Hidan no Aria - Volume 16 - Chapter 1

Volume 16: Heavenly Wolf of the Star Fortress — Gévaudan

Chapter One: Dark Grey Challenger — Challenger X

[START]

Volume 16 Chapter One– Dark Grey Challenger– Challenger X

*Whish!*… *Creak!* *Creak!*…!

Drawing his sword atop the gas lamp, from Bewitching Blade’s body–

There came a sound like creaking rubber.

With this strange sound, his body swelled like a pro wrestler– gaining size and covering the Brussels night sky.

But that was not all.

From his long coat came a black flame-like aura.

His figure was assimilated into the darkness, such that only his blazing scarlet gaze fixed on me remained.

What is this guy…!?

I don’t really understand ESP users’ powers, but this is distinct from Patra and Hilda’s.

The pressure emanating from Bewitching Blade is different from anything else I have experienced.

That is to say, he is a mysterious person…!

「Tonight, you shall sleep in Hell.」

Saying that, I saw Bewitching Blade make a cutting motion across his throat with his thumb.

Then with his dully gleaming grey blades– he took up a stance with them crossed in an X-shape.

In this side alley, the secret criminal Bewitching Blade radiated an incredible bloodlust.

As for myself… I want to run away as fast as possible.

But that is impossible. I’m not even in Hysteria Mode. As soon as I turn my back, he’d swoop in, sever my neck, and decapitate me.

That being the case–

Butei Law, Article 5: First action is the essence of certain victory…!

–*Bang!* I quick-drew my Beretta and fired a shot behind me, aiming in his general direction. Disturbing his balance and giving me a chance to escape.

At least, that was what I intended…

–*Whipsh!* *Clang!*–

I heard those ill-boding sounds in rapid succession.

Then I saw it happened before my very eyes. Bewitching Blade moved his sword before I fired– and swatted down the bullet with the guard.

The bullet impacted the gas lamp at his feet.

That was probably… no, it definitely had to be a coincidence, right? Bewitching Blade deliberately made it darker. That was a trick, for sure. What I can do with bullets, he can do with swords.

「…」

Because he purposefully made it darker, that must mean that he has some kind of ability to see in the dark.

That’s another point against me. Should I fight here or not?

But Bewitching Blade, you… only have two swords!

But that isn’t discouraging him in slightest!

At that instant, I thumbed the selector switch on my gun to change over to『3 bullet burst』mode.*Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!*…! *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!*

The muzzle flashed, and while moving backwards I shot two sets of 3 bullets for a total of 6, using his glowing scarlet eye as a reference point. Respecting Article 9, I aimed somewhat lower.

The supersonic 9 mm parabellum bullets all hit their marks perfectly–

But afterwards they merely gave off a mere thudding sound.

I intended to knock him off the gas lamp, but his upper torso only swayed slightly.

Nothing happened, even though I hit him…!?

Does he have a shock dispersing bulletproof long coat? Even so, it shouldn’t be able to cancel out the shock completely.

If I had to guess… The black aura spreading out from the coat is some kind of magical ability that protects him.

Following that, his right eye shone out of the darkness–

「…?」

By straining, I could understand this strange occurrence.

I don’t think that he took damage, but for some reason it appeared that his gaze was fixed somewhere out into space. Almost as if he was absent-mindedly pondering something for a brief moment.

— Although differing from my original plan, this was surely the opening I had wanted.

I have to run…!

The moment I kicked off the street–

Bewitching Blade turned the way I was running, looking ahead of me.

The ability to deflect bullets with a sword was impressive, but how did you know?

Do you have some kind of ability to predict my actions?

–*Whoosh!*–

Black from head to toe, Bewitching Blade– disappeared from the gas lamp, kicking off with a noise and twirling his body like a whirlwind mid-air before landing. 10 metres in front of where I was running.

「…!」

「–Piercing Fang!」

I heard Bewitching Blade shout, and the next instant– *Whoom!*

Sweeping his blade sideways, a loud rushing sound went up before I could make any noise– I was knocked back several metres.

A shower of splintered cobblestones rained down on my face.

Then with a *Crunch!* *Crunch!* sound…

Bewitching Blade walked through the circular impact crater in the street.

「Do not worry. At this range Piercing Fang wouldn’t even kill a fly.」

I saw a faint mist of white steam rising and twining with his blades.

…Th-that’s…『Ouka』…?

It looked like an improved version of Ouka, a kind of improved supersonic slashing attack. This one was performed at middle range.

I didn’t receive a direct hit only because the shockwave blew me back…!

「H…rng…!」

While coughing up blood… I fainted dramatically. Lying face-down, I feigned distress by clutching my stomach–

Then I took out a Butei bullet concealed inside an inner pocket of my uniform.

I was able to distinguish the smoke bullet by sense of touch. Then I detonated it manually–

「–Sending up a smokescreen will only hinder your movements.」

What… He already knew!?

His statement– had two layers of meaning. It wasn’t just the fact that could see through the smokescreen. He had also meant,『I can see you moving in the smokescreen』.

He must be able to see.

Able to see in the dark, he must have something like radar to see in the smoke.

No, when he followed my movement earlier, it was something beyond mere radar. Fighter jets come equipped with radar Fire Control Systems that have the ability to predict the location of enemy craft.

I got the feeling– Bewitching Blade can track me with something beyond the naked eye.

It has to be his right eye…!

Occasionally… Bewitching Blade fixed his gaze out into empty space for a moment.

It was a movement similar to Kaname and G-3’s use of their HMD units.

He was looking at something outside his normal field of view. If that’s the case, then he might be wearing some kind of contact lens display.

If I were to smash his right eye– he might just lose the ability altogether.

At first glance, I had no idea how I should set about defeating his twin sharp blades and paranormal coat… but I can start with his eye. I concocted a plan to deal with his eye. I can’t hold back in crushing one of his eyes. He’s a man that has come to take my life.

Almost as if he had read my intentions–*Whooph!*

He knocked me down with a kick to the stomach from his black boots.

「–!」

My body rebounding off the brick wall, I was launched 2 metres into the air and– *Shing!*

Holding them in an X shape, Bewitching Blade pressed both backs of his swords against my neck… as I hung suspended there.

「G…ack…!」

It was… a pro wrestling technique reverse neck choke…! Using swords.

I can’t move at all…!

「–Blade Shears. If you try to grab them to escape, your fingers will be severed. They are as sharp as a razor.」

While saying that Bewitching Blade scrutinised me.

Is he… looking at my face… to make sure of who I am…?

Then, after a few moments passed– *Ring!* *Ring!* *Ring!*–

A scarlet light glowed from his sword guards as a bell like noise sounded.

Almost as if it were some kind of signal, Bewitching Blade’s bloodlust…

Dissipated completely.

「…You are a body double, aren’t you? You might be able to match his appearance, but it is impossible to fake his incredible strength.」

–*Clang!*

Removing the blades from my keck and allowing them to clatter to the ground, Bewitching Blade–

Somehow or other seems to think I’m a body double, as he stood in an aggressive posture.

Let’s… go along with it. If he wants to think I’m an idiot, I’ll fake it. It’s unfortunate, but it means that I won’t have to fight under such adverse conditions.

「Why…are you after Tohyama…?」

Collapsed on the ground, I feigned to ask.

「Self-defence. I am out to take his life. If I kill him now, it will be easier than trying to do so later…」

Self-defence…?

I don’t remember ever setting eyes on this strange person before!

What does he mean…? Killing me now… will be easier than doing it later…?

「Tell the real Tohyama this–『You have done enough』. In particular, you should never have gotten involved with Rampan.」

From within the concealing hood, he continued to say strange things–

Is he someone connected to Rampan? I get the feeling, though, that he isn’t a member.

Furrowing my eyebrows, I looked down toward the sword guards that were ringing…

Blinking in time with the sound, the tempo quickened.

Hearing it, with a *Swish!*, Bewitching Blade flourished he swords in a graceful arc before returning them to their scabbards.

Then the noise ceased, and all around us… became quiet.

「–You had better hurry and tell the real Tohyama, Fake-Kinji. You are going to die soon…」

He said, turning his back toward me as I looked up from the ground.

「I’m going to… die soon? Are you putting a curse on me?」

「Not at all. I am merely informing you– you have the look of death about you. You will die within a month. It is 100% certain. You had best tidy up your affairs.」

He left me with those words like a shinigami–

And his silver buckled boots crunched the fragments of cobblestone as he departed.

「…Who are you…?」

Finally managing to raise my upper body, I asked his back–

「–Just an ordinary high school student. Though I attend a bit of a strange and rough school.」1

Leaving me with my own line… he disappeared into the darkness.

…

I will… definitely tell him.

That is to say, the me in Hysteria Mode.

–About your mistake just now.

In Hysteria Mode, however…

In Hysteria Mode, I would definitely kill you.

Your seemingly overwhelming fighting strength is underdeveloped.

I’ve evaluated your level of experience–

And it is obvious that, compared to me, you have little.

Butei and mercenaries, as people involved in combat, hide their strengths and weaknesses from their enemies as they become veterans. If discovered, it would become a huge disadvantage in another encounter.

But Bewitching Blade was entirely unable to do so.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that he was wide open.

To start with, there was the crimson right eye I noticed at the start of the fight.

But above all, there was the timing–Bewitching Blade retreated quickly. I got the impression that from start to finish he was rushing things along. From the time he drew his blades to the moment the guards beeped was two minutes… then he made the error of mistaking me for an imposter. By 2 minutes and 30 seconds– the guards were beeping more rapidly, and he was already moving to conclude the encounter. It was so obvious.

That is to say–

Just like an ESP user, he ran out of fuel.

What he had said about「3 minutes」at the beginning was probably as long as he could fight. You should watch what you say, Ultraman! 2

Understanding that, I am able to put a plan into effect.

It depends on age and condition, but–

By comparison, I can maintain Hysteria Mode for 30 minutes to an hour.

I see you, Bewitching Blade. I’ve committed your voice and face to memory… at least the upper half.

It’s a Tohyama family rule. If you are going to shoot, then you must shoot– if you draw a bow, you must release it.

If it were Aria shooting, I wouldn’t be able to fire back, but you are a man. If you’re after me, I’ll fire back. Perhaps not immediately, but sometime afterwards I will return the favour.

–That is to say I have a grudge against you.

However… there is one fortunate thing that I took away from our meeting tonight…

Like me, this high school student has also stopped being human. That much is apparent, you bastard.

*************************************************************

More than the full brunt of his『Piercing Fang』, more than his『Blade Shears』menacing my carotid artery… I suffered the most serious damage from Bewitching Blade’s strange toe kick.

Weighing 65 kg including equipment, I was launched 2 metres into the air.

The silver lining in the story is the fact that, due to my prone position, my stomach cushioned the blow so that my spine was not fractured by the kick– but it left a sharp pain behind.

It was as if someone had guided his kick and told him to『kick here』because he landed a direct blow on my spleen and kidney. There will probably be blood in my urine.

Wiping my hand across my mouth, I stood to my feet…

What about Jeanne…?

Having been led to Bewitching Blade, I looked around for her…

But coming to the end of the crooked alley, I found it was dead-end.

Despite the fact that it was dark due to the broken gas lamp, and I could not see well… I could tell that it was empty. No one was there at all.

Underfoot was a mixture of sand and rubbish. If this some kind of drift?

…I haven’t told anyone about my encounter with Bewitching Blade.

Gritting my teeth at the pain, I pulled my mobile out of my pocket… but his Piercing Fang had destroyed it.

Did he know where it was? Did that scarlet eye have X-ray vision?

With the operatic solo escaping from the opera house at my back, I stumbled back onto the picturesque main road.

I had barely taken a few steps when pain flared in my left side. I wanted to go the hospital immediately.

But I’m not familiar with Belgium. If I can’t reunite with my friends, I can’t get to a hospital either.

Then, there was a… *Thud!*

…Ouch…!

An ordinary girl running down the street collided with me as she passed by. Of all the places, she hit my left side that had been kicked. You…!

Since I didn’t speak French, I couldn’t complain, so I just scowled–

And the girl that bumped into me rushed off without so much as an apology.

A scarf hiding her blonde hair, she was carrying a huge armful of clothing as she ran down the road.

Behind her, she left traces of blood on the road.

She appears to be injured. She’s… probably a thief or something.

But right now, I’m in no condition to chase after a cat burglar.

So, turning my back on her, I hurried back to the hotel to meet up with Watson and the rest.

*****************************************************************************************************

On my way back, it became apparent that Bewitching Blade was not the only member of GRENEDA to launch an attack.

…A… fire…!?

Rounding a corner, I saw black smoke billowing from the area where were staying.

Hastily staggering over–

Dammit! They got it!

The hotel where we were checked in was engulfed in flames, and several fire engines had gathered.

Someone had leaked our location– a spy within DEEN.

Meiya stood in the street holding a fire extinguisher, but it’s extinguishing agent was completely exhausted.

「Tooyama!」

Noticing that my clothes were slightly dirty from my fight, a somewhat soot-covered Watson rushed over.

「So it happened to you too? We were attacked. Someone fired a panzerfuast at us. 3 I was able to chase them off by firing out the window, but I couldn’t follow. I couldn’t make out who it was. We turned our attention putting out the fire first–」

Watson had barely finished explaining what had happened when I asked:

「– What about Jeanne?」

I wanted to check that first, but Watson shook her head.

「I haven’t seen her. But her passport was left behind with yours. Maybe she’s been kidnapped? Or…」

Watson stopped herself, but–

『Or maybe Jeanne is a traitor and the kidnapping is a ruse.』

Was what she didn’t say.

–DEEN has a『traitor』hiding in our midst.

But that isn’t something to be brought up lightly.

Those kinds of suspicions can erode team unity.

Especially the neo-Constellation team formed hastily this very month consisting of Jeanne, Watson, and myself. Unlike Baskerville, it could split up all to easily.

This being the case— the Team’s fighting strength has been halved, no, rather it will be reduced to a third of the original amount.

If that happened, and Constellation broke apart under the pressure of its role on the European Front… It could result in our total annihilation and a complete upset in FEW.

I’m certain Watson understand that. So, with that in mind–

Although she closed her mouth , I could see she was considerably distrustful of the absent Jeanne. I couldn’t say anything bad about Jeanne either.

While pondering that fact, my side hadn’t hurt…

In order to escape the flames and smoke, I walked back toward Meiya.

Fortunately, the fire was unlikely to spread. The fire company had almost completely put the fire out. There were few other guests staying at the hotel, and it appeared that everyone was safe.

「Our enemy… seems to have retreated.」

Discarding her depleted fire extinguisher in a rubbish heap, Meiya brushed at the singed corners of her robes.

Then, hands clasped in front of her chest, Meiya turned toward us–

「As I have said before, I do not doubt Jeanne-san.」

She suddenly brought up a dangerous topic.

What was left unsaid was:『Tohyama-san and Watson-san might doubt her.』But with all that has happened, thinking so can’t be helped.

But… regarding DEEN’s traitor…

Even Meiya has to be aware of it.

「The divine protection of my『Luck Enhancement』is not only strengthened by faith in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, but also in our allies. If we begin to doubt our allies, it will diminish it’s power considerably.」

Crossing herself in front of her huge, melon-like breasts–

Meiya made it clear that she did not mean to consider the thought or speak of it.

That kind of refusal to think logically must be the blind faith of a religious zealot…

If it’s only limited to tonight, then it’s not an issue.

Meiya is neutral. For the sake of DEEN’s unity, it helps that she has clearly articulated her position.

Even so–

「Tooyama, your clothes are awfully dirty… Someone attacked you, didn’t they?」

Watson was already suspicious of Jeanne. If she finds out that Jeanne had taken me out, her suspicions will be confirmed.

I can’t allow that fact to be discovered, or it will cause a problem– I can’t give any weight to Watson’s suspicions.

Determining that, I said:

「…『Bewitching Blade』is the one who attacked me. I can’t even explain how I escaped alive.」

Starting off with this keyword, I distracted the two of them from to topic of Jeanne by sharing this information.

My words seemed to have the intended effect–

「…!」

Meiya was the first to react, opening her long-lashed eyes wide, and Watson jolted slightly in surprise.

***************************************************************

Afterwards, in the dead of night, we headed out toward our new destination–

Leaving the area near Bruxelles-Central Station, we headed onto Diamond Street and an upscale neighbourhood.

Travelling down between the tightly packed rows of buildings on either side… they were all constructed of gorgeous orange brick that Watson explained was laid by the『Brussels Mason’s Guild』.

Then from an intercom on one of them:

『C』

「Carbunculus.」

『P』

「Persona grata.」

『A』

「Apicius.」

『Z』

「Zeno.」

The aforementioned exchange of Latin passphrases was conducted.

Then… there was an electric *Bzzt!* and a *Click!* as we heard the black door unlock.

「Now then, hurry.」

Watson leading the way, we entered the building–

There was a hall with impressive marble slabs covering the floor.

While Watson was talking about the different specimens of amethyst displayed on the wall, a hidden door on another wall opened… and from inside:

「Gosh, Mr. Watson, are you alright?」

A tall ordinary looking man in a khaki sheepskin coat appeared, carrying a later in his hand.

I remember this 20-year-old looking man.

Last year, at the Bandire of Empty Island, he participated as Liberty Mason’s ambassador.

With his almond shaped eyes, long nose, and sharp features, he looked like a film star.

「I’m okay, Kaiser.」

Walking up to Watson, the man — his name seeming to be Kaiser– looked Watson up and down. He seems awfully worried.

「Now then Kaiser, please speak Japanese from now on. His English isn’t that good.」

Watson said, indicating myself.

「Understood, Watson-kun. Your safety is paramount.」

Accompanying the statement with a nod… he turned his dark blue eyes toward.

「I’ve seen your picture. You are Kinji Tooyama. Please be at ease. You are in one of Liberty Mason’s hidden lodges.」

… For some reason he added a -kun honorific to Watson’s name, but not to mine.

「Introductions. This is Kaiser. Liberty Mason’s Exorciser 4, and my senpai.」

Despite the fact that he had just been introduced, he continued to look happily at Watson.

Hmm… this good-looking guy seems to have a bias favourable only to Watson.

It might be due to the fact that Watson works under him, but I get the impression that it goes beyond that in Watson’s case.

「Friends– please allow us to deal with the fire department and police. We have many members in both, but is that Meiya Romano I see over there?」

Kaiser said, at last turning to face us, but from further inside…

「Meiya-san? Is Meiya-san visiting with us as well?」

A beautiful mid-20’s girl with long blonde hair covered with a white lace veil appeared.

Although they had more gold embroidery than Meiya’s clothing, she was clearly wearing the pure white vestments of a priest. She must be a nun from the Vatican.

I got the impression that she had a smaller figure and more docile manner than Meiya.

Thrusting out a white cane, she did not turn to look at us. She must be visually impaired.

「Loretta-sama…! It is a pleasure to meet such a high-ranking Bishop exorcist. We suffered a surprise attack tonight, and unable to retaliate, and were routed. Please dispense divine punishment upon me.」

「Unthinkable. If anyone should receive divine punishment, it should be I. Because of my lack of fighting strength, it is sad to say, but I have left the front lines to you for too long.」

Seeming to feel indebted to her fellow sister Meiya– Loretta-san drew near and embraced her a sign of affection. This action Meiya returned in the Italian style.

Incidentally, Loretta-san’s breasts rivalled even Meiya’s.

The sight of 4 breasts being squished together in such a manner… was somehow terrifying to behold.

When you consider that both participants are members of the Church, it seems somewhat immoral. In Hysteria Mode, it is something I should avoid.

「Even so, Loretta-sama, such a dangerous place as this– is not fit for one such as yourself. The church in this city… no, the entire city of Brussels is unsafe. You should escape to St. Nicholas’ Church in northern Amsterdam. Bewitching Blade is here in Brussels!」

In a panic, Meiya warned Loretta-san.

Hearing the words『Bewitching Blade』, Kaiser turned around in shock.

But–

Loretta-san who stood only a few steps away from Meiya was unfazed.

「Do not be anxious, Meiya. This problem is unable to be compared to the conflict of 86 years ago. Above all, the Vatican in Rome is still unscathed.」

If I may be so bold to say so, I can tell at a glance the Loretta-san lacks all fighting ability. however–

Her resolute voice encouraged, not only Meiya, but myself.

This woman gives off the impression of a reliable senior. She and Meiya must have the same relationship as that between Tamamo and Baskerville. But she gives the sense of being a trillion times more reliable.

It appeared, however, that Kaiser felt the need to interject a scathing remark.

「So as long as the Vatican is safe, it’s fine to lose France and the Benelux countries?」

Angered, he cut Loretta-san off.

「That is not what I said. Not at all. We are here, with you Protestants, and–well, I will not go so far as to call it heresy, but we have proven our willingness to stand alongside you.」

「So you have said, you Catholic fundamentalists.」

Still maintaining a placid expression, Loretta-san responded to the belligerent Kaiser…

Religious differences are the reason that the Vatican and Liberty Mason have been able to work smoothly together.

Despite being in the middle of a war, there is internal strife. It is like the former Japanese army and navy.

That’s it… the reason that the European operation is bogged down.

When the argument switched over to English midway, I reached down to feel my left side… It was swollen, hurt, and warm to the touch.

**********************************************************************************

Seated close by the fireplace and seated in chairs, we convened an urgent discussion about DEEN’s military position in Europe.

Due to the complexities involved in the national communications companies and networks, it is highly unlikely that that intelligence can be conveyed from Europe to Japan or Hong Kong.

「Intelligence regarding DEEN… was leaked?」

「Does that mean there is a spy?」

As a natural matter of course, conversation turned toward that topic, and Loretta-san, Kaiser, and Watson picked at it.

「I am convinced that there is a traitor, Our movements and locations have been leaked to GRENEDA.」

「Then do they know that we are here?」

「… I do not believe so. There were no indications we were followed.」

「–When was the last time Jeanne was seen?」

Kaiser quickly latched on to that part of Watson’s story. He’s a sharp fellow.

If Jeanne leaked our whereabouts, then going missing afterwards, she would not be able to give any more information to GRENEDA. In other words, the current situation does not contradict Watson’s initial premise.

「… The last time I saw her was when we were given our rooms at the hotel.」

「I… was staying in the same room as her, and I saw her a short while before the attack. Jeanne said,『I’m going out for a bit』then left.」

Watson and Meiya gave their accounts, then Kaiser turned slitted eyes toward me–

「–Kinji. When did you last see Jeanne?」

…So, it’s come.

Is this where our fates diverge?

Jeanne and mine?

They already know that Jeanne and I went out together to eat…

I don’t want to doubt.

I want to stop doubting my friends… I made up my mind to do so when I was rescued by Constellation.

But let’s pose the hypothetical.

If Jeanne were the traitor, telling the truth here would put Jeanne in danger.

From what I heard from Tamamo, Bewitching Blade doesn’t exactly move exactly as GRENEDA might wish him to.

He didn’t kill me based upon his own personal misunderstanding.

From GRENEDA’s point of view, that would have been a mistake.

I wonder if I should boast about it a bit.

If I used the fact that he was so close to me, I wonder what kind of punishment GRENEDA might levy upon him.

If that is the case–then Jeanne might be killed to serve as a scapegoat.

…Besides…

There might be more than one traitor.

If it became known that『Jeanne was the traitor that leaked information from DEEN』, then at that point her usefulness would be at an end. They would definitely dispose of her.

In that case, I have to let DEEN know that『Jeanne is not a traitor and has been kidnapped by GRENEDA』and stick to that line.

However…

I can only think of one way to do that. But it would be a considerably bad move on my part.

That is to say–I must shoulder the blame.

If I said『Kinji Tohyama is the traitor』then immediate attention would be diverted away from Jeanne.

DEEN would naturally assume『Jeanne was led by Kinji to where GRENEDA lay in wait.』Although the opposite case was true.

「…」

As I remained silent, the pain in my head mingled with perspiration.

To tell the truth, I’m doing this to protect Jeanne…

From the beginning, I was willing to bear no small amount of blame.

So, I dared greatly to hide the injury to my side. I will turn the story of Bewitching Blade’s attack into a farce in order to save the rest of DEEN.

It’s activities unknown to the world, Liberty Mason appears to be an organisation operating on similar principles to Butei High’s LEZZAD. Those guys are definitely skilled at interrogation.

If cross-examined–

The truth of the matter that I had been led by Jeanne would likely come out.

「Why are you silent?」

Kaiser asked as I remained silent.

Whatever I say is bad.

If I make a bold-faced lie, due to his interrogation skills, he will see through it immediately.

「I haven’t heard anything from you– but Kinji. There are two things I need to know. First, how did you come to arrive at the scene of the fire. Second, we know you are『The man who makes the impossible, possible』, but we also know the strength of Bewitching Blade. How did you survive his attack?」

Here also…

I shouldn’t open my mouth.

While I was not in Hysteria Mode, Bewitching Blade thought I was a body double.

That is something I am unable to explain. Hysteria mode is my trump card. Since I don’t know if there is a spy or not, I can’t reveal.

「…Tohyama-san…?」

Anxiously, Meiya turned to look at me.

Although she could not see, Loretta-san also turned to face me.

「Kinji. I will ask once more. How did you escape Bewitching Blade? From what has been said prior and considering the current circumstances– you must certainly understand that it is necessary to confirm your innocence. As members of DEEN in Europe, we have received intelligence about Asia from Tamamo, but with you being constantly involved in a combat role, we haven’t been able obtain such. That is to say, it hasn’t been easy to obtain information on the latest state of events.」

Kaiser’s tone and expression became harsher.

This is… a coercive interrogation technique.

Although illegal, police and Butei occasionally employ it.

In short, when they have a suspicious person in custody, the typical method is to pile one threat on top of another or multiple lies until the person says「I’m sorry. It was me」, and they extract a confession in this manner. Even if scared and confused, the innocent person will be unable to lie, while the guilty person will. It’s a perfectly logical technique, but a cruel one.

However, in my case, it’s a fortuitous occurrence. If I were to become agitated, it would go along with my plan to shoulder the guilt.

While thinking that–

「Kaiser! You are rushing to conclusions much too hastily! Until now Tooyama has continually risked his life to fight as a member of DEEN!」

Unexpectedly so, Watson-kun-chan became agitated.

「If there is a traitor, and out search for them results in a falling out, that would be exactly what GRENEDA wants! We should follow proper protocol to first determine if there is a traitor first–!」

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IMG_001

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As Watson yelped this, pressuring Kaiser, he quickly lost the sharpness in his manner…

「W-Watson-kun! I was… just… asking Kinji… to make sure.」

His expression became considerably weaker.

Although distinctly gloomy, his face was still red.

Rather…

Kaiser… not only thinks of himself as Watson’s subordinate but seems to be in love as well.

Despite that, it appears that he tries to keep an abnormal sense of distance between them so that Watson will not notice.

From the beginning I thought that he was particularly deferential to Watson.

Well… that’s how it is.

In actuality Watson is a girl, but in Liberty Mason she passes as a boy.

As a natural consequence of understanding the strangeness of these emotions, Kaiser wants to conceal them.

But he is unskilled at doing so, and the deception is obvious. Even someone like me with a superhuman ability to be thick-headed understands this.

But in light of the fact that Watson is actually a girl, Kaiser’s feelings are perfectly normal.

Ugh… This is getting complicated…

Setting my own situation aside, I felt sympathy for this irritatingly handsome man, Kaiser.

「You’ve always had a bad habit of digging into your friends’ lives, Kaiser.」

For her part, though pretending to be a beautiful boy, Watson was by no means a boy herself (no matter how she pretended) and did not understand the tragedy that had occurred. Unlike Kaiser, she held nothing back.

「Digging? Me…?」

「Right after the first time we met, you asked the London lodge for my photograph, didn’t you? I happened to see it in your pass case when we rode on the subway. As the one under scrutiny, it doesn’t feel good.」

Arms folded and eyebrows raised, Watson scowled as Kaiser’s eyes widened–

「…!」

His slitted eyes wide open, Kaiser was at a loss for words.

He probably got that photo as a part of his private investigation…

I thought as much, but Kaiser was unable to say anything, and instead:

「W-Watson-kun! That is not what is the most important right now. It’s–Tohyama! His testimony.」

Once more, the topic of contention shifted. It seemed a bit like he was taking out his anger on me.

「Kinji. Just as the word ‘match pump’ suggests, the one most active in a situation is the one responsible for stirring up the trouble. 5 I’ll be blunt. Did you sell Jeanne out to GRENEDA?」

He asked such a rude thing–

Beyond putting pressure on me, it made everyone else anxious as well.

In terms of guns, Kaiser had put his hand on the trigger.

「…So that’s what you think?」

The other party was a man, and those words left my mouth… and I felt him put strength behind his words.

But that is alright.

I can’t be sure of the real reason for Jeanne’s actions back then.

There might have been some kind of mistake.

So– I will protect her right now. I’ve already settled that point in my own mind.

Butei Law, Article 1– Believe in your comrades and help them.

Believe. That is beautiful word to hear. Almost like there was a bargain sale on trust, I was spouting the word『believe』,『believe』, like something out of a manga.

But by nature, trust is an action that is accompanied by a high cost.

My Onii-chan told me–If you trust, you have to be prepared for betrayal.

Even so… Right now, I will not doubt my friends. Right here, right now in Belgium.

At the very least, we should try to catch up with Jeanne as soon as possible. We should hear the explanation from Jeanne herself. No matter what the truth of the matter is, if we fall out without checking the facts… even if we win the battle, we’ve still lost. It’s all the more true if we lose the fight.

Then, after I glared at him in silence for a moment, Kaiser–

「…Watson. Follow my lead.」

Returning my glare, he lowered his voice.

*Click!*– A small sound went up from near Kaiser’s pinkie finger. I couldn’t see it, but ten to one, it was a bladed weapon. Form where he was looking… it was pointed at my carotid artery.

From what I can tell from his appearance, he appears to be an expert assassin.

「Stop, Kaiser…!」

「Please desist, Kaiser. Do not doubt your comrades further.」

Watson and Loretta-san said, but their words did not reach the battle-ready Kaiser.

–He’s going to take care of the traitor right here.

He’s made up his mind.

But wary of my reputation as『Enable』to turn the tables on him, he did not move right away.

I get the sense that he is looking for an opportunity for a one hit, instant win.

An ordinary high school student would be spooked and killed on the spot but being shot at by Aria every day at Butei High has trained me well. I wouldn’t even be terribly scared of one or two professional hitmen. I owe that all to Aria-san.

However, as for what I am able to do while not in Hysteria Mode–

「Alright then, Kaiser, and you too Meiya. Pay attention. You asked two questions, and I will give you two answers. First, Watson is a girl. And another thing. Kana is a man.」

–I intended to suddenly disclose information to shock them

It was a crude technique, but interjecting with all their strength–

「What!?」

「H-h-huh!?」

「T-T-T-T-Tooyama! I-i-i–it’s not true! It’s not true, Kaiser! I’m a b-b-b-b-boy!」

「Kana-san? You don’t say?」

Kaiser, Meiya, Watson, and Loretta-san responded–each of them froze up, leapt to their feet in surprise, completely lost their composure, and retreated within themselves to ponder the matter at their leisure, respectively.

With a smug look on my face I pulled on one of my jacket buttons with my left hand, and reached into the jacket with my right… I missed my chance to use the smoke bullet against Bewitching Blade, but now I triggered it manually.

–*Poof!*

Opening my jacket, a white smoke of about the same density as air spread throughout the room–「Gosh!!」 Kaiser cursed, but was too late.

I got these from someone connected to the Vatican, these expensive Italian-made Butei bullets. Their performance is guaranteed. In an instant the room was filled with smoke.

Next, I shattered the window by shooting through the curtains and pretended to escape that way… but I actually made my way quietly to the door and disappeared.

This is a trick I would use whenever Aria would blow up in anger in my room.

Huh, that’s two times in one day I’ve had to thank Aria. That’s a first ever for me.

[END]

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1. This is pretty much what Kinji said during his ‘I want to be normal’ phase.

2. Famous quote from Ultraman series.

3. Anti-tank missile with a high explosive warhead. Able to be fired by a single person.

4. Kanji say, ‘Massacre-Witch-soldier’. I’d TL it as ‘witch-killer’.

5. Word refers to a person who makes trouble just to gain credit for solving it.