Hagure Yuusha no Aesthetica:Volume 8 Prologue

Prologue - Precursor to chaos and conflict

Part 1

There was a group in the world known as COCOON.

Their people hold positions in the "new United Nations," which consisted of the formulation of the international policies, even the secretary and chairman. And they also were the chief executives of the alternate world institutions of Babel.

A position among this small group of people could be refereed to as an administer of the entire world.

Children * Of * Cross * Over * Other * Nation.

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

Even a single individual had enough power to surpass the military force of a large country.

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

They were the most powerful elites, they represent the world -- that was what it was to be called a "COCOON."

Part 2

"- JPN-Babel went into lock down?"

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

This young man was the new chairman of the United Nations and the leader of COCOON that ruled the world.

And the strongest person in all of COCOON, Michael • Arcwood.

Inside the headquarters of COCOON in the United Kingdom.

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

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

"Yes, This happened about fifteen minutes ago when JPN-Babel suddenly suddenly cut off its 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 was 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 weren't many people able to decode these conceptual barriers, probably only the writers of these program within COCOON could, and if a presence greater than COCOON existed.

Strictly speaking, the only possibility would be "Crimson twilight" the world's strongest terrorist group comparable to COCOON. They were said to have recruited many experts in the field of information-gathering and conceptual magic.

Moreover, was also a report that some of the members of Crimson twilight have permeated the special autonomous region within Japan.

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

But......

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

Retia started to talk.

"The program's log showed no signs that JPN-Babel being hacked, but fifteen minutes ago the system suddenly went into lock down."

"Meaning ......?"

"I'm afraid that Kyouya probably cut JPN-Babel's external connection allowing it to operate independently."

"......"

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

Kyouya spoke very little at COCOON's round table conferences. His attitude was always composed, and always had a cold smile on his face.

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

Michael Arcwood was reminded of an incident that took place a few days before the Japan summit.

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

An intruder damaged part of the system, and after transformed into higher-dimension being, a fire breathing dragon.

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

However, after the conclusion of the summit Michael took advantage of the opportunity when he was alone with Kyouya to toss out a question:

Why did you refuse to do it yourself? The "Y Plan" is ultimate goal we are trying to achieve in COCOON. In order to make this plan into reality, some sacrifices are an necessary evil.

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

-- Moderate sacrifices -– including your brother?

That was the first time Kyouya showed such a provocative sheer attitude to Michael. Could Kyouya hold some unknown ambitions......

"......"

Michael couldn't help but get lost in thought. Perhaps Kyouya already learned of some secret.

Not long after Akatsuki attended the high school with JPN-Babel the training program went berserk.

In a video conference with Kyouya, who was responsible for relating the story about Akatsuki, Kyouya'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 Kyouya was acting arbitrary, and there must be hidden purpose behind it.

And in order to achieve his goal Kyouya didn't hesitate in betraying COCOON.

Part 3

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

Access to the campus was closed off, and all external communications were cut off.

Since the campus was protected by an optical barrier it wasn't possible to perceive the current situation from satellites limiting their intelligence.

However it was limited to areas within JPN-Babel's grounds.

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

"The special autonomous region looks to be calm. There are no observable abnormalities in Babel at the present time."

However -- Retia continued,

"There is some suspicious movement by the Japanese naval force. A 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 to the special autonomous region?"

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

Japan's previous constitution restricted their military expansion into other Asian countries, and in respect to popular sentiment it had taken a back seat. However, measures were taken to sign cooperation agreements and set up military alliances with other powerful countries. In return Japan was able to maintain peace and their own country's military superiority.

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

Those returnees brought back technology and magic from the other worlds that no modern military could rival. Those special abilities were undoubtedly "other dimensions of power."

So in order to keep pace with other countries Japan amended the Constitution, and began to expand its armaments.

In view of the aforementioned reasons, deployed in the Pacific was a new model of nuclear submarine equipped with a special weapon -- a cluster nuclear warhead. If it was fired, it had enough power to level Babel...... that was, wipe out the whole artificial island without leaving a trace.

However, that island was an special autonomous region of COCOON.

Destroying that artificial island was the same as the Japanese Government officially declaring war on COCOON.

Also it meant the annihilation of Japan.

COCOON was capable of wiping out Japan at any moment.

Michael Arcwood thought that the Japanese Government unlikely to go so far as to commit such a stupid mistake.

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

The possibility of being driven into a desperate action couldn't be ignored.

JPN-Babel's lock down on behalf of Kyouya already broken away from the normal practice.

If the Japanese government was also involved --

Kyouya must of took advantage of the Japanese Governments to implement some kind of plan, and then calculated to toss them aside once their role was done......

Apart from burying the evidence of their betrayal of COCOON under the rubble of special autonomous region the Japanese government had no way to help themselves. At that time, even if COCOON were to place blame on the government for the destruction, Japan could use the excuses that it was a measure to stop Kyouya's plan.

"...... What are you going to do now? You and I still have to sign the new treaty with the European Union, and participate in coordination meetings before it."

Retia said looking for affirmation from Michael and,

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

"- No need for that."

Michael denied Retia's proposal, and stood up from his chair as he 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."

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

"If anyone really intends to spoil our plans-"

Michael Arcwood's golden eyes shined.

"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."

Part 5

There is a reason why the free and peace loving Kaidou finds himself in such a dangerous area,

<Phoenix cells>.

The cells of a high-dimensional being that the Japanese government by chance obtained. Then they researched and developed them under the utmost secrecy only to have them fall to JPN-Babel also COCOON-That is Hikami Kyouya hands.

Therefore, Kaidou was instructed to steal them with his other companions.

The order came from the leader of world's most powerful terrorist group "Crimson Twilight".

She is Cecil Endheart.

Kaidou wants to avoid troublesome things as much as possible, but is scary in various ways to defy Cecil order. Anyway he will play his role properly.

"However... ... dressed like this, it's not surprising that I'm being treated as a suspicious person."

The hat's brim is pulled low with a pair of black sunglasses covering his eyes.

The Kaidou as of now, absolutely looks like a suspicious person.

Of course, a disguise of this degree can't escape from the surveillance system of the Babel. Kaidou is a student at JPN-Babel, through 3D image recognition software and by comparing power fluctuation data his identity will be exposed.

Therefore Kaidou has to uses some of "Crimson Twilight" powers.

New abilities are obtained once a person returns from an alternate world more than once.

Babel's detection system is unable to detect the higher dimensional change in the body and soul. Plus Kaidou's own protective barrier he becomes completely invisible to the system.

The reason why those Gargoyles are chasing him is probably to determine the cause of system error that found a suspicious person.

"If it was just a little less of a barrier, the system would have instantly recognize my true identity – wow!"

Moreover this Gargoyle proliferation has no signs of slowing down.

However - Kaidou think this is probably good.

Just need to be patience until Tiana gets the <Phoenix cells>.

About now she should have arrived at the target location.

That means Kaidou is just a diversion to separate the Gargoyles from interfering.

Then......

Suddenly, Kaidou cell phone vibrated, it seems he a message.

"It finally came, I was getting tired of waiting."

Kaidou started run and flip open his cell phone to check the email.

"Huh ...... Memeko?"

However the email wasn't from Tiana, Kaidou is slightly surprised.

The sender is a member of "Crimson Twilight" that came to the special autonomous region a few days ago.

Mikagami· Memeko.

Kaido amidst the confusion, reads the contents of the email.

"lock down... ... Japanese navy and nuclear missiles? Really, no kidding, could there be some sort of mistake?"

Reacting to the astonishing situation written in the email, Kaidou instinctively raised his voice.

Although the message is beyond imagination, Kaidou didn't think that Memeko would fabricate such news.

The reason is very simple.

.....Lying in her world is the second most hated thing.

By the way, in Memeko's world the most hated thing is said to be Kaidou, however it is unknown as to whether or not it is heartfelt.

She also has a similar ability as Cecil's "intuition", Eryn Memeko possess a pair of "eyes" that see through the truth. Therefore the email is probably true.

However, their leader Cecil had said –

The stealing of the <Phoenix cells> is due to Hikami Kyouya acting arbitrary, COCOON was unaware of his actions. Therefore, Kyouya actions are obviously not going to be made public. He will certainly go to great lengths to conceal the truth and prevent them from finding any clues.

Kaidou couldn't have imagined that Kyouya would take such extreme measures.

"There are too many problems. Come on, give me a break."

It is hard to believe that <Phoenix cells> have such fanfare, this really is too unnatural.

Hikami Kyouya must have some other goal.

In addition to <Phoenix cells> – No, something more important than the <Phoenix cells>.

Today JPN-Babel is in complete lock-down.

"Presumably the most significant goal has been accomplished... ... In that case."

Kaidou Motoharu abruptly stopped, and changed his course of action.

The Gargoyles followed closely behind and without hesitation he killed them one after another.

"-Sorry, playtime is over."

Kaidou mumbles, raises his right hand and with a slight wave.

Godspeed, so fast that the tip of his hand is invisible.

Light flash between them......

And the next moment.

Dozens of Gargoyle that are immune to physical or magic attacks have been destroyed, turning into countless particles of light and disappearing without a trace.

Kaidou walks into the scattering light particles.

"it seems that the rest of COCOON will soon take action... ... A full-scale conflict is inevitable."

Clash of the strongest vs. strongest.

That clash of opposing forces might level this artificial island without the assistance of nuclear warheads.

Kaidou couldn't help but sigh.

However, as a member of Crimson Twilight a cruel smile emerges on his face.

Within the helpless tone is a mix of joy and a bit of anticipation.

Kaidou Motoharu mutters:

"Ahhh ... ... I still prefer unfettered freedom and to live in peace."

It was nice to be near you.

I don't ask for much, so this will be enough.

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