– What, is this…? What the hell is going on outside?
Krovahn, who was confined with Nakri and Nesat in the drawing room for guests in the basement of Little Garden, muttered while looking up at the ceiling.
The walls were shaking a lot of times from a while ago and the ceiling was making creaking sounds, to the point that it could fall at any time.
– …. somehow, I have a bad feeling.
Nakri was about to open the door locked from outside and asked Nesat who muttered so as she remained sat on the sofa.
– You felt something?
Nesat nods.
– But it’s nothing more than a hunch.
– You mean that Vitaly isn’t coming to help us, huh? Now, if I’m not mistaken, this ship came alongside to a port somewhere in Liberia.
– That should be correct. But, I have an unpleasant feeling.
– What do we do, Krovahn?
– Even if you tell me what to do…
Sitting on a chair, Krovahn surveyed the room.
The lobby boasts its space in its own way, it’s a guest room with three beds placed in it.
Honestly, the treatment was too good for prisoners of war.
They aren’t subject to tortures or interrogations, and even the meals are served properly.
If they get in touch with the communication device installed in the room, they will receive almost all what they want.
The three of them aren’t in their Variable Suits, they are wearing casual clothes.
Krovahn wears a white T-shirt and black shorts.
Nakri wears a camisole and short pants.
Nesat wears a white dress that contrasts nicely with her brown skin.
The three of them selected those from several clothes that were prepared and so they were provided with them.
The underwear is washed and carried every day.
However, when they tried to get in touch with the communication device, there was no reply.
Maybe an accident or something is happening, and they are in distress?
Or…
(I understand that the guys of Little Garden aren’t bad guys. But, I don’t trust them completely)
Krovahn looks the back of his right hand.
It used to have a Variable Stone implanted in it, but not anymore.
The scientists of Little Garden pulled it out.
That’s the same for Nakri.
But, that’s not the same for Nesat.
Nesat who lost one of her eyes because of an injury she took in the past, secured her eyesight with the artificial eye in which the Variable Stone is implanted.
Because it was difficult and pitiable to snatch it away from her, there was no need to take it away.
– ——Uwaah!?
The walls and ceiling shake furiously once again, and it’s Nakri who fell to the ground because she was kicking the door.
Making a sound, the electricity went off.
– Alright!
Resolving himself, Krovahn stood up.
Nesat, can you tear down the door with your Hundred?
– … that’s, impossible…
– Why? Nobody’s going to say you’re deploying it without permission, right? After all, this is an emergency.
– But, there’s nothing to copy here.
– Ah, you’re right…
The ability of the Hundred of Nesat is copy——it can’t be deployed without any target.
– In that case, there’s no choice but to break the door without a Hundred, huh…. To start with, it’s impossible if its’ in normal conditions, but now that there’s a power outage, then we may do it. There’s a possibility that the barrier against physical attacks is gone.
– Then I’ll help with that too.
*Bump* *Bump*, Krovahn and Nakri do ramming attacks to the door by turns without stopping.
There’s no response from outside.
The surveillance camera installed in the room probably isn’t functioning due to the power outage.
– Seems like we’re doing it.
Even though this was nothing else but a room of Little Garden, it was a substitute of a prison. There’s no barrier either. The shape of the door changes while they incessantly collide with it.
Thereupon, Nakri proposes.
– How about kicking it at the same time?
– Yeah, let’s try it.
Krovahn continued, showing his consent.
– Then, let’s go with one, two, go!
– Yup!
「「One, two, go!」」
When Krovahn and Nakri kick up gathering their voices, the door bends and flew off into the corridor.
– Alright!
– Now we can go out.
Krovahn and Nakri look at each other and smile with a grin.
– I’ll take a look outside.
Saying that, Krovahn went to the corridor.
– There’s not a single window, so this looks like a basement, huh. Besides, it seems safe to say that something is going on.
Krovahn said, looking around the corridor where emergency lamps are turned on in red.
– We don’t know the situation, so why don’t we go towards the surface first? Nakri, Nee-chan, let’s go!
When the three of them started running, an announcement done by the voice of a boy starts to echo in the corridor.
『This is a state of emergency. This is a state of emergency. Currently, Little Garden is receiving an attack by someone. The general public as well as the visitors of Little Garden, please evacuate to the shelter immediately』
The next thing they heard were the sounds of explosions and gunshots.
– Krovahn, someone’s attacking after all!
– Yeah…. And now, I heard gunshots….
Krovahn, Nesat and Nakri were able to listen carefully by stopping their legs and heard from the direction they are moving a gunshot again.
Then, a scream.
And then, they hear footsteps.
They are quite fast.
– H-help me! …. Ah, you guys!
A guard belonging to Little Garden appeared before their eyes, he seems to be surprised, looking at Krovahn and the girls.
Being unable to stand up due to the surprise, he sat down on the ground.
– The hell happened?
– Hii!
When Krovahn asks him, the man twitches his face with fear.
– We’re not going to hurt you. So, tell us. What’s happening?
– …. Te, terrorists. Savages created by terrorists came out from the ships that crashed into, the outside is in chaos….
– What!?
– Also, a woman with a machine gun attacked me and my companions….
– What kind of woman?
– It’s a woman who wore a ragged white robe and has the same skin like you.
– It’s Vitaly! She came to rescue us!
– Hey, wait!
Krovahn grabs strongly the shoulder of Nakri who started running.
– Think carefully. Vitaly said that she doesn’t harm normal people, right? Besides, the Savages——
– But, look, Krovahn! It’s Vitaly!
– Eh…
Turning back, he saw Vitaly who held a machine gun in her hands turning around the corner of the corridor.
– See? As I thought, she came to rescue us!
– Still, wait!
Saying so, Krovahn sprung out in front of Nesat and Nakri.
– Why are you guys here?
Vitaly showed a surprised look for a moment and advances with her feet where Krovahn and the others are, while turning the long slits of her gaze.
Her height is high, her body is large too.
As a result, the sense of intimidation and impressiveness that she has are considerable.
– … saying “why are you guys here” means that you didn’t come to rescue us, right?
– Well, I knew you were in Little Garden. I never thought that you would be sneaking away like this.
– You see, Krovahn? Vitaly came to save us after all.
– Even if that’s the case, would you mind explaining what’s this chaos!? Moreover, even if they are soldiers, you seem to be hurting ordinary people who aren’t Slayers, isn’t it!?
– This is Little Garden, the lair of the Slayers. Surely civilians and soldiers aren’t Slayers, but they are cooperators. It’s inevitable to have a few victims. However, I haven’t dirtied my hands yet.
– Still? How do you say that!? You were saying that our revenge was against the Slayers. For what kind of purpose did you come here? Moreover, it’s said that Savages are appearing outside. No way, you did that too!?
– So you know that much, huh? Those are the weapons that I made using the cores and the bodies of the Savages.
– Those are the, ones we gathered…
– Exactly. I’m sure outside is going crazy.
– Wha——
Shaking his shoulders, Krovahn makes his cheeks become stiff and grabs the collar of Vitaly.
– Vitaly, what the hell are you planning to do!? Your purpose is to destroy Little Garden!?
– Sorry, but I don’t have much time to stick with you playing house.
Vitaly pushed away the body of Krovahn and touched the terminal that was put on her arm.
Thereupon, Krovahn suddenly falls to the floor.
– Wha…! What is, this…?
Krovahn said, while showing an anguished look and holding down his head.
Similarly, Nakri and Nesat also hold their heads, falling to their knees on the ground with a painful expression.
– Kuh… what did you do to us! Vitaly!
– I’m emitting noise that gives stimulus to the Variant Virus that flows in your blood. How is it, you are unable to move, right?
– … shit!
– Stay right there. If you still try to rebel, then I won’t go easy on you.
Vitaly turned the muzzle of the machine gun in her hands towards Krovahn.
– … Krovahn!
Despite suffering from the noise that resonates in her head, Nesat keeps turning a hostile look to Vitaly.
However, she can’t stand up.
While clenching her teeth, the best that she can do is to stand the nails on the floor.
Next to her, Nakri was sobbing with her hands on the ground.
– Why, why are you doing something like this!? Does this mean that you just helped us in order to be used by you!?
– That’s right——
Vitaly answers coldly and put her finger on the trigger of the machine gun.
– I won’t let you!
It’s the voice of a woman that resounded in the corridor.
It’s the voice of a woman in maid clothes with cat ears on her head.
Vitaly stared in wonder, looking at that figure.
– You bastard are the automaton that Linis made for childcare!
– I’m not an automaton. Mei Mei’s name is Mei Mei!
Vitaly turns the muzzle towards Mei Mei.
However, Mei Mei approached Vitaly instantly by sliding on the floor and launched a kick.
– ——kuh!!
The machine gun flies off from Vitaly’s hand.
However, Mei Mei doesn’t loosen the way of the attack.
Rotating her body, she launched turning kicks one after another.
With that, the body of Vitaly strikes the wall.
In an instant, it seemed that the victory was decided.
But, by taking a handgun that Vitaly had tied to her leg, the situation was reversed.
(She got, me…)
Mei Mei didn’t assume that she still had weapons.
She tries to shorten the distance, but she doesn’t make it in time.
Vitaly will try to pull the trigger of the gun at any time.
*BAAAAAAAAANNNGG…*!
– Kuhh!
Mei Mei immediately calculated the trajectory and tried to dodge it by averting her body, but it wasn’t enough and received the bullet on the right shoulder.
– It looks like I started to… move a little late…
While saying that, Mei Mei crouches, pressing down the air hole of the opened right shoulder.
The wiring of the mechanism that was shot became uncovered, sparks were scattering.
– … but, I can fight again.
Mei Mei tries to stand up.
There, Vitaly mercilessly fired bullets again.
– … ah.
Mei Mei received the bullets on her legs, she lost the balance of her body and fell down from her face.
(I can’t move if my legs are destroyed…)
At this rate, the core inside her body——the Variable Stone might be destroyed.
That will result in the suspension of her activities, but if that’s the case it’s possible to repair her.
The problem is if she destroys the memory chip in the device of the ears.
In that case, she’s going to lose her memory.
(I would rather avoid getting to that extent, but…)
What should I do from now on? Mei Mei tries to ask《LÍZA》and Charlotte using the communication device implanted in herself.
The state of the radio is strange from a while ago.
That much makes her worry if it’s going to connect or not.
(Oh, it connected! Eh——)
When she noticed, the figure of Vitaly had disappeared.
What she was able to catch with her hearing system are the footsteps that went away.
Vitaly seems to have left this place behind with the nice gap that was made.
(Somehow or other, it looks like I was saved)
Raising her body, Mei Mei called out the three people.
– Is everyone okay?
– Yeah, somehow…. You saved us…. Or rather, what on earth are you?
While saying so, Krovahn tries to get up.
– Apart from having to talk about that this time, please don’t push yourself now. I don’t think that the health of everyone, from what Mei Mei can see, is getting back to form.
– But, if we don’t go after Vitaly…
– About that, please wait a moment. Even if you go after her, I think it will result in the same thing as before. That is why Mei Mei will contact her master who will think of how to deal with the problem.
Saying that, Mei Mei started talking with Charlotte with whom she was able to establish a line.
– Charlotte-sama, do you hear me, Charlotte-sama?
『Yeah, I hear you from a while ago』
– If so, then I guess you know…
With that as a preamble, Mei Mei tried to capture Vitaly Tynyanov who had been battling with the gang of three.
Then she informs her that she was shot and that Vitaly escaped.
『So, are they safe?』
– They have no injuries, but it seems that they took a mental attack with some kind of radio waves. I presume that it’s effective only against the Slayers, because Mei Mei and the guards in this place weren’t affected. Do you think so too?
– Y-yeah…
While he kept his back on the wall, the guard who was flopping down and sitting on the floor nodded with the call given by Mei Mei.
– And finally, it seems that the communication devices have been affected too.
『But now it seems that they were restored. I can also confirm the images of you guys properly from me. You were shot in the shoulder and legs by Vitaly, right?』
– Affirmative, Vitaly seems to have a powerful gun that can pierce barriers with energy. Can Charlotte-sama repair me afterwards?
『Of course. Although I don’t know if I can do it skillfully like Linis, your creator』
– So, about the problem with Vitaly, she is probably heading further underground. What should we do?
『In that state, even if you catch up with her, there’s nothing that you can do. So wait there. I’ll go over there right away. Judal already headed to Liza』
– Eh, the company president-sama?
『If she’s after Liza, then he’ll do something. If she couldn’t do it at that time, then she won’t be able to do it. Well then, I’ll be heading there after this. Wait for about three minutes please』
– Wait a minute!
It was Krovahn who shouted when Charlotte tried to cut the line.
– The doctor with whom you are talking now is the one who took our Hundred, right? We have some questions.
– Yes, she is, but.
– If so, let me talk with her. Do you hear me?
『Yes, I hear you』
The voice of Charlotte echoed from the speaker of the corridor.
Their voice seems to have been caught by the microphone equipped in Mei Mei.
– We have a request. Please return the Hundred to me and Nakri.
『Why?』
– There are Savages outside, right? Vitaly was saying that they were made with the cores and Variable Stones of the Savages that we gathered. Therefore, we want to avoid damage to ordinary persons and to this sphere of life. That’s our responsibility. So, we want to stop them. That’s the same for Nee-chan and Nakri, right?
When Krovahn wished for their consent, Nesat and Nakri nodded.
– Even though we can’t fight with Vitaly, we can fight with the Savages. So, please!
– Yeah, we want to fight for Little Garden. You’ve treated us well so far. Nesat thinks the same, don’t you?
*Nod*, Nesat nods.
– What do we do, Charlotte-sama? I don’t think they are telling lies, but…
『That’s what I’ve understood from the interrogation so far. What are you going to do, Claire? Are you going to let them go to the battlefield?』
『Chris, what is the judgment of《LIZA》?』
『The answer that came back is 《They are trustworthy people》』
『Is that so…? Besides, it is certain that we want fighting power even if it’s one person desuwane…』
『In other words, you will send them to the battlefield?』
『Krovahn, Nakri, Nesat deshitawane. In view of the present moment, we will release you as an emergency countermeasure. Therefore, Little Garden temporarily hires you as mercenaries masu. Do you accept desuka?』
– Yes, of course. Nee-chan and Nakri are also okay with it?
– … yes.
– Say no more!
Nesat nods, Nakri answers.
– In that case, it’s decided. President-san and Dr.-san, we’ll be under your care.
『Got it. Then, come to the laboratory with Mei Mei. I’ll try to make you go out to the battle ASAP』
– Now that the deployment has finished, let’s go to the battle.
Emile said, looking up to the sky that began to dye in a madder red color.
– Go? How are we going to move to the top of the top glass?
『If you come outside from that place, and if you come from the direction of the coast just after——』
– That’s not necessary.
Emile stopped the words of Chris that were heard through the wireless ring.
– Hayato, there’s a shortcut.
– A shortcut…?
– Like this.
Using half of her Arms Shroud that was deployed like wrapping up her body, Emile created armaments, she created two turrets at the waist.
– Don’t tell me that you’re going to fly in the air using those as rockets…?
– Bingo! As expected of Hayato. By injecting these with accumulated energy in one go, it will make them have propulsive power. And so, we’ll be on the top glass in a blink of an eye.
– You serious…? Are you really sure about this?
– Of course I am. Do you know what’s the place where a hole was done?
Emile asks Chris of the briefing room.
『It’s in the space between the school building and the male dorm where Hayato-san and Emile-san live』
– Roger. I got more or less its location. I can’t see it from here, so let’s move to the top of the school building first. Let’s go, Hayato!
– Hey, wai… uwaah!?
Emile holds Hayato with both arms and sprayed energy from the two turrets towards the ground.
Their bodies with propulsive power are launched into the sky in an instant.
It took them 10 seconds to pass by the side of the stadium and landed at the roof of the school building of the high school martial arts department.
– That’s the hole, hmm?
Looking up at the sky, Emile mutters.
To the eyes of Hayato who also looked up at the sky, a hole in the top glass and a huge replicant are reflected.
The size of the hole is around two meters in diameter.
– It seems we can come out from there. Here we go again.
– O-okay…
Emile jumps from the rooftop and injects energy from the turrets.
Hayato, along with Emile, tried to go through the opened hole in the top glass without stopping and so they were able to go outside Little Garden.
There are no replicants there, but there are hornets suspending in the air.
Several of them seem to be passing through the opened hole, invading inside Little Garden.
– We have to deal with the huge one quickly as well as with the small ones.
Emile landed on the top glass and returned the two turrets to particles, then she created something like an ax with Arms Shroud.
– The first will be the big one!
The moment Emile readied the ax turning it towards the replicant, it was a hornet type around it that launched an attack.
It bombards from its mouth, pointing at Emile.
– … that’s one of the small ones that Charlotte was talking about. They also look troublesome!
Emile dodges the fired beam and slashes at it with the ax.
However, it dodged it nimbly.
– Damn!
She reduces the ax to particles for a moment.
And then, she creates floating batteries.
– If my opponent is small, then these look better. I’ll handle these guys with the floating batteries while Hayato takes care of the huge one!
– Got it!
Hayato responded and readied Hien, turning it towards the gigantic replicant.
At that time, on the rear deck of the ship, members of Selections including Fritz, Latia and Liddy were having a fierce battle with over 10 replicants.
– Going throuu———gh!
It’s Latia who shouted, she struck hard her fist on the abdomen of an enemy.
The armor of the arm began to shine intensely, breaking through the thick steel shell, leaving a big hole in the body.
– What do you think of my Strike Beast!?
As planned by Latia, she was able to destroy the Variable Stone hidden inside its body, the core of the replicant.
That giant stops moving.
– With this, we’ve defeated 8体——and there are 4体 more, huh…. Ah, but since these are artificial, then this counting system is bad, it’d be better to use 機, right…? Or not?*
It was Fritz who showed a faint smile as he unconsciously cracks a joke while confirming the number of the remaining targets, then he noticed that a replicantwas trying to bombard Liddy in the middle of the battle.
There are no obstacles from the position where he is standing now.
– Vice president, it’s dangerous——.
Saying that, he bombards with the rifle of his right hand.
Splendid, the energy beam hit the head of the target as planned.
Liddy didn’t receive the bombardment from the replicant.
– You saved me, Fritz Grantz.
– No, not at all, this is my job.
The weapon of his Long Shooter type Hundred, Stronghold, is a sniper rifle with a long gun turret which is like its name symbolizes——a Shooting Star.
However, as its model name says, it specializes in combat style where long range shooting is the main constituent.
Therefore, it’s frequent in battles to act as support.
In other words, he’s like a moving battery.
(However, not being able to bombard freely makes the stress pile up, isn’t it…)
A melee battle in a narrow range.
There’s a possibility of friendly fire, as there’s the town of Sangria over 200 meters across the sea and there’s Little Garden on the other side.
The replicants have 3 meters in length approximately, they are bigger than humans, but their movement isn’t so quick, so if he aims and shots with certainty then he’s not going to miss, but if he pierces them then it will become a great disaster for the surroundings, so it’s difficult to have the control.
『Can you hear me, Liddy!?』
A sudden communication from Erika Candle in the briefing room was heard from the wireless ring.
『The remaining amount of energy of you and Latia Saint-Émillion is less than a quarter. We can’t confirm it from here, but how many replicants are left?』
– Four!
Liddy replies.
『If it’s that quantity, then I think you will manage somehow, so please be careful of the remaining amount of energy. We are counting on you』
– If so, shall we also give a hand to Fritz?
Smiling with a grin, Latia continued.
– Vice president, I need a favor. Can the vice president send flying the Savages over here with the spear please?
– Sure, I don’t mind, but what do you intend to do?
– I’ll launch them in the sky. If it’s towards the sky, there’s no problem for Fritz even if he does a strong bombardment, don’t you agree?
– ——I get it! Certainly, there’s no problem if that’s the case. That’s a good idea for someone like you.
– Shut up! Let’s start quickly!
– Then, without delay——
Liddy accelerates using energy from the booster of her waist and pierced strongly the body of a replicant with the giant huge drill of her weapon Midgard Schrange.
Latia relaxed her mouth and grinned before the imminent enemy, loading with energy her feet that were covered in armament that resembled boots and pulls one of her legs with all her might.
– It’s perfect, vice president! You better be ready, Fritz!
– Yeah!
Fritz had already readied Shooting Star towards the sky.
Of course, the energy is already filled.
– Here I gooooo———!
– Shoot, Fritz!
– Yeah!
Aiming at the replicant that was launched high in the sky by Latia, a thick beam that whirls energy released from the right hand of Fritz opens a big hole in its body, destroying the Variable Stone, the core that was hidden inside.
Immediately after the explosion, that big body falls into the sea.
– Good job, now there’s three to go, huh?
Following Liddy, Latia said.
– Let’s do the same with the others! Nice one, Fritz!
– Thanks!
Second basement floor of Little Garden.
Vitaly is standing on the side of the wall of the NO TRESPASSING section in front of the Student Council Room and then sets a small explosive device on the shutter in front of her then returns the way she came.
She turns to the corridor where her safety was guaranteed and touched with her fingers the screen of the wristwatch type terminal.
Thereupon, a violent explosion sounds, a blast rolls up.
Returning to her original location to confirm it, there was a big hole in the shutter installed in the NO TRESPASSING section.
(Looks like the barrier is considerably weakened, since I was able to destroy it at once…)
That means that her plan is going smoothly.
As she advances and goes through the hole she made before, an elevator was there.
It has something like a sensor control.
Nonetheless, when she thrusts both hands into the opening of the door of the elevator, she could open the door slightly.
The inside of it looks like a box where people can get in it.
There are four remaining explosive devices.
It is certain that there must be another door beyond this point.
There’s no problem about using only two explosive devices here.
She thought so and threw a explosive device into the elevator, then touches the screen of the terminal of the arm again.
An explosion sounds again, and the blast caressed her hair.
She returns to the front of the door of the destroyed elevator, there was a hole in the box, that was particularly lucky.
Then she throws another explosive device, touches the terminal and turns on the switch.
This should have destroyed the lower door.
(This will make the pursuers to not come along right away, but I shouldn’t ignore my last arrow)
She must be extremely cautious.
Touching the screen of the wristwatch terminal, Vitaly sends instructions to the hornets that are outside.
(With this, my Savages and the Variants should begin to act violently. The Slayers will have to go after them to deal with them)
For this reason, she can push on towards her own goal.
Vitaly twines around the handrail of the elevator the tip of one of the wires she took out from the pocket as a substitute of a safety device and begins descending along the wall of the elevator.
When she gets to the deepest part, she found that the lower door was destroyed as expected.
There’s one door remaining.
She mounts the explosive device, hides in the shade of the elevator and turns on the switch of the terminal.
Vitaly, with a hole in the last door, she finally reached the deepest part of Little Garden——the part where Liza Harvey, the girl who became its power motive and brain is.
There’s a person who greeted her.
– To think there’s someone rude to interfere with the time of my little sister and I, and it had to be you, isn’t it…? It’s been a long time, Vitaly.
– Are you saying that you were waiting here for me to come?
– Yes, that’s right.
Judal nods towards Vitaly who asked the question, staring in wonder as if she was surprised, then continued his words.
– You also thought that I was going to be here, don’t you?
– I thought that you could save me the trouble if that was the case.
Taking out a gun from her chest, Vitaly turned it towards Vitaly.
– What are you doing with such a dangerous thing? What do you plan to do?
Judal raises both hands, but he’s not showing a expression like being frightened in fear.
He was keeping a composed look.
– The reason is one you know very well.
– The revenge on me that you threw away——but that’s not it, no?
Judal loosens his mouth. His composed attitude doesn’t change.
– You didn’t understand that well, isn’t it?
– But, that’s your misunderstanding.
– … misunderstanding? What are you saying? You used to pretend that you loved me and then you casted me away.
– This is the conversation we had at that time, yes? Lunaltia Project, which is an important matter for Warslan from now on——the one most competent during the first stage of Little Garden project was Charlotte and not you. That’s why I put her on the top and I left you as the head of the laboratory of Rasiya, your hometown.
– Lies! I was degraded in Rasiya for using the vast energy of Liza as the power motive——the core of Little Garden, and for things like telling the whereabouts of my colleagues to the Savages. As a result, it seems that it was identified that there was a possibility of putting the world in a critical situation!
– You are wrong. I should have said at that time that it was regrettable to use an excellent engineer like you as the right arm of Charlotte. Besides, you weren’t able to control Liza properly, and that didn’t turn out well with your surroundings, as opposed to Lunaltia project. That’s the reason why I told you to come outside of the HQ temporarily and to come back giving results. From there, it was you yourself who got involved with illegal human experiments with the research of artificial Variants that was entrusted to you, isn’t that correct? The possibility was closed by yourself. With unsightly emotions, like envy.
– Envy? Are you saying that I was being envy of someone?
– Of my mother Linis, the person who was your teacher, and of Liza over there, right?
– …!!
– My mother Linis gave me a dream to me who was a defective article and Liza who made my dream come true. It doesn’t change the fact that the two people connected by blood are special and important people who must have priority over anyone else.
– That’s why I joined the terrorist group that freed me from prison, created perfect artificial Variants and completed the artificial Savages with artificial Variable Stones as cores. In order to steal those important ones from you. In order to give you despair.
– Completed? What are you talking about?
Judal relaxes his mouth and laughs like making fun of her.
– Completion is a perfect success. That you came to Little Garden by yourself means that the research of artificial Variants isn’t perfect yet, correct?
– …!!
– I suppose the artificial Savages aren’t perfect either. Rather, if you were able to handle them like a Tamer type Hundred, then their current state would be just violent. If only you could just create them with the technological strength of Warslan.
– Who gives a damn about what you are saying!? The fact that you are being cornered like this won’t change. Besides, it’s about time for the last arrow to be released outside.
– … last arrow?
– That’s right. I set up a device to emit specific radio waves to some of the Savages I made, like the hornets. If that radio wave flows out, the Slayers won’t be able to move normally and the artificial Savages and artificial Variants should rampage.
Smiling with a grin, Vitaly continued provoking Judal.
– It really helped that security was sloppy, Judal. It’s because you are using children so you can pull the strings and do as you like. In that case, I’m not going to be like you.
– … hou. I didn’t expect you to say such a thing. Perhaps if I say that I want you again, you’ll become my ally and do wonderful terrorist countermeasures?
Judal walks up to the position of Vitaly and touches her cheek with his hand.
Vitaly shakes off his hand.
– You’re going to use me as a woman again! Don’t fuck with me!
– Moments ago, I said such a thing but, it doesn’t mean that I didn’t recognize your skill. That’s true. I also wanted your research results and experiment results. At any rate, I located the hideout you were hidden, and I ordered to investigate it, but it looks like you don’t have data remaining.
– If so, then this is the compensation.
Vitaly turned the muzzle towards Liza.
– What are you doing?
– It’s about choosing between me and Liza.
– There’s no choice like both?
– If I release myself from the binding spell of Linis by destroying Liza, then you——Judal, you haven’t changed anything. In that case, I will give you your final words. That is also for the sake of this world.
– If so, then I must deal with you.
Judal takes a gun from his breast pocket and turned its muzzle towards Vitaly.
– If you shoot, I’ll also shoot. With this enhanced 《E Tranquilizer》, not only the barrier deployed to cover the capsule, but also the tempered glass and the barrier of energy covering the body of Liza can be destroyed.
– You sure?
– … what?
– Please take a look at Liza.
– ——!?
Vitaly stares in wonder, looking at Liza.
The reason is that Liza is opening her eyes.
– No way, Liza is waking up——
– Do you know Kirishima Sakura, the artificial Variant you created?
– Kirishima Sakura…? The experiment at that time, the only one who survived…
– Liza seems to be delighted with her songs. Every time she sang, there was a sign of awakening. Now, thanks to the live concert being done just now, she woke up with my pinch in this way. She’s truly the little sister of her dear older brother. Or is it because we made too much noise here?
The monitor on the side of Liza shows a reaction.
Looking at the letters displayed there, Vitaly makes her spine shiver.
——If you try to kill Onii-sama.
Then I won’t allow it——
– Hi… ah, aaaaaaaa———!!
Vitaly pulled the trigger towards Liza, screaming like mad while her face becomes stiff in fear.
Many, many times over.
The gunshots echo in the confined space.
As Vitaly was saying, the fired bullets destroyed the defense membrane affixed to the capsule and perforated the capsule too.
But, all of them were stopped with a light blue defense barrier that appeared before Liza.
– … hii!!
Vitaly who saw the bullets falling to the floor, scattering, turns her gun towards Judal in panic.
– I-if you are going to hurt me, then Judal——
Vitaly couldn’t say much more than that.
When she noticed, her surrounding was being encircled by 5 Lizas.
– Wh-what are you…! You monster!
Vitaly shots bullets towards the Liza standing diagonally, but they pass through the body.
– Wha…
Vitaly noticed that the Lizas standing around herself weren’t substances but masses of energy that shaped Liza.
– It was a cruel thing to say that my little sister is a monster.
– ——ah…
Vitaly realized that Judal before her eyes was having a gun at the ready, but she couldn’t do anything.
There are no more bullets in the gun of her hand.
——*Bang*!
Along with the gunshot, the body of Vitaly flew backwards.
– Ju, dal…
Saying so, the chest of Vitaly is stained red.
Blood was flowing out from her mouth.
– … I didn’t want this kind of end, but it was inevitable. It’s a pity that I won’t be able to show you the future that I’ll create from now on, Vitaly.
Judal lowered the gun and approached the position of Vitaly, looking down on her appearance.
– What on earth are you saying——
– Come to think of it, I forgot to say this. Concerning the results, and thanks to you, my plan has made a considerable progress. I’m really grateful.
– … kh, being told that, it makes me get sick of myself for being a little happy.
– Was that your resolution?
– Who knows?
– …
Judal gently smiled and crouched down.
– I’ll take care of you until your last moment.
– Judal, you really are a heartless man…
– I know. That’s why I don’t love women anymore.
Saying that, Judal kisses Vitaly.
– Love can be a chance to demonstrate tremendous power, but it can also be a shackle.
– You really… are… a fool…
Vitaly closed her eyes and passed away in the arms of Judal.
– … Fool, huh… That may be. However, this is the path I chose.
Putting the body of Vitally gently on the floor, Judal stood up and turned his eyes towards Liza herself and not the five Lizas, which are masses of energy.
– Liza, thanks to you I barely escaped from death.
Then, characters were displayed on the monitor.
——As your little sister, of course.
– Then, an advice as your older brother. Take a rest again. We will restore the power once again when the moment comes.
——Negation*.
The five bodies of Liza that are mass of energy disappeared.
However, Liza in the capsule didn’t close her eyes.
– … negation? What do you mean?
——I can’t sleep yet.
– You can’t sleep?
——Because I have something to do.
– Are you going to be the helper of Claire and the others?
——Exactly.
The body of Liza who smiled gently in the capsule emitted a blue brilliance.
– What, is this…? What the hell is going on outside?
Krovahn, who was confined with Nakri and Nesat in the drawing room for guests in the basement of Little Garden, muttered while looking up at the ceiling.
The walls were shaking a lot of times from a while ago and the ceiling was making creaking sounds, to the point that it could fall at any time.
– …. somehow, I have a bad feeling.
Nakri was about to open the door locked from outside and asked Nesat who muttered so as she remained sat on the sofa.
– You felt something?
Nesat nods.
– But it’s nothing more than a hunch.
– You mean that Vitaly isn’t coming to help us, huh? Now, if I’m not mistaken, this ship came alongside to a port somewhere in Liberia.
– That should be correct. But, I have an unpleasant feeling.
– What do we do, Krovahn?
– Even if you tell me what to do…
Sitting on a chair, Krovahn surveyed the room.
The lobby boasts its space in its own way, it’s a guest room with three beds placed in it.
Honestly, the treatment was too good for prisoners of war.
They aren’t subject to tortures or interrogations, and even the meals are served properly.
If they get in touch with the communication device installed in the room, they will receive almost all what they want.
The three of them aren’t in their Variable Suits, they are wearing casual clothes.
Krovahn wears a white T-shirt and black shorts.
Nakri wears a camisole and short pants.
Nesat wears a white dress that contrasts nicely with her brown skin.
The three of them selected those from several clothes that were prepared and so they were provided with them.
The underwear is washed and carried every day.
However, when they tried to get in touch with the communication device, there was no reply.
Maybe an accident or something is happening, and they are in distress?
Or…
(I understand that the guys of Little Garden aren’t bad guys. But, I don’t trust them completely)
Krovahn looks the back of his right hand.
It used to have a Variable Stone implanted in it, but not anymore.
The scientists of Little Garden pulled it out.
That’s the same for Nakri.
But, that’s not the same for Nesat.
Nesat who lost one of her eyes because of an injury she took in the past, secured her eyesight with the artificial eye in which the Variable Stone is implanted.
Because it was difficult and pitiable to snatch it away from her, there was no need to take it away.
– ——Uwaah!?
The walls and ceiling shake furiously once again, and it’s Nakri who fell to the ground because she was kicking the door.
Making a sound, the electricity went off.
– Alright!
Resolving himself, Krovahn stood up.
Nesat, can you tear down the door with your Hundred?
– … that’s, impossible…
– Why? Nobody’s going to say you’re deploying it without permission, right? After all, this is an emergency.
– But, there’s nothing to copy here.
– Ah, you’re right…
The ability of the Hundred of Nesat is copy——it can’t be deployed without any target.
– In that case, there’s no choice but to break the door without a Hundred, huh…. To start with, it’s impossible if its’ in normal conditions, but now that there’s a power outage, then we may do it. There’s a possibility that the barrier against physical attacks is gone.
– Then I’ll help with that too.
*Bump* *Bump*, Krovahn and Nakri do ramming attacks to the door by turns without stopping.
There’s no response from outside.
The surveillance camera installed in the room probably isn’t functioning due to the power outage.
– Seems like we’re doing it.
Even though this was nothing else but a room of Little Garden, it was a substitute of a prison. There’s no barrier either. The shape of the door changes while they incessantly collide with it.
Thereupon, Nakri proposes.
– How about kicking it at the same time?
– Yeah, let’s try it.
Krovahn continued, showing his consent.
– Then, let’s go with one, two, go!
– Yup!
「「One, two, go!」」
When Krovahn and Nakri kick up gathering their voices, the door bends and flew off into the corridor.
– Alright!
– Now we can go out.
Krovahn and Nakri look at each other and smile with a grin.
– I’ll take a look outside.
Saying that, Krovahn went to the corridor.
– There’s not a single window, so this looks like a basement, huh. Besides, it seems safe to say that something is going on.
Krovahn said, looking around the corridor where emergency lamps are turned on in red.
– We don’t know the situation, so why don’t we go towards the surface first? Nakri, Nee-chan, let’s go!
When the three of them started running, an announcement done by the voice of a boy starts to echo in the corridor.
『This is a state of emergency. This is a state of emergency. Currently, Little Garden is receiving an attack by someone. The general public as well as the visitors of Little Garden, please evacuate to the shelter immediately』
The next thing they heard were the sounds of explosions and gunshots.
– Krovahn, someone’s attacking after all!
– Yeah…. And now, I heard gunshots….
Krovahn, Nesat and Nakri were able to listen carefully by stopping their legs and heard from the direction they are moving a gunshot again.
Then, a scream.
And then, they hear footsteps.
They are quite fast.
– H-help me! …. Ah, you guys!
A guard belonging to Little Garden appeared before their eyes, he seems to be surprised, looking at Krovahn and the girls.
Being unable to stand up due to the surprise, he sat down on the ground.
– The hell happened?
– Hii!
When Krovahn asks him, the man twitches his face with fear.
– We’re not going to hurt you. So, tell us. What’s happening?
– …. Te, terrorists. Savages created by terrorists came out from the ships that crashed into, the outside is in chaos….
– What!?
– Also, a woman with a machine gun attacked me and my companions….
– What kind of woman?
– It’s a woman who wore a ragged white robe and has the same skin like you.
– It’s Vitaly! She came to rescue us!
– Hey, wait!
Krovahn grabs strongly the shoulder of Nakri who started running.
– Think carefully. Vitaly said that she doesn’t harm normal people, right? Besides, the Savages——
– But, look, Krovahn! It’s Vitaly!
– Eh…
Turning back, he saw Vitaly who held a machine gun in her hands turning around the corner of the corridor.
– See? As I thought, she came to rescue us!
– Still, wait!
Saying so, Krovahn sprung out in front of Nesat and Nakri.
– Why are you guys here?
Vitaly showed a surprised look for a moment and advances with her feet where Krovahn and the others are, while turning the long slits of her gaze.
Her height is high, her body is large too.
As a result, the sense of intimidation and impressiveness that she has are considerable.
– … saying “why are you guys here” means that you didn’t come to rescue us, right?
– Well, I knew you were in Little Garden. I never thought that you would be sneaking away like this.
– You see, Krovahn? Vitaly came to save us after all.
– Even if that’s the case, would you mind explaining what’s this chaos!? Moreover, even if they are soldiers, you seem to be hurting ordinary people who aren’t Slayers, isn’t it!?
– This is Little Garden, the lair of the Slayers. Surely civilians and soldiers aren’t Slayers, but they are cooperators. It’s inevitable to have a few victims. However, I haven’t dirtied my hands yet.
– Still? How do you say that!? You were saying that our revenge was against the Slayers. For what kind of purpose did you come here? Moreover, it’s said that Savages are appearing outside. No way, you did that too!?
– So you know that much, huh? Those are the weapons that I made using the cores and the bodies of the Savages.
– Those are the, ones we gathered…
– Exactly. I’m sure outside is going crazy.
– Wha——
Shaking his shoulders, Krovahn makes his cheeks become stiff and grabs the collar of Vitaly.
– Vitaly, what the hell are you planning to do!? Your purpose is to destroy Little Garden!?
– Sorry, but I don’t have much time to stick with you playing house.
Vitaly pushed away the body of Krovahn and touched the terminal that was put on her arm.
Thereupon, Krovahn suddenly falls to the floor.
– Wha…! What is, this…?
Krovahn said, while showing an anguished look and holding down his head.
Similarly, Nakri and Nesat also hold their heads, falling to their knees on the ground with a painful expression.
– Kuh… what did you do to us! Vitaly!
– I’m emitting noise that gives stimulus to the Variant Virus that flows in your blood. How is it, you are unable to move, right?
– … shit!
– Stay right there. If you still try to rebel, then I won’t go easy on you.
Vitaly turned the muzzle of the machine gun in her hands towards Krovahn.
– … Krovahn!
Despite suffering from the noise that resonates in her head, Nesat keeps turning a hostile look to Vitaly.
However, she can’t stand up.
While clenching her teeth, the best that she can do is to stand the nails on the floor.
Next to her, Nakri was sobbing with her hands on the ground.
– Why, why are you doing something like this!? Does this mean that you just helped us in order to be used by you!?
– That’s right——
Vitaly answers coldly and put her finger on the trigger of the machine gun.
– I won’t let you!
It’s the voice of a woman that resounded in the corridor.
It’s the voice of a woman in maid clothes with cat ears on her head.
Vitaly stared in wonder, looking at that figure.
– You bastard are the automaton that Linis made for childcare!
– I’m not an automaton. Mei Mei’s name is Mei Mei!
Vitaly turns the muzzle towards Mei Mei.
However, Mei Mei approached Vitaly instantly by sliding on the floor and launched a kick.
– ——kuh!!
The machine gun flies off from Vitaly’s hand.
However, Mei Mei doesn’t loosen the way of the attack.
Rotating her body, she launched turning kicks one after another.
With that, the body of Vitaly strikes the wall.
In an instant, it seemed that the victory was decided.
But, by taking a handgun that Vitaly had tied to her leg, the situation was reversed.
(She got, me…)
Mei Mei didn’t assume that she still had weapons.
She tries to shorten the distance, but she doesn’t make it in time.
Vitaly will try to pull the trigger of the gun at any time.
*BAAAAAAAAANNNGG…*!
– Kuhh!
Mei Mei immediately calculated the trajectory and tried to dodge it by averting her body, but it wasn’t enough and received the bullet on the right shoulder.
– It looks like I started to… move a little late…
While saying that, Mei Mei crouches, pressing down the air hole of the opened right shoulder.
The wiring of the mechanism that was shot became uncovered, sparks were scattering.
– … but, I can fight again.
Mei Mei tries to stand up.
There, Vitaly mercilessly fired bullets again.
– … ah.
Mei Mei received the bullets on her legs, she lost the balance of her body and fell down from her face.
(I can’t move if my legs are destroyed…)
At this rate, the core inside her body——the Variable Stone might be destroyed.
That will result in the suspension of her activities, but if that’s the case it’s possible to repair her.
The problem is if she destroys the memory chip in the device of the ears.
In that case, she’s going to lose her memory.
(I would rather avoid getting to that extent, but…)
What should I do from now on? Mei Mei tries to ask《LÍZA》and Charlotte using the communication device implanted in herself.
The state of the radio is strange from a while ago.
That much makes her worry if it’s going to connect or not.
(Oh, it connected! Eh——)
When she noticed, the figure of Vitaly had disappeared.
What she was able to catch with her hearing system are the footsteps that went away.
Vitaly seems to have left this place behind with the nice gap that was made.
(Somehow or other, it looks like I was saved)
Raising her body, Mei Mei called out the three people.
– Is everyone okay?
– Yeah, somehow…. You saved us…. Or rather, what on earth are you?
While saying so, Krovahn tries to get up.
– Apart from having to talk about that this time, please don’t push yourself now. I don’t think that the health of everyone, from what Mei Mei can see, is getting back to form.
– But, if we don’t go after Vitaly…
– About that, please wait a moment. Even if you go after her, I think it will result in the same thing as before. That is why Mei Mei will contact her master who will think of how to deal with the problem.
Saying that, Mei Mei started talking with Charlotte with whom she was able to establish a line.
– Charlotte-sama, do you hear me, Charlotte-sama?
『Yeah, I hear you from a while ago』
– If so, then I guess you know…
With that as a preamble, Mei Mei tried to capture Vitaly Tynyanov who had been battling with the gang of three.
Then she informs her that she was shot and that Vitaly escaped.
『So, are they safe?』
– They have no injuries, but it seems that they took a mental attack with some kind of radio waves. I presume that it’s effective only against the Slayers, because Mei Mei and the guards in this place weren’t affected. Do you think so too?
– Y-yeah…
While he kept his back on the wall, the guard who was flopping down and sitting on the floor nodded with the call given by Mei Mei.
– And finally, it seems that the communication devices have been affected too.
『But now it seems that they were restored. I can also confirm the images of you guys properly from me. You were shot in the shoulder and legs by Vitaly, right?』
– Affirmative, Vitaly seems to have a powerful gun that can pierce barriers with energy. Can Charlotte-sama repair me afterwards?
『Of course. Although I don’t know if I can do it skillfully like Linis, your creator』
– So, about the problem with Vitaly, she is probably heading further underground. What should we do?
『In that state, even if you catch up with her, there’s nothing that you can do. So wait there. I’ll go over there right away. Judal already headed to Liza』
– Eh, the company president-sama?
『If she’s after Liza, then he’ll do something. If she couldn’t do it at that time, then she won’t be able to do it. Well then, I’ll be heading there after this. Wait for about three minutes please』
– Wait a minute!
It was Krovahn who shouted when Charlotte tried to cut the line.
– The doctor with whom you are talking now is the one who took our Hundred, right? We have some questions.
– Yes, she is, but.
– If so, let me talk with her. Do you hear me?
『Yes, I hear you』
The voice of Charlotte echoed from the speaker of the corridor.
Their voice seems to have been caught by the microphone equipped in Mei Mei.
– We have a request. Please return the Hundred to me and Nakri.
『Why?』
– There are Savages outside, right? Vitaly was saying that they were made with the cores and Variable Stones of the Savages that we gathered. Therefore, we want to avoid damage to ordinary persons and to this sphere of life. That’s our responsibility. So, we want to stop them. That’s the same for Nee-chan and Nakri, right?
When Krovahn wished for their consent, Nesat and Nakri nodded.
– Even though we can’t fight with Vitaly, we can fight with the Savages. So, please!
– Yeah, we want to fight for Little Garden. You’ve treated us well so far. Nesat thinks the same, don’t you?
*Nod*, Nesat nods.
– What do we do, Charlotte-sama? I don’t think they are telling lies, but…
『That’s what I’ve understood from the interrogation so far. What are you going to do, Claire? Are you going to let them go to the battlefield?』
『Chris, what is the judgment of《LIZA》?』
『The answer that came back is 《They are trustworthy people》』
『Is that so…? Besides, it is certain that we want fighting power even if it’s one person desuwane…』
『In other words, you will send them to the battlefield?』
『Krovahn, Nakri, Nesat deshitawane. In view of the present moment, we will release you as an emergency countermeasure. Therefore, Little Garden temporarily hires you as mercenaries masu. Do you accept desuka?』
– Yes, of course. Nee-chan and Nakri are also okay with it?
– … yes.
– Say no more!
Nesat nods, Nakri answers.
– In that case, it’s decided. President-san and Dr.-san, we’ll be under your care.
『Got it. Then, come to the laboratory with Mei Mei. I’ll try to make you go out to the battle ASAP』
– Now that the deployment has finished, let’s go to the battle.
Emile said, looking up to the sky that began to dye in a madder red color.
– Go? How are we going to move to the top of the top glass?
『If you come outside from that place, and if you come from the direction of the coast just after——』
– That’s not necessary.
Emile stopped the words of Chris that were heard through the wireless ring.
– Hayato, there’s a shortcut.
– A shortcut…?
– Like this.
Using half of her Arms Shroud that was deployed like wrapping up her body, Emile created armaments, she created two turrets at the waist.
– Don’t tell me that you’re going to fly in the air using those as rockets…?
– Bingo! As expected of Hayato. By injecting these with accumulated energy in one go, it will make them have propulsive power. And so, we’ll be on the top glass in a blink of an eye.
– You serious…? Are you really sure about this?
– Of course I am. Do you know what’s the place where a hole was done?
Emile asks Chris of the briefing room.
『It’s in the space between the school building and the male dorm where Hayato-san and Emile-san live』
– Roger. I got more or less its location. I can’t see it from here, so let’s move to the top of the school building first. Let’s go, Hayato!
– Hey, wai… uwaah!?
Emile holds Hayato with both arms and sprayed energy from the two turrets towards the ground.
Their bodies with propulsive power are launched into the sky in an instant.
It took them 10 seconds to pass by the side of the stadium and landed at the roof of the school building of the high school martial arts department.
– That’s the hole, hmm?
Looking up at the sky, Emile mutters.
To the eyes of Hayato who also looked up at the sky, a hole in the top glass and a huge replicant are reflected.
The size of the hole is around two meters in diameter.
– It seems we can come out from there. Here we go again.
– O-okay…
Emile jumps from the rooftop and injects energy from the turrets.
Hayato, along with Emile, tried to go through the opened hole in the top glass without stopping and so they were able to go outside Little Garden.
There are no replicants there, but there are hornets suspending in the air.
Several of them seem to be passing through the opened hole, invading inside Little Garden.
– We have to deal with the huge one quickly as well as with the small ones.
Emile landed on the top glass and returned the two turrets to particles, then she created something like an ax with Arms Shroud.
– The first will be the big one!
The moment Emile readied the ax turning it towards the replicant, it was a hornet type around it that launched an attack.
It bombards from its mouth, pointing at Emile.
– … that’s one of the small ones that Charlotte was talking about. They also look troublesome!
Emile dodges the fired beam and slashes at it with the ax.
However, it dodged it nimbly.
– Damn!
She reduces the ax to particles for a moment.
And then, she creates floating batteries.
– If my opponent is small, then these look better. I’ll handle these guys with the floating batteries while Hayato takes care of the huge one!
– Got it!
Hayato responded and readied Hien, turning it towards the gigantic replicant.
At that time, on the rear deck of the ship, members of Selections including Fritz, Latia and Liddy were having a fierce battle with over 10 replicants.
– Going throuu———gh!
It’s Latia who shouted, she struck hard her fist on the abdomen of an enemy.
The armor of the arm began to shine intensely, breaking through the thick steel shell, leaving a big hole in the body.
– What do you think of my Strike Beast!?
As planned by Latia, she was able to destroy the Variable Stone hidden inside its body, the core of the replicant.
That giant stops moving.
– With this, we’ve defeated 8体——and there are 4体 more, huh…. Ah, but since these are artificial, then this counting system is bad, it’d be better to use 機, right…? Or not?*
It was Fritz who showed a faint smile as he unconsciously cracks a joke while confirming the number of the remaining targets, then he noticed that a replicantwas trying to bombard Liddy in the middle of the battle.
There are no obstacles from the position where he is standing now.
– Vice president, it’s dangerous——.
Saying that, he bombards with the rifle of his right hand.
Splendid, the energy beam hit the head of the target as planned.
Liddy didn’t receive the bombardment from the replicant.
– You saved me, Fritz Grantz.
– No, not at all, this is my job.
The weapon of his Long Shooter type Hundred, Stronghold, is a sniper rifle with a long gun turret which is like its name symbolizes——a Shooting Star.
However, as its model name says, it specializes in combat style where long range shooting is the main constituent.
Therefore, it’s frequent in battles to act as support.
In other words, he’s like a moving battery.
(However, not being able to bombard freely makes the stress pile up, isn’t it…)
A melee battle in a narrow range.
There’s a possibility of friendly fire, as there’s the town of Sangria over 200 meters across the sea and there’s Little Garden on the other side.
The replicants have 3 meters in length approximately, they are bigger than humans, but their movement isn’t so quick, so if he aims and shots with certainty then he’s not going to miss, but if he pierces them then it will become a great disaster for the surroundings, so it’s difficult to have the control.
『Can you hear me, Liddy!?』
A sudden communication from Erika Candle in the briefing room was heard from the wireless ring.
『The remaining amount of energy of you and Latia Saint-Émillion is less than a quarter. We can’t confirm it from here, but how many replicants are left?』
– Four!
Liddy replies.
『If it’s that quantity, then I think you will manage somehow, so please be careful of the remaining amount of energy. We are counting on you』
– If so, shall we also give a hand to Fritz?
Smiling with a grin, Latia continued.
– Vice president, I need a favor. Can the vice president send flying the Savages over here with the spear please?
– Sure, I don’t mind, but what do you intend to do?
– I’ll launch them in the sky. If it’s towards the sky, there’s no problem for Fritz even if he does a strong bombardment, don’t you agree?
– ——I get it! Certainly, there’s no problem if that’s the case. That’s a good idea for someone like you.
– Shut up! Let’s start quickly!
– Then, without delay——
Liddy accelerates using energy from the booster of her waist and pierced strongly the body of a replicant with the giant huge drill of her weapon Midgard Schrange.
Latia relaxed her mouth and grinned before the imminent enemy, loading with energy her feet that were covered in armament that resembled boots and pulls one of her legs with all her might.
– It’s perfect, vice president! You better be ready, Fritz!
– Yeah!
Fritz had already readied Shooting Star towards the sky.
Of course, the energy is already filled.
– Here I gooooo———!
– Shoot, Fritz!
– Yeah!
Aiming at the replicant that was launched high in the sky by Latia, a thick beam that whirls energy released from the right hand of Fritz opens a big hole in its body, destroying the Variable Stone, the core that was hidden inside.
Immediately after the explosion, that big body falls into the sea.
– Good job, now there’s three to go, huh?
Following Liddy, Latia said.
– Let’s do the same with the others! Nice one, Fritz!
– Thanks!
Second basement floor of Little Garden.
Vitaly is standing on the side of the wall of the NO TRESPASSING section in front of the Student Council Room and then sets a small explosive device on the shutter in front of her then returns the way she came.
She turns to the corridor where her safety was guaranteed and touched with her fingers the screen of the wristwatch type terminal.
Thereupon, a violent explosion sounds, a blast rolls up.
Returning to her original location to confirm it, there was a big hole in the shutter installed in the NO TRESPASSING section.
(Looks like the barrier is considerably weakened, since I was able to destroy it at once…)
That means that her plan is going smoothly.
As she advances and goes through the hole she made before, an elevator was there.
It has something like a sensor control.
Nonetheless, when she thrusts both hands into the opening of the door of the elevator, she could open the door slightly.
The inside of it looks like a box where people can get in it.
There are four remaining explosive devices.
It is certain that there must be another door beyond this point.
There’s no problem about using only two explosive devices here.
She thought so and threw a explosive device into the elevator, then touches the screen of the terminal of the arm again.
An explosion sounds again, and the blast caressed her hair.
She returns to the front of the door of the destroyed elevator, there was a hole in the box, that was particularly lucky.
Then she throws another explosive device, touches the terminal and turns on the switch.
This should have destroyed the lower door.
(This will make the pursuers to not come along right away, but I shouldn’t ignore my last arrow)
She must be extremely cautious.
Touching the screen of the wristwatch terminal, Vitaly sends instructions to the hornets that are outside.
(With this, my Savages and the Variants should begin to act violently. The Slayers will have to go after them to deal with them)
For this reason, she can push on towards her own goal.
Vitaly twines around the handrail of the elevator the tip of one of the wires she took out from the pocket as a substitute of a safety device and begins descending along the wall of the elevator.
When she gets to the deepest part, she found that the lower door was destroyed as expected.
There’s one door remaining.
She mounts the explosive device, hides in the shade of the elevator and turns on the switch of the terminal.
Vitaly, with a hole in the last door, she finally reached the deepest part of Little Garden——the part where Liza Harvey, the girl who became its power motive and brain is.
There’s a person who greeted her.
– To think there’s someone rude to interfere with the time of my little sister and I, and it had to be you, isn’t it…? It’s been a long time, Vitaly.
– Are you saying that you were waiting here for me to come?
– Yes, that’s right.
Judal nods towards Vitaly who asked the question, staring in wonder as if she was surprised, then continued his words.
– You also thought that I was going to be here, don’t you?
– I thought that you could save me the trouble if that was the case.
Taking out a gun from her chest, Vitaly turned it towards Vitaly.
– What are you doing with such a dangerous thing? What do you plan to do?
Judal raises both hands, but he’s not showing a expression like being frightened in fear.
He was keeping a composed look.
– The reason is one you know very well.
– The revenge on me that you threw away——but that’s not it, no?
Judal loosens his mouth. His composed attitude doesn’t change.
– You didn’t understand that well, isn’t it?
– But, that’s your misunderstanding.
– … misunderstanding? What are you saying? You used to pretend that you loved me and then you casted me away.
– This is the conversation we had at that time, yes? Lunaltia Project, which is an important matter for Warslan from now on——the one most competent during the first stage of Little Garden project was Charlotte and not you. That’s why I put her on the top and I left you as the head of the laboratory of Rasiya, your hometown.
– Lies! I was degraded in Rasiya for using the vast energy of Liza as the power motive——the core of Little Garden, and for things like telling the whereabouts of my colleagues to the Savages. As a result, it seems that it was identified that there was a possibility of putting the world in a critical situation!
– You are wrong. I should have said at that time that it was regrettable to use an excellent engineer like you as the right arm of Charlotte. Besides, you weren’t able to control Liza properly, and that didn’t turn out well with your surroundings, as opposed to Lunaltia project. That’s the reason why I told you to come outside of the HQ temporarily and to come back giving results. From there, it was you yourself who got involved with illegal human experiments with the research of artificial Variants that was entrusted to you, isn’t that correct? The possibility was closed by yourself. With unsightly emotions, like envy.
– Envy? Are you saying that I was being envy of someone?
– Of my mother Linis, the person who was your teacher, and of Liza over there, right?
– …!!
– My mother Linis gave me a dream to me who was a defective article and Liza who made my dream come true. It doesn’t change the fact that the two people connected by blood are special and important people who must have priority over anyone else.
– That’s why I joined the terrorist group that freed me from prison, created perfect artificial Variants and completed the artificial Savages with artificial Variable Stones as cores. In order to steal those important ones from you. In order to give you despair.
– Completed? What are you talking about?
Judal relaxes his mouth and laughs like making fun of her.
– Completion is a perfect success. That you came to Little Garden by yourself means that the research of artificial Variants isn’t perfect yet, correct?
– …!!
– I suppose the artificial Savages aren’t perfect either. Rather, if you were able to handle them like a Tamer type Hundred, then their current state would be just violent. If only you could just create them with the technological strength of Warslan.
– Who gives a damn about what you are saying!? The fact that you are being cornered like this won’t change. Besides, it’s about time for the last arrow to be released outside.
– … last arrow?
– That’s right. I set up a device to emit specific radio waves to some of the Savages I made, like the hornets. If that radio wave flows out, the Slayers won’t be able to move normally and the artificial Savages and artificial Variants should rampage.
Smiling with a grin, Vitaly continued provoking Judal.
– It really helped that security was sloppy, Judal. It’s because you are using children so you can pull the strings and do as you like. In that case, I’m not going to be like you.
– … hou. I didn’t expect you to say such a thing. Perhaps if I say that I want you again, you’ll become my ally and do wonderful terrorist countermeasures?
Judal walks up to the position of Vitaly and touches her cheek with his hand.
Vitaly shakes off his hand.
– You’re going to use me as a woman again! Don’t fuck with me!
– Moments ago, I said such a thing but, it doesn’t mean that I didn’t recognize your skill. That’s true. I also wanted your research results and experiment results. At any rate, I located the hideout you were hidden, and I ordered to investigate it, but it looks like you don’t have data remaining.
– If so, then this is the compensation.
Vitaly turned the muzzle towards Liza.
– What are you doing?
– It’s about choosing between me and Liza.
– There’s no choice like both?
– If I release myself from the binding spell of Linis by destroying Liza, then you——Judal, you haven’t changed anything. In that case, I will give you your final words. That is also for the sake of this world.
– If so, then I must deal with you.
Judal takes a gun from his breast pocket and turned its muzzle towards Vitaly.
– If you shoot, I’ll also shoot. With this enhanced 《E Tranquilizer》, not only the barrier deployed to cover the capsule, but also the tempered glass and the barrier of energy covering the body of Liza can be destroyed.
– You sure?
– … what?
– Please take a look at Liza.
– ——!?
Vitaly stares in wonder, looking at Liza.
The reason is that Liza is opening her eyes.
– No way, Liza is waking up——
– Do you know Kirishima Sakura, the artificial Variant you created?
– Kirishima Sakura…? The experiment at that time, the only one who survived…
– Liza seems to be delighted with her songs. Every time she sang, there was a sign of awakening. Now, thanks to the live concert being done just now, she woke up with my pinch in this way. She’s truly the little sister of her dear older brother. Or is it because we made too much noise here?
The monitor on the side of Liza shows a reaction.
Looking at the letters displayed there, Vitaly makes her spine shiver.
——If you try to kill Onii-sama.
Then I won’t allow it——
– Hi… ah, aaaaaaaa———!!
Vitaly pulled the trigger towards Liza, screaming like mad while her face becomes stiff in fear.
Many, many times over.
The gunshots echo in the confined space.
As Vitaly was saying, the fired bullets destroyed the defense membrane affixed to the capsule and perforated the capsule too.
But, all of them were stopped with a light blue defense barrier that appeared before Liza.
– … hii!!
Vitaly who saw the bullets falling to the floor, scattering, turns her gun towards Judal in panic.
– I-if you are going to hurt me, then Judal——
Vitaly couldn’t say much more than that.
When she noticed, her surrounding was being encircled by 5 Lizas.
– Wh-what are you…! You monster!
Vitaly shots bullets towards the Liza standing diagonally, but they pass through the body.
– Wha…
Vitaly noticed that the Lizas standing around herself weren’t substances but masses of energy that shaped Liza.
– It was a cruel thing to say that my little sister is a monster.
– ——ah…
Vitaly realized that Judal before her eyes was having a gun at the ready, but she couldn’t do anything.
There are no more bullets in the gun of her hand.
——*Bang*!
Along with the gunshot, the body of Vitaly flew backwards.
– Ju, dal…
Saying so, the chest of Vitaly is stained red.
Blood was flowing out from her mouth.
– … I didn’t want this kind of end, but it was inevitable. It’s a pity that I won’t be able to show you the future that I’ll create from now on, Vitaly.
Judal lowered the gun and approached the position of Vitaly, looking down on her appearance.
– What on earth are you saying——
– Come to think of it, I forgot to say this. Concerning the results, and thanks to you, my plan has made a considerable progress. I’m really grateful.
– … kh, being told that, it makes me get sick of myself for being a little happy.
– Was that your resolution?
– Who knows?
– …
Judal gently smiled and crouched down.
– I’ll take care of you until your last moment.
– Judal, you really are a heartless man…
– I know. That’s why I don’t love women anymore.
Saying that, Judal kisses Vitaly.
– Love can be a chance to demonstrate tremendous power, but it can also be a shackle.
– You really… are… a fool…
Vitaly closed her eyes and passed away in the arms of Judal.
– … Fool, huh… That may be. However, this is the path I chose.
Putting the body of Vitally gently on the floor, Judal stood up and turned his eyes towards Liza herself and not the five Lizas, which are masses of energy.
– Liza, thanks to you I barely escaped from death.
Then, characters were displayed on the monitor.
——As your little sister, of course.
– Then, an advice as your older brother. Take a rest again. We will restore the power once again when the moment comes.
——Negation*.
The five bodies of Liza that are mass of energy disappeared.
However, Liza in the capsule didn’t close her eyes.
– … negation? What do you mean?
——I can’t sleep yet.
– You can’t sleep?
——Because I have something to do.
– Are you going to be the helper of Claire and the others?
——Exactly.
The body of Liza who smiled gently in the capsule emitted a blue brilliance.
