Editing Masou Gakuen HxH:Volume 7 Chapter 1 (section)

===Part 3===

“Subjugation army, the deployment of the first corps until the fifth corps is finished. Also the corps returning from Izgard are also returning to their previous organization.”

Hearing the report of her subordinate, the captain of the first unit of the imperial guard named [Leon Squad], Hakyurath nodded with tightly pursed lips.

“I understand. Stand by until further instruction.”

The magic knight who came to report saluted and then returned to her post with brisk movement.

Hakyurath was standing at the third castle wall located at the outermost circumference of the capital Zeltis, staring at the Entrance floating in the wasteland. Strong wind fluttered her imperial guard uniform and teased her golden hair. Her braided hair was settled behind, the tip of her ponytail was fiercely flapping.

Before long, the army of Lemuria and Izgard would arrive from that Entrance.

‘――Where is Zelsione-sama in an important time like this?’

The inside of Hakyurath’s heart wasn’t calm. The unprecedented danger and the heavy responsibility that was suddenly pushed at her disturbed her heart to pieces, she couldn’t even collect her thought.

Even though this was an emergency situation, the whereabouts of the captain of the imperial guard that was Zelsione was unknown. Furthermore, even her close-aides all four of the Quartum were MIA at Lemuria.

Although the Quartum were the subordinates directly under Zelsione, they didn’t belong to the organization’s chain of command. That was why they wouldn’t be relied on to replace Zelsione to command at this kind of time. However they were existences that were the closest to Zelsione, so if they were asked then something like Zelsione’s whereabouts could be known. But, right now even that was impossible.

The more she thought, the more she became impatient.

She couldn’t show worry in front of her subordinate. Now that Zelsione wasn’t here, Hakyurath that was the captain of {{furigana|Leon|first}} squad had to take command of the whole imperial guard. But――,

“Hakyurath, what’s the matter? Is your stomach sick, for you to make a face like that?”

A carefree voice called at her from behind. When she turned back, there a beautiful woman with slender limbs wearing her uniform roughly was standing there. Her wavy purplish red long hair had a part braided and half upped. Even though this was an emergency situation, she had a relaxed and composed smile on her face. It was a smiling face that she had gotten quite tired of looking at since their childhood.

“What about you yourself Mercuria? For the captain of the {{furigana|Tigris|second}} squad to gallivant about like this, it’s setting a bad example to the people under us.”

She was the captain of the imperial guard second squad [Tigris squad], Mercuria.

Mercuria was similar with Hakyurath, she had the background of being from a noble family with ancient and honorable background. Since their childhood they were associated with each other including their families, but in spite of that this Mercuria had the personality that was unlike a noble, even though she had excellent grades and magic power but she was not interested in the evaluation of society. She also had no interest in contest or victory or defeat, she was always clad in the atmosphere that was aloof from the world with a carefree attitude. Such attitude was vexing for Hyakurath, she even thought that Mercuria was living insincerely. So Hyakurath invited Mercuria to the imperial guard similar with herself.

And when she tried enlisting, in the first place Mercuria was someone excellent with high ability. She was looking on in blank amazement while Mercuria was climbing the ladder until the top where she was now the captain of Tigris squad that was next after her.

However, even so her aloof personality was beyond repair.

“My squad has the laissez-faire principle anyway. Now that it has come to this, there is no other choice but to do it. Rather than telling them do this do that, it’s better for them to make use of their routine training and do each of their best. Rather than that Hyakurath, isn’t it better for you to be a little calmer?”

“I’m calm enough. Rather than that, just what are you coming here for? Mercuria yourself, are you actually also anxious? Are you coming here to cling at me in tears?”

Mercuria closed one of her eyes and smiled broadly.

“It’s because Hakyurath is making a crying face, that I got worried.”

“……If you jest even more than that, then I won’t forgive it even if it’s you Mercuria.”

Hakyurath scowled when she threatened and bit her lower lip.

“You are making this kind of face when you are just a step short of crying. It has been like this since we were little.”

“……kuh”

Mercuria always spoke as if she had seen through her. And then what was irritating, was that she was always right.

“You……always saying mean things like this. I look calm towards my subordinates. I’m fulfilling my duty properly. Your unnecessary worry is unneeded.”

“How foolish. Let’s take it easier.”

Hakyurath was offended by that way of talking. However――,

“After all, even though this is an emergency situation but Zelsione-sama is missing. Hakyurath is a serious person also with a strong sense of responsibility, so I’m thinking that perhaps you are getting too worked up.”

“That’s……”

Bull’s eye. Hakyurath sighed in resignation.

“Perhaps it’s exactly as you say, but it cannot be helped. If I don’t pull myself, then not only captain, but even her majesty the emperor will be troubled. I have to display a performance that won’t shame the imperial guard.”

“We have this much large force. There is no one that can possibly move them perfectly. If they can move even just half as we imagined then that’s already very good, isn’t it fine to think about it like that?”

“But, we are the last shield of the people of Zeltis aren’t we? If we allow Lemuria and Izgard to invade into the capital, what kind of tragedy will turn out……besides if they enter the capital, the imperial castle will be right there. In the worst scenario that something happens to Grace-sama……”

Hakyurath’s body shuddered.

“You are thinking too much in a bad direction. Speaking about our army’s strength, there is no way we will lose right?”

“……You’re right. As long as there is nothing unexpected that happens, there is no way we will fall behind or anything……I understand that but, I’m still anxious.”

“It’s fine. Even without Zelsione-sama, just us is――”

“The one who is missing, is not just Zelsione-sama. There is the rumor that Ainess-sama’s figure disappeared in the middle of the expedition to Izgard……”

As expected, even Mercuria couldn’t hide her shock from that information.

“What did you say? Hasn’t Ainess-sama returned from the expedition and is staying in the castle right now?”

Mercuria gazed at the imperial castle that was at the base of Genesis which was towering at the beyond.

“This is only a rumor until the end you know? There is the rumor that her highness was struck down by Lemuria’s assassin, but there is also a rumor in the contrary that her highness’s figure vanished in order to strike down the demon king of Lemuria.”

“Don’t tell me Ainess-sama is……”

Mercuria bit at her finger nail with a grim face.

“There is no way for Vatlantis Empire to lose. Even if that’s what I’m thinking, but some kind of bad premonition is――”

“Enemy, they are coming from the Entrance!”

Hyakurath immediately turned to the direction of the Entrance.

“――That’s!?”

What appeared from the Entrance, was just a single magic armor. White armor with blue radiance of magic power light. And then the pink shining hair couldn’t be mistaken at all.

“Ainess-sama!”

Continuing after Hyakurath, Mercuria also raised a flustered voice.

“Don’t tell me! Why is Ainess-sama coming from the Entrance of Lemuria!?”

She started up a floating window and magnified the image of the magic armor appearing from the Entrance.

“There is no mistake. It’s Ainess-sama……send out a welcome! The nearby magic weapons are to be the escort. Also contact the imperial castle! Report this to Grace-sama!”

Ainess that was projected in the window was wearing not her emperor outfit but Zeros. She was staring fixedly at Vatlantis army with her pink hair fluttering in the wind.

The large army of Vatlantis was reflected in those red eyes. Along the black castle wall rising in the front, countless magic weapons and battleships were floating. The number was too many, to the level that it made one wonder whether the army had completely filled the sky. Exactly as the information from before, not only the imperial guard, the subjugation army and so on seemed to be also mustered in full force.

From the Entrance, Kizuna’s figure appeared after Aine.

“Uoo! These guys……what an amazing number……”

“It looks like they gathered almost all of the battle force of Vatlantis here. If right now we made Ataraxia rush there, it will become a disaster.”

“Can you do it Aine?”

“As expected it’s impossible to erase all the battleships and magic weapons……but, I’ll do as much as I can.”

“……Don’t force yourself.”

It was the best Kizuna could say looking at Aine’s eyes that were filled with sadness and sorrow.

Aine kicked the air and flew into the force of Vatlantis. Obviously the magic weapons and the battleships were acknowledging Aine as the emperor. Far from interfering, they opened a path and welcomed her. And then Aine stopped when she had advanced until the middle of the large army.

“Code Breaker.”

A magic circle was generated from the ring on her back. The blue shining magic circle was expanding its diameter with the ring as the center. Matching that, the magic circle that became belt-shaped was rotating around Aine, creating a shining light with the shape of a sphere.

“What, is that!?”

Haykurath was staring at the sphere of light that was enlarging in front of her eyes. Pattern of shining blue magic circle was flowing on the surface of the sphere. That sphere was swallowing the magic weapons that were coming out for welcoming Aine one after another.

‘――No, that’s not it.’

The magic weapons were not swallowed. They were erased starting from the place that was touched by that sphere of light.

“Don’t tell me, is that……the rumored Code Breaker of Ainess-sama?”

Before long that light even began to swallow the battleships. In order from the bow, the magic formulas that were composing the battleship were disassembled.

The sphere of light that was further enlarging made Mercuria feel fear.

“What power……this is, Ainess-sama. This is……Zeros.”

“Why! Ainess-sama! Why are you doing something like this!?”

Mercuria grasped the shoulder of Hyakurath that was yelling with a voice that almost burst into a weep.

“Hyakurath, pull back the army for the moment! At this rate it will be total annihilation!”

However the time was already too late, Aine was charging into the large army of Vatlantis.

The gigantic sphere of magic circle was advancing into the fleet that was forming formation. The thing that existed in her path , whether it was battleship or magic weapon, all were erased altogether.

Not allowing the littlest bit of opposition or a fight, the shadow of the fleet was disappearing. This was nothing but nightmare for the army of Vatlantis. All the commanders of the subjugation army were falling into panic even while giving out instructions loudly.

“Subjugation fleet quickly turn around! Withdraw the magic weapons from the path of the sphere of light!”

The army that was lined up orderly was falling into pandemonium like a table that was overturned. In any case they tried to escape the Code Breaker and scattered everywhere to all directions without any formation or leadership.

Looking at that situation, Kizuna sent a signal to the floating window.

“Nee-chan! Now!”

At the same time with Kizuna saying that, a huge bow of as ship showed its face from the Entrance. It was a large battleship of two thousand meter class. The flagship of Izgard and Lemuria, Ataraxia.

Gravel who stood on the bow waved her hand to the front.

“FIREE―!”

The Vatlantis army was in the middle of turning back, exposing their flank defenselessly without even any shield laid out. There Ataraxia’s main cannon spouted fire. The large shell of light instantly traversed the sky. The cannon shell hit the battleship of Vatlantis, fierce sparks and electrical discharge, and then explosive sound roared thunderously in the sky. The main cannon that possessed powerful destructive power pierced through the armor of the battleship, opening a wind hole on the hull.

The battleship that received Ataraxia’s direct attack tilted, explosion occurred inside it. Flames were blazing up everywhere, it was scattering light fragments while its altitude was dropping. And then when it crashed on the wasteland, fierce explosion of light occurred and oxidized back into magic power.

“Vatlantis two thousand meter class, sinking!”

The moment an excited announcement broadcasted inside Ataraxia, cheers that split the air resounded everywhere.

Reiri wasn’t sitting on the ship captain’s seat, she was staring at the war situation still standing.

“Yosh, the other ships are to follow! So that the ships that get out of the Entrance don’t hinder the ships behind, quickly move to the designated location. Don’t slacken the bombardment even while moving!”

Adding on Aine’s Code Breaker, the bombardment of Ataraxia and Izgard’s fleet was attacking the army of Vatlantis. Vatlantis that was attacked in its unguarded moment received Ataraxia’s bombardment like a joke and the ships were sinking one after another.

That sight was watched over by the imperial guard Leon squad’s captain Hakyurath and the Tigris squad’s captain Mercuria in dumbfoundment. Mercuria returned to her senses and turned to her friend without even hiding her fretfulness.

“What to do!? Hyakurath!”

The battleships they had invested enormous amounts of magic power to construct, and the skill of the magic knights that were polished and trained, everything was irrelevant. Zeros’s Code Breaker nullified everything and forcefully cancelled the armaments.

“Ku……against something like that……just what are you telling me to do……”

Tears blurred Hyakurath’s eyes. But the tears gathering at the corner of her eyes barely stopped right before it spilled over.

‘――It’s no good. If I got discouraged here.

Do your best.

Do your best, Hyakurath!’

She threw words of encouragements to her own self inside her heart.

“……In any case empty the path. Even if it’s Ainess-sama, her magic power is not unlimited. Soon the time her magic power runs out will come. Until that time run away as much as possible from the Code Breaker. Also pay attention to the bombardment of Izgard’s fleet that is coming out from the Entrance. In this kind of chaotic situation, there is high possibility that we will cause friendly fire. Don’t attack rashly, commit to defensive battle.”

“Roger. Leave the rest to us.”

Mercuria lightly tapped the shoulder of Hyakurath and started up ten floating windows, she then gave out instruction to the commanders of all the fleets and all the squads of the imperial guard.

“I’m delivering the command from the acting imperial guard captain, Hyakurath. Run away from the Code Breaker of Zeros! Break the formation and don’t gather in one place! No matter what evade, wait until the magic power runs out! The ships that are in a place distanced from Code Breaker’s attack are to prepare for bombarding the enemy fleet. Don’t be rash in counterattacking, concentrate on defensive battle by thickening your shields. Do that!”

The movement of Vatlantis army fastened due to Mercuria’s instruction. The fleet of Vatlantis was running away separately without any order. Because of their scattered position, the enemy number that Code Breaker could erase decreased drastically.

At the flagship of Ataraxia, the battle situation that was constantly changing moment by moment was projected at a half-transparent floating window. Reiri was looking at the movement there and spoke to Kei.

“Kei. How much of Aine’s Hybrid Count remains?”

{Already 30% remains. Soon she will reach the limit.}

Reiri manipulated her console and opened a channel with Aine.

“Aine. Your Hybrid Count is at the limit already. Withdraw from there soon!”

{But, there is still more than half remaining! If Ataraxia entered a fleet battle like this, then you…!}

Reiri started up a different window.

“Kizuna, Gravel, Aldea! Go and pick up Aine!”

Kizuna who was standing by at Ataraxia’s bow stood up.

“Roger! Let’s go, Gravel, Aldea!”

“Yeah!”

Gravel who suddenly fully opened her thrusters flew away.

After the three flew away from Ataraxia, they were flying towards the light of the magic circle Zeros emitted.

“Aine!”

A communication window opened beside Aine’s face and Kizuna who called at her was projected there.

“Kizuna……”

When she looked at her status window, her remaining Hybrid Count was 29%.

‘――So this is as far as I go.’

The magic circle vanished. The effect of Code Breaker disappeared and the ring at Zeros’s back that was widely spread folded up.

That moment when the demonic light that ruled over Zeltis’s sky vanished, the imperial guard moved.

Hyakurath’s eyes shined glaringly.

“All fleets, return back to your designated spot! As soon as the formation is in order, all forces are to start bombardment. The target is Lemuria-Izgard combined fleet which appeared from the Entrance!”

Following the order, the fleet and magic weapons were moving all at once.

At the same time with that order given, Hyakurath’s eyes were searching at the surroundings where the magic circle of the Code Breaker vanished.

‘――Where is Ainess-sama!?’

“Hyakurath!”

Mercuria raised an alarming voice.

When she looked over, there was a silhouette ahead of where Mercuria was pointing at. Hyakurath displayed a window and magnified that silhouette. It was a figure of a pink haired girl swooping down towards Zeltis. Behind her three magic armors were following.

“Ainess-sama!”

“Also the one following behind her, that’s Lemuria’s demon king! Hyakurath!”

Faster than Mercuria’s calling her, Hyakurath flew out in pursuit of Aine and the others.

Kizuna, Gravel, and Aldea were following after Aine and then they lined up beside her.

“Aine! That secret path you said, where is it located?”

“There is a small rock hill outside the third castle wall. That’s our destination.”

The third castle wall was the outermost wall, outside it was a wasteland continuing as far as their eyes could see.

At that time, an alert window that noticed Kizuna of danger started up in front of his face.

“Enemy!”

When he looked back, there were two magic armors chasing after them.

“Kizuna! Those are the captains of the imperial guard’s first and second squads! We were discovered by a troublesome bunch.”

“Shit-, no other way than to fight!”

Gravel extended her hand at the gunsword on her back and spoke.

“Aldea and I will take care of them. Kizuna, you escort Ainess-dono.”

“But!”

Aldea made a sudden break and turned around with her back at him.

“Fufufu, there is no way I’m letting such delicious prey get away.”

Gravel also stopped in the air and drew out her gunsword.

“I’ll leave it to you, Kizuna!”

“Ku……-”

Kizuna didn’t let his speed drop down even while he was gritting his teeth. When he got near the ground he entered a level flight, flying along the castle wall.

Confirming his back figure, Gravel then faced the imperial guard members who finally came before her eyes.

“Imperial guard Leon squad’s captain Hyakurath, in addition the Tigris squad’s captain Mercuria huh.”

Hyakurath’s face warped dangerously.

“Gravel, also Aldea……so it’s you two.”

“Fufufu, to have a death match with the Leon squad and Tigris squad as the opponent, today is a lovely day.”

Aldea’s cheeks reddened and she whispered ecstatically. She already readied her spear with both hands and deployed her shields around her in battle preparation.

Readying her gunsword, Gravel also entered a battle stance.

“I’m daring to ask knowing it’s pointless, can you overlook us?”

Mercuria clicked her tongue in annoyance.

“You really ask a pointless question.”

The arm part of Mercuria disassembled and transformed into a bow shape that was her main weapon. The bow itself became blade, it was also a sword in close range battle. When she pulled the bowstring that was made of magic power light, an arrow of light was naturally formed. By shooting the arrow that generated various effects, it was a special weapon that wasn’t outdone even by guns, the [{{furigana|Arc Drive|Magic Bow Bullet Guide}}].

And then Hyakurath drew out the weapon mounted on her magic armor, [{{furigana|Gloria|Holy Glory Sword}}]. It was her favorite sword with magic letters carved on the wide sword blade.

“The former general of sixth subjugation army, and then Izgard’s hero, the tanned beast……”

Cold sweat dripped down Hyakurath’s cheek.

“Let’s go! Mercuria.”

Hyakurath kicked the air and charged at Gravel.

“TERYAAAAAAAA!”

Gravel also readied her gunsword and charged.

“UOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”

The elites of the two armies clashed. The brightness of the sword fight split the sky.

“Gravel……”

Kizuna stared at the floating window’s numerical value with a serious expression.

“Kizuna……”

Aine also looked back with worried eyes. Several radiances were crossing the sky. However Kizuna spoke as if to shake himself free.

“Let’s believe in Gravel and Aldea. If it’s those two, they won’t lose against any kind of enemy!”

Aine didn’t reply to that and raised her speed.

After they followed along the wall and circling it quite far, a slightly swelling hill was visible.

“There!”

When both of them landed down there, they looked around the surroundings.

Several collapsed stone pillars were scattered about, it gave off the impression as if there was a shrine that was built here once. The ground under their feet was covered with sand, but a floor made from stone was visible. When they looked at the direction of Zeltis, the distance from the outermost third castle wall was around one kilometer.

“Before, this area was a forest.”

Aine whispered so while sweeping off the sand on the floor. Kizuna also squatted down as to not look conspicuous, he moved aside rock and helped Aine.

“Right now it looks like an ancient ruin though.”

“That’s so……ah, this is it.”

A stone painted with a crest appeared. Aine touched it with her right hand and whispered something. Thereupon light of magic power was flowing in from Aine’s body to the stone.

“Oh! This is……”

A sound of heavy stone dragging on appeared and the ground was opening.

“The stone floor is……so there is a door in this kind of place.”

The hole that was around one meter long at each side opened gaping wide.

“Let’s go.”

“Ah, oi.”

He didn’t understand how it was inside, so Kizuna was alert, but Aine entered inside the hole without hesitation.

“Now that we have come this far, all that’s left is leaving it all to chance huh.”

‘――There is no one to protect Aine right now other than me.’

Holding such thought in his heart, Kizuna entered into the hole with all his might.