Unlimited Fafnir:Volume 12 Chapter 1

Chapter 1 - Marduk of Mechanized Aviation

Part 1

From my—Mononobe Yuu's—perspective, Mononobe Mitsuki was someone with greater fortitude than anyone else.

Back when she lost both parents in the car accident, my young self thought thus. Had I been in her place, what would I do?

The death of parents felt totally surreal and I could not imagine how life would continue after that. However, there was no way I would be able to hang in there—That was what I felt.

However, Mitsuki somehow recovered her past smile after becoming my little sister. After developing a fear of riding cars due to the accident, Mitsuki overcame her trauma through her own efforts.

Of course, I would protect Mitsuki as her older brother, and support her—But in the majority of cases, Mitsuki would always rely on her own strength to surmount adversity.

It was the same when "Blue" Hekatonkheir approached our town.

Mitsuki went alone to stand before the dragon. I followed only because I worried about her. To fight Hekankheir—Had Mitsuki not spelled it out, such a notion would never had occurred to me.

Watching that delicate silhouette of hers from behind... Challenging a dragon hundreds, no, thousands of times bigger than herself, I could never forget that image.

Even though Mitsuki was crying, even though she was trembling, but that image of her back was the brave silhouette that I still know.

I made a transaction with Yggdrasil to fight Hekatonkheir, only because I wanted to aid Mitsuki. I simply wanted to protect what she hoped to protect, that was all.

Three years after that, I was reunited in Midgard with a Mitsuki who had grown to become even more resolute and brave.

Despite going through the tragic ordeal of killing her best friend who had turned into a dragon, she still led the Ds in battle as the captain of the Dragon Subjugation Squad.

Despite her sorrow, despite her pain, she continued to stand strong stoicly.

But now—

"I am sorry... Nii-san, I am sorry—"

Lying on against my chest, Mitsuki kept apologizing. Sobbing and weeping, Mitsuki kept apologizing hoarsely—

I had never seen Mitsuki this "weak."

When Kraken Zwei, the orphaned child left behind by her best friend, showed up, Mitsuki had left the battlefield once.

But this time was different.

The pillar that had kept her going all this time had been totally demolished.

It was evident without needing to ask. Because, it was the same for me too.

—These feelings of mine, regarding Mitsuki as the one dearest to me.

They were what constituted my very being to this day.

But after Vritra informed me that these feelings stemmed from my instincts as a counterdragon, even I was plunged into confusion.

With wavering thoughts and emotions, I was unable to offer any consoling words to Mitsuki.

Acting like this... I must be an even "weaker" person than Mitsuki right now.

Part 2

At the dormitory where all of us lived—inside my bedroom at the far end of the corridor—There was a currently a tense atmosphere.

"Mononobe... What on earth happened?"

"Yuu, you look like you're in so much pain..."

Dressed in yukatas, Iris and Tia inquired with puzzled voices.

Midgard's principal, Charlotte, had organized a fireworks party. The staff had opened stalls for everyone to enjoy, but something had just happened. It was only natural for the girls to be confused by the pained expression on my face.

"Mononobe-kun, you clearly said you were going to meet up with us after talking to Mitsuki... But you never came."

"We were so worried about you two."

Also dressed in yukatas, Firill and Lisa spoke. Then Ariella and Ren also stared at me seriously.

"What happened to your important conversation?"

"Mm... Onii-chan, tell us."

Jeanne and Shion also went "Captain" and "Papa..." respectively, nodding to urge me to explain.

"—Looks like my mother already knows what happened."

Kili narrowed her eyes and looked at Vritra, who was beside me.

In addition to the students of Brynhildr Class, Shinomiya-sensei and Mica-san were also in my room.

They were looking in surprise at Mitsuki who was sleeping on the bed and Vritra and me, who were standing on the side. Since I had suddenly called everyone over on my portable terminal, this was only to be expected. I still had not told them the situation.

Principal Charlotte was apparently occupied so she sent Mica-san to come on her behalf.

Currently, a heavy silence shrouded the room. There was no sound outside the dorm either.

After the fireworks, night at Midgard had returned to its usual serenity.

Having enjoyed the festivities, the students began to return to the girls dorms. The stalls on the sides of the coastal road also began to pack up.

Before replying to Iris' question, I first checked on Mitsuki's condition on the bed.

Apologizing nonstop, exhausted from crying, Mitsuki had fallen asleep only just earlier. If possible, I wanted to take her somewhere else without waking her up, but for the time being, I must not leave her side.

It was impossible to know when that darkness might begin to devour Mitsuki again—

That darkness, invading Mitsuki's body and manifesting the figures of the deceased... It was something Vritra called "end matter."

Recalling that darkness that was even blacker than night, I looked up at everyone present.

"Please stay calm and listen quietly to what I have to say, so that we avoid waking up Mitsuki. First of all, this is about 'true dragons' and the ninth calamity."

Saying that, I shifted my gaze, settling on Tia. This was something I had heard from Tia and Vritra but had not informed the others. To allow everyone to comprehend Mitsuki's condition, it was necessary to start from there.

"Yuu..."

Tia called my name uneasily, probably understanding the gravity of the situation. The others also waited quietly for me to continue.

To reassure Tia, I nodded and began to speak.

Leviathan, Basilisk, Hraesvelgr, Yggdrasil, Vritra—The dragons we had fought in the past were all counterdragons, born to fight "true dragons"—great calamities on a global scale. Charlotte's Code Acht and the Code Lost held by myself, Ariella, and the others, were abilities for keeping humanity, the eighth calamity, in check—

And the next great calamity... was perhaps already imminent.

Listening to these matters, everyone began to grow restless. However, I explained to them the fact that a new authority would arise to oppose this calamity.

And the being possessing this authority was "Neun." In other words, the ninth counterdragon.

Perhaps Neun was me—Mononobe Yuu.

"True dragons and counterdragons... Even if you suddenly tell us about all this, we will only end up even more confused."

Lisa sighed with her forehead against her hand. Firill nodded too with undisguised puzzlement.

"Hmm... It feels like the subject has suddenly grown somber. Oh well, we already knew you were no ordinary D, Mononobe-kun, back when you selected us, but..."

Next, Iris cried out in a realization.

"Oh—Then when you touched us, Mononobe... turning us into your kind, does that also mean we've turned into the ninth counterdragon species too?"

"Yes—Indeed 'tis so. Undoubtedly, ye could be considered Neun."

The one who answered Iris' question was not me but Vritra. Kili mocked her.

"That was my intention from the very start. I've always believed Yuu to be Neun and understood what it meant to be his mate. Mother, you were the one who refused to believe."

"...Hmm. I had my own reasons... Nevertheless, I confess that I have erred on this matter. Daughter, thy view was correct. Now, there is no longer any reason to doubt this person of being Neun."

Vritra replied to Kili in a slight sulk, then lightly tapped my arm. I was standing beside her.

Seeing this, Kili frowned.

"Since you are asserting so strongly, Mother, it means that there is 'reason' strong enough to prove this, right?"

Saying that, she looked at Mitsuki on the bed.

Judging from the situation, it was quite easy to associate this "reason" with the matter of Mitsuki.

"Mononobe-kun, you've been together with Mitsuki all this time?"

"Onii-chan... Where were you two during the fireworks?"

Looking at Mitsuki, Ariella and Ren asked me.

"I was talking to Mitsuki on the beach. At the time, a strange change suddenly occurred to Mitsuki."

I clenched my fist and answered.

Next, Shion, who was originally staying next to Jeanne, ran over to and looked up at me in worry.

"...Papa, aRe yOU oKaY?"

"Yeah, I'm okay."

I unclenched my fist an patted Shion on the head.

Now was not the time to be wallowing in regret. Mitsuki was the one in true pain. What I should be doing now was to tell everyone the whole story and ask for their help so that Mitsuki could be saved.

Perhaps, these thoughts and actions came from a counterdragon's instincts... But whatever, forget it for now.

Stroking Shion's hair, I looked up and saw Shinomiya-sensei standing behind Iris and the girls.

Starting from there, I swept my gaze across Mica-san and everyone else—slowly composing my words.

"In hindsight, the ninth calamity—that "darkness"—has been lurking inside Mitsuki the whole time. And just a while ago, that darkness seeped out and almost devoured Mitsuki. Vritra called it 'end matter.'"

Everyone gasped.

In sequence, I told the speechless girls what had happened on the beach.

Suddenly in horrendous pain, Mitsuki's hand had turned ambiguous in outline and corrupted by pitch blackness. Just as the darkness was devouring Mitsuki, I touched her, causing my dragon mark to glow blue, blowing the darkness away...

"—The blue light caused Mitsuki's body to return to normal. However, the end matter scattered outside turned into pitch-black human forms, which I then killed using the power of Code Lost."

I omitted the detail that the shadows looked like Mitsuki's parents. Although I had no intention of keeping secrets... Even though Mitsuki was currently asleep, this was not something I could talk about without her presence.

And right now, what agonized Mitsuki and me the most was whether my wish to protect Mitsuki came sincerely from the heart. In other words, it was a personal issue between the two of us. Discussing this with anyone would have to be left until later.

"I definitely encountered the ninth calamity in my childhood. During that car accident which killed Mitsuki's parents—I encountered the darkness of end matter at the time. Most likely, I saved Mitsuki back then using Neun's authority, but from that point on, the darkness began to lurk inside Mitsuki."

I paused at this point. Next to me, Vritra took a step forward and said:

"According to the prophesy I received from Kiskanu—in other words, a prediction of the future—There ought to be more time before the ninth dragon's arrival. However, Mononobe Mitsuki's transformation into Neun hath ended the ninth calamity's dormancy. Judging from the effects Neun's authority was capable of producing, 'tis still possible to suppress it... Be that as it may, I cannot say for sure what will happen next. Hence, I wish to enlist assistance from all of ye, Neun's mates, and Yggdrasil's successor."

Looking at everyone in turn, Vritra finally settled her gaze firmly on Tia.

As the new core of Yggdrasil that had turned into Neun too, Tia nodded solemnly.

"Tia understands the basic situation now. But what should Tia do?"

"I hope thou couldst search the Akashic Record for as much information about the seventh dragon—'Disasterification' Apocalypse—as possible, then taking the current situation into account to produce a new prediction of the future."

After listening to Vritra's request, Tia tilted her head in puzzlement.

"...The seventh calamity? Isn't it the ninth right now?"

"Kiskanu said that the seventh calamity was a prelude to an even greater calamity. And this greater calamity is precisely the ninth dragon—Hence, 'twould be highly valuable to comprehend the seventh calamity. At the time... I evaded the seventh calamity by hiding in a higher dimension, thus surviving in my complete state, and used dark matter to restore the world after the fact. Consequently, I did not have a chance to obtain a clear view of the seventh calamity."

Saying this with a depressed expression, Vritra continued.

"However, Kiskanu was destroyed by the seventh calamity. Although my restoration of plant life gave rise to a new plant network, Yggdrasil... Its core consciousness was exceedingly obsessed with prioritizing its own survival, completely unwilling to listen to mine advice. Ostensibly, it was conquered by fear."

"Fear..."

Tia gulped and Vritra nodded solemnly.

"Indeed—Hence, I wish to know that which Kiskanu witnessed at the moment of its destruction, the true nature of the seventh calamity. If this were known, 'twould be possible to find a way to counter the ninth calamity, mayhap."

"Got it. Tia will try to contact the Akashic Record."

Tia answered with a voice of determination but next to her, Lisa showed an expression of worry.

"Tia-san, are you sure? Wouldn't there be possible danger unless you approach this cautiously?"

"Yes, so Tia wants to concentrate inside the bedroom. Also, with you accompanying Tia, if possible..."

Slightly hesitant, Tia looked up at Lisa.

"—Certainly, if I can be of assistance. I wanted to accompany you in the first place. Rest assured."

Lisa gently stroked Tia's head then looked at me.

"Mononobe Yuu, Tia-san an I shall excuse ourselves for now. Although I have yet to come to terms with the whole affair... I entrust Mitsuki-san to your care."

"Yes—I got it."

Enduring the severe pain in my heart, I agreed with Lisa.

"However, you are not allowed to be reckless."

Did Lisa feel concerned about my behavior? After giving a final reminder, she left the room with Tia.

With the shutting sound of the door, the room instantly fell silent again. Next, Iris spoke up hesitantly.

"U-Umm, is there anything we can do? How can we save Mitsuki-chan?"

"Iris, well..."

Unable to suggest any concrete action, I could only grit my teeth. How to save Mitsuki, what to do from this point onwards, I still had not come up with anything yet.

However, Vritra tugged at my clothing during my silence.

"My comrade Neun and his mates, what ye ought to do is to keep Mononobe Mitsuki company. According to what transpired earlier, including Mononobe Mitsuki herself—End matter can be suppressed so long as two possessors of Neun's authority are present. Hence, 'twould be wise if ye were to take shifts to remain by her side."

"Vritra-chan... Yes, I got it! Then let's take turns to watch over Mitsuki-chan!"

Saying that, Iris approached me.

"Let me have the first shift. Mononobe, you should take a bit of a break. You seem so tired."

Iris urged seriously but I could not bring myself to nod and agree.

"No, since I'm the only one who has actually used Neun's authority. I can't leave Mitsuki's side—"

However, the others began to speak as though to drown out my words.

"This is your room, Mononobe-kun. I think it's best if you rest on the sofa over there, since you'll be able to know immediately if anything happened."

Firill pointed to the sofa in the room. Ariella and Ren agreed.

"We'll take turns to watch Mitsuki, don't worry."

"Mm. We will first take a nap and arrange shifts to keep watch over the night."

Listening to them, Kili sighed lightly.

"No helping it... I will help out too since there's nothing for me to do until Tia finishes her task. It seems like a nice chance to chat with Yuu. Well then, Iris-chan, I'm leaving the first shift to you."

"Yes, leave it to me!"

Iris clenched her fist hard and nodded.

Thus, after Firill and the other girls left the room, Shinomiya-sensei and Mica-san also walked to the door.

"Mononobe Yuu, we shall go report the situation to the principal. Mononobe Mitsuki is supposed to be sent underground for isolation and detailed examination... However, after analyzing what was said just now, we conclude that it is not the time to separate you two. For the purpose of isolation, this dormitory is already capable of serving the same function. Please do not go out until we contact you and watch over her well."

Holding the doorknob, Shinomiya-sensei finished. Mica-san also spoke:

"Mononobe-san, we entrust her care to you. However, just as Iris-san and the others have suggested, you should rest for a while."

"Yes, I understand."

I nodded and saw the two of them off.

"Umm, Captain, Zwei is already..."

At that moment, Jeanne, who had been silent all this time, spoke timidly. Next to her, Shion was already rubbing her eyes, about to fall asleep.

"She's already sleepy, right? I'm sorry for making you two stay with us for so long. Take Shion back to your room, Jeanne."

The conversation just now was probably a bit too hard for Shion to understand. I smiled wryly.

"Roger that. Sorry... I am just an ordinary person without special powers... I cannot aid you in this matter, Captain."

"Don't worry about this kind of stuff. Jeanne, you're working hard as Shion's surrogate mother. This is an important job that no one can do but you. Everyone, including me, of course, are very grateful for that."

I thanked Jeanne apologetically. Staying in the room for the first shift, Iris also nodded vigorously.

"That's right! Jeanne-chan, you don't need to push yourself. Just think of Shion-chan."

"—Thank you. Then let's go, Zwei."

Smiling with a reassured look, Jeanne took Shion's hand.

"Yawn... Papa... gOoD niGHt."

"Yeah, goodnight."

Waving to me, Shion yawned lightly and I bade her goodnight.

After she left the room, the only ones remaining were the four of us—me, Iris, Vritra, and Mitsuki sleeping on the bed.

"An ordinary person without special powers?"

Looking at the doorway through where Jeanne had left, Vritra murmured in thought.

"You seem to be implying something."

Vritra smiled faintly when I cast a questioning look at her.

"No, what one might beg to differ would be the implication that humanity is not a special existence. A species regarded with hostility by Gaia twice, as the second and the eighth calamities, could not possibly be ordinary, could it?"

It looked like Jeanne's comment had prompted Vritra to make her point. She shrugged lightly and continued.

"—Furthermore, she definitely possesseth a pair of extraordinary eyes, yes?"

"Yeah, that's true. Jeanne's eyes are definitely not ordinary."

Vritra's question made me nod stiffly.

Capable of capturing all objects within her field of view and discerning them, it would be no exaggeration to describe Jeanne as gifted. Sleipnir was a team assembled from people like her.

"The same applieth to the authorities of counterdragons—Exceptional abilities do not exist without reason. Perhaps her abilities were inherited from Atlantis or some other origin...? 'Tis this that I am curious."

Saying that, Vritra shrugged and turned her back to me.

"You're going back to your room too, Vritra?"

"Nay, I intend to have a look at Tia Lightning's condition. Though I have informed her in detail of the type of information she needeth, one would presume that the extraction of data from the Akashic Record must be difficult indeed."

Shaking her head, Vritra left my room.

Thud. After the door closed, the room suddenly became very quiet. Mitsuki was sleeping soundly, hence, it was as though Iris and I were alone together.

"Oh, umm, Iris."

Noticing I was obliged to say something to Iris, I composed my words.

"W-What is it?"

The cowardly aura emanating from me was making Iris nervous in turn. Tensing herself, she asked in response.

"......"

However, I failed to continue. My thoughts could not come together at all. Looking at Mitsuki on the bed, I sighed.

"Nothing, really. I guess I'm a bit tired."

Resting my forehead against my hand, I shook my head. Iris frowned in worry.

"Are you okay, Mononobe? I'll watch over Mitsuki-chan properly, so get some rest, Mononobe."

Saying that, she pushed me from behind, forcing me to the sofa.

"Hey—"

I reacted with a confused voice, but Iris ignored me. After sitting me on the sofa, she moved a chair to the side of the bed and sat down.

"Until Firill-chan comes for the next shift, I'll stay awake on watch for sure! So don't you worry."

Iris asserted forcefully and turned her face towards Mitsuki on the bed. Seeing Iris stare unblinkingly at Mitsuki, I smiled wryly.

"Got it, I'm counting on you, Iris. However, you might fall ill too if you push yourself too hard, so relax a bit."

"Yes, okay."

Seeing Iris start taking deep breaths, I lay down on the sofa. Only then did I notice I was still wearing a yukata. However, deciding I could change later, I switched to a more comfortable posture on the sofa.

After I reclined sideways to the right, the bed entered my view. Also dressed in a yukata, Iris was watching the sleeping Mitsuki with a serious look on her face.

Watching the side of her face, the words that I had been unable to compose earlier naturally surfaced in my mind.

Yes—This matter must be conveyed to Iris.

"Iris."

"What is it?"

After I called her name, Iris took her eyes off Mitsuki, but asked while still keeping the same posture.

"Mitsuki asked me. She wanted me to tell her the answer to the question as to who was the dearest to me. She only hoped for me to make a decision rather than a choice—That was the idea."

Without touching upon explanations about the ninth dragon, I talked about "my personal issue."

"...........To make a decision rather than a choice... I see..."

After a moment's silence, Iris repeated my words then smiled.

"Iris?"

"Oh, okay, sorry—I think I understand something. I'm sure Mitsuki-chan wanted you to be certain about not making a mistake."

Gazing at Mitsuki on the bed with gentle eyes, Iris replied.

"Mistake?"

"The current situation, our relationships, your inner self, Mononobe, she simply wanted to know how you feel without changing any of these—That's what I think. I'm the same too. I want to understand you better, Mononobe."

Iris answered with a blush, but she continued to speak while staying in her posture without making eye contact with me.

"However, I already know what Mitsuki-chan wanted to find out. Mononobe, you replied that Mitsuki-chan is the dearest to you, right?"

"......How do you know that?"

When I asked in surprise, Iris scratched her face.

"I know this much at least, because you are the one I love."

"—"

The straightforward confession caused my face to heat up.

"Mononobe, you said you loved me, right? That feeling is not a lie. I already knew when you selected me—However, if the question was who is the most important to you, Mitsuki-chan will definitely come to your mind. I feel that this is on a different level than simply liking someone."

"Iris—Looks like you know me better than myself."

Smiling wryly, I made fun of myself.

On a different level than simply liking someone. That was definitely true.

"That's right, it's just as you said, Iris. My reply to Mitsuki was that she was the dearest to me. But that apparently stems from my instincts as Neun, the ninth counterdragon."

Covering my face with my hands, I spoke stiffly.

"Eh...?"

"That darkness—The ninth calamity is sealed inside Mitsuki. That's why I've been instinctively protecting Mitsuki, according to Vritra. Mitsuki also heard this already."

My voice trembled slightly. I recalled how Mitsuki had apologized to me endlessly.

"N-No way—"

"To be honest, I haven't put my feelings in order yet. I can't tell which emotions come from myself and which ones are out of Neun's instincts. It's precisely because I'm currently in this state that I wasn't able to say anything to Mitsuki."

I bit my lip hard as chagrin gripped my heart.

"Mononobe..."

"Sorry, I'm not asking for you to comfort or trying to discuss this with you. I'll find the answer on my own, but it's just that I feel that I must tell you about this. That's why—"

Unable to think of words to continue, I stopped there.

The room plunged into silence. After who knew how long, I heard Iris' whisper.

"Yes—I believe in you. If it's you, Mononobe, things will surely work out."

Part 4

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