Hagure Yuusha no Aesthetica:Volume 8 Prologue

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Prologue - Precursor to chaos and conflict

Part 1

There is a group in the world called COCOON.

The secretary general and chairman of the "new United Nations" that formulates the international policies and the ideal nature of the current world. As well as the chief executives of the alternate world institution Babel.

These handful of people can be said to be regulators of the entire world.

Children * Of * Cross * Over * Other * Nations.

Out of all the returnees to this world they have an overwhelming strength.

Even a single individual has enough power to surpassing the military force of a large country.

What is the best way to describe these troublesome people? The answer is very simple.

They are the strongest of this world--That is COCOON.

Part 2

"- JPN Babel went into quarantine?"

The man who received the report abruptly narrowed his golden pupils.

This young man is the new chairman of the United Nations and the leader of COCOON that rules the world.

The strongest person in Cocoon, Michael • Arcruid.

At the headquarters of COCOON in the United Kingdom.

Michael is sitting on luxury leather chair, looking at the woman standing across the desk in front of him.

She is Retia • Crisis, second in command to Michael, but also the secretary general of the new United Nations. This beautiful and talented woman is looking down at the tablet in her hands.

"Yes, This happened about fifteen minutes ago when JPN Babel suddenly suddenly cut off connection with the "Apocalypse" server and is denying other Babel institutions as well as our own login."

"Was the system hacked from the outside?"

The security of the system of COCOON's headquarters and Babel is the best in the world.

In addition to the ordinary security programs, magical fail-safes were created sufficient enough to prevent all intrusions from the outside world.

There aren't many people able to decode these conceptual barriers, probably only the writers of the program within COCOON can, and if a presence greater then COCOON exists.

Strictly speaking, the only possibility is "Crimson twilight" the world's strongest terrorist group comparable to Cocoon. They are said to have recruited many experts in information-gathering and conceptual magic.

Moreover, there is also a report that some of the members of Crimson twilight have permeated the self governed region within Japan.

Therefore it can be reasonably speculated-JPN Babel had suffered a hacker attack and went into quarantine as an emergency defensive maneuver.

But ......

"Although that possibility is not zero, however ...... Its probably wrong."

Retia starts to talk.

"The program's log shows no signs that JPN Babel was hacked, but fifteen minutes ago the system suddenly went into quarantine."

"Meaning ......?"

"I'm afraid that Kyoya probably cut JPN Babel external connection, allowing it to operate independently."

"......"

Michael is trying to speculate what Hikami Kyoya has in my mind.

Kyoya speaks very little at COCOON's round table conferences. His attitude is always composed, and always has a cold smile on his face.

......But......

Michael Arcruid was reminded of an incident that took place a few days the Japan Summit.

The Summit was held amidst JPN Babel school's ranking tournament and experienced an unexpected interruption.

After an intruder damaged part of the system, it even transformed into higher-dimension being–a fire breathing dragon.

At that time Kyoya was participating in the Summit and not on the campus. They had to depend on Ousawa Akatsuki to stop the fire breathing dragon, resolving the crisis.

However, after the conclusion of the Summit Michael was alone with Kyoya and tossed out a question:

Why do you refuse to help yourself? "Y Plan" is after all is COCOON's ultimate goal, in order to make this plan reality, some sacrifices are an necessary evil.

Having heard what was said, Kyoya coldly replied to Michael's question:

--Moderate sacrifices – including your brother?

That was the first time in front of Michael, Kyoya showed such a provocative sheer attitude.

If that is the case then what are Kyoya's untold ambitions ... ...

"......"

Michael couldn't help but get lost in thought. Perhaps Kyoya already knows a certain secret.

Not long after Akatsuki attended JPN Babel school the training program went out of control.

In a video conference with Kyoya, who is responsible for relating the story about Akatsuki, Kyoya's face and tone seem very strange.

Michael didn't know how both of these things were related to the current situation.

But he was sure that Kyoya is acting arbitrary, and there must be hidden purpose behind it.

In order to achieve this goal, Kyoya didn't hesitate betray COCOON.

Part 3

"- What is the current status of JPN Babel?"

All communications are completely cut off from the facilities.

Since the school is protect by an optical barrier it isn't possible to perceive the current situation from satellites limiting intelligence.

However it is limited to areas within JPN Babel school grounds.

By observing the surrounding areas a limited amount of speculation on the current situation can be inferred.

"The self govern region is serene, there are no observable abnormalities in Babel at the present time."

However-Retia continues talking.

"There is suspicious movement in Japanese naval forces. The nuclear-powered submarine deployed in the pacific has veered off its normal navigation route to Yokosuka's third port. At first glance it seems to be mooring at home port ...... "

"....But it may be heading the self govern region?"

The Japanese Self-Defense force is reorganized as the official army, since about a quarter of a century ago.

Under its own past constitutional restrictions. Japan's military expansion into Asia has taken a back seat in respect to popular sentiment, however it was signed in cooperation with the other powers. As well as a military alliances, but in return maintain peace and military superiority in the country.

However, when people started being summoned to alternate worlds about 30 years ago, these treaties and military alliances have lost essentially all of their meaning.

These returnees from an alternate worlds brought back technology and magic that no modern military can rival, and these special abilities are undoubtedly "Extra-dimensional Power".

Therefore, the constitution was revised in order to keep pace with other countries, and began to expand armaments.

Because of the above reasons, the new model of nuclear submarine deployed in the Pacific is carrying a special weapon - a cluster nuclear warhead. If it is fired, it has enough power ... ... to level Babel and blow away the artificial island without leaving a trace.

However, the island is the self governed region of COCOON.

If the artificial island is destroyed, it is the same as the Japanese Government declaring of war on COCOON.

At the same time, it means the annihilation of Japan.

COCOON is capable of wiping out Japan.

Michael Arcruid thinks that the Japanese Government would not commit such a stupid mistake.

......But......

There is a possibility of being driven into a desperate situation in which it cannot be helped.

JPN Babel's quarantine means that Kyoya has broken away from the norm.

If the Japanese government is also involved -

Kyoya can exploit the Japanese Governments plan, and when the deed is done and going to kick the Japanese Government ... ...

Japan has little way of saving itself from its betrayal of COCOON besides burying the evidence beneath the rubble of the self governed region.

The COCOON complains or excuses to stop plot strategy.

At that time, COCOON can use the pretext of political fiction to stop the runaway and arbitrary decision of Kyoya.

"....What are you going to do now? You and I still the have a final negotiation of a new treaty with the European Union.

Said Retia looking for affirmation from Michael.

"We might want to get in touch with Chinese Wyvern--"

"- No, no need for that."

Michael denies Retia's proposal, and stands up from his chair and walked towards the door.

Retia immediately followed.

"Negotiations with the EU have reached the final stage. I'll wait until the meeting is over, and then go directly to Japan."

This way, all of the problems will be easily solved.

"If anyone really intends to spoil our plans-"

Michael Arcruid's golden eyes shine.

"Even if its Hikami's cunning or the might of Japanese Government, I'll personally eradicate all obstacles."

Part 4

JPN Babel is wrapped in the darkness of the night, and how is the current situation?

In one word, and that word is "chaos".

The first day of the new semester is about to begin, only a small number of the staff and guards remained on campus for the system update.

To compensate for lack of vigilance, Babel's security program design to suppress intruders is up and working.

The so-called "guardian beast system".

The system actually summons a Gargoyle within the Babel special barrier, Its nature is allows it to resist general physical and magic attacks.

Basically, the Gargoyle is sufficient to deal with intruders.

However......

In a corner of the campus countless Gargoyles have gathered.

They number more than ten.

In the forest continuous loud clashing sounds are shaking the atmosphere. An intruder is attacking summoned Gargoyles.

The rapid barrage of noise is showing no signs of ending.

A dozen Gargoyle cannot suppress the intruder.

Then......

"-"

The system summoned a new Gargoyle.

"-Although a diversion for enemies that are still on the campus at night to play with, the "catch the killer" game ... ... Not a long distance endurance marathon. Ah, is it over?"

While being chased by countless Gargoyles the night intruder – Kaidou Motoharu's tone is still relaxed.

The Gargoyle offense is still fierce.

It spits out flames, flapping wings call out wind blades, heat rays are emitted from its eyes, and sharp claws that rip through iron. It makes full use of all the attacks, left, right, up and down, a variety of attacks mercilessly attacking Kaidou from all directions

However......

"-Woops!"

Kaidou just twists his body avoiding all attack with ease.

His flowing high speed movement allows for this to happen.

At times standing on the ground or a wall of the building.

Sometimes standing on the branches or trunks of the growing trees.

Even if the Gargoyles encircle his foothold, a three-dimensional evasive action is taken.

Kaidou avoids all attacks from the Gargoyles.

Just like a the wind.

A free wind that can not be caught, continuously escaping from the Gargoyles. Kaidou Motoharu laughs.

"This mere watchdog system thinks it can catch me? Maybe in the next life."

Translator's Notes and References

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