– *Sniff*, why am I not guarding the same place as Emilia-sama…? Furthermore, unlike the Slayers of Little Garden, we don’t have free time…
On the deck covering three quarters of the outer circumference of Little Garden, the girl belonging to the army of Gudenburg, Claudia Lowetti, complained.
She’s on the side of the connection of the military district side.
As it can be understood from the fact that she’s wearing her Variable Suit, she’s, of course, in this place to protect it.
However, her attitude became warped like a child.
Crouching down at a corner of the deck, she’s timidly pressing her fingers on the deck.
It was a young boy who wore a Variable Suit of the same design as Claudia who raised his voice on her back.
He’s Roy Kiring.
– But Claudia-sama, once this festival is over, won’t Emilia-sama come back to Gudenburg with Kisaragi Hayato?
– That’s not decided yet, and it depends on the answer of Emilia-sama.
– But, considering the condition of King-sama, shouldn’t she return to the country at once?
– I think the same too. That’s why I accepted Kilfelthar’s proposal to be with Kisaragi Hayato.
Saying so, and when Claudia stood up, something was visible to her.
– What’s that?
While staring at the sea, Claudia muttered.
She spotted ahead of her line of sight a black mass approaching Little Garden at a considerable speed.
Roy also turns his line of sight to it.
– Is that an unloading boat?
Saying that, Roy inclines his head to the side.
– I haven’t heard that such a thing would come closer or anything like that. Besides, it’s not going to stop at that speed, isn’t it…?
At the same time Claudia felt danger, *Beep* *Beep*, the two wireless rings began to sound.
It’s an《emergency call》from the briefing room.
Next, the voice of a boy was heard.
『This is Chris Steinbelt, member of the Student Council of Little Garden. We have confirmed an unidentified ship with the radar. It’s approximately 200 meters away from Little Garden at the moment. Can you confirm it with the naked eye?』
– This is Claudia Lowetti of the Army of Gudenburg. That ship is going to collide already! So, we will es——
It was already late when Claudia tried to escape.
– Uwaah!?
The unloading ship collides with Little Garden while violently raising splashes of water and runs up onto the deck.
– Are you alright, Claudia-sama?
Roy, who escaped earlier, comes to the side of Claudia who fell on the flooded deck.
– As you can see, I don’t have injuries, so… Roy, run away!
Claudia, despite doubting her eyes, raised her voice.
Coming down to the ground from the stranded unloading ship that has its bow opened, the Savages appeared on the deck in a forward-bent posture——the so-called defense posture.
Looking back, Roy also notices them.
– Uwaaa, what’s the meaning of, this…? Why are, the Savages…?
Those are smaller than normal types.
However, their number is over ten and give a somewhat uncomfortable feeling.
(What the hell are these Savages?)
For that motive, Claudia soon noticed.
The head of all the Savages has no core.
Besides, the color of the pattern of the body is different too.
It’s not a yellow fluorescent color, but an orange almost red one.
Moreover, they don’t have two eyes but only one in the center, and there is no tactile where it should be.
– Briefing room, do you see this? What the hell are these Savages?
While confused, Claudia got up and took out the Hundred.
– It’s the first time that we’ll have to deal with Savages without core, jeez…. Let’s, go, Roy. ——HUNDRED ON!
– One-eyed Savages without cores you say…? Chris, project on the main monitor the footage of the camera in the vicinity immediately!
Claire, who was listening to the communication from Claudia in the briefing room, ordered Chris.
– Roger.
Chris nods and starts operating the keyboard.
It was Charlotte that was licking a candy on a tick there.
– It looks that it has become a serious thing, huh.
– Charlotte!
Claire raises a bright voice.
If she comes, she thinks that technical questions can be solved quickly.
– I’ve grasped the situation. There’s no need to explain it.
Saying, Charlotte stood next to Claire.
– We were able to prepare a video of the core-less Savages. I’ll project the live video on the monitor.
Then, the state of the deck is projected on the monitor set on the back wall.
Looking at it, Claire muttered.
– … certainly, no core is found in the Savages and they have only one eye desuwane. And the pattern of the body isn’t yellow, it shines red masuwa.
– This may be the same as the discovery report at Mt. Kongur.
Charlotte muttered.
– What discovery report desuno?
– There are two girls who were attacked and received fatal injuries during the search in 《The Second Operation of Bird in the Basket》. Only that, it’s presumed that they had some kind of memory loss, but that doesn’t mean that it’s true.
– But, why from an unloading ship….?
– Although these are no more than conjectures, there are three possibilities.
Taking out the candy from the mouth and swinging it like a pointer when doing a teaching, Charlotte continues.
– The first one is that someone caught them. The second one is that they are terminals of Tamer type Hundreds. And the last one is that those are machines manufactured by a person.
– What are you saying is that you don’t know which one it is desuwane?
– Exactly. Well, I think that the possibility of the last one is high.
– Is there a way to destroy them masuno?
– As you can see, it seems they stop attacks with normal weapons up to certain degree. Therefore, we should assume that the steel shell is equivalent to the steel shell of the Savages. In that case, there’s a possibility that they can be destroyed with the attack of the Hundreds accompanied by powerful energy. If you don’t try it, we’ll never know.
– In short, you are saying that the Slayers must do something desuwane. We can’t let them invade into Little Garden no matter what masenwa.
Of course, that goes to Sangria side as well.
– This is not the case to say something like capturing them. We are going to exterminate the ones who are at the whole deck masuwa. The connection between Little Garden side and Sangria side will be temporarily restricted. Both entrances will be blocked. Chris, how many Slayers are on the deck now?
– There are 15 Slayers between the ones of Liberia, Little Garden and Gudenburg.
– Gather everyone forward and inform them to engage the mentioned Savages. Until they get to the current state, let keep them at bay with conventional weapons. Just to be sure, also call other Slayers——
– Err, Claire-sama…
– … what is it, Chris mashitano?
The expression of Claire who turned her eyes towards Chris who raised his voice became grim.
His hands, that were tapping the keyboard stopped, his body was trembling.
– There is an information that suspicious floating things that resembled hornets began to appear one after another in Little Garden.
– What did you say!?
At that time, at a corner of the exhibition space set in the courtyard of the school building of Little Garden, his terminal, that looked like a dog made by his Hundred——named Silver Blitz, was being used to do acrobatics.
– What do you think, amazing, right!?
Every time Silver Blitz pulls a skill, like jumping and catching a ball or passing through a circle, cheers and applause come from children and their parents that gather around them.
Latia, who was watching the situation at a distance while patrolling, was impressed with the popularity of Silver Blitz.
– As one would expect, don’t you think? It’s quite exciting.
– The Tamer type Hundred is unusual, isn’t it? The popularity with the children is convincing too.
The one who said so is Erika, one of the Student Council Vice Presidents who was patrolling with Latia.
– What do we do? It looks we entered break now, should we go and greet him?
– Oh yeah, let’s do that.
Latia and Erika approach Alphonse who lowers his head while receiving applause.
– You have become a great success, Alphonse Brewstadt. It looks like you have a considerable manipulation ability of the Hundred.
– Ah, Vice President and Latia. Both of you were also watching the performance of Silver.
– It was very popular with the children, huh.
– We practiced a lot, so we are truly please〜d!
Alphonse looks very happy.
– I am not well informed with the Tamer type Hundred, but the instructions you give, like how to move in detail, are like the Dragnar type terminal?
– Nope, it’s not different from a real dog. First, you do it like this, then umm, insisting on it, you train it to move like that.
To the doubt of Erika, Alphonse answers.
– In short, you can say that it’s an automatic control?
– I couldn’t control it properly at the beginning, I failed a lot. But, problematic behaviors haven’t occurred anymore.
– If so, it may be time to move onto the next phase.
– … next phase?
Alphonse cocks his head in puzzlement towards the words of Erika.
– What I mean is to create a type of terminal that seems to be more useful for battle.
– In other words, you mean making a fierce animal?
It was Latia who butted into the conversation.
– Well, something like that.
Erika nods.
However, the Alphonse in question doesn’t look convinced.
– Hmm, I prefer the way Silver Blitz is, like this. It’s cute.
– Certainly it’s cute, but——
When Erika turns her line of sight, Silbli aka Silver Blitz was swinging its tail intensively.
When Latia pats its head, it barks happily with a 「Bark♪」.
– With this, it won’t stand up as a fighting role…
– Not that I’m worried about it now… ah, I have an hour recess until the next performance, so I was thinking of having a meal in the meantime. Instead of talking while standing, why don’t we eat?
– Eat you say? It’s already 15:30. Didn’t you eat lunch?
– That’s not it, it’s time for the 3’clock meal——.
– If you say that that’s the between-meal snack then…
Amazed, Erika has a cramp in her cheeks.
– It’s because they looked alike, you know. Oh, there’s a takoyaki stall over there, they look deliciou〜s. Since I’ll buy for a moment, please take the unoccupied seats over there!
– Wait a moment, Alphonse Brewstadt!
Alphonse runs towards the stall.
Looking at the tables set up in the courtyard, most of them are already occupied with many visitors.
If they don’t do something, it’s probable that all of them will be crowded soon.
– Good grief, it can’t be helped. We’ve been patrolling for almost two hours and we are going to take our rest soon, so…
– If that’s the case, then I’ll buy something to drink. Is the vice president going to drink something? I’ll buy it.
– There’s no need. I will go buy it myself later.
– Okay. Then, I’ll just buy for myself!
Just like with Alphonse earlier, Erika sat down on an vacant chair while sighing dear me!, looking at Latia who cheerfully started running towards the stalls.
After a while, Alphonse returned, he carried a number of packages.
– Vice preside〜nt, thank you for taking the sea〜ts!
– You bought a lot, didn’t you…?
Erika blinked the eyes beyond the glasses in surprise, looking the big sized drink, the yakisoba pack, the okonomiyaki pack and 3 packs of 12 pieces of takoyaki arranged in a line on the table*.
– Well, I get tired when I move. Anyway, that’s how I have this body—.
– if that’s the case, how about dieting a little? Although you have a Tamer type Hundred, your body is inadequate as a Slayer.
– I want to do so, bu〜t. The delicious things are so delicious that food is like life for me〜.
*Munch*, Alphonse carries to his mouth the takoyaki with a toothpick.
In an instant, he emptied a box.
– … when looking at you with that appetite, it seems like you would be better handling a knife and a fork type of Hundred rather than a Tamer one…
– Animals, I like animals. I also like to eat, bu〜t.
Erika was amazed looking at the appearance of Alphonse who washed down the yakisoba into his stomach as she stood up, saying「I will buy a drink」.
Latia comes back, changing places with Erika.
– Wow, there’s a lot of food. Can I have one takoyaki, please?
– There are toothpicks, so go ahead.
– Wow, it’s hot! But it’s tasty. Can I have another one?
– Yeah, don’t worry〜. Eat all what you wa〜nt.
Erika came back when Latia was pinching a takoyaki.
– You are also eating with him, good grief.
– Ah, vice president, please join u〜s.
– This is delichious. If I remember correctly, this is food originated in Yamato, right?
When she was looking at the katsuobushi dancing on top of the takoyaki and Latia eating that deliciousness, her stomach began to sound*.
– Well then, thanks for the food.
Latia and Erika eat takoyaki while drinking orange juice and black tea that they bought respectively while Alphonse was starting to put his hands on the okonomiyaki.
– … hmm, it began to get somewhat noisy.
Latia turns her eyes to the monitor installed in the courtyard as everyone are paying attention to it.
It was the image of the special stage of the stadium that is projected there.
– Oh, isn’t that Kirishima Sakura?
– Now that you mention it, the live concert starts right now.
Erika also turns her line of sight to the monitor.
– The little sister of Hayato also appears, I wanted to go and see them if wasn’t because of this security job.
Most of the people in the courtyard are paying attention to the monitor and listening carefully to the song of Sakura.
Alphonse, who continued eating as usual finished eating okonomiyaki then raised his face and noticed the presence of something.
– Hmm? What’s, that…?
Something like a hornet of approximately 30 centimeters is floating in the courtyard.
Its black skin looks quite hard.
The pattern of the body is the same fluorescent color as the Savages and it’s clad in a considerable ominous aura.
– Hey, Latia. Do you know what’s that?
– What are you saying? I’m watching the live concert of Kirishima Sakura.
Latia looks ahead of the line of sight of Alphonse in a state that was saying do not disturb.
But, when she saw it, she doubted her eyes.
– What’s that? Vice president, take a look.
– Eh…?
Erika also turned her eyes to the floating body that was like a hornet and showed a surprised look.
– Maybe that thing is like my Silver Blitz?
It’s Alphonse who said so.
Could it be that there’s a Tamer type Slayer like him in the vicinity?
– Certainly, it looks like that, but…
Latia showed a positive reply and turned her gaze to Silver Blitz who’s sitting at the feet of Alphonse.
Nonetheless, Silver Blitz is silver and the color of the floating body is a dull light brown, close to the Savages.
Its pattern and fluorescent color are eerie too.
It looks like the other residents, students and visitors began to notice the existence of the floating body with a strange shape.
Huh? What’s that?, a commotion started.
As things are, disturbance and chaos will spread if they leave this unattended.
Erika gets up from the chair and shouted, turning her line of sight to the floating body.
– I am Erika Candle, vice president of the Student Council of Little Garden! Who is the person that is operating that?
However, there’s no reply.
– If we don’t find the person who is operating it, there is a possibility of running wild and we will have to capture it. Are you okay with that?
Even when she asks again, there’s no answer.
– If so, let’s capture it.
– In that case, I’ll try it.
Alphonse stood up from the chair and gave an order to Silver Blitz with his terminal, pointing his objective with the five fingers of his spread hand.
– Go, Silver Blitz! Catch that thing!
– Bark!
Raising a high-spirited cry, Silver Blitz throws itself upon the hornet.
The handling of Alphonse is perfect, as expected of being able to train its acrobatics.
Sliver Blitz jumped high using its two back legs as springs and captured tightly with its two front legs the hornet-like body.
– Attaboy, Silver Blitz! Well done!
Alphonse rushes over to his terminal.
And when the distance was less than three meters.
– Uwaah!?
*Boom*, an explosion occurred with Silver Blitz who captured the floating body at its center, rising a fierce sound out of nowhere.
– Alphonse, are you okay!?
Latia and Erika rush to the position of Alphonse together.
Due to the soaring blast, they can’t see the figure of Alphonse, nor they can confirm the figure of Silver Blitz with is the terminal.
However, from inside that, they hear *cough* *cough*, his coughing sounds, and both of them felt relieved.
– I, I managed to survive, somehow…. But, Silver Blitz is…
The cloud of smoke clears up.
Beyond the line of sight of Alphonse who fell on his backside is an all-purpose Hundred in the form of a regular octahedron rolling on the ground.
Silver Blitz received damage due to the power of the explosion just now and couldn’t retain its shape.
The previously-mentioned floating body looks like it ended up becoming in pieces as it is possible to see the fragments that composed its body on the ground.
– There is no need to lament. Well done, Alphonse Brewstadt. If that exploded in the vicinity or within that crowd of people, it would have become something very terrible.
Erika’s line of sight is pointing at something similar to a square box set on a nearby wall.
– … what kind of box is that?
Alphonse cocks his head in puzzlement, looking at the box.
– It’s a switchboard. If that exploded over there, all of the electricity in this area would have fallen, which may have been a serious thing.
Erika replied.
It’s Latia who’s displaying confusion next to her.
– Other than that, what was that strange thing? Why did it explode so suddenly?
– I don’t know that. But…
Realizing that there’s a fragment of a red shining ore among the fragments of the floating body, Erika picked it up.
– I knew it, this is definitely a Variable Stone, isn’t it?
Closing her eyes partly, Erika continued her words.
– To be here in a processed form, it means that the possibility of someone who built this object is high.
– Does that mean that this is a robot, perhaps?
– That seems to be the case.
Erika replies towards Alphonse who displayed his doubt and continued her words.
– Someone created it and sent it to Little Garden——in other words, there is a possibility of this being an incident or terrorism. Let’s contact the briefing room at once.
Erika said so and tries to get in touch using the wireless ring of her arm when a sound of an explosion echoed far away.
With a delay of a second, screams also arrive.
– No way, that thing appeared in other places too!?
Latia shouted.
Erika, though impatient, keeps contacting the briefing room.
– Chris, can you hear me!? This has become a serious thing!
– Erika-san, can you hear me? This is Chris Steinbelt of the briefing room. Did something happen?
『As a matter of fact, a floating body that had an appearance similar to a hornet exploded——』
– We are getting reports aside from that one now, so we are putting together that information. Several other strange events are still occurring, so can Erika-san come here as well?
『Understood, I will head there immediately. I will send information from here as well, so I would appreciate if you could send it to me at any time』
– Roger.
Erika rushes to the briefing room while she understood that she’s able to grasp the information with the monitor installed in the lens of her glasses and Chris starts to summarize the information sent from the students.
Among those, there was some worrisome information.
– Claire-sama, please look at this.
– What is it desuno, Chris? Now I am monitoring the battle situation——wha…
Claire who opened the video data transferred from Chris doubted her eyes.
It was because in that video, one of the《automatic cleaning robots》that are in the school building of Little Garden took a moment to transform into a floating shape similar to a hornet and has the same pattern and color as the Savages.
– What is the meaning of this desuno…? What is the reason for such a thing…?
The voice of the muttering Claire is trembling.
– Chris Steinbelt, the current state of the《automatic cleaning robots》is that they’re all working?
The one who asked was Charlotte who as she looked into the video next to Claire.
– I will confirm it immediately.
Chris starts to tap the keyboard of the laptop with his fingers.
– Everything is working. There are no abnormalities.
– If so, this《automatic cleaning robot》may be one that someone brought to school, hmm. When magnifying it, the logo of Warslan Company isn’t there.
Charlotte enlarges the image, touching the monitor.
Likewise, Chris also zooms in the image.
– Certainly, it is as Charlotte-sama says. There is no logo.
– There might be some of those still somewhere else. It’s better to stop the movement of all the 《automatic cleaning robots》and capture the ones that are moving——or it would be better to destroy them. According to Erika’s information, there seems to be a manufactured Variable Stone inside their bodies, so there’s no doubt that someone made them.
– Chris, is it possible to do as Charlotte says?
– Of course. First of all, we stop the movement of the《automatic cleaning robots》inside the ship——then, we notify to all the Slayers who are patrolling about the terrorist attack, the 《automatic cleaning robots》without a logo and their relationship with the artificial Savages that look like a hornet——the hornets.
– … what was that sound?
Fritz and Liddy, who were patrolling the underground of the martial arts school building, were surprised when they heard an explosion all of a sudden.
– That was the sound of an explosion, right?
Fritz responds to Liddy.
– I feel that I heard it coming from the courtyard, but what happened? Are we going to see?
– No, wait a moment. Fritz Grantz, what is that?
– That?
Ahead of the point of view of Liddy, a creature resembling a hornet of 30 centimeters length is flying.
– A bug, maybe…?
Fritz answers.
I have never seen such a big insect in Little Garden.
– Now that we are connected to Sangria Port, maybe it intruded from somewhere?
– Even so, it’s too big. Moreover, the color of the body is exactly like to the Savages.
– It’s somewhat giving me the creeps, so just to be sure, should I bring it down?
Fritz takes out the Hundred and grasped tightly with his right hand.
– HUNDRED ON!
The right arm of Fritz is wrapped in light and a short rifle of gun barrel appears.
Originally, his Long Shooter type Hundred《Impregnable Fortress》Stronghold is an armor for defense, but this time he only created a sniper rifle on purpose.
Judging that there are no attacks of the opponent, he gave priority to mobility.
– ‘kay then, do I aim and shoot at it?
– Wait a moment.
Liddy stopped him by putting a hand in front of Fritz who began to aim with decision, closing one eye and pointing the muzzle to the hornet.
– The walls in this area should have a lot of electric cables lay out and connected to the distributing board over there. If you shoot out the board, then this will be a big deal.
There’s a rectangular box installed on the wall indicated by the finger of Liddy.
That seems to be the switchboard.
– But, there should be a barrier to neutralize energy on the wall, right? It should protect it against light shots, or do you think that I’m going to miss?
– Just because——
And when Liddy tried to stop Fritz again.
The vital ring of Fritz and Latia starts to sound intensely.
It’s an emergency call from the briefing room.
Next, they hear the voice of Chris.
『To all the Slayers who are guarding, this is Chris Steinbelt of the briefing room. This is an emergency call. Please calm down and listen to the contents of the speech after this』
– An emergency call, he said…?
Murmurs Liddy.
Then, Chris began to convey two important matters.
The first is that a ship of unknown affiliation crashed into the deck near the connection between Little Garden and Sangria Port and mysterious Savages without core appeared from inside.
The second is that floating bodies——hornets appear in great numbers inside Little Garden. Of course, he also tells them that their skin is similar to the color of the Savages, that they emit a red light and that they may be mimicking cleaning robots.
– In other words, that is that, huh…
『That is all that I have to report. If you have any information or if you spot any dubious cleaning robot without logo or discover a hornet, please immediately inform to the briefing room』
– Vice president Liddy, can I contact them?
When Fritz asked, Liddy nods.
– This is Fritz Grantz of Little Garden. This is a report to the briefing room. Currently, I am in pursuit of a hornet type with vice president Liddy Steinberg. Our location is the first floor of the basement of martial arts department school building. Depending on what you determine, is it fine to shoot it down?
『Do you hear me, Liddy Steinberg, Fritz Grantz masuka? This is Claire Harvey of the briefing room desuwa. I give permission to fire in my name masu. According to Charlotte’s conjecture, the hornet type may be aiming at the infrastructure of Little Garden arimasu. If it’s the first floor of the basement of the martial arts department, there might be a distribution panel masen. Even if the walls of the school building are destroyed a little to protect the infrastructure, I won’t complain masenwa』
– Fritz, this is bad! Look over there.
It’s Liddy who shouted.
Looking at the place she indicated, the hornet already stuck to the switchboard.
The pattern of the stripes on the round bottom started to turn on red.
– Tsk, if I don’t shoot it, it’ll destroy the switchboard anyway!
Fritz shouts, annoyed.
Then, from afar, *Boom*, an explosion sounded and the ceiling, the wall and the floor shook violently.
They turn their eyes to the hornet again.
The pattern of the body is flashing repeatedly.
Besides, it started to expand like a big balloon.
– Get down! That’s going to explode!
While shouting, Liddy crouches down.
– Damn!
If it has become to this, then it will be the same if he shoots.
Cancelling the armament, Fritz also crouched down.
Along with the explosion, a strong wind hit the two of them.
『Are you okay, Fritz, Liddy!?』
*Cough* *Cough*, standing up while coughing, Fritz verifies the corridor covered with dust.
Although the electricity was gone and it was pitch dark, he found there was a big hole in the place where there was a switchboard moments ago.
The wiring is snapped apart and sparks are scattering.
– I am fine, Claire-sama.
– I’m not hurt either. But the electricity in the corridor has gone out…
『It’s fine, the good thing is that you don’t have injuries desuwa』
– Claire-sama, what should we do from now on——
『We will contact you again as soon as we confirm the whole situation masu. If you two find something again, or if you have noticed anything, please contact us. Of course, safety comes first deswuwayo』
– Oh my, this is really a trouble, don’t you think?
Charlotte declared so in the briefing room.
Staying like that, she continues her words.
– To be precise, I think the terrorists are trying to destroy the infrastructure of Little Garden. The person who understands the design of this place goes beyond limits, and his knowledge surpasses the process technology of the Variable Stones and so forth, although they are criminal acts.
– Then, that means——
The eyes of Claire are casted down with sadness.
– Yeah. It’s as you have thought right now. It’s very likely that the person who plotted this plan——or the mastermind of this terrorism was a former Warslan engineer who was involved in the design of Little Garden.
– That person is no other than Vitaly Tynyanov, correct masuno?
– In other words, the hornets and the one-eyed Savages without core are things she did, imitating the Savages who are the natural enemy of mankind, which can be called duplications?
– Those duplications——known as replicants desuwane.
– Exactly.
Charlotte threw a candy into her mouth again.
– Err, Claire-sama…
One of the girls of the intelligence department calls out to Claire while trembling.
– … what is it mashitano?
The facial expression of Claire became even more grim with the abnormal look of the girl.
The girl swallows saliva and continues her words.
– Well… an alert from the air traffic control of Liberia has arrived, an unidentified aircraft is approaching Little Garden…
– Wha——this time it’s an aircraft desuno!?
– Looks like it will be above us in the skies in less than a minute!
A different student of the intelligence department shouted.
– My my, how many arrows does she want to fire, hmm?
Amazed, Charlotte murmurs.
– Chris, examine at once whether the passenger plane is hijacked or not desu!
– Claire-sama I have already examined it. It is not registered in any traveler company and, it seems the fuselage it’s not registered, even if it is for private use.
– What about the signs of infrared reactions desu?
– There seems to be one heat source. Probably it is the pilot.
– That is to say, there is a possibility that a person is on board desuwa…
Claire hesitates, touching the lips with her hand.
The strength of the glass covering Little Garden is considerable.
Assuming that an aerial bombardment occurred, or if the aircraft crashed with it, it will be able to withstand it.
However, as the supply of electricity is weakening, the strength of the barrier is also weakening.
And the opponent is a terrorist that they don’t know what is going to do.
Moreover, there is a high possibility that it is familiar with Little Garden.
– Can’t we increase the strength of the outer wall barrier masenno?
Claire asks Charlotte.
– That is immediately impossible. It’ll take three minutes including all kinds of things.
Claire decided after listening to the reply of Charlotte.
There’s no time to be losing her way.
Of course, even the time relying on 《LiZA》——
– Chris, we will shoot down the aircraft masuwayo!
Although the person is a menace.
She doesn’t want to kill if possible.
But, in this situation, she can’t say a thing like depending on others*.
– Can you send instructions to a missile installed on the deck through wire masuka?
– Yes, absolutely. That part is not destroyed yet.
– If so——prepare to launch a missile immediately!
Together with the order of Claire, a part of the deck opened on the main monitor of the briefing room and the state that a missile was ready for launch was projected.
– Claire-sama, we are ready.
– Understood mashitawa.
Nodding, Claire touches with her fingers the monitor before her eyes and releases the protection.
And then——
– Firing missile!
– Enemy target confirmed. Firing missile!
It was a soldier in his thirties and that was dispatched from Warslan Company who was working at the briefing room who locked the target and pressed the button.
Of course, he has no hesitation.
He has done training and practice a lot of times.
The missile is fired from the deck.
– Any news desuno?
Claire gazes steadily at the monitor.
The missile headed straight to the aircraft plunging forward to Little Garden and hit it.
– It hit it mashitawa!
Claire shouted spontaneously.
– Par for the course.
A military man raises his thumb to Claire.
Cheers raised from the briefing room.
However, Chris didn’t fail to notice that something was falling before the aircraft that was heading towards the sea got destroyed.
– Claire-sama, this is…
– Wha——
Chris projects that on the main monitor.
Since it’s a video from a distant place, the image quality is coarse and small, but they can see that there is a one-eyed Savage without core with a shining red pattern on its body——they understood it’s a replicant.
Nonetheless, it doesn’t seem to be entirely the same as the others.
Its body is one size larger than normal types. Moreover, it looks that it can fire things like wires from the back.
– What was that just now desuno…!
The tip of the fired wire changed to something like a sucker and adhered to the transparent outer wall of Little Garden.
Winding those wires, the enormous replicant lands like sliding on top of the outer wall glass*.
And then it began to strike with the pincers alternating left and right on the top glass of the weakened barrier.
Each time the barrier of particles scatters spark-like things, it develops a crack on the top glass.
Moreover, hornets are flying around the enemy.
– The durability of the top glass is 95%, 92%——at this rate, it will be destroyed soon!
A young girl of the intelligence department working at the briefing room shouted.
Subsequently, another man of the intelligence department exclaimed.
– Claire-sama! An unidentified ship approached and crashed into the rear part of Little Garden!
– Kuh… from one thing to another…!
– Switching live video to the rear part.
Chris switches the video.
It seems that the ship that has collided with the deck has the same appearance as the one that crashed at the front.
One-eyed Savages without core crawl creepily from inside——identical replicantscome out.
– Attracting Slayers to the frontward and then attacking the rear when they were gathered there, huh…. Although it’s an enemy, it’s a fantastic strategy.
Rebuking, Charlotte chew and crushed the candy inside her mouth.
– What do we do, Claire-sama?
It was Chris who asked.
– … kh, announce the emergency call to all the students of the martial arts department as well as the members of Selections who are on their breaks. Disperse them and make them exterminate the replicants masu. After that, prepare a civilian evacuation plan with《LÍZA》 and start the guidance of the evacuation. We will absolutely have no victims coming out from this masenwayo!
Claire bites her thumbnail and,
(Where is Onii-sama at a time lke this masuno?)
She muttered so in her mind.
Just a few minutes before the first explosion occurred, the song of Karen ends while the music fades out and the stadium, which is the live concert venue, was wrapped up in excited cheering and applause.
Of course, they are all directed to Kisaragi Karen, a girl standing at the center of the stage.
– She’s amazing….
Hayato murmured unconsciously, looking at Karen who’s waving her hand over and over again, while bowing her head and taking a look around the venue.
Emile aligns with him.
– Yup, she’s truly amazing. Karen-chan sure is cool.
Then, her voice reverberated through the speakers to the stadium. It’s Sakura who’s watching attentively the state of Karen-chan at the wing of the stage.
She approached Karen who couldn’t hide her excitement at the center of the stage and touching her shoulder from the back like showing appreciation for her efforts, she asked the audience seating.
– Everyone, how was the song of Karen?
Loud shouts rise again and voices such as 「Good」,「Cute」among others were released one after another from the audience seating.
Hearing those, Karen was letting tears to well up in her eyes.
– Well, to tell you the truth, it is me who created the song. What do you think? It’s amazing, right?
When Sakura said so, the stadium was packed with laughter.
The great thing that Kirishima Sakura has is that everyone knew that she seemed to want to say so mixed with snicker.
It’s identical to the reaction that Hayato had when he was told the same thing before.
– The next song was also created by me, however, it’s my first duet song. Karen-chan and I are singing it together!
Sakura adds 「By the way」while the excited cheering that spilled expectations are resounding.
– After this live concert is over, the songs will be on sale on the cybernet, so please buy them all! And for the people watching the broadcasting, I’m sure there’s going to be a button after the end of the broadcast, so thank you for your patronage!
Naturally, the venue was packed with laughter.
Although it’s mixed with snicker like a while ago, there are still voices that say 「Of course」, 「We’ll buy, we’ll buy!」and so on.
It’s probably because of the natural virtue and popularity of Sakura.
– Well then, shall we sing at once? Are you ready, Karen-chan?
– Y-yes!
– ‘kay, together with us——
Sakura and Karen joined their backs and raised the microphones towards the sky.
It seems they intend to change their costumes at the same time.
– HUNDRED ON——
– HUNDRED ON——
Matching their breathing, they were just about to raise their voices.
*Boom*, *Boom*, two sounds of distant explosions are heard, and the entire stadium trembles violently as if an earthquake had occurred. Together with that, the illumination of the stage flickers repeatedly and then they went out, making a loud noise.
– ——kyaah!?
Screaming, it was Karen who fell down.
– Are you alright, Karen-chan?
Sakura rushed to Karen in a hurry and said to hair, squatting.
And then again, an explosion reverberated.
– What on earth is this…
Chaos is inside the venue.
Naturally, Sakura was showing confusion.
That goes for Hayato too who’s in the audience seating.
– … kh, Karen…! What is this situation…!?
– Perhaps a Savage appeared or something like that——
Emile mutters with a grim expression.
And then, an emergency call resounded from the PDA of Hayato and Emile.
What they heard next is the voice of Chris.
『This is a notification to Selection members. Because there is a possibility of chaos of residents and visitors, it will help us if you listen to this in a place that won’t leak to others except Slayers as much as possible. I will wait 30 seconds, so please move』
– Let’s go, Hayato.
Emile instantly stands up from the chair.
– Y-yeah…
Although he answered so, Hayato seems to be worried about the two people in the stage, but still, he stands up and immediately starts moving to a passage with few pedestrians together with Emile.
30 seconds passed in the blink of an eye.
When they came out to the aisle from the audience seating, the voice of Chris is heard again.
『Well then, I will start with the notification. Little Garden is currently under attack by someone. The Student Council concluded that this is a terrorist attack. Members of Selections, deploy your armaments in a safe place and standby. We will be continuously sending instructions to each one of you in turns』
– That “someone” means that aren’t Savages?
Hayato says his doubt.
– Perhaps is that woman, Vitaly, who was mentioned before…
– …!
Hayato started running all of a sudden.
He’s heading towards the direction of the dressing room.
– Wait, Hayato!
Grabbing the arm of Hayato, Emile continued.
– Where on earth are you planning to go?
– To where Karen is. If something happened there, Karen…
– Sakura is on the stage. She’ll protect Karen-chan. Because she has that ability.
– But, the ability of Sakura doesn’t specialize in battle…
– If the artificial Variants like the trio we fought before were to attack, even Hayato knows that it’ll become difficult if we don’t stop them, right? Unless we take out the cause, the danger will just continue!
– That’s…. well, you are right…. Sorry, I lost my composure. Certainly, it’s as you say.
– Then, let’s go outside. As the prez told us, we’ll deploy our Hundred and standby.
On the stage, Sakura was aware that Hayato and Emile left from the venue.
– Souffle, what on earth happened?
Sakura uses the wireless ring and asks Souffle with a small voice.
『… I don’t know the details. However, the briefing room reported that the explosions just now were caused by acts of terrorism. Also, this is a safe place, so don’t move——』
– Terrorist? No way…
Inside the head of Sakura, the thing that was coming to her mind is the figure of Vitaly Tynyanov who made her an artificial Variant, that’s what Souffle understands.
Even she thinks that such possibility is high.
『Calm down, Sakura. Because you are the only one who can calm this place』
– … I know. Hayato and the others are managing somehow or other outside. That’s why I’m going to do properly what must be done here.
Saying so to herself, Sakura stops the communication with Souffle, turns on the microphone and shouted.
– Everyone, calm down!
Exactly when Hayato and Emile came out from the stadium, the emergency call resounded from the two wireless rings.
It’s from the Student Council.
『Kisaragi Hayato, Emille Crossford, do you hear me!? This is Claire Harvey of the briefing room desuwa』
It’s the voice of the president.
– We hear you, president.
Replying immediately, Hayato shows his suspicions.
– This, as expected, is because of Vitaly Tynyanov, no?
『We assume that such possibility is high masu』
– What’s the current situation?
Next, it’s Emile who presented a question.
『At the front and rear of Little Garden, battles with the Savages named replicantsare taking place masu. Your childhood friend, Claudia Lowetti, is also battling desuwa』
– Wait a moment. The other party is Vitaly in one way or another, right? Why is that there are Savages called repuri-whatever?
『This is merely my guess, but it’s very probable that Vitaly not only researched artificial Variants, but even artificial Savages and put them into practical use. Moreover, the huge ones have a size that doesn’t differ from normal Savages and there are also small ones that resemble hornets』
It’s Charlotte who answered.
Subsequently, Hayato presents a question.
– In other words, it means that those called replicants are artificial Savages? How’s that possible….
『… it’s not impossible, you know. Even the robots cleaning the corridors inside the school building of Little Garden are powered by Variable Stones. However, it should be very difficult to control them to that extent. It’s impossible for me』
– But, you said that Vitaly made them, correct?
『We don’t know to what extent she can control them. It may become quite challenging to control like a Tamer type Hundred』
– In other words, we are supposed to destroy those replicants, yes?
『Correct. We want you to destroy a massive replicant that is on top of the top glass of Little Garden desu. We are sending images from the surveillance cameras now desu. Can you confirm them with the PDA masuka?』
– Yes.
Hayato takes out the PDA from his pocket and replied to the instructions sent by the president again and confirms the data that arrived.
– This is…
There was a figure of a huge replicant of about 8 meters long that was on top of the top glass of Little Garden and was striking it with its pincers.
Cracks were developing in the top glass and he sees that small fragments are falling to the interior of Little Garden.
– No need to guess that it’s a pretty bad situation…
– Also, Hayato, look carefully. This Savage has no core and has no more than one eye…
– Ah…
Looking as he was told, that certainly it’s the case.
The pattern of its body isn’t yellow but red.
Compared to the other replicants, this looks exceptionally large.
– Hey, Charo. How should we defeat this guy?
『I don’t know. Therefore, the only thing we can do now is to stop it. But, since its steel shell seems to be similar to the Savages’, if you hold a strong energy, you’ll be able to penetrate the steel shell and destroy it, I guess. It should be hiding an improved Savage’s core or a Variable Stone inside its body』
『In that case, I shall go. Kisaragi Hayato, Emile Crossford, you guys will act with me, I will immediately leave from——』
『That is impossible, Claire-sama』
The voice of Chris stopped the words of Claire.
『Claire-sama, please continue the instructions from here』
『Chris, what are you saying masuno? All of this is our fault——no, this is my fault because I made the security plan assuming attacks done by Slayers only desu. If I take responsibility by going to the battlefield——』
『For that reason, Claire-sama should take command here. As our Student Council President and as the Captain of Little Garden, only Claire-sama is allowed to have all the authority』
– In that case, now that authority will be yo——
『I don’t have the capacity. Erika-san thinks so too. Claire-sama is the only person who can relieve with words the anxiety of the residents and encourage the Slayers of Little Garden. So please, Claire-sama, do your work as the commander』
『It’s as Chris says, Claire.《LiZA》also supports the words of Chris…「EXACTLY」she says』
『Wha——』
It seems that Claire was at a loss for words because she checked the message log from《LiZA》who is Liza Harvey, her little sister.
As Charlotte says, Hayato understood what was written as「EXACTLY」and let out some words.
– President, please leave the guy on the top glass to us.
『But——』
– The president said it at that time, right? Don’t try to carry everything by yourself, trust us more. So, we’ll definitely stop that replicant. Isn’t that right, Emile?
– Yeah, that’s right, but…
– Hmm, did something happen?
He saw Emile pouting her lips and showing a discontented expression on her face.
– I was thinking, what do you mean with ”at that time”?
– Ah…
– What’s that reaction? Are you hiding something from me?
– No, it’s nothing like that…. There was a moment when I was alone with the president during the previous operation. At that time, we were having a talk——
『Ki-Kisaragi Hayato…! This is not the case to be talking about something like that masenwayo!』
Clearing her throat with an *Ahem*, Claire continued.
『Umm… That’s right desuwane. Understood. We will entrust that matter to you. However, there are conditions——』
During those emptied seconds.
Hayato gulped.
『You will absolutely not die. And, nobody will die, including residents, visitors and Slayers of Little Garden——that’s all desuwa』
– Understood.
– Of course.
Hayato and Emile reply together.
『Good reply desuwa』
A satisfied voice came back.
Next, Hayato said.
– Solving this quickly, will let the founding festival continue. I haven’t heard the songs of Karen and Sakura yet.
Maybe that’s not something that should be said in this situation.
But, those were the true feelings of Hayato.
『You are right desuwane』
Listening the voice that slipped out a giggle, Hayato felt relieved.
For a moment, the tension relaxed.
However, it tightens with the voice of Chris that was heard next.
『Claire-sama, the durability of the top glass has decreased to 40%. A part of it’s damaged! Fragments are falling to the ground!』
『What did you say!?』
– Hayato, let’s deploy our Hundred quickly!
– Yeah, got it.
They must exterminate the replicant before it invades Little Garden by destroying completely the top glass.
Hayato and Emile takes out the Variable Stone and shouted all together.
「「HUNDRED ON」」
– Thank you for waiting, Claire-sama.
While being out of breath, Erika rushed in the briefing room.
– Chris, do you have any new information?
– Currently, at the front deck, the Slayers of the Army of Gudenburg and the Slayers of Warslan are fighting the replicant type Savages. As Charlotte-sama was saying, if it’s a weapon with strong energy, they can destroy their arms and body, and if they destroy the Variable Stone hidden inside the body, it’s probable that their activities will cease.
– And at the back of the deck?
– We dispatched 3 talented Slayers of Little Garden over there, their names are Latia Saint-Émillion, Fritz Grantz and Liddy Steinberg. It’s based on the selection of《LizA》. Other Slayers are guiding residents and visitors to evacuate to safe underground shelters.
– What left is the most problematic thing, the replicant on the top glass, huh…
– Kisaragi Hayato and Emile Crossford are heading there masuwa. So please be relieved.
– Is that so…
If it’s those two, then they will do it somehow or other.
When Erika was convinced about it, Chris cut into the conversation from the side.
– Err, Claire-sama…
– What is it desuno?
– It’s about the top glass, but there are traces that someone has appeared from inside the gigantic replicant and trespassed inside Little Garden right after it was destroyed.
– … there is no doubt about it desuno?
– I will play a video now.
Claire and all the present of the briefing room were focused on the monitor.
Although the camera is from a distant place and the image quality is bad, they see that it’s as Chris says.
– It looks she has become quite a strong woman, huh.
Suddenly surprised by the voice emitted from the back, Claire turns around.
– Onii-sama!?
The ones standing there were Judal, her older brother and Neveah Grauss, a bobcat female Slayer and also his bodyguard.
– What do you mean with strong, Onii-sama?
– I guess, she’s Vitaly, right?
– Eh…?
Claire zooms in the video before her eyes.
Brown skin, long hair.
And a white robe that lies over her.
– Certainly, it feels like she’s Vitaly, but…
The woman in the video overlaps with the appearance of Vitaly in the memory of Claire.
She’s tall and has a good figure.
However, the woman in the video gives the feeling of being approximately a size bigger.
(Does that really mean that she became strong desuno?)
In other words, she has been training her body.
– But, she’s not a Slayer masenwayone——don’t tell me that she turned into an artificial Variant?
She thought so, as this is a reason other than training her body.
Even though the interior of Little Garden is filled with soil, there are places where hills were made, but the distance from the top glass to the ground should be 80 meters.
Even if it’s the roof of the school building, the distance is 40 meters.
It won’t be possible for her to land without sense energy.
– No, that’s not it. Although the video is from a further distance, I can see that she’s using a parachute in the middle of it.
– If so, then she’s just a human? But, why is she alone…?
Claire puts her hand on her mouth, pondering.
– Chris, aside from Vitaly, is there any trace that a human-like existence trespassed from the top glass?
– Negative. Besides, it seems that a lot of hornets have invaded and have been found inside Little Garden.
Chris replies.
Hearing the door opening there, Claire turned her eyes.
What met her eyes was the figure of Judal who is about to leave the room alone.
– Onii-sama? Where are you going?
– I’m just going out because there is a little something that I have to take care of.
– Are you going alone masuno? Vitaly is coming too masunoyo. The risk is…
– There’s no problem at all. Even I’m carrying a gun.
Judal shows a gun that he took out from his chest to Claire.
– However…
– It’s fine to let him do as he likes.
The one who said so is Charlotte.
– Saying that he’s going alone, then that has a meaning in its own way, right?
– No way, Onii-sama…
He intends to go to Liza——
Thinking so, there’s no place where she can put it into words.
The one who knows about the existence of the little sister in this place, excluding Judal and Claire, is Charlotte.
– Claire, please believe in me.
Smiling eerily, Judal left behind the briefing room.
– *Sniff*, why am I not guarding the same place as Emilia-sama…? Furthermore, unlike the Slayers of Little Garden, we don’t have free time…
On the deck covering three quarters of the outer circumference of Little Garden, the girl belonging to the army of Gudenburg, Claudia Lowetti, complained.
She’s on the side of the connection of the military district side.
As it can be understood from the fact that she’s wearing her Variable Suit, she’s, of course, in this place to protect it.
However, her attitude became warped like a child.
Crouching down at a corner of the deck, she’s timidly pressing her fingers on the deck.
It was a young boy who wore a Variable Suit of the same design as Claudia who raised his voice on her back.
He’s Roy Kiring.
– But Claudia-sama, once this festival is over, won’t Emilia-sama come back to Gudenburg with Kisaragi Hayato?
– That’s not decided yet, and it depends on the answer of Emilia-sama.
– But, considering the condition of King-sama, shouldn’t she return to the country at once?
– I think the same too. That’s why I accepted Kilfelthar’s proposal to be with Kisaragi Hayato.
Saying so, and when Claudia stood up, something was visible to her.
– What’s that?
While staring at the sea, Claudia muttered.
She spotted ahead of her line of sight a black mass approaching Little Garden at a considerable speed.
Roy also turns his line of sight to it.
– Is that an unloading boat?
Saying that, Roy inclines his head to the side.
– I haven’t heard that such a thing would come closer or anything like that. Besides, it’s not going to stop at that speed, isn’t it…?
At the same time Claudia felt danger, *Beep* *Beep*, the two wireless rings began to sound.
It’s an《emergency call》from the briefing room.
Next, the voice of a boy was heard.
『This is Chris Steinbelt, member of the Student Council of Little Garden. We have confirmed an unidentified ship with the radar. It’s approximately 200 meters away from Little Garden at the moment. Can you confirm it with the naked eye?』
– This is Claudia Lowetti of the Army of Gudenburg. That ship is going to collide already! So, we will es——
It was already late when Claudia tried to escape.
– Uwaah!?
The unloading ship collides with Little Garden while violently raising splashes of water and runs up onto the deck.
– Are you alright, Claudia-sama?
Roy, who escaped earlier, comes to the side of Claudia who fell on the flooded deck.
– As you can see, I don’t have injuries, so… Roy, run away!
Claudia, despite doubting her eyes, raised her voice.
Coming down to the ground from the stranded unloading ship that has its bow opened, the Savages appeared on the deck in a forward-bent posture——the so-called defense posture.
Looking back, Roy also notices them.
– Uwaaa, what’s the meaning of, this…? Why are, the Savages…?
Those are smaller than normal types.
However, their number is over ten and give a somewhat uncomfortable feeling.
(What the hell are these Savages?)
For that motive, Claudia soon noticed.
The head of all the Savages has no core.
Besides, the color of the pattern of the body is different too.
It’s not a yellow fluorescent color, but an orange almost red one.
Moreover, they don’t have two eyes but only one in the center, and there is no tactile where it should be.
– Briefing room, do you see this? What the hell are these Savages?
While confused, Claudia got up and took out the Hundred.
– It’s the first time that we’ll have to deal with Savages without core, jeez…. Let’s, go, Roy. ——HUNDRED ON!
– One-eyed Savages without cores you say…? Chris, project on the main monitor the footage of the camera in the vicinity immediately!
Claire, who was listening to the communication from Claudia in the briefing room, ordered Chris.
– Roger.
Chris nods and starts operating the keyboard.
It was Charlotte that was licking a candy on a tick there.
– It looks that it has become a serious thing, huh.
– Charlotte!
Claire raises a bright voice.
If she comes, she thinks that technical questions can be solved quickly.
– I’ve grasped the situation. There’s no need to explain it.
Saying, Charlotte stood next to Claire.
– We were able to prepare a video of the core-less Savages. I’ll project the live video on the monitor.
Then, the state of the deck is projected on the monitor set on the back wall.
Looking at it, Claire muttered.
– … certainly, no core is found in the Savages and they have only one eye desuwane. And the pattern of the body isn’t yellow, it shines red masuwa.
– This may be the same as the discovery report at Mt. Kongur.
Charlotte muttered.
– What discovery report desuno?
– There are two girls who were attacked and received fatal injuries during the search in 《The Second Operation of Bird in the Basket》. Only that, it’s presumed that they had some kind of memory loss, but that doesn’t mean that it’s true.
– But, why from an unloading ship….?
– Although these are no more than conjectures, there are three possibilities.
Taking out the candy from the mouth and swinging it like a pointer when doing a teaching, Charlotte continues.
– The first one is that someone caught them. The second one is that they are terminals of Tamer type Hundreds. And the last one is that those are machines manufactured by a person.
– What are you saying is that you don’t know which one it is desuwane?
– Exactly. Well, I think that the possibility of the last one is high.
– Is there a way to destroy them masuno?
– As you can see, it seems they stop attacks with normal weapons up to certain degree. Therefore, we should assume that the steel shell is equivalent to the steel shell of the Savages. In that case, there’s a possibility that they can be destroyed with the attack of the Hundreds accompanied by powerful energy. If you don’t try it, we’ll never know.
– In short, you are saying that the Slayers must do something desuwane. We can’t let them invade into Little Garden no matter what masenwa.
Of course, that goes to Sangria side as well.
– This is not the case to say something like capturing them. We are going to exterminate the ones who are at the whole deck masuwa. The connection between Little Garden side and Sangria side will be temporarily restricted. Both entrances will be blocked. Chris, how many Slayers are on the deck now?
– There are 15 Slayers between the ones of Liberia, Little Garden and Gudenburg.
– Gather everyone forward and inform them to engage the mentioned Savages. Until they get to the current state, let keep them at bay with conventional weapons. Just to be sure, also call other Slayers——
– Err, Claire-sama…
– … what is it, Chris mashitano?
The expression of Claire who turned her eyes towards Chris who raised his voice became grim.
His hands, that were tapping the keyboard stopped, his body was trembling.
– There is an information that suspicious floating things that resembled hornets began to appear one after another in Little Garden.
– What did you say!?
At that time, at a corner of the exhibition space set in the courtyard of the school building of Little Garden, his terminal, that looked like a dog made by his Hundred——named Silver Blitz, was being used to do acrobatics.
– What do you think, amazing, right!?
Every time Silver Blitz pulls a skill, like jumping and catching a ball or passing through a circle, cheers and applause come from children and their parents that gather around them.
Latia, who was watching the situation at a distance while patrolling, was impressed with the popularity of Silver Blitz.
– As one would expect, don’t you think? It’s quite exciting.
– The Tamer type Hundred is unusual, isn’t it? The popularity with the children is convincing too.
The one who said so is Erika, one of the Student Council Vice Presidents who was patrolling with Latia.
– What do we do? It looks we entered break now, should we go and greet him?
– Oh yeah, let’s do that.
Latia and Erika approach Alphonse who lowers his head while receiving applause.
– You have become a great success, Alphonse Brewstadt. It looks like you have a considerable manipulation ability of the Hundred.
– Ah, Vice President and Latia. Both of you were also watching the performance of Silver.
– It was very popular with the children, huh.
– We practiced a lot, so we are truly please〜d!
Alphonse looks very happy.
– I am not well informed with the Tamer type Hundred, but the instructions you give, like how to move in detail, are like the Dragnar type terminal?
– Nope, it’s not different from a real dog. First, you do it like this, then umm, insisting on it, you train it to move like that.
To the doubt of Erika, Alphonse answers.
– In short, you can say that it’s an automatic control?
– I couldn’t control it properly at the beginning, I failed a lot. But, problematic behaviors haven’t occurred anymore.
– If so, it may be time to move onto the next phase.
– … next phase?
Alphonse cocks his head in puzzlement towards the words of Erika.
– What I mean is to create a type of terminal that seems to be more useful for battle.
– In other words, you mean making a fierce animal?
It was Latia who butted into the conversation.
– Well, something like that.
Erika nods.
However, the Alphonse in question doesn’t look convinced.
– Hmm, I prefer the way Silver Blitz is, like this. It’s cute.
– Certainly it’s cute, but——
When Erika turns her line of sight, Silbli aka Silver Blitz was swinging its tail intensively.
When Latia pats its head, it barks happily with a 「Bark♪」.
– With this, it won’t stand up as a fighting role…
– Not that I’m worried about it now… ah, I have an hour recess until the next performance, so I was thinking of having a meal in the meantime. Instead of talking while standing, why don’t we eat?
– Eat you say? It’s already 15:30. Didn’t you eat lunch?
– That’s not it, it’s time for the 3’clock meal——.
– If you say that that’s the between-meal snack then…
Amazed, Erika has a cramp in her cheeks.
– It’s because they looked alike, you know. Oh, there’s a takoyaki stall over there, they look deliciou〜s. Since I’ll buy for a moment, please take the unoccupied seats over there!
– Wait a moment, Alphonse Brewstadt!
Alphonse runs towards the stall.
Looking at the tables set up in the courtyard, most of them are already occupied with many visitors.
If they don’t do something, it’s probable that all of them will be crowded soon.
– Good grief, it can’t be helped. We’ve been patrolling for almost two hours and we are going to take our rest soon, so…
– If that’s the case, then I’ll buy something to drink. Is the vice president going to drink something? I’ll buy it.
– There’s no need. I will go buy it myself later.
– Okay. Then, I’ll just buy for myself!
Just like with Alphonse earlier, Erika sat down on an vacant chair while sighing dear me!, looking at Latia who cheerfully started running towards the stalls.
After a while, Alphonse returned, he carried a number of packages.
– Vice preside〜nt, thank you for taking the sea〜ts!
– You bought a lot, didn’t you…?
Erika blinked the eyes beyond the glasses in surprise, looking the big sized drink, the yakisoba pack, the okonomiyaki pack and 3 packs of 12 pieces of takoyaki arranged in a line on the table*.
– Well, I get tired when I move. Anyway, that’s how I have this body—.
– if that’s the case, how about dieting a little? Although you have a Tamer type Hundred, your body is inadequate as a Slayer.
– I want to do so, bu〜t. The delicious things are so delicious that food is like life for me〜.
*Munch*, Alphonse carries to his mouth the takoyaki with a toothpick.
In an instant, he emptied a box.
– … when looking at you with that appetite, it seems like you would be better handling a knife and a fork type of Hundred rather than a Tamer one…
– Animals, I like animals. I also like to eat, bu〜t.
Erika was amazed looking at the appearance of Alphonse who washed down the yakisoba into his stomach as she stood up, saying「I will buy a drink」.
Latia comes back, changing places with Erika.
– Wow, there’s a lot of food. Can I have one takoyaki, please?
– There are toothpicks, so go ahead.
– Wow, it’s hot! But it’s tasty. Can I have another one?
– Yeah, don’t worry〜. Eat all what you wa〜nt.
Erika came back when Latia was pinching a takoyaki.
– You are also eating with him, good grief.
– Ah, vice president, please join u〜s.
– This is delichious. If I remember correctly, this is food originated in Yamato, right?
When she was looking at the katsuobushi dancing on top of the takoyaki and Latia eating that deliciousness, her stomach began to sound*.
– Well then, thanks for the food.
Latia and Erika eat takoyaki while drinking orange juice and black tea that they bought respectively while Alphonse was starting to put his hands on the okonomiyaki.
– … hmm, it began to get somewhat noisy.
Latia turns her eyes to the monitor installed in the courtyard as everyone are paying attention to it.
It was the image of the special stage of the stadium that is projected there.
– Oh, isn’t that Kirishima Sakura?
– Now that you mention it, the live concert starts right now.
Erika also turns her line of sight to the monitor.
– The little sister of Hayato also appears, I wanted to go and see them if wasn’t because of this security job.
Most of the people in the courtyard are paying attention to the monitor and listening carefully to the song of Sakura.
Alphonse, who continued eating as usual finished eating okonomiyaki then raised his face and noticed the presence of something.
– Hmm? What’s, that…?
Something like a hornet of approximately 30 centimeters is floating in the courtyard.
Its black skin looks quite hard.
The pattern of the body is the same fluorescent color as the Savages and it’s clad in a considerable ominous aura.
– Hey, Latia. Do you know what’s that?
– What are you saying? I’m watching the live concert of Kirishima Sakura.
Latia looks ahead of the line of sight of Alphonse in a state that was saying do not disturb.
But, when she saw it, she doubted her eyes.
– What’s that? Vice president, take a look.
– Eh…?
Erika also turned her eyes to the floating body that was like a hornet and showed a surprised look.
– Maybe that thing is like my Silver Blitz?
It’s Alphonse who said so.
Could it be that there’s a Tamer type Slayer like him in the vicinity?
– Certainly, it looks like that, but…
Latia showed a positive reply and turned her gaze to Silver Blitz who’s sitting at the feet of Alphonse.
Nonetheless, Silver Blitz is silver and the color of the floating body is a dull light brown, close to the Savages.
Its pattern and fluorescent color are eerie too.
It looks like the other residents, students and visitors began to notice the existence of the floating body with a strange shape.
Huh? What’s that?, a commotion started.
As things are, disturbance and chaos will spread if they leave this unattended.
Erika gets up from the chair and shouted, turning her line of sight to the floating body.
– I am Erika Candle, vice president of the Student Council of Little Garden! Who is the person that is operating that?
However, there’s no reply.
– If we don’t find the person who is operating it, there is a possibility of running wild and we will have to capture it. Are you okay with that?
Even when she asks again, there’s no answer.
– If so, let’s capture it.
– In that case, I’ll try it.
Alphonse stood up from the chair and gave an order to Silver Blitz with his terminal, pointing his objective with the five fingers of his spread hand.
– Go, Silver Blitz! Catch that thing!
– Bark!
Raising a high-spirited cry, Silver Blitz throws itself upon the hornet.
The handling of Alphonse is perfect, as expected of being able to train its acrobatics.
Sliver Blitz jumped high using its two back legs as springs and captured tightly with its two front legs the hornet-like body.
– Attaboy, Silver Blitz! Well done!
Alphonse rushes over to his terminal.
And when the distance was less than three meters.
– Uwaah!?
*Boom*, an explosion occurred with Silver Blitz who captured the floating body at its center, rising a fierce sound out of nowhere.
– Alphonse, are you okay!?
Latia and Erika rush to the position of Alphonse together.
Due to the soaring blast, they can’t see the figure of Alphonse, nor they can confirm the figure of Silver Blitz with is the terminal.
However, from inside that, they hear *cough* *cough*, his coughing sounds, and both of them felt relieved.
– I, I managed to survive, somehow…. But, Silver Blitz is…
The cloud of smoke clears up.
Beyond the line of sight of Alphonse who fell on his backside is an all-purpose Hundred in the form of a regular octahedron rolling on the ground.
Silver Blitz received damage due to the power of the explosion just now and couldn’t retain its shape.
The previously-mentioned floating body looks like it ended up becoming in pieces as it is possible to see the fragments that composed its body on the ground.
– There is no need to lament. Well done, Alphonse Brewstadt. If that exploded in the vicinity or within that crowd of people, it would have become something very terrible.
Erika’s line of sight is pointing at something similar to a square box set on a nearby wall.
– … what kind of box is that?
Alphonse cocks his head in puzzlement, looking at the box.
– It’s a switchboard. If that exploded over there, all of the electricity in this area would have fallen, which may have been a serious thing.
Erika replied.
It’s Latia who’s displaying confusion next to her.
– Other than that, what was that strange thing? Why did it explode so suddenly?
– I don’t know that. But…
Realizing that there’s a fragment of a red shining ore among the fragments of the floating body, Erika picked it up.
– I knew it, this is definitely a Variable Stone, isn’t it?
Closing her eyes partly, Erika continued her words.
– To be here in a processed form, it means that the possibility of someone who built this object is high.
– Does that mean that this is a robot, perhaps?
– That seems to be the case.
Erika replies towards Alphonse who displayed his doubt and continued her words.
– Someone created it and sent it to Little Garden——in other words, there is a possibility of this being an incident or terrorism. Let’s contact the briefing room at once.
Erika said so and tries to get in touch using the wireless ring of her arm when a sound of an explosion echoed far away.
With a delay of a second, screams also arrive.
– No way, that thing appeared in other places too!?
Latia shouted.
Erika, though impatient, keeps contacting the briefing room.
– Chris, can you hear me!? This has become a serious thing!
– Erika-san, can you hear me? This is Chris Steinbelt of the briefing room. Did something happen?
『As a matter of fact, a floating body that had an appearance similar to a hornet exploded——』
– We are getting reports aside from that one now, so we are putting together that information. Several other strange events are still occurring, so can Erika-san come here as well?
『Understood, I will head there immediately. I will send information from here as well, so I would appreciate if you could send it to me at any time』
– Roger.
Erika rushes to the briefing room while she understood that she’s able to grasp the information with the monitor installed in the lens of her glasses and Chris starts to summarize the information sent from the students.
Among those, there was some worrisome information.
– Claire-sama, please look at this.
– What is it desuno, Chris? Now I am monitoring the battle situation——wha…
Claire who opened the video data transferred from Chris doubted her eyes.
It was because in that video, one of the《automatic cleaning robots》that are in the school building of Little Garden took a moment to transform into a floating shape similar to a hornet and has the same pattern and color as the Savages.
– What is the meaning of this desuno…? What is the reason for such a thing…?
The voice of the muttering Claire is trembling.
– Chris Steinbelt, the current state of the《automatic cleaning robots》is that they’re all working?
The one who asked was Charlotte who as she looked into the video next to Claire.
– I will confirm it immediately.
Chris starts to tap the keyboard of the laptop with his fingers.
– Everything is working. There are no abnormalities.
– If so, this《automatic cleaning robot》may be one that someone brought to school, hmm. When magnifying it, the logo of Warslan Company isn’t there.
Charlotte enlarges the image, touching the monitor.
Likewise, Chris also zooms in the image.
– Certainly, it is as Charlotte-sama says. There is no logo.
– There might be some of those still somewhere else. It’s better to stop the movement of all the 《automatic cleaning robots》and capture the ones that are moving——or it would be better to destroy them. According to Erika’s information, there seems to be a manufactured Variable Stone inside their bodies, so there’s no doubt that someone made them.
– Chris, is it possible to do as Charlotte says?
– Of course. First of all, we stop the movement of the《automatic cleaning robots》inside the ship——then, we notify to all the Slayers who are patrolling about the terrorist attack, the 《automatic cleaning robots》without a logo and their relationship with the artificial Savages that look like a hornet——the hornets.
– … what was that sound?
Fritz and Liddy, who were patrolling the underground of the martial arts school building, were surprised when they heard an explosion all of a sudden.
– That was the sound of an explosion, right?
Fritz responds to Liddy.
– I feel that I heard it coming from the courtyard, but what happened? Are we going to see?
– No, wait a moment. Fritz Grantz, what is that?
– That?
Ahead of the point of view of Liddy, a creature resembling a hornet of 30 centimeters length is flying.
– A bug, maybe…?
Fritz answers.
I have never seen such a big insect in Little Garden.
– Now that we are connected to Sangria Port, maybe it intruded from somewhere?
– Even so, it’s too big. Moreover, the color of the body is exactly like to the Savages.
– It’s somewhat giving me the creeps, so just to be sure, should I bring it down?
Fritz takes out the Hundred and grasped tightly with his right hand.
– HUNDRED ON!
The right arm of Fritz is wrapped in light and a short rifle of gun barrel appears.
Originally, his Long Shooter type Hundred《Impregnable Fortress》Stronghold is an armor for defense, but this time he only created a sniper rifle on purpose.
Judging that there are no attacks of the opponent, he gave priority to mobility.
– ‘kay then, do I aim and shoot at it?
– Wait a moment.
Liddy stopped him by putting a hand in front of Fritz who began to aim with decision, closing one eye and pointing the muzzle to the hornet.
– The walls in this area should have a lot of electric cables lay out and connected to the distributing board over there. If you shoot out the board, then this will be a big deal.
There’s a rectangular box installed on the wall indicated by the finger of Liddy.
That seems to be the switchboard.
– But, there should be a barrier to neutralize energy on the wall, right? It should protect it against light shots, or do you think that I’m going to miss?
– Just because——
And when Liddy tried to stop Fritz again.
The vital ring of Fritz and Latia starts to sound intensely.
It’s an emergency call from the briefing room.
Next, they hear the voice of Chris.
『To all the Slayers who are guarding, this is Chris Steinbelt of the briefing room. This is an emergency call. Please calm down and listen to the contents of the speech after this』
– An emergency call, he said…?
Murmurs Liddy.
Then, Chris began to convey two important matters.
The first is that a ship of unknown affiliation crashed into the deck near the connection between Little Garden and Sangria Port and mysterious Savages without core appeared from inside.
The second is that floating bodies——hornets appear in great numbers inside Little Garden. Of course, he also tells them that their skin is similar to the color of the Savages, that they emit a red light and that they may be mimicking cleaning robots.
– In other words, that is that, huh…
『That is all that I have to report. If you have any information or if you spot any dubious cleaning robot without logo or discover a hornet, please immediately inform to the briefing room』
– Vice president Liddy, can I contact them?
When Fritz asked, Liddy nods.
– This is Fritz Grantz of Little Garden. This is a report to the briefing room. Currently, I am in pursuit of a hornet type with vice president Liddy Steinberg. Our location is the first floor of the basement of martial arts department school building. Depending on what you determine, is it fine to shoot it down?
『Do you hear me, Liddy Steinberg, Fritz Grantz masuka? This is Claire Harvey of the briefing room desuwa. I give permission to fire in my name masu. According to Charlotte’s conjecture, the hornet type may be aiming at the infrastructure of Little Garden arimasu. If it’s the first floor of the basement of the martial arts department, there might be a distribution panel masen. Even if the walls of the school building are destroyed a little to protect the infrastructure, I won’t complain masenwa』
– Fritz, this is bad! Look over there.
It’s Liddy who shouted.
Looking at the place she indicated, the hornet already stuck to the switchboard.
The pattern of the stripes on the round bottom started to turn on red.
– Tsk, if I don’t shoot it, it’ll destroy the switchboard anyway!
Fritz shouts, annoyed.
Then, from afar, *Boom*, an explosion sounded and the ceiling, the wall and the floor shook violently.
They turn their eyes to the hornet again.
The pattern of the body is flashing repeatedly.
Besides, it started to expand like a big balloon.
– Get down! That’s going to explode!
While shouting, Liddy crouches down.
– Damn!
If it has become to this, then it will be the same if he shoots.
Cancelling the armament, Fritz also crouched down.
Along with the explosion, a strong wind hit the two of them.
『Are you okay, Fritz, Liddy!?』
*Cough* *Cough*, standing up while coughing, Fritz verifies the corridor covered with dust.
Although the electricity was gone and it was pitch dark, he found there was a big hole in the place where there was a switchboard moments ago.
The wiring is snapped apart and sparks are scattering.
– I am fine, Claire-sama.
– I’m not hurt either. But the electricity in the corridor has gone out…
『It’s fine, the good thing is that you don’t have injuries desuwa』
– Claire-sama, what should we do from now on——
『We will contact you again as soon as we confirm the whole situation masu. If you two find something again, or if you have noticed anything, please contact us. Of course, safety comes first deswuwayo』
– Oh my, this is really a trouble, don’t you think?
Charlotte declared so in the briefing room.
Staying like that, she continues her words.
– To be precise, I think the terrorists are trying to destroy the infrastructure of Little Garden. The person who understands the design of this place goes beyond limits, and his knowledge surpasses the process technology of the Variable Stones and so forth, although they are criminal acts.
– Then, that means——
The eyes of Claire are casted down with sadness.
– Yeah. It’s as you have thought right now. It’s very likely that the person who plotted this plan——or the mastermind of this terrorism was a former Warslan engineer who was involved in the design of Little Garden.
– That person is no other than Vitaly Tynyanov, correct masuno?
– In other words, the hornets and the one-eyed Savages without core are things she did, imitating the Savages who are the natural enemy of mankind, which can be called duplications?
– Those duplications——known as replicants desuwane.
– Exactly.
Charlotte threw a candy into her mouth again.
– Err, Claire-sama…
One of the girls of the intelligence department calls out to Claire while trembling.
– … what is it mashitano?
The facial expression of Claire became even more grim with the abnormal look of the girl.
The girl swallows saliva and continues her words.
– Well… an alert from the air traffic control of Liberia has arrived, an unidentified aircraft is approaching Little Garden…
– Wha——this time it’s an aircraft desuno!?
– Looks like it will be above us in the skies in less than a minute!
A different student of the intelligence department shouted.
– My my, how many arrows does she want to fire, hmm?
Amazed, Charlotte murmurs.
– Chris, examine at once whether the passenger plane is hijacked or not desu!
– Claire-sama I have already examined it. It is not registered in any traveler company and, it seems the fuselage it’s not registered, even if it is for private use.
– What about the signs of infrared reactions desu?
– There seems to be one heat source. Probably it is the pilot.
– That is to say, there is a possibility that a person is on board desuwa…
Claire hesitates, touching the lips with her hand.
The strength of the glass covering Little Garden is considerable.
Assuming that an aerial bombardment occurred, or if the aircraft crashed with it, it will be able to withstand it.
However, as the supply of electricity is weakening, the strength of the barrier is also weakening.
And the opponent is a terrorist that they don’t know what is going to do.
Moreover, there is a high possibility that it is familiar with Little Garden.
– Can’t we increase the strength of the outer wall barrier masenno?
Claire asks Charlotte.
– That is immediately impossible. It’ll take three minutes including all kinds of things.
Claire decided after listening to the reply of Charlotte.
There’s no time to be losing her way.
Of course, even the time relying on 《LiZA》——
– Chris, we will shoot down the aircraft masuwayo!
Although the person is a menace.
She doesn’t want to kill if possible.
But, in this situation, she can’t say a thing like depending on others*.
– Can you send instructions to a missile installed on the deck through wire masuka?
– Yes, absolutely. That part is not destroyed yet.
– If so——prepare to launch a missile immediately!
Together with the order of Claire, a part of the deck opened on the main monitor of the briefing room and the state that a missile was ready for launch was projected.
– Claire-sama, we are ready.
– Understood mashitawa.
Nodding, Claire touches with her fingers the monitor before her eyes and releases the protection.
And then——
– Firing missile!
– Enemy target confirmed. Firing missile!
It was a soldier in his thirties and that was dispatched from Warslan Company who was working at the briefing room who locked the target and pressed the button.
Of course, he has no hesitation.
He has done training and practice a lot of times.
The missile is fired from the deck.
– Any news desuno?
Claire gazes steadily at the monitor.
The missile headed straight to the aircraft plunging forward to Little Garden and hit it.
– It hit it mashitawa!
Claire shouted spontaneously.
– Par for the course.
A military man raises his thumb to Claire.
Cheers raised from the briefing room.
However, Chris didn’t fail to notice that something was falling before the aircraft that was heading towards the sea got destroyed.
– Claire-sama, this is…
– Wha——
Chris projects that on the main monitor.
Since it’s a video from a distant place, the image quality is coarse and small, but they can see that there is a one-eyed Savage without core with a shining red pattern on its body——they understood it’s a replicant.
Nonetheless, it doesn’t seem to be entirely the same as the others.
Its body is one size larger than normal types. Moreover, it looks that it can fire things like wires from the back.
– What was that just now desuno…!
The tip of the fired wire changed to something like a sucker and adhered to the transparent outer wall of Little Garden.
Winding those wires, the enormous replicant lands like sliding on top of the outer wall glass*.
And then it began to strike with the pincers alternating left and right on the top glass of the weakened barrier.
Each time the barrier of particles scatters spark-like things, it develops a crack on the top glass.
Moreover, hornets are flying around the enemy.
– The durability of the top glass is 95%, 92%——at this rate, it will be destroyed soon!
A young girl of the intelligence department working at the briefing room shouted.
Subsequently, another man of the intelligence department exclaimed.
– Claire-sama! An unidentified ship approached and crashed into the rear part of Little Garden!
– Kuh… from one thing to another…!
– Switching live video to the rear part.
Chris switches the video.
It seems that the ship that has collided with the deck has the same appearance as the one that crashed at the front.
One-eyed Savages without core crawl creepily from inside——identical replicantscome out.
– Attracting Slayers to the frontward and then attacking the rear when they were gathered there, huh…. Although it’s an enemy, it’s a fantastic strategy.
Rebuking, Charlotte chew and crushed the candy inside her mouth.
– What do we do, Claire-sama?
It was Chris who asked.
– … kh, announce the emergency call to all the students of the martial arts department as well as the members of Selections who are on their breaks. Disperse them and make them exterminate the replicants masu. After that, prepare a civilian evacuation plan with《LÍZA》 and start the guidance of the evacuation. We will absolutely have no victims coming out from this masenwayo!
Claire bites her thumbnail and,
(Where is Onii-sama at a time lke this masuno?)
She muttered so in her mind.
Just a few minutes before the first explosion occurred, the song of Karen ends while the music fades out and the stadium, which is the live concert venue, was wrapped up in excited cheering and applause.
Of course, they are all directed to Kisaragi Karen, a girl standing at the center of the stage.
– She’s amazing….
Hayato murmured unconsciously, looking at Karen who’s waving her hand over and over again, while bowing her head and taking a look around the venue.
Emile aligns with him.
– Yup, she’s truly amazing. Karen-chan sure is cool.
Then, her voice reverberated through the speakers to the stadium. It’s Sakura who’s watching attentively the state of Karen-chan at the wing of the stage.
She approached Karen who couldn’t hide her excitement at the center of the stage and touching her shoulder from the back like showing appreciation for her efforts, she asked the audience seating.
– Everyone, how was the song of Karen?
Loud shouts rise again and voices such as 「Good」,「Cute」among others were released one after another from the audience seating.
Hearing those, Karen was letting tears to well up in her eyes.
– Well, to tell you the truth, it is me who created the song. What do you think? It’s amazing, right?
When Sakura said so, the stadium was packed with laughter.
The great thing that Kirishima Sakura has is that everyone knew that she seemed to want to say so mixed with snicker.
It’s identical to the reaction that Hayato had when he was told the same thing before.
– The next song was also created by me, however, it’s my first duet song. Karen-chan and I are singing it together!
Sakura adds 「By the way」while the excited cheering that spilled expectations are resounding.
– After this live concert is over, the songs will be on sale on the cybernet, so please buy them all! And for the people watching the broadcasting, I’m sure there’s going to be a button after the end of the broadcast, so thank you for your patronage!
Naturally, the venue was packed with laughter.
Although it’s mixed with snicker like a while ago, there are still voices that say 「Of course」, 「We’ll buy, we’ll buy!」and so on.
It’s probably because of the natural virtue and popularity of Sakura.
– Well then, shall we sing at once? Are you ready, Karen-chan?
– Y-yes!
– ‘kay, together with us——
Sakura and Karen joined their backs and raised the microphones towards the sky.
It seems they intend to change their costumes at the same time.
– HUNDRED ON——
– HUNDRED ON——
Matching their breathing, they were just about to raise their voices.
*Boom*, *Boom*, two sounds of distant explosions are heard, and the entire stadium trembles violently as if an earthquake had occurred. Together with that, the illumination of the stage flickers repeatedly and then they went out, making a loud noise.
– ——kyaah!?
Screaming, it was Karen who fell down.
– Are you alright, Karen-chan?
Sakura rushed to Karen in a hurry and said to hair, squatting.
And then again, an explosion reverberated.
– What on earth is this…
Chaos is inside the venue.
Naturally, Sakura was showing confusion.
That goes for Hayato too who’s in the audience seating.
– … kh, Karen…! What is this situation…!?
– Perhaps a Savage appeared or something like that——
Emile mutters with a grim expression.
And then, an emergency call resounded from the PDA of Hayato and Emile.
What they heard next is the voice of Chris.
『This is a notification to Selection members. Because there is a possibility of chaos of residents and visitors, it will help us if you listen to this in a place that won’t leak to others except Slayers as much as possible. I will wait 30 seconds, so please move』
– Let’s go, Hayato.
Emile instantly stands up from the chair.
– Y-yeah…
Although he answered so, Hayato seems to be worried about the two people in the stage, but still, he stands up and immediately starts moving to a passage with few pedestrians together with Emile.
30 seconds passed in the blink of an eye.
When they came out to the aisle from the audience seating, the voice of Chris is heard again.
『Well then, I will start with the notification. Little Garden is currently under attack by someone. The Student Council concluded that this is a terrorist attack. Members of Selections, deploy your armaments in a safe place and standby. We will be continuously sending instructions to each one of you in turns』
– That “someone” means that aren’t Savages?
Hayato says his doubt.
– Perhaps is that woman, Vitaly, who was mentioned before…
– …!
Hayato started running all of a sudden.
He’s heading towards the direction of the dressing room.
– Wait, Hayato!
Grabbing the arm of Hayato, Emile continued.
– Where on earth are you planning to go?
– To where Karen is. If something happened there, Karen…
– Sakura is on the stage. She’ll protect Karen-chan. Because she has that ability.
– But, the ability of Sakura doesn’t specialize in battle…
– If the artificial Variants like the trio we fought before were to attack, even Hayato knows that it’ll become difficult if we don’t stop them, right? Unless we take out the cause, the danger will just continue!
– That’s…. well, you are right…. Sorry, I lost my composure. Certainly, it’s as you say.
– Then, let’s go outside. As the prez told us, we’ll deploy our Hundred and standby.
On the stage, Sakura was aware that Hayato and Emile left from the venue.
– Souffle, what on earth happened?
Sakura uses the wireless ring and asks Souffle with a small voice.
『… I don’t know the details. However, the briefing room reported that the explosions just now were caused by acts of terrorism. Also, this is a safe place, so don’t move——』
– Terrorist? No way…
Inside the head of Sakura, the thing that was coming to her mind is the figure of Vitaly Tynyanov who made her an artificial Variant, that’s what Souffle understands.
Even she thinks that such possibility is high.
『Calm down, Sakura. Because you are the only one who can calm this place』
– … I know. Hayato and the others are managing somehow or other outside. That’s why I’m going to do properly what must be done here.
Saying so to herself, Sakura stops the communication with Souffle, turns on the microphone and shouted.
– Everyone, calm down!
Exactly when Hayato and Emile came out from the stadium, the emergency call resounded from the two wireless rings.
It’s from the Student Council.
『Kisaragi Hayato, Emille Crossford, do you hear me!? This is Claire Harvey of the briefing room desuwa』
It’s the voice of the president.
– We hear you, president.
Replying immediately, Hayato shows his suspicions.
– This, as expected, is because of Vitaly Tynyanov, no?
『We assume that such possibility is high masu』
– What’s the current situation?
Next, it’s Emile who presented a question.
『At the front and rear of Little Garden, battles with the Savages named replicantsare taking place masu. Your childhood friend, Claudia Lowetti, is also battling desuwa』
– Wait a moment. The other party is Vitaly in one way or another, right? Why is that there are Savages called repuri-whatever?
『This is merely my guess, but it’s very probable that Vitaly not only researched artificial Variants, but even artificial Savages and put them into practical use. Moreover, the huge ones have a size that doesn’t differ from normal Savages and there are also small ones that resemble hornets』
It’s Charlotte who answered.
Subsequently, Hayato presents a question.
– In other words, it means that those called replicants are artificial Savages? How’s that possible….
『… it’s not impossible, you know. Even the robots cleaning the corridors inside the school building of Little Garden are powered by Variable Stones. However, it should be very difficult to control them to that extent. It’s impossible for me』
– But, you said that Vitaly made them, correct?
『We don’t know to what extent she can control them. It may become quite challenging to control like a Tamer type Hundred』
– In other words, we are supposed to destroy those replicants, yes?
『Correct. We want you to destroy a massive replicant that is on top of the top glass of Little Garden desu. We are sending images from the surveillance cameras now desu. Can you confirm them with the PDA masuka?』
– Yes.
Hayato takes out the PDA from his pocket and replied to the instructions sent by the president again and confirms the data that arrived.
– This is…
There was a figure of a huge replicant of about 8 meters long that was on top of the top glass of Little Garden and was striking it with its pincers.
Cracks were developing in the top glass and he sees that small fragments are falling to the interior of Little Garden.
– No need to guess that it’s a pretty bad situation…
– Also, Hayato, look carefully. This Savage has no core and has no more than one eye…
– Ah…
Looking as he was told, that certainly it’s the case.
The pattern of its body isn’t yellow but red.
Compared to the other replicants, this looks exceptionally large.
– Hey, Charo. How should we defeat this guy?
『I don’t know. Therefore, the only thing we can do now is to stop it. But, since its steel shell seems to be similar to the Savages’, if you hold a strong energy, you’ll be able to penetrate the steel shell and destroy it, I guess. It should be hiding an improved Savage’s core or a Variable Stone inside its body』
『In that case, I shall go. Kisaragi Hayato, Emile Crossford, you guys will act with me, I will immediately leave from——』
『That is impossible, Claire-sama』
The voice of Chris stopped the words of Claire.
『Claire-sama, please continue the instructions from here』
『Chris, what are you saying masuno? All of this is our fault——no, this is my fault because I made the security plan assuming attacks done by Slayers only desu. If I take responsibility by going to the battlefield——』
『For that reason, Claire-sama should take command here. As our Student Council President and as the Captain of Little Garden, only Claire-sama is allowed to have all the authority』
– In that case, now that authority will be yo——
『I don’t have the capacity. Erika-san thinks so too. Claire-sama is the only person who can relieve with words the anxiety of the residents and encourage the Slayers of Little Garden. So please, Claire-sama, do your work as the commander』
『It’s as Chris says, Claire.《LiZA》also supports the words of Chris…「EXACTLY」she says』
『Wha——』
It seems that Claire was at a loss for words because she checked the message log from《LiZA》who is Liza Harvey, her little sister.
As Charlotte says, Hayato understood what was written as「EXACTLY」and let out some words.
– President, please leave the guy on the top glass to us.
『But——』
– The president said it at that time, right? Don’t try to carry everything by yourself, trust us more. So, we’ll definitely stop that replicant. Isn’t that right, Emile?
– Yeah, that’s right, but…
– Hmm, did something happen?
He saw Emile pouting her lips and showing a discontented expression on her face.
– I was thinking, what do you mean with ”at that time”?
– Ah…
– What’s that reaction? Are you hiding something from me?
– No, it’s nothing like that…. There was a moment when I was alone with the president during the previous operation. At that time, we were having a talk——
『Ki-Kisaragi Hayato…! This is not the case to be talking about something like that masenwayo!』
Clearing her throat with an *Ahem*, Claire continued.
『Umm… That’s right desuwane. Understood. We will entrust that matter to you. However, there are conditions——』
During those emptied seconds.
Hayato gulped.
『You will absolutely not die. And, nobody will die, including residents, visitors and Slayers of Little Garden——that’s all desuwa』
– Understood.
– Of course.
Hayato and Emile reply together.
『Good reply desuwa』
A satisfied voice came back.
Next, Hayato said.
– Solving this quickly, will let the founding festival continue. I haven’t heard the songs of Karen and Sakura yet.
Maybe that’s not something that should be said in this situation.
But, those were the true feelings of Hayato.
『You are right desuwane』
Listening the voice that slipped out a giggle, Hayato felt relieved.
For a moment, the tension relaxed.
However, it tightens with the voice of Chris that was heard next.
『Claire-sama, the durability of the top glass has decreased to 40%. A part of it’s damaged! Fragments are falling to the ground!』
『What did you say!?』
– Hayato, let’s deploy our Hundred quickly!
– Yeah, got it.
They must exterminate the replicant before it invades Little Garden by destroying completely the top glass.
Hayato and Emile takes out the Variable Stone and shouted all together.
「「HUNDRED ON」」
– Thank you for waiting, Claire-sama.
While being out of breath, Erika rushed in the briefing room.
– Chris, do you have any new information?
– Currently, at the front deck, the Slayers of the Army of Gudenburg and the Slayers of Warslan are fighting the replicant type Savages. As Charlotte-sama was saying, if it’s a weapon with strong energy, they can destroy their arms and body, and if they destroy the Variable Stone hidden inside the body, it’s probable that their activities will cease.
– And at the back of the deck?
– We dispatched 3 talented Slayers of Little Garden over there, their names are Latia Saint-Émillion, Fritz Grantz and Liddy Steinberg. It’s based on the selection of《LizA》. Other Slayers are guiding residents and visitors to evacuate to safe underground shelters.
– What left is the most problematic thing, the replicant on the top glass, huh…
– Kisaragi Hayato and Emile Crossford are heading there masuwa. So please be relieved.
– Is that so…
If it’s those two, then they will do it somehow or other.
When Erika was convinced about it, Chris cut into the conversation from the side.
– Err, Claire-sama…
– What is it desuno?
– It’s about the top glass, but there are traces that someone has appeared from inside the gigantic replicant and trespassed inside Little Garden right after it was destroyed.
– … there is no doubt about it desuno?
– I will play a video now.
Claire and all the present of the briefing room were focused on the monitor.
Although the camera is from a distant place and the image quality is bad, they see that it’s as Chris says.
– It looks she has become quite a strong woman, huh.
Suddenly surprised by the voice emitted from the back, Claire turns around.
– Onii-sama!?
The ones standing there were Judal, her older brother and Neveah Grauss, a bobcat female Slayer and also his bodyguard.
– What do you mean with strong, Onii-sama?
– I guess, she’s Vitaly, right?
– Eh…?
Claire zooms in the video before her eyes.
Brown skin, long hair.
And a white robe that lies over her.
– Certainly, it feels like she’s Vitaly, but…
The woman in the video overlaps with the appearance of Vitaly in the memory of Claire.
She’s tall and has a good figure.
However, the woman in the video gives the feeling of being approximately a size bigger.
(Does that really mean that she became strong desuno?)
In other words, she has been training her body.
– But, she’s not a Slayer masenwayone——don’t tell me that she turned into an artificial Variant?
She thought so, as this is a reason other than training her body.
Even though the interior of Little Garden is filled with soil, there are places where hills were made, but the distance from the top glass to the ground should be 80 meters.
Even if it’s the roof of the school building, the distance is 40 meters.
It won’t be possible for her to land without sense energy.
– No, that’s not it. Although the video is from a further distance, I can see that she’s using a parachute in the middle of it.
– If so, then she’s just a human? But, why is she alone…?
Claire puts her hand on her mouth, pondering.
– Chris, aside from Vitaly, is there any trace that a human-like existence trespassed from the top glass?
– Negative. Besides, it seems that a lot of hornets have invaded and have been found inside Little Garden.
Chris replies.
Hearing the door opening there, Claire turned her eyes.
What met her eyes was the figure of Judal who is about to leave the room alone.
– Onii-sama? Where are you going?
– I’m just going out because there is a little something that I have to take care of.
– Are you going alone masuno? Vitaly is coming too masunoyo. The risk is…
– There’s no problem at all. Even I’m carrying a gun.
Judal shows a gun that he took out from his chest to Claire.
– However…
– It’s fine to let him do as he likes.
The one who said so is Charlotte.
– Saying that he’s going alone, then that has a meaning in its own way, right?
– No way, Onii-sama…
He intends to go to Liza——
Thinking so, there’s no place where she can put it into words.
The one who knows about the existence of the little sister in this place, excluding Judal and Claire, is Charlotte.
– Claire, please believe in me.
Smiling eerily, Judal left behind the briefing room.
