A large and strange-looking library with bookshelves lined up disorderly.
A bespectacled man calmly reading a book at the center of it.
Moroha asked again to the unidentified man whom he met by chance in the mansion of “the witch of the prison”.
– Demon──? Why are you called like that?
The man replied whispering, without raising his eyes from the book.
– That’s the name Sir Edward gave me. I, who didn’t obey the White Knight Organization, shouldn’t be a Savior. That’s why I’m called a〈Demon〉… you see?
He turned the page calmly,
– Although I’m personally quite pleased with it… you know?
He said something interesting.
– If I were you, I’d plead to not have such cringy given name.
When he heard the name Edward gave him, he wanted to needlessly fight against it.
– Haha, that’s amusing. In the first place, I didn’t like the given name Savior. I mean, are we really that grandiose…?
– Yeah…. I understand you.
Moroha felt a strange deep emotion. This sensation that hadn’t been understood by anyone so far.
To think that he would meet a man with whom he could share his viewpoint in a place like this.
– Can I have a seat?
He found another sofa near the man and asked for his permission.
– Of course. Unfortunately, I can’t serve you tea…
Moroha sat down and the man replied without raising his eyes from the book.
He placed his elbows on the armrest, placed his chin on his linked hands and observed the man with great interest.
– So? What did demon-san do to be put in jail?
– I did nothing important. That’s… right. It’s as if I had done a giant graffiti on the walls of the King’s castle.
He truly was an interesting man.
– Which reminds me, I didn’t get an answer to what you did… did I?
– I did nothing important either. They arbitrarily decided that I was the mastermind who controls the metaphysical and tossed me in.
– I see…. It’s not a big deal… is it?
The man slipped out a chuckle.
But still without raising his eyes from the book.
– I know right?
Despite Moroha grinned meaningfully, he came to understand this man a bit.
(That’s right, a misanthrope, huh)
A conversation was properly established.
If he said a joke, he would get it.
But it seemed he superficially saw through Moroha, the other person.
He was imprisoned in a lonely place like this, but even though a new person to talk to had finally appeared, reading was more important than that. He did things his own way.
But was it simply boldness? Or was he the owner of a force of will so as to not be crushed by loneliness?──Obviously there was something of that──but he was definitely not interested in others.
Despite that, Moroha couldn’t help but worry about the man who declared「I hate the given name Savior」
(I think I got that Nelly is nothing but strange to me)
He wanted to care about her.
With all his strength.
(And… yeah, goddammit. I ended up understanding the feelings of that damn Edward for the first time)
That man interfered each and every time ever since he met him.
No matter how much Moroha was displeased with him, the nuisance to other people never stopped walking.
He looked at Moroha with a great joy in his face and said「You’re the seventh person of our group」.
That guy surely felt like Moroha felt today.
How nostalgic.
His first meeting with Edward was in a peaceful coffee shop where the unreasonable one suddenly threw a punch using the powerful technique Hagun.
When he thought back upon that, he got excited.
And──
As he stared at the demon, the prana stirred of its own accord and ran about slowly through Moroha’s whole body.
He wanted to measure.
The true value.
Of this guy.
Moroha pondered in an unconscious manner and at that moment.
The demon whispered without raising his eyes from the book.
– You should refrain….
Moroha suddenly came to his senses.
– You’re strong. There’s no need for you to try, I’m no match… for you.
– How do you know that?
The man replied as if it were natural as he turned the page.
– I know. I feel the heat of the prana you’re clad in…
Oh!
Like he thought, this man was a mysterious character!
Moroha reflexively hit his knees, his hands were sweaty before he knew.
– Hey. Can I keep talking to you a bit longer?
– I don’t see the problem. We have plenty of time here… haven’t we?
Alright, be prepared.
Moroha sat deeply on the sofa and got nervous, thinking about what he would talk about and what he would hear.
Especially if it was from this guy, he probably would hear jack-in-the-box-like interesting stories one after another; he made his chest swell with such expectations.
But──in a short while, the expectations he imagined were betrayed.
He didn’t turn a blind eye to the shout he heard from outside the mansion, from the other side of that window.
– Haimura-kun! If you’re there, please reply!
A voice called Moroha’s name.
– It is unfortunate, but the structure will not let the voice of Haimura-sama reach outside.
The astonished voice of Zhixin appeared to be still around the mansion.
Isurugi left Akane Academy with Tanaka approximately an hour and a half ago.
They succeeded in finding the mansion of “the witch of the prison” in accordance with the information of Takanashi Kyouko.
It was found much faster than expected due to the ability to move in the mountains of Tanaka who used Godlike Movement as well as the high level of his search ability.
Isurugi’s job used to be reconnaissance in Strikers, he was confident about those two things, but Tanaka was in a different dimension, that caused him to be astonished.
Isurugi was a far superior Light Technique user than Akane teachers, but when it came to Tanaka, he was frequently surprised by him.
– That’s true. I see Lu Zhixin.
The place that looked like an open space, where the forest came to an end and the mountain was flat.
A Western-style mansion painted in a light red color and flooded with the afterglow just before it went down was built there.
The effect that seemed to be bloodstained, coupled with the ominousness that was densely covered with ivies.
On its wide roof there was the Chinese Division Deputy.
He was in a cross-legged position, his eyes closed, without moving in the slightest.
As if he wasn’t breathing.
His figure that protected the mansion as a carved statue closely resembled western decorative ridge-end tile gargoyles.
Isurugi and Tanaka crouched in the shade of a tree in the forest and scouted the situation using Clairvoyance.
– Ms. Takanashi wasn’t lying. Let’s make the anchor a little further away.
– Please wait, sensei. Lu Zhixin is here, but we couldn’t confirm whether or not Haimura-kun is in that mansion.
– Well, I believe it’s not necessary to have doubts about it though? If Haimura-kun weren’t here, it would be strange for Lu Zhixin to be expressly in this place.
Isurugi agreed to that in his mind, but,
– 〈Transportal〉can only be used once a day. We have to be excessively cautious here.
He tried to deny it, using that way of talking on purpose.
– I’ll go and investigate. That way, if other enemies are hiding, I shall be able to lure them out. Sensei will stay here and prepare the anchor while peeking at the situation.
– B-but, then you…
– I’ve taken the risks into account.
Isurugi left those words with him and stood up.
(I volunteered for reconnaissance because I intended to do this from the beginning)
As one would expect, he wasn’t able to say that.
When he came out of the forest to the open space, Zhixin, who was on the rooftop, moved to respond to him.
He stood up in a flowing-like motion.
Both Isurugi and Tanaka were hidden, using even Rentei, a Light Technique that suppressed their presence, but it seemed they were noticed by Zhixin long ago.
That alone let them understand how much of a user he was.
(I suspected as much)
Isurugi was nervous──he slightly trembled with excitement.
He shouted towards the mansion as he let his dear sword manifest from the ID Tag.
– Haimura-kun! If you’re there, please reply!
No voice came back.
Instead, Zhixin on the roof said.
– It is unfortunate, but the structure will not let the voice of Haimura-sama reach outside.
Then jumped down to the open space from there.
A splendid landing that didn’t make him feel his weight or make a sound just like powdered snow.
It was simple, but this was the wonderful performance of Godlike Movement.
– I know he’s here, so that doesn’t matter. Return Haimura-kun.
– That is unfortunate, but it is impossible for me to let you pass.
Zhixin folded his arms with hypocritical courtesy.
– I will tell you in advance that I have obtained the consent of the Japanese Division to be here. Depending on the situation, I have obtained permission to not be stopped and to defend myself.
– The permission you got is from Ms. Takanashi’s arbitrary decision? Ms. Takanashi already raised the white flag to us, you know?
– Well, from my point of view, I have certainly obtained permission, and I cannot confirm the authenticity of what you are saying.
Zhixin daringly raised the corners of his mouth.
In his mind──Isurugi also wished for that.
– Then we will have to test each other’s strength.
He held the sword in a hassou-no-kamae stance.
– I don’t know the method. The source of conflict never comes to an end in this world. Will this tragedy happen again too?
He didn’t know the school, but Zhixin also took a Chinese martial arts stance.
He saw him do movements like he was joking then suddenly stopped.
His stance was dreadfully refined.
They stood facing each other and the air in the open space strained.
– I’m Isurugi Jin, captain of Akane Academy Strikers.
– Oh, you are famous! I have heard of you, the hero among heroes who leads one of the best forces of the Japanese Division and has slain many metaphysicals on behalf of Suruga-sama who can’t leave Tokyo.
Zhixin highly praised Isurugi with an exaggerated expression.
It seemed like he was made being fun of and that he wasn’t enough delight for the enemy.
He couldn’t come to a conclusion because he was grinning.
Without becoming agitated, Isurugi,
– I’m blessed with companions…. It is I who should say your name is famous since long ago. You’re the one that has been protecting your motherland, leading the elite force on behalf of the Chinese Division Head who doesn’t want to work.
– I am simply blessed with subordinates. That is nothing extravagant.
Zhixin showed a really light modesty.
During the time they exchanged frivolous words, Isurugi waited for a chance to attack him.
His dazzling and lightning-looking prana overflowed from his whole body.
On the other hand prana overflowed like ghostly air from the whole body of Zhixin.
The jade-like dark and eerie aura swirled with rumbles.
It rapidly changed color.
Its purity and brightness continued to rise, matching Zhixin’s breathing.
It was like polishing a stone into a ball.
Moroha was great at enhancing and kneading prana during battle, but Zhixin showed he took that to the next level again.
(As expected of the Chinese Division Deputy)
Isurugi couldn’t help but feel excitement.
Oddly enough, he fought with the number 2 of the French Division the other day.
That mysterious person called Zlatan was a fearsome enemy.
However, because he was a Kuroma, the strong and weak points of his fighting style were too extreme and irregular.
When it went as expected, it got out of hand, he was the type that couldn’t be dealt with if his weaknesses were exploited. Compared to him, how was Zhixin?
He had no gaps at all.
Moroha had no gaps either; the closer a Shirogane was to a high level, the less the weaknesses to be shaved off.
The word「perfection」fit them nicely.
Zhixin joked, fooled around and didn’t reveal his true colors, but when he saw his stance, he understood at a glance.
Isurugi was proud of himself who could get that.
The state of mind that told him the opponent was of a higher rank than him from the beginning.
Yes, Isurugi meekly accepted it.
He was the novice here.
The large number of Isurugi’s war results were supported by his excellent companions without humility.
On the other hand, Zhixin’s earlier words were outright lies.
It was well known in the White Knight Organization that the level of the Chinese Division was low.
The man before his eyes carried a huge country on his back without being able to rely on his allies satisfactorily.
(To be allowed to fence with an opponent of a higher skill)
Isurugi decided to come forward.
He couldn’t wait to find a gap.
He wasn’t going to try picking up victory without choosing any means, he would attack him out of his own ambition even if it killed him.
He might be imprudent, but he was excited like a child.
(An opportunity like this is rare. It would be a waste to not give it a try──speaking of that, Moroha would surely forgive me, wouldn’t he?)
He put himself in order.
Now, how was he going to attack?
(If I’m prepared to be hit once──then I won’t be smashed with one blow)
He was an expert who wouldn’t even let him do a tryout.
(Then it’s obvious. I shall doubt his and my ability with the biggest blow I have)
He had guts.
The stance of the sword went from hassou-no-kamae to a waki-gamae.
He slightly lowered his waist, amassed the power spring of both legs and fully opened with a momentum that burned prana to exhaustion.
He threw the dice of life.
– Oooh….
Raising a roar, Isurugi charged.
That wasn’t an ordinary rush.
A Godlike Movement that exceeded Godlike Movement.
A speed not reflected in his eyes, and that surpassed what the eye could see.
As if shortening the distance of more than a dozen meters to 0.
As if cutting off and connecting the frames of a movie.
Then he would slash at him with the way of walking Shukuchi.
The place he aimed at was 5 meters behind Zhixin.
He entered the moment, ran past from behind him and slashed at him──on the way!
The sword of Isurugi, which wore a lightning-like prana, buzzed in the world of extreme speed.
Ancestral Arts Light Technique Hagun.
The secret technique that took advantage of a gap without gaps──but he cut nothing.
Isurugi was shocked, his eyes wide open.
My Hagun certainly worked.
I ran past from behind him to the destination I had my eyes on in the blink of an eye.
And yet.
And yet.
Zhixin was still in front of me.
– Are you thinking『How could I have failed?』? To think you are also a person who can use Hagun?
Zhixin chuckled to himself as he kept his stance.
In other words, the results were?
Isurugi advanced with Hagun.
And Zhixin moved backwards with Hagun.
Isurugi prepared carefully, mustering all his strength, but still, the secret didn’t succeed not even one out of three.
Did Zhixin easily make the retreat a success without standing ready?
Sweat ran down Isurugi’s forehead.
– This is a very funny joke. In the first place, it is my fatherly master who named it Hagun.
Zhixin cheerfully thrust his right hand at him.
That casual motion let a shivering expertise peep through.
Ancestral Arts Light Technique Destructive Fist.
Isurugi clenched his teeth right away and slashed back, mowing him down reversely from the posture he had when he took a full swing to mow him down.
– Offense is easy and defense is difficult.
Needless to say, Isurugi was a Shirogane that excelled at offense than defense.
Defending against a properly fired Destructive Fist with High Durability was a suicidal action.
In that case, he would make their attacks cancel each other out.
He intercepted Zhixin’s thrust with his sword.
The sword blade, which was brimming with Isurugi’s prana and the Light Technique Saturn, was unable to cut through or sever Zhixin’s right fist… on the contrary, it was broken.
The unpleasant feeling that his dear sword and prana were crushed was transmitted from both hands that grasped tightly the handle.
(This is the difference!?)
Isurugi distorted his look in anguish.
The fist of Zhixin that hit and broke his dear sword was driven into the pit of his stomach with an excessive momentum.
(This is the difference between us…!?)
Isurugi’s consciousness was cut to pieces as he collapsed without saying anything.
Inside the mansion of “the prison of the witch”.
The strange-looking library on the second floor.
Moroha sunk his teeth into the sliding glass door, witnessing Isurugi Jin sinking with a single blow.
– Shit.
He hit the window and used foul language.
However, the window protected by the barrier was covered with a faint luster, it didn’t shake in the least.
There was no sound, it was prevented as if diminishing it.
That was the only creepy feeling that remained in Moroha’s hand.
– Isurugi-senpai is a top class among A-Ranks, so how…
Not even AJ at the British Division and Yuri at the Russian Division probably were match for Isurugi.
However, during all his monologue, the eyes of Moroha were nailed on Zhixin who cancelled his stance.
The prana of the Chinese Division Deputy changed color even after defeating Isurugi.
It was refined while matching his quiet breathing, endlessly drawing near a pure emerald green.
Seeing that aura personally,
*Sparks* *Sparks*──
Something like sparks in the head of Moroha continued to spark intensely.
They kept ringing an alarm bell as if acting violently.
He remembered this feeling.
He felt the same pressure from Charles the other day.
But in that situation──
In that situation, the man called Lu Zhixin──
Moroha stood stock still. He heard a whisper from behind.
– There’s no way that someone at the top of A-Rank will defeat Lu Zhixin… you know?
When he looked back, the demon of the library turned the page, without raising his eyes from the book.
Moroha confirmed with a nervous voice.
– … Is Zhixin an S-Rank Shirogane?
The bespectacled man answered dispassionately, without disturbing the action of turning the page.
– Yes, he is. You grasped it, don’t you? When you feel the heat of the prana….
– I get it. When I look at the color of the prana.
Moroha nodded deeply.
However, what he consented to was the feeling only.
– Isn’t it strange? That there are only 6 S-Ranks?
Shelving himself, Moroha asked.
– It’s as you say…. But aren’t you misunderstanding a little?
The bespectacled man continued speaking as he turned the page of the book.
– Misunderstand what?
– Six Heads isn’t equal to six S-Ranks…
– …!
Moroha groaned spontaneously.
– I see. Now I get it…
He pondered, scratching his head.
Certainly, even if he thought back upon that, he didn’t remember hearing about all Six Heads clearly being S-Ranks.
The numbers matched, he was just surely convinced about it.
– Then in the Chinese Division, the Deputy is stronger than the Division Head?
If Zhixin was an S-Rank and the Division Head whose name didn’t know was A-Rank or less, the number matched.
– That’s not correct…. The old man, the Chinese Division Head is very strong.
– Then you’re telling me the Chinese Division has two S-Ranks?
– That’s not correct either…. There are 6 S-Ranks, and mysteriously each one of them was in different countries.
– Stop the arithmetic problems I don’t have the answer for.
– Fufu. Allow me to tell you.
The man told him with an impish tone of voice without stopping his hand from turning the page.
– The old man and Suruga Andou are──SS-Rank.
Namely──
SS stands for Savior of Saviors.
Moroha was unconsciously disappointed.
– In that case, the numbers match, but…
He felt like he was allowed to hear an awful fraud.
Well, Moroha, who was under that impression, was wrong.
– What the hell, was the Japanese Division Head that strong?
Was the Japanese government that stupid for locking him up in Tokyo, without letting him fight?
What a waste.
– Well, I wonder about that. Supposing you tried to fight against Suruga Andou, even an Akane Academy student would end up winning against him… you know?
– You’re telling me a riddle again, aren’t you?
– Fufu. Sorry, I shall change my way of talking then.
When Moroha put a bitter look on his face, the man told him as he turned the page.
– Do you know why the White Knight Organization exists?
– To kill the metaphysicals, right?
– Exactly. Therefore, their rank is determined based on the strength they have to oppose the metaphysicals….
– Yeah…. I had the same in mind.
Moroha understood in an instant.
For example, the school principal.
He had heard she was an A-Rank Kuroma, but it was a bit strange because she didn’t look that strong.
However, since 《Transportal》was chosen as a strategic weapon against metaphysicals¸ she was worthy of taking the alias of A-Rank for that one thing.
Maybe it was a wordplay, but if on a certain day a metaphysical suddenly appeared in Russia, Moroha wouldn’t be able to kill it without the collaboration of Mari.
The opposite example was Leshya.
An expert SvS who had man-eater’s cursed sword Leprazan. At the age of 10, her「strength」was enough to injure White Knight Edward, but she was by no means an S-Rank. The cursed sword was of no help against metaphysicals, so when considering the strength she could only display was around C-Rank, there were no objections.
– Well, it’s a reliable standard, huh…
This is awful, how many ranks are there!? He said so, seeing there were lots of conceited guys, though he had been unable to see them honestly until now.
– If that’s the case, then it’s reasonable that Japanese Division Head-sama is SS.
A unique Savior, weaker than a D-Rank and unable to use Light Techniques or Dark Arts.
But without the Clairvoyance he had, the White Knight Organization would fall into disarray in an instant.
He immediately perceived and grasped where a metaphysical had tried to appear──Was there any better strategic weapon than this?
(He’s the very different from Lightning Empress, who puts on airs, having something that isn’t that very practical like incantations)
He understood lots of things.
On the other hand, new questions appeared.
Moroha confirmed, counting on his fingers.
– The S-Rank are Edward, Charles, Lightning Empress, Zhixin and──
– Arlene Highbury from the United States too….
As expected, his suspicion wasn’t incorrect.
– I’m missing someone.
Moroha muttered, folding his fingers.
One more person. Based on the words of the man some time ago, he should be in Japan.
He didn’t mention the seventh person, meaning this man didn’t seem to know about it because he didn’t include Moroha in the numbers.
– Who is it?
He wanted to know. But.
The man replied the following as if whispering while turning the page, without raising his eyes from the book.
– Well…. Who knows…?
A reply that didn’t amount to a reply.
With that, the man said no more.
Only the sound of pages being turned calmly echoed, being absorbed by the wide ceiling.
Moroha looked up at the sky and gave up.
He looked outside the window again.
Tanaka, who came out of the forest, carefully tried to retrieve Isurugi who was blown away and fainted.
There was no sign of Zhixin attempting to finish him off, he just watched attentively the course of events.
Tanaka, who shouldered Isurugi, disappeared into the forest. Moroha felt relieved, for now.
The hardened and still vexing facial expression of the fainted Isurugi was impressive.
On the other hand, he shifted his attention to Zhixin.
What was his plan, staying near the mansion? Maybe he predicted that Isurugi and Tanaka would come? That difficult guy was there.
Those two had finally found the mansion and probably that must have come with reasonable difficulties and yet, a nonsensical monster that easily beat Isurugi stood in their way.
Sooner or later, Shizuno and the others would come running, he was sure of it.
At that moment, Zhixin would──
He had a bad feeling. Or maybe that should be called conviction.
He felt a chill as if the hair on his back stood on end.
Moroha shut his mouth far away from where Zhixin stood while pressing his fist against the window separating the inside and outside.
A large and strange-looking library with bookshelves lined up disorderly.
A bespectacled man calmly reading a book at the center of it.
Moroha asked again to the unidentified man whom he met by chance in the mansion of “the witch of the prison”.
– Demon──? Why are you called like that?
The man replied whispering, without raising his eyes from the book.
– That’s the name Sir Edward gave me. I, who didn’t obey the White Knight Organization, shouldn’t be a Savior. That’s why I’m called a〈Demon〉… you see?
He turned the page calmly,
– Although I’m personally quite pleased with it… you know?
He said something interesting.
– If I were you, I’d plead to not have such cringy given name.
When he heard the name Edward gave him, he wanted to needlessly fight against it.
– Haha, that’s amusing. In the first place, I didn’t like the given name Savior. I mean, are we really that grandiose…?
– Yeah…. I understand you.
Moroha felt a strange deep emotion. This sensation that hadn’t been understood by anyone so far.
To think that he would meet a man with whom he could share his viewpoint in a place like this.
– Can I have a seat?
He found another sofa near the man and asked for his permission.
– Of course. Unfortunately, I can’t serve you tea…
Moroha sat down and the man replied without raising his eyes from the book.
He placed his elbows on the armrest, placed his chin on his linked hands and observed the man with great interest.
– So? What did demon-san do to be put in jail?
– I did nothing important. That’s… right. It’s as if I had done a giant graffiti on the walls of the King’s castle.
He truly was an interesting man.
– Which reminds me, I didn’t get an answer to what you did… did I?
– I did nothing important either. They arbitrarily decided that I was the mastermind who controls the metaphysical and tossed me in.
– I see…. It’s not a big deal… is it?
The man slipped out a chuckle.
But still without raising his eyes from the book.
– I know right?
Despite Moroha grinned meaningfully, he came to understand this man a bit.
(That’s right, a misanthrope, huh)
A conversation was properly established.
If he said a joke, he would get it.
But it seemed he superficially saw through Moroha, the other person.
He was imprisoned in a lonely place like this, but even though a new person to talk to had finally appeared, reading was more important than that. He did things his own way.
But was it simply boldness? Or was he the owner of a force of will so as to not be crushed by loneliness?──Obviously there was something of that──but he was definitely not interested in others.
Despite that, Moroha couldn’t help but worry about the man who declared「I hate the given name Savior」
(I think I got that Nelly is nothing but strange to me)
He wanted to care about her.
With all his strength.
(And… yeah, goddammit. I ended up understanding the feelings of that damn Edward for the first time)
That man interfered each and every time ever since he met him.
No matter how much Moroha was displeased with him, the nuisance to other people never stopped walking.
He looked at Moroha with a great joy in his face and said「You’re the seventh person of our group」.
That guy surely felt like Moroha felt today.
How nostalgic.
His first meeting with Edward was in a peaceful coffee shop where the unreasonable one suddenly threw a punch using the powerful technique Hagun.
When he thought back upon that, he got excited.
And──
As he stared at the demon, the prana stirred of its own accord and ran about slowly through Moroha’s whole body.
He wanted to measure.
The true value.
Of this guy.
Moroha pondered in an unconscious manner and at that moment.
The demon whispered without raising his eyes from the book.
– You should refrain….
Moroha suddenly came to his senses.
– You’re strong. There’s no need for you to try, I’m no match… for you.
– How do you know that?
The man replied as if it were natural as he turned the page.
– I know. I feel the heat of the prana you’re clad in…
Oh!
Like he thought, this man was a mysterious character!
Moroha reflexively hit his knees, his hands were sweaty before he knew.
– Hey. Can I keep talking to you a bit longer?
– I don’t see the problem. We have plenty of time here… haven’t we?
Alright, be prepared.
Moroha sat deeply on the sofa and got nervous, thinking about what he would talk about and what he would hear.
Especially if it was from this guy, he probably would hear jack-in-the-box-like interesting stories one after another; he made his chest swell with such expectations.
But──in a short while, the expectations he imagined were betrayed.
He didn’t turn a blind eye to the shout he heard from outside the mansion, from the other side of that window.
– Haimura-kun! If you’re there, please reply!
A voice called Moroha’s name.
– It is unfortunate, but the structure will not let the voice of Haimura-sama reach outside.
The astonished voice of Zhixin appeared to be still around the mansion.
Isurugi left Akane Academy with Tanaka approximately an hour and a half ago.
They succeeded in finding the mansion of “the witch of the prison” in accordance with the information of Takanashi Kyouko.
It was found much faster than expected due to the ability to move in the mountains of Tanaka who used Godlike Movement as well as the high level of his search ability.
Isurugi’s job used to be reconnaissance in Strikers, he was confident about those two things, but Tanaka was in a different dimension, that caused him to be astonished.
Isurugi was a far superior Light Technique user than Akane teachers, but when it came to Tanaka, he was frequently surprised by him.
– That’s true. I see Lu Zhixin.
The place that looked like an open space, where the forest came to an end and the mountain was flat.
A Western-style mansion painted in a light red color and flooded with the afterglow just before it went down was built there.
The effect that seemed to be bloodstained, coupled with the ominousness that was densely covered with ivies.
On its wide roof there was the Chinese Division Deputy.
He was in a cross-legged position, his eyes closed, without moving in the slightest.
As if he wasn’t breathing.
His figure that protected the mansion as a carved statue closely resembled western decorative ridge-end tile gargoyles.
Isurugi and Tanaka crouched in the shade of a tree in the forest and scouted the situation using Clairvoyance.
– Ms. Takanashi wasn’t lying. Let’s make the anchor a little further away.
– Please wait, sensei. Lu Zhixin is here, but we couldn’t confirm whether or not Haimura-kun is in that mansion.
– Well, I believe it’s not necessary to have doubts about it though? If Haimura-kun weren’t here, it would be strange for Lu Zhixin to be expressly in this place.
Isurugi agreed to that in his mind, but,
– 〈Transportal〉can only be used once a day. We have to be excessively cautious here.
He tried to deny it, using that way of talking on purpose.
– I’ll go and investigate. That way, if other enemies are hiding, I shall be able to lure them out. Sensei will stay here and prepare the anchor while peeking at the situation.
– B-but, then you…
– I’ve taken the risks into account.
Isurugi left those words with him and stood up.
(I volunteered for reconnaissance because I intended to do this from the beginning)
As one would expect, he wasn’t able to say that.
When he came out of the forest to the open space, Zhixin, who was on the rooftop, moved to respond to him.
He stood up in a flowing-like motion.
Both Isurugi and Tanaka were hidden, using even Rentei, a Light Technique that suppressed their presence, but it seemed they were noticed by Zhixin long ago.
That alone let them understand how much of a user he was.
(I suspected as much)
Isurugi was nervous──he slightly trembled with excitement.
He shouted towards the mansion as he let his dear sword manifest from the ID Tag.
– Haimura-kun! If you’re there, please reply!
No voice came back.
Instead, Zhixin on the roof said.
– It is unfortunate, but the structure will not let the voice of Haimura-sama reach outside.
Then jumped down to the open space from there.
A splendid landing that didn’t make him feel his weight or make a sound just like powdered snow.
It was simple, but this was the wonderful performance of Godlike Movement.
– I know he’s here, so that doesn’t matter. Return Haimura-kun.
– That is unfortunate, but it is impossible for me to let you pass.
Zhixin folded his arms with hypocritical courtesy.
– I will tell you in advance that I have obtained the consent of the Japanese Division to be here. Depending on the situation, I have obtained permission to not be stopped and to defend myself.
– The permission you got is from Ms. Takanashi’s arbitrary decision? Ms. Takanashi already raised the white flag to us, you know?
– Well, from my point of view, I have certainly obtained permission, and I cannot confirm the authenticity of what you are saying.
Zhixin daringly raised the corners of his mouth.
In his mind──Isurugi also wished for that.
– Then we will have to test each other’s strength.
He held the sword in a hassou-no-kamae stance.
– I don’t know the method. The source of conflict never comes to an end in this world. Will this tragedy happen again too?
He didn’t know the school, but Zhixin also took a Chinese martial arts stance.
He saw him do movements like he was joking then suddenly stopped.
His stance was dreadfully refined.
They stood facing each other and the air in the open space strained.
– I’m Isurugi Jin, captain of Akane Academy Strikers.
– Oh, you are famous! I have heard of you, the hero among heroes who leads one of the best forces of the Japanese Division and has slain many metaphysicals on behalf of Suruga-sama who can’t leave Tokyo.
Zhixin highly praised Isurugi with an exaggerated expression.
It seemed like he was made being fun of and that he wasn’t enough delight for the enemy.
He couldn’t come to a conclusion because he was grinning.
Without becoming agitated, Isurugi,
– I’m blessed with companions…. It is I who should say your name is famous since long ago. You’re the one that has been protecting your motherland, leading the elite force on behalf of the Chinese Division Head who doesn’t want to work.
– I am simply blessed with subordinates. That is nothing extravagant.
Zhixin showed a really light modesty.
During the time they exchanged frivolous words, Isurugi waited for a chance to attack him.
His dazzling and lightning-looking prana overflowed from his whole body.
On the other hand prana overflowed like ghostly air from the whole body of Zhixin.
The jade-like dark and eerie aura swirled with rumbles.
It rapidly changed color.
Its purity and brightness continued to rise, matching Zhixin’s breathing.
It was like polishing a stone into a ball.
Moroha was great at enhancing and kneading prana during battle, but Zhixin showed he took that to the next level again.
(As expected of the Chinese Division Deputy)
Isurugi couldn’t help but feel excitement.
Oddly enough, he fought with the number 2 of the French Division the other day.
That mysterious person called Zlatan was a fearsome enemy.
However, because he was a Kuroma, the strong and weak points of his fighting style were too extreme and irregular.
When it went as expected, it got out of hand, he was the type that couldn’t be dealt with if his weaknesses were exploited. Compared to him, how was Zhixin?
He had no gaps at all.
Moroha had no gaps either; the closer a Shirogane was to a high level, the less the weaknesses to be shaved off.
The word「perfection」fit them nicely.
Zhixin joked, fooled around and didn’t reveal his true colors, but when he saw his stance, he understood at a glance.
Isurugi was proud of himself who could get that.
The state of mind that told him the opponent was of a higher rank than him from the beginning.
Yes, Isurugi meekly accepted it.
He was the novice here.
The large number of Isurugi’s war results were supported by his excellent companions without humility.
On the other hand, Zhixin’s earlier words were outright lies.
It was well known in the White Knight Organization that the level of the Chinese Division was low.
The man before his eyes carried a huge country on his back without being able to rely on his allies satisfactorily.
(To be allowed to fence with an opponent of a higher skill)
Isurugi decided to come forward.
He couldn’t wait to find a gap.
He wasn’t going to try picking up victory without choosing any means, he would attack him out of his own ambition even if it killed him.
He might be imprudent, but he was excited like a child.
(An opportunity like this is rare. It would be a waste to not give it a try──speaking of that, Moroha would surely forgive me, wouldn’t he?)
He put himself in order.
Now, how was he going to attack?
(If I’m prepared to be hit once──then I won’t be smashed with one blow)
He was an expert who wouldn’t even let him do a tryout.
(Then it’s obvious. I shall doubt his and my ability with the biggest blow I have)
He had guts.
The stance of the sword went from hassou-no-kamae to a waki-gamae.
He slightly lowered his waist, amassed the power spring of both legs and fully opened with a momentum that burned prana to exhaustion.
He threw the dice of life.
– Oooh….
Raising a roar, Isurugi charged.
That wasn’t an ordinary rush.
A Godlike Movement that exceeded Godlike Movement.
A speed not reflected in his eyes, and that surpassed what the eye could see.
As if shortening the distance of more than a dozen meters to 0.
As if cutting off and connecting the frames of a movie.
Then he would slash at him with the way of walking Shukuchi.
The place he aimed at was 5 meters behind Zhixin.
He entered the moment, ran past from behind him and slashed at him──on the way!
The sword of Isurugi, which wore a lightning-like prana, buzzed in the world of extreme speed.
Ancestral Arts Light Technique Hagun.
The secret technique that took advantage of a gap without gaps──but he cut nothing.
Isurugi was shocked, his eyes wide open.
My Hagun certainly worked.
I ran past from behind him to the destination I had my eyes on in the blink of an eye.
And yet.
And yet.
Zhixin was still in front of me.
– Are you thinking『How could I have failed?』? To think you are also a person who can use Hagun?
Zhixin chuckled to himself as he kept his stance.
In other words, the results were?
Isurugi advanced with Hagun.
And Zhixin moved backwards with Hagun.
Isurugi prepared carefully, mustering all his strength, but still, the secret didn’t succeed not even one out of three.
Did Zhixin easily make the retreat a success without standing ready?
Sweat ran down Isurugi’s forehead.
– This is a very funny joke. In the first place, it is my fatherly master who named it Hagun.
Zhixin cheerfully thrust his right hand at him.
That casual motion let a shivering expertise peep through.
Ancestral Arts Light Technique Destructive Fist.
Isurugi clenched his teeth right away and slashed back, mowing him down reversely from the posture he had when he took a full swing to mow him down.
– Offense is easy and defense is difficult.
Needless to say, Isurugi was a Shirogane that excelled at offense than defense.
Defending against a properly fired Destructive Fist with High Durability was a suicidal action.
In that case, he would make their attacks cancel each other out.
He intercepted Zhixin’s thrust with his sword.
The sword blade, which was brimming with Isurugi’s prana and the Light Technique Saturn, was unable to cut through or sever Zhixin’s right fist… on the contrary, it was broken.
The unpleasant feeling that his dear sword and prana were crushed was transmitted from both hands that grasped tightly the handle.
(This is the difference!?)
Isurugi distorted his look in anguish.
The fist of Zhixin that hit and broke his dear sword was driven into the pit of his stomach with an excessive momentum.
(This is the difference between us…!?)
Isurugi’s consciousness was cut to pieces as he collapsed without saying anything.
Inside the mansion of “the prison of the witch”.
The strange-looking library on the second floor.
Moroha sunk his teeth into the sliding glass door, witnessing Isurugi Jin sinking with a single blow.
– Shit.
He hit the window and used foul language.
However, the window protected by the barrier was covered with a faint luster, it didn’t shake in the least.
There was no sound, it was prevented as if diminishing it.
That was the only creepy feeling that remained in Moroha’s hand.
– Isurugi-senpai is a top class among A-Ranks, so how…
Not even AJ at the British Division and Yuri at the Russian Division probably were match for Isurugi.
However, during all his monologue, the eyes of Moroha were nailed on Zhixin who cancelled his stance.
The prana of the Chinese Division Deputy changed color even after defeating Isurugi.
It was refined while matching his quiet breathing, endlessly drawing near a pure emerald green.
Seeing that aura personally,
*Sparks* *Sparks*──
Something like sparks in the head of Moroha continued to spark intensely.
They kept ringing an alarm bell as if acting violently.
He remembered this feeling.
He felt the same pressure from Charles the other day.
But in that situation──
In that situation, the man called Lu Zhixin──
Moroha stood stock still. He heard a whisper from behind.
– There’s no way that someone at the top of A-Rank will defeat Lu Zhixin… you know?
When he looked back, the demon of the library turned the page, without raising his eyes from the book.
Moroha confirmed with a nervous voice.
– … Is Zhixin an S-Rank Shirogane?
The bespectacled man answered dispassionately, without disturbing the action of turning the page.
– Yes, he is. You grasped it, don’t you? When you feel the heat of the prana….
– I get it. When I look at the color of the prana.
Moroha nodded deeply.
However, what he consented to was the feeling only.
– Isn’t it strange? That there are only 6 S-Ranks?
Shelving himself, Moroha asked.
– It’s as you say…. But aren’t you misunderstanding a little?
The bespectacled man continued speaking as he turned the page of the book.
– Misunderstand what?
– Six Heads isn’t equal to six S-Ranks…
– …!
Moroha groaned spontaneously.
– I see. Now I get it…
He pondered, scratching his head.
Certainly, even if he thought back upon that, he didn’t remember hearing about all Six Heads clearly being S-Ranks.
The numbers matched, he was just surely convinced about it.
– Then in the Chinese Division, the Deputy is stronger than the Division Head?
If Zhixin was an S-Rank and the Division Head whose name didn’t know was A-Rank or less, the number matched.
– That’s not correct…. The old man, the Chinese Division Head is very strong.
– Then you’re telling me the Chinese Division has two S-Ranks?
– That’s not correct either…. There are 6 S-Ranks, and mysteriously each one of them was in different countries.
– Stop the arithmetic problems I don’t have the answer for.
– Fufu. Allow me to tell you.
The man told him with an impish tone of voice without stopping his hand from turning the page.
– The old man and Suruga Andou are──SS-Rank.
Namely──
SS stands for Savior of Saviors.
Moroha was unconsciously disappointed.
– In that case, the numbers match, but…
He felt like he was allowed to hear an awful fraud.
Well, Moroha, who was under that impression, was wrong.
– What the hell, was the Japanese Division Head that strong?
Was the Japanese government that stupid for locking him up in Tokyo, without letting him fight?
What a waste.
– Well, I wonder about that. Supposing you tried to fight against Suruga Andou, even an Akane Academy student would end up winning against him… you know?
– You’re telling me a riddle again, aren’t you?
– Fufu. Sorry, I shall change my way of talking then.
When Moroha put a bitter look on his face, the man told him as he turned the page.
– Do you know why the White Knight Organization exists?
– To kill the metaphysicals, right?
– Exactly. Therefore, their rank is determined based on the strength they have to oppose the metaphysicals….
– Yeah…. I had the same in mind.
Moroha understood in an instant.
For example, the school principal.
He had heard she was an A-Rank Kuroma, but it was a bit strange because she didn’t look that strong.
However, since 《Transportal》was chosen as a strategic weapon against metaphysicals¸ she was worthy of taking the alias of A-Rank for that one thing.
Maybe it was a wordplay, but if on a certain day a metaphysical suddenly appeared in Russia, Moroha wouldn’t be able to kill it without the collaboration of Mari.
The opposite example was Leshya.
An expert SvS who had man-eater’s cursed sword Leprazan. At the age of 10, her「strength」was enough to injure White Knight Edward, but she was by no means an S-Rank. The cursed sword was of no help against metaphysicals, so when considering the strength she could only display was around C-Rank, there were no objections.
– Well, it’s a reliable standard, huh…
This is awful, how many ranks are there!? He said so, seeing there were lots of conceited guys, though he had been unable to see them honestly until now.
– If that’s the case, then it’s reasonable that Japanese Division Head-sama is SS.
A unique Savior, weaker than a D-Rank and unable to use Light Techniques or Dark Arts.
But without the Clairvoyance he had, the White Knight Organization would fall into disarray in an instant.
He immediately perceived and grasped where a metaphysical had tried to appear──Was there any better strategic weapon than this?
(He’s the very different from Lightning Empress, who puts on airs, having something that isn’t that very practical like incantations)
He understood lots of things.
On the other hand, new questions appeared.
Moroha confirmed, counting on his fingers.
– The S-Rank are Edward, Charles, Lightning Empress, Zhixin and──
– Arlene Highbury from the United States too….
As expected, his suspicion wasn’t incorrect.
– I’m missing someone.
Moroha muttered, folding his fingers.
One more person. Based on the words of the man some time ago, he should be in Japan.
He didn’t mention the seventh person, meaning this man didn’t seem to know about it because he didn’t include Moroha in the numbers.
– Who is it?
He wanted to know. But.
The man replied the following as if whispering while turning the page, without raising his eyes from the book.
– Well…. Who knows…?
A reply that didn’t amount to a reply.
With that, the man said no more.
Only the sound of pages being turned calmly echoed, being absorbed by the wide ceiling.
Moroha looked up at the sky and gave up.
He looked outside the window again.
Tanaka, who came out of the forest, carefully tried to retrieve Isurugi who was blown away and fainted.
There was no sign of Zhixin attempting to finish him off, he just watched attentively the course of events.
Tanaka, who shouldered Isurugi, disappeared into the forest. Moroha felt relieved, for now.
The hardened and still vexing facial expression of the fainted Isurugi was impressive.
On the other hand, he shifted his attention to Zhixin.
What was his plan, staying near the mansion? Maybe he predicted that Isurugi and Tanaka would come? That difficult guy was there.
Those two had finally found the mansion and probably that must have come with reasonable difficulties and yet, a nonsensical monster that easily beat Isurugi stood in their way.
Sooner or later, Shizuno and the others would come running, he was sure of it.
At that moment, Zhixin would──
He had a bad feeling. Or maybe that should be called conviction.
He felt a chill as if the hair on his back stood on end.
Moroha shut his mouth far away from where Zhixin stood while pressing his fist against the window separating the inside and outside.
