, she was completely naked, cords similar to ivies were twining around her body and something like blue roses are spreading all over.
And a wild rose tiara placed on her head can be seen.
——Imprisoned Thorn Princess.
Such words floated in his mind.
– That’s what is being referred to as 《LiZA》.
Coincident with the door closing on the back, Judal answers, relaxing his mouth and grinning.
– You are kidding, 《LiZA》was a human…
The back muscles of Hayato shivered.
Even though there were times when it responded like a person using characters, he never thought that it could be such a thing.
– I can see you are quite surprised. This is the 《Highest Decision-Making Body》LittleGarden Zenith Agency of Little Garden. Taking the first letter of the words from there, the term《LiZA》is formed.
– … formed?
– After all, 《LittleGarden Zenith Agency》means that it’s no more than a fake play on words devised by Charlotte Dimandius. Anyhow, 《LiZA》is taken from her name——Liza Harvey.
Having said that, Hayato turned his eyes once again to Liza Harvey, who is《LiZA》.
He only looked at her for a moment, but he felt that she resembles her.
She looks like Claire Harvey, the Student Council President of Little Garden.
– It’s just as you are thinking Hayato-kun, Liza Harvey is my and Claire’s little sister.
Judal told him, as if he could read the thought of Hayato.
– And she’s the first person that was born having an infected body, and also a Slayer.
At that moment, they heard footsteps.
The door opens and Hayato looks back.
– … pre, sident?
In the hands of Claire Harvey who appeared, an anesthetic gun for anti-Slayers usage, 《N Tranquilizer》, was held.
The muzzle is directed to her older brother, Judal.
– Onii-sama, why did you bring Kisaragi Hayato here desu? Please answer.
– Yareyare, pointing such a dangerous thing towards me. It would be surprising if Liza wakes up. Claire has become quite a tomboy——hmm?
He turns both palms into the air as if he was joking.
But the facing Claire doesn’t back down.
She didn’t lower the muzzle.
– I will ask you again masuwa. Why did you bring Kisaragi Hayato to this place desu?
– He, without a doubt, will be a Slayer that represents Warslan in the near future, don’t you agree? That’s why, I think that it’s better for him to know in advance that Little Garden has things that you absolutely need to protect——the existence of this thing that can change the power balance of the world.
– …!!
Claire twitched her cheeks and said with great anger.
– Judal, please don’t treat my little sister as a thing. And, for that alone, you brought Kisaragi Hayato to this place?
– There are other reasons, of course.
– What are those reasons desuno?
– Because his body is infected, he may be able to wake up Liza.
– Wha…
Looking at the appearance of the shaking Claire, Judal shows a thin smile.
– To wake up Liza you say… how, in what way…
– Hayato-kun, it seems the time has come to wake up the Thorn Princess who has fallen in an eternal sleep by eating the poisoned apple given by the witch. Please kiss Liza at once.
– “A kiss”? even if I was told that, such a thing is…
He looks up at Liza.
The completely naked figure of the Thorn Princess is sleeping, her eyes are closed.
Hayato once again takes his eyes away from her.
– That’s right desuwa, what in the world are you saying, Onii-sama! How can he do something like kissing Liza when she’s inside the capsule…?
– Just kidding.
– Just kidding!?
– Kiss is the last resort. Touch the capsule with your hand for now and release energy. Please give it a try.
Being told that by Judal, Hayato points his eyes to Claire.
He’s seeking confirmation as to whether he can touch it or not.
Claire was hanging her head without moving, but eventually she raised her face and gave a nod with a worried expression, as if she was preparing herself for something.
The attitude that she revealed gave permission to Hayato, it is fine to touch it.
Nevertheless, Liza wasn’t wearing clothes.
Looking at the nakedness of the girl, he imagines the childhood of the President who’s right next to him, but then he embraces those thoughts, as if he was doing something very sinful.
So Hayato moved to the side of the capsule with his face looking down and stretched his hand.
Then, he releases energy.
– Ah…!
Opening his mouth without thinking, Hayato looked up at Liza.
The fluorescent color liquid in the capsule gently started to cast light.
– Liza is, reacting…
Just like Claire said, the body of Liza was shining dimly.
However, Liza doesn’t wake up, there’s no change, and after taking 10 seconds or so, the light slowly fades, and the inside of the capsule returns to its original state.
– Unfortunately, it seems that she hasn’t woken up, But, we got results. Like when Kirishima Sakura was doing the live at the Zwei Islands, it seems that Liza showed the same kind of reaction just now, so I considered that it was worth the trying.
– Onii-sama, why you…
Claire looked quite surprised.
Obviously Hayato didn’t know, but from the flow of the conversation, it seems that Liza showed a reaction while Sakura was doing a live at the Zwei Islands.
At that time, what Hayato remembered is about the regenerator type Savage that he fought at the Zwei Islands.
That Savage showed a reaction to the voice of Sakura and stopped moving.
At the same time, he also remembers the story he heard from Sakura at the canyon.
(Surely, as with Sakura, the friend of Sakura who was turned into an artificial Variant, I was told that the song of Sakura calmed her down…)
… then both are related to Liza’s reaction?
He wonders about it, but he can’t talk about that in front of Judal.
– I heard that from nobody other than Charlotte Dimandius.
– …!!
When Judal replies, Claire suddenly clenches her teeth in vexation.
– Why do you put such a face? She’s in a fair position after all. She’s just giving me information in a fair way too. In the first place, her affiliation is Warslan HQ, and not Little Garden.
– … I know masuwayo, Onii-sama. You have finished already what you had to do, correct? Then I wonder if you can get out of here quickly.
– Yareyare, I understand. You don’t have to kick me out of here. However, let me say one last thing.
– … what is it desuno?
– If she’s alive, it may be possible that she’ll be after Liza. That’s why I’m impatient. For the awakening of Liza.
– You mean Vitaly Tynyanov desuwane.
– Exactly.
Vitaly Tynyanov.
It’s the name of the doctor who turned Kirishima Sakura into an artificial Variant.
When Judal mentioned her, the name was floating in the head of Hayato.
After the incident of Sakura, the intelligence department of Little Garden investigated Vitaly and discovered that an explosion accident happened in the prison immediately after she was imprisoned.
After that, the Kingdom of Rasiya didn’t give an official announcement that Vitaly was missing.
It looks like they hid the accident of the prison.
Currently, there is no information saying that Vitaly died or not in that accident.
However, they should think that she’s indeed alive, since the gang of three gave her name.
– That’s why I think that if Vitaly is alive, I’d like her to be captured quickly. It’s possible that she resents us because I fired her. That’s why I’m looking forward to this operation. You may be able to capture the three hunters that are her hands and feet.
– You also heard that story from Charlotte desuwane…?
– Of course. She and I are like college coworkers.
Immediately after Judal answered, Claire opened her eyes in a big way.
– Don’t tell me Onii-sama that the operation of the UN peace-keeping forces is to lure Vitaly…?
Judal broadly smiled as she answered correctly.
. Everything to win the fight against God.
– Onii-sama doesn’t want the seat of the president of Liberia?
– It must be remembered that that’s not my goal. If it’s necessary for my objective, only then I’ll do so. I won’t say anything else. Hayato-kun and my little sisters in front of me, how about if we slowly talk about this from here on?
– … Onii-sama, what are you saying!?
– If an excellent Slayer becomes a member of the Harvey family, then I welcome him, what do you think, Hayato-kun?
– Eh?
– Please stop, Judal!
Claire shouts, her face is deep red.
She was highly strung by her emotions.
The proof of that is that she addressed him as Judal instead of Onii-sama.
– Hahaha, I intended that to be a joke, but it seems that it affected you more than I thought. Well then, I will take my leave.
Saying that, Judal left the side of Liza and goes back to the surface using the elevator.
– Err…
Hayato is bewildered about what to do,
– … we will also return masuwayo.
Saying that, and following Claire who walks towards the elevator, Hayato also left the front of Liza.
The silence rules in the elevator.
– Why don’t you ask anything desuwane?
– … because the President had a face meaning that she didn’t want to be asked about it.
When Hayato answered, the president smiled,
– I will talk when the time comes masuwa.
*Ding*, a sound is heard, and the door opens.
Getting off from the elevator, Claire turns on her heels and continued looking at Hayato.
– What you have seen and heard here is absolutely confidential. This is a matter of the highest priority. Are we clear desuwane?
Hayat nodded in silence.
