Hidan no Aria:Volume8 Chapter1
1st Ammo: Night of Chaos -Turbulent-
"--The ambassadors of the organizations, agencies, and associations who have gathered at 'Bandire'."
On the nighttime artificial island, Empty Island--
To the abnormal group, illuminated in the midst of the mist, the armored Jeanne spoke.
"First of all, Jeanne d'Arc of EU's Daio Nomad welcomes you with respect."
That voice felt as if an edge was concealed behind her words.
Even though she said something which was meant to welcome.
Ahh...Fuck.
Even the me that is not in Hysteria Mode understands.
The group that is gathered here is laced with hostility.
--The mood of all gathered was that of a critical situation.
(What the hell is...going on!)
When one meets an unidentified armed group, it is theorized that they should first get a grasp of the enemies' battle power.
However, the me as of now cannot do that.
First, who is my enemy and who is my ally? Starting from that, I did not know.
Jeanne, Reki and the person who had talked to me earlier...Fox-human?...She didn't seem to be an enemy, but...as for the others, I had no idea.
--I want Kana to be my ally. However, seeing that she appeared together with that "Witch of Sand" Patra, I have to stay alert.
After that, I did not know about any of the others.
If I act like this, my life will be in danger. If I stay in this place any longer.
However, running is also--
-probably an action which will put myself in danger.
Because, the instant I turn my back on this place, I will probably be shot by all those assembled here.
So, I--
(Fuck...!)
-just did nothing but stand. Right here.
Fuck.
Why?
Even though I just want to be able to go to a boring male high school student of an ordinary life...
Which piece of causality caused me to be dragged into this meeting filled with abnormal people!?
As if giving me a hint to that question--once again, Jeanne's rose-colored lips opened.
"As there are first-time comers here, I shall make a statement of introduction. Once, we kept ourselves hidden in the darkness of our countries, passing down our respective battle techniques and knowledge--chasing that which we sought, scrambling over that which we sought. Along with the power-gain of EU, that conflict was arrested, but...along with the destruction of EU, once again, the start of the gunfire will be attempted."
--EU--
That name which I did not wish to remember echoed in the depths of my chest.
With a nuclear submarine as its headquarters, it was the the name of that organization, the place where the Jeanne that was standing here and other outlaw superhumans were trained.
Two months ago, I fought with their leader--Aria's great-grandfather, Sherlock Holmes...the result of that was, that organization was destroyed. It should have been.
That had been, for some reason, spoken of again.
As I gulped down my saliva, at the edge of my vision--
One of them had stepped out as if to address the entire group.
"--Everybody. Is there no path which does not return to that age of battle?"
Seemingly gentle, a somewhat glazed, sweet voice.
The most calm of everyone gathered, blue, cloudy eyes.
Eyelashes long enough to not need mascara, an impressive mole under her eye, she--outside of her beautiful face and neck, none of her white skin was exposed.
Her developed body wrapped in a pure white robe with golden embroidery, the hand which was holding a small rosarius also clothed in a long, white glove, she was wearing clothing which completely covered her skin.
A veil hiding soft, long blonde hair was not there, but...
This girl is probably a nun, right?
Probably, which is to say--she was properly wearing light makeup, and because, added to the fact that she was a sexy, beautiful woman...she was carrying something that a normal nun would definitely not carry.
Trimmed with gold decoration, a sword that was so large it was like a joke.
"The Vatican had decided that EU was a necessary evil. Which organization EU, holding exceptional battle strength, was going to ally with was kept silent until the last, and as such, for fear of an "enemy who would receive EU's aid", none could take action against one another...the result being, for a long while, an armistice was realized. Do you not wish to protect such a precious peace?"
The nun brought her hands together, clutching the rosarius.
I don't know who you are, but you're good. You said something really good. You seem like a good person.
No matter what, keep the peace. Also for the sake of me finishing this night without dying here.
"To tell you that the Vatican does not wish for war, tonight, I have come here. Learning from the experience of peace, let us combine our knowledge and achieve peace, and as for avoiding this useless fighting--"
"--It can't be done, Meiya. Hypocrite."
Diagonally behind her, interrupting was the witch in a black robe who had been staring at the nun, (it seemed her name was Meiya,) from the beginning.
The witch, the reason I could not help but decide she was one was...
Because, her figure, from head to toe, looked like a stereotypical witch.
Her short body wrapped in pitch black velvet, she was wearing a black peaked hat, and even a large raven was politely perching on her shoulder.
Even I, who was completely alien to SSR matters, understood with just one look. If she wasn't a witch, she was a fake.
Looking around 14 years old, her black hair tied up into a bob, on one eye she was wearing a burgundy eyepatch.
On the eyepatch...what is that black mark?
卍? No, like a slanted inverted-卍--aah, that is...!
In European history, the most abominable mark.
Former Nazi Germany's Hakenkreuz.
With just her crimson left eye, that eyepatch witch glared up at the nun, Meiya.
"You didn't have an armistice at all. You attacked my familiar in Dusseldorf. Peace? The hell are you saying."
At the witch had spat out her words with a tone filled with hate--
"Stay silent, Katz=Grasse. You filthy, unpleasant insect."
...Eh?
I thought that as the nun, Meiya, suddenly changed her tone, raising her eyebrows.
"You demonic filth are different. Your very existence is a stain on the Earth. I feel no hesitation against exterminating and annihilating your ilk. I do not see any reason for your existence anywhere in the Old Testament, the New Testament, or the Apocrypha contained in the Bible. On an appropriate Holy Date, I have already planned to burn you with Holy Fire, rip your corpses into 8 pieces, and let them flow into several different rivers, so--say thank you. SAY IT! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!"
Completely changed from her calm demeanor of earlier, constricting the witch's neck and shouting, Meiya...
I take back my previous statement. She doesn't seem to be a good person at all.
Rather, it seems like she has a split personality. And, a rather horrible type.
"Gyahahaha! Yes, this is war! The war with the Vatican I've been waiting for! This amazing chance, I won't let it go! Right, Hilda!'
Even though the tiny witch was being held up by the neck, she spoke to another girl while cackling.
The person who was spoken to was--
A girl who looked the farthest away from a human here.
On that back, bat-like wings grew, a girl with golden twin-tails.
"That's right. I too love battles. I can drink as much lovely blood as I want."