Episode 114: Closing Prologue
“…I see, thank you for the report, Rokuhara.”
At the top floor of Ariannrod, Rokuhara was sitting beside the Director. Next to them, Eina, bored with their conversation, was asleep, drooling.
“The Nameless and the special weapon she used… it’s quite intriguing.”
“Hmm. I thought you might know a little about it.”
Rokuhara was explaining the details of the battle with Nameless at Jilnias Academy to the Director. However, the response he received was not what he expected.
“Sorry to disappoint your expectations. But yes… Nameless, huh…”
The Director let out a long, deep breath and gazed at the glow of the Dungeon Core reflected on the ceiling.
“We don’t need any more irregularities as we approach the onset of calamity.”
“Haha, I welcome it! The fight with Nameless was somewhat enjoyable despite her being trash. Her equipment, though, is top-notch. I wouldn’t mind playing around with her once or twice more. What do you say, Director?”
In response to Rokuhara’s words, the Director wore a troubled smile. His words were implicitly asking for a request to kill Nameless.
He’s so formal even in odd situations; he does remind one of a hunting dog.
“…You’re still the same. However, this time, I can’t straightforwardly issue requests. Surveillance on Silver Twilight will also be temporarily halted. I’ve already appointed Tatarai as your successor.”
“What!? Why, Director? The Professor and Doctor haven’t killed each other yet!”
Enraged, Rokuhara stood up and glared at the Director. However, the person scolded remained calm and said,
“Well, isn’t it about time for your academy to participate in the Territorial War? I’d like you to join the school events like a proper student.”
“…Are you serious?”
With a mix of anger and disbelief, Rokuhara slumped back into the sofa.
“A war that decides the future of Kisou Academy… no, an execution. You call that an event?”
“How about it? I think it’s fine.”
The Director tilted his head, genuinely seeming to think so upon seeing Rokuhara’s reaction.
(Ah, dealing with someone with a deranged mind is always troublesome.)
Rokuhara sighed inwardly. To the Director, it probably just looked like a regular event among many academies.
Even if it’s a war where one of the Four Great Academies, Kisou Academy, turns against the other three great academies, it means nothing to him.
Deciding that further discussion on this matter would be futile, Rokuhara decided to change the subject. Though it was merely a complaint.
“And hey… making me wait half a day just to report? This place has become quite bureaucratic, hasn’t it?”
“I sincerely apologize for that. But didn’t we provide you with lunch and dinner?”
“Yeah. Still, the food here is good. Even better since it’s free.”
Rokuhara nodded honestly. This was one of the reasons why he liked the Director.
He’s simple enough and fundamentally a good person. That’s why they could trustingly talk like this.
“There’s a reason I was late. A slight disturbance occurred in the Mirror Realm.”
Upon hearing this, the atmosphere surrounding Rokuhara instantly shifted.
“It’s finally here, huh.”
“Yes. Hoshiki Academy is still operating without issues. There are no particular problems reported by Gardner either. It’s going exactly as we anticipated. The calamity is coming as expected.”
To the Director’s words, Rokuhara responded with a ferocious grin.
“I’m tired of waiting. I thought he had hunted everything over there.”
“If only that were possible. After all, she’s technically human too.”
Saying this, the Director smiled, thinking of someone who wasn’t present.
“Hmph, whatever.”
“Yet, you seem excited.”
Ignoring the Director’s observation, Rokuhara stood up.
“I understand the situation. If so, I don’t have time to deal with Silver Twilight.”
Looking at the sleeping Eina, Rokuhara hesitated for a moment before gently carrying her under his arm. He then gave the Director a fierce grin.
“All angels heading this way are mine to kill, right?”
“Technically, those qualified are S Rank members.”
“Faster ones win. Well, I’m off.”
Without waiting for a reply, Rokuhara left the room. Eina, cradled in his arms, continued to sleep peacefully.
“…Yes, everything is proceeding as planned. For now.”
His words sounded as if he were convincing someone.
■
A new morning arrived.
A hopeful morning.
And a morning for beautiful girls.
The sun rises from the direction where the beautiful girl is and sets in the same direction. True to this principle, the sun was rising behind Miuye.
It was a massive, brilliant sunrise.
“Luca-san, please take care of my sister.”
“Yes, I’ll take full responsibility for her protection.”
Miuye bowed her head again upon hearing Luca’s words and then grinned when she raised her head.
“I’ll definitely come back someday. Next time, I want to see and learn things with my own eyes. And then meet my sister again.”
“Yes. I will help as much as I can, even if it’s just a little. Konie would surely say the same.”
Luca said this with a refreshed look, as if a cloud had cleared.
Hmm, the characters have changed from the original… but it’s fine!
Nothing beats a beautiful girl smiling brightly.
“And… Kei-kun, I’m really sorry. Does your body hurt? I used something that doesn’t have lethal capabilities for suppression, but…”
“It’s alright. Please don’t worry about it.”
In the Student Council room, pretending to faint, I was safely retrieved by all the beautiful girls.
The scene of waking up surrounded by beautiful girls was undoubtedly a page from some mythology.
Ever since then, Luca has been apologizing profusely whenever she gets the chance.
I should apologize too for causing trouble by recklessly increasing research every time…
Apologies for the addition of the Dual Star form too. Seriously, sorry.
‘Humans shouldn’t think they can figure out Solciera! A Solciera that’s easily analyzed would be disgraceful. Every time one mystery is solved, I’ll add three more! ^^’
What kind of hostility is this?
Someone should stop it; poor Luca looks pitiful.
“Still, it’s surprising you’re leaving so early. Are you really leaving now, Miuye?”
Miuye nodded. A single backpack hung from her back.
“I’m super excited. I feel like there will be a lot of learning ahead. …Plus, I need to give this to Mizuki soon.”
Miuye snapped her fingers, and two pistols appeared from the void.
The reddened weapons were undoubtedly Dive Gear meant for S Rank users created by the Truth Magic Eye.
“I hope she likes what I made with the Truth Magic Eye.”
Is it really about whether she’ll like it?
How much would it cost if someone actually tried to make it? I’m too scared to imagine.
“Well, I’ll go before Konie-senpai wakes up.”
“Miuye-chan, you can wait a bit longer, right?”
“No… Konie-senpai apparently hates farewells terribly.”
Hearing Miuye’s words, Luca nodded.
“Yes. When one of her research team seniors graduated before, she clung to them while crying uncontrollably.”
Wow, I’d love to see that.
I want to be clung onto by Konie-chan!
‘…Still within the realm of thought, so it’s safe.’
The judicial system is watching me.
“Alright, see you later, Luca-san!”
“Yes, feel free to come back anytime.”
Energetic Miuye waved goodbye. Luca returned the wave with a gentle expression.
Thus, escorted by beautiful girls, we left Jilnias Academy.
“Toa-chan, did you inform Miroku-senpai?”
“Yeah, she was happy to hear about the addition of one more member.”
Of course, anyone would be glad, especially when it’s a genius beautiful girl.
I’m happy too.
And I’ll seize the opportunity to get a TS machine from her soon, right? ^^
‘Still saying it…’
Nevertheless, everything ended happily.
■
After a night, Ciel was sleep-deprived. Demons Gear can endure staying awake for a day or two without feeling fatigue.
However, being half-human imposes limits.
(If only I hadn’t participated in the week-long consecutive all-night gaming party… This drowsiness is unbearable indeed.)
Ciel’s only miscalculation was being half-abducted by her sister after the all-night gaming party and then forced into a temporary contract, doubling her exhaustion.
Had she not received the headset and gift card, she would have been angry.
“Hmm…”
“Ah, is Nana-chan still sleepy?”
Behind Ciel, who was seated on the sofa in the Student Council room, Miroku, tying her hair, tilted her head.
For the purpose of enhancing compatibility by touching once a day, Miroku always tied Ciel’s hair every morning. Incidentally, the hairstyle depends on Miroku’s mood that day.
Today, it seemed to be a fluffy twin-tail.
“…No, I’m not sleepy. It’s because of the Demons Gear.”
Ciel immediately responded to Miroku’s question. Thanks to Demons Gear’s top-tier computational ability, she deduced that revealing her sleep deprivation would result in her games being confiscated.
“That’s good. I was worried you stayed up late gaming.”
“Cold sweat…”
Ciel shivered. Game confiscation was her worst nightmare right now.
“Well, it’s done. Since we’re welcoming new students, Nana-chan needs to dress appropriately too.”
“Are guests coming?”
While stifling a yawn, Ciel asked, suspecting it was likely Miyme based on probability but pretending ignorance.
Miroku happily held up three fingers.
“Right now, we’ve just heard from Toa-chan… Surprisingly, three people are coming to this academy!”
“Three? That’s quite a lot.”
(Might these two have been recruited by Miroku while I was away?)
The current Ciel was unaware that these two had significant ties to her. In her mind, there were only the login bonuses she hadn’t collected yet and the raid boss she missed last night.
(Gift Card… What should I spend it on? Should I invest in the current pick-up or save it for the next?)
Thus began another day at Factom General Academy.
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