Chapter 3 - New Wings
“What's going on with the image?!”
Kotori’s shout reverberated throughout the command room, but to no avail, as Mukuro’s blurry image on both the screen and Shido’s googles vanished in the miscellaneous electromagnetic waves.
“Error! The automatic video camera isn't responding!”
“Kuh…did <Michael> seal it?”
Kotori recollected in detail the moments before the footage and sound were cut off. Mukuro had stuck her tongue out towards Kotori at that time. Hearing her words, Shidou removed his earpiece.
“I… I want to…”
Shidou weakly squeezed out from his now parched throat while tightly grasping his fist. But it was too late. Mukuro was already gone.
The mission to save Spirits had been initiated under Ratatoskr’s request; nevertheless, there was a feeling of hope that the Spirits could live a normal life. But have they ever lost their futures due to Shidou intervening? His heart felt uneasy. His arsenal descended with a clang.
“It hurts…”
Shidou wept with a pained expression. He turned around towards his sister, a look of resignation was painted on his face.
“What now...Kotori…?”
“Why are you giving up just because you couldn't convince her?”
Kotori mocked condescendingly. She sat back onto her commander chair and gestured Shidou to come over.
“Of course, her words aren't meaningless. But as meaningful as they are, abiding to them won't do any good.”
True, Spirits were existences which needed to be saved. They represent natural disasters in themselves; there was no reason to place them on Earth. But Shidou refused to accept such an unjust fact.
“But if I just sit here and do nothing, wouldn't that be worse than trying to talk to her?”
Kotori fiddled with the guilty pleasure in her mouth and responded.
“If only that was true; didn't Mukuro also mention DEM? Humans are all virtually the same to her. Even if we don't take care of her, DEM will.”
“Guuu….”
Shidou muttered in anguish. If he and the others were to cease coming into contact with Spirits due to their danger, that'd be nothing but a cruel joke. There wasn't any difference between that and Ratatoskr planning a physical attack. Realizing Shidou’s intention, Kotori pointed her lollipop at him.
“Now that DEM is aware of Mukuro’s presence, they'll undoubtedly dispatch assassins to murder her. If they succeed, her Sephira crystal would fall into Westcott’s hands. If they were to fail, she would suspend the Earth’s motion. Although we don't know which, both outcomes would spell the end of humanity.”
“When you put it that way…”
“The only way is for us to interact with Mukuro before she suffers another assault - that's all to it.”
Kotori’s words slapped some sense into her brother's mind.
“Aah, that's how it is… Sorry I wasn't thinking clearly.”
“Good. I can understand how you feel.”
Shidou could sense that too. Under the present circumstances, DEM couldn't simply ignore Mukuro. But that alone didn't contradict what she said.
If only DEM didn't exist.
If only we could lessen Mukuro’s burdens.
Kotori reached a conclusion. As if she perceived Shidou’s opinion, Kotori continued while staring into the distance.
“...Keep in mind. The Spirits that you saved by your own hand, at least they can stay here and live a happy life.”
“Ah, thank you Kotori.”
Shidou suppressed his urges to hug his sister on the spot. Now was not the time to stop his progress. Every single move they take henceforth could very well bring about serious damage to the world.
“Yeah, we can do this.”
“Un. You're right.”
At that moment, Reine emitted a dejected voice.
“...That determination may not last long.”
“Reine, what's the matter?” replied Kotori as she moved her line of sight.
“Take a look at this.”
Reine motioned towards a statistical table on the monitor. It appeared to display
Mukuro’s happiness levels and mental state. Shidou couldn't help but take notice in an instant. The reason was simple.
The numerical values showed in the chart indicated absolutely zero deviation. There were only straight lines parallel to the abscissa and perpendicular to the ordinate.
“During Shin’s conversation with Mukuro, the monitor was connected continuously. Yet the affection levels, happiness measurements, and every other parameter remained constant. It looks like she wasn't joking when she said that she had sealed her heart.”
“W-wha…?”
Kotori widened her eyes in shock.
That was to be expected. To seal a Spirit’s power, it was a necessary prerequisite for
Shidou to kiss said Spirit. However, if the Spirit couldn't open the door to her heart, it was impossible for Shidou to seal her.
Although Mukuro had spoken to him in such a manner, her impression of Shidou stayed invariant. So far, he had been abhorred and detested by sorrowful Spirits before, but being treated like that by a deadpan Spirit was a first. It'd be a hassle to seal Spirits if this were to continue.
“Mukuro wields the angel <Michael> in the form of a key. You had witnessed one of its abilities just now - locking a target’s will. If she used that on her own heart, any external influence would be rendered incapable of affecting her.”
“Such a result… what should we—”
As Shidou began to utter something depressing, whispers could be heard from outside the door of the command headquarters.
“...? What's that sound?”
Kotori made a suspicion as she resolutely approached the door.
Kotori flung the door open the next instant. With a loud thud, the Spirits that were supposed to be waiting in another room surged inside altogether.
“Ugaaah!”
“Kyaaa!”
“Constriction. So heavy. Kaguya, you need to lose weight.”
“Why should I!? It's not just me!”
Each and every one of them was entangled in a chaotic mess of bodies, sluggishly standing up. Shidou, looking at the present situation, couldn't help but speak.
“E-everyone…! What are you doing here?”
“Muuu…sorry. We didn't mean to eavesdrop…”
Tohka apologized dejectedly.
“It's not Tohka-san’s fault! Darling made us worry in these conditions!”
Miku made her accusation while holding onto Tohka’s shoulders. The other Spirits nodded in agreement.
“You guys…”
Kotori gave a sigh and made a facepalm. Origami, who was looking straightforwardly, moved her lips.
“Although we arrived halfway through, we still heard. There must be something we can do.”
Kotori covered her mouth in an *Oh* interjection. If possible, she'd like the Spirits to be as far away from danger as possible. As if they figured out what Kotori had in mind, the Spirits vociferated their opinions in quick succession.
“Won't the Earth be destroyed at this unwilling rate? I still want to read my favorite manga!”
“If Mukuro-san sees the beauty of this world, she wouldn't want to disrupt it! Please let us lend a hand!”
“Everyone…”
Kotori was overwhelmed by the momentum and turned towards Reine for advice.
“.....”
As Reine made a ‘go with the flow’ expression, Kotori yielded and exhaled.
“...Haah, I see. Alright, you can stay.”
Having received Kotori’s permission, the Spirits’ faces lit up with determination.
“But this time, we can't win with spirit power alone. If we can't boost her affection levels, we won't be able to seal her. Plus her heart is firmly locked.”
Kotori emphasized in a sincere tone.
“Enquiry. Is there any way to unlock Mukuro’s heart?”
As Yuzuru questioned to Reine, everyone focused their attention to her.
“...Although it's uncertain whether it’ll work or not, there is one method.”
“There is?!!”
Tohka couldn't believe what she heard, the other Spirits too following suit. Reine emanated a dispassionate aura.
“If her angel can lock her heart, then it can also unlock it. Mukuro has to use <Michael> once again.”
“That…”
Shidou lamented from the recesses of his throat. What Reine said was all true.
Angels possess miraculous forms and appearances. To undo an effect caused by an angel, its power must be used again. The problem was that, as its name states, <Seal Removing Lord> belonged to Mukuro. Due to her having sealed her heart, Shidou’s feelings and intentions were unable to touch her. It was as if he was trying to open a treasure chest with the key inside it.
Kaguya complacently puffed out her chest.
“Huhu, angels we have. I shall force her to open her heart
“Doubt. Mukuro is in space. How will you go there?”
Yuzuru, her counterpart, gave a retorting remark.
“Uhh… well…”
“Right.”
As Kaguya tried to think of a comeback, Shidou pondered as well. Like Yuzuru said, the location posed a problem too.
Shidou had employed a three-dimensional projection to converse with Mukuro, blithely thinking that it'd work. He didn't even have the means for step one.
However…
“Space….space huh…..”
Kotori brainstormed while playing with her lollipop until something popped up in her mind.
“The time is just right. Maybe there is a way.”
“Eh?”
Hearing her words full of self-confidence, Shidou was mind-blown.
♢♢♢
“——Total annihilation?!”
DEM Industries’ Japan branch’s communications room received a status report on the satellite tracking of the airships, Ellen gave out a shocked, terrified voice. Within the dark and gloomy space, there flickered a mere few light-emitting diodes of display screens that dimly illuminated the room. Ellen moved towards a pitch-black corner, gazing fixedly at the monitor which faintly resounded every now and then.
“...A fleet of three aerial warships and ninety <Bandersnatch> units and not a single scratch on the Spirit… plus the all-out frenzied retaliation on the ground surface.”
The trembling voice came from one of her subordinates through the communication device.
“—Marvelous.”
Westcott’s commanding voice reverberated from the back of the room.
“I never expected the vanguard troops to defeat her, but this power… such magnificent power… Excellent!”
As he continued his rumination, Ellen casted a glance at him askance, immersed in deep thought.
Although the tracker satellite, Dectas•NUMBER, hadn't participated in the battle, its assignment wasn't to capture the Spirit, but to clearly investigate the figure asleep amidst the cosmos. That way, they could force her down to Earth.
However, this operation ended in failure, epic failure. Not only that, but the wreckage was shot down as meteors worldwide. Ellen breathed out in displeasure. If this was to be the outcome, they should’ve let Ellen go in the first place.
“Is the Spirit still at its previous coordinates?”
“A-affirmative. The Spirit still remains under surveillance, but… I’m afraid it's preparing to launch another counterattack.”
“Hmm…”
Ellen groaned quietly. She lifted her head and looked towards Westcott.
“—Ellen.”
Realizing her intention, Westcott severely nodded his head.
“Ah, it'll be troublesome if holes keep being chiseled into DEM’s facilities. I’ll leave it to you and Artemisia. I look forward to your results.”
“Yes, definitely.”
Ellen answered briefly before she saluted and left the communications room.
——After Ellen exited.
“...About that, Managing Director Westcott,”
One of the wizards there called out to him with utmost caution.
“Hm? What is it?”
“Is it really okay to let chief executive Mathers to go to space…?”
“Yes. Are you saying that my decision is mistaken?”
Westcott intently stared at the pitiful wizard, like a predator hunting its prey. The unfortunate girl’s facial expression instantly paled, and she hurriedly shook her head in subordination.
“N-n-no! T-that's not what I meant! Will chief executive Mathers still fight when she finds out about that thing…”
The wizard muttered in a feeble voice as Westcott shrugged his shoulders.
“Ah~, that's right. That's how it should be.” Westcott uncovered his right hand and a black levitating tome materialized, <Beelzebub>. As he shifted his vision to the manuscript, new lines of words began to form - about the recent Spirit and how to capture her.
“I expect a lot from you, Ellen. But for a long time, you wouldn’t want to avoid getting yourself bathed in blood from head to toe.”
Westcott finished as he indifferently let out a laugh.
♢♢♢
The muffled noise of rotating propellers and consecutive oscillations vibrated throughout
Shidou’s body and eardrums. His current location was not the command room of the temporary subterranean facility under Tenguu city, but in an enormous carrier helicopter. Of course, he wasn't without company. In front of him was a long row of
Spirits and Ratatoskr’s crew.
“Naa, Kotori, where are we going?”
Shidou interrogated the person in question, their commander. During the several hours in route, Shidou and the other Spirits couldn't obtain any information and sat dumbfounded. To tell the truth, being taken anywhere had always felt rather anxious to him. The Spirits, such as Tohka and Kaguya, who were riding such a huge helicopter as passengers for the first time, took pleasure in it.
Although Kotori had noticed Shidou’s concern, she simply swayed the treat in her mouth.
“Sorry, but I can't reveal any details. Though I don't doubt you, but the place we're heading to now is known to be Ratatoskr’s technological center.”
“Will we find a method to reach Mukuro there?”
“Yeah. I think we should be arriving soon—” A message was then broadcasted inside the aircraft.
“Commander, we're arriving at our destination. Please prepare for landing.”
“Ara, looks like there's a timer in my body,
”
She then issued instructions to her crew.
After a few moments, the helicopter’s shaking came to a stop and its rear hatch sprang open, accompanied with an electronic tone.
“Good work. This way please.”
The person who urged them seemed to be one of the staff members. Shidou and the others blinked their eyes in confusion and chased after Kotori, who had already exited the aircraft.
“This place…”
Shidou did a quick sweep of his surroundings and pursed his eyebrows. The spaciousness all around the helicopter had exceeded his expectations.
Naturally, Shidou couldn't imagine the room precisely as he had never been there before, but thought it was some sort of hangar. In front of him lay a gigantic wall which towered over everything else in the commodious room. Shidou couldn't even get a
glimpse of the ceiling when he gazed upwards. There was a number of mechanics working on various kinds of appliances and deployments, each occupied with their respective jobs.
“A warehouse…?”
“Well it's that sort of place. Follow me.”
Kotori gave that instruction with a tap of her boots. Afterwards, Ratatoskr’s crew ensued behind her. For some reason, Shidou recalled a scene from a TV drama of a hospital director’s consulting room.
“Shidou, we should go too,”
“Ah yeah.”
Heading Tohka’s reminder, Shidou followed them. The other Spirits looked left and right, and reached what looked like the entrance to the warehouse.
“Here it is.”
Kotori said as she aimed her gaze at the others and placed her hand onto the installation beside the door.
After a tiny beep was sounded, the large door started to unravel its hinges. The interior shined onto their eyes blindingly.
“...This is…!” The Spirits behind Shidou were also stunned by the light.
“Uoohh…!”
“Kaka, I see. This may just work.”
“Uwaah~... What is this plaything? Imouto-chan, can I take a picture for material? Just one!”
“Of course not. This is highly classified,”
Kotori replied half-heartedly to the excited Nia. Although her words were understandable, Shidou too thought the same way when he looked at that for the first time. He inhaled deeply and stared at the object before him.
The door had broadened into a warehouse as he had anticipated, but what lay inside was not another helicopter. It was a giant warship. Although it may not be one, to Shidou it was a warship.
The sharp pointed body of the vessel composed of white and colored glaze, and the cannon was mounted at the center. Extensive protrusions jutted out of the rear section like branches on a tree, and the few sheets of metallic foliage diffused a brilliant hue. The warship itself had a rather unusual design for its exterior.
But that was normal. After all, the ship wasn't going to sail the roaring sea, rather it was going to fly in the heavenly skies.
“Fraxinus…!”
Shidou called its name as his body quivered.
Ratatoskr’s prided warship, Fraxinus. The airship, which had sustained critical damage during the fight against Inverse Origami; and hence forth was in overhaul, was now intact before them.
Shidou brushed away that notion. The airship in front of him was indeed Fraxinus, but he felt that there was a discrepancy with the original in appearance.
“It looks… different?”
Shidou soliloquized as Kotori proudly gave out a humph.
“I see you've noticed. Correct, this is a brand new model upgraded with Ratatoskr’s most advanced Realizer unit, and overall performance improvements. Its name is Fraxinus-EX!”
As Kotori announced this loudly, her vice commander, Kannazuki Kyouhei, spread both his hands and feet and adopted a thumbs up gesture. The other crew members symmetrically stood to his left and right. The final member, Reine, fished out a multicolored piece of paper from her pocket, casting a blank expression.
“E-EX?”
“Yes. Although Fraxinus’ damage was caused by the battle with Origami, it was also mercilessly wrecked by Ellen Mathers’ Goetia in the previous world, so merely repairing it wouldn't be enough. It took quite some time too,”
Kotori said that in a self-deprecating tone.
Shidou reminisced the time when he returned to the past and altered history with the help of Tokisaki Kurumi’s power. In that previous world, Fraxinus had been utterly defeated by DEM’s warship.
“So that's how it is. We can reach Mukuro with this.”
“That's right. We'll fly over.”
Kotori summarized as she threw an imaginary paper plane.
“It’ll take a while before takeoff since the ship needs some final adjustments but we can board now. —Follow me, there's someone who wants to see you.” Kotori beckoned for her brother to come over using her finger. Shidou couldn't help but feel odd.
“Someone wants to see me?”
“Yeah. Well you’ve met each other in normal circumstances many times before, but this should be the first time you’ve seen her here.”
“What's that supposed to mean?”
“You’ll know soon. Come fast.”
Kotori ordered as she approached Fraxinus.
“Uuuu… who wants to meet Shidou?”
“Not sure…”
Shidou let out a perplexed expression as he, the other Spirits, and the ship’s crew followed behind Kotori.
After she ensured that everyone had assembled under the airship, Kotori raised her head and yelled.
“Alright. Please proceed.”
As soon as Kotori’s voice reached Shidou and the others, an undulating radiance engulfed their bodies and an unthinkable feeling of levitation lifted them upwards. The next instant, everyone's view transformed from the warehouse into the interior of the airship.
“Uoohh…”
Fraxinus’ teleporter utilized its own Realizer unit to function. Although Shidou had experienced this countless of times, he still couldn't help but feel startled since he hadn't gone through it for a long time. He exhaled deeply to recover his palpitation and observed his surroundings. The bridge was subdivided into two sections, with the commander's seat right in the middle. The rest consisted of the crew’s stations and their respective automation consoles along with their display screens in front of them. Compared to the old Fraxinus, there was a bit more space available and the quantity of display screens increased as well. But there was one more difference which caught his attention.
“So we can directly teleport to the bridge now eh…”
Shidou noted as he looked under his feet. He and the others were at the entrance of the bridge, and a platform which seemed to be a transport terminal was beneath them. Shidou recalled that previously it was located in the lower part of the warship and he needed to travel a considerable distance to arrive at the bridge.
“Yeah. Now that there are various terminals installed all over the airship, destinations can be freely chosen. So you can now teleport here directly from the residential area instantly.”
“I see. Then who did you say wanted to see me?”
Shidou enquired as he searched the interior. Although he thought that the teleport operator would be in the room, there wasn't even a single shadow of a person. Kotori ridiculed evilly.
“Hello. Long time no see, Fraxinus.”
Kotori yelled as if she was conversing with either herself or the vessel.
Then...
『Yes, it has been a long time, Kotori.』
A girl’s voice came abruptly from the monitor’s audio amplifier, and it was accompanied by a faint glow.
“Waa?!”
Shidou retreated back a step owing to the suddenness and a look of astonishment formed on the other Spirits’ faces.
“W-what’s going on?!”
“That frightened… me.”
『Your reaction lacks manners, Shidou. There would be a penalty if you speak to a Spirit that way.』
Shidou was dumbstruck for an airship to preach him like that and gazed around in confusion.
“T-this is…”
“What are you making a fuss about, Shidou? She has always taken care of you. She's Fraxinus’ Artificial Intelligence. After the recent update, the AI can now interchange dialogues with you,”
Kotori explained as the speaker continued.
『Good morning. Long time no see—this is becoming repetitive… I have always kept an
eye on you. My name is Maria. Please take good care of me from now on, Shidou.』
Shidou felt rather intrigued by her voice and answered with an earnest smile.
“Aah~, please take care of me too, Maria.”
Simultaneously, the Spirits behind Shidou swarmed, squeezing in front of the display screen. Of course, there couldn't be Maria’s face on the monitor but it did display the letters ‘MARIA’. It was very lifelike.
“Ooh! Very well done! How did you do this?”
“Ehh so there was something like this!”
“This voice will read out the options? Is it real?”
All the Spirits encircled the small Maria and made all sorts of comments. Looking at them, Kotori was utterly helpless with the situation and simply clapped her hands.
“Settle down, don't make Maria feel uncomfortable. She still has a job to do.”
Kotori waited until everyone calmed down before asking Maria.
“How long till the warship can take off?”
『The entire maintenance will take approximately 90 more minutes.』
“There's no time. Get it done within an hour.”
“As merciless as always… I pity your future husband.”
“Even though the airship is new, your jokes are as disappointing as ever. Resume maintenance after this battle is over,”
Kotori gave the command as she narrowed her eyes. Conversely, Maria began conversing with the crew as if she didn't understand the syntax of her command.
『Although the data settings for the automation consoles and display screens are default, everyone please confirm preparation for all contingencies. The execution of the current task shall be synchronized here.』
The ship’s crew nodded one after another and Maria renewed her explanation.
『In addition, please keep the personal articles held in the bridge to a minimum. Although interference is unwanted due to this being categorized as individual space, in
my opinion <Nail Knocker> and <Dimension Breaker> carry unnecessary items in the bridge.』
Hearing Maria’s words, <Nail Knocker> Shiizaki and <Dimension Breaker>
Nakatsugawa exposed a stupefied expression.
“H-how…”
“Wasn't it fine before!?”
『Previously I had no means of speech. If you feel that these items are absolutely necessary, please submit your reason(s) in no more than 1200 words.』
“T-these are for cursing enemies when they appear!”
“I’m unable to work at 100% efficiency when I’m not with my wives.”
『Denied.』
『Denied.』
Maria coldly rejected their requests. Shiizaki and Nakatsugawa both wailed, “Noooooo!”
The other crew members watched their two colleagues’ embarrassment. <Boss>
Mikimoto, <Bad Marriage> Kawagoe, and <Deep Love> Minowa laughed heartily.
“Can't do anything about that. Those items are indeed inessential for work purposes.”
“Aah, we had thought so too from long ago.”
“Public and private affairs should be clearly differentiated.”
『Also, private phone calls to wives or daughters in shops are no longer permitted hereafter. Please forgive any inconvenience caused. That includes sending automatic cameras to boyfriends or girlfriends.』
『Eh?』
The other three crew members were dumbstruck by Maria’s regulations. Seeing their responses, Kotori’s veins popped out of her forehead.
“You guys…. how dare you use Fraxinus’ equipment on those kinds of stuff?!”
“A- no- that-”
“You're mistaken! We usually handle our assignments seriously…”
The crew tried to provide an explanation with incoherent words. Kotori sighed as she saw them in such an unpalatable state.
“The point is—there's not much time. Let's just concentrate on getting the maintenance over with, Maria.”
Receiving Kotori’s command, the ship’s crew gave a salute and shouted ‘Roger!’ in unison.
“Next, we should…”
『That said, there's a person who wishes to speak to Kotori at the base. What do you think? 』
“Speak with me? Who?”
『About that, it's Elliot Woodman-sama.』
Maria’s reply dazed Kotori.
♢♢♢
Shidou, after exiting Fraxinus, returned to the corridor.
The airship’s crew was currently in the bridge and occupied with the final adjustments to
Fraxinus. And now there stood only Shidou and the Spirits, with Kotori as their leader.
“...Shidou, Shidou.”
Tohka was calling from behind him.
“Un, what is it, Tohka?” Shidou turned around to face her.
“Who's this Woodman guy? Kotori seems to respect him a lot.”
Shidou directed his sight towards Kotori. Indeed, after Maria had mentioned that name, Kotori immediately flustered, wearing the overcoat on her shoulders properly and buttoning it up neatly. Kotori’s head didn't turn back but she explained while she kept walking.
“Woodman-sama is the chairman of Ratatoskr’s board of directors. He's essentially the very top of the organization and also its founder. Without him, Ratatoskr wouldn't exist.”
“.....!”
Shidou twitched his eyebrows as he heard this.
Shidou recollected a verse which Mukuro had spoken before, ‘What doth thou, nay, thine aristocrats fore mind?’ He didn't doubt the integrity of Ratatoskr, but felt offended even though he had decided to pull himself together. Perhaps it was because he couldn't refute Mukuro’s statement that time.
Then, Shidou noticed that Nia, who was walking beside him, bore a complicated expression on her face.
“Nia? What's wrong? You look scary.” “.....!”
Nia jumped due to Shidou’s sudden call.
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