Editing Unlimited Fafnir:Volume 13 Chapter 1 (section)

===Part 6===

"...In other words, the mist covering the unknown territory is the third dragon—'True Obliteration' Ragnarok—and 2nd Lieutenant Mononobe possesses the means to counter it?"

At the bridge where everyone had gathered, Major Loki spoke softly with his hand against the corner of his mouth.

Displayed on a monitor was the dome of mist that Tia had shown me earlier. On one end of the screen, the fairy-like Atla was imitating Major Loki's pose.

"Then you should hurry. The signal from the portable terminal carried by Mononobe Mitsuki had stopped three hours ago at the location of the mist. She presumably went in."

Pointing at me, Atla spoke assertively.

She was very right. After listening to Tia, I had planned to do the same.

But I was not the only one here.

By sharing information Tia had obtained from the Akashic Record and data that NIFL had collected, everyone in Brynhildr Class were racking their brains to think of solutions.

"Please wait. Even though Mononobe Yuu, with his ability to use Ether Wind, is the most suitable candidate to send out, having him go alone would be too risky."

The first to speak out was Lisa, but a troubled look appeared on Shinomiya-sensei's face.

"No, those without the ability to oppose Ragnarok would only end up as unnecessary sacrifices if they accompanied him. As Midgard's commander, I cannot authorize anyone apart from Mononobe Yuu to enter. The others will provide full support from outside the mist."

These words were irrefutable, but Ren spoke up then.

"Then... It's fine as long as we can use Ether Wind."

On the side, Ariella was surprised by Ren's suggestion.

"As long as we can use it—Oh, don't tell me..."

Ren nodded deeply at Ariella, who seem to have figured out something.

"Mm. Correct—like before, pass on the authority."

Ren glanced at Major Loki before speaking.

Oh right—I had definitely passed on an authority before.

Using the connection between those of the same kind, I had divided Code Lost, which was impossible for me to hold alone, and shared it with Iris and the others.

By doing the same thing, perhaps all of us would be able to use Ether Wind.

"Passing on an authority, huh... How convenient, when gathering and inheriting Code Lost had essentially required people to die..."

Listening intently to our conversation, Major Loki muttered in surprise.

Shinomiya-sensei also spoke with interest.

"If you are able to do that among yourselves, that would be an effective solution indeed. Give it a try—"

"Wait. Even though this isn't a bad solution, I think it's very dangerous to split an authority without further thought."

Asking us to wait, Kili looked at Iris.

"Do you remember the battle against Bahamut? In the beginning, firing normal Catastrophe did not work. Only when Iris-chan seriously used the original Catastrophe was Bahamut destroyed completely. If recklessly splitting an authority weakens it too much, we'll be in trouble if things don't go our way. So—"

Sweeping her gaze across all of us with a critical eye, Kili then continued:

"Passing on the authority should be restricted to a small number of us with excellent combat skills. Assuming everything apart from Ether Wind is ineffective, it would be best to pick those who don't rely on dark matter or other authorities. In light of this condition—me and her would be enough."

Saying that, Kili pointed at Ariella, whose combat skills were highly adept even against human opponents.

For the vast majority, the combat power of Ds primarily relied on dark matter generation, but Ariella was very strong even without using transmutation. Purely in terms of anti-human skills, she was at least my equal. Fighting while enveloped in Ether Wind, Ariella's combat skills would definitely get to shine.

"Giving me Ether Wind..."

However, Ariella murmured with a conflicted expression.

Seeing her not particularly enthusiastic, I remembered.

Her family's souls had been eaten by Hraesvelgr. Perhaps she would feel reluctant to accept this authority.

"No need to force yourself, okay?"

But when Kili asked in a taunting manner, Ariella gritted her teeth hard and shook her head.

"No—since we're going with Mononobe-kun, I will go."

Hearing that, Ren held Ariella's hand from the side.

"Onee-chan... Onii-chan will be in your hands. I don't know how to fight without using dark matter—So I'm counting on you, Onee-chan."

"Yeah, leave it to me."

Smiling confidently, Ariella nodded at Ren.

"I wish I could come along, but this time, I can only hold the fort here..."

Firill slumped her shoulders in disappointment. Iris and Tia also nodded helplessly.

"I don't want to get in Mononobe's way... So I'll wait outside. But if there's anything I can do, please tell me! If it's for Mitsuki-chan, I'll do whatever it takes!"

Iris clenched her fist and declared.

"Do your best... Yuu. Although Mitsuki is so scary when she's angry, she makes yummy snacks sometimes... She also gives praise when Tia studies hard. Also, she's husband's little sister... For Tia, she's a precious little sister too!"

Tia gave encouragement with her own sentiments. Even though Mitsuki would surely object to certain parts of what she said, I simply patted Tia's head without correctly her.

"Yeah, I'll bring her back for sure."

I promised. Next to me, dressed in a male uniform, a platinum blonde—Jeanne Hortensia—looked agitated.

"...I am not a D, so I cannot accept your authority even though I have combat skills. It truly frustrates me that I cannot be your main support, Captain."

"Don't dwell on that, Jeanne, stay by Shion's side. Is she still sleeping?"

I looked around the bridge then spoke to Jeanne. Shion was not present.

Shion had been sleeping ever since the Bahamut battle ended. Perhaps it was not simply due to exhaustion. It would be best for someone to watch over her.

"Very well... Understood."

"I have to stay back too. 'Tis such a bore."

Hanging around by the wall, Vritra whispered in irritation.

Everyone apart from Kili and Ariella accepted their assigned post to stay back. However, Lisa objected with strong determination.

"Please wait. I must go along with Mononobe Yuu. There is a mountain of words that I must say to Mitsuki-san. Recently, I have been training in martial arts and spear skills in order to handle every kind of situation. I shall not allow any of you to stop me."

Hearing this, Kili stared at Lisa with a frown.

"Honestly, this worries me a bit. The authority shouldn't split any further... Oh well, Yuu can make the call."

She shot a gaze of "what are you gonna do?" at me. I spoke:

"The goal of this operation is to bring Mitsuki back. I think Lisa is essential to achieving this. Lisa is probably the only one who can scold Mitsuki and make her come to her senses."

Saying that, I smiled at Lisa. With a stern expression, she nodded.

"That is indeed the case. Mononobe Yuu—Thank you."

"Hmph, is that so? Oh well, I have no complaints if Yuu says it's fine. Anyway, this conversation is over."

Kili looked dissatisfied, but she still accepted Lisa joining the operation.

However, an unexpected voice was heard.

"Who says you can decide to end the conversation whenever!? You people forgot the most important thing! If you are going to that place, you should be bowing down to beg me for help!"

The one speaking was in the bridge monitor, staring at us with a pout.

Seeing Atla like that, Major Loki smiled wryly and said to us:

"—2nd Lieutenant Mononobe. Whether or not you bow down, I leave that for you to negotiate on your own. However, there is no downside to bringing Atla to the battlefield."

"...Why should I take you, Atla?"

I shot a gaze of surprise at the machine intellect whose virtual avatar resembled a fairy. Appalled, she replied:

"Uh... Are you saying you failed to notice!? Hey, you! As the rubbish tree's successor, you should know what place the final unknown territory sits on!"

Saying that, Atla stared at Tia. However, Tia cocked her head in puzzlement.

"What place... What do you mean? Tia has no idea at all. Even if the Akashic Record has information, Tia doesn't know without a proper search."

In response, Atla shouted in fury:

"Arrgggh, I have had enough, this is why I hate the rubbish tree! The region of the mist and the unknown territory is where the Atlantis continent used to be! Without any intel on how things have changed inside the mist, it would be best to bring me, the one who managed and operated Atlantean civilization!"
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