Hagure Yuusha no Aesthetica:Volume 7 Epilogue

Epilogue - The Truth in the Darkness

Part 1

Occasionally a muffled noise was heard ringing throughout this place.

The deep bass sound could turn your stomach.

With each step it seemed like time slowed down.

"What the....."

While walking in the dim light of the passage a red light illuminated, Onizuka Kenya tried to cover up his astonishment.

Right now he was at the lowest level of JPN Babel.

It was late at night, however he was still on campus headed towards the high-rise of Babel.

The soaring building was very eye-catching, but the underground -- were also a number of basements that all the staff and students were aware of.

And ......

The lower most floor supported all of the tower of Babel, also it symbolized the authority of the COCOON. This wasn't simply referring to the structure of the building, the fact was the lowest floor in Babel was top secret.

However, those were all just rumors, not one person had seen it with their own eyes.

He was in the middle of shopping at the supermarket, until Tiana urgently left because of an important matter.

To put his mind at ease a little Onizuka decided to accompany her, which was why he was walking through this forbidden place.

"Well..... Ken-chan is just an ordinary student, so it is normal for you not to know."

Tiana was walking one step ahead Onizuka as she spoke to him without looking back.

"Whether it's the massive data "Apocalypse" server, the boundary system that covers the majority of the campus, the electricity and water circulation system, and the basic life support/ environmental program, all of these were in one place the so-called "Babel system". You could say this place is like the heart of Babel."

She took a breath.

"Well...... to be accurate it's right above the heart. Only members of COCOON, who are responsible for each Babel, can enter the "Babel system" the lowest floor in the tower. But before entering, you must pass through the strict biometrics as well as the magic certification to enter the basement. It seems that Tsusukara was the only person in COCOON to pass through the biometrics authentication."

"......'It seems'?"

Hearing Onizuka question, Tiana looked over her shoulder.

With a wry smile on her face,

"That is what I had heard. But then again, Tsusukara died during his tenure with COCOON while in charge of Babel, so......"

COCOON was comprised of the world's most powerful people, and the sky high tower of Babel was its symbol.

If COCOON was destroyed, there grand principles would be shattered.

In order to harmonies the world as well as management it, COCOON and Babel must always be at their strongest.

Onizuka then suddenly remembered something.

"Then what about the server rooms and control rooms above ground?"

Onizuka had once altered the training program leading to the incident in the arena with the control room in its warehouse.

If what Tiana said was correct, then there you can control all of the systems. Also if the security program detected the strange operation it should have been also possible to prevent beforehand. Looking at it from the public safety perspective, there should have been no reason the incident should of been able to occur. Even from the technical side there was no problem. The boundary system that changes psychical damage to mental damage was many times more complex.

"That was merely the operating or control system for that one place."

Tiana answered.

"As for here, its more like the "power reactor" for all of systems. But they needs engineers and school personnel other than the COCOON to actually operate the systems. Naturally they can not enter the lowest floor, so they need other places to control the systems. Otherwise each operating system must be controlled by COCOON personally, which would take a long time and be way too troublesome."

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

Tiana's "power reactor" analogy, allowed Onizuka to immediately understand the difference between the two.

During the training program incident, Onizuka changed the level of the program. And then the terrorist Tanaka changed the intensity of the program making it go berserk. The level and the intensity change were all done above ground.

As for the ranking tournament intrusion the other day, when the self proclaimed "Hero" destroyed the boundary system Babel's engineers repaired it. They were able to restore the system because only the above ground system was destroyed and its cable was cut from the system going into the ground. The "power reactor" remained intact.

Onizuka then voiced his only remaining question -- the most pivotal problem.

"...... Since Babel's students and faculty are forbidden from entering the top secret area. Then how come an outsider thinks it will be a breeze to walk right in?"

More importantly --

"What on earth are you planning on doing, Tiana?"

Part 2

The day they first met, Onizuka was still in class A and for an instant she passed by him. That was all it took for him to know she wasn't an ordinary person.

The best proof was the fact she wasn't even enrolled in Babel and yet had knowledge he doesn't. He was fully aware that Tiana has untold secrets, still Onizuka allowed the freeloader to stay with him.

So when they were grocery shopping, and ​​she suddenly told him she had to hurry "somewhere" --

Even if the so-called somewhere was Babel, Onizuka wouldn't say a word.

But ......

If what Tiana said was true, then theoretically it should be impossible for them enter this area. Even one floor below ground it was impossible for an ordinary person to enter.

"It beats me. Actually I'm just following invasion route K-chan supplied. I'm just as confused as Ken-chan on how to get in."

To Onizuka's question, Tiana answered nonchalantly.

"As for my purpose ... ... After all, Ken-chan is an outsider, and doesn't know too much... ... view it as I'm looking for something."

"So who is this go-between, the so-called "K-chan"?"

Inadvertently Tiana blurted out some important information, Onizuka can't help but be surprised.

In fact Onizuka did not mean to pry, he just simply expressed his inner doubts.

What's more he didn't expect Tiana to answer honestly.

He thought she would casually evade the question, or just not tell him anything.

Therefore Onizuka obtained valuable information -- Tiana had at least one comrade.

But ......

"......Outsider? I let said freeloader stay at my house. What do you take me as?"

"Ken-chan is just an ordinary person, I do not want to involve Ken-chan in this."

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

Onizuka fell silent.

In any case, he was also summoned to an alternate world and got special abilities.

Officially, it is for the hope for humanity, but in reality he was being isolated in a special autonomous region.

Tiana unexpectedly called him an "ordinary person".

If she views Onizuka as average, then what is above average?

"I've told you, Ken-chan. It be better for you not to come."

"Even if your going to Babel, I don't care about your reasons."

Onizuka looked up at the dark ceiling.

"This is the last chance to turn back, what are you going to do? This area is top secret, and must be equipped with a lot of security cameras. You do not want get in trouble with the peace preservation corps?"

"Ah, actually that's not a problem. Tonight is a comprehensive system update, all the systems will be temporarily shut down. Don't you find it strange that all the way here there wasn't a single security guard?"

Tiana answered with a smile.

"I didn't think Ken-chan was such an alarmist, and had such little guts."

"AH, you idiot! Remember when you skipped out on the check in the cafeteria, the lunch lady remembered my face! You have already caused me so much trouble. I have to eat lunch there everyday at school and they wouldn't let it slide. I was harmed by you miserably!"

Onizuka snorted.

Having said that, Onizuka could not help thinking --

Even if it is a completely unrelated example, he would still accompany Tiana.

Ever since he met Tiana, Onizuka was slowly accepting his past self that he hated so much. It seems he had been redeemed.

Therefore, when he saw the expression Tiana made after reading the text in the supermarket and when she said, she had tp 'immediately hurry off somewhere.' --

Onizuka suddenly had a premonition that he would never see her again.

...... Damn it!

Onizuka cursed himself in his mind. He really can't make sense of his feelings.

And furthermore he was reluctant to do so.

He simply thought that he couldn't let Tiana go it alone. Onizuka learned that Tiana planned on going to a secret room in Babel when... ...his premonition turned into a conviction.

...... Never mind, I'm thinking to much.

The facts was he inexplicably broke into Babel's underground.

It would be best to help Tiana, and leave here as quick as possible.

Then ......

"--------"

Tiana suddenly stopped.

"Hey, is --"

"--Shhh."

She stopped him him her index finger, before Onizuka could finish his question and then,

"...... There is someone up ahead."

Part 3

Onizuka looked directly in front of him.

In the dark passageway it wasn't possible to confirm the shadow.

At the end there was probably someone hiding -- right after the bend in a passage.

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

Tiana killed the sound of footsteps, Onizuka followed behind.

After coming to the end, Tiana stuck her head out around the corner to confirm the situation.

"And sure enough, there is a guard, but......"

Tiana was still somewhat surprised.

"The guard has Babel school uniform on, just like Ken-chan's."

"Just like me ... ...a male high school student?"

It was probably someone he knew.

There weren't many students who can appear in this confidential area.

Most likely it was not the Student Council president Hikami Kyoya, but that was also not impossible.

Being part of COCOON Kyoya's face was world-famous, since Tiana didn't recognize him ... ... Then who was it?

......Was it...... secretary Uesaki?

While imagining the possibility that it was Ryohei Uesaki, who is affiliated with Kyoya. Onizuka was able to peer out over Tiana's head to have a look.

"-- EH!?"

He couldn't help but gasp.

Onizuka shrank back right away, to hide his agitation from the other party.

"......Ken-chan!? Is he someone you know?"

Onizuka's reaction was very unnatural, Tiana can't help but question why.

However, her voice didn't register with Onizuka Kenya.

It was not Ryohei Uesaki in the passage ahead.

Still, it was definitely someone Onizuka knew.

....... How did that bastard ended up here .....?

Onizuka was unable to believe what he was seeing was real.

But, it was impossible that he was mistaken.

Even if Onizuka had no interest in other people.....

He remembered his face from the ranking tournament only a few days ago. He will never forget the face that sent him to the medical treatment tower.

There was no need to double check.

The person ahead of them was unquestionably the self proclaimed Hero.

Phil Barnett.

...... How could was that possible? That bastard was done in by Ousawa.....?

He changed himself into higher dimensional being, a huge dragon, and in midst of the fierce fight he was cut in half by Akatsuki. At least that was the story he heard after he awoke in the medical tower.

But Phil was here right now, moreover he was wearing a Babel uniform.

In that case, there was only one possibility to consider.

...... Hikami Kyoya made this guy his pawn.....

Onizuka stood there expressionless.

However -- it was only for a moment. Because ......

"-- Ken-chan."

Tiana suddenly screamed, along with jerking Onizuka's arm back.

Instantly a powerfull shock wave headed towards where he was originally standing.

"Ah ......?"

Tiana supported Onizuka as they forcibly rolled back on the ground, then he realized what happen. An attack invisible to the naked eye was aimed at where he was standing.

He raised his head up, while his attention was on Phil the attack came from behind.

"Its.....its you ... you ...? "

Onizuka Kenya kept standing this time.

It was also a face that Onizuka knew all to well.

But his face was unusually cold, as if it was a completely different person. With a particularly aghast tone Onizuka,

"Are you...... Tanaka ......?"

It was the name of a former classmate.

He was a person whom Onizuka unjustly vented his irritation on.

And the culprit that exploited Onizuka's plan to get revenge on Akatsuki by changing the training program plunging JPN Babel into chaos.

Tanaka slowly started to speak -- in a tone different from what Onizuka remembered. It was inorganic and calm,

"When I heard there was an intruder..... I never thought there was a no way it would be you."

"...... He sounds like a friend of yours, Ken-chan."

Unlike Onizuka, Tiana neatly got to her feet and sighed in relief.

"Although I don't have the qualifications to say so... ... Ken-chan should choose his friend more carefully, uh Huh."

"...... It's none of your business."

Onizuka bitterly remarked to her as he got off the ground.

"-- Oh, did you miss? How useless."

A familiar voice came from behind him. Onizuka did not have to look back to know who it was.

After all, with the noise from that last attack, and in the fist place there was a possibility he was aware of them from the beginning too.

"With only this level of an enemy --"

Phil was interrupted before he could finish.

Because Tiana instantly cut the distant between them and her right fist hit Phil in the gut.

"----------"

The power in the attack caused Phil to slam into the wall behind him.

A loud rumble shook the passageway.

While the reverberations could still be heard after her successful surprise attack she:

"I'm very sorry. You left your body wide open, I could not bear it."

After she finished talking, she immediately turned to face Tanaka next.

"–- Its fine, no need to apologize."

In a sonorous voice, it seemed he wasn't harmed.

Phil Burnett slowly stood up.

"This guy......"

Onizuka involuntarily widened his eyes.

He has seen the extent of his power before.

During the ranking tournament Onizuka fought against Phil, and his level was well above his own.

However, Tiana was powerfull enough to overwhelmed a group of A class students in town. Onizuka knew all to well the formidable power of one of her punches.

It was enough to causally send her opponents through cement walls.

However he received a surprise attack and was calmly standing up.

"What dreadful power. It left several broken ribs, and even some internal bleeding."

Phil smiled, while his whole body began emitting a red phosphorescence glow.

"----"

Upon seeing this, Tiana abruptly narrowed her eyes.

And in a low voice:

"......Oh, I get it."

She paused for a moment.

"It seems -- the <Phoenix cells> have already been transplanted."

"Phoenix ......?"

Upon hearing what Tiana said, Onizuka glared.

He doesn't know whats happening, and doesn't understand how it all lead to this.

However, the word 'Phoenix' actually wasn't so strange.

-- He knew of the biological characteristics that bird.

"There is no way.....he become immortal......that's just too ridiculous."

Standing next to Tiana, Onizuka Kenya asked her in the bitter voice.

But, no one answered his question, furthermore it didn't change their situation.

So ......

...... Damn, why did I choice to go along with her?

Onizuka steeled himself, and everyone else gets ready.

The surrounding atmosphere began to rapidly change.

It was strained almost stifling -- the atmosphere of a battlefield.

No escape.

Phil and Tanaka had them outflank.

In the narrow passage a direct conflict is inevitable.

It wasn't just a fight -- if they wanted to survive.

Part 4

At the same time.

In the student council room along with the rays of light Haruka had disappeared right in front of his eyes --

However Hikami Kyoya maintained the calm smile on his face.

..... Was that a forwarding seal? that perhaps means it was Ousawa-kun handy work.

Perhaps because of she was on high alert, or some other reason, in short, in case the of imminent danger Haruka might have had it with her. Haruka didn't think to use the seal before she tried to escape, maybe she didn't know about the seal.

--Because of that a potential enemy escaped.

As a result, it will undoubtedly reveal his actions to Akatsuki.

But -- Hikami Kyoya doesn't care.

It wasn't a problem.

When Akatsuki learns the truth about JPN Babel....

All the preparations will have been completed.

"Crimson Twilight" had already invaded the premises, but their opponents have already had the <Phoenix cells> transplanted. That shouldn't be a problem either.

So ......

His glance moved away from the unconscious Ousawa Miu on the floor to outside window.

Hikami Kyoya smiled.

"Well, everything is in place -- Let's assume that this world is already mine."

Translator's Notes and References

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