Editing Masou Gakuen HxH:Volume 4 Chapter 1 (section)

===Part 2===

The sky of AU, in the high altitude above Vatlantis Empire, a gigantic battleship was moving. With its narrow and streamlined shape that cut through the blue sky, it gave off the impression of elegance and delicateness even while being a tool of war. And then its red hull that made those seeing it to feel awe. That red color was the proof that this ship was of the fleet of the imperial guard.

Its total size surpassed five hundred meters, but almost no sign of people could be seen on its hull or inside it. The battleship was also a gigantic magic weapon, it moved following the order of the owner and moved automatically. There was no need of ship crew to move the ship. What was needed was just a single commander that handed down orders.

There was the figure of the person handing down orders to this battleship on the ship’s bridge. That person was wearing a long mantel that was mismatched with the petite body while standing haughtily. She was a member of the imperial guard, Ragrus.

The inside of the bridge was like a living room of a high class mansion, it really couldn’t be seen as the inside of a military ship. The whole surface of the bridge’s wall in 360° was turned into window making the room really bright, the gigantic fur of an unknown animal was spread on top of the marble floor. And then it was combined with the stone tabletop with golden legs and a sofa that looked comfortable to sit at. On the table, fruits and bottles filled with alcohol and juice were lined up, and flowers were scattered everywhere on the floor of the bridge.

On the place a step higher in that bridge, a big leather sofa for the commander to sit was put. Ragrus was standing in front of it and looked down at the guest that was boarding from Okinawa.

“How is it, this ship of mine! It was gifted personally to me from the captain of the imperial guard you know?”

The black haired female that was sitting near the window that faced the direction the ship was moving turned her head back.

“Yes. I’m really grateful to be let onboard in this wonderful ship Ragrus-sama.”

Looking at Nayuta that reverently bowed her head, Ragrus smiled proudly.

“Isn’t that right, isn’t that right! You really understand well even though you are just a Lemuria person. If you have such a modest attitude, then it’s fine for you to be here. But, if you say something impertinent, I’ll lock you into the cell like Gravel and Aldea just so you know! Valdy, you too relax however you like.”

“Ye, yes……thank you.”

Valdy who was standing beside Nayuta turned to Ragrus and lightly tilted her head.

Nayuta was enjoying the scenery from the window with deep interest. Looking at her appearance, Valdy spoke to Nayuta a little bashfully.

“Nayuta-sama, you have few chances to get out from the palace so……is it, unusual?”

“Yes. This is an extremely precious experience. I only listened to the story, I didn’t really have a chance to look outside the palace with my own eyes.”

It was the scenery of the suburbs of Vatlantis that usually she couldn’t really witness. The green rural landscape was spreading as far as the eyes could see. The gentle hilly area was going on, extending to the mountains with snow covered peaks at the far distance, drawing the beautiful scenery of a mountainous area.

There was also thick forest in the middle of vast grasslands, making one understand that the land was blessed with abundant nature. And then, there were cities here and there. Those cities were not something huge, small cities were developed in a fixed distance of each other.

With a glance, it looked like a lineup of Victorian-style buildings that resembled the townscape of Europe. The buildings were all built from stone, splendorous spire and luxurious building and so on, everything was designed devoting to delicateness and with ornaments decorated on it. It made one imagine the excellent technology and culture they possessed, of the wealthy livelihood the people there must have.

However, regardless of such splendid cities, there was no figure of people in the city below her eyes.

“Is there no people living in that city?”

Nayuta asked Valdy.

“Yes……the cities around here, are all……abandoned.”

Before long they could see another different city. However, this city too was deserted, they couldn’t see a sign that people were living here. The door, window, and so on were left open.

“The people are gathering in the capital, in addition it’s only natural if the population is decreasing isn’t it?”

She answered so, but in her heart she didn’t think that this was something natural. Based from Nayuta’s investigation, the reduction rate of the population of this world was abnormal. In this ten years, the population was decreasing by ten percent. There was war, but she couldn’t believe that it was the cause. There was also the case with the Another Universe Conflict, but it was a war where they mainly used unmanned magic weapons, there was almost no human damage from it.

And then the total population was also few. The land size of Vatlantis was mostly the same with earth, but its population was nothing more than one-thousandth of earth. However, from what she saw on the number of cities that had become ghost towns, there was supposed to be quite a number of people before this. She guessed that something happened, and the population dropped sharply.

Right now, most people were living concentrated in the capital Zeltis and few provincial cities. However, even that capital was being approached by danger.

“Ah! We can see it now, the capital Zeltis!”

Ragrus’s voice became excited. As though invited by that voice, Nayuta looked at far ahead of the ship.

What was visible first was the black line stretching straight to the sky from the horizon. Before long, a dyed black land was showing its appearance from under that line.

――Vatlantis’s imperial capital, Zeltis.

That was a city that was like a black armor covering the land. Regardless of the light that was pouring down from the blue sky, that town rejected light and its body was always clad in the darkness of night.

The black imperial capital that was the center of Vatlantis.

And then, further in its central part.

There, was the center of this world.

A gigantic pillar that pierced the sky, the [{{furigana|Genesis|The Pillar of World Creation}}].

It was created from a baffling material that wasn’t stone or metal, it had the shape of a square with width of two hundred meters on each of its sides. That pillar which was growing from the ground stretched so high it pierced through the clouds heading to the sky, its tips were largely spreading in the sky, like a tree trunk that took root in the land.

The gigantic pillar of mechanical device that connected heaven and earth. It was the system that administered everything of this world, the heaven and earth, and then also the whole creation, it was also the object of faith.

As if to protect that Genesis, a jet black palace was surrounding it.

It was a jet black castle that emitted really ominous pressure. Its appearance that was completely covered with black shining armor emitted prominence even among the black city Zeltis. It was like the palace itself was wearing magic armor.

This palace was built for the sake of protecting this Genesis which was worshipped as god. For that reason, the palace itself was shaped attached with armor.

That palace was surrounded by triple layer of high protective wall. In this city that was partitioned by castle walls, the social status of the people here were lower the more outside the place they live was at. And then, outside the wall spread the city where the normal citizens lived.

Each of those layers of city were also all black.

That was because all of the city was built using black colored material. Inside that city, beautiful lights in variety like green or blue were running everywhere. Those lights circulated to wall or rooftop from the edge of the street, covering the city in every way. Zeltis’s black streets and buildings looked much better due to those bewitchingly beautiful lights.

All of those were light of magic power. The energy of this Zeltis were totally supplied by magic power, dynamic force was shouldered by the mechanisms called as magic mechanisms. Those were similar to magic weapons, machines that activated using magic power.

For example, automobile cars in the shape like a horse carriage were running through the road, but all of those were also magic mechanisms. Looking just at its front part, it looked completely like a magic weapon in the shape of a horse, but behind it was a boarding space like a car that was connected to the horse. Each parts of that body were shining with the radiance of magic power, showing that it was a mechanism that was moving using magic power.

The blimps flying comfortably above the city were also similar. They were not floating using gas, they were also moving using the same theory like magic weapons.

At the side of the hull, monitor like floating window was floating, seeming to perform various contact and advertisement and the like. It was flying quite low, but it was skillfully evading the buildings.

Above this city, Ragrus’s battleship was advancing towards the palace.

As they approached the palace and Genesis, the hugeness of the Genesis and its complex structure became obvious.

The Genesis was like an absurdly gigantic mechanical clock. Uncountable gears, pendulums, etc., were interlaced complexly, it was packed full with really intricate mechanisms.

Some parts of that mechanical pillar were covered with outer wall that was applied with geometrical carving. Along with those pattern carved on the surface, magic power light was constantly shining while changing shape. However, by no means were all of them shining. It was as if the light was lacking in electricity, the light was thinning from the middle before vanishing completely. And then the system that was moving like mechanical clock was also moving extremely slowly, it felt like that even now it was going to stop moving.

“It seems that the activation rate of Genesis was going down again.”

Valdy peered at Nayuta’s side face.

“Err……then, as expected……”

“The destruction of Vatlantis is caused by the Genesis that became unable to function enough, correct? And then, it’s thought the cause is the drying up magic power.”

Saying that, Nayuta looked up at the pillar that was even extolled as god. Chasing after that gaze, Valdy too stared at the sky with a serious expression.

“The sky is……lowered, again……”

Ragrus also grimaced.

“I have to lower our altitude a little…..I wonder, is the Genesis really alright?”

Following Ragrus’s instruction, the battleship lowered its altitude a little.

There was no ceiling in the sky of Vatlantis. However there was a strange pressure, the position of the cloud was also far lower compared to the sky of earth. It was as though the sky was going to fall even now.

Such sky was supported by the gigantic pillar called Genesis. It looked like that. However, the surrounding of the tip that was spreading in the sky was greatly distorted, cracks was running in the sky with the pillar in the center.

The pillar that was trying to support the sky that was going to fall, on the contrary now looked like it was stabbing the sky, trying to destroy the whole sky.

On the other hand, at the ground too, fissures were also running on the ground in radial shape with, as expected, the Genesis at the center. There was also place with gap that had reached about several tens of meters at the center. The palace that was created like armor was only influenced a little, but large damage was coming out from the city outside the castle walls.

Buildings were torn apart due to the fissures, bridges crumbling down, streets were divided.

The same with the sky, it also looked like that below the Genesis also pierced the land, trying to break the earth crust itself.

“Ah……”

Valdy raised a short voice.

Exactly while they were watching, the land began to crumble. Together with fierce tremor and roar, the ground was tearing apart. And then, the street and the cars running on top of it were sliding down toward that gulf. The pavement of the road, the buildings, all were crumbling as if sliding down on a slide.

There were terrific sound of destruction and screams. The cry of pain of the swallowed people reached until high in the sky. Without even any time to rush to their help, one of the area of the city was crumbling in its entirety in the blink of an eye. And then, water sprouted out from the ground, flooding up the surrounding city.

Valdy and also Ragrus had no word for that really tragic sight.

“It seems that the collapse is advancing again.”

Ragrus felt irritation at how calmly Nayuta was talking.

“You’re annoying! That’s obvious just from looking at it! Or else what? You are thinking that it feels good right? After all, you are someone from Lemuria! I’ll send you too to the cells because of the crime of treason!”

“E, err……Ragrus, calm down……”

Valdy was interjecting in a nervous state. Ragrus averted her face with a huff of her nose.

“Do something about this situation quickly. If not, you will――”

Valdy raised a cornered voice to obstruct Ragrus’s words.

“Ah…..Ra, Ragrus, the castle, you are going to crash……”

“He? Wait! KYAAAAAAAA-, dam dange-, avoid it! AVOID ITTTTTTT!”

One of the spire that formed the palace was approaching in front of their eyes. When Ragrus gave the order that took the rudder in panic, the battleships tilted greatly. The battleship barely avoided contact just several meters from a crash.

“I, I thought that my heart would stop……”

Ragrus sat down on the floor of the bridge from her waist giving out.

Even while almost causing an incident that would end up in the death penalty, Ragrus’s battleship gradually lowered its altitude and landed on the spacious landing place exclusive for the imperial guard nearby the palace.

The hatch of the battleship opened, from there Ragrus showed her appearance.

“Now, walk promptly!”

Red carpet was spread from the landing place until the gate of the palace. Ragrus was walking triumphantly on the carpet. From behind her, Gravel and Aldea’s figures appeared. Both of them had their upper body bounded by a leather belt that was inserted with restraining magic and were locked inside a cell all the time since Okinawa. Blindfolds and gags were untied from them and they walked by their own strength. Hida Nayuta and Valdy were following after them.

Although they were restrained, Gravel and Aldea were acting dignifiedly. They easily overtook Ragrus with her small steps with their gallant walk.

“Hey, wa, wait there! What are you two doing going past me huh!?”

“The one telling us to walk promptly was you.”

“Kuh, no back talk! Do you understand your place? You are a criminal here, criminal! Act fitly with that……hey, wait I said―!”

After Ragrus ran and returned back to the front of the line, she paid attention to the back while walking on the carpet with a trot.

Ahead of the red carpet, there were the figures of the imperial guard members lining up in a horizontal line. Around fifty members of the imperial guard standing in a row, all of them were good looking women.

And then at the center, was a female with an air that was obviously different with all the group members.

The highlight was her whitely shining purple hair, white skin, and coupled with her well-ordered face that was like a doll, she was drifting off a mysterious atmosphere. And then her pressure that was overwhelming other people. Even amidst the beautiful girls lining up, she was emitting a conspicuously large presence. From her mantel and clothes’ design, it was clear that woman was also an imperial guard. However, from the extremely intricate decoration applied on her clothes, and the first-class fabric it used, it gave the impression of a position that drew the line with the other group members.

Ragrus hit her fist on her chest with a little nervous look, making a gesture that displayed respect.

“Captain Zelsione! I come bringing Gravel and Aldea for the crime of treason.”

Ragrus puffed up her flat chest and reported proudly.

“Good work Ragrus. Also, you too Valdy.”

Zelsione generously nodded then moved her gaze to Gravel and Aldea.

“However, it’s a dangerous talk to accuse them of treason isn’t it? What is the meaning of this?”

Gravel accepted Zelsione’s gaze without faltering. Without minding Gravel who acted like that, Ragrus proudly continued her report.

“Yes. These people were intentionally neglecting to report while knowing about Zeros’s whereabouts in Lemuria. Furthermore they headed by themselves to Lemuria and are suspected of scheming to take Zeros as their own.”

Zelsione knitted her eyebrows.

“Hou? What are they going to do after obtaining Zeros?”

“Gravel is originally not one of the people of our Vatlantis Empire. She was the general of a foreign country that is ruled by Vatlantis. She is of a savage tribe in the first place. Surely she pretended to enter our jurisdiction, aiming for a chance to fly the banner of revolution.”

“Don’t mess around! I’ve never done anything like that!”

Gravel howled with an angry expression.

Ragrus jumped and backed off away from Gravel.

“Wha-, what’s with you, yelling angrily like that, the current you cannot do anything at all!”

Gravel faced Zelsione straightforwardly with sincere eyes.

“Imperial guard Captain Zelsione. Do you also believe such nonsense?”

Zelsione stared at Gravel as if licking with her eyes from the tips of her toes until the top of her head, she looked like she was evaluating her.

“So the hero of the remote region is going mad……this is not really nonsense that can be considered as an absurd story. Until now, something like this has happened several times. As long as you are not a pure blooded person of Vatlantis, such possibility cannot be denied.”

Aldea interjected as if to mediate between the two.

“No. When it comes to Gravel, she will not do such things. This me who is a pure blooded person of Vatlantis guarantees it.”

However Zelsione rejected Aldea’s smile with a cold stare.

“A guarantee of someone like you means nothing. From the beginning your eccentricity is something intolerable. You were demoted to the subjugation army, but far from reflecting, now you are waving your tail to Gravel.”

Zelsione jerked her chin and gave instruction.

“Bring the two to my room. I’ll interrogate them later.”

The lining up imperial guard members rushed to Gravel and Aldea with quick movements. The two were restrained by four people each and ten people were surrounding them. They were on guard toward Gravel and Aldea to the degree that they wouldn’t separate their eyes even for an instant from the two.

“We won’t struggle even without you being that vigilant, rest assured.”

Gravel murmured with a fed-up face, but the imperial guard members didn’t slacken their wariness. Leaving behind the four people lining up at the left and right of Zelsione, the other members carried the two into the palace.

Zelsione gave a sidelong glance to that procession before moving her gaze to Nayuta.

“――So, Nayuta. You didn’t report anything to us even while knowing about Zeros. Why?”

Nayuta smiled softly with a ‘fuh’.

“I am a human from another world. Furthermore I’m nothing more than a single researcher. How could I possibly know how important Zeros is for all of you? I talked to Aldea-san only for the purpose of making idle talk. I first noticed Zeros’s importance from this commotion, it really shocked me.”

“You too are an engineer employed by the royal palace. Didn’t such information enter your ears?”

Nayuta kept smiling and shook her head to the left and right.

“I’m not so boorish to prick my ears for the internal affairs of the royal family. I intend to know of right from wrong there. It’s upsetting if I’m thought of as such a base person.”

Zelsione was staring at Nayuta with a doubting eye.

“I see……however, if that’s so then why did you act together with Gravel and Aldea? If I recall correctly, you are supposed to build an experiment facility in Lemuria’s Tokyo.”

“Yes, the magic power plant’s construction is going favorably. The other day too I received the cooperation of Zelsione-sama, I am truly feeling grateful.”

Nayuta lowered her head deeply.

“It was a coincidence that I encountered Gravel-san and Aldea-san in Okinawa. When I went there for confirming the material, a Lemuria attack happened in a stroke of bad luck and I received the favor to board the retreating battleship of the imperial guard. There, the two were also coincidentally in the same location.”

Zelsione crossed her arms looking bored.

“Hmph. Your story seems straight for the moment……and then, that magic power plant something, does it produce result? You have bothered me to use my time, so I won’t let you say that it failed.”

“I returned here for the sake of confirming that.”

“Hou? So it’s complete.”

“Coincidentally this evening I’ll carry out the experiment. If you have the interest, please come to watch by any means.”

“Is that so, then I’ll look forward to it. I have the principle that I won’t believe anything except of what I see with my own eyes after all.”

Nayuta faced Zelsione and lowered her head respectfully, then she entered into the palace gate.

Looking at her figure from behind, Zelsione murmured.

“Even though she is just a person of Lemuria, but she is someone suspicious……Valdy.”

“Ye, yes, Zelsione-sama.”

Valdy answered with a flustered look.

“There wasn’t anything suspicious from Nayuta?”

Valdy wrung out her voice with a cowering look.

“No……none. She, she is really working to save Vatlantis……even in Tokyo, she did her all to complete the magic power plant……at Okinawa, she also told me……to kill a soldier of Lemuria.”

Valdy took out a small piece of metal from inside her mantel. Zelsione accepted that piece of metal and raised her eyebrow slightly.

“This is, a Core of magic armor……you are telling me that Nayuta ordered you to take it out from the soldier of Lemuria?”

Valdy nodded.

“Hm……Valdy, continue to guard and monitor Nayuta. Don’t let anyone meddle until we determine whether that woman’s experiment proves successful or not.”

Valdy made a happy face then she went to follow Nayuta with a light step.

Zelsione also flapped her mantel and headed inside the palace gate. After that her four close aides that were called the [{{furigana|Quartum|Four Swords of Discipline}}] also followed her. Ragrus who was going to be left behind called to Zelsione’s back.

“Ca, Captain, where are you going?”

Zelsione’s legs stopped, she then answered without even looking back.

“I’m going to interrogate Gravel.”

“Ah, the, then, I’ll go together with Captain.”

Zelsione looked across her shoulder and made a sadistic smile towards Ragrus.

“Is it okay? My interrogation, is a fun time you know?”

“Eh……a……haa!?”

Ragrus’s face became bright red from imagining something. A stifled laugh leaked out from between the close aides.

“It’s too early for you. Go home and rest in your room.”

Ragrus stayed quiet and saw off Zelsione and her close aides leaving.

“What’s this……even Captain is treating me like a kid.”

‘I found Zeros, and I even captured Gravel and Aldea who acted as they pleased, isn’t this my achievement? Yet despite that――.’

Ragrush stomped on the ground, then she turned right about face to and walked towards the town.

‘――But,’

She stopped walking and turned back at the black luster castle. She looked at the highly towering spire and narrowed her eyes.

‘But, if I raise even greater achievement……perhaps even Captain will pay more attention to me.’

Ragrus turned her back to the palace in resolve, and she began to run to the city.