Chapter 4 - 1÷2=Companionless
places in the world continued for near one year.
hideout, while playing chess with ShuVi...
many contracts with Draconias able of opposing the Dwarfs"
[Elf Alliance] became a solid force.
had a good relations.h.i.+p with, they allied with many
the Elfs created a "Phantasma Slayer", a really firm [Dwarf
But~ what will be troubling if it"s forgotten is the greatest
the Flügels.
from each other, this [coalition] clenched their fists and shook
carelessly lay their hands on the strongest G.o.d Artosh, the
The Demonia moved by selecting individual targets, the
west archipelago.
Armageddon (last war), and became unable to do anything but
----And, those are the speculations about the board"s status,
The Russia continent is comically, in its first "stay on watch"
The preparations are the bests, the workmans.h.i.+p is steady, the
last hand.
"Hey ShuVi, I asked you before, if there wasn"t a G.o.d of
"You answered that if you fulfill the "activation condition" it"ll
"...[Essence] acquisition.... the strength of, feelings,
When I asked before, the answer was that, it didn"t exist
"The truth is, I ｢saw the G.o.d of Games before｣---- if I said that
"...If Riku, believe it then... ShuVi, believe..."
"...Riku, overturned... all of ShuVi"s, estimations... if Riku says
｢there is｣... if Riku says that, the sky, isn"t red, then it isn"t
---------.
"Uwah~ This line right now if I let someone hear it I can boast
"...That"s...that, aside..."
while faltering. "...Check-mate."
Towards the Riku who held his head with a bitter smile, ShuVi
"Eerm, excuse-me when you"re in the middle of a talk that
disturb?"
"Oh, you came at the right moment Coron, hey, hey the talk
"Yes yes, thanks for the treat. More importantly, the one that
Coron is reporting the current village---- no, the "humans"
"It"s unbelievable but---- just like Riku said, the reports about
Coron, who doesn"t know of the reason, frowned her brows
"...And so, after searching the northern part of Russia with
if we try to merge with it the total number would be near eight
"Don"t worry Coron. In just a little more, the world will
fear death."
Riku answered that while concentrating on the chess with
"Everything is going well. If I and ShuVi play the last hand----
"....Hey, enough with the jokes Riku.... do you understand your
Coron was trembling without letting the anger show in her
limit.
alive!! If you go out with that body, you will die!!?"
and answered.
years."
about your own body----!"
he had no choice and once again examined the state of his
First----the entire body was bandaged.
haven"t healed, the skin of the entire body was contaminated,
Next is the internal organs" check.... a necrosis was barely
Ever since then a proper meal-like food is impossible but, at
Really, did a few elemental bones reach the blood? Some
minor injury.
wait, blindness in one eye huh. Well no big deal."
"The other [ghosts]too, are in a similar state, or even worse
like voice.
already with a fully-wounded body. "
wounds.
fleet, certainly, no one has died yet.
Injection of poison, contamination through elemental bones,
[ghosts] played any hand.
left arm, for the sake of deceiving the Demonia there would be
getting bitted by a Dhampir---- They used everything that was
-----Everything "besides the life"----- that"s why, Riku said as if
"Only one hand left Coron. Overlook it----- And then the Great
----- I"ll finally be able to forgive myself---- as if trying to say
"Then at least, tell me....."
"Inducing the Dwarfs---- even the Old Deus and removing
think it"s really incredible---- but end the Great War? No matter
"......"
sibling is that much untrustworthy!!?"
While Riku and ShuVi exchanged looks, tears fell into the
".....Coron, if I didn"t trust you----- if it wasn"t you, I wouldn"t
"Then-----!!"
"What is it that the G.o.ds are seeking and fight for----- you
After reacting a moment too late to Riku who suddenly began
"....The Throne of the Sole G.o.d, right. If I"m not wrong...."
specific it seems to be this [Star Grail] thing."
Riku stood up.
---- By wis.h.i.+ng, being prayed to they obtain [essence] and then
"But they were born too much. The [Star Grail] is something
device] set for the sake of limiting the existences able to use
".........."
of all Old Deus, something like that is impossible ---- right?"
With the information heard just now, but after understanding it
"------ With the power of [ten], create power superior to
"As expected of Coron, it"s☆ super☆ correct. That"s right; it"s
It"s an obvious story right---- The Sole G.o.d in other words is
Even if the ten Old Deus poured their powers and put it
only ten"s worth of power.
the power of the ten poured together, it"s that kind of talk.
"That"s why-----it"s fine if we just do this."
depths of his heart, Riku said, as if throwing out.
would be the Sole G.o.d---- right?"
Destroy the [essence] of the other Old Deus, and take in the
By doing that I can dope my own power----- and obtain enough
But, in the end, Old Deus is something that, gets born as much
Even if the last one standing kills everyone, he will be troubled
That"s why if it rules with the Throne of Sole G.o.d-----[Star
"This, is the true ident.i.ty of this worthless [Great War]."
"How...stupid!---- you mean that with such a reason, they"re
With her shoulders trembling with anger, Coron yelled as if
"Coron.... watch your words. It"s rude towards the idiots.
(which means both idiot and stupid): Coron calls them "baka"
While saying that as if wanting to heal the mood, Riku touched
amazed face.
materialize." "--------eh?"
Riku played with the [Black King] with the palm of the hand.
from?" "-----Stars, right?"
The power flow of all creation. In other words, born from the
As if supplementing Riku"s words, ShuVi continued.
pa.s.s through the elemental circuit, and, are created."
With one sigh, Riku remembered the day he thought about it---
After hearing the talk about the main cause of the war between
his mind.
He said the conclusion that was so obvious, that at the time it
"Compared to all the Old Deus in this star---- its origin "the
That"s why----- he announced to Coron, whose eyes were
Riku picked up the [Black King], and headed towards the map-
And set it right in the center. Our, the [ghosts]"s---- victory
"------If the star (game board) is destroyed, the [Star Grail] will
-------.....
pointed towards the floor, and continued.
Source is pierced, the expelled power will overcome the power
".....Manifestation, is, 10^-46 square seconds.... destruction,
"If----- the [Star Grail]is obtained and the star is immediately
Riku and ShuVi aligned, and announced together, to Coron
"".....Check-mate.""
from where it"ll----" Finally, after rising up from her stupor,
Coron finally noticed, once it entered her vision----- the force
It can"t be. It can"t be, it can"t be, it can"t be!!
objective was a complete collision of the full forces!?"
incredible smile.
won"t do a stalemate."
Each other"s certainly destruction----- The stalemate situation is
other then both sides will be destroyed.
the option of not laying their hands.
there just for the killing, will definitely ignite the spark
----That will be, a manifestation of war never seen before, born
---- It means the Armageddon[Decisive Battle]---- towards the
"But that firepower---- won"t head towards anyone." Once
"In the [Decisive Battle"s Stage] we prepared, the Eensweg that
directivity of every power and make all the power head
----- What the [ghosts] risked everything besides the life to
be used in that place.
exactly amount of Eenswegs necessary is------ thirty-two.
elemental circuit, the materialized [Star Grail] will be taken by
because of that, that when it"s over I want to ask the G.o.ds you
And then with an obviously sarcastic smile----- he said with a
""Hey hey right now how are you feeling?"---- like that."
By the hands of Riku and ShuVi----her prided little brother and
Moreover----without even a single one being killed. Everything
situation.
creatures----- no, more like that would be the normal reaction.
after getting the skin, the internal organs burnt, losing an eye"s
Ending the war without even one person being killed----for that
"...That"s why Coron, for just a little more, overlook it. And
But, for Riku who was laughing so fearless.
only ShuVi noticed.
"...I, can"t...If we don"t head out, for setting the Eensweg, right
While Riku was laid in the bed writhing in agony, ShuVi
He acted strong in front of Coron, but the truth was that
----For starters, even the contaminated skin burned by the
diseases.
rather, originally, standing up was already irregular.
start, so soon......" "......but..."
------Like always, my wife says crazy things without hesitation.
"...That"s, right...then today I"ll concentrate on recovering, let"s
"...un."
sleeping...not, slowing."
run through his entire body.
and making an effort to recover----can you hold my hand?"
meaning.
the current ShuVi also understood that.
rest...Riku."
"Hey, ShuVi."
"...Thank you. Without ShuVi, I wouldn"t be able to do this."
"You"re right...but, even to this point, if ShuVi wasn"t here I
----That"s why, Riku said, while closing his eyes. "Thank you,
As she wondered if he got sleepy, Riku dropped his tone, while
"I really, love you...from here on...too..."
bones tormented Riku, she wondered.
breathing peacefully.
But the decryption of the emotion [love]was still----
Not being able to answer that word was surprisingly, incredibly
can"t allow Riku to die.
If he obtains the [Star Grail], that will be nothing but a fact.
"...Forgive, me...Riku...I"ll be, back...soon..." For now----she
■ ■ ■ ■ ■
the last eight Eenswegs, it"ll be over.
was correct.
strongest powers crowding in this place, undoubtedly the [Land
Even though she got found out many times, she would "pick
And in the time that even then she still got found, if Riku was
"...It"s, alright...only eight settings...left, and I"ll be going home,
After that, she was prepared to be scolded by Riku as much as
She will definitely not allow Riku to die. Only eight left----
"Oya~? If you keep staggering while walking like that---- you
----Reacting to the sudden voice coming from above, ShuVi
Prismatic hair and amber eyes. With wings as if made of light,
Comparing data--- ShuVi looked at it with a calm face, while
outcome.
Flügel--- Final Unit [Jibril]...
I never thought that it would come the day where I would order
An attack against an Ex-Machina to a race is a taboo. If I act
"---- What business does the Flügel have with ExMachina?"
was painfully being used as an act.
"Yes~ the head of a Ex-Machina is, how surprisingly!!! Now
As if troubled, Jibril continued while wriggling her body.
laying a hand on a Ex- Machina was made into a taboo, and it
rarity became even higher, and now it"s a Platinum Head!"
intend to turn hostile against this machine, then I shall execute
But with those words, Jibril"s lips raised and answered. "---
-----------Did she manage to keep the rush from showing in her
about that, Jibril continued.
100km on all directions. So then why would the Ex-Machina
to move alone? That piques my interest~ also----" And, Jibril
"If you"re "alone", then I wonder if it can be that now you can"t
judge that it"s a chance for me to take the rare trophy, your
ShuVi once again thought without letting it show in her voice--
Between all the Flügels, it just had to be the most irrational and
choice but to recognize that it was just like Riku said, about
----To think that the first card she would pull, would be a
"Well then, I"ll "chop" your head, so please don"t move.
all for Ex-Machinas [Death] doesn"t mean anythi---"
"...----Yes? Did I hear it wrong?"
The Riku had decided ---- No one should be allowed
Also, following[Death]---- the fear of thinking that she "will
"....I don"t want to, die... I must, not---- die...."
"...This machine, had, its connection shut, off... defective
----That"s why.
But ShuVi, didn"t notice, that she made the worst possible
She didn"t understood, the "most ridiculous race"s most
"How surprising!... A machine that fears death!!? Not only that
off---a defective machine, you say!? I-i-it"s no longer
"........-------"
e-,everyone would get envious right!!"
lethal killing intent, ShuVi recognized the [Failure].
really shouldn"t had let go of his hand----but.
"Yes, please go ahead. The result won"t change, so~"
who looked ready to start coming even now.
killing, then----" ShuVi announced resolute.
Target---- Flügel Jibril. Battle power amount unknown ---
Self---- Ex-Machina Proofer[a.n.a.lysis Unit]. Full capacity is
Unit]"s output.
the cl.u.s.ter--- Machine connection inexistent.
thousand four hundred and fifty one available for operating in
Calculating probability of winning----Absolutely none. But----
In the Probability Theory, there"s no[zero]----.
----" (TL Note: dutch for “reading” and “unload”,
Deploying all the weapons she could at the same time----ShuVi
"----All armaments...war potential, war tactics, war strategies
"Oya? Ex-Machina should be a race able of a.n.a.lyzing and
But towards ShuVi"s battle declaration, Jibril answered, while
"By any chance did youkill someone of laugh? This is an
■ ■ ■ ■ ■
chance of being victorious, that was the conclusion ShuVi
All deployed armaments emitted ultra-high concentrated
If a normal living being----for example an elf was to even
elements compressed, and---
"Volatilization"----the moment it started, ShuVi disappeared
A super acceleration, reached by granting directivity and a
explosive elements, while throwing up a huge amount of
contamination----easily broke through the physics wall.
can"t use magic, a machine-like forced usage of "magic".
Movement---- but.
from me with just this, right?"
and circled around her, Jibril scorned.
light blade that destroyed mountains, but.
----There"s no way I could think that.
(TL Note: In dutch it would be something like “straight
She pointed the ultra-high concentrated elements from the
couldn"t be defended against, and volatilized it----in other
That power that overcomed physics, volatilizing without any
By eliminating most of the ultra-high concentrated elemental
on the surface of the layer.
earth...
but---
you really aren"t a machine gentle with the region, huh..."
bones contamination that could extinguish most living beings,
while unpleasantly commenting on it.
nevertheless, even though they were born with the magic of
magic, were to make direct contact with their materialized
"But do you think that something like this is enough to do
Looking over at the direction the attack"s blue light had cut off,
Inside her heart----ShuVi once again answered that question.
At the same time she activated Recht-Harnas, she reactivated
----From the beginning a simple Ex-Machine defeating a Flügel
Astronomical chances----even if a miracle occurred and it
Victory in a retreating battle. The victory condition, is only
"-------- ---- Einde-Pocrifen [False Epigraphy - True
In the past the Ex-Machina combated it---- for ShuVi who stole
The greatest firepower ShuVi possessed that replicated
Jibril.
behind---in the
Jibril turned her eyes towards the upcoming light, and got
----,
correct the map.
directly----it changed the land.
vaporizing everything, dragging up a small scale of the crust,
up to the horizon...
end up unharmed; it has enough power to alter the form of the
But, ShuVi never thought it was an opponent that could be
"---Eensweg---!"
armament.
Elfs" counteraction, designed by the Ex-Machinas - "s.p.a.ce
The hole of the broken s.p.a.ce is literally a One-Way Street that
If she jumps to a distance that"s impossible to sense even Jibril
But the distance that can be jumped within Eensweg is at most
that she said there was no Ex- Machinas reaction within. If
"OYA? WHERE ARE YOU GOING?”
In the middle of 0.000046 seconds before the broken s.p.a.ce
Jibril inserted her hands in the s.p.a.ce----and forcefully, with
A voice echoing from h.e.l.l, a face with a smile like of a Noh
"If you want to run from me, you shouldn"t use a long distance
vision] before that, ok.... ah, or do you mean that, could it
Repeating it on the forcefully broken s.p.a.ce by ShuVi----she
ShuVi noticed an unknown emotion, instant reacted by
situation.
put a scratch on me?"
■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Certainly, Einde-Pocrifen doesn"t reproduce Aranreiv"s Far
that"s Zweihen[Examination Unit]"s report.
crowned with the name of [King].
himself----Even if it"s 43%----
though you"re just a sc.r.a.p...~"
----Something like that----there"s no way that can be----
praise you for that."
heard such a irregularity.
(G.o.d of War).
protects oneself----is constantly being deployed.
pierce through. But this Flügel----no.
categorized as a [Flügel]. This [Irregular]...Jibril...
deployed an even stronger defense.
individual----can"t even be predicted anymo----
could" but I
------
back?
not, but..."
skirt and raised it a little while slightly lowering her head, as if
Closed her fists, and with a face like steel, but like an angel,
little too long. Let"s cool you down
The next thing she could confirm, was her right arm being
ShuVi (a.n.a.lysis Unit)----The machine with the greatest
couldn"t even notice a single thing.
saying [Right arm lost].
her, her battle capacity was stolen----but.
this what Riku----humans call [Intuition]?
ignored logics she barely managed to avoid being [heavily
"......I wonder why, I have a weird feeling..."
a certain conviction.
surpa.s.sing my attacks?----
surpa.s.sed her own attacks-----
enough to ShuVi too perceive,
like it how should be, and bury you in the earth without
Through the words that were as if they carried compressed
There"s no [zero] in Probability Theory. While believing in
in this engagement, she aimed for an escape.
being about Probability Theory became something unrelated.
even surviving, was impossible, no matter what logic - or
was nothing else but the involuntary reasoning that ignores
----But----even so, as ShuVi wiped away her thoughts.
The one who should be an agglomeration of logic, ShuVi,
(...I don"t want to, die... I"m scared, of...dying...Riku!) I"ll be
That fact made her have an illusion, as if her thoughts circuit
beyond that.
companions, something the [ghosts]-
everything seeking----a single one victory.
like...[defeat]----) I can"t accept it. Definitely----there"s no way
----Then, what should be done.
while thinking so fast that even time seemed to stop, she
Thinking of Riku it would be the worst method possible.
his own self- hatred.
defeat----it"s the sole victory chance I can bet on----
Units" First-In-Command Unit]>
[cl.u.s.ter] that once excommunicated me from the link.
While Jibril was once again materializing the light, with eyes
----After the small time that seemed like an eternity----a
Even with the nearing sound of death, ShuVi still
requested! Über-Ein, that includes all kinds of reports towards
rejecting the transference!!>
as Eintihi. He is a Proofer with the position of Commander.)
only that, but towards ShuVi"s insistence too----there was no
But ShuVi in frustration, she continued the communication
----I like Riku. I don"t want to separate from him; I got so much
errors[Heart].
-"it’s embarra.s.sing"....
<...i hand="" it="" over="" saying="" that...i="" understand="" what="">
----Because, besides that, there"s no other method.
her miss, and allowing Riku to [be victorious].
her voice out in a yell.
FEELINGS!!!"
<..that i="" know="" too="">
relinked to the cl.u.s.ter.
hundred and thirty seven machines, she included--- that feeling
The original, sensation as a Ex-Machina----cl.u.s.ter. Several as
Now that was----the sensation of having everything inside the
disgusting.
ShuVi shook her head.
damaging are----
Forbidden----and the communication that was to continue like
off.
that she belonged to understood the current situation.
individual----Jibril.
operating made all machines sense errors.
until the sharing is completed.
Isn"t that right? Thinking logically, the opponent is
A Flügel and----a single [Proofer] machine having a battle, that
----But that"s reality. That"s what the [Heart] received from
end of that undeniable fact.
possessed within the Ex-Machina"s unrestricted use
The weapons possessed within the Ex-Machina----the
and fifty one armaments have been released.
until the sharing is completed "obliteration" is forbidden.>
soul, then it would say something like this right.
Über-Ein won"t understand. What difference in meaning could
(TL Note: Aus is german for “over”, as in ending a
Sensing feedback in that answer, ShuVi thought----surely you
She raised her head, and what reflected in her eyes was the
----The message 《Four minutes and eleven seconds----until
She wondered if there was something wrong. No matter which
Thinking that, but ShuVi shook her head and consented. It"s
The huge amount of thoughts, feelings, sensations and
No matter what armament, battle plans, information, it was
Riku"s face surfaced on her mind, and ShuVi sadly smiled----
Four minutes and eleven seconds, in other words two hundred
survive, from the death incarnated that is Jibril.
dies she lose. It"s...the kind of [game] that Riku hates the most.
received, all of it---
"----
All the armaments, all firepower, all tactics possessed within
Those tools that were made solely for the sake of ma.s.sacring
spread.
more~"
spread the giant wings----and laughed.
even now an unknown value.
armaments, defeating her alone is impossible.
----But, there"s no problem, ShuVi nodded.
Activate." (TL Note: vorm is dutch for form/shape/build.)
the cl.u.s.ter receiving errors.
unknown, then it"s all about hypothesizing everything that you
Don"t try to understand. Don"t try to plan it out. Believe in your
Survive the [Death] in front of her eyes for two hundred fifty
The error (emotion) replies----it"s a foolish question.
under worse conditions.
minutes be----!! "..."ShuVi"..."
"Name, I haven"t...said it..."
- me (name). After looking doubtful for an instant, Jibril made
acquaintance with you----and" "Goodbye."
Standing in a land that was like a cataclysm had run through it,
It"s just an Ex-Machina, a single [Proofer] machine, yet being
"......I won"t, die----I can"t, die...yet...----!"
into plasma, she released a white pulsating light.
attacks, she stood painfully.
everything taught by Riku (humans), she struggled against
----Don"t stand in your opponent"s stage; definitely don"t hand
----Make your opponent get careless; make them understand
----Make your opponent be wary, make them have the illusion
----Don"t provoke your opponent; if you just invite him you"ll
Against an attack which you can"t react to you should just
should just reference----
offsetting---- trembling anger overcame Jibril"s amus.e.m.e.nt.
fail, and now are just calling it an [error].
only the few numbers displayed in her vision.
why...)
one hour felt like an instant, but----
abdomen got blown away.
(...Riku... right now, one second, feels like an eternity...you
The light blast released once again by Jibril, when it was about
"-----!!? ----[Eensweg] !!"
Eensweg, the light that was deflected,
"----Finally you committed a miss-like mistake...you really
to the sky and asked---- "...Miss...?...what are you talking
Certainly now moving is impossible, and with this her
But, ShuVi smiled as she moved her gaze. Left hand----
ring.........
"...Goodbye, though----I humbly "apologize" for calling you
By her look, Jibril seemed to feel something----but ShuVi had
*dokun!*----. A strong pulsation of elements was born as if
And above ShuVi who tumbled on the ground without any way
With the light halo as the center----like a giant painting, Jibril
"You, are a "threat" that must definitely be eliminated here----I
(TL note: in the "you"(anata), she says "Anata-sama". -sama is
It couldn"t be compared to the mechanic elements that the
From the air, from the stars, the forcefully drawn elements----
The s.h.i.+ning elements----wavered in Jibril"s both hands, and an
-----------[Air Strike]-----
workings changed into a connection nerve, sucked power from
literally, the Flügels" greatest and strongest attack.
[Air Strike]. Even for ShuVi too it wasn"t the first time seeing
But on Jibril"s case that was---- that swirling power,
---the difference in the numbers was too great.
----[Irregular] Jibril----as expected, nothing could be do----
Because of the influence of the giant amount of power swirling
arrived.
Since when----she didn"t notice.
What was displayed in her view was a---- <>
----While the [Air Strike] poured down, seeing Jibril"s face----
----This [game]---- it"s ShuVi"s victory, you know...
Jibril"s expression looked like she felt an uncomfortable
last voice.
(TL Note: Keine Eintrag is the german for “no entry”.)
Just like Jibril said, she would become sc.r.a.p without question...
But with Keine Eintrag"s full output, if it"s just diverting the
be able to protect it.
The [Heart] she received from Riku, announced that the unjust
The direct hit would cause----this body, thoughts too, after a
......But, why is it.
Sensing the thoughts" irregular acceleration----is this what the
(TL Note: she say soumatou = 走 馬 燈 which means revolving
about that sensation of time slowing down before an accident
ShuVi thought----why, did it become like this.
like it was necessary; it was a really simple talk.
anything...)
settings alone, that there was no need to expose Riku to danger.
Riku was right.
to avoid Jibril and prevent a battle----I can be sure of that.
decided that she wouldn"t doubt him anymore.
Riku"s side for even a second...
She knew, that Riku definitely would not be satisfied with it.
how much it"ll be painful for him, and yet.
----I"m sorry, Corona (Onee-chan)----ShuVi----until the very
----I couldn"t become----"a wonderful bride", you see...
"...Riku...hey, Riku..."
husband. Her capacity to produce voice was long broken. It
even so, she must say it no matter what.
She remembered, that there was a word she never once said.
Now----since she finally, understood it clearly. "...Next time...I
"...I, really... love... you--------........
Mountains----and even the sky covered by dust was pierced by
"...Haa...haa.........haa-----!"
be unable to maintain her natural shape----- her appearance
Jibril held her breath and descended, into the place where her
"...Aah~...really...with this there was not even any merit in
----For starters, that was a battle that started just because she
alone.
even more---- and the result was [Air Strike].
even to her---- Her instincts told her that that machine was a
But, after standing calmly and looking back----she wondered.
form..."
young child, Jibril released a long sigh.
a weird Ex- Machina----it would be good if that muscle brain
meaning of making me use [Air Strike]..."
to a young child, she whispered with a headache.
go of me, right..."
troublingly flapping its wings.
-...
■ ■ ■ ■ ■
After receiving the [ghosts]"s report and acting firmly,
Opposed to him was the empty table, he moved the pieces
In a very, very far away past, just like he did when he was a
While moving the pieces he looked to the empty seat in front of
Even if his sanity is questioned, it can"t be helped if it can be
A young boy with a fearless smile----the one who ShuVi said
"Hey...why, can"t I win, I wonder..."
continued asking.
ShuVi----with everyone, I thought I could win."
----<>