Editing Hyouketsu Kyoukai no Eden:Volume 5 Chapter4 (section)

===Part 8===

The Holy Hall.

It was a giant room and corridor.

If you looked, the stone floor to the point that you could see each individual strand of hair reflected in it. There were numerous large lights on the ceiling that filled the room with a blinding amount of light.

“……Now then, what’s gonna come out?”

“What would you do if it was a cute girl?“

“No way. On the contrary, if someone like that came out here, it would actually be weird……ah, but maybe.”

“So a girl really would be good?“

“If it’s one that I can talk to.”

Biting his lips shut, he leered at the light-filled passage ahead.

──There’s nobody.

Examining the surroundings for presences, he continued on step by step.

“Hey, Sheltis, what do you mean by talk to? With somebody from the Governmental Sector? Having come this far?“

“……There’s what we talked about Yuragi-san just before. About Ymy.”

That Ymy relied on herself and entrusted the ‘Mikuva’s Crimson Eye‘ to him.

“When we reach Mikuva’s Crimson Eye, the mystery from that time we went with Leon to the {{furigana|floating archipelago|Lagoon}} will be solved too, right?”

“Most likely. The outline of the Governmental Sector’s plans as well.“

“Can we investigate things outside of the Governmental Sector too?”

“What do you mean?“

“……No, sorry. I just wanted to try asking.”

Within his swirl of thoughts, there was one suspicion that was continued to be lodged and wouldn’t flow.

“Last night, I thought about something while talking with Ymy. How to put it……is this really the work of the Governmental Sector?”

With him assuming the position of Ymy’s consultant, he felt a calm that wasn’t there until then and was able to sort out the information related to this case.

The {{furigana|floating archipelago|Lagoon}} that lay on the boundary of the areas under the Governmental Sector’s surveillance. The research facility and Yuugenshu that were there.

“I also understand that it’s clear that the Governmental Sector is suspicious. I think the chances of that are still over ninety percent.”

“What about the remaining ten percent?“

“……I don’t know. But I wonder what it is. Maybe it’s the Governmental Sector’s attitude. For the meeting, why did they have the confidence to call us all the way here to their territory?”

The Governmental Sector had confidence. That might be the confidence that even with the conference, they could manage to hide it or maybe there was some other plan.

……It’s just that if that’s true.

The identity of that golden spellcaster, Maha, might become more of a mystery.

“…………”

“In response to your earlier question, if you specify the time and place, it is possible to search the ‘Crimson Eye‘. I think the chances of it displaying nothing are high though.“

“I got it, thanks.”

At any rate, just continue on. If he didn’t find the all-important item, then all the hard work to arrive here would come to nothing. ……Above all else, he would have failed Ymy.

“Straight ahead?”

“Since there are no other paths to take. Whether it’s a trap or anything else, we have to keep going.“

The ten metre-wide hall stretched on endlessly.

Along the sides of the corridor were countless stone pillars with arches at the top that supported the ceiling. The design was highly reminiscent of a temple or something similar.

……This large size is curious.

There might be several hundred metres in a straight line. He had snuck in quite deep since separating from Yuragi at the elevator but it was just like having a giant underground cave.

“Ilis, it’s a little late to ask but are there any security devices?”

“Not as far as I saw. It’s an area known only to a handful of Governmental Sector insiders so there might not be any so as to not leave behind visual data.“

“I see, well that makes sense.”

It was a place called the Holy Hall. To protect their secrets, they couldn’t set any security devices precisely because this place was so important. It was difficult to get here but after reaching the Holy Hall, all they had to do was proceed.

“……A door.”

It had been several minutes of walking while surveying the surroundings.

Before his eyes, a solemn and shiny door crafted with brass and silver could be seen.

“It doesn’t seem to require anything like a key.“

“Roger. It looks like a regular door that opens to the sides so I can open it…………”

His breathing caught before he decided that in his mind.

 

'''──Somebody’s here.'''

 

A heavy pressure that overwhelmed others just by being there. It was somebody with an absolute existence that he’d felt only a few times even in {{furigana|Tenketsu Palace|Sophia}}.

……It’s the same one as that time.

On the first day of the conference, the presence that had enveloped the entire of the Governmental Sector’s office building.

“Ilis, construct the swords.”

He ordered {{furigana|machine crystal|Ilis}} to construct the dual swords and did nothing but stare ahead. Towards the direction that he could most feel the crushing pressure from.

 

“An intruder……hasn’t it been a long time?”

 

The large figure of a person appeared from the stone pillar ahead and to the right without a sound.
[[image:-eden05_-00d.jpg|thumb]]

No, that wasn’t the figure of a person ── it was a fully metallic mace longer than an adult. The cylindrical handle was thicker than a grown man’s arm and the cylindrical pommel atop it was such that it was debatable whether Sheltis could wrap his arms around it. He couldn’t imagine how much it weighed altogether.

“Surely there’s no way you don’t know of the treasure that lies ahead of here? If so……”

A defective product way too large for a person to use.

He was carrying that easily with one hand.

“From here on is the inviolable, absolute Holy Hall. As the ‘number one‘ of the secret military force ‘Heaven’s Wheel‘ tasked with guarding the Holy Hall, Zeadoll, I shall eliminate you ── overcome me with your magnificent skills.”

He was a large man that towered over Sheltis.

The gray longcoat worn over a thin black overshirt could not hide the man’s muscles which could be seen swelling within.

His scorched-earth-colored hair was cut short and bristled up and his grey eyes forcefully conveyed his gallantry.

……He’s the Holy Hall’s guardian.

He could feel the cold sweat traveling down his cheek.

The secret military force ‘Heaven’s Wheel‘, an executive unit of the Governmental Sector’s. ……I knew they’d have a secret military unit like this. It was something I had a vague image of. In {{furigana|case Golden|Maha}} was part of the Governmental Sector, I made the resolution to fight with whatever unit he would belong to.

……Maybe I should be happy that Maha’s not here?

It was easy to imagine his battle form. Without technique, schemes or traps, he would just use the premieval method of pulverizing his opponent with his own power. Moreover, Sheltis was also bad at planning.

Now then, what to do.

First, he would ascertain Zeadoll’s movements and then move to counterattack──

“…………”

“…………”

But the guardian made no indications of attacking whatsoever. On the contrary, he was casting a questioning look over with expectant eyes.

“…………It’s your move.”

“What?”

“State your name.”

He swung his extremely heavy mace around and lined it up with Sheltis’ line of sight.

“Although I have named myself, it would be lacking in manners. Name yourself.”

“……Sheltis.”

“You idiot, why did you say your real name?“

“……Ah, cra──”

His voice came out without thinking in response to Ilis’ reprimand. If that man knew the names of {{furigana|Tenketsu Palace|Sophia}}’s Guards, then he would know his goal and his background. However──

“I see, so Sheltis. For having the ability to infiltrate up to this Holy Hall, first allow me to praise you admirably.”

……Eh, perhaps.

……Did he ask for my name just to say that?

“Furthermore, you have seen through my strength and naturally readied your swords. That is also praiseworthy.”

“……Haa, why thanks.”

“However!”

Zeadoll’s bellow shook the atmosphere throughout the entirety of the Holy Hall.

“This Holy Hall is absolute holy territory with me here. Not a single intruder has permitted to date. That’s why, Sheltis ── overcome me with your magnificent skills. If you take even one step past this border, I will stay silent and overlook you.”

“……Is that okay?”

“I swear on my honor. I have never deceived an enemy within my lifetime.”

“…………”

Looking at his eyes, it was clear that he was not lying.

This man had the full intention of allowing him to go to ‘Mikuva’s Crimson Eye‘ if he acknowledged his loss. That was because he knew that the adversity of not being allowed to lose would cause further growth for himself.

……Sheesh, his calculations are completely messed up.

……It’s the type I’m worst with.

Feeling the man’s intimidating air, Sheltis let out an honest wry smile.

“This is troubling……it would’ve been a lot easier with some crafty type. It’s unexpected that someone like you would be in the Governmental Sector.”

“Fumu. But your eyes don’t seem to be saying that?”

“────”

“There is no deceit within those eyes. Judging from your dignity and conviction, you came to the Holy Hall prepared for a confrontation with me, did you not? The way you act says so.”

They were words that shook the air.

Wordlessly taking them on ── the corners of Sheltis’ lips raised. It wasn’t the wry smile from before but the childlike smile that he showed to those he knew in {{furigana|Tenketsu Palace|Sophia}}.

……Of course.

……Despite saying how hard it is.

“I’m not good with those kinds of stances.”

“Is that so?”

“Jeez……like this, Maha would’ve been better. Enough that I wish he’d switch with you.”

But there was no reaction to Maha’s name.

……Is it a principal of not speaking to allies? It would be a given with this man’s personality.

“Fumu. Then let’s start.”

The instant he prepared his swords again.

 

A storm and rumble in the ground shook the sanctuary at the same time.

 

A heavy pressure seemed to be weighing on the back of his head. A chill down his spine stiffened him up to his fingertips.

──So fast!?

He crouched low enough to skim the ground. An instant after that. With the force of a cannonball, the silver mace stormed through the area directly above his head. That force passed by Sheltis and went towards the stone pillar behind him without stopping.

Crush.

The towering stone pillar had been reduced to countless fragments by a single hit from the mace. And it was done as easily as putting a spoon into pudding.

“An admirable reaction.”

The treasure guardian pulled out the mace planted into the stone pillar. Just a moment ago, he should’ve been ten metres ahead but now he was standing leisurely ten metres to the rear.

Looking at the rubble of the stone pillar, the destructive power made him gulp.

……So this is why there are no surveillance cameras.

He already had the unrestrained large-scale destruction force and bizarre mobility to be called a weapon. Even if someone tried to take a picture of him obliterating the enemy, the dust that would show up on the camera would make it completely meaningless.

“Let’s go.”

By the time that voice reached him, the guardian wasn’t at that place anymore.

Stomp ── a gale stirred up at his feet and Zeadoll’s giant body had already moved to right in front of him. A normal person would have undoubtedly gotten the mistaken impression that he had warped.

“Sheltis!“

{{furigana|Machine crystal|Ilis}} let out a warning.

……I can’t stop it with the dual swords.

It was like stopping a cannonball with a knife. It wouldn’t even deflect.

“──Tch!”

The mace was swung down with a roar. He calculated the path it would take and shifted over by half a step, moving in towards Zeadoll.

“Hoh.”

The guardian’s eyes widened slightly.

The center of the swirling gust that the mace had stirred up ── it could even be called the eye of the hurricane, the place closest to Zeadoll was a safe zone. Only the dual blades made unilateral sense.

Phew. Breathing out, he gathered strength into the grip on his two swords without a break.

The target is the tip of the chin.

It would deliver a shock to the spine if struck horizontally with the tip of the sword and paralyze the brain’s nervous system control. It was a strike that would cause a person to faint no matter what.

……It’s decided.

Matching with the mace’s downswing, he swung his sword up to counter. Perfect timing, it can’t be dodged. With that assuredness, he would strike the tip of the chin with the back of his sword. At the same time──

Scraaaape!

With a dull sound, the dual swords forged with Hyouketsu crystals was deflected.

“……Wha!?”

It wasn’t the sensation of a human body. The chin’s bone? No, that’s not it; it was heavier and more solid, a tough metal. Like a giant lump of steel or an even greater impact.

“There are no openings in my Sanctuary Arts.”

With spear-like vigor, Zeadoll swung down his left elbow.

The strike that should’ve defeated him had been meaningless. The momentary opening that surprise caused wasn’t overlooked and he felt the guardian’s counterattack sink into his flank.

“Guu……!”

He barely defended with his left elbow.

Crunch. His face distorting from the impact he felt from his bones, he still looked up. The guardian closed the gap with flowing movements and swung the mace sideways in succession.

Smack.

Pressing on his numb left elbow with his right hand, he jumped up.

Watching the cylinder at the end of the mace, Sheltis stepped on the back of the cylinder. Landing sideways on the curved cylinder, he then flew up tracing a triangle until just about grazing the ceiling.

……Did he say Sanctuary Arts?
[[image:Eden05_223.jpg|thumb]]

……As long as I don’t know how he did that defense earlier, I’ll have to start with getting rid of his attack options.

He would cut that mace with his swords.

When Zeadoll stopped moving after a miss, he would focus on the thinnest part of that mace. Accelerating through free fall, he swung the sword in his right hand with all his might──

“I’ll take it.”

Seeing that, Zeadoll’s smile deepened.

Would he pull back the mace or swing it up? It wasn’t either of those two options that Sheltis expected ── the treasure guardian swung up his own bare hand.

“His own arm!?”

His sword’s momentum wouldn’t stop. The blade of Hyouketsu crystals would cleave that trained right arm. That bloody image flitted through the back of his mind.

 

Screeeeeeeee……eeee……chh…………hh…………!

 

A sound without literary equivalent echoed through the Holy Hall.

Just like a crystal handbell would make, it was a cold and high-pitched sound.

“……No way.”

He descended silently with his dual blades in hand and this time Sheltis was truly without words. There was no issue with the swords’ blades. Not a single……not one drop of the blood that should have been clinging to it was there.

The swords that he’d swung down with all his strength had been completely stopped by the point of the man’s elbow.

“Mu.”

Staring at the torn part of his coat near his elbow, Zeadoll put a finger to it. His brown arm was showing from the gap in the coat’s fibres. It was just slightly but something red was oozing.

“You broke through my defense with a small sword like that……?”

“……Broke through?”

He furrowed his brows at the unexpected words.

This was the second time. The feeling transmitted through his swords was solid and it was not a defense that could be pulled off using the hardness of muscle or bone. Something more firm……diamond? No, stronger than that. Something close to the solidity of Hyouketsu crystals.

And then there were the words he used to describe his arts.

“Manifesting the properties of shinryoku in a tangible form is of the Worship line of spells.“

“……The same style as Monica, huh.”

Monica applied a coating of silvery-white crystals infused with shinryoku to her {{furigana|crossed rods|Rosario}} and used that to fight.

This man was likely of that type. The difference was ── as opposed to Monica who manifested it as silvery-white, he hadn’t manifested the shinryoku as a special material.

“Then is it a conceptual materialization?”

“Hoh, so you know of my Sanctuary Arts.”

With an affirmation made with admiration, Zeadoll narrowed his eyes to needles.

Conceptual materialization.

Imagining and manifesting the shinryoku was the same as with Monica. The difference was in how it was done. Instead of imagining something concrete, this man was likely manifesting shinryoku with a vague concept like ‘something hard and firm that’s also colorless and transparent‘.

“……It’s the first time I’ve seen something like it aside from the Hyouketsu Kyoukai; so it really exists.”

“I would think so. It’s an extremely high-level technique.“

The primary example of conceptual materialization was actually the Hyouketsu Kyoukai created by the five Priestesses.

Whatever the concrete image used was a private matter of the Priestesses’ but the manifestation of ‘Hyouketsu crystals‘ into the world was also an application of conceptual materialization.

“Casters that apply this to battle are exceedingly rare so I’ve only seen two others in the past myself. To begin with, it’s not a spell that can be used by just anybody.“

In {{furigana|Tenketsu Palace|Sophia}}, only somebody on the level of the Priestesses could use it and none of the Guards could. So to speak, while it was a technique that was forgotten, it was still being passed down here in the Governmental Sector.

“A secret art passed down to the protector of the sanctuary.”

“Indeed. However, the successive generations of guardians were too dependent on this ability and neglected to train. ……You understand what that means, do you not?”

He held the mace that exceeded his own body weight with one hand. Holding its tip in his direction, the current generation’s guardian declared as if in song.

“That technique’s just an extra?”

Jumping lightly from that spot, he flew over the rubble underfoot.

“I would say so. No matter how much you factor in the conceptual materialization, it’s still an unusual amount of endurance. It can’t be explained away with just the spell so there’s no other way but for his body to have been forged to the limit to begin with.“

This man’s strength was not in the Sanctuary Arts.

He was a seeker of strength.

He was not haughty about his exceptional body, had no shred of self-conceit, instead spending each day training to conceive this result. Even if the Sanctuary Arts had not been passed onto this man, he would have discovered a substitute for it on his own.

“Let’s go.”

“He’s coming.“

Before {{furigana|machine crystal|Ilis}}’ warning, Sheltis had already jumped directly to the side. Instantaneously reacting, Zeadoll read his route and kicked up rubble.

“Hah!”

He blew back the countless fragments of rubble with his swords. A single fragment became ten and ten became twenty. He launched an attack on Zeadoll with the might of a machine gun. In front of the barrage of boulders, the guardian calmly picked up speed and came charging.

In the face of this man’s defense, pebbles wouldn’t even cause him to stop.

……Now then, this is bad.

There was something he’d understood during this small confrontation.

“Receive my strike with brilliance.”

“I refuse!”

With the mace roaring before him, he withdrew his swords and went into dodging. Even if he were to weave his way directly underneath the mace and draw close to Zeadoll, a half-baked counterattack wouldn’t cause any damage.

……It’s just like fire and water.

……The compatibility between this guy and me is just too bad.

“The Yuugenshu’s natural enemy is you and your natural enemy is this type. The dual blades style’s merits can’t show through and only its demerits are exposed.“

……I know that.

The merits of dual blades were its attack speed and flowing consecutive strikes. However, its range and power were inferior to great swords, axes and spears. Mounting an attack that would surpass this man’s defense was difficult.

“On top of that……your mateki is repelling against the shinryoku of his Sanctuary Arts. Because the swords are infused with mateki, their cutting edge is a little dulled against a shinryoku barrier.”

“It’s just the worst in every possible way.”

For example, the Sennenshi Leon would be able to oppose it with the great sword’s destructive force.

If it was Ran who had physical strength and reflexes far above the average person, she could dive into a full-out pure martial arts battle with this man.

Or I’sa and Jin with their puppetry and dual guns, respectively, could launch a unilateral assault on this kind of enemy from afar. Of course, in that case, that was with the prerequisite difficult condition of having the destructive force to overcome the Sanctuary Arts’ defense.

“I see, such great skill.”

“You sure can speak!”

The mace struck from above downwards, from the right to the left and diagonally. Those all pierced through Sheltis’ afterimages and smashed the stone pillars behind them.

……There’s no meaning in repeated slashes.

……A stamina battle isn’t a good idea either and I don’t have the time to leisurely battle in the first place.

He was keeping Yuragi waiting aboveground.

It was better if he just ignored the fight and did as Zeadoll suggested. It would be his win if he just slipped past this man’s mace and broke into the Holy Hall to make it to ‘Mikuva’s Crimson Eye‘.

Should I keep dodging and wait for this man to become impatient?

“You’re waiting for a chance. That’s what your expression says.”

The protector with a brusque expression raised the corners of his mouth.

“I told you that my Sanctuary Arts have no openings.”

The mace he swung up stopped while facing the ceiling. Coming into contact with the light raining down from above, the mace’s outline shined dark grey ── that brilliance slowly grew stronger.

“My name is the ‘number one‘ Zeadoll, or in other words, the one who has been entrusted with the weapon which surpasses a thousand bows. The secret brought about now is, in other words”

……What?

He could see the space around the mace distorting like a mirage.

Light and air were swirling around like a whirlwind.

“Strengthening the mace with the Sanctuary Arts? Sheltis, dodge it!“

Everything happened at the same time.

Zeadoll shot out the mace at the same time Sheltis turned around.

 

“It becomes the sole peerless holy bullet.”

 

There was no wind or sound, only the overpowering waves of mechanical energy.

It pierced through several of the stone pillars standing in a row behind Sheltis and also destroyed the wall behind them. The grand destruction that shook the Holy Hall birthed gales and an explosion of noise and it seemed like just those two shockwaves would blow him away.

“……What ridiculous power.”

Looking peripherally at the giant hole in the Holy Hall’s wall, Sheltis muttered that, dumbfounded.

“How rude of you to dodge it; you should stop it head-on.”

“That’s impossible.”

He decisively shook his head.

……But what’s this feeling?

He couldn’t really find the words to describe it but there was something chilling or uncomfortable, some eerie thing that was hard to say ── that thing that he had felt during the fight with Maha couldn’t be felt even after fighting this much.

This man was undoubtedly strong. But this couldn’t be compared to Maha. In other words, he couldn’t imagine this man as an ally of Maha’s.

……Then there are Zeadoll’s words from just before. It almost sounded like something.

“Fumu, well then.”

“Wait.”

It was a voice to stop the guardian who was pulling out the mace lodged in the rubble.

“There’s something I want to ask you. You’ve been calling yourself the ‘number one‘ for a while now.”

“Exactly.”

The guardian puffed out his chest as if to say, how good of you to ask.

“We of ‘Heaven’s Wheel‘ are a secret military organization stationed at the various centers of the Governmental Sector. We are permitted to use military force regardless of the place and we are named after the weapons entrusted to us.”

“By the weapons entrusted to you……so you mean that you’re the ‘number one‘ not because you defend this place alone but because you use a single mace?”

“Yes. The ‘number seven‘ and ‘number nine‘ also have a fitting amount of weapons to complement their names──……”

His words paused there.

It looks like he finally realized that he’d been lured into revealing secret information.

“I said too much; any further words are useless.”

“……Well, that’s fine. What I wanted to ask was something different.”

He only wanted to know one thing.

The Governmental Sector had bestowed those nicknames based on numbers. But Maha who had attacked {{furigana|Tenketsu Palace|Sophia}} was ‘Golden‘. His nickname was a color. That meant──

“So there wouldn’t happen to be anybody called ‘Golden‘ amongst your allies……right?”

“There are none.”

That reply was filled with complete confidence.

“The Governmental Sector’s secret military organization consists of only the ‘Heaven’s Wheel‘ comprised of the three of us. Moreover, we command an absolute place of pride so we are entrusted with centers of importance such as this Holy Hall.”

“Which means you aren’t deployed outside of the Governmental Sector either.”

“Impossible. Our mission is “absolute holy territory”, or in other words, only the elimination of intruders.”

…………

……So that’s how it is.

Finally, finally the tangled mess had come undone. A light had pierced into the darkness-steeped confusion and he’d come to see yet another truth hidden behind it.

 

“See, I didn’t deny that it was a place of research. That was a geological research location that became unusable so it was removed from the territorial airspace map after it was abandoned.“

“On the contrary, you’ve come here with a demand……recently, {{furigana|Tenketsu Palace|Sophia}}’s airships have been freely entering the {{furigana|floating archipelago|Lagoon}} under the jurisdiction of the Governmental Sector without permission. We would like to hear an explanation for this.“

 

Ymy said that last night while crying when she visited him.

The Governmental Sector had acknowledged the existence of the research area hidden on the {{furigana|flying archipelago|Lagoon}} but on the other hand, they were raising suspicions of territorial intrusion by {{furigana|Tenketsu Palace|Sophia}}.

{{furigana|Tenketsu Palace|Sophia}} was the same. They hadn’t directly written any formal documents regarding it but they were currently in the midst of searching for the Governmental Sector organization that ‘Golden Maha‘ belonged to.

──Each of the organizations is accusing each other and asserting without knowing about each other.

One of them or both of them might be lying.

……But I can’t understand it no matter what.

……I can’t get the impression that this man is lying.

If so──

If so, then maybe, what if both Tenketsu Palace and the Governmental Sector’s assertions were right……?

“……That’s right.”

“Mm?”

It was a doubt that had stuck in his mind ever since he’d set foot in this Holy Hall.

“Zeadoll, I was wrong.”

“You mean about your decision to infiltrate this Holy Hall?”

“No, this was planned. We were set up. We of Tenketsu Palace and you guys of the Governmental Sector.”

He shook his head decisively.

 

“It’s not {{furigana|Tenketsu Palace|Sophia}} or the Governmental Sector, there’s a third organization that we don’t know of here.”

 

With that hypothesis, everything could be solved.

“……What are you saying?”

“There are guys that secretly used the research area you abandoned for a different purpose. They even cleverly prepared an airship that resembles {{furigana|Tenketsu Palace|Sophia}}’s.”

Neither he nor Ymy believed or doubted the words of the Governmental Sector. What if the airship that had been coming and going from the {{furigana|floating archipelago|Lagoon}} was only an airship disguised as one of {{furigana|Tenketsu Palace|Sophia}}’s?

The Governmental Sector doubted {{furigana|Tenketsu Palace|Sophia}}.

{{furigana|Tenketsu Palace|Sophia}} as well held suspicions about the Governmental Sector as the owners of the {{furigana|floating archipelago|Lagoon}}.

That’s right, everything was going as somebody had planned.

“This conference is the same. At this rate, it would end with a breakdown of negotiations and the suspicions of each side having multiplied. If it goes as they planned.”

“But that’s wrong. Their one miscalculation was that we would meet here.”

A person from each organization came into contact outside of the conference.

They didn’t manage to foresee that they would talk like this at the height of battle either.

“If I didn’t meet with someone like you from a secret military unit, I wouldn’t have gotten information like this. I wouldn’t have known about ‘Heaven’s Wheel‘ or that Maha isn’t here in the Governmental Sector.”

“……However, what about it?”

There was no wavering in Zeadoll’s expression.

“It is the same regardless of my opponent. I simply eliminate those who infiltrate this Holy Hall. Nothing changes for you in that respect, does it?”

“That’s true.”

He suppressed the wry smile within him. Even if it was for learning the truth, the one who had arbitrarily intruded had been him. For Zeadoll, there was no other opponent to deal with.

“In that case,”

“That’s why I’ll run away.”

“……What?”

Confusion settled on that steel expression for the first time. Seeing that momentary wavering, Sheltis swung his left sword close to the ground.

A squall.

The grit on the ground was stirred up and became a thick mist hanging over the Holy Hall.

“A diversion!?”

Silence answered the angry voice behind him.

Within zero visibility, Sheltis ran soundlessly towards the elevator.