Editing Unlimited Fafnir:Volume 12 Chapter 4 (section)

===Part 2===

NIFL's second defense line deployed across the waters of Norway was greater in scale than I imagined.

Around Marduk, which had landed on the sea, the fleet formed a line stretching from one end of the horizon to the other.

From the sky earlier, I had spotted aircraft carriers in the back too. It was probably from there that recon planes had been launched across the sky.

It would be no exaggeration to say that all of NIFL's remaining forces had gathered here. If the enemy broke past here, there would be no way to "protect humanity," hence this arrangement was only natural. My current location was in fact the final defense line.

And right now, Marduk and the battleship ''Naglfar'' moored close by were in a discussion about the key points of this operation.

"—2nd Lieutenant Mononobe, can I trust in you?"

Standing on the deck of the ''Naglfar'', Major Loki asked me in a deep voice. Side by side, the two battleships were separated by a distance of roughly ten meters. On the edge of each battleship's deck, it was possible to convey our voices to the other side.

"Yes. Just as mentioned in the previous report, Iris has figured out the location of her authority. This time, she should be able to unleash Catastrophe on a scale required to vanquish Bahamut in one go."

"Fine, but that is not the point I am doubting. What worries me is another matter. The third eye's range is ten thousand meters—Comparable to Bahamut's body length. In other words, it is necessary to launch the attack at point blank range. Delivering her to that position would be your responsibility. What I am asking is whether you have the resolve for that."

Major Loki shook his head and stared intently at me.

The strategy meeting had concluded already. Back when we were gathered at the bridge, Iris and Vritra had said the following through the monitor.

'—I've located my authority. If I close my eyes and focus my mind on my eyes, I can feel a red light in the eye on the right. Basilisk's power is in my right eye.'

'I too have confirmed that her right eye hath exhibited a faint red glow. Currently, she ought to be capable of drawing out the power consciously. Nevertheless, firing Catastrophe directly implieth she must approach the target. The trick of generating dark matter next to the enemy and transmuting it into Catastrophe is no longer an option, understood?'

What Major Loki brought up was the issue that Vritra had raised.

In any case, we had devised the operation in spite of the risks because "there was no other way," but after the meeting, Major Loki had called me out to the deck.

It seemed like he wanted to confirm my resolve prior to the operation.

"Of course I'll be able to do it for sure. With Catastrophe, Marduk's weaponry and the Ds' powers—Getting close to Bahamut is very feasible."

"—Thanks."

I saluted Major Loki with military etiquette.

The operation that was about to start was very simple. Charge Bahamut head on and fire Catastrophe once we got close. Bahamut should have already deemed Iris and Marduk as high-priority enemies, so feints were pointless. Consequently, the approach with the highest chance of success was breaking through from the front with maximum force while conducting a saturation attack. The machine intellect Atla had also reached the same conclusion.

"I am counting on your side. In the previous engagement, our gravity cannon Babel was effective against Bahamut. The special ICBM Cocytus—Gáe Bolg with its payload replaced by cryogens—has also demonstrated effectiveness to some extent. We should be able to slow down Bahamut's movements."

Smiling confidently, Major Loki nodded and looked towards the prow—Bahamut was approaching from the northern sky.

"Probability of victory is definitely not low. No, considering the opponent is a dragon, this probability of victory might be too high. During this batttle, a means of victory was in our hands all along. This is very worth celebrating, but to me, it is a little offputting."

"...Major Loki, do you think this might be a trap?"

When I frowned and asked, he shrugged lightly.

"I didn't say that. Judging from Bahamut's actions, it doesn't have high intelligence. However, I am more wary of its actions and accompanying phenomena more than Bahamut itself. Why is it connecting the unknown territories? And why does its shadow turn into additional unknown territory? Right now, we still have no idea."

"Yeah... It bothers me a lot too."

Defeating Bahamut would not be the end of it, I told myself.

"Indeed, take care not to be caught unprepared. That being said, you have no cause to worry, 2nd Lieutenant Mononobe. All this time, you have been overturning the impossible. For us to be like this, or standing face to face, would've been impossible originally."

Turning his gaze back to me, Major Loki stared intently. I could not tell what he was thinking from his expression. Which side would die, or a case of mutual annihilation—The outcome of that battle was virtually preordained. It was definitely a miracle that we both survived. However...

"...It was not my own power. Kili was the one who healed you, Major Loki, and perhaps it was due to Atla that we both survived."

"Due to Atla?"

Showing complete surprise on his face, Major Loki repeated my words.

It was my first time seeing such a look on him, so I continued somewhat delightedly.

"Back then, when your plan failed, Major Loki, the ''Naglfar'' on the sea fired its main cannon at the break of dawn. However, now that I think about it, judging from the firepower, the intention was not to destroy Midgard."

While Ariella was using a gigantic shield to defend against the <i>Naglfar</i>'s main cannon, Tia had hacked the ship to stop its attack.

The cannon was powerful, but I had doubts whether it could have destroy Midgard completely.

"From what I saw today, Atla seems to regard you with much affection, Major Loki. So back then, she might have hesitated in fear of getting you caught in the blast in case you were still alive."

At that moment, a muffled voice snarled from Major Loki's chest pocket.

"Wh__ nonsense ___ you ________!?"

"Atla denies it. Wishful thinking on your part, 2nd Lieutenant Mononobe."

Major Loki tapped his pocket which probably contained his portable terminal while replying in a surprised tone of voice.

"True, I don't have concrete evidence so I could be wrong. But don't you think the impossible might've been overturned by something so ordinary?"

While nodding, I looked back into his eyes forcefully.

"—Well, I cannot deny this possibility. The impossible for you and me could be something very simple for someone else, somewhere. It is true that Atla saved me. In that case, I should thank her."

Major Loki smiled with amusement and turned away. The noisy voice coming from his pocket suddenly stopped as though in shock.

"In any case, I now know the reason I lost last time. Sure enough, talking to you is very interesting."

"Interesting... huh?"

I muttered with mixed feelings. On my end, chills were running down my spine and I was breaking out in cold sweat.

"Yes, though of course, us trying to kill each other fills me with greater elation."

Leaving behind a gaze and words that felt like they could freeze my back, Major Loki returned inside the ''Naglfar''.

"I really... don't want another go at that."

Left alone, I grumbled with a sigh, but my voice was lost in the wind. Amid the noise of waves and airplanes, my words did not reach anyone.
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