Editing Unlimited Fafnir:Volume 6 Chapter 1 (section)

===Part 3===

The situation changed four days after I resumed attending classes.

"—Twenty-five years ago when the first dragon disaster took place, Japan suffered the most severely as the location where Vritra made its appearance. Although the Greater Tokyo Area was devastated, reconstruction after the fact proceeded quite rapidly because the Japanese delayed resistance and refrained from conducting useless attacks. No signs of the tragedy remain visible anymore. However, other countries chose to fight to the very end. The pollution caused by chemical and nuclear weapons has hampered reconstruction efforts."

During second period, Shinomiya Haruka-sensei was lecturing on modern history.

Her long black ponytail swayed every time she walked back and forth at the lectern.

She was both Midgard's commander and the homeroom teacher of our Brynhildr Class.

"—As you all know, Japan is also the country with the highest incidence of Ds. Hence, during reconstruction, many Asgard facilities were built on reclaimed land along Tokyo Bay's shore. Furthermore, there is a large-scale NIFL base. An important stronghold against dragons, from Tokyo's perspective. The people who promoted the construction of these facilities are Asgard's first leader and Japan's prime minister at the time. This will all be on the exam, so please pay attention. Iris Freyja, given your grades, you don't have the luxury of napping in class, do you?"

"Hwah!? Y-Yes!"

Frequently nodding off to sleep, my neighbor Iris replied frantically at the call of her name.

At this moment, the classroom's door suddenly opened.

"Sorry for interrupting the lesson, but I have an extremely urgent announcement."

Principal Charlotte and her secretary, Mica Stuart-san, showed up. Dressed in a maid uniform as usual, Mica-san was holding a stack of paper.

"Principal, what exactly is the matter?"

Shinomiya-sensei asked with concern.

"—Asgard's First Laboratory in the east has proposed a ''possibility'' that might be able to defeat Yggdrasil. To verify the plan's feasibility, they have asked us to send Mononobe Yuu to assist them."

"Why does Nii-san have to go..."

Mitsuki asked. All eyes gathered upon me.

Seeing everyone's reactions, the principal added to her explanation.

"There is something you have not been informed yet... After defeating Hraesvelgr, Mononobe Yuu gained the ability to replicate Ether Wind using dark matter. When fighting Yggdrasil, that Ether Wind might come in handy."

"What!? When exactly—"

Mitsuki glared at me. Her face seemed to be saying: Why did you not tell me?

"Don't blame him, because during the process of verification experiments, I warned him he must neither disclose the fact nor carelessly generate Ether Wind."

The principal smiled wryly and appeased Mitsuki.

"—In that case, Principal, do you intend to accept their request?"

Shinomiya-sensei went back to the main topic and asked the principal.

"Yes, not just Mononobe Yuu. I intend to send all members of Brynhildr Class to head forth as the Dragon Subjugation Squad. Once it is known that the plan is feasible, you will go directly to strike Yggdrasil. Of course, I will send additional personnel when the time comes."

After the principal replied, Mica-san, who had been standing on the side, walked up instantly.

"These are letters of instructions issued to all of you. Please accompany them as the commanding officer, Haruka-san."

Mica-san distributed the papers in her hand to us. Written on them were orders dispatching us to the Asgard laboratory in Japan, authorizing us to leave Midgard temporarily.

"Instant departure...? Isn't this too rushed?"

After reading the letter of instructions, Shinomiya-sensei frowned.

"If a means to defeat Yggdrasil exists, then it must be carried out as quickly as possible. The Yggdrasil that has appeared on Aokigahara is growing bigger day by day. The range of mechanical anomaly is also expanding gradually. I fear that the longer we delay, the more disadvantageous it will be to us."

"Fair enough, but... somehow, I feel that you seem quite anxious—"

Shinomiya-sensei's words conveyed slight worry.

"...Nothing of that sort. Anyway, you will start preparing to head for Japan immediately."

Although the principal denied what Shinomiya-sensei said, I knew she was lying.

She was anxious for my sake. Along with weapons data, Yggdrasil had transmitted ''something'' akin to a computer virus to my brain. Once the invasive state increased dramatically, even the principal would be unable to stop Yggdrasil from controlling me.

Hence, Yggdrasil must be defeated as soon as possible.

"—Understood. Everyone, we will return to the dormitories to prepare."

Lisa nodded and called for everyone to move.

"Yes! We must get to Japan earlier!"

Iris concurred with a solemn expression.

Since Lisa and Iris knew about my relationship with Yggdrasil, they probably understood the principal's anxiety.

"I agree... Besides, I cannot allow Nii-san to go alone. I have no objections."

Mitsuki agreed with a serious expression. Firill and Tia also nodded.

"The First Laboratory of the Far East Branch... Don't tell me it's..."

But for some reason, Ariella showed a grave expression and muttered to herself.

"Mm..."

Beside her, Ren also made a complicated expression.

"Ariella and Ren, what's wrong?"

I asked out of curiosity, but Ariella smiled wryly and dodged the question.

"Eh? Oh, nothing much. This has nothing to do with you, Mononobe-kun, so don't mind us."

Ariella replied while putting her hand on Ren's shoulder.

"—Don't worry, Ren, I'll be at your side."

"Mm..."

Hearing her say that, Ren nodded lightly in response.

Although seeing them like that worried me, since Ariella said it had nothing to do with me, I could not pry any further.

"Nii-san, let us return to the dorm too."

"Oh, sure."

Urged by Mitsuki, I left Ariella and Ren.

Japan was the country where Mitsuki an I were born and raised.

But to Ariella and Ren, perhaps it was a place of complicated backstories.