Sentimental Voice

by Shūsuke Amagi

  (Well......There's no time to drag my feet.)

  He breathed in deeply, tightened his grip on the blade and let Kei run through his body. He had no intentions of dying yet.

  The blade changed into its steel thread mode. He spread out the threads through the rubbles and searched for the location of the hole in the outer wall.

  "Fon Fon......"

  "Felli, are you all right?"

  "Don't you think that should be my line?" Felli said sarcastically.

  Layfon had no answer for her.

  "Just what were you doing?"

  "If you ask what I'm......"

  "Why did you save them?"

  "......Do you have to make me mad? If anything happened to you, I'd never have forgiven them."

  "......Perhaps, I was too careless."

  But......Layfon considered Shante. She had targeted him because of Gorneo.

  Nina said this yesterday night after that discussion. "Yeah, Layfon. I've thought of it too. Military Artists might not be human. When Military Artists become more powerful, they might be just as you said, flesh with Kei that can only live with humans. But for us Military Artists to live normally as if we're one of them, to live with them without deliberately thinking of it, could this just be our instinctive reaction? Isn't it normal to not understand the other person, whether it be a Military Artist or a normal human? We're all the same here. We all hope to find someone who can understand us. Aren't we living in this world because of that someone? Because of those people? And for us to think of this, isn't that proof that we're human? Although our body structures are different, our ways of thinking are the same. Isn't it good that I can understand your crime? And then it's your turn to understand me. If you can connect with others like this, then you'll be okay."

  His silence was interpreted as acceptance.

  Layfon released all his Kei. In this narrow space, he couldn't even extend his sword fully. It'd be all right if he could use Roar Kei, but he decided not to since the result of the previous move demonstrated his unfamiliarity with it. This meant his only option was to rely on his trusty sword technique. He waited for his body to adjust to its current best condition, then he raised the point of his sword.

  He poured Kei into the blade. More, and more. The blade trembled with "chin, chin" noise. He gathered the destructive force of External Kei around his blade, an amount of Kei greater than the amount he used when cutting through the scales of a filth monster.

  "It's time......"

  He'd slightly reduce the pressure binding the Kei together. He'd then release that Kei against the rubble around him and collapse the space he was in, leaving him with no place to retreat to.

  He turned around to face Gorneo's direction. He lifted the sword high and swung down.

  External burst type Kei – Sendan.

  The released Kei shot out in a curve, cutting through the obstacles before him to reveal Gorneo, who was holding Shante in his arms.

  "Now!"

  Internal type Kei – Whirl Kei.

  Half spinning, he leapt out of the rubble and past the outer wall. His arm moved to steady his body.

  "Ah!"

  The outside air was filled with much more pollutants than the tiny spaces in the rubble. Layfon's skin burnt and his eyeballs hurt as if dipped in flames. But he needn't open his eyes yet.

  He had extended his steel threads, one bunch to wrap around Gorneo when Gorneo leaped out, and another bunch to anchor them in the ground.

  But......

  They were falling and their momentum was too much for them to stop.

  (No.)

  Layfon should have no trouble escaping, but Gorneo might get torn in half by the steel threads. Gorneo had already used up all of his strength to leap clear of the rubble. He had nothing left to stop his descent, and Layfon was having trouble controlling his movement because of the pollutants eating at him.

  At this rate......

  As if to deny Layfon's thoughts, a part of the city's multi-legs appeared in Gorneo's falling direction.

  "Turn around! Step over there!" Layfon shouted, but he didn't see Gorneo move.

  (Has he fainted?)

  Maybe. Gorneo did protect Shante in the explosion, and he had also received Layfon's hard kick.

  (Oh no.)

  Layfon couldn't stop their descent in midair. Despair filled him.

  A figure suddenly flew out from the hole that Layfon made, dispersing the dust and smoke.

  "Huh?"

  The figure flashed over Gorneo to stand perpendicularly on the city's leg. The impact of its landing banished the smoke around it to reveal golden hair.

  "Captain?"

  Nina smiled sourly as she received Gorneo and Shante to halt their downward rush. She had used up all of the strength in her knees to execute that feat. Layfon used the steel threads to wrap around the three of them, pulled them up and tossed them to the ground.

  A moment later, Layfon also returned to the ground.

  He wasn't seeing things. It was Nina. She was sitting, weakened, next to the unconscious Gorneo and Shante.

  "Guess we're all okay," she smiled, traces of tears on her reddened face.

  "Please......Don't do anything that reckless again," Layfon said and sat down heavily.

  The air purification system on the ground level was still working. The pain in his body gradually faded. The wound didn't look to be healing, but at least it didn't seem to have opened up.

  "Do you understand my feelings?" Nina said.

  "Huh?"

  "Do you understand how I feel when you're doing such dangerous things? I must have felt the same the last time too. Definitely."

  "Ha, haha......"

  Spacing out for a little while, Layfon chuckled. For whatever reason. He didn't know, and when he realized his actions, he was laughing loudly.

  "What's so funny? Geez......" Nina said, and she also smiled.

  So the two continued to laugh. When Felli and Sharnid arrived, they had exhausted their strength from laughing too much and from sustaining the pain caused by the pollutants.

  Epilogue

  When she opened her eyes, something felt strange.

  It was the ceiling of her room that she was used to seeing. Every room had the same wallpaper, but the stains on them couldn't be the same. The feeling of the blankets, the atmosphere around her. Yes, this was Leerin's room.

  But why was she here? That was the source of her unease.

  And......

  "......Ah"

  "......What're you doing?"

  Something was covering her.

  For some reason, Leerin was wearing her pajamas, and Synola was trying to unbutton them.

  "Ah......Well, it isn't comfortable to sleep with a bra, is it?"

  "That's useless consideration."

  "Lee-chan's breasts are normal, but there isn't a need to wear this, right? Don't you feel uncomfortable?"

  "I said......this is useless consideration," Leerin sat up. There were only four buttons for these big pajamas, and Leerin's face heated up as two buttons were already unbuttoned to reveal her bra.

  "Really......" she said, calming down after buttoning up her pajamas.

  (Why am I here?)

  She remembered. She went to father's place yesterday and was attacked by Gahard. But......Everything was messed up in her memory, except she did recall seeing Synola there.

  "Senpai......My father......is he?"

  She was afraid of confirming the worst situation from Synola's lips.

  "He's ok," Synola smiled. "Lee-chan's father is in the hospital. It's ok. It'll take some time, but he'll heal."

  "......What a relief."

  Losing strength, she lay back down on the bed. Her eyes burnt from relief. Her words didn't come out properly. Her throat shook as if it had cramps, and Leerin cried with her face in her hands.

  She thought she had lost him. She thought that, once again, she had lost an important person to her.

  Synola hugged
her, and like that, Leerin fell back into sleep.

  Synola placed Leerin back on the bed once again and left the room.

  "......Was it wrong to exile that child?"

  Leerin didn't hear that at all.

  "But there wasn't any other way. I'm sorry."

  Listening to Leerin's breathing, Synola closed the door, praying she'd once again meet Leerin on the next weekend.

  Two cities existed under the same sky. Zuellni and the unknown, ruined city. The ruined city was completely destroyed from the explosion. It sat beside Zuellni like a shadow.

  Golden light appeared on the edge of the ruined city. It hovered in the sky, caressing the darkness. Another form appeared in that light, a young girl, naked, with hair longer than she was tall. The city's consciousness.

  The name was the same as the city's. No, that was originally the girl's name. This wasn't strange at all.

  Zuellni was here.

  Used to flying around in the Mechanical Department, Zuellni had now flown outside the city. She watched the sky with wide eyes. A new flash of light appeared below her, and she lowered her gaze to see a golden goat.

  Sadness spread across Zuellni's face.

  The goat shook its head quietly.

  What were they talking about......No humans could hear.

  And after that short encounter, the goat disappeared.

  Zuellni flew in a few circles, then headed back to the Mechanical Department, leaving behind the usual night of an Academy city.

  Appendix

  This section may contain spoilers! Proceed at your own risk.

  Regios

  Large Mobile cities created by humans to live after Earth atmosphere became too polluted to live. Each city is named after the Electronic Fairy that controls the Regios. Most Regios avoid Filth Monster as much as possible but with the exception of Glendan, which does the opposite as it constantly finds monsters. There are two different kinds of city's ; Academy Cities & General Cities. Academy cities like Myath, Zuellni, and the former Gandoweria are places where students from different areas come to learn & study. General cities are the main cities where most of the population lives. Different types of cities are under the title of general city. These include Trade cities, transport cities and the Proto-City Glendan. Due to a treaty, only Regios of the same type are allowed to have a match with each other.

  Proto-City Lance Shelled Glendan: The most powerful city in the world due to its regular encounters with Filth Monsters of all levels and was the birthplace of the Military Arts, which most other cities practice today. The Twelve Heaven's Blades are found here under the command of the Glendan Royal Family.

  Academy City Zuellni: A University City governed by its students. This is where the manga/light novel/anime takes place. Its Electronic Fairy takes the shape of a pale blue, young girl.

  Academy City Gandoweria: A former city that was overrun by Pollutant Beasts not long after their victory over Zuellni two years ago. Its Electronic Fairy takes the form of an goat-like creature and is currently running amok as a Haikizoku.

  Sheniebel: The city Nina Antalk grew up in, currently the only city with the Fairy Copy System which is capable of making new Electronic Fairies. Like Glendan, Sheniebel also has a royal family, which Nina is the heiress of, as seen in the manga of Chrome Shelled Regios.

  Academy City Myath: An academy city like Zuellni, its electronic fairy takes the form of a red bird. In the anime, the military capabilities of this city are shown to be poor, perhaps even worse than that of Zuellni, as when attacked by a mature filth monster no resistance from the residents of the city is put up.

  Transport City Yoltem: The original home city of Mayshen Torinden, Mifi Rotten and Gerlni Naruki, according to the manga. All roaming buses eventually return to Yoltem and most travelers will encounter it during their travels. Only its Electronic Fairy knows the current location of every Regios.

  Trade City Santoburug: The city Kalian Loss and his sister Felli grew up in. Their family holds significant positions and weight in the city, and is the Regios.

  Electronic Fairy

  Special Artificial creatures that control the Regios. Created by scientists as a two-way solution of having an AI performing the many functions of a Regios while having a mind of a human for maintaining and controlling the Regios, they are the most important asset of every city. Without them, the city would die. On the other hand, the Electronic Fairy will also die if it does not have Selenium, a special ore that has many Regios fight each other for their city's survivability. An electronic fairy whose city has been ruined turns into a Haikizoku, a being which is capable of greatly enhancing a Kei users power, but the user will be filled with endless hatred towards pollutant beasts.

  Filth Monsters/Pollutant Beasts/Contaminiods

  Monsters roaming the polluted earth outside the Regios. In the novels, Layfon and Kalian encountered an enormous and extremely powerful one that speaks the human language, according to it, pollutant beasts are also a creation of human. Their main food sources are the pollutants they breath into the atmosphere, humans and themselves if the former cannot be obtained. They have many forms and sizes:

  Larva: The first state of the Filth Monsters. Ravenous feeders, they will eat any living thing they find. They are overwhelming in number, although easily dispatched by skilled Ki users and expert Military Artists. They prove to be difficult for the students of Zullini when they first encountered in the novel. It would appear that there are two different types of Larva stage Pollutant Beasts. Some of the Larva stage forms are able to fly, while others seem to only be able to move along the ground. In the anime, it appears as if the larva can shift between the two when Zuellni is attacked from below by Larva stage Pollutant beasts. Some sprout wings and attack the Academy City from the air. It is unconfirmed whether or not these mature into different types of queen stage Pollutant Beasts.

  Queen: A Filth monster that lays eggs that hatch into Larva. This is the second form of Filth monsters. Based upon the anime, (With the exception of Limbeekun) these Pollutant Beasts live, and lay their eggs underground. It would also appear that when they mature enough, they travel above ground and latch themselves onto a nearby rock or pillar. They then molt inside of their current skin into a mature form, and may wait until a meal passes by.

  Mature: A Filth Monster who has, generally, moved past its ability to procreate (although the transformation types seem to be the exception to this rule since they seem to have found an abnormal way to reproduce), the longer they live the more powerful they become. In their Mature state, Filth Monsters are able to fly. This is the third form of filth monsters. In Glendan there exists a tradition that if a Mature Level Filth Monster is engaged by the Heaven's Blade Receivers and manages to escape alive, then it is given a name. In the anime, one such example is Limbeekun, though it was defeated by Lintence, Savaris and Layfon when it attacked Santoburug at the beginning of the first episode, it has a counterpart in the Light Novel called Behemoth.

  In the anime, Dainsleif is a powerful Pollutant beast that is from the Zero realm. It does not appear to be similar to the Pollutant Beasts in the world of Regios because its body is much different. This may be due to an extreme maturity phase or because of Ignacius' design.

  DITE

  DITEs are the weapons used by Kei users. DITEs are small transformable devices when unused that turn into a weapon which the user activates it by saying "Restoration". Many types of weapons can transform from DITEs including crushing swords, spears, rifles, staves, katanas, and many more. Some DITEs are capable to switch to many different types of weapons. The color of the DITE ore is not random; different colors give different properties to the weapon. For example, Nina's iron whips uses black DITE ore, which has good density with a decreasing conductive rate. Green and white DITE ore is used for speed-based weapons, which was suggested for Layfon to use. People who work on the development of DITEs are called DITE Technicians in Glendan and DITE Mechanics in Zuellni.

  The He
aven's Blade: The most powerful DITEs wielded by the "Heaven's Blade Receivers" Whom serve under the Royal Family of Glendan. There are twelve in existence at the maximum since there are only twelve dites. They do not have a fixed format, volume or weight as weapons, upon appointment of a new wielder they can be reformatted by Glendan's DITE Technicians to take on the shape and abilities of the weapon the receiver desires. Another instance was when Layfon's Psyharden Katana and Heavens Blade (sword format) merged to take on a Katana format in the anime. In the novels, the dites themselves are passed down from generation to generation, they can withstand the monstrous quantity of kei that a heaven's blade receiver produce without breaking like a normal dite would. Layfon had problem wielding a normal dite after using a Heaven's Blade because he has to restrict his flow of kei or else the dite would explode.

  Kei

  Source of power for Martial Artists. Kei users are special since they have an organ within their bodies that produces this energy and Kei users can use it in many ways. There are different types of Kei each with its own qualities. In the Anime it is said that the "Heaven's Blade Receivers" have "monstrous" amount of kei that makes even the strongest kei users look weak

  External Type kei: Used for attack. This kei is used in the form of a blast to affect surrounding materials.

  Internal Type kei: Used for defense and regeneration. This kei is used to strengthen parts of the body during battle or to speed up regeneration. Layfon claims that it's bread and butter for Heaven Blade's Receivers to fight continuously for a period of days without getting tired or unfit for battle.

  Psychokinetic kei: Users of this kei (who are also called Nen-I users) are able to communicate telepathically as well as move objects around telekinetically. The downside of this kei is that those who are able to use it cannot use External Type kei or Internal Type kei because their psychokinesis is a fusion of both Internal and External kei. A person must be born with a special physical constitution to use this kei, while the other two can be utilized by anyone with training and a certain level of kei.