Editing Unlimited Fafnir:Volume 8 Chapter 3 (section)

===Part 4===

"...Onii-chan, everyone, do your best."

"Don't worry about Mitsuki, we'll protect her for sure."

Ren and Ariella saw us off as we departed. Likewise waiting at the lake side, Kili waved to us while her other hand held the vine that was binding Vritra.

"Even if NIFL attacks from the air, we will strike them all down. So Yuu, you have to protect me well."

"...Hmph."

As usual, Vritra turned her face away in displeasure.

"Then we're off."

Including me, the participants in the operation waved then took to the sky. Tia with her fictional armament of red wings was in charge of transporting Jeanne and me, who did not have flying skills.

For transportation, Lisa was in charge of Iris while Firill had Shinomiya-sensei—Enveloping themselves in wind transmuted from their respective dark matter, they ascended in the air.

Within the blink of an eye, Ren and the others were no longer visible while the van on the side had become a small dot.

'—Well then, I will now explain the key points of the operation.'

The communicator transmitted Shinomiya-sensei's voice. I took my gaze off the lake that was growing distant.

'First of all, we will approach Kraken Zwei until visible range, to let her know of Jeanne Hortensia's presence. Judging from the battles against unmanned weaponry, the target's sensing range is quite broad and will surely detect her.'

—So Shinomiya-sensei had heard the earlier conversation.

We had not gone out of our way to explain to her, but she had switched to using "Jeanne" and "her" to refer to John, this showed that she had overheard our dialogue.

'Then we will first retreat temporarily and pulled back. After that, put down the three of us, Mononobe Yuu, Jeanne Hortensia and me, by the river on the west. The remaining members will standby at their combat positions as originally assigned.'

"Understood!"

Flying while holding my hand, Tia answered with full vigor.

Since Tia, Lisa and Firill were using combat goggles, their goggles should display the destination's necessary information.

'Hold on, Shinomiya-sensei. Going to the river on the west would greatly deviate from Kraken Zwei's direction of advance.'

Perhaps having confirmed the map, Lisa raised a question for Shinomiya-sensei.

'—I know, but if what Kraken Zwei seeks is family, she should change direction and come towards us. If she advances in search of mates instead of changing direction—Then we will exterminate her at the combat location.'

Shinomiya-sensei asserted gravely.

Jeanne and I were both being transported by Tia. I could hear Jeanne make a small gasp.

'In other words... We will persuade if it looks like there's hope for success. Perhaps that might be safer than suddenly appearing in front of Kraken Zwei.'

Firill agreed with Shinomiya-sensei's plan. Iris, transported by her, kept looking down at the view below the entire time. To cover up the scales appearing on her skin, she was still wearing my jacket.

'Yes, if she changes course, chances of successful persuasion will be much higher. However, I have considered the worst-case scenario, of course, and asked the members standing by at their assigned locations, distributed in our surroundings, to get ready to snipe. If the need arises, please attack from long range.'

Shinomiya-sensei explained the process to us but Iris raised a question.

'—If we follow that plan, will we be able to protect Mononobe and the rest of you in an emergency...? My Catastrophe doesn't work...'

'It's not that it doesn't work, but it gets blocked. Since Kraken Zwei is half D, then there should be a limit as to how much dark matter she can generate at a time. Mithril shields created through transmutation are not limitless.'

—Indeed. Kraken Zwei handled Catastrophe by generating a mithril shield to buy time before taking evasive action. That was probably evidence that her mithril generation was insufficient.

'Consequently, the other three apart from Iris Freyja will attack first. Once the target takes defensive action, Iris Freyja will then fire at weaknesses in her defense. Since Mononobe Mitsuki's antimatter is not available, there are no other effective measures. If the target doesn't change course, we will use this same attack sequence too.'

Shinomiya-sensei explained a battle plan that should have chances of succeeding, but Iris spoke pessimistically again:

'Then... If that plan fails too...'

'Then run away. No matter what our situation, none of you may approach Kraken Zwei. Keep your distance away from her to absolutely avoid turning into a dragon.'

Shinomiya-sensei asserted strictly.

'......'

Iris fell silent with mixed emotions. Surely, she was not only worrying about the worst-case scenario outlined, because the words 'turning into a dragon' had additional significance to Iris right now.

—Iris.

I wanted to tell her things but in front of others, I could not bring up Iris' change.

'I understand.'

'Roger.'

Lisa and Firill responded on the silent Iris' behalf.

"...If you are in danger... Tia doesn't want to run away alone."

However, Tia shook her head while transporting me.

"Don't worry, Tia. It's actually safer for us, the ones who are not marked. If anything happens, you must prioritize your own safety. I will find a solution using that time."

"Find a solution...?"

Tia showed surprise at what I said.

"Even if all plans fails, I will still put an end to things. Since Kraken Zwei is also a D—So long as the opponent is human, I won't lose for sure."

Not for Tia alone, I was also declaring clearly for Iris to hear on the channel as well.

'Mononobe...'

Transported by Firill, Iris cast her gaze towards me.

As for Jeanne, who did not wish for battle, she looked down with a sad expression.

"However, our first important task is to succeed in persuasion. Let's pray right now that it won't turn into a battle."

To cheer Jeanne up, I deliberately added in a cheerful tone of voice.

'—Mononobe Yuu is right. Right now, the first important task of the plan is to persuade and win over the target. If we display an intention to fight from the very start, she will be wary too. Once we pass the next hill, the target should enter our view. Please prepare yourselves.'

Pointing to a slightly higher hill ahead, Shinomiya-sensei urged everyone to prepare themselves mentally.

To avoid getting ambushed by Kraken Zwei, we were flying at low altitude, following the hill's slope to gradually rise in elevation.

Soon after—The target came into view.

The scenery broadened all at once after we passed the hill. One object in the scenery was an exceptionally large silver mass, dominating the ground with overwhelming presence.

"—!?"

The extent of its massive size made one gasp. Perhaps because she was still expanding during our journey here, her length had clearly exceeded fifteen meters.

Covered by a silver curtain woven by multiple layers of mithril threads, her real body was not visible. The slowly quivering exterior was reminiscent of a jellyfish drifting in the ocean. The tiny silver threads fluttering at the edge of her body glimmered from the rays of the sun that was starting to set.

At this moment, I felt all the hairs on my body stand on end.

—We were seen.

Feeling this signal through my skin, I instantly yelled.

"That's enough! Everybody pull back quickly!"

'Stop advancing! Turn around and retreat!'

Almost at the same time, Shinomiya-sensei issued orders.

"G-Got it!"

Kraken Zwei's appearance had stunned Tia. She came back to her senses and answered.

Jeanne stared intently at Kraken Zwei, gradually receding away, then took a deep breath.

"I am here! You don't have to be afraid on your own anymore! Come with me!"

Jeanne yelled with all her strength.

After crossing the hill and Kraken Zwei went out of sight, she closed her eyes as though in prayer.

"Please... You must remember me."

Immediately, an explosion occurred at the hill serving as cover.

"What—"

No, more accurately, the hill was leveled. A thick length of silver ribbon had uprooted the entire hill, scattering trees and soil.

'Accelerate! The target is gaining on us!'

Shinomiya-sensei called out urgently.

On the other side of the cloud of rising dust and sand, countless glimmering silver strands could be glimpsed.

Was she chasing after Jeanne? Or seeking mates? At the current stage, it was still unclear.

Confirming this question was next.

'I am about to fly at full speed. Are you okay, Tia-san?'

Lisa asked Tia who was transporting Jeanne and me.

"Yes, no problem!"

'Well then, time to accelerate!'

Our flying speed increased all at once, the scenery was left behind in the blink of an eye.

Then according to the plan as discussed earlier, we first landed at the bank of the river out west.

The river itself was quite narrow but the shore was quite wide with excellent visibility.

"—According to the plan, we will wait here for Kraken Zwei. If she does not come this way... We will deem the target as a dragon, as mentioned just now, and exterminate it."

Shinomiya-sensei issued strict orders to the four girls in the attack team.

"Affirmative."

"—Yes."

"Understood."

Lisa, Firill and Tia answered with tense expressions.

Iris nodded silently in response then turned her gaze at me.

"Mononobe..."

"Don't worry, no matter what happens, I—"

I smiled, trying to comfort Iris who seemed quite worried—but she shook her head.

"No, Mononobe, it's the opposite this time."

"Huh?"

With eyes filled with strong determination, Iris stared at me in my surprise.

"No matter what happens, I will protect you. I won't let you die no matter what, Mononobe."

"Iris...?"

I sensed some kind of dangerous signal from Iris' expression and reached towards her.

"So, Mononobe, don't be reckless, okay?"

Then Iris smiled sweetly—and as though evading my hand—and went towards Lisa and the others with a turn of of her body.

Together, Shinomiya-sensei, Jeanne and I watched them fly towards the sky.

"The only thing left is to wait."

Shinomiya-sensei watched the screen of her portable terminal while speaking nervously. She was probably looking at transmitted information to ascertain Kraken Zwei's location.

We were at the wide open riverside, so visibility was excellent, but Kraken Zwei had yet to appear.

However, faint rumbling of the ground could be heard from afar. Perhaps sensing a calamity, flocks of birds were flying out of the forest, calling sharply while circling nonstop in the air above.

"Please... Come over."

Jeanne stared at the direction of the rumbling and clenched her fist tightly.

"—Hey Jeanne."

"Eh?"

I called her original name but she looked at me in surprise.

"Oh, you prefer John instead?"

"N-No, either is fine..."

Jeanne blushed slightly and waved her hands frantically in denial.

"Okay—Jeanne, why are you so biased in favor of Kraken Zwei?"

I asked about what had intrigued me the whole time.

"I mentioned earlier... because I know she is human—"

"—I get a sense that you've grown fond of her more or less, but considering you sacrificed yourself to block Sleipnir's attack for her and seeing you look so anxious right now... I really don't think that's the only reason."

Risking one's life to protect someone, that was easier said than done. Were it not for someone more precious than oneself, one would definitely falter at a critical moment.

The reason why I was not afraid to pay any price in my battles so far was because I did it for those I held dear.

"...Indeed, I might be a bit too biased, but no matter what, I can't leave her alone."

Jeanne paused here and stared straight into my eyes.

"My wish is for me to become her good fortune."

"Good fortune?"

Not knowing what she was talking about, I frowned and asked.

"—I started out as a war orphan and only survived to this day thanks to many fortunate encounters. I am truly grateful from the bottom of my heart to every instance of that good fortune. That is why when I myself becomes someone's good fortune.. I don't want to betray this fortune."

Hearing Jeanne's words, filled with determination, I nodded in agreement.

"I see—I get it now."

Having obtained the answer to my question, I could now pray with the same feelings as Jeanne, praying that Kraken Zwei would come towards us to seek her own good fortune.

"Jeanne Hortensia."

Shinomiya-sensei took her gaze off the portable terminal and looked in Jeanne's direction.

"...?"

Jeanne looked at her questioningly. Immediately, Shinomiya-sensei bowed her head deeply.

"—Thank you."

She was most likely speaking as Shinomiya Miyako's elder sister. Shinomiya-sensei wanted to thank Jeanne for wanting to provide her sister's child with good fortune.

If Mitsuki were here, she would probably have done the same thing.

Then at this moment, I heard faint static from the communicator on my ear—followed by Lisa's voice.

'This is Lisa Highwalker. Visual confirmation of Kraken Zwei from the air above my standby position. She has changed course towards you!'

"—!"

Jeanne and Shinomiya-sensei looked at each other with optimism.

However, Shinomiya-sensei soon tensed her expression and issued orders to Lisa and the others.

"After waiting for Kraken Zwei to move, the attack team will spread out in four directions from us, to standby at suitable sniping positions. If the target does not yield to our persuasion, commence the attack immediately."

'Understood.'

After Lisa answered, Tia, Firill and Iris also responded, then the exchange was over.

The persistent rumbling of the ground grew louder and louder.

"She's here—"

Hearing Shinomiya-sensei say that, Jeanne and I nodded in response.

In addition to the ground's rumbling, I could also hear the sound of trees snapping.

Boom—Accompanying this thunderous crash, trees and soil flew up into the air. The silver ribbon moved at high speed, reflecting sunlight to shine.

Dust was blown by a strong wind. After merely a moment's blinking, the scenery had changed completely.

The vast forest following the river had been swept clear, turning into an empty plain. Towering there was a gigantic silver-white body.

Covered by a multi-layered silver curtain, the body kept shaking as countless silver strands fluttered in the air.

"...!"

The pressure exerted by her presence was causing my body to stiffen. I almost created my fictional armament on reflex, but suppressed the urge through rationality.

Our current undertaking was persuasion. It was imperative to avoid movements that would cause her to take hostile action.

"Stop! I am here!"

Jeanne took a step forward and called loudly to her. Perhaps understanding her speech, Kraken Zwei stopped advancing, halting her movements completely.

—Judging from the situation, will it work?

'Firill Crest reporting. Everyone is in position now.'

From the communicator, I heard that all members prepared to snipe in the event of failure had reached their positions.

"Acknowledged. Remain on standby until the situation changes."

Shinomiya-sensei answered quietly and focused her attention on Jeanne and Kraken Zwei who were facing each other across the river.

The whole time, I could feel a gaze that gave me goosebumps. Kraken Zwei was undoubtedly looking in this direction.

"—You must be lonely all by yourself. But you can rest assured now. Don't hide in that big shell. Come out and let me see you."

Jeanne spread her arms and persuaded gently.

Vibrations resembling a ripple appeared on Kraken Zwei's silver curtain, then opened smoothly in front of her body.

Due to a decrease in obstructions, I could feel Kraken Zwei's gaze stabbing my skin more strongly. A chill ran along my spine.

—What was this?

Jeanne's call seemed to be having an effect. Things were going according to plan, but I still felt an indescribable sense of unease.

From the interior of the obstruction woven from silver strands came a presence that pricked my skin.

—Did Jeanne and Shinomiya-sensei feel nothing?

I was the only one whose body was frozen.

Then this must be something targeting only me.

After unraveling multiple layers of obstruction, the true body of the young girl emerged. Half of her face was hidden by long hair, the single exposed eye glowed purple.

"—!"

The instant I made eye contact with the girl, my premonition turned into certainty.

She was not looking at Jeanne!

"Gahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!"

The girl roared, staring straight at me.

I instantly felt pain on the back of my left hand where my dragon mark was located.

As though responding to this pain, purple light erupted from Kraken Zwei's forehead. Blowing by the swirling wind, the hair over the girl's forehead floated up, revealing the pattern beneath.

—That was a dragon mark!

"H-Hey, what is with you!?"

Jeanne frantically called the girl but Kraken Zwei ignored her, only staring at me.

The more the light given off from the girl's glowing dragon mark intensified, the more my dragon mark hurt.

In addition, something resembling emotions flowed in.

The intent to steal. A pulsation of emotions wanting to force submission and plunder.

This girl—''wanted to mark me as hers''!?

Invaded by an intense foreign body sensation and disgust, I figured out the girl's goal.

Kraken Zwei was chasing me, not Jeanne. Most likely, she had approached here to engrave proof of her mark on me, whose dragon mark had not changed color at all.

Simultaneous with certainty, my anger erupted in a torrent.

In addition to Kili, Mitsuki and the others, you intend to take me too?

The pain of loss, the suffering of the plundered, I had experienced it countless times already. I had hurt others as a result of losing precious things.

Hence, I shall not allow anyone to take anything from me ever again!

"—How could I let myself be taken by you!!"

I swung my arm with furious emotions. In that very instant, the pain in my dragon mark vanished.

It felt as though something had been severed. Kraken Zwei's body trembled slightly—The nature of her feelings towards me changed.

"Gururururururururu—!"

Obvious hostility surged in the girl's gaze as she growled.

Clang—

A sharp and ear-splitting metallic noise resounded all around.

It was the sound of friction between silver threads fluttering in the air and getting entangled together.

"I beg you! Please calm down!"

Jeanne desperately tried to soothe her but the girl remained unmoved.

"Jeanne, it's no good! She's already—"

I understood instinctively that the moment I refused to be her mate, Kraken Zwei had recognized me as an enemy that must be eliminated.

As vexing as it was, what Vritra had said now seemed to be the truth. Right now, Kraken Zwei sought mates rather than family.

"Nothing of that sort! If I call to her more, surely she will—"

However, Jeanne shook her head in disagreement.

"Please! Listen to us!"

Shinomiya-sensei stepped forward and joined in to call her. Confronted with the girl whose face resembled her younger sister's, Shinomiya-sensei had apparently lost her usual calm.

"—!"

I concluded that they were going to get caught up in the attack, so I broke into a sprint.

I did not know if it was fortunate or unfortunate, but Kraken Zwei did not register Jeanne and Shinomiya-sensei in her vision at all. The hostility she exuded was entirely directed at me.

I ran along the river, distancing myself from Jeanne and Shinomiya-sensei.

—Fictional armament, Siegfried.

When I formed my fictional armament of an ornamental gun, Kraken Zwei also got ready to attack.

Countless spears woven from silver threads were aiming straight at me. The reason why she did not use antimatter was probably because the distance was too close, so there was a risk of getting caught in it herself.

In that case, getting too far away would be to my disadvantage too. Since running away had problems too, my only choice was to approach and kill her.

—Sorry, Jeanne and Shinomiya-sensei.

Deeming Kraken Zwei an enemy, I apologized to the two of them who had not lost hope yet.

Countless silver spears fired together.

"Air Bullet!"

I shot a bullet of compressed air underfoot and used the reaction force to swiftly get away from my position. Seeing my original location pierced by silver spears, I began to take precautions against the next attack.

Shining silver trails appeared in the surroundings.

Kraken Zwei was spreading her hair, trying to surround me.

No place to run—

"Antigravity!"

I used up the remaining dark matter that sustained the fictional armament's shape, converting it entirely into antigravitational matter. Accompanied by a white glow, the repulsive field pushed away the silver cage that was approaching from all sides.

"!"

Seizing a gap that opened up between the silver threads, I escaped the encirclement.

"Shinomiya-sensei! Please give Lisa and the others the order to attack!"

I regrouped while yelling.

Kraken Zwei no longer treated Jeanne as family. Since she was attacking like this, she was an opponent that must be treated as a dragon.

Shinomiya-sensei could not possibly not know this, but she did not issue orders over the communicator. Instead, she took unexpected action.

"What..."

Shinomiya-sensei ran towards me.

Gritting her teeth, she looked like she was holding back her tears.

Kraken Zwei aimed at me again with her silver spears. I created my fictional armament again but just before I was about to take evasive action—

Shinomiya-sensei inserted herself between us and spread her arms.

"If you can understand human speech—if you can hear my voice—even if just a little bit, please listen to me!"

With her back to me, Shinomiya-sensei faced Kraken Zwei and yelled loudly.

She was trying so desperately, it was like a plea or a prayer.

"I hope you will live as a human! As Miyako's—as my little sister's daughter!"

As Shinomiya Miyako's older sister rather than Midgard's commander, she was trying her hardest to persuade the girl.

But the answer turned out to be a rain of silver.

Woven from silver threads, sharp spears rained down on us.

"Tsk—Antigravity!"

My original plan was to use wind pressure to escape at high speed as before, but at the last moment, I switched to defending with a repulsive field.

Engulfed by white light, the silver spears slowed down and stopped in the air.

Clang—

However, a strange sound rang out. Stopped in the air, the silver spears unraveled and melded together to form a spiral spearhead resembling a drill.

The spearhead resisted the repulsive field, spinning to push forward by force.

"Shinomiya-sensei! It's no good, so please hurry and give orders to attack!"

Seeing that this would not hold for long, I called to Shinomiya-sensei.

"Please... Mononobe Yuu, one last time."

However, Shinomiya-sensei said strongly without looking back.

Approaching the spearhead fearlessly, she only looked at Kraken Zwei—

"But—"

With her back to the desperately anxious me, Shinomiya-sensei continued to plead to her.

"Kraken Zwei... Please remember! Remember Jeanne Hortensia whom you desired as family! She hopes for your happiness from the bottom of her heart!"

Facing the silver-haired girl who controlled mithril, Shinomiya-sensei delivered words filled with intense thoughts and feelings.

"And I too—wish for your happiness more than anyone!!"

"Gahhhhhhhh!!"

However, Kraken Zwei answered with an angry roar.

The mithril hair pulsed, concentrating its power at a point—The silver drill penetrated the white repulsive field in one go.

"You are not an unwanted disaster. You are Shinomiya Miyako's daughter—A human!!"

But even so, Shinomiya-sensei refused to back down.

"Everyone hurry and attack!"

I believed the limit was reached so I called to everyone over the communicator.

'B-But Shinomiya-sensei has not given the order—'

Lisa's troubled voice responded.

"...!"

Deciding there was no time to answer, I rushed out from behind Shinomiya-sensei.

Kraken Zwei's target was me. So long as Shinomiya-sensei remained in front, she would be caught in the crossfire.

At this moment, the spiral spearhead finally broke through the repulsive field by force.

Slightly faster than I expected. No—I had judged too late.

Seeing the spearhead extend with frightening speed, I realized it was too late to evade.

However, impending death was blocked by a silhouette that had moved in from the side.

I was pushed back with a thud.

"Cough—"

What I heard was a muffled cry of pain.

I looked up to see Shinomiya-sensei's face, coughing blood.

"Sorry for asking you to go along... with my willfulness..."

Shinomiya-sensei coughed while apologizing to me.

I shifted my gaze lower, only to see the thick silver spear skewering her body—

"What..."

Realizing Shinomiya-sensei had protected me, I gasped. And under those circumstances, she still turned around to face Kraken Zwei.

"Even if these words cannot reach you right now... It is fine. However... at least please remember... that someone once wished for your happiness here..."

Spitting a large mouthful of blood, Shinomiya-sensei collapsed.

"—Please, Lisa! Shoooooooot!!"

My mind went blank and I cried out with all my strength.

'—V-Very well!'

A yellow flash ripped through the sky. At the same time, the approaching mithril hair was pulled back to the body.

The flash of light clashed with the shield woven from silver threads, giving off blinding light.

'Tia, we are joining in.'

'Got it!'

Slightly later, Firill and Tia joined in the attack. Projectiles of fire approached from the right while lightning attacked Kraken Zwei from the left. Since her mithril hair was being used to block Lisa's attack, she could not use her hair. However, black particles of dark matter appeared in Kraken Zwei's surroundings to create silver walls.

Fire and lightning was deflected, shaking the air with thunderous noise.

Despite the giant explosion—That sort of attack did not reach the main body.

Still, that was within expectations. Iris should now be looking for a chance to attack. But before everything else, the most important thing was—

"Shinomiya-sensei!"

I picked up the collapsed Shinomiya-sensei in my arms and called her name. While switching to defense, Kraken Zwei had already pulled out the silver spear that had skewered her body.

However, the wound was too large. With such a massive hole opened in the center of the body, surely many important organs must have been gouged out. The warm blood flowing from her body dyed my hands red all over.

Having seen countless casualties on battlefields in the past, I understood... She was beyond saving.
[[image:UnlimitedFafnir v08 187.jpg|thumb]]

"C-Cough... C-Cough... Sor, ry—"

Shinomiya-sensei looked at me with hazy eyes, her voice apologizing to me in fragments.

"Why—"

Why did you do that—I stopped myself from finishing this question. Because there was no need to ask. She was simply doing everything she could as Shinomiya Miyako's elder sister. And her apology just now was her apologizing for not fulfilling her role as the commander—

"Looks like I... am not, strong enough—to, kill my little sister twice."

Shinomiya-sensei's voice continued hoarsely, her gaze directed towards Kraken Zwei.

Attacked from three directions, the girl hid herself between her mithril hair and shields.

"No—I think that as a human, Shinomiya-sensei, you are stronger than anyone."

I held back from sobbing and turned my head to the side, because I believed that in refusing to give up hope, persisting in persuasion, Shinomiya-sensei's actions were definitely not weak.

"—Ho, Mononobe Yuu... You are—so nice."

With a slight smile on her lips, she closed her eyes then forgot to breathe, sinking into deep slumber.

"...!"

I bit my lip hard then placed Shinomiya-sensei's gradually cooling body on the river shore.

I saw Jeanne fall down, sitting on the ground after standing in the distance in shock.

'Mononobe! Did something happen to Shinomiya-sensei!?'

I heard Iris over the communicator.

"—She was hit by Kraken Zwei."

I managed to force out these words in reply.

'H-Hit? Is she injured somewhere—'

"A fatal wound, she's already... stopped breathing."

'!?'

Not just Iris, but everyone else was speechless. I could sense it over the communicator.

'No, way...'

Firill murmured hoarsely.

'Right now... We must focus our attacks! Do not let up our offense!'

However, Lisa yelled resolutely, supporting everyone's hearts nearing collapse.

'...G-Got it.'

Despite showing wavering in her heart, Tia still responded. The attacks from three directions did not halt, persisting nonstop.

'Ah... Ahhh...'

I heard Iris sobbing faintly but her crying gradually grew louder, finally turning into mournful wailing.

'Oooh... Oooooooooh!'

Her sorrowful crying felt like knife in my heart.

"Sorry, I failed to protect Sensei."

The only way I could respond was apologize.

"Oooooh... Ahhh... Ahhhhhhhhh!!"

Anger was building up amidst sorrow.

Laments spontaneously turned into a howl of intense emotion.

'AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!'

The screaming ended, following by the sound of inhalation.

Then accompanied by blinding crimson light—

Iris released her burning feelings.

'O catastrophe—Actualiiiize!!

Red light shone from afar.

It was a flash of light that stole time, bringing destruction to all creation.

Due to Lisa, Firill and Tia's attacks, Kraken Zwei's defense had become thin at one location. Aiming at that spot, Iris' Catastrophe pierced the atmosphere to attack.

However, Kraken Zwei noticed a moment earlier and generated a shield in that direction.

Whether Iris could break through would depend on the amount of dark matter Kraken Zwei could generate each time.

A gigantic flood of red light smashed against the mithril shield.

Iris' Catastrophe looked even more powerful than before. The pillar of light, which seemed like it was about to devour the gigantic Kraken Zwei, rivaled even Basilisk's trump card, the "Third Eye."

This was the power of Iris, who was now becoming close to a dragon—

'Oooh... Ahhhhhhhh!!'

With screaming mixed with crying, Iris continued to fire the flash of red light.

The thick shield of mithril between them was gradually weathered away before our eyes.

With one direct hit, Kraken Zwei would probably turn into dust and vanish.

But... was this ending really appropriate?

Until the very end, Shinomiya-sensei had prayed for Kraken Zwei's happiness. Recalling the plea she had risked her life to deliver, I could not help but feel lost.

My heart could not make a decision. A tide of emotions was whispering in my ear—Should I carry on Shinomiya-sensei's last wish?

"Gahhhhhhhhhhh!"

Kraken Zwei roared amidst the light.

Boom—

With a thunderous crash, the gigantic silver body flew rapidly into the air.

'What!?'

I heard Lisa's surprised voice over the communicator.

—Did she judge that the shield was not going to hold and thus took evasive action?

However, this was no ordinary leap. The enormous silver body was wrapped in a ball shape with a large amount of leaves and twigs that had been swept up.

She had probably transmuted dark matter into air, thereby controlling wind. It was the same way as how Ds flew. Perhaps she had learned it by watching us.

Kraken Zwei ascended while rotating sideways, firing purple light in four directions.

"!? That's antimatter! Hurry and run, everyone!!"

I came back to my senses from my daze and yelled.

The antimatter flying at Iris was erased by Catastrophe, but the remaining three shots exploded in three separate directions.

Accompanied by flashes of blinding light, thunderous noise shook the atmosphere.

"Lisa, Firill, Tia!"

I called out over the communicator but only got static as a response.

They were capable of flying into the air and should have had enough time to react. It was possible that they were simply unable to answer due to interference from the explosion, or—

The worst-case scenario, which I did not want to touch upon, flashed in my mind.

'Damn youuuuuuuuuuu—!'

Iris' voice hammered my ear drum.

Chasing after the humongous body that had escaped to the air, the red light from the ground ripped through the air towards the top of the sky.

Right now, the only things protecting Kraken Zwei was a barrier of air and a silver curtain woven from mithril hair.

The air barrier was blown away in an instant as blinding red light engulfed the gigantic silver body.

While her vector turned downwards, Kraken Zwei's body gradually shrunk.

But at the same time, the red light suddenly began to grow faint as well.

'...No way—I was clearly so close...'

I heard Iris' pained voice. Catastrophe's output had apparently reached a limit.

'C-Clearly... I must do this—'

Iris cried loudly but the red light continued to diminish mercilessly.

Witnessing this scene, my hesitation vanished.

—Shinomiya-sensei, I'm sorry. I... have to protect Iris and the others.

I was unable to carry on her last wish because murder was the only thing I could do.

"Don't worry, Iris."

I said to the lamenting Iris.

Swallowed by feelings of anger, sorrow and regret, I sank into the depths of my consciousness.

In order to hunt the Kraken Zwei hiding behind a silver curtain—to hunt a human—I once again became one with "Fafnir."

"Leave the rest to me."

Announcing strongly, I ran towards where Kraken Zwei was expected to land.

When the red light stopped completely, a small mass wrapped in silver threads was exposed. Sure enough, Iris' firepower was slightly insufficient, but Kraken Zwei had shrunk to around three meters, similar to during our first confrontation.

Thus, the silver mass fell in the forest some distance from the river side. With a massive crash, the ground shook slightly with dust and soil flying up.

After crossing the shallow river, I rushed into the forest where Kraken Zwei had crashed.

"—Captain! Please wait!"

I heard Jeanne's voice faintly from afar. She definitely not given up.

Precisely because of that, I must not stop. I could not allow Jeanne to repeat Shinomiya-sensei's tragedy.

Dim conditions in the forest combined with the dust cloud compromised visibility. However, Fafnir's sense of smell in search of prey would not be dulled by this level of interference.

I definitely caught it, the presence of the girl slowly getting up where she had crashed. Then there was the sharp killing intent approaching me.

—Whoosh!

Accompanied by the sound of slicing wind, silver strands attacked.

Anti-materiel armor—Damascus 09P!

I deployed multiple palm-sized shields along the silver strands' trajectories.

Although they could not completely block the threads that were made of mithril, they could deflect trajectories slightly and reduce their speed.

What this produced was a tiny window of opportunity. I lowered my stance and rushed through that opening.

Passing through the cloud of dust, my field of view instantly opened up.

In front of me was—A young girl with swaying silver hair.

Standing in a depression in the ground, her purple eye shot straight at me. Death's chilling presence crept up my spine as I saw the girl's eye release the glow of antimatter.

"—!"

I extended my hand to block as though in response.

"Gahhhhhhh!!"

Kraken Zwei roared and released antimatter, not afraid of getting caught up in it.

I generated dark matter at the same time, transmuting antigravitational matter without using a fictional armament!

The strong repulsive field, capable of warping space itself, was deployed with a white glow—The antimatter projectile was deflected upwards. Completing its job, the antigravitational matter shattered and dissipated, leaving white light.

I closed in even further.

Approaching—A distance within the reach of Fafnir's fangs.

The girl widened her eyes slightly, looking up at me from close range.

Her young, adorable and slender face was quite similar to Shinomiya-sensei—But I did not hesitate.

She was seeking mates, not Jeanne. She had let slip of happiness on her own accord despite how hard it was to come by.

And most important of all... She had killed Shinomiya-sensei!

"Ahhhhhhhhhh!!"

The reverse flow of anger and sorrow sinking in my heart was ejected as a yell from my mouth.

Kraken Zwei's body was wrapped in mithril hair to shield her vitals. Naturally, her head was protected by hair too. Landing a single lethal strike would be extremely difficult.

However—methods to kill her naturally surfaced in my mind.

Fafnir told me the ways.

I generated dark matter in both hands at the same time, transmuting them into high-density antigravitational matter, using the two repulsive fields to create a spatial discontinuity!

In the past, "White" Leviathan had used multiple repulsive fields to produce spatial discontinuities to amputate parts of its body.

I should be able to accomplish something similar, even if just on a small scale.

In the gap between the repulsive fields shining with pure white light—a pitch-black crack arose.

A gap of warped space.

—Gravity Grave.

I fired the black blade born out of white light!

The girl's body was devoured by the white radiance and black discontinuity.

No matter how sturdy the outer shell providing protection, the spatial discontinuity could twist everything caught inside.

A living body could not possibly withstand that level of distortion.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!"

Screaming a death cry, Kraken Zwei was blown away backwards.

The trees ahead were also caught in the spatial distortion phenomenon, twisting and breaking like paper.

Kraken Zwei was thrown into the depths of the forest, out of sight.

"—Huff... Huff..."

I only remembered to breathe again after the girl vanished from my view.

I probably... killed her. The hit definitely felt concrete.

Bitter emotions were spreading in my heart. The feeling after the conclusion—It was awful. Although I had avenged Shinomiya-sensei, there was no sense of accomplishment at all.

It approached the worst-case scenario closely.

Not only losing Shinomiya-sensei but also failing to save Shinomiya Miyako's daughter.

"Damn it..."

I clenched my fist and cursed in regret.

However, at this moment, there was a silver flash from the depths of the forest.

"—Huh?"

A strong impact struck my body. While my view was spinning, silver threads came into view.

Then a wave of intense pain came from my body's left half.

Just as I was in so much pain that I was about to scream, more impacts attacked.

This time it was my back and the back of my head. The pain and impact turned my view black. Without knowing what was happening, I screamed for real this time.

"Ugh... Ahhhhhhhhh!?"

Why did it hurt so much? Most likely, my ribs were broken. My back and the back of my head might be bleeding. I felt a warm and viscous flow running down my skin.

Then I had an unusual feeling.

How odd, if Fafnir was awakened, I was supposed to be able to sever the sensation of pain through willpower.

But no matter how I tried, the pain did not go away.

Rustle—Rustle—

I heard faint footsteps.

Using my blurred vision, I looked ahead.

I had most likely crashed into a tree, putting my body in a sitting posture right now. The height of my gaze was quite low.

Passing through the dim forest—The girl, whom I should have killed already, emerged.

With her hair woven into silver ribbons in spiral form, the Kraken's child directed her purple gaze at me.

Surfacing on her face was a bestial expression—savage anger and killing intent.

Seeing that kind of expression, I understood.

Not choosing the good fortune that was Jeanne, abandoning the closest kin that was Shinomiya-sensei, the girl had forsaken her human identity.

That appearance and way of living made her far more suitable to the title of dragon than the current Vritra.

No wonder... I had failed to kill her.

Leaning against the tree, I muttered bitterly in my heart.

—Major Loki, how rare for your judgment to be mistaken. It doesn't seem like... I am entitled to make the choice anymore.

Looking up at the tiny monster that was approaching, I realized I had lost.

I was only capable of killing humans.

The fangs of Fafnir could not reach a being that was not human.

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