Power left his body, and his face fell on Ouka's chest with a *boing*. It seemed like his head was being severely beaten, but he didn't feel anything.
《"Th-this time, I-I to-took them out! I took them out properly! Yeah! Hurray!"》
A joyful voice came from the intercom. Takeru understood as he started to lose consciousness.
The one who shot him was Usagi, not Ouka. He figured what had happened. In a hurry she definitely mistook Takeru for an enemy. The fact that it was an anaesthesia bullet was a blessing.
It was the result of failing to report the situation.
"In the end...it ends up...like this..."
It was his own fault, is what flashed in his mind before he fainted.
"Such a...!"
Ouka violently pushed Takeru who had a happy face while unconscious off her chest. She threw away the noisy intercom and brushed aside her sunset-coloured hair.
"Small fries, even though I heard they're small fries, I didn't expect it to be this bad."
With a face that seemed like she gave up, she put a hand on her forehead.
She looked at Takeru who was rolling on the floor. It seemed he had a dream of being chased by debt collectors.
Ouka wrinkled her eyebrows.
If Ouka wasn't here, the mission this time would probably have failed, wouldn't it. It was unknown what would happen to 35th platoon if it was just those thugs. But them having a dragoon was a different story.
It was clearly on beyond students' level. If not for Ouka, they would have been wiped out.
Strange...
Looking at the half-destroyed dragoon, Ouka narrowed her eyes.
These guys shouldn't have something like a dragoon. Though they were in possession of 『Trackless Psalms』, if you consider the level of Magical Heritage, it was strange. That means there was something else. There had to be something more behind this.
The moment Ouka thought that.
"Mmmm, mmmmm, so-sorry, next week... next week for sure I'll pay... stop... don't destroy the furniture... mmmm....mmm...."
"............"
Her thoughts were hindered by nonsense coming from the side. Ouka's cheeks twitched.
"Of all things this guy is the captain..."
She sighed.
"Haa, why is the chairman considering giving a Relic Eater to guys like these?"
Showing a tired expression, her eyes showed disappointment as she looked at Takeru wearily.
She looked absent-mindedly at Takeru as he groaned.
Can't do anything else than close quarters combat, spineless, his leadership is bad, there's nothing good about him... on top of that, he goes berserk.
No matter how she looked at it, it was disappointing.
But... to stop me from going out of control... this guy is the first one.
Even though she considered that a good thing, there was no gratitude in it.
Ouka was aware of her own shortcomings; that fatal habit was in the way of Ouka's purpose.
As she thought so, an ironic smile appeared on her face.
"............"
While looking at Takeru's face, Ouka's confusion subsided.
What appeared in her heart was a small hope.
Loneliness in Ouka's heart slightly decreased.
That's why Ouka dared——dared to.
"...why so late."
Failing to meet her expectations, she moved her sight from Takeru. She looked at the cloudy night sky outside the window that reflected the city's neon lights, there wasn't a single star visible.
Part 4
On the roof of a building far away.
From there, an azure-coloured girl has seen it all.
She was on top of a water tank, playing with her legs in mid-air. Her hair swayed in the wind.
A single girl under the night sky.
"…Kusanagi...Takeru..."
The hair of the girl that whispered his name floated ignoring laws of gravity.
As if reflecting moonlight from above, particles of azure light glittered around the girl like fireflies.
Chapter 3 - The Clumsy Ones
150 years ago, because of a single witch a large-scale disaster happened that killed the majority of the human race. Even now the after-effects still linger, contaminated areas outside of safe sanctuary are uninhabitable for humans.
The only salvation is this unexpanding sanctuary, humanity was able to recover to its current state over 150 years thanks to its existence.
"...I hate...this city..."
While looking at neon lights shining vividly, a girl holding a convenience store bag muttered to herself.
She had semi-long hair that spilled from under the hat, her height was slightly below average. She was dressed in a jacket, miniskirt, long boots, and a scarf even though it was autumn.
The girl quickly ran up the stairs of an apartment built 20 years ago and stopped in front of the room's door.
She took the key out of her pocket and opened the door casually, then took off her shoes and left them at the entrance before entering the living room just like that.
It was a very simple room with nothing in it except for the a fridge and table. The girl put a package with something and a convenience store's bag on the table and left the room through a sliding door in the back.
"...this smell, Haunted!"
She called facing the sliding door's and sat down on a chair disgusted.
And then,
"——Oh? You're back? I didn't notice at all."
From the other side of the sliding doors sounded a man's voice.
The girl sat down, after a while the door opened and a man appeared. He had a bizarre appearance, wearing an apron like one butcher uses, rubber gloves and a surgical mask.
In his right hand was a machete, in his left, a saw. The equipment was dyed dark red with blood.
The girl clicked her tongue with disgust openly.
"...you."
"Ooh, forgive me for appearing like this. Materials went on a little rampage, hahahaha. I'm going to change now, don't make that face."
"...I don't really care, I won't stay here long."
Man went "oh?", and blinked surprised and a bit disappointed. He threw the mask into the trash.
His youthful appearance was mismatched with his bloody body.
The girl seemed to really hate him.
He responded to the hostility with a smile.
"You're quite late, I was worried that you might have failed."
"We're being marked at all times, please understand that."
"That happens all the time, you're cooperating with us for a year now, isn't it about time you got used to it?"
"...I'm not cooperating with you cause I like it."
"So you still didn't get used to it yet. Despite being a daughter of my senior you still can't stand these bloody and cruel things."
She clicked her tongue again with an unpleasant look on her face.
Satisfied after looking at her disgusted face, he moved his gaze from her to the table.
"Did you bring that thing?"
"I acquired fragments without a problem."
"I've heard that the academy's test platoon interfered, is everything all right?"
"...where did you obtain that information?"
"What, did you think you're the only one cooperating with us?"
"Imbeciles... It's not a problem, my face wasn't seen and I haven't left any evidence of the cult. I was vigilant but..."
"I guess it should be all right. Other members are causing multiple incidents all over. Besides, we have reached the point we can no longer remain cautious. Inquisition's peace has been falling apart lately."
The man said that, and looked at the plastic bag on the table.
"...oh, you've brought me a lunch. Sorry for being a bother."
He said those heartfelt words and after taking off the apron and gloves started stuffing himself. He was truly happy to eat the convenience store's food.
>
"Even though you specifically asked me to buy you lunch..."
"Well, I eat this convenience store's food every day so I like it a lot. Colouring is good with preservative and the taste is good as well."
"Mmm!" he let out, while he is enjoying the food.
The expression of the girl staring was really stern.
"That aside, what are you going to do with those fragments? What are your intentions?"
She asked the man who devoted himself to eating lunch, he stopped moving his chopsticks and pointed them at her, swallowing.
"Nn... with that?"
"Yeah, you can see there's no magic left inside it, it cannot be used as a magic converter... but it's not just a scrap of iron..."
Hearing the girl say that, he smiled happily.
"Fufu, don't you know about it? A certain person became a legend thanks to using this, it's part of a Magical Heritage. You should know that as well... about those monsters' boss."
"So what, it's worthless debris. A Magical Heritage loses it's value once broken."
"There's no such thing, I'm a necromancer and an alchemist aren't I. Hero『Eienherjar』 needs a weapon to fight doesn't he? That's what this fragment is for."
"...can that thing really be summoned?"
He responded to her anxiousness with a smile and placed the box on the table before wiping his mouth.
"Thanks to you bringing in this fragment, now we have enough fighting strength. The guy I finished off there was the last one. Because cremating people after death is a strong-rooted custom from old-Japan, I've had a hard time collecting materials, because of that, I had to procure them from everywhere."
"...how many people did we kill for the sake of this strategy."
"Around 50 I guess? Don't worry, half of them were criminals. Although we borrowed some bodies from morgues when we could. A lot of fresh meat was required, what a pain. Else they wouldn't move properly."
A smile. He talked happily but he had the eyes of a dead fish.
The girl directed her eyes that were full of murderous intent at the bag.
After noticing the killing intent in her eyes, the man stopped talking.
"Oh? What happened? Why the scary face?"
"If you don't stop to talking to me so casually, I'll kill you right here, right now."
It wasn't just a joke nor a lie, she spoke what she felt in the depths of her heart.
The man narrowed his eyes with a satisfied expression after hearing that.
"You want to kill me but you won't do it will you? You know what kind of fate awaits you if you kill me right?"
"............"
"Wouldn't you be in trouble then? O, daughter of a great witch. Nikaido Mari-san."
The Man mentioned the girl's name. Immediately after, he heard the sound of her teeth grinding.
"Cut the needless chatter...! You indiscriminate necromancer...!!"
At that moment the girl called Mari tried to grab the man, but something in the back caught her attention.
Stopping her feet, the girl clenched her teeth. Twin spots shined in the darkness ominously.
A huge amount of something that wasn't a living beings was in the room beyond the door.
"It's okay, if the rescue of Akatsuki's VIPs is successful, I will accept your request. But if it fails, I'll have you lend me a hand with gathering information again."
The girl couldn't tell whether he was lying or speaking truth. However, there was a reason why she couldn't defy him.
"We have to carry out the plan decisively."
"......I will definitely protect our promise."
"As for not involving ordinary people... don't worry, our heretical cult's enemy is just Inquisition. From the very beginning, we will try not to involve innocent people, but some might get caught up in it."
"............"
"We will definitely win, we will abolish this prejudice and discrimination against witches. We will become heroes and battle maidens. Dictatorship of Inquisition will not last much longer."
Saying that, he holds his right hand against his chest like a gentleman.
"Well then, this battle maiden takes her leave." [3B 1]
After the girl left, the male necromancer... Haunted was sitting on his chair and quietly finished his lunch in a room filled with the stench of death which would cause any normal person to vomit.
But Haunted wasn't bothered in the least by it.
He breathed out, relieved.
"——You're such a liar, Haunted."
From the darkness sounded a voice like a bell.
Haunted just turned his head towards the darkness and smiled.
"Did you listen? Nacht."
"If it's that loud I'll hear it even if I don't want to. I'm in a bad mood cause I was woken up."
It was a languid voice, judging from the tone, a girl's.
Haunted raised his cup with tea as if he was holding a glass of wine.
"So? What did I lie about there?"
"The thing you told Mari earlier. About how you're going to fulfil your promise after her scouting ends, or how you're not going to involve ordinary people."
"Aah... about that."
Haunted's mouth distorted and he laughed with a "kukukuku".
"Indeed, that was a lie. ...do you know why did I lie? Nacht?"
Being asked, she responded after a short pause.
"............somewhat."
"So you don't know, I'll tell you then."
"No, I know more or less——"
"The reason why I lied to her... that is..."
"............"
This guy wants to say it... that's what she thought, but voice was silent.
The next next moment Haunted opened his eyes wide.
"——Because I want to see Mari-chan's frustrated face!"
It was a bizarre outburst, he looked ecstatic.
"That cute child grew up persecuted in various ways, she talks big, but her heart is feeble. I can't stop myself. I want that child to taste humiliation and shame. What else can I do? Rather than physically, I'll have her suffer mentally."
"Mm, I thought it was something like that. You're a pervert."
"You think so too? Nacht."
"Well, I'm all for it."
"So even you want to see her biting her lips with a frustrated face? To admire her as tears accumulate in her eyes and bright red face?"
"No... because."
"So it will be won't it, it will be right?"
It's too late to say anything.
"Someday she'll do as she said... but she'll never be able to escape from me or Illusory Cult『Valhalla』, hahaha."
Haunted's voice didn't stop and he continued to talk about that, she sighed giving up.
Just like her voice, she was anxious about the future.
She was convinced, in front of her was a perverted gentleman talking about a very special type of moe.
The only magical society able to take on Inquisition, the Illusory Cult『Valhalla』, she still couldn't believe this man is one of the higher-ups.
"Ahahahahaha, ugh, gufu, fufufu, gihihihi, fuhihihihi."
"............"
A necromancer, an alchemist and a summoner. In addition to that, a blasphemous former priest. That's Haunted of Illusory Cult『Valhalla』.
Those that know his name, age, and his upbringing are very few among the cult.
"...this uneasiness..."
This existence called Haunted and Nacht.
An S-rank Magical Heritage, a magical sword 『Dáinsleif』 felt a physiological discomfort looking at him eating. She sighed again.
Part 2
One week passed since the successful operation, and the rating of the 35th platoon has undergone a cataclysmic change for the better.
From the time 『Trackless Psalms』 was seized until the now, they have confiscated three other Magical Heritages. Rumours of Small Fry Platoon's achievements over the last week reached members of other platoons.
That being said, the one who was evaluated highly was just Ootori Ouka.
Other members were thought of as even more miserable than before.
Ouka walked down the corridor that had first year's classrooms. She had straight back as she passed by frozen students whose gazes were glued to her.
"Hey look, isn't she the one who joined Small Fry Platoon as a part of special deal?"
"Why isn't the former Witch HunterDullahan talking at all? It's the first time I saw a Witch HunterDullahan too..."
"In just a week she seized three D-ranks all alone? That's amazing... Witch Hunter'sDullahan's abilities are really amazing."
"She's beautiful, has good style and she's strong too. I admire her!"
"But why was she assigned to Small Fry Platoon. If she came to our platoon, it would be a piece of cake to reach the promotion quota!"
"The rumour is that Small Fry Platoon was so bad, chairman called a pro to help them out. Isn't that unfair?"
"That's true, it's a waste of human resources. Look at that unskilful bunch, especially the Captain! Look at his evil eyes, and that sword hanging at his waist! Shouldn't he realize it already that it's no good?"
"Isn't that platoon on the last place because of him? Seriously!"
Walking around 5 meters behind Ouka was the 35th platoon trio. Students briefly looked at them with contempt.
In the first place, he was accustomed to this kind of thing and should have laughed through it, but he was worried for the first time. If a top-notch helper enters the no-good platoon, complaints from other students are bound to be voiced all over the place.
Even worse than usual, the members other than Ouka trudged down the hallway.
The morning classes ended, Usagi hit the desk strongly with both of her hands.
"What is the meaning of this! Ouka Ootori!"
She questioned her, Ouka who was maintaining her weapon tilted her neck with a cold expression.
"Meaning of what?"
"Your attitude every day! Are you having us for idiots?"
"That wasn't my intention. If I was rude I apologize, sorry."
After hearing such a straightforward response from Ouka, Usagi let out a squeaky scream "Kiiiiiiiiiiiiihh" .
"I told you to explain yourself, not to apologize!"
"That's why, what about."
Antimagic Academy 35th Test Platoon - Volume 01 - Eienherjar wakes Page 6