Episode 135: The Start of Battle
The Territorial War is also a kind of sport where academies compete in the speed at which they clear each other’s dungeons.
Among the tourists visiting Hinotuchi, there are many who come specifically for this event.
In fact, the territorial war between Mikage Academy and Kisou Academy drew large crowds eager to witness even a glimpse of the action.
This year’s territorial war, utilizing part of the special district, has an unusually large audience seating area prepared, far exceeding what would be expected for a single territorial war.
The massive construction work involving relics and magic is something rarely seen even in Hinotuchi.
Furthermore, several enormous monitors and speakers have been installed, specially designed to function seamlessly even within dungeon space.
There are even merchandise stalls selling limited edition goods for this event alone.
This battle is on a scale that is unprecedented.
A turning point in the history of Hinotuchi Academy City. Without a doubt, it would be talked about for years to come—the impending collapse of the empire known as Kisou Academy was something the spectators eagerly awaited.
“――Yeah, it’s about time,” murmured Yukihira, sitting idly in a temple nestled deep within the forest.
Behind him stood the core that deployed the dungeon space.
“Are both the first and second squads ready? I mean, even if you say it’s impossible, we’re starting soon anyway,” he said.
“No problem. I’ll take them all down,” Tourak replied coldly.
Yukihira shrugged at the voice from the communication device. Tourak had seemed calm until recently but had gone berserk again after Rinka disappeared.
(Rinka’s scheduled return time has passed… Though I don’t want to think about it, I must consider the worst-case scenario. We’ll search for her after the territorial war.)
Balancing the safety of one important junior against Mikage Academy, Yukihira made a rational decision as the Student Council President.
“I have no issues… well, except for one guy who fled before the fight.”
“Eh?”
“One coward…! Once we get back, his training load will increase tenfold—ah, they’ve arrived.”
Mizuki corrected herself over the communication line, stating, “We’ve just finished preparing.”
Relieved, Yukihira sighed deeply.
(With Tourak’s mental state being unstable right now, we’re counting on Factom General Academy. Ah, having connections really pays off.)
Led by the S-Rank Teruue Mizuki, armed with convergence artillery operators, and explorers estimated to be above B-Rank, their force was overwhelming even for a typical territorial war.
“Please do as we discussed earlier. Factom General Academy will bypass and seize control of Kisou Academy’s dungeon core while Lutra and I hold off Rokuhara.”
“Understood.”
“Yeah, no problem.”
Listening to the replies from the two, Yukihira envisioned the future.
Five seconds later, the buzzer signaled the start of the territorial war.
As the buzzer rang out across the two interconnected dungeons resembling a world after civilization’s collapse, Yukihira spoke.
“Alright, everyone, stay safe and try not to get hurt!”
■
“Take down as many as you can! You useless trash may be hopeless, but show me at least a little effort!”
The dungeon deployed by Kisou Academy resembled a world after the fall of civilization, filled with abandoned buildings.
Rokuhara stood at the front, pointing his sword towards the distant jungle.
“Smash it to pieces!”
An earth-shaking roar erupted from the gathered students of Kisou Academy.
Known for their youthful vigor and ambition, even those familiar with them were taken aback by the intensity of their cries and charge.
“Alright, that’s good enough.”
“Yo, impressive leadership, Acting Student Council President!”
“I don’t need that title… And this thing strapped to my waist is annoying. Just give me a cloak to wear instead.”
As the representative for the territorial war and acting student council president of Kisou Academy, Rokuhara fidgeted with the cape attached to his waist.
“That’s the proper attire for the student council president of Kisou Academy. Now, let’s go. Preferably avoiding strong opponents and sniping from afar…”
“Shut up! There are Demons Gear users over there too, so let’s make a grand entrance!”
“Aaaaaaah! Please don’t rush headlong into battle!”
As Rokuhara ran off, Chiaki looked after him and bowed her head respectfully.
After performing a graceful bow, Chiaki turned to face the discipline committee members.
“So, we’ll handle the defense. We might get hit by an S-Rank member from Factom General Academy, but let’s overwhelm them with numbers and hold out until Acting President Rokuhara completes the conquest!”
Chiaki thrust her fist into the air, energized.
Then she noticed something.
“Um, where’s Committee Chief Kiraku?”
Kiraku Kira, an essential figure for this defense operation and the chief of the discipline committee, was nowhere to be seen. Chiaki scanned the area but couldn’t find her anywhere.
When she tried asking the other discipline committee members, none of them would meet her gaze.
“Eh, this can’t be serious…?”
One of the discipline committee members timidly raised a hand.
“Uh… Committee Chief Kiraku went to the front lines.”
“――Hmph.”
Chiaki looked up at the sky.
Between the buildings, the dungeon core constructing this space shone brightly.
“I’ve had enough…”
Its brilliance was blinding now more than ever.
Thus, both factions began their movements, brimming with mutual hatred, each side prepared to kill their adversaries.
Tourak was among them.
The unit led by Mizuki as the vanguard had already sidestepped Kisou Academy’s direct approach and vanished to flank them.
It was Tourak’s job to intercept them head-on.
The clash at the dungeon boundary had already escalated into fierce combat.
Abandoned buildings exploded and collapsed, trees were trampled and burned.
It was literally a war.
“I’m going to cut down as many as possible.”
“…Okay.”
“Rutra?”
“We’re good, let’s go.”
For a moment, Tourak glanced at his partner whose response was slightly delayed, but in the next instant, he had already cut down an enemy approaching from behind.
“…Gha!”
“Short-range teleportation?”
Looking at the fallen student from Kisou Academy, Tourak muttered. Then, raising his blade toward the incoming Kisou Academy students,
“Rutra, four strikes.”
“Got it.”
By limiting the amount of magical power used per draw, they enhanced Rutra’s cutting ability—a style developed by Tourak and Rutra together.
Through the combination of Tourak’s vision and Rutra’s computational abilities, they devised the shortest path to victory.
Facing fifty students rushing toward them, they declared they would triumph with only four attacks.
“One.”
He lunged forward, disappearing.
Just passing through was enough to cause most students to collapse, their tendons severed, rendering them unable to stand properly during the rest of the territorial war.
“Two.”
Tourak’s second attack followed the ones who managed to block the first.
The speed achieved through the physical capabilities of Demons Gear users was exceptional even for explorers.
By the time they attempted to intercept Tourak’s movement, their weapon-holding hands were severed from their shoulders, leaving no time for screams as Tourak unleashed his follow-up attack.
(I was sure there’d be a strong leader given the scale…)
“Stay back! This monster!”
Seeing a male student desperately firing magical energy projectiles, Tourak regretted his initial assessment.
“With this, we didn’t even need four moves.”
Ignoring the magical projectiles, Tourak surged forward with his third move, piercing the air and aiming for the student’s throat.
“Guh…”
The male student’s throat was crushed, and his neck was thoroughly pierced by Rutra, leading to his death. Tourak retrieved his blade from the student and returned it to its scabbard.
The battle, lasting only about ten seconds, ended with the overwhelming domination by Demons Gear users.
“Hmm, still miscalculating the number of moves. Or… have we grown stronger than anticipated? Star Slash was impossible, but we’ve become stronger nonetheless.”
Clutching his blood-soaked hands, Tourak nodded satisfactorily.
However, his partner felt differently.
“Why did you kill them, Tourak?”
“Eh?”
“Four strikes. That was enough to completely incapacitate them. We could have won without killing.”
That was the shortest procedure to incapacitate the incoming enemies without killing them. It was why Rutra had granted Tourak the strength of four strikes, given his commitment to non-lethal combat.
“Aha, it’s fine, Rutra.”
Tourak laughed.
“They’ll revive after the territorial war anyway. Killing them doesn’t matter. Those who tormented Mihaya will not be forgiven.”
“…Tourak, but then…”
Rutra started to say something but fell silent as Tourak rushed forward, having detected an enemy.
(Tourak… You, only you taught me that my existence isn’t solely about killing…)
Rutra’s words went unheard. All that remained was a swordsman who had fallen into the realm of demons.
“Rutra, two strikes.”
“…Okay.”
Heads flew, hearts were torn apart.
Blood bloomed indiscriminately.
Not to protect allies, but to slay more enemies, Tourak gripped his sword and charged across the battlefield.
(If I grow stronger…! If I obtain the power to fell everything that brings tragedy…)
Covered in blood splatters, Tourak pressed on regardless, shouting as he cut down countless students and piled up corpses.
“Follow me! Not a single member of Kisou Academy will leave alive!”
Seeing Tourak drenched in blood, some quivered in fear, screaming.
But many more students from Mikage Academy were invigorated by the sight and cheered loudly.
In response to Mikage Academy’s growing momentum, Kisou Academy’s attacks intensified.
Amidst the clash of hollow ideologies, there was no justice here.
Watching the students of both academies, a young man chuckled.
“―Hahaha, Showtime!”
The sound of a trumpet echoed somewhere.
Only a few with sharp senses noticed the inappropriate, distorted call that resonated through the field.
And indeed, it transformed the world drastically.
Monstrous beings emerged everywhere with the sound of the trumpet, catching the students, who were prepared for human opponents, off guard.
They were manifestations of destruction.
Named Angels, these were the foes of humanity.
Ordinarily, this would be an emergency situation halting the territorial war.
However…
“Don’t stop! Those are illegal weapons deployed by Kisou Academy!”
Mikage Academy perceived them as Kisou Academy’s weapons.
“Kill those damn birds! Don’t lose to Mikage Academy!”
Kisou Academy saw them as Mikage Academy’s weapons.
Nurtured by suspicion and fueled by malice, the seeds of enmity blossomed.
What began as a carefully cultivated grudge would later be remembered as humanity’s first Angel War.
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