Unlimited Fafnir:Volume 8 Chapter 1

Chapter 1 - Deep Forest Vacation

Part 1

Breaths leaked out regularly from between the sleeper's soft, pink lips.

The small but beautifully shaped bosom heaved up and down in sync with her breathing.

Her pale skin felt a little cold to the touch of one's fingertip.

However—Pulsation of the heart and warmth definitely resided in the depths of her body.

"Mitsuki..."

Staring at my adopted sister—Mononobe Mitsuki—who continued to remain unconscious, I called her name softly.

Nevertheless, there was no answer.

According to Vritra, whose poison had rendered her unconscious, she would not wake until several days later.

Although reassured that her life was not in danger, I could not help but have lingering worries.

"Are you okay, Mononobe? I'll watch over Mitsuki-chan, so why don't you rest for a bit?"

Just then, the silver-haired girl—Iris Freyja—asked worriedly.

I looked around to see my other classmates staring at me.

The current location was an infirmary inside a NIFL base. After the battle against Vritra ended, we were taking a break inside this spacious room where many beds were lined up.

The doctors and nurses meant to be stationed here were absent, thus forcing us to tend to our own wounds.

Fortunately, with no major injuries, nothing more than scratches, there was no problem at all, but somehow, the atmosphere was rather unsettling.

The lack of visible people was not evidence of absence. I could sense their presence outside the door.

From the first moment when we arrived at this base, we could already sense that NIFL soldiers were not very friendly towards Ds.

Despite providing a place for us to rest, it felt more like quarantine or house arrest.

"I'm fine. On the other hand, Iris, don't you look sleepy?"

I felt concerned about Iris' heavy eyelids.

It was presently midnight, time for fatigue and drowsiness to attack in unison.

"Ahaha, I'm definitely sleepy. But somehow, this isn't the right mood for sleeping..."

Smiling wryly, Iris looked around the room.

In the form of a young girl, Vritra was smiling confidently despite being bound by wooden vines. Everyone else was bearing a grim expression.

This was only natural. After Kili, the dragon marks of Iris, Ariella, Ren and Mitsuki had started to change color too.

'A second-generation hybrid dragon is capable of mating with all Ds, causing all their dragon marks to change in color. No exceptions—every last one of them.'

After the battle, this was what Vritra had told us.

If what she said was true, both Tia and Firill, who had not faced Kraken Zwei in battle, and even Lisa, who was not currently present, would all eventually become marked as mates.

Everyone as long as they were categorized as Ds, and possibly myself included even as a man—

Moreover, Vritra had proceeded to deliver even more shocking words.

'The third generation, born from a second-generation hybrid dragon and a D who has become its mate, will be even closer to humans. The third generation thus engendered will even be able to mate with ordinary humans who do not possess the ability to generate dark matter.'

'In this manner, the human species shall evolve, evolving into the resilient lifeforms known as dragons—'

Her story was difficult to swallow, but impossible to refute seeing as it was true that multiple Ds had been marked as mates.

Why did Vritra want to turn humans into dragons?

Vritra had refused to answer the question, remaining silent ever since.

"Hmm.... It feels itchy somehow."

Bothered by her dragon mark that was changing in color, Ariella tried to roll up her uniform from the back.

This was to check her dragon mark that seemed to be located on her abdomen.

"─Wait, Ariella Lu. Do not expose your skin carelessly."

Shinomiya-sensei, who was operating a small terminal at the wall, called out sharply to stop her.

"There are eyes and ears all around. Do not forget that we are currently in a very precarious position."

Shinomiya-sensei was hinting for us avoid incurring NIFL's suspicions regarding the color change of dragon marks.

Among NIFL's courses of action regarding Ds with dragon marks that had changed color was the option of elimination. I was reminded of what had happened with Iris last time.

Therefore, the fact that all Ds could potentially become marked must not fall into NIFL's knowledge so easily.

"But... Since we were outside when we checked earlier, it might've become an open secret already."

Firill turned her gaze to the door and murmured worriedly.

"Even if that were true, there is no need to provide them with additional information. So long as we deny the fact, NIFL cannot take a forceful position. Midgard's top priority is securing the lives and human rights of Ds. Even if information has to be shared, it must take place after your safety is ensured."

Shinomiya-sensei announced with a resolute attitude.

Gaining awareness that they were backed by Midgard, the girls showed relieved expressions surfacing on their faces.

"But how much longer are we staying here? Tia wants to see Lisa sooner. Tia wants to go back to Yuu's house!"

Sitting on the edge of a bed, Tia complained in boredom.

"Mm... I don't like it here either."

Ren agreed idly with Tia.

"No matter what you say, this is a NIFL base and leaving requires their permission. If we leave on our own, that will give them a pretext to take action and who knows what they will do."

"They refuse to grant us permission to leave?"

I asked with a frown.

"Yes, all they've done is insist that we wait patiently. By this point─"

Pururururu─

While Shinomiya-sensei was talking, my portable terminal's ringtone sounded.

An unknown caller.

After getting Shinomiya-sensei's permission, I took the call, only to hear a familiar voice vibrating against my eardrum.

'Hello, Mononobe-kun.'

"Director Miyazawa?"

I answered in surprise.

Finding out that her father was on the phone, Ren turned her gaze towards me.

'Yes, is it okay to speak right now? There are things I wish to convey to you as soon as possible.'

Miyazawa Kenya's voice did not show his usual confidence.

For some reason, I gathered an impression of anxiety.

"I suppose it's okay but... What on earth─"

'You know a Major Loki Jotunheim, yes? Namely, your former superior officer.'

"..."

Hearing that unexpected name, I gasped.

Somehow, Miyazawa Kenya and him...

'I encountered him and we exchanged a few words. Mononobe-kun─He knows everything.'

An intense chill ran down my spine.

Everything─Although Miyazawa Kenya did not state outright, he likely meant the matter of dragon marks changing color.

'Major Loki is apparently preparing to take forceful measures. You would be advised to be careful. Also, he had a message for you.'

"A message...?"

In response to my question, he inhaled and said:

'You are the one making the choice.'

His voice felt so cold that I felt as though Major Loki was whispering in my ear.

Rather than the content, it was the voice that made my body stiffen more.

"And what are... the choices?"

'I'm totally at a loss even if you ask me that question. In any case, I have passed the message along. Oh, although I am in no position to say this... I entrust Ren in your hands.'

Without waiting for my response, he hung up on his own.

As I took the portable terminal from my ear, I was greeted with questioning gazes from everyone.

"A call from Director Miyazawa... NIFL─Major Loki is making a move."

After I summarized the call concisely, Shinomiya-sensei sighed heavily.

"Time does not afford us the luxury of taking things slowly. No other way─there may be future repercussions but I will ask her to invoke her power."

Saying that, Shinomiya-sensei took out her portable terminal.

Something akin to fear could be glimpsed momentarily from her expression─

Part 2

"—Hmm, I see. Got it."

This was the fortified island of Midgard in the sea far south of Japan.

Located at the top floor of the academy's clock tower in the center of the island was her—Charlotte B. Lord's—office.

A petite figure not too different from a teenager's, a young face, matched with long blonde hair and blue eyes, she looked like a fairy living in the clock tower.

However, she was Midgard's chief administrator as well as the academy's principal.

Reclining securely against the large executive chair, she exuded solemnity as befitted a leader.

"Leave it to me, Haruka. I am humanity's sovereign crowned with the name of 'Gray.' Let me rescue you and the students from your predicament by invoking the authority I inherited from my father."

Ending her call with Shinomiya Haruka, the girl put down the receiver and turned her gaze to the woman standing by on the side.

The tall woman, dressed in a maid uniform, was showing a somewhat grave expression.

"Maika—I know what you wish to say but this is an emergency. My lovely maidens are facing a crisis. If I don't use my power now, when else!?"

Seeing Charlotte insiste fervently, the secretary—Maika Stuart—emitted a deep sigh.

"Charlotte-sama, regardless, I must correct you first. They are not yours. Moreover, I believe there is a huge problem regarding the use of authority."

"Problem?"

"Charlotte-sama, NIFL is in the process of eliminating your influence completely. There are no 'contractors' within the organization who can be controlled using your authority. During the Leviathan battle, we were unable to stop the invasion mounted by NIFL's forces."

Maika explained in a calm tone of voice, but Charlotte grinned fearlessly.

"I know that, but think carefully about it. That situation was different from now. If direct interference is out of the question, we'll just have to mount an offense from the top and the surroundings."

"The top and the surroundings—namely, Asgard and influential figures in Japan?"

Maika asked after thinking briefly.

"Indeed, list out the people who have made deals with us."

"As you wish."

Glancing at Maika as she took out a portable terminal and started operating it, Charlotte then looked up at the ceiling.

"—That being said, indirect methods have their limits. Things would be fine if Kraken Zwei kept still and stayed sealed at the bottom of the hole... But we'll have to dispose of her if she starts to move. However, the marked Ds cannot be sent to the frontline under those circumstances..."

Although they had failed to defeat Kraken Zwei, at least they managed to dig out a giant hole using Catastrophe, then plug its opening using mithril, thereby sealing Kraken Zwei inside.

But in the event that Kraken Zwei broke out of the opening, all Ds would turn into uncertain factors that could become dragons.

"No... To assert that all Ds will end up this way would be jumping to conclusions. Perhaps my friend might be the exception—"

Recalling the image of the only young man she acknowledged as her friend, Charlotte murmured.

If the report were true, his dragon mark was supposed to change color sooner or later, but she was pondering the possibility he might be the sole exception.

Charlotte did not think this just because he was a man.

Due to Kraken Zwei appearing as a girl, one might reason that being male, he would be even more suitable as a mate instead.

But ever since she came to know of his existence... Charlotte had always harbored doubts.

Ds were beings supposed to be all females... Yet he was the sole man among them.

Was he truly a D?

A dragon's power—an ability that Charlotte's father had called an authority—was inheritable.

Just as Mitsuki had obtained the power to create the Kraken's antimatter and Charlotte had inherited her father's title and ability, so-called authorities were abilities that did not rely on congenital aptitude.

Then having acquired Leviathan and Hraesvelgr's powers, had Mononobe Yuu received the power to generate dark matter under certain serendipitous circumstances?

It was merely speculation.

However, the answer might be coming to light very soon.

If he did not end up marked by a dragon, it could prove that he was not a D by birth.

"But by this point, it doesn't really matter what he is."

Charlotte smiled wryly and reached for the chessboard on her office desk.

"From my standpoint, I'm happy enough as long as we can have fun together again. Hence—Don't you die on me."

Using her fingertip, Charlotte flicked a knight piece towards her faraway friend.

Part 3

"—How unexpected. I can't believe they let us go so easily, even going as far as to provide a vehicle for transportation..."

On a bumpy ride in a military transport, I commented to Shinomiya-sensei.

Once the confinement order was lifted, we took the unconscious Mitsuki and left the NIFL base. Roughly half an hour had elapsed since. Driving along a mountain road that lacked street lighting, the vehicle was surrounded by darkness with only the headlights and the stars in the sky as light sources.

"Because the principal negotiated on our behalf, NIFL cannot overtly interfere with us for now."

Shinomiya-sensei answered while keeping her eyes on the road.

"Where are we going next? Back to Nanato City?"

I was sitting in the front passenger seat. To avoid waking up Iris and the others, who were sleeping in the back seats, I continued the conversation quietly. Right now, it was past 2am.

The poisoned Mitsuki was not the only person sleeping. Iris, Tia, Firill, Ariella and Ren, all five of them were currently fast asleep.

The only ones awake were myself and Shinomiya-sensei—as well as Vritra who was sitting on my lap.

"No, returning to that town would be very dangerous while it is uncertain how the situation will develop next. Your parents and innocent people might get caught up in danger."

"Then—"

"Don't worry. By pulling strings, the principal has secured a location that's suitable as a stronghold for us, which is where we're currently heading. Lisa Highwalker and the others are expected to meet us there."

Shinomiya-sensei controlled the steering wheel carefully, driving along the winding and treacherous mountain road while telling me about future plans.

"...Hey."

Sitting on my lap, Vritra called out in displeasure.

"What?"

"Do not give me 'what.' This treatment offendeth me greatly."

A vine was entangling her entire body to restrict her freedom. Vritra squirmed forcibly and glared at me. According to Tia, this vine was very similar to Yggdrasil's clone that had caused a huge commotion at Midgard's school festival.

Even if Vritra generated dark matter, the vine would automatically steal it, transmuting more vine to tie her up. Hence, Vritra was unable to perform transmutation even while Tia slept.

Tia's ability to control this kind of power was an indication that her synchronization with Yggdrasil was proceeding smoothly.

Tia needed Yggdrasil's knowledge in order to enter a discussion with Vritra. Although Vritra had given up on that discussion... For the sake of understanding Vritra's objective, Tia still spent time to synchronize cautiously.

Once Tia obtained Yggdrasil's knowledge, we should be able to understand many things.

After all, Vritra was keeping silent, refusing to reveal her true goal. I was just thinking that she finally opened her mouth again, but it ended up being irrelevant complaints.

"Thy lap is too hard and uncomfortable. There is still space in the back. Allow me to sit in the back."

Vritra pouted while demanding improved treatment. Since she had taken the form of a young girl, her facial expression looked quite cute—But I could not agree to her demand.

"No. Who knows what you'll do even if we've prevented you from performing transmutation. I can't put you together with everyone who's sleeping."

"...Art thou saying that one must maintain this posture the whole time?"

"Yes. In my case, I can detect killing intent even when I'm asleep. I'll know if you try anything, so don't get any funny ideas."

I yawned while I warned her. I had no intention of staying awake the whole time to monitor her.

"Hmm... Thou adamantly refusest to modify the arrangement at hand? Ah—Hath this body of mine incited lust in thee?"

"What!? C-Cough, c-cough, what nonsense are you suddenly spouting—"

Confronted with an unexpected accusation, I coughed and questioned.

"'Tis a law of nature for males to be aroused by females. Art thou intending to enjoy a female body whilst I am immobilized..."

Vritra looked up at me with an icy cold gaze.

"No way in hell I'd do that! I sat you on my lap because of spatial constraints—Wait, don't you start looking at me so coldly too, Shinomiya-sensei!"

Seeing slight revulsion in Shinomiya-sensei's expression, I protested.

"Oh no, my apologies. Although I do understand the situation... There is an air of criminality when you have a little girl tied up, sitting on your lap."

"Urgh..."

Precisely because of Shinomiya-sensei's calm attitude, her observation stabbed deeply into my heart.

"Hmph, do as thou please if molesting my body is thine intention. 'Tis a temporary body after all. Although 'twould be unpleasant... Having lost in battle, I must accept the way things are."

Looking like she had resigned herself, Vritra leaned her back against me. A whiff of fragrance from her black hair revived memories from my dance with Kili at the Principality of Erlia.

—This is the same scent.

"Hmm, this maketh for better seating. My posterior hurteth no longer."

Due to her moving around on top of me, I found it a little difficult to calm my thoughts, but I took care not to let it show on my face. At the same time, I said to her:

"...Just sit in relaxing posture. Don't worry, I won't lay my hands on you. After we meet up with Kili and the rest, I'll ask her to take over supervising you, so please bear with it for now."

If I had to keep watch over Vritra twenty-four hours a day, not just Shinomiya-sensei but even Iris and the rest of the girls were probably going to start viewing me with strange gazes.

"Oh? In other words, thou art not so deprived of females that thou needst to make a move on me? Indeed, 'tis true. Thou art surrounded by so many females, 'tis only natural."

Vritra glanced at the back seats and shrugged.

"Mononobe Yuu... Is that true? What unmentionable things have you done to them—"

Immediately, Shinomiya-sensei questioned me in a low voice.

"I-I haven't done anything! Vritra, please stop talking."

"Hmm... From my standpoint, I have no wish to displease thee either. This human body also needeth rest, hence I shall heed thy counsel, to shut up and sleep."

Consequently, Vritra closed her eyes and entered a state of slumber.

Although she had already displeased me greatly, I did not have the energy to protest.

After I sighed in resignation, Shinomiya-sensei apologized to me.

"My apologies. As a former D, I am not too familiar with men, so I accidentally believed what Vritra said."

Shinomiya-sensei scratched her cheek in embarrassment.

"Oh no, don't worry about that—"

I frantically shook my head to tell her I did not mind.

Indeed, it was understandable that she would lack a lot of knowledge if she had been living in Midgard where there were no other men.

Although her dauntless attitude and rank as colonel contributed to her image as a mature woman... She was still quite young, most likely twenty or so.

When talking to her normally like this, the impression I got was that of an older sister with a narrow age gap.

Because not too long ago, she used to be a student at Midgard just like me.

"—Shinomiya-sensei, you used to be the Counter-Dragon Squad's captain, right? I heard Mitsuki mention that everyone idolized you."

Shinomiya-sensei smiled wryly at my question.

"Praised as outstanding talent and getting carried away—I did go through such a phase indeed. However, my abilities were nothing special, because I couldn't even save a single person, my younger sister."

Shinomiya-sensei's words made me realize—

Like Mitsuki, she was shouldering a heavy cross due to Shinomiya Miyako's death.

During the Kraken battle two years ago, Shinomiya-sensei's younger sister, Miyako, had turned into a dragon and was killed by Mitsuki's own hand. And the one who had issued the order to attack was Shinomiya Haruka, the Counter-Dragon Squad captain at the time.

"Regret over that incident was what made me stay in Midgard even after losing my powers. The principal offered me a chance for atonement. That being said, even to this day, I still haven't been able to save anyone by my own power."

Shinomiya-sensei spoke in a tone of self-deprecation but I disagreed with her.

"No way, I'm sure there are people whose lives were saved thanks to your unerring judgment."

"I'm very happy that you can say that, but the one who has been turning every crisis around is you. I am sincerely grateful to you that there has been no more victims like Miyako."

Shinomiya-sensei took one hand off the steering wheel and patted me lightly on the head. Smaller than imagined, it was a woman's hand, soft and warm.

Regarding the arrival of Kraken Zwei—what could be considered her sister's daughter—She must feel equally shocked as Mitsuki. But even so, she did not forget her position as the commander.

Just like two years ago, she did not forsake her duties as captain of the Counter-Dragon Squad—

"...Thank you very much."

Rewarded by a woman like her, that was all I could say in response.

"You should rest too. Vritra has long fallen asleep."

I took a closer look to see Vritra sleeping soundly against me. Her sleeping face was so innocent that it made me feel like a fool for being so wary of her.

"Yes, understood."

However, I still could not free myself of nervous feelings even after closing my eyes.

The sense of despair when I saw Mitsuki collapse to the ground—

That was something I did not want to experience ever again.

Part 5

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