Date A Live

The forest that separated the Southern part and the Northern block of Arubi Island was being mowed down by a violent hurricane.

Healthy green leaves and branches, that appeared at the same time as summer, were now being blown and ripped into bits, and were thrown up into the sky, spinning as if they were thrown into a mixer. Slender trees were being dug out and were being thrown around the surroundings like bullets.

This was exactly what the march of an outraged berserker means. The incarnation of violence without reason, was all one could see with their eyes.

Who on earth could imagine this outcome.

——the main reason for that sudden storm was brought forth by a big fight between two young girls.

"——I thought about this before! You burden yourself alone and plan to deal with it!"

As Kaguya was thrusting her giant lance while shouting, the tip of the lance spun with high-speeds like a drill and produced a tremendous tornado.

She mowed down the lance pointing towards Yuzuru, as if she was going to clean sweep everything with the tornado.

"Objection. That word, Yuzuru will return it back to Kaguya with a present wrapped in excessive wrappings and have a paper card and ribbon attached on it………..!"

But Yuzuru, even though she was being approached with a cl.u.s.ter of destructive wind, was extremely calm and made a complicated move with her left hand.

When she did that, the pendulum Yuzuru was holding, squirmed around like it had a mind of its own and formed a magic circle in front of Yuzuru. After it easily blocked the tornado attack whirled up by Kaguya, it once again returned to its string state and then turned into a spiral state wrapping Yuzuru"s body surroundings.

"You are too kind! Since I am willing to hand over the seat of the main personality, you should just quietly accept it!"

"Reject. From the start, Yuzuru had no intentions to be the main personality."

"……………, how many hards.h.i.+ps did you think I suffered losing skillfully in our matches until now!"

"Objection. That also goes for Yuzuru too. Even though Yuzuru managed to gain losing marks, it is not once or twice Kaguya made Yuzuru irritated for not attacking back."

"The Yamai is the king of hurricane that knocks down all creation! Aren"t you the only one suitable to be that!"

"Deny. That is a mistake. The true name of the Yamai, should be gained by Kaguya."

"uh, even though you can fly faster than me!"

"Kaguya is the one that has more power than Yuzuru."

"Even though you have better style than me!"

"Kaguya has prettier skin."

"Even though you are cuter!"

"Objection. Yuzuru cannot yield to that. It is obvious Kaguya is much cuter than Yuzuru."

While exchanging words that sounded like a quarrel or not, Kaguya"s lance, that was spinning in high revolution, and Yuzuru"s string, that was complicatedly made into a sword, clashed together. The power was completely equal. The moment of impact, the wind at the surroundings turned wild and attacked s.h.i.+dou.

"Kuh…………………!"

s.h.i.+dou curved his body while supporting Tohka, and somehow managed to resist it.

If his body did not have the protection of a Spirit then s.h.i.+dou would have probably been blown away by the wind by now. He was very confident of that because, the fight between these two——to put it correctly, the byproducts in the sidelines that were dragged into it would suffer terrible damage.

Each time these two"s Angels clashed, sudden gusts would spread around and surrounding objects nearby would be plucked out from their roots and blown away.

But s.h.i.+dou shook his head as if to shake away these thoughts, and glared at both of them as he somehow resisted the wind and raised his body.

"Why………………"

Kaguya wants Yuzuru to live, Yuzuru wants Kaguya to live.

Both of them, thought this thoroughly about each other.

That is——for the sake of the other, one would throw away even her own life.

But even so, why.

"Why——did things turned out this way…………..!!"

s.h.i.+dou raised shouts that would only crush his throat.

"Stop! Both of you! You guys, don"t you love each other very much!"

He shouted but, there was no reaction coming from those two.

Whether it was because of the sound of the wind that s.h.i.+dou"s voice vanished or, they could only hear each other"s offences and defenses inside their dreams, or——they were ignoring him. Although he could not distinguish which one it was but, it was certain Kaguya and Yuzuru were still going to continue their intense fight.

"Guh……………."

He was too powerless. s.h.i.+dou covered his face with his hands while grinding his teeth.

And then——

"s.h.i.+dou! Be careful! There is something here!"

Coming from his side, Tohka"s voice echoed and made s.h.i.+dou twitch his shoulders.

He then looked around at his surroundings——and raised his eyebrows.

"Wha……………"

During the few seconds s.h.i.+dou was chasing Kaguya and Yuzuru with his sights.

As if to surround s.h.i.+dou and Tohka, around 10 humanly shaped shadows were standing in a row.

No——wrong. Their bodies had limbs and a head just like a normal human body but, their shape was obviously different than those of a human"s.

They had a slender body and a smooth head similar to a full face helmet, they also had legs with joints facing the opposite direction compared to humans and they were stepped firmly into the ground. Opposed to that, their arms were large, and through this they gave an impression of being unbalanced.

Putting all of that in place was a gla.s.sy and smooth polished metal armor.

And also, he saw CR-unit looking parts on their bodies.

"Wha,what…………are these guys!"

In a hunchback-looking posture, he felt a mysterious unknown fear coming from the group of dolls that were gradually closing their distances, s.h.i.+dou released a voice that sounded like a groan.

"DD-007 ……………….even if I say that, you still would not understand."

When he said that, in response to the scream-like voice, a young girl walked out from the background of the dolls.

——it was the attendant cameraman, Ellen Mathers.

"Ellen…….san?"

"Nu, you are……………."

When Tohka and s.h.i.+dou let out their voices at the same time, Ellen made an exaggerated nod.

"You finally came to a place with no people, Tohka-san. It looks like there is one unnecessary person here but——well, if that is all then it is still okay, I guess."

She said that and took a glance at s.h.i.+dou, she then snorted uninterested.

"However, I am surprised. To think those two were Spirits. ——and what"s more, it"s the primary target, the . It seems like they"re good compensation for all that piled up misfortune."

"Wha………….."

He unintentionally frowned. ——just now this girl called Kaguya and Yuzuru .

"You……….who on earth are you. Don"t tell me you"re from the AST………….!?"

"!, houu………….."

When s.h.i.+dou shouted full of detest, Ellen moved her eyebrows as if it were the first time she found s.h.i.+dou interesting.

"You know of the Anti-Spirit team of the JGSDF huh. ——but, sadly that is off"

She hung out her hand after saying that and as if following with that, the dolls called lowered their posture all at once and leaped towards s.h.i.+dou and Tohka"s direction.

"Kuh——"

s.h.i.+dou immediately gasped instinctively and closed his eyes.

But, even after a few seconds, there was no impact running at his body.

He slowly opened his eyes thinking it was weird, and over there was,

"Mu…………..are you alright, s.h.i.+dou."

Manifesting a limited AstralDress around her yukata, Tohka was there holding a glowing sword in her hands. It looked like, the moment leaped over; she released the limiter for her Maryoku, and deflected the attack with .

And, looking at Tohka"s state, Ellen, a little excited, opened her eyes wide.

"——. It really is the real thing as expected."

"uh, even Tohka"s codename………….."

s.h.i.+dou brought his eyebrow roots together. Even though he had to stop Kaguya and Yuzuru as soon as possible, to think an unknown and mysterious enemy appeared here.

But Ellen, as if she wasn"t even bothered with what thoughts s.h.i.+dou was having, stretched her hands towards Tohka"s direction as if she were trying to reach her.

"Tohka-san. Would you like to come together with me? I promise you will get the best treatment."

"——Don"t bulls.h.i.+t!"

Together with Tohka yelling that, she pointed the tip of towards Ellen.

"O, oi Tohka, isn"t using towards a normal human a little too——"

"Wrong."

"Eh……….?"

After replying to s.h.i.+dou"s question, Tohka continued talking while glaring at Ellen with a face covered with nervousness.

"I noticed this when we were facing each other like this for the first time. ——this woman, has a really bad feeling about her. Yeah………..it feels like the AST"s aura, only that hers is much darker."

And, as if matching with what Tohka said, Ellen, for the first time, made a smile-like face by making the edges of her lips go up.

"What an interesting remark."

While saying that, Ellen leisurely spread both her hands as if she was taunting Tohka.

When she did that, a pale glow immediately covered Ellen"s body, and after a moment, that body was equipped with a wiring suit and a CR-unit.

Her suit had a different form from those of the AST"s. It covered the important areas of her body and the parts were meant to look like mechanical armor. And also, there was a giant sword-like equipment on her back, which especially drew his attention.

"! Wha……………."

"—— team, don"t lay your hands for now. I want to have a little test to know how strong the , I have heard about, is."

After saying that, she pulled out the sword equipped on the back of her right hand, and a sword of light manifested from the body of the blade.

As if to invite Tohka, *Gui*, the fingers on her left hand were bent and shown to her.

"Don"t look down on me……………..!"

Shouting, Tohka kicked the ground and headed towards Ellen. At the same time, she held up and hit down at Ellen"s head with a speed that couldn"t be captured with his eyes.

But——Ellen easily stopped that with the sword held by only one hand.

"Oh, is that it?"

"Kuh………….!"

Letting out an anguished voice, Tohka swung continuously.

However, all of the attacks were defended, and Ellen"s unit did not even have a single scratch on it.

"Haaah!"

"…………….."

After taking on the sword strikes several times, Ellen made a small sigh.

"……………….Is that all you have, ."

"Wha——What did you say!?"

"I even went as far to equip but——it looks like it was not needed. What a disappointment. Let"s end this."

After saying that, Ellen swung down the giant laser blade at Tohka.

"Kuh——"

Tohka prepared to attempt to defend against that attack. But——

""Eh…………?""

In the next instant, dumbfounded voices were leaked out of s.h.i.+dou and Tohka"s throat at the same time.

But that was only natural. That was because, the moment Tohka took on Ellen"s sword strike, the body of that she made a stance with was easily smashed into pieces.

"What…….is——"

After a short anguished moment, Ellen"s attack easily blew Tohka"s small body backwards.

"Kuaah………..!"

Tohka"s body then grazed the ground several times, and fell down face-downwards. Continuing with that, delayed in one beat, the smashed and repelled away turned into light particles and melted away into the atmosphere.

"To,Tohka!"

After s.h.i.+dou shouted, he tried to approach towards Tohka. But——on the direction towards her, two appeared and obstructed s.h.i.+dou from advancing. There were several starting to swarm together, at Tohka"s direction.

"What a kill-joy. Please make her faint quickly and bring her to the

After saying that, Ellen snapped her finger and the armor decorating her body disappeared in an instant.

Afterwards, as if losing interest even on Tohka, she *pui* turned her face and crossed her arms.

But, the predicament did not change. While still lying face-down and not moving, both of Tohka"s arms were grabbed by two , one on the left and the other on the right, and her body was carried up. And when he thought that one more doll walked towards the limp Tohka from the front, the hand that had claws growing out of it was closing in onto Tohka"s forehead.

"Gu——aa………——"

Tohka let out a painful voice and twist her body.

"Tohka! What are you doing you b.a.s.t.a.r.ds! d.a.m.n it, get lost!"

Even though he shouted, the dolls standing in front of him blocking his way did not move. During the time he was like that, a painful voice that sounded of anguish and shriek mixed together, echoed out of Tohka"s throat.

"Tohka——!"

s.h.i.+dou raised a scream.

An absurd amount of powerlessness and despair overran the inside of his head.

In the end, s.h.i.+dou could not do anything.

Whether it were stopping Kaguya and Yuzuru or saving Tohka from this predicament.

The sealing ability that was inside his hands, was currently useless for this situation.

The only thing left was the healing ability borrowed from Kotori and the gained Spirit protection from Tohka and the others.

——At the very least, one more. If only he had the power to cut this doll into pieces so and through.

For some reason, Kurumi"s——the face of the worst Spirit, that kills humans out of her own free will, pa.s.sed the inside of his head.

The feeling he had at that time, was the powerless feeling of not being able to do anything. In the end……….the despair from being unable to save Kurumi was running around in his brain.

——not again, I don"t want to go through that again.

s.h.i.+dou heard some kind of snapping sound inside his head.

I don"t care if it is a one in a lifetime opportunity. I don"t care if I only can do it once.

Right now, with these hands, if I had the power to save Tohka——!

"Tohkaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa——!"

In an instant——s.h.i.+dou, naturally, raised his right hand up.

And then.

"Eh………?"

When he let out his dumbfounded voice.

The moment he swung down the right hand that was raised up, the upper body of the standing and blocking in front of him, disappeared cleanly.

And one more that was further front——the head of the unit that was restraining Tohka"s hand slid diagonally off its place.

When that happened, as if it were being pulled down by force, Tohka"s body collapsed onto the ground.

"*cough*………,*cough……………"

"This…………is."

s.h.i.+dou, in a state where he found the thing he was seeing unbelievable, looked at his own right hand.

There was.

——a brightly glowing sword, held in his hand.

"Set a Protect territory area towards 1"o clock, the coordinates 132-50-39. Radius 255-246."

"Ro,roger. Protect territory set; coordinates are 132-50-39. Radius 255-246."

Repeating Kannazuki"s instruction again, Minowa quickly hit the console.

When she did that, the Territory placed around the transformed, it condensed into Kannazuki"s instructed direction and radius, and an invisible wall was constructed.

The next moment, right on that spot, the enemy"s Maryoku cannon exploded. Although an intense light wrapped the monitor projecting the s.h.i.+ps outer image but, there was only a small shake in the bridge.

""…………..""

All of the crew members of had their breaths taken away all at once.

The Protect territory, just as its name describes, is a special type of territory which is placed for the goal of avoiding attacks to the interior area. Specifically, the wider the radius of the territory gets, the lower its strength becomes, but if it condenses and wraps just barely around the surface of the target then the strength of it increases remarkably.

But, just now, what Kannazuki instructed was one level ahead. It was a method where a wall-like territory was condensed only towards a specific spot.

Naturally, if that was done then the strength of the Territory would exceedingly increase. The result of it was right now experienced by all of the crew members.

But, that is an extremely dangerous double-edge sword.

This had a simple reason. If the territory was deployed on a limited radius, then the other parts would turn into a completely defenseless state.

"——next, at the same direction, designate a Protect territory with a radius of 50.69."

"Fi,fifty point sixty nine……..!?"

"Please hurry, if not we will die. ——aah, but it"s true that, I always wanted to get the feeling of pain from a near death experience, I don"t know what to do anymo…………."

"Protect Territory designated, radius is 50.69!"

In the middle of Kannazuki"s words, the Territory was deployed on the designated spot. Then on the very small set radius Territory, an even more powerful Maryoku cannon was released.

Most likely, it was a power that would damage the s.h.i.+p"s body if the previous setting was used. That is why Kannazuki designated the activation into one with a smaller radius, as if he had foreseen that.

What"s more, it was not once or twice.

Actually after the first cannon hit, the number of Maryoku cannons released was 12 times. And all of them were precisely avoided by Kannazuki Kyouhei.

It was true that there was only one enemy. The attack direction could roughly be estimated. Following theory, it was probably not impossible. But——

"Well then, I somehow managed to grasp the rhythm. In reality I wanted to be tortu…………. Attacked a little more but, I can"t have more damages be placed on commander Itsuka"s world tree."

After Kannazuki suddenly hang out his hands as if to collect everyone"s attention, he then glared at the enemy s.h.i.+p shown on the main monitor.

"——Prepare the convergence Maryoku cannon ."

"Why can"t it hit!"

Paddington hit the handrails of the captain seat with his clenched fist together with releasing an angry roar.

Even though they were shooting the Maryoku cannon multiple times just now, but the s.h.i.+p was still floating in the sky.

What"s more, when they intercepted them, they didn"t take any evasive actions but rather, they were sitting in one spot while accurately defending themselves from the cannon attacks.

Yes——it was like they were making a fool out of this

"Th,the moment the cannon attack reached them, it seems like a Protect territory was deployed on the estimated place of impact!"

"Don"t joke with me! How could anyone do something like that!"

"Bu,but——"

When the crew member was about to say something, the alarm in the bridge rang and echoed.

"! Heat source confirmed! The enemy s.h.i.+p is concentrating Maryoku on the main cannon located at the tip of the s.h.i.+p"s body!"

"Kuh…………. Turn right at 1-0-4! Transfer all the generated Maryoku to the Protect territory!"

"Roger. Turning right at 1-0-4."

Following Paddington"s command, the

The next moment, when he thought a glittering light appeared on the tip of the enemy s.h.i.+p, an intense torrent of Maryoku was released out from it.

It pierced through the Territory of the

"d.a.m.n it——d.a.m.n it d.a.m.n it d.a.m.n ittttttttt!"

After Paddington shook his throat, he then released the next command.

"Turn all of the driving force of the

"Ro,roger…………….!"

"Ahh~ahh~, Origami is having a vacation on a southern island by now. I"m so envious—"

In a hanger part of the JSDF Tenguu garrison, Mily was tapping on a thin tablet while fanning herself and mumbling in a slow tone.

"Move your hand instead of your mouth."

And, while Ryouko was sighing as if she"d given up, she then pulled on the goggle worn on Mily"s forehead and quickly let her hand go. *smack* together with that sound, an impact shock ran on Mily"s forehead, and she toppled backwards.

"Ouch! Wha, what was that for!"

"Here, the next one is this. I am going to be using this later so hurry it up."

After saying that, she showed one of the Combat Realizer units she obtained, the laser knuckles . Coming from the metal covering the fist and the forearm of the glove, a single cable extended towards Mily.

It was a close-combat specialized equipment which allowed the user to perform hand-to-hand combat by cladding the fist with Maryoku generated by the Realizer but, due to the reach being extremely short, it was a special equipment with not many users even in the team. At the very least, Ryouko was probably the only one that took this as a main equipment on her own accord.

"Mouu…………..Ryouko resorts to violence every single time—. Please be careful with a mechanic"s head—"

While complaining, Mily took the cable in her hand and connected it to the tuning cable; she then touched the screen and commenced tuning the equipment.

"What are you saying. I am a very kind person. Back when I was a.s.signed to the AST, the captain was so dangerous that, even now, just remembering makes it repulsive."

Like that, Ryouko said that while her face turned pale as if she remembered something scary. Mily faced towards her while operating the tablet.

"Dangerous……………..such a strict person?"

"Rather than strict, how should I put it."

"? What do you mean?"

When Mily asked with a doubtful face, Ryouko continued talking as if she were troubled.

"Let"s see. For example, we would probably had been hit for talking useless chatter like right now."

"Yeah yeah."

"Also, if someone quietly went near the captain, and *pon*……………..placed their hands on his shoulders. If that happened it was an out. On that whole day, you had to wear an embarra.s.sing cosplay s.h.i.+rt chosen by the captain. Of course in the middle of training too, they had to wear it on top of the wiring suits."

"Eehh…………."

Mily raised her eyebrows as much as she could. At that moment, her fingers went into disorder and a number of errors started popping up. While correcting them in a panic, she talked back to Ryouko.

"Yo, you mean costume play."

"Yes. ………….and what"s more, that was just the beginning. The second out was a penalty with that person while cosplaying and, as an add-on, having to step on the captain."

"Heh? They had to step on the captain-san?"

"Yes. The members that received the penalty had to step on the captain."

Mily twitched her cheeks while letting sweat float on her forehead.

"Why is that."

"I wonder………..but well, everyone became systematic from being disgusted."

"Err, then, what happened after the 3rd warning………."

"…………………you want to hear?"

Sensing the seriousness coming from Ryouko"s expression who said that, Mily *swing**swing* swung her head.

"Th, that captain had quite a personality."

"…………..well, I guess so. There might be a chance that if I were to run through the filter of beautiful j.a.panese words, probably only a very little amount left had the possibility of forming that kind of euphemistic expression."

"Ha,haha……….."

Towards Ryouko, who was using an unusual black manner of speaking, Mily unintentionally made a wry smile.

But, [however] Ryouko continued talking with that word.

"It is true that that person was an unthinkable pervert but………….his skills were the real thing. Without joking, that person"s skills with the Realizer were a level above the other members. There is no mistaking, that person was the AST"s ace."

"Ha,haa, is that so. ………….err, then, why is that person not here? If that person was that strong, then the higher ups should have had their eyes on that person."

When Mily said that, Ryouko raised her eyebrows as if she was bewildered.

"That is…………….I don"t really know. Suddenly one day [I, I have to go find a suitable master who I can serve! Aah, forgive me my comrades in arms! Don"t stop me my companions! So long my sworn friends!] That person said something like that and disappeared. Just in case, that person seems to have left a slight reinstatement wish before taking a register…………."

After saying that, she shrugged her shoulders.

"Seriously…………I wonder what that person is doing."

", was avoided……….!"

"Oyah, I missed huh. Hnn, as expected, it would seem I am weak in attacking."

When Kannazuki said that jokingly, the crew members all together made a powerless wry smile.

"——! Enemy s.h.i.+p is coming this way!"

"I see, it"s coming to sc.r.a.pe off our Realizer directly."

A battle between s.h.i.+ps equipped with Realizers, if thought carefully, would come to a conclusion if one s.h.i.+p were able to tear off the opponent"s territory.

Kannazuki *fumu* made a breath before releasing a loud voice.

"Set all of the Basic Realizer to parallel drive. Please transfer all the generated Maryoku to the Territory. At the same time shrink the area. Squeeze it until it is 2 meters from the s.h.i.+p"s surface."

"Roger, AR- 008 from machine 1 to 10, parallel drive activate."

"Aah, and also for the Control Realizer too, please leave one and have the others generate Maryoku."

"Rog——eh?"

The crew member, who faithfully repeated after Kannazuki, stopped his words.

But that was probably a natural reaction.

is equipped and largely divided into 2 kinds of Realizers. The Basic Realizer with the purpose of generating Maryoku for the use of the cannon and Territory, and the Control Realizer with the purpose of controlling the Basic Territory.

As long as the Control Realizer remains as a Realizer, although it is inefficient, it is possible to generate Maryoku like the Basic Territory. It is certain; in order to oppose the approaching enemy s.h.i.+p with large Maryoku output, this kind of method is probably the only way left.

However, by abandoning a large portion of the Control Realizer would mean, it would be equivalent to taking the CPU out of a computer. Even if generating large Maryoku output becomes possible, there might be a chance that it would not be even possible to set it to the Territory.

After Kannazuki groaned thinking that it was normal for the crew members to feel uneasy, he took a black headset from the back of the captain"s seat, and equipped it on his head.

"——It"s going to be alright. If it"s about the replacement for the Control Realizer, it"s over here."

He said that and pointed his fingers to his head.

"Eh?"

"Leave the explanations to later. If you don"t want the to fall then, please follow my instructions."

"Uh——Roger…………! Control Realizer——machine number 2 to number 8, switching to Maryoku generation!"

After the crew members operated the console, in an instant, the Territory that wrapped around the disappeared.

——And was immediately restored.

"Im,impossible…….."

"Vice-commander, what on earth did you do?"

"What, the basics are no different from the AST"s wiring suits. They use their own brain waves to control the Maryoku generated by the Realizer, right?"

"Control…………..the aircraft"s equipped Control Realizer is 7 times from that you know……..!?"

"Leave the talking to later. It"s coming."

At the same time with Kannazuki saying that, the bridge"s alarm rang and echoed.

"Enemy s.h.i.+p, the Territory output is rising!"

"Fuun…………are you coming to attack? To this

"Contact with Territory! Please prepare for impact!"

The same time as the crew member shouted, the

"Kuuh, activate the Territory radius! Condense it onto the contact surface with the enemy s.h.i.+p! We"ll crush them in one go!"

"Roger! Territory radius activates!"

The crew members operated the consoles. And thus, the Territory deployed on the s.h.i.+p"s surface, shrunk towards the enemy s.h.i.+p"s direction. The enemy s.h.i.+p had still not shown any signs of movement.

I"ve won——! Paddington grasped his fist tightly. At the time of contact, judging by the impact, the Territory output was most likely equal. Since this side managed to shrink the area first, the strength of it should grow. If they were to shrink it now, they would not make it. The poor "s s.h.i.+p was crushed by the

"………………!?"

At that moment, Paddington opened his eyes wide in shock.

Suddenly, the sound of an explosion echoed from the back of the

He thought it was a cannon attack from the enemy s.h.i.+p for an instant but, that was an unthinkable cause. That"s because, the sound of the explosion happened after the enemy s.h.i.+p crossed to the opposite side.

"What is it, what on earth happened!?"

"The starboard has slight damages! It is confirmed to be damage from an outer impact!"

"Outer impact…………!? Is it enemy fire!?"

"I, I don"t know! The cause is unknown!"

The crew member raised a shrill voice. And thus, another crew member raised a shout as if he were following the one before him.

"Uh! Captain, there"s a big problem! From that explosion, block B2 has caught fire, the control room used for controlling the team for far distances has been damaged!"

"What did you say………..!? Hurry and extinguish the fire!"

"Wha, what was that just now…………"

In the bridge of after the tremor calmed down, Hinako was looking at the enemy s.h.i.+p retreat while mumbling dumbfounded.

Even though the enemy shrunk the size of their Territory and increased its strength, when they got impatient on Kannazuki for not showing any signs of making any counter-measures, the enemy s.h.i.+p suddenly caught on fire, and distanced itself from the .

What"s more, the part where the enemy s.h.i.+p got damaged was totally different from the place it came in contact with . Who on earth could have attacked the enemy s.h.i.+p.

It would seem like Hinako was not the only one having that doubt. A big portion of the crew shortened their words, and sent their sights towards Kannazuki.

When Kannazuki noticed everyone"s stares, he then shrugged his shoulders and hit the small monitor on his arm reach.

As if, to tell everyone to look at their hands.

Obeying that gesture, the crew members looked at their own monitors——and their eyes stared into wonder.

On it was the enemy s.h.i.+p making a rotation while caught on fire and——they confirmed a small leaf-like silhouette using Invisible mode.

"This is—— ……..?"

Yes. Just now, right before the enemy s.h.i.+p appeared, it was the independent unit that was released to set a relay point for communications with Arubi Island.

Everyone understood at once. And at the same time, was horrified.

In the , many types of small-scaled Realizers were equipped on it. By using that, they would be able to remote control it from , and possibly activate the Territory on it.

But, to be able to deploy the Territory would mean, it could not serve its purpose of only capturing signals.

Kannazuki controlled that object that was released to make a communication relay from a distance, and used it as a mine.

But, even in normal conditions, he was able to compensate for the Control Realizer which created the strain of 7 Realizers while remote controlling something so small, it was offhand unbelievable.

Probably realizing what everyone"s thoughts were, Kannazuki moved his lips.

"Well, how should I say this. It is quite sad I guess, no matter how advanced the technology one has, right now people could, not create a head for a single human."

After saying that, he shrugged his shoulders.

No, there is no way such humans exist, these thoughts——were apparently not caught on by him.

"Wha………..this is——……..?"

s.h.i.+dou raised his voice while being shocked because of the sword that appeared in his right hand.

A Wide Blade giving off a glowing light. A hand guard with delicate craftsmans.h.i.+p applied on it.

Yes. That is without a doubt, Tohka"s [Miracle that holds a shape] ——Angel .

"s.h.i.+,dou………..? wh,why can s.h.i.+dou use ……….!?"

Tohka was also shocked while looking at s.h.i.+dou"s direction.

But that was probably normal. That"s because , which was just shattered by Ellen, had appeared in s.h.i.+dou"s hand.

But——while s.h.i.+dou was surprised, he was somewhat aware of himself and therefore able to accept the situation calmly.

s.h.i.+dou"s healing abilities didn"t belong to him in the first place; it was something that appeared after sealing Kotori"s Reiryoku.

Judging by that, the others——if s.h.i.+dou"s body, which had the Maryoku of the spirits sealed inside of it, had become adapted to it.

Then it was possible to think that he"d be able to use the power of other Spirits.

And in reality, there was an actual proof proving that hypothesis to be correct.

——due to the Angel manifesting itself.

"Angel…………? What"s more, it"s the same as "s……….? That was supposed to have been broken by me just now. Before anything else, why is someone like you able to——"

Ellen, who was uninterested just now, suddenly changed and looked at s.h.i.+dou with eyes that reflect inquisitiveness.

"You call yourself Itsuka——s.h.i.+dou, right? What on earth are you?"

"……………human. As far as it goes."

"……………"

After Ellen frowned her eyebrows from hearing s.h.i.+dou"s reply, she then moved her hands upwards. Following that movement, the surrounding s lowered their postures as if to show their alertness.

"I"ve changed my mind. Itsuka s.h.i.+dou. I will have you come with us too. I don"t recommend resisting."

"Guh………….."

s.h.i.+dou gripped onto while making a sullen face.

It is true that just now s.h.i.+dou had managed to disable two of the s. But, above the remaining eight s now being alarmed, there was that unidentified Wizard, who had easily beaten Tohka with her limiter partly released, waiting at the far back.

It was easy to imagine how difficult it would become in succeeding to run away with Tohka in this situation.

" team. Please capture him. If there is resistance, then I don"t mind if you break his arms and legs."

Ellen said that and swung down the hand that was hanging out towards s.h.i.+dou.

At the same time, the s that were deployed in the surroundings, attacked s.h.i.+dou all at once.

"Kuh, why you………..!"

He suddenly swung he was holding in his hand but, the sword strike he did just now did not come out. The dimly glowing blade was only drawing traces in the dead night.

Naturally, those strikes did not hit the s. Easily dodging s.h.i.+dou"s attack, the s extended their arms towards s.h.i.+dou"s right hand which was holding .

"Eh……..?"

Suddenly, when he thought the sound of a b.u.t.ton being pushed sounded, the mechanical dolls surrounding s.h.i.+dou and Tohka, had sparks bursting out from their heads and their bodies twisted.

"What on earth, is going on……………."

He frowned his eyebrows doubtfully. The mechanical dolls that were moving fluently until now, were starting to move awkwardly like an electronic toy that suddenly had its power cut off.

Looking at that, Ellen who had been staring at the sword being gripped by s.h.i.+dou"s hand, distorted her face inexplicably. And as if she realized something, she placed her hand on her ear and started moving her lips.

"The team"s response is getting disturbed. Did something happen."

And then, she shook her throat as if moaning.

"——Control Realizer got hit? What do you mean by that. ………….uh, a battle with an aircraft? I don"t remember giving any orders like that——"

"…………..!"

I can"t let this opportunity get away. s.h.i.+dou immediately kicked the ground and quickly grabbed Tohka"s hand before running away from that spot at full speed.

"Wha………..what, what happened?"

"I don"t know! But this is a chance!"

He said that and as if to get away from the dolls, he ran towards the forest.

"! We can"t let them get away. Please chase them."

At the same time as Ellen let out her command from behind, a few s moved their heads towards s.h.i.+dou to give chase.

But——immediately after, their hands and legs started moving randomly looking like broken marionettes, and then fell down.

"Kuh………what are you doing!"

Ellen clicked her tongue as if she had gotten impatient before starting to run to catch s.h.i.+dou and Tohka herself.

But, at that moment.

"Uguuu!?"

She then stepped in a hole which was dug out in the ground, and *Suteen*! fell inside.

"Wh,why is there a hole in a place like this…………..!? Don"t tell me, this is the high speed hole digging——"

Incidentally, at that moment, one like it was leaning towards Ellen, fell inside.

"Eh, u, uwaahh!?"

It would seem like it was a catastrophic idea to nonchalantly release her CR-unit after bringing Tohka down. Ellen, in a state where she had gotten ambushed, got buried under the heavy-looking mechanical doll.

"Th, this is impossible………I, I am the strongest……..wizard——Mukyuuu."

After raising an odd voice, she stopped moving completely.

But even so, since he didn"t know when Ellen would wake up or when the s functions would recover, s.h.i.+dou stopped looking back and faced forward. *Gou**gou* he then ran inside the sound of the wind.

And then, wondering how far he advanced.

"……………! That is——"

"——muu."

s.h.i.+dou and Tohka who were running side by side, shook their throats at the same time.

Yes. In the sky above the forest, that was having its trees mowed down, they saw Kaguya and Yuzuru clas.h.i.+ng at each other repeatedly.

"Kaguya——Yuzuru!"

Originally, they had to get away from Ellen as fast as possible but——s.h.i.+dou unintentionally stopped his legs.

If he does not stop both of them here and now, the battle between those two would most likely conclude here.

And the conclusion would mean——Kaguya or Yuzuru, either one of them would be annihilated.

By any chance, if the result were not decided here, it would be the same as both of them LOSTdisappearing into the other world.

In order to save both of them, s.h.i.+dou has to seal their Spirit powers, right here and right now.

"Both of you! Stop it! There might be a way where both of you can live!"

Even when he shouted, it looked like they did not hear his voice. Although the distance between them was not that far, the wall of wind swirling around both of them probably shut-out any sound coming from the outside.

"Kuh, what should I——"

s.h.i.+dou said that and suddenly opened his eyes wide, before looking down to his right hand.

Right there, he was still holding Tohka"s Angel .

Yes. If it is the Angel"s strike that defeated the s then, it might be possible to slice off the storm wall covering Kaguya and Yuzuru.

Naturally, he did not think that both of them could be stopped by only that. But, s.h.i.+dou averted his attention away for an instant; it might be possible to let them hear what I have to say.

It was a weak possibility. But, that was the only way.

"Sorry Tohka, Please get away from me a little bit………..!"

"Mu………….? U,umu."

After Tohka groaned honestly, she separated herself from s.h.i.+dou"s hand and walked a few steps behind.

After s.h.i.+dou confirmed that from the edge of his vision, he made a stance with with both his hands, and slashed down towards the winds covering Kaguya and Yuzuru as if he were trying to cut it.

"Haaaaaaa!"

But—— did not release the light like that time it had first shown it.

"Kuh…………"

He tried multiple times but, the results were the same. was only cutting the air around the radius of its blade. It would not show its absolute authority compared to when Tohka handled it.

"It"s no use………………"

s.h.i.+dou clenched his teeth, and gripped "s handle harder.

But, not yet. s.h.i.+dou turned his neck and faced towards "s real master.

"Tohka…………! I beg you, use and stop those two!"

"What……….?"

Tohka let out her voice doubtfully. But, probably after looking at Kaguya and Yuzuru who were violently clas.h.i.+ng and looking at s.h.i.+dou"s unusual behavior, she guessed the situation and nodded as if she discarded all hindering thoughts.

"Sorry, I beg you…………!"

After saying that, he pointed "s grip towards Tohka, and held it out to her.

"Umu, leave it to me."

After Tohka nodded once more, she took into her hands. However——

"…………….uh"

At that moment, she made a small breath and brought her eyebrow roots together.

"Tohka………….?"

"——it"s no use. The me right now can"t swing this ."

"Eh?"

When question marks started floating around s.h.i.+dou"s head, Tohka stared at s.h.i.+dou"s eyes intensely while continuing on.

" is not an ordinary sword. It"s an [Angel] manifested by the wish of the user who has Spirit Maryoku. It"ll be different if I am in full Reiryoku state but, right now, I can"t use which was summoned by s.h.i.+dou"s wish."

"No way——then…………"

s.h.i.+dou raised his face in desperation.

In the sky, the two Spirits were still continuing mercilessly and going all-out to let the other one live.

While praising the opponent each time they open their mouth.

Considering carefully about the opponent while throwing punches and kicks at the opponent.

While conveying their affections with each attack thrown.

Hopelessly loving each other, it was the continuation of this distorted fight by these hopeless bunglers.

——In order to kill themselves.

"No way…………..like I can allow that!"

s.h.i.+dou shouted and grasped "s handle tightly, and swung once more.

Of course, there was no difference compared to just now. But, there was no other way. Without giving up, he repeated it for the 2nd and 3rd time.

"d.a.m.n it, d.a.m.n it……………! Isn"t there a way! If this continues, both of them will………"

If s.h.i.+dou uses the sealed powers, he can seal both of their Reiryoku. If he did that then maybe, both of them don"t have to turn into one Yamai and can continue staying in that state.

He does not have to step into the middle of the storm. But just on strike. If only he could slice the wind with that one strike, and direct both of their attentions towards s.h.i.+dou——!

And, Tohka placed her hands on s.h.i.+dou"s shoulder.

"………….., Tohka?"

He returned his face back to Tohka from looking up at the sky, and s.h.i.+dou gulped.

——Tohka"s hand placed on his shoulders was, not something kind as if to comfort s.h.i.+dou"s frustration, but instead it was strong as if she were scolding him harshly.

"I"m kind of jealous. To have s.h.i.+dou say something like that."

"Tohka……………?"

When s.h.i.+dou let out a semi-dumbfounded voice, Tohka made a bitter smile for an instant before nodding with all her strength.

"Although I said that just now but, as expected, I think there is no other choice other than everyone talking and understanding each other. If s.h.i.+dou knows a way to let both of them live, then Kaguya and Yuzuru would probably lower their swords."

It was very simple, but it was true.

"But, what should we——"

"——I said it before, the right now, is something summoned by s.h.i.+dou"s wish. If that is the case, if it isn"t s.h.i.+dou who will grant it then who else will."

"…………! Me………….?"

After Tohka nodded, s.h.i.+dou grasped the handle tightly. She then brought her body to s.h.i.+dou"s back, and wrapped her hands around s.h.i.+dou"s body as if she was planning to swing together with him.

But…………..as one would expect, their body"s physiques were too different. After [Muu……..] groaning, this time she pa.s.sed under s.h.i.+dou"s arm and came in front.

While both of them were in a haori[5E 1]-like state, on s.h.i.+dou"s hand which was gripping onto "s handle, she gently accompanied her hands together with his.

"Tohka…………"

"Calm your heart. And remember back. What s.h.i.+dou wants to do now. What is the thing s.h.i.+dou wishes for now. Other things now are trivial. Ignore it. Only one, imagine your wish in your heart and swing the sword. ——if you do that, the Angel will definitely answer you."

"…………………"

s.h.i.+dou gulped, closed his eyes, and thinly exhaled.

Following what Tohka said, he calmed his heart down and arranged his breathing.

He placed his thoughts away, whether it"s the sound of the wind shaking his eardrums, or the storm disturbing his hair, or even the soft and warm feeling from Tohka that is being transmitted to his chest and hands, but only one was imagined in his heart.

Kaguya and Yuzuru. Whether it was coincidence or inevitability, the Spirit that was separated into two.

The moment they were born, a created existence with the fate of either one of them having to disappear.

But even confirming that and yet——both of them right now, in order to let the other live, they are fighting with their beloved other half.

s.h.i.+dou ground his teeth.

"——Like h.e.l.l, I will, let that happen."

Yes. Even when both of them are idiotically kind, something like either one of them having to disappear is just, something that shouldn"t be.

That"s why, before both of them finish their battle.

An absolute and ruthless strike that will crush both of their so called n.o.ble battle——!

"…………….!?"

s.h.i.+dou immediately opened his eyes. "s blade was emitting a strong light that couldn"t even be compared from just now.

s.h.i.+dou fixed his grip back, and Tohka too, added strength to her hand that was accompanying his, she then brought her head forward.

s.h.i.+dou once again lifted his head up and captured the bunglers that were making a ruckus unfolding in the sky into his sights.

And then.

"OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOhhhhhhhhhhhhhh——!"

Together with a shout, swung down aiming at the sky.

In an instant, light overflowed out of ——as if the sword strike made by the blade was extending, it extended towards the sky.

And then "s light easily sliced through the castle of wind that was blowing violently, and pa.s.sed between Kaguya and Yuzuru before going into the sky. Splitting the cloud that was swirling into two, the face of the moon that was hidden until now was brought out.

When that happened, the wind that was blowing around ceased like it had been a lie, and he heard voices filled with confusion.

"Wha——"

"Uneasiness. This is……….."

Kaguya and Yuzuru, who were directing their lance and pendulum at each other, opened their eyes in surprise and probably looking for the source of that sword strike, both of them directed their eyes downwards.

After both of them recognized s.h.i.+dou"s figure there, both of them raised their eyebrows.

"s.h.i.+dou………….!? That just now, was that you…………..?"

"Shock. Impossible. That was a tremendous amount of Reiryoku."

s.h.i.+dou used like a walking stick, and while he was supported by Tohka, as if to respond to both of their question, he opened his mouth.

"Kaguya——Yuzuru……….!"

One strike. Even if it was just one strike, his whole body hurt like crazy. But, if he let this chance go, his voice possibly wouldn"t reach them anymore. Saying it until his throat felt like it was getting crushed, he raised a loud voice.

"I beg you………..stop, fighting!"

However when s.h.i.+dou appealed to them, Kaguya and Yuzuru distorted their face in displeasure.

"………….you, didn"t you hear me? Me and Yuzuru, can only exist when one of us absorbs the other."

"Agree. That is exactly right. Please do not bother us. Right now Yuzuru has to give a lesson to this blockhead Kaguya, until Kaguya understands she is an excellent Spirit."

"Uh, You"re still saying that………….! I already told you it can"t be helped if someone like me doesn"t survive!? Why can"t you understand! Yuzuru! You should be the one to live!"

"Deny. Yuzuru doesn"t think so. Kaguya should be the one to live."

"Why are you so………..!"

"Enraged. Kaguya too——"

"——I!"

If he let this momentum go on then, the hardly achieved interruption would go to waste and the battle would start again. He raised his voice as if to interrupt both of their words.

"I didn"t plan to stop being the judge of your battle! I——will choose! The Spirit suitable for being the true Yamai! The one who should stay alive!"

""…………!"

When s.h.i.+dou said that, Kaguya and Yuzuru opened their eyes wide in shock——they immediately glared at s.h.i.+dou with piercing stares.

But, they didn"t try to say anything to him. Tentatively, they planned to hear what he had to say.

However it was easy to understand the reason for their fixed stares. Coming from both sides, he felt a pressure strong enough to give him chills on his skin.

…………..the point is, both of them are thinking like this. It will be okay if you choose the opponent. But if you try to choose me, then I will pierce your heart before you finish the name.

And since they are the wind spirit . They probably do have the power to make it reality.

s.h.i.+dou made a gulp nervously before opening his mouth.

And, he placed his choice in his voice and let it out.

"The one I choose is——Both of you!"

s.h.i.+dou"s voice echoed throughout the forest that had been enveloped by silence since the wind stopped.

Kaguya and Yuzuru stared at s.h.i.+dou for a few seconds before——both of them, released a big sigh together.

"………….What"s up with that. Are you joking with us?"

"Scorn. It"s an answer below elementary school level. A guy with no decisiveness is disgraceful."

After saying that, both of them released a given up voice.

But, s.h.i.+dou wasn"t planning on joking around; he also wasn"t planning to make fun of them. He seriously, continued his words.

"——It can"t be helped! Since both of you have many different good things about you, I can"t choose!"

"Wha………"

".…………….."

Kaguya"s cheeks turned red while Yuzuru opened her eyes halfway.

"Many you say…….…..Don"t say it like you know about it! What can someone like you——"

"I know! At the very least, I came to realize one thing faster than either of you two did!"

"………….Question. And that is?"

Towards Yuzuru"s question, s.h.i.+dou clutched his fist while squeezing his throat.

"For Kaguya, the thoughts and feelings she has for Yuzuru, are much stronger than Yuzuru"s towards herself——while for Yuzuru, she values Kaguya more preciously than Kaguya does herself."

"——uh, that"s."

"……………….."

Both of them kept quiet as if they were at a loss for words. s.h.i.+dou added more strength to his body which was almost close to collapsing. He mustered up all his strength in his body before continuing.

"——You two!! You two have the right to select these choices for the future! Choose!

①! Yuzuru absorbs Kaguya and becomes the true Yamai!

②! Kaguya absorbs Yuzuru and becomes the true Yamai!"

After both of them heeded s.h.i.+dou"s words, what kind of obvious question is that, they made such a face while opening their mouth.

"Isn"t that obvious. ①——"

"Reply. There is no need to think. ②——"

But, s.h.i.+dou didn"t hear the replies and continued talking.

"③! In exchange for the loss of your Spirit powers, both of you will live………..!"

""……………!?""

The moment s.h.i.+dou said that, Kaguya and Yuzuru opened their eyes in shock.

"Huh………..? What did you say?"

"Request. Just now, what did you."

s.h.i.+dou coughed violently. And Tohka turned her head worried.

But, he couldn"t afford to stop his words here. He moistens his throat with his saliva and squeezes his voice out.

"——I"m sorry but, I"ve only been given three choices to choose from for a long time.………….I can"t allow, to have it only be two choices."

"What…..are you saying? That sort of thing, there is no way it"s possible."

"Doubt. Yes. Yuzuru has not heard of that method before."

Kaguya and Yuzuru, faced towards him with doubtful eyes. It stands for a reason. The one who says to believe him is the one that is absurd.

But, s.h.i.+dou raised a shout.

"I beg of you two! Please believe me! Only once is okay! Give me a chance to let you two live……..! If it is a failure then, I don"t mind if you do whatever you want with me! If that is the case, then you could even kill me! That"s why…………!"

"………..what are you. Aren"t you human? That kind of——"

"Just now, did you forget who was the one that sliced your prided wind?"

"uh……………"

"Thought. ……………….."

Kaguya and Yuzuru lost their words, and looked at each other. Rather than finding the true motives in s.h.i.+dou"s words, they were confused by the sudden turn of events.

"That"s why——stop! Both of you don"t need to fight with each other anymore……….! Something like, one of you having to vanish, no longer——"

In the middle of his words, s.h.i.+dou felt an intense drowsiness, and collapsed on that spot. fell on the ground, and turned into light particles before vanis.h.i.+ng into the air.

&