Hagure Yuusha no Aesthetica:Volume 7 Epilogue
Epilogue - The Truth in the Darkness
Part 1
Occasionally a muffled noise could be heard ringing throughout this place.
The deep bass sound could make your stomach turn.
It seemed like time slowed down with each step.
"What the....."
While walking in the dim light of the passage a red light illuminated, Onizuka Kenya tried to cover up his astonished look.
Right now he is at the lowest level of JPN Babel.
It was evening when he was on campus head for the high-rise of Babel.
The soaring building is very eye-catching, but underground--there are a number of basements that all the staff and students are aware of.
And ......
The lower most floor supports all of the tower of Babel and symbolizes the authority of the COCOON. This is not simply referring to the structure of the building, fact is the lowest floor in Babel is top secret.
However, this is all just rumors, and not no one has seen it with their own eyes.
He was just at the supermarket for some shopping, until Tiana needed to leave because of an important matter.
To put his mind at ease a little Onizuka decided to accompany her, which is why he had set foot in this forbidden place for the first time.
"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, these are all in one place the so-called "Babel system". This place is the control room, equivalent to the heart of Babel."
She took a breath.
"Well......to be accurate it should be right above the heart. Only the COCOON who is in charge of their repetitive Babel can enter the "Babel system" on 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 only when the person in COCOON is gone that other people are able to pass through the biometrics authentication."
"......"It seems"?"
Hearing Onizuka question, Tiana turned around and walk over to him.
With a wry smile on her face.
"That is story that has been past down. Then again, that was the case when Tsusukara died during his tenure in COCOON while in charge of Babel, so......"
COCOON is comprised of the world's most powerful people, and the heavenly tower of Babel is the symbol of COCOON.
If COCOON were to be destroyed, there grand principles will be shattered.
In order to harmonies the world as well as management it, COCOON and Babel must always be at their strongest.
Then Onizuka suddenly remembered something.
"Then what are the server rooms and the control rooms, which are above ground, in this hierarchy??"
Onizuka previously changed the training program during the incident in the arena in the arenas warehouse.
If what Tiana had said was correct, then in here 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 from the public safety perspective, there should be no reasons for this no to exist. Even from the technical side there is no problem. The boundary system that changes psychical damage to mental damage is 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 system. Otherwise each operating system must controlled by COCOON personally, which would take a long time and be too much trouble."
"......"
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.
Monthly placement a while back the invasion, claiming to be brave youth break the of the system, and finally also by technicians in the control room is said to be fixed.
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, and the "power reactor" remained intact.
Onizuka then voiced his only remaining question -- their most pivotal problem.
"......Since Babel's students and faculty are forbidden from entering the top secret area, why are you an outsider think we can breeze right in?"
More importantly --
"What on earth is your purpose Tiana?"
Part 2
The day they first met, Onizuka was still in class A and for an instant she passed in front of him. That was enough for him to know she was not an ordinary person.
The best proof was the fact she wasn't enrolled in Babel yet has knowledge he doesn't even know. He is fully aware that Tiana has untold secrets, Onizuka still allowed the freeloader to stay with him.
So in the middle of the grocery shopping, she suddenly said that she had to hurry "somewhere" then--
Even if the so-called somewhere was Babel, Onizuka wouldn't say anything.
But ......
If what Tiana said is true, it should be theoretically impossible for them enter this area. Even one floor below ground, the school wont allow any ordinary people to enter.
"It beats me. Actually I'm just following invasion route K-chan supplied, and 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 go-between the so-called "K-chan"?"
Unexpectedly Tiana spontaneously let out such important information, Onizuka can't help but be surprised.
In fact Onizuka did not mean to pry, he just simply expressed his inner doubts.
And still he didn't expect Tiana to answer honestly.
He thought she would casually evade the question, not to tell him anything.
Therefore Onizuka had obtained valuable information, Tiana has at least one comrade.
But ......
"......Outsider? I let a 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 when he returned.
Officially, it is for the hope for humanity, but in reality he was just isolated in a special autonomous region.
Tiana unexpectedly called him an "ordinary person".
If she views Onizuka as average, then what is sacred?
"I've told you, Ken-chan. It be better for you not come."
"Even if your going to Babel, I don't care about your reasons."
Onitsuka 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 alert 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. Didn't you find it strange that all the way here you haven't seen a 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 skipped out on the check in the cafeteria, the lunch lady remembered my face! You already caused me a lot of trouble. I have to eat lunch there everyday at school and they wouldn't let it slide. I was harmed by you miserably!"
Onitsuka 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 has been redeemed.
Therefore, when he saw the expression Tiana made after reading the text in the supermarket and when she said, she had "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 is reluctant to do so.
He simply thinks that he can't let Tiana go it alone. Onizuka learned that Tiana's planned on going to a secret room in Babel when... ...his premonition turned into a conviction.
......Never mind, he is thinking to much.
The facts is, he inexplicably broke into Babel's underground.
It would be best to quickly helped Tiana, and leave here as soon as possible.
Then ......
"----"
Tiana suddenly stopped.
"Hey, is --"
"--Shs."
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 is not possible to confirm the shadow.
At the end there is probably someone hiding -- right after the bend in a passage.
"......"
Tiana killed the sound of footsteps, Onizuka followed behind.
After coming to the corner, Tiana stuck her head out to look around and 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?"
Its probably someone he knew.
There aren't many students who can appear in this confidential area.
Most likely its not the Student Council's president Hikami Kyoya, but its also not impossible.
Kyoya's face is world-famous for being apart of COCOON, since Tiana didn't recognize him ... ... then who is it?
......Is it...... the secretary Uesaki?
While imagining the possibility that it is Ryohei Uesaki, who is affiliated with Kyoya. Onizuka was able to peer over Tiana's head at the passage in front of them.
"- EH!?"
He can not help but gasped.
Onizuka shrank back right away, to hide his agitation from the other party.
"......Ken-chan？ Someone you know?"
Onizuka's reaction was very unnatural, Tiana can't help but asked in a low voice.
However, her voice didn't reach Onizuka Kenya eyes.
It was not Ryohei Uesaki in the passage ahead.
However, it was definitely a person whom Onitsuka knows.
.......How did that bastard ended up here .....?
Onizuka was unable to believe what he was seeing was real.
But, its impossible that he was mistaken.
Even if Onizuka has 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 is no need to re-confirm.
The person ahead of them is unquestionably the self proclaimed young Hero.
Phil Barnett.
......How could this be? That bastard was defeated by Ousawa.....?
Akatsuki cut in two after the fierce fight and he changed into huge, higher-order life's dragon was defeated.
He changed himself into higher dimensional being, a huge dragon, and in midst of the fierce fight he was cut in half by Akatsuki. That was the story he heard when he woke up in the medical tower.
But Phil is here right now, moreover he is wearing a Babel uniform.
In that case, there is only one possibility to consider.
......Hikami Kyoya made this guy his pawn.....
Onitsuka stood there expressionlessly.
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 the ground, then he realized the situation. The attack was invisible to the naked eye and 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 is also a face that Onizuka knew all to well.
But his face is unusual cold, as if a completely different person. With a particularly aghast tone Onizuka:
"Are you...... Tanaka ......?"
It is the name of the 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 that Onizuka doesn't know, inorganic and calm:
"When I heard there was an intruder.....I thought there was surely no way it was you."
"......He sounds like a friend of Ken-chan's."
Unlike Onizuka, Tiana neatly got to her feet and sighs in relief.
"Although I don't have the qualifications to say so... ... Ken-chan should choose his friend more carefully, Huh uh."
"......None of your business."
Onizuka bitterly remarks 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 the noise from the previous attacks and in the fist place, there was a possibility he noticed them from the beginning, too.
"To deal with this level of enemy --"
Phil was interrupt 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 be slammed 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."
As she finished talking, immediately she turned to face Tanaka.
"–- Its fine, no need 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 it was well above his own.
However, Tiana had the power to overwhelmed a group A class students in town, and again their strength was slightly better. Onizuka knew well about the formidable power of her punch.
It was enough to causally send her opponents into the cement walls.
However he received a surprise attack and was calmly still 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.
-- And knew the biological characteristics of the bird.
"There is no way.....he become immortal......that's just a ridiculous story."
While standing next to Teana, Onizuka Kenya asks her in the bitter voice.
But, no one answered his question, furthermore the situation has not changed.
So ......
......Damn, why did I choice to go along with her?
Onizuka steels himself, and everyone else gets ready.
And the surrounding air begins to rapidly change.
It was strained by stifling -- the atmosphere of a battlefield.
No escape.
Phil and Tanaka have outflank them.
In the narrow passage a direct conflict is inevitable.
It's not just fight -- if you want to survive.
Part 4
At the same time.
In the student council room right in front of his eyes Haruka disappeared from sight along with the rays of light --
However Hikami Kyoya maintained the calm smile on his face.
.....Was that a forwarding seal? that perhaps means it was Ousawa-kun.
Perhaps because of she was on high alert, or perhaps they had some other purpose, 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.
Its not a problem.
When Akatsuki learns the truth about JPN Babel....
All the preparations will have been completed.
"Crimson Twilight" has already invaded the premises, but their opponents have already had the <Phoenix cells> transplanted. That should 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
| Back to Chapter 4 | Return to Main Page | Forward to Volume 8 Illustrations |
