Editing Kaze no Stigma:Volume5 Chapter 6 (section)

=== Part 3 ===


"Is that Bernhard's true objective?", asked Kazuma quickly pulling himself together. 

But Lapis clearly denied it. 

"No. The purpose of this plan is a simple possession experiment data collection. The fact that such a high rank demon like Belial was chosen to posses bodies, that may have a profound meaning only Master knows - 

As a matter of fact, I think it must be meaningless, because of his maniac inclination for using only the best. ", continued Lapis nonchalantly intermingling toward her master.

"Actually, when we met at Tokyo Government Office, the experiment was pretty much completed. We could have gone back home just like that but Master stated that would be boring. 

Therefore, it came to carry out the summoning of Belial as a side show. Does it amuse you?"

An elegant speech. But after hearing that, it was not something that could be endured. 

With unconcealed agitation, Ayano shook Kazuma, pressing a question. 

"W- wait, what are we going to do!? "

"What, you ask - well, if we don't stop it it will be bad, right? "

Belial - that name carried the meaning of ''''worthlessness'''', it was a top rank great demon. 

Whether it was a god flame user, whether it was a contractor, a human level existence will never be able to oppose it. 

If such a thing were to be released above ground, it's no exaggeration to say it's a crisis that will lead to the world destruction. 

It must be stopped no matter what. 

"But, how to stop it...?"

While thinking about it, Kazuma took notice of Utsumi. Since his virtual personality was crushed he was squatting without showing any reaction at the present situation. 

''"Is that the core? "''

"No"

As if she read Kazuma's thoughts, Lapis declared detached. 

"I won't stop you but disposing of it is meaningless. Utsumi's soul was already consecrated to Belial, so his body cannot be the object to summon Belial with."

"Aah, I see, then - "

While looking over his shoulder, Kazuma held his right hand aloft. A mighty power was controlled by that hand. 

"Then I should just smash the Jutsushi"

In front of Kazuma's attack, Lapis stood rock still without displaying any attitude of protecting herself. 

Looking at Kazuma with lonely eyes, she murmured. 

"Will you kill me again, Kazuma?"

"------!!"

The raised hand stiffened without swinging downward. The bundled power idly came apart and scattered.

"You baka! "

Pushing aside the petrified Kazuma, Ayano plunged into Lapis. 

But Lapis took out the crystal large sword from air and blocked Enraiha's blow. 

"Wha- "

"I made it just like yours. "

In the midst of locking sword to sword, expressing an out-of-place soft smile, Lapis said.

"That's handy. Because my weapon is a bit over-sized, carrying it is inconvenient - "

"Who cares!"

Pressing down the sword and letting anger take its natural course, she fired another blow. 

With force enough to slice the crystal edge, the flame sword was swung.

"What on earth are you thinking!? Do you want to destroy the world for your entertainment?"

"Of course we don't want that."

Lapis freely manipulated the crystal sword and sidestepped that slashing attack including tremendous force. 

The skill she managed that huge sword like it was one of her limbs seemed to have been polished even more since last time. 

"Belial can't be perfectly summoned with only a hundred sacrifices. The time he will move will be a few seconds and his power greatly restricted. The world won't get destroyed - perhaps"

"What the fuck is ''perhaps''!?"

"The world is full of mistakes."

"Don't speak so irresponsibly!"

Although Ayano was resolutely attacking her, Lapis defended, not showing any gaps. 

It became obvious crushing Lapis by herself was close to impossible. 

"Kazuma, how long will you stand there like an idiot - "

"That's right"

The answer came from an unexpectedly close place, practically from right behind her. 

Coincidentally the hand holding Enraiha was seized and Ayano was restrained from behind. 

"Wh- wait you, whose ally are you?"

"Just shut up"

Carrying Ayano in his arms like luggage, Kazuma kicked and sent flying Lapis' crystal sword and took his distance.

Unable to escape from Kazuma's binding, Ayano shouted.

"Kazuma! What the heck are you thinking - "

"Calm down. It's coming"

"Eeh?"

"From below"

"------!!"

Ayano finally realized. From underground - no, from a much deeper and darker place, something was drawing near. 

Slowly but steady. 

"No way - Why?"

"It means the summoning formula had been set up long ago. It would be automatically invoked if the sacrifice were to be complete. Killing her now would have no effect. "

"Correct answer", laughed Lapis so adorable it was totally inappropriate. 

"Before long the summoning of Belial will be achieved. And just like the ''''worthlessness'''' name suggests he will bring nothingness to the surface. 

This is just a rough estimate but I believe the entire Tokyo region will, without a doubt, return to nothing."

"For a side show, that's extremely flashy."

"Master told me to put all my effort in this exactly because it's a side show."

"...........I see"

At those very typical words, Kazuma unintentional smiled bitterly. 

"This is very serious but do your best. Both master and I hope you will overcome this hardship. - Well then"

Saying everything she wanted, Lapis suddenly disappeared. 

Those left behind exchanged puzzled glances. 

".........What will we do? "

"If we can escape let's go"

But in the time necessary to Belial's appearance, it's impossible to run from the sphere of impact. Then, there's no choice but to fight.

Kazuma threw the yet unconscious Nanase and Yukari over his shoulders and raised his eyes to the ceiling.

"We're flying"

"------eeh? "

Without waiting for an answer, Kazuma clad himself in wind and soared. Taking Ayano and Ren. 

Knocking down the ceiling, higher and higher. He stood still at an attitude of a hundred meters and looked down on the surface. 

"This is......"

Underneath, a huge pentagram enclosing the entire park was casting light. That was the magic circle to summon Belial. 

"So, do you have some idea? "

"Of course not. "

Kazuma replied heartlessly at Ayano's question, full of hope. 

"We can't stop the summons, we cannot escape outside the area. In this situation we can only fight against it head on. "

"..........that's pretty much a kamikaze........"

"If you have some other idea say it"

As it was impossible to have something so convenient, Ayano shrugged her shoulders showing a bitter smile. 

"........Nii-sama........"

Uneasy, Ren clung to Kazuma's arm. With an almost unconscious move Kazuma gently brushed Ren's head and continued the explanation. 

"Don't think about it. Strike down in one attack all the power you have. Are there questions? "

"Detective Tachibana? "

After one moment, Kazuma answered Ayano's question. 

"She's outside the park. If we're successful it won't have an impact on her. "

He was reluctant to speak about what would happen if they failed. 

"Something else? "

Both shook their heads. 

"That's good. Get ready then. "

Together with the signal Kazuma threw the burden on both his shoulders. Removing the existence of those girls, drifting inside a wind barrier, from his mind, he boosted his power. 

Kazuma's pupils were dyed blue. 

Slightly late, Enraiha's flame gripped by Ayano turned crimson. 

The magic circle on the surface shined conspicuously brighter. And then, from inside, something rose reaching for the sky. 

From the skies that shape could be easily perceived. 

It was an arm. 

As if trying to grasp the heavens, the five crooked fingers were pushed up, that huge arm darker than darkness itself. 

Unbelievably huge, unbelievably wicked, like the world could be ruined by those fingers, that arm carried that much power. 

Facing that huge palm, without hesitation Kazuma swung his arm down. At the same time so did Ayano and Ren. 

The blue wind, the crimson flame and the golden one, those three powers changed from three helixes to one, melting together, and pierced the dark arm. 

A moment of equilibrium. And then - 

Stretched down on the ground without enough power to stand, Ren leaked a feeble smile. 

"Amazing, we're still alive"

Lying down the same way, Ayano replied. 

"That's right, what a surprise. Humans can really do something like this"

"From that way of speaking one might mistake that anyone could have this kind of lack-of-common-sense behavior. Isn't that something only you, those from the Kannagi Clan, whose power separates you by far from the limits of humans, can brag about? "

"I wish you wouldn't treat us like such monsters - whose this? "

Hearing a voice clearly different from theirs, Ayano sat upright panicking. 

She saw Kazuma quickly switched to a standing in one knee posture, glaring at them.

An indigo blue mantle wrapping his body. Already without the clown mask, his imposing honest face was exposed. 

His outfit was totally different but there was no way to mistake him - 

Including infinite hatred Kazuma squeezed out his words. 

"Bernhardt......didn't you escape outside the country? "

"And not to see this kind of spectacle with my own eyes? Don't say such foolish things. "

Bernhard answered matter-of-fact. Obliquely behind him, Lapis clearly laughed. 

"I apologize. I lied. "

"..........."

Several seconds of silence. And then, as if unable to bear it, Kazuma revealed a bitter smile. 

"I said the scenario was cliché - I take that back. You tricked me splendidly. "

"I am much obliged. "

Lapis bowed elegantly. 

And then, Bernhardt too showed a nod of satisfaction. 

"Humpf, that's good. And yet again I cannot praise you enough. With human bodies, even though it was only a portion of it, you defeated an existence that's called Devil King. I have no way of expressing how terrific Kannagi blood is. "

''" - This is bad"''

While ignoring Bernhardt's words, Ayano was tormented by he impeding crisis to the point of desperation. 

That one blow she pointed to Belial was genuinely all Ayano could master. 

She doesn't have enough power to burn a sheet of paper. 

Ren too - and probably Kazuma too.

Facing them, Bernhardt and Lapis were not exhausted in the slightest. 

This was a very desperate situation. 

''"This is bad - what can I do? "''

"Aaah. Ojousan, there's no need to be this alert. I have no intention of fighting you here. "

"----Eeh? "

Ayano blinked at those unexpected words. 

"Certainly, for us Yagami Kazuma is a bitter enemy we cannot allow to live. But, I'm a coward. I don't want to fight but when I'm certain of victory"

"Certain? "

"To say it frankly even in this situation, when you're cornered to this extent, I think you are terrifying. I'm not confident of winning. Especially after seeing such an unreasonable ability. "

Was he serious or was he hiding something - she couldn't read the real intentions behind Bernhardt's words. 

But right now she couldn't believe them to be true. She didn't know what the opponent was thinking but Ayano was firmly convinced that she would lose if they fought now. 

"That's why I'll escape with the experiment data. Isn't that a result that you too should be pleased with? 

The <<Seeds>> were annihilated, Pandemonium collapsed, the mastermind escaped outside the country - the incident was peacefully settled, so they all lived happily ever after, huh? ", Bernhardt shamelessly declared. 

"Well anyway, I'm happy that I could say my goodbyes directly. Having entrusted a verbal message to my attendant, it would be terrible if she were to forget expressing her gratitude. "

"...........you, no way, did you summoned Belial for that purpose? "

"It was one of the reasons.", declared Bernhardt imposing as expected. 

"Well then, it's time to say goodbye. Let's meet again before long - "

"Wait - "

Interrupting Bernhardt's words, although staggering Kazuma stood up. And then, staring at Lapis as if scowling at her, he said. 

"Tell me one thing. What was the last thought Tsoi Rin left behind? Did she want to tell me something? "

"-----You don't know? "

"I asking you because I don't know! "

Lapis vaguely moved her gaze, seeking her master's approval. Amused, Bernhardt returned a nod. 

Acquiring her master's permission, Lapis smiled sweetly. And then she said.

"I won't tell you "

"-----! You bitch - "

"So, as for a hint I'll tell you what I desire. ", whispered Lapis playing with the words to mock him. 

The desire of the girl manufactured from the core of Tsoi Rin's last wish. That is - 

"I want to kill you"

"------!!"

This time Lapis said the final goodbye to the frozen Kazuma. 

"Well then, farewell"

An impermeable, perfect expression of gratitude. While still in that posture of bowing deeply, Lapis disappeared together with Bernhardt. 

In the space those two were until a moment ago, a sound poured in the atmosphere. A small air turbulence was produced there.

"..........Kazuma........."

As if trying to support Kazuma standing rock still with a stricken appearance, Ayano embraced Kazuma's arm. 

Forcefully, Kazuma hugged Ayano's body closely. 

So violent as if trying to snatch it away but as frail like a child clinging to his mother's chest. 

".......Kazuma........"

"........let's go home"

As if trying to shake off those complicated thoughts, Kazuma squeezed out his voice. 

Those were the words of demise that brought to a finish those turmoil events called the Pandemonium incident after a while.


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