Editing Unlimited Fafnir:Volume 4 Chapter 3 (section)

===Part 5===

After Shinomiya-sensei returned to the palace, Mitsuki summoned all of us including Kili to gather inside Shinomiya-sensei's room. In a stiff tone of voice, she reported the current situation.

Firill's dragon mark had turned 80% yellow. Based on the current rate so far, there were roughly two hours until the color change finished.

Then Mitsuki apologized to us for failing to come up with a battle plan.

"—My humble apologies. Although I tried to contact the one who proposed the 'ether wind' hypothesis, but my efforts were futile."

Saying that, Mitsuki glanced in Ren's direction.

Speaking of which, it was someone named "Miyazawa Kenya" who had proposed that hypothesis. Miyazawa was the same as Ren's family name. Was this person related to her?

But Mitsuki continued to explain without bringing this up at all. Judging from Mitsuki's expression, I could tell that she was slightly worried about Ren. This was apparently a matter that must not be broached lightly, so I cautiously avoided saying something unnecessary.

"At the current stage, I cannot propose an effective plan against Hraesvelgr, however..."

Mitsuki looked at me as though seeking help.

I know—I nodded in response to her then walked in front of everyone.

"I still have a trump card I didn't use, so I'd like everyone to not give up. The chances of saving Firill is not zero yet."

"A trump card? What exactly is it?"

Lisa asked a most natural question, but I could not answer her.

I still had not connected to Yggdrasil yet. Since the download of data would strain the mind so much that memories and emotions would be overwritten, even if I could barely hang on to consciousness after the connection, I might faint afterwards. Hence, despite the risk of not knowing the contents of the data in advance, my only choice was still to perform the download just before the battle.

"Sorry, at this point in time—I can't say."

"What... Are you joking here?"

"I'm serious. I'm not joking, so please believe me. I will definitely find a breakthrough—Just like the time when I saved Iris."

Hearing what I said, Lisa gasped.

"Please, everyone..."

I bowed my head and pleaded to the group. For a moment, the room became silent.

It was probably possible to increase credibility slightly by mentioning the contract with Yggdrasil, but I could not mention that in front of Mitsuki.

There was also the fact that Shinomiya-sensei was present. If it came to light that I made a deal with a dragon, I could not predict what Shinomiya-sensei would decide as Midgard's commander. In the worst case, I might be arrested.

In order to fight Hraesvelgr, I could not afford to have my actions restricted. Hence, the only thing I could do now was ask for everyone to believe in me.

Finally, someone sighed.

"...Sigh, no helping it. Since you mentioned that, I cannot refute you. Were it not for your power, we would have failed to defeat Leviathan. That is the truth, after all. Even if there is no proof, I will believe in your past achievements."

I looked up to see Lisa show a helpless expression.

No one raised any objections.

"Well then—The second battle against Hraesvelgr will proceed, centered around Nii-san. Nii-san, please issue orders regarding the details of your plan."

Compared to Iris who knew the whole story, Mitsuki was showing an inexplicably worried expression. However, she still spoke as the captain of the Dragon Subjugation Squad.

Perhaps Mitsuki already felt some kind of premonition.

Although I had warned myself all along not to let her notice, every time I fought with my memories as the price, surely something must have changed.

"First of all, I'd like to take the battle to a place where we can minimize damage to the surroundings. Is there somewhere suitable?"

"...I believe the area near the waterfall should be the most suited to that. There are no civilian homes near there. Since dawn has not arrived yet, there should be no people there."

Firill raised her hand slightly and offered her opinion. Unlike when she first discovered the color change in her dragon mark, she looked quite calm on the surface.

Mitsuki nodded in agreement.

"Then the waterfall area will be chosen as the interception site. Shinomiya-sensei, may I trouble you with the procedures of sealing off the battle zone?"

"Understood, leave it to me."

Shinomiya-sensei nodded and accepted Mitsuki's request, then immediately started to make calls.

Watching this scene, I told everyone something else they must pay attention to.

"Also, NIFL's movements are also concerning. If they make a move on Firill during the battle, then all will be lost. Since there is still time before the dragon mark changes color completely, I'd like to deal with them now."

"I do not think we need to worry about that. Apart from us and Kili-san, no one should know about Firill-san's situation. Considering the possibility of eavesdropping, even Shinomiya-sensei was informed just now right here."

Mitsuki thought I was worrying too much but I shook my head.

"No... Sleipnir is currently under orders to monitor Kili. When Firill showed me her dragon mark that had started changing in color, Kili, who's under surveillance, was also present. Even if we were in the heart of the palace's premises, it was still outdoors. It's very likely that NIFL saw us."

Hearing what I had said, Kili also responded "Yeah, they are definitely not opponents to be underestimated."

"Then what should be done?"

Mitsuki asked me with a stiff face.

"Before we begin the operation, I'll eliminate the threat from NIFL."

I answered concisely then turned to face Firil..

"Because of that, Firill, will you go on a date with me right now?"

"Huh...?"

She was dumbstruck by this sudden invitation.

On further thought, this was perhaps the first time in my life that I asked a girl out on a date.

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