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ลำดับตอนที่ #35 : Chapter 4 - Determination and hesitation and...
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Chapter 4 - Determination and hesitation and...
Part 1
Lying upside-down on the bed in her room, Ayano let out a
profound breath, emptying her lungs.
Burying her face in the pillow, she let out all her power. After
several seconds -
"........Stopping Kazuma, huh........"
Those isolated grumbled words, naturally, reached no one's ears
but her own.
A second sigh.
Sluggishly turning around, she looked upwards. She held her hand
out in front of her eyes, blocking the fluorescent light.
"What are you telling me to do........"
That complaint without ambition vanished inside her chest
without a voice.
No matter how she thought about it, there wasn't even a particle
of a chance of success.
Just who on earth will try and stop that man who snapped and
lost even his discrimination ability.
Recalling the conversation during the evening, Ayano let out a
third sigh.
"Do you understand what you're saying - Ren? "
"Let's stop Nii-sama"
Entering the room, Ren declared so without even the returning
home greeting.
At the abrupt thing, Ayano stared at Ren in wonder. And then,
she scowled.
She perceived in the boy's eyes the same light of determination
just like that time.
"Ren? What happened, so suddenly? "
Close to the bewildered Ayano, Kirika pointed a sharp gaze at
Ren. She asked to verify.
"You met him? "
Ren nodded in silence.
"in Shinjuku. He was tormenting a group of five
<
"......Isn't that usual? "
Not understanding why Ren's expression was so stiff, Ayano
replied in a light tone.
But, without showing her even the shadow of a smile, he declared
with serious look.
"It's different. "
He had no hesitation and yet those eyes were carrying so much
concern it was heartbreaking.
"That was different."
"........Ren? "
"........I see"
Contrastive to the bewildered Ayano, without showing her
disturbance despite disappointment, Kirika accepted Ren's words as the truth.
Changing the cross-examination partner, Ayano pressed Kirika for
an answer.
"Hey, detective Tachibana? "
"What? "
Kirika received it calmly, sipping from the tea that got cold.
"There's nothing really to be surprised about. The
likelihood of the conjecture made only changed to a verified truth. "
"Verified, you say......."
"Rather than Kazuma changing, it's more like he returned to
the way he was before. Not listening to Ren-kun trying to restrain him, on the
contrary, not forgiving even him if he were to become an obstacle - or
something like that. "
Fleetingly looking at Ren, Kirika searched for confirmation. Ren
made a tiny, but clear nod.
"Did Kazuma..........Ren? "
Faced with the impossible situation, Ayano's consciousness
froze.
She couldn't imagine that.
Ayano knew best just how much Kazuma was doting on Ren.
More important than anyone and anything, almost like a beloved
child.
"That.......cannot be..."
"It's the truth. Accept it. "
But, the reality was even more unfeeling. Kirika's words woke up
Ayano without asking whether she wants to or not.
"Ren........?"
Trying to comfort a wounded boy or else trying to cling on someone
she wants to deny this nightmare-like reality - not sure which was it herself,
she sought Ren.
He was right in front of her eyes.
It seemed he drew near while she was in a daze. He went down on
his knees on the tatami mat so that their eyes were at the same level and
looked hard at Ayano with an earnest gaze.
"We're stopping Nii-sama", declared Ren without doubt
in a tone loaded with determination.
"The fact that Nii-sama is angry, that he wants revenge is
maybe to be expected. But, even if he would do so, no one would become happy.
No one will be pleased. The number of sad people would only go up. "
"Aah, yes......that's right"
"I want Nii-sama to smile, I want him to be happy! That's
why, that's why this is - "
Visibly overawed by Ren drawing near, Ayano shrunk away little
by little.
She understood those feelings very well. Extremely well, but -
"But, how?"
If he were to say he had a plan, she wanted to know it by all
means. The plan to stop that man.
If the objective was to kill it may be possible.
If she, Ren and then Genma were to form a group and attack him,
a Contractor as he may be, she didn't believe he could go against them.
However - when it comes to take him alive...
Is that not something impossible for humans? Ayano thought so,
very seriously.
At the very least, it wasn't something Enraiha, specialized in
offensive ability, could accomplish.
" ------hey, Ayano-chan"
While thinking so, Kirika meddled in with an amazed face.
"You, can you think of nothing but feat of strength since
the beginning? "
"What else is there? "
Feeling she was made fun off, Ayano pouted.
"Ren's persuasion didn't work, right? If that's the case,
it won't matter what I say"
".....No, you see, I want Ayano-chan to open Kazuma's eyes
with her 'love'"
"Sorry. That's outside my area of expertise. ",
declared Ayano right away.
"Ayano-chan, don't you want Kazuma to return to normal?
"
"I want it, of course I want it but do you want me to be
all teary-eyed and say: Forget about Tsoi Rin and look at me♥ !?"
"Yes"
"Not even if I die!!"
A seemingly sad gaze pierced Ayano, who replied immediately.
"Nee-sama......why are you saying such things? Do you hate
Nii-sama? "
"This is not a problem of likes and dislikes! If I were to
tell such chilly words, even the usual Kazuma will laugh scornfully! That's
obviously useless! "
"It's not the usual Kazuma so it will be effective! "
"That's not true. "
Ayano blocked it all.
"That guy, doesn't see me as a woman."
".................well, anyway"
Trying to avoid a direct answer, Kirika said to both Ayano and
Ren.
"I leave Kazuma to you. It doesn't matter by what means -
just do something"
"Yes!"
"............."
Throwing a side-long glance to Ren replaying vigorously, Ayano
scowled at Kirika with a sullen face.
But, without minding that attitude, Kirika bowed her head
grandly absolutely satisfied and Ren's eyes gleamed as he gripped Ayano's
hands.
"Nee-sama, let's do our best! "
"................................................................."
Watching intently in silence the boy awfully full of fighting
spirit, inside her heart, Ayano let out a deep, deep sigh.
"Geez......."
On her bed, Ayano tossed and turned, thinking about what she
should do and what she can do.
No matter how she thought about it, it doesn't appear likely she
can stop Kazuma. But -
- We're stopping Nii-sama -
She remembered Ren's words full of determination.
Because it's Ren, he must know about the fact that the
difference in power between her and Kazuma is like that between heaven and earth,
that it's close to impossible to stop Kazuma.
But even so, Ren declared Kazuma must be stopped no matter what.
That means, Ren judged Kazuma to be so much more dangerous right
now. For his surroundings and, for Kazuma himself.
"What is he doing....?"
She recalled Kazuma's face from the time Tokyo Government office
collapsed.
Anger, hatred and grief - a mix of many emotions and a
disturbed, dangerous countenance unbelievable from the normal Kazuma.
She thought it was something transient.
She believed he already got back on his feet.
Kazuma - because it's Kazuma, he will be fine -
She believed so without question.
But, thinking about it calmly, Kazuma is just twenty two.
Nothing else but what the society would call a youngster.
The unreasonable one is the one asking absolute power and
immutability from him.
Thinking about it, Kazuma lost control of himself before.
For example at the time the man manipulating the running widely
Ogami Misao gave his name, Michael Harley.
Or like when Ayano was about to finish off Lapis -
"....................aau......."
Digging up an unpleasant memory, Ayano sunk into the bed once
more.
She buried her head in the pillow and groaned feebly.
Tsoi Rin - the enemy Ayano must fight. The young lady
idolized because of her death.
With such an opponent, how is she supposed to take Kazuma back.
"Besides, why do I have to - "
Saying she understood Kazuma's feelings was prideful maybe but
she understood his feelings got hurt.
But even so, it doesn't mean he'll be forgiven no matter what.
Because of Kazuma, Nanase was abducted.
An ordinary girl who shouldn't have been involved in this world
was swallowed up by the battle.
No matter what his reason is, she won't tolerate that.
"I decided. As I thought, I'll beat him down"
Screwing with both hands the innocent pillow, Ayano decided so.
The chances of success were exceedingly low, she didn't know the
method but it was still better than the alternative and above all, she felt
refreshed.
Feeling like she settled one more problem, Ayano's thoughts
changed.
What she was most anxious of was the body of her friend
kidnapped by Utsumi.
"Is Nanase all right........"
Part 2[edit]
A heavy silence was ruling the space.
The basement of a desolated, abandoned building.
That space, primary ruled by nothing but emptiness, was now full
of a different kind of silence.
The number of humans reaching a hundred gathered in the great
hall were giving birth to this silence.
A hundred human beings, the silence of a hundred.
That was clearly different from the silence born out of
emptiness, it was a silence that made one feel a packed reaction.
But even if it was silence, it wasn't tidy by any means.
The air, the atmosphere were were only coercing to silence the
group that was gathered here by no ordinary means.
Rather, you could say it was the antipode of it. There were rare
groups of people but most of them were lone wolves that seemed to have
forgotten the spirit of cooperation inside their mothers' wombs.
The <
Properly speaking, it wasn't a likely event.
All those people who regarded others like nothing but more XP
were gathered in this place.
It's impossible that conflict wouldn't arise.
But, they were waiting in absolute silence.
Although not being forced they canceled everything else,
although they weren't ordered they refrained from fights, only waiting.
Without holding even the slightest doubt about the unnatural
occurrence.
Then, at this place were everyone was gathered, just one regular
person was mixed up.
- No, calling her normal was too much maybe, but at the very
least she wasn't a <
Without putting on air, she just observed the surroundings in a
casual manner.
Men and women with bad disposition were filling up the hall. Of
course, there wasn't any running electricity but the bonfires placed here and
there illuminated the gloomy interior.
The atmosphere was so strained that if one were to throw a
firecracker in, a great brawl would start on the spot.
Wrapped around by the atmosphere of that critical situation, the
girl thought.
"I wonder, is there enough ventilation to build a fire
inside such a small basement? "
The usually peculiar train of thought. The proprietor of a
mental structure indifferent to the sense of urgency even this late in the game
was obviously no one else but Ayano's close friend, Yukari Shinomiya.
The insides were the same as usual but on the outside, she had a
fairly drastic image change.
She wore a black leather jacket and a tight miniskirt. Stiletto
short boots. She daringly exposed her legs without any stockings, producing an
obscene contrast between her all black outfit and her white skin.
What's more, her features were sharpened by the make-up and that
image wearing thin sunglasses changed her to a completely different person from
the usually gentle girl.
That appearance wafting with aggressive sex-appeal even made
those muscled men want to call her Nee-san.
Such being the case, Yukari melted in the middle of the
<
- Right now no one was talking so that means she couldn't get
obtain anything.
But - suddenly, the silence was broken.
"-------?"
Feeling doubtful but without showing any of those emotions on
the outside, Yukari observed the state of the surroundings.
The <
It seems they could feel something that escaped the regular
human.
"Where........."
"Close........"
The <
The wall.
For Yukari it looked just like a usual wall. A bleak, bare, gray
wall. There was nothing there to look at or to talk about -
"Eeh? Hey, is that - "
Drawing that conclusion, Yukari remembered a strangely
uncomfortable feeling. She looked closely once more at the wall that was the
focal point and then at those surroundings.
" - aah"
She suddenly noticed.
There wasn't anyone in front of that wall.
Those gazes didn't gathered there to look at it. From the
beginning, that space gaping wide in front of that wall was becoming less
crowded.
In spite of the fact that there were enough people inside the
room to make one feel oppressed.
Especially carefully the bonfires were concentrated in front of
the wall delimitating the space.
Once you realized it, it was obvious. That was a stage. The
curtain bells were heard, the spectators focused on the stage, it was only
that.
"'This is.......kind of clumsy? "
The straightforward stage setting, the ostentatious gap - what
will happen there from now on, Yukari was more uneasy about that rather than
the fact that she would definitely be spotted since she couldn't recognize such
an overt abnormality.
It would still be alright if her cognizant ability was disturbed
because she used some hallucinogen but the magic stuff couldn't be helped.
But, there's no point in trying to run from here. First of all
she should confirm the escape route and then wait for further development.
Suddenly, something abnormal happened.
Everyone was gazing steadily the ashen wall. The texture of the
cold, hard concrete undulated as if embarrassed by those ardent eyes, flickered
and started twisting.
The irregular wave gradually changed to concentric ripples with
a diameter of a little over two meters.
And then -
The entrance went through the undulating concrete and he - appeared.
A magician. He was looking exactly like a magician from the
fairy tales.
His whole body was wrapped in a black robe. Because the robe was
covering most of him, his face wasn't visible. Particularly thorough, he was even
holding a curved staff made of wood in his hand.
That appearance was seen by everyone in this place. Even the
person most separated from the stage could see without interruption as the
robed figure's entire body was filling the field of vision.
Because, the <
A wordless commotion leaked out from the mouth of the seeds.
In contrast to them, frequently manipulating unusual powers,
that exceedingly simple power seemed easy enough to handle. But they didn't
have the power to levitate or spring through the wall.
The existence who could easily exercise the mysterious power
they don't have but even if they did they couldn't possibly use - the awe and
fear regarding that man of absolute strength, and then becoming self conscious
of it and gazing at him with secondhand hostility, the <
The black robe calmly caught that gaze. The swelling thirst for
blood was electrifying the space.
But, in contrast with that -
"Waah - waah - waah - "
Absolutely dumbfounded Yukari was looking at the girl standing
still behind the <
In an inflammatory bondage look, she was even carrying a huge
halberd. Her outward appearance was standing out but because she lacked
vitality just like a doll, she didn't receive attention.
Yukari knew well that girl just like her folding herself back
from the <
As the close friend of both Yukari and Ayano, the girl whose
whereabouts were completely unknown after being kidnapped by Utsumi.
"Na- Nanase-chan......"
It was Kudou Nanase.
But she couldn't be filled with happiness for finding her.
Nanase clearly lost her consciousness.
The brilliance of will and life that made her who she was
couldn't be felt.
Although she was before her eyes, it resembled the empty shell
of Kudou Nanase. Her body trembling with resentment for having her friend
looked down upon, Yukari glared at the magician in black robes.
"That means - he must be Utsumi-kun?"
Adding the fact that Nanase was accompanying him, the
possibility was extremely high.
When she tried to peek inside, looking closely at the center of
the robe, as expected, she cannot see his face.
The moment she thought she should approach a little more,
bravely defying the danger, the <
Looking at reality, an extremely powerful clout was controlling
this space.
"Chosen ones"
The <
"You did good responding to the call. I thank you in place
of Bernhard, the lord of Pandemonium. "
Naturally, those words stated he was Pandemonium's proxy. The
<
"My name is <
"Whaaat!?"
Here and there, shouts of shock erupted. That was
understandable. Whose gathered at that place - meaning the
<
No, it had been similar. Until now.
"Im- impossible!"
From somewhere a shout of objection was raised.
"We haven't even heard rumors about the existence of
someone like you! Without anyone knowing, it's impossible to save enough XP for
the <
"..................."
The <
Hidden by the hood, his face couldn't be seen. But, it was
obvious for everyone looking. That the <
"Bastard..........."
"For those like you, not blessed with talent, accustoming
your bodies through fights may be necessary. But, I am different. "
Unnaturally ignoring the exasperated man, the <
"Besides, XP is nothing else but the work of accommodating
power in the bodies of those without accomplishments. The thing called magical
power and the assimilation of it for those powerless must be finely tuned in
time over and over. "
Casually informed of the mechanism behind the level up that no
one knew before, the <
That detailed knowledge - by far more profound than that of
<
"But, I am different. I, who held the greatest ability
since the beginning, could receive a great amount of power without any kind of
adjustment and was able to manipulate it.
Do you understand? For those truly great, there's no need for
great effort. They will obtain what they desire just like that - precisely
because that is allowed, they are being called prodigies. "
"............!!"
The faces of the <
"Do you think we'll listen to this......"
"Don't be so cocky........!"
No matter what sort of power they had, they didn't understand.
Just before touching him, a spherical field sparkled around the <
"There's an everlasting barrier around my surroundings.
It's impossible for the offensive abilities of <
"................."
The <
It wasn't only that the attack was defended against but that
they received an unusual amount of damage. Those sorry states convulsing in
fear were close to the agony of death.
"So, I'll impart the words of Bernhard, the lord of
Pandemonium. "
The <
Understanding that was the main issue of this meeting, everyone
listened closely.
"Three days from now on - "
In the silent hall, the voice of an oracle clearly reverberated.
"Seventy two hours from now on, Pandemonium will descend on
the physical world. The location is Shinjuku Central Park."
As if giving the audience time to understand, the <
He took a large breath, and then continued.
"To celebrate the descent, you will be granted a present.
Those who desire power, should head for Pandemonium. The one who arrives first,
will receive my ultimate power. One no one will be able to go against. An
absolutely unrivaled power. "
When the <
An ultimate power. One no one will be able to go against. An
absolutely unrivaled power.
- they wanted it.
At the same time, everyone thought so. They desired it. They
desired it no matter what. But, to do so -
".........."
"............"
Dangerous gazes were exchanged everywhere. The race already
started. Remove the obstacles was obviously the fastest way.
But - at the same time, they noticed. The existence of the
biggest obstacle.
Everyone's eyes flooded with conspiring, made the <
"That's right, I'm the one who'll win"
As if talking about a definite result, he declared.
"By kicking you all to the side, I'll reach Pandemonium
first. And then, I'll receive even more power, and reach the <
" .......!!"
"But there is also a chance for you. If you could defeat
me, there's no doubt that person will become the strongest. I won't stop you if
you want to run. "
Finishing with those affected words, he shrugged his shoulders
underneath the robe. At the plain provocation, the killing intent voltage
rapidly jumped up.
Ignoring the piercing killing intent the <
"Only those sincerely desiring power should come. Of
course, you're free to do what you want in the meantime. Pandemonium doesn't
try to restrict you in any way. I'm looking forward to the time I'll fight with
you. "
"...................."
Holding her breath, calmly, extremely calmly, Yukari caught the
<
Fumbling and confirming the IC recorder she grasped tightly
inside her pocket was indeed recording, she took a light breath.
This seemed like the last directive from Pandemonium. Staying
here any longer had no purpose.
She was worried about Nanase but she couldn't help her by
herself. Deciding it was time to go, she looked once more at the <
"------tch!"
Their eyes met directly. Inside the hood, his lips were curving
- she didn't know why but she clearly knew it.
"Baaad........"
The moment she sensed she was recognized, Yukari turned around
and began to run.
She should have run and escaped calmly in such a way as to not
attract attention but the situation was already developing beyond that.
Thrusting away those who stood in her way and pushing them
aside, without caring about the public notice she ran like a startled hare.
Running up the stairs, she left the building. No one seemed to
pursue her but she couldn't relax just yet.
She must quickly hide herself - whipping her body enough to
breath hard, Yukari kicked the asphalt.
- and, a few minutes after.
Yukari took refuge in an inhabited room from another building.
Because she was panicking, she neglected tracking her current position and
couldn't identify even the buildings' name.
From the start, Yukari's strong point was intelligence
gathering, but being a spy was outside her area of expertise.
She didn't know how to successfully escape while being chased,
besides she had no way of fighting a magic user.
She did prepared a weapon for self defense but she had no
confidence she could use it.
"Hmmm, it was too rash, huh? "
For the sake of saving Nanase, for the sake of helping Ayano,
she tried to sneak in knowing it was dangerous, but, as expected, it was too
impertinent.
If she were to get caught, she'll also become an encumbrance to
Ayano.
".....Whatever. First of all, I must notify Ayano-chan -
"
Instantly shaking off the feeling of shame, Yukari took out her
phone.
She was only half-convinced before she heard his voice but she
finally had definite proof.
The <
She clapped the key with so much speed it left an after-print.
She sent mail after mail.
- That activity continued intermittently for several minutes.
Part 3[edit]
Since the morning the case first started in, today too, Kirika
got through the Kannagi Gate on her practically daily visit.
Her work finally reached a point where she could pause and only
by remembering for how many days she only took naps, the look of fatigue was
engraved deeper on Kirika's face.
But Ayano's complexion,even compared to that, could hardly be
called sunny.
" ---------What happened? "
Kirika bluntly asked Ayano, standing near the entrance door next
to the two Deva Kings caring thunder clouds.
Normally at such times she would act amiably as if trying to
soothe Ayano but she was obviously not that flexible today.
"..................."
In silence, Ayano pushed out her telephone. If her memory served
her correctly in spite of drowsiness and fatigue, it was supposed to be her
own.
"---------? "
Ayano frankly informed the puzzled Kirika.
"Mail"
"Is it all right to look? "
Instead of an answer, just a nod. Judging the silence as a
positive answer, Kirika opened the email folder with a practiced hand.
"By the way........."
With a dry voice, Ayano asked Kirika fiddling with the
telephone.
"Did you know all <
"----------!? No."
The hand pressing keys stopped, and Kirika flipped up with a
face full of surprise.
Ayano waived her bangs in open despair.
"Why couldn't you lot notice something even a mere high
school girl could? "
".......I can't answer that"
The origin of that information, and the guess of who the mail
originator was, it was all in the log.
As feared, mails from Yukari were lining up. She read the first.
'"Descent of Pandemonium in the Shinjuku Central Park
three days from now on. The ultimate power people will finally arrived at.
"'
"........that was rash"
"Isn't it because the Police can't be relied on? "
Responding at those harsh words with a bitter smile, she read
the next.
'"Utsumi. <
"Shit......."
'"Nanase-chan is sexy......."'
".........what?"
Kirika was amazed at the suddenly queer content. As she was
already reading it, she wondered if she understood what was so surprising.
Ayano explained in a worn-out voice.
"It means Nanase is close to Utsumi. Dressed in some filth
he liked so much. "
"........Aah, I see........."
Not finding any other appropriate comments, she made agreeable
comments absentmindedly. The next mail.
The literary style was suddenly different.
'"Right now I am in one room of some desolated, unknown
building. The <
"..........this is?"
"You'll know once you read"
Coldly, Ayano refused any explanation. Rather than sorrow, that
face showed a different emotion -
'"It's impossible for the mighty magical power of the
<
"......Hey, just wait.........."
".........."
When she raised her face, Ayano turned hers away. An obstinate
silence.
'"I hear a voice. The <
Next.
'"The sound of footsteps reverberates. Gan, gan, he's
intentionally loud. He's drawing near. He's here - In what a terrifying thing I
involved myself. Dear god!"'
Next.
'"Aaah - I'm already broken. Someone, if you're reading
this mail, tell my pet, Ball. That I was foolish. I was the one at fault for
not accepting his advice. The footsteps stopped. Instead the sound of the
revolving knock can be heard. Knock-knock, knock-knock. Aah, he's there. He is
on the other side of the door. He's opening the door. A ghastly creak is raised,
slowly. From the gap of the opening door, a pale, bony hand stretches - Aaaah,
aaaaaahhhh!!"'
That was the last.
After looking at the phone screed dumbfounded for a while,
Kirika asked the sullen Ayano.
"Errrrr, so - Shinomiya-san? "
".........Didn't return to her home"
If that is true - rather than an exaggeration, this mail is
true. Exchanged for precious information, it means that one of Ayano's friends
was captured yet again.
"How to say it, she's a terrible child"
In a lot of ways.
Probably reading between those lines, Ayano silently flipped
out.
Tearing off the phone from Kirika's hands, she threw it into the
ground with all her strength.
"Are you the protagonist of some novel from a hundred years
ago!? Who the fuck is Ball!? If you have time to write Aaaah, aaaaaahhhh!!
hurry and run away!!"
"No, well, wasn't it because she didn't think she could run
away? Besides, she wanted to at least send the information before getting
caught, no? "
Kirika tried to somehow cover for her but -
"Even that clumsy mystery novel!? "
".......that's.......well........"
As one would expect, she couldn't defend that.
"But, being able to confirm Nanase-san's survival is a
small mercy. That's why, I'm sure even Shinomiya-san - "
"It's not only about being alive, right? She's a woman, you
know!? "
Unable to find peace in Kirika's words, Ayano repelled them with
unconcealed wrath. Kirika also felt the same.
"........I apologizes"
"It's not like I blame you or anything. About Yukari, the
responsibility is all hers. She was supposed to know it would be dangerous.
"
Finally calming down after all the shouting, this time Ayano
covered for Kirika.
"The problem is, what do do next? "
"..........that's true"
Even more apologetic, Kirika's voice became smaller.
"To say it frankly, the possibility of us finding
Pandemonium in the next two days is close to zero. I think we can only try to
be perfectly ready for when it descends. "
"..........."
"I'm sorry. If at least Kazuma would be here"
They both understood that was a meaningless assumption.
Ayano ignored those words as if she didn't even heard them and
glared at the wall as if it was her mortal enemy.
"Yukari, Nanase......please be well........"
A frail murmur escaped.
Part 4[edit]
Leaping through space, the <
"Nanase-chan, it hurts - Be a little more gentle - "
Her wrists grasped with enough force to make her bones creak,
Yukari cried and begged for mercy. But, Nanase didn't have the slightest
reaction. Obviously, the force wasn't loosened.
"It's useless. Nanase only listens to my commands. ",
declared Utsumi boastful.
Hearing that, Yukari demanded in a friendly tone.
"Then please order her, Utsumi-kun. "
"I am <
"Ordinary? Did Utsumi-kun became a priest? "
With a smiling face without the slightest ill-will, Yukari asked
innocently.
Utsumi's body trembled and after a few seconds, he turned his
back on them and walked out without saying anything. Without being ordered,
Nanase followed him.
Obviously, since she was caught by Nanase, so did Yukari.
"Where are you going - ?"
Without reply Utsumi strutted in the big mansion as if he owned
the place.
Without knocking, he opened three sets of doors and finally
Yukari met the master of the mansion.
A tall man cloaked in a red mantle, a simple mask was covering
his face.
For Yukari the background of the man impeccably dressed, as if
he expected visitors was very clear.
Bowing her head, she smiled sweetly.
"Good evening, you're Bernhardt-san I suppose. I apologize
for the sudden visit - "
"Don't worry about it. Visitors are always welcome. You can
think of it as your own house. "
With a composed attitude, the master of Pandemonium bowed his
head. The atmosphere friendly on the surface was rotating slowly in the space
between the two.
"By the way, my name is Vesalius. It may be a bit difficult
to remember by the Japanese but I'd rather you addressed me correctly. "
"Aah, this cannot be, I'm sorry for making a mistake"
"No, you're not to blame. Please don't take offense. "
"I understand. Confusing your name with someone else's was
very impolite"
Even a normal human would understand this atmosphere packed with
tension behind the smiling faces.
But what was there was a doll who lost her will and a
thickheaded or rather thick skinned baka pretending to be important.
Irritated by what he perceived as a gentle atmosphere, Utsumi
forced his way through those two.
"This is no guest, she's my prisoner! This woman became a
police spy and tried to get her hands on information about Pandemonium!"
" -----Hou?"
Including light reprimand in his gaze, Bernhardt stared at
Yukari. Yukari stuck out her tongue in mischief and lightly knocked her head.
"Ehe he he - I'm sorry"
"Geez, what a troublesome Ojou-san"
"............only that? "
Seeing Bernhardt who was about to overlook Yukari's deed with a
wry smile, Utsumi asked in a sharp voice.
Bernhardt answered as a matter of course.
"It doesn't matter whether she found out something or not.
The fact that the Police will intervene in the ceremony has already been
factored in. There is no uncertainty. "
" - What if they find this place before the ceremony?
"
"They won't"
A definite statement.
"I know the Special Information Storage Room's war
potential. Even if this woman were to have a transmission instrument and send
this specific coordinates, entrance is impossible."
"Hee.....what incredible self-confidence"
"It's not self-confidence but the statement of mere facts.
Apart from that - did you send the message? "
With an arrogant attitude, Utsumi nodded when asked by Bernhardt
about the right and wrongs of being an errand boy.
"Aah, I told them. Almost everyone was gathered. But, why
must we be so roundabout about it? Wouldn't it have been easier just to send an
order? "
"Leading people brings various troubles and uncertainties.
It's more efficient to let them be independent. "
"Independence! Independence? That's rich - "
As if he heard some very funny story, Utsumi abruptly burst in a
roar of laughter.
"Ha ha ha! Aha ha ha ha! Bua ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
ha !!"
Bernhardt was looking indifferently at Utsumi, rolling about
with laughter monstrously rather than lively, like he was one part of the
landscape.
"Aah, don't worry about it. He sometimes gets like this.
"
"Ha..........haa....."
Yukari vaguely nodded, overcome with surprise.
Not hearing that exchange, Utsumi continued to laugh endlessly.
The line of sight of that expressionless doll looked like that
of a researcher observing an experimental animal.
But, immediately following,
"Oh, by the way, is the preparation over?"
As if someone pressed his switch, Utsumi returned to a normal
state.
From frenzy to serenity - a bizarre change of attitude without
any kind of midway passage.
Bernhardt faced that extremely calmly.
"Yes, it just became so"
"In other words, your duty is already over."
" - Hmm"
From inside the mask, the indication of a thin smile floated.
The words of rebellion impossible to misunderstand, the thirst
to kill received by his body made the master of Pandemonium breathe hard.
"Will you challenge me with the power I gave you, boy?
"
"The pupil is supposed to overcome his teacher sooner or
later. "
Yet again, with an attitude full of self-confidence and
composure Utsumi strikes again.
Not one willing to step aside, their glints in the eyes gave off
sparks.
"I will obtain everything! No one is able to oppose
me!"
Drunken with power, the boy changed his words to shouts.
That was the signal of the starting
battle.
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