Akane Academy, once classes were over.
A woman walked down the corridor where many students who didn’t return home were gathered.
She was Takanashi Kyouko, the first secretary of Suruga Andou.
After imprisoning Haimura Moroha, she briefly returned to the main office in Tokyo and seven days later, she once again came to the city.
She stylishly wore a female suit and pants and imposingly strode within the school.
At the same time, she cunningly scrutinized the students.
All the students noticed Kyouko, saying「Who’s she?」but they returned to their enthusiastic conversations with the persons who accompanied them as if losing interest in her right away.
Kyouko strained her ears as she walked, wondering what they were talking so crazy about until a time like this.
The topics of the students were summed up in one topic.
That was「Speculations and arguments about the missing Haimura Moroha」
Moreover, they were partially interested in the unfounded gossips and had no signs of enjoying them, almost all the people were seriously affected or felt anxious about Moroha’s whereabouts.
Kyouko unconsciously frowned.
(A single student disappeared and yet, the whole academy has become this much agitated…)
What a grave situation.
It wasn’t pleasant that the individual called Haimura Moroha caused an effect this big on all students.
At any rate, the current number of students at Akane Academy was about 360.
Most of them would join the Japanese Division after graduation.
In contrast, the current number of Saviors in the Japanese Division didn’t exceed 500.
In three years, the number of Saviors in the Japanese Division would exceed 800 people. If it was calculated and established that 360 people among them were strongly affected by Haimura Moroha──
It was possible that the position of Suruga Andou, whom Kyouko offered her loyalty, were to sway.
Why was this happening?
Even though Kyouko was delighted to seeing the first《Ancient Dragon》in history that appeared in Japan first.
And that she thought it would be a nice soldier under Andou’s control.
Ironically, the boy named Haimura Moroha hid an unimaginable strength and energy, possessed a reputation that far exceeded Kyouko’s expectations and reached a level that had to be regarded as dangerous.
(Yes, getting rid of him now was the only choice. It was the right answer even if he was forcibly imprisoned)
Fortunately, Zhixin indicted him.
For instance, If Edward, who had an oddly high opinion of Moroha, were to make a complaint, he would end up putting all responsibility on Zhixin.
Then, the question was how to silence those who clamored the disposal of Haimura Moroha inside the Japanese Division as unfair.
The noisiest man among them was at Akane Academy.
He was Tadanori, the third son of the Urushibara family and the board chairman of the academy.
Kyouko expressly showed up in the city one once more to deal with Tadanori.
Tadanori stood in front of the board chairman’s office and waited in an admirable attitude.
Kyouko glared at the man as she remembered the large number of times she was given a hard time.
However, Tadanori noticed Kyouko’s figure, then rubbed his hands together,
– Welcome and nice to see you, Ms. Takanashi. I cannot thank you enough for taking the trouble of coming from far away for me at this time.
The board chairman himself opened the door and servilely invited her in.
Although she was called a secretary, she had much more authority than an average leader; the privilege of the main office.
Five years ago, when she was in a power struggle with this man, their statuses and positions completely reversed, that was why Tadanori behaved modestly, without regard to his inner thoughts.
This serves him right.
However, without losing her cool, Kyouko,
– It was really far. I was against this, about building the Academy in such a remote area.
She replied bluntly and entered without delay.
– Hahaha, that hurts.
Tadanori showed a flattering smile and followed her cheerfully.
The board chairman’s office was a luxurious office which had installed nothing but expensive furnishings.
And yet, he wasn’t being showy, he just had a good taste.
Kyouko was disgusted with this carefulness typical of Tadanori.
Feeling displeased, she sat on the sofa for visitors without asking for permission.
In front of her, a girl in uniform was sitting down, waiting for her.
With a slightly nervous voice, she introduced herself as Tadanori’s younger sister Shizuno.
As Tadanori sat down next to Shizuno,
– The fact of the matter is that my younger sister is in love with Haimura-kun. One week has passed since he was imprisoned. She is concerned about him and has been unable to sleep a single day. Hearing that Ms. Kyouko would come, she couldn’t sit still. Please forgive her presence.
He said piteously to gain her sympathy.
Shizuno also bent herself forward to Kyouko.
– Where is Moroha now? Please let me see him. Please.
She appealed as if supplicating.
As expected of a woman from the Urushibara family. Her facial expression was like a Noh mask, it didn’t show her inner feelings.
But they oozed from her voice.
She seemed to be still very inexperienced compared to the sly fox Tadanori.
– I also beg you. Naturally, I have prepared my thanks. It will be what Ms. Takanashi wants at a later date and without fail.
He was indeed a sly fox.
He curried favors with her, without putting an end to his flattering smile.
Probably his inner thoughts were boiling his guts.
As Kyouko chuckled to herself,
– You’re at that again? I’m so fed up with it.
She showily shrugged her shoulders.
In fact, she was fed up with this.
For the past week, Tadanori and Shizuno tried all sorts of means to work on the leaders of the main office including Kyouko to try getting information of them about the situation of Haimura Moroha and to unfold lobbying to cancel the imprisonment.
Kyouko was the one behind the imprisonment of Haimura Moroha, nobody inside the Japanese Division knew the details, including where he was imprisoned. Yes, she hadn’t even report to Andou.
That was why no matter how much Tadanori and Shizuno asked about the circumstances to the leaders other than Kyouko, it was futile. Some of them didn’t feel comfortable with Kyouko overbearingly imprisoning him, but it was troublesome for those guys to criticize her with Tadanori.
But she would make that trouble end today.
Kyouko told them in a firm tone of voice.
– I cannot reply that, to say nothing of being able to let you see him, how many times do I have to say it until you understand?
– ……
Shizuno caught her breath.
As she let bitter feelings ooze from her voice,
– Then why did you expressly come here?
– It looks like I gave you weird expectations, huh.
Kyouko ended up laughing scornfully.
Was she a child after all?
Even though she was a Savior, was she an awakened first-year student?
– Haimura Moroha is a dangerous person. Both Japanese and Chinese Divisions have decided that he needs to be rigorously imprisoned and isolated. Understand well that you are not allowed to raise an objection.
– You have no proof that Moroha was manipulating the metaphysicals, do you? Your unfair way of dealing with him has gone too far.
– This is a justifiable measure based on high political judgment.
She flatly pushed aside the protest of the adolescent female.
– Is it possible that the power of Ms. Takanashi can do something about it?
Tadanori lowered his waist and supplicated.
He had no idea that Kyouko was the perpetrator who forcibly imprisoned Moroha using that「power」!
It served him right, it couldn’t be helped.
Kyouko stiffened her face, enduring what it seemed to be a grin.
– I came here today because I felt sorry for my old friend Urushibara-kun and came to help you.
– This is good news. And how exactly would you do that?
– Your plan is so obvious, you’re helping Haimura Moroha, trying to build a strong position within the Japanese Division, but it collapsed with his imprisonment now. So forget about Haimura Moroha and submit to Suruga-sama. Just make every effort to train useful people for Suruga-sama. Then you will be put again around the end of Suruga-sama’s kingdom. What do you think? Doesn’t this make you happy, almost wanting to shed tears?
Kyouko deliberately chose a haughty way of talking.
And fixedly peeked at Tadanori’s state.
She remembered the thing of five years ago──
When Savior Training Schools were opening, she debated where it should go.
Kyouko naturally insisted that it should be Tokyo.
Eventually, and to train the young people who would become the limbs of the Japanese Division, she would need to school and control the main office within sight.
However, the Urushibara family represented by Tadanori was against this.
「Tokyo grabs too much attention to preserve the secrecy of the Academy」,「In the unlikely event the children that are in process of transplanting self-awareness as Saviors were to cause the stupidest of accidents, I’m afraid the damage in Tokyo will be huge」 and so on, and with this and that, he found a far-fetched argument, got the support from within the Division in the twinkling of an eye and opened the school in this land.
At the time when the Japanese Division hadn’t enough talented persons and had no power, it was impossible for them to compete with the cunning men of the Urushibara family from the beginning.
After that, Tadanori successfully obtained the position of Akane Academy Board Chairman.
It seemed to be a simple and do-nothing job, but as far as Kyouko was concerned, it was far from it.
Because it was a brand new organization, most of the members of the Japanese Division were occupied by Akane graduates, and when considering that it would be the same forever──how important was the position of board chairman who could inspire his dear students and win them over as much as he wanted before sending them to the Japanese Division?*
*TN: Tricky as hell sentence, 抱き込む is the verb for “wining over someone” though it directly means holding someone in one’s arms.
In fact, when the extraordinary talent called Haimura Moroha emerged, Tadanori was the very first to get him in his hands.
(Surely, and as I expected, he hasn’t stopped smiling, huh? But how do you feel now that your precious Haimura Moroha has lost his position?)
Kyouko seemed to enjoy this five-year revenge she accomplished.
The last thing was to make Tadanori yield completely.
– Do you still have Haimura Moroha in your heart this late in the game? Or are you going to implore to my warm heart? Will you let me hear your reply, Urushibara-kun?
– I don’t have to think about it. My rule is to not gamble. I don’t buy betting tickets unless I can certainly win.
Tadanori stood up straight, came to the side of Kyouko and kneeled courteously.
(I won!)
Kyouko shouted with exultation in her mind.
The rating finished just now.
She finally and completely made this nasty longtime enemy surrender.
– Yes, that’s right. You’re that kind of person.
He lusted for power more than anyone else, this was why he was obsequious to those who were powerful.
– Ms. Takanashi expressly came here, and that really saved me.
Tadanori politely and reverently held Kyouko’s feet with both hands while still being on his knees.
– What the? Are you trying to lick my feet too? It’s not like I have demanded you to do that much.
Kyouko giggled at the despicable guts of Tadanori.
– Yes, I’m a man who can do anything to mount the winning horse.
As Tadanori showed a flattering smile──
He suddenly put handcuffs on Kyouko’s ankle.
She couldn’t react because he really did that in an instant.
Above all, she didn’t get the meaning of it.
– … What are you doing?
She asked in a subdued voice.
Depending on the answer, she would put killing intent into it, that is, she wouldn’t just pay him back.
However, as Tadanori kept showing that flattering smile,
– It is as you see, isn’t it? I would be troubled if Ms. Takanashi were to escape.
– Now to put it on the other leg.
– … I said what are you doing!?
Running out of patience, Kyouko tried to pump mana out from the seven gates in her whole body.
She would tear off this toy with Strength and kick flying Tadanori’s tip of the nose.
However, no prana came out.
No──
To be precise, it seemed like it vanished as soon as it came out….
(What? What? Wha…t?)
Without understanding what on earth was going on, Kyouko fell into a light panic.
She didn’t think this was the deed of Tadanori in front of her. He wasn’t a Savior.
She didn’t think the handcuffs on her feet had anything to do with it. She didn’t feel an extraordinary aura like《The Origin》either.
In that case──
Tadanori, who gave a sidelong glance to Kyouko who got through the panic, called out to someone outside the room as he stood up.
– Please come in.
The entrance door opened in an instant.
Kyouko reflexively looked towards that person.
A silver-haired girl in Akane Academy uniform was there.
She saw her face in documents. A transfer student from Russia.
Her identity was “man-eater” Elena Arshavina.
She entered the room, holding an impressive sword in her right hand.
(It’s the deed of that sword…)
Kyouko sensed.
The ominousness emitted by the sword blade, the unearthly atmosphere that wasn’t a trivial matter, this was unmistakably《The Origin》.
She didn’t know how it worked, but because of that, she was in a state she couldn’t put out prana.
And──in this situation, Kyouko wasn’t an A-Rank Shirogane, she was nothing but an ordinary and powerless woman.
The silver-haired girl, on the other hand, was clearly trained in martial arts.
Every single move of hers had no gaps.
– On the contrary, how do you feel about being imprisoned?
Elena reached her back with a smooth movement and put a blade against the nape of her neck.
Kyouko shuddered on the sofa, she couldn’t move.
– Y-y-you think you’ll get away without consequences, doing something like this?
She desperately ranted and raved, but her voice had no strength in it.
– We are sorry for having a rough behavior, Ms. Takanashi. But we are desperate too.
Tadanori said, making a stern face.
– We want to save Haimura-kun. Can you tell me where is he imprisoned?
As if matching those words, the blade put against the nape of the neck from behind stroked Kyouko’s skin.
– If you stop now, I’ll forgive you! So make her lower the sword, Urushibara-kun. I won’t tell you to be the end of Suruga-sama’s kingdom, I’ll prepare a better position for you.
– I did say that I don’t buy betting tickets unless I can certainly win, didn’t I?
Tadanori broadly raised the corners of his mouth as he looked down at her from above.
It wasn’t a flattering smile to a powerful person, but a vicious smile to make fun of the weak.
– Not even if the gambling is about Haimura Moroha!?
– That is correct. That’s why I will buy them with all my strength. Without giving a sidelong glance to the cowards who do stupid and indecisive bets without knowing what betting tickets they should buy.
Tadanori declared with a face brimming with self-confidence.
(What is this…?)
Kyouko trembled in despair.
Tadanori was certainly trembling and scared of Haimura Moroha losing his position, she thought that he desperately wanted a chance to change his loyalty to Andou.
She thought that if she indirectly hinted at it, he would easily wag his tail.
She believed that Urushibara Tadanori was that sort of man.
(I misread him…)
To think Tadanori valued Haimura Moroha that much.
(And I was naïve…)
She by no means could predict that Akane Academy side would come with an extreme action.
She planned to come, look at his toady face and show off the difference in status between Tadanori and her, but actually, it was the opposite.
Kyouko shamelessly ended up coming to Akane Academy which could be called the den of Haimura Moroha faction. Wasn’t this a stupid situation? There was no….
– It is regrettable that we couldn’t have a peaceful discussion, Ms. Takanashi.
Shizuno turned her neck to the left and right.
Truly regrettable feelings oozed from her voice.
She stood up from the sofa and came in front of Kyouko.
And bent forward; the cruelty of the eyes that looked into her eyes!
She thought she was an ordinary lass, but that was an outrageous misunderstanding.
She got a knife from Elena and said as if whispering while confirming and making her fingers creep on the knife blade.
– I’m not a sadist and I don’t have experience doing this kind of things──so I don’t know how to moderate myself, alright?
Kyouko unconsciously made a sound with her throat.
– Do you still have『Suruga-sama』in your heart this late in the game? Or will you tell everything to me? Will you let us hear your reply, Ms. Takanashi?
Kyouko was swallowed up by the ghastliness of the girl who coldheartedly threatened her.
The difference in status was carved into her flesh and bones.
The only thing left to do was to beg for her life and spit up the things she knew while being interrogated….
The mansion of “the witch of the prison”.
The name of the place where Moroha was imprisoned.
Shizuno, who got the location out of her, wanted to go to meet him without collecting arrows and shields, but there were problems associated with it, she had no choice but to be prudent.
First of all, it appeared that an exclusive key was needed to extricate Moroha from inside the mansion, but it was destroyed by Zhixin.
Although she became desperate for a moment, it seemed possible to extricate him by destroying the mansion from outside so that it would be impossible for it to physically maintain the barrier of the prison.
However, the mansion was considerably firm, they needed about the same firepower to annihilate a metaphysical.
On top of that, the problem was that Zhixin was now guarding the mansion.
Moroha would plan his escape and destroy the mansion, controlling the metaphysicals; he was on the watch for that.
Kyouko shouted, getting desperate.
– Yes, it was my own judgment that imprisoned Haimura Moroha. This was done with no debate, I wasn’t able to put out formal directions as the Japanese Division. If I could cancel it, I would do it right now! But Lu Zhixin is different. He’s moving as the Chinese Division Deputy, I can’t do anything. Even Sir Edward’s position gets in the way, the most I can do is protest. It would be great if you can do something!
And──
It was a worrying problem, yes, but they had to do something.
They had to get rid of Zhixin and gather enough fighting power so they could destroy the mansion.
Thy racked their brains just after the attack of the「Cradle of the Sun」a few days ago, there were almost no Strikers’ troops in condition to fight satisfactorily. Haruka, Sophia, everyone was receiving treatment.
The strained board chairman’s office.
The lineup consisting of Shizuno, Tadanori and Leshya discussed with principal Mari and Strikers’ captain Isurugi Jin, looking for a plan
– To begin with, Ms. Takanashi is not lying, but we will have to go to the actual place and collect evidence.
– An anchor for《Transportal》is necessary, I shall get Tanaka-sensei to go there.
Mari’s《Transportal》had a tremendous effect, but on the other hand, the limitations to get to use it were many.
If she couldn’t imagine the scene of the destination strongly, she wouldn’t be able to open the gate.
In her previous life, it seemed that ways to use it and contrivances were necessary, but nowadays, there were methods such as sending emails or taking pictures, so if she could dispatch someone to the actual place, then she could exactly see the scene of the destination itself. Mari called this work as anchoring.
– I will accompany Tanaka-sensei to accomplish reconnaissance of the mansion and its surroundings. We must not limit us to an ambush done by Lu Zhixin only.
– Isurugi-kun going there is a relief.
– Then, I will tell Tanaka-sensei.
Isurugi bowed and departed at once.
Fortunately, the bullet train covered half the route to that place, but the rest would take less than two hours using Godlike Movement.
Hurrying was the best.
– Meanwhile, let’s select the sortie members to get ready.
– May I say something about the selection?
When Mari took the lead, Leshya raised her hand vigorously.
– You don’t need to feel guilty when fighting against metaphysicals, you can fight as long as you’re resolved to put everything you have into it. However, fighting against humans requires a different resolution──you need conviction and heart or your sword will become blunt.
Because Leshya was an expert in SvS, these certainly were heavy words.*
*TN: Direct translation would be “expert in inter-personal battle,” which sounds strange, so I adapted it to SvS which means Savior VS Savior.
Shizuno nodded and suggested what she got.
– I think that Elena-san… Ranjou-san and I are qualified.
– I agree, Ranjou-san’s growth is remarkable, she overcomes battlegrounds much better than our teachers.
In terms of condition, ability and above all else, the motivation of wanting to help Moroha, this was the only lineup for that.
– Is it possible that they can fight safely if the school principal and chibi-chan are also dispatched and her barrier is spread in that place?
– That’s impossible, Nii-san. Ms. Takanashi said that the mansion of “the witch of prison” has a barrier-maintaining device, didn’t she? If another large-scale barrier is spread in the area, we don’t know what kind of runaway will occur due to the interference.
– I don’t like that, but Maya will have to stay here.
All present nodded at each other, the members were decided.
Shizuno, Satsuki, and Leshya, the three of them were the selected few who joined Isurugi who went first.
It was decided that they would rely on Tanaka, who also went first, for support in the actual place.
(But if we’re going to make it a success, then one more person──)
Shizuno meditated for a moment.
She had an idea that their fighting power could undoubtedly become their trump card.
It was a dangerous bet… but she had to do it.
She decided so as to encourage herself in her heart.
She put strength into both legs that seemed very likely to tremble violently and stood up.
– Well then, I’ll get ready for the sortie. Elena-san, can I ask you to explain this to Ranjou-san?
– Understood.
Entrusting the rest to Leshya, Shizuno left the board chairman’s office. She didn’t tell the destination.
If that had been said, she would absolutely be restrained.
And so, after Shizuno left, Leshya stood up quickly, faced Mari directly and bowed her head.
– I would like you to hear my thoughts. And I would like to get your approval. This may sound a bit absurd, but if everything goes well, this will be a far better way to not expose everyone to unnecessary danger──
Akane Academy, once classes were over.
A woman walked down the corridor where many students who didn’t return home were gathered.
She was Takanashi Kyouko, the first secretary of Suruga Andou.
After imprisoning Haimura Moroha, she briefly returned to the main office in Tokyo and seven days later, she once again came to the city.
She stylishly wore a female suit and pants and imposingly strode within the school.
At the same time, she cunningly scrutinized the students.
All the students noticed Kyouko, saying「Who’s she?」but they returned to their enthusiastic conversations with the persons who accompanied them as if losing interest in her right away.
Kyouko strained her ears as she walked, wondering what they were talking so crazy about until a time like this.
The topics of the students were summed up in one topic.
That was「Speculations and arguments about the missing Haimura Moroha」
Moreover, they were partially interested in the unfounded gossips and had no signs of enjoying them, almost all the people were seriously affected or felt anxious about Moroha’s whereabouts.
Kyouko unconsciously frowned.
(A single student disappeared and yet, the whole academy has become this much agitated…)
What a grave situation.
It wasn’t pleasant that the individual called Haimura Moroha caused an effect this big on all students.
At any rate, the current number of students at Akane Academy was about 360.
Most of them would join the Japanese Division after graduation.
In contrast, the current number of Saviors in the Japanese Division didn’t exceed 500.
In three years, the number of Saviors in the Japanese Division would exceed 800 people. If it was calculated and established that 360 people among them were strongly affected by Haimura Moroha──
It was possible that the position of Suruga Andou, whom Kyouko offered her loyalty, were to sway.
Why was this happening?
Even though Kyouko was delighted to seeing the first《Ancient Dragon》in history that appeared in Japan first.
And that she thought it would be a nice soldier under Andou’s control.
Ironically, the boy named Haimura Moroha hid an unimaginable strength and energy, possessed a reputation that far exceeded Kyouko’s expectations and reached a level that had to be regarded as dangerous.
(Yes, getting rid of him now was the only choice. It was the right answer even if he was forcibly imprisoned)
Fortunately, Zhixin indicted him.
For instance, If Edward, who had an oddly high opinion of Moroha, were to make a complaint, he would end up putting all responsibility on Zhixin.
Then, the question was how to silence those who clamored the disposal of Haimura Moroha inside the Japanese Division as unfair.
The noisiest man among them was at Akane Academy.
He was Tadanori, the third son of the Urushibara family and the board chairman of the academy.
Kyouko expressly showed up in the city one once more to deal with Tadanori.
Tadanori stood in front of the board chairman’s office and waited in an admirable attitude.
Kyouko glared at the man as she remembered the large number of times she was given a hard time.
However, Tadanori noticed Kyouko’s figure, then rubbed his hands together,
– Welcome and nice to see you, Ms. Takanashi. I cannot thank you enough for taking the trouble of coming from far away for me at this time.
The board chairman himself opened the door and servilely invited her in.
Although she was called a secretary, she had much more authority than an average leader; the privilege of the main office.
Five years ago, when she was in a power struggle with this man, their statuses and positions completely reversed, that was why Tadanori behaved modestly, without regard to his inner thoughts.
This serves him right.
However, without losing her cool, Kyouko,
– It was really far. I was against this, about building the Academy in such a remote area.
She replied bluntly and entered without delay.
– Hahaha, that hurts.
Tadanori showed a flattering smile and followed her cheerfully.
The board chairman’s office was a luxurious office which had installed nothing but expensive furnishings.
And yet, he wasn’t being showy, he just had a good taste.
Kyouko was disgusted with this carefulness typical of Tadanori.
Feeling displeased, she sat on the sofa for visitors without asking for permission.
In front of her, a girl in uniform was sitting down, waiting for her.
With a slightly nervous voice, she introduced herself as Tadanori’s younger sister Shizuno.
As Tadanori sat down next to Shizuno,
– The fact of the matter is that my younger sister is in love with Haimura-kun. One week has passed since he was imprisoned. She is concerned about him and has been unable to sleep a single day. Hearing that Ms. Kyouko would come, she couldn’t sit still. Please forgive her presence.
He said piteously to gain her sympathy.
Shizuno also bent herself forward to Kyouko.
– Where is Moroha now? Please let me see him. Please.
She appealed as if supplicating.
As expected of a woman from the Urushibara family. Her facial expression was like a Noh mask, it didn’t show her inner feelings.
But they oozed from her voice.
She seemed to be still very inexperienced compared to the sly fox Tadanori.
– I also beg you. Naturally, I have prepared my thanks. It will be what Ms. Takanashi wants at a later date and without fail.
He was indeed a sly fox.
He curried favors with her, without putting an end to his flattering smile.
Probably his inner thoughts were boiling his guts.
As Kyouko chuckled to herself,
– You’re at that again? I’m so fed up with it.
She showily shrugged her shoulders.
In fact, she was fed up with this.
For the past week, Tadanori and Shizuno tried all sorts of means to work on the leaders of the main office including Kyouko to try getting information of them about the situation of Haimura Moroha and to unfold lobbying to cancel the imprisonment.
Kyouko was the one behind the imprisonment of Haimura Moroha, nobody inside the Japanese Division knew the details, including where he was imprisoned. Yes, she hadn’t even report to Andou.
That was why no matter how much Tadanori and Shizuno asked about the circumstances to the leaders other than Kyouko, it was futile. Some of them didn’t feel comfortable with Kyouko overbearingly imprisoning him, but it was troublesome for those guys to criticize her with Tadanori.
But she would make that trouble end today.
Kyouko told them in a firm tone of voice.
– I cannot reply that, to say nothing of being able to let you see him, how many times do I have to say it until you understand?
– ……
Shizuno caught her breath.
As she let bitter feelings ooze from her voice,
– Then why did you expressly come here?
– It looks like I gave you weird expectations, huh.
Kyouko ended up laughing scornfully.
Was she a child after all?
Even though she was a Savior, was she an awakened first-year student?
– Haimura Moroha is a dangerous person. Both Japanese and Chinese Divisions have decided that he needs to be rigorously imprisoned and isolated. Understand well that you are not allowed to raise an objection.
– You have no proof that Moroha was manipulating the metaphysicals, do you? Your unfair way of dealing with him has gone too far.
– This is a justifiable measure based on high political judgment.
She flatly pushed aside the protest of the adolescent female.
– Is it possible that the power of Ms. Takanashi can do something about it?
Tadanori lowered his waist and supplicated.
He had no idea that Kyouko was the perpetrator who forcibly imprisoned Moroha using that「power」!
It served him right, it couldn’t be helped.
Kyouko stiffened her face, enduring what it seemed to be a grin.
– I came here today because I felt sorry for my old friend Urushibara-kun and came to help you.
– This is good news. And how exactly would you do that?
– Your plan is so obvious, you’re helping Haimura Moroha, trying to build a strong position within the Japanese Division, but it collapsed with his imprisonment now. So forget about Haimura Moroha and submit to Suruga-sama. Just make every effort to train useful people for Suruga-sama. Then you will be put again around the end of Suruga-sama’s kingdom. What do you think? Doesn’t this make you happy, almost wanting to shed tears?
Kyouko deliberately chose a haughty way of talking.
And fixedly peeked at Tadanori’s state.
She remembered the thing of five years ago──
When Savior Training Schools were opening, she debated where it should go.
Kyouko naturally insisted that it should be Tokyo.
Eventually, and to train the young people who would become the limbs of the Japanese Division, she would need to school and control the main office within sight.
However, the Urushibara family represented by Tadanori was against this.
「Tokyo grabs too much attention to preserve the secrecy of the Academy」,「In the unlikely event the children that are in process of transplanting self-awareness as Saviors were to cause the stupidest of accidents, I’m afraid the damage in Tokyo will be huge」 and so on, and with this and that, he found a far-fetched argument, got the support from within the Division in the twinkling of an eye and opened the school in this land.
At the time when the Japanese Division hadn’t enough talented persons and had no power, it was impossible for them to compete with the cunning men of the Urushibara family from the beginning.
After that, Tadanori successfully obtained the position of Akane Academy Board Chairman.
It seemed to be a simple and do-nothing job, but as far as Kyouko was concerned, it was far from it.
Because it was a brand new organization, most of the members of the Japanese Division were occupied by Akane graduates, and when considering that it would be the same forever──how important was the position of board chairman who could inspire his dear students and win them over as much as he wanted before sending them to the Japanese Division?*
*TN: Tricky as hell sentence, 抱き込む is the verb for “wining over someone” though it directly means holding someone in one’s arms.
In fact, when the extraordinary talent called Haimura Moroha emerged, Tadanori was the very first to get him in his hands.
(Surely, and as I expected, he hasn’t stopped smiling, huh? But how do you feel now that your precious Haimura Moroha has lost his position?)
Kyouko seemed to enjoy this five-year revenge she accomplished.
The last thing was to make Tadanori yield completely.
– Do you still have Haimura Moroha in your heart this late in the game? Or are you going to implore to my warm heart? Will you let me hear your reply, Urushibara-kun?
– I don’t have to think about it. My rule is to not gamble. I don’t buy betting tickets unless I can certainly win.
Tadanori stood up straight, came to the side of Kyouko and kneeled courteously.
(I won!)
Kyouko shouted with exultation in her mind.
The rating finished just now.
She finally and completely made this nasty longtime enemy surrender.
– Yes, that’s right. You’re that kind of person.
He lusted for power more than anyone else, this was why he was obsequious to those who were powerful.
– Ms. Takanashi expressly came here, and that really saved me.
Tadanori politely and reverently held Kyouko’s feet with both hands while still being on his knees.
– What the? Are you trying to lick my feet too? It’s not like I have demanded you to do that much.
Kyouko giggled at the despicable guts of Tadanori.
– Yes, I’m a man who can do anything to mount the winning horse.
As Tadanori showed a flattering smile──
He suddenly put handcuffs on Kyouko’s ankle.
She couldn’t react because he really did that in an instant.
Above all, she didn’t get the meaning of it.
– … What are you doing?
She asked in a subdued voice.
Depending on the answer, she would put killing intent into it, that is, she wouldn’t just pay him back.
However, as Tadanori kept showing that flattering smile,
– It is as you see, isn’t it? I would be troubled if Ms. Takanashi were to escape.
– Now to put it on the other leg.
– … I said what are you doing!?
Running out of patience, Kyouko tried to pump mana out from the seven gates in her whole body.
She would tear off this toy with Strength and kick flying Tadanori’s tip of the nose.
However, no prana came out.
No──
To be precise, it seemed like it vanished as soon as it came out….
(What? What? Wha…t?)
Without understanding what on earth was going on, Kyouko fell into a light panic.
She didn’t think this was the deed of Tadanori in front of her. He wasn’t a Savior.
She didn’t think the handcuffs on her feet had anything to do with it. She didn’t feel an extraordinary aura like《The Origin》either.
In that case──
Tadanori, who gave a sidelong glance to Kyouko who got through the panic, called out to someone outside the room as he stood up.
– Please come in.
The entrance door opened in an instant.
Kyouko reflexively looked towards that person.
A silver-haired girl in Akane Academy uniform was there.
She saw her face in documents. A transfer student from Russia.
Her identity was “man-eater” Elena Arshavina.
She entered the room, holding an impressive sword in her right hand.
(It’s the deed of that sword…)
Kyouko sensed.
The ominousness emitted by the sword blade, the unearthly atmosphere that wasn’t a trivial matter, this was unmistakably《The Origin》.
She didn’t know how it worked, but because of that, she was in a state she couldn’t put out prana.
And──in this situation, Kyouko wasn’t an A-Rank Shirogane, she was nothing but an ordinary and powerless woman.
The silver-haired girl, on the other hand, was clearly trained in martial arts.
Every single move of hers had no gaps.
– On the contrary, how do you feel about being imprisoned?
Elena reached her back with a smooth movement and put a blade against the nape of her neck.
Kyouko shuddered on the sofa, she couldn’t move.
– Y-y-you think you’ll get away without consequences, doing something like this?
She desperately ranted and raved, but her voice had no strength in it.
– We are sorry for having a rough behavior, Ms. Takanashi. But we are desperate too.
Tadanori said, making a stern face.
– We want to save Haimura-kun. Can you tell me where is he imprisoned?
As if matching those words, the blade put against the nape of the neck from behind stroked Kyouko’s skin.
– If you stop now, I’ll forgive you! So make her lower the sword, Urushibara-kun. I won’t tell you to be the end of Suruga-sama’s kingdom, I’ll prepare a better position for you.
– I did say that I don’t buy betting tickets unless I can certainly win, didn’t I?
Tadanori broadly raised the corners of his mouth as he looked down at her from above.
It wasn’t a flattering smile to a powerful person, but a vicious smile to make fun of the weak.
– Not even if the gambling is about Haimura Moroha!?
– That is correct. That’s why I will buy them with all my strength. Without giving a sidelong glance to the cowards who do stupid and indecisive bets without knowing what betting tickets they should buy.
Tadanori declared with a face brimming with self-confidence.
(What is this…?)
Kyouko trembled in despair.
Tadanori was certainly trembling and scared of Haimura Moroha losing his position, she thought that he desperately wanted a chance to change his loyalty to Andou.
She thought that if she indirectly hinted at it, he would easily wag his tail.
She believed that Urushibara Tadanori was that sort of man.
(I misread him…)
To think Tadanori valued Haimura Moroha that much.
(And I was naïve…)
She by no means could predict that Akane Academy side would come with an extreme action.
She planned to come, look at his toady face and show off the difference in status between Tadanori and her, but actually, it was the opposite.
Kyouko shamelessly ended up coming to Akane Academy which could be called the den of Haimura Moroha faction. Wasn’t this a stupid situation? There was no….
– It is regrettable that we couldn’t have a peaceful discussion, Ms. Takanashi.
Shizuno turned her neck to the left and right.
Truly regrettable feelings oozed from her voice.
She stood up from the sofa and came in front of Kyouko.
And bent forward; the cruelty of the eyes that looked into her eyes!
She thought she was an ordinary lass, but that was an outrageous misunderstanding.
She got a knife from Elena and said as if whispering while confirming and making her fingers creep on the knife blade.
– I’m not a sadist and I don’t have experience doing this kind of things──so I don’t know how to moderate myself, alright?
Kyouko unconsciously made a sound with her throat.
– Do you still have『Suruga-sama』in your heart this late in the game? Or will you tell everything to me? Will you let us hear your reply, Ms. Takanashi?
Kyouko was swallowed up by the ghastliness of the girl who coldheartedly threatened her.
The difference in status was carved into her flesh and bones.
The only thing left to do was to beg for her life and spit up the things she knew while being interrogated….
The mansion of “the witch of the prison”.
The name of the place where Moroha was imprisoned.
Shizuno, who got the location out of her, wanted to go to meet him without collecting arrows and shields, but there were problems associated with it, she had no choice but to be prudent.
First of all, it appeared that an exclusive key was needed to extricate Moroha from inside the mansion, but it was destroyed by Zhixin.
Although she became desperate for a moment, it seemed possible to extricate him by destroying the mansion from outside so that it would be impossible for it to physically maintain the barrier of the prison.
However, the mansion was considerably firm, they needed about the same firepower to annihilate a metaphysical.
On top of that, the problem was that Zhixin was now guarding the mansion.
Moroha would plan his escape and destroy the mansion, controlling the metaphysicals; he was on the watch for that.
Kyouko shouted, getting desperate.
– Yes, it was my own judgment that imprisoned Haimura Moroha. This was done with no debate, I wasn’t able to put out formal directions as the Japanese Division. If I could cancel it, I would do it right now! But Lu Zhixin is different. He’s moving as the Chinese Division Deputy, I can’t do anything. Even Sir Edward’s position gets in the way, the most I can do is protest. It would be great if you can do something!
And──
It was a worrying problem, yes, but they had to do something.
They had to get rid of Zhixin and gather enough fighting power so they could destroy the mansion.
Thy racked their brains just after the attack of the「Cradle of the Sun」a few days ago, there were almost no Strikers’ troops in condition to fight satisfactorily. Haruka, Sophia, everyone was receiving treatment.
The strained board chairman’s office.
The lineup consisting of Shizuno, Tadanori and Leshya discussed with principal Mari and Strikers’ captain Isurugi Jin, looking for a plan
– To begin with, Ms. Takanashi is not lying, but we will have to go to the actual place and collect evidence.
– An anchor for《Transportal》is necessary, I shall get Tanaka-sensei to go there.
Mari’s《Transportal》had a tremendous effect, but on the other hand, the limitations to get to use it were many.
If she couldn’t imagine the scene of the destination strongly, she wouldn’t be able to open the gate.
In her previous life, it seemed that ways to use it and contrivances were necessary, but nowadays, there were methods such as sending emails or taking pictures, so if she could dispatch someone to the actual place, then she could exactly see the scene of the destination itself. Mari called this work as anchoring.
– I will accompany Tanaka-sensei to accomplish reconnaissance of the mansion and its surroundings. We must not limit us to an ambush done by Lu Zhixin only.
– Isurugi-kun going there is a relief.
– Then, I will tell Tanaka-sensei.
Isurugi bowed and departed at once.
Fortunately, the bullet train covered half the route to that place, but the rest would take less than two hours using Godlike Movement.
Hurrying was the best.
– Meanwhile, let’s select the sortie members to get ready.
– May I say something about the selection?
When Mari took the lead, Leshya raised her hand vigorously.
– You don’t need to feel guilty when fighting against metaphysicals, you can fight as long as you’re resolved to put everything you have into it. However, fighting against humans requires a different resolution──you need conviction and heart or your sword will become blunt.
Because Leshya was an expert in SvS, these certainly were heavy words.*
*TN: Direct translation would be “expert in inter-personal battle,” which sounds strange, so I adapted it to SvS which means Savior VS Savior.
Shizuno nodded and suggested what she got.
– I think that Elena-san… Ranjou-san and I are qualified.
– I agree, Ranjou-san’s growth is remarkable, she overcomes battlegrounds much better than our teachers.
In terms of condition, ability and above all else, the motivation of wanting to help Moroha, this was the only lineup for that.
– Is it possible that they can fight safely if the school principal and chibi-chan are also dispatched and her barrier is spread in that place?
– That’s impossible, Nii-san. Ms. Takanashi said that the mansion of “the witch of prison” has a barrier-maintaining device, didn’t she? If another large-scale barrier is spread in the area, we don’t know what kind of runaway will occur due to the interference.
– I don’t like that, but Maya will have to stay here.
All present nodded at each other, the members were decided.
Shizuno, Satsuki, and Leshya, the three of them were the selected few who joined Isurugi who went first.
It was decided that they would rely on Tanaka, who also went first, for support in the actual place.
(But if we’re going to make it a success, then one more person──)
Shizuno meditated for a moment.
She had an idea that their fighting power could undoubtedly become their trump card.
It was a dangerous bet… but she had to do it.
She decided so as to encourage herself in her heart.
She put strength into both legs that seemed very likely to tremble violently and stood up.
– Well then, I’ll get ready for the sortie. Elena-san, can I ask you to explain this to Ranjou-san?
– Understood.
Entrusting the rest to Leshya, Shizuno left the board chairman’s office. She didn’t tell the destination.
If that had been said, she would absolutely be restrained.
And so, after Shizuno left, Leshya stood up quickly, faced Mari directly and bowed her head.
– I would like you to hear my thoughts. And I would like to get your approval. This may sound a bit absurd, but if everything goes well, this will be a far better way to not expose everyone to unnecessary danger──
