Chapter 114
「This situation? I think it’s all par for the course, except for a few things. The terrorists charged in full of rage, while the security forces were lying in wait, fully prepared.」
「Then why is the highway flying through the air?! And what was that thing screaming as it soared through the sky earlier?!」
The Thunder squad leader’s words are spot on. Needless to say, all the members standing amidst the rubble are thinking the exact same thing. The Chief of Staff, the bodyguards, Thunder, Kurage. And of course, Momiji too. After all, she had been agonizing over which highway to destroy and how to get Hiniru to go flying in order to recreate the nonsense Kanji had shouted as if it were true.
Thinking she never should have put on the comm device if he was going to say something like that, Momiji swings her right arm back and forth. That arm is no longer meant for gripping chopsticks or bowls. Where her fingers should be, five gun muzzles have appeared. The combat-use silver prosthetic arm, freed from its glove, gleams in the sunlight. With a click, the reloading of bullets is complete.
Kurage from SOD looks at Momiji with loathing. Her tall stature makes her appear much larger than Momiji within HAO. Is it simply that she has shrunk due to malnutrition or failed regeneration, or is even her size a psychic power? Surrounded by her injured tentacles, she is questioned.
「Kurage, what happened?」
「Encountered Kōmitsu Solutions members, engaged in battle…but we were at a disadvantage. Underestimated the prowess of the cyborgs, especially this one’s combat abilities.」
Kurage answers the Thunder squad leader with a grimace. As if to symbolize her words, Momiji’s body bears no injuries. Those in the know would realize it’s the result of repeated pseudo 「synchronizations」, but no one here is aware of that. Her prowess, contrary to her appearance and background, causes a stir among the Thunder members. They had learned of Kurage’s abilities during the pre-meeting briefing, hence their reaction. A communication rings out between them. The SOD members’ devices, and the device held by Kōmitsu Momiji.
『This is Inukai. With Tonbo down, my sense of smell will be the basis for detection from now on! Currently, Shiroinu Reina, Luck, and Apollyon are engaged in battle! The scent of Orange and the Space President continues to come from the north underground! Half of Thunder and SOD are proceeding in that direction, the rest are gathered in the south hall, picking up the scent of Kōmitsu Momiji and the Chief of Staff!』
「Your detection esper is quite skilled.」
「…So we were being eavesdropped on from the start. And judging from your response, you were also aware of the detection ability. As expected of the Prophet.」
「I knew. That’s why I was digging holes underground and had landmines planted in the ground so Mogura wouldn’t rampage unchecked.」
『This is Mogura, still unable to reach near the surface due to being caught up in the landmines! But I’m almost there–』
An explosion is heard from the other end of the comm device. The Chief of Staff no longer knows what to say, his eyes spinning at the unfolding situation before him. Partly to buy time, Kōmitsu Momiji grandly opens her hands amidst this situation surrounded by enemies.
「To put it simply, we have a difference in policy with them. Namely, whether or not to use HAO to alter the future. They have their reasons – profit, doctrine, concerns that our actions will stimulate the dormant Strains and lead to the world’s destruction, grudges from persecution. They say various things, but essentially, we’re a nuisance to them. On the other hand, we’re trying to swiftly end everything by utilizing HAO.」
「Impossible. Even your Beastkin must have sensed it – the scream of the son of god. The awakening roar spreading across the entire Earth. It’s over, if not for our plan.」
Kurage retorts, as if spitting out Momiji’s explanation. The Chief of Staff recalls the Strain’s cry from the battle royale at the mention of the 「awakening roar」. But across the entire Earth? Unable to keep up with his thoughts, he listens to the conversation. Kurage presents her answer to Momiji.
「That’s why we use ‘Fetal Rebirth’. By using this method, we transform the son of god himself into an Ark. Simply put, by having the son of god mimic oxygen generation plants and mechanisms for producing organic matter, we can live on his back. Then, if the beasts born from the son of god inherit those factors, the world will naturally regain its oxygen and nature-filled state!」
That plan was their trump card. In the Reformists’ plan, the Earth remains gray for eternity. But with this method, even if humanity can’t return to being rulers of the land, they can live as part of the Earth. They can cultivate the land and breathe oxygen without masks. It offers a far better future. Expressing this with full confidence, Momiji thinks that the method is likely feasible based on her reaction. After all, in terms of knowledge about UYK, they probably hold information and achievements unknown to Momiji.
That’s why she responds like this:
「That doesn’t matter.」
「What?」
「Well, you see, a lot of people will die with that plan, right? The number of people who can ride on a Strain’s back is limited, isn’t it? Ideally, it should end without most of the world noticing. The fewer lives lost, the better. So let me explain a bit more. Next week, UYK will die.」
「But even if that’s possible, the son of god will–!」
「That’s right. So if we kill UYK and all the Strains, the problem will be solved, right? That’s the Prophet’s plan.」
Silence falls. Kurage also realizes that Momiji is convinced she can execute that plan. She believes it can be done with existing technology alone. The man in the tattered priest’s robes at the head of the Crusaders, losing his patience at her excessive insolence, scratches his head and points his stake at Momiji.
「That’s correct. And if we kill you all, everything will be resolved as well.」
「No doubt. Then let’s finish this quickly.」
With those words, three actions occur. First, a red Apollyon arrives from the sky behind Momiji and lands. Next, a communication comes in.
「Emergency report from Inukai! Orange’s scent has appeared above ground in the north hall! Also, Luck has been defeated and is approaching Nakamoto Tsuyoshi! Additionally, reports indicate the underground passageway, our escape route, has been blocked by the impact on the highway earlier!」
Kurage breaks out in a cold sweat at the worst-case scenario. The second-generation Beastkin is now free. Moreover, even their escape destination has been cut off. Was the highway for that purpose? Predicting the underground passageway and dropping the highway to destroy it. Just as she thinks she’s been had, another sweat-inducing element comes flying in.
A familiar announcement tone rings out foolishly through the poor-quality speakers used for in-building broadcasts. The voice of their hated enemy, whom they have been relentlessly pursuing, echoes throughout.
「Ahem, this is a lost child announcement from Orange. To Miss Kurage, who has an outrageously erotic book in the second drawer. If you can’t make it to the north hall within 3 minutes, a recitation will begin, so please be aware. It’s really being sold online, and it is indeed outrageous.」
「Teoooooo!」
Kurage takes off running, driven by embarrassment. Of course, it’s likely a trap, but the possibility that the voice belongs to Orange, the owner, spurs her actions. And the moment everyone’s gaze is drawn to her leap, something is thrown at the feet of the Crusaders.
「Green peppers, yakiniku sauce, corn…?」
Looking up at the sky. Above, there is a familiar girl. The Reformists’ esper. Urairo Aika. Her ability is fire.
「I don’t really get it, but take this!」
「Gaaaah!」
Explosive flames engulf the area. While the burning flames don’t have the ability to melt metal, once ignited, they are sufficient to cause damage. There is no way for them to avoid it, huddled together and already damaged from the battle with Orange. Amidst the torrential change in circumstances, the Thunder squad leader reflexively shouts into the comm device.
「This is Thunder, what’s happening? Detection!」
「This is Inukai, detection results! In the south hall, corn, green peppers, cabbage! No, wait, uh, oh, I forgot the scent because of the yakiniku smell. Which belongs to whom?」
「Inukaiiiii! Our lives are at stake here!」
「But I’ve only been eating preserved food lately, and my sense of smell is tens of thousands of times stronger than a normal person’s, so I’m that much more susceptible! More importantly, hurry and get Kōmitsu Momiji!」
「That’s SOD’s role. Damn it, this is why a ragtag group of extremists can’t even properly fulfill their own duties!」
The argument between the Thunder squad leader and SOD also accelerates. Originally, dealing with Kōmitsu Solutions was SOD’s responsibility, while Orange was entrusted to Thunder. Yet not only do they deviate from that rule, they also try to push a seemingly more difficult task onto them. Seeing their exhausted state, Kōmitsu Momiji grins and presents a condition.
「Hey, mercenaries. You guys are our comrades, right? Infiltrating the enemy and securing hostages to protect them from the flames of war.」
「What are you saying… Wait, don’t tell me. Thunder, hey, that’s not right!」
「You guys are moving for us, not for the idiotic dog whose nose goes haywire from the smell of yakiniku, and you’re the heroes of justice who will do a Flying ‘Thunder’ Away and escape, right?」
「Flying ‘Thunder’ Away…」
「Hey, I’m begging you!」
The squad leader ponders for a moment. A complete ambush. Victory conditions that are hardly met at all. Exposure of Kurage’s private information. Destruction of the sense of smell. Damage to the escape route. Odds of winning. Considering all of that, their answer was clear.
「Of course, employer. As per our prior arrangement, we have protected the Chief of Staff! Long live the Prophet!」
「So ‘Thunder’ refers to the speed of betrayal!」
「Shut up, you incompetent fool whose every move was read! I have a duty to keep my subordinates alive!」
With this, the Crusaders collapse, Thunder betrays, and much of SOD’s fighting strength is cut down. And the final battle is about to unfold in the hall where Kurage is heading.
Q: How will they defeat UYK?
A: If you re-read the end of Chapter 2, you might be able to figure it out…perhaps. It’s unclear how much you’ll be able to predict.
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