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Small changes in details, thank you for your understanding
– Ulza Union -> Federation.
**Terminologies are in the bottom of the page
Jeannya~~ *cry
-3-
Ulza Federation.
A vast nation based in the capital of Ulzack.
The nation which is located in the northern part of the world"s continent had once fallen to the hands of invading demons, and became their land. And the leader of the demons were their hero, Dark Empress Vanessa.
However, a hundred years ago.
With the victory humans obtained in the interspecies great war, they have once again recaptured the land.
"Ten in the morning. Guess Jeanne will be arriving in another hour, which would be eleven."
The 9th terminal.
The distance to reach there from Kai"s lodgings by subway would take 15 minutes. This area which is close to the capital, Ulzack, had turned into a shopping district filled with modern buildings.
"Kai, sorry for making you wait." A cheerful voice.
As Kai looked back, a silver haired maiden holding a bag on one hand can be seen.
"That was unusually punctual of you, Jeanne. And here I thought of waiting for another hour."
"Wha? How rude-", as she pouted.
But soon after a sigh, she then made out a smile.
"Since I will be leaving the capital next week, at least this time."
Jeanne E. Anise
Her slender stature is taller than others her age and adding in her elegant silver hair, the aura that she emits were as if she was a model featured in magazines.
She is Kai"s neighbor, and 17 of age. The long sleeved shirt and skinny pants which she is wearing brings about a gentle atmosphere. In contrast to how Jeanne likes to style up boyishly, it conversely brings about her charms as a female.
"Let"s go then, get moving now. Lower cla.s.s soldier, Kai. Onwards to the building in front in creeping position!"
"In the middle of the city?"
"Of course it"s a joke, since you-"
What Jeanne is pointing at is Kai"s outfit.
The HPA"s military uniform. And the case which he is holding by his shoulder holds the close combat gun enclosed safely within.
"Today"s your off day right? Then why are you wearing that showy uniform?"
"I had training just before our outing."
"…Of course I know that. I"m being sarcastic here. Goodness gracious."
The silver haired girl let out an unamused smile.
"Only you would not falter being called out by me to have fun and not in a faze."
"You calling out other to have fun?"
"Of course I didn"t. I"m just saying here!" Jeanne then pouted in discontent and stabbed him in the gut with her elbow, ridiculously, and her voice implies she"s having fun.
"…Or something like that. But I don"t dislike the you like that, Kai."
The two started to move, walking side by side.
The lined-up buildings are all filled with branded clothing and confectionary shops. There, Jeanne looked through each one with serious intent.
"Which shop should we go… It"s been a while since an outing and there are so many of them that I"m not sure which one."
"And may I know the purpose of this sudden outing?"
"Presents. For Saki and Athrun." As Jeanne let out names of his colleagues.
"Adding in Kai, that makes for three. I was thinking of getting farewell gifts for these three as a celebration before I depart to the capital (Ulzack)."
"…And you ask me for advice?"
The farewell gift is a bull"s eye. But it should have been Kai and Co the ones giving it, though it"s kept a secret till D-day. And hearing that from the receiving side, how could one possible answer "I"m thinking about it".
"It"s a-okay. Even I am thinking of the same thing."
"As in?"
"A commemorable farewell gift. I wanted to give it before I depart."
Jeanne"s household is an elite family with its members coming out in the top bra.s.s of the HPA for generations. Her father is a famous commander within the HPA Ulza headquarters, and her grandfather a great general and soldier within the headquarters as well. And Jeanne being a blood relative, she far surpa.s.sed her other colleagues and quickly rised in the ranks.
A beautiful young maiden of 17 departing to the capital. The youngest in history to rise up to such, and it was featured in the news for several weeks. There were even rumors that she will surpa.s.s her father and grandfather.
"Speaking of which, the guys are groaning that Jeanne will be gone soon."
Valkyrie.
Her colleagues and instructors publicly calls her that.
She who learned the ropes about commanding organizations since young from veterans, and her family being generations in leading. Adding in her beautiful features, the higher ups in the Ulza HQ had their eyes on Jeanne, a charismatic woman.
Upon hearing the announcement of her transfer to the capital, the male colleagues all fell into despair.
"Even Athrun is kinda down. Saki as well."
"….Since it would be my last time meeting them."
"That"s kinda exaggerating. Won"t you just be away for 2 years the longest?"
Then we can meet Jeanne again as she will be returning in two years as a management candidate. Nothing to be sad for, or so Kai believed. Until he heard her reply.
"By the time I return, Saki and Athrun would have finished their military service."
"…. Aah, true."
Two years of military service, after which the youngsters will decide on their future path.
"At most, my only friend left would be just Kai?"
"Probably so."
Those who finish their military service would leave. Probably only Kai would do an irregular decision such as staying with the HPA after the service and continuing being a formal soldier in such times.
"Since I decided myself to be a soldier, but not many will do so."
"But I am one too though?"
"I know. Since you wanted to surpa.s.s your father, right? I"ve heard it more than ten times already."
"A digit insufficient, make that a hundred."
As they walk through paths of trees with sunshine, Jeanne made a ridiculous face.
"Since I made Kai hear my story till you got bored of it."
"If you really did surpa.s.s your father, I"m sure he will be very delighted. That you are his pride…. And I guess, only two of us would do such as weird thing as staying in the military after two years."
"Since Kai keeps saying that looking after the graveyard is your duty and such. That we never know when the horde of Demons will come, and you will find Cid"s sword once again."
"……"
The Prophet Cid definitely had existed.
Kai truly believes that there is a human who defeated the Four Heroes.
…Because I myself saw it.
…Ten years ago, Cid"s sword, with my own eyes.
The hero"s sword definitely existed.
In the Demon"s graveyard. In the depths of that jet black pyramid, it was definitely there.
The sword which shone the surrounding like the sun, surrounded by hordes of Demons yearning crazily for it. And the feeling of barely obtaining it by holding out his hand.
Kai"s memories only remembered so far.
"Well… I can"t say I don"t understand your feelings."
Why was the sword within depths of the graveyard which sealed the Demons? Only such a mystery remains.
That shining sword perfectly describes the legendary sword that Cid wielded.
Albeit, only Kai believes it to be true.
"You would only mock me if I talk about it."
"I will not mock you though?", Jeanne as she cheerfully lifted the edges of her lips.
"I"m serious here."
"I"m not making fun of your will, but your att.i.tude. Kai"s pouting face is cute, so I just had to."
"…Right right."
"It"s been years since you said you "saw Cid"s sword". I was ten then, and you were my playmate even before that."
Walking through the crowd, as they were crossing the crossroad, the girl suddenly stopped.
"Only Kai played with me since young and still by my side now. And after I come back from my transfer as well…"
She who turned her face around.
Her gaze which looks through.
"Kai, what do you think will become of us after this?"
"Even if say it now… You"re going to the capital right, and coming back after two years."
"I mean, further than that." She who swallowed her breath.
She, a colleague and childhood friend further took a step forward.
"Hey Kai, what if I—"
At that very moment
Jeanne"s body distorted.
"Jeanne?!"
"Eh? What"s wrong Kai?"
Like how the reflection of the surface of water distort, Jeanne replied as if nothing.
But it was not just her, everything was starting to distort in Kai"s eyes. The high buildings, the pedestrians, distorting and twisting.
Followed by a sudden gust of wind. A sandstorm mingled with black particles started blowing.
…No one else is seeing this? What I"m currently going through, even this sandstorm?!
What is this. What is going on?!
Before Kai could look up, the sky started to turn black. The white clouds seemed as if it"s sucked into a single spot within moments, even the blue sky was pulled away.
The black hole is swallowing the sky.
Not only the sky, the distorted buildings and everything from the ground is sucked up towards it. Trees, pedestrians as well, all towards the huge black hole. Covering everything up above, swallowing everything inside.
… No one realized?
… Don"t tell me, this phenomenon only occurred to me?!
Alas, even his childhood friend is lifted away.
"Jeanne!"
"Huh? What"s so sudden Kai? Calling out my name in public like this kinda.. well.. you know.. I might expect things?" She who was still smiling happily.
As if nothing was wrong, but in Kai"s eyes, she was being suck away.
"Jeanne, my hand—" He who desperately held out his hand.
At that same time, Kai"s vision turned all black.
Activating "World Samsara"
Initiating "Overwrite" of the world–
__
悪魔族 (ak.u.ma) : demons
精霊族 (seirei) : spirits
蛮神族 (banshin) : foreign deities
幻獣族 (genjuu) : mythical beasts
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-For Jeannya~
Regards,
shirori