The handle of the Sapphire Dite was immediately lifted into the air. It stopped in midair, then shook violently. External Kei assaulted the newly awakened filth monsters. The enemies struggled, pulling the threads this way and that. None of the five filth monsters managed to get an advantage, and their respective struggles kept the handle in balance. The filth monsters in turn lost their own balance and fell back onto the ground.
"Next......!" As Layfon was about to let loose the Internal Kei building up inside him, he kneeled down at the sudden pain on his back.
[Fon Fon!]
Embarrassed at being called by this name, Layfon felt like laughing.
"Don't worry. The wound on my back's just opened a bit."
[That's not a bit.]
"A bit. It hurts, but my protective suit is still intact."
A battle with a time limit was better than a damaged protective suit.
Knee still bent, he shot into the air with a burst of Internal Kei. He landed on a filth monster that had flown out of the dust cloud.
"You can't stop here. It's your death when you stop."
Now that he stood here, Layfon had no time to worry about his own body.
One swing of his sword chopped off the head of the filth monster. The sword's sharpness was unquestionable. It wouldn't overheat so easily like last time and the cutting path was accurate. Layfon wasn't at his best body condition, but he felt energized. Standing on the dead filth monster, he lifted his head to gaze at the sky. The sky always seemed rusty-red to him when he fought filth monsters. The pollutant density was higher than usual. Perhaps there was some truth in Fermaus' words.
"I feel good......Today, I can even cut open the sky."
[Forget that and hurry up with finishing the rest!] Felli scolded. He smiled bitterly.
"Got it."
He leapt from the descending head of the filth monster and saw his next opponent. This filth monster had just finished biting his sibling's head into pieces. It turned around. Head pointed to the ground and toes to the sky, Layfon leaned the tip of his sword on the steel thread to stop himself from falling. One end of the threads sustained the tension of the filth monsters' struggle. His sword slid on the taut thread towards the Sapphire Dite. He grabbed hold of the handle of his blue Dite......
"Tsk!"
He lost his balance. The Kei he had put earlier into the steel threads had been exhausted. The filth monsters recovered their freedom one by one. They pulled Layfon towards them. Using that momentum, he turned the Sapphire Dite back into its Dite form, took down two handles from it and put them back into his weapon harness.
"Restoration 01."
Layfon held the Sapphire Dite in his left hand as the steel threads vanished. He was flying towards two filth monsters that were turning around and heading in his direction. He calmly took out the two Dites placed in the slots of the Adamantium Dite and placed another Dite into one of the slots.
"Restoration AD."
He restored it again. The blade stretched into a length as long as Layfon was tall. The tip of the blade was in the shape of a crescent moon. A weapon that was like a halberd. The end of the handle was attached to the Sapphire Dite.
External Burst Type Kei – Gajiya.
The halberd drew a circle as if drawing Layfon in too, and it met the filth monster's long chin on the path of the circular movement, cutting away its obstacle. This was the Heaven's Blade successor Cauntia's technique. Having passed the filth monster, Layfon increased his speed as he spun around, widening the halberd's range and cut down a part of the filth monster's body. Lastly, he took down the enemy's wing and prevented it from flying. Layfon used the momentum of his external Kei to rebound down towards the ground, chasing after the two other filth monsters. He took down the Sapphire Dite from the handle of the Adamantium Dite.
He attacked the uninjured filth monster.
External burst type variation – Bakushikou.
When the sword was about to stab deep into the body of the filth monster, the tip of the blade caused an explosion and blew a huge hole in the filth monster's abdomen. Layfon leaped through that hole and changed the Adamantium Dite into the huge sword. He also changed the Sapphire Dite into steel threads and spread the threads around.
Two more filth monsters left. One of them was already waiting for him with gigantic teeth. In the chin behind the huge teeth was a hole where smaller teeth sat next to one another without gaps in between them. The filth monster ate by pulling its prey into its mouth with the lower jaw, sucking it in, and grinding it down with the smaller teeth before swallowing. Floating in midair. Layfon ignored the theory of strong and weak and descended. His steel threads connected him to the ground. Another filth monster's long body flew above his head. Its legs, hidden in hard shells, stretched down to grab him, but they were either cut down by or bounced off Layfon's blade. Layfon's steel threads wrapped around the filth monster above him as he once again stood on a steel thread in midair.
The other filth monster headed for him with its mouth opened wide. Saliva drooped from its mouth. He took out two Dites from his sword. The steel thread pulled taut as the filth monster above him struggled to break free. He leaped off the steel thread and swung with the Adamantium Dite.
External Burst type Kei – Sendan.
A massive amount of condensed external Kei shot out of the sword. The filth monster received it head on with its mouth opened. The external Kei cut the enemy in half. The internal organs of the filth monster fell in a circle with Layfon in the middle. Suddenly, the steel thread anchored in the ground was pulled loose, sending him flying past the filth monster that was originally above him. He grabbed the handle of the Sapphire Dite to prevent it from falling, and flipped around to face the final filth monster that was now beneath him. He put a Dite into the slot in the Adamantium Dite. This time he cut his enemy in half at a horizontal angle. The abdomen he stood on landed first. Layfon jumped away from the abdomen, from getting caught in its landing. He used the weight of the Adamantium Dite to cushion his own landing. The upper half of the severed filth monster's body kept moving forward but it slowly descended as the wings lost their speed.
Layfon took a deep breath to calm the Internal Kei roiling inside him. He had defeated all six filth monsters. He didn't release all his Kei, since the battle hadn't finished. The Dites also remained in their restored forms.
"Thanks for the good work," Felli said through the flake.
"No matter how many times I see you, you're still incredible," Sharnid said. It seemed Felli had opened up a communication channel between them.
"It's still unbelievable even though I just saw it," Naruki said.
"......Is this a dream?"
That was Dalshena's voice. Though Layfon heard Sharnid had invited her to join the team for the inter-platoon match, he didn't think she'd come here.
"No.........Forget about me. Please look at the other fight."
Feeling slightly shy, Layfon turned his gaze to the remaining fight.
Leading the Mercenary Gang, Haia was fighting with his all. Their fight was a product of cooperation. The Mercenary Gang members acted as bait to draw the filth monsters into separate fights, preventing them from leaving and flying for Zuellni. Haia was fighting against one of the filth monsters on his own. His Dite had been repaired, maintaining its original Katana form. Enveloped in Kei, the blade lashed out at the filth monster's shell without holding back. The amount of Kei was smaller than Layfon's, so he needed to strike several times to break that shell.
"Beautiful," Sharnid said. "I quite understand what you want us to see."
"But, that......" Dalshena said. Layfon knew what she didn't get to say.
"It's not impossible to aim for my level, but do you think the current students can manage it?" Layfon asked.
"Uh......" Dalshena couldn't respond.
"The way these Military Artists fight is how to fight filth monsters. This is the correct method. Mine is being a moron without any strategies."
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He looked at Haia's fight. Haia's skill was similar to his. Layfon won in the fight against him because of a small difference. He didn't think the probability of a victory against Haia would increase exponentially if he held a Katana. That was what it meant to fight Haia who had learned all the Psyharden techniques. Can he become a Heaven's Blade successor.........? From Layfon's viewpoint, Haia had no problem except for his lack of Kei. If he had wanted, he could have fought against all six filth monsters alone. But he didn't do that. His probability of death was drastically reduced through the support of other members.
"In my fight, one wrong step means death. I could die from every single mistake I make. I don't have anyone to cover for those mistakes of mine......"
In fact, his mistake in the previous fight against the aged phase monster had damaged his Dite and left him in grave danger. Who knew what would have happened had Nina not shown up.
Felli and the others kept silent.
"I want you to see this. Results won't be immediate. But we can try again and again. I hope to fight together."
Nina told him how they felt when he was acting recklessly. What he did would worry them. If they helped him, his probability of death would be reduced, wouldn't it?
"You just said something very heavy," Sharnid broke the silence.
"Sorry."
"......But it doesn't feel bad to have you depend on us."
"Same here, if I can become your strength."
"Of course," Layfon nodded at Naruki's reply.
"Shena, this is the 17th platoon."
"Uh?"
"Not bad, right?"
"Humph."
Layfon couldn't tell what expression Dalshena held, but he could discern Sharnid trying to suppress his laughter.
Sharnid's attitude turned relaxed. "Nina'll definitely agree to another camp if we say it this way. This way, we can finish what we failed to accomplish in the last camp."
"Huh?"
"Moron. Still don't get it? The bath. The bath. It's naked girls playing in water and having something unexpected happen......then us seeing it!"
"Wh......!"
Naruki's voice. Layfon felt as if Felli's level of psychokinesis had dropped.
"............I think you should start your life over. From before zero."
"............I knew you were an idiot, but I didn't know it was to this level."
Layfon heard the sound of a Dite being restored on the other side of the flake.
"No, hey, hey, hey. Wait up. I was joking. Joking. Besides, Layfon was involved too."
"Don't get me caught up in it."
A swift moment of concentrated murderous intent. Layfon pretended he didn't sense it. In truth, he didn't remember participating in such a scheme.
"Hey, hey, don't be so cold. On the first night of camp, didn't we convey our determination by exchanging a glance?"
"No. That didn't happen," he said.
"You're so cold," Sharnid sighed.
"Don't involve others in your foolishness!" Dalshena shouted. Sharnid groaned.
Layfon pretended he didn't hear and turned the Dite back into its unrestored form. The fights of the Mercenary Gang had finished. Haia and his members prepared to return to Zuellni. Layfon headed for his bike.
(What would the captain think?) He suddenly thought. He had a feeling of being abandoned when Nina said she didn't plan to forfeit the match. It was like he wasn't needed in the 17th platoon. But he knew Nina wouldn't think like that. That was his trust in her. He only felt lonely.
He was the one who wanted them to become strong, so he was ashamed of himself for feeling lonely. Hence he wanted Nina and the rest of the team to see this battle. Help them become strong. They must see the battle for themselves.
(No, probably not.) Layfon shook his head, rejecting the probability of himself wanting to stand out. (I just want to fit in.)
So he let them see his fight, the fight that showed how Grendan fought, and the battle of the Mercenary Gang.
"Anyway, let's return."
Back to Zuellni where Nina, Felli, Meishen and the others waited.
He wanted them to see him more clearly.........Layfon mounted his bike.
Epilogue
The sound of wind blowing out of the air purification system and the sound of the vehicle swaying along with the city's movement....... This was Leerin's second time hearing it.
"Do you really have to go?"
She seemed to have heard similar words before. The pretentious teary eyes before. Leerin wasn't angry, but she felt that strength had been drained from her limbs.
"What're you doing?" she groaned, putting down the luggage beside her and pressing a hand on her forehead. Thinking back to how she was like that in the past, she thought she'd die from embarrassment.
Synola stopped pretending and put her chest out. "Excuse me. I'm sad because you're leaving."
Leerin was at the station of the roaming bus. Once she made her decision, she had acted swiftly. She had applied for temporary leave from school, and had then gone to pack her luggage and fill in the paperwork for a space on the roaming bus to Zuellni. She spent her last night with Derek. Her adopted father didn't even escort her to the front of the door. That was what he was like.
Who would have thought that Synola would be here.
"Why are you here?"
"Well, is it not good to see my cute younger friend leave?"
"It's good, but......"
She told Synola about her decision yesterday, then was dragged to the pub they visited before. Synola pulled in random patrons of the pub for a parting party. Leerin had thought she would leave it at that.
"Well, have a good trip. I won't urge you to hurry back, but please come back in spirit."
"......Yes," Leerin smiled with a gentle gaze.
"Ah, but I still hope for you to return sooner. I can't calm down without touching Lee-chan's breasts."
"I don't know about that."
".........Come back before the symptoms of withdrawal show up." She put her thumb in her mouth like a kid.
"I'll try to return later," Leerin massaged the side of her head.
The whistle sounded loudly, cutting through the noise of the crowd.
"I'm leaving."
"Ok, have a good trip," Synola waved as if Leerin wasn't going somewhere faraway.
(I can't think of it that way like her.)
She recalled the time when she saw Layfon off. She thought she wouldn't see him again. Probably not? The feeling with Synola was different, but Leerin couldn't compare it with another. She waved at Synola one more time at the entrance of the bus, and entered the bus.
"Uh......Here."
She looked at the seat. For a person who would spend a long time in the seat, the space given was roomy. It was big enough for her to sleep in it. The luggage space was above the seat.
"Let me do it."
Someone took hold of her luggage.
"Ah, thank......"
Thank you very much. That was what Leerin wanted to say, but when she turned around to look at the person's face, her cheek twitched.
"Just that much luggage? So little for a girl."
Speaking flippantly as if his opinion applied to everyone. A handsome young adult. Laughter shone in his eyes as he looked at her.
"Savaris......sama?"
"Shh, if possible, I hope you don't call me by my name."
"Wh, Why are you here......?"
"Uh, I've got a secret mission so I have to travel to another city. What about you?"
"Huh? Uh......"
"Never mind. This will be a long journey. Let us spend the time happily."
Was it good to tell him she was going to meet with Layfon.........While she worried over it, Savaris had already lost his interest in the question he raised. The bus driver announced the bus was about to depart from the city.
A Heaven's Blade successor in the bus............That should guarantee the safety of the trip, but for some reason, Leeri
n felt uneasy.
"Ah~ Leaving the city is just the first part of the trip. I'm really anticipating the rest of it~" Savaris said happily to himself.
Leerin sighed.
She ran along the edge of the city to chase the roaming bus. She finally reached the limit of the city. Synola stopped running and put her hands on her hips as she watched the roaming bus disappear in the horizon. An average person would have confused the bus with its surrounding scenery, but not Synola......or Alsheyra Almonise, the Queen of the Heaven's Blade successors.
"What would happen next?"
Alsheyra wasn't worried about Savaris. It was useless to worry about him. If he died in the middle of the journey, then let him die. Luck was required for what Alsheyra wanted. If Savaris came back dead, then luck wasn't on her side. She couldn't do anything to gather twelve Military Artists with exceptional abilities to become Heaven's Blade successors. Luck was needed. Besides, the birth of someone like Alsheyra was in itself luck.
"Hey, what do you think?"
Her gaze left the bus and moved to her own feet.
"What......next?"
The reposing figure of a beast had appeared at some time. It wasn't your average tamed type of beast. Long fur wrapped around the body similar to a dog's. The front of its paws resembled human fingers. That beast answered her.
"What do you think, Grendan? Think your kind will come?"
"If they come, they'll only be destroyed and hunted, like I was," Grendan's voice was cold.
"That was a long time ago."
Grendan rested its chin on the ground.
"Well, I don't know what'll happen, but it'll be fine as long as Lee-chan's safe."
The laughter came from Grendan's nostrils. As if looking at the direction where the roaming bus had merged into the horizon, it spoke, "......A nightingale is singing."
Emotional Howl Page 11
