BlazBlue:Phase Shift 3 Chapter 1: Difference between revisions

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Created page with "==Chapter 1: Battlefield with Blue Sky== ===Part 1=== In the center of a dim room, a pale white light had been lit. It was a transparent sphere floating in empty space and w..."
 
 
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===Part 1===
===Part 1===


In the center of a dim room, a pale white light had been lit. It was a transparent sphere floating in empty space and was about the size of a human head. Rather than electrons, the borne light was made by magic utilising alchemical techniques.
The sound emitted from the door being vigorously opened was reverberating within the dim and silent hall.


The sphere, which was hanging in the air as if set on an invisible pedestal, was surrounded by five figures.
The white light from the outside went inside the dark room. It drew bands of light on the stone floor.


One was a petite girl wearing a full length robe. Beautiful platinum blonde hair was overflowing from the hood she wore, sparkling like sunlight as it was struck by the bland light.
"We did it! We finally did it! We managed to make the miracle no one could've ever done into reality!"


Standing next to her was an even more petite silhouette. Its height was about that of a human child, but its appearance was like a bipedal cat. The tail protruding from its back was long, the odd thing was that it branched into two.
The first footsteps that vibrated on the tall ceiling sounded to be light, as if the owner was dancing.


The third figure, in contrast to the other two, was a tall, middle-aged man wearing a grumpy look. He was wearing a refined attire including a high quality shirt and vest, but they couldn't hide the glimpses of the sturdy build underneath.
The light that came from the door slightly made the dim room to be visible. There was a slim woman turning around. Her exceedingly tall heels made a joyful rhythm.


Standing in line with him was a tall man of a similar height, but with a far thinner figure. Standing with both hands inserted into the pockets of his long coat, he wore a low hood that meant even his eyes were hidden in shadow.
Together, the dress and mantle that was decorated with luxurious fur depicted the silhouette of her supple legs. A necklace holding large gemstones on her chest lightly bouncing as she was still being emotional.


And then giving each of them glances as they stared at the sphere, another girl stood. Long hair crossed over her waist, her skin was white enough to be called transparent. Her most obvious feature was the large triangular hat placed on her head.
"Aah, it still gives me thrills recalling it now. What tremendous strength! It repelled the nemesis of humanity, the monster that terrorized the whole world in one blow. Can you believe it? We did all that...!"


Her name was Nine.
The feminine voice was lively. She clapped her hands and held it as if praying. She put her words together while letting her unbearable excitement out. It looked like her cheeks were reddened from her spirit even in the darkness.


The thin man was Yuuki Terumi.
"With this, the UN and Orbis Librarius Norma will no longer ignore our complaints. No, that won't be all. The Mage's Guild, the other Ten Sages... and that girl. Did you saw Nine's face back then!? It was the best!"


The middle-aged man was Valkenhayn R. Hellsing.
At the end of the sight of the talking woman was the owner of another footstep.


The cat with two tails was Jubei.
A man with refined looks, golden hair flowing on his back, and sparkling ice blue eyes behind the thin lens of his glasses.


The platinum blonde girl was Trinity Glassfille.
The man had a truly composed pace, contrast with the joyful smile from the brilliant lips of the woman. He treaded the constant band of lights on the floor to the shadow of the door.


They stood silently in thought while staring at the sphere. Inside it, the shifting images of the current world situations were being projected.
"That is not something to speak out loud. It does not mean everything is over."


"...So far, the representatives of many nations which have met with catastrophe are currently taking refuge in Ishana. There are preparation to devise a plan for the cooperation of each nation, with Ishana as the focus."
The composed answer from the man made the woman snorted her nose in discontent.


In the silent room, Trinity began to talk in her slow, soft voice that was like a ripple unfolding on water. Responding to her voice, the images of those catastrophe ridden countries were floating and disappearing in turn.
"Why do you look so calm? You should be glad even for a little."


Frowning with a sad expression for a moment behind those spectacles, Trinity pushed up her large round glasses up her nose a little and continued on.
The woman's teasing voice had a tone that implied that they at least had the right to do that.


"However as for the countries with relatively low damage, the nations are being cautious to ensure they participate in the efforts centered on Ishana. As yet, discussions are still ongoing and have yet to reach a conclusion as there are countries that do not deign to participate in the congress. No, if there's still no conclusion, then it's still okay but..."
The man didn't answer and only took a glance with his composed look. But there was a faint smile on his mouth.


"So a confrontation is growing between the countries that have representatives in Ishana and those that don't. ...Even though this isn't the situation for quarreling between mankind."
——Black Beast.


Taking over Trinity's sorrowful words, Valkenhayn spoke with a grimace. Looking at him with his large eyes, Jubei's cat mouth snickered.
It put the whole world in the brink of destruction. The colossal black monster that clearly showed the meaning of despair to humanity. Whatever the latest weapon humanity had was unable to hurt it. They had been driven to corner toward destruction by the nightmarish demon... until now. They finally managed to repel it successfully.


"There ain't gonna be any fair arguing. They're the lucky chaps. It's just natural."
An achievement that was obtained by none other than the pair of man and woman who had purple hats on their heads.


There was a degree of discomfort in the clear male voice of the beast, but no one in the room took it to mind.
The world had discovered a hope. It had secured the power to fight. Destruction wasn't the only end they had anymore. They could fight from now on.


Gazing at the shining sphere, the bridge of Jubei's nose wrinkled.
It was them who had showed it to the world.


"They ain't gonna understand unless they see with their own eyes. About the terror... of ''The Black Beast''."
"I don't know if she's a real genius or not. But in the end, that girl couldn't use her strength properly. If she can't arrive at the essential judgment within time of necessity, then she can't guide the world."


The Black Beast.
"Hmph... I will agree with you regarding that point."


Seven years ago... between 2099 and 2100 AD, it appeared. A monster similar to a gigantic mass of shadow.
"Don't talk so cynical. But whatever. After all, I'm in extremely good mood today."


Together with the appearance of the Black Beast, the world was filled with substance called ''seithr''. Guided by seithr, the Black Beast's destructive scars were marked all over the world starting with Japan.
Directing both hands toward the sky like when a stage actress singing, the woman spun once around the spot. Her loud voice was absorbed by the tall ceiling as it rung.


Without any means to fight, humanity was driven back. In merely six years after the Black Beast's appearance, the total population of the world was decreased by half.
Suddenly... another voice could be heard there.


But last year, the last day of 2106 AD. At the very same day that marked seven years had passed since the Black Beast emerged. As quickly as the monster which terrorized the world emerged, it was suddenly gone.
"It seems you're in a very high spirits."


"It has been eight months since the last appearance of that monster. This long absence of its activity must have dulled the nations' judgment. Among them, there are people beginning to appear who say the Black Beast is no more."
The voice was even deeper inside the dim hall. It could be heard coming from the direction of some obscured shadow. A voice that was cold like the surrounding stone wall, but was also lukewarm that it invited unpleasant chills.


Valkenhayn lowly groaned as if to suppress his resentment.
Uneasiness instantly passed over the woman's face as she turned around.


Trinity gently pressed her chest and slightly drew her chin.
The figure was blended in shadow. However, she soon understood the situation. She recognized the owner of the presence that shouldn't have been there until just now.


"The threat hasn't disappeared yet... Even now the seithr mist is still blowing throughout the world. The remnants of the Black Beast are also still threatening people..."
The number of people who could appeared in this place without them noticing it was very limited.


"Not gettin' the cooperation of the countries means the cooperation between Ishana and United Nations ain't going well. The investigation for the missing 'Kushinada's Lynchpin' is still going on. But since the UN's planning to do it their own way, gettin' intelligence is complicated."
"...You."


Jubei spoke in words mixed with sighs while the long tails on his back swayed, alert. At the same time, the floating lengthy image stirred in the sphere.
It was the man who let out a somewhat unpleasant voice.


"...Eight months."
Presently, there was a clear sensation that someone was standing at the location where the presence suddenly appeared. The figure was invisible since it was deep within the shadow. But there was no question regarding the person, no, the ''you'' that the man spoke of.


A noise from the five extending shadows resounded. A sharp, cold voice muttered. A large triangular hat stood out. It was Nine.
The woman furrowed her brows in suspicion and also took a gaze at the shadow. Her excitement had already lost its fever. It could have been easily overlooked but presently, a cautiousness toward the person in the shadow sparkled within her eyes for a slight moment.  


Staring at the sphere floating in the air, Nine folded her arms under her voluptuous chest and supported her chin with her fingers as she pondered.
The man calmly passed beside her with composed manner. He continued on until he was just beside the shadow of the hall.


She recalled a certain man. Eight months ago, they met on the day of Black Beast's last appearance and parted with him on the very same day.
"For the time being, I should declare my gratitude. It was thanks to your cooperation that we have managed to summon ''it'' successfully."


The man had spoken. That the Black Beast's activities would be halted for one year.
He confronted the visible darkness that looked like no one was there. That demeanor looked bizarre at a glance.


——''One year. During that time, get the strength needed for humanity to battle the Black Beast.''
"Your gratitude is too much. I, too, was able to see something so precious."


Nine remembered clearly the words she had heard eight months ago, down to his tone of voice. No, those words didn't become clearer as the days went by. Day by day... as the period where the disappearance of Black Beast continued, she realized that he spoke the truth.
What the ''man'' inside the shadow was smiling about was reflected from the presence. There was no facial expression to see, but an eerie feeling was drifting somehow.


There were still four months until the pronounced one year ended. If a year passed, it would likely, surely appear.
"Nevertheless, Takemikazuchi sure has amazing power. Much like the rumor."


"No conventional weapons could be used against Black Beast. Even if in the future some immensely powerful weapons were made, they wouldn't hurt the Black Beast. ...Isn't that so?"
"Naturally. It was invented in order to bring down the Black Beast. Back then, an unnecessary device was in the way... but it will not be the same way next time."


Nine's sharply pointed voice was like putting ice on the stretched string of the room's tension.
"Unnecessary device? Ah, you’re talking about the doll?"


Beside the owner of the voice, stood a man. He wore a low hood that hid his expression and he hadn't opened his mouth until now. He was Yuuki Terumi.
The voice from the shadow whispered softly as though talking to their hearts.


His mouth, his only facial feature exposed by the dim light, began to speak.
Slight hints of annoyance passed over the man's serene ice blue eyes.


"Yeah, that's right."
"...She is an irritating woman all to the end. We missed a great opportunity because of it."


"With the exception of ''magic'', hurting that monster requires utilizing seithr."
"That's right. If not for that, there won't be anything for humanity to be afraid of by now."


"Eyyup. ...Also, don't make me explain the same thing over and over. You getting senile, bitch?"
The woman grimaced with a face full of frustration compared to the man. She brushed off the hair on her shoulder to shake off her annoyance. At the same time, the large earrings on her ears jolted.


He spat out a curse since he was getting tired of it. Then Nine scowled sternly and shot him a death stare.
The presence inside the shadow let out a short laugh. It was unclear whether to soothe her or instead agitate her.


But she immediately shook off the fury from her gaze and turned to the other direction, her hair spinning.
"Now, now. You shouldn't be rushing like that. The ownership of that thing... Takemikazuchi is certainly in the hands of the two of you. The opportunity should arrive soon. Isn't that right?"


"The means to attack Black Beast by utilizing seithr, ''armagus'', is almost complete."
The tone of voice that was like testing their feelings made both the man and woman wrinkled their brows.


"Armagus... If I remember correctly, it could make normal people who ain't a mage able to use magic. "
Rather than a trap that was cleverly hidden, the presence's invisible real motive was more like a cryptic text that was casually thrown off as if to dare them to read what they could read. The person who couldn't predict it wouldn't be able to grasp whether what was lurking there was hostility or the exact opposite.


"It's a little different."
The people who were confronting the shadow were those unable to predict.


Toward Jubei's admiration, Nine slightly slackened her mouth and answered.
"...Can I ask you a question?"


"The fundamentals of magic and armagus are different. Magic borrows the spiritual power that's originally present in nature and then puts that to use. In regard to armagus, it's invoked by utilizing seithr. If there's no seithr, it can't be used. Since ordinary people can't handle seithr, a ''grimoire'' is necessary to make it feasible."
Withdrawing her thorny fury that had been going on until now, the woman calmly asked. Her high heels hit the hard floor and made a noise as she glared at the unseen figure in the shadow.


"Grimoire?"
"Yes, anything."


The one who tilted her head slightly as she asked was Trinity. Nine slightly nodded.
"How did you get the Orbis Librarius Norma to act? Just who you really are?"


"Although I said grimoire, it doesn't mean that's the real form. It changes the gathered seithr in the armagus, kind of like a converter. Anyway, it makes it possible for even people outside Ishana to attack the Black Beast."
"Oh no, you two. Don't be so cautious towards me."


Answering without pause, Nine shifted her gaze for an instant, stealing a glance of the man next to her.
The sharp gaze was not only from the woman, the man also attentively narrowed his eyes to ascertain the attitude of the presence lurking in the shadow.


The development of armagus had begun approximately half a year ago. Nine was the one who had fabricated armagus' base theory, but Terumi was indispensable in completing it in such a short amount of time.
Shrugging his shoulders as if they were being exaggerated, the presence in the shadow weakly laughed.


Terumi possessed massive knowledge regarding the Black Beast and seithr. It was because of that knowledge that establishing armagus' form was possible.
"In all sincerity, I ask of you to let me tell the necessary things during the times of need. Didn't it go smoothly because of that?"


Again, Nine recalled the words of the man she had met eight months ago. He had also said something else. That she should watch out for Yuuki Terumi.
"I wonder. You smell fishy for some reason."


Nine had heeded those words, yet she had taken Terumi out from the deep basement of a certain castle. She also had firmly applied ''Mind Eater'', a magic that made him completely unable to defy its user, controlling over his will.
The woman coldly muttered toward the freezing atmosphere.


"But although I said ordinary people can use it, it doesn't really mean that anyone can do it. An aptitude is required in themselves. The manufacturing of the grimoire is going well, but there's an insufficient number of people who could use it. If it remains as it is, the counter measure for Black Beast would be imperfect. If possible, it should be a powerful measure, rather than being able to exhibit strength without having to be bound with seithr. For example..."
But it didn't necessarily change anything for the presence that was blending in the shadow.


"Like the weapons we use?"
A shadow is still a shadow. The hands of mankind couldn't touch nor directly interfere with it. The owner of the presence was exactly similar to it.


Jubei held out a single sword on his back. The sword that came out of the dark had been given to him by Nine about one month ago.
The presence laughed again. With faint gentleness, without any ambition.


Of course, it wasn't an ordinary sword. It was a specially made article that had alchemy and magic's techniques included in its making. Instead of clearing away a certain mass of seithr, the sharp blade could cut it up.
"Oh, how terrible. Please, put your trust on me. Haven't I been cooperating with you all this time?"


Similarly, Trinity also held out the specialized weapon Nine had developed. The small cane could transform by taking the nature of magic Trinity wanted to use in mind.
"...Okay?" the shadow asked. The voice somehow made the woman shiver for a moment.


"Yes. But even then, they're still weak. It shouldn't be like armagus which is only a substitute for magic or those prototypes given to you guys... We require weapons that have a more specialized ability in order to defeat the Black Beast."
===Part 2===
 
It was the outskirt of a wasteland.
 
There was no shadow of any vegetation. Not even a dead branch was lying around. It was nothing but scorched ground on and on.
 
Wind was inexistent. The air was really dry and mercilessly denied the land of moist. Not even a piece of cloud was floating in the sky.
 
However, the sky was unnaturally clear compared to the rest of the world. And not just of life, it was naught of any kind of pollution. ...The place was literally devoid of anything.
 
A few days ago, the place was a battlefield.
 
Between humanity and the Black Beast.
 
Currently, no soldier remained within this land that had forsaken the presence of any living being. Only cold void was drifting about in the vicinity.
 
But there were four figures standing, as if they had been left behind at the end of the world.
 
Standing on top of barren soil at a small hill, a silhouette was gazing forward. It was Hakumen. The white mask-wearing man had fought and swung his sword faster than anyone toward the approaching threat.
 
His expressionless face was looking down at a huge hole that spread on to the wilderness.
 
Before the battle from a few days ago, there was a flat cliff that acted like a wall. But along with the Black Beast, the former shape of the terrain vanished as it was scorched by a flash of ray.
 
There was a small figure around the edge of the odd, large hole. It was a beastkin warrior who had the appearance of a cat, Jubei. Wearing his war attire, he was also looking down at the scrapped ground.
 
"...No one’s gonna believe there was a town if they’re lookin’ at this."
 
This place was already abandoned a few days before the battle begin. But no matter how many traces of people remained... it surely had been turned to dust by that strike.
 
“If the angle had been slightly different, it might have decimated an actual town.”
 
The person who groaned bitterly was also standing around the edge of the hole like Jubei. The person was Valkenhayn, a middle aged man who was also a werewolf. Warping his exquisite looks into a grimace, he fixed his eyes on the empty space that had been scraped off.
 
On their west side was a range of rocky mountain. Beyond it was a small town that was still remained. The residents had already been evacuated, but it was fortunate that the town hadn’t met the sad fate of losing its form which had been built by the effort of mankind.
 
Contrarily speaking, there was a great chance of it happening.
 
"If it can be said as the effort of mankind... then what is the difference with Black Beast, along with those weapons humanity has created?"
 
Valkenhayn's deep voice was hoarse. The words he spat out contained anger.
 
Those words clouded the expression of a girl who stood behind Jubei and Valkenhayn in sadness.
 
The girl wore a robe that had a hood, with her fluffy platinum blonde hair flowing from it. The girl's name was Trinity Glassfille.
 
She held out the palm of her hands in front of her chest. There, a small magic circle appeared. She was analyzing the seithr on her surroundings.
 
Substituting for a measuring device, the magic indicated that there was no presence of seithr in the whole region of the wasteland.
 
"Nox Nyctores... Takemikazuchi."
 
The words that Trinity had spelled was the name of the weapon which had repelled the Black Beast and altered the wasteland's appearance.
 
The outrageous black titan came out from a magic circle that had appeared all of a sudden on the battlefield. It overturned the war in a single blow.
 
And somehow, it also wiped out the seithr on the vicinity along with the gust of flash.
 
The tremendous power she witnessed back then still vividly remained in Trinity's memories.
 
It wasn't just Trinity. It was the same for the awe-struck Jubei and the enraged Valkenhayn.
 
Hakumen was the only one who didn't give any hint of emotion. He had been silently gazing at the traces of the giant that remained on the ground.
 
"By the way, what's going on with Nine and Terumi?"


Nine spoke stubbornly as if burdening herself with a new task.
Valkenhayn asked the question while facing everybody.


Toward her, a small laugh interrupted from beside her.
The answer was given by the one who was nearest to him, Jubei.


"Weapons... huh."
"Nine's comin' back to Ishana while bringin' Celica. And Terumi should be goin' with them. What happens after that, I dunno."


There was no wondering about the owner of the voice with the ridiculing tone. Nine looked at Terumi with cold eyes.
"Celica-san... I wonder if she's alright..."


His slender body was turned toward the sphere floating in the room like always, but the glance that had a suggestive indication drifting about was aimed at Nine.
After she dispelled the observation magic, Trinity pressed her chest down as she was bothered by anxiety.


"You okay not telling our dear friends the details? It's looking like you're making the weapons in the dark here~ ...You hear me?"
There were two other people who was involved in the battle that happened a few days ago. The two people were girls whom Trinity was well acquainted with. One was her best friend, Nine. The other was Nine's younger sister, Celica A. Mercury.


"I don't need you to interrupt this conversation. Be quiet, Terumi."
But Celica had completely lost her magic power and fainted.


As she spoke with a tone of voice as if holding him down, Nine hit the floor with her high heel. The rough but somehow graceful noise rang sharply around the room.
It was still unknown if she would regain her consciousness.
"We should head back to Ishana at once. There is a need to discuss the reports and the next step that should be taken."


If Nine told him to be silent. Terumi would do so. Mind Eater was that kind of a magic. Terumi was silent, but he stood while still grinning like a maniac.
"Yer right. ...Just like Trinity, I'm worried about Celica too."


Drawing her gaze from the face that looked like it was holding back a burst of laughter, Nine sighed in annoyance.
Agreeing to Valkenhayn's proposal, Jubei turned his back from the hollow ground.


As if to calm the irritated Nine, Jubei made a bitter smile. He then shrugged his small shoulders.
The post-investigation that had started after all the army were withdrawn had also come to a point where there was nothing left to gather. No reason to stay in this place anymore.


"So as of now, there's only one way to effectively attack Black Beast. If the weapons Nine spoke of have been completed, we'll be able stand on equal ground with that monster and challenge it."
But at that time, as if waiting for the right moment, more presences surrounded them simultaneously.


However, that speech resulted in a new irritation for Nine.
Even though the area was an open ground, there was no visible figure or silhouette.


Playing her fingers around the brim of her large triangular hat which stood as a symbol of wisdom, Nine pointed her chin toward the space between Jubei and Valkenhayn.
Valkenhayn reflexively put on his guard.


"...And? Where's the only person who has the means to attack Black Beast, Hakumen, gone?"
Hakumen stepped down from high ground to protect Trinity. The long sword on his back brushed off the dust.


The empty spot where the harsh words were thrown to was supposed to hold a sixth person standing together with them.
Jubei also drew his sword. However.


===Part 2===
"...We're surrounded."
 
Jubei muttered while making a wry smile. Like he said, there was no escape for them.
 
===Part 3===
 
——Once she came to, she was standing on a white room.
 
There was nothing there. Not even floor, wall, or ceiling. But strangely, she was standing firmly as if her feet stepped on something.
 
It didn't feel cold.
 
But it didn't feel warm either.
 
No one was there. Celica looked around her surroundings within the vast, completely white room...
 
Where could this be?
 
Could this be a dream?
 
It felt like something she had seen before. But there was also a feeling that denied it.
 
As she was slowly taking a look, a rectangular object stood in front of her unnoticed.
 
A mirror.
 
Large enough for Celica's whole body to be reflected. Like it was made for her.
 
The Celica inside the mirror was wearing a familiar school uniform. It had light brown that was bundled at the top. There were also her favorite leather shoes on its feet. It was how she would look normally.
 
But sensing how strange it was somehow, Celica began to take a step forward.
 
From the other side of the mirror, the gentle brown eyes that resembled wet soils were looking at her.
 
It was bizarre.
 
Because... Even though the figure felt the same as her, she wondered if the reflection was her true self.
 
What is this?
 
Her question didn't get transformed into a voice. It dissolved into the whiteness of her surroundings while she was thinking.
 
She wanted to be sure. She thought she would understand if she touched it.
 
She raised an arm very slowly, reaching her hand to the mirror.
 
[[Image:BB_PS3_021.jpg|thumb]]
 
The figure in the far end side of the rectangular object even extended its hand.
 
The moment their outstretched fingertips tried to touch each other...
 
Celica woke up.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Feeling light shining from the other side of her eyelids, Celica slowly opened her eyes.
 
It seemed she had been sleeping.
 
But strangely, she wasn't sleeping in her own room. She was on top of a single bed in an unfamiliar square room.
 
The room had one window. The white lace curtains were shining bright as they received the light from outside. The weather outside seemed nice. Plenty of sunlight was warmly shining into the room.
 
The showering light was tranquil, and the blanket was cozy. Still feeling sleepy as she just woke up, Celica rubbed her heavy eyelids while straightening her body.
 
Then she immediately noticed. Her hand was being squeezed by someone.
 
There was no need to make sure who it was. There was a woman with long hair who had fallen asleep on top of the blanket that Celica had been sleeping in.
 
Hair that could make anyone envious. Shoulders that were unexpectedly delicate. The sleeping breadth that sounded peaceful.
 
She was Celica's older sister, Konoe Mercury, or otherwise known as Nine.
 
"Onee-chan..."
 
Celica reflexively made a wry smile as she softly called out to her.
 
She recalled the time when she was a child. She suddenly got struck with a fever and had to stay in bed.
 
Nine worried too much and ended up crying. She would be right beside her like this and gripped Celica's hand the whole time. Starting from the night until dawn arrived, Nine would still grip her hand even though she had fallen asleep. Just like this.
 
(She's still forcing herself, even though she should be busy.)
 
As for Celica, she was more concerned if Nine's body would get ruined. Furthermore, Nine usually would become much worrier than this.
 
There was one more figure in the room. Someone was standing in silence.
 
A female robot was standing at the corner of room and stared at her. Celica gave her a bright smile.
 
"Good morning, Nirvana."
 
Celica spoke in whisper as to not wake Nine up. Nirvana slightly pulled her chin. The gesture made it seemed like she was nodding.
 
The relief made Celica's cheeks slackened.
 
Everything would be okay if Nine and Nirvana were on her side. There was no hint of uneasiness in her. She couldn't prove it, but she had that hunch for some reason.
 
Nevertheless, just where could this be? The simple question made Celica looked around the room.
 
It wasn't just the location. She couldn't remember any reason why she had been sleeping here.


Ishana, an island floating on ocean.
When she was considering what to do next... the door slowly opened as if reaching to her.


The island was painted with lush green nature and a lovely townscape. It was known as ''The Mage's Guild'' outside the island.
"Oh, Celica-san~. I'm glad. Looks like you have awakened."


On the other side of history, the Mage's Guild had constantly influenced change in the world. The organization existed to protect and enhance alchemy and magic, the techniques that should have been forgotten in ancient times. They didn't belong to any country nor bend to anyone. At present, there was a grand academy established in the center to pass down the continuously inherited ancient wisdom and vast knowledge to the next generation.
The person who appeared was a girl that had fluffy platinum blonde hair, white skin, and large round eyeglasses that would draw attention. She was Trinity.


In the academy's courtyard, she stood alone.
When she saw Celica, Trinity's face turned meek. She gave a smile that was full of relief before she rushed to the side of the bed. There were faint tears on the green eyes beyond her glasses.


The raised tall trees were sparkling, bright green from the summer sunlight. Between those trees, the white sunlight filtering through and fell upon the small stone pavement that was like stitching on the ground.
"Trinity-san. Umm... good morning, I guess?"


Although its vicinity was encircled by buildings related to the academy and Mage's Guild, this place didn't have a very enclosed feeling at all. Rather than a courtyard within a school, it appeared more like a hidden garden.
Lacking knowledge of the circumstances, Celica responded Trinity's arrival with a bright face while making a concerned smile.


Sitting on a deserted bench set under the shade of a tree in the corner of the garden, Celica A. Mercury was swinging her feet.
Because Nine was sleeping beside her, Celica couldn't raise her voice and was dropping its volume instead.


The academy uniform in shades of white and black had a magician's motif on it. The short mantle on her back was fluttering in the wind. Her thick, light brown hair that was tied in a high ponytail and the treetops of the courtyard were rustling together, making refreshing noises.
Noticing it, Trinity put the robe she had been wearing onto the shoulders of the friend who was breathing lightly in her sleep. She made rustling noises in the process, but there was no indication of Nine waking up.


"Looks like Onee-chan isn't done yet."
Seeing Nine's unusual looks, Celica and Trinity unconsciously looked at each other. They couldn't hold their laugh.


There was a brick building belonging to the Mage's Guild at the end of a path close to her. There was a meeting being held inside a council room which had barrier that wouldn't let any voices or information leak out. Celica's older sister, Nine, was participating in the meeting.
"Then again... I'm really thankful that you're alright. If you're still in a coma, everyone would get worried."


Celica was waiting for her sister and her companions to come out after the meeting ended.
Putting her hands on her chest again, Trinity let out a deep, long breath as if she was hit by relief. Her glasses were slightly unsteady as she used her white fingertips to wipe the tears that appeared on the corner of her eyes.


The wind carrying the scent of greenery was softly blowing through.
"How is your condition?"


"...It feels good."
"Mmmm. My body feels sluggish, and my head feels a bit light. But there's nothing else to add."


Celica straightened her posture and lifted her head. The sunshine passed through the trees next to her before shining upon her cheeks and forehead.
Celica put her hand on her head and made a cheerful face telling that she was fine.


Today, like always, Ishana's air was clear without any stagnation.
It was natural since she just had been sleeping, but her hair had become disordered. The feeling of bed hair on her hand made Celica slightly embarrassed.


Seven years ago, along with the appearance of the Black Beast, seithr had overflown throughout the world and polluted the atmosphere. It lessened the wind, weakened the waves, and made the soil barren. The seasons lost their characteristics as the weather became disturbed. The creatures that were constantly exposed to thick seithr would lose their original form and go mad, destroying everything.
"That's right, I should inform the doctor..."


However, Ishana wasn't like that. The island that was managed by magic was protected by an invisible barrier. The air, water, and soil were pure, uncontaminated by seithr.
"Ah. Wait, Trinity-san!"


As a matter of fact, there was an incident last year when the barrier had been damage, resulting in seithr entering the island for a short period. But Celica didn't know much about that as the incident occurred immediately after Celica slipped out of the island on important business. When Celica returned to Ishana, the barrier had already been repaired completely.
Trinity, who was feeling nervous because of her relief and joy, was about to get out of the patient room. Celica quickly stopped her. Because she unconsciously made such a loud voice, Celica instantly checked on Nine.


With the infiltrating seithr purified, Ishana was now thoroughly clean without any glimpse of the incident.
Nine was still sleeping soundly. After dropping her shoulders from relief, Celica raised her face toward Trinity.


Celica deeply inhaled Ishana's air into her chest.
"Before you go, I want to ask you a lot of things. Umm... To begin with, where is this place? Why am I here?"


"I wonder what his face would look like if I brought him to this island."
"Oh my... well, I guess that should be obvious. My apologies, I was in complete panic~"


While narrowing her eyes to block the sunlight shining into them, she smiled gently.
She didn't appear to be that flustered, but it seemed it made Trinity upset as she was self-conscious about it.


What she was picturing beyond the light and green curtains was the face of a friend important to Celica.
Covering her blushing cheeks with both hands, Trinity returned to the side of Celica's bed. After taking a breath, Trinity's pink lips opened.


...Friend might not be correct. To tell the truth, Celica didn't know what she should regard him as. She didn't have a formal relationship to refer him as an acquaintance, but he wasn't what she would usually call a friend either.
"We're at the general hospital in Ishana. Celica-san... you probably don't remember about it, but you fainted when we were battling the Black Beast. Afterwards, you were carried here."


[[Image:BB_PS2_023.jpg|thumb]]
Trinity calmly informed Celica. Listening to the tone of her voice slowly made Celica to understand the situation. Like streaming water, her memories got restored little by little.


In just a few days, he became awfully close to her. He had helped her. He had supported her. He had protected her.
The scenes she had seen happened just before she fainted were passing by her mind like a sequence of photos.


He was... such an irreplaceable person.
"The Black Beast... That's right, there was a weird magic circle and light... And then, my mind suddenly went blank... So, what's next? What's happened to the Black Beast? And how's everyone else?"


"Fufu, I'm sure he'd be amazed. Ah, but he might have actually seen a similar place. After all, he knew so much about magic even though he's not from this island... He's such a mysterious person."
"Please calm down, Celica-san. Everybody is okay~. As for the Black Beast... it wasn't defeated yet, but we were able to repel it. I think the resulting damage is very low."


Without realizing, she actively talked to herself in this place devoid of other people.
Celica leaned her body forward and rapidly asked a series of questions. Trinity softly answered her questions calmly.


She met him eight months ago, during the end of last year. He was tall, had white hair and a green eye just on his left side. He was rough around the edges, but very kind.
Trinity properly straightened her back. Anyone who saw it would naturally feel relief and become composed.


Since they parted so suddenly he had never told her much about himself, Celica didn't get to know him well enough. But a lot of the strength he'd given her was always burning inside Celica's chest.
"Nine spoke about this before. Celica-san. The moment that magic circle appeared, your magic power got completely absorbed. That should be what was making you unconscious~. ...Although since Nine quickly brought you to Ishana by teleportation, I haven't heard the details about it."


There was never a moment when she forgot about him. He was important, precious...
"I see... Huh? Teleporting to Ishana? Wait a minute, you said she teleported from the battlefield to here? It can't be right."


Even for Nine, it was something she shouldn’t have been able to do. Never mind the distance, the environment wasn't exactly teleportation-friendly.


In the first place, there was a barrier on Ishana. It was fundamentally impossible to teleport directly into it.


Suddenly, a light was glimmering at the edge of Celica's gaze.
Trinity glanced at Nine who was sleeping. Then she smiled tearfully before making a happy look.


"Yes, it seems she did~. She probably used teleportation continuously to bring you here."


"She teleported continuously... Oh, Onee-chan."


It was probably the sunlight filtering through the trees. But when the light blinded Celica for an instant, her sight was completely engulfed in the next moment.
Celica also made the same face as she looked at her sister.


(Eh...!?)
The teleportation magic required a great deal of magic power and concentration compared to other type of magic. It also needed unusual amount of stamina and will. The consumption would be unfathomable when used consecutively.


Her shout of surprise didn't manage to escape.
(You'd be angry if I got reckless, but you did the same thing.)


As if the world had been turned inside out in the blink of an eye, Celica's surroundings turned to bright white.
The sisters were alike. Once their mind was filled with something, they would ignore any circumstances and rush forward immediately.


The courtyard's wind and rustling branches were no more. All sound and smell disappeared, it was hard to grasp which direction was up or down. She was even uncertain as to whether gravity existed. Inside the completely white space, only Celica remained.
Celica thought that the one who probably had been worrying the most wasn't Nine, but Trinity.


No, there was something else. A mirror. When she turned her face around to look at the surroundings, the rectangular mirror had stood there unnoticed, reflecting Celica's whole body.
Trinity, who pulled up the robe on Nine so it wouldn't slip down, then gracefully faced Celica.


(Where's this? Why is a mirror here...?)
Across those large, round glasses were green eyes filled with kindness.


She should have been able to form the questions as words, but somehow her voice couldn't come out again. It felt like everything had been sucked up and vanished.
"Five days have passed since the repulsion of Black Beast, or in other words, after you collapsed. Celica-san, you were in a coma in the meantime."


The bizarre thing was that she wasn't terrified.
"So perhaps Onee-chan has been here all this time?"


Rather, Celica was drawn by curiosity and took a step toward the mirror.
"It looks like so. I've only just returned this morning, so I have yet to hear on how she was doing then."


On the other side of the mirror that looked as if it had made a rectangular cut across the room, Celica's amazed figure was reflected. Then she unconsciously tried to touch it.
Trinity made a strained smile while she was speaking.


They figured it out even if they didn't actually witness it. They knew that kind of person Nine was. Also, it was also possible that she didn't get enough sleep.


"But still, five days? ...So I've been sleeping for so long."


But just before Celica's fingers touched the mirror, suddenly it felt like she was smelling something.
It was no wonder that every part of her body was sore. Her stomach must also be very empty.


After she muttered alone, Celica held her knees while they were still under the blanket.


The memories from five days ago felt just like a dream she had while sleeping. The voices from a lot of people. The advance of the Black Beast. Then the large thing she saw just before she fainted...


It wasn't so much a smell as a familiar sensation.
"...Trinity-san. About the large magic circle..."


It was more similar to the warmth of family sat around the table with her, or the calmness she felt when passing time alone, absentmindedly at her favorite spot.
She wondered if it would be okay to ask that. Celica opened her mouth to ask about it. But before she was finished with her inquiry, Nine, who had fallen asleep on the bed, suddenly raised her face.


A burning feeling in her chest that spontaneously bubbled up when she was with someone special.
"CELICA!?"


Celica knew this feeling. She remembered.
It seemed Nine was still half-awake as she looked around for Celica while still in daze.


Celica gently caught her breath as if waking up from a dream.
Nine found out that Celica was sitting up on the bed with her hand still being gripped. Then the eyes of the fatigued Nine were blinking as if her spirit had returned.


That moment, a gust of wind swept away the mist in the world. Quite naturally, the scenery returned.
Her lips that looked slightly worse than usual were trembling as they moved.


The pouring sunlight filtering through trees, branches rustling in the wind, the fresh and earthy smell of midsummer. The feel of the bench placed under the shade of a tree in the courtyard of the academy she commuted to everyday.
"Ce... Celica...?"


Without looking at them, Celica stood up while looking around. After that, she began to run.
"Good morning, Onee-chan. It seems you've slept we..."


She returned to the school building after leaving the academy's courtyard. Then she left the school proper, leaving the academy behind her. As if drawn by an invisible thread, Celica hastened her pace without so much as a look over her shoulder.
"CELICA<nowiki>~~~~~~~~</nowiki>!"


Her chest throbbed. She herself understood what she was expecting.
She was like a lost child who had found her way home. Or even a mother who had finally found her child. Nine casted away her composure and determination to jump at Celica while making tearful voice.


After all, this impression was... his.
She hugged and hugged Celica's slightly thin shoulders. Nine's hands grabbed Celica's sleepwear and were trembling as she wept.


As though she was being guided by something, she went up the slope beside the academy before going around it to a hill located at the back. She reaced her destination in no time at all. At least, Celica felt only a few seconds had passed.
"...Thank goodness... you're awake... I was worried, really worried..."


There was a little surprise in the corner of her mind that the hill was so close to the school's courtyard. It would usually take much more time.
With her thin shoulders still shaking, Nine spoke so many times while sobbing.


She ran up to a gentle slope that was covered with grass.
Her large tears were overflowing and instantly soaked the top part of Celica's shoulder. Her wet sleepwear felt sticking onto her skin, but it didn't mean it was unpleasant.


The hill was slightly elevated; it was possible to see all of Ishana's townscape. White clouds, separating the sky from the sea, were floating in the distant blue sky.
"O... Onee-chan. I can't breathe..."


Someone was stood at the hill's summit.
Her embrace was strong enough that one mistake might strangle Celica and cause her to faint again. Celica could only make a wry smile as she spoke.


The street, sea, clouds and city. With the scenery of Ishana's calm afternoon at her back, Celica shouted with all her might.
After that, she gently patted her sister's head.


His name.
"I'm sorry I've made you worried. But I'm alright now."


"————RAGNA!"
Nine had been truly worried. But she was still glad that Celica had awakened. Nine cried with the tears of relief.


Celica also took breath of relief and raised her face.


There, Trinity was still standing with a look like she could break into a cry anytime.


Celica shrugged her shoulders while making a strained smile. She soothed Trinity along with her sobbing sister before asking them in low voice.








The first time she saw him was at the entrance of a deserted village inside a forest.


Sat leaning against the trunk of a tree, he had been gravely injured. On top of that, he had lost his memories. At first he could remember nothing but his own name.


Together with him, Celica traveled to Japan... and encountered the Black Beast.


Celica couldn't do anything. She couldn't stop him. He had directly challenged the Black Beast, and then disappeared along with it.
After the doctor who was brought by a nurse arrived, he determined Celica's condition by doing the established procedure.


He had said the he would return.
As he was finished with the basic examination, the doctor ended it with measuring the approximate amount of her magic power with some kind of thermometer. After that, he got up from a chair near the side of the bed.


He had promised.
"Your progress has been more favorable than I thought. But you still need to rest for another two or three days."


So Celica waited. She kept waiting because she wanted to meet him again.
After the doctor said that, he left the patient room.


The door was closed shut.


"Aaah... It seems I can't go home yet."


Celica dropped her shoulders and collapsed onto the bed.


"Too bad. We can't have a tea party even though Onee-chan and Trinity's here."


"What are you talking about? You shouldn't force yourself to do the usual stuff until your magic power stabilizes. Don't do anything unreasonable even when you're in a hospital."


Nine, who had finally stopped crying, softly lectured Celica while wiping her red, swollen eyes with her fingers.


Responding to Celica's voice, the shadow standing atop the hill turned around slowly.
She usually would do it with menacing looks, but her teary face snatched her coercive vigor away.


A gust of wind whirled past, disturbing the lawn, flowing through her. Celica endured the wind, slightly buffeted by it, holding her disheveled hair while raising her face.
Since her sister was speaking not as a Ten Sage, but as a girl, Celica got in a pleasant mood and replied with a smile.


"Ah..."
"Okaaay."


After she observed the figure once more, Celica involuntarily raised her voice.
Trinity giggled as she watched from the side. Next to her, Nirvana stared at Celica with her transparent eyes.


The figure was a tall man whose silver hair fluttered in Ishana's clear wind.
If only the situation was different and they weren't in a hospital room, it would looked their usual, friendly chat. But even if she was smiling, there was something that had been stuck inside Celica's chest.


However even though his figure resembled a human, it also looked odd.
"Hey, Onee-chan. Can I ask what's really happened when I fainted?"


His body was wrapped in white and black with something that might as easily have been clothes or armor as it could have been skin. The eyeless, earless, and mouthless face was concealed with pure white mask. Red orbs had been embedded around his body. The orbs might be the substitute for his barren face as every single one of them stared at her like eyes.
She wondered about what happened and what became of it. Celica thought that the only person who could tell it accurately would be none other than Nine.


On his back, there was a long sword sheathed diagonally that was probably as long as he was tall.
But as soon as she asked, Nine's face changed as if to stop Celica from continuing.


"Hakumen-san..."
Her face didn't look stiff or restrained. But Nine mildly shook her head with the deadpan expression that had silent refusal within.


Celica awkwardly called out the strange man again. A slight disappointment seeped in her voice.
"Celica. We will speak about that next time. For now, you must prioritize to get a rest."


Hakumen was Celica's acquaintance. Together with her sister Nine and her close friend Trinity, he was one of the warriors who had gathered in Ishana in order to defeat the Black Beast.
Celica got a hunch that it was the kind of face she would make when she was hiding something.


The eyeless face and countless red orbs gazed at Celica indifferently.
Usually, she would pester Nine to tell her.


"...So it is you, Celica A. Mercury."
But when she thought of how Nine had fallen into deep sleep due to her fatigue, she decided to swallow her selfishness inside.


What was heard from behind the white mask was a low tone of voice that concealed his emotions.
Even Celica would prefer if Nine put a thought into taking a rest herself.


To cover her slip up for mistaking him for another person, Celica scratched her face and laughed.
"Then tell me when I got out of the hospital, alright?"


"I'm sorry for shouting at you so suddenly. Umm... I thought you were one of my friends."
"...Sure. If I got time."


After bowing slightly, Celica soon took several steps toward Hakumen.
Nine's reply felt unfair, but Celica nodded in her mind thinking that her answer was good enough.


Hakumen just looked at her from the edge of his vision. Then just as he had been before Celica addressed him, Hakumen turned around to face the townscape.
After she took a breath, Nine brushed the hair on her shoulder to her back. The glint on her eyes that soon appeared was unlike the kindness she would show to Celica.


Celica stood next to him.
But the older sister's expression quickly returned to usual as Nine displayed a slight smile toward Celica.


"Are you observing Ishana?"
"Well... Now that Celica has awakened and Trinity returned, it's time to go."


From on top of the hill, one could look down on Ishana with ease.
"Onee-chan. You have another work?"


Basked in the gentle midday's sunlight, the green and blue roofs, and the white walls supporting them, shone brightly. There were people living on the island going back and forth on the gentle stone-paved pathways. A thin forest surrounded it as if protecting against the outside world. Furthermore, the forest was also encircled by a vast sea.
"Yes. There are other things that I must attend."


Looking at Ishana from here truly made it look just like a painting.
Nine spoke as if it was nothing concerning. Hearing that, Celica's face slightly clouded. She unintentionally pointed her lips like she was pouting.


The scent of grass riding on the fresh wind floated past. While tucking her wind tousled hair behind her ears, Celica gazed at the city and smiled.
"I think it'd be better if you stay a bit longer. Aren't you still tired?"


"This place is nice, isn't it? I come here from time to time. Though sometimes I get surprised by the sudden strong wind."
"She's right, Nine. How about getting home for today?"


Hakumen didn't reply, choosing to remain silent.
Together with Celica, Trinity also spoke worryingly to Nine.


There was a weighty feeling about the suffocating silence, but Celica didn't pay it any heed even for a bit.
However, like Trinity and Celica had expected, Nine didn't have the same agreement.


They didn't often talk, but Hakumen was always like this. Basically, he would just respond to unnecessary talk with silence. He would only speak if it was about the Black Beast.
"It's alright. Once I've done the usual stuff, I'll be sure to get a rest. Then let's go, Trinity. Nirvana, I'll leave Celica in your care."


Celica raised her chin and looked up at Hakumen. He was fairly tall compared to Celica. Looking at him for a long time would make her neck sore.
As soon as she finished speaking, Nine, fully resolved, turned her body around.


The white mask must have noticed Celica's gaze, but he didn't turn his face. He faced Ishana in silence as though he was a decoration.
Trinity could only sigh and lightly drop her shoulders.


"But... it's strange."
Celica frowned from being both worried and astonished. Really, she thought, she won't listen once she started speaking.


The lawn rustled by wind urged Celica to continue her muttering.
In exchange of nodding, Nirvana went beside Celica as ordered by Nine.


"Why did I mistake Hakumen-san for him? Your appearance and atmosphere are completely different."
Once she confirmed that by taking a glance, Nine opened the door and turned back to Celica.


But there was something similar. She wondered what it could be.
"Get a good rest, okay?"


She would have a bit of trouble answering if she were asked what that was. The voice, demeanor, and body language were different. The resemblance was more obscure, an awfully subjective one.
"You too, Onee-chan."


If she really tried to put it into words... it was his scent, possibly his warmth.
Although she got a reply, Nine didn't pay a slightest attention to it and came out of the patient room as her long hair fluttered.


If she said that, even Hakumen might laugh at her thinking she was a dog or something. Celica had never witnessed him laughing. Surely no one else ever had.
That was why Celica put a word to Trinity instead.


Immediately imagining it, he surely would look clumsy. Celica spontaneously giggled at that thought.
"Trinity-san, please take care of Onee-chan."


As if responding to her voice, Hakumen made a slight motion as he turned his neck. The white mask was looking at Celica.
"Yes, of course~."


"——Ragna."
Trinity gave a slight bow and disappeared to the hallway as she followed Nine.


The muffled voice resounded in a low tone.
When the door silently closed, the sound of footsteps became distant.


Celica stared in wonder.
"I don't want Onee-chan to get hospitalized, too... Right, Nirvana?"


He repeated the name Celica had mistakenly called him. He had only spoke, and yet it sounded like there was a hidden emotion in the name he muttered that didn't suit the expressionless swordsman.
Celica and Nirvana were left alone within the white and simple hospital room.


Fixing the angle of his head toward Celica, Hakumen asked assertively.
Nirvana stood still beside the bed with her large, clear eyes looking at nowhere.


"I've heard you say the name before. Did you mean ''Ragna the Bloodedge''?"
Looking at her inorganic but feminine face from the side, Celica let loose the strength in her shoulders and smiled.


"Bloodedge...? Nope. I only know him as ''Ragna''."
"Thank you, Nirvana. You're also always on my side."


"Nevertheless... You did meet a man called Ragna, didn't you?"
Nirvana answered with a breathless, silent reply. But instead of words, her large eyes looked at Celica.


"Yup, I met him. I don't know if he's the same person you're thinking about, but he's tall and has white hair. It seems he could only see with his left eye, but his eye color was clear green."
They were artificial eyes that didn’t carry any thought, but Celica felt a sense of security within them.


Mixed with the gentle wind that flowed, she could hear that Hakumen inhale slightly.
Celica rotated her shoulders that were stiff because she had been sleeping too much, and then put her head on the pillow.


Celica reflexively opened her eyes wide. It was the first time she had seen Hakumen astonished.
Her mind was still in daze, but this way, her memories would slowly and steadily become clear if she put enough time to think it through.


"Perhaps Ragna is your acquaintance?"
That day. The day when Black Beast put an end to the white sky by materializing itself. The day when humanity challenged the absolute despair with their strength.


Pressing her inquiry, Celica watched for Hakumen's reaction, deeply focusing on his white mask.
What was happened? What did she see? What did she sense at the endless wasteland?


But without saying anything, Hakumen averted his face from her. He once again faced the city, remaining silent. Viewing his face from the side, it seemed he refused to give an answer.
That time, the Black Beast approached Celica until it was really close to her. Inside its ridiculously large body... Inside those glowing red eyes in the darkness...


Celica had a slight wry smile. This behavior was more what she was used to.
Celica felt his presence without a doubt.


But since he didn't leave, perhaps it meant that there was no problem in her continuing to talk. Since he indicated no readiness to reply, Celica continued on her own.
"I think... I'll sleep for a bit."


"By the way, I came here since I felt that Ragna was here. Since I can't sense people's power like Onee-chan can, I wonder what's actually happening... I suddenly felt a warmth like the feeling that Ragna had."
She pulled her blanket and rubbed her cheeks to the pillow. While closing her eyes, Celica spoke to Nirvana who was on her side.


Celica gently put her hands on her chest. The feeling she sensed back at the courtyard was still lingering there. With just that small feeling, faint happiness soaked in her whole body. It made Celica spontaneously smile broadly.
Although she should have slept for five days, Celica was immediately hit with drowsiness. It made her eyelids heavy.


"Since Ragna always kept his chin up at all times, doesn't that mean he's the sort of person who always looks forward? No matter how strong the wind was blowing, his feet stayed firm and wouldn't move even a step. That's my image of him. That's why just thinking that I'm next to him makes me feel like i'm being protected."
"...Thanks for saving me back then."


After her short speech, Celica gave a small laugh. Her ponytail drawing an arc, she looked up at Hakumen.
After she softly whispered and closed her heavy eyelids, Celica slept like an infant as she got overwhelmed by the wave of drowsiness.


"Oh, what am I saying? I'm the only one who thinks about him. He actually did protect me once, too. I wonder if the Ragna you know is someone different."


If possible, she wanted to hear what Hakumen thought of Ragna.


However, she didn't sense anything from Hakumen besides his slight breathing. He was absolutely still as if he were a sculpture erected on top of the hill. On the contrary, his long silver hair, which waving slightly as it was blown by the wind, looked out of place.


"Hakumen-san?"


She asked again to be sure. But the response was still obstinate silence.


Celica suddenly noticed. Hakumen was no longer looking at the city.


His face was facing the beautiful cityscape, but his chin was retracted. His appearance was that of a man sequestered in deep, deep thought.
There was almost no people inside the hallway of Ishana's general hospital. It was a clear and sunny noon. A gentle mood was drifting about even inside the hospital.


===Part 3===
Within such situation, Nine was walking while clad in grim atmosphere that made her hard to be approached.


The noise of the wind and the voice of Celica who was speaking right beside him didn't reach Hakumen.
"...Nine."


His hearing only picked up the one name that had been mentioned several times. It made a ripple on the surface of the water of his thoughts.
Trinity followed after the footsteps of heels that were advancing with constant pace.


Ragna.
Trinity called her in moderate manner, but it was also filled with determination.


Ragna the Bloodedge.
But Nine didn't lower her pace nor look at Trinity. Instead, she answered while making a tense and expressionless face.


It was a name that couldn't be forgotten even if he tried to. A name that had been etched on the basis of his memory.
"I'll explain it later. So don't ask anything right now."


If he had the face of a human and eyes at the appropriate place, Hakumen would have frowned.
Since Nine spoke so, Trinity didn't press it any further. When Nine didn't want to speak... When she decided not to speak... then she would shut her mouth like a clamshell. Instead, if someone wanted to open it forcibly, then they should drive her into a corner.


(Why... Why was Nii-san here? In this age...?)
Like a clamshell that got passed through fire over and over again, until Nine opened her mouth herself, Trinity had no choice but to wait.


The man he had once called brother. Ragna the Bloodedge.
"I understand. But Nine, please don't bear everything on your own~."


In this time, he definitely shouldn't exist.
Nine didn't give a response.


However, Trinity's words made Nine frowned in pain for a moment. Seeing it made Trinity concerned.


===Part 4===


Five days ago, the Mage's Guild was suddenly in uproar after a large-scale battle with the Black Beast took place. It had resumed its activity for the first time in a year.


The number of people who were coming and going became increased. The amount of the gathered intelligence skyrocketed. The total visitor from foreign countries grew frequently.


Every day, debates and consultations were being taken all over the place... The gathering of people was stuffed with opinions so many that it looked like a whirlpool.


With what was going on in Mage's Guild, the Cathedral was the only sole location that had remained in peacefulness.


——It was the time when Hakumen was not ''Hakumen''. Perhaps his last consecutive memory.
Nine rapidly walked toward the Cathedral along with Trinity, pushing her way through the glaring sunlight that went through trees. The savagery called war that was happening in the world was completely irrelevant to her.


The last memory of the time when he was once named ''Jin''.
There was no guard or even a figure of person in the surroundings.


Nine treaded that sight of fairy tales in long steps. Then, she opened the double door of the Cathedral gently.


When she entered, she was served with the view of the upper floors that completed the appearance of a church's hall. It was well suited with Cathedral's outward looks. Faint lights were coming in from the small windows. They painted the hall with light ashen tint.


The recollection began with scorching red.
There were already visitors inside.


Whirling flames, surging heat. Although he was showered by the scattering spray of lava, they oddly weren't hot.
They were Jubei, Valkenhayn, Terumi, and Hakumen.


In a place deep underground where an artificial volcano named ''The Cauldron'' was created, he——Jin threw himself into said Cauldron. For the sake of saving a person who had fallen.
They should have entered her vision, but Nine acted like she didn't see them anyway and kept walking forward.


"NII-SAN!"
She was heading to the inner side of the hall. A statue of beautiful woman wearing long gown was standing there.


With his beautiful golden hair disheveled, with his jade eyes burning in flames, his voice broke as he shouted. Pushing his way through the heat, he extended his arm.
The Mage's Guild called her as ''The Creator''. Nine got down on her knees and bowed like what a pilgrim would do in front of the statue.


There were silhouettes ahead of him in the direction he sought. The body of a large man and one of a small woman. The two of them were lying on top of another as if caught in an embrace. They were connected by a huge sword, piercing their bodies like a giant stake. Similar to a gliding bird, they went into freefall.
She closed her eyelids and prayed.


Jin wanted to stop the man. But his voice was swallowed by the roaring wind and his flailing arm couldn't reach him.
"…Heh. So you pray to god? Interesting."


The woman was smiling. That woman had snatched the man Jin called brother.
Terumi, who was discreetly leaning on the wall near the door, sneered at her. But his words didn't reach Nine's consciousness.


He wasn't close enough that she could see him, yet her red eyes were glaring and looking up at Jin. Her face twisted into something hideous while letting out a shrill laugh. The deafening voice echoed inside his skull.
Watching attentively to her best friend's gesture, Trinity also joined her hands together and offered a prayer.


Shut up. Stop laughing.
During that very moment, the Cathedral received a worth of virtue that befitted its name.


Jin cried as he was engulfed in roaring wind and flame. Hatred and murderous thoughts gushed up from the bottom of his stomach.
When her prayer was finished, Nine slowly stood up.


"I will never... ever forgive you! NEVER!"
That moment marked the end of the calming tranquility.


The apparently endless fall suddenly transformed.
A genuine sense of urgency appeared as the replacement.


The figures that were solid until then melted and blended into one. The man and woman who were united by a sword lost their features and transformed into a black, writhing mass. Gradually swelling, it expanded and swallowed the surroundings. Inside the darkness, bright red eyes that shone in a sinister fashion could be seen.
It was still quiet all the same, but the rigidness had changed.


As soon as he saw it, a needle of ice penetrated Jin's spine.
"Well then, let us hear it."


At the same time, countless words of denial rushed through his mind.
Valkenhayn spoke gloomy while facing Nine's back.


''Inexcusable.''
"Just what is causality weapon... and Takemikazuchi in that regard?"


''It mustn't be allowed to exist. It mustn't be deemed to exist.''
That was the main reason they gathered here presently.


The denials were the impulse of his instinct. In the accumulation of them, his will and ego were crushed to nothingness.
The only person who had the answer was Nine.


In the end, the mass that contained his brother and the hated woman tried to take the shape of something...
But those lips of her didn't immediately tell the truth even while being showered with expectations and stares from her vicinity. Rather, they were shut tightly as she dropped her gaze toward the deep color of wood grain under her feet.


Jin, together with the black mass, fell down into the blazing flames.
The dubious silence was because of her hesitation.


Trinity sensed it as easily as she would breathe. But since she herself desired to know about it, Trinity urged the friend who was grinding her teeth with a smile.


"I think it was created by Nine... She said it not too long ago, didn't she?"


Lured by the cold wind, he opened his eyes. There were no flames nor heat... What appeared before his eyes was the stretched, emotionless sky full of stars.
They heard it on the battlefield.


The figure of his brother was nowhere to be seen.
Nine spoke of it while holding the fainted Celica as all of her magic power got absorbed. It happened after Takemikazuchi, having done its job, vanished after its target, the Black Beast, escaped.


The same for the red-eyed woman, and the black mass he had seen.
Thinking back at that moment made Trinity's chest slightly painful.


But there stood a girl beside him. A girl that resembled the moon.
If the titan was created by Nine, then what had caused her precious sister to stay unconscious for a few days would be her own creation.


"Mr. Hero. How would you like to become a real hero?"
If that was true, then she must be blaming herself. Actually, there was no mistaking that she was blaming herself. Trinity thought that it was understandable that she wasn't very communicative.


Jin didn't know how to answer the enigmatic question. He couldn't recall the correct words.
However, they needed to hear it in order to get an understanding on what they should do from now on.


But when the girl expressed a bewitching smile that didn't seem to match her girlish appearance at all, she summoned a suffocating scent of roses and whisked Jin away from that place.
"...Yes, I made it. Rather, it might be better to say that it's been revived."


Teleportation——.
A refreshing air blew. Nine suppressed her emotions and answered with stiff voice.


The moment he felt it, Jin lost consciousness once more.
Still facing Nine's straightened back, Valkenhayn took a large step forward. His gaze was very stern.


"What do you mean by revived?"


"Simply put, causality weapon is an imitation of a technology that had existed long ago. What I did was reviving it."


The floor was hit by Nine's heel and made a small noise.


When Valkenhayn continued to walk a few steps away from Trinity, Nine finally turned around.


Her gaze gradually regained its composure.


"...Remember the place where the Black Beast was born?"


When he regained consciousness again, Jin was lying in the bed of a strange room.
Like a teacher, Nine started by asking a question. Her intelligent eyes followed after the question by looking at every one of them. It was Jubei who answered.


In the forefront of his vision was a dull colored ceiling, harmonized by a chandelier that seemingly had a flower and ivy motif.
"It's the ''Cauldron'', ain't it?"


The room was spacious. It was furnished with moderately luxurious but good quality furniture. The faint scent must have been roses. The bedding was also considerably first-rate, it bore the illusion that one would sink if they were to lie there for too long.
"That's right. So if we're going to investigate the Black Beast, then inspecting the Cauldron is also necessary. I don't really know about it and it isn't something I should reveal, but... there's one in Ishana, or Mage's Guild to be exact."


The air fluctuated suddenly.
When she said it, Nine looked at her feet.


Along with the sound of a door opening, someone entered. There was only one set of footsteps. Slipping through the door, a quiet wind and rose fragrance entered the room.
"It's beneath this Cathedral. Even then, the location is considered as peculiar."


The footsteps stopped beside Jin along with the sound of wheels turning. After a short pause, a hoarse voice spoke gently.
Intrigued, Trinity also dropped her gaze down. She looked baffled.


"It seems you have awakened."
"So there's a Cauldron underneath the Cathedral... I've heard rumors about some important secret that's hidden in Mage's Guild before. Is it referring to that Cauldron?"


Barely hearing it, Jin tried to move his neck. He found he could only look around by moving his eyes.
"I think so. A lot of things are being kept in this Cathedral, but the Cauldron is the most confidential among them."


There was the figure of an old man beside the bed. A wrinkled face with a long white beard, and lengthy grey hair in addition.
It was a violation to speak of the secret to outsider even if they were comrades in arm.


The old man was severely thin and looked very tired. His neck and arms looked like dead branches and his cheeks held the moss. That said, the old man was wrapped in noble attire that was breathtaking.
But the situation right now was special. After all, the people in this place who didn't know about the Cauldron were just Trinity and Hakumen.


He was sitting in a wheelchair. The sound of wheels Jin's ears picked up earlier must have belonged to it.
Including Nine, the other four had learned the existence of Cauldron by their own circumstances.


"It is a pleasure to meet you. My name is Clavis Alucard. This man is my butler, Valkenhayn R. Hellsing."
Before continuing, Nine stole a glance to the two people who had previously trespassed inside and making an outrage.


A voice that shook the air gently, like a ripple on the surface of water.
The two people she was glaring at were Valkenhayn and Terumi.


With red eyes filled with the accumulated wisdom and dignity of many generations, Clavis hinted toward the restrained, well built man stood behind him.  
"I've been looking into that Cauldron during the one year Black Beast was dormant. I thoroughly examined the plausible materials that's hidden by Mage's Guild, from the Great Library up to the books that are buried within the Cathedral. Anyway, I've gone through all of them."


After that, he proceeded to reach out his hand to a tiny silhouette at his side.
"All... of them?"


"This child is Rachel Alucard. ...She is the one who brought you to this castle."
Trinity sighed with great admiration.


Clavis put his hand on the shoulder of the girl. It was the bewitching girl who had smiled before Jin lost consciousness, below the starry sky and annoyingly dazzling moon.
Even focusing on those 'plausible materials' Nine spoke of, the number of books should have passed over what a person could read in a year. The book collection of Mage's Guild was just that colossal.


But something was different. Jin thought instinctively.
In addition, Nine had been comprehensively reading that many books while developing Armagus at the same time.


It could be the appearance, the age, or even her very existence. He was certain that she was the girl from that time, but he had a feeling that something was fundamentally different.
No, those weren't all of them. Nine completed the topic of this conversation, Takemikazuchi, over the course of her investigation.


Jin gathered a little strength and knitted his brows.
Thinking about it again made it seemed impossible.


It wasn't just the girl. This place was anomalous. These people, the drifting air... even the flow of time.
"Anythin' interestin'?"


"Where am I...?"
Jubei turned his head as he asked.


Placing his jarring arms to each side of his body, Jin tried to get up. However, even though his arms were moving, they slipped, unable to achieve any power as if they were hollow pipes.
Nine folded her arms under her voluptuous chest as if embracing herself.


It wasn't just his arms. It was like his whole body had been replaced with wooden doll. He even had to muster his whole strength just to move his lips.
"Long time ago... during the era that's called as the beginning, humanity was in a war with ''something''. And so, I've found the records regarding it. The opponent seems a nuisance since common weapons couldn't hurt it. Then, although the scale is smaller than the previous one..."


Toward the appalled Jin, the gentle voice spoke again.
In the middle of her story, Terumi made a big yawn. Nine gave a scornful glance at him and attempted to brush his rudeness away by continuing regardless.


"You ought not do anything excessive. Let alone getting up, your body cannot move as you please. It is quite amazing just for you to have woken up in this short period of time."
"Although the scale is smaller than the war in the beginning, there was a same kind of war between humanity and ''something'' several hundred years ago. It resembles our current battle with the Black Beast."


"Short period of time?"
Nine removed her gaze from Jubei to the wolf man who had a firm physique. Her blinking eyes had profound significance.


"It should be seven days in human time... When you were carried to this castle, you were gravely injured. The external wounds were treated by Valkenhayn, but you slipped into a comatose state due to your injuries."
Her lips slightly made a smile. It was too sharp to be a simple smile.


After speaking that much, Clavis smiled and looked at Jin with eyes like he was admiring a kitten taking its first steps.
"...Perhaps we might have someone nearby who's familiar with the incident."


"Do not force yourself. Try not to get up."
Valkenhayn wasn't that oblivious to not understand what her words and gaze meant. His already sullen face grew even more sullen as one of his brow was lifted.


He lectured Jin once again.
Because of the angle, a diagonal shadow was taking place on his masculine face.


For a moment, a glint of clear irritation passed over Jin. But looking at Clavis' peaceful gaze made his body lose its strength. Jin sank into his bed as if giving up. His fatigue and dizziness gave him the impression that it would be futile even if he struggled.
"I do not know what you are expecting, but Clavis-sama never told me everything. I have been serving Clavis-sama for almost a hundred years. I have no opportunity to learn what happened before that."


After being certain he had relaxed, Clavis answered Jin's first question.
"Hmph. I see."


"This place is my castle. It does not belong anywhere in the world. It is also connected to every dark night of the world... A place that exists but is also nonexistent. Similar to the other side of the moon."
Nine replied with an emphasis that was far from agreeing. Valkenhayn turned his grim face away from her. Meanwhile, Terumi watched them and grinned while leaning on the wall.


The words he spoke were too obscure even for a fairy tale. But mysteriously they managed to sound logical for human interpretation.
The chapel within the Cathedral was wide. Any voice would get absorbed by the ceilings.


At the very least, Jin had a vague understanding of it. Taking a deep breath, he spoke his next question.
Nine's voice didn't reach the ceiling and vanished. As if following after it, Trinity asked a question while having uncomfortable expression.


"...Why am I here?"
"That war existed? ...But I've never heard anything about it until now, even within the Mage's Guild."


"Well, then. I do not know the details either. But young man, it appears that you have crossed the Boundary. The remaining damage to your flesh are all the result of crossing over it."
"Yes. It wasn't something that's written in your everyday history of Mage's Guild. I found the description inside the books which are stored in the Cathedral."


"Boundary..."
"Then, it must be something that's hidden from the world."


Just what is the Boundary? It seemed to be a word he should have known, but Jin didn't understand much about it for some reason. No, that was incorrect. He knew the 'information' regarding the meaning of the word Boundary. How could he know about it? Where did he obtain that knowledge?
"That seems to be the case. But in addition to the book's description, I found the legacy of the war."


In the first place, just who was he? Clavis said that he arrived here after passing through the Boundary. But where was he and what was he doing before then? ...He didn't know.
Nine gently spoke and gave a nod to her friend. Her expression got a bit stiffened when she said the latter words.


His mind was blurry. He wanted to put his hand on his forehead, but the hand wouldn't move.
Legacy. In other words, the evidence of history.


He heard a sympathetic sigh from Clavis.
Nine brushed away her long hair with the back of her hand.


"Are your memories in chaos? Perhaps that is also because you have been heavily affected by the Boundary. There is an enormous amount of information drifting in the Boundary. When your spirit connected with it, your individual memories as well as personality were swept away by the excessive knowledge. To put it simply, you cannot remember yourself well enough."
"I've found the weapon that had been used to fight that ''something'' in Ishana."


With the noise of clothes rustling, Clavis lightly moved his hands from the wheelchair's handles onto his knees.
A weapon created by humanity to fight the ''something'' that couldn't be damaged by conventional weapons at start.


Looking away from the sluggish gesture, Jin turned his gaze toward the ceiling. The light of the chandelier was awfully distant. It made it feel lifeless.
"Your village has the same kind of weapon, doesn't it?"


Clavis' drowsy voice continued.
Her question was directed to Jubei. He was deeply aware that Nine didn't have any ill intention, but Jubei unconsciously frowned.


"Crossing the Boundary is very dangerous. It is a wonder for an ordinary man to even retain his flesh. Even if it remained, one would lose himself as his will became engulfed by the Boundary. ...It appears that you possess a very strong spirit."
"Hihi'irokane..."


Strong spirit. Those words were oddly amusing. Jin spat it out by taking a breath.
The ancient weapon itself originated from the age of beginning and had been handed down within Jubei's family.


If he truly possessed that thing, then —— wouldn't be ——.  
It wasn't currently in the possession of Jubei's family for a reason, but Jubei never knew that it was intended to fight that ''something'' which resembled Black Beast.


(...Who... What was it?)
"The one I found in Ishana was more recently made. According to the few remains of record, its name is..."


The floating thought dispersed at once before it formed a shape inside his mind. He couldn't grasp it. It was just he felt that he had lost something... Something that absolutely mustn't be lost.
Before Nine could tell the name of the relic...


His head was heavy. He spontaneously closed his eyelids. With his vision shut in the dark, a spectacle was resurrected as if it had been waiting patiently.
"...The Sealed Weapon Izayoi."


Red flames, burning air, falling figures... and then red eyes.
Hakumen murmured and shook the heavy atmosphere.


For the present Jin, it was his last and only clear memories.
His monologue collided with Nine's words that had been flowing until now.


"Black... I saw a black mass. Where is that thing?"
"Wh-. How did you..."


That's right, a black mass. At the same time as he remembered, the emotions he had when he witnessed it were overflowing, gushing forth anew.
How did he know its name?


''That being shouldn't be allowed to exist.''
Nine was supposedly going to say that, but she was interrupted by the sudden noise of door being opened.


Jin's spine was shivering as his memories, along with thought, got swept away. Even his ego was engulfed by the impulse. It wasn't because of terror. If he put it into words then it would be murderous intent.
Several men stormed in... along with a pair of man and woman with triangular hats on their heads. They were Seven and Nine.


"That being is the Black Beast... It materialized from the Boundary. A being that is destroying the world."
"Bringing outsiders to the sacred Cathedral? How could you even be this thoughtless, Nine?"


Clavis' voice gently wrapped up the burning negative feelings.
Dragging a long mantle, Eight took a large step forward. Her lips that were painted with glossy lipstick smiled calmly as if in triumph.


"It seems it appeared in this world one month ago. After singlehandedly forcing a small island country into catastrophe, it presently rampages around the world searching for further destruction."
Then she lightly jerked her chin, ordering the men to surround Nine and the others. Judging from their uniform and air, they were all from Mage's Guild.


"It must..."
Hakumen lowered his posture and grabbed the long sword on his back.


Slipping from his thoughts, Jin's mouth moved on its own and spoke. The words didn't completely sound; they didn't even reach Jin's ears himself. But as for the meaning of the enveloping emotions, it was too obvious not only to Jin, but also Clavis.
But before he could declare his intention to strike, Seven spoke indifferently.


''It must be killed.''
"You must have known what will happen should your comrades do something foolish like struggling... Don't you, Nine of the Ten Sages?"


Jin clenched his teeth. His molars grating against one another made a noise. The inner corner of his eyes were burning.
Seven was implying that any resistance would make her regretted it.


It was terribly confusing. Merely yielding to that confusion made the desire to immediately rush away from this place rampage inside his body.
Since Hakumen seemed to disregard it and ready to plunge anytime, Jubei held him back with his hand.


He himself didn't have any kind of intention, but he felt bad as if his body was taking control and doing as it pleased.
Although Hakumen didn't show an immediate reaction, he eventually stopped showing his hostility and took his hand off of the long sword.


His head aching, Jin grimaced severely.
To make sure of it, Seven lightly stroke the air with the palm of his hand.


Watching the situation quietly, Clavis continued to speak.
A metallic noise rang. Circles with dull light appeared and restrained Nine's body and both of her wrists. In addition to restricting her movement, the magic could prevent her from using her own magic.


"Young man. This is still the time for you to recuperate. If you take a rest for a little bit more, you will be able to get up. Perhaps some of your memories will also return. If the time comes, if you still have the will to stand... there is a place I intend to show you."
"You've been summoned by the Committee of Hearing."


"What...?"
"The Committee of Hearing?"


"Until then, please rest to your heart's content. The reason you're here is because your destiny has not yet concluded."
Eight said it while blinking her long eyelashes. When she said that, Nine finally opened her mouth and asked. Her gaze stayed composed, not showing the fluctuation of her emotions. But her voice had deep suspicion.


After he said that, Clavis casted his gaze to the silent Valkenhayn at his back as if urging him.
There was no organization within Mage's Guild that had a name like Committee of Hearing. Even if there was one, then it would be the Ten Sages.


Still with a gloomy expression, Valkenyhayn handled the wheelchair with a delicate manner that didn't suit his build and left the room with Clavis.
But since Eight, who was a Ten Sage, deliberately mentioned a different name... It seemed there was another organization separated from Ten Sages that had the position to influence the management of Mage's Guild.


The girl who was following, Rachel, silently halted her feet in front of the door for a moment. With the ribbons in her long golden hair swinging, she looked back at Jin.
Nine frowned for a moment.


The big red eyes of a doll were staring at Jin.
"I shall be your escort."


But without saying anything, the girl's eyes continued to gleam with that cold color. Then a wind blew unexpectedly and in a flash the girl vanished to the hallway.
A Mage's Guild personnel told Nine in a somewhat stiff voice and started walking to urge her to do the same.


With the door closed the room was peacefully silent.
Before they went, Trinity stood in the way by butting in and spread both of her arms.


Jin glared at the solid wood of the door from his bed.
"Please wait. Why did you cast a binding on Nine? Can you just take her normally?"


''I couldn't——.''
"There is no need for you to know. It would be wise to abide the instruction from Ten Sages, Platinum the Trinity."


The broken thought came in contact with the broken memories, revealing a whisper of regret.
"But...!"


''Your destiny has not yet concluded.''
Seven talked like it was a common sense. Trinity glared at him, which was unlike her usual self.


Clavis' words echoed deep within his chest. Feeling annoyed by it, Jin fell asleep before long as if fainting.
However, as if pushing her best friend away, Nine stepped forward.


"It's okay, Trinity. I'll be fine, so don't be concerned."


"What do you mean by fine? You are a Ten Sage. Even if they're one too, they can't treat you like a criminal without telling any reason..."


Nine of the Ten Sages wasn't someone who should get that kind of treatment. Nine had more achievements than anyone else in the whole world in regards to the fight against Black Beast.


Trinity complained while clutching both hands to fists. A grief could be heard in her words.


Nine made a strained smile and shrugged her shoulders.


"There's just going to be some awfully old folks complaining at me. If I bothered myself with these guys every single time, I'd only get tired."


"...n. Hakumen-san!"
Guessing that she was included in 'these guys' Nine spoke about, Eight got irritated and urged Nine to get hurry.


What had pulled up Hakumen from sinking endlessly into the lake of thought might be the voice of the girl who seemed to repeatedly calling to him while lightly hitting his arm, or perhaps it was the chimes of a bell sounding that the time was 3 o'clock before vanishing as if absorbed by the distant sky.
After taking a glance at Eight, Nine slowly got her face closer to Trinity as if to hug her. Nine smiled at her while pretending not to hear herself being called. Then, she got close to Trinity's ear so that she would be the only one who could hear her instruction.


While his five senses were readjusting to the here and now, Hakumen turned his face toward the worried girl stood next to him who was looking up at him.
"This is a good chance to investigate this organization. If anything happens..."


As he moved, Celica sighe a breath of relief and smiled.
If there was one thing Nine would be worried about during emergency, it would be Celica.


"Thank god. I thought something was wrong since you were completely still."
"...Understood."


After she said that, she noticed that she was still touching his arm. Then Celica retracted her hand behind her back while making a mischievous face.
Trinity also made a mild expression so as not to give off tension.


Not minding it, Hakumen turned his head. What the white mask was seeing was the Mage's Guild that was located at the center of Ishana's townscape.
Nine brushed off her long hair to her back with her restrained hand and started to walk. Soon, she was surrounded by the men from Mage's Guild to block any escape route.


"...It seems to have ended."
Then, Nine Looked over her shoulder from within the small ring of people and left some words of warning.


Lowly murmuring, he turned on his heels with the long silver hair on his head fluttering. Each time he stepped forward, the lush lawn made a noise.
"I'll say it again: do not make unnecessary commotion. Understand?"


Before he went too far, Celica immediately chased after him.
The tone of her voice was mainly emphasized toward Hakumen.


"Wha, wait up. You're going to Onee-chan's place, right? I'll go with you!"
However, she couldn’t tell whether the person in question noticed it or not since he didn't give any reaction.


Hakumen didn't give a reply, but he slightly shortened his large steps. Stepping after him, Celica jogged to catch up with a light trot.
"Be careful, Nine."


As if urging both of their shadows to leave the hill, a strong gust of wind blew through.
Jubei warned her with a  low voice. The bridge of his nose was wrinkled, showing his discontent. Nine gave him a smile. After that, she started to walk like she was bringing along the Guild members around her instead. Then she left the Cathedral behind, along with Seven and Eight.


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Latest revision as of 04:03, 5 June 2024

Chapter 1: Battlefield with Blue Sky[edit]

Part 1[edit]

The sound emitted from the door being vigorously opened was reverberating within the dim and silent hall.

The white light from the outside went inside the dark room. It drew bands of light on the stone floor.

"We did it! We finally did it! We managed to make the miracle no one could've ever done into reality!"

The first footsteps that vibrated on the tall ceiling sounded to be light, as if the owner was dancing.

The light that came from the door slightly made the dim room to be visible. There was a slim woman turning around. Her exceedingly tall heels made a joyful rhythm.

Together, the dress and mantle that was decorated with luxurious fur depicted the silhouette of her supple legs. A necklace holding large gemstones on her chest lightly bouncing as she was still being emotional.

"Aah, it still gives me thrills recalling it now. What tremendous strength! It repelled the nemesis of humanity, the monster that terrorized the whole world in one blow. Can you believe it? We did all that...!"

The feminine voice was lively. She clapped her hands and held it as if praying. She put her words together while letting her unbearable excitement out. It looked like her cheeks were reddened from her spirit even in the darkness.

"With this, the UN and Orbis Librarius Norma will no longer ignore our complaints. No, that won't be all. The Mage's Guild, the other Ten Sages... and that girl. Did you saw Nine's face back then!? It was the best!"

At the end of the sight of the talking woman was the owner of another footstep.

A man with refined looks, golden hair flowing on his back, and sparkling ice blue eyes behind the thin lens of his glasses.

The man had a truly composed pace, contrast with the joyful smile from the brilliant lips of the woman. He treaded the constant band of lights on the floor to the shadow of the door.

"That is not something to speak out loud. It does not mean everything is over."

The composed answer from the man made the woman snorted her nose in discontent.

"Why do you look so calm? You should be glad even for a little."

The woman's teasing voice had a tone that implied that they at least had the right to do that.

The man didn't answer and only took a glance with his composed look. But there was a faint smile on his mouth.

——Black Beast.

It put the whole world in the brink of destruction. The colossal black monster that clearly showed the meaning of despair to humanity. Whatever the latest weapon humanity had was unable to hurt it. They had been driven to corner toward destruction by the nightmarish demon... until now. They finally managed to repel it successfully.

An achievement that was obtained by none other than the pair of man and woman who had purple hats on their heads.

The world had discovered a hope. It had secured the power to fight. Destruction wasn't the only end they had anymore. They could fight from now on.

It was them who had showed it to the world.

"I don't know if she's a real genius or not. But in the end, that girl couldn't use her strength properly. If she can't arrive at the essential judgment within time of necessity, then she can't guide the world."

"Hmph... I will agree with you regarding that point."

"Don't talk so cynical. But whatever. After all, I'm in extremely good mood today."

Directing both hands toward the sky like when a stage actress singing, the woman spun once around the spot. Her loud voice was absorbed by the tall ceiling as it rung.

Suddenly... another voice could be heard there.

"It seems you're in a very high spirits."

The voice was even deeper inside the dim hall. It could be heard coming from the direction of some obscured shadow. A voice that was cold like the surrounding stone wall, but was also lukewarm that it invited unpleasant chills.

Uneasiness instantly passed over the woman's face as she turned around.

The figure was blended in shadow. However, she soon understood the situation. She recognized the owner of the presence that shouldn't have been there until just now.

The number of people who could appeared in this place without them noticing it was very limited.

"...You."

It was the man who let out a somewhat unpleasant voice.

Presently, there was a clear sensation that someone was standing at the location where the presence suddenly appeared. The figure was invisible since it was deep within the shadow. But there was no question regarding the person, no, the you that the man spoke of.

The woman furrowed her brows in suspicion and also took a gaze at the shadow. Her excitement had already lost its fever. It could have been easily overlooked but presently, a cautiousness toward the person in the shadow sparkled within her eyes for a slight moment.

The man calmly passed beside her with composed manner. He continued on until he was just beside the shadow of the hall.

"For the time being, I should declare my gratitude. It was thanks to your cooperation that we have managed to summon it successfully."

He confronted the visible darkness that looked like no one was there. That demeanor looked bizarre at a glance.

"Your gratitude is too much. I, too, was able to see something so precious."

What the man inside the shadow was smiling about was reflected from the presence. There was no facial expression to see, but an eerie feeling was drifting somehow.

"Nevertheless, Takemikazuchi sure has amazing power. Much like the rumor."

"Naturally. It was invented in order to bring down the Black Beast. Back then, an unnecessary device was in the way... but it will not be the same way next time."

"Unnecessary device? Ah, you’re talking about the doll?"

The voice from the shadow whispered softly as though talking to their hearts.

Slight hints of annoyance passed over the man's serene ice blue eyes.

"...She is an irritating woman all to the end. We missed a great opportunity because of it."

"That's right. If not for that, there won't be anything for humanity to be afraid of by now."

The woman grimaced with a face full of frustration compared to the man. She brushed off the hair on her shoulder to shake off her annoyance. At the same time, the large earrings on her ears jolted.

The presence inside the shadow let out a short laugh. It was unclear whether to soothe her or instead agitate her.

"Now, now. You shouldn't be rushing like that. The ownership of that thing... Takemikazuchi is certainly in the hands of the two of you. The opportunity should arrive soon. Isn't that right?"

The tone of voice that was like testing their feelings made both the man and woman wrinkled their brows.

Rather than a trap that was cleverly hidden, the presence's invisible real motive was more like a cryptic text that was casually thrown off as if to dare them to read what they could read. The person who couldn't predict it wouldn't be able to grasp whether what was lurking there was hostility or the exact opposite.

The people who were confronting the shadow were those unable to predict.

"...Can I ask you a question?"

Withdrawing her thorny fury that had been going on until now, the woman calmly asked. Her high heels hit the hard floor and made a noise as she glared at the unseen figure in the shadow.

"Yes, anything."

"How did you get the Orbis Librarius Norma to act? Just who you really are?"

"Oh no, you two. Don't be so cautious towards me."

The sharp gaze was not only from the woman, the man also attentively narrowed his eyes to ascertain the attitude of the presence lurking in the shadow.

Shrugging his shoulders as if they were being exaggerated, the presence in the shadow weakly laughed.

"In all sincerity, I ask of you to let me tell the necessary things during the times of need. Didn't it go smoothly because of that?"

"I wonder. You smell fishy for some reason."

The woman coldly muttered toward the freezing atmosphere.

But it didn't necessarily change anything for the presence that was blending in the shadow.

A shadow is still a shadow. The hands of mankind couldn't touch nor directly interfere with it. The owner of the presence was exactly similar to it.

The presence laughed again. With faint gentleness, without any ambition.

"Oh, how terrible. Please, put your trust on me. Haven't I been cooperating with you all this time?"

"...Okay?" the shadow asked. The voice somehow made the woman shiver for a moment.

Part 2[edit]

It was the outskirt of a wasteland.

There was no shadow of any vegetation. Not even a dead branch was lying around. It was nothing but scorched ground on and on.

Wind was inexistent. The air was really dry and mercilessly denied the land of moist. Not even a piece of cloud was floating in the sky.

However, the sky was unnaturally clear compared to the rest of the world. And not just of life, it was naught of any kind of pollution. ...The place was literally devoid of anything.

A few days ago, the place was a battlefield.

Between humanity and the Black Beast.

Currently, no soldier remained within this land that had forsaken the presence of any living being. Only cold void was drifting about in the vicinity.

But there were four figures standing, as if they had been left behind at the end of the world.

Standing on top of barren soil at a small hill, a silhouette was gazing forward. It was Hakumen. The white mask-wearing man had fought and swung his sword faster than anyone toward the approaching threat.

His expressionless face was looking down at a huge hole that spread on to the wilderness.

Before the battle from a few days ago, there was a flat cliff that acted like a wall. But along with the Black Beast, the former shape of the terrain vanished as it was scorched by a flash of ray.

There was a small figure around the edge of the odd, large hole. It was a beastkin warrior who had the appearance of a cat, Jubei. Wearing his war attire, he was also looking down at the scrapped ground.

"...No one’s gonna believe there was a town if they’re lookin’ at this."

This place was already abandoned a few days before the battle begin. But no matter how many traces of people remained... it surely had been turned to dust by that strike.

“If the angle had been slightly different, it might have decimated an actual town.”

The person who groaned bitterly was also standing around the edge of the hole like Jubei. The person was Valkenhayn, a middle aged man who was also a werewolf. Warping his exquisite looks into a grimace, he fixed his eyes on the empty space that had been scraped off.

On their west side was a range of rocky mountain. Beyond it was a small town that was still remained. The residents had already been evacuated, but it was fortunate that the town hadn’t met the sad fate of losing its form which had been built by the effort of mankind.

Contrarily speaking, there was a great chance of it happening.

"If it can be said as the effort of mankind... then what is the difference with Black Beast, along with those weapons humanity has created?"

Valkenhayn's deep voice was hoarse. The words he spat out contained anger.

Those words clouded the expression of a girl who stood behind Jubei and Valkenhayn in sadness.

The girl wore a robe that had a hood, with her fluffy platinum blonde hair flowing from it. The girl's name was Trinity Glassfille.

She held out the palm of her hands in front of her chest. There, a small magic circle appeared. She was analyzing the seithr on her surroundings.

Substituting for a measuring device, the magic indicated that there was no presence of seithr in the whole region of the wasteland.

"Nox Nyctores... Takemikazuchi."

The words that Trinity had spelled was the name of the weapon which had repelled the Black Beast and altered the wasteland's appearance.

The outrageous black titan came out from a magic circle that had appeared all of a sudden on the battlefield. It overturned the war in a single blow.

And somehow, it also wiped out the seithr on the vicinity along with the gust of flash.

The tremendous power she witnessed back then still vividly remained in Trinity's memories.

It wasn't just Trinity. It was the same for the awe-struck Jubei and the enraged Valkenhayn.

Hakumen was the only one who didn't give any hint of emotion. He had been silently gazing at the traces of the giant that remained on the ground.

"By the way, what's going on with Nine and Terumi?"

Valkenhayn asked the question while facing everybody.

The answer was given by the one who was nearest to him, Jubei.

"Nine's comin' back to Ishana while bringin' Celica. And Terumi should be goin' with them. What happens after that, I dunno."

"Celica-san... I wonder if she's alright..."

After she dispelled the observation magic, Trinity pressed her chest down as she was bothered by anxiety.

There were two other people who was involved in the battle that happened a few days ago. The two people were girls whom Trinity was well acquainted with. One was her best friend, Nine. The other was Nine's younger sister, Celica A. Mercury.

But Celica had completely lost her magic power and fainted.

It was still unknown if she would regain her consciousness.

"We should head back to Ishana at once. There is a need to discuss the reports and the next step that should be taken."

"Yer right. ...Just like Trinity, I'm worried about Celica too."

Agreeing to Valkenhayn's proposal, Jubei turned his back from the hollow ground.

The post-investigation that had started after all the army were withdrawn had also come to a point where there was nothing left to gather. No reason to stay in this place anymore.

But at that time, as if waiting for the right moment, more presences surrounded them simultaneously.

Even though the area was an open ground, there was no visible figure or silhouette.

Valkenhayn reflexively put on his guard.

Hakumen stepped down from high ground to protect Trinity. The long sword on his back brushed off the dust.

Jubei also drew his sword. However.

"...We're surrounded."

Jubei muttered while making a wry smile. Like he said, there was no escape for them.

Part 3[edit]

——Once she came to, she was standing on a white room.

There was nothing there. Not even floor, wall, or ceiling. But strangely, she was standing firmly as if her feet stepped on something.

It didn't feel cold.

But it didn't feel warm either.

No one was there. Celica looked around her surroundings within the vast, completely white room...

Where could this be?

Could this be a dream?

It felt like something she had seen before. But there was also a feeling that denied it.

As she was slowly taking a look, a rectangular object stood in front of her unnoticed.

A mirror.

Large enough for Celica's whole body to be reflected. Like it was made for her.

The Celica inside the mirror was wearing a familiar school uniform. It had light brown that was bundled at the top. There were also her favorite leather shoes on its feet. It was how she would look normally.

But sensing how strange it was somehow, Celica began to take a step forward.

From the other side of the mirror, the gentle brown eyes that resembled wet soils were looking at her.

It was bizarre.

Because... Even though the figure felt the same as her, she wondered if the reflection was her true self.

What is this?

Her question didn't get transformed into a voice. It dissolved into the whiteness of her surroundings while she was thinking.

She wanted to be sure. She thought she would understand if she touched it.

She raised an arm very slowly, reaching her hand to the mirror.

The figure in the far end side of the rectangular object even extended its hand.

The moment their outstretched fingertips tried to touch each other...

Celica woke up.




Feeling light shining from the other side of her eyelids, Celica slowly opened her eyes.

It seemed she had been sleeping.

But strangely, she wasn't sleeping in her own room. She was on top of a single bed in an unfamiliar square room.

The room had one window. The white lace curtains were shining bright as they received the light from outside. The weather outside seemed nice. Plenty of sunlight was warmly shining into the room.

The showering light was tranquil, and the blanket was cozy. Still feeling sleepy as she just woke up, Celica rubbed her heavy eyelids while straightening her body.

Then she immediately noticed. Her hand was being squeezed by someone.

There was no need to make sure who it was. There was a woman with long hair who had fallen asleep on top of the blanket that Celica had been sleeping in.

Hair that could make anyone envious. Shoulders that were unexpectedly delicate. The sleeping breadth that sounded peaceful.

She was Celica's older sister, Konoe Mercury, or otherwise known as Nine.

"Onee-chan..."

Celica reflexively made a wry smile as she softly called out to her.

She recalled the time when she was a child. She suddenly got struck with a fever and had to stay in bed.

Nine worried too much and ended up crying. She would be right beside her like this and gripped Celica's hand the whole time. Starting from the night until dawn arrived, Nine would still grip her hand even though she had fallen asleep. Just like this.

(She's still forcing herself, even though she should be busy.)

As for Celica, she was more concerned if Nine's body would get ruined. Furthermore, Nine usually would become much worrier than this.

There was one more figure in the room. Someone was standing in silence.

A female robot was standing at the corner of room and stared at her. Celica gave her a bright smile.

"Good morning, Nirvana."

Celica spoke in whisper as to not wake Nine up. Nirvana slightly pulled her chin. The gesture made it seemed like she was nodding.

The relief made Celica's cheeks slackened.

Everything would be okay if Nine and Nirvana were on her side. There was no hint of uneasiness in her. She couldn't prove it, but she had that hunch for some reason.

Nevertheless, just where could this be? The simple question made Celica looked around the room.

It wasn't just the location. She couldn't remember any reason why she had been sleeping here.

When she was considering what to do next... the door slowly opened as if reaching to her.

"Oh, Celica-san~. I'm glad. Looks like you have awakened."

The person who appeared was a girl that had fluffy platinum blonde hair, white skin, and large round eyeglasses that would draw attention. She was Trinity.

When she saw Celica, Trinity's face turned meek. She gave a smile that was full of relief before she rushed to the side of the bed. There were faint tears on the green eyes beyond her glasses.

"Trinity-san. Umm... good morning, I guess?"

Lacking knowledge of the circumstances, Celica responded Trinity's arrival with a bright face while making a concerned smile.

Because Nine was sleeping beside her, Celica couldn't raise her voice and was dropping its volume instead.

Noticing it, Trinity put the robe she had been wearing onto the shoulders of the friend who was breathing lightly in her sleep. She made rustling noises in the process, but there was no indication of Nine waking up.

Seeing Nine's unusual looks, Celica and Trinity unconsciously looked at each other. They couldn't hold their laugh.

"Then again... I'm really thankful that you're alright. If you're still in a coma, everyone would get worried."

Putting her hands on her chest again, Trinity let out a deep, long breath as if she was hit by relief. Her glasses were slightly unsteady as she used her white fingertips to wipe the tears that appeared on the corner of her eyes.

"How is your condition?"

"Mmmm. My body feels sluggish, and my head feels a bit light. But there's nothing else to add."

Celica put her hand on her head and made a cheerful face telling that she was fine.

It was natural since she just had been sleeping, but her hair had become disordered. The feeling of bed hair on her hand made Celica slightly embarrassed.

"That's right, I should inform the doctor..."

"Ah. Wait, Trinity-san!"

Trinity, who was feeling nervous because of her relief and joy, was about to get out of the patient room. Celica quickly stopped her. Because she unconsciously made such a loud voice, Celica instantly checked on Nine.

Nine was still sleeping soundly. After dropping her shoulders from relief, Celica raised her face toward Trinity.

"Before you go, I want to ask you a lot of things. Umm... To begin with, where is this place? Why am I here?"

"Oh my... well, I guess that should be obvious. My apologies, I was in complete panic~"

She didn't appear to be that flustered, but it seemed it made Trinity upset as she was self-conscious about it.

Covering her blushing cheeks with both hands, Trinity returned to the side of Celica's bed. After taking a breath, Trinity's pink lips opened.

"We're at the general hospital in Ishana. Celica-san... you probably don't remember about it, but you fainted when we were battling the Black Beast. Afterwards, you were carried here."

Trinity calmly informed Celica. Listening to the tone of her voice slowly made Celica to understand the situation. Like streaming water, her memories got restored little by little.

The scenes she had seen happened just before she fainted were passing by her mind like a sequence of photos.

"The Black Beast... That's right, there was a weird magic circle and light... And then, my mind suddenly went blank... So, what's next? What's happened to the Black Beast? And how's everyone else?"

"Please calm down, Celica-san. Everybody is okay~. As for the Black Beast... it wasn't defeated yet, but we were able to repel it. I think the resulting damage is very low."

Celica leaned her body forward and rapidly asked a series of questions. Trinity softly answered her questions calmly.

Trinity properly straightened her back. Anyone who saw it would naturally feel relief and become composed.

"Nine spoke about this before. Celica-san. The moment that magic circle appeared, your magic power got completely absorbed. That should be what was making you unconscious~. ...Although since Nine quickly brought you to Ishana by teleportation, I haven't heard the details about it."

"I see... Huh? Teleporting to Ishana? Wait a minute, you said she teleported from the battlefield to here? It can't be right."

Even for Nine, it was something she shouldn’t have been able to do. Never mind the distance, the environment wasn't exactly teleportation-friendly.

In the first place, there was a barrier on Ishana. It was fundamentally impossible to teleport directly into it.

Trinity glanced at Nine who was sleeping. Then she smiled tearfully before making a happy look.

"Yes, it seems she did~. She probably used teleportation continuously to bring you here."

"She teleported continuously... Oh, Onee-chan."

Celica also made the same face as she looked at her sister.

The teleportation magic required a great deal of magic power and concentration compared to other type of magic. It also needed unusual amount of stamina and will. The consumption would be unfathomable when used consecutively.

(You'd be angry if I got reckless, but you did the same thing.)

The sisters were alike. Once their mind was filled with something, they would ignore any circumstances and rush forward immediately.

Celica thought that the one who probably had been worrying the most wasn't Nine, but Trinity.

Trinity, who pulled up the robe on Nine so it wouldn't slip down, then gracefully faced Celica.

Across those large, round glasses were green eyes filled with kindness.

"Five days have passed since the repulsion of Black Beast, or in other words, after you collapsed. Celica-san, you were in a coma in the meantime."

"So perhaps Onee-chan has been here all this time?"

"It looks like so. I've only just returned this morning, so I have yet to hear on how she was doing then."

Trinity made a strained smile while she was speaking.

They figured it out even if they didn't actually witness it. They knew that kind of person Nine was. Also, it was also possible that she didn't get enough sleep.

"But still, five days? ...So I've been sleeping for so long."

It was no wonder that every part of her body was sore. Her stomach must also be very empty.

After she muttered alone, Celica held her knees while they were still under the blanket.

The memories from five days ago felt just like a dream she had while sleeping. The voices from a lot of people. The advance of the Black Beast. Then the large thing she saw just before she fainted...

"...Trinity-san. About the large magic circle..."

She wondered if it would be okay to ask that. Celica opened her mouth to ask about it. But before she was finished with her inquiry, Nine, who had fallen asleep on the bed, suddenly raised her face.

"CELICA!?"

It seemed Nine was still half-awake as she looked around for Celica while still in daze.

Nine found out that Celica was sitting up on the bed with her hand still being gripped. Then the eyes of the fatigued Nine were blinking as if her spirit had returned.

Her lips that looked slightly worse than usual were trembling as they moved.

"Ce... Celica...?"

"Good morning, Onee-chan. It seems you've slept we..."

"CELICA~~~~~~~~!"

She was like a lost child who had found her way home. Or even a mother who had finally found her child. Nine casted away her composure and determination to jump at Celica while making tearful voice.

She hugged and hugged Celica's slightly thin shoulders. Nine's hands grabbed Celica's sleepwear and were trembling as she wept.

"...Thank goodness... you're awake... I was worried, really worried..."

With her thin shoulders still shaking, Nine spoke so many times while sobbing.

Her large tears were overflowing and instantly soaked the top part of Celica's shoulder. Her wet sleepwear felt sticking onto her skin, but it didn't mean it was unpleasant.

"O... Onee-chan. I can't breathe..."

Her embrace was strong enough that one mistake might strangle Celica and cause her to faint again. Celica could only make a wry smile as she spoke.

After that, she gently patted her sister's head.

"I'm sorry I've made you worried. But I'm alright now."

Nine had been truly worried. But she was still glad that Celica had awakened. Nine cried with the tears of relief.

Celica also took breath of relief and raised her face.

There, Trinity was still standing with a look like she could break into a cry anytime.

Celica shrugged her shoulders while making a strained smile. She soothed Trinity along with her sobbing sister before asking them in low voice.




After the doctor who was brought by a nurse arrived, he determined Celica's condition by doing the established procedure.

As he was finished with the basic examination, the doctor ended it with measuring the approximate amount of her magic power with some kind of thermometer. After that, he got up from a chair near the side of the bed.

"Your progress has been more favorable than I thought. But you still need to rest for another two or three days."

After the doctor said that, he left the patient room.

The door was closed shut.

"Aaah... It seems I can't go home yet."

Celica dropped her shoulders and collapsed onto the bed.

"Too bad. We can't have a tea party even though Onee-chan and Trinity's here."

"What are you talking about? You shouldn't force yourself to do the usual stuff until your magic power stabilizes. Don't do anything unreasonable even when you're in a hospital."

Nine, who had finally stopped crying, softly lectured Celica while wiping her red, swollen eyes with her fingers.

She usually would do it with menacing looks, but her teary face snatched her coercive vigor away.

Since her sister was speaking not as a Ten Sage, but as a girl, Celica got in a pleasant mood and replied with a smile.

"Okaaay."

Trinity giggled as she watched from the side. Next to her, Nirvana stared at Celica with her transparent eyes.

If only the situation was different and they weren't in a hospital room, it would looked their usual, friendly chat. But even if she was smiling, there was something that had been stuck inside Celica's chest.

"Hey, Onee-chan. Can I ask what's really happened when I fainted?"

She wondered about what happened and what became of it. Celica thought that the only person who could tell it accurately would be none other than Nine.

But as soon as she asked, Nine's face changed as if to stop Celica from continuing.

Her face didn't look stiff or restrained. But Nine mildly shook her head with the deadpan expression that had silent refusal within.

"Celica. We will speak about that next time. For now, you must prioritize to get a rest."

Celica got a hunch that it was the kind of face she would make when she was hiding something.

Usually, she would pester Nine to tell her.

But when she thought of how Nine had fallen into deep sleep due to her fatigue, she decided to swallow her selfishness inside.

Even Celica would prefer if Nine put a thought into taking a rest herself.

"Then tell me when I got out of the hospital, alright?"

"...Sure. If I got time."

Nine's reply felt unfair, but Celica nodded in her mind thinking that her answer was good enough.

After she took a breath, Nine brushed the hair on her shoulder to her back. The glint on her eyes that soon appeared was unlike the kindness she would show to Celica.

But the older sister's expression quickly returned to usual as Nine displayed a slight smile toward Celica.

"Well... Now that Celica has awakened and Trinity returned, it's time to go."

"Onee-chan. You have another work?"

"Yes. There are other things that I must attend."

Nine spoke as if it was nothing concerning. Hearing that, Celica's face slightly clouded. She unintentionally pointed her lips like she was pouting.

"I think it'd be better if you stay a bit longer. Aren't you still tired?"

"She's right, Nine. How about getting home for today?"

Together with Celica, Trinity also spoke worryingly to Nine.

However, like Trinity and Celica had expected, Nine didn't have the same agreement.

"It's alright. Once I've done the usual stuff, I'll be sure to get a rest. Then let's go, Trinity. Nirvana, I'll leave Celica in your care."

As soon as she finished speaking, Nine, fully resolved, turned her body around.

Trinity could only sigh and lightly drop her shoulders.

Celica frowned from being both worried and astonished. Really, she thought, she won't listen once she started speaking.

In exchange of nodding, Nirvana went beside Celica as ordered by Nine.

Once she confirmed that by taking a glance, Nine opened the door and turned back to Celica.

"Get a good rest, okay?"

"You too, Onee-chan."

Although she got a reply, Nine didn't pay a slightest attention to it and came out of the patient room as her long hair fluttered.

That was why Celica put a word to Trinity instead.

"Trinity-san, please take care of Onee-chan."

"Yes, of course~."

Trinity gave a slight bow and disappeared to the hallway as she followed Nine.

When the door silently closed, the sound of footsteps became distant.

"I don't want Onee-chan to get hospitalized, too... Right, Nirvana?"

Celica and Nirvana were left alone within the white and simple hospital room.

Nirvana stood still beside the bed with her large, clear eyes looking at nowhere.

Looking at her inorganic but feminine face from the side, Celica let loose the strength in her shoulders and smiled.

"Thank you, Nirvana. You're also always on my side."

Nirvana answered with a breathless, silent reply. But instead of words, her large eyes looked at Celica.

They were artificial eyes that didn’t carry any thought, but Celica felt a sense of security within them.

Celica rotated her shoulders that were stiff because she had been sleeping too much, and then put her head on the pillow.

Her mind was still in daze, but this way, her memories would slowly and steadily become clear if she put enough time to think it through.

That day. The day when Black Beast put an end to the white sky by materializing itself. The day when humanity challenged the absolute despair with their strength.

What was happened? What did she see? What did she sense at the endless wasteland?

That time, the Black Beast approached Celica until it was really close to her. Inside its ridiculously large body... Inside those glowing red eyes in the darkness...

Celica felt his presence without a doubt.

"I think... I'll sleep for a bit."

She pulled her blanket and rubbed her cheeks to the pillow. While closing her eyes, Celica spoke to Nirvana who was on her side.

Although she should have slept for five days, Celica was immediately hit with drowsiness. It made her eyelids heavy.

"...Thanks for saving me back then."

After she softly whispered and closed her heavy eyelids, Celica slept like an infant as she got overwhelmed by the wave of drowsiness.




There was almost no people inside the hallway of Ishana's general hospital. It was a clear and sunny noon. A gentle mood was drifting about even inside the hospital.

Within such situation, Nine was walking while clad in grim atmosphere that made her hard to be approached.

"...Nine."

Trinity followed after the footsteps of heels that were advancing with constant pace.

Trinity called her in moderate manner, but it was also filled with determination.

But Nine didn't lower her pace nor look at Trinity. Instead, she answered while making a tense and expressionless face.

"I'll explain it later. So don't ask anything right now."

Since Nine spoke so, Trinity didn't press it any further. When Nine didn't want to speak... When she decided not to speak... then she would shut her mouth like a clamshell. Instead, if someone wanted to open it forcibly, then they should drive her into a corner.

Like a clamshell that got passed through fire over and over again, until Nine opened her mouth herself, Trinity had no choice but to wait.

"I understand. But Nine, please don't bear everything on your own~."

Nine didn't give a response.

However, Trinity's words made Nine frowned in pain for a moment. Seeing it made Trinity concerned.

Part 4[edit]

Five days ago, the Mage's Guild was suddenly in uproar after a large-scale battle with the Black Beast took place. It had resumed its activity for the first time in a year.

The number of people who were coming and going became increased. The amount of the gathered intelligence skyrocketed. The total visitor from foreign countries grew frequently.

Every day, debates and consultations were being taken all over the place... The gathering of people was stuffed with opinions so many that it looked like a whirlpool.

With what was going on in Mage's Guild, the Cathedral was the only sole location that had remained in peacefulness.

Nine rapidly walked toward the Cathedral along with Trinity, pushing her way through the glaring sunlight that went through trees. The savagery called war that was happening in the world was completely irrelevant to her.

There was no guard or even a figure of person in the surroundings.

Nine treaded that sight of fairy tales in long steps. Then, she opened the double door of the Cathedral gently.

When she entered, she was served with the view of the upper floors that completed the appearance of a church's hall. It was well suited with Cathedral's outward looks. Faint lights were coming in from the small windows. They painted the hall with light ashen tint.

There were already visitors inside.

They were Jubei, Valkenhayn, Terumi, and Hakumen.

They should have entered her vision, but Nine acted like she didn't see them anyway and kept walking forward.

She was heading to the inner side of the hall. A statue of beautiful woman wearing long gown was standing there.

The Mage's Guild called her as The Creator. Nine got down on her knees and bowed like what a pilgrim would do in front of the statue.

She closed her eyelids and prayed.

"…Heh. So you pray to god? Interesting."

Terumi, who was discreetly leaning on the wall near the door, sneered at her. But his words didn't reach Nine's consciousness.

Watching attentively to her best friend's gesture, Trinity also joined her hands together and offered a prayer.

During that very moment, the Cathedral received a worth of virtue that befitted its name.

When her prayer was finished, Nine slowly stood up.

That moment marked the end of the calming tranquility.

A genuine sense of urgency appeared as the replacement.

It was still quiet all the same, but the rigidness had changed.

"Well then, let us hear it."

Valkenhayn spoke gloomy while facing Nine's back.

"Just what is causality weapon... and Takemikazuchi in that regard?"

That was the main reason they gathered here presently.

The only person who had the answer was Nine.

But those lips of her didn't immediately tell the truth even while being showered with expectations and stares from her vicinity. Rather, they were shut tightly as she dropped her gaze toward the deep color of wood grain under her feet.

The dubious silence was because of her hesitation.

Trinity sensed it as easily as she would breathe. But since she herself desired to know about it, Trinity urged the friend who was grinding her teeth with a smile.

"I think it was created by Nine... She said it not too long ago, didn't she?"

They heard it on the battlefield.

Nine spoke of it while holding the fainted Celica as all of her magic power got absorbed. It happened after Takemikazuchi, having done its job, vanished after its target, the Black Beast, escaped.

Thinking back at that moment made Trinity's chest slightly painful.

If the titan was created by Nine, then what had caused her precious sister to stay unconscious for a few days would be her own creation.

If that was true, then she must be blaming herself. Actually, there was no mistaking that she was blaming herself. Trinity thought that it was understandable that she wasn't very communicative.

However, they needed to hear it in order to get an understanding on what they should do from now on.

"...Yes, I made it. Rather, it might be better to say that it's been revived."

A refreshing air blew. Nine suppressed her emotions and answered with stiff voice.

Still facing Nine's straightened back, Valkenhayn took a large step forward. His gaze was very stern.

"What do you mean by revived?"

"Simply put, causality weapon is an imitation of a technology that had existed long ago. What I did was reviving it."

The floor was hit by Nine's heel and made a small noise.

When Valkenhayn continued to walk a few steps away from Trinity, Nine finally turned around.

Her gaze gradually regained its composure.

"...Remember the place where the Black Beast was born?"

Like a teacher, Nine started by asking a question. Her intelligent eyes followed after the question by looking at every one of them. It was Jubei who answered.

"It's the Cauldron, ain't it?"

"That's right. So if we're going to investigate the Black Beast, then inspecting the Cauldron is also necessary. I don't really know about it and it isn't something I should reveal, but... there's one in Ishana, or Mage's Guild to be exact."

When she said it, Nine looked at her feet.

"It's beneath this Cathedral. Even then, the location is considered as peculiar."

Intrigued, Trinity also dropped her gaze down. She looked baffled.

"So there's a Cauldron underneath the Cathedral... I've heard rumors about some important secret that's hidden in Mage's Guild before. Is it referring to that Cauldron?"

"I think so. A lot of things are being kept in this Cathedral, but the Cauldron is the most confidential among them."

It was a violation to speak of the secret to outsider even if they were comrades in arm.

But the situation right now was special. After all, the people in this place who didn't know about the Cauldron were just Trinity and Hakumen.

Including Nine, the other four had learned the existence of Cauldron by their own circumstances.

Before continuing, Nine stole a glance to the two people who had previously trespassed inside and making an outrage.

The two people she was glaring at were Valkenhayn and Terumi.

"I've been looking into that Cauldron during the one year Black Beast was dormant. I thoroughly examined the plausible materials that's hidden by Mage's Guild, from the Great Library up to the books that are buried within the Cathedral. Anyway, I've gone through all of them."

"All... of them?"

Trinity sighed with great admiration.

Even focusing on those 'plausible materials' Nine spoke of, the number of books should have passed over what a person could read in a year. The book collection of Mage's Guild was just that colossal.

In addition, Nine had been comprehensively reading that many books while developing Armagus at the same time.

No, those weren't all of them. Nine completed the topic of this conversation, Takemikazuchi, over the course of her investigation.

Thinking about it again made it seemed impossible.

"Anythin' interestin'?"

Jubei turned his head as he asked.

Nine folded her arms under her voluptuous chest as if embracing herself.

"Long time ago... during the era that's called as the beginning, humanity was in a war with something. And so, I've found the records regarding it. The opponent seems a nuisance since common weapons couldn't hurt it. Then, although the scale is smaller than the previous one..."

In the middle of her story, Terumi made a big yawn. Nine gave a scornful glance at him and attempted to brush his rudeness away by continuing regardless.

"Although the scale is smaller than the war in the beginning, there was a same kind of war between humanity and something several hundred years ago. It resembles our current battle with the Black Beast."

Nine removed her gaze from Jubei to the wolf man who had a firm physique. Her blinking eyes had profound significance.

Her lips slightly made a smile. It was too sharp to be a simple smile.

"...Perhaps we might have someone nearby who's familiar with the incident."

Valkenhayn wasn't that oblivious to not understand what her words and gaze meant. His already sullen face grew even more sullen as one of his brow was lifted.

Because of the angle, a diagonal shadow was taking place on his masculine face.

"I do not know what you are expecting, but Clavis-sama never told me everything. I have been serving Clavis-sama for almost a hundred years. I have no opportunity to learn what happened before that."

"Hmph. I see."

Nine replied with an emphasis that was far from agreeing. Valkenhayn turned his grim face away from her. Meanwhile, Terumi watched them and grinned while leaning on the wall.

The chapel within the Cathedral was wide. Any voice would get absorbed by the ceilings.

Nine's voice didn't reach the ceiling and vanished. As if following after it, Trinity asked a question while having uncomfortable expression.

"That war existed? ...But I've never heard anything about it until now, even within the Mage's Guild."

"Yes. It wasn't something that's written in your everyday history of Mage's Guild. I found the description inside the books which are stored in the Cathedral."

"Then, it must be something that's hidden from the world."

"That seems to be the case. But in addition to the book's description, I found the legacy of the war."

Nine gently spoke and gave a nod to her friend. Her expression got a bit stiffened when she said the latter words.

Legacy. In other words, the evidence of history.

Nine brushed away her long hair with the back of her hand.

"I've found the weapon that had been used to fight that something in Ishana."

A weapon created by humanity to fight the something that couldn't be damaged by conventional weapons at start.

"Your village has the same kind of weapon, doesn't it?"

Her question was directed to Jubei. He was deeply aware that Nine didn't have any ill intention, but Jubei unconsciously frowned.

"Hihi'irokane..."

The ancient weapon itself originated from the age of beginning and had been handed down within Jubei's family.

It wasn't currently in the possession of Jubei's family for a reason, but Jubei never knew that it was intended to fight that something which resembled Black Beast.

"The one I found in Ishana was more recently made. According to the few remains of record, its name is..."

Before Nine could tell the name of the relic...

"...The Sealed Weapon Izayoi."

Hakumen murmured and shook the heavy atmosphere.

His monologue collided with Nine's words that had been flowing until now.

"Wh-. How did you..."

How did he know its name?

Nine was supposedly going to say that, but she was interrupted by the sudden noise of door being opened.

Several men stormed in... along with a pair of man and woman with triangular hats on their heads. They were Seven and Nine.

"Bringing outsiders to the sacred Cathedral? How could you even be this thoughtless, Nine?"

Dragging a long mantle, Eight took a large step forward. Her lips that were painted with glossy lipstick smiled calmly as if in triumph.

Then she lightly jerked her chin, ordering the men to surround Nine and the others. Judging from their uniform and air, they were all from Mage's Guild.

Hakumen lowered his posture and grabbed the long sword on his back.

But before he could declare his intention to strike, Seven spoke indifferently.

"You must have known what will happen should your comrades do something foolish like struggling... Don't you, Nine of the Ten Sages?"

Seven was implying that any resistance would make her regretted it.

Since Hakumen seemed to disregard it and ready to plunge anytime, Jubei held him back with his hand.

Although Hakumen didn't show an immediate reaction, he eventually stopped showing his hostility and took his hand off of the long sword.

To make sure of it, Seven lightly stroke the air with the palm of his hand.

A metallic noise rang. Circles with dull light appeared and restrained Nine's body and both of her wrists. In addition to restricting her movement, the magic could prevent her from using her own magic.

"You've been summoned by the Committee of Hearing."

"The Committee of Hearing?"

Eight said it while blinking her long eyelashes. When she said that, Nine finally opened her mouth and asked. Her gaze stayed composed, not showing the fluctuation of her emotions. But her voice had deep suspicion.

There was no organization within Mage's Guild that had a name like Committee of Hearing. Even if there was one, then it would be the Ten Sages.

But since Eight, who was a Ten Sage, deliberately mentioned a different name... It seemed there was another organization separated from Ten Sages that had the position to influence the management of Mage's Guild.

Nine frowned for a moment.

"I shall be your escort."

A Mage's Guild personnel told Nine in a somewhat stiff voice and started walking to urge her to do the same.

Before they went, Trinity stood in the way by butting in and spread both of her arms.

"Please wait. Why did you cast a binding on Nine? Can you just take her normally?"

"There is no need for you to know. It would be wise to abide the instruction from Ten Sages, Platinum the Trinity."

"But...!"

Seven talked like it was a common sense. Trinity glared at him, which was unlike her usual self.

However, as if pushing her best friend away, Nine stepped forward.

"It's okay, Trinity. I'll be fine, so don't be concerned."

"What do you mean by fine? You are a Ten Sage. Even if they're one too, they can't treat you like a criminal without telling any reason..."

Nine of the Ten Sages wasn't someone who should get that kind of treatment. Nine had more achievements than anyone else in the whole world in regards to the fight against Black Beast.

Trinity complained while clutching both hands to fists. A grief could be heard in her words.

Nine made a strained smile and shrugged her shoulders.

"There's just going to be some awfully old folks complaining at me. If I bothered myself with these guys every single time, I'd only get tired."

Guessing that she was included in 'these guys' Nine spoke about, Eight got irritated and urged Nine to get hurry.

After taking a glance at Eight, Nine slowly got her face closer to Trinity as if to hug her. Nine smiled at her while pretending not to hear herself being called. Then, she got close to Trinity's ear so that she would be the only one who could hear her instruction.

"This is a good chance to investigate this organization. If anything happens..."

If there was one thing Nine would be worried about during emergency, it would be Celica.

"...Understood."

Trinity also made a mild expression so as not to give off tension.

Nine brushed off her long hair to her back with her restrained hand and started to walk. Soon, she was surrounded by the men from Mage's Guild to block any escape route.

Then, Nine Looked over her shoulder from within the small ring of people and left some words of warning.

"I'll say it again: do not make unnecessary commotion. Understand?"

The tone of her voice was mainly emphasized toward Hakumen.

However, she couldn’t tell whether the person in question noticed it or not since he didn't give any reaction.

"Be careful, Nine."

Jubei warned her with a low voice. The bridge of his nose was wrinkled, showing his discontent. Nine gave him a smile. After that, she started to walk like she was bringing along the Guild members around her instead. Then she left the Cathedral behind, along with Seven and Eight.


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