Unlimited Fafnir:Volume 8 Chapter 3

Chapter 3 - "Purple" Kraken Zwei

Part 1

"—I never imagined I'd ever fly in the sky while riding a vehicle."

Through the window of a large van, I looked at the distant ground beneath, commenting poignantly.

Outside the window, Lisa and the others could be seen flying while wielding their fictional armaments. A large-scale barrier of air maintained by six people, Lisa, Firill, Ren, Ariella, Tia and Kili, was keeping the vehicle levitated.

They had used wind before to control Mistleteinn in the past, which was much bigger than a car, so this was probably a piece of cake. However, it felt even more surreal precisely because we were traveling in a car, such an ordinary form of everyday transportation.

We were supposed to refrain from conspicuous actions of this sort, but to evade Major Loki's pursuit, we had to leave that mountain villa as quickly as possible.

"Yeah... It feels very unbelievable."

Sitting next to me, Iris smiled wryly in response. She was wearing the jacket I lent her to cover up the scales on her skin. I had yet to report her body's change to anyone, because Iris refused to let them know.

Although the secret could not be kept indefinitely, I decided to wait for Iris to settle her emotions first. After all, Iris' feelings were the most important—

"But with this, NIFL cannot pursue either. Once we find a location that is difficult to reach by land, we'll be able to prevent another attack like the one just now."

Sitting opposite to me, John joined the conversation.

The back seats in the large van were arranged in opposing rows. Sitting here were Iris, John and I who had no flying skills, the sleeping Mitsuki, as well as the restrained Vritra. Shinomiya-sensei was in the driver's seat, giving orders to the girls outside through her communicator.

"Yes... But before the Kraken Zwei problem is resolved, Major Loki probably won't cut us any slack. No matter where, we can't lower our guard."

I remarked bitterly. The only reason why we had no casualties this time was because of good luck and Ren's quick reaction. Before Major Loki launches his next wave of attacks, we must resolve the matter.

"That mountain villa was supposed to be a safe place too..."

Iris spoke in a feeble tone of voice.

According to the original plan, the members not participating in the operation would stay back and standby at the villa. But after such an attack, we could no longer leave them and Mitsuki behind.

Thus, all of us were moving to a place near the designated location for the operation, then set up a base of operations there.

"Always noisy all day long, thou art rather quiet today. What happened—to thee?"

Seeign Iris in low spirits, Vritra asked her.

"Eh? Oh, umm... Nothing!"

Iris made a guilty look then hugged herself tightly.

"Yes, very well."

Despite looking at her suggestively, Vritra stopped talking and did not ask anymore.

Speaking of which, when we were checking the color change in the dragon marks, Vritra had said something mysterious about Iris' condition.

Perhaps Vritra might actually know something about the change happening to Iris' body.

Although I doubted if she would tell me honestly... I decided to find an opportunity to ask anyway.

Watching Vritra's nonchalant face from the side, I pondered the matter. At this moment, Shinomiya-sensei looked back at us.

"—A suitable location has been found. We will land here."

Pressing the communicator to speak, Shinomiya-sensei announced to us.

Due to the air barrier surrounding us, we could not feel the pressure and temperature outside, but seeing the scenery of lush mountains gradually getting closer, I knew that we were descending.

This was a mountainous area covered in forests and peaks without any houses in sight. Contact with Kraken Zwei was set to take place in this area.

I saw Firill flying outside. She approached and knocked on the window then pointed at a lake below. We were apparently going to land near there.

It looked like a volcanic crater lake, surrounded by towering rocky mountains and quite difficult to approach from the ground.

The van slowly landed on the lake shore with slight shaking from the impact.

"We're there."

The van's door opened and a cool breeze caressed my face. Before my eyes was a lake with clear blue water.

Disembarking, I felt the sensation of soft grassland under the soles of my shoes.

"Come, Iris."

I extended my hand towards Iris who was just about to get off after me.

"...Thanks."

Iris held my hand somewhat shyly and jumped nimbly from the van.

At this moment, the girls dispelled their fictional armaments and gathered around.

"Given this place, we can detect the invasion of enemies just by watching the sky above."

Sweeping her eyes across the mountain range encircling the lake, Lisa nodded with satisfaction.

"What a beautiful lake. If there's time, I really want to fish."

Ariella approached the shore and stared at the water surface.

"Tia wants to swim!"

"Hmm... The air temperature might be a bit low for swimming."

Firill smiled wryly when Tia raised her hand and made her suggestion. Ren also rubbed her exposed arms and nodded in agreement.

"Mm, it's a bit cold."

However, Kili shrugged in exasperation after listening to them.

"If you're Ds, why don't you just think slightly out of the box and use your powers? If you feel cold, then create a heat source."

Kili created a small fireball on her hand and smiled.

"...So warm."

Ren placed her hands over the flames and closed her eyes partially in comfort.

"Using our powers for something mundane like warmth... It's true that I never thought that way before."

Firill remarked, somewhat impressed.

"Because we basically use our powers only for fighting dragons. However, that's fine the way it is, because it's not a good idea to rely on powers in everyday life."

Hearing Lisa say that, Kili frowned in puzzlement.

"Why? Isn't it a waste to have powers and not use them?"

"You look like you grew up in rather special circumstances... But don't forget that Ds lose their powers upon reaching adulthood, okay? You will be in trouble then if you rely on your powers excessively."

Lisa had pointed something matter-of-fact, but Kili reacted with a surprised look.

"Ds losing their powers upon adulthood—That's true, but I never paid attention to this problem. Mother, will that happen to me too?"

Kili asked Vritra, who was disembarking together with John.

"...Of course. Thou simply hast excellent abilities but art fundamentally no different from Ds."

Restrained by a vine, Vritra squirmed involuntarily while she answered.

"Really? So my powers will disappear. I don't really like that."

Kili stared at her hand and murmured. Most likely for Kili, the ability to generate dark matter had already become an integral part of her being.

"Become a true dragon if thou dost not wish to lose thy powers. Besides, the purpose of Ds' powers is to evolve their bodies into dragons. Hence, 'tis only natural for their powers to disappear once their bodies mature and can no longer synchronize with dragons."

While Kili was immersed in her thoughts, Vritra spoke in an authoritative tone to her.

"What—"

Listening on the side, Lisa and the others gasped, because Vritra had nonchalantly revealed key information regarding the mystery of the existences known as Ds.

However, Kili apparently knew this already. Without showing surprise, she simply made a wry smile.

"Actually, Mother, I don't mind becoming a dragon. It's just that I want to select my partner. When will you approve of him, Mother?"

Kili approached me all of a sudden and locked arms with me.

"H-Hey, Kili..."

I wanted to get away from her but Kili refused, sticking closely to me. Her bosom was pressing tightly against my arm. The soft sensation was halting my thoughts.

"Kili! How many times do I have to repeat myself? Stop sticking to the Captain!"

"T-That's right! Kili-chan! You're troubling Mononobe!"

John and Iris protested together, but Kili ignored them, staring at Vritra.

"...Hmph, never. Although he appeareth to be no ordinary irregular, given his caliber, he cannot surpass the second generation."

Vritra turned her face away.

"Oh...? Then it's fine once Yuu defeats Kraken Zwei? So there you go, Yuu... For our future's sake, you have to do your best."

Kili pressed herself harder against me, whispering gently to me extremely up close.

"No, we're not going to defeat Kraken Zwei, we're persuading her first—"

"Listen here, distance yourself from him right away!"

I was trying to argue when Lisa forcibly pulled me away from Kili.

"Kili sticks to Yuu too much!"

Tia rushed in between Kili and me.

"...Mm, Onii-chan, come over here."

Ren tugged my sleeve in a huff, taking me somewhere far away from Kili.

"Eh? Ren, are you jealous?"

"—Ooh..."

As soon as Ariella commented, Ren immediately went bright red and released my arm.

Firill approached at this time and say to me with a mischievous expression:

"Mononobe-kun, if you're considering the future... You do have the choice of becoming a prince, you know?"

"C-Come on..."

I scratched my head, unsure how to respond.

"—Idle chatter ends here, everyone. I will explain our plan from here on."

At this moment, a stern voice caused the relaxed atmosphere to tense up.

Shinomiya-sensei disembarked from the driver's seat and looked at us with a cellphone in her hand. Everyone's expression turned serious and we faced Shinomiya-senssei.

"According to the latest news just received, Kraken Zwei is moving towards us just as we predicted. Given her movement speed, reaching this location will require three hours approximately, but of course, we will not allow her to come into contact with those whose dragon marks have changed color."

Shinomiya-sensei finished in a strong tone of voice and swept her gaze across us.

"Right now, she is crossing the mountain range. As soon as she enters the plain, we will approach and attempt persuasion. The reason why we avoid high ground is to prevent her from firing antimatter over a broad area in the event that a battle breaks out."

"If she were to shower antimatter down from high ground, we really would not have anywhere to escape..."

Lisa concurred with Shinomiya-sensei.

"The operation will start forty minutes from now. Just as I explained earlier, the persuasion team will consist of myself, Mononobe Yuu and John Hortensia, the three of us. Iris Freyja, Lisa Highwalker, Firill Crest and Tia Lightning, you four will standby at your designated sniping locations. I will send the locations to your portable terminals later."

After explaining, Shinomiya-sensei turned her gaze to Ariella and the others who had not been called upon.

"The rest of you will wait here for us to return. However, please keep a close eye on Mononobe Mitsuki's condition and do not relax your surveillance on Vritra. To guard against NIFL's attacks, Ariella Lu and Ren Miyazawa, I hope you two will take turns to deploy an air barrier."

"Understood."

"Mm."

Ariella and Ren nodded firmly.

"Then the briefing is over. Until ten minutes before the operation, you have time to rest."

Leaving these instructions, Shinomiya-sensei returned to the van.

Left behind, we looked at one another, unsure what to do.

"—I got dirty during the earlier battle, so I'm taking a bath. Tia, come along if you want to swim, okay?"

Kili pointed at her arms and legs that had been blackened by smoke then invited Tia to go with her.

Due to the explosion at the mountain villa, we were all covered by a fair amount of soot.

"Great! Oh, but in that case, it's better if everyone went! Lisa, all of you come too!"

Pulling Lisa's hand, Tia called to everyone.

"...I wanted a bath in the first place, so I have no objections."

Concerned about the soot on her hair and skin, Lisa nodded.

"I'll go too. It won't be cold as long as we create a heat source, which can also serve as a hair dryer too."

Firill agreed excitedly.

"Let's go, given the chance."

"Mm."

Ariella and Ren also nodded in agreement, then looked at the remaining Iris.

"I-I'll pass, because I have some scratches from when the explosion caused the room to collapse... Getting water on my skin will sting."

Wearing my jacket, Iris shook her head and declined with a stiff expression.

The red scales appearing on her skin would be exposed if she undressed. Hence, bathing was definitely out of the question for her at the moment.

"I'll look after Mitsuki-chan! So don't mind me and enjoy yourselves, everyone."

As though fleeing, Iris entered the van where Mitsuki was sleeping.

"Iris-san... She has been acting strangely since the earlier battle. Do you know something about it?"

Lisa asked me.

"Well—"

I reflexively wanted to cover it up, but stopped myself halfway, because lying definitely did not work on Lisa.

"...I know, but I can't say it right now."

So I changed what I was planning to say.

"Is that so? Then please tell me when a suitable time comes."

Lisa made a helpless expression and did not question further.

"Then let us go over there to bathe... I won't forgive you if you dare peek, okay?"

Lisa poked me in the forehead with her index finger then went with the others to the other side of the bushes.

"I don't mind if you peek, okay? Rather, I should say that it doesn't bother me if you want to bathe together."

Kili smiled seductively and waved to call me over, but Lisa scolded "of course that is unacceptable!" and dragged Kili away.

"Then Captain, I will go wash my face a bit."

Watching that sort of scene, John smiled wryly at me with his soot-stained face, then walked in the opposite direction from Lisa and the girls.

This left only Vritra and me by the van. While Kili and Tia were bathing, it looked like I had to supervise her, however—This turned out to be perfect.

"Vritra, I need to have a word with you."

"...Regarding what?"

Vritra looked up and glared at me, asking with displeasure.

"This isn't a good place to talk, so let's go somewhere else."

I glanced sideways at the van then walked to some nearby shrubbery. This was because I did not know if Iris should hear this.

Vritra followed obediently. I pushed the bushes apart and stopped at a slightly open space. I looked back to see that the van was no longer in view.

"So—What business dost thou have? By any chance, art thou taking me to a deserted location, intending to make my body your plaything..."

"Of course not! I have a question for you."

I yelled at her then went straight to the point.

"About Iris, what do you know?"

"By 'what,' thou art referring to...?"

Vritra frowned, cocking her head in puzzlement.

"You said something suggestive when you found out that only Iris' dragon mark had slowed down its color change, right? Something about 'perfectly possible' or 'it doesn't matter which outcome'—Please tell me if you know something."

"The way thou art acting... As one would expect, she hath changed, yes?"

She must have noticed while we were talking in the van. Vritra narrowed her eyes and replied.

"...Yes."

Despite hesitating, I still nodded and admitted it. Since I wanted to go deeper in the conversation, I could not hide things from Vritra.

"I see—But as said previously, I have no obligation to tell thee."

"I know, but even so, I still hope you can tell me—Please."

I bowed my head deeply to beg and immediately heard a tiny sigh.

"To think I expected thee to threaten or torture me... Bowing thy head to plead, how unexpected. Why wilt thou go this far?"

"Because Iris is in pain."

I answered with my face towards the ground but did not hear a reply. The wind blew and the grass rustled.

After a long silence, Vritra spoke.

"Very well—I shall tell thee, for her sake if not for thine. 'Tis merely defiance against thee when I declined to say previously. In truth, thou art powerless even if I were to tell thee. Moreover, 'tis no loss to me."

"Really!?"

I looked up but Vritra's countenance staring at me was cold and merciless.

"Indeed, yet in mine opinion, 'twould only cause thee to despair."

After saying that, Vritra leaned her back against a nearby tree trunk.

"Despair...?"

"I said thou art powerless, yes? Because she shall merely become the next Basilisk, as a result of inheriting the authority."

"What—"

It was the worst-case scenario that had existed in a corner of my mind, impossible to dispel. And Vritra's words confirmed my imagination. I could not help but gasp.

"Creatures turning into dragons after inheriting an authority, 'tis a phenomenon that hath happened multiple times. 'White' Leviathan's predecessor was 'Silver' Tiamat. On the other hand, 'Yellow' Hraesvelgr had inherited its authority from 'Gold' Phoenix before turning into a dragon. Just like her—"

"Wait! If inheriting power means turning into a dragon, why haven't changes appeared in Mitsuki or me?"

I interrupted Vritra and pointed out the contradiction. Calling me powerless—How could I possibly accept that?

"Thy sister most likely did not inherit the full authority. The Kraken's child using antimatter is proof of that. As for thee, the authorities thou usest are far too weak compared to the original dragons."

Indeed, I could not bring out power on the level of Leviathan or Hraesvelgr. At my level, all I could do was recreate a tiny part of the effects by using dark matter transmutation. Unlike Iris, I could not directly use the powers I had inherited from dragons.

"'Tis unclear whether due to incomplete inheritance or the inability to control beyond one's own capacity... Or some other reason. I know not the correct answer. However, among ye Ds, she—Iris Freyja—is the only one capable of using an authority equal to or surpassing the original dragon in scale. Only her."

Vritra spoke in a calm tone of voice.

Now that she mentioned it... The battle against Yggdrasil, the battle against Kraken Zwei, the battle against Vritra—With every battle, Iris' Catastrophe seemed to increase in power. Ariella had also pointed out that Iris had even surpassed Basilisk in power.

"...Suppose that's true, is there really nothing I can do?"

"Indeed, 'tis legitimate evolution that is occurring in her. Neither injury nor disease, 'tis only the vessel changing its shape to match the contents. Even if thou forcest the change to a halt, the end result will be the vessel's destruction."

"...!"

I gasped and clenched my fist.

"The slowing in the dragon mark's change in color is because her nature as a dragon has increased in comparison to her nature as a D. She shall become the one who chooseth rather than one who is chosen. Even if thou defeatest the Kraken's child, next will be her turn to—"

"Don't say anymore!!"

Unable to bear it, I yelled. I did not want to hear more... because even without listening, I understood.

"—Hoo, in other words, this is the reason why I said it mattereth not which outcome. Very well... Hast thou anything more to say?"

"Right..."

Although there seemed to be something else I should ask, my mind was in chaos at the moment. How should I explain this to Iris? What should I do next... My thoughts were impossible to organize.

"Then as a reward for providing information, thou shouldst agree to a request of mine."

"...What is it? I'll say this first. I won't release your bonds."

Although the majority of my thoughts were occupied with Iris' matter, I still asked out of obligation.

However, Vritra shook her head and explained her demand.

"Take me to the water and wash my face. My face itcheth."

Hearing her say that, I noticed that Vritra's face was a bit dirty. However, since her upper body was all tied up, she could not wipe with her hands.

"No problem, if it's just something like that."

Feeling a little surprised, I nodded and accepted her request.

"Very well, sally forth."

Perhaps it itched quite badly, Vritra hurried me with her movements.

I sighed and took her to the water's edge.

At the same time, I searched my mind desperately, trying to find the right words for the next time I saw Iris—

Part 4

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