Editing Hyouketsu Kyoukai no Eden:Volume 5 Epilogue (section)

===Part 1===

Right in the middle of the very long Holy Hall.

What broke the excruciating silence was the hushed voice of a woman.

“What are you doing here, ‘''Number One''‘?”

“A moment of silence.”

Keeping his eyes closed and arms crossed, Zeadoll provided an instant response to his ally’s question.

“……You’re reflecting?”

“Indeed. For this is the first time I have allowed an intrusion of the Holy Hall.”

That’s why he was having a moment of silence. It was good that the heavily armored mechanical weapon and Yuugenshu had been defeated, but it was a fact that it had taken too long. He had permitted the mastermind, Igun-I, to escape.

“I’ve heard the story. It sounds like you let the intruder come in contact with the ‘''Crimson Eye''‘ and escape after that. Even the senate is viewing it as a problem. By the way, ‘''Number Nine''‘ was roaring with laughter.”

“Fumu, I am prepared for punishment. ……I’ll hit ‘''Number Nine''‘ later.”

“He’s out at the moment.”

“‘''Number Nine''‘ is out on a trip?”

“He said he had something to look into. He took along his subordinates and just disappeared.”

“So he just left the Governmental Sector without permission. ……Come to think of it, he investigated something with ‘''Mikuva’s Crimson Eye''’ a little while ago. When he comes back, I’ll ask him. With that out of the way──”

He slightly opened one eye.

He didn’t look at the ‘''Number Seven''‘ standing to his side but the Holy Hall ahead of him.

“I have an idea about that punishment. So ‘''Number Seven''‘, how about we try trading charges? You guard the Holy Hall and I’ll watch over yours……”

“Don’t mess around.”

An angry……more like an astonished tone. He didn’t know what face she had on but her expression was likely the same as the ambiance of her voice.

“Like I’d remain in this damp and humid place for even a day. You stay here for your lifetime.”

“I don’t mind that. But breathing the air outside is also a good thing once in a while. There are warriors like that at {{furigana|Tenketsu Palace|Sophia}}.”

“You mean Ishtar?”

The Cadres Guard that had been dispatched from {{furigana|Tenketsu Palace|Sophia}} as the Priestess’ escort. It wouldn’t be weird for her to become a Sennenshi at any time. There were even people at the Governmental Sector that were wary because it was more unnatural that she hadn’t.

“Wrong.”

“……I’m wrong?”

“Umu. But he was skilled. More than that, his eyes showed determination. There are warriors like that in {{furigana|Tenketsu Palace|Sophia}}.”

He let out a breath.

“In my personal opinion, there may be a path to reconciliation with {{furigana|Tenketsu Palace|Sophia}}.”

“That’s a different matter.”

The ‘''Number Seven’s''‘ voice cut him off decisively.

“Come to think of it, why are you here, ‘''Number Seven''‘?”

“I just came to see the vestiges of battle. I came thinking that I might be able to gauge the enemy’s skill but……”

Roughly half of the pillars supporting the ceiling were completely damaged and it was harder to find something that was undamaged. Cracks of various sizes ran across the ceiling and there were large depressions in the ground here and there.

“……It looks to me like all of these traces are yours, you know?”

“I’m bad at holding back.”

“…………”

“…………”

This damn destructive demon ── he felt like he heard the ‘''Number Seven''‘ mutter that, but he ignored it.

“Even if you’re worthless, you’re still of ‘''Heaven’s Wheel''‘. I’ll lend you the necessary people to repair this place.”

“How foolish. I won’t accept other people’s help to clear my own responsibility.”

“I won’t know anything if you cry and regret those words, okay?”

“……I guess I’ll depend on you.”