Volume 9, 4 — Confusion(1/2)
In the morning, after discovering a city was nearing them, the siren sounded in the sky of Zuellni. Someone quickly confirmed from the flag that it was the Academy City Falnir.
"Again...."
Karian was having morning tea. Enjoying the time with a cup of tea was one of his hobbies. Though the siren had interfered with his pastime, it did little to affect his mood.
After announcing the situation, he ordered all Military Artists to gather and that the normal students were to evacuate to the shelters. It was after hearing the name of the other city that he started to feel annoyed. He clearly remembered the results of the past five Military Arts Competitions, along with the names of the cities. Whether it was Myath or Falnir..
"We haven't fought this city before."
That was strange.
It was common knowledge that Regios wouldn't move too far away from their selenium mines. As Zuellni only had one mine, the area it moved in should be small. Normal speculation would conclude that the other city had had contact with Zuellni. However, Zuellni had yet to fight Falnir. This meant the results of the previous Military Arts Competition had caused huge fluctuations in the movement areas. The other possibility was that after the rampage, Zuellni had run across Myath, and was in turn now running across Falnir.
"Is that really the case?"
He wasn't convinced. The city had been moving for a long time twice now. This trip into the summer season took longer time than usual. One could explain that by an error, but no detailed proof was forthcoming. Then one could only conclude the only possible explanation was chance. But was this enough to solve the problem? As the Student President of Zuellni, as the highest authority of this Academy City, how should he respond to this change?
"Anyway, just focus on solving the present problem."
He couldn't ignore the present because of his consideration of the future. Leaving his sister behind, he left the house.
◇
Before the ringing of the siren, Nina was waiting for Layfon at the entrance of his dormitory. She was already awake when the siren sounded. What she was surprised with was that Layfon had apologized to Leerin, and later on, Leerin had asked her to take the Dite from her room and bring it to him.
Nina followed Leerin's instructions. Though it wasn't that good to enter another's room, Leerin had given her permission to do so. The light was dim, but she quickly found the box. She had seen it once, and the box jumped out to her as it stood on the desk.
Once she handed the Dite over to Layfon, he had unwrapped the box and taken out the Dite. A metal Dite with a thread weaving around the handle.
"This is........"
"Yes, this is proof of one having learned all Psyharden skills," he held the handle with nostalgia, walked into the court in the dormitory and restored the Dite.
The beauty of the Katana made her speechless. The length of the blade was as long as Layfon's arm. It was wide, giving off an aura of power. The morning sunlight reflecting off the blade made her squint.
"Amazing," she said with her voice raised, attracted by the light.
"Every part has been set carefully. The technicians have adjusted it again and again for half a year."
"Really?"
"Yeah," he nodded and moved away from her to ready his fighting stance. He swung the blade back and forth.
The feeling of the blade on his hand was different. He confirmed the Katana.
"Should it be heavier? The blade also needs.... It's a bit too long, so I should use the Sapphire Dite as a spare. If the blade can be thicker, then it can sustain the Steel Threads. This setting can be made on the Shim Adamantium Dite, but with the Adamantium Dite...."
It looked like he wanted to change the Dites he had into Katanas.
".... Aren't you going to use this?" Nina pointed at the Psyharden Katana. It was an excellent Katana, yet Layfon didn't seem satisfied.
"Of course I need adjustments made on this Katana, but when comparing the quality of the materials, white alloy far exceeds that of metal and the green alloy. When I used the Dite in the past, it couldn't sustain my skill in Kei, so I decided to go for the aspect of cutting things apart."
"Is.... Is that so?"
"Yeah, besides, this adjustment was made when I was ten."
Nina was shocked.
"I'm used to wielding bigger Katana. In truth, I can use the Adamantium Dite better if it's heavier. The Shim Adamantium Dite suits me more just based on that."
He continued his explanation, facing a speechless Nina. "Of course, there are inconveniences if I keep using it. The inconvenience brought by Kei flow in a Katana used against a filth monster will cause errors in the swing of the weapon."
A siren cut through the air.
"Emergency? Is a city near?"
"Seems so. This is like training."
Layfon looked at the sky and turned his gaze to the city's legs. A city did appear ahead of Zuellni.
"Time to get ready."
"I'm going to find Harley-senpai to make some adjustments."
"Aa...."
"Then I'll be leaving now."
She watched him run off.
".. He's changed."
A sudden change. He had accepted his identity as a Military Artist. That should warrant a celebration. Whether it was for Nina or Zuellni, this was good news. But somehow, she didn't feel comfortable.
"He must have talked over this with Leerin."
That must be it.
This was probably a good thing, but on the other hand, she knew it was something she couldn't have affected. Having experienced the setback in Grendan, Layfon's current change did not come about because of Nina or anyone else.
Never mind.
She couldn't do this because she wasn't Leerin? Or because she forced herself too much?
"........" Nina shook her head and breathed out as if to let loose the feelings piling up inside her. Sunlight shone into the court. Today was another hot day.
Layfon ran. His feet were light, so light. In fact, his entire body felt light, as if power had filled him. Looking at the usual streetscape before him, it felt refreshing. Why was that so? He knew the reason behind it lay in the wooden box in his right hand.
He ran on an empty street. He ran, knowing clearly that he hadn't been abandoned and forgotten. He already knew when he was little. The children of his age had all been adopted by other people. Only he and Leerin had stayed in the orphanage. The kids who had been adopted and taken away never did return to visit them. When he grew up and had a talk with father, he knew this was a fact. At the same time, he realized he was still immature. This didn't mean Derek didn't care for the kids who had left the orphanage. In truth, some kids caused trouble for their adopted families and were sent back to the orphanage. When that time came, Derek faced the adopted parents with determination and persistence. And Layfon didn't know that, as he was still little. Though he didn't feel it daily, he felt he had been kept behind when it was time for other kids to be taken away. One after another, the children left. Only he was left behind, and that made him feel lonely. Every time the day for a kid to leave rolled around, Layfon was always holding Leerin's hand. Leerin, usually strong and talented, always turned gentle and weak on that day. Even though he felt uncomfortable with her sweaty hand, he held onto it and never let go. And every time, she would tell him of her trouble. And Layfon would want to become stronger, stronger and stronger, so he could always stay by her side. So he would never let go of that hand. He didn't know when he had forgotten that feeling. The shortage of food in Grendan had shrouded that feeling, leaving it to hide deep in his heart.
He was always with Leerin in Grendan. It was the same when people challenged him for the title of the Heaven's Blade successor. Leerin's letters encouraged him when he was confused. And Leerin had come to Zuellni because of him. For that alone, he must not let go of her hand. Hence he must hold it tight. Hence he must win this battle.
The siren was a summons.
Holding the Dite in the box, holding the thoughts of Derek and Leerin, Layfon ran into battle.
It was after midday when Falnir contacted Zuellni. The sound of the edges touching echoed throughout the city. Layfon heard this sound in the building of the Alchemy course.
"...... Made it~~" Harley collapsed on a chair. "Come over and see."
The restored form of the Shim Adamantium Dite lay on the table. Compared to the Katana, the Shim Adamantium Dite was now longer in length. Light sparkled in the dark blade.
"I took the mode of the metal Dite and made it in powdered form. That should raise the sharpness of the blade."
Layfon prepared his stance. He couldn't make any large movements in the narrow room, but he nodded at the feeling of the blade in his hand.
"Perfect," he smiled.
"Re, really?" Harley smiled too.
"Well, this doesn't have much to do with the Military Arts Competition since you aren't allowed to hurt your opponent. But I tried merging the aspects of the Dites......"
"Then I'll go ahead. Counting on you for the Sapphire Dite."
"Ah, yes."
Layfon jumped out the window. Felli's flake was already waiting. It flew into his pocket.
"Sorry."
"Please hurry and get changed. A plan's already been drawn up."
"What do I do?" he asked as he leaped from building to building.
"........ Instead of that, let's just solve what happened last night. I'm sorry."
"Ah, not at all...... It was my fault. Sorry."
"No.... So you've decided to hold the Katana."
"Yes, you and the Captain are right. I was wrong," he felt flustered at the seeming shadow in her words.
"I don't mean that. I mean your heart. Have you decided to continue fighting as a Military Artist?"
"Ah......" he breathed in deeply and didn't give an instant reply.
"What?" her tone was icy.
"No, I haven't thought of that yet......"
Submerged in the joy of being allowed to use Psyharden, submerged in the feel of the Katana in his hand, he had totally forgotten it. No...... He had forgotten. That probably came about as a burden on his spirit from fighting as a Military Artist. He now held the Katana, but he hadn't resolved his past in Grendan. Still, this had nothing to do with whether he should continue to be a Military Artist or not.
"This feels like your style."
".... Are you underestimating me?"
"I was just saying the truth."
"Wu........"
True. He could only see what was before him. He didn't protest against her words as he arrived at the Training Complex. He took out the flake before entering the changing room. He took up the clothes.
And next, he quickly made his way to the outer area of Zuellni.
"Sorry."
"No, it's good that you caught up."
Under Felli's guidance, he had arrived at where Nina was to confirm the situation. The signing of contracts had already begun.
"Eh? That person......?" He noticed the older man standing beside Falnir's Student President.
"He's the representative of the Academy City Alliance."
"Eh, so it's that person."
That person wore a grey coat. He looked to be in his thirties. The Academy City Alliance. It managed all Academy Cities and exchanged information between cities. It was also responsible in buying and selling information to other Academy Cities.
"It seems he's in Falnir."
"So these people appear in Military Arts Competitions?"
"Seems so. Last time we had one in Zuellni, probably since there was a roaming bus. Not every city had one."
"I see......" Layfon looked at the man again.
He was a Military Artist that bore no weapon harness. That was probably hidden beneath his uniform. The lumpy part of his left side might hide a Dite. Layfon saw no openings from this person. He looked to hold some strength. Since it was the Academy City Alliance, it must hold several incredible Military Artists.
"Well.... Never mind that."
That had nothing to do with the present Military Arts Competition. Layfon turned his gaze to Falnir's Military Artists. They were all students. How would they fare? Though it was difficult to speculate on the strength of a group, he could tell by looking at them that they held confidence. They might have won in other places.
Recently? Or......
Their aura was frightening. Zuellni did win against Myath, but that was three months ago. Everyone had gradually come to forget the feeling they had in victory.
"Captain, what's our deployment?"
"Uh? Aa, this time we're in the frontline. Gorneo's team will infiltrate the city."
"I see......"
"What is it?" she asked.
"I have something to talk to you about."
"What? About the plan?"
"It isn't really a plan...."
"What is it?"
"Well......"
Dalshena came over too. He told them in a small voice. They both widened their eyes.
".... Is that good?"
"But that's the basic."
"Well, even so...." Dalshena fiddled with her golden curls.
"But that's still an individual fight."
"It's ok. I think......" he nodded with a smile.
"Even if there's one more person, the feeling in battle won't be much different."
"True, if we do that, we can dampen their spirit......" Nina said after some consideration.
"Can we do that?"
"Though I'm not too good with it, it's just a matter of grabbing the right timing," she nodded. "Ok. Let's decide this then. Dalshena-senpai, please lead the front troop. Layfon and I will rush into the enemy formation afterwards. Is that all right?"
"Ok. Leave it to me," Dalshena nodded.
"Right, next is to win," Nina said with resolve.
Layfon smiled. Yes, next was to win.
◇
At this time, Dixerio finally woke from his long slumber.
"As I thought...... It takes a long time to heal continuously."
He had been sleeping on a tree branch. He stood up and stretched, confirming his body condition.
"Looks ok."
The wounds caused by Barmelin had completely healed.
"Aaa, my left leg had become charcoal. One night's sleep wasn't enough to heal that," he laughed lightly in irony. Still, it had been a long time since he was injured.
Many tens of years had passed since his body turned into this condition. And the events he had experienced made him feel that time was extremely long and passed slowly. The network of Electronic Fairies that was formed inside the Aurora Field, which was called "En", and his fights against the Wolf Faces in recent years.
Just when did he stop growing? When did he stop being human and Military Artist?
Dixerio. He used to be a spoiled and arrogant kid living in the City of Strong Desire - Velzenheim. He had become like the two people that he met on that day.
Who were they? His current purpose was to confirm the answer of this question. However, he had something else to do before that. He must find the man that destroyed his city. That was why he infiltrated Grendan's Inner Court for the second time. He had found a violent welcome waiting for him both times.
historical
He didn't get along with the Heaven's Blade successors. They were different from him, as they had obtained power as normal Military Artists. Though he knew a Heaven's Blade could fully release a wielder's potential, the result of that far exceeded his expectations. Either way, his misconception was formed when he was still a kid....
"...... In that case, the 'motto' lives there too."
His expression turned sour. The girl he met before did get caught in this whole affair. Through the baptism of the Wolf Faces, her body had an easier time traversing the Aurora Field.
No. He should say that she had become less resistant to it.
"Anyway."
This was an urgent matter in this world. He got her involved in his fight without reason, and that saddened him.
"I must do something for her."
Something had happened in that city, so Dixerio had come to visit Zuellni several times. The possibility was high that that girl was the key. Either way, she had obtained the Haikizoku. And that implied.... She had no other choice but to walk the same path as him.
◇
The Student Presidents signed the contract, shook each others' hand and returned to their own city. The representative of the Academy City Alliance returned to Falnir without a word.
The contact point of the cities was the main battlefield. Military Arts students from both cities stood in formation. They faced each other and waited for the signal to begin the battle.
Layfon looked at the opposing formation. He held the restored Shim Adamantium Dite. Blue phosphorescence reflected off the dark blade. The gazes of the enemy Military Artists gathered to one spot.
The sky was cloudless. Strong sunlight lit up the ground and steam rose in threads. Both Zuellni and Falnir bore the heat. Sweat rolled down Nina's face. Sweat moistened her hands.
"It's ok," he said.
"Don't look everywhere," she scolded.
"Don't worry. I know the timing."
"Wu......"
"Stay calm. If this works, we rush straight into the enemy formation."
"You said that so easily."
The flutes sounded at the same time from Falnir and Zuellni, signaling the beginning of the battle. At the same time, Military Artists from both sides shouted. The air vibrated from the impact of internal Kei.
"Go!!" Vance shouted.
Kei exploded from Dalshena. She was leading the front troop and was waiting for Nina's signal.
While studying Falnir's front troop, Layfon took a large breath. Just when he was about to give the signal before Nina gave hers....
"Haaah!"
A thunderous voice filled the space between the two sides. Internal Kei variation - Sound of War.
Layfon had released his breath along with Kei. His voice sent Falnir's troop into confusion and chaos.
"Go!" Nina shouted. Dalshena rushed into the enemy's frontline. Her lance created an opening in the frontline.
"Second team, follow!"
As if to chase after Dalshena, Nina's team moved forward and expanded the opening that Dalshena had made.
Sharnid was waiting on the city's edge, somewhere to the right of the frontline. He was with the cannon team. Naruki was in Nina's team, and Felli had stayed behind for support work.
Layfon didn't have any subordinates. He made a huge leap and landed well ahead of Dalshena's team, right in the midst of Falnir's second team.
"What?"
"Wa!" A Falnir Military Artist shouted at the sudden landing of Layfon from above. Layfon swung the Katana. External Kei variation - Enreki.
A massive amount of Kei flooded out from Layfon, sweeping the Military Artists around him into the air.
".... Fu," he made a sound as he confirmed his move. He had executed a Psyharden move that he hadn't used for a long time. It appeared his skill hadn't gone rusty. He remembered he was in a battle. No time for him to sigh in nostalgia. He wouldn't underestimate his opponents.
His feelings were more intense and colorful than usual. He held the joy of the time when he boasted of his newly learned skills to Leerin.
Some Falnir Military Artists probably thought Layfon was full of openings. Someone attacked him from behind. He half turned around and hit his opponent's wrist with his elbow, making him drop his weapon. He then fought back the other Military Artists who sought to close in on him. He fought Kei with his Katana. For attacks that he didn't have time to counter with his weapon, he used his fists and kicks. He reserved his strength when he executed a kick, and he also used that chance to sweep up the dust and soil from the ground and create a dust screen. Sometimes, he countered using his enemy's weapon.
The school of Psyharden had never nurtured someone as incredible as Layfon. There was also a saying that said Heaven's Blade successors were nurtured in Grendan. Most of the Military Arts school in Grendan were branch schools that descended from a main school. That main school became famous because it had nurtured Heaven's Blade successors. Those that failed to give birth to any Heaven's Blades faded away with time. With the Psyharden school, no Heaven's Blade was born between its founding and Layfon's birth. Why then didn't it fade away like others? Because people who held Psyharden tended to survive their battles. And that was what Psyharden was like. The Salinvan Guidance Mercenary Gang became famous thanks to the skills of Psyharden.
It wasn't difficult for Layfon to evade the attacks aimed at him. But he suppressed his Kei and sustained the attacks because of the restrictions placed on him.
To people who knew Layfon in Zuellni, they might have found him "intolerable", but as Heaven's Blade successor who had to keep fighting the same filth monsters, that sense of danger was essential. Hence Layfon always stayed alone in the Training Complex to train his basics.
"What're you waiting for!" Dalshena's team had invaded Falnir's second line of attack. Their team had it easier because of Layfon's action. Next, Nina's team completely suppressed Falnir's second team. Falnir's frontline ended up collapsing.
"Ah, yes," Layfon said and made another leap.
Keep on moving and he should be able to confirm which moves he was more rusty with.
While in midair, he stiffened at a sudden gaze from somewhere.
(What?)
He cautiously searched for that presence but he couldn't feel it anymore.
(Was that my imagination? But......)
He had always felt someone was watching him since Leerin came to Zuellni. That gaze was sharp, but it always disappeared when he noticed it. He didn't know who it was, but since he didn't feel any hostility from it, he chose to ignore it.
(But why now?)
He had thought that it might be a non-Zuellni Military Artist who was watching him from a distance. He couldn't fathom the reason behind that act, but that was a possibility. Besides, no normal Military Artist could catch up with Layfon's speed with his eyes.
(Who is it?)
Haia......? But he shouldn't be in Zuellni anymore. The Salinvan Guidance Mercenary Gang was still in Zuellni, but they had announced that they had exiled Haia. The Student Council and the City Police had done a thorough investigation, and they couldn't find Haia and Myunfa. So it shouldn't be Haia. Then who was it?
◇
"Aa, that was a close call," Savaris cringed on the top of the Student Council building. He was right beside the flag. "As I expected, his sensitivity in this battle is higher than before. Well, he has been a Heaven's Blade successor. Close call. Close call."
No one could tell what he truly meant from his expression. In fact, he was enjoying himself.
"But he's finally picked up the Katana, his favorite weapon. Now this is getting more interesting."
Though he once showed displeasure in Layfon's performance, he was now very happy with his choice of weapon. Because the two of them would one day clash. He had heard of this from the current head of the Gang - Fermaus. Since the Gang aimed to take the Haikizoku, then sooner or later, it'd have to face Layfon. Savaris was disappointed at how relaxed Layfon had become in his peaceful life in Zuellni, but now he was happy to see him change.
Either way, he wanted to fight a strong Layfon. And since he himself also didn't have the Heaven's Blade, then the conditions matched.
"But...... When would that be?"
The Haikizoku wouldn't appear as long as the city was safe. He heard Zuellni had gone on a rampage before and had headed for filth monsters like Grendan, but that was before he arrived here.
He knew the reason. One, this had something to do with Grendan, and two, that person was in the Queen's care.
"...... I don't want to listen to Her Majesty's complaints. What should I do?"
Leerin Marfes. She had interfered with his mission, but he couldn't do anything to her. Because of her, he had been lazing around for three months. That was why he had time to train Gorneo and observe Layfon. Well, he couldn't say the three months were totally wasted.
"It's about time I got tired of this."
He thought of what to do. He could block Layfon's way when filth monsters attacked Zuellni, allowing Zuellni to face extreme danger. He remembered hearing from Gorneo of how Zuellni fought. Though it probably wouldn't face another group attack from larvae, a crisis still existed if a crowd of mature filth monsters came. But Savaris couldn't wait for filth monsters to show up. He had already waited for three months, and the battlefield of Grendan beckoned.
The other way was for him to create a crisis by destroying the city. Though the Haikizoku's hatred was bent on the filth monsters, it might come to possess someone in the face of danger. Either way, the person that the Haikizoku possessed at first did not face the danger of filth monsters at that time.
"...... How about I just do that now?"
What was ironic was that a battle was right before him. This kind of child's play fueled his impatience.
"I say, what do you think?" his gaze slid to that person.
"As expected from a Heaven's Blade successor. I can't hide from you."
A man wearing a grey coat appeared behind Savaris. A moment ago, he was just at the contact point of the cities. As the representative of the Academy City Alliance, he should have already returned to Falnir.
"I thought you might do something. What's going on?" Savaris said.
"Well...." the man shrugged. "I can't meet your expectations on my own."
"But you don't die, right? Nothing would harm you even if you die a hundred times. You give your opponent mental pressure."
"That's not possible. Though our thoughts are separated from our bodies, we are still weak in front of despair," he said simply.
He was one of the Wolf Faces.
"Is it ok to tell me this so easily?"
"Of course. Dying a hundred times is not enough to reach true despair."
"I see, since you have no real body, you can't feel pain."
Savaris remembered the foolish young man he met in Myath. That young man's fear of filth monsters was extreme and unusual. It must be a side effect of becoming a Wolf Face.
(What. As I thought, he can't match Layfon.)
He looked at the sky, bored.
"Then what do you want with me? Let's leave the conversation if you're here to persuade me to surrender. Grendan's battlefield is still the most attractive for me."
"I want to help you return to that battlefield quickly......"
"Right...."
"Aa, you don't believe me?"
"It's not that I don't want to believe. You're Grendan's enemy. Can I trust you like that?"
"Then do you -->>