ALL NOVEL The efforts of everyone to respond to the invasion of color were half successful… or close to greater failure.
And I was frustrated by that fact.
I understand that it was impossible for the initial response to be perfect. Color remained an unknown entity to us, and the problem was also those who revealed themselves claiming to be guardians of the sanctuary.
Basically the total power of the personnel gathered in D.U. right now surpasses that of two relatively sized academies, or even more.
It’s just that I’m the only one usually tied up in the strongest lineup, but still, Aru, Saori, and Wakamo… not really, oh well.
Even if we can count the FOX Squad made up of the four of us as one Wakamo, it’s a cold reality that their combined strength is still slightly below Wakamo.
Anyway, considering the addition of a teacher to this power, and with the Valkyrie Academy students contributing to our numbers even if they’re not a great help… normally, it should be easy to handle a general all-out war, at least that’s what I thought.
Thus, it’s only natural to feel complicated seeing Perorozira, still unscathed, even after seven hours since the initial emergence of the false sanctuary.
I didn’t know it would be so frustrating not being able to see the boss’s health bar. What’s troubling right now is whether we can synchronize our timing with the other side.
I thought that it might be better to set the start of the operation for other autonomous districts right after we successfully subdue Perorozira. But that’s unthinkable for the kids in charge of the other five sanctuaries… sigh.
Especially when thinking a bit more rationally, the situation at the High Cathedral might be harder than here. According to the initially observed data, the total amount of energy seems to be greatest over on Trinity.
“At least it’s fortunate that it looks like it’s not planning on leaving the sanctuary area.”
At the teacher’s words, I nodded slightly. As long as we hold the defense line beyond the reach of color’s influence, Perorozira also hasn’t crossed the stipulated line.
At least, not yet.
“To think it will stay still until the end is a bit overly optimistic. Right, it hasn’t been passive all this time either…”
It wandered around the sanctuary as if on a patrol at intervals. While the city had also suffered somewhat from reduced bombing, all we could do was maintain our defense line.
[Chairman, there’s an agenda regarding the start time of the final operation.]
“Oh, Rin-chan. Uh, I’m listening.”
The final operation start time feels a bit strange… we’re already in the middle of the operation after all.
Even taking a step back for maintenance, Perorozira isn’t hesitating to push in like a tide. Right now, the sounds of a tank’s cannon are ringing loudly nearby, and gunfire bursts make my ears ring.
[As a result of discussions, we have decided to set the operation for three hours ahead of Kivotos standard time, coinciding with the arrival time of the team responsible for Slumpia’s false sanctuary. I will now request your final approval per procedure—]
“…Three hours?”
[Yes, that is correct.]
Heueng…
Three hours, huh? Given that we’ve hastily formed a team for Slumpia that wasn’t originally planned, that makes sense. Considering everything from resource preparation to travel time, even three hours would likely be the result of them rushing as much as possible.
For us, holding out for three hours shouldn’t be a huge issue. Of course, the firepower of SRT isn’t infinite, so once this is over, their budget will take a hefty hit.
The real question is whether we can synchronize our timing with the other sanctuaries, but we should manage somehow. With the accumulated damage from nearly six hours, it wouldn’t be strange if we were the first to destroy a sanctuary.
“Don’t we need time to formulate a strategy once we arrive there?”
[You don’t need to worry about that part, Mika-senpai♡]
“…Hanako?”
[Yes! I am your ever-loving lovely junior who always thinks of you. Although right now I am sadly rejected by you… but such days do happen, right?]
…What did I just hear? Abandoned? That’s an odd choice of words.
It’s not malicious, but there are certainly more tactful ways to express it, you know? Something like a brief separation.
“Ahaha… Saying abandoned is a bit much? Uh, my secretary will always be just Hanako-chan…”
[Hold on a second. Then, what am I?]
…Ah, the annoying girl stack has exploded. This is dangerous.
“Uh, Aco-chan? Aco-chan is Hina-chan’s secretary, right? Right? Right now, she’s on a temporary mission to help me out, you see. Got it?”
[So that means you’re just treating me like a mere messenger.]
“…Wha—no way!”
[There’s no way it isn’t! Even if it’s temporary, I’m your secretary now, so treat me accordingly!]
Wow. This girl is really bothersome…
[…Wait a moment. Did you just think of me as bothersome?]
“Yeah.”
[Positive?!]
“Well, it’s true. I think that’s part of Aco-chan’s charm, but still, a bother is a bother.”
[Ugh… Anyway! The operation is being planned by us here and the Millennium folks, so as Hanako said, you don’t need to worry at all.]
So this means that the best brains of Kivotos are coming together. In that case, I have no right to butt in.
When it comes to strategizing, those kids are the best. I just need to focus on what I can do from my position.
*
[We will now commence the final operation. Everyone, I wish you good luck.]
“…”
The girl known as the strongest in Gehenna, Student Council President Sorasaki Hina.
Her wings spread wide. And at the same time, her violet eyes shone with an icy coldness.
Piiing—
Soon after the unique sound from her gun rang out, tatatatata— a merciless barrage of bullets engulfed the sisters pouring in from the entrance of the High Cathedral.
The sisters, horrifically torn apart, oddly enough, dispersed into vapor, losing their form. It was evidence that the opponent was not a living being, which eased Hina’s grip on the power in her hands a little.
There’s no need to feel guilty.
As the gunfire, almost like a bombardment, came to an end, the presence blocking the entrance of the High Cathedral vanished without a trace.
“We’re entering.”
At Hina’s command, Iori, positioned as the leader of the student council, stepped forward. The student council members prepared to follow her in a measured pace.
“Whoa… Is she really the legendary head of Gehenna? Her charisma is something else, Hasumi-senpai.”
“Definitely, but we won’t lose too easily, Ichika. We have—”
Hasumi’s gaze shifted in a certain direction. And at that moment, a chilling roar erupted.
Grrraahh… Gyaaaaooo!!!
The girl in blood-stained uniform, Justice Realization Department leader Kenzaki Tsurugi, stepped into the High Cathedral holding a shotgun in each hand.
From just the sound, it seemed she would jump in immediately, but surprisingly, Tsurugi’s steps were slow. Due to her hunched posture and drooping arms, both shotguns dragged along the floor.
“It’s Tsurugi, after all.”
“…Certainly, her intimidation is quite something as well, isn’t it, Ms. President?”
Ichika nodded awkwardly while forcing a smile. The intimidation felt from standing before a predator is a different direction from Hina, but it’s still intimidating.
“In that case, let’s proceed this way.”
Once fierce rivals, now gradually bridging the gap and respecting each other— the absolute strength groups of the student council and the Justice Realization Department.
As the two made their way into the High Cathedral, Sisterhood’s artisan Sakurako offered a gentle smile.
“It seems a lot has changed since Mika-chan took over. Don’t you all think so?”
“Y-yeah… Well, I mean, it has changed. N-not just a little bit, but a lot…”
“Y-yeah, that’s right. Ms. Mika is practically perfect in every regard, yes.”
The two sisters, Hinata and Mari, standing behind Sakurako awkwardly answered her question. The cold sweat pouring off them indicated their gaze was clearly directed elsewhere, not on Sakurako.
No matter how you looked at it, in terms of a nun… no, even as a student, her outfit was exceptionally inappropriate. It was a latex high-leg leotard that was simply unallowable to view in a sober state.
Wearing the symbolic attire passed down to the leader of the Justina Temple Association, discovered at the Arius Branch, Sakurako was oblivious to the fact that Mari and Hinata, along with other sisters from the Sisterhood, couldn’t even dare to look at her properly.
“By the way, I never imagined those ghosts were once the saints of the Justina Temple Association… To insult the deceased in such a way, I absolutely cannot forgive that.”
With a resolve, Sakurako led the Sisterhood. They finally stepped forward towards the interior of the High Cathedral.
And they were met with an extremely perplexing sight.
The members of the Justice Realization Department and Student Council, who had previously entered, had not advanced far and were standing still in place.
Blocking their way was Ambrosius, stained with color…
Standing heedlessly on top of it, was a girl with her back turned.
“Mika-chan…?”
As Sakurako unconsciously uttered those words, the girl turned her head. With an expression filled with unidentifiable emotions, she swept her gaze across the room and pulled the trigger.
With a rapidfire emptying of a magazine, Ambrosius dissipated into vapor beneath her feet.
Following that, a bright laugh escaped from the girl, Mika Terror.
“Ahaha, what’s going on here? What a strange combination! Well-behaved mutts, inscrutable sisters, and… horned brats I want to kill.”
Mika Terror smiled sweetly. And upon seeing that, Hina couldn’t help but think. Even though she had the same face as the Mika she loved, that smile didn’t feel beautiful at all.
“Since it’s come to this, I have to deal with you first. I really hate Gehenna. Yeah, I absolutely hate it… so I suppose I’ll get some satisfaction from seeing you Gehenna horned brats crawling on the floor?”
Three minutes after the operation began. That was how long it took for the red alert to signal.